Editing Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 9 Chapter 1 (section)

===Part 1===

It took two and a half hours on the express line from the large terminal in the city centre. And after that, they moved on to a local line for thirty minutes. Four hours after they left the Toujou residence, Basara and the others arrived at a particular station. Passing through the station gates, Basara was greeted by a scenery that was not much different from that which remained in his memories.

“It’s been five years since I even came to this station…”

It had been five years since they were banished from the village. In that time, neither Basara nor Jin had ever returned. Feeling a deep sense of nostalgia, he could not help but to let out a spontaneous mutter. —But, the place they aimed to go to was still beyond here. And so, Mio stood beside Basara. Locking the wheel of the suitcase that contained a change of clothes and other things needed for their travel, Mio asked

“We’ll be going by car from here?”

She asked as she took in the scenery that greeted her for the first time. What Mio was asking was about how they would get to their destination — the Hero Clan’s Village, from here. Hence

“Yeah, by bus or taxi. I’m sure the transportation network has changed in the last five years but…it should be fine around this area, right?”

As Basara asked this, Yuki, who took to the side of Basara that was opposite Mio, gave a single nod.

“It’s fine. As mentioned before, this area has not changed much since you were last here.”

“But it’s not climbing season, so a car can only go around halfway there.”

Kurumi who was behind them said to supplement Yuki’s words.

“What should we do? Should we use my flying magic?”

Kurumi said, offering a different method than cars. It was something Kurumi had suggested before even coming here. And without a doubt, using magic to fly was definitely a plausible method. With a barrier too, they would not have to worry about being seen by onlookers.

…But.

It was not something that could be entirely safe. In a different meaning from the Demon Realm, this visit was one they had to take the utmost precaution for. Hence, Basara shook his head and said

“Let’s not do that…at the moment, it’s best to take the most regulated way. We should take regular transportation as far as we can.”

Going into the mountains just a slight distance away from here, the area was already within the Village’s territory.  To be discreet and hidden from the view of normal people, and also to keep knowledge of the Hero Clan a secret — those were the rules of the Village. —Of course, there were times when one could ignore regulation for efficiency. Cases for flying magic or super speed were not rare.

…However.

Such things were permitted by the Village on a case by case basis. It was also restricted to members of the Clan. Basara, who had been banished, and Mio, a demon, were not part of the Village’s rules and decorations. At any rate, the order for Yuki and Kurumi to return, and to bring Basara and Mio with them, was without a doubt not one of jubilation and welcome.

“As such, for now Zest-san and I will remain here.”

Maria said with a displeased tone. Basara used his right hand to pet the head of Maria, who was pouting.

“Sorry…the elders asked for just me and Mio. It’s not impossible for you and Zest to come, saying you’re our escort but…”

Like in the Demon Realm, they always had the choice of prioritising their own safety by going against the words of the elders, and they didn’t have to follow the words of their opponents. And it was not a wrong way of thinking. But

“No, we must avoid putting you and the others in a bad spot wherever possible, Basara-sama.”

Zest said firmly, having come all this way with Basara. However, despite the resolution in her voice, Zest wore a gloomy expression. Most likely, her true feelings were the same as Maria, and she did indeed desire to go with Basara and the others.

…But.

Bringing the demons Maria and Zest along would somehow serve as a sort of impetus to the Village. Especially as Basara and the others had a special connection to the Moderates faction of the Demon Realm, and through clauses of peace that gave them a connection to the Current Demon Lord faction too. If they brought Maria and Zest along as well — in the worst case, they wouldn’t be able to deny that their current situation might end up being used against them. For instance, if the Village had some sort of secrecy going on in regards to the demons that leaked out, they’d look at Basara suspiciously. At that moment, the Village could judge to oppose Basara on the basis that he had brought Maria and Zest along of his own free will, without getting permission from the Village.

…And in that case.

All of the hero clan would perceive Basara and Mio as threats — as their own secrets had leaked out, it wasn’t impossible for them to accuse them falsely of that conduct.

…Although I don’t want to think about that.

Basara’s anxieties stemmed from how he found himself unable to  trust the other party. In terms of his true feelings, he didn’t want to have misgivings about his former friends — about his hometown. But, there was no harm in making sure that he didn’t make any careless mistakes.

…Furthermore.

If they acted carelessly, it could also risk causing trouble for Yuki and Kurumi — and not just them, but the Nonaka family that they were connected to within the clan. Once instructed to exterminate Mio, Yuki had gone against the Village’s order on that point. They had to avoid making Yuki’s standing any worse than it was now.

…That’s right.

By thinking of the different situations that could arise, they could predict the different paths that would lead to it, and make plans to counteract them — then, if such things did happen, they could execute those plans as quickly as possible. With this, eventually they would be able to match up to an opponent much stronger than them. It wasn’t the act of overthinking things that were unnecessary,  but thinking as far ahead as possible for when it was — that was why Toujou Basara had been able to overcome his adversities up until this point.

