A day has passed since I joined Inugami-senpai and headed home together.

After all, the trip with the seniors was more lively than usual. Nea and Amako, who were entangled with the strangely excited senpai, had a tired expression, but on the other hand, Burlin was in the senior's magic hand (?). ) and shows the same iron plate power as ever.

Finally, after a long journey, we returned to the place where we all began: the kingdom of Lingle.

 

"You're back, aren't you?"

"That's right."

 

Standing in front of the gate of the Ringle Kingdom, he muttered with deep emotion.

When Mr./Ms. calls out to the gatekeeper to open the castle, a nostalgic view jumps into his eyes.

…… There's a place I really want to head to first, but that's later.

 

"Let's go to the castle first, we have a lot to report."

「…… You haven't told me yet, Usato-kun, have you?"

「……」

"Usato-kun!?"

"Oh, no, this is because my seniors will definitely faint when they hear this......"

 

In fact, the only thing that happened in the Beastman Country was that he was able to wake up Mr./Ms. safely.

I've learned how to react if I tell the truth.

 

"No, no, I'm already used to the Evil Dragon! …… Well, I didn't expect ...... more than that."

"I can't make a comparison, but ......'ll tell you when I report to Master Lloyd."

 

While answering softly to the senior who held his hand as if he were bracing himself, he shifted his gaze to the scenery of the Ringle Kingdom that he had not seen in a long time.

 

"Hey, this is the Ringle Kingdom, it's not a pretty place."

 

Nea muttered as she looked around the cityscape in the form of a person

Come to think of it, this kid didn't know this place because he became a companion during the journey.

 

"This is going to be your place to live for a while."

"Well, it doesn't seem to be a bad place to live...... But I can feel the stares."

 

One of the country's brave warriors has returned, so it's only natural that he's attracting attention.

I don't want to say it myself, but I'm also a member of the rescue team.

As we walked down the street leading to the castle, waving back to the townspeople who were happy to welcome us home, Amako, who was walking next to us, suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Following her gaze, she saw Mr./Ms. Sarla, a woman who lived with Amako in the Lingle Kingdom, with a surprised expression on her face.

 

「…… Usato"

"Come on, we'll just be fine."

"Yes!"

 

Amako nods happily and runs to Mr./Ms..

After seeing her off, I turned to look forward, relieved that I had completed my journey safely.

 

●

 

Before entering the castle, we left Bullyn in charge of the guards and went to the hall where Master Lloyd was waiting.

In the hall, Lloyd is sitting on a throne and Mr./Ms. is standing beside him.

I also found Mr./Ms. Welsey and Sigurd Mr./Ms..

In terms of time, we had been apart for a short time, but it felt like it had been a long time since we had seen each other.

 

"Suzune, Usato, thank you for returning safely. The knights who served as escorts also had a hard time."

"Hah."

 

Bow your head while kneeling.

If you look at Nea with a sideways glance, she is quietly bowing her head.

This guy could have been rude and caused a ruckus, so I was really relieved that he could read the air at times like this.

 

"Hold up your head...... I have heard of their exploits from reports in Hoobard and from letters from other countries. Really...... He did a really good job."

 

He looked up in accordance with the words of Mr. Lloyd, who said so in a gentle tone.

 

「…… Are you tired from a long trip? I don't care if I'll report back later, both Kazuki and Celia are looking forward to seeing you again."

「! Has Kazuki already returned?"

"Ah, about five days ago, I think you were worried about them for a long time."

 

Good...... Kazuki had returned safely.

In my heart, I would like to follow Lloyd's words and go get some rest, but I have something to report to you immediately.

 

"Mr. Lloyd, I have a serious report for you."

"What? Usato"

 

Once I sorted out what I was going to say to the Lloyds who were wondering, I slowly spun the words.

 

"What I'm going to tell you is also a serious secret of the floating city of Myalak."

"It's a secret of Mialak, I'm sorry, but the knights should leave here for a moment."

 

The knights, including Mr./Ms. Kurmia and Mr./Ms. Arc, leave the room.

Only a few vassals, Mr./Ms. Welsey, Mr./Ms. Signis, and Inugami-senpai remained.

In the quiet hall, a senior speaks to me in a hidden voice.

 

"Usato-kun, are you talking about the hero's weapon?"

"I'll apologize now."

"Hmm?"

