Good Job, Tournament

Divine Beddings. Their defensive capabilities were certainly strong, but they all had one drawback, or rather, feature, which was that they had an important function for bedding—not to disturb sleep.

Therefore, only sleep-related status effects could penetrate.

Rather than preventing those effects, they'd actually boost them to be stronger.

Well, it would be another story if the attack were given with malicious intent but it was probably using the Demon King Style of [Innocent] attack—rather, action. As a result, [Sleep] went through without any interference, and I fell into a deep sleep, rendered unable to act.

"Hah… So I got third place…"

By the time I woke up, the match was over. Sebas took first place, with Wataru in second. I also slept through the award ceremony, so everything was already over. Instead, Rokuko took the third place prize for me.

What's that, you're wondering why no one tried to wake me up?

There's no way they could wake me up, as I was under the [Divine Blanket]. To wake someone up from this, you would need either the [Divine Alarm Clock] or even the great Demon King would have a hard time. Even if the person inside is asleep, it's impossible to wake them up from the outside with this [Divine Blanket].

Technically, (although deafening blasts are cut out) voices could reach the person, so while it's not entirely impossible to wake them up… it's about as difficult as opening Amano-Iwato, befitting a divine creation.

As a result, the award ceremony took place right next to me in the arena that Wataru had wreaked havoc in while I slept straight through the entire thing.

"Have you woken up, Kehma?"

"… Good morning, Rokuko. Never thought I'd lose like that…"

I woke up as they were fixing up the arena. Rokuko seemed to be dutifully waiting for me to wake up. Wataru was also there, under the pretense of being Rokuko's bodyguard. As for Niku and Ichika… it seems Aidi took them back to the inn. Number 564? Who cares about him?

"Good work, Kehma-san. Or should I say good morning?"

"Yeah, Wataru, good work… Speaking of which, Sebas won?"

"Well, it was a contest to see who could defeat you, so when Sebas defeated you, it was pretty much settled at the same time."

The Great Demon King also acknowledged this as a victory determined by a prearranged agreement rather than a [Surrender]. I didn't think of that… Well, Wataru and Sebas probably wouldn't have agreed to anything either… Maybe it was necessary to show enough power to completely mess up the arena, huh.

"I never thought a status condition would actually work."

"Me neither. I'll be prepped for it next time."

"… Hmm, it's become even harder to defeat you. It feels like I missed my only chance, huh?"

I should be able to win next time if I turn on [Blackout Resistance]. It's dangerous if I don't manage it properly, so I usually keep it off… That said, I totally I forgot about it… It won't automatically turn off in favor of sleep, will it…? Maybe it will…?

"But man, my [Super Luck] really doesn't work on you Kehma-san…"

"That's not true. If anything, isn't the fact that there was still a way to win probably due to your luck?"

"That just makes it more frustrating that it was Sebas who defeated you… I've known you for longer."

"Well, the difference in observation time is significant. Sebas had been considering my tactics since the preliminaries, or even before that…"

"Your defense was amazing. I attacked with all my might, you know? And I still couldn't beat you, Kehma-san."

"Well, you won in terms of ranking, and I surrendered in the previous battle, so you won, right?"

"I may have won the match, but I lost the contest! This is less than a draw in actuality!"

Well, if it could block a full-power attack, then that's how it is… But being able to easily defend against Wataru's serious attacks is quite impressive for a blanket. This might even be an effective method against Leona if we were to fight head on. I'll have to remember that.

"So, Kehma, shall we head back? Can you stand?"

"Yeah, I'm in perfect health thanks to you. Oh, here, I'll give this back to you."

"Mmm."

Rokuko took the [Divine Blanket] I'd been using as a mantle and folded it up, putting it away in her [Storage].

"Rokuko-san, is that mantle the secret to Kehma's super defense?"

"Yes, it is. It even has the ability to rapidly recover the magical power used for that dangerous magic."

"I see… so that's why he was able to use that dangerous magic repeatedly."

Oh, nice response, Rokuko. It wasn't a lie and it sounded like without that blanket, my combat ability would still be as weak and pathetic as ever. As expected of my partner!

As we started walking back, Wataru spoke up again.

"Now, Kehma-san. Since I came in second place, how about we have a match with the [Divine Pajamas] at stake?"

… Well, it was bound to happen.

