Chapter 40

The future I see is uncertain .

Normally, one can only see 10 minutes in the future . Unless a stronger magical power is possessed, it would be impossible to surpass that . Even I’m unsure as to why I’m able to see as far as one year ahead . I could also see two futures for people who were special and could alter their futures… But that wasn’t very useful .

Although the magic was unstable, it was quite useful for my everyday life . However, I don’t feel that thankful to be born with this magic .

It was when I became 7 years old that I really started to understand what my own magic really was . I knew what would occur in the next moment . When I slept, I would see my dreams being played out in reality . I realized that this wasn’t normal . Of course, I was delighted . I was proud and thought of how amazing this power was .

However, my mother… She warned me to never tell anyone else about my power . My power surpassed my mother’s and that was dangerous . She warned me since someone might target me for my power .

Since I was still a child, I didn’t really understand and could only ask why . I can still vividly remember my mother’s response, “It’s a gift from God, which is why you should use it for yourself . ”

My mother was an amazing person . She could see all her futures clearly and she was never wrong . The King of the beast kins held my mother in high regard and gave status to our family . As a child, I didn’t find this bad at all but my mother didn’t look that happy .

It was a life without any discomfort .

People around us would always gaze at us in envy .

I was happy to live together with my mother that I love very much .

This was exactly the reason why I wanted to help my mother . With this power of mine, I thought that I would be able to help my mother . When I was 10 years old, I asked my mother if it was alright to use my magic . My mother said—

———“I don’t want you to become like me…”

To this day, I can’t forget my mother’s expression as she said that to me . It was like a final farewell that was full of sorrow as she tightly held me… . The embrace was strong as my brows furrowed due to the pain I was in .

Afterwards, a few days later… My mother———

“Amako-chan!”

“Huh?”

I lifted my face up when I heard a familiar husky voice . In front of me, countless people were walking by . I could also see Lyngle Kingdom’s local specialty called Apacho which were thorny fruits within my field of view . Right, I was tending the store at the moment…

“Are you okay? Amako-chan . ”

“Salura-san, sorry… I was spacing out . ”

I was actually sleeping but I didn’t want them to worry too much and kept quiet about it . Salura-san was the one to pick me up when I first came to this country… My benefactor .

Honestly speaking, I was worn-out and in tatters when I first came here… I was lucky enough to find a carriage to jump onto but I already used up all my strength and fell asleep when I got on . When I woke up, I was in a bed that Salura-san put me in .

Afterwards I learned that Salura-san was a merchant who was stocking up on Apacho and I was in that cart full of them . I didn’t know this at that time and with my distrust of humans, I directed a lot of hostility towards Salura-san .

However—

“Are you really alright? Maybe you should take the day off?”

“Ah, no… I’m fine . ”

I was saved by this person and the townspeople . I always hid myself, running and running and running away… but this place was different . I’ve gone to many countries but… This was the first country was that was so different .

That’s why after staying here… I didn’t want to go back .

The country which was home to my mother… It was also the place that wanted to just use my power… But I still wanted to save my mother . After all, that was my original purpose for coming here; to search for someone with healing magic .

But to able to enter the country that used and threw away my mother…

“Oh, isn’t that Usato-sama?”

“Eh?”

I naturally glanced towards the main street due to Salura-san’s words…There was something like a big pouch…? That was on a Blue Grizzly’s back… Bluerin? Walking beside was Usato who seemed to be heading towards the gate .

“No matter how I look at him, he seems like just a normal boy but… It seems like he was the one to save my nephew from what I heard…”

“I don’t think he’s normal at all . ”

“Hahahaha! When he ran around town carrying that big monster, I didn’t know what to think! However, it’s normal considering that Rose-sama was the one who took him in . ”

Just what did the Rescue Squad do before I came here? During my one year here of watching the store, I haven’t seen anyone else doing training like Usato’s… .

… . Come to think of it, I only knew the Usato from my prophecies . I don’t know anything about the Usato that ran through the streets here .

It was only recently that we talked face-to-face . He could use healing magic, had a great physical ability and was quite rough . I didn’t know anything else about him . I understood that he was a kind person just like Salura-san but somewhere in my heart I couldn’t trust Usato . I can’t help but think of the possibility of him one day betraying me and putting me into a cage . I would then be sold like an object .

It couldn’t be helped since there was fear wedged in deep inside my mind but I should try to trust Usato .

“… . Salura-san, could I accompany Usato . . um . . sama… for a bit?”

I felt that things couldn’t stay like this .

