Chapter 3: The Path That We Take

Kazuma walked around the streets of Axel, his eyes looking from one side to another. Currently, he was spotting out any kids who had ragged clothing, and right now, he was having no such luck.

"Man, you'd think finding a few orphan kids would be easy, but this is pretty damn hard."

Grumbling internally, he looked at his bag full of sandwiches and other types of food, with the intention of giving it to the orphaned children. He decided to stop by the food market before going on this little quest of his. So, he swallowed up his complaints and continued the search.

To further ease his scouting mission, he went to ask the locals about a group of children who wore a specific type of clothing. Now, you would think that asking such a simple question like - "Hey, have you seen any kids wearing some ragged clothing?" wouldn't cause any type of confusion or suspicion. Of course, with how high Kazuma's intelligence is, he didn't bother to add any elaboration to his question.

Which got him wonderful responses like-

"Ew! why are you searching for innocent children?!"

Or...

"That's fuckin creepy dude."

And...

"Can someone arrest this man? He wants to steal underage panties now."

Truly, wonderful responses.

After learning the hard way, he was now asking the local Eris Church nun about 'Children who are orphans that he wants to help' this time. Luckily, he got an answer that didn't give him weird looks or a glare.

"Oh, you must be talking about those children. Yes, I've seen them around. They're usually hanging around under the river banks near the east. I'm sure you'll find them there."

"Finally." He let's out a sigh of relief. "Thank you. I'll be going now." He turns his body to leave.

Not before the nun stops him. "Hold on, you're Kazuma Satou, right?"

"Uh..." Honestly, should he answer her? With the responses he got earlier after they realized who he was, he feared that she might retaliate with the same answer as well. Truthfully, he got a bit, no, really hurt after hearing so many people show distrust or hostility towards his act of kindness. As genuine as it gets.

So after further hesitation, he swallows his spit. "Yes."

Fearing the worst, he held his breath.

"Wow. I'm honestly shocked." She says, her eyes closed to take in his answer. "I'm glad you have the drive to change your ways."

"Wha- Bagh! *Cough!*" He was so shocked, the breath he held in was swallowed while he tried to speak, making him choke his words out. "T-T- *cough* Thank you." He coughed some more. "I-I really *cough* appreciate it."

"No problem young man, just - please don't steal any more panties again." She said, cringing quite a bit.

Kazuma felt the same as well. He bid farewell and went off.

"Man, is it sad that I was expecting her to bad mouth me?" With that earlier encounter, he grew more used to comments he would get here in Axel.

Truth be told, he was surprised to hear that someone actually appreciates his new move. To the point of nearly dying by choking on his own spit one might add.

He felt a bit more better after this encounter, which further gave him all the more reasons to help those children.

After a few minutes of walking, he eventually reached to where the nun had said earlier. Like she said, it was under the river banks, a small group of children were currently staying under it. Some were sleeping, while others were wide awake.

He approached them. His body shone bright under the sun. "Hello."

"...Hi..." She took a step forward, still under the shade of the bridge above.

As soon as she did, her stomach growled in hunger. It was loud enough for both of them to hear it. It just shows how poor and starved these children truly were.

"Hungry?" He asked the obvious. She nodded slightly, her face filled with caution.

He can't blame her, really. From what he heard, these children didn't have a good reputation, regarded as petty thieves who steal from other people. Of course, when someone comes in to help, they would be suspicious. Why are they helping? What are their intentions? These questions brewed in their heads as no one came to help them before.

But, he understood them. He reached into his bag and pulled out the sandwich he bought earlier and gave it to her. "Here. Take it."

She hesitated a bit, before her stomach growled again and immediately took it, stepping out from the darkness under the bridge. She munched it down fast, much quicker than Kazuma had anticipated. He smiled a a bit when the girl finished and said, "Thank you mister!" Her smile shinning as well.

"Wha? Where did she get food?"

"Did that mister give it to her?"

"I want some!"

Then, the children behind her started asking for Kazuma to give some food to them as well. The same girl started asking for more.

