Chapter 34: Parents

Our achievements piled up day by day.

We were finally facing the promotion examination.

I came to the Adventurer’s Guild alone and talked to Morzen about the examination.

“Do you know how the examination is conducted?”

“Isn’t it just a matter of succeeding in the missions set by the Guild?”

“That’s right.

It’s higher than E-class, but it’s still far below average difficulty, even though it’s at D-class.”

Even among requests of the same grade, there are differences in difficulty.

The mission we’re being examined for is strictly speaking a ‘D-‘ level.

The content will be delivered to you by the examiner on the day of the examination, but at our level, we can easily pass without the Holy Sword.

However.

“Mr. Morzen, are you coming to personally supervise the promotion examination this time?”

“Yes.

I’m the examiner.”

The Guild’s receptionist, Morzen, said that he would be the examiner.

“It may take several days depending on the case.

Is that okay?”

“Yes.

That’s the rule.”

“The receptionist is being called out as the examiner?”

“Well, rather than that…

the association is supposed to supervise.

Originally, it was supposed to be an association adventurer of rank 2 or higher who would do the judging, but now we’re short on people, so I’m going to supervise.”

“…?”

Short on people?

Even though Normans isn’t a large city, it’s still a medium-sized city.

“There aren’t any adventurers to judge?”

“That’s not true, but…

are you uncomfortable with me?”

“No, no.

That’s not true, I’m just curious.”

Even if there aren’t people, there should be someone to supervise and manage us, so why is the receptionist saying she’ll do it herself?

“If it’s rank 2 or higher, it’s all okay as a C- class adventurer, right?

Then Rosemas…

can’t do it.”

“Because we’re registered on the same team.”

It’s a reasonable and logical point.

Rosemas is a member of our team, so she can’t help with our promotion judging.

That could be a case of unfair judging.

“I was a C-class adventurer before I started working as an office worker.

I can take care of myself, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Surprising.

The receptionist HoraMorzen, who seemed like a very gentle and office worker, was actually an adventurer.

“Isn’t a receptionist just supposed to do office work?”

“That’s true, but there are quite a few rough ones.

We’re going to have to deal with those who sexually harass us ourselves.”

“What about B-rank or higher?”

“Usually, adventurers of that rank don’t do that to receptionists.

Personality and humanity are also considered when evaluating for promotion.”

“Oh…”

That’s more reasonable than you think.

Indeed, as she said, most people who harbor strange thoughts and try to do strange things to receptionists will be kicked out at the entrance of the Adventurer’s Guild by other high-ranking mercenaries.

“Then how does the promotion test work?”

“We conquer dungeons. I’ll be watching you conquer the dungeons, and you guys do your best to conquer the designated dungeons. Oh, dungeon conquers are common. The locations are secret, but that much can be revealed.”

“Hmm…”

Dungeon conquers.

I can picture it.

Lucius in the front.

Me behind.

Rosemath and Morzen to observe and support from the rear.

The two of us will probably go in front, with Rosemath and Morzen following behind, planning to step in if necessary.

Lucius can handle it alone without the Holy Sword.

If it’s a D-rank dungeon like I expected, Lucius can win with his sword alone.

Even if he can’t defeat the enemies with one blow like the Holy Sword, he can steadily swing his sword and defeat them while moving forward.

In that case, it’s basically Lucius’s stage.

I’ll just be supporting from behind.

“When I’m done preparing tomorrow, I can come to the union right away, right?”

“Do you need more preparation?”

“Of course.”

I will be fully prepared anytime, anywhere.

You never know when, where, and what kind of danger will pop up.

“Understood. Then I will also prepare properly.”

“Thank you, Examiner.”

That is the basic attitude of a Demon Lord living in this dangerous human world.

I finished preparing by coordinating the detailed agenda for conquering the dungeon with Morzen, and Morzen spared no support for us in a position that was as transparent as possible without affecting the examination.

I thought you were giving everything to Lucius because you were in love with him.

Although he strictly distinguishes between public and private matters, he does his best to be considerate in areas where he can be considerate.

If you are not a member of the association, and if you have sufficient fighting power and talent, it might not be bad to join Lucius’ party.

