The ride to Alancretia was long, for the desert the caravan had to cross was long, and required many stops to keep their supplies up. After one of these stops, the group were still traveling across the sandy trail.

"How much longer do you think it'll take before we reach Alancretia?" Michiru asked the coachman of the wagon she was riding in.

"Ah, I'd reckon it'll be awhile." the coachman said. "We'll reach Alancretia by noon tomorrow."

"Might as well enjoy the ride. Make the most of what peace and vacation time we have left." DJ said.

"What time we have left? We got all the time in the world." Kazuma said, somewhat strained.

"Look, Kazu-" DJ started, before Ethox put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head, the former assassin dropping the subject.

"So, Mash, Elulu!" Ethox said, steering the conversation. "What have you two been up to since we left? I mean, for us it's been two years. How long's it been for you?"

"Two years, huh?" Mash said. "Well, we actually spent a year in the Divine Realm, which I guess would be…six months for you? After that, we went back to Gaeabrande."

"But Aria helped us out a lot, and Mash and I have become a lot stronger since you last saw us!" Elulu said.

"You have?" Ethox asked.

"You bet! Aria helped us undo more of our seals, and I was able to perfect my Dragon God Metamorphosis! I can fully transform into a dragon now!" Mash declared proudly.

"And my Haste and Delay spells evolved into Quick and Slow!" Elulu added. "If we end up confronting Zenos Road soon, we might be more help to you guys now."

"That's great to hear!" Ethox smiled. "How'd you guys end up working with Rosalie?"

"Oh, that? Well, when we got back to Gaeabranade, we managed to help her force take down a few a Zenos's forces." Mash said. "I even managed to take down a demon captain on my own!"

"Ah-hem." Elulu cleared her throat.

"...Almost on my own." Mash corrected himself. "Thanks to that, Rosalie hired Elulu and I into her forces. I'm a lieutenant in the Gaeabrande War Army, serving directly under Princess Rosalie."

"Wow! Doing pretty well for yourselves, you two!" Ethox said.

"Hehe, I owe it all to Master's lessons!" Mash said.

Ethox sighed in nostalgia. "Man, it almost feels like yesterday when Mirror Match and I ventured into Gaeabrande and first met Seiya and Rista to kick off this whole adventure. Things sure have come far since then."

"And they'll be even better when we have Zenos's corpse nice and roasted." Mirror Match said.

"So Rosalie, how'd you get a hold of Edelgard, Dimitri and Claude?" Rista asked.

"Well, my father managed to hear of how they assisted in the Battle of Onigashima." Rosalie started. "He sent diplomats to all the major factions in Fodlan and requested their help in hunting down Zenos Road. "Apparently, with him being the last major ally of Kaido they know is alive and an active threat, hunting him down is important to them, as it should be."

"Wholks still can't leave the capital yet. We found out he was cursed to revert to infancy if he stays outside the capital for longer than a few minutes." Elulu said. "Which explains why he couldn't be the hero like Seiya asked about."

"Yes, but we've heard rumors that a clan of powerful spellcasters live in this world, who call themselves the Crimson Demons." Rosalie said. "We're hoping someone among them can lift the curse so he can lead the alliance against the Demon Lord."

"The Crimson Demons? Well that should be easy. Megumin is one of them." Ivy said.

"Wait, really?!" Rosalie exclaimed. "Could she-?"

"She only knows Explosion Magic." Seiya said.

"...Damn it." Rosalie cursed as she lost her excitement.

"You don't know the awesomeness that is Explosion Magic. It's better than all magic." Megumin said.

"Well Explosions won't allow my father to get better and be the hero our world really needs." Rosalie said.

"Hey, I'm sure the Warmaster is a great guy, but Seiya-" Ultra started.

"Is a jerkface who won't help people when it's inconvenient for him!" Rosalie shouted angrily.

"There's a lot you don't know about Seiya." Mirror Match said. "We…cannot tell you why he acts the way he does, but rest assured, he does care about people."

"Yeah, when it benefits him…" Rosalie grumbled, glaring daggers at the Cautious Hero.

"That's not-" Ethox started.

"Uh…guys?" Kazuma spoke up. "We have a dust cloud heading our way."

"A dust cloud, you say?" The coachman overheard. "Well, that could be a couple of things. A pack of lizard runners, maybe a sand whale. Though, we'd be in mighty big danger if it happened to be a pack of Running Hawkites."

"Running what now?" Subaru asked.

"Hawkites. Flightless birds with powerful legs." the coachman said. "When they're in heat, the males compete for the female's attention in what we call a "Chicken Run". They'll find the heaviest, hardest thing in their territory and charge straight towards it, then dodge at the last second. With all the people and supplies we're luggin', I'd say we're the heaviest thing around for a good ten miles." he finished explaining. "That's why we'd be in danger if it was a pack of those buggers. Hopefully it ain't."

Matheus pulled out a pair of binoculars and pointed it towards where the dust cloud came into view, seeing a pack of the previously described creatures running in their direction. "Unfortunately, it seems they are these Hawkites."

"Ha, you're right." the coachman said, now seeing the dust cloud. "And it looks like they're headin'...straight towards…my wagon." he said, his face becoming more panicked.

"The heaviest, hardest thing, you said?" Kazuma said, equally filled with dread. "What's the hardest thing we've got in this caravan?"

"Uh…" Luz said as she pointed to Darkness.

"Look, Kazuma! A horde of beasts is heading our way!" Darkness said in excitement. "They seem to be looking at me! Oh, they look so intense!"

"Are you freaking kidding me?!" Kazuma exclaimed.

"Y'all stay calm!" the coachman urged. "Luckily, we got some adventurers that came along with us! They'll protect the caravan!"

"Let someone else fight for us while we hide away?! To hell with that!" Rosalie said, jumping out of her wagon and drawing her sword. "Everyone, charge forward! We'll meet these creatures head on!" she ordered as she charged.

"Rosalie, stop!" Mirror Match called. "Damn…she's just as reckless as ever."

"We can't let her get hurt, what do we do?" Lily asked.

"Hawkites love to play a game of chicken with the heaviest and strongest things, right?" Michiru asked. "If we give them what they want before Rosalie gets run over, they'll be satisfied and leave us alone."

"Okay…then we'll have to use Darkness as bait, since they're attracted to her hard muscles." Ultra said.

"...Regardless of my physique, I'm still a woman." Darkness said. "They're more likely attracted to my armor."

"Never said you weren't. Some people are into strong women." Ultra said.

"Are you one of those people?" DJ asked.

"...Yes, but that's besides the point." Ultra said. "Darkness, you're gonna be our bait. Any suggestions?"

"Oh! I have an idea!" Darkness said joyfully as she ran out into the field, where the independent adventurers had followed Rosalie as she charged towards the Hawkites.

"Okay, now I'm scared." Tida deadpanned. "Whenever one of those girls gets an idea, it always means trouble."

"Miss Knight, I'll back you up!" one of the adventurers called out to Rosalie, putting both his hands forward. "Bind!"

A bunch of ropes shot out from his hands and shot towards the Hawkite pack. However, Darkness ran past him and jumped in the way, getting tied up in the ropes.

"Oh no! She must've known the pack would turn on me if I bound them!" the adventurer said. "She took the attack, and now she's helpless!"

"Rosalie!" Ethox shouted. "Get Darkness back to the wagons! Please!"

Rosalie, hearing Ethox, turned around and saw Darkness lying on the ground, bound in rope. "Oh no! Hand in there, crusader Darkness!" the princess said as she ran back and (with great difficulty) managed to pick Darkness up and began heading back towards the caravan.

"And now the knight is putting herself in harm's way to protect that great crusader!" one of the adventurers said. "I can't believe how brave those two are!"