"Alright alright, calm down. I got plenty." He went into his bag and took out more food from it which he gave it to them. Most of it were sandwiches while others were fruit. Nonetheless, the children didn't complain and started mowing it down.

Once they were done, they all collectively agreed to hug the fuck out of him. Kazuma felt embarrassed and happy as the kids all went in to hug him. After a few seconds, they retreated from the hug, and smiled.

"Thank You Mister!!!" They all thanked him.

"Aww, that's sweet." Kazuma commented, smiling. Though, there was something odd about his smile. The corners of his mouth reached from ear to ear, his eyes closed. It just... didn't feel natural. Like he was forcing it for some reason. The children noticed it too.

"Now then," He spoke up. "Shouldn't you return something that doesn't belong too you."

The smile he wore was now gone, as his eyes glared down at the children. They all took a sharp gasp, before turning their head down in shame.

"We're sorry."

While the children may look innocent, he knew well how bad their reputation is. Notorious for stealing from people, and as a thief himself, he knew much better in the arts of thievery than some child who couldn't get into the roller coaster since their too short.

He easily figured out something was wrong after they let go of the hug as many various thing he held was now missing for some reason.

They gave him his stuff back one by one. By then, he figured out was stolen away from him. He got back his coin pouch, Chunchumaru, his belt, his underwear?! Man these kids were good.

But not good enough.

"Listen brats, I have no trouble in helping you out. But if you try stealing stuff again, I won't be out here giving out food anymore. Got it?"

They all nodded in unison.

"Good. Now then..." He clasps his hands together. "I have a proposal to you all."

"What is it mister?" One girl spoke up.

"You guys are all homeless right? Well, why don't I offer you a home to live in? Sounds good right?"

"..."

"... uh, right?"

"...EW! STRANGER DANGER!"

The children all ran wild. Clearly, the offer did not sound good in the slightest. Partly because he was a complete stranger which the children have never seen before. At least they know not to take any offers from a stranger?

Even though they took his sandwiches...

Anyways, Kazuma panicked as he heard the kids shouting about how a creep is about to take them all to his house. He still didn't wanted his reputation to be ruined damn it!

"Jesus Christ I'm not that bad y'know! You guys can have the whole mansion to yourself if you want to!"

The children all came to a halt. "Wait, did you say mansion?"

"Are you rich?"

"You also said we could have the whole thing right?"

"Woah woah woah wait, I didn't mean you could own the damn thing. I just meant that you could live in it while another person takes care of you all."

"Ooohhh."

"Why didn't you say that earlier?"

Kazuma slapped his forehead hard. "...I could if you didn't cut me off so soon."

Sighing heavily, he continues. "So yeah, that's my offer. I don't expect anything in return, I just want to give you all a home is all. If you ask why I'm doing this? Well, even I don't know..."

The kids all collectively thought as they brought a finger to their chin, humming very loudly. "Alright, we'll take your deal."

"Oh thank god."

Some time has passed, and now we see Kazuma starring at various children running around in his living room. He also sees in the corner some girls are playing with Chommuske. Or rather, torturing her as he sees the cat giving him a look of help and desperation.

"She'll be fine."

Anyways, his original plan had turned out successful. He has now turned his boring old mansion with one resident living in it to a full fledged orphanage. With no nuns that is.

Now while it is fantastic that he was able to do this accomplishment, he had another conundrum that arises. He didn't know how to raise children.

These kids didn't grow up with a family. They had no parents to teach them the right from wrong. No moral compass whatsoever. And he, was definitely not the candidate to be raising a child about morality. So now, he has to figure out who actually does.

And it seems he might know just who it is.

The bell a top a door rings delightfully as Kazuma walks in. The person in front of him smiles brightly as he nears the reception desk. "Hello there Wiz."

Yes, he is currently inside Wiz's magical shop. A place filled with wonders such as potions that will explode if you try and shake them. Swords that are mighty and powerful, yet will give you the worst diarrhea of your life. And finally, a portable porta potty that you can bring around and take a dump in, while monsters around you come and get you. Truly, a wonderful place to shop and buy at.

