Despite having left the country for almost a year, Kenzo had managed to stay reasonably up to date on what was happening in Fiore. The warrior had heard about the man in front of him even before the sudden disappearance of the witch of carnage, Yumi Hateshiganai, but it became clear that Odin quickly taking the title of most infamous person by storm was no joke. For the months he was abroad, the lich’s infamy did nothing but grow, increasing Kenzo’s already high interest in the Wizard Lord even further. Now that he was planning on returning back to the country, the swordsman decided to settle a question he’d been toying with for quite some time. Should he hunt Odin for his bounty? Or should he perhaps get in his good graces? In hopes of securing an interesting deal in the future of course. Whatever he chose, it was just a matter of finding out which of those would be the most profitable.

”Hah. While I might have gone with making easy money, I guess there’s a point to be made in favor of the fame.” After all, money and fame went hand in hand. Kenzo himself enjoyed the pleasures that came along with his increasing popularity in the country. Yet, his time as a fugitive taught him the differences between fame and infamy, and he’d honestly grown to prefer the calmer, albeit duller pleasures that moving unrestricted brought with staying clean. Still, Kenzo couldn’t help but agree how more fun it could be at the sight of the puking Rune Knight.

”Who knows? One may argue the act itself could be well worth more than the bounty in question. Since, you know … Presentation is everything in this world.” The merc slipped a cheeky grin before taking another sip from his glass. Even if there was a stupid enough Rune Knight to do as proposed, there was no denying the gesture would instantly net them a spot within the halls of fame of the magic council, even if just as a martyr; something Kenzo wouldn’t bet happening either way.

As Odin’s hand was presented to him with a chuckle, Kenzo’s jawbone glinted in excitement with a blueish hue. Without hesitation, his hand firmly shook the lich’s, following suit with a chuckle of his own. ”Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to shoulder the awkwardness if I have to” Kenzo’s innocent smile was completely detached from the meaning of his words, disregarding them as he answered the following comment. ”Oh by all means. I can hardly disagree.” Kenzo paused for a second. ”However, I fail to see how hedonism would take you so far. Especially considering the impressive following you’ve managed to bring along tonight. But perhaps that’s just my lack of imagination.” The warrior obviously referred to Venus Rosé, the only other woman alive that could hold a candle to his guild master, besides Karisa. Kenzo was genuinely intrigued how Odin had gotten a woman like her to tag along. He doubted she was just there for the fun.

Oh yeah, there was that other guy with them as well.

Kenzo was honestly surprised by Odin’s answer. He’d never expected the lich to be such an idealistic man, but it was something he didn’t dislike. On the contrary, his ideals were very much similar to those the mercenary had. Kenzo was not trying to kid anyone; he wasn’t a hero or someone that would jump into the thick of trouble just to save an unknown person because of some lofty ideal of justice. Heck, a part of him believed the world could go to hell for all he cared, as long as the people important to him were safe. In a way, Kenzo hated to admit that the man’s ideology was certainly enticing, stirring his soul for a second. Maybe he’d just found what he’d been looking for?

”So this is the man they call a Wizard Lord, huh.” Kenzo thought to himself with an amused smile. His charisma was certainly no joke. However, there was still something the warrior couldn’t shake off. The fact was, Odin was a lich, an unnatural being born of dark magic. Kenzo could feel the jawbone in his cheek vibrate and start hurting with each passing second, making him remember his vow to eradicate demons from existence. While Odin wasn’t one, it still made the mercenary remember the reason he’d decided to join Blue Pegasus. However, the lich’s response was enough to at least give Kenzo an answer regarding his initial intentions when approaching him.

”Maybe under other circumstances we might have stood on the same side. I respect with your way of living, even if I don’t agree with your means.” The Bellan discreetly took out a small card from his pocket dimension ring and passed it over to Odin. Kenzo’s right eye shone with a blueish flame, making completely sure there was no one in the vicinity that could see the mercenary’s gesture. It could spell trouble for the people around him after all. ”However, allow me to offer my services in case you’re ever in need of a sword for hire.” The swordsman flashed a cheeky smile before continuing. ”As long as it doesn’t go against Blue Pegasus’s objectives, I’m someone that can discreetly do a job”

The warrior stared firmly at Odin’s empty sockets, fruitlessly trying to find out the tiniest hint of life from them. Kenzo had taken his decision now. While hunting and fighting Odin was something he wouldn’t entirely discard – more due to the fact he was aching to test his strength against him more than any other thing – Kenzo would remain neutral with Eternal Nightmare for the moment. His gut told him their relationship would lead to interesting places, and he’d never been wrong about his hunches so far.

”With business out of the way. Could I entice you to a little bit of fun?~” The male downed the remainder of his drink, wondering if Odin would take the bait.

