The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

It takes a long time to get to Mearaq by land, but it can be shortened to two to three days by boat.

There is a simple reason that Mearaak is a city on the water, but the ships are also "fast" because they are built with the shipbuilding technology of Mearaak, which has lived with the water for a long time.

The view of the passing night.

I stand guard from the deck of the ship, feeling the sound of the surging waves.

"...... is clear."

This ship has a system to keep demons away and a means of attack, but it does not completely prevent them from attacking.

So we have to keep a lookout for them to make sure nothing happens to us.

As a brave man of Mearaq, I too must be on my guard.

A meeting...

The battle between humans and the demon king's army has come to an end.

And in a way that no one could have predicted. .......

The end was so irrational that it forced the Demon King to admit defeat and let him live.

If I were to be honest, I thought that either the Demon King or those who challenged him ...... would end up dead.

I did not want to imagine an ending in which Usato, Suzune, and Kazuki would die,...... but still, as an experienced knight and an adult, I had to imagine the worst possible scenario.

Lady Falga told me this after Usato and Lord Rose confirmed the existence of the demon.

<>.

I was surprised that the devil was real, but more than anything, I felt chilly that such an evil entity was about to make its move.

However, even that worst possibility has been overturned, and here we are today.

Usato and his group chose not to destroy the demon tribe.

"We must protect them."

I want to protect the peace that they have won, the world that he--Usato--has chosen to leave his own world behind.

I was filled with such feelings.

"You are twilight."

"!　...... you are."

I heard a door open on the deck and turned to see a red-haired female demon, Amira.

When she saw me, she approached me somewhat awkwardly.

"May I talk to you for a moment?"

"...... yeah."

"Thank you."

She and I fought each other in the basement of the Mad King's castle.

Opposing magic and nearly equal swordsmanship.

What we lack in physical ability, I make up for in other ways, and she and I have fought each other on equal terms.

""......""

I rest my hands on the deck railing and silently watch the moonlit view from the ship.

"It's difficult to talk to humans, isn't it? You come here and you don't know what to say."

"Ha, indeed. ......"

I can't help but chuckle at her words.

Now that we have a chance to talk, I feel as if Amira's tension has been lifted.

"The Demon Lord told me to try interacting with humans.

"So, it's me?　I think Usato and Suzune are easier to talk to than I am."

I don't know if I can say it myself, but I'm not a very good talker and I don't think I have anything clever to say.

I thought Usato and Suzune would be better suited for the job, but Amira laughed troubledly.

"Those two have been banned by the Demon Lord. They don't fit the ...... average person."

"...... ah."

I was convinced, to my dismay.

Usato and Suzune don't care about race in a different way.

I don't discriminate against demons and beastmen either, but I can't talk to them as naturally as those two.

I don't mind if I do.

"Thank you."

Then a short silence follows.

I guess neither she nor I are very good at conversation,

"The battle in the basement of the Witch King's castle was brilliant."

"Yes, you, too, with your splendid sword and magic."

"......"

"......"

The story doesn't continue: ......!

I casually look next to her and see that Amira is also staring at the surface of the water with a very troubled look on her face.

Was I so bad at talking?

I thought I could talk normally to my subordinates. ...... No, I don't think it's because of my position!

>

I shake off the vision of Kalon in my mind, and now I broach the subject.

This is a matter of loosening up the subject.

First of all, let's start the conversation with something trivial and then broaden it.

"It's a beautiful moonlit night today, isn't it?

"Ah, ah, the sound of the surging water is soothing."

"...... Huh, is this your first time on a boat?"

"I'm ashamed to say this is the first time in my life. There aren't enough rivers in the demon kingdoms for a boat to sail on."

"I see. ......"

"Oh ......"

"......"

"......"

Help me, Usato.

I need you now more than ever.

The topic of conversation will disappear spontaneously, without any extension.

The awkward silence just continues.

I can't take it anymore. ......!　You try to end the conversation, thinking that it will not be mutually beneficial from this point on.

"Well, that's a rare combination, isn't it?"

""!?"""

---At that moment, there is a newcomer to the scene.

The one who came with a sigh was Ferrum, a dark wizard with the property of assimilation.

What's going on?

What?　What are you talking so loud ......, you're going to scare me ......."

I and Amira turned around with a loud cry, and Ferrum was surprised.

It was not the rescue we had hoped for, but it was perfect timing.

I instantly locked eyes with Amira and took a step to the side, creating a space between us that could fit a single person.

"It's a good thing we're here. Why don't we have a little chat?

"Don't be shy."

"?　...... Well, okay."

Ferm came honestly between me and Amira and sighed tiredly.

Perhaps she was concerned about this situation, Amira spoke to her.

"Black ...... Ferm, what's wrong?"

"I was looking for Usato."

You were looking for Usato?

It was not that late, just after dinner, but what on earth were they looking for him for?

"I was free, so I went to his room with Nair to have a chat, but there was no one there.

Was the door open?

Hmm?　Yeah, I knocked and I called and I went in. There was no one in the room, but I left my shoes and my uniform.

Were the shoes left ......?

Did they bring spare shoes?

It's a little strange that they're not there.

"I thought something was wrong, but it was kind of creepy, so I left the room right away.

"Creepy?"

I could hear him breathing in his room out of nowhere. Maybe this boat's got some kind of a history?

No. ......?　Mearaak's the newest and biggest ship in the world.　I'm sure there were no accidents while they were being built."

I can vouch for that.

As a brave man, I hear about problems that happen in such cities very quickly, and I am certain that there are no such scandals on the ship I am on now.

Amira, perhaps curious, puts her hand on her chin and asks Ferrum for more information.

"What was it like to breathe?"

"Like a huff, a huff, a huff. If I think about it, it sounded like Usato's voice.

"But I can't see him. ......

We are all familiar with Usato doing strange and unusual things, but is he doing something else?

"I don't know what he's doing, but I have a ...... hunch."

"Yeah, I know. I know, but it's too ...... tricky to know what you're doing."

"That's awfully realistic. ......"

Amira is somewhat taken back by my and Ferrum's words.

---Wait a minute, didn't Ferm said he went to Usato's room with Néa?

"Ferm, where's Nair?　Is she looking for Usato too?"

"Hmm?　No, she stayed behind, saying she still had something to do in her room. She's probably back in her room by now, right?"

......Something is bugging me.

But I don't know what it is.

"I'm tired, I'm going back."

Shouldn't we be looking for him?

"Yeah, we'll see each other in the morning anyway, and we can complain then."

Ferrum leaves with a sigh.

I see her go through the door into the ship, and I breathe a sigh of relief and lock eyes with Amira.

"I think it's time for us to get some rest.

"Yes, I will. I'm sorry I forced ...... you to talk to him."

"No problem. It was nice talking to you too.

After shaking hands lightly, Amira and I return to the ship.

Aamira and I have become friends, but the only thing that remains is the mystery.