Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle - Chapter 216-1

216 – The All-Heaven Festival Games (Part 1)

It was a large venue. It’s used for singers or idol events.

To say that the turnout was great would be an understatement, it was packed.

We were invited by the organizers and they let us through to the front row.

The fact that this many people came despite this being a secret event just proves the star power of the guests.

Every Adventurer and Monster that was revealed to be here is famous.

All possessing countless fans throughout the world and simply having them all gather here is enough to pique everyone’s interest, thinking something might happen.

Those from the Demon King Castle that have come to have a look are the Demon King, the Big Four, the Chief of Staff, and his secretary.

Her Highness was firmly flanked by Agares and Milla. To Agares’s side was Furcus, while I was beside Milla. Sitri beside Furcus.

From left to right, it was Sitri, Furcus, Agares, her Highness, Milla, me, and Cashew.

「Tsk, why is it that I and my beloved subordinates have to accept an invitation from that man.」

Her Highness sat on her chair cross-legged and angry.

Long hair as red as lava and a pair of similar-colored eyes. Also, a pair of black horns.

By the way, her hairstyle of the day is twin-tails. That plus her one-piece dress along with her small frame make her look like nothing but a sweet little girl, but she is actually the master of the Demon King Castle.

The organizer that has so angered our sovereign…is none other than Fellow.

Her Highness’s father wishes to abolish Dungeon Clears by establishing new forms of games in order to remove the stigma of Monsters being viewed as evil due to their portrayal in Dungeon Clears.

This also makes him the son of my master.

As Agares and Milla were calming her Highness down, the lighting in the venue dimmed.

Only the stage that was prepared in the depths of the venue was illuminated with dazzling light.

To my right, Cashew’s ears twitched with excitement. She held on to the sleeve of my clothes lightly, perhaps because she got a little scared when the lights went out.

To my left, Milla entangled my hand with hers just as the lighting changed.

Her upturned gaze radiates a magical charm that melts away any will to resist.

『Ever since peace had arrived, Dungeon Clears continue to deliver thrill after thrill to all in the continent.』

「Oh my, that’s Maggie.」

Mutters Milla.

The voice reverberating throughout the venue was certainly that of the Summoner Margret of the 3rd ranked party.

To us, she is also an ally who fought with us in the Original Dungeon Clear not too long ago.　　

At the back of the stage, there is a large screen where a video started playing.

It was a compilation of the Clear videos of various Adventurers.

The already riled-up audience all went「Ooooh…」.

『But have you ever asked yourself… What would happen if that Adventurer and that other Adventurer fought? Which of those Monsters is the stronger one?』

One after another, the figure of high-ranking Adventurers flashed on the screen, followed by famous Monsters from high-difficulty Dungeons.

The Demon King Castle’s Big Four and I also appeared. Her Highness only made an appearance for a moment in the Raid Battle but her image was captured perfectly.

The moment Lemegeton was on the screen, Cashew looked at me with sparkles in her eyes. I smiled and nodded.

『…Or perhaps you asked yourself… Who is the superior party among the history of 1st rankers? Who is the absolute strongest Monster?』

The Unyielding Hero Altreed and the Storm Hero Aerial appeared on screen, followed by the figures of my master and ferocious fighters that many past Adventurers struggled against.

Before I realized it, I found myself glued to the screen, unable to look away.

『And finally, I am sure that we have all asked ourselves this… In the end, who is the strongest of all?』

Everyone in the venue gasped.

『Let us find out.』

shhh Smoke rose from the floor of the stage.

When the smoke cleared, what we saw was a dream.

No.

We saw a dream-like scene.

『I hereby declare the festival to determine who is the strongest of this era…!』

Out from the smoke came…

『The Phantom 1st Ranked party, the party led by the Unyielding Hero Altreed!』

『The Overwhelming 1st Ranked party, the party led by the Storm Hero Aerial!』

『And, would you believe it, the living legend that cut all ties to the rest of the world for so long, the Undefeated Absolute Monarch Demon King Lucifer! As well as the Monsters who all once served him…!』

It was my master.

My master was here.

