Bless This World With A Stranger

by RhineWrites

Arc 15: At the End of the World!

41. A9: These Wonderland's

Konosuba

{|} Prologue: Excerpt from the Diary of... {|}

X Day of X Month of X Year

Today marks six months since the 'Calamity' first appeared upon the continent. While I wish I could say things have been going well, that would be a lie. If anything, the situation has only gotten worse.

Every day sees more and more city's fall before it's unstoppable might and we have seen many allied kingdoms lost to the relentless furry that this force had wrought upon our world.

In a strange way, we also have this 'Calamity' to thank for bringing an end to the old war that has been going on between the kingdoms and the demon empire for centuries.

My father, as well as the leader of the empire, have agreed to peace for the greater good of all and are currently preparing to lead our combined forces against the source of the 'Calamity' that has currently turned the capital city of my kingdom into its personal fortress.

It was at this time, on the eve of their departure to bring war onto the 'Calamity' that two things happened. One was that we had finally received a message from the kingdom's famous clan of powerful mages; whom we had feared wiped from the world. The message was from their famous fortune teller who spoke of a hope that would see this conflicted finally ended.

The other was from the appearance of a man from out of the unknown. Calling himself Palastori, he agreed with the words of the fortune teller and told us of a boy whom he believed to be the one spoken of in the writings.

So now, on the orders of my father, I prepare to go on a journey to find this person. While father, my brother, and the rest of our joint forces head out to begin the counterattack, I must locate this chosen hero and insure he returns to aid us; just in case his power is needed when the time comes.

Claire doesn't like this and would prefer that it be she who'd go in my place, or at least come with me to keep me safe. But Palastori says that it has to be me and me alone for only I can accomplish this mission. I confess my nervousness here as I know not where it is I must go, nor do I know the nature of the one I seek.

But for the sake of my people, my homeland, and the world, I must go, and I must succeed. No matter what...

Arc 9: A Hero for this (Alternate) Princess

Chapter 1: These Wonderland's

{|} Part 1: Satou Kazuma's 'Special' Training Regiment {|}

Swing.

"Again."

Slash.

"Again."

Thrust.

"AGAIN!"

"GGAAHH..."

The sound of the wooden kendo sword as it impacts against the brick wall it had been chucked at before hitting the ground with a loud clattering sound echoes in the air. The source of this all was the angry looking girl who had thrown it. The girl who was currently breathing in and out in ragged breathes.

I sigh before walking over and picking the kendo sword up, examining it for any signs of chips and other such damages. I then send Megumin an exasperated look as I say-

"Can I ask you to NOT be so rough with the training equipment. I know things such as these are meant to be used and abused; comes with the job and all that. But I did put this little number together in a hurry, all for you I might add, and as such I would like to see it not be broken so quickly right after."

"Well, I'm sorry if I did any damage to that silly looking toy you made for me to work with, Kazuma-sensei. But I'm beginning to question the logic behind this so-called training method of yours."

Should have seen this coming, I guess. After all, we were working with Megumin here of all people.

The other day, Megumin had approached me; to talk about a subject that had been on her mind for the last two weeks. It seems ever since that little 'night raid' we had done at the hidden mansion of Vlad Dracula, Megumin had been mentally debating on if she should learn some weapon skills so she could offer more to the team whenever we went out on quest.

Lynn had also had a little talk with me, saying that while she couldn't recall the details behind it, she did know that at some point not too long ago, Megumin had asked her to relay a message to me; something about making sure to train Megumin in the usage of weapon combat for future events.

While I had plenty of questions about this, I decided it would be for the best to just go along with these requests and start training Megumin. And seeing as one-handed swords skills were something I was good at, that's where I would begin with her.

There was just one problem, that being the little detail that Megumin wouldn't want to use skill points to learn basic sword mastery, or any other hand-to-hand combat skills. As such, I decided that there was only one option left. If using skills points to handle this matter quickly was out, then that only left...

"Hate to break it to you, legal dwarf. This silly method of mine is the only other option we have to go with. Doing the old school approach with training to help you learn how to fight with weapons. I know the repetition that comes with this method can be a little tiring... and annoying, but what other choice is there really that's open to you? None, that's what... unless you're willing to consider using skill points to..."

"Not another word, Kazuma. Damn it, I'm beginning to have second thoughts about this whole thing."

she yelled, sending me a glare. I sigh before an idea comes to mind. Time for Kazuma the actor to return to the stage.

"Having second thoughts, huh? Guess I can't blame you. After all, the only thing you have ever shown a talent for is using Explosion magic."

"What did you just say?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing really. It's just that... I've heard that you were always cutting gym class during your Red Prison days. Once, I thought it was only because you wanted to focus exclusively on training yourself to become a master mage who uses Explosion magic. But looking at how quickly you're becoming tired here and how quickly you're giving up, I'm guessing the truth is you just didn't want the rest of your classmates to see just how badly you suck when it comes to physical activities."

Megumin's glare becomes more intense as I continue.

"I mean, you fashion yourself as being the best of the best from your clan. If I was in your shoes, then I wouldn't want them to see how easy it would be to best me either. If they don't know my weak points, then they can't hope to best me by showing that they're better at it."

"Are you wanting to pick a fight with me because I'm..."

"And then of course, there's your rivalry with Yunyun, who can already fight pretty well with one-handed weapons. Trust me because me and her have done a few rounds together. I guess knowing that you, despite proclaiming yourself to be the greatest of your clan, could never hope to surpass your own rival at something you once called so simple and trivial to learn would..."

I stop as Megumin runs over to me in a rage, her eyes glowing as she grabs the kendo sword from my hands and sends me a deathly stare for a moment, then goes back to her previous spot and begins swinging the training sword as if her life depended on it.

I then hear a soft purr come from above me, making me turn my gaze upwards while reaching up to rub the ears of Chomusuke who had been watching this scene play out from atop my head.

"See Nia; sometimes it pays to know what words can trigger a person when you want to motivate them into doing something specific."

"Meow!"

"Kazuma... Megumin... breakfast it ready."

{|} Part 2: Mysterious and Unknown Creature (MUC) {|}

A few minutes later, me and Megumin had joined Cielo inside and was sitting at the dining room table. Megumin, not surprisingly, was gobbling down anything and everything she could get her grubby hands on which was understandable seeing she had been training nonstop since getting up a few hours ago.

Meanwhile, Yunyun, Cielo, and I were quietly taking our time. Even Chomusuke was showing better manners than her master at the moment. Darkness, Lynn, and Chris weren't present though. Chris' absence was understandable, given the life she lived. Lynn had spent the night at her father's place as the two of them had some catching up to do while Darkness had been busy helping her father with making preparations to relocate to Axel to become the next governor, seeing as he had been chosen during the recent election held by the nobility.

"So, everyone, have my cooking skills been improving?"

"I'd say that they're great. You're almost as good as Kazuma at this point, Yunyun.

"Hm, her food is... passable, I guess."

Yunyun sends a thankful smile towards Cielo while I send a knowing look towards Megumin. Even when it's obvious that she loves Yunyun's cooking now, she still has to be all tsundere about acknowledging that fact.

"What about you, Kazuma? Do you... think I've come a long way since you started training me?"

Yunyun had a blush on her face as she fidgeted nervously. To answer, I had the perfect choice of words to give her. I was going to be rather cliché but under the circumstances, I can allow myself to be a little cliché, right?

"Yeah, this is as close to perfect as I can imagine. I know you'll make a great wife someday."

I can't help but chuckle inwardly at the response my choice of words there triggered as the room went completely quiet and still, save for the sound of the utensils that Megumin had been holding clattering against the table.

There was a silence before Megumin started sputtering, having forgotten to finish swallowing which forced a quick, deep drink of water. She then stared at me in shock while Cielo began to shake her head, probably wondering what I had been thinking by saying that. Yunyun, meanwhile, had lowered her head from embarrassment though I could tell that inside, she must be really happy at the moment.

"What have you just unleashed upon us, Kazuma?"

said Cielo to herself though I just managed to hear here words. I turn from looking at her to Megumin, seeing that there was indeed a deadly storm that was about to coming raining down upon me.

"Kazuma, care to explain what you..."

Megumin's words are cut off as the sound of the front door being opened fills the air, making us all look back and wait to see who it was. After a moment, Lynn enters the room with something in her hands.

"I'm back everyone and I bring with me the morning paper."

"Let me see if first. I want to see if it says anything about Idol Hearts sudden announcement that they will be leaving Veridae for Axel within the next few weeks."

"Hold on, I want to read the funnies first."

"No fair, Megumin. Why do you always get first dibs. I want to see what happens to Winter Shogun vs Summer Knight too."

"Megumin... Yunyun... no need to act like little kids here. You can both have your turn once the adults have finished looking at the paper."

I said on reflex, immediately regretting those words as both girls send me dagger like glares. Guess that means I won't be getting another sleepover with them tonight after all.

"Don't worry, you two. I pulled the pages with the comics out already, just for the two of you. Now play nice and share with one another OK."

said Lynn, talking like a mother to the kids. It annoyed me that neither of them reprimanded Lynn for her words as Megumin greedily took the paper from her. Yunyun was quick to move over to sit beside Megumin as they both began to read the comics together.

