I was wrong.

The fact that I was using my friends as decoys was all a misunderstanding, and I couldn't stay calm because Shea was gone.

When I look back on it after that, I think I did a really hard job.

 

「……」

 

Wake up and get up.

Around him, a small girl called a beastman named Amako, who was sleeping with him, and a demon girl named Kira, were sleeping with a small sigh.

Kira was asleep wrapped in a kind of black fluttering dress called dark magic, and I was surprised to hear that this was the same magic as mine.

 

"It's not my magic at all......

 

It's the first time I've ever woken up in a place surrounded by people.

Until recently, Sia, I remember my mother sleeping with me a long time ago, but this was the first time I had slept in such a strong Mr./Ms..

 

"Gru-......"

"Hmm."

 

The blue monster that we were leaning on instead of a pillow squirmed.

 

"Are you really the giant bear monster I know? I was surprised at how quiet he was."

 

The giant bear monster I know, the monster they call the Blue Grizzly, is ridiculously ferocious.

They attack me even when I use magic, and I'm so strong that I don't want to deal with them as much as possible.

 

「…… You're just as strong as that."

"Guu

 

This is probably half the reason why most territorial monsters don't want to attack.

He's still small and young for a bullbear, but he's still strong.

Yes, this guy had a solid personality that he conveyed by instinct.

 

"I can't believe I'm doing that to my friends...... What the hell is that?"

"Uh-huh...... Rune?"

 

While stroking the sleeping bear, Amako woke up.

Did you wake me up because ......?

 

"I'm sorry, I think I woke you up."

"Hmm, I don't have to worry about it because I always wake up around this time, did Rune sleep well?"

「…… yes."

 

It's been less than a day since we've met, so why do they get along so well?

I'm the one who provoked the monster.

 

"Keira is still sleeping, so don't wake her up."

"Okay."

 

Nodding to Amako, he walked out of the tent to find Koga, a silver-haired demon man with a gap, sitting in front of the fire.

The sleepy guy notices me and Amako coming out of the tent.

 

"Oh, good morning Mr./Ms.."

"Good morning, Koga, did you wake me up by Usato?"

"Oh, he's going to wake me up. I'm going to get scared if you really want to correct my lifestyle ......."

 

After a big sigh, Koga stretches out again, and Amako looks around.

 

"Where's that Usato?"

"He would have walked over there to get his body moving."

"Let's take a look."

"Aren't you at the nearby waterfall? …… Well, if you're a clairvoyant magician, you don't have to worry about it."

 

For some reason, I decided to follow Amako and look for Usato.

As he leaves the camp, he meets Koga's men who are guarding him and travels to the place where the waterfall is said to be.

 

"Oh, there it is."

"Hmm, it's true."

 

Avoid the bushes and find Usat standing near the basin.

He's taking off the white clothes he wore yesterday and he's trying to do something in front of a big rock.

Whew!! I can't hear it well because of the sound of the waterfall...... Are you trying to crack it?

 

"Wow...... Nhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

Standing in front of a large boulder, a green light lights up in Usato's hands.

He holds it in a flowing manner and swings his fist at the large rock in front of him.

He didn't mean to smash the rock, he just pumped his fist into it as fast as he could——— and for some reason, there were about six green magic bullets stuck to the boulder.

 

"Hi......"

 

My voice trembles as I remember yesterday's explosion.

As I spoke, two of the magic bullets attached to the boulder burst in time and stirred up a wind.

Even if you want to forget it, you can't forget it, because you feel a tremendous vibration from the magic bullet that swells in front of you and a comfort and peace that is disgustingly out of place.

 

"Only two exploded? The other four are ordinary magic bullets?"

 

After Amako's quizzical muttering, Usato wielded the magic power of his silver right arm.Shone・・・・。

 

"Is that ...... Usato's lineage strengthening?"

 

The shining silver arm wielded as if to drown out Amako's muttering, the moment it touched the magic bullet of the large rock that did not explode——— it unleashed a shockwave and sound that was stronger than the previous explosion.

