It Seems That the Demon King Is Among the Members of the Hero’s Party

52. Sasha’s Father

───Before my eyes stands a massive tower made of bricks. It’s located a bit away from the palace and is called the “Tower of the Sage.” The name is straightforward. The dwarf “Great Sage” Maxwell is the master of this tower, so it’s called the Tower of the Sage.

I came here to ask Maxwell, Sasha’s mentor, to create a prosthetic hand for Tra-san. He’s not only a researcher of magic but also a craftsman who can create magical tools. People called sages are truly excellent.

“Hey, can I go home?”

“No way. Sasha, you’re coming with me.”

“I don’t want to be scolded.”

“That’s because you’re at fault, Sasha. Take it like a man.”

Sasha, the “Young Sage,” complains to me with a “boo-boo” face. It’s no wonder Maxwell nominated her as his successor. She didn’t want to come today, and I had to drag her away from the tavern.

“Is there a craftsman here who can make a prosthetic hand?”

“There’s Sasha’s mentor, Maxwell. He’s not only a mage but also a top-notch magical tool craftsman.”

“I see. I want him to create something that can withstand my power.”

“Same here. I want him to create a high-performance prosthetic hand that can bring out Tra-san’s true power.”

“Kuhahaha! We’re on the same wavelength, Kail!”

Tra-san pats my back with his left hand, laughing. His strength is incredible, and it really hurts. Please stop. Yesterday, I went to the detention center to pick up Tra-san, but it was a false arrest. The shopkeeper was frightened by Tra-san’s face, which was too scary while he was contemplating the goods, and called the guards. Tra-san fought back, and that’s why he was caught.

I apologized to the shopkeeper and the guards, and Tra-san got treatment from Cecil-san. I also apologized to him.

This time, Tra-san isn’t at fault, though. It’s just that he shouldn’t have fought back.

“This tower is huge.”

“Of course it is. The master of this tower is a great sage, one of the three greatest in the world!”

“It’s only natural that he lives in a magnificent building!”

“My grandpa said he was fine with a small laboratory. He only lives here because the chief insisted.”

“That’s understandable, Cecil.”

“Grumble, grumble, grumble! I’m not wrong!”

“You said it with confidence, didn’t you? Of course, you did. Oh, your face is all red.”

“I dislike you, miss!”

This time, the entire Brave Party came, but it’s so noisy, mainly because of Cecil and Sasha. Eclair was clinging to my arm, staring at me with an intense gaze. Is she trying to convey something?

“What’s wrong, Eclair?”

Eclair just kept staring at me, making it hard for me to react. Is she trying to tell me something? Considering her sharp intuition, I’ll think about it.

“Is it about the Four Heavenly Kings?”

Eclair nodded slightly. I don’t think it’s about Diabolos, but maybe she’s worried about me because of the Four Heavenly Kings? Either way, she’s concerned about me.

“Thanks, Eclair. I’m fine.”

As I said that, Eclair nodded slightly and then hugged my arm tightly. It didn’t hurt. She was being gentle. After about 20 seconds, she let go with a satisfied smile. She does this regularly.

At first, I was taken aback, but I’ve gotten used to it.

“That’s unfair! I want a hug too!”

“You can, but just for 20 seconds. I have an appointment with Maxwell, so I can’t stay too long.”

Before I could finish speaking, Darl hugged me from the front. Not on the arm, but directly. Do as you please, and then let go when you’re satisfied. As I thought that, I felt someone hug me from behind. When I turned around, I saw golden hair. It was Cecil. Her face was buried in my back, and her ears, which were visible through her hair, were slightly red.

“Oh, oh, you’re so popular, Kail. Can I have a hug too?”

“You can, but if it’s Sasha, I’ll shake you off.”

“Why just me!”

“Because you have a strong playful streak. I have a bad feeling about this.”

“That’s harsh. You’re hurting my feelings.”

I laughed at Sasha’s pouting face. Tra-san was laughing loudly. Ah, it’s almost been 20 seconds, so let go. Let go. Use your strength to pull away.

I finally managed to shake off Darl and Cecil. Both of them had satisfied expressions. Okay, okay, that’s good. I’m exhausted, though.

“Sorry, can I leave you in charge of guiding me to Maxwell’s place, Sasha?”

“Will I get a reward too?”

“How about a drink?”

“If Kail will drink with me, that’s fine.”

“Alright, let’s make a deal.”

