Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle - Chapter 214-1

214 – Holding your Hand is Far Harder than Fighting the Strongest of Foes (Part 1)

The reason why Fenix and Lily came rushing here on a Dragon is thus;

In the beginning, the Fenix party was watching TV and found out that I was participating in the Original Dungeon investigation.

Nothing strange about that.

If you think about the time it took to get from the town with the Demon King Castle to the village and the fact that the Original Dungeon investigation has been underway for several days at that point, that news would have been broadcast a while ago.

Also, when they saw it, Fenix and co. were in the middle of Clearing a Dungeon.

Knowing that Ex and co. were there, not to mention a few of the Demon King Big Four, and the fact that they would be conducting the investigation via Avatar, there was nothing to worry about.

So, naturally, they continued their Clear.

What made him ride here on a dragon was Canary’s email telling him how some villagers were lured into the Original Dungeon.

The party was heading to an Adventurer Union facility to hand over the Clear footage to the guy that they usually ask to edit their videos.

Rather than looking for a facility to rent a Terminal, it’s better to just head to the Union in that town.

That’s how he checked his email.

After reading it, he immediately left the Union saying “I’m going to the village.” and took off on a dragon.

Judging from how suddenly Fenix ran out, Lily surmised that it was an emergency.

Linking the word village with me, she immediately chased after Fenix.

「Elves honor friendships. There is nothing strange about rushing to a friend in need of aid, now is there?」

So Lily said.

Her expression was as tense as usual, but her golden locks were a mess thanks to the wind zipping past her as she was falling, and the one strand that sticks out from the top of her head drooped as if it was tired.

I was touched by her concern and gave her my thanks.

At first, Canary thought that Lily was Fenix’s girlfriend, but after hearing what she said, Canary said “Lem, could it be that you’ve entered your popular with the ladies phase? You have, haven’t you? Goodness, but I’ve already decided to become Milla’s mother-in-law…”

I don’t really get what she means, but it makes me uneasy.

As Lily strings words together to try and get rid of this misunderstanding, Fenix and I let out a strained laugh.

「So, how are you getting home, anyway?」

「Ah, about that. The dragon is supposed to come back in three days’ time.」

「Really? Oh, right. I guess I should thank you. You came to help, right?」

「The villagers, that is.」

Joked Fenix, laughing.

「Ahaha, so you weren’t worried about me at all, huh?」

「If it’s you, you’d overcome any sort of trial.」

「…Gee, thanks.」

I…guess I shouldn’t tell him that it was a pretty hard struggle to come back.

『Ahaha, the Fire Spirit contractor has so much faith in you. You’ve got a lot to live up to, huh?』

The black chick says, happily

「……?」

Fenix suddenly reaches a hand out to the top of my head.

To others, he might look like he’s patting me on the head for some reason.

But to me, he looks like he’s trying to grab a hold of the black chick.

『Whoa there. Well, it’s not like I need to dodge it since he can’t touch me anyway, but better safe than sorry.』

Perhaps giving me an explanation, the black chick flies into the air to dodge Fenix’s hand.

I thought other people couldn’t see you in the first place?

『He can’t. But it’s like that overbearing fanatic girl. He watches you and can sorta sense my existence.』

The black chick must be talking about Milla.

It’s true that Milla seemed to notice when I was talking to it.

…Huh, there are times when I catch Fenix staring at nothing and wondered if he was conversing with the Spirit. Is this the reverse of that situation?

Not really, considering I had no idea what the general location of the Fire Spirit was when I suspected he was talking to it…

Is it a technique made possible by the sharpened senses of a Hero? Sure, let’s go with that.

「Is…something there, Lem?」

「…Yup, there is. I’ll tell you about it later.」

「Is that so? …By the way, that sword.」

「Can you feel it?」

It’s pretty much a Holy Sword now, but it’s a little odd.

A Holy Sword’s rank is determined by the rank of the Spirit.

The Holy Sword blessed by the main Fire Spirit that Fenix formed a contract with became a sword renowned as the pinnacle of modern-day weapons.

Rivaled in strength by Aerial’s Holy Sword and also whenever Wraith holds on to a weapon.

But you can’t sense any power that is characteristic of a Holy Sword from this sword.

In a sense, Merlin’s staff received a divine blessing from the same Spirit, so you could say it was turned into a Holy Sword, considering it won’t display its power when held by someone other than her just like a Holy Sword, but that one has an easier-to-sense presence around it.

『Well, of course. I turned it into a Holy Sword, but I didn’t pour any power into it.』

Is there some kind of condition I need to meet?

『Every time you prove entertaining, I’ll make that sword stronger.』

…I see. That seems like something this Spirit would do.

「Finally, a Spirit that acknowledges your abilities has appeared. I’m glad.」

He says with a dazzling smile.

…This guy doesn’t seem at all surprised that I’m haunted by a Spirit.

But he quickly looked down. Troubled.

「Spirit’s are pretty tough to handle, though… Please be careful.」

「Yeah, I already know.」

『Hey, don’t lump me together with that cold-then-hot Fire Spirit. I’m always honest with my feelings, so you don’t need to read between the lines with me at all. Nice and easy.』

Listening to her, I think that comes with its own set of troubles.

『Aren’t you just a little too cold to your partner here? Are you still mad about what I did to the villagers?』

Still? It’s only been a few hours…

「Lem, I’ll get all lonely if you leave me alone for too long.」

Said Sitri as she grabs a hold of my arm.

「Spirit? Did you mention Spirit? Did something happen with Lem and a Spirit?」

Lily, whose hair was straightened by a comb that Canary produced out of nowhere, drew near in surprise. Her one strand on the top of her head was energetically bouncing, having regained its vitality.

I heard from her before that Spirits are sacred beings to Elves and that Spirit contractors are the subject of respect and jealousy.

In Lily’s case, she thinks very highly of Fenix, who caught the interest of one of the Four Great Spirits.

「…Lem, I felt the same when I saw you with Miss Nicola, I don’t find your conduct admirable when you already have Miss Milla.」

「Oh shut up, it’s not like that.」

「Huh? You mean, we aren’t good friends?」

「No, of course, we are, but that’s not what Fenix is saying…」

「Uhm…about the Spirit…?」

「Ah, Lily. It would seem that Lem has caught the eye of a Spirit. It has to be the one from the Original Dungeon-」

「Fufu, look at you all flustered. You’re so~ cute, Lem.」

「…Please don’t tease me.」

「Wha-?! A Spirit’s divine blessing…?! Lem! Is this true…?!」

「Huh? Oh, uh, y-yeah. That’s right.」

「P-please, tell me the full details. …Also, I, too, do not admire your conduct.」

「Like I said, it’s not like that!」

「Huh? You mean we aren’t good-」

This conversation is such a mess… It’s surprisingly working, though.

Suddenly, Canary clapped her hands.

「Anyway~, let’s have a party! It’s time for a feast…!」

Even Hawk nodded happily.

「You’re right. We should celebrate everyone’s safe return…and the return of our sons.」

「And also celebrate the arrival of so many cute kids!」

With the couple’s words, the rest of the villagers who were watching this unfold started getting enthusiastic and made some noise.