 

"What......?"

"No, I don't know what you mean......"

 

I'm going to cry.

Usato used his magic as a magic that heals humans, but no matter how you look at it, it doesn't seem to heal.

After shattering a part of the boulder, he wore a light green magic in his left hand and a green magic power that emitted a strong light in his right hand——— and then he made an explosive sound with a series of green flashes.

I couldn't see what was going on in the flash, but I knew that neither Amako nor I were doing something terrible that we couldn't imagine.

 

「…… I can't do it."

 

Usato, who breathed contentedly as he smoked the afterglow of green magic emanating from his right hand, turned to the bushes where Amako and I were.

 

"I'm sorry, was I noisy?"

"It's different...... Usato, did you make another weird move?"

"Hahaha, it's more of an application than a make, and I might need it in the future."

 

Amako approached Usato quite naturally!

Amako is not so surprised, but when I follow her, Usato calls out to me as well.

 

"Good morning, Rune, did you sleep well?"

「…… Uh-huh."

 

Genuine care and a sense of calm that is somewhat similar to that of a mother.

He nods hesitantly, confused by Usato, who is completely different from when he was fighting.

 

"So, what were you doing earlier?" Are you trying to do something weird again?"

"You'd be wrong if you thought all the techniques I use were weird...... It's a bit of a mess."

"You can't get away with it."

 

Amako points to a large rock that is chipped and Usato gives her a confident expression.

 

"What I've just done is an offensive healing spell that forces you to choose between a magic bullet that adsorbs and an explosive bullet that forces you to choose between two and takes away your judgment."

"I'm sorry, it doesn't make any sense at all."

 

I didn't understand it either.

 

"First of all, let me explain, the system reinforcement and the system degradation that I developed the other day rebounds when you touch it, causing a shock wave."

"Yes, this is the first time I've heard of it."

"This is a tactic that applies that property."

 

Then, Usato unceremoniously flashed a magic bullet in his hands.

They both look the same magic bullet, but what is it?

 

"My left hand is a normal magic bullet, and my right hand is an exploding magic bullet."

"Huh!?"

 

- In front of her, she is exposed to dangerous objects and hides behind Amako's back.

 

"Oh, I'm sorry! This is the one that has been weakened to the point that it is a little noisy even if it bursts!"

"Uh, yes."

 

He nods to Usato, who hurriedly apologizes.

Amako looked at the two magic bullets without showing any particular surprise.

 

「…… I don't know the difference at all, do you?"

"That's how I made it. If you look closely, you can see the difference, but I don't like this one.In battle・・・Stick it to the opponent."

 

True to his word, Usato stuck two magic bullets on the large rock.

 

"At this point, those who don't know about the existence of healing explosive shells are faced with two options."

"Choices?"

"Should I tear it off or not? But if you don't tear it off——— this is what will happen."

 

One of the magic bullets stuck to the boulder bursts, causing a small explosion.

 

「…… What if you know about explosive shells?"

"In addition to the previous option, there are two more options as a premise."

 

I can't understand it at all.

But Amako seems to know.

His face is blue, though.

 

"This magic bullet is an explosive bullet or an ordinary magic bullet.Either・・・・That's the choice."

"What if you see an ordinary magic bullet?" …… Oh, no way, ......."

"Yes, just as you imagined."

 

Usato's fingertips glow green on his silver arm and he touches the magic bullet attached to the boulder.

In an instant, the same explosion occurs.

 

"I'm going to detonate it with the system enhancement I created with the gauntlet in my right hand."

「…… I think it's really disgusting to be beaten while you're fighting. It's too gross. I mean, that's something that Usato usually hits you on, right?"

"If necessary"

"That's not like you have four options, but Usato can bluff to the point where he can 'touch' with the system enhancement of his right arm, so it's going to be a mess in your head."

 

Usato's silence at Amako's point.

