Author's note: Just an fyi, while the previous chapter is labeled "Side Chapter," it's still plot-relevant, so don't skip it. Don't worry, it's not too long.

O Month X Day

Another day, another visit from Aqua-senpai. Earlier today, she was at some sort of auction in Earth's heaven, and afterwards she came to me to show off her haul. Does she not have anyone else to talk to?

It seems like most of the auction items were old things being pawned off by gods and goddesses from Earth. Among the things Aqua-senpai won were:

– An old lion skin

– A half-woven burial shroud

– A pair of iron gauntlets that looked to have been used to punch many things

– A staff with a snake carved into it

– A conch shell

I asked her if she even knew what any of them did, and she replied, "No idea, but they all looked very valuable, so I'm sure I can resell them for a higher price!"

Personally, I'm a bit uneasy about bringing in divine items from another world. Divine power is a very fickle thing, so unexpected reactions might occur.

In fact, just looking at some of those items made me feel a bit strange, but it went away when Aqua-senpai left.

On a related note, she asked me if she could borrow some money. Apparently, she still hasn't paid off her bids from the auction, and is having trouble finding buyers to resell those things to.

…

Staaaaare

…

"… say, Pax? You mind giving me some personal space?"

"No."

What's with this girl?

We met up with Sirius and Sebastian at the Dustiness manor early this morning, and are now making our way to the teleportation station.

And this whole time, the Spellsword has been watching me closely without pause.

I guess she's still suspicious of me. I'm going to have to give her the slip when we reach the capital…

"Um, excuse me? Messiah-sama?"

A young woman in a priest habit interrupted my thoughts. Come to think of it, they weren't hounding me today. Or yesterday, for that matter.

"What's up?"

"Er, well… the head priest would like to apologize to you. When she heard about the mob of people chasing you and realized we made you uncomfortable, she scolded the entire church and hit them on the head."

"Wait, she hit everyone on the head?"

"Yes…"

She rubbed the back of her skull and winced.

Sirius gave a wry laugh.

"I've only met her a few times, but that sounds about right. She doesn't take kindly to troublemaking."

Seems like this Eris's following is led by quite a formidable woman. Probably the type that'd see right through me if we met now.

All for the better that we're getting out of town.

"Well, tell her I said thanks. I'll be sure to stop by for a visit once I return."

"Thank you. Have a safe trip, and good luck on your mission!"

Mission, eh? If I recall, it was to collect divine relics… hm, if the rest are anywhere near as good as this ring, then I'd be glad to get my hands on them.

In fact, I'm betting there's some good ones locked up in noble and royal vaults in the capital. This trip is getting more and more exciting.

Staaaaare

… this girl doesn't have a mind-reading skill, does she?

"Ladies and Sebastian, I present to you: the capital of Belzerg!"

"Wow."

"Big."

There were huge buildings everywhere. Multi-story shops and restaurants, and farther away I could see towering mansions. Peaking above even the tallest of those was the royal palace in the distance.

It was a whole order of magnitude greater than the city of Troy. Well, compared to that place, this world is stronger in both science and magic, so it isn't surprising.

Sirius handed Pax a piece of parchment with an address written on it.

"Here's the mansion where we'll be staying. You two pretty much have free reign for the next three days; just don't get into trouble, alright?"

"Yo, buddy, can I get that address too?"

Sirius made a show of patting his pockets, then put on a face of surprise.

"Whoops, seems like I forgot to make two. And unfortunately, I'm not carrying parchment at the moment. Guess you'll just have to stick with Pax for today."

What terrible acting. So, he's suspecting me too, is he? I guess I haven't been as subtle as I thought.

"I'll be heading to the mansion now. We're having dinner with some important people, so be back by 6."

Sirius gave a wave, then he and Sebastian left.

Pax watched them go, then turned to me.

"Now then–"

"Lurk."

Too easy. Now, let's start looking for something fun–

"Gotcha."

"Wha–"

"Cast Track on you earlier. Can't hide from me."

I didn't even notice her cast that spell. This girl is kind of scary when she wants to be.

