The day after the feast.

Today is the day when the brave men and servants of each country, including us, return to their respective countries.

We're supposed to be back at the end of the line, so we're supposed to see them off until then.

The first to return are Rival of the Kingdom of Garga, Mr./Ms. of the Kingdom of Flemia, and Claude Mr./Ms. of the Kingdom of Calf.

 

"You've been indebted to me for a lot of things, I've been made to run in a way that doesn't make sense, I've been met with ridiculous eyes, and I've been messed up in trials...... Well, it was fun.'

 

"For those who recognize me as a hero, I'm going to start by affirming myself, and then ...... I want to find my own way of being a hero.'

 

Rival, who has grown a lot in this Calmerio, told me so.

It made me feel that if I were to live there now, I would be a great hero who would attract attention not only in his servants but also in the country where he was.

 

"As soon as I return to my country, I will talk to you directly and stop the hero in a hurry."

 

"Don't worry, because of the pitiful results in this Hero Festival, it seems that there are growing voices in the country that he is not worthy of being a hero."

 

"Wait, my new world, the Ringle Kingdom......!!"

 

Already Mr./Ms. Aura...... The enthusiasm was incredible.

In this situation, it seems that he will stop being a hero normally and come to the Ringle Kingdom with the momentum as it is.

 

"If you ever stop by the Calf Kingdom, come and visit us, Mr./Ms. are always welcome."

 

"I had a lot of fun during this festival, you never get tired of watching Mr./Ms., and above all, you're a good disciple."

 

『…… Didn't you nod? Haha, I'm kidding, I'm kidding. ……』

 

I get it.

Claude Mr./Ms. hasn't given up yet.

He was smiling, but his eyes were serious.

However, it was a good experience for me to be coached by Claude Mr./Ms.. It's difficult to become an apprentice, but it might be a good idea to visit his dojo someday.

After seeing off the three carriages carrying the heroes and retinues of the three kingdoms of Garga, Fremia, and Calf, it was Leona Mr./Ms. of Mialak, but before that I had work to do.

 

"Today is the end of my stay in Calmherio, I feel like I've been here for a very long time."

"There were a lot of things......

 

He replied to Ferm's voice as he walked through the corridors of the castle.

Senpai and Nea are at Leona's Mr./Ms. first, and I, who has assimilated with Ferm, is on my way to pick up Lanzas Mr./Ms. and Rain who are accompanying Leona Mr./Ms.and the others, Miarak, and the others.

 

"The Ringle Kingdom is in a big fuss, especially with that king."

"You've worried Lloyd this time too......

 

I can't help it, but I don't want to worry too much about Lloyd.

 

"What are you going to do when you go back to the Ringle Kingdom?"

"For now, I think I'd like to take a break."

 

I've already recovered physically, but this incident was a little too much.

To be honest, I need time to gather my thoughts.

 

"Well, I'll train you."

"You wouldn't call it a day off."

 

There's a big difference between training voluntarily and fighting out of necessity.

There is a difference between studying because you like it and studying for a test out of necessity at the last minute on test day.

…… Isn't this analogy a bit confusing?

 

"And ......."

 

Considering the battle with the demon this time, it doesn't mean that something similar won't happen in the future.

Even if you randomly devise a technique each time and deal with it, there will be a limit somewhere...... Maybe.

Then, from now on, what I will focus on is to hone the basics of fighting and actual combat experience.

 

「…… Anyway, for the time being, I'm just waiting to hear from Falga-sama and the Demon Lord, so as soon as I get back to the Ringle Kingdom, I'll hurry to another place...... I don't think so."

"I came here right after I got back from the Demon Lord's Domain."

 

Looking back, it may have been quite hard for me.

As he smiles wryly at Ferm, who looks dumbfounded, he arrives at the room where Mr./Ms. Lanzas and Rain are waiting.

Say hello to the knight of the escort and ask him to let you in.

 

"Mr./Ms. Lanzas, Raine, are you ready?"

 

Perhaps they were already ready, but when they noticed me coming in, they got up from their chairs.

