kscans

Chapter 251 - The Party's Dismissal

A few days after Mist woke up, several of the members staying at the headquarters announced that their work was done and they would be leaving.

The Hero, Ivan, was scheduled to go to another dungeon and said he wouldn't be able to help for a while.

He was leaving early in the morning, so only Hayato and Rose came to see him off.

"That was fun. I'm usually solo, so it was a fresh experience. It's not bad to clear a dungeon with a party once in a while."

"I'm glad you think so, but you're a busy man, Hero. I wanted to host you a little longer."

"This was more than enough. My Excalibur and armor were maintained and are like new. And I got a ton of medicine and food, so my dungeon clearing will go smoothly."

"If there's anything I can help with using my production skills, come by anytime. You've helped me out so much."

"I'll take you up on that. But spare me when Simon is around. I'd like to relax on the days I'm not clearing a dungeon."

While Ivan was at the headquarters, he was frequently asked to spar.

The main challenger was the female samurai, Simon, but the maid, Rose, and the dark knight, Gil, also held mock battles with Ivan quite often.

It wasn't so bad when they were clearing the Necropolis dungeon, but in the days after, it's no exaggeration to say he was fighting almost all day long. He probably wasn't physically tired, but he must have been quite mentally exhausted. So much so that it seemed like he was going to the dungeon just to get away from it.

(I should have said something more from my end. I feel bad for Ivan...)

It wasn't exactly compensation, but he maintained Ivan's weapons and armor for free and gave him a large amount of food and medicine. He didn't know if it balanced out, but Ivan seemed happy, so Hayato decided it was probably fine.

Hayato offered to see him off outside, but Ivan said, "Don't, it's embarrassing," and gave a small wave with his right hand over his shoulder as he left the headquarters as if it were nothing special.

Hayato's only impression was that it was very Ivan-like, but it was effective on Rose, who was there.

"Ivan-sama is so cool... He even had a mock battle with me, and I got his autograph. I'll make this a family heirloom."

"Ah, yeah. You're a fan, right?"

"Yes, I've been a fan since before Ivan-sama became a Hero. When I tell Esha that, for some reason she looks at me like I'm a strange monster."

"Esha was in the same clan as Ivan, so she didn't just see his good side, but his bad side too, I guess... Right, work, work."

Hayato said something plausible to brush it off. Rose was usually competent, but once she started talking about Ivan, she wouldn't stop.

"You're right. Let's make a good profit today as well. Ah, there's something I'd like to confirm before we start work."

"What is it?"

"Is Gil-sama leaving soon?"

"I haven't heard anything from Gil-san, and I haven't heard from Lunaria-san either. Should I ask them?"

Gil, one of the Ten Dark Knights, was someone who should originally be at the Demon Lord's Castle. Due to various circumstances and a request from the Demon Lord Lunaria, he was currently staying at Hayato's headquarters as a guest.

Right now, the Gothic Lolita group, the Ten Black Rose Saints, and the Ten Dark Knights were fighting at the Demon Lord's Castle, and if Gil returned, the power balance would be disrupted. This was to adjust for that.

It had been quite some time since Hayato had heard that story. It was about time a conclusion had been reached, so Hayato decided to send Lunaria a voice chat.

"Lunaria-san, do you have a minute?"

"Hayato-san, it's been a while. I was just thinking I wanted to talk to you too."

"Oh, really? Then maybe it's about the same thing. It's about Gil-san..."

"I'm quitting being the Demon Lord and becoming a fashion model. I've prepared my resume, so can you tell me about some modeling agencies? Or a dedicated model for an armor shop would be fine too. I'll show you I can wear any armor. I can also sign autographs, so I want to appeal that I'm an immediate asset."

"This is some serious deja vu. Were you put under house arrest by Rosalie-san and the others this time?"

The Demon Lord Lunaria had a past where she was put under house arrest by the Ten Dark Knights as punishment for invading the world, and was made to bake cookies the entire time. She must have been quite cornered, as she even declared she would quit being the Demon Lord and become a cookie baker.

And now she was saying she would become a fashion model. Hayato wondered what a Demon Lord even was.

"I'm not under house arrest, but I'm being made to wear different dresses and armor every day. I've realized I can rule the world as a model. Bow down to my beauty."

"That's the wrong idea."

"...Is it really? I had a faint suspicion, but everyone was praising me so much that I got a little carried away. About fifty percent."

"You were fifty percent serious? Well, I'm glad you still have some reason left. The last time with the cookie baker, you seemed pretty serious. Besides, you look cooler as a Demon Lord than as a model, Lunaria-san."

