On the day of departure.

After I had loaded my bags with food and other things, I said goodbye to Olga, Uluru, Mr./Ms. Uluru, Mr./Ms. Olga, who had gathered at the rescue team's base.

 

"Usato-kun, I've heard that you're on a tough mission again."

"Mr./Ms. Olga, are you feeling well?"

 

I woke up this morning and cared for Mr./Ms. Olga, who came to see me off.

…… His physical fatigue may have healed, but his heart, which has healed more people than anyone else, is exhausted.

At my words of concern, Mr./Ms. Olga smiles helplessly.

 

"As long as you move a little, it's not a problem."

"As for me, I'm worried about Usato-kun and your brother, ...... I understand that you want to see Usato off, but don't push yourself too hard."

"Ha, haha, I'm sorry for worrying you."

 

Mr./Ms. Uluru muttered as if she was unfaithful.

Then, from behind her, the tough man with a hot air smiled at her.

 

"Olga aside, I don't think it's worth worrying about this guy."

"Oh, I was going to do it again on the battlefield the other day."

"Well, I don't care if they call me a devil, I was flying."

"He was more of a monster than I was."

"Well, actually, it seems that both the demons and the monsters were scared."

 

Even at times like this, it doesn't change, this bastard.

He probably saw me a few times when he was running around the battlefield. I could see the movements of the black-clad people.

The humanoid monsters, who first say the tongs' words and then make unfounded accusations against me one after another, secretly hold their fists together and keep smiling.

 

"Well, I can't help being told that."

"Exactly."

"It's Usato, I can't help it."

"Gru"

 

Huh, I don't have an ally, ......?

Nea, Ferm, Amako, and then Bullyn agree to fold in that order.

 

"But, oh well."

 

Should I give the original tongs a blow after saying a word? As I thought about it, he went on to say something.

 

"You're a brat, but when you're gone, you're gone, and you can't compete with each other, don't worry about it, but let's get rid of the Legion Commander and the Demon King and go home."

 

When Tong says that, the others give him a vicious smile that would make even an adult cry.

It hadn't changed since I first came to the rescue team – it was a traumatic smile, but at the same time, it was more familiar to me than anything else.

 

"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

I couldn't suppress the smile that swelled up, and I scooped up my hair with my hands that held my eyes.

Everyone except the tough guys look at me and turn pale, but I don't care about it and face the tongs.

 

"Be prepared when I get back, I'll accompany you to training hell with the privileges of your superiors."

"Hah, that's fine, this monster."

 

They smile as they exchange words with each other.

Saying that I don't need any more words, I cut off the conversation and then shift my gaze to Nak, who is still pale-faced.

 

"Nak"

"Uh-huh, uh-huh......

 

What's that "I shouldn't be afraid, but I'm afraid by instinct."

As I tilted my head at Nak, who seemed to be reacting as if his will and body were moving in reverse, Amako next to me tugged at the sleeve of my dress.

 

"Usato, your face and atmosphere are going to be a big deal."

"It's not Rose anymore, it's Usato's own ......."

 

What do you mean by "unique"?

I'm certainly not conscious of Rose, though.

For the time being, rub both cheeks with your hands and make an expression? Undo.

To make sure, I turned to Amako and checked.

 

"Are you back?"

"Yes, the usual Usato. The auger rate is going down."

 

What does "Auger rate" mean? Is it something that can be quantified?

Wondering, he picks himself up and speaks to Nak.

 

"Nak, I asked you to stay with me."

"Ha, yes! I'll do my best in training!!"

 

Nak straightens up and responds in a loud voice.

 

"I still can't do techniques like healing punches and healing magic bullets, but there are still a lot of things that Mr./Ms. Usato has taught me in order to find my own "healing magic"!!"

"Usato?"

"Okay, okay! Nak, I'll definitely come back even if I mean it, so do your best! Let's grow up with each other and see each other again!!"

"Oh, yes!"

 

The low voice of Nea, which is usually unimaginable, involuntarily shakes her shoulders.

And ...... done! - ...... was found out that I taught Nak the technique in secret to Nea! His words of enthusiasm for finding his goals and the path he should aim for are happy from the bottom of my heart, but I can't help but turn my voice inside out when I feel the presence of Nea behind me.

