A Baffling Dream: Enter the Crimson Zone!

01

An hour after our stop, with the smoke from the morning fire, finally put out, we climbed back into the carriage, still warmed and satisfied from the meal. I sat in the back while Anne and Melissa sat facing me. Stephane and the coachman resumed their positions at the reins. He shook the reins, and the horses' hooves against the dirt road echoed through the quiet morning. We were on our way, leaving behind that cozy moment.

The landscape slowly slid by as we progressed down the road. The trees seemed to wave goodbye, their leaves gently rippling in the morning breeze. Birds sang somewhere in the canopy, their sweet, melodic chirping filling the air with a serenity that felt so far removed from the earlier tensions.

As the carriage rolled on, I saw a sign on the road, now much more vivid and larger than the first time, announcing in bright and embossed letters that Crimson Demon Village was only 5 Fellis away. It was just another three or four hours of travel for me.

This, though exciting, reminded me of the dream I had when I was unconscious, and then, thoughts began to flood my mind:

The image returned to my head, Yunyun, her intense crimson eyes and black hair. Why her? Among all others who could've appeared in the dream, why specifically Yunyun? Her presence puzzled me, like a riddle I was determined to solve.

After all, the light novel had several crimson demons and many possibilities of familiar faces. Yet, she was the one who appeared. Why?

Could it be due to the sign I saw that day before passing out? But why her? Why not Megumin or anyone else? I tried to find some logic in this random chaos, my brain refusing to give up;

The image of Yunyun alone, out of place in her own Village. The loneliness, the marginalization... all oddly mirrored my own reality. The way we isolate ourselves amid crowds, the emptiness we occupy in societies bustling with life, and the masks we wear to hide our deepest feelings.

Perhaps that's why she specifically appeared in the dream. Maybe my subconscious chose the person most mirrored my own state of being, especially now. After all, I'm alone in a strange world, the peak of my loneliness. But even having reached this conclusion, why?

Perhaps the dream was more than just a hallucination. It could be an introspection, a glimpse into my own emotional state. As I tried to decipher its meaning, I found myself confronted with my own reality, my feelings, and...

"Hey!" Anne had been calling me for a while to chat. She snapped me out of my trance. Good timing because my head was starting to ache.

02

The carriage kept moving forward. Every now and then, we chatted in a somewhat calm tone. Melissa seemed more relaxed, her tense posture softening. At the same time, Anne maintained the same lively spirit and enthusiasm since I woke up.

The road wound through gentle hills and valleys, forests and meadows. As time passed, the landscape started to change. The trees became sparser, replaced by vast wheat fields swaying in the breeze, their golden grains gleaming under the midday sun. Small houses and barns could be spotted on the horizon, signaling the proximity of the Village. The road also became increasingly busy, with travelers and merchants coming and going.

I know, you want to see why a merchant's daughters are traveling with him for a simple supply delivery, right? I was curious too:

The question hung in the air for a moment. I knew I was pushing it, possibly touching on a too-sensitive subject, but curiosity made the move.

"It's none of your business," Melissa answered straightforwardly, without hesitation. Her tone was cold, her expression closed off.

"Sis! Please, you don't have to be so rude!" Anne retorted, shooting her sister a reproachful look. Turning to me, Anne's face blushed slightly as she explained. "It's just that our dad sometimes needs help with special deliveries, as it's too much for him to handle alone. Since we have healing and combat skills, he trusts his daughters far more with the safety of certain orders than his employees."

I was intrigued by her response. "But if they're just normal supplies, what's the problem?" I asked, trying to better understand the reason for such precautions.

Anne hesitated for a moment. Her unsure gaze made me realize that maybe I was stepping into uncharted territory, perhaps even forbidden. Before she could answer, however, Melissa intervened.

"As I said, it's none of your business. Be grateful for what we've done for you and stop sticking your nose where it doesn't belong," her voice was firm and authoritative, completely different from Anne's soft tone. "And you talk too much, Anne."

"I-I'm sorry...." Anne murmured, lowering her head. She looked disheartened but kept silent as if learning a significant lesson. I found this very strange, it raised many questions, but I thought it wise to remain quiet.

