19. MeltdownAt the board's game festival irritation and anger took the pce of joy, fun and ughter.

  "I knew it... Something must always go wrong when i have some sort of responsibility in my hand!"

  Agamennone was approaching a stand, with Brando behind him, who tried to suppress some giggles.

  "What's so funny?! If some idiot didn't decide to steal the first prize we could have already clocked out!"

  The blonde demon was seemingly being hurt.

  "Agamennone, i understand you are frustrated right now, but shing out to me only because i let out some giggles is too much. You should learn how to behave yourself."

  'Why is thie guy so annoying... I hope our colleagues take the bait soon...'

  "Well, sorry Mr. 'I recommend this commission to you since its peaceful and usually nothing happens'!"

  The demon lord parroted his colleague, moving his head as he pronounced every sylbe and not even turning around to look at him in the face. Brando remained calm

  "What i told you is true. Maybe you're just unlucky!"

  The brown-haired guy puffed as he then arrived at the stand, a stand selling board games.

  "Let me talk, i'll go straight to the point."

  "Sure, go on."

  Agamennone put his hand on the counter.

  "We are the security. Something has been stolen and we need to control that you're not the thief."

  The stand owner was offended by such statement.

  "You're very rude, d. You're not a real officer, so stop getting high on power by ordering us around!"

  Agamennone angrily put his hand on his forehead, while pointing at the owner with his other hand.

  "Listen you brain-deficient fool-"

  Brando intervened, blocking his colleague's mouth.

  "I apologize for my partner's rudeness. He's just... Stressed. Still, the tournament's first prize has been stolen and we would like to look around your stand to see if maybe the prize has been hidden here."

  The owner nodded.

  "Sure, you can do that."

  He then turned towards the other one.

  "You should learn a thing or two by your partner, d."

  The demon lord was fuming. He removed Brando's hand from his mouth

  "WHAT!? DO YOU THINK YOU ARE FUNNY?"

  Brando put his hand again on the other man's mouth.

  "We are now going to examine this stand, mister. And i apologize again for my partner's rude behaviour."

  The owner nodded again.

  "Ok. But the apology should come from your friend here."

  Agamennone's eye twitched.

  "I'd rather be eaten alive by hyenas than to apologize to you! Also, i am not his friend."

  The owner turned his head to the other side.

  "Well then... Then i'll only let the blonde one search my stand, you can scram."

  "Fine by me, you imbecile!"

  The demon lord left the stand, walking towards the next one. Brando sighed as he searched the stand.

  'He behaves like a child.'

  "So... Mister... Why have you started all this pointless argument?"

  "Listen, blonde guy, i haven't started the argument. Your partner started it with his general rudeness and ck of tact."

  'And he's not the only one...'

  As the blonde demon searched this stand, the other guy went towards another one, this time one selling books owned by a seemingly young woman.

  "I'm with the security, i have to search your stand due since the tournament's first prize has been stolen. I hope you're better than the other guy there."

  Agamennone pointed at the previous stand he went. The young woman, a half-succubus with orange hair styled in a bob cut, yellow eyes and heart-shaped bck gsses, smirked.

  "Yeah you can search my stand... And if you want, you can also search me..."

  The girl toyed with the neckline of her shirt. Agamennone blushed a bit as he watched her.

  "Your timing's horrible though... Are you sure you've nothing to hide?"

  The girl smirked.

  "Well... Actually... I have something to hide...

  As Agamennone raised his eyebrow in confusion, the girl removed her shirt, showing her ample bosom covered by a bck cy bra. The demon lord blushed.

  "Are... You... Feeling well?"

  The woman ughed.

  "I'm indeed feeling well. What about you, cutie?"

  "I'm very well, thank you..."

  The demon lord's was annoyed. Suddenly a hand was pced on his shoulder. The man froze.

  "Oww... I was just pying a bit..."

  The woman was pouting. Then she rexed.

  "Hey... What if i'll help you with your search?

  "Y-y-yeah, t-that w-would be h-helpful..."

  The woman removed her hand from his shoulder, giving him some space. Then she started to explore her own stand, with Agamennone slowly joining her.

  'She could have put her shirt back... Not that i'm compining... As long as she doesn't force herself on me...'

  As they were searching the stand, Brando approached the stand.

