Words Before Blades
Ruko still look at his card for awhile to feel the disappointment in life of how his progress is. "Oh boy my life is a threaded one," Kazuma and others return to the guild. "Hey Ruko how was the basic training did you get Somes skills or what."
"No ..but I train my ass off to learn the basic of weapons and still no go," Ruko kitty lazy expression. Well the chance is that ill have to use my brain for this." "But... should you find a way to figure this out," Megumin addresses. "And it's my fault we get us into this and i—"
Hey Megumin ..relax I got this so don't worry and I said I'll talk remember hehe?" "Like he said let's make sure he agrees though." Kazuma support. "Yeah let's should." Aqua cheerfully. Right so don't feel bad Megumin!" Darkness spirit.
Megumin feel thankful a little. "Thanks guys and I'm glad I'm in this party with all you ..so thank you!" Don't mention it so let's get some sleep since tomorrow is the day after all. In tomorrow morning.
The field outside Axel was quiet in a way that felt deliberate rather than peaceful. Ruko noticed it immediately when they reached the open plain near the old road, the same place where Beldia had first appeared to issue his curse.
The grass barely moved despite the breeze, and the air felt cold even under the rising sun. Kazuma walked beside him with his hands in his pockets, pretending to be relaxed but constantly scanning their surroundings, while Megumin, Aqua, and Darkness followed a few steps behind, each tense in their own way.
"He's already here," Ruko said calmly. Kazuma exhaled. "You say that like it's no big deal." "It's not," Ruko replied. "He wouldn't miss this."
The temperature dropped slightly, just enough to be noticeable. Blue flames flickered into existence several meters ahead, and Beldia emerged on his spectral steed, armor pristine, helm tucked under his arm as before. He did not raise a weapon. He did not issue a threat. He simply looked at them, as if assessing whether they were worth his time.
"You have returned," Beldia said. "Have you come to kneel?" "No," Ruko answered immediately. "We came to talk." Kazuma shot him a look. "You're really opening with that?"
Beldia's flames shifted toward Ruko. "Interesting. Most humans come armed with desperation." "I brought information instead," Ruko said. "And questions."
Beldia remained silent, which Ruko took as permission to continue. "Your curse is structured in way it's delayed, and anchored externally," Ruko said. "It doesn't scale with a resistance or divine interference. That tells me two things. First, you're not trying to wipe out Axel. Second, you expect us to respond emotionally to a ugly skelly, with no strategically in mind."
Aqua scoffed loudly. "Wow, he's explaining your own curse and some words to you." Beldia ignored her. "You speak as if you understand my intent," Beldia said. "Yet you still stand."
"Because intent can be negotiated," Ruko replied. "Ego usually can't, since it bring chaos in some ways unlike a asshole like you." Kazuma winced. "You're really pushing it."
Megumin stared at Ruko, eyes wide but focused. Darkness shifted her weight, clearly bracing for violence. Beldia tilted his helm slightly. "Explain."
"You didn't curse Axel because of damage," Ruko said. "You cursed everyone because of humiliation. Your mansion wasn't just destroyed. It was destroyed repeatedly with publicly and casually in way not our fault."
Megumin flinched. "You waited in your non–shitted self ," Ruko continued. "You didn't retaliate immediately. That tells me you wanted witnesses qhich you dont have none. You also wanted acknowledgment." Beldia was silent for several seconds.
Then he laughed. It wasn't loud. It wasn't dramatic. It was restraining and cold. "So the human understands in some ways to speak in a worse tongue" Beldia said. "Yes. I was mocked and do no attacked merely and also reduced to a routine."
Megumin clenched her fists. "I didn't mean—" "You did," Ruko interrupted her without turning around. "And that's the point with a no brain fool."Kazuma stared at him. "Dude."
"You could have slaughtered the town," Ruko said, returning his attention to Beldia. "You didn't. You imposed a deadline which is what ...one death per day like your having times on your hand. That's not rage. That's some cheap leverage."
Beldia's flames burned brighter. "Then answer me this. Why should I lift it with that tongueof yours?" Ruko didn't hesitate. "Because if this continues, you lose control of the narrative."
Kazuma blinked. "Narrative?" "Yes," Ruko said. "Right now, you're the offended party who should a i call ...a shit. A Demon General demanding respect, bullshit. But once the first civilian dies, that changes. You become a butcher that has no customers to sell. The story stops being about pride and starts being about extermination."
Beldia's grip tightened on his reins. "The guild will escalate," Ruko continued. "The capital will intervene. Heroes, priests, artifacts. You won't be remembered as the general who demanded respect. You'll be remembered as the one who forced escalation and died for it you fucking piecea ants."
Aqua nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah but damn Ruko! Lots of dying! Preferably yours own doing!" Kazuma slapped her arm. "Stop helping." Beldia stared at Ruko for a long moment.
"You presume much," he said. "And i calculate to your action," Ruko replied. "And I know you're not stupid ..well if you were." That earned another pause. "Very well," Beldia said. "Speak your proposal."
Kazuma's eyes widened. "Wait, that worked?" Ruko took a slow breath. "You lift the curse temporarily. But not permanently. In exchange, we acknowledge responsibility, and publicly, while Megumin will apologizes properly."
Megumin froze. "I—what?" "You want respect," Ruko said. "Then take it. Not from fear. But from admission to a human who just humilate your ass off." Beldia's flames flickered. "And what of my loss you scandrel?" "You get recognition didn't you," Ruko said. "And at time. If you wish restitution, you negotiate like an authority, not some idiot tyrant." Silence stretched.
Finally, Beldia spoke. "And if I refuse?"
Ruko met his gaze. "Then we prepare to kill you. By not today. But efficiently."
Kazuma swallowed hard. "I did not approve that line." Beldia studied Ruko closely now. "You are not powerful," he said. "Yet you speak without fear." "I'm just cautious of how i play my role," Ruko replied. "Fear is part of that as well."
Another long pause. "The curse will not claim a life today or neither tomorrow, but by my decision," Beldia said at last. "Consider this… a delay." The pressure in the air eased slightly. "But understand this," Beldia continued. "If you fail to deliver respect, I will return. And I will not negotiate again."
With that, he turned his mount and vanished into mist. The field warmed slowly. Kazuma let out a shaky breath. "I can't believe that worked." Megumin stared at Ruko. "You just talked to a Demon General with descriminate words, " Ruko exhaled. "Temporary a success in my part ..just not having a good life with it."
Aqua crossed her arms. "I still don't like him and how much time do i have left and i shouldn't said anything." "No one asked you to," Kazuma said. Ruko looked toward Axel in the distance.
Tomorrow, talking would no longer be enough. And everyone there knew it, since the fight of Axel is just about to begun.