Thick clouds hung low, heavy with the threat of rain. In this gloomy atmosphere, three Crimson Demons stood apart, each gripping their magic wands with serious expressions.
"It's about to begin!" one of the older sisters called out from a distance.
At her signal, the other two raised their hands in acknowledgment. Confirming the response, the sister in front thrust her wand into the ground and proclaimed loudly:
"Use my magic power as nourishment, and grant this land great fertility! Let the earth tremble!"
With dramatic flair, she chanted the spell. Earth magic surged forth, rippling and pulsing like a beating heart across the vast field before her. The soil shifted and flowed at her command, expanding the cultivated land.
…Yes, this was just land cultivation.
A huge amount of magic energy was consumed, and the incantations sounded grandiose, but it was still just farming.
The ritual wasn't over.
Another man stepped forward, carrying a large box. He placed it carefully on the ground, raised his wand, and said with gravity:
"O air and wind, howl and roar! Obey my will! Ascend to the skies! Storm!"
A swirling tempest of wind magic lifted the contents of the box—seeds, fertilizer, or something similar—and scattered them across the newly tilled earth.
…Yes, this was sowing.
Watching the dramatic display, the man nodded with satisfaction and beckoned the last member of the trio.
"My almighty power can bend the laws of the world. I command the weather itself! Atmospheric manipulation!"
With those words, rain began to fall from the darkened sky.
…Yes, this was watering.
Though ordinary farming in essence, they wielded powerful magic with abandon. The food for the entire Crimson Demon Village — just a few hundred people — was produced by roughly ten farmers, but with grand, heroic magic.
This was, perhaps, a spectacular waste of magical talent.
"Magic is truly powerful."
"Yes."
"Magic is so convenient."
"Yes."
"If only I could use magic."
"Yes…"
Yunyun looked at Zunzun, whose eyes had already lost all sparkle, and didn't know what to say.
Earlier that morning, she'd casually mentioned that villagers would be using magic to farm today and suggested they come watch. So they'd witnessed this grand, magical spectacle.
And then Zunzun went… autistic.
It was only natural. Like feeling proud for solving a sixth-grade math problem, then seeing classmates breezing through advanced calculus — that crushing awareness of being outclassed filled the brain entirely.
"I might as well not farm anymore," Zunzun muttered.
"No, it's not that bad… I mean, um…" Yunyun tried to comfort him but stumbled over her words. She clearly wasn't good at this.
"Hah! I just said it casually. How could a little scene like that faze me?"
Zunzun lifted his chin proudly.
He still dreamed of becoming a god of support. Supporting family, supporting Megumin. How could he quit farming over a small setback?
"But the vegetables this year look amazing," Yunyun sighed.
Following her gaze, Zunzun spotted another field where potatoes were planted. The small tubers seemed to dodge the farmers' hoes with surprising agility, causing one unlucky man to stumble and fall.
"The village is growing rare ingredients, huh."
"Well, they are the Crimson Demons."
"That's true."
They used high-level magic that drained huge energy just to farm. Growing rare crops was hardly surprising. Sister Soketto had told him the villagers even sold these goods to other towns for good profit.
The gap between them and Zunzun was widening.
His expression darkened.
"Yunyun, we must work harder and grow even better and more food!"
"Huh? Okay, okay!"
Yunyun didn't understand why her "big sister" was suddenly so competitive, but she nodded along with the momentum.
Back in the forbidden area, Zunzun toiled diligently while Yunyun followed with a blank expression. Her movements were stiff and mechanical — she clearly didn't understand why she was tagging along, but she kept pace anyway.
The sun set, and the two were physically drained after a full day of labor.
Yunyun was stronger than expected — stronger than Megumin. She was a great "tool person"… no, partner.
"Alright, let's stop for today."
"Okay, okay."
Yunyun nodded, panting slightly.
Her face was smudged with dirt, clothes streaked with mud — far from her earlier cute image. But sacrifices were necessary. To gain, one must give. That was life's truth.
As Zunzun put away the tools, a sudden realization froze him.
The other Crimson Demons used magic to farm, but he relied on hoe and shovel — like wielding cold weapons in a high-tech battlefield. There was no way he could compete, especially against mysterious magic!
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Let's go home."
"Oh, okay."
Yunyun obediently followed.
They walked slowly toward home. Perhaps due to the earlier blow, Zunzun's muscles ached more than usual.
Home meant cooking, bathing, and a good night's sleep.
At his doorstep, Zunzun paused and looked at Yunyun, who was still trailing behind, puzzled.
"Why are you following me?"
"Hey, you said you wanted to go home with me… Eh? Did I hear that wrong?"
"No, I messed up. Also, Yunyun, you should be more careful. If some ill-intentioned person kidnaps you, you'd be in danger." He noticed a shadow flicker across her face.
But now wasn't the time to send her away.
Suddenly, Sister Soketto's voice came from behind:
"Zunzun, what are you doing here? Why not go home? Ah — could this be… a friend?"
I knew it!
Zunzun's face twitched as Sister Soketto, eyes shining, covered her mouth in excitement.
"Friend? Friend?"
Yunyun brightened, then looked at Zunzun nervously.
"Not a friend…"
As soon as he said that, he saw the hurt on Yunyun's face and hurriedly corrected himself.
"Friend! Yunyun is a very useful friend!"
Yunyun's frown melted into a bright smile.
Only Sister Soketto looked confused.
"—Useful friend?"
-End Chapter-
Visit the Patreon!!
Read 30 chapters ahead, more on the way!
P@treon.com/TrashProspector
150 Stone = 1 Bonus Chapter
15 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter