Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna
Source: Syosetu
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TL Notes:
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Chapter 327
This chapter will also be told from El's perspective.
——— read on seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———
Forming a squad for exploring monster territory.
They were recruited within the city and were to begin their training at the former Second Corps training grounds, where we have been training until today.
Of course, this involves staying overnight in accommodation.
There wasn’t a fixed duration, but I’d heard that training here would last roughly half a month to a full month.
The one in charge of instructing all of this was Usato, the utterly absurd human.
He's a dangerous guy who somehow became the vice-captain of the squad.
It seemed that Captain Koga had taken the reckless step of entrusting Usato with full authority over the training, but that battle maniac was probably just using it as an excuse so he could join in himself.
"So, this day has finally come..."
And starting today, full-scale training would begin, including the demons who had been recruited.
There were roughly 30 people who gathered.
"Ah, you're participating too?"
"It’s dangerous, but apparently the pay is pretty good. Of course, I’m not taking it lightly, you know."
Those who are here for the sake of earning money to live.
That’s probably the majority.
If anything, soldiers who know about Usato wouldn’t bother coming here.
Because they understand just how dangerous he is.
Wouldn’t it be pointless if experienced former soldiers didn’t come? ...That’s what I thought, so I asked about it yesterday, but———
"Ah, if someone gets scared off just because of my reputation, then it’s probably better for them not to come. There’s no need for them to go out of their way to experience something frightening again."
What’s scary about that is how it makes it clear he’s definitely going to do something.
Because of that, only a small number of soldiers showed up.
However, that small group consisted of former elites, people like us who had experienced his terrifying nature on the battlefield.
Among them, I noticed an unfamiliar face of the same gender as me, so I decided to speak to her.
"You're a former soldier...right? I haven't seen you around much."
The one I spoke to was a female soldier who gave off a cold impression.
Just from her bearing, I could tell she was highly skilled, but perhaps she had belonged to a different unit, I’d never seen her before.
"So you’re El, the fastest in the Second Corps, right?"
"Hey, wait...!? I've never introduced myself even once...!?"
"I've heard rumors about you for quite some time."
"Rumors from where!?"
"I'm Veena, formerly of the First Corps."
Areh? Is she not even listening to me?
I'm confident in my speed, but I don't think I ever said anything like that...!!
And wait, the First Corps, huh... No wonder I didn’t recognize her.
"S-So, why did you join something as suspicious as this recruitment?"
"The other day, I happened to see you guys in the city, and it piqued my interest."
"Hee, you saw it? In what situation?"
There are times when we are running, and times when we are just walking normally, so when exactly did she see it?
"It was when he was chasing you guys with the Blue Grizzly on his back."
"I can't understand why you'd want to participate after seeing that scene..."
"Putting that aside, there are some interesting people gathered here as well, you know?"
Did she just change the subject?
Feeling a bit puzzled, I looked in the direction Veena pointed, and there stood another female soldier, slightly small in stature.
...I hate to say it, but from her appearance, she didn’t really look like a former soldier...
"Nono Herestea. During the previous city assault, she single-handedly held back the Hero of Light, a true elite among elites."
"Eh, she’s the one who did that...!?"
Speaking of the Hero of Light, that would be a human who uses a terrifying kind of light magic capable of erasing anything.
I'd heard he fought in a way that avoided taking lives as much as possible, but to go up against him alone... that's quite impressive...
"I've also heard that her roar intimidated the hero and boosted the morale of her allies, and that she ultimately returned alive with her dragon companion."
"You can't judge a book by its cover..."
Then, perhaps noticing our gaze, Nono Herestea started walking toward us.
"Ah, hello there. Is something the matter?"
"No, we were just talking about why we came here. Since we’re all former corps members, I thought we might have something in common to talk about. Ah, I’m El, formerly of the Second Corps."
"Oh, thank you very much for your kind introduction. I'm Nono Herestea. I belonged to the cavalry unit of the Third Corps."
"Then I suppose I should follow the flow as well... I’m Veena, formerly belonging to the First Corps."
We exchanged introductions again.
Coincidentally, it seems that members from all three Corps, from the First to the Third, have gathered here.
...That guy still hasn’t shown up yet, so maybe we should talk a bit more.
"So, Nono, why are you here?"
"I’m planning to go on a journey, so I thought this would be a good way to earn travel funds!!"
"Hee, that's nice. As a former cavalry unit member, you mean..."
"Yes! With my dragon companion!"
A cavalry unit that flies across the battlefield with its dragon companion.
I’d heard that within those units, the bond between soldiers and their partner monsters becomes extremely important, and from the way she speaks, it seems she has a very strong bond indeed.
Hearing the word “journey” makes me a little envious.
"And to escape from the healing mage!!"
""...?""
Sorry, I really don’t understand what you mean.
Eh? So she joined this training run by the healing mage in order to run away from that same healing mage?
... No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t make any sense.
As if sharing my confusion, Veena asked her a question.
"Nono-san, do you actually know what this place is for?"
"Yes! It’s like, we do training and then go exploring the monster territories full of action, right!"
"Ah~, yes. That’s not wrong."
