"Ahh! That’s delicious!" Aqua exclaid, taking a big gulp of milk from the bottle with satisfaction.
Whether due to her influence or not, drinking milk after bathing had beco a habit for all party mbers. The mansion was always well-stocked to accommodate this ritual.
After bathing, everyone gathered in the main hall.
"Um... thank you so much for inviting to bathe and even letting have milk... I’m really grateful!" Yunyun said.
Though also a mber of the Crimson Demon clan, she was far more polite than gumin, showing genuine gratitude when receiving kindness.
Unlike a certain chunibyo girl who treated even charity as tribute, displaying no humility as a guest.
"No need to be so formal, Yunyun." Darkness said to the shy girl, "Aren’t you gumin’s friend? You don’t have to be so reserved — feel free to be closer with us."
"That’s right." Adam nodded, "Besides, it was gumin who caused you trouble, so it’s our fault to begin with. Don’t worry about it."
"Y-yes..." Though she said that, she still couldn’t relax in such a short ti.
"By the way, Aqua."
"Hmm?"
"Continuing our earlier conversation, you said you haven’t recruited any new followers these past few days... right?"
"That’s correct, why?"
"Well, I have a suggestion." Adam pointed at Yunyun, who was still shyly curled up in the corner of the sofa, "How about having Yunyun join the followers?"
"Eh?" Aqua was stunned for a mont.
But in the next second, she beca excited.
"Great idea!" Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Yunyun with anticipation.
This made the confused girl even more uncertain, not understanding why the blue-haired big sister was looking at her like a hungry wolf. She instinctively squeezed further into the corner of the sofa.
Her naturally curvaceous figure didn’t make her any less noticeable, though. For a mont, Yunyun beca the center of attention.
"No way! I object!"
The first to raise an objection was, of course, her lifelong rival — gumin.
Although she had been called the top student at the academy, she still felt strongly threatened by Yunyun, who was only slightly behind her.
Every ti she wanted to win against Yunyun, she had to rely on tricks and sches. If Yunyun were to join the followers, her only advantage would disappear, and Yunyun might even surpass her!
This was sothing she didn’t want to see.
But that wasn’t all. Joining the followers was just the beginning — gumin never imagined that Adam would also want to invite Yunyun to join the party!
"Not just joining the followers, I want Yunyun to join the Hero Party."
"...What did you say?!!!" gumin imdiately felt a strong sense of crisis and lunged toward him, "Hey! What are you saying? Why invite her? Are you getting rid of ? Do you think I’m useless? There’s already , an Arch-Wizard in the party, so why do you need Yunyun too? Do you think I’m worthless now, so you want to abandon ?"
The barrage of questions rang in his ears, making Adam’s head spin.
gumin was acting like an office worker who thought they could spend their life peacefully in the company (party), only to have a more talented person suddenly parachuted in to take their position, followed by being heartlessly fired.
And worse still, this newcor was her arch-nesis!
With her world crumbling around her, how could gumin not be agitated?
"Now, now, calm down, gumin!" While restraining the squirming girl who had landed on top of him, Adam noticed how small and thin she really was. Understanding her distress, he felt sympathetic, "I have no intention of making you leave the party!"
"Then...!"
"We’re simply strengthening the party." Adam explained, "Think carefully, gumin. Our goal is to defeat the Devil King, and as I’ve said before, he is extrely powerful..."
"B-but..."
"You know the party needs to be well-rounded! It’s difficult for just our small group to defeat the Devil King — that’s why I’ve let Aqua recruit followers. According to my plan, we’ll need more than double our current numbers! The Crimson Demons, who excel at magic, are our most powerful allies! And as for Yunyun’s position and role, well..."
The situation was clear. The Devil King in this Parallel wasn’t strong by himself, but he could infinitely strengthen his monster subordinates.
From this perspective, the more help they had, the better.
Moreover, compared to gumin’s extre damage output, Yunyun’s Advanced Magic was more versatile, allowing the two to form a perfect combination.
Adam lifted her chin, looking into her glowing red eyes.
"gumin, I’ve told you before, you’re my most promising talent. I absolutely won’t abandon you."
"...Alright."
With his absolute guarantee, gumin agreed to Yunyun joining.
Since the most difficult one was convinced, getting Yunyun to join would be simple, right?
"Yunyun, you’ve probably realized from my conversation with gumin... that’s right, our ultimate goal is to defeat the Devil King!" Adam announced their party’s ultimate goal, then paused.
But to his surprise, she showed no shock, excitent, or even surprise — completely unlike gumin’s thrilled reaction when she first heard about defeating the Devil King.
Huh? Not interested at all? Could it be because Yunyun doesn’t have chunibyo?
Adam pondered this and concluded it must be the explanation... No matter, he would continue.
"Ahem, while we want you for your abilities, what’s more important is your position... Yunyun, you’re the Crimson Demon chief’s daughter, right?"
"Yes...?"
"As far as I know, the Crimson Demon village is actually the closest settlent to the Devil King’s army, and you face countless monster attacks every day." Adam narrowed his eyes, his voice persuasive, "Yunyun, don’t you want everyone to acknowledge you as the Crimson Demon chief? With the great achievent of defeating the Devil King and saving the world, wouldn’t the Crimson Demons naturally accept you as their leader?"
"!!!" Yunyun’s heart skipped a beat!
Adam’s words held extraordinary allure, making the innocent girl show interest, though she still hesitated.
Not enough? Ti to add more fuel to the fire!
"Yunyun, you said gumin is your rival, right?"
"Yes!"
"But what you don’t know is that gumin has already found a way to beco stronger quickly — she’ll soon leave you far behind."
"Eh, w-what...?!"
"Falna... this power that enables rapid growth. gumin already has it."
Adam’s words made Yunyun’s face fall.
"If you don’t believe , ask gumin yourself."
"R-really, gumin... did you get sothing like that?" Yunyun looked at her rival, seeking confirmation.
The answer she received plunged her into despair.
"Hmph, that’s right." gumin struck a villainous pose and declared, "What’s wrong, my rival?! With the Falna, power cos easily to ! Our next duel will be like an infant challenging a giant! I’ll defeat you without breaking a sweat!"
"Eek!" Yunyun lost her composure at these theatrical words, unable to accept her rival’s sudden advantage.
If power could be gained so easily, what had been the point of all her training?
She sank into confusion.
Adam seized his chance, "So, want to join the Hero Party? Join now and you’ll get the sa Falna as gumin — no need to join the Axis Cult. Starting on equal footing, are you afraid you can’t keep up? Or do you lack confidence?"
"I-I..."
"As fellow party mbers, you can eat, live, and go on adventures together with gumin..."
"I’ll join!" Yunyun’s hesitation vanished instantly, "Please let join the party, I beg you!"
"OK! I agree!"
Success!
Adam nodded, pleased with his persuasive skills.
Though... he realized everything he’d said before had been unnecessary. Simply ntioning that she could spend ti with gumin would have been enough to convince her.
’Hmm...’ The more he considered it, the more certain he beca.
Watching Yunyun duck her head while stealing glances at gumin, Adam finally understood.
So you’re a problem child too!
✧✧✧
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