I'd be lying if I said I didn't expect it at all.
　But it's just one of the possibilities. Or maybe it's for a reason like this, that's the extent of my thinking.

　When it's actually said, I'm still confused.

''Uh....''

　I look at Fenix.

　He's not saying anything. He's nodding quietly.
　No, say something. As you can see, I don't want you to just look at me like that.

''...............................You are not surprised?

　Lily said surprisingly. She's even a little more surprised by my reaction.

'Well, well, as long as Lily tells me she wants to talk to me at this time.

　She knows that I'm a member of the Demon King's Army Staff.

　If you're not in a hurry, she'll wait until the time is free. It's natural to think that there's a reason for this, since she asks for time when she will be extremely busy.
　I can't think of many reasons.

You can't even see the reasons?

'No, I mean, I can see it. We were friends and I know you're serious about it. I was even thinking that if it was related to Mr. Suri, maybe...

　Her brow twists at the name.

[Faceless Archer] Suri-san. It's the fifth-ranked Skaha Party's [Hunter].

''........That's right. But it shouldn't have been that often that you explicitly mentioned your dislike for him....................Lark seemed to have noticed it too, was it that obvious?

Everyone knows. Everyone knows he's an elf.

"--!　I noticed that much....

Well, yeah ... that's the part, you know, I guess I should know.

　Lily met us in the first town out of the forest and ended up becoming one of us.
　Later, when she found out about the Skaha Party, she blatantly expressed her dislike for Suri-san.
　I guess there's a reason for that, because I'm not the kind of person who hates people I don't know well, one way or the other.

　But since they were in the same party, there was no contact between her and Suri-san.
　And when she was in the forest, the only people she was involved with were the forest races. Suri-san's body is completely human from the neck down, so there's no such thing as a policeman.

　It's hard to imagine that anything happened between the time he left the forest and met us........
　If she doesn't like it, he must have done something, because if so, there's no need to hide it.

　Like, for example, Alba's foul-mouthedness, which she complained about every time.
　If she thinks it's a problem, she'll point it out.

　If that's the case, it's not that Suri is a criminal or has hurt her.
　I don't like her because she's probably an elf and she's disobeying the laws of the forest and pride, etc.
　They don't even talk to us because it's a race thing.

　It was something like that, we sometimes talked about among our friends.
　When I scratched out the fact that this was the case, she gave me a complicated look.

'So ... so ... everyone knew about it?

I expected it, at least.

You're not sure.

　Her cheeks were slightly reddened.
　I saw something unusual in Lily, who is usually so calm, blushing in shame.

　When she realized that me and Fenix's gaze was focused on her, she coughed deliberately.

''Cohon........ If it's that well known, then it's a quick story. ''Eh.''

　The tips of her long, pointed ears twitched and trembled.
　It would be kindness to let it slide smoothly here.

'You mean you want a place to fight him?

　When I confirm it, she nods her head in approval.
　She puffs her drink, as if to hide her face.

"I suppose I shouldn't hide it as long as I ask. I can't tolerate the way that man is.

　Lilly said.
　Lily and Suri are from the same town. To be more precise, her father taught him the bow.
　Mr. Suri left his hometown with no intention of spending his life in the forest.
　Apparently, he certainly had the pride of an elf in him at that time.

　A few years passed and Lily left the forest as well. At first, she had intended to travel.
　She decided on her future when she learned about the profession of an adventurer in her first city, and even more so when she met Fenix, who had made a contract with the main body of the fire spirit.
　Even though the journey was a journey, she chose to live her life as an adventurer, visiting dungeons around the country.

　And then she found it. A brother and son, if you will, who would carry on the teachings of his father.
　He hid his identity as an elf and registered his elven archery skills, the ultimate in speed, as "Godspeed".

　There are three people in the world who use "Godspeed". Lily and Suri-san. And one of Suri's party members.
　It's no wonder that the number of users is extremely small, considering that it was originally a divine technique that combined elven wind magic and archery.