Ah, this kid clearly didn't even bother to read the application requirements before joining.
To think she came here trying to escape the healing mage, only to walk straight into where that healing mage actually is...
I could correct her here, but... hmm?
"Hehehe, I'm curious to see what kind of guy this rumored healing mage is..."
"The rumors are just rumors. I only caught a glimpse, but people are exaggerating way too much."
The muttered words of the two men drew sharp stares from the elite soldiers who, like us, had experienced the battlefield.
So they came here just for fun...
It was clear they weren’t former soldiers, maybe people from the countryside who came looking for work?
... People like that will probably leave quickly anyway. No point worrying about them.
"Wait, did those guys just say ‘healing mage’ (chiyu mahoutsukai)? I must’ve misheard, right?"
"Yes, I believe they said ‘chimatsukakatta’."
"What does that even mean!?"
"I was lying."
"Why would you lie just now!?"
Next to me, Veena and Nono were having a strange conversation.
"...They’re here."
A man wearing a white coat and a girl dressed in similar gray clothing entered the training grounds.
Behind them were former Third Corps Commander Hannah and a dark magic user girl, Keira-chan, and I realized that the moment had finally come.
"It looks like quite a lot of people have gathered."
"Seems like it~."
Usato, the healing mage, and Ururu.
The assembled group began to murmur amongst themselves at the arrival of this dangerous individual who was tasked with training them.
"Vueh"
Beside me, Nono let out a strangled sound while still keeping a blank expression.
Ignoring her as she began trembling violently, I looked toward Usato standing in front.
"Nice to meet you, I’m Usato Ken. I’ve been assigned as the vice-captain of this expedition unit. From here on, I will be training all of you so you can endure the harsh expedition ahead."
At a glance, he looked weak and kind, but that was a trap.
That thing was merely pretending to be human; what was inside him was something else entirely.
"Ah, ababababa... de-vi-vi-vil-vil"
"El-san, Nono-san looks like she’s about to faint. Is she going to be okay?"
"She’ll probably be fine... I think."
It was better to just leave Nono alone.
She would probably return to normal sooner or later.
"Our captain, Koga, will be arriving later due to certain circumstances. So for this training, I’ll be introducing someone who will assist us."
Then, Usato introduced the person standing beside him, Ururu.
With human-like skin tone and cream-colored hair as her distinctive features, she wore a friendly, approachable smile.
"She’s a healing magic user like me. Ururu-san will be the one casting healing magic on all of you."
"Nice to meet you, everyone~! If you get injured, just tell me! I’ll heal you right away!"
I thought all healing mages were dangerous people like Usato and Usato's master that we saw on the battlefield, but Ururu seems pretty normal...
However, that innocent smile she gives us demons is subtly frightening; it makes me think there's something more to it.
"If you lay a hand on her... I will make you experience a punishment so harsh that even hell would seem merciful. Keep that in mind."
"Eh~?!"
"Now then, I’ll introduce the next person."
Wait, just now, he went from a bright, cheerful smile to an unbelievably sharp, intimidating voice!?
Was it just my imagination? It must be, right?
I looked over at Kevin and the others on the opposite side, but they stood completely still without showing any reaction.
Kuh, they’ve already been thoroughly trained...!!
"This is Hannah-san. She's my assistant."
"I have nothing particular to say. Just don’t burden me with extra work... Hmm?"
Next, Hannah’s gaze shifted toward Nono, who was standing beside us.
For a moment, she looked surprised, then her expression turned as if she had understood something.
"...Well, good luck. Even I have no idea how this will turn out."
She gave us a rather sympathetic look.
After that, Usato glanced down at Keira-chan standing nearby.
"This child is here as an observer due to a long-standing request. She’ll be watching the magic-related training, but you don’t need to worry about her."
"P-pleased to meet you..."
...No matter how many times I think about it, she doesn’t seem like the same type of dark magic user as Koga or the Black Knight, she’s just too good-natured.
On top of being able to use magic normally, the properties of her magic are beyond exceptional. If anything, she might be the most valuable person here in terms of rarity.
"As for this training, since the goal is exploration within monster territory, we are expecting it to be quite harsh."
While I was thinking that, Usato began explaining the purpose of the training.
"In addition to physical training, I hope to teach you all how to operate magic more smoothly and effectively."
Only a few of us, probably me, Kevin, and Wal, know just how abnormal that “method” really is.
Even after watching him for a week, I still don’t understand what kind of principles he uses to handle healing magic.
"Well then..."
"He's more normal than I thought, the healing mage."
...!?
Interrupting Usato’s voice, a man spoke up in a mocking tone, drawing disbelieving stares from those around.
The two of them wore self-satisfied smiles as they continued speaking.
"I heard he was called a devil or a monster, but he just looks like a normal human."
"And he doesn’t even seem that strong."
Shouldn’t we throw these ignorant idiots out of here immediately?!
Kevin, Wal, shouldn’t we act before a tragedy happens?
"You’re insulting the captain? Unforgivable."
"Excessive abusive language, I'm furious."
No, wait!? These guys might actually kill them!!
