Spring had arrived. Everything was coming back to life — and it was breeding season for animals again. Wait... wasn't it a bit much to treat Aunt Yuiyui like an animal?
Though honestly, the fault lay entirely with Hyoizaburoo.
If he hadn't insisted on planting fruits during winter, why would he now have to till the fields himself in spring?
Aunt Yuiyui was pregnant, her belly growing bigger by the day. After the long winter, she moved awkwardly and needed someone to take care of her — so Megumin was drafted to help.
And what about Hyoizaburoo?
"I'm the head of the family! For the sake of our soon-to-be-born child, I must work harder! Oh oh oh!" he shouted, then disappeared into his workshop, making magic props again. Word was, he hadn't come home for a week.
Why didn't he understand that the more magic props he made, the poorer he became?
No, wait — was it Zunzun's fault?
Had he said someone really admired the props Hyoizaburoo made, causing this madness?
Zunzun's expression darkened.
But no matter — it was just like old times, before Megumin arrived. Besides, the hardest part of reclaiming the land was done, so planting would get easier.
Thinking this, Zunzun's steps lightened, and he couldn't help humming a tune:
La la la! La la la!
I am an expert in farming.
I don't wait until dawn to plant.
I dig and plant at the same time.
Today's weather is really good.
I can plant two plots in half a day...
Humming, he walked toward the forbidden land.
On the path there, he spotted a strange little loli squatting by the roadside, talking to herself.
"No, Rock, you can't bully your friends. You have to get along. Ah, Zeke, you stole food again. You'll leave everyone hungry! Hulk, eat more so you'll grow strong... and Lance, don't be lazy when your friends work hard."
She wasn't talking to herself — she was chatting with a group of ants carrying food.
Well... that was basically the same thing, right?
Ants...
Zunzun recalled memories from his previous life — crushing ants due to bad taste, or pouring mercury into ant hills to get a nice specimen. Not something worth sharing.
He ignored her and kept walking, guessing she was enjoying her moment.
Just a small episode on the way to farming.
...Or so he thought.
At the forbidden area, Zunzun felt eyes watching him.
Maybe it was his divine body's effect, but his senses were sharp, and he could tell someone was spying on him. Halfway through farming, he stopped and looked toward a distant grove.
"Hey! What are you hiding for? Come out! Don't tell me you're scouting to steal my crops later!"
His expression hardened.
Another thief? That would really anger him.
From the grove, someone quickly jumped out, denying:
"No, no! I—I'm not stealing anything!"
"Ah, it's you!"
It was the little loli who had been talking to the ants.
Zunzun took a closer look. Soft black hair and red eyes — unmistakable traits of the Crimson Demon Clan. Cute, shy, cheeks flushed from being mistaken for a thief.
He scratched his head.
"Why were you hiding? And you were following me earlier, right?"
"W-well..."
She hesitated, fingers twisting nervously over her abdomen.
"Are you planning to steal something?"
"No way!"
"Then spill it."
"No... this is a forbidden area. An evil god is sealed here. It's very dangerous! Didn't your parents warn you not to come here?"
She stumbled at first but then spoke smoothly, even accusing him at the end — very much like the good student Zunzun remembered.
He soon realized she followed him out of concern.
"Is that so?"
"Huh?"
"Don't you know? Places adults forbid us to enter usually have treasures. Actually, they want us to come here and play."
"Hey!!"
She looked shocked.
Oh, she didn't get the romance of the Crimson Demons. Is she really a Crimson Demon? Well, her black hair and red eyes said yes.
"What are you doing here then?"
"Look at me — I'm farming."
She said nothing more, but Zunzun knew what she meant: Why farm in a forbidden place?
Could he tell her this place was perfect for farming?
The little loli stared at the half-tended soil. Suddenly, a hoe appeared in front of her.
"Huh?"
"Why so fascinated? Don't you want to join?"
"Huh? No, I, I... no..."
"No need to say more, I know. Come on, let's farm together."
So, under Zunzun's lead, the little loli inexplicably joined in farming.
The sun rose high as they worked.
During lunch, they rested in the shade behind the altar. Zunzun handed the kettle to the dirty little loli to replenish her water. After thanking him, she drank the warm light saltwater. They enjoyed the quiet moment.
"Resting after hard work is great!"
"Yes, yes."
She nodded, then suddenly asked:
"Um... can I ask something?"
"What?"
"Why don't you use magic to farm?"
"Uh..."
Her question hit Zunzun hard.
Why not?
Simple — they didn't know magic.
Neither Zunzun nor Sister Soketto had learned magic yet. How could they use it to farm?
Zunzun rubbed his sore foot and said,
"—Don't ask about farming."
"Oh..."
Maybe sensing his frustration, the little girl nodded silently.
Suddenly—
"By the way, I don't know your name!"
"So sudden!"
Zunzun's abrupt question surprised her, but she stood up politely and introduced herself:
"—Nice to meet you, I'm Yunyun."
"Oh, I'm Zunzun... Wait, Yunyun? Are you the clan leader's daughter?"
"Yes, yes."
That old bastard...
Thinking of him, Zunzun's fists clenched.
But misfortune shouldn't affect family, right? Even if he had a grudge against the clan leader, he shouldn't take it out on Yunyun.
So—
Zunzun's scarlet eyes flashed. He stepped closer, placed his hands on her thin shoulders, and said quietly, "Yunyun, you have to farm with me tomorrow. I'll be waiting."
"Huh? OK, OK."
Under such heavy pressure, Yunyun agreed, dazed.
-End Chapter-
Visit the Patreon!!
Read 30 chapters ahead, more on the way!
[email protected]/TrashProspector
150 Stone = 1 Bonus Chapter
15 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter