Translator: Kobracon
Editor: Weasalopes
155 – The Flame Hero, Forest Hunter, Black Sorcerer, and Vampire Queen Part 1
「P-p-pardon the intrusion. I am the Hunter Lily, I am currently working as an Adventurer.」
「Yes, welcome to our humble abode. My name is Milla. I work at the Demon King Castle as a Vampire and so forth.」
A rather uneasy looking Elf beauty and the Vampire beauty that is smiling with her whole face.
「Huh, so this is where you live, eh, Lem?」
Wow Fenix, this isn’t some fun trip to a friend’s house or something, y’know?
Do you not feel the intense pressure coming from Milla?
We’re in my apartment in the dormitory area.
Milla, who has become more or less my roommate, is welcoming Lily and Fenix.
Oh man, how did it all come to this…
I recalled the time I had a conversation with Milla about meeting these two.
『Meeting Fenix and Lily, you say?』
『Yeah, I’m sure we talked about it before, didn’t we? They wish to help us out as Monsters.』
『Well…yes, yes we did. But…Lem?』
『Hm?』
『This would mean that you have to spare your free time out of working hours for your old allies, right?』
『…? Yeah, I guess so.』
『But Lem…I thought we had discussed that you and I would go on our big date when the Raid Battle has reached somewhat of a stopping point.』
『Yeah, we did talk about that.』
『I concede that it is of the utmost importance to make advance arrangements. Know that I understand the full importance of such a thing. However, if I may say so, you are using your time off work in order to meet with your former allies. Under any normal circumstances, I would not mind in the slightest. What you do with your own leisure time is your business, after all.』
『R-right.』
『What is currently bothering me is that you graciously promised that you would reward me with a precious portion of your free time.』
『…I did say that, yes.』
『So then, what have those two done for you, Lem? Have they perhaps contributed enough to wedge themselves into our prior engagement…?』
『Uh…Milla? I sorta understand what you’re trying to say, I think. But, this is a meeting that I can’t afford to cancel.』
『Yes. I have already agreed that this is important in the grand scheme of things. However, so far as you do not think of me as annoying or troublesome, I have a suggestion.』
『I would never think that of you.』
『…! I-…Th-thank you very much. R-right then, I was thinking if it would be possible for me to participate in this meeting. What do you think?』
『Ah, so that’s what you’re suggesting… Sure, I don’t think those two would mind.』
『Would it be alright to hold the meeting right here?』
『Huh…? But isn’t this the Demon King Army dormitories? Is it OK for Adventurers to enter?』
『Well, you’re an Adventurer too, aren’t you, Lem?』
『Touche… Well, I suppose we could meet up somewhere and then from there, as long as I use my magic, we won’t get found out on the way here…』
『May I ask you to do just that?』
『Sure, I’ll let them know. But…why here?』
『In order to show off, of cour… I mean, I would like your former colleagues to witness the life you live now. The wonderfully full life that you are able to live after leaving the party. This is simply my own selfish desire.』
『R-right. I get it.』
…is kinda how that went down.
I have no reason to believe that Milla was telling a lie, but I get the impression that the goal was to invite Fenix and Lily into the house all along and the logic was sorta stuffed in there afterward.
She had met Fenix once more after the tenth stratum battle, but that was it.
As for my other former allies, she has only met them when she fought them as Carmilla.
「For the time being, why don’t you two come in?」
And with that, here we are.
「That’s right, please come into our home.」
Under Milla’s guidance, we proceed to the living room.
「Hey Lem, you shoulda told me that you two have already made it this far. Keep me up to date, man.」
For some reason, Fenix was speaking in a hushed tone.
「Huh? What the heck are you talking about?」
「I mean, you and Milla are already living together? That’s huge.」
「…We’re not, and even if we were, why should I have to tell you?」
We really aren’t living together. We just spend most of our nights together, currently. Probably. I think.
