Chapter 2 Don’t Accept the Demon Lord’s Invitation! …But I Guess Refusing Is Rude Sometimes.
The next morning.
To prepare for the Demon Lord Hayato’s arrival, they had an early breakfast and were waiting in the dining hall.
“…Dad’s kinda late, huh?”
Masato forced his head up off the table, stealing another look out the window.
When their vigil had started, they could still see the morning sun—but it had long since cleared the window frame.
The whole party were sick of waiting.
Wise had her head on the table and wasn’t moving. Medhi had killed some time by brushing her hair, but her patented beautiful girl smile had taken on a distinctively grumpy note. She was taking it out on Wise, dismantling her trademark curly pigtails. Porta was fast asleep.
Mamako had gone off to the kitchen, and now she came back with even more tea.
Nobody was thirsty. Except Shiraaase, who chugged hers. “Ahhh… He’s definitely a bit too late. Perhaps we shouldn’t expect him at all.”
“Yeah… Geez, Dad, get it together.”
“I wonder if he overslept like you did, Ma-kun.”
“Don’t lump me in with him! Anyway, if it’s gonna be like this, Shiraaase…”
“Very well. I have been briefed on the particulars of the Demon Lord quest, so I might as well give you a rundown.”
And she rose to her feet.
Following her lead, they left the inn.
The Catharn convention center was still in the throes of the job fair. The streets were less packed than the day before but still teeming. The party was forced to surf the flow and exit the stream at a side street.
They were headed for the Mom Shop, a small café-like store. This was a facility that solved family problems and had become their base of operations.
“What are we doing here?” Masato asked Shiraaase.
“Nothing, really. I just thought you should be aware of what’s going on.”
“Meaning…?”
Shiraaase didn’t answer—she just headed inside.
The bell on the door tinkled, and a girl’s head popped up from behind the counter. She was the Dark God in charge of spoiling and the sole employee of the Mom Shop—Mone.
“Oh, Ms. Shiraaase! Welcome.”
“Good morning, Mone. Sorry to intrude.”
“Not a problem! Make yourself at home.”
Mone greeted Shiraaase with aplomb, but the moment her eyes lit on Masato’s party…
“Oh, customers? How lovely to meet you! Welcome to the Mom Shop!”
“……Huh?”
Weird way to greet people she knew. And that smile of hers just screamed customer service.
Mone usually greeted Masato by throwing her arms around him and rubbing her cheek on his chest to refuel her spoil meter.
“Uh, Mone? What’s going on?”
“Er…why do you know my name?”
“Huh?”
“Hmm?”
They blinked at each other for a minute.
“Ugh, both of you, quit goofing off. This is hardly the time for that.”
“Mone, I think this prank has gone on long enough.”
“Um, uh, what? I’m not pulling a prank…”
Wise and Medhi were just making Mone even warier.
Only one solution. Masato pushed Porta forward. A purity attack would make it impossible for anyone to pretend to be a stranger.
“Um, Mone! It’s me! Porta! Do you not remember me?”
“Er, sorry. Have we met?”
Even Porta’s pure gaze had failed.
“Then it’s time for our last resort. Mom, take it from here!”
“Very well. Mone, it’s me. You know who I am, don’t you?”
“Gasp! I can sense infinite spoiling!”
Mone’s arms went up, ready to wrap around Mamako—but she stopped herself, backing away. She hid behind the counter, like a wild animal suspecting a trap.
She seemed to genuinely not know who they were.
“Shiraaase, what’s going on?”
“Allow me to explain. Mone, I apologize for alarming you. We’ll be going now.”
“S-sure. Come again…”
Outside the Mom Shop, Shiraaase began strolling leisurely up the street. The others followed her.
There were still quite a few people around, but nobody spared them a second glance. Mamako’s swaying bosom attracted a few stares—resulting in some red-faced men—but that was it.
A housewife with a shopping basket crossed the path in front of them. Without even glancing in Mamako’s direction.
“Mommy knows that lady…”
“Seriously? And she didn’t stop to chat? You’ve gotta be kidding me!” said Masato. “That’s just like how Mone didn’t seem to know who we are… Then that means… Shiraaase!”
He felt a tug at his heartstrings.
Shiraaase paused and turned back, nodding. “I can infooorm you that with the start of the Demon Lord quest, all NPCs in the world have had their memories of you sealed.”
“Sealed memories, huh? I figured.”
“Wait, Masato, how does that make sense?”
“Ms. Shiraaase, could you please explain why their memories are sealed?” asked Medhi.
“The reason… Well, I’ll leave that to the exam proctor.”
They could hear rapid footsteps approaching them from behind.
The Demon Lord Hayato. His greatsword and jacket under one arm, his bedhead flouncing around as he ran.
“Oh! Masato’s daddy!” said Porta.
“Goodness, the sleepyhead’s finally joined us,” said Mamako.
“S-sorry! The meeting last night went a bit late, and I didn’t get to bed until— Cough cough!”
As he caught up with them, he crumpled to the ground, his breathing coming in gasps. “Oof, I’m gonna feel that in my legs tomorrow…” How very middle-aged.
His heroic son couldn’t bear to watch. “Dad, please… Could you try to be a little more Demon Lord-y?”
“I—I’ll try… Whew… Okay.”
