The legend of the Crimson Demon clan started from Suqing

#260 - Purple Haired Friend

"Ugh."

"Are you awake?"

Zun-zun, hearing a groan beside him, put down the soup spoon in his hand, turned his head, and grinned at the gray-haired boy who was groggily getting up.

"Eek!"

Then came a high-pitched scream that made one's head vibrate.

"It hurts!"

"Lord Zun-zun, are you alright?"

Fram was concerned, rubbing Zun-zun's swollen temples, while Otto, who had just woken up, was visibly stunned after seeing Fram and the way she addressed him.

"Lord Zun-zun!?"

"It's me."

It's no wonder Otto was so frightened; waking up to see someone covered in blood grinning at you would definitely make you scream.

Fram wiped the blood-stained face for him.

"Thank you, Fram."

Zun-zun thanked her, then handed the bowl filled with soup to Otto, "Here, you must be hungry after just waking up. Have something to eat."

"Oh, oh… Delicious!"

Otto subconsciously took the bowl; he had just been awakened by a strange fragrance. After taking a sip, Otto's eyes sparkled. He had never eaten such delicious food in his memory!

"What kind of soup is this?"

"White Whale meat soup."

"Pfft—"

After Zun-zun casually said that, Otto subconsciously spat out the soup in his mouth.

"Hey, that's dirty."

"Wh-Wh-White Whale!? Th-That's right! I forgot, we were just fighting the White Whale! I clearly remember Lord Zun-zun being eaten by the White Whale… Ah, ah?"

Otto was flustered. Seeing Zun-zun safe and sound here, even stewing White Whale meat soup, he was immediately dumbfounded and speechless.

He was very confused now.

Come to think of it, after seeing Zun-zun being eaten by the White Whale at that time, he didn't remember anything. When he woke up, he appeared here…

"White Whale! Where's the White Whale!?"

"It's here."

Otto saw Zun-zun pointing to the steaming pot of soup exuding a strange fragrance, and immediately opened his mouth wide, unable to say anything.

Zun-zun poured himself another bowl.

"Otto, calm down. The battle is over. It's our victory."

He soothed the flustered gray knight.

After taking a sip of the soup, Fram sincerely praised, "Lord Zun-zun, this meat soup is so delicious!"

"Oh, if you like it, have more."

"How does Lord Zun-zun make the soup? I clearly watched the whole process, but I just don't know what method you used. Although it's a bit shameless, I hope you can teach me. As a maid, I also want to make such delicious soup!"

"Yeah, I really want to know why… Maybe it's just that the quality of the White Whale meat is too good."

Hearing Zun-zun say this with some melancholy, Otto couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

From the battle with the White Whale to how to cook the White Whale, the jump was a bit too big, and his brain couldn't keep up. But—

"Another bowl!"

"Otto, you are also a great contributor, drink as much as you want!"

Things have come to this, let's eat first.

Otto accepted this fact and gradually integrated into it, tasting the delicious White Whale meat soup. But at the same time, he was also observing the surroundings and soon noticed something was wrong.

"There were hundreds of people when we came, now there are only this few left, and Lord Crusch, Rem, they are not here. Could it be…!"

"No, they just returned to the royal capital."

"—Gah?"

"After the White Whale was defeated, Crusch took the White Whale's head back to the royal capital to report, and Rem also left together because she was injured. Speaking of which, since you still remember them, you should know that you weren't swallowed by the White Whale, right?"

Otto had completely forgotten about this.

"Wait a minute, since the White Whale has already been defeated, aren't we returning? Is there anything else to do?"

"We are going to defeat the Witch Cult later."

"Huh? The Witch Cult refers to…"

"It's the Witch Cult you're thinking of."

Zun-zun casually said the name of a terrifying organization that was no less frightening than the White Whale, and Otto's expression gradually stiffened.

"Th-That… Lord Crusch and the others probably haven't gone far yet, I'll go catch up with them now!"

"Where do you think you're going?"

He tripped Otto, who was trying to sneak away, then stepped on his back, letting him struggle and shout.

"Let go! Let me go! Why are we going to defeat the Witch Cult!? The White Whale was terrifying enough, it's too unreasonable to go looking for the Witch Cult! I definitely can't go to such a dangerous place, let me return to the royal capital with Lord Crusch!"

"What are you saying? You are my knight, of course you have to stay by my side."

"What kind of master takes his knight to dangerous places all the time!"

Otto's aggrieved shouts echoed constantly in the street.

—

"Wuu wuu wuu…"

Knowing that he couldn't escape, Otto squatted under the Sage's tree with his arms around his knees, looking pitiful like a punching bag.

Zun-zun ignored him.

Although this guy says he can't, he will explode at the crucial moment, just like when he rescued Zun-zun from the White Whale's mouth before.

"Speaking of which, Lord Zun-zun."

"What's wrong, Fram?"

"What are Natsuki Subaru and Julius arguing about?"

"It's just a petty man who can't put aside his pride, giving up on himself and barking at the cold-faced knight who has good intentions towards him, a boring development."

