The legend of the Crimson Demon clan started from Suqing

#189 - Alliance against the Demon King's Army

There's no such thing as a peaceful life; someone is always bearing the burden for you.

This saying applies perfectly to Zun Zun.

Last night, the merchant caravan was besieged by undead zombies. Although Aqua, whose true form is a goddess, easily resolved the situation in the end, the night's turmoil left them utterly exhausted and afraid to sleep, fearing another attack.

Seeing Zun Zun and the other two sleeping soundly in the carriage, Kazuma Sato's mood soured.

"Hey, Zun Zun."

"What is it?"

"You slept comfortably last night, didn't you? While we were outside worrying, you guys were sleeping so soundly. It makes one suspect that you foresaw this situation and chose to run away in advance."

"...W-What are you talking about, Kazuma? I don't understand."

"Hey, could it be true? Why can't you look me in the eye!?"

Zun Zun turned her head away, avoiding his gaze.

Kazuma Sato's intuition was a little too sharp. Besides, Zun Zun hadn't revealed anything, so how could he have guessed?

"Kazuma, really, we're companions, you know? How could I do something like that? You underestimate me too much."

"Heh, it's precisely because I know your nature to abandon people in danger that I suspect you!"

"Sorry, Kazuma, next time I will..."

"No, I'm not blaming you. I just want to say that next time there's danger, please take me with you when you run away."

"Hey..."

This guy is a complete scumbag.

As the carriage rattled along, they finally arrived at their destination: Alcanretia, the city of hot springs and water.

"Well then, everyone, please enjoy yourselves. I hope you have a great time in this hot spring town! Ah, you've really helped us a lot, thank you so much!"

The caravan leader bowed several times before leaving. Even after explaining the situation and suggesting that the monster attack might have been their fault, he dismissed it as a joke.

Not only that, but he even thought it was a fabricated excuse to avoid accepting the reward, embellishing his impression of Zun Zun and the others.

Honestly, this was a kind of torture.

Kazuma Sato's face was full of conflicted emotions.

Besides Zun Zun and the others, many other passengers and adventurers disembarked here, presumably people who came to the hot springs to heal their injuries or travel.

Megumin gazed at the departing carriage, muttering to herself.

"Charlie Bao, Charlie Bao..."

This was the name she had given to the red dragon cub on the carriage. Because Zun Zun and the others had helped the caravan so much, the red dragon cub's owner hoped they could help give it a nice name.

But what to say about the naming sense of the Crimson Demons...?

The word 'tragic' is not enough to describe it.

In the end, from Yunyun's 'Little Red,' Zun Zun's 'Hidden Stockpile of Materials,' and Megumin's 'Charlie Bao,' they chose the most unexpected name. And she insisted on writing the chosen name on a piece of paper and sticking it on the cage, expressing her fervent hope that the red dragon cub would be loved.

...I wonder if the owner will angrily dissect it into materials. If that happens, Zun Zun hopes to pay to buy some of its parts.

Kazuma carried Wiz on his back.

Because of the idiot goddess's madness last night, the lich girl, almost purified by divine power, was too weak to even get up.

It must be said that she is as tough as Darkness in some ways.

-----

"We've arrived! Alcanretia, the city of hot springs and water!"

Aqua shouted excitedly.

This was the second time Zun Zun and the others had come here, but it must be said that the scenery here was unique, making people relax unconsciously.

This town, close to a clear lake and a mountain with hot springs, was full of canals. Recalling the last time they came here, the canals were filled with grape-flavored agar slime, which was truly a disaster.

The buildings around the town were uniformly blue, the streetscape was very beautiful, and the pedestrians on the road all looked full of vitality. Moreover, the races walking on the streets were quite diverse.

Elves, beastmen, humans.

In this world where the Demon King's army runs rampant, this place is as peaceful as Axel, which can only be said to be due to the indelible contributions of the Axis Church.

The moment they stepped into the town.

A large group of people surrounded them.

"Welcome to Alcanretia! Are you here for sightseeing? To join the church? To adventure? Or to be baptized? Oh, and if you're looking for a job, please be sure to come to the Axis Order...!"

There was no room to interject.

These Axis Church followers surrounded them, chattering away, making their heads spin.

"What beautiful and shiny water-blue hair! Is it natural? I'm so envious! It's so enviable! That ribbon also looks very Aqua-goddess-like, it suits you so well!"

The most conspicuous of them was Aqua, who had the same water-blue long hair and ribbon as the water goddess.

...Wait a minute.

Is something wrong?

Besides her, the next most popular were Zun Zun, Megumin, and Yunyun.