“Dear, you stay right there. You can’t be a proper Demon Lord with your hair like that!”
“Oh, thanks. Please.”
Mamako kept him on his knees and began fussing with his bedhead. “I’ve got a brush.” “Porta, do you have a spritzer?” “I do!” Wise, Medhi, and Porta all chipped in as an impromptu hair and makeup team. They even put his jacket on and greatsword on his back.
The Demon Lord had returned.
With Mamako at his side, Wise, Medhi, and Porta close by, and even Shiraaase right behind, Hayato turned to the Hero, Masato.
“Mwa-ha-ha-ha! We meet again, my heroic son!”
“Uh, you’re kind of in my spot, but whatever.”
“Moving right along, if I could just address the itinerary for the day—”
“We’ve already been briefed. It’s a Demon Lord–supervised quest, right? You left without explaining it, so Shiraaase covered for you.”
“Sh-she did?!”
The Demon Lord turned toward Shiraaase and gave her a polite bow. “I do apologize. That was entirely my shortcoming.” “Not at all.” “Can you not keep the Demon Lord act up for two seconds?” Masato demanded. This was an especially humble Demon Lord.
After taking a moment to recover:
“Well, Masato, anything you wish to say to your dad?” Hayato asked.
“Sure. Why have all the NPCs had their memories of us sealed? Start there.”
“Very well! It’s quite simple, really. You and your party have done so much, and people across the world have recognized you for your efforts. But that works against the test. So we sealed their memories.”
“Works against it how…?”
“I’m here to test the power you have, Masato—the power to progress toward the future.”
As for what that was supposed to mean:
“It’s nothing particularly complicated. Typical stuff, really. For instance, say you had amazing grades at school.”
“S-sure.”
“But if you moved on to college, or got a job—found yourself in a new environment—what would happen to you? Everything would be different. You wouldn’t know a soul. Nobody would have a clue what you’ve accomplished. You’d have to start all over from square one. You’d have to progress from that point.”
“So I need this power you speak of?”
“And as your father, I merely want to know if you have it. That’s why the test must be done where nobody knows your party. Well? Do you have the courage to give this a try?”
The Demon Lord shot Masato a daring wink. Granted, the wink was coming from a forty-something-year-old man.
Masato rolled his eyes, but took the question seriously.
The future…
The thought had crossed his mind at the job fair.
A future he couldn’t quite picture—did he have the power to move toward it?
Might as well give it a try.
“Sounds worth it. Let’s find out!” He gave Hayato his best grin.
“That settles it, then. Let’s head to the Adventurers Guild. That’s where the quest begins! …And Masato…”
“What?”
“This may be a game, but everything you experience here is real. Don’t let that reality get you down.”
With that ominous utterance, the Demon Lord turned to leave, the girls in his wake.
Masato followed them.
“Okay, seriously, why are you all sticking by him? That makes no sense!”
Nobody paid this any heed. He was alone.
But he wouldn’t let it get to him. He had to proceed toward the future!
“Don’t worry, Ma-kun. Mommy will always be with you.”
“Gah, when did you get there?”
Mamako had her arms tightly around his, cradling him in the valley of her bosoms.
The party reached the guild.
“Well, Masato,” said the Demon Lord. “Pick any quest you like, whatever looks good to you.”
“Lemme see…uh…”
“Oh, Ma-kun! What about this one? It says ‘gather seasonal ingredients’!”
“That’s what you want to do.”
Mamako was still clinging to him as they scoped out the quest board.
Not far away, the Demon Lord was doing the same thing. The girls and Shiraaase were at his side, waiting.
“Yo, Shiraaase is one thing, but why are you all over there? Are you trying to make a point? Come back already!”
“We could do that, but…your dad’s going on about how he wants to test your ability to manage on your own, right?” said Wise.
“If we’re with you, wouldn’t that get in the way?” suggested Medhi.
“Okay, good point. But still…I know someone who doesn’t seem concerned about all that…”
He gave Mamako a pointed look, but she not only failed to let go of his arm, she grinned. She definitely had no plans to leave his side. Demon Lord Hayato was stifling a laugh.
“You in the same boat, Porta?” Masato asked.
“S-sorry! I think your daddy could tell me things about my mommy’s work, so I’m gonna stay over here!”
“Huh? Why would Dad know about Deathmother?”
“I can infooorm you there is nothing unusual about that. Hayato is a business-side consultant working with this game’s management division and regularly meets with admin reps.”
“…Huh?” Masato gaped at Shiraaase, but she didn’t bat an eye.
He turned and gave the Demon Lord the same stare.
“News to you?” Hayato said, sounding proud of himself. “Maybe you’ll take a little more interest in your father’s work from now on!”
“This is real?”
“That it is! But just to be clear, I’m not involved in test player selection or the actual running of the game itself. My involvement is purely on the business end of things. I was aware that the two of you were involved, but that’s all.”
“I’ll admit your relationship to Hayato did play a minor role in your selection. Heh-heh-heh.” Shiraaase chuckled.
“Shiraaase…I really wish you would stop sharing all our behind-the-scenes secrets…,” said Demon Lord Hayato.
Masato elected to ignore the uncomfortable facts. “You knew, Mom?”
“I heard he was in charge of something very important, but I didn’t know it was this game. Mommy’s very surprised.”
“Yeah, same here…”
The game they were playing, MMMMMORPG (working title), was sponsored by the Japanese government. It was headed toward a nationwide rollout. And not only was Masato’s father involved, he was working at an executive level.
“Dad, are you, like…actually a big shot?”
“Ha-ha-ha! Good question.”
His father just laughed it off. This Demon Lord was powerful in more ways than one.
“Picked out your quest yet?” Hayato asked. “I’ve already chosen mine. I’ll be over here, accepting it.”
“Go right ahead. I won’t be long.”
“Is that a newfound note of respect in your voice?”
“Kinda, I guess?”
Masato turned back to the board and grabbed the quest he’d been eyeing. Then he followed Hayato to the counter.
The Demon Lord went first, handing the receptionist the quest card. “I’d like to accept this quest, if you would be so kind.”
“Exterminating monsters on the main road? Who’ll be joining you?”
The three girls behind Hayato—Wise, Medhi, and Porta—all raised their hands. Shiraaase began coughing like she had consumption, stepping away. Obviously not joining in.
Clear on the party size, the receptionist turned her gaze back to Hayato.
“In that case—Ultimate Art: Receptionist Search! Hnggg!”
This was a strict eyeing-up that allowed her to determine if he qualified for this quest.
Top-tier gear, balanced physique, the confidence earned through years of high-level job experience, and the maturity his age provided…
The receptionist’s scan complete, she nodded. “You seem trustworthy. I’ll accept your request. Good luck out there!”
“Thank you.”
Demon Lord Hayato’s quest was approved.
Next, Masato. He handed the posting over. “Hi there. I’d like this one.”
“Exterminate the midsized dragon in the dungeon near town. And joining you…”
“Hello!” Mamako said, waving—still pressed up against her son. “Mommy’s with her Ma-kun.”
“Right. And since Shiraaase didn’t join Dad—”
“Negatory. I’m afraid I can accompany neither party. I must prepare for the next phase.”
“‘Phase’?”
“Ahem. Pay that no heed. If you’ll excuse me…”
She turned and hustled off. Clearly up to something. Something no good.
And thus, Masato’s party was left at two.
The receptionist gave both of them a scan and frowned. “Just the two of you? I’m afraid this might be rather difficult…”
“Nah, it’ll be fine. We may not look it, but we’re pretty good. We’ve cleared quests like this before.”
“Inexperienced adventurers love to make these claims…”
“I swear it’s true! Go ahead and do a proper check—you’ll see!”
“Well, if you insist… Receptionist Search! Hngg.”
She seemed highly unenthused, but gave him a once-over nonetheless.
Not bad equipment, properly growing physique, the vigor of youth, face still pretty boyish…
Her check complete, the receptionist gave him her best smile. “Choose something else.”
“Whaaa…? No, wait! You can’t judge me on looks! C’mon, check my stats! You’ll know how good we really are!”
“No need. As a seasoned receptionist, I can gauge anyone’s abilities at a glance. Heh.”
“And I’m telling you, you’re not doing that at all!! …Damn, starting without anyone knowing us is tougher than I thought. Do I really look that pathetic?!”
“Regardless, for the two of you, I’d say… Yes, this quest would be more appropriate. What do you think?”
She handed over a quest posting.
It said…
About halfway between the Catharn capital and the school town, Mahweh.
What should have been a safe thoroughfare was teeming with bears, wolves, and giant insects. The moment these monsters saw a human, they roared so loud, their bodies vibrated—it was very intimidating.
But the Demon Lord Hayato’s party didn’t flinch.
“Oh? Are those dragons I spy? …No matter; let’s make quick work of them. Everybody ready?”
“You bet, Masato’s dad! My ultimate magic will knock ’em dead!”
“Porta, ready items to cure magic seal. It’s highly likely Wise’s magic is already sealed, and she merely has failed to notice.”
“You got it! Here!”
“I’m not sealed! Medhi, don’t even joke about this!”
“Ha-ha-ha, as lively as you are lovely. That’s what adventures are all about… Off I go!”
Hayato darted forward, the cursed greatsword Universo in one hand, making a sweeping slash.
The air before him split asunder, revealing the universe underneath. Incredibly tiny meteors shot out from the tear in space like incendiary arrows.
The moment they hit their targets, the meteors exploded—again, and again, and again. Like they’d been carpet-bombed, the monster pack was annihilated.
The girls stood stunned.
“Uh, Masato’s dad? You’re hella broken…”
“The power of the universe… It’s essentially an upgraded version of the Heavens. We really shouldn’t let Masato see this.” Glance.
“Masato’s daddy is really strong! Just like Mama!”
“Am I? That’s nice to hear. Let’s keep it up! Come on, everyone!”
“““Okay!”””
Demon Lord Hayato was a born leader. The girls tagged along, and the four of them made swift work of any foes.
And while they were getting super into it…
Over here…
“Argh…Medhi totally knew I could hear her…”
“Oh my. Ma-kun, your hands stopped!”
Masato and Mamako were picking weeds by the side of the road. This was the quest the receptionist had chosen for them.
Masato was ready to cry.
“I…I can bring down a meteor or two…if I really want to! I can do spectacle fighting! I just haven’t yet. But I could! Sniff.”
“Ma-kun, if you feel like crying, come right over here to my chest. Mommy will hold you close.”
“Yeah, no thanks.”
He wiped the tears with his quest-issued gardening gloves and glanced again at the Demon Lord’s party.
Hayato was mowing monsters down, and Medhi was swinging her staff with her best cover girl smile, beating monsters to death.
Porta was hastily opening her shoulder bag and curing Wise, who was using her tome as a pillow, taking a sulk nap.
“One of the monsters released a shock wave when it roared… She had her magic sealed before the fight even began. Now that takes talent,” said Masato.
He considered making fun of her for it, but…figured she’d just turn it back on him.
He glanced down at the fistful of weeds he’d pulled, and sighed.
“Ma-kun, go on,” Mamako suddenly whispered.
“Go where?”
“Leave the weeding to Mommy. I can always wrap this up with the Holy Sword of Earth if I have to. So you go do what you want to do, Ma-kun. Have fun!”
“Mom…!”
Everyone should have a mother this kind. Masato was filled with joy and gratitude.
He almost jumped to his feet…
“…Nah, better not.”
…but knelt back down and focused on the weeds at hand.
“Ma-kun? Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I am.”
“Is this that thing where you don’t want my help?” Sniff.
“Nah. It’s not that thing. It’s just—this is my job right now.”
He was acting calm, but there was a fierce debate going on within.
Naturally, he wanted to go fight. Cut loose with all his friends. Abandon this grunt work and enjoy himself. Deep down, that’s what he really wanted.
But he thought doing that would be conceding defeat.
I feel like this is exactly what Dad’s trying to test.
Obviously, he felt stupid taking this so seriously. But he really didn’t want to give in.
So Masato sucked it up and attacked the weeds in front of him.
“I said I’d do this. So I’m gonna finish it. I want Dad to know I’m a man of my word. Show him I’ve grown up, y’know.”
“Ma-kun…! How mature! Sniff!” His mother was moved to tears!
“Yeah, yeah, don’t cry. Quit goofing off and let’s get this done.”
“Hee-hee. Fair. The sooner we’re done…the sooner you can go!”
“Exactly! I can join the fray with my head held high.”
He still had an impatient childish side. To help him focus, he turned his back on the Demon Lord’s party. Work was work. He loved work.
Hayato’s party were staring at Masato’s back.
“Masato’s really hanging in there! Mama looks so happy!”
“I figured he’d give up immediately, but he’s actually trying. Pisses me off.”
“Since when did he have such impressive willpower? I can’t stand it.”
“Um, Wise, Medhi? My son’s diligently applying himself, so I’m not sure why that’s upsetting you…”
“Take it as a compliment,” said Wise. “Don’t worry about it, Masato’s dad.”
“Y-you’re sure? …Teens these days with their slang…”
Wise and Medhi did indeed look rather happy. As happy as Hayato was confused.
But when he looked back over at his son, his gaze was gentle—peaceful.
Hayato’s party and Masato’s party spent a while attacking monsters and weeds, respectively. Tasks completed, they headed back to the Catharn guild.
First order of business: Report back to the receptionist.
“Demon Lord Hayato, good work on your extermination,” she said. “It seems the midsized dragon escaped the dungeon and you took it out along with the monsters on the road, so this is your reward.”
“Thank you kindly.”
A hefty leather bag of coins was dropped into his palm. With the bonus fee, it was clearly over ten thousand mum.
“Next, um…Mamako’s son, right?”
“We never even told you Mom’s name, so how does that work? …Don’t tell me her presence is loosening the seal on your memories…?”
“Good work on your weeding. Here is your reward.”
Masato held out his hand, and a few scant coins were dropped into it.
Less than two thousand mum. Hourly wage of a thousand mum each.
Masato glanced sidelong at Hayato’s laden pouch, then at the coins in his palm, and really wanted to let that wriggling frustration lash out, but…
“…Nah, this is just a start. Gotta work my way up.”
The money they earned meant something. He put it carefully in his pocket. “Hee-hee-hee. Ma-kun.” “Oh, right.” He handed Mamako her half.
Hayato was grinning at them. “Sorry to strike an early lead. Well, Masato? If the harsh reality of the modern workplace is too much for you, we could call it quits.”
“Don’t make me laugh. I’m doing just fine. And I’m gonna take something better next time—gonna make them let me.”
“That’s the spirit! Let’s find our next quests.”
“First, got a sec? I wanna ask you a favor,” Wise said, hand raised. Medhi and Porta were with her.
“The three of us would like to change parties.”
“I wanna join Masato’s side!”
“Oh-ho? No longer playing as the Demon Lord’s minions? You’d rather be in the Hero’s party again? You’ve got a lot of nerve.”
The Demon Lord shot them a chilling glare, his hand reaching for the hilt of his blade. “Wha?!” “F-for real?” “Eep!” His blade was merciless and brooked no treachery…!
But Hayato himself just smiled. “Excellent suggestion. Do as you please!”
“Er…y-you’re sure? Really?”
“Really. All three of you wish to help Masato out, yes?”
“Yes! I want to be useful to him!”
“Watching him work hard like that inevitably led me to that realization.”
“Ha-ha-ha…I’ll assume that’s a compliment. What do you say, Masato?” Hayato lightly clapped his son on the shoulder. “You earned their change of hearts all on your own. That is to say—”
“You don’t have to tell me—this is a reward no money can buy, right? I appreciate it.”
“Excellent! Then I shall forfeit your beloved companions.”
“Thanks. I only need Porta, though.”
He took Porta’s hand and headed back to Mamako. “Ow?!” Wise and Medhi had stomped on his feet.
Be that as it may…
The party lineups had shifted. Demon Lord Hayato was on his own, while Masato’s side had the full lineup. They once again began poring over the quest board.
“We’re ready for anything now! This time I’ll get to really strut my stuff. My ultimate magic’s gonna knock down everything in its path!”
“Uh-oh!” Porta squeaked. “Wise, the last fight’s seal is still active! You can’t use magic at all!”
“Wha?”
“I should’ve left your useless butt on my dad’s team.”
“Fear not, Masato. Wise may be a lost cause, but you have me. Even if your own abilities are merely a downgraded version of your father’s, I will offer you my full support.”
“I should’ve…see above.”
“Hee-hee. We do so much better when we’re all together! …Oh? Ma-kun, what about this one?”
Mamako picked up a posting and showed it to him.
No, not a posting. A flyer for a grocery sale. “That’s not funny!” “Oh, sorry.” Moms always know when to throw in a joke.
While they were fussing about, Hayato picked a quest and took it to the counter.
“You can clearly handle this on your own, Demon Lord Hayato. Exterminate the monsters in the mines near Yomamaburg. Do your worst!”
“Always do.”
He glanced back at his son with a grin.
Masato wasn’t taking that lying down.
“Yeah, yeah, mock me all you want. I’m gonna show you I can earn people’s respect on my own!”
Mamako was right behind Masato. Plus he had Wise, Medhi, and Porta by his side. How could he lose?
His competitive spirit ignited, he deliberately sought out a quest in the Yomamaburg area: Eliminate a mystery monster in the sewers beneath the city.
Just to be extra sure, he adjusted his clothes and hair before heading to the counter.
He’d taken that weed-pulling job seriously. But this time…!
“Yeah, yeah, Mamako’s son. We’ve got a job even a noob can do.”
“You’ve gotten ruder?! The heck?!”
She didn’t even look at the request. One glance his way, and she slammed a different posting on the counter.
It said…
At the center of a barren wasteland was the merchant town of Yomamaburg, a casino haven full of dazzling lights.
Not far away, at the entrance to the mines, a fierce battle was nearing its end.
“Hidden Art: Demon Lord Slash! …Gosh, that feels silly.”
There was a giant snake coiled around the mountain, and Hayato had unleashed a powerful attack that cleaved the head in two. The monster’s body turned to dust, which then transformed into gems that glowed like lamps. They rained on the heads of the miners watching from the shadows.
The foreman in charge came running over to the Demon Lord, warm tears gushing down his rugged cheeks. “Thank you! Thank you, kind Demon Lord! You have saved us all!”
“You’re quite welcome. Glad to have been of assistance.”
“That varmint gobbled up all the gems we use to light the mines and left us high and dry! At last we can get back to work. You’ve been a big help. Oh, say…”
“Yes?”
“Given your strength, can we ask another favor? There’s been some strange critters in the sewers lately. The owner of the biggest casino is searching for talented adventurers! If you’re so inclined, seek him out!”
“The biggest casino? …The owner there helped Masato and his friends once before; I swear it was in that file…,” Hayato muttered. “Very well. I’ll swing by Yomamaburg next.”
“Thanks again! Bye!”
Solving one issue opened new paths. Hayato was really living that RPG life. With relish.
Meanwhile…
“Okay, let’s get back to work!” the foreman cried. “Part-timers, earn your keep!”
“Sure…”
The part-timers in question were, of course…Masato’s party.
The Adventurers Guild had forced them to take up mining.
Masato, Wise, and Medhi were all carrying pickaxes, looking extremely gloomy. Mamako had Altura, the Holy Sword of the Ocean, and Porta her shoulder bag. The two of them looked delighted. The party of five headed down the mineshaft. It was pitch-black inside.
“’Ey, li’l merchant, set up the lights for us, wouldja?”
“Yes! Leave it to me!”
Porta followed the foreman’s instructions and began installing glowing gems in the wall sockets. “Oh, you’re good!” “Thank you!” Her efforts earned accolades.
The miners headed farther in as the roads lit up before them.
After a while…
“Okay, pretty lass. I’m getting parched! Can we get some water?”
“Oh my. Lass? Me, with a son this big? Gosh… Hyah!”
Mamako gave Altura a little swing, and water appeared in the air. To make it easier to drink, it branched out into several thin hose-like sections. “Wow! That’s so convenient!” “Drink up, folks!” Mamako’s work impressed the entire crew.
Thirst quenched, the miners headed even farther in…and at last reached the active veins. Ore glittered on the walls like magic itself.
“All right, buckle down! Dig, dig, dig! Part-timers, take it away!”
“We’ll do our best…,” Masato replied.
“Wait, we’re seriously doing this?” said Wise. “Like, is this actually adventurer work?”
“We took the job and came all this way, so we can’t back out now,” Medhi told her.
Mamako was in charge of water, Porta was doing her Traveling Merchant thing and set up a little shop to sell recovery items, and the other three—were doing hard labor.
Wise in particular was getting surly. She tossed her pickax aside.
“Yo, Wise, you can’t just do nothing.”
“I’m not! We just need to get the ore out, right? My magic’ll blast it out real quick, just you watch. Spara la magia…”
The instant Wise began her incantation…
All the ore around began to vibrate, unleashing a mysterious hum.
Wise’s magic was sealed.
“Huh?! How?!”
“Heyyy, Sage lassie. We’re mining ore used for crafting magic-sealin’ items here. Careful.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me!! This is a joke, right?!”
A joke it was not. Her magic was still sealed.
Horrified, she collapsed to the ground, head in her hands.
“This quest is like my personal hell… I wanna go home…”
“I feel ya there, Wise—but get it together.”
“Wise has the mental fortitude of tofu. Watch and learn—I can handle any task with perfect aplomb.”
Medhi flashed her patented straight-A, teen beauty smile and swung a pickax at a nearby wall. Her build was built for blunt-force damage!
The tip of her tool cracked the stone wall, striking the ore buried within.
The mystery vibrations expanded.
Medhi’s magic was sealed.
“Huh?”
“Heyyy, Cleric lassie. If the ore gets rattled, it releases a magic-sealing effect. Watch yourself.”
“Snort. I knew you had it in you. Thanks for that, comrade.”
“But…this is your thing, Wise…! It doesn’t happen to me! Ever…!” Rumble rumble!
“Medhi, relax! …Yikes, she’s too far gone.”
Dark power was spewing out of her, and she began unleashing a yakuza kick upon the poor wall. Thud thud thud—doing far greater damage than she had with the pickax. “She’s more powerful than an excavator!” The foreman was impressed.
“Geez, will you two take this seriously? We’re on the job.” Masato left them to their sulks and tantrums and focused on his own work.
One swing at a time, the right degree of strength, mining away.
Wise and Medhi were staring intently.
“What, am I doing something wrong?”
“Since when are you so dedicated?” Wise asked.
“Uh, it’s not that big a deal. I just try and get the job done.”
“That’s true, but…well, you’re usually the first to complain, or resort to a childish outburst. I’d gotten so used to it that seeing you like this is…a little creepy, to be honest. Suspicious, even.”
“Creepy how?! And suspicious?! I’m just working hard! Nothing weird about that! What do you even want from me?!”
How rude.
They were both still staring at him in puzzlement. He made a face.
“I guess I get it on some level,” he said. “I didn’t think I’d end up like this, either. Just…I dunno how to put this, but I feel like…this is how men should be.”
“Is it?” Medhi asked.
“My dad’s here to test me, right? So I don’t want to show him my crappy side. ’Cause I feel like if I do, I’ll have failed. So…”
“Dumb kids always gotta showboat in front of their dads, huh?” said Wise.
“You make it sound so bad.”
“Meaningless male rivalry exists regardless of family ties.”
“Don’t spell that out! But…you’re also totally on the money, Medhi. And that’s why…”
Masato put his back into another pickax swing.
The hard rock wall cracked, and translucent ore peered out from beneath. Transparent as crystal, yet strong enough to soak a blow from his pickax without damage. That was very durable.
“Mm? What’s this thing?”
He managed to pry it out. The entire object was maybe the size of his fist.
As he stared down at it, Porta raced over, practically beside herself. “M-M-M-Masato! Th-that’s a raw diamondddd!!”
““A d-d-d-d-diamond?!””
Wise and Medhi—and all the other miners—came running over, unable to believe their eyes. A normal enough reaction. This was a diamond. A real diamond!
Except…
“Huh, it is? First time seeing one,” Masato said, rolling it around his palm like it was nothing.
Then he tossed it to Mamako—who had her hand on Terra di Madre’s hilt.
“Your doing, I assume?” he asked.
“Wh-whatever do you mean?”
She quickly hid the Holy Sword of Earth behind her, but too late. She was caught in the act.
She’d used the special mom skill A Mother’s Indulgence. Fueled by the desire to reward a child’s hard work, it allowed her to physically manifest those feelings.
But she’d gone a bit too far, and Masato wasn’t even mad. He just smiled at her.
“Everything I said was true. And that means I can get through this without you adding any rewards. I’m glad you’ve got my back, but this time, I’d prefer you stay out of it. Not because I object to it or anything! I appreciate the gesture.”
“I see… Well, okay, then. I shouldn’t have meddled.”
Mamako took the raw diamond from him, put it on the ground, and tapped it lightly with the tip of her sword. The priceless treasure sank back into the ground.
And a moment later everyone felt like the ground beneath their feet had sunk a bit.
“What was that…?”
“Don’t worry. It’s nothing. Mommy just asked a bit too much of Mother Earth.”
“Yeah? Uh, okay, I guess.”
“More importantly, Ma-kun, it’s time to showboat your meaningless male rivalry!”
“I’m still against both phrasings, but that is the plan.”
Masato went back to hacking the wall with his pickax. Working steadily, oblivious to the stares of the nearby miners.
The girls still seemed somewhat disgruntled.
And Mamako both respected his position but felt a little sad about it.
When their shift ended and they left the mine, it was evening.
“Oh dear. We’ll have to rush to the store before dinner!”
“Don’t see Dad anywhere… Whatever. He’s not a kid. Let’s head on back.”
They said good-bye to the miners and took a transport circle back to Catharn, where things seemed to be finally settling down. Most of the people out walking the streets lived in the city; the bulk of them looked to be housewives out doing their dinnertime shopping.
“Okay, Mom, you’ll take care of the shopping. I’ll swing by the guild and turn in the quest. How about you guys?”
“I’ll go with Mama! I can help carry things!”
“Makes no difference to me… Actually, nah, peak grocery store hours are rough, so maybe I’d better go with Masato…”
“I’ll accompany Mamako. I’d like to pick her brain on how we should handle Masato’s odd behavior.”
“Oh, I want in on that—guess I’m on team shopping after all.”
“I don’t need to be ‘handled.’ But suit yourself. See you later.”
They all headed out, chattering, and Masato turned toward the Adventurers Guild alone.
When he reached the counter…
“Hey, Masato. You’re late!”
Hayato was just accepting a giant satchel of coins from the receptionist. Another pile of cash.
This was annoying, but first things first. Masato had to let the receptionist know that his quest was finish—
“Oh, you’re back. Cool. Here.” Toss.
“You’re not even gonna let me get to the counter?! And don’t go around throwing money!”
The reward came in a small leather pouch. The coins inside jingled. A fraction of what his father had made.
But it was a big upgrade from the weed-pulling job. Masato glanced over at his father with pride.
Demon Lord Hayato noted his heroic son’s stubborn streak and returned a satisfied nod. “I like the look in your eye. An all-new you.”
“How would you know? You’re always at work.”
“I know it seems that way, but Mamako has sent me photos of your sleeping face every night—even back when you were little. I’ve seen more of you than you think.”
“Sheesh, Mom…”
“That aside, you’re here on your own.”
Hayato glanced around, making sure Mamako wasn’t present.
“I’ve got a proposition for you,” he said. “Wanna go somewhere with your dad?”
“Like…where?”
“Yomamaburg. They’ve got plenty of places to have fun, right?”
“You mean like…the casino?”
“Exactly! From what I hear, parents and children are required to play together.”
“True. Going there was Mom’s idea. So you mean…?”
Hayato nodded. He put his arm over Masato’s shoulders, hefting the bag of mums.
“Here we have a father, a son, and some funds. What more could we want?”
“Hmm. I’m certainly into the idea of casinos, so the offer’s tempting. If this wasn’t an invitation from a Demon Lord, I’d have agreed already.”
“Then what say we call this a casino battle between Daddy Demon Lord and his Hero son? We each start with the money we’ve earned today. Will you accept a challenge from me, the Demon Lord? Or will you turn tail and run?”
“Well, when you put it like that… But still…”
“What’s stopping you?”
“I’d better consult Mom before— Gah?!”
The moment “Mom” left his lips, the Demon Lord’s arm tightened around his throat.
“Er, Dad? You’re choking me!”
“Listen, Masato. Listen well. Your desire to not worry your mother is admirable… But despite that, you know what I think?”
“Wh-what?”
“I think children should worry their parents sometimes. That’s what makes being a parent worthwhile! You know the old phrase about teachers only remembering the handfuls?”
“Uh, is that a real thing?”
“It is. So go on and make her worry just a little. You’re not yet a grown-up! But neither are you a helpless child who can’t do anything without your parents around. Sometimes you need to follow your own heart, regardless of what your mother thinks. As the Hero chosen by the Heavens, stretch your wings and take flight. What do you say?”
“That…makes sense.”
“Of course it does! And now that you’re on board, a follow-up.”
The Demon Lord’s arm took a firm grip on Masato’s shoulders, pulling him to one side, away from the receptionist and other adventurers.
“Just between you and me,” he whispered, “when I completed the extermination quest in Yomamaburg, the client—the casino owner—made me an offer. A very tempting one.”
“So that’s why you offered to take me there—?”
“No, not just to the casino. The owner has started a new enterprise. A little nightlife, if you will. And he asked if I’d give it a test drive.”
“What kind of nightlife are we talking here?”
But Hayato just grinned and raised his pinky. Anyone Japanese knew what that meant—women.
“A shop open at night, where women work… Y-you mean—?”
One of those shops.
Masato was already blushing.
“Dad…is that even legal…?”
“I’ll be honest—in the real world, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. But this is a game—a video game. We’re just doing a trial run, broadening your horizons—I’m offering you a little worldly knowledge. They said up front it’s all good as long as you’re accompanied by a guardian.”
“Then, I guess I could…but… No, that’s—”
“Masato.”
The Demon Lord Hayato’s voice was stern. He held out a hand for a shake.
“Are you a man?”
Those words really struck a nerve.
Masato met that gaze head-on. The Demon Lord. His father. A man. And reached out to shake…
But then the ground at their feet began to tremble.
This again?!
“Oh no!”
“What’s wrong, Masatoooooooaughhhh?!”
Even as he spoke, the ground shot up, breaking through the floor. The shockwave knocked down the building walls, flinging both of them outside.
What had happened? It was all too clear.
The mom skill A Mother’s Fangs had activated, seeking out her son’s location and disrupting whatever was happening there.
The father-son duo went rolling across the street outside the guild, and a woman appeared behind them.
“Hee-hee-hee. Dear? Ma-kun?”
That voice made both men let out a soundless scream.
Expressions synchronized, they shuddered…and turned around to find Mamako smiling at them. The girls were behind her, looking lost, but they didn’t matter now.
