Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle

158 – The Realm of Military Might and Duels 1

On the day of the eighth stratum battle.

I’m in the Link Room.

It’s a room where large cocoons, equipment that transfers one’s consciousness to the Avatar, are set up.

A girl with hair as white as snow is there. Her face is a blank canvas and her eyes are silver.

She is a person with a somewhat ethereal air about her as if she could disappear the moment you looked away.

「Chief of Staff.」

When she noticed my presence, she looked my way.

The Reaper Knight Furcus. The Floor Boss of the eighth stratum, and one of the Demon King Castle’s Big Four.

During battle, she is clad in massive black armor, but within it is actually a girl of small build.

「Do you need me for something?」

A monotonous, tonally flat voice.

It’s not that she’s disinterested. That’s just how she is.

「No, I just came here to wish my master good luck. As your student.」

Saying that, her eyelids raised a little higher than usual.

And then she nodded. Somehow, she seems to be in a good mood.

「Good work, disciple.」

She didn’t just help out with the revival of the Elementary Level – Beginner’s Dungeon, she also trained me with the blade.

Even when we came back, we continued my training, and even though it has only been a short period of time, she is another master to me.

A master of magic and a master of the sword. I was blessed with both.

「Good luck out there.」

「Mm.」

With a slight nod, she opens the cocoon.

Before entering it, she looks back at me.

「That reminds me, I heard from Carmilla.」

「From her? What did you hear?」

「By accomplishing something great, she got a reward.」

I guess this is about the date I promised Milla.

Since Milla managed to take out four of the Adventurers in the third stratum, I invited her out for a date after much deliberation. 

To think that she told Furcus about it…

I got really embarrassed, but I nodded.

「Yes, we have decided to do it when the Raid Battle is over.」

「I see.」

「Y-yeah.」

Furcus looked up at me, staring.

「Uhm……wh-what about it?」

She continues to stare intently at me.

「Furcus?」

Finally, she muttered something quietly.

「I’m a Floor Boss too.」

「…? Yes, I’m counting on you.」

「My reward?」

I knew it!

I was shocked for a moment, but she is my master.

This shouldn’t be the same as the discussion with Milla.

A master seeking a reward from her student is a little strange, but without thinking too hard about it, I am the Demon King Army’s Chief of Staff.

In other words, her boss. Rewarding a subordinate who has achieved something great is not a strange idea at all.

「There is a restaurant that I frequent often, I’ll treat you to a meal there, where you can order as much as you want as a reward. How does that sound?」

Furcus gave a big nod.

「Well done, my disciple. Also, my boss.」

I can’t say that I’ll treat her any time she wants just because I’m indebted to her.

And that’s because, despite Furcus’ small frame, she’s a far greater eater than one can imagine.

In the Demon King Castle cafeteria where the staff eats for free, there is a limit put in place where one person is only limited to one portion.

If that wasn’t put in place, she would consume everything.

If I were to casually say I’ll treat her to a meal, my wallet will be drained within that day.

However, if it can raise her morale even by a little bit, I won’t regret it.

「Lem.」

She calls me by my name.

There is meaning in calling me that way.

For example, she is referring to me not as the Chief of Staff and the Big Four, but as a student and his master.

「Yes?」

「Watch closely.」

She said and then entered the cocoon.

Not long after that, the cocoon on the opposite side opened up and the armored figure of Furcus stepped out.

Without looking at me, she heads over to the Recording Stone, touches it, and transfers to the eighth stratum.

I look at the spot where her back was a moment ago and nodded.

「Yes, master. Observing is also training, right?」

Training doesn’t just involve moving the body. Observation is also extremely important.

I hurry to the video room.

The eighth stratum – the realm of military might and duels.

Originally, the eighth stratum is a stratum where you will see two doors the moment you enter it.

The party must divide itself to enter both doors. Three people to one side, two to the other.

On the other side of each door is a single Dragonkin that one of each group must fight alone.

If they win, they get to proceed. If either group defeats five Dragonkin, they will arrive at the Floor Boss.

This time, the number of doors has been increased to four.

The Adventurers will be instructed to split up into groups of four, three, two, and two, respectively.

This way, the number of people required matches the remaining members of each party.

They are free to mix and match how they please, but in the end, it’s easier to coordinate by sticking with your party.

That is in fact how they ended up splitting up.

The Aerial party. The Hero Aerial, the Wizard Michelle, the Alchemist Louie, and then Hero Ewan.

The Hervor party. The Hero Herv and the Summoner Margret.

The Scathach party. The Hero Scathach. The Warrior Hamill and the Hunter Suuri.

The Wraith & Fran team. The Hero Wraith. The Destroyer Fran.

Dragonkin possess a strong body and hard scales.

In ancient times, a dragon species that was impressed by the martial arts used for slaughtering dragons took on the form of man in order to learn how to do the same…or so the story goes.

There are those who can use Breath attacks, but a lot of them fundamentally have the spirit of a true martial artist.

They prefer fair and square, one-on-one matches.

So, many Dragonkin are one-on-one martial artist athletes.

Since Dungeon Clears tend to be many vs many battles, it doesn’t suit them.

In the Demon King Castle, preparing one-on-one fights solves that issue.

Those who aren’t fussy over one-on-one fights and simply want to fight strong opponents will fight alongside Furcus in the Floor Boss battle.

These are the Dragonkin that helped out in the tenth stratum battle.

Aerial seemed relaxed.

Herv was delighted.

Scathach looks calm.

Wraith looks excited.

Each party’s leader led the way, opening the door.

The room was rectangular, and as soon as all the members entered through the door, it closed behind them and locked itself.

Guarding the door and stopping their progress is an armed Dragonkin.

The Adventurers have to take him on alone.

「You have done well to come this far, intruders.」

A slightly unique series of one-on-one Clear and defenses begin.