The legend of the Crimson Demon clan started from Suqing

#351 - I like the current Crusch.

Among the five royal candidates, Anastasia is currently the most suitable for the kingdom, while the others have some flaws to varying degrees. It should be said that she also has flaws, but she has the fewest and brings the greatest benefits.

"Of course, this is just a suggestion. Ultimately, it still depends on your selection. In any case, I will firmly stand by your side."

Finally, Miklotov expressed a wave of loyalty.

"Speaking of which, Lord Zun-zun," he looked at the dragon standing on Zun-zun's shoulder and asked, "Is this your magical beast, or..."

"A fairy I contracted with... well, it should be called an elf here."

"Oh, oh, oh! How could this be!? Not only do you have the aptitude of an elf warlock, but it's actually a great elf comparable to the four great spirits, and even a dragon... Lord Zun-zun, you are indeed favored by the dragons!"

"...Stop trying so hard to praise me."

This person seemed to think that the fairy turning into a dragon was some kind of symbol, but in reality, it was just a coincidence. It's just that in the eyes of some people, no matter what, they will relate it to something else.

"Alright, I'll be leaving now."

"Please take care."

Miklotov did not stop or detain him, seemingly knowing Zun-zun's next itinerary... Since he had already spoken with Anastasia, how could he not know that he was going to the Water Gate City?

He left the royal city under the escort of guards.

"Lord Zun-zun, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine."

Zun-zun opened his arms, allowing Otto and Flam to check him. The two thought that Zun-zun was summoned to be punished or something, but Miklotov treasured Zun-zun very much, and even wanted to be a matchmaker.

"I didn't expect to come out so quickly. Lord Zun-zun, are we going to Water Gate City next?"

"...No, to the Karsten Mansion."

He wanted to check on Crusch's condition.

According to Natsuki Subaru's letter, Crusch and Rem were attacked by the Gluttony Archbishop after the White Whale subjugation battle, one losing her memory and the other falling into a coma. And this is precisely the main reason that led to Crusch gradually losing her competitiveness.

At the same time, the other royal candidates all knew about her amnesia. Although they tried their best to block the news, how could such a thing be concealed?

Arriving at the Karsten Mansion.

The first person he saw was Old Man Wilhelm, who hurried to greet him after hearing the guards' report.

After a year, his appearance hadn't changed much, but his aura had weakened a lot. Perhaps because he had avenged his great feud, all the resentment and animosity had dissipated. Even if his swordsmanship was still exquisite and even better than before, the name of Sword Demon was probably no longer applicable.

What a pity.

Zun-zun's profession was Grand Magister, but he was also proficient in some swordsmanship. A year ago, the situation was urgent, and the threat of the Witch Cult was a thorn in his side. The two had no chance to compare, which was a bit of a regret.

"Long time no see, Lord Zun-zun."

Wilhelm respectfully bowed.

Zun-zun also returned the greeting, but his words seemed very close, "Old Man Wilhelm, you don't need to be so polite. Today, I'm not visiting as the royal candidate Zun-zun, but as the comrade-in-arms Zun-zun who fought alongside you."

"Comrade-in-arms who fought side by side... What a nostalgic phrase. Although it has only been less than a year, it still makes me unforgettable."

The battle to subjugate the White Whale was vivid in his mind. It was something worth savoring for a lifetime, and even more so, it was the matter of avenging his wife's great feud, which he could never forget.

"Thank you very much for Lord Zun-zun's help at that time!"

"No, I'm the one who's sorry for not letting you kill your enemy with your own hands, Old Man Wilhelm."

In the end, the White Whale was cut in two by Zun-zun with a single slash.

Wilhelm did avenge his wife, but unfortunately, it couldn't be considered killing the enemy with his own hands. Even so, he felt content and shook his head, indicating that he didn't care about these things.

Avenging his great feud had made him see things more clearly.

Then, he asked with doubt:

"Lord Zun-zun, you came this time to see Lady Crusch, right?"

"Yes. It's been a year since I last visited. Although I have a good reason, coming so late, I don't know if she will mind."

"Of course, she'll mind!"

A delicate voice came from behind.

Turning around, he saw Crusch wearing casual clothes and a cat-eared... man. The person who spoke just now was the latter.

"Crusch and Ferris, long time no see. Seeing that you haven't changed, I feel really relieved."

"It's been a long time indeed. Not coming to see me even once in a year really makes me sad. I'm so lonely, so lonely that I'm about to die, wah wah wah~~"

Ferris was crying and sniffling.

He made a deliberately resentful expression, like a maiden who had been abandoned and neglected, making Zun-zun a scumbag in the process.

Crusch was also stunned. She looked at Zun-zun and then at Ferris, subconsciously asking, "Ferris, are you two in that kind of relationship?"

"N-No, that's not it at all! You've misunderstood, Lady Crusch!"

Ferris was shooting himself in the foot.

If it were before, he definitely wouldn't have been so eager to explain, because Crusch knew his mischievous personality inside and out, and she would let him make some harmless jokes. But now that he was like this, it meant...

