Oh, that's the first time you've ever been angry.

Of course.

But isn't that right?　I understand that he's popular. But as a leader, I'm not so sure about him. Not to mention the mistake of letting you in, but it's a lack of initiative. His people are following him, not him leading them. He should gather his companions in a way that makes him stand out more. The gloomy [Holy Knight], the bustling [Swordsman], and even though he's close to human (normal), he's included an elf. It's a wonder I was able to run up to fourth place with a party like that. I guess it's a lucky move that I drew a fire spirit.

"Ha-ha.

　I couldn't help but laugh.
　Sometimes it's quite understandable.

　Fenix didn't originally want to be an adventurer.
　He was just a boy who was inspired to come first with me one day.

　So, he's not equipped with the thinking and qualities of selling out or leadership or anything like that.
　He was originally a gentle kid who was not very good with people.

　Defeating the floor boss in a single blow was an idea decided upon by his friends, and the decisive line that there is no defeat was a representation of his 'winning is brave' feeling.

　Indeed, it would have been more popular if he gathered his friends like that, like a wind wizard to make his fire bigger, or a second-in-command member to match his honest image.

　If he hadn't been chosen by the fire spirit, it might have been difficult for him to rise to the fourth place at such a speed.

　Yeah, I can understand it.

　But it didn't matter.

　I'm not going to sit back and let my friends be called second-rate.

　It doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman, old or young, if you can't even get angry at your friend for making fun of you, you have no right to think of them as your friend.

　But the fist I clenched did not let go.

　I remembered how I stopped Mila from getting angry for me just a few minutes ago.
　There are things I can't forgive, but Mr. Phillip didn't do anything violent.

''Oh, I don't mind, Lord Leme. We're both adventurers, we won't make a fuss over a jostle.

　Philip's words as he noticed that I had put my fist away.
　It was Mira-san who reacted.

''Oh, you don't realize that you saved your life. I guess I can't blame you for being ninety-ninth.''

A delightful woman. --Hey.

　Nicola was hitting him, but Philip took it in stride.

'It's disgusting...'

I want you to know that I'm doing this for your own good.

You're lying.

Do you have a problem, Lemeister?

　Now that I've cooled down, I'll be smiling as usual again.

'You're not thinking for Nicola-san's sake. I'm thinking a lot of things for the success of the party and the rise in popularity of the 'White Silver Prince'.

He says it's for his sister.

I wasn't sure until I talked to him, but I know now.

Ha, what the hell are you doing?

'It's true that Fenix isn't very good at ordering people around. But it's because he didn't distort it that he continues to be an adventurer. Pushing yourself too hard is corrosive to the mind. Adventurers are human. If you become ill, it will affect your body and you won't be able to perform at your best. If you increase the value of your product by diminishing your mind, you will only shorten the life of the adventurer.

....

　He doesn't return the denial because he understands that.

'Also, about the members. Our party, you know, we all share the same feelings. We all feel the same way, to be first with Fenix, to be first with that guy. So we can work together. We're not looking for a companion to be a brave bridesmaid.

　Béla-san joined for popularity.......maybe Alba and others pushed for her to join, but you can tell by watching the battle at the Demon King's Castle. It's remarkable during the tenth layer. She was trying her best to grab victory.
　I don't know what she thinks about it, but she's already a great hero.

'Finally. I laughed at the ridiculousness of it all, but that's the part about the genie. 'Chosen luck?　Do you think a visit to the shrine is a lottery or something?　Spirits have a heart. They look at a person and decide whether or not to give them blessings. He was chosen as a fire spirit because he was that guy. Luck or bad luck, you're missing the point. A person's character isn't determined by luck.

''.......I know you love the [brave man] who abandoned you. So, what did you find out in the end?

'Indeed, adventurers are a popular business. It's a job that requires more than strength and magical skill itself, it's a job that requires you to be charming. So there's nothing wrong with your pursuit of that.