After that, the greeting ended without being tightened.

But maybe that's okay for me.

Rather than saying goodbye and feeling sad, it seemed more appropriate for me to smile and renew my resolve to go on a journey and return.

 

●

 

Traveling to the place where the taiga was located was by horseback.

The members of the trip, including me, Mr./Ms. Sigurd, the two knights, and Rose who had come to see me off, were to go, but I was the only one who decided to run as I did yesterday.

I realized now that I had the idea of riding a Bulllin, but today I could only ride Amako due to space constraints, probably because he had his luggage on his back.

Rose had a scar on her shoulder, so she was riding normally...... When he saw me running, he held his head uncharacteristically and muttered, "When I get back, I'll teach you how to ride a horse."

 

"The end of this river is the Demon Lord's Domain, and as I heard, you can hear the screams of demons everywhere."

"You have to be careful when you cross."

 

I replied to my seniors who were looking at the opposite shore.

From the other side, I can feel the presence of monsters everywhere, just like yesterday.

 

"Alright, Usato, let's build a bridge right away."

"Yes, then, Nea, Ferm."

"Yes."

"Okay."

 

Ferm nodded at my words, and was swallowed by the black magic as if sinking into his own shadow, assimilating with my body.

Nea transforms into an owl and jumps on my shoulder.

I tilted my head when I saw my legs, which had changed into a form that allowed me to transform, high speed, and outburst of magical power from my whole body.

 

"Hmm."

"What's wrong?"

"No, I think I can return the legs to their normal shape, which is a little inconvenient because the instep makes a rattling sound when running."

『…… I think it's cooler this one, but if you're like that, I'll put it back in shape.'

 

When the Ferm in me does that, the instep of my leg deforms and turns into a pitch-black boot.

As I tapped the ground with my toes to see how I was doing, Rose, who had come to see me off, put her right hand on my chin and looked at me curiously.

 

"Oh, that's what you heard about."

"Yes, this is a form that has been assimilated with Ferm's dark magic, and although it doesn't have direct attack power, it can do a lot of things...... It's a feeling."

"You're really going to grow up differently than I expected."

"Well, the master is the master, and the apprentice is like the master."

"Ha, hoarse."

 

While exchanging light words with Rose, I finished my preparations and called out to Mr./Ms. Leona, who was holding a spear of Falga-sama.

 

"Mr./Ms., I'm ready."

"Well, all right, then I'll use my magic to build a hastily built bridge. Everyone, stay away from the river."

 

Mr./Ms. warned us down and wielded the spear she held in one hand to create eight ice spears.

 

"——Strengthening the Grid"

 

As Leona Mr./Ms. muttered, the eight ice spears began to cast intense cold.

They move according to her will and line up on the opposite bank, diagonal to where we are.

When she saw that the ice spear had moved into place, she dropped it into the river.

 

"Freezing Release!"

 

She pointed the tip of her spear at the river, and the next moment she exclaimed—eight pillars of ice protruded from the great river.

The system enhancement contained in the ice spear was activated underwater to create a path for the bridge...... Why?

Although she understands it in her head, she is overwhelmed by the tremendous technology and the strength of the system reinforcement, and she notices that Leona Mr./Ms., who has imbued the blade of her spear with magical power, has shifted to a slashing position.

 

"Go on, one more time!!"

 

Heading straight for the eight pillars, he unleashed the magic of ice in front of him with a sweep.

While shaking the atmosphere, a magical force blows on the opposite shore that can be mistaken for a blizzard.

When the white haze created by the magic cleared, there was an ice bridge supported by eight pillars.

 

"As expected, you are the hero of Mialak."

「「「……」」」

 

Except for Rose, who is normally impressed, no one is too surprised to speak.

I mean, I'm really glad that Leona Mr./Ms. is on my side...... Yeah.

The ice bridge is about three meters wide, and it seems to be strong enough to easily ride even a bulllin.

Mr./Ms. Leona placed her palm on the bridge and turned to me, pouring magic into her.

 

"Usato! Please!!"

"Oh, yes! Ferm, Nea, let's do it!"

