The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

I had been running around the country with the tough guys, chasing Nack and Ferrum around with Burlin on my back, and spending my daily life as a lifeguard, but today I was not training but visiting the castle.

The four of us gathered in a room in the castle were myself, Aruk, Amako, and Nair.

We were seated in the chairs prepared for us, and in front of us was Alfie-san, the woman who had explained the other countries to Amako and I on our trip, looking at us expectantly with a pen in her hand and eyes full of hope.

"It looks like everyone is here.

"Yes, that's right."

A report of what happened on the road.

However, I was aware that the trip had been so intense that an hour or two was not enough time to report, so I asked Alfie to summarize the report once and then I would show it to Mr. Lloyd.

"Oh, I'm looking forward to it! I can't believe I'm going to hear about your adventures filled with ups and downs!　I heard that you went through unimaginable experiences, and I was so excited last night that I could not sleep at night!　So, Mr. Usato, as for the format of today's report, I will write the report, and you can just tell me about your trip in a light-hearted way!　What?　Can you write that fast?　No need to worry. I am used to speed-reading and speed-writing in my line of work!

"Usato, isn't this guy talking too long?　He talks so fast that I can only catch about half of what he says.

"He hasn't changed at all.

Nair and Amako, who had accompanied us, seemed a little taken aback.

I have only met this person once, but I remember him well because of the strong impact he had on me.

"Mr. Aruk, it would be better if I talk to him, right?"

"Yes, you should. We will fill in the gaps in your memory.

When it comes time to report, I'm nervous.

Let's try to speak in order in our minds so that what we say will not be confusing.

"Mr. Alfie, is it okay if I start my report?"

"Yes, anytime."

"Well, let's start with your departure from Luxembourg..."

Before arriving at Samaria, we will talk about the situation in which we were tricked by Nair and as a result we had to fight against the evil dragon.

Mr. Alfie was listening to me with high tension, but after about 30 minutes, his face began to tense up.

"Well, that owl on your shoulder is a messenger, a vampire, a necromancer, and the one who brought the ...... evil dragon back to life?　　You're in a lot more trouble than I've heard,......?"

Next, we will talk about the events in Samaritan.

I can honestly tell you what happened in Samaria, since Master Lucas informed the Kingdom of Lingle that I had something to do with the lifting of the curse on the royal family.

"The curse of Samaritan?　Why are you involved in such a terrible thing when I went there to give you a letter?　Did your physical attack work on the ghost?　Why are you trying to hit the ghost in the first place?

For some reason, he got angry.

After calming down my anger for the time being, I resume my report.

Next, I reported the incident in Mearaq,

"I knew this from the article, but you're going up against a dragon man with your bare hands. ...... Yeah. ......"

After being blatantly pulled back, he also completes his report on Hinomoto, the Land of the Beastmen.

Mr. Alfi, who is interested in the culture of the beastmen, showed an unusual interest in this report, so I gave him enough information not to touch the confidentiality of the beastmen's country.

We talked for two hours.

After listening to the whole report and arranging the bundle of reports, she took a breath and looked up.

"Let me conclude. If you show this to Mr. Lloyd as it is, he will collapse from the shock.

"Is that all you've got?

"If I could, I'd have a stroke too. ....... You're in too much danger everywhere you go. ......

I don't know what to say to Alfie, who looks somewhat tired.

The owl on his shoulder says, "Well, of course.

I am aware that I have been on an unusual trip, but I had no idea that it would have such an impact on me.

"Anyway, I'll summarize the report here."

I'm sorry. I'm sorry I had to leave it to you. ......"

No, no, that's my job, too. Besides, although I was surprised, I heard so many interesting things that I would rather thank you myself.

As for me, I'm afraid of the smile on his face, as if he might stay up all night.

As I smiled awkwardly back at Alfie's beaming smile, a question suddenly occurred to me.

The purpose of our trip was to deliver the letter to other countries, but what would happen after that?

"Well, we have given the letters to the countries that entrusted them to us, but what happens after that?　Do we form an alliance with them?

"Yes, that's right. Right now we are trying to coordinate with other countries for the next attack by the Demon King's army.

Cooperation with other countries.

Joining forces is more important than anything else in confronting the threat of the Demon Lord's army.

"Is everything going well?"

"It's going smoothly, thanks to you, Mr. Usato, Mr. Kazuki, and Ms. Suzune.

Good. I guess all our work was not in vain.

"When I first received the order, I wasn't sure if I would be able to deliver the letter, but I guess you can do it.

"I think it was just that many of the kings and other people I met were very special."

"Yes, I know. I don't want to sound like a jerk, but there were no decent people."

Don't say that. I have too many ideas.

Lucas, King of Samaritan, who is lighthearted and plans to enroll me in his registry.

Norn, Queen of Mialark, who was covered in potions when we met.