In her right hand, Terra di Madre. In her left hand, Altura. Both Holy Swords held tight.
A wild Mamako appeared. What next?
“Wait, why are in we combat?! …Uh, you…you see, Mom—!”
“Ma-kun, I could’ve sworn I heard you discussing going to a casino with your father—and then exploring the nightlife together. Was I imagining that?”
“How good are your ears?!”
No matter how far apart they were, Mamako would never miss her son’s voice.
“Wait! Calm down, Mom! We can talk this out! Family discussion!”
“Masato, back down! Leave this one to Dad!”
“A Demon Lord protecting the Hero is not a good look, but go for it!”
Masato beat an emergency retreat! Getting as far away as he could!
But his path was blocked. “Stop.” “On your knees.” Mamako’s words had been all the info Wise and Medhi needed. Their gazes were cold as ice. “Use this cushion!” “Very nice of you to offer, but…” He gently rejected Porta’s kind gesture, choosing instead to rest his knees in the dirt.
And watched…
As the Demon Lord Hayato raised his greatsword, ready to lay down his life in combat with Mamako.
“Mamako! First, hear this! This was all discussed well in advance! This is something I wish to do for Masato, as his father!”
“I remember. It’s a father’s job to teach him about bad things. If he gets involved in them without knowing the risks, he might make a mistake he never recovers from. So the first time should be together. As your father did for you, you’ll do for Ma-kun. Isn’t that what you told me, dear?”
“Exactly! Bad things are still bad, but there is much to be learned from them! Many things you can only learn there! Valuable experience necessary for surviving in the real world! So let this one pass—please!”
Hayato came at Mamako with a mighty spousal declaration. A powerful blow!
But Mamako withstood it, her swords crossed in an X shape to reject his attack.
“Ma-kun is still too young. He’s only fifteen!”
“True, but this is a game world! There’s no need to treat him like a child here!”
“A child is a child anywhere.”
“To a parent, yes. But in developmental terms, children do not stay children forever! A parent’s duty goes beyond protection! Sometimes we must release our embrace, and let them take flight on their own—!”
“No.”
“But you must…!”
“No.”
Mamako’s smiley attacks offered two-negatory multi-denial effectiveness, and Hayato’s greatsword was deflected.
Then Mamako sheathed both holy blades…and put one hand on her hip, her index finger raised high. Still smiling.
“Dear.”
“Wh-what?”
“Tut, tut.”
Not as a mother, but as a wife—the scolding cannon fired.
The effect remained unchanged. Light gathered at her fingertip before unleashing an incredibly hot beam. “Huh?” As the Demon Lord gaped, his body was swallowed up in the light, and he was blown away toward the horizon.
Daddy Demon Lord had become a distant star.
“You get no dinner tonight, dear. Hee-hee.”
Scolded with love.
Mamako turned on her heel and stepped over to Masato.
“Ma-kun, we’re going back to the inn and having dinner.” Grin.
“R-right… As you wish…”
He was pulled to his feet, and her arms wrapped around him—a little tighter than usual, perhaps as punishment.
“Er, um…Mom? Is Dad okay? I’m kinda legitimately concerned…”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine. Hee-hee.”
“Uh, no, I really don’t think he is…”
Nobody could survive Mamako’s scoldings intact.
Masato’s first taste of nightlife dissipated like the morning mist, and the Demon Lord was vanquished…
But Hayato still lived.
He was buried deep in a wall over the plateau outside Catharn, his body literally smoking—but unharmed.
He was a Demon Lord and partner to the most powerful mother alive. And not for nothing.
“Sheesh. Dotes on our son so much, she’ll protect him from everything. And this is the result! You never change, Mamako.”
Prying himself out of the crater, he easily hopped to the top of the plateau.
The transport point nearby was bathed in moonlight. Surprised by the Demon Lord’s approach, fairies lurking in the brushes shot up warning lights, fluttering away. A fantastical sight. Probably pretty annoying for them, though.
Hayato leaned against a stone pillar, gazing down at the capital below.
“The final problem is definitely going to be Mamako… She’s gonna give me hell. I may have to exercise a tad more caution,” he muttered gloomily.
But then a light descended on the transport point. Someone had arrived.
Shiraaase.
“Oh? I didn’t expect to find a Demon Lord here. I imagined you’d be crying into your wife’s food again.”
“I’m in the doghouse at the moment, I’m afraid. As for my earlier request…”
“Preparations are complete. The stage for the final battle should be ready, somehow, by tomorrow evening.”
“And our assistants?”
“Readily accepted. They say tomorrow works for them, but they’re already on their way. I’m here to meet and greet. Until further word arrives…”
“Keep up the good work.”
Shiraaase vanished into the light once more.
Hayato reached into his pocket and took out a piece of paper.
The fairies around kicked up a fuss.
“Look! The man with the scary sword is reading something!”
“Must be mulling over his plans! Evil plans!”
“I know! Anyone with a sword like that must be a Demon Lord! And they’re always up to no good!”
Their hackles raised further, they made themselves scarce.
Hayato grinned at their adorable babble, but his smile soon faded—and he looked at the paper with an expression befitting a Demon Lord.
On it was written a single word: MAMARAID. It depicted a scantily clad woman—an ad for a cabaret.
Whatever other plans he had afoot, this Demon Lord didn’t give up easily.
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