The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

Three days have passed since Mr. Kanoko woke up.

Amako is often seen with Rinka, who came to Hinomoto the day before yesterday.

Nair and Bulrin are coasting in their sleep.

Sometimes annoyed by the owl sleeping happily on my shoulder, I help with the restoration work in Hinomoto with Mr. Aruku.

Hinomoto, thanks to Hayate's efforts, was finally returning to a peaceful life.

"So you're finally leaving?"

"Yes. Thank you for your hospitality, but I might cause you trouble if I stay too long."

It's been exactly one week since I entered the land of the beasts.

Me and Mr. Aruk...... along with Nair, who was sleeping on my shoulder, were visiting Hayate's room.

When I told him that we were leaving Hinomoto and returning to the Kingdom of Lingle, he looked sad.

"...... don't worry about the soldiers looking at you, okay?"

"I'm used to that."

"Yeah, yeah. ......"

Soldiers whom I may have thrown away would turn pale and move away from me, or worse, they would say, "I won't do anything bad anymore! I thought I had gone too far.

I heard that there are some people who tell their children a story that if they do something wrong, they will be thrown to the ogre.

...... lama hage, I ha...

"I see...but it can't be helped. You're here on a mission."

"Yes."

When do you think you'll be leaving?

"I've had a good rest, and I hope to leave tomorrow around noon."

I would not want to stay any longer, and most of all, I would like to let them know that I am returning to the Lingle Kingdom.

Since there is no hoo-bird that can be sent to the human realm in Hinomoto, I would like to do something about the fact that we have not yet been informed of our safety as soon as possible.

"Is Hayate-san going to be all right?　I heard that he is now serving as a temporary chief."

At Mr. Aruk's question, Hayate scratched her cheek as if she was troubled.

"Currently, I, who was an assistant, am the temporary chief, but if no one else is nominated, I will be the chief for the time being, ...... I think."

"I'm sure Hayate-san will make me feel at ease."

"Ha-ha-ha, I wonder if that's true. I don't think it's a position I'd be comfortable in. ....... But I'll do my best."

I'm sure he'll be fine.

He may be modest, but it is thanks to his efforts that Hinomoto was able to quickly rebuild. The people who have been watching his actions would never complain.

Hayate's troubled smile quickly turns dark.

"It's about Jinya. ......"

"You're talking about being detained, right?"

"Yes. They are still holding him because he took magic from Kanoko and tried to start a war with dangerous ideas. ......"

"......What's going on?"

I sensed something unusual in Hayate's hesitancy.

"Jinya has become very confused since he lost his precognition magic. I think it's because he has been relying on foresight magic for the past two years, but he has become afraid of the present, which he doesn't know anything about."

"...... such an obvious thing to do."

"I think it's because it's natural. The future is usually unknowable, but Jinya reached for it. ...... I don't want to sound like a jerk, but maybe being afraid of something you can't see is the punishment for Jinya right now."

I don't know how you feel, Jinya, because I don't have the power of precognition magic.

But I think it is really scary that we can no longer see what we used to be able to see. What he did was too much, but I sympathized with him in that part.

"...... Let me change the subject. Since yesterday, as temporary chief, I have been thinking about the letter of the Lingle Kingdom."

"What?　No, but ......"

"Of course, I can't accept it. We're going to remain neutral. But ......"

Hayate then raises her arm.

Then, through the open window, two blue birds enter and stay on his arm.

Hoofbirds, bird-shaped demons that enable long-distance communication.

"I am thinking of establishing a friendship with you as friends without my position as chief," he says. Would that be all right?"

"!　Yes, of course.

No one will complain if someone finds out about it with you guys. Well, I heard that Amaco signed up for this too, so I guess the main thing that goes to him is the letter from Linka. Ha-ha-ha."

Indeed, it is impossible to form a cooperative relationship with Hinomoto.

It was obvious that it would not be good for them or for us to involve the beastmen in the current turmoil.

But I am willing to accept it in this way.

I held up my arms, and two of the fubards jumped toward me. Once again, their dull eyes are adorable.

I wonder what they would look like if I put them on my shoulders.

"...... Ha!　I have a feeling that my position is in jeopardy!

"What are you talking about?"

I make a simple messenger contract with Huberd, wondering about Nair, who said something unintelligible in her sleep.