“That’s the case so, I’m sorry but you two should be on stand-by while we go there. Are you okay for accommodation?”

“Yes, as you have instructed, Basara-san, we have a reservation at an inn near the last station we changed at.”

Maria answered his question with a smile.

—It wasn’t that there was no accommodation near this particular station. As it was closer to the area of the village, and with how there were still open inns despite the fact that it wasn’t mountain climbing season, Maria and Zest initially wished to stay in this area. In the slimmest case that they might be required, that would mean that they could go to Basara as quickly as possible.

…But.

If they stayed so close to the village, there may be claims that he had them on reserve for a time. While he must think of a time when something may happen, Basara did not want to cause issues with the Village. With that, he got their understanding for them to go back to the other station and to stay at an inn near there for stand-by. However

“Everyone…if something happens, contact us and we will be there right away”

“Yeah, I got it…”

That’s right — if it comes to it, there was no need to be particular about their methods. They were to meet with Maria and Zest right away and work it out from there together. Then, after they confirmed each other’s movements from this point.

“Anyway, from here on we will go by bus or taxi. As we have quite a bit of luggage if it’s a taxi it’ll be pretty tight unless we get a minivan of some sort… It’ll be good if we can get one with good timing but”

As he said that, a SUV approached them at that moment

“It’s one of the Village’s cars…”

Saying that, Yuki thinned her eyes to focus on it. The Village sending someone to pick them up, wasn’t something they did not think about. They had thought if that was to happen the Village would’ve arranged for the car to wait for them before their arrival. Upon arriving and seeing such, they had thought that the possibility was no longer there but, it could be — that they were being watched from a distance.

…How difficult.

Being able to outwit Zolgear, Belphegor and other demons, had come from the fact that they do not know about Basara and his group. But the Village knew Basara. Even though this did not mean that they could read everything about him, they would be able to read his plans better compared to the demons. He has to brace himself for this — thinking about this, Basara watched the car with vigilance.

“Eh…?”

In front of such Basara with furrowed brows, the car went past them without stopping.

“…”

All of them were dumbfounded, as the car went past their backs, the brake ramp seemed to be in a panic as it suddenly stopped with a halt, then stopping right at their gazes. And then, the door of the driver seat opened,

“Hmm…I’m not used to driving after all”

A man came out shaking his head exasperatedly as he exited the car. Upon seeing this man, with Japanese-styled clothing and long hair up to his waist exiting to stand, Kurumi exclaimed,

“Eh…d-dad?”

At how his own daughter exclaimed in confusion, the man — Nonaka Shuuya — easily said “hi” to them, and then walked towards them. And then, as he arrived in front of them

“Welcome home…I’m happy you two seem well”

Saying that to both Yuki and Kurumi, he had a relaxed smile. And then to that

“…I’m home, but why you dad?”

Yuki spoke the words of reunion with a soft look on her face, then with her question, her

expression stiffened.

“Is it that strange for a father to pick up his daughter?”

“…To the point of doing things like driving a car that you’re not used to?”

Kurumi said, eyeing him. At being questioned by his puzzled younger daughter, Shuuya gave a bitter smile.

“Your return this time is an order. As soon as you get to the Village you will be required to report to the elders right away. In this way, whether you want to or not you’ll be in a lot of tension. That’s why I wanted a chance to be able to talk to you personally in this way before all of that.

“With you girls—”

And then, his gaze shifted over.

“And with them too.”

Saying that much, he fixed his gaze on Basara.

At Shuuya who, from a long time ago — from five years ago, had not changed much.

“Ojisan…”

“Basara-kun, it’s been a while, you have really grown.”

As Basara searched for the appropriate words for their reunion, Shuuya remarked on his growth, seemingly happy to see that, his voice nostalgic. Shuuya’s eyes thinned naturally at this. Basara, who stood in front of him, surely had let him see the past. To the Basara five years ago — the Basara who at the time was expelled from the Village. —Thinking of that, he had no reply. He felt he must say something, but it also seemed like saying anything would gloss over the present and the past. But on thinking that staying quiet would be cowardice.

“Ojisan, I…”

Shuuya placed his hand on the shoulder of Basara, who seemed desperately trying to tie words together.

“Surely you have a lot of things to say, piling up after all this time… It’s the same for me too.”

But.

“That isn’t something that will come with thinking about it. The more you think, the further away words get from the truth. That will increase the distance between those who had been apart.”

However, Shuuya continued

“There is one thing I must say to you”

“?”

“Welcome home, Basara.”

Smoothly, like a breath, the words that left Shuuya’s lips were gentle.

“—”

At his own self who was happy of the words given to him, Basara wondered if he was worthy of such, and his body trembled a little. It was to the point he was unable to find a reply. At that Basara, Shuuya grasped onto Basara’s shoulder tighter with his kindness, then, he moved his glance away to the girl beside Basara — and then spoke.

“So you’re Naruse Mio-san…right?”