「In general, I don’t think it would be too strange to tell a good friend about his wonderful love life.」
「Well, I’ve never heard any love stories from you, so I guess we aren’t as good friends as I thought, huh?」
Fenix is in passionate love with so-and-so! or something like that would become news right away, but those are usually lies or just misunderstandings. However, Fenix is quite popular with the ladies. I mean, it’s Fenix, after all.
But we never brought up the topic amongst ourselves, nor did we ask each other about such things.
Until recently, at least.
Recently, Fenix has been clearly cheerful.
I wonder if he’s over the moon that his unpopular best friend has become intimate with a member of the opposite sex despite being unpopular.
「In the end, we’re talking about the general, ordinary people. Yup. It probably, totally doesn’t apply to us at all.」
「Yup, sure it doesn’t.」
That should probably keep him quiet for a while.
Fenix and I, we’re fine, honestly. No matter what the topic might be, he’s a trusted friend.
「You wish to fight alongside us as a Monster, right, Lily?」
「Y-yes. There is someone who I have to fight at all costs, so I have decided to ask Lem for his assistance…」
「Is that so? By the way, what kind of connection do you have with Lem that you can rely on him so?」
「Huh…? Well, that’s… I suppose because he was someone who used to be in the same party as me? I…I had the opportunity to know that Lem is the Demon King Army’s Chief of Staff.」
The opportunity that she is referring to is that time after the Fenix party were repelled and I went to see them off as they were headed towards a new town.
According to a plan that was lead by Milla, I summoned my Monster allies with my ring when I saw them off.
「Oh my, but if memory serves me right, also I happen to be a fan of Lem’s who checked every little movement he made, Lem was driven out of the Fenix party, was he not?」
「Urgh… Y-you…you are not mistaken in your understanding…」
「I am certain that it was the Warrior Alba who lead the charge. Did the other three share any dissenting opinions I wonder? Of course, since you’re all allies, I’m sure you did.」
「…The only one who opposed it was Fenix.」
「Which would mean that the other two were in favor of his expulsion. Am I correct in my assumption?」
「…It is embarrassing to admit, but at that point in time, I had yet to realize Lem’s true capabilities.」
「Really? Despite having fought countless battles alongside each other all that time?」
Milla spoke in a gentle tone. However, each word was like a knife being thrown.
Fenix tries to say something, but in this case, he isn’t the person who should be doing so.
I raise a hand to stop my friend, and I open my mouth.
「M-Milla? We’ve talked about this before, the main cause was the fact that I tried to hide it in the first place.」
Lily was shrinking away.
I try to gently calm Milla down, but-
「I am fully aware of that, Lem. I wish to discuss feelings.」
As a fan, the fact that the one you are a fan of is being treated like dirt within the party and is then forced out is a painful one, no matter what the reason was behind it.
Having one of the people who drove that person out now rely on the very person that they drove out, there’s no way that their feelings can remain calm.
It is also probably only natural to feel angry at how convenient it all is.
However, I can’t just leave Lily, who I finally became friends with, to wallow in self-loathing again.
If Milla wants to talk about feelings, then…
「I’m very happy about how you feel about me. But, please, don’t say anything bad about the discussion that eventually led to me leaving the party.」
「…Lem?」
「After all, if it weren’t for that happening at that exact timing, I wouldn’t have been able to reunite with you, Milla.」
「…」
Also, I was able to meet Cashew in this town when I was driven out of the party.
I was able to become friends with the fruit seller Blitz.
I was able to become allies with everyone in the Demon King Army.
I also got to know the people in the Elementary Level – Beginner’s Dungeon.
And I was also able to enter the Tag Tournament together with the Silver Hero Nicola.
「All the encounters and experiences I had after I left the party are all filled with joy and warmth to me. It’s true that things were tough during the time when I just left, but now I am nothing short of thankful for it. I would be glad if you would look at it that way, Mil-」
「I do look at it that way…!」
The anger that was seeping out from within her has been blown away without a trace, leaving only happiness behind.
Translator: Kobracon
Editor: Weasalopes
155 – The Flame Hero, Forest Hunter, Black Sorcerer, and Vampire Queen Part 2
「Would you like anything to eat, Lily? Fenix?」
It seems that the problem involving feelings has come to an end.
Lily was utterly confused.
Fenix was smiling broadly.
By the way, Milla did the same thing when she first met Fenix, aiming to kill him softly with words, but Fenix just immediately apologized which drove away all the spite that Milla felt towards him… It was quite effective.
Speaking of Fenix, when Milla turned to head towards the kitchen, he was about to open his mouth, but I glared at him.
「Don’t. Say. A word.」
Even if what I said was from the heart, saying lines like that in front of my best friend and colleague is so embarrassing that my face feels like it’s on fire.
「Uhm…Lem?」
My arm was tugged a little. It was Lily.
She tries to bring her face close to my ear. Due to the height difference between us, Lily had to stand on her toes. Even this wasn’t enough, so I also had to bend my knees a little in response.
「Thank you very much.」
Apparently, she thinks that I did that in order to save her from Milla.
The long sigh that hit my eardrum felt a little ticklish.
At that moment, in that gap between my ear and Lily’s lips, something ripped through that tiny space.
Something passed through quickly with a whoosh.
「Oops, pardon me. I was aiming at a little insect that was flying around.」
I looked in the direction the sound went and what I saw was a blood knife sticking out of the wall.
「Why don’t you all sit down and wait patiently?」
「Y-yes, we’ll do just that.」
Lily normally has a curly string of hair on top of her head, but I saw it fall flat like all the strength was sucked out of it.
…That knife flew by really quickly. It felt more like a gunshot than a knife throw.
As expected of a Blood Manipulator. Her ability to manipulate blood towers above the rest.
Although I wish she wouldn’t use it in the living room.
Perhaps not trying to fall victim to Milla’s wrath any further, she sat opposite me.
Fenix thought about it a little and chose to sit next to Lily.
I think he was worried for a moment whether or not he should sit next to me, creating a boys and girls side separation or if he should sit next to Lily, so that it becomes a separation by affiliation.
Milla came back holding a tray and she confirmed the empty seat, the one next to me, and smiled with satisfaction.
Apparently, it seems that everyone chose the correct seat.
「Thanks, Milla.」
「It’s perfectly fine. It is my pleasure, after all.」
She prepared tea for all.
Milla then sat next to me.
「But Lem?」
「Hm?」
「Will it be alright to utilize these two for the defense? I have absolutely no doubts about their abilities, but I am worried about the coordination aspect.」
The Fenix party is currently in high demand ever since starting the training of those that are participating in the Raid Battle, TV commentary, the events planned by her Highness’s father Fellow, and the like.
Taking this opportunity, they are putting a hold on Dungeon Clearing, only during the Raid Battle period, and taking on more work, such as magazine interviews and commercial appearances, which they normally take only a select few of.
Setting aside cooperating with me, it will be hard for them to cooperate with my subordinates. They can’t even come and train with us in the Demon King Castle.
「Ah yeah, we have to talk about that too. This time, I want the two of you to move separately. Meaning I won’t summon you two at the same time. Just as you desired, Lily, I’ll summon you so that you can fight Suuri.」
「Yes. Once again, thank you very much for allowing me to join. I will surely take him down and contribute to your victory.」
Lily has a bone to pick with Suuri, who came from the same village as her, but continues to fight while hiding his face.
Wishing to fight against him, she will be summoned as a Monster this time in order to do just that.
「Fenix, you need to-」
「Yeah, I know. I have to take him on.」
Fenix nodded while smiling.
Milla’s eyebrows twitched and shook.