"Hmph, you're making me blush."

(I feel like the world would be more peaceful that way. Even if it is a virtual world.)

Lunaria was a bit of a klutz as a Demon Lord, but because of her strength and beauty, she was quite adored in the Demon Country.

She sometimes acted outrageously, but her surroundings were sensible and managed to keep her in check. The fact that they sometimes went on a rampage together was probably just a charming quirk.

"By the way, do you need something from this cool me? I'm in a good mood, so I'll listen to anything. Who should I cut down?"

"Don't say things like that, Demon Lord. It's not funny. It's about Gil-san."

"Ah."

"...Did you perhaps forget?"

"I was going to call him back right after the battle between the Black Rose and the Black Knights ended, but I was caught by Rozacchi and the others and had my measurements taken, so my message was delayed. It's fine now, so please tell him to come back. I think if Gilcchi is here, Rozacchi and the others will calm down too."

"Measurements...? Ah, I see. Then I'll tell him. No, wait, it might be better for you to tell him as the Demon Lord, Lunaria-san."

"True. I'll tell him then. And I'll thank you later, Hayato-san, so look forward to it."

"I will."

The voice chat ended.

When Hayato explained the conversation, Rose frowned.

"What shall I tell the Maid Chief?"

"...There's that..."

The Maid Chief was in love with Gil.

Right after the Necropolis was cleared, she had asked him with a straight face, "Are there any dungeons we can clear just the two of us? An overnight trip would be best."

He had told her there were no such things, but lately she had been coming to the headquarters every day to make lunch. The official reason was to check if Rose and Esha were doing their jobs as maids properly, but the only one who believed that lie was Gil.

And if Gil were to leave this headquarters, there was no telling what would happen. There was a high probability that the fists of the Maid Chief, who was said to be a demon god, a warrior spirit, and a raging demon, would be turned on them.

"Is there a chance the Maid Chief will chase Gil-san all the way to the Demon Lord's Castle?"

"I'd say it's fifty-fifty."

"That's high. I don't mind if that's what happens, but I have a feeling we'll get some of the fallout here. She might ask to borrow the airship or something."

As Hayato and Rose were wondering what to do, they heard the sound of someone coming down the stairs from the second floor. The footsteps were metallic. It was probably Gil, who usually wore armor.

Their prediction was correct. Gil came down from the second floor without his helm.

"Hayato-dono, Rose-dono, I just received a message from Lunaria-sama. She asked me to return to the Demon Lord's Castle."

"Yes. I also just spoke with Lunaria-san. We are very grateful for all your help, Gil-san..."

"Not at all, I am the one who is grateful. Not just to you, Hayato-dono, but to Rose-dono as well. I was able to spend my time here without any inconvenience thanks to you two. I thank you."

Gil said and bowed his head.

"No, no, we are the ones who should apologize for basically imprisoning you at first."

"That was what the young ladies of the Black Rose did, and it was my fault for forcing my way onto the airship. It is not something for you to worry about, Hayato-dono."

(He's so reasonable... Why did Gil-san make Lunaria-san bake cookies? Does he like cookies? Or was Gil-san not involved in that matter?)

As Hayato was thinking such things, Rose took a step forward.

"Um, if I may be so bold as to ask, will you be returning to the Demon Country immediately, Gil-sama?"

"I was thinking of returning today, but would that be inconvenient?"

"Ah, um, I wonder?"

Rose glanced at Hayato.

He thought it was a bit much to pass the buck to him after bringing it up, but he realized it must be difficult for her to talk about the Maid Chief, so Hayato spoke up.

"Um, I think everyone would like to say goodbye to you, Gil-san. You were our comrade who fought alongside us, even if it was temporary, and I think everyone would be sad if you suddenly disappeared."

"I see. I haven't had such an experience, so I didn't realize. In that case, I will return tomorrow and say my goodbyes today. By the way, Rose-dono, will Maid Chief-dono be here today?"

"Yes, I believe she will be here around noon."

"That is good. I have been in Maid Chief-dono's care for various things, so I would like to greet her properly. Well then, I will go and greet everyone on the second floor right away!"

Gil said and went up the stairs.

Hayato and Rose were left in the dining hall.

"Um, Rose-san. Could you contact the Maid Chief for me? She's in the same guild and your superior, right? I think it would be better coming from me."

"No, I believe it would be better if you contacted her, Hayato-sama. It's just a maid's intuition."

Hayato and Rose's back-and-forth continued, and in the end, it was decided that Hayato would contact the Maid Chief.