"My King, Lucas Ould Samariar, wishes to meet you."

 

The King of Samaria is calling me.

It sounds simple in words, but you can see it as an unusual situation.

 

"Why do you want to see me?"

"My king is not good at entertaining emissaries from other countries, and he is a little ...... No, he's quite an eccentric, so he has an idea that we don't know."

 

I don't know how to react to the words that are uttered with a chuckle.

It wasn't an answer at all, and I was told that the king was a weirdo, which made me uneasy in many ways.

...... I'm worried about Amako and Nea, but I don't want to turn them away now and make a bad impression of us. If you do it poorly, it will affect the response to the letter.

In this situation, the choice I should make is...

 

「...... Alc, I'll leave Amako and Nea to you."

 

I give them a letter, and Mr. Alc finds them.

 

"Are you going to go alone?"

 

Mr. Alc looks at me with worried eyes.

Well, I'm sure you'd be worried about me going to hand over the letter by myself. I'm worried about whether I'll be able to do well.

 

"It's all right, I'll write the letter by myself--"

"I'm not worried about the letter, because I believe Lord Usat can do it. What I'm more concerned about is ......."

 

Glancing at Fegnis and the others waiting for our response, Alc changed his expression to a stern one and began to speak.

 

"Perhaps there is a reason why they contacted Lord Usato, I don't know what it is, but it's better to be cautious."

「...... Yes."

 

Why do you come into contact with me?

I feel like the only thing that is worth it is healing magic...... I wonder if there are people who want me to be cured like Amako asked me to do.

Anyway, let's be cautious, as Alc said.

 

"Are you done with your consultation?"

"Yes...... I'm going by myself. Do you mind if that?"

 

He turns to Fegnis and tells her that he understands.

His eyes widen slightly at the answer that I'm the only one, and his expression is one that suggests surprise and relief.

 

"There's nothing wrong with that. The king has ordered you to bring only one of them."

"Alone? Why don't you just call me?"

"Yes, only you."

「......」

 

...... Isn't it dangerous!?

Isn't it like ordering him to come alone or saying that he has a completely different agenda?

Did I do something that caught my eye? ...... If you think about it, you've done some pretty daring things with the Ringle Kingdom and Luxvis, so it's a lot of guess......

But I can't say no now that I've already said I'm going.

Surrounded by knights, I let out a small sigh as I glanced at Mr. Arc behind me before walking down the path that led to the castle of Samaria.

 

 

●

 

 

Usat is surrounded by Samarian knights and taken away.

I watched him say a word, and wondered why they—the king of Samaria—had tried to set up a meeting with Lord Usato.

Moreover, it is clear that he will come alone with a requirement that will be left to his own judgment. If the content was to treat the injured or sick, Lord Usato might accept it without hesitation. His healing magic may be far superior to that of healing magic, but his pride and pride as a lifesaver will make him do so.

 

"It was dangerous...... Huh?"

"Oh, Amako-dono!"

 

From the back alley behind them, Amako and Nea appear with impatient expressions.

I immediately approached her side to check on her safety.

 

"Are you hurt?!"

"It's okay."

"I'm not okay, all of a sudden this guy pulls me and I hit my head......"

 

Nea is rubbing her head with teary eyes, but she doesn't appear to be seriously injured either.

Judging from her words, it is safe to assume that it was Amako-dono who took her out.

 

"After all, Amako-dono disappeared by herself......

"yes, I thought it was bad for Usato, but it could have been a lot of trouble if I hadn't done it......"

"Is that longsword?"

「...... I'm not sure either. But I'm glad I was more focused than ever. With foreknowledge, Nea's transformation suddenly unravels...... So I hurriedly took her and hid in a back alley......

 

It was clear at a glance that the longsword carried by the knight captain named Fegnis was not an ordinary sword. It looked like it was emitting some kind of magical energy from the sphere of the hilt.

I don't have a magic eye, so I'm not sure, but judging by Amako's reaction, my guess doesn't seem to be wrong.

 

"...... have heard that there is a sword called the 'Sword of Truth,' a ceremonial sword that can 'expose lies and expose the true form of incarnation disguised as a demon' -- although I have never seen the real thing...... Probably ......."

