Chapter 8


A deafening bellow shattered the peace of the land, and pillars of flame erupted from the ground. The man dodged the intense heat with fluid movements despite the heavy metal suit encasing him and the great sword strapped to his back.

"I think we're making it angry," he said as sweat beaded on his forehead. "That's one of its last resorts—watch out!"

"T-Toya, be careful." A woman called out, forced to retreat from the monster's cursed flame.

"Clema! We have to help Toya. We can't let him face a Cursed Drake alone."

Clema whimpered as a powerful hand gripped her shoulder, freezing her in place.

"F-Fio w-we don't stand a chance. We're not chosen like Toya!"

Fio scowled and twirled her spear around her hands.

"Fine then, run away, but when Toya and I beat this thing—" Fio smirked even as her cheeks turned pink. "—he and I are going on a date, and you can't complain."

Clema's magical staff groaned as she crushed it in her grasp.

"Fiooo!"

Fio giggled until she saw Toya get launched back by the Drake's tail and roll to a stop at her feet.

"It's still got some fight left in it," Toya said, pushing himself up with a groan before flashing a quick smile to Fio, who helped him.

"Clema, make sure it can't fly away. Fio harasses it. I need you to keep it off me for a few minutes."

Toya's two best friends locked eyes, a silent agreement passing between them. The air seemed to crackle with determination and a promise of what was to come. Both girls nodded in unison, their faces set in resolute expressions as they prepared for battle.

Fio sprinted forward, her moth-colored skin already darkening with the dust and ash that hung in the surrounding air. Ahead of her, the Drake loomed—its massive black hide marred by dozens of deep scars from old battles. As she raced closer, the beast opened its maw, fire flickering in the back of its throat as it prepared to strike.

"Now, Clema!"

"Right!"

Clema raised her staff above her head and called upon her power. A frigid cold radiated from her body as a swirling vortex of white energy formed above her head. Then, with a cry, she thrust the staff forward, sending a giant crystalline boulder hurtling toward the Drake. The massive slab of ice flew in a graceful arc, slamming into the Drake's snout and stopping its attempt to breathe fire.

Fio grinned as the Drake reared back, and she darted in, scoring its belly with her spear.

"This is for Toya, you brute!"

"Fio, come back!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Fio dove to the side and executed a perfect somersault just as an enormous foot crashed down inches from where she had been standing. Fio pushed herself off the ground with all her strength and sprinted toward her party members. Once back by their sides, Toya smiled at the girls and yelled, his voice resonating like thunder across the battlefield. He held his sword up high, and it glowed with a radiant light that pulsed outward in every direction, shaking the very foundations of their world.

"Now it's time for me to finish this! Dawn of ruination, I call upon you, Gram!"

A beam of white light exploded from the sword, dispersing the clouds and bathing the land in its burning glare.

"Now die, you monster!"

With a mighty cleave, the beam collided with the Drake and sliced through hardened scales, muscle, and bone in an instant.


"... We did it!" Fio danced on the dragon's remains, uncaring of the mess it left on her boots. "They said it was impossible, but I knew we could do with you, Toya." Fio said, grinning from ear to ear.

Toya smiled at the praise and rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"Come on, Fio, it was a team effort. Without you and Clema, we'd have never won." Toya said, stretching his back. As he leaned back, Toya sighed. The smoke and ash hung thick, but he could still see twinkling stars.

'I hope I'm making you proud, milady.'

"Hey, Fio, Clema, what if we went on a vacation?"

The question asked suddenly caused both girls to pause in their celebration.

"Do..." Clema licked her lips. "Do you think that would be alright? I know the royal family has been demanding of your time."

For six months, the royal guild had been sending Toya on grueling quests on behalf of the royal family, with no chance to rest or catch their breath. But Toya endured it, his face illuminated by an unwavering smile.

"Yeah, I'm sure. We've been adventuring together for six months and haven't taken a break. What if we went back to Axle for old-time sake? Catch up with the guild, sleep in, have picnics in the fields..."

It sounded lovely to both girls, who accepted Toya's suggestion with frantic nods.

"Great! Then let's get out of here."

As they walked away from the barren battlefield, Toya looked at the sky once more.

'Please keep watching over me, Lady Aqua.'


"… Milady Aqua!"

