Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna
Source: Syosetu
Thank you for your support frankie and ZaneofBane
TL Notes:
Hi, I'm sorry I didn't update last week. I got not-so-good news. My family is facing an unexpected financial challenge and we urgently need help to cover essential expenses. Due to some circumstances, my family needs more than 6,000 USD. I'm just an ordinary office worker in a third-world country. So I can't afford it.
That's why I'm asking for help. If there is someone among the readers who are well-off and in generous mood.
Please give me a commission. You can commission me (Request Novel) on Ko-Fi or Patreon (I can only translate Japanese, though).
I know this is pathetic but I don't know any other way.
We would be forever grateful for any contribution, big or small, to help us overcome this difficult time. Thank you
Chapter 288
Three days before the Allied Conference was to take place.
I was in front of a ship anchored along the river flowing away from the battlefield where the battle had previously taken place.
There were two boats anchored there, and Lloyd-sama, Welshi-san, and the knights escorting them, including Kazuki and Frana-san, were already on board.
"Usato, be careful."
"Yeah, don't cause any trouble for Nagi-san, okay?"
I spoke to Amako in front of the ship.
Since Nagi-san was going to be present at the meeting, she was also going to Mialak, but as soon as the meeting was over, she was going to Hinomoto, so Amako, who was thinking of returning to her hometown, decided to go with her.
"Usato, don't do anything too weird."
"What do you mean, “weird”...?"
"Kannagi, tell him."
When Nagi-san is suddenly asked to talk, she looks at me with a flustered look.
"Ueh? E-Ehto... well..."
You're already causing trouble.
I turn to Amako with a wry smile at Nagi-san, who tries to force herself to say something.
"Well, I'll probably meet up with you over there, so until then."
"Mm. Well, it's time to go."
"Nagi-san, please take good care of Amako."
"Yeah, I'll take care of her."
Amako, carrying her luggage on her back, gets into the boat with Nagi-san.
A little later, the magical tools loaded on the boat make an engine sound, and the large hull of the boat moves forward.
As I look off at the boat, Leona-san, who had just joined us, walks up to me.
"Kazuki-dono will arrive at Mialak first."
"Yes. Let's head to the rendezvous point."
Me, senpai, and Leona-san were to greet the Demon King together with the knights dispatched from Mialak.
After seeing off the ship carrying Lloyd-sama and his group, we leave the remaining ship there and head to the pre-planned meeting place with the Demon King.
The location itself isn't that far away, and we soon arrive at the place where the bridge hastily constructed by the Lingle Kingdom is.
"It seems the Demon King hasn't arrived yet."
"It seems so."
We arrived earlier than the scheduled meeting time, so it looks like we'll have to wait.
As we were waiting for the arrival of the Demon King, Leona-san walked up to us, checking on the Lingle and Mialak knights who had come along as our escorts.
"...It's going to get tough from now on."
"Yes... after all, it's the Demon King we're dealing with."
Welcoming the Demon King is going to be quite a challenge.
As I gave a wry smile, Senpai spoke to me with an awfully confident look on her face.
"Don't worry. If anything happens, you can just assimilate with me!"
『You're banned from Usato.』
"Why!?"
Senpai raises her voice at the sound of Ferrum's voice coming from within me.
I sigh at Ferrum and Nea, who have somehow assimilated into me along the way, and decide to watch their conversation.
"No, no, no, that is the final form of Usato-kun! It's the strongest and invincible Usato-kun lightning-fast moving fortress mode that can move at the speed of lightning and can also move in the air...!"
『If it's the most powerful and invincible, it's not something that can be unleashed so easily.』 (Ferrum)
『That's right. You should save your trump card.』 (Nea)
Nea and Ferrum spoke in hoarse voices.
Senpai looked shocked at the incomprehensible responses from the two.
"...Haah?! It's true that if you bring out the strongest type too much, they'll either be replaced by even more superior versions, or they'll mostly just be the losers, or they'll be called sh*tty weaklings...!"
『This guy kind of just agrees with me...』
I kind of get it, but I also don't...
