The news of their recent exploits had spread through the districts of the city with the speed of a powder trail. After the incident that occurred in the guild, it was quite normal that it would spread, after all there were several witnesses as well as tangible evidence.

Early in the morning, while the first lights of dawn barely pierced the veil of morning mist, an insistent hammering on the door of their room.

"Nyo-hoo... It looks like glory does not wait for the coffee to be served, baby boy..." he murmured while adjusting his cowboy hat.

Kaiser stood up without a word, running a hand through his silver hair to smooth it back. His expression remained that usual mask of impassivity, although his eyes showed a certain irritation at this interruption.

They descended the creaking staircase of the inn to emerge into the hall of the guild. The scene that awaited them was revealing: about ten inhabitants had already gathered near the counter, their faces marked by anguish and fatigue.

A man of a certain age, dressed in worn merchant clothes, stepped forward toward them while nervously twisting his hat between his hands.

"Lord exorcists, I beg you! My home has been infested for two nights. A viscous shadow crawls on the walls and my children keep screaming in their sleep. The Holy Cathedral refuses to intervene before next week, but we will not hold out until then!"

Kaiser observed the man, hands plunged into the pockets of his coat.

’Another desperate person that the Church leaves aside for a matter of paperwork or insufficient donations.’ he thought with cynicism.

"We accept the mission," declared Kaiser in a calm voice that cut through the ambient agitation. "Prepare the agreed sum. We start immediately."

The day continued at a frantic pace. They went from house to house.

It even happened sometimes that Kaiser performed the exorcism right in the street, attracting the attention of passersby. But he did not stay long, contenting himself with following his itinerary.

Afternoon arrived quickly, marking a necessary pause. The sun was beating down hard even though its rays were softened by the greenery of Yggdrasil. They decided to stop in a nearby bar named The Traveler’s Den. The interior was plunged in dim light, saturated with the smell of alcohol.

They settled at a table in the back. Diavolo, faithful to his habit, immediately began to sweep the room with his gaze, his mocking smile. His eyes stopped on a young woman with flamboyant red hair, seated at the counter. She wore a light dress that highlighted a slim waist and promising hips.

"Nyo-hooo... Here is a flower that deserves to be watered, do you not think, baby boy?"

Kaiser did not bother to reply, observing his master approach the beauty with provocative assurance. Diavolo leaned on the counter, superbly ignoring the massive bearded man who stood a little further away, but whose gaze had not left the woman.

"Tell me, my beauty, is your perfume as sweet as your gaze? It looks like the stars have decided to descend to earth today."

The young woman blushed, sketching an amused smile, but the guy did not take it that way, having his target taken in front of him? Never. He stood up, his imposing build casting a shadow over Diavolo.

"Get lost, bastard. She is with me, and I am not in the habit of sharing."

Diavolo turned slowly toward him.

"Share? That is a very vulgar word. I was only talking about appreciating the view. But if you want to discuss property, we can do it... in a more physical way."

"You asked for it, you filthy bastard!" roared the man while throwing a massive right hook.

Diavolo dodged the blow with disconcerting ease, his head tilting backward at the last moment. He used no magic, respecting the tacit agreement of bar fights. He seized the aggressor’s wrist and, using his own weight against him, threw him against a nearby table in a crash of broken wood.

Kaiser sighed, slowly massaging his temple. ’He cannot help causing disorder.’

The bar exploded instantly. Other customers, probably friends of the first, stood up to lend a hand. Diavolo jumped from table to table, laughing loudly. A man tried to grab him from behind, but he pivoted, delivering a precise elbow strike to the ribs. A sharp crack echoed, followed by a groan of pain. Another rushed with a broken bottle. Diavolo greeted him with a circular kick that sent him flying against the stone wall.

The fight was short but intense. In a few minutes, four men lay on the ground, groaning or unconscious. The bar owner, a colossus with a shaved skull, also human, came out from behind his counter brandishing a wooden club reinforced with iron.

"Enough! Out, both of you! I do not want your problems here, even if you are famous exorcists! Get out before I call the guard!"

They were thrown out of the establishment under the curious gazes of the passersby. Kaiser dusted off his coat, while Diavolo readjusted his hat with a wink.

"It was refreshing, was it not?"

" I do not think so, no."

As they were about to resume their walk, the door of the bar opened again. The red-haired young woman from earlier came out running, accompanied by a friend, a brunette with generous curves molded in a tight bustier. They stopped in front of Diavolo, out of breath.

"Wait!" exclaimed the redhead. "That guy is a complete idiot, he deserves what he got. My name is Liana, and this is my sister, Elena. We found your way of fighting... impressive."

The brunette friend approached Kaiser, her gaze sliding over his athletic silhouette with a greedy curiosity.

"We have a small house not far from here. We have something to drink, and we would very much like to thank our saviors in a more... private way. Would you like to spend the evening with us?"

Diavolo displayed a carnivorous smile, his gaze settling on Liana’s plunging neckline.

"That is an offer that only a madman would refuse. What do you say, baby boy?"

" Stop calling me that in front of people, damn it..."

"Nyo-ho ho! A little reward for our hard labors of the day?"

Kaiser looked at the brunette who was trying to brush against his arm.

" And you, your name is Klein right... Your name is quite exotic~"

"Yeah..."

Despite her undeniable beauty and the promise of a night of carnal pleasure, he felt a mental weariness taking hold of him. His goal of power and his quest for survival left little room for this kind of mundane distractions at that precise moment. At one time he would not have needed to be asked twice, but now...

"I decline," replied Kaiser in a cold tone, hands already in his pockets. "There are still three households to exorcise in the southern district before nightfall. I do not intend to waste my time."

Diavolo shrugged, not at all offended.

"As you wish, baby boy. More for me, I suppose. Do not wait for me for dinner, I will be very... busy."

Diavolo walked away arm in arm with the two women, whose laughter gradually faded into the tumult of the streets. Kaiser remained alone in the middle of the crossroads, observing for a moment the silhouette of his master disappear.

"Just an ordinary day with this freaky master"