"Those red eyes are so beautiful! And that smooth black hair is so touching! Wait a minute, could you be a Crimson Demon? Red eyes and black hair must mean you're a Crimson Demon! Are you tourists from the Crimson Demon Village? To tell you the truth, the Axis Church has formed an alliance with the Crimson Demons against the Demon King's army and reached a strategic partnership! We are honored that you could come here!"

"What did you say...! ?"

A dark-skinned female believer said excitedly, leaving Zun Zun stunned as if struck by lightning.

Crimson Demons + Axis Church

It's hard to say which has more destructive power, but Zun Zun knows that the Demon King's army is definitely going to suffer.

She pulled her arm and came to the side.

"Big sister, I'm very curious about the alliance between the Crimson Demons and the Axis Church. Can you tell me about it?"

"Huh? Don't you know?"

"Know what?"

"According to Lord Jesta, he and a big shot from the Crimson Demons reached a consensus to form an alliance, and even made the decision that people from the Crimson Demons can visit for free. So, honored guest from the Crimson Demons, please enjoy yourself!"

That old geezer who can do anything!

Zun Zun couldn't help but suspect that the other party was taking the opportunity to connect with the Crimson Demons through him, deliberately getting involved with them.

What is the Anti-Demon King Alliance!?

This ghostly name, it sounds like a very unreliable organization!

"Hey, Zun Zun." At this time, Kazuma Sato came over and said in a low voice: "Do you know that this is the headquarters of the Axis Church! ...Wait, that expression, don't tell me you already knew? Then why didn't you stop me from coming!?"

"I did stop you, but you insisted on coming!"

"What...! ?"

Thinking about it carefully, it seems that's really the case.

Megumin and Yunyun, the two Crimson Demons, were also surrounded by other Axis Church followers, constantly praising their appearance, making the two of them shy and not knowing what to do.

On the contrary, Aqua, enjoying the praise of the Axis Church followers, was so proud that she was about to ascend to heaven.

Seeing this, Kazuma Sato quickly said: "I'm sorry, we already have an Axis Church priest in our party, and there are also three Crimson Demon Arch-Mages, we are here for sightseeing today, so we'll take our leave first..."

"I see! Goodbye, comrades, wish you a wonderful day!"

The Axis Church followers smiled at Zun Zun and the other two, and then let them go.

"G-Great...!"

Megumin giggled and said: "Zun Zun, let's move here in the future, the people here are all talented and speak nicely, I love it here."

Bad, she's enjoying this too much.

I thought that Megumin would suffer the consequences of her previous bad ideas when she came again, but I never thought that because of Zun Zun's relationship, the Axis Church and the Crimson Demons formed an alliance, and she transformed into a guest of honor.

Where can you reason with this.

At this time, Aqua, as if returning home, said happily: "You go to the inn first, I want to go to the church headquarters as the Axis Church High Priestess to play, so that everyone can praise me."

Megumin also followed closely and said: "And me, I also want to be praised in this town as a Crimson Demon!"

The two of them said such unsettling words.

Yunyun was afraid that something bad would happen, so she planned to go with them, so that she could take care of them if something bad happened.

Zun Zun could only follow.

So Kazuma Sato, Darkness, and the half-dead Wiz went ahead to check into the hot spring inn.

Aqua, who was going to the church headquarters on the way, also separated from Megumin, who was planning to stroll around the town. Helplessly, Yunyun followed the idiot goddess, and Zun Zun followed Megumin.

How to say this along the way...

The Crimson Demons are particularly popular in this distressed town, and this is not just empty talk. Just the two of them walking on this street were welcomed by many Axis Church followers, and the stall owners almost all took the initiative to give them things.

Soap, soap, soap, skewers, soap, soap, soap, hot spring steamed buns, soap, soap, soap...

Hey, there's too much edible soap!

Besides, which idiot would eat soap!

"Ah, yum! This is really delicious, Zun Zun, you try it too!"

Seeing Megumin handing the soap she had bitten to her mouth, Zun Zun hesitated briefly before taking a bite.

...The taste is surprisingly good?

Just as the two were leisurely strolling around the town, suddenly a little girl staggered out of an alley and fell in front of them.

Could this be...

Seeing this, Megumin quickly ran over to help her up, and asked with concern: "Are you okay, little girl!"

"I'm okay, thank you, big sister!"

The little girl gave the two a shy smile.

"Big sister, what's your name?"

"I'm Megumin, and this is Zun Zun."

"Megumin? Zun Zun? How do you write it, big sister, write it for me!"

When she saw the bright [Axis Church Enrollment Application] written on the piece of paper she handed over, even Megumin froze.