The next day.
　I left the inn a little early to get ready for work at the Demon King's Castle, as I was to work there from today.
　Incidentally, until a few weeks ago, the men in my party were staying at the same inn (in different rooms, of course), but I changed the inn when I left the party.
　My feet naturally went to the market.
　Like this, go for it!　There are certain faces you want to see when you want to feel like "I'm not going to be able to do this".
　In my case, after I was kicked out of the party, it was Kash's smile as he worked hard.
　...not like Mr. Agares, you know? It's not excitement or anything, it's more like pure healing that I'm looking for. I'd like to believe it's the same kind of thing as seeing a child running around in good spirits and thinking, "It's so peaceful.

Oh!　You're here again today, my friend of the heart!

　As I was approaching the store, the macho owner approached me.　
　........fine, but when did you become a friend of the heart?
　Yesterday? It seems that our friendship developed after we killed a snatchers together.
　He's a good person, so I have a feeling that I'm happy for him as well.
　【Black Mage】 is looked at with colored glasses at that point, so it's sometimes hard to make friends.
　When I was a child, I was the center of the village's children, though I wasn't a kid leader.
　However, as soon as I found out that I was a 【Black Mage】, the friends who had been close to me and adored me until then turned their hand away from me.
　You said you're going to be a brave man, and now you're a black mage? It's the worst thing to think that I was in charge of this kind of a guy who's sure to become a grain-digger in the future. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to get involved with him again. Or something.
　Kids are sometimes crueler than adults because they're so pure.
　Boys who adore cool things don't want to be involved in uncool things. Simple logic.
　But it's not the case with Fenix.
　The weak, crying, cowardly Fenix was always by my side, and even after I became a black mage and he became a brave man, he was still my friend.
　On the contrary, even though he was indeed the first contractor of the Flame Spirit in one hundred and thirty years, he wanted to form a party with a [Black Mage].
　Moreover, he said, I can be the best with Leme.
　When I think about it, the reason I was able to endure my master's hellish training may have been because I wanted to be the one who was admired by Fenix.
　I don't think I've had anyone to call a friend since him.
　I had acquaintances, friends, people I talked to a lot, but....
　....Hmm.

"Good morning, Mr. Blitz.

　As for being a friend, it wouldn't be good to be a shopkeeper forever.
　He boldly confronts criminals with a blade, not only does he have no discriminatory attitude towards [Black Mage], but he relies on me in an emergency, and he's also kind to children.
　He's an honourable opponent to be called a friend even if he speaks lightly.

''Kash too, good morning.''

　In fact, Kash had spotted me before Mr. Blitz did.
　His ears were fidgeting, his tail was wagging all over the place, and the moment our eyes met, his expression lit up with a puff, and he looked like he was about to run off.

Yes. Good morning, Leme-san!

　I can't help but want to stroke the twitching ears, but I discipline myself to maintain a sense of distance between customer and clerk.
　I don't think I would ever do that, but if I did, my heart would be shattered if someone said to me, "Oh, stop that, you're disgusting!

Goodnight yesterday.

You too. That was amazing, can black magic do something like that?

　As for the others, from the point of view of Mr. Blitz, who knew in advance that I was going to lend a hand, he could see that the snatchers had stopped moving unnaturally.
　I wanted to talk about that too.

'If you can, I'd rather you didn't tell anyone else.

Oh, I knew it. I'm going to go out of my way to emphasize that I'm the only one who can do it and then I'll be gone. Of course I haven't told anybody. Kash didn't tell his family. Right?

It's all the work of a skylark.

　Kash looked up at me respectfully, but told me to read the script.

　'You're very perceptive and kind people.

'Thank you,'

What are you talking about? I've never sold out a house in my life. I sold the whole thing, even the cush. But I'm sure people will forget about that in a day or two. It was a nice windfall, that's for sure. Here's your share.

　With that, Mr. Blitz put a small leather bag in front of me. It seems to have money in it.
　Mr. Blitz says that I'm entitled to the money I made yesterday because of my work, too.

'No, no, I can't take it,'

No. To be honest, I'm not very good at fighting, despite all the appearances of strength.

　........Oh, yes. That can be seen by looking at yesterday's moves.
　But that's why it's great. I didn't know if I could stop it, but I put my body on the line and tried to catch the bad guy.
　But at the same time, it's also barbaric.

'No, well, you tried to stop him by putting your body on the line, even though you couldn't fight him, right?

　I see. If he collided with a man as big as Mr. Blitz, the snatcher would have received a tremendous shock, as he was running at full speed. In that case, there was a high possibility that Mr. Blitz would be injured, so I still wouldn't recommend it.

'Unharmed and complete!　And the product is sold out!　You owe me a debt of gratitude. Unless you're looking to ingratiate yourself with me, then let me pay you back here.

　It would be rude to say no to him if he said that much.
　I take it.
　Kash, who was watching me, got an insanely impatient look on her face.
　I wondered what's wrong, but she chooses the best shaped piece of fruit lying in front of her and presents it to me as an offering.

'Oh, it's Orei!'

　Well, I see. I understand.
　Mr. Blitz has already prepared my share.
　Kash is here to help with the family budget. I'm sure he gave the money he earned yesterday to his family.
　But it's not good that the manager is thanking you and not you.
　But I don't have any money.
　And that's how he came up with the idea of giving them some fruit instead.
　I'm warmed by his cheerfulness.
　I crouch down in front of Kash and smile at him, making eye contact.

'Thank you, that's very nice of you.'

　When he received the fruit, Kash clasped his hands in front of his chest and meditated, shivering happily as he burbled and shook his eyes.

'Oh, yes. Assuming this is gratefully mine to eat, can I buy something else?

"....!　Yes, thank you for everything!

Well, just give me what I can get for this.

　I said and handed him the leather bag that Mr. Blitz gave me earlier.

Oh, come on, Leme you're such a dick.

　Mr. Blitz seemed a little taken aback, but he was a little misunderstood.
　It wasn't that I wanted to help Kash or anything like that - I'd be happy to help him, of course - but I was thinking of offering it to the people at my new job.
　When I explained this to them, they were both surprised and congratulated me.

'Hey, that's great!　Which party is this?　Just tell me so I can 'bookmark' it.
　Brave Party's strategy feeds are only available on the website run by the Adventurer's Union. The exception to this is the video board (TV) broadcasts, and while normal broadcasts are paid according to the number of views, the cost of the video board (TV) broadcasts is the cost of one time.
　In the case of the TV broadcast, the station buys the footage and edits it, but occasionally it is broadcast live. This will be broadcasted with the help of the dungeon and will be broadcast until the attack is completed or the party is wiped out.
　Many of the lower-ranked brave parties can't survive on distribution alone, so many of them are dual jobs. The adventurer industry is not all dreams.
　The "favorite registration" is just what it means: register your favorite parties so that you can be notified of new videos and other news.
　But unfortunately, there are no accounts for the Demon King's Army. I'm not an adventurer....
　I'm not going to doubt the two of you, but it's probably not a good idea to reveal your identity on the first day of a dungeon, not the first day of work. It's not necessarily true that anyone is listening in.

''It's still tentative, so we'll let you know when we've decided on a definite plan.

　I decided to fool around.

'Oh, so that's how it works. Oh, I'll buy you a drink when we decide.

　I guess I really am a certified friend in Mr. Blitz's mind. Thank goodness.
　Kash, who was filling a paper bag with fruit, has settled down and exhales with a huff.

'Leme. Money, that's a lot.'

　Mr. Blitz seemed to put in quite a bit of it. The fruit that Kash is selling is undervalued by the fact that it's in bad shape. That's probably why they had extra money.

'And is it OK? A new bite to eat?　I'm going to go to the ... well ... with badly shaped fruit. Won't they harass you?

　Kash is worried about my mental health.

'It's okay. It's not how it looks, it's what it is that matters. Kash's fruit is delicious, so it'll be fine.

　After I said it, I was embarrassed to wonder if I sounded pretentious in any way.
　I was about to correct him, but Kash's eyes sparkled with respect, so I decided to leave it at that.
　I wouldn't break a child's admiration.
　
　Life is a difficult thing to do.
　I take the extra money, leather bag by leather bag, and hold the two large paper bags. They are quite heavy, filled with fruit.


Would you like me to hold it?


'No, no, it's fine. I know it may not look like it, but I'll still work out this... that...

　Who talked to me?
　I unconsciously responded.
　But the voice sounded familiar. It was yesterday, wasn't it? I heard it.
　Somehow, I turn around slowly.

　It's a beautiful vampire - Mira.