「I-I expected nothing less from two best friends. One look at each other’s eyes was enough for you two to understand each other as if it were telepathy, I see.」
「From my point of view, it is I who should be envious of you. For you two are connected by a strong bond despite not knowing each other as long as I have known him.」
「Oh, do go on.」
Milla’s mood instantly improved.
…This guy. Looks like he has already learned how to handle Milla.
He really is mankind’s strongest. His adaptability is terrifying.
To the side of him, even Lily had a face that seemed to say「I see, so that’s how you do it.」.
「All things considered, the Raid Battle sure has gotten a lot of attention.」
「The Raid Battle is only possible because the people’s interest in this Dungeon still remains since that time you were defeated. Of course, the contents of the raid are another reason for the popularity.」
It is difficult to be in this world where something can’t become popular even if the contents of it were good.
From my viewpoint as someone in the same line of business, it isn’t unusual for a party that has an extremely interesting Clear to only have a two-digit number of views.
Fellow handled things skillfully as well. Without his plans, this probably wouldn’t have become such a big, headline-making event.
This may be the town where it’s being held, but now everyone is on the edge of their seat to see where this Clear is headed.
Some people may say that if you gather all the popular parties, you will get the numbers, but the excitement goes beyond just gathering them.
The more you draw in the casual crowd who are normally not interested in it, the easier it is to convey that to them.
Speaking of which, even Cashew’s older sister and younger siblings would ask her to secretly tell them the results of each battle.
Even Blitz asked me the same thing when I would show up at his stall.
Cashew would say「It’s strictly convi-con…confidential.」and keep the results a secret properly.
「By right, I shouldn’t even be saying this I suppose, but I will make sure that I annihilate them all.」
「Is the great Flame Hero going to betray all of mankind?」
「The only one who’s going to defeat you is me.」
I laugh back at him defiantly.
「I’ll win the next time as well.」
Fenix laughed at that joyfully.
「Besides, I don’t believe lending one’s strength to a friend is a betrayal in any shape or form.」
He said something so grand without batting an eye.
「…C’mon, you’re embarrassing me, man.」
「Lem, your face is red.」
「No, no, you got it all wrong.」
「Lem has always been like this.」
「Oh please, do tell me more about what Lem was like as a child.」
Milla’s eyes sparkled with hungry curiosity.
…Come to think of it since not much of my private information was ever released to the public, Fenix is a treasure trove of such information to a die-hard fan like Milla.
I glare at him, commanding him in my mind not to dare say anything. Y’know, that friendship telepathy thing Milla mentioned earlier.
「Oh right, well there was this time when he was seven-years-old…」
It’s not working at all…!
Where the heck did all your kindness and consideration from earlier go?!
「Uhm, let’s clear up the main issue first.」
I try to continue the discussion, somewhat forcefully.
Milla looked a little dissatisfied by that, but she didn’t interject.
「Assuming they get to the eigth and ninth strata, how should we mobilize? Well, at the very least, let’s talk about the best timing to summon Fenix and Lily. Lily, I’ve spoken to the person in charge of that stratum, but I still think it would be better if you met face to face at least once.」
「Y-yes… Uhm, is she fine with that?」
「Yeah.『Interesting. A forest Elf who has fallen to the dark side.』she said.
「…」
「And now on to Fenix. About summoning you… I can do it.」
Fenix wasn’t surprised in the slightest.
「I knew you’d find a way to do it.」
Even though I did say that I would find a way to gather enough Magical Energy in a short period of time to summon the Flame Hero, he said it like it was a matter of course.
Well, I suppose it doesn’t hurt to have someone who believes in you that much.
「And of course, I shall make my appearance as well.」
Said Milla.
「Y-yeah. Good luck out there.」
「I shall present to you a complete and utter victory this time.」
「I’m looking forward to it, Milla.」
That’s right, Herv has returned to the Raid Battle via the revival rights.
As I continue the discussion, I think back on the sixth and seventh stratum battles that have already finished.
