......

　I was alone in the empty video room with my fists clenched.
　That was the moment I witnessed Ms. Helu's exit.

　As an adventurer, I have great respect for her.
　But right now I'm a staff member of the Demon King's Army. My friends are demons.

　Most of all, the one who just now made the third-ranked world-ranked 【Brave Man】 exit is - Carmilla.
　It would be better to call her Mira-san.
　To me, she's my benefactor, friend, companion, subordinate and rival.

　I'm happy to say that this is the same person who beat one of the strongest men in humanity.
　I'm so happy for him.

　If Hel-san was in perfect condition and it was just a one-on-one battle, the outcome would have been different again, but this was a dungeon attack.
　As she herself said, if the game was won, then there was only one thing left to do: win or lose.

　I don't know how Mila feels about the result of a draw, but at least I think it's very, very awesome.

　The sub-beast manipulation of leeches that weakened the adventurers, who are extremely troublesome when fighting head-on, through intrigue.
　And the splendid battle that was fought with the [Demon Sword Hero] while keeping other adventurers in check with the blood they collected.
　It could be said that it was an activity that lived up to the name of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's Army.

''But with this, there are only ten adventurers left...''

　Resurrection rights are granted for every two floor bosses defeated, so it's one for now.
　If I were to use it, the leading candidate would be Helu.

　However, even if we attack the tenth layer from here on out unscathed, only a total of five people can be resurrected.
　Since we're already missing seven people, there will be at least two people who 'can't fight anymore in this raid battle'.
　.........Well, it's no use thinking about it too much.

　No matter who is revived, they will be annihilated. We won't allow anyone to completely capture the Demon King's Castle.
　That's our job.

　Suddenly, I can hear something like an earth-shaking sound from a distance.
　No, is it getting closer?

　The thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud.
　And then it stopped right in front of the door to the video room.

　--Has someone come running in a hurry?

　I put on the mask I had removed and quietly approach the door.
　I realize who is on the other side of the door through my magical reaction.

　But why is it stopping? You should just come in.
　With that in mind, I slowly open the door.

　Then I see Carmilla in her demon costume but in the flesh, with her mask off and her hair in place.
　Our eyes meet.

''Le, Leme........Geton-sama.''

Oh, oh.

　Her cheeks flush when she sees me running a hand comb through my hair.
　I don't know what to say, but I say what pops into my head anyway.

'That was a great fight,'

"....!　Oh, thank you very much!

　Poof, her face lights up.

'Is there anyone else in the room?'

No, just me.

May I come in?

Oh, yeah, no problem.

　I invite her into the video room. It's not my room, but it's not my room.

'Hmm, you've been watching this for a long time, haven't you?

It's kind of a halfway house hobby.

Oh, so you're rooting for the adventurers then?

He's not a member of the Demon Lord's army.

Just kidding.

　It's always Mira.
　With no one else around, I take off my mask. I'm getting used to the remegeton tone, but I'm still comfortable with the usual stuff.

'So, what's up?　It sounds like you were in a big hurry.

Yeah, well, I was just wondering if Leme was in there.

　Carmilla turned back to Mira.

'Oh, I see.'

But when I woke up in my cocoon, this is how my body was running, I guess you could say...

　I think I kind of understand how Mila felt about it, to me.
　However, I don't say it because I think it would be too self-conscious to say it myself.

　Mila-san intertwines the fingers of her hands together and spins her words with a tendency to look down.

''I'm sure ... maybe I wanted to be the first to report to Reme. And, if possible, to share my joy. I'm sure that's what he thought.

　After the Fenics, I wrote a letter to my mentor before my parents did.
　It was my mentor who trained me to be so good at something, and who let me take over the corner.

　Like a child who is good at something and runs up to his parents.
　Sometimes you have someone who wants to tell you right away about an experience that is important to them.

　In this fight, for her, that was me.
　I was honored for that...and it was kind of exciting.

'Thank you. It was truly amazing and I couldn't help but clench my fists during the fight with Helu.

''........Hmmm, thank you. Thanks to Leme.

Me?　I didn't do anything, Mira, you're good at it.

No, I wouldn't be here today if I hadn't met you, Leme. If I hadn't met you two years ago, I would have spent my entire life in despair at my former employer, never to see the light of day. I would have just spent my days in despair at my former employer, never to see the light of day.

..........

　She hadn't been properly evaluated for her abilities at her previous place of employment and had been treated coldly.
　After only two years, she had risen to the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's Army and became the floor boss who had eliminated four people in a raid battle.

　Just because she couldn't succeed in one place, it never meant that she was incompetent.
　I was very happy, including the fact that Mira-san was given a place to be rewarded for her efforts.

That being said, I'm here because I got to meet Mila, too.

That's what I was hoping Leme would say.

　Mira smiled modestly.

'I told you before that we were rivals.

"!　Yes, sir.

　Her face tensed up.
　This time it was me, and I smiled.

