After the attack, I saw the village that seemed to be Sia's hometown, but there was no harvest.

It's an ordinary village with nothing particularly unusual, and there's nothing strange about it, minus the fact that the villagers are sleeping.

Was there really no point in investigating as Shea said? I decided to return to the city with Liz.

We had to cross the city walls to get back to the city, but that didn't matter to Liz and me, we were able to cross it and go back to our respective inns.

 

"So Liz found out."

"That's right......

 

On the way back to the inn, I parted ways with Mr./Ms. Leona, who had unassimilated, and Ferm and I went back to the room where Senpai and Nea were waiting.

So I immediately explained to them what had happened tonight, and after hearing the story, Nea put her hand to her forehead as if to endure the headache.

 

"I can't help Liz, I can't imagine that she happened to be in the woods."

"Whew, that thief bear...... Should I have forced myself to follow ......!"

"If it weren't for you, who would respond to the notice about the festival earlier?"

"Kyayes."

 

Did you get the news about the festival?

I'll ask you about it later.

 

"The problem is that I encountered Xia Garmio, I know you fight normally, but what does it mean that you formed an alliance to fight the demon lurking here?"

"It's exactly what it means, I didn't want to do it, but it was the price I was given."

 

It's about revealing the secrets that I can't find out about Shea's birthplace that I found out today, and doing something about the magic that eats away at Mr./Ms.'s body.

The former depends on the content, but the latter is one of the few ways to solve Mr./Ms.'s problem.

 

"Huh...... It's bad for Lanzas, but it's not in your interest at all. Couldn't you negotiate the release of the Owl?"

"No, Usato said that too, but he refused, saying he didn't want to part with this guy and Rose...... If that's the case, you'...... exchange it for me."

「…… It's a matter of trading for Ferm, who has dark magic."

 

Ferm explains on behalf of me, who is trying to appease the desolate Nea.

The senior, who was listening to the story on the side, put his hand to his chin and nodded.

 

"Hmm, just from what I've heard, it seems that the current Owl is supposed to be able to handle seven magics, Nea, isn't the state of the Owl normal from your point of view?"

「…… yes, yes. There was no doubt that magic was being used, and six spells extracted from the corpses of six of Rose's men were packed into one of the owls. It's a corpse, so there's no pain or anything, but you're doing something crazy."

"He was a tough opponent, and his strength and the number of cards in his hand were troublesome."

"......, if it weren't for the brain-muscle idiot who multiplies this technique, it would have been a pretty handy opponent."

"Huh?"

 

Why was I abused in this flow?

From my point of view, he was a formidable opponent.

 

"Leaving aside the negotiation at this time, the problem is this, this one."

 

Nea points to a sword in a scabbard on the table.

A sword that was originally my gauntlet weapon that has been altered.

The shape is also the same as that of the small sword when it was pierced into the heart of the evil dragon.

 

"Usato, this is really the gauntlet you were using, isn't it?"

"That's for sure, and your seniors know that this is Falga-sama's armor, right?"

"Yes."

 

It's vague, but it feels like a gauntlet that has been used for a long time, so there is no doubt that this is Farga-sama's armor.

The senior picks up a small knife in a sheath placed on the table and pulls out the blade slightly.

 

"The sword itself is made in a special way, and I think this sword was definitely made in the same way as mine, in an out-of-this-world way."

 

Similar swords were made in Hinomoto, but there was no sword itself.

Currently, the only swords that exist in this world are the sword held by my senior, the black sword of Mr./Ms. Nagi, and the small sword of Shea in front of me.

 

"The fact that you are willing to give away what you have stolen for negotiation, it seems that the demon lurking here is quite troublesome from Xia Garmio's side."

"I gave it to you, so I knew Shea was serious...... It may have something to do with her."

 

Shea used the gauntlet she had stolen from me as a sword to assist in the manipulation of her magic.

The fact that he gave it to me and tried to negotiate with me means that there was a reason for that.

A demon called Envar.

I haven't even gotten my tail yet, but if this demon might put the people of Calmherio in danger, I have to prioritize this.

 

"The liaison officer said Rune would be coming......

"Hey, that girl?"

"She's a pretty girl who is half demon and half elf."

 

I don't know if it's going to come yet.

As expected, the seniors were really biting.

 

"For the time being, I would like to warn my seniors to be careful."

"Usato-kun, if you think I'm someone who likes small, cute girls, you're wrong, right?"

"Dark magic will turn you into a lion cub."

「……。…… Even if it's a big mistake...... Swoo...... Maybe not."

"Isn't the pause too raw?"

 

It was like a very difficult decision.

Will he be able to keep his sanity after meeting Rune...... I'm a little worried.

- When she smiles wryly at her growling senior, Nea talks to her this time.

 

"How's Rune?" How are you?"

"I've always been in the form of dark magic, but I don't think it's a terrible thing."

「…… Maybe Shea's caretaker is forced to do it. I don't know what's going on with Shea right now, but it doesn't seem like she's been pushing her personality all the time."

"If Rune hasn't left Shea's side, it means she's still there."

 

For Rune, Shea is her first friend and family.

There's no way Rune can leave her alone.

If possible, I hope to be able to talk to you when you come as ...... liaison.

 

"So, while Ferm and I were gone......

"Hmm? Yes you're right. Shortly after you left, news came from the messenger of the kingdom."

 

It seems to be related to festivals, so I wonder if it's about the second ordeal?

