Legend of the Crimson Demon

Wearing the gear gifted by her friends and carrying her sister's expectations on her back, Megumin marched into Arcanletia with high spirits, ready to become the strongest magician.

Then she slammed headfirst into the barrier called "prejudice."

She tried to register as an adventurer—rejected.

Tried to find part-time work—treated like a child.

In just one and a half days, she changed jobs three times, and had to sleep in a broken-down stable behind a tavern.

She hadn't eaten anything since yesterday.

…Fortunately, salvation came in the form of a smiling Axis cult priest who took pity on her and fed her. Thanks to him, she didn't starve to death.

So she decided to return the favor by helping them find new ways to recruit believers.

Unfortunately, whether it was pretending to trip or pretending to be bullied, all of her "innovative" techniques failed miserably—and only earned her the scolding of the town guards.

"My heart is so tired. I want to retire."

…No. No, no. Her journey as an archmage had just begun—how could she give up here?

Reviving her spirits, Megumin faced the priest beside her, who was listening to her lecture like an eager student.

"Watch closely! I'll only perform this once… and it'll be decisive—!"

Just then, an anxious voice rang out across the riverbank:

"My child! Is anyone there?! Please! My child fell into the water!"

Megumin turned—and before she could react, a priestess in Axis robes sprinted past her and jumped into the river with a dramatic splash.

…Okay. That should be fine.

Except that priestess, apparently, couldn't swim.

"Why would you jump in if you can't swim?!" Megumin muttered, exasperated.

She prepared to act, but then saw someone familiar step forward—a boy in a wizard's cloak walking across the water's surface.

It was Zunzun.

As he approached to rescue the two, Megumin saw that same priestess start groping him—freely touching places she definitely shouldn't be.

"It was me first… It was obviously me first…" she muttered, red-eyed.

Then, thanks to some… interference, Zunzun's footing slipped and all three fell back into the river. Yunyun eventually froze the river and pulled them all out.

Were they just here to mess with me?!

Megumin, watching from the sidelines with her arms crossed, stared at the two soggy salted fish basking in the sun like idiots on a bench.

She turned to the old man beside her.

"That's the Axis Church uniform, right? Is she one of yours?"

"Her name is Cecily," the old priest replied. "She's… very accomplished."

"…Hmm."

She let out a flat, meaningful grunt.

"But enough about that—!"

Suddenly, the priest beside her—who had been calm and composed—launched forward without warning.

"I saw it! You dove into danger without hesitation! Your soul is truly noble! A natural member of the Axis Church!"

…Oh no.

Zunzun, eyes twitching, stepped aside and stomped on the old man's face as he slid toward him on his knees. But the old priest only flushed with suspicious delight, breathing oddly.

Zunzun recoiled.

We must never let perverts feel joy.

"Lord Zesta!?"

Cecily immediately recognized the intruder.

The old man coughed, stood up slowly, and brushed off his clothes. Then, pulling out a scroll, he beamed at Zunzun and Yunyun.

"I saw it all! Your selfless act touched my heart! As a reward, I offer you… an Axis Church membership application!"

"I don't want it."

He said it immediately. That fake tone of kindness? Zunzun knew this guy just couldn't recruit anyone himself and was trying to offload his job.

"No! Lord Zesta!" Cecily jumped between them. "I fell in love with this child first! I won't give him up—even if it's to you!"

"Oh? Then… I'll pick this little girl."

Zesta casually turned to Yunyun.

"Let me introduce him," Cecily said with a suspiciously sweet tone. "This is Lord Zesta—currently the highest-ranking leader of the Axis Church!"

…"Currently"? What's that supposed to mean?

Zunzun felt a bad premonition.

Despite the chaotic intro, Zesta kept smiling like a benevolent old man.

Yunyun bowed politely. "I'm Yunyun. It's an honor to meet you."

"You poor young lady," Zesta replied kindly.

"P-Poor?! I mean… it's true I don't have many friends, but I don't want to hear that from an old guy I just met!"

Zunzun began to wonder—was Zesta clairvoyant or just very perceptive?

(To be fair… Yunyun was kind of pitiful.)

"I'm Zunzun," he added curtly.

"What a fine name! Tell me, would you like to join the Axis Church?"

Zesta grabbed his hand with both of his.

"Let go! LET GO!"

"Boy" and "priest" were fine words when said separately, but when combined—

They became a problem.

Zunzun yanked his hands free. Why were these Axis people so strong? Were they actually warrior monks?

Zesta tilted his head, observing them.

"Hmm… Are you two from the Crimson Demon Clan?"

"Do you know of us?" Zunzun asked warily.

"Haha! I was just with another Crimson Demon girl earlier. I think you know her."

"Wait—could it be—?!"

Yunyun's eyes widened, and a second later, the person in question walked around the corner.

"Megumin!?"

"Yunyun? Zunzun? You two are here too?"

Megumin waved and walked over.

After a short reunion, they learned that Megumin had been helping the Axis Church recruit members.

"Megumin… you're doing that kind of work?" Yunyun asked hesitantly.

She instinctively stepped back a little.

Before this, Yunyun had only heard vague rumors about the Axis Church's eccentricity. After meeting Cecily yesterday, she realized the truth was much, much worse.

"I had no choice," Megumin said. "I needed money for the carriage ride. So I stayed here to help the church."

"Miss Megumin has taught us some very creative methods!" Zesta beamed.

"You helped them recruit believers?"

Zunzun turned toward her.

"Megumin, how determined are you to say something like that? You're just an ordinary Crimson Demon. Can you really bear the weight of the church's future? Don't throw around heavy words like 'recruitment' so casually. Honestly… you're always thinking about yourself."

"…Ugh."

Megumin lowered her head.

She knew it too. Her "teaching methods" were outrageous. She hadn't recruited a single person.

"I—I had no choice!" Megumin protested. "I was treated like a child at every job! I had no money! I was starving in a stable while you two were enjoying the luxury of a hot spring suite! Why didn't you just come with me from the beginning, Zunzun?! It's all your fault!"

"W-Wait a minute…"

Zunzun faltered. Why was he suddenly the bad guy?

Didn't she ditch them to try and freeload off some rich guy? How did the blame end up here?

At that moment, Zesta clapped his hands and said with a gentle smile:

"Everyone, based on my vast experience, I'd say it's only a matter of time before someone reports us to the guards. Let's head back to the church and talk things out there, shall we?"

His voice was kind.

Too kind.

Zunzun and Yunyun exchanged a glance.

They'd walked into the Axis Church's web. Again.

-End Chapter-

Visit the Patreon!!

Read 30 chapters ahead, more on the way!

[email protected]/TrashProspector