"Yo, we're uh…back."

Kazuma announced to Wiz, bothered by something he couldn't narrow down, followed in by his party with varying emotional states.

"Oh hello again Kazuma, did you all enjoy the town?"

"S-scary…" Megumin tightly clutched her staff and quaked in her boots.

"I personally enjoyed it. In fact I might go out again some more." Darkness said.

'Yeah I bet you would'

"Oh yeah, listen to Darkness, we had a wonderful time. What about you? Feeling better?"

Last he remembered, Wiz was on deaths door thanks to their trigger happy priest.

"Yes I feel much better! And since no one was at the mixed baths, I got the whole place to myself! It was exquisite!"

Kazuma slumped in disappointment.

'Gah! I got here too late!'

Aqua on the other hand, already was on the verge of tears.

"Kazuma interrupted my time at the church, can you believe that!?"

"Hey. We're not here on vacation, we're here to save your town remember?"

"Oh yeah! As soon as I find that bastard I'm going to send him straight to hell!"

Wiz tilted her head in confusion, is that what they were here for?

"Which is why we're gonna plan out…what we're gonna do. After I get a bath, cause lord knows I need it after today." Kazuma said.

'What IS that, my sense is making my hairs stand up'

Isn't it obvious?

'Damn it, but I was reaaallly hoping that-'

"Y-yeah, I think a bath sounds good." Megumin began to consolidate her belongings.

Kazuma felt a tickle in his innards.

'Bath time comes first'

What!?

'Bath time. Comes first'

You shameless thing. If we lose this chance it is all your fault

'Yeah well, priorities gotta be straight'

I wouldn't call this straight

'I disagree, I would call this very straight, from a certain point of view'

"Megumin? I thought us three were going to the woman's bath?" Darkness asked.

"Y-yeah but, didn't you hear Wiz? She said the mixed baths were the best one remember?"

"Well actually I-"

"And I will accept nothing but the best on this trip!"

Cutting off Wiz and leaving no room for arguments, she gripped her towel and marched off to the changing room, humming a song of victory. Probably to keep her composed.

'Maybe you're gonna get your wish after all'

As soon as he placed a hand on the other side of the men's changing room, leading to the open area where the baths resided, he could feel a high level of power emanating with his sixth sense.

"Won't be long now for this stupid church to finally bite the dust. Who knows? I might even get promoted to general again."

"You really think he cares about what happens out here? All he does is lock himself in that castle and brood. And I thought I was supposed to be a sloth."

He heard two distinct voices, belonging to a man and woman respectively.

"Don't let him catch you talking like that, you know how much he hates gods. Why do you think I was given this job in the first place?"

'This 'he' they keep referring to. That must be the Tyrant king. And is he saying that female voice is a god?'

"Spare me the details Hanz, I'm just here to enjoy the baths and heal my wounds. Those Wulfrum's aren't a joke."

"Yeah whatever, I got stuff to do anyway."

Kazuma, deciding not to miss an opportunity, barged into the baths. Getting both of their attention as he calmly walked up to the edge and entered the water across from them. It was after getting a good look at both of them that he found his eyes locked on target.

'Woah, talk about melons!'

That's Wolfbach, I knew her less than the others. But she is one of the strongest of the original eight

'She said she was healing from some wounds she earned from the wolfs? Is that what she called it? Vanir told me she was battling an army out to the north east, that must be them. And then the dude, she already named dropped him so that makes this simpler'

While Kazuma and Sanguine conversed within his head, the two lieutenants whispered amongst each other.

"Crap, think he heard us?"

"Not sure, he's just staring at us…or me actually."

"Heh, just some kid getting too excited to look away? Alright, it's about time I get going."

Kazuma slammed a palm onto the rocks that lined the large bath to get their attention once more.

"Yeahhh, sorry pal. Not gonna happen."

"Excuse me?"

Hanz was put on full alert, not even sure how the kid managed to hear him speaking in such a low volume to begin with, In his mind this confirmed that he must have eavesdropped to begin with.

"You're just the guy I was looking for, see a little bird told me that you've got some messed up plans for Arcanletia. As much as I hate this town already, I can't let you do as you please."

"Ah I see, so some punk adventurer overhears some things he shouldn't have, and now you want to act a hero?"

Kazuma made a mental note of Wolfbach's general ease within this situation. They're not taking him seriously in the slightest.

"Nah, actually I heard from a certain duke of hell."

"What!? You're lying. How the hell could you possibly- are you trying to tell me Vanir betrayed us!?"