With his arms crossed, he smiles a little and holds up his fingers.

 

"......, this is Taiman's exclusive 'Offensive Healing Magic'."

"You definitely didn't think about that, did you......?"

 

I know Usato's exploding magic.

That's why I'm wary if it sticks together, and in fact I pulled it off right away yesterday.

But what if it's fake?

If you don't explode, but deliberately create a gap to tear it off...... That could be the case when Usato is able to attach his real exploding magical power.

Even if he detects the fake magic and leaves it alone, Usato can explode even that.

 

「…… I'm sorry......"

"What's the matter?" Rune, apologize suddenly, ......."

"Don't up and Shea, because you won't do anything wrong."

"No, no, I won't!" I know it's too dangerous in the first place, so I don't use it in normal combat! How do you use this...... Well, it's only against bad people!!"

 

He is a little relieved by Usato, who says so in a panic.

But if Usato is this strong, I feel like I can understand why Shea would ask for help.

 

●

 

The girl, who called herself Rune, lived alone in this forest.

Her parents are no longer there, and the people who appear to be her clan are scattered by a calamity decades ago, and now they don't even seem to exist.

I guess it's because she's lonely, but she doesn't seem to care that much about it.

 

"There's a place where monsters can't get close...... Maybe that's what Shea wants, so she went there."

 

It was noon the day after he reconciled with Rune.

Under Rune's guidance, we were to move through the realm of demons.

The information she brought in the Demon Realm was very valuable, and it was more reliable than the material in the Demon Lord's Realm.

 

"I want to help Shea, too, so I'm going to help you."

 

With her offer, we move through the realm of the former demon under her guidance.

The formation is almost the same, like me, Amako, and Mr./Ms. Nagi walking in the lead, adding Rune to guide the way.

 

"The territory of the monster varies from place to place, and the place I was in earlier is my territory."

"Then I'm in a different place."

"Yes, but I don't think they'll attack me because I'm here. Maybe."

 

The power itself was considerable.

Well, even if it is said to be a territorial nushi, it is convincing.

 

"And the giant bear there...... There's a guy with the same face as Amako over there, with a big body, so it's okay."

「…… What, do you want me to call you ......?"

 

Mr./Ms. Nagi is shocked when Rune points at him.

Bulllin is ...... to swallow and sneer.

 

"Giant bears, the one you call the Blue Grizzly is the same species as the Nushi in another territory. That's just as strong."

"Well, this guy has a different level of experience......

"Grua!"

 

I have an image that he is usually lazy, but this guy is this guy, and he runs around the battlefield during war, and the potential itself is considerable when he is a child of a grand grizzly in the first place.

 

"That big guy is terrible, he's not normal. Monsters"

"Usato, children are obedient, ah, haha."

"Nagi Mr./Ms.......! Take care ......!!"

 

Rune's malicious words are about to break Mr./Ms.'s heart Nagi!?

While comforting Mr./Ms. Nagi, who was shocked to the point of collapse, he tries to change the topic lightly.

 

"Is the place where the territorial nushi is headed?"

"I don't know, ordinary monsters don't come near me...... There's a lot of weird monsters over there."

"Weird monster ......"

"Also, there are a lot of houses that no one lives in, and there are Mr./Ms. big houses, which is very scary."

 

……。 Or ruins?

Considering that it is a place where the power of the Demon King is sealed, it is not buried in the ground there, so it is not strange that it is in ...... ruins.

 

"It's a trap, I have to think about being ambushed by the devil."

"Wouldn't it be okay if Amako and Kannagi were there?"

 

The nair on my shoulder tells me so...... It's not a good idea to rely too much on clairvoyant magic.

The same can be said for healing magic.

 

"Well, we'll decide this when we camp out today."

 

There should be a place for discussion.

At least you shouldn't be talking in the woods where you don't know who's listening.

…… For now, let's get to our destination, but let's ask about Rune's magic while we still can.

 

"Rune, is your magic a spell that imbues you with magical powers?"