Amidst the bustling crowd, a young man no older than seventeen took off running as Shirou and his companions brought the monster cage into town. The clanging of the bars echoed like nails on a chalkboard, sending shivers down the spines of those nearest to it. Its presence seemed to weigh heavily on the surrounding atmosphere, forcing everyone to stop and take notice. As the monster cage approached, some people gasped when they saw Aqua inside; her body was slack and motionless, and her disheveled hair hung limply over her face. The sight was so disturbing that it felt like any kind of movement would be too much - like one might expect when the circus came to town and forced audiences to watch an unsettling display of dancing midgets, everyone's grim fascination held them still in abject horror.

The man who recognized Aqua reached the cage and, to Kazuma's disbelief, grasped the bars of the cell and, with a mighty yank, ripped the door right off its hinges.

'Oh, shit! Another OP bastard!'

"Milady, please step out of the cage and get behind me while I dispose of these fiends!"

Fiends? They'd reached a new low to be called such a harsh name. Hard to believe it took so long to be honest, based on having Megumin, Darkness, and Aqua in a group together. In all fairness, Kazuma thought they'd have destroyed the town by now, or at least have gotten them kicked out by a pitchfork-wielding mob.

Shirou cleared his throat when it became clear Aqua had no intention of moving.

"I think there's been a misunderstanding—"

"Ha! Things are pretty straightforward. You know of Lady Aqua's true nature as a goddess and seek to ransom her to the highest bidder to line your pockets. Why I can't even imagine the sheer wealth, such an action would bring you, but I can tell you it would never be enough! The Lady Aqua is worth ten kingdoms, at least."

Kazuma spluttered, unable to suppress a snicker. Even Shirou appeared to be struggling not to smile as Megumin and Darkness turned their backs on the man, their shoulders shaking with laughter. The speech had been unbearably cringe-worthy.

Of course, Kazuma should have known that such a cringy delivery would have snapped Aqua out of her daze.

Embarrassing moments like this one always drew Aqua in.

Even as her party smothered their amusement, life returned to her eyes, and they shone with magic and pride.

"Well," Aqua said, standing and resting her hands on her hips. "It's about time someone acknowledges my magnificence, though ten kingdoms combined could still not afford my brilliance."

With a toss of her hair, Aqua stepped out of the cage, regal as a queen.

'Trip, trip, trip.'

Despite Kazuma's mental chant, Aqua managed not to trip, hopping down from the wagon with a flutter of her skirt.

"So... who are you?"

The guy's smile cracked.

"... It's me Milady, Mitzorugi Toya? You sent me here six months ago with the divine mission to defeat the Demon King." The man, Mitzorugi, said.

Aqua's shifted from foot to foot, squinting at Mitzorugi and straining her tiny mind.

"Right, I remember now." Aqua slammed her fist into her opposite palm. "You're Mitzorugi Toya. I sent you here six months ago."

That... She just repeated what Mitzorugi told her!

"Yes, that's right!"

Mitzorugi looked like he had just been told he had won a million dollars. Idiot.

"I've been doing everything I can to make you proud, Lady Aqua, and use the gift you gave me." Mitzorugi drew forth a massive sword holding it aloft like it were a twig. "Gram has served me well, and I've already become a sword master." Mitzorugi said, a gormless smile on his face. "It's been a hard road, but I've found pleasant companions to walk with."

As if on cue, two women pushed their way through the crowd, came to stand just behind Mitzorugi while looking at him with adoration.

Kazuma fumed. Why did the pretty boy always get the hot subservient ones?

How can a world be so cruel?

It wouldn't surprise Kazuma in the least to learn that Mitzorugi didn't know what it meant to lead a tough life — he with his fancy sword, height, and muscles.

Kazuma was too busy grinding his teeth to notice the opportunity to introduce their group. So Shirou moved to stand beside Aqua, smiling while rubbing at the back of his neck.

"Looks like we got off on the wrong foot. Aqua is part of our party." Shirou waved at Kazuma, Darkness, and Megumin. "We were returning from a quest to purify Sidhe Lake and used the cage to keep the Toxic Crocodiles away from her."

Aqua nodded, along with a beatific smile in place. Hard to believe she was all but catatonic five minutes prior.

"Yep. I completed the quest alone, and now I get to keep the reward."

Money and adoration — Aqua's first and only loves.

Mitzorugi, unlike Aqua, seemed less than thrilled about her reason to have been in the cage. He gripped the hilt of his sword so hard his gauntlet creaked, and the color drained from his face.

