The Chimera's Interest
The chaos in the Crimson Demon Village grew louder by the second. Crimson Demons ran through the streets casting dramatic spells while shouting their names like actors on a stage. Fireballs exploded in colorful flashes. Ice spears shattered against invisible barriers. Lightning cracked across rooftops. And in the center of it all… Sylvia stood completely unharmed.
She brushed imaginary dust off her sleeve and sighed with exaggerated disappointment. "My, my… such enthusiasm," she said lazily. "But none of you are even close." A massive fire spell slammed into her barrier and burst like fireworks. She didn't even blink. Kazuma stared with his mouth slightly open. "…Yeah, we're dead," he muttered. Ruko crossed his arms, watching silently. He wasn't nervous. He was analyzing. "Sylvia wasn't attacking seriously yet. She was observing the village… measuring something. Or someone."
Her gaze drifted again through the crowd. By that she use her tentacles, then suddenly— Kazuma vanished. "Eh?" Ruko turned. Sylvia now held Kazuma firmly between her arms, his face pressed directly into her chest. The entire battlefield froze. She turn him around to face the group. Kazuma did not struggle. In fact… his arms were awkwardly raised outward. A perfect T-pose. "Ah…" Kazuma sighed in absolute comfort. "This isn't so bad actually." Ruko stared at him. "…Bro it'snot fair... how could you." Sylvia giggled softly, tightening her grip slightly. "Oh my. What a cute reaction," she teased. "You're not even resisting." Kazuma gave a thumbs-up. "I'm considering defecting." Megumin screamed from the side of the street. "KAZUMA WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Darkness looked oddly conflicted. Aqua just looked confused. And Yunyun look surprised. Since they call his name. Sylvia hummed thoughtfully and adjusted Kazuma like he was a plush toy, then he lift his arms upward to started groping them with satisfaction. Ruko went down to the floor and feeling dreaded. "NO... it's unfair... it should've been me, not him."
"Such a cooperative little human," she said. "Maybe I'll keep you." Kazuma blinked. "Keep?" Her smile widened mischievously. Before he could respond—THWIP. Something wet and strong around his waist. Kazuma's face went blank. Sylvia giggled again. "As a chimera," she explained casually, "I have many ways to express affection." The more tentacle tightened. Kazuma slowly turned his head toward Ruko. "…Help." Ruko didn't move. Instead, he sighed dramatically. He placed a hand over his heart and looked toward the sky with the exact defeated expression of Lloyd Frontera. "Life is unfair." Megumin and the girls nearly tripped in disbelief. "KAZUMA IS BEING CAPTURED AND YOU'RE JEALOUS?!" Ruko shrugged. "Yes. I respect commitment to this outcome." Kazuma lifted one finger. "Actually… hold on… something feels weird." Sylvia tilted her head. "Oh?" Kazuma froze. His eyes widened. "…Wait." "…WAIT."
He slowly looked up at Sylvia. "…You're… not entirely…" Sylvia's smile turned devilish. "Hmphmhmhm, that's Correct. What you feel is I'm part man." Kazuma's soul left his body for a moment. Ruko get up immediately turned away and saluted. "Goodbye, soldier. I wish well for your virginity to be unfold." Kazuma screamed. "WAIT NO I DON'T WANT THIS KIND OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!" Sylvia laughed loudly. "Oh, you're fun and it make me want to keep you even more." Then her eyes slowly shifted. She landed a tentacles on Ruko. This time… they lingered and drag him to her upside down. Her smile sharpened. "Oh." She leaned slightly forward, studying him. "You." Ruko raised an eyebrow. "What about me?" Sylvia hummed thoughtfully. "You smell interesting." Kazuma immediately pointed at him. "TAKE HIM INSTEAD." Ruko kicked him in the shin.
Sylvia chuckled. "I know who you are," she said calmly. The village grew quieter. Her gaze sharpened with curiosity. "The one who defeated Beldia." "And Hans." Several Crimson Demons gasped dramatically. Sylvia smiled slowly. "You've been very troublesome for the Devil King's army." Ruko cracked his neck slightly and flip a middle finger. "Not my fault they fucking keep showing up." She licked her lips playfully. "Oh I don't mind troublesome men." Suddenly—WHIP. Another tentacle shot forward. It wrapped around Ruko's arm. The street froze again. Ruko stared down at it. Then back at her. "…Really?" Sylvia winked.
"You're coming with me." Megumin raised her staff. "EXPLO—" The tentacle tightened around Kazuma's waist instantly. Sylvia smiled sweetly at the girls. "Try anything…" Her voice dropped dangerously. "And I'll do something very naughty to both of them."
The girls froze. Kazuma paled. Ruko made the ugliest, most horrified face imaginable. "…I truly regret existing." Sylvia laughed loudly. "Perfect reaction!" Before anyone could move—WHOOSH. Both Kazuma and Ruko were lifted into the air. Tentacles pulled them toward Sylvia like captured fish. Megumin stepped forward desperately.
"LET THEM GO!" Sylvia only smiled wider. "Oh relax." Her body shifted slightly… revealing a long, serpentine lower half hidden beneath her cloak. "I just need their help with something. And there's nothing you could do about it." She turned toward the far end of the village. Toward a large stone building built into the hillside. The underground warehouse. Or more accurately— The vault. Kazuma swallowed. "…Bro."
Ruko sighed. "Yes." Kazuma whispered in panic. "I think we're getting kidnapped." Ruko look at Kazuma with a expression of how of a stupidly he is? "OF COURSE WERE KIDNAP YOU IDOITT." Kazuma trembled.
"… You don't have to shout. Do you have a plan?" Ruko thought for a moment. "…No." Kazuma screamed as Sylvia carried them both toward the underground storehouse. Behind them, the Crimson Demons prepared to give chase. And deep below the village… Something ancient waited behind a locked vault door.