I fall like dead onto a soft patch between ferns in yet another deep forest. I still don't know what the hell that summoning was about, and I'm too tired to care right now. After I have rested enough I'll be my normal reasonable self, but right now, if I'm bothered anything smaller than elephant, I'll tear it to shreds.

When I finally awaken, I have bruises all over, but am otherwise functional. I think the same essence of evil that forms demons might heal us too, since healing all the beating I have taken lately would have taken months for a human. I notice Celica is awake too, as is the wizard who looks disgustingly happy. You can never be a wizard of the urban legend now, wizard.

As an unrelated matter, I'm still stark naked.

"Celica, where are my clothes?"

"Ahh~, I left them at the tanner's~. Tehe~!"

"... Why would you do that?"

"Big sis~ thought being au naturel~ suits Ais~."

I'll toss you into a volcano one of these days, Celica. Speaking of fiery death, I know I should ask her about the hellfire ability, but she has been insufferably smug all morning and I just know I won't get anything out of her now.

The more immediate matter is just how and why did that druid summon me specifically. In the hindsight I realize he was the same one I fought against when I visited mortal world for the first time. ...Surely this all was not just about him being a really, really sore loser?

I notice that the mage, O-something, keeps on sneaking peeks at me. Sigh. I'm too annoyed with everything to be annoyed specifically at him. And he might know something about this. He wilts a bit when I lock my gaze on him.

"So--"

"Eeeep!"

"--Why would a druid want me summoned?"

"I-I of course can't say for c-certain, but... Uhmm, how much you know about the Druidic Clans?"

"Explain it as if I were from completely different universe."

"Okay... Well, long story short, he's like... really big shot in Abernach, and lost face when he skirmished with you and that guard died... H-he probably was obliged to rectify that by summoning and subsequently s-slaying you..."

Oh, right. That happened too... But just how vindictive are these guys to seek 'justice' even against a demon? And how did he lock on a summon at me anyway? I stare at the magician whose gaze is wandering a bit too low.

"A-a-and I have no idea how he got your name, b-but they forced me to summon you using it!"

"Ais~! Don't bully big sis' pet~."

"...I got what I wanted of him anyway."

"Well~, if you wanna more~ big sis~ ain't averse to sharing~ "Oh man! Could it be... t-t-threesome with succubi sisters!?"

"Let's return to this subject after the hell has frozen over."

"Oh man..."

But just how did they get my name? I hadn't even decided it back when I was in that town for the first time. ...Did that other druid from the tournament send him druid-mail telling about me? I did use name Ais in there after all. Ah, now I can't help but imagine magical message sent to troll him about the demon that got away. Which would mean the druids are surprisingly childish behind those always angry beardy faces of theirs. Hahah. Well, I'm just wildly guessing here and could be completely wrong, but let's go with that theory anyway.

And as for my clothing predicament... the tanner probably wonders why I left my clothes behind, but I think he will complete my dire wolf pelt regardless whether I'm around or not. When I get my brand new majestic armor of hardy silver fur, and have it enchanted to be resistant to magic, maybe this all will be worth it. I did remember to ask what the village was called (it was Undar-something), so I can find it again. Probably.

Celica is content with lazing around in the forest we took refuge in and the mage follows her like a duckling imprinted to its mother. That this seems to be common attribute to charmed people, although his attraction to Celica seems tad nit less overbearing than that elf had towards me. Was she just naturally crazy, or did I just put too much oomph on that charm spell?

I venture forth on my own in search of clothes. I didn't feel like borrowing the mage's, his robes had stains that seemed quite suspicious. From above the canopy of trees I spot one source of fire and make my way directly that way.

As I land, I wrap my wings around me. That doesn't cover nearly enough to count as non-nudity, but at least I made the effort. The smoke I spotted is rising from chimney of a decrepit cabin. If it's inhabited by a cackling old witch, I wouldn't bat an eyelid. As it bit later turns out, I was partially right.

