The sixth layer, the realm of aquatic demons.

　A path of white sand is formed above the sea. It seemed to go on forever, but it also seemed to be cut off in the middle. We could see the maze-like areas and branching paths.

　Mira-san and I were each visiting the sixth level in a demonic state.
　By the way, it's possible to transfer to the deepest part of each layer, where the floor bosses are waiting, using the recording stone.

　However, that would require the permission of the floor boss in charge.
　I gave permission to the friends who had helped me defend the tenth layer in the past.
　Naturally, there has never been an opportunity to ask Wepal-san, with whom we have little contact, for permission to transfer to the deepest part of the room.

　We shifted to the previous room, and from there we headed to the deepest part on foot.

''Since I have permission, it would have been better if we transferred together.

'Umm, Mr. Wepal gave permission for Mira, didn't he?　I don't think it's a good idea for me to go along with it.

That's just like you, Leme.

　She loosened her mouth softly, as if she could have expected it.

''Nevertheless, your decision to bring me here is very correct. As expected of the Demon King's Army Counselor.''

'Yeah, I guess. Is he that difficult?

　Mira-san is somewhat confident.

　Certainly Wepal-san wears an unapproachable vibe...or not.
　Everyone is interested in human counsellors, big or small. Whether it's a good feeling or a bad feeling, I can see that they care about what kind of guy he is.

　The only person who didn't have that was Fulkus, whose response was normal except for food-related matters. Although he's a sword master now, and we're good friends who were sent to other dungeons together.
　The first time we met - it was during my Demon King's Army interview - we were sleeping.

　Wepal-san is different from the norm. I guess you could say she's not very interested in it.

'No, she's an interesting person. It's just that she's less excited when she's not in front of something she likes.

'Oh, I see.'

　I think I understand. 【Holy Knight】 Lark is the type of person who is obsessed with his equipment, and he always gets more excited than usual when he goes to look at the weapon and armor store. 【Hunters】 Lily is always resolute, but she's more talkative than usual when taking on the dungeons of the forest stage.
　Even a normally calm person can become energized as if a switch was flipped.

''Next, right.''

Uh-huh.

　At a fork in the road, we turned right.

　The vantage point is good, so it doesn't seem so hard to figure out the right route.
　In fact, it's easy in a situation like the one we're in now.

　However, there are demon attacks in dungeon attacks. There is no time to slowly explore the right path.
　It's a good target to stand still, so you have no choice but to move.
　If you carelessly go down the wrong path, it's a dead end and you'll have no choice but to turn back... and that's often the case.

Leave it to me. I've already stocked up on items I think she'll like.

When did you...

'I wish I could say that this could happen but it's something you've prepared for another case.

I don't know if I'm allowed to use that today.

'It's fine. If I can help you, Leme.

Thank you.

It's a rewarding thought.


The fact that you are walking around with your buddies makes me wonder when this place became a date spot, and it was the Lord Chief of Staff and Miss Carmilla.


　The surface of the sea seemed to shake with a buzz, and then something slowly appeared.

　Something, or rather, he was the only one.　
　[Sea Monster] Forneus-san. He's a giant shark sub-beast. He's a soft-spoken gentleman who can communicate in human language. He is the floor boss equivalent, a rare monster.

　As soon as he comes out, we'll be covered with water all over. He seemed to add or subtract and come out, but even so, a great deal of water was flying.

''........I'm sorry about this. I thought I'd say hello to the Lord Chief of Staff........''

No, no problem. It's not every day we get to talk to you.

　It's a bit of a new thing, but I'll fix the remegaton tone.
　.................If you were listening to the conversation I had earlier, it might be pointless.

'Forneus, didn't you just need to show your face from a little further away?

　Mira is in a state of Carmilla. My cheeks feel a little red. Or maybe it's me, too.

"Please excuse me for repeating myself. I was just sleeping under it.

So it was we who interfered?

'No, no, it's just that, with a body like this, there's nothing else to do. Are you two here to see Master Wepal?

Yes, I do.

'Hmm, I see. Well, I won't apologize for hurling water at you, but I'll show you around.

I know the way.

Yes, sir. But this is the area just before the floor boss. It will take some time to follow the right path.

Well, yes. What do you suggest, Mr. Remeghton? If you take him up on his offer, it's a shortcut.

What do you mean by 'guide'?

　I asked, and Mr. Forneus laid his body down on the sandy road.

'Please get in,'

　So you're going to ride on his back and let him take you away.
　But there is a sandy path. That's in the way, so we'll have to go under somewhere, won't we?

Don't worry about it, Mr. Remeghton.

　Carmilla said and I stopped mulling it over.

'Then, please.'

I'd love to.

　We slowly get on Forneus' back.
　I grab the large dorsal fin and sit on his back.
　Carmilla holds onto my waist.

'Shall we go then?'

　With that, Forneus dove into the water.
　Our vision turned blue. But we didn't get any wetter, nor did the water enter our lungs any more.

''...I see.''

　It's a type of water magic. A kind of water magic. It's a small space around me and Carmilla where water cannot enter.
　I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of them.

"Remegeton-sama, there are mermaids swimming in the water.

　There were indeed two mermaids swimming in the direction that Carmilla pointed in.

'They are kind, but I don't really understand what the young ones are talking about.

　Mr. Forneus seems to be an old hand. Perhaps he was a subordinate of his master.
　Eventually, his body surfaced.
　There was a door at the end of the ocean, created in a box garden.

It's over there. I don't know if you are at sea.

Yes, I've got a bait to call you.

That's it.

Thank you, Forneus.

Yes, Mr. Remeghton. If you would be so inclined, please come again. Then we can talk about Master Lucifer.

"....!　I'll be back.

　That was my master's dungeon name as the Demon King.

　As for my horns, at first, I only knew the Demon King and the Four Heavenly Kings.
　Even after the defense of the tenth layer, the details were kept under wraps.
　But I had released my horns in a single battle with Nicola, and I had told the major demons before that delivery.
　He didn't say it was his master's horn, but Forneus-san had noticed it for some reason.

''We'll be waiting for you,''

　Mr. Fornæus narrowed his eyes and smiled, then disappeared into the sea.

'Master Remegeton?　That was.....

Yeah, I'll tell you later.

Very well. Let's go, we have a little mermaid to catch.