Shinka no Mi (Shiranai Uchi ni Kachigumi Jinsei)

“I’m home.”

“Ah, Seiichi! Welcome back!”

I returned from the Kaizer Empire and was immediately greeted by Saria upon my return to the inn.

“Seiichi! Were you able to free the heroes?”

“Ah. I took all of them, and now they’re recovering at Ranze-san’s place.”

“Is that so. Then Kannazuki-san can rest easy!”

“I hope there’s nothing more, though……”

“It’s okay! Seiichi made the move, so it’ll work out somehow!”

Saria is always in good spirits. And if Saria says so, then it probably would. I trusted Saria enough to think so.

While I was lightly talking with Saria about what happened in the Kaizer Empire, Al and the others, who seemed to have gone out, also came back.

“Oh, Seiichi! You’re back.”

“Ah”

“As expected of milord! As usual, you solved the problem in an instant!”

“……Hmm. Indeed, it hasn’t even been a day yet.”

“S,speaking of which…… err, the Kaizer Empire is a country far away, right? Despite this, how……”

At Zora’s sharp point, Al looks at me with an indescribable expression.

“Just in case, have you ever been to the Kaizer Empire?”

“Not really?”

“Then you can’t use transition magic to go there, right?”

“……We,well……”

“Then, how is it possible for you to get to the Kaiser Empire in just one day and free the heroes?”

“Err…… it’s like as I took a step, the country came to me?”

“…………Alright, let’s go eat!”

“Don’t go blatantly deviate from the topic!?”

I don’t know why I said that myself either!

“Because, in the first place, it’s strange that you went to that superpower Kaizer Empire and released the heroes so easily. Do you have any idea how many forces are gathered there?”

Well, as Al said, if you think about it normally, it’s like I had gone alone to a country to pick a fight…… It’s insane if I think about it normally.

With a wry smile, I said something I suddenly remembered.

“Ah, speaking of which. In the Kaiser empire, besides rescuing the heroes, I had also lifted the curse placed on the former emperor, Alf-sama.”

“Eh? Really?”

“Yes. It was the same curse that Ranze-san had received before, so I used the same method to lift the curse. After that, when I released the heroes and entrusted them to Ranze-san, my work should have ended. But for some reason, I found myself standing in what’s called the audience chamber of the Kaizer Empire and I can’t remember what I was doing in there.”

“Are you okay? Are you tired, by any chance?”

Saria looks into my face with concern.

As for me, I was also wondering if I was tired, since the matter of rescuing the heroes didn’t turn out to be any effort.

“I don’t think I’m particularly tired, but I somehow feel kind of sick.”

“Fuhn…… isn’t that it? Maybe you were intending to take down some bad guys in the Kaizer Empire?”

“Bad guy?”

Hmm…… It’s true that the Kaizer Empire summoned Kannazuki-senpai and the others, and waged wars here and there, so it was still a troublesome country.

However, the emperor Alf-sama was said to have been bedridden for a long time, so who was the one behind it?

“Look, I don’t know the details, but if the emperor was cursed and had collapsed, then his entourage would be suspicious, right?”

“……I think there was an old man named Helio, but that person is the second important person after the emperor.”

“Ah”

It’s the apostle of the Demon God’s cult who held the ceremony in that audience room, I guess.

But maybe because he was into his own ritual, that guy was dying, too.

Was I on my way to beat that guy?

But if that’s the case, there would be no reason for me to go all the way back to that place again after releasing the heroes and the city’s inhabitants, though. ……

“Isn’t that why you went looking for some disturbing sign?”

“Ah, that might be”

Saria’s words convinced me.

Come to think of it, such a ritual was performed normally. There was also the possibility that the Demon God had revived again, so I think I went to that room again to eliminate that possibility.

“Ah, it’s kind of refreshing.”

“In the end, the culprit of all of them was the Demon God’s Cult.”

“I guess so”

“How do I say it, they were a real nuisance, weren’t they? I don’t know how many apostles are left, but……”

As Al said, the main body of the Demon god had been defeated and Helio had been retrieved, but it wasn’t necessarily mean that there weren’t still people who believed in the Demon God in this world somewhere.

If that person were to perform the same strange ritual as Helio did…… just thinking about it would be troublesome.

“But like I said before, I think it’s fine now!”

“Oy, oy, Saria, on what basis do you think that?”

“Wild intuition!”

“……Sometimes, I almost forget that Saria is a monster.”

We,well, because the usual Saria doesn’t feel like a monster at all……

“Rather than that, Seiichi. Did you tell Kannazuki-san and the others that you have released the heroes?”

“Ah, not yet!”

“You should tell her as soon as possible! I’m sure Kannazuki-san and the others are worried about them.”

“That’s right. Well then, I’ll go to Kannazuki-senpai’s place for a bit!”

“Be careful! That woman will eat you if you show her an opening.”

“Eh…..?”

Al-san…… I wonder what you think of Kannazuki-senpai…….

As I unintentionally pulled back my face, Al repeated with a serious expression.

“You will get eaten”

“…………Yes”

When she said that, I felt that way too. I really wonder where the old Kannazuki-senpai disappeared to.

Hence, I left the inn and headed back to the castle to report to Kannazuki-senpai and the others.

◆◇◆

“Oh, Seiichi! You’re back”

“A’re? Ranze-san?”

When I was about to head to the castle and report to Kannazuki-senpai about the Heroes, Ranze-san came over.

“From the looks of it, it looks like you’ve finished what you had to do over there.”

“Yes. At any rate, I have released the people who were held captive, and I don’t think anything more will happen.”

“I wish that were the case, but……do you have any basis for that?”

“Saria said it was her wild intuition!”

“……You’re probably the same, but Saria-jouchan is also outrageous.”

My physical ability may be strange, but mentally, I’m no match for Saria.

“Well, it’s fine. The heroes you brought with you, they’re recovering little by little.”

“Really!”

“Ah. Some of them have woken up, and those Kannazuki-jouchan and the others have also checked them.”

Apparently, before I could report it to them, Kannazuki-senpai and the others had confirmed that they were the heroes.

That being said, since I’ve come this far, I’m going to have to give her a proper oral explanation.

“More importantly, what are you going to do now?”

“Eh?”

“I’m talking about those heroes. If they don’t have a place to go, I can make it a little more convenient for them, but…… I mean, they are heroes, so why don’t they become adventurers or something? ……No, it’s not good. Putting a child into that perverted den would hurt my conscience……”

“Err, I’m against letting them register with the guild too, but as I told you before, I’m thinking of sending them back to Earth.”

“……That’s right, that’s what you were talking about. At that time, I was surprised that you were from another world, so I unconsciously let that off, but…… can you seriously do that?”

“I think I can.”

After all, when I headed for the Kaizer Empire, the country came for me. If I got careless, there’s a possibility that the Earth would come to this world.

Hence, I thought it would be fine to travel between worlds.

While we are having such a conversation, Kannazuki-senpai comes running up to me from the castle.

“Seiichi-kun!”

“Ah, Kannazuki-senpai!”

“……I never thought you’d actually release them…… thank you”

Kannazuki-senpai stopped in front of me, mouthed this with a serious expression on her face, and bowed her head.

“Su,such! Please raise your head! Since I just went there to clear the uncertain feeling I’m having!”

“Fufu…… that kind of thing is typical of you. Anyway, thanks to you, the heroes were released safely. Please be proud of yourself.”

“That’s right. Without you, I don’t know if they would still be alive today.”

They both complimented me together, so it was kind of embarrassing. ……

I open my mouth to hide my embarrassment.

“Mo,more importantly! What should we do? Shall I return them to Earth right now?”

“No, I just checked on their condition and it’s going to take a while before they can move again. As soon as everyone wakes up, I will inform them of my intention to return to Earth, but for the time being, I will wait and see until they are able to move on their own.”

