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

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Chapter 239


　The spark of light of the previous hero.
　That's what Kannagi said while standing in front of the shining vortex.
　Judging from the nuances, it must be some kind of power.

"Come on, come on, get over here. I'll bring you there."

　She has a tremendous innocent smile on her face.
　Kannagi's age is unknown to me, but I don't think she looks that different from us.

"...What should I do"

　The options are limited.
　At least staying here does not guarantee getting out.
　That said, even if Kannagi takes us ...... to that spark of light, I'm not sure what that kind of thing is.
　I have a vague bad feeling about this, but I also know that I shouldn't choose not to move at this point.

"Okay, let's go and see what comes out of it, shall we."
"Oi, wait."
"Hold on, you bas*tard."
"Gueh!?"

　Ciel-san and I grabbed Koga's shoulders at the same time.
　Rather, I was slightly surprised that Ciel-san held him back, not knowing whether she was speaking respectfully or hastily, and she glared at Koga.

"Why are you coming with me? It's strange, isn't it?"
"Right. Why don't you understand the situation better than this person? Even a child can understand, right?"

　When asked by Ciel-san, Keira nods hesitantly.
　However, Koga shows no signs of remorse and shows a fearless smile.

"Oi oi, there's no choice but to go along here. I kind of understand, but Usato will surely be in trouble. But we have nothing to do with that. We're just going to enjoy watching from behind."
"..."
"Oh? Oh? You want to do it? I'm gonna take you on, okay?"

　When I get annoyed, Koga smiles belligerently.
　It is useless.
　Don't be provoked. I've come this far and I don't want to deal with this guy.

"Either way, you follow me on your own and I can't help it. Keira, stay close to Ciel-san."
"Eh, m-me?"
"Sorry. But that's a child who has almost nothing to do with us..."
"...Understood"

　After saying that, Ciel-san looked confused and held hands with Keira.
　Based on what she has said and done so far, maybe she's someone who is in a position close to the Demon King.
　Well, I guess she's not a bad person.

"———You guys are coming too. Hmph, well, fine."

　Keira shows a frightened expression as Kannagi mutters that she is not interested.
　I stepped in between her as if to hide her, and stepped into the vortex as carefully as possible.
　Then I thought I was surrounded by white light, and the next moment I was standing in a different place from where I had just been.

"Here is..."

　We were transferred? to a vast space that appeared to have been half destroyed.
　Ivy from an unknown plant grows from above, and debris is scattered on the floor.
　However, it was not dark, and there were faintly shining stone-like objects inlaid throughout the room, illuminating this vast space.
　When I was puzzled by the space, which had a distinctly different atmosphere from the place I had been, Keira noticed something and pointed in a certain direction.

"Usato-san, that..."
"Hmm?"

　When I looked in the direction Keira pointed, I saw what looked like a stone coffin.
　Emerging from the space as if emerging from it, Kannagi walks towards the coffin.

"Come on, this way."
"..."

　Walk forward with caution, prepared for anything that might come our way.
　The stone coffin is tightly closed and no one can see inside.

"Now, open it."
"Eh, no, uhm... it's scary, I don't want to."

　I've seen this in movies.
　The first person who touches it will be cursed and have a bad time.
　Kannagi lets out a stunned smile as I look seriously frightened.

"There are no dead bodies or ghosts in it, so it's okay. Come on, hurry up."

　D-Don't rush me.
　I guess I've come this far, I'll just have to prepare myself for the worst.
　In the worst case scenario, I'll put my hand in the gap between the lid of the coffin and lift it up, with the intention of knocking off that spark of light.
　I was a little surprised at the weight there, but forced myself to move it out.

"Uwah, what an incredible strength. Like an Ogre."
"That's just the way he is. I knew he was a monster."
"If I try my best too..."

　I feel like the demons are saying some things that I don't agree with...
　I'll give Keira a warning later.
　With a thud, I removed the lid of the coffin and finally looked inside...

"...! This is..."

　Inside was a girl with the same appearance as Kannagi.
　She is wearing clothes that resemble a kimono, and her eyes are closed, as if she is sleeping.
　However, something like a tear of blood was flowing from her left eye, which added to the eeriness.

"Why this person..."

　What caught my eye more than anything was that a sword was stuck in the girl's chest.

"Another of the swords from the original of my gauntlet...?"