"What brings you here Kazuma-san?"

"Boy o' boy Wiz, do I have an offer for you."

He takes a deep breath, and fixes his non-existent tie that wraps around his neck.

"I, Kazuma Satou, am offering you, Wiz, the most beautiful, powweful, and most delightful magician in the demon king army and the world!... A chance to raise some orpahns. Sounds good right?"

"Nailed it!" He pumps his chest proudly.

Wiz stood there silently for a moment, before her cheeks turn bright red and a melting smile grew on her face. "YOU REALLY THINK THAT ABOUT ME KAZUMA-SAN?"

"Uuuhhh...yeah?"

"Thank you so much, Kazuma-san! That makes me really happy!" Kazuma noticed how happy she looked. Guess she wasn't complimented that much in her life. And somewhat in the afterlife as well.

"Um, yeah. About the offer." Trying not to derail from his original topic, he set it back on track.

"Oh right. What was the offer again?"

He then went on to explain the whole thing. How he has taken in a bunch of orphan children to his care and now he needs someone to take care of them.

"So yeah, the pay would be around... how about 200,000 eris a month? Does that sound good?"

"Kazuma-san, the offer is certainly tempting. Especially to someone like me but..."

"Oh great, what is it now?"

"That would mean I would have to sacrifice this shop. It was always my dream to open up my own magic shop. So if I take upon that offer, sure I would get to raise some beautiful children, but at the sacrifice of leaving my shop here."

She then went on to explain further that she may not have enough time in the day to keep it open. With the rising prices of rent and taxes acted upon towns in the kingdom, it was understandable that she would like to spend as much time in her shop as possible.

Kazuma was about to give up. He heard the tone in which Wiz spoke on and it sounded like she didn't want to budge, no matter how grandiose his offer can get. Just as he was about to say something, a very familiar and irritating voice came into the picture.

"My oh my! If it isn't the boy who got dumped by his own party members and is now seeking for some redemption to fill in his empty hole called his heart!"

"Oh for fucks sake! Not you again!"

The person that bursted out from the storage room was non other than Vanir himself, the duke of hell and past demon king general.

"Hmm, does the boy with a poor reputation for stealing women's undergarments need help from the useless shopkeeper?" The demon stroked his chin while flashing his iconic grin.

Kazuma grumbles. "Yeah, I do."

"Well isn't that so splendid! Moi can finally manage this place in peace without the burden of a lich whose only purpose is to draw in customers with her looks instead of her products! Absolutely delightful!"

"W-w-wait! Hold on Vanir! I still haven't agreed to Kazuma-san's offer yet!"

The duke turns his head to look at the shopkeeper. "Hmm, it seems that the useless shopkeeper is still clueless as ever." His head got closer to hers.

"U-um, what did you say..?" Kazuma slightly cringed as he heard how broken Wiz sounded.

"Oh don't be so concerned otherworldly boy. She's always been like that. She'll be back to her senses in a short notice. Anyways, useless shopkeeper, your shop won't go down in bankruptcy while your away, since moi shall be here to keep it in business! Such a splendid plan is it not?"

Joy spread throughout the words that Vanir spat out. What the duke of hell had said does ring out some truth, yet for the actual owner of the shop, she had second thoughts.

"Oh but Vanir, I am the owner of this shop, and I do still want to be here and run it, so..."

"So what? How about this..." Vanir stops talking for a moment, his head seemingly in thought. "Hmm, ah! Right. How about we switch places!"

"You can go attend the children at day, while moi shall go watch them at night! That way, you can watch over the shop while you also take care of the orphan children! How splendid does that sound?"

"Uh, I don't know about you, but isn't a duke of hell not fit to watch over kids?" Kazuma steps into their conversation after hearing Vanir's idea. Sure, it sounded plausible, but he just couldn't wrap his head around that a demon that feeds off of people's despair, is a suitable caretaker.

Though, that argument doesn't really hold up well since Wiz is also a lich. But at least she's a nice woman damn it!