"There's something I haven't told my seniors yet."

 

Saying this, he turned to Mr. Lloyd.

After confirming that the payment was complete, Mr. Lloyd urged me to speak.

 

"Then please, Usato."

"Yes, Mr. Lloyd, do you know what happened in Mealark?"

"Of course, you said that the knight of Mialak turned into a dragon man and went on a rampage, right?"

"Yes, during that event, I had an encounter with a being."

 

He pauses and takes a small, deep breath.

Even though I can't help but explain the hero's weapon, I get nervous to talk about him.

 

"Divine Dragon Falga-sama, this is the dragon that controls 'peace' and 'harmony', which is said to have made the armor of the previous heroes."

"Hmm?"

 

What was the voice that almost erupted just before I was about to gasp out?

No, for the sake of my senior's honor, let's not look next to him now.

As I was unconscious from next to me, Mr./Ms. spoke to me, her voice trembling.

 

"Shi, Shenlong!? Did Shenlong really exist!?"

"Yes, he is quite old, but he certainly exists. …… There's evidence."

 

Saying this, I rolled up my right sleeve and unfolded the gauntlet made from the sword of the previous hero.

 

"This is a gauntlet that was remade by Lord Farga based on the sword of the previous hero that he obtained on his journey."

「…… Mr./Ms. Usato. May I show you a little bit?"

 

Show Mr./Ms. Welsey the gauntlet.

She had been observing the gauntlet carefully for a few tens of seconds, and she rolled her eyes in astonishment.

 

「…… Can we say that this is a magic tool? At least it is not something that can be created by humans. It's as if the metal itself is integrated with the arm...... It would be impossible to even imitate it with existing technology."

 

Mr./Ms.'s reaction made the people in the hall buzz.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lloyd, who had been silently watching the situation, opened his mouth.

 

"Usato, I will take your word for it."

"Thank you...... It seems that Falga-sama will make a special armor for the two of them for the coming battle against the Demon Lord, for the heroes of this generation, Senpai and Kazuki."

「…… What. It's ......, though."

"Master Falga seems to think that the Demon King is so powerful."

 

Mistress Lloyd puts his hand to his chin and indulges in thought.

 

「…… I didn't think that a being who appeared in the story was still alive...... At this age, there were still some things that surprised me. Thank you, Usato. It would have been hard."

"I've just been doing what I want to do in a way.........

 

Yes, it was hard, but almost all of it was either on my own or I was caught up in it and stuck my neck out.

So I don't have any regrets about my journey so far.

At my words, Mr. Lloyd pressed his hand to his forehead.

 

「…… The other day, I heard that Hoobard had a report that he had fought with two legion commanders of the Demon King's army in the Beast Nation Country. A letter sent to me by Lucas of Samarita stated that he had broken the terrible curse that had plagued the royal family and saved his daughter......."

"Usato kun, what are you talking about?"

 

Mr. Lloyd, who frowns with regret, and the senior who looks at us like a machine that has run out of oil.

Trying not to make eye contact with his seniors, he listens to Lloyd's words.

 

"Both Suzune and Kazuki have been on a perilous journey fighting mighty monsters, and I can't thank them enough for fulfilling their mission and returning to ...... kingdom."

"It was certainly a dangerous journey, but I don't think it was a pointless journey."

 

I say this to Lloyd, who regrets that I have sent us on a dangerous journey.

 

"It was a very invaluable experience for me to meet a Mr./Ms.lot of people and broaden my perspective on the world...... How was your senior?"

 

The senior was a little surprised to be suddenly shaken, but he immediately looked at Mr. Lloyd with a smile.

 

"I feel the same way as Usato, and I'm sure this trip meant a lot to me as well."

"Suzune, Usato......"

 

At our words, Lloyd closed his eyes for a few seconds.

You can't read what Lloyd is thinking from his expression, but he doesn't seem to regret his actions like he did earlier.

 

"You've grown up a lot more than I thought you would. Once again, as the king of the Lingle Kingdom, I would like to send you words of gratitude."

"Yes."

 

As I and my seniors bowed their heads while on our knees, Mr. Lloyd smiled kindly.

However, when he saw us, he seemed to remember something, and he began to growl a little.

 

"How did you do it?"

"Well, I have a few questions to ask you...... Do you mind?"

"Yes, what is it?"

