God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! - Megumin's If -
After defeating the Demon King, Kazuma and his party live peacefully in Axel. But Megumin, who should have returned to the Crimson Demon Village, is now freeloading at Kazuma's house. She ran away from home, breaking the village's law. She seriously demands Kazuma to marry her. Kazuma refuses, but Megumin keeps blowing up his house with her Explosion magic, claiming it's proof of her love. Darkness understands Megumin's feelings, while Aqua strongly opposes because her drinking money will decrea
God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! - Megumin's If - - Crimson Pact: Little Sister, This Is the Path Your Big Sister Has Chosen
The morning air was still cold.
Kazuma adjusted the pack on his back in front of the house. Inside were dried food, a water flask, a change of clothes, and a blanket for Megumin. It was heavy. But considering the mountain path ahead, it was still on the lighter side.
"...Why do I have to go through this?"
He muttered to no one in particular.
Beside him, Aqua was letting out a huge yawn. Her long, light-blue hair was tied carelessly behind her. In her hand, for some reason, she was gripping a bottle of liquor.
"Hey, Aqua. We're climbing a mountain—lay off the booze. If you fall, you'll drag all of us down with you."
"Ehh, but I can't walk a mountain path without this! And besides, Kazuma, what do you think I am? I'm a goddess, you know? A goddess doesn't trip."
"You tripped spectacularly on the stairs at home just the other day. ...Was that not because of the booze?"
"That was the stairs' fault! It wasn't my fault! And anyway, why do I have to come all the way out to the mountains with you?! I have important work in Axel, giving love and healing to my followers—"
"Your job is getting drunk and shaking money out of your followers. Besides, you're the only one who can cure Megumin's mana sickness. So quit complaining."
Kazuma cut Aqua off without mercy.
The door of the house opened quietly.
Megumin slowly stepped out. Her crimson twin-tails shone brilliantly in the morning sun. But her complexion was still a little pale. In her right hand, she clutched her usual "Friend of Explosions."
"Kazuma-san. Good morning. ...I'm ready."
Megumin gave Kazuma a small smile.
"Megumin, don't push yourself. You're still not back to full strength, right? If anything happens, tell me or Aqua immediately."
"Fufu, you're such a worrier, Kazuma-san. I'm fine. This much is nothing. Besides, my Explosion Magic won't weaken over something like this. ...Look, at this surging mana."
Megumin said this and tried to raise her staff.
"Stop! Don't fire Explosion Magic here and now! You'll blow the house up again!"
Kazuma hurriedly grabbed Megumin's hand.
"Oh my, Kazuma-san. Holding my hand like this. I'm so happy. Please don't let go."
Megumin, with a dreamy expression, placed her hand over Kazuma's.
"I don't mean it that way! And let go! Do you two even realize we're about to go to the village?!"
Kazuma desperately pried Megumin's hand off.
From behind them, Yunyun came out, leading Komekko by the hand. Yunyun had a small pack slung over her shoulder. Komekko was clutching her usual stuffed animal to her chest.
"Kazuma-san, good morning. I made lunches for everyone. Let's eat them on the mountain path."
Yunyun, looking a little embarrassed, took out a bundle.
"Yunyun, how thoughtful of you. But Kazuma-san's lunch should have been made by me. ...Next time, I'll make it."
"Megumin, you can't cook, remember? You blew up the kitchen before."
"That was fire magic practice. Not cooking."
"You two, stop fighting. We're leaving."
Kazuma sighed and started walking.
Komekko trotted up beside Kazuma with quick little steps.
"Kazuma-oniichan, it's been so long since I walked a mountain path with Onee-chan! When I was little, I used to climb this path with Onee-chan all the time. Onee-chan would get tired right away, and I'd carry her on my back."
Komekko laughed innocently.
"Komekko, what are you saying? I have never once been carried on your back. On the contrary, have you forgotten how you were the one who got tired and begged me to carry you?"
Megumin retorted with a pout at her little sister's words.
"Ehh, was that how it was? Onee-chan, you always fabricate memories. I remember! Onee-chan said, 'Komekko, I can't walk anymore. Carry me,' and begged me while crying!"
