The goth loli who declared her name as Komekko sat herself up cross-legged like a boy. "So are you guys finished with that toad meat, or not?"

She wiped her chin with her sleeve, never taking her eyes off the monster carcasses behind the goddess and myself.

As a properly functional Japanese person, I like to think I can read the room. And right now, this girl's eyes (are they glowing?) are telling me she wants to eat the toads we just killed.

I'm worried she might have a screw loose.

"Um…"

I couldn't find a way to respond. She seemed to take my 'um' as an affirmative, though, and jumped out at one of the suspended toad legs like a dog catching a frisbee. Biting down on it and hanging there suspended by her jaws, and everything!

"Hey, wait! What are you doing?"

My shout reached her too late. "Hey, get back here, little girl! Let go of that toad! At least skin it and cook it first! What if it's poisonous?"

I yanked her by the waist to pull her off, tugging and pulling with all my might, but she wouldn't let go. Ultimately a chunk of toad flesh ripped off and came with her as we toppled backward. Her petite frame was so light, her landing on top of me didn't even hurt. The chunk of raw meat that was sticking out of her mouth, however―

"Spit it out, little girl!"

―She swallowed it whole when I reached down to grab it.

"So are you lost or something, little girl?"

After a little exertion, I got this strange young girl to stop trying to eat the dead toad. She put up quite a fight though, demonstrating a physical strength that belied her size.

"My name is Komekko. Not 'little girl.' Please use my name properly or I will bite your leg next."

The way she said it so casually made me almost believe she would. Maybe I better use her weird name from now on like she asked.

"I understand, Komekko."

"Good. Big sis always taught me that I should start a fight with anyone who treats my Crimson Demon name lightly."

Although I have no idea what this 'Crimson Demon' nonsense is, it sounds like this girl has a troublesome older sister.

"Anyways, like I was saying, where are your parents? Did you wander off on your own or something?"

"Eh? I'm not some lost child! I'm old enough to be married, in fact, so don't treat me like a kid!"

"Huh?"

She said that, but, judging from her size…

"How old are you, then?"

"It's rude to ask a lady her age, you know!" Her cheeks puffed out. Then her demeanor suddenly changed. "Although, if you are this worried that I'm a starving, helpless, starving little girl, the proper thing to do would be to give me something to eat. Preferably some meat."

"You used 'starving' twice."

She clasped her hands meekly in front of her and put on a suffering look, her eyes shimmering up at me. The way she could switch personalities so quickly and seamlessly was a bit terrifying.

Her pleading eyes grew bigger. "B-big brother?"

If you ignored the fact she had just tried to eat raw toad leg, she was actually really cute.

"E-even if you say that, I don't have any food on me!"

I pushed back against her shoulders and averted my eyes. Luckily I had gained a certain level of resistance to the demands of cute little sister-types back home.

"Tch." She clicked her tongue and turned away.

"Why don't we head back to the guild and have them cook up all this toad meat for us?"

The goddess, who had finally regained composure of herself, suggested this.

"Big sis Aqua!"

The little girl―I mean Komekko, cheered and wrapped her arms around the goddess. "Can you show me your famous Mobile Fortress Destroyer too while we're eating?"

"Sure, sure! Hey, wait, you actually do remember me, don't you?"

"Um, Big sis Aqua, you're covered in gooey toad slime. Hmm―yucky!"

"Don't lick it!"

"Komekko, don't dodge the question! Say you remember your big sis, Aqua!"

"Let's go get some food, big sis Aqua! I don't have any money though, but that's okay with you, right?"

"Sure, sure! I'll even show you my famous Mad Bomber Moguninnin!"

"Yay!"

This girl! She just wormed her way into a free meal! (And what on earth is a something Fortress whatever or a Mad Bomber whatchamacallit?) Well, I guess it's fine, since she did save our lives and all… I think?

I had almost forgotten she had been the one who casted that crazy powerful magic light earlier. That much magical power didn't seem to belong in a body so tiny.

"Say, that really was you who killed those toads, right?"

I had to confirm my eyes weren't deceiving me.

Komekko had already started steering the goddess back in the direction of the front gate, so I picked up my sword and hurried to catch up with them.

"Hey, who is this guy, anyways? Is he your boyfriend, big sis Aqua? He looks like small fry."

Komekko cupped her hand toward the goddess like it was supposed to be a secret, and then said that loudly enough that I had no problem hearing it anyways.

"He is a little on the small fry side, Komekko, but he's just one of my followers. Not my boyfriend."

Answered the goddess, who also said loudly behind her palm something she should have whispered.

"Oh! He's like a secret admirer! Or a stalker?"

"Ah! I'm not a stalker and I'm not your follower, either!" I nearly shouted, but I took a deep breath. "I guess I didn't actually introduce myself. My name is Kazuma Satou. I just arrived here today and have begun working as an adventurer."

"The Demon King!"

"Gah!"

Komekko tackled me to the ground and pulled my hands behind my back. "Got him!" She wiped her brow and grinned at the goddess proudly from where she sat atop me.