"So you've exposed the 'false form' of my transformation......

 

In view of the national tradition of Samariar, the Sword of Truth could not be more suitable.

After all, for them, the perception of subhumans is "a monster that disguises its human appearance." Of course, there is no fact that the subhumans are disguised as people, but it does work for demons that can transform into shapes like Nea.

I don't know if the Knight Commander Fegnis noticed Nea's presence and approached her, but the result is that Lord Usat went to the castle alone as ordered by King Samaria.

 

"Mr. Alc, what are you going to do now?"

「...... Wait. I will wait for you to find a place to stay before he returns."

"I said I'd wait, what if I didn't come back? Wouldn't it be better if I turned into an owl and followed you?"

"As long as there is a Knight Commander who can forcibly undo your transformation, that is not the way to take it now."

 

If she were to be sent to the castle, it would be if Lord Usat did not return for more than two days.

Personally, I would like him to come back as soon as possible, but it depends on what kind of talk the Samaritan king has with Lord Usato.

Being outside, I can't help Lord Usato.

 

「...... Good luck, Usato-dono."

 

Now all I can do is wait, and with an itchy feeling in my teeth, I muttered softly as I stared at the castle in the distance.

 

 

●

 

After a dozen minutes of walking with Fegnis and a few knights, they arrived in front of the castle of Samaria.

Normally, I would have liked to enjoy the scenery of the city along the way and the large tower behind me, but I couldn't because of the knights surrounding me and the gaze of the people of the country of Samaria who were watching me.

As I silently followed, thinking that I felt as if I was being taken away, the scenery shifted from the cityscape of Samaria to the inside of the castle.

 

"Soon, we will arrive at the throne."

"Yes."

 

Red carpets, glittering crafts displayed in the aisles.

It seems to be similar to the castle of the Ringle Kingdom, which is familiar to me, and when I follow Fegnis while moving into a completely different castle, I see a large door.

That was the door to the great hall where the king was.

When I was guided to the front of the door while swallowing a little spit, a woman wearing a maid's outfit approached by the door.

 

"We apologize for the inconvenience, but if you have sharp blades or weapons such as swords and daggers, we will keep them."

 

Saying so, the maid offers something like a tray with a deep bottom.

Since he was going to meet the king of a country, he was expecting such a thing, so he quietly took out the small sword that came out of the body of the evil dragon that he had stuck in the belt around his waist and gently placed it in the tray.

...... It's not a weapon, this one. It's just like a sharp paring knife, so you can keep it separately.

 

"That's ......."

 

The small sword wrapped in a leather sheath on the tray seemed awkward, but Fegnis, who was looking at it, stared at the sword as if it were biting.

It looks like a dagger about 40 centimeters long, but it's a weapon that seems to have been carried by a hero, and if you look at it, you can see that it's a great work.

 

"What's wrong?"

「...... No, I don't care."

 

When I called out, I turned back to myself and put my hand on the large double door in front of me and opened it.

Urged by Miss Fegnis to enter, I stepped into the hall and the first thing that caught my eye was the sumptuous interior and the figure of a middle-aged man seated on a throne.

 

"Hello, welcome to Samariar. I'm so happy to have you here."

 

The man, with his pure white robe and golden crown hanging haphazardly on the armrest of the throne, his legs crossed, and his elbows leaning forward, the corners of his mouth relaxed when he saw me, and he smiled.

 

"My name is Lucas Ould Samariar and I am the king of this country."

 

A big smile that doesn't make you feel evil or anything.

Maybe it's the atmosphere of the man, but my feet naturally step back to something like a spirit.

I had the impression that this person was not a bad person, and at the same time, for some reason it seemed to me that I should not trust him.

 

●

 

Lucas Ould Samariar.

The king of Samaria, to whom I give the letter.

He didn't have the humility or mild-mannered feeling of the king of the Lingle Kingdom, but was more of an active person who said what he wanted to say.

At best, he was unconventional, and at worst, he seemed like a king who didn't look like a king. I can't say this even if my mouth ...... split.