"Fabricate?! How rude! There's no way I would beg to be carried while crying! You're the one who always chased after me crying, 'Onee-chan, wait for me!'"
"But Onee-chan, you walk so slow."
"I'm not slow—you're just too small! Our legs are different lengths!"
A nostalgic sisterly squabble.
Kazuma watched the scene with a wry smile.
(These two were so awkward with each other until yesterday. And now, the moment we start up the mountain path, this. ...Well, they say the more you fight, the closer you are.)
Kazuma felt just a little relieved.
But that relief didn't last long.
The road to the Crimson Demon Mountains was harsh.
After walking about half a day north from Axel along the highway, the scenery changed completely. The green meadows gradually gave way to reddish-brown rock faces, and the air grew chilly and cold.
"This is the entrance to the Crimson Demon Mountains. Don't let your guard down. The guild's issued a warning that monsters have been growing violent lately due to the mana anomaly."
Kazuma called out to everyone.
"M-Monsters growing violent... Kazuma, I'm scared. Protect me."
Aqua tried to cling to Kazuma's arm.
"You're the strongest one here! You're a goddess! Protect me!"
Kazuma peeled Aqua off.
"Kazuma-san is right. I heard about the mana anomaly in the village too. Lately, magical power has become unstable, and monsters have grown more aggressive than usual. ...But with my advanced magic, we'll be fine. I'll protect everyone."
Yunyun held up her staff and kept watch on their surroundings.
"Yunyun, I'm counting on you. But this is where my Explosion Magic comes in. Violent monsters are nothing but dust before my Explosion Magic."
Megumin also raised her "Friend of Explosions."
"Your mana hasn't fully recovered yet! Don't push yourself! Besides, Explosion Magic is a last resort. Are you trying to collapse the mountain?!"
Kazuma scolded Megumin.
"...I know. I won't do anything reckless that would worry you, Kazuma-san. But when the time comes, please believe in my Explosion Magic."
Megumin said this with a slightly dejected expression.
Komekko tugged at the hem of Megumin's clothes.
"Onee-chan. I'm here too. I can use Explosion Magic now. The village chief taught me a lot. So if you're in trouble, Onee-chan, I'll help you."
Komekko looked up at Megumin with a serious face.
Megumin looked surprised for a moment.
But soon, her expression softened into a gentle smile.
"...Yes, thank you, Komekko. I'm counting on you."
Megumin gently patted Komekko's head.
Komekko narrowed her eyes happily.
Yunyun watched the exchange with a slightly lonely expression.
(Megumin and Komekko really are sisters. ...I don't have anyone like that. ...But I have Kazuma-san. ...I have to protect Kazuma-san.)
Yunyun gripped her staff tightly.
The group continued further up the mountain path.
As the altitude rose, the air grew colder and thinner. The trees around them began to turn red and yellow, and fallen leaves piled up underfoot.
"Wow... look, Kazuma-san. The autumn leaves are so beautiful."
Megumin stopped and looked out at the scenery.
"Really. So many red and yellow leaves. Onee-chan, that leaf is the same color as your hair."
Komekko picked up a crimson leaf and held it next to Megumin's hair.
"Fufu, you're right. Your hair is the same color too, Komekko. It's proof that we're Crimson Demons."
Megumin laughed, playing with her twin-tails.
"...Proof of being a Crimson Demon, huh."
Yunyun quietly touched her own brownish-red hair.
(My hair is lighter than Megumin's and the others'. ...When I was little, the village kids used to call me a fake. ...Just because my color was lighter, even though I'm a Crimson Demon, I was excluded.)
Yunyun remembered the past and felt a little gloomy.
"Yunyun, what's wrong? Are you tired? Want to rest a bit?"
Komekko peered into Yunyun's face.
"Eh? Ah, no, I'm fine. Thanks, Komekko-chan. ...Oh, right, everyone, shall we eat lunch? I made some."
Yunyun hurriedly put on a smile and took out the bundle.
"Let's eat! I'm hungry!"
Komekko raised her hand energetically.
"I'm looking forward to Yunyun's lunch. What did you make today?"
Megumin also peered into the bundle with great interest.
"Today it's wild vegetable onigiri and tamagoyaki. And a little smoked meat I bought at the market."
