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

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Chapter 227


　After that, Senpai, Kazuki, and I, Amako, decided to head to the ruins.
　In fact, we should all head there for confirmation, but we could not leave Gref-san and the others alone, so we left Nea, Ferrum, Leona-san, and Blurin in the village.

"Senpai, what happened in the ruins?"
"To put it simply, Leona and my weapons reacted."
"'React' in what way?"

　In response to Kazuki's question, senpai who was walking in front of us tells us about the situation at that time.

"When I approached the place where I could see the ruins, I felt an aura like, "Buwah!" or something like that. The next moment, the weapon activates on its own and reacts in a way that resonates with something in the ruins, and I'm surprised!”
"It doesn't convey much nervousness, Suzune."
"Haha..."

　Smiling bitterly at Amako's tsukkomi, I began to understand why she had called me and Kazuki.

"You are going to check if the same thing happens to me and Kazuki, right?"
"Yeah, not that it really matters, but if the same thing happens twice, it gives us some confirmation, doesn't it?"

　I nod in agreement with senpai.
　But there's something nerve-wracking when it comes to heading there.
　That is the place where the Demon King once used as his stronghold, and where he and the Hero fought a decisive battle. As I know about the heroes, Kazuki and senpai, it is a place that makes me think that there is some kind of fateful connection between them.

"Usato, how far has your training with Keira progressed?"
"Now that I think about it, Usato was teaching a kid who was a dark magic-user how to handle magic."

　Suddenly, Amako, who was walking next to me, asked me that.
　Senpai and Kazuki also seem interested.

"Things are going well. She's a fast learner, and I think she'll be able to make her own magic in no time."
"It's pretty easy."
"It wasn't like that. More like she was taught since Ferrum was the one who knew about the dark magic."

　Without her, I wouldn't have been able to advise Keira.
　No, I might not have even been able to figure out why there was a problem with her magic in the first place.

"It kind of reminds me of the time with Nack. I remember Usato teaching him a lot of stuff back then too."
"Hahaha, that's true. I miss those days."

　We set out on a journey to deliver the letter and save Amako's mother.
　At that time, I didn't even imagine from then on how turbulent the rest of the trip would be.

"One thing that surprised me during the trip was that Amako's mother had a rather playful personality.''
"Eh, really? What kind of person was she?"
"U-Usato!"

　Senpai interested in the words I suddenly muttered, asks me about it, but Amako, flustered and panicked, stops me.
　Is it embarrassing for Amako because it's something related to her family?
　I should keep quiet about this ——— but it's a good topic to talk about, so let's continue!

"She was a beautiful person. She was a little careless at times, but she was a very energetic person. I feel like her personality might be compatible with senpai."
"I see...if it's Amako's mother..."

　Glancing at Amako, senpai thought for a few seconds and then turned to Amako with a sharp look on her face.

"Amako, can I go see your mother after this battle is over?"
"Suzune, if you want to see my mother ——— then I'll be your opponent."
"Ready for battle!?"

　Amako declares that with extraordinary determination, as if she really doesn't want her to see her mother.
　Perhaps she didn't think it would go that far, senpai who is supposed to be a boke turns into a tsukkomi.
　Just as I was thinking that this was an unusual combination of interactions, Amako started talking to me.

"Usato, do you know what will happen if I let Suzune meet my mother?"
"Eh? They will ... get along?"
"Sure, she will get along well with Suzune. I can understand that."

　Kanoko-san has an easy-going and kind personality, and I think she would be able to talk well with senpai.
　But what's wrong with that?
　As I tilted my head, she continued with a serious expression on her face.

"Suzune is also compatible with Rinka, who is an easygoing person.''
"Yeah"
"Mom will be joining the Rinka and Suzune duo."
"...Yeah"
"It will definitely be a big problem. To be more specific, Hayate-san's stomach is going to explode."

　...
　..., ....
　The image of Hayate-san working hard every day as the head of Hinomoto flashes through my mind.

"...Senpai, I'm afraid I have to tell you, ... I'm going to have to stop you."
"Eh, I guess you're on that side!? Isn't Usato-kun my ally!?"
"I have to protect Hayate-san...!"
"Who is he!? Is that why you have such a bitter expression on your face?"