You don't have to tell me. I've learned from my setbacks. Adventurers who aren't looked at or wanted by the world are trash. I'm not going to let me and my sister be trash. I will do whatever it takes to show the world that we can shine and succeed. So I don't want that to be interfered with by someone as finished as you.

　A done man. I guess so. I'm a [Black Mage] who was kicked out of the party and never even heard of any job offers. I don't want to get involved, I can't blame them for opening up the distance.

"Is your sister shining?

What?　What....

You've succeeded in polishing and polishing and shining the light and making the outside look beautiful. I don't mean to deny that. But as I said before, adventurers are human beings too. What's on the inside?　What's on your mind?　Does it matter?　Are you willing to have the heart within it crack as long as it retains its value as a saleable item?

I'm...

'Adventurers are sought after because they make the viewer's heart tremble. It's a business that moves the heart. Sometimes it's necessary to be ruthless, but I don't think we should disrespect the hearts of the people we are fighting with. But I don't think we should disrespect the hearts of the people we're fighting with.

''Well I can imagine what my sister said, but I'm not going to let her do whatever she wants. People have an aptitude for it. My sister's looks, her voice, her magic, and her mudslinging don't suit her. The past proves it. If it's going to make your heart sick, it's the time. What do you know, you who have been with the chosen [brave] from the beginning and ran up the road to success without any setbacks? No, it's not. I don't know why, you are the one who has been plunged into the depths of despair. You want to get out of there as soon as possible. We will not go back to despair (there).

　So that's your underlying thought.
　My siblings and I had a taste of don't-bottom once, with each other.

　Both had once been leaders in separate parties.
　But neither of them were able to become popular with their peers.

　He believes the blame for that lies with him.
　He believes that since he was the leader, he had to make a move so that his friends could sell and the party could become popular.

　He hasn't done that, but he doesn't like Fenix, who has become a star through his charisma and absolute strength.
　I don't understand, but still.

'I'll prove it,'

What... what?

Nicola will be teaming up with me in a tag team tournament.

That's impossible.

The defective [Black Mage] and the heroic form chosen by Nicola-san in the past that you found to be trash. With this combination, I will bring more excitement to the audience than anyone else and win.

　This is not like me, or even like 'Leme'.
　But if we let this moment pass, we won't be able to get another chance to talk.
　So I don't mind if it looks a little arrogant. Anyway, I'll let him listen to me and make a decision.

''This isn't going to work, Leme-dono.

'If I lose, I swear I'll never go near your sister again. After that ... what makes you happy?　Tell me what I can do for you, whether it's money or anything else. I'll win anyway.

　He cowered his shoulders, wondering if he was aware of my intentions.

''Oh well, that's great. You have the skill to stir people up. It's called black magic, and you have a high level of abilities that aren't suitable for adventurers. Why don't you look for a job that makes use of that?

Okay, we'll think about it if we lose.

　Mr. Philip's expression was blatantly twisted.

'Bok, bok!　If I lose, I'll never talk back to your brother again. I'll do everything right, and I won't go out on my own. I do everything you tell me to do, and I'll do it. I know that you did a lot for me to sell, and I'm proud of that. But I'm not going to give up on him. So let me give it a shot.

　He must have felt that his sister's enthusiasm did not come from an idea or an escape.
　The heady denial attitude he had earlier is gone.

'....Nico. No, but...

'If you're worried, why don't you play with Nicola's magical body (avatar)?　If you don't have any idea who the tight-lipped vendor is, I can point you to a dungeon I know. I'll lend you the generator in a top-secret way. How about a demon-like one?　They'll never find out. Because from the way you fight, it's different, right?

　I started to argue with him, and then Mira-san, who looked extremely happy, said.
　Philip-san got a thoughtful look on his face at that opinion.

''Will you feel better if you try and fail?

　-- I'm in.

　I was able to change my mind from the point of absolutely no chance to the point of consideration.

"Yeah, yeah. I think I'll be able to give up the idea that I'm not capable.

Okay.

But we'll win.

　For a moment, the siblings' gazes crossed.

