Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle

47 – The Demon King’s Pupil

I received direct lessons from my master for three years. It was intense, but some people might think three years is pretty short.

However, even after I left the village, I continued to train myself.

As long as I preserve my master’s teachings, I am his disciple.

I was told that this power that I have must never be used in times of peace.

That happened one day after I had been training under him for about a year.

I was exhausted from that day’s training and my master summoned me into his room.

I thought he was going to criticize me or give me a lecture, but instead what I saw was a look on my master’s face that I had never seen before.

It wasn’t the usual annoyed, bored, cold, and cruel face.

He had a kinda…warm look.

「Lem, you’ve been doing well.」

I thought I was hearing things. He praised me? That never happens.

「H-huh?」

Ignoring my bewilderment, master continued.

「Honestly, I thought you would only last a few days, but you’ve managed to endure a year of training splendidly.」

「Master…?」

「I ask you once again. Why do you want to become a hero?」

I mustn’t talk back to my master. Even if I didn’t, it’s not like I hid it.

There were times where I just talked about my dream, but today is the first time that my master has ever shown an interest in me. I was honestly both shocked and happy.

「Because…Heroes are cool.」

「Wrong. Who would suffer through my training for a reason as simple as admiration?」

True, if someone were to ask me which was worse, my master’s training or going through Hell, I’d be hard-pressed to give an answer.

It took me some time to answer him. I was eleven years old at the time, so it was difficult for me to put my emotions into words.

「It’s true. I wanna become a Hero because they’re cool.」

「…」

「Bu-but…」

「What?」

「…uhm, when I was six years old, I asked my dad to buy me a sword.」

My master listened silently.

「But he said things like「It’s dangerous」or「You’re too young」and wouldn’t buy it for me. I understand why now, but at the time, I couldn’t. I wondered why even though I wanted it, he kept giving me reasons why he wouldn’t. I would have given up if he had just said we had no money.」

Instead of saying he’d buy it or not, he told me the risks of buying a weapon to urge me to give up.

I can understand the reasoning, but the way he said it never sat right with me.

It’s good that my dad was worried about me. It was the right decision because I would be afraid of the parent who would give their kid a dangerous weapon simply because they wanted it.

「And then?」

「On the day that I learned what my Job is, I remembered that moment. The people around me kept giving me reasons why I can’t become a Hero.「It was over when you became a Black Sorcerer」,「Black Magic is useless.」or「It’s just a shitty job that doesn’t raise your strength or speed」. They stepped on and laughed at my dream with that.」

「…Ah.」

Maybe I imagined it, but my master quietly nodded.

「Even I thought that they were right. But then, I remembered that time with the sword. I want to become a Hero but the reasons why I can’t keep piling up. In the end, people happily talked about how the Job sucks or how far away it is from a hero.」

「Why did you not give up at that point?」

「Because that isn’t cool.」

I reflexively said that and surprised myself.

At the same time, I suddenly understood it.

Ah, right. That’s it!

Even though I gave up on buying the sword, I couldn’t give up on becoming a hero.

If I became my master’s pupil and undertake his eccentric lessons, I could continue towards my goal.

The difference was obvious.

The difference between a childish desire and a dream that I decided on.

「Ever since I was little, I decided to become a Hero. So I should give that up just because my Job is wrong? That is so not cool. It’s not the Job that I admired. I admired the occupation that can defeat enemies, push my allies to victory, and excite the viewers」

「Even if you studied Black Sorcery, you need to cast it in such a way as to not get discovered, so you will not be able to defeat enemies by your own hands.」

「My party will be able to give their all because I’m there. That’s the kind of Black Sorcerer I will be.」

「Even if you won’t be fighting as the hero you imagined from the start?」

「Cutting with a blade or shooting magic isn’t the only way to fight, right?」

Master did not deny it.

「It will be a long and arduous fight. If you do not reach an incredibly high rank, no one will see your worth.」

「But, I’ve already decided.」

「I see…I see.」

To this day, I doubt this part of my memory.

Because at the very next moment…my master patted me on the head.

「You possess no special talent. Even if you did, your body is weak. You are just an average Black Sorcerer. But, you possess a weapon that is inferior to none. Do you understand?」

「…No, sir.」

At that time, my master’s voice was as gentle as a lie.

「Lem, you…are a child with a strong heart. You have had your hopes dashed, mocked by those who were once your friends, and your desired Job given to your best friend. Yet still, you refuse to give up and begged a suspicious Majin to teach you. You endured trials that would make grown men flee in mere moments and continue training to this day. The truth is, Lem, that I never intended to teach you anything. From the beginning, I just wanted to chase you away.」

…There were definitely times when I thought that that was the case.

「However, you did not let out a single complaint about the grueling training of an ill-tempered old man. Do not fear, the training you have done up till now was not random rubbish. It was training to discipline you.」

「I know.」

I never doubted that. He may be mean, but he isn’t the kind of person who would haphazardly create a training course. If he did, I would have probably died by now.

No, he’s the kind of man who would put together a training regiment that was just hard enough to almost kill me and make me want to run away.

「Lem, I officially recognize you as my disciple.」

「!…Sir…!」

「But Lem, while I understand your intentions, do you truly not desire the power to fight?」

「Huh?」

「Do you not want more power?」

Master’s extremely serious tone made my mind race and blurted out what I really thought.

「I do! Obtaining the power to defeat powerful enemies head-on, I want that too!」

「Are you willing to taste bitter pain far worse than you have thus far felt in order to attain such power?」

「If all I have to do is give it my all, then I’ll do anything」

「A fine answer. However, there is a problem with using this power.」

「…Problem, master?」

「The instant that you use it, the connection you have with me will become clear as crystal.」

「That…is a problem.」

If I have my master, I have a way to become stronger.

But for some reason, he doesn’t want to reveal himself or his power to society.

「Therefore, I propose a condition. You shall only use that power when faced against an opponent that you absolutely must win against.」

「Huh…?」

I was dumbfounded.

Because that goes against the promise I made with him.

「You faithfully keep the promise that you made with me, yes? That, too, I know. But, if ever there come a time where victory takes priority over your oath to me…do what you will with the power!」

My master said that.

He didn’t care if he was discovered so long as I used it in a fight that I had to win at all costs.

I didn’t expect to, but I started crying.

My master, who didn’t want to interact with people, who lived a life avoiding public attention, allowed me to use the power, knowing that his existence would be exposed through me. I was glad.

「However, know that when you use it, you will be put in an awkward position. You must destroy all the cameras and microphones used in the Dungeon. And then you must threaten the Monsters who were eliminated, after. Do not fear, they will know that you are affiliated with me after seeing that power. Those Monsters will quake in fear and obey.」

…He added some incredibly unsettling words.

「What will you do, Lem?」

「I want to become strong. Please show me the way.」

Then, my master broke off one of his horns.