The raiding revival that is currently attracting a lot of attention from the public, but did you guys in the Fenix Party have any idea what to expect?

　It was an interview in a room at the inn. Was it something that would be published today in a magazine that dealt with adventurer information?

If you're interested in talking to me, once.

　As I replied, the bespectacled reporter's eyes lit up.

'Hoho!　But given the current situation, does that mean they declined?

"We failed to capture the Demon King's Castle once, sir.

It's an accomplishment, considering that the seventh layer is the highest point in human history. It's a record-breaking achievement.

　In the past, adventurers have a record of reaching the seventh level of the Demon King's Castle.
　However, the tier information will be updated when the floor bosses change.
　The introduction of each floor of the Demon King's Castle will be published on the website for the amount of floors that have been conquered.

　Before our attack, only the third level was revealed up to the third level.
　It means that the floor bosses below the fourth level have changed. It's the same up to the third layer, just that other adventurers have reached it.

　In other words, the demons that were the gatekeepers to the next level were different in the past and present. The same will be true for those under their command. Some may remain, but many of them have left or are new to the group.
　I don't believe that because they broke the record, they are better than the adventurers before them.

''It was an attack that made me realize my lack of strength. I still want to capture the Demon King's Castle with this party.''

'I see. So what are your thoughts on the party participating in the raid attack?

"As for the 'Hero of the Lake' Lord Wraith and his companions, I can't say for sure, as I don't know them, but I think they are all wonderfully talented people.

As for the multiple party dungeon diving thing?

The Demon King's Castle is probably the most difficult dungeon to capture. In fact, each tier of the dungeon has its own characteristics, so I think it's useful to have a variety of positions (jobs) available. Just because we have chosen to attack by party doesn't mean we think it's the right thing to do.

'The popular opinion seems to be that the adventurer's side will win...'

　In the past, when Reme's mentor was the Demon King, he once annihilated several parties, including the still-young [Storm Hero] Aerial-san, in the first layer.
　It's a famous story among adventurer fans, but the 'world' in this case probably includes the light class and even those who are usually not interested in dungeon conquest.
　The members are the members. It's natural to think so.

I hope they win.

This time, the second place party is also not attending, but is this for the same reason?

The question is for them.

I'm sorry, yes. Now, next, I'll tell you what, you're all in town now--

　And so the interview continued and ended without a problem.

The interview ended without a hitch. You know, interviews at parties, they only ask questions about the feniks, don't they need us?

'After you take a picture or something, well, it's almost like leaving it alone. Some people are better at that than others.

If you're getting paid to do nothing, I think it's a good job.

　【Warrior】Alba, 【Holy Knight】Lark, and 【Ice Hero】Bella speak their minds.

''Well then, let's go.''

'Yes. Are you sure Fenix and Lily aren't coming over?

　Lily and I nodded at Lark's question.

　We were currently in the city where the Demon King's Castle was located.
　That's because we received a call from the raid war members.
　They are also serious about attacking the Demon King's Castle.
　They wanted to hear from those with experience.

　Of course, they were fierce veterans of previous battles. They wouldn't rely on me unilaterally.
　If it's someone like them, they can see that Alba and the others' movements have changed since the departure of Leme.
　In other words, they are teaching, or training, or hand-to-hand with each other in order to become stronger.
　Mr. Aerial has been active in training the younger generation, but he is also active. This kind of opportunity remains valuable. Moreover, this time there were third and fifth place winners.

''Yes, I have an appointment to meet with someone.

'Oh?　Could a man do that?

And even if you did, it's none of your business.

I don't know, I don't care.

Maybe Lily doesn't want to see Mr. Suri in part because she doesn't want to see him?

''The [Faceless Shooter], was it? Did something happen with Lily-senpai?

There's nothing here, Beulah.

　Lily smiles at Béla, but glares at Lark as if to check him out.

'So, where's Fenix?'

I'm the same way. And ... if it's training, I'm loaded.

'Who's been sneaking around by himself lately?　I'm curious.

I'll reveal it to you. I'll reveal it to you when it's done.

　We split up at the inn and headed to our destination, each of us wearing a disguise - though Lily and I only wore our hoods deep into our eyes - as we headed to our destination.

No one seemed to expect me and Pheonix to meet the same person.

I suppose it's because they all had an idea of who I was going to meet.

　This is the city where the Demon King's Castle is located.
　The Demon King's army chief of staff, Remegeton, is [Black Mage] Reme.

　He came to see us off on our way to another city after the battle in which we were defeated.
　There, he used the ring to call his subordinates and put on his mask.
　They revealed themselves to us with the words that they would be annihilated again next time.

　Me and Beulah were aware of it, but that's where the other three of us found out about Remegeton's identity.
　So if I said I was going to meet someone in this city, they thought, "Oh, Reme.
　There's no reason for Lily to go along with it, though, so she thought it was a separate affair.

'So where's Leme?'

Yeah, it's a bar. I know where it is.

　This is where I went with Reme the night before the tenth layer challenge.
　We headed to our destination, choosing a road with few people on it.

''Ugh.''

　I heard a small voice say. I felt it.

'Fenix?'

You'll have to wait here for me.

'No, that was the voice, wasn't it?　Let's go together.

　Lily smiles softly behind her hood.

'Oh, let's go then,'

　What you just heard is a child's voice. I used to hear them a long time ago. It mainly emanated from me.

　The voice that comes out of the mouth of a bullied child when he is grabbed, pushed and poked in the chest.
　Of course, if I'm overthinking it, that's fine. That's fine.

　But if it's what I'm thinking, I can't ignore it.
　I make a few turns in the aisle and discover it.
　But things were different than I'd imagined.

'I don't like it, you know, those little fish pretending to be followers of power.

　A thin line boy, probably the victim, is looking up at it with a vague look on his face.
　His clothes are wrinkled at the chest, indicating that he had been grabbed earlier.
　The one floating in the air is probably the assailant.
　While confused and panicked, the purse that seems to have been taken away was in his hand.

　And a third party. The one laughing with the assailant in the air.

　I've seen it on the video board (TV) recently.
　It was the [Brave Man of the Lake] Wraith.