 

"Hmm, I'm trying to form a coalition against the Demon King's army, ...... he's still a sweet man. You think so too, don't you?"

"Uh, yes......."

 

Isn't this hard to answer and too frank?

And before I could start talking, I was urged to hand over the letter to this and that, and I was made to sit on the chair offered by the maid.

That? It's completely different from what I expected.

It's completely different from the example that Mr. Wealthy showed me.

Lucas, ...... is completely different from what I expected.

Seeing my bewilderment, Mr. Fegnis, who was standing by Lucas's side, opened her mouth to sneer at him.

 

"King, I ...... you refrain from saying or doing anything like that."

"Oh, I'm sorry, you were on the side of the Lingle Kingdom. But let me tell you. Lloyd has too little ambition. This letter is no different. There are no threatening words or anything written about it. It's important to make people feel scared, even if it's a little exaggerated. But that's not the case. "I want you to help me," "Let's defeat the Demon King's army together," and "It's going to be hard" are just sweet words that are equivalent to loving such flowers."

 

...... That's what I say, but it's sweet, that's for sure.

I only vaguely knew the contents of the letter, but I was convinced that it was written by the king. There is no way he would use threatening words.

 

"But he is still a competent man, and even if he is a politician who is conspicuously naïve, he is still a king if the people approve of him. Blessed subjects, blessed soldiers, blessed people--a country ruled by a kind-hearted man who puts the people first will be very comfortable. Huh?"

「...... Yes."

 

He knows a lot about the king and the kingdom of Ringle.

Maybe it's an old-fashioned relationship? I imagined that the interaction between the kings would be squeamish, so I can't imagine them getting along very well, but .......

 

"To be adored by all, it is one of the most important elements that a king is required of...... Even if you don't do this or that like I do, everyone will follow Lloyd."

"The king is well respected."

"I've cut off a lot, and if I'm a king who has been supported by everyone, I'm a king who is built on what I've cut off. I envy you, the prestige of a king who can talk about ideals like him and make them happen. ...... Oh, I envy you. Or in this case, is it jealous? Or is it hateful? Either way, I'm sure you're standing in a different place than I ......."

 

Lucas muttered in a melancholy voice as he carefully folded the letter.

I felt that I could get a word about the letter in his behavior, so I straightened my back and waited for his words.

They will probably suggest that you wait longer, so you have to tell them that you are going to stay in this country.

 

"Let's take it."

"What......?"

 

However, contrary to expectations, the words spoken by Lucas were those of approval.

I'm stunned by the shock that things were done so easily.

 

"Uh, huh?"

"Didn't you hear me? Let's take the letter. We, Samariar, will send troops to the Kingdom of Lingru."

「...... Huh? ...... Um, isn't it too early to decide? We ...... talk about it a little bit more."

"We don't need a discussion."

 

He spreads his arms and looks around the hall.

Mr. Fegnis and the maids who were beside him were all smiling as if they were dumbfounded, yet troubled.

It's as if he's used to what the king ...... saying.

 

"Wouldn't it be weird not to read this? It's the Demon Lord's Army, right? The demonic army that overran the continent hundreds of years ago is about to plunge the continent into darkness once again. Unless there's a compelling reason to do so, that's no reason not to cooperate."

"But you said no the first time, didn'......?"

"The first invasion was because we didn't have any information about the Demon King's army, but when the second time we repelled it, and the summoned hero was mortally wounded, the threat of the Demon King army rose to the highest level in my mind. I'm sure that if you let the Demon King's army go unchecked, you're going to be in trouble."

 

After all, those who understand understand the danger of the Demon King's army.

Somehow, I was suspicious that he had accepted it so easily, but ironically, the fact that Kazuki and his senpai were in a pinch may have hastened Lucas's decision.

 

"Thank you for your willingness."

 

Send a word of appreciation.

Okay, I had a lot of concerns, but I succeeded in getting Samaria's cooperation safely. If we continue at this rate, we may be able to shorten the journey significantly.

But-,

 

"Well, now that your role here is over--now I'll talk about you."

 

If only it would be easy.

