We walked alongside Mira-san, aka the beautiful vampire.
　After all, Mira-san is a beautiful woman and has attracted the attention of people on the street.
　It's not that anyone notices me when I'm supposed to be overwhelmingly superior in terms of exposure to the world. I wonder if people will somehow notice me because I'm wearing a robe that looks like a [black mage].
　It's not very glamorous, is it? That kind of thing was also neglected by Alba.

''Um, Reme-san.''

What is this?　

　I respond, trying not to let my nerves show.

'I don't want it to spread if I'm walking with a vampire or something, so I'll walk a little further away...?'

　Mira-san makes a sad sound, though she is concerned about me.
　If it was hundreds of years ago, it would still be very rare for people to have a sense of discrimination against species other than humans today.
　But after all, adventurers and demons are enemies in the course of their work. It's preferable not to be too cozy in your private life. It was not uncommon for facilities and streets in towns with dungeons to be naturally divided between adventurers and demons so that they don't get involved unless they have to.
　Not because they were humans and vampires, but because they were humans and vampires, and he feared that the combination of lemmes and vampires might not be a good idea.

'No way. I'm the one who feels sorry. It makes me think that Mira has bad taste in men.

　Mila's eyes widened, and then she put her hands to her mouth to stifle an overflowing smile.

''You really are a sweetheart. I can't help but believe it, can I?

　I flinch when Mira-san looks up at me with her eyes too dainty.
　Is it possible? Is it possible for there to be such a perfect creature? The world is totally unequal. But, well, if it's because of beings like her that there's a difference between the two, I'm going to be convinced that it can't be helped.
　That's how attractive her expression was.

'Yeah, yeah, of course.'

I'm glad.

　Smiling, Mila smiled and came half a step closer with a pizzazz.
　Her golden hair bounced and danced as it reflected the light.

'Don't you still hate this?'

Of course.

　Don't get me wrong, Leme. Even if it's true that she's a fan of mine, that's as far as it goes.
　She recognizes me as a [Black Mage], and I'm grateful for that.

''What should I do.......I'm hot in the face. Meeting the person I admire and being kind to me. This is like a dream come true.

　She said and pinched her own cheeks pouting.

'Iffuerees. It didn't seem like a dream.'

Yeah, it's real.

I'm glad.

I'm glad to hear it, too.

''Yes but wouldn't the women of the world leave you alone if you're like Reme?

　I wonder what my reputation is in this man's mind.
　You wouldn't know that I'm indeed black magic trained to a level close to black magic, but he said that I should have a higher status and respect.
　I guess he's not inferior to the fourth ranked party member in the world, I guess.
　So you think it's wrong to treat me like I'm a liability, right?

Oh, no, I don't think so.

''Also. There are only three [Black Mages] in the party within the world rank of one hundredth. In the top ten ranks, it's only Reme. And it's because of Leme's black magic that he's able to capture the Demon King's Castle, the most difficult to capture in the world, at the fastest speed of all time. In the first place, the reason why 【Brave Man】Fenix only had a single flash in the floor boss fight was because all the enemies were weakened by Reme-san's magic, but what the hell do they think they're doing, getting rid of such a high-ranking 【Black Mage】? Stupid. Well, that's why we're--

Mira?

"-What?　Ha, ha.........

　Mira said, her eyes swimming.
　I see, so you're friends. That's right. There's no way Mila-san would swear at the hero's party with a scornful look on her face while wearing a dark air!
　I convinced myself with a tour de force. I was convinced.

'Oh, ah, your friend. Next time I see you, will you tell him I was grateful?　Just knowing that there's someone somewhere in the world who thinks so highly of you is supportive.

　As for me, I don't feel good about being called a bad guy because I still consider Fenix to be my best friend, but I'm pointing out that I'm making a mistake in judging the party because I appreciate me.
　I'm kind of glad of that perspective.
　I am not used to being praised.
　The other four people have always been praised, so it's a miracle I'm happy when I'm praised.

''Yes, sir.''

　Mira nodded her head.

''By the way, Reme-san, I'm afraid I'm getting off track. I'm sorry to go off on a tangent, but.......do you really have a girlfriend or something?

Well.....

''Is that due to the public's image of [Black Mage]?

　The public's image of me is that I'm, well, gloomy, dark-hearted, bad-natured, and stingy. It's sad. What in the world did [Black Mage] do to you?
　You're just affecting your status negatively from a bit of a distance.

I'm not so sure. I'm not a very interesting person myself.

　She seems disgusted by my answer. Her cheeks puff out modestly.

'The quality of making people around you smile and the ability to talk is a wonderful thing, but I don't think it's a prerequisite for someone who is attractive. I'm attracted to people who are nice to me, even if they're not very good at talking. For example, someone who works to catch criminals while he or she is out of a job and yet gives the credit to others. That kind of person, who is able to work for what is right and not what is honorable, is what we should call a brave man.

I'm not sure...

...Leme?

　I stopped abruptly and Mira looked at me curiously.
　I didn't want her to see me now for a moment.
　Although it's not Mila-san, I hold up my face with my hand to hide it.

''It's okay...''

I'm sorry, did I say something rude?

