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ParallelFiction-Ja_En-100k

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171.Blank Space 「わあ、久しぶりですね。忙しくしているみたいだけれど、大丈夫?」 「プーセさんこそ、お元気でしたか? あ、これザンガー様からお届け物です」 王城を訪れたオリガとヴィーネを入口で迎えたプーセは、オリガに一礼するとヴィーネとかしましく話あっていた。 オリガを迎えた相手は、イメラリアである。 「国境からの報告書、並びに魔人族の長と名乗る人物からの手紙をお届けに参りました」 「魔人族からの手紙ですか。夫君の領地は話題に事欠きませんね」 「ええ。おかげさまで退屈せずに済みます」 にこり、と整った顔をした美少女二人が笑顔で言葉を交わしている様を見て、城内を警備している騎士たちは微笑ましいものを見たような、穏やかな顔をしていた。一二三をめぐる二人の争いを知らなければ、表面上は親しい貴族階級の付き合いにしか見えない。 「わたくしとオリガさんは、少し相談事があります。プーセさんはヴィーネさんと積るお話もありましょうから、お二人でゆっくりされると良いでしょう」 「ありがとうございます、陛下」 嬉しそうに頭を下げたプーセと、合わせて礼をしたヴィーネを見送り、イメラリアは近くにいた騎士に彼女たちの部屋へお菓子とお茶を運ばせるように指示を出す。その姿はずいぶんと落ち着いて、自然な振る舞いになっている。 「主人の使用人にまでご配慮いただきまして、ありがとうございます」 「構いませんよ。その程度は雇い主の務めです」 プーセの役職は『相談役』なのだが、家臣では無く、客分として扱われている。エルフが長命であり、家臣として高い地位に付けると後年問題になるかも知れない。かと言って、王の相談を受ける立場の者が下級の貴族や官吏というのもおかしい、と宰相たちが頭を捻って考え、“一時的にエルフの集落からお招きした相談役”という 城内に執務室と居室を与えられ、専用の侍女を付けられた。自給自足に近い生活をしていたプーセは、突如として変化した生活に、最近になってようやく慣れてきたところだった。まだ、侍女に対して指示を出す事には慣れていないのだが。 「城にも複数の魔法使いがいますし、魔法が使えなくても魔法を使う相手との戦いを訓練したいという希望もあり、最近では騎士隊の訓練にもお手伝いいただいています」 「なるほど。それは良いことですね」 イメラリアの執務室へと場所を移し、侍女たちに部屋から出るように告げると、向き合う二人の顔から笑顔が抜け落ちた。 「それで、その手紙を見せていただけますか?」 「どうぞ」 そっけなく渡された手紙を見て、封蝋がそのままになっていることを、イメラリアは意外に思った。 「一二三様は中を確認しておられないのですか?」 「主人からすれば、すでに引退した身だから興味が無い、ということのようですね」 イメラリアは慎重にナイフで封を解き、内容にしっかりと目を通した。 そこには、女王ウェパルの署名付きで、停戦のための話し合いを行いたい旨が書かれていた。女王自らイメラリアの居城へ赴く用意がある、と記されている。 「......なるほど」 文面だけで判断するのは危険だが、被害軽微な小競り合いで終わっていても、国軍の兵士を国境へ手中させ、駐留部隊を養うだけでも経費がかかる。終わらせられるならそうしたいのが為政者としての本音だ。 魔人族がいるエリアに来い、ということであれば罠を疑うところだが、来ると言うのであれば用意はできるだろう。 考え込んでいたイメラリアが、ふと視線を感じて顔を上げる。そこには、無表情で見つめているオリガの姿があった。 「魔人族の王という方から、停戦の申し込みです。実現されれば良いのですが......」 「停戦ですか。良い知らせです。あまり戦いが長引くと、アリッサの負担にもなります。向こうも攻めあぐねているようですから、良い頃合いでしょう」 オリガの言葉には、当然停戦を受け入れますね、という意味合いが強く含まれている。それが彼女の考えからなのか、一二三に言い含められてのことなのかは不明だが、イメラリアにこれを受けない理由は無い。 「そうですね。このお話は受けるべきでしょう」 ふと、イメラリアの脳裏に、今の状況を利用できないかという考えが浮かんだ。 「......オリガさん。明日の昼食、ご予定は?」 「主人と過ごす予定です」 当然の事と言わんばかりなオリガの言葉に、イメラリアは内心の苛立ちを笑顔で包み隠す。 「良かったら、一二三様も交えて、打ち合わせも兼ねて城で昼餐としませんか? 正式な内容はその時に詰めたいと思いますが、国境からここまで、魔人族の女王をエスコートしていただきたいのです」 「......それは、国軍で行うべきではありませんか?」 「今、一二三様に鍛えていただいている騎士の訓練も兼ねて、という形でお願いいたします。それに、魔人族の精鋭が万一国内で暴れたとき、一二三様ならば確実に押さえつけることができます」 依頼料や行動スケジュールなどについて、一二三本人を含めて相談したい、と繰り返したイメラリアに、オリガは保留の態度を取った。 「主人に相談してから、今日のうちにはご連絡させていただきます」 「わかりました。よろしくお伝えください」 簡単なあいさつを交わし、オリガは城を後にする。 入れ替わりに室内へ入り、二人分のティーセットを片付け始めた侍女に、イメラリアは「急ぎでお願いします」と声をかけた。 「サブナクさんと宰相に、すぐここへ来るように伝えてください」 「畏まりました、陛下」 手早く茶器を盆にまとめ、侍女は足早に出て行った。 「......明日の敵は今日の友......。いえ、友とは言えませんね」 政治に関わると、思考がどんどん黒くなる、とうんざりしながらイメラリアは自らのお腹を撫でた。まだ確定の診断は出ていないが、なんとなく、そこに命がある気がする。 「......友ならば、利用しようとは思わないでしょうからね」 「そう。ご苦労様」 ウェパルは報告に訪れた男に、優しく声をかけた。 ヴィシー中央委員会の執務室をそのまま使っている女王の為の執務室は、次第に書類で埋まりつつあった。部屋の隅で、ニャールとフェレスの二人が、ひぃひぃ言いながら書類の仕分けをしている。書類が増えて面倒になってきたウェパルが、二人に緊急性の高い順に分けるように命じたのだ。 ブツブツと泣き言を言いながら書類を捌くニャールへ、男はちらりと視線を向けたが、言及はしなかった。そこに触れたら自分も巻き込まれるかもしれない。 「偽装は完璧だったのですが、まさか見破られそうになるとは思いませんでした。不覚です」 「しっかりと親書を渡してくれて、報告に戻ってきてくれたのだから、あまり気にすることはないわよ。また潜入をお願いするかもしれないから、その時は気を付けてね」 「はっ。次の機会がいただけましたら、より完璧に任務を達成して御覧に入れたいと思います」 男が持ち帰った情報で、一二三が領主から退いてオーソングランデという国の首都に滞在している事、ホーラントという国とオーソングランデが連携を取っている可能性があることが分かった。 「まさか引退していて、しかも首都にいるとはね」 褒美については後日、と伝えて男を下がらせてから、想定外だった、とウェパルは天井を仰ぎ、両手で顔を覆った。 「そういう事なら首都に行くなんて書かなかったわよ。勘弁してほしいわね。下手したら人間と魔人族がいるところで余計な事されかねないわ。停戦どころじゃなくなるかもしれない」 「そんな真似したら、お城を舞台に魔人族と人間の両方を敵に回すことになるわよ」 わざとらしく大声で笑い飛ばし、不安をかき消す。 ニャールとフェレスが気の毒そうな顔で見てくるが、今さら部下にどう見られようが知ったことか、という気分だ。 ひとしきり笑って、ようやく気持ちが落ち着いて来た頃に、バシムが足早に入室してきた。魔人族の将としてヴィシー攻めを指揮し、一二三に片腕を奪われた男だ。 金属鎧を着た片腕の男は、乱暴な足取りウェパルの前まで進み、ドン、と音を立てて跪いた。 「人間の町に使者を送ったと伺いましたが!」 「使者というより、手紙を送っただけよ。それがどうしたの?」 ウェパルは、気持ち突き放すような言葉になった。彼女は、粗暴で出世欲を剥き出しにしているバシムの事を好きになれなかった。尊敬しろとまでは言わないが、国家と言う組織として他の国家とやり取りをしていくことを考えれば、形だけでも女王に対する敬意を見せられるようにするべきだ。 それができそうにないバシムを、ウェパルは今の地位以上に上げる気は毛頭無かった。 「一体、どのような内容をお送りされたのです。よもや、降伏勧告などではありますまいな」 書状の内容を教えてやる必要など無い。ウェパルにとってこういう無礼な奴は組織運営の邪魔なので、早々に排除したいところだったが、戦場に置いておく数合わせとしては使える程度に実力があるのが問題だった。 それに、オーソングランデとの接触は、こういった主戦派への偽装も兼ねている。 「文面だけを見れば、停戦のための講和を結ぶ話し合いの打診よ」 「停戦だと!? ......失礼しました。しかし、現状我々は負けているわけではありません。まして、一国を陥落させ、今も二正面作戦を大きな損害も無く推敲しております。今この段階で停戦を、しかも我々から申し入れる必要は無いのでは、と愚行いたしますが」 「落ち着きなさい」 「しかし......」 「停戦は方便です。バシム、私の新たな転移魔法の制限を知っているでしょう」 転移先は“ウェパルの魔力を込めた目印”を置くか、彼女自身が訪れたことがある場所に限定される。 魔人族の主戦派が妙な提案を持って来る可能性を考え、ウェパルは早々に自らの魔法についての弱点を公表していた。 「なるほど! つまり陛下は恩自らが敵地の中心部へ赴くことで、一気呵成に敵の本拠地を叩き潰す準備をなさるわけですな!」 興奮気味に話すバシムに対して、ウェパルはニヤリと笑った。“うまく乗ってくれた”と。「わかったなら、兵たちとの調練を勧めなさい。万一、首都で私を害する動きがあれば、戦いはそこで始まるのだから」 満面の笑みで出て行ったバシムは、きっと兵たちに向かって、今の会話で出た作戦について嬉々として喧伝してくれるだろう。そして、士気の高い兵士たちを以て、号令一つで突撃してくれるはずだ。 「もし、一二三があの剣を握るようなら、その時点で呼んであげようかしらね」 そして、見事に盾となって女王を逃がすための時間を稼いでもらおう。バシムの後任は、もう少し女王の意を汲んでくれる者を選ぼう。 ふと、部屋の中で相変わらず書類と格闘していた二人に声をかけた。 「ニャール、フェレス。将軍とかやってみたくない?」 「絶対嫌です」 即答したフェレスに、ニャールも同意するように何度も頷いていた。

Chapter 171: Blank Space "Wow, it's been a while, hasn't it? It looks like you are busy, but is everything alright?" (Puuse) "You too, Puuse-san, are you holding up well? Ah, this is a present from Zanga-sama." (Viine) Greeting Origa and Viine, who visited the royal castle, at the entrance, Puuse bowed towards Origa and then noisily chatted with Viine. The one welcoming Origa is Imeraria. "A report from the border and a letter from a person calling themselves the leader of the demons have been delivered." (Origa) "A letter from the demons? The territory of your husband does not lack excitement, does it?" (Imeraria) "Yes. Fortunately it does not get boring." (Origa) Seeing the two young beauties exchanging words while smiling sweetly, the guards patrolling the castle looked warmly at them as if seeing a pleasant scene. As long as one doesn't know about their rivalry revolving around Hifumi, they simply look like close noble associates on the surface. "There is something Origa and I have to talk about. Puuse-san, I am sure you have plenty of things you want to tell Viine-san, so it is probably a good idea for you to slowly catch up with each other." (Imeraria) "Thank you very much, Your Majesty." (Puuse) Seeing off Puuse and Viine, who delightfully bowed their heads and then left, Imeraria orders a nearby knight to have sweets and tea brought to their room. She's conducting herself very calmly and naturally. "Thank you very much for taking even my husband's servant into consideration." (Origa) "Do not mind it. That much is the duty of an employer." (Imeraria) Puuse's official position is {Advisor} , but she has been treated as guest and not as retainer. As elves are long-lived, it might turn into a problem in later years if she's given a high position as retainer. Having said that, the prime ministers and his subordinates pondered and racked their brains over the whole matter, as it would be weird for a person with the position to consult the ruler to be a low-ranking noble or a government official, and decided to handle her as "Advisor who had been temporarily invited from the elven village." She was granted a living room and an office within the castle, and an exclusive maid was assigned to her. Recently Puuse, who had always lived providing for herself, was finally at the point of getting used to the suddenly changed lifestyle. Though she still hasn't accustomed herself to giving orders to her maid. "There are several magicians in the castle, so I have the ambition of wanting to train fighting against magic users even if I can't use magic myself. Recently I have been even helping out in the training of the knight order." (Imeraria) "I see. That is nice." (Origa) They changed location to Imeraria's office. And then, once Imeraria had told the maids to leave the room, any smiles vanished from the two's faces as they sat across each other. "So, can I have you show me that letter?" (Imeraria) "Here you go." (Origa) Seeing the letter that had been handed to her curtly, Imeraria considered it unexpected for the sealing wax having been left untouched. "Hifumi-sama has not checked the contents?" (Origa) "In the eyes of my husband, he has already retired, so he does not have any interest in it. Those were his words." (Origa) Imeraria carefully undid the seal with a knife and thoroughly scanned through the content. It was signed by Queen Vepar and basically requested to hold armistice negotiations. It also mentioned that the queen herself is preparing to head towards Imeraria's royal castle. "...Hmm." (Imeraria) It's dangerous to use only the contents of the letter to make a judgment, but just supporting the garrisoned forces, who were left in charge of the royal army's soldiers at the border, costs money even if the whole battle finished with a skirmish with insignificant damage. Wanting to make something like that to end as soon as possible is the true wish of any statesman. Being told to come to area where the demons are would resulted in me suspecting a trap, but if she says that she will visit, I think I will be able to arrange a meeting. Imeraria was brooding over it, but suddenly feeling a gaze on her, she lifts her head. The one expressionlessly staring at her was Origa. "It is a proposal for a ceasefire from a person calling herself queen of the demons. If it is actually implemented, that will be great, but..." (Imeraria) "A ceasefire? Those are good news. If the battle drags on for too long, it will also become a burden for Alyssa. As the other side seems to also be at a loss how to continue, I guess it is just the right time." (Origa) Origa's words strongly contain implications that it's only natural to accept the ceasefire. It's unknown whether those are her own thoughts or something she was told by Hifumi, but Imeraria has no reason to not go along with this. "I guess you are right there. I probably should accept to hold those talks." (Imeraria) Suddenly the idea whether she can't make use of this situation crossed Imeraria's mind. "...Origa-san, do you have any plans for tomorrow's lunch?" (Imeraria) "I plan to spend time with my husband." (Origa) Imeraria conceals her irritation at Origa saying it is as if it was just natural to do so with a smile. "If you like, Hifumi-sama can join us as well. How about a luncheon in the castle that at the same time serves as preparatory meeting? I want to wrap up the official details at that time, but I would like you to escort the queen of the demons from the border to this place." (Imeraria) "...Is that not something which should be carried out by the royal army?" (Origa) "I would like it to take the shape of it serving as training for the knights who are currently being trained by Hifumi-sama. Besides, in worst case if the demon elites started to act up within Orsongrande, Hifumi-sama would definitely be capable of suppressing them." (Imeraria) "I would like to discuss the request fee and the schedule when Hifumi-sama himself is with us," Imeraria added. Because of that, Origa put the decision it on hold. "As I have to consult with my husband, I would like you to allow me to contact you at a later time today." (Origa) "Understood. Please take care of passing on my request." (Origa) After exchanging simple words of parting, Origa leaves the castle. Imeraria told the maid, who entered the office in exchange and started to clean up both women's tea sets, "Please hurry." "Also, please tell Sabnak and the prime minister to come here right away." (Imeraria) "As you order, Your Majesty." The maid swiftly placed the tea utensils on a tray, and left at a quick pace. "...Yesterday's enemy is today's friend...no, I can't call them friends, now can I?" (Imeraria) While becoming fed up with her thoughts steadily becoming dark as she deals with politics, Imeraria gently caressed her belly. A definite medical diagnosis still hasn't come up, but somehow she has a hunch that there's a life dwelling in there. "...After all one wouldn't consider to make use of one's friend." (Imeraria) "Yes. Thank you for your efforts." (Vepar) Vepar gently thanked the man who visited her to make a report. The office of Vichy's central committee that's being used as the queen's office as is was gradually getting buried in documents. In a corner of the room Nyarl and Pheres are sorting documents while breathing heavily. Vepar, who had become troubled by the increasing amount of documents, ordered the two to sort the documents by their level of urgency. The man threw a fleeting glance at Nyarl who is processing documents while continuously grumbling, but he didn't address her. "The disguise was perfect, so I certainly didn't expect them to see through it. It's my blunder." "Since you came back to report after properly passing on the signed letter, you don't have to worry over it too much. As I might ask you to infiltrate them once more, you just have to be careful at that time." (Vepar) "Yes, Your Majesty. If you allow me another opportunity, I'd like to show you that I can accomplish my mission even more perfectly." According to the information brought back by him, Hifumi has resigned as feudal lord and is staying in the capital of the country called Orsongrande. Also, it's possible for the country called Horant and Orsongrande to have formed a cooperative alliance. "Certainly I didn't expect him to retire, much less to say about him staying in the capital." (Vepar) After telling the man that they would talk about the reward on another day and having him withdraw, Vepar looks up to the ceiling while saying, "That was a surprise," and covered her face with both hands. "If I had known about that, I wouldn't have written about going to their capital! Please give me a break. If I'm careless, it's not unlikely that something unnecessary might happen between the demons and humans. Not just the ceasefire might be a lost case then." (Vepar) "If he did something like that, it would only result in him turning both sides, humans and demons, into enemies with the castle as stage." (Vepar) She drowns out her anxiety by deliberately laughing it off loudly. Nyarl and Pheres look at her with faces full of pity, but at this point she felt as if she knows how she's regarded by her subordinates. When her emotions finally settled down after laughing for a while, Bashim entered the room hurriedly. He's the man who commanded the attack on Vichy as general of the demons and who had one of his arms stolen by Hifumi. The man, who wore a metallic armor, proceeded towards Vepar with rough steps and knelt down with a thump. "I heard that you sent an envoy to the human city!" (Bashim) "Rather than an envoy, I only sent a letter to them. What about it?" (Vepar)magic I won't go as far as telling him to show some respect, but if I plan to go to another country to have an exchange with them as an organization that's called a state, I should make sure that he can show respect towards his queen, even if it's only for form's sake. Vepar didn't have the slightest intention to raise Bashim, who doesn't look as if he would be able to do that, above his current position. "Just what have you written in the letter you sent? Certainly it's something like a recommendation to surrender, right?" (Bashim) . Since such a rude fellow is nothing more than a hindrance for Vepar in her management of the organization, she was at the point of wanting to get rid of him as soon as possible, but it was a problem that he has so much power that he can be used to make up for numbers if placed on a battlefield. Besides, the contact with Orsongrande at the same time also serves as camouflage towards the hawks in the demon army. "If you only look at the content of the letter it looks as if we are sounding them out about a discussion to conclude peace through a ceasefire." (Vepar) "Ceasefire, you said!? ... Excuse me. However, in the current situation there's no way for us to lose. Not to mention that we made a whole country surrender. Even now we are polishing a two-front-strategy without any big losses. At the current stage a ceasefire, moreover one proposed by us, is unnecessary and a foolish move." (Bashim) "Calm yourself." (Vepar) "But..." (Bashim) "The armistice is just a means. Bashim, you know about my restrictions for new transfer destinations, don't you?" (Vepar) The transfer destinations are limited to set-up "marks filled with Vepar's mana" or places she herself had visited. Considering the possibility of the demon army's hawks coming up with strange proposals, Vepar quickly announced the flaw of her own magic. "Ooh! In other words, the favor of you, Your Majesty, personally heading into the center of the enemy territory is a preparation to smash the enemy headquarter in one swipe!" (Bashim) . "If you understand, have the soldiers train. At worst, if it develops into me being injured in the capital, the battle will start there." Bashim, who left with his face being all smiles, is certainly heading to the soldiers and gleefully spreading the strategy he heard in the conversation just now. And then he should come attacking with the highly-spirited soldiers under one command. "I think I will call them at the moment when it seems that Hifumi is holding that sword." (Vepar) And then I will have him become a splendid shield to buy time for allowing his queen to escape. Let's choose someone, who can guess what their queen thinks a bit better, as Bashim's successor. All of a sudden she called out to the two who still grappled with the documents inside the room. "Nyarl, Pheres, don't you want to have try on becoming a general?" (Vepar) "Absolutely not." (Pheres) Pheres replied immediately and Nyarl also kept nodding her head repeatedly in agreement.

獣人による獣人の殺人事件の発生は、スラムの住人に動揺を与えた。 スラムとは言え、よほどの無法者でなければ互いに不干渉であり、最近は街が良くなっているのを皆が実感し始めた時期でもあったので、目撃した人々を中心に、犯人探しは熱を帯びた。 「それで、スラムでも見回りが必要なんじゃないか、という話が出ておりやしてね」 ゲングは同じ獣人族が殺されたという事もあり、率先して犯人と言われている熊獣人を探し回っていた。 「俺も頑張って探しているんですが、これがなかなか難しくて」 「それはわかるんだけど、どうしてウチに言うんですか......」 へへっと舌を出したゲングに、レニは困り顔で答えた。 「ウチなんかよりも、犬獣人のゲングさんの方がそういうの得意なんじゃないですか?」 「ですが、一二三さんの奴隷獣人の筆頭はレニさんとヘレンさんですから。まずお伺いを立てておかないといけないと思いやしてね」 「いつわたしたちが筆頭になったのよ......。まさか、一二三が怖いから直接相談するのに腰が引けてるとかじゃないでしょうね」 ヘレンの冗談交じりの言葉に、ゲングは思わず視線を泳がせる。 「図星なの?! 虎程じゃなくても犬獣人なら充分強いでしょ?」 「あの人は別格! 虎とか狼でも無理無理。人間とかそういうのは無関係に強いんですよ、あの方は。んで、あの方のお気に入りのお二人にちょっと口添えをお願いできればと思いやしてね」 「ちょっと、誰が一二三のお気に入りなのよ」 ヘレンの反論に、ゲングはアレ、と首をかしげた。 「最初にこの国に入った時から一緒だったと聞きやしたけど。一二三さんとは良い仲なんでしょ?」 「良い仲ってなに?」 ヘレンは顔を赤くして絶句しているが、レニはゲングの言葉の意味がわからなかったらしく、キョトンとしている。 ゲングはそこまで子供だったか、と逆に驚いていた。 「これは、俺としたことが、とんだ勘違いを......」 「まったくよ! 変な勘違いしないでよね!」 ヘレンがプリプリと怒って、耳をピンと尖らせて何処かへ行ってしまった。 「あちゃ~......」 「大丈夫だよ、ゲングさん。ヘレンには後でウチから言っておくから。それよりも人が殺されたり何か盗まれたりしたときは、人間の街だと兵士さんが調べたり悪い奴を捕まえたりするらしいよ」 「兵士ですか。こればっかりは、人間の兵士に頼むわけには......」 「じゃあ、人間じゃなかったらいいんじゃないかな」 「は?」 「ウチたち獣人で人間みたいにお店や畑ができるなら、兵士さんと同じ仕事もできるんじゃないかな」 肩を落としていたゲングは、飛び跳ねるように頭を跳ね上げると、仲間を集めてくると言って走り去って行く。 「行っちゃった......」 あっという間に姿が見えなくなったゲングを見送り、レニは勉強の続きに取りかかった。今、彼女が読んでいるのはフォカロルの文官になるための試験に使われる教材だ。カイムはともかく、デュエルガルやパリュは相当苦労して覚えた内容だが、先入観も何も無い素直なレニはスイスイ覚えていく。 「ふぅ......人間の勉強って、大変だなぁ」 レニの一言で結成された獣人の団体は、腕自慢が集まった厳つく、むさい男たちの集団ではあったが、自警団としては非常に優秀だった。 彼らは自らの仕事の合間にスラムを巡回し、犯罪やそれ未満の問題を片付けて行く。迷子になった子供を保護したり、酔っ払いや新たに人間から逃れてきた獣人などの保護などにも積極的に活動し、人間の兵士よりも多くの分野での信頼を集める組織となっていく。 うまく適性のある職を見つける事ができなかった獣人の受け皿としても機能し、ゲングを中心として加速度的に人数が増えていく。 度々人間の兵士の死体がスラムの入口で見つかるなど、血生臭い事件もあるので、自然とスラムに出入りする人間も自警団を頼るようになっていた。 そして、そこに目をつけたのが一二三だった。 「ほうほう、なかなか面白い事を考えるな」 「ひ、一二三さん!?」 自警団の本部として使用している古い家屋に突然顔を出した一二三に、ゲングは慌てて立ち上がると、一番綺麗な状態の椅子を運んできた。 「ああ、気を遣わなくていい。それより、自警団を始めるなんて、なかなか気がまわるじゃないか」 「いやいや、レニさんからヒントをもらったおかげでやす。元々不器用で戦うしか能の無い奴も多いんで、人集めは楽なもんでしたよ」 聞けば、専従で20名程が在籍し、他の仕事をしながら巡回を手伝う予備隊扱いの獣人は50人程いるという。 基本的に獣人の店からの寄付で活動しているが、一部は人間からの寄付もあるという。 「今のところは何とかやっています。......ですが、例の獣人殺しの奴は未だに見つけられやせん......」 声を落として、悔しそうに牙を剥いて見せたゲングに、一二三は優しく声をかけた。 「まあ、気を落とすな。それより、この狭いスラムでそれだけの人数を使っても見つけられないなら、もうスラムにはいないんじゃないか?」 「つまり、荒野に出ちまってるって事ですかい?」 「違うな」 一二三は首を横に振る。 「他の奴にも聞いたが、その犯人は前にもスラムで人間に対する敵愾心を口にしていたんだろう? そして、数人がそいつに人間から救い出された。そんな奴が、コソコソ荒野に戻ると思うか?」 「じゃあ、人間の住む方へ行った、と?」 「その可能性も考えるべきだろうな」 「そんな......それじゃ、もう俺たちじゃ追いかけられねぇ......」 落胆するゲングを、一二三は拳で軽く小突いた。 「簡単に諦めすぎだ、馬鹿野郎」 「え、何か方法があるんで......いてぇ!?」 拳骨をゲングの頭に落とした一二三は、馬鹿たれ、と息を吐いた。 「少しは自分たちで考えろ。それより、もっと真剣に準備すべき事があるみたいだから、俺はそれを伝えに来たんだよ」 「何かありやしたか?」 頭をさすりながら聞いてくるゲングに、一二三は腕組をして説明を続ける。 「ああ。ここ数日、夜中にちょいちょい兵士がスラムに入ろうとしていてな、“偶然”俺が通りかかって、俺は何もしていないのに、向こうが剣を抜いて攻撃してきたから、毎回ぶち殺して路上に転がしていたんだが......」 「あの兵士たちの死体は一二三さんが原因でしたか......」 すわ、あの熊獣人の仕業か、と気を張り詰めていたゲングは自分が悲しくなってくる。偶然とか絶対嘘だと思うが、命が惜しいので口には出さない。 「どうやら、兵士が帰って来ないせいか、騎士連中で徒党を組んでスラムに来るみたいだぞ」 「そんな! でも、どうしてそれが分かるんですかい?」 「街中を見て回って、食料をまとめて城が買い入れたり、貴族が使う武器屋に手入れや新規の発注が増えているのを掴んだ。馬具の調整なんかも注文が増えているという話だからな。ここの兵士は馬を使わないから、動くのは騎士だろう。騎士の訓練が増えたという噂もある。今の時期に騎士がわざわざ動く理由なぞ、他に考えられんから、おそらく狙いはここだろうな」 さあさあ、どうする? と一二三が問うが、ゲングは唖然として答えられる状態になかった。 「た、大変だ......!」 「落ち着け」 ゲングは濡れた鼻先に一二三のデコピンを受けて、床を転げまわって悶絶する。 「騎士の対処なんて簡単だ。第一、人間は弱いぞ。馬を使ってようやくお前ら獣人の足に追いつき、剣を使ってなんとかお前らに傷をつけられるんだ」 「えっ? じゃあ一二三さんはやっぱり人間じゃないんじゃ......」 再び拳骨を落とされたゲング。 「話をそらすな。つまり、同じように道具や頭を使えって戦えば、騎士なんぞ怖くもなんとも無いって事だ」 立ち上がった一二三は、腰の刀の位置を直しながら、床に転がって腹を見せているゲングを見下ろした。 「暇な奴を集めろ。俺が戦い方を教えてやろう」 サルグは既に正気とは言えない状況にあり、自分でもそれを自覚してはいた。 獣人が人間に使役されているのを見ると、後をつけて家を特定し、寝静まるのを待ってその家の人間を殺す。 そして、奴隷となっている獣人を救うのだが......。 「ここで助けられて、おれにどうしろってんだよ」 両手の爪を全て失った狼の獣人は、厩舎の隅で立ち上がろうとすらしない。 「おれだって、最初のうちは人間が憎かったさ。でもな、荒野で暮らすより人間の奴隷の方が、よっぽど安全で楽に飯が食えるって知ったら、危険以外には何も無い荒野には戻れねぇよ」 「......そう、なのか......」 「おれが使えなくなったとしても、殺される事は無いんだとさ。スラムに放り込まれるらしいが、そこはそこで人間のおこぼれが結構もらえるから、ちまちま食いつなぐ分には生きていけるそうだ」 主人が死んじまった以上は、おれもそこに行くしかないんだろう、とこぼした狼獣人は、薄く笑っていた。 それを見下ろすサルグの表情は、暗闇に紛れて狼獣人からは見えない。 「荒野に帰りたいとは、思わないのか?」 「あん? 荒野な。懐かしくはあるが......」 ヘラヘラと笑って、狼獣人は首を振る。その仕草は何か嫌な記憶を振り切っているかのようだ。 「あそこは地獄だ。羊や兎のように逃げ回るか、殺すか殺されるかの日常をゆっくり寝る間も無く繰り返すしかない。ここのように安心して眠る環境も無い。苦労して食物を探すうちに募る空腹感は、もう味わいたくないぜ」 「そうか。わかった」 サルグが打ち下ろした拳は、彼を見上げていた狼獣人の顔面に叩き込まれ、水っぽい音を立てて血肉にめり込んだ。 ヌチャリと音を立てて顔面から引き抜いた拳を見つめ、サルグは考えた。 頭の中が雑音のような思考で掻き回されて酷く痛むが、それでも考えた。 「この街そのものに、獣人は毒されている......」 人間が与えた食べ物が、建物が、生活が、全て獣人の本来あるべき魂を失わせた、とサルグは結論づけた。 酷く痛む頭で、くり返し対策をひねる。 血の匂い立ち込める厩舎の中で、倒れている狼獣人の死体の横に座る。 「落ち着け。人間を叩き潰せば、全て終わるはずだ」 サルグの視線は、死んだ狼獣人の顔を見ている。まるで話しかけるように。 「そうだ。頭を潰せば人間も、人間の街も終わる」 立ち上がったサルグの頭は非常にクリアに物事が考えられるようになっていた。 クリアに、シンプルに、決めた事を達成する為に歩きだす。 「人間のボスは、どこだ......」 夜の街を、狂った熊獣人が歩いていく。

The murder of a beastman by another beastman caused a disturbance among the beastmen of the slums. Although it was the slums, they didn't interfere with each other unless one was a great outlaw. Since it was right now also a phase, where everyone was actually experiencing the city improving, the search for the culprit, mainly by the people who witnessed it, was tinged with a mania. "So now it has come to the talk whether it's not necessary to patrol the slums as well ~ssu." (Gengu) For Gengu there's also the situation of one of his own tribe getting killed. Taking the initiative, he was looking everywhere for the bearman, who has been named as culprit. "I'm doing my best at searching too, but it is quite difficult." (Reni) "I do know that, but why are you telling this to me...?" (Gengu) Reni answered with a troubled expression to Gengu, who stuck out his tongue with a laugh. "Rather than someone like me, isn't such a thing a speciality for a dogman like Gengu-san?" (Reni) "However, Hifumi-san's leading slaves are Reni-san and Helen-san. I believe it to be wrong, if I don't ask about your opinion first ~ssu." (Gengu) "Since when did we become leaders...? Surely it's not because you have cold feet to directly consult with Hifumi-san due to being scared or such, is it?" (Helen) Gengu unintentionally lets his look swim due to the partially teasing words of Helen. "Bull's-eye!? Even if it isn't at the level of a tiger, a dogman should be plenty powerful, no?" "That man is special! Impossible, it's impossible even for tigers or wolves. That man's strength is unrelated to being a human or such. Therefore, I thought it would be possible to request the favourite people of that man to put in a bit of a good word ~ssu." (Gengu) "Just a second, who is Hifumi-san's favourite?" (Helen) Due to Helen's objection, Gengu tilted his head with a "Huh?" "I hear that you were together with him from the beginning, when you entered this country, though ~ssu. You have a good relationship with Hifumi-san, right?" (Gengu) "What good relationship?" (Helen) Helen has become speechless with a red face, however Reni didn't understand the meaning of Gengu's words and is staring at him in puzzlement. In reverse Gengu was surprised that they were still children to such an extent. "This is, I of all people, have made a terrible misunderstanding..." (Gengu) "Really! Don't get such weird ideas, okay!?" (Helen) Being angry with a huff, Helen's ears stood on end and she ended up going somewhere. "Oops~" (Gengu) "It's alright, Gengu-san. I will talk with Helen later. Leaving that aside, at the time something is stolen or people get killed, it seems that soldiers will investigate and arrest the bad person in the human's city." (Reni) "Soldiers, it is? About this, to leave it to human soldiers is..." (Gengu) "Well, then isn't it fine if it's not humans?" (Reni) "Ha?" (Gengu) "If we beastmen are able to cultivate land and run stores like humans, won't we be able to do the same job like the soldier-san's as well?" (Reni) Gengu, who had dropped his shoulders, raises his head as if jumping up and runs away to gather his friends. "Off he went..." (Reni) Seeing off Gengu, whose figure vanished from sight within the blink of an eye, Reni began the continuation of her studies. What she is currently reading are the teaching materials used as examination to become a civil official of Fokalore. It's content, which, putting Caim aside, took Doelgar and Paryu quite the troubles to remember, but Reni smoothly and obediently learns them as she has absolutely no prejudices either. "Phew... the human's studying, it's quite hard." (Reni) The beastmen association, which was formed with a few words of Reni, was a filthy, grim group of men proud of their strength, but they were extremely superior as vigilante corps. Patrolling the slums during the breaks of their own work, they solve crimes and lesser problems. They also actively move for things like sheltering new beastmen, who escaped from the humans, take care of drunkards and protect lost children. They have become an organisation, that gathers trust, with many more tasks than human soldiers. Facilitating even the acceptance of beastmen, who weren't able to find good work for the aptitude they possess, the increase of their numbers accelerated with Gengu playing a leading role. Discovering the corpses of human soldiers at the entrance of the slums again and again, it naturally even reached the point of the vigilante corps relying on the humans, entering and leaving, since those were bloody incidents, too. And, the one, they had their eyes on, was Hifumi. "Ho ho, aren't you planning something quite interesting." (Hifumi) "H-Hifumi-san!?" (Gengu) Due to Hifumi suddenly making an appearance at the old building, which is serving as headquarters of the vigilante corps, Gengu stood up in a hurry and brought the chair with the cleanest state. "Ah, don't mind me. Rather than that, something like establishing a vigilante corps, aren't you passing your time in a wonderful way?" (Hifumi) "No, not at all! It's thanks to having received a hint from Reni-san ~ssu. As they are originally clumsy guys, who have no brains and are only good at fighting, this is a comfortable gathering of people." (Gengu) Once asked, there are around 20 guys working full-time and around 50 beastmen, who are treated as reserve corps helping on the patrols while doing other jobs. Basically they are operating with the donations of beastmen stores, but there is also a part of donations coming from humans. "At present we are somehow able to handle it. ... But, we haven't been able to find that beast murderer yet..." (Gengu) Hifumi gently called out to Gengu, who lowered his voice and showed is fangs looking frustrated. "Well, don't give up. However, if you can't even find him in these confined slums while using such a number of people, isn't it likely that he's not in the slums anymore?" (Hifumi) "In other words, he left towards the wastelands, is what you are saying?" (Gengu) "No, it's something else." (Hifumi) Hifumi shakes his head. "I heard it from other guys too, but that criminal spoke with hostility towards the slums' people before, right? And, that guy freed several beastmen from the humans. Do you believe such fellow will sneakily return to the wastelands?" (Hifumi) "Then, did he go to where the humans live?" (Gengu) "You should consider that possibility too, right?" (Hifumi) "Such a... Well, then we won't be able to pursue him anymore, eh..." (Gengu) Hifumi lightly hit the discouraged Gengu with his fist. "You give up far too easily, idiot." (Hifumi) "Eh? Is there some... way?" (Gengu) Hifumi, who dropped his fist on Gengu's head, breathed out a "You moron." "Ponder about it with your group a bit. Putting that aside, it seems like you should prepare more seriously, I came to tell you that." (Hifumi) "Is there something going on ~ssu?" (Gengu) Due to Gengu asking while rubbing his head, Hifumi folds his arms and continues to explain. "Yea, for the last few days soldiers have frequently tried to enter the slums here during the night. "By accident" I happened to pass by and since the other side attacked me by drawing their swords, although I haven't done anything, they rolled around on the road being beaten and killed every time, but..." (Hifumi) "So Hifumi-san was the cause of those soldier's corpses, huh...?" (Gengu) Gengu, who tensed his mind with "Good gracious, it's the bearman's doing, eh?", becomes bitter at himself. He believes that "by accident" or such to be a lie, however since he values his life, he doesn't voice that out. "It seems, as result of the soldiers not coming back, they will team up with a knight group and come to the slums." (Hifumi) "Such a thing! But, why do you know about that?" (Gengu) "Touring down-town, I grasped the castle buying food up, the nobles employing weapon shops for maintenance and increasingly ordering new weapons. There are talks about the increase of requests regarding something like harness adjustment. Since the soldiers here don't use horses, the ones moving are likely the knights. There are also rumours that the knight's training increased. Because I'm unable to think of any other reason for the knights to expressly move at this point in time, I dare say that their aim is likely this place here." (Hifumi) "So, what will you do?" Hifumi asked, but Gengu wasn't in a state of being able to answer due to the shock. "I-It's a disaster..." (Gengu) "Calm down." (Hifumi) Receiving Hifumi's poke in the forehead due to his nose running, Gengu drops to the floor, rolls over a few times and faints in agony. "The way to deal with the knights is simple. First, humans are weak. Using horses, they barely manage to catch up with your beastmen feet. Using swords, they are somehow able to cause injuries to you guys." (Hifumi) "Eh? Then you are no human after all, are you, Hifumi-san...?" (Gengu) Gengu had a fist lowered at him once again. "Don't change the subject. In other words, if you fight using your head and the same weapons, it will be a situation where you don't have to be afraid of knight and their likes at all." (Hifumi) While Hifumi, who stood up, corrected the position of the katana at his waist, he looked down on Gengu, who has been showing his belly having fallen to the ground. "Gather the guys, who have spare time. I will teach them the way of fighting." (Hifumi) Salgu himself was aware of being in a state you couldn't call sane anymore. He looks at the beastmen, who are enslaved by humans, specifies the house, they are attached to, for later and waits for them to fall asleep to kill the family during that time. And he saves the beastmen, who have become slaves, but... "What do you want me to do by saving me here?" The wolf beastman, who lost all its claws on both paws, doesn't even get up from the corner of the stable. "Even I hated the humans at the beginning. But you know, if you get to know that, rather than living in the wastelands, the way of being the human's slave is quite safe, comfortable and that you are able to eat food, there's nothing to return to in the wastelands except danger." "...Is, that so...?" (Salgu) "Even if I lost my usefulness, I won't be killed, you know. It seems I will be thrown into the slums, but since I will receive sufficient of the human's leftovers there, it appears I will be able to survive with small* rationed portions." "Seeing that my masters died, I guess there's nothing left for me but to go there too", the grumbling wolf beastman laughed weakly. The expression of Salgu, who looks down on him, can't be seen by the wolf beastman under the cover of the dark night. "Don't you feel the wish to return to the wastelands?" (Salgu)magic "Eh? The wastelands, I miss them, but..." Laughing foolishly, the wolf beastman shakes its head. It seems that he is shaking off some unpleasant memory with that gesture. "That place is a hell. You run from place to place like the rabbits and sheep or you have no choice but to continuously repeat a daily life of killing or being killed without even the time to sleep restfully. It's not a place where you can sleep with a peace of mind like this place either. I don't want to experience the sensation of hunger, which grows violent due to the hardships to look for food, anymore." "Is that so? Got it." (Salgu) Salgu brought down his fist, drove it into the face of the wolf beastman, who looked up at him, and sunk it it into flesh and blood with a soggy sound. Staring at the fist, he extracted from the face with a wet sound, Salgu pondered. There's intense pain within his head, which has stirred up his thoughts like noise, but even so, he pondered. "This city in itself has been a bad influence on the beastmen..." (Salgu) The food, given by humans, the buildings, the livelihood, all of that caused the beastmen to lose the spirit, they should originally have He repeatedly puzzles over countermeasure with his head hurting strongly. He sits down besides the fallen corpse of the wolf beastman in the stable, which is filled with the smell of blood. "Calm down. If I smash up the humans, everything should come to an end." (Salgu) Salgu's eyes are looking at the face of the dead wolf beastman. It's completely as if he's talking to him. "That's right. If I'm able to crush the boss of the humans too, the human city will be finished as well." (Salgu) Standing up, Salgu reached the point of being able to believe that things have become extremely clear in his head. He walks forth in order to accomplish the clear, simple, decided matter. "The human's boss, where is he...?" (Salgu) An insane bearman walks through the city's night.

143.The Monster 一二三の脅威に触れて一もにもなく逃げ出したホーラントの兵士たちは、夜が明けないうちに混乱が続く国境から逃げ出すように首都方面へと向かった。 一応は脱走とされないように別の兵士に“首都へ報告のため”と上長への言伝を頼んでのことではあるが、命令を受けてではないので、厳密に言えば脱走扱いになるだろう。 だが、逃げている本人たちはそれどころではなさそうだ。 混乱に乗じて先ほどと同じような理由を言って馬車を一台調達すると、勢いよく街道へ飛び出した。 そこまでを見届けた一二三は、火事の際に一旦厩舎から放された軍馬を一頭捕まえて、視認できない程度に距離を置いて馬車を追う。 馬具はつけていないが、右足の甲を左ひざに乗せた半跏の恰好で、器用にバランスをとっている。 「遅いな」 どうしても馬車と単騎では速度が違う。 つい追いついてしまいそうになるのを調節するのが面倒になってきた一二三は、馬車の兵士たちが野営をしている間に追い抜いてしまった。 見覚えのあるルートだったので、彼らが首都方面へ向かうと予想し、先回りすることにする。 「どうせ話をするなら上の奴がいいだろうしな」 直感で選んだ馬だったが、当たりだったらしい。鹿毛の駿馬は素晴らしい脚力を発揮し、三日後には首都が見える場所までたどり着いた。 近隣の村に寄った一二三は、そこにいた農夫に金を渡し、馬を預けておくことにする。 そのまま農夫が使っている小屋を借りて横になり、夜を待った。 ホーラント首都アドラメルク。 今は正当な主のいない国ではあるものの、宰相クゼムによる城内勢力掌握による混乱は民衆や下っ端の兵士たちには影響が出ていないようで、町は比較的穏やかではあった。 もちろん、オーソングランデとの対立は民衆に不安を抱かせており、クゼムがあえて“オーソングランデに囚われていると思われる”と発表した後継者ネルガルのこともあり、町には取締りや警備のためとして兵士の姿が多くみられるようになり、首都への入り口も警備が厳重になっている。 だが、厳重というのは彼らの感覚であって、一二三にしてみれば「薄い」の一言だった。 槍を持って閉じた門の前にぼんやり立っている人数が十人程度で、国境から離れていることで油断しているのか、やる気なくぶらぶらと歩いている歩哨が数名見える程度だ。 夜闇に乗じて近づいていく一二三の姿に気づく者もおらず、すいすいと塀をよじ登って侵入するまで、誰にも見咎められることはなかった。 国境のホーラント兵に続き、首都ですらこの程度の監視体制でしかないことに再び腹を立てた一二三は、それでも足音を殺して静かに城を目指す。 「以前来たときは、兵士を殺して回ったんだったか。あれは楽しかった。王子とやらもやり方はさておき頑張って戦ってくれたな。だが、同じことばっかりやられてもつまらん」 口の中でブツブツといいながら、一二三の姿は建物の陰に混じり、城へ向かってとけるように消えていった。 ヴィーネたちを連れたヴァイヤーら先遣隊が、イメラリアが待つ防御陣地へ到着したのは、ちょうど一二三が首都を目前にした村で馬を預けていた頃だった。 陽が傾き始め、空に薄く張ったどんよりとした雲が、小雨を降らせている。 「騎士ヴァイヤー、ただいま到着いたしました」 イメラリアがいる天幕へ、到着の報告に訪れたヴァイヤーが雨に濡れているのを見て、侍女がそっと布巾を手渡した。 「ヴァイヤーさん、急いで来ていただいて申し訳ありません」 「陛下の御為ならばこそ。お褒めや労いは戦果をあげてから頂戴したく存じます」 ヴァイヤーが滑稽に見えるほど大げさに恐縮して見せたのは、戦場に身を置いている自分の緊張をほぐすためだとイメラリアは理解している。クスリと笑い、応接のソファへ促す。 まだ第二騎士隊にいたころは生真面目が服を着ているようなタイプだったのが、フォカロルでの研修と結婚をした後から、人物的に丸くなってきた、といつかサブナクが言っていたのを思い出す。 ふと見ると、着席せずにヴァイヤーが立ったままでいる。 「どうかされましたか?」 「実は、私に同行している者たちがおりまして......」 「同行ですか?」 「ええ、トオノ伯のお知り合いということで、彼に会いに行きたいというお話でしたので、フォカロルの文官パリュさんから引き受けてお連れしております。その同行者たちが特殊でした、一度陛下にご紹介させていただければと愚考いたします」 イメラリアは考えたが、ヴァイヤーが曲者を連れてくるはずもない。 「その方たちはどちらに?」 「今はサブナク隊長とお話し中です」 サブナクが問題無いと判断するならば大丈夫だろう、とイメラリアはサブナクと共に入室するように、と侍女に連絡に行かせた。 「王都の状況はいかがですか?」 「特にこれと言った問題は起きておりません。治安に関しても、ミダスさんにお願いしてまいりましたので、問題ないかと。ヴィシー方面も、特にこれと言って動きは無いようです」 あえてヴィシー“方面”としたのは、そこにフォカロルも含めているからだ。 「陛下。この度の戦力補強、何かホーラントからの動きがあったのですか?」 不安げに語るヴァイヤーに、イメラリアはゆったりとほほ笑む。 「動くのは、わたくしたちの方からです。詳しくは、次の軍議の際に説明いたしますわ」 「サブナクです。えっと、お客様? をお連れしました」 天幕の外から、サブナクの声が聞こえたが、歯切れの悪さにイメラリアは眉をひそめた。 「どうぞ。お入りください」 「失礼します」 最初に入室したのはサブナクだった。 そして、後に続く四人を見て、イメラリアは絶句していた。 「陛下。こちらが荒野からトオノ伯に会うためにはるばる来られたという方々です」 「エルフのプーセです」 「ヴィーネです」 「ゲング、と申しやす」 「ま、マルファス、です!」 「......陛下?」 「......はっ!」 獣人たちを見て口をあけたままだったイメラリアが、サブナクの呼びかけに覚醒し、ハンカチでエレガントに口の端を拭う。 「わたくしはオーソングランデ王国の女王、イメラリアです。荒野から長い旅だったそうですね。エルフや獣人の方とは初めてお会いしましたが......言葉はわかりますか?」 お互いの顔を見合わせて、プーセが一歩進み出る。 「女王様。私たちも同じ言葉を使っています。会話は問題ないかと」 「なるほど。それで、貴女方は一二三様に会いに来られたということですが......」 いくつかの質問をして、イメラリアはプーセたちに男女それぞれ天幕を使えるように手配し、陣地で一二三を待てるようにと配慮した。 手厚い待遇に感謝しながら、プーセたちが案内の侍女たちに連れられて出ていくと、イメラリアは眉間を抑えながらソファに背中を預けた。 「......一二三様は荒野で何をしておられたのですか。まさか獣人族の女性がここまで追いかけてくるなんて」 深いため息とともに、冷めた紅茶を飲む。 「とにかく、オリガさんがいなくて助かりました。サブナクさん、一二三様が戻られるまでは、彼女たちがオリガさんと接触しないようにお願いします」 「それは考えすぎではありませんか? 同じ一二三さんに想いを寄せる人なんですから、仲よくなったり......」 「サブナクさん、甘いです」 いつになく鋭い視線がサブナクを刺す。 「先ほどの兎獣人さん......ヴィーネさんは側にいるだけでも、と殊勝なことを言っておいででしたが、それをオリガさんが許すと思いますか?」 「うっ......」 「そして彼女たちの間に諍いが起きた時、サブナクさんは彼女たちを諌めて丸く収めることができますか?」 「ぼ、ぼくの能力を超えた任務かと......」 イメラリアの視線が、サブナクからヴァイヤーに移る。 「私にもその状況をどうこうするのは、ちょっと......」 気弱な大人二人の答えを聞いて、イメラリアは深いため息をついた。 「往年の敵であった獣人族や、強力な魔法を操るといわれるエルフとのつながりができること。それ自体はとても良いことです。彼女たちと交誼を結ぶことは、オーソングランデのためになるでしょう」 そのためには、とイメラリアは一呼吸置いた。 「余計なトラブルは極力避けるべきです。一二三様の前では、オリガさんも大人しいでしょう。アリッサさんにも、十分な根回しをお願いします」 「承知いたしました」 声を揃えた二人に、イメラリアはもう一つの用件を告げた。 「本体到着前にわたくしが立案した作戦を説明いたします。夕食を共にいたしましょう。お二人とアリッサさん。それと先ほどの獣人さんたちもお招きしましょう。現状を説明して、ここに残るか、一度ミュンスターへ滞在してもらうか決めてもらいます」 早くても応援の本隊が到着するまで丸二日はかかるとみている。本隊と共にやってくるネルガルにも説明が必要だが、基本的には脅してでもこの作戦を推し進めるつもりだった。 「きさ......」 護衛の兵士が何かを言い終わる前に、一二三が一振りした刀の切っ先がその喉笛を少しだけ切り裂いて、空気が漏れる音とともに魂が抜けた身体は倒れた。 「これだよ。俺はこれに不満を言いに来たんだ」 抜き身を下げたまま、一二三はデスクに座るホーラント宰相の前に立つ。 「だ、誰だ貴様は......」 「フォカロルの主、一二三だ。ここの王子を殺した男だよ」 「なにっ......」 汗だくで青ざめているクゼムは、目の前に立つ男をじっくりと上から下まで見る。 クゼム自身、一二三を見たことはないが、城内での騒動についてと一二三という人物については知っていた。 「馬鹿な。単身でここまで......」 「それだよ、それ」 一二三は、今し方自分が殺害した兵士の死体を指さす。 「こいつもそうだが、油断しすぎだ。国に入るのも町に入るのも城に入るのも、簡単すぎてあくびが出るくらいだぞ。人間がぶらぶら歩いているだけで、他に何の警戒もない。入ってくれと言わんばかりじゃねぇか」 例えば、と一二三は闇魔法収納から灯りの魔道具を取り出した。 「俺は闇魔法しか使えないが、ホーラントは魔法の研究が進んでいるんだろう? このランプもホーラントで作られたと聞いたぞ。だったら、侵入者を感知するとか、誰かが敵を発見したらすぐに全体に警報が行くとか、色々できるだろ」 「うぅ、だが、そういう戦闘向け以外は民間の商人たちが開発していて......ぶっ!?」 言い訳を並べ始めた途端、一二三が刀を床に刺して平手でクゼムの頬を打った。 視界がちかちかするのか、瞬きを繰り返すクゼムに、一二三は顔を近づける。 「お前、戦闘向け即ち攻撃手段だと思ってないか?」 刀を取り、その刃紋が見えるようにクゼムの目の前に差し出す。 刃が下を向き、持ち手も左手にして、一二三としては見せつけているだけのつもりだが、クゼムは脅されている以外には考えられなかった。妖しい光を放つ刀身が、護衛と同じようにいつ自分の喉を切り裂くか気が気でない。 「武器は武器でいい。人の命を奪うものとして磨き上げられれば、それは美しく昇華される」 刀を引き、納刀する。 「でもな、攻撃が強いからと言って勝てるというわけじゃない。お互い向き合ってやりあうばかりじゃない。どれだけ武器が強くても、使う隙もあたえられないんじゃ、意味がないだろう」 一二三が指さしたのは、死体の腰に下げられた剣だった。侵入者を認識して、声をかけようとしてなお、柄にすら触れていない。 「な、何が言いたい」 「わからんか?」 クゼムの前から離れ、一二三は腰から刀をはずし、ソファにどっかりと腰を下ろした。 「魔法を使えよ。この世界に折角生まれついたなら。土魔法を使えば偽装が完璧な罠が作れるだろう、風魔法を使えばちょっとした広範囲の監視ができる。火魔法があれば道具を使わずに狼煙があげられる。ちょっと考えただけでも、これだけ応用できるぞ」 「貴様の、オーソングランデの軍はそこまで進んでいるというのか」 「いいや?」 一二三が笑いながら首を振るのを、クゼムは汗を拭きながら見ていた。 「ちょっとオーソングランデが有利になりすぎかと思ってな。ホーラントはちょっとばかし大きなおもちゃを作ったようだが、あれじゃダメだ。俺が送った教導部隊が伝えた技術も、どうも表面だけ真似てるような節がある」 そこで、と一二三は刀の鞘をぽん、と叩いた。 「ホーラントの持ち味である魔法について色々ヒントをやることにした」 「り、利敵行為ではないか! 何を考えている!?」 「馬鹿言え。今のお前らじゃ敵にもならん。だから利敵行為じゃあない」 「き、詭弁だ!」 「詭弁でもいいんだよ。知っているか? 詭弁というのは弱い奴は取り繕うのに使うが、強い奴は我儘を押し通すのに使うんだぞ」 「それで、どうしろと言うのだ」 もはや言葉でこの場を収めるのは難しい、とクゼムは一二三に問う。 「国境はもうオーソングランデ側の攻撃で崩れているだろうから、奪還なり防衛なりするのに、お前たちに俺が考えた魔法技術を伝授してやろう。俺は属性が闇だけだから、理論だけになるがな。ほれ、さっさと魔法使いの担当なり研究者なりを呼べよ。のんびりしている時間はないぞ。オーソングランデの魔の手が、すぐそこまで迫っているかもしれんのだから」 言いながら、一二三はソファの前にあるローテーブル上の鈴を鳴らした。 すぐに侍女が入室する。 「お呼びで......ひぃっ!?」 うつむきがちに入ってきた侍女は、兵士の死体を見つけて悲鳴をあげた。 「紅茶を頼む。あと何かつまめる物が欲しい」 怯える侍女に一二三が注文をする。 知らない人物の言葉に、侍女が助けを求めるようにクゼムを見た。 「......言われた通り、用意するんだ。それと、城内の魔法研究員の誰かを呼んでくれないか」 逃げるように侍女が退室すると、一二三はクゼムの目を見る。 その表情には、愉悦がありありと見える。 「頑張れよ。イメラリアは素人だが、フォカロルの兵はそれなりに強いぞ。お前が最終的に何をしたいかしらんが、夢をかなえるために、ここは踏ん張りどころだ」 立ち上がった一二三は、クゼムの肩を叩いた。 「ちゃんと沢山人が死ぬ、本当の戦争をやろうぜ。な?」 クゼムは、震えるばかりで返事はできなかった。

Chapter 143: The Monster The soldiers of Horant, who escaped without even a single one experiencing Hifumi's threat, headed in the direction of the capital city to run away from the border where the mayhem continues while dawn hasn't broken. More or less they have entrusted the message "it's for the sake of informing the capital' for their superiors to another soldier so that it isn't considered as fleeing, but since they haven't received an order, they will likely be treated as deserters, strictly speaking. However, that much doesn't seem to be apparent to those running away themselves. They took advantage of the chaos, procured a carriage by giving the same reason from before and vigorously rushed out towards the highway. Hifumi, who made sure of that up to that point, seizes a warhorse, which was set free from the stable temporarily due to the fire, and follows the carriage at a distance where he can't be confirmed by sight. Although there isn't any harness attached, he skilfully keeps balance with a half-lotus position where he placed the top of his right foot on his left knee. "They are slow." (Hifumi) In the long run the speed between a carriage and a single rider will be different. Hifumi, who felt troubled by having to regulate so that he doesn't suddenly overtake them, ended up going too far while the carriage's soldiers made camp. Because it was a route he remembered, he decides to go ahead while expecting them to head in the direction of the capital city. "If I'm going to have a chat anyway, I guess the guys at the top are better." (Hifumi) Though it was a horse he chose by intuition, it was apparently a winner. Exhibiting its splendid leg strength of a swift, fawn-coloured horse, he reached a location where he could see the capital city after three days. Hifumi, who approached a village in the vicinity, decides to give the horse into custody to a farmer, who was there, after handing him some money. Lying down after borrowing a shed the farmer uses, he waited for the night. The capital city of Horant, Adolameruk. Although it's a country that currently has no legitimate ruler, the confusion of Prime Minister Kuzemu grasping the power within the castle has no effect on the populace and lower soldiers. The city was relatively calm. Of course the confrontation with Orsongrande has raised unease amongst the people. There's also the matter of Kuzemu deliberately announcing that the successor, Nelgal, "is deemed to be taken prisoner by Orsongrande." It has reached the point that many soldiers can be seen controlling and guarding the city and the security at the entrance to the city has become strict as well. However, compared to what they felt to be strict, it was in a word, [weak] , in Hifumi's case. With the number of soldiers, who are standing absent-mindedly in front of the closed gate while holding their spears, being 10, are they careless because they are far from the border? Several sentries, who are lazily walking around without any motivation, are visible. Without there being even a single of them who realized Hifumi's figure closing in while taking advantage of the night's blackness, there was no one questioning him even when he invaded by scaling the wall smoothly. Hifumi, who got angry once again, continuing after the soldiers at the national border, due to there being no more than this level of surveillance even in the capital city, heads silently to the castle while killing his footsteps nevertheless. "I did go around killing the soldiers the last time I came here, didn't I? That was fun. Setting aside the crown prince's way of doing things, they fought while doing their best. However, even if I just did the same thing, it would be boring." (Hifumi) While muttering under his breath, the figure of Hifumi blended with the buildings' shades and he vanished as if melting away and went towards the castle. When Vaiya's vanguard unit, which took Viine and the others along, arrived at the defence encampment where Imeraria waits it was just the time of Hifumi leaving the horse in the village with the capital city right in front of his eyes. The sun is starting to sink, there are heavy clouds, which are thinly sticking to the sky, and a light rain is falling. "The Knight Vaiya has arrived just now." (Vaiya) Seeing Vaiya, who visited the tent with Imeraria in it to report his arrival, being wet due to the rain, a maid quietly handed him a towel. "Vaiya-san, I'm sorry for having you come here in hurry." (Imeraria) "It's for Your esteemed Majesty. I feel that I want to receive your appreciation and praises after I obtained military results." (Vaiya) Vaiya showing a feeling of being obliged in an exaggerated manner to a degree that it can be regarded as ridiculous is for the sake of him easing his own tension of having entered the battlefield "Although he was the type who wears clothes as too serious person since the time when he was still in the Second Knight Order, his character mellowed out after the training in Fokalore and getting married", she recalls Sabnak having mentioned that at some time. Once she looks casually, Vaiya is still in the state of standing without sitting down. "What's wrong?" (Imeraria) "As a matter of fact, there are people accompanying me..." (Vaiya) "Accompanying, you say?" (Imeraria) "Yes, as they named themselves as acquaintances of Earl Tohno, they told me that they want to meet with him. They have joined me after I took over from Fokalore's civil official, Paryu-san. Those fellow travellers are unique. It's my humble wish to have them introduced to Your Majesty on this occasion." (Vaiya) Imeraria pondered, but Vaiya shouldn't have brought along anyone suspicious either. "Where are those people?" (Imeraria) "Currently they are in the middle of talking with Captain Sabnak." (Vaiya) , Imeraria made a maid go contact Sabnak so that they will enter the tent together with him. "How's the situation in the capital?" (Imeraria) "There haven't been any particular problems. Even as for the public order, since I requested Midas-san to handle it, there won't be any issues, I think? There don't seem to be any particular moves in Vichy's direction either." (Vaiya) Intentionally mentioning it as in the "direction" of Vichy includes Fokalore as well. "Your Majesty, for you to reinforce our war potential at this time, were there some movements by Horant?" (Vaiya) Due to Vaiya talking uneasily, Imeraria smiles calmly. "The ones moving will be our side. The full details will be explained at the next war council." (Imeraria) "It's Sabnak. Umm, I brought the, guests?" (Sabnak) Sabnak's voice was audible from outside the tent, but Imeraria knitted her eyebrows due to his evasive manner of speech. "Please enter." (Imeraria) "Excuse me." (Sabnak) The one who entered the tent first was Sabnak. And, seeing the four who followed after him, Imeraria became speechless. "Your Majesty, these are the gentlemen and ladies from the wastelands who crossed a great distance to meet with Earl Tohno." (Sabnak) "I'm the elf Puuse." "I'm Viine." "I'm called Gengu ~ssu." "I-I am, M-Malfas!" "... Your Majesty?" "... Ha!" (Imeraria) Imeraria was in a state of having her mouth opened while looking at the beastmen, but recovering due to Sabnak's call, she elegantly wipes the edges of her mouth with a handkerchief. "I'm the queen of Orsongrande Kingdom, Imeraria. It looks like it was a long trip from the wastelands. It's the first time for me to encounter elves and beastmen, but... do you understand my words?" (Imeraria) Looking at each other's faces, Puuse takes one step forward. "Queen-sama, we are using the same language. I think a conversation won't be a problem?" (Puuse) "So, about the matter of having come to meet with Hifumi-sama..." (Imeraria) After asking several questions, Imeraria arranged for Puuse's group to be allowed using separate tents for men and women out of consideration that they can wait for Hifumi in the encampment. Once Puuse and the others, who are grateful for the warm reception, left while being led by maids, Imeraria sank her back into the sofa while curbing her brows. "... What did Hifumi-sama do in the wastelands? Really, something like a beastwoman chasing him up to here." (Imeraria) Alongside a deep sigh, she drinks her cold black tea. "Anyway, it was a saving grace that Origa-san wasn't here. Sabnak-san, I leave it to you that they and Origa-san don't run into each other until Hifumi-sama returns." (Imeraria) "Aren't you imagining too much there? They are people who have likewise fallen in love with Hifumi-san, so if they get along well..." (Sabnak) "Sabnak-san, you are naive." (Imeraria) She stabs Sabnak with an unusually sharp gaze. "The rabbit beastman-san just now... Viine-san came here while saying an admirable thing like she just wants to be at his side, however do you believe that Origa-san will allow that?" (Imeraria) "Uuh..." (Sabnak) "And, the moment a quarrel occurs between them, will you be able to remonstrate them to be nice to each other, Sabnak-san?" (Imeraria) "I-Isn't that a task that exceeds my abilities...?" (Sabnak) Imeraria's gaze switches from Sabnak to Vaiya. "Even for me, to barge in on such situation is a bit..." (Vaiya) Hearing the timid answers of the two adults, Imeraria sighed deeply. "We will be able to form a relationship with the elves, who are said to wield powerful magic, and the beastmen who were our former enemy. That in itself is something great. The matter of creating a friendship with them will likely be of benefit for Orsongrande." (Imeraria) "For that reason", Imeraria made a short pause. "We should avoid unnecessary troubles to the best of our abilities. Even Origa-san will be obedient in front of Hifumi-sama. I will also request Alyssa-san to lay the groundwork thoroughly." (Imeraria) ""Acknowledged."" (Sabnak & Vaiya) Imeraria informed the two, who matched their voices, about another matter. "I will explain the strategy, I drew up, before the arrival of the main force. Let's have dinner together. You two and Alyssa-san. And let's invite those beastmen from before as well. I will have them decide whether they want to stay at Munster temporarily or remain here after explaining the current state." (Imeraria) It looks like it will take a full two days for the main force of the reinforcements to arrive even if they are quick. It will also be necessary to explain things to Nelgal who will arrive together with the main army, but I will push this strategy forth even if I have to basically threaten him, "Bast-..." Before the guarding soldier finished speaking, Hifumi cut his windpipe just slightly with the tip of his katana in one go and the body, which had lost its soul, collapsed alongside a sound of air leaking out. "It's this. I came here to complain about this." (Hifumi) While lowering the drawn katana, Hifumi stands in front of Horant's prime minster who was sitting at his desk. "W-Who are you bastard...?" (Kuzemu) "The lord of Fokalore, Hifumi. The man who killed this place's crown prince." (Hifumi) "What..." (Kuzemu) Kuzemu, who has become pale while drenched in sweat, carefully examines the man standing in front of him from top to bottom. Kuzemu himself never saw Hifumi, but he was aware about the person called Hifumi and about the uproar within the castle. "How foolish. To reach this place all by yourself..." (Kuzemu) "That's it. That." (Hifumi) Hifumi points at the corpse of the soldier he killed himself a moment ago. "It's the same for this guy as well, but you are far too careless. Entering the country, entering the city and entering the castle, all of it was at a level of being extremely easy to degree of making me yawn. Your men are just walking around leisurely and don't have any kind of vigilance in addition to that either. Isn't that as if you are telling me to break in?" (Hifumi) "For example", Hifumi retrieved a light magic tool from his darkness storage. "I can't use anything but darkness magic, but research in magic has advanced in Horant, right? I heard that even this lamp was created in Horant. In that case, noticing an intruder, sounding a general alert once someone discovered an enemy or doing various things is possible, isn't it?" (Hifumi) "Uuh, but such things, except for those intended for battle, are developed by private merchants... buh!?" (Kuzemu) Just as he began to line up excuses, Hifumi slapped Kuzemu's cheek with his palm after stabbing the katana into the floor. Is his field of vision flickering? Hifumi brings his face close to Kuzemu who is repeatedly blinking. "You, don't you think that a method for attacking means it is intended for battle?" (Hifumi) Picking up the katana, he holds it out in front of Kuzemu's eyes so that he can see its hamon. Hifumi, who turns the blade towards below and shifts the handle into his left hand, intended to show it, but Kuzemu was unable to consider it as anything else but threatening. He feels uneasy whether the ominously shining blade will cut his own throat in the same manner as the guard's. "A weapon is fine as weapon. If it's polished up as item that steals a person's life, it is beautifully sublimed." (Hifumi) Drawing back the katana, he returns it into its scabbard. "But you know, while it may be strong at attacking that doesn't mean that one can win. It isn't just a mutual competition and confrontation. Now matter how strong a weapon might be, it will be meaningless if you aren't able to find a gap to use it." (Hifumi) What Hifumi pointed at was the sword which hung at the waist of the corpse. Recognising him as intruder, the soldier tried to call out and yet he didn't even touch the hilt. "W-What do you want to tell me?" (Kuzemu) "You don't understand?" (Hifumi) Going away from in front of Kuzemu, Hifumi removed the katana from his waist and sat down on a sofa with a flump. "You are able to use magic. You were born into this world at great pains. If you are able to use earth magic, you will probably be able to camouflage a trap perfectly. If you can use wind magic, it's possible to survey a somewhat wide range. If it's fire magic, one can light a signal fire without using tools. Even by thinking about it for a bit, there are this many possible applications." (Hifumi) "Are you asshole telling me that Orsongrande's military has advanced this far?" (Kuzemu) "No?" (Hifumi) Kuzemu looked at Hifumi, who shook his head as he smiled, while wiping away the sweat. "I wonder whether I gave Orsongrande a bit too much of an advantage. Although it looks like you created a slightly big toy in Horant, those are no good. Even the techniques taught to you by the instruction unit sent by me have parts similar to imitating just the upper surface." (Hifumi) "Therefore", Hifumi tapped the scabbard of his katana. "I decided to give you various hints regarding magic which is the distinctive characteristic of Horant." (Hifumi) "I-Isn't that an act that serves the interests of your enemy!? What are you planning!?" (Kuzemu) "What a foolish thing to say. The current you doesn't even amount to being an enemy for me. Thus it isn't an act that serves the interests of my enemy." (Hifumi) "T-That's sophistry!" (Kuzemu) "Even if it's sophistry, that's fine. Do you know? A weakling uses sophistry to gloss over, but the strong one uses it while persisting with their egoism." (Hifumi) "So, what are you telling me to do?" (Kuzemu) Finding it already difficult to bring it to a close with words in this situation, Kuzemu asks Hifumi that. "Since the border probably has already broken down due to the attacks of Orsongrande's side, I shall instruct you magic techniques I came up with in order for you to retake the border or to defend. I have only the darkness attribute, thus it will just be the theory though. Hey! Hurry up and summon the magicians in charge or the researchers. I don't have the time to idle around here. The evil hand of Orsongrande might be reaching for this place soon." (Hifumi) While saying that, Hifumi rung the bell on top of a low table which is located in front of the sofa.magic A maid immediately enters the room. "You cal-... hii!?" The maid, who entered while looking down, screamed when she discovered the soldier's corpse. "Black tea, please. Also, I'd like something I can take out." (Hifumi) Hifumi tells the frightened maid his order. Due to the words of an unknown person, the maid looked at Kuzemu in her search for help. "... Prepare it as you were told. And, can you call someone of the castle's magic researchers?" (Kuzemu) Once the maid leaves the room as if running away, Hifumi looks into Kuzemu's eyes. Joy is clearly visible on his face. "Do your best. Imeraria is an amateur, but Fokalore's soldiers are considerably powerful. I don't care what you want to do in the end, but you have to persist here for the sake of achieving your dreams." (Hifumi) Standing up, Hifumi hit Kuzemu's shoulder. "Let's have a real war with a properly large number of people dying. Okay?" (Hifumi) Kuzemu was unable to reply as he was merely trembling.

20.Like Toy Soldiers 【不穏な町】 パジョーたちオーソングランデ側の騎士たちと唯一のヴィシー兵アリッサが沈黙してしまっているのを完全に無視して、一二三はオリガたちに声をかけた。 「それじゃ、さっさと行こうか」 言いながら、自分の馬を回収に向かう一二三を、慌ててアリッサが止めた。 「ちょ、ちょっと待ってよ! このまま放置していくの?」 「ああいう人なんです。気にしない方がいいですよ。......貴女はヴィシー側の方ですね。私はオーソングランデの騎士パジョーと言います。貴女は?」 「あ、僕はアリッサです。その、特に肩書きの無い兵士です......」 パジョーはクスリと上品に笑って、右手を差し出した。 「今は、貴女が生き残れた事を喜びましょう」 握手をして、アリッサは少し落ち着いた気がした。 (なんだか、大人の女の人って感じだなぁ......) 「では、これからの話ですが。我が国としては早急に体制を整え、これまで通りの出入国管理を行います。我が国の犯罪者も関わっておりますので、犯人と我が国の兵たちの死体は、こちらで回収させていただきます」 「あ、は、はい」 流れるように続けられたパジョーの言葉に、アリッサはつい了承してしまった。 本来ならば、ヴィシーの方にも被害が出ている以上、捜査の為にヴィシー側も犯人の死体は重要な資料となるはずだ。しかも、実は少しだけヴィシー側に入った場所が主な犯行現場になっているので、厳密にいえばヴィシー国内の事件である。 アリッサは、この事だけでも確実に叱責なりペナルティなりは免れない。 対して、パジョーは上手くごまかして捜査資料を独占する事ができたと、内心ほくそ笑んでいた。 (完全にヴィシー内に入ってから事件にならなくて良かったわ。向こうで暴れてから、元騎士だとバレたら大問題になるところだった) とにかく、発生しかけた問題が想定以上にややこしくならずに済んだ事に、パジョーは安堵していた。 「それで、アリッサさんは......ヴィシー側は応援を呼ばれなくても良いのですか?」 「そうだった! あ、でも......ここのヴィシー側に誰もいなくなるわけにはいきませんよね」 商人や旅人がここを通過するには、両国の担当者のサイン等と許可の印が必要になる。もしどちらか一方でも抜けた通行許可証を持っていると、密入国と見なされる。 もちろん国防の面もあり、どちらか一方でもこの場を空にするのは問題となる。 ヴィシー側は全滅しており、連絡手段もない。どうするかとアリッサが悩んでいる所に、一二三が馬に乗って戻ってきた。 「パジョー、出国の手続きをしてくれ」 一二三が書類を渡しながら言うと、パジョーは書類を受け取ってオーソングランデ側の受付に、印を押しに向かった。その間に、連れてきた兵に死体の回収を支持する。 「ね、ねぇ」 パジョーを待つ一二三に、アリッサがためらいなく声をかける。 「なんだ?」 「ちょっと、お願いがあるんだけど......」 アリッサは、ヴィシーに入って街道沿いに最初に行き当たる街の兵士詰所に、伝言をお願いしたいと一二三に頼み込んだ。 「今のこの状況を伝えて、僕が応援を依頼したって伝えてくれるだけでいいんだけど」 一二三はしばらく考えてから、了承した。 「ただ、ヴィシーの街の配置について教えてもらうぞ」 「いいよ! ありがとう!」 適当に大きな街を渡り歩いて見物したいと、適当に一二三がでっち上げた理由を完全に信じ込んだアリッサは、街道沿いの首都までの街を楽しそうに説明する。 「では、馬車で10日もあれば、首都まで辿り着けるのですね」 オリガの質問に、アリッサは笑顔で答える。 「そうだよ。ここから首都まで行って、ホーラントの国境まで、大きなカーブを描いて街道が通ってるんだ」 「へぇ、ホーラント産の魔道具は、その道を通ってくるんだね」 カーシャが感心していると、一二三が疑問を口にする。 「ん? オーソングランデとホーラントも国境を接してるだろう。わざわざ遠回りするのか?」 この質問には、戻ってきたパジョーが解説をした。 元々、ホーラントが一人の天才魔法使いにより独立した国家として成立した際に、オーソングランデの国土をかなり侵食したという。そこで幾度かの戦闘があり、現在では多少の交流はあるものの、ほとんど直接の行き来は無いという。 「アリッサさん、これをお願いします」 「あ、わかりました!」 一二三たちの通行許可証を受け取ったアリッサが、充分に離れた所まで行ったのを見届けてから、パジョーは続ける。 「ですから、ホーラントの魔法使いが“合法的に”入国したとしたら、ヴィシーの正式な出国許可を得ている可能性もあります」 ヴィシーから誰かの手引きで出国し、受け入れ側のハーゲンティ子爵も正式な入国許可を出せば、オーソングランデで自由に行動できる。 だから、どのレベルまでかはわかりませんが、ヴィシー内部にも少なからずホーラントとつながる勢力がいるだろうと、パジョーは推測する。 「それが、ベイレヴラとその背後にいる誰かの可能性が高いわけだ」 色々とややこしくなってくる内容に、一二三はだんだん面倒になってきたが、一度受けた依頼を国も出もしないで断る程無責任でもない。 「それじゃ、とにかくヴィシーに入って、色々見てみようか」 戻ってきたアリッサから許可証を受け取った一二三は、オリガとカーシャに出発を告げた。 アリッサが言うには、街道沿いに進んで馬車で2時間程でアロセールという街に着くという。 馬車引いてゆっくり進むこと数時間、アリッサの説明通りに、塀に囲まれた街が見えてきた。国境に近い街であるせいか、オーソングランデ側のフォカロル同様、いざという時には防衛戦もできるようにと作られてるようだ。 「なんだか、見た目はウチの国の街と大差ないね」 一二三もカーシャと同じような感想だった。近い場所だからか、さほど文化的に違いは無いらしい。正直、オーソングランデでは大丈夫だった食べ物が、ヴィシーではどうかが心配だったが、フォカロルともそう離れていないので、多分問題ないだろうと思った。 街の入口で許可証を見せながら、ここの兵の責任者に用があると伝えると、詰所の場所を教えてくれた。 「ずいぶんザル警備だなぁ。というか、門番が妙に機械的な対応だったな」 「キカイテキ?」 「あんまり感情の起伏が見られなくて、決まった事を繰り返しているだけのようだって事だよ」 「ああ、でも真面目な兵士ってあんな感じじゃないの?」 気にしても仕方ないと、一二三は説明された詰所に入り、オーソングランデの準騎士爵だとコインを見せて伝えると、責任者が出てきた。 シンプルな鎧を着た中肉中背の特徴の無い男が奥から出てきて、一二三の目をまっすぐ見ながら、何の用かと聞いてきた。 その目は、どこか焦点が合っていない。 「アリッサという女兵士が所属しているだろう。そいつからの伝言だ」 詰所の兵士がアリッサ以外殺された事を説明し、応援要請を伝えるよう依頼されたと一二三が説明すると、男は「ご協力感謝する」と、全く感謝の気持ちが感じられない、抑揚の少ない平坦な声で言う。 「今日はここへ泊まるのか? 一応宿を聞いておこう」 「泊まるつもりだが、宿は決めていない」 「では、さらに街の奥へ通り沿いに行けば、部屋が綺麗な宿があるから、そこにするといい。他は貴族が泊まるには向かないだろう」 「そうか、ではそうしよう」 あからさまな誘導だと思いつつも、この男の様子が気になった一二三は、敢えてそれに従って見ることにした。 「では、我々は国境へ向かうので、これで失礼する」 男は、一二三におざなりな礼をしてから、部下を連れて出ていった。 「何だか、門の兵といいさっきの責任者といい、妙な反応ですね」 貴族であるご主人様に対して、ひどく無礼です。と、オリガは不満を口にした。 「ああいう状態になった奴を、以前どこかで見た事があるんだが......どこだったかなぁ」 「やっぱり、フォカロルの連中みたいに、ここの奴らも何か悪さをしてるのかね?」 そんな話をしながら馬を引いて歩いていると、宿に付いた。教わった単語にあった、宿の文字があったので、一二三にもわかった。 「ここか」 表に馬を繋ぎ、木製のドアを押し開いて入ると、小さなカウンターと食堂と思しき広い部屋が広がっていた。 「いらっしゃい。一泊一人部屋銀貨10枚、二人部屋は17枚。三人以上入れる部屋は無いよ。馬を連れてきたようだな。一頭銀貨3枚だ。裏の厩舎には俺が移してやる」 カウンターに居た無愛想な親爺が、顔を見るなり金額を言ってきた。 「俺が一人部屋、連れは二人部屋だ」 カウンターに銀貨を積み上げると、親爺はカウンターの下から二つの鍵を取り出した。 「こっちが一人部屋用、こっちが二人部屋用だ。客室は全部2階だ。日暮れ前に夕食を用意するから、この部屋に来い」 番号は鍵に書いてあると言うと、必要な事は伝えたとばかりに、親爺は黙ってしまった。 礼も言わずに鍵を受け取り、一二三たちは2階へ上がる。 「夕食前に少し寝ておけ。夜から動くことになるかもしれない」 「真っ当に考えるなら、国境へ向かった連中が現地を確認してから、何人かは中央へ報告するために戻ってくる。時間的には夜になるだろう。動きがあるとしたら、最初のタイミングはそこだ」 近所の適当な食堂で今から昼を食べてから休んで、夕食後はオリガたちの部屋から通りの監視をすると決めた。 「アリッサは敵じゃないだろうあんなアホだと謀略には向かないし、仲間にもできないだろう。戻ってきた連中がどう動くかを見ておくべきだろうな」 本人が聞いたら怒りそうな事を躊躇なく口にして、一二三は一度自分の部屋に入って言った。 カーシャがやれやれと首を振ると、オリガはニコリと笑う。 オリガに続いて部屋に入りながら、カーシャはそれもそうかと思った。 「......わかりやすい奴らだな」 宿の2階、薄く開いた木戸から通りの様子を伺っていた一二三は、小さく呟いた。光が漏れて注意をひかないよう、明かりはつけていないので、部屋は真っ暗だ。 陽が落ちてからしばらくは、人通りも途絶えて居た道を、鎧を着た数人の男たちが通り過ぎて行った。 その頃にはすっかり夜に目を慣らしていた一二三は、男たちの間に、後ろ手に縛り上げられ、ヨロヨロと歩く小柄な人影がはっきりと見えた。宿の正面を通った時には、それがアリッサだというのも確認した。 酷く殴られたのか、左頬を腫らして、口から流れた血は拭うこともできずに乾いている。 長い距離を歩かされたようで、時折足が止まりそうになるが、その度に後ろから蹴り上げられ、強制的に進まされている。 見えた状況を聞かされたオリガとカーシャは、二人共“ひどい”と呟いた。 「この前を通るという事は、昼に行った詰所とは別の場所に連れて行かれたようだな。さて、どうするか......」 「ご主人様はわかりやすいと言われましたが、なぜアリッサは捕まったのでしょうか? 自国の兵なのに......」 顔が見えないが、声と話し方でオリガだとわかる。 「あいつがあの現場を見た上で、生き残ったからじゃないか?」 「じゃあ、何で生かして連れてきたんだい? 目撃者を消すって言うなら、国境からここへ来るまでの間にいくらでも機会はあったんじゃない?」 「知られては困る事を知った奴を生かして置く理由は一つだ。その秘密を他に誰がどこまで知ったかを確認するためだな。拷問か、薬か......薬?」 一二三の脳裏に、昼にあったこの街の兵が思い出される。 「そうだ薬だ、思い出した! 確か精神安定系の薬物の中毒になると、あんな感じで感情が抜けたようになる例があったと思う。とすると、あの元騎士と同じような魔法具の影響を受けている可能性があるってことか......来たな」 憶測を言葉にして整理していた一二三だったが、不意に顔を上げた。 「装備は着ているな? どうやら俺たちも捕まえておこうという腹らしい。宿に向かって10人程の気配が近づいて来ている」 「ここで戦うのかい? 明かりの魔法具を出さないと......」 「いや、一旦引いてやりすごす。先にアリッサを探して助けてやろう。気配からして、そう遠くには行っていないようだし」 「ええっ!?」 「カーシャ、なんでそんなに驚く?」 「いや、女の子を助けるとか、敵が来てるのに一旦引くとか、ご主人らしくないと思ってさ......」 本気で驚いているらしいカーシャに、一二三は自分の印象が本気で悪い事に心外だと言った。 「俺は殺人狂じゃないと前にも言っただろう。アリッサは兵士たちから何か聞いたかもしれないし、こちら側に引き込む事で、これからの調査に利用価値があるだろう。それに、10人程度じゃ準備運動にもならないし、お前たちに夜間戦闘のやり方はまだ教えてないからな。どうせ連中とはまたぶつかることになる。その時にしっかり殺せばいい」 結局殺すつもりなんだと、カーシャは逆に安心した。 (こいつは本当は俺を馬鹿にしてないか?) ゆらゆらと揺れる鎖を前に、カーシャたちが戸惑っていると、上から一二三の声がした。 「登れないなら引き上げてやるから、鎖を掴んでぶら下がれ。一人ずつな」 怯えながらもどうにかこうにか屋根にあがり終えてからさほど間を置かず、部屋のドアが開けられた。どうやら宿の主人が鍵を渡したらしい。 昼間に会った責任者だという男の声がして、部屋の中をあちこち探し回る音がしてから、踏み込んできた連中は立ち去った。 夜の闇の中、再びアリッサが連れて行かれた方角へと去っていく兵士たちを見ながら、屋根の上に立つ一二三は、新たな獲物を見つけたと、静かに悦んでいた。

Chapter 20: Like Toy Soldiers Completely disregarding the silent Pajou and the Orsongrande Knights, and the equally silent Alyssa from Vichy, Hifumi called out to Origa and Kasha. [ Well then, let's get a move on. ] Saying so, Hifumi turned towards the horses, only to be stopped by a panicking Alyssa. [ W-wait a minute! You're leaving just like that? ] [ Don't mind him, he's just like that.... You're from Vichy, yes? I am a Knight from Orsongrande, Pajou. And you? ] [ Ah, I am Alyssa. That is, I don't particularly have a title.... ] [TN: she uses the male informal 'boku' here] Noting the difference in status between them, Alyssa unintentionally shrank and spoke timidly. Pajou laughed elegantly, extending her right hand. [ I'm pleased you were able to survive the incident. ] As they shook hands, Alyssa composed herself. Somehow, she gives off the feeling of an adult woman... (Alyssa) [ Well then, let us speak of what to do after this. We will be acting as immigration control for our country until order is restored. Since the criminal was related to our country, please let us collect his and our soldier's bodies. ] [ Aah, y-yes. ] Alyssa inadvertently agreed to Pajou's smooth and flowing speech. Originally, the Vichy side should be documenting the bodies and damage, becoming important in their investigations. Moreover, the scene of the crime was on the Vichy side, thereby falling under Vichy's jurisdiction, no matter the involved parties. Alyssa was definitely not going to avoid a penalty for this. Seeing that Pajou had skilfully monopolized the investigation with some underhanded methods, she chuckled to herself. Entering Vichy would not be a nice event. The other side's Knights would be the source of plenty of problems. In any case, Pajou was relieved that no more complex situations would crop up. [ Anyway, Alyssa-san, isn't there going to be assistance from Vichy? ] [ That's right! Ah, but...... it's impossible, there's no one on the Vichy side but me. ] Seals and signatures of approval are necessary from both sides for merchants and travellers to cross boundaries. In case either of them are missing, it is considered as an illegal entry into the country. Of course, there is the aspect of national defence too, evacuating the place is a problem. The Vichy side had been completely annihilated, leaving no available means of communication. Hifumi returned on horseback to where Alyssa was contemplating further actions. [ Pajou, take care of the departure formalities. ] Hifumi passed her the documents; Pajou took them and affixed the necessary seals and signatures on it. Meanwhile, the corpse of the soldier had been dragged over. [ Ne, ne~.. ] Alyssa called out to the waiting Hifumi without hesitation. [ What? ] [ I have a small request... ] Alyssa asked Hifumi to relay a message to the first guardroom they saw on the highway after entering Vichy. [ Please convey the current situation and inform that I am requesting reinforcements. ] Hifumi considered for a moment, then nodded. [ However, you will have to tell me about the town in Vichy. ] [ Great! Thank you! ] Entirely believing Hifumi's made-up reason of sightseeing a large town, Alyssa happily gave them a detailed explanation. [ So the capital city can be reached in about 10 days via carriage? ] Alyssa replied to Origa's question with a smile. [ That's right. From here, you can go to the capital, the highway passes near the Horant border in a wide curve. ] [ Hee, the road passes by Horant, the place from where those evil magic tools came from. ] While Kasha was smirking, Hifumi voiced a question.magic [ Hm? Orsongrande and Horant's borders also touch, did you take a deliberate detour? ] To his question, Pajou explained. Originally, when the genius magician established Horant as independent, a considerable part of Orsongrande was invaded. As a result, there were a few skirmishes and now there is little interaction between the two. [ Alyssa-san, I have a request. ] [ Ah, I understand. ] Alyssa received and cleared Hifumi's travel pass and Pajou continued, [ Therefore, if a magician from Horant 'lawfully' enters, there is a possibility of obtaining formal permission to leave Vishy as well. ] With someone from Vichy as a guide, and with the formal approval of Viscount Hagenti, it is possible to enter Orsongrande freely. Therefore, though unable to discern at what level, there might be someone with power in Vichy connected to Horant in no small way, Pajou surmised. [ Now that you mention it, it is highly likely that someone is behind Beirevra. ] Though complicated in various ways, Hifumi is troublesome, but not irresponsible so as to decline the request that requires leaving the country. [ Well then, in any case he's entering Vichy to take in various sights. ] Hifumi, who had collected the permit from Alyssa announced their departure to Origa and Kasha. They advanced along the highway, reaching the town called Aroseru by carriage in about 2 hours. As per Alyssa's explanation, a town enclosed by a wall came into view. Being close to the border, it seemed to be made in a similar fashion as Fukaroru in Orsongrande. [ Somehow, it does not look too different from our country ] (Kasha) Hifumi had a similar impression to Kasha. Was it because they were close by? Culturally there seemed to be no difference. To be frank, the food in Orsongrande was all right, but he had concerns about the food in Vichy. Then again, being close to Fukaroru, it would probably not be a problem. While showing the permit at the entrance of the town, the soldiers there directed him to their in-charge in the guardroom. [ Surprisingly undefended. Or, how should I put it, the gatekeeper had a strangely mechanical vibe. ] [ Mechanical? ] [ No emotional ups or downs are visible. Just like repeating a fixed motion. ] [ Ah, but aren't serious soldiers supposed to be like that? ] Though somewhat cautious, it couldn't be helped so Hifumi entered the guardroom. He displayed the coin denoting his peerage to the person in-charge. A man in simple armour of medium height and build came out of the interior, and looking straight at Hifumi asked what business he had. His eyes were unfocused. [ A soldier called Alyssa asked me to pass on a message. ] Hifumi explained that all the soldiers at the border post have been killed, apart from Alyssa. When he explained that immediate assistance was required, the man thanked him for his cooperation in a smooth voice without looking the slightest bit thankful. [ Are you staying here today? Have you decided on a hotel? ] [ We are staying here, yes, but the hotel has not been decided. ] [ Then if you head towards the interior of the town, there is a hotel with nice and clean rooms. There isn't another suitable for a noble to live in. ] [ Is that so? We'll do that then. ] Though slightly wary of the man's appearance, Hifumi decided to go along with it. [ Then, we must be going to the border post, please excuse me. ] With a perfunctory bow to Hifumi, the man left along with a subordinate. [ Somehow the reaction of the in-charge and the soldiers at the gate seemed a little strange. ] Origa peevishly stated that she thought they were quite impolite to her master, a noble. [ I've seen someone in a similar state before..... where was it? ] (Hifumi) [ After all, like in Fukaroru, are the people here planning a dirty trick too? ] (Origa) While they were taking, they reached the hotel. Since Hifumi had learnt the written characters, he could recognise the name. [ Here? ] The horses were tethered outside,they pushed open the wooden door and went in. There was a small counter in what appeared to be a spacious dining hall. [ Welcome! 10 silver coins for one room for a night. There are 17 double rooms. There is no room to put 3 or more people in one. 3 silver coins per horse. They will be moved to the stable in the back. ] There was an old man with an unsociable expression on his face sitting at the counter. [ One single room, my companions will take a double room. ] After depositing a pile of silver coins on the counter, the old man took out 2 keys from under the counter. [ This is for the single room, this one is for the double room. The second floor is entirely guest rooms. Dinner will be prepared before nightfall, and served in this hall. ] The old man fell silent after telling them the necessary information and writing down the key numbers. Taking the key, the trio went up to the 2nd floor. [ Lie down a bit before dinner. We may have to move at night. ] [ After the group confirms the situation at the border, some will return to report. By that time it will most likely be night. If we have to move, it will be then. ] After a light lunch, it was decided that they would rest and after dinner, observe the street from their rooms. [ Our opponents will not be simpletons without strategies like Alyssa. ] Hifumi entered his room immediately after saying that. Kasha shook her head resignedly while Origa laughed. Origa entered the room while Kasha followed, lost in thought. [ ....... Those fellows are easy to understand. ] On the second floor of the hotel, Hifumi murmured, lying in wait. The room was pitch-dark. Several armoured men passed by on the street after darkness fell and pedestrian traffic declined. Hifumi, who had completely acclimated his sight to the darkness saw it clearly. With hands bound behind the back, a diminutive shadow was visible walking unsteadily between two men. When they passed by the front of the hotel, it was clear the person was Alyssa. Badly beaten up, left cheek swelled and dried streams of blood coming from the mouth. It seems they have been walking for a long time, and occasionally her foot slowed, only to receive a kick from behind every time to forcibly advance. Watching the sorry situation, Origa and Kasha both murmured "How cruel". [ Taking her to a spot different from this afternoon's guardroom. Well now, what to do, I wonder... ] [ Why was Alyssa arrested? A soldier from their own country.... ] Though her face was not visible, the speech pattern and voice identified the speaker as Origa. [ She was the only one who survived the scene of the crime, could that be it? ] (Hifumi) [ But why not make the most of it? Or could it be a chance to bump off the eyewitness who knows what happened? ] [ It would be to confirm what the witness knows and to keep secrets that may get someone else into trouble. Torture, drugs.... Drugs? ] (Hifumi) Hifumi remembered the state of the soldier when they came into the town. [ That's it, drugs! If I remember correctly, there were drugs to stabilise the mind and if addicted, it leads to a state of losing emotions. Similar to the fellow who had that magic tool attached to him... ] Guessing and putting his thoughts in order, Hifumi suddenly raised his head. [ Do you need to wear armour? It seems that they are also attempting to capture us. Around 10 people are coming towards the hotel. ] [ Fight here? I'll pull out the lighting magic tool.... ] [ No, no need. Before that, I'll need to find Alyssa, she does not seem to be too far. ] [ Eeh!? ] [ Kasha, why are you so surprised? ] [ No, saving a girl while enemies are coming, it does not sound like master.... ] Seeing Kasha honestly surprised, Hifumi thought it quite vexing that his reputation was that bad. [ I said a while ago that I was not a homicidal maniac. What Alyssa knows and may hear in the future may be valuable information. Besides, 10 people isn't bad for a warm-up, and you two have not been instructed on how to fight in the dark. In any case, we'll meet guys like these again. At that time, kill them well. ] Kasha was relieved when Hifumi mentioned killing. They aren't making fun of me are they? While Kasha and Origa were staring at the swinging chain, they heard Hifumi's voice from above. [ Grab the chain and climb up. One at a time. ] Though scared, they somehow managed to get onto the roof. The door of the room opened. It seemed that the landlord had a key. It was the voice of the person in-charge at the town gate. After noises that indicated searching for a while, they left. In the dark of the night, the soldiers left in the same direction Alyssa was taken.

