I located Ukar and he directed us toward the person where I had to leave the salmon behind.

  “Hey Agnis are you ok? You look a bit tired.”

  I’m fine, let's go bring this salmon to uhh who did Ukar sent us to? Borek?

  “I’m still connected with [Empathic Bond] I can feel how tired you are… “

  Thank you for caring but this is normal.

  We headed over to an enormous building and stepped inside.

  “Excuse me, where can we find Borek?”

  An attendant nodded and led us to a hall where a lot of chefs were working hard to prepare food and predominantly fish for the big dinner party. “It seems that Borek isn’t here but his daughter is here.” He gestured to a woman who seemed familiar.

  Oh, shit it's Mel2!

  “We meet again, still hanging around that incompetent man I see.”

  “Agnis, dump the fish, we will gain nothing by staying here.”

  Hey, Mel2, catch!

  I dumped the spirit salmon on Mel2. Not everything, of course, just enough to not kill her. We walked away and Giana was happy that I dumped fish on Mel2.

  It really seems that the Mel’s have it out for you.

  “It seems so…”

  We passed by some chefs to encourage and thank them and left the building shortly after. I made sure to swipe some fish here and there, and I was snacking on them.

  “So Agnis, when were you planning on telling me about these strong curses you have on you, Gregory and Raishin seem to have similar curses on them. I didn't have the opportunity on them, but I’ve tried very hard to get rid of them, but I can’t…”

  I was still chomping on a lightning cod and tried to process her question.

  Hmm? What curse do you mean specifically?

  “This is what I mean, You, Gregory, and Raishin act like it's normal to walk around with a few hundred curses, it isn't! Especially not these. What are these [Gula] and [Acedia] curses you have on you? And I don’t accept, ‘I don’t know’ as an answer!”

  Uhh, pass?

  I got hit with a headlock. “Tell me!”

  I don’t know! Or I forgot! Better ask Greg!

  Giana dragged me to the hotel while still keeping me in a headlock. People were staring, but this wasn’t as uncomfortable as it seemed.

  Greg was reading in the lobby. How did I know? A group of women were standing around where a couch was supposed to be.

  “Excuse me, I need to talk to the Oblivious…Obsidian Prince!” Giana said as she pushed the women aside.

  Ohh, you’re fitting in nicely!

  The rest of the group turned around, sized up Giana and moved aside after recognizing her. Greg was as usual, reading and unaware of his surroundings.

  “Greg?” Giana snapped her fingers in front of his face.

  Try some liquid shadow vodka or water.

  Giana sang and used [Soak] on Greg.

  Ahh what in Hourai! My suit! Agnis you asshole!

  Greg jumped up and shot an accusing glare at me but realized that I might not have been the one responsible. Noelle joined us as she got interested in the ruckus we were making.

  Wait, Giana, you did this? Ugh, having 2 nine tailed spirit foxes in the team might kill me due to stress, what do you want? I heard that you two had caused a ruckus.

  Greg said while using water magic to dry himself off.

  Yeah, we just dropped fish on Mel2.

  You mean dropped it off I assume. And who is Mel2?

  Giana's archenemy number 2!

  Who is her archenemy number 1 then?

  Well, Mel1 of course!

  Why did I even ask…

  Noelle frowned. “Mel2? Wait is that bitch Melinda here?”

  Giana nodded.

  “Ugh, wait, you said you dropped the fish on her lil’ bro?”

  Wait you didn't actually drop it on her, did you?

  I hope she loves the smell of fish.

  “Hahaha! Serves her right! Nice one lil’ bro!”

  I sincerely hope that this won't come and bite us back later on…

  “Gregory, where did you 3 get these extreme curses from, Agnis has [Gula] and [Acedia], and you have [Superbia] and [Avaritia], what do they mean, Agnis doesn't know or won't tell me.”

  Noelle crossed her arms. “Wait, did you guys get cursed again? If I didn't know better, I would think that you guys actively get them.”

  Oh those, we have them since Boshi Town. I can’t seem to get rid of them. They don’t seem to affect us. I’m keeping an eye out but there don't seem to be detrimental effects. The Seven Deadly sin curses are both, notoriously hard to contract and to dispel and the witch that had created them has vanished mysteriously, she might be dead. I am unable to comprehend the intent of them so I am unable to dispel them.

  Boshi Town still tying a noose around our necks, eh?

  I got grabbed roughly and Noelle started to shake me. “Wait? You’re going to die?”

  Hey easy there! I’m fragile! Someone help!

  Giana saved me, probably to finish me off herself. “There must be something we can do about this, dying is unacceptable!”

  I don’t want to be a downer but the three of us have been collecting death flags for a while now if this is not going to kill us one of the many others probably would.

  Right, we can’t do anything about it now… let’s go to the hotel and prepare for the feast.

  “Hey, not so fast!” Noelle stomped. “You can't just shrug off impending doom, aren’t you going to try and fix this?”

  “Noelle, I’m sure they tried, I tried too, and I can’t get it off them, Gregory can’t either and both of them say that it’s impossible to get it off at the current state.”