"You... You mean to say they're forcing you to go on quests?"

"W-well, not forcing per se. I mean. I need to make money, and quests are much better than working!"

Aqua lost all the crowd's sympathy at that moment, and even Mitzorugi looked taken aback.

"Well, that's... I mean, you're a goddess. You shouldn't have to do anything you don't want to…" Mitzorugi fell to his knee and bowed his head. "Please, Milady, agree to come with me, and I will ensure you never want for anything again."

'The balls on this guy!'

Even Aqua thought the guy seemed a bit much and edged over until she hid herself behind Shirou, peaking around his shoulder.

"O-key, that's a nice offer and all. But I'm happy where I'm at. Megumin and Darkness are my friends, and Shirou does a great job keeping me safe... Kazuma's useless, but three out of four is still pretty good."

Kazuma's eye twitched, and like that, he changed to team Mitzorugi.

'God — other than Aqua — speed to you, my friend. Take this useless goddess to lands far away!'

"That's great!" Mitzorugi sprung to his feet and cast an evaluating eye on Darkness and Megumin. "Looking at you, you're an Arch-Wizard and Crusader, right? It would be an honor to have you at my party."

'He's offering to take all three!'

Kazuma forgot to be offended that he didn't even warrant a look. The potential benefit far outweigh any insult he might feel.

A party of just Kazuma and Shirou? It would be effortless for Kazuma. They'd take a quest, Shirou would destroy whatever needed destroying, and Kazuma could ride on his coattails to wealth and easy living.

Perfection!

Kazuma leaped forward and snatched up Mitzorugi's hand, shaking it with passion.

"No, take backs!"

"Kazuma!"

Darkness grabbed Kazuma by the collar and pulled him back; her mouth pinched tight to show her displeasure.

"I will have you know it is not polite to accept offers on another's behalf, especially unwanted ones made from men of unknown origins."

Not willing to give up on his new dream, Kazuma rounded on Darkness with a fervor neither knew he possessed.

"Darkness, think about it," Kazuma said, his voice taking on a sibilant lilt as if trying to hypnotize her. "He could be the perviest of pervs. Someone is trying to trick Shirou and me into sending you into his clutches, at which point he'll strike, leaving you bound to his not-so-tender mercies. Think about it..."

Mitzorugi stared with wide, horrified eyes as Kazuma laid out his scenario while Darkness panted for breath, eyes dilating until a tiny sliver of blue remained.

"No!" Darkness released Kazuma like his flesh burned and covered her face. "I won't cheat on Shirou like that. I won't!"

Shirou scratched his head, wondering what Darkness meant by cheating on him. Working with another party wouldn't end the world by any means.

"Yeah, you tell him Darkness," Megumin said, looking non-to-pleased, going by the pout on her face.

"Kazuma!" Aqua stomped over to smack him over the head. "Were you just trying to give me away? Me! Your gift from heaven itself?"

Shirou looked on as the four people quarreled with increasing volume until they were all but shouting in the streets while pulling at each other's hair. He shook his head with a sigh. Shirou could appreciate their passion, but there was a time and place for such behavior.

"Enough, enough of this!" Mitzorugi interjected himself and pulled Aqua away from the fight. "It's obvious that someone has been putting you under a spell, Milady."

Kazuma's face turned an unhealthy shade of red, disbelief wafting from him in waves, almost reaching the visible spectrum.

"Err... That's normal for her, but it's OK. No reason to be uptight all the time, right?" Shirou said, trying to defuse the situation before it became more volatile.

"You!" Mitzorugi rounded on Shirou. "You must be the one controlling Milady. I can tell you are easily the most powerful in the group, and I will not let this continue. So I challenge you to a duel for Lady Aqua's freedom!"

A duel? Why would a fight solve anything? If fact, Shirou would put money that dueling would make things worse in the long term.

Aqua felt different if her swoon showed anything.

"Two men so enraptured by my divine beauty fighting over me in the streets. That so —"

"Creepy!" Megumin said, interrupting Aqua as she placed herself behind Darkness.

"I must agree, even for myself. This behavior is disturbing—" Now that was saying something. "—Aqua, you realize that man is trying to barter for you like cattle, right? And what if Shirou were to lose? You'd be honor bound to join Mitzorugi's party." Darkness said, folding her arms and looking down at Aqua.

Faced with Darkness's logic, Aqua deflated somewhat, realizing what Mitzorgui suggested by challenging Shirou.

