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

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Chapter 279


　After I finished talking with Lloyd-sama, we left the castle with Nea, Ferrum, and Blurin and were able to go straight back to the Rescue Squad.
　During that time, senpai made the unbelievable suggestion that she wanted to provisionally join the Rescue Squad, but she must have been tired at the time. Mm... I'm sure that's what happened.
　Leaving senpai aside, I returned to the Rescue Squad and immediately made my way to the captain's office where Rose was.
　As I was on my way there, I was greeted by the tough-looking guys and Nack, and when I saw their faces, I finally realized that I had returned here alive, and I was just relieved.
　Then, I reported to Rose.
　I reported to Rose what had happened in the battle with the Demon King in the Demon King's territory.
　She listened silently to my choice to stay in this world and what I was going to do, but then she opened her closed eyes and———,

"I see."

　———That was all she said.
　I was taken aback by the simple reply, but Rose seemed less surprised since she had anticipated the possibility that I would make such a choice.

"I'm not stupid enough to not understand your character at this point. If that's the choice you made yourself, then you have to follow through. If you can't, I'll kick your *ss and help you move forward."

　I received those kind words along with a fierce smile.
　I was reminded that I was no match for this person, and I returned to my short-lived life as a member of the Rescue Squad.


　The day after I returned to the Kingdom of Lingle, the whole country was in a bit of a panic.
　After all, the battle is over.
　So many people were upset, happy, and anxious to accept the fact that the war with the Demon King's army was over.
　At least, the atmosphere was not one of victory celebration.
　Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that Lloyd-sama didn't have the time to celebrate.
　The reason for this was to inform the other countries that the battle was over and that the Demon King had surrendered while he was still alive. Not only to inform them, but also to answer why the situation ended the way it did.
　Frustratingly, there's nothing I can do at this point.

"There are things only you can do. Leave it to us for now, and you can recover from the fatigue of your journey."

　Lloyd-sama said there was something he wanted me to do, but he gave me some time to rest until then.
　Well, I was still working as a member of the Rescue Squad, so I didn't get any rest or anything.

"Nack, Ferrum, Nea! Let's train!!"
"Yes!"
""Ehhh...""

　As I stood with my arms folded, only Nack replied cheerfully to my words.
　Nea and Ferrum look extremely displeased.

"The battle is over, so what's the point of training?"
"Right~, right~."

　Let alone Nea, I was surprised that Ferrum too.
　It's been a week since then and I've had a good rest, but these kids are resting too much.

"You've gotten carried away over the past week because the leader gave you a break, and you've been doing all sorts of debauchery, so I decided that you needed a chance to go outside."
"No, that's none of your business."
"At this rate, you'll get fat and turn into a pig."
"Maybe I should turn into a piglet? Hm?"

　Nea and I glared at each other.
　But you don't understand.
　I have an absolute trump card against Nea, who acts like she's making fun of me.

"That's fine, even if you turn into a piglet."
"Eh?"
"I'll give you to Senpai."
"I'm sorry, please don't do that!"

　Senpai's determination when she saw the small animal was incredible.
　It was enough to break even Nea's spirit, forgoing all the composure she had from a moment ago.
　Glancing sideways at Nea, whose body was trembling violently, Ferrum sighed and spoke to me.

"First of all, we got a break, so it's fine, right."
"There's a limit. I understand that you may feel relaxed after the battle, but we are in a kind of a dangerous situation right now, you know. It wouldn't be surprising if something happened at any time."

　Nothing has been decided yet.
　Since we were still in the midst of dealing with the demons, it was possible that some kind of incident would cause a commotion.
　We need to be prepared to deal with such a situation.

"...Even though the battle is over..."
"We don't train to fight. We train to get stronger."
"...I mean, why are we training for?"
"Do we even need a reason to train in the first place?"
""...""

　If I had to say, the fact that we're rescue squad members could be a reason to train.
　Even after the battle is over, our mission is still to save people.
　Rather, Rose's idea was that the purpose could expand and change to saving lives or being sent to villages where disasters have occurred.
　I sighed at the two of them looking at me in shock, then I called out to Nack, who had been standing there stiffly since earlier.

"Nack, is there something you'd like to say to them?"
"Just one thing then!"
"Very well, say it."

　Nack nodded, stepping together, and turned towards Nea and Ferrum.
　He took a deep breath and spoke to the two, who looked at him suspiciously.

"Uhm, I want to start training soon, so prepare yourself."
""...Eh""

　With those words, Nack returned to his usual position.
　I nodded and looked at the two of them.

"Do you understand how Nack feels?"
"No, I don't want to understand! It's scary! I'll be forced to change my mind!"
"W-What is this feeling of guilt...? I haven't done anything wrong, but I feel so guilty...!"

　Are you still resisting at this point?
　It can't be helped.
　Actually, it would have been preferable for you and for us to have you do it voluntarily, but———let's be honest.

"Listen, I invited you all to train with good intentions. In truth, I wanted you all to rest more after working so hard in the battle against the Demon King."
"I don't appreciate that!"
"That's a lie! You're a training freak, aren't you!"
"Listen, I'm only going to say it once, okay?"

　Normally this would be the time for me to get angry, but I deliberately speak in a calm voice.
　Nea seemed to notice the strangeness and showed a suspicious look.

"Look at how you've been lazing around this past week———"

　I continue to say the words regardless.
　I say the decisive words that will definitely move the two of them.

"———The Commander is getting annoyed."

　The two of them moved quickly.
　They silently straightened their clothes and stood next to Nack, beginning their warm-up exercises so they would be ready to train at any time.

"Sorry Usato, I was wrong! Training is fun!"
"Right, you're always thinking about us. Fufu, I forgot."
"I'm glad you understand!"
"Yeah!"
"Yeah!"