  "I'm done with the... Previous... Stand."

  The blonde demon was distracted by the girl's behind, and stared at it for quite some time. Agamennone didn't really listened to him, focusing on the search. Brando shaked his head, focusing on his own speech.

  "I've said i'm done with the previous stand."

  Agamennone, who was searching a cupboard on the lower side of the stand, raised his head, only to hit the ceiling of said cupboard.

  "OUCH!"

  The woman stopped her own search, went towards Agamennone.

  "Are you ok?"

  The young man massaged his own head

  "More or less..."

  She helped him to get up, then she looked at Brando.

  "And who we have here?"

  Brando stared at the girl, then he cleared his throat.

  "I'm Brando, midy, ready to serve you."

  He then took her hand, bringing it close to his mouth. The girl, however, took advantage of that to backhand his face, leaving him shocked.

  "Don't you see it?"

  The girl put her hand near his eyes. He noticed a ring on her fourth finger.

  "S-sorry... I didn't know..."

  Agamennone awkwardly observed the scene in front of him.

  "So, what did you say?"

  Brando massaged his own cheek.

  'That bitch!'

  "I said i've done with the previous stand and i'm going to the next one."

  The demon lord nodded.

  "Wait... I... Have exaggerated... I think i should apologize to you guys..."

  As she said that, she removed her bra, showing her bare boobs to the world. Agamennone was confused, while Brando smirked.

  "Oh... Can i touch them?"

  The woman signaled Brando to come closer. Brando complied, only to be spped again on the face. The demon, furious, left. The demon lord, slightly red on his face, was puzzled. The woman then turned towards him, smiling.

  "Like what you see?"

  "Y... Yes? I'm not a tambourine though."

  "Oh, don't worry, i won't go that far with you."

  The woman strethched her body.

  "I really had fun today. Now, let me help you finishing your search... I've made you lose a lot of time with my antics."

  As she turned around, she noticed the young man pointing at her clothes.

  "I don't really care, but other people may not be as open minded as i am."

  The woman blushed a bit.

  "Oh, thank you..."

  She then took her shirt and put it back, while hiding her bra in a drawer.

  "Ah, my name is Vanessa, by the way. Can i ask your name?"

  Agamennone had a perplexed look on his face.

  "You've weirded out me a lot, so i'd rather not tell you my name."

  The woman became serious.

  "I understand. It's a legitimate reason, actually..."

  She then opened a cupboard.

  "Let's finish your duty then."

  Agamennone continued searching the stand with the help of the owner.

  "So... Are you married?"

  The woman ughed.

  "You ask because of the ring? No, i'm not married. It's just a ring i own."

  She then extended her hand towards him.

  "Wanna suck it off?"

  The man blinked twice, confused, then he turned away, searching a drawer.

  "Oh my, you're impervious to my charm..."

  The half-succubus searched another cupboard.

  "I'm a man, not some beast who loses his mind whenever i see a boob or two..."

  The demon lord dismissed her, waving his hand to emphasize it.

  "Still... Do you happen to know a certain Vionte? She flirts in a simir way to yours, the only difference is that she ends up embarassing herself more than i do."

  The girl scratched her head.

  "Vionte... You mean Ludovica's little sister. I'm not that close to her, but i know her and we have good retionship. As for flirting... Is more that i have her and Ludovica's style, since their mother gave me some pointers when i was younger and i had a crush on someone..."

  "Ah... And... Did you fail?"

  "Well, i indeed managed to seduce him, reducing him to a bbbering mess... However i soon found out he had already some partners, so i left him."

  The girl ughed. At the same time Agamennone closed a cupboard he was searching, and turned towards the girl.

  "I found nothing in here. I'll go."

  "Wait."

  The girl took out a card from a pocket on her skirt. It was a business card.

  "If you're interested in buying some books, or if you are interested in some... More personal fun, come here."

  The woman winked as she licked her lips. Agamennone took the card and put it in his trousers.

  "I... Think i won't come alone... If i ever come."

  The half-succubus smirked.

  "Are you scared or... Are you suggesting an orgy?"

  The young man kept a collected expression.

  "I meant using the other person as a sacrifice to satiate your hunger."

  The woman was surprised by that comment. Agamennone smirked.

  "I've won!"

  The he turned around.

