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

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Chapter 287


　Bodies buried in a cemetery in the Kingdom of Lingle were stolen by the devil.
　Seven bodies were stolen.
　They belonged to Rose's subordinates, led by Auru-san.
　They were her most trusted subordinates when she was fighting as a General Commander of the Lingle Kingdom, fierce fighters who went toe-to-toe with that Nero Agence's subordinates.
　The devil targeted their prowess in their lifetime, and their bodies were stolen from their coffins.
　I don't even want to know what they are going to use them for.
　It is said that the Kingdom of Lingle was going to warn other countries immediately after receiving the report of the stolen corpse, but they decided not to do so because they were not likely to believe the story that “the devil is stealing the corpse,” ———and also because the Kingdom of Lingle could not take any rash action now that a conference of the Allied Powers was about to take place.
　However, it seems that Lloyd wanted to at least spread the word about the threat, so the news of a "grave-robbing scoundrel" was spread.

"———Allied Conference"

　The official name of the meeting was decided, and the date it would take place was also set.
　It's been about a month since the Demon King admitted defeat.
　While the post-war process and preparations for the meeting were being made at a fairly rapid pace ——— I was sitting cross-legged on my bed, thinking about the future.
　I was lost in my thoughts while listening to the snoring of Tong, my roommate in the same room.

"A week later...huh?"

　It is tremendously fast, probably because Falga-sama is taking the initiative to help.
　I think it is also amazing that the venue for the meeting is almost complete in Mialak.
　There are many concerns about holding the meeting.
　Like the demon king, the perception of the demon tribe... and the devil.
　Above all, it was a big challenge that not only humans but also the leaders of the demi-humans were participating.

"Hayate-san is coming too..."

　A statement sent by Hubird, with whom I have a personal contract.
　In it, it was mentioned that Hayate-san was going to participate in this Alliance meeting.

"I have to try my best... Alright, I guess it's time to go to bed."

　With this in mind, I turned off the light on my desk magical tool and was about to lie down on my bed when I heard a knocking sound coming from the window.
　Looking closer, I saw what looked like a small bird made of light pecking at the window.
　For a moment, I didn't understand what was going on, but then I recognized the light and realized what was going on.

"...Maybe."

　When I open the window, the bird made of light goes straight down ——— and stays on Kazuki's shoulder in front of the dormitory.　

"...Kazuki?"
"Sorry to bother you so late. Can I talk to you for a second?"
"Yeah, I don't mind at all."

　Even though it was night, it was barely past midnight.
　I put on my shoes and went outside, facing Kazuki in front of the dormitory, and he gave me an apologetic look.

"What's wrong?"
"I have something I need to talk to you about. I could have done it tomorrow, but I thought I should talk to you right away."

　I can guess what Kazuki is going to talk about.
　I see, he has made up his mind.
　Then I should listen to his answer.
　For the time being, we move to an open place away from the dormitory so that we can talk more easily.

"It reminds me of that time."

　Kazuki muttered this nostalgically as he sat down in the moonlit field.
　Speaking of that time...

"When Kazuki came here before the first battle?"
"Yeah... It was when I was scared of fighting and came to you for advice."

　The first battle we experienced was against the Demon King's army.
　Faced with this, Kazuki was afraid to fight.
　I still remember the talk of that time.

"I was surprised when you suddenly showed up that time too."
"Hahaha... I pretty much snuck out of the castle without thinking."
"By the way, Senpai came after that too."
"Eh, seriously? ...Haha, so she saw right through me."

　Casually looking into the woods behind me, I see two familiar figures.
　Senpai and... the other one was probably Frana-san.
　The two people whose eyes meet mine make faces of disbelief and hide behind the trees.

"Usato, what's wrong?"
"Ah, no, it's nothing."

　I wonder if they came to check up on him because they're worried about him?
　For some reason they are hiding, so let's not tell Kazuki for now.

"...Even now, I'm still scared of fighting, and I try to avoid it as much as possible."
"Mm"
"If the future world doesn't need the power of a hero, I'm willing to give it up."

　That's what Kazuki would do.
　I am well aware that he hates fighting.
　And that's why he wouldn't hesitate to throw away his position as the hero if he no longer needed it.

"I'm going to use a rather strange analogy, but in games, novels, and the like, once you defeat the last enemy, it's usually the end."
"..."
"The last enemy for us was the Demon King. Before we entered the Demon King's territory, I thought that if I defeated the Demon King, everything would be over and I wouldn't have to fight as a hero anymore."

　I listen to Kazuki in silence.

