162 – The Last Of the Big Four
Lately, there have been quite a few visitors to my office.
Sometimes I invited them, and other times they suddenly visit me.
Today's visitor was the former. I had an appointment with him beforehand.
「Excuse me, Sir Chief of Staff.」
「Yes, please come in, Agares.」
A man in his late twenties, dressed in a tailcoat. He is a majin with silver hair combed to the back of his head and goat-like horns growing from both ends of his forehead.
One of the Big Four, also known as the Time Demon.
A man who always seems to be resolute, calm, and collected.
He is also a gentleman who is courteous towards me even when I was suddenly selected as the Chief of Staff and takes care of me in many ways.
However…
「Hello, Agares.」
The dog-eared Demi-Human Cashew, the secretary of the Chief of Staff, welcomed the guest with a fluffy smile.
「Aah, Miss Cashew. I'm relieved to see you feeling well today. Oh, that's right, if you don't mind, would you like to take this? You can share it with your family.」
Agares took out an assortment of various cookies. It was a beautiful box with a lot of cookies in it.
「…! Thank you for doing this all the time. But, I can't accept it.」
Cashew is very popular with the Monsters in the Demon King Castle and often receives various presents. Even among them, Agares often give her presents.
「Don't worry about it. It is a present I ought to bring as a guest, of course, there is the Chief of Staff's share as well. So it's only natural for me to prepare one for you as well, yes?」
Cashew glanced at me.
「As long as you don't mind, I think you can just accept it.」
Cashew gulped. She loves cookies. The same goes for her sisters and brothers, so she is actually feeling really happy.
「Th-then… Thank you so much, Sir Agares.」
Cashew held the box carefully and smiled.
Agares' body quivered and he looked up at the sky.
Then he took a deep breath and smiled.
「You don't have to worry about it. You have been through a lot of hardships even with your young body, and you've been doing very well. Even if I'm not your direct superior, I would like to reward you for that.」
Cashew was embarrassed by the compliment.
「Ah, I'll bring some tea over.」
Cashew went to prepare the tea.
I called out to Agares, who was looking at her back.
「Please have a seat.」
「ah. Miss Cashew is really wonderful. I'm so touched by the way she works so hard for the sake of her family.」
「Yes. She's a hard worker and has been a great help.」
「I truly admire your profoundness for extending a helping hand to her.」
「Milla is the one who invited her.」
「In that regard, I should commend her decision.」
「Concerning the result, I'm also glad. When I was depressed after leaving the Party, Cashew had cheered me up, so I wanted to help her in any way I could.」
「That's wonderful. In the past, I too have found the meaning of life when her Highness approached me.」
That might be the beginning of his loyalty.
I'm a bit curious whether his desire to protect the young children was originally there first, or if it had sprouted as a result of meeting the Demon King, but I'll refrain from asking that.
「There are times when an encounter can change your life for the better.」
In my case, I have been blessed with numerous fortuitous encounters, such as Cashew, Milla, Master…and also Fenix.
If even one was missing, I might not have been able to reach where I am now.
「Yes, I agree.」
Agares nodded deeply.
「Oh, by the way, thank you for the cookies.」
「No problem. It's a small price to pay to see the girl's smile.」
「…Ahaha.」
Well, I also bought some fruits since I wanted to see Cashew's smile.
Besides, Agares is a really good person.
In the first place, there is no way that the Demon King would hire a dangerous person and let him become a close aide.
Although I'm slightly anxious about his words and actions, he is an excellent and good person.
「So, do you have something that you would like to discuss?」
「Yes, but first…」
After a short while, Cashew brought the tea and I took a sip of it.
「I'm sorry, Miss Cashew, but could you please give me a moment alone with Sir Chief of Staff?」
This is the first time Agares has ever said such a thing. Usually, even when he's talking to me, he would continue to look at Cashew.
Cashew nodded while trying to understand the situation.
「Is it…a secret meeting…?」
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His expression started to come apart to show a smile.