I find myself empathizing with Senpai's excited words.
Actually, I've thought about this for a while, but Senpai likes things that resonate with the heart of a boy.
『...Hey, Leona.』
"Hmm, what's up?"
Ferrum inside me called out to Leona-san.
I thought it was unusual for her to call Leona-san, and she continued speaking in a somewhat low voice.
『Put your hand on Usato's shoulder』
"Eh? Like this?"
"Ferrum...?"
Though confused, Leona lightly placed her hand on my shoulder, and the moment she did, she was drawn into me as if by the shoulder she touched.
The sudden assimilation caused a commotion around us.
"L-Leona-san has disappeared?!"
"I saw Usato-dono absorb Leona-san!"
"So healing magic can do that sort of thing... it's just as rumored."
While the knights of Mialak, who are working together with the knights of the Lingle Kingdom, are muttering in a dumbfounded manner, the knights of the Lingle Kingdom are saying———,
"Well, it's Usato-dono after all..."
"I guess it's business as usual."
"Hahaha"
They seemed oddly philosophical.
Aren't they just getting too used to it? I don't remember doing anything that weird on a daily basis that makes them not surprised to take in a single person.
...Well, let's check the current situation instead.
The dark magic that had absorbed Leona didn't cause any noticeable changes in my appearance, but for some reason, Leona's spear weapon had appeared in my left hand in the form of a staff.
"Leona-san, are you okay?"
『Y-Yeah, I'm fine. I was just amazed at how Nea has made herself at home...』
Maybe Nea is mistaking my insides for a rest area or something...?
Having absorbed her, Ferrum calls out enthusiastically to senpai, whose mouth is gaping open.
『All right, Leona is trustworthy, so we can assimilate her.』
"So that means Usato-kun now has the ice attribute..."
『She doesn't understand sarcasm... Seriously, is this guy invincible...?!』
Apparently, she was trying to tease senpai, but it seemed to have the opposite effect.
As I remained confused inside and out, I suddenly noticed that Leona-san's weapon in my left hand was gushing out something like lightning.
"This is..."
"It's the same phenomenon as with my sword... Maybe, just like my sword, Leona's weapon will take a shape that suits you, Usato-kun."
The staff, which had been emitting a blinking light, transforms into a sphere of light and envelops both my legs.
The light covers me from the knees down, and something takes shape.
"Eh..."
"Oh, isn't that cool?"
By the time the light subsided, my legs were equipped with pale leg armor.
Shining in the sunlight, they were light as feathers, yet seemed to contain tremendous power.
"How could, this easily..."
『One reason is that you have assimilated with me, the user, but I think it also has to do with the fact that its creator, Falga-sama, recognizes you』
"That's really awesome..."
You could even say that he has high expectations of me.
When I lightly hit the ground with my leg armor, a white chill erupts.
"But why the leg armor?"
"I think that's it, isn't it? It's because it reflects the will of the rescue squad to run and get to wherever they are...maybe?"
"I see..."
If the gauntlets were for protection, then these leg armor were for running anywhere.
If I wanted to, I wonder if I could create ice in the air and use it as a foothold?
I'm kinda tempted to try it, but I'm on a mission right now so I'll refrain from doing so.
"If I had to name it, I'd call it Ice-Usato... No, that's not it. That's too simple."
"Nea, what about Hell's Guard Dog, Cerberus-Usato?"
"Isn't that a bit pretentious? I think something more dumb would be better."
I hope you don't increase my form name without my permission.
In fact, rather than being a devil, it's like I've become a hellhound.
Sighing at the conversation between Nea and senpai, I instruct Ferrum to unassimilate Leona-san.
"...Ferrum, release Leona-san from the assimilation."
"Okay"
Leona-san jumps out of my body as if bounced off.
In response, the instep of my leg disappears and returns to its original state.
"I'm sorry, I got you involved in something weird out of the blue."
『Sorry for suddenly dragging you into something weird, Leona.』
"No, it was a good experience."
Leona-san laughs at my and Ferrum's apology, pretending not to mind.
"If you ever need my help in the future, just let me know. I'll lend you my strength anytime."
