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

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Interlude: A Moment on the Way Back


This time will be a side story.

Amira's point of view.

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

　For the demon race, this meeting held special significance.
　It was intended to determine the future treatment of demons, with topics including human perceptions of demons and the current circumstances facing the demon race.
　The outcome was likely quite favorable.
　Though distrust toward demons still lingers, some understanding was gained.
　And so, we boarded a ship for a brief two-day voyage back to the Demon King's territory.

"I wonder what will happen to the demons from now on..."

　I suddenly muttered this to myself as I walked around the ship.
　I should be fulfilling my duty as a guard under Demon King-sama, but he himself told me, “Forget about guarding. You should rest.”
　I understood these words came from concern for my constant toil, so I wasn't particularly shocked. Yet, I'm not as easygoing as Koga, and feeling somewhat dejected, I walked toward the cabin assigned to me on the ship.

"...Hn?"

　Is someone sitting on the deck?
　Seeing the figure sitting cross-legged with an owl perched on his head, I immediately recognized who it was. Without really thinking, I headed over that way.

"Amira-san?"
"?!"

　I was startled when Usato turned toward me after muttering that.
　Maybe he sensed my presence...? Well, that might be part of it, but he knew it was me even before he saw me...

"What's wrong?"
"Just passing by. ...What are you doing here?"
"Nea wants to learn more about magic perception, so she's practicing it here."
『I'm here too』

　Maybe it's because on the deck you won't get in the way of other people.
　... It's a bit late to say this now, but he really is a strange one. This guy.

"You're quite the training enthusiast."
『He's just someone who loves training』

　Release the assimilation, Ferum emerges from Usato.
　Usato addresses her as she leans against the deck railing.

"No, this time it was Nea's request. I was just reading in my room. Besides, you assimilated without me noticing, didn't you."
"H-Ha? I got permission."
"Is that so...?"

　Ferum tilted her head slightly, twirling a strand of her silver hair as she spoke. Usato tilted his head in response.

"Hmm. I guess I just ignored it."
"Mm, that's right."

　... That's definitely not the case.
　Watching Ferum, who showed no hesitation about assimilation, and Usato, who didn't seem to care at all, I felt slightly repulsed. Nea, who had transformed from an owl into human form, shrugged her shoulders in exasperation.

"Your magic detection range is quite wide, about 10 meters in radius. Over time, wind might affect it, but within that range, you can sense the presence of any living creature and react to moving inanimate objects too."
"That's pretty narrow..."
"No, I don't think it's narrow."

　At least for Usato, whose combat relies primarily on his fists, it's a sufficient range.
　From my perspective, it's quite troublesome that Usato, with his astonishing reflexes and close-quarters combat skills, possesses the ability to completely detect an enemy's approach and attack.

"That means you wouldn't know unless the devil got that close... Hmm, ah, right."

　As if struck by an idea, Usato creates a magic bullet in his palm.
　He then enveloped it in a membrane-like layer of magic before handing it to Ferum.

"Ferum, take this and get away from me, okay?"
"What is this?"
"Healing Explosive Bullet"
"What the hell are you giving me?!"

　Ferum raised her voice as she received the magic bullet with the ominous name.

"No, even though it's called an explosive bullet, it's not that powerful. The magical power just spreads lightly. Once it's away from me, smash it into the ground and break it."
"You're sure about this, right? It's not dangerous, is it?"

　She stood about ten meters away from us, still hesitant, then nervously slammed the magic bullet in her hand onto the floor.
　With a small pop, the magic bullet shattered, scattering particles into the air.

"Fuh... I see."

　Usato, who had been closing his eyes, grinned.

"Nea. It seems I've awakened to a new technique. If I were to name it... Yes, Healing Sensor..."
"You can do this just by throwing a healing magic bullet, so you don't need to give it a name, right?"

　Usato hung his head at Nea's words.
　The range of the healing magic extends to the area where the magic bullet landed... It's become a technique that relentlessly pursues nothing but cornering the devil.
　Having mastered my master's techniques and the profound secrets of magic, I never imagined I would learn anything from a human...

"Is there any trick to that magic circulation?"
"A trick? Hmm, I guess it’s not overthinking it."

