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

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Chapter 229


　Something humanoid appeared from behind Keira's feet.
　It had a skinny, harpoon-like figure with sharp claws that twisted like a sickle, and its face was nonexistent on its head.
　A monster created by Keira's dark magic.
　As soon as the guy tries to swing its claws down on Keira, I accelerate to help her with all my might, using elasticity and magic power outburst.

"Fuh!"

　I hold Keira and kick it with my foot, which is filled with elasticity-granting magic, at the same time as escaping from the claws.
　I'd like to call it healing elastic kick, but I can't really call it healing when I'm near Keira.
　No, more than that...!

"Keira, are you okay!?"
"...uwh"

　When I look at Keira, whom I hold in my arms, she is pale and shutting her eyes.
　Is she unconscious?
　I have Nea, who is on my shoulder, examine her.

"She seems to have lost her magic power and fainted."
"... Is that the cause?"

　In front of my eyes, I see a black humanoid figure, struck by a tree, trying to get up.
　I feel an indescribable creepiness in the human figure that tries to get up with its slimy behavior.

『Sorry, Usato. If I don't make a mistake... this girl won't end up like this...』

　Looking at the black human figure, Ferrum mutters regretfully.

"If you say that, then I'm at fault too. If only I had thought about this girl's feelings a little more..."
"You can reflect on that later!! It's coming!!"
"...!!"

　I hold Keira with my left arm, protecting her with dark magic to cover her, and let my right arm free.
　I held my right arm outstretched and stared at the humanoid, which moved into a posture as if it was about to leap toward me.

『Usato, it's aiming at Keira! It's a dark magic monster created by Keira's feelings of "I wish I had died!" and that's what created this dark magic monster!!』
"Yeah! Nea, use restraint spells!"
"I understand!"

　As far as I can see at the feet, Keira and that humanoid are connected by magic.
　If her magic power is being absorbed now, I have to do something quickly.
　A black humanoid jumps out with an eerie roar.

"Jyaa!"
“Restraint healing attack!”

　I spread both arms and grabbed the humanoid's arm as it jumped at me and restrained it at the same time.
　I move my feet as if I were sliding and move instantly to the side of the humanoid, and I put my fist on its unprotected torso and hit it with an all-out healing flying fist from a close position.

"Consecutive Healing Fist"

　It was a blow because the opponent was not human ——— a technique that was intended to be a small measure, but the humanoid's body was instantly shattered.
　Seeing the residue of black magic power disappearing in the air in a puff of smoke, I too was taken aback.

"It's surprisingly fragile...?"
"Because it's just a reflection of temporary emotions...? If that's the case, Keira's magic power may still be recoverable!"

　There is no sign of magic power emanating from Keira, who is wrapped in a robe of dark magic.
　I can't say ... it's okay
　It can be said that the situation has become even worse.

"Usato, first let's move this child to a safe place."
"...Yeah"

　I nod at Nea's words and head towards the village while carrying Keira.
　We can no longer be irrelevant.
　If we've gotten this involved, we should hear from Gref-san about Keira's past.

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　I returned to the village carrying Keira, and after putting her to bed, I decided to call Gref-san to talk to him.
　When I told him about the conversation I had with Keira in the forest along with that, he held his head in his hands with a devastated look on his face.

"I never expected Keira to be so cornered..."

　The room with the bed in which Keira is lying.
　I sit in the chair beside her and utter an apology to him as he nods his head.

"I'm sorry. While she was with me..."
"No, it's not your fault. It's my fault for not being able to understand the pain that child was suffering..."

　Keira's words were spoken through tears.
　She doesn't want to hurt anyone.
　It makes her loved ones unhappy.
　The reason she wanted to follow us was because she didn't want to hurt anyone.
　Even after listening to her tearful pleas, I still couldn't take her with me.
　Our mission is to "defeat the Demon King," so we can't just involve Keira, a child who doesn't know anything about the situation, in something dangerous.
　Above all, our purpose might make Keira and the others, who are demon tribe, unhappy.

"Gref-san, please tell me about Keira's past."
"You're a dark magic user, you probably guessed that, didn't you?"

　It was Ferrum who told me, but I say what I have in mind.

"Sending away your unwanted child, is it?"
"... Just hearing those words, I feel an uncontrollable anger. To think you let your own child, of all people, be killed alive by monsters... It's a disgusting act that doesn't even try to have a sense of guilt.”