While I was panicking, the fools continued provoking Usato.
"Honestly, though, I’m more scared of that dark magic user next to him. Is it really safe to leave her here? I heard kids with dark magic explode."
Not only Usato, but even Keira-chan? ...These guys.
When I glanced at Usato, I saw Keira-chan, her lips tightly pressed together, grab his uniform and hide behind him.
Seeing Keira-chan being insulted made my own irritation rise, and I was about to move as well... but then I saw Usato’s face, still smiling as before, and my body froze.
Usato's expression.
I realized that the smile was coming from a completely different emotion.
"...Hih..."
This is bad.
Bad, bad, bad, bad!!?
He's totally pissed, isn't he?! He's still smiling, but he's definitely angry!!
"Besides, healing magic is..."
Something shot past my face at terrifying speed and slammed into the tree behind the man who was about to keep talking.
Everyone turned to look behind, then looked back at Usato, who was standing there with wisps of healing magic residue still rising from his palm.
"""..."""
Eh, did he throw a magic bullet?
I couldn’t even follow the motion when he threw it, so I have no idea...!!
Casually playing with a magic bullet that had pierced a small hole in the tree, he began to walk forward with calm, unhurried steps, passing through the space between us.
"At first, you know. I really didn’t want to do something like this. Honestly."
Speaking in a calm tone, he slowly placed his hands around the necks of the two men who had been spouting nonsense earlier.
Their bravado from moments ago was nowhere to be seen now; both of them had gone pale.
"It’s the first day, so I was thinking of helping everyone understand the flow of training and all that. That’s how it was when I started too, so I wanted to properly pass on my master’s teachings... or something like that..."
Even as the atmosphere became tense and suffocating, he didn’t break his bright tone.
If anything, that made it even more unsettling.
"I never thought I’d be told that a harmless young girl is scarier than me. Haha… that’s honestly hilarious. ———Hey, you guys think so too, right?"
"~~!!"
Wait a minute... those two can't move!?
They’re desperately trying to break free and escape, but Usato isn’t actually tightening his grip; he’s just holding them in place so they can’t slip out!?
"Alright, alright! I’ll stop! I understand very well that you’re skeptical of me! Well, it can’t be helped!! I haven’t really shown that side of me much in the past week, after all!! Mm!!"
Usato nodded repeatedly, finally releasing the two and leaning against the nearby tree from which he had fired the healing magic projectile.
Then he covered his face with his right hand and swept back his bangs.
"———"
The atmosphere changed.
In an instant, Usato, who had previously given off a calm and friendly impression, transformed into a carnivore-like figure, glaring menacingly.
"Twenty laps around the city"
"""Ha?"""
"As a warm-up, run at full speed."
So absurd it felt unreal, even we were left speechless.
"Twenty laps? There’s no way we can do that!!"
"Don't mess with me!!"
Usato’s eyes turned even more vicious than before as he slammed a backfist into a nearby tree.
With a BAGII!! sound, the tree shattered and fell to the ground with a thunderous crash.
"Do it."
"""..."""
We wordlessly started running.
Without even a signal, we fled in the same direction, realizing that everything we had done in training up until today must have been nothing more than “playtime” to him.
I realized that was the case.
"Is that Usato, the healing mage...?"
"He’s insane...!! From today on, this is going to be terrifying...!!"
"W-why did this happen...!?"
In your case, it seems like you brought it upon yourself...
I glanced at Nono, who was on the verge of tears, then looked at Veena.
I'm curious to know what her reaction will be when she finds out Usato's true nature.
"He's even more than the rumors said. I'm really looking forward to what happens next."
"You're pretty strange yourself, aren't you...!?"
Well, anyone who deliberately comes here must be a bit strange to begin with.
As I accepted that thought and looked forward———,
"And that expression full of cruelty, mixed with pure passion and words... it’s... so amazing."
"Eh?"
When I instinctively looked to the side, Veena still had the same expressionless face as before.
Was that just an auditory hallucination...? No, it must be. Usato’s transformation must have been so shocking that I imagined hearing something I shouldn’t have.
"Hn? Uwaaaah!? Behind us!! Something's coming from behind!!"
Hmm!?
At the scream, I looked back, and sure enough, I could see something chasing us from behind as we ran down the street.
When I focused my eyes, I saw a familiar blue mass...
"Guooooooooooh!!"
"Keira, hold on tight!!"
"Yes!!"
Usato, carrying a Blue Grizzly on his back, also had Keira-chan riding on top of it...?
I had seen him carry a Blue Grizzly before, but why is Keira-chan up there too, and why is he chasing after us like this———,
"Don't stop running!! Healing Magic Barrage!!"
"""Uwaaaaaaaaah!?"""
Ugh, he’s throwing healing magic at us from behind!?
Overwhelmed by sheer terror and pressure, we twisted our faces in panic and ran at full speed, ultimately being forced to sprint through the entire city as fast as we could.
——— read on seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———
Author's Notes:
A situation that would make the Demon King burst out laughing.
Usato had finally started to get serious.
...Perhaps, during the training period, the story may primarily be from El’s perspective.
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