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

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Chapter 266


This time it's from Kazuki's perspective.

——— seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

　Would it be an excuse if I said ... that I underestimated the persistence of the demons...!
　While muttering to myself, I continue to engage in aerial combat with soldiers in the sky.
　Arrows and magic were approaching from the ground, covering my entire field of vision, and I was currently concentrating my attention on dodging them.

"...If only that delay hadn't happened."

　I really could have made it to the basement earlier, but the dragon knight I encountered on the way.
　This was due to the fact that the flying dragon that the demon woman rode was more persistent ...... and formidable than expected.

"Shawn! You can do it! I'll get revenge on Hannah-san, who was a terrible person but still our booooss!"
"This is the power of the bond between demons and dragoooons!"
"If Shawn can go, then so can I, Heroooo!"

　It was extremely difficult...!
　I was surprised by their extraordinary shouts and tension, in addition to the fact that they flew through the air with unparalleled skill and attacked with long spears, as if they were one man and horse.
　Whenever someone came forward, naturally those who followed also rose in morale and surged forward, which caused quite a problem.

"I still have a long way to go, huh...!"

　I managed to get her down to the ground while she made me feel as if I were the bad guy in a hero show, but while I was taking my time with her, most of the soldiers who were stationed at each location gathered around me.
　I admit that I volunteered to act as a diversion, but this was truly unexpected.
　There's no way I could go down like this and take the soldiers to Senpai and Usato, and more importantly, no matter how many there are, my magic powers will run out if I have to deal with this many.

"Should I go somewhere where they can't reach me for now? ...No, that's impossible with that barrier. I might as well just blow them away with light magic...No."

　If I do that, I can't keep the magic power until I reach the Demon King.

"What should I do...?"

　From the looks of this gathering of soldiers, Senpai, Usato, and Leona must have arrived safely at the basement where the Demon King's castle is presumed to have sunk.
　If I don't head there soon, there will be no point in my coming here.

"We'll hold back the hero~!"
""Ooooh!!""
"Oh, here they come."

　Manipulating the light magic at my feet, I avoid the magic and arrows that are shot from the ground.
　Although there is now some leeway, I cannot afford to be caught off guard by one careless attack.
　As I was avoiding a series of attacks, a purple magic bullet with strong momentum and deep magic power flew among them.
　I glance at it and immediately reach for the sword on my back.

"Haaah!"

　This is bad.
　I intuitively felt this, and with the sword I pulled out of my back, I cut through the purple magic bullet.
　But at that moment, a residue of purple magic covers my vision.

"...!?"

　——That's the view.
　The stairs lead to the basement and the structure within.
　Parallel to being shown a three-dimensional map in your head, the path goes on as if you were actually there.
　A dimly lit place.
　A passage lined with stone pillars.
　Up ahead, Usato and the others could be seen running.
　The image that covered my vision disappeared in an instant, but I myself was confused as to why I was shown it.

"Wh-What was that just now..."

　Is it a trap? No, but is that the path leading to the Demon King?
　I don't know what it means, but the image that just covered my vision gave me the path to the underground.

"But it might be a trap..."
"He has stopped moving! Now!"
"No time to worry! Cra! A man's got to have guts!!"

　At this point, it doesn't matter if it's a trap or not!
　Let's act spontaneously here like Usato and senpai!!
　Manipulate a board of light magic and direct it toward the ground.
　In front of the approaching ground, I float a magic bullet in my palm———and release extinguishing light.

"Pierce it!"

　The released magic bullet makes a huge hole in the ground and dives inside.
　The place where I entered was a huge space.
　While putting on the brakes and looking around, I compare it with my memory of earlier.

"Can I go...?"
"There was a sound coming from over there!"
"No more hesitating! Let's go now!!"

　While creating magic power in both hands, I head to the ground again.
　Continue to go down at once, making a hole in the floor!

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

"———What am I doing...?"

　I muttered such a thing in dismay as I stared at my hand pointing to the sky.
　Finally, I was able to escape from that healing wizard and escape to the ground.
　All I had to do was wait for the lifting of the barrier created by the Demon King's magic, and then escape.

"..."

　The Hero of Light descends to the ground with the speed of a flash.
　That human, having seen the “map” I showed him as a vision and my memories of the underground, is probably on his way to the Demon King.
　This was more unforgivable than fleeing before the enemy.
　If I were found out, I would probably be heavily punished, but strangely enough, I was of the mind that it didn't matter.

"Haaah..."

　I sit on the roof that I climbed up to release the magic.
　Around me, the sound of panicked soldiers is filling the air, but it is nothing to be concerned about now.
　I was let go.
　When I encountered Amira, I tried to escape by taking advantage of the battle when it started, but the healing wizard grabbed my arm just before I could get away.
　I thought I would be taken hostage, or worse, used as a shield for Amira's fire magic.
　But that thing let go of my hand and uttered “thank you” to me.

"Thank you..., huh"

　I don't understand.
　How can you say thank you to someone who was your enemy?
　Did you feel sorry for me when you heard about my situation?
　I remember myself foolishly trying to help others at that time.
　I didn't expect any gratitude.
　I just saw in my childhood mind a child in trouble, like my little sister...and I just reached out to her.

"I-I helped that monster..."

　No, that's not it...!
　The reason I helped the heroes with this was to buy time against the Demon King.
　The more chaotic the battlefield, the greater my chances of escape.
　There would be no other purpose.

"I'm not like that...!"

　My heart was not moved in the slightest by the words of that healing wizard.
　Yes, I stand up, telling myself that.

"...It's time to get moving"

　If it's now, there's still time to escape.
　Since the current threat, the heroes and the Demon Army leaders, are probably underground, now would be the perfect time to take advantage of the situation.
　Fortunately, the magic from earlier was mixed in with the other attacks, so I'll just keep moving.
　I jump off the roof and walk, being careful.

"Hmm? ...!"

　After walking a little way, I saw something.
　Quickly, I hide in the shadows and look ahead to see a broken wall and a flying dragon lying there.
　Beside the flying dragon, which was writhing in pain, perhaps injured in its wing, was the familiar figure of Nono Helestea, a demon.

"Shawn, your injury isn't serious...! Your wing is just chipped, so it will heal quickly...!"
"Gyuu..."
"Yes, yes, you did well. Let's stay together from now on...!"

"...Haa, good grief. I'm really unlucky."

　I can't keep up with them anymore.
　Thinking so, I turned on my heel and tried to go around by a different route, but then I noticed a frustrating feeling of irritation welling up inside me that was different from before.

"...Ah, mou!"

　I held my head down and went back the way I came and appeared in front of Nono.

"E-Eh?! Hannah-san?! Didn't you get smacked by the Hero of Light?!"
"..."
"Ah, a-Are you mad?! Is it because I wasn't of any use?!"

　I ignore Nono, who is still acting as crazy as ever, and touch the flying dragon's head, which is groaning from the pain of its wings.
　The wound itself is not a problem.
　The flying dragon's regenerative power would heal the wound completely.
　While checking the extent of the wounds, I put him to sleep by pouring in illusion magic.

"Wh-why...?"
"I wonder why. I don't know."

　Nono looks at me in surprise as the flying dragon sleeps peacefully.
　Normally, I would have abandoned this noisy flying dragon otaku.
　But I ended up helping them.
　I honestly don't know why I did this.

"Anyway, thank you very much! Hannah-san!"

　Thank you, those are the only words that resonate deep within me.
　I don't feel like myself.
　It's just annoyance, and a vague feeling wells up inside me.

——— seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

Author's Notes:
For some reason, Hannah had gotten emotionally attached to Nono.