Jinya, the chief of Hinomoto, the land of the beastmen, who was ready to trap us from the very beginning.

...... Now that I think about it, I've met so many different people.

"This time, we are taking some countermeasures based on our previous mistakes.

"Countermeasures?　Against the Demon Army, right?

Yes. One of the countermeasures is to detect the advance of the Demon King's army as soon as possible.

"Is that right, that you have soldiers on guard near the Demon King's territory?"

Alfie nodded at Arc's words.

"Did you know that, Mr. Alc? In the last battle, we had to place a guard because we anticipated the attack of the Demon Lord's army too late.

"...... I see."

The last time we went out on a limb, it was really out of the blue.

If we have more time, we can take various countermeasures so we don't have to worry about the Demon King's army doing whatever they want to do to us.

"The rest can be found at ....... In the not-too-distant future, representatives of the three neighboring countries will gather for a meeting."

"When you say neighboring countries, you mean ......?"

"The Kingdom of Calm Helio, the Kingdom of Nirvarna, and the Kingdom of Samariar, to which Mr. Usato is headed. The representatives of the four kingdoms, including the Kingdom of Lingle, will hold a meeting in the magic city of Lucvis.

Carm Helio and Nirvarna or .......

The country where senpai and Kazuki gave the letter to ...... right?　As for Kahm Helio, I only remember the name because that's where the article about Senpai and me was circulated.

"Perhaps Mr. Kazuki, Ms. Suzune, and Mr. Usato, who delivered the letter, may be on their way to the meeting.

"Wouldn't it make sense for me to go?　You see, I'm a healing magician, so it's just Kazuki and my senpai for the sake of appearances. ......"

"That's not true, Usato."

"Do you really think you are an ordinary healing magician?"

"You should have more confidence in yourself, Usato-dono."

When he tried to refuse the offer in a friendly manner, he was immediately corrected by his colleagues.

I'll give Nair a spanking in the name of training later... ......

If I have time, I might be able to meet with Kiriha and the others. .......

"Well, the meeting itself is a little bit away, so you don't have to worry about it now.

"Yes, I see."

Let's leave the meeting out of it.

We have finished our trip report for now, so we are dismissed from the meeting.

The meeting was over for now.

We left Mr. Alc, who was returning to his post as a castle guard, and walked slowly through the castle.

Amako looked at Néa, who was unusually walking with us in human form, and asked her a question.

"So, is Néa doing well in the lifeguard corps?"

"Of course not. ......!"

Amako, walking next to her, asks a question to which Neah responds a little too aggressively.

While I'm thinking inwardly that there's no need to deny it so strongly, Nair approaches Amako with a trembling voice.

The monster next to him is still an idiot in training, and the other guys around him are just as bad as him, and the boss is just too much bullshit for words!　I'm going to lose my mind if he's more than Usato!"

"What is a training idiot?"

A large part of the lifeguard corps' daily routine consists of training.

I'm just going about my daily routine.

"I'm sorry, but ......!　The only sane people there are those demons!"

What about Nack?　Isn't he in the rescue team too?

"...... can you say Usato the smaller one?"

"Uh, ...... yeah."

"Wait a minute."

Don't let Amaco convince you.

What do you mean, "I've grown small"?

Nack is like a model of a lifeguard who takes the initiative in voluntary training without me telling him to do so.

When I explained this to Amako, she gave me a more subtle look.

No, let's change the subject.

"Well, you and Ferrum have become good friends, haven't you Nair?"

"Huh?　What? Of course not!"

Nair retorts, as if he can't admit it.

From the outside, it doesn't look like they are on bad terms with each other.

"That cheeky demoness, she's stealing my food, she's making a mess of the bedding, she's not doing the laundry properly, she's so sloppy that she could have grown up as a child!

"...... Amako, what do you think?"

"I think they just don't want to admit it because they are similar to each other. And they don't know they're unconsciously taking care of you."

"I guess so."

That's what you'd expect from a former village girl.

She's a former village girl. She's pretty solid, so I guess I take care of her.

Maybe it was a good decision to put her on duty with Ferm.

But she's a bit sloppy in her daily life.

It's not surprising considering her own origins and the circumstances of the dark wizard that Koga told her about.

"But I still think that we should make the most of this time and get serious about training Ferrum, don't you?

"I don't even want to think about what you were thinking when you came up with that idea, but you've been chasing around town with a bear on your back and you still want to do something. ...... I feel sorry for you, though. ......

No, you're no exception.

"...... what?"

At my words, Nair put her finger to her chin and tilted her head.

Amako muttered, "Oh, something's started again," and pulled her hood up over her eyes.

Ferrum wants to do something about the sloppiness of his daily life, but Nair also has his own problems to deal with.

"I've been thinking about it for a while. I've been thinking for a long time that you need to work on your physical strength.

