Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle

142 – The Unyielding Hero and The Black Sorcerer

The Unyielding Hero Altreed.

About ten years ago, the leader of the party that shone at the top of the world as the 1st rank, albeit only for a year.

The last time I saw him was ten years ago, and inevitably, the passage of time can be felt from his appearance.

However, he is still youthful enough to make you think that he isn’t a day over fifty. Since he still trains Adventurers to this day, he probably hasn’t neglected his own training.

If he said he would dive into a Dungeon right now, I would be far more excited than worried.

Looking at him like this, he really resembles Wraith. No, wait, I guess it should be the other way around.

But the reason I couldn’t see that straight away was because of the difference in hair and eye color.

Wraith’s hair is a dark blue as deep as the sea, while his father’s hair is brown and so are his eyes.

「Hm? Ah, Wraith takes after his mother.」

Guessing from the way I was looking, Altreed said that.

I’m probably staring too much.

「Oh, no I… Sorry for staring.」

「Not at all. You noticed our connection without anyone telling you, right? Which means that there’s something that my son and I have in common, huh? Wonder what it could be?」

Somehow, I don’t think Wraith told him himself. Wraith probably let it slip to Aerial and then he told Altreed.

Although it’s not exactly true that no one told me.

It wasn’t until Fenix mentioned it, but I did have a sense of deja vu when I first saw him. And that was…

「Your…facial features, I guess.」

「Oho! That makes me happy. I’ll tell him that next time.」

He smiled a wide child-like grin.

「I’m sorry to interrupt your excitement, but why don’t we ask Lem to sit down first?」

We were in the private room of a certain restaurant.

It is not an open place where people usually eat and drink, and there are dividers to protect the privacy of the customers.

「…! Oh, that’s right, forgive me. Go on, take a seat. Of course, if you don’t want to…」

「Not at all!」

I said that louder than I thought I would.

Face burning red, I sat down across the two of them.

Aerial and Altreed were sitting side by side.

A meal with the current and former 1st rank. Just what have I gotten myself into…?

They are not just strong, they are both beings I admire. And also nervous around.

「Sorry to bother you today. I heard from Aerial that my son has been particularly attached to you, so I wanted to meet you once, if at all possible.」

「No, please. For me to be able to meet you…it is an honor.」

「Ahaha, you’re a good kid.」

「Lem isn’t just flattering you. I believe he truly is a fan of yours.」

I nod excessively at Aerial’s follow-up.

「Oh really? That makes me happy. I never thought a young man like you would know about me.」

「When I was little, I always watched you.」

「Is that so? That…must’ve been rough.」

Certainly what kids came to like were flashy, magic-slinging Heroes.

There were many kids who called those that fought roughly uncool.

「I thought you were cool. You always gave me courage.」

In front of Fenix, I had a calm face, but when we’re in a scuffle with a lot of bullies, my heart was beating like crazy.

Even so, I went to help him, so I can’t afford to lose.

Even though I wasn’t a strong person who could gallantly run around, defeating everyone in an instant.

No matter what I had to do, I’ll achieve my goal of helping someone. I will assuredly Clear this Dungeon without giving up, just like the Unyielding Hero.

This time, Altreed reacted honestly.

「I see…I’m glad that that was enough to inspire you to become an Adventurer.」

「I’m the same as Lem.」

「Ahaha, since when were you so honest?」

Now that I think about it…Aerial did say that he was friends with Wraith’s father.

I don’t think there was any information about any particular interaction or anything like that between them.

However, considering that Aerial called me after he told him that he wanted to meet me, and their interaction just now, you can tell that they’re friendly with each other.

「You’re right, please forget about the time when we just met.」

「That young boy who said「There’s no way I could become a Hero.」 is now the world’s 1st ranked.」

Aerial scratches his cheek in embarrassment at Altreed’s teasing.

「…You never change.」

「I heard that you two were friends.」

「Yeah, we’re friends. He may be the strongest Hero right now, but a long time ago… Hey don’t glare at me like that. You don’t wanna destroy your junior’s image of you, right? I get it, I’ll stop.」

It’s probably obvious.

