Marchosias' question was understandable.
He was leaning over to look at Cashew. On top of his already large build, his sheer height made it impossible for her to even look him in the eyes but you'd think that the form of him looking down at you would be less intimidating than a little while ago when he was in his wolf form.
「Sorry for the late introduction, I am Marchosias. I am in charge of the fourth stratum of this here Demon King Castle.」
Cashew, who was hiding behind me, suddenly sticks her face out and introduces herself.
「I'm Ca, Cashew… Le-…the Chief of Staff's Secretary.」
「Oho, secretary. Certainly, Lemegeton is the Chief of Staff after all. It would not be strange for him to have an aid or two. But, Cashew, aren't you a little too young? Ah, I am in no way opposed to it. I am a little curious is all.」
It seemed that Marchosias was concerned about Cashew.
Cashew looks at me, and then at Milla and then back to me.
「If it's alright with you, you can tell him, Cashew.」
Cashew nods at my words and begins telling her story, bit by bit.
After hearing her story, Marchosias… wept!
He tries to endure by putting pressure on the inner corners of his eyes but the tears continue to flow.
「Lemegeton, you really are a man! You too, Ms. Carmilla!」
「I'm a woman.」
「That's not what I mean!」
Milla was calm and didn't seem opposed to the compliment.
「But to let things become like that, what is your father doing?」
I had heard that only her mother was around, but I hesitated about sticking my nose into her private family matters.
Marchosias had questions about my magical energy, but he showed consideration and refrained from questioning further.
So it would seem mean to ask out of interest. Moreover, if it's difficult for her to answer, I shouldn't pursue it further.
Cashew looked a little sad but didn't show any hesitation.
「He said he was going out to buy lottery tickets…and that was it…」
He never came back, huh.
If he was telling the truth, then it's possible that something bad happened to him after going out and he couldn't tell his family.
I don't want to place doubts on him from the get-go, but if I had to pick a side between an unknown father or Cashew, I'm on Cashew's side. It's bad enough to put her through such sadness, but if I find out that he actually threw his wife and children away and ran…I have to find him. I have to do something so that Cashew won't be exposed.
If by any chance he was kidnapped by someone, then I'll rescue him. Either way, I must find him.
And it appears that the other two thought the same.
However, one of us seemed to be thinking aloud rather than secretly.
「Is that so? Cashew, did your father leave anything behind in your home?」
「Eh? No…Uhm, I think he took all of his stuff along with him.」
He definitely wasn't buying lottery tickets.
「Even the smallest scrap will do. If there's something with that bastard's scent, we can use it to find him…and rip him to shreds. Agreed, you two?」
Ripping him to shreds is definitely out of the question.
There's no problem if it was in a dungeon, but you'd be left with a bunch of scattered body parts in the real world.
「No, not at all」
Says Milla.
I knew she would be the voice of reason.
「Instead, we should let him live and crucify him in the plaza with a board detailing his sins put in front and prepare a large number of baskets filled with rocks. He should eventually come to regret throwing away his wife and children and in the end, regret ever being born into this world.」
The only thing that changed was the form of punishment!
「Hmm…Even though he is a dishonorable coward of a man, I cannot condone such one-sided torment. We should challenge him fair and square, forcing him is the right way.」
「For criminals, what is necessary is a punishment that forces them to recognize the error of their ways and repent. He can't do that if he's torn to pieces and killed.」
「Hmm…is that so? What say you, Lemegeton?」
You're asking me?
Somehow, I noticed something. Milla is laughing a little.
She wasn't joking and she had judged Cashew's father as「An unforgivable bastard that would do something like that」.
I could sense the Marchosias' seriousness and as one would expect, he isn't about to change his mind about the form of punishment.
「Yes, I do think he is unforgivable…but I think ultimately, it's up to Cashew to decide.」
Marchosias gave a big nod to my words.
「Indeed, you are completely right. Well then, Cashew, we are your allies. If you so wish, we will punish the bad man!」
「Uh, uhm…」
Cashew was nervous and troubled.
「I-it…doesn't bother me, it's… OK」
「But why?」
While clasping her hands and squeezing her little fingers together, her face flush with red, and with a shrill and nervous voice, she says.
「It was sad that daddy left but…but if he hadn't, I wouldn't've worked with Mr.Blitz and I wouldn't've been able to…to meet Lem.」
She makes quick glances up at me.
