It's another day, and this world is still turning.
And it will do the same tomorrow and the day after.
It feels like a long time since I was in my original world.
And just for today, we're gonna turn the clock back a bit.
Back to when there was still snow on the ground...
Hey, you there, young man.
Can this wait until I finish?
Sorry to interrupt you. I'm actually looking for someone.
If this guy doesn't know my name, is he from out of town?
My name's Ozuma. Zatou Ozuma.
I was hoping to meet someone named Satou Kazuma. I hear he lives in this town.
Wh-Whoa, are you okay?!
KONOSUBA! God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! 3
"Watch Out For Impostors!"
I whipped up something to drink with Create Water. Help yourself.
S-Sure...
So, what is this?
My water's pretty good, right?
Is he going to demand I change my name because of the similarity?
I don't appreciate someone taking an issue with the name my parents gave me, though.
So, you're an adventurer, Ozuma-san?
What did you want with Satou Kazuma?
The guy's got a hell of a reputation.
People all over have been talking trash about him.
So I wanted to have a word with him about it.
And there is one other thing...
He doesn't really seem like a bad guy.
Promise not to be mad, okay? Truth is—
Ozuma! Did you find this impertinent Kazuma yet?
Oh, come on. It looks like you're threatening one of the local kids.
Do forgive him, young fellow.
N-No, it's okay. He even gave me water.
My name is Rakless. I earn my living as a crusader.
Who might you be?
The name's Tanaka!
Tanaka.
Nice to meet you, Tanaka.
This is the stuff! It's fan-frickin'-tastic!
F-Frog tongue? There's no way!
Hey, we're in the town for rookie adventurers!
Dining on the weakest kind of monster is in style!
The meat from the stall earlier was good, too,
but who knows where it came from?!
I'm amazed you can eat mystery meat like that...
"Well, it's because I'm an adventurer"... will not be my response.
I remember what she said...
Did you find this impertinent Kazuma yet?
...she said!
Hey, are you gonna eat or not? I wanna know how it tastes, Tanaka.
Megumi, we're treating him in exchange for hearing what he has to say.
Let the boy enjoy his food.
Megumi. You heard right, Megumi!
And this crusader in front of me is Rakless.
The priestess is apparently named Acure!
What in the hell?
I was curious to know what this crunchy fried stuff is like.
It's crunchy.
Obviously!
Come on, you said you were a regular here!
And, "This is the stuff!"
She's making a real stink.
I picked this place I've never been to so I wouldn't be recognized.
So, "Megumi," you said? That's an odd name.
M-My grandpa gave it to me.
It's supposed to mean something about blessings.
I get it.
So she's the granddaughter of a Japanese guy who was sent here.
Now, Sir Tanaka, about the reputation of the man named Kazuma who lives in this town...
Sir Tanaka? S-Sir Tanaka...
T-Tanaka... is your name, isn't it?
I'm Tanaka!
Let me begin, then. I'll tell you everything I know about Satou Kazuma.
Everything...
I feel so bad for this Kazuma-san...
Let me at least offer a prayer...
After saving this town, he was burdened with debt?
And it happened twice?!
But he never resented anyone.
With his brilliant mind, he created new inventions that let him repay his debts,
and now that he's made his fortune, he's out there somewhere,
wishing for the happiness of others once again.
Sounds like a hell of a guy.
I'm so glad things turned out okay for Kazuma-san! I really am!
As you can probably guess, he's a busy man.
I'd ask you to leave him be.
I appreciate it, Tanaka.
That's me, Tanaka.
That was very enlightening. I'm grateful.
You're quite welcome.
So there you have it.
Since they treated me, you guys can split my portion of dinner.
A-And you're fine with how that played out?
Every word I said was the truth.
I say it's great that they were convinced.
Me, too. I agree with you, Megumi...n.
Did you just pronounce my name strangely?
What do you mean?
Anyway, Megumi...n, can you pass me some of that food?
You have some nerve mocking my name, "Acure"!
I'm going to tickle you until you're in tears!
