Editing Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 5 Epilogue (section)

===Part 1===

When they had returned to Wildart city, what came first was the treatment of the girls' wounds.

Maria, Yuki, and Mio were all heavily injured when going against Nebula's high class spirit, and they had used up a lot of strength. The physician had also said they need a lot of rest -- although the unconscious Mio had no outer injuries, using Wilbert’s power had made her demonic power and vigour weak. And when the diagnostic results said that they only needed rest and that they were not in any life-threatening danger, a large weight was finally lifted from Basara’s heart.

After that, Zest and Basara went to another room to receive treatment. When it came to an end--

“—Zest, I’ll be leaving them under your care.”

“Yes, Basara-sama… But, your injuries aren’t light at all, please try to return as soon as possible, and don’t force yourself.”

“Alright, I understand… Once I'm done, I'll return immediately.”

His condition was just as Zest feared, receiving a high class spirits' surprise attack from Gardo had given him heavy injuries, and the doctors have advised him to get convalesce <ref>time spent recovering from an illness or medical treatment; recuperation.</ref>. To be honest, he was very tired right now, and he very much would like to just lie down now and sleep.

--But before that happens, he must speak with a certain someone first.

It wasn’t Ramsas or Claus -- Mio has already decided to cut communications with Ramsas; also, another reason for not wanting to contact them was that right now Lucia, him, and the rest of the high class demons of the Moderate faction were discussing future plans. Since the city was also attacked, it has affected the livelihood of the refugees, and temporary accommodation must be procured for them now.

…And also.

After the battle, the moderate faction captured a high class demon from the enemy side. Nebula had died from the explosion of the master-servant contract curse, while Gardo had an arm severed by Basara and was sent flying together with Basara from the surprise attack from the spirit, but his injuries weren't fatal. As this incident may officially spark a war between both sides, Gardo is quite the bargaining chip. As to his disposal, it must be carefully considered.

As to what are the important matters now, Basara had no clue about it. Ramsas as the leader of the moderate faction, must undoubtedly have a lot of work waiting for him.

''…Just let him be. I do want Mio and Yuki to rest for now after all.''

Once their issues are properly handled, our strength would’ve probably almost recovered by then.

Then again, there would probably be no harm in talking with them again.

Basara cut across the Wildart that is currently in a mess from the fighting, and came to the courtyard. Here, the maids, ministers, and soldiers were either treating wounded soldiers or seeing to the reseltment of the refugees, and so they were very busy. But--

『————————』

The gazes of the people who are very busy would occasionally go onto a particular person. That person was leaning his back on the city wall, with a cigarette in his mouth, leisurely relaxing while watching the hustle and bustle. That person was – Toujou Jin.

''…They can't  be blamed…''

After all, from the previous war, he was known as the [God of War], the strongest hero. Even for the Moderate Faction, asking the demons to not pay any attention to Jin was something very difficult.

Basara went towards Jin, and when he noticed him nearing him--

“…Hai, Basara. How have you been recently?”

He slightly chuckled while posing this question to him, and Basara couldn’t help but to smile bitterly. Even though they finally reunited in the Demon Realm, his manner of speech still hadn’t changed.

“I’m doing fine. I’ve managed to tide over it after all… And it was very thrilling.”

He shrugged while replying:

“The head of the household once told me: when the father isn’t present, the duty of protecting the family falls onto the eldest son.”

“…I see.”

Basara immediately continued, as if cold water had been poured on him from Jin’s reply.

“What […I see] …Isn’t that just...too short? You have not seen your son in a long time, and after filling in for you, don’t you have anything else other than that to say to your son?”

After Jin left the Toujou Residence, Basara’s days as the adult head had always been on the edge.

At first, it was protect Mio and Maria as a family. After that, both Yuki and Kurumi joined in, and to protect thems, he had fought for his and their lives until today. Hearing Basara say so--

“You are my son that I am proud of after all… Haven’t I said before that everything would be fine?”

He then lightly patted Basara’s head.

“Take a look… I wasn’t wrong, was I?”

Seeing his father’s smile, he felt happiness in managing to live up to his father’s expectations, and--

''….Um, what am I so flighty about?''

Feeling a sudden burst of shyness,he pushed Jin’s hand away.

Because he then suddenly remembered what he was complaining about just now.

Normally, he had the viewpoint of a brother and a master. And as their brother and master, Mio and the rest had often tried to spoil him, he had never done the same to them. Additionally, in Basara’s heart, Jin was the one he respected the most, and even from the perspective of a person or a man, he could never hope to match him.

-- From the beginning to now, no matter how difficult the situation he was in, he had never even once thought [if only Jin was here]… Of course, Jin’s phone had a special magical chip installed, so he could contact him whenever he wanted. Everytime he survived a life or death situation or a difficult situation, he would always report it to Jin. 

But honestly speaking, for the events involving Takigawa, Takashi and the rest being sent by the [Village], and Zolgear, if Jin was present back then, the situation would’ve been resolved with the least amount of damage.

The hopes of being acknowledged and praised by his father was already lodged in his heart from long ago. It’s just--

''….Just how old do I think I am…''

He slightly blushed. It was good that he had come alone… If his current state was seen by Mio and the rest, Maria would’ve definitely taken advantage of the situation to embarrass him.

“Ah… That’s right, dad. What did you come here for?”

He tried to do away with the awkwardness, and changed the topic.

“You had said that you had come to the demon realm to make contact with a certain someone, right? If I remember correctly, you had arranged the meeting place  to meet him already… So, did you find the one you were looking for?”

At this point, he slightly shifted his line of sight--

“The one you come to look for, couldn’t possibly be him, right…?”

A demon was standing a certain distance from them, and it wasn’t clear what he was supposed to be doing here. That demon was by Jin’s side when he had come to save Basara from the danger.

“Eh? Oh, no, that’s not him. I had taken a little detour on my way here. Some stuff happened, and since we were chummy with each other, I had brought him along with me. Isn’t that right, Fio?”

“………………..Did that even happen?”

The teen called Fio replied with a dirty look to the smiling Jin.

“…..You met up with him on your way here…?”

“Don’t think too much into it, he’s only just being playful.”

Towards Basara who was rolling his eyes, Jin said to him without changing his mood:

“Fio, we humans have a saying -- at home, you rely on your parents. Away from home, you rely on your friends.”

“What does that have to do with me!? You were the one who had insisted on making me your friend!”

Fio had shouted that while holding his head, and continued:

“Ah ha, my goodness… I had better make my way to the lord’s capital immediately… It’s all your fault for dragging me everywhere, and even dragging me into the palace of the moderate faction camp. Going AWOL isn't something trivial at all, and right now I can’t remember how long I had been gone. Just how are you going to reimburse me!?”

“………………..Dad, do remember that kidnapping a teen is a crime…”

“Weird… I do remember getting his consent for this…”

"That better be the case… It looks like that he is about to break down anytime. Uh, putting that aside, he had said the lord’s capital--"

Without finishing his sentence…
 
The city suddenly shook, with a [Boom!] accompanying it.

“Eh…!”     “Did the enemy attack again…?”    “Everyone stay calm! Prepare your weapo—“

As if feeling shock and fear still remaining from facing the spirits, panic instantly spread quickly.

“—Oi, I have a question for you.”

Just then, Jin said that towards a soldier who seemed to have the rank of a captain.

“Right now most of the higher ups are in a meeting, and aren’t the soldiers in the city now busy with the aftermath? Shouldn’t protecting the prisoners have the lowest priority now?”

“T-That--…”

The soldiers seemed to be able to find any words for this…

“! -----“

And Basara also began sprinting at almost the same moment.