Kenzo chuckled at Odin’s comment about his bounty. ”As long as the price is right~” The warrior was dangerously threading with this entire interaction, since he had Blue Pegasus’ reputation to take care of, but it was a necessary thing to do for the sake of the objective he and Alisa shared. Regardless, Kenzo was the type of person to worry about such things when they actually became a problem, not now.

An amused smile creeped up on his lips as Odin accepted his invitation. The Blue Pegasus swordsman was someone that knew how to enjoy a party, so he’d made sure to previously investigate what fun could be had. As expected of the boss of Hosenka, Kenzo was not disappointed by what Karisa had prepared for her guests. ”Seems like the Ball’s fun is in the floors below the dancing hall” The man motioned with his head towards one of the stairs leading down. While the enormous building was positioned at the edge of a cliff, the architects had apparently managed to create a couple of floors below ground level. Supposing the Wizard Lord came along, the warrior would lead them to Floor -2, where a sign signaled the words Crimson Den in complete Hosenkan style.  

Odin’s mobilization to the lower levels of the building caused somewhat of a disturbance. A couple of “undercover” Rune Knights clumsily – and obviously desperately – communicated with each other through their lacrima phones giving alert to their fellows. A couple of them failed in their attempts at secretly following the two men, which only managed to amuse Kenzo even more. He knew the Rune Knights had just came back from extinction, so it was funny to see how they were still lacking discipline and organization.

Regardless, he would pay them no mind, as his interest laid in the so-called Crimson Den. In true Hosenkan fashion, it was almost as if the entire floor was a tiny recreation of the Crimson Quarters of the resort town. Dimmed lights, Joyan decoration and a multitude of different gambling tables littered the place. Skimpily dressed dancers entertained guests as a group of Oiran played traditional Joyan instruments for their enjoyment. The place was packed by now, the atmosphere heavily contrasting with the main dancing hall. A combination of booze and money changing hands had set the mood in the entire floor by now.

”Anything specific of your preference?” Kenzo asked the lich as he motioned with his hand at the multitude of tables. There was something for everyone, offering whatever you’d expect from Hosenka. Poker, Roulette, Blackjack, Pachinko, Mahjong and even Arm wrestling where some of the options where intoxicated gamblers tested their luck. Whatever Odin chose, Kenzo was bound for some fun.

As the two men walked down the stairs and into the lower floors of the Ball, Kenzo couldn’t help but wonder what their future business relation would amount to. He was a man that enjoyed gambling, but he enjoyed investing even more so. Was giving Odin’s bounty up for the sake of doing business with the lich a sound investment? Or a gamble? Either way, the warrior couldn’t wait to see. For now, he simply wanted to let go some steam and perhaps blow through a couple million jewels or so. What was the reason for charging his clients so well if he couldn’t squander his fortune every now and then?

”Sounds like a plan.” Kenzo answered with a confident smirk at Odin’s suggestion. While a round of Blackjack sounded appealing, it was the Wizard Lord’s second idea that caught the warrior’s interest the most. Kenzo was confident in his physical strength, sure it couldn’t be easily matched by many in the continent. However, the fact that Odin himself had suggested arm wrestling meant he had some faith in his skills too. Intrigued, Kenzo took a discreet peek at Odin’s bone arm, wondering how much strength a lich could even possess. As he turned around in search for something to drink, he shrugged the thought off with a smile. Liches were powerful mages that had shed their mortal vessels in pursuit of immortality, so any strength the mage possessed had to be magical in nature, he presumed. Was magic stronger than muscle? He would soon find out.

Grabbing a pair of glasses from the bar at the far end of the hall, Kenzo walked towards the table where Odin was waiting for him. A small clearing had formed around the gambling table, as people tried to get away from the dark mage’s path. However, there were still a couple of people that were either brave or drunk enough to remain at the table. A stuck-up-looking noble with a pair of bodyguards at his back, an elderly and wrinkled monk that looked so old he could be mistaken for a mummy and a fierce looking woman with a patch on her left eye and unruly attitude that reminded Kenzo of a pirate. The trio of eccentric looking people were only complemented by the lich and the man with a jawbone stuck at the side of his cheek. Truly a picturesque scene.

Passing a glass of warm sake at Odin, the swordsman took a seat next to him and tossed a bag of jewels at the dealer to have them exchanged for chips. ”Well well boys… Is any of you up for some side bets? Or are your monthly allowances just not big enough for some fun?” The warriors words were spoken towards everyone at the table, but his sights were set on the noble at the other side. He knew how to ruffle a noble’s “feathers” and was sure the poor guy would inevitably fall for his provocation. Kenzo was in a light guild, so part of his good Samaritan activities involved relieving people such as him from the burdens of having such vast wealth.