　Just having Kanoko-san is making him sick to his stomach.
　If that, combined with Rinka, who is like the personification of energy, were to overrun Hinomoto, there is no doubt that he would be under even more stress than Jinya-san...!
　That must be avoided...!
　I have to protect him...!!

"Kuh, as expected of Amako, my rival...! I didn't expect you to easily draw Usato-kun into your side...!"
“I think Suzune should take care of yourself first.”
"Fuh, if I did that, it wouldn't be me! In fact, I can see that you would be worried!!”
"It's unfortunate that you are able to analyze yourself so well."
"Indeed, it would make you concerned..."

　Kazuki and I couldn't help but agree.
　At the very least, I would be more worried than surprised if senpai returned to the kind of personality she had in the former world.

"Hmm, we'll soon arrive at a place where you can see the ruins. It's probably a bigger place than you guys imagine, so you might need to prepare yourself mentally."
"? ...Understood"

　Since it's called a ruin, I wonder if it's a place like that?
　While questioning the way senpai said it, we proceeded through the forest———entering an open space.

"This is...!"

　The first thing I saw was the empty land.
　For hundreds of meters away, I was stunned to see a place where not even a blade of grass or a tree grew.

"This is the demon king's territory...?"

　Unlike the forests I had walked through before, it was truly a "dead land".
　I was potentially terrified of a place where I felt no signs of life, but not far from here, I found what looked like a building.
　A half-destroyed temple-like building.

"Senpai, that's..."
"Yeah, the ruins where the Demon King and the Hero fought."
"It feels kind of creepy."

　The next moment after I nodded my head in agreement with Kazuki, something like a gust of wind blows from the ruins.
　A lukewarm wind imbued with something like magic.
　The moment I feel that wind, the hero's armament held by me, senpai, and Kazuki activates on its own.

"Uwah, Senpai, could it be this is...!"
"I knew it. Apparently, if we get close enough to the ruins to a certain distance, the hero's armament will deploy on its own."

　We were amazed to see each of our heroes' armaments.
　When I looked closely at my gauntlet, I noticed that it was emitting a small sound as if it was resonating with something.

―――Don't ―――, come. U―――to―――!!

"tsu"

　Suddenly, a woman's voice echoes as if speaking directly to my head.
　I feel a slight pain and dizzy, and when I wobble, Kazuki supports me quickly.

"Usato!?"
"O-Oi, are you okay!"
"...Thank you, Kazuki. But it's okay, I just heard a mysterious voice."
"Usato-kun, I don't think that means you are okay...!?"

　The pain in my head is only momentary, so there's no need to worry...

"Don't come, that's what the unknown voice said."
"...A warning, I guess?"
"It sounded somewhat desperate. It was more like ... telling us to run away.... Did Amako feel anything?"

　I asked Amako, who is sensitive to this kind of thing, but she shook her head.

"I felt an eerie atmosphere, but I couldn't hear any voices."
"I see..."

　Does that mean it's my hallucination, or a mysterious voice that only I can hear?
　If they warn us to run away, they may not be our enemies.
　Is someone trapped?

"Let's leave this place for now."
"Right. As well as the fact that it is affecting Usato in some way, I don't feel like I should be here any longer."
"I, too, think it would be better."

　If I stay here any longer, I might be affected again.
　Considering the danger, we decided to head back to the village where Leona-san and the others were waiting for us to report.

●
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　In conclusion, we decided to take a detour instead of heading towards those ruins.
　First of all, when our hero's armaments showed a strong reaction, it was out, and secondly, when I heard a mysterious voice warning me, it was decided that it was better not to head there.
　I personally want to avoid any trouble, so I have no objection to the decision, but somewhere in my heart I'm wondering if it's really the right thing to do.　
　I wonder who that mysterious woman's voice was, or if the hero's sword is something that we need.

"Where's Ferrum..."

　When the sun was setting and the sky was turning orange, I was walking among the empty houses, looking for Ferrum.
　I'm wearing the hood of my group uniform, so it won't be a problem if Gref-san sees me, but I want to avoid getting suspicious as much as possible, so I have to find Ferrum as soon as possible.

"I heard that Nea is here..."

　Since I haven't introduced Ferrum to Gref-san, it is unlikely that she is showing up.
　As I walk, paying attention to my surroundings, I spot her in the shadow of a nearby vacant house where I watched Keira train in the morning.
　She leans her back against the wall, and seems to be looking at something from the shadows.

