Chiyu Mahou no Machigatta Tsukaikata ~Senjou wo Kakeru Kaifuku Youin~

　The day after the training with Kazuki and the rest.

　A messenger from the castle arrived.

　It was the first time I’d ever been to the castle.

　I immediately put on my white uniform, the formal attire of a member of the Rescue Squad, and left the Rescue Squad quarters, leaving Nack and the others to look after me. After meeting up with Amako on the way to the Royal Castle, they followed the castle staff’s directions to the hall where Lloyd-sama was.

“Usato, how was your day yesterday? You trained with Leona and the others, didn’t you?”

“We got a lot out of it. And don’t be surprised to hear that?　We came up with a wide range of healing magic bullets.”

“You’ve come up with another funny trick.”

“That’s rude. Don’t make it sound as if I’m always coming up with weird tricks.”

　You can drown out your opponent’s attacks and support your allies, right?

　Cowering with a sense of relief, she smiles at Amako, who walks next to her.

“There isn’t a technique that Usato has come up with that isn’t weird, is there?”

“How dare you!”

　He said this to me with very clear eyes.

　That’s it.

　That’s what this little fox really thinks.

“I was just thinking that this time I’ll create a magic trick to blow away a lot of enemies. That’s the kind of thing Usato would do.”

“Yo, it’s not fair to use predictive magic!”

“……What?”

“Huh?”

　Amako looks up at me with a seriously surprised look on her face.

　Realising that I had dug my grave, I cough falsely and look forward.

“Hmmm, there are ways to use it like that, but it’s mainly a technique to release it upwards to spread the healing magic.”

“Hmm, I see. It’s an amazing technique. Mm-hmm.”

“Ugugu……”

　What a sense of defeat.

　What is this feeling of defeat?

　As you feel a strange sense of defeat at the smirking Amako, you arrive at the hall where Lloyd-sama is.

　There, I found Lloyd-sama, Sergio, Welshy, Kazuki, senpai and Leona.

　When Lloyd-sama noticed me stepping into the hall, his somewhat haggard expression turned cheerful.

“Oh, you’ve come, Usato. I’m sorry, you’re sick.”

“No, no. Don’t worry about it.”

“Thank you, Amako, for coming.”

“Yes, Lloyd-sama.”

　It’s very kind of you to think of me, but I’m more worried about Lloyd-sama.

　Perhaps because of the post-war processing and handling of the situation, his expression is exhausted and he has dark circles that are visible even from a distance.

　With no time to care for her, she is urged to sit where Kazuki, senpai and Leona are standing side by side.

“Good morning. Usato-kun, Amako.”

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, Suzune.”

　As I whispered my greetings, the door to the hall was closed, as if we were all here.

　After a few seconds of silence, Lloyd-sama looks around at everyone present, and then turns his gaze to me.

“Usato, I’ve heard about your exploits this time. As a rescue squad, you fought well.”

“…… Yes.”

“Normally, we should give you a long rest instead of such a short period of time. …… I’m sorry.”

“No, I think I know what’s going on by myself.”

“I see. …… You have heard from Amako, haven’t you?”

　I nodded to Lloyd-sama’s words.

　Kazuki and senpai looked at me with a curious expression, but I think Amako’s prediction will be explained later, so let’s keep quiet for now.

“The contents of this convocation are confidential. Therefore, there are only a limited number of people who have been gathered here. I will tell you that first.”

　At Lloyd-sama’s words, Leona shows a puzzled expression.

　She is a Mi’arak person, so she seems to have doubts about being here.

　Perhaps sensing this doubt, Lloyd-sama turns his gaze to her.

“This is a story that also concerns you, the hero of Miarak. If I were you, I should have told you in advance, but Falga-sama reminded me not to leak any information as much as possible.”

“No, I think it was a natural decision.”

　　As I should have expected, is Falga-sama involved in this matter?

“The Coalition was victorious in the battle against the Demon King’s Army, but we were dealt a heavy blow by the Demon King’s Army’s super wide-range magic attack. The damage was by no means small, and we fell into a state where we could not even pursue the defeated Demon King’s Army.”

　I don’t know if it was because I fainted, or how much damage was done there, but it was an attack of that magnitude. A lot of people must have been injured.

