Translator: Tsukii

Editor: Lilia

Read at Watashi wa Sugoi Desu!

Chapter 34 – What He Wanted to Convey

Several hours had passed since I lost sight of Dangoon and Mariemaia.　

The school building had been washed away from its foundation, so we were gathered on some high ground with relatively stable footing.

“……It’s my fault. Even though I already thought that man was suspicious, I never acted on it!”

“No, if you say that, I’m also at fault.”

Alphas-kun slammed his fist on his knee.　

Julietta-san spoke up too; she didn’t say that out of consideration for him, but really out of her own feelings of remorse.

“……To think that old man is actually a demon.”

“Rather, it’s our first time meeting a greater demon, right? We could be considered lucky to survive.”

Although Erin and Sharon were stunned by the area that became desolate in an instant, they seemed relieved that they were still alive.　

“Sensei, are you okay?”　

As I was checking to make sure everyone was okay, Kuyumi peered at me with an unusually serious expression on her face.　

“Aah, I’m okay. Kuyumi, also Julietta-san, thank you for your help earlier.”　

I thanked Kuyumi and the maid-san, but both of them just looked at each other with bitter expressions on their faces.　

“No, the woman still got taken away after all…”　

“The fact we failed to protect Mariemaia-sama means our contribution was useless.”

I was trying to say that they didn’t have to be so condescending toward themselves, but it wasn’t something I could say so easily.　

“No… it’s me who made the crucial mistakes in response.”　

“……Do you mean you should have killed the demon along with Mariemaia-sama?”

Julietta-san asked with a blank expression.　

I shook my head.

“That option is definitely unacceptable. However, from the way my actions and momentum were predicted… everything was to my opponent’s advantage. The demon was winning from the premise.”　

To be more precise, he made sure he would win by that point.　

He carefully planned countermeasures against me and allowed me to get close to Mariemaia.

The root cause was obvious.　

It was because I didn’t communicate well enough with her.

That was all.

“Haruto-kun, the dormitory was safe.”　

At that moment, the vice principal, who had gone to check on the situation, returned with good news.　

Good, it was a blessing in disguise.

“I understand. Everyone, nobody was hurt, right?”　

“Everyone is unharmed except for you.”

The vice principal shook her head as she looked at my blood-stained clothes.　

“It seems that the Tail Kingdom army is planning to launch an attack after the evacuation is complete.”　

“I see, it means I still have a little time.”

“You’re planning to leave soon, aren’t you?”

“……I think it should be taken care of quickly, so I’ll change my clothes, replenish my equipment, and go for a run. Please take care of everyone, sensei.”

I turned my back to everyone and said that.　

I felt gazes on my back, but I didn’t know how to react, so I started walking back to the dormitory.

　

　◇

　

In my dormitory room, I took off my formal attire, which was covered in blood.　

Come to think of it, it meant the supposed anti-magic defense got penetrated earlier with no problem… aah, that magic earlier was recovery magic, so it was excluded from its protection, huh.

Thinking about it again, that attack was really vicious.　

I couldn’t tell what happened for a moment, and I didn’t feel I was being attacked.　

In that case, I could guess it was recovery magic.

It was probably utilization of Mariemaia’s highest level of healing power, which exceeded the upper limit of biology and caused the target to regenerate excessively to the point their cells burst. That was too grotesque.　

While formulating countermeasures in my head, I changed into the suit-like clothes I usually wore. 　

It was a model that could be used during training, and it was easy to move around while wearing it.

All that was left was to prepare a few swords, but…

At that moment, there was a knock on the door of the room.　

Judging from the quietness of the approaching footsteps, it should be Kuyumi, Erin, or Julietta-san.

“Teach’, can I come in?”　

“Aah.”

The person who opened the door and walked in was Erin.　

She sat down on the bed and looked at me with concern.

“Err, um, are you okay? You’re going to pursue that demon from now on, right?”　

“Regarding battle, it should be fine. He might have managed to escape earlier because he predicted my actions and I took damage, but I should be able to win if I respond calmly.”

I also came up with a solution to Mariemaia’s excessive healing.　

If there was still any concern, that would be,

“……Can you even fight properly, Teach’?”

