Maou squinted at Urushihara's slumped back. Little Too-Much-Effort hermit, making lunch? That smile, and the vibe Maou was getting . . . There's something fishy about it all, and Urushihara hadn't had any fried fish. Maou was missing something.

Breathing out a light huff, he headed after Urushihara. One problem at a time.



In much too short a time, Maou and Urushihara stood before Suicide Forest. The signs professing the wonders of life or whatever weren't far, but Maou didn't need them to sense the darkness beyond. He stared at the treeline, dread tickling at his chest. He wasn't sure if it was his own or the forest's.

"Right." he said, decided. "Ready?"