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

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Chapter 244


　A cold, sharp sensation against my neck.
　The person holding the sword, which could easily take my life if I move even a little, is Kannagi-san, the beastfolk who is trying to kill us.
　The situation I was in was the worst.

"I'll say it again. Usato, release the assimilation."
"...Kannagi, you"

　I was pulled into the vortex manipulated by Kannagi and was taken hostage.
　I was so scared that I was unable to move or even make a sound.
　Now my life is in the hands of this person.
　Just thinking about it makes my body tremble.

"Quickly!"

　But, just like me, Kannagi-san's arm that was holding me was shaking badly.
　I don't know what kind of emotion it comes from.
　At least, Kannagi-san's face seemed to be impatient, fighting against something.

"...Ferrum"

　When Usato-san says that, three figures jump out from his body.
　They appeared as if they were splitting up, Amako-san, Nea-san, and Ferrum-san.
　Along with this, Usato-san's appearance also changed from that of a demon, and became that of a human wearing white clothes.

"———"
"Uwh..."

　Kannagi-san's arm that is holding me is even tighter, and when I raise my voice unintentionally, Usato-san looks at me.

"Keira, don't worry. You will definitely be returned to Gref-san and the others."
"Usa, to-san..."

　You could have left me.
　When Kannagi-san saw Usato-san, who had released the assimilation, she took the blade of the sword away from my neck, held it in her opposite hand, and pointed the hilt toward Usato-san.

"Take me, this sword, and I will spare this girl's life."
"... What about everyone but Keira?"
"Do you think you're in a position to choose now? Honestly, I've felt like killing this kid this whole time, but I'm holding back. I can't make any more compromises."
"..."
"Can you hurry up or I'll take care of the three guys over there first, you know?"

　Kannagi-san's gaze turned to Amako-san and the others behind me.
　He closed his eyes and remained silent for a few seconds, then stepped forward and nodded at Kannagi-san's words.

"Got it"
"No, Usato! Not only will you lose your healing magic, but you will be affected by the evil dragon! Worst of all, you could be trapped in a hatred towards the entire demon tribe!"
"Don't worry, if it happens, I'll live positively as a light wizard."
"Why are you acting weirdly positive here!?"

　Usato-san will lose his healing magic?
　He will develop a hatred for us———the entire demon tribe?
　An image of Usato-san, who was kind to us, flashes through my mind.
　No.
　I don't want this person to change.
　I don't want him to hate us or me.

"I don't, like it..."

　A small, faint voice escapes from my mouth.
　I don't want anyone to get hurt.
　I can't stand anyone getting hurt because of me.
　And yet, my weakness has led to this situation.
　Kannagi-san slowly approaches Usato-san with a twisted smile on her face.

"I don't like it...!!"

　I can't just be protected forever.
　As I clearly said this out loud, the black magic power peculiar to dark magic overflowed from my feet.
　It was different from before, the feeling of manipulating magic with your own will.

"———Dark magic!?"
"I will protect. I will not let anyone get hurt anymore!!"

　Dark magic wraps around me, swallowing my head.
　What formed was a pitch black cloak that completely covered my entire body.
　It started moving independently of my will, shaking off Kannagi-san's restraints and flicking her body.

"This! Little girl...!!"
"Here! Healing Flying Fist!"
"Kuh, aaah! Why, why, Usato!!"

　When Usato-san thrusts out his right fist, something flies out from it with tremendous force and hits Kannagi-san.
　I was relieved to be released from the hostage, but in a moment of relief, the cloak of black magic that covered me began to move on its own, heading toward Usato-san.
　Moreover, while flying in the air.
　I can only scream as it is the first time in my life that I have ever flown in the air.

"Wah, waaaaaaah!?"
"Keira!?"

　Usato-san instantly catches me.
　Usato-san, who stepped back to relieve the impact, hurriedly checked to see if I was safe.

"Are you hurt? Is there a place where you've been cut?"
"It's, i-it's okay!!"
"Usatooo!"

　Kannagi-san's voice, which could be taken as a scream.
　When Usato-san and I turned our heads at the same time, we saw the image of Kannagi-san, who was releasing many fireballs from her flame-covered tail.

