Chapter 50

50 – Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle Part 1

Now, I bet you’re wondering what has happened since all that.

Well, I guess we’ll start with me.

The Magical Energy that I laboriously stored up for nine years has been completely dried up.

However, this isn’t as bleak as it sounds.

That’s because the nine years it took me to store it all, includes the time when I first took the horn into my body at the age of eleven.

The Magical Energy I was able to produce at that time pales in comparison to how I am now, not to mention that it took an entire year for me to inherit the horn completely.

My Black Magic training regiment still continues, so I have decided to transfer a larger portion of the Magical Energy that I create into the horn.

It won’t take me nine years in order to save up the same amount again.

Incidentally, I was able to confirm that her Highness and the Big Four knew about me and my master in the battle.

Maybe she predicted it when she saw that my Avatar only had one horn, but she wasn’t at all surprised about me inheriting the horn.

「I originally thought that Father had inherited it, but he and Grandfather never did see eye to eye. Do not worry about it.」

Is what she said.

But it seemed like The Demon King Lucy wanted the horn.

「Do not think too hard on it, Lemegeton. You brought home a splendid victory. You are the pride of the Demon King army…by the way, you only inherited one horn, right? Fufufu, nothing, merely a question.」

She said while smiling.

…Master, I think your grandchild is aiming for your remaining horn.

I’m sure it was a joke, but I felt a slight chill run down my spine.

Come to think of it, I wonder what her Highness’s father is doing now. From the way Luci talked, it doesn’t seem to be a taboo subject but I suppose it’s not related to Dungeon management.

I’ll ask her next time when the time is right.

After that, time was spent being adoringly stared at by Milla, which I think has only gotten stronger.

Then there were Cashew and others who wished to know the details of the fight but I decided to still keep my secret under wraps.

Apart from Luci, who is both my master’s grandchild and my employer, and the Big Four, except Sitri, who all know that I am the Demon King’s disciple, I am hesitant to talk about the existence of my master.

Next, about Fenix’s Party.

The Clear has yet to be broadcasted, but it will surely cause waves.

Alba will most likely cause a fuss and propose a reclear, but he’ll probably be denied. No, he definitely will be.

This Clear has made the three of them, including Alba, realize that they are not up to the level of capturing the Demon King Castle.

Bella, who joined halfway through the Clear and could do nothing but push forward, will surely bring up the topic that I was Lemegeton.

The fact that she thinks that my Black Magic was strong enough to be useful to the party, Fenix laughing like a madman when he felt my Black Magic in the tenth stratum, the way I defeated Alba and Lark by completely seeing through their actions, the fact that I used Black Magic, and as an added bonus, my name being LEMegeton were just some of the reasons that she might realize that it’s me.

There are probably other reasons, but I don’t think she has any proof even if she did suspect.

Her point of view is different from other Adventurers. Or I should say, she doesn’t see things through Adventurer-tinted glasses.

If it’s Bella, she’ll be able to discern that it is impossible to give the audience a Clear that will fire them up more than they already are if they were to apply for a reclear at this time. Lily and Lark will probably agree. If he calms down, even Alba would understand.

The fourth-ranked party assaults the Impregnable Demon King Castle and unravels its strata one by one.

There was excitement to be had.

But the same excitement can’t be given if you were to challenge the Dungeon again right after losing.

Are you going to show another Clear where the allies, other than Fenix, get defeated?

Trace the path you took to reveal every stratum until the tenth? Even though people have already seen it?

Do you think the people who see that will get as excited as they were when they saw the first Clear of that stratum the other day? Will they be satisfied?

Basically, you need to take a break before reclearing a Dungeon after you were wiped out.

Everyone loves an underdog story. People will cheer on the Hero party that got wiped out in a Dungeon, trained back up, and challenged it again.

Work-related reasons aside, they have another reason to not immediately challenge the Dungeon again.

Fenix.

Even during the battle, I thought that even if he had won, he wouldn’t have been able to advance to the deepest depths right away.

The contract with the Spirit gives you the right to use Spirit Magic and Spirit’s Magical Energy, both of which can be obtained through a contract with the Spirits.

Since it’s called a contract, compensation is also required, but that’s not important right now.

Instead of generating Magical Energy within oneself, the Spirit allows you to absorb the surrounding Magical Energy, that is abundant in the world, into your body.

In other words, it’s like a horn that can absorb the Magical Energy from the world.

While it seems to be incredibly useful, the rate of absorption doesn’t seem high.

Also, if all its Magical Energy were to be completely used up, the Spirit would disappear.

While It may be true that it took a hundred and thirty years for the Fire Spirit to choose the next contractor because no one it liked showed up, I think it’s also true that it was trying to recover the Magical Energy that was used up by the last contractor.

Fenix’s Magical Energy alone isn’t enough to cover the cost of releasing the Flames of the Gods.