"Maybe. Or maybe I beat it out of him. A duke of hell isn't a match for a vampire lord you see."

Wolfbach chuckled to herself.

"So, underling meets underling is that it?"

"Hm? What is that supposed to mean?"

"I've seen eyes like that once before. The only vampire in history to reach the level of a true vampire lord. And it just so happens my direct superior sealed his power away in an instant."

"Wait, this guy is sanguine's…" Hanz never actually believed that someone as uppity as Sanguine would go through with a power transference.

"If so, he must be the one I've read about. The vampire of Axel, Kazuma Satou." Wolfbach said.

"Wait, I have a reputation outside Axel? Aw hell yeah!"

The former generals looked at the boy like an enigma. How could someone that managed to garner a fierce notoriety act this young?

"I wouldn't say a reputation, but I have read our reports about you."

"Reports?"

"You're being watched and studied in ways you can't even understand. So tell me, why are you hunting us?"

'Because a bastard in my head is forcing me to!'

"I aim to defeat the Tyrant. You're actively helping him. Get the picture?"

Kazuma decided to try and play it sly. Calling back to what he heard a moment ago.

"You're a goddess right? Why are you helping this Tyrant if he hates them?"

Wolfbach's ears perked, surprised he was able to piece it together that fast.

"You're sharper than you look I give you that, but if you want an answer to your question…"

Her intent stare turned devious, like a cat watching a bird.

"You'll just have to defeat me."

"Gladly."

"Hohoho, you're acting pretty cocky for someone given all that power for free. The Sanguine I remember was about at the level of the devil king we once served. I don't think this is a winning scenario for you." Hanz took a few steps towards the care free boy.

"You want to test that?"

While he talked a big game, and had power to back it up for the most part, his heart was racing a million miles an hour. Hanz wasn't going to be affected by the vast majority of his abilities, and Wolfbach can use a variety of magic spells.

Slam!

The woman's changing room door flew open abruptly.

"Wow! The bath is so big! Kazuma, how does it feel!?"

All three turned to see a younger girl awe at the bath they were in.

'Crap!'

Hans smiled to himself when he saw the boy's face change. This girl must have been a comrade of his, one he didn't want to put in harms way. All the better for him.

"Haha! Sorry pal I have no idea what you're talking about. But something tells me you don't want to play around here of all places. We might make a mess of things. See ya. Oh and, enjoy the baths."

Kazuma clenched his hands hard as he watched the former general leave into the changing room. He was right, fighting him now could get many people killed in the crossfire. And with Megumin there, it was more than enough of a reason to wait for some better scenery.

He decided to just let it go and relax for now. He can track him down at a better location anytime he wants. For now, he can have that bath time he wanted in the first place.

Keeping an eye keen on his right side, he got a nice eyeful as Megumin slowly went into the water, she covered her front with a towel, but perhaps wanting to not feel so constrained, didn't actually wrap it around her body.

"Huh."

"What?"

"Nothing. On an unrelated note, do crimson demon's get like, tribal tattoos at a young age or something?"

Immediately understanding what he truly meant with that question, her face turned red and she scooted an inch away from him, lowering her towel to cover more of her legs.

"You- you really have no shame! The moment I think you might be actually respectable, you take any opportunity you get to fulfill your degenerate desires!"

"Oi! I was just asking a question! Why the hell are you attacking me for!?"

"Playing stupid won't-"

She stopped mid sentence, her eye's like a deer caught in the headlights.

"What, you good? Helloooooo?"

Kazuma followed Megumin's line of sight, where Wolfbach stared at the two with an expression that was impossible to decipher. He had almost forgotten she was there in the first place.

His already present confusion grew with Megumin's smile.

"It's you! It's really you isn't it!" Megumin nearly made the mistake of standing up in her excitement.

"Huh? You know her?"

"Of course I do! I know you remember me! I have to show you something. I promised you didn't I!? That I'd learn it! After all this time, it was fate itself that has allowed this moment…to manifest."

Megumin's excitement and confidence dropped with every word when the lady stared at her back without even an ounce of the same energy. She only continued to watch with the same strange, almost blank look.

"I'm sorry little girl, but I'm afraid you have the wrong person."

"Yeah no kidding. I'll fill you in on some details later Megumin."

In his head, Kazuma realized that if he exposed the enemy on the spot, the poor girl would probably try and blow her up on the spot. They'd have to save that for when they weren't in a populated location.

