Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna
Source: Syosetu

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Chapter 217


"U-Usato-san! May I see Suzune-sama!"

　It was a terrifying situation for me.
　After checking the great river that flows between the demon king's territory and the human territory, I had returned and parted ways with Leona-san inside the base, returning to the Rescue Squad's base of operations.
　Departure to the demon king's territory is tomorrow.
　Just as I was thinking that I would spend the night at the base, relaxing my mind, Kate-san came to visit me and asked me in a somewhat uneasy manner for such a thing.

"Oi, Kate. Don't trouble Usato-san."

　Gerna-kun, who came to visit me with her, warned her.
　But that didn't stop Kate-san.

"Now is the only chance. If you stop me now, Gerna-kun ... I will hold a grudge against you for the rest of my life."
"Could you please don’t say scary things in a cheerful voice...?"

　Judging by the way Kate-san is acting, there shouldn't be any malice... right?
　I have to ask permission from Senpai and others, but as for me, I can't ignore Kate-san's request, who has worked so hard to help the Rescue Squad until today.

"I get it. But can I ask permission from senpai first? Maybe she'll say no..."
"I don't mind that! I'd rather have it that way!"
"Well, so it's okay that way..."

　I don't know, it's like being excited just to be near a celebrity... huh?
　But Senpai is very popular too.
　In Calm Helio, the popularity of women is usually very serious.

"If that's the case, let's get there as soon as possible. Gerna-kun, are you coming?"
"I'm ...... following along just in case this girl does anything."

　Gerna-kun points to the dreamy state of mind Kate-san and says so.
　Together with Kate-san and Gerna-kun, we left the Rescue Squad's base of operations and headed for Senpai.
　As I was making my way through the torch-lit area, Kate-san spoke to me as if she suddenly remembered something.

"Ah, come to think of it, there was something I wanted to ask Usato-san after the war was over!"
"Hmm? The rumors about me and Senpai are misunderstood..."
"I'm not talking about that. I was wondering how Usato-san became the healing magician that you are today..."

　Kate-san's question makes Gerna-kun stiffen for a moment.
　A healing magician as I am now, you mean in that direction, right?
　But the problem is that ... Kate-san has taken out what looks like a notepad. What in the world is she going to write on it.

"Etto, what's the notebook for?"
"To write down Usato-san training methods!"
"For what purpose? Perhaps you yourself are trying to put it into practice...?"
"No! It is because I was asked to do so by the higher-ups in the kingdom when I was sent here!"

　Oh my, this girl is amazingly honest.
　It's a different format, but it's the one I feared in the beginning.
　However, the lady in question, Kate-san, came to find out the inside of the Rescue Squad ..., but she seems to have been so fascinated with Senpai that she forgot about it until just now.
　In other words, fine play (?) by Senpai.

"Are the Calm Helio trying to make healing magicians like me and the Commander..."
"Eh, is that so? I think it's impossible."
"You don't have to deny it. Are you not aware that you're a spy?"
"Spy?"
"Enough..."

　Gerna-kun retorted at Kate-san, who tilted her head, and he looks tired.

"So, who's the higher-ups? Princess Naia?"
"It was Kyle-sama and the Prime Minister, not Naia-sama."
"... Aa, I see. Un."

　I didn't expect it was Prince Kyle.
　How should I judge? Is this an attempt to find out my secret as a healing magician?
　Considering that they sent her to me right after the meeting, it seems like too much of a quick move ..., but it's not surprising if you think that they were burning with rivalry.

"Kate-san. When you return to Calm Helio, do you have a chance to have an audience with Princess Naia?"
"Uwh, I heard that Naia-sama is very busy. If it were Kyle-sama, I would be able to see him at a reasonable hour."

　Prince Kyle ... No, I'm sure it's different now, maybe.
　But is it not so easy to meet Princess Naia?

"Then is it possible for you to just give her the notebook?"
"Ah, I can do that! They may check the contents for inspection, though!"
"Then, can you lend me that notebook for a moment?"
"Yes!"

