Kazuma lagged behind Sena slightly as they marched through the dim corridors of the command center, towards the makeshift cell the City Guard were currently keeping Wolbach secured in. Sure enough, six armored knights stood outside the room, each wielding a large broadsword and looking as serious as a heart attack.

"Sena?" Kazuma started. "I know it's not my place to judge how you guys conduct things, but are six knights really enough to contain a demon general like her?"

"Truthfully, I'm not sure." The prosecutor admitted, her stoic expression faltering for a moment. "We've all heard the stories, we know what she can do. All the same, these knights are what I was supplied, so I made good use of them."

The green-clad adventurer hummed in response as he peered into the darkness behind the bars. After his eyes adjusted, he could distinctly make out the form of Wolbach sitting down and leaning on the far end of the cell wall. She had her cloak wrapped tightly around herself and she didn't look like moving anytime soon.

Still, Kazuma wasn't afraid to admit that he jumped as her eyes flicked to his, almost piercing him for a moment before the general offered a polite nod.

"Kazuma Satou. Exactly who I was expecting." She mused aloud, turning her gaze to Sena and tilting her head curiously. "I assume that means you agreed to entertain my offer?"

Sena adjusted her glasses like a professional before answering, "Only because you've been willing to cooperate with us and made no attempts to escape. If you continue to behave, we'd be willing to entertain you."

"I understand completely. Consider this my best behavior." Wolbach assured the prosecutor, before moving from her position along the wall to the center of the room. "Now, shall we get down to business? I'm sure you have quite a few questions to ask, and given our current agreement, I'd be happy to answer what I can."

Kazuma studied the demon cautiously, ascertaining her possible threat level before Wolbach teased, "Oh come now, I don't bite~ Go on, ask your questions."

Shaking his head, Kazuma started, "Alright, I think my biggest question right now is why you even wanted to see me in the first place."

"Ah, approaching the top question, right off the bat?" Wolbach remarked, before shrugging her shoulders and offering a far more serious answer. "To keep my answer brief, I have my reasons for trusting your judgment. I knew that if I had you in the room while this interrogation occurred, I'd have some...insurance, just in case."

Kazuma wasn't entirely sure what to make of that, but regardless, he kept his cool and carried on like he understood. "Okay, that answers that. My second biggest question: why did you go AWOL on the Devil King during the night of the attack?"

Wolbach pursed her lips before answering, seemingly choosing her words carefully. "I found myself in a bit of a dilemma given my allegiances to the Devil King's cause. I've been looking for a way out for some time now, but admittedly, I've been...reluctant, in my approach. However, on the night of the attack, I found my strength and I finally stuck back. I refused to be a pawn in any more of the Devil King's games."

Sena was taking notes like crazy as the interview continued. Kazuma made a point to ask, "If you had problems siding with the Devil King, then why be a general in his army?"

"How many professions do you know of that are fit for a goddess, Satou?" Wolbach barked with a laugh, shaking her head with a mirthful scoff. "I was foolish. I took the position before I knew what it fully entailed, and once I was there...well, very few generals live to retirement, holy or not."

"Well, to be fair, you did sign up for an army that belonged to a guy called the Devil King. Did you really expect it to be all sunshine and roses?"

Wolbach scowled for a moment, and Kazuma almost flinched once more. Either it was her position as a demon general, or her goddess status, but something about her was terribly intimidating. After a moment, Wolbach relented with a tired sigh, offering an answer in turn.

"How many lords do you know of who don't like their titles? Everyone enjoys a good stroke of the ego, you should know that as well as anyone." Wolbach retorted, crossing her arms as she fixed both the adventurer and prosecutor with a pointed look. "Next question?"

Kazuma scratched the back of his neck as he asked, "On the subject of the Devil King, what's his end goal? Is he trying to take over the world or is he just destroying things just for the heck of it?"

"Now that is a terribly interesting question...and one I cannot answer fully." Wolbach replied, an almost troubled frown rising on her face. "No one knows the full extent of the current Devil King's plans, save maybe his darling daughter. Even as generals, we only know so much, but his orders often contradict each other. Destroy a village here, attempt to bridge an alliance there. Truthfully, it's entirely likely that the king himself has gone quite mad."

Kazuma held his hands up once the words fully registered in his brain. "Hold on, go back for a second. Did you say 'current' Devil King? As in, there's been more than one in the past?"

