Oh, very interesting.

　The parlor of the rented office I rented for my activities in this city.
　Sitting on the sofa across the table from me is Philip-dono.
　I stroke my chin happily at the content of his consultation.

''So, could I ask you to do something for me?

'Yes, that's of course. As a result, both of your siblings are going to participate in the event, and I'm grateful for that as well. Well, it's a pity that it's not as 'White Silver Prince', but it's very nice to be called [Black Mage] Leme.

　The reason for his visit is to report that his sister will be participating in the event as a demon demon body (avatar), and he wants her to help him keep his identity secret so that no information is leaked.

　The audience would have no way of knowing the identity of the demon, but the organizers were not. Naturally, they would confirm the identity of the person. Although we take the utmost care in handling information, when it comes to the 【Brave Man】 who pretends to be a demon, it's not surprising that some people might slip up.
　That's why you came to ask me for help, taking that into consideration.

''Reme-dono.........? Certainly, since he's the one who disappeared after leaving the group, it will attract attention.

'There's that too, of course, but I'm looking forward to it. 'Of course, that is of course, but I am looking forward to it, because he is not as incompetent as the world makes him out to be. In the first place, there is no way that a man as good as Lord Fenix would keep a weak man in his ranks for the sake of friendship. There are not many men today who are as impatient for the first place as he is.

　Except when you're a kid.
　Every child who has longed to be an adventurer has at one time or another fantasized about his or her future as the number one.

　But after the discovery of the [job title (job)], the curriculum of the training institution, and the reality after the debut, such words can no longer be spoken.
　It's too far away. It's not even worthy of being a goal. Let's choose a way of life that fits our stature. We can dream of at least one higher rank...and so on.

　This is adaptation, not depravity.
　Some, like Lord Philip, have found success by facing it as a business.

'You know Lord Fenix in person?

Yeah, a little bit.

　That's why the Fenix Party is so valuable.
　It has risen to fourth place in just six years, eclipsing the fixed top ranks of the top ten parties.
　Although it had stalled for a year, that's how thick the walls of the third place and above were.

''........Indeed, it seemed that Reme-dono was able to apply a somewhat unusual magic, but....

Oh, what's that like?

　If you ask me, it's an application of 'confusion'.
　It's a 'confusion' that makes it difficult to grasp the situation, but if you master it, you'll be like Reme-dono did.
　It's not enough to be called black magic, but it could be called the ultimate in black magic.

　There are no shortcuts to this one. The only way is to take a long, long time and train your magic.
　I'm sure he's only 20 years old, so normally he would not have enough.......

　--I'm sure you've done the training you were supposed to do.

　It's not hard to understand why a child can endure this kind of training. It's just a matter of time before you're ready.

　It's a good thing that there are very few people in this day and age who can train black magic to that level, so even the adventurers don't know how great it is.
　Even so, 'a somewhat unusual application' is too unfortunate a perception.

　However, since the young man Reme seems to be careful to never expose his relationship with his father, he might be rather relieved to be misunderstood.

''Is it an amazing magic?　In dungeons, if you see a [Black Mage], he'll be clothed in magic to counteract it, so even if he's a mere soldier, I think you have to strike a surprise to get through to him.

　Oh, I understand that's how you see it.
　Since I don't understand Reme-dono's skills, it's only natural to speak with the common sense of an adventurer.

　I keep smiling vaguely. I don't think I'm going to divulge what he didn't say.
　It's a boy's desire to protect his father's hiding place rather than to show his power.

　Either the young man was kind, or his father was a well-liked mentor.... No, it would be the former, I'm sure.

''All magic increases or decreases in power potency depending on the conditions. Just like when you try to create an explosion with the same magic power, if you prioritize the area of effect, the power becomes weaker, if you prioritize the power, the area of effect becomes narrower.

Yeah, yeah.

''Black magic is basically operated by either prioritizing powerful individuals or the entire enemy. The Fenix Party was the latter, and Lord Leme always seemed to keep all the demons in the area within range.

　His eyebrows wavered as he twitched.
　It wasn't something that could be mentioned in the video, and there was no easy way to see that black magic was helpful.
　Few would be able to immediately agree with him after being told that, but he nodded.

Since you're a [Black Mage], you must naturally have a talent for black magic, though. Come to think of it, you said that you would win the championship, and maybe you have confidence in your efforts. Does that mean you're not an ordinary [Black Mage]?

