Chapter 39
Save my mother . Thats what the beast girl said .
Strong emotions were concealed within her expressionless eyes
She mentioned something about a price . It was likely that she was referring to the vision she showed me that allowed me to save Inukami-senpai and Kazuki . I have to admit that if it werent for that foreknowledge, I mightve not been able to save those two . We could have also lost the war as a result .
Understanding that, I took Inukami-senpai and Bluerin along with me to the Rescue Squads lodgings . We couldnt talk out here in the open since other people might hear our conversation . People rarely come here to be treated and I trust everyone in this squad .
There was no better place to hold a private conversation .
Bluerin returned to his shed and I led the beast girl to the dining hall . Inukami-senpai and I sat down, facing the beast girl who was seated on the other side .
Well then, why dont you tell me the rest of your story?
Hey, Usato-kun . I have no idea where this conversation is going but before that Who is this little beast girl? Shes cute, can I pet her?
. I chose you because I only have you to rely on .
Only me?
You guys are ignoring me huh Usato-kun, is it that enjoyable to tease me? If it thats what excites you then I dont mind being teased .
Were having an important discussion right now Just wait a bit you little attention seeker . Actually, why is it that she could only rely on me? If she just needed someone who could use healing magic, she couldve just asked Orga-san or Uluru-san
My name is Amako . As you can see, Im a beast girl . I already know who you are . Youre Usato who uses healing magic in a strange way .
Im well aware that Im using it in a weird way but Well, its fine . I have a lot to ask you . Why did you show that to me?
Of course I was referring to the vision she showed me of Inukami-senpai and Kazuki being killed by the Black Knight . Everything began with that vision .
Amako paused at my words . She then looked at Inukami-senpai and hesitantly started talking,
If I didnt do so, this Kingdom wouldve been gone . The heroes would die, the Kingdom would lose the war, and eventually the country would collapse Everything would be gone .
What do you think, Senpai?
That is a very likely scenario . If Usato-kun didnt come at that time, Kazuki and I wouldve died for sure . I dont want to sound too conceited but if we died there, the Kingdoms morale would have drastically fallen and would have lost right then and there .
In other words, we were walking on a thin rope .
It seems like my actions at the time changed fate itself . I was just thinking about saving my friends but looking back at the heavy responsibility I had, my body couldnt help but shiver .
I did so because someone has been taking care of me here . But more importantly, I couldnt afford to lose you now that Ive finally found you .
So I can assume that your magic is unique and something that only the beast kin possess, right?
Yes .
It was probably something like fortune telling or seeing the future .
Even so, it seemed to be really accurate .
I also knew that the Kingdom would lose against the Maou army one year ago . Thats why before the fighting began, I was searching For a healing magician who would could heal any illness or injury .
If you knew that the Kingdom was going to lose, why didnt you leave? I know you saved my life and all but Wouldnt it have been safer to run away to a different country if you knew this country was going to lose?
Senpai, the other countries discriminate against the beast kin . She probably couldnt go even if she wanted to .
Other countries wouldnt work huh To think that the beast kin are oppressed to this extent .
Amako silently nodded to my words . She probably experienced something frightening before arriving here . I dont know where she came from but the other countries bought and sold beast kin as slaves .
Even if she had the power to tell the future, she was still just a powerless child . Instead, its amazing that shes come this far .
I came here from the country where the beast kin inhabit .
Its quite far from here
I didnt feel like it was too difficult or harsh . After all, its for the sake of saving my mother .
Does your mother have some kind of sickness?
Yes, Ive been told that it cant be cured under normal circumstances Shes been in a coma all this time .
So thats why she needed someone with healing magic .
The beast kin cant give birth to a child with healing magic Its magic that only humans can possess However, I couldnt find a future where my mother would be cured by a human no matter which country I went to .
Discrimination it seems . Humans excluding other groups isnt anything newHealing magicians arent held in a very high regard after all .
Senpai nodded as she said so . However, I was thinking about something else . Amako probably went to countless countries and used her power to overcome any dangerous situations .
