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

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Chapter 302


　It's the day of the Allied Nations meeting.
　The venue used for the meeting was enormous.
　It was several times larger than the Lukvis facility used for the Four Kingdoms meeting, and security was extremely tight. Under these conditions, no one could enter by ordinary means.
　Furthermore, from Nea's words, I understood that the protection provided by Falga-sama's magic was also in place, and that security in that area was also tight.
　The Demon King, who held a key position in the talks, was escorted to a special room within the venue, unlike the other participants.
　Senpai and I stood guard outside the room where they were held until the talks were set to begin.

"A lot of people came..."
"Right~."

　I'm wearing my usual squad uniform.
　Senpai is wearing her current formal attire as a hero, which is mainly white.

"If I recall correctly, Hayate-san and the others are also being escorted to the special room, right?"
"And Frana's father. Seems the elf clan chief is the same. ... No other demi-humans have come, but the fact that beastmen and elves are here is quite unusual."

　Indeed.
　That just shows how deeply rooted discrimination against demi-humans is.
　But even so, it's an issue I'll have to confront someday.
　I can't turn a blind eye to it.

"Puha~."
"Nea, don't go outside."

　The little owl that popped out of me, fluttering its wings, landed on my shoulder.

"This spot's fine, isn't it? Don't worry, I'll be good by the time the meeting starts."
"That's fine then... Will Ferrum do the same?"
『Nah, it might get complicated for me. I'll just stay like this.』

　The dark magic is assimilated and changes into a shape that covers the lining and up to the neck without showing on the outside of the uniform.
　This ensures it remains undetectable to others even when activated, allowing for immediate response to unforeseen situations.

"Amako will be coming too, so wouldn't it be better if that girl assimilated with you as well? This is exactly the kind of situation where Amako's abilities shine." (Suzune)
"...You're absolutely right. I'll ask her when she arrives."
"It's kind of unusual for Suzune to say something like that." (Nea)
"That's surprising." (Ferrum)

　Senpai gave a small smile to Nea and Ferrm, who were genuinely surprised.

"That means I'm being serious too. I'm keeping my wits about me more than usual."
"I wish you'd always be like that..."
"That's asking too much. The serious me only lasts for short periods, you see."
"Looks like you've already let your usual self out..."

　As we exchanged such light banter, a hooded group passed through the corridor we were guarding.
　Walking at the front were Frana-san and Kazuki?
　Just as I was guessing that Kazuki was probably accompanying them as an escort from human, Kazuki and Frana-san noticed us and came over here.

"Ah, Usato, senpai."
"You seem to be doing well, Kazuki-kun. Is he Frana's?"
"Mm. That's right. Dad, these two are fine."

　Frana-san nodded and removed her hood, the man beside her also uncovered his face.
　Under the hood was the long ears characteristic of elves, the same cream-colored hair as Frana-san, and a handsome face.
　The elf man, who appeared to be in his twenties, narrowed his eyes somewhat suspiciously.

"Elf tribe, Chieftain Luluga. My daughter has told me much about you."
"I am Inukami Suzune, the hero of the Lingle Kingdom."
"Same, I'm Usato Ken, Vice-Commander of the Rescue Squad."
"..."

　H-He frowned at us with a terrible look on his face.
　It was exactly as I expected, or rather, it was a slightly scary reaction as our eyes locked for a moment, causing senpai and I to twitch.
　Perhaps noticing this, Frana-san pushed her father, Luluga, and laughed nervously.

"H-Hahaha, sorry about that. Dad's just a bit of a scaredy-cat, so he's probably shrinking inside like crazy. Don't take it badly, okay!"
"Don't say anything unnecessary. What if they underestimate me?"
"These two wouldn't do that, so it's fine."

　So he was just being cautious, normally.
　Well, if he's not hostile, that's fine.
　Just as I was feeling casually relieved, an elf came up to me.
　She appeared to be a short, elderly woman.

"Mu, mumumu."
"Eh, eh? Eh?"
"You're that healing mage, aren't you?"
"Y-Yes... Nice to meet you."

　I'll just say hello for now.
　The old elf woman, who had been staring intently at my face, seemed satisfied with something she'd decided on her own and stepped back.

"Luluga. There's no need to be wary of them."
"Is that so?"
"Both the Thunder Hero and the White Healer are trustworthy individuals. Besides, it seems there's another someone mixed in with this Usato fellow."
"!"
『Did she notice me?』

　I'm surprised that she was able to see through Ferrum's assimilation.
　The White Healer is definitely that, right.
　The elf fortune-teller mentioned it... So, the one in front of me is her.

"Even after overcoming trials, a strange fate still clings to you. Truly an intriguing individual. I've never seen anyone quite like you before."
"I-Is that a good thing...?"
"..."

　She got silence...!!
　It was as if the fortune teller had told me I had terrible luck, but hadn't explained exactly how bad it was.

"Can you do love fortune telling?" (Maybe Suzune)
"Impregnable"
"It's tougher than I expected!"

　What is it that they are trying to conquer by saying it is impregnable?
　It's supposed to be a love consultation, yet they're talking about conquering a fortress...?
　Then, perhaps becoming interested, Nea, on my shoulder, also spoke to the old woman.

"Hey, hey, what about me?"
"Impregnable"
"This is one of those things where only certain people get the same answer, right?!"
『If I did it, the result would be the same...』

　The fact that it's described in just one word makes it sound like the real deal.

"So, what about Usato?"
"...Trouble with women"
""This fortune teller is real...!""
"Oi, what's that supposed to mean?"