"Kids will be kids after all."

said Cielo as she accepts the paper from Lynn. Like with what Lynn had just said, neither Crimson Demon responded to being called a kid by Cielo. Was it really just me that gets in trouble when I make that joke? That's not fair.

"I've already read over the paper front to back, so I know what's awaiting you all in there. The topic you're looking for is on page three Cielo, however... I would give my attention to the cover story. It's quite an interesting one; I can promise you that."

Curious, I move over to stand beside Cielo who was following Lynn's advice with checking out the main article first. I then read the title of the article out loud in the hopes Megumin and Yunyun would hear this one.

"Another MUC Sighting over Axel. Should the citizens be concerned?"

I guess they must have heard me as Megumin and Yunyun had dropped the funnies they were reading and were giving Cielo their full attention now.

"Did you just say there was another MUC that appeared in the skies over Axel?"

"What's the number at... fourth sighting... no, this has to be the fifth now."

"It's actually the sixth time over the last two weeks. It's becoming more frequent over these last few days. And that's just the number that it has been seen flying about too. Who knows how many times it's actually shown up around these parts as of late."

As the girls began to chat amongst themselves over this topic, I remain sitting off to the side as I wonder what the heck they were even talking about. Knowing that this could earn me a 'what are you, an idiot' look from them, I finally get their attentions onto me before asking-

"What's this MUC you all are talking about?"

Yep, just what I was expecting. They all looked at me as if I was the village idiot. Cielo is the one to ask-

"Kazuma, you don't... have you never heard of a MUC before?"

I shake my head which makes them all sigh before Lynn speaks up this time to explain.

"The term MUC is an acronym we here use to describe a 'Mysterious and Unknown Creature.' They can appear at any time, at any place though usually at night. It is said that if you're not careful and if you do anything to catch their attention, you'll be stolen away by them, never to be seen again."

"Have you really not heard about MUC's before, Kazuma?"

I was quiet for a moment following Yunyun's question as I give it some thought. It took me a moment before I made the connection.

"Actually, I have heard of them though we have a different name and explanation for them back where I am from."

"And what's that, Kazuma?"

"Simple, Cielo. Over in my neck of the woods, we call then UFO's or 'Unidentified Flying Objects.' They're quite famous for their love of cows and their habit of kidnapping people for examinations."

"UFOs huh? Kind of a dumb name for a MUC if you ask me, Kazuma."

I don't recall asking you, Megumin. Besides, given the 'dubious' nature of your naming conventions, I can be forgiven for understandably question your opinion on what name is the dumb one here.

"By the way, Kazuma. You said these UFOs of yours has a habit of kidnapping people to perform examinations on them. Just what exactly do these examinations entail exactly?"

"Oh, nothing big. Mostly generic stuff (evil grin) ... like giving the kidnappee an anal probe."

"An... an anal probe?"

they all said in unison. While I'm sure they didn't want me to actually answer that question, I decide to be a little cruel and tell them exactly what that means here.

"That's right, girls. An anal probe, which is when they shove this big and long metallic device right up your..."

As expected, the girls scream out in terror in order to shut me up. I chuckle as they all freak out, making me wonder if they were unintentionally imaging themselves being on the receiving end of such a thing. It was then I felt it, the heavy breathing against my ear, making me turn nervously to see...

"Just ignore those children, Kazuma. Please, continue telling me all about these UFO people."

Yep, having also returned home was Darkness who had come in at just the right moment with a blushing face and her perverted nature on full display for all to see.

{|} Chapter 3: The Guild's 'Special' Quest {|}

"... and so, if you EVER find yourself finding one of those giant meat eggs that can open from the top, make sure you don't stick around. Not unless you're wanting a Facehugger to come along and make forced love to your throat which will result in a baby Xenomorph bursting its way out of your chest to cause plenty of havoc."

Once I had finished, I looked at the girls and see horrified faces looking back at me. Well, mostly horrified faces as Darkness instead had the most curious look present on hers. While I doubt she was wanting to have a Xenomorph burst its way out of her body, she was probably still turned on by how the Facehugger's go about placing the Xenomorph fetus within the poor human's body.

{Insert Image 1}

In hindsight, maybe I shouldn't have ONLY told them about the dangerous kind of aliens. Perhaps I should have mentioned some of the good ones too; like Wookie's and Vulcans and Devilukians... Actually, I think the only ones who would appreciate the last one would be my male friends like Taylor, Keith, and Dust. Especially Dust given how much of a pervert he is.

"So, any questions?"

"Me-me-me, over here... Kazuma, pick me."

said Darkness who was the only one that seemed to want to say something. Already having an idea on what it was she was going to ask; I look at the others and say-

"Does anyone else? Anyone... anyone... PLEASE. (sigh) Fine, what is your question, Darkness?"

"Are there any other kinds of UFO people who will do sexual..."

The other girls immediately grab onto Darkness, being quick to quiet her from saying any more. I can't help but laugh at the scene as Megumin says-

"No, not another word. We've heard more than enough about the strange things that are believed to be real in Kazuma's homeland. We don't need to hear about anything more right now."

"Kazuma, please... please tell us that everything you just told us about was a lie. None of those monstrous beasts are real... are they?"

asked Yunyun in a pleading manner. And so, I did the only logical thing one would do when asked such a question.

"Maybe... Maybe not! What do YOU all think?"

I then stick my tongue out at them in a playful manner, the intention being to make them think that I had been joking. To be fair, I sort of was as none of what I had mentioned were actually real living breathing creatures. At least, not as far as I am aware of.

Perhaps one of these days I'll recreate the concept of 'movies and television' into this world and then explain the connection between them and what I had just told them.

Seeing me stick my tongue out at them makes the girls, save Darkness, sigh in relief as they had taken that action as my way of telling them that I was joking. Darkness, however, took on a disappointed look though I did send her a quick wink when the others weren't looking. Darkness doesn't fail to notice my wink which makes her smile oh so slightly.

And then...

"Say Darkness, what's that you've been resting your hands on?"

asked Lynn, speaking of the piece of paper Darkness had been holding when she had gotten back earlier.

"Hm? Oh, right... this thing."

Darkness then hands the paper over to Cielo who had been sitting right beside her. Cielo reads the paper over before speaking aloud, telling the rest of us what the contents of the paper was.

"It's a mandatory quest order from the guild..."

"Specifically for our party, according to Luna."

quickly adds Darkness. The others nod though they didn't look happy as Cielo continued.

"According to this, the guild would like for our party to head out head to a designated location about a day's travel west of Axel. Once there, we are to scout the area in the hopes of... making contact with the MUC?"

Cielo looks at Darkness in questioning disbelief only for said crusader to return look with a nod.

"According to reports, the MUC has been seen heading to the west on the nights it was seen moving across the skies over Axel. Because of this; because of the frequency of these appearances over the last few weeks, MUC fanatics are paying a lot of Eris if this particular MUC can not only be found but captured and returned for 'study.'"

Darkness then pulls another piece of paper out from her pocket and unfolds it before laying it out on the table. It was a map of the region with one area colored differently than the rest. Darkness points to the area with her finger, likely indicating that it was the spot being talked about for the search.

While the others examine the map, I can't help but stiffen because of what I heard Darkness say; that it had been seen heading west of Axel. Luckily, none of the others seemed to have noticed as Yunyun asks-

"But how do they know it can be found in this particular location?"

"Honestly, this is just a guess. Special sensory types we have here in Axel were able to narrow down the search area to this location based on strange energies that were present in the air; also in this area."

"Do we REALLY have to go though? I mean, surely there are other parties that they could ask to do this over us."

said Lynn.

"I feel the same but like I said, this is a mandatory quest. That means there's no way of getting out of this one."

"Hold on a moment. Is that even allowed? Making a quest mandatory, I mean?"

My question was a reasonable one, I think. However, based on the look the others were now giving me, it was a thought only I was having here. Cielo was to first to realize what was going on with my question.

"Guess you don't know, do you Kazuma?"

"Know what?"

"When you become an adventurer through the guild, there is a rule that permits the guild to place upon any active adventurer's a maximum of three mandatory quest per year. These are quest you have no choice but to do. Failure to comply will result in both expulsion from the guild, removal of your status as an adventurer, and a heavy fine for good measure."

explained Darkness. Megumin then adds-

"Remember the Destroyer incident, Kazuma. That was an example of a mandatory quest. That's the reason why some of those guys who refused to participate because of you being put in charge were 'fired' from being adventurers. Because of that rule."

"Yeah, what Megumin said. If it hadn't been mandatory, do you really think any of us would have risked our necks for Axel? Sure, maybe a few of us would have made an effort to help the citizens with escaping but that didn't necessarily require us to fight the Destroyer directly."

I then consider Lynn's words. Well, all of their words in truth. Yeah, this was definitely a detail I was unaware of. Still, I had one question about that to ask them.

"So, does that mean a retired adventurer can be forced back into service if the need arises because of this little detail?"

"Nope, just active adventurer's, thank god. Also, if the guild has already called upon you to do three mandatory quest and the need comes around for them to ask you to do a fourth, you do have a right to turn that down. But if you do agree to do it, the guild has to pay you double on the reward as a thank you for doing that."

Good to know.

"Hold on a minute, everyone. We do have a little problem here. What about Kazuma? We can't forget that Chris told us that Eris told her that Kazuma was on a one-month mandatory rest period. Does that mean he has to ignore one for the other?"

asked Cielo. Megumin, after a moment of thinking about it, says-

"Well, I doubt there will be any trouble with Kazuma coming along with us. If memory serves, none of these little MUC searches have ever born fruit in the past. So, assuming there aren't any dangerous monsters in the search area, it should be OK for Kazuma to come with us... right?"

"I already had a talk with Luna about that. She's said that because the rest request for Kazuma came from lady Eris herself, she will allow Kazuma a special 'get out of doing this free' card. However, this does mean Kazuma will still have three mandatory quest he could be asked to do later on if needed while the rest of us will only have two left."

So, I have an out. Can't argue with that. Still...

"Will you all be OK with not having me there?"

"Kazuma does have a point. In the past, when things have gotten hairy, it's usually because of Kazuma's quick thinking that has seen us surviving to get ourselves into trouble another day."

"And there have been times Kazuma was the reason we found ourselves getting into trouble as well. We can't go forgetting that either, Yunyun."

"So, does that mean you want Kazuma to go ahead and come along with us, Megumin? You do know that means he'll be all task master on your ass and make you spend all your free time with doing that 'special' training training regimen he has you doing now."

Megumin was quiet for a moment following Lynn's words before she finally says-

"Let's leave Kazuma behind. We'll be fine without him for one quest. I'm sure of it."

"I agree. We should be OK without him for this one. The area we'll be checking out has never been known for being especially dangerous. Certainly nothing we can't handle at this point in our lives."

The others nod in agreement with Cielo's words. Darkness then stands and says-

"Well, it's decided. We should hurry up and get ready as we have a LONG walk ahead of us."

{|} Part 4: Anna Unchained {|}

"So, any idea as to how long you all will be gone for?"

I asked the girls as we all stood at the front gates of the mansion grounds.

Darkness takes a moment to think about it before saying-

"We'll need to make a pit stop in Axel to pick up some supplies. Once we're on our way and assuming nothing happens to delay us, we should reach the spot by lunch time tomorrow. After that, we'll need to stick around for three full days as we do our recon of the requested area. Once done, we'll have Yunyun use Teleport to bring us back to Axel so we can check in with the guild then Teleport again to see us back to mansion. In other words..."

"We'll be back by evening of the fifth day at the latest."

finished Cielo. I nod as I think about it before saying-

"Then expect me to make you all a welcome home meal for dinner. I'll do all your personal favorites."

That got the girls chattering happily from their anticipation and excitement for their return. I then say in a serious tone-

"Seriously, be careful... all of you. While the thought of being able to play hooky here appeals to me, the thought of me not being there should things go south doesn't. If anything does go wrong and things get way out of hand, promise me you'll abandon the quest and come right back home. Even if it invites trouble from the guild, I would rather us have to deal with that than suffer any of you being hurt... or worse."

The warm smiles and teary eyes the girls express tells me that my words meant a lot to them. They promise to run if the need arises before saying their goodbyes as Yunyun begins to prepare to use teleport to send them right to Axel.

"Remember Kazuma, just because we aren't here to keep an eye on you doesn't mean you can do anything crazy yourself. Behave yourself or you'll have to answer to all of us once we get back."

said Megumin, making me give her a salute and say-

"Yes ma'am."

Once they were gone, I just stand there for a moment as I ponder on a thought that had come over me.

"I wonder if I should head down to the guild and start a betting pool with everyone there over if the girls will actually come back all fine and dandy or if they'll return in a wretched crying state while complaining about how they wish I had been there to save them from this and that?"

"I would put all my eris onto the latter option myself."

I jump at hearing Anna's voice, which I hadn't expected as she was still sleeping.

At least I thought so.

"Geez Anna, warn a guy before you go sneaking up on him. You almost gave me a heart attack there, you know."

"You need the heart before you can have the attack, Kazuma?"

"Look at you, trying to be little miss comedian here. Hate to break it to you, but you don't have the talent for making people laugh."

"Yeesh, everyone's a critic."

After that, I stand there a moment more before I start walking back to the mansion. Anna quickly comes flying over to join me as she says-

"Anyways, where did they all go running off to? I actually only just woke up a few minutes ago and only found you guys standing around outside just before Yunyun did her little teleport spell."

I explain to Anna what was going on. After thinking about it a moment, she says-

"So, they're hunting down a MUC, huh? Between you and me, I like your homelands term for them more. UFO's just rolls off the tongue better, I think."

"At least one of you girls has some common sense on that subject."

"(pause) So... what do you think their reactions would be if they knew the MUC they were being sent to hunt down was actually closer than they could have ever imagined? So close in fact that some of them were seeking a close encounter of the perverted kind with the MUC."

I freeze just as I was about to open the front door. I then look at Anna with a shocked expression as I manage to get out-

"How... how did you...?"

"You may have done a good job with sneaking out in the late night from under their slumbering eyes, but don't forget that I've always been more of a night owl. One night, I couldn't help but take notice of a strange energy in the air, coming from the roof. Curiosity took hold and I allowed myself a little peek to see what the source was. Imagine my surprise when I saw a certain someone do a certain thing before taking off into the distance."

Well shit, I hadn't taken Anna into account. And here I had thought I had been quite clever with my late-night activities.

"No need to go start worrying yourself, Kazuma. I know how to keep a secret, so I'll be kind with keeping this one... for a price that is?"

"Gee, how kind of you. And tell me what it is you will want to ask of me in return for your silence?"

"Hm? Good question. What should I ask for, seeing as I am a ghost girl and all. Tell you what, why don't we rain check that one for now until I can think of something."

"Fine with me."

I then step back into the mansion, heading back into the dining room to collect the dishes that had been left out since breakfast. If memory serves, today was Lynn's turn to do the cleaning but given the sudden nature of the quest Darkness had brought back, it looked like it would fall to me to do them now.

I then notice something unexpected; that being Chomusuke was still here in the mansion with us. Now that I think about it, I hadn't seen her with Megumin when they all left. I guess I must have assumed she was sleeping under Megumin's hat again. I then notice something else apart from Chomusuke.

It was a piece of paper resting under her paws. Curious, I retrieve the paper and read it. I moment later, I could feel a scowl forming on my face as I reread the letter, this time aloud.

"Kazuma, I have decided to let Chomusuke stay back at home with you. Since I can't be certain that you won't be doing something crazy without us there to keep an eye on you, I have asked her to be your babysitter. Anyways, be a good boy until we get back... Megumin."

I crumble the paper before chucking it into the fireplace, not that my doing that meant anything given that the fireplace wasn't currently lit. That girl... seriously. OK, I'll add that to my to-do list here while they're gone: how to pay Megumin back for saying I need the babysitter.

"Kazuma, quick question. When do you plan on telling them about your little secret anyways?"

asked Anna as she came flying over to me. Perhaps she had seen what the paper had said and was wanting to change the subject instead of adding fuel to the fire that was building within me.

"Haven't decided yet. Anyways, I need to head downstairs and gather my latest recreations to deliver to Vanir."

"Oh sure, leave me here all alone again. You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say you all like leaving me behind."

"Well sorry Anna, not like we can help it. After all, you are kind-of stuck... here... oh right, I almost forgot."

Anna cocks her head to the side while saying "Forgot what?" in a confused tone. I look at her and smile then say-

"Come with me. I have a little surprise for you."

Once we were downstairs inside my workshop, I motion to the large crate Vanir had actually delivered the other day. Within was a certain specialty item I had asked Vanir to bring me. It had cost me quite a few eris, around sixty million to be exact but I believe that it would be a good investment in the long run.

Anna was hovering before it, looking intrigued at what was being hidden within.

"I think I can remember when that guy in the mask brought this thing over. So, what's in it?"

"I'm surprised. I would have thought you wouldn't have been able to resist sneaking a peek once it had been delivered and brought down here, Anna."

"Ah... about that. I did try to sneak a peek, but I couldn't see anything within all that well because of the poor lighting and such. So, hurry up and let me see it already."

I nod before opening the lid, revealing the contents within. The moment Anna saw it, her expression immediately deflates from being one of excitement and curiosity to being one of disappointment.

"So, it's just a large white rubber bag that sits on the ground. What is it exactly? Is this the so called 'bean-bag chair' you've been talking about making?"

"If it was the bean-bag chair, then why would I have it delivered instead of making it myself. No, this item here... believe it or not, is for you. So, what do you think, Anna?"

She doesn't waste a moment with looking at me and giving me a sour look.

"I can say without a doubt that this is the suckiest gift I have ever gotten in my life and trust me, I have received quite a few of them."

I didn't take her words personally as I understood the why behind her confusion. I then wag a finger at her while smiling smugly. I then say-

"Tut-tut, Anna. Wait till I tell you what this thing is then we'll see if you would still call it a sucky gift. You see, Anna. While it currently may look like a giant white rubber ball, it actually contains a secret. Just send your ghostly body inside it and you will understand. Trust me!"

