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Chapter 265 – Using Frustration as a Source of Encouragement

265 – Using Frustration as a Source of Encouragement

「We’ve won, haven’t we?」

After I returned to my body from the Avatar and got out of the『Cocoon』in the Link Room, I heard Wraith’s voice.

「Yes, we’ve won.」

I bumped the outstretched fist with my own.

We have won the battle against the Party led by the Six-Horned Demon King Asmodeus, the Demon King of one of the Five Great Demon King Castles.

「As instructed, I went at the timing when I thought I could do it.」

「It was perfect.」

「Some people might say that we are nothing, but we have won this battle. It’s not that the other Party conceded their victory, but rather because Lem read through them that we won.」

It’s not because Asmodeus was convinced that her other horns didn’t come out.
Rather it’s because when Asmodeus tried to release her second horn, her thought process was delayed, and using that time, we secured the win.

「Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you guys.」

「That’s a big premise.」

Wraith laughed cheerfully.

「Ahaha, you’re right.」

「― So, Lem.」

In an instant, he had a serious expression.

「Hmm?」

「About those comrades of yours…」

When I turned my gaze in the direction he pointed, I saw my comrades there.

The Miner Melania was hugging her knees while feeling depressed.
The White Sorcerer Josh was muttering while holding his fist to his mouth.
The Destroyer Fran was lying face down on the floor without making any movements.

「Ahh…」

When you are in a Party, the time will come when you have to face defeat.
When I was still in the Fenix Party, we had faced it numerous times.

The Fenxi Party was officially undefeated, but that was only referring to the winning percentage as a Party.
While clearing a Dungeon, there are times when the members, other than the leader, were sent off the field.

The sense of defeat, frustration, bitterness, and embarrassment that strikes your heart when you are defeated is beyond description.
Crying and screaming, running away, drinking alcohol until the memory fades away, brooding.

Depending on the person, various actions are taken to deal with the pain in their heart.
This is really, very, very painful, and it’s no exaggeration to say that whether or not they can stand up at this moment will determine whether or not they can make it as an Adventurer.

To make a living by what you like means that you can’t escape even if you suffer because of what you like.

Even if things don’t go well with what you like. Even if you are made fun of for what you like. Even if you see someone who is superior to you in what you like. Even if you experience setbacks and defeats in what you like.
Even so, can you choose to challenge it again while having『like』as the driving force?

In that sense, aptitude is more important than talent.
The mind is such an important factor.

Some people are emotionally crushed because of this. That is just how much of a big deal defeat is.
But I wasn’t worried.

Everyone in the Wraith Party was chosen by the leader.
The Party is made up of only those who are willing to work together to aim for victory.
They would not be discouraged.

Rather, I was impressed.
The Six-Horned Demon King Asmodeus. They were able to be depressed after witnessing her power, which boasts the highest level of combat ability in the world. They were able to embrace their feelings of frustrations.
They could have thought that she is exceptional, that there was no way around it, that there was nothing they could do.
But they chose to face the pain of defeat head-on.

They are truly reliable comrades that I am proud of.
When I saw them feeling depressed, I thought I should say something to them, but…

Only at times like this, I could not think of the right words to say.
It may be because I think that there is no such thing since I have also experienced defeat.

「Lem!」

The first one to come back to life was Josh.

「I’m aware that it won’t happen overnight. However, is there a way for me, an Ogre and a White Sorcerer, to become stronger than ever!?」

Continued by Melania.

「M-me too! I want to become stronger… so that I can be more helpful!」

Then, Fran.

「…I’ll defeat them next time.」

Josh stared at us.

「I don’t think it will be easy. But…I don’t want my inexperienced-ness to make me have no way to retaliate….! Lem, Wraith. If the two of you can see our shortcomings, please tell us about it.」

It seemed that I didn’t need to worry.
The three of them have the strength to stand up on their own.

Well then, let’s do what I can do as their comrade.

「Okay. Let’s talk about it.」

Josh is an excellent White Sorcerer.
Diligent, intelligent, considerate to his comrades.

Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to have a high aptitude for the melee-specialized combat ability of the Ogre race.
As for White Magic, he’s pretty good at it considering his age.
However, he’s excellent only to the point that he exceeds the average White Sorcerer, different from the extraordinary talent of the White Sorcerer Panacea, the former member of the Party ranked 1st in the world.

Wraith and I looked at each other and nodded.

Everyone might have experienced this, but there are times when advice will be effective.
It’s just like when someone tells you something at a certain time, but you don’t fully understand it until a long time later.
Just telling them doesn’t mean that everything can be improved.

As for Josh, it’s this moment.
At this moment when he himself feels that the conventional way of doing things is not good enough.

Josh is a good kid, so even if I had told him about this before, he might have practiced it, but he wouldn’t have been as enthusiastic about it as he is right now.
Above all, I don’t want to impose it on him.

I conveyed my thoughts to Josh.
This also goes along with what Asmodeus said.

It’s not because he’s a White Sorcerer or an Ogre. It is only because he is Josh that he can use this strategy.

― And then Wraith raised his voice.

「Ahh, isn’t it better to talk about this at the celebration party?」

The three of them seemed to want to talk about it right now, but they didn’t oppose it.

The Link Room was only for the contestants who were waiting for their match.
Now that the match is over, it would be better for us to get out of here as soon as possible.

So, we left the Link Room to go to the venue.
We were walking down the hallway.

「The Black Sorcerer Lem.」

There was a person at the entrance for authorized people only.

A beautiful woman with almond eyes wearing a long coat. No, he is a male.
The ruler of the Southern Demon King Castle ― The All-Seeing Demon King Paimon

「It’s this pattern again. I’m getting used to this.」

Wraith jokingly said.
This is probably because there have been a lot of people calling out to me after the match these days.
Without reacting to it, Paimon walked up to me and held out his business card.

「When you need it, contact me.」

I took it.

While wondering if what he meant by「when you need it」was really the same as what I was thinking.
That’s all he said and he turned back without waiting for my response.

But just as he passed through the exit, he stopped and laughed a little.

「Wraith Party. Your victory was thrilling. If you ever want to challenge the center, come to us first.」

In order to challenge the『Impregnable Demon King Castle』, there is an unspoken agreement that you must first break through any of the Demon King Castle in the east, west, south, or north.
Paimon is saying that… at that time let’s fight at the Southern Demon King Castle.

「I like that. At that time, we’ll be even stronger than we are now.」

Paimon shrugged his shoulders and left.

「I have a feeling that Asmodeus will also look for Lem, so let’s go to have a party right now.」

After that, we left the venue to celebrate our victory and talk about how to become stronger.
…During the party, the Asmodeus Party somehow found out about it and showed up, but that’s another story.