"! Thank you"
I would be reassured if I could get help from Leona-san.
Of course, that goes for senpai as well.
———At that moment, a white vortex-like thing appeared near the bridge on the Demon King's territory side.
It was the same teleportation magic we had seen before, connecting two different places.
When we saw that, we all became tense.
"Fumu... It seems I've kept you waiting."
"""———!"""
A large demon clad in a robe.
The appearance of the demon king, whose mere presence radiates a sense of being there, causes tension among the escorting knights.
...We haven't even left yet, so I can't make the knights anxious.
So I take the initiative and approach the Demon King who has arrived at this place ——— I notice that there are several demons who are following him.
"Ehto, Demon King, -sama?"
"No need to call me that. I don't feel comfortable being called that by you."
Senpai spoke up first, but the Demon King frowned slightly.
It would only feel weird to add "-sama" to him, so it's a relief... but would it be better to add "-san" or something...?
"Well then, Demon King, we will take you to the ship."
"Yes. I'll leave it to you."
It seems like this is going to go more smoothly than I thought.
Just as I was feeling relieved inside, the Demon King called out to me.
"More importantly, Usato. You seem to have done something very interesting."
"It's not that I did it because I liked it..."
The interesting thing he talked about is probably about the devil.
It may be amusing from the Demon King's point of view, but from our perspective, it's nothing but trouble.
"Hmph, you're too naive, Demon King. Usato-kun basically only does interesting things. You'd better be prepared."
"Hou, I'm looking forward to it."
"Please don't agree with her."
What kind of position are you in?
With a sigh, I take my gaze away from the Demon King and turn my attention to the demons I've been purposely avoiding until now.
When he notices my gaze, he waves to me with the same casualness as if he were reunited with a friend.
"Yo!"
The demon next to the Demon King ——— Koga Dingal.
I sigh the most today at the guy whom I hate so much that he gives me a radiant smile.
"...Haaah."
"I think it's cruel to sigh as soon as you see my face."
As expected, or rather, as I thought, it was Koga who showed up.
Koga and the other woman dressed as a maid, Ciel-san, looked at him in amazement.
"Serves you right."
"Why are you being so harsh with me?"
Ciel-san seemed more like an attendant than a bodyguard.
As I watch Koga's shoulders slump at Ciel-san's bluntness, someone new emerges from the white vortex.
"...Muh, I see, you guys are the ones in charge of supervision."
A woman with reddish hair and brown skin and horns characteristic of the demon tribe ——— Amira Belgred.
We encountered her several times during the battle, and she was dressed differently from the armor-clad figure we had seen before.
"Ah, well, I'll be counting on you."
"Take care of us. Ehto, Amira-san."
"Likewise."
"..."
When she sees me and senpai, an indescribable expression appears on her face.
"I have mixed feelings. I never thought I'd end up doing something like this with you two, who were supposed to be enemies."
"I feel the same way. You and I fought a life-or-death battle, after all."
"...That's certainly true."
Are they talking about the last war?
I wasn't there, but it was a pretty fierce battle.
"As long as you don't show harm to the Demon King-sama, I have no intention of antagonizing you."
"Well, we're not enemies right now, so we can't exactly be on good terms, but let's try to come to an understanding. Do you have any favorite foods?"
"...Oi, is this hero usually like this?"
"Hahaha..."
『She is still as bad at closing the distance as ever.』
Amira is puzzled by the communication skills of senpai, but she responds to the voice of Ferrum, who is assimilating with me.
"Is the Black Knight there too?"
"Yes, she's assimilated with me. Ferrum, why don't you come out?"
『It's a pain, but... I guess there's no other way. Nea, I'll undo the assimilation』
『Ye~s.』
Ferrum releases the assimilation and she and Nea, in her owl form, leap out of my body.
For some reason, Amira-san looks surprised when she sees her return to a humanoid form from her dark-magic form.
"Y-You were the Black Knight...? You were so small...?"
"Who's small?!"
Ferrum is furious.
Undeterred by her anger, Amira-san crosses her arms with a serious look on her face.
