[Balance of Justice] Astraea-san.
　One of the thirteen knight commanders, and a [Brave] holder.

　He has beautiful golden hair and good looks that give a crisp impression, and he is a fierce competitor who fought a fierce battle against us, the Wraith Party, and the Fenix Party in the preliminary round just now.

　The Dragon King] Volak-san.
　The Four Heavenly Kings of the "Devil's Castle of the West" and a true world champion of different types of martial arts.

　She is a woman who inherits some of the characteristics of a dragonman, and we also bumped into her in the preliminary round. Honestly, in a fight with her, it wasn't surprising that one of my companions could have left the ring.

　She seems to be an acquaintance of my sword master, Fourcas-san, and her long black hair is a contrast to Fourcas-san................

''........I remember that I was the first one to call out to Reme-dono?''

I've gotten tired of waiting. I'm not gonna wait around for him to show up in front of me.

...crude.

"Hard knight.

　The air between the two of them gets worse and worse.

''Haha, Leme, you're very popular!''

　Lace-kun, I don't think it's a laughing matter.......

''Indeed, there were many women around Leme-san during the original dungeon attack........''

　Mr. Joss?　You were there and even Ex-san and Arthur-san were there.



　Melania hides behind Joss-kun as if embarrassed, but unfortunately, she's half Cyclops so it's greatly out of his back.
　Also, she's not a motormouth, so she's mistaken.

''I'm ... hungry.''

　Fran doesn't seem to be interested.

'Well, you see, if it were me, I'd listen to both sides of the story.

No, Leme, it's the turn. So let's do this, ladies!

　He flicked a coin in front of them as they turned to me at the sound of Lace-kun's voice.
　He dexterously stops it by covering his hand with a snap on the back of his own hand.

　Ah, so now you're going to listen to the one who guessed the two sides of the coin first.
　But that strategy fails.

"Heads

　Because they both said at the same time.

''I'm sorry Reme. I forgot that with these two's kinetic vision, you can follow the movement of a coin with your eyes.

'Oh, uh, yeah...'

　I know, but I'm proud of it.

So, I'm not gonna dress it up, but I'll do it this way.

　Wraith-kun turned away and turned around and was in the same state as he had just received the coin.

'I see, Lord Wraith, you've thought about it.

Yeah, if you can't see the coin, you're just lucky.

　So you did the same thing by leaving out the process of flipping a coin.
　Mr. Lace doesn't have to think about injustice because he has no reason to put his shoulder to either of them.

The "table

"Ha, you're a knight in shining armor. I'm good in the back.

Okay, let's go. Oh, back here.

..........

"You see, knight-sama!

We'll play by the rules. I'll step back a bit.

d*mn it, it's frustrating. All right, then, Leme.

Yes, sir.

　Volak-san's face comes closer and my body lowers with it. It's good that he's staring at me, but it's not good that our lips are within touching distance.
　Eventually my back hits the wall and there is no escape.

''You--fuu no nana...!

What?

'What?　No, I'm not. I saw the tag team tournament. That guy.... that guy, he doesn't take his armor off in a fight unless he likes it!

I'm not sure...

　That was a surprise to me at the time, too.

　Fulkus-san didn't take off his armor even during the Fenix Party battle.
　No, the armor was boarded for strengthening in the first place, so there was nothing strange about it.

　I convinced him that he was fighting out of his armor in the raid battle, though, so I convinced him that that was part of his tactic.

'If it's for Lou-san, I don't understand, okay?　But, you know, he doesn't like his name or his look very much. That fight was clearly enjoyed by the guy himself!　You're not a stranger to me.

　It's not hard to think of something.

　Come to think of it, the first time I met you at the Demon King's Castle, you were wearing armor.
　I wonder if he had any resistance to exposing himself in front of me, as I didn't even know if he was going to be my friend.

　In fact, I participated in the welcome party after I became a member of the General Staff, wearing a flesh-and-blood outfit.
　Besides, I had heard before that Fulkus-san doesn't like her real name.

Why don't you ask Fourcas-dono directly?

'Oh!　If I could do that, I would be doing it!　He won't see me.

　Mr. Volak looks sad.

'What happened?'

You have to be careful about what you say. I'm not going to be able to tell the difference. It's one thing to have a personal relationship with Mr. Lou, but it's another thing to have a personal relationship with him.

Well.....

'But he stayed because of his feelings for Mr. Lou. He didn't like that, so they had a big fight - and then he ignored me...

..........

Isn't that awful?　You're a stifling text message, and if you go directly to your dormitory, you'll ignore the cancer!

What's the big fight, by the way?

What?　We were young, and both of us had a couple of broken bones. Yeah, when I bent his horns, he cut off his tail.