"Ho ho ho! Fret not, dear boy. While moi despises children with every fiber of moi's being, moi still has the heart to take care of orphans at least." Vanir turns to look at him as he places his hand on his chest.

Kazuma slowly blinks at that. "Right."

"So what do you say useless shopkeeper? Shall you take the deal?" Vanir looks at her with a wide smile on his face. The usual innocence of which was nowhere to be located, instead, the grin was laced with mischief and danger as the corners reached from ear to ear.

"Um... I do still want to do business here."

"But... the idea of raising children has also been a long dream of mine." Vanir's grin got wider and wider, to the point where it looked unnatural and eerie.

"Um... F-fine! I'll do it!"

"Absolutely delightful! Muahahahaha!" Vanir let out a hearty laugh which turned maniacal. Kazuma could only look on in concern as he saw how 'euphorical' Vanir looked.

"Now then boy!" Kazuma jumped a bit as the duke quickly turn to look at him again. "Moi wants to have little talk with you. Think of it as a business talk."

"Uh... alright."

"Fufufu, delightful. Come, come." Leaving Wiz behind, Vanir took him to the corner of the shop, where no one could here them but him.

"What the hell do you want to talk about?" Kazuma ushered in a harsh tone.

"Be quiet boy, this is serious." The usual mischievous tone that he was famous for was now replaced in seriousness. Kazuma quickly forgot any funny remarks that he was about to say.

"Okay... What is it then."

"This concerns your future, boy."

"Um, why are you two huddling in the corner? Can I join in?" Out from the reception desk, called out the lovely Wiz.

"Be quiet useless shopkeeper! Moi is having an important business talk which concerns not to you!" Which was shot down fast.

"Though, moi wasn't lying about 'buisness'. Moi actually has a proposal to you as well."

"It concerns your future while also concerning moi and Wiz's business. Moi wants you to expand moi's product to the far reaches of the kingdom."

"Wait what? You want me to become a traveling advertisement or something?"

"Precisely." He simply smiled.

Just as he disregarded the idea of becoming one, he was about to become one. Great. Just great.

"Listen boy, moi knows you have dismissed the idea of it, but it is crucial for our business endeavors, and also your future in the world. You go and sell our products while we go and take care of the children. We of course want something in return as well."

Honestly, his reasoning wasn't at all that bad. He can understand where the guy's coming from. It made sense how they should get something in return while they do the work he wants them to do.

But there is something that is concerning him quite a bit. While Vanir has said that this is mostly a business endeavor, the duke also said something that ties into his fiture. Just what does he mean by that? Vanir has always been, to put it lightly, an asshole. But the demon does have foresight in his arsenal, so predictions are not to be messed with, especially with someone like him. Kazuma can only wonder what this foreseeable future is.

He shook the thoughts in his head. He'll ignore that for now.

He sighs. "Fine, I'll do it."

"Splendid!"

"But don't go trying to make the kids cry okay?"

"Does the boy who got laughed at by his own parents when he died truly think moi would do such a thing? Why yes. Yes of course."

"You bastard."

There was truly no winning towards this mad man. He shook his head from, and wanted to leave the establishment. He got what he wanted. A caretaker, and he got another, less good one as a bonus.

But now, he has to be a traveling merchant, which means leaving his mansion and Axel behind for a while. He didn't like the idea, but he has to keep his end of the deal.

Plus, he did grow kinda tired being at the same place for almost two years. This town was designed for beginners to stay at for only 6 months, but he ended up staying here as his new home.

Maybe with this new endeavor, he can spread his wings a bit and explore more of the kingdom. Experience new stuff like... There's probably nothing interesting out there. This place was in the medieval times after all. He'll probably just encounter more bandits and goblins who wants to gobble up some nuts.

The bell above the door chimes as Kazuma was about to leave. But before could do that, Wiz had to stop him for just a moment.

"Wait Kazuma-san!"

"Hmm? What is it Wiz?"

"When will we actually start?"

