I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

The adventurers' guild was livelier than usual today.

Though the guild was always bustling, today's energy was distinctly abnormal.

"I, Nero, command you all—make some noise!"

"Woohoo—!!"

The cheers erupted like a tidal wave, almost lifting the roof off the building.

Yet, none of the guild staff stepped in to calm things down. They merely shook their heads with wry smiles, allowing the adventurers their fun.

After all, they were celebrating the defeat of a Demon King's general.

Strictly speaking, it was Nero alone who had defeated the Headless Horseman, Beldia. Most of the others had little to do with the victory, aside from Megumin and Kazuma's group, whose daily explosions near Beldia's castle had drawn him out in the first place.

But Nero didn't seem to mind.

"I grant you the right to celebrate alongside me! Hold nothing back and shower me with praise for my magnificent display! Umu!"

If it was a celebration, the more people, the merrier.

"Nero-sama is amazing!"

"Defeating a Demon King's general single-handedly? Absolutely terrifying!"

"Terrifying!"

"Truly, Nero-sama has the makings of an emperor! In time, you'll be unmatched across the land!"

"I wouldn't be surprised if she defeated the Demon King and brought peace to the world!"

The first adventurer, who had started with a simple "Nero-sama is amazing," now stood dumbfounded.

Where are they learning these ridiculously over-the-top lines?

Standing on a chair, Nero listened to the enthusiastic praise with her eyes nearly closed in delight.

"Umu! This praise is music to my ears—how I could listen to it forever! Your compliments please me greatly. I've decided! To ensure everyone here shares in my joy, eat and drink to your heart's content today. It's on me, paid for with my reward for defeating the Demon King's general!"

"Woohoo—!! Long live Nero!!"

The guild's revelry reached a new peak of excitement.

No one knew exactly how much the reward for defeating a Demon King's general was worth. Since no one had ever succeeded in slaying one of the eight generals, it was entirely unprecedented.

But one thing was certain—the reward had to be an astronomical sum, enough to secure a lifetime of luxury.

"No, no, this won't do. Follow my lead this time!"

Shaking her head as if dissatisfied, Nero raised her cup high and shouted:

"Rome! Eternal glory!"

"Rome! Eternal glory!" the crowd echoed.

"Umu! Once more, louder this time! Rome! Eternal glory—!!"

"Rome! Eternal glory—!!"

And so, the celebration began in earnest, a raucous party to commemorate the defeat of the Headless Horseman.

Though, let's be honest—most people were just happy for the free drinks.

"Kazuma! Kazuma! Hurry and get me some of that wine! It's the expensive kind we've always been too broke to afford! Finally, we can drink to our hearts' content today!"

"You know the rules. If you want it, come and get it yourself."

Somewhere in the crowd, a certain goddess with an insatiable thirst for alcohol had resorted to snatching drinks from others.

Meanwhile, Nero drained her cup in one gulp, her emerald eyes lighting up in delight.

"I like this flavor! What is it?"

An adventurer nearby looked over and answered, "That's called Nero's Mead."

"…Nero?"

Nero blinked, tilting her head in curiosity, before a wide grin spread across her face.

"Umu! What a marvelous name! I love it! When I hold Nero Fest one day, every shop will sell this drink!"

Brimming with excitement, she ran over to Alice and Yunyun.

"Alice! Yunyun! Come try this—it's delicious! And don't worry, it's not alcohol."

Yunyun seemed a little overwhelmed, clearly unaccustomed to such lively festivities.

"Nero…"

Megumin approached, her expression hesitant, as though wrestling with her words.

"Umu! Adorable maiden, what troubles you?" Nero asked, her cheeks flushed from the revelry, her smile as radiant as ever.

"I'm in a great mood today, so ask away! Whatever it is, I'll answer!"

Hearing this, Megumin hesitated, tugging nervously at the brim of her hat.

"How… how's your body holding up?"

She was likely asking about the Headless Horseman's death curse, which Nero had taken in her stead.

Among Kazuma's party, Megumin might appear the most hot-headed, but she cherished her companions deeply.

In the original story, when Kazuma refused to be resurrected, intending to reincarnate into a wealthy family for a better life, it was Megumin who cried, begging him to stay.

When her friends were insulted, Megumin was the first to bristle with anger, more so than when the insults were aimed at herself.

And now, with Nero having risked her life for her, Megumin couldn't help but feel an immense weight of guilt.

"I'm perfectly fine! Didn't I tell you before?" Nero replied cheerfully.

Of course, she hadn't expected that killing the curse's caster wouldn't break the spell—it required the caster to lift it willingly.

In the end, Nero had turned to Aqua, who performed a holy purification to dispel the curse.

Though not without a hiccup. Aqua had tried to use the situation to coerce Nero into joining the Axis Church, claiming that having a hero who defeated a Demon King's general would boost the church's reputation and surpass the Eris Church.

Nero had responded by employing her Nine Yin Bone Claw on Aqua's head.

Honestly, where did Aqua get the audacity to try blackmailing Nero? She'd been terrified of Nero just that morning! Does this idiot really have a goldfish's memory?

"See? My body is as good as new. Aqua might be a fool, but her abilities are top-notch. She's healed me completely, lifting the curse and curing all my injuries."

Seeing Megumin's worried gaze still fixed on her, Nero assumed she was about to ask why she had stepped in to take the curse in the first place.

Though it had been partially an experiment to test her Magic Resistance, Nero's earlier answer had been genuine.

Just as Nero pondered how to explain, Megumin suddenly bowed deeply before her.

"Thank you…"

The words floated gently to Nero's ears. Before she could respond, Megumin walked away, leaving her stunned.

"…I get the feeling she'll remember this for a long time."

Even though there hadn't been any need for such a gesture.