Seriously, there's no way she is this strong, she's just a little girl! I can hardly move! Did she land on this planet in a Saiyan capsule as a baby or something?

"I am Komekko! Axel's strongest mage and she who just defeated the Demon King! Now I guess that makes me the Demon King!"

"I'm not the Demon King, moron! Is this going to happen every time I tell someone my name around here?"

"Ah, that is true. You don't look much like big sis' man at all. Well, you do have the same dark eyes and dark hair as he did, come to think of it."

After saying some things that genuinely troubled me, Komekko got off my back and let me stand.

"Satou is here to help me defeat the Demon King," the goddess said while I rolled out my shoulders.

"Oo!" Komekko looked me up and down in a fresh light. "So are you looking for party members?"

"You could say something like that," I winced, then saw a mischievous grin cross Komekko's face.

"Fufufu!" She made a 'V' sign with her fingers and held it over her eye. "Well, it just so happens that I am also looking for a party. This must be fate."

"I think what you should be looking for right now is your parents. OUCH!"

She bit me. On the arm.

NOT cool.

"I am a proper adventurer too, you know! Wielder of the advanced class, archwizard! And I can use advanced magic! So for the last time, I am not a lost little girl!"

"As expected of a Crimson Demon! Komekko, you really have grown up a lot since the last time I saw you!"

The goddess gave Komekko a thumbs up, who puffed her chest out in return.

I wanted to say something back, but my arm was still smarting too badly to think of anything snarky.

"Let's go on a quest and I'll prove to you how lucky you would be to have an archwizard like me on your side!" Komekko declared, pointing at me.

I turned to the goddess. "Do you think she's really that strong?"

The goddess smiled and nodded. "She's definitely that girl's little sister. And a Crimson Demon. It's safe to assume she's a fine arch mage, no question."

I thought to myself for a second upon hearing that.

"You guys have said this phrase a couple times, but what exactly is a 'Crimson Demon?'"

The goddess quickly answered. "The Crimson Demons are a whole village of specialized magic users known the world over for their high MP and unusual―er, flashiness."

Komekko huffed in clear agreement with the goddess.

I sighed. "Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try one quest to see what she's made of."

This Komekko girl had already proven she was quite adept at causing trouble. She would have to be very, very strong to balance out the scales.

"Then leave it to me!"

The goddess snapped a finger as if she had some kind of idea. Then, she raised a palm to the sky.

"Force Fire!"

A bright, flare-like light shot up out of her hand into the sky and burst louder than a firecracker. I was about to ask what kind of magic that was when I felt the ground rumble once again.

Looking toward the disturbance, I watched two more giant toads poke their heads out of the ground and pick us out in the distance. Then they began hopping our way!

"Two more of these guys?! Crap! Was that some sort of monster attracting magical flare signal?"

"Now we can test out our compatibility with our new party member, just like you said!"

The goddess flashed a smile.

"I meant tomorrow! After we got some rest and came up with a plan!"

"Well it isn't my fault you didn't tell me!"

"Are you stupid? We could barely handle one of those things, let alone two! I'm exhausted!"

"Fear not, my moment is here!"

Interrupting our sudden squabble, Komekko flapped her cape and stepped forward, facing the oncoming toads.

"Komekko!"

The goddess looked impressed. I had to admit, when I saw the fearlessness in Komekko's eyes, I started to think she might be the hot stuff she claimed to be after all. If I can get a good look at her killing both of these toads in a flash this time, and see firsthand how she did it earlier, well. I will at least accept her as an adventurer like she claims. I might even be willing to let her join my party.

Yeah, the way she's walking so calmly towards the approaching monsters, I get the feeling she has done this a lot.

"My name is Komekko! Archwizard, and wielder of advanced magic! Let the fires dance, and the beacons of hell herald my foretold arrival!"

A girl from a village of super strong mages, huh? Looking at her now, I can admit, she definitely acts the part, her small stature aside. In a few more years, I could see her looking like a really powerful spellcaster.

"Ashes, I command thee to come forth and claim my enemies as thy victims! Lightning, I summon thee to heed my beck and call!"

Is this a chant she needs to cast her next spell? Ooh, I'm actually getting kind of excited!

Meanwhile, the toads were getting dangerously nearer. They were already close enough to hit with a rock. But Komekko hasn't even flinched! Her spell must be almost ready!

"Now then, great toads, I will teach you fear! Perish! Cursed―light―ning…"

Komekko faceplanted just as one of the toads landed in front of her. A gurgling noise emitted from the pit of her stomach.

"So… hungry… My mana… is drained…"

And the toad proceeded to swallow her without resistance.

"Satou! Satou, you'll sacrifice yourself so that a beautiful goddess like myself can escape, right?"

"Stop following me! If we split up, then one of us can flank it while it chases the other!"

"No! I'm not splitting up! It'll come after me and let you go, I know it!"

The goddess and I were running for our lives while the other toad hopped and hopped behind us.

