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

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TL Notes:
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Chapter 315


　The second dormitory for the rescue squad is finally complete.
　Size-wise, it's probably about the same as the first dorm where I live, right?
　The women will be staying there, while the first dorm remains home to me, Nack, and the tough guys.
　For me, it's no big change since I'm still sharing a room with Tong, but it was kinda heartwarming seeing Ferum happy about getting his own room.
　It looks like the senpai can finally move into the dorm and start participating in proper training.

"Ferum! Nea! What a refreshing morning! Let's get up!!"

　That's the kind of cheerful voice I hear every morning from senpai as she wakes them both up.
　Senpai seems full of life, too, so joining the rescue squad must have been a positive move for her.

"The knights we’re going with will meet us at the outer gate, right?"
"Mm"
"Gru."

　And today is the day I'm dispatched to the Demon King's territory.
　Wearing my usual squad uniform, I walked the path to the clinic alongside Nea, Blurin, and Nack.

"Nack, we'll be parting ways at the clinic... but you seem fine, right?"
"Of course! I'll study healing magic diligently under Olga-san!"
"That's the spirit."

　I smiled too, lightly placing my hand on Nack's head as we walked side by side.

"Ferum was amazing~."
"Yes. Her desperation was incredible."

　Nea and Nack looked off into the distance.
　Ah, you mean when the rescue squad came to see us off before we left the dorm?
　Rose and the tough guys were their usual selves, but Ferum...

"Nea, Usato, please. Don't go, don't leave me behind..."
"Ferum, you shouldn't trouble Usato-kun too much, okay?"
"Right now, you're the one troubling me!!"

　Ferm, who found herself in the somewhat intense situation of living under the same roof as Rose and senpai, experienced a rare incident where she regressed slightly into childlike behavior.

"It's just that she can't be straight-up honest, so I don't think there's anything to worry about."
"Well, I suppose so. That girl's pretty twisted, and she just can't be honest with Suzune, you know."
"Ah, I kinda get it."

　Not only Nea, but Nack also looked convinced.
　As for senpai and Ferum, there's no need to worry too much about them.
　Right now, I need to focus on what I have to do.

"Ah, o~i! Usato-ku~n!!"

　Upon arriving at the clinic, Ururu-san and Olga-san were waiting in front of the building, waving their hands.
　Ururu-san was wearing a gray uniform and seemed to have her luggage ready.

"Olga-san, Ururu-san, good morning."
"Morning. Glad the weather's nice."
"Good morning!"

　After returning a cheerful greeting, Ururu-san turned to Nack.

"Nack, while I'm away, please take good care of onii-chan!"
"Yes!"
"Make sure he doesn't starve to death!"
"I'll do my best...! I'm good at cooking for myself...!"
"Hold on a second. Why are you assuming I won't eat anything?"

　Olga-san couldn't help but retort to Ururu-san, who was as overprotective as ever.
　Realizing it was meant as a joke, she laughed mischievously like a prankster, grabbed her luggage, and moved over to switch places with Nack.

"Well then, I'm off! Onii-chan!!"
"Yeah, have a good trip. Usato-kun, you take care of Ururu."
"Leave it to me...!"

　After bidding farewell to Nack and Olga-san, we headed toward the outer gate with Ururu joining us.
　It was still early morning, and we made our way through the deserted streets, quickly arriving at the outer gate. There, we found five knights, including Ark-san.
　It seemed we would travel to the Demon King's territory by horse, as eight horses stood near Ark-san and the others.
　They were probably meant for Ururu-san and me.

"Good morning!"
"Good morning, Ark-san. We'll be traveling by horse to the Demon King's territory, right."
"Yes. Traveling by carriage is still too dangerous, so we're going by horse."

　Well, having actually been to the Demon King's territory myself, I know the roads probably aren't properly maintained yet, so it can't be helped.

"Hey, you can't ride a horse, can you? What are we gonna do?"
"Hmph, Nea. I've got that covered."
"You're not seriously going to say running there is fine, are you?"
"..."
"Eh, did I hit the nail on the head?"