Anna looks down at the ball then back at me then back down at the ball then back to me again. Several times she does this before letting out a sigh before moving closer to the bean-bag chair sized mass.

"(sigh) Fine, I'll be nice here and humor you, Kazuma. Not like I have anything else to do right now."

She then phases into the ball and after a second, I hear her voice come from within as she says-

"Wow, interesting... so much more of the same, which is to say nothing. Tell me, Kazuma. Just what..."

Her words halt as the ball begins to glow which is followed by the sound of a panicking Anna as she says something is happening and she can't seem to move or get herself out. She cries out, begging me to hurry up and save her.

"Don't worry, Anna. You'll be thanking me for this... at least I hope so."

I then find myself being forced to step back as the large ball begins to float out of the crate, hovering in the air as sparks of lightning like light fills the room. And then, it finally happens...

The ball begins to bulge and contort itself before starting to reshape itself. Before, it had been a perfectly round ball, but it was now taking on a humanoid appearance. To be more exact, the form of a girl with long flowing golden air. The process continued until a physical manifestation of Anna's ghost form had been achieved and the new body gently landed on the ground.

I looked at her, glad to see the end result I had asked for only for a little detail to be realized. One that forced me to quickly turn around so as to not be looking at her.

As for Anna herself, her eyes must have slowly opened before I could hear the sounds of movement coming with her; probably examining and checking herself out.

"I... I have... I actually have a flesh and blood body? Is this a dream? Am I dreaming now?"

Without looking back at her, I say-

"Yeah, that's right. Because you died before your intended time, this was something that was possible. Using special materials to create a proper shell for your soul to inhabit, you have now been given a new body to work with. I hope it's to your liking, Anna."

I then allow myself a quick look, seeing Anna had moved over to the large mirror I had set up for this moment in order to look at her reflection. She looked to be slightly shorter than Megumin with long blonde curly hair that reached down to her butt. And on THAT subject...

"This is great, this is absolutely great. Thank you, Kazuma. Thank you! (x3)"

I then feel her race around me before throwing me into a surprisingly tight hug for a twelve-year-old. At least I think Anna had said she had been twelve when she had died. I then feel her eyes looking up at me and I return that by letting myself look down at her.

"What's wrong, Kazuma? Can't look at me for some reason."

"Well yeah. I don't know if you've noticed it yet, but you... you're... well..."

Anna pulls away from me and looks down at her new body again. Perhaps she hadn't realized it before, but she surely did now. I was expecting her to become all embarrassed and do the usual cliché thing that happens in anime and manga where she would scream, slap me, and call me a pervert.

Instead, she looks back at me with a big grin on her face as she says-

{Insert Image 2}

"Oh, I see how it is. You feel embarrassed because I'm all naked right now. Don't worry, Kazuma. There's no need to be shy. You can look... and even touch as much as you want here. Think of that as being my reward for...? Oh yeah, speaking of rewards."

Oh no, I don't like where I know this is going to go.

"Seeing as you owe me a little something in exchange for my silence about keeping a certain secret from the others, how about you help me find out just how much I can do with my new body here. For example, I'm well past the time when I should have given up the old V-card here so..."

"Absolutely not. I mean, how could you even ask me to do such a thing, Anna. For one thing, aren't you only twelve? Hate to break it to you but I draw the line at three plus years when it comes to having a physical relationship with a girl so sorry, you're far too young for me to consider."

"Oh, I see. Well, it's a good thing I'm not a twelve-year-old anymore. If we're being technical here, I'm currently one-hundred and thirteen years old so me and you doing this and that wouldn't result in you being seen as a pedo or anything. Instead, I would be the one who would be branded a cradle robber."

"Details, details. Just hurry up and go find something to wear already."

"Fine, as you wish. I think I'll have myself a little bath first though. It's been a long time since I've had one of those too. Feel free to join me at any time if you change your mind.:

I shoot Anna an annoyed glare which makes her laugh.

"Well, at least cook me something yummy to eat for lunch. After seeing how the others react to your cooking, I want to experience what the big deal is myself."

With that, Anna pranced out of the room, leaving me alone to finally start calming myself down. After a moment, I turn my thoughts to what she had said to me.

Sad thing to admit here but there was a time I might have accepted her offer to join her in the bath. Hell, I'm betting there are versions of me out there that would have jumped at the chance to accept her offer to help her 'test' out her new body with her technically being over a hundred as their excuse.

I'm glad I'm not such a degenerate. Or maybe I'm scared of what the others would do if I had accepted.

"Oh Kazuma, I should point out that you aren't very good at sticking to that rule of yours. I mean, isn't Megumin outside your strike zone for about half the year and Yunyun for three-fourths of the year?"

I heard Anna add with a yell from outside, from what I think may have been from the stairs.

"Don't remind me..."

{|} Part 5: The World Beyond These Walls {|}

As I waited on Anna to finish enjoying her first bath in who knows how many years, I took the time to do something that had been on my mind for quite a while now. And what was that exactly?

Catching up on reading the latest chapter release of my favorite light novel series.

How was I managing to do that seeing as I wasn't in Japan anymore and I didn't exactly have the means to return there whenever I wanted. The answer was surprisingly simple. I owed it all to Know-It-All that I was able to do it.

Thankfully, she was being nice enough to do this for me. No complaints at all... sort of.

"Kazuma, why am I not smelling anything yummy cooking in the kitchen?"

I didn't turn my attention away from reading as I heard Anna speak up as she comes walking into the living room. My response was-

"It wasn't time to start cooking lunch when you hopped into the bath. Now however..."

I finally allow myself a moment to pull out my pocket watch and look at the time. Yeah, looks like it was probably time to get started. I then place the Know-It-All down and grab onto a special bookmark and scribble down the page number I was on before placing it inside the book then close it.

I then stand and finally turn my attention onto Anna who was thankfully clothed now. She goes ahead and does a little twirl around before taking on a showing-off kind of pose.

"So, what do you think? How do I look?"

Well, she definitely looked fresher, even more so than she did when she had first emerged in her new 'body.' She had also done up her hair too. Instead of letting it all just hang down, she had put it into long twin tails that got a fair bit on the curly side near the ends. And for her choice of clothing...

"Is that Megumin's casual attire you're wearing right now?"

When it came to the clothing Anna had all, she had above the knee-high leggings, a red and gold shirt and vest, a white long-sleeved shirt, and one of Megumin's many chokers.

"You would be correct, good sir. I first dug out all my old clothes, but they left something to be desired, both from a stylistic standpoint and from the fact that they are over a hundred years old. Besides, all my old stuff was just way to girly and I wouldn't be caught dead wearing them... well, dead again."

"OK, but why Megumin's casual clothes?"

"Eh, she's the closest to me in both height and body type. Well, she was the closest to me in body type until you gave her that little potion that's been allowing her to finally see some progress in certain areas. Now are you going to cook me some lunch or not?"

She then runs over to me and starts pushing me towards the kitchen with a surprising amount of power and strength behind her. Was this little ghost girl who was getting to enjoy a second chance at life really going to end up being stronger than me also?

"Fine-fine, I get it. No need to be so pushy. I'll get started on lunch right now. By the way, how was your first bath in a century?"

"It was heavenly. Now less talking, more walking."

Two hours later, the two of us exit the mansion and within moments, we were standing at the front gates. I pass by them no problem, but it quickly dawns on me that Anna had stopped walking. I stop and look back, seeing her linger just inside the surrounding walls.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah, it's nothing. It's just... this is going to be the first time I've ever stepped outside the mansion grounds."

"Seriously? You mean you never left the grounds before during your first life?"

"Yeah... a rule placed upon the help by my father. Said it was for 'my protection.' Total BS if you ask me. But there was nothing I could do, not until I turned sixteen... not that I was able to live long enough to make it that far."

"Well then, what do you say we stop wasting time here..."

I then hold my hand out for her to take.

"... and let me show you a whole new world, Anna."

She looks at me, tears forming in her eyes as she smiles and nods her head. She then reaches out and takes my hand. I then ever so gently pull her forward, making her take that first big step out the gate and into a world she had never been allowed to experience before.

"So, ready to go see all that you've been missing out on?"

"Yeah!"

she said excitedly before hugging herself to my arm. While it was embarrassing, I decide to let her have this moment as she begins walking towards Axel. Looks like visiting Wiz and Vanir and doing that little pit stop at the guild wasn't the only thing I would need to do in town.

I would need to show Anna everything Axel has to offer.

Not long into our walk, Anna's eyes took notice of a little something under construction.

"Kazuma, what are those people doing... I mean, what are they building on MY land?"

We stop walking in order to take in the sight of the structure being built. It was the amphitheater I had requested the Crimson Demon Clan to build for me so Idol Hearts could have a new home to work from outside of Veridae.

While the disappearance of the Duchess of Kessex, possibly her death, wasn't something I was losing any sleep over. I doubt anyone who actually really knew her was really. I had to admit that she did do some good before the end. In this case, she had made it easier for Lia to keep Idol Hearts going by fronting most of the monthly cost for them to stay and operate their shows within Veridae.

