The adventurer guild inner area has finally calmed down. Thank you.”
“This is all thanks to my assigned S-rank adventurer.”
“What are you saying, after stealing it?” “Oh, in reality.” “Stop messing around.”
Ah, with Nina’s shout, both Isecca and Strena became quiet.
(By the way, my party members are Nina, me, and Nastasia.)
“Uh, nice to meet you properly, my name is Deles, Isecca-san.”
“Yeah, I heard about you. I didn’t hear that you were a cross-dressing boy, though.”
“I’m sorry, this is my punishment.” “Haa, you mistakenly thought it was Nina-san…” “Hey!”
Ah, he’s emitting killing intent.
(That aside, let’s seriously discuss the Demon Lord’s strategy.)
“Um, sorry, I’ll continue. Actually, am I the one to do this?”
“Deles, please do.”
“Ah, yes. Is the Demon Lord Badolin that strong? He’s a pink bear, right?”
And, he’s incredibly lame.
“About that, it’s a strange skill, or rather magic, that makes you unable to stop dancing to the music.”
“So, will we have to fight while dancing?”
“That’s right. Round marks fly towards your feet, and you take damage if you don’t step on them.”
What is that?
“Normally, shouldn’t you avoid them?”
“That’s right, it’s strange, isn’t it? And apparently, the mark patterns match the music perfectly.”
“So, it’s about ‘dancing’?” “That’s right.”
Troublesome.
“Are magic attacks ineffective? From our side.”
“They’re completely ineffective. His tough outer shell seems to perfectly block magic and long-range attacks.”
“Then, while stepping on the marks, approach him and attack with a sword directly.” “With an axe or a spear, if you get close, but that also seems to be quite tough.”
As expected of the Seven Great Demon Lords.
(Nina has taken her hand away from her chin. Is she going to ask something?)
“…The party that most recently came close to defeating Badolin was?”
“That was a solo effort. A hero named Hokura got surprisingly close.”
“Oh, him?” “After all, the penalty was just ‘the hair of the royal capital’s residents smells faintly of cream for one night.’”
A subtle punishment game.
Maybe I should ask about it; it’s a bit funny.
“What other penalties were there?”
“The water in rivers and ponds turned pink, mysterious moans could be heard all night, footsteps made a ‘piko piko’ sound, all the pudding in the royal capital was eaten by someone, or when you spoke, your words ended with ‘Pou!’, and the durations varied.”
Pink water, I wonder if it was harmless to drink, just the color.
Nina regains her composure and asks another question.
“If Hokura-dono almost defeated him alone, does that mean a smaller party is more advantageous?”
“No, the difficulty changes according to the number of people. Actually, I heard that having more people is slightly advantageous.”
“So, Hokura-dono was just that amazing?” “That would be the case.”
Since this is a story about the Demon Lord, Calendula, Strena is serving tea herself, as if she has free time.
(The regular staff are probably tired from the evacuation panic earlier and are resting.)
“Understood. If the attack method is special, we can devise a countermeasure.”
“There’s a practice ground underground. For the dance battle with Badolin.”
“There is such a thing?” “However, there are refugees there now, so let’s make it available once things settle down.”
Looking outside, the musical notes are still falling with a clatter.
(Ah, Nastasia raised her hand even though she’s no longer a slave!)
“What is it? You have permission to speak.”
“Yes, for now, we should do something about these musical notes outside.”
“Right. For a large-scale barrier, that would be Sufma. I’m sorry, Strena-jou.”
Strena, who was in the middle of pouring herself some black tea, turns to them.
“Yes, you’d like me to call her, wouldn’t you?”
“Ah, it’s a friendly nation, so please help them.”
“However, if that’s the case, how long will we have to be stationed here…?”
So, Sufma has to stay here the whole time.
“Understood. Once she arrives, we’ll defeat Badolin as soon as possible.”
“Um, th-thank you for your help!!”
The Guild Master, Lulunojo, who came in late, bows her head. She wasn’t bowing to Strena, but to us, as she heard the part about defeating the Demon Lord.
“Indeed, the Adventurer Guild will surely offer a suitable reward, won’t they?”
“Of course! Um, not only platinum coins, but ah, anything I can do to help…” (blush)
Eh, at that age?! I’m keeping those thoughts to myself.
“That’s what she said, Deles. Do you have any wishes?”
