Chiyu Mahou no Machigatta Tsukaikata ~Senjou wo Kakeru Kaifuku Youin~

Leona-san has taken out water from the Kureha fountain .

A poison that, once drunk, gives the user tremendous power and in return erodes her body .

If you really desire the greed in your heart, be prepared for your body to decay in pain .

The words I heard from Norn-sama .

I know she didnt try to use the Kureha fountain with such malicious intent .

Leona-san must have asked Falga-sama with that in mind .

. . Honestly, I dont know what to say to Leona-san .

Would I be able to stop her knowing her resolution?

Would I hit her out of anger as she tries to trade blows with Karon and force her to stop?

I cant say anything about this unless I talk to her more .

Then, we will start fighting Karon tomorrow noon .

After talking with Falga-sama, a strategy meeting was held at night for the battle with Karon .

The people who gathered were me, Amako, Arc-san, Neah, Norn-sama, and Leona-san .

It was a rough strategy for the battle to be held tomorrow noon, but the tactic is to suppress Karon with me and Neah, then Leona-san and Arc-san will support us from behind .

The first thing we have to do to deal with Karon is to pull the ax made by Falga-sama away from him .

It is a measure to block the nonstandard ice, which is one of the factors that make him a threat .

After pulling the ax apart, hunt him down until he becomes incapacitated . It would be very difficult to get that Karon out of combat, but if we work together, thats not impossible .

And it is Norn-sama, Amako, and Bluerin who will support us in battle .

Norn-sama has the role of creating a barrier so that the battle between us and Karon will not be disturbed by wild monsters, and Amako will predict Karon-sans movements against us from outside the barrier . I got the role of communicating .

Bluerin is entrusted as Amakos escort .

We thought that Bluerin would get in the way if we worked together with Arc-san and Leona-san .

What happened? Usato?

Leona-san noticed my gaze and tilted her head as we returned to our rooms after the strategy meeting .

As usual, her expression was that of a caring person as I hurriedly shook my face, and holding my mouth and giving an awkward smile

Haha its nothing

I see .

I dont know how to answer her right now .

Rather, I cant talk to her when Norn-sama is still here .

I managed to deceive Leona-san, so I had no choice but to leave the room to escape .

I got out of the room and went to the training ground .

The dArcened training ground was illuminated by the moonlight and the light of magic tools leaking from the castle, and I sat near the edge of the training ground in the chilly night breeze .

Sigh .

Falga-sama asked me to save Leona-san .

However, I dont know how to stop her .

It is not just a matter of confiscating the water brought out from Kurehas fountain from Leona-san . If I did that, she would be in despair .

However, if we continue to fight Karon, she will definitely use the water to fight Karon without hesitation .

This is tough .

Maybe if I were to just answer her truthfully, shell give up! Is what I want to say, but its also my fault for not noticing until this situation happened .

Tsk!

I clenched my fist strongly at my own helplessness .

I couldnt forgive myself because I was training with her so much, I knew her troubles, yet I couldnt comprehend it .

Usato, are you okay?

!

Looking back at the voice from behind, there was Leona-san .

Unlike during her training, she took off her armor and was dressed in a long black skirt which looked impressive, looking down at my face as she turned around .

Why are you here

You acted a little strange just now . I was worried and came to see you .

Leona-san laughs with a shy smile .

It doesnt look like she has already prepared for her death tomorrow .

What really happened? Are you really that worried about tomorrow

I heard from Falga-sama that you brought out the water from the Kureha fountain .

I went straight to the point, stood up and approached Leona-san who was behind me .

As I approached her awkwardly looking down, I continued to speak .

Leona-san . Are you really going to trade your life against Karon?

I thought Norn-sama would come to stop me I guess Falga-sama chose you?

Leona-san showed another self-deprecating smile .

I havent put it into words, but from her attitude, it seems that Falga-samas words were true .

Only he knew that it wasnt a lie, but I wanted it to be a lie .

He really knows me well . That the person I didnt want to know the most

The person you dont want to know the most ?

Youre always so straightforward with your feelings, and knowing and trying to do whats right without hesitation is too dazzling for me . When I was with you, I was envious of you . Every time I see you, I get the urge to throw away this water

What she took out of her skirt pocket was a clear liquid in a vial .

