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

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TL Notes:
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Chapter 312


　Regarding the members joining me on the trip to the Demon King's territory, Blurin was already chosen.
　Having Blurin along would be helpful for me in various ways, and more importantly, since monsters seem closer to demons than humans do, I thought Blurin might serve as a sort of mascot.
　Then, the other member was Ururu-san, recommended by Rose.
　I heard Rose had already spoken to her, but I felt I needed to talk to her myself first, so today I made my way to the clinic where she works.

"Has Nack ever been to the clinic?"
"Yes. A few times."

　Also, today I brought Nack along for a separate matter from the one with Ururu-san.

"So you seem to have a general sense of the atmosphere here, then."
"Yes, both Olga-san and Ururu-san were incredibly kind and treated me, a newcomer, very kindly."

　Ururu-san seems to really dote on Nack, doesn't she?

"It feels kind of strange, somehow."
"Hm? What is?"
"Just walking around town like this."
"Hahaha. Yeah, I guess. In our case, it's actually so rare that people get surprised."

　I gave a wry smile at Nack's words.
　People often get surprised when they see me not running, since the Rescue Squad has this image of always being on the run.

"People are surprised when I just run normally."
"Eh, why?"
"Because I'm not carrying Blurin on my back, that's why."
"Ah, so you and Blurin are a set..."

　Somehow, it's almost like being treated as a Lingle Kingdom specialty.
　Like, a guy running with a bear on his back, or something.

"What about you, Nack..."
"Yes?"

　Suddenly, looking at Nack walking beside me, I remember his circumstances.
　Remembering, I hesitated for a moment before deciding to ask.

"I wonder if there's been any contact from your family?"
"..."

　His parents are nobles.
　They were the ones who abandoned him, based solely on his magic talent, and sent him to Lucvis's academy.

"A letter has arrived."
"...It seems like it wasn't very good."

　Nack's face, rather than being expressionless, had a slightly gloomy look on his face, and I could tell.

"They seemed curious about how things were going here. What I was doing with the rescue squad, how much my magic had improved..."
"That is..."
"I get it. Probably just that kind of thing. I did get my hopes up a little. But they haven’t changed."

　The perception of healing mages is changing.
　I'm aware that the one that started it all was the Rescue Squad, but were they trying to probe the inner workings of the Rescue Squad through Nack?
　I want to believe it was a letter purely out of concern for Nack... but judging by Nack's expression, that seems unlikely.

"There wasn't a single word of concern, you know. From the start, it was all about what I was doing in the rescue squad, or how powerful my healing magic had become. They just wrote down everything they wanted to ask, expecting my reply as a matter of course."
"..."

　This is too painful...
　I lightly place my hand on Nack's head as he smiles weakly.

"Well then, shall we storm your family home as they wished?"
"Ehh!?"
"If they want to see the inner workings of the Rescue Squad, we could give them a proper demonstration. Put the monstrous guys up front, and they won’t dare complain or interfere, right?"

　Well, that was a bit of a joke, of course.
　But if Rose gives the go-ahead, who knows?

"Nack. If anything tough happens, talk to us, okay?"
"..."
"You're an official rescue squad member now. If anything happens, we'll protect you."

　Those monstrous guys would probably be the first to step up and protect Nack.
　Unlike when it was my time, they've grown fond of Nack.

"You might be up against nobles?"
"Try saying that to the Commander's face"
"They're not even worth considering."

　Nack changes his mind instantly.
　Honestly, someone who can openly defy the leader head-on seems pretty rare.

"Ah, but... Among my parents' letters, there was one from my little sister, too. Seems she hid it and slipped it in."
"Isn't that good?"
"Yes. But I feel like I’ve only ever made her lonely. I was thinking maybe I should have Mina, who’s in Lucvis, send something to her instead."
"Mina?"
"She and my little sister were always close."

　The situation surrounding this kid is a bit too complicated, isn't it?
　I have to be there for him, at least while I'm here.
　And to do that, first of all——

"Alright, we've arrived."

　I need to help him improve his healing skills.
　Stopping in front of the clinic, I looked at Nack beside me and resolved myself to it once more.

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

　Upon entering the clinic, Olga-san and Ururu-san greeted us.
　We were invited into the reception room at the back of the clinic. As we were urged to sit down, I and Nack took our seats. Before us, a gentle-looking man, Olga-san, sat down in a chair.

"Welcome, Usato-kun and Nack-kun."
"Y-Yes..."
"I'm glad to see you're doing well, Olga-san."

　Hearing that four of the five healing mages from the Kingdom of Lingle were gathered here, I couldn't help but think, even now, how incredible that was.

"Is today's business about Ururu?"
"Yes. And there's one more thing besides that."
"Hmm... Then let's wait until Ururu brings the tea. Let's have some small talk in the meantime."

　First, let's wait for Ururu-san to arrive.
　Well, it's not like we're in such a rush...

"I heard you fought against Rose-san's subordinates during the meeting."
"...Yes. Did you know about them, Olga-san?"
"I didn't know them personally, but they were well-known in the Kingdom of Lingle."

　Well, if they're Rose's subordinates, they're probably famous for both good and bad reasons.
　I've heard rumors about them from Lloyd-sama and Sigrus-san.

"It really was tough, wasn't it."
"Yes, it was quite a challenge when they worked together to bring out each other's strengths and compensate for one another's weaknesses. And next time we encounter them, the same tactics might not work..."

　What's surprising is that Auru-san is the only one with a will of her own.
　If all of them had proper wills, I might have been the one to lose.