HUH?

Wha…?

HUH?!!!!!

I am not surprised that my master was able to completely hide his Magical Energy signature. It’s my master, after all.

The participation of the Aerial party and the Altreed party wasn’t as exciting.

I mean…master, you…

You didn’t even tell me anything…

It’s not as if you need permission from your student but…

My master doesn’t even look my way.

It was a little delayed but I turned to look at her Highness.

The Demon King Luci also turned to look at me.

We both shook our heads.

It seems that he didn’t say anything to not only his disciple but neither to his granddaughter.

「H-how did that man get Grandfather to… Gr… Let’s go.」

With that alone, the top brass of the Demon King Army all nodded, stood up, and followed after her Highness.

Cashew didn’t really get what was happening and panicked a little, but she gripped onto my outstretched hand and followed behind.

The audience was already standing and cheering.

According to the guest information that was released in advance, the 2nd ranked Ex party, the 3rd ranked Hervor party, the 4th ranked Fenix party, the 5th ranked Scathach party and other high-ranking parties will also be coming.

Normally, unless it was a job at the level of the Raid Battle, first-class parties won’t gather like this because they’re too busy.

However, considering the contents of this project, anyone would punt any and all work they have currently away to take part in this one. The side that got kicked aside don’t mind either, because they can’t help but also want to be a part of the audience 

Coming out of the side entrance meant for personnel, a woman in a suit was awaiting us.

The woman, who gave a polite bow, had two horns… A Majin.

「It has been a long time, milady.」

「…Irune, huh?」

I heard that she was and always has been Fellow’s secretary.

「I am glad to be able to meet you once again, milady.」

「State your business.」

「To think you used to adore me like an elder sister…」

「Until you disappeared along with him. Out with it.」

Irune looked lonely for a brief moment, but she quickly started giving an explanation.

「At the master’s orders, I have prepared your costumes for you.」

「Tsk… He predicted this, huh? Fine, lead the way.」

「This way, please.」

I followed as well.

「U-uhm…Lem?」

Cashew looked worried. I gave her a reassuring smile and explained it to her.

Her Highness and her father don’t really get along.

Her father probably wanted the Demon King Army to go out on stage as well, but if he had asked her normally, she probably would have refused.

But on the Adventurer side, the former 1st rank and the current 1st rank or out together on stage, and on the Monster side, the former Demon King Army made an appearance.

It wouldn’t look good for us if the current Demon King Army doesn’t make an appearance as well.

Her Highness immediately thought that we should go up on stage, but since we didn’t dress appropriately, it would be hard to hide our true identities, right? So her father anticipated that and prepared our Monster costumes beforehand.

「I-I see…!」

There…is also the possibility that Fellow just wanted to surprise his daughter.

No matter how on bad terms she may be with her father, she would be inclined to go up on stage if she gets to talk to her grandfather.

…It’s quite possible.

Males and females were separated to their respective changing rooms, then Irune hurriedly led us to the side entrance of the stage after we had changed into our attire.

Not only the design, but the size of the costume was perfect, which made me feel uneasy.

Fellow’s ability to gather information is absolutely terrifying.

「Are you OK, Foofoo? On the stage just now, isn’t that your…」

「Mm. I’m fine.」

Furcus responded to Sitri’s concern with her usual, unchanging, flat voice.

Indeed, the previous generation’s Reaper Knight Furcus was on stage along with my master.

A former Demon King Army Big Four who had retired and passed on the armor and spear to the current generation.

…By the way, Furcus is currently wearing an outfit that she exclusively wears when she pilots the armor.

Tight clothing that conforms neatly to the curves of her body. A sort of one-piece swimsuit that leaves little to the imagination.

With long stockings that go up to her thighs, she isn’t as exposed as usual, and yet I couldn’t help but have my attention drawn to her.

And, just at that moment, Furcus stuck a finger in the space between her skin and the fabric, pulled it and it snapped back when she released. Perhaps she was bothered by how it was riding up. That was around her buttocks and I felt a swirling vortex of guilt in my chest as if I had seen something that I wasn’t supposed to.