Less than an hour later, Stephane appeared at the window and said, "Get ready, Vitor; we'll be passing by the entrance to the village any moment now!".

03

Finally, the carriage came to a gentle halt. Stephane opened the door for me to disembark. He rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a handful of gleaming coins and a meticulously folded piece of paper.

"Listen, kid," he began in a more serious tone as he placed the coins into my hand. "That's 2000 eris. Use it to buy food or secure a decent place to stay overnight, if necessary..."

Eris was the currency in the Light Novel. Apparently, it's the same here.

"But remember, don't waste it all at once! The Crimson Demons are known for their tempting tourist attractions. I've heard they even have a sealed dark god," he continued.

"I appreciate it, Mr. Stephane," I replied, feeling the weight of the coins in my hand.

He then handed me the paper, which I unfolded to reveal his shop's name and a list of cities where it operated. "And this is information about my stores. The main headquarters is in the Royal Capital, where I live. When you get some free time, come pay us a visit, you'll be treated very well!"

"I definitely will. Thank you again, sir."

Inside the carriage, Melissa muttered something inaudible when she saw Stephane giving me money but refrained from further comment. "Melissa, anything to say?" Stephane teased with a smile.

"Just let her huff, Dad," Anne interjected, smiling. Turning to me, she sincerely said, "I wish you luck on your journey, take care..."

I thanked Anne for her wish and then turned to Melissa. She just shot me a look, a look of disdain.

Yeah, she definitely doesn't like me.

With the goodbyes said, I started to walk away. With an even more serious tone, Stephane warned me again: "And remember, be careful with your surname. Don't reveal it around." With one last wave, they left, leaving me alone with his words echoing in my thoughts.

So, whoever is reading this, that's how I spent my first three days in this world until I arrived at the entrance of the Crimson Demons' Village. I'll tell you something, this entrance is quite different than I imagined. I thought there would be large walls, with guards at the main gate, something quite medieval...

But I saw a simple wooden gate and a small red wall.

Damn, man, either these guys really trust their power and intimidation, or they're nuts...

It seems to be early afternoon. I've been lucky not to have a single rainy day so far. I headed towards the main entrance of the Village. Finally, what a beautiful place! But then...

"Halt! Identify yourself! Who wishes to enter the boundaries of the grand Village of the vibrant Crimson Demons, feared by the Demon King himself?!" A voice said... but from where?

"Hey, who said that?" I answered loudly, looking around.

From behind the wall of the main gate, a man in his 30s suddenly leaps out. He appears about 10 meters from me, just in front of the entrance. His hair, as black as midnight, is unkempt, dancing wildly with his swift movements. A pair of striking carmine eyes, vibrant and arresting, catch my attention, their sharp gaze slicing through the distance between us.

His overall appearance presents an unexpected, vivid picture against the otherwise mundane backdrop.

"My name is Donedoque!! I am the afternoon shift guardian of the main gate of the Village and a user of advanced magic! And one day, I will become the head of the crimson guard and the most vigilant watcher among the Crimson Demons."

I looked down for a second.

"How embarrassing..." I murmured.

"HEY! What did you say there?!" exclaimed Donedoque.

Well, I remember there's only one proper way to introduce oneself to the Crimson Demons. I believe it's safe to use my real name in this Village, after all, it's full of crazies... I hope that thing... but... how embarrassing... I can't believe I'm really going to do this, and the worst part is that I did it millions of times alone in my room, but now... in public? But okay, yes, let's go, Vitor, hold it together! You've come this far, do it right. This is your moment:

I took a deep breath, gathered up my courage, and then;

"...So be it! Now that the veil of ignorance has been torn away and the herald behind the mysterious voice revealed, I, at last, can properly announce myself... (take a deep breath, don't waver now). I am Vitor! A unique prodigy, a shining beacon of intellect amidst a sea of mediocrity, blessed with a superior mind! I am destined to ascend to the pinnacle of mystical knowledge, transcending the limits of human comprehension, he who will become the greatest physics manipulator of advanced magical arts ever seen in the vastness of time and space! "Yes! My name will be remembered in ages to come, for I shall leave my indelible mark across the cosmos!"

I have no idea what Donedoque expected me to say. Still, from the look on his face, he definitely didn't anticipate that.