153.I Want To Party フォカロル兵に先導されたオーソングランデの兵たちは、今度は城の壁をよじ登る羽目になり、再び落下地獄を味わっていた。ホーラント兵は一階に突入しているので、彼らは二階へ直接侵入するのだ。 突入訓練をアスレチック気分で繰り返していたフォカロル兵たちにとっては、二階までならよじ登るのは朝飯前だ。 戦闘を行く兵士が少ない突起を頼りにするすると登り、窓から顔を覗かせる。 「あっ」 「えっ」 窓の向こうは通路になっており、二階を巡回中のクゼム側ホーラント兵と目があった。 両手で体をささえいたフォカロル兵はすぐに対応できず、ホーラント兵は背中を向けて逃げていく。 「見つかった。逃げて行ったから今のうちに侵入する!」 言いながら、窓から室内へと飛び込む。 仲間のためのスペースをつくり、廊下の隅へと張り付くようにして立ったフォカロル兵は、素早く構造を確認する。 「廊下に各執務室が並び、中央に階段......教わった通りの構造だな」 広く長い廊下、中央の階段より手前に並ぶドアは城内に執務室を持つ高級文官が使う部屋となっている。階段の向こう側には、会議等のための大部屋が並ぶ。 「無人、か?」 仲間のフォカロル兵たちが次々に廊下へと飛び込んでくるのを待ちながら、注意深く警戒をしていたが、誰かが来る様子はない。 階段のあたり、おそらく下からだろうが、大勢の人間の叫び声が聞こえる。 「どうだ?」 「なんだか臭いな......一階は苦戦しているようだな。二階は......来た!」 階段の先にあるドアの一つから、ホーラントの兵たちがぞろぞろと出てくる。それぞれ手に桶のようなものを持ち、ゆっくりと出てくるのが不気味に感じられる。 「なんだ?」 フォカロル兵が困惑しつつ観察している前で、ホーラント兵たちは手に持った桶を振り回し、廊下に液体をぶちまける。 次々に流される大量の液体は、あっという間に波を作って廊下を流れ、フォカロル兵たちの足元まで流れてきた。 「おっと」 それぞれが窓枠や開けたドアの上に避難すると、液体がいきわたったとみたホーラント兵の一人が、紙片を見ながら大声で叫ぶ。 「あー。我々はこの城を守る警備兵だ。警備の立場としては、不法侵入者を排除せねばならん。といわけで、邪魔をさせてもらう」 メモを読み終え、丁寧に畳んだホーラント兵。ジャリ、と何かを巻きつけた足を液体の広がる床に躊躇なく踏み出し、満足そうに佇むが、それ以上は何もしない。 「......で?」 思わず声をかけたフォカロル兵に、ホーラントの兵士は仁王立ちのままうなずく。 「以上だ。そのまま小虫のようにしがみついていても良いが、貴様らも兵士としての矜持があるなら、かかって来るが良い」 「なんだと!」 フォカロル兵の一人が激昂するが、周りの仲間に止められた。液体の正体がわからないうちは、動かない方が良いと判断したのだ。 だが、答えはホーラントの方から教えてくれた。 大量の液体が階段の下へと流れていくと、慌てた声が聞こえる。 「ちょ、油がここまで!?」 「あ、俺滑り止め忘れて......あー!」 階段のあたりから、遠ざかる叫び声と共に誰かが転がり落ちていく音がする。 「油、か......」 フォカロルの兵士が先ほど宣言を読み上げたホーラント兵を見ると、相手はつつ、と視線を逸らした。 「......べ、別に油だと知れたところで対応の使用があるまい」 顔を赤らめて強がるホーラント兵を見て、フォカロル兵たちは顔を見合わせた。 「やるしかないな。火気厳禁ってことで、火花も怖い。刃物は禁止。ぶん殴ってやろう」 バシャ、と音を立てて床に降り、全員が転んだ。 大笑いするホーラント兵に向かって、怒り狂ったフォカロル兵たちがこけつまろびつホーラント兵に突撃し、凄絶な殴り合いが始まる。 棘のある草を干した、この国特有の滑り止めを巻いていたホーラント兵も、動き回って棘を踏み潰してしまうと、状況は同じになっていく。 中には、もみ合って腐臭ただよう一階へと転げ落ちていく者もいた。 「......三階へ続く階段にもたっぷり油を流した。お前らはここでストップだ」 もみ合いの最中、にやりと笑うホーラント兵に、フォカロル兵も嘲笑で返す。 「俺たちの目的は突破じゃねぇんだよ」 掌底を顎に叩き込みながら、フォカロル兵は油で転びながら笑う。 「このままやりあってれば、任務は成功かな? あとは頼みますぜ長官」 「......下が騒がしいですね」 三階にある高級官僚向け執務室の一室、クゼムの部屋で書類に目を通していたオリガが呟く。 同じ部屋で書類を漁っていたヴィーネが、片耳をぴくぴくと動かしてオリガに向き直った。 「一階と二階で騒動......一階は悲鳴が多いみたいですけど、たくさんの人がいるみたいです。外から侵入されたみたいですよ?」 逃げた方が良いのでは、と不安を吐露するヴィーネに、オリガは真顔のままで再び処理に目を落とした。 「気にする必要はありません。攻めてきているのはオーソングランデとホーラントの兵。トチ狂って私たちに攻撃してきたとしても、有象無象に過ぎません。それより、何か見つかりましたか?」 彼女たちがここにいるのは、クゼムの狙いを知るためだった。巨人兵や不死兵という、リスクの大きな兵を動かすには、それなりの理由があったはずだと一二三が考え、オリガが自ら調査役を引き受けたのだ。ヴィーネはそれに巻き込まれた。 「文字を読むのはまだ慣れてなくて......あっ」 ヴィーネが棚に入っていた一枚の書類をオリガの前に置いた。 「これ、誰かからの報告書ですよね。“不死兵のための魔道具をヴィシーから独立したピュルサンの使者へと手渡した”って書いてあります」 差し出された書類に視線を落とし、オリガは目を細めた。 「ピュルサン......一二三様にすり寄るつもりで独立したような都市国家でしたね。それがホーラントとつながりがある......と」 オリガの周囲の空気が冷たくなったような気がして、ヴィーネは後ずさる。 息が漏れたような笑い声。 「うふ、うふふふ......」 「お、奥様?」 「良く見つけてくれました。これで一二三様に新しい敵を提供できます。そして新しい戦場が生まれますね」 この書類は接収します、とオリガは三つ折りにした書類を懐に差し入れ、広げた書類もそのままに、ヴィーネを伴って廊下へと歩き出した。 「......何か オリガにはわずかにしか感じられなかったが、ヴィーネは人間より鼻が利くのか、涙目で鼻を押さえていた。 「下から上がってきてるみたいです」 「ではさっさと上に行きましょう。一二三様にお伝えしなければ」 カツ、カツ、とブーツの靴底から音を響かせながら、背筋を伸ばして歩くオリガに、鼻をつまんだままのヴィーネが付き従う。 それはまるでキャリアウーマンの上司についていく、新入社員のOLのようだった。迷いなく歩くオリガを、ヴィーネがちらちらと気にしていた。 「ヴィーネさん」 「は、はい!」 「魔法も使えて、獣人族として身体能力もある......それなりに戦えるようですけれど、この先一二三様についていくにはまだ不安です。段取りはしておきますから、フォカロルへ戻ったら訓練すると良いでしょう。......貴女は」 言いかけて、少しためらった。 オリガは一呼吸おいて、後ろのヴィーネに振り向いた。 「戦う一二三様を見て、味方に試練を与えるあの方を見て、それでも一二三様を好きだと断言できますか?」 突然の質問に、ヴィーネは面食らって耳をピンと立てた。 オリガの意図はわからなかったが、答えは変わらない。 「もちろんです。わたしに生きる素晴らしさを与えてくださったときに知った愛情は、ご主人様の魅力はこの程度のことで......いえ、たとえご主人様がすべての獣人族を敵に回したとしても、消えるものではありません」 ヴィーネの答えを聞いて、オリガはくるりと元の方向を向いて歩き始めた。 「そういうことでしたら、厳しい訓練も耐えられるでしょう。私が一二三様から教わったこと、教えてさしあげます」 「あ、ありがとうございます!」 喜色満面でお礼を言うヴィーネに、「ただし」とオリガは歩みを止めることなく語る。 「一つ訂正すべきです。獣人族に限らず、人間や魔人、魔物を含めありとあらゆる生きとし生けるもの。その全てを敵に回しても尚、笑っておられるところこそ、一二三様の魅力なのです」 どう返答して良いのかわからず、ヴィーネが一言も発せずにいると、オリガは優しい声音で続けた。 「心配いりません。一二三様のお側でお仕えしていれば、すぐにわかりますよ」 階段を上がり、四階の特に重厚な扉を押し開く。 そこは王のための部屋。一階にある、一二三が王太子と戦った謁見の間とは違い、さほど広くは無い。だが、見事な調度品が並び、奥に設えられた玉座は、謁見の間にあるものとはまた違った意匠をこらした芸術品であった。 そして今、そこに一二三が座っていた。 「なんで王の椅子って背もたれが垂直なんだろうな。落ち着かない」 横で「いいのかな」と青い顔をしているガアプを無視して、楽な姿勢を探してもぞもぞとしている一二三に、オリガはまっすぐ近づき、跪く。 ヴィーネが慌てて真似しようとすると、一二三が手を振ってやめさせた。 「やめろ、やめろ。俺は王様ごっこなんぞやりたくない。用事があるなら、ちゃんとこっち見て話せ」 「失礼しました」 クスッと笑って、オリガはさらに一二三に近づくと、懐から先ほどの書類を取り出し、内容を説明した。 話を聞いた一二三は、傍らに置いた刀を掴み、ひょいと立ちあがる。 「次の戦場はあっちか。やれやれ、大変だな」 そう言いながらも、顔に浮かぶのは笑み。 刀を腰に差し、収納から取り出した筆記具でさらさらと二枚の羊皮紙に何かを書きつけた一二三は、オリガとヴィーネに問う。 「一度フォカロルに戻って、それからヴィシーに行く。お前らはどうする?」 散歩に誘うかのような気軽な言葉。 オリガはしっとりと微笑む。 「もちろんついていきます。食料は持ち出せるように準備しておりますから、すぐにでも出られます。お弁当も作っていますよ。ヴィーネと一緒にご用意いたしました」 「もうすぐ、出口、です!」 ネルガルが弾む息を織り交ぜながら声を張る。 階段を駆け上がるイメラリア一行。 秘匿されている脱出路は、城の敷地内に入ったところで階段へと変わり、城の背面を上がっていく。 「何階まであがるの?」 明かり採りのための小窓から高さを確認しながら、アリッサがネルガルに尋ねる。彼女だけが、ほとんど息が上がっていない。 ホーラントの兵士たちは信じられない物を見るような視線を向けていたが、アリッサと目が合いそうになって、慌てて逸らした。不死兵たちとの戦いも見ていた彼らにとって、アリッサはもはや少女ではなく畏怖の対象ですらある。 「四階、です。そこにある、玉座の、後ろまで、通路は、つながって、います」 「ふぅん。じゃあ、すぐだね」 対して、最も余裕がないのがイメラリアだ。 一応は騎士として訓練をしていたサブナクも、鎧の重さを呪いながら肩で息をしていたが、呼吸すら苦しげな女王陛下よりはマシだ。 現場仕事が多いヴァイヤーは、サブナクよりもまだ余裕がある。 目を見開いて、意地だけで足を動かすイメラリアに、誰も声をかけようとはしなかった。 彼らが目的地にたどりついたのは、一階に突入したホーラント兵が全員気絶して、二階で戦っていたフォカロル兵とホーラント兵が、互いに半数以上疲労で動けなくなった頃だった。 ちなみに、二階に侵入しようと頑張っていたオーソングランデ兵たちは、五人だけ壁登りに成功して殴りあいに参加し、残りは落下した際の怪我で呻いている。 「ぜはっ......ぜ、ぜぇ、ぜっ」 狭い通路から広い部屋に出たイメラリアは、バクバクとかつてない程飛び跳ねる心臓を押さえながら、懸命に酸素を取り込みつつネルガルに視線を向けた。 「はぁ、はぁ......ここが、目的地、です」 その言葉を聞いたイメラリアが床にへたり込んだ瞬間、アリッサが弾かれたように前にでる。 「ひっ!?」 「誰?」 アリッサに脇差をのど元に押し付けられ、悲鳴を上げたのはガアプだった。 一二三が出て行ったあと、やることも無く呆然と部屋にいたのだが、急に現れたネルガルに驚いていたところを、アリッサに捕まった。 「が、ガアプさんではありませんか」 「陛下......」 「話は後で聞きます。今は、先にやるべきことがありますから」 ネルガルは怯えるガアプをおいて、玉座の後ろ、避難路の横にある壁を押した。 ズル、と見た目よりも軽い音を立てて壁の一部がずれ、金属の小さな扉が露出する。 「イメラリア陛下。これより戴冠を行います。どうか、立会をお願いいたします」 「ありがとうございます」 ネルガルが金属扉にある小さなくぼみに指輪を押し当てると、小さな音がして少しだけ扉が開く。 ゆっくりと開かれたその中には、煌びやかな宝石がちりばめられ、中央には短剣を象った金細工があり、大きなダイヤがはめ込まれている。 「これが、この国の王冠です」 イメラリアの手に王冠が渡され、その前にネルガルが跪く。 「ホーラントを治める王として、お認めいただけるのであれば、その王冠を私に。もし、そうでなければ......」 「その先は必要ありません」 イメラリアが、ずっしりと重みを感じる王冠を、その細い腕でネルガルの頭上へと運ぶ。 「良き王とおなりなさい。民の信頼に拠って立つ、立派な王に」 「誓いましょう。全ては民を守り、その人生を支えるために」 玉座へと座り、その両脇には護衛としてついてきていたホーラント兵が控えた。 イメラリアやサブナク、ヴァイヤーはネルガルの正面を避けて立つ。 王となったネルガルの前には、アリッサに脇差を突き付けられ、跪くガアプ。 「では、話をききましょうか、ガアプ」 ガアプに託された二枚の紙は、それぞれイメラリアとネルガルに宛てたものだった。 「やれやれ......即位して最初の命令が掃除とは......」 罠の内容についての説明と、“掃除がんばれ”と書かれた紙を読み終え、ネルガルは苦笑いを浮かべた。ガアプからも、およそ戦闘というには穏やかで、あくまで訓練と実験を兼ねたものだったと聞いたネルガルは、脱力しかけた身体に鞭打って姿勢を維持した。 ガアプについては謹慎を言い渡し、城内の兵士たちには戦闘行為の停止を命じ、避難していた使用人たちも呼び戻す。そして、彼らの仕事は油と腐臭にまみれた城内の掃除から始まる。 「まあ、訓練もできて警備のレベルも上がったと思えば、まだマシでしょう。奸臣も成敗できたことですし。わたしよりも......」 部屋の横を見ると、気を失ってサブナクに抱えられているイメラリアの姿がある。 “がんばったで賞”と“ヴィシー行ってくる”とだけ書かれた紙を見たイメラリアは、魂が抜けたようにぱったりと倒れたのだ。 「えーと、ネルガル国王陛下。大変申し訳ないのですが、ご覧の状況ですので......」 ヴァイヤーが申し訳なさそうに声をかけると、ネルガルはひきつった笑顔で答えた。 「城内......いえ、近くの宿を用意いたしましょう。イメラリア陛下がお目覚めになられたら、一度お話をさせていただきたいとは思いますが、今はゆっくりとお休みください。貴国兵士のための宿泊場所も用意します」 「ありがたきお言葉。きっとイメラリア女王へお伝えいたします」 アリッサも含めて退室するサブナクたちを見送ったネルガルは、そろそろ限界だ、と息を吐いた。 「次はヴィシーですか。遠いですが、巻き込まれないとも限らないですね。準備をしなければ......それにしても、背もたれとしては垂直すぎますね、これ」 少し後ろに倒せれば、もっと楽なのに、と思考が現実逃避を始めているのに自覚が無いネルガルだった。

Chapter 153: I Want To Party The soldiers of Orsongrande, who were guided by Fokalore's soldiers, ended up scaling the castle's walls and tasted now the hell of getting down. Since Horant's soldiers have rushed into the first floor, they are directly invading the second floor. For the soldiers of Fokalore, who repeatedly practised storming in with a feeling of an athletic event, climbing up to the second floor is a peace of cake. Climbing while relying on the few protuberances, the soldier, who is the vanguard, sneaks a view from a window. "Ah." "Eh?" His eyes met with the ones of a patrolling soldier from Kuzemu's camp who is on the other side of the window in a corridor on the second floor. The soldier from Fokalore, who propped up his body with both his hands, is unable to correspond right away and the soldier of Horant turns his back and runs away. "We were discovered. Storm in immediately since he ran away." While saying that, he leaps inside from the window. Creating a space for his colleagues, the Fokalore soldier, who stood while making sure to cling to the corner of the corridor, swiftly checks the structure. "Offices are lined up in the corridor, a stairway in the centre... the structure is as we were taught." From the stairs in the middle there are doors of rooms, which are used by high-ranking civil officials who possess an own office in the castle, lining up side-by-side in the long, spacious corridor. On the other side of the stairway there are large room for the sake of meetings and such lined up. "There's no one here, huh?" While waiting for his fellow soldiers of Fokalore jumping into the corridor one after the other, he cautiously watched out, but it didn't seem like anyone would come. From the vicinity of the stairway, likely from below, the screams of many humans can be heard. "How does it look?" "Somehow, going by the smell... it seems to be a tough battle on the first floor. The second floor is... they came!" Groups of soldiers from Horant are appearing from one of the doors that's beyond the stairway. Each of them holds something like a bucket in their hands and the way of them coming out leisurely gives it all an eerie feeling. "What are those?" As the soldier of Fokalore observes the spectacle in front of him while being bewildered, the soldiers of Horant swing the buckets in their hands and plaster the corridor with a liquid. The large quantity of liquid, which was distributed in succession, streamed down the corridor while creating a wave in the blink of an eye and flowed up to the feet of the soldiers from Fokalore. "Uh-oh." Once each of them took shelter on top of an opened door or a window frame, one of the soldiers of Horant, who watched as the fluid spread out, shouts loudly while looking at a scrap of paper, "Ah. We are the guards who protect this castle. As our position as guards requires, we have to remove trespassers. For that reason, allow us to hinder you." Finishing to read the memo, the soldier of Horant folded it carefully. Stepping without hesitation on the floor, where the liquid has spread out, with a crunching sound with his feet being wrapped in something, he stands still while looking satisfied, but doesn't do anything beyond that. "... So?" Due to the Fokalore soldier who calls out to him reflexively, the soldier of Horant nods while keeping his daunting pose. "That's all. It's fine for you to keep clinging like small insects, but if you bastards have any pride as soldiers, you may come at us." "What was that!?" One of Fokalore's soldiers is enraged, but got stopped by his friends in the vicinity. Being surrounded by a liquid of unknown identity, they judged that it would be best to not move. However, they were taught the answer by Horant's side. Once a large amount of the fluid streams down to the first floor, panicked voices are audible. "Wai-, the oil has spread until here!?" "Ah, I have forgotten about the anti-skid measurements... aah!" There are sounds of screams alongside someone tumbling down from the vicinity of the stairway. "Oil, eh...?" Once the soldier of Fokalore looked at the soldier of Horant who had read out the declaration previously, the other party turned away their look. "... E-Even if you knew that it was oil, there's no way to deal with it." Watching the soldier of Horant who pretends to be tough while blushing, the soldiers of Fokalore exchanged glances with each other. "There's no other option but to do it. Any source of ignition is banned, even sparks will be dreadful. Blades are prohibited. Let's give them a beating." Descending to the floor with a sound of *splash*, all of them fell over. The soldier of Fokalore, who were in a fit of anger at the soldiers of Horant who burst into laughter, attack Horant's soldiers while falling and stumbling. An extremely gruesome fist fight begins. Even the soldiers of Horant who covered their feet with a dried, thorny weed as unique anti-skid measure of this country, are thrown into the same conditions once the thorns end up crushed underfoot by them moving around. Among them there were also some who tumbled down to the first floor with its rotten smell drifting about while struggling with one another. "... There was plenty of oil spread on the stairway leading to the third floor as well. We will stop you lot here." A soldier of Fokalore returns a sneer to the soldier of Horant who grins broadly in the middle of showing and pushing. "Our objective ain't breaking through." While driving a palm heel into his chin, the soldier of Fokalore laughs while falling over due to the oil. "If we continue to compete like this, the mission is a success, I guess? We will leave the rest to the director." "... It's noisy below, isn't it?" (Origa) In one office intended for high-ranking civil officials on the third floor, Origa, who sieved through the documents in Kuzemu's room, mutters. Rummaging through documents in the same room, Viine turned around to Origa while making her one ear move with a twitch. "The uproar on the first and second floor... it looks like there are many screams on the first floor, however it seems there's plenty of people there. Doesn't it look like they have invaded from outside?" (Viine) Origa lowered her sight on the documents with a serious look as Viine expresses her uneasiness with "Then it would be best if we escaped." "It's unnecessary to worry. The ones who are attacking are the soldiers of Horant and Orsongrande. Even if they came attacking us as a joke, they won't pass through the mob. Rather than that, did you find anything?" (Origa) The reason for them being here was to learn of Kuzemu's objective. Making the risky large soldiers move, namely the giant soldiers and the immortal soldiers, should have had an according reason, is what Hifumi thinks and had Origa take over as his own assistant. Viine was dragged into that. "I still haven't got used to reading the characters... ah." (Viine) Viine put one document, which was placed on a shelf, in front of Origa. "This, it's a report from someone, isn't it? "The magic tool to create immortal soldiers was handed over to a messenger of Pearsan which went independent from Vichy" is written there." (Origa) Dropping her line of sight on the document which was presented to her, Origa squinted. "Pearsan... that's the city-state which went independent with the intention to get close to Hifumi-sama. Them having a connection with Horant... oh." (Viine) Sensing that the air around Origa has become freezing, Viine steps back. A laughter like a breath leaking out. "Ufu, ufufufu...." (Origa) "M-Madam?" (Viine) "You did well to find this. With this I will be able to offer a new enemy to Hifumi-sama. And a new battlefield will be born." (Origa) "I will confiscate this document", Origa put it into her pocket after folding it three times and then started to walk towards the hallway with Viine in tow while leaving the unfolded documents as is. "... Something stinks." (Viine) Origa couldn't sense any more than a faint whiff of it, but Viine's nose is better than the one of humans. She held down her nose with teary eyes. "It looks like it has risen up from below." (Origa) "Let's go to the top quickly then. We have to inform Hifumi-sama." (Viine) Viine, who still pinches her nose, follows Origa who walks with her head held high while a sound of *clonk *clonk* resounds from the shoe soles of her boots. She seemed to completely fit the image of a new OL hire accompanying her career woman superior. Viine paid fleeting attention at Origa who walks without any hesitation. "Viine-san." (Origa) "Y-Yes!" (Viine) "You have your physical ability as beastman and can also use magic... it seems that you will be able able to fight accordingly, however I'm still uneasy about you following Hifumi-sama beyond this point. Since there has been a plan established, it might be best if you train once we return to Fokalore. ... You are." (Origa) Starting to say it, she hesitated a bit. Origa made a short pause and then turned around to Viine behind her. "Watching Hifumi-sama fight, seeing him giving an ordeal to his allies, are you still able to declare that you like Hifumi-sama?" (Origa) Due to the sudden question, Viine was confused and her ear stood up tensely. She didn't comprehend Origa's intention, but it didn't change her answer. "Of course. The affection, which I experienced at the time of being bestowed the beauty of survival, is the level of master's charm... no, even if master turns all beastmen into his enemy for example, I won't disappear from his side." (Viine) Hearing Viine's reply, Origa turned around and started to walk while facing downwards. "If that's how it is, you might be able to even endure relentless training. I will teach you the things I was taught by Hifumi-sama." (Origa) "T-Thank you very much!" (Viine) Due to Viine thanking her while being all smiles, Origa says [However] without ceasing to walk. "I should make one correction. Hifumi-sama's charm lies in the aspect of him laughing while making enemies out of not only the beastmen but also humans, demons and all living creatures including monsters." (Origa) When Viine didn't mutter even a single word as she didn't know how it would be best to answer, Origa continued with a gentle tone. "There's no need to worry. If you serve close to Hifumi-sama, you will understand it before long." (Origa) Climbing a stairway, she pushes open the especially massive door of the fourth floor. There's the room for the king. Different from the audience hall, where Hifumi fought with the crown prince, located on the first floor, it isn't that spacious. However, with magnificent furnishings lining up, the throne, which was installed inside, was a work of art that applied a yet different design from the one in the audience hall. And, currently Hifumi was sitting on it. "I wonder why the back of the king's chair is vertical. One won't calm down on it." (Hifumi) Ignoring Gaap, who has a pale face while asking [I wonder if that's alright?] from the side, Origa directly approaches Hifumi, who is trying to search for the most comfortable seating posture, and kneels. Once Viine tried to imitate her in a hurry, Hifumi made her stop by waving his hand. "Stop, stop. I don't want to play being a king or such. If you have some business, talk to me while properly looking at me." (Hifumi) "Excuse me." (Origa) Slipping out a chuckle, Origa got even closer to Hifumi, took out the previous document from her pocket and explained its contents. Hearing her talk, Hifumi grabs the katana, which was placed next to him, and stands up all of a sudden. "The next battlefield is over there, huh? Good grief, that's terrible." (Hifumi) Even while saying so, only a smile is showing on his face. Affixing the katana to his waist, Hifumi fluently wrote down something on two sheets of parchments which he took out from his storage and asks Origa as well as Viine, "After returning to Fokalore once, I will go to Vichy from there. What will you two do?" (Hifumi) Carefree words as if he is inviting them on a walk. Origa smiles gently. "Of course we will follow you. We will be able to leave immediately since the food has been prepared to be taken out. We will even make a bento. I will prepare it together with Viine." (Origa) "Very soon, the exit." (Nelgal) Nelgal fills his voice while it's intermingled with his rough breathing. Imeraria runs up the stairs in a line. The hidden escape path changed into stairs once they entered the castle's grounds and rose towards the castle's back. "How many floors will we ascend?" (Alyssa) While checking the height from a small window with the task of providing skylight, Alyssa asks Nelgal. Only her breathing rate hasn't increased much. The soldiers of Horant turned their looks at her as if seeing something they can't believe, but once their eyes met with the ones of Alyssa, they hurriedly averted theirs. For them, who also saw the battle with the immortal soldiers, Alyssa isn't a little girl anymore but a target of fright. "It's, the fourth floor. The pathway, is connected, to behind the, throne, there." (Nelgal) "Hmm. Then it's close." (Alyssa) In contrast, the one who has the least leeway is Imeraria. Even Sabnak, who practised as knight more or less, breathed heavily while cursing the weight of his armour, but even though his breathing was painful, it was still better than the queen's. Vaiya, who has a lot jobs on-site, has even more surplus than Sabnak. No one tried to call out to Imeraria who made her feet move by sheer will power while having her eyes widely open. When they arrived at their destination was the time when all soldiers of Horant, who stormed the first floor, had fainted and when more than half the number of the soldiers of Fokalore and Horant, who fought on the second floor, couldn't move anymore due to fatigue. By the way, of the soldiers of Orsongrande, who did their best to invade the second floor, only five people joined the battle after climbing the wall. The rest is groaning due to injuries they suffered at the time of dropping down. "Zeha... ze, zee, ze!" (Imeraia) Imeraria, who entered the vast room from the narrow pathway, turned her sight towards Nelgal as she eagerly absorbed oxygen while holding her heart which is pounding to an extent she has never experienced. "Haa, haa... this, place is, our destination." (Nelgal) The instant Imeraria sank down to the floor after hearing those words, Alyssa goes in front as if repelling something. "Hii!?" "Who are you?" (Alyssa) Having a wakizashi pressed at his throat, the one who screamed was Gaap. After Hifumi left, he stayed dumbfoundedly in the room without doing anything, but due to being surprised by the suddenly appearance of Nelgal, he was caught by Alyssa. "A-Aren't you Gaap-san?" (Nelgal) "Your Majesty..." (Gaap) "I will listen to your story later. Currently there's something I should do first." (Nelgal) Without paying attention to the frightened Gaap, Nelgal pushed the wall next to the escape route behind the throne. A part of the wall shifts with a lighter sound of sliding than assumable by its appearance and a small metal door gets exposed. "Your Highness, Imeraria, we will perform the coronation from now on. Please act as witness." (Nelgal) "Thank you very much." (Nelgal) Once Nelgal pushes his ring against a small cavity which is located on the door, the door opens just a bit with a small sound. Being opened slowly, there's a crown with gorgeous jewels embedded, a golden craftsmanship that represented a dagger in the centre and with a large diamond inserted. "This is this country's crown." (Nelgal) Having passed the crown into Imeraria's hands. Nelgal kneels in front of her. "If you can approve of me as king who will govern Horant, bestow that crown upon me. If that's not the case..." (Nelgal) "Anything further is not necessary." (Imeraria) Imeraria moves the crown with its heavy sense of dignity above the head of Nelgal with her slender arms. "Become a good king. A splendid king who rises according to the faith of his people." (Imeraria) "I swear. It's all for the sake of supporting their lives by protecting my people." (Nelgal) Sitting down on the throne, the soldiers of Horant, who followed him as guards, were at the ready on both his sides. Imeraria, Sabnak and Vaiya stand while avoiding being in front of Nelgal. Before Nelgal, who became king, Gaap kneels while having the wakizashi thrust at him by Alyssa. "Well then, let's hear your story, Gaap?" (Nelgal) The two sheets of paper, which were entrusted to Gaap, were respectively addressed to Imeraria and Nelgal. "Good grief... for my first decree after the enthronement to be cleaning..." (Nelgal) Finishing to read the paper which explained the details of the traps and told him "Do your best at cleaning up," Nelgal showed a bitter smile. Nelgal, who heard even from Gaap that it was something like an experiment and at the same time training with the battle in general being gentle, maintained his posture by spurring on his body which suffered from exhaustion. Sentencing a penitence for Gaap and ordering a stop of all combat to the soldiers within the castle, he calls back the servants who were evacuated. And their work starts from cleaning the castle's interior of the oil and the rotten smell. "Well, if I consider that we were able to raise the level of the guards due to being able to practise, it might also be less objectionable. We were also able to punish a treacherous subject. Rather than me..." (Nelgal) Once he looks to the side of the room, there's the unconscious Imeraria who is carried by Sabnak. Imeraria, who looked on the paper that had only written "A prize for doing your best" and "I'm off to Vichy," collapsed unexpectedly as if her soul had been sucked out. "Umm, Your Majesty, King Nelgal, I'm terribly sorry, but since there are circumstances I have to attend to..." (Vaiya) Once being called out by Vaiya apologetically, Nelgal answered with a stiff smile.magic "I shall prepare a room inside the castle... no, in a close-by inn. Once Her Majesty Imeraria awakens, I'd like to have the privilege of having a talk with her once, but for now let her please rest comfortably. I will also arrange for a location for your nation's soldiers to lodge." (Nelgal) "That's a very kind offer. I will definitely inform Queen Imeraria about it." (Vaiya) Nelgal, who saw off Sabnak's group, including Alyssa, leaving the room, exhaled while saying "Soon I will hit my limit." "The next is Vichy? That's far, but even if I won't get dragged into it, it's not limited to that. If I don't make arrangements... at any rate, it's too vertical as back of a chair, this." (Nelgal) Nelgal had no self-awareness while starting to escape reality in his thoughts with