"Oi, Mitsubishi, what do we get if Shirou beats you?" Kazuma asked, almost salivating in his excitement. "You said Aqua is worth ten kingdoms, right? So you better have something pretty valuable to pony up."

'Kazuma, why?!'

Shirou needed to find a peaceful solution to this mess before it got out of hand.

"Listen, guys, I don't —"

Shirou never finished as Mitzorugi pushed forward, going chest to chest with Kazuma.

"1,000,000 Eris."

The crowd gasped, and Kazuma shivered in a way that reminded Shirou of Darkness.

"Deal! The duel begins on my mark." Kazuma jumped, grabbing Aqua and Megumin as he retreated to a safe distance.

"On your mark, go!"

Shirou reacted on pure reflex as Mitzorugi charged him, sword held high. He analyzed the sword in Mitzorugi's hands as he leaped back to avoid getting cut in half.

Named Gram, but not the one Shirou claimed familiarity with, it was a C-rank noble phantasm with the potential to do untold amounts of destruction if Mitzorugi were allowed to unleash its power in the Axle.

"Trace, on!" Shirou shouted, dodging away from a vicious lunge by mere inches. He had no intention of allowing this fight to go on any longer and risk the safety of any innocent bystanders.

The blue energy that filled his hand quickly pooled and coalesced into the shape of a spear as long as Shirou stood tall. Gleaming black like obsidian, years of brutal combat had chipped and gouged the blade, yet it still maintained its lethal edge. Shirou twirled the spear, knocking Gram aside with a loud clang.

Mitzorugi snarled, eyes flashing with anger, and he roared.

"You think such a puny spear can stand against my Gram? A Divine Weapon granted to me by Lady Aqua! I shall destroy it with a single swing!" He clenched his teeth, and energy crackled around the blade of his sword as it unleashed its magic. Then, with a mighty lunge, Mitzorugi stepped forward and slashed at Shirou, the blade leaving a trail of white energy as it cleaved through the air.

"Gundnir," Shirou said, and without hesitation, raised his spear and brought it up to meet the force of Mitzorugi's blow, resulting in a massive crash as steel met steel with such ferocity that sparks flew into the air.

"W-what?" Mitzorugi at Gram's blade, now ending six inches above the hilt. "Y-you broke Gram!"

Shock and disbelief were apparent as Mitzorugi continued to gape and sputter, unable to accept it.

Shirou nodded, slamming Gundnir to the ground.

"I asked you to stop. You did not listen."

Mitzorugi shifted his gaze to Aqua, pleading with her like a lost boy searching for his mother. His voice sounded strained as he spoke, desperation lacing every word.

"Milady, I tried," Mitzorugi said, stretching a shaking hand toward her.

Aqua briefly paused, hand rising, thumb pointing sideways. Like a Cesar of old, she held Mitzorugi's life within that hand, a single action would be enough to destroy him.

"Booo!"

Critical hit!

Shirou felt the air around them thick with sorrow as Mitzorugi realized there was no hope left, and he whirled around, tears streaming down his face as he firmly clutched the hilt of Gram in his now white-knuckled hand.

"Mitzorugi!"

The two girls ran after their distressed friend, calling out to him as they did.

Aqua was ecstatic, pulling Shirou into a hug before giving the fleeing adventurers a rude hand gesture. "That's what I'm talking about!" she yelled. "You better run —"

Kazuma pinched the bridge of his nose as Aqua continued to excite Shirou's victory like it were hers.

'How can she go from pristine goddess to ring girl so damn fast?'

"Indeed, Shirou, your victory was quite impressive. As I would expect from my master."

Megumin pulled her hat down to cover her face, but it did nothing to hide the excited gleam in her crimson gaze

"Meh, not enough explosions if you ask me. Can we follow them out of town? I'd still like to blast him."

Couldn't she just smile and cheer for the fact Shirou sent the guy running while crying a literal river of tears? After a point, it became overkill.

"... This is my house, so don't let me see you punks again!"

Aqua's chest heaved, and a wide, toothy grin plastered across her face. Kazuma watched her with amusement, wondering if she understood the consequences of Mitzorugi fleeing faster than the wind with his tail tucked between his legs.

He considered which would be funnier — if he told her or if she figured it out herself.

'I'll just watch for now. Wish I could have gotten the money, though.'

