Nagai Koto Chapter 017

The Long Journey Until I Reunite With You

Intolerance

Forna came back, and though rumors of the demon lord coming spread throughout the country, nothing seems to have changed. If the demon lord were to come, the army would prepare a defense far from the capital. There should have been some reports from the area near the border, but no information has come yet. There's nothing worse than having needless anxiety or false information.  Rather than live in fear of when the demon lord may come, living life to the fullest until that moment is better. And so, today is no different than normal, I am once again covered in oil and fire.

「What, delivery?」 (Velt)

「That's right. It's near where you used to live, Motaro's house.」 (Melma)

「Hey hey, ain’t that outside the capital? The noodles are going to swell, yeah?」 (Velt)

「Right. Now that you say that, fried rice, soup, and gyoza will do.」 (Melma)

「Jeez, we're so darn busy and now we have this delivery system on top of it.」 (Velt)

「Well, I did get laborers for cheap. Get moving.」 (Melma)

「Yeah, yeah. This is training too.」 (Velt)

I've been living in sensei's house for a few weeks. The shop has become wildly popular in the capital, and it's always crowded at lunch and dinner now. It's smooth sailing though, with more helping hands and experienced cooks in the kitchen. In a way, sensei has used his memories from his previous life and been successful. If I had to say something, it would be that I'm only washing dishes and running odd jobs in order to better myself in ways other than fighting, and today another task was added at last. That would be the new delivery system.

「Flotation (levitation).」 (Velt)

I learned to make wooden travel containers by watching and imitating others. Since I never carried anything around as Asakura Ryuuma, it’s somewhat refreshing, but it's also pretty heavy. However, flotation (levitation) magic is quite helpful for transporting heavy things, so I've gotten more skilled from the countless repetitions. It's the perfect practice for me.

「Hold on, sensei, you didn't happen to overhear my plan and start the delivery service for me did you... there’s no way, right?」 (Velt)

As promised, I only spoke to sensei. When I quit school, I had a plan for what I would do afterwards. Search for Kamino. I won't regret a third time. What is necessary for that is strength. That means techniques to fight and survive. First off, the most important one is the strength to fight. I’ve spoken to sensei about my process, was he taking things into consideration for me as well? No, let's put that aside because he'll dodge the question even if I ask. It's just, I'm only doing what I need to do.

「Hey, kid.」 (???)

「Oh, old man from the weapon shop!」 (Velt)

「Errands?」 (??? à Weapon Shop Man)

「Something like that.」 (Velt)

By chance, I ran into the old man from the weapon shop. Since the battle with Shalt, I've seen him every now and then. I'm done with school and practicing magic, so now all that's left are the weapons. I talk to him sometimes if I want advice concerning weapons.

「How's it been, since I remodeled them?」 (Weapon Shop Man)

「Aah. Well, it'll be fine. I haven't been able to use them, so I don't know how good they are.」 (Velt)

「Hmph. Drop by if something comes up.」 (Weapon Shop Man)

「Sure. I'll come by the shop. I'll bring something next time.」 (Velt)

「Boy, don't start talking like an old man.」 (Weapon Shop Man)

When we first met, the old man at the weapon shop said I didn't have the conviction nor preparation to hold a weapon. However, I quit school, sought instruction on how to wield a weapon, seriously bowed my head, and somehow received advice. According to the old man, even I don't know how much I've changed since I first lowered my head to him. However, the old man, sensei and Laraana, and Forna and Farga too. I think I'm quite blessed by my circumstances.

「Hey, Velt. I heard you started doing delivery, yeah?」 (Gatekeeper 1)

「This time, take my order, please!」 (Gatekeeper 2)

「No, I can't take it right now! Come by to eat!」 (Velt)

Passing by the carefree gatekeepers, I went outside the capital after a long time. Right, it's been a while.

「Ah, right, mom and pop's grave are in the capital and our home got razed to the ground... I haven't been out since then have I.」 (Velt)

Since then. Since the day I lost mom and pop. I'm not particularly scared. However, I'm slightly apprehensive. Right now, I'm still weak. I'd be killed in an instant by demons and devils.

「Sheesh, I'm an idiot. There are countless countermeasures against the demon invasion at the border, but one still got through.」 (Velt)

So, it's alright. And yet, it's dazzling. Our house burning brightly. Mom and pop, covered in blood. No, that's not it. I'm still scared. I told Forna and sensei that I was fine, but I wasn't actually alright. As I had these thoughts, my pace naturally quickened. I want to leave this place quickly. My heartbeat quickened.

「*Haa, haa, haa,* here. It's been a while, since I've come here.」 (Velt)

The neighborhood elderly couple. I've met them a couple times with father. They were always jovial and happy. I haven't seen them ever since mom and pop's funeral, so they're probably going to be surprised. Without taking it too seriously, I opened the door.

「Heeey, delivery's here—」 (Velt)

However, my voice didn't come out.

Instead, I only heard sounds of panic coming from inside the room.

「G, Gramps! Grandma!」 (Velt)

There's an unpleasant feeling. My body was covered in goosebumps.  Before I realized it I had run into the room, and I saw it.

I found Gramps and Grandma collapsed on the floor.

Next to them stood a tall, mysterious person, fully clad in jet black armor, with blue hair, red eyes, and pointed ears. No, not a person. It looks like a person, but it's not.

——A demon.

