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

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Chapter 278


Arc 12 [When the World Moves] begins.

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

　After the end of our battle with the Demon King, we took a short rest and started walking back to the Lingle Kingdom.
　Though we were somewhat attacked by monsters, we still reached the great river that divides the Lingle Kingdom and the Demon King's territory much faster than we had gone before.
　Just as we had done on the way there, we crossed the bridge that Leona-san and I had created with our magic, and somehow, the knights from the Lingle Kingdom and Sigurth-san came to us immediately.
　As we rode in the carriage, I asked Sigurth-san why they had come. He told me that the Lingle Kingdom had already received the letter sent by the Demon King, and that he knew we were returning.

"Until we saw you all with our own eyes, we were skeptical as well. ...We're glad that you're all safe. Truly."

　Sigurth-san said so strongly.
　We arrived at the Kingdom of Lingle and parted first from Amako, and were immediately taken to the castle to have an audience with Lloyd-sama.
　I asked Nea and Ferrum to wait in a separate room, while myself, senpai, Kazuki, and Leona-san were present in front of Lloyd-sama.

"I'm glad... I'm glad you returned safely."

　Lloyd-sama looked somewhat weary.
　He had been worried about our safety, so he sighed in relief and looked around at us all.

"Normally, we should be celebrating your return with all hands on deck, but our first priority is to hear what you have to say."
"Lloyd-sama, I heard that you received a letter from the Demon King..."
"Yeah, it was sent to me yesterday by a monster that seems to be the Demon King's familiar."

　Lloyd-sama nodded at senpai's words and picked up a light brownish parchment.
　A letter written by the Demon King.
　After reading the message, he turned his attention back to us.

"It is written that the Demon King will surrender to us, but is this true?"
"Yes. We fought the Demon King, and after a life-or-death struggle we defeated him, forcing him to admit defeat."
"...I see. The battle is over."

　Lloyd-sama relaxed his shoulders and leaned his back against the throne.
　After holding his eyes with his hands for a few seconds, he straightens his back and takes a deep breath.

"I want to hear the details."
"What do you mean, “the details”?"
"I want to know what you saw and felt in the Demon King's territory. And how did you fight in the face of the mighty enemy, the Demon King."

　Puzzled by the request, Lloyd-sama apologetically bowed his head.
　Sergi-san and the other ministers looked perturbed, but still, Lloyd-sama spoke up.

"I'm sorry. I really wish I could give you guys a break right away, but things are already in motion."
"...I understand."
"From now on, it won't be battles. Other problems will arise. That's why we must deepen our understanding of the demon race."
"However, Lloyd-sama, our opponent is demons."
"That's why."

　Lloyd-sama quietly replied to Sergio-san's words. (Note: The name translation is correct. Maybe the author forgot or made a typo in the name. Or maybe a different person.)

"We probably can't forgive them. That's all the Demon King's army has done to us."
"Lloyd-sama..."
"However, if we still choose to easily destroy the demon tribe out of anger and hatred, we will leave behind a root of evil within us that will never be erased. It will become a spark in the not-so-distant future, and will spark a new conflict... That is something we must avoid at all costs. We have had enough of these conflicts that take our lives."

　I couldn't help but shut my mouth when I saw Lloyd-sama, who had suffered through three battles and the troubles of being a king.
　That's right.
　Normally, no one wants to fight, and no one wants to be involved in a fight where life is taken.
　It's only natural for Lloyd-sama to think that way.
　If we were to righteously destroy the demons here, then something definite would change in Lloyd-sama and this country called the Kingdom of Lingle.

"Usato-kun, Kazuki-kun."

　Senpai called out my name and Kazuki's.
　She looked our way and we nodded, and decided to tell her everything that had happened on this journey.
　I don't mind how long it takes.
　The demons we met were Gref and Keira.
　The battle at the ruins.
　Nagi-san joining our group.
　The final battle with the Demon King's army and the Demon King.
　And then——the scroll.
　When we finished explaining in as simple a manner as possible, with some additional explanations by the people present, everyone except for us, including Lloyd-sama, was so surprised that they had to keep their mouths shut.
　In particular, Welshi-san, who was also present, looked so shocked that she looked like she was about to faint.

"...U-Uumu, I've heard some shocking stories besides the battle with the Demon King. The beastman who was the partner of the previous hero, the Scroll that could return you guys to your original world."
"As for the scroll, we believe we should ask for Falga-sama's cooperation."
"Yes, let's send word to Mialak right away."

