The legend of the Crimson Demon clan started from Suqing

#356 - Pussycat

This was a large and sharp beast claw.

A heavy blow, if it landed, would definitely cause serious damage, even to the point of unconsciousness.

However, this was nothing to Zun Zun, who casually grasped the furry wrist.

“Um… what does this mean?”

Zun Zun, feeling perplexed, directly received Garfiel’s ultimate attack. Natsuki Subaru was speechless at this scene that defied common sense, and Garfiel himself was frozen in astonishment.

The merciless beast claw was blocked by the slender man in front of him as if he were shaking hands, revealing a confused expression.

It was too far beyond common sense and convention, a difference in strength that was on a completely different level.

“To actually block that, I can’t help but marvel at Zun Zun’s strength once again. Speaking of which, aren’t you supposed to be a spirit mage? Why is your physical ability so strong?”

“My profession is spirit mage, but I also know a little bit of swordsmanship, so you could say I’m a spirit knight as well. Besides, you already saw it during the battle with the White Whale, didn’t you?”

Zun Zun replied to Natsuki Subaru’s remark while looking at the beast-man Garfiel, who was still baring his fangs at him.

“Leaving aside why I was attacked in the first place, could you please calm him down a little before that? This mad dog little brother seems to have a lot of hostility towards me.”

“This great one doesn’t know who you are, but if you’re causing the Captain so much trouble, you must be an enemy!”

Garfiel tried to break free from the restraint, but the slender hand holding him remained motionless, no matter what he did, he couldn’t break free.

“Are you kidding me…”

He stared at Zun Zun in bewilderment.

“Ah, sorry, sorry.” Natsuki Subaru quickly came between the two, saying, “Garfiel, Zun Zun is my good friend… um, a very, very good friend, there’s no doubt about it! And Zun Zun, this is a little brother I picked up in the Sanctuary, his name is…”

“Garfiel. Garfiel Tinsel.”

While Natsuki Subaru was introducing him, Zun Zun released his hand, and Garfiel took a deep breath before introducing himself.

“I see, so it’s you…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I didn’t expect Natsuki Subaru to have such a powerful helper. I look forward to working with you in the future… Mad Dog Little Brother.”

“Are you deliberately mocking me!?”

Zun Zun’s good intentions were misunderstood, and Garfiel glared at him, his challenging look suggesting he wanted to attack again.

“Ah, sorry. Tigers are felines, right? I should call you Little Wildcat instead… but that nickname doesn’t really suit you.”

“You bastard…!”

“Okay, okay, Garfiel, calm down!”

Natsuki Subaru quickly grabbed his arm, preventing him from impulsively attacking again.

Emilia also immediately lowered her head and said, “I’m sorry, I apologize for my child, Zun Zun, are you alright?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Zun Zun indifferently shook his head.

He didn’t take this attack seriously, and he also realized that although Garfiel was called Emilia’s shield, this shield wasn’t very reliable or sturdy.

Zun Zun didn’t mind, but that didn’t mean others didn’t.

Julius, even though he was someone else’s knight, still took the initiative to stand up for Zun Zun, coldly saying, “Knight Natsuki Subaru, as a fellow knight, I must give you a word of advice—manage your subordinates well, or it will cause a serious diplomatic incident.”

“Umm… although I’m not happy about it, I can’t find a reason to refute it.”

“Um, I’m sorry!”

Natsuki Subaru reluctantly didn’t want to admit it, but Emilia decisively bowed to Zun Zun to apologize, without any hesitation.

“W-wait, wait a minute, why should Emilia-sama apologize? What I did, of course, should be apologized for by myself!”

“Why?”

To Garfiel’s question, Julius calmly said, “Because Zun Zun-sama is a royal candidate.”

Since he was a royal candidate, that meant Zun Zun’s status was on par with Emilia’s, which was why he said it could cause a very serious diplomatic incident, and Garfiel’s mistake had to be cleaned up by Emilia.

“I know you’re surprised, but it’s the truth.”

Natsuki Subaru patted the dumbfounded Garfiel on the shoulder, guessing that he still thought Zun Zun was Anastasia’s attendant or something.

“Honestly, I was almost about to prostrate myself and beg for forgiveness. Even being punished wouldn’t be an overstatement.”

“Don’t do such an embarrassing thing, Captain!”

After a year apart, Natsuki Subaru had become somewhat shameless, thinking of using this method to obtain forgiveness.

“Also, Zun Zun, don’t misunderstand, I did tell him about the royal candidate’s identity, but… you understand, right?”

“Even so, I hope you can teach him well, so that there won’t be any unnecessary mistakes in this kind of situation.”

“Alright, Julius.”

Zun Zun interrupted the most excellent knight, smiling and saying, “Bless those who are forgetful, for they overcome their mistakes—that’s Nietzsche’s famous quote.”

“…I don’t understand. But hearing Zun Zun’s venomous tongue again, I actually feel a sense of familiarity.”

