The battle against the I.M. Party ended in a victory for us, the Wraith Party.

　【Destructor】 Fran-san's high attack power was also difficult to get through to 【Flame Spearman】 Amie-san, who has a body of fire, but that seems to be the only point that was difficult to do.

　The enemies were demons that specialize in the fire attribute, but we have a [Lake Hero] here.
　Our leader, who took the advantage of the attribute, defeated one of them in the blink of an eye and immediately went to support his friends.

　Amie-san was also crushed by Fran-san's monstrous arms after being iced in the end.

''Melania-san, I'll treat your burns.

Thanks, man. Hey, Joss.

　Melania-san, half of Cyclops, [Miner] Melania-san bends down and Jos-kun treats the burns with the White Magic Method.

''Next time, get you healed too. Leave the vigilance to us.

Hmmm.

　At Lace-kun's words, Fran-san gave a small nod.
　Her huge right arm is strong as well as destructive, but it's not immune to injury.

　The leader who called out his concern to his childhood friend, then turned his gaze to the [Black Mage] who was a bit reckless.
　In other words, to me.

''Defeating a high-ranking mage all by yourself, that's impressive.

　For some reason, Wraith-kun seemed happy when he could have said a small comment or two.

''It was a battle between the party, including the fact that I was the one to hit her,''

　If it weren't for his companions, Aime would have unleashed a more powerful spell, and it would have been much more difficult to get close to them from the opposition in the first place. There's a lot more if you list them.

　Even if it appears to be one-on-one, it's still a party battle as long as everyone is moving with the whole in mind.
　Well, Wraith-kun would know that much.

It's so humble. I'm talking about just being a [black mage] who can trust a mage to be in charge of a mage, but it's not just valuable.

Thank you. It's just that this one was on my own time. I'll be careful.

　As a disciple, I wanted to respond to the thoughts of those who knew my teacher.
　But this was only for my own personal convenience.

　I thought.

'That's not true. If it's Leme's convenience, it's the party's convenience. I don't need you to want to lose, but if you really intend to win and do something reckless, it's your friends to help. To me, that is.

　Indeed, Fran-san sent me into the air as I moved without any good consultation, and Wraith-kun gave me an icy slope to glide down.

　Wraith-kun had gathered his friends with no questions other than his intention to win in the first place.
　In other words, as long as he fulfilled that, he was not lacking as a companion.

　Although he was a strong boy to begin with, I think he's becoming more and more reliable and brave after the raid battle.

Thank you, leader. I'll do my best to win.

I know.

I'm cured.

　As if to interrupt the space between me and Lace-kun, Fran-san made a long face.

I see. Let's have a look.

"Hm.

　Lace-kun checked his childhood friend's arm and nodded.

''Is Reme-san okay?　It was a pretty big explosion.

　Joss-kun's coming over.

'Yeah, I'm fine.'

''It's because I had a reliable partner, the Holy Sword. I'll have to thank Dirk for his blessing.

　The black chick flaps her wings over my head, appealing to me.
　Yes, I'm grateful for that.

　In fact, the holy sword has broadened the scope of the fight.
　It's good to be able to do what I used to do in the corner in limited times, and do it proudly.

　The blessing of the spirit is tremendous, since even this is only the minimum function of a holy sword.

''In that case, wouldn't it be fine to delve into a more reliable partner?''

　Come out...?
　I'm not sure, but to begin with, I still don't recognize you as my partner.

　Dirk was still saying something, but the sound of Joss-kun's voice brought his attention back to that direction.　

''Well it always amazes me when I look at you, Reme,''

　Jos-kun said, and behind him, Melania-san nodded her head in agreement with him.

''Even if you get a holy sword, an ordinary [black mage] would never be able to use it. It would only be difficult to handle such an unfamiliar acquisition. However, because Reme-san has trained the sword before, he can wield the holy sword at an actual battle level as soon as he obtains it.

　I huff and puff when Jos-kun tells me that.

　Because my master had trained my body, because Fulkas-san instructed me, because I experienced fighting with a sword in a tag team tournament.
　Even if I suddenly got the holy sword, I can still use it to some extent.

　I can't say it's cool to say that there's nothing to waste, though.
　The effort you put in will sometimes help you in an unexpected way.
　I'm glad I didn't give up on them.

Reme-san, you're not used to receiving compliments on your work, are you?　It's okay. A great guy, you know, when someone says, 'That's great,' you can say, 'Right?'

　The things that have been ingrained in me in the decade since I became a [Black Mage] are not easy to get rid of.
　Even now, being praised by someone is special to me, and the day when I can accept it as a matter of course, as Wraith-kun said, was unlikely to come for the time being.

'I'll do my best. But right now, it's more than that--

Yeah. If you're fighting vampires, I suppose you'd prefer to be indoors.

　The vampire's high physical abilities, the ability to grow wings and fly, and the ability to manipulate blood would not be well utilized in a small space.
　So the walls, the ceiling and things in the room would be in the way.

''I'm sorry ... it's too big ...''

　Melania says with a shrug.
　'I certainly can't go into a human (normal) standard building with her, but....

