Oh, sorry to disturb you. I'm Lily, the [hunter], and I'm an adventurer.

Well, welcome to the club. My name is Mira. I'm a [vampire] and others at the Demon King's Castle.

　An elf beauty who looks somewhat awkward and a vampire beauty with a big smile on her face.

''Heh, so this is where Reme lives, huh?

　Fenix, you're not just drinking and enjoying your visit.
　You're not feeling the pressure from Mira.

　This is my room in the dormitory.
　Mila-san, who has become a half roommate of mine, is welcoming Lily and Fenix to the situation.

　Ah, how did this happen.....
　I remembered the conversation I had with Mira-san when I told her about meeting with them.

'You're going to meet Fenix and Lily?
'Yeah, see, we've talked about this before. The whole "borrowing powers as a demon" thing.

"Yes, that's... yes. Um, Leme-san?
Hmm?

'That means you'll be devoting some of your non-working time to your old buddies, Leme, right?
'...?　Yeah, I guess so.

"But, Leme-san. I think we were talking about me and Reme-san's outing after the raiding battle is over.
Yeah, that's right.

'Of course meetings are important. I think I understand the importance of it, don't I?　But, in other words, you are using your private time for your former companions, Leme. Normally, that would be fine. Reme-san's time belongs to him.
"Uh-huh.

'What I'm wondering about here is that some of Leme's time is reserved for me as a reward,'
Yeah, I guess.

'So, what did those two do to Leme-san?　Does that mean that there was enough contribution to break into the prior commitment...?''
'Well..... Maybe I understand what you're saying, Mira, I guess. But I can't stop seeing you.

"Yes, sir. I'm aware of that. If you don't think I'm bothering you, Leme, I have a suggestion.
I don't think so.

"....!　Oh, thank you. So, you know, I wish I could join you in that situation.'
'Oh, that kind of.... Yeah, I don't think either of them would say no.'

'Would it be a problem for you to locate it here?
''But it's the Demon King's Army's dormitory, right?　I don't know if the adventurers are allowed in there.'

"Are you an adventurer, Leme?
''Indeed......... Well, if we meet up somewhere and I use magic from there, they won't know.......

"May I ask that you do so?
'Yeah, I'll tell you. But why again?

You're living a proper, full life after leaving the party,' he said. It's kind of selfish of me.'
"Oh, I see. Okay.

　-- and, well, that's about it.
　I don't think Mira's words were false, but I got the impression that she had a purpose for inviting Fenix and Lily to her house, and the logic was kneaded to fit the purpose.

　I met Fenix once after the tenth layer, but that was it.
　The only time he had fought with other companions was as Carmilla.

''At any rate, once you two are up.

　So, now.

Yes, please come up.

　With Mila leading the way, we proceeded to the living room.

'And yet, Reme, you could have told me if you're making progress this far.

　For some reason, Fenix speaks to me in a whisper.

'What?　What are you talking about?

You live with Mira, don't you?

''I didn't, and even if I did, why would I tell you that?''

　I really haven't. We're only living together half the time, now. Maybe. Probably.

'In general, I don't think it's so crazy to talk to your good friends about your love life.

'I haven't heard anything about love from you, but I guess we didn't get along.

　Fenix is in love with whoever!　And it's quickly in the news and, well, it's usually a lie or misunderstanding. But Fenix is going to be quite popular. After all, he's a Fenix.
　But we never talked about it, and we never asked people about it.

　Until recently.
　These days, Fenix is clearly on the upswing.
　I wonder if he's so happy that his non-friendly best friend has a woman who is also non-friendly that he's close to her.

'I'm just talking in general, so yeah. It might not apply to us.

Maybe.

　At any rate, this will keep them quiet for a while.
　Well, me and Fenix are good. Regardless of the topic, we are kindred spirits.

'I heard that Lily-san is going to fight as a demon.

Yes. There's someone who really wants to fight, and he's turning to Leme...

That's right. --By the way, I wonder how you came to rely on Reme-san.

'What...?　You know, as someone who was in the same party, right? I had the opportunity to learn before that Reme is a member of the Demon King's Army Staff...

　The opportunity to know was when we saw them off to their new city after fighting off the Fenix Party.
　With that plan, which was led by Mira-san, he summoned his demon friends with the ring when he saw them off.