“Captain, are you perhaps a Do M?”

“Of course not! …But if Emilia likes it, I wouldn’t mind?”

Under Natsuki Subaru’s antics, the air was filled with a happy atmosphere, and the matter of Garfiel offending Zun Zun was put to rest.

Zun Zun sighed.

“Subaru’s growth is truly astonishing. He was a completely different person a year ago.”

“Hmph, hmph, that’s right. Subaru is really amazing, he’s my proud knight!”

This didn’t sound like a flattering compliment, making Emilia puff out her chest with pride, half happy and half shy.

In any case, thanks to this conversation, the atmosphere was restored.

Zun Zun signaled to Julius with his eyes, and the most excellent knight immediately said, “I sincerely apologize, Emilia-sama, for making you stay outside for so long. After such a long journey, you must be tired. Please rest inside the inn. Also, Anastasia-sama is on her way here and will meet with you soon.”

“Thank you, Julius, I am a little tired.”

After Emilia thanked him, she walked into the inn, followed closely by Natsuki Subaru and Garfiel. The latter was immediately rushed by Mimi, who had smelled his scent, and then taken away.

So she was in the inn?

Natsuki Subaru was shocked when he saw the Japanese-style inn. He pulled Zun Zun to comment on this not-so-authentic inn and made suggestions for improvement to the staff at the counter.

Out of consideration for being a distinguished guest invited by Anastasia, the staff at the counter still greeted him with smiles, even if they felt annoyed, until they were dragged away by the impatient Betty.

Soon, Anastasia returned to the inn.

He didn’t know what she was doing. Zun Zun couldn’t discern anything from the great merchant’s well-managed expression. In any case, she first came to take a look at Zun Zun herself, and then met with Emilia.

“So, why is Zun Zun here?”

“I’m curious about that too.”

Zun Zun had been consciously trying to stay away from Emilia. After all, even if they were gathered in the Water Gate City, they shouldn’t inquire about each other’s information. That was the proper etiquette.

However, Anastasia didn’t play by the rules, insisting that he come along as well.

“Is it okay for Zun Zun to be here?”

“Um… it’s okay.”

Emilia hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. She hadn’t done anything wrong, and her problems were well known, so she wasn’t worried about being found out.

Natsuki Subaru looked at the smiling Anastasia, then at Zun Zun, and blurted out.

“You two aren’t dating, are you?”

“Dating… no.”

Zun Zun shook his head in denial. At the same time, he seemed to understand Anastasia’s reason for wanting him to attend together, which was to create the illusion that the two of them were already linked. Even if Zun Zun denied it, it would leave an impression, at least causing suspicion and other thoughts.

“Then, let’s get to the topic that everyone’s been waiting for. The thing that Emilia-sama is looking for… a magic crystal stone that serves as a catalyst for spirit mages, and one that comes with colorless, high purity conditions.”

“Eh, eh, yes. Can you tell me about that?”

Faced with the sudden shift to a serious topic, Emilia’s purple eyes were filled with anticipation.

Her crystal shattered in the Sanctuary, and the return of her memories also caused the catalyst to be damaged. Puck could no longer be summoned, so she urgently needed a magic crystal stone.

Anastasia pursed her lips and smiled slightly.

“The owner of the magic crystal stone you’re looking for is the son of the successor of a large merchant guild in this city. Although his own commercial talent is also well-known, he’s even more famous here for another title.”

She deliberately paused for a beat, putting on airs to observe Emilia’s reaction, before slowly saying:

“—The man who is infatuated with the songstress.”

“The man who is infatuated with the songstress?”

Emilia’s eyes were filled with deep confusion.

In the eyes of someone who is prepared, this is undoubtedly very useful information, but in the eyes of someone who is not prepared, it feels like it doesn’t have much use. It depends on how you use it.

This is the difference between a merchant and a great merchant.

Unfortunately, Anastasia didn’t intend to tell Emilia how to use this information, but she did help to contact the other party in advance and make preparations for the visit, her planning ability was admirable.

According to her own words.

“Since it’s a favor, then let it be out in the open. If it’s done obscurely, the other party will only overlook it, which is a big taboo for merchants.”

“Then why not tell me how to use that information?”

When asked this question, the answer received was—

“That would be too boring. And merchants won’t do everything perfectly. The favor can end here.”

As if testing Emilia, Anastasia’s help stopped there.

“So, we have to rely on ourselves next…” Natsuki Subaru, standing at the Water Feather Pavilion waiting for a guide, let out a long breath, while looking at Zun Zun, who was scratching his head vigorously beside him, and asked strangely, “What are you doing?”

“Well… doesn’t Emilia want a magic crystal stone? All of these on my head are, but—”

Zun Zun tried to pry it off, but he couldn’t pry it off no matter what.

“Hah… hah… it’s stuck firmly on the crown, I can’t take it off at all, sorry, I can’t help.”