　Nea looked at me in amazement as I remained frozen with a smile.
　No, it's much easier for me to run than to ride a horse.
　I really should learn to ride soon... Maybe I'll practice in the Demon King's territory.

"Usato-kun, don't worry. I can ride a horse!"
"Yes?"
"You can ride behind me!!"

　My cheeks twitch at Ururu-san giving me a thumbs-up and saying that.
　Well, I guess in a way it's kind of embarrassing, or rather, it makes me feel mentally pathetic.

"I understand very well that Usato-dono cannot ride a horse."
"Ah, Ark-san..."
"Actually, I was asked by Rose-dono to bring something here..."

　As he said this, Ark-san took out a saddle from a nearby wooden box.
　However, it was about two sizes larger than a regular horse saddle.

"It's a custom saddle made specifically for Blurin."
"Oh!"
"Gruah...!"
"Since you have a closer bond with Blurin than you do with a horse, I don't think it'll be a problem."

　Blurin's eyes sparkled with a hint of excitement as he looked at the saddle made just for him.
　I thought that normally he wouldn't like this sort of thing, but he had worn the rescue squad-spec belt before, so maybe he actually liked it.
　I quickly put the saddle on Blurin's back and fastened it firmly without being too tight.

"You okay, Blurin?"
"Guaa!!"

　I nod at Blurin, who hits my leg as if to say, "It's fine!"
　This should be alright.
　I immediately climbed onto his back and noticed that there was a handle on the fixed saddle, which I grabbed onto to get on.

"It's kind of crazy that you can't ride a horse but can ride a Blue Grizzly..."
"Kurumia. If you're surprised by this much, I'm worried about what's going to happen next."
"I think you're way too used to it, Ark-kun...!"

　It's surprisingly stable.
　But even though I've ridden on Blurin's back a few times before, this is the first time I've actually ridden properly like this.

"Now that I think about it, there were more times when I ran with you on my back..."
"Gruaa."
"Yeah, I'm counting on you, partner...!!"
"Is this where I should make a retort?"

　Now we're ready to depart...!!

"Ark-san, the meeting point with the Nirvarna group is the bridge leading into the Demon King's territory, correct?"
"Yes. Once we meet up, we will enter the Demon King's territory, set up camp, and then proceed to the central city of Verhazal."

　It'll take about a day to reach the Demon King's territory, including breaks.
　We'll likely travel while interacting with the people of Nirvarna.
　Compared to our journey so far, it'll be over in a flash... but the real battle begins once we arrive...!!

"Just you wait, Demon King's territory...!!"
"Grah!"

　What I've decided to do in this world.
　To carry it out, I'm setting off now for the place where the demons dwell.

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

●

Hannah's POV

　Since the war ended with the defeat of the demon race, contrary to expectations, the treatment of demons hasn't been all that bad.
　That's probably partly because humans are now sizing up the demon race as a species, but a fair amount of supplies have also been sent through the Kingdom of Lingle, and life has become less difficult than before.
　...Well, even so, the situation in remote areas and such still hasn't changed.

"Well, it has nothing to do with me."

　The title of Third Corps Commander is now a thing of the past.
　Although my position has not yet been confirmed, I am working like a horse, doing as Amira-san tells me, and living in this thin layer of peace.
　Frankly speaking, it was peaceful.
　At least I don't have to fight any troublesome battles, and I have some breaks so I can indulge in my hobbies.

"Are you calling me, Demon King-sama?"
"Sorry to bother you, Hannah."

　As usual, I was compiling the documents regarding the supplies being sent from the Lingle Kingdom and their distribution, but I was suddenly summoned by the Demon King-sama.
　Is it something important?
　Judging by Demon King-sama's demeanor, it doesn't seem like I've done anything wrong...

"Have you heard that additional personnel will be arriving from the Kingdom of Lingle and the Kingdom of Nirvarna?"
"Yes. They are the ones entrusted with monitoring the Demon King's territory and reporting back. I also hear they are to assist our activities..."
"Exactly. We are sorely short-handed, after all. Considering the need to develop the ‘Monster Domain,’ we have come to require capable individuals from the human side as well."

