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

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Interlude: To My Hometown


This time, it's from Kannagi's perspective.

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

　Hisago was like a father to me.
　It began when he saved me as a child; I was about to be sacrificed as bait against the beasts attacking the human kingdom. That's how I came to be given the name Kannagi.
　I'm also indebted to him for saving my life.
　I'm also indebted to him for giving me a name when I didn't have one before.
　However, that being said, I seriously cannot forgive him for sealing me away so suddenly.
　It's also my fault for not realizing how cornered Hisago had been.
　But... at the very least, I wish he'd asked my permission.
　I never even said goodbye to my big sister, nor did I meet her husband.
　What's more, I ended up waking up in this era after hundreds of years, still only 18 years old.
　...Well, to be honest, I have no complaints about the encounters I had in this era, but I still feel nothing but resentment towards Hisago.

"...The forest hasn't changed at all."

　We crossed the river from Mialaak and advanced into the beastfolk's territory.
　Mounted on horses that had been brought to the opposite shore in advance, I rode along the mountain path toward the beastfolk's country, Hinomoto.

"Does it still feel nostalgic?"

　Amako, riding beside me, asked that.
　With Rinka riding next to her, it seemed the two friends were chatting amiably.

"The forest scenery, you see. I already knew what Hinomoto looked like from Usato's gauntlet, so I'm somewhat familiar with it."
"Now that you mention it, that's true. It feels a bit strange to think that whole commotion happened less than a year ago."
"If you say so, isn't the series of events Usato and you got involved in pretty much the same thing?"
"You're right."

　Just judging by the short sword and gauntlet alone, it's quite something.
　The battle against the evil dragon awakened in the modern age.
　The curse of Samarial.
　Karon, awakened to the power of the dragon, and out of control.
　The rebellion of Jinya, leader of Hinomoto.
　At the very least, just by the time they begin their journey, they've already been caught up in this much turmoil.

"Hey, Amako."
"Hmm? What? Rinka."
"Was Usato always that strong from the start? Like, stronger than most beastmen?"
"...Ah~"

　Amako seemed a bit hesitant to speak.
　To be honest, that part had been on my mind too.
　I know he was placed in the Rescue Squad right after being summoned to this world, but I don't know what he did after that.

"I don't really know much about when Usato joined the Rescue Squad. But I remember it being a huge topic around town because it was so rare for someone to join there."
"It was that rare, huh."

　Well, they are a crazy group, after all, with that much training...
　Even from my perspective, those guys in black have seriously impressive physical abilities.

"At first, they said Usato was just a normal human, but judging by how Rose-san was so enthusiastic about him, I think he probably wasn’t normal."
"You say it outright..."
"Because it's Usato."

　It's somehow strange that those words actually made sense to me.
　I feel like his mental health started to really take hold when he got caught up in the schemes of the wicked Samarial sorcerer, whom I was trying to put an end to.
　That sorcerer received his just deserts, exactly as Hisago said.

"The first time we consciously met face-to-face was probably... when I was minding the shop. Rose-san... I think it was before Usato's boss threw him into the forest where the beasts live."
"Wait a minute, isn't that strange...!!"
"...Rinka, did I say something strange?"
"Your senses are numb, Amako!"

　Hayate-san and the guards, who had been listening casually, turned toward us in surprise.

"It seems to be a nostalgic memory for Usato."
"Nostalgic!? It's not a nightmare or something?!"
"Well, it was also the reason he met Blurin. ...Apparently, he was told not to come back until he defeated the Grand Grizzly, so he was alone in the forest for about ten days."
"What the hell is the Rescue Squad even for...?"

　Listening to the stories about the Rescue Squad, I realized that organization's impression is that they test everything necessary for an emergency situation.
　They conduct training that includes placing themselves in extreme conditions, ensuring they can respond even if the worst happens, and applying that to the real thing.
　It's a grueling training policy that could be said to be based entirely on the existence of healing magic.

"I think Usato's techniques started going crazy after he began throwing healing magic. ...Though there was the healing punch before that... but that seems to be a technique he learned from Rose-san."
"When you hear ‘healing magic,’ it sounds like no big deal, but when Usato casts it, it's terrifying, right? Honestly, it was absolutely terrifying."
"That was just karma for Rinka suddenly firing an arrow."
"Urgh..."

　As we exchanged such small talk, we soon found ourselves arriving at the deep forest surrounding Hinomoto.
　Leading our horses, we made our way through the thick canopy of trees that blocked out the sunlight, finally reaching Hinomoto.
　Once we entered town, Amako and I parted ways with Hayate-san and the others, and decided to head to her house in the city to meet her mother.

"Is it okay? For me to come over to your place."
"Mm. I heard it's pretty spacious, and I figured it might be good for Kannagi to have someone she knows around."
"You're probably right. Thanks."
"Also, I'm kinda curious how Mom will react."
"Yeah."

　You are curious after all...
　True, Amako and I probably look like sisters at first glance.
　Feeling slightly exasperated, I turn my gaze back to the streets of Hinomoto.
　The tranquil scenery where wooden houses blend with nature.

"...I knew it, but it's completely different from the era I was in, isn't it."
"Well, it's been hundreds of years."
"But this scenery is what the beastfolk wanted at the time..."

