Threat Reassessment

"Bastards!" Annie yelled as we walked down the hall. "FUUUUUUUUUUUCK! DAMMIT!"

I sighed. "Would you calm down? The whole castle can probably hear you."

"Shut up, Kelby."

"Listen, I know how much you like to suck up to him, but he didn't actually say anything about you failing."

"You idiot! You know how much he hates failure; the fact that he didn't even care to reprimand me after such a colossal screw up is even worse than if he did."

"Well, at least we're back."

"Tch. Makes me wish you just left me to die."

I chuckled. "Come on now, if I did that I'm sure Demon King-sama would be upset. You're his main squeeze—"

SLAP!

"S-Shut up! Don't put it in such vulgar terms."

"...Ow. Ok, I guess I deserved that, but it's no secret you two are an item—at the very least, everyone knows how infatuated you are with him."

"E-Enough!" With a redded look of embarrassment, Annie cleared her throat. "We gave our report on the goings ons in Belzerg—not to mention that Hero."

"Right. Satou Kazuma."

"And his party."

"Personally, I didn't really feel anything too threatening from them, so."

"That's because you're an idiot who's too strong for his own good."

"Hey, if poor Dean was here he'd probably think you were talking about him."

"Oh shut up. Next time, I'll just use the item I was entrusted with; I'll make sure to finish them quickly."

"Honestly, when you had the princess, why didn't you use it? I'm pretty sure that was a perfect opportunity."

"This is why you're an idiot. We were there to gauge their strength. If I used it and was caught by surprise, the enemy would have access to that treasure."

"Ah, right, that would be bad. But that being said, isn't that thing just a fake, anyway?"

BLAP!

"I really wish you would stop hitting me," I said, rubbing my cheek.

"Then stop saying stupid things. Sure, it may be a replica, but it's far more dangerous and effective than the crude ones the soldiers are using."

"But you can only use it twice, right?"

"In rapid succession. The only limitation is the ammunition it uses—which is why retrieving the Coronatite was so important. Nevertheless, our beloved leader has found a way around that."

"You mean G—"

"I mean our leader," she said, her eyes narrowing on me. "That dwarf is just an eccentric old fool; it's no wonder he's being paired up with Wolf Boy."

"A couple of outcasts, huh?" I chuckled.

"What's so funny?"

"Ah, I was just wondering if Annie was gonna end up—"

BLAP!

"Anyhow, we've got our next assignment."

"You mean, you do," I said, massaging my cheek once more. "I've requested some time off."

"Time off?!"

"Yup, and it's been approved. I had such a nice and temperate area snatched away from me thanks to you."

'W-What?! T-This isn't my fault. I-I just didn't know that princess could be so tenacious."

"She's from a militant country, of course she'd be able to fight. Anyway, I'm off to the hotspring. *sigh* What I'd give for a bit of companionship."

"Tch. S-Slacker!" Annie yelled as I walked off. "Go on then, enjoy that bath of yours! I'll be out obtaining glory for our leader!"

"Right, right. Have fun! And try not to screw up this time."

"BASTARD!"