It had been a long week in the town of Axel. Subaru had created a sort of routine during this time. He would wake up around sunrise, stretch, get dressed, check on Sophia, check the shop, either make breakfast or buy some from the nearby taverns, make sure both he and Sophia ate, then he'd open the shop.
It was hard work, but also honest work.
Not like Kazuma who just disappeared on the second day here and hasn't returned yet. Nor is it like Kumoko, who had been eating her way through the local monster population with little care. Wiz was a good caretaker for Sophia when need be as he was busy understanding the running of the shop.
Speaking of which...
"For the last time Dust, I can't exchange something of such pitiful value for this item." 'Lance' replied to Dust's begging. "Come on man, it's just a small ring." Dust bargained. "No can do, I can't sell a Ring of Stamina to you for a third of the price." Lance stared at him. "But... but the dagger?-" "Is just a normal dagger, nowhere near enough to cover the remaining cost of it all." Lance remained fervent.
"Please????" Dust begged. "Nope." Lance answered. "Come back when you have the full amount, then we'll talk." Lance said. Dust sniffled before standing up; "Ok" he weakly said before walking out, leaving the ring on the counter.
'Lance' just shook his head. "Third adventurer today whose tried to buy these things." He muttered. In truth the 'Rings of Stamina' didn't boost one's own natural stamina, but rather stored it up for later use. He had tried one himself, and was exhausted within an hour due to its draining mode.
Never again.
Then the door opened and someone walked in. There clothes were covered in dirt and twigs, it was difficult to see their eyes due to the mass of forest resting on their head. "Guess who's back." he said in a familiar voice. "Where were you?" Lance asked. "Was out investigating some of the ships that have been docking in ports. We've got trade starting on all coasts." Kazuma replied as he removed the mass of twigs and leaves from his head. "Really?" Lance asked. "Yep, we got Lugunica coming in from the West, some nation known as Tempest coming in from the East. Even some merchants who managed to get past those Sea Dragons around the place we met Kumoko." Kazuma explained.
"Just great." Lance said with dry sarcasm. "I know, you don't want anyone to track you down and drag you back, but politics are rather complex when it comes to trade." Kazuma said. "Can't just go where they want" Lance muttered. Kazuma nodded; "A bunch of Royal Knights tried to muscle their way onto one of the Merchant Guilds ships, barely got in before they were put to sleep by some mages. Whole firestorm brewing over just that." Kazuma explained.
"As long as they stay away from here I'm fine." Lance replied. "Cheers to that, let them keep their problems and we'll keep ours." Kazuma said.
'Still, can't help but wonder how they're doing?' Lance pondered. He watched as Kazuma put on one of the Rings of Stamina before putting the mass of forest back onto his head. "Going to grab some stuff, see ya later." he said. "See ya." Lance replied. 'Then again, they're doing just fine without me.' he thought.
"Now that your report has concluded, we must begin Julius' trial for his actions performed during these last few months." One of the members of the Sage Council said. Julius stood in the centre of the room, a pair of shackles around his wrists while other knights stood ready in case he tried anything.
"Before we list your crimes, do you have anything to say in your defense?" Another council member asked. "I have none." Julius replied with sadness in his voice. "Then let us proceed." A different one said.
Kumoko was doing the only thing she could really do in the dungeon, relaxing.
With a small army of undead to acted if requested and an army of weak monsters all around, she could live the easy life.
If only Wiz would stop asking her every question under the sun.
But that's beside the point.
"Ah, miss Kumoko?" One of the undead got her attention. Kumoko turned to face him from her bed. "You should see this." the undead said while passing a large poster to her. 'Large Spider monster sighted near Axel. 5 million Eris reward.' it said with a surprisingly detailed artist sketch of her between the two sentences.
Kumoko just looked at the undead that had given her it, before returning it to him and laying back down.
"Ah, Ok..." The undead said awkwardly as he began to step out of the room.The moment the door was shut she rose up. 'I'M FAMOUS!!!' She shouted in her mind while doing a small victory dance.
"I don't see the point of dragging me out here." Lance said as Ross dragged him farther out to the forest. "Just come on, Sylvia finally left the Crimson Demon village so I can finally show you my home." Ross replied. 'I don't see the point of dragging me along too.' Kumoko spoke up as she skulked near the trees.