'After seeing the attack this time, I thought again. Besides, I was in a hurry. I'm a floor boss and a demon, I can't afford to lose.

''~~~~!

　The words seemed to please her.
　She shuddered, then broke into a beautiful face. There are drops of tears at the corners of her eyes.

''Thank you........ I tried my best.

Yes.

I knew Leme was a great guy, but I didn't want to just look up at him.

I understand. Some people don't like to lose, too.

　There is definitely a part of me that was able to do my best because of Fenix.
　You are not the only one who can pull yourself up by your bootstraps. I think there are some efforts that are made possible by having someone clear.

'Are you a fenix?'

　

''Uh-huh,''

''Well apparently my days of hard work are still ahead of me.

No, no, no. He's, you know, he's been around since he was a kid.

'It's okay, Leme. This is my problem.

Uh....

　If Mira's motivation is increased, then it's a good thing, in the end, maybe it's a good thing.
　Yeah, let's just put it that way.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more. Reme-san, I just thought of something.

Hmm?

I have promised my men that if they kill a bunch of adventurers, they will be rewarded.

''Yes....Oh, come to think of it, their morale was unusually high...''

'It helped in the end, and I'm trying to reward that.

　It goes without saying that while the direct dispatchers didn't defeat the adventurers, their combat helped a lot.
　By making them more aware of the battle, it made it harder for them to notice the leeches.
　Besides, Hagenty-san had taken Helu's right arm away. It can be called a great battle result.

'Oh, he'll be very pleased.

That's the problem, sir.

　I wonder if that's true.

'Could it be that they demand some kind of weird reward like this...?

No, it's fine, I'll just say no to the ones I don't like.

　Strong. That's my girl.

"My men will be delighted to see my reward. But, please, Mr. Leme.

Uh-huh.

　I gulp and gulp somewhat.

'I tried my best too,'

"...?　Yeah.

　Gulp, Mira-san came face to face with me.

'I think I did my best,'

Yeah, it was great.

　Didn't we have a similar exchange earlier?
　Or is it a different story just because it seems so?

'Can't someone please give me a hard time?

　Mira-san glances at me, glancing at me.
　Finally, I understand what she's saying.

"Oh, ah...!　Okay, yeah. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

　Ever since we met, I've been the one who has been taking care of me from work to everyday life.
　It's not a reward, but I'm going to congratulate you.

　Mila-san smiled, but tilted her head without saying anything.
　Ah, that......... Did I make a mistake?
　We are in the form of staring at each other for a while.

　

　If there's something you want, I think it would be more helpful to have her tell you, but relationships don't turn out well by reason alone.

''Well ... umm ...''

　Mira's eyes begin to twinkle at me as I begin to worry.
　For now, it seems that it's not wrong for me to make a suggestion.

"Blood, for example. Do you want to drink it?　My. I mean, you said it was good and...

　In the middle of saying it, I could see Mira-san's expression becoming more and more grim.

''Indeed, Reme's blood is delicious. It's probably the best taste on earth. But it's not just a matter of sucking it.

Oh, I see...

　Well, I can't help it, because I thought that was kind of weird.
　Or rather, I will have to admit that I've had enough.

　Mira-san likes Reme.

　She doesn't hide it, but she respects my intentions.
　I need to acknowledge that, and then think about the things that would make her happy, in order to arrive at the right answer this time.

　I've led a life that has had little to do with people liking me, so it's very difficult for me to admit that to myself.

Maybe it's not exactly a reward.

Yes, sir.

　I was very nervous to say those words.

Let me celebrate.

Yay.

　Mila says my words as she rolls them out of her mouth.

"Yes. "You know, if you want to go out, we can go somewhere. I'm sorry, I don't have a concrete plan right now, but-- I'm sorry, I don't have a concrete plan in mind right away, but...

　Mila's thin fingers brush against my lips. I don't need more than that.

'Yes, by all means,'

　Her smile is so beautiful that I freeze.
　It looks like I've managed to pull off the right answer.

The best reward. It's worth it to make the adventurers' bloodbaths worth it.

　A beautiful woman with the best smile and the most boisterous things to say.
　I let out a huff of exhaustion as I feel as if I've done my job.

But you're okay with it?　We're competitors, aren't we?　Like a reward or something not 'like'.

Then bless you as a friend.

Ha-ha, I see.

'Oh, and Leme. One more thing, may I be selfish?

Yeah, you can say anything you want.

　Her hands are around my neck and her lips are drawn to my ear.
　Her scent tickles my nostrils, and I can feel the heat of it. Her breath catches my ear.

'After we enjoy our date, if it's okay with you, Leme, let me suck your blood.

　........I see.

　The act of bloodsucking is not just something that is good enough to have.
　It seems to be her idea that it is an extension of a good time, or something that leads to a conclusion.

''No.........?''

　Yeah, I don't think I've heard that in a long time.
　So I'm going to say this for the first time in a long time.

"It's not a bad idea.