Legend of the Crimson Demon

No way.

How did they catch up?

Zunzun opened his mouth to ask, but when he saw Arnes's haggard face, he understood. She must've chased them day and night, possibly without rest.

There's something to be said for a persistent demon girl.

"Finally caught up with you!" Arnes growled.

She looked like a corporate employee forced to work three nights of unpaid overtime, only to be told the project had been rejected.

Her blood pressure was clearly through the roof.

Megumin sighed and muttered, "You're so annoying. This cat is my Chomusuke. Just give up already."

She hoisted Chomusuke proudly into the air.

Arnes growled through clenched teeth. "You're the one who needs to give up. This is an open plain—you have nowhere to run!"

Crimson Demon pride or not, the devil threat was still very real.

Zunzun stepped forward, shielding the girls. "Big Sis, I admit you're strong. But there are three Crimson Demon mages here. Three to one—the odds are in our favor!"

With Yunyun's advanced magic and Megumin's raw power, they might actually win.

Arnes let out a cold laugh. "Oh? You think I didn't consider that? Well then, I brought a friend!"

A black speck approached from the sky, quickly growing larger.

Cyan skin, towering frame, leathery wings, and curled horns—it was unmistakably a high-level demon.

Zunzun's expression darkened.

Why are these two together?!

Arnes smirked. "That's the expression I wanted to see!"

The newcomer landed beside her and groaned, "Arnes, you flew for three days straight... Oh? Are these... Crimson Demons?"

He glanced at their red eyes and black hair.

Then, to their horror, he puffed up his chest and announced loudly, "I am Host, a high-level demon! I will become the servant of a little demon someday! ...Is that how it goes?"

Oh no.

The demon had gone full sidekick mode.

Arnes glared at him. "Where did you learn that? And what do you mean 'servant of a little demon'?"

"Ah... I have my reasons."

Host brushed it off with a shrug.

Meanwhile, Yunyun clutched Zunzun's sleeve. "Z-Zunzun... What do we do now?"

Megumin huffed, "Zunzun, go beat them up."

"Me?!"

That was a tall order.

Arnes sneered. "What's wrong? Still three against two. You have the advantage, don't you?"

Zunzun grit his teeth.

If it were just Arnes, they might've stood a chance. But with Host...

The commotion drew the attention of the caravan's adventurers. One of them, using stealth, crept toward Arnes.

"No, don't—!"

"Out of my way!" Arnes snarled, swatting the attacker aside like a fly.

He flew across the field and lay still.

The rest of the adventurers froze.

"Dammit! Everyone, charge!" the lead warrior barked.

They rushed forward—but these were just regular adventurers. They stood no chance against two superior demons.

One by one, they fell. Bloodied and broken.

Only Zunzun, Megumin, and Yunyun were still standing.

The passengers trembled, looking at the trio—their only remaining hope.

Zunzun's hands clenched into fists.

"Arnes...!" he growled.

Turning to his companions, he said, "I'll handle Arnes. You two deal with Host. You don't need to beat him—just distract him long enough to escape."

"Zunzun..."

Megumin frowned. "Hey, are you looking down on me? I'm an Explosion Mage! A high-level demon like that is no match! I could probably take both of them!"

Despite her bravado, her voice wavered and her knees shook.

Still, she was putting on a brave face.

Zunzun smiled. "Who do you think I am?"

They weren't whispering either.

Arnes heard them and snapped, "Do you really think I'll let you follow your plan?!"

"Sorry, big sis," Zunzun said, taking Chomusuke from Megumin and poking the cat's throat with two fingers. "You don't get to decide. You don't want Lord Wolbak to die, right?"

"Meow~!"

Chomusuke cried out.

"Okay! I get it! Just don't hurt Lord Wolbak!" Arnes shrieked.

Reluctantly, she complied.

Zunzun, still holding the cat, led Arnes away to a far edge of the plain.

Once they were alone, Arnes scowled. "I know what this is—you're just trying to buy them time to run."

She paused. "But if you give me Lord Wolbak now... maybe I'll let them live."

Unexpectedly generous—for a demon.

"Thanks, big sis," Zunzun said, "but I don't think I'm going to lose. And right now, I still have leverage."

"You damn Crimson Demons. So full of yourselves."

Arnes had clearly run out of patience.

Zunzun raised his hand and began chanting.

"The mandate of heaven is lost, the Yellow Sky must arise!"

"It is the first year of a new age, to restore order to the earth!"

"O Thunder God, answer your summoner's call—!"

Huh?

Arnes blinked.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Zunzun frowned. This wouldn't do.

This was his first serious magic battle. He needed dramatic flair! The Crimson Demon tradition demanded it!

He canceled the spell.

And then, under Arnes's increasingly baffled stare, started again—this time louder.

"The blue sky is dead, the Yellow Sky shall rise!"

"The first year of a new age, and heaven's blessing descends!"

"—Thunder God, help me!"

BOOM!

Lightning crashed into his palm.

Ah, that's more like it.

She got it that time.

-End Chapter-

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