Zun-zun rolled his eyes and spoke with sharp, venomous words.

"—Hey! I can hear you!"

Natsuki Subaru turned his head and shouted.

Upon seeing Zun Zun, Julius quickly approached, bowing as he said, "It's wonderful that you're safe, Lord Zun Zun. Thanks to you, people can forget the fear of the Calamity Mist. Furthermore, Lady Anastasia is very concerned about you and specifically sent me to protect you."

"Oh, thank you."

Zun Zun nodded casually, glanced at the handsome purple-clad knight, and said, "However, I'm just a side issue. Actually, Miss Anastasia sent you here for something more important, right?"

"Indeed."

The two of them looked at Natsuki Subaru, who was baring his teeth.

"…Ah, I get it!" This man knew he couldn't keep pestering, so he proactively sought reconciliation. "But it's not over yet. I won't let you off easily!"

"Funny, me neither."

It seemed that wasn't the case.

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"Ah, I'm starving! Give me a bowl too."

Natsuki Subaru sighed deeply, as if to sigh away his displeasure, and plopped down next to Zun Zun.

Zun Zun filled a bowl for him and Julius each.

"Thank you, Lord Zun Zun."

The handsome knight thanked him politely.

Actually, Zun Zun had a good impression of Julius. Although he wasn't good at explaining things and his actions were too subtle and easily misunderstood, he was undoubtedly a good partner to entrust your back to. It's just that whenever Zun Zun thought of Anastasia's like-minded, violent theories, he felt a bit resistant.

"Delicious—!"

After tasting it, Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but exclaim loudly. Julius looked at him suspiciously, and after tasting it, his eyes also reflected a slight gleam.

"Indeed, it's delicious."

"What's delicious, meow?"

"Mimi smells a fragrance."

"This old one does as well."

The others gathered around one after another. There was no choice; eating was the most important thing. Especially after fighting the White Whale, everyone was starving. So, everyone enjoyed a delicious White Whale meat soup.

— — — —

"So delicious."

"I dare say, even the royal palace doesn't have such delicious meat soup."

"Kararagi too! Brother, the soup you made is so good."

Everyone was full of praise.

If he had heard such praise during battle, Zun Zun would definitely have accepted it triumphantly, but he didn't know how to face this inexplicable ability to cook well.

"Alright."

Natsuki Subaru broke free from his languor and stared at Julius, who was equally serious.

"In the end, what do you want to do? What did you come here to do?"

"—Actually, it's already done."

"Huh?"

"When the White Whale subjugation succeeded, we no longer had any reason to assist you. In other words, the mission is complete. However, you now seem to be taking them somewhere."

Julius stared straight at him.

In this situation, even Natsuki Subaru, as much of an idiot as he was, should have realized it.

"Is it to withdraw the mercenary group or to provide support?"

"—To sell for a good price. I received such instructions. Or are you saying that you don't need our strength?"

He pointed behind him, as if showing off.

Julius forced him to make a decision.

Natsuki Subaru was a little angry. After all, in his opinion, this was undoubtedly raising the price on the spot. But as Julius said, the original agreement was to subjugate the White Whale. After success, there was naturally no way to ask them to help again. Unless…

"The White Whale subjugation war is not over yet."

"A very interesting statement."

Julius pretended to listen attentively.

Hearing Natsuki Subaru's statement, not to mention the members of the mercenary group, the members of the subjugation team also began to waver. Among them, Wilhelm, with his wide eyes, was the most critical of Natsuki Subaru's conscience.

But he had to deceive them.

"The White Whale is likely a lackey of the Witch Cult. I know a guy from the Witch Cult said something similar. A guy who knows the inside story called the White Whale 'Gluttony.' That undoubtedly has something to do with the Witch Cult. Therefore, the reason that magical beast appeared should be related to our destination."

That was information Natsuki Subaru had obtained from the Archbishop of Sloth in the previous loop.

This was true.

Even if Crusch were present, she would definitely not hear the wind of lies.

"We've already destroyed the Witch Cult's prestige. Next, we must settle the score with them. Not just this time, but also the debt they've owed for the past four hundred years. That's what you call finally subjugating the White Whale, right? Besides, shouldn't you work if the employer gives you a reward and an order? Or…are you planning to pay a penalty and slink away?"

Natsuki Subaru's provocation was very shallow.

Especially after he finished speaking, his appearance, full of trepidation, exposed his lack of confidence even more.

But Julius chuckled.

"Give it a passing grade at least. Since it can make our reputation sound a little louder, then we'll roughly do as you suggest."

"Wait a minute, why are you being so sensible?"

Natsuki Subaru was surprised by his answer.

But soon, he realized the reason.

Bringing reinforcements and even saying he'd participate in the war—so he's a good-friend character!?!

Damn it, I don't want to admit it at all!

"By the way, if you use the reason that Lord Zun Zun will also go with you, then the mercenary group that must protect him will definitely follow…This is clearly information that was hinted to you long ago. Why did you ignore it?"

"…I really hate you!"

"Heh heh, same here."

This pair's good-friend relationship is, frankly, quite twisted.