Oh, well, that's a nice surprise, but I guess I'm not blind.

　The world's third-ranked hero is flattening my body.

''Eh..........?　It's been a long time, Mr. Helvall.

I told you it was good to be Helu, Leme. Yeah, it's good to see you. But you know what I didn't ask you before, you've done some serious work. To see what you can do with a [Black Mage], I've never seen anything like it.

Um... well, hi. I'm ticklish and your eyes hurt and all that.

I just don't like the way you talk in that weird, reserved way. Everything is in its proper place. You can't be a big-mouthed fish, but being too humble and strong is also boring. Behave in a certain way.

　A bash and a slap on the back.

''Well thank you. I'll be careful.

　[Demon Sword Hero] Helvo--Heru-san will be twenty-eight this year.

　The twenty year old Fenix is fourth, so you might be mistaken, but this is a very young category.
　Aerial-san is forty-two years old this year, but this is an industry where some of the active brave men are older than him.

　If I say that out of the top ten parties, she and Fenix are the only two twenty-something courageous people, can you tell how great it is?
　Moreover, Fenix has only been ranked fourth for two years, but she's been ranked in the top ten ever since she entered the top ten at eighteen. And now she's ranked third.

　She has tanned, healthy skin and a well-developed body. Her hair is gray, and this may be surprising, but it's groomed. But of course, or rather, she doesn't do it. It's a well-known story that a party member is in charge of taking care of the troublesome Helu.

　Her pale bluish gray eyes are full of life force, and her appearance conveys that she is not just a man.

Miss!　I mean, no, it's not like I'm goofy to a man!

　A woman from the same party [Fist Fighter] hugs Helu's belly and pulls her away from me.

''There's a man and a woman? I like a strong guy.

Wow, I'm strong too!

I know.

　When Ms. Helu pats you on the head, the women swoon and relax from their bodies.
　The third place party is also famous for being all women.

I agree with you, Helu-san has some good things to say. I agree with you, it's all about strength.

　I didn't recognize the boy who stepped forward in front of me.
　Neither does the faceless girl behind him.

'It's nice to meet you, Leme. I'm Lace. I'm the one your uncle called you. For what it's worth, I need you to be my friend.

　A boy ... a beautiful boy, about ten years old, told me to be my property.

''Hmm........?''

　How did this happen--.

　◇

　It was an email from Aerial that got me started.

　It's so widespread that it's a necessity for all adventurers.
　For adventurers who travel around the world, the only fixed contact is an email address.

　You need a terminal and an environment to connect to the internet, but you can keep in touch with them.
　This is a personal address, so you can keep in touch with them even if you leave the party or your adventurer registration is cancelled.
　My address hasn't changed, so it's not surprising that I receive emails from former acquaintances.

　Recently, I've been getting a lot of mail from Nikola-san. When I was on a business trip, I received a number of emails a day from Mira.
　And the rest........well, maybe Fenix. Not as much as when I left the party, but they would occasionally send me a call.
　He had a terminal at his mentor's house, but he didn't have an address for his mentor, who tried not to get involved with people. I'm sure he once had one, but I don't know it....
　That's why I'm contacting him by letter.

　And here's an email from Aerial-san.
　He's in the town where the Demon King's Castle is located again, so he wants to meet up with me if I'm still there.

'He's already here. Well, I've got to coordinate with other parties and all that.

　The Demon King's Castle has a terminal in each room of the dormitory. Isn't the treatment a little too good?
　As I read the email, I heard that there's someone I'd like to introduce to you.
　I'm flattered that you invited me to join you. I'll be able to make time for you after work.

"Who's that?

　Mila looked at the screen from behind me.

'Oh, it's Mr. Aerial,'

Well, from first place. He's good, isn't he? His commentary on the tournament was great. This time I'm the enemy.

Haha, yeah. I heard they're already in town.

'That's true. It is said that when a famous party comes to visit, people from other cities gather to see it. With that group of people in the Demon King's Castle raid battle, it's going to be a big deal.

The economy and all that, right?

　Just because a sighting is posted on the internet, it can get a lot of passionate fans to move on.
　It seems that there were a number of people like that in Phoenix. I mean, there are.

　It seems that this time they're going to make an official announcement, so it's going to be terrible.
　.........I'm sure they did a lot of fundraising and rooting around for that as well, it's a plan that Mr. Ferro seems to have thought of.

"So, you're inviting me to dinner?

Well, sort of. It also says there's someone I want you to meet.

''........I see. Is it a woman?

　A cold air mixed with Mila's voice.

'No no I don't think it's that kind of thing. I've seen you with Mira-san before.

　

''Hmmm.......when will the misunderstanding really happen?

　With a pop, Mira-san put her hands gently on my shoulders.

'Let me know when you decide on a date. We'll have to make dinner for one person that day.

Well do you want to come, Mira?

'Thank you. But I won't.

　Mira is concerned that she is a vampire. That she is a vampire, and that she walks with the adventurer Reme.
　Normally I would disguise myself, but Aerial-san saw through it.
　If there were other adventurers...............

''Well I wouldn't mind. I even teamed up with Verito in the tournament.

If you introduce me as your girlfriend, I'll join you.

'Uh....'

Just kidding. It's my side of the story.

Really...?

Yes, sir.

　What a conversation, and then the day.

　When I went to the bar where we were to meet up, I found not only Aerial-san, but also Helu-san's party, the Fifth Place Party, and a beautiful boy.
　And now.

"I watched the tournament. It was very interesting. Beating the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's Castle is pretty cool.

Thank you ... thank you. Um, Mr. Wraith?

　With a twitch, the boy's eyebrows wavered.
　Dark blue hair and eyes like the deep sea. A remnant of youth, or rather, the face and body of an actual ten-year-old. But I guess I'm much more blessed than average.

　Also, the tremendous performance of the magic organ that you can tell just by facing it.
　Normally they would hide it, but he doesn't seem to have any intention of doing so.

''.........heh, that's good (.......) It's very good. Do you respect a kid like me?

You're an adventurer, you're one of us.　I quit being a normal kid and I'm here, so it's no surprise.

　Age has nothing to do with the job.
　If you're here as an adventurer, you should treat it as such.

"I like it better and better.

Huh... so, you know, you were saying.

You're... no, you're an independent, aren't you?

Yes.

Come join my party. You know, I'm a [Lake Brave]. Leme, you're strong. That's why you're qualified. Do you want to be the strongest with me?