If she could use her power this well, I have my doubts . The figures of authority in the beast kin country wouldnt let her go that easily, right? As I was pondering, Amako continued to talk .
But I was able to find three healers I was even able to see a future where two of the healers would journey with me back to my country to save my mother .
Orga-san, Uluru-san, Leader These three?
Yes, but it was hopeless even if they came along .
Hopeless?
The people from the clinic cant fight As for the scary people in the Rescue Squad They listened to my story but didnt agree to come along .
. Ah
I could more or less imagine that being the case . Orga-san and Uluru-san wouldnt be able to withstand a long journey . Rose was the leader and she couldnt just leave her post . It was more likely she would just respond with a I dont believe you and refuse .
And so, I was selected among these people .
If its you, youll come along with me . And with just one look at you, I knew that you would be able to prevent the downfall of this Kingdom and change its fate . Since you would be the one to save my mother I showed that vision to you .
Is it something that you can just easily show? It gave me a really painful headache though
I need an enormous amount of magic power to show visions to someone else After showing you that vision, I was in bed for three days and three nights so were equal .
So thats why I couldnt find Amako afterwards .
Thinking about it now, this person saved both Inukami-senpai and Kazukis lives . You could even say she saved the Kingdom
I want to give my consent to her but this was a much bigger problem than I imagined . As far as I know, the beast kin country was exclusive to their own race . I dont know what kind of position Amako held in her country but I couldnt be careless about this .
For the time being, I would like to discuss with the King I probably cant decide on my own . Will you come along with me as I explain the situation to Lloyd?
Of course Ill go .
Alright, first I should find Rose . For now, just sit here and wait . Senpai too .
Leader should be in her room at this time .
After lifting myself off the chair, I started to walk while gathering my thoughts . Now then, how should I explain this?
*
Usato-kun had a worn-out expression as he left the dining hall . The ones that remained were me and Amako who sat courteously across from me .
. So cute, shes just like a little doll . I cant believe it, its a real fox girlI wonder if its okay to touch her No, I must touch her Oops, I almost couldnt control myself . That was close .
First of all, I should piece together everything we just talked about .
She mustve faced a lot of hardships to make it all the way here from her home country .
This beast girl came all the way here to request Usato to cure her bed-ridden mother .
As a result, she showed Usato the future of me dying and prevented this Kingdom from being destroyed . History was changed from this action .
The price in exchange for this was for Usatos cooperation .
Dont you think that you could have gotten Usato to help without saying anything?
If it was my past self, I probably would have done that . But after arriving here, I didnt want the people in this Kingdom to be affected .
I see
Due to how kind King Lloyd was, this Kingdom was strangely peaceful . Everyone was kind and didnt discriminate against others . When Amako first arrived here, she mustve thought of everyone as her enemy .
I feel that this country is kinder to me than my own country . Theres no discrimination, everyone treats me like an equal But my mother is suffering back at home I cant just abandon her, I need to take Usato along with me
Her monologue was in bits and pieces . It wasnt like Usato-kuns monologue that was clear It felt like she was afraid of me as she talked . It seemed that she didnt like me all that much .
When I found Usato, I doubted my own eyes . I didnt think a method like this would be able to prevent the Kingdoms ruin .
Just how does your magic work? What kind of limits does it have?
She was able to see the defeat of the Kingdom one year ago . I can assume her range was quite vast .
Its very uncertain . I cant always see the immediate future . But when I sleep, I sometimes see the future half a year or one year from now at irregular intervals . I am also able to see two different futures for someone who has the possibility of changing it . I can also only show that person my visions they are people who can choose between two futures .
I see . So you showed Usato-kun that vision and he was able to prevent the Kingdom from falling . But do they beast kin normally possess this kind of magic? From what Ive seen, its quite amazing .
Its related to my bloodline .
Bloodline?
My family specializes in prophecies . My mother is also able to use this ability but she said out of everyone in the family, I was the best .
.
. It was possible that the beast kin from Amakos country were frantically searching for her right now .