が突き出した刀の切っ先は、目の前の少女の喉元にぴったりとそえられていた。ほっそりとした首筋を震わせて、涙を浮かべながら刀を見つめる少女は一言も発せずにいる。 日本刀は美しい武器だ。『匂いたつような』と言われる刃紋は、単なる曲面ではない、人の息吹を感じさせる個性を持っていて、鋭利な本性を美に昇華していた。 そして、 (美しい少女だ) と、素早く少女に視線を走らせた一二三は思う。 綺麗な長い銀髪を持ち、今は涙に濡れているものの蒼く澄んだ瞳には一切の悪意が見えない。視線が合う。怯えがありありと浮かぶ瞳は、動揺に揺れて、涙が蒼白になった頬を伝う。 少女は到底悪人には見えない。一二三は疑問を感じる。 視線を外さないまま、視野を広げて周囲を伺う。常人には難しい事だが、一二三には容易い。生死の境を行き来するような稽古の中でも、ひときわ無茶だった一対多の訓練の成果である。 古風だが豪奢な作りの部屋で、20帖ほどの広さがある。石造りの壁に窓はなく、いくつかの松明の灯りだけが瞬く。出入り口は、少女の向こう側に、大きな両開きのドアが見えるだけだ。一二三と少女が立つ場所だけ、30センチほど高くなっていた。 騎士の一人からの怒声に、一二三は毛ほども反応を示さない。冷静に周囲を伺い、全員の装備が同じもので、人数が6人であることを確認する。背後は見えないが、気配と音が人数を教えてくれる。 鎧は実に硬そうな金属鎧で、兜も頬当てまでしっかりついた一見隙の無いものだったが、ひと目見たのみで、一二三は刀を突き込む箇所をいくつか目星をつけることができた。 立ち居振る舞いから、自分に敵う技量の者がいないことを感じながら、この状況に陥った経緯を思い出していた......。 その日、一二三は日課の朝稽古を越えて、道場正面に向かい、座して瞑想をしていた。 隣には、愛用の居合刀がある。余分な装飾がない、シンプルな黒拵えの刀だ。高価なものではないが、師から譲り受け、大事に大事に扱ってきた、無二の愛刀である。 ふと、突然背後に気配を見つけた。 二つ。しかし、悪意は感じない。 「......誰だ?」 「ほっほ、わしらの気配を感じられるか」 一二三の問いに、しわがれた男性の声が答えた。 振り向いた一二三の前には、ギリシャ神話に出てくるゼウスそのものの老翁と、飾り気の無い、武骨な長刀を腰に提げた戦国時代の武人そのままの偉丈夫が立っていた。 思わず眉をひそめる。 (なんつぅミスマッチなコンビだよ。それに......) 「......人ではないな?」 人間がもつ『生活感』とでもいうべきもの、言わば『生きている』という感じがしない。 「我は、元は人だがな」 今度は偉丈夫が答えた。 その立居振舞いは、相当の達人であることを伝えてくる。一二三は脇に置いていた刀をすでに手元に引き寄せ、いつでも抜刀できるように構えている。 「そう緊張するな。悪い知らせではあるが、我らがお前に何かするというわけではない」 「悪い知らせ?」 「それを説明する前に、ちょいと自己紹介をしておこうかの」 老翁がひげをなでながら言う。 「わしは神じゃよ。まあ、いろんな宗教でいろんな神の話がでておるが、おおざっぱに言えば、この世界を管轄している神の代表みたいなもんじゃな。そして、こっちにいる侍が、この世界で武を司る神じゃな」 武を司る神だと紹介された男が、腕を組んでにっこりと笑った。 「お前のことは時々見ていたぞ。武人が少なくなった今の時代、お前ほどしっかりと稽古を積んだものもいない。天賦の才もあるが、なにより努力で積み重ね、人の限界を超えるに至ったこと、武の神として実に喜ばしい」 「じゃがの、お主がそこまでする理由がわからん。過去を見ても、放任気味ではあるが普通の家庭に育っておるし、とくにこれといって武術に打ち込むことになるエピソードが見当たらん」 武の神がいう通り、一二三の戦闘力はもはや自力でチートレベルである。冗談で書かれたんじゃないかとも思える、流派の始祖が残した技を全て体得し、まともにやりあえば道場の門下生全員と同時に立ち会っても簡単に勝てる。 「神と言っても、人の心を読んだりすることはできないんだな」 「わしらは万能ではないし、それなりに制限も受けておるよ。本来なら、こうして目の前に顕現するのも難しい。わしらの仕事は、この世界という舞台をつくるだけで、直接手をくだしたりはできんのだよ」 自称神の代表者は、嘆息交じりに首を振る。 「まあいい」武の神が言う。「時間もあまりないことだし、さっさと要件を伝えるべきだろう」 「そうじゃな......その『悪い知らせ』じゃが、もうすぐ、お主は違う世界へ飛ばされるのじゃ。そう、お主の部屋にいくつかあるファンタジー小説にあるような、異世界召喚というやつで、この世界から別の世界へな」 一二三がふっと眉をひそめると、武の神がたしなめるように言った。 「ああ、我らがそうするわけではないぞ。勘違いするなよ」 神だと信じたわけではないが、嘘ではなさそうだと、一二三は感じていた。 「向こうの世界の誰かがな、無理に両世界をつなぐ『歪み』を作ってしまったのじゃ。さらに、召喚のための目印がお主についてしまっておる。お主が向こうへ行かねば、歪みは元に戻らず、世界に様々な影響を及ぼすのじゃ」 「それでな、問答無用で歪みに放り込んでも良いのだが、自分の世界の人間だからな、多少は何かしらしてやりたいと思ってな」 「あっちはいわゆる剣と魔法の世界というやつだ。危険な世界である分、お前が鍛えた武の力も、存分に活かせるだろう」 「なに、別に向こうで魔王を倒せとか、勇者になれとかは言わんよ」 一二三の質問に、老翁が笑顔で答えた。 「というより、我らとしては、お前に向こうでどう過ごしてもらってもかまわんのだ。言わば、こちらの世界から無理矢理誘拐するようなことだからな。あちらで何か頼まれるだろうが、別に聞いても聞かなくても良い」 武の神は、口をへの字に曲げて怒っている。自分たちが管理する世界を荒らされて、気分が良いはずがないのだ。 「それにな、あちらはこの世界と違い、凶悪な魔物や魔法があり、エルフやドワーフなどの亜人が存在する。そういう世界にいきなり放り込まれても、お主とて困るじゃろう」 「だから、お前が困惑しないように、我らがあらかじめ説明をして、また、あちらの世界でも戦える力をやろうと思ってな」 「ちから? たとえば、魔法が使えるようになったりするのか?」 一二三は魔法を使うイメージをしてみたが、どうも思い浮かばない。呪文なぞを詠唱している間に、切りつけた方が早い気がする。仮に詠唱がいらなくても、火や水が飛んでくるくらいなら、簡単によけられるだろう。目隠しをして矢を避けられる一二三には造作もない。 「いやいや、魔法というのはあちらの世界にだけある、人のイメージの力なのじゃ。だから、わしからはこういうふうにな」 老翁が何気なく手をかざした瞬間、一二三が持つ刀が熱を帯びた気がした。 「神としての力を、その刀に少しだけ分けてやったのじゃよ。切れ味を最大限に高め、折れず曲がらず、錆ぬし欠けぬ。生き物に与えることはできんが、無力な神のせめてもの贈り物じゃ」 「そして我からは、武神の加護をやろう。いずれお前が立派に道場でも立ち上げるときにでもと思ったのだが、まあいい。今のお前の武の能力を飛躍的に伸ばす効果がある。実力がものをいう世界らしいからな。役に立つだろう」 説明を受け、武人の加護とやらを得た一二三はふと、立ち上がって道場の隅にある居合の的になる巻き藁の前に進んだ。 一閃。 腰から抜き放った刀は、巻き藁を切るに留まらず、道場の壁を裂く。木板の壁が弾け、鉄骨にも傷が入っているのが見える。 「......これはひどい」 巻藁のみを断つつもりが、刃に触れてもいない部分までがざっくりと割れてしまった。 「まあ、使っているうちに慣れるじゃろう」 「そろそろ、召喚の影響が出るはずだが......」 武の神がつぶやくと同時に、一二三の足元に幾何学模様が浮かび上がった。 「来よったな......。一二三よ、これから大変だろうが、なんとか頑張ってくれ。お主はお主の生きたいように生きればいい」 「武の神としては、是非お前の武を、あちらの世界で広げて欲しいところだが、まあ、無理にとは言わん」 “感動的なお別れのシーンですね” 不意に、笑いをこらえたような軽い声が聞こえた。 「......死神か。貴様を呼んだ覚えはないぞ」 武の神が渋い顔をする。 一二三の背後に、燕尾服の痩せた男が現れた。薄ら笑いの顔は、過度に青白く、まるで死体が話しているようだ。 “私はね、この方をずっと見ていたんですよ。これほどの死の匂いを放つ人間はそうはいません”死神と呼ばれた男は、手を打ち合わせて笑った。“人を殺すことを望む者は多くおりますが、それがここまで色濃く魂にからみついた人間は初めてです” 一二三は死神に目線だけを向けて、無表情で黙っている。肯定でも否定でもなく、ただ死神の言葉を聞いている。 「殺伐を好むか......。それがお主の武への熱意の源だと?」 武の神の問いかけに、一二三は答えない。 “それがめでたくも、異世界への招待を得たとなれば、これほど喜ばしいことはありません! さあ、剣と魔法の世界で、思う様その力を示すのです。貴方の前に立つもの全て、その刀で切り捨てることができるでしょう、そう、かの世界の神ですら!” いちいち芝居がかった仕草で、死神は一二三の前に文字通り躍り出た。 “微力ながら、私からもプレゼントを” 死神が大げさな身振りで手のひらを向けると、一二三の体に黒い霧が染み込んでいく。 “私が最も得意とする闇の属性を差し上げました。向こうでは貴方のイメージ次第で闇魔法が使えるでしょう。それも、人知を超えたレベルで” 「もらえるものはもらっておこう」 “快く受け取ってもらえたようでなにより。魔素の無いこの世界では発現しませんが、あちらで試してみると良いでしょう” 一二三の言葉に、にっこりと笑みを浮かべた死神は、残る二人の神にウインクをする。 “え?” 死神が視線を戻す前に、一二三の刀は死神を袈裟懸けに切り裂いていた。滑り落ちた上半身が、見た目より重たい音を立てて床に落ちた。 驚愕に目を見開いていた死神がぱくぱくと口を開いて、そのまま砂になって崩れる。 「ほう、本当に神も斬れたか。こいつが神かどうかはわからんけどな。だが、誰であろうと、俺を利用しようとしたことは許せん」 一二三は無表情のまま、刃こぼれどころか曇りもみられない刀をじっと見ている。 「この刀のことは感謝しよう。俺はこれで存分に殺せる」 まるでスイッチが切り替わったかのように一瞬前とはまるで別の人間のような、凄絶な笑みで一二三は呟いた。

Tono Hifumi pointed the tip of his katana at a young girl's throat. Her slender neck trembling in fear, the girl made no sounds while staring tearfully at the katana pointed at her throat. The Japanese sword is a beautiful weapon. A blade crest which is said to be the "Scent of determination" is not a simple curved surface and has a personality that carries a sharpness that sublimates the real nature of the blade. And now, It's a beautiful girl. Hifumi, glancing at the girl thought. She had beautiful silvery grey hair, now slightly blue because of the tears falling from her clear greenish-blue pupils devoid of malice. Their eyes met. Her eyes clearly showing fear. Shaking, tears streaked down her pale cheeks. The girl does not seem like a villain. Hifumi felt doubt. Without breaking eye contact, Hifumi expanded his field of vision to encompass his surroundings. This was very difficult for ordinary people, however it was but a simple matter for Hifumi Visiting the boundary of life and death many times during his insane training has led to this result. It was an old fashioned, but luxurious, room of about 20 tatami (EN: For a rough estimation, imagine 20 or so twin sized beds, that's how big the floor is). The walls were made of stone, and without windows, the only light came from the flickering torches on the walls. On the opposite side of the girl, a great double-door exit was visible. Only a foot away from the place where Hifumi and the girl stood, covered completely in armour, a Knight holding a short spear for indoor use pointed it at Hifumi with an expression of anger and shouted He could not see behind him, but the sounds behind him gave away the number of people. At a glance, he saw that the armour was of a really tough metal. The helmets were also tight against their cheeks, having almost no weak points. He made an educated guess and thrust the point of his katana at a certain spot. From their behavior, while feeling that there were no enemies of a comparable skill level, he recalled the circumstances that led to this situation... That day, Hifumi had finished his daily morning practice and was sitting in meditation in front of the dojo. Slowly inhaling the crisp and cold morning air, and feeling something within him stir. A slight quiver passed through him while suppressing that feeling. Next to him lay his favorite Iaido katana. Without excessive decoration, a black sword of simple make. Although inexpensive, he'd inherited it from his master and treated it with great respect, a peerless sword. Suddenly, he sensed presences behind him. However, no malice could be felt from them. [...Who's there?] [ Ho~ , to be able to sense our presences. ] A man's hoarse voice responded to Hifumi's question. Turning around, Hifumi saw an old man, resembling the legendary Zeus from Greece's mythology, and a great warrior from the Warring States era with a bone naginata hanging from his waist. Hifumi involuntarily frowns. What a mismatched duo. And... [They're not ..... Human? ] Humans have a 'feeling of life', but that feeling of 'life' cannot be felt from him. [Me, I am a real human ] This time, the great warrior answered. Hifumi was already in a stance allowing him to draw the katana at his side instantly. [ No need to be so nervous. Although we have some bad news, we mean you no ill-will. ] [ Bad news?] [ Wait a minute, before explaining, I will introduce myself. ] The old main said while stroking his beard. [ Well, I am a God. You might say different gods belong to different religions, as a rule of thumb, this world's jurisdiction is under me, who is like a representative of god. And thus, those that control the military arts, the samurai, are gods. ] (TN: This confused me a little.) The man that introduced himself as the god of martial arts, folded his arms while laughing. [ I saw something in you. Warriors have become scarce in this era, also very few practice diligently like you. With your genius abilities, with great efforts, you have broken through the limits of humans and greatly pleased the god of martial arts. ] [ Well, I don't know why. Even looking at the past, I was brought up in an ordinary household, with a non-interference policy. An episode that provided input to martial arts doesn't exist. ] As the god of martial arts said, Hifumi's fighting power had already reached a cheat-like level. He acquired all the skills that the founder of the school left behind solely from experience, as such, it was possible to easily win against all the pupils of the dojo simultaneously in a straight-up fight, it wasn't even funny. [ Although I say god, sensing a person's thoughts is not possible. ] [ We are not almighty, and as such, have some limitations. Normally, it is troublesome to manifest in this form. Our work; this world that we may call a stage, cannot be personally interfered with. We are forbidden from doing so. ] Shaking his head, the self-styled God's representative sighed. [ There is no too much time, we should tell him the necessary conditions quickly, yes? ] [ Anyway, this "Bad news" is that very soon, you will be sent to a different world. So, like the fantasy novels in your room, people from a different world have summoned you into their world. ] When Hifumi knitted his brows, the god of martial arts corrected him. [ Aa, that is not the case. Please do not misunderstand. ] Not believing that this person was a god, yet Hifumi sensed it was not a lie.magic [ Someone in that world has wished for it, forcibly connecting the two worlds by { Distortion } . Moreover, the mark of summoning suits you well. Unless you cross over, the distortion will not fade, causing various effects on this current world. ] [ Because of that, questions about the distortion can be freely asked, since you are a man of my world, I wish to do a little something for you. ] [ That place is a so called world of "swords and magic". It is a dangerous world, you can temper your martial arts to your heart's content, without any reserve. ] [ What, just defeat the Demon King on the other side, being called the hero, what else? ] The old man answered Hifumi smilingly. [ Rather, we don't really care how you spend your time in that world. That world is forcibly kidnapping you, so to speak. You do not need to listen, even if you are asked for something there. ] [ The world that we manage is messed up, it doesn't feel right. ] [ Moreover, that world is much different from this world, there are brutal demons and dangerous magic, various species like elves and dwarves exist. To be thrown suddenly into such a world would be very troublesome too. ] [ We are explaining this to you beforehand so that you are not be perplexed, also you have the power to fight in that world. ] [ For example, you can use magic... ] Though Hifumi managed to get an image, nothing happened. [ No, no, no, magic exists only in that world, as the image of power for a person. So, let me. ] The old man nonchalantly raised a hand, and the katana Hifumi was holding heated up a little. [ Apart from a god's power, almost nothing can break this katana. Sharpness has been boosted, it won't bend or break, and all traces of rust are removed. This is the only gift this powerless god can give you. ] [ And from me, the divine protection of the god of martial arts. Though you stand at the top in your dojo, and might take over sometime soon, ah well.. Now, your martial arts can power up more effectively. It seems it will be useful in the other world, where it's considerably important. ] On receiving the explanation, Hifumi, who had obtained the divine protection suddenly got up and headed towards the straw post used for Iai strikes. A single flash. Drawn from the waist, the katana cut through the straw post, not stopping there, also damaged the wall of the dojo. [ .... This is bad ] I only intended to cut the straw post, but even the part not touched by the blade is broken. [ Well, you'll get used to handling it. ] [ The effects of the summoning will begin soon enough.... ] At the same time the god of martial arts mutters this, a geometrical formation appeared at Hifumi's feet. [ Haa... It's here... Hifumi, in the future, it may be difficult, but please persevere. If you wish to live, you must grow.] [ As the god of martial arts, I wish for your martial arts to improve in that world, but do not force yourself. ] [A moving scene, isn't it? ] Unexpectedly, a light voice suppressing laughter was heard. [ .... A Death god? I do not recall having called you. ] The god of martial arts said with a sour expression. Wearing a faint smile, the pale faced, corpse-like thing spoke. [ I have been watching him for a while. This fragrance of death he gives off is not human. ] the Death god said and laughed. Hifumi only silently glanced at the Death god, remaining expressionless. Listening to the Death god's words, neither affirming nor denying. [ Do you crave for bloodletting? Now that you mention it, what is the source of your zeal for martial arts? ] Hifumi didn't answer the god of martial arts' question. [ Even the god of that world does not have such a happy thing! In that world of magic and swords, you can show your power to your heart's content! If anything stands before you, you can cut it down with your sword! ] Excitedly, the Death god appeared in front of Hifumi. [ Despite the poor ability, accept this gift from me! ] The Death god grandly gestured towards Hifumi, a black mist permeated Hifumi's body. [ I gave you the darkness attribute that I excel at, and you will be able to use dark magic depending on your image there, and it is at a level that exceeds human knowledge. ] [ I will use it well. ] [ You seem to have received it willingly. Naturally, it will not work here, but you should try it out in that world. ] To Hifumi's words, the Death god replied smilingly, winking at the other two gods. [ Eh? ] The upper body fell onto the floor, making a much heavier noise than expected. The Death god, his eyes filled with astonishment, opened his mouth soundlessly before collapsing and turning into sand. [ Huh, was the god really cut that easily? I don't know whether or not this person is a god. However, I don't like anyone trying to use me. ] Hifumi stared expressionlessly at the sword which reflected nothing, not even the edge was nicked. [ Thank you for this sword. I can use this to kill without reserve. ] As if a switch had flipped, Hifumi muttered with a ferocious smile.

23.Runaway 【殺害・扇動】 「行くぞ!」 街の出口が近づいてきたところで、鋭く声をかけた一二三は、刀を手にして馬を駆けさせた。 「ちょっと!」 馭者をしていたカーシャが、慌てて馬車の速度を上げるが、到底追いつける速度ではない。 みるみるうちに引き離され、暗闇の先まで消えた一二三は、門の前に居る三人の兵士の一人の首を、すれ違いざまに斬り飛ばした。 勢いを殺しながら振り向いた一二三は、再度馬を走らせ、馬上からの刀のひと振りでさらに一人を殺す。 たった一人残された兵が、ようやく剣を抜いたあたりで、馬車が到着した。 「アリッサ、降りてこい」 馬を降り、刀を向けて兵を牽制しながら、目を向けずに呼びかける。 すぐにアリッサは馬車から飛び降りてきた。回復薬で無理やり復帰させた直後だが、動きは問題ないようだ。 「これを貸す」 近づいてきたアリッサに、一二三は持っていた刀を渡した。 「えっ......」 兵が斬りつけて来るが、危なげなく前蹴りで押し返して転がした。 「これでこいつを殺せ」 「そ、それは......」 アリッサは刀を受け取りはしたものの、殺せという言葉には躊躇した。知っている顔なのかもしれない。 「これから先、お前は多くの相手を殺すことになる。昨日話した相手を今日殺す事もあるだろう。まずはこいつを殺せ。お前を殺そうとした相手を殺して、ここからの離別を果たせ」 淀みなく語られた一二三の言葉に、息を飲んだアリッサだったが、そう時間もかからずに刀を構えた。 「それでいい。今朝まではお前の同僚でも、お前を裏切って殺そうとした時点で敵だ。殺さなければ、殺される」 陳腐なセリフだが、実体験を持つアリッサには効果的だった。 顔を上げた彼女の目には、もう迷いがない。 「この剣、借りるね」 未だにあがき続ける兵に、アリッサは刀を突き刺した。 研ぎ澄まされた切っ先は、首の後ろからするりと入り込み、その命を容易く断ち切る。 「......やっちゃった」 「よくやった。次は国境だ」 アリッサの手からそっと刀を抜き取り、死んだ兵士の剣を渡した一二三は背を向けて馬へと近づく。 「一二三さん、僕、これでよかったの?」 「......良いも悪いもない。俺がそうすべきだと言って、お前がそう決めた。それだけだ」 よく判らないという顔をして、アリッサは剣を片手にトボトボと馬車へ戻る。 第一段階はうまくいったと、一二三は思った。 今は、最初にここで死んでいた犯罪者の死体と一二三に殺されたゴデスラスの死体を検めて、報告書を書き上げたところだ。 「やはりヴィシーはホーラントと組んでいるのではなくて、単に利用されているのかしら。こちらと同様に国境周辺の人員を篭絡して、あの魔法具の実験をしている? でもなぜ、二国を同時に敵に回すような真似を......」 疲れた頭では考えがまとまりそうにないと、そろそろ休もうかと思っていたパジョーの耳に、遠くから叫び声が聞こえてきた。 どうやら、国境の向こう側で誰かが戦っているらしい。 「まったく、休む暇もないとはこのことね」 悪態をつきながら、鎧と剣を手早く装備したパジョーは、自室から飛び出していった。 仄暗い松明の明かりは、最低限必要な場所だけ照らすようにできていた。 基本的に夜間は国境を通すことはない。暗いと見落としが出る可能性があるし、判断力も鈍る。 稀に来る、計算を間違えて夜に到着してしまった商人などは、少し離れて野営をして過ごし、朝になってから国境を通過する事とされている。 今日は、そういう間抜けな商人はいなかったが、襲撃者はいた。 「いいか! ヴィシー側の兵は皆殺しにしろ! 一人として残すなよ!」 馬を走らせながら、一二三は鎖鎌の分銅を振り回している。 「馬車のまま砦まで突っ込め! 直ぐに降りて周りの連中を殺せ!」 「わかりました!」 砦に近づくと、大きな盾を構えた兵が街道に二人ならんで立ちふさがる。 「止まれ!」 馬は見事な跳躍で二人の兵を飛び越え、一二三はがら空きになった兵の頭上から、二人まとめて首に鎖を巻きつけて引き倒した。 10mほど引き摺ってから兵を放り捨てるが、二人共引き倒した時点で首の骨を折って死んでいる。 兵が落とした盾を、馬車を引く馬たちはさっとかわして走っていが、馬車本体の車輪が乗り上げて激しく揺れた。 バランスを崩したオリガを、アリッサがとっさに抱きとめた。 「あ、ありがとう」 お礼を言いながら、オリガは自分に触れているアリッサの手が震えている事に気づいた。 「大丈夫。ご主人様がいるし、私たちも結構強いんですよ?」 だから大丈夫と、オリガは優しく笑いながら、自分の魔法杖をしっかりと掴んで馬車から飛び出すタイミングを図っていた。 不意に、馬車の速度が落ちる。 「邪魔だぁ!」 カーシャは正面の敵に対応するようだ。 声を聞いたオリガは直ぐに飛び出し、アリッサはためらいながらも続く。 馬車の後方から降りた二人は、左右に別れて敵に向かった。 馬車が突っ込んで来るタイミングを見て一度砦から離れて馬を降りてきた一二三は、カーシャと対峙している兵の背後から近づき、その頭を掴んで、無造作に砦の壁に叩きつけた。 それだけで兵は死んだ。 さらに向かってきた敵を右手に持った刀の柄で殴り、昏倒したところを目を貫いて殺す。 葉を食いしばるような断末魔を上げ、痙攣したあと動かなくなる。 「ご主人......」 「アリッサのフォローに回れ」 何か言いたげなカーシャは無視して、一二三は死体を増やしながら国境へ近づく。 「オーソングランデの兵よ! 聞け!」 大音声 一二三のその声は、国境にはまだ距離があったパジョーにも聞こえた。 「この声は......」 「俺はオーソングランデ貴族の一二三という者だ! ここに居る兵士諸君なら知っているだろう! 我が国のハーゲンティ子爵は捕縛された! その理由を知っているか?!」 一二三の声はよく通る。国境の向こう側で状況を確認していたオーソングランデ兵にしっかりと聞こえていた。 「ハーゲンティ子爵は、ヴィシーの傀儡であった! 俺はイメラリア王女より密命を帯びてヴィシーに潜入し、かの子爵がヴィシーに操られ、非道な魔法具によって操られた兵を、我が国へと迎え入れようと画策していた事を突き止めた! そしてさらには、その魔法具の秘密を知ったうら若き女性をも殺そうとするヴィシーの行いを知ったのだ!」 語りながら、一二三はさらに二人を殺している。 その腕前を見せつけられているオーソングランデ兵の中には、彼が王女の密命を受けていてもおかしくないと信じはじめる者もいる。 「危険ではあったが、俺は彼女を救い出す事に成功した! だが、その際に俺の事が知られてしまった! 何とか追っ手は倒したが、ここを通らぬわけにもいかん!」 兵たちが視線を向けると、オリガとカーシャに助けられながら、懸命に戦う少女の姿があった。アリッサのことだ。 「オーソングランデ兵諸君! 国境はそこにあるが、それは乗り越えられない巨大な岩壁ではない! 俺たちは構わないが、彼女を助ける為に力を貸してくれ! 彼女を救うために、君たちの正義を見せて欲しい!」 一二三の呼びかけに、兵たちはお互いの顔を見合わせながら迷っていた。 (......どういうつもり......?) だが、それが判らない一二三ではないはずだと、パジョーは考える。自分が砦へ着けば、そこでどうするかの判断をする事になるだろう。 冷静に考えれば、騎士や兵士が国境を越えて相手国へ侵入するのはまずい。さらに、向こうの国で犯罪を犯したとされる者を助けるのだ。問題にならないはずがない。 原則を守って士気を落とすか、人命を優先したとするか......。 パジョーが砦にたどり着き、一二三が指す少女がアリッサである事に驚き、さらに国境線の向こうに死体がいくつも倒れているのを見た瞬間、一二三の先ほどの言葉を思い出した。 『俺の事が知られたが、追っ手は倒した』 これが本当なら、“犯罪者をかばってオーソングランデ方面へ逃走する途中でヴィシーの兵を殺した”という事だ。すでにオーソングランデによる干渉が成立してしまっている。 相手方がどこまで知っているかはわからないが、すでに越境を控える意味が失われてしまっているのだ。 (こうなったら、何としてもアリッサを引き入れて、美談にでも仕立てあげる必要がある) オーソングランデに正義があり、ヴィシーの非を鳴らして有耶無耶にするしかないと、パジョーは判断した。 「全員、剣を抜いて彼らの応援に行きなさい!」 自らも武器を手に、先陣を切って走り出すパジョーに、他の兵も続いた。責任者が判断したのだ。それで簡単に彼らの戒めは解かれた。 圧倒的な人数となったオーソングランデ側の猛攻に、ヴィシー兵はあっという間に数を減らしていった。 全てのヴィシー兵を殺し、国境を超えた一二三は、これ見よがしにパジョーへ礼を言った。 「勇気ある行動だった。感謝する」 「いや、気にしないでください。それより、詳しいお話を聞きたいので、こちらへ」 パジョーの先導に、素直に従う一二三たち。 一二三はもちろん無傷で、奴隷達とアリッサも、気にならない程度のカスリ傷で済んでいた。 砦近くの兵舎に併設された広い会議室に入り、見張りの兵にしばらく誰も入れないように告げると、パジョーは一二三たちに座るように促す。 一二三たちが座るのを確認してから自分も椅子に座り、大きなため息をついた。 「どうした、疲れているようだな」 「誰のせいだと......で、説明をしていただきたいのだけれど......」 一二三は、収納から取り出した書類を無造作にパジョーに放りやった。 さっと目を通したパジョーが、目尻を押さえて俯く。 「ところどころ読めなかったが、ヴィシーの中央政府の連中は、ホーラントの魔法具を使って兵の強化をしているらしいな。この二国が協力してあたるとしたら、地理的にオーソングランデだと思うが?」 「これが本物なら、そうかもしれないわね......」 絞り出すように声を出すパジョーに、一二三が追い討ちをかける。 「で、それを受け取ったアロセールの街の代表も捕まえた。ちゃんと生きてるぞ。馬車の中に転がしてある」 「誘拐じゃないの!」 机を叩いて立ち上がったパジョーに、顔色一つ変えずに一二三は言った。 「わざわざ大声出して聞こえるように言っただろう? これは危うく殺されるところだった彼女を救うための正義の行いだ。これだけの証拠が合って、その書類の事を証言できる奴がこちらに居る。何を言われても先に動いたのは 「それを判断するのは王族と高位の貴族たちで、現場じゃないわ」 「いやいや、お前はさっき現場で判断しただろう。もう状況は始まっている。手遅れだと」 一二三の言葉に、パジョーは黙って彼の顔を見ているしか無かった。一二三と並んで座っているオリガ達も、自分たちの行動から大きな話に発展している事に気づかされ、黙って息を飲んだ。 「......とにかく、今日は兵舎に泊まってください。王都へ報告を入れておきます」 「あ、鳥とかの伝達手段があるんだったな。じゃあ、ついでに王都まで連絡をして、イメラリアに会う約束を取り付けてくれ。そうだな、『密命を果たすも少女を救うために法を破ってしまった男が、王女殿下へ謝罪に参上したいと言っている』と」