''There's nothing wrong with that. We're all counting on you, Melania-san.

....!

　Bob Melania blushed.

'Besides, that was just a case of the other party being a normal vampire.

　It's a different story when it comes to 【Vampire Queen】.
　To begin with, on the third level of the Demon King's Castle, she would be intercepting the adventurers indoors.
　How many things can be blocked by a narrow space?

''And there's also the assassin lady.

　Wraith-kun said with a slightly bitter face.

　Come to think of it, [Demon Eye Assassin] Botis and Wraith-kun, who belonged to Carmilla Party this time, met each other in the raid battle.

　On the verge of turning into a stone statue due to her petrifying demonic eye, [Gale Hero] Yuan-kun protected Wraith-kun.

　After that, Wraith-kun, who had a heart-to-heart with the water spirit on the verge of being beaten to death, made Botis leave at the last minute.

''If it's hard to take advantage of the location, should we attack from here?''

'That's fine, but we'll wait until after we've moved locations. I need you to do something for me, Wraith-kun.

Oh. All right, let's do it.

　We didn't get any information beforehand about what the stage was like, but there were still many strategy meetings within the party.
　Since we know who we're up against, we've taken measures.

''Ah, um, Reme,''

　On the move, Joss says with difficulty.

'What is it?'

Well there were five parties in all in this hall.

'Oh yes,'

　I understand what Joss-kun is trying to say.

'There was a clash between the vampires and their party a while ago.

　Wraith-kun says.
　Me and Wraith-kun knew that from the magical reaction.

　Because of the distance between us, the other three people probably couldn't understand it due to their sensing abilities.
　But that's not what Joss-kun wanted to know. It was a story that went further from that.

　The only enemies left are the two parties, but you seem to have only expected to fight vampires, is that okay?

''It's true that I, for my part, want them to be active.

And, you know...

　But," I continue.

'It's Carmilla's party we're going to be fighting.

　◇

　I've talked to Leme before.
　It's a story about the difficulties he had in finding a new job before he reconnected with me.

　It was during that time that he found this party.
　An adventurer matching service available at the Adventurer's Union.

　The continent is so big that it's not easy to find friends.
　So you enter your ideal conditions and search for a match.
　When you're looking for a black mage, you're also in the minority.

　That's where the people who hit the mark were found.
　That's exactly what it is - 【Black Mage】 party by 【Black Mage】 for 【Black Mage】.

　Under the existing rules, an adventurer party can't be formed without 【Brave Men】.
　Therefore, they were not an official party even at the time of Reme's search.

　In this All Heavenly Festival competition, you can form a party regardless of race or [title (job)].
　You will be able to get a good deal more than you expected.

　Even if all five of them are [Black Mages], they can still participate in the festival qualifiers.
　They may not be the same ones that Reme found back then, though.

''Lady Carmilla.''

　Botis appears out of nowhere beside me and whispers.

　A woman with the upper half of a human body and the lower half of a snake. The scales that cover the lower half of her body, her human skin, and her long hair are all white. Her eyes are covered with bandages and are only exposed when she catches the enemy with her demon eyes.

''The example party formed solely by [Black Mages] is lurking around, aiming to take you by surprise. If you instruct me, I'll handle it myself.

　She's good at killing her own attention and moving. Even now, she used that advantage to serve as a scout.

''Yeah.

　I don't think Botis is taking his enemies lightly.
　Rather the opposite.

　With Remegeton-sama as her immediate superior and [Black Seeker] Follas as her colleague, she would have a much better understanding of [Black Mages] than an ordinary demon.
　After looking at the five 【Black Mages】, she judged that it was possible to assassinate them by herself.

　If you simply think about winning or losing, you can leave it to Botis.......

''Carmilla-sama?''

'I hear you. Yes, let's just go with it this time.

Yes, sir.

　Even though it's a festival of strength, this is also a kind of entertainment.
　With four vampires, throwing the task of defeating [Black Mage]'s party to an assassin would not be very exciting.

　Also, my personal enemies are my preferred party.
　Those who were 【Black Mages】 but did not give up on themselves and continued to search for ways to fight.

　The fact that the activities of the 【Black Mage】, which are often neglected by the public, will spread throughout the world will be a source of hope for those who hold the same 【Occupation(Job)】.

　But that doesn't mean I have the slightest intention of losing.
　I will only show respect and lay waste to them head on.

''That's sweet, Botis. Sweetie, this is what the Queen says. "I will not kill you in the dark, I will conquer you head on!

　Hagenty, the [Skewered Lady] Hagenty, who is nicknamed Baldy-sama by her subordinates, says.
　Although she is dressed in a way that shows she is fully aware of me, she is certainly competent.

''For you, you're well aware of my intentions. She's right, Botis. No matter how competent you are, we can't rely on you to do it all.

　We proceed without hesitation towards the street where the enemy is lurking.
　Come to think of it, this might be the first time we've gone head-to-head with a [Black Mage] other than him.

　The party we are about to face made good use of the rules of the preliminary round to get through.
　But in this first stage of the main competition, the same moves as in the preliminary round cannot be used.

　This will be a real test of their skills.
　And now, we have to face the reality.