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

The day of departure.

　After giving Bluerin to carry some supplies and other things, I said goodbye to Olga-san, Ururu-san, Nack, and the tough-looking guys who had gathered at the Rescue Squad's camp.

"Usato-kun, I hear that you got another difficult mission."

"Olga-san, is your physical condition okay?"

　I woke up this morning and was concerned for Olga-san who came to see me off.

　... His physical exhaustion may be subsiding, but his heart, which has healed more people than anyone else, is exhausted.

　My words of concern bring a powerless smile to Olga-san's face.

"If it's just a little activity, it won't be a problem."

"As for me, I'm worried about Usato-kun and Onii-chan... I understand your feelings of wanting to see Usato-kun off, but don't overdo it."

"Ha, haha, sorry for worrying you."

　Ururu-san muttered so unhappily.

　Then, from behind her, a group of tough-looking men in a stern atmosphere smiled.

"Putting aside Olga, I think worrying about this guy is useless."

"Yeah, because he did another crazy stuff on the battlefield the other day."

"It wouldn't have been surprising if anyone had called him the devil. I mean, he was flying."

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

"Well, in fact, I heard that both the demon race and the monsters were scared of him."

　Even at a time like this, they don't change, these bast*rds.

　They probably saw me several times as I was running around the battlefield. Even from me, I could see the movements of the guys dressed in black.

　I keep smiling as I secretly hold my fist down at the humanoid monsters who, speaking one after another, make baseless statements against me, starting with Tong.

"Well, if you put it that way, it can't be helped."

"That's right."

"It's Usato. It can't be helped."

"Gruu"

　Fuh, I guess I don't have any allies...?

　Nea, Ferrum, Amako, and, unexpectedly, Bluerin, in turn, all agree.

"But, well"

　Should I give the source of the problem, Tong, a blow after saying a few words? Or so I thought, but he continues, trying to tell me something.

"I know you're a nice little brat, but when you're not around, there's no tension. I ain't worried about you one bit, so go and clear out the corps commander or the Demon King and come back home."

　When Tong says so, the others give evil smiles that would make even adults start to cry.

　It was a smile that hadn't changed since I first came to the rescue squad---a smile that traumatized me, but at the same time was more familiar to me than anything else.

"Kuh, haha"

　Unable to hold back the smile that welled up, I brushed my hair with my hand holding my eyes.

　Except for the tough-looking guys, everyone else looks at me and turns pale, but I don't let that bother me and look at Tong and others.

"When I get back, you better be ready. I'll give you the privilege of a superior officer to accompany me to hell training."

"Ha, bring it on. You monster."

　We exchange words with each other as our smiles deepen.

　I broke off the conversation, no further words necessary, and then shifted my attention to Nack, who still had a pale face.

"Nack"

"Hih, ah, yeah..."

　Eh, what's with that "I shouldn't be afraid, but I'm afraid by instinct" look?

　As I tilted my head at Nack, who reacted as if his mind and body were moving in opposite directions, Amako, the girl next to me, tugged at the sleeve of my clothes.

"Usato. Your face and atmosphere look seriously crazy."

"It's not Rose anymore, more like Usato's own unique..."

　What do you mean by "my own unique"?

　Indeed, I am not like Rose, but....

　For now, rub both cheeks with my hands to restore the expression? The expression is restored to normal.

　To make sure, I turn to Amako and ask her.

"Is it back?"

"Yeah. The usual Usato. The ogre factor is down."

　What is the ogre factor? Is it something that can be measured?

　I wondered, then regained my composure and spoke to Nack.

"Nack, take care during my absence."

"Y-Yes! I'll do my best in training!!"

　Nack straightens his back and responds loudly.

"I still can't do the healing punch or healing magic bullet, and I still have a lot to learn from you, Usato-san, in order to find my own unique "healing magic"!!"

"Usato?"

"A-Alright! Nack, I'll definitely come back, no matter what, so you should do your best too!! Grow up together and meet again!!"

"Yes!"

　Nea's voice, which is so low that I can't imagine it normally, causes my shoulders to involuntarily shudder.

