Legend of the Crimson Demon

It was the morning Megumin was about to leave the village.

"Sister, I made you a rice ball!"

Komekko held up a massive rice ball with a big smile.

"Thank you, Komekko."

Megumin was deeply moved. She paused, then slowly reached into her chest pocket and took out a small coin purse.

"Komekko, here's 50,000 Eris for your living expenses. Don't try to save it—don't go hungry."

"Okay!"

"This is the last of it, so take care of it!"

"Okay!"

But when Komekko tried to take it, Megumin clutched the purse with both hands, reluctant to let go. Her eyes sparkled with unspeakable emotion.

"Sister, it's okay. You don't have to—"

"What are you saying?! Take it! Listen—if you ever run out of money and have nothing to eat, you have to come find your bankrupt sister. Got it?!"

"Yes! I got it!"

Megumin finally let go, placing the purse in Komekko's hands. She looked back at it one last time… then gritted her teeth and turned away.

…

"So that's the situation. I gave all 50,000 Eris I earned from selling food and part-time work to Komekko," Megumin said while chomping on a skewer.

"So that's why you're so broke?" Zunzun groaned. "I mean, it's sweet that you gave it to your sister… but you were obviously planning to eat and drink off us for free!"

And worst of all—she told Komekko to go find her bankrupt older sister if things went south.

"It's your fault anyway!" Megumin snapped. "If you had just come with me in the first place, I wouldn't have had to sleep in a stable!"

"You absolutely cannot pin this on me!"

"I was starving and covered in hay, while you and Yunyun were relaxing in a luxury hot spring inn! I was there first! First!"

She turned her grief into accusations so effortlessly that even Yunyun began to feel a little guilty.

Zesta, smiling kindly, suddenly added:

"You three have such a close bond. It's heartwarming! Actually, the Axis Church doesn't forbid relationships like this. In fact, we support monogamy."

"No, no, no! We're just childhood friends!" Megumin shouted. "And monogamy means one partner, right?!"

"Yes."

"Huh?!"

"One husband—" Zesta pointed at Zunzun.

"One wife—" He pointed at Yunyun.

"That's monogamy."

Yunyun stared at him like he had lost his mind.

Zesta continued with a pure, benevolent smile:

"The Axis Church is all about love! As long as your love isn't with undead or demons, and it's not technically illegal, everything is forgiven!"

"That's right. Harems are fully endorsed!" Cecily declared, pressing against Zunzun's back with gooey agar slime in hand. Zunzun tried to break free, but her sticky technique had terrifying grip—something like the legendary Seven-Day Binding Love Lock.

Back at the Axis Church headquarters—

Zesta was immediately arrested by the city guards, who had clearly been waiting outside. The charges? Thirty-five counts, including:

Harassing priestesses from the Eris Church

Spreading false rumors

Inciting religious conflict

Peeping in hot springs

And… too many others to name.

He might even be worse than the King of "Understanding."

But in a way, Zesta really could do anything.

The arrest had been triggered by Zunzun's own letter, which boldly accused the current hot spring overseer (Zesta) of being a minion of the Demon King.

Even though the Axis Church famously despises the Demon King's army, the security forces had no choice but to act on the claim.

The captain of the guard—whose shirt had previously been ripped off by Cecily—looked like he was on the verge of tears as he hauled off the howling Zesta.

"How could this happen… Lord Zesta is gone. What will become of the church now?" Cecily said with a rare frown.

Megumin was about to comfort her—until Cecily added:

"Well, since it's come to this… let's eat first."

"HEY!!"

"I mean, what else can we do?" Cecily tilted her head, utterly sincere. "Besides, Lord Zesta gets arrested almost every day. It's not like he ever had anything important to do."

Her eyes were so clear… so empty.

"Then… what's even the point of his existence?!" Megumin shouted.

"More importantly," Zunzun stood up suddenly, "the real issue is clearing Zesta's name. We must prove his innocence and break him out of jail!"

"Zunzun… you're not seriously…" Megumin's eyes narrowed.

"Why?" Cecily asked, puzzled. "I'm sure Lord Zesta is loving the interrogation right now. Wouldn't it be rude to interrupt?"

Everyone fell silent.

Then Cecily raised her arms dramatically.

"Forget that! I've waited long enough! If I'm going to take over the world, the time is now! Today—WAR BEGINS!"

She marched out of the church with purpose.

Zunzun, Megumin, and Yunyun just stared at each other.

And to their horror, other Axis cultists seemed to have the same idea.

Once outside, the streets were swarming with Axis members giving public speeches, handing out pamphlets, and loudly declaring their "sacred" policies.

"What the heck are they doing?" Megumin asked.

"Campaigning," Zunzun replied bitterly.

Apparently, Zesta's arrest had become an opportunity. With the seat of leadership now "vacant," every Axis cultist wanted to become the next supreme leader.

They were all just waiting for this.

Cecily approached again.

"Hey~ want to help your big sister out? The pay is good~"

Due to her previous… behavior, most strangers avoided her like the plague. Some even screamed and ran away when she got too close. So, naturally, she turned to the only people who couldn't flee.

Zunzun, of course, refused.

There are already too many idiots in the Axis Church. If we add more, the world might actually end.

Megumin also refused—initially—but Cecily's threats (and Yunyun's magic) forced her to give up halfway.

Unable to win the election herself, Cecily changed plans.

"Fine. If I can't become leader… then I'll rescue Lord Zesta. That way, no one gets to be leader!"

What a terrible person.

As they walked through the crowd, they suddenly spotted Zesta's former secretary shouting into a loudspeaker.

"I'm Tristan! If elected as Axis Church's next leader, I promise these reforms:

First—polygamy will be legalized!

Second—the marriage age limit will be lowered!

Third—as long as there's love, even siblings—!"

Zunzun clenched his fists and walked toward her, solemn and determined.

Megumin was alarmed.

"Zunzun?! What are you doing?!"

"I'm supporting this big sister… with my real name!"

"WAIT A SECOND—!!"

Before he could write anything, Megumin and Yunyun tackled him to the ground.

-End Chapter-

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