　It wouldn't be his intention to give Lord Leme too much credit. What should I say?

''That's right, it's extraordinary. What would happen if such a [Black Mage] were to participate in a tag team tournament? Wouldn't it be interesting?　There are only two targets in the area.

''I see, the magic power that is usually wielded by the number of people to whom it is applied can be poured into the effect. If you also cut down on the duration of the effect and make it an instantaneous activation, even the [brave] might at least make it wobbly for a moment.

　The reason he's honest is probably largely because he's in front of me, who's also a business partner.
　For our part, it's better to talk faster than someone who is bound by common sense and unable to think flexibly.

In battle, a moment is too long. It can even make the difference between victory and defeat. Well, I guess I don't need to tell you that.

No, I'll keep that in mind. The enemy you need to be careful as an opponent. My sister's desired fighting style is an aggressive one. She prefers big moves, so she has large gaps, but if Reme-dono fills them in at the right time, she could be a considerable threat.

　It's a good time to see Leme-dono fight. I'd like to see you fight against a wary opponent, not beat a careless opponent.

''I'm counting on it, Lord Philip.

Yeah.

　And so he was gone.

''Well that's an interesting young man nonetheless.''

　It is about Lord Lemet-dono. I learned from Lord Philip that Lemegeton is in the beginning dungeon.

　I also know that the beginner and beginning dungeons are picking up steam. Perhaps we will be able to repay the money in time.
　But the problem remains, just as my daughter didn't solve it by lending me money or anything else.

　The question is whether we can continue to bring people in.

　I didn't think that making it an 'all levels compatible' dungeon would solve that problem.
　Even though Reme-dono is still around right now, if we can annihilate even the ninety-ninth level, we can call ourselves that sufficiently.

　Until the repayment of the debt, he made money by annihilating the intermediate level that was caught in the immediate prize money.
　After the debt is paid back, he will attract adventurers by implying that it is an 'all levels' dungeon.
　It seems that they are working to instruct the staff and recruit the necessary personnel to do so.

''They are quick to adapt to demons. No, I guess they were looking at things from both sides to begin with.''

　As an adventurer, how do you attack it?
　How do you defend yourself as a demon?
　Should I think of it as thinking from two points of view and attacking?

You can't use my father's power as long as you go out as a remedy. It's also true that black magic is unsophisticated. The element of being an excellent [black mage] alone doesn't pack much of a punch. You know that too, don't you? I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of 'surprise' you have in store for me.　

　◇

'What?　Leme, are you going to be in the tournament?!

　Mr. Thor's room.
　The door that was previously kicked in by Mr. Kay is still broken.

I'm sorry to be an afterthought. I'm sorry to report what happened to you, but we were wondering if you could take the day off.

'Yes, no, I think I can manage to pay back the money by that date, so I don't have a problem with that, but...'

　The bounty for the beginner adventurers is paid out by me, and they also lose money by healing the damage here.
　Also, for intermediate and above challengers, I'm getting them to pay more money for completely destroying their magical bodies (avatars) so that they need to "regenerate" instead of "repair" them.

　The tag-team tournament has also attracted quite a bit of attention and seems to be flooded with people who want to participate.
　By the looks of it, it looks like a qualifier is going to be held.

　It also helped that the main purpose of the tournament was the tournament, and there were a few parties here and there who were trying to take on the dungeons to kill time before the event.
　Even those who challenged the dungeons, thinking they were lucky to be able to save the cost of their stay by stepping through the beginner's dungeon, were fought off by the demons who were instructed by the people of the Demon King's Castle.

''Well, it seems that our Kay will be joining us.

'Oh, I see. Are you with Mr. Thor?

It's just that... well, you know.

I'll go with me.

　It was Mr. Flukas who showed up.
　He's eating a round loaf of bread mixed with dried fruit and other ingredients.

"Mr. Flucas and...

I can't lose.

　That short statement makes me happy.

　I guess we both have a reason for joining. I don't care about the weight of it or anything else.
　This is a serious game, so we don't skimp on the details. We're fighting to win. That's all.

　It's so simple and so typical of her.
　Because of the fact that my hand is known, I may be the most troublesome opponent in the tournament.

"I will win, Master Fourcas.

　The Master of Magic is the Demon King. The master of the sword is the Four Heavenly Kings. I've been blessed.

That's the spirit. But you have to win. Disciple.