Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle

114 – Absolute Idol Hero 1

「That’s right…」

My rules were simple.

Whichever team’s leader gets defeated, that team loses.

They have to accept surrender.

Ellie’s eyebrows raised slightly at the word surrender.

「Fine. And no medicine or healing magic, right?」

After thinking about it for a moment, I said this…

「Fine with me.」

「Thanks. You’re free to use your ring. If it’s a co-worker, you can call them, right?」

Certainly, the Chief of the Werewolves Marchosias would happily oblige, and the Vampire Queen Carmilla wouldn’t mind either. Although she seems to be angry with Ellie.

Well now, how should I answer her?

「If the need arises, I’ll do that.」

「…I see. Alright.」

She was dissatisfied, but she didn’t say it.

I think she was hoping that I thought it’d be necessary.

「What about your team?」

I pull one leg back and turn to the subordinates behind me.

「Right here.」

I look at the three of them in their Avatars and Monster outfits.

「Is it alright with you guys?」

They all gave a short reply.

「Yes.」「This look’s like fun~」「…」

Meadow answered quietly, and Thea answered cheerfully. Lars nodded slowly.

「Seriously? You’re going to take on my party with that ragtag group of four?」

She isn’t doubting their individual abilities. Ellie is merely pointing out the importance of teamwork.

Her concerns are reasonable, but this isn’t a defensive battle.

Ultimately, this is her way of measuring me. I mustn’t forget that.

「No, don’t answer. If you can’t unify a team like that then you wouldn’t have been hired as the Impregnable Demon King Castle’s Chief of Staff, I suppose. Let’s see what you’re made of.」

When I noticed, her four allies were already in a line, in the back. Only Ellie was standing in front of them.

「Strategy meetings are a necessity, yes? I’ll wait.」

I’ll take her word for it, so I communicate the plan to the three on my team.

「…Understood. But…」

Meadow nodded but seemed unconvinced.

「I’ll do as the Chief of Staff says~. But what if Elly isn’t being honest~?」

Thea was all smiles, but she was worried about the same thing Meadow was.

「…If it’s Lord Lemegeton, I’m sure he has an idea.」

Lars doesn’t seem to be good at talking to people by nature, but he seems somewhat better when he’s in his Monster outfit and wearing a mask.

He also said that by getting into the role, or rather, by being aware that he is not「Lars」now, he can move more calmly.

I had the opportunity to talk to the Ellie party and the three of them individually.

Speaking with Lars, in particular, he and I share a common point due to our training method, so it was quite a rousing conversation.

We can mutually respect each other who knows and endured the same pain.

The four of us are certainly not comrades who have gone through many battles together.

But we share a desire to win.

I don’t expect an outstanding combination, but I can decide their roles based on that.

After that, each of us just needs to do what we need to.

「Let’s go.」

We turn around to face the Ellie party.

「That was quick.」

「I can’t keep my allies waiting.」

「My, such a gentleman. Well then, shall we begin?」

As soon as the battle started, Ellie released her Magical Energy. She covered herself with it.

Resist.

Magical Energy that you release outside of your body cannot return. Even if you wear it, it will gradually melt into the air.

The reason why no one puts on Resist all the time is that it would be a waste of Magical Energy.

That’s the reason why even Fenix was affected by Charm for a moment in the fifth stratum.

The awareness to use it only when forced to is deeply rooted.

This time, she did at the start because she knows what her opponent’s Job is.

But it wasn’t just to repel Lars and my Black Magic.

We haven’t explained the special tactics or any trump cards of the other two. This is why I’m fairly sure that she doesn’t know about Meadow’s special skill, but just the fact that she hides her eyes is enough to cause Ellie to be vigilant.

That judgment is correct.

Tools with mysterious powers are known as Magic Tools.

It’s said that there was once a race that created them. Alba’s Magic Sword, my ring, and Furcus’ armor and spear all fall under this category.

Tools are created with a purpose.

So what is the purpose of a tool with mysterious power?

Of course, many of them were probably created out of necessity.

But I’m also sure that they were made to recreate.

To recreate the mysterious powers of living beings in the form of a tool, to be used by those who do not possess such powers.

Long ago, there were those who were blessed by the Spirits to produce magic, Ogres who used Witchcraft, Ninjas who used Ninjutsu, the list goes on.

Some have special powers in certain parts of the body.

Like the horns of a Majin.

However, in terms of types, there are many who have eyes that have mysterious powers.

If you are aware of them, it is natural to be vigilant.

She disappeared.

No. It only looked that way because she was so fast.

If it’s her, she’s…she’s right in front of me, ready to punch me in the face!

She made a contract with a Lesser Spirit of Wind.

Even taking that into consideration, she’s too fast. All it took was a moment for me to lose sight of her.

「Shouldn’t you react?」

「Insolence.」

Saying that, Lars stepped in between me and her. No, that name isn’t appropriate.

I should say, the Black Explorer Foras. [1. TL Note: Unsurprisingly, Foras is yet another Demon from the book of Goetia.]

The bull-man who discovered the Demon King’s training method through his own effort, the Demon King Army Lemegeton’s new subordinate.

A man who carved a path to limitless magic with his own power.

Three of my subordinates have already been given Dungeon Names.

As well as a title to further emphasize that they are a small number of elites.

Her fist crashes into his large shield.

「Ooh, nice moves.」

I can hear her voice, but the person who produced it is no longer there.

She disappeared again.

The Undefeated Hero is flashy, beautiful, fast, and clever…a strong Hero, indeed.

This is a good opportunity.

To confirm the strength of the reborn tenth stratum.