And as payment, they would do those shows exclusively in the Veridae amphitheater. But now that she was gone, that helpful bonus revenue was no longer coming in and thus, continuing to operate out of Veridae was no longer financially viable. Hence, they would come here, and I would be their new landlord... and Lia's co-manager of the group.

Fun times, I'm sure.

I look at Anna as she was watching the Crimson Demons who had been sent working with no small amount of wonder in her eyes as I say-

"What do you mean by YOUR land, Anna? Last time I checked, I thought all of this area was now under MY ownership."

"Yeah, it was... until I got my new body here. Now that I'm back in the flesh again, you'll forgive me if I request the return of all MY holdings to being under my name again."

"You can't be serious."

"Look me in my eyes, Satou Kazuma. Do I look like I'm joking."

Yes actually, you do look like you're joking. I mean, you have that playful look in your eyes and then there's the fact you're sticking your tongue out at me in a joking way. I then see Anna's expression shift to being something devious looking as she then says-

"Tell you what, there is one way you can keep all this under your ownership."

"Dare I even ask?"

"It's actually quite simple. Just marry me here today and all that I own will become yours to..."

"I'll pass. Thanks for the offer though but I already have enough potential partners in my life to deal with."

"Ah, you're no fun. Don't worry though. I was just messing with you."

"Yeah, sure you were."

After that, I took a moment to walk over and have a quick chat with the Crimson Demons who had come to build the amphitheater for me. I also introduced them to Anna too, as well as assured them that the Crimson Demons would get to watch the first Idol Hearts show held here for free and with them getting first dibs on the box seats.

After that, we continued on to Axel and during this short walk, Anna brought up an important question.

"Kazuma, out of curiosity, aren't you a little worried that having the amphitheater back there located outside the city walls could be a troublesome thing in the future. I mean, having monsters come around and wreck the place and such."

"Believe it or not, but that topic had been brought up before. To prevent that from being an issue, or at least lessen the chances of that happening; Darkness' father has decided there will be an extension built to the outer walls to encompass the area that's under my ownership."

"You mean they're going to open up the wall so they can tack on a little nub to the city?"

"Not quite. The outer wall will remain as is for now. Think of what they'll be doing to be more like adding a petal to a flower. This petal, once finished and assuming it's even done to begin with, will be treated as its own thing and could even extend out as far as just past the mansion grounds. We still need to come up with a name for the area though. How about Satou Village or Satou District?"

"Geez, looks like someone's getting full of themselves; already naming whole areas after themselves."

You say that but it's not like any of the others would be any different if they were the current owners of the land.

Once we had passed through the eastern gates of Axel, I decided I would take Anna by the guild first. As we walked down the streets, I couldn't help but feel a great deal nervous here. Was it because Anna was going all gaga at every single thing she was seeing and hearing. No, it wasn't because of that. Instead, my nervousness was because of...

"Look, isn't that Satou Kazuma?"

"Yeah, that's him alright. And check it out. He has yet ANOTHER cute girl hanging off his arm."

"I can't believe it. How does that guy do it. I mean, having a party filled with such beauties and the fact they all live with him too. And now he's adding yet another girl to his little harem of perversity."

I wanted to enjoy this moment; I really did. I wanted to bask in their jealousy and look all proud and smug. But the deathly glares some of them were sending my way were just too scary for me to deal with at the moment. I needed to be careful less I find myself being accused of brainwashing all the girls and find myself back in court again because of that fact.

Silly thought, I know. But here in this world, I wouldn't doubt it was something that could happen. Especially to someone like me who's already had to endure a ton of bull shit. At least it can't get any...

"What do those girls even see in that guy anyways? He's not even that handsome if you ask me."

"Yeah, I would even say he's kind of ugly. Now Mitsurugi Kyouya, on the other hand..."

"Agreed. If it had been that guy they were all hanging around with, then I would completely understand. But Satou Kazuma..."

OK, no more mister nice guy. Just remember people. You asked for this.

"Care to..."

"Say one more word about MY man... OUR man again, and this whole city will know our wrath."

shouted Anna suddenly, cutting into what would have been my own words spoken to the crowd. The power and fury in her voice was enough to make the crowd go still and deathly quiet.

"You all can talk a big game, but you don't know anything. For one thing, this guy here can do something for us you all can't. Want to know what that is?"

No, no they probably don't. Please stop talking, Anna... seriously.

I try to silence her, but she breaks free from my hold and shouts out as loudly as she could-

"He can satisfy all of us. That's right, you heard me correctly. He can satisfy us FULLY, each day, every day, multiple times a day. We are his little love slaves and will do anything and everything his perverted mind can-EEP!"

"Just ignore this little child. Trust me, she's nothing but crazy in the head due to her weird dreams and fantasy's."

I then grab Anna, throw her over my shoulders, and make a run for it towards the guild. Wait, why was I heading deeper into Axel instead of getting us out of town? Well, too late to change directions now. While I run, I hear Anna yell something I wasn't sure was a good idea to do in the long run.

"I'll be sure to tell the others what you said about Kazuma once they get back. We'll see if you can stay all smug and condescending then."

Once we had reached the guild, I allow Anna to have her time exploring the place while I allow myself a moment to sit down before collapsing my upper body down onto the table. We hadn't been in Axel more than ten minutes; fifteen tops, and this girl had already created more headaches for me than all the others had done in the time I have known them combined.

Damn it, I shouldn't be feeling so old and worn out at this point in my life.

"You look like you've been through hell, Kazuma."

I turn my head from facing the table to looking at Luna who had come walking over to talk.

"Yeah, funny story about that... which I'll tell you another time. I'm guessing you're talking about how I'm currently looking here."

Luna nods before turning her attention to Anna then back to me and says-

"I was told you were on a mandatory rest leave; issued by the goddess Eris herself and yet I find you in the company of a rather wild one right now. Being honest, I feel that you would have gotten more rest if you had gone with the others on that special quest the guild asked them to do."

"Funny, I've been thinking the same exact thing myself."

Luna looks back at Anna again then back again at me.

"So, who is she?"

"Funny story there. Would you believe me if I said she was..."

"Hello, you must be Luna, head girl here at the guild. I've heard everything about you. You want to know who I am? That's easy to answer. I'm Anna... Satou Anna to be exact."

What did you just say?

"Satou Anna? Wait, are you..."

"(nod) That's right. I am Kazuma's younger sister; here to visit him from our far away homeland. Charmed, huh!"

I just sit there unsure of what to say or how to react as Luna shakes hands with Anna.

"I didn't know you had a sister, Kazuma. I recall you mentioning having a younger brother once though. Why haven't you talked about Anna before?"

"Well, you see Luna. The thing about that is..."

"I'm sure big brother was just being shy when it came to talking about me. After all, we have always been so close to each other. I mean we always went to the same places, did the same things together, ate together... bathed together, and even slept together."

Warning-warning, stop her before she says anything...

"And if that wasn't enough, we were also each other's first..."

I immediately grab onto Anna, covering her mouth with one of my hands as not only Luna gives me a shocked look, but so did anyone in the guild hall that had been listening in on this conversation.

"Don't be giving these nice people the wrong idea about us, SISTER! I'm sorry about this everyone. Understand this brat here had dreams of becoming a manga-ka and light novel writer back in our homeland but the subject matter she wanted to tell story about were... let's just say it was all very inappropriate material."

"Like incest?"

shouted someone from the gathered adventurers. I think it was Dust's voice from the sound of it.

"Yeah, exactly. And to make it even weirder, her prototype story seemed to star herself and me in it. Seriously, she's one of the reasons I'm glad I came here to this kingdom. Long story short, I needed to get away from her for a while."

"How can you say that big brother... especially after everything we've done to..."

"Quiet you."

As I continued to struggle with Anna, to keep this girl quiet and under control; the other adventurer's keep their eyes on me for a moment more before going back to their previous business. Perhaps it was because of the past craziness I have found myself getting into with the others that made them shrug this matter off as being just another example of 'Kazuma and his weird luck slash life.'

And as for Luna? She just stood off to the side with a look of sympathy being directed towards me.

"You truly have it rough in life sometime, don't you Kazuma?"

You don't know the half of it. At least it can't get any worse than it already is right now.

{|} Part 6: From Out of a (Rabbit) Hole in the Sky {|}

I wonder how I must look in the eyes of all those who saw me as I walked out of the Knight Guard station?

From how I was feeling, I must have looked dead tired with narrowed exhausted eyes and walking in a drooping manner with my body bent forward and my arms swinging back and forth as I moved. How exactly did this all happen to me again?

"Wow, this has been quite the day of first for me. First time leaving the mansion, first time visiting the big city, first time entering a guild and schmoozing with the regulars, and now my first time being interrogated inside a local guard station. Thank you, Kazuma. This has been the best day of my life."

Oh yeah, right. I remember now.

I stop my walking and look over to the overly excited girl at my side; showing no shame nor sign of regret for the troubles she had caused me. I can't believe her words back inside the guild caused me to get brought in for questioning by the Knight Guard. I mean, how did they even...