 

I wonder what it is, from the bushes to the sticks.

 

"There are rumors all over the country that you are in love, but what is the truth?"

 

- A senior who shakes his shoulders greatly and behaves suspiciously at an unexpected topic.

On her behalf, I explain to Lloyd what happened.

 

"Oh, yes, that's what it was, the whole kingdom was about to set up a celebration......

"It was dangerous...... Senpai"

"So, Soudane......"

 

For some reason, my senior turned away from me.

Seeing us, Lloyd looked relieved.

 

"But in a way, I was relieved."

"Why?"

"No, there was a letter from Lucas, the king of the kingdom of Samaria, that included his daughter's letter...... I can't even put you in the corner."

 

Mr./Ms. gives me a letter carefully folded in half.

I said no, and when I looked through it, I saw a sentence with words of gratitude from Lucas's daughter, Eva.

If it is given normally, this is not a sentence that makes you realize that you are in love.

However, if you change the situation, the perspective will change completely.

 

"You conspired, Lucas......!"

"Usato-kun? The king's daughter is a princess, isn't she? I wonder if you'll be bothered as a senior."

 

You definitely enclosed this on purpose, didn't you? It's a roundabout parental idiot assist, isn't it?

The content itself is a normal sentence, but the purpose is to catch the eye of Mr. Lloyd, right?

The outer moat is steadily being filled!

I was left to be left to do by a senior who shook my shoulders with an awkward smile, and the smile of Lucas, who laughed a little badly, was too much.

 

●

 

For the time being, the full-fledged report to Mr. Lloyd was to be made at a later date, so we left the hall.

After parting ways with Mr./Ms. Alc, we walked along the corridors of the castle with our seniors and Nea.

 

"The Curse of Samaria, I didn't think you were involved in an incident related to witchcraft."

"It was a ridiculous incident, a soul bound to this world by magic attacked me with a substance, and to be honest, I didn't feel alive......

"How does the soul attack?"

"It's like a translucent skeleton biting you while clicking your bones."

 

Wow, says the senior with a pale face.

I don't like ghosts, so I'm a little traumatized by that time.

It was a terrible pain when the memory of a ghost was forcibly swept away in my head.

 

"It's okay to make small talk, but where are we going now?"

 

Nea blurted out, transforming into an owl and jumping on her shoulder.

I've reported Nea to the people in the castle beforehand, but I hope she doesn't transform in front of people's eyes.

 

"I'm going to see me and my senior friends."

"Do you mean the other hero?"

"That's right."

 

According to Lloyd, Kazuki is waiting for us in another room with Celia, so that's where we're heading right now.

As I was walking down the aisle with a wry smile on my face at Nea, who was in a good mood when I heard that he was a hero, a figure jumped out of the corner, so I stopped.

 

"Yo, I finally found it!"

"Kazuki!?"

 

Kazuki, who was approaching him at a brisk pace while adjusting his breathing, had a relieved expression on his face.

 

"Weren't you supposed to wait in the room first?"

"When I heard they were back, I couldn't help but stay...... I ran out of the room. Hahaha......"

 

Kazuki, who still has a refreshing smile, makes me feel nostalgic.

…… I mean, it's a really different reunion from when I was a senior. I'm still happy with both of them.

 

"But I'm so glad you're both safe...... I've always been worried......"

"Oh, ah, don't cry, Kazuki-kun......"

 

Kazuki is in tears, and I and my seniors are in a hurry.

Seeing Kazuki like that, Nea whispers to me a little reluctantly.

 

"Unlike Suzune, he's terrifyingly evil, this guy, and he's scary in another way......

"Kazuki is a pure young man......

 

He has a pure heart that is different from me and Inugami-senpai.

Kazuki, who was overwhelmed with emotion as if he was so worried, continued to speak while wiping his eyes.

 

"I'm sorry......! But when he found out that Senpai and Usato had fought a dangerous being...... I really didn't feel alive ......."

"Did you hear about it from Master Lloyd?"

"No, I asked a fortune teller I met in the elven settlement."

"Oh, yes...... Eh, elves...... Hmmm."

 

A senior who is upset as much as possible.

It's a classic of elves and fantasy, so I'm sure you'll be really interested in it.

I'm managing to maintain my self-control right now, but I don't know when it's going to collapse, so I'm going to ask you a question instead.