''Over the past few years, the wind effect on elves has weakened. Still, he continues to pretend to be something he isn't.

　It was the precedent of Lily that created an air of acceptance for the existence of an elven adventurer.

　You might think it was only a few years. But how hard is it to survive for a few years when you were previously unrecognized in the industry?

　We're certainly lucky to have been able to work with Fenix.
　Even our party like that, when accepting her, there was a discussion on whether or not to hide her elf ears with her magic body (avatar).

　.........Well, it was only Alba who said to hide them, but that opinion was only natural considering the atmosphere at the time. Alba wants to gain popularity, so it's understandable that she would stop trying to walk down a thorny path all the way.

　There is always hardship for those who take the first step.
　A determination is required, like tearing through a wall of thorns that has no path and making it a path with your bare hands.
　Lily had that in mind.

　The foolish boy who wanted to be a hero even though he was a [Black Mage] did not want to deny it.

''S-........''

　Lily doesn't like the idea of hiding her race.
　I can understand her anger. It may not be the same as empathy, but after listening to her, I understand.

　At the same time, I understand Suri's decision to hide her race at the time. I mean, Lily is great, and the public eye is very important in a popular business.

　The main reason why I had to leave the party is because my popularity is so low.
　Well, in Lily's case, I guess she can't forgive her compatriots for being adventurers under the guise of their proud race.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to be doing.

　Fenix said.

　Adventurers are human (normal) favored in that setting.
　Elves have a history of non-interference during the Great War.
　They don't fit the setting of adventurers fighting alongside the brave.

　The feeling of discomfort created a sense of resistance, and there were not a few fans who developed a sense of dislike for it.

　Lily's beauty, the powerful skill of 'Divine Speed', the trust from the [Fire Brave], and most of all - her nobility that didn't waver in the face of any rumors.
　These were the things that moved people's hearts.

''What's important this time is not the individual, but the race. I intend to participate in this tournament as an elf on the demon side.

　I see.
　I will fight him as an elf and win as an elf.
　And in doing so, I think I will be able to tell him something.

　Actually, I had noticed something.
　After the Fenix Party came in fourth place and the Skaha Party dropped to fifth.
　Lily had been paying attention to their movements.

　She watched the video boards (TVs) set up in the tavern and cafeteria, devouring them if they showed up, and she read adventurer-related magazines when they were on the move.

　Surely, Lily wanted to prove that even elves could go up in the world. The race wanted to tell him that the ears, the beautiful golden hair and skin, the pride of being an elf didn't have to be hidden.

　But Mr. Suri kept his identity hidden.
　Lily didn't want to reveal his secret. She wants to change his perception of me, somehow.

　She feels so guilty about my withdrawal from the party that she relies on me for help.

'You and Pheonix's ideas saved my life once. If either of us had been on the side of cover, I would have given up on joining. You've allowed me to fight as I am, and I am grateful for that. Despite that debt of gratitude, I considered you to be a liability and voted to leave.

'No, those are separate stories. I don't have to overlook mistakes because I owe you a favor. I thought my decision was the shortest way to first place, and I failed to do so.

'No, Beulah was right. I should have known. In fact, I've had a sense of discomfort. That the arrows hit me more in the real world than in training. I'm sorry to tell you this, but I interpreted this to mean that I'm stronger in the real world. It was not difficult to convince myself of this, as I have always been rather like that.

　For example, it's difficult to prepare a moving target for Aruba's magic sword in practice. Even if you do, it's hardly a live target.

　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　In addition, I was using my own black magic so that I wouldn't notice it, so it's understandable that I wouldn't feel different.

　The same thing can be said of Lily, but she is originally a forest folk. She is an experienced hunter.
　It may be that her unconscious mind picked up that the process of shooting the target is slightly different between practice and the real thing.

I had some problems with my methods. I was so focused on winning that I was depriving my friends of the opportunity to grow.

Without that 'problem', where would we be today?　At least they couldn't get up to fourth place, could they?