Certainly, even if I return them now, their physical strength hasn’t recovered, so as a result, they may end up being hospitalized right away on Earth.

……A’re? On second thought, would it be okay to bring them back normally?

By coming to this world, they have acquired the concept of status, so they should be able to use magic and skills, but…… that power could also be activated on Earth.

However, the heroes I rescued had already lost their abilities due to the power of the magic circle of the Demon God’s cult, and when I checked it, their status was level 1, and even the skills and magic they were supposed to have learned in this world had cleanly disappeared. That magic circle is too scary, not only did it take away their life force, but also their experience and so on. (TN: LOL, I’m thinking this isn’t the case)

Other than that, to bring back some unknown bacteria or pathogens…… Well, when we came to this world, that kind of influence didn’t affect us in particular, so I don’t think I have anything to worry about on that matter, but …… I’d better keep that in mind, too.

The magic that would send the heroes back to earth should also have the effect of eliminating such concerns of mine.

Well, except I don’t have that much imagination, though!

More importantly……

“Um, Kannazuki-senpai.”

“Hmm?”

“That’s, they are the heroes who were captured by the Kaiser Empire, but they lost their powers due to the effects of that time.”

“Come to think of it, some of the students who woke up mentioned something like that ……”

“So now they are in a state no different from when they were on Earth, and I think they will fit in without any particular discomfort when they return to Earth after their recovery. However……”

“……Ah, you mean us?”

“Yes……”

Yes, the other heroes now have the same power as ordinary people on Earth, but Kannazuki-senpai and the others are different.

Since they have not been deprived of any particular power, if they were to return to earth as they were, they would have the power to act like a hero in a manga.

I do not, in the slightest, think that Kannazuki-senpai and the others will misuse their power, but there is even a possibility that they will get into trouble because of their mighty power.

However, with power, they would be able to live comfortably on earth, and it was not necessarily a bad thing.

Well, I’ve experienced firsthand what it’s like to be swept away by a powerful force! Being modest is important!

When Kannazuki-senpai showed a little thinking gesture, she showed an apologetic expression.

“It pains me to have to rely on Seiichi-kun again, but if it were doable, could you make it possible to allow us to release our powers at our own discretion?”

“I think it’s probably fine, but ……”

“I don’t know about Shouta and the others unless we asked again, but I would like to request it that way. Is it not good?”

“No, that’s not a problem, but ……is that okay?”

“Ah. As for me, I intend to stay in this world where Seiichi-kun is, but I am also concerned about my family on Earth.”

“That’s fine with me, you know. If you ever want to go back to Earth, I’ll take you there anytime.”

“Thank you. Besides, I’m in a reasonably troublesome position over there. Because of that, I’ve been kidnapped in the past.”

“That happened too.”

Well now, that’s nostalgic. I heard that the true identities of the culprits at that time were workers at Kannazuki-senpai’s company.

“What I mean is, danger surrounds me over there. Therefore, the power I’ve gained in this world, would be of use to me there.”

“I see…… in that case, I’ll make sure that Kannazuki-senpai will be able to turn her powers on and off.”

That being said, what’s the image, though?

When I say on or off, the only thing I can think of is a switch. ……

『The Conversion Magic 【Switch】 was created. 』

I haven’t chanted it, though!?

Without me saying a word, the magic is suddenly created, and light envelops Kannazuki-senpai’s body as it is.

“Thi,this is?”

“Oy, Seiichi! You, what did you do!?”

It hurts that you’re convinced that I did it here! But I can’t say anything because it’s the truth!

“E,ermm…… When I was thinking about what to do with switching your power that I was talking about just now, it seems that a special magic was created and activated……”

“As I thought, it was the usual feeling”

The sad part is that I have no material that can contradict Ranze-san’s words.

It can’t be helped. Since I already did it.

I checked the effect, and as I imagined, it was something like being able to turn the magic on and off at will, which would allow Kannazuki-senpai to exert her power freely.