Kazuma clapped Shirou on the back, causing him to flinch slightly.

"What a good fight! Let's go back to the guild and have a feast to celebrate!"

But instead of responding enthusiastically to Kazuma's suggestion like usual, Shirou continued down the street with a deep frown etched on his forehead.

"I think I may have gone too far."

Darkness snorted in disdain, her full lips curling downward. She tossed her glossy mane of hair over one shoulder and stared down her nose in the direction Mitzorugi fled, her eyes flashing with icy contempt.

"There's no such thing for men like him, despicable, thinking he could win us like we're prized cattle." Darkness's cheeks glowed. "I bet he would have branded me, marring my flawless skin with his emblem before tying me to a post and having his way with me..."

Darkness degenerated into mumbles as her eyelids drooped, and her mind wandered into a world of lurid imaginings, her thoughts increasingly depraved. A trickle of saliva hung from the corner of her lips.

"... There is something very wrong with you," Kazuma said, looking at Darkness and edging away as she glared at him.

A quick wipe of her hand removed the drool, but did nothing to hide the beads of sweat dripping down her temple.

"A-any way, the idea of a feast sounds wonderful. We shall celebrate the destruction of a vagabond and a successful quest completed."


"... NOOO!"

Kazuma stifled a laugh as Aqua let out a piercing shriek of despair. Her usually vibrant aqua eyes had dimmed to a dull grey, and her hands trembled as she glanced down at the parchment in her hands. The bill for the ruined cage Mitzorugi had so enthusiastically destroyed rested beneath her fingers, and a pearl of sweat trickled from her temple down to her chin. She held back an anguished groan, knowing that this was entirely her debt to pay, much like the reward they'd received for purifying the lake.

"So, what's everybody having? I'm still flush from the Manticore quest, so I'm having criminean bull steak and an aged ale."

Kazuma couldn't wait to eat it in front of Aqua.

"S-Shirou!" Aqua flopped onto the table, looking like her world had ended. "T-They took my reward! I-I worked s-so hard!" Aqua said through heaving sobs, banging on the table with tiny fists. "Why? I didn't even break the cage. Why do bad things keep happening to me?! I'm a goddess, dammit, a goddess!"

Shirou sighed and pulled Aqua off the table to sit beside him. She buried her head into his shoulder and continued with her dramatic weeping until he thrust a menu into her hands.

"Here, Aqua. You've had a tough day. Let me buy you dinner, whatever you what."

Aqua sniffed, wiping her nose with a forearm.

"You mean it?"

Shirou smiled and nodded in such a wholesome way Kazuma wanted to vomit. Aqua would never learn if Shirou kept coddling her. Plus, it would end with Darkness needing dentures if she kept grinding her teeth so hard he could hear it in the crowded guild.

"H-hello, my name is Kit. I'm new here, but will do my best to serve you!"

Kazuma's mouth was already halfway open as he turned, but when his gaze landed on her, he froze mid-breath. She was a sun-kissed vision of beauty with auburn hair that cascaded down her back like fire in the light of day. Her cheeks were flushed pink like peonies, and freckles danced across her nose and cheeks. The moment their eyes met, she swept a length of hair behind her ear, revealing a small silver hoop earring that glinted in the sunlight that streamed through the windows.

'She beautiful!'

Kazuma hadn't noticed the others had already ordered their food when his own order was requested—he only knew he had stumbled upon the words to let Kit know what he wanted. As she made her way to the kitchen, Kazuma watched her with admiration as she weaved through the crowded guild, dancing around a group of rowdy customers and other waitresses scurrying about.

'She's graceful.'

Her return felt like being pulled up and out of a deep well. A soothing balm of pure relief, making you feel more light-headed and alive than you thought possible.

"A-are you alright, Mr. Kazuma?"

The naked concern in her voice was so pure that its Kazuma knew it was real.

'She's caring!'

"Yeah, I'm just so... happy."

Kit's cheeks turned redder, but Kazuma could see her tiny grin and said, "Well, I'm happy you're happy, Mr. Kazuma."

She's bashful!

As Kit once more walked away, Kazuma felt tears forming in his eyes.

'My fantasy world dream girl... She's appeared!'

"Hey," Aqua leaned over the table, pulling Shirou with her to address Megumin and Darkness. "What's wrong with Kazuma? He's acting weirder than usual."

Megumin pushed her hat up and glanced at Kazuma, her finger drumming on the table.