"But it's not that simple. Even if the Demon King is defeated and the Demon King's army is gone, it is not the end. This world is still going on."
"...Yeah, right"

　From now on, it will become a problem between demons and humans.
　In addition to that, devils are beginning to act in the shadows.

"Usato, I'm going to stay in this world."

　Hearing this sudden declaration, I instinctively looked at Kazuki.
　He straightened his back, looking up at the night sky, as if shaking off all his frustration.

"Actually, I've already decided on the answer for a while. I still have things I need to do. I'm not staying in this world because Senpai and Usato are staying. I'm staying in this world of my own volition, and I'm going to fulfill my duties as a hero... something like that."
"Kazuki..."
"But now I've made up my mind. Finally, I can move forward."

　Kazuki smiled wryly and placed his hand on his chest.

"I'm honestly soooo sad. When I think that I'll never see my mom and dad again, I feel helpless... I feel so helpless, I can't even put it into words."
"..."
"But then I thought. I wondered if I could live my life with pride if I just threw everything away and went back to my original world. I wondered if I could live a life that I could face up to my parents."

　I just listen to what he has to say.
　I shouldn't say anything that would be a poor consolation.
　Doing so would be disrespectful to him, who had carefully considered and made his choice.

"So I try not to regret the way I've lived my life."
"...I see."

　It would not have been strange for Kazuki to choose either world.
　There was an equal chance that he would return to the former world in search of his former peaceful life and family, or that he would remain in this world as he is now.
　I don't know the reason for the split between them either.
　But I... want to respect the answer he came to after much agonizing.

"Well then, let's both do our best."
"Yeah, you can always rely on me if you're in trouble."

　Kazuki is no longer lost.
　While I was happy about that fact, I called out to the others behind me.

"———You don't have to worry about it anymore, right?"
"Eh? What's the matter Usato?"

　Kazuki gives me a puzzled look when I call out behind us, but then he looks surprised when senpai and Frana-san come out of the woods.

"Frana, and you too, senpai?! Wh, why..."
"No, I was just worried..."

　Frana-san looks embarrassed.
　Meanwhile, senpai had her arms crossed and looked as confident as ever.

"As expected of Usato-kun. You even noticed my hidden form."
"I noticed it right away, but..."

　Her black hair was clearly visible in the shadow of the tree.
　I think it is too crude to call it a hidden form.
　However, senpai does not lose her composure, but rather improves her mood.

"Hmph, I guess that could be taken as a metaphor in the roundabout way, that you can find me wherever I am...!?"
"Well, I'm sure I could find out where senpai would be in no time."

　There will be no one more prominent than this person.
　Rumors and such are likely to circulate quickly, and when the time comes to look for her, it will be easy to find out where she is.

"..."
"...No, please don't be embarrassed."

　If you react like that, I'm embarrassed, too.
　Well, as we were having this exchange, I turned back to Kazuki.

"First of all, we have to make sure that the upcoming meeting goes off without a hitch."
"Yeah, let's stay on our toes so we can deal with whatever comes our way."

　The meeting is in a week.
　Let's do everything we can until then.
　Then, Frana-san, who is next to Kazuki, calls out to him.

"As for that meeting, it was decided that I would go along too."
"Eh, really?"
"Dad... The chief of the elves said he'll be attending too. He told me to come to Mialak too."

　I see, not just beastfolk but elves as well...
　This is going to be a really big meeting.

"Now I really need to prepare for anything that might happen..."

　It will likely also reveal Falga-sama's true identity, so it may go down in history in many ways.

"By the way, Usato-kun."
"Yes?"

　I turn towards the voice of senpai.
　I tilt my head toward her, who is holding her finger to her chin as if she is pondering something.

"The one who will be watching over the Demon King... or rather welcoming him will be you... or maybe either me or Kazuki-kun... but there's one thing that's been bothering me."
"One thing that's been bothering you...?"
"The Demon King can't come alone. I'm sure he'll be accompanied by his guards... so I was wondering who's coming."
"..."

　Indeed, ordinary soldiers won't be good enough as escorts, so it will be the corps commander class personnel who will be escorting him.
　Corps commander class...
　The image of the dark magician with whom I have a rotten relationship, who is smiling and coming at me, is in the back of my mind.

"W-Well, it's the same no matter who comes. It's better than being called a devil and being afraid."
"R-Right..."

　He's a troublesome guy, but I don't hate him.
　Even if he accompanied the Demon King, he had a position as the Demon King's bodyguard, so he wouldn't suddenly attack me.
　...He won't attack me, right?
　What should I do? I'm starting to get worried now.

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

Author's Notes:
Kazuki's decision episode.
What's interesting about this episode is that it wouldn't be strange for Kazuki to choose either world.