It was easy to make a contract because all I had to do was to touch Huberd's head with my fingertips and mutter a few words.

After that, Nair was frantically chasing Huberd away with her wings.

"This is mine!　Here, shh shh!"

Since when does my shoulder belong to you? It's in its place, sure.

And so, Mr. Aruk finishes his contract with Hubbard.

Hayate, who saw Huberd leaving through the window, looked at me as if she suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, did you tell Amako about this?"

"Yes, well, ...... yes. The boy asked for more time, but maybe he will stay here with his mother. If he does, please take care of him."

Of course. But are you sure?

I hesitate a little at Hayate's words, but quickly answer.

"I'll leave it to Amako's choice."

"......Yes. Then I won't say anything more. Then let's switch gears. I was thinking of having a party to send you off today, how about that?"

"What?　A banquet is ...... such a big deal.

Hayate, you are smiling so much.

"Don't worry about it, it's an event to dispel the gloomy atmosphere that has been prevailing recently. Besides, we beastmen love parties. Everyone will be happy to attend, so there's no need for you to be shy."

Come to think of it, the feast we held in the hidden village was like that, too.

Once again, I think that beastmen are cheerful and fun-loving people.

After confirming with Mr. Aruk, I turn to Hayate.

"If that's the case, I'll be happy to join you.

"Okay, it's decided!　Then, let's make arrangements to let everyone know!"

Smiling at Hayate-san, who gives instructions to her subordinates with a smile, I think back to my earlier words.

Amako is either going to the Lingle Kingdom or staying in Hinomoto with her mother.

The usual choice would be to stay in Hinomoto with her mother, who has been asleep for a long time. It is sad to say goodbye, but it does not mean that we will not see each other forever, and we can keep in touch with each other by hoovering.

But we must be prepared for that.

But we must be prepared to say goodbye to our friends who have been traveling with us all these years.

I'll miss you.

I was lost.

Whether to return to the Kingdom of Lingle with Usato and the others, or to stay in Hinomoto with my mother.

If it had been me a long time ago, I would have said I would stay here without hesitation.

But now that I have completed my long journey, Usato and the others have become as important to me as my mother.

When Usato and his friends decided to return to the Kingdom of Lingle, Hayate held a banquet to send them off. Unlike in the Hidden Village, it was a big party in scale and everything, but everyone ate, drank, and laughed.

Since Mom was too sick to eat strong-flavored food, I let her sit in a position where she could watch the feast, and Rinka and I looked around the feast together.

During this time, I saw Usato, who looked as if he had just gotten over himself, having an arm-wrestling match and knocking down the Hinomoto men, including Mr. Daitetsu, one after another, giving the Hinomoto children the impression that humans = Usato, but I soon forgot about it.

Anyway, it was a noisy but enjoyable banquet.

But then..,

"Ugh, Usato, thank you, thank you. ......"

"Ah, ha-ha-ha."

"Mom, why couldn't you stand it?"

The morning after the party, Mom had a stomach ache.

Thinking something was wrong, I called up Usato and asked her why,

"Because it looked so good."

I hope you will praise me for not saying, "This isn't a thing," in a tone of voice like Usato's.

What is he talking about at the age of 34?　At this moment, I felt a little ashamed of being a daughter.

It all started when my mother, who couldn't stand by and watch the banquet, started to touch the food at the banquet.

According to Usato, she had not eaten solid food for two years, and her internal organs were so surprised that they were damaged.

After being healed by Usato's healing magic, Mom bowed her head in tears, but he was not pleased.

"Usato, I'm sorry. I have to get ready to leave. ....... Mom, you look like a natural, but you have a childish side too. ......"

I apologized to Usato in front of Mom's room, and he waved his hand sideways with a wry smile.

"It's okay, it's okay. It would be more important if something happened to Kanoko. So, have you decided on Amako ......?"

"I'll ...... decide soon."

After a short silence, he nodded slowly.

I watched his back as he went to get ready and returned to my mother's room.

When I entered the room with a sigh, I saw my mother sitting on the futon, staring at me.

"Amako."

"What?"

"Don't worry about me."

"Are you saying that because you remember how ugly it was earlier?"

"Shu, Ugly ......"

The words are a bit harsh and Mom is shocked with her hand over her mouth.

