"...the winner, the Leme Bellito pair...!

　An old man exhales in a huff at the sound coming from the video board (TV).

''........As usual, a disciple who doesn't give up.

　The red-haired old man who muttered that seemed to have a thin smile on his mouth.

''A [Black Mage] and a brave man, huh.......''

　The ship-horned former Demon King sat back in his chair and watched his disciple's victory.

''If you survived your father's ordeal as a child, you won't succumb to whatever hardships you'll face in life afterwards.

　A guest, not a guest.
　An intruder, I should say.

　But the old man - my father is not surprised by my appearance.

'What do you want?'

Is that the first thing you say to your son, whom you haven't seen in over a decade?

What is this, what is this, a tug-n-name-to, right? Was this your idea?

　My father had taken up residence in Lord Leme's hometown.
　Once it turned out to be his mentor, the search area would be limited. Nevertheless, I thought he had long since disappeared.

　There were several pieces of letterhead on his desk.
　If anyone knew where he was and sent him a letter, it would be...well, Reme-dono. There might be others, but it would be impossible for my father to open a letter that arrived, unless he was an important person.

　If he disappeared, he wouldn't be able to receive his apprentice's letter.......how could that be?

''It's not like I'm original, though. The martial arts guys do it sometimes, and you know, there are doubles in sports, right?　Just like that.

'Right. That's an interesting idea for you.

Ha-ha, that's the first time I've ever heard my father give you a compliment like that.

　What I can't help but feel is the stupidity of my own stupidity that makes me happy just because my father, who had disappeared for ten years, gives me a little praise.

　But it can't be helped, can it? He is the best demon king.

''Why would he give horns to a human child?''

Because he was even dumber than me.

''........Well, it's true that [Black Mage], who professes to be a brave man since his debut, isn't a clever one. I think he's more of a well-thinking person, though?

That's why. You can't save an unthinking fool. But that guy, he thinks it through, and if he can't give up, he keeps trying. A spirit that will not give in to the world and the people around it, to the trivial realities they impose on us. That's what the ten kids were equipped with.

　...........

Your father didn't run away, did he?

　My father was just a strong, just a good-looking demon king.

　If a brave man was strong, you would rejoice and praise him.
　I considered him dangerous just because he was a demon, just because he was talented enough to use black magic.

'I don't care. I'm tired of it. That place is boring.......who's playing the demon king now?

That's my daughter. That's your grandchild.

"Lou.

'Oh, I'm glad you remember your grandson's nickname.

Hmm.

And your apprentice is now a counselor in the Demon King's army.

It's none of my business what that was all about.

You're paying a lot of money for this. It's just as well you're giving them horns.

What, did you want it?

Did you give it to me when I asked you?　They wouldn't even give me a lesson.

I can't stand it with you.

　In the past, my father's words used to sound awful and cold.
　But now, I can grasp the true meaning of his words, I think.

　It's not that he didn't want me to give up because I didn't have the talent, but that he didn't let me do it because I would die.

'I could have endured a human boy?'

It's not about the body, it's about the mind.

...Oh, I see.

　I couldn't agree more.

　I'm not a fan of fighting. I like to watch battles, but I don't want to be on the side of the fight. My heart is not in tune with the 【Position(Job)】 of 【Magic King】.

　My heart can't bear the harsh training. There's nothing to seek beyond, so I can't work hard.
　You've seen through it.

''So, what do you want?''

　I went back to my first question.

'I'll finish the dungeon attack.

Okay.

I don't want people to think that demons are evil.

That's fine.

If that happens, my father will just be a powerful demon king. So...

Nonsense.

It's not trivial.

　This is revenge.
　To the world that drove my father out. To the industry.

　And a revolution.
　To create a future for all downtrodden demons, including my father.

Yeah.

With someone as talented as he is, he can survive in the new world. It's not that I don't hate adventurers, you know.

　Rather the opposite. I'm on the side of all the downtrodden.