Oh, I know how it happened. It must have been that one adventurer; the one who likes to say things about Megumin, when she's in the room, that really piss her off and sends her on a rampage if we aren't there to stop her. He must have found some guards and told them what was happening which led to my current headaches.

"What's wrong, Kazuma? You haven't said anything to me since we were confronted while trying to leave the guild."

"Gee, I wonder why. You should be very grateful that I have such a good relationship with the Knight Guard here in Axel, especially the captain. If not for all the things I have done for this city and him knowing how many times I've suffered bull shit from false accusations, I would probably be stuck inside a jail cell until either the others returned from their quest or if the Guard could get their hands on a new lie-detection bell."

"That was strange... the timing of it all I mean. The Guards personal bell becoming busted just hours before. Wonder how that happened?"

I rub my forehead, feeling more tired than I have ever felt before in my life. Or maybe I'm just seriously drained of energy here? Either way, I'm ready to call this day over and done with. Seeing as Wiz's shop is close by, I'll go ahead and stop by there for a quick bit to drop the stuff off then use Teleport to send us both back to the mansion.

"So Kazuma, where should we go to next? The Erisia Cathedral... maybe check out one of those street stalls that has those weird yet cool items."

"WE are going to pay a visit to Wiz's shop so I can drop off the latest merchandise to Vanir. Once that's done, we will be teleporting back to the mansion. You can have your little look around Axel another time... while in the company of the others."

"Wah, but that's not fair. I want to do it now. I wanna-I wanna-I wanna..."

Are you really acting like that right here, right now? Damn it all.

"I'm seriously regretting giving you a new body now."

"Does that mean we can do some more exploring?"

"(sigh) It means I'll compromise with you. Once we leave Wiz's shop, we'll be walking back to the mansion and you can take in the sights as we go seeing as they'll be different from what you saw as we made our way to the guild, save for the eastern gate. We can do more exploring another day."

"Works for me."

With that, we begin walking in the direction of the shop and as we go, I take a moment to consider a new thought that had crossed my mind. A thought that was based on Anna recent actions.

"Hm?"

"What's up?"

"Huh... oh, nothing. I was just wondering if being a pervert is the norm for you noble born girls."

"Huh, that's a good question actually. I've never really thought about it before. It goes without saying that I have a dirty mind and we all know just how much of a hardcore pervert Darkness is. I mean, how can anyone NOT know. And Kazuma... confession time, I've heard Darkness say on several occasions that all the noble born daughters that can be found in the kingdom have some degree of perverted persona's that they try to hide from the world. Darkness is just bad at keeping it under wraps as they say."

Seriously, all of them? Just what's wrong with this kingdom... what's wrong with this world that such a mindset is so common. And why am I complaining about it too? Shouldn't I be happy to hear something like that. Wait a moment. Not ALL of the noble born girls in this world are like that.

"At least Cielo's the normal one out of that selective group. I don't think I could handle having three Darkness' living in the mansion with me, even if she was better at keeping her desires in check."

"Are you saying I'm as bad as Darkness?"

"What do you think?"

"Come one, Kazuma. I'm not THAT bad. For one thing, I don't have a monster rape fetish. Just one special person will be enough for me."

Good to know, I guess. At least you're a bit more tolerable. Not by much but enough.

"I wonder though. Do you think that if Cielo's father hadn't done what he did with causing her to develop androphobia, she would be a perverted girl right now. Maybe even a hardcore pervert."

I stop walking as I find myself asking that very question myself. Had Cielo's father actually done a good thing for her in the long run? Oh god, I must be tired if I'm actually starting to feel gratitude towards lord Accord for his actions on Cielo's behalf now.

Not long after, I found myself really-REALLY wanting to just go ahead and use teleportation magic to just get myself back to the mansion as quickly as possible. All I wanted to do now was get out of these closes and crawl into bed. I also wanted to check if I had gained any gray hairs as a result of Anna's actions.

The trip to Wiz's shop and then from there back to the eastern gate and beyond was filled with even more trouble. The biggest being Anna insulting some guy though I wasn't sure exactly what it was she had said to him due to the fact I hadn't been paying attention.

All I know was the fact that I, being Anna's 'older brother' ended up being tossed around before the Knight Guard had arrived and arrested that guy for damaging public property. At least Anna had behaved herself while we were at Wiz's shop.

In fact, she had been restrained as she spent all her time there chatting with Wiz over this and that while I had been having words with a jubilant Vanir who was getting a laugh from all the dark emotions I was currently feeling from my suffering this day.

"Hey Kazuma, what kind of flower is this... and what's that over there?"

I ignored Anna's words as she darted all over the place on our walk back. Instead, my thoughts were focused on the curious thing Vanir had said to me before me and Anna had left the shop.

"Very soon, you shall find yourself experiencing an adventure that will make you feel as if you have come into a whole new world. While things may be difficult at times, impossible even; you must persevere and continue moving forward. If you do, not only will your actions see a people saved but you will leave an especially strong impact within the mind and heart of one particular young maiden."

Or something like that at least. Being honest, I wasn't sure I like the implications behind his words, for many reasons. Maybe if I bury myself beneath the covers and sleep till the others get back, I can avoid having to deal with any of that stuff. Yeah, like Anna's going to let me... wait a moment...

Where's Anna?

"Kazuma-Kazuma, looky-looky... I'm having another new experience here."

I quickly start looking around for that troublesome child, or should I see her as a granny? Either way, I quickly find Anna... her head sticking out of the mouth of a giant frog. I couldn't help but sweat drop at the sight before shouting out-

"Idiot, why didn't you say something earlier? Just how did you... never mind, I think I can already guess how this happened."

"What was I suppose to do. I see a giant frog for the first time, and I was wondering what they feel like, so I walked over to it and touched it. It's not like you didn't try to stop me. And guess what Kazuma. These guys are really friendly and affectionate too. I mean, I never would have thought they'd place their tongues against a girl's..."

"Shut up already. Such details aren't needed EVER!"

"Anyone ever tell you that you're no fun Kazuma? Seriously, such a buzz... uh-oh."

"What is it. Anna?"

"Um... I think it's starting to swallow me. Hate to ask this after having caused you a lot of trouble but a save here would be nice... or will poor defenseless Anna be getting to experience another first this..."

Anna doesn't finish as the frog finishes swallowing her right before my eyes. For a second, a split second, I actually consider leaving her to her fate. It was rather tempting; so DAMN tempting...

"(sigh) I'm so going to regret this choice later. I just know it..."

A few minutes later, Anna's head surfaces from beneath the waters of a river that happened to be within viewing distance of the frog I had killed to save her. Rather than wait till we got back to the mansion to wash up properly, she had instead opted to throw herself into the river, clothes and all, in order to get the mucus off her. Luckily, the river was just deep enough for her to fully submerge herself within.

"OK, I think I've had enough excitement for one day, Kazuma. Let's hurry back to the mansion so I can finally add a new page to my long-neglected diary."

"Oh, so you're finally done having fun and new experiences for today. Why thank you for finally giving me a break here, Anna."

"Geez, with the way you're acting, one would think I went a little overboard with things today."

"I wonder why."

Anna then gets a devious smile on her face, one that I didn't like, then says-

"How about I make it up to you. Remember my request from before? Sure you want to turn it... oh boy, that's not good."

Being honest here, I was kind of half tempted at this point to take her up on 'that' offer, if only because I could see how it would help me vent. But Anna's sudden change in topics has me following her line of sight towards the skies above us and a little bit behind me.

There was a weird distortion in the air; a strange swirling effect going on that last for a few moments. And then, a hole opens in the sky with some strange energies flowing inside. And then, something begins to emerge through the hole. It was slow in its coming out, but I quickly knew what it was I was seeing.

It was a person, a girl to be more exact if my eyes weren't deceiving me here.

It takes a few more moments before the girl had finally emerged from the hole which quickly closes behind her. The girl just hovers there before she starts falling towards the ground, crying out a loud shriek as she does.

"Oh crap, Kazuma. That girl from the sky hole is falling. If she hits the ground at that height and speed..."

"Not if I can help it."

I rush forward with my arms held out in preparation to catch this girl. To make her landing just a little bit easier, I jump into the air at the last minute and catch her though the act almost causes me to stumble the landing and make an embarrassing fall myself. That doesn't happen fortunately as my feet touch the ground with me cradling the girl in my arms.

"Damn, that was a close one. You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, I think. Wasn't expecting to pop out of that portal so hi... hi..."

The girl's words come to a stop as her eyes finally fall onto my face. I couldn't be sure, but I think her cheeks, which already had a pinkish tint to them, had become even pinker and her eyes appeared to glaze over in that special sort of way that would make one think they were only seeing a single thing.

Or maybe it was just me here, who knows. All I do know is that the girl kept looking at me in a strange way and I back at her feeling confused by the look she was sending me.

{Insert Image 3}

"So, big bro... you gonna put her down anytime soon or will you be keeping her in your arms for the long haul here?"

Anna's words snap the both of us out of what must have been personal trances. I quickly put the girl down while wondering just how long the two of us had remained like that? The girl quickly checks herself over before bowing to me and Anna.

"Um... sorry about that. I guess I kind of spaced out there for a moment. Oh right, thank you for saving me just a moment ago. I really owe you one."