''Oh, but if I remember correctly - and I'm a fan of Reme-san, so I've been checking out her every move - didn't Reme-san get kicked out of the Fenix Party?

Ugh.....

'Even if you are certain that the warrior [Alba] led the charge, were there any objections from the other three of you?　Of course you got out, right?

The only objection is, you know, the Fenix.

So the other two were in favor of expulsion. Is that what you're saying?

''I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't realize what Reme was capable of at that point.

You're the guy I was supposed to be fighting with?

　Mira's tone of voice is gentle. But I can sense something spiky in his words.
　Fenix tries to say something, but in this case, he's not the right person for the job.
　I control my best friend with my hand and open my mouth.

'Mi, Mila. As I told you before, I was the reason why I tried to hide it in the first place.

　Lily has shrunk.
　I try to quiet Mira-san softly, but--''Leme-san, that's the logic.

'Reme-san, that's logic. I'm talking about feelings.

　If you're a fan, it's always hard to feel sorry for someone you're rooting for, when they've been treated coldly at a party and kicked out, no matter what the reason.
　It's hard to have peace of mind when the one who kicked you out relies on the one who kicked you out, isn't it?
　It is natural to resent the fact that this is too convenient.

　But I can't leave Lily, who has become my friend, tormented by self-loathing again....
　If Mila-san is going to talk about her feelings--''

''I'm glad you feel that way, Mira-san. But I don't want you to talk too much about the last time you left the party like it was a 'bad thing'.

...Leme?

Because I left at that point in time so I could see Mira-san again.

I'm not sure...

　Also, I was able to meet Kash because I was kicked out of this town, at that point in time.
　And I became friends with the fruit vendor Blitz.
　And I became friends with everyone in the Demon Lord's Army.
　I was able to get to know everyone in the Beginner's Dungeon of the Beginning.
　I also got to play in a tag team tournament with [Ginrei no Brave] Nikola-san.

"The encounters and experiences I've had since leaving the party have been very happy and warm for me. It was hard at the time, but I'm glad I did it now. If you feel the same way, Mila, then I'm glad to have you in my life.

I think so.

　The anger that had been leaking out of Mira's insides blew away without a trace and all there was was joy.

'What would you like to drink, Miss Lily and Mr. Fenix?'

　Apparently, the issue of feelings has been resolved.
　Lilly looks confused.
　Fenix is grinning.

　By the way, Fenix also received the same kind of words as before when he first met with Mila-san, but Fenix apologizing too straightforwardly drained Mila-san's venom from her...what a result.
　Such is Fenix, but since Mira-san almost opened her mouth just as she was heading to the kitchen, I'll glare at her.

''Don't say anything.''

　Even though it was all genuine, it was embarrassing to utter a line like that in front of my friends and best friend to the point that my face was on fire.

''Um....Reme.

　I'm pulled by the arm. It's Lily.
　She puts her face in my ear. Due to the height difference, Lily stands on her toes. It's still not enough, so I bend my knees to accommodate her, too.

'Thank you.'

　Apparently, he thought he was sheltering from Mira.
　The breath on my eardrums tickled somehow.

　Just then, something rips through that small space, the gap between my ear and Lily's lips.
　With a whimper, something passes through.

'Oh, I'm sorry. It looked like a bug was flying around.

　I looked towards the direction of the sound and saw a knife of blood sticking out of the wall.

'Take a seat and wait for me, please?'

Yeah, I think so.

　There was a frizzy hair on the top of Lily's head, but I could see it fall down with a flop and powerlessness.

　 Rather than throwing it, it felt like it was ejected.
　As expected of a 【Blood Manipulator】. His ability to manipulate blood is outstanding.
　Although I didn't want him to exercise that in the living room.

　Lily sat down across from me, as if she didn't want to provoke Mira-san any further.
　Fenix thought for a moment and then sat next to Lily.
　He must have been torn for a moment between being next to each other by same s*x or next to each other by affiliation.

　Mila returned with a tray and smiled with satisfaction as she checked the empty seat - next to me - and smiled at me.
　Apparently, we all drew the correct answer.

'Thank you, Mira-san,'

It's okay. It's what I like to do.

　Tea is prepared for all of us.
　Mira sat down next to me.

'But, Leme,'

Yeah?