Translator: Kobracon
Editor: Weasalopes
155 – The Flame Hero, Forest Hunter, Black Sorcerer, and Vampire Queen Part 1
「P-p-pardon the intrusion. I am the Hunter Lily, I am currently working as an Adventurer.」
「Yes, welcome to our humble abode. My name is Milla. I work at the Demon King Castle as a Vampire and so forth.」
A rather uneasy looking Elf beauty and the Vampire beauty that is smiling with her whole face.
「Huh, so this is where you live, eh, Lem?」
Wow Fenix, this isn’t some fun trip to a friend’s house or something, y’know?
Do you not feel the intense pressure coming from Milla?
We’re in my apartment in the dormitory area.
Milla, who has become more or less my roommate, is welcoming Lily and Fenix.
Oh man, how did it all come to this…
I recalled the time I had a conversation with Milla about meeting these two.
『Meeting Fenix and Lily, you say?』
『Yeah, I’m sure we talked about it before, didn’t we? They wish to help us out as Monsters.』
『Well…yes, yes we did. But…Lem?』
『Hm?』
『This would mean that you have to spare your free time out of working hours for your old allies, right?』
『…? Yeah, I guess so.』
『But Lem…I thought we had discussed that you and I would go on our big date when the Raid Battle has reached somewhat of a stopping point.』
『Yeah, we did talk about that.』
『I concede that it is of the utmost importance to make advance arrangements. Know that I understand the full importance of such a thing. However, if I may say so, you are using your time off work in order to meet with your former allies. Under any normal circumstances, I would not mind in the slightest. What you do with your own leisure time is your business, after all.』
『R-right.』
『What is currently bothering me is that you graciously promised that you would reward me with a precious portion of your free time.』
『…I did say that, yes.』
『So then, what have those two done for you, Lem? Have they perhaps contributed enough to wedge themselves into our prior engagement…?』
『Uh…Milla? I sorta understand what you’re trying to say, I think. But, this is a meeting that I can’t afford to cancel.』
『Yes. I have already agreed that this is important in the grand scheme of things. However, so far as you do not think of me as annoying or troublesome, I have a suggestion.』
『I would never think that of you.』
『…! I-…Th-thank you very much. R-right then, I was thinking if it would be possible for me to participate in this meeting. What do you think?』
『Ah, so that’s what you’re suggesting… Sure, I don’t think those two would mind.』
『Would it be alright to hold the meeting right here?』
『Huh…? But isn’t this the Demon King Army dormitories? Is it OK for Adventurers to enter?』
『Well, you’re an Adventurer too, aren’t you, Lem?』
『Touche… Well, I suppose we could meet up somewhere and then from there, as long as I use my magic, we won’t get found out on the way here…』
『May I ask you to do just that?』
『Sure, I’ll let them know. But…why here?』
『In order to show off, of cour… I mean, I would like your former colleagues to witness the life you live now. The wonderfully full life that you are able to live after leaving the party. This is simply my own selfish desire.』
『R-right. I get it.』
…is kinda how that went down.
I have no reason to believe that Milla was telling a lie, but I get the impression that the goal was to invite Fenix and Lily into the house all along and the logic was sorta stuffed in there afterward.
She had met Fenix once more after the tenth stratum battle, but that was it.
As for my other former allies, she has only met them when she fought them as Carmilla.
「For the time being, why don’t you two come in?」
And with that, here we are.
「That’s right, please come into our home.」
Under Milla’s guidance, we proceed to the living room.
「Hey Lem, you shoulda told me that you two have already made it this far. Keep me up to date, man.」
For some reason, Fenix was speaking in a hushed tone.
「Huh? What the heck are you talking about?」
「I mean, you and Milla are already living together? That’s huge.」
「…We’re not, and even if we were, why should I have to tell you?」
We really aren’t living together. We just spend most of our nights together, currently. Probably. I think.