"Now, stay close. Otherwise, will find and punish you."

"Sure, sure. Just let me go already."

Pax hesitated a bit, but relented and released my arm.

"Ok, so where should go? Thinking clothing store– eh?"

The moment she turned her back, I slipped on the ring relic.

"Eh? Can't sense her! How!?"

Sorry, Pax, but I've got some discord to cause.

Now then, where should I start?

"Hey, two carbonaras for table four!"

"Roger that!"

"This steak is undercooked! Fix it at once!"

"Yes, sir!"

"I said two fish for table seven, not blue fish! Are you deaf!?"

"Yeah, from all your shouting!"

"… excuse me, was that sass I just heard!?"

Even without my help, the kitchen of a high-end restaurant is already a den of chaos.

Though, noise aside, the smell was bewitching. I couldn't stop my mouth from watering. For a moment, I seriously considered abandoning my plan and just stealing some food.

But that would be beneath me. The only problems I want to cause are the ones that nobody would think to blame on me.

And, of course, it's the most fun when I can set things off with just the tiniest nudges.

I observed the kitchen scene carefully. I noticed that none of the people here looked at each other when talking. After all, it'd be bad if they took their eyes off their cooking.

I moved behind a kitchen hand working on a pot of soup, and did my best impression of the gruff head chef.

"Hey, you! The steaks we're using right now have gone bad, so run over to the grills and throw away all the ones they're cooking! I'll handle the soup!"

"Right away, sir!"

In this frantic environment, there's no time to second-guess orders. The kitchen hand immediately stopped what he was doing and went over to the grills, not once looking my way. Not that he'd see me, of course.

As for this soup… ah, look what I've found. Tokoroten slime. Lemme just mix a big glob of it in there…

Pax's Interlude

"Dammit, where Chris go…"

I thought my Track spell would've been enough, but Chris somehow vanished off my radar in an instant. She's fast, so there's no telling where she could've gone.

It's been over half an hour, so I'm a bit worried what she could've gotten up to in this time.

… say, that restaurant seems a bit too noisy…

I walked through the entrance, then immediately had to duck as a plate flew straight at my head.

Crash

It was absolute chaos. The customers of this high-end restaurant were brawling as if they were in a tavern, and over towards the kitchen the staff were jumping at each other's throats. Pots and cutlery flying through the air made it seem like a battlefield.

What the hell…

"Hey, this is the police! Everyone cease this at once!"

A police officer shouldered his way past me. The whole room seemed to freeze. Oh good, seems like it's over.

"… you've got a lot of nerve coming in here, officer! Especially after what you did to the head chef's daughter!"

"… I'm sorry, what?"

"Get him!"

I barely managed to get out of the way as a pair of customers jumped the officer. Immediately the fighting resumed.

This is absurd. How did things even get this bad so quickly? It defies logic.

I need to hurry up and find Chris before she does something else–

"Hey, miss! Go to the police station and get backup! Please– ow, get off! I didn't do anything!"

… Dad always told me to never ignore someone in need.

With a sigh, I turned towards the station and began running.

I thought I heard a laugh behind me, but when I looked back there was nothing.

Sirius's Interlude

"They're going to be late."

I told them to be back by 6. It was already 5:55.

I looked up and down the street again… wait, I think I see someone.

It's… Pax? She's alone… and she looks like hell.

"Jeez, have a rough day there?"

She looked at me with tired eyes, but didn't say anything.

"… sooo, where's Chris?"

"Right here!"

Pax jumped and turned around as Chris spoke up from behind her. Weird, I could've sworn he wasn't there a moment ago.

Compared to Pax, Chris looked positively blissful, as if he'd spent the day at a hot spring.

"And what have you been up to?"

"Ah, you know, I was just sampling the fine cuisine this city has to offer."

Pax glared daggers at Chris when he said that, but he either didn't notice or didn't care.

"So, dinner, right? Do we need to change into something nice?"

"Yeah, go talk to Sebastian and get changed. You'll be a bit late but it's not a big deal."

"Alright, see you at the table!"