Whoa, Megumin!
You think a spell caster can match me physically?
That's enough, you two!
How about this?! And a little of that... and then this!
Right here! Coochie coochie coo!
Fine, I'm sorry!
Good afternoon!
Good afternoon to you, too.
Damn it, Satou Kazuma! I challenge you to a duel, you hear me?!
Unbelievable, Kazuma! What did you do this time?!
If it was something bad, I'll go with you to apologize, so come on!
And you just assume I'm at fault?
Wait, hang on...
You think you can screw with us?! "Tanaka," my ass!
You're dead meat!
Well, now what? It's those knockoffs from yesterday.
Release me, Darkness!
The source of yesterday's mockery by Aqua is on the other side of this door!
But she hasn't done anything to you! Her name just vaguely resembles yours!
Hey, just calm down.
I'll wrap this up in a jiffy.
I know you're in there!
If you won't come out here, I'll knock the door off its—
I'm headed to the police.
What?!
The charges will be trespassing and criminal threats.
The local prosecutor is an absolute nightmare, too!
Better brace yourselves.
You lie to us, scam us out of food,
and now that you're caught, you turn to the police?!
You're an even bigger scumbag than we heard!
None of the stuff I told you was a lie.
And you're the one who offered to treat me to that meal.
You have some nerve, you big liar!
I remember what you said!
"He was facing a Swordmaster who wielded a cursed sword!"
"The smart move would have been to surrender his comrade,
but he didn't do that!"
"Despite being a rookie adventurer
with nothing but a cheap short sword, he could not betray his friend," you said!
But when we asked someone else, they said the cursed sword user
was trying to rescue someone he cared about who was in a cage,
and his blade was stolen from him with a sneaky Steal, then sold off!
And what's wrong with that?!
We had taken a quest to purify a lake,
and it was my brilliant plan for her to do it while inside a cage!
He then decides I'm a bad guy for that and picks a fight,
demanding I hand my party member over?!
What the hell should I have done, then?!
You want me to fight him?
Me, a rookie with gear not worth a damn against
someone in an advanced class with a cursed sword?! You want me to die?!
I-It's just that...
Not to mention!
You guys were moved to tears yesterday!
I reiterate: none of the stuff I told you was a lie!
Sure, people can interpret stories differently and view them with their own biases!
But you guys were sobbing yesterday,
and now you have the nerve to make me out to be some kinda liar?!
W-We might've been moved at the time, but after sleeping on it,
we realized it might've been a bad idea to take one person's word for it—
So you're saying that,
despite all the waterworks, deep down you were doubting me all along?!
I humored you out of the goodness of my heart, and this is what I get?!
I'm traumatized! I'm, like, super traumatized!
Th-That's not what I meant...
Apologize! Apologize for doubting me!
That's right, apologize! You apologize for doubting Kazuma-san!
I might think he's in the wrong about this, and I'm not sure why, but apologize!
While you're at it, apologize for your name, too!
I-I'm sorry?
Hold it right there!
Megumi, don't let them get to you!
G-Good point. I haven't done anything I need to apologize for!
Damn, and I thought getting mad at them would be enough to chase them off...
What in the world is all the commotion?
And you are?
My name is Darkness. I earn my living as a crusader.
As a servant of the gods, mediating conflicts is one of my duties.
Tell me what's going on.
Then you're the knockoff of Rakless!
Knockoff?!
Even your introduction as a crusader is a copy of hers!
Unbelievable!
You're called Darkness, like some kind of dark knight,
and you go around calling yourself a crusader?!
Hang in there, Darkness!
It's okay! I kinda thought your name had a whiff
of a dark alignment when we first met, too,
but once you get used to it, it's a cool name!
Nothing to feel bad about, Darkness!
Tell me, Megumin... What do you think about my name? About "Darkness"?
I think it's cool!
What's wrong?! Why are you crying?! Something about this bothers me!
What the hell? They bring up her name, and she's in shambles...
Unbelievable.
While, as a Crimson Demon,
it is my inclination to accept any fight that is picked with me...
Given the supreme potency of my magic, even holding back,
there is a near-zero chance that any of you would survive.
Your bluff isn't gonna—
Given that...
Since we're all adventurers, why not settle this matter
in the appropriate fashion?
If you can earn a grander reputation than ours,
that will prove that it is our group who are knockoffs of yours.
KONOSUBA?
That was awesome!
You really are the brains of this group!
You've come to the realization swiftly enough, Kazuma!
And this is Axel! Our home turf!
No matter what effort these impostors put in,
the citizenry of this town has been by our side for a long time,
and it's obvious who they will see as impostors!
And building a reputation?
When it's all powerful winter monsters right now?
I wonder how long they can survive.
Y'know, I'm starting to feel like we might be the knockoffs.
Dark... alignment...
KONO...
...SUBA...
Yeah! It's finally done!
Two Weeks Later
I was bored, so I put it together with my Smith skill!
A silver arrowhead?
You're as versatile as ever.
Let's head over to Wiz's shop!
You were gonna have me test it by shooting her, weren't you?
I've only got one arrow, anyway.
When spring rolls around, I can use it on a quest!
Good point! Lazing around is great, but I'm starting to get bored.
I haven't seen you wearing anything but pajamas these last two weeks, Aqua.
And I haven't been out of the house, apart from helping with Megumin's routine.
Let's pop over to the guild for a change and really live it up!
Yeah!
We're back, guys!
Let's all get hammered! We're not paying for your drinks, though!
You never fail to impress, Zatou Ozuma-san!
I've lost count of the number of One-Shot Bears you've slain!
My old man's a farmer, and I reckon he'll sleep real easy this winter!
Let us buy you a round, Ozuma!
I heard you finished them off with your magic, Megumi!
Rakless-san, you really saved my skin back there!
Whoa, I wasn't expecting this.
Seems like they've been doing a better job than we figured!
D-Do you think it's too late to change the terms of the competition?
You finally showed up. So what do you think, knockoff crew?
I'd say we're the number one party in town now!
Sounds like game over to me!
Buncha nobodies from nowhere...
Damn it, people! Why are you sucking up to these new guys?!
I'm never treating you again!
Where do you get off, asshole?!
Your Aqua keeps mooching off of everyone else, so it all comes out even anyway!
I dunno what this contest of yours is about,
but if you want us on your side, then buy us a drink!
Home turf, my ass! We can't count on these guys at all!
No matter, young fellow.
Though we have our issues with you,
another matter brought us your way.
The truth is...
Acure-san!
Is Acure-san around? He needs Heal cast on him!
Aqua-san's here!
Aqua-san, huh?
Apologize! Apologize for being disappointed to see me!
Let me look at him!
This is terrible...
White Wolves must have mauled him.
I'm sorry, but this...
White Wolves? Those are winter monsters, right?
Sacred Highness Heal!
Hey! How could you do that to an injured—
His wounds!
See?! Aqua-san can heal the wounded, too!
Now, apologize! Apologize for not appreciating me!
Okay! Okay already!
I'll buy you a drink later!
Acure-san? Did you heal me?
Did you think it was Acure-san? Sorry! You were healed by Aqua-san!
Damn it all! Gimme my good mood back!
Why?! Apologize! Apologize for being disappointed!
Hang on. The adventurers in this town are pretty cowardly.
How did White Wolves get you?
W-Well...
KONOSUBA!
Y'know, there's something called the "ecosystem."
White Wolves normally spend the winter feuding with One-Shot Bears.
That's probably been the case year after year,
and the resulting losses kept the ecosystem in balance.
And that's why you were holed up in your mansion?
And then we messed it all up...
Aw, man. I can't admit I was just making up a legit-sounding story.
It's true that White Wolves don't usually come this close to human settlements.
I can't even make excuses...
Whoa, knock it off! They're on the verge of tears already!
There they are.
There are way too many!
Let's head back to the guild and get some adventurer reinforcements!
You can handle that many, right, Megumin?
Easily. With force to spare.