"Oh yeah." Right, he almost forgot about that. "Preferably, now."

"Now?!"

And so, that's how Kazuma got two caretakers at once. Currently, Wiz was at his mansion, getting chased after by some kids. He would think that she would be the one chasing, but he guessed that this world had more surprises than he expected.

Dawn.

That was the time that the soldiers would usually wake up at. Military sargents would wake up much earlier than them, and would shout at their highest volume to wake up the soldiers in slumber.

They all scramble as they hastily fold their blankets and made their bed which was all on the floor. No budget to place them on proper frames, since it all goes down to food and weapons.

"Quickly now! We don't want the demons to be catching on our arses now!"

The soldiers all rush outside the doors. On the outskirts, they also saw the same as them leaving the buildings across and beside them as well. It was all mix, there was no division between men and women.

They rush towards the nearest bath houses where they would shower and clean themselves. Now in this one, there was division. They scrub themselves, groom to their best of abilities, and dawned the uniform of white and blue. The signiture military colors of the kingdom.

"I'll give you thirty seconds to line up! Make sure your lines are even!"

Shortly after the soldiers finish buttoning up their uniform however, they didn't have any time to breath as the drill sargent spat out his command. Like before, they all rush out of the building and form a square.

Many struggle as they tried to make it even just like the sargent had ordered. Fortunately though, they did do it, but with the sacrifice of taking up too much time.

"45 seconds. Shameful."

"Everyone, 100 pushups. On my count. No stopping. In position! Now!"

"Sir yes sir!"

The soldiers in line that formed late all got to the ground and placed their palms on the rough dirt, their legs extended fully and straight.

"1! 2! 3! 4! 5!-"

They all struggled as the weight of the uniform was holding them all down. These soldiers were all very fit, and could easily do the 100. Yet this uniform, it's just too heavy.

"..."

Out from a window, Megumin sees the entire thing unfold. From the blow of the trumpet, to the struggle of doing the push ups. She also sees that the other troops that did form their squadron in time were all marching towards what was presumably the food court where they would eat breakfast. But these unlucky few, some fell to the ground in the wet mud. Their arms could no longer support their own weight.

"Megumin?"

The mage looks away from the window after she heard someone call her name. It was Darkness, and it seemed that she just woke up from her sleep. "Your up early."

"Well, you'll have to wake up after hearing trumpets being blown everywhere."

"Right, I forgot this was a military base." She rubbed her head, her eyes slowly closed as she eased into the head scratch.

"Has it always been like this?" Megumin asked out of curiousness.

"Hmm? Why yes. It's always been like this. I've never been to a battle field before, but my uncle is a general who once commanded an army against the past demon king. He said that every day, soldiers would get heavily punished if they don't follow orders correctly or just mess up."

"It's tough, but that's just how the military works." Darkness ended the monologue with a solemn look out the window. The battered soldiers lay on the muddy ground, restless from the previous punishment.

"And yet, here we are. We aren't soldiers, but we're still up here." Megumin pointed out the clear discrepancy.

Darkness only let out a hunming sound. She knew how unbalanced and unfair it is, but she didn't know what to say against it. Truly, it didn't make a lick of sense at all, but that's just how it is. No matter how unfair it gets.

"We should get ready now. His royal highness is probably waiting for us."

"Your right, Darkness. I'll wake up Aqua."

"Heh, good luck with that." Darkness teased as they both look at the knocked out goddess. Drool slid down her open mouth as her hand was placed on her open stomach, clear to the mind that she scratched it while in slumber.

Megumin just sighed. Then she got up and awoke the sleeping beauty that is Aqua.

But before she could do that,

"Hey Darkness, I think I've got an idea on how to wake her up."

"What is it Megumin?" When Darkness went to ask her about it however, what she saw on the crimson mage was pure malice and demonic. A pure, large, evil grin spread across her face.

A shiver went down her spine.

*Pwiiiiiiiiiiiiimph*

"AAAAAHHHHH!!!"

"Rise and shine Aqua!"

The goddess of water jumped out of her bed and straight on to her feet. Her usually groomed blue hair now looked like a jumbled mess. Her eyes looked red from all the sleep, and her face looked from left to right in shock and surprise.

"Why did you do that Megumin?!"

Aqua screamed in anger as she saw on the mage's hand the instrument known as the trumpet. Clear to the eye who blew it and awoke her.

"Come on Aqua, It was funny!" Megumin laughed as she saw how jumpy Aqua was and how mad she is now.

"It is NOT funny!" Aqua looked to her right to see Darkness sitting in the corner, still wearing her pajamas. "AND YOU! Were you in this as well?"

"Ah haha, I may or may not have asked the drill sargent to lend me his trumpet..."

"You! YOU! YOU WILL ALL PAY!"

"Darkness! Let's run!" And so, both Megumin and the crusader ran out the door and went straight to the bathroom.

A little while later, things of course calmed down. Though it was clear that Aqua still hadn't forgiven them for what they did earlier. Currently, the trio were all wearing their usual get up, and were now waiting for the commander that is Prince Jatice.

They were sitting in the room they were in yesterday when they met the Prince. Many of the officers and generals were gathered here as well to discuss the plan it seems. It was clear that this room was the genral place to discuss battle plans and headquarters for all matters. Like the trio, they too were waiting for a certain someone to come in as well.

"For a commander, he sure is taking his sweet time." The goddess complained.

"Oh forgive him Aqua, I'm sure the badges on his chest take meticulous time to wear one by one." Megumin snickered.

"P-please don't say such things. He is the heir to the throne after all. I'm sure he has his reasons for being late." While Darkness on the other hand, was shying away from all the teasing. She is a royal after all, and she knew just how high up the ranks the prince really is. For goodness sake, his name is literally 'Belzerg Devine Shield Jatice'. With a name like that, it screams importance and demamds respect.

Speak of the devil, the door opened and came marching out the crowned prince himself. His clothes are as lavish as ever, and his hair slicked back to keep it nice and well groomed. On his hand, was a large roll of paper. Behind him, were two guards who looked high ranking.

"Morning you three, sorry to keep you all waiting." He sheepishly smiled as he walks towards them.

"No worries, Prince Jatice. I'm sure you have good reasons." Darkness stood up out of respect, while Megumin and Aqua stayed put.

"Haha, it's just that, putting on these badges takes a lot of time, you know?"

"Pfft!" Out from the corner, the mage and goddess held in their laugh as Darkness suddenly stood still. The color in her all dripped down to the ground.

"A-... Ah, I s-see then." They could already imagine the look on her face.

"Well, it looks like you're all here. Why don't we discuss about the plan shall we?"

Moments later, the trio, generals and officers were all gathering around the roundtable where the Prince is at the center of it all.

He rolled out the paper he was holding before and what came looked like a map of sorts. He then started explaining the gist of it all.

"Alright, what we have here is the map of the front lines."

"Here is Obsidio," He says as he pointed at a a layout of the town their in on one side. "And over there," He then point at a large border that takes up a large chunk of the map. "Is Demon King territory."

The map showed how jumbled of a mess the borders are now. How close the battle line has got to the kingdom, and how large the empire has truly gotten.

"As you can see, the front lines had expanded drastically ever since the new demon king emerged. His territory has doubled and everyday, we are a losing many soldiers just to keep it even."

"But now, I believe we have a chance in winning this endless battle." The generals and officers all murmured after hearing what he has to say about the matter.

"With them." He then pointed towards the sore thumbs that stick out too much. A crusader in white and yellow armor, a crimson demon mage whose hat is way too oversized and looks a little too young to be here, and a aquatic hair lunatic axis cult priestess who looks like she is about to spread the good word of a certain narcissistic goddess.

"I believe with these three, we can finally push back the demon king forces and do what the previous hero did before; kill the demon king."

"... WHAT?!"

"Huh?"

"Are you seriously thinking that an axis cultist is about to save our butts?!" A random general screamed towards the crowned prince.