　A place untouched by strife or malice.
　Hinomoto is a realm reserved solely for beastfolk, beyond the reach of human hands.
　...Thinking about it now, I'm glad that Jinya's plot to use Amako and her mother ended in failure.

"We're here."
"...It's quite a big house..."

　We arrived at a particularly large wooden building.
　Perhaps because she was one of the few foresight mages, guards were stationed there, and security seemed tight.

"Welcome back, Amako-sama. Hayate-sama has informed us of your arrival."
"I'm home. Is my Mom inside?"
"Yes. She just returned to the residence a moment ago..."

　The spear-wielding female soldier nodded at Amako's words.
　Somehow, her expression seemed haggard.

"Mom messed up again, didn't she..."
"She said she wanted to celebrate Amako-sama's return today and was all fired up about cooking by herself... Then before we knew it, she just wandered off alone to buy ingredients..."
"I'm sorry..."
"No, it's nothing unusual."

　...Kanoko-san really is an unusual person.
　To be honest, the way her personality and absent-mindedness are just like my big sister's... she really is her descendant, after all...

"Well, let's go, Kannagi."
"Mm..."

　I took off my shoes and entered the mansion.
　Suddenly, as if she had heard our arrival, a woman came from the back, making a flapping sound.
　She was Kanoko-san, a fox beastman like Amako and me, with ears and a tail, and long golden hair reaching to her waist.

"Welcome back~, Amako."
"I-I'm home, mom."

　With a gentle smile and a look of pure joy, she wrapped her arms wide around Amako and pulled her close.
　As I watched Amako blush shyly, though clearly not displeased, feeling warmed by the scene, Kanoko-san's gaze, still holding Amako in her embrace, turned toward me.

"Welcome home. You've grown so much, Amako."
"Mom, I'm still right here in your arms."
"...Ara?"
"No, don't “ara” me."

　Isn't she a bit more airhead than I expected...?
　Kanoko-san looked startled as she watched Amako just go along with it, then put her hand to her cheek.

"Is she Amako's child?"
"She's older than me, though."
"...Could she be my other daughter? I have no memory of her, though..."
"Of course not, that's impossible."
"Could it be that that person... kept quiet about the fact that he had a secret child...?!"
"Please don't drag Dad into this, he's in heaven now..."

　She is beyond airhead...!
　The way she keeps spouting wild guesses that don't even come close is seriously messed up.

"Ara? Then perhaps you're sisters? Fufufu, Amako always wanted an older sister."
"...That's right."
"Amakoo!? Don't give up on explaining!"

　Before things get any more complicated, I need to explain this, or it'll turn into a real mess!
　Feeling threatened by Amako's increasingly apathetic attitude, I hurried off to explain the situation to Kanoko-san.

"Actually..."

　I desperately explained through gestures and facial expressions.
　That I was the younger sister of Amako and Kanoko-san's ancestors, sealed away hundreds of years ago.
　That after being sealed, I was rescued by Usato and the others, leading to the present.
　Kanoko sat upright and listened with a smile on her face, and as I asked her questions to make sure she understood——,

"Well then, starting today, Kannagi-chan is my daughter, okay."

　Somehow, I’d been made Kanoko-san’s daughter.
　...Wait, even without thinking about it, why!?

"If we share the same bloodline, we're practically relatives, right? Doesn't that make us like family?"
"Ah, no, well, um... you see..."

　Having lost both parents before I could even remember, Kanoko-san's completely unexpected response left me stumbling over my words.
　W-What?! This mixed feeling of confusion and joy?!

"Kannagi, you should give up."
"Ah, is Amako okay with that...?"
"It's Mom after all. Besides, from Kannagi's position, it's better for you to be taken in here with me and Mom."

　That's true, but still.
　Even if I'm weakened, I'm still a foresight wizard, so it's better to establish my position here.

"Looks like we've settled things. From now on, pleasure to meet you, Kannagi-chan."
"... P-Pleasure to meet you."

　Still sitting in seiza, I bow as well.
　In the blink of an eye, I'd been turned into her daughter...

"Well then, shall we have a meal soon? I knew Amako would be coming home with Kannagi-chan, so I made plenty."

　I unexpectedly got excited at the thought of a meal.
　Feeling embarrassed, I stood up, and suddenly I was overcome with the sensation that my consciousness was being pulled back into the depths of my being.
　That feeling I get sometimes, when another me takes control of my body.
　What the hell are you doing? I wondered, without much caution, when the other me slowly stepped forward and hugged Kanoko-san.

"Ara?"
"~~~!?"

　W-What the hell are you doing, other meeeee?
　And after hugging her, you switch consciousness back to me? That’s seriously messed up!?

"Ara ara."
"Kannagi, were you that starved for family love...?"

　While Amako looked at me with eyes full of pity, Kanoko-san, who seemed amused by my sudden embrace, stroked my hair.

"U-U-U-Uhm, this is..."
"There's no need to be shy. We're family now."
"~~...!!"

　Unable to bear that gaze of compassion any longer, I collapsed onto the tatami with a thud.
　T-The me inside me! You better be prepared for what's coming lateeeer!

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

Author's Notes:
Kannagi becomes Kanoko's daughter (!?)
As the other Kannagi, it feels like she has been swept up in this strange sense of family, leading her to act in ways she doesn't quite understand herself.