　A sword that emitted a faint light———that was definitely another sword wielded by the hero.

"This is what I brought you here for."
"Kannagi, this is..."
"It's me. That's my body that was sealed in this place just before the previous hero fought the Demon King."

　The other Kannagi sits on the stone coffin in which she herself is sleeping.

"The previous hero is ...... the one who fought against the Demon King? Could it be, the reason why the Demon King sent me to this place is..."
"Hou, things are starting to get interesting."

　I just wondered, would it have been good for Koga on the Demon King's side to have heard this story?
　Depending on the situation, it might turn into a battle... but considering this guy's personality, it would be better if he didn't attack me now.
　If that happens, only Keira needs to be moved to a safe place.

"..."

　But are you saying that the previous hero sealed her companion?
　I think I heard from Hayate-san in the hidden village in the Land of the Beastfolk that Kannagi was a companion of the Hero, right?
　No, there's a problem to begin with, something I need to make sure of.

"Is this body alive?"
"I'm alive. Because time in my body has stopped."
"...Why did the previous hero seal you?"
"I don't know about that, but he sealed me up in here alive. I was caught by surprise, and I felt a pain in my chest when I thought I was suddenly put in this small box, you know? Well, I was surprised, too."

　I don't know what kind of face to make when Kannagi looks like she's acting playful.
　Regardless of me, she speaks to me as if asking for my consent.

"And that was just before the battle with the Demon King!? I don’t think it really makes any sense anymore!"
"The hero didn't take his sword with him...!?"
"Yeah. Even though he's getting so strong that he doesn't need me anymore, I think it's indeed too reckless. Before that, he'd use one of his swords for something like an evil dragon."

　It's kind of getting more outrageous with every piece of information that's revealed...
　What kind of monster was the previous hero...?

"The only thing that can release my body is the gauntlet you have."
"...This one, based on the hero's sword...?"
"Yeah. I'm sure you've noticed that, but it resonates with you, right?"

　Indeed, the gauntlet had been vibrating slightly for some time now.
　So I know that the sword stuck in Kannagi's chest is real.

"..."

　Even after hearing her story so far, I don't know if I can trust her.
　As far as I know, the previous hero was not a bad person.
　Would such a person suddenly do such a thing to Kannagi, his best ally, let alone to someone who has continually been betraying him?
　It's possible that Kannagi was actually an incredibly evil person, and the one who sealed it was the hero.

"For now, let's tie up Kannagi."

　My first conclusion, based on all the possibilities up to this point, was to restrain the dangerous Kannagi from moving.
　The other Kannagi also panics at this.

"Wait! Please wait!!"
"Excuse me. Could you please find something to tie her up with?"
"Why should I go and find something to tie me up for someone who is trying to tie me up!　It's ridiculous!?"

　After all, it's no good, huh?
　That said, there's nothing convenient here to tie things up.
　There's only rubble around.

"He's trying to immobilize someone who can't even move."
"Uwaah, humans are scary..."
"Be careful with caution...I see."

　Ignoring the mutterings behind me.
　Kannagi stood up in a panic and jumped out in front of me.
　Her expression looked very anxious.

"I-I know it's natural for you to doubt me because of your character, but I have no intention of harming you! Instead, I want to help you!"
"Eh... no, I don't need it."
"Don't say that! Listen to me first!"

　I started to feel a little sorry for her, so I decided to listen to her story.
　Although I still have my doubts, it may be too early to judge Kannagi's words as lies.

"At this point, I don't care about Kannagi's body! But I want you to receive the spark of a hero's light!"
"What is that spark of light?"

　.... There were clearly concerning words, but should I pursue it?
　Let's start by asking about the spark of light.

"The Spark of Light is the source of the magic belonging to the previous Hero. If you have it, you will be able to use the same magic as the previous Hero."
"...Do you want me to believe in something so convenient?"
"It's not a matter of convenience. Rather, it's inevitable."

　Saying that, the other Kannagi puts her hand on the sword that is stuck in Kannagi's chest.

"This sword has been used by the hero in thousands and thousands of battles. It is no exaggeration to say that all of his battle memories are engraved on it. It naturally contains the memory of his magic and some of his power."
"...Can't you give it to someone other than me?"

　I would be lying if I said I wasn't tempted by such power.
　However, I am clearly unfit to have that kind of power.
　For example, if Senpai and Leona-san can use light magic, then they will be invincible.
　At least they should be able to handle it much better than me, who can only punch and kick.