"Yeah, sure... not a problem. Glad I was here to catch you; to save you from suffering any injury."

The girl nods before giving me the warmest, cutest, and kindest of smiles; the sort of smile that could melt the heart of even the coldest of souls. You know, like seeing the face or image of a smiling baby.

This girl was a little on the short side, perhaps half a head shorter than Megumin. She had long blonde hair with a small bit tied up in a braid that dangled along her front and soft yet deep blue eyes. She was wearing a stylish blue beret, a grayish short cloak, a dark leather chest guard that looked like a sports bra, a blue and violet short skirt, black leggings that reached up past said skirt, and brown near knee high boots.

"So, want to tell us what we just saw happen with you? What was up with that hole in the sky that you fell out of?"

asked Anna. The girl fidgets for a moment before saying-

"Yeah, about that... You see, that was... I was... a teleportation experiment. Yeah, that's it. I was helping a mage friend of mine with testing out a new form of teleportation magic. Guess things didn't quite go according to plan, huh?"

The girl then begins to laugh nervously while scratching the back of her head.

I knew the moment she had spoken up that she was lying but there was something about her that told me she wasn't an enemy. For one thing, my Enemy Detection skill hadn't gone off. And then there was also... I shake that thought from my mind and instead say-

"An experiment, huh? I'd ask what the nature and purpose is but it's probably all top secret, huh?"

"Yeah, that's right. Sorry about that."

"No problem. So, where was it you were hoping to arrive at as I doubt it would have been out here in this place."

"You're right about that also... ah, I need to hurry and get back to my mission. I'm working on a time limit after all."

"What mission?"

asked Anna. The girl becomes nervous again though I ease her worried by telling her she didn't need to say anything if it was also top secret though Anna disagreed with me.

"Thank you for understanding. Anyways, I need to be getting to Axel as quickly as possible. There's someone I need to find. The sooner the better. Please tell me Axel is close by."

"You 're in luck. Just turn around and you'll find the eastern road. Follow it to the left and you should reach Axel with fifteen minutes. Sooner if you choose to run."

"Really, that's great."

Without hesitation, the girl turns and begins to run towards the road, then stops and looks back and says-

"Thanks again for the help... and sorry for having to run off so quickly."

And with that, the girl was gone. As I stand there, I think my thoughts aloud to myself.

"Strange girl, and yet... I wonder what her name was and what her secret mission was all about?"

"Who knows, but you would think she could have at least given you some kind of reward for saving her. You know, like a kiss on the cheek or something. That's how it's done in fairy tales."

Yeah, that would have been... why am I agreeing with Anna here?

I really need to get home and get some sleep.

{|} Part 7: Alice and the Looking Glass {|}

"Anna, dinner's almost ready. Mind coming in here and giving me a hand. (pause) Anna?"

I sigh before I clean my hands then walk out of the kitchen to see what that troublesome ex-ghost girl was doing now. As soon as my eyes fell onto her slumbering form, I let out an exasperated sigh. She had said she had something important to do after we had gotten back and that something appeared to be snoozing on the couch. Man, I should have seen this coming.

I miss the girl's, I really do. Yunyun would be helping me cook in the kitchen. Cielo would go between helping us also and working with Darkness to get the table ready. Megumin would either be playing with Chomusuke or playing games with Lynn; all the while asking when dinner would be ready.

I wonder how they're doing right now. Are they doing OK without me? Maybe I should have followed after them, all stealthy like to make sure bad things didn't happen to them. That would have been a lot more relaxing than what I've had to endure here today with this... this 'thing' that was currently snoring so loudly it could wake the dead.

I walk over to the couch and give Anna a little shake, trying to wake her up the 'kind' way. For that, I got a grumble and a little slap from her. Apart from that, she didn't budge an inch. Oh well, guess you leave me no choice here, Anna.

I walk around the couch to the back, brace both my hands against the back, and then push the couch up into a tilted manner which causes her roll off hard onto the ground which finally wakes her up.

"Kazuma, what the hell? That's no way to wake up a dignified and noble blooded lady such as myself."

"Actually, it's because of you being who you are that made that choice the only option to go with. Was I wrong in my choice? If so then tell me what it was I should have done, oh lady Anna!"

"Well, you could have been like those heroes from the fairy tales and given me a wake-up kiss. That's what I was waiting for you to do, dummy."

"Yeah, I wasn't going to do that. Anyways, now that you're up, you can come help me with dinner."

Anna grumbles as she gets to her feet and joins me as I head into the kitchen.

A few minutes later, we had finished setting up the kitchen table with our meals as Anna says-

"Cooked a little too much there, don't you think, Kazuma? Did you forget that it's just us and Chomusuke tonight."

"Didn't forget. Just figured you would be pigging out like you did during lunch with eating as much as you could then complaining when we ran out of food, hence the extra."

"Ah, good point. Then I guess I should say 'thank you for the meal.' Now let's dig in already!"

DING-DONG

Just as Anna was taking her first bite of dinner, the doorbell rang out. We looked at each other as Anna quickly chewed then swallowed her meal before quickly asking-

"So, should we see who it is or just ignore it?"

"I really want to say option two here, but it could be important. Let's just make this quick, alright."

The doorbell rings out again as I get up and make my way over to the door. Anna was quick to join me, leaving only Chomusuke back at the table as she was too busy with her grilled fish to even notice or care about the door. Once we reached the door, the bell rings once again and after taking a moment to breath, I open the door and find...

The young girl adventurer we saved slash met earlier.

"Excuse me, sorry for showing up at this time at night but... am I right in assuming that this is the home of Satou Kazu... it's you!"

After I confirmed I was indeed me to the girl, she became all shy and flustered, tripping over her words as she tried to talk; probably trying to introduce herself and explain the reason for the visit. And as she was doing that, the smell of dinner must have reached her as her stomach suddenly let out a loud grumble, which makes her become red faced. She then looks down in embarrassment.

"Sounds like you're hungry. How about joining us for dinner and we can talk after. And don't worry, I luckily made extra tonight."

Though she was still embarrassed by her stomach's actions, she didn't hesitate to take my offer.

After dinner, we were sitting in the living room with me and Anna sitting on the couch and Chomusuke laying on my lap while the girl was sitting in one of the chairs besides the couch, re-angled so we could look at one another better. After a few moments of silence, the girl finally says-

"First, I want to thank you for the meal. Being completely honest here, I have never before had anything that tasted as good and amazing as that in my life and that's coming from someone who's family employee's the best chefs in all the land too."

"Does that mean, you're the daughter of a noble family? Which one if you don't mind my asking."

The girl begins to fidget nervously at Anna's question. While I was also curious about that, we had more important business to discuss if my guess about things was correct.

"Let's not change the main topic at hand here. How about we stick to the important issues for now. But first, we should do some proper introductions here. Though you already know this, I'll reintroduce myself. My name is Satou Kazuma; a well-known adventurer who operates out of Axel."

"Some would even call him infamous."

"Quiet you. Anyways, this little ball of cuteness sleeping here on my lap is named Chomusuke by her... I hesitate to use the word owner, but a better word is failing to come to mind here. Personally, I call her Nia a I feel it fits her better than that other name. And the annoying pest sitting beside me is..."

"Pest... you actually called me a pest. That's no way to talk about your sister, Kazuma. And after all the things we've done together too."

"First off, you aren't my sister. You're only claiming to be my sister because you see it as a way to mess with me and cause me trouble. Seriously, after all that I did for you; especially today. One would think you would be treating me better than you have been but NO, you've instead embarrassed me, given everyone in town new negative gossip to talk about concerning me, given the guys over at the guild the wrong idea, and even had me arrested on charges of being a... never mind that. Also, what do you mean when you say 'we've done things together.' We haven't done anything together nor will we ever."

"So certain, are you. Perhaps when you were awake, we haven't. But what about when you were sleeping in your room or what about when you were relaxing in the bath with your eyes closed and without a care in the world. Trust me buddy, 'WE' have done a lot of things. You just don't know about them all...YET!"

I pale from the implications behind her words and just as I'm about to demand she explain it to me...

We are reminded that we had a quest inside the house with us as we hear said guest start to giggle at our antics. We both blush as we avert our gazes from embarrassment. At least I was made aware that even Anna could feel embarrassed in the moment which was good to know for future events.

"I can tell you two must be very close with one another; either as siblings or just as friends. Anyways, I think it's my turn to introduce myself. My name is Ir... Alice. Just call me Alice."

"No family name, Alice?"

"Ah, yes... my family name. I do indeed have one but... "

"Hey, just ignore this girl here. Knowing your given name is fine. Anyways, nice to meet you, Alice."

Alice gives me a big smile before bowing and apologizing for being so cryptic with that detail. While I was curious as to that detail about her, I'm guessing it was something she needed to keep secret for a reason. Perhaps she wasn't even suppose to be out here like she was or maybe it was a way to keep that information from falling into the wrong hands.

"Fine, she doesn't have to tell us if she doesn't want too."

"OK, what do you say we move things along here. For starters, how did you find me?"

"That's easy to answer. Once I reached Axel and found the guild, I asked about you and this really tall man with a lot of muscles led me here to the mansion."

"Did this guy have a neatly trimmed beard and a mohawk hair style and a pension for saying something like 'you now stand before the gates of hell, kid?'"

"Yeah, your description is on the mark. He even said those exact words to me before leaving me at the front gate. He actually scared me a little when he said that; made me worry I was getting myself into some serious trouble if I proceeded with my mission. I'm glad I didn't let my fears stop me though."

Mental note, have a talk with Ruffian next time I see him about not saying stuff like that to people who don't know him. In fact, save that kind of talk for when Luna is giving him a 'special' quest that involves the two of them and the inside of her apartment.

Also, I need to congratulate those two now that they're officially dating, according to Lynn anyways.

Well, enough beating around the push here. Time to find out what brought Alice to me door this night.

"Alright, I think it's time for us to get to the main topic here, Alice. What brought you to Axel to begin with and how does it involve me here?"

"Yeah, about that. Um... that's going to be a bit on the complicated side to explain."

Alice then goes quiet for a few moments while averted her gaze towards the ground. She was probably having some kind of internal debate on how to properly explain matters to me or so I'm guessing. Finally, she turns her attention back onto me with a determined look in her eyes as she says-

"Honestly Kazuma, I'm not sure if I can explain the whole thing properly to you right now, if only because I don't fully understand it myself. That's something I think mister Palastori would be better at doing than I would."

"Who's Palastori?"

asked Anna.

"He's the one who made it possible for me to come here... to Axel and the kingdom of Belzerg I mean."

"So, you aren't a local of Belzerg, I take it. Are you from Elroad or one of the other neighboring kingdoms here on the continent?"

Alice hesitates for a moment before shaking her head to my question. A look of guilt was present on her face as she finally says-

"That... that's all a bit complicated. I'm sorry..."

"Then let's save that for later. For now, just tell me why you're looking for me specifically."

"It's because my home is under attack. It's a strange force like nothing we have ever seen before. It can easily turn any monster it contaminates into its minion. It can even turn people into mindless slaves if it so desires. My homeland... my kingdom, we're being overwhelmed by this... this 'Calamity.' And despite our best efforts, despite the power our forces have at its disposal, we have so far been powerless to stop it's advances in its desire for total domination of all things."

"Then how does Kazuma here factor into saving your kingdom, Alice? How can he alone possibly do something that your entire force cannot do against this threat?"

"There are two things. One was a fortune teller who hails from a powerful clan of mages that my homeland has at its disposal. She said that 'an outsider, not born of our lands, could alone do what no other can. Approach the source of the 'Calamity' and see it brought down low."

A clan of powerful mages who has a fortune teller within their ranks. Hm, wonder if they're anything like the Crimson Demons we have over here in this country. Actually, for the sake of Alice and her homeland, I think it would be better if this clan of mages wasn't anything like the Crimson Demons.

"This fortune teller also said something to the effect that this outsider would have something about them that many would look at and see as a curse, a weakness. But it's that very thing about him that will be his greatest weapon against the source of the 'Calamity.'"

A curse; a weakness. Is there any chance this fortune teller was talking about my...

"And what of the other thing that brought you to our home this day, Alice?"

"Ah yes, that would be the words spoken by mister Palastori. I'm afraid I don't know much about him as he just appeared one day with an offer to help us. He said he was aware of the words spoken by the fortune teller and believed they spoke of a boy named Satou Kazuma. He said that he knew of a Kazuma who possessed such a power within him; a power that many would see as a curse or a kind of weakness, yet he had found a way to turn it into his greatest source of strength."

I don't know if I would go THAT far in my description of it, but I suppose that's one way to look at it.

"While my bod... personal trainer, Claire had her doubts about everything being said, both she and my tutor when it comes to magical studies; her name being Rain, agreed that we didn't have much in the way of options here. Long story short, mister Palastori helped us out by giving me a way to travel here to see you Kazuma so I could hopefully recruit you into joining us in the saving of our homeland. Please say that you will."

Alice then gets up only to get down onto her hands and knees and bows in a pleading manner.

As I give her request some thought here; some serious thought, Anna asks Alice-

"May I ask why it was just you who was sent here to recruit Kazuma here? Why did you travel alone?"

"Well, the reason I'm alone is because it was easier for mister Palastori to make sure I arrived at the right place if it was just me being sent. Because of... certain issues, using the regular method of teleporting wasn't viable. As for why I was sent, there are two reasons."

"One is the fact Claire isn't exactly a people person. If she had been sent, she probably wouldn't have bothered asking you for your help so much as she would have forced you to come regardless of your opinion. And with Rain, she... Never mind that part. Palastori said that it had to be me. He didn't explain the 'WHY' part of that. Only that it had to be me that was sent otherwise the mission was doomed to fail."

After hearing that and allowing myself another few moments to ponder on this matter, I finally say-

"Is there anything you can tell me about the source behind this 'Calamity.' Anything that could give me a better understanding of what I would be going up against here."

"I'm sorry. We really don't know anything about it ourselves, besides the stuff I already told you before. I wish I could offer more here but..."

"(sigh) I was hoping you wouldn't say that. Alice... I'm sorry, but I don't think I can help you here."

Immediately, Alice raised her head to look at me; shock present in her eyes as tears were beginning to form. Even Anna was looking at me with a surprised stare. I felt bad for saying that, I really did. And so, I decided to explain my reason behind why I was saying no to her.

"I have two reasons why I said no. The first is the lack of information you have. To go off to face an enemy when you know nothing about them would be a fool's game. If I at least had something I could work with here, something that could help me with getting properly prepared for this fight, that would be different."

"And second, if I'm being honest here. I'm not really all that much of a fighter. Sure, I can hold my own if the need arises. But in this party that I'm the leader of, I'm more of the brains of the group while the others, who are currently away on a mandatory quest from the guild; they are the real heavy hitters of this team."

"Actually, Kazuma does have a point here. Hate to say this, Alice but he's kind of right on both counts."

Alice slumps her shoulders as she says dejectedly-

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Thinking about it, most wouldn't want to take such a risk when they have so little knowledge to work with. Especially for someone that don't even know."

"Don't get me wrong here, Alice. I want to help you; I really do here. But as things stand, it would be too dangerous for me to accept. Tell you what. If you are willing to wait here with us for a few days, till my team returns, then we can have a group meeting and take things from there."

"She can also return home and see if her people can get some helpful information on this enemy they're facing then come back here and tell us what they've learned and then we can agree to help her."

"I-I-I guess I could do the first one as I'm unsure on if I can make a return trip here once I'm back home as that would be up to mister Palastori. While everyone back home would be worried about me, I think they would understand me taking a few days to be away if that's what it would take to bring you back with me."

"So, does that mean you'll be sticking around till my team returns?"

After a moment to think it over, Alice looks at me and nods, a smile returning to her.

"OK, I will. Sorry for all the trouble, Kazuma."

"Hey, don't worry about. I'm sorry I couldn't say yes right from the get-go."

"By the way, Alice. Just how would you and Kazuma be sent back to your homeland anyways?"

"Hm? Oh right, we would have been using this weird item."

Alice then grabs the bag she had been wearing at her side and pulls out a little pocket mirror. She then holds it out before herself as Anna gives it a detailed stare before saying-

"Kind of on the small side, don't you think. Anyways, just how exactly does it work anyways?"

"Ah... well? Actually, mister Palastori never said what it was I should do beyond telling me that once I found Kazuma, the mirror would take care of the..."

Before she could finish, the pocket mirror suddenly begins to glow as it floats out of Alice's hand into the air, where it proceeds to grow bigger and bigger until it was the size of a door. The glass then begins to warp as it becomes a swirling pool of liquid glass in appearance.

And then, both me and Alice find ourselves being lifted into the air by some unseen force.

"Alice, what is this?"

"I'm sorry, it must be because I brought it out while in your present, Kazuma. I swear I didn't know this would happen."

Me and Alice then find ourselves been pulled towards the mirror as Anna grabs onto me; her arms wrapping around my waist in an attempt to keep me from being kidnapped by this thing. Even Chomusuke, who had been knocked off my lap when this craziness had started, had awoken quickly and was holding onto Anna with her little paws.

"It's no good Kazuma, I can't... I'm being pulled in too."

We were pulled closer and closer... until we were sucked into the mirror and into the unknown.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Kazuma..."

"Looks like I'm getting to experience another first here so why am I so terrified right now?"

"So much for my vacation. I knew I should have just stayed in bed..."

And thus, I was off on another troublesome adventure.

Seriously, I hope the girls little quest goes better than the one I'm being forced to go on!

{Insert Image 4}

{|} to be continued... {|}

Image 1: Kazuma describing aliens to the terrified girls; a thought bubble over his head that shows cartoony takes on Xenomorph's, Predators, and a few others.

Image 2: Anna, standing proudly with her new, and very naked body, before Kazuma who's hands are covering her naughty bits from being seen by the readers,

Image 3: Kazuma holding Alice in his arms; the image bordered by a misty, dreamy look.

Image 4: Kazuma, Anna, Chomusuke, and Alice being sucked into the magic mirror portal.