　At the very least, there are more injured people than the healing magicians of the Rescue Squad could heal in a few days.

“At that time, an urgent message was delivered by Falga, the divine dragon of Mia rak. Its contents suggested the fact that the attack made at the end of the battle was due to sorcery exercised by the Demon King.”

“The Demon King ……!?”

　The master of the demon race, who has not interfered directly until now.

　When I learnt that the previous large-scale attack was carried out by the Demon King, I understood how powerful he is.

　And at the same time, I finally understood the intention of that attack.

　It was also an attack to share the pain, and to let the demon race escape.

“We were hurt by the attack of the powerful demon king, but on the contrary, we were able to know the existence of the demon king, which we could not even catch a glimpse of until now.

　IHowever, it can be said that, on the contrary, it was a witness to the overwhelming strength of the Demon Lord.

　I’m not sure if it’s possible for a mere mortal to compete with a demon king who can attack like that. In some parts of my mind, I feel uneasy about that.

　I listen to Lloyd-sama’s words, trying not to let this anxiety show on my face.

“”The demon king is weak,”” is the conclusion drawn by the divine dragon, Falga-sama.

“Weakened ……?　What does that mean?”

“The current Demon Lord seems to be less powerful than before he was sealed, and Falga-sama said that he had used up a lot of his strength in carrying out this attack.”

　I see, so the Demon King did not carry out the method of invasion as described in the memoirs of the heroes.

　Because if the gruesome invasion had been carried out as described in the memoirs, the Coalition would have fallen without a fight. ……

“Over the past few days, I’ve been talking with my ministers, and I’ve come up with a plan.”

　Lloyd-sama falls silent as it is.

　I could see the regret and confusion on his face.

　After a dozen seconds or so, Master Lloyd verbalises his plan as if he is trying to squeeze it out.

“A small number of troops to defeat the demon king army. The three heroes, Suzune, Kazuki and Leona, and the healing magician Usato, who assists them, form a squad of the most elite of the elite, and are sent to the demon king’s territory.”

“””!”””

“For us, now is an opportune time when the Demon King is probably weakened. We will use the best forces on the human side to seize the opportunity and launch an offensive at once.”

　The faces of everyone except me and Amako look astonished.

　The three heroes, including Kazuki, senpai and Leona, and me, the healing magic user?

　……When I think about it again, I wonder why me?　The most important thing to remember is that you can’t just take a chance on a new person and expect to be able to get a new job.

　To be honest, I can’t think of anything else.

“To be honest, I couldn’t agree more with this plan. I could not agree to this plan, because it would drive you, who have fought to the death and survived, back to the dead. I have appealed to Falga-sama to find some other way, but no alternative has been found. In addition -“

　Lloyd-sama’s gaze turns to me and Amako.

“Since Amako has seen the prediction that you guys will go on a journey to defeat the Demon King, it has been decided that the plan will be carried out.”

　Amako’s prediction never came true.

　It must have already been decided that Amako herself, myself, my senpai and Kazuki, who appeared in her prediction, would go on the journey.

　Even so, Lloyd-sama raises her head and looks at us with straightforward eyes.

“But I will still ask you guys. I’m not sure what to make of it. Of course, I won’t blame you if you refuse. I want you to give me an honest answer.”

　Silence reigned in the room.

　The first person to break the silence was the senior.

“Lloyd-sama, I am already prepared for this. Although I have only been summoned to this world for a short time, for me, the Kingdom of Lingle is my second home. If it is for the sake of the people living in this land, I will take up this sword.”

“I, too, feel the same as my senpai. If I can protect the lives of the people here with my power, I will fight the Demon King.”

　Kazuki then puts it into words.

　Like senpai, I’m ready for it.

　Once I turn to look at Amako next to me, she grasps the sleeve of my corps uniform.

“If it’s Usato’s decision, I won’t say anything, okay?”

　I nodded at her words and turned to Lloyd-sama.

“Lloyd-sama, I will also participate in the defeat of the demon king as a member of the rescue squad.”

“……, you don’t mind, do you?”

“Yes.”

　If I shy away from the mission here, I’ll be yelled at by the Commander again.

　And apart from my mission as a squad, I also have a great desire to help my senpai and Kazuki.

　I’ll do something that only I, a healing magic user, can do, not anyone else.