He handed the letter to Mr. Fegnis and muttered to himself at the words of Mr. Lucas, who placed his hand on the armrest.

For this person, the story of the letter is just a bonus.

The main topic is yet to come...... I don't know what kind of story will come up, but I've been warned by Aluk, so choose your words carefully so that you don't make careless remarks.

 

"What do you want me to do?"

"Hmm, I guess I was expecting you to have some kind of agenda when I called you."

 

Lucas nodded admiringly.

 

"I know you guys very well."

"I've heard that the rumors of the Life Rescue Team spread after the battle with the Demon King......

"I'm talking about you guys from another world."

「!?」

"A hero who wears the light of the sun ring to exorcise evil, a female hero who shoots electric shocks and dances on the battlefield like thunder -- two people with the qualities of a hero summoned from another world, and an unfortunate boy who is caught up in the summoning."

「...... Why do you say that?"

 

Do you know that the two of you are known as heroes from another world, and that I was summoned together?

Rather, I was surprised that they were interested.

 

"Isn't it natural to send spies to other countries? Understanding the internal situation of other countries and responding flexibly is one way to avoid unnecessary conflicts. ...... Well, I don't know if that's necessary in this world without war......

 

Spy...... I had no idea that spies from other countries were spying on us, so why would you tell me that? From what I've heard, I can only think that it has more use for Senpai and Kazuki.

 

"Do you want two brave ones? That's why you ...... me."

"No, we don't need a hero. Certainly, you are right, we certainly want an overwhelming individual. But that's no good. I shouldn't have something like that, because if I did, I'd be fascinated by the power."

 

It's a bit of a stretch to be called a dangerous person, but I kind of understand what you're saying.

Senpai and Kazuki are strong. Unlike me, who forcibly stretches out by hurting my body, the two of them are geniuses who grow at an abnormal speed through their natural talents and efforts.

It would be terrifying to imagine if someone other than the king had the power of such two people.

But if you don't need them, the question deepens.

 

"Then why did you call me, the healing wizard? If you subtract the part of being a hero friend, the only thing I can use is healing magic, right?"

"Usefulness, yes, I hate to say it. Even if I use you, it's almost a substitute. Whether it's a hostage or a bargaining chip, it doesn't matter if it's any other knight in the Ringle Kingdom. But--"

 

But--" Lucas continued, his eyes full of strong will.

 

"You are the one and only one who received the art of healing magic from Rose, the leader of the Rescue Team, so I want you as a healing wizard."

「...... It's too much to buy."

 

That's all I could say.

I didn't expect it. I never thought that I would be recruited instead of my seniors or Kazuki.

Isn't it some kind of mistake? I try to respond with faint expectations.

 

"Healing magic is a magic that is said to be useless or unusable in the world, and I don't think it will be useful to Master Lucas just because you can move a little."

 

Lucas, whose expression changed to one of nonchalance at those words, smiled wryly.

 

"Useless? Can't use it? No way!! That's because there hasn't been a conflict in hundreds of years! Healing magic can be used by anyone, so is it more useful? No, no, no, that's the thinking of the stupid guys."

 

Lucas shakes his head over and over again, just as if he is sorry.

With a lot of power at the end of his words, he spun his words in a loud voice that echoed in the great hall as if he were giving a speech.

 

"It's too short-sighted and stupid, how do you come to think like that?" You can heal any injury, right? A skilled healing wizard can cure diseases! You don't have to have a doctor give you medicine, you don't have to suffer in the process of treatment – it's a wonderful magic, I appreciate."

「...... Eh, uh, thank you. But then it could be a healing wizard other than me......

"It's not enough to be just a healing wizard, what I'm looking for is the healing magic of a woman named Rose who has made the 'only exception'. Run through the battlefield and save many people. I want a healing wizard who embodies the ideals that a child can envision."

 

Rose's healing magic.

Normal healing magic and the healing magic that she and I handle are the same, but different. Rose's ability to combine healing magic and physical abilities is the result of her crazy training.

That's what he's looking for.