  “I know but can you just accept these guys being ok with being ticking timebombs? They could roll over at any moment and they shrug it off!” Noelle stomped again. “We didn’t join your group to see you die!”

  Sup guys! Whoa, who died?

  Raishin said, as he appeared while snacking on a fried seagull.

  Mathguy.

  Yeah, math should die!

  Raishin, where is Yvonne?

  She’s right he… oh, where did she go?!

  She’s over there entertaining some kids.

  “Noelle, let’s go, the three of us need to talk.”

  “Yeah, this is serious.” The 2 walked over to Yvonne and then went inside the hotel.

  What’s up with them?

  I have the feeling they're preparing the biggest scolding we’ll ever get and ever had.

  Whud? But I didn't do anything! It wasn't my fault that that lobster could fly!

  I thought he was joking but he was scanning the sky.

  Wait another flying lobster?

  I feel uncomfortable. I wouldn't normally say this but ehm, shall we run?

  Run to where? The dinner party is tonight!

  We need a plan!

  Indeed.

  Seven deadly sins eh, bit annoying that you two got the curses that would fit you, you always loved to eat. the only change is that you seem to sleep more. Raishin is just…

  We looked at Raishin being a creep and harassing couples.

  Yeah, looks normal to me.

  There is one missing though… The 3 of us got 6 in total.

  I wonder what happened to the last one.

  Well, ‘Wrath’ doesn't fit any of us really, the person I think it fits the most is…

  Noelle… You don't think being near us made her get it right?

  I don’t know, but I don’t think so. We had these from a very long time ago. Our more immediate problem is how to escape this scolding.

  You like to hand it out but not to receive it, eh?

  Well in this case there is nothing we could have done against it.

  Heh, I’ll use that one next time.

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

  Most of the situations you put yourself in are avoidable, though!

  We walked to the market and I grabbed Raishin at the back of his collar and dragged him away from the women he was harassing.

  Just ignore this guy, ladies, he's a bit crazy.

  Hey! I was close to succeeding!

  The looks on their faces suggested otherwise.

  Where are we going?

  We need a good hiding spot. Sewers?

  Ooh, we haven't done that in a long time!

  Ugh, I’d love to reject the idea of using a hiding spot full of water but we’re in a port city after all… I assume you already mapped out the sewer system?

  Uhh, not really but how complex can it be?

  We hopped in the sewers and were surprised by how clean they were.

  Are these really sewers?

  This city seems to have its shit together. No rats, everything looks clean. People might actually be able to live here.

  What is this uselessly efficient system, this water stream was split in 2, the water that flows southeast is sewage water and this stream next to it that flows back seems pristine… I scanned the water.

  This water is perfectly potable… I really hope there isn't another crazy group in this city that is hiding here in the sewers…

  We walked through the clean corridors and arrived at an intersection.

  Just a question. If we’re trying to hide, but the sewers are squeaky clean to the point that the chicks won't mind getting down here, is this even a good hiding spot.

  Uhh, that’s a good question…

  I can’t believe that a clean sewer is working against us…

  The ground shook, which freaked me out.

  We need to act fast that was a [Geolocation Shockwave], Noelle probably knows by now that 3 individuals are at a highly unusual spot.

  Yup, and there is Giana’s gaze, guys it’s time to run.

  How big is the chance that they don't check and assume that the sewers are filthy? Well, Giana has Elgards eyes so… 0%.

  We started running, but it didn't seem like any spot seemed optimal because everything was so orderly and clean .

  Illusion time!

  I cast a 9-layered illusion on us, and we followed the sewer lines to the southwest. If these connect or come close to the ocean, we can hop in the water and hide underwater.

  I will add port cities to my list tracking my archnemeses.

  Just put ‘anything with water’ in it, will save you time and effort!

  The ground shook again.

  Another [Geolocation Shockwave] They won’t find us like this, right?

  They won’t find us, but as long as they know we’re in here we’re kind of stuck. Giana shouldn't be able to break through these layers unless she has a fancy trick up her sleeve. I would suggest bracing for something like that.

  Hmm, why?

  Ninetail spirit foxes and seven-tailed crystal wolves have some insane synergy. It would be foolish to underestimate that combination.

  Another [Geolocation Shockwave] but this one was laced with charm magic and it broke a layer of my illusions.

  Well, there you have it a charm-laced shockwave, 4 or 5 more hits, and Giana might be able to find us.

  Can you jump over it?

  We looked at Raishin.

  That sounds stupid enough that it might actually work.

  The shockwaves increased in frequency and jumping actually worked.

  Haha such an obvious weakness! This is too easy!

  The frequency increased to the point Raishin had to carry me on his back as my floaty jumps made it hard to get the timing right. There didn't seem to be any problem if the shockwaves hit them. I would only be a matter of time before they find a solution to this. We got close to the ocean when a shockwave went out that not only traveled through the ground but also through the air. Another layer broke.

  Yup, the shockwave is also traveling by air. Let's jump into the ocean!

  Can’t we just teleport?