"I don't know, but it's creepy."

Darkness pulled her ponytail forward and played with it.

"I thought it sweet how Kazuma and Kit looked at each other... Like love at first sight."

Aqua burst into giggles.

"Pssh, Darkness, I never knew you made jokes." Aqua leaned back and grabbed her fork and knife. "Why would anyone flirt with Kazutrash over here? He's the original woman repellent; I bet the poor girl was stuttering like that because she felt terrified of his perverted gaze or something."

"What did you say?!" Kazuma asked. It seemed Aqua's voice had penetrated the happy haze Kazuma had escaped to, and he didn't much appreciate Aqua pulling him out.

"Please, you know what I mean, like we haven't all caught you staring at the ladies."

Aqua pointed to her chest with a smug grin.

Shirou studied his food with a quiet intensity, wishing very much not to be involved in the current discussion — experience taught him it would not end well for any man.

"Please, not like you or Megumin have anything worth staring at, and Darkness is always wearing armor."

Shirou wondered which would be more dangerous, freezing in place or fleeing to another table.

Both held downsides.

"What did you say!" Megumin and Aqua shouted in unison, eyes blazing as they glared at Kazuma.

"You heard me, O' Goddess of the Wonder Bra."

Shirou's flinched. Maybe leaving the guild altogether would be a better idea.

Aqua stood, her food forgotten, and cracked her knuckles, ready to unleash all her goddess-level might into Kazuma's little body.

"Emergency! Emergency!"

'Thank you!'

Aqua and Kazuma's argument died off as everyone in the guild turned their attention toward the guild desk Luna stood on.

"All adventures, report to the north gate. We've received reports that the Demon King General Beldia has appeared."

Shirou blood burned, heart pounding a rhythm he couldn't ignore as he heard those words. He didn't know it, but the smile that stretched across his face would give Kazuma nightmares for months.

"Well, guys." Shirou stood, hands clenched and shaking. "Looks like we've graduated from the small fry, and you know what that means?"

Kazuma whimpered while Aqua and Darkness looked at Shirou, head tilted in apparent confusion. Megumin seemed to get it as she slammed the butt of her staff onto the floor.

"It's time to unleash our full power!"

Shirou pointed at Megumin.

"That's right, Megumin. We'll unleash our full power, and in doing so, we'll become big... damn... HEROES!"


Kazuma's heart raced as he looked across the green grass and saw what he had been avoiding. He felt like a caged animal, unable to run or hide, with Aqua, Darkness, Megumin, and Shirou all standing behind him as witnesses to his dread. He could see the sun beginning to set over the horizon, casting long shadows on the pristine land below. Beyond that was the northern gate of Axel city, where an army of adventurers had already gathered. Kazuma knew it was too late for him to blend in; this was his fate.

A Dullahan, clad in midnight armor, resting on the back of a monstrous steed that pawed at the ground, ready to spring into action.

"This is all you can produce, pitiful," The Dullahan, Beldia, said, his voice coming from the detached head held in the crook of one arm. "With such a paltry number, I don't understand why you dared challenge me. Are you all idiots?!"

'C-challenge?'

Kazuma was getting a bad feeling that worsened as Beldia continued to speak.

"Every cursed day! Boom! Boom! Boom! What is wrong with you people? Have you no sense? I was happy to enjoy my retreat, leaving you and your town untouched until you insisted on exploding my castle at all hours of the day!"

Yeah. It's official, and the way Megumin tried to slide behind Shirou made it more obvious. Only one person could cast an explosion in Axle, and every adventurer knew her name.

'I'm so sorry!'

Kazuma wept bitter tears as every eye turned to the trembling Megumin.

"Megumin, you attacked a Demon King General without me?" Shirou asked, looking more disappointed than angry.

Megumin perked up, seeing Shirou wasn't ready to throw her to the general on principle alone.

'He may be the only one, though.'

"S-sorry about that, but to be honest, I did not know the General lived in the castle I was practicing on; I just blasted it because Kazuma told me to."

'Oh, you little bitch.'

Kazuma felt sweat drip down his back as dozens of hostile gazes settled on him.

"D-don't look at me; I had nothing to do with it! We all know she's the explosion nut — she'll blast anything she sees!"

The adventurers all nodded as one. Shirou felt sure there wasn't anyone in Axle who didn't realize Megumin had a love of explosion that eclipsed all.