As he practically skipped towards the mansion, I turned back to Pax.

"Well?"

"Slipped away. Next thing I know, restaurant became warzone."

I heard about a commotion downtown, but it must've been worse than I thought.

"Any idea why Chris did that?"

She looked at me.

"Nothing to gain. Nothing stolen. Just people fighting."

I pondered her report. This doesn't make sense.

"It's like all Chris wants is to cause discord and strife…"

Pax suddenly perked up at my words.

"Discord and strife…"

"What's up? You remember something?"

"… send someone to Accelia. Find adventurer Tamura Hideki. Think he knows something."

"I'm not sure what this Hideki guy has to do with anything, but I'll trust you. We'll have to find a better strategy tomorrow, but for now go and enjoy the dinner. Chris should already be changed by now."

For some reason, that last part seemed to light a fire in her eyes.

"I'll go right away."

I took another sip of wine. It was sweet, yet also crisp, and had a nice aftertaste that I couldn't quite describe. I bet even ol' Dionysus would've been impressed.

The other guests seemed to share my sentiment.

"This is quite the fine wine, Sirius-sama. Where did you say you got it, again?"

"A refugee from Noise that arrived in Accelia brought it with him, and gifted it as thanks for giving him a new home."

I finished my glass, then looked around the table.

The people dining with us were various nobles, seeking to greet Sirius and congratulate him on his wedding. I was seated next to the guest of honor, and on my other side…

Staaaaare

… was a black-haired girl with a simple white dress and a necklace observing me intently.

Though, I get the feeling her intentions for looking at me now are different than they were this morning.

I was currently wearing the black tuxedo Sebastian had helped fit me with.

Sirius, meanwhile, was wearing the most expensive looking white tux I've ever seen. It featured the highest-quality fabric, but wasn't too opulent in its design.

It suited him.

I beckoned Sebastian over and had him fill my glass again.

The food here was pretty good, but I was starting to get bored of this formal dinner.

"So, Sirius-sama, these two are your adventuring companions?"

Ah, they're talking about us now.

"Yes. This is Chris and Pax. The three of us worked together to fight off a duke of hell until he retreated."

A collection of "Oohs" and "Wows" rose up. It might seem like he was just bragging… well, he was just bragging, but he had a reason.

He needed to reinforce that we were companions with bonds forged through hardship, and draw away attention from the fact we've only been acquainted for a relatively short time, or else the others might start questioning our justification for being invited.

All this political stuff is a bore. The only politics I care about are treaties. Or, more specifically, tricking people into violating them.

"Well, it's been nice, but I think I shall retire for the evening, Sirius."

"Of course. Good night, Chris."

"Say, Sirius-sama, is it true that the Elroad ambassador will be attending?"

As I left the room, however, a certain conversation caught my ear.

A foreign ambassador?

Now that sounds like a good time.

"You can't be serious."

"Am serious."

The next morning, I stood outside the mansion, ready for another fun day of causing havoc.

Or, that was the plan, until Pax appeared and handcuffed our wrists together.

"You can't prove that I had anything to do with that restaurant, you know."

"Not prosecutor. Don't need proof. Now, come. We go to clothing store."

She's really set on that, huh?

"Okay, whatever you say…"

She started off towards the store, dragging me along behind. She's probably thinking that I won't be able to escape without getting caught in the process, eh?

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small orb with a red button on it.

The "escape orb" I nabbed off that burglar mage… come to think of it, I never got her name, did I?

I gave the button a press, then slipped the ring on again after teleporting a meter away.

"First, I dress you up in… how!?"

Her reaction upon noticing my absence was adorable.

Now, time to stir up some more shit!

Sirius's Interlude

I let out a big sigh as I read over the report.

Having this marriage forced on me so suddenly was stressful enough, and now Chris of all people has apparently become the incarnation of trouble itself.

According to this report, nearly a hundred street vendors split into two factions and had an all-out territorial war in the capital's main street.

Of course, the report made no mention of a silver-haired instigator, but Pax claimed to have seen him in the act, though he got away before he could be caught.