 

Kneeling next to Mr./Ms. Leona and placing her hand on the ice bridge as she did, Ferm applied a black belt to reinforce the bridge and Nea cast a "shock" resistance spell on the ice bridge.

I put a network of black magic around the bridge to prevent it from slipping, and I nodded to Mr./Ms. Leona and told the seniors behind me that the bridge could now be crossed.

 

"If it breaks, I'll do the worst, and I'll do it with my strength, preferably two of them at a time, so I'll be the first to intimidate the monster...... Ahead ...... No, Kazuki. After that, Amako and Senpai. Then Mr./Ms. Leona. Let's go in our turn at the end."

"Hey, Usato-kun? Now you avoided letting me cross the bulllin, didn't you? Why?"

 

I look away from my seniors who are glaring at me with jito eyes.

With a wry smile on his face, Kazuki approaches Bulllin.

 

"Well, Bulllyn, let's go."

"Gru"

"Oh, I'm motivated, hahaha."

 

Kazuki smiled refreshingly at the snorting Bulllin.

It's a rare combination, I thought, and I prepared to move the black magic in case of emergency.

 

"Okay, I'll go first, Usato."

"Grua!"

"yes, be careful not to fall."

 

Kazuki and Burlin carefully cross the ice bridge covered with black magic.

However, even if a large bulllin rides on it, the bridge will not be frightened.

Kazuki, who had safely crossed to the opposite bank, waved to him, and Amako walked in front of the bridge.

 

"Amako, if you're scared...... It's okay to hold on, okay? Shall I rather hug you?"

"It's no use saying it in a cool voice, let's go, Suzune."

"Ugh, Amako is cold......"

 

And Senpai and Amako also cross the bridge safely.

The only ones left are me, Nea, Ferm, and Mr./Ms. Leona, who are maintaining the bridge.

 

"Well, then, Mr./Ms., leave the rest to me."

"Ah, judging by the strength of the bridge, it seems that it is okay to cross normally."

 

Mr./Ms. let go of the bridge and stood up, crossing the bridge.

Even out of her hands, the bridge made of system-strengthening ice still exists.

 

"Well, it's time for us."

"Well, even if the worst bridge breaks, you'll be fine."

"Rather, it seems that you can swim to the opposite shore normally."

"It's not impossible, but it's better to be safe."

 

I answer to the nerves on my shoulders and the ferm inside as I prepare to cross the bridge.

The resistance spell remains, but the black magic is removed, so I make a spike of magic on the soles of my feet so that I don't slip here.

 

"Usato"

 

When I was about to cross, Rose called out to me from behind.

 

"Yes, Captain."

"I came here with the intention of seeing you off, but it seems that you don't need any words as much as I thought."

 

Rose has her left arm through a cloth hanging from her neck.

She looked at my whole body again and smiled.

 

"On this journey, you will have to make choices that will affect your future."

"Do you ...... it will affect the future?"

"I don't know, but I'm sure it's going to be important to you."

「…… Yes."

 

I nodded at Rose's words.

Considering the journey ahead and its purpose, it's not surprising that such a choice is being forced to make.

 

"What should I do then?"

"Do as you like, and choose whichever you think is right. You can choose all the choices you're given, or you don't."

"Yes......."

 

Rose smiled at me and stroked my head hard with her right hand.

 

「OneselfTemejeDon't limit your possibilities, Usato. Act by believing in the answers and the ideals that you have thought and derived, not the answers given to you by anyone."

「…… Yes!"

"Nea, Ferm, and Temeje and the others?"

"Oh, yes......."

"Yes."

 

The ideal and answer that I thought about and derived.

Once again, I ruminate on Rose's words in my mind.

 

"Come on, Usato."

"I'm coming!"

 

I replied to Rose, and I turned to move forward, firmly stepping on the icy ground.

Journey to the Demon Lord's Realm.

There was some fear and anxiety, but Rose's words blew it all away.

Without being misled by anyone's words, I look at the Demon Lord's Realm and the Demon Clan with my own eyes and derive my own answer.

I don't know what lies ahead, but I have friends I can rely on.

That alone gives me courage.

_____________________________________

It was Usato, who finally mastered the original smile.

 

Chapter 9 will focus on Usato's new moves and his interactions with each character.

After updating the story for about three episodes, we move on to chapter 10.