The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

A spark of the light of the previous generation of heroes.

Kannagi spoke of such a thing in front of the glowing vortex.

From the nuance, it must be some kind of power.

Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on. I'll take you with me."

He has such an innocent smile on his face.

I don't know how old Kannagi is, but I don't think he looks that different from us.

"...... what should I do?"

Our options are limited.

At least staying here does not guarantee our escape.

On the other hand, if Kannagi takes us to ...... I'm not sure what that spark of light is.

I have a vague bad feeling about this, but I also know that we should not take the option of not moving at this point.

"All right, let's go see what we can find.

Hey, wait a minute.

"Wait for me, you son of a b*tc*."

"Heh!"

Ciel and I grab Koga's shoulders at the same time.

I'm a little surprised that Mr. Ciel keeps holding me back in a way that I can't tell whether it's an honorific or a sarcasm, and I glare at Koga.

"Why are you coming with us?　Isn't it strange?"

"Yes, it is. Why don't you understand the situation better than he does?　Even a child can understand, can't he?

Ciel asked, and Keira nodded her head in horror.

Coga, however, shows no sign of remorse and smiles wryly.

"Hey, hey, you don't have a choice but to go with them. I can see how it would be troublesome for Usato for sure. But we have nothing to do with it. We're just going to enjoy watching from behind.

"......"

"Whoa?　Whoa?　You want some?　I'll take that.

Coga smiles belligerently in frustration.

No.

Don't be provoked. I've come this far and I don't want to deal with this.

"They're going to follow us anyway. Keira, stay close to Ciel.

"Oh, wow, is that me?"

"I'm sorry. But that's a child who has almost nothing to do with us. ......"

"......, I understand."

Ciel then holds hands with Keira in a puzzled manner.

Judging from his words and actions so far, he might be someone who is in a position close to the Demon King.

Well, he's not a bad guy.

"---You guys are coming too. Hmmm...well, okay..."

Kira gives a frightened look to Kannagi, who mutters something disinterested.

I step into the vortex as carefully as possible, stepping in between to hide her.

Then, I was surrounded by a white light, and the next moment I was standing in a different place from where I had just been.

"This is ......"

Transference?　The space that was transferred was a vast space that appeared to have been half destroyed.

Ivy plants of unknown origin grew from overhead, and the floor was littered with debris.

However, it was not dark, but rather, there were inlays of shiny, pale stone-like objects throughout the room, illuminating this vast space.

While I was perplexed by the obviously different atmosphere from the place I had been, Keira noticed something and pointed in a certain direction.

"Usato-san, that's ......."

"Hmm?"

Looking in the direction Keira pointed, I saw what looked like a stone coffin.

Kannagi emerges from the space and walks toward the coffin.

"Come on, this way!"

"......"

We walk with vigilance, ready for whatever may come.

The stone coffin is tightly closed, and we cannot see inside.

"Come on, open it up."

"No, no, I'm afraid of ......, I don't want to."

I've seen this in movies.

The first person who touches it gets cursed for some reason or another and gets in trouble.

Kannagi gives me a dumbfounded smile when I am scared stiff.

"There are no dead bodies or ghosts in there, so don't worry. Come on, come on, come on."

You're rushing me.

I guess we'll just have to make do with what we've got.

I try to lift up the sarcophagus with my hand in the gap between the lids, intending to throw the spark of light at the worst possible moment.

A little surprised at the weight of the sarcophagus, I forcibly move it out of the way.

"Wow, that's a lot of power. It's like an ogre."

"This is what you look like without even trying. You're a monster."

"I'll do my best ......"

I feel like I'm being told something unconvincing by the demon people. .......

I'll give Keira a heads up later.

With a thud, I moved the lid of the sarcophagus and finally peeked inside..,

"......!　This is ......."

Inside was a girl who looked just like Kannagi.

She was wearing clothes similar to a kimono, and her eyes were closed as if she were asleep.

However, there were tears of blood streaming from her left eye, which added to the eeriness of the scene.

"Why, this person has a ......"

What caught my eye more than anything else was the fact that the girl had a sword stuck in her chest.

"Another one of the swords that was used as the basis for my baskets. ......?"

The sword glowed with a pale light---it was undoubtedly the other sword that the hero had handled.

"This is what I brought you here for," he said.

"Kannagi, this is ......."

"It's me. It is my body that was sealed in this place just before the previous heroes fought the Demon King.

The other Kannagi sits on the sarcophagus in which he sleeps.

"You mean the previous heroes who fought against the ...... Demon King, you know?　No way, the reason why the Demon King sent me to this place is ......."

"Well, this is getting interesting."

Now I wonder if it was a good idea for Koga on the Demon Lord's side to hear this story?

It might lead to a battle, but considering the character of ...... this guy, it's better if he doesn't attack us now.

If that happens, we should move Keira to a safe place.

"......"

But, are you saying that the previous heroes sealed her as a companion?

I heard from Hayate that Kannagi was a companion of the heroes in the hidden village in the Land of the Beastmen, didn't she?

No, there's something we should check first of all.

Is this body alive?

"Is this body alive?" "Yes, it's alive. My body's frozen in time.

