Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna
Source: Syosetu
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TL Notes:
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Chapter 318
Though Keira's dark magic unexpectedly sent us flying through the sky, we managed to encounter Koga, and for now, it seems we can head toward the Demon King's place.
Ark-san would have headed straight to where the Demon King was, so although there were some issues, it turned out to be no problem.
"A-Areh, a human...?"
"He's walking with Koga-sama."
"Could that be the healing mage...?"
"He was flying through town just now..."
Walking through town with Koga and Keira, I feel a lot of eyes on me.
Since I'm walking with Koga, it doesn't seem like they're hostile, but they do look confused.
"If only Ferum were here, I could disguise myself as a demon."
"Ferum-san isn't here?"
I nodded to Keira, who was floating gently in her cloak.
She's mastered it better than before, she must have worked hard...
It seems handy for moving around, too. A very practical spell.
"That child is staying behind."
"I see... That's a shame. I was hoping to meet her..."
As a dark mage, Ferum is her teacher, after all.
Even setting that aside, as fellow dark mages, they probably share a certain understanding.
"How long will you be here?!"
"About two months, I think. I'll be helping the Demon King and the demons here, and I'll be keeping a record of my daily life and submitting it to the Kingdom of Lingle... the place I'm affiliated with."
"Waaaah..."
The edge of Keira's cloak flutters gently, as if expressing her joyful emotions.
As I smiled at the movement, which reminded me of a dog's tail, Keira looked my way again.
"Ah, Gref is here too! Would you like to meet him!"
"Gref-san? Sure, I'll find time to visit him. Is his leg okay?"
"It's fine! Not a scratch left, and he's walking normally now."
I had healed him properly with healing magic, but I didn't know what happened to him after that.
I'm truly glad his injuries are fully healed.
"Hey, Usato."
"What is it, Koga?"
While talking with Keira, Koga, who had been walking alongside us, called out.
"You said you'd help out earlier, right?"
"Yeah. It's just one of my duties, though."
Personally, my primary goal is to deepen my friendship with the demons.
Koga murmured, “Hmm” and nodded, clasping his hands behind his head.
"You'll probably end up helping us with our work, I suppose."
"Work?"
"The mission to develop the demon territory. A dangerous task exploring forests infested with ferocious monsters."
"I see. That's why they want me as a healing mage."
If there are ferocious monsters, combat is inevitable.
When combat breaks out, casualties are bound to occur. But healing magic only awakens in humans, so until now, dangerous exploration wasn't possible... is that it?
"That's part of it, but it's also simply because they're strong. Plus, you've got Blue Grizzly under your command."
"I don't command Blurin, he's my partner. If anything, I'm the one being commanded."
While correcting it, I show Koga Nea, who's in an owl-like form, perched on my shoulder.
Nea looks somehow supremely confident, puffing out her chest and spreading her tiny wings.
"That's right. I'm his familiar. I forced him into a contract with me, intending to follow him for the rest of his life."
"...Hey, don't you have a lot of troublesome people around you?"
"You're one of them."
Outside of combat, I'm pretty normal, though.
"Well, first off, I gotta toughen up the guys in my squad. If we're going into monster territory, half-assed stamina won't cut it."
"Looks like it'll be a test of endurance too."
"But honestly... I'm not great at teaching people stuff."
Keira nodded vigorously in agreement with Koga's words.
In Keira's case, he'd even ditch this kid to sneak off to the meeting...
"Ah, right. Hey, you wanna handle the exploration team's training?"
"... Koga, is that a request to me as the Vice-Captain of the Rescue Squad?"
"Eh? W-Well, I need to get permission from the Demon King-sama first..."
Mobile Rescue Squad.
This is starting to feel like a real possibility.
Maybe I should just go for it, set up something like a clinic as a healing mage, like Olga-san and Ururu-san do.
"Usato-san, you look like you’re having fun."
"Oh, this is... He’s got nothing good on his mind."
"Maybe I can join in too?"
"This kid is a bit like Nack... It's scary."
By the way, since Senri-san will be there when we meet up, I should tell you about her now.
"There's a woman from the Kingdom of Nirvarna who heard about you and came to meet you."
"Nirvarna? Are you talking about the people who bothered you during the meeting?"
"I wouldn't say they bothered me, but...Mm, it was those people."
Koga saw it too, so he probably knows.
Then let's get straight to the point.
"Nah, that's way too suspicious."
"? Not suspicious at all, okay? ...Seriously, you don't trust my judgment on people?"
"I don't trust you! Even if you can tell if someone's a bad guy, you can't tell if they're a weirdo, can you!?"
Honestly, I'm not entirely confident in my ability to judge people.
