Chapter 13

INTERLUDE THEATRE: ACT III Slyest Demon of the Little Sisters of the Crimson Magic Clan I solved the second puzzle. “…I really hate the Crimson Magic Clan.” “I’m part of the Crimson Magic Clan.” “………Well, I hate all of them except you.” A third puzzle had emerged from the pedestal just when Host and I had thought we were done. Host paused. “Arrrgh, forget it. This is way too tough for me. Heck, I think even you might not be up to this one. This puzzle’s not for kids.” “My big sister told me that doing the impossible is what Crimson Magic Clan members live for.” And then I lay down on the ground, kicking my feet, and worked on the puzzle. “Hey, don’t you have any manners? Your shoes are covered in mud. Blargh…” Host was busy trying to clean my robe, but I was focused on the puzzle. “…Whoa, hey, you’re killin’ that thing! I think this might just work! Hey, what’s wrong? Did it get hard all of a sudden?” Halfway through the puzzle, I had put my head down and closed my eyes. “Bored now.” “Aww, sweet li’l Komekko, I’m beggin’ ya! You can’t quit now! Is it food you want?! You must be hungry! The Great Lord Host’ll scare something up for you!” At that, I sat up and started working on the puzzle again. “G-great! You just keep at it! I’ll find something for you quick!” Host spread his wings and was just about to launch himself into the sky. “Ooh! Take me! I wanna go, too!” “N-no way, kiddo! I’m not taking a shrimp like you into the woods! The monsters in there would eat you alive!” “But I wanna! I wanna go! Host, you look so strong, I’m sure I’d be fine!” “Well, uh, I sure am strong! I mean, I send those monsters running just by showing up in the woods!” “You’re so cool, Lord Host!” And so he took me along. “Huff… Puff… You’re out of control, kid; slow down already!” “Look, it’s a big ol’ lizard! That one, Host! Catch that lizard!” “Listen to me, will ya?!” Host had carried me over to the forest. “Aww, look, Komekko. He ran away because of all your shouting. When you’re as big and bad a demon as I am, everyone knows it, and they don’t stick around. I’ve been coming here every so often to catch your snacks. Maybe I can head back to the entrance to the woods and find all the monsters who have been trying to run away.” “…When I get big and strong, will the monsters run away from me?” “Huh, I dunno about that! No matter how strong you get, I don’t know if any monster would run away from a pip-squeak like you! Hee-hee-ha-ha!” Host set me down, laughing. I saw the bushes shaking just ahead of us. “Oh? Something that ain’t gonna run away when it notices me? Here comes something with some guts.” “Ooh, so if I can get that monster to run away, does that mean I’m stronger than you, Host?” “Buh! O-oh, snap, didn’t mean to spit! Heh-heh, yeah, I guess that’s what it’d mean. But there’s a big, scaaary monster in those bushes, see? When you get a look at it, don’t go wettin’ your pants, eh?” “I won’t wet nothing! I’ll chase it off!” That only made Host laugh harder. “I’d like to see you try! Go on—give it hell! If you really chase it off, I’ll call you Komekko the Great for the rest of my life.” Then a big bear came jumping out of the bushes. “…Huh, a One-Punch Bear. A whole pack of ’em. Y’know, I think this is too much, even for us. All right, you ugly mugs, I’ll let y’ off this time…” Host turned around. But as for me, I went running straight toward them. “Kishaaaaa!” “Lady Komekko?!” shouted Host as he dived into the pack after me.