"Uh... yes?"

"Oh my Eris. We're doomed. We truly are doomed!" Suddenly, the whole room that once had a look of anticipation and hope, were all replaced with dread and fear.

"WHAT?! DO YOU ALL SERIOUSLY BELIEVE THAT I, THE GREAT GODDESS AQUA, WOULD BE A FOIL TO YOUR PLAN?"

"YES!" They all collectively agreed.

"HUUUHHH?! YOU-! YOU!- WHAAAAA!!! WHY DOESN'T EVERYONE BELIEVE IN ME!?!?!?"

The goddess of water did her job well and fountains started flooding out from her eyes. Her body dropped down on the floor, and her head looked up with mouth agape to spread out her loud whines. "WHY?! WHY ARE YOU ALL SO MEAN?!"

"Now now, let's calm down everyone. What you all said to Aqua isn't right, so I believe we should all tone down and apologize, right?" Darkness stepped up to be the mother for them, while Megumin slid away silently to not be in this sort of mess.

"Lalatina is right. You all shouldn't assume that she will trouble my plans for the battle." The prince stepped up as well.

"Y-Yeah! That's right! You mortal scums should apologize to me! NOW!"

"Eh Aqua? I don't think you should be saying that."

"What do you mean Darkness? These absolute mortals think they can just insult me?! The goddess of water Aqua? Absolutely not! I demand respect! I deserve respect! And if these hooligans don't bow down against me for what they did, they will meet the wrath that is- AH! THAT HURTS!"

With the complete switch up of emotions Aqua was going through, someone had to stop it eventually. Luckily, Darknes was there to save the day by repeatedly hitting her on the head. The general and officer all sighed in relief, same goes for the crowned prince.

"Thank you, Lalatina. Anyways, let's get back up a bit and let me explain."

The crowd gathered around the table like before. Only this time, Aqua was silently crying tears as she rubbed her head to try and ease the pain. (Even though she could literally heal it in an instant.)

"Now then, where were we? Right, about these three"

"You see, they may seem like a random bunch, but from what I've heard, these three are exceptional."

The prince then began explaining. "They have defeated Beldia, the dullahan." The crowd then began to murmur again. "They then defeated the duke of hell, Vanir. After that, they saved Alcenrentia by slaying Hans the slime."

"They also saved the crimson demon village by killing Sylvia the chimera. Truly, these people are not someone to look down upon as they have defeated four of the eight known generals that serve under the demon king."

The crowd than gave approving glances towards the trio of misfits. But some still questioned how an axis cultist, a crimson demon mage, and a noble crusader were able to team up and kill the enemies of the kingdom.

"With such a resume behind their back, it really is a miracle that we have such prowess and brave people on our side." He complimented, something they greatly appreciated. Especially with a certain goddess who really appreciated it as she pumped her chest out with confidence.

"Now then, with them on our side, let's discuss my next operation. Genral Lucas, asses the current situation."

"Your highness, the front lines have been on a stalemate for roughly two months now. The demons are coming in at an alarming rate and soldiers can't keep up."

"How many soldiers have fallen?"

"Many are injured, but sadly, over 500 have died." The prince and many others closed their eyes in solemn and out of respect.

"Right, but I believe with this new plan, we won't have to waste anymore soldiers than 100." The high ranking officers all looked towards him in anticipation and hope.

"Especially with this new operation."

"I call it, Operation Thrice."

To be continued...

Side Story: Claire Shenanigans

A line of carriges were all driving on a dirt path. The path was surrounded by large trees and shrubbery, it seemed that they were all driving through a forest. The carriages itself looked grand and expensive, clear to the eye that the people in it are of importance and possibly inherit nobility. Inside a carriage in the middle of the pact, sits a very bruised up looking girl who looks like she is about to explode.

"That damn girl...!" Claire gripped her hand hard, balling it into a fist. "I swear, if I meet her again, I'm gonna-"

*Thud*

"Woah! Ow!" Suddenly, the carriage she was in had suddenly hit a rock of some sorts and jumped upwards, causing the royal knight to fall out of her seat and impact the ground.

