.7 – The Unemployed Becomes the Demon King's Apprentice
Which Demon King?
What is she saying? That doesn't even make any sense… at least, that's what I wanted to think.
「It would be impossible to amass that on your own. That level of ability could only be attained under the training a Demon King would grant to their own child. It is a very outdated custom, however, considering that those children often died in the process.」
A sense of understanding spread through my chest.
So Master really was a Demon King,
Fenix and I had grown up in a town far out in the country. There was only one television, and it was in the assembly hall, with people of all ages gathering around it whenever dungeon clearing was being aired.
Further beyond that town in an even more secluded area was my master's house.
He was an old man that avoided contact with others and had thick crimson hair and eyes much like Her Majesty's.
I happened to encounter him while playing in the forest, and considering that my town didn't have any Demi-Humans, I got really excited seeing someone with horns on their head.
I'd bug him and follow him around, which resulted in a bond forming between us involving him shooing me away, kicking my butt, knocking me onto the floor with his fists, and being told not to ever come back again in a threatening voice.
My relationship with the old man changed when my Job was revealed to be Black Sorcerer at the temple.
After recovering from my depression over that, I remembered that my body would sometimes get heavier when the old man chased me away, or my vision getting dark when trying to chase after him.
I was almost convinced that he'd turn me down, but when the old man saw that I wanted to become a Hero despite being a Black Sorcerer, he decided to take me in as his disciple.
However, his condition was that if I ever complained that I couldn't do something or if something was too hard, then he'd never teach me anything again.
Also, I had to keep it an absolute secret from anyone.
After agreeing to that, I was subjected to what truly could be considered a training regime of hell, and I finally somehow learned the basics.
After that, all that was left was a warm farewell of 「Don't forget your daily training. And once you become an adventurer, don't ever come here again.」
After I told my kind friend Fenix about that, he said 「…He must have wanted you gone for being so whiny- I mean, you did great, Lem.」
By the way, Fenix often hung out with me so he knew Master, and Master recognized him as a sole exception to our secret. I swear it wasn't anything like 「Oh, they're both leaving the village since they're both adventurers, so it's not like it matters.」
But it makes sense now.
He used old spells I had never heard of before, and I always thought he was an amazing Majin.
So Master was a Demon King, huh?
By the way, Demon King is also a Job. Apparently only Majins with talent as both a Warrior and a Sorcerer as well as charisma can receive that Job.
Jobs like that have the aptitude of mastering abilities from multiple different Jobs.
Black Sorcerers can only use Black Magic, though.
「Lem, do you have any clue on who they might have been?」
Milla looked up at me in hopes that I answered.
I felt like I'd be able to supply her with whatever information she wanted if she looked at me like that, but it was no good.
Master hated having other people learn about him.
「Um, well…」
I tried to think of a way to avoid the question.
Wait a second…
Didn't Her Majesty say something weird just now?
Those children often died in the process…?
…It makes sense.
I've even almost died in the process as well numerous times, but I never actually had to worry about that.
Every day, Master would train me to the limit before going 「Tch… Any further and you'll die. Hey, Lem, a weakling like you won't be able to withstand this any longer, so we're calling it here. You don't need to come back ever again.」
I definitely would have been dead already if he didn't bother doing that, but it could be that the past Demon Kings would actually force their children to train until they legitimately died. That's even more hardcore than the Spartans.
「Answer my question, Lem.」
Her Majesty's voice had an oppressive tone to it, but it was likely just for show.
I'm already a fairly well-known person, and anyone could easily find information on me if they looked me up. Although, the fan sites that collect information on adventurers usually don't bother detailing much about me compared to the others that were in my party.
But you'd be able to at least find out where I'm from.
If they really wanted to find the Demon King that was my master, then any response I made would serve as no purpose other than to strengthen the merit of the already existing information. And considering that I might lie, they had no reason to force it out of me.
「I can't do that.」
「Why is that?」
「I don't want to become a person that breaks promises.」
I looked towards Her Majesty straight into her eyes. I made sure not to be the first one to break eye contact.
Eventually the Demon King Luci gave up and lowered her shoulders.
「Very well, that is fine.」
「I'm sorry.」
「I said it was fine. But at least tell me this. Did that person have the same hair, eyes, and horns as me?」
「...」
Being that I both didn't want to lie and didn't want to break my promise, I had no choice but to remain silent.
「I see, I see. By the way, Lem. What would you think of a grandfather that would retire and leave their grandchild to fend for themself?」
Her Majesty had an ear-to-ear smile on her face. It was clear that it wasn't a smile from the heart.
And that Demon King was actually pretty famous.
He found dungeon clearing to be 「too boring」 so he'd act as the Floor Boss of the very first floor, with not a single party ever advancing to the second stratum.
He was a legendary Demon King that defended against a raid, a special organized attack that involved multiple parties working together (which was a very rare occurrence), all by himself.
「Geez… Why is it that both Grandfather and Father don't see what's so great about being a Demon King? Truly a shame… At least, I would be saying that if it weren't for how convenient this has gotten for me. I must say, I never would have guessed that everything would loop back together like this…」
It looked like my master being Her Majesty's grandfather was just confirmed.
More importantly, it appeared that Her Majesty's behavior had changed. It wasn't especially dramatic or anything, it was kind of like she had figured out what to think of me.
At first she was trying to find out exactly what kind of person I was, but now she seemed to be satisfied and settled down.
「To think there'd be a human out there that could actually survive Grandfather's training… Hahaha, Carmilla, you had a good eye. This guy's the real deal.」
「No, even I never would have guessed that he'd be this incredible of a person.」
It appeared that the fact that I was my master's disciple was making them view me highly.
It almost felt like there was now even some fear thrown into Milla's eyes as she looked at me.
Upon reflexively looking back at her, she turned her eyes away with her lips trembling. Her cheeks seemed to have been blushing slightly, but it could have been my imagination.
「I felt the need to ascertain your worth earlier, but it seems that is no longer necessary. Lem, I shall take you in directly under my command. Um, what was it called again?」
「Staff Officer, Your Majesty.」
「Ah, yes. Alongside the Big Four, the Demon King Castle will enter a new stage of glory with your addition
「Oh, um, actually, I was just planning on hearing out your offer…」
「Don't worry about the pay. I will have Carmilla accompany you as your assistant for a while. If you ever feel like groping her breasts, you are free to negotiate that with her. As you are already well aware, the labyrinth clearing is on a subscription basis. You are free to do as you please on the days where the Heroes aren't challenging us. Fear not, Staff Officer. You won't just be #4 anymore, you'll become the world's greatest Floor Boss!」
Luci looked at me with eyes sparkling like a child. Maybe I should call her President.
「Lem.」
Milla approached me while holding her hand out towards Luci as a means of settling her down.
「We won't force you, but… I'd personally be very happy if you decided to work with us.」
To be honest, just the fact that Milla would be my assistant made the offer plenty attractive enough.
「Do you think you could hear me out?」
「Um, well… I don't see why not.」
「Then allow me to try to convince you to join us.」
As she looked up at me with those cloudy eyes, I had no choice but to nod in response