　When I pressed him a little further, he crossed his arms and frowned.
　After glancing around and nodding once, he looked up.

"If you think of the magic flowing through your entire body as a river, then the magic bullets you create are like boats. The boat just prompts its destination, but it's the river's current that propels it forward. Visualizing it that way might make it easier to understand."
"Fumu. I appreciate that."

　In other words, the moving magic bullets are merely a guide; what's important is the flow of magic itself.
　A technique that accelerates the flow of magic and develops the very ability to sense it.
　It requires a great deal of practice to get to that point, but...it's interesting.

"Changing the subject..."
"Yes?"

　Suddenly remembering something I'd meant to ask, I decided to bring it up now.

"You said you'd be coming to the Demon King's territory soon. Have you been told what you'll be doing?"
"In broad terms. Reporting on the situation there and supporting the demons... that sort of thing..."

　To put it bluntly, it's surveillance.
　I sensed he'd chosen his words carefully, so I didn't press the point and spoke instead.

"Personally, I find it easier to deal with you than someone I don't know. I won't object."
"Haha, thank you."
"There will be chaos though..."
"I guess so..."

　During the battle in the city, the soldiers mistook Usato for a devil.
　Hannah was also traumatized for a while.
　She clearly doesn't like Usato, so she'll probably be frightened if she finds out about the dispatch.

"Personally, I wanted to see Keira... Ah, she is the dark mage child I met during my journey, so I was planning on going to the Demon King's territory anyway."
"The dark mage child? Um... Are you sure that’s safe?"

　Dark mages children tend to be mentally unstable.
　I was worried that there might be a risk that the dark magic would go out of control, but Usato shook his head with a wry smile.

"Don't worry. She's got a solid grasp on dark magic now. In fact, she was so dedicated that she even went to Koga to study it."
"Is that so..."
"I wonder why she's so enthusiastic..."
"This guy is attracting it like crazy..."

　I noticed Ferum and Nea whispering about something... Could this fellow possess some ability that influences dark mages...

"I'd also like to talk to Nero Agence..."
"...I heard he nearly killed you. Are you sure you're okay?"

　Usato looked momentarily puzzled at my question.

"Hahaha, I'm used to that sort of thing from the Commander."
"...Fuh, I see, that's what it is. I asked a silly question."

　There were many times when I prepared myself for death while training with my master...
　If Usato is the same, then my earlier question was meaningless.

"Wait, this conversation shouldn't make sense, yet it does."
"We're similar in the sense that we both have dangerous masters..."

　Both of us have extraordinary teachers.
　And considering we both had a history, it's not as if I feel nothing about it...

"In the end, I never actually fought you."
"Eh, didn't we fight in the Demon King's Castle?"
"Something like that can’t even be called a fight"

　Rather, my real battle was against Leona afterward.
　I had learned of Usato's existence during the second invasion to the Lingle Kingdom, but in the end, the war ended without us having to fight him.
　It's not that I wanted the war to continue, but as a warrior, I do have some lingering regret about never getting to fight that healing mage who defied all common sense.

"How about we try a sparring match when you get to the Demon King's territory?"
"As long as it's not a fight to the death, I am fine with it"
"It's settled then."

　Well, that gives me something to look forward to.
　Then, Nea spoke to Usato, who was sitting on the floor.

"Are you sure? Making such a rash promise."
"It's not a life-or-death fight, just a sparring match. It's part of our exchange with the demon race, so I see no reason to refuse."

　I guess I'll be heading back to my room soon.
　Just as I thought this, I pulled myself away from the railing I'd been leaning against and started to walk off, only to notice Ferum looking up at me from right beside me.
　I was unsettled by the fact that she was rather short and was staring at me.

"Wh-what's the matter, Ferum?"
"Alright, you're different."
"...What is it?"
"For the first time, I'm glad you're a tomboyish muscle-brained swordsman."
"Isn't that a bit too harsh...?"

　I was insulted more than I had ever experienced before.
　And the fact that she isn't even aware of it leaves me unsure whether I should be angry or depressed.

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

Author's Notes:
For now, he can easily find out the location and number of people by simply casting a healing magic wherever he thinks someone might be.
Now he can find injured people who are out of sight...!