What would I call it if I didn't call what I just said an abomination? I was more embarrassed than she was.

But from what she just said, she must have heard what Usato and I were talking about.

But I'm still worried about you. She can't walk yet, so I have to keep her company.

"You've grown, Amako."

With that one word, I come to my senses and look at my mother.

Her expression had changed to a kindly one with a smile on her face, instead of the languid one she had shown me earlier.

"You didn't grow much taller, but your mind is more mature."

"...... height is superfluous."

"I'm sorry."

My mother pats my unfaithful head.

I feel the comfort of her weak hands, but they are reassuring and warm.

"But you are still a child, that's all right."

"What?"

I am taken aback by these unexpected words.

Mom continues to spin her words, not caring about me.

I wanted you to live freely. I wanted you to live a happy life, forgetting about time poems and everything else.

"......"

"The prediction I saw was you with Usato-kun. So I was sure you would be fine. ...... I thought so. But the actual future was different."

Mom closed her eyes regretfully.

"My words have bound you to the contrary. You did not want a peaceful life, and you did everything in your power to help me. Of course, I really appreciate it, but I'm not a good mother ...... for causing you pain and loneliness for two years."

"No, I'm not. That's not true."

She clearly rejects your words and looks you firmly in the eye.

"I've had a hard time these past two years, sure, but I haven't been lonely. Because, just like you said, there were many people who accepted me.

The good people of the Kingdom of Lingle.

Sarla, who let me live here because I had nowhere to go.

My hands were full of people who took me in.

Mom rolled her eyes and hugged me gently.

"You really want to go with Usato and the others, don't you?"

"...... yes."

"You don't have to be so hard on yourself. Be selfish like a child and annoy me a lot."

She told me and smiled at me.

Be a child.

I never thought about that before.

I couldn't be a child forever to survive, and I didn't have the personality to take advantage of others.

But your words made me finally make up my mind.

"Mom, I ...... am going to the Kingdom of Lingle with Usato."

I still want to be with Usato and the others.

Even if the Demon Lord's army threatens us, the Kingdom of Lingle is my second home.

"That's fine. I was afraid what would happen if you stayed because of me. I'm sure I couldn't bear to keep a girl of your age tied up like that."

My mother let go of me, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

But then she quickly returned to a straight face, held up her index finger, and opened her mouth with a serious tone in her voice.

"Before you set out on your journey, I have one piece of advice for you.

"Yes."

"Don't let the game pass you by."

"What about ......?"

What is it?　What's the catch?　What?

No, I knew who she was referring to right away, much to my chagrin.

But I don't think it's normal to bring up this topic in this situation. ......!

"From the looks of him, he doesn't think he's being liked. He's the most annoying type, but once you make him aware of the favor, the rest will be easy. But I prefer to play it short term. There are probably other assassins out to get him."

"......."

One after another, I could not keep my mouth shut.

This man is really, really ......!

"After all, it's a colorful trick..."

"Hey!"

"Koh-uh-uh?"

Before Mom can finish her sentence, a light hand slaps her in the brain.

I turn my back to my mother, who falls down with a strange cry and rolling her eyes, and quietly try to leave the room.

But--,

"Amaco, have a good day."

The words stop him in his tracks.

An indescribable feeling wells up in me, but I manage to suppress it and respond.

"Yes. I'm off."

The second time we parted.

The first time we left in despair, but not now.

I have someone waiting for me here. This country has become a place for me to return to.

I have a place to go back to.

Amaco chose to go with us to the Kingdom of Lingle.

I don't know what he talked about with Mr. Kanoko after that. But if that was Amako's choice, I just accepted it without a word.

We were ready for our trip and were saying goodbye to Hayate and the others in front of the exit of Hinomoto.

"Usato, how do you feel in that cloak?"

"It fits perfectly and looks good.

"That's good to hear. It was worth it for me to choose a place that fits your culture as much as possible."

The gray cloak that replaced the torn uniform was comfortable to wear, but not as comfortable as the uniform.

I had planned to make do with a cloak or something, so I really appreciated Hayate's kindness.

"It is sad to say goodbye, but I am very happy to have met you. I wish you a safe return to the Kingdom of Lingle.

"Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Hayate."

"Thank you very much for your help."