  "I've other work to do though, not that i enjoy being diligent... Bye."

  'This girl... I think Elena would get along really well with her...'

  The man raised his hand as he left.

  "Goodbye..."

  The woman waved her hand at him. Meanwhile Brando was searching another stand, one which was selling trinkets.

  'Luckily this guy was normal.'

  He searched through the stand, finding nothing of relevance.

  "Thanks for the cooperation."

  The owner nodded.

  "It's nothing, i only let you do your job."

  "My colleague and i only met weirdos today..."

  Brando's expression was a stern one.

  "Well, you must understand... People don't like when other people search their stuff, not even when they have the right to do so."

  "Maybe you are right."

  He left the stand, going towards the next one.

  'How much time do they need to find the coins!'

  In his path, Brando passed by Agamennone searching another stand, one selling sandwiches and run by a goblin.

  "Leave me alone, you're scaring the clients!"

  "What clients! There's literally no one here other than us!"

  "That's because you're scaring them! You're making me lose money, You pgue!"

  "I'm a pgue, right? Then die!"

  Agamennone and the stand owner were both furious. They instinctively started an staring contest.

  "If you don't comply with my orders i'll have you forcefully removed from here."

  "Try it, you fourth-rate joke of an officer!"

  Their argument soon devolved in just throwing insults towards each other.

  "Idiot!"

  "Stupid!"

  "Moron!"

  "Cretin!"

  "Your mom's so fat that the world indeed revolves around her!"

  The goblin snapped.

  "OH, NOW YOU ARE GOING TO INSULT MY MOTHER... HOW CHILDISH OF YOU!"

  "Indeed. And your mom's so fat that killing her would solve the world hunger problem for the next millennium!"

  "HUH? THEN YOUR MOM'S SO STUPID THAT IF YOU ASK HER TO TURN ON THE LIGHTS SHE SEDUCES THEM!"

  "Then your mom's so stupid that she thinks that does is the plural form of do."

  The two people were still staring at each other with scary expression on them, both of them putting their hands on the counter. Agamennone noticed that and punched one of the goblin's hand.

  "Ouch! You insolent bastard!"

  The goblin attempted to retaliate, however the young man already retreated his hands by raising them, smirking in the process.

  "I've seen bacteria taller than you."

  The short stand owner was even more furious.

  "I'LL BAN FROM MY SHOP YOU... YOU UNGRATEFUL PIG."

  "I'D RATHER EAT A BUNCH OF NUCES VOMICAE WITH ALL THE SEEDS THAN YOUR PITIFUL ATTEMPT AT COOKING!"

  Their argument was however stopped by Brando swiftly approaching him.

  "Agamennone, i've heard from the walkie-talkie that the prize was recovered. They have asked all of us to return to the central area."

  The demon lord looked at him with a skeptical expression.

  "Really? I've heard nothing about it!"

  The adventurer sighed.

  "Agamennone... Have you changed the walkie-talkie's channel?"

  The young man's confused face was all Brando needed to understand. He took his colleague's walkie-talkie. He controlled the device's channel. The instrument was tuned on channel 6. Brando sighed.

  "When we were rounded up in the central area they asked us to change all of our devices' channel to channel 0. Were you listening?"

  Agamennone scratched his head.

  "Probably not. I was so bored that i spaced out."

  The blonde guy changed the device's tuning to channel 0. Meanwhile the goblin was ughing seeing Agamennone being in a difficult spot. The demon lord gred at the stand owner.

  "What do you have to ugh? You're smaller than your own wavelength."

  Both the goblin and Brando were confused by the statement.

  "W-wavelength?"

  "Do i look like an antenna to you?"

  The demon lord looked at the two people. He smirked. Then he heard a voice coming out from the walkie-talkies, both his and Brando's.

  "To all the members of the security: Return to the central area as soon as you can. I repeat, return to the central as soon as you can. The missing prize has been recovered. I repeat, the missin-"

  "Can i get my money now? It's getting dark!"

  "Calm down, Miss Iodice, you can have your money once we officially close this case."

  "Ok..."

  "Huh... She interrupted me... Wait! i'm still pressing the button! Heh... Members of the security, return immediately!"

  Once the communication ended, Brando looked at a giggling demon lord.