“You sure hit where it hurts…”

I guess it was easy to tell from how upset I was earlier.　

“Ah, no, that’s not what I mean. Somehow, teach’ earlier… even though you were upset, your swordsmanship hadn’t slowed down at all.”　

“Well, I separated my actions from my emotions… or at least that’s what I tried to do.”

Due to the effect of my passive skill, things that negatively affected combat power, such as mental instability and debuffs, would be ignored.　

Perhaps it would be easier to describe it by saying that the sanity check would always be unconditionally passed.

I wanted to reassure her that there would be no problem.　

However, Erin instead had a cloudy expression.

“That’s… it makes me wonder if it’s really okay instead…”　

“…………”

“Teach’ has a lot of things to consider like status and power after all. It makes me think that you always fight while pretending personal circumstances don’t exist. And like that, if it doesn’t get treated, it means teach’ would stay broken inside… and that makes me worried.”

“Ahahah,” laughed Erin as she scratched her head.　

……She really analyzed people well.

“Erin, you’re correct. If I were honest about my conclusion── I don’t want to fight at all……!”

“W-well, I guess that’s naturally the case…”

“After all, she’s your former comrade,” continued Erin.　

“No, it’s not because she is a former comrade, but because she is Mariemaia.”　

“Eh, really?”

Even I was aware that I thought of her differently from other people.　

When Mariemaia was involved, I was often unable to make rational decisions.

“So she is someone special to you after all.”　

“Hm, aah… you’re right. She is a special person to me, someone I always rooted for and hoped to always do well.”

I doubt people here would understand the word “Oshi” after all. ¹　

I thought I had chosen a clear enough alternative with that in mind but-

“…………”

　

Erin looked at me with a fed-up expression.

“Hm, what’s wrong?”　

“Ah, no, err…”

After some hesitation, she spoke timidly.　

“But teach’s face right now… seems to be in a lot of pain, you know?”　

“……Eh?’

　

I couldn’t help but touch my cheek.

There was no way it could be like that. She must have seen it wrong.

I liked Mariemaia even before I reincarnated into this world.　

Even after I met Mariemaia after reincarnating, Mariemaia was still my favorite.

I somehow managed to carry out the original scenario of YEETing her.

“You see, teach’.”　

Erin hesitated, as if she found it hard to say.　

“Teach’… do you really like Mariemaia-san from the bottom of your heart?”

“…………”

　

Normally, I would brush it off while laughing, saying that I didn’t have time to chat about love.

But in response to Erin’s question, all I could do was stand there and remained silent.

“For some reason, the way you look now… rather than saying you’re in a lot of pain, it’s more like you don’t like the idea of not liking Mariemaia-san.”　

“I don’t think that’s true.”

“……Are you just trying to mislead me?”

I wanted to immediately deny that.　

Erin didn’t seem to be blaming me.

Rather, she seemed to feel sorry for me.

“Teach’, didn’t you think of it like this? ‘It is unacceptable to have negative feelings toward Mariemaia-san’.”　

“…………!”

　

It was right on the mark.

After all, I always liked her, and there wasn’t a single thing I didn’t like about her.

Even now, I could say for certain that I have never thought of her as hateful or annoying.

……However,

　

“I, have never, thought, anything like that.”

I stumbled backward and sat down in my chair.　

My gaze fell to the floor on its own.

“Then how about the other way around?”　

“The other way…?”

“Do you hate, or at least, have negative feelings toward her?”

Hearing Erin’s words, I clenched my back teeth.　

I never thought about that myself, and others never bothered to ask.

That was why Erin’s question clearly shone a light inside my heart on a spot that I couldn’t reach.

“I…”　

“……Yes.”

　

Without rushing me, Erin just sat in the same room and waited for me to speak.

　

“I’ve always────”

　

As I covered my face with my hands, I spoke out loud the feelings I suppressed for so long.　

Erin listened quietly until I finished pouring everything out.

　

“……Haha, I see. So that’s why I, about Mariemaia…”

And after I finished revealing my heart.　

I could tell that my own cheeks were taut with a pained smile.

　

It was the worst. I really was the worst.　

It seemed my lowest esteem value got upgraded today.

“You should tell her properly.”　