As I knock, a young girl opens the door hesitantly. She has dark brown hair with single braid on side and eyes of uncertain colors, ranging from blue-green to golden brown. When she sees me she immediately slams the door closed. Was it my giant swordstaff or the demonic wings?

"If I wanted to crash in, I could crash in."

She cracks the door open a bit.

"Demonkin, why are you here?"

"Clothes."

"... Fine."

She lets me in. The room is filled with drying herbs, and yes, a cauldron. Something smells really stinging in my nose. She notices this.

"Demonbane herb. No offense meant."

"None taken."

She gives me a dress hers, one of faded green color with strings to adjust the chest area. It's meant to be worn over other clothes, but since she's young, it fits on its own. Except the chest. I need to loosen the strings as much as they give way.

"Appreciated."

"You're welcome."

She starts making tea without asking. Finally someone who gets it without being pointlessly stubborn or needing constant clarifying. I take a moment to relax without the noisy existence called Celica around. Out of habit I have wrapped my wings inside the dress and as I sip the tea, someone knocks the door. I lazily gaze as the young herbalist and or witch goes to answer.

"You're Athala, right?"

"I am."

The visitor is a man whom I could only describe as greasy. He gives me leery eyes and continues on about his business.

"I heard you can cast curses. Now, normally I wouldn't ask such a thing, but my cousin is just awful! He stole the family heirloom - a silver spoon! - and claims old pa wanted him to have it! Can you believe that? So I thought a little curse would be fitting. You know, as unofficial justice. So, can you do it?"

"I can."

"Splendid! Now, I'm willing to give you a whole silver coin for this! It's a matter of principle, ya know? Make him have boils or something."

"No."

"What do you mean no? Aren't you a curse caster?"

"I don't want to."

"Listen brat, I'm very important person in the village, you'll regret--"

That loud ass is ruining my tea moment. The annoyance I've gathered lately flares again. I rise.

"She has previous engagement with me and cannot entertain your idiotic schemes."

"Wh- Who the hell you think you are?!"

The hell indeed. This annoying loud buffoon isn't too affected by the glamour I always exude, and clearly doesn't notice I'm holding the bloodstained handle of my swordstaff.

"Someone who's business you are interrupting. Now, leave."

"Well, I never...! Listen up you bitch, I'm very important--"

I think I'm beginning to think more like a demon, bit by bit. If I kill one puny human like this, who cares? But I don't want to cause a backlash to the nice curse girl, so I rein in my wish to gut this pig.

"I said... LEAVE."

"Mhyaah! B-but..."

"RUN, YOU UNGELDED PIG."

"Iiiiiii!"

"NEVER AGAIN DARKEN MY DAY WITH YOUR PRESENCE."

The villager runs away, leaving a trail of... you know what. When was the last time I shouted like that? I'm surprised he was that intimidated just by my voice though. Maybe some sense of his finally unconsciously took a hint that I'm not what I seem.

The witch girl, Athala, looks meekly around, and I gather she's being silently thankful. I'm sure she could have dealt with him on her own, but little support is nice sometimes. I leave after finishing my tea. She waves her hand quietly as I rise above trees.

Afterwards I rendezvous with Celica and start making our way to general direction of the tanner's village. By flying the distance shrinks considerably, but since Celica refused to let go of the charmed wizard it was that much slower though.

With some luck and asking directions from locals the village of Um-whatever is found. We're late for the fur completion date, but the tanner wasn't suicidal enough to sell a pelt reserved for a demon. I'm satisfied enough with this and he gets his share, a long shred of fur which he plans to use for a jacket lining.

Next step: finding someone to make a suitable armor for me of this. The tanner helpfully points me to a leatherworker in a nearby town. Generally it would be a bit questionable to direct demons at someone, but maybe my nice and reasonable demeanor and the distinct lack of random dismemberments has won that much trust.

My petty vengeance upon the previous owner of this pelt will soon be achieved in fullness.