When he came back tonight, he was on cloud nine, but refused to divulge exactly what he had been up to.

Something needs to be done, but if word gets out that the young noble Sirius's best man and adventuring comrade got put away in jail, it would be a terrible scandal.

On the other hand, if Chris isn't fixed by the wedding, where Elroad ambassadors will be present, I'm risking an international incident.

I need to get to the bottom of this erratic behavior ASAP.

Knock knock

"Come in."

Pax entered the study, along with a young man with the same black hair as her.

"I take it that you're Tamura Hideki?"

"Yes, Sirius-sama."

I waved dismissively.

"Don't bother with formalities, we're in a crisis right now."

"Okay.., Sirius-san."

I placed my elbows on my desk and leaned forward.

"So, Hideki. Tell me about this, 'goddess of discord' that you seem so familiar with."

Pax's Interlude

The next morning, Chris was nowhere to be seen. She must've up and left before the rest of us woke.

"Pax, after today I'll be too busy with preparations to deal with Chris, so I'm counting on you to find him and capture him. You'll have access to all of the resources of my house, including guards and money, so use whatever you need. Well, within a reasonable extent."

"Count on me."

These aren't simple pranks. Chris's actions have already costed the residents of this city hundreds of thousands in property damage and medical fees. And it feels like she's only growing more ambitious with each incident.

The Chris I knew is missing. I need to bring this Chris to justice, and find out where my friend went.

… well, bad as this Chris might be, she still rocked that tuxedo.

Which reminded me.

"Sirius, one thing."

"Yeah?"

I called out to Sirius as he turned to leave. Now that I've gotten my eye candy, there's no reason for me to let him stay mistaken any longer.

"Chris is girl."

"… come again?"

Pax's Interlude

I left the dumbstruck young lord behind and made my way to the city's central plaza with some guards.

If it's trouble she's looking to cause, this crowded place seems like it'd be a good target…

There! I saw a movement on a nearby rooftop as a shape ducked away from the edge.

"This way!"

I sprinted over to the building where I saw it, then noticed more movement on the rooftops along a nearby side street.

"Chris!"

I called out to the shape, but it didn't slow down. In fact, it was speeding up.

The guards with me started falling behind. I couldn't wait for them, though. I needed to go faster.

"Accelerate!"

I cast a speed buff on myself. After some time, I followed it around a corner, and nearly ran straight into someone standing in the middle of the shadowy alley.

"… Chris?"

As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, it became apparent that it wasn't who I thought it was.

The face was exactly like that of my friend's.

But instead of silver, the person had a head of golden hair, and her eyes were a dark green.

She looked at me and smiled.

"Hey there, Pax. I'm a bit busy, but since you came all the way out here, I'd be happy to have a quick chat."

The voice was the same as Chris's too, yet for some reason it sent shivers down my spine.

"Who are you?"

Her smile grew wider.

"That's right, I haven't properly introduced myself yet, have I? I'm Eris, goddess of discord, strife, disharmony, and making people hate each other's guts. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."

She gave a flamboyant bow as she named herself.

This must be that other Eris that Hideki mentioned. A foreign goddess.

Normally, someone claiming to be a goddess would be immediately dismissed as either a charlatan or an idiot, but the ominous pressure this girl was giving out erased any doubt in my mind.

Unable to think of a response, I just stood there dumbly.

The girl calling herself Eris tilted her head and put her finger on her cheek, making a cutesy pose that didn't fit at all with the mood.

"Oh, wait, that name's already taken in this world, isn't it? Then, to avoid confusion, I guess you can call me by the name the Romans gave me: Discordia."

She took out a ring, then slipped it on her finger. Immediately, she vanished from view.

"I'd talk more, but my itinerary's already full. See you around! Oh, and I'm really looking forward to that wedding!"

The disembodied voice echoed around the empty alley, eventually fading away into eerie silence.

This is… really bad.

I touched my necklace… the good luck charm Dad gave me.

Chris… no, Discordia. I'll bring you down, no matter what.

… though I really don't want to have to use this necklace.