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

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Chapter 277


　Then came the hard part.
　Through the Demon King's magic, it was made known to all demons in the city that he had admitted defeat.
　Normally, this would have caused chaos, but the Demon King was a master of persuasion, and he used his amazing skill and speech to calm the crowd, while explaining the future policy of the Demon King's army——or rather, of the demons.
　In line with this, we went up to the ground together with the Demon King.
　Kazuki regained consciousness and I lent him my shoulder, while Senpai, restrained by sorcery and unable to move, was placed on Bururin's back like laundry while Nea removed the sorcery.
　Leona-san, Ferrum, and Amako are all there.
　In addition, Amira and Koga, who were accompanying the Demon King, were also there.
　...Even without giving it a second thought, this is an incredible situation...!
　The gazes of the gathered demons.
　While receiving looks that could be interpreted as either fear or anger, the Demon King suddenly slaps me on the back and pushes me forward.
　Almost knocking Kazuki down, I look forward, glaring at the Demon King, and the eyes of the demon soldiers gather.

"I decided to entrust the future of our demon tribe to this human being. ... This is the healing wizard who beat me down is the very definition of a devil, you know?”

　Needless to say, this was the moment that the demons' perception of me was solidified.
　The demons were making a huge commotion, while I was holding my head in my hands and the Demon King was laughing happily.
　Just as I was about to headbutt Koga, who was laughing loudly behind me, I noticed two figures running at breakneck speed on top of a building.
　The shadows landed in front of us, and one ran up to me, while the other ran up to the Demon King.

"Is everyone safe?!"
"Nagi-san!"

　It was Nagi-san who came down in front of me.
　Her clothes were dirty in places and she had some cuts on them, but she did not seem to have any serious wounds.
　She checked us out one by one and patted her chest in relief.

"I heard that the battle was over, but what on earth is this... the Demon King is still alive..."

　Looking towards the Demon King, I saw a man standing in front of him.
　Nero Agence.
　The demon swordsman, whom Nagi-san had stalled, quietly threw his voice to the Demon King.

"...Demon King-sama."
"Yeah, I was completely defeated. And with bare hands, at that."

　Nero glances my way and, after a look of surprise, breaks into a smile.

"Is this ending also fate?"

　He picked up the sheathed sword at his waist.
　We instinctively braced ourselves, but he threw it to the ground.
　Without even glancing at the sword that had fallen to the ground, Nero knelt before the Demon King.

"I will follow your words. Now and always."
"Good grief, you're really obedient in your own way. ...I don't care what happens to you, okay?"
"We've both had painful experiences at the hands of healing wizards. It's too late now."
"Ha, that's true."

　Nero, the demon's strongest swordsman, let go of his weapon.
　　The soldiers, who understood the meaning of this, also dropped their weapons in their hands to the ground as if giving up.

"Did you end the battle with the Demon King still alive?"
"Yes. ...Though things are going to get tough from now on."

　Still, half-believing, she looks at the Demon King.

"Demon King, you're not lying, are you?"
"I wouldn't do something like that at this late point in the game, would I."
"..."
"I was defeated by that healing wizard over there. Not by a hero, but by a mere human. You understand very well what that means, right?"

　Nagi-san turns to look at me.
　After a moment of silence, her shoulders trembling, she jumps at me with incredible force.
　I catch her by surprise with a momentum that could almost be called a tackle.
　In an instant, my torso was squeezed with overwhelming strength.

"You guys...! You have exceeded Hisago's, that ignorant man's, expectations!"
"Y-You're, right...!"
"That's amazing! To think you could end the battle without killing the Demon King!"

　As powerful as Rose...!
　I know you're happy, but in my current fatigued state, you'll likely give me the final blow.
　She lifted me up and spun me around.
　Given how happy she was, I felt hesitant to let go of her arms, so I just let her do what she wanted, when Amako started speaking to Nagi-san.

"Kannagi, you should stop that, or Usato's going to pass out."
"Ah...erm, I-I-I-I'm sorry! ...Uwh, who said I was the idiot with super strength?"