"We could never measure up to such bravery…" another one said in awe.

"...Those poor, naive adventurers." Ram stated, without a hint of pity.

"She's not gonna make it!" Nemo said, as the pack closed in on the struggling princess, who used her Light's Blessing skill to try and ward off the pack.

"Is that going to work?" Viktoriya asked.

"No, it only wards off demons!" Rista said, panicked. "She's defenseless!"

The Hawkites ran close to Darkness, however, instead of trampling, they went and jumped over her and Rosalie one by one.

"Oh! They avoid collision!" Molotok remembered. "Darkness and Rosalie are in no danger!"

"Yeah…but I'm not sure the same goes for us!" Nemo exclaimed as the pack raced towards the caravan. "Take cover!"

The group dived back into the wagons as the Hawkites raced past, the horses rearing back in fright, their drivers calming them down.

"Phew…that was close." Catarina sighed. "For a second, I'd thought we'd be trampled! That would've been a much worse death than anything back home!"

"We ain't out of the fire yet, Cat. They're turning around!" DJ pointed out.

"Rosie, get your ass back here!" Kazuma yelled at the princess.

"Don't…talk…to me…like that!" Rosalie struggled as she was still carrying Darkness, finally reaching the caravan. "Augh…what the hell are you made of?!"

"We're still running tests, ourselves." Tanya snarked.

"Alright, you're tied up. Now what?" Grantz asked Darkness.

"Now…tie me to the wagon!" Darkness asked (demanded).

"...What?" Mash and Elulu asked in unison, clearly confused.

"Let's just say Darkness has a liking to getting hit." Ethox said.

"Yeah…she's a freak for pain." Garfiel said. "But…best do as she asks."

Rather reluctantly, Ethox tied the ropes Darkness was binded with to the back of the wagon. "I'm hugging you after this, so enjoy the pain while it lasts…can't believe I just said that." he said as he raced back to the wagon. "Go, go, go!"

The coachman hiyad the horses, getting the wagon moving away from the others in the caravan, the Hawkites chasing after them.

"Well, we really got their attention! Where do we lead them?!" Legolia asked.

"There's a cave nearby!" the coachman said. "We can hide out there until they finish up their game!"

"Wait…I think I've got a better idea!" Kazuma said. "Keep going for the cave, and when we get to the entrance, stop!"

"Alright, if you say so!" the coachman said as he urged the horses on.

"Everybody else, try and slow them down so they don't catch up before we get there!" the otaku said to the rest of the group.

The group worked hard to slow down the Hawkites as they drove off down the path. As they did, they noticed a lone figure walking towards them.

"Hey…buddy! Get outta the road!" Theo called out.

The figure simply smiled and drew two swords as they dashed at the pursuing Hawkites and slashing right through them and taking them down.

"Well…that was kinda nice." they said before upon closer look, the figure was shown to be Shez.

"It's you…that guy from Zenos's party." Theo said.

"Yup, and I'm not alone either." Shez said.

A cry was heard as a Corviknight flew by with someone on it as they leaped off and threw a fusillade of unique small blades down at a few more Hawkites before landing as the Corviknight landed down next to them.

"Surprised to see us?" they asked as it was revealed to be Yuri.

"Yuri! Aubin!" Rista said.

"What're you doing here?" Michiru asked.

"Simon told me about how much fun you all were having after he came back from a previous mission you went on. Thought I'd join myself for this one." Yuri said.

The Hawkites were prepared to attack once more before they were cut down once more, this time by a familiar woman with dark blue hair.

"Byleth!" Theo said.

"Nice to see all of you as well." Byleth said.

"Man, you don't know how happy we are to see you!" Kazuma said. "Come on, we're heading to a cave nearby! I got a plan!"

With Yuri, Shez and Byleth covering their backs, the group lured the Hawkites to a nearby cave, the beasts attracted to Darkness all the way through. They soon reached the cave Kazuma was talking about.