"Kazuma! Megumin is a child. You should be ashamed of yourself for letting her do something that dangerous." Darkness said, shaking her head at Kazuma, her disappointment plain.

"C-child? You called me a child?"

"W-why do you assume she's my responsibility? Maybe if you didn't follow Shirou around everywhere, he'd have more time to focus on Megumin—"

Black magic exploded from Beldia in a pillar that parted the clouds above with a rumble.

"Stop ignoring me!"

'Right, imminent demise. Forgot about that.'

"This." Beldia jabbed a finger at the squabbling adventurers. "This is why I hate humanity, always willing to turn on each other. How pathetic can you be..." A magic crest formed under Kazuma's and Megumin's feet. "... Painful death!"

Shirou had already begun moving before Beldia finished, hurling Kazuma out of a circle even as Darkness did the same for Megumin. The magic circles flashed, and Shirou hissed as he felt foreign magic settle on his skin before he glared at the Dullahan.

"Trace, on."

A dozen swords formed behind Shirou, causing everyone watching to gape in shock. The moment didn't last long as each blade exploded forward with flawless accuracy, honing in on Beldia before slamming into him with a thunderous crack of steel. A great cloud of dust billowed into the sky, obscuring him from view, but his ringing laughter rang clear.

"Such a weak attempt. Tell me, did you entertain, even for a moment, that such a strike would harm me?"

The dust cleared in a gust of wind, revealing Beldia, great sword in hand, still sitting atop his titanic steed.

"No, I didn't. But this might. Hrunting!"

The arms of Shirou's massive black bow slammed forward with a loud clang, and a stream of red light leaped out. The light traveled faster than anyone could react and lanced straight through Beldia.

With a cry, the Beldia fell from his stead into a crumpled heap before scrambling to his feet with a curse.

"You impudent bastard! Daring to strike me in such a way!"

Kazuma wished he could disagree, but it seemed pretty impudent. Everyone else present didn't hear the Beldia, too busy gaping at the great hole that marred the once pristine armor. A hole the Dullahan didn't seem very concerned about.

"... And to think you thought a single strike would be enough to defeat me is laughable!"

"It isn't just one..."

"Huh?"

The red light, the same red light that pierced him before, struck Beldia's unguarded back.

"Hrunting," Shirou said, watching Beldia get thrown off his feet a second time. "Will never stop until its has slain its enemy. Such is its power."

"W-what?" Beldia asked, pushing himself to a knee only for the red light to slam into his side.

'Hax! I call hax!'

Kazuma knew it should bother him. After all, if Shirou hadn't been there, they would have all died, no question. Still, how powerful could one guy be?

"... This!... Slam... Isn't!... Slam!... Fair!"

Amen, brother.

"Enough!"

Like he had screamed an incantation, a purple barrier exploded from Beldia's body, stopping the cursed arrow Shirou had used. Beldia panted and used his sword for support when he stood.

"You." He pointed at Shirou. "You're going to pay. I'd stick around and finish you, but I don't have to since you're under the effects of my death curse. So come to my castle and challenge me properly. If you win, maybe you'll survive."

Beldia tried to laugh, but it came out as a hacking cough.

Did Dullahan have lungs? If so, Beldia's must look like Swiss cheese.

"T-teleport," Beldia said, and with a shimmer, he vanished.


Needless to say, the guild was in an uproar.

"A general! Can you believe it? A general was just here!"

An expression of disbelief that seemed on everybody's mind.

"Oh, Shirou!" Luna clung to Shirou in a hug so fierce Shirou felt his ribs beginning to groan. "I can't believe you've received the Curse of Death. Come with me quickly; we can at least ensure your legacy lives on." Luna went to pull Shirou upstairs, but not before Aqua intervened.

"Sacred dispel."

White light enveloped Shirou as Aqua's healing magic went to work.

Shirou sighed as he felt the foreign magic from Beldia's curse vanish and flashed Aqua a smile.

"Thanks, Aqua. I was worried there for a minute."

"Pssh, like a weak little undead curse, could resist my might. You and Darkness will both be fine."

They might be, but based on Luna's glower, Aqua might find herself in dire straights before long.

'Note too self, don't eat off Aqua's plate.'

"It's a little strange," Aqua said. "The magic doesn't feel very undead-like."

Shirou nodded like he knew what Aqua meant, which was fortunate because her description lacked in almost every way.