"It's impossible. It's a rough task to put someone else's magic system into someone else's body, no normal human would be able to withstand it. Right... it's very similar to the procedure that vampires use to transform humans into their own kind."

　Something Nea had half-jokingly said before about how to increase the number of vampires.
　I just don't like it when it's explained like that.

"If you get this power, Kazuki, Suzune and you can defeat the Demon King together. We can bring about the peaceful world you've always wanted, you know?"
"...a peaceful world"

　Indeed, if I could get the power that Kannagi mentioned, I would be able to help my senpai, Kazuki and Leona-san.
　But is that really okay?
　I can't help feeling that I'm missing something important.
　Casually, I turned my gaze to Koga and the others behind me.

"..."
"Take it out. It'll definitely be interesting."
"No, please stop it!? Why are you overlooking the Demon King-sama's enemies getting stronger!"
"Hahaha"
"You idiot army leader! Why are you! Putting your own personal interests first!!"

　Ciel-san kicks the laughing Koga.
　Beside her, Keira was giving me an anxious look.
　After receiving her gaze, I steel myself and turn back to Kannagi.

"———For now, I will wake you up. I will then decide whether to accept the power or not after that."
"...Yeah, that's fine. I want to talk with my body too."

　Kannagi seemed a little relieved by my words.
　I raise my right arm, which has been vibrating since a few moments ago, hoping that the relief I feel is from the heart.

"E~tto, how do I do it?"
"Just grab it with your right arm and pull it out."
"Would it be better to do it while applying healing magic?"
"No. It looks like it's stabbing me, but it's not. Feel free to pull it out."

　That said, though, it looks firmly stabbed.　
　Fearfully, I move my right hand, which is wrapped in a gauntlet, closer to the sword.
　At the moment when he saw the pale light clad in the sword changing into a light similar to Kazuki's magic ——— as if attracted by a magnet, the gauntlet was attached to the sword with a connecting sound, "Gachiiin".

"Wha!"

　As Kannagi's smiling figure disappears, numerous lines of light begin to appear, flowing from the sword to the gauntlet.
　Alarm bells ring in my head.
　I am haunted by the sensation that something is being rewritten in me.
　Something is about to happen.

●

——— seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

　　Have Nea follow the traces of magical power and proceed through the ruins.
　Leona-san will destroy the walls and other obstacles in our way, but we haven't been able to join up with Usato and the others yet either.

"...That's strange."
"What's wrong? Nea"

　I call out to her as she tilts her head while holding her hands on the floor.
　Could it be that the traces of magic power have disappeared?
　Hearing that voice laced with anxiety, she turned towards me.

"The high-density magic floating in the air has almost disappeared."
"Err, is that a bad thing?"
"No, I guess it's a good thing because it means we don't have to worry about magic intoxication anymore ... The question is, what was the magic power floating around in these huge ruins used for."
"Maybe it has something to do with us being separated?"

　Hearing Nea's words, Leona-san, who had been observing her surroundings, spoke to her.

"Probably. But the fact that it requires that much magic power means that some incredible magic or sorcery was used."
"Can you still follow the trail?"
"There's no problem with that. It's rather easier to follow now that there's no more magic interference ...... For now, the magic residue is continuing that way."

　We start to move forward again in the direction pointed out by Nea with her finger.
　As I walk along too, placing my hand on Blurin's back, the figure of Ferrum, who has been restless since earlier, comes into view.

"Ferrum, are you worried about everyone?"
"Hah? There's no way."

　She is being stubborn again.
　While smiling bitterly at the easy-to-understand reaction, I also expressed my honest feelings.

"We do worry about it, but I think we've got used to it in some ways."
"I don't like it. I'm used to it..."
"I agree."

　Leona-san, who had been facing forward perhaps because she had heard, agrees with Ferrum's mutterings.

"... I'm not worried, it's true."
"Yeah"
"But when I take my eyes off those guys, I'm worried that they're messing something up. Especially Usato."
""I get it.""

　I was so convinced that my voice was unintentionally overlapping with Nea's.
　Nea, who had been following the traces, turned around with a pale face.

"I imagine that while I'm doing this, Usato might be making up another unexplainable technique..."
"No, it's impossible in such a short time."
"No, he made that healing explosion wave and that crazy technique a while ago! When did he make that?"