Chapter 23: Runaway "Let's go!" (Hifumi) Approaching the town's exit, Hifumi called out sharply while holding his katana and galloping on his horse. "Just a moment!" (Kasha) Kasha, who was the coachman, raised the speed of the carriage in a hurry but it wasn't a speed that could catch up to Hifumi no matter how. In an instant they were separated. Hifumi vanished into the darkness in front. One of the heads of the three soldiers in front of the gate was severed. In the act of passing each other, it was cut and sent flying. While using the momentum of killing him, Hifumi turned around and once again hurried on his horse. Slashing his katana from atop of the horseback, he killed yet another person. Just one single soldier was left now. As the carriage arrived, the soldier was at last being successful in drawing his sword, the carriage arrived. "Alyssa, get off." (Hifumi) Hifumi dismounted from the horse and pointed his katana into the direction of the soldier to keep him in check. Without shifting his attention he addressed Alyssa. Immediately following after the forceful healing with restorative medicines, she didn't seem to have any problems with movement. "I am lending this to you." (Hifumi) Coming close to Alyssa, Hifumi passed on his katana to her. "Huh? ..." (Alyssa) Though the soldier came slashing at them, he was easily forced back with a front kick causing him to be thrown down. "Kill this guy with this." (Hifumi) "Th-that is ..." (Alyssa) Although Alyssa received the katana, she was hesitating upon being told to kill the soldier. "From now on you will kill a lot of opponents. The person you just yesterday had a friendly chat with, might have to be killed today. First off, kill this guy. Kill the opponent that tried to kill you, in order to completely separate from this place." (Hifumi) Without any hesitation, Hifumi spoke those words. Catching her breath, Alyssa set up the katana without losing any time. "That's fine. Up until this morning he was your colleague, but now that he betrayed and tried to kill you he is an enemy. If you won't kill him, he will kill you." (Hifumi) Although those were cliched words, they were effective on Alyssa who had experienced it by herself. Upon lifting her head, there was no trace of indecision left within Alyssa's eyes. "I am borrowing this sword." (Alyssa) Alyssa thrust the katana at the soldier who was still continuing to struggle. The sharpened point of the katana penetrated with a smooth, unhindered motion into the back of his head ending his life simply like that. "... I have done it." (Alyssa) "You did well. Next we move to the national border." (Hifumi) Hifumi gently took the katana from Alyssa's hands and replaced it with the sword of the dead soldier. Turning his back on her, he went towards the horse. "Hifumi-san, I, did I do something good with this?" (Alyssa) "... There is no good or bad. I told you what you should do and you decided yourself to do so. That's all there is to it." (Hifumi) Wearing an expression that showed she didn't quite understand, Alyssa went back to the carriage trudging with the sword in her hand. The first step went smoothly Currently, the corpse of the criminal who made his appearance here first and the corpse of Gothras, who was slain by Hifumi, were to be examined, as she was in the process of writing down the report. "After all Vichy hasn't formed an alliance with Horant yet, I wonder if they are not simply being used? The number of personnel loitering on their side of the border is identical to ours, was it only to experiment on the magic tool? But why? Acting in such way would make them enemies of two countries at the same time ..."(Pajou) As it is extremely unlikely to think about matters coherently with a worn out mind, I have to soon take a rest It seemed like there was someone fighting on the other side of the border. "Good grief, there is no time to take a rest at all." (Pajou) While cursing, Pajou quickly equipped her armor and sword and rushed out of her own room. The light of the dim torch only illuminated the necessary minimum of the location. Basically the border wasn't passed at night. Rarely there were merchants and such who arrived at night due to ending up making a mistake in their planning. They pass the time by camping a little bit away before devoting themselves to passing through the border in the morning. Today it wasn't such a idiotic merchant but an assailant appearing. "Listen! Annihilate the soldiers on the Vichy side! Do not leave one person alive!" (Hifumi) While riding the horse, Hifumi swung the fundou of the kusarigama (T/N: If you don't know what that means, reread the earlier chapters. ? ) "Plunge deeply up to the fortress with the carriage as it is! Immediately after disembarking, kill the group in the vicinity!" (Hifumi) """Understood!""" Approaching the fortress, the two soldiers were setting up large shields side-by-side blocking the road. "Stop!" (Guard) Magnificently jumping with his horse over the two soldiers, Hifumi wrapped the chain around the necks of the two defenseless soldiers in one go from overhead and dragged them down. After about 10 meters of pulling them along, they were discarded. At the time of dragging them down, both of them had died by having their necks broken already. The horses pulling the carriage quickly evaded the shields the soldiers dropped as they were hurrying on. The wheels of the main part of the carriage ran aground causing it to violently shake. Origa having been thrown off balance was right away caught by Alyssa. "T-Thank you." (Origa) While expressing her thanks, Origa noticed the quivering of Alyssa's hand as she was touching her. "It's alright. Master is here and were are quite strong, too, okay?" (Origa) Therefore it was fine, while gently smiling, Origa tightly held her magic staff as she was aiming for the right timing to jump off the carriage. Suddenly the velocity of the carriage dropped. "You are a hindrance!" (Kasha) Apparently Kasha dealt with the enemy in front. Hearing the voice, Origa immediately jumped off and although hesitating, Alyssa followed right after. Disembarking from the back of the carriage, the pair faced the enemies separated to the left and right. Having seen the moment arriving when the carriage plunged into the fortress, Hifumi left the horse after dismounting from it. He grabbed the head of a soldier, who was confronting Kasha, approaching him from the back and casually threw him at the fortress wall. With only that, the soldier died. Furthermore, he hit the soldier coming from his right side with the hilt of the katana causing him to become dizzy and then penetrated the blade through the eyes thus killing him. Clenching his teeth, the soldier raised his voice in death agony before dying after convulsing. "Master ..." (Kasha) "Follow Alyssa." (Hifumi) Ignoring Kasha, who wanted to say something, Hifumi increased the corpse count while approaching the border. "Orsongrande's soldiers! Listen!" (Hifumi) In a very very loud voice. That voice of Hifumi, albeit yet quite a distance off the border, was heard by Pajou. "This voice ..." (Pajou) "I am an Orsongrande noble called by the name Hifumi! Some of you soldiers should already know of me! Our country's Viscount Hagenti was arrested! Do you know the reason for that?!" (Hifumi) Confirming the situation on the other side of the border, Orsongrande's soldiers had heard it properly. "Viscount Hagenti is a puppet of Vichy! Upon Princess Imeria's decree I secretly infiltrated Vichy while risking my life. Viscount Kano was manipulated by Vichy. Again and again soldiers, who were manipulated by inhuman magic, showed up in our country and I was able to obtain evidence of their schemes! And furthermore Vichy tried to kill a young woman, who learnt of the secret behind the magic tool performance, too!" (Hifumi) While talking, Hifumi killed two more soldiers. Having displayed his abilities to some of the Orsongrande's soldiers, there were some amongst them starting to believe that him having received the Princess' secret decree wasn't strange at all either. "Although it was dangerous, I succeeded in rescuing her from the crisis! But, in doing so my circumstances ended up being revealed! Though I somehow managed to defeat the pursuers, it is regrettable that I can't pass here!" (Hifumi) As the soldiers turned their line of sight, there was a figure of a young woman desperately fighting while helping Origa and Kasha. "Soldiers of Orsongrande! Even though the national border is right ahead, there is no way to climb over the huge rock cliff! Don't mind us, but at the very least lend us your assistance to rescue this young woman! For the sake of saving her, I want all of you to display your righteousness!" (Hifumi) As they were addressed by Hifumi, the soldiers looked at each others faces while wavering. ... What is he planning? ... Having arrived at the fortress myself, what would I decide to do in this situation? If you think calmly about it, it will be unwise for knights and soldiers to cross the border of another country and thus invade it. Protecting the rules and thus disheartening the retainers or deciding to put the priority on saving lives, huh? ... Finally arriving at the fortress, Pajou was surprised to find out that the young woman Hifumi had specified was no other than Alyssa. Furthermore a great number of corpses could be instantly seen having fallen on the other side of the border. She recalled Hifumi's speech he gave just now. {Although my circumstances became known, I managed to defeat the pursuers.} If that was true, it was a matter of "Protecting a fleeing criminal who, while heading in the direction of Orsongrande, killed Vichy's soldiers en route." Though I am not certain to what extent the other party is aware of matters, the significance to refrain from transgressing the border has already been lost. Since it has come to this, we have to retrieve them no matter what it takes. It has also become necessary to tailor a beautiful tale about this. Orsongrande is in the right. There is no other choice but vaguely denounce Vichy publicly, Pajou judged. "All hands, draw your swords and assist them!" (Pajou) Naturally holding a weapon too, Pajou started to run as vanguard. The other soldiers followed as well. Due to the fierce attack by the Orsongrande's side with their overwhelming numbers, the number of Vichy soldiers decreased in a blink of an eye. After all Vichy soldiers had been killed, Hifumi, who crossed the border, expressively showed his thanks towards Pajou. "It was a very courageous behavior. I wish to express my gratitude." (Hifumi) "No, please don't worry about it. Leaving that aside, because I want to listen to the detailed report, come this way please." (Pajou) To Pajou's guidance, Hifumi's group obediently followed. Of course Hifumi was unhurt, the slaves and Alyssa too, to the degree of settling with a few scratched which hadn't to be minded. Entering a vast conference room in the barracks close to the fortress, the soldiers standing guard were told to not let anyone enter for a while. Pajou urged on Hifumi's group to sit down. After confirming that Hifumi's group had sat down, she sat down on a chair herself too while breathing a heavy sigh. "Somehow you seem to be quite worn out." (Hifumi) "Who's fault do you think that is? ... So, usually I would expect you to explain right away, but ..." (Pajou) Retrieving a document from his darkness storage, Hifumi casually tossed it to Pajou. After quickly looking through it, Pajou hung her head in shame and looked down from the corner of her eyes. "Though it was impossible to read some parts, it seems that the lot at the central government of Vichy have used a magic tool from Horant to strengthen their soldiers. If those two countries succeed in cooperating, they are geographically the same as Orsongrande?" (Hifumi) "In case this is real, you could say that ..." (Pajou) As Pajou was visibly squeezing out those words, Hifumi delivered the final blow. "So, the representative of the town Aroseru, who received this as well, was arrested. He is still alive. He was left within the carriage." (Hifumi) "Isn't that kidnapping!" (Pajou) As Pajou slammed on the desk and stood up, Hifumi said without changing his expression. "Did you have to expressively raise your voice so it could be heard by others? This was done rightly in order to completely save her from almost being killed at that place. With having this much evidence, the guy who can testify the validity of the document is here. What do you want to say before making a move? Vichy will reject everything like that." (Hifumi) "This judgement will be made by the royalty and the high ranking nobles, not by those on site." (Pajou) "No, not at all, you have decided on site just a little while ago. The situation has already started to develop. It's too late now." (Hifumi) Olga's group, who were sitting lined up next to Hifumi, likewise were silent having their breath taken away after becoming aware of how their actions had developed into such serious affair. "... Anyway, please stay at the barracks today. I will submit a report to the royal capital." (Pajou) "Ah, there was the option to use birds as means of communication. Well then, while you are contacting the capital, please arrange for us to meet Imeria. Let's see, {The man, who accomplished the secret decree while also ending up breaking the law in order to save a maiden, wishes to visit Her Highness in order to express his apology} ." (Hifumi)

118.Candle In The Wind 森に残ったエルフたちが、それぞれ武装をして魔人族との接触地点に戻ってきたとき、そこにあるはずの魔人族の死体が消えていた。 「おい、魔人族なんてどこにもいないじゃないか」 魔人族が現れ、しかもたった二人で倒したという話を聞いて、勢い込んでやってきたエルフたちは、先に接触した二人を睨みつけた。 「いやいや、本当なんだよ! なあ?」 「ああ、間違い無く魔人だったし、俺たちの魔法で殺した。場所も間違いない。見ろ、血の跡もあるだろう?」 指差された場所、適当に均されただけの路地の上には、確かに血痕と思われる黒い跡が残っている。 よく見ると、血の跡がかすかに引きずられたように、脇の森へと向かってうっすらと伸びていた。 「......あっちに、続いているな」 「確かめよう。魔人族がまだ生きているなら、逃げられたら厄介だ。重傷なのは間違い無いのだから、見つけたら全員で魔法を撃ち込んで止めをさそう」 その提案に、その場に来ていた八人のエルフは全員が同意した。 まとまって互いに周囲を警戒しつつ歩を進める。 残った者たちはどちらかといえば魔法は得意な方で、魔人族が来ても戦える自信を持っていた。だが、実際に戦ったという経験があるものは居ない。エルフたちが魔人族を追い詰め、彼の地に追いやったのは、彼らの生まれるずっと前の話なのだ。 「あれは......!」 五分ほど進んだところ、森の木々の間隔が大分狭くなり、薄暗くなってくるあたりで、誰かが指差した。 そこには、誰かがしゃがみこんでもぞもぞと何かの作業をしている後ろ姿が見えた。 「いや、ちが......」 先導したエルフは、自分が見た魔人族とは違う、と言おうとしたが、接敵と勘違いした三人のエルフが一気に魔法を発動した。 「くらえ!」 「魔人族め! 外に出てくるな!」 口々に悪態を吐きながら、放たれたのは風の刃と電撃、そして石礫の魔法だった。 全ての攻撃が、何かに当たり、弾け、激しい音を放つ。 「よし!」 誰かが、拳を握って叫んだ。 次の瞬間、仲間とは違う声が全員の耳に聞こえる。 「何が“良し”だ。馬鹿野郎」 声が終わるやいなや、魔法を発したエルフの首がぽとりと落ちた。 切られた本人は、突然くるくると回ったことに不思議そうな表情をしたまま、絶命した。 「う、うわあああ!」 突然の仲間の死に驚き、叫び声を上げたのは、首を切り落とされたエルフと同様に、魔法を放ったエルフの青年だ。 転がる首を見ている青年の胸に、刀が吸い込まれるように突き刺さる。 ズルリ、と刀が抜かれ、ポッカリと空いた胸を青年が手で押さえてるが、ドロドロと流れ出す大量の血は指の隙間から溢れる。 青年が血の気を失って倒れると、残った六人は慌てて距離を取った。 「に、人間......?!」 エルフたちが攻撃したのは、魔人族ではなく一二三だった。 刀を懐紙で拭った一二三は、不機嫌を露わに立っている。 「人の実験を邪魔したうえ、実験体まで壊しやがって」 一二三が刀で差したのは、魔法攻撃の盾にされて、ボロ雑巾のようになった魔人族の死体だった。 「実験だと?」 道端で魔人族の新しい死体を見つけた一二三は、周辺の木々が魔人族の居住地とは違う、エルフの森独特の物になっている事に気づいて、エルフと祖先を同じにしていると思われる魔人族の血液にもこの樹の影響はあるのかと試してみる気になったらしい。 死体を引きずり、樹が密集している場所に転がした。 しゃがみ込んで作業をしていたのは、血がもうあまり出なかったので、身体の前面を切り開いて変化がわかりやすくなるようにしようとしていたのだ。 ところが、数人連れでやってきたエルフがいきなり魔法を撃ってきたので、反射的に盾にするために放り投げてしまった。 「せっかく切開までできたところで、これだ。風やら石やらならまだしも、雷撃で焦がしやがって。これじゃ使えないだろうが」 エルフたちが魔人族の死体をよく見ると、胸は皮膚が裂かれて胸骨が折り取られ、腹部も十文字に切り裂かれて、内臓が雷撃に焼かれてブスブスと煙を上げていた。 「おげぇえええええ!」 誰かが耐え切れずに吐き、二人ほどそれにつられて胃の中身をぶちまけた。 「なんて事を......」 「魔法は三つだった。もう一人は、誰だ?」 殺気の方向からして、お前かお前だろう、と順番に指差す。 残ったエルフたちの視線が、雷撃を放った一人の男に集まった。 「お前か」 「待ってくれ! ち、違う、俺じゃない!」 男の言葉は、一二三の動きを止めることはできなかった。 怒りに任せ、大上段から稲妻のように打ち下ろされた刀は、眉間から鼻、唇と順番に切り裂いて、胸骨を滑り、腹を縦一文字に斬り裂いた。 「あああ......」 血まみれの顔で溢れ落ちる腸を懸命に拾い上げるものの、ヌルヌルと腕の間を滑り抜ける内臓を絶望に満ちた顔で見ている男の目の前で、一二三は冷たい瞳で見下ろす。 「お前らエルフでの実験は終わっているんだった。無駄な時間だな」 男の喉に刀の切っ先だけを突き入れ、気管と頚動脈を断ち割ると、一二三は刀を拭った懐紙を放り捨てた。 残ったエルフたちも、この瞬間に森を捨てる事を決めた。 英雄の妻、ということで、王都に滞在しているオリガに会いたいという人物は意外と多く、滞在している宿には毎日のように商家や貴族たちから夜会などの招待状が届いていた。 一応は全てに返事を出してはいるものの、オリガはその全てを断っていた。唯一、王城にて行われた夜会に顔を出し、ダンスにも参加せず挨拶のみで済ませ、中途で退場した程度だ。 生粋の貴族たちからすれば、平民出の成り上がり貴族と元奴隷の妻という事で侮蔑の対象でもあったが、女王と近しくしていることとこれまでの戦果、断りの理由も「夫が無事帰国するまでは、極力参加を控えたい」で通していたので、貴族の中でも妻としての姿勢を評価する者も一定数存在した。 「正直に言えば、面倒なだけというのもありますが」 「......随分と、あけすけにお話されますね」 イメラリアと向かい合って座り、紅茶の入ったカップを傾けているオリガは、薄いブルーのドレスを纏い、見た目で言えば王国の貴族として充分な気品を身につけていた。彼女が何者かを知らない貴族の後継が、どこの貴族家の令嬢かと声をかけようとして周りに止められるという事も二度、三度とあった。 「私の時間は夫の為に使うものと決めております。そこらの貴族との深いつながりなど、夫は望んでおりません。それに、いやらしい目をして私を見てくる不快な輩も多いようですし」 「その割には、王城での夜会には来ていただけたようですね」 「あら、夫がお世話になった相手ですもの。夫が動けない今、代わりに義理を果たすのは妻の務めです」 カップを置いたオリガは、にっこりと笑った。 「女王陛下には、とても感謝しております。陛下のおかげで、私は一二三様と出会う事ができましたし、どうしようもない状況から抜け出し、復讐を果たすための力を得ました」 「あら? オリガさんを騙した相手はもう......」 「ええ、殺しました」 殺したという言葉に、お茶のおかわりを用意していた侍女がビクッと震えたが、何も聞こえなかったというふうに作業を続けるのが視界の端に映り、後で労っておこうとイメラリアは決めた。 「ですが、それを指示した者は生きています」 「......その言葉が指すのがハーゲンティ子爵でしたら、刑場の露と消えました」 イメラリアの言葉に、オリガの方が目を見開いた。 「陛下が指示なされたのですか?」 「ええ、もちろんですわ」 意外だ、とオリガは内心驚いていた。 王都で冒険者をしていた頃から、イメラリアに対する評価はよく言えば優しい、悪く言えば為政者として甘い、というイメージだった。 平民と気安く接し、貧しい者に施しをする。 持つ者としては立派なのかもしれないが、王族としてはいささか“夢見がち”と評されても仕方がないと考えていたのだが。 「何ら責任の無い、どこかへ嫁ぐのを待つばかりの王女ではなく、この国を背負う女王となった時点で、取捨選択を国の利益優先で行うのは当然です。......まだ、どこかで違和感はありますが、そうせねばならぬ立場にいることは自覚しているつもりです」 「素晴らしい事です」 驚きの表情を笑顔に隠したオリガは、胸の前で細い指を合わせるように手を合わせて褒め称えた。 「ですが、私の言う復讐相手はたかが子爵程度の男一人ではありませんよ」 フフ、と口を抑えて笑うオリガの姿は、女性であるイメラリアから見ても可愛らしいと思える。 その正体を知らなければ、貴族の若い男たちが声をかけたくなるのも解るというものだ。 「ヴィシーそのものです。一二三様に対して戦端を開いた事も許しがたいことですが、オーソングランデの腐敗貴族に裏から働きかけたのがヴィシーであることは明白です。私の最終的な目標は、ヴィシーの中央委員会の連中が、皆死体となることなのです」 まるで少女が夢を語るように、オリガはドス黒い復讐心を言の葉に変える。 「では、今アリッサさんたちが軍を率いてヴィシー国境にいるのは、オリガさんが指示を?」 対して、笑顔でいられないイメラリア。 怪訝な視線を向けられ、オリガはまた笑った。 「あれは、夫が指示した事です。魔物が強くなってきたので、準備ができれば退治の為に大規模な駆逐作戦を行うように、と言われていたようですね」 「では、ヴィシーへの復讐というのは......」 「夫に聞いたことがあります。国というのは意外としぶといもので、単純に外部からの攻撃で滅亡させるのは難しい、と」 歴史を学んだことがあるイメラリアも、その言葉にはなるほど、と頷いた。 「国が無くなる原因は、多くが内部での問題です。対立や疫病など、国が疲弊してまとまりが無くなったところを、吸収されたり攻め滅ぼされたりするのです」 実際、オーソングランデも過去の歴史でいくつかの小国を併呑した歴史がある。そのいくつかは、残っていればヴィシーを形成する都市国家の一つになったかもしれないが、王国の記録によれば飢饉や為政者の乱脈経営による金銭的な崩壊をきっかけとしたものだとイメラリアも思い出していた。 「ですが、今のヴィシーはフォカロルと友好的に交流を進め、概ね都市国家群としての安定は保たれていると思うのですが......」 「あら、一箇所だけ、国家というのもどうかと思う程度の規模で対立を続けていらっしゃる、奇特なところもありますよ」 「......何をなさるおつもりですか?」 オリガが言う対立国家に心当たりを思い出したイメラリアは、苦い顔をして質問をする。 「お手紙を一通だけお送りしました。もちろん、これも夫の許可を取って、アドバイスを頂いてのことです。あとは、封印魔法の研究を続けながら、高見の見物をさせていただこうかと」 では研究に戻ります、と立ち上がったオリガに、イメラリアは結局手紙の中身を聞くことはできなかった。

Chapter 118: Candle In The Wind When the elves who remained in the forest returned with arms to the site where the demon was, the corpse of the demon, which should have been there, had vanished. "Oy, there's nothing like a demon around here, is there?" Hearing the story that a demon appeared and moreover that it was defeated by merely two elves, the elves, who braced themselves and came along, glared at the two who previously met it. "No, no! It's the truth! Right?" "Yeah, it was without a doubt a demon. We killed it with our magic. There's no mistake in the location either. Look, there are still bloodstains remaining, right?" At the place, he pointed at, black remains, which can certainly be considered bloodstains, were scattered on the path which was evened roughly. If one looked closely, the bloodstains indistinctly extended towards the forest as if the corpse had been dragged along. "... It's continuing over there." "Let's check it out. It will spell troubles if the demon is still alive and has escaped. Since there's no doubt that it's wounded seriously, we will finish it off with everyone launching their magic at it once we find it." The eight elves who were at this place agreed to that suggestion. They advance while being cautious of the surroundings and covering for each other. With the remaining elves being specialised in magic, they had confidence in being able to resist even if the demon came. However, there's actually none among them who has real experience in fighting. Cornering the demons, the elves locked them up in that place is a story from long before they had been born. "That is...!" When they advanced for around 5 minutes, one of them pointed at the dim vicinity where the space between the forest's trees became fairly narrow. There they saw the back of someone doing something while squatting and squirming. "No, the blood has..." The leading elf tried to tell them that it was different from the demon he had seen for himself, but three elves immediately invoked magic misunderstanding it as enemy approach. "Take this!" "Demon! Come out!"magic While throwing abusive language at it, they released wind blades, a lightning attack and a stone pellet spell. All of the spells hit something and burst with a fierce sound. "Alright!" One of them yells while clenching their fists. In the next moment they hear a voice different from their comrades. "What's "alright"? Idiot." No sooner than the voice finished, the head of one of the elves, who released the spells, fell down with a "plop." The cut elf himself had his life ended while wearing a surprised expression wondering about his sight suddenly spinning around. "U-Uwaaah!" Surprised by the abrupt death of his comrade, the one who raised his voice into a scream is a young elf who released a spell just like the beheaded and fallen elf. A katana pierces the chest of the young man, who looks at the tumbling head, as if being sucked into it. As the katana is pulled out with a short sliding sound, the young elf presses his hands on his gaping wide chest, however large amounts of blood ooze out between his fingers. Once the young man collapsed due to blood loss, the remaining six took distance in panic. "A-A human...?" The one who attacked wasn't a demon but Hifumi. Wiping his katana with a paper, Hifumi stands up openly while being displeased. "On top of interrupting someone's experiment, you even destroy the experiment's body." (Hifumi) What was held up by the katana was the corpse of the demon which had turned into a ragged dust cloth due to serving as shield against the magic attacks. "Experiment, you say?" Hifumi, who discovered a fresh demon corpse at the wayside, noticed that the trees in the surroundings were different from the demon's area as they had the peculiarity of the elven forest and apparently decided to test whether there's an influence by those trees on the blood of the demon whose ancestors are similar to the elves. Pulling the corpse along, he threw it down at a place dense with trees. Since the one he was working on while squatting hadn't much blood remaining anymore, he tried to cut open the body's front in order to make the change easier to understand. However, since the elves, who turned up in a group, suddenly fired spells at him, he ended up throwing the corpse as shield out of reflex. "Even though I went as far as operating on it at great troubles, this happened. The wind blades and stone pellet were still alright but the lightning attack burned it. Like this it ain't usable anymore." (Hifumi) Once the elves looked properly at the corpse, they saw that the skin had been cut open, the breastbones had been snapped off and the abdomen had also been cut open crosswise as the internal organs were smoldering and raising smoke due to being burnt by the lightning attack. "Uegeeeeeehh!" Someone vomited unable to endure it any longer and triggered two more to spurt out the contents of their stomachs. "Something like that..." "There had been three spells. Who's the last one?" (Hifumi) "Judging by the direction of bloodthirst, it's either you or you", he points at them one after the other. The gazes of the remaining elves gathered on the man who released the lightning attack. "You, eh?" (Hifumi) "Please wait! I-It wasn't me but someone else!" The man's words weren't able to stop Hifumi's motion. Entrusting himself to his anger, the katana, which swooped down like lightning from a stance of being held above his head, cleaved open the lips and nose starting from the middle forehead, slid through the breastbones and tore open the abdomen in a single vertical stroke. "Aaah..." Although he has a bloody face and eagerly picks up the spilling intestines, Hifumi looks down on the man in front of him, who is looking with a face full of desperation as his guts are slipping out between his arm, with cold eyes. "The experiment has ended due to you elves. You wasted my time pointlessly." (Hifumi) Once he cut apart the trachea and carotid artery by thrusting only the point of his katana into the throat of the man, Hifumi wiped the katana with a paper and threw that paper away. Even the remaining elves decided to abandon the forest at this moment. There are unexpectedly many people who want to meet with Origa, who is staying in the capital, as she is called the wife of the hero. Every day written invitations to evening parties and such arrived at the inn she is staying at from nobles and merchants. Although she has sent a reply to pretty much all of them, each and every one was refused by Origa. Just showing up at the evening parties carried out by the royal palace, she finished the greetings without dancing and left in the middle of those. From the standpoints of genuine nobles they were targets of contempt as noble, who had risen from commoner status, and his wife, who was formerly a slave, but with them being close to the queen and having this many military achievements, there existed a definite number of people who highly evaluated her stance as wife even amongst the nobles, since she stuck to her reason for refusing which was [I want to refrain from participating until my husband returns safely] . "Honestly said, it's just because it will be annoying." (Origa) "... You have described it quite frankly." (Imeraria) Sitting opposite of Imeraria, Origa, who was tilting her cup with tea in it, wore a light blue dress which carried plenty of elegance for a noble of the kingdom if going by appearance. It even happened twice, thrice that she had been stopped by the surroundings as they greeted her wondering whether she was the daughter of some noble household or the heir of some unknown noble. "I have decided to use my time for the sake of my husband. Something like forming deep connections with nobles all around isn't what my husband wishes for. Besides, it looks like there are also many unpleasant fellows who look at me with filthy eyes." (Origa) "Considering all that, you were apparently able to attend the evening parties at the royal castle." (Imeraria) "Ah, there are people to whom my husband was indebted. As my husband can't do it himself currently, it is the task of his wife to carry out his social obligations instead." (Origa) Putting down the cup, Origa smiled sweetly. "I'm very thankful to you, Your Majesty, the Queen. I was able to meet Hifumi-sama thanks to Your Majesty. I gained the power to exact my revenge after breaking out from a helpless situation." (Origa) "Oh? The other party, who deceived you, Origa-san, has already..." (Imeraria) "Yes, I killed him." (Origa) The maid, who prepared a second serving of tea shivered with a start due to the word "killed", but as she continued her task in a manner as if she hadn't heard anything, Imeraria decided to console her afterwards as she caught on the maid's startling at the edge of her view. "However, the people who ordered that are still alive." (Origa) "... If the one your words are pointing at is Viscount Hagenti, he disappeared to the public execution ground." (Imeraria) Origa opened her eyes widely due to Imeraria's remark. "Did you give the order for that, Your Majesty?" (Origa) "Yes, of course." (Imeraria) , Origa was surprised within her mind. Since the time Origa acted as adventurer in the capital, the evaluation towards Imeraria had the image of her being naive as statesman, if one traduced her, and gentle, if one said it elegantly. She familiarly gets in touch with commoners and carries out charity for the poor. She might be splendid for a person who possesses wealth, but it's inevitable for her to be evaluated as somewhat "dreamy" as royalty "It's only natural to put priority on the country's interests in my decisions once I turned into a queen being responsible for this country while losing my status as princess who simply waited to be married off somewhere without holding any responsibilities whatsoever... I still feel somewhat out of place, however I believe that I'm aware of being in a position I ought to accomplish." (Imeraria) "That's something wonderful." (Origa) Origa, who hid her surprised expression with a smile, praised her while putting together her hands in front of her chest and placing her thin fingers onto each other. "However, it's not only a single man at the rank of Viscount who is the other party for the revenge mentioned by me." (Origa) The figure of Origa, who restrained her mouth with a "Fufu", seems to be lovely even seen from they eyes of Imeraria who is a woman, too. She understands the young noble men who want to call out to her as they don't know her true nature. "It's Vichy itself. Even the matter of them taking up arms against Hifumi-sama is inexcusable, but it's obvious that it's Vichy who influenced the corrupt nobles of Orsongrande from behind the scenes. My final objective is for everyone from Vichy's Central Committee to be turned into corpses." (Origa) From completely talking like a dreaming maiden, Origa changes her words into a murky, dark desire for revenge. "Then it's your order for the army led by Alyssa-san to be currently at the border to Vichy, Origa-san?" (Imeraria) In contrast to Origa, Imeraria doesn't feel like smiling. Having a dubious look turned at her, Origa smiled once again. "That was ordered by my husband. Given that the monsters became powerful, he apparently told them to carry out a large-scale extermination operation to eradicate them once the preparations have finished." (Origa) "Then revenge towards Vichy means..." (Imeraria) "You have heard from my husband. As the country is unexpectedly tenacious it's difficult to cause its downfall with a simple attack from outside." (Origa) Even Imeraria, who has studied history, nodded while saying "Indeed" towards that statement. "The reasons for a country to perish is the great number of internal problems. The country will be attacked and overthrown or absorbed at the point it lost its unity due to exhaustion from things like antagonism and epidemics." (Origa) In fact Orsongrande has a history of having annexed several small countries in its past as well. Several of those left behind became city-states forming Vichy, however Imeraria recalled that there were some people who used the occasion of financial collapse due to famines and statesmen mismanaging according to the kingdom's records. "But, the current Vichy is heading towards a friendly exchange with Fokalore. I believe they are on the whole doing that to maintain their stability as group of city-states, however..." (Imeraria) "Ah, only one place is continuing to be against it as they consider the entire structure as faulty since it's a nation. That's a commendable aspect as well." (Origa) "... What are you planning to do?" (Imeraria) Imeraria, who recalled having some knowledge about the nation which is opposing according to Origa, asks while having a bitter smile. "I simply sent a letter. Of course I also got the permission to do so from my husband while receiving advice from him. Let's have the privilege of watching as spectators while continuing our research on sealing magic?" (Origa) "I will return to the research then", in the end Imeraria wasn't able to ask about the contents of the letter due to Origa standing up.