 

"Yes, thank you for accompanying me."

"Mr./Ms. Usato!"

 

Mr./Ms., whose existence had been hidden from the limited number of people involved until this day, wore a robe that completely covered her head to hide her identity, and Rain had also changed into her travel clothes.

 

"Then I'll take you to the carriage for Mearlark."

"Yes, Rain, let's go."

"Yes!"

 

Considering what the Kingdom of Milva did to Mr./Ms. Lanzas, it would be too dangerous to let him go back to his country.

So, he and Rain will now be treated by Falga-sama in Miarak and then recuperated in Hinomoto.

 

"For now, please hide your face until you get to Mialak, and Rain."

"Yes."

 

It seems that if the existence of the Milva Kingdom is discovered, it will be troublesome.

I think it's okay, but we leave the room and proceed down the aisle.

 

"Mr./Ms. Usato"

"What is it, Rain?"

 

I look back at Rain who calls out to me.

Now that Mr./Ms. Lanzas is getting better, Rain seems to have regained her brightness.

 

"What kind of place is the Beast Nation that we may be heading to?"

"Ah, I'm curious, isn't it?"

 

From Rain and Mr./Ms.'s point of view, the closed beastman village is too unknown.

But it's not a good idea for me to talk a lot about the country of beastmen.

 

"I can't say much out of my mouth, but it's a good place, and above all, the air is delicious and I think it's a great place to recuperate."

 

And best of all, the Kingdom of Milva can never interfere with Hinomoto.

 

"But yesterday I sent a text to a friend of mine in the land of the beastmen, so maybe he will refuse, and I have made sure that you can get a reply from Mealak, so please check there."

"Yes."

"In that case, don't worry, I'll ask the Demon King for help."

"What is peace of mind?"

 

I know I'm making a pretty unreasonable request, so Hayate Mr./Ms....... Or rather, I don't think it's strange to be rejected by Hinomoto's policy.

At that time, all I have to do is owe the Demon Lord.

 

"Usato Mr./Ms....... I'm really sorry for everything."

 

Next to a bewildered Rain, Mr./Ms. Lanzas quietly thanked her.

I shake my head at his words.

 

"I'm a lifesaver, so I'll take care of the people I help, or I'll be beaten by my master."

"But ......."

"Mr./Ms. Lanzas"

 

I stopped, turned around and made eye contact with Mr./Ms. Lanzas.

 

"I'm sure there will be a lot of things that will be new to you. After all, I'm going to be pain-free every day that I've felt since I was born."

"What......?"

"It's awkward to be apologized to by someone who helped you. I'm much happier that way."

 

I think because I know the knights who couldn't be saved during the war, and the people who died before my eyes.

When you help someone, the happiest thing is not when they thank you.

When I see the people who have been rescued in good spirits, I can finally think, "I was able to help this person."

Mr./Ms. rolled her eyes at my words, gently placed her hand on Rain's head as she looked up anxiously, and then looked up and smiled.

 

"Ah, yes, thank you, Usato."

"Yes."

 

Mr./Ms.'s mind will be fine by now.

At least no matter what happens in the future, he's got Rain.

 

●

 

Then we reached the carriage where Mr./Ms. and the others were.

There were two servants, led by Senpai and Nea, Leona Mr./Ms. and Mirfa Mr./Ms., and three people who had to accompany them in a hurry: Liz, Elisha, and Mr./Ms. Ulua.

 

"It looks like nothing happened, Usato-kun."

"yes, I'm a little relieved."

 

Jumping on his shoulder, he nodded at his senpai's words as he checked the nair that he was assimilating without saying anything.

No, I can't let Mr./Ms. Lanzas and Rain stand in public before taking a breather.

 

"Mr./Ms. Milfa, which carriage do these two ride?"

"It's the carriage right next to you."

"Thank you."

 

After checking with Mirfa Mr./Ms. who is loading luggage nearby, he turns back to Lanzas Mr./Ms. and Layne.

 

"Both of you, I'll take care of your luggage, so you'll be in the carriage before you can see it."