　I stop in my tracks and pick up the pen I had tucked in, conversely surprised that she handed me the notebook without hesitation.
　The content is ... this text is written by me and to ask that the healing magician not be subjected to harsh training and that the healing magician who was sent -- Kate-san not be harmed in any way.
　Also, although not so much an alternative, I noted that instead of raising healing magicians like us, it would be better to raise healing magicians who specialize in healing, such as Olga-san and Ururu-san.
　In addition, I will write as much detail as possible about how much healing magicians like Kate-san have played an active role in this war, and appeal the usefulness of their work.

"This is all right. Here you go."
"Thank you very much!"
"Y-Yeah?"

　... Why did she thank me? I'm...? Is that an autograph or something?　
　Once we start walking again, we soon arrive at our destination.
　There were several small tents lined up in a row, with a campfire in the center of them brightly illuminating the surroundings.

"... Ah, there she is."

　In the light of the campfire, I find senpai, Leona-san, who is sitting on a log that has been used as a chair, and Kazuki, who is sitting the same way across from the campfire.
　For now, let Kate-san and Gerna-kun wait on the spot and I approach the three.

"Hmm? Isn't it Usato-kun. What's wrong?"

　At the sound of Senpai's voice noticing me, Kazuki and Leona-san look at me.
　While scratching my cheeks in trouble, I reply to senpai.

"Actually, there's a girl who wants to meet senpai."
"A girl who wants to meet me?"
"It seems she's a passionate fan of senpai."

　When I said so in a rather joking manner, Senpai, who put her hand on her forehead, let out a giggle.

"A passionate fan, huh? Then, as a hero, I must live up ... to that expectation!"
"Does that mean it's OK?"
"Of course!! Leona, are you ready...!!"
"S-Suzune! I-I have nothing to do with it!?"

　Today's tension is even higher.
　Leona-san next to her is in total bewilderment, but when did they start calling name each other by name?
　Anyway, I get her consent and I beckon to the two behind me.
　Then Kate-san, with a sparkle in her eyes, comes running over to us on a short run.

"Usato-san! Thank you very much!!"
" Don't worry about it. Now, go talk to senpai as much as you want. The person next to senpai is Leona-san. She's a hero of Mialak. And the one in front of me is Kazuki, another hero of the Lingle Kingdom."
"!? Another hero, Kazuki-sama, and Leona-sama, who solved the big incident that happened in Mialak together with Usato-san!? What fortuitous luck! I won't complain if someone tells me I've already used up a lifetime's worth of luck!!"

　After thanking me deeply once again, Kate-san made her way to the Senpai, who was beckoning her with a smile.

"Suzune-sama, Leona-sama! It is my pleasure to meet you! I'm a healing magician from Calm Helio Kingdom! My name is Kate!!"
"Un un, your name is Kate. Nice to meet you, I am Inukami Suzune. I'm a hero of the Kingdom of Lingle."
"I-I'm Leona. Mialak's... you know, hero."

　Senpai confidently introduces herself, and Leona-san shyly identifies herself.
　Kate-san, in front of the two contrasting people, is overjoyed.
　...Un, somehow it seems to be okay.

"O~i Usato~"

　Kazuki, who is sitting on a separate log from Senpai and Leona-san, is raising his hand.

"I'm coming. Come on, Gerna-kun, you too."
"Eh, is that okay?"
"I don't mind at all. Besides, we're close in age."

　Together with Gerna-kun, I approach Kazuki and sit down in an open space on the log.
　There's plenty of space for three people to sit down.

"Usato, who is he?"
"Gerna-kun, who came from the Kingdom of Nirvarna to reinforce the Rescue Squad. He's a healing magician like me."
"I-It is nice to meet you, I am Gerna. I know Kazuki-sama very well, as you have visited Nirvarna."

　Gerna-kun bowed his head in awe, and Kazuki scratched his cheek as if he too was troubled.

"E-Etto, you don't have to add "sama", okay? From your looks, we're the same age, and there's no need to force yourself to speak formally in honorifics."
"No, that kind of..."

