The legend of the Crimson Demon clan started from Suqing.

Chapter 570 It's reasonable for me, a thief, to have a mask, right?

Many adventurers gathered together.

Zun Zun saw many familiar faces here, such as Yu Jian Xiang Ye, his classmates from the Crimson Demon Clan, or other famous adventurers who, like himself, frequently appeared in the newspapers.

However, Zun Zun had no intention of befriending them, because—

"Your Excellency, you've arrived."

Lovely Alice appears.

She still had a beautiful face, with long, smooth golden hair flowing down her back, with a braid on each side—braided by Zun Zun himself, and she liked this hairstyle very much.

Perhaps due to the emergency preparations for war, Alice, who was to command and even go to the battlefield, was wearing a sky-blue armor with gold trim, and a battle skirt that revealed her fair legs.

It was equipment I made for her.

Her face beamed with a charming smile, radiating youthful energy, and she seemed to have grown a little taller.

"It's been a long time, Alice."

"Hmm! Long time no see! ...It really has been a long time. I thought you would come looking for me, or at least write a letter. But I've been waiting for months and still haven't received a letter."

"I'm so sorry, so sorry, so much has happened, please forgive me."

Zun Zun quickly apologized.

Regardless of whether he was busy or forgot, it's never wrong to apologize.

"Hehe, I'm not blaming Zun Zun... I just feel a little lonely."

She gave a heartbreaking smile.

Before she could even offer some comfort, Alice changed her expression and looked behind Zun Zun, who was all alone, and asked curiously, "Um... where are Lalatina, my brother, and the boss? Where did they go?"

"Wait a minute, Alice. We can ignore the one in front, but what's the deal with Big Brother and Boss?"

"Well... hehe."

"This isn't something you can just stick out your tongue and get away with. Don't even think about getting away with it!"

—It seems that when Zun Zun was away, Alice was too lonely, so she secretly ran away from the capital and came to Axel. For various reasons, she formed a thief gang with Chris, Megumin, and Yuuyu, and caused quite a commotion in Axel.

These are all things that Zun Zun doesn't know.

Huihui and Youyou, those two, caused such a huge disturbance, but because they were afraid of being scolded by Zunzun, they chose to form a united front and keep quiet.

As for what the older brother was talking about, it was Sato Kazuma. That guy still took advantage of Alice's naivety and kindness and deceived her.

"Brother... you mean? Alice, I'm older than you too, so call me brother as well—"

"I do not want."

Alice refused decisively without asking for a reason, which slightly saddened him. Seeing Zun Zun's slightly depressed expression, the girl stepped forward, stood on tiptoe, and whispered in his ear.

"I still want to call you...darling."

"Well."

The girl's gentle breath made Zun Zun's ears soften slightly, and the fleeting touch left him strangely reluctant to leave. If it weren't for her blonde hair and blue eyes, he would have thought she was quite skilled.

Where did she learn that from?
Looking at the princess's devilish smile, Zun Zun sighed that her growth was completely unexpected.

At this moment, Zun Zun discovered Claire and Rein.

The two of them had been keeping a low profile since the beginning, and their inexplicable silence was rather strange, leaving people wondering what was going on.

Leaving aside Rein, Claire is a hot-tempered older sister. If she saw someone being so close to Princess Alice, she would have already exploded and yelled for the guards to arrest him. But she remains silent now.

It would be quite impolite not to greet them upon meeting, especially since they had a fairly good relationship. So, Zun Zun took the initiative to strike up a conversation with the two of them.

"Claire and Rein, it's been a long time."

"Yes, yes! It's been a long time, Your Excellency! How have you been lately? If you are unwell, I can ask the High Priest to take a look at you."

"No need. By the way, you should know that we have an excellent high priest in our team, right?"

"Oh, is that so? Haha... I... no, I completely forgot. How rude of me! I wish I could disappear into a crack in the ground!"

Ok? ? ?
This is not the Claire I know, the one who was full of vigor and commanded all her officials!

Zun Zun stared dumbfounded at the trembling royal guards, then looked at Rein, who was slightly better than her, and asked with some curiosity.

"What's wrong with Claire? Is she sick?"

No, that's not true.

It was obvious that Rein seemed to flinch when her name was called, and she shook her head stiffly.

"Claire is simply amazed by your outstanding contributions. After all, Your Excellency, you have defeated numerous Demon King's military officers, and I heard you recently defeated the Dark Priestess Cerestina. You are truly magnificent!"

"How disgusting... Is Rein sick too?"

Zun Zun's expression was quite distorted.

Is this all there is to defeating the Demon King's army officers?
Do not make jokes.