  Raishin grabbed us and tried to teleport.

  Noo! We’re dealing with…

  The teleport ping got blocked and failed.

  A seven-tailed crystal wolf… congratulations now they know where we are…

  Oh, I forgot, they can block teleports. But they are slow right?!

  You see, there was a possibility that we weren't in the sewers. The stomps came from the surface, but now they know we’re in the sewers, it's apparent that we’re trying to hide.

  Oh…

  The ground under us started to shake.

  Greg, do something!

  I’m working on it!

  I think we should just give up… we’re going to make it worse for ourselves…

  The sewer lines bent and sent us upwards. Nothing got destroyed, interestingly.

  Hmm, quite an impressive feat.

  Stop admiring Noelle’s handiwork and do something!

  Ok.

  I sat down and started eating some chocolate chip cookies.

  I mean something useful!

  We got brought to the surface and were surrounded by some polygonal barrier and the idols with their hands in their hips. They seemed quite upset; I wonder why.

  I held out a bag to the angry women.

  Want some cookies?

  “It seems that at least one has surrendered to his fate.”

  Take this!

  Raishin dropped a [Lightning bolt] on Noelle.

  “And someone else needs his ass kicked!” Multiple earth pillars shot out of the ground and surrounded Raishin. He made the mistake, of thinking he could teleport out but these were still blocked.

  Oh shit!

  Hmm, so we were below the park.

  “What do you have to say for yourself, Agnis?”

  Probably guilty, here have some.

  Giana sat down next to me and accepted the cookies. “You know when you act like this it’s hard to stay upset with you.”

  We looked at how Raishin was missing absolutely every hit on the mostly stationary Noelle. And how for once Yvonne was chewing Greg out.

  It seemed like you planned this well.

  “We have to because you guys are good at escaping. Actually, it seems only you are…”

  Raishin was slowly getting boxed in and Greg was still getting chewed out.

  Alright let me hear it, give me all your ire!

  She leaned into me. “I don’t think I need to; I’m starting to understand how you guys work, and getting upset about it won’t help anybody. I will take it upon myself to take care of your well-being because it’s clear that you can't do it for yourself. Just as you've helped me, I’ll help you.”

  Hmm, I don't think saving your life once equates to you working your ass off to keep me alive though…

  “Don’t worry, I get something out of all this, and you know this, you might be able to fool yourself but you can’t fool me.” Giana said with a smile, suggesting that she knows. “Now about these curses… You know a lot about magic, right? You must have an idea of how to get rid of them.”

  Yvonne had finished scolding Greg and they joined us.

  More curse talk? We could ask a witch or locate Azu.

  Ooh! Let’s go invade Witchaven!

  Giana shook me. “Agnis are you crazy? The witches would annihilate us in seconds! Moreover, only women are allowed in there!”

  Normally I would agree with you Giana but… this guy has invaded it before. The witches even have a ‘flee on sight’ order because he knows how to fight witches.

  Yeah, I stole knowl… I lived there for half a year.

  “You spent a half year there disguised as a witch?”

  Yup! You do remember Agnès Oures from the Nightmare dungeon, right?

  “I see… That does ring a bell, and it does make sense… In that case, invading Witchaven should be a piece of cake. We have Agnis as a secret weapon. I did hear that someone invaded Witchaven and caused a ruckus but I always thought it was a baseless rumor…”

  The area shook and Raishin was finally subdued. “Hey, Noelle, it seems our next plan is to invade Witchaven.”

  “What? Did you catch the Agnis virus? How did it come to this?! We will be blasted to dust, forget getting in, we will get annihilated when we come close.” Noelle protested.

  Greg repeated what he told Giana.

  “Wait so that person who caused problems for the witches was you? Unfortunately, I’m not surprised… Might be worth a shot then. But how did you get one of the most powerful non-mythical races to be afraid of you?” Noelle asked with her hands in her hips.

  Dunno, I don’t think they like it when I swap their hats, cause their sewers to explode, release boars in their city and more.

  “... That certainly sounds like something they wouldn't like.”

  Yeah, their mana capacity was linked to their hats so doing that would probably be extremely effective. I’m sure they found something to counter that by now.

  Nope, they already created various wards to block it but they didn't seem to work against me.

  “Is it possible that 9t are witches' natural enemy?”

  Don’t think so, we’d get along quite well if they didn't all have a stick up their asses.

  I remember Azu saying something similar all those years ago.

  We kept reminiscing about the past and told a bit of what went on in Boshi town.

  “So, a witch as rival, eh? I won’t lose!”

  What are you talking about?

  “So dense, just like this crystal” Noelle said mockingly while creating a light brown clear crystal.

  I'm not! I just have a low compatibility with Azu that's all!

  Noelle made the crystal float and had it fly toward Raishin who was unconscious in some sort of crystal cage. “Oho, so he knows”

  Wow he knows!

  “Oh, so you're compatible with me? You make me blush!”

  Ugh, everyone is just hearing what they want to hear…

  Huh, when did I pass out, what’s going on?

  Hey guys! You suck!

  It wasn't my fault!