「Th, this, bastard, you...」 (Velt)

Now, I can't think anymore. Why is it here? How did it get here, past the border? Are there others? For what purpose? None of it mattered. Recalling that day in a flashback, I prepared my baton and charged forward.

「I'll kill you!!!」 (Velt)

However,

「I did not harm them! I beg of you young one, overlook this!」 (Demon 1)

The young, handsome demon said something unbelievable right before I hit it. It prostrated. Honestly, I had no idea what happened. However, I refocused immediately.

「"Overlook this," don't screw with me! You killed Grandpa and Grandma, how could I ignore that!」 (Velt)

「I did not kill them! They are just sleeping from magic! I promise, I do not care what happens to me. Please overlook it. Help me!」 (Demon 1)

What is it saying, this demon? This situation. And the conspicuous sword at its waist. It's a demon soldier no matter how you look at it. Furthermore, that dignified armor can't be mass-produced. If it has that, it has to be quite high-ranking. It's taller than the average man. Not quite two meters (6'7"), but it's close. It's strong no matter how you look at it. And, it has the power to kill me in an instant. Yet, why is it begging for its life?

「Ruuga... What are... doing...」 (Demon 2)

That was, the unbelievably feeble voice of a young child.

「W, wh, what's going on?」 (Velt)

I didn't realize it. In the corner of the room leaning against the wall was a young demon child, on the verge of death.

She had long silver hair, and radiant red eyes which were on the verge of closing. Furthermore, she had pointed ears unlike a human. She wore armor fit for a child with her bottom covered by a white skirt. She seemed to be the same age as me and Forna.

「Ura-sama, you mustn't speak. Please leave this to me!」 (Demon 1 -> Ruuga)

Looking at the expression of the soldier named Ruuga, as well as the condition of the child named Ura, even I understood what was going on.

「Young human boy, we are demons. We fought against humans and have run far away, all the way here. We wish to return to the demon country, but have already run out of provisions, and are in trouble as you can see. I beg of you, please share your food. That is all!」 (Ruuga)

It doesn't seem to be a lie. They truly seem to be desperate. However,

「Don’t screw with me by saying crap out of your own convenience! Grandpa and Grandma refused, so you made them sleep, and once you recovered, you were planning to steal from them?」 (Velt)

「Th, that is—」 (Ruuga)

「Either way, you probably deserted after being beaten, so stop bullshitting me! Why do I have to help you anyways!?」 (Velt)

Truthfully, I don't hate demons. Mom and pop were killed by a devil. I know that. However, ever since then, I've found it hard to deal with anyone that looks different.

「I am sorry... But, please understand. I certainly killed humans during war. I am willing to accept any punishment, even death. However, this child is different. She absolutely cannot afford to die. I beg of you. Provide us with provisions. We will leave quietly afterwards.」 (Ruuga)

Bullshit.

「Don't fuck with me! As if I could trust your promise!」 (Velt)

As Ruuga looked up from his dogeza, I gave him an axe kick. Even with the strength of a child, it's a strike to the head. Ruuga's expression distorted a bit.

「You'd go on killing humans if you kept living I bet! I don't know who that girl is, but here and now...」 (Velt)

And then it happened. Ruuga grabbed the sword at his waist. I'm dead when he pulls that out. I really am a fool. If I obediently handed over the food, I might have survived. However, at that moment, I was too frightened to run away. I was going to be killed. The moment I thought that, I couldn't believe what I saw.

「W-what, what are you...」 (Velt)

Blood was scattered about. However, it wasn't my blood. The blood was blue, demon's blood. Ruuga had cut off his left arm. Together with a gauntlet, the left arm rolled on the floor.

「If you wish it, I will cut of my right arm as well. Though it pains me to only be able to prove my feelings in this manner... Please, have mercy.」 (Ruuga)

Wouldn't it be better to just kill me? I'm small fry that would die instantly you know? Are you trying to show me chivalrous spirit? From a demon? I thought he was just a thief showing off his pride? No, that's not it. He didn't think about it that all. He desperately sought to help the demon girl, that's all.

「Ha... I’m also intolerant... aren’t I.」 (Velt)

He's the real deal. You would know just by looking. And yet, compared to my fear of devils, I was afraid of demons for a different reason. It's not like I had a grudge, nor did I have the desire to kill them from the bottom of my heart.

「Today, what I do here, must be taken to the grave without telling anyone.」 (Velt)

Opening the lid of the box I carried, fried rice, gyoza, and soup were placed in front of Ruuga.

「I am in your debt!」 (Ruuga)

With an expression of relief, Ruuga bowed until his head touched the floor once again, and immediately rushed over to the fallen girl.

「Ura-sama, open your mouth, slowly, please eat.」 (Ruuga)

「*U, uuu...*」 (Demon 2 -> Ura)

「Do not panic. Slowly.」 (Ruuga)

It was slow at first, but the girl named Ura slowly began to move her mouth. She's probably extremely famished. Her countenance slowly became more lively. As I watched them, Ruuga appeared ready to cry at any moment while having a delighted expression. All he could do was repeat "thank goodness" countless times.

「Oh my, have I just condemned humanity to destruction?」 (Velt)

I grew slightly dejected. However...

「Ah...」 (Ura)

「Hm?」 (Velt)

「...Thank....you.」 (Ura)

Though she was considerably thin, I'm certain she said the words "thank you." Well, It’s not like I hated it.

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