 

"It seems that tomorrow night we will announce the contents of the second trial in the royal castle."

"Are you only participating in the event?"

"No, it seems that both the hero and the squire are obliged to participate, just like at the beginning."

 

If so, will they gather in the hall?

Well, I'm scared of how Liz will react.

I trust her, but I'm a bit of a jerk.

 

"Somehow, but I personally think that the next test will be a pretty important one."

"Why?"

"Usato-kun, the servant posi, is getting a lot of attention, so it wouldn't be surprising if the festival side piggybacked on the trend."

 

What can I do?

 

"I don't want to stand out any more......

"It's too late."

"It's more like you're gaining popularity in the first trial, sir."

 

I'm aware that I stood out too much...... It was a plus that I was able to dispel the image of the novel...... I hope so, yes.

 

「…… For now, let's take a break today. You have a training session with Rain early tomorrow, right?"

"That's right."

 

As for the devil, we are still waiting and seeing.

I know it's there, but it's annoying that I don't show my tail at all what I'm doing.

 

●

 

After the discussion, I took a bath and went back to my room.

After this, I just go to bed, but somehow I pick up the sword that Shea entrusted to me and look at it.

 

"I don't have a shadow to look at."

 

The armor that was originally a gauntlet has now been transformed into a small sword.

To be honest, it's not that I don't have my own thoughts, but it's true that I don't need a gauntlet right now.

 

「……」

 

Is Shea trying to use this to assist her powers?

What are you trying to do with the light magic that you have made available to you with that aid?

I've spoken to her twice, including today, but I have no idea what her purpose is.

 

"You are hostile to the devil...... Why? If that's the case, what's the one that's possessing Shea?"

 

Shea's tone was like looking down on the devil.

It's not surprising considering the lack of camaraderie among demons...... Somehow, I could feel her disgust and murderous intent towards the devil.

 

"Are they really enemies?"

 

If you think about it, there is no harm to the general public due to what the entity that took over Shea did.

It wasn't she who stole the bodies of Mr./Ms. because it was done by Raari.

The rest...... Is it that he has taken over her body and is in danger, and that he is seeking a piece of the Demon Lord's power?

And this time, he wants you to stop the demons who are plotting evil in Kamherio.

 

「…… Oh, I don't know."

 

Come on, stop talking to yourself and go to bed.

I made sure that the sword was neatly sheathed and placed it on the table next to the clothes hanging on the wall, and just as I was about to ——— to turn off the light of the magic tool, there was a knock on the door.

 

"Usato, are you awake?"

"Ferm? I'm awake."

 

When he answers, he opens the door and Ferm looks into his face.

 

"What's wrong?"

"I just want to talk to you about something."

 

I get off the bed, urging him to sit in a chair.

He didn't seem to think about it, and he really didn't know what was going on.

 

"I'm sorry, it's early tomorrow."

"It's okay, what happened to you?"

"What about today?"

 

That today?

I tilt my head without thinking.

 

"It's time for an exchange, thank you for denying it right away."

「…… That's the story of that time."

 

Maybe I didn't have to worry about it so much because it was a metaphor.

I thought I said the obvious.

 

"I know it was a joke, but he was honest with me because he said no right away...... I was happy."

"As for me, there was a part of me that didn't like Sia's way of saying that she only saw you and Mr./Ms. as power."

 

It is true that he was annoyed with Shea, who treated him as a simple force and tool.

I'm not treating Ferm's magic as a force.

I'm able to use it because Ferm is helping me.

I think the difference is tremendous.

 

"I think being put in the rescue team changed me."

「…… That's right."

"I've changed and become weaker at the same time, and I was invincible when I was in the Demon Lord's army, where I could repay the wounds as much as I was hurt."

 

Dark magic "inversion".

Except for Mr./Ms.'s lineage enhancement, Ferm's magic is still by far the strongest of all the magic I've seen since I came to this world.

Regardless of the level of skill, Ferm's dark magic will return any wounds it has inflicted on its opponent.

She was the "Black Knight" who was literally invincible and could never be attacked by herself.

 

"But now that I'm weaker, I've learned to interact with people, and I used to tell myself that I could be alone, but now I enjoy every day with you."

"Yes."

「…… I don't like the training because it's hard."

 

I'm a little honest.

 

"So...... Keep up the good work."

"yes, I'm counting on you."

 

I nodded to Ferm, who said that with a sense of clumsiness.

After a moment of silence, as if he had finished saying everything he wanted to say, Ferm stood up, writhing in agony as he combed his hair in his hands.

 

"Oh, it's time to go to bed!!"

"Oh, yes?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, but you should take better care of yourself!!"

"Well, I think I'm taking good care of it."

 

The lifeguards are very careful because their bodies are their capital.

But maybe I'm wrong, Ferm shouts as he turns around as he opens the door.

 

"It's not convincing to say that someone who offers healing magic is so easy! Good night!!"

 

With that said, Ferm rushed out.

After a few seconds, I came back to myself and sighed in agreement.

 

"Certainly, you're right."

 

Maybe I forgot my original intentions a little.

The people you need to help are important, but don't neglect yourself.

Yes, I remembered what Rose had taught me in Ferm's words, and I engraved that lesson in my heart once again.

 

__________________

The "assimilation" of dark magic is also usually a bad performance, but the "reversal" was even more atrocious.

 

That's all for this update.