...Summons…

With an actual stretch of time to get things done, Aurdel worked on his Warthog. He wanted to get at least some work done since he'd constantly been interrupted by people coming to him. Of course Megumin and Darkness complained about it for their own reasons, so he let them go out and do their thing. They ended up coming back covered in frog slime. But he still had to get his work done, so he didn't comment. Yunyun was watching as he worked, it was as if she wanted to say something but either she didn't know how or couldn't muster up enough bravery to say it. He wouldn't push her though, that wouldn't be right. Though it was also because Megumin was hovering around, she would probably jump on him if he tried to get anything out of Yunyun. "Excuse me," a man said. Aurdel looked up from his work. There stood an older man dressed in a suit with black but graying hair. "Would you happen to be the owner of this mansion, Aurdel Ganowicz?"

"I am," he stood up. "And who might you be?"

"I am simply a servant of Lord Alderp. I come to you with an invitation, for my lord wishes to speak with you." Another invitation? And with another noble no less? Jesus. The last thing he needed was being invited and then being kidnapped again. This was especially since all though a week had passed since he'd left the capital, he still felt sore from Iris's lightning strikes. That was even with the healing Aqua had provided him and the baths he'd taken up try and soothe it. "I'm afraid it is a matter of life and death."

"A matter of life and death?" That was a different case however, one he could make exceptions for.

"Yes, the well being and existence of this town is at stake. Without your help things might go awry and cause it's destruction."

"How soon would I have to leave to meet your master?"

"As soon as possible preferably. But, that is if you're willing to go."

"I'm willing. Tell your master to expect me." The man gave a grateful bow to Aurdel, then left.

"Do you really have to leave again?" Yunyun lowered her head, "I don't want you to have to leave us again, there's something that I have to tell you."

He put a finger under her chin and raised her head, "Don't worry, I won't leave you all. Besides, I'll be willing to hear it no matter what it is."

"I-I don't know if I can say it, not yet."

"Then take all the time you need, I won't make you rush into anything if you don't have to." And Yunyun looked up at him with a smile.

"There's something that I need to tell you too," Megumin said, not facing him. "But I'm not sure if I want to say it either, it's embarrassing." The two Crimson Demons glared at each other, like they were fighting a long ongoing battle. He… didn't particularly know what they wanted from him.

"Again, all in good time I suppose." That got them to stop glaring for a moment, "But I suppose we should check out what this Alderp wants from me."

"I don't know what he would want from you," Megumin said, "But it can't be good. All the rumors I've heard about him are negative, no one in town likes him. Though I wouldn't be surprised if he would do the kind of things that Darkness wants from a man." Really? Then it was a bad sign to begin with.

"Megumin, can you go everyone and tell them to get ready? I'll be inside in a second to explain everything."

"Sure…" She shot a glance at Yunyun before leaving. What was up with these two?

"Aurdel," Yunyun tugged on his sleeve. "After we meet with this noble, can we go to the Crimson Demon village? Just the two of us?"

"I wouldn't mind, the others probably will though."

"Oh, then we don't-"

"I'm not saying we can't go, so don't give your hopes up just yet. And smile," Yunyun smiled. "Let's head inside, I can already imagine a few people that would be making a fuss over this summons."

And he was right. "Eh?! Why do we have to go somewhere else so soon?! We only just back and I've barely had any time to relax!" Aqua complained. "I don't wanna go!"

"What do you do that justifies needing to relax so much? You hardly do anything productive or worthwhile."

"I am Goddess! I should be allowed to do whatever I want for as long as I want whenever I want."

"How did I know you'd say that? Aqua, nobody is going to start believing you any time soon just from you saying it's true."

"But I am a Goddess and you know that's true! But if we HAVE to go on a quest then I should get the highest reward."

"It's not even a quest, it's just someone wanting to speak with us. Even if it was, why should you get the most?" She began to speak, "And do it without falling back on the same excuse."

It looked like she thought for a moment, "I am a-!"

"I said without using the same reason!"