　Oh, shoot...! Nea found out that I taught Nack some tricks in secret...! His words of enthusiasm as he finds his goal and the path he should pursue make me happy from the bottom of my heart, but the presence of Nea that I feel behind me, she unintentionally makes a squeak.

　After that, the greeting ended without much closing.

　But for me, that's probably a better one.

　Instead of being sad and wistful about the goodbye, smiling and renewing the determination to go on a journey and return seemed more like me.

●

　To get to the location of the great river, travel was by horseback.

　The members of the journey, including me, Sigurth-san and the two knights who had come to see us off, and Rose were to head there, but only I made the same decision to run as I had yesterday.

　I realize now that I had the idea of taking a ride on the Bluerin, but today due to space limitations only Amako was able to ride, probably because of the travel luggage on its back.

　Rose had a shoulder injury, so she was riding a horse normally ..., but when she saw me running, she unusually held her head up and muttered, "I'll teach you how to ride a horse when we get back."

"So the Demon King's territory is at the other end of this river. As I have heard, I can hear the cries of monsters all over the place."

"We have to be careful when we cross."

　Responding back to senpai who is looking at the other side of the river.

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

"Then, Usato. Let's quickly build a bridge."

"Yes. Well then, Nea, Ferrum."

"Yes"

"Understood"

　Ferrum nodded at my words and was engulfed by black magic power as she sank into her own shadow and assimilated with my body.

　Nea transforms into an owl and jumps on my shoulder.

　I look at my legs, which have been transformed into a leg armor, turning into a figure that allows transformation, high speed, and outbursts of magic from the whole body, and I tilt my head.

"Hmm"

『What's wrong?』

"No, I was thinking that the legs could go back to their normal shape. The leg armor makes a clattering sound when running, which is a bit inconvenient."

『... I think it looks cooler this way, but if you insist, I'll just revert it to its original form.』

　When Ferrum, who is inside me, says so, the leg armor transforms and turns into a pitch black boot.

　As I tapped the ground with my toe to check my condition, Rose, who had come to see me off, put her right hand on my chin and looked at me, who had assimilated Ferm, with interest.

"Hou, so this is the form that I've been hearing about"

"Yes. This is a form that assimilates the dark magic of Ferrum, and although it has no direct offensive power, it seems ... to be able to do a lot more."

"You really grow up differently than I assumed you would."

"Well, the master is the master. They say the pupil is like the master."

"Ha, what a joke"

　While exchanging light banter with Rose, having finished my preparations, I call out to Leona-san, who is holding Falga-sama's spear in her hand.

"Leona-san, we're ready."

"Mu, got it. Then, as planned, I will use my magic to build a quick bridge. Everyone, stay away from the river."

　Leona-san, who had warned us to stand back, swung her spear widely in one hand to create eight ice spears.

"--System Strengthening"

　When Leona-san mutters that, the eight ice spears begin to be covered with an intense cold air.

　They move according to her will, lining up in a row on the other side of the river, opposite to where we are.

　After confirming that the ice spear had moved into position, she dropped it directly into the river.

"Ice Release!"

　She pointed the tip of her spear at the river and shouted, --- and the next moment eight pillars of ice shot out from the great river.

　Did the ice spear's contained system strengthening activate underwater to create a path for the bridge...?

　I was overwhelmed by the tremendous skill and the strength of the system strengthening, though I could understand it in my head, when I noticed that Leona-san, who had her spear blade clothed with magic power, was moving into a cleaving stance.

"Keep going, one more time!!"

　As it is, the ice magic is unleashed forward to the eight pillars with a cleave.

　Shaking the atmosphere, the magic power blows so much that it could be mistaken for a blizzard to the other side of the river.

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

"As expected of the hero of Mialak."

"""..."""

　Other than Rose, who was normally impressed, no one was able to raise their voices because of the surprise.

　What can I say, I'm so glad Leona-san is on our side... yeah.

　The ice bridge is about three meters wide and seems strong enough to easily accommodate even Bluerin.