　Before deciding whether to go back or not, we must first be able to exchange information with Falga-sama as soon as possible.
　After giving instructions to Welshi-san who received the scroll, Lloyd-sama turned towards us.

"You really did a great job. Thanks to your efforts, the battle has come to an end. ...I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of the kingdom."

　Lloyd-sama bowed deeply.
　Normally I would be intimidated, but there's no way I wouldn't understand what it meant when the king of a country bows his head in gratitude.
　For now, let's just accept the gratitude without saying anything.

"Sorry for making you talk for so long. You must be tired from your long journey, so please get some rest."
"Ha."

　Following Lloyd-sama's words, senpai and others stood up.
　However, I do not stand up and call out to them.

"Senpai, could you please tell Nea and Ferm to go home first?"
"...Mm, I get it."

　Senpai, who understood what I was about to talk, nodded.
　As the three of them left the hall, I turned to face Lloyd-sama, who had been waiting for me without saying a word.
　Both Welshi-san and Sergio-san looked at me with complicated expressions.

"The letter also mentioned me."
"...Umu."

　It's clear that I've only been involved with him during the battle and afterwards.
　The Demon King has a bad personality.
　Or he is mean.
　Depending on how you look at it, you could say that he saved me the trouble of having to explain everything from scratch.

"You don't have to comply. You... No, you guys were practically taken away from your peaceful daily lives by our selfish actions. Nevertheless, you fought for the people of Lingle. You lent us your strength."
"Lloyd-sama..."
"You obtained the scroll, and finally had the chance to return to your world...but you, have to reject that very choice...it's just too cruel."

　I knew that Lloyd-sama was concerned about me.
　Although I was grateful for his concern, I shook my head.

"Once I have beaten the Demon King to the punch, I cannot change this answer. On the contrary, as long as I continue to hold on to that resolve, the Demon King will never betray."

　This is now almost a certainty.
　It's not because we exchanged blows, but through that battle I have somehow come to understand what kind of person the Demon King is.

"You say that much?"
"This is merely my personal opinion. I understand that it may seem suspicious to those around. The other party is the Demon King, the person who has started the war so far, and the person people fear the most."

　The history of the war will not change the fact that it happened.
　The dead won't come back either.
　Nor can it erase the fear of the Demon King that has been feared up until now.

"That is why I, who know both races, demon and human, stand between them."
"You may be exposed to the malice of both races, you know."
"I'm prepared for that."

　This role has to be fulfilled by someone.
　If someone else were to take on the same role, that person would surely end up fearing the Demon King and the demons.
　They would end up abandoning the idea of looking at the current situation of the demons with an unbiased eye.

"From now on, I will continue to work for the people of this world. So please feel free to give me orders. That's why I'm here."
"...I didn't want you to resemble Rose, even in terms of stubbornness."
"That person is my master."
"Yes, I know. ...I know it."

　Lloyd-sama gripped the edge of the throne as if to endure.
　After a few seconds, he relaxed his shoulders and raised his head.

"Usato... From now on, let's fight together as citizens of the Lingle Kingdom, not as people from another world."
"Yes...!"

　At that moment, I cut off all attachment to my former world.
　I may think about my hometown and my parents, but I have no desire to return.
　———I am sorry for my lack of filial piety.
　I look forward, saying farewells to my parents, whom I will probably never see again, in my mind.

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

　Usato-kun chose to remain in this world.
　I think that was a very painful decision.
　Unlike me, he wasn't disappointed with his old world, and he still had the option to live a normal life.
　And yet, he chose to abandon the peaceful life of his original world and fight in this one.
　That determination is something to be admired.

　Kazuki-kun will also be forced to make a difficult decision.
　Like Usato-kun, he has his own reasons for returning to the original world.
　But at the same time, he has his reasons for wanting to stay in this world.
　...As for him, we should leave it to Celia and Frana.
　Those two will be able to support Kazuki-kun.

"And yet, what a shameless woman I am...!!"
"Why are you here?"
"Right, this is the guest room."

　I quietly read the air around Kazuki-kun's time with Frana and Celia, and plopped down at the table in the guest room with Nea and Ferrum, who were waiting for Usato-kun's talk to be over.
　In my hand was an empty cup of tea.

"Give me more tea~!"
"Tea isn't alcoholic beverage though..."

　While saying that, Nea poured tea into the cup I handed her.
　I spoke to the two of them, feeling emotional at their casual kindness.

