Legend of the Crimson Demon

It took about two days to travel from Arcanletia to Axel. Honestly, sitting in a carriage was anything but comfortable—Zunzun's butt ached terribly. It was a far cry from the smooth rides he remembered from planes and cars in his previous life.

But boredom never set in on the journey.

"I say, Megumin, it's time to switch seats with me. It's been almost an hour."

"But it only feels like ten minutes to me."

The two argued over the window seat, joking as if they were the best of friends. In the end, Megumin won the spot. But just as she was about to bask in her victory, she heard the soft rustle of pages turning.

Turning around, she spotted Zunzun calmly reading a book.

His calm focus made Megumin uneasy. After all, she considered herself one of the Crimson Demon Clan's top explosion magicians—but since leaving the village, she hadn't opened a book or even fought monsters to get stronger. Instead, she'd spent her days eating, drinking, having fun, and dreaming of a better future.

She felt a little ashamed of her laziness.

It was like ants were crawling all over her body.

Yunyun, noticing the silence, finally asked, "Zunzun, what book are you reading?"

Zunzun held it up for both to see: How to Make Advanced Magic Tools, complete with instructions on crafting magic crystals.

"Magic crystals?" Megumin blinked.

Yunyun nodded knowingly. "A crystal that lets you release magic indirectly, right?"

"Exactly."

Zunzun explained, "Magic crystals are incredibly powerful—you can even release explosion magic through them."

"Explosion magic? That means you could use explosion magic as many times as you want?"

Megumin's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Her biggest problem right now was that she'd be completely drained after casting an explosion spell. With magic crystals, would she have unlimited shots?

"That's the theory," Zunzun said. "But every power comes with a price. The magic crystal draws on stored magic power, circulating it through your body. Using it once or twice is fine, but if you go too far, it'll overload your body—especially for a young girl like Megumin, using the strongest explosion magic."

"Let's not talk about that right now. Zunzun, have you learned how to make magic crystals?"

"I've learned how to mine them," he replied. "Magic crystals come from special mines."

Seeing Megumin's hopeful expression, he added, "But the lowest quality magic crystals cost 100,000 Eris. The top-grade crystals, which can release explosion magic as powerful as yours, cost enough to buy a house in the capital."

"A house in the capital…" Megumin pulled the corner of her mouth in disbelief. She had no idea how high house prices were, but since it was the capital, it had to be expensive. And a single top-grade magic crystal was worth that much? She'd never afford one in her lifetime.

Even more frustrating—it was a disposable consumable!

Megumin lowered her head in disappointment and then swapped seats with Yunyun, letting her take the window.

Yunyun wasn't thrilled but felt awkward seeing her friend so down. She wanted to comfort Megumin but didn't know how—so she glanced helplessly at Zunzun.

Zunzun didn't catch her silent plea, but when Megumin suddenly fell quiet, he understood.

Turning the page to the next chapter, How to Make Advanced Energy Potions, he said, "Megumin, don't be so disappointed. Think about it: your explosion magic is worth a house in the capital, and you can use it once a day. Imagine how powerful you really are."

Megumin straightened her back and proudly declared, "Yes! My explosion magic is unmatched. It's worth a house in the capital, naturally! My name is Megumin! I am the Crimson Demon Clan's leading explosion magician! Now, I'll make you taste the power of a house in the capital!"

…Even though the damage she caused was probably worth more than that.

Then Megumin turned to Yunyun, "It's been an hour. Time to switch with me."

"Eh? Wait, wait! It's only been ten minutes!"

"Just like me, that's your perceived time. I had an hour of depression. Come on, swap seats!"

"That's your perceived time—you only had ten minutes of depression!"

The two burst into another wrestling match, laughing happily.

Zunzun shook his head with amusement.

…

Between Arcanletia and Axel stretched a vast plain, endless in every direction. Any movement could be easily detected.

The caravan consisted of ten carriages. As it traveled to various towns, it carried passengers in empty seats to collect fares.

Monsters rarely attacked such a large caravan. Besides, it wasn't the breeding season for running lizards, and there was no perverted female knight aboard with a body as hard as adamantium ore.

Just past noon, a gentle breeze relaxed everyone.

The other passengers lounged in the grass, eating lunchboxes or napping peacefully.

Yunyun, sitting on the grass, murmured with a content smile, "It's so leisurely… Looking at this scenery, it's hard to believe the Demon King's army is wreaking havoc in the capital."

No—it was true.

The Demon King's army was probably trying to distract the capital's forces so they couldn't prepare to attack the kingdom itself. A strategic move.

Zunzun handed lunchboxes he'd prepared to the two girls.

Megumin eagerly dug in. She loved food the most.

While eating, she said, "Yunyun, be careful. If you say things like that, ignorant monsters might attack us. But as someone who wants to master magic, I'm thrilled. When the time comes, I'll let them taste the power of a house in the capital!"

"…Better be cautious," Yunyun replied.

"If we make it safely, we should reach the town by evening."

"Shut up! Don't say things that'll jinx us, okay? Didn't we learn at school? Those are the forbidden words!"

Yunyun grabbed Megumin's shoulders, shaking her.

Zunzun was confident no monsters would attack. The biggest threat, Arnes, was far away for now. Without her intervening, they were safe.

Haha, can you kill me in seconds?

Seven days of travel, and you want to kill me in seconds? If you do, Zunzun, I will—

"Curse Lightning!"

A woman's shrill scream rang out, followed by a flash of light.

At the critical moment, Zunzun threw himself forward, shielding the others with one arm. The flash hit behind them, stirring up a cloud of dust.

He pulled his head free from the dirt and looked up.

Floating in the sky was Arnes, flapping her demon-like wings.

The devil in the dog's trough was still chasing me!

-End Chapter-

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