Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle

118 – Fire and Water

「The revival of the Raid Clear has captured the world’s attention right now, does the Fenix party have any comments about it?」

It was an interview being held in a room of an inn. Today’s interview is for a magazine that handles Adventurer information.

「If you’re asking me if I had an interest in it, I did, for a moment.」

At my answer, the eyes of the bespectacled journalist gleamed.

「My word! But looking at the current situation, isn’t it true that you have declined?」

「We have failed once in Clearing the Demon King Castle.」

「Considering that the furthest point that humanity has ever reached was the seventh stratum, what your party has achieved is a spectacular feat. For your efforts have updated the records a great deal.」

Once, there was a record of Adventurers reaching the seventh stratum of the Demon King Castle.

However, the stratum information is updated whenever the Floor Boss changes.

The introduction of each stratum of the Demon King Castle is published on the home page only when that stratum is Cleared.

Before our Clear attempt, only the first to the third stratum was revealed.

This means that the Floor Bosses of the fourth stratum and below were changed. The same goes for the first to the third stratum, just that other Adventurers have reached them.

In other words, the past and present Monsters who serve as gatekeepers to the next stratum are different. You could say the same of their subordinates. There are possibly some who remained, but there are many who have left and joined anew.

But I don’t believe that we surpass the previous Adventurers simply because we updated the records.

「That Clear attempt clearly showed us what we lacked in strength. But even so, I still want to Clear the Demon King Castle with this party.」

「I see. So what are your thoughts about the parties that are participating in the Raid Clear?」

「I cannot say anything about the Water Hero Sir Wraith and his ally for I am not acquainted with them, but I believe that they are all wonderful and excellent.」

「And what about multiple parties diving into a Dungeon?」

「I guess that’s why the Demon King Castle is such a difficult Dungeon to Clear. In fact, each stratum has different characteristics, so it is effective to prepare a variety of Jobs. Just because we chose to Clear it with a single party doesn’t mean that we believe that this is the correct way.」

「The world seems to have the opinion that the Adventurer side shall be victorious this time…」

Once, during the age of Lem’s master, several parties, which included a young Storm Hero Aerial, were completely annihilated on the first stratum. 

It is a famous story among Adventurer fans, but the world in this case most likely also includes people who are slightly interested or regular people with a passing interest in Clears.

Members are members. It is not unreasonable to think so.

「I am praying for their victory.」

「This time, the 2nd ranked party isn’t participating either, do you believe they have a similar reason to your party?」

「Please ask them that question.」

「My apologies, you are right. Now then, you all are currently in this town to-」

And the interview continued on, ending without any problems.

「yawn Lame. They said it’d be a party interview, but they’ve just been slinging questions at Fenix. Do we even need to be here?」

「After having our picture taken, we were pretty much left alone. Some people are better at that than others, though.」

「Getting paid to do nothing sounds like a pretty nice job to me.」

The Warrior Alba, the Paladin Lark, and the Frost Hero Bella all expressed their feelings in turn.

「Well, wanna leave?」

「I guess so. Are Fenix and Lily really not coming with us?」

Lily and I nod our heads at Lark’s question.

We are currently in the town where the Demon King Castle is located.

The reason is that we were contacted by the raid members.

They are all very serious about Clearing the Demon King Castle.

So they wanted to hear about our experience.

Of course, these are experienced, seasoned warriors. This won’t be a one-sided exchange.

People as good as they are would know that Alba and the others have changed their behavior since Lem left.

To put it simply, they want guidance to become stronger, or even training, perhaps even a practice match.

Aerial is active in nurturing the younger generation, but he is also on active duty. The fact remains that this is a rare opportunity. Moreover, the 3rd and 5th ranked are also here this time.

「Yes, I have made a promise to meet someone.」

「Huh? You gettin’ with a guy or somethin’?」

「Even if that were true, it is of no concern to you.」

「Tsk, not like I care.」

「You don’t like the idea of meeting Suuri, right Lily?」

「The Faceless Archer, yes? Did something happen between him and Lily?」

「Nothing happened, Bella.」

Lily smiled at Bella, while she gave Lark a stare as if to tell him to not say anything more.

「How bout Fenix?」

「I have an appointment as well. And then…I’d like to do more training if I can.」

「The training you’ve been sneakily doing by yourself? I’m curious.」

「I’ll reveal it to you guys. Just as soon as it’s completed.」

We separated at the inn, each in disguises, although Lily and I are just wearing hoods that cover our eyes, we head towards our destination.

「No one seems to suspect that you and I are going to meet with the same person.」

「I think it’s because everyone has an idea of who I’m going to meet.」

This is the city where the Demon King Castle is located.

The Demon King Army’s Chief of Staff Lemegeton is the Black Sorcerer Lem.

He came to see us off to another town after the battle where we were defeated.

There, he used his ring to summon his subordinates and put on his mask.

Saying that he will annihilate us again, he revealed his true identity to us.

Bella and I already knew, but the other three found out who Lemegeton was at that moment.

So, if I were to meet someone in this town, everyone would have thought「Ah, Lem, huh?」.

Lily has no reason to come along, so they’ll just think that she has a separate business.

「So, where are we meeting Lem?」

「Ah, a certain tavern. Don’t worry, I know where it is.」

It’s the place I went with Lem, on the day before I challenged the tenth stratum.

Choosing a path with little pedestrian traffic, we head towards our destination.

「Wah-!」

Went a small voice. I think.

「Fenix?」

「…Please wait here for a bit.」

「I will not. It’s about that voice just now, right? Let’s go together.」

Lily smiles softly under her hood.

「Alright, then let’s go.」

That was the cry of a child’s voice just now. It’s something that I’m very familiar with since long ago. Because I was the one that mainly made such noises.

The voice that comes out of a bullied child’s mouth when they’re grabbed, shoved, or prodded.

Of course, if I’m just overthinking it, then that’s fine. That’s just fine.

But if it is what I think it is, then I can’t ignore it.

After a few turns down the passageway, we found them.

But the situation was different from what I had imagined.

「I hate small fries who pretend that their believers of strength.」

A slender young boy, probably the victim, was looking up with a flabbergasted look on his face.

The chest area of his clothes was wrinkled, indicating that it was grabbed earlier.

The one floating in the air is probably the assailant.

Confused and panicking, his hand holding on to the wallet that he thought to steal.

And a third person. Who is the one making the assailant float while smiling.

I saw him on TV recently.

It was the Water Hero Wraith.