"Yes, that's correct. There have been...three, I believe." Wolbach answered, humming thoughtfully. "There may be a fourth that's slipping my mind...however, I've only ever been under the command of the current king, and I know little of his predecessors. It's a well kept secret for a reason."

Kazuma racked his hand through his hair as he took a moment to let the revelation sink in. "Wow...and here I was thinking he was supposed to be Satan himself. Not that you'd know what Christianity is. I mean, I don't either, I only know the basics. But still…"

"Yes, I suppose it is quite a shock. Again, there is a reason it's kept a secret." Wolbach tacked on. "The myth of an all powerful dark lord loses a touch of it's magic the moment you realize he's been replaced one way or another twice over, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, I guess it does," he relented, thinking of something relevant to ask. "So, you mentioned before that the current Devil King has alliances? With whom?"

"Oh, fewer and fewer settlements every day, that's for sure." Wolbach snarked, shaking her head ruefully. "I don't know off the top of my head, but he has a few ties with an assortment of cities and villages. Typical trade deals, coins for food and supplies, what any normal kingdom would exchange."

"Those must be some pretty desperate cities if they're willing to make a deal with the Devil...or, whatever he's supposed to be anyway," Kazuma remarked.

"Usually, they are. That, or he'd sent Serena as his emissary and she talked them into it." Wolbach elaborated, another chuckle leaving her mouth. "Oh, I despise that prideful wench, but even I must admit her silver tongue is rivaled by none. She talked countless merchants, soldiers, and officials into serving the king. Suppose there is a reason she's the only human in his army."

That came as a surprise to the boy. "Wait, really? Serena is a human and not a demon in disguise or something?"

Wolbach actually snorted at that, shaking her head. "No, I'm quite sure she's human, but that's an excellent theory. Be sure to pass it along the next time the two of you meet, I'm sure she'll find it absolutely hilarious."

Note to self: watch out for Serena the Deranged Bitch, Kazuma noted to himself before carrying on with the interview. "R-Right...Anyway, I have some questions relating to Daddy's - I mean, the Devil King's Daughter. Is she really his offspring?"

Wolbach blinked, either willfully ignoring Kazuma's momentary slip up or not caring enough to comment. "Truthfully, I am once again unsure. I suspect she is his daughter, but she was merely a child when I joined his army, so...I can't say for sure."

"Damn. Well, alright then, let me ask something else. Why did she stage an attack on Axel even though this place survived an encounter with another general and the Mobile Fortress Destroyer? What is there to gain from this two-bit town? No offence, Sena."

"I don't find the line of questioning entirely unwarranted." The prosecutor replied, although her eyes did narrow slightly. "All the same, I find myself curious as well."

"Well, her main justification for the assault was the local guild hall." Wolbach explained, calling back upon the Daughter's plan within her mind. "She was certain that if she destroyed the guild and invaded the city that the kingdom's morale would plummet and her current campaign against their forces would become much easier. That, and the hall itself was a thorn in the king's side for producing you in particular, Mr. Satou."

"Well, it's nice to know other people really do care about me," Kazuma commented sarcastically before getting a little more serious. "But since the attack failed, do you have any idea what The Daughter could be doing now? Was there ever a contingency plan or something?"

"Well, in all likelihood, she's probably been reassigned to another attack." Wolbach admitted, rolling her eyes in clear annoyance. "She has little patience for sieges, so if you're asking if it's likely Axel will be attacked again in the near future, I'd say no."

That was a relief to hear; Kazuma just about had it with his home getting invaded regularly, and it was seriously beginning to get silly in his professional opinion. Still, he could only wonder which city would get hit next...

"So, do you have anything else to ask me, or have I sufficiently fulfilled a good portion of our agreement?" Wolbach questioned, eyes flicking between Sena and Kazuma and searching for an answer.

"Uh...No, I think that just about covers it. Unless you have something you want to add?"

"Information wise? No, I'd told you just about everything you need to hear for the moment." Wolbach replied, before her lips curled up into a dangerously mischievous smirk as she stepped forward. "However, there is a...deal, of sorts, that I'd like to propose given my exceedingly good behavior."

"I'm not going to have prison sex with you," Kazuma deadpanned, fully believing that was what she was after all along. Wolbach sputtered in shock, her calm façade finally shattering as her cheeks flushed a dark crimson and she glared at him venomously. Even the surrounding guards snorted in surprise.

"I don't want to have sex with you, you hormonal fuckhead!" She spat aggressively, looking about ready to tear the bars in front of her apart and choke the life from him. "And you! You aren't going to reprimand him?!"