Water drawn from the Kureha fountain . Although the amount was quite small, the vial had a strange presence .

Im a fool . For whatever reason, I reached for the forbidden fountain . At that point I was fascinated by power .

Thats not right .

I wanted to say that, but that word didnt come out .

As she said, it was none other than her who reached out to the fountain for whatever reason . She made her decision .

No words of comfort would be able to help .

Can you rethink this? You do not need to throw your life away . Havent we been training all day for tomorrow?

But youre throwing your own life to beat Karon . . Are you trying to say that the training weve been doing with Arc-san to this day was in vail?

Im being a bit harsh, but it cant be helped at this time .

Even if it is, she must know what kind of intention she has made .

Leona-san, who was silent in my words, smiled as if she had given up .

Really I envy the strength of your heart .

Eh?

The days of training with you werent wasted . In fact, you grew up surprisingly fast and strong enough to fight Karon . If you and I really fought now, you will definitely win .

Then

But thats not enough . No matter how much you can fight Karon, if he gets stronger in the middle of the fight, you cant beat him .

I cant say that its impossible .

Actually, when I fought Karon for the first time, he awoke even though he still had some grace, and showed a dragon scale, overwhelming me and Leona-san .

There is no guarantee that the same thing will not happen tomorrow .

And even though Im able to fight Karon, Im still unlikely to beat him . If we dont have a decisive factor in tomorrows strategy, I have no choice

So, youre saying you will use the power of the Kureha fountain ?

Thats it

My guess was correct .

Certainly, I have the power to fight evenly with Karon, but there is no decisive hit that can defeat him .

Its not that I didnt have hope . There were times when I thought I might be able to beat Karon with you, but considering the worst possible my feet naturally headed towards the fountain .

Leona-san, you are

Usato, you must not die here . Given the threat of the Demon King, a big battle is inevitable . In that battle, you who can save many people shouldnt die in a place like this .

I can only see it before, Im just a daredevil .

However, Leona-san doesnt think so .

My words did not reach before her firm will .

But

Usato . Please understand . Im a hero !

The moment I tried to give her words of restraint, she grabbed my collar and pulled me towards herself .

Leona-sans line of sight matches me, who closed her mouth because of my surprise .

Until a while ago, tears were flowing down which were hidden by her bangs .

Dont say anything anymore Every time I hear your words, my decision will be shaken !

Why must you go that far

As a hero of this country, I have to protect it! Mia Rak, a place for everyone to return! For that, Karon must be killed!

But youre not fighting alone !?

I also argued against her words .

Yes, thats right But theres no guarantee that well win just because were together! No matter how strong you are, youre human! If you get slashed, youll die!

Then I wont be slashed!

Thats not the problem!

Then what kind of problem is it! There is no reason why being a hero, you must give up your life!

I can see that Im getting heated .

I am angry with this person .

For this person who gives priority only to others and never thinks about herself .

I am the same, but this person has no intention of living . Thats unbearable for me .

Im a hero! I have to protect the place where everyone returns! Norn-sama and Falga-sama So I dont want you to die!

I feel the same too! But youre not alone with wanting, a place where everyone returns ! Isnt that just too sad of a thought !?

. !

What is it meant to be a hero?

Falga-sama and Norn-sama did not choose you as a hero to force such a thing .

Leona-san became silent to my complaint . She looks upset, but her teary eyes seem to have a stubborn determination .

This person will not bend her mind no matter what .

You, if you can kill and stop Karon in exchange for her own life, youll do it ?

I do not mind .

Even if there are people waiting for Karon to return?

Karons wife who she talked about before .

I still remember her nostalgia . Im sure its an important memory for her .

However, Leona-san distorts her mouth and looks down a little .

Yes .

The moment I heard the reply, my expression disappeared .

It was a different feeling of anger that filled my heart that was empty for a moment .

Dont fuck with me .

Dont say as if you dont mind that!!

Forgetting even the honorifics, I yell at her .

I know I shouldnt impose my thoughts . I know, but if she says that with that look, I cant keep silent about it !

I know that expression . A girl who was cursed by Samaria showed the same expression to me .

Leona-san has exactly the same look as Eva, trying to suppress her emotions and force herself to accept her destiny .