　It's true, but don't be convinced!
　It's not the same as foresight magic, but still, the fact that it keeps hitting the mark is amazing.

"Usato, about the meeting."
"Yeah, I understand, Kazuki. If something happens, we'll take the initiative."
"...Let's both be careful. I have a bad feeling about this."
"...Mm"

　Kazuki and I exchange glances and nod.
　I have a bad feeling about this, too.
　I know something will happen, but I won't know what it is until it actually happens.

"Well then, Usato, Senpai. I'll be guiding the elves from here on out, so see you later."
"See you later."

　I wave goodbye to the two of them and the other elves as they leave.
　They say elves live long lives, but even though Luluga-san looks like that, I wonder if he is over a hundred years old...

"U-SA-TO!"

　The voice came from the opposite direction Kazuki and the others had walked.
　I immediately noticed who it was and turned around, while simultaneously catching the beast girl, Rinka, who had jumped towards me.

"Let’s not jump on people the moment you encounter them, Linka."
"Eh, but Suzune-oneechan said this would make them happy."
"...Well, I guess Senpai will be happy about it."

　Right now, she's standing next to me, looking incredibly frustrated.
　Honestly, I wish she would stop putting strange ideas into a fourteen-year-old's head.
　As I gently set down Rinka, who had jumped onto me, Hayate-san and the others arrived, guided by a knight of Mialak from the direction she had come.
　Amako and Nagi-san were among them.

"Yaa, Usato."
"Hayate-san, were you okay on the way here?"
"There's no need to worry. The Mialak knights were here to guard us. And... well, Amako and Kannagi-dono were here, so it was a problem beyond worry."

　There are two people with foresight magic, after all.
　Whatever comes their way, they can handle it. And Nagi-san is as strong as Rose and Nero to begin with, so there's no worry about combat either.
　I bow apologetically to the two knights who had guided them, and begin to speak to them.
　First, I need to get permission from Hayate-san...

"Hayate-san, would it be alright if Amako joined us during the meeting?"
"Amako? But is that okay?"
"Ah, Usato, is that what you mean?"
"Mm"

　I nodded to Amako, who understood.

"What do you mean?"
"I'll explain now, Ferrum."
『It's okay』

　After calling out to Ferrum, Amako walked towards me and then sank into me, assimilating with me.
　Hayate-san and the others present, along with the knights of Mialak, stared at me with eyes full of surprise.

"Eh? Eh!?"
"It's not my own magic, but this way Amako can be present at the meeting."
『She can see it clearly from inside.』
"...I thought I was used to it, but you're truly an unexpected person. Hahaha. Okay, Amako, you should act together with Usato."
『Mm』

　Then, for some reason, Rinka jumped on me again.

"Eh, what?"
"I want to join in too!"
"It's not like some attraction or anything..."
『Sorry, Rinka. This Usato can only fit three people.』
"Eeeeh~? That's sooo unfair!!"

　What's this about me being a three-person ride?
　If I try hard, I can carry more than five injured people at once, so that's the wrong way to put it.
　I explain the situation to Rinka and ask her to leave.

"Will Nagi-san be speaking at the meeting?"
"Ah, mm. I think it'll be fine since Falga-sama will be there too... No, I'll be fine no matter what happens. I'm used to seeing human malice."
"Muryuuru?"
"Uwh, my inner self!?"

　After saying that, Nagi-san's head shook as if he had been hit by something.
　Her eyes changed color for just a moment before returning to normal, and she shook her hand in a slightly panicked manner.

"H-Hahaha, people of this era are different from my time, you see. I-I'm sorry for saying something that made you anxious!"
"Is that so? Thank you for your concern, the other Nagi-san as well."
"! M-Mm."

　Having been involved this far, I can tell that Nagi-san, the other personality, has given her some advice so as not to make us feel uneasy.
　While stopping senpai from trying to approach Nagi-san, wiggling her hands beside me, I then discuss the meeting with Hayate-san.
　During the meeting, Hayate-san himself will be treated solely as one representative, so it seems he won't be doing anything conspicuous.

"That's how it is. I'll have Rinka stay in her room with my subordinates, so I don't think there's anything major to worry about."
"I'll be quietly staying behind~..."
"Hahaha..."

　Actually, Amako would have done the same.
　Though sulking, Rinka didn't voice her selfishness.
　...We can't keep talking here forever.
　Seizing the moment to wrap up the conversation, I turned toward the knight of Mialak who was waiting.

"I'm sorry for taking your time."
"Don't worry! It's an honor for us!"
"I-I see..."

　The respectful gaze from the Mialak knights makes me feel uneasy.
　I suppose it's because of what happened with Karon-san, they feel indebted to me...
　After seeing them off with Hayate-san and the others, senpai and I return to guard duty.
　If I had to point out a difference from earlier, it would be that Amako is here now.

"I'll be counting on you again."
"Leave it to me."

　Amako, having temporarily released from assimilation, stands beside me with her hood pulled low over her eyes.
　Just as with foresight magic, having Amako as the command tower allows me to focus on the immediate task at hand and act accordingly.

"Well, everything here seems to be in order. All that's left is to wait for the meeting to begin."
"...It would be best if it ended without incident, though."
"Judging by the Demon King's demeanor, that might be difficult."

　The Demon King is predicting that something will happen...
　I'm incredibly uneasy because that devil might be involved.

"Maybe even Commander's subordinates."

　If they're using stolen corpses to resurrect them, things get even more complicated.
　At the very least, it's certain that something mentally taxing will happen for me.

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

Author's Notes:
No matter how I explain it, this assimilation ability remains incomprehensible...
The meeting will begin shortly.