「In general, I don’t think it would be too strange to tell a good friend about his wonderful love life.」
「Well, I’ve never heard any love stories from you, so I guess we aren’t as good friends as I thought, huh?」
Fenix is in passionate love with so-and-so! or something like that would become news right away, but those are usually lies or just misunderstandings. However, Fenix is quite popular with the ladies. I mean, it’s Fenix, after all.
But we never brought up the topic amongst ourselves, nor did we ask each other about such things.
Until recently, at least.
Recently, Fenix has been clearly cheerful.
I wonder if he’s over the moon that his unpopular best friend has become intimate with a member of the opposite sex despite being unpopular.
「In the end, we’re talking about the general, ordinary people. Yup. It probably, totally doesn’t apply to us at all.」
「Yup, sure it doesn’t.」
That should probably keep him quiet for a while.
Fenix and I, we’re fine, honestly. No matter what the topic might be, he’s a trusted friend.
「You wish to fight alongside us as a Monster, right, Lily?」
「Y-yes. There is someone who I have to fight at all costs, so I have decided to ask Lem for his assistance…」
「Is that so? By the way, what kind of connection do you have with Lem that you can rely on him so?」
「Huh…? Well, that’s… I suppose because he was someone who used to be in the same party as me? I…I had the opportunity to know that Lem is the Demon King Army’s Chief of Staff.」
The opportunity that she is referring to is that time after the Fenix party were repelled and I went to see them off as they were headed towards a new town.
According to a plan that was lead by Milla, I summoned my Monster allies with my ring when I saw them off.
「Oh my, but if memory serves me right, also I happen to be a fan of Lem’s who checked every little movement he made, Lem was driven out of the Fenix party, was he not?」
「Urgh… Y-you…you are not mistaken in your understanding…」
「I am certain that it was the Warrior Alba who lead the charge. Did the other three share any dissenting opinions I wonder? Of course, since you’re all allies, I’m sure you did.」
「…The only one who opposed it was Fenix.」
「Which would mean that the other two were in favor of his expulsion. Am I correct in my assumption?」
「…It is embarrassing to admit, but at that point in time, I had yet to realize Lem’s true capabilities.」
「Really? Despite having fought countless battles alongside each other all that time?」
Milla spoke in a gentle tone. However, each word was like a knife being thrown.
Fenix tries to say something, but in this case, he isn’t the person who should be doing so.
I raise a hand to stop my friend, and I open my mouth.
「M-Milla? We’ve talked about this before, the main cause was the fact that I tried to hide it in the first place.」
Lily was shrinking away.
I try to gently calm Milla down, but-
「I am fully aware of that, Lem. I wish to discuss feelings.」
As a fan, the fact that the one you are a fan of is being treated like dirt within the party and is then forced out is a painful one, no matter what the reason was behind it.
Having one of the people who drove that person out now rely on the very person that they drove out, there’s no way that their feelings can remain calm.
It is also probably only natural to feel angry at how convenient it all is.
However, I can’t just leave Lily, who I finally became friends with, to wallow in self-loathing again.
If Milla wants to talk about feelings, then…
「I’m very happy about how you feel about me. But, please, don’t say anything bad about the discussion that eventually led to me leaving the party.」
「…Lem?」
「After all, if it weren’t for that happening at that exact timing, I wouldn’t have been able to reunite with you, Milla.」
「…」
Also, I was able to meet Cashew in this town when I was driven out of the party.
I was able to become friends with the fruit seller Blitz.
I was able to become allies with everyone in the Demon King Army.
I also got to know the people in the Elementary Level – Beginner’s Dungeon.
And I was also able to enter the Tag Tournament together with the Silver Hero Nicola.
「All the encounters and experiences I had after I left the party are all filled with joy and warmth to me. It’s true that things were tough during the time when I just left, but now I am nothing short of thankful for it. I would be glad if you would look at it that way, Mil-」
「I do look at it that way…!」
The anger that was seeping out from within her has been blown away without a trace, leaving only happiness behind.