Kazuma tilted his head toward Sena, who Wolbach had been addressing, and the prosecutor seemed like she was frozen, her own cheeks a bright red and the slightest trickle of blood leaking from her nose.

"Uh...Sena? You alright?"

"Huh?" murmured the royal prosecutor before quickly pulling out a handkerchief and wiping the blood from her nose like it was normal. "Oh, um...I must've had a heat stroke there. Excuse me."

"But it's winter."

"...Carry on," she demanded, double checking her notes and resuming her professional attitude. Kazuma was left confused (but what else was new?).

"As I was saying." Wolbach grumbled, her composure mostly having returned. "I was hoping to set up a new deal. Specifically...I want to join Satou's party."

Kazuma stared long and hard at the former demon general, and it was a long time before he spoke.

"...Suddenly prison sex doesn't sound so bad anymore."

Wolbach immediately returned to fuming, spewing a series of expletives his way as the guards collectively tried to stifle their laughs, terribly unprepared for any such topics to come up during an interrogation. However, the chaos came to an end as Sena stepped forward, her expression one of anger as she stalked forward.

"Enough," she thundered, despite hardly raising her voice. It did the trick, though, as everyone, even Wolbach, shut their traps in a flash. Sena looked at Kazuma with the same, stern eyes she had given him when they first met until they softened and she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"You need to learn what is socially acceptable to say in moments like these, Satou…" she sighed.

"Hey, she was the one giving me the bedroom eyes!" He defended, only to double back once he noticed the annoyed glare from the prosecutor. "I'll be quiet now."

"Good." Sena replied, before turning her glare on Wolbach with little remorse. "And you. I'm not sure what you take me for, but I am not just going to let you join an adventuring party because you answered a few questions! You still have much to answer for!"

Wolbach countered calmly, "And I think I am entitled to at least explain my reasoning before you immediately shut me down like that. Am I wrong?"

Sena pursed her lips, considering the goddess' words with much hesitation. Eventually, however, she offered a curt nod and motioned for the woman to explain herself.

"First and foremost, I planned to pay for my previous deeds by using my magic against the Devil King and his armies. Having a party to do so with would make things easier." Wolbach began, bringing up her hand and lifting a finger. "Furthermore, as pervasive as he can be, I trust Satou and his party and see no reason why we couldn't work alongside each other for an equal goal."

Kazuma crossed his arms, unconvinced. "That's still asking for a lot. How do I know you won't just run off or kill us in our sleep?"

"What on earth would that possibly accomplish?" Wolbach counted with an almost offended expression. "We work towards the same goal, and you have clearly proven yourself capable of dispatching major threats such as my fellow generals. I have no interest in harming you or your party members, I swear it."

Kazuma scrunched his face in annoyance as she made a fair point. Still, there had to be an ulterior motive to this somehow. "I...I don't know. I mean, a demon general defecting at the last minute to join the winning side? That's setting off all kinds of flags."

Wolbach's expression was...mixed. She looked irritated, conflicted, and ultimately frustrated as she huffed audibly, crossing her arms in discomfort.

"Alright, I can see your perspective. Due to that fact, I am willing to…level with you, I believe is the phrase." She declared, fixing her gaze on his and asking a very important question. "Why do you think I trust you, Kazuma?"

Kazuma was getting frustrated now, "What, you think I'm a fucking mind reader? How the hell am I supposed to know that!?"

Wolbach seemed to find his frustration amusing, cracking the slightest smile as she leaned forward and offered him her own answer.

"It's because you have no true allegiance. You couldn't give less of a shit about Belzerg, or the Devil King's rule, or any of the smaller communities with their own politics and motives. It all means nothing to you. They're all hell bent on playing chess, moving pawns around the board and bickering till the world itself comes to a fiery end. But you? You are an independent variable. Wildcard, neutral party, whatever you prefer...and that makes you a priceless ally."

The adventurer's eyes widen from Wolbach's reasoning. Out of all the potential things she could've said, he never could've predicted that.

"But...I'm just some dude," he uttered, truly dumbfounded. "What do you possibly hope to gain from hanging out with a random guy like me?"

"Oh, please. You're also the 'dude' who beat four demon generals, a Destroyer, and hoards upon hoards of countless other enemies, high and low alike." Wolbach counted, with the slightest tinge of admiration in her tone. "You may not consider yourself a hero, but I can assure you that your deeds are quite heroic."