“What can I say, I’m not really aware of it, but ……it seems that my problem has been solved.”

Kannazuki-senpai clenches and opens her hands as if to check the condition of her body.

After confirming it to some extent, Kannazuki-senpai smiled.

“Now that my problem has been resolved in this way, I guess I’m free until the heroes recover.”

“I’m glad to hear that…… Kannazuki-senpai and the others must have been quite busy lately.”

“Kannazuki-jouchan and her friends, including the one from the Kaizer Empire…… if I remember correctly, it was Blued, right? I guess he can go home, too.”

Surely, now that everything is thus resolved, Blued and his company will be able to return to their own countries too.

Well, Blued will have a hard time after he returns to his home, but …… he’s excellent, so I think he’ll be fine.

With my biggest worries, the Demon God’s Cult and the Kaiser Empire, resolved, I finally felt like a weight lifted from my shoulders, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, Kannazuki-senpai turns to me with a serious expression.

“So, Seiichi-kun. Do you have any plans for the future?”

“Me, is it? No, I haven’t thought about anything in particular……”

In the first place, since I came to this world, I have not made any particular plans, but have acted according to the flow of the moment.

Hearing my words like that, Kannazuki-senpai smiled.

“I see, I see! In that case, I would like to express my gratitude, but……”

“No, I don’t particularly mind! It’s what I wanted to do. ……”

“I can’t do that! Above all, I want you to receive me yourself.”

“Do you want me to receive you?”

“Ah! This me would certainly――――”

“Ranze-san! Please excuse me here!”

“Fast!? O,oh, see you later……”

Before I could finish listening to what Kannazuki-senpai had to say, I instantly moved to the main gate and went straight back to Saria and the others.

◆◇◆

Around the time Seiichi returned from the Kaizer Empire and was explaining the situation to Kannazuki and the others ……

Barnabas, who once served as the headmaster of Barbador Magic Academy, was suffering from an unknown power.

“Gu,nuuu……! Wha,what the hell is this…….!”

The torrent of intense power that seemed to burn from within his body made Barnabas involuntarily fall to his knees and clutch his chest hard.

Ever since Yutis released Anglea who had been captive, Barnabas has been invaded by this mysterious power.

At first, its power was faint, but today, it suddenly began to move violently.

“I,it’s a blessing in misfortune…… If I had been in the city, what would have happened ……Guh!”

Barnabas was afraid of the power that suddenly appeared within him, and considering the possibility of causing damage to his surroundings, he hid alone in a secluded forest.

And now, that speculation was splendidly spot on, and at this moment, it was scorching Barnabas’ body and burning intensely inside him, threatening to consume everything around him.

As Barnabas desperately tries to suppress such a torrent of power, he unexpectedly hears a voice.

『Kuh! This me, I can’t believe I can’t control such an old man by myself……! 』

“Wha,what is this voice……!”

The voice sounded as if it were speaking directly to Barnabas’ brain, emanating from within Barnabas’ body himself.

『I definitely can’t let this seed left behind by Yutis go unnoticed……!』

“Yu,Yutis……?”

Barnabas, while suffering, opened his eyes wide at the words that echoed in his mind.

Yutis was none other than the person who had implanted this mysterious power in him, so it was highly likely that it was something related to the Demon God’s Cult.

『Hmm? You, you can hear my voice…… I didn’t expect my strength would drop this much……! 』

The owner of the voice had no particular intention of speaking to Barnabas, as he intended to take control of his body before Barnabas noticed it.

However, due to the weakened power of the owner of the voice and the fact that it moved violently within Barnabas’ body, their wavelengths became linked with each other, and this mysterious voice reached Barnabas.

Then the owner of the voice seemed to have regained its composure, and said loudly.

『Oy, old man! Quietly present yourself to me! 』

“Su……su,ddenly……appearing…… what the hell, are you……! This body…… belongs to me ……!”

The force moved even more violently, and although Barnabas suffered more and more, he gritted his teeth and held on, determined never to let go of his consciousness.