"I-I-I-I-It's still no good!"
"Hold on, I will handle it somehow———"
"Ha-Hawawa, you can swing me around!! I'm a dark wizard, so it's okay!"
"...Koga bas*tard, what the hell did you say to Keira...! I won't forgive you!!"

　Usato-san, who supported me as I clung to his neck with his left arm and his right hand clad with magic power, was about to release magic into the approaching fireball when the cloak that covered me began to move all by itself.

"Eh? Ah, hold on, it moved on its own... ah!?"
"Heh?"

　The cloak started moving away from me and drowned out the fireball as it moved around at incredible speed.
　The cloak, which instantly repelled all the fireballs heading towards Usato-san and me, ended up being placed on Usato-san's shoulders instead of towards me.

"...Etto, Keira, what is this?"
"I-It's my magic, but ...... I have no idea what it is either..."

　Did my magic protect Usato-san?
　It moves on its own, but unlike before, I feel a sense of ease.

"I don't know what is going on, but once again, everyone, gather!!"
"Sheesh, you're rough on people..."
"Yes"
"Haah..."

　With me in his arms, Ferrum-san, Nea-san, and Amako-san jumped in order to Usato-san.
　In an instant, Usato-san, who has become clad in black magic, turns his free right hand to Kannagi-san while tossing my dark magic ——— a black cloak.

●
——— seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

　Keira was taken hostage, but by using her dark magic at the last minute, she was able to escape from the predicament.
　However, although I was surprised that Keira flew at breakneck speed the next moment, I was even more astonished when her dark magic attached itself to my shoulders like a cloak.

"Aaah!"

　As if there was no need for any questions or answers, Kannagi started attacking with magic.
　The attack lacks accuracy, but it is more aggressive than the previous one, and contains a strong intent to kill.
　But the cloak draped over my shoulders knocks most of it off.

"Keira, your magic seems to be specialized for defense...!"
『Maybe it reflects this girl's wish that she doesn't want anyone else to get hurt』
『Then why did she stick with Usato?』

　When Nea asked Ferrum curiously, her voice suddenly changed to a grumpy one.

『I don't know!! Even if I knew, I would never tell you!』
『Why are you angry?』

　So I would like you guys to stop fighting.
　Slightly disappointed, I swung my right fist, which was wrapped in elasticity, and repelled the attack that slipped through the cloak's defenses.

"Actually, I wish I could have let you escape to a safe place...!"
"No... In a sense, this is the safest place."
『Right. It will be okay as long as it's near Usato』

　Amako agrees with Keira's words.
　For the time being, the dark magic protects her, but that doesn't mean something won't happen.
　And moreover, Kannagi is targeting the demon tribe as a priority. As long as Keira is here, there is no guarantee that she is absolutely safe.

『Usato, it will come up on the back left』
"There!"

　I immediately turn around and swing my fist, but it only catches the shadow of Kannagi and cannot attack the main body.
　We are now able to prevent her attacks, but we can't hit her either.
　If we continue like this, we will only wear out.

"No, with Keira's magic..."
"Eh, me?"

　I wonder if that technique, which would take a while to activate, could be used.
　As I am trying to respond to the attack, with Kannagi moving through a white vortex in my eyes, a translucent figure ——— Kannagi-san herself comes flying toward me.
　
[Usato]
"Kannagi-san! I'm busy right now...!"
[I'll stop that girl.]
"Can you stop her!?"

　I can't help but turn towards Kannagi-san, but before I can, Kannagi, who looks like an oni, swings her sword at my head.
　That was blocked by Keira's cloak, but her gaze was directed towards Kannagi-san.

"What are you going to do at this point in time...!"
[I'll help you]

　Kannagi-san's words make her even more angry.

"You're trying to erase me, right...! Don't lie! You're good at telling lies that are convenient for you!"
[Having lost everything, but this time it is different. Usato]
"For now, let’s do what we can!!"

　I move away from Kannagi while responding to her voice.
　Kannagi-san, who was standing next to me, gave me some instructions.

[———To do this, we need to stop that girl from moving. Can you do that?]
"Just what I was planning to do."
[I understand. I believe in you. I will temporarily possess you.]
"Eh, I haven't heard of that… Uoh!?"