　Mira fumed.

'It's not. It's more like the opposite...'

"Reverse psychology?

　I wonder what to say to her as she tilts her head in Koten, and I wonder what I should say.

''Ah, um, well, when I was a kid, I thought I was supposed to be a [brave] person.''

I hear that's not an uncommon story for people's children.

　Mila-san responds to the sudden narrative of the past, though she looks strange.

''Yes, well. But I wanted to be a hero even if I became a 【Black Mage】. I couldn't fulfill it as a 【Position(Job)】, but I couldn't give up. And I have a kind of willpower to be a brave man at least in my heart.

I see.

　But no one calls [Black Mage] a brave man. It's because they're not similar to each other.
　That's why Mira-san's words hit my weak heart.
　That kind of thing that no one has said to me for ten years.
　If you say something like that all of a sudden, you're in trouble.
　Clear juice is about to come out of my eyes.
　I manage to endure it with a man's willpower.

'Thank you. I'll never forget what Mira said.'

'Well, ah, yes... er... it's the brave part, isn't it... yes, I'm glad I was able to help you...' ...Well, I thought, you know, a gentle person like Reme, that's nice, that one...that one...

'You don't have to worry so much about it. I'm aware that I'm not popular.

...Are you doing this on purpose?

　Mmm," said Mila, a little unhappy.
　It seems to be obvious that she escaped.
　It can't be helped. I think Mira-san is an attractive woman, but it's been less than an hour since we met.
　If a man can go for a giggle in this situation, I've been in a hundred battles long enough.
　In fact, I'm just scared to death because I'm a good newbie.
　I'm not afraid of dragons, though. I think I need to be much more cautious in dealing with women.

'By the way, Mira-san,'

　I blatantly changed the subject.
　Mila looked at me steadily with a resentful look, but eventually sighed with a single huff.

'Yes, what is it, Reme?'

I thought we were going to have tea at a café or something, but we walked quite a bit.

I have a place that serves tea that I recommend.

'I see. Do you know the name of the restaurant?　I used to come around here a lot.

　The Demon King's Castle is so close. I guess it's a coincidence.

''It's not a place where many adventurers come.

'Oh, you're on the sub-human side of things. Is it safe for me to come in?

　Since it is a city with a dungeon, this place is also segregated in consideration of adventurers and demons.
　The street leading to the front side of the castle is the domain of adventurers, and the street facing the back entrance that only staff can use is the domain of demons.
　I've never been to the demon's purveyor's shop.
　It's not surprising that the bar where I was kicked out of the party was in the adventurer's territory.

''Yes, this way.''

　We are casually holding hands.
　Not good........will my hand sweat okay? I'd be shocked if people thought I was disgusting or something.
　I mean, I felt like my hand was grabbed at an unnoticeable speed, but well, it's just an illusion.
　It is a misunderstanding, although it is also felt that it is being grabbed tightly as if not to escape.

I'm sure you're mistaken. Mira-san, if you continue like this, you'll end up in the Demon King's Castle.

Yes.

....

　Eventually, we arrived at the back entrance of the Demon King's Castle.
　I felt like I was beyond the heavy security and it looked like Mira-san had a registration card that proved she was an employee.
　All of the demons passing by stopped and straightened their postures, and some of them were trembling or turned their gaze to the floor and never looked at Mira-san, but it must have been a joke or something.
　We touched the recording stone, which was equipped with a transfer function that was probably for staff only, and the next thing we knew we were in a small room.
　It's a room, or rather a small space like a fitting room.
　Like a fitting room, it was separated from the outside by a curtain.
　It's a little cramped for two people.

"I wonder if there's any possibility left of a hide-out cafe, Mira-san.

　Mila-san, who quickly let go of my hand, gave me a smile that was far more bewitching than ever before.

You are really funny. I'm sure you noticed and followed me from the beginning.

　Demons are antagonistic in their duties to adventurers.
　When the vampire's sister offers you a job, it's not like she's arranging a party or anything.

''Well, I'm unemployed anyway, so I guess it's okay.

''What a waste. A [Black Mage] like you should be prepared for an appropriate position.

Like the Four Heavenly Kings?

The chief of staff and all that.

　He's practically the Demon King's second in command.

''That's something you shouldn't let a human do, that's what.

　I'm still the one who's in charge of attacking the Demon King's Castle.

Well, well, let's talk about it over tea with the Demon King.

　Mira-san is not a demon king.
　She was feared by the other staff members at the level of the Demon King, but I believe she's the floor boss.
　The master of the hierarchy we had attacked the last two times.
　Demons wear villain-like costumes and hide their faces, so I didn't notice them right away.

'Oh, and--'

　Before opening the curtain, Mila put her lips to my ear.

'I won't lie about my appreciation and feelings for you. I'm sorry that I brought you here in a deceitful way. Please don't hate me.

　Phew, Mira's breath on my eardrums.
　A sweet numbness runs down my spine.
　Our lips part.
　When our eyes meet, Mira-san smiles ticklishly.

''Let's go, the Demon Lord is waiting for you.

　I wonder what the job interview for the Demon Lord's Army is like.
　I'm wearing plain clothes today, will it be OK?