'The matter of the two of you being used for defence, is that all right?　Your competence will be fine, but won't you be worried about the coordination aspect?

　Currently, the Fenix Party has been busy helping out with training for the raiders, doing TV commentary and events planned by Mr. Ferro, the father of the Demon King.
　I've decided to take a break from dungeon crawling at this time to do more magazine interviews, commercial appearances, and other tasks that I'd normally only selectively take on.

　Aside from working with me, it would be difficult to work with my subordinates. It's not like I can't train at the Demon King's Castle.

The only thing you need to know is that you have to talk about it. This time, the two of you will be working separately. We can't summon them both at the same time. Let's assume that Lily will do what she wants and put it on Suri-san.

'Yes, sir. Thank you again. I will definitely beat him and help him win.

　Lily has a feeling that her countryman, Suri, is hiding his race and continuing to fight him.
　She decided to summon Lily, who wanted to fight with him, as a demon this time.

''Fenix is--''

Yeah, I know. It's him against me.

　Fenix nodded with a smile.
　Mila's eyebrows twitched and wavered.

''S, as expected of a good friend. Is it true that one look is all it takes to send a message?

From my point of view, you're the one I'm envious of. You don't rely on the accumulation of time, you have a strong bond with Leme.

Well, no.

　Mila-san is in a good mood in an instant.

　........This guy seems to have already learned how to treat Mira-san.
　As expected of the strongest of mankind. His ability to adapt is tremendous.
　Lily is beside me with a "I see" look on her face.

'But then again, the raids have been pretty exciting.

'It's a raid fight while there's still public interest in the fact that it's a dungeon that beat your place. And of course, the content is a big reason why.

　It's difficult to be in a world where if you have a good content, that's not enough to make you popular.
　It's not unusual for a party to have double-digit views, even from my point of view as a competitor, to have a very interesting strategy.

　If it weren't for him, this event wouldn't have become such a sensational success.
　It may be that this is the venue, but now everyone is wondering where the attack will go.

　Some people may think that gathering popular parties will bring in the numbers, but the event has become much more than just a gathering.
　It's easy to understand that the more people who are not usually interested in this event are attracted to it.

　Come to think of it, Kash was also asked by his sister and younger siblings to 'secretly tell us the results'.
　I was asked the same thing when I showed up at Mr. Blitz's place.
　Kash seems to be keeping it firmly to himself, 'I have a shuhi-gium.

'I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but we have to annihilate them.

Will the [Fire Brave] betray mankind?

I will be the one to beat you.

　Ha, I laugh belligerently.

'Next time, I'll be the one who wins.

　'Huh,' said Fenix, smiling happily.

'Besides, I don't think it's a betrayal to lend a friend a helping hand.

　He said unapologetically.

''A ... embarrassing one.''

You're blushing, Leme.

No, no, no, no, no.

Leme's been doing this for a long time.

Can you explain that to me?

　Mila-san's eyes glittered with a quirky look.
　.........Come to think of it, my private information isn't really out in the world, so as a fan, is Fenix a treasure trove of information?

　Don't say anything, I control him with my gaze. 'It's called a "mind-blowing" thing.

''Well, for example, when I was seven--''

　You don't get it.
　Where's your sense of humor from before?

Uh, let's get to the point first.

　It's somewhat forced, but I proceed with the conversation.
　Mira was a little unhappy, but she didn't interrupt.

'Assuming they break through the eighth and ninth layers, how do we move forward? Well, this time it's just a matter of when to summon Fenix and Lily. I've talked to the person in charge about Lily, but I still think it's best to meet with her once.

Yes. So she agreed to it?

Yeah. "Interesting. 'Will the forest elves fall to the devil?' he said.

..........

And Pheonix. Your summons--I can do it...

　Fenix wasn't surprised.

'I knew you'd be able to handle it,'

　He says it as a matter of course when he says that he has secured enough magic power in a short period of time to summon the [Fire Brave].
　Well, I don't feel bad about being trusted, though.

''Naturally, I'll leave too.''

　Mira said.

'Uh-huh. 'Nice to meet you.'

I'm going to hand you a complete victory this time, aren't I?

I'm looking forward to it.

　Yes, Helu had returned to the raid fight with the right to revive.
　As I continued to talk, I thought back to the battles in the sixth and seventh tiers that had already ended.