Translator: Kobracon
Editor: Weasalopes
155 – The Flame Hero, Forest Hunter, Black Sorcerer, and Vampire Queen Part 2
「Would you like anything to eat, Lily? Fenix?」
It seems that the problem involving feelings has come to an end.
Lily was utterly confused.
Fenix was smiling broadly.
By the way, Milla did the same thing when she first met Fenix, aiming to kill him softly with words, but Fenix just immediately apologized which drove away all the spite that Milla felt towards him… It was quite effective.
Speaking of Fenix, when Milla turned to head towards the kitchen, he was about to open his mouth, but I glared at him.
「Don’t. Say. A word.」
Even if what I said was from the heart, saying lines like that in front of my best friend and colleague is so embarrassing that my face feels like it’s on fire.
「Uhm…Lem?」
My arm was tugged a little. It was Lily.
She tries to bring her face close to my ear. Due to the height difference between us, Lily had to stand on her toes. Even this wasn’t enough, so I also had to bend my knees a little in response.
「Thank you very much.」
Apparently, she thinks that I did that in order to save her from Milla.
The long sigh that hit my eardrum felt a little ticklish.
At that moment, in that gap between my ear and Lily’s lips, something ripped through that tiny space.
Something passed through quickly with a whoosh.
「Oops, pardon me. I was aiming at a little insect that was flying around.」
I looked in the direction the sound went and what I saw was a blood knife sticking out of the wall.
「Why don’t you all sit down and wait patiently?」
「Y-yes, we’ll do just that.」
Lily normally has a curly string of hair on top of her head, but I saw it fall flat like all the strength was sucked out of it.
…That knife flew by really quickly. It felt more like a gunshot than a knife throw.
As expected of a Blood Manipulator. Her ability to manipulate blood towers above the rest.
Although I wish she wouldn’t use it in the living room.
Perhaps not trying to fall victim to Milla’s wrath any further, she sat opposite me.
Fenix thought about it a little and chose to sit next to Lily.
I think he was worried for a moment whether or not he should sit next to me, creating a boys and girls side separation or if he should sit next to Lily, so that it becomes a separation by affiliation.
Milla came back holding a tray and she confirmed the empty seat, the one next to me, and smiled with satisfaction.
Apparently, it seems that everyone chose the correct seat.
「Thanks, Milla.」
「It’s perfectly fine. It is my pleasure, after all.」
She prepared tea for all.
Milla then sat next to me.
「But Lem?」
「Hm?」
「Will it be alright to utilize these two for the defense? I have absolutely no doubts about their abilities, but I am worried about the coordination aspect.」
The Fenix party is currently in high demand ever since starting the training of those that are participating in the Raid Battle, TV commentary, the events planned by her Highness’s father Fellow, and the like.
Taking this opportunity, they are putting a hold on Dungeon Clearing, only during the Raid Battle period, and taking on more work, such as magazine interviews and commercial appearances, which they normally take only a select few of.
Setting aside cooperating with me, it will be hard for them to cooperate with my subordinates. They can’t even come and train with us in the Demon King Castle.
「Ah yeah, we have to talk about that too. This time, I want the two of you to move separately. Meaning I won’t summon you two at the same time. Just as you desired, Lily, I’ll summon you so that you can fight Suuri.」
「Yes. Once again, thank you very much for allowing me to join. I will surely take him down and contribute to your victory.」
Lily has a bone to pick with Suuri, who came from the same village as her, but continues to fight while hiding his face.
Wishing to fight against him, she will be summoned as a Monster this time in order to do just that.
「Fenix, you need to-」
「Yeah, I know. I have to take him on.」
Fenix nodded while smiling.
Milla’s eyebrows twitched and shook.