　Leona-san spoke to Nea, who was angry.

"Ah, Nea. I think the technique called Healing Explosive Wave was created a little after the battle of the Demon King's Army was over, you know. He had devised it during his hand-to-hand combat with me."
"That fast!? T-T-T-T-That muscle-brain! He hid it from meee...! And then the healing explosive too!?"
"That was... probably during the battle earlier."
"Whaaaat?!"

　Nea holds her head.
　As I watched from the sidelines, I thought that Usato had created another new technique, but from the perspective of Nea, who supports him, it must have been a big deal.
　In the first place, the question of what was meant by techniques in terms of healing magic had long since disappeared.
　Specifically, around the time when Usato developed the healing magic bullet.

"...?"
"What's wrong, Amako?"
"Grua?"

　I felt a strange presence and turned around, but behind me was nothing but ruins covered with rubble.
　Just when I was about to call out to Ferrum and Blurin, who called out to me and said that it was nothing———,

『Ah! I can finally talk!!』

　Someone appears along with a noise in the empty space.
　At the voice emanating from the unclearly distorted figure, Leona-san jumps in front of us and holds up the hero's spear.

"Who are you!"
『Eh, Ni!? Nice to meet you! Ah, I'm already moved by talking to people for the first time in a long time... Oh no, I'm about to cry...』
"..."

　Leona-san also looked suspicious at the bright voice that was contrary to her expectations.
　As the distorted figures become clearer, her golden hair and familiar face are revealed.
　She has a neat face and a bandaged left eye.
　And when I see a girl dressed in a kimono similar to Hinomoto's, I am unintentionally astonished.

"! Kannagi!?"
『Ah, nice to meet you! Amako!!』
"Hah? ...Nice to meet you?"

　What is she talking about?
　This is the third time I've met this person, including in my dreams.
　There's a bandage wrapped around her left eye, but her face is unmistakably the same person.
　But why did she react as if this was the first time we met...?

『Sorry. I haven't talked to people in a long time and I'm distraught. It's so confusing, isn't it.』
"Who are you?"

　In response to my question, she looks me straight in the eye.
　Even though her figure becomes clear, it still wavers from time to time.
　Perhaps she's a ghost-like being with no real body, but... is this person really the Kannagi I know?
　She took a small deep breath and opened her mouth with determination———,

『Iy'm Kannya...!?』
"""..."""

　...Eh? Fumbled? Did she fumble at this moment?
　She covers her mouth and blushes, then looks at us who are dumbfounded and coughs.

『I-I'm Kannagi. The first Tokiyomi, by that idiot... I'm the one who was sealed by the previous hero, and forced to accept the mission to see the world in the future...!』
"""..."""

　Awkward silence for both sides.
　Perhaps unable to bear it, the person claiming to be Kannagi speaks somewhat quickly while looking away.

『Ah, I-I had dared to warn Usato, who has mental resistance, by sending my voice, but that wasn't enough. But now that the magic that binds me has faded, I was finally able to make contact with you.』
"...A voice? Could it be that the person who was talking to Usato was..."
『Yeah, me.』

　Before coming to this ruins, Usato had received a voice that sounded like a warning.
　Is the owner of that voice Kannagi in front of me?
　Ignoring my confusion, she crossed her arms and began nodding her head.

『Well~, the other me had given up trying to reach him, so it was an opportunity! I thought, but he really has a very strong mentality, it was really hard for me! As expected, the man who broke the curse of Samarial's that placed by that rotten fiend!』

　She is a regular foul-mouthed person.
　In my dream, Kannagi was an easy-going person.
　Kannagi who starts talking more and more even if we are not listening to anything, Nea speaks to her questioningly.

"The other you? What does that mean?"
『Right. Let's talk about that first.』

　She nodded and returned to her serious expression.

『The cause of this commotion. A fake that pretends to be me... no, let me explain about the other me.』

　The other Kannagi.
　Until now, I had been convinced that she was untrustworthy, but the person in front of me now, who calls herself Kannagi, is strangely trustworthy ——— or so I thought.

——— seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

Author Notes:
Q: Why did Kannagi (fake) not come to Usato's dream?
A: Because his mental resistance was so high that she couldn't even get in.

The previous hero did not bring the hero's sword to the battle with the Demon King.
And this is where Kannagi (real) comes in.