Erin stood up and took my hand.　

“Mariemaia-san also has her problems… but above all, that doesn’t mean teach’ himself can keep these misunderstandings going.”　

“……But that has nothing to do with the current-“

“It is related! If you want to properly rescue Mariemaia-san, you have to tell her!”

In front of me who stared blankly with wondering eyes,　

Erin stood up and patted her chest.

“I think teach’ could defeat the enemy by himself. But this time, in order to defeat the demon and save Mariemaia-san, you need more than that! Use our power as well!”　

She had a truly strong gaze.　

My expression reflected there was really pathetic.

……Indeed.

I couldn’t keep on running away after all.

“Sorry for involving students in dealing with my problem…”　

“It’s okay, it’s okay! I think I’m fine with that!”

“I think you shouldn’t be fine with that. I’m thankful this time, though.”

It made me think that I might have the talent of raising good for nothings, after all.　

　

　◇

　

After a few moves, Daangoon was taking a break inside the extensively developed demon realm.　

He was resting in a pseudo-Demon Lord castle built using regenerative magic power.

The huge structure itself was the source of miasma, and if left unattended, humanity’s chance of survival would be eroded away.　

After casually constructing such a fortress, Dangoon stood next to Mariemaia, who was seated in a chair, on the terrace overlooking the ground.

“I see. So after being kicked out of the party, there was neither an explanation nor any follow up, huh.”　

Dangoon was checking the memories of Mariemaia, who was under his control.　

He was wondering if he could find a clue to defeat Haruto, but all he found was memories of Haruto and his other comrades.

Mariemaia seemed to treasure her recent adventures’ memories as well, but as expected, the fact she was forced to leave Haruto’s party without being informed of the cause was still dragging her down.

“He’s more of a cruel man rather than a kind one… Mariemaia, you don’t have good standards for men.”　

Dangoon shrugged his shoulders with a quick laugh.　

“I have no idea why he kicked you out, but if he really cared about you, he should have given you some kind of explanation, even if there was a circumstance for the act of YEETing itself. I guess the thought process of the Descendant of the Hero is something that ordinary people can’t understand.”　

Mariemaia, who was unconscious, didn’t respond to the ridicule.　

“That said, I’ve come to understand your personality. It’s a byproduct of learning to use your power, though. At this rate, it should be good enough against Haruto…”

His words stopped there.　

Dangoon turned around and saw what attracted his attention.

At a distance that couldn’t be seen by the naked eye, a flickering light flashed.

“……Gh?!”

　

It only took a moment.

The unleashed magic power turned into a murky stream and rushed toward Dangoon.

The powerful magic bombardment rushed toward the pseudo-Demon Lord castle while shattering the expanding demon realm.　

Dangoon’s eyes widened not only at the power of the light, but also at the way the light shone.

“It’s not the Hero’s Sword…?!”　

Dangoon had also analyzed Haruto in aspects other than combat.　

By using different forms of human mimicry, he had been able to analyze the personalities of his natural enemies over and over again, improving the accuracy of predicting his nemesis’ behavior.

There was a twisted love toward Mariemaia.　

A sense of benevolence towards others as a whole, and at the same time, a sense of indifference.

And above all, a high rate of independent action due to a focus on efficiency.

“I thought he would be coming alone, though… I guess someone like me can’t understand a human’s mind after all.”　

The torrent of polar light, blasting in a straight line, was blocked by the defensive magic that was deployed by both of his hands.　

If he used the infinite magic power supplied by Mariemaia, he could easily withstand even the opponent’s strategic level magic.

However──the moment the magic clashed, the defensive magic shattered.

“Ah?”　

A torrent of polar light burst from within.　

The bombardment itself didn’t break the defensive magic, but at the moment of contact, a new attack came out from inside the bombardment and destroyed the defensive magic.

“Don’t tell me, this is…?!”　

　

The figures hiding in the light scattered and approached the demon lord castle.

“D-don’t make me do things I haven’t tried before right in the middle of the battle…!”　

“Sorry, Sharon! But I think this is the best way to go!”

“Erin-chan, I think you should pay attention to landing instead~!”

“Uwawawawah…!”

The torrent of polar light wasn’t a magic bombardment.　

