Taku, Tuna, and...

　Dimly, Nicola repeats.

'Oh, just so you know, you'll have to find your own partner to partner with, won't you?　Leme-san is a very busy person. I don't even have time to waste my magic power.

　I'm in the process of re-storing magic power in the horns since my nine years' worth of magic power reserves have been reduced to zero after the Fenics battle.
　Since I can say that I have mastered magic power and duration, I have decided to allocate a percentage of the magic power that I had previously allocated to magic use to the horns, and my magic power is accumulating at a much better pace than before.

　As for the magic organ, whether it's magic use or infusion into the horns, it doesn't change the consumption, so it can be trained without a problem.

''But I was told to go out as 'White Silver Prince' with my brother...''

　Mila let out a guttural sigh.

'You know, Nicola-san. I know you're depressed and faint, but it's not something you use a lot of 'but' or 'but'. Indeed, you are still young. You're young........right?　If you say you've been an adventurer for a few years, would you say seventeen or eighteen?

Sixteen....

　Mira looked at her breasts and her eyes twitched.

''........Is this the s*xiness that the sixteen put out?''

　It's true that when she's in her magical body (avatar), Nicola gives the impression of a neutral beauty, but in the flesh, she's a beautiful woman. She has a perfect facial shape, an exquisite smile, and ample breasts.

Huh?

No, it's nothing. Let me get back to you. It's not a bad thing to worry. The problem is that you don't choose anything to worry about. Leme-san had a goal of 'becoming the first place and becoming a brave person regardless of [position (job)]'. On top of that, he struggled and made a decision. That's how he ran up to the fourth place in the world.

Uh-huh.

But you haven't set a clear goal for it. To get along with the party now?　To be the brave person you want to be, absolutely.　Set your priorities. If you can't do that, there's no point in worrying about it.

　That's a bit harsh, but I'm not going to interrupt.

　Why is it not good to worry about not choosing anything?
　The answer is simple.

　When you wonder "What should I choose?", deep down you almost always know the answer.
　You have the premise of "I really want to do this," but you are cowering against the wall of reality that stands in the way of your choice.

　If I were me, it would be like worrying about 'I want to become a hero,' 'I'm a [black mage],' 'I'm not physically strong,' 'I don't seem to have any great aptitude,' 'No one will want me,' 'No one will look at me,' and 'I'm sure I won't be popular even if I try hard.
　It's a big wall, but the answer is already there in the beginning.

　If you want to be, all you have to do is make a choice.
　You can choose to give it a go, or you can choose to give up.

　In retrospect, it's unlikely that we spent much time worrying about it. It's the words you received from someone or something you found that cheered you up when you were struggling that will become a treasure.

　In that sense, it may not be a total waste of time, but it's still not meaningful to agonize over what to choose. It's hard to say.

　If you're going to agonize over something, it's much better to do so after you've decided.
　If you're going to try, how will you succeed?
　If you're going to give up, what will you do next?
　It's much more constructive to think about that.

Be clear about what you want to do most.

What I want to do.

　Nicola dropped her gaze to her hands and stared at her palms.

''If you want to tinker with your magic body (avatar) and enter the tournament, I'll arrange for you to use the generator in the beginning dungeon.

　You wouldn't be able to say "I want to make my magical body (avatar) look like a demon" in an adventurer's shop. In an instant, rumors would spread and it would be impossible to hide your identity.

　Oh, come to think of it, the guy from Phoenix said he was going to make a magical body (avatar) for demons, but what's going on? Well, he's not in a hurry, and he seems to have at least a few tight-lipped contractor acquaintances. I don't know if he's really making it in the first place.

'Yeah ... thanks.'

　She looked up and her face looked more vibrant than when she came in.

'I care about the party now. It's not that I don't like it, but I don't dislike my brother either. It's a great way to get to know your friends and family. So, I had to choose between the two.

"...Hmmm, it's good to not be a wimp.

