“Mao! Mao! Did we really have to leave like that? You didn’t even let Granny finish talking. She had something she wanted to give chuu.”

“Yes, we did have to leave like that. I learned how to make bread. That was why I stayed there. What other reason could I possibly have?”

Chuu flew in front of me.

Stare.

“Stop it.”

Stare.

“I said stop it.”

The sound of a flame snapping in front of Chuu didn’t deter him.

“You know I’ll roast you right? So, quit staring at me already.”

“You said you were once a proud demon right and now that you died and you were reborn to become a hero. And that’s why you’re trying to become a heroic baker.”

Chuu seemed a little confused. Which wasn’t surprising since I was certain Chuu thought I was full of shit when I explained it all to him. With a roll of my eyes I continued passed Chuu.

“There seems to be something going on at old man Jiro’s bakery!”

A small group of men ran passed me.

“Were they having some sort of special that we didn’t know about, chuu?”

“Doesn’t matter it’s not our problem.”

Chuu got in my face.

“What do you mean what if they need our help. Something doesn’t feel right. Wasn’t the bakery closed today.”

It was, so if anything was happening it wasn’t because of a special. Then what could it be…wait that guy when I left wasn’t he?

“The bandits from earlier.”

Chuu’s eyes went wide. “Mao, we have to go back and help. Mao, why are chuu still walking that way the bakery isn’t that way. Mao you’re not going to leave them are you?”

Why would I help? I made an agreement one that has concluded, my relationship with the old man was over. Whatever happened now was his problem.

“MAO YOU DESPICABLE IDIOT!” Chuu yelled right in my ear. “You said that you didn’t choose to be a demon huh. You chose to be a demon lord though.”

“That’s not…”

“No, it is. You made a choice and your making one now. How are chuu supposed to be a baker if you leave them?”

“Chuu do you kno…

“I’m not finished. Mao this time you get to choose. That’s what you wanted so whatever happens now it’s your choice. You can choose to be a demon lord….or chuu can choose the path of delicious baked goods. I know which one I want Mao to choose”

I rolled my eyes. “You little furball don’t you dare starting thinking you can talk to me like that. I’ve made up my mind already damnit. Now get out of my way.”

****

A large number of bandits broke tables and chairs. Jiro yelled at them to stop so the bandit leader punched him in the stomach putting him on his knees. A moment later he kicked him in the head knocking him to the ground.

Afterward the bandit started stepping on his head.

“That Mao guy’s gonna be real surprised when he comes back and sees this place trashed. And you and the old lady laying dead on the floor. Ahaha I can’t wait.”

“Rio where is he I thought you said you saw him.”

“Don’t worry Lio he’ll be back. You boys keep tearing up the place while we wait.”

“Stop this madness we haven’t done anything to you.”

Rio the leader went over to Hana.

“Oh. You haven’t done anything. But that Mao guy did. And I’m gonna get my revenge for the humiliation he put me through. We’re gonna make him suffer and then kill him.”

Rio and Lio laughed manically.

“Revenge huh? See Chuu this is exactly why I should have incinerated them. Welp looks like I can fix that little mistake this time around.”

Sweat ran down Rio and Lio’s faces as they turned around a handful of their bandits were already on the ground. The pair muttered to themselves as two bandits lunged toward me. The first I backhanded knocking him into the wall. The second one I slammed into the ground cracking it a little.

“Broken chairs are supposed to make me…”

It was then that I noticed the old man was on the ground injured. As if sensing the building rage in me Lio rushed over and grabbed Hana putting a knife to her neck.

“If you come any closer I’ll….I’ll.”

I began walking toward Lio so he tried to move the knife closer but couldn’t.

“It’s that creepy blue thing.” Chuu was pulling the knife back.

Sadly, he lacked any real strength so Lio managed to get the knife free. The distance between us wasn’t much so I pushed Hana out of the way getting stabbed in the side for my efforts. Blood pooled and wet my side as I fell to the ground.

“I got him.”

Hana went to my side and put her hand to the wound. “Mao! Mao…wait this is…”

“Did you see that brother? I got him. I got him.”

“Lio behind you!”

The expression on Lio’s face changed as he saw me get up. My eyes shined with a red gleam as I lifted him up by the neck and threw him into his brother.

“Muahahaha. You two were right before when you call me a demon. I was a demon lord in another life. But now I am a baker. Before I tell you two what those two things have in common. You have ten seconds.”

“You’re sparing us.”

The expression on my face was blank. “Oh, I was talking to the guys on the floor. You guys have a ten second head start. After that’s done I’m going to send all of you to hell.”

Lio and Rio laughed then I appeared right in front of them and they stopped laughing. I placed a hand on both their chests then gave them the same friendly smile I had given to so many customers.

“The thing a demon lord and baker have in common is. We both use fire to get the job done.”

“No….nooooo.”

“AAAHA!!!”

Rio and Lio’s entire bodies were engulfed in flames it took them a matter of moments to burn into nothing but ciders. My attention turned to the remaining bandits who had run out of the bakery.

I was about to go after them before Hana stopped me.

“The other guys just broke a few chairs and tables. I won’t lecture you about those two idiots but I won’t be happy if you go after the other guys.”

My eyes fell on the old lady.

“As you wish.”

I went over to the counter and dropped the bag of money I had procured from the bandits some time ago.

“For the damages.”

I started making my way out when Jiro blocked the door and the old lady grabbed my hand.

“You’re not leaving until I give your present.”

I looked at both the old man and old lady despite the fact I had mentioned being a demon lord they were looking at me like they didn’t care. They saw me burn two people into cinders and there was no judgement in their eyes.

“It’s okay Mao. No matter what you do. Me and Jiro we’ll always love ya like you’re our own.”

I felt a sudden pulse in my chest. What was this feeling? What was up with these two?

“NOOOOOO!!!!”

My eyes darted to Chuu who was screaming about his broken jam.

“Why god! Why! Why couldn’t they have taken Mao instead of the jam I made.”

My eyes narrowed on Chuu.

“The next time I make bread that looks like you. I’m gonna use you as the main ingredient.”