This seems to be a lot more troublesome than I thought . I suspect that Rose rejected Amakos offer in the future because she suspected Amako held some important position in her country . We were still at war right now, she would of course refuse .
. Well, the one deciding is Usato-kun .
Even though he said hed discuss it, hes probably not someone to refuse someone needing his help .
*
So a beast girl came from her home country to request for your help to cure her mother by journeying back with her, is that right?
Basically, thats the jist of it .
I was inside the Leaders tidy office . I sat down on a wooden chair and in front of me was a beautiful woman with green hair .
Rose sighed as she seemed to find the matter regarding Amako to be bothersome .
Good grief, youve really gone and gotten yourself into something troublesome To begin with, its really hard to distinguish between the beast kin It looks like the rumors about the Princess of Prophecies werent completely off .
Princess of Prophecies?
It seemed like a really troubling title .
Within the circle of the beast kin, there exists a rare few who possess the magic to prophesize . They play an important role in their society to foresee any calamities Since this beast girl came here to Lyngle Kingdom Theres a possibility that the beast kin country will treat us as enemies . After all, they have an abnormal amount of hostility towards humans .
Even though were fighting a war with the Maou army?
To the beast kin, they find humans more of an eyesore .
I didnt expect Amako to hold such an important status . While feeling glad that I discussed this with Rose first, I was also thinking about how dangerous it would be if I was found outside the Kingdom with Amako .
Could I hear Leaders opinions on this matter?
No way . Is what Id like to say but we should first discuss it with Lloyd before making a final decision . Its already too late to have an audience with him Or rather, itll be impossible for a few days . Lloyd-sama is about to discuss with other countries about cooperating right now .
It seems like I wont be able to get an audience any time soon . I should listen more to what Amako has to say Or should I prepare myself by doing some training?
In the meantime, youll be training . In case King Lloyd allows you to go on the journey, you should be preparing yourself . Just protecting yourself is the best you can do right now . Youll be training under me again . At any rate, no one will be coming by to get treated here .
I dont particularly mind but
I can say Im already very accustomed to this since training doesnt feel that bad anymore . Still, I had to hold make myself back from making an unpleasant face in front of Rose .
I didnt want her to get mad at me over something like this .
Can I make a stop at the Lyngle forest?
Hmm, why?
I was just thinking of making a grave for Bluerins parents
A grave You have my permission .
Eh? Youre not refusing me? I thought Leader would reject it instantly seeing as youre a cold-hearted and savage woman .
In reality, I was imagining her response to be Huh? A grave? Just make one over here . Itd be a waste of time to go all the way there . But now Im curious about the sudden turn of events .
Were my words somehow strange? Rose showed a rare smile as she quickly moved to grab my head with one hand and lifted me up in the air .
Usato, Im happy that I dont have to hold back against you anymore . You know?
I-If youre happy then, stop this Iron Claw Ouch ow ow ow ow ow
I writhed in agony as I was being crushed by one hand . Just what are you trying to do to me!? I just told you my honest thoughts . After a few dozen seconds of hell, I was finally released . Rose was looking down on me from above like I was filth as I fell down .
If you still have any more words like that to say, speak up . Hey .
Ive already received plenty of punishment The injuries are at the level where my healing magic cant immediately heal them either
Just how much raw power does this woman have Shes just like an Amazoness . While I thought that on the inside, I sat down on the chair in front of Rose again .
If you want to go to the forest, you should head there as soon as you can . Dont you become some monsters lunch now, got it?
Ill be fine Probably .
I can just run away if its anything I cant handle .
Not to put on airs or anything but I did run away from a Grand Grizzly . I can also heal any poison or injuries with healing magic . I can also survive to some extent without a source of fire if I bring some food along with me .
Im also used to that water now .
Well, I still need to report to Senpai and Amako who are waiting downstairs .
Yeah .
Giving my thanks to Leader, I headed out the room and descended down the stairs . While holding down my face due to the effects of Roses Iron Claw, I could see that Inukami-senpai was eagerly talking to Amako in the dining hall .