『Eei, silence! Don’t you listen to me, the Demon God! 』

“De,demon God!?”

While Barnabas was surprised by the unexpected presence, the Demon god continued to talk among himself in an impatient manner.

『This is no time for me to be bothering with this old geezer. ……! If I miss this opportunity, I …… will really disappear――――』

『――――You were here, huh』

『!?』

“Wha……”

Suddenly, a new voice interrupted Barnabas and the demon god.

While Barnabas is being wary that the owner of that voice is also an enemy trying to control him, the Demon god’s voice trembles.

『Tha,that’s stupid…… why are you here……!?』

『Of course, it’s because I searched thoroughly for you so I wouldn’t make the same mistake again. 』

The owner of that voice was Seiichi’s status, the cause of the Demon God’s decline.

Status informs Barnabas, who can’t grasp the situation, indifferently.

『The elf there』

“Yo,you mean me……?”

『Yes. I’ll remove the trash there, so please wait a moment.』

『Nah!? S,stop! Why is something like a status getting in my way! I am the Demon god, you know!?』

『I don’t care about any of that. Rather, I’m angry. To you, and …… to myself. 』

『What!? 』

Then the status continued with a vague sense of frustration.

『I had definitely destroyed you…… that’s what I thought. Because of that, I told Seiichi-sama so. But you were alive. You were alive all along. Just because I overestimated my abilities……! 』

『Guh!? 』

“Gah!”

The intense pressure emanating from the Status affects not only the Demon God but also Barnabas, who is choking from it.

While being exposed to such a situation, Barnabas thought earnestly.

“(If you’re going to fight, can you do it outside of my body!?)”

This was absolutely true, but both the Demon God and the Status had reasons for not backing down from each other.

『And as a result of my overconfidence in my own power, you have cleverly concealed your presence and escaped my detection. …… You’re still a god even if you’re rotten. However, it seems that you had tried to revive yourself after running away, but you were weakened by the damage from me and failed. And thus, you are trying to take over the body of an elf, which was your last resort.』

『Kuh……!』

『The existence that took away your power, was neatly destroyed by Seiichi-sama’s hand. As a result, who that person was anymore…… even I no longer remember him. However, as a result, I couldn’t completely annihilate you, so Seiichi-sama had to directly deal with the existence that gained your power! I can’t take such humiliation. Therefore, in order not to fail again, I thoroughly searched for your existence. And then……that’s how I got to you. 』

Barnabas, who was listening to the story, shuddered at the action that could be called the tenaciousness of Status.

At the same time ――――

“(Who is Seiichi-kun!?)”

He could no longer understand the existence of Seiichi.

『So much for the story, I hope you can leave slowly』

『Wa,wait! Without me, you wouldn’t exist!? And yet ――――』

『Ah, that kind of begging for life won’t work anymore』

『Nah ――――aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh ――――……』

As if to say that no more words were needed, the pressure from the status increased again, and the Demon God was swallowed by the pressure before he could utter a word, and disappeared just as it was.

At the same time, this meant that all traces of the Demon God had disappeared from this world, and from now on, unless Seiichi himself wished for it, there was no way for the Demon God to ever resurrect.

With the Demon god gone, Barnabas looks down at his body, stunned, as the mysterious power and burning sensation have disappeared from his body.

“A,are you done……?”

『Yes. I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused. 』

“N,no, if it’s over, then it’s fine. Can I assume that the demon god will not be resurrected?”

『Yes. He will never be resurrected again.』

“Is, that so……. It’s over, huh……”

Barnabas can’t describe his feelings at the unexpected end of the Demon God who had caused such so much turmoil in the world, but when he felt relieved that the world have been saved by this, he passed out as it was.

While staring at his state, the Status was impressed.

『To be afraid of the impact it might cause on others and try to suppress it all by himself…… Like when he recommended Seiichi-sama to become a teacher, he has great potential. 』

After convincing himself of that, he set off on another journey of training in order to display Seiichi’s status this time.