"Ugh... what's going on out there?"

"I already got hit twice in the face, and now my body hurts from falling."

"Sorry about that ma'am. I didn't see that there was a rock in the way." The driver of the carriage spoke aloud from the driver seat.

"Agh don't worry. Just, be careful next time." Shaking her head, she got up steadily and went back to sit on her seat.

"Hmm, what's her deal anyways? I was just stating the truth that's all. Do they really think that nasty man is actually good somehow? Hah, I don't see it. How could a commoner be able to defeat four demon king generals? Heck, how was he able to meet the princess anyways? I'm still mad about that."

Claire thought long and hard about the earlier encounter. She just, couldn't grasp at Darkness's point of view. For her, a lot of it really doesn't make a lick of sense.

As she was thinking however, the carriage suddenly came to a stop. Making Claire fall again, face flat this time around.

"Ah! Grr, what is going on now?" Claire stood straight up and dusted herself off. She marched towards the door and opened it, demanding to know what the commotion is all about.

"Ah, sorry again ma'am. It seems there's a road block up ahead." Both the driver and passenger got off the carriage to look.

A few people came walking towards them. It was the driver of the carriage at the very front. It seemed that he was walking towards them to let them know on what happened.

"Good noon, ma'am." He bowed slightly. Claire is a royal knight, but she also held some nobility and power inside the palace. "I'm sorry to inform you but it seems that some trees had fallen over the path and is now blocking our way."

"Huh? How did the trees fall over? Who cut them?"

"We don't know. The trees themselves seemed to have been cutten off, so the wind didn't blow it."

"Of course the wind didn't knock it over. You really think that a huge gust of wind would knock over a few trees in the middle of the forest?"

"Oh. Uh... right."

She sighed. "No matter. Is there anyway we can remove it? Wait, before that, how many trees are actually blocking the path?"

The knight got her answer as they are now looking at the roadblock itself, and it had-

"THAT MANY TREES?!"

The path itself was completely blocked with trees that were cut down. It seemed to stretch so far, they couldn't even see the end of it.

"How?! Why?! Who did this!"

"We... don't know."

Claire rubbed her temples to try and process the situation. She was already having a bad day with Darkness, and now she's gonna be late to attend the princess since someone decided to chop down a few trees and just, leave it there!?

"Well, what are we going to do now? I'm supposed to meet the princess this afternoon, but it looks like that has to wait."

"We have spell casters here. We can ask them to clear it by launching controlled fire spells and burn the wood. We also have the knights. We can ask them to move it as well." The driver suggested.

"Let's go with the knights. I don't want to have complaints coming from nearby towns that the royal military are burning up forests instead of killing the demon king."

"Right. I'll go tell them right away." The driver then went on to the back carriages where the other knight are sitting at.

Claire sighed and turned to look at the blockage. She shook her head in confusion. Just who did this? What gain would they get by doing this? She didn't know, and she didn't want to dwell on it any longer.

She then moved on by walking towards the back carriages like the driver did, the question still on the back of her mind.

As she was walking however, her leg had struck a large rock that she didn't see and fell on the ground. The nasty hit was seen by all passengers that were now out of their carriages. They all cringed in pain.

"Grr! JUST WHAT IS GOING ON TODAY?!"

Up above the clouds of earth, higher than the stars of the universe, a being of omnipotence looked down upon the world. She sat alone in a room of checkered floors. Her silver hair is silky and flowed like river. Her attire is well kept and clean. This being of high power was non other than Eris, the goddess of luck. She was currently observing the world, her demeanor looked calm, but a wicked smile went across her face. Something very, very foreign of her.

"Hmm, how unlucky." She giggled. "Let's see how you handle such luck,"

"Claire."

Author's note:

Welp, that took a while didn't it?

Sorry, but a lot of stuff has happened in the past months. Mixed in with my general laziness, and what you get is a late chapter.

I don't really have much to say other than I hope you enjoy the chapter. I'll see you in the next one.