Usato should be aware of how dangerous it was to travel to my country to cure my mother . Despite this, I wasn’t placing any trust into him at all even though he’s the one saving me . Just like how the Salura-san and the townspeople stepped up to help me… It was my turn to walk up and believe…

“Usato-sama? Ah, I remember now . We had a discussion yesterday . Amako-chan requested Usato-sama to help cure your mother, right? Sure thing, go along . You’ll definitely be fine if you’re with Usato-sama . ”

“Yeah . ”

“But don’t push yourself too much . ”

It was a good thing that there weren’t a lot of people coming in today . I hurried to my room and got myself ready to go out . I then headed towards the gate .

As I walked out, I didn’t forget to call out to Salura-san that I was heading out .

I didn’t have to hide my ears and tails while walking in front of humans . I probably would have never imagined that a day like this would come before I came here . Nowadays I could just normally run through the streets . I wonder what my friends back at home would think if I told them? But in doing so, I realized I was unqualified to meet with them and breathed a sigh in dejection .

While feeling down, I lightly jogged towards the gates . Before long, I could see the backs of Usato and Bluerin .

“Wait . ”

“… . Hm? Oh, it’s Amako . What’s wrong?”

“Gwoh?”

Usato came to a halt and despite carrying the large article on his back, he was still able to normally respond and incline his head to the side . While feeling somewhat reserved in front of Usato, I drew closer to him and stopped next to him… I was displaying my intention to go along with him .

“Eh, you want to come along? You can’t, it’s dangerous . ”

“Where are you going? … . Are you going to the forest with… monsters?”

I could see a vision of Usato and it showed me where he was headed . It was a forest full of monsters called [Dark Lyngle] . Usato and Bluerin were both going there .

“As expected, it seems like having foresight is really convenient . ”

Usato then proceeded to talk about what he intended to do in the forest . Usato wasn’t carrying anything valuable on his back; it was actually a grave for Bluerin’s parents . It appeared that Bluerin had a Grand Grizzly and Blue Grizzly as parents that passed away .

When a monster dies, their magic power will return to its origin in the soil . The origin of this power will then mold a new shape of a monster and the cycle repeats itself . This was how the ecosystem worked here for different species .

If you thought about it, death for a monster wasn’t exactly death in a way . However, that line of thinking would be disrespectful to Usato and Bluerin who were putting up graves .

“Even so, I want to go . ”

“It might be a while before we get back, you know . . ? I’m sure the owner of that store would be worried about you…”

“If I go along with you, you won’t be attacked by any monsters . I’ll know when they’re coming and I do possess some combat capability . Auntie said I’ll be fine if I’m with Usato too…”

“Even if you say you’ll be fine… it’s really dangerous . Right, Bluerin?”

My gaze fell upon Bluerin as his name was mentioned . I could hear Usato speaking in a barely audible voice to Bluerin .

…It seemed like Usato was asking Bluerin if he was okay with protecting me . The Bluerin in question responded with a howl that appeared to indicate his approval .

As Usato stood after his talk, I walked towards Bluerin and lightly petted him on the head .

“…You’re kidding right… Bluerin… . ”

For some reason, Usato showed an expression of shock like never before . I continued to pet Bluerin as he closed his eyes partly to indicate that it felt good .

We beast kin still have a few traces of a beast’s instincts . We can roughly read the emotions of monsters and animals . However, Bluerin was very obedient… he must trust Usato a lot .

“I see, you respond to wicked thoughts don’t you, Bluerin!”

“Gwah~!”

“Inukami-senpai and Uluru-san are definitely an ‘out’… Not including you, only Leader has been able to pet Bluerin like this . Although I think it was because he was too intimidated by her and just quietly let her pet him…”

Usato was satisfied with his own answers and nodded . Usato then seemed to have thought of something and said “Excuse me for a bit” as he lifted me up . I was then mounted on Bluerin’s back .

“If it’s like this, it probably won’t be dangerous . ”

“… . . ”

Was Usato unexpectedly simple minded? But I wouldn’t say that out loud . If I tried to tell him that I could run very fast, he might still be worried about me… I don’t want give Usato any more unnecessary worry .

Instead of sitting on Bluerin, I was lying down instead . It was unexpectedly stable and as I held down on his back with my hands . His fur was really soft and firm .

Actually, it was really strange that Bluerin would be accompanying a human like Usato . Bluerin was a boy born from a Grand Grizzly who could be called the king of the bears . Why was he following Usato? While having this line of thought, Bluerin gave a soft howl as I gently caressed his head .

“Well then, let’s go . If possible, I want to return by today . ”

Usato easily lifted his luggage and started to lightly walk towards the gate . Bluerin started to walk as well, matching Usato’s pace .

It was a bit shaky on Bluerin’s back it was slowly swaying from his movements . It didn’t feel all that bad, it was similar to riding a horse . In other words, it was quite comfortable… .

“Hello, it’s Usato . ”

“Ah, Usato-sama . What do you need today?”