「I-I expected nothing less from two best friends. One look at each other’s eyes was enough for you two to understand each other as if it were telepathy, I see.」
「From my point of view, it is I who should be envious of you. For you two are connected by a strong bond despite not knowing each other as long as I have known him.」
「Oh, do go on.」
Milla’s mood instantly improved.
…This guy. Looks like he has already learned how to handle Milla.
He really is mankind’s strongest. His adaptability is terrifying.
To the side of him, even Lily had a face that seemed to say「I see, so that’s how you do it.」.
「All things considered, the Raid Battle sure has gotten a lot of attention.」
「The Raid Battle is only possible because the people’s interest in this Dungeon still remains since that time you were defeated. Of course, the contents of the raid are another reason for the popularity.」
It is difficult to be in this world where something can’t become popular even if the contents of it were good.
From my viewpoint as someone in the same line of business, it isn’t unusual for a party that has an extremely interesting Clear to only have a two-digit number of views.
Fellow handled things skillfully as well. Without his plans, this probably wouldn’t have become such a big, headline-making event.
This may be the town where it’s being held, but now everyone is on the edge of their seat to see where this Clear is headed.
Some people may say that if you gather all the popular parties, you will get the numbers, but the excitement goes beyond just gathering them.
The more you draw in the casual crowd who are normally not interested in it, the easier it is to convey that to them.
Speaking of which, even Cashew’s older sister and younger siblings would ask her to secretly tell them the results of each battle.
Even Blitz asked me the same thing when I would show up at his stall.
Cashew would say「It’s strictly convi-con…confidential.」and keep the results a secret properly.
「By right, I shouldn’t even be saying this I suppose, but I will make sure that I annihilate them all.」
「Is the great Flame Hero going to betray all of mankind?」
「The only one who’s going to defeat you is me.」
I laugh back at him defiantly.
「I’ll win the next time as well.」
Fenix laughed at that joyfully.
「Besides, I don’t believe lending one’s strength to a friend is a betrayal in any shape or form.」
He said something so grand without batting an eye.
「…C’mon, you’re embarrassing me, man.」
「Lem, your face is red.」
「No, no, you got it all wrong.」
「Lem has always been like this.」
「Oh please, do tell me more about what Lem was like as a child.」
Milla’s eyes sparkled with hungry curiosity.
…Come to think of it since not much of my private information was ever released to the public, Fenix is a treasure trove of such information to a die-hard fan like Milla.
I glare at him, commanding him in my mind not to dare say anything. Y’know, that friendship telepathy thing Milla mentioned earlier.
「Oh right, well there was this time when he was seven-years-old…」
It’s not working at all…!
Where the heck did all your kindness and consideration from earlier go?!
「Uhm, let’s clear up the main issue first.」
I try to continue the discussion, somewhat forcefully.
Milla looked a little dissatisfied by that, but she didn’t interject.
「Assuming they get to the eigth and ninth strata, how should we mobilize? Well, at the very least, let’s talk about the best timing to summon Fenix and Lily. Lily, I’ve spoken to the person in charge of that stratum, but I still think it would be better if you met face to face at least once.」
「Y-yes… Uhm, is she fine with that?」
「Yeah.『Interesting. A forest Elf who has fallen to the dark side.』she said.
「…」
「And now on to Fenix. About summoning you… I can do it.」
Fenix wasn’t surprised in the slightest.
「I knew you’d find a way to do it.」
Even though I did say that I would find a way to gather enough Magical Energy in a short period of time to summon the Flame Hero, he said it like it was a matter of course.
Well, I suppose it doesn’t hurt to have someone who believes in you that much.
「And of course, I shall make my appearance as well.」
Said Milla.
「Y-yeah. Good luck out there.」
「I shall present to you a complete and utter victory this time.」
「I’m looking forward to it, Milla.」
That’s right, Herv has returned to the Raid Battle via the revival rights.
As I continue the discussion, I think back on the sixth and seventh stratum battles that have already finished.