For a brief moment, Wolfbach's gaze softened into something more sad, Megumin returned with pleading eyes, filled with a mix of confusion and hurt.

"But, you have to remember, it was one of the most important days of my life. You saved a-"

"I already told you, you're wasting your time. I have no idea who you are."

After responding harshly, she began wrapping her towel around her body, ignoring the girl completely.

"We'll probably meet again Kazuma. When we do, maybe then you'll get that answer you wanted."

Making sure not to return the crimson demon's eye contact, she stood up, got her footing, and left without another word.

Megumin looked like she was about to cry, slumping further into the water.

"...Yo, you mind telling me what that was about?"

"Kazuma?"

"Yeah?"

"Who was that?"

She turned her face away from him.

"So all of a sudden you don't know?"

"Just answer me."

He got the feeling that telling the truth wouldn't cause her to run off like a battle hungry zealot.

"That chick was an actual lieutenant of the Tyrant king. Yeah. Now you're starting to see why I thought it was weird that you sounded like you recognized her?"

He noticed the girl flinch.

'What the hell is going on here?'

"Who did you think she was?"

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"But I mean, you said something about most important day? That sounds-"

"Can we change the subject? We're here to enjoy the bath are we not?"

'It feels like a game telling me to 'come back later' or something'

"Yeah sure...hey this feels a lot better than the one back home huh?"

"You're right, it even feels better than when we out at night to hunt undead."

"You mean to spend time with me?"

"W- don't you think you're overestimating yourself?"

"Get real. You were the one who said that you'd be there with me whenever I go out at night."

"That's cause you were being harassed back then and I didn't want you to feel alone."

"So you admit you like spending time with me?"

What are you trying to get me to say?"

"Me? I'm not trying to get anyone to say anything. I just think it's a bit strange that you're the only girl who decided to come into the mixed baths with me. What are you trying to do?"

"Why are you pointing that out!? Well if you wanted to be alone then-"

Megumin stood up. Forgetting who she was in the presence of.

"Wait! No, I'm cool with you being here, I'm just playing around."

'Nice one, now I look like the desperate one'

Megumin made a 'hmph' sound as she sat back down. But soon stuck her tongue out at the vampire.

'Oh she think's she's CUTE doesn't she!?'

Even through his comical anger, he could see that she was still shaken up by that mistake she made earlier. Maybe this person she was looking for was a really close friend she had lost contact with. One who happened to resemble a large chested evil goddess.

He sighed, letting go of whatever mini squabble he wanted to get into.

"Hey, if you want, after we plan out tomorrow, wanna go for a ride?"

"A ride? A ride in what?"

"A little something I've been working on since the destroyer fight. You'll like it, I promise. And when we get to a suitable place, you can set off an explosion so you don't 'die'."

"Really!? I accept your invitation!"

'That easy huh?'

"What is it this time?"

After Kazuma and Megumin dried themselves off and redressed, they came back to the room to find an absolutely distraught Aqua, crying her lungs out to Wiz and Darkness.

"When you guys went to take a bath, Aqua sneaked back out to try the hot springs in the church, and was subsequently banned from all hot springs for turning it to hot water."

"I can't believe I'm banned from the hot springs in MY OWN TOWN! And then! And then! The head priest LAUGHED when I tried to tell him I was a goddess!"

She continued to sob into the table.

'This is literally why I brought her home!'

"Ugh, did I not tell you to chill here at the inn!? Do you realize that you might have done something really stupid!? What if I needed you to be in good standing with the church for our plan!? And now they only see you for the idiot that you are!"

Aqua stared at him with tears in her eyes that oozed out even harder for a second, before going back to crying more.

"Hey Kazuma don't you think you're being a bit too harsh? She was really excited about going there, it's hard to blame her when we took so long anyway." Megumin said.

"She is right Kazuma, and why do you only yell at Aqua that way? If you're angry or upset, you can berate me all you want!"

Kazuma, choosing to ignore the crusader, sighed deeply before realizing that he might have overstepped on such a small issue.

"he- hey Aqua! Aqua list- SHIT!"

He stepped too close and a barrage of holy tears washed over him, stinging him immensely.

'Jeez, her tears hurt almost as bad as her spells'

Aqua stopped crying after Kazuma yelped in pain, wiping her eyes as small giggles let out.

"Yeah laugh it up, look, we all want to help you Aqua, you just gotta work with us alright? So just stop doing useless things to mess things up and we'll appreciate it!"

"How can you say that with a straight face you bloodsucker!"

