Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle

230 – Various Parties Partying

「All the people who beat you are all gathered here, you know? If there’s anything that’s on your mind, you can ask them on the spot!」

「……Y-yes, but…」

「Besides, I’m sure even a knight understands, right? If you’re tired, you have to relax. If you work, you need to rest, eat, and joke around. You’re not gonna tell me that once their shift is over, the members of the Knights Order start doing another job, right?」

「No, most definitely not… But…all of you cannot rest easy when mixing with us.」

「Hu~h? Yo Lem, what’s she talkin’ about?」

I was a little surprised to suddenly be called out in this conversation.

Well, I suppose it’s to do with how I walked out talking with Astrea.

I understand her intention and I speak my mind.

「If it pleases you, I could talk about this as much as I can. Besides, I would like to hear your story, Astrea. Of course, the story of your allies as well.」

All five of them are very strong.

We may have won if you were to look at the points, but we can’t take pride in an overwhelming victory in a localized area.

If just one thing, a slight deviation in timing or something happened, who knows how many of my allies would have been defeated.

「Ooh, me too. Your Magical Energy and Spirit Magic were crazy, also I haven’t really heard much about the Knights Order.」

Said Wraith.

「…I wonder if this is alright.」

Seeing her still hesitating, a voice calls out to her.

「Hey, stubborn knight! Who cares about everyone else! All that matters is whether or not you want to go!」

Valac yells at Astrea.

「My name is Astrea.」

「And?」

Before long, the Scales of Justice said…

「…If it isn’t too much trouble, then I would like to join you.」

「Al~right! You’re more than welcome!」

Garo clapped ecstatically.

「Hmph, should’ve said that at the start.」

Said Valac while cracking a smile.

「W-whoa, look at them all…」「I guess the top people all know each other」「What in the world could they be talking about…」

Those of us who stayed until the end of the qualifying round would normally be the last ones to leave the service entrance.

The players who had left the field before us were able to check the situation in a separate monitor room.

Not just Garo but other participants were still around the area.

All fascinated by the gathering of famous parties and Monsters.

But this isn’t good.

Before long, that man will…

「Don’t just stare from a distance, whispering to yourselves! I hate that sorta thing!」

Yelled Garo, causing everyone to twitch in surprise.

I knew it.

But all of us who were close to him could imagine what he was gonna say next.

「If you’re interested then come closer! If you wanna be a part of it, just say so!」

Garo hates it when people are reserved.

「U-uhm! Is it alright if we join too?!」

「Sure! Do as you wish!」

Garo won’t refuse those that can step forward by themselves.

Hearing his reply, voices rang out one after another.

It is an honor to be invited by Garo, it isn’t a problem for the number of participants to increase but… the numbers grew to an alarming amount before long.

「Brother…? Do want me to reserve the entire stadium or something?」

「When it comes to a feast, money is trivial, I’ll pay.」

「There are many more problems other than money…」

I can imagine the hardships that Blau usually goes through.

「About that, there is a person I would like to consult with.」

「Oh, Lem, that’s right! This isn’t your first time in this town, yeah?!」

「Right.」

「Lem, please tell me more.」

I talk for a while with Blau.

「I see, I see… Then, can I leave this to you? I shall handle the arrangements for the food and alcohol. Of course, non-alcoholic drinks shall be prepared as well.」

「Sure, I’ll try asking.」

Then Blau and I each made a move, and as a result, we each did well.

I will secure the venue while Blau secures and transports the food and drinks.

It seems that there are many who volunteered to help, so I think they can manage.

◇

After some time had passed, within the Beginner’s Dungeon

「Sorry for the sudden request.」

「Not at all. I am happy to help you in any way I can.」

「I hope to repay even a small part of the favor we received.」

It was the Orc Dungeon Boss Thor and his Centaur maid Kei.

The two of them also have the Dungeon Name the Magnanimous Sage Ronove and the Horseless Archer Orobas.

I visited Thor and asked if he could lend me a Magical Energy space.

Since the venue was lent to the management of the festival games, it was decided that I would be lent the first stratum Goblin Forest.

It’s not as if we cannot enter a Magical Energy space with our flesh and blood.

Publicly, Orobas and I had the chance to become friends after we fought in the Tag Tournament, and I am asking her for this favor through that connection…or so I’ll tell the others.

「However, will this be alright? Won’t that explanation cause some to be suspicious about our relationship?」

「Huh?」

「Whaaa?! Oh, y-you mean people might suspect that Lem and Kei are…l-l-lovers? Maybe? Just a little? And such misunderstanding perhaps…?」

Kei smiled at Thor’s reaction.

「Heh, what could you be so flustered about, I wonder.」

「I-I am not flustered…!」

「Sir Lem holds no prejudices against Demi-Humans, is extremely kind and on top of that, he’s brilliant. I wouldn’t mind such a rumor floating around about me.」

「Guh…I agree that Lem is amazing but…guh…」

Kei tends to tease Thor a little and they seem to be getting along just as well today too. In a way only childhood friends can.

Ah, speaking of childhood friends.

「Lem…it’s about time for Garo’s toast.」

Fenix came.

「Yeah, I’ll be right there. Uhm, you two are free to join.」

「R-really? Hehe, in that case…」

「Pig Master. Today’s celebrations are for the participants of the preliminaries, we should politely decline.」

「Urgh…I told you to quit it with the Pig Master… Anyway, you heard her, Lem. Perhaps another time.」

Thor’s figure disappears into the distance as Kei drags him along.

「To lend his treasured Dungeon so cheerfully to you…he must have faith in you.」

「If so, I’m glad.」

With their permission, we lit a big fire and everyone gathered around it.

Large quantities of food and drinks, large open space, and a large crowd of people.

Excitement was in the air for the feast to start.

「Little by little, you’re going back to the old Lem.」

「Huh?」

On our way back, we exchanged a few words.

「You were always at the center of everyone, right?」

「I don’t really want to remember those days…」

Even though I acted as the leader back when I was a kid, it’s not fun to remember the harsh reality that I was left alone, isolated, when my Job was discovered.

「Sorry. But, I’m glad.」

Doing things like becoming the Demon King Army’s Chief of Staff, or being in charge of giving commands in the Wraith party.

「…You looked like your old self as well when you got all wrapped with Garo.」

Seeming unreliable and unable to speak his mind, despite being able to think well.

It wasn’t that he disliked talking to Garo, the close distance made him feel uncomfortable and he couldn’t speak out smoothly.

Now, he doesn’t need my help when he gets like that.

It seems like old times, but we’ve changed and we’re living in the present.

「I see, it’s something I don’t really want to remember.」

「Right?」

We both laughed.