"Alright Kazuma we're here, what's the plan?" Ethox asked.

"Aqua, can you boost my strength?" Kazuma asked.

"Oh, sure!" Aqua said, doing so. Kazuma then ran over to Darkness and picked her up, snapping the rope.

"Sorry…Dark…ness!" Kazuma yelled as he hurled the crusader directly in front of the cave.

"Bless you, Kazuma-!" Darkness said in ecstasy before she landed on the group, the remaining Hawkites jumping over her as they ran into the cave.

"Now I see what Kazuma's up to….Megumin! Blast the cave entrance with your Grenade Launcher!" Mirror Match called.

"Consider it done!" Megumin said, bringing her launcher to bear. "Behold, power taken from the depths of a man-made hell!" she declared, firing grenades at the top of the cave entrance, causing it to collapse, trapping the Hawkites inside.

"Holy…crap…" Kazuma said, catching his breath. "I can't believe that worked!"

"I never pegged you for a strategist. But that was impressive." Byleth said.

"Heh…yep." Kazuma said.

"By the way…I doubt you've heard but…your friend Eikichi's life has finally been avenged." Byleth said.

"Huh?" Kazuma and Subaru asked as Byleth explained the events that occurred in the Hero Universe. "Theodore Flux….got arrested?!"

"Yes. He confessed to every crooked deed on live TV." Byleth said. "Nearly every world saw it. And one of those deeds, is admitting his part in your friend's death."

"I'll be dammed." Kazuma said.

"Nice job, Jexi…" Subaru said to himself. "So that's why a ton of wanted posters got released."

"Yes. The World Government took notice of the defeat of Theodore Flux and the Elite, and posted Bounties on all of us in the Dimensional Heroes who defeated them and the Tumultuous 20. Oh… and Jexi's bounty is 5 billion."

"FIVE BILLION?!" the group exclaimed in total shock.

"Yes. I didn't just come to represent Jeralt's Mercenaries and the Dimensional Heroes…I'll be looking for info as well." Byleth said.

"Info about what?" Michiru asked.

"During our operation to expose Theodore and rescue all the members of the 20, Dan discovered a couple of things. A strange bracelet that clamped onto his arm…and a sleeping girl." Byleth said.

"So the info…" Ram said.

"Discovering what the bracelet is and who the sleeping girl is." Byleth said.

"Got it. Once our quest to take out Zenos is over, we'll help any way we can. If we find out any info about that bracelet Dan found or who the girl he rescued is, we will let you know."

"Thank you." Byleth said.

"Right, so it's you, Shez, Yuri, and the Three Amigos coming to the meeting in Alancretia, right?" DJ asked.

"No…there's still one more. A certain archbishop that was rescued in secret during the Onigashima war." Byleth said.

"Rhea's in on this too?!" Aqua asked.

"Believe me, I was shocked to hear she was coming myself." Yuri said.

"Archbishop Rhea doesn't intend any ill will. She just wants peace in Fodlan now." Shez said.

"Glad to hear it." Ethox said. "But for now, we should head back to the caravan. We're on our way to Alancretia to join in the negotiations for the alliance against Zenos Road."

"Then let's not waste anymore time, shall we?" Shez asked as they got back on the road to Alancretia.

"Well, this is gonna be a very interesting visit…." DJ said to Yuri.

"Interesting Indeed." Yuri said.

Time passed, and the group rejoined the rest of the caravan, resuming their journey to Alancretia. Hours later, night had fallen, and the travelers had set up camp for the night, throwing a small party and dining on Roasted Hawkite.

"Three cheers for the heroes of the day, who risked their lives to defend us!" one of the coachmen cheered for the main group, the rest of the caravan joining in.

"Heh, guess you're finally being noticed for the right reasons, huh?" Ethox said to Kazuma, before noticing that his teammate looked subdued. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"They've got it all wrong. This was our fault." Kazuma said. "They were attracted to Darkness."

