The legend of the Crimson Demon clan started from Suqing

Three days had passed since then.

Wiz hadn't shown up, and they couldn't find her at either the magic item shop or the guild.

Aqua had no choice but to shoulder the responsibility of dispelling ghosts, for which she cursed loudly.

"Hey… is he still holding out here?"

"I guess that proves he's persistent."

Kazuma and Dust were at the guild, their eyes occasionally drifting towards a corner where a figure in a black robe, face obscured, stood—the very man who had confessed to Wiz.

He still hadn't left.

Well, Wiz's response wasn't a firm rejection, but rather a sign that she was somewhat moved.

However, even if this man were rejected, with his years of stalking, he would likely continue to pester her.

Of course, that would be the time for Kazuma and the others to step in.

Right now, he seemed harmless, so it wasn't a good time to make a move.

If they could create some small chaos, they could find an excuse to act.

Most importantly,

Kazuma wanted to know who he was.

"—Alright, let's get someone to test him out."

"W-wait, wait! Kazuma, what are you planning to do? Don't just go attacking him! He's Wiz's suitor, so if you deliberately pick a fight…"

"What are you talking about, Kazuma? It's precisely because he's Wiz's suitor that we need to act, isn't it?

You can't judge a book by its cover; we have to test his true nature, or how will we know if Wiz will be happy?"

"If you put it that way…"

Kazuma immediately accepted the excuse.

"Then there's no time to lose."

Kazuma coerced Dust with a look, who was secretly begging for mercy, but under the threat of 'we haven't settled the score from before,' he had no choice but to accept the task of picking a fight.

"…Hey, you don't look familiar, handsome brother.

I'm Dust, and I'm pretty well-known in this town."

"Do you need something from me?"

They couldn't see the black-robed man… no, Duke's face, but they could sense a hint of annoyance in his tone, as Dust was pestering him like a thug.

"I already gave you my name, so you should tell me yours, too.

Do you even know what etiquette is, huh!?"

"…My name is Duke.

I'll ask again, do you need something from me?"

Duke gave his name.

He probably didn't want to cause trouble at the guild, so he was backing down, but Kazuma could feel the pressure radiating from him, as if warning Dust that he was not to be trifled with.

Duke's composed demeanor irritated Dust, who stepped forward again to make himself seem taller and more intimidating.

He ignored Kazuma's hints and continued his thug-like behavior.

"You don't look familiar; are you a new adventurer?

As I said, I'm pretty well-known in this town, so buying me a drink could be helpful to you."

"Oh, you're trying to shake me down for a drink, are you?

…I see, this trip to the mortal realm has been worthwhile, after all, such interesting experiences aren't common."

With that, Duke stood up.

Mana was already gathering on the surface of his body, a scorching aura continuously building up, as if it would erupt at any moment.

Kazuma raised an eyebrow.

Duke had previously said that he was skilled in fire magic, and it seemed that he wasn't exaggerating; even Kazuma felt a bit hot.

At the same time, he was even more puzzled.

Where did this strong person come from? Why didn't he recognize him?

Now, Kazuma was hoping that Dust would chicken out and just have a fight with Duke, to test the other's depth.

But Dust's reputation as a thug wasn't for nothing; he extended a friendly hand and smiled nonchalantly.

"Heh heh, you pass.

That's right, adventurers should be like this.

If we're looked down upon, we're finished.

I always talk to newcomers like this to test their reaction.

If they're cowards who obediently pay up, I'll tell them that they're not suitable to be adventurers and advise them to give up.

But if they're a tough guy like you, I'll buy them a drink."

This guy was actually making up excuses for himself.

Kazuma and Dust were speechless.

Duke looked at him with interest and sat down again, "So that's how it is, your actions are quite interesting."

He no longer seemed angry.

The blonde thug signaled to the waiter to bring Duke a drink, left a 'see you later,' and returned to Kazuma and Dust with a composed attitude…

"K-Kazuma!"

"You're completely hopeless."

He tried to steal a chicken but lost rice instead.

Facing the tearful Dust, Kazuma felt that this guy was an idiot, but as compensation, he bought him a sparkling wine.

Having some wine to drink, Dust immediately perked up, but still said with lingering fear: "Hey, Kazuma! What's up with that guy!

If the other party was so dangerous, you should have told me earlier!?"

"You have the nerve to say that; I gave you a hint to leave quickly, but didn't you get carried away!?"

"…Sorry."

The thug lowered his head and apologized after being scolded.

Kazuma then asked, "Hey Dust, how strong do you think that guy is?

Or rather, you backed down later because you were scared off by him, right?"

"Don't put it so harshly! …That guy is quite bad news; he's one of the most outstanding opponents I've ever met.

Speaking of which, he should be at the level of a heavily-wanted monster or a Demon King Army executive."

Dust looked serious.

Only now could one see the original splendor of the Dragon Knight.

Kazuma patted Dust's shoulder and said, "Don't worry.

Even if he's a Demon King Army executive, I'm confident that I can defeat him.

Rather, no matter which Demon King Army executive it is now, I can take him down."