　Kannagi-san enters me without any questions asked.
　I can't feel anything wrong with my body, but the word "possessed" is no good.
　With my face pale and my right hand on my cheek, I call out to Amako and the others who are inside of me.

"Alright! Everyone, let's do that!"
『『Do what!?』』
『...Got it. I just confirmed it with my prediction』

　As long as it is conveyed to Amako, there is no problem.
　I quickly move the elasticity grant I created into my left hand and create a healing explosion wave with my right gauntlet.

『Amakoo, please tell me quickly before this guy does something strange!!』
『Hurry up~!!』
"Eh? Eh? Usato-san, what are you...?"

　The entire right arm is covered with black magic power to create a cannon barrel to envelop the healing explosive bullet that was created.
　As it is, a spell that makes the gun barrel resistant to impact.
　After applying a restraining spell to the healing explosive bullet, I move into a position to launch another healing flying fist.
　———It takes time to perform this technique.
　Meanwhile, Kannagi continues to attack me, but all of them are blocked by Ferrum's manipulated arm and Keira's cloak.

"Kuh, this...!"

　I take one look at Kannagi, who is still trying to stop my attack, and quietly call out to Amako inside.

"Amako"
『Yeah』

　A blow that will definitely drive Kannagi into a corner.
　That doesn't mean anything if it doesn't hit, but if there's Amako, then there's no problem.

"Predict where Kannagi will escape."
『Got it』
"———Hih...!?"

　Perhaps seeing a foresight, Kannagi steps into the white whirlpool with a pale face.
　Once Amako concentrates on foresight, Amaco can see further into the future than Kannagi, who must constantly be on the move.
　After all, unlike Kannagi, Amako has the leeway to make that possible.
　Point my right arm diagonally upward as instructed by Amako———,

『She'll be there』
"Go, Healing Eight-Hands Bullet!!"

　I release a healing explosive bullet ——— a healing eight-hands bullet, accelerated by the healing flying fist.
　Staggering from the strong recoil, I look where it flies and see Kannagi emerge from the white whirlpool.

"———Wha?"

　Just before the magic bullet hits her, the elasticity bursts out.
　With it, an explosion of intense healing magic is triggered, unleashing shockwaves and restraining spells.
　Kannagi tries to wrap herself in black magic as quickly as possible, but the shockwave blows it away as if it were easily ripped off and strikes her main body.

"Uwh, aaaaaaaaaaah!?"

　Cage caused by shock waves.
　A wide-ranging, essential technique using healing magic.
　That is the Healing Eight-Hands Bullet.
　Purple patterns from restraint spells and particles of healing magic scattered in the air.
　And the sight of Kannagi, who continues to be bombarded by shockwaves———,

『『『Uwaah...』』』
"Waah, beautiful..."

　The three girls let out a drawing away voice.
　Only Keira, with her pure eyes, is impressed.
　Feeling saddened by Kannagi's condition, I lowered Keira, whom I had been holding, to the ground.
　When this girl leaves me, the cloak on my shoulder also goes back to her, but it is more convenient for me.

"Keira, you'll be fine on your own, right?"
"Yes. I'm no longer just being protected."
"Okay... Well then."

　As the shockwave subsides, filling the space with particles of healing magic, Kannagi, who has been weakened, falls.
　Using the elasticity grant and the outburst of magic, I quickly reach her and catch her.

"U-Uwh..."
"Kannagi-san!"
[Yeah!]

　At the same time as I said that, Kannagi-san, who was possessing me, entered Kannagi's body through me.
　After a few seconds, she slowly opens her eyes and looks at my face.

"I succeeded..."
"It's great that you've been returned to your body, but...what are we going to do after this?"

　However, her voice sounds double.
　To return Kannagi-san's soul to her original body.
　That was the way to deal with Kannagi, as she told me.
　In order to do that, I had to push Kannagi to the point of fainting, but I didn't ask her what she would do from here.

『It's not normal for two souls to be in the same body. What are you planning to do?』
"Usato, trust me."
"?"
"I'll do something a little confusing."

　Kannagi-san turns her attention to the hero's sword that she is holding.
　As she grips it, the black magic that clings to her body is lost as if melting to the ground. With that, a ball of light shoots out from the sword and heads toward where Koga is.