The Fire Spirit isn’t some godly being that’s able to let loose such unimaginable magic all willy-nilly. I mean, it’s certainly not impossible, but that would extinguish its own existence. It’s a move that’s definitely not recommended for contractors.

Furthermore, there are reasons that they won’t come and also aren’t allowed in, such as how Fenix wants to fight me in my best possible state, so he won’t return so soon, and that the entire tenth stratum has been destroyed in the first place so we have to rebuild it before we can entertain anymore Adventurers.

Several days after the defense of the Demon King Castle.

I was in front of the gate that leads out of the town.

The sky was dimly lit, it was early morning.

Shortly after, the person I was waiting for appears. Or I should say, people. Five, in fact.

Fenix, Alba, Lark, Lily and Bella.

「Hey there.」

I greet them while raising a hand.

I hid my head and face so that the surrounding people don’t recognize me.

「Who da…?」

Alba glared in my direction, but as soon as he realized it was me, his expression became doubtful.

「Lem… Whaddya want?」

This felt a little awkward.

「Well I heard that you guys were heading to another town, so I thought I’d come out and see you guys off.」

「Huh? Who the hell tol-…hmph, Fenix, huh?」

「Yeah, we talked.」

After the Clear, I properly carried out my end of the deal and talked to him about my new job.

Later, I introduced him to Cashew and Milla.

Well, I thought it wouldn’t hurt.

「There’s something that I have to say to everyone.」

Alba stepped forward.

「Why the hell did you hide your power?」

If I hadn’t heard about Bella’s discussions from Fenix, I probably would have been bewildered.

「If I told you about it, do you think you would have left me alone?」

「…Nah. You’re still a Black Sorcerer.」

「Exactly.」

In terms of popularity as an Adventurer, there’s no way I can compete with someone like Bella.

Alba places the utmost importance on popularity, so the pure fact that I am a Black Sorcerer was his problem.

「…Y’know, I am curious. If you had revealed your secret to us, you would have had an easier time in the party. Why did you silently let Alba run his mouth?」

Lark spoke up.

「You mean if I said「Hey guys, the reason you are able to give your best performance is all thanks to me!」? Do you think that has any meaning to it?」

The best thing to do was to have them fight comfortably and without a care in the world.

Having them think that it was their own strength rather than because of the Black Sorcerer would make them move livelier and more confidently.

I wanted us to climb up the ranks as fast as possible anyway.

「I’ll excuse my own stupidity in failing to recognize your power, but your methods are just…just…」

Lily says hesitantly.

50 – Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle Part 2

「I know. That’s what I came to apologize for. Because I put too much priority on ensuring the party’s continued victories, I stole away everyone’s opportunities to learn and grow from mistakes.」

Naturally, you would understand your own shortcomings as a result of failure and strive to improve yourself every time that happens.

However, with me pouring all my efforts into carrying the team, they lead the life of an Adventurer devoid of setbacks.

That is why these three are suffering now.

「I cannot say it is purely your fault, though. If they had continued to train diligently on a regular basis, they would have felt some discrepancy. From there, a discussion could have been had. No one questioned it because they were unconsciously looking down on you as a Black Sorcerer. Even my own sense of discrimination should not be blamed on you.」

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I’m not sure if I should be surprised, but Bella followed up with that.

「So, Lem. You waited for us in order to apologize?」

Fenix asked while the other three were still silent.

「Ah, actually there’s something else. Well…alright. Alba, you tend to extend your Magic Sword, right? It’s nice and flashy, but there’s also the time it takes to return to consider, and the longer it’s extended, the longer it takes to set up the trajectory, and I think the bigger moves should be spared and more compactly executed.」

Next.

「Lark, you try to make the most appropriate action with the least amount of movement, right? I like that style, but if you’re too precise, you become very predictable. Even the Monsters can see the video feeds, so there may be enemies who will try to turn the tables on your optimal movements. I think you should change your rhythm once in a while.」

Next.

「Lily, I think you could be better if you didn’t rely on your speed so much. You look great even if you just fire arrows normally, and you can showcase your ability by focusing on hitting the target. Godspeed is an amazing technique, so if you choose when to use it, such as when the enemies are grouped up together, the crowd will go wild!」

Up until now, I had no say in the matter.

However, thanks to Bella’s proposal, they might acknowledge my advice to some extent.

If that was the case, I spoke my mind.

They can become stronger.

Uhm, I’m not sure if I should say this, but…

「Bella, you are an amazing and excellent Hero. You are aware of your surroundings and make decisions quickly. Even your magic is beautiful yet incredibly useful.」

「Thank you very much.」

「But, you’re not very good at close quarters, huh?」

「…It is as you say. I will concentrate on that.」

Bella bows her heads.

I turn to Fenix.

