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Chapter 306 – Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle (Part 7)

306 – Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle (Part 7)

『I see, so you’d be showing that you’re the number one in the world in a way that even the masses can understand, right, partner?』

— Well, that’s not necessarily the case. I can’t just suddenly become number one.

I’m affiliated to the “Impregnable Demon King Castle”, and have a dungeon name, so I’m eligible for the new Ranking system.

「I see, so you can let the world know that you’re the number one in the world, Lem?」

「…」

『…Could you please stop copying everything I say?』

I didn’t say anything, but Dark still said that with a disapproving tone of voice.

「I don’t know, but what if… what if I became number one…? What about you then, Milla…?」

「Ah, I know. I’ll do my best not to lose either. Because I owe you a great deal, as well as being your ally, your friend… and your rival, right, Lem?」, said Milla happily.

「You’re right.」

That’s exactly what I once said to her.

『And I’m your partner.』, says Dark as if trying to compete with her.

I know that too.

While we were talking, the program moved on to the next segment.

There’s a view of the city on the screen now.

An interviewer seems to be approaching passers-by, or rather, children, and asking them 『In the future, what kind of ‘Job’ would you like to have?』

『A ”Hero!”』,『Definitely a “Hero”』,『I’ll become a “Hero” and defeat a Demon King!』… Definitely “Hero” is the most popular pick.

There are many other children who mention wanting to become a “Warrior” or a “Wizard” as well.

Some other children seem to have little interest in the adventurer industry. One of them, a very cute child, answers 『I want to be a cake shop owner! What’s it called again? Pa… Patisserie!』, others mention wanting to become cooks, pursue a career in professional sports, and become idols.

As I look at those children who have infinite possibilities, not only am I marveling at them, but I’m also reminded of the pain that once befell me.

After all, I was a child who didn’t awaken to the “Job” he wished for.

It would be so nice to live in a world that , when that happens, can reassure the child that such a thing is not the end.

『Hmmm — A “Black Sorcerer”!』

「Puh…!」

I involuntarily spurt out at that boy’s unexpected answer. I’m just glad I don’t have food in my mouth.

「A-are you okay, Lem?」

「Y-yeah. I was just a little surprised.」

Looking back at the screen, the boy looks like a little rascal.

Like the other children before him, he looks like someone who would have replied “Hero” or “Warrior”.

A little girl is holding his hand and seems to be a bit taken aback by his answer. She’s probably his little sister.

『I see, why do you want to be a “Black Sorcerer”?』

The boy faces the lady interviewer’s microphone.

『Because, a strong “Black Sorcerer” can make Heroes and Demon Kings weaker, you know? If you can’t win on your own, having a “Black Sorcerer” on your side to help you win, right?』

『Eh… then I’ll be a “White Sorcerer”. With a “White Sorcerer” on your side, any wound can be healed…』

The girl seems to want to become a “White Sorcerer”.

『Oh, so I can make our enemies weaker, and you can make it so our allies don’t die. That’s the best!』

「Ah, haha…」

「Hmm. That child has a good eye. The future is promising.」

Even if I could go back to one year ago and tell this to myself, I’m sure I wouldn’t have believed it.

To think that in a street interview, there had been a child who answered that he wanted to become a “Black Sorcerer”.

A “Job” that, when obtained by an aspiring adventurer, has been thought to mean the end of his career before it even started. An unfortunate “Job”.

I wouldn’t have believed that anyone would have chosen such a “Job” for themselves.

『The world won’t change all of a sudden. But it’s not set in stone. The world is always changing little by little due to someone’s influence. To that boy, that someone must have been you, partner.』

I see…

If that’s the case, I’m glad.

『…Aww, no hugs today? 』

You’re so spoiled, Dark.

◇

After finishing my breakfast, I leave the dormitory and go pick up Cashew.