 

"Of course, I've tried a lot of things, and I've hired a number of rare healing wizards to create healing wizards like Rose and you, but even the most adults have made a noise and run away. Even though what she's doing is the same training she imposes on her subordinates."

"Well, I'm going to run away, there's no way a normal person wouldn't be disgusted by that kind of training."

"You endured, didn't you?"

"I didn't endure it, I was forced to endure it. If you say you don't like it, you will be swearing and your hands will ...... No, it's nothing."

「...... No problem? Isn't it hard?"

 

The king was worried.

Huh? The maid and Fegnis's eyes are kind somewhere, aren't they?

I can't stand it anymore, so I clear my throat as if to switch the cool air.

 

"Koh, Kohon, if you want to make such a solicitation, please do so through the leader first."

"I can't do that, because I don't feel like she can talk to me."

「......」

 

I was unknowingly convinced...... Whew!

Certainly, when I said that to Rose, she refused and then said, "You're not involved in a weird solicitation!" For some reason, I can even imagine myself receiving a cage.

 

"In any case, I have no intention of leaving the Lingle Kingdom, but if I accept your invitation, what will I do in this country?"

"I was going to have you form a squad, and of course I'm going to give you a space where you can train without worry, and I'll give you everything you need."

「...... It's an extraordinary treatment."

"I hope you think it's worth it, I've found a few countries that have been acting suspiciously since the Demon Lord's army came out, and it's so disturbing that I wanted to do something about it."

 

Does that mean you recruited me to prepare for fighting anything other than the Demon Lord's army?

For that reason, they are planning to treat me abnormally.

...... But I don't have the ambition to have my own troops or anything like that, and I don't really think of what I need.

 

"I'm very attracted to the space where I can train without worry...... I'm not really keen on the idea of having my own troops."

「...... I'm going to give you more treatment than the Ringle Kingdom, but that's not enough, is it?"

"Yes, I still want to be his subordinate, and I have a friend who I swore to reunite with in the Lingle Kingdom, and besides, I haven't even been recognized as a full-fledged man yet, but it's too much of a stretch to be my unit."

「...... I see."

 

At my words, Lucas sits back in his chair deeply.

Maybe it's because it's an honorific I'm not used to, but I was able to say what I wanted to say.

All you have to do is wait for the other person's reaction.

As he waited for a reaction, Lucas, who crossed his arms and groaned in annoyance, sighed and looked up.

 

"But hey, I've been turned down once, and I can't convince myself to say, 'Yes, that's right.'"

 

As soon as the words were released with a fearless smile, the door of the hall was thrown open with a bang, and a dozen or so knights rushed in, surrounding me as I sat down.

...... If you are refused, do you have the courage to force your consent?

I didn't want to make a big deal out of it when I received the letter, but if you feel like it, I'll take it. Slowly lifting his hips, ready to move at any moment, I turned my attention to Master Lucas, who I thought had a generous smile on his face, and was confused when he saw the knights surrounding me.

 

"Hey, Fegnis, aren't you timing a little too early? And what are these people? Doesn't this make me look like the bad guy? Look at his face...... It's just like Rose."

"I'm sorry, but if you'll excuse me, I think you're bad enough right now."

"......Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to force you to agree."

"What...... Is that so?"

"You're bad too, you can go back, you know."

 

I can't help but be puzzled by Lucas, who let the knights around him out of the hall with ease.

Well, anyway, I'm glad it didn't turn into a rough one...... I wonder if it is?

 

"I'm not going to do anything dirty trying to force you to comply, my suggestion is that you give yourself a little time to think."

"Time to think? ...... How long will it take?"

"Well, how about about three days to a week? I don't think it will interfere with your journey, but what do you think? In the meantime, you will get to know our country, and we will get to know you better."

 

To be honest, I should refuse, but I can't hurt the other person's mood by refusing before I receive the letter.

Well, it should be okay for a week or so.

That's how long I was originally going to stay here.

 

"Okay, I'll take care of you for a few days."

"Alright, if that's the case, I'll invite your travel companions to the finest lodgings, and I'll make sure they don't get out of trouble until you return."

 

...... Hmm? Until I come back?

Did I mishear? It's like I'm sleeping somewhere else.