Is that in the flesh?

I'm not going to have time to change my magic body (avatar) from an argument to a stegoro. Well, Lew's father was able to use white magic, so I was able to heal quickly.

　I guess that's the problem....
　Different species have different senses, so it's hard to say.

　The "No, you're going to die" kind of action for humans may be some kind of jousting or an ordeal for some races.

　I heard that the education that the demon king gave to his children in the olden days was something that resulted in children dying all the time.

　Even though this is the age of symbiosis, the gap between races cannot be bridged so easily.

　When I looked at Josu-kun, he nodded with a bitter face.
　Onion-like, it seems that fights like that are common.

　However, if Fulkas-san is angry, it doesn't seem to be a trivial matter.

''So!　Leme!　You know what surprised me?　After all, that guy even participated in the original dungeon attack!　And I'm talking about you too!　You, you, you, you-you, you-you-you are his-kyah, kyah, oh, shit!　He's your boyfriend, hey!

　Volak-san exclaimed, blushing in embarrassment.

''No, no...''

Really?　You don't get your kicks out of that kid's body and those monstrous tits of his that don't match, do you?　If I saw him licking around in that tight-fitting outfit he wears under his armor, or pecking his little corner on the bed, I'd...I'd...I'd have a guy like that...ha...ha.

　Perhaps noticing the eyes of the people around him, Volak-san comes to himself.

'Well, I know you ain't lying.

Well, that's good to hear.

And I know I didn't tell you the whole story.

....

　To what extent do you think they are aware of this?
　No, I'm talking about Volak-san, he must have sensed Fulkas-san's guidance in my poor sword, nevertheless.

　I was able to confirm from his reaction that he is not a lover, so I guess that's all right now.

'Oh, and later, Reme. No, wraith party. We lost today. If I have to have the next fight, I will win.

Next time, don't treat me like a child, okay?

　Lace-kun said, and Fran-san nodded quietly.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that you are strong, but hitting a kid is not a good feeling. There's nothing to do with strength or anything else. If you still want me to hit you in earnest - go ahead and do it.

　The expression disappeared from Volak-san and a tremendous fighting spirit was released.
　Wraith-kun laughed at the pressure that could make a normal person incontinent with that alone.

'Ha, that's good. I really hope that Volak-san will be able to advance to the main competition.

　When she saw that Lace-kun was unfazed, she laughed too.................and immediately fell into depression.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that it's not a good idea to have a good time. It's a good thing that you can't ignore me if you get hit in a match.

　Volak-san seems to be paying a lot of attention to his childhood friend, Frucas-san.

'I see we're done here.

Yeah, it's over, stiff-necked knight.

My name is Astraea.

I know.

　Mr. Volak left us with a fluttering wave.

We can talk, but can we move or walk around?

　Astraea nodded at Wraith-kun's suggestion that we should go.
　As the party members walked in front of us, Astrea-san and I proceeded side by side.

'By talk, I mean an invitation to work.

　Astraea-san tells me her business in a straightforward manner.

''........uh. Don't tell me you want me to join the Order?

Oh, your black magic is too useful. "Oh, your black magic is too useful. I'm sure with your black magic, no one will be hurt in a fight against criminals. Best of all, it will limit the damage to those around us.

　

　At that time, Mr. Blitz had me take the brunt of the arrows, and we were certainly able to solve the problem without anyone else being injured except the perpetrator.

Also, given your abilities, you could be a great help to your teammates in a group fight. Furthermore, I believe it will help reduce the recidivism rate.

Haha, it might work. Bad things are done because you think you'll get something out of it. It's a good thing that you're able to do that. At least it's not worth it to do something bad in this area.

　Wraith-kun says happily.

''........In other words, that's what I mean. Also, this is going to be a long story, but I want you to be the hope of the [Black Mage].

Hope...?

''Injuries accompany everyday life, hence the demand for [white mages] will never cease. However, the main place of employment for 【Black Mages】 is only for adventurers, and I am aware of the current situation where it is difficult to find a job. Some of them are employed by the Order, but it's mainly a form of training that develops other aptitudes.

　I don't get much combat aptitude in the wizard type, but even for someone like me, thanks to Fulkus-san, I can handle a sword like a human being.

　If you're not bad at moving your body, or if there are other aptitudes other than black magic that are useful, then I guess the direction is to develop that and make you a knight.
　But that's not the demand for someone who is good at black magic.

''You ... somehow seem to have the same kind of training as I do, but there are circumstances here as well that prevent me from spreading that on my own initiative.

　You mean the way you train yourself by casting a spell on yourself?

　If it's a one-child system, you can't say anything else lightly.
　And I understand that it's not a way to get support from the public if it's done too openly.