  "Do you see that i wasn't lying? Now follow me."

  Agamennone put his hands on his waist.

  "Ok, you were right."

  The two men remained still for a couple of moments. Then Brando raised his eyebrow in confusion and a bit of irritation.

  "What are you waiting for?"

  "I'm waiting for you to move, i've no idea where the central area is!"

  Brando put a hand to his forehead.

  "Follow me then. Still... You should have a map with you. You can always read it."

  Brando then left, followed by his colleague.

  Some time ter.

  At the central area all the security members were gathered together. The organizer was in front of them, with a microphone in her hand. Next to her there were Timotea, who yawned from the sheer boredom, and Ferdinando, stoic as usual. Next to Timotea there was Vionte, whose eyes were wandering over the newly formed crowd. The organizer talked.

  "I've gathered all you here, dead members of the security, because we've managed not only to find the stolen prize, but we also managed to get a possible culprit."

  Agamennone was amidst the crowd, together with Brando. He yawned at the woman's speech. Brando turned towards him.

  "Really?"

  The demon lord got defensive.

  "I don't yawn on command!"

  At that point a member of the security gave the first prize to the organizer, who showed it to everyone.

  "The first prize is in here."

  The crowd cheered at the woman. Meanwhile Timotea extended her arm, signaling the half-elf to give the prize she won to her. Her friend Vionte gred at her, to which the cat girl replied with an apologetic awkward smile.

  "One moment, you greedy girl."

  The organizer winked at the dark-haired girl, who was left a bit flustered. The half-elf then turned towards the crowd.

  "This prize was recovered in the changing room. It was hidden in one of the lockers. The culprit probably thought we weren't going to look in here. Oh... How wrong he was..."

  The crowd booed.

  "Your thinking's probably right though, the culprit is one of the members of the security. Who though? Well, we looked at whom the incriminating locker was assigned. And well... Our primary suspect is a guy called Agamennone. I know, it's a weird name but someone is really named like this."

  The catgirl was confused.

  "Really?"

  The regent's reaction was limited to a snort he emitted. Vionte, instead, remained mostly unfazed by the news, except for a frown on her face. Meanwhile Brando feigned a look of shock. The young man, however, was living in his own world.

  'I want to go home, today has been horrible... Idiots everywhere!'

  A few people near him looked at him, recognizing his name in the name tag, with a stern, judgemental look.

  "What?"

  Brando was surprised.

  "Wait, you weren't listening?"

  "Why would i, like i care about a theft i've nothing to do with."

  One of his colleague near him approached him with hostile intentions.

  "You're joking, right? You have stolen the first prize and you say this theft has nothing to do with you? You single-handedly ruined the festival!"

  The demon lord froze, a confused expression on his face.

  "What?"

  The other guy was annoyed. Meanwhile some of his colleagues turned towards the commotion.

  "Do you really have the gut to say that, you unrepentant thief!"

  The angry man then spped Agamennone, who, after a moment of shock, retaliated with a hook on his colleague's face. The people near them were ready to took the accuser's defense and start a fight, if not for Brando's intervention, putting himself between the demon lord and the others.

  "You all calm down!"

  'To have him lynched would have been a good occasion, but i'm sure it wouldn't have sted."

  "Hey, You all, stop this farce! We don't lynch people in here!"

  On point, the organizer's voice calmed the situation, stopping the nascent fight. Meanwhile Brando turned towards Agamennone.

  "Agamennone, you better go there and give your part of the story."

  "No, i'm going to go there and sp that woman so hard that her head's going to be unscrewed from her body."

  "Don't do that, please."

  'Well, that would help me a lot actually.'

  "So, Agamennone, i know you're here. Come here and expin yourself!"

  Agamennone went towards the organizer. He was angry, so angry he didn't care that he was literally pushing people away without a hint of grace to approach the woman as fast as possible by squeezing throught them by force like a cat. He boriously managed to reach the organizer.

  "So, you have the guts to present yourself here, without me coercing you. Do you have any objection to what i said till now?"

  The organizer was very confrontational.

  "I think you are completely delusional! I never, ever, touched that thing! And if you think otherwise, then you are dumber than a rock!"

  The demon lord was furious. Meanwhile, amongst the crowd, that was gradually expanding, the goblin seller was ughing and was, overall, excited.

  "That's what happens when you are evil to the core. You get squashed like a mosquito by the hand of justice!"

  Meanwhile, in another part of the crowd, the book seller was similing.

  'You're moneysexual, aren't you? That's why you resisted my charm...'

  "So, not only you've attempted to steal twenty golden coins, but now you're also insulting me, calling me dumb and delirious, eh?"

  "I'm sure you have a very distorted perception of yourself! I'm just reminding you the truth! You hoax maker. I haven't stolen anything!"

  "Then why prize was in your locker?"

  "I don't know! I'm sure someone has set me up! Do you think i'm so stupid i'd put the stolen goods in my own locker?"

  Agamennone was still agitated, moving his arms wildly. The half-elf looked at him.

  "Maybe? Or maybe is a trick on your part. So i'd say yes. Still, i hoped you could have apologized for your misconduct, but i was wrong."

  "I've done nothing wrong! And i'm not as stupid as you think."

  As the demon lord wildly swung his own arms, the organizer massaged her own temples.

  "I'm starting to get annoyed by your ck of cooperation."

  She then shot an evil gre to the man.

  "Security, seize him!"

  Some of the security members rushed to block the young man, who attempted to break free through stomps on people's feet, random sps, wild and uncoordinate movements and pushes, all that while screaming wildly.

  "YOU'RE MAKING A GRAVE MISTAKE, YOU FOOLISH IDIOT! I'M INNOCENT!"

  The half-elf gred at him.

  "Innocent or not, that's not my jurisdiction. However, as the organizer of this festival, it is indeed my duty to punish you for spoiling our festive mood with your stunt. As the prime suspect, you'll be sacrificed to the public opinion to restore the mood..."

  The woman's tone was cold, but then became even colder.

  "And if you're indeed found guilty, i'll make sure you'll get the worst punishment possible."

  The half-elf signaled the security members holding Agamennone to take him away. The demon lord opposed them with all his strength, slowing the process long enough for him to threaten everyone.

  "YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS! ALL OF YOU! I'LL MAKE YOU PAY DEARLY! I'LL BURN YOU ALIVE! I'LL KILL YOU ALL! ALL OF YOU, PLUS YOUR RELATIVES! AND I'LL ALSO ABUSE THEM, PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY AND SEXUALLY! ALL OF THEM, ESPECIALLY THE CHILDREN! PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS HORRIFIED WHEN CHILDREN ARE THREATENED... YOU'LL BE SHOCKED AND TRAUMATIZE FOR THE REST OF YOUR SHORT LIFE-"

  As he was yelling, the security members who were holding him became gruadually more furious, until one of them snapped.

  "Shut up you monster!"

  He then punched Agamennone in the sternum, making him gasping for air and stopping his speech. This hit also interrupted all his resistance, making it easier to take him away. The crowd, also enraged by the man's speech, suddenly cheered as the man was silenced. The goblin stand owner, in particur, was ughing maniacally.

  "BWAHAHAHAHA! That's great! That's the hand of judgement! The fist of judgement!"

  The orange-haired vendor was silent, blushing slightly.

  'He seems so passionate... It would be a great partner...'

  Brando, on the other hand, remained calm.

  'Good...'

  Meanwhile, near the organizer, Ferdinando was observing the scene. He was irritated, but didn't showed it a bit except for a snort.

  'This... Is our lord... And i thought he couldn't be any worse...'

  Timotea was also shocked, being left speechless by the outburst. Near her, Vionte was trembling, looking at the ground.

  "Sorry Ti... I think i'm going to leave early... I'm... Not in a good mood now... "

  She raised her head, a psychotic smirk and an unhinged expression on her face. The catgirl, a bit scared, nodded.

  "UHH! O-ok... I understand... Just... Can you watch me as i receive the prize?"

  The indigo-haired woman remained still for a moment, before nodding herself.

  "Ok... I'll solve my problems ter... Now's the time to have fun... Even if i don't know how much fun can i have right now..."

  "Thank you Vi!"

  The dark-haired girl hugged her friend, who rexed and hugged the catgirl back.

  "You're right girl. Now that the problem's been dealt with, it's time to have fun again!"

  The crowd cheered as the organizer spoke. She then approached the catgirl, still hugging her friend, and gave her the prize.

  "Congratution for winning this year's board games competition."

  She then approached the center of the space she was using as a stage.

  "But the event is still not done. We still have to find out who's gonna arrive second and who's gonna arrive st. I'll give you some time now, the tournament will restart in fifteen minutes."

  Hearing that, the crowd dispersed. The two friends were still together.

  "Vi, do you want to watch the tournament before... doing whatever you want?"

  "I... Ok... Probably i'll calm down better if i remain with you..."

  The couple then went towards the zone where the tournament was held. Reached the pce, the two stopped as close as possible at the table.

  "How much do you think will the tournament st?"

  "The other three contestant were all quite close to finish, i don't think it will st for long."

  "You can't really say it when pying ludo though... It's very easy to see all your progress undone..."

  "True..."

  The girls giggled for a moment, then they became serious.

  "Can i ask why are you angry? I'm sure you don't believe he has stolen the prize. I, at least, don't believe it. He may not be a pleasant man to be around to but i don't think he's a thief."

  The girl sighed.

  "I also think he's innocent, and i understand his rage as he was wrongly accused but... He only dug himself deeper with all his attempts to break free and those extremely violent threats. Now everyone thinks he's unhinged, psychotic sociopath. If only he used is head and remained calmer... Huh... He's too impulsive for his own good... And to think he finds conflicts too exhausting... It seems that he goes all out when conflicts get to him though... Nonetheless... I have to talk to him soon."

  At that moment the blonde demon approached the duo. Timotea slowly walked backwards, distancing herself, her eyes wide from discomfort.

  "I... I didn't think Agamennone was such a character, stealing the first prize, and then threatening us all with unspeakable crimes... I'm sure you now understand what kind of a man he is... Are you sure you still prefer him over me?"

  The demon stopped himself near the half-demoness, who gred at him, before grabbing one of his wrists, twisting and squeezing it with enough force to make him suffer, while also keeping him far from her.

  "Indeed. I understand what kind of man he is. Is a man who barks a lot but rarely bites... While you are two-timing, devious molester."

  "That... Hurts... You really think that of me?"

  'She's so hot when she's angry...'

  The man was blushing, while also suffering.

  "I don't think only that. I know that all this show has been organized by you, and i'll find a way to make you pay for all this. And that will be rather easy, since you're a predictable fellow who thinks he's so smart while having two disconnected neurons in his head."

  Her tone was extremely cold. She then suddenly released him.

  "Last time i was lucky to stop you before you did anything, but i was also unlucky because i couldn't prove your intentions. But this time... you've doomed yourself. I'll make sure you'll never be free again."

  Brando's expression changed, irritated by the girl's attitude.

  "Someone's really sure of herself... You will fail in your pointless search not only for my guilt, but also for his innocence. I'll wait for the day when you'll beg me for my forgiveness for such snderous accusations, by kneeling in front of me and sucking my penis."

  Vionte's hand closed in a fist.

  "I have a dignity. Now leave us alone."

  "Sure, sure... I was joking."

  The blonde guy raised his hands in surrender, before slowly leaving.

  More or less at the same time.

  Gennaro and Domenica were admiring the sunset on the hill where the boulder was.

  "Is it this that you wanted me to see?"

  The girl was perplexed.

  "Yeah. Isn't it beautiful?"

  The man was really excited.

  "Not really... I mean... It's kinda cute but... It's not something... Spectacur, you know... Nothing to lose your mind for..."

  The horsegirl was unimpressed. The demon, who was smoking a cigar, accidentally turned towards her the moment he was blowing out the smoke.

  "Hey! Are you stupid?!"

  The guildmaster panicked.

  "Sorry! Sorry!"

  The woman sighed.

  "Still. The scenery its not bad, but if you thought, because you and your new friend tought it, that this scenery was enough for me top fall for you, then you two have completely lost your mind."

  Then the girl turned around, ready to leave the pce.

  "But... But... I love you! Why you don't understand!"

  The girl turned towards the man as she was leaving.

  "I'm not interested in a retionship with you. I don't love you. And is you that don't understand it!"

  The woman then left for good. Gennaro sat before the cliff, putting out his cigar on the ground. He remained silent as he watched the sunset, a couple of tears dropping from his eyes, masked by the sungsses.