"If that's what you want, why don't you give it to me? You have no need to ask me for help.

I want the most powerful demon king back.

It's up to me. And right now, I don't want to.

What do I have to do to make you want to do this?

...if anyone comes along who is worthy of using their horns.

　My father blurted out and quickly waved his hand in a cumbersome manner, "No, forget it.......go home now.
　His face is not to me, but to his screen apprentice.

　--Do you expect it, that much?　For Lord Leme?

I'll write you a letter.

Don't expect a response.

　And so I left my father's house.
　With a new goal in mind: to raise an enemy worthy of my father's fight.

　Fortunately, I have several guesses.

　◇

Well, he's a good guy...

...Strong?

Ah, you're a [black mage] and this move is very well trained. I can't really tell just by looking at it, but black magic is probably amazing too.

But I hear that [Black Mage] isn't very popular.

'I don't care (,,,,,,,,). I can feel that this guy is determined to win. And on top of that, he actually won. Yeah, I'm going to invite you to my party, along with this pollyanna.

It's hard to turn a demon-leaning sub-human into an adventurer.

　Maybe it won't work out over here.
　But I'm pretty sure that this man, Leme, has been looking for a job since he was kicked out of the last party. The fact that he came out on the stage as an adventurer means that he should be.

'That also doesn't matter. I said I wanted it, so I'll just get it.

　The boy had just turned ten years old and had just found out his [job title].
　The same is true for me, who responds to the conversation next to him.

　He's a 【Brave man】. Maybe I should dare to call him this after he returned from the 'Shrine of the Spirit' the other day.

　The third of the four great spirit contractors in this era, the one who was found by the main body of water spirits after sixty years - the 【Brave Man of the Lake】 of this generation.

　In terms of the rank of the spirits alone, they are on par with [Storm Hero] Aerial and [Flame Hero] Fenix.

''You're Reme-san, right? Let's go meet this person. What was it, that person.

Mr. Fellow?

'Yeah, yeah, I'm sure he'll arrange things. I don't care about common sense and all that shit. Me and my guys are going to win and show the world that strength is what adventurers need. Huh?

...Yeah, I guess so.

　We won't meet Reme until a little later.

　◇

"Nico, you and ... what you're trying to say, Lord Leme-dono, is that - there's a way to show that there's a 'gap', right?

　After the tournament was over, a meeting was held again.
　This time, the whole group is together again, but unlike last time, it's not for the purpose of pointing out my mistakes.

"Uh-huh.

　I knew it.
　My answer.

　The popularity established as "White Silver Prince" is a very valuable thing.
　There are already fans who like it, and it's because of those people that it is popular. I know that much.

　I know that I can't ignore them.
　But I was also troubled by the fact that I couldn't let go of my old admiration for him.

Isn't that great?　I love Nicola the prince, but I was invited by the first Nicola to become an adventurer. If you can accept that as well, then it's the best thing for you.

　[Bandit] Leila is on board.

　It's not a change of direction, but the addition of elements.
　For example, a good-looking person who can do everything turns out to be actually bad at bugs.

　Of course, there will be opinions about being disillusioned. With the Sawayama people, it's natural to have all kinds of opinions.
　But I think most of the 'fans' would honestly think he's 'cute'.
　I've seen a lot of examples of that in real life.

　On the other hand, someone who was selling himself as a slightly out-of-place character might get a job on a cooking show after it turned out that he was a pro at cooking.
　People love the unexpected.

　He is a calm and smart "White Silver Prince". However, he also has a lot of passionate and wild things inside of him.
　This is a style that I failed at in the past, and Phil didn't like it.

　But in that tournament, in that semifinal, not only did I have a blast in the semi-finals, but Phil's fight had the crowd in stitches.
　And that's something that Phil, who studies adventuring more than anything else, can't ignore.

"Let's be honest, it's worth a try,

　Surprisingly easily, my brother said.

