Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

Half a month later, the settlement for the "Cabbage Infinity War" finally came.

That day, the guild had gathered almost every adventurer in Axel.

The hall was so lively—and so crowded—that it was nearly impossible to move.

Shichen's party had only just returned from their final Giant Toad Subjugation, the very last task on the board for the season.

Although we've worked ourselves ragged, we've just about wiped the monsters out.

Of course, next year at this time they'll be back again; you can never be completely rid of them.

Still, to adventurers, monsters that spawn every year are a blessing—an inexhaustible, reliable source of income.

Seeing how packed the lobby was, Shichen suggested that they wait outside for a while.

…

Outside the guild

"Shichen, how much reward do you think we'll get?" Megumin asked, eyes sparkling.

She had lost track of how many cabbages she'd blown up—an endless sea of green that was still vivid in her mind. At 10,000 Eris a head, she had easily blasted thousands. Add in Shichen's share, and they might reach what he once called a 'small target'—a hundred million.

"I'm not sure either," Shichen laughed, shaking his head. He had never bothered keeping count, nor had he separated out the lettuce that looked almost identical to cabbages—those were worth only a tenth as much. Either way, one Explosion spell had swept them all up.

Even if a few lettuces slipped in, today's payout would be enough to buy a house.

Little by little, the number of adventurers inside dwindled. Each person who left wore a grin so wide it practically shone.

"Shichen, let's hurry in and get paid!" Megumin could hardly wait.

"Alright, let's go."

The entire party hurried through the doors—no one could stay calm where money was concerned.

Just as Shichen stepped inside, he spotted Chris jogging over: snow‑white hair, the cool thief outfit, an adorable face—hard not to notice. She saw him too, skidded to a stop, and immediately turned away.

"Chris, won't you come with us?"

"No way!" she answered playfully, stuck her tongue out, and left.

Guess she's still keeping her guard up, Shichen thought, shrugging as he walked to the counter where Megumin and the others were already waiting.

"Miss Megumin, here is your reward: 45,631,000 Eris."

"Whoa—there's that much?!"

"Why the extra thousand?" Aqua asked, puzzled.

"I'm sorry," the clerk explained. "Miss Megumin also caught some lettuce."

"What? There were lettuces too?!" Aqua went pale.

"Aqua, what's wrong?" Yunyun asked.

"I—I think I messed up big‑time…."

"Don't tell me you mixed up cabbages and lettuces?" Yunyun ventured.

"Ugh…" Aqua looked on the verge of tears.

"It is easy to confuse them," Darkness nodded, "but surely you didn't mix up that many? They are different, after all."

"B‑b‑but…!" Aqua really did start crying.

"Um…" Yunyun had no idea how to comfort her.

"Shichen, what exactly is lettuce?" Kazuma turned to him, baffled.

"It's basically ordinary leaf lettuce," Shichen explained. "Looks a lot like cabbage and migrates with the cabbages to places no one knows. Its abilities are similar, but its value is completely different."

"Only 1,000 Eris each?"

"Right."

"Figures Aqua would be the one to mess it up," Kazuma sighed.

"Heh‑heh~"

"Shichen, your reward is 56,403,000 Eris," Luna said with a smile, handing him a surprisingly small pouch stuffed with banknotes.

"Thank you." He took it, still smiling.

"It's what you earned."

"I'll treat you to dinner sometime."

"Really?"

"Of course."

"Then it's a promise~"

"No problem." Shichen went back to the others, who were consoling Aqua—she hadn't even broken 100,000 Eris, mere pocket change compared to everyone else.

"Aqua, still crying?" Shichen sighed.

"B‑b‑boo‑hoo! I earned the least—how can I show my face?" Aqua lay on the table, wriggling in a spoiled‑child tantrum.

"What does it matter? We're one party. What's ours is yours."

"Huh? Really?"

"I'm not lying. Right, everyone?"

"Yep, what's ours is yours."

"Don't be sad, Aqua," Yunyun added.

"You guys…" Aqua said, moved. "You're so good to me. How about joining the Axis Church? I'd give you my blessings!"

"Let's not," Megumin declined first.

"Wh‑why not? Why won't you join?!"

"Heh‑heh…" Everyone laughed awkwardly.

"Alright, no biting the hand that feeds you. Let's head back, rest, and start house‑hunting tomorrow," Shichen said.

"Shichen, even you…!"

…

The next morning

After breakfast, Shichen and the party returned to the guild.

Looking for houses on your own isn't enough—you need someone who knows the town.

Luna's the perfect guide.

But inside, the atmosphere felt tense.

"I heard one of the Demon King's generals has occupied an old castle just up in the hills outside town."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, I heard it too. No idea what they're after."

"Whatever. As long as they don't raid our Beginners Town, who cares?"

"Exactly—nothing to do with us."

"Aqua, calm down," Shichen said as she bounced with excitement.

"Let's go defeat them! The reward could be huge!"

"Idiot. We can't beat a general."

"Eh? You can't, Shichen?"

"I can, but—"

"Then it's fine!"

"Not yet. House first."

"Oh, right."

At Luna's counter, several staffers looked grim.

"Luna."

"Shichen? What brings you—ah, sorry. I probably can't help right now."

"Why?"

"You might not know yet: a suspected Demon King general has shown up. Because of them, the weak monsters nearby have all gone into hiding, and almost every quest has dried up…."

"So there really is a general?"

"Not confirmed, but likely. The capital's knight‑order will arrive next month to deal with them. Until then, no one can work outside town."

"I see…."

"Hold on!" Megumin cut in. "Doesn't that mean you're less busy?"

Smack! Shichen rapped her on the head.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"If adventurers can't take jobs, Luna and the staff have to find jobs for them, or they'll starve."

"Eh? Adventurers have it that rough?"

"Only now figuring that out? And you're an adventurer!"

"So what do we do? Forget the house?"

"We'll just have to wait—"

A shrill horn cut him off as a loudspeaker crackled to life:

"Emergency notice! Emergency notice! All adventurers, arm yourselves immediately and assemble at the town's main gate in battle formation!"

The announcement—only the second time since the Cabbage alert—blared on loop. Without another word, Shichen and his friends rushed with the crowd to the gate.

When they arrived, everyone fell silent.

A single monster radiating suffocating pressure stood before them: a knight in pitch‑black armor—without a head. The severed head was cradled under its left arm.

A name instantly sprang to mind: Headless Horseman—a creature that half‑proclaims death and brings despair.

A righteous knight turned undead now wielding strength and abilities far beyond his mortal flesh.

Under the adventurers' collective gaze, the Headless Horseman raised the helmet‑covered head, and a muffled voice emerged:

"I am a general of the Demon King's army…."

~~~

Patreon(.)com/Bleam

— Currently You can Read 120 Chapters Ahead of Others!