 

"Uh--"

"There, sir, lead him to the garden."

"Alright, Usato-sama, come here. I'll show you around."

 

Oh, yes, but what is the example garden?

I'd like to go to that top-of-the-line inn if I can.

I want to rest on a soft futon.

But I don't know if he's too happy to keep me here, or if Lucas took it from somewhere, as he pours his drink into a glass and doesn't notice my voice.

Is it okay to drink alcohol in the middle of the day, this person?

 

「...... It's kind of gotten a lot ......."

 

At the very least, I wanted to check with Alc to see if Amako and Nea had been found.

...... Wait?

Come to think of it, Master Lucas had sent spies to find out about us. Of course, you should also know the members who are going on the trip. If so, doesn't it mean that Amako, who is a beastman, knows that he is a traveling companion?

The moment that speculation came to mind, I felt a disgusting sweat and wondered why he hadn't used it as a threat to me.

 

"No, it's not......

 

I knew that if I tried to threaten him with something like that, I wouldn't get real cooperation from him.

With that in mind, it may be okay to trust them for the time being.

I let out a sigh as I followed the maid out of the hall, and walked with tired steps along the long castle road.

 

 

 

"We've arrived, and this is the garden."

「...... Wow......"

 

The maid led me to a walled garden on the outskirts of the castle.

Normally, I wonder where I would be staying outdoors, but when I saw the scene in front of me, I couldn't help but let out an exclamation.

After all, there was a large circular transparent dome in one of the vast gardens, and a beautiful two-story white house stood in it.

 

"What is this?"

"It's a barrier made of magic, and it allows you to separate the space between the outside and the inside, so it's convenient to keep out the rain and wind without having to go indoors, right?"

"Hey, you can make something like this with a magic tool......"

 

When I heard that it was a boundary, I guessed that it would trap me, but from the smile on the maid's face, it seems that this is not the case. Relieved there, he moves to a door that seems to be the entrance to a circular barrier.

Two guards stand in front of the silver door that is designed to fit into the barrier, and when they see me and the maid, they bow respectfully and clear the way.

 

"If you want to go out, ask them, as far as food is concerned...... I think it's going to be okay, so you don't have to worry about it."

"What's okay?"

"Nothing."

"But my complexion is ......."

"Nothing, nothing."

「...... Yes."

 

For some reason, I was overwhelmed by the power of the maid who turned blue in the face while holding her stomach.

Tilting his head, he enters the barrier through the open door.

 

"If you need anything, please tell the butler who is in charge of this place, and I will be waiting nearby, so please call me through the knight."

"Okay...... Well, for the time being, should I see the butler here?"

「...... Let's see. I think you should meet him first."

 

At first? Is there anyone else besides the butler?

I was curious about her words in a somewhat awkward way, and when I thought about asking her about it--suddenly, the door of the white house in the barrier was slowly thrown open, and my consciousness turned to it--and my breath stopped.

 

「......!」

 

What I saw was morbidly white.

She is a girl whose skin, hair, and clothes are white.

She is so fragile that she thinks she will break if she touches it, and she looks at the maid behind her and me in front alternately and smiles innocently.

When I saw his smile, I thought, "They look alike."

The smile that did not make me feel evil was somewhat reminiscent of that of Lucas.

She ran up to me and happily grabbed my hand with a glove about the length of her upper arm—a hand wrapped in a long glove—as if shaking my hand, and shook it vertically.

 

"Hello!"

"Oh, yes, uh, you're ......."

"Hello!"

「...... Hello."

"I've been waiting for you to come...... C...... Annoying! That's right, Uzato-sama!!"

「......」

 

It's my first time, I was forced to say hello at the first meeting, and I was taunted (?) It was done.

Listening to the voice of the maid hurriedly correcting my name behind me, I looked up at the sky wrapped in a barrier with my eyes pressed down in mental shock.

_______________________________________________________

It turned out longer than I expected.

This time, it was about Usat being recruited by Samariar, but Lucas is not a bad person, although he does this and that.

...... I'm going to do this and that.

 

Next time, a girl in a box...... (Grocery eyes)