Once again, Kazuma was left speechless. The fact that a dark goddess of all people considered his actions heroic, when he himself didn't, was mind blowing. So mind blowing, in fact, that all he could do at the moment was try and fail to formulate words.

"I...wow, I mean...heroic, I don't know...Sena, is she bullshiting me?"

Sena adjusted her glasses, not fully keen to the idea of agreeing with a demon, but she answered regardless. "Well, Kazuma, technically your deeds would make anyone a hero. So no, she is not...messing with you."

"Huh. Alright then." Kazuma hummed, his lips quirked up slightly. Hero. "Is this what it feels like to take pride in my accomplishments? I'm normally not this pleased with myself."

The teenager didn't notice the curious look Wolbach was giving him before it was too late. She had already morphed her face back into it's neutral, calculating expression the moment he looked back.

"So, does this mean you will at least consider my proposal? I feel as though I have made a relatively strong case."

Kazuma hesitated before choosing his words carefully, "Before I make an official statement, I think it's only fair that I run this by my party. Y'know, the people you're just dying to work with."

"Fair enough, I see no reason why you wouldn't discuss things first." Wolbach relented, returning to her previous spot along the wall and offering Kazuma a final nod. "I eagerly await your answer. Until you return."

Kazuma nodded curtly, before excusing himself out of the room as he navigated his way out of the command center. Meanwhile, his brain was running a mile a minute trying to come up with all the possible ways Wolbach could potentially take advantage of him somehow. Surely her request couldn't have been as simple as it appeared, right? Well, that's what input was for, at least, and he was going to get it.

"So...what do you make of her offer?" He asked Sena as they paused by the front door, casting the prosecutor a curious look. "I mean, I'm gonna talk about it with the others, but I figured you'd have some thoughts on it, so..?"

"Honestly, I'm conflicted," Sena admitted ruefully. "Obviously, I don't trust that demon, nor anyone who originally aligns themselves with the Devil King for that matter. And the mere thought of her hanging out with you - !"

Sena stopped for a moment as she tried to rectify her little Freudian slip. "...However, this is a rare opportunity for us. A former demon general who's willing to divulge in the secrets of her previous lord...It isn't too often that a deal like this passes by, no?"

"No, no it is not." Kazuma agreed, still frowning as he contemplated his options. "I don't love it either, but you said it yourself. Opportunities like this are slim as can be. Still, I guarantee you she was giving me the bedroom eyes earlier! That's gonna be a problem!"

It wasn't too often that Sena deadpanned, but when she did, it was definitely a sight to behold from the otherwise stoic prosecutor. "Don't tell me you still believe that."

"Wha-seriously? You didn't see it?" Kazuma asked, the slightest smile rising on his face as he continued to rant, chuckling slightly. "If those bars weren't there, I guarantee you some freaky shit was going to go down. I will not be held responsible for demon general's sex eyes, Sena! You cannot make that case!"

Something else that few people got to see from the otherwise stoic prosecutor was her doubling over and laughing. Kazuma didn't see what was so funny about it, but he didn't mind enjoying the sight of Sena trying to pull herself together in front of him.

"You are truly a card, Kazuma Satou." Sena remarked, brushing a few stray tears that formed as she was laughing. "You know, if you ever get tired of adventuring, I'd recommend going into entertainment. Might not be as exciting, but you certainly have the wit for it."

Kazuma rubbed his chin as he thought about it. "Huh. I never really pictured myself doing standup comedy, but if you think I could pull it off, then I guess I could pull it off."

"That confident in my assessment, hmm?" Sena remarked, cracking another smile. "Should I be flattered?"

"That's not a trick question, is it?" He worriedly asked without skipping a beat. "And yeah, actually. I am. Confident in your assessment, I mean. I have faith in your judgment, and it's not like you'd lie to me, right?"

"Calm down, Kazuma, you're overthinking it," Sena said. "You seem to do that quite often. Especially as of late."

"Heh, sorry. It's a bad habit." Kazuma replied, taking a breath and calming himself down. "Hopefully, it's one I'll break soon."

Sena nodded, opening the front door for him to step outside and return to his party. "I wish you the best of luck, then."

"Thanks, Sena." Kazuma muttered as he stepped outside, spotting his assembled girlfriends off in the distance in steeling himself for the discussion to come. "I'm definitely gonna need it."


"Absolutely NOT!"

"Aqua, c'mon!" Kazuma pleaded, pinching the bridge of his nose and huffing a tired sigh. He returned to the girls and insisted they return home to discuss what had happened. They agreed, and after arriving back home he explained their current position...as well as Wolbach's proposal. "You've barely even considered it!"