''Are you sure you're okay with this, teaming up with a demon to participate in the tournament? [Black Mage] You're going to go out as Reme, right?

'Originally, the combinations would be free. Besides, I like the idea of the tournament. There is no right or wrong between adventurers and demons. They are equals, and it doesn't matter who wins.

　Except for the part where he crushed the dungeon, I agree with Ferro-san's idea. That part was the same for the Demon King-sama.

'If you lose, stop being an adventurer--what if I tell you?　Would you still do that?

Don't worry, I'll win.

　Guillory glares at me.

　Nothing he says now is serious. I can tell that much.
　He's asking me if I'm that confident, or if I'm ready for it.

　My expression doesn't change.
　It's not that I'm going to cooperate with you with good intentions alone. I don't intend to go into the game with a light heart.

'Tell me what the terms are if the two of you win. If you're going to make a bet, it wouldn't be fair if you didn't.

　He was angry about his sister's case and his mouth was exploding with foul language, but I guess he wasn't basically a bad person.

'I'm not. I don't have anything in particular that I want from you. Just one thing.

What?


Correct me for calling Fenix second-rate.


　He rolled his eyes in surprise, but quickly laughed.

I will correct and apologize in front of you then. But that's not enough to make up for it. I'll have to publish something else, even if it's just for money but yes. The tournament will be broadcast on the video board (TV) at a later date, and they will ask for a comment or two from the losers and play it. If the two of you win, you will surely meet me at some point. If you lose, I will praise you and the mysterious demon.

　He's also assuming he's going to win out.
　That's fine.

　Defective and garbage. If he loses to two people who judge him to be so, he will broadcast his comments praising it to the world.
　As the older brother of the 'White Silver Prince'.

　He, too, put the thing on the other side of the scale. It's a heavy one for him.

'So what about you?　Nico

What, what, are you sure you want to get out of...

'It's a problem that was bothering me originally. If you can get your mind in order without much loss, of course you'd better let me do it. I'd say it's a loss not to be able to go out with you, but you'll get another chance. But I'll be out too. Don't think you'll win the championship easily.

I ... I ... I ... I ... well, I don't know ... oh, can I see Leme in the future?

Huh?

And we're friends now!　I've arranged dinner with Kash, and... well, I have a lot of things I want to talk about and stuff.

''Don't worry, Gin-hair. At that time, I will be there with you. No mistake will ever happen.

　Mira smiles at him.

''Well that's fine. It seems that Reme-dono has a magic to duck people's eyes.

Also, apologize for your many outbursts to Leme, silver hair.

Oh yeah, that's right. Then I'll have to punch you for saying something bad, Leme. Also, always seek advice from all your friends. It's not just a matter of time before you're ready to go. Also...

"I'll get to that later. You can make all the demands you want. You are beholden to me as an adventurer, as I believe the scales must be balanced. And, Lady.

　He looked at Mila.

'If the two of you are going to win, it means he's not incompetent in the least. I don't think he's wrong about the value of the product, but he'll admit that he's capable of it and apologize for his incompetence. That goes without saying. That's why Lord Leme didn't bother to add it to the conditions.

'I see. In that case, I think I'll just keep my mouth shut and wait for you to apologize.

'You have faith in Lord Leme, don't you? I don't know what I'm talking about but well, since you're saying you'll prove it, I'm the one to wait.

　Then, the unexpected discussion ended.

I'll prepare the magic body (avatar) here. I'm sure we'll need to work together, so I'll allow the two of you to meet, but you must do it at the union's underground training grounds in this city at the time I specify. The meeting time will be shifted by about 30 minutes. Also, I want Reme-dono to use his signature applied magic.　　

　Just in case things go wrong.
　We nodded.

"Look, I'll do my best. My brother was a real jerk this time, so let's both beat the crap out of him!

　He seems to be as angry as Mira-san is about what I've been told badly.
　Maybe it's because he's one of my relatives that it's even harder for him.

'Let's win in the form of the brave man you want to be.

"!　Uh-huh!

　And so our participation in the tournament was decided.