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Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle – Chapter 50, Part 2

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Translator: Kobracon

Editor: Weasalopes

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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.」

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.

◇

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.」

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