　It's a very dangerous thing to do with other types of magic, such as burning your own skin or icing yourself.

　The same is true for black magic and 'gravity control'.
　I know it's dangerous, but I imposed it on myself because I had a strong goal in mind.

　It would be difficult to gather and train [Black Mages] with this in a big way........

''So there, it's me?''

Yeah, even the most idealistic of us are less likely to resist if we show them the results first.

　The presence or absence of a precedent can actually change the ease with which a story is told.

　Although 【White Mage】 is also an unfortunate 【Position(Job)】, thanks to the existence of Panakea-san, a former member of the Aerial Party, it wasn't raised as much as the 【Black Mage】 as an unnecessary argument.

　........I used to wish I could be that kind of person for 【Black Mage】.

''It's about time everyone realizes how good Reme-san is. This time, it was visualized how much you contributed in the form of points. If even [Black Mage] can do this much, and it's so hard, but there's a way to do it - yeah, there's a lot of people who want to know, right?

''I would like you to join my Order but if you wish, I'll make an offer to you. Ten or twenty years from now, I think that through the work of you and the people who have gathered around you, we can dispel the negative image of the [Black Mage].

　That's an amazing story that I hadn't even thought about.

　I think it's a really, really great story.

　But.

I'm flattered by your suggestion, and I think it's hopeful. However, I love the industry, and my dream has not yet come true. And my dreams haven't come true yet.

　His new dream of becoming a demon hero is still a work in progress. No, it may never come to an end.
　Still, I've decided to pursue it.

I see. ...I thought you would say that.

　A little bit, Astraea-san relaxed her expression.

''I mean, lady. I don't know if I would normally try to pull a member out in front of the leader.''

"...I'm sorry, that was disrespectful, come to think of it.

　At Lace-kun's words, Astraea-san apologized.

''Fine, but is Leme the only one you're going to invite later?''

Well the [White Mage] boy and the Cyclops woman are also promising. If they want to join, I'll accept them. However.........I can't let the kids fight criminals with swords in their hands. I will start accepting them as trainees when they become thirteen, but would you be interested?

I'm not interested in knights, because I'll be the strongest and bravest.

I'm with the Wraith.

Okay.

　Astraea-san doesn't say why she asked then.

''Well I had the impression that the Knights were mostly human (normal), but...''

　Jos says.

'It's a matter of proportions, just as there are more humans (normal) in the city. Subhuman knights are not uncommon nowadays. Criminals don't care what race they are, the people who catch them have to deal with them too, or they will fall behind.

I mean, sure...

'But the concern is valid. It's not easy for a few. We would like to improve on that as well, but effective strategies are few and far between.

　Mr. Astraea is very serious about answering even the most casual questions.
　Joss in particular was listening to the conversation with great interest.

　When it was all settled, I asked him.

'Speaking of which, Astraea-san, where are the other four?'

'After leaving, he seemed to voluntarily go for a run in. He left a note. I'm going to join them later. I'm going to get the footage from this race later on, figure out what I need to think about, and use it for the next race.

Nah, I see...

And, Leme, sir.

Oh, yes.

''It would be tough for you to stay on as an adventurer but the Wraith Party is a temporary enrollment. When you have more time to spare, even in the form of a temporary instructor, it would be great if you could come by.

Thank you very much.

　This is a surprisingly good suggestion if you're working at the Demon King's Castle at the same time.

''No, no, no, you know, Reme will be working for my party by the time the competition is over.

That's if it doesn't happen.

You know...

　This is how we got out of the venue.
　It's the service entrance for those involved in the "Beginner's Dungeon: The Beginning".

"Yo...!　Leme!　Arndreth party!　And furthermore, the Knight Commander's nee-chan!

　I flew through the transitional recording stone to a wooden cavity-like space I had passed before.
　As I walked out of there, I was greeted by such a voice.

''Garo-san...?''

　It was the eleventh ranked party in the world [Ashburger] Garo.
　His party members are also there.

''Yes, that's right Garo, too!　I've been waiting for you........!

　There were even party members there, including Volak-san who broke up with me just now and her companion, [The Righteous Bandit Who Rules the Beast] Barbatos-san.

　That's not all.

''........Hey, hey Reme. Doh, it seems that you and Garo-dono had the same goal, you know.......

　It was Fenix.

　The fourth-ranked party of the world rank 【Brave Man of Fire】 Fenix, Garo-san squared his shoulders and smiled at him with a troubled expression.
　Of course, Lily and the others were all there too.

　I was waiting for me, and Garo-san must have gotten involved with me.......and talked to me.

You have to eat and drink as much as you can after you've fought as hard as you can!　So, let's go.........!

　Apparently, it was something like that.

　But still ... that's an amazing group of people.