Everyone has several faces. Their face for work is different from their face when at home.

In more detail, faces can be divided into different categories like the face with a loved one, the face with a friend or the face with family.

When you’re with allies, when you’re with juniors, when you’re on TV.

And when you’re with an older friend who you’ve known for a long time.

Aerial is making it very difficult to see that face.

He is the best of the best and an elder person among the Adventurers.

「We’re not here today to reminisce, you have business with Lem, right?」

「Ahaha, you’re right. Forgive me. As I mentioned earlier, it’s about my son.」

「Yes.」

「That’s a little…He…told me that I’m worrying about things I shouldn’t have to worry about.」

I don’t think I should be the one to tell him about his problems.

But from the looks of it, Altreed seems to be aware of it.

I suppose it’s only natural.

Because he watched from the beginning, the whole process that turned Wraith into what he is today.

「…Did Wraith tell you that?」

「Of course. It’s just…I know it’s pathetic, but he just won’t talk to me.」

「Ah…」

Wraith’s goal is to succeed using the Unyielding Hero’s methods and proving to the world that it is right.

His existence is what made Altreed choose to retire. Wraith can’t forgive himself for that.

Altreed doesn’t think of his retirement as a mistake in the first place.　

They have a conflict of opinion, and Wraith doesn’t plan to respond to discussions or persuasions.

As a result, the son ignores the father.

「I wonder if this is just his rebellious phase…」

Altreed is understandably depressed.

「No…」

If anything, I think he respects his father…too much.

He thinks that his father is a strong and cool Hero, enough for him to deny himself.

「When I talked to him about Lem, he said「If you like what my senior has to say, you might listen to him.」.」

Aerial might have heard about what I noticed about Wraith’s father from Wraith himself.

Apparently, he didn’t talk about the subsequent conversation.

「These things can, y’know, become more complicated if you’re an interested party, right?」

「Right.」

I nod.

That time I left the Fenix party. Fenix tried to stop me, naturally, and then he e-mailed me later to follow up.

However, what ended up saving me from my depression were not the words of my best friend, but the brave smile of a little fruit shop girl.

There are times when people who have nothing to do with a certain issue can make things better and help you feel better.

「It’s just that…」

I hesitated.

That was enough for Altreed to understand.

「Ah, I knew it was a long shot.」

He might’ve half expected that.

「I’m sorry I couldn’t be of help to you.」

「No, no, it’s not something I should be asking people to do. I feel like I’ve already gotten you involved in this, and I’m sorry about that.」

「Wraith is…」

I started to say something and then thought better of it.

「It’s alright, please tell me what you wanted to say.」

「Wraith…Wraith is making a mistake. I believe it’s difficult to change his mind with just words.」

「He’s a stubborn one.」

Altreed gave a feeble, wry smile.

「Reason can be avoided and pushed aside. It’s fine for each to have their own. But hard facts are different. Of course, to each his own in terms of perceiving facts, but a loss, for example, is a loss. You can’t change your perspective and say you won because there is a clear verdict.」

「Yeah.」

「I think the only way to make people realize that their way of doing things doesn’t work is to confront them with the reality that it doesn’t work.」

「Oho. So you’re saying that if my son loses in the Raid Battle, he’ll have to reconsider his actions?」

He rubs his chin, interested.

「If he loses despite using the methods he believes is right, perhaps…」

「I see, I see. But my son doesn’t know when to give up. No matter how many times he lost to Aerial, he keeps saying he’ll win in the end.」

「If his goal is to become the Unyielding Hero, then I think being defeated will weigh heavily on him. In the Raid Battle, in particular, you cannot choose what will be broadcast.」

「…I suppose so. You may be right.」

He wouldn’t be able to accomplish always winning in the end.

He isn’t a child who would make light of it. Both in terms of character and in terms of his purpose.

For a moment, I thought I saw a shadow cast over Altreed’s face.

But in the next moment, he shrugged.