　The three of us stretch while laughing at each other.
　Let's just say that I am laughing normally, but Nea and Ferrum's expressions are more drawn-out smiles than ever.
　When I weighed the wrath of the Rescue Squad's Great Demon King against my training, the answer was obvious.

"I don't know if I can say this, but I think you two are starting to get the vibe of the Rescue Squad."
"Nack, what's wrong?"
"No, it's nothing!"

　Well, let's make today's training not so tough and adapted to Nack.
　Hmm, what should I do?
　Just running would be fine, but that alone would get an “Eh~, that again” reaction from both Nea and Ferrum.
　As I was folding my arms and thinking about what to do, I noticed someone coming from the entrance to the training ground.
　I look over and see a small girl———Amako coming toward me with a basket-like object.

"Oh, Amako?"
"Mm, I'm bothering you again."

　I greet her with a slight wave of my hand.
　Since returning here, Amako has come here frequently.
　She doesn't come when we are running, but she comes when we are at the training ground like this.

"I made sandwiches. I wondered if you guys would eat it."
"Thanks. Let's eat them after this training is over."

　Then we should start training soon.
　Hmm, something that's fun to a certain extent and that I can use to train too...

"Okay, then let's play onigokko." (Note: play tag)
"Onigokko? What's that? Is it some kind of impersonation of you?"
"Who do you mean is similar to an ogre? No, it is a game in our world where a person who plays the role of an oni chases a person who plays the role of a human."

　It's a common game in my world, but this would be a good way to train.

"No, you see, Usato. You are a pure oni, but we can't become one, you know?"
"Shall I become an oni as you wish? It would make training a lot more fun."
"I'm sorry..."

　When I say so with a laugh and squinted eyes, Nea immediately apologizes.
　First of all, let me explain the rules.

"You guys are the onis. The condition for victory is to touch me."
"That's obviously impossible!"
"Are you stupid?! Do you realize how absurd you usually are?!"
"Usato-san... I think that's a bit harsh."

　It's this general retort.
　Well, I understand that too.
　Ferrum might be able to do well, but for Nea and Nack, it is still tough.

"So I'll give you a handicap. I won't be using magic or gauntlets. You guys can use sorcery and dark magic."
"No, that's not enough...!"
"Eeh~... well, if that's the case, you can set the conditions."

　What kind of handicap will I have to bear if things go any further?
　Nea and Ferrum are talking quietly, but I think I'll add a few more conditions to motivate them.

"If you can touch me, I'll do one thing for you."

　Not everything, but something like buying good food from the city, or taking over cleaning duty, etc.
　At my words, Nea and Ferrum, who were discussing something, stopped moving.

"""———!"""
"Well, then, would it be okay if I had you watch me train?"
"Of course. Actually, if that's the case, you can just tell me normally and I'll accompany you as much as you want."
"I'm feeling motivated now...!"

　Nack seemed incredibly motivated.
　Suddenly, Amako, who had been standing a short distance away, came over to us.

"Hmm? What's the matter, Amako?"
"I'll join too."
"Yes?"
"I'll join too. That... onigokko play?"
"..."

　The strongest girl has joined...!
　She has the foresight magic, so there's no way I can let my guard down.

"Interesting, I'll allow it."
"I wonder what I should ask you to do?"

　S-She thinks she's already won...!?
　But it's interesting...! I'm going to destroy that foresight...!
　Wiping my forehead and twitching my smile, I acknowledge her participation.

"The conditions have been decided."
"What are the conditions?"
"You can't use your hands or your feet."
"How should I move...?"
"You can do it somehow, right?"

　What kind of trust is that?
　No no, but seriously, how am I supposed to move when both my arms and legs are tied down?
　Just roll around on the ground?
　Nea responded to my reaction as if it couldn't be helped.

"Well, I guess that can't be helped. Then, you can't use your right hand and left foot, okay?"
"...Haa, well, never mind."

　It seems to me, rather, that this is probably the real aim.
　Well, maybe a handicap like this is necessary.
　But Amako is here...I wonder if it'll be okay?

"Also, you weren't lying when you said that earlier, right?"
"Well, within the scope of what I can do. Ah, like "give me every last drop of your blood" or turn me into a vampire... Ah, you can't make one wish infinite, all those things are no, okay?"
"...Tch."

　That's scary.
　As for the third one, I'm glad I warned them, because it looked like they were really going to do it.
　Now that the conditions have been decided, let's get started.
　I must jump on the ground with only my right foot, with my left foot off the ground.
　I'm also not allowed to use my dominant arm, so I have to get by with just my left arm.

"Well then, let's get started."
"Ah, Usato. May I use the restraining spell to bind your right arm and left leg?"

　Immediately after giving the signal to start, a smiling Nea raised her hand and said so.
　A restraining spell, huh?
　It's true, it would be a bad idea if I moved it on the spur of the moment and ended up losing the game.
　Let's ask for it.

"Okay then, I'll ask you."
"♪"

　Nea approaches me with a smile, and I smile back.
　When she gets within about three steps, I take the opportunity to speak to her.

"Ah, by the way, since we've temporarily stopped the game, even if you touch me now, it won't count as a win for you."
"..."
"I can at least tell what you're thinking, you know?"
"U-Uwh."

　I couldn't afford to let my guard down, really.
　Well, I was already suspicious when she stepped out just as I was giving the starting signal.
　After having my right arm and left leg locked up with a restraining spell, I regained my composure and faced everyone.
　It was four against one, and I had my dominant arm and one leg sealed———,

"Now, c'mon...!"

　That's interesting too...!
　I'm looking forward to seeing what moves Nea and Ferrum will make, but most of all, it's a good opportunity to see how much Nack has grown...!

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

Author's Notes:
A sudden training session.
Maybe next time it will be a different perspective.