3 bar menu

Chapter 306 – Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle (Part 8)

306 – Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle (Part 8)

The meeting proceeded smoothly and touched on things like the Monster Ranking and the situation with the ever-increasing reservations.

I also spoke about my plan to restructure the 10th Floor, which I had discussed with my subordinates this morning.

「Yes, no problem. Proceed as you please. What we have left on our agenda is… Ah, that. — Agares.」

「Yes. Allow me to explain, Chief of Staff. Do you remember the former Demon King’s army, which you defeated with your own power during the All-Heaven Festival Contest?」

He must be talking about Master’s four subordinates.

The “True Vampire” Bifrons, the “Formless All-Faced” Dantalion, and the previous generation duo of “Reaper Knight” Furcus and “Dragon King” Valac.

Agares seems to be biting words with his exposition of those four. Is he worried about Dantalion imitating our Demon King’s appearance?

「Of course I remember, those four are very strong people.」

It’s just that I was able to neutralize them so quickly thanks to the amount of Magical Energy I had that day.

「Those four, I don’t know what they’re thinking, but they said that they would train us.」

「I see… That’s certainly a surprise.」

I thought they were only interested in Master.

「Well, what say you, Lemegeton? We need your input before we can make a decision.」

Our Demon King looked at me in amazement.

「They can’t allow those with my grandfather’s horns to lose to anyone other than my grandfather. And they can’t allow a dungeon, to which a human with my grandfather’s horn belongs to be weak. They haven’t changed one bit. They’re servants of the strongest Demon King through and through..」

If that’s the case, I think I can understand them.

「Then, we’d have Bifrons paired with Carmilla, Dantalion with Sitri, and the former Furcus and Valac with the current ones, so that they help them with their training?」

「That’s the general gist of it. If there are other applicants, we’ll receive them as well.」

Ah, for example, a combination of previous-generation warriors could apply to train, for example, all of the “Werewolves”.

「I think it’s a good idea, but haven’t you all decided on this matter already?」

「…Next time we’ll beat them even without your help, Chief of Staff… Lem.」

Furcus doesn’t seem to have a problem with the decision.

She keeps pulling dishes from the Culinary Cloche she got from the Original Dungeon and stuffing her mouth with them one after another.

「At first, Sitri tried to refuse. But if it helps Lucy and everyone else, she thinks she’ll give it her best shot. Besides, she managed to make a deal with Danni.」

「A deal?」

「Yeah. She’ll have to wear the cute dresses Sitri has made.」, said Sitri with a pleasant smile on her face.

During the final battle, didn’t Dantalion say that such cute clothes were unnecessary in the Demon King’s Castle?

And you still managed to convince her to wear cute clothes?

Usually, the one who needs to give something away when two people negotiate terms for help with training would be the trainee, but this time, positions had been reversed.

That’s because they’re the ones asking to train us.

「Ahaha…」

After letting out a strained laugh, I turn my gaze towards Milla.

She then gives me a flirtatious look with her wet eyes.

「What should I do, Lord Lemegeton…? During my training, that man might try to flirt with me. Ah, I would be so relieved if you would stay by my side to stare that pretentious man down, Lord Lemegeton…」

While saying that, she glances at me repeatedly, waiting for my reaction.

「Relax, Carmilla. Bifrons has already said that he’s not interested in women under 300 years old.」

That would leave Milla outside of his scope.

「Aw, Demon King, please don’t say things that are uncalled for…」

「Hey, Vampire! Is that how you speak to your Demon King!」

Ah, this noise makes me feel nostalgic.

「Besides, Carmilla. Lemegeton is coming with me, so he can’t go to your place.」

For a moment, I thought we would be going to see Master… but that’s probably not the case.

I’m sure he’s training in a place where no one can find him right now.

But I wish he would at least tell us where he is… How are we going to be able to send him letters otherwise?

「Let’s make him make full amends for the crime of using me as his company’s mascot. Right, Lemegeton?」

Our Demon King has a devilish smile on her face.

Judging from her words… We must be going to see Fellow.