W-Wait! Given their number, I should go first.
No. You may be able to withstand attacks from White Wolves, but not Megumin's magic.
I'll handle it alone.
Our crusader's real sturdy.
She withstood hits from the Demon King's generals.
The Demon King's?!
And if push comes to shove, I can revive you with Resurrection!
Resurr—
H-Huh? They're staring at me.
But I can only really use Steal!
Kazuma.
Find the leader of the pack.
R-Right...
There he is. He's covered in bitches!
The Clairvoyance skill...
And silver arrows.
While we were getting carried away, they were...
I was hoping I wouldn't need to use this, though.
Didn't you say you made that because you were—
Megumin!
If I Snipe the boss and the others don't go running, you're up!
Darkness, use Decoy to draw the rest of the pack!
Understood.
Very well! My Explosion magic will render them to cinders!
Explo—
A-Are you kidding me? She uses Explosion magic?
Well, I've covered you in support magic!
Now, have at it!
Yeah!
Right!
I have some of the best Luck in the world!
Snipe!
The pack isn't scattering! This is bad!
Decoy!
Come and get me!
I don't care how tough she is! With that many of them...
Dance. Dance. Let my soul be made manifest on these white fields,
bringing forth crimson unto the earth!
Witness the advent of chaos!
Go!
Explosion!
Let me have it!
We were wrong about you!
W-Well, as long as you understand.
Honestly! I earned the name of "Axel's Healer" at the guild!
Now, apologize! Apologize for overshadowing me!
I-I'm sorry...
All that aside, you went on that hunt in order to help this town.
That fact is something to be proud of.
An incident of this caliber proves to be little challenge for us, mind you!
All too easy, compared to facing Demon King generals.
You're one hell of a party.
All those nasty rumors must've been from folks who were jealous of you guys.
I'm really sorry.
S-Sure.
We're a fairly famous party, despite how it might seem.
We thought you were impostors using our names at first.
And then we heard something we couldn't ignore.
What's that?
One of the Demon King's generals, Hans...
A long time ago, he killed a friend of mine.
I've been traveling all this time for revenge.
I see.
I wanted to have a word with him about it.
And there is one other thing...
Kazuma-san.
Thank you for avenging my friend.
I'm grateful. And I wanted you to know.
Aw, crap. After hearing about their motivation,
these guys are looking way more heroic than us...
Are the rest of you traveling for the same reason?
Oh, yeah! We've got a genuine hero in our party, too!
You might be a pervert masochist, but you're a genuine noble!
No, I...
I am a survivor of a group of knights who defended a territory
that was wiped out by the Demon King's army.
I seek to rebuild my house,
and to avenge my comrades and the townsfolk who were slain.
That is my objective.
I-I see...
We're cooked! Their crusader's got a way more heroine-y past than ours!
My grandpa, the one who gave me this weird name, was an amazing spell caster.
I'm trying to follow in his footsteps and—
I see! I get it! Sounds rough, really!
I don't wanna hear about how much more heroic they are than us! It's depressing!
Well, we're going to head out of town.
Sorry for all the trouble.
Aw, it's fine.
And if you hear anyone talking smack about us out there, correct them, okay?
You can count on it.
If we do hear anything like that, we'll set 'em straight!
You wouldn't believe the stuff we heard about you guys.
For instance?
Well, what I heard was...
a story of you tying up your partymate and dragging them behind a carriage.
There's no way you'd do that!
Stop!
Well, here's what I heard!
They said you stole the underpants of a young girl!
And then swung them around like a maniac!
Who would even do that?
Make it stop!
Your friends have fared no better, I'm afraid.
Destroying the nature surrounding the town for idle amusement...
Ruining the hot springs of Arcanretia...
Oh, and there was a time...
I was accosted with questions like, "Are you a masochist, Rakless?"
And, "Can I verbally abuse you?" Absolute madness.
I beat the fool senseless, but I have no idea what he was on about.
Please, no more!
But it's okay.
We have faith... that you all wouldn't do anything like that.
We are so sorry!