 

They both nodded at my words.

 

"Mr./Ms., thank you very much for your time today, I will send you a text soon."

"I'll send it too!!"

"yes, I'm looking forward to it."

 

After seeing them off as they got into the carriage, he loaded their luggage into the back of the carriage.

When we closed the carriage door, Liz and the others, who had already finished loading, came to us.

 

"Liz...... No, Mr./Ms. Urua, Elisha. I've sent a text to Hinomoto, but I've told him to send a reply to Mialak, so please don't let him get ahead of you."

"Yes, thank you for everything. Usato"

"In that case, I'll tie you up, so it's okay!"

 

Mr./Ms. and Liz are surprised by Gabin and Elisha, who nod without any particular hesitation.

 

"Usato? Why did you exclude me now? Usato?"

 

No, because I couldn't wait, and I was about to cross the lake alone and plunge into the Beastman Realm alone.

Liz looks at me with jito eyes, but for some reason, my senior suddenly lets out a frustrated moan.

 

"Gununu, I never thought that I would be passed over and go to the land of ...... beastmen."

"Heh, I don't really know what kind of place it is."

"There's a kid named Linka in the land of beastmen, and she's my sister."

"Don't infuse lies"

 

Linka would be an only child, though.

No, although it is a rare example of accepting the call of sister normally.

 

"Usato"

"yes?"

"After the Beastman Kingdom, the Ringle Kingdom"

"Well, let's go back to our own country for a while, shall we?"

 

Why is it so invasive?

But I never thought that if I wasn't too self-conscious, I would be so nostalgic.

Looking back, I didn't do anything to this girl.

 

"I haven't given up."

"Do you want me to be your squire?"

"By the way."

"And ......? What's the favorite?"

 

If you're going to be the hero's squire, what's your favorite, ......?

Liz smiles at me as I seriously question and turns her attention to Elisha and Mr./Ms..

 

"Well, it looks like it's time to go, sir, Elisha."

"That's how it is."

"Mr./Ms., everyone, how are you!!"

 

While saying goodbye, the three of them get into another carriage.

Liz was a really strange child, but in a way, she was true to her heart.

Their personalities were completely different, but they might have been a bit like Eva from Samaria.

 

"Usato, Suzune, I'll be leaving soon."

 

Mr./Ms. Leona, who has finished preparing to leave, tells me so.

My seniors and I turned to Leona Mr./Ms. again.

 

"Be careful on the way back."

"Thank you both for your help."

"Yes, I'll take care of them and send them to Mearlark."

 

If Leona Mr./Ms. says this, it's reassuring.

After exchanging goodbyes with Mr./Ms. Leona again, I saw off the carriage in which they rode.

 

"Well, let's go back to the Lingle Kingdom!"

"Isn't it?"

 

Finally, it's our turn.

When the carriage to Myalak is completely out of sight, we move to the carriage that will take us to the kingdom of Lingru.

The carriage that carried the heroes is almost gone, and a carriage has been prepared to carry us in the lonely hall.

 

"You've already loaded your luggage, haven't you?"

"yes, and I feel like we're ready to go."

 

…… For some reason, I stayed there for weeks, and it was a long festival.

But I was able to connect with all the heroes and servants from other countries, and it was a fun event without the devil.

 

"Oh?"

「? What's wrong?"

 

When I look ahead at the surprised voice of my senior, I notice that a familiar red-haired woman, Mr./Ms., is waiting near the carriage that I have come into view.

 

"Naia, did you come to see me off?"

 

Mr./Ms. Naia smiled as she greeted us by the carriage.

 

"Yes, because everyone was very helpful to Mr./Ms.."

"We were the ones who were saved, so we don't have to worry about it."

"Well, I'm here purely to see my friend off."

"Well, then I can't say anything-"

 

In return for the somewhat mischievous Mr./Ms., she laughs wryly that her seniors were also beaten.

However, Mr./Ms. Naia, who seemed to remember something immediately, stiffened her expression.

