CH 63

63 – Consistent and Flexible, the Worries of a ____ Hero

「You…understand? Wait, what do you mean? Huh?」

I understood Thor’s bewilderment.

I don’t know the details of his discussion with her Highness but hearing that the Chief of Staff is being dispatched from the Demon King Castle, it’s only natural to assume that the plan was to use his notoriety as「The Monster who defeated Fenix」to attract customers.

That is to say, that was one of my more effective plans.

This was before I knew about their fixation on being a Beginner Dungeon.

A Dungeon specifically for newbie Adventurers, that was inherited from his grandmother. This was before I knew of his desire to not stray from that path.

「Because there are some things you can’t change, even if they are irrational or only cause harm.」

Just like what I, myself, have been doing.

I continue.

「However, if we are going to follow through on something, I believe that we have a responsibility to solve the problems that arise.」

If a so-called useless Black Sorcerer joins a party, he should at least lead them to victory.

If he, himself, cannot garner any popularity, he should at least support his allies in battle so that they can become even more popular.

Remaining in a party when you can’t gain any popularity, can’t contribute towards victory, or have any real ability, that isn’t being persistent or consistent, that’s just being a parasite. That’s what Alba once thought of me.

I gave a fleeting glance to Kei.

She nodded slightly and called out to Cashew.

「Miss Cashew, I believe their discussion will take some time, let us go to a different room where I shall serve you tea. I shall also prepare some delicious baked sweets.」

「Baked sweets. I’ll go too.」

Furcus replied before Cashew could.

As for the little girl, she glanced at me. I nodded and she, in turn, nodded back. She then clenched both fists as she let out a huff. It was a pose that seemed to say「Do your best…!」.

It’s miraculous how a gesture so simple can perk me up right away.

I smile at her, she smiles back and follows Kei out of the room.

Kei and Thor’s relationship seems to go beyond just being subordinate and boss. There seems to be a personal friendship there. There are probably things that he doesn’t want her to hear and things that are difficult to say in front of her.

「R-responsiblity, like…providing for your subordinates, right? I thought that I could pay their salaries until the end, or that’s the least I should do.」

「Indeed. However, if the Dungeon goes under, they’ll all have to find new jobs.」

「There are already people who have quit, and in those cases…I thought I should at least help them with things like referrals as much as possible.」

I’m relieved to know that Thor thinks about his subordinates’ futures if the Dungeon closes even while he is stricken with grief.

Just knowing that he isn’t the type of person who would give up in the face of despair is enough.

「So would it be fair to say that the people that are still with you love this Dungeon?」

「I, I wonder… It’d be great if that were the case, but maybe they’re just waiting around to see what will happen…」

「Kei too?」

The moment I said that he looked me straight in the eye.

「Kei is different.」

As I thought, a mutually trusting relationship was built with the time they spent together.

「So you have an ally, even if it’s just one. Isn’t that enough?」

I smiled broadly. Thor stood with his mouth agape but before long, it overflowed with laughter.

「Ahaha…you are a lot more positive than people say you are.」

「I wouldn’t have been in a fourth ranked party if I had negative thoughts.」

「I suppose so.」

I saw a little bit of light return to his eyes.

Alright, I think it’s time to resume our discussion.

「Adventurers generally leave the Adventurer Training Institution with a solid foundation, so there’s not much merit in challenging an Elementary Level Dungeon. You normally see Heroes challenging a local low-difficulty Dungeon first in order to make a flashy debut.」

I trained under my master, so I didn’t go to the Training Institution.

It’s not like we’re obligated to go, so it shouldn’t be a problem, but those that graduated from the Institution tend to look down on those that didn’t.

「You have a point there…They feel that taking on a complete Elementary Level Dungeon is a waste of time. I felt like we were being left behind by the times… that’s why when Fellow said that he would save us, I foolishly jumped at the opportunity…」

This Fellow that he mentioned is definitely the name of Her Highness’s father.

「So were you actually able to get the aid that you needed?」

「Yes. Although…with everyone’s salaries and various other expenses, it’s almost gone.」

「Leaving the contract aside, it’s only natural that you have to pay back the money that you’ve borrowed. So without overthinking it, let’s focus on earning enough money to pay them back on the appointed date.」

「Um…do you…do you really think we can do it, Lem?」

His face was full of doubt. But that’s to be expected. To him, this is the second time that someone suddenly appeared to lend him a hand. First Fellow, then me. He’d be crazy to not be suspicious.

「I have two conditions.」

「Wh-what are they?」

「The first involves this. Do you know what this ring can do?」

「You are Lem, who is also Lemegeton, so that means that ring’s true form is a ring that allows you to use Summon Magic, right? …Wait a minute, my grandmother told me that that was the Demon King’s equipment.」

「…I received it from the Demon King.」

I did think it was strange. So this was originally equipment for the Demon King, huh?

There’s no footage of the previous Demon King, and the one before that, my master, didn’t use anything like this ring. Footage of the Demon King even before my master is currently difficult to obtain but I believe the previous previous previous generation didn’t use it either.

I wonder if they didn’t need it because they were already the strongest beings.

「If you don’t mind forming a contract with me, would you like to? Of course, I’ll confirm your schedule here before summoning you.」

Ever since being officially recognized as the Chief of Staff, the part in the beginning when Her Highness told me that「I am only restricted to forming contracts with those working in the Demon King Castle」was lifted.

I even accidentally formed a contract with Fenix without my consent. But even this doesn’t disregard orders.

「Ah, uhm, yes. As long as you don’t mind…」

「Thank you very much. The other condition is a very difficult one.」

「Wh-what is it?」

I could hear him gulp nervously.

