The legend of the Crimson Demon clan started from Suqing

“That's right, Huihui ran over to me last night and said: Difficult doesn't mean impossible, so we should try more! I'm 15 now, so for the next 20 years until I'm 35, I'll try every day!”

“Not bad.”

Unlike Kazuma Sato, who was green with envy, Kurea had a look of indifference, as if she knew this would happen.

“Miss Kurea doesn't seem surprised?”

“After all, back in school, Megumin and Yunyun were ZunZun's little darlings.”

“It started that early!? … Please tell me more.”

For some reason, Kazuma Sato was particularly gossipy today.

So Kurea started talking about what happened at school. There wasn't anything shocking, just the three of them farming together, fighting back against demons, deciding to form a team after graduation… things like that.

And there was very little about ZunZun, so that created a problem.

“…Are you the third wheel?”

“Don't say that, please.”

Kazuma Sato probably realized that compared to the bland daily life of ZunZun and the other two girls, the emotional entanglements of the other two girls were more eye-catching.

“Although I don't hate yuri, it's a loss for humanity when two beautiful girls get together.”

“…Kazuma?”

“And aren't you childhood sweethearts? I have high hopes for you!”

He said this with considerable momentum.

This guy seemed to be supporting ZunZun, but in reality, he saw his own shadow. His childhood sweetheart, who he had made a promise with, rode off on a yellow-haired senior's bicycle. It was because of this that he suffered a huge blow and became a NEET.

So if it's ZunZun, Megumin, and Yunyun, he would strongly support them.

“But ZunZun is having some health problems now.”

“…What?”

Looking at Kurea's melancholy face, ZunZun was a little strange, not understanding why she was like this.

And she said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile: “Didn't someone say before that they wanted to build a harem? This matter has even spread throughout the village, and everyone is very motivated.”

“W-Wait a minute, wasn't that a joke!?”

“…Who knows.”

From what Kurea said, setting aside the others, it seemed that Arnes was very active, constantly pushing the plan forward, and even causing a small disturbance in the village.

Feeling that it would affect her, ZunZun wisely didn't ask.

If I don't know, it didn't happen!

“Hold on a moment.” Kazuma Sato lowered his voice and said pretentiously, “ZunZun is a member of our party, and we still have the great ambition to defeat the Demon King. She can't stay in the village as a breeding machine.”

“Are you saying you want to take ZunZun away?”

“No, I mean I don't want to see my comrade suffer such torment. But with my help, Kazuma, who has saved the kingdom many times, defeated several Demon King Army executives, and earned support money by cooperating with neighboring countries, the progress should be faster, right? Moreover, I am prepared to fight to the end against the population decline caused by the Demon King Army. So, please don't consider my feelings.”

“…That line sounds cool at first glance, but in the end, it's just about making babies, right?”

Kurea couldn't help but retort.

Kazuma Sato said he wanted to do his part, but in reality, he had long been coveting the beautiful older sisters of the Crimson Demons.

Just as they were condemning his shamelessness, the tavern suddenly became noisy.

ZunZun looked around, puzzled.

Then she saw a dumbfounding scene.

At the staircase on the second floor, which served as the inn, appeared a man wearing full body armor… No, there was no one inside this armor. It was just a set of full body armor.

But what was even more surprising was that it could walk around freely like a normal person. When it even turned its head to look around, you could feel its gaze.

Kazuma Sato's expression was complicated, as if there was some unspeakable secret, but then he seemed to realize something and finally sighed helplessly.

“ZunZun, I know this guy. He's actually…”

[Let me introduce myself, my name is Aegis! As you can see, I am a set of full body armor, but please don't underestimate me. Why? Because I am a divine artifact! The strongest, hardest, and most talented divine artifact among divine artifacts! The Holy Armor Aegis!]

Before she could come back to her senses, the Holy Armor Aegis ran up to ZunZun with heavy steps and took her hand with unparalleled affection.

…What do you mean unparalleled affection.

Even though it was empty armor, you could feel its gaze and emotions, and it could directly transmit its thoughts into other people's minds through telepathy, making people marvel at the fact that it was a divine artifact.

[Although it's sudden, could you please wear me, miss?]

“Wait…! Idiot!”

Kazuma Sato's face changed as he tried to stop the nonsensical Holy Armor Aegis, but it was too late.

“Oh? You're calling me miss… Heh heh heh…”

ZunZun's eyes revealed a terrifying red light.

Whether it was because the Holy Armor Aegis didn't have eyes to see or because it was naturally thick-skinned, it cheerfully spoke to Kazuma Sato.