　The three of us declared this, and at the end, Leona-san took one last step forward.

　As it was, she kneeled down in front of Lloyd-sama, and after one pause, she opened her mouth.

“From the very beginning, I came to this land on a mission as a brave warrior. If that is the case, there is no reason for me to refuse the task of defeating the Demon King. And besides–“

　Leona-san takes one look at me.

　She smiles a little at my tilted head, and continues with her words.

“He, Usato, and I have been through the death line together. I’m not sure what to do, but I’m sure I can do it.

“L-Leona-san: ……”

“At the oath of office, an appeal says ……!”

　When put into words like that, I am usually embarrassed.

　For some reason, senpai is frustrated in a small voice, but even for me, having Leona-sama on my side is very reassuring.

　After hearing the four of us, including me, reply, Lloyd-sama lowered his shoulders as if he were deflated.

“I entrust the fate of the Lingle Kingdom, or rather, the people living on the continent, to you guys.”

“””Yes!”””

“Suzune, Kazuki, Usato. I’m sorry that I have to put this burden on you again, but as an adult, I feel ashamed. But still, let me say this. Be sure to …… and come back alive.”

　You can’t imagine how difficult the journey of defeating the demon king is.

　Nevertheless, now that it has been entrusted to us, we must absolutely fulfil its mission.

　We must make it back alive.

　So, having made a mental note of Lloyd-sama’s words, I replied strongly.

　After announcing our participation in the mission to defeat the demon king, we were taken to a separate room where we were briefed on the full details of the mission to defeat the demon king and Amako’s prediction.

　We were sitting on chairs lined up in a room where documents and maps had been collected, and Welshy-san, who had the documents on the table, was telling us about the Demon Lord’s territory where we would be heading.

“Now that the Demon Lord is weakening, it is preferable to leave as soon as possible. …… First of all, we need to familiarise you with the geography and information about the Demon Lord’s territory, otherwise it will be dangerous.”

Welsey-san, who has a map of the continent on her desk, points to a black piece of land marked Demon Lord’s territory.

　It is the territory of the demon king, which is adjacent to the country of the beast man across the territory of the demon.

　While looking at the map carefully, I listened to Welsey-san’s explanation.

“To be honest, the Demon King’s Domain is an unknown land for us, just like the beastman’s country.”

“Has anyone tried to enter it or anything?”

“I heard that there were many people who tried to enter, but few of them came back alive.”

　Is that how harsh the land is?

　No, it could simply be that the demon side is well protected.

“If there are only a few pieces of information, it is that the demon king’s territory is inhabited by ferocious demons.

“Then it may be difficult to make the horse run properly, isn’t it?”

“Yes, that would be very likely.”

　Leona-san pointed out, and Welsey-san nodded.

　If it is impossible to travel by horse, then we will be limited to walking.

　Due to the fact that we carry luggage, we don’t want to have to carry heavy luggage,……, but if you’re in Bluerin, you might be able to move around without fear of demons.

“The problem is that you don’t know how to get to the place where the demon king is, right?”

“Yes. We have interrogated the prisoners, but in this short period of time, we have not received any convincing information. To be honest, it would be very difficult to head to the Demon Lord’s territory at this stage.”

“…… We can’t let the captured demons guide us on our way. I’m sure you’ll be able to understand why.

　Senpai crosses her arms and utters this.

　If you’re a prisoner of war, there’s a good chance that you’ll be taken to a false location or trapped and endangered.

　　In the first place, it is far from comforting when you are travelling with hostile demon captives.

“He’ll show you the way, demon tribe.”

　I have an idea of what I’m talking about.

　But I’m not sure if I should ask her out.

　…… No, there’s no point in me being the only one wondering now.

“Welsey-san, I have an idea.”

“Is it her, by any chance?”

“Yes. But would you mind if I waited just one day?”

“That’s fine, but …… are you sure?”

　Welsey-san looks worried, but I tell him not to worry.

　She is no longer a danger, but she is definitely in a difficult position, both on the human side and on the demon tribe side.

　Besides, considering her past, she might refuse to go to the Demon Lord’s territory.

　First, let’s go back to the inn and talk with her — Ferrum.

Author’s Note:

You have completed your training and gathering of friends, and you are now at a certain starting point.

That’s it for this update.