Aqua crossed her arms, "Why should I have to give any other reason? Besides, I don't want to go on this dumb trip anyways."

"Relax Aqua," Darkness put a hand on her shoulder, "It's necessary to protect the town against any threat that may arise, no matter what it is or the circumstances."

"But why?!"

"You live in this town you idiot! What do you mean why?!" He shouted.

"Well personally I don't like this," Anatalia stretched herself out on the couch, resting her head on the armrest and staring up at him. "I already have little trust and faith in nobles, but with everything I've heard about this one it's bound to be nothing but lies and treachery on his part. And recently I think we've dealt enough with nobility."

"I can understand why you'd say that…" he soothed has still aching back, "But even so it's bad to leave something like the safety of the town up in the air."

"I suppose you are right… That's probably why he went to you. He's the ruler of this town and doesn't want it lost by any means necessary."

"Exactly, but what about the rest of you? Any issue with going?"

"I don't mind really," Megumin said, "As long as I can use my explosion I'm fine."

"I'm fine with it too, I just want to go to that place once we're done," Yunyun finished.

"I suppose it's settled then. Alright, everyone get ready. I suggest you take the dresses you wore to the dinner, but make sure to bring your combat gear." He himself was going to wear his suit, freshly repaired after it was practically obliterated in the fight against Iris. He packed a duffel bag with his combat gear, putting his magnum, a few magazines, some explosives and some first aid supplies. He kept his combat knife sheathed on the inside of his jacket, and on his side was his recently made sword. The sword was made of Damascus steel, or at least that's what it was called in his world. Where he was from the art of producing that kind of steel had been lost for centuries, but apparently was alive here. He'd have to learn to produce it himself.

They all came out of their rooms, dressed for the occasion. "Say, I forgot to ask but, what kind of rumors have actually been said about this Alderp guy?"

"He's a massive womanizer, and a real bastard to boot,"Anatalia filled him in. Married over a dozen times, each one divorced when he got bored of them and none of them got a single eris or pressed any kind of charge against him despite what he did to them. Besides that he's a fat older man, a little older than you." He really did sound like a bastard, that made their reasoning for not wanting to see what this guy wanted even more justified. But if it was for the town then it was for the town, and they had no other choice in the matter.

"My father had tried to make me marry his son on several occasions, but nothing came of it as I refused the offers. He's simply not the type of man that I want," Darkness stared off into the distance and she began rattling off nonsense.

"The man that I want can't look normal, he has to be either too skinny or extremely out of shape. On top of that he must be weak willed in every way, except in enforcing his sick and cruel perversions upon others. Every day when he comes out of his room, after lazing about, he'll complain about his debts and problems and how they're all society's faults. Then he'll throw his empty bottles at me and abuse me, finally saying, 'Hey Darkness, go use that slutty body of yours to earn me some money.' That is what I desire!" They were all staring at her as he panted, imagining the situation she'd drawn up in her mind and stated out loud. "What's with that look? Did I say something strange?"

"Yes, extremely. So take off that dress because white is supposed to be a pure color." Moments like this made him wonder what kind of cruel joke had been played by the universe for someone to be called Darkness. Regardless, by what she'd said Alderp perfectly fit the description of her perfect man. Worrying.


"Please, right this way. We welcome you Aurdel Ganowicz," the servants opened the doors to the mansion in front of them. They'd arrived at the mansion in a carriage provided by Alderp, possibly done in order to butter him up for whatever was to come of this meeting. The interior and exterior of the mansion itself were extremely glitzy, painfully so. It appeared even more showy than that of the royal palace in the capital. It was as if a billionaire wanted to show off all his life savings and put them inside a transparent vault, then moved it into the middle of a town square. How much of an ego did someone need to have to put up an appearance like this?

"Hey, something smells off here," Aqua said while sniffing the air, "Something unholy."

"Are you sure that it isn't you?"