I and Aruk-san shake hands with Hayate-san and say our goodbyes.

Rinka came out from behind Hayate and walked up to Amako, looking down.

Amako stood up a little taller and put her hand on her head.

"I couldn't say it before, but I'm going to say it this time. I'll see you again, Linka.

"...... yeah. I'll write you letters, lots of letters. I'll send you so many that Huberd will fall over!"

"I don't want you to do that, you poor thing!"

Amako smiles and wipes her eyes.

When she looked up, her eyes were red and swollen, but she was still smiling.

Then she said goodbye to us as well, and she and Hayate saw us off with smiles on their faces.

Looking back at Hinomoto in the distance, I was deeply moved and asked Aruk-san, who was pulling the horse, about our plans for the rest of the day.

"Alc-san, you are going to head to Mearaq once more, aren't you?"

"Yes. Yes. I have to send Huberd there as well. I heard that ...... Norn-sama is going to lend us a boat to Lingle Kingdom, so we can ask him to take us there.

"If so, the way back will be easier than the way there."

The return trip will be a leisurely one by boat.

I've never been on a boat before, so I'm looking forward to it. I've been walking so far, so I'll be able to see a different view from the previous one.

I am deeply moved when I recall the journey so far.

"Our journey has come to an end.

"A lot has happened, hasn't it?"

Yes, really.

In the magical city of Lucvis, I trained Nack, the bullied boy.

We fought zombies and evil dragons, and then Nair joined us.

In Samariar, the land of prayer, we freed souls bound by magic and restored Eva's existence.

In the water city of Mearrauk, I fought with the brave Leona against Kalon, who has the blood of a divine dragon.

In Hinomoto, we saved Amako's mother, Kanoko.

And now that we have completed all our goals, we can finally return to the Kingdom of Lingle.

"Lingle Kingdom, huh? As for me, I'm looking forward to many things. I'd like to meet the brave men who were summoned to another world.

Come to think of it, since Nair joined us on our trip, he doesn't know anything about the Lingle Kingdom, does he?

"Then I'll have to introduce you to the Commander.

Well, I'd rather not ...... do that.

No, you can't. No. When you're my messenger, you're already a member of the Rescue Mission. I'll take you with me even if you don't want to go.

You know exactly what I'm talking about!

She laughs at Néa, whose face turns pale as she imagines the image of Rose she saw through the magic in Mearaq.

"Don't worry. You have me with you.

"If the situation changes, the dialogue turns bizarre!

I can't imagine what they'll do to me now that I've ripped off my uniform.

Well, that doesn't change the fact that I want to go home.

In addition to Rose, the rescue team has strongmen Olga and Uluru, as well as Nack and Ferrum.

I wonder if Senpai and Kazuki are back safely.

"Suzune seems to be doing well for some reason."

"Ha-ha-ha, indeed."

Amako's words make me chuckle as I recall the image of my senpai in good health.

...... Well, when we meet again, you know. I'm going to get back at them as hard as I can.

As I was inwardly making plans to play with my senpai, Amako, who was walking next to me, suddenly pinched me lightly by the hem of my cloak.

"What's wrong?"

"Our trip may be over, but we'll still be together."

"......Totally, of course. Did you really think it would be so easy to break up with him?"

I didn't travel to save your mother out of obligation or promise.

I did what I did because I wanted to.

So even if that promise is fulfilled, I will not cut off my ties with Amako, nor will I estrange myself from her.

For some reason, Amako's shoulders slump at my answer, but she quickly looks up and gives me a somewhat puzzled smile.

"That's why you're Usato, isn't it?"

"...... what do you mean?"

"Oh, you know, my mom was just telling me about this. I heard that Usato is being targeted by assassins.

"What do you mean?

"Don't worry about it. It's not our lives they're after.

Amako's unintelligible advice makes me flinch.

What?　What do you mean "assassins" if they are not after your life?

Are you telling me that something will happen while we are still in the middle of our trip?　I'd appreciate it if you don't let me go home.

I see... that's what it means.

"It looks like Usato-dono is going to have a tough time from now on."

"Gruaaaah."

Nair, Aruk, and for some reason Bulrin nodded their heads in understanding.

I don't know what's going on anymore.

The trip home seemed peaceful.

But fate, it seemed, would not allow me to do so.