Legend of the Crimson Demon

After leaving the Clan Leader's house, Yunyun followed behind Zunzun like a bashful newlywed. Neither of them spoke. The silence between them grew heavy and awkward.

It wasn't just the quiet. It was the engagement. No one had seen that bombshell coming—not even Zunzun.

"...I didn't know about the engagement," Zunzun finally said.

"Huh?"

"My parents never mentioned it. Not even my sister."

He clenched his teeth. He could already imagine how his parents would shrug it off with a "We forgot!" or "We wanted to surprise you!" Like it was some kind of game. Typical. They were never home anyway.

"Sorry... I must've embarrassed you."

"No—no! That's not it at all!" Yunyun waved her hands frantically. "I—I like it too…!"

She stammered uncontrollably.

Truth be told, she'd been shocked too. But strangely, she didn't hate the idea. Because...

She had always been with Zunzun. When she had no friends, he had accepted her. He played with her, farmed beside her, even helped her become close to Megumin. So... so...

"...We can only get married."

"Huh?"

Zunzun blinked.

Realizing what she'd just blurted out, Yunyun turned red and backpedaled, waving her arms.

"N-No! I didn't mean it like that—I know how Megumin is, so..."

"Huh? What about me?"

A new voice chimed in casually from behind.

Yunyun froze.

Zunzun turned to see Arue, Funifura, and Dodonko strolling over.

"You're so slow!" Funifura complained, hands on hips. "Megumin already left! Why are you two dawdling?"

"She's gone…?" Yunyun was stunned. Of course. She missed the teleportation after all.

Dodonko scratched his cheek awkwardly. "We tried to convince her to wait, told her you two would definitely come, but… Megumin said Zunzun already told her not to expect a send-off. So she left."

"Yeah, she looked kinda disappointed too," Arue added, crossing her arms.

Zunzun and Yunyun exchanged awkward glances.

We were just trying to be Crimson Demon dramatic! She wasn't supposed to take it literally!

But now that she'd missed the teleport, there was no point rushing. Like missing a train—you can't chase it after it's gone.

Besides, Teleportation Magic was incredibly taxing. Even Crimson Demons with immense magic reserves could only use it twice a day, and the next teleport wouldn't be until the afternoon.

"I'm starving," Funifura declared, shaking her twin ponytails. "We've been waiting since morning!"

They had arrived early, hoping to see all three friends off together. After Megumin left, they waited... and waited... but Zunzun and Yunyun never came.

Now it was well past noon.

Everyone agreed to go eat.

They went to the restaurant where Megumin used to work part-time. Sadly, no familiar face greeted them with forced professionalism and an awkward business smile.

While ordering, the teasing began.

"Hah, I knew it," Funifura said. "Megumin told us she wouldn't leave with you two, but how could that be? After all—both Yunyun and Megumin are Zunzun's little wives."

"Eh—ehhhh!?"

The dreaded L-word sent Yunyun into a full panic spiral.

"I-It's not like that! I—Zunzun and I are not like that—!"

"Huh?"

Funifura and Dodonko looked genuinely surprised. They were just joking, but now…

"—There's something going on!" ×2

They both latched onto Yunyun and dragged her off to a side table for interrogation.

Zunzun sat in silence until—

"You and Yunyun have already reached that stage, huh?" said Arue, sipping her drink casually.

…What does that even mean!? Please stop looking at me like you've figured out some tragic love triangle!

"I guess… I don't stand a chance then."

Arue suddenly declared it like a character in a doomed romance.

Wait, what!? Don't make it sound like you're interested in me! This isn't that kind of story!!

"Then how about this?"

She leaned in, puffing out her very rare Crimson Demon growth assets.

"You don't need to take responsibility. Just let me have your child."

"WH—WHAAAAA!?"

"The child of the greatest magician in Crimson Demon history must be destined for greatness!"

Arue continued, eyes gleaming with narrative brilliance.

"The child will grow up without knowing his father's name. He'll train relentlessly, become strong—then one day, he'll return home to find the house destroyed and his mother kidnapped by the Demon King's army!"

Zunzun was trembling.

"Then he'll gather companions and defeat six generals across five lands to reach the Demon King's citadel—only to learn… the Demon King is his father!"

"NOOOOO!!"

I don't want to be a tragic anime dad!!

This kind of story was too dangerous.

Still… Arue was a self-declared aspiring novelist. Her imagination far outstripped the average Crimson Demon. It was impressive, in its own terrifying way.

Lunch arrived just in time.

Funifura and Dodonko rejoined the table, grinning like cats that caught a canary. Behind them trailed Yunyun, on the verge of tears.

No doubt she'd been squeezed for every last embarrassing detail.

"Congratulations, Zunzun," Funifura chirped.

"I didn't expect Yunyun to be the first of us to confess," Dodonko smirked. "I thought it'd be Arue."

Still, they didn't tease too much, and for that, Zunzun was grateful.

After the meal, the group returned to the village gates.

Arue and the others had prepared a farewell gift—a cloak.

Crimson Demons loved cloaks. Since Zunzun was now officially an Arch Wizard, it was a fitting send-off.

Of course, Cherry (Arue's hairband spirit) deemed the cloak too long, and cut it to waist-length for optimal aesthetics.

With his messy wolf-tail mullet, black shirt trimmed in crimson, and the new cloak flapping in the breeze, Zunzun now looked less like a magician and more like the rebellious heir of a noble house.

Perfect.

At the village gates, Zunzun stood tall.

"Thanks for seeing us off. When I become the Demon King, you can all be my trusted cadres."

"...As expected of one family. Megumin said the same thing." Funifura sighed.

Then she raised her voice dramatically.

"But I refuse! 'Demon King's Cadre' doesn't sound cool enough!"

"But… the idea of defeating the Demon King and becoming the new one is kinda romantic…" Dodonko said dreamily.

Zunzun crossed his arms.

"This is your chance. But remember, Dodonko… Admiration is the feeling farthest from understanding."

"WOAH, that's so cool!" ×2

Funifura and Dodonko's eyes sparkled. Arue murmured that she had to use that line in her next story.

Then came the voice of the teleporter.

"Teleportation to Alcanretia will begin shortly! Only four people can be teleported at once! Last call—if you want to leave today, step up now!"

Zunzun turned toward the light and smiled.

"The future is a gamble. You and I are both dark horses. Let's meet again—at the top."

"Goodbye, Arue. Funifura. Dodonko. I'll write to you."

"Take care, Yunyun. Zunzun."

The trio waved confidently.

Zunzun handed over a full pouch of Eris.

With the flash of teleportation magic, he and Yunyun vanished—disappearing from the Crimson Demon Village, and into the wider world.

-End Chapter-

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