　Monster Domain, a place teeming with monstrous creatures.
　Monster Domain, where monsters dwell in numbers incomparable to the Demon King's domain, a place so cursed that not a single human has ever lived there.
　I had heard it was a necessary place to develop, as it lies between the Beastfolk Country and our own, serving as a link between the two nations... but I never imagined we would need human hands to do it.

"So that means someone with considerable strength will be coming from the Kingdom of Lingle?"
"Yes. At the very least, someone who can compete with the corps commander will be coming."

　Is it a hero?
　Coming from the Lingle Kingdom, that's the only way to think about it.
　......
　No, no, no, that guy is in an organization called the Rescue Squad, so he probably won't show up that easily.
　From what I've heard, he's in a rather important position, like vice-commander.

"Fuh."
"Eh?"

　Didn't Demon King-sama laugh just now?
　Not a sneer or anything like that, but more like a look of delight.
　As I gave him a puzzled look, Demon King-sama gently waved his hand.

"Don't worry about it. Now then. Tomorrow, those personnel will arrive here. I intend to entrust you with assisting them."
"Assisting them? I don't mind..."

　Well, I don't really mind.
　But since I manipulated soldiers on the Lingle Kingdom side during the war to turn on each other, I don't think I'm the best choice.

"What? There's no need to do something so complicated. Just teach that guy who doesn't know his way around here a thing or two."

　...That guy?
　Would Demon King-sama ever address the Hero so casually?
　Without even attempting to hide his face brimming with delight, Demon King-sama leaned his elbows on the armrests, wearing an amused smile.

"Demon King-sama."
"What?"
"The person leading the incoming group...isn't a healing magician, is he?"

　What came back was a smile.
　A refreshingly bright smile that even made Ciel, who stood silently by his side, flinch slightly.

"Why is that person trying to come here...?"

　I asked, my voice trembling more than ever, and he answered immediately.

"His existence is essential for the future of the demons. Just to let you know, I'm not entrusting you with this role as an assistant just to harass you, okay?"
"I-I understand that, but..."
"Because, aside from Koga and Amira, you're the only one who can interact with him naturally."

　I couldn't argue with those words.
　After all, defying the Demon King-sama's orders is impossible, and I can certainly see the logic behind the personnel choices.
　Koga-kun would likely abandon his work entirely to challenge that healing mage Usato to a duel.
　As for Amira-san and Nero-san, they're already tied up with other tasks and too busy to spare the time.

"Haa..."

　As I trudge through the city, my head hurts.
　Usato is coming tomorrow.
　This fact will come as a shock to the demons as well.
　In that sense, the Demon King-sama likely permitted his visit... but it's nothing short of a potent poison.

"Ah, Hannah-san!!"

　...Here comes the annoying one.
　A petite girl named Nono Helestia approaches, waving her hand, wearing an utterly irritating smile.

"Well~, how are you?! Eh?! I'm doing fine!? I'm working hard every day with Shawn, delivering supplies and stuff! Man, it's great that we're finally getting food too!"
"..."

　I couldn't quite bring myself to tell her to shut up, so I just ignored Nono and kept walking ahead.
　In a way, this was like a regular exchange, and Nono walked alongside me.
　Before, I could have shooed her away as her superior, but now that the Demon King's army was gone, our positions were practically the same.

"Did something happen?"

　...Oh, right.
　It would be fine for me to continue dealing with this on my own, but it might be a good idea to get someone else involved.

"Nono"
"Yes?"
"If you help me with a little work, I'll buy you a meal——"
"I'll do it."

　She's still as gullible as ever, which is reassuring.
　But I'm amazed she's managed to survive this long despite being so careless.

"..."

　Overlapping Nono's figure with that of my little sister from long ago, I sighed again, sinking into self-loathing.
　When I'm already feeling down, I go and think about something even more depressing.
　Maybe I should just get some rest early today, for tomorrow's sake.

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

Author's Notes:
The shadow of the Lingle Kingdom is closing in on Nono...! (Tendon) (Note: repeating the same gag or silly line)