The lead coachman then pulled out a bag filled with money. "Here, please accept this small gift! It's the least we can offer in exchange for you saving our lives!"

"Thanks, man." Ethox said, accepting it as the coachman left. "Kazuma….I'm gonna ask this in the nicest way possible. Do you really hate living here?"

"What gave you that idea?" Kazuma asked sarcastically.

"You're here in this world living the life of an adventurer after dying the most ridiculous way possible, and stuck with three party members you want nothing to do with." Ethox said. "And just when things finally start to go your way, things always seem to change course and bite you back in the butt. Such as when you thought we'd finally have some time to relax with this vacation, but… all of this is now happening. What I'm saying is… if you don't want anything to do with this, just admit it. I won't be upset. We dragged you into this when you just wanted to have a good time in the first place."

"...I don't." Kazuma admitted. "I just wanted to give my best friend a break after the nightmare he went through, and now we're going through all this. Why can't we catch a break? I know hunting Zenos is important and all, but…why can't we just take a break from it? Is that wrong of me to want that?"

"It isn't. But you know what'll happen if we don't take down Zenos. Rista will lose her status as a goddess." Ethox said. "But I'll make a promise to you right now. When we defeat Zenos, when this is all over… you can take Subaru on a REAL vacation. Just the two of you."

"...That'd be nice." Kazuma said.

"Yeah, so just try your best with what's coming up." Ethox assured Kazuma. "You'll do okay as long as you keep doing you."

"Yeah. Thanks man." Kazuma said in gratitude.

"Anytime. Gotta look out for my party." Ethox replied as they fist bumped.

"So, how're the Three Amigos doing?" DJ asked Yuri at another campfire.

"So far, so good all things considered." Yuri said. "It's pretty rare seeing all three rulers of Fodlan together when it's not during a time of war."

"But I have a feeling this meeting will be about the war with Zenos." Le Kraken said.. "Oui, many difficult battles lay ahead, I fear."

"Speaking of those guys, where are they now?" Nemo asked. "They already at Alancretia?"

"Probably so. They insisted on going their own ways to that city." Rosalie said.

"Indeed. The three of us just happened to meet by chance." Byleth said.

"Ah, so we'll meet them when we get there." Tanya said. "Good. I want to get straight into the meeting once we arrive."

"We'll set out in the morning. For now, we should…" Mirror Match said, as the group saw Aqua entertaining the caravan with party tricks. "...stay up a little longer, I guess."

"You know, if the whole goddess thing doesn't work out for her, she could always go into the entertainer business. She'd make a killing." Nemo remarked.

"Are all your party members like this?" Rosalie asked Ethox.

"Pretty much…and I love 'em all to death." Ethox answered with a smile.

Later that night, the caravan had fallen asleep, Garfiel taking watch for any signs of trouble.

"Well…there we are…" he said, seeing a number of figures ahead. "The undead…here for that idiot bluehair." he remarked, before seeing other figures alongside them, ones he wasn't familiar with. "The hell are those things? Guess I better check it out." he said, heading over towards them.

What he saw were vaguely humanoid, but much smaller and hairer, crouched over with their balled fists on the ground. They had sharp fangs and wild, blood red eyes, with an aura the Demihuman vaguely remembered from the Demon Flies the week before.

"I get it now. Take it you're with one of those stat masters like that bug guy?" Garfiel asked.

The strange looking demons looked at Garfiel, then screeched an unholy, wild shout, waking the rest of the caravan up. From behind the demons, a large gorilla-like entity with black armor and an axe tied to its back marched forth.

"You…the stench from you is one of the worlds of Lugnica." the gorilla snorted. "A world of demon beasts, witches, blessings, and authorities…a weaker world."

"Is that how it is? I take it you think you're tougher?" Garfiel asked. "I've seen assassins who fight bigger fish than you, monkey man!"

