Wait, Can We Talk?

I decided to talk to Core Number 564.

This was my first time seeing him in human form, but Aidi had already confirmed that he was Core Number 564.

Baphomet-type Dungeon Core—Core Number 564. He once fought a dungeon battle with us, and then became a support for Core Number 629, Mikan, through a system called Dual Core.

"Can we talk for a moment?"

"Wh-What is it!? My Glorious Self has no need to talk to you!"

"It's fine, it's fine, just come over here for a moment, yeah?"

When I called out to him, Core Number 564 reacted with a suspicious behavior.

"Ah, Wataru. Could you watch Niku for a bit? I'll be right back."

"Huh, oh, sure. I understand."

"Be careful, Goshujin-sama."

"Yeah… You coming, Swordsman-kun?"

"F-Fine! Just as I wished!"

Number 564 was the subordinate of Number 629, Mikan, who was made my subordinate by Haku-san. In other words, my position was superior to Number 564's.

Therefore, Core Number 564 couldn't disobey my orders. In terms of position. … Well, if it's a private situation where I'm hiding my position, then he could disobey, but Core Number 564 obediently followed my call.

… This spot should be fine?

"W-what do you intend to do by bringing My Glorious Self to this deserted alley, you fiend!? Surely you're not planning on doing something indecent to me!?"

"Why would you think that!? The fuck would you think I'd do something indecent for!?"

"Um, well, you have a scheming look on your face, don't you? And if you're scheming, it must be something indecent, right?"

"No! I just wanted to talk for a bit!"

Darn his mysterious logic! Is this a cultural difference? Or is it unique to Number 564?

"Mm, was that it? What do you want to ask this nameless swordsman?"

"… Why are you participating in this tournament, Number 564?"

When I went straight to the point, Core Number 564 was clearly shaken.

"Wh-What? Number 564?! This nameless swordsman has no clue as to who you're talking about nor could such a cool and powerful demon baphomet have anything to do with a simple nameless swordsman!"

"I already know, so just drop the act."

"W-What!? Hahaha, you've seen through my perfect disguise, huh!"

"Well, you admitted it quite easily."

"Hmph, there's no point in struggling anymore when the you've already confirmed it. So, what do you want? I'm a respectable contestant who has been winning since the preliminaries. My Glorious Self has no reason to be criticized for being here!"

Well, that's true. If it wasn't like that, you'd probably be getting complaints.

It seems that even the Great Demon King has probably noticed but is overlooking it, thinking something along the lines of [It's fine as long as it's in the general category that has nothing to do with Dungeon Cores].

"Is that so? Well, if the Great Demon King hasn't said anything, then it's probably fine… Anyway, I'm asking why you're in this tournament. Weren't you exiled or something?"

"Ah, that. Well, there was no work for me under that rabbit. My Glorious Self was feeling bored."

So he was just bored.

… I guess there really wasn't much for him to do. Mikan's job was just running a rabbit cafe, and they had nothing for Core 564 to do. Even in the raid events, there was no need for Core 564 to make an appearance.

"So you were just bored, huh?"

"Being expelled from the Demon King faction and having my territory confiscated prevented My Glorious Self from freely using DP without that rabbit's permission… And with only 100 DP per day to use freely, it disappeared just by using it for food. So the only thing left to do is to train, isn't it? Hence why My Glorious Self decided to participate in the local tournament that was happening nearby."

"… I see, you were bored."

Even though he was expelled from the Demon King faction, his dungeon was still within the Demon King's territory. He couldn't leave the Dungeon Core too far away, and since his land that was his source of DP was confiscated, he had no choice but to behave.

As a small break, he participated in the local festival… or something like that.

"Well, My Glorious Self should have participated in the demon tournament as usual… but as a result of being expelled and excommunicated, My Glorious Self had no choice but to aim for the right to participate from winning the lower-ranked tournament."

Originally, as a Dungeon Core, he was ranked as a [Demon] and participated in the top tournaments. As a 500-series, he is a veteran who has participated in the tournament for many years and is actually strong.

Although he lost to us in the dungeon battle, his strength as an individual was at about the same level as Aidi—well, Aidi was unusually strong for a 600-series—and he was a master of the Demon King Style.

Yep, he's a worthy championship candidate. However, many of the people who're participating in this main tournament wouldn't be out of place in the upper tournament. If he lets his guard down, even a core like him could lose.

"By the way, is it okay to use the Demon King Style? Even though you were excommunicated?"

"As long as My Glorious Self doesn't admit to being a practitioner of the Demon King Style, it's safe! Besides, it's a fighting style that has permeated my body, it wouldn't be possible to suddenly switch to another fighting style now!"

The Great Demon King would probably stop him if it wasn't allowed. I decided not to say anything more about it.

"… So, why are you here?"

"Me? I'm participating to go for the [Divine Pajamas] that's the second-place prize."

"Oh! So that's the prize this year. How rare… Well, it will be my win, so feel free to compete for second place."

"Wait, do you actually have a plan to beat Wataru head on?"

"He's just a human after all, right? My Glorious Self saw some matches in the main tournament and there is no way My Glorious Self could possibly lose to a human who had a [Good Match] with those guys."

Let's not put much trust in that. He must have said that he couldn't lose to a rabbit core like 629 when he fought against us in the dungeon battle, after all.

"Well… if you somehow get second place and obtain the [Divine Pajamas], give them to me."

"Hmm. The plan is to win, but if My Glorious Self somehow only manages second place, My Glorious Self may deign to give it to you if you grovel and beg."

What? He's just going to give it to me? Number 564 is unexpectedly kind.

"We have a deal then. If you break it, I'll make you suffer."

"Eh? Are you serious? That's… groveling, you know?"

"Just lowering your head without any other payment is such a cheap deal."

"Mm, mmmm. Well, if you're fine with it, then it's fine…"

By the way, in the Demonlands, groveling is considered a very humiliating act, but it doesn't come with having to become a slave or anything like that

"While we're on the topic, what kind of prizes are there usually?"

"Well, there are usually many weapons, armors, and magic tools. There are also custom-made magical items made by the Great Demon King's personal blacksmith, made from DP."

"I see. So, something like a [Divine Bedding] is incredibly rare I take it?"

"Well, when we get our hands on rare items, they sometimes become prizes. That's how it is."

I see. So it's a mystery as to whether it's just good luck or someone's doing, but if I can get the [Divine Bedding] as a result, I'll take it.

With that, I came to an agreement with Number 564. I returned to the waiting room feeling refreshed. Now I can safely obtain the [Divine Pajamas].

… Oh, right. If he's free, I might as well lend Number 564 as a sparring partner to Aidi in the future. For a fee, of course.