. Amako had a distinctly different aura as her blond hair gave off a sense of brilliance . Comparing her to Inukami-senpai, she had a smaller physique as well . Her age She appeared to be around 13 or 14 years old?
She did really well to make it this far by herself .
. I see, it looks like itll take some time .
Amako said so after staring at my face for a bit . Did she foresee this conversation as well? If so, it saves me the trouble from having to explain . On the other hand, Inukami-senpai was extremely bewildered .
You guys just communicated by looking at each others eyes . To think that you would even go after an innocent girl like this
Its just going to take some time before we get an audience with Lloyd-sama . Im absolutely not committing a crime like that .
Did Senpai want to portray me as a criminal? Well, assuming that this worlds sense of values recognizes a Lolicon as something bad
Senpai trembled at my words and after looking at me with a sad expression, she turned away .
Recently, havent you been treating me in a very crude manner? Ill cry soon, you know?
Since you can still say something like that, youre fine . Besides, isnt treating you crudely like this proof that were getting along really well?
Somehow I feel like my perception of getting along well is different from Usato-kuns .
Thats because Senpai is thinking of getting along like playmates while Im thinking of getting along like true friends . Compared to our previous relationship where she was an unattainable flower, I preferred our relationship now where we didnt need to hesitate to speak our thoughts .
As for you What will you do?
I didnt think Id be able to immediately head out anyways Ill head back for today .
That reminds me, where are you living?
Im freeloading at Aunties . She runs a fruit store .
That place huh .
I remember a store selling fruit just before I was thrown into the forest by Rose . It seems shes been freeloading there . Quite a bit of time has passed since then, shes been watching me for a while now .
What should I do? I could head out to the streets or I could just go do some training . However, Inukami-senpai was staring at me with eyes of expectation
I was thinking of heading out too . Ill escort you back home .
Ok .
Inukami-senpai youre going too, right?
Of course!
I took off my uniform as I didnt want to stand out and wore some normal looking civilian clothing . Ill just let Bluerin stay hell get his exercise when we head to the forest . When that happens, the little fellows wild instincts will awaken .
Usato .
Yes?
While plotting my grand scheme of awakening Bluerins wild instincts, Amako who was walking ahead of me was now staring into my eyes . Seeing her blue eyes, I couldnt help but think worthless thoughts like people in a different world sure have pretty eyes .
Thank you .
It was faint but she showed a slight smile as she said those words .
I didnt know where that thank you was being directed at .
It could be that I would be saving her mother .
It could be that I would be coming along with her .
It could be that I saved the Kingdom .
It could be even be related to that fact that Im escorting her back home right now .
But no matter which it was, I had already decided what to say .
Me too, thank you .
I didnt have to part with Senpai and Kazuki because of this girl in front of me .
From there, we continued walking towards the street as Inukami-senpai kept showing a strange expression . Amakos face was expressionless but her steps felt a bit lighter .
As we arrived at the entrance to enter the streets, Amako seemed to remember something and turned towards me and Inukami-senpai As if she were trying to warn us about something
I almost forgot to say this but Usato and Inukami, youre both surrounded by everyone here .
Eh . ?
After saying so, Amako suddenly turned around and ran away . With her nimble beast kin movements, she quickly disappeared from the towns streets . Inukami-senpai tapped onto my shoulder as I was still spaced out . As expected, a hastily made disguise like this wasnt any good . I could see the townspeople showing expressions of joy as they spotted us . The people who were selling goods also stopped at what they were doing as they started enclosing us .
Amako, thats something you should tell us sooner
Usato-kun, how do you think we look like to the surrounding people . . ? Maybe we look like a pair of lovers?
More like a master and their attendant . Rather than that, cant you be a little more nervous?
Its not like I could just run around the entire town now that theyve seen me . They could always just exchange information about my whereabouts too . It was at this time I was made to be painfully aware of how powerful a union between people could be .
While giving a big sigh, I resolved myself to face the oncoming trial .