　As I was released and breathing, Nagi-san was mumbling to herself.
　Perhaps the other Nagi-san is saying something, but it would be better not to dwell on it too much.
　She herself is reflecting on her actions.

"Kuh, if only I could move my body...! I could compete with Kannagi...! If only my body!"
"Nea, even if you break the spell, you'll need to cast a binding spell."
"Aren't you being too harsh on Suzune?"
"My bodyyyyy...!"

　Nea and Ferrum look down in dismay at senpai who is groaning in frustration on top of Blurin.
　It looked like it would take some time for senpai to recover.

"Hahaha, senpai looks fine."
"Kazuki, I'm sorry. I'll lend you my shoulder."
"Thank you, Usato. But the problem comes after this."
"Mm, that's right."

　Once again, I talk to Leona-san while lending Kazuki my shoulder.
　Now that we have met up with Nagi-san, let's talk to Leona about what we should do from here on out.

"Leona-san, the battle itself is over, but what should we do now?"
"Even though the battle is over, this is still enemy territory. Even if the Demon King admits defeat, there is a risk of being attacked, so we shouldn't stay here for long."

　Thankfully, everyone except senpai was just tired.
　But the problem here is that we are all going home.
　Perhaps thinking the same thing as I was, senpai, who had been making a lot of noise earlier, turned her head toward me and opened her mouth.

"Having come this far, I can't say I don't trust the Demon King. But we need someone to watch over this place."
"Do you want me to stay?"
"Seriously, you're staying?!"

　Hearing Koga's happy voice made me suddenly not want to stay.
　I sighed, thinking that if I stayed behind I'd definitely get attacked by this guy.
　I thought I was the right person for the job, since I'd fought the Demon King to the end and I could quickly recover with healing magic.

"No, I'll stay."
"Nagi-san?"
"I have foresight magic. So I can respond immediately to any unforeseen circumstances... And also."

　Nagi-san casts a sidelong glance at the Demon King.
　Her gaze remains sharp.

"——I have some things I need to talk to the Demon King about."
"...Got it"

　Nagi-san is certainly the right person for the job.
　And since she wanted to talk to the Demon King about something, there was no reason to stop her.
　But———,

"I want Nagi-san to come to the Kingdom of Lingle in this era so I will try to get back home as fast as possible."
"Hmm, why?"
"I really want Nagi-san to come to Lingle Kingdom this time."
"...Hmm? This time?"

　In the end, Hisago and Nagi never headed to the Lingle Kingdom.
　Although the times are different, the Lingle Kingdom we know is a peaceful country.
　Although there is no Hisago-san, I hope that Nagi-san will come to Lingle Kingdom at least.
　Nagi-san tilts her head and gives a wry smile and turns to face the Demon King.
　We'd exchanged blows many times and were both in tatters, but we were still alive and standing.
　That fact alone could be called the best outcome of this battle.

"Nagi-san will be staying behind."
"Of course. If there hadn't been anyone keeping watch, I would have had to say so myself."

　I smiled bitterly at the words of the Demon King.
　The Demon King's side must also care about appearances.
　If we leave here without leaving anyone behind, there is a possibility that the Lingle Kingdom and other countries will be wary.

"Perhaps we will see each other again in the not-too-distant future."
"Yes, I'm sure we will."
"If you do as you have told me, you will be held responsible for your actions. Keep that in mind."
"...Yes"

　I nodded, and the Demon King raised his palm, creating something like a white vortex.
　Beyond the white vortex, I could see a familiar forest and chopped-up trees.
　The place where we were first attacked by Nero ——— I recognized it and looked at the Demon King.

"Through here, you can get out of the city. Normally, I could connect it to the outside of the Demon King's territory, but I don't have the magic power to do so. You'll have to bear with this."
"No, I'm used to walking."

　I've walked a long way, both on my journey to deliver the letter and on my journey to get to this point.
　There were no shortcuts, and that's why I was able to walk straight to my destination.
　It was no different on the way back.

"Finally, I'll give this to you guys."

　Then, the Demon King took out a scroll in his palm.
　It is the scroll that contains the formula for returning to the original world that was prepared for Hisago-san, which he showed us before the battle.
　The Demon King hands it to me.

"It was real, wasn't it?"
"Did you think I would give you a fake? ...If you give it to Falga, he will be able to adjust it so that you can return to your original world and time."
"But this was prepared for the previous hero...Hisago-san."

　The Demon King nodded at Kazuki's voice.

"Indeed, it was prepared for him. This scroll also contains information about the world and time in which Hisago lived. However, if you were to rewrite the scroll with your information, the scroll would work."
"Information?"
"It is not something that has a physical form. If I were to say it, I would call it a "scent." That will become your coordinate system."

　...Honestly, I don't really understand, but it seems true that with this I might be able to return to my original world.
　Looking at the thing in my hands, I close my eyes.
　All that comes to my mind are the "regrets" I left behind in my original world.
　I think of all these things and look up.

"I don't need it."
"...Is your resolve unwavering?"
"I've already made up my mind. If anyone uses it, it won't be me."

　I put the scroll away into my uniform.
　Kazuki, who is supporting me on his shoulder, has a difficult expression on his face, but this is a decision that he needs to make.
　I shouldn't have to say anything.
　Besides, if Kazuki or Senpai came to me for advice like that, I'd probably end up wishing for him to stay.
　So, I have nothing to say to them.

"Then be on your way."
"Yeah, see you later."

　After exchanging those words, I turned back to Nagi-san.

"I'll leave the rest to you."
"I've been entrusted with it. You do your best too."
"...Yes"

　I stepped into the white vortex, with Kazuki still holding me up.
　In an instant, we are away from the city where the demons are, and we look back at the city again.

"So it's over."
"Mm"

　I nod at Kazuki's mutter.
　The moment I realized that, all the strength left my body and I sat down on the spot.
　It seems that all of us feel the same way, and fatigue hits us as if the taut threads have been severed.

"I-I'm so tired."
"I don't want to use foresight magic for the time being, either."
"Haha, I guess I was pretty exhausted from the fight with Amira. I got a bit carried away, even if I say so myself..."

　Everyone fought with all their might.
　We need to find a safe place and rest.

"Suzune, I'm tired too... I'm sleepy."
"I haven't been freed yet! A~ah, I'm already rowing!"
"I've already lifted the painful spells, you just have to hold on for a couple more hours..."

　Nea transformed into an owl and flew gently, landing on my shoulder.
　She closed her eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep.

"H-Hey, Usato-kun. How long will I be like this?"
"...At this point, can't you break it with your strength, senpai? Like with a snap."
"I-I can't break it~!"

　It looks like there's only one more left, so I wonder if there's anything we can do.
　Unable to bear seeing senpai with tears in her eyes, Amako speaks to her.

"But isn't it nice to be able to cuddle with Blurin all the time?"
"Ha, you're definitely right! I can now legally touch Blurin!"
"Grua..."
"Are you fine with it, senpai?"

　The wording is very suspicious though.
　With my shoulders drooping at the indescribable result, I continue to ask Blurin to carry senpai.

"..."

　As I leave, I see the city where the demons reside.
　The city that had been remodeled by the Demon King will surely be remodeled back to its original form as soon as his magic powers return.
　From then on, they will live each day in a state of anxiety.

"We can't let the same thing happen again."

　I never want another war.
　Even after the war is over, the scars of both races will remain, but even so, we must not start another war.
　... First, we need to rest and get our bodies rested before we return to the Kingdom of Lingle.
　Then there's a lot of things that need to be done.
　Well, Rose will be angry with me for sure, but that's unavoidable...!

——— read on seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

Author's Notes:
Senpai is probably the most energetic.
This marks the end of the battle with the Demon King.
After updating some SS, we will move on to the next arc.