一二三が結婚相手を探しているらしいという噂は、アリッサや文官奴隷たちの懸命の努力にもかかわらず、オーソングランデ国内を駆け巡り、ヴィシーやホーラントにまで伝わった。 街々をめぐる商人たちや国内を移動する兵士たちが話す噂は、ほどなくイメラリアの耳にも入る。 「......あの一二三様が、誰かと結婚を?」 「単なる噂でではありますが、優秀な文官たちがついていますから、トオノ伯爵家の維持のために進言した可能性は否定できませんな」 アドルの言葉に納得はしたものの、一二三が誰か女性を隣に立たせて、しかも結婚の誓いを述べている姿が想像できない。 眉を顰めて黙ってしまったイメラリアを見て、アドルは慌てた様子を見せた。 「ま、まさか女王陛下、トオノ伯の事を......」 「へっ?」 言われて初めてイメージを浮かべた、一二三の隣に立つ自分。 イメラリアは首を大きく振って否定した。 「何を言っているのですか。女王として、選ぶべき人の条件は心得ているつもりです。それに、一二三様はわたくしの仇でもあるのですよ?」 否定しながらも、頬を染めているイメラリアに、アドルは不安を隠せない。 「そ、そんな話よりも、今は国政の話でしょう」 「はい。そのトオノ伯の領地から取り入れる政策に関してですが、税制を取り入れるのは王都や直轄地の規模を考えると、中々難しいものがあります。遠隔地で試験的に導入し、職員が慣れてからにするべきでしょう。ですが......」 手元の書類をめくり、挟んでいた一枚の紙をイメラリアへ手渡す。 「これはフォカロル領から書き写してきました“戸籍”の写しです」 「すごいですね。居住地や家族、同居していない縁者や簡単な出生地、出身地まで調べているのですか」 「付属資料として、勤務内容なども調査して記載しているようです」 書類をじっと見つめながら、例として無作為に抜き出されたものであろう記載内容を見ていく。 「税制の改革もこういった領民の情報の蓄積があってこそ、というわけですな。これらの情報を元に、婚姻や出生、死亡などを管理しているようです」 今、フォカロルはこの世界のどこよりも人口推移や予算編成が正確に行える地域となっている。これらの住民情報は、仕事の斡旋や在籍確認によるスラム化の防止や犯罪の追跡・予防などにも役立てられている、とアドルは続ける。 そこまでの説明を聞いて、イメラリアは書類を返しながら、肩を落とした。 「政治的な意味では、一二三様は充分英雄的な働きをされたというわけですね。お父様もわたくしも、出会い方さえ間違わなければ一二三様のお力を充分に国のために活かしていただく事ができたかもしれませんね」 イメラリアの表情には、寂しさが浮かぶ。 確かに、出会いから問題だらけではあった。思い描いていたのは、正義感にあふれ、強く素敵な勇者様との出会いであり、年頃の少女らしい色鮮やかな恋愛への憧れもあった。 「陛下は困難を乗り越え、オーソングランデを立派に守られています。少なくとも、私はそう思います。様々な危機があり、失われた物も多くありますが、結果として国は存続し、国土は増え、今も発展を続けています」 アドルの言葉は嘘ではない。 事実を使って励ましてくれるのが、イメラリアには嬉しかった。 「ありがとう。さあ、気を取り直して話を進めましょう。戸籍作成の試験導入地を決めましょう」 改めて、頑張ろう、とイメラリアは思った。いつか、「あの時は大変だった」と笑える日が来るまで。 ☺☻☺ 全身傷だらけで、バールゼフォンは血の海に沈んでいた。 辛うじて意識を取り戻したとき、全身が痛くて身体がバラバラになったかと思ったが、ぼんやりと戻ってきた視界に映る身体は、何とか五体満足なままである。 「生きていた......か」 周囲に広がる血は、バールゼフォンと魔物の物が混ざっている。大きな図体を横倒しにして息絶えている魔物からは、既に出血は止まっており、バールゼフォンは粘つく水たまりから這い出そうとしたが、体がうまく動かない。 「あの女......あの武器は、ヴァイヤーが近衛騎士の連中に渡していた手裏剣とか言う物と同じだったな」 首は何とか動く。ぐるりと見回すと、木の根に突き刺さる薄い金属が見えた。 「ち......結局は一二三とかいう、あの男の関係者か。どこまで行っても祟ってくれるな」 無我夢中で戦って、何とか魔物の喉に剣を突き立て、前足を振り回されて叩き潰されたところまでは覚えている。 踏み潰される前に魔物が力尽き、辛うじて助かったのだろう。剣は魔物に刺さったまま、目の前で血濡れになって赤く染まっている。 「......うん?」 横倒しになっている魔物の胸部、剣が刺さった場所のすぐ近くに、不自然な膨らみを見つけた。 何気なく手を触れると、毛皮の下に何か硬いものが埋め込まれているのがわかる。そのまま感触を確かめているうちに、縫い合わされた跡も見つけた。 残った力を奮って剣を抜き、縫い目を切り裂いて手を突っ込む。 引きずり出した物は、明らかな人工物だった。 何かの管が伸び、体内へと続いているあたり、寄生しているようにも見える。 「あの女の仕業か? もしかして......」 見たことも無い巨体を持つ虎の魔物だと思ったが、冷静に見れば、もう少し牙が短い、似たような魔物は見たことがある。騎士隊の訓練中に遭遇した虎の魔物だったが、あの時はもっと小さくて弱かった。 もし、あの時と同じ魔物がこの道具で強化された結果が、この巨体を持つ獰猛な魔物だとしたら? そして、それが人間にも使えるとしたら? 「......このまま、ここで倒れていても死ぬばかり、か」 仰向けに転がり、どんよりと曇った空を見上げる。 ここで死ぬくらいなら、化物になってでも復讐を遂げるべきではないか。 「騎士じゃなくなった挙句、人間ですらなくなるかもしれないとは。笑い話にもならんな」 独り言で自分を鼓舞し、残った力を振り絞って身体を起こしたバールゼフォンは、魔物につながる管を一本ずつ丁寧に抜き始めた。 バールゼフォンを打ち捨てて森を後にしたオリガは、補給のために立ち寄った小さな街で、一二三の結婚に関する噂に触れた。 「その話、もっと詳しく教えてもらえませんか?」 丁寧な口調で銀貨を押し付けてくるオリガの目は、力が入りすぎて血走っている。目深にかぶったフードの下から見える翠の瞳は、心なしか鈍く光っているようにすら見える。 銀貨の型がつくほど手のひらに押し付けられた商店の親爺は、涙目で許しを乞うた。 「や、やめてくれ。おれも仕入れの時に行商から聞いただけなんだよ」 「では、その行商はどこへいったのですか」 教えたら行商が酷い目に遭いそうな気がしたが、親爺はあっさりと行商がいつも利用している宿の事を吐いた。 「情報、感謝します」 銀貨一枚で仕事仲間を売ってしまった、と嘆いている親爺を放って、オリガは足早に宿へと突入した。 金を握らせて行商に吐き出させた話から、オリガはフォカロルに一二三が戻り、本格的に領地運営に乗り出した事実を知った。 どうやら、その際に領地存続のために誰かと結婚するのではないかという話が、他ならぬフォカロルからの噂として流れているらしい。 「一二三様が......」 ついてきている兵士たちに、魔法具の残量を確認する。 100以上あった魔法具は、オリガたちの熱心な活動により、ホーラントからオーソングランデ全域にかけて強そうな素体へと移植を続けた結果、残りは5つとなっていた。 「......これからフォカロルへ戻りながらでも、充分消化できる残量ですね......」 やや願望に引きずられた感のある予測を立て、そのまま突入した宿で一泊してからフォカロルへと向かう事を決めたオリガに、兵士たちもようやく帰れると喜んだ。 「フォカロルまでは強行軍です。街道近くを中心に速度重視で進みますから、今日はゆっくりと休むように」 「了解いたしました」 オリガたちが同じ宿に泊まると知った行商は、慌てて宿を払って次の目的地へと逃げるように出ていった。 そんなことは気にも留めないオリガたちフォカロル特務部隊は、翌朝早く、陽が昇ると共に街を後にする。 いくつかの街を経由しつつ、熊やワニのような元から戦闘力が高い魔物を選び、魔法と武器で弱らせては拘束し、魔法具を埋め込んで解き放つという、幾度となく繰り返した作業を行う。 魔法具が全て無くなってからは、台車を使って街道をひた走る。 「もうすぐ、一二三様に会える......」 オリガの脳裏には、一二三との思い出が多少美化されて駆け巡っていた。 与えられた任務を、それなりに問題はあったものの隠蔽しつつ、しっかりとこなしたという自負はある。きっと褒めてくれるだろうという期待もある。だが、それ以上を求めても良いのかと思うと、はっきり言って自信は無い。 一度は断られた想いだが、それでもオリガが一二三に一番近い場所にいる女性なのは事実であり、その場所は誰にも譲るつもりはない。 「一二三様、オリガはもうすぐ、貴方の元へと帰ります。長い長い別行動に、私は耐えてきました。ですから......」 風に流された言葉には、想い以上の何かが込められていた。 アリッサは、軍務長官などという大層な肩書きを持ってはいるものの、基本的に書類仕事はミュカレに任せきりで、大概は現場に出ている。 兵士たちが訓練をしたり、何かの作業をしているのに積極的に参加して時に兵たちを労う姿は、兵士たちのみならず、それを見かける領民たちにとっても微笑ましいものと受け取られていた。 ふわふわとした赤いショートヘアを揺らしながら、小柄なアリッサが商店通りを歩いていると、りんごのような果物をくれる商店主や、ほの甘い焼きたてのパンを味見させてくれるパン屋など、彼女が行く先々は和やかでほのぼのとした雰囲気が生まれる。 果物を齧りながら辿り着いたのは、街への入口だった。 街の出入りは兵の検査を受ける決まりとなっている。他領であれば貴族や豪商は免除されたりする慣習がまかり通っているが、フォカロルでは一切許されない。 身分に関係なく到着順に並ぶ必要があり、徹底したマニュアル主義で運営されているが、他の街に比べて格段に平民に対する兵の対応が柔らかく、出入りする商人たちには好評だった。 アリッサの姿を見つけた兵士が、嬉しそうに敬礼をする。 「長官、お疲れ様です!」 「お疲れ様。どんな感じ?」 「今日は街へ入ろうとする人が少ないですね。そろそろ移民も落ち着いてきたようです」 街へ入る際に確認する氏名や身分、目的が記録された書類を受け取り、アリッサはパラパラとめくった。 字が書けない兵士は多いが、フォカロルの領兵の識字率は100%だ。まず文字の読み書きができないと軍へ入れない。これも、一二三が決めたことだった。 正直、フォカロルへ来た時点ではアリッサも読めはするが書くのはかなり怪しいという状態だったが、ミュカレがつきっきりで教えたおかげもあり、かなり綺麗な字が書けるようになっていた。 サラサラと確認済みを示すサインを書き込み、アリッサは書類を戻した。 「問題があったらすぐに領主館に報告を......」 目の前にいる兵士の向こう側、遠く伸びている街道を、何かが異常な速度で近づいてくるのがアリッサの目に映った。 「何か来る! 魔物かもしれないから、全員戦闘準備! 誰か一二三さんを呼んできて!」 指示を受けて駆け出した兵士は、門にいる全員に指令を伝え、街道に向かって横並びになった。一人の若い兵士が、領主館へ向かって走っていった。 アリッサは、その兵士たちの前に立ち、脇差を抜く。 「......あれ? あれ台車だよね」 この場で一番視力の良いアリッサは、土煙を上げて迫りくる何かが、よく知っている乗り物であることに気づいた。 乗っているのは誰だろう、と脇差を納めて目を凝らすと、見覚えのある薄い青色の髪が風に翻っているのが見えた。 ぞわっ、とアリッサの背中を緊張が走った。慌てて振り向き、その場に居た兵士に向かって叫ぶ。 「すぐに一二三さんに連絡して、領主館で待っているように連絡! ここで鉢合わせなんかしたら大変なことになるから!」 血相を変えたアリッサの様子に、兵士はこれまでにないほどの反応速度で走り出した。 そうこうしているうちに、オリガを乗せた台車は門の前へとたどり着き、大きな音を立てて止まった。 「久しぶりね、アリッサ」 「お帰りなさい、オリガさん」 「それじゃ、通してもらうわね」 台車を降りて足早に進もうとするオリガに、アリッサは飛びついて腰にしがみついた。 「ちょ、ちょっと待って!」 「離しなさい。私は今から人生をかけた勝負をするのです」 「その勝負をする前に、やることがあると思う!」 アリッサを引きずって歩いていたオリガだったが、その言葉に足を止めた。 「やること? まさか、一二三様を取り合う勝負をしようとでも言うのかしら?」 閉じた鉄扇を握り締めたオリガに睨みつけられても、アリッサは怯まない。本当に怒っているオリガは、言葉より先に手が出ることを知っているのだ。 「違う違う! 一二三さんのところに行く前に、勝負のための準備が必要でしょ? 今のオリガさん、髪がボサボサで顔に砂埃が付いてるし、服も......」 言われて初めて思い出したのか、土に汚れたローブを見下ろしたオリガは、自分の失敗に気づいて勢い良く頭を下げた。 「ご、ごめんなさい! 教えてくれてありがとう!」 「いいよ、僕も女子だから、オリガさんの気持ち、わからなくもないし」 何とか一二三が領主館へ戻る時間が稼げた、とアリッサは心の中でグッと拳を握った。 「私がうまく一二三様のお嫁さんになれたら、貴方の事も一二三様に薦めておくわ。それじゃ、一二三様に見られる前に、部屋に戻らなくちゃ」 「うん。慌てないでゆっくり行ってね。一二三さんは、自分の執務室にいるはずだから」 色々とありがとう、とオリガは上機嫌で歩いて行った。 後に残された、オリガと共に帰還した兵士たちは、疲れが出たのか街の中に入ってすぐの場所で座り込んでいる。 「え~っと......。とにかくお疲れ様。しばらくはお休みしていいから、ゆっくり休んでね」 「あ、ありがとうございます」 何か救われた気がした兵士たちは、涙を流してアリッサに感謝の言葉を並べていく。 治安維持って大変だ、とアリッサは大きな溜息をついた。

The gossip, that Hifumi is apparently looking for a marriage partner, spread within Orsongrande and was even circulated in Horant and Vichy, despite Alyssa's and the civil official slave's eager efforts. The rumours, recounted by soldiers moving within the country and merchants going around the streets, has even reached Imeraria's ears before long. "... Someone will marry that Hifumi-sama?" (Imeraria) "It's a mere rumour, but since he has excellent civil officials at his side, I can't deny the possibility of them proposing it for the sake of preserving the Earl Tohno household." (Adol) Although she agreed with Adol's remark, she isn't able to imagine some woman standing next to Hifumi and even less exchanging the vows of marriage with him. Looking at Imeraria, who ended up silent while knitting her brows, Adol displayed a state of panic. "N-No way, Your Excellency the Queen, about Earl Tohno..." (Adol) "Huh?" (Imeraria) Only after she started talking about it, the image of herself standing next to Hifumi appeared in front of her eyes. Imeraria shook here head vigorously in denial. "What are you saying? As queen I believe to know the requirements of the person I choose. Also, isn't Hifumi-sama my enemy?" (Imeraria) Adol can't conceal his concerns in regards to Imeraria, who is blushing albeit denying it. "R-Rather than such talk, I think we are to speak about the national politics now." (Imeraria) "Yes. However, regarding the policies introduced by the territory of that Earl Tohno, if you consider the scale of the capital and its surrounding areas for adopting the tax system, it will become something very troublesome. We probably should start with the staff getting used to it by experimentally introducing it in a distant province. However..." (Adol) Flipping through the documents nearby, he hands over a piece of paper, that was inserted in-between, to Imeraria. "This is a copy of the "family register" which had been transcribed from the territory of Fokalore." (Adol) "It's amazing. They have investigated as far as birthplace*, their home-town*, relatives, who don't live with them, the family members and their address?" (Imeraria) "As you can see by the attached materials, they have investigated things like the work details and recorded them." (Adol) While staring intently at the documents, she examines the record contents of one, she likely selected at random, as example. "The reformation of the tax system also profits from this sort of accumulated information about the residents. That's how it is. On grounds of these information, they have apparently been managing things such as marriages, births and deaths." (Adol) "Currently Fokalore has become the area with a more accurate budget compilation and population transition than anywhere else in the world. These data of the residents is even useful for stuff like the tracking and prevention of crimes and the prevention of slums being created by mediating work and confirming the enrolment," Adol continues. Listening to his explanation this far, Imeraria dropped her shoulders while putting back the documents. "In a political meaning, you are saying that Hifumi-sama has gained plenty of heroic achievements. If only father and me didn't make a mistake in the way of meeting with him, it might have been possible to make adequate use of Hifumi-sama's power for the sake of the country." (Imeraria) Loneliness overshadows the expression of Imeraria. Certainly, since our first meeting, there were only problems. In my imagination I yearned for a maiden-like bright love by meeting with a powerful, great brave-sama*, who is over overflowing with justice "Overcoming the difficulties, Your Majesty has splendidly protected Orsongrande. There have been various dangers and many precious things were lost as well, however as result the country continues to exists, the realm has expanded and even now its growth is continuing." (Adol) Adol's words are no lie. Encouraging her by using facts, made Imeraria happy. "Thank you. Well, then let's pull ourselves together and proceed with the talks. Let's decide on a place, where we will introduce the family register as trial for making a draft." (Imeraria) Someday there will even come a day, where I can laugh at it while saying [It was really difficult at that time] . Being riddled with wounds all over, Balzephon sank in a pool of blood. At the time he barely regained his consciousness, he wondered whether his body, which was hurting everywhere, was in pieces, however his body, which is reflected in his faint, returned field of vision, is somehow in perfect, good health. "Survived... huh?" (Balzephon) The blood, spread in the surroundings, is a mix of the monster's and Balzephon's. As the bleeding of the monster, which has died with its huge frame having toppled sideways, has already stopped, Balzephon tried to crawl out of the sticky puddle, but his body isn't moving properly. "That woman... that weapon was the same thing called shuriken or something, which Vaiya gave the Royal Knight Order." (Balzephon) Somehow he shifts his neck. Once he surveys his surroundings, he saw a thin metal stuck in the roots of a tree. "Tsk... in the end she is someone affiliated with that man called Hifumi or something, huh? Don't haunt me wherever I go." (Balzephon) Fighting the deliriousness, he is remembering up to the point of being smashed by the swung forepaw and having somehow stabbed his sword in the throat of the monster. Using up all his strength before being crushed underfoot the monster, he probably just managed to survive. The sword in front of him, being stuck in the monster as is, has been stained red by being drenched in blood. "... Eh?" (Balzephon) In the chest of the fallen monster he discovered an unnatural bulge right next to the place the sword was stuck. Once he casually touched it with his hand, he knew that something hard was buried underneath the fur. As he was checking it by feeling around, he also found traces of stitched together sewing. Mustering his remaining strength, he draws the sword, cuts the seams and thrusts his hand into the opened hole. The dragged-out item was clearly man-made. Tubes are growing out of it and continue into the body's interior. It appears to be parasitic. "It's that woman's doing, eh? Probably..." (Balzephon) He believed it was a tiger possessing a large build he hadn't seen until now, but once he looked a bit closer, he found that it was similar to a monster with a bit shorter fangs. Although it was a tiger he encountered during the training of the knight order, it was a lot smaller and weaker at that time. If the same tiger was under the effect of enhancement with the magic tool then, would it have been a ferocious monster possessing this large build? And what would happen if it was used on humans as well? "... As it is, even if I collapse here, I will simply die, huh?" (Balzephon) Turning over so that he faces upwards, he raises his eyes towards the dull and cloudy sky. Rather than dying here, shouldn't I achieve my revenge even if I have to become a monster? "I lost my knighthood and in the end I might even cease to be a human. That isn't even a funny story." (Balzephon) Encouraging himself with his monologue, Balzephon, sitting up his body by straining himself with the last ounce of energy he possessed, began to carefully extract each pipe connected to the monster. Origa, who left behind the forest where they abandoned Balzephon, came in contact with the rumour related to Hifumi's marriage in a small town, where they stopped for resupplying. "Would you tell me more details about this story?" (Origa) The eyes of Origa, who passed a silver coin in a polite tone, are filled with strength and have become far too bloodshot. The green pupils, looking from underneath the hood, which she wore low over her eyes, can be seen as somehow shining in a dim light. The shop's old man, having the silver coin pressed into his palm with a strength that its shape embedded itself there, begged with nothing but teary eyes, "P-Please stop. I also only heard it from a peddler at the time of stocking up." "Where did that peddler go then?" (Origa) He had a feeling that the peddler, who told him about it, would go through a bitter experience, but the old man easily spit out the regularly used inn of the peddler. "I thank you for the information." (Origa) , the old man was grieving after being released. Origa rushed to the inn at a quick pace. From the story, spit out by the peddler after passing some money, Origa became aware of the facts that Hifumi had returned to Fokalore and started the territorial administration in full scale. Somehow or other it's a talk about whether he won't marry someone in order to continue the territory on that occasion, but it seems to be spreading as rumour from nowhere else but Fokalore. "Hifumi-sama is..." (Origa) She tells the soldiers, who are following her, to check the remaining amount of magic tools. As a result of continuing to implant them into powerful prime fields* all throughout the area from Horant to Orsongrande with a zealous effort, Origa's group managed to quickly lower the amount of over 100 magic tools, they had at the beginning, down to 5 remaining. "... Even during our return to Fokalore, this remaining number can be easily dealt with..." (Origa) Giving a prediction, which has a feeling of being strongly influenced by her desire, Origa decided to head towards Fokalore after staying one night in the inn she had rushed into. The soldiers were also happy that they would be able to return at long last. "It will be a forced march until Fokalore. As we will advance close to the highway putting the core of our attention on our speed, take care to sleep restfully tonight." (Origa) "Roger." The peddler, aware of Origa's group staying in the same inn, paid the inn's fee in a hurry and left in order to escape towards his next destination. The Fokalore special unit, Origa's group, pays no heed to such matters, rises early next morning and leaves the city behind alongside the rising sun. While passing through several cities, they select monsters, which have a high fighting strength as their bases are bears and alligators, restrain them by weakening them with magic and weapons, embed the magic tool and release them. They perform this work many times over. After all the magic tools have been used up, they run along the highway at full speed using a platform wagon. "Very soon I will meet with Hifumi..." (Origa) In Origa's mind somewhat beautified memories of Hifumi were swirling about. While the concealment caused some troubles, she is conceited about properly finishing her assigned mission. She also expects to be praised most likely. However, beyond that, at the thought of appealing for more, she has no confidence that she will be able to voice it out. For a moment she considers to be rejected, even so it's also a fact that Origa is the woman closest to Hifumi. She doesn't plan to yield this spot to anyone else.magic "Hifumi-sama, Origa will very soon return to your side. I continued to act separately from you for a long, long time. Therefore..." (Origa) The words scattered into the wind were packed with desires leading somewhere beyond. Although she is holding an exaggerated title called Military Director, Alyssa has been generally active at the actual site while leaving the majority of paperwork to Miyukare. Her figure of training the soldiers and rewarding them for actively taking part while performing some tasks, without becoming a soldier herself, was received well even by the the fief's population noticing that. While shaking her red, short hair lightly, the small-built Alyssa is walking on the shopping street, eating a fruit similar to an apple and tasting the slightly sweet, freshly baked bread from a bakery. She produces a gentle and heart-warming mood wherever she goes. While chewing on the fruit she arrived at last at the entrance of the city. It's a rule for those entering and leaving the city to be inspected by soldiers. Although it is an established custom to exempt nobles and wealthy merchants from another fief, Fokalore doesn't permit that at all. It is necessary to line up in order upon arrival without social status playing any role. It has been thoroughly followed according to the rules of the manual, but if you compare it with other cities, the soldiers' treatment of remarkable commoners is soft. It was very popular with merchants, that are coming and going. The soldier, spotting Alyssa's figure, salutes delightfully. "Director, thanks for your work!" "Thank you. What's your impression?" (Alyssa) "Today the number of people trying to enter the city is small. It seems like the immigration drive is gradually calming down as well." Wanting to confirm the names and social positions of those having entered the city this time, Alyssa takes the documents, which recorded their objectives, and flipped through the pages. There are many soldiers, who can't write characters, but the literacy rate of Fokalore's soldiers is 100%. In the first place, they won't be allowed to enter the army unless they are able to read and write characters. This was also something decided by Hifumi. Honestly, at the time she arrived at Fokalore, Alyssa was in a state of being able to read but her writing was quite disastrous. But thanks to Miyukare teaching her with constant attendance, she reached the point of being able to write quite the beautiful characters. Finishing the check smoothly and signing it to show that, Alyssa returned the documents. "If there is a problem, report it at once to the Lord's mansion..." (Alyssa) Past the soldier, opposite her, Alyssa saw something approaching at an abnormal speed on the highway stretching into the far distance. "Something's coming! Since it might be a monster, everyone get ready for battle! Someone go calling Hifumi-san!" (Alyssa) The soldier, who dashed away after receiving the order, conveyed the instructions to everyone at the gate and they lined up facing towards the highway. A single, young soldier hurried towards the Lord's mansion. Alyssa, standing in front of those soldiers, draws her short sword. "... Eh? That's a platform wagon, right?" (Alyssa) Alyssa, who has the best eyesight in this place, noticed the something, approaching while raising a cloud of dust, to be a well-known vehicle. , sheathing her short sword, she strained her eyes and saw light blue hair fluttering in the wind, of which she had some recollection. Tension travelled through Alyssa's back with a shiver. Turning around in a hurry, she yells at the soldiers at this place, "Contact Hifumi-san right away to wait in the Lord's mansion for further messages! If they encounter each other in this place, it will turn into a disaster!" (Alyssa) Due to Alyssa's face's colour changing, the soldiers began to run with a speed never seen before. Meanwhile the platform wagon ridden by Origa arrived in front of the gate and stopped with a loud sound. "Long time no see, Alyssa." (Origa) "Welcome home, Origa-san." (Alyssa) "Well then, I want you to let me through now." (Origa) Alyssa jumped and clung to the waist of Origa, who got off the platform wagon and tried to go ahead at a quick pace. "W-Wait a moment!" (Alyssa) "Get away. From now on I will have a match* betting my life." (Origa) "Before you have that match, I think there's something you have to do!" (Alyssa) Origa, who was dragging along Alyssa as she walked, stopped her feet at those words. "Something to do? Certainly you don't want to tell me to have a match competing over Hifumi-sama, do you?" (Origa) Alyssa doesn't falter even as she is glared at by Origa, who is grasping the closed iron-ribbed fan tightly. The truly angry Origa is known for letting violence, instead of words, speak. "No, no, it's something else! Before you go to Hifumi-san's place, isn't it necessary to prepare for the sake of your battle? The current Origa has her hair unkempt and ruffled and her face covered in dust. Even your clothes..." (Alyssa) Origa, looking down on her robe covered in dirt, vigorously apologized noticing her own mistake. "E-Excuse me! Thank you for telling me!" (Origa) "It's fine. I'm a woman as well. It's not like I don't understand Origa-san's feelings either." (Alyssa) , Alyssa clenched her fist imposingly within her mind. "If I successfully become Hifumi-sama's bride, I will recommend your case to Hifumi as well. Well then, before appearing in front of Hifumi, I will go back to my room." (Origa) "Yea. Don't be in a hurry and take it easy. Hifumi-san should be in his own office." (Alyssa) "Many thanks", Origa went away in good humour. The soldiers, who returned together with Origa and were left behind afterwards, are sitting down in some place right after entering into the city feeling worn-out. "U~~mm... Anyway, good work. Since you will have holidays for a while, rest up slowly, okay?" (Alyssa) "T-Thank you very much." The soldiers, who felt like having been rescued from something, shed tears and line up words of gratitude towards Alyssa. Maintaining the public order is difficult