"Of course it's not me you idiot! There's something in this mansion, and I'm going to go and look for it!" Aqua walked off. Aurdel looked to Yunyun, giving an expression that screamed, 'Please go after her and make sure she doesn't do anything stupid.' Understanding his message, she followed Aqua. The others were all led to their own rooms for now, him being separated from them and taken to a dining hall. The doors in front of him were pushed open. Inside, before him, was a long table covered in embroidered table cloth and lined with rich food and wine. At the end opposite to him was one man, only one man. This man was of medium height, tall in this world but still much shorter than him, and fat, dressed in clothing expected of nobility and possessing blonde hair. This was Alderp.

"Ah, Aurdel Ganowicz, it is a pleasure to finally meet you." That greeting stressed the fact that there was no pleasure in this meeting. "Please sit."

Aurdel sat opposite to Alderp at the table. "You know why I called you here, that reasoning was partly a lie." Perfect, off to a great start already. "But there is something greatly important to me that I would need your help with."

"And what might that be?" Not only did this noble not respect Aurdel, but he'd lied to him as well. There would be no issue with denying him here, but there was something that pushed him forward.

"The lovely Lalatina is a member of your party, is she not? You've seen her luscious body, her curvaceous form. That is what I desire most, it is something that I would pay any price to have." Aurdel should quit being an adventurer and become an oracle with how well he was able to predict this. "Ever since I've laid my eyes on her I've dreamt of her being mine to have, but her father won't allow me to do that. But.. With someone aside from me, one with great influence, a hero like you might be able to convince him otherwise. After all, why not listen to the wishes of a hero of the kingdom? One who has slain numerous Generals."
Now Alderp was doubly laying on an insult. Not only did he not respect him, but he refused to acknowledge Aurdel's accomplishments. Normally he was not one for ego, but he couldn't help but feel angrier with this man. Not to mention, this fat old man was asking him to sell out his own party member. As much as he insulted and berated her, he wasn't about to do that. "And what might I get in return for my efforts to do so? Surely someone such as yourself that no deed is done for free."

"Yes, yes, of course. I'm willing to give you anything for. Except for Lalatina, of course. I suppose a situation in which, theoretically, the Dustiness household encounters a crisis, one that has it's head discredited. And in order to save it from disbandment a new, popular face will have to be chosen. A certain hero might be able to fit that claim."

So not only did Alderp want him to sell out his own companion, but as a form of payment he would destroy his companion's family. A real bastard indeed… There had to be something to this that he wasn't seeing, he felt like there was something in the back of his head nudging him to keep this conversation going. It wasn't enough to take him over though, years of conditioning against that kind of subliminal influence had done him well and stopped it from happening. "Of course today will be the day to show you the benefits of such a deal, all of them riches that might be afforded to you. So please, enjoy." Alderp clearly didn't want to have to host him, but did it begrudgingly because he wanted Darkness.

So he wouldn't let these efforts go to waste. Aurdel took one of the wine glasses and poured it out, then drank. It was of a fine quality, one that would be expected of the personal vintage of a noble. The others of his party, excluding Aqua, came in. He could see Alderp eyeing Darkness up as she walked in and sat down at the table, preparing to enjoy her meal. Anatalia in the meanwhile was glaring at Alderp with sharp, intense eyes. She looked like that if someone were to tilt their head the wrong way at her she'd pounce on and kill them. But they all sat down. Yunyun chose to sit down on his right side and leaned into his ear for a moment. "Aqua 'fell asleep,' but she did find something." Aqua had actually found something? Maybe she could be useful. "I"ll show you tonight, just wait until then."


Night arrived, Aurdel waited. He sat on his bed waiting for Yunyun to arrive, most likely through the door. Though he wasn't entirely sure if she'd be able to do it unseen since Alderp had servants patrolling the mansion during the night. Their doors were also locked, though he and the others should easily be able to undo them. Then there was a slight pop as Yunyun teleported in. "I didn't want any of his servants to see me in the halls and be alerted, that's why I teleported in. I have a point in each of our rooms."

"But you'll have to wait before you can teleport again and show me what Aqua found."

"Right," so they'd wait. Yunyun walked over and sat down next to him on the bed. She was quiet for a moment, then spoke. "Aurdel… what do you think of me?"