So Koga's doubt is probably justified.
But I'll have to disagree on the part about a weirdo.
"Koga, it's not that I can't tell weirdos apart."
"O-Oh."
"It's just that most people I encounter happen to be weird."
"...So that basically means it's useless, right!?"
Most of the people I meet are quirky in one way or another...!
In fact, it's possible that there aren't many people with common sense...!
"...You didn't sell me out to the Nirvarna guys during our last meeting, did you...?"
"No, I swear I didn't. That was just a joke. I never mentioned your name once."
"I can vouch for that. This guy never uttered your name."
With Nea's follow-up, who had been with me almost the entire time, Koga finally seemed convinced.
"I-I don't know. What is this chill... this feeling that something terrifying is steadily approaching...?!"
"Hahaha, you're overthinking it. Besides, no need to worry. It's not like some monster disguised as a villager tricked you, or some spoiled princess from a sheltered life, or a beastfolk kid who'd shoot arrows at you the moment you meet."
"That was awfully specific and scary."
Because it's true.
When I decided not to say it, the scene changed from a cityscape to a plaza-like place.
At the center of the plaza stands a large mansion, and near its entrance, I spot Ark-san and the others, led by Hannah-san.
"Ah, o~i! Usato-ku~n!!"
Noticing me, I waved back at Ururu-san as I finally caught up with the others.
First, I explained to Ark-san why I'd been dragged away by Keira's magic after acting on my own.
"So that's what happened. Well, at least you're safe and sound."
"I-I'm sorry! I caused you trouble."
"Usato-dono doesn't seem to mind, so there's no reason to be angry."
Keira apologized, and Ark-san gently smiled as he replied.
Then, Ururu-san, who had been fidgeting since seeing Kira, lightly tapped me on the shoulder.
"Hey, hey, Usato-kun...! Who's this girl?!"
"She's someone I met before. She possesses the same dark magic as Ferum, so I've been teaching her a bit on how to use it. ...Keira, this is Ururu-san, a healing mage who belongs to the same rescue squad as me."
"I'm Keira. N-Nice to meet you..."
Keira nervously greets Ururu-san, whom she's meeting for the first time.
This seemed to move her heart, as she turned towards me with considerable vigor.
"Usato-kun! I always wanted a little sister!!"
"No."
"You're answering too quickly!"
I had already learned that reaction from senpai.
I quickly stopped Ururu-san from trying to claim Keira as her little sister and turned to face Hannah-san, who'd been glaring at me with those piercing eyes since earlier.
"Hannah-san. I'm sorry for causing such a commotion."
"Seriously... Haaaa... Why do I have to be this exhausted on the very first day... Nono's clinging to the flying dragon and won't move either..."
No, I'm truly sorry.
Even if it was unavoidable given the circumstances, the fact remains that I caused trouble for Hannah-san.
"Well, it's fine. After this, I'll escort you to the Demon King-sama's presence."
"Just me?"
"Yes. Everyone else is staying in the specially prepared lodgings."
So I, as the representative, will be the only one to speak.
Having regained some composure, Hannah-san took a light breath and met my gaze once more.
"Eh~to, since I'm technically older, I'll be calling you Usato-kun."
"I don't mind."
"From now on, I'll be in charge of assisting you, so please don't cause any trouble like today. Absolutely not."
I have no intention of causing any trouble.
This time, it was something like unavoidable circumstances, so trouble shouldn't have happened so easily.
"Hmph, rest assured. I won't cause any trouble."
"Why does looking at you make me feel so uneasy..."
"There's no way this guy won't cause something to happen..."
I ignored Nea, who was muttering ominous things under her breath.
I didn't come here to cause trouble, but to fulfill my duty.
"Then please follow me."
"Ah, wait a moment. Koga, come over here for a second."
"Hmm? Okay."
Before going to the Demon King...
I introduce Koga to Senri-san, who's been keeping a low profile among the Nirvarna members until now.
"Senri-san. This is Koga."
"Well, you must be... Nice to meet you, I'm Senri."
"O-Oh, I'm Koga Dingal."
Senri-san smiled and extended her hand for a handshake.
Koga looked at her hand, slightly surprised. When I nodded, he awkwardly offered his right hand and shook hers.
"Hey, Usato. Is Nirvarna a country where they shake hands so strongly...?"
"! Fufufu!"
"I'd appreciate it if you'd let go of my hand soon..."
Senri-san puts more strength into Koga's hand as he tries to let go of hers.
To his bewilderment, she slowly begins to speak, her eyes lowered.
"Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Senri Vin Nirvarna."
"Mm? ...Mm!?"
Vin Nirvana...?