"No, what's the point of Kazuma defeating him; the focus is on Wiz, right?"

“Ah…”

I forgot.

The person I'm dueling later is Wiz, so the combat power rating should prioritize Wiz.

“Wiz? What's wrong with Wiz?”

Hearing the two talking, Dust was puzzled. Speaking of which, he didn't know yet.

Kazuma Satou and Yunyun nodded.

“Actually…”

He told Dust the purpose of Dirk coming to this town, as well as what happened between him and Wiz, and even his passionate confession, which caused him to scream.

“Ah—————!? ”

“Too loud, you idiot!”

Yunyun held down the shouting Dust's mouth. It seemed that he was also extremely surprised that Dirk had been pursuing Wiz for several years.

“Unforgivable!”

“…What?”

“Miss Wiz is the white moonlight in the hearts of adventurers! Whether it's helping to purify the cemetery, or giving away potions for free, or supporting in battle, she does it very well! Most importantly, her broad mind… Unforgivable!”

Dust was so angry that he wanted to reason with Dirk, but Yunyun held him down.

“Calm down for a moment.”

“That's right, that's right, didn't you just say he was dangerous?”

Kazuma Satou also rolled his eyes.

Wiz didn't actually know how popular she was in Axel. If the news of Dirk pursuing Wiz spread, it would definitely cause a big commotion.

So he sternly told Dust not to reveal this matter.

“But I'm still uneasy like this.”

“Yes.”

“…There's no way around it, I'll go try.”

Yunyun planned to test the other party's depth.

Kazuma Satou and Dust were a little worried, but he was the strongest among these people now, and Yunyun also had a strange familiarity with Wiz's suitor, Dirk, whose strength was comparable to that of a Demon King Army executive. Maybe after contacting him, he could remember who the other party was.

“Hello.”

“Hello…?”

Seeing Yunyun coming to greet him, Dirk's impatient expression disappeared immediately. If he didn't have extremely strong self-control, he might have 'Oh ho!' on the spot.

“Excuse me, I am Yunyun, Yunyun of the Crimson Demons.”

“Yunyun? Crimson Demons? You are Yunyun, that Yunyun!?”

After all, he was a strong man who had repeatedly defeated Demon King Army executives, and coupled with paying so much tax, it was certain that his reputation would be greatly enhanced. It seemed that he had also heard of himself.

“I see, so you are… the Yunyun that everyone is talking about?”

Wait!

‘…’ Who is it?

Since you're muttering in a low voice, bring the '…' along too. Why deliberately pause to hide the key information?

Yunyun always felt that the way he looked at him had changed.

“I see, it was my lack of consideration. I didn't expect such a strong adventurer like you to still be in the beginner village. Perhaps it is because of this that we can catch the Demon King Army off guard?”

“I, I guess so.”

I was really embarrassed to say that I stayed here because of the succubus shop.

Dirk pondered for a moment.

“I came to this town to challenge a certain woman. I originally wanted to wait until that matter was resolved before saying anything, but after thinking about it carefully, it seems meaningless to wait until that time. I might as well kill you now.”

“Kill me?”

Yunyun raised an eyebrow.

He didn't know what kind of hatred he had with the other party, but the key now was not this, but Wiz's matter.

“The woman you said you were challenging, are you referring to Wiz?”

“——You really came for her!”

Dirk's eyes flashed fiercely. He held a jet-black dagger against Yunyun's throat, and his narrowed eyes were extremely sharp. Moreover, he said word by word:

“Wiz is mine!”

“Uh…”

Good heavens, he's treating himself as a love rival! No wonder he had such a big grudge from the beginning.

That's right, this guy is a complete pervert stalker. Just refer to Yuno Gasai in anime, and you'll know how obsessed she is with the person she likes.

“Alright, alright, calm down. I have no malice. And I don't want to fight with you over Wiz.”

Yunyun revealed his goodwill.

This was to show that he didn't have such thoughts about Wiz, and to prevent him from misunderstanding.

Dirk also seriously looked at Yunyun, then put away the dagger and said: “…I don't know how much you know about Wiz, but you better not delve too deeply into that woman. Someone like you shouldn't be wandering around in front of her.”

Here it comes, declaring sovereignty!

This kind of domineering declaration of 'You are not qualified to stand by her side, the only one who can protect her is me!' is what stalkers and domineering CEOs like to say the most, and this line also often appears in romantic comedies.

What's going on, I'm actually a little upset.

The Crimson Demons will not tolerate provocation!

Yunyun narrowed his eyes and deliberately mocked back, his tone contemptuous: “Oh ho, although you say that, Wiz has already sold herself to me, you know.”

Of course, it's fake.

The so-called selling herself was just to get her nails and hair, it wasn't that meaning.

And Yunyun originally thought that Dirk would be angry, and even prepared to fight, but unexpectedly—

“It doesn't matter, I don't mind.”

Is he trying to say that loving someone doesn't mind the other party's past!?

This guy is in true love!

“Rather, I am very happy, and even willing to see such a thing happen.”

“What!?”

Dirk's statement, as if he liked being cuckolded, completely stunned Yunyun.