Legend of the Crimson Demon

"Ahhh, why did that beautiful boy with the magic sword run away!?"

Cecily stared mournfully at the note left behind in her inn room, her entire spirit drained. She had thought she'd found a rich benefactor—someone she could mooch off for meals, drinks, and maybe even a little romance.

The note said something noble like "With the power granted by the goddess, I shall save the world." Cecily sincerely hoped he could save his own life before attempting anything that dramatic.

So… what now?

Should she go scam pocket money from innocent children again using the donation box? Or maybe stage a sympathy act to get free food?

Cecily rubbed her broad pectoral muscles like a man deep in thought.

…No. That would only worsen the already… unique reputation of the Axis Cult.

In that case… there was only one option left.

A wicked grin crept up the corners of her mouth.

In front of the Church of Eris—

As soon as Cecily arrived, the mood changed.

"Hey! It's Cecily! The Axis priestess who broke her vows is back!"

"Children, run! Run! Don't let her near you! Get back to the church—quick!"

Two Eris priests practically pushed the kids behind them, treating her like some kind of plague.

Unbelievable! They're treating me like a natural disaster!

Cecily trembled with emotion, tears welling up in her eyes. Her voice quivered pitifully.

"How… how could this happen…? Even if we serve different churches, we're still both priests. I thought we could understand each other. I really did… Boo hoo hoo~"

Her pitiful sobs stirred something in the hearts of even the sternest onlookers.

"Uhh… w-wait…"

"C-Cecily, are you being serious right now? I mean, you've pretended to cry like this before…"

The two Eris priests hesitated, guilt starting to cloud their judgment.

Which was Cecily's cue.

She lunged and snatched the big bag of fragrant, freshly baked bread from their hands and bolted.

Mission complete: Dinner acquired!

Fueled by victory, Cecily shouted proudly:

"Hahaha! Didn't expect this to be my escape route, did you!?"

"You! Stop right there!"

"You thief! That bread was for the poor!"

The poor?

Aren't I poor too!?

I got dumped by a sword boy and now I'm being bullied out of dinner! If that's not tragic, what is!? Especially in the romance department—I'm starving! Literally and emotionally!

She ran even faster, the angry priests chasing her through the streets of Arcanletia.

Just a little further—one more turn and she'd be home free!

Then—

WHUMP!

She crashed headlong into someone rounding the corner, bounced off their chest, and hit the pavement hard.

"Ow ow ow ow ow!"

The bread flew everywhere. Some of it even landed in a puddle.

"My bread! My beautiful, soft, steamy, blessed bread!"

But then Cecily froze.

Wait… this is a golden opportunity! A perfect setup for extortion!

She'd fallen. Her bread was ruined. Someone had to compensate her!

Just a little—say, 100,000 Eris?

What? She wasn't looking where she was going? Please. The Axis Cult specialized in blaming others.

She narrowed her eyes and barked at the stranger:

"You…!"

"I'm so sorry," came a gentle, almost divine voice.

A warm hand extended toward her.

"I wasn't looking where I was going. Are you alright?"

Cecily's mind short-circuited.

She had plans to fleece the guy—but then she saw his face.

Sunlight glowed behind him like a halo. His expression was gentle, pure, like a sunset made human. He even smelled good.

Lady Aqua… I think I'm in love.

Is this your divine reward for my devotion?

Thank you for this glorious gift…!

Without thinking, she took the offered hand and stood up—only for shouting to interrupt the romantic moment.

"You thief! Stop right there!"

"You lying cheat! You better give back that bread or else!"

Cecily flinched and instinctively ducked behind the black-haired, red-eyed beautiful boy, clutching the hem of his cloak like a scared little sister.

Zunzun raised an eyebrow.

What's going on? This isn't Megumin's idea of a prank, is it? But judging from the blonde priestess's frightened expression, this definitely isn't an act…

Two panting Eris cultists caught up with them. Before they could say a word, Zunzun stepped forward, spreading his arms protectively.

"I don't know what happened," he said solemnly, "but I can't just stand by while a girl is being chased like this!"

He didn't give his name—out of sheer secondhand embarrassment.

Even so, Cecily's heart exploded with joy.

So cool!

He's defending me! Even though I'm a total mess!

I want to hug him! No—wait! I got arrested last week for hugging a stranger. Must. Resist. Urges!

Yunyun gently comforted Cecily from the side, while Cecily sniffled and peeked at Zunzun between her fingers.

The Eris priests tried to explain.

"Hey! You've got it all wrong!"

"Yeah! That woman is Cecily! She stole the bread we were giving to the poor!"

Cecily smirked inwardly.

Fools. These strangers have no idea who I am. They'll never believe your baseless accusations. In their eyes, you're just a pair of heartless men bullying a beautiful, helpless maiden! Prepare to be judged, you evil Eris cultists!

She'd pulled this trick many times before. It always worked.

Except…

This time, something felt off.

Zunzun turned his head slowly and looked straight at her.

His eyes… were full of suspicion.

The priests doubled down:

"She vandalized our statue of Lady Eris!"

"She harasses the church's children!"

"She threw a rock through our stained-glass window!"

"AND she stole all the daily charity bread!"

Okay, that's a little exaggerated—

Cecily broke into a cold sweat.

Why was the beautiful boy looking at her with that expression?

It was the look he'd give a scumbag! She'd used that look herself!

No! Don't look at me like that! I'm not Lady Zesta!

But you're so handsome—even when you hate me…

Zunzun had already pieced it all together. As soon as he heard her name—Cecily—he knew the truth.

Classic Cecily. The human embodiment of "problematic."

Axis Cult: "They slandered us!"

Zunzun: "What did they say?"

Cecily: "They told the truth."

He sighed.

Without a word, he pulled Yunyun's wrist and stepped aside, exposing Cecily completely.

Then, to the Eris priests:

"Gentlemen, she's all yours."

"…Oh. Uh. Thank you?"

The two men blinked, unsure if they were dreaming.

"DAMN YOU, ERIS CULT!!!"

Cecily screamed in frustration, snatching up the bread she could salvage and bolting down the street.

As she ran, she shouted to the heavens:

"I will return, beloved invincible beautiful boy! Wait for meeeee!!!"

Lady Aqua, thank you for this sacred encounter! I'll never give up!

-End Chapter-

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