「Ahh, yes, that's it.」
「Okay! Well then, Chief of Staff, I'll be in the room next door.」
「Yes, I'll call out to you when I'm done.」
Cashew, who had a resolute expression, quickly withdrew from the room.
After confirming that she had left, I tilted my head to the side in confusion.
「Is this supposed to be a secret meeting?」
「I couldn't bear to ruin that child's dream.」
「Dream?」
「She thinks that Sir Chief of Staff and all the other Monsters are racking their brains to try not to annihilate all of the intruders and that's why we are on the defensive, right? If there's anyone who says otherwise, I wouldn't want her to know that. Well, it might just be my ego.」
「…Can you explain more about that?」
Agares answered as if he had expected that question.
「I won't be able to beat them.」
Them? He's probably referring to the Adventurers.
「That is not-」
「It's okay, Sir Chief of Staff. Of course, I'm not saying that I'm giving up. That's not what this is about.」
…I'm starting to kind of understand what he's trying to say.
「Is it because of Aerial?」
He nodded.
「He is on a completely different level. In addition to being a Contractor of one the Four Great Spirits, he also has an amazing combat ability. His nickname of being the strongest human is not an exaggeration.」
「That, yes, I agree.」
「I was convinced when I saw the battle on the eighth Stratum. He is strong enough that even Miss Furcus wanted to avoid a direct battle against him.」
Furcus is strong.
If it was just about martial arts, she would probably surpass Fenix.
However, if they fought, Fenix would win.
Moreover, Aerial has the ability to compete with Furcus in martial arts.
On top of that, his magic skills and power are also outstanding.
To the point that some people in the world call Aerial this:
The world's strongest.
Even if it has such a childlike dreamy word to it, we can't laugh at the Hero named Aerial.
「But we can't afford to lose. It doesn't matter how much people we need, we cannot allow the eleventh Stratum to be defiled.」
「Yes.」
Milla was the one who invited me and the Demon King was the one who hired me.
I want to clearly repay them by doing my job properly.
The Demon King Castle will not be cleared. No matter who the opponent is.
And that fact will not change even if they're a close friend of mine or a senior I admire.
「But it is also true that the reality cannot be changed by just one's feelings.」
Aerial has the strength to win single-handedly.
If you look at the scene where Fenix defeated all the Floor Bosses and adjutants on the tenth Stratum, you'll understand that the strength of the Contractors of the Four Great Spirits are just absurd.
「In other words, the topic that you wanted to discuss is…」
「Yes, it's about the battle that will connect to the tenth Stratum. It's pathetic, but-」
「No, that's not true. After all, we are all members of the Demon King Castle. I'm satisfied as long as we win together. Rather, I'm glad you trust me.」
It's all the truth anyway.
He will focus on reducing the number of opponents, not annihilating them.
On the premise that they will be able to breakthrough, he will operate in such a way so that those on the tenth Stratum can fight with even a slight advantage.
In other words, he thinks that the tenth Stratum is capable of annihilating the opponents.
It means that he thinks that it's worth it to entrust the victory to us.
「Please tell me if there's anything I could do to help. I will spare no effort in cooperating.」
「…Thank you.」
「I'm your Chief of Staff, it's part of my job.」
「Even so, you have my gratitude.」
「Then, I'll accept it. In that case, regarding the defense.」
「Yes, I'd like to discuss with you about which opponent my magic is most effective against. I've heard that Sir Chief of Staff is very knowledgeable in these matters.」
「Ah, yes. Well, I think I'm quite well-informed about the Adventurers…」
Our discussion continued in this manner.
We discussed the number of remaining opponents, the possible targets of the resurrection right, and who we should target and how.
Agares said he couldn't win, but that doesn't mean he's not serious about this.
He is seriously trying to win this battle, but he understands that the odds of him winning are slim, and that his foremost priority is to fight in a way that will make it advantageous for the next step.
The start of the ninth Stratum battle is approaching.
Chapter end
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