"Ah!~"
A purple glow of teleportation suddenly appeared in front of Satou Kazuma and his party. Three figures emerged from the light, standing before them.
Looking down at the flushed Megumin, Yunyun's face lit up with excitement.
"It's really you, Megumin! I saw the flash of Explosion magic in the village and thought you must have returned!"
Happily embracing Megumin, Yunyun turned her curious gaze toward Kazuma and the others. She leaned close to Megumin and whispered,
"Megumin, are these three the adventuring companions you always talk about in your letters?"
Inspecting Kazuma up and down, Yunyun whispered in Megumin's ear,
"That man who looks like a bean sprout—is he really the boyfriend you said defeated the Demon King Army's Death Knight and his legion all by himself? He doesn't look very strong…"
"Hey, hey, hey."
Kazuma, overhearing the conversation, turned his head, face full of irritation.
"I can hear you, you know! Don't think having a big chest gives you the right to insult me! If you don't let me squeeze those, this matter won't end here!"
"Ah!"
Yunyun leapt back, covering her chest with her arms. Pointing at Kazuma with a blushing face, she shouted,
"Pervert! Hentai! Shameless!"
"Oh-ho~!"
With a mischievous smile, Kazuma stepped beside Megumin and said meaningfully,
"Megumin, it seems your friend here hasn't had a boyfriend yet. Should we introduce one to her? Someone this naive could easily get tricked outside."
Megumin nodded seriously, pretending to think it over.
"That's a good idea. Yunyun is so gullible. If she goes out, she'll definitely get scammed."
"And those huge…battle-obstructing assets of hers might make her too unapproachable for anyone to want her. How tragic."
"Megumin!!"
Yunyun shouted, her face red with shame and anger.
"I've been out adventuring too! And why can you talk so calmly about such indecent topics now that you have a boyfriend?!"
"Hmph!"
Tossing her hair dramatically, Megumin's crimson eyes sparkled with pride.
"That's because I've grown up, little girl Yunyun~."
"Ah!!"
Blushing furiously, Yunyun charged at Megumin.
"Megumin! I challenge you to a duel today!"
"Hmph!"
Lowering her stance, Megumin prepared herself, her gaze locked onto Yunyun.
"Today, you'll face another crushing defeat, Yunyun!"
Kazuma stood frozen as a Crimson Demon youth who had arrived with Yunyun clapped him on the shoulder. Watching Megumin and Yunyun rolling on the ground wrestling, the young man smiled nostalgically.
"Don't mind them; that's just how they bond."
"It's been a while since I've seen this scene. Ever since Megumin and Yunyun left the Crimson Demon Village, it's been quiet without their antics."
Lowering his gaze to meet Kazuma's, Bukkorori's lips curled into a slight grin. Multicolored lights shimmered before his eyes as he jumped back and struck a series of dramatic poses.
"My true name is Bukkorori!"
"I am the son of the top shoemaker in the Crimson Demon Village!"
"And a grand wizard who wields advanced magic~!"
"Oh~."
Kazuma blinked slowly at the theatrical display, raising his hand cautiously.
"Wow, I've heard of you."
"I am Satou Kazuma," he said, striking a pose of his own.
"I've fought countless generals of the Demon King Army and crossed many battlefields. I've even clashed with gods."
"I am the lover of the Crimson Demon Megumin and the slayer of deities."
"Ohhh~!"
Bukkorori's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"This is the first time an outsider has responded like this!"
Turning to Megumin and Yunyun, he exclaimed,
"Megumin, congratulations on finding such a wonderful partner and companions."
"Mm~," Megumin responded, blushing as she sat atop a pinned Yunyun.
"Let's head back to the village."
Placing a hand on Kazuma's shoulder, Bukkorori smiled.
"It's still far to the Crimson Demon Village. Allow me to teleport you there."
"Teleport."
The purple glow enveloped everyone as Kazuma shivered slightly before vanishing.
The paved road was lined with blooming flowers. Brightly colored houses stood proudly along the path. On open spaces set aside for gatherings, bursts of purple light descended from the sky.
Looking around at the surroundings, Kazuma couldn't help but comment,
"What a beautiful village."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Covered in dust, Yunyun and Bukkorori smiled warmly.
"Welcome to the Crimson Demon Village."
Waving his hand, Bukkorori said,
"Yunyun will take you to the village chief to explain your purpose here. I'll be heading back now."
"Bye-bye! See you next time!"
Watching the carefree Bukkorori leave, Kazuma scratched his head.
"They're good people. I think I like this place."
"That's because everyone here is kind," Yunyun said, dusting herself off. Pointing at Megumin, she added,
"This duel will have to wait. Let's report Kazuma's presence to my father first."
Glancing at Kazuma curiously, Yunyun murmured,
"For some reason, ever since we entered the village, I've felt a massive energy emanating from you. This must be documented."
"Hahaha~."
Kazuma chuckled awkwardly, sneaking a glance at Megumin, who looked smug. Smiling, he said,
"Is that so? Let's head over then."
Taking Megumin's hand, Kazuma followed Yunyun toward the village center. Along the way, Crimson Demon villagers passed by, casting knowing smiles at the couple. The initially tense atmosphere softened.
"Looks like Megumin found herself a great partner," someone commented with a laugh.
"She even brought him back to show off!"
Blushing, Megumin silently squeezed Kazuma's hand tighter.
"Welcome to my home!"
Stopping in front of a two-story wooden house, Yunyun turned back with a smile. Seeing Megumin and Kazuma standing so close together, she added,
"Please, come in."
Sip.
Placing his teacup down, the Crimson Demon chief, Shilph, nodded with a smile.
"I see, I see."
Glancing at the blissful Kazuma and Megumin, his crimson eyes flashed.
"If you wish to marry one of our tribe, you must pass our trial!"
"Only the strong can protect everything!"
"Yes!"
Standing up straight, Kazuma responded with determination.
"I will pass your trial!"
"Warning! Demon King Army attack detected!"
"Villagers with free time, please gather at the entrance. Enemy numbers estimated at one thousand!"
Stroking his chin, Shilph grinned.
"Well, young man, here is your trial."
"Defeat this wave of the Demon King Army all by yourself!"