Legend of the Crimson Demon

When the teleportation light faded, a bustling scene greeted them.

The streets were packed with people and carriages, a constant stream of pedestrians flowing past colorful vendor stalls. On either side of the road, hawkers shouted enthusiastically, trying to attract customers. The surrounding architecture was novel and charming, painted in a harmonious palette of soft blues and whites. It was the kind of atmosphere that made you subconsciously relax.

"Oh… is this the water city, Arcanletia?" Zunzun's eyes sparkled.

This was… a real city.

It wasn't that the Crimson Demon Village was bad, but compared to it, this place was like stepping into an entirely different world. Coming straight from the countryside where you've lived your whole life—it was natural to be overwhelmed.

Yunyun instinctively clung a little closer to Zunzun. The sheer number of people made her nervous.

After leaving the teleportation array, the two began strolling through the city. They looked like complete yokels visiting the capital for the first time, eyes wide, spinning in every direction.

Vendors on the street were hawking their goods with passionate voices:

"Hot spring buns! Steamed with the magic of natural thermal water—wanna try one?"

"Agar Slime! Just add hot water and chill to activate the slime! Grape flavor on sale now—get it before it wiggles away!"

"Skewers! Juicy, spicy skewers! Come get your grilled protein!"

Zunzun and Yunyun were fully immersed in sightseeing mode.

After all, this was a new map! How could you not explore it? And considering the Axis Cult hadn't gone completely insane yet, this was their best chance to experience Arcanletia while it was still relatively peaceful.

"Zunzun, what's going on over there? Why are so many people gathering?" Yunyun pointed to a swelling crowd up ahead.

"Dunno. Let's go check it out."

Naturally, they had to go see. Curiosity was human nature. Especially when it came to crowding around something.

But the moment Zunzun got close enough to see the source of the commotion—he instantly regretted it.

It was… three Axis Cultists performing.

They were doing surprisingly impressive street performances—acrobatics, juggling, fire-breathing—drawing loud cheers from the audience. But then…

They started shouting recruitment slogans mid-performance.

"Come join the Axis Cult!"

"Join us and become a master of talent like us! Gain the favor of undead monsters!"

"You can even marry your gay best friend!"

Zunzun's face twisted. He gently grabbed Yunyun's sleeve and retreated behind the crowd.

Becoming a talent master? Fine.

Loved by undead monsters? That's questionable.

Marrying your gay friend? What kind of theology is this!?

Axis Cultists… definitely had something wrong in the head.

"Yunyun, let's go. I'm hungry. Let's grab a bite."

Zunzun had zero intention of getting entangled with that problem cult.

Back on the snack street, they picked up some skewers and sat on a park bench to rest. But Yunyun looked distracted.

"…Are you still thinking about Megumin?"

"Eh? No—I mean… yes—maybe. I'm just worried she might be in danger. What if she runs into bad people?"

Where did this full-time nanny attitude come from?

Zunzun chewed his skewer silently. She had come out on a date with him, her fiancé, and yet her heart was still with Megumin… and Megumin was a girl. Complicated feelings indeed.

"…Don't worry. We'll find her soon."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Just go to the Adventurer's Guild."

Every town had an Adventurer's Guild. Adventurers were required to report in when they arrived. It wasn't just about unlocking quests—it was like checking in with immigration. You had to register to be allowed to take requests.

—

When they arrived at the guild, they were greeted by the smiling face of a big sister with exceptionally developed pecs behind the counter. But when they asked to register, they were politely rejected.

The reason?

Their levels were too low.

Zunzun was level 8. Yunyun was level 10.

Unlike the novice-friendly Axel, the monsters around Arcanletia were much stronger. The Adventurer's Guild here had higher requirements. Even though both were Crimson Demons and had learned advanced magic, they couldn't register.

But there was some good news.

A little girl with black hair and red eyes, wearing a cloak and wizard hat, had come in earlier that morning to register as an adventurer. She'd also been turned away due to her low level.

Bingo.

They had confirmation Megumin was here—but no idea where she'd gone.

Outside the guild, Yunyun was both relieved and frustrated.

"We found her trail, but we missed her again…"

"If we keep wandering around town, we might run into her by luck," Zunzun offered.

But Yunyun shook her head. "Let's go to the town's security team first."

"Oh… okay?"

Just before they left, Big Sister Soketto handed them a sealed letter. It was a prophecy about a crisis soon to hit Arcanletia. She asked if they could deliver it to the city's security forces.

Zunzun hesitated. He knew what was in the letter. He knew it could lead to serious misunderstandings. But still…

If it's Sister Soketto's request, then even if I have to conquer the world—I'll do it!

—

At the security station, they were initially refused entry. The captain wasn't someone just anyone could meet.

That is, until Zunzun casually mentioned he was the son of a renowned fortune teller.

Suddenly, the whole security team treated them like VIPs.

Zunzun rather liked their smug expressions from before—they were almost endearing now.

While his parents weren't the most responsible people, their titles as high-level fortune tellers turned out to be very useful.

After hearing the prophecy, the captain and the team immediately took it seriously. A crisis involving the Demon King's army? A letter from a god-tier clairvoyant? They weren't going to take any chances.

By the time they left, the sun had dipped below the horizon. With no sign of Megumin, they decided to rest for the night and resume their search tomorrow.

But just as they were walking through the twilight streets…

"——Hahaha! Didn't expect this to be my escape route!"

A triumphant soprano rang out ahead.

A girl in priest robes dashed into view, her arms stuffed with soft white bread, laughing wildly.

Behind her, two angry men shouted:

"You! Stop! Don't run!"

"Damn it! Give back the bread we bought for the orphans!"

They were breathless, but the girl was too fast. No matter how hard they chased, she left them in the dust.

Just as she turned a corner at full speed, confident she'd shaken her pursuers…

WHUMP!

She crashed into someone and fell flat on her backside.

"Owowowow! That hurts!"

Bread spilled everywhere, some of it rolling into the mud.

"Ahhh! My bread!"

She scrambled to scoop them up, muttering something about the "three-second rule," before glaring fiercely at the person she'd run into.

"You—!"

"I'm sorry, I wasn't looking. Are you okay?"

A warm, gentle voice.

She froze. A hand was extended toward her.

The person she'd bumped into was—

A breathtakingly beautiful boy. Or… was it a girl?

The features were too flawless. Delicate. Angelic. Dressed in boy's clothes, but…

Why is my heart pounding!?

-End Chapter-

Visit the Patreon!!

Read 30 chapters ahead, more on the way!

[email protected]/TrashProspector