「As for you…ah, forget about it.」

「If you have something to say to me, just say it.」

「It’s nothing. I was just thinking that if you got stronger at fighting without the Spirit, you’d probably become more annoying.」

「Hmph. You’re right. I suppose it’s not good to always rely on the Spirit.」

「You were chosen by the Spirit, so I’m sure you have your own power.」

「I think that’s a story for another time.」

We laughed together.

Fenix extended his hand.

I don’t usually shake hands with him but I suppose it wouldn’t be weird to during a farewell.

I shake his hand…for some reason, Fenix was emitting Magical Energy.

In the spur of the moment, I enveloped my body with Magical Ener-wait a minute…

「I, the Flame Hero Fenix, vow to save my friend at any time. No matter what, no matter when, please call on me.」

Thi…this idiot…!

We were both touching the ring, both letting Magical Energy flow into it, expressing his intention to become a Contract…He can now be summoned through the ring.

I happened to wear the ring today.

I…accidentally made a Contract with the Flame Hero!

He knows that I can’t use Summon Magic, so he just somehow guessed that I was using some kind of magical artifact?

And then he’d test that assumption by forming a contract?

「…You’ve gotta be kidding me, you dumbass. In what possible situation could I summon you?!」

I angrily whisper at my best friend.

「Why don’t I prepare a Monster-appropriate Avatar?」

He says in a light and easy tone. I’m not even sure if he’s serious or joking.

No, wait…hm? Now how would that work?

In case you’re wondering, you aren’t forbidden from having two occupations. Adventurers who aren’t that famous can’t put food on the table with a full-time job, so the number of Adventurers will drop off if you forbade them from doing a side job.

My Adventurer Record still exists.

「Is it really so odd to want to save my best friend in his time of need?」

「I…oh whatever. If ever that time comes, I’m gonna make you work your butt off.」

I’ll think about the concrete details later.

「As you command, Lord Chief of Staff.」

「Please stop, you’re giving me goosebumps.」

We laugh again, then he walks away.

「Well then. Everyone, I’ll be rooting for you.」

In contrast to my beaming smile are the dour faces of those three.

「So in the end, are we gonna finish this without talking about your powers?」

Said Alba.

「Guess so.」

「…Hey, that’s right. What the heck are you doing for work now anyway?」

「Taking an interest in me?」

「Huh? Hell no! I was just askin’.」

「Ahaha, I see. Well, if you promise not to tell anyone, I’ll tell you.」

「There’s no one who’d be interested in ya in the first place.」

「Then, please don’t tell anyone.」

「I already said I won’t, geez.」

Alba’s words honestly helped me out.

I was worried about when was the right time to execute the plan.

That is, when I let slip to Milla that I was going to send off Fenix and co., a plan was formed.

『I have a splendid idea.』

Said Milla at that time.

I had a bad feeling about it, but before I knew it, the idea had become a solid plan that was essentially a done deal.

Everybody pitched in and I couldn’t be happier so I can’t back down now.

I took a mask from my robes and put it on.

Each of them was surprised. The two who knew my identity were surprised at my actions, while the other three were surprised at the improbability.

And the surprise doesn’t end there.

「Come.」

They appeared.

The Watchdog of Hell Naberius, the Invisible Slaughterer Glasya-Labolas, the Spirit Commanding General Kimaris, the Black Wound Hunter Leraje, the Vampire Queen Carmilla, Chief of the Werewolves Marchosias, and the Reaper Knight Furcas

All the Monsters that cooperated in the defense of the tenth stratum answered my call and appeared.

As Milla prepared and practiced with them earlier, they all got on one knee and bowed their heads toward me.

I deployed my magic so that the surrounding people wouldn’t notice.

「It was a fun battle. Please come back any time. We shall graciously…crush you again.」

The surprise on the three people’s faces at that moment, especially Alba’s, was priceless.

Milla gave a satisfied laugh.

I wonder if Alba and the others will keep silent as expected.

Even if they started a rumor, no one would believe them. Even if they did believe, which theory sounds more plausible? Me being an exceptional Black Sorcerer or Gra-la using his invisibility power to cloak a massive crowd of Black Sorcerers. In the first place, Alba wouldn’t be able to say that an ally that he essentially kicked out of the party, later then lead the Monsters to wipe the floor with them.

「Well, let’s all do our best! Back to base.」

I tried saying something like a Chief of Staff would at the end there.

Thanks to everyone saying「Sir!」in response, I think it was pretty convincing.

Because they need to train themselves up, the Fenix party heads towards a different dungeon.

◇

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In the video room, I am watching the 156th ranked party that has entered the first stratum.

While I can no longer participate directly in the other strata because I am officially the Chief of Staff, I am still able to give advice while watching the video feed.

With an earphone and mic setup, I give appropriate directions.

While watching the Adventurers, I mutter to no one in particular.

「…Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle.」