"But, but I'm the type of person who uses ...... magic and stuff to help. ......Hey, look!　I'm sure you've been using magic to participate in Usato's training, haven't you?　Isn't that enough?"

"Until now, I've been observing ......, which means it's a trial period."

I shake my head slowly as Nair speaks to me, looking desperate.

I am sure that my current training is paying off. But it's only a training for me.

That means that Néa and Bulrin will never grow up.

"In the future, we may need you in our fight against an enemy like Korga, an enemy that will not choose any means. But it is also a battle in which you, with your low endurance, will be the first to be targeted."

He clenches his fists tightly as he recalls his mortal combat with Koga.

I really don't want to be in a situation where I have to fight too, but I have to think about it.

Fighting a stronger enemy means that Nair is in greater danger of being attacked.

"What do we do for that?　It's obvious. ...... training is the only way."

"I've been thinking for a while now, stop trying to solve everything with training!　I don't want to build muscles for nothing!"

"Don't worry. You need to train your strength and here.

He points to his chest with his thumb while dressing up.

Yes, it is not only the body that is trained in the lifeguard corps. You are also trained to have the mental strength to endure any kind of abuse and suffering.

"If your mind is strong, you will be able to keep your composure in any situation. Yes, even if a sword grazes the tip of your nose."

"I wonder if my heart even exists now that I've reached that point. ......?"

.......

"There is ......!"

What's in between?

I'm the proof. Do you think I don't have a heart?

Can't you see that your very existence is a source of anxiety?

That's a terrible thing to say.

I may be a little bit different than when I was a normal high school student, but I'm still me.

"Hey, Usato."

"Hmm?"

While I was thinking about how to convince Néa, Amako, who had been silent until then, approached me.

Nair's teary-eyed eyes look at Amako as if asking for help, but she doesn't care and speaks up.

Can I go to the rescue team next time?

"I don't mind, but I don't ...... think there's anything particularly interesting?　It's just a group of people training, including me."

"If Usato is there, fine."

I couldn't see his expression with his hood up, but I knew he was embarrassed to say so.

I guess this is what I mean when I say that it warms my heart.

"......"

"......"

"......Need to talk about this now!"

Nea, perhaps unable to bear the silence for a dozen seconds or so, raised her voice.

Amako, on the other hand, stared at Nair with a serious look in her eyes.

"Neah, it's time for you to give up!"

"You can say that because it's someone else's problem, but for me it's a matter of life and death. ......!"

It seems that you don't like the idea of being trained as a lifeguard so much.

Well, I don't intend to make her go through such a hard training, but I don't know how to convince her.

It would be too much ...... to leave it to Rose, but it would be like throwing a small animal (Neah) into a lioness's territory.

"Ah, Usato."

"Gee ......"

"What?"

I hear a voice behind me and turn around.

Kazuki, dressed in comfortable clothes, and Frana, an elf girl I met the other day, were walking side by side.

Kazuki spotted me and ran toward me, waving his hand happily.

"What are you doing today, Usato?"

"To give you a report on my trip. Are Kazuki and Frana training now?

"Yeah, I've got a lot of training to do so I can keep up with you. Hey, Frana!

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

You're still a refreshing best friend.

But when I see him training, I feel like I can't lose to him.

...... hmm?　Oh, by the way: .......

"Huh?　Where's your senior?"

"Oh, that's right. ....... Senpai, he went to the rescue squad to see Usato. ......

"I guess we must have switched places... ......"

Did he have something to do with me?

Well, I guess he would have come to see me even if he didn't have anything to do, but I feel bad.

I should have told you in advance if we were going to miss each other.

"Usato, what are you going to do after this?"

What?　Well, I was thinking of going back to the rescue squad and training as usual. ......

"Well, why don't you join us?"

Kazuki's unexpected offer surprised me.

Kazuki scratches his cheek in embarrassment at my reaction.

"No, I think back on it. We've never trained together before. And since Usato lives so far away from the castle, we don't get many opportunities, so I thought now would be a good time."

"Okay, let's do it."

I said it before I thought about it, but I have no regrets.

I mean, I haven't stopped being human enough to refuse this ......!

No, even if I stop being human, I'll still give my consent. ......!

Senpai?　He'll be back someday.

What about you two?

I ask Amako and Nair next to me, both of whom seem to be coming with me.

Amako, on the other hand, seems to want to know Kazuki's power as a brave warrior.

"Heh heh, let's go to the training ground right away!　Frana, hurry up!"

"Oh, wait a minute, Kazuki!"

Frana happily follows Kazuki as he heads outside.

I've seen you train before, but this is the first time I've trained with you. We can see how much Kazuki's strength has grown over the course of the trip.

"But you know... ......"

It bothered me a little ......, maybe a lot, that Frana's face was slightly scrunched up when she agreed to participate in the training.

I have no idea what made her look like that.