 

「…… Well, I'm worried about it now, but I ...... it's a nuisance to be called a friend from a position like mine."

 

Trouble?

Ah, don't you think it's annoying for us to be friends with a princess who is in a higher position?

I and my seniors answered her anxiety without any particular concern.

 

"No? That's not true, is it? I'm also friends with the princess of the Lingle Kingdom."

"Yes, I'm the same."

"Where is it the same?"

"This guy's friendship is broken, to say the least, so I don't feel intimidated at all by the princess now."

 

I told them not to whisper like they usually do, but to make Mr./Ms. Naia hear them.

I can't deny it because it's a fact, but ......!!

 

"Hehe"

 

Seeing that I couldn't say anything, Mr./Ms. Naia laughed funny.

Well, if I softened the atmosphere of the place by being a punchline, that's fine.

 

"I can't hold you back for too long, I'm sorry, but it's time to say goodbye."

 

He paused and spoke.

 

"Mr./Ms., Mr./Ms. Usato, Nea Mr./Ms., and Mr./Ms. Ferme, thank you for protecting this place to this day. I look forward to seeing you again."

"Thank you very much, and if you need anything, you can always rely on me."

"I'm looking forward to seeing you again."

 

We exchanged goodbyes and got into the carriage with regret.

The door was closed, and after a short time, the carriage began to move forward and slowly moved out of the city.

 

"There were a lot of things, but the festival was fun."

"You and Usato were having a lot of fun."

 

Ferm and Nea, who have de-assimilated, sit in the carriage and give each other a suspicious look.

The senior does not deny the gaze, but nods yes.

 

"I'm glad I was able to eat a lot of delicious food at Ferm!"

"So don't call me a glutton! Why do you think that?!"

"That's because it's so cute to see you eating delicious rice!!"

"Don't call me cute!"

 

- A senior who is relieved by Ferm, who denies it while making her face redden.

Seeing the two of them having such an exchange suddenly reminds me of yesterday.

 

"Speaking of which, senior."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"You were talking to Mr./Ms. Naia yesterday, weren't you? What was that all about?"

 

He said he would talk to Mr./Ms. at the feast.

It may be small talk, but I sensed a serious atmosphere from my seniors at that time.

In response to my question, my senior leaks a troubled voice, "Ah."

 

"I was just going to talk to you, and you should listen to me."

 

Is it something important?

Nea and Ferm also switch their attention from the scenery outside to the story of their seniors.

 

"I was just trying to reconcile my perceptions with Naia."

"...... reconciliation?"

"Yes, there was an incident where Naia became aware of the existence of demons."

"Eh, yes, it's a mysterious unconscious case, isn't it?"

 

That's when I first realized that the demonic hand was closing in on Kamherio.

Was there anything that bothered the seniors at that time?

 

"When Usato-kun was talking to the Demon King and Farga-sama, I felt a bit of a snag."

"Hooked?"

"It was probably Enver himself who was influencing Naia with demonic magic, but now that I think about it, I don't think Enver would bother to act like that."

 

You were attacking an unrelated person to provoke you?

A guy who licked a human being who would take such a risk to make his identity known...... No, he was ...... kind of guy.

Next to me, Nea, who was thinking with me, opened her mouth.

 

「…… There's no point in moving away from the Lanzas that possessed you at that point and attacking civilians, right?"

"Yes, Nea, that's right."

 

At that time, Mr./Ms. Lanzas had not arrived at Calmherio.

It's possible that he was simply acting differently at the time, but what if he wasn't?

 

"Of course, I'm telling Naia that this story is just a possibility, and that it's possible that it has nothing to do with the devil in the first place."

 

However, the senior who continued to say that he did not raise his index finger.

 

"If the first incident here wasn't caused by Envar--who was unknowingly stunning the people of Calmherio?"

 

Behind the scenes of an incident that has already ended, something mysterious may be happening again.

For some reason, I couldn't help but feel something chill about that fact.


___________________________________

This is the end of Chapter 17.

After the brief story and the introduction of the characters, I would like to move on to chapter 18.

 

That's all for this update.