"I-It's back"
"Then please hurry up and help those people!! At least give them something in return for protecting us!"
"Guho!?"

　Has Koga's magic returned?
　I look back from Koga, who is being kicked by Ciel-san, to Kannagi, whom I am holding.
　Before I knew it, she had repositioned her sword in the opposite hand and was about to stab it into her own chest.

"Wha!?"
"It's okay, don't stop me."

　Just before she was about to plunge the shining blade into her own chest ——— Kannagi's own left hand grabbed the shining blade and stopped it.

"———No. I don't want to disappear. Even though ... I've gotten to know the outside world... I don't want to disappear like this."
"..."
"Help me... Help me...Usato~..."

　Kannagi looks up at me as if clinging to me and pleads so with tears in her eyes.
　Her hand gripping the sword is bleeding and her clothes are stained red.

"I can't believe that I'm left unwanted, by anyone ... Why was I born...? If you're not a living thing, you're not even allowed to live normally...?"

　———Kannagi is a child.
　I should have known that during the fight.
　The fact that she tried to take hostages without even pretending was also because she was desperate.
　Even though she was trapped in hatred towards demons, she still asked me for help.

"Even though we finally met... There were so many things I wanted to talk about... It really wasn't supposed to be like this..."
"Kannagi..."

　This girl was just desperate.
　She was desperate, so she took advantage of someone plainly and put them in harm's way.
　That is not forgivable, but if that is the means she chose because she wanted me to help her, then I am partly responsible.

"You were the first human Kannagi ever saw."

　Nea appears next to me, after Ferrum has undone the assimilation.

"Since she awakened her ego, she has been alone for hundreds of years. Then she saw you through the katana that you pulled out of the heart of the evil dragon."
"Is that so..."
"Actually, she just wanted you to help her ... maybe. Because she was born with imperfect will, she couldn't live honestly with herself, and she couldn't even realize it."
"..."

　I can't find the words to say.
　I refused Kannagi's hand, which was asking for help.
　When I think about how much I hurt her then, I am tormented by a strong sense of regret.
　I unclasp Kannagi's hand holding the blade with the hand I had been using to support her back and heal her with healing magic.

"I'm sorry. I didn't recognize your cry for help."
"Usa, to..."
"...I can't do anything."

　Heal the wound on her hand with the little magic power left.
　No matter how far I go, there is a limit to what I can do.
　Even if I think I have done what is best for me at the moment, there are still some lives that cannot be saved somewhere.
　During the battle against the Demon King's army, I have had such thoughts many times.
　But even so, I am not so gallant as to give up so easily just because there is nothing I can do.
　I place my palm on the sword that Kannagi is holding in her right hand and gather my strength.

"But I can believe."
"Hey Usato, what are you doing...!?"

　———Just like that, I thrust the shining blade into Kannagi.
　I haven't forgotten what you said about helping Kannagi...! Kannagi-san...!

"———uwh!"

　At the moment the sword pierced into Kannagi, something flowed from her body into the blade.
　It was something that gave off a dark and terrifying presence.
　I remember that presence.
　It is a living disaster, radiating malice and murderous intent———an aura emanating from an evil dragon.

"This is..."
"The evil dragon's grudge is flowing into the sword...? No, something else is flowing along with it..."

　Nea and I are stunned.
　As the steel-colored blade is dyed black, Kannagi's body relaxes as if she is losing strength.
　At the same time, with a clang, the sword, which has turned into a black sword, falls to the ground. Immediately, I looked at the place where the sword had pierced and found no wound, nor even a hole in her clothes.

"...Kannagi-san"

　The golems that had been fighting against senpai and others were falling apart and crumbling.
　I carried Kannagi-san, who didn't wake up, and headed towards senpai and others.
　Although the long battle was over, my heart still could not rest.

——— seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

Author's Note:
This concludes the VS Kannagi match.
I was absolutely determined to include Kannagi's plea for life.

Keira: Dark magic (Protection)
A characteristic that is manifested from the desire to "protect" and "not to hurt anyone".
The ability is automatic defense and interception within a specific range.
The visual appearance is a cloak-shaped dark magic with a hood.
Keira is also capable of flying when used alone.
For some reason, it docks on Usato's shoulder.