"They seem to let their guard down once they catch their prey! I am the one with the sword, so that means you have to be the bait!" I said.

"NO! I don't wanna! Don't wanna don't wanna!"

"Fine! Then you take the sword and I'll be the bait, just be sure you kill it fast!"

"I can't equip a sword, I'm an archpriest!"

"You don't have to equip it, just stab the toad with it!"

"You idiot! Archpriests can't use swords! It'll be so blunt in my hands, it won't damage the toad at all!"

"Are you serious?"

Apparently this world picks the stupidest times to use illogical game mechanics that fly in the face of realism.

I checked over my shoulder to see how Komekko was hanging in there. "Komekko! I'll be there in just a minute, so hold tight!"

"It's okay!" Even from here, I saw her thrust a thumbs up into the air as her garbled voice reached me. "The inside of toad cheeks are kind of chewy, but they don't taste too bad!"

"What the hell am I supposed to do with that useless information?!"

Who was eating whom over there?

Just then, from the other useless companion at my side―

"Blessing! And, Haste!"

The goddess' body glowed for a second, and then her speed suddenly shot way up, quickly leaving me in her wake.

I gaped. "What kind of magic was that? Some sort of support magic that boosts speed? Hey, goddess! Give me a shot of that, too!"

"Your name will be revered by all my devout followers in the Axis sect for your sacrifice, Satou!" she shouted back at me.

"Are you implying that the people who worship you as a goddess will just accept praying for someone who shares the same name as the Demon King? What kind of pitiful creatures do you have as worshippers?"

Crap, I'm getting pretty tired. Well, since it's come to this now, I veered off to the side, splitting us up the way I had originally envisioned.

And as soon as I got out of its way, the toad hopped right past me, seemingly more interested in the goddess than me as prey. Maybe it's being drawn to her because she sent up the flare in the first place?

Oh well, it works out for me at least.

"Whew! Okay, Komekko, I'm coming!"

"Wah! Satou, Satou! No fair! Don't leave me! Bwaaaahhh!"

Eventually I somehow managed to kill both of the toads. Currently, the goddess was walking beside me, crying at having almost been eaten by giant toads three times in one day. Then there was me, carrying piggyback this useless loli who had boasted so much about her magical prowess earlier but now claimed to be too hungry to move.

Now, the front gates to the city were in sight. We had come this whole way in silence.

Finally, as I shrugged a little to get a better grip, I bluntly said, "You're off the team."

Komekko flinched.

"T-today was an off day for me. I'm actually really strong when I want to be, you know? I just require sustenance! Then I would show you offensive magic like you wouldn't believe!"

"Uh-huh."

"Really! Give me another chance! I know, let's go hunt some more toads tomorrow! I'll show you then what a first-rate Crimson Demon I am!"

"No more toads!" The goddess shivered at the thought. "Never again, for the rest of eternity! I don't want to see another toad ever!"

"Don't cast me aside just yet! If you keep me in your party, I'll―I'll carry all the party's luggage! And you won't have to pay me, either! Just provide for my room and board, and you can keep the rest of the rewards from each adventure for yourself! Not a bad deal, right? For just the low, low price of my inn and meals, you could have a powerful archwizard at your disposal!"

"Why do you want to be in my party so badly, anyways? If you're so great, it shouldn't be hard to go find another party who will take you!"

"Well, that's..." She went really quiet all of a sudden.

If nothing else, I am a functional Japanese person. I like to think I can read the room.

"Let's suppose your magic is the real deal. You did kill two of the toads when the goddess and I were about to be swallowed, so I'm willing to believe that much. So I'm guessing none of the other parties will let you join them because you're too much of a hassle!"

I felt her grip on my shoulders tighten. Looks like I hit the nail on the head.

"Hey, Mr. Satou, well, I've been thinking lately, that you're actually pretty handsome..."

"Hell no! You're ten years too early if you think you can seduce me that easily! There's someone I already like!"

"Please don't abandon me! I always get so hungry whenever I quest alone, things would be so much easier if I had a party!"

"Too bad! If it's that big of an issue, learn to plan better! And let go, your grip is starting to hurt!"

I guess we were raising our voices more than we thought, and at this point, we were passing through the city gates. There was starting to be a large number of people around, and some of them were beginning to stare and comment.

"What's going on?"

"Did that girl say that boy is trying to abandon her?"

"What's that goopy stuff they're all covered in?"

From the corner of my eye, I caught Komekko's gaze.

She looked about to do something terribly mischeivous. The hair on my neck pricked up.

"OKAY! I'll do whatever you say! I'll even play your kinky games where you cover me in sticky wet stuff! Just please don't―"

"Stop! You can be in my party! Just stop already, I beg of you!"

I had to put my hand over her mouth before she went too far, but I could already see several ladies in the crowd nearby giving me nasty looks.

I turned to the goddess, who had finally stopped crying.

"You're being awfully quiet, goddess."

"Actually..." She looked like she was deep in thought. "I'm getting a weird sense of deja vu."