"Nea, Ferrum, thank you for talking to me...!"
"So just responding is enough to make someone a conversation partner for you...?"
"I wonder if there are any heroes this pitiful..."

　She looks at me coldly, taken aback.
　I'm already used to being subjected to such gazes, so I smile back.

"Don't look at me like that, it makes me feel good"
"Is this guy invincible...?"

　She was even more taken aback.
　But I am a strong woman and quickly recovered.

"I, you know, when I heard that Usato-kun was going to stay in this world, somewhere in the back of my mind I was glad about it..."
"Can you stop being so serious all of a sudden...? The difference in your attitude is too much..."

　Ferrum's cheeks twitched and she scratched them awkwardly.
　Perhaps if Usato-kun had chosen the option of returning to his original world, I would surely have chosen the same path.
　Even if I had to choose between the former world and this one, I would still seek the interesting and enjoyable daily life with Usato-kun.

"I can continue to live in this world with Usato-kun. When I thought about that, I realized I was happy."

　Even though I knew the reasons why he had decided to remain in this world.
　So I couldn't help but feel very shameless for thinking such a thing.

"Don't you ever think about returning to your world?"
"Not at all. I've given up on that idea."

　Born into a prestigious family, I was meant to follow a predetermined path in life.
　The reality was that I was hurting my younger brother without realizing it.
　I am sure that I would have the power of decision and action to do something about it, but ——— I am able to be the person I am today because of Usato-kun.
　In a world without him, there may be Inukami Suzune, the student council president and cool beauty, but there is no Inukami Suzune, the hero of the Lingle Kingdom.

"...I don't think there's anything wrong with that kind of thinking."
"Eh?"
"Unlike you, it doesn't matter what you choose, but I was also a little relieved to hear that Usato was staying."
""...""

　Nea and I look at Ferrum in surprise.
　Ferrum, perhaps unable to bear it any longer, banged on the table with a flushed face.

"I-It's because if that monster is gone, there will be no competition! Don't get the wrong idea!"
"Tsundere, spicy...!"
"I don't know what that word means, but I know you're making fun of me!!"

　Ferrum gets angry and tries to hide her embarrassment.
　Satisfied with having heard a little of her true feelings, Nea shrugs as she places her sipped cup on the table.　

"To be honest, it's a shame. That Usato didn't choose to return"
"Eh?"

　Ferrum and I were both shocked by the unexpected answer.
　...Honestly, I never thought Nea would say something like that.
　After Amako and me, she is the next closest friend to Usato-kun, isn't she...?!

"I mean, Usato is going back to his original world, right? Wouldn't it be fun to follow him behind his back?"
"...Ha? Y-You were going to follow us!?"
"Fufu, I was just kidding. Just kidding."

　S-So it is a joke, huh?
　But it doesn't seem like a lie at all.
　I shiver as Nea leans her back gracefully against the chair.

"Either way, it's going to be hard for Usato."
"It's someone else's problem..."
"It's obvious that we'll get caught up in this anyway. There's no need to make a fuss."

　Nea had a somewhat resigned look on his face, and my jealousy gauge rose.
　What's with that “I'm used to it” reaction?
　However, I have no choice but to agree that Usato-kun will have a tough time from now on.
　I'm sure he'll be given time to rest, but given the situation he's in and his interactions with the Demon King's army, it is likely that he will have to act as a mediator.

"Usato-kun, he is acquainted with all of the corps commanders over there..."
"He has fight all of them. And Amira, too."

　Is it possible to deepen mutual understanding through fighting?
　Koga seems like that kind of person.

"So, if I master punching, will I be able to make more friends?"
"Oi, Nea, this guy is thinking of something weird again."
"Haa, this hero is already..."

　At that moment, a shock ran through my mind.
　As the idea flashes through my mind, the door to the living room where we are sitting is suddenly opened.

"I told you you could go home first … Wait, areh, senpai?"
"...Usato-kun!"

　It seems that Usato-kun, who has finished talking with Lloyd-sama, has come to pick up Nea and Ferrum.
　I walked up to him before the other two and blurted out the idea that had just occurred to me.

"May I join the Rescue Squad?"
"...Uhm, if you're tired, I think you should get some rest right away..."

　I've been treated nicely normally...!?
　Or rather, is it really something to be worried about?

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

Author's Notes:
Lloyd was the one who was most shocked by Usato's choice.