"Brother! What a coincidence to meet you in a place like this! Is this fate? We might really click. If you were reincarnated as a beautiful girl, I'd let you wear me... But you know such pretty girls, you should have introduced me before, oh, oh, oh—"

Before it could finish speaking, it let out a miserable wail.

"Melting, melting! My body is melting away! Why, why is this happening? I'm a Mythril artifact, I should be immune to magic!"

It was immune to magic, but not to authority.

Zun Zun merely stirred up a bit of Bai Ma's flames, and it was scalded so badly that it wailed and begged for mercy.

"So hot, so hot, so hot! Brother, save me quickly!"

"Sigh..."

Satou Kazuma rolled his eyes. He really didn't want to help this perverted suit of armor that spoke such naturally lewd things, but considering that this guy was at least an artifact, and that it was collected by the goddess Eris, he still helped to intercede.

"Zun Zun, let it go for now."

"...I'll spare your life. Also, I'm a boy."

Zun Zun released his hand.

He also considered that the Holy Armor Aegis was a servant of the goddess Eris. Even if he didn't respect the monk, he had to respect the Buddha. Having received such great favor from the goddess Eris, he should do something.

"Boy, a boy...!?"

Saint Keigos looked at Zun Zun dumbfounded.

He could clearly feel its dumbfounded emotions, and just as Satou Kazuma wanted to stop the Holy Armor Aegis from possibly acting foolishly again, he didn't expect it to actually take Zun Zun's hand again.

"If it's you, I'm willing."

"—Are you serious!?"

Satou Kazuma was also dumbfounded.

When he and Chris went to steal the Holy Armor Aegis, he knew how willful this guy was, saying something like 'This time I'm going to find a beautiful female master' and refusing to be taken away, even shouting and alarming the guards.

In the end, it was the goddess Eris who personally took action during the Goddess Festival to completely subdue it. Because of this, Satou Kazuma learned Chris's true identity.

"...I see. So, something happened again while I wasn't around."

"That's right. Chris originally planned to find you, but you weren't around, so I had to do it instead. That time, I suffered a lot."

Satou Kazuma briefly told Zun Zun about his relationship with Chris and the theft of the Holy Armor Aegis.

"So, why are you here? Weren't you taken away by Lady Eris?"

"Yes, yes, yes, listen to me, brother! My master is too much, she actually wants to give me to a swordsman, and a handsome, annoying one at that! I get scolded for harassing his female follower a little, so I ran away from home."

Equipment running away from home.

The funniest thing Zun Zun had ever heard in his life.

"I know you ran away from home, but why did you have to come to the Crimson Demon Village?"

"Because I felt that the person destined for me would appear here, so I immediately rushed over. As expected, my hunch was right, you really appeared here."

"Uh-huh, so, what's the real reason?"

Obviously, Satou Kazuma didn't believe the Holy Armor Aegis, which was full of dirty jokes and lies, and under constant scrutiny, the Holy Armor Aegis opened his mouth again in embarrassment.

"...The biggest feature of the Crimson Demon Village is that there are powerful monsters everywhere, that's right, this is a trial for that young man, I want to confirm whether he is worthy of being my man!"

"Guest, I remember you said something like 'The Crimson Demon Village is just like the rumors, there are beautiful older sisters everywhere! I'm going to be a child of this place starting today!'"

"Wait, miss, gentlemen shouldn't say such unromantic things!"

The lie was exposed again.

The Holy Armor Aegis had none of the demeanor that an artifact should have, and even Satou Kazuma might not be able to accept such a unique artifact.

"But, I'm serious!"

"What?"

"If it's you, I'm willing to become your artifact! Use me to your heart's content, and then become the strongest person in this world!"

"...Sorry, I refuse."

"Why!?"

"Because I'm a Great Magician."

Hearing these words, the Holy Armor Aegis first stiffened on the spot as if it had lost power, and then collapsed on the counter with a thud. Anyone could see how desperate it was at this moment.

Satou Kazuma said strangely, "What's wrong, Zun Zun? With your physique, you should be able to wear it even if you're a Great Magician, right? This is an artifact!"

"No. If it were a normal armor, it would be fine, but unfortunately, the Holy Armor Aegis is made of Mythril."

Under his even stranger gaze, Zun Zun helplessly explained.

"Mythril can block magic and skills, and an artifact made entirely of Mythril would probably nullify any magic and skills. But similarly, my magic and skills will also be hindered and weakened, so only Sword Masters or Crusader Knights can be worthy of it."

"Oh, is that so..."

"Actually, I'm very sorry too, after all, in terms of value alone, the Holy Armor Aegis is worth a city."

Zun Zun said casually.

Then Satou Kazuma and Kuku began to scrape the surface of the Holy Armor Aegis's body with spoons.