The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

The day before the meeting.

The demon king knew that we should not go out on such a day, so we stayed at the inn and talked about what to do tomorrow.

"Usato-kun, you know that we are in charge of escorting him, so basically we have to stay close to him.

"Of course. Even before the meeting starts, it is our job to keep people of ill will and prejudice away as much as possible, isn't it?

"Yes, then you can be scary, Usato-kun."

You mean I can make my face scary.

That's the best way to scare people away, so I'll do it when I can.

Well, the Demon King is always scary, so he usually doesn't come near us.

"You're really rude to the Demon Lord, aren't you? ......"

Coga, who was sitting next to me, mutters something about being slightly taken back.

"Ferrum and Nair will be in a state of assimilation with me for the meeting."

"Okay."

"Okay, but what happens if something like that happens?　We can't just move around on our own, can we?"

Nea has a good point.

If we are attacked at the meeting, what should we do?

That will be important.

If Mr. Norn or Mr. Lloyd gives us instructions, we will give priority to them. If not, we will evacuate the people in the meeting and protect them from the attackers.

"I see. Then you're good at what you do.

I'm good at protecting people, so I'm not wrong.

But I wonder how it really works.

"Yes, it is. What is known to us may be a shocking revelation to people in other countries.

"Like Mr. Falga, you know. He seems to be a legendary figure in this era, and it's going to be a real shock.

I was very surprised when I first met Mr. Falga myself.

But I guess it would be better to have the words of Falga-sama to give credibility to the story of the Demon King.

"The perception of the demon tribe remains bad, so it would be nice if they could understand the situation a little ......."

"But that's a difficult thing to do."

"......Yes, I know."

Then there would be no such thing as subhuman discrimination in this world.

In a way, I am glad I met with Lignas yesterday.

It made me change my naive view of myself.

"We must take all possible precautions for the meeting. ......"

We have to do what we have to do for tomorrow.　

...... Oh, yeah.

I haven't shown it to Nair yet.

"What?　What?

"I'll show you now, because you'll be confused if you're surprised by my tricks at the critical moment.

"What?　You're surprisingly clever. As long as it's not a weird trick to show you.

Don't worry about it.

It's the elasticity that I'm going to show you.

I show Nair my palm and create an elasticity grant that does not involve a basket hand.

"Yes, a new elasticity grant."

It's like translucent slime coming out of your palm.

Nair's eyes twinkle when she sees the magical power shaking like a Shingenmochi rice cake.

"Did you do this without the aid of a basket hand?

"Yes, I did.

"...... magic spinning may be a more dangerous technique than I thought. ....... No, you may simply be crazy. ......"

It's kind of a terrible thing to say. .......

I spent an hour learning it yesterday.

"I don't know, is that great?"

"Yes, it is. That's it. He's starting to do the same thing the heroes before him did. He doesn't need Farga's armor anymore.

"What are you doing ......?"

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

The best thing about these baskets is that they're so strong, right?

Yes, I'm training myself not to rely on them all the time now, but that doesn't mean I won't need them.

Usato-kun, can you lend me that magic bullet?

"?　I don't mind."

I raise the magic bullet in my palm because my senpai wants it.

She looked at me with a big smile on her face as she began to examine it, poking it with her fingers and shaking it.

"Usato, let's call this healing slime. It will sell."

"Please don't make it into a product without permission."

"Then why don't we make it like a cat cafe?　A slime cafe?

"Your choice is too niche. Who would want to go to such a place? ......"

What's up with cafes where you can touch slime?

I'm afraid I'll get slime in my drink too.

"Hey, Nea, Ferrum. Isn't this nice?

"It's only possible with healing magic. This will sell!"

"...... don't hate, not at all."

Oh no, I love ......!

Are you saying I'm wrong?

Coga talks to me in a hushed voice while I'm secretly shocked.

"These guys seem to get along well with each other. Even Ferrum seems to be open to them.

"Yes, ......."

I don't dislike him because he talks with senpai in a normal way, even though he says something with his mouth.

Maybe he is hiding his embarrassment or something.

"Inukami-sama, Usato-sama."

"Yes?"

What's wrong?

Then a knight comes through the door in a bit of a hurry and calls for me and my senpai.

Was something wrong?　He looked a little nervous and opened his mouth while looking at the door.

"The King of the Kingdom of Samaritan is here. ......"

""......""

I knew you would come sometime, Master Lucas, but at this time? ......?

?

"Hello, Usato. It's me!"

I couldn't help but smile a wry smile when I was greeted with an absurdly cheerful greeting right after I came to the door.

He was accompanied by a woman in light blue armor and clothes, and the rest of the people seemed to be waiting outside.

"It's the first time since the meeting of the four kingdoms, isn't it? Mr. Lucas."

"Yes, you did a great job in the last battle. Ha-ha-ha, well, you could do that much better."

But I'm also a person who has done a lot for me, and I'm not happy to see you.

I guessed that the Demon King probably had some business to attend to, so I led him toward the living room.

"Usato, I will go and tell the Demon Lord, and you can talk to Master Lucas.

"Yeah, but ......"

"No, we've got a lot to talk about, don't we?"

"...... thank you."

He thanks his senpai for her concern.

As I watch her go up to the upper floor where the Demon Lord is, I ask the inn staff for a cup of tea, and then try to show Master Lucas to the guest room.

"No, this is fine."

"Yes, but ......"

We're the ones who barged in. And 70% of the reason we're here is to check up on you."

I see. Well, come this way, please."

I pull up a seat near where we were talking just a few minutes ago.

"Oh, are you demons?"