"Maybe."

 

Maybe.

Dark Wizard...... I don't know what it is, but maybe it was because he didn't have anything to do with other humans that he didn't go out of control without touching people's malicious intentions.

 

"My mom had the same kind of magic, and I thought everyone was like this."

"Can the black flame choose what to burn?"

"Maybe."

 

Rune also vaguely replies to Nea's point.

Hmmm, this aboutness is just dark magic.

 

"The big beast is on fire......

 

In order to survive in an environment infested with monsters, I felt like I had made myself as big and strong as a monster. Is it because animals and monsters are afraid of fire?

Dark magic is a magic that is easily affected by the surrounding environment.

 

"Usato-kun"

"What's wrong?"

 

Mr./Ms., who is in the middle of the squad and is guarded by her subordinates while grasping and recording the terrain, calls out.

 

"I'd like to see the surrounding terrain soon, so can I fly to you?"

"Okay, Keira, are you awake?"

『…… Huh!? Of course, Momo!!"

 

Could this have been a ...... of sleeping?

Feeling sorry for waking her up normally, she confirms that Nea has transformed into an owl.

 

"Okay."

"Alright, Koga, I've asked for it."

"Oh, come on."

 

Transform the cloak to create a scaffold for Mr./Ms..

She jumped on the cloak as she got used to it and tapped me on the shoulder as if she suddenly remembered.

 

"Usato-kun, it's just right, so why don't you let Rune-chan check it out?"

"Me?"

"If the place you're going to is like a ruin, you can find it from the sky...... Above all, I have elven blood, so my senses are excellent, so it's just right."

 

…… What do we do? He looks at Rune with a question, and she tilts her head as she climbs onto the unfolded cloak.

 

"I don't know what it is, but it's okay."

"Uh, yes?"

 

Well, I don't think I'm going to drop it, and I'll be fine.

If you're going to be attacked by Hoobird like you were before, you can stop it with a healing explosion.

With that in mind, it floats up softly and lightly.

 

"Wow......."

"Hold on to me, can you hug me?"

"Oh, I don't like that."

「……」

 

Isn't Mr./Ms. a terrible person?

I smiled bitterly at her who behaved like a senior under limited circumstances, and while I was thinking about making a belt for the time being, Rune, who was behind me, put his arms around me as if to cling to my neck.

 

"Hmm?"

"......, what's wrong? Won't it fly?"

 

…… Well, I don't mind because it's safe to cling to me.

 

「……」

"Hannah Mr./Ms....... Don't look at me like that."

 

Mr./Ms.'s eyes are scary.

Averting my gaze away from her, I leap as if I were slowly floating, and then climb up at once.

 

"Is this ...... so high!?"

"Do you see anything all three?"

 

Nea, Hannah Mr./Ms., I ask Rune as I look at the view from the sky.

The scene of the demon realm where the earth seems to be wrapped in greenery as usual.

The only difference from the last flight was that what looked like a lake in the distance now feels closer...... What?

 

"There's something by the lake."

"Oh, it's true."

 

Ruins next to the lake...... Or?

Unlike the ruins where Mr./Ms. Nagi was sealed, it is a place where the city itself seems to have decayed.

I couldn't see it clearly from here, but Rune, who was clinging to me, looked over his shoulder and pointed to the lake.

 

"That's right over there."

"Could Shea be in that place?"

「…… Yeah. Shea's purpose is ...... Maou? I can't think of anything other than that."

 

In other words, there may be the power of the Demon King, Shea, and demons.

 

"——— used to be a place where my kinsmen lived, and now it's empty and it's a scary, eerie place."

 

The fact that he has the power of the Demon King may have some kind of impact on the land, just like the poison zone of the Demon King Territory.

______________________________________________________

Usato, who has developed an offensive healing magic exclusively for one-on-one.

Even if you just attach a normal healing magic bullet, you can bargain in battle, so it's a pretty dangerous technique.