　Having Gerna-kun, who is about the same age as me, speak to me in a polite manner makes me itch a little too.
　Regardless if it's someone who uses polite dialect on a daily basis, like Halfa-san from Luxvis, but Gerna-kun's usual way of speaking is different.

"It's a little late, but you don't have to speak to me in a polite way either. I don't mind if it's the same tone as when we first met."
"... U-Unders... Got it"
"Well then, a pleasure to meet you once again. Gerna."

　Kazuki smiles brightly at Gerna-kun, who nods in puzzlement.
　Kazuki then turns his attention to Senpai and others who are talking across the campfire.

"Did Usato come here to take that girl to see senpai?"
"Right. She's a healing magician from Calm Helio ... She asked me if she could see Senpai, so I brought her here."
"I see. Senpai was adored before, but it looks like it's no different in this world."
"That before means..."
"Yeah, that's what I meant."

　Perhaps out of consideration for Gerna-kun, Kazuki blurred the wording.
　By "before," I assume he means the world before we were summoned.

"But I guess she was looking forward to it."
"I've been hearing about heroes at every opportunity for the past week..."
"T-That much... as expected of Calm Helio's people..."

　At Gerna-kun's dejected look, even Kazuki smiles bitterly.
　Since Carm Helio has a heroic faith, Kate-san's degree of obsession may be in some ways obvious.
　... Looking at it from the side, though, it looks like they're just absurdly happy to see a celebrity.

"Usato saw the great river during the day, didn't you? What was it like?"
"That's right... From what I saw today, the current wasn't that fast. It was a little wide, but with Leona-san's magic, I don't think it would be hard to build a bridge."
"I see. I'm a little relieved, because it would be a big problem if we stumbled before entering the demon king's territory."
"Hahaha, indeed."

　If that happens, we'll probably figure out another way, but we'll certainly be stuck there for nothing.

"... You two are going to an awesome place."
"From Gerna-kun's point of view, what kind of place is the Demon King's territory?"
"I, or rather most people, don't know what the Demon King's territory is like. We have been hating each other for hundreds of years."

　Saying that, Gerna-kun stares at the bonfire.

"In my imagination, a demon race is a terrifying subhuman race. Maybe it's because I've been told the legends of my ancestors who fought against the Demon King's army when they were the previous generation of heroes, but even without that, this battle made me ... honestly tremble from the bottom of my heart."

　Nirvarna is a country with many warrior people.
　Such a country might have boldly challenged the demon king's army in the days of the previous generation of heroes.
　That is, against the demon king army led by the "terrifying demon king" who did everything he could to be as villainous as it was written in his notes.

"... I shouldn't have said this to the two of you who are leaving tomorrow. I'm sorry."
"No, that was informative. Thank you."

　Kazuki shook his head at Gerna-kun who apologized with an apologetic look.
　People's perception of the demon race in this world is that they are terrifying beings... but on the other hand, what about the perception that demon race has of humans?
　... Maybe the demon race thinks humans are scary, too.

"Suzune-sama, I was there!"

　At that moment, I suddenly heard such a voice in front of me.
　Looking closely, I see Kate with a twinkle in her eye, talking to Senpai.
　However, Senpai's expression seemed somewhat twitchy.

"T-That place is... where is it?"
"? Suzune, your voice is shaking. What's wrong?"

　Leona-san tilts her head at the senpai, who is somewhat upset, as if she had somehow guessed what to expect.
　Whether or not she knew how upset she was, Kate-san spoke right on through.

"It's the same place where you cut Prince Kyle's confession in two!"
"...Ah, eh, uwh...Gahaa!"
"U-Usato~! Suzune clutches her chest and collapsed~!?"

　Senpai looked at Kate-san's and my face alternately, and when her face turned bright red, she burst out spewing as it was.
　Leona-san, who supported her as she was about to fall backward, calls out to me for help, but the person in question is shaking her head frantically.

"Well, we can manage somehow..."

　For now, the Demon King, the demon race, and the Demon King's territory must be seen with my own eyes or else it cannot begin.
　Seeing senpai making a fuss in a positive way, I felt somewhat relaxed and stood up to help her.