"Yes, yes, well, ......"

"For the first time in my life, you are more human than I thought you would be. Ha-ha-ha."

I can feel Ferrum and Coga looking at me for help.

I casually let it pass, ask permission, and take the seat in front of him.

"Ah, this is Halivar, the new head knight. You'll remember her."

The knight standing by Master Lucas puts his hand on his chest and bows.

He looks like Leona.

A woman with shoulder-length black hair and slightly brown skin with a few quirks, Ms. Halivar smiles at me.

It's nice to meet you. It's the first time we've met face to face. My son-in-law."

"Yes?"

I'm sorry. Mr. Usato.

"Ha-ha-ha, Halivar, not at all. Not ...... yet, is it?"

Hey, wait a minute.

I know we haven't exchanged words yet, but the man of the hour just arrived with Master Lucas.

What the hell is going on, Samaritan, ......!

Now I call out to Coga and Ferrum behind me for help, but they ignore me.

You heartless bastards ......!

"Barefaced, you mean you were Eva's escort in the previous Four Kingdoms Conference?"

That's right. Your Majesty, Eva has told me much about you.

On the one hand, I want to ask him about it, but on the other hand, I am afraid that I might find out some terrible truth.

Eva will be fine, but what is Lucas ...... doing?

"She's very talented. She is not only competent but also intelligent, and above all, her daughter Eva is very fond of her."

"No, not at all. ......"

"Don't be modest. I trust you, too."

If Master Lucas says so, he must be quite capable.

He was even engaged in a mock battle with that senior student during the Four Kingdoms Conference, so even from my point of view, I can tell that he's quite capable.

"Master Lucas, it seems that Eva is not here for this meeting."

"Yes, as expected. This place is too chaotic even for an important meeting. I decided that I shouldn't burden the guards, so I went alone.

"I see. ......"

"And--"

After a pause, Mr. Lucas smiles cheerfully.

"I can't let some spoiled brat fall in love with my daughter and make a mistake."

"...... Yes?　What did you just say?

It sounded like he said something very poisonous with a smile on his face.

Did I hear him wrong ......?

"Who's to say there won't be someone who'll ask his beloved daughter to marry him? No, I'm sure there will be. And since my daughter is so much like her mother, I'm sure that every man will look at her and try to get close to her, even if it's reckless."

Yes, yes, that's right, sir.

If some prince falls in love at first sight, we'll be blinded. I'm sure he'll refuse, but the last thing I want is for him to persist. Then we must take all possible measures to prevent such a thing from happening.

"That's great, Mr. Lucas. That's right, you have a good eye.

Mr. Halivar is nodding his head in agreement.

Yes, Eva is beautiful, so I understand her concern, but I wonder why ...... my spine is still frozen.

Hey, you think so too, don't you?　Hey, you think so too, don't you? I'm not going to let some horse-bone touch Eva.

"Oh, yes, that's right. I think you're right.

"I'll only let you do it if I approve it. Ha-ha-ha.

Ha-ha-ha-ha.

Mr. Lucas laughs meaningfully and is honestly scared.

I have a feeling we should change the subject.

Let's talk about something I've been meaning to ask him for a while.

"Oh, by the way, how are you, Eiri?　You are still working as Eva's butler, aren't you?

Eiri, Eva's butler, who took care of her when she was at Samaritan.

Now that Eva is free to walk around outside, I wonder if there have been any major changes in his life as a butler.

"He's doing well. He is still doing his job as Eva's butler and is a very reliable man.

"I see. ...... Good."

"But I wish he would look at other things besides being a butler. Is there anything you would like to share?"

"From me?"

Master Lucas nodded and cowered.

"My words would be an order, so maybe you, my friend, can make a difference?"

"If that's the case,...... I guess so,......."

Is it my imagination?

I feel a mysterious sense of intimidation from Mr. Halivar who is standing by Master Lucas.

It's not a killing spirit, nor anger.

What is it?　This is ...... the opposite!　Guess what it is. ......!　

"It's good to have someone close to you, isn't it?"

"...... I see, that's one way to look at it."

What do you think?　I looked at Mr. Halivar's face and he gave me a thumbs-up with a huge smile.

It seems I was right.

I'm known for being insensitive, but it seems I've been shown that I'm quite perceptive.

While I was satisfied by myself, my senpai and Ciel-san came down from the upper floor.

"Master Lucas, the Demon King has granted an audience with you.

"Hmm, you're early. I'd have liked to talk a little longer, but I can't help it. Well then, Usato, let's talk again on the way home.

Yes. Mr. Lucas."

He gets up from his seat and leaves with Ciel and Halivar to go upstairs.

"Well, well, I'm really looking forward to ...... seeing how sharp the rumored Demon King is."

I watched him enter the room where the Demon Lord was staying, and I sat down with a light exhale.

Then Koga and the others, who had been watching the situation behind me, arrive.

"As usual, the king of Samaritan ......."

"Hey, Usato. You really do get the attention of a lot of weirdos, don't you?"

"Quite a king, that one. ......"

He's a good man.

He's very easy-going, and I can talk to him without being too nervous, even though I use honorifics.

"But he likes you a lot. Are you okay with that?"

What do you mean, are you okay?

"...... No, it's fine as long as you don't mind. ......"

"?"

There's a hint of something in there.

Coga's words make me tilt my head.

"Hey, Nair. Who's Eva?"

"Come to think of it, I don't think we've ever met. ...... ferme, you know what I mean?"

"...... Really?　Are you kidding me?

Ferrum, who was talking to Nair, looked at me incredulously.

What's the matter with you guys?