"Hai, Ha~i, welcome. Usato-kun, Nack-kun."

　As we were having that conversation, Ururu-san, who had been preparing the tea, came over.
　She handed us cups of tea and sat down next to Olga-san.

"...Hm? Did you talk about something?"
"Nah, nothing worth worrying about. ...Well, since Ururu's here now, let's get down to business."
"Right"

　One of the reasons I came here.
　That is to ask if Ururu-san would accompany me as one of the members dispatched to the Demon King's territory.

"The Demon King's territory, huh... It's not that I'm not interested, but..."
"If it's impossible, you don't have to force yourself. I don't want to drag you along against your will either."
"I'm sorry. I'd love to help, but I'm in charge of this place too."

　Although we are prepared to take every precaution, it is true that there are risks.
　I have absolutely no intention of forcing Ururu-san to go to a place like that.

"Ururu, why don't you just go and not worry about me?"
"...Eh, onii-chan, are you serious? What about this clinic?"

　Unexpected encouragement from Olga-san.
　Not just me and Nack, but Ururu-san was surprised too.

"You're a bit too overprotective of me, and too careless about yourself. Since this is a good chance, why not try acting without thinking about me or the clinic?"
"Onii-chan, I'm worried you'll get all weak without me..."
"Hmm, hold on a sec, Ururu. Now I'm getting worried about just how weak you think I am."

　It's no wonder that Olga-san thinks she's being overprotective.
　Sure, Olga-san is physically frail, but it shouldn't affect his daily life that much.
　...But for Ururu, Olga-san is family... Hmm.

"Besides, if you keep worrying about me forever, you'll never even find a good person, you know?"
"Don't worry! I'll make sure Usato-kun takes care of me when that time comes!"
"Eh?"
"...I see. Well, I guess I don't need to worry then."
"!?"

　While watching the two of them interact and sipping my tea, a stray bullet came flying out of nowhere.
　And what's more, Olga-san accepted it without any resistance whatsoever.
　A-Am I hallucinating?! Is this exchange an auditory hallucination?!

"N-Nack?"
"The tea is delicious... Yes, it's delicious..."

　He's staring at the tea and trying not to get involved in the conversation...!?

"So what about the clinic? Patients will still come, and I think it'll be tough for onii-chan to handle it all alone..."
"Well, that is a concern. But I'll be fine as long as I don't push myself too hard."
"That's such a vague answer..."

　Ururu-san placed her hand on her forehead in a troubled manner, while Olga-san smiled helplessly.
　P-Putting my own concerns aside, it seems like quite a few people are visiting the clinic, so I can understand why she's worried about Olga-san's health.

"I-I'll help Olga-san!"
"!"
"Nack-kun...?"

　Suddenly, Nack beside me spoke up to the two of them.
　Olga-san and Ururu-san looked at him in shock, and Nack came back to his senses and looked at me.

"Ah, Usato-san..."
"It's okay. Just tell them what you want to do. It's fine. I'm here for you."

　I was actually planning to bring it up after this, but if Nack wants to say it of his own volition, then that's better.

"I-I'm still inexperienced as a healing magician, so I came here today to learn about healing magic from Olga."

　To hone healing magic, the best place is with Olga-san, who excels at its use far more than Rose and I.
　That's what I thought, so I brought Nack with me, but...

"So, if you're feeling anxious about being alone, Olga-san, I can't exactly replace Ururu-san... but I thought it would be good if I could help... so..."
""...""
"While Ururu-san and Usato-san are on that important mission in the Demon King's territory, I'll help you at the clinic, Olga-san! If needed, I'll stay overnight and do it properly, and I'll train hard too...!"
""...""
"I-Is it no good?"

　Seeing Nack think and act for himself made me keenly aware of how much he'd grown.
　Olga-san, who had been listening silently to what Nack was saying, called out the name of Ururu-san, who was also listening.

"Ururu"
"If Nack-kun says it that much, I guess I have no choice but to give in. ...Nack-kun!"
"Y-Yes!?"

　Startled by his name being called out of nowhere, Nack shuddered. Leaning forward across the table, Ururu-san strokes his head.

"Moh, you've grown a bit since I last saw you. I wonder if you take after Usato-kun in that way?"
"Th-Thank you..."

　Ururu-san looks delighted watching Nack's growth.
　Of course, as his master, I am very proud of him.
　...Well, he really has grown, hasn't he.

"Fufu. Usato-kun, I'll be joining you on your mission to the Demon King's territory, so please take care of me!"
"Yes. I look forward to working with you as well."

　Ururu-san has been selected as one of the members to be dispatched.
　With her monstrous communication skills, she should be able to get along easily with the demons.
　Well, that aside...

"Nack, wanna grab something tasty on the way home?"
"Eh, i-is that... okay?"
"Hmph, keep it a secret from Nea and Ferum, okay?"
"Usato-kun sure has a soft side for Nack-kun... Well, I know Tong and the others are like that too."

　This isn't being soft.
　It's more like a just reward for Nack's growth.

"Ururu-san, there's no need to worry."
"Eh, about what?"
"I always put my heart into being strict during training."
"But I can't help but worry...!? And Nack-kun is nodding along too!?"

　After that, Nack and I stopped by a street stall recommended by Ururu-san on our way back to try some food that was reputed to be delicious... but thanks to Nea and Ferum's sharp instincts and keen sense of smell, they found out that we had eaten something delicious on the way home, which caused another commotion.

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

Author's Notes:
Nack has grown considerably.
Even Nack, for his part, had made up his mind about certain things.