"Ferrum, so you were here?"
"!? D-Don't surprise me...!"
"Haha, sorry sorry ... So, what's up?"
"Look at that."

　When I looked in the direction Ferrum pointed with her chin, I saw that Keira was training in dark magic at the same place where she had been training in the morning.
　I told her to take a rest, but now she's trying to manipulate dark magic by herself.
　I guess she should be careful here... but I can also understand her desire to do something about her power.

"... If this wasn't demon king territory, she would be recruited by the rescue squad."
"Hmph!!"

　I was kicked in the shin with a toe.
　Even though it's just a joke, isn't it too powerful?

"I'm just kidding....When does that girl start training?"
"Right after you leave."
"Right after? Has she been doing it ever since?”

　I told Ferrum to assimilate and went to Keira.
　I change into my demon form and immediately try to get out of the shadows, but before I can do so, I see the dark magic that Keira manipulates approaching the stone I placed during the training, and I stop in my tracks.
　Forgetting my impatience, I hold my breath as I watch over Keira.

"Keep it up..."

　That's what I naturally say.
　Then, the black magic slowly moved according to her will, and I could definitely see it touching the stone.
　Leaning against the wall, I look at her again ——— somehow, even though she has achieved her goal, Keira doesn't seem pleased.
　She just stares at the stone.

"Keira?"
『...』

　After remaining in this state for several tens of seconds, her body suddenly swayed.
　——— Oh no!?
　Instantly, I jumped out from behind the shadow and supported her back.
　Then, I cast a healing magic without anyone noticing.

"U-Usato-san…!?"
"I told you to take a break."
"———I-I'm sorry! U-Uhm, since when?"
"Just a while ago. I saw you about to fall and jumped out."
"..."

　Keira's expression looks tired, probably because she used a lot of magical power.
　On top of that, she looked away from me, probably feeling awkward because it was found out that she had been training in secret.

"...Even with all this practice, I couldn't even touch the stone."

　...Hmm? But it looked like you succeeded earlier.
　Was I mistaken?
　Perhaps she was shocked that she didn't reach it just barely earlier?　

"Don't worry about it. Let's rest first and try again tomorrow."
"...Ye, s"

　After saying that much, she slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep.
　Doing it to the point of exhaustion...don't be reckless.
　No, this is my fault.
　Even though I understood her desire to do something about her own magic, I didn't forcefully stop her.
　Reflecting on my lack of consideration, I grabbed Keira and headed towards the empty house where Gref-san and others would be.

『Usato』
"Hmm, what's wrong?"

　Ferrum, who had been silent until now, spoke to me in a grave voice.

『...That girl... Maybe it's more than just being abandoned by her parents.』
"...What does it mean?"
『When I was in the Demon King's army, I heard a story about a certain village』

　A story about a village?
　When she was in the demon king's army, that was the time when she was called the black knight, right.

"What's the story?"
『It's a disgusting story about parents who are unable to raise their children and send them to monsters' homes to be eaten.』
"Letting a child be eaten by a monster...?"

　What is that?
　I was tormented by a freezing sensation from the core of my body.
　I don't want to hear what happens after that ——— but I have to hear it.

『I didn't think this was possible, but after seeing this girl's "just now" behavior, it's becoming highly possible that he was in the same situation』
"Did this child do something strange in what she did just now?"
『This girl lied. The power of dark magic had certainly touched that stone. Despite that, she hid it from you.』
"...For what?"

　Ferrum continues speaking to me who is confused.

『The same dark magic user she met for the first time. You are not afraid of her dangerous magic, and you accept her. But this alone, though, is no reason to lie and deceive———』
"Is that where the story of letting children be eaten by monsters comes in?"
『Yeah』

　Ferrum hesitates, perhaps because it is painful to say the words.

『...When sending a child off to the dwelling place of monsters in that story, a lie is invariably spouted.』
"Lie, you said..."
『It's a lie to make sure the kids don't come back to their parents, to make sure the monsters eat them.』

　After hearing Ferrum's story, I couldn't help but look at Keira who I am holding.
　When a lie is told, the power of dark magic goes out of control.
　That is the trauma etched into Keira's heart.

『"Sending away unwanted children" is the most heinous custom I know of.』

　I had thought that Keira had been lied to by someone and had suffered some terrible thing, but the story that Ferrum told me was far more cruel than I had ever imagined.