Yunyun opened the bundle.
A faint, savory soy sauce aroma drifted through the air.
"Wow, looks delicious! Yunyun, amazing! I love your tamagoyaki!"
Komekko's eyes sparkled.
"...Komekko, you've eaten Yunyun's tamagoyaki before?"
Megumin asked with a slightly displeased look.
"Yeah! When Yunyun came to visit the village the other day, she made some for me! It was really good! Onee-chan, you'd be surprised if you tried it!"
Komekko answered innocently.
"...I see. Yunyun, you even worked your way into my little sister's heart. ...As expected of my rival. I can't let my guard down."
Megumin glared at Yunyun with narrowed eyes.
"I-I wasn't working my way in! We just happened to meet in the village, and I shared my lunch with her...!"
Yunyun's face turned red as she frantically denied it.
"Well, whatever. For now, let's eat this lunch. ...Kazuma-san, here, say ahh."
Megumin held an onigiri up to Kazuma's mouth.
"Huh? Why do I have to be fed? I can eat by myself."
Kazuma pushed Megumin's hand away.
"Kazuma-san, you won't eat my onigiri? ...Even though you'll eat Yunyun's lunch."
Megumin looked sad.
"It's not your onigiri—it's Yunyun's onigiri! And I'll eat anyone's onigiri by myself!"
Kazuma sighed and took an onigiri from Yunyun.
"Kazuma-san, here you go. ...Um, I hope it suits your taste."
Yunyun, looking a little nervous, handed the onigiri to Kazuma.
Kazuma took a bite.
"...Oh, it's good. Yunyun, you're a great cook. The saltiness is just right."
Kazuma gave his honest opinion.
"R-Really?! Thank you! I'm so happy you said that, Kazuma-san!"
Yunyun's face lit up.
"Kazuma-san! Please eat my onigiri too! I'll make it next time! I won't lose to Yunyun!"
Megumin tugged at Kazuma's arm.
"I told you, don't cook! You'll blow up the kitchen!"
Kazuma desperately pulled Megumin away.
"Ahaha, Onee-chan's being rejected by Kazuma-oniichan."
Komekko laughed happily.
"Komekko! This is no laughing matter!"
Megumin glared at her sister.
"...Come on, you two, stop fighting. The lunch we went to the trouble of making won't taste good anymore."
Yunyun tried to soothe them with a troubled look.
"...Do you guys even realize we're about to go meet the village chief? Have some more tension."
Kazuma said with exasperation.
But his voice was just a little gentle.
(...Well, this ridiculous commotion is our everyday life. ...I wish it could last forever.)
Kazuma muttered in his heart.
After the break, the group started walking again.
The mountain path grew even more treacherous.
The rocks underfoot were sharp and jagged, and one wrong step could send you tumbling. The air was thin, making it hard to breathe.
"Hah, hah... Kazuma, I can't walk anymore. Carry me."
Aqua collapsed on the spot.
"You've been saying nothing but that! Walk on your own two feet for once! You're a goddess, aren't you?! Besides, if you'd throw away that liquor bottle, you'd be a little lighter!"
Kazuma scolded Aqua.
"This is my life's water! There's no way I'd throw it away! And anyway, Kazuma, you lack respect for a goddess! Carry me on your back! That is the proper form of worship toward a goddess!"
Aqua held out both hands to Kazuma.
"Like hell! Walk yourself! Give me back my peaceful life!"
Kazuma ignored Aqua's hands and kept walking.
"Kazuma-oniichan, we're leaving Aqua-oneechan behind. Is she okay?"
Komekko looked at Aqua with concern.
"Komekko-chan... you're so kind. So different from Kazuma. ...Hey, Komekko-chan, would you carry me on your back?"
Aqua said, clinging to Komekko.
"Eh? Me? No way. I'm still a kid. And Aqua-oneechan looks heavy."
Komekko tilted her head.
"Looks heavy?! I'm a goddess! My weight is practically nothing! And Komekko-chan, you've started to resemble Kazuma! That mean streak of yours!"
Aqua protested with teary eyes.
"Ehh, I resemble Kazuma-oniichan? Yay!"
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