From noble mtl dot com

“Oh, you’re being unusually kind today, Kail. What’s going on?”

“I’m not doing anything. Just ask me, and I’ll do it.”

“Yes, yes, follow me.”

The noisy bunch from earlier was now surprisingly quiet. When I looked around, they all had satisfied faces and were smiling. That’s good. My stomach is empty, though. This exchange will be reported to Noel, too.

Next time, I’ll think about how to explain this to my lovely fiancée.

With Sasha’s guidance, we entered the tower. Even the receptionist recognized Sasha’s face. “Welcome back, Sasha-sama!” they said. Is she a big shot here?

As a candidate for the next leader, she seems to be treated as such. With Sasha’s guidance, we stopped in front of a room on the first floor.

Is this it? I thought the great sage would be on the top floor…

“Why is the great sage’s room on the first floor?”

Darl, who seemed to have the same question, asked Sasha. Sasha let out a sigh and knocked on the door.

“Jiji is already old, so climbing stairs is tough for him. That’s why he’s on the first floor. It’s easier for visitors, too. He’s not going to be able to move around soon.”

I see. I didn’t consider Maxwell’s age. And I was being quite rude while knocking on the door…

The door slowly opened, revealing the dwarf great sage Maxwell, whom I had met several times.

“Sasha, did you say something bad about me?”

“You didn’t say that, Master. Are you just pretending to hear?”

“I did hear it.”

“Then say it, you bad-tempered old man.”

As I watched Maxwell scold Sasha, I couldn’t help but let out a sigh, feeling like I’d seen this scene before.

The old man, dressed in the dark blue robe that wizards liked to wear, stood out with his characteristic long white beard. If it grew a bit longer, it would reach the floor, wouldn’t it? He was the epitome of what people imagined a wizard to be.

“Today, you’ve brought a lot of people. Let’s not stand around, come inside.”

Prompted by Maxwell, I entered the room. The room was very spacious, befitting a great wizard’s chamber. Bookshelves lined the walls, packed tightly with books. Maxwell’s usual desk was piled high with documents, but otherwise, the room was tidy and clean.

There was also a guest table and chairs, all perfectly arranged. This was indeed a great wizard’s place, and many people would visit.

“Feel free to relax and treat this place like your own home. Don’t be too formal.”

“Your back hurts, so you want to sit down, old man?”

“Can’t you show a bit more respect for your master, Sasha?”

“Yes, yes, I respect you.”

As I watched the two of them exchange words, I couldn’t help but take a seat, indulging in their conversation. The two of them were master and disciple, and their long-standing relationship allowed them to be so casual with each other.

But Sasha should show a bit more respect to Maxwell. After all, he was a world-renowned wizard. Sasha was the same, wasn’t she?

“Sasha, have you known Master for a long time?”

“I’ve known him since I was born. He was even acquainted with my father, whom I’ve never met.”

“What? You don’t know your father?”

“He passed away before I was born.”

Sasha took out a bottle of wine using storage magic, just like usual. But then, Maxwell used storage magic to put the wine away, and Sasha rushed over to him, looking like she was about to grab him. What was she doing to her master?

“Are Sasha’s parents dwarves?”

I suddenly wondered and asked. She didn’t have many dwarf-like features, just being a bit short, perhaps? There were also short humans, so it wasn’t strange. If I said she was strong like a dwarf, that would be a different story.

“I’m a half-breed. Half-dwarf, half-human.”

“Is that so? I didn’t think you were a half-breed with a human.”

“My mother is a dwarf. I’ve never met my father, but I think Kail knows him.”

Do I know Sasha’s father too? What’s going on? I felt puzzled and looked at Sasha, who was laughing quietly.

“My father’s name is Takeshi. My mother used to call him Takeshi Gouda, I think. Or was it Gouda Takeshi? I forgot.”

The name that came out of Sasha’s mouth froze me. Takeshi? Gouda? Was it the same Takeshi-san, the previous master of Durandal?

“What if I use my father’s family name and call myself Sasha Gouda? It sounds a bit weird.”

As I looked at Durandal, it was shaking slightly. It seemed to be true. Could it be that Sasha’s mother and Takeshi-san knew each other? Ah, yes, I remembered reading about it in a book about Takeshi-san.

He was the wizard of the Brave Party, and his name was definitely Crona Lucilfer. Takeshi-san was supposed to be her childhood friend.

Well, there were many things I wanted to say, but…

I really wanted to meet Takeshi-san right now.