"Just come on, I know you guys are annoyed about having to walk from the teleportation circle, but if I'm right we'll be treated to quite the show." Ross said as he began rubbing the dye out of his hair. "You're getting rid of your disguise?" Lance asked. "Yep, don't have to worry about being recognized by any hostiles here." Kazuma replied as the illusion around his eye faded. 'Still, what kind of show is it?' Kumoko asked.
It was then they heard the sound of a massive explosion. "Looks like they already started." Kazuma said as he picked up speed. Lance followed after him while Kumoko did the same.
"'HOLY SHIT"' The two said in their respective methods as they came across a clearing. They watched as blades of fire and crimson waves broke through waves of monsters and beasts. A small group of mages were on a cliff face casting the spells with loud theatrics. Spells were thrown with reckless and tireless abandon, monsters slain in numbers unknown.
As the monsters began their retreat they could here it. "EXPLOSION" was shouted by one of the mages before the remaining mass was destroyed in an instant by what could only be described as a pillar of red hot fire.
"What... who?" Lance started. "Those.. Are the Crimson Demons, or rather, a small group of them." Kazuma answered. Kumoko was silent as she scanned the battlefield (massacre). "You, built your home near them?" Lance asked. "Yep, one of the safest places here, and all I had to do was make them some things. Now come on" Kazuma replied as he took each of their arms.
Only to stop as Kumoko stiffened and breathed deeply. 'How... Do.. I. Join them?' She asked in a most serious tone. "Huh?" the two boys said. 'I said. How Do I Join Them?' She repeated. "Uh, I don't know if they'd let you..." Kazuma trailed off. 'I don't care, I must join them. Do you hear what they are saying, it is my new destiny.' Kumoko ranted to them. "Kazuma, what have you done?" Subaru whispered to him as his dye faded.
"I, I don't know." Kazuma replied as they looked at the Arachne girl with slight fear. "I... Well I know some of their village higher ups, I could convince them that you wish to join them. But if they let you join them is something else entirely." Kazuma answered as honestly as he could.
Kumoko paused for a second. 'Good enough, now onwards.' She said. "You've created a monster." Subaru whispered to him. "I didn't create a monster, just made it more terrifying." Kazuma whispered back.
Kazuma's actual home was... underwhelming. It was simple, just filled with some clothes and food that had long since gone rotten. All his supplies and weapons were back at Wiz's dungeon.
The only real advantage was that it was rather cozy.
It could work as a vacation spot to get Sophia out of the stuffy dungeon or the busy city.
The only problem, was the neighbors.
Kazuma, for all his sphelling about them, couldn't scratched the surface on just how eccentric the Crimson Demons were. When he had introduced himself (making sure to cover his hands and not to raise any points of suspicion) They introduced themselves back. All of them, every single member of the village.
They managed to keep the village from firing upon Kumoko on sight, Kazuma was busy negotiating with the elders about Kumoko's demand to join them. Kumoko was just laying down, far too excited for her own good.
He just kept silent, letting the Crimson Demons make their own guesses about them. It was rather entertaining in all honesty, just listening to their Chunni fueled theories about him. From 'Fallen Angel made Mortal' too 'Reincarnated Divine Warrior' they guessed. He would deny each theory, refusing to give any more information about himself.
The current leading theory was that he was some sort of powerful wizard who has to keep his arms and one of his eyes covered to help contain his magical power.
Fun idea, still ridiculously far off, but fun.
"Alright you damn spider, they'll hear you out." Kazuma said as he approached the group with a piece of paper in his hand. 'Gimme, gimme, gimme.' Kumoko replied as she took it from him. 'A test of magic and presentation, that's it?' She clarified. "Yep, good luck." Kazuma said as he pointed to the small group of elders not far behind him.
Kumoko bowed before striking a pose. 'The future Greatest Magical Girl shall pass this test without issue.' She proclaimed for all to hear with her telepathy skill. The elders just smiled at her enthusiasm before gesturing for her to follow. Kazuma sat down next to him as Kumoko hurried off.
"Made a damm monster." Subaru muttered. "Didn't make, just made worse." Kazuma replied. The two just sat there, watching as some of the kids just rattled off theories about Subaru's origins.
Praying to whatever god that Kumoko just decides to stay here for the rest of her life.