Wait, I'm sure the name of Harold-sama, the king of the Kingdom of Nirvana, was Harold Vin Nirvana...
C-Could it be...!?
"Helena-san?! Could it be this person?!"
"It’s as you guessed. I’m sorry, I’m truly sorry..."
Helena-san looked utterly exhausted, clutching her stomach.
While she was like this, Senri-san, who still hadn't let go of Koga's hand, shifted her expression from a cheerful smile to one reminiscent of a carnivorous beast———a “smile” akin to Rose's.
"I am the Second Princess of the Kingdom of Nirvarna."
......
Koga stiffened, and our eyes met.
After a moment of silence, he pointed at me with his left arm, made of dark magic, while flustered.
"Usato, d*mn you?! You plotted this, didn't you?!"
"I didn't know either!?"
"Then who else could it be?!"
Who would ever think a princess was mixed in among the dispatched people?
"I never... never imagined I'd meet such powerful warriors."
...Warriors? Could it be me too!?
Koga's gaze shifted to me, making me recall the conversation I'd had with her up to this point.
Even without thinking too hard, hints of it had been there all along, why didn't I notice?
"I had a vague idea, but the princess was in a more desperate situation than I thought."
"Nea, if you knew, you should’ve said something!"
"Your conversation was like walking a tightrope, it was amusing... Still is, actually. Pufu."
No good, my familiar is nothing but malice!
This totally means I'm the target too!
Oh no, she will be making me her fiancé?!
Then, Ark-san casually approached me and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"A-Ark-san...!"
"Usato-dono, from my experience, in situations like this, it's crucial not to get swept up in the moment. And it's even better if you can find the best timing without upsetting the other party."
"What on earth happened in your past...?!"
You said “from experience,” right?!
I feel like I just learned a meaningful part of Ark-san's past at the most unexpected moment!
"At last, finally, I have found him. My fiancé (worthy rival)."
"Hey!? This girl's eyes are crazy, they look like they're only thinking about fighting!"
Koga panics, unable to forcefully brush off the other person's hand because of who she is.
Given how things are going, it's clear I'm being targeted too.
Senri-san... Senri-sama is a beautiful person, and it would be an honor, but as I said before, I have my own position and mission, so I must avoid this now...!
S-Since it's come to this...! Forgive me, Koga!
"Ha, haha, Koga, you're the same way too...! Even I think you two are a good match...!"
"Eh? Is that so? That's the first time anyone has said that to me..."
"Usato, you b*staaaard?!"
I instantly decide to use Koga as a scapegoat.
This should be a welcome development for the Demon King...!
Then Koga, looking desperate, points at me.
"If that's the case, this guy's a human, but he beat me to a pulp! His moves are insane, way beyond what you'd expect from a human!! You should pick him instead!"
"!?"
What a bast*rd, he sold me out...!!
And because he yelled it out loud, even the demons nearby were totally grossed out...!
Senri-sama's gaze turned toward me, and I felt an unprecedented sense of panic.
"This is that thing, right? A love triangle? Hellish situation? First time I’ve seen one."
"An ugly fight. ...Keira, your eyes are scary. Please stop letting your cloak flap around so dramatically, okay?"
"..."
Ururu-san, this is a hellish situation, but it's not a love triangle.
It's a death game where Koga and I are trying to push Senri-sama's target onto each other.
"Then, Usato-san and Koga-san, who is stronger?"
"That's me."
"Well, it's me, I suppose."
.......
""...Ah.""
"Fufu, you're both strong."
By the time I answered reflexively, it was too late; Senri-sama was smiling broadly.
Then, she suddenly put her arm around Koga and started to head off somewhere.
"Koga-san, how about we have a mock battle as a greeting...!"
"Hey, Usato?! She's strong!"
"You first."
The “you first” part left me uneasy, but it seemed to work out for now.
So that's Ouka-sama's younger sister.
She was quite different from what I expected, but she definitely had that boldness that marked her as someone from Nirvarna.
"Usato! At this point, Hannah would be fine! Hey, help me!?"
Koga, looking desperate, pleads for help from me and Hannah-san.
I casually glanced over at her next to me, and she had her hand on her cheek; she seemed strangely happy.
"No, it looks like it'll be fun, so do your best."
"Koga... Be careful, doing something stupid could turn into an international incident. ...Namu."
"You sadistic b*staards?! Ah, I'm being taken away?!"
I clasp my hands together in prayer for Koga.
Well, it's not like an engagement was suddenly decided or anything like that.
...Honestly, I feel bad about it, so I'll apologize to Koga later.
——— read on seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———
Author's Notes:
It was a chapter featuring an ugly fight between Koga and Usato.
Senri was excited the whole time.
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