“Um, that’s it! The rope crossing in the gorge of Azir Muzka! I want to try that!”
“That’s a sightseeing request, isn’t it? This is about the reward.” “No, I’d be happy with anything that Nina-san would like.”
Still, if I said, ‘Then, it would be illegal, but how about male prostitutes…’, she would cry.
“Well, including that, let’s all talk about it again. I’m getting quite hungry.”
“Ah, we’re already quite past lunchtime.”
“Then, let’s immediately go to Calendula’s restaurant, but…”
A giant musical note hits the window.
Yeah, it’s impossible. Well, as expected, the Guild’s defenses are perfect.
It’s a shelter, so that’s natural.
(Isecca-san is also looking downcast.)
“I’m truly sorry. The royal capital is currently unable to…”
“…Is the second and third city also impossible?”
“Since the refugees are flowing to those areas, the cafeterias are likely full as well.”
This can’t be helped.
(Having lunch while enjoying the spectacular view of the gorge sounds nice though.)
“It can’t be helped. We just left, but shall we return to the Great Heavenly Tree?”
“No, no, Anju will have school tomorrow as usual, so you don’t need to worry about that.”
“If so, please come to our Imperial Capital!” “Strena, I already refused that.”
I refused it without realizing it!
“No, no, the Imperial Capital is still in the middle of the Demon Lord Subjugation Festival. We’ll treat you to an all-you-can-eat feast!”
“No matter how you think about it, you’ll be treated to unnecessary things as well. Only the Empress should get completely fat.”
“It’s almost my turn to lose weight, so don’t worry.”
No, I don’t think we’re worried, neither Nina nor I.
“Um, I have a proposal.”
“What is it, Nastasia raised her hand again? You have permission to speak again.”
I wonder if she wants to eat something.
“I heard from Mogunami-san that the famous seafood restaurant in Zazam has reopened.”
“The shopkeeper has returned?” “Yes, and the staff too. For a while, it was bustling with adventurers who had defeated the ones on the ground…”
“And those guys have gone back, right?” “Yes, the mermaid race can’t come ashore, so they are troubled by having too much free time.”
Ah, I’ve wanted to eat that for a long time.
We had the Angel race make it from locally sourced ingredients, but I’m also looking forward to local food prepared by proper cooks, not just Cooking Hero Citye.
“Deles, what do you think?”
“Let’s go. By all means.”
“Then, our Empire will cover the cost.” “Is that alright? Shall we invite the Angel race too?” “Th-that…”
With the Great Heavenly Tree’s Fruit, I don’t think they’ll eat that much anymore.
Don’t they know?
“Just kidding. It’s only for the official members of Nina Starlights.”
“Hmph, I’m relieved.”
“Then, by now, rescue, treatment, and evacuation should be settled. Let’s gather everyone and have lunch in Zazam.”
Thus, we recovered Clarice and Anju (and two otherworlders), and Helen (and eight succubi), and first went to Mermaid Island.
From there, we teleported to a villa in Zazam. Wait, something followed us!!
“Hargo-san, are you Anju’s stalker?”
“No, I heard there was lunch!”
I couldn’t help but ask. Well, that’s fine. One more person…
“Jave-san too?”
“We’ll have a meeting. There are also things about Mermaid Island that I want to iron out.”
“Is that so? If Nina-san is alright with it.”
(…Is there something else I’m forgetting?)
“Well then, Anju, do you know the way to the restaurant?”
“Not at all.”
“I see. Then, to the front of the Guild.” “Roger roger.”
…Then wouldn’t a Teleport Scroll have been better?
Well, it’s fine. Even one is precious, so I’ll consider it saving it.
(Even Bellgrace returned to the Shamanias Continent on her own without using it!)
And then, to the rooftop of the Adventurer Guild.
Whoa, the dragon and the old man tamer are surprised. They were already here.
“Sorry, sorry, sorry!”
With Anju’s strange apology, we’re at the entrance of the Adventurer Guild.
Well, it’s not a very large port town, so I just need to ask for directions.
(Still, I feel like I’m forgetting something…?!)
“Ah, Jave-san, the teleportation device?”
“Ah, I gave it to the dancer sisters.”
“Then I’m safe… Ah! I forgotーーーー!!!”
Anju quickly retrieved them for me, along with the Princess Sisters.
(Now, it’s time for a luxurious seafood lunch!!)