I know youre scared and you cant bear with it! You want to run away! And yet, you ! You think that killing Karon will ease this!

No, thats not !

Just kill Karon in exchange for my death, thats all I have to do! Then I would bear the responsibility for killing him! If that happens, peace will return to Mia Rak, isnt that what youre thinking?

I grabbed Leona-sans hand which was grabbing my collar .

She looked at me in surprise, and I was even more prepared to spit out words .

No matter how much you accept your death, I wont accept that . I will never let you die in front of me!

Look at me in the eyes!

Leona-sans eyes shake .

I did not allow her to look away .

Once I held her down, I took a deep breath and calmed myself before saying .

Leona-san I didnt get to Mia Rak alone .

Eh?

Its the same when I went into my first battlefield, when I fought against the Wicked dragon, and when I struggled to break the curse in Samaria . Someone helped me to move forward .

Rose helped me when I was about to be killed by a snake in the Lingle Forest .

A knight who helped me when a soldier of the Demon Kings army was about to stop me .

Friends who helped me to fight the wicked dragon and break the curse of Samaria .

Without them, I might have died somewhere now .

There is a limit to what you can do alone, thats why you can ask someone around you for help instead of carrying everything on your own .

I released the hand that was still holding my chest, I reached out to Leona-san, who had just sat down .

Norn-sama, the maid everyone in the castle, were here to help . If you ask for help, everyone would answer you . So you too will reach out to them . All you need to do is stretch out your hands .

My hand?

She looked up at me and stared at her hand in a daze .

She pulled her hand and lifted it to the height of my shoulders, wondering if she could grab it .

Can I ask for help ?

Yes, rely on it to your hearts content .

I grab Leona-sans trembling hand .

A little surprised by her cold hands, I looked at her shedding tears, staring at our hands .

Was I able to change her mind?

Rather, the feeling of guilt that made an older woman cry is now in my heart .

Leona-san, can you stand?

She wiped her eyes and nodded silently as she stood up, and I glanced at the vial she was holding .

. Honestly, I should just confiscate it here or break the vial, but it doesnt make sense since she can just draw the water from the spring again .

You can have that water, but promise me you will never use it as long as Im alive . Even if my limbs are broken or my body is broken, Ill stop Karon for you .

Why are you that much

Youre seriously a very kind but clumsy person .

There are many different aspects, but I know people who are similar in that part . A violent, unreasonable, devilishly scary person, but like that person, they have a certain kindness .

Thats all I want to say . I have nothing more to say to you . Then think for yourself and give me an answer .

I didnt wait for her to answer as I turned my back on Leona-san who was looking at me in a confused manner and left the place .

I dont know how the exchange tonight will affect tomorrow .

If my words didnt get to her, Leona-san would drink the spring water tomorrow . When that happens, she turns into a monster that can be swayed by her own power .

But if she changes her mind, she will fight Karon without drinking the spring water . If she relies on us to fight at that time, she will be a very encouraging ally .

In the end, what I was able to do was not to save her, but to give her a choice .

Ahhh I wish I couldve word things better

As I left the training ground and entered the entrance to the castle, I held my forehead and slaughtered my complaints .

In the end, I left it to her emotions and spouted my own complaints, which made her cry .

Instead of persuading her I might have cornered her on the contrary .

When I think about it, I get sick of my emotional self .

Its more like you to not say strangely good things .

Hmm?

When I fell into self-loathing, a figure appeared from the shadow near the entrance .

When I focus my eyes, the figure of Amako with the owl Neah on her head .

It sounded like a tantrum, but its exactly what Neah says .

Hey, what tantrum are you talking about? Dont you have the same opinion as me? If so, youre the same .

Shut up, hairball .

Ke, hairball !? Im a cute owl, and you treat me like a hairball !?

I dont know why she had Neah on her head, but I somehow figured out why they were here .

They were worried again .

I smiled inwardly, I opened my mouth to the two who started the quarrel .

What about Arc-san?

He was here until a while ago, but after seeing the exchange between Leona and Usato, he returned to my room with peace of mind .

Probably he has read the air? Usato, you had a really worried face .

Im just being taken care of by Arc-san aint I

Hes really a wasteful travel companion for me .

Im not alone?

It was the word I said myself, but it is certainly true .