"You think you can insult me with mere words, little cub?" the demon asked, rearing up to full height, easily towering over anyone in the group. "I am Behe'Moth, Stat Master of Strength, and leader of the Berserk Baboon Brigad! I have slain 15 summoned heroes in my time!"

"I'm the strongest shield of Mythos Hearts. Garfiel Tinsel." Garfiel said, unfazed. "And I'm gonna beat you into the dirt!"

"I shall feast on your flesh, cub!" Behe'Moth declared, pounding his chest. "Baboons! Join the undead! Tear the Cautious Hero and his cohorts to pieces!"

With that, the baboons charged the camp, shrieking wildly, while their leader unstrapped the war axe from his back.

"Bring it…" Garfiel said getting his shields up high as the leader swung down the war axe as Garfiel went and blocked it.

"Ha…you are stronger than you look." Behe'Moth admitted, before he grabbed the Demihuman's arm and threw him away. "But not strong enough! Middle Tier Demon Skill: Entry to Hell!"

The demon slammed the butt of his axe into the ground, causing it to begin splitting, the forming crevice heading in Garfiel's direction.

"Sorry…not gonna work." Garfiel said, raising a foot before stomping it as the ground before him ruptured up as spikes, canceling out the cracks as they went and hit Behe'Moth.

The attack dented the Stat Master's armor, causing him to stumble back. He then began charging the axe with demonic energy before he charged Garfiel. "Upper Tier Demon Skill: Bloodaxe, Thirst of the Damned!"

The demon swung the axe at the Demihuman, who guarded with his shields once more. This time, however, the strike did cause Garfiel to slide back a couple feet, and he saw that the shields now had cracks in them.

"(These aren't gonna take another hit like that.)" Garfiel thought as he looked at Behe'Moth, noticing the aura around his axe fade. "(All right…then guess we're doing this.)" Garfiel thought as he went and ditched his shields and charged directly towards the Stat Master.

"Your hide shall be my trophy, cub!" Behe'Moth declared as he swung his axe down towards Garfiel…only for him to dodge out of the way, then strike the handle with all his might, breaking the axe head straight off, sending it sailing away and planting itself in the ground.

"If you're a real beast…you shouldn't have a problem fighting hand to hand…right?" Garfiel asked.

The demon gorilla growled as his body was surrounded in a black aura. "Fine then…you shall witness the strongest Strength Boost Skill in Gaeabrande! Upper Tier Augmentation Skill: Berserker Fury!"

The aura then exploded outwards, Garfiel planting his feet to keep from being pushed back. Now, Behe'Moth was on all fours, his armor gone and his eyes now lacking any higher intelligence. The beast roared as it charged towards what it saw as its prey.

"Well…this wasn't nearly as fun as I hoped." Garfiel said as he went and entered his full beast form as he went and grabbed at Behe'Moth as he charged into the demihuman. "I'll admit…you're strong…but…I'm stronger!" Garfiel cried out as he lifted the raging berserker beast with both hands. "Rarr….." he roared out before ripping the raging beast in two.

"Looks like Garfiel took out the boss." Theo said as he and the guild sat over the defeated beasts and undead. "Knew he'd be a good addition."

"Phew…if it wasn't for that boy, we'd have been ripped to pieces in our sleep!" one of the adventurers said.

"That's twice now we've been saved by the Mythos Hearts guild! These guys are amazing!" another one said as the residents of Belzerg cheered.

"(We're the reason the demons showed up! Don't cheer for us!)" Kazuma screamed internally.

"C'mon, Kazuma, even if we drew the demons to us, you gotta admit the praise is warranted and appreciated." Ethox said.

Kazuma sighed. "You're right…I guess I shouldn't be too upset over this."

"Just enjoy the moment." Yuri smirked.

"If that's the worst, the rest of the trip should be a breeze." Shez said.

"Yeah, you're right, Shez." Mash agreed. "Alancretia, here we come!"