When Claire met Alice, she knew that everyone had the merit of defeating the Demon King's army cadres and intercepting the moving natural disaster, but she still acted arrogantly. No matter how many more Demon King's army cadres she defeated, she would still be humbled, especially when she was involved with Princess Alice.

"Seriously, do you two think I'm an idiot? And what's with the Venerable One?"

"What are you saying? I don't understand."

"It's just a matter of respect for the strong. You're overthinking it." The two turned their faces away, looking extremely guilty.

Just as Zun Zun was completely baffled as to what the two of them were doing, she suddenly noticed Alice standing next to them, grinning slyly. She wanted to ask, but immediately turned away, feigning ignorance.

Alice clearly knew but didn't say anything; was she amused by her own predicament? Looking at Claire and Rein's flustered and uneasy appearance, they had obviously discovered something to be doing so.

So think about it.

What is it that Alice knows, that she kept from Claire and Rein, and that would cause them to act so strangely after it was exposed?

...Oh, I see. That's how it is.

I've found it strange since the beginning. Why is Alice able to so readily reveal that she, Megumin, and Yuuyu have formed a thief gang? Logically, she should have kept it a secret from Claire and Rein.

That makes sense now.

First, Alice secretly left the capital alone. Although she left stealthily, Megumin and Yuuyu couldn't pretend not to see her after they met her. The three of them, along with Chris, formed a thief gang and caused a disturbance in Axel.

Claire discovers that Alice has escaped the capital and brings her back. To find out what the princess has done, she can no longer hide the thieves' activities from her. At the same time, she wants to understand why Alice did what she did—

'Did I discover that I was a thief who broke into the palace at night?'

Zun Zun muttered to himself inwardly.

He looked up at Claire and Rein, who hurriedly looked away from his gaze. He shook his head helplessly at Alice, who was chuckling beside him, but in truth, Zun Zun himself wanted to tease the two of them a little.

Zun Zun's arm trembled slightly.

There was a snap.

The sound of something falling to the ground.

After Claire and Rein turned their gazes toward him, Zun Zun grinned wickedly and deliberately took a step back, exposing the fallen object to the two of them.

—A magnificent black half-face mask.

Their bodies froze instantly.

Zun Zun understood immediately. Just as she had guessed, they had discovered that she was a thief who had broken into the palace at night, which was why they were so nervous.

"Cough cough."

"!?"

Zun Zun coughed, startling the two of them, then gave an apologetic smile and said, "Don't be nervous, everyone. I am a thief, so I wear a mask to cover my face. That makes sense, right?"

Claire and Rein were on the verge of tears.

When Alice saw their expressions, she finally couldn't help but chuckle softly, her shoulders shaking.

Perhaps sensing that Venerable One meant no harm, Claire took a deep breath and exhaled forcefully, saying with a hint of self-deprecation, "Venerable One, please don't tease us like this. I'm sorry, I was blind to your greatness before."

"Just call me Zun Zun. Aren't we friends?"

"Then I shall dare..."

"And I."

The two of them finally returned to normal.

If it were a real thief, they wouldn't be so humble even if they couldn't punish him. But they clearly understood that it was Princess Alice who had asked him to break into the palace at night, so they had no reason to be angry.

The crowd walked down the street.

It must be because she has changed jobs and made contributions to the kingdom that Alice is no longer confined to the capital and can wait for adventurers to return. Instead, she can finally take the initiative to attack.

Along the way, the adventurers greeted her respectfully, and Alice returned their greetings politely.

She is so cute.

"But is Alice really going to the battlefield?"

"Yes! With my father and brother away, I am the only one who can fight against the Demon King's army led by the Demon King's daughter."

Alice said this seriously.

As arguably the strongest fighting force on the human side, she had compelling reasons to act—to instill confidence in the people and defeat powerful enemies, among other things.

Moreover, to some extent, this is a contest between royal daughters, and she doesn't want to lose to her opponent.

"Besides, with so many adventurers and Venerable Venerable coming to help, we definitely won't lose."

She had an air of confidence that "Zun Zun's arrival gives me enough confidence."

"Is that so? Although I feel it's impossible to lose, it's still better to be careful. After all, no matter what, she is the daughter of the Demon King."

"Yes! I'll give it my all! With this curry stick!"

"oh oh……"

I almost forgot, Alice has such a wonderful treasure.

Just as the four were enjoying the brief peace before the battle, a commotion seemed to have occurred ahead, with a large crowd gathering there.

at the same time--

"What did you say! What do you mean that you can't register if your level is too low! Look at me carefully, I am Kazuma Sato! I am Kazuma Sato, who has defeated many Demon King's army officers, and even recently single-handedly defeated the Dark Priest!"

It seems the teammate has caused trouble again.

(End of this chapter)