What he thought of her…? "Well," he started, "You're extremely kind, and considerate of others. You've never really demanded something from me or wanted something, unlike those three." She knew who he was referring to and nodded her head. "But on top of that you're always willing to help and have done a great amount for both this party and me. There's no one that could ever replace you. And while Megumin would kill me for saying this, you're a much better Archwizard than her. All in you're a great young lady and it was a shame to both hear and see how you were treated before." Hearing that made her look gleeful, she hugged his arm and rested her head on his side.

"Thank you… for saying that," she whispered quietly. He stroked her hair.

"Everyone deserves to be happy, including you." And they sat peacefully like that for a few minutes. Again he felt like there was something else that Yunyun wanted to say, but couldn't work up the courage right now. Eventually she sat up. "Alright, my spell is ready again. Let's go. Teleport!" And with that she teleported the two of them out of the room and into another, it was much darker in this one. The space they stood in looked like that of a cellar, Yunyun held out an unlit lantern to him.

"Tinder!" He lit the lantern and took it, illuminating the space around them. When it was completely lit he could see that there was someone else in the room. Chained to a wall."

"He's what Aqua found, I had to stop her from purifying him so I put her to sleep."

"Purifying? So he's a type of undead?"

"Close, he's a Devil. At least he says he's one, I didn't have the time to ask him many questions because I didn't want to make it extremely obvious we were snooping around. But his name is Maxwell." Aurdel crouched down next to the figure chained to the wall. His appearance was similar to that of Vanir, with butler-like attire, fair skin and glowing red eyes. But his hair was orange, and he appeared to have bruises all over. Frankly that baffled him, could a Devil really be hurt by physical blows? Sure he'd done something similar to defeat Vanir, but his mask was the only real part of him while the rest was dirt and sand.

"So Maxwell, what are you doing chained up in the dirty basement of a noble's home?"

"Yee~ I was summoned by Alderp to bring him Lalatina, I am forced to stay here in order to not make my presence known. Yee~" This Devil had an odd way of speaking, but it was almost in a way that made him pity it. To think, he could pity a Devil.

"He made a contract with you to bring him Lalatina?"

"Yee~ that is why I was summoned by him, but because I have not done it for him he beats and kicks me. Yee~" Again, he couldn't imagine himself pitying a Devil in the past but here he was. He began to stroke it's head as if it was a child.

"What if I were to help you complete your contract?" The Devil made an inquisitive kuu sounding noise. "I can provide Lalatina to you, and you can physically bring her to him. That way you can fulfil your contract. So, what do you say?"

...Binding Agreements...

They'd cut Maxwell's chains, then Yunyun and Aurdel teleported out of the cellar and back to his room. He sat back down on his bed, "Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. We'll have to plan out how we're going to do this without Alderp catching on."

She sat down next to him, "I'm sure we can come up with something, we just need to tell the others about it in the morning before it happens."

"Maybe… Yunyun, can you make sure everyone is in one place while I meet with Alderp tomorrow? Make sure Aqua is knocked out too, I don't want her messing anything up."

"I can do that, what else?"

"You'll wait by the door until I say the words, 'a woman truly befitting yourself.' When I do, you'll run back to the cellar and teleport Maxwell to the hall where everyone is waiting. Then from there you'll allow him to physically enter with Darkness and present her to Alderp."

"I should be able to do that, you can count on me Aurdel!" She smiled and looked up at him. "By the way… can I stay in your room for the night? If it isn't too much of an issue." She seemed a little anxious asking the question.

"Sure, I don't see any issue with letting you stay here. Megumin will probably complain in the morning if she sees that you did, but she can get over it." Yunyun let out a sigh of relief, was that what she wanted to ask him? He laid down in bed and pulled the covers over himself, Yunyun laid down next to him. After a moment of what appeared to be hesitation, she pulled in close to him and put her arms around him.

She exhaled, "It's hard to believe someone so strong can be so gentle."


