[Wiz's Shop – Axel]

"AAARGH!"

Now, that's a peculiar reaction if I ever see one. Wiz immediately tended towards the newly-awakened young man by the back of the shop, while Vanir checked the stocks to see if the 'woman who is easily duped with particularly charismatic salesmen' had bought anything that they couldn't sell.

Judging by the large pile that wasn't repackaged, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the archdevil.

Anyway, as for what I am currently doing...

"Was that a scream?"

"Yes", I replied with a smile, "It would seem like the shopkeeper's apprentice is currently practicing, so pay no mind to it."

The customer seemed to blanch, but the expression quickly came and went as a lecherous grin formed on the man's face. I was sorely tempted to hit him with my staff and send him off to my daughter, but I know that she needed to relax at this time.

"So, you work here often or you just work part-time?"

"Vanir!"

Curse my androgynous appearance. Luckily, I have have a trap card, and it seemed like the adventurer knew it as well. Vanir seemed to appear around the corner, and he shot me a puzzled look.

"Uh, see you later, yeah?"

I didn't even bother responding to him as I jerk my thumb on the last customer's direction. "Does that always happen?"

"Yes. That particular adventurer doesn't buy any products at all, either out of pity or lust. I would like to express my thanks for getting rid of that gnat."

I smile and waved Vanir off, letting out a chuckle as the back door opened and Wiz escorted the impromptu guest back into the store.

"Yo."

"AAARGH!"

In hindsight, it was a bad way to start a conversation. "Would you cut it already? I'm trying to cover for Wiz's shift here, and you screaming isn't going to help."

"B-B-B-But–"

"I'm the former Demon King. That means you don't get any money by capturing me."

At that, the young man's eyes seemed to sharpen in an instant.

"Oh. That's good, then."

Because you don't want to die trying to capture me, right?

Well, disregarding worldly desires, the young man seemed to have a good head on his shoulders. If it was possible...

"Sadly, you won't be able to recruit this young man to be a General for the Demon King Army." Vanir came out the aisles while carrying a box of magical items that actually worked. "He is far too focused on worldly desires and in trying to make his harem into reality in order to commit his time into a cool-sounding position."

"Oi, I can't help but hear you badmouth me and my goals."

"Ho...? A harem, you say?" I ask towards the young man with a raised brow. My steps were calm and measured, even as I placed a hand on the young man's shoulder with a shaky grip.

One didn't even need to look hard enough to find that I had tears in my eyes.

"...Please teach me your ways, o man of good taste."

[Axel's Streets]

Uwaaa...

I thought I was going to die, but it turns out that the former Demon King was just asking me to teach him on how to form a harem.

Should I feel smug about this...? No. No I shouldn't.

Besides, I didn't even have a harem...! I think. If Vanir was telling the truth, and coupled with the various interactions with both Megumin and Darkness recently...

...Mm. It could very well be possible.

"Oh? Well this is quite a surprise. The Axis Cult is also participating in the Eris Festival?"

The former Demon King's voice brings me out of my thoughts, and I turn towards him to see his eye glancing towards Aqua's stall.

With a smile, no less. Plus, I could see something in his hand forming...!

"Eh..." What was his name again...? "Bree-san, right? Do you have any problems with the Axis Cult?"

At that, the former Demon King's magic seemed to disappear, replaced with a smile as he turned towards me.

"You know what they are, right?"

"...Yes. I've got an Axis cult archpriest in my party."

"I sympathize with you." The former Demon King said, patting me on the shoulder as he gave me a smile. "In any case, you should know by now that they're all just ungrateful sacks of meat that are as dumb as rocks and are willing to swindle you out of your money in as many ways as possible."

...As much as I didn't want to agree with the former Demon King, that just sums up Aqua's personality perfectly.

It also means that I need to get him out of here before he does something stupid as well.

"Uh, how about we go search for your daughter first? You can come back to the Axis Cult's shop later and do what you want."

"That's good enough for me."

Somehow, that line was enough to ring alarm bells in my head.

Not that I particularly wanted to stop him, though.

In any case, both of us continued on walking through the streets, making our way to the Guild. Meanwhile, he questioned me about harems.

Everything about them, in fact.

"What do you need to have a harem in the first place?"

"Uh...be a bumbling, socially-awkward guy with a heart of gold? Or be a bad boy with a heart of gold, I guess."

Was it weird that I lecturing the former Demon King on how to form harems?

"Hm, I see...but what should be in common with the girls that are attracted to a harem in order for them to stay?"

"Determination...I guess. It wouldn't matter if the other girls also like the same guy if they're willing to do everything to snag him."

"Right..."

I turn towards the former Demon King, seeing him staring at the sky with a wistful smile on his face.

"Anyway, why are you asking me about this? To be frank, you seem to be one of those harem-gathering types."

Not that I can curse him or anything. He might actually reflect it back towards me, and then I won't get a harem.

"I had a wife, you know."

Alright, I take it back. I'm not sure if I should curse him right now or later.

"Most beautiful woman in the world. We had a great daughter as well, but my wife was headstrong. Wouldn't allow me to take care of my daughter since I was still the Demon King back then. I couldn't actually see her until I gave away the position, but the time that I did that..."

Ah. I think I can understand, even if I don't know what it feels like to be married and be a father as well.

"So I tried searching for her, you know? Looked up far and wide when I only had a picture of her." At that, he showed me a faded picture from his pocket, and I was treated to a very familiar face.

Wasn't this Chris?

"Anyway, when I heard rumors that she's currently in Axel, I made haste. I'm pretty sure that I can find her right now."

Yeah, but wait. Isn't Chris just Eris-sama's disguise down here? If that's the case, then...

...What.

"Kazuma-san, we're here." The former Demon King said, opening the door to the Guild as he immediately saw a certain silver-haired thief leafing through the quests.

...But no way, right? Because I'm pretty sure that Eris-sama is a pure goddess, right?

"My daughter!"

The rest of the Guild turned towards the former Demon King, while I hid my face behind my hands. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Chris gaping like a fish, before she quickly tried to hide.

"[Lurk]."

"[Aura Vision, [Illusory Bind]."

"Damn it!"

"Do you seriously think that you can hide from me, o dear daughter of mine!?"

I couldn't help but weep.

It would indeed seem like Eris-sama has a former Demon King to be her father.