"...... Why did the previous hero seal you?"

"I don't know what it means, but he sealed me here alive. I don't know what it means, but he sealed me alive in here!　That's a surprise to me, too."

I don't know how to look at Kannagi, who is so playful.

She doesn't care about me, but she talks to me as if she wants my agreement.

"And that too, right before the battle with the Demon King!　Don't you really understand me now?

"Didn't the brave man take his sword with him? ......?

"Yes. I think it's too reckless, even though he's already become so strong that he doesn't need me anymore. Before that, he used one of his swords on an evil dragon.

It's getting more and more out of the ordinary every time more information is revealed. .......

What kind of monster was the previous brave man? .......

"The only thing that can free my body is the cage hand you hold."

"...... this guy who's sword is based on a ...... brave man's sword?"

"Yeah. I'm sure you've noticed that it resonates with you.

It's true that the baskets have been vibrating slightly for a while now.

So we know that the sword stuck in Kannagi's chest is real.

"......"

After hearing all this, I don't know if I can trust her.

As far as I know, the previous heroes were not bad people.

Would such a person suddenly do such a thing to Kannagi, who is his best ally, even if it was someone who had betrayed him?

It is possible that Kannagi was actually a very bad person and the hero sealed him up.

"For now, let's bind Kannagi himself.

My first conclusion, based on these possibilities, was to block the movements of Kannagi, who seemed to be in danger.

At this, the other kanagi also panics.

"Wait a minute!　Please wait!"

Excuse me. Can you go find something to tie me up with?

"Why should I go find something to tie me up for someone who's trying to tie me up?　Isn't it funny?

I guess not.

But there's nothing here that's convenient for tying up.

There's nothing but rubble around.

He's trying to make a guy who can't even move.

"Wow, people are scary. ......"

"Be careful, be careful, be careful. ...... I see."

I go through the mumblings behind me.

Kannagi rushes to his feet and jumps out in front of me.

Her expression looks very impatient.

"Ki, I know it's natural to doubt your character, but I'm not trying to harm you!　On the contrary, I want to help you!

"No, ......, no, I don't want it."

"Don't say that!　Listen to me first!"

I start to feel a little sorry for him, so I decide to listen to him.

I'm still skeptical, but I'm not sure if I'm too quick to judge Kannagi's words as a lie.

"I don't care about Kannagi's body at this point!　But I want you to receive the seed fire of a brave man's light!

"What is this 'spark of light'?"

....... Obviously, there was a word that bothered me, but should I pursue it?

Should I pursue this? First, let's ask about the "spark of light.

"The spark of light is the source of magic possessed by the previous heroes. If you possess it, you will be able to use the same magic as the previous heroes.

"...... expect me to believe in something so convenient?"

It's not convenient. It's a necessity.

The other Kannagi puts his hand on the sword that is stuck in Kannagi's chest.

This sword has been used by brave men in thousands and thousands of battles. It is no exaggeration to say that it contains the memories of all his battles. It naturally contains the memory of his magic and some of its power."

"...... can't you leave it with someone other than me?"

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't attracted to that kind of power.

But it's obviously not appropriate for me to have such power.

For example, if senpai and Leona-san could use light magic, they would be invincible.

At least they should be able to handle it much better than me who can only punch and kick.

"That's impossible. No normal human being would be able to withstand such a feat of implanting someone else's magic lineage. You're right, ...... it's a lot like the procedure vampires use to turn humans into their own kind."

This is what Nair once half-jokingly referred to as a way to increase the number of vampires.

I usually don't like it when people explain it that way.

"Once you have this power, Kazuki, Suzune, and you can defeat the Demon Lord. We can bring about the peaceful world you've always wanted, you know?"

"...... peaceful world."

It is true that if I could obtain the power that Kannagi mentioned, I could help Senpai, Kazuki, and Leona.

But is that really enough?

I still feel that we are overlooking something important.

He casually turns his eyes to the group of kogas behind him.

"......"

"Pull it out. It'll definitely be interesting."

"No, please stop!　What are you doing? Are you letting the Demon Lord's enemies get stronger!"

"Ha-ha-ha!"

"You stupid army leader!　Why, you!　You put your own personal feelings first!"

Ciel is kicking Coga, who is laughing.

Keira is standing by her side, giving me an anxious look.

I look back at Kannagi, determined to meet her gaze.

"---For now, I will wake you up. After that, I will decide whether or not to accept your power.

"....... Yeah, that's fine. I'd rather talk to you in my own body."

Kannagi looks somewhat relieved at my words.

I raise my right arm, which has been vibrating since a few minutes ago, hoping that the relief is sincere.

"Well, how do you do it?"

"Just grab it with your right arm and pull it out."

Should I do it while casting a healing spell?"

"No. It looks like it's stuck, but it's not. Feel free to pull it out.

But it looks like it's stuck firmly in there.　

Fearfully, he moves his right hand, which is wrapped in a cage, closer to the sword.

At the moment when he sees the faint light on the sword change to a light similar to Kazuki's magic---like being attracted by a magnet, it is as if it were a magnet.　The baskets are attached to the swords with a clunking sound.

"What!"