Wilhelm nodded lightly, acknowledging this fact.

Zun-zun let out a slight sigh of relief.

"My self-introduction is a bit late. I am Zun-zun, nice to meet you."

"Y-Yes! I... No, I am Crusch Karsten, nice to meet you!"

It could be seen that she was trying hard to imitate the original Crusch, but whether it was her movements or her expression, they were all soft, more like a gentle beauty.

Looking closely.

Crusch, wearing a dress, had her eyebrows slightly lowered, which made her look a little weak and restrained. Coupled with the somewhat shy look on her face from being stared at by Zun-zun, she was even more different from the impression he had of her, completely losing her former glory.

"W-What's wrong, Lord Zun-zun?"

"...No, sorry, I was staring at you."

"Not at all, I'm not angry, you don't have to mind."

She shook her head.

"As expected, she doesn't remember, and she's not the Crusch I remember." Zun-zun ruffled his hair and said, "If it were the original Crusch, she would definitely not be shy or restrained because of this, but would instead let me look at her."

"...Eh?"

"After all, Crusch publicly said that she would make me completely infatuated with her, boldly expressing her love for me."

"Eh----------------!?"

Crusch's cheeks flushed red.

The shy woman didn't seem to expect that the previous her was so bold, actually confessing her love to someone much younger than herself, and even in public!

"Wait a minute! Lady Crusch never said that!"

Ferris stomped his feet angrily.

Zun-zun crossed his arms and provoked, "Oh ho, does Ferris dare to say she didn't? You were also listening on the side at that time, and Old Man Wilhelm was also there, wasn't he?"

"Yes, I certainly heard it."

"Old Man Wilhelm too!?"

The cat-eared man expressed dissatisfaction with Wilhelm's betrayal. Finally, he shouted excitedly, "The current Lady Crusch would never say such a thing!... Uh!"

But soon, he covered his mouth again.

Crusch's expression became sad, and Ferris's expression was also very sad. Wilhelm closed his eyes and remained silent, and the atmosphere gradually became oppressive and heavy.

This sentence was tantamount to saying that the current Crusch was not the original Crusch, and they did not recognize the current Crusch, implicitly denying her as a person.

The amnesiac Crusch was simple, not stupid. After a year in the Duke's mansion, it was impossible for her not to know what impact her amnesia had brought.

Losing her memory meant losing her past style and her past abilities, causing the development of the territory to stagnate. Even the former duke, who had retired to the background to assist, had been mobilized.

If it were ordinary times, it wouldn't have had much impact, but it just so happened to be during these three years of the royal selection ceremony.

While others were developing rapidly, only the Karsten family was mired in a quagmire, and many affiliated nobles were worried and felt that their future was bleak. Some nobles who were not loyal supporters even secretly defected, looking for other ways out.

Zun-zun felt a headache seeing the atmosphere gradually becoming oppressive.

Such a development must have happened before, and perhaps it had been sustained and resolved several times, but his appearance ignited it again, making himself seem like a bad person.

"There's no other way, then I'll be responsible for marrying Crusch."

"Eh!?"

"Wishful thinking!"

Crusch covered her mouth in surprise, and Ferris resolutely stood in front of her, glaring at Zun-zun like a cat guarding its food.

"Ferris, why are you so excited? Isn't it good that Crusch and I are in love?"

"Zun-zun, you're talking nonsense. You righteously refused Lady Crusch in the first place, and even several times."

"That's because I didn't like Crusch's strong personality. I like the current Crusch very much, so if it's her, I'm willing to marry her."

"That's why I said you're wishful thinking!"

Ferris stood firmly in front of Crusch, saying, "The current Lady Crusch doesn't like you at all! So, no thanks!"

"...Hmm, I didn't expect that."

Zun-zun scratched his head awkwardly and said to the somewhat at a loss Crusch, "Sorry, I ignored your feelings, I apologize to you."

"N-No problem..."

Crusch shook her head, but her slightly flushed cheeks seemed to indicate that her heart was not so calm.

Ferris hurriedly took Crusch away. Before he left, he bared his teeth at Zun-zun, as if he was wary of a heart thief, with a very unfriendly expression.

This guy, could it be that he didn't see that he was trying to ease the atmosphere?

Wilhelm, who had been silent all along, bowed deeply to Zun-zun.

"Thank you!"

"No, no, no, you're too polite."

Zun-zun quickly stepped aside and helped him up.

Wilhelm did not get up because of this, but still bowed and said, "You just skillfully resolved the tense and difficult atmosphere, I'm really very grateful. Lady Crusch has always wanted to recover her memory, and Ferris has always had a knot in his heart, so the two of them..."

"I understand."

Zun-zun smiled.

One decided that she was not valued, and the other could not speak her true feelings because of a knot in her heart. After this time, the two must be able to understand each other.

It seems that Crusch's situation is far more serious than imagined. The situation is unclear, and the internal division is obvious. Recovering her memory is imminent.