From RE0, Sato Kazuma decided to cheat on food and drink

Moreover, I had previously heard from Betty that ordinary people only possess one or two types of mana, which limits the types of magic they can use.

But it seems I don't need to worry about such problems at all.

Mana's reserves may not be enough, but for Kazuma Sato, this is already a very good start!

"I need to find an opportunity to use magic later! Betty seems to know a lot about this stuff; maybe she can even help me break through to the next level!"

Kazuma Sato smiled and muttered to himself.

Just then, Aqua's performance on stage seemed to be coming to an end.

"Thank you all for choosing the Axis Cult! Once you become a member of our cult, all future performances will be free to watch! Please leave in an orderly manner. There will be people handing out small gifts outside. Merchandise related to this goddess is also being rushed into production and will be delivered to everyone according to the registered addresses!"

Aqua spoke to the others present in an incredibly gentle voice.

In her eyes, these people were already her incredibly adorable believers.

Soon, Hambari and Gaston emerged from somewhere and began guiding the audience away while distributing gifts. In no time, only a few people remained in the large space.

"Ah, I'm so tired. I'll tidy up a bit and then go welcome the next group of believers!"

Aqua stretched her neck and then yawned.

"Useless Goddess!"

Just then, Kazuma Sato stormed up to Aqua, glaring at her with an expression that suggested he wanted to devour her alive.

"Hey, Kazuma, what brings you here too! Have you finally decided to join this goddess's cult?"

Aqua was completely oblivious to the seriousness of the situation and simply smiled as she looked at Kazuma Sato.

"Hey, hey, hey, you spent a lot of money on all this stuff, didn't you!?"

"Of course! Renting such a large venue, along with all sorts of supplies and merchandise, must cost a lot of money!"

"You seem pretty smug! Do you even know you've spent all our money?!"

Kazuma Sato then delivered a fatal blow to Aqua's forehead.

"Aaaaaah! Kazuma, you hit me! You were the one who told me I could spend the money however I wanted!"

Aqua held her head in her hands, squatted on the ground, and began to cry.

"Damn, I knew you'd only ever buy alcohol or something, but who knew you'd go and do this kind of thing! And you actually spent all your money!"

"I only just realized it costs so much money! And all that money is only possible because of my goddess charm!"

Aqua stood up again, puffing out her chest with immense pride.

"What you said does make sense, but we don't have a single penny left!"

"Why don't we just go ask those people again?"

"How can you ask someone for money again in such a short time? And is this really something a goddess would say?"

Kazuma Sato was completely at his wit's end.

The money from before could be considered as funds provided by the other side for their campaign.

But if they find out that Aqua is spending all her money on these bizarre performances, things might get out of hand!

"Don't rush, Kazuma~"

Aqua scratched her head somewhat guiltily, then, as if suddenly remembering something, turned to Kazuma Sato and said...

"I've just gained a huge number of followers and regained a tremendous amount of power!"

"oh?!"

Upon hearing the other person's words, Kazuma Sato's expression changed instantly.

Although it was a near-fraudulent tactic, if the other party's power really does increase with the number of believers, then it's not entirely unacceptable.

At least evolving from a useless goddess to a somewhat useful goddess is acceptable.

"So what power have you regained?"

"Watch carefully!"

Aqua's face lit up with a smug smile again, and she used her signature move once more.

The fan sprays water—no, it sprays flowers, birds, wind, and moon.

"?"

"Didn't you notice? The water jet has gotten thicker! Now I can summon even more water!"

"..."

Kazuma Sato felt suffocated in that instant.

I seem to have developed unnecessary expectations of Aqua.

"By the way, what was that ability you had to paint with water just now?"

"It's a drawing skill I recently learned! I was already pretty good at this, but after learning that skill, I can turn all sorts of liquids into different paints! How about that, am I amazing!"

"So... you used your precious skill points to learn this ability?"

"Of course it's more than that!"

Aqua patted her chest.

"I also learned another amazing skill!"

"Oh? What is it?"

Sato Kazuma felt a slight renewed sense of anticipation.

However, he soon regretted having such expectations.

Aqua cleared her throat and then made the exact same sound as Kazuma Sato.

"Hey, let's play rock-paper-scissors! The loser has to take off a piece of clothing!"

"?"

"And another one! Next up is Betty's voice, which is a bit difficult. She has to make a sound similar to a newborn duckling—you idiot, Betty isn't a little girl!"

"All I know is that if I tell Betty these things, you're dead... Wait, is this a skill you learned?"

"That's right, it's a voice imitation skill! Amazing, isn't it!"

Before Aqua could finish speaking, she was met with another electric cannon shot from Kazuma Sato.

"Kazuma, you hit me again! You'll be punished by heaven!"

"Ugh! You useless goddess! Not only did you waste money, but you also used your skill points and regeneration power to do this kind of thing?!"

"It's just money! Think about it, if you have enough believers, fundraising is a very simple thing!"

"That's right!"

Kazuma Sato's face immediately broke into a smile as he gently helped Aqua up.

"So how much money was raised today?"

"Today... I forgot to include the fundraising segment in my itinerary."

"It seems only one of us will be able to leave here!"

Just as Kazuma Sato was about to engage in a fierce battle with Aqua, a series of footsteps sounded from the side.

"Lady Aqua, I never expected that you would have to do everything yourself today. I really admire you."

Kazuma Sato turned to look at the other person, a slender middle-aged man dressed in very high-end clothes, with dark yellow hair and cunning, fox-like eyes fixed on them.

"you are?"

"Lady Aqua hasn't told you about me yet, has she? Then please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Russell Filo, and I am the accountant of the Kingdom's Merchant Guild."

Russell greeted the two men with a polite smile.

The person Lazhens just mentioned is him.

Russell was a realist and shrewd with money. He tended to make decisions based on profit and risk, and was only interested in how to make the most money, which led to him being described as a mosquito trying to squeeze money out of others.

Yesterday, Russell noticed Humbert and Gaston attracting a lot of attention on the street. As a businessman, he sensed a business opportunity and took the initiative to extend an olive branch, wanting to invite the two of them.

However, Russell did not expect that behind these two people was Aqua, one of the candidates.

Aqua's name was already well-known to many people because of the miracle she caused.

After yesterday's King Selection Party—meeting—the identities of all the candidates were made public, and everyone now knows of Aqua's existence.

She is already a well-known figure in Lugnica.

After Aqua approached him and explained her idea of ​​cooperation, Russell did his best to support her.

This is a big business opportunity for him.

Moreover, it's a great opportunity to build rapport with the candidates.

Although Russell actually had business dealings with other candidates, he didn't mind giving himself another option.

"You're Russell."

Kazuma Sato glared at the other person with annoyance.

This is the guy who tricked Aqua into spending money!

Unforgivable!

"Lady Aqua, your plan today was truly brilliant! I'm sure the other candidates didn't expect you to use such a method!"

Russell smiled and said to Aqua.

"what?"

Aqua's face showed a bewildered expression.

"Most of those who came here today are commoners. As you know, because of the deaths of the royal family members half a year ago, Lugunica almost fell into chaos. Although it is still able to operate now, Lugunica's economy is declining at a visible rate, and the lives of the people are not optimistic. Aqua spent a lot of money to prepare so many supplies today, just to win back the hearts of those commoners."

"what?"

“The other candidates are trying their best to win over the support of the nobles, but you are the only ones who have set your sights on the common people—the most important part of a country is the common people. This gives you the support of the lower classes, which is your advantage.”

"..."

"And using some kind of religious order as a disguise to package yourself as a goddess, this idea seems absurd at first glance, but after thinking about it carefully, I have to admire Lady Aqua's idea. Combined with the miracles you caused before, it is easy to make those people become your followers. You personally came on stage today for this reason."

"What is packaging? I am what I am—"

Before Aqua could finish speaking, Kazuma Sato pinched her thigh to stop her from continuing, while he himself smiled at the man named Russell in front of him.

"It seems Lord Russell is already aware of our purpose!"

Since the other party has said so, I have no choice but to accept it.

After all, she simply couldn't bring herself to say that 'Aqua actually just wanted to use acrobatics to trick people into joining her cult.'

Aqua understood perfectly and could only nod vigorously.

"You two have worked very hard. I am very much looking forward to your performance in the royal selection. Please contact me if you need anything in the future."

Russell looked at the two people in front of him and said with a smile.

However, there seemed to be some unknown thought hidden in the upturned corners of his mouth.

Chapter 73: Make Money! Make Money! Make money, damn it, make money!

Russell is ostensibly the head of the Kingdom's Chamber of Commerce, but in reality, he is a member of the Lugnica intelligence organization, Six Tongues.

They infiltrated every corner of the kingdom, concealing their identities and secretly gathering information. Every blade of grass and every tree in Lugnica was under their control.

Right now, Aqua and Kazuma Sato are their primary targets.

Russell collaborated with Aqua and her group partly to further fabricate his identity as a businessman, and partly to gather more information about Aqua and her group.

Does Aqua truly have a connection with Shenron?

Russell wanted to know that.

Russell simply smiled and nodded at the two people in front of him.

He was able to determine one thing: Aqua and Kazuma Sato, who seemed to have very individualistic ways of doing things, were not ordinary people.