'Uh-huh...!　Thank you--

Don't get me wrong. We haven't decided to broadcast yet. I'm going to dive the dungeon first. I'm going to go into the dungeon and check out your gap in the game with my friends through the camera. If they think you'll be accepted, you'll be hired. If we don't, you'll have to pay for the dungeon.

　Phil says quickly to avoid making eye contact with us. I'm embarrassed.
　But I think it's a realistic place to fall.
　If I don't think it's going to work, I'm not going to do it. I'm going to do it because it's what I want, so I have to do it.

Well, that's fine if you like it. Personally, I'd like to see "Kongo". I'd like to see Phil in action.

　Fairy [Wizard] Luli sits on her brother's shoulder and says while plumping her legs.

''........I'll consider it. In my case, the world has already seen it, right? It depends on the repercussions.

Fun.

''Well if Nicola is going to step forward, we're going to have to change the way we build the fight.

　[Clear White Knight] Marc's calm words.

''Then let's talk about it.''

　And so the party discussion continues.
　It was decided that the first challenge would be that dungeon, as well as revenge.

　I wonder if he's still there now.

　◇

　After the competition.

　At the award ceremony, Aerialists were squaring their shoulders in praise, so I felt like I stood out even more, but we managed to finish.

　I'd like to thank Kash, Mila, and all my colleagues who cheered me on from the cheering section, to the point where I lost my voice.
　I'm back in the waiting room, and I've just been talking to Berit - not Nicola - about going home, when I see a visitor.

　Who could it be this time, it was Fenix.

'Congratulations on your win,'

Yeah.

Miss Nicola had a great fight, too.

Thank you.....

''But aren't you putting too much of a burden on [Black Mage] Reme?　If I were you-- gulp.

　I cover my mouth.

'I don't care about that. I'm the one who set up the whole thing.

Mugugugug.

　Take your hands off.

'That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about being able to stand up better while showing your fight.

Well, I guess I wasn't good enough, but I feel like I was a big help to you.

'No, no, no, we wouldn't have won it without Nicola.

'Nope. I'm sorry, I guess I got a little jealous at the sight of your best friend and you working so closely together.

Oh, no.　Ugh, I'm so glad.

It's weird how jealous men are of each other.

That's a terrible thing to say.

''Hmm........saying that, even Reme-san takes care of Fenix-senpai--gumm!

Nicola, I'm tired for the day, so let's break it up.

　He may be referring to the bet with Mr. Phillip, but that's not the kind of thing he would let him hear.

　There is a knock at the door.

'Leme-dono. It's Philip. Are you still here?

Geez.

　At this time!

Excuse me. ..... This, Master Fenix, is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Philip.

Yeah, that was a good fight.

Thank you. But this is...

'Oh. This guy found out when we were both training.

　When I said that, Philip-san made a difficult face, but nodded a small nod.

''As expected of a [Fire Brave], I should say. Maybe I don't have the qualifications to say something like this, though.''

...?

　A curious look on Fenix's face.
　No, wait, Mr. Philip. Please don't do it here.

　But he lowered his head.

''I'm sorry about the other day. I insulted your good friend and your great senior, who is ranked fourth in the world, by putting aside my own inexperience. Along with my apology, I would like to make a correction.

　.........
　...............................
　Philip then explained the situation to Fenix and apologized to Fenix as well.

'No, it's fine. I certainly don't stand around trying to figure out how to survive in this industry. I don't have the words to retort when someone points out my lack of effort in that area. But ... I see.

　Fenix smiled deliberately.

'Well, Leme. You're angry for me. Thank you, you're as kind to me as you ever were.

'Uhhhh!　f*ck...!　Don't do that!　It's disgusting, isn't it!

　My whole body heats up with shame. My face was hot.
　Mr. Phillip had not only kept his promise, he had even apologized to himself, which wasn't bad at all, but I was embarrassed anyway.

'I'm happy for you,'

Shut up!　You ... you ... you ... a**h*le!

"Ha-ha.

Don't laugh!

　My siblings watched the conversation between me and Fenix curiously.