"Honestly, I imagined you to be a big guy... But I never imagined you were a child. ...Sorry I yelled at you that time, didn't I hurt your feelings...?"
"Don't treat me like a kid!!"
You didn't know Ferrum's true face?
I think I heard her say that her boss at the time of the first war was Amira-san.
As I was wondering about this, Koga, who had approached me, spoke to me in a low voice.
"She always wore dark magic, even when she was in the Demon King's Army. I was the only one who even knew what she looked like."
"Oh, so that's why she was called the Black Knight."
"That's how it is."
I see.
Even after capturing her as a prisoner of war, she didn't undo her dark magic armor, so maybe she was dependent on dark magic in that sense as well.
However, there are only two guards.
Ciel-san looks more like an attendant than an escort, so she shouldn't be counted as an escort.
After the Demon King had erased the teleportation magic, I asked him about the number of guards.
"Demon King, are Koga and Amira the only guards?"
"That's enough, right? I could bring more, but that would scare you all away."
That's ... No, that's certainly true.
If he brought a lot of his subordinates with him here, the rest of us would feel intimidated.
Although, ability-wise, it could be said that Koga and Amira alone are more than enough.
"Well then, let's get going."
"Understood. Senpai, let's go."
Me and senpai walk in front of them, crossing the bridge to the other side of the river where Leona-san and the knights are.
In contrast to Leona-san who is standing proudly, I see the knights looking anxious as we cross over to the other side of the river.
———But at that moment, from behind the Demon King, the sound of chain-like objects rubbing against each other rang out.
When I turned around to see what was going on, I saw many chain-like objects piercing through the Demon King's body as he stepped onto the ground from the bridge.
""Demon King?!""
"...Haa, I knew it would be like this."
Seven translucent chains extend from the Demon King.
They extend in all directions and seem to bind the Demon King's body as he tries to leave the Demon King's territory.
The Demon King sighed lightly, wondering if he was in pain, and followed the end of the chain extending from his body with his eyes.
"Three in the Demon King's territory? ...To have not let me know until this point... Truly, what a nasty character."
The Demon King clutches his forehead as he sees three of the chains stretching out in all four directions heading towards the Demon King's territory.
I wonder if it is painful...?
"D-Demon King...?"
"Demon King-sama...? Doesn't that hurt?"
"Muh, don't worry... I think I've managed to get the general direction."
No, even if you tell me not to worry...!?
I don't know what's happening to the Demon King, but I can tell that something is not normal.
While we and Koga and the others were unable to move, the Demon Lord suddenly grabbed the chain that was tied to him with his bare hands ——— and tore it off carelessly.
The chains made an ear-splitting clang, and Ciel-san, who was nearby, ran over with a pale face.
"Demon King-sama?! A-Are you okay?! Is it okay to tear that off?!"
"It hurts"
"No, even if you say that with an expressionless face...!"
It just plain hurts...
But the Demon King himself doesn't look like he's in pain at all because he is expressionless.
"If I don't do this, I won't be able to leave the Demon King's territory."
He tore off all seven chains, and the chains, which were made of something like magic power, disappeared as if dissolving into the air.
Having seen it all off to the end, the Demon King let out a sigh of relief and turned to look at us as if nothing had happened.
"Hey, hurry up and let's go."
"Excuse me, can I hit you once...?"
"Calm down, Usato! I understand how you feel, but you're up against the Demon King-sama!"
With Koga holding me in a headlock, I suppress the urge to hit the Demon King.
First, you should explain what happened, right...!?
After all, it's us who will have to report back to Lloyd and the others later...!
The mission of watching over the Demon King began with many uncertainties at the start.
I wonder if things will go well from here...
——— read on seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———
Author's Notes:
A quick strengthening.
During the battle at the Demon King's Castle, Leona had reached the assimilation line of Ferrum around the time she had stalled Amira.
- Ice Leg Armor
This weapon reflects Usato's determination to "reach the injured, no matter where they are."
The leg armor covering both feet freezes any location and turns it into a path.
Like the gauntlet, its offensive capabilities are low.
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