"Yeah, plus when he cast, I felt no magic, which is weird, almost like there was no magic coming from him."

Aqua and Shirou adopted thoughtful poses. Everyone stared at them, waiting for some grand revelation, Beldia's one significant weakness.

Shirou shrugged.

"Well, I got nothing."

"Me, neither."

Kazuma twitched. He expected this from Aqua... but from Shirou, too? Was Aqua's stupidity contagious? Thought of quarantining Aqua for the good of the world flashed through Kazuma's mind before he shook them away.

"So... What do we do now?" Kazuma asked, looking around at the gathered adventurers. "Do we evacuate the town or something?"

Shirou looked perplexed, and Kazuma felt his stomach drop. Could he be thinking? No, not even Shirou would be that insane.

"We go storm the castle, of course!"

Kazuma dragged a hand down his face in despair, hearing Darkness, Megumin, and Aqua chime in their support not a second later.

"Yes, I shall follow and show Beldia the true extent of my power!"

"Yeah! No crummy undead gets to threaten me and get away with it."

Lord, did nobody understand what they were saying? Shirou Frigging Emiya couldn't defeat the general not an hour before, and now everyone wanted to go to his base? Baffling! The lot of them.

Well, they could count Kazuma out. There was no chance of him going to do something so insanely suicidal.

"Well, with all your advanced classes, I'll end up on the way, so I'll wait here at the guild for you."

Judgment. That's what the eyes of the entire guild held as Kazuma sidled toward the bar. He didn't care how it looked... until he felt a hand rest on his shoulder, and there Shirou stood.

"Kazuma, you shouldn't say that about yourself... I know because I used to be as weak as you. Until I found someone to believe in me."

Kazuma looked away, embarrassed by Shirou's words and the aching stillness in the room. In the wake of his vulnerability, Shirou stood tall and strong, his presence exuding determination. He paused, his gaze sweeping across the crowd like a beacon of hope; even in the face of despair, he offered reassurance. "Though I only have a fraction of her strength," Shirou continued, "I can use my small amount of power to help people suffering. Because of her, I can be a hero. So, I won't force you to come, but I hope you do because I believe in you."

A flurry of clapping and cheers filled the guild as Shirou turned to leave; some were wiping away tears, while others drew inspiration from his words.

As the door shut behind him with a clatter, the cheering faded. Kazuma relaxed.

"Please, like a cringy speech will convince me to run toward my death."

"M-Mr. Kazuma, are you not going to join Sir Emiya?" Kit asked, fidgeting with her apron as she looked up at Kazuma with big, blue eyes.

Critical hit!

Mouth dry, Kazuma tried to think of something fast. He couldn't disappoint the first girl who seemed to like him in this screwed-up world.

"W-well, I-I'm just worried that Shirou will get hurt protecting me, is all."

Kit grabbed onto Kazuma's hand and held it between hers.

"That can't be! You're so strong, Mr. Kazuma. I know you are."

"OK, you cannot tell me this is normal." Kazuma heard Aqua whisper behind him. "I see what you mean.." Darkness said, and Kazuma could almost feel her stare boring into his back. "Do you think he learned some more magic and didn't tell us?"

'The hell! What kind of person do they take me for?'

Kit still hadn't let go of Kazuma's hands, so he couldn't turn and criticize the girls. He just hoped Kit was a little hard of hearing.

"I-I guess I am pretty strong."

He had gained four levels since arriving in Axle, so he wasn't even lying.

"Yes! I knew it!" Kit's cheeks turned even rosier. "So, you'll defeat the general?"

"Y-Y—" Kazuma didn't want to, he so didn't want to, but Kit's eyes glistened with faith. "—Yes! Yes, I'll go with Shirou and p-protect you."

The smile that bloomed made Kazuma's decision worthwhile, the hug even more so.

'Soft!'

"I knew you were a hero, Mr. Kazuma!"

Feeling suave, Kazuma swept his hair back and smiled down at Kit.

"Of course I am, and once I defeat the general, I'll come back here to see you." Not waiting for a reply. It would look much cooler that way. Kazuma turned and strolled out of the guild with a swagger.

"Seriously! What the hell is up with that?" Aqua asked nobody as Darkness and Megumin followed along, taking the first step on their journey to defeat the Demon King.


Victory! A chapter is posted and I'm about 2000 words along with A Hero's Dream — I should hopefully have that out later this month.

Thanks for reading!