 

"What does the fortune teller think of us?"

"Two of the three plagues on this continent have been prevented by a hero who possesses lightning and a white healer...... What?"

"White Healer...... Do you mean me?"

"yes, I knew right away that it was pointing to Usato."

 

White Healer...... Normally, no, it's very cool.

I'm wondering how the elven fortune teller came out of his mouth in the first place.

 

"'Evil Divine Dragon', 'Man-eating thunder beast', 'Forest-eating monster', I managed to defeat the gluttonous monster, but it was a very strong enemy. Their ...... Without the help of the elven people, I can't imagine what would have happened by now. That's why I've always been worried about the two of them fighting a being as powerful as the monster I ......."

 

In the elven divination, were the evil dragons also lined up in the same row?

Well, it was a nuisance that, if left unchecked, would just spew destruction and poison. It's not surprising that they are treated that way.

 

"But I'm glad we were able to see the three of us again."

 

Kazuki happily puts it into words, and I and my seniors laugh at it.

Suddenly, Kazuki tilted his head as he glanced at Nea on my shoulder.

 

"Usato, I was curious, what about the owl on your shoulder?"

 

Oops, yes.

I'll have to introduce Kazuki to Nea.

 

"A companion who joined me on my journey, Nea, a familiar."

"Regards, another brave Mr./Ms.."

"The owl spoke!? Could it be a monster that can talk? It's amazing!"

"Hmmm, yes, I guess so."

 

Nea is proud of Kazuki, who is usually surprised and amazed.

He must be happy to be praised obediently.

 

"Oh, I have to introduce you to some new friends...... too."

"Oh, maybe Kazuki-kun is also a familiar!?"

"No, it's not a familiar."

 

Relieved and relieved.

I'd like him to hide it a little, but it doesn't seem to be the case for seniors.

 

"I'm an elven hunter, and I was the only daughter of a chieftain in the village, but after many twists and turns, I became a friend."

"Are you there!? There is an elf girl in this country! If so, I'll introduce you——"

"Yes, senior, please calm down."

 

- She stops the senior who tried to question Kazuki with bloodshot eyes by strangling him.

After a few seconds, Kazuki smiled nostalgically at my senior, who had become as quiet as a borrowed cat, and me, who was tired and weak.

 

"After all, this is the exchange, Senpai and Usato...... yes."

"Kazuki-sama, where the hell have you gone?"

 

A familiar voice ...... in the distance.

Could it be Celia-sama? I wonder if they are looking for Kazuki?

 

"Oh, no, Celia is looking for me. …… Aside from the seniors, what about Usato? Do you want to go with me?"

"Well, what should I do?"

 

After thinking about it for a moment, I tell him what I'm going to do.

 

"Me and Nea are going back to the rescue team."

"Well, I'm back in this country, and I'll see you whenever I want. I'll introduce you to my new friends later."

"Yes, then, senior, we're going to break up here."

"Oh...... See you soon."

 

He leaves the place with Nea.

It's been a long time since all three of us were able to talk.

But for me, I haven't really gone home yet.

 

"After all, home for me is a lifeguard."

 

You can understand it without anyone telling you.

That he was waiting for me to come back in that place.

 

"Hey, hey Usato."

"What is it, Nea?"

"I'm going to live in a castle, so let's break up here?"

 

I smile wryly at Nea's suggestion.

 

"Nea...... It's okay. No one is going to discriminate against you because you're a monster."

"No, it's not."

"That's because most of them are like demons, even though they're human."

"That includes you?"

 

　……。

 

"Don't worry, no matter what anyone says, I'll go back to the rescue team with you."

"Hey, can you listen to me? I told him I live in the castle and you don't have to take him to the rescue team."

"No matter how hard it is, I'll be with you!"

"You don't like it, do you?!"

"Oh yes! Will you come with me? I'm happy too!"

"What!? Maybe you're ignoring it after hearing it!? What the hell is that?! Don't grab the wings! Let it go!?"

 

You're my familiar.

In that case, it is part of the job to share the fate with the master.

With Nea, who was desperately trying to escape from my grasp, I proceeded to the lifeguard's quarters.

_____________________________________

Next time, I will finally be able to return to the rescue team.

 

I'm sorry, I'm late because I'm writing another novel.

Perhaps we will update only one chapter as a new work in the near future.