It was an attack from the assault spear, which had been activated in spear mode instead of bombardment mode. It converted all of Sharon’s enormous magic power into a high pressure thrust of magic power.

Dangoon hurriedly helped Mariemaia stand and transitioned into battle mode.　

Although Dangoon didn’t let his guard down, he was still unsettled by the attack. The intruders were able to instantly close the distance. 

Did that attack spend so much magic power that the accelerated flying speed could be mistaken as a bombardment?! Moreover, it feels different from Haruto’s magic power, so does that mean it was done by other humans?! What kind of monster is that…?!　

Many parts of the pseudo-Demon Lord castle were collapsing from the aftermath of the destruction of the defensive magic.　

Several figures jumped onto the terrace where Dangoon stood waiting.

“So you’ve come as expected.”　

Dangoon pointed his fingers at Haruto, who appeared at the front.　

Although only a few hours had passed, his accuracy of controlling Mariemaia had improved dramatically.

“Of course you would, you can’t stay quiet when your beloved princess is kidnapped after all, Haruto.”　

“…………”

　

Mariemaia’s magic [Saint Dead Chorus] was activated toward Haruto.

It was a cheat technique that ignored everything, including dodge chance and debuff resistance, and it caused the body to recover excessively, causing it to rupture from the inside. That was how the technique killed.

“This time, I’ll kill you instantly!”　

During the previous clash, Haruto’s passive skill prevented him from being fatally injured.　

But this time, the accuracy of controlling Mariemaia had been improved to ensure all vital organs were destroyed at the same time, making it a deadly attack.

“So this is the current Mariemaia’s magic…!”　

Haruto took the excessive recovery magic that Dangoon unleashed via Mariemaia head on.　

Instantly, the recovery magic in Haruto’s body went beyond its limit and began to recover excessively.

But before that, Haruto acted drastically. Perhaps he was sticking to his declaration after all. 

“Agih! Guh, gigigigigiiihh…!”　

Haruto first cut his stomach open.　

He plunged the Hero’s Sword into his own body and tore it aside, splattering his blood on the ground.

“Eh…? Ah, ah…?”　

Dangoon’s thoughts stopped upon watching a scene that went beyond common sense.　

Even Haruto’s comrades, who had been told in advance that this would happen, were speechless at the shocking scene.

However── the result was clear.

“Fu~h, fu~h, fu~h…! Okay, it went well!”　

His body didn’t explode from inside and the fatal injury he just caused was instantly healed.　

If the recovery would be excessive, then he just needed to accumulate enough damage to counteract it.

The idea of injuring one’s own body in order to nullify an attack was only effective if Mariemaia was the opponent.

“That method… but there’s still!”　

“Your opponent is us, old man!”

Dangoon was about to unleash another attack.　

But immediately after, Erin’s long sword flashed as she closed the gap.

Dangoon clicked his tongue and tried to counterattack, but realized that Sharon’s magical bombardment and Kuyumi’s hidden weapon were aimed at him.

“Hah────?”

　

Not only that, Alphas and Julietta’s attacks were also flying toward him.

All of those were something that Dangoon could handle with ease.

If they were seriously trying to take down Dangoon, it would be much faster if Haruto stepped in personally.　

“Fuh, gih.”　

So it was obvious why something like this happened.　

At the same time, it was something that was absolutely unacceptable to Dangoon.

The Descendant of the Hero was entrusting his comrades to deal with the greater demon.

“S-screw you Harutoooo! Do you intend to leave these small fries to deal with me?! Don’t joke with me!! Do you know all the things I did to defeat you────”

“I don’t give a damn about you! Stop talking to me! My business is with her!”

Dangoon managed to survive the onslaught of Erin and others and remained unharmed.　

However, their continuous attacks weren’t intended to cause damage but to buy time for Haruto so he could act freely.

The Descendant of the Hero looked away from the greater demon and slowly walked across the terrace.　

“……Ah~ it’s been a while, Mariemaia.”

It was the comrade who was taken hostage and the girl whom he admired.　

Haruto mustered his courage and called out to her.

“…………”

　

The girl’s eyes, which had lost their light, moved slightly.

She remained silent as she stared at her former party leader.

---

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