"That's because there's nothing to consider!" the stubborn goddess countered. "Wolbach is a dark fallen goddess, and I refuse to have her unholy presence stink up the place!"

"But she could be a valuable asset! She could help us defeat the Devil King like that!" Kazuma insisted with a snap of his fingers. "Isn't that enough for you to put up with her 'stink' for at least a while?!"

Aqua vehemently shook her head, seemingly unable to listen to her boyfriend's rational words. "I don't care what she could do, she's an evil demonic creature now and that's asking for too much. She should've known better than to practice dark arts while she still had a seat on the Heavenly Council. She is not staying and that is final!"

"I...you...ugh, fine! Ok! That's your vote then!" Kazuma groaned, shaking his head in irritation. He didn't want Wolbach here anymore than she did, but the pros outweigh the cons. She was just being stubborn. "Dark, what are your thoughts on the subject?"

The crusader rubbed her thighs as she sat down on the couch, her head down in contemplation. Eventually, she looked up and came to her decision. "While I agree with Aqua's sentiment on allowing a creature of the night to 'grace' us with their presence, I do believe there is ultimately something to gain from having Wolbach as an ally. So although I am loath to admit it...I say we should at least give her a chance."

"Thank you! Finally, someone with some common sense for once!" Kazuma crowed, dutifully ignoring Aqua's squeaking of anger nearby. "Honestly, I owe you for this one, Dark."

Darkness blushed, partially from hearing her pet name again and partially being unprepared for the praise. "I-It is nothing, really…"

"Hey, praising is cheating!" Aqua shrieked, earning another tired glare from Kazuma. "Why is no one listening to reason in this house?! Have you all gone nuts?!"

"You're the one who looks nuts right now, Aqua." He deadpanned, making the goddess sputter and whine in embarrassment (while inadvertently making the crusader yearn for such treatment). "Just sit back down, please. We haven't even heard Megumin's thoughts yet. You might just get your wish still."

Crossing her arms, Aqua gazed skeptically at the young mage and said, "You have my back, right Megumin? You're a Crimson Demon; the smartest kind of mage there is! Surely this is a no-brainer for someone like you!"

Megumin didn't answer at first, lips pursed as she pet Chomusuke with a neutral expression, as if she were still formulating her thoughts. Eventually, though, she started to speak.

"Before I make my decision, I think I should confess something to you all first," She began, now having everyone's wrapped attention. "A long time ago, when I was young, my village had this sealing stone which supposedly contained an evil entity. Naturally, I tried fiddling around with it until I was successful in opening it. This big black monster thing got released and could've killed me if it wasn't for the intervention of what I thought at the time was a wandering mage. She used Explosion to defeat the monster before 'draining it' I guess and making it run off. That woman saved my life when she didn't have to and she even went out of her way to teach me Explosion before she left the village…"

Megumin looked back up to her family before completely laying it out for them. "I am almost certain now that that mysterious mage was none other than Wolbach herself, trapped in that same seal I opened so long ago."

There was a silence that followed Megumin's confession, one that lingered heavily as the three adventurers looked amongst each other with no small amount of shock and contemplation. Eventually, Kazuma spoke up, leveling a firm look in the mage's direction.

"I'm guessing that this means you're willing to hear her out, even for a short while?"

Megumin quietly nodded before uttering, "I mean, she's done so much for me when she didn't have to. She could've let that beast eat me or finish me off herself if she really wanted to. But she didn't, instead she saved me and took the time to teach me the greatest spell ever. Letting her join us for a while is the least I can do to repay the favor…"

Kazuma nodded in agreement, as did Darkness. The two then turned to Aqua, who crumbled under their duel glares and groaned loudly in a terribly undignified fashion.

"Fiiiine. I guess that dark magic wielding hussy can join us." She grumbled, crossing her arms and pouting like a child. "Only because she saved our dear Megumin. Bet she did it for ulterior motives…"

"Believe me, Aqua, I don't blame you for thinking she's plotting something," Kazuma admitted, tentatively placing a hand on her shoulder in order to comfort her. "As much as I don't like the idea, I really do think the pros outweigh the cons here. So unless she does anything funny, please try to restrain from exorcising her. Okay?"

"Mmph. Fine." Aqua retorted, still pouting and coaxing a small chuckle from Kazuma. Usually, it was annoying to deal with an angry Aqua, but right then, she looked downright adorable.