“…Then we will leave tomorrow morning. Speaking of which, Mr. Morzen. Is there any interesting news?”

“Interesting news?”

“Yes. How the world works.”

Since ancient times, information is provided by the Adventurer’s Guild.

There were no other guests behind them, so this was a moment where they could talk leisurely.

“You said the world is in turmoil these days. I wondered if there was some big issue.”

From Morzen’s perspective, he would want to talk to Lucius more, but Lucius was currently on a date with Rosemath.

“Hmm… nothing much happened. It’s the same old routine. The dungeons get bigger every day, demons try to come over the other side of the black cliff every day, and the Red Moon Goddess Cult and the Blue Moon Goddess Cult are at odds.”

“Hmm…”

The human world is always noisy.

When non-human enemies appear, humans unite and fight in a grand alliance, but humans are basically people who can’t fight each other and are impatient.

However, there’s something I absolutely must find in that vague information.

Acedia.

Traces of Zepha.

They’re definitely a dark organization that summoned the Great Demon King and sacrificed countless humans, and were pursued by the Holy Knights, so there might be a clue about them somewhere.

“There are conflicts in many areas. The Adventurer’s Guild is in conflict with the monsters rampant on the continent.”

Whether it’s politics, economics, society, culture, or race.

Humans are a race that fights and fights.

“But Witch. Mr. Lucius will be coming tomorrow too?”

“Of course.”

“Then, will the two of you continue to form a pair? In the future, too?”

Humans fight.

Whether it’s in a field, in love.

Humans are ready to fight each other anytime, anywhere.

“Well, Witch, Mr. Lucius….?”

Even in this peaceful union.

“Well, rather than a pair, the party will be centered around Lucius, right?”

“Yes?”

“It will probably continue to grow. We have our own goals, and there may come a situation where we can’t win with the three of us now.”

The three of us will fight the Black Dragon Belphegor?

It’s dangerous.

Zephyr will definitely deploy many demons nearby, and we need many companions to deal with them.

“Then…

You mean you’re continuously recruiting companions?”

“Yes. Beyond a simple party, it could form a fairly large group of adventurers, right?”

It could really become a huge group of adventurers.

“Oh, then should I post a recruitment notice for the party? Openly, so that anyone can participate. Without restrictions.”

“No. That won’t work.”

“Huh? Why?”

“There must be many who want to be my comrades, but I have to make the decision first.”

“….”

Morzen looked me up and down and twisted the corners of his mouth.

He seemed to have a lot to say, and it was as if he didn’t like the idea of me restraining Lucius.

“Does that mean that the Witch will manage Lucius’s comrades?”

“Rather than that, I want to block all those who try to use Lucius. That guy lives in the countryside and is quite naive.”

A warrior with the power of the holy sword.

“Lucius is talented. He is a gemstone. If he is processed and polished well, he will become a wonderful jewel that anyone would admire, but of course, because he is such a gemstone, others will be jealous and try to get ahold of him.”

He will most likely be fooled.

‘My fool’

He will make sure that other guys can’t use him.

“As time goes by, there will be more people interested in Lucius. Some of them will approach him with good intentions, but there will also be those who will use him maliciously.”

Like me.

“To prevent them from using Lucius recklessly. And to truly help Lucius achieve what he wants. Those are the basic qualities of those who will become Lucius’s companions.”

“I see…”

Morzen’s expression as he listened to me was extremely serious.

“You are serious about helping Lucius grow, aren’t you?”

“Of course. What should I say, you are called a teacher, but this is also similar to the heart of a parent…”

Monster parents.

Rather than wishing for their children to grow as humans, they are those who create a means to make their children financially successful and take responsibility for their parents’ old age.

“Lucius needs a guardian. He is a full-fledged adult physically, and can take responsibility for his own actions, but he doesn’t know exactly how to act in society as an adult.”

So you need a helper.

“You’ll wander, experience sadness, and suffer. Some say you have to experience life firsthand to understand it, but wouldn’t it be better to take the easier path?”

Yes.

“I just want Lucius to walk on a flowery path.”

At the end of that flowery path, cut off Zepha’s neck.

“That’s what I want from Lucius.”

Note. Caution, request.

Ma’am.