"Hey at least I'm apologizing, the least you can do is accept it and stop crying."

"That's not how that works you socially inept shut-in!"

Wiz's eyes darted back and forth between the pair as her hands shifted uncomfortably.

"Um, how long does this usually go on for?"

Darkness found Wiz's reaction to be refreshing at this point.

"You get used to it."

"What? That's your plan?" Kazuma just finished hearing out the stupidest idea he's heard all night.

"There was already small traces of poison in the springs I went to. The town needs to be warned as soon as possible!"

"But what if they, I don't know, don't believe you? That not a possibility? Hm?"

"Of course they'll believe me, I'll do whatever it takes, even if it means telling them my true identity!"

"Didn't you already try that? And it failed."

"Hrrrm."

Aqua felt helpless, if only her followers could believe it was really her somehow.

"So here's what I'm thinking. Hanz is the source of it all, so instead of giving any focus on the town, we just deduce from what we know of the water system of the town and ambush him."

"What?" Wiz entered the conversation.

"Did I say something weird?"

"Did you say Hanz?" She asked.

"Ohhh, yeah now that I think about it, we never actually told you that he was our target here."

"You should have told me! I haven't seen him in ages! I'm sure that if I'm with you, maybe he can see things our way!"

'Wiz, sometimes your happy-go-lucky attitude overshines how naïve you really are'

"Yeahhhh, sure Wiz. Anyways, Aqua, you know everything about this town right?"

"Duh, I've said that like a million times now."

"Then tomorrow night, I want you to lead us to the source. Hanz will probably be there. If he isn't we'll need to find him and get him outside the main city area somehow. Maybe with Wiz's teleport? If you'd be willing to draw him into an ambush that is? What do you say Wiz?"

"Hmmm, I don't know Kazuma. That's a fight I think we should avoid."

"Aw come on, Vanir already told me everything I needed to know. He's a poison slime right? Physical attacks might not work, but we have the best Arch wizard in the world right here!"

Megumin, who was only half paying attention before, made a noise of excitement and sat up straighter in her chair, eye's beginning to glow.

"My original plan was to get him to a location away from town, have Darkness be bait, while I use this guy here to freeze him."

Kazuma pointed over at the oversized blue katana leaned against the back wall.

"And then Megumin can blast him to bits, with Aqua using her holy water to sweep up afterwards."

"...You're going to need a lot more ice than anything that can put out though." Wiz said to herself.

"You holding on tight?" Kazuma currently stood out in the open, with Megumin secured on his back as per usual.

"Mhm. Though I'm not really sure what you're alluding to…or why we're on the roof."

'There's a song that reminds me of this, just can't remember…'

Instead of telling her, he simply jumped. Causing her to very quickly increase her volume and grip on his body. She stopped screaming when their momentum reversed and they started going up instead.

"Open your eyes already."

Doing as told, she saw that Kazuma had formed a pair of large fleshy wings he was using to simulate flight over the entire town. Kinda gross, but also extremely cool. As she turned her head, she got a full view of the town at night, the hundreds of lights painting a serene picture.

"It's beautiful."

"Yeah, when you're down there, you don't get to see things like this. A lot more peaceful up here."

Megumin then remembered, he had indeed used this once before. When it was Wiz who flew with him. She giggled, looking back at how annoyed she was at the moment.

"I can't really go all that fast at all, and it's honestly tiring, but I think I'll clear enough ground for us to get somewhere private."

"P-private? Why would you go out of your way to get us a place like that? You better not be using this to get me alone so you can try something!"

"Will you shut up? I'm not planning anything other than you know, maybe blowing something up!?"

"Ah, yes, good point."

After clearing some distance from the town, Kazuma landed on a boulder overlooking a large set of plains, the wings dissipating back into him.

"Hey Kazuma, were you telling the truth? About what you said to Wiz?"

"Of course not."

"Aghk"

She nearly jumped back, looking hurt all of a sudden.

"What? Don't tell me you actually believe she's gonna talk him down. You should have seen the bastard, totally the type to fight first and talk later."

Megumin let out a breath of relief, but also looked at him like he was dumb.

"That's not what I'm talking about, I'm talking about when you called me the greatest Arch wizard in the world."

"Well yeah, who else can say they've beaten the destroyer? The literal walking fortress that made an entire city pack up and run on sight. If you're worried about tomorrow, don't be. We'll all be there supporting you, now are we gonna talk all day or are you going to show me the depths of your madness."

He said those last few words as an obvious joke to poke fun, but Megumin was too hyped up to realize. And played off of it.

