Megumin frowned. "I still don't get it."

Kazuma sent her an annoyed look and took a swallow of beer. They'd just returned to the guild hall after a successful mission. As they'd sat around relaxing Kazuma had decided to tell them a little about how things worked back in his old world.

"What's so hard about this? People would go to certain locations on a specific day and vote on who they wanted to be in charge. The person who got the most votes would then win the election and be in office. Well that's how it worked in Japan at least. Over in America they have some weird rules about colleges and stuff."

"So, whoever's most popular gets to rule?"

"Pretty much."

"That's just stupid! Being popular doesn't make you a good leader!"

"I agree," Darkness said. "Having a royal family and line of succession is the only sensible way to choose the ruler of a nation."

He gave Darkness a smug grin. "What? Because popping out of the right womb makes you worthy?"

Darkness frowned. "A crown prince or princess will be educated and trained their entire lives to be a monarch."

"So, does that mean every king or queen is a good one?"

Darkness paused. "No, I can't say it does. There have certainly been mediocre and terrible kings and queens."

"And if you get a ruler who sucks how do you get rid of them?"

"Uhm, that usually requires a civil war or revolt."

"Well where I'm from all it takes is a no confidence vote in the Diet. Which way sounds better to you?"

Darkness glanced about and then lowered her voice. "Uh, Kazuma, what you're saying is starting to sound a bit treasonous."

"Of course, it is," he took another drink. "How do they do things where you're from Megumin?"

"Well, we have a Village Chief who runs things." She suddenly looked very unhappy. "Eventually his daughter will take his place and she's a complete idiot. So maybe you have a point."

Kazuma nodded.

"Say," Megumin said with a sly grin. "Since you believe in having whoever gets the most votes be in charge why don't we do that for our party? I mean you've always been leader just because. If elections are so great, why don't we have one?"

"Sure, why not?" Kazuma lifted his mug. "I vote for Kazuma as party leader."

Megumin jumped to her feet and made her cape swirl as she planted her staff and produced a dramatic gesture. "I vote Megumin!"

The two of them turned their eyes to Darkness. She opened her mouth; it was obvious she would vote for herself.

"If you vote for me," Kazuma said. "I'll spread a rumor about how much you like wearing cat ears and a tail."

Her cheeks turned a bright red and she gasped. "I v… vote Kazuma."

"Hey!" Megumin shouted. "That's not fair! You only got her vote by making some kind of crazy promise!"

Kazuma laughed. "Welcome to democracy."

XXX

Author's Note: It's November 3rd 2020, get out there and vote. Or Darkness will never wear cat ears again! Do you want to be responsible for that? Do you?!