Initially, I was thinking of obtaining them through negotiation or some other means from the person who got second place. But somehow, it turned into [get second place myself and obtain them].

I guess he was influenced by the Demonlands while studying abroad.

It's probably because I ended up having the power to fight.

However, it's convenient for me that Wataru has the [Divine Pajamas]. After all, I have a trump card against him.

I'll try to get the [Divine Pajamas] from Wataru through negotiation.

"I'm fine with having a match."

"Wait, really?"

"But—on an unrelated note—I was thinking that if Wataru came in second, I might trade the [right to confess to Nerune] in exchange for the [Divine Pajamas]."

"Eh?"

Note that it's just the [right to confess].

Honestly, if it's in exchange for the [Divine Pajamas], I wouldn't mind handing Nerune herself over to Wataru. Wataru would probably take good care of her if they were dating.

I wouldn't let let her leave the dungeon of course, but as the Dungeon Master, if I told her to date Wataru, she'd obey regardless of her thoughts on the subject.

But free will is important. Being forced to do something against your will isn't Wataru's taste either.

… Ah, but if I told her to refuse him, Nerune would refuse as a dungeon monster, so this is actually quite a serious right.

"You're fine with a match against me instead of confessing to Nerune, right?"

"… Wait, please give me a moment."

I used the [right to confess]—something that costs me a grand total of nothing—to goad Wataru.

Similar to Haku-san's [right to hug Rokuko], it's a right that's nothing but a lie, nothing more than a verbal bluff.

"… Why would I need to get the [right to confess to Nerune] from you, Kehma-san?"

"Well, Nerune's basically mine and Rokuko's daughter—actually, never mind that. Anyway, if you don't want it, that's fine. I just won't acknowledge it."

"Wait, hold on! You just said something that got me really curious!?"

"How about we have a match when we return to Golen? There's a perfect spot deep inside the [Cave of Desires]. It's like an arena. It's great this time of year, you been?"

"Wait, Kehma-san! Kehma-saaan!!"

Well, it's a cozy workplace, so Nerune, our employee, is like a daughter to Rokuko and me, the employers! Because it's a cozy workplace! It's so important that I say it twice.

"Wait a second, Rokuko-san, did Kehma-san just call Nerune his daughter!?"

"Oh, well, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Nerune is like a child to Kehma and me."

"Even Rokuko-san admits it!? This couple! Was your trip to the Demonlands your honeymoon!?"

"Yep."

"Wait, are you serious!? Kehma-san! You said you would invite me to your wedding!!"

"I haven't heard anything about that. And we're not a married couple yet, nor have we had a wedding ceremony."

Wataru shook me violently. Please don't, youre going to make me throw up. I'm not wearing the blanket right now.

"Well, since Rokuko-san also admitted it, I'll seriously consider the right to confess…"

"I see. So you can't answer immediately… It's a shame, but don't worry, I'll make sure to tell Nerune that your love for her was just that shallow."

"That wording—! THAT WORDING! Please, show some mercy! Are you a demon, toying with someone's feelings!?"

Wataru, you're the one toying with my desire to sleep. How dare you force me into an unwanted battle, you demon.

"Why do you even want the [Divine Pajamas] in the first place? If there's some special reason for it, then, well, I can just give them to you… I mean, you've helped me out a lot."

"Isn't it obvious? Beddhism. Do I need another reason?"

"Oh, yeah."

Wataru nodded.

Religion and faith. They were splendid reasons, so much so that people went to war over them.

I mean, I just made up Beddhism but that's besides the point.

"… Alright. Then as a Buddhist myself, I will donate the [Divine Pajamas] to you. Please, grant me the right to confess to Nerune."

"Mm. Sounds good to me."

Wataru respectfully held out the folded pajamas. As I reached out to take them—

He dodged me.

"By the way, I really would like to have a serious match with you again, Kehma-san. Could you possibly make an exception for that as well, Founder-sama?"

"…"

With the item right in front of me like this, it's… Ugh, you're good, Wataru.

"… I'll think about it."

"Thank you for your kindness… Remember, it's a promise."

Tsk, I guess I have no choice. I'll grant Wataru's wish in exchange for the pajamas.

And so I successfully obtained the [Divine Pajamas].

It feels like I've been training or fighting this entire time, but I've achieved the goal of my studies abroad… Now all I have to do is go home!