　Leona-san placed her palm on that bridge and poured her magic power into it then turned to me.

"Usato! I count on you!!"

"Y-Yeah! Ferrum, Nea, let's do it!"

　Kneeling next to Leona-san, I placed my hand on the ice bridge in the same way she did, while Ferrum applied a black reinforcement sash to the bridge and Nea cast a "shock" resistance spell on the ice bridge.

　I nod to Leona-san and tell Senpai and the others behind me that the bridge is now crossable, as I have put a web of black magic around the area where the bridge is to be walked on to prevent slipping.

"If it is about to break, at worst I will be able to hold it together by brute force. Two people at a time are preferable, so the first one is Bluerin, who can threaten monsters and ,... se-pa ... no, Kazuki. Then Amako and Senpai. Then Leona-san. Lastly, we'll go in that order."

"Hey, Usato-kun? Just now, didn't you just avoid letting me and Bluerin cross? Why?"

　I avert my eyes from senpai who is glaring at me.

　With a wry smile at us, Kazuki approaches Bluerin.

"Well then, Bluerin. Let's go."

"Gruu"

"Oh, you're motivated. Hahaha."

　Kazuki smiled refreshingly at Bluerin who snorted.

　While thinking that it's a rare combination, I prepare to use black magic in case something happens.

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

"Gurua!"

"Yeah. Be careful not to fall."

　Kazuki and Bluerin carefully cross the ice bridge, which is covered with black magic.

　However, the bridge does not budge even when a big Bluerin walks on it.

　After confirming that Kazuki had safely crossed over to the other side of the river and waved at us, Senpai and Amako stepped out in front of the bridge.

"Amako, if you're scared... you can hold on to me? Rather, should I hug you?"

"Even if you say it in a cool voice, it's no. Let's just quickly get going, Suzune."

"Uuwh, Amako is cold to me..."

　And Senpai and Amako also cross the bridge safely.

　The only ones left are me, Nea, Ferrum, and Leona-san, who are maintaining the bridge.　

"Well then, Leona-san. Leave the rest to me, you go first."

"Yeah. From looking at the strength of the bridge, it looks like it would be safe to cross it normally."

　Leona-san, who had taken her hands off the bridge and stood up, also crossed the bridge.

　Even though it is no longer in her hands, the bridge created by the system-strengthening ice still continues to exist.

"Well, we're next."

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

『Rather, it looks like you can swim and go to the other side of the river normally.』

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

　As I answer that to Nea on my shoulder and Ferrum on the inside, I too prepare to cross the bridge.

　The resistance spells are still working, but the black magic is removed, so I make magic spikes on the soles of my feet to prevent myself from slipping over here.

"Usato"

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

"Yes. Commander."

"Just in case I came here to see you off, but I guess there's less need to say anything to you than I thought."

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

　She looked at my whole body again and let out a smile.

"On your journey from now on, you will be forced to make choices that will affect your future."

"What does that mean affect my future...?"

"I don't know about that. 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 is not surprising that such a choice is being forced upon us.

"What should I do at that time?"

"Do what you want. You can choose what you think is right. You can choose all the choices you are given, or you can choose -- not to choose."

"Yeah..."

　Rose laughed at my confused look and patted my head firmly with her right hand.

"Don't narrow your possibilities, Usato. Act with faith in the ideals you have thought about and the answers you have come up with, not in the answers given to you by some other guy”

"...Yes!"

"Nea, Ferrum. It's also the same for you too, you know?"

"Y-Yeah..."

『Y-Yes』

　The guiding ideal and answer I have thought about.

　Once again, I let Rose's words reverberate in my heart.

"Go, Usato."

"I'm off!"

　I replied to Rose and turned to face forward, stepping firmly on the icy ground as I moved forward.

　Journey to the demon king's territory.

　I had fears and anxieties, but Rose's words blew them all away.

　Without being misled by anyone's words, I will look at the Demon King's territory and the demon race with my own eyes and come up with my own answer.　

　I don't know what awaits me in the future, but I have friends I can rely on.

　That alone gives me something called courage.