Fujino lay face-down in the dirt, groaning. His dignity? Gone. His farm? Barely existing. His sanity? Hanging by a thread.

  Loraine Lionheart, ever the determined Heroine, sheathed her sword (begrudgingly) and took a deep breath. "Alright, enough of this madness!" she barked. "We are here on official business!"

  Fujino peeled his dirt-covered face off the ground. "Oh?" he drawled, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Did you come to laugh at me too? Perhaps critique my farming technique? I assure you, the dirt is very high quality today."

  Jelani pinched the bridge of his nose. "Demon Lord Fujino, we have come to—"

  "EX-Demon Lord." Fujino interrupted, sitting up. "I'm a humble farmer now."

  A silence.

  A single, dramatic breeze passed through the barren wasteland of his so-called "farm." The fire-breathing cow mooed in the distance, sending another wave of burning birds plummeting from the sky.

  Saint Aurelia, still blushing, squeaked, "W-We came to bring you back to your rightful place!"

  "My rightful place?" Fujino grinned darkly. "You mean ruling the world with an iron fist?"

  Loraine nodded. "Precisely!"

  "Massacring armies?"

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  "…Preferably less of that, but yes!"

  "Enslaving lesser races to do my bidding?"

  "ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

  "Then no deal." Fujino flopped back down into the dirt. "I'm retired."

  Rhea threw her hands in the air. "YOU CAN'T JUST RETIRE FROM BEING THE DEMON LORD!"

  "I can, and I did," Fujino muttered, rolling onto his side. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to plant some potatoes."

  Fiora, still sipping her tea with the twins, smirked. "Oh my, the great Demon Lord is growing potatoes now? My, how far you've fallen."

  "SHUT UP, YOU ACCURSED LOLI!" Fujino snapped, his dignity barely holding together.

  Sirael, adjusting her glasses, turned to her allies. "We need a more effective method of persuasion."

  Loraine nodded solemnly. "Then we shall do what heroes must do."

  Fujino scoffed. "Oh please, what are you going to do? Appeal to my heart? Promise me redemption? Give me an inspiring speech about duty and honor?"

  "No," Loraine said, eyes glinting. "We're going to fix your life."

  Fujino blinked. "…Excuse me?"

  Before he could react, the Hero Party descended upon his farm like holy vultures.

  Jelani strode into his pathetic shack and immediately began cleaning.

  Sirael pulled out a scroll and began writing laws about "Proper Demon Lord Behavior."

  Rhea started shoveling soil like a woman possessed.

  Saint Aurelia, still flustered, attempted to sew clothes for him—only to scream in horror every time she glanced at his (still very naked) body.

  Loraine cracked her knuckles. "First step: A JOB."

  Fujino paled. "I have a job."

  "NO, YOU DON'T," she declared. "You're coming with us."

  "Like hell I am!"

  Fiora, watching the chaos unfold, sipped her tea. "Oh, this is delightful."

  Elvira giggled. "I should start taking bets on how long it takes before he snaps again."

  Noelle nodded. "Five silver says he sets something on fire."

  As if on cue, the fire-breathing cow EXPLODED in the background.

  Fujino groaned. "I hate this anime."