"Ok, since you're being a (relatively) good sport about this, I'll make it worth your while." Kazuma relented, catching the goddess' attention instantly. "I will guarantee you one free favor in the future. Anything you'd like, just ask. To be clear, it's a one and done deal and I probably won't kill anyone, so otherwise...go nuts."

Kazuma couldn't help but gulp at the evil smirk the blue-haired deity was giving him. "Oh, Kazzy, sweet, sweet Kazzy...You really shouldn't give me this kind of power, you know. I might just...abuse it~"

"Yup. Already regretting this." Kazuma moaned, before shaking his head and smiling weakly. "Well, guess I'll just have to pray for you to be merciful, O' goddess of mine."

"See, it's praise like that which lands on my good list!" Aqua exclaimed while ruffling his hair playfully. "So just keep it up and you'll be in good, caring hands!"

"Yeah, I'm officially scared." Kazuma snarked, turning to Darkness and Megumin and reaching out with a mock expression of terror. "If I go missing, you know where to look first!"

Everybody laughed at their boyfriend's unique sense of humor before settling down. A grumble from Kazuma's stomach saved them from any awkward silence that could've followed afterwards.

"Oh yeah, that's right, I haven't eaten anything since this morning," Kazuma stated, looking at the girls for suggestions. "Anybody know what they want to eat?"

"How about some stir-fried cabbage, in the spirit of togetherness?" Darkness suggested, earning a general wave of agreement from her fellow party members. With their dinner plans solidified, the four ambled off to the kitchen, ready to end another long day with a well earned meal.


Across down, quite the ways away from Kazuma and his friends, Wiz slumped into her bed and sighed heavily, exhausted both physically and mentally. She had accomplished a great deal today, with her and Yunyun's efforts having reconstructed quite a good portion of the damage in the area they were assigned. She should be more proud of herself...but there was one glaring problem.

She had also learned of Kazuma's new relationship with his party members. Their new, romantic relationship…

Deep down, she knew she should be happy for her friends. It was truly wonderful that they had found company in each other that went deeper than just friendship, but those feelings were stifled by her own despair with the realization that she had waited too long to confess to him.

I was so worried that he would refuse, so soon after our reconciliation. She thought to herself, releasing a shuddering breath before raising her hands and cupping her face. Dammit, Wiz, if you weren't such a coward, you could have confessed to him when you had the chance!

There was a beat of silence as she wallowed in her shame and regret, before the briefest fair of inspiration struck her.

I could ask the girls, I suppose. Try and appeal to their mercy. They've already come up with some sort of agreement or another, so perhaps...perhaps I still have a chance!

Wiz's heart swelled a little at that notion, slim as it was. Maybe all hope wasn't lost after all.

Similarly, Yunyun was going over a similar train of thought in her room at the local inn, pacing the floor nervously. She too had become aware of Kazuma's new engagement, and was similarly stressed compared to the ice witch she had worked with throughout the day.

"Maybe I can broach the question at least. T-the girls would probably hear me out, right?" She muttered to herself, whining nervously. "Oh, who am I kidding? They'd probably throw me out laughing if I confessed about my f-feelings for him!"

Still, as similarly slim as her chances were, Yunyun took a moment to strengthen her will, reflecting her attachment to Kazuma and how she wanted to explore her feelings further.

"I have to try. I have to." She swore quietly, her pacing finally coming to a slow as she lay on her bed, clutching the covers nervously. "I just have to hope he likes me too."

Across the way, knee-deep in paperwork, Sena mused similarly over the young adventurer that had suddenly become ingrained in her life. When she had first met Kazuma, she had him pegged as a monstrous, perverted terrorist in disguise. Now, she called him a friend, trusted ally...and maybe even her accidental crush.

"Satou...what have you done to me?" She murmured quietly, cupping her chin and releasing a wistful sigh. "Perhaps I need to have a long, intimate chat with you about what you mean to be...that should be a start to clearing things up."

Sena nodded to herself, seemingly contented by her plan before returning to her paperwork with new found energy. Perhaps there really was something to keep her in Axel for the foreseeable future.

Finally, Chris sat atop one of the many rooftops in Axel's city, humming peacefully to herself as she listened to the distant bustle below and indulged in the cool winter air. It was a helluva way to spend a night, but it was missing one thing.

"Kazuma Satou. What an enigma you are." She chuckled to herself, cheeks flushed slightly as she recalled the awkward boy who had managed to capture not only her own heart, but a number of others as well. "You are gonna have your hands full in the near future, aren't you?"