「Then, there’s nothing we can do. I have no choice but to leave it to the hands of everyone in the Demon King Castle.」

「Whoa now, what kinda father looks forward to his son losing?」

「His future happiness is more important than the immediate win or loss.」

「Hmm… I want to do something too, but I must face this Clear earnestly.」

「Ahaha, of course. You have to challenge it with the intention of completely Clearing it. What Lem is saying is that if he happens to lose during the Clear, he might take this as an opportunity to take a long, hard look at himself, right?」

「Yes.」

「Yeah, you’re right. There’s no point in mulling over something that I can’t do anything about. I’ll just have to wait and see until the day when I can get him to talk to me again.」

Having said that, the discussion is brought to a close and we moved on to the next topic, which was about the Tag Tournament.

I was nervous at first, but halfway through, I was able to ask about details regarding my favorite videos.

Like a dream, the time passed before I knew it, and it was about time to leave.

「Lem.」

It was around the time that Aerial stood up to go to the bathroom.

「What is it?」

「Please take care of my son.」

……?

「Uhm… I’ll do what I can. But I can’t join his party.」

He has a gentle smile.

「You were blessed to be Lord Lucifer’s successor.」

「…」

That’s my master’s Dungeon Name.

The Demon King Lucifer, the name of the strongest Monster.

The fact that I can’t keep up the act quickly here is partly because his words are too unexpected, but it also proves that I’m still immature.

「As I thought, you’re a good kid. Honest, and can’t tell a lie.」

「…how?」

「Sorry, it was mostly a hunch. It’s not something that anyone will notice, so rest assured. Of course, I won’t tell anyone, either.」

I got caught up in his bluff, huh?

But I can’t blame him for that.

「Was it my Magical Energy?」

Previously, Aerial said that he felt a relation to Lucifer when he first met me.

「No, it’s…presence, I guess? Perhaps because I once fought him. I was surprised when I saw you. Through the screen, I didn’t sense it, but meeting you in person, I felt chills. Similar chills to when I first confronted that Demon King. I don’t know the circumstances, but becoming his successor is an amazing thing. I admire the strength of your willpower.」

If it wasn’t through reasoning, then it can’t be helped.

There are people who just have a unique sense.

「I probably shouldn’t say this to a friend and enemy of my son but…I have high hopes for you.」

「…Wraith is a wonderful Hero.」

「That so?」

「Which is why I will defeat him. I’m sure he will become a more wonderful Hero.」

「Ahaha, I look forward to it as a viewer.」

Just then, Aerial came back.

「Oh? You two look like you’re having fun.」

「We are, but it’s a secret between us.」

Saying that, he put a finger to his lips and winked.

I smiled wryly and gave a small nod.

◇

「Whaddya think? He’s a good kid, right?」

Around the time Lem turned the corner after separating from us, I start up a conversation with my elderly friend.

「Yeah, I can see why you invited him into your party. It’s amazing how well he hides it. He must have done some outrageous training.」

「There is no end to that lad’s ambition. On top of that, he has an unbreakable heart.」

「Indeed. Climbing all the way to 4th rank with your childhood friend only to be driven out of the party. That would break anyone’s heart.」

「I wonder if there’s some kind of reason that made him like that.」

「…Well, it’s most likely the current era in particular. There are many who struggle just because they are a Black Sorcerer, right?」

Even for Heroes, the peoples’ interest can differ wildly depending on whether or not you have a Spirit.

The impression you get from your Job is a considerable handicap.

「Even so, he plans on rising back up. He said he’ll surpass even me.」

「That’s good. Nothing like a good rival.」

「You’re right. I have one more thing to look forward to.」

「I’m a little jealous.」

That line sounded like a joke, but I think those were his true feelings.

「By the way, you know Sir Fellow, right?」

「That would be the man who made my son the man of the hour.」

「He said that he had an interesting proposal for you.」

「Stop, please. What could he want with an old man like me?」

「He said that it doesn’t have to be right away.」

Normally, he would have laughed and said no, saying he was retired.

But today was different.

「I’ll…I’ll think about it.」

「Sure.」

I wonder if this is thanks to Lem.

While thinking that, we start walking.