Aurdel woke up the next morning. It wasn't exactly early but it wasn't late into the day. Yunyun had already left his room, presumably to go inform the others of the plan that was in place. She really was reliable. He got out of bed and changed back into his suit, making sure to carry his magnum and combat knife inside of it. If something didn't go according to plan and they had to fight their way out he could at least make it back to his room so he could get his sword and properly escape. But hopefully, that didn't have to happen. After checking himself one last time and refreshing himself in the bathroom he left the room he'd been afforded, walking out into the hallway.

When he walked through the hallway he saw that five of the other doors in it were cracked open, there were people looking out of the cracks. Yes, they'd all gotten the message. They all knew what would happen. He was escorted back to the dining hall by one of Alderp's servants, a large buffet of breakfast awaited him there. "Ah, Aurdel. Please, sit down," the fat nobleman said. He'd already begun on breakfast before he'd arrived, a large plate of food before him. It was covered in baked goods, eggs, bacon and various deserts. He scarfed them down like there was no tomorrow.

Well, there might very well be no tomorrow for him depending on what Maxwell might do with Alderp once the contract was completed. Aurdel sat down at the same seat he'd had the day before, a similar array of foods was presented to him. He wouldn't at much though, it's not like he needed a mountain to get through the day anyways. "So tell me, how have you enjoyed living in such luxury? Have you explored all of its depths?"

"I have," Aurdel played along, "And it is more than I ever could have asked for."

Alderp had an evil grin, "I knew that you would see things my way, there are no real heroes in this world. Only those that pretend to be moral do-gooders to receive a greater reward would claim to be heroes." Alderp shoveled a spoon full of eggs into his mouth and sloppily ate it. "After all, the people who truly deserve rewards are those like me. Those who hold the power."

He wiped his mouth with a napkin around his neck, "But there are also those, those who recognize true power. And the handing over of Lalatina is surely a worthy price for the power and wealth that you seek."

"Indeed, Lataina truly is something else. But, she is a woman truly befitting yourself."

"Isn't she? I can already tell we will be great partners in the future, I have many more plans to raise ourselves up."

"Really? What might those be?"

"Perhaps I shouldn't tell you, but I feel generous. Especially with this wine!" Alderp gave a hearty laugh and spilled some of the wine on the carpet, shaking the glass.

"Listen to this. Some time ago I acquired a powerful tool, one that was used by a 'hero' of old. Now this 'hero' died quite some time ago and their tool drifted around, eventually it came into my possession. This tool allows whoever uses it to switch with whoever they want, no matter who they are. Think about it, pure immortality!" He laughed again, "And right now that tool is upon the Prince's neck, I could take his body whenever I want! Then from there I would be set to rule the country, take whatever I want! And you can do it with me." He leaned in over the table, "I'm sure someone like you wouldn't be opposed to that, wielding absolute power."

"No, I wouldn't be opposed to having the power to control one's own fate and the lives of others. Doing so should be the end goal of all those who seek power."

"Indeed! Now where have you been for my whole career? To have had someone at my side since the beginning, it would have been an honor. But now that you're here we can truly rule over the weak willed and those unfit to hold power!" He raised a wine glass, "To our health!"

"To our health, and the warmth that hell will bring you!" Alderp looked at him confused as Aurdel drank his wine from his glass.

"What did you say…?" The doors suddenly burst open, Alderp nearly toppled from his chair in surprise.

"Yee!~ Alderp! I have brought you Lalatina! Yee!~" Maxwell said, holding Darkness by the shoulder.

"L-let go of me you Devil!" Darkness pretended to be struggling, but it was clear that even if she hadn't known it was set up she was enjoying it.

"Max?! How did you escape the cellar?! You weren't supposed to see them! You-!"

"Yee!~ I have completed the contract, now you must pay your price! Yee!~"

"I've already paid your price several times you forgetful beast!"

"Then allow me to rectify the score," Aurdel stood up from the chair, pushing it backwards. "Maxwell, I will make a contract with you now." Aurdel looked at the Devil, then pointed a finger as Alderp. "Drag him to hell."

"Y-you! How could you?! After everything I-?!" Alderp was furious with him, but he couldn't express it for very long.