…
...huh?
Her excessive amount of admiration was too much for my heart and my consciousness flew away for a moment
Milla was nodding, almost like she was saying「I get it.」, as Marchosias slapped his knee.
「Of course! Certainly, I feel resentment towards Lemegeton's party that kicked him out, but if I think about how that was the very catalyst that led to us becoming brothers today, I feel no bitterness.」
Beyond the pain, sadness, and regret, if you had to choose something among all that suffering, she chose instead what you have gained from it all.
You chose to treasure what you gained.
Instead of a horrible memory, it became the detour that led you to what you cherish now and cease your eternal torment.
You can't change reality, but you can change how you perceive it.
I never knew that Cashew saw things that way, but I felt incredibly honored.
「Thank you, Cashew. Ever since I met you, I've always felt like doing my very best.」
I instinctively stroke her head, and Cashew meekly moved closer and clung to me.
For an instant, I saw Milla puff up her cheek, but she went back to normal as soon as I blinked.
「I see. If that is your wish, then we don't have to do anything. However, if you are ever in trouble, you can count on us. Well, I suppose Lemegeton would handle most of it.」
「You think too much of me.」
「No, it is just as Marchosias says. Lem is a capable Black Sorcerer after all.」
I can perform my duties as a Black Sorcerer in Dungeon Clears well enough, but removed from that, I can't do much.
The person who caught the purse snatcher was Blitz.
…I wonder where did Milla attain such information.
When Milla noticed my gaze, she flashed a sweet smile.
Is it possible that we've met somewhere before…?
「Lemegeton」
Marchosias straightened himself and looked at me.
「Yes?」
「I will lend you my strength at any time. I don't know which stratum you will belong to or how you will attain subordinates other than Contracts but I hope that you will make use of me and my brothers and sisters too.」
I haven't been informed of everything yet, and it appears that many things have not been decided.
But what I do know is that this dungeon has an issue and I was hired in order to solve it.
「Hm, that's right. So for example, if I wanted to inspect your combat training and the like, would that be possible?」
「Yeah! Of course! I shall send you the schedule, later. I shall hand it to the lovely Ms. Secretary.」
Understanding that this is about work, Cashew answers「Leave it to me!」enthusiastically.
「So what's next? Would you like to work up a sweat together?」
Glancing over at the other werewolves who have been running around this whole time, I gently decline the offer.
「I would like to try and meet as many people as I can today.」
「True, true! Next time, then! I won't lose in a test of strength!」
「I look forward to it.」
My master would see this as a form of training. I wonder if it would be a good fight.
As we are about to leave the Second Playing Field, Marchosias remembered something and told us.
「Lemegeton! The day after tomorrow, the Flame Hero is going to Clear the fifth stratum! What will you do?」
Right. That information was already released to the public.
「…That's right, isn't it? They have a new member, so please watch that person closely to learn their movements. When we face them again, Fenix's party will know how you fight. We need to understand their methods as well to level the playing field. This isn't cheating.」
「Ha ha ha! I understand. While I prefer to have two fellow men meet on the battlefield and fight with whatever strength they have at that very moment, this is a Dungeon Defense and we are monsters. It's good to have pride but we have to do our jobs.」
Thinking about his pride yet able to have flexible thinking.
I'm impressed, Marchosias.
「Will you be joining us in battle?」
「The Demon King said that we have no plans of exposing myself to Fenix's team right now.」
「Is that so? If the Demon King said so, she must have a plan.」
Even though they are reliable floor bosses, only having two allies makes me uneasy. Even which stratum I will be in charge of hasn't been decided yet so I can't plan any strategies yet.
But, I do have a prediction.
I will probably be put in charge of the tenth stratum.
The stratum that is one floor above the Demon King's eleventh stratum.
The Demon King Army's last bastion.
Fenix and co. will undoubtedly reach it.
Hopefully, by then, I have gathered more allies by walking around the monster's side and asking them to help me.
「Well, until next time.」
「Indeed, come back anytime. Cashew too!」
「I will, Mr. Marco…she…us!」
Seems like it was hard for her to pronounce his name.
「Ms. Carmilla too! Come run with us anytime.」
「I run in the First Playing Field.」
「Oh, I see.」
And so, we left the Second Playing Field behind.
…Fenix added the Frost Hero to his party and is continuing the Demon King Castle Clear.
Someday soon will come the day that I will clash with my best friend.