“Actually, I’m planning on going outside… I have Leader’s permission . ”

Usato gave something like a letter to the guard . After the guard saw it, he smiled and signaled the other guard to open the gate .

“Ok, it’s valid . It’s probably fine since it’s Usato-sama but do be careful . ”

“Erm, Thomas-san was it? Thank you very much . ”

After Usato gave his thanks to the guard called Thomas, he beckoned me to come over . While riding on Bluerin, we both headed through the gates . When the gates closed behind us, it was like we entered a different world as it suddenly became very quiet .

From there, Usato was stretching his arms and legs for some reason while looking into the distance . Why was he warming up? Is what I would like to ask but there’s plenty of other stuff I want to ask Usato .

I might just be worrying too much but I want make sure of something . I want to be able to place my trust in him in the truest sense…

“Usato . ”

“Yeah? …What’s wrong?”

“About Bluerin’s story… Could you tell me about it?”

“About me and Bluerin? I don’t really mind but… why?”

“It seems he trusts you a lot . ”

I could see Bluerin’s happy expression as he looked at Usato . I didn’t sense any ill emotions from Bluerin’s eyes . The pure Bluerin was just simply happy .

Usato seemed to be in a slightly good mood and started to stretch his entire body like a bowstring while taking a deep breath . Afterwards, Usato did a few small hops and pointed at a direction using his finger . We were probably heading in that direction . Bluerin and I naturally followed where Usato was pointing .

“Well then, Amako . Make sure to hold onto Bluerin tightly . At any rate, I’ll be toning down to match Bluerin’s pace but no matter what… Don’t let go, okay?”

“… . Eh? Usato, what are you saying? Do you intend to run from here?”

It was like he was implying that we would run all the way there . That was just unreasonable though, it would take many hours to run from all the way here to reach our destination . We might even run into danger along the way, it would be odd to purposely drain your stamina …

Don’t tell me… He wasn’t joking when he said he wanted to return by today… He was serious?

“Eh? Yeah, that’s what I said . ”

Even the beast kin who excel at running would be tired if they ran something this long… But this guy was serious about running it . For the time being, I’ll secretly look at the future… However I was stunned at the scene that would happen several seconds from now .

“Well, let’s go, Bluerin! . . RUN!! HEY!”

“Geaah—!?”

“Kya…”

I tightly grabbed onto the fur of the confused Bluerin . Usato suddenly told Bluerin to run in a loud voice . After a few moments, I could already see the gate getting further and further away .

Usato’s speed was comparable to a Blue Grizzly’s running speed . What’s more was that a Blue Grizzly uses four limbs to run while humans only use two… Just what was his body made of?

“At this pace, I think we should reach there in about an hour…?”

“!?”

As Usato was running, his face was the same as when he was standing a moment ago . In town, I heard that the Rescue Squad focused their training on running . Now that I’m seeing it for myself, I can’t believe it .

There’s no doubt that the healing magic being used in this country was different from all the other countries I’ve seen . No matter which country I went to, healing magicians would be discriminated against . The healing magicians too, very few of them had decent personalities… Additionally, they were disgusted with themselves because they possessed healing magic . And the moment they see me, they would think of capturing me and selling me off to a slave trader .

Thinking along those lines, there was no one better than Usato . Whether it be his personality or strong body to withstand the long journey, he was the most suitable .

“Are you alright, Bluerin?”

“Guruah!”

It appeared that it’s been a while since Bluerin had ran like this surrounded by nature . I could tell he was somewhat happy as he kicked the dirt away with a bit of a spring in his steps . During this time, I did my best to endure the shaking .

“Alright then, let’s maintain this speed…”

“Why are you able to run… normally… like this?”

While I desperately held onto Bluerin, I did my best to voice my doubts towards Usato . Usato tilted his head to the side as if my question was odd and looked towards me .

“Since you’re part of the beast kin, isn’t something like this very simple . . ?”

“It might not be that strange for one of the beast kin to run like this but I’m surprised that there’s a human who can run this fast…!”

“There are plenty of humans who run faster than me . Right now I don’t think I’m running that fast, I’m just trying to get Bluerin out of shape and matching his pace . ”

Seeing that I was really surprised, Usato couldn’t help but be astonished too .

Just exactly how did you perceive the beast kin inside your head? That was beside the point though, it’s evident we’ve already surpassed the limits of a normal human’s running speed .

“I feel like my definition of humans needs to be re-evaluated…”

As I was taking that into consideration, a sudden gust of wind came and I buried myself into Bluerin’s fur to defend myself . I would be staying here till be reached the forest…

“That reminds me, you wanted to hear about how Bluerin and I met—“

“Sorry, not now . ”

Usato was different from the other healing magicians . However, I really wished that his common sense wouldn’t differ so much…