"Yee!~ Yee!~" Alderp suddenly grasped his neck as if he was being choked, a pit of fire appeared beneath the struggling noble. "Yee!~ Yee!~ I will complete your contract! Yee!~" Alderp was plunged into the fiery pit below him, Maxwell lept in after him. After that it shut.

"Aurdel, don't you think that was a little overdoing it?" Darkness asked, walking up to him and looking where the nobleman had fallen to hell.

"No, not at all. No good deed goes unpunished, and with all of those I suppose it was about time that he had his just due." He thought for a moment, "Though we're most likely going to be suspected in his disappearance now, a nobleman simply doesn't go missing."

"Actually, that's another thing…"

"Hmm?" What was she talking about?

"When Yunyun brought Maxwell out, he didn't come straight to the door to bring me to Alderp. He actually performed a trip around the mansion and performed some spell on the servants and staff. They all think that Alderp willingly bequeathed his estate and noble house to you, then left in exile due to self shame."

"He did what?" Aurdel needed to confirm what he'd heard. But even after Darkness repeated it, he couldn't believe it any more than he had before. "Who really knows what happened?"

"All of us, except Aqua. Yunyun put her to sleep and I think she'll just go with what we tell her anyways." She paused, "But what happens now?"

He was stumped, "You know, I don't exactly know. I didn't have any idea something like this would happen to begin with. You just have to give me some time to figure it out." And the two of them walked out of the room, back to the rest of his party.

"Aurdel, now that you're a nobel give me a really important position!" Megumin shouted, getting close up to his face given her excitement.

"Sure… you're the Minister of Explosion."

"Awesome!" She let out a laugh and flung her cape. "I am Megumin, foremost Archwizard of the Crimson Demons and the Minister of Explosion!"

"I don't think that's a real position…" Darkness said quietly.

"Hush, let her have her moment."

"What about me?" Anatalia said, walking up to him and swiping his chin with her tail.

"You can be the Treasurer, and head of the maids."

"Treasurer I can understand, but why head of the maids?"

"You did say when I first met you that you'd even be willing to be our maid."

She put a finger up to her chin, "Yes, I suppose I did."

"What about me?" Darkness asked, "After all, I was the one in the most danger."

"You're already a noble, you have no part in this." And with his quick rejection she squeezed herself in enjoyment. Yunyun tugged at his arm. Right, she wanted to visit her village. "But since we're done here, can you all wait for a moment? Me and Yunyun have to go and run an errand."

"You and Yunyun?!" Megumin shouted

"Is there something wrong with that?"

"O-of course n-not, I just didn't expect it," Megumin turned away from Yunyun, she was obviously hiding how she was really feeling about it.

"If you say so. Yunyun, if you would please?"

"Of course, Teleport!"


When they finished teleporting they were back in the Crimson Demon village, standing up on a hill looking down upon the landscape. From here they were able to see all of the homes in the village, further off in the distance they were able to see the place where the battle that had defeated the Demon King's forces in the areas had taken place. It was still smoldering, the area having been nearly entirely burned down from all of the magic that'd been used to destroy the camp. "Sit down please," Yunyun said. So he sat down on the grass, she sat down next to him. "It… it took me a lot of time to come up with the courage to say this, even if it's something that I said to you before." She shuffled in place a bit, "You remember when we first had to come to my village, right?"

"I do. You got a letter from your father that it was under attack, and Arue's story was with it and because of it you thought that you had to make a family with me."

"R-right," she was still a little embarrassed of what had happened such a while ago now. "But all that time ago I said… I said that I loved you. And that's still true!" She was struggling somewhat to keep going, but she pushed forward. "That's why… That's why I want to be with you!" She squeezed her eyes as if she was going to be faced with a hard rejection. "You don't have to say yes, I understand if you don't want to and I want you to be happy."

He relaxed his shoulders and embraced her, tucking her close to his chest. "You deserve to be happy too Yunyun. And if you're happy, that's enough for me." He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, there were tears on her cheeks and a smile on her face.


AN: Happy Valentine's Day