At Cashew’s house, while enjoying her big sister Maca’s cooking, I let out a strained laugh as her little brother Nuts clings onto me and asks me「How do you grow a horn? Do you have to eat a lot of rice?」, and her little sister Mia congratulates me for my victory.

Just before we left, Cashew’s mother Hazel asked me 「Please continue to take care of my daughter」, to which I replied 「Your daughter is the one taking care of me」

Then Cashew and I head for our workplace.

「Ah, that’s right. Should we stop by Blitz’s place」

「Yes! I’m sure Boss will be happy to see us too.」

Blitz, Cashew’s previous employer, runs a fruit shop in this town.

For me, he’s the first friend I ever made in this town, and he came running to cheer for me during the final round.

Today, when we arrive at the Demon King Castle, we’ll have an executive team meeting.

I walk while confirming such a schedule with Cashew.

Along the way, the interview I saw earlier on TV crossed my mind.

「Hey, Cashew.」

「What is it?」

「Cashew, in the future… what kind of ‘Job’ would you like to have?」

Skew, the designer octopus mermaid, is dressing up Cashew in all sorts of clothes as a model for Avatars as part of her scheme.

Cashew herself seems to be enjoying being able to imagine the future, but how is the reality?

Is there such a thing as wishing to have a specific “Job” in the future?

「Hmm, I’ve been thinking about that too, and…」

「Uh-huh.」

Cashew first appears uneasy and then smiles as if pleased.

「I decided not to care about it.」, she says, with a very bright smile on her face.

「Because, no matter what kind of “Job” I get, I want to keep helping you, Lem. That won’t change!」

She was shining like the sun.

— Ah, she’s the best.

I wanted to be a “Hero”, and at the age of ten I instead ended up becoming a “Black Sorcerer”.

Then, I gradually started to realize that I was being rude to all other “Jobs”.

Disappointed by the fact that I had become a “Black Sorcerer”, I saw that I had unconsciously been looking down on all other “Jobs”, and I felt ashamed of myself.

And then I became aware that what I longed for was not a “Job” but a way of life.

But Cashew…

She has already reached that stage even though her “Job” hasn’t been revealed yet.

「…Lem?」

I seemed to have stopped walking at some point.

Cashew looks up at me with a worried face.

「I’m okay. But Cashew… I think that’s amazing.」

I’m also very happy that a child who admires “Black Sorcerers” has appeared.

But at the same time, I’m also glad that Cashew has decided not to be overly concerned with what kind of “Job” she will get in the future.

This little secretary really saved my heart.

And now, this same heart has a lot of respect for her.

「Amazing?」

「Yeah. That’s right, no one can do anything about the “Job” they get. That’s why, no matter what “Job” you get in the future — the fact that you’ll become my 72nd Contractor won’t change.」

「–」

On the day when everyone at the Demon King Castle held a welcome party for me and Cashew, on the way back…

–『…I have a favor to ask you.』

–『Well, let me hear it.』

–『Until I grow up… until I can be of help to you, Lem…』

–『Yes…』

–『I’d like you to stop making Contracts after your 71st.』

–『Would that… be too much to ask?』

–『Ah, that’s okay.』

–『…』

–『There’s one more thing to look forward to in my life now.』

–『 Lem? Well, ah, um…』

–『I’ll reserve my last Contractor slot for you, Cashew.』

…I made such a promise.

「I’m sure you’ll help me no matter what.」

「Y-yes! I’ll definitely help you!」

The teary-eyed Cashew nods cheerfully.

◇

When I arrived at the room where the executive team meeting was being held, everyone was seated except me.

「Oh, you’re here, Lemegeton.」

The room had a long table surrounded by chairs, with Agares and Furcus sitting by one of the long sides of the table, and Milla and Sitri sitting opposite to them.

Our Demon King was sitting by one of the table’s short sides, and I was to sit on the remaining one.

As soon as I took my seat, the meeting started.

Incidentally, Furcus isn’t wearing her armor today.