As soon as Kannagi's smiling figure disappeared, several rays of light seemed to flow from the sword to the cage.

Alarm bells ring in my head.

I am tormented by the sensation that something is being rewritten in my mind.

Something is about to happen.

Something is about to happen.

I ask Nair to follow the traces of magic and we proceed through the ruins.

Leona is helping us to break down the walls in our way, but we have yet to meet up with Usato and the others.

"...... is strange."

What's wrong?　"Nair."

I call out to her, who is twisting her head with her hands on the floor.

Could it be that the trace of magic power has been lost?

She turns around at the sound of my voice, which is laced with anxiety.

"The high density of magic in the air is almost gone," she says.

"Well, is that a bad thing?"

"No, I guess it's a good thing because you don't have to worry about magic sickness anymore. ...... The question is, what was the magic used for that was floating around in this huge ruin?

"I still wonder if it has something to do with the fact that we were separated?"

At Nea's words, Leona, who had been listening around her, spoke to her.

"Maybe. But the fact that it took that much magical power means that some kind of extraordinary magic or sorcery was used.

Can you follow the trail yet?

"No problem there. In fact, it's easier to follow now that there's no more magic in the way. ...... At any rate, the magic residue is continuing that way.

Nair's finger points in the right direction.

As I walk with my hand on Bulrin's back, the figure of Ferrum, who has been restless for some time, comes into view.

"Is Ferrum worried about everyone?"

"What?　"Of course not!"

You're being stubborn again.

I laugh at his obvious response, and say how I honestly feel about it.

"We're worried about you, but I guess we've gotten used to it.

"I hate it. I don't like that kind of familiarity ......."

"I agree."

Leona, who had been looking forward to the meeting as if she had heard it, agreed with Ferrum's mutterings.

"It's true that I'm not ...... worried."

"Yeah."

"But when I take my eyes off them, I'm worried that they're doing something wrong. Especially Usato."

""I can see that."""

I was so convinced that I couldn't help but hear the sound of Nair's voice.

Nair, who had been following the trail, turns around with a pale face.

"I imagine that while I'm doing this, Usato might be making up some more incomprehensible tricks ......."

"No, it's not possible in such a short time."

"No, you were just now making some kind of unexplainable technique like the healing explosion wave!　When did you make that!

Leona-san looks uncomfortable as she talks to Néa who is so indignant.

"Ah, Nea. I think that the technique called "Healing Explosion Wave" was made a little while after the battle of the Demon King's Army. He had wrought it during his hand-to-hand combat with me.

"So soon?　Oh, no, no, no, that brainiac!　You hid it from us! ......!　And the healing bombs?

That's ...... probably from the fight earlier.

"Whaaaaa?"

Nair's head is in his hands.

From the outside, I think "Usato, you made another new technique", but from the point of view of Nair who supports him, it must be a big deal.

The question of what he is talking about with healing magic has long since disappeared.

Specifically, from around the time when Usato invented the healing magic bullet.

"......?"

"What's wrong, Amako?"

"Grua?"

You feel a strange presence and turn around, but all you see behind you is a pile of rubble and ruins.

Just as he was about to say, "It's nothing," to Ferrum and Bulrin, who had called out to him..,

<<< Ah!　I can finally talk! >>

Someone appears with noise in an empty space.

Leona-san leaps out in front of us and holds up the spear of a brave warrior.

"Who are you?

>

"......"

Leona's unexpectedly cheerful voice makes her look doubtful.

As the distorted figure becomes clearer, its golden hair and familiar face are revealed.

A fair face and a bandaged left eye.

And when I saw the girl wearing a kimono similar to Hinomoto's, I let out an unintentional cry of astonishment.

"What?　Kannagi?

>

"Huh?　...... nice to meet you?"

What are you talking about?

This is the third time I've seen this man, including in my dreams.

His left eye is bandaged, but his face is unmistakably the same person.

So why do you react as if this is the first time you've met .......

<<

"Who are you?"

She looks me straight in the eye as I ask my question.

Her image becomes clearer, but still wavers from time to time.

Perhaps she is a ghostly being without substance. ...... Is this person really the Kannagi I know?

She took a small deep breath and opened her mouth in determination,

>

"""......"""

...... What?　Did you bite me?　Did you just bite me?

She held her mouth and blushed. She looked at us dumbfounded and coughed.

>

"""......"""

Awkward silence for both sides.

Perhaps unable to bear it any longer, the person claiming to be Kannagi looks away and speaks rather quickly.

"...... voice?　Could it be that you were talking to Usato at ......?"

<

Before coming to these ruins, Usato was sent a voice that sounded like a warning.

Was it Kannagi who was in front of him?

She crosses her arms and starts nodding her head in confusion.

<>

He's usually so foul-mouthed.

In my dream, Kannagi seemed aloof.

Kannagi started to talk more and more even though he was not listening to anything, and Nair spoke to him quizzically.

The other you?　What do you mean by that?

<

She nodded her head and returned to a serious expression.

>

The other Kannagi.

Until now I had thought that he was untrustworthy, but the person in front of me now, who calls himself Kannagi, seems strangely trustworthy---so I think.