「Never give up.」

「Huh?」

「Being a Dungeon Master means you’re the leader. We can’t have the person you’re supposed to follow lock himself up in his room.」

I patiently waited for his response.

How long did it take, I wonder. One minute? Two minutes? The silence lasted a long time. But it didn’t last forever.

「W-will not giving up, save this Dungeon?」

「That I do not know. However, I do know that you will lose this Dungeon if you do give up. We have come here to lend you our power in order to keep this place alive. The rest is up to you.」

The one who has to make the decision has always been him.

He was shaking. Shaking, but he suppressed it.

「I beg of you, Lem. No, Lemegeton. I’ll do whatever I can, so please lend me your strength to protect this Dungeon.」

Seeing the determination in his eyes, I said

「Of course.」

In response.

◇

「Good work out there, my prince~!」

Returning to the tent that was prepared as my waiting room after the show, a young woman hugs me.

In the waiting room is the cocoon that connects my mind to the Avatar. The source of its Magical Energy was a Magic Stone the size of a boulder.

「I am not your prince, Leila.」

Leila is the Thief in my party. The Job title doesn’t sound good, if anything, it is an unpopular Job but not to the extent of a Black Sorcerer or White Sorcerer.

Thieves can move while erasing the sound of their footsteps as well as their presence, which allows them to share the tension with the audience when they act as scouts. The more skillfully they assassinate from behind an unaware enemy, the more excited the audience will be.

They are the type that is unassuming but has their own fans.

「What the hell. You gonna throw me in the garbage just because you’re popular now~?」

I try to tear her off of me, her face adamantly resisting, pressing against my hand.

「Of course not, I rely on you greatly in Dungeons. I’m only saying that I am not yours.」

「Be kinder to me~. Rely on me outside of Dungeons too~.」

I manage to somehow tear off the fake-crying Leila.

「That was an okay performance. Your acting’s still stiff though.」

An inconspicuous silver-haired young man wearing glasses enters the tent.

He’s my older brother, a Hero.

「I’m no match for an actual actor.」

The figure that I am now…this Silver Prince is a product of my brother’s design.

My brother and I were obscure Adventurers, but the second my brother established my prince character, our popularity skyrocketed.

My relationship with Leila also added to the popularity for some reason.

There were people who called her the Thief Princess.

…somehow, I feel like I’m going further and further away.

Away from the hero that I admired when I was starting out.

I don’t know why, even though we’ve been climbing the ranks.

「Oh, Leila. I was wondering if you…if you saw him in the audience.」

「Him? Him who?」

「Uhm…that’s, well, y’know. That person. The one that I admire.」

That was enough to get the message across.

Their expressions changed. Leila’s changed to one of astonishment, my brother’s to one of incomprehension.

「Whaa~? You mean the Black Sorcerer Lem?」

「Y-yeah…I think I saw him with a Centaur, a dog Demi-Human and…a Human girl? Maybe he’s here to look for a job. A strange mix of people he’s with though…」

「Who cares. No matter how many times I hear it, I still don’t get it. You admire him? Seriously? A boring guy like that.」

「You don’t have to say it like that. Isn’t it cool how he stands up for himself? No matter what anyone says, he always has this burning passion in his eyes. And he does his job. Everyone says he’s useless but actually, ever since he left the Fenix party, I feel like their actions have lost their luster. Which means that-」

「Hey, Nicola. Don’t say another word. I’d rather avoid getting flamed in the comments for supporting a dude who was kicked out of the fourth ranked party. Best to avoid trouble.」

My brother’s words are as cold as always.

And as always, I am too weak to disobey him.

「I…I won’t say anything…」

「Good. To you, that man may seem like a hero who achieved results by standing up for himself but in reality, he’s just a parasitic loser leeching off of his Hero best friend. The Fenix party didn’t get worse, that’s just how tough the Demon King Castle is. Aside from Fenix, his allies weren’t high-level enough.」

His rude manner of speaking naturally irritates me.

My brother isn’t a bad person but his choice of words is so cruel. There are times where he says even worse things.

「T-they’re way better than us.」

「Nah, y’see, they’re just more popular than us. But the only thing that interests them is traditional Dungeon Clearing. With this show as our stepping stone, we’re heading straight for the top.」

「I like your spirit. But see here, we can’t have you looking down on fellow hard-working members on the same stage.」

This time, a red-haired Majin entered the tent.

His name is Fellow. He’s the one who brought this job to the table.

「Why, Lord Fellow. I beg your pardon, but when I’m with family, I tend to lack consideration in what I say. I will try to be considerate of my position when I speak out.」

「Hm…Well, I cannot restrict the thoughts you may hold in your heart. However, as long as you work for me, I implore you not to forget to show respect to others.」

「Yes, of course. Of course.」

My brother nods with a fake smile plastered on his face.

「Now then, have you decided on taking part in the Tag Tournament free-for-all?」

「About that, my sister is still worried over it.」

「It will be hard to get an audience into this all-new format. So for the first round, I’m thinking of using more combinations of Adventurers with Adventurers, and Demi-Humans with Demi-Humans. Since the Nikola party has graciously helped me with this plan, I am thinking of giving your party priority in securing a slot. What do you say…?」

「I would love to be a part of this.」

「Hero siblings are rare, I believe this will catch people’s attention.」

My brother is obsessed with publicity stunts.

But this is different from the cool hero that I admire.

What should I do…

What would you do in a time like this? You, who would follow your own path no matter what anyone said.

Lem…

Or is my admiration for you merely the result of my own desires?

At that time, I never would have thought…

That he and I would form a tag-team and aim for victory, together.