'Thank you, Leme and Mira. I'll convince my brother to let me participate in the tournament. If I'm going to dress up as a demon, can't I just be with Leme-san?

''I mean, if it's a hit, you reveal your identity, so even Remegaton-sama can't do it. If it turns out that I know Remegaton-sama personally as a 【Brave Man】, that's sure to attract attention.

Yeah, yeah. I know that, I know that. I don't want to take advantage of you or anything. It's just that you don't know where Leme is now, do you?　 Besides, I think the fewer people who know about this idea, the better.

'Stop laughing. You just want to fight with Leme!　I understand that feeling, but you shouldn't.

Mira, you fought with me on the tenth layer.

I'm the Fourth Heavenly King.

I'm going to be a friend to you, Leme, I think.

No, you can't.

'Is that as Carmilla?　As Mira?

Both.

I guess it's ultimately up to Reme to decide.

Mmm.

　Their eyes turned to me.

　........well, even I'm interested in it. A tag team tournament. A stage for new adventurers and demons.

　The fact that the tournament is exciting in itself doesn't mean that I'm going to disobey this mission.

　Besides, I'll be glad to have the opportunity to fight a strong demon as an adventurer and a strong adventurer as a counselor.
　He wished he could go as a spectator, but there would be more information to be gained by the participants.

　........And I also wanted a place to show the results of my training with Fulkas-san.

Yeah, that's a good idea. In the meantime, I'll have to consult with the Demon King-sama first.

Really?　Thanks, Leme!　I'm so happy for you.

　She stood up and took my hand in both of hers.
　Her smile, like a flower blooming, looked appropriate for her age.



　The room feels freezing cold. I know it's just an illusion, but I can feel it.

''No, no. It would be fun to come out as the Demon King's Castle duo with Mira-san, but you're busy, right?

　He even stopped me from getting paid to follow him.

"...Ugh, I hate it. I hate myself for working the shallow end.

　Mira made a sad gesture of wiping her eyes. A false cry.



　Nicola is Nicola, and her smile is a different kind of smile.
　Your eyes aren't smiling.

'Shit, I think it's time to go back. I'm sure everyone is worried about you.

''Well yes, you can. We can continue the conversation another time.

　How will it continue? I'm scared.

I'll walk you to the inn.

'What?　No, it's okay. I'm a [brave] guy.

'It doesn't matter what [position (job)] is. You can't just throw a woman out late at night.

Well, I'll be d*mned. Okay, I get it. Yeah, well, good luck with that.

　Nicola blurted out, looking down. Her ears are red.

'Reme is like that for everyone. He even sent me the day I first met him.'

'Yeah. I'm curious.

'Huh, fine. Along the way, I'll tell you the story of how me and Leme-san got together.

'They're not dating, are they?　I don't think that phrase is appropriate.

You don't have to worry about the details.

I think it's an important part, but it's very important.

Oh, my God, for whom?

"...for all of us here.

Is that so?

Well, Leme. To tell you the truth, I hate the dark.

　With that, Nicola-san comes up to my side.

'Can I stay close to you when you give me a lift?

　You weren't on your way home alone earlier, were you?

Well, you're right.

'Leme, I've been missing you while I've been away. Can I stick together like I always do?　Is that okay?

　Saying that, Mila-san intertwined herself with my arm.

It's a good idea to have a good time. I'm sure that's a little too close for you...!

This is about as normal as it gets when you're as close as me and Reme.

Ugh ... ugh ... ugh.

　Nicola looks frustrated, but she doesn't stick around to counter it.

　What's the right thing to do at a time like this? I don't know.
　Maybe we need a relationship mentor, like a black magic master or sword master.

　I've never been able to meet people who are friendly to me, so I sometimes don't know how to deal with those people. I am lacking in experience.

　Thinking about this, the three of us walked around the city at night.
　When we were nearing the inn.

'Nico!'

　I knew it.
　Today, he must have been running around the city looking for his sister - Philip-san runs up to him.