If our victory was an unexpected breakthrough, Fourcas and Kay - or shall we call them Orobus because of their dungeon name participation - had racked up an impressive string of victories that were not in jeopardy.

　The two of them had beaten a number of strongmen in this tournament.

　None of them had been able to take a single sword against Mr. Fulkas.
　It wasn't like their armor played off their attacks or anything. Not even a single blow had touched Mr. Fulkas, nor had it hit Orobus.

　However, that doesn't diminish the reputation of the losing side. .........No, no matter how you look at it, there will be negative opinions, but most people seem to be more conscious of being impressed by 'This is the strength of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's Castle?
　And well, that's how it is.

　I know firsthand about the strength of the two of them, especially Master Fulkas' strength, so I'm not surprised to see how well they did in the tournament.

''Belito.''

　We were on our way to the venue.

'What's going on?'

　After the victor's interview, all we have left is the final match.
　But my fight with Phillip is already over.

Well I want to beat those two.

"?　Hmm?　Yeah ... oh.

　Belito seemed to notice something.

'Is Reme worried that I'm burnt out?

I'm sorry. A little bit.

　When you achieve a goal, you can't help but loosen up. It's impossible not to feel liberated. Some people don't take long to get their minds off of it, while others take longer.
　I was still new to the relationship and hadn't grasped that.

'Haha, fine. I mean, it's no wonder. It's true that I was out of it earlier. But it's going to be okay. I'm going to do what I have to do to win. And besides...

　There was a pause before the words that followed were uttered.

'Verito?'

　I can't believe it. I nodded my head in agreement.

You know, I'm not gonna let you win, but...

　Belito says that while looking away from his face.

''Well thank you, that's the best compliment I can give you.

　【Black Mage】 is a support person.
　No matter how highly rated it is, it's just a [Position (Job)] that makes it easier to put in and win.

　If you're with me and you don't feel like losing, it means that you'll definitely win.
　Isn't that the highest compliment, no matter which [Position(Job)] you are in?

　Feeling my heart heating up, I continue to walk towards the light in the hall that I can see.

''Le, lemme?''

Yeah, I don't know.

Terrible!　

Ha-ha, I'm just kidding.

''........I wonder if it's true. Well, compared to the Fenix Party and the Demon King's Army, the 99th rank might not be as reliable as the Fenix Party and the Demon King's Army, though.

　Oh, I think I'm sulking a little.
　I open my mouth, reflecting on it.

''I've admired [Brave] since I was little, and I also wanted to be the first place party. I thought I could become one with Fenix. After I became a Demon King's Army, my goals changed a little bit, but I fought with a group of friends that I could rely on to keep my 'Impregnable' name intact.

Yes.

I've only fought with people I wanted to win with, and I've definitely won with people I've fought with. "I've only ever worked with people I wanted to win with, and I've definitely won with people I've worked with, and I've fought with you this time.　I guess that's not the answer.

　There were many times when I thought that Alba and I didn't fit in personality-wise, but his desire to make Fenix win was genuine. If we can share that in common, there is no shortage of people with whom I can fight with.

　At my words, Belito blurts out.



Ugh.

Lies. Got it.... thank you.

　Now, behind the mask, she would be blushing.
　I expected that as my face was deflected.

'Shall we go?'

Yeah, to win.

　And so, we were going to the final.
　On the other side of the field, our opponents were already in place.

''Oh no, who could have predicted it when it was first held? I didn't know that the one adventurer left in the final would be a [Black Mage].''

I have the impression that demons are the villains and the underdog, but in this kind of tournament, I don't need to play a role. This kind of thing happens when it's a purely competitive battle to see who is stronger.

'So you can see the scene because we've recruited for all races. How about the first place?　Including from the qualifying round, though, there were quite a few adventurers in attendance.''

'It's a difficult question.... For example, if I had simply been informed of this information, I might have called it 'shameful.''

　But," continued Aerial, "this time I'm seeing them in action.

This time, I'm seeing their fight first hand, and so is the audience. I've seen their fights first hand, and so has the audience. We know what they are fighting for, and we know the heat of the clash. I can't voice my frustration that there were no adventurers left other than Leme. They are standing here as a result of their rightful victories.''

'That's right. And it's a matchup card I'm personally looking forward to. A tag team of a human and a demon named Leme and Belito. Their opponents are the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's Castle, Fulkus the Ridiculous Knight and Orobus the Horse Man Archer. ''Demon and demon fighting is also something you don't see in normal dungeon attacks,''

'We'll see adventurers fighting each other and demons fighting each other. I think this is a really interesting experiment. For example, when I was a kid, when I was talking about my favorite adventurers with my friends, we would argue that everyone I liked was much stronger than me.'

''Oh, even someone as good as Lord Aerial told you that story when you were a child. By the way, I did too.''

This is a tag team tournament, but if they held an individual match, the dream match might become a reality, right? I have a lot of opponents I want to fight, to be honest.

''It's exciting to think that a battle between the four great spirit contractors might even happen.''

"I'd love to get together with the Fenix. And--Reme, you too.

　........Mr. Aerial.

　I'm flattered, but that sounds like you're putting yourself on my shoulders.

''You and Fulkus will be meeting at the Demon King's Castle one of these days.

　It wasn't.
　You tried to get the crowd interested in the players who had made it to the finals.

　Afterwards, he mentioned Orobus' mobility and bow skills, as well as Belito's rigid and flexible magic.
　If the first place was such a good player to say this much, the audience's interest would increase even more.

　Furthermore, he also hinted at the first-ranked party's capture of the Demon King's Castle, providing a topic of conversation apart from the match.
　Since it was said here, every time it was taken up, the existence of the tournament would inevitably be mentioned as well.

　As a result, I guess I'm saying that Lord Ferro's selection of people is perfect.

　--Well, isn't it something to think about now?

''[Black Mage] Reme, you've come so far.

　Mr. Fulkus's voice, using an altered voice machine.

In the Demon King's Castle, I left in the middle of the fight. I'm honored to fight you. "Sir Fulkus.

　We can't let the audience know that we are colleagues, friends and mentors and students.
　So, we exchange thoughts within the range of not letting it be known.

''For a [Black Mage], it's a moderately good sword. Surely your master is excellent........''

Yes, that sword master is watching the match today (...), so I can't lose.

　Right in front of me.

You think you can beat Fulkus?

My partner and I can do it alone.

That's the spirit.

　The final begins.