　He took a deep breath to control his anger and continued speaking.

"Keira is an unwanted child who was sent away and abandoned by her biological parents."

　Frankly, a terrible story about parents trying to get their children killed by monsters by telling them lies, I didn't want it to be true.
　I listened to Gref-san's words while suppressing my emotions.

"...During my journey, I found that child in a monster's nest."
"Did Gref-san drive the demons away?"
"No, the monster was already dead."

　Does that mean someone helped Keira?
　When I asked him that, he shook his head.

"Keira was just shivering and cowering on the ground, but beside her was a black, four-legged wolf-like monster, choking the monster that was the lord of the den.''
"Wolf-like...?"

　I guess the form is different from what it was when I was there.
　Does the shape change depending on the emotion of the moment?

"After the black monster disappeared, I took Keira back to the village. At the time, I had mistakenly thought that Keira had accidentally wandered into the monster's nest. ... Looking back, though, it was a mistake to take this girl back to the village where her parents were."
"...What happened?"
"They cursed us. Keira's parents said, "Why did you come back?'' and "Don't do anything unnecessary".''

　They are parents who want their children to be eaten alive by monsters.
　I didn't think it would get a decent response, but this is... no good.

"The way they spat out such cruel words to a child of less than 10 years old was so ugly that it was hard to believe we were the same kind... The people in the village didn't blame us for what we did, but looked at me and Keira as if we were a nuisance.''
"Does Keira deserve to be treated so horribly...? This is just too absurd."

　If I were there, I'm not sure I would be able to control my anger.
　I clench my fists as hard as I can, as if to hold back my anger.

"So, I was so pissed off and took Keira in."
"...Thank you for talking to me."

　I bow my head to Gref-san who has finished speaking.
　He laughs weakly and stands up with his cane.

"I'm going to check on Rose and Ram. I will watch Keira, so you can rest."
"...Understood"

　After nodding to Gref-san, he leaves the room with his cane.
　Then, Amako entered the room as she passed him.

"Usato, how is Keira doing?"
"Now she's just sleeping because she's used up a lot of her magic power."

　I look down at Keira, who is sleeping and Amako, who has moved to stand next to me leaning against the wall.
　She's sleeping peacefully now, but I'm worried about when she wakes up.

"I wonder what I can do for this girl..."

　I can only teach magic, and I can't do anything more than that.
　I can't take her on our journey for her own sake, and I myself have told a big lie to Keira.

"Somehow, this girl. She is like me."

　Suddenly, Amako looked into Keira's face and said something like that.

"...That's———"
"It's not about looks, it's not about age, it's not about height."
"O-Oh."

　Three consecutive angry waves.
　How much do you concern yourself that you won't even let me argue with you?

"I don't mean that. I mean that when I first met Usato, I asked for help..."
"That time, huh?"
"A lot has happened since then, but we have worked hard to overcome it."

　After Amako asked for my help, we went around to several kingdoms, and finally I was able to help Kanoko-san.
　We had some major disturbances along the way, but we were able to make it to the end.
　When I think about it, this situation of being stuck from all directions even seems familiar to me.

"Does that mean it's still too early to give up?"
"That's what I wanted to say."
『Is it true?』

　Amako, who held up her index finger with a smug look on her face, was followed by Ferrum, who blurted out.
　First, when Keira wakes up, let's talk to her properly and then decide on a good plan of what to do with her magic.

"You know, Usato."
"Hmm?"
"It's about those ruins..."

　As I am making up my mind to face Keira again, Amako talks to me about the ruins.

"I still think it's better not to go to the ruins, but then I thought about the fact that maybe the "Hero's Katana" in the ruins is something we need..."
"...Honestly, I'm thinking the same thing as you."

　If we go into those ruins, we might be able to get what we need, but once we enter and something happens, it's too late.
　But while thinking so, we might regret missing this opportunity.

"No matter how you look at those ruins, they're too dangerous. I don't think it's a matter of simply taking the sword home and calling it a day."
"Yeah..."

　Either way, the decision has already been made and we will not be going to the ruins.
　I have some regrets about Hero's Katana, but it's much better than poking around in the bushes and getting snakes out.
　...Maybe it's time to go back to everyone.