「Even though he has zero interest in fighting, he inherited his talent from my grandfather. I decided to call him because he would be the perfect partner for training. I decided I’d make use of just about anyone if it’s to make our Demon King’s Castle the strongest of them all.」

Our Demon King is very frustrated about having lost during the final match.

She’s trying to become even more powerful, even if it means getting closer to her father, despite their differences.

「Are you sure I should be going as well?」

「Of course. Also, Lemegeton. — I don’t think I’m gonna let go of you, okay?」

「Umm…?」

「Hmph! Did you think I didn’t know!? Starting with that kid named Wraith, you’re in high demand! For some reason, even some commander of the knights seems to want you!」

Would that commander of the knights be the “Scales of Justice” Astrea?

Certainly, I still receive invitations to work after my participation in the Festival Contest.

「…Demon King, please give me more details about that later. …I want to make a list.」

Carmilla’s eyes look like she’s plotting something.

What kind of list are you going to make?

『I wonder if it’s going to be a kill list.』

Dark, please don’t say such disturbing things. I don’t think that’s the case.

「I won’t quit my job at the Demon King’s Castle. It’s true that I don’t have to hide my relationship with Master anymore, and I know it’s fun to be an adventurer.」

I look around at everyone in this place, and then look at our Demon King.

「Here’s where I want to be.」

「…That’s good to hear.」

Our Demon King turns her face away, but her cheeks and ears seem to have turned red.

「Oof… Demon King… that kind of tsundere reaction… it’s the cutest… I’ve ever seen…」

Agares falls to the floor, his nosebleed looking like a waterfall.

Carmilla looks at her as if staring curiously at an insect, and Sitri laughs cheerfully.

Furcus keeps stuffing her mouth.

Somehow, this usual mood gives me a sense of security.

I like it here.

This is a place that showed me a new dream, that of becoming a Monster Hero.

This is a place that gave me many opportunities to fight and grow.

This is a place where I met many friends who have lent me their strength.

Now, we have this new amazing thing called “Monster Ranking”.

I remember a conversation I had with Fenix a few days ago…

◇

『Lem. You’re always chasing your dream. We are already people who show dreams. A lot of people will follow you from now on. No, they probably already do.』

『What’s with that all of a sudden?』

『Well, I’m a little worried that you may get burned out.』

Were you worried that I’d be satisfied after defeating Master, the strongest in the world?

No, wait. Were you worried that that wouldn’t be the case?

That’s unusual coming from you.

『You idiot, being a Hero isn’t a job, it’s a way of life. Defeating the Demon King once won’t end anything.』

『Haha, I’m glad to hear that.』

『And your dream still hasn’t come true, has it?』

『My dream?』

Fenix seems confused.

『Weren’t you the one who said that?』

–「Together with you, Lem, we can become number one. Together, the first “Flame Hero” to appear in 130 years, and the stronger “Black Sorcerer”… let’s become number one!」

These were the words of a younger Fenix.

『Thanks to the creation of the Monster Ranking, such a thing has become possible, right?』

Now that he says this, I finally realize what he’s going on about.

『Ah… Ah! I see. That’s right. We’re not in the same party, but that’s certainly true.』

Fenix nods happily many times before opening his mouth again.

『Me, as an adventurer…』

『Me, as a monster…』

Then, we look at each other and say the same thing at the same time.

『– Let’s become number one.』

◇

Today, the “Impregnable Demon King Castle” is a great success.

Today’s challenger is… the party I faced on the 1st Floor before I officially became Chief of Staff — the “Thunder Hero” Party.

I’ve checked their videos as well.

They are much stronger than they were back then.

But even so, we can’t let them capture our dungeon.

I’ve already conveyed the countermeasures we need to take to Naberius, Glasya, and the Hellhounds.

As I watch over the situation on the 1st Floor from the screen in the video room, I confirm that the Hero Party has entered the dungeon.

I put on my headset, and speaking through its microphone, I pass that along to all of the Monsters.

Even if I’ve become a Chief of Staff and can’t participate directly, my voice can still be out there.

Looking at the adventurers, I mutter the words I’ve said many times before despite them not being targeted at anyone.

「– Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle.」