"Heheh, you wish to see my madness do you!? Well behold!"

'And I was all worried about earlier, she's just fine'

After another day attempting to enjoy themselves in the town square, night had fallen, and it was time to put an end to this once and for all.

All five, counting four adventurers and one ditzy shopkeeper, mentally prepared themselves as Aqua led them up the mountain overlooking the town. It was from here that the town's water was pumped in. However a large gate, being guarded, stopped them in their tracks.

"Oh great, guards."

"Halt!"

"You five must turn around, we are on orders not to let anyone pass these gates." They tightened their grips on their spears at the party's arrival.

"You don't understand! The town is in great danger! A powerful being working under the devil king is in there poisoning the town!" Aqua pleaded.

"What are you going on about girlie? There is no devil king!"

'I bet that aside from top adventurers and officials, the general populace don't even know that there's a 'new regime' in the first place!'

"Ah to hell with it, I don't have time for this bs! Both of you sleep!"

Appearing in front of the gate in a blur and placing his palms on their faces, they suddenly slumped over like a sack of potatoes.

"Kazuma!" Wiz called out, worried for the guards health.

"They'll be fine, just asleep for now. Let's go!"

Forming a massive right arm, Kazuma punched the gate clean off its hinges. Allowing them passage through a narrow mountain side path that brought them directly to some watering holes, massive black pipes siphoning it towards the city.

"Look! This water is all purple!" Aqua pointed at the horrifically colored gunk oozing out of one of the pipes.

"Then he shouldn't be far!" Darkness said.

As the fog cleared up ahead, they made out the silhouette of a man dipping his arms in the water, muttering to himself manically.

Kazuma strolled up, as casual as can be.

"Yo."

Hanz took his time confidently wiping his arms of water, getting a good look at his opponents.

"So the baby bat found me after all, and he brought some friends? How ni- ghk!" He nearly choked at the sight of the lich.

"It's been a long time Hanz!"

Despite the obvious tension, Wiz actually sounded quite happy to see her former comrade again.

"Wha- were YOU the one who revealed my identity!?"

"No of course not! After they defeated Vanir, they interrogated him."

This was more or less somewhat the truth.

"Alright alright, so maybe this party isn't all that weak. But then why are you here? Are you really going to fight me?"

Hanz did not sound afraid in the slightest.

"I don't! Hanz, there has to be some way we can reach a deal!"

"Oh yeah, I got a deal. A deal for you. See, Vanir was supposed to make it to Axel to recruit you. The big guy got his eyes on ice magic, and he needs someone with the know how. What about it? Just like old times, help me finish these punks and I'll take you back to the castle."

"Why would I-"

"Because maybe in exchange for helping the Tyrant, you can make the same kind of arrangement with him. You know what I mean."

'I do NOT like the look on her face, there's no way she's considering this!'

Wiz remained silent and pensive, a troubled look in her eyes like she was unable to find an answer.

"But, isn't the war over?"

"Haha! You think I'm the only lieutenant? He has big plans in motion, just as soon as we deal with-"

He looked over at Megumin for a moment.

"Well, nevermind about that. So are you joining or not? If you don't, my superiors might see you as a threat. And you don't want to know what they're capable of Wiz. Be smart."

"Ok, I've had enough. Sorry Wiz, but looks like we're doing things my way!"

Kazuma unsheathed his katana, a frigid aura surrounding the blade.

"Guess it's a no then. Oh what the hell, what's a couple more dead before I finish off this stupid town?"

"What, did you say?" Wiz's voice lacked any of the usual friendliness to it.

"Yeah. A couple more dead, come on, I had to kill some of those idiots at the church to make this thing happen."

The temperature plummeted, literally, as Wiz's entire body lit up in the same icy winds that cloaked Kazuma's winter sword.

"Cursed Icy prison!"

A thick wall of ice rose from her feet like a wave, shooting forward and into the sky as Hanz's arm was trapped in an instant, not giving him a second to react.

Kazuma's party stared at her in disbelief, where did this come from?

"H-hey! What the hell!? Get me out of this! Now!"

"Even after all this time…I respected the deal we made. Because here I thought that those I spent time with, would do the same. But if you're going to go around, with such blatant disregard for human lives that have nothing to do with with and your Tyrant, then I couldn't care less about respect. Kazuma, let's take him down right here!"

'Oh that's hot…scary but hot'

"Megumin! Darkness! Aqua!"

"Right!" They said in unison.