"...Hmm?"

　Was it my imagination? Keira's hand seemed to be moving just now.
　No, it looks like she's still sleeping and doesn't seem to be awake.
　I took my gaze off of her, as it was nothing to be particularly concerned about, and I spoke to Amako.

"Gref-san will take care of Keira, so let’s go back to everyone."
"Yes, I understand."

　After checking on Keira once more, I leave the room with Amako.
　I feel uncomfortable telling Leona-san and the others about Keira, but I have to share the information with everyone.

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　This dream was different from usual.
　It's the same to the point where my father and mother have been feeding me lies and making me head for the monster's den.
　The next thing I saw was a memory of me being rescued by Gref and being abused by the people who were my father and mother.

『Why did you come back alive!!』
『Just when I finally can live my life in peace!!』
『You should never have been born!!』
『You should have just stayed quiet and become food for the monsters!!』

　I could hear the insults repeated over and over again.
　I don't want to hear that, so I put my hands over my ears and crouch down.
　Then gradually I hear no more voices and the scene in front of me changes.

"Gref... Ram, Rose..."

　What I saw was my precious family smiling.
　But the moment I thought that I was not the only one among them ——— the scene shifted once more.
　The next thing that showed up was the sight of Gref and the others ——— in a pool of blood.

"...No way...! That's a lie..."

　The dead bodies of loved ones, who could even be called family members, were brutally cut into pieces.
　At the center of the red scene was me, covered in blood.
　Unable to turn my eyes away from the scene, I scream out in anger.

"No! No way I hurt Gref and the others!!"
———Really?

　I hear a voice in my ear at some point.
　As I shook my head in desperate denial, the voice continued to speak out.

———If this continues, people I care about will die. They will be cut to pieces and die horribly because I couldn't control the dark magic.
"It has not yet been decided that it will!"

———From the beginning, there was only one path left. The only way is to follow Usato.
"It's impossible, Usato-san refused me...!"

———But that beastfolk girl is with him.
"...That's"

　I thought it was unfair.
　Why is she allowed and I am not?
　Isn't she the one who said she's like me?
　What's the difference between her and me? Because she's a beastfolk? Because I'm a demon?　
　But Usato-san is a demon, so that's not the reason.
　Why is it that I'm the only one who gets rejected?———

———That's because you don't have enough strength.
"Strength?"

———If you can prove to him that you are strong, he should have no complaints.
"That is, how I do..."

　I ask, clinging to the static voice.
　Then the voice is speaking slowly, as if telling me.

———Actually, you should know. Because you have heard his talk.
"...The Hero's Katana."

　I heard the talk of Usato-san and his friend while I was asleep.
　It was the talk about the Hero's Katana that Usato-san and his friends were seeking in the nearby ruins.
　If I could have that, would I really be accepted as a companion?

———If they recognize you as a friend, he will take you with him. Then you will no longer have to be afraid of your own power or hide who you are as a dark magic user.
"If I take the Hero's Katana, to Usato-san..."

　I don't want to hurt anyone.
　I don't want to be alone.
　I don't want to be abandoned.
　Those thoughts were spinning around in my head, and my choice was———

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　When I woke up from the nightmare, the view outside my room was shrouded in darkness.
　When I saw that the sky beyond was still colored, it was only nighttime, but I got up regardless of that.
　There's something I have to do.
　Feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and frustration, I put my hand on the window of my room.

『———Yes, that's right. Keira, you will be accepted as comrade. Yeah, definitely. ...Fufu』

　Even after waking up from the dream, the voice in my ear had changed to a clear and pleasant voice that was pleasing to my ears.
　However, my thoughts had already focused on one goal, "to obtain Hero's Katana," to the extent that I did not care about such a thing.

--- seireitranslations.blogspot.com ---

Author Notes:
This time, the "enemy" knows all about Usato and the others.
Keira's mental instability was caused by the daily nightmares and anxiety.

And here is where the information is released.
The demon child named Keira is———,

• Looking for someone to rely on (Amako).
• Abandoned by his parents (Nack).
• Wants to be with Usato for her own sake (Eva)
• She is willing to die for the sake of someone she cares about (Leona).
• She wants someone who understands the dark magic user (Ferrum).

The above elements are included.
She is full of things! ＾ｑ＾

That's all for today's update.