144.Psychosocial 往々にして、人の行動が他人の想像や願望の通りになることは少ない。成るべきは成らず成らざるべきが成るのは、所詮は誰かの願望が外れたに過ぎない。 多くの物事と同様、イメラリアの指示(あるいは願い)も空しく無駄に終わった。 「何やら騒がしくなりましたね。何かあったのですか、サブナクさん」 「うっ、オリガさん......」 後から到着予定の援軍本隊の受け入れ準備で忙しいヴァイヤーに代わり、サブナクがヴィーネたちの案内役を務めていた。 予備に用意していた来客用の天幕へと先導する途中、ミュンスターで購入した荷物を抱えたオリガとばったり出会ってしまった。 オリガのことを知らないヴィーネたちは、目の前に現れた美少女が誰かわからずに、サブナクに説明を求めるように視線を向ける。だが、サブナクはそれに応えられるような状況にない。 「え、えっと......」 「何か作戦が決まったのでしょうか? それと、そちらの方は......まあ、獣人族に、エルフですか。初めて見ましたけれど、どうしたのですか?」 もしオリガと獣人族たちが接触した場合の説明について、サブナクは少しも考えていなかった。後でゆっくり考えてから、イメラリアとすりあわせをしようとしか決めていない。 青ざめて汗だくになっているサブナクを放って、ヴィーネたちは頭を下げた。 「はじめまして。兎獣人のヴィーネです。荒野の向こう、ソードランテのスラムから来ました」 「まあ、ご丁寧に。私はフォカロル領主トオノ伯爵一二三の妻、オリガです」 「あっ、貴女はご主人様の奥様なのですね! わたし、ご主人様のところへ行きたくて、ここまで来たんです!」 「なるほど、荒野で夫に購入されたのですか」 「ええ、それからすぐに解放していただき、しかも学を与えてもらったうえ、安全に生きる環境まで......何か恩返しをしたくて、ご主人様にお会いしようと思ったのです」 ゲストのための天幕の中で、オリガが手ずからいれた紅茶とカイム特性の焼き菓子をお茶うけに、和やかな雰囲気で会話は始まった。 獣人族男性陣は一二三の妻というオリガの美しさに感心し、プーセとヴィーネがこれまでのことを話す。サブナクはイメラリアへ報告に行くべきかとも考えたが、先にこの会談の結果を確認してのこととした。話の流れ次第では、身体を張って獣人たちを守らねばならないかもしれない。 泣きたい気分で紅茶を一口飲む。ミュンスターでよい茶葉を見つけたとオリガが言った通り、爽やかな甘みがある。 「そ、それで、私はヴィーネさんを一二三さんに会わせるのに同行して来たのです。私自身、お話したいこともありましたし」 「できれば、ご主人様の側でお仕えしたいと思っています。頑張って魔法も使えるようになりましたし、万一の時はこの身を盾にしてでもお守りします」 紅茶の味を確かめるようにゆっくりとカップを傾けたオリガは、ヴィーネが必死に頼み込む姿を見てにっこりとほほ笑んだ。 「主人の、一二三様のお手伝いをしていただけるというのであれば、歓迎します。ですが、一つだけ知っておくべき事と、守ってほしい条件があります」 「知っておくべきことは、一二三様が目指すものです。......貴女は、一二三様のために誰かを殺す覚悟はありますか?」 微笑みを絶やすことなく囁かれたそれは、まるで趣味を聞くかのように軽い調子でありながら、最終審問のような重みを持っている。 「ころ......」 その雰囲気。飄々として軽妙に、命を奪うことを毛ほども躊躇しない雰囲気。 一二三に感じるそれをオリガに重ねて感じ取ったプーセは絶句した。 だが、ヴィーネの覚悟は固い。 「問題ありません。そのために、訓練してきました」 オリガからの圧力が幾分か和らいだのを感じて、男性陣も緊張していた肩を落とした。 「その、もう一つの条件というのは、なんでしょうか?」 「簡単なことです。ヴィーネさんは今、身を挺してでも一二三様をお守りすると言いましたね?」 「ええ、もちろんです」 「それは私の役目です。それをするのであれば、私の命が一二三様のために消えてなくなってからにしてください」 オリガは返事を聞く気も無いようで、言い切ってしまうとサブナクに向き直った。 「サブナクさん」 「は、はいっ!」 「それで、この陣地が騒がしくなっている理由について、教えていただけますね?」 「うっ......わかりました......」 その後、アリッサとも顔合わせが済んだ獣人たちは、イメラリアではなくフォカロルでの身柄預かりとなった。 何よりも重要なことは、敵よりも先に“知る”ことである、と一二三は語る。 聞き入っているのはホーラントの魔法研究者の一人、ガアプという若手の男だ。ホーラント宰相クゼムの部屋に呼ばれ、連れてきた助手と共にそのまま宰相の執務室で話を聞いている。 「相手がどこからどうやって入ってきたか、近づいてきたか、どういう装備をしているか、それが先にわかるだけでも有利なのはわかるだろう」 「はい。ですがそのために番兵や巡回がおり、灯りの魔道具で周囲を確認しながら警備をしています」 「で、そいつがやられたら終わりなわけだ。今の状況みたいにな」 「それは......個人の能力というものです。襲撃者がもっと弱かったり、番兵が強ければ問題ないわけで」 「馬鹿野郎」 ガアプの言葉を遮った一二三の声に、離れてデスクで作業しているクゼムも震えた。 「個人の強いかどうかは、もっと上のレベルになってから考えるもんだ。有象無象なら“馬鹿でもできる”を基本に考えろ」 たとえば、とクゼムのデスクから適当な羊皮紙を抜き取り、裏返しにする。 二つの円を描き、指ではじいた。 「一つが割れたらもう一個も割れる魔道具があったろ? それをもっと脆くして2組用意して、当番の奴が身体の前と後に付けておく。そうすれば、何かで合図を出す前に倒されても、もう一つが割れて建物の中の奴に異常が伝わるだろ」 片方の円に斜線を引き、もう片方に×をつけた。 「な、なるほど」 「物理的な防御もだな。この城の塀くらいなら、俺は素手で登れる」 「普通は無理ですよ」 「だが、魔法を使えば簡単にできるんじゃないか?」 「しかし、破壊するとなると大きな音が......」 「違う。お前たちの中で土魔法を使えるのは?」 一二三の質問に、助手の一人が手を挙げる。 その男に向かって一二三は四十センチほどの幅を手で作って見せた。 「じゃあ、一掴みの石をこれくらいの間隔で塀に作るのにどれくらいかかる?」 「ひ、一つあたり三十秒もあれば」 「なら、ここの塀くらいは数分時間があれば手がかりはできるだろ」 言い切られた言葉に、助手たちはひそひそとお互いに話し合っている。 「ですが、その程度の握りでは、僕にはとても......」 「誰がお前ら自身に登れって言ったよ。そこは兵士がやればいいだろ」 あ、という顔をするガアプに、一二三は真剣に頭を抱えた。 「本気で応用とか用途の拡大とかそういうことに頭が回っていないんだな」 そこから、一二三が水流による掘削や風魔法による遠方への伝達などの魔法応用、果ては伝声管を使った建物内の物理的な連絡方法や、センサーの概念などにまで話は及ぶ。 突然ではあるものの、興味深い技術や理論に対して、ガアプと助手たちは話を聞き取りながら多くの質問をし、一二三がぐりぐりと描く落書きを食い入るように見つめていた。 「あの......今更なんですが、どうしてこのような事を教えていただけるのですか?」 深夜まで続けられた講義が一段落したところで、ガアプは恐る恐る聞いた。 「ああ、もう数日でここまでオーソングランデ軍がくるだろうからな。準備しておかないと、一方的になるだろ。それじゃ面白くないんだよ」 錆びついた機械のように、ガアプが振り向くと、クゼムは諦めたように頷いた。 それから、数時間後に国境の状況を知らせる伝令が到着し、アドラメルクは夜を徹しての防衛準備へと突入する。 ガアプの指示のもと、多くの人々が準備に追われる中で、いつの間にか一二三の姿は消えていた。 「ネルガル様。今回の作戦で、わたくしは貴方を盾として使わせていただきます」 軍議の場には、イメラリア、ネルガル、サブナク、ビロン、ヴァイヤー、アリッサ、そしてオリガと獣人たちの姿があった。オリガはもちろん、獣人たちも本来は参加予定にはなかったが、オリガが「私もついていきます」と宣言したので、アリッサよりも上位である以上は、参加させないわけにはいかなくなり、その彼女が連れてきたので、誰も席を外すように言うことが敵わなかった。 イレギュラーなメンバーになったことで、しばらくは挨拶を交えつつの様子見ではあったが、本題に入っていきなりイメラリアがネルガルに言い放った言葉で、誰もが驚いた。 「......イメラリア陛下のお考え、詳しくお聞かせいただきたいのですが」 後ろに立っていた護衛が抗議を言おうとするのを止め、ネルガルはイメラリアに問う。 「此度のホーラント侵入の際、一気に首都アドラメルクまで兵を進めます。最低限の休憩のみを行い、尚且つ今動かせる最大戦力を以て」 「それでは、貴国も我が国も、甚大な被害を受けるのではありませんか? 私がホーラントへ入れば、それで兵たちへの抑えが効きます。たったそれだけで解決するのではありませんか」 ネルガルの意見に、サブナクたちは頷くことで賛成の意を表した。 だが、オリガは沈黙し、アリッサもそれに倣う。 「そうして、王都へ行く途中でネルガル様が行方不明になったとしたら、どうしますか」 「今のホーラントを動かしている人物について、わたくしは詳しくはありませんが、ネルガル様が戻って来ない方が、その人物にとっては有益ではないでしょうか。たとえ王城に戻られたとしても、多くの者がそれを知る前に“貴方がいなくなったら”、まだお戻りでないとするだけで、今のまま権力を握っていられますもの」 イメラリアの話を聞いて、ネルガルは参った、とつぶやいた。 「陛下の仰られる通りですね。恥ずかしながら、自国の軍の中でどれだけ今の権力者......おそらくは宰相のクゼムでしょう。彼が紛れ込ませた間者が存在するかはわかりません」 「ですから、これは王城までネルガル様が戻られたことを大衆に広く知らせるための方法でもあります。堂々と、派手に貴方の帰着を知らせることは、耳目を集めることを嫌う暗殺者を阻止する手立てでもあり、多くの防衛戦力を帯同させる事もそのためです」 「戦力としてではなく、目立つために大軍を......ですか。こう言ってはなんですが、お姿に似合わず、大胆な策をお考えになられる」 「......小娘が失点を取り返すのに必死なだけです」 イメラリアの呟きは、誰の耳にも聞こえていたが、それに反応する者はいない。 「しかし、非常に危険な策でもあります」 ビロンが口を開いた。 「敵方......とさせていただきますが、こちらにネルガル様がいることをあえて無視して、実力で潰しにくる可能性も考えられます」 「それに、そこまで急ぐ必要もないのではありませんか?」 ビロンに同調し、サブナクからも慎重論が出たが、イメラリアは頑として首を縦に振らない。 「急ぐ必要はあります。一つは、長引けばそれだけホーラントを操る人物に余裕ができること。それと、一二三様の動向です」 ちらり、とオリガを見るが、何ら反応せずに微笑みを浮かべている。 それだけなのが、逆にイメラリアの気になる部分なのだが。 「あの方がホーラント方面にいる可能性は非常に高いようです。あの方が動けば一で済む犠牲が十にも百にもなりかねません」 「......ですがそれは、我がホーラント側の犠牲ではありませんか?」 陛下が気にすることはないのでは、とネルガルが不安げに語る。 「残念ですが」 イメラリアは、ネルガルの不安に首を振った。 「わたくしはそこまで楽観視できませんわ」 そんな馬鹿な、とネルガルは周囲に同意を求めたが、サブナクもヴァイヤーもビロンも、誰もが“一二三によってオーソングランデ側に犠牲がでる可能性”を否定できない。 「と、トオノ伯爵夫人であるオリガ様もおられるのですよ?」 「あら、お気遣いありがとうございます」 ネルガルから水を向けられ、オリガは笑顔で答えた。 「ですが、主人の寛容や助力を初めから期待されるようでは、残念ながら切り捨ての対象としか受け取れません。これは主人も同じ考えだと思います。その点、陛下のお考えは素晴らしいですね。攻守どちらとも有利になる方法。そして勇敢にもその隊列を自ら率いられるのでしょう?」 「もちろんです。ネルガル様の命を危険に晒すのに、一人安全な場所で寛いでいるような者が、一二三様の求める相手になれるはずもありません」 反対意見が続出したが、イメラリアは抑え込んだ。 「ネルガル様、いかがですか?」 「......私には反対の仕様がありません。今の私には何もありませんが、此度の件、落着いたしましたら最大級の御礼をお送りいたしましょう」 立ち上がり、恭しく礼をするネルガルに、イメラリアは鷹揚に頷いて見せた。 その姿に正しく王の姿を見たサブナクたちも、自然と立ち上がって礼をする。 「そして、オリガさん、アリッサさん。フォカロルの兵たちにもご協力をいただきたいのです」 「御冗談を。多くの国軍兵がここに集まっておられるではありませんか。寡兵に過ぎない私たちでは、何のお役にも立てないかと思いますが?」 冷笑と言っていい、冷たい視線を送るオリガに、イメラリアは一歩も引かずに微笑みで返す。 「冗談ではありません。これも一二三様から教わったことです。一二三様のことをよく知っているオリガさんやアリッサさん、そして一二三様が兵士に指導をした場合の対応ができるフォカロルの兵士たち。数ではありません。知識をお借りしたいのです。知ること。それがどれだけ大切かをわたくしは一二三様から“直接”教わったのですよ」 「そ、それって一二三さんと敵対するってことですか?」 プーセが震える声で尋ねると、イメラリアは「いいえ」ときっぱり否定した。 「これは命をかけた“宿題”なのです。他人の命を削ってでも証明しなければならない、わたくしの答えなのです」 「わたしも行きます!」 ヴィーネが立ち上がり宣言すると、ゲングやマルファスも同調する。 その言葉に、イメラリアは答えず、オリガを見る。彼らの事についてはフォカロルに判断を任せているからだ。 「そういう事でしたら、獣人の方々もお連れして、陛下に最大限のお手伝いを約束させていただきます。......戦争の素人が、どこまでできるか近くで見せていただきますね」 「ただ殺すだけが戦争の終わらせ方では無いということを、王として逆に教えてさしあげますよ」 ピリピリとした空気のなか、一人だけアリッサが口を尖らせてぶぅぶぅ言っていた。 「僕が軍の責任者なんだけどな」 その後、出発を翌日と定め、オーソングランデ歴史上、初めて女王が直接指揮をする戦いが、女王個人の意地によって始められることとなった。

Chapter 144: Psychosocial From time to time a person's actions are incapable of being in line with the aspirations and imaginations of another person. What should or should not happen in the end goes no further than being disconnected from someone's wishes. It's the same with many things. Imeraria's order (or wish) also ended up being futile and in vain. "It became somewhat noisy. Did something happen, Sabnak-san?" (Imeraria) "Uuh, Origa-san..." (Sabnak) Sabnak served as host of Viine and the others instead of Vaiya who was busy with the preparations for the planned arrival of the reinforcement's main forces from behind. On the way leading them to the tents for visitors, which were prepared from the spares, they ended up suddenly coming across Origa who carried baggage she bought in Munster. Viine's group, who doesn't know about Origa, turns their looks towards Sabnak in search of an explanation as no one understands the beautiful girl who appeared in front of their eyes. However, Sabnak isn't in a situation where he can respond to that. "U-Umm..." "Did you decide on some strategy? And, the people over there are... well, beastmen and an elf? It's the first time I'm seeing either, but what's wrong?" (Origa) Sabnak had not come up with even a bit of explanation in the case that Origa got in touch with the beastmen. Since he had wanted to ponder on it slowly later on, he had yet to determine if he will try to bounce opinions off of Imeraria to obtain a fine-tuned integrated whole Being abandoned by Sabnak who became pale while dripping sweat, Viine's group bowed. "Nice to meet you. I'm the rabbit beastman Viine. I came from the slums of Swordland on the other side of the wastelands." "Oh, how very polite. I'm the wife of Fokalore's feudal lord Earl Tohno, Origa." "Ah, you are master's madam! Wanting to go to master's place, I came to this place!" (Viine) "I see, you were bought by my husband in the wastelands?" (Origa) "Yes, I was immediately released after that, in addition to that I received education and an environment where I could live safely... wanting to return this favour somehow, I thought that I should meet with master." (Viine) Inside a guest tent a conversation began in a harmonious atmosphere by the guests receiving black tea personally served by Origa, and Caim's special baked sweets. The males of the beastmen admire Hifumi's wife, Origa, as a beauty. Puuse and Viine talk about the events up till now. Sabnak pondered whether he should go inform Imeraria, but decided to confirm the outcome of this conversation first. He takes a sip of black tea while feeling like crying. Just as said by Origa, who discovered the fine tea leaves in Munster, it has a refreshing sweetness. "S-So, I accompanied Viine-san to make it possible for her to meet with Hifumi-san. There's something I want to talk about as well." "I believe that I want to serve at master's side, if possible. I also reached the point of being able to use magic after keeping at it. I will take care of him and even use this body as a shield in an emergency." (Viine) Origa, who emptied the cup slowly in order to make sure of the black tea's flavour, watched Viine pleading desperately and smiled sweetly. "If you are saying that you will be able to serve as maid of my husband, of Hifumi-sama, I will welcome that. However, there's one thing you should know. And that's a condition I want you to honour." (Origa) "What you should know is what Hifumi-sama is aiming for. ... You, do you have the resolve to kill someone else for Hifumi-sama?" (Origa) Whispering that while still smiling, it's said in a light tune completely as if asking someone about their hobby while bearing a weight similar to a final trial. "Kil-..." (Puuse) That mood. The mood of not hesitating even a little about stealing life, lightly and easily as if fluttering in the wind. Puuse, who sensed in Origa once more what she had felt in Hifumi, became speechless. However, Viine's resolve is firm. "There's no problem. I decided to practise for that reason." (Viine) Feeling that the pressure from Origa has calmed down somewhat, even the male group, who was tense, dropped their shoulders. "Umm, What's this one other condition?" (Viine) "That's simple. Viine-san, you just said that you will take care of Hifumi-sama by even sacrificing your body, didn't you?" (Origa) "Yes, of course." (Viine) "That's my duty. Please do so once my life has been extinguished for the sake of Hifumi-sama, if you are going to do it." (Origa) With Origa showing any signs of listening to a reply, she faced Sabnak once she finished declaring that. "Sabnak-san." (Origa) "Y-Yes!" (Sabnak) "So, can I have you tell me the reason why this encampment has become this noisy?" (Origa) "Uuh... I got it..." (Sabnak) After that, the beastmen, who finished meeting with Alyssa as well, were taken charge of by a person from Fokalore and not from Imeraria's side. faster than your enemy does", Hifumi explains. The one who listens attentively is a magic researcher of Horant, a young man called Gaap. Having been summoned to the room of Horant's Prime Minister Kuzemu, he listens to the conversation in the prime ministers office alongside assistants he brought along. "How and where will the opponent enter? Did they get close? What equipment are they using? You probably understand that it's advantageous even if you only know those things in advance." (Hifumi) "Yes. However, there are sentries and patrols for that reason. They are guarding while checking the vicinity with a magic light tool." (Gaap) "Then that means it will be over once they are done in. Just like the current situation." (Hifumi) "That is... something called individual ability. There won't be any problem if the sentries are stronger or if the assailant is a lot weaker." (Gaap) "You idiot." (Hifumi) Due to the voice of Hifumi, who interrupted Gaap's words, even Kuzemu, who is working at a separate desk, trembled. "You have to consider it from much higher level than individual strength. Basically think of it as "something even an idiot can do" in case of the masses." (Hifumi) "For example", he pulls out a suitable parchment from Kuzemu's desk and flips it over. Drawing two circles, he flicked it with a finger. "There were magic tools where one is broken if its counterpart is destroyed, right? Making it more fragile and preparing two of them, You install one of them at the front of the body of the guy on duty. By doing that, even if the wearer got defeated by something before sending a signal, those inside the building would be informed of the abnormality by the counterpart breaking." (Hifumi) Drawing a diagonal line through one of the circles, he added an X-mark to the other one. "I-Indeed." (Gaap) "It's the same with physical defence. If it's the walls of this castle, I can climb them barehanded." (Hifumi) "Normally that's impossible." (Gaap) "But, aren't you able to accomplish that easily if magic is used?" (Hifumi) "Nevertheless, if it's disrupted, a loud sound will..." (Gaap) "It's something else. Is there anyone amongst you who can use earth magic?" (Hifumi) One of the assistants raises their hand due to Hifumi's question. Facing that man, Hifumi made a gap of around 40 cm with his hands and showed him. "Then, how long will it take for a soldier to create a hand-sized stone of this size?" (Hifumi) "I-If it's one per soldier, as much as 30 seconds." "In that case, at least the soldiers of this place will be able to have them on hand if they have several minutes of time, right?" (Hifumi) Due to the words he finished saying, the assistants whisper amongst themselves. "However, to hold one of that level, for me that's very..." "Who told you guys to go up there yourselves? It will be fine if that's done by the soldiers, won't it?" (Hifumi) "Ah", due to Gaap having such expression, Hifumi was seriously troubled. "Do you really don't think about such things as application or amplification of utility?" (Hifumi) From then on Hifumi extends his explanation to things like magic application for long distance communication with wind magic and excavation with water currents, on top of that physical communication methods inside a building which used speaking tubes and the general concept of sensors. Although it was sudden, Gaap and his assistants asked many questions while trying to comprehend the very interesting theories and techniques. They stared with high concentration at the scribbles drawn with by Hifumi. "Umm... I know it's kind of late for that, but why is it acceptable for you to teach us these things?" (Gaap) At the moment the lecture, which had continued until late at night, reached a point where they could take a pause, Gaap asked that timidly. "Ah, so, in a few days, Orsongrande's army will probably come here. If aren't prepared, it will be one-sided, I guess. Then it won't very interesting." (Hifumi) Just like a rust-eaten machine, Gaap turned around and Kuzemu nodded as if having given up. And then, a few hours later, a messenger letting them know about the situation at the border arrives. Adolameruk rushes into all-night defence preparations. While many people were driven into preparing under Gaap's instructions, Hifumi vanished before they realized. "Nelgal-sama, I will make use of you as a shield in the operation this time." (Imeraria) Imeraria, Nelgal, Sabnak, Biron, Vaiya, Alyssa, Origa and the beastmen came together at the war council's location. Origa and of course the beastmen as well weren't originally scheduled to participate, but since Origa declared [I will come along, too] and seeing that she is Alyssa's superior, the reason for not having the rest join vanished. It was beyond their power to tell anyone to take their leave as Origa brought them along. Due to them becoming irregular council members, it turned into a wait-and-see situation while everyone greeted and mingled with each other for a while, however due to the declaration of Imeraria who suddenly got down to business everyone was surprised. "... I'd like to be told about Your Majesty's intention in detail." (Nelgal) Stopping a guard, who stood in the back trying to file a protest, Nelgal asks Imeraria. "On the occasion of the current invasion of Horant, we will advance the troops towards the capital city Adolameruk in one go. We will have them take only a minimum amount of breaks and on top of that take the largest war potential we can currently move." (Imeraria) "Won't it turn into serious damage for your and my country in that case? If I enter Horant, it will possible to use me as a restraint against the soldiers. Won't it be possible to solve the situation with only that much?" (Nelgal) Sabnak and the others expressed their thoughts of approval by nodding towards Nelgal's opinion. However, Origa stays silent and Alyssa follows her in that as well. "And what will we do if you went missing on the way towards the capital, Nelgal-sama?" (Imeraria)magic "I'm not well-informed about the person who is steering the current Horant, but is your return beneficial for that person, Nelgal-sama? Even if you returned to the royal castle for argument's sake, he will be able to seize the power just like they have now by just acting as if you haven't returned yet and spreading "he has gone missing" before many people become aware of your arrival." (Imeraria) Listening to Imeraria's argument's Nelgal muttered "I give up." "It's just as said by Her Majesty. While it's disgraceful, the current man in power within the military of my country... is very likely Prime Minister Kuzemu. I don't know whether there are spies who were slipped in by him." (Nelgal) "Therefore this is also a method to widely spread the news to the masses that you returned before reaching the capital, Nelgal-sama. Being informed boldly and flashily about your return is also a means to hinder assassins who dislike public attention. That's also the reason for taking many defensive forces along." (Imeraria) "A large army for standing out and not as war potential... you say? Though that's what you are saying, it can be considered as daring strategy that doesn't suit its appearance." "... It's just a young girl being desperate to recover her lost points." (Imeraria) Imeraria's murmuring wasn't even heard by anyone, but there was no one who would react to that either. "However it's also an extremely dangerous plan, too." (Biron) Biron opened his mouth. "The enemy side... although they would be the ones doing it, we have to also consider the possibility of them coming to crush us with force while deliberately ignoring Nelgal-sama being on our side." (Biron) "Besides, is it necessary to hurry this much?" Agreeing with Biron, Sabnak proposed a conservative theory, but Imeraria doesn't nod her head stubbornly. "It's indispensable to make haste. For one the person, who is pulling the strings in Horant, will be allowed some margin accordingly if we drag it out. And then there are Hifumi-sama's movements." (Imeraria) She sends a fleeting glance at Origa, however she shows a smile without reacting in any way whatsoever. Although it's no more than that, there are parts which worry Imeraria in reverse though. "The probability for that gentleman to be in Horant is very high. If that man makes a move, the sacrifices, which usually would finish with one, will end up turning into 10 or 100." "... However, aren't those victims on our Horant's side?" (Nelgal) "It's not something Your Majesty has to mind", Nelgal says uneasily. "I have to disappoint you though." (Imeraria) Imeraria shook her head towards Nelgal's anxiety. "I'm unable to regard it this optimistically." (Imeraria) "Such foolishness", Nelgal searched for approval in the surroundings, but Sabnak, Vaiya, Biron and no one else denies the "possibility of victims appearing on Orsongrande's side due to Hifumi." "I-Isn't Origa-sama, who is Earl Tohno's wife, here as well?" (Nelgal) "Oh my, thank you for worrying about me." (Origa) Being addressed by Nelgal, Origa replied with a smile. "However, I'm afraid to tell you that from the beginning of my husband's generosity and support I haven't accepted anything except being a target for elimination as apparently expected. I believe my husband harbours the same thoughts as well. In that aspect Her Majesty's thinking is splendid. It's a method that is beneficial towards both, offence and defence. And she will be able to lead the files and ranks heroically by herself as well, right?" (Origa) "Of course. A person who relaxes in a safe place by herself while exposing Nelgal-sama's life to danger, shouldn't be able to become an opponent as desired by Hifumi-sama either." (Imeraria) Dissenting opinions appeared one after the other, but Imeraria shut up her opponents. "How about it, Nelgal-sama?" (Imeraria) "... It can't be helped that I'm against it. The current me is nothing, but in the current matter I shall give you my highest gratitude once things settled down." (Nelgal) Due to Nelgal bowing respectfully after standing up, Imeraria nodded generously. Sabnak, who regarded this as correct behaviour of a ruler, naturally bows after standing up as well. "And, Origa-san and Alyssa-san, I'd like to ask you for the cooperation of Fokalore's soldiers." (Imeraria) "You are jesting. Haven't many of the royal army's forces been gathered here? What kind of role do you plan to assign to us who are no more than a small army force?" (Origa) Imeraria returns a smile, without retreating even a bit, towards Origa who looks at her coldly and says that while laughing scornfully. "It's no joke. This is also something I was taught by Hifumi-sama. Origa-san and Alyss-san, you, who understand Hifumi-sama well, and the soldiers of Fokalore who are able to deal with situation after being coached by Hifumi-sama as soldiers. It's not about numbers. I want to borrow your knowledge. The things you know. How important that is, I was taught "I-Is that something to oppose Hifumi-san?" (Puuse) When Puuse asked with a trembling voice, Imeraria clearly denied that with a [No] . "This is the "homework" I risked my life to obtain. Even if cut down the lives of other, I have to prove it. That's my answer." (Imeraria) "I will go as well!" (Viine) Once Viine declares that after standing up, Gengu and Malfas agree with her, too. Due to those words, Imeraria looks at Origa without answering. That's because she has entrusted the decisions about them to Fokalore. "If it's about this, I will have all of you beastmen promise to help Her Majesty to the best of your abilities. You are amateurs at war, but I'd like you to show me how much you are able to do nearby." (Origa) "However, as sovereign, I will conversely teach you that you can not end a war just by killing." (Imeraria) In the middle of the tingling mood, only Alyssa said "Buu buu" while pouting. "I'm the one in charge of the forces though." (Alyssa) After deciding that the departure would be the next day, the battle, which will be the first directly led by a queen in Orsongrande's history, was triggered by obstinacy of the queen herself.

スティフェルスの眼前、どんどん近づくミュンスターの入口は、大門が開け放たれて街の中もよく見える。 そしてそこには、人がいない。門の外も、中も、街の通りにもどこにも。 それに最初に気づいたのは、先頭にいたスティフェルスだった。 続いて、周囲にいた騎士たちも街の異常に気付く。 「た、隊長!」 「どういたしましょう!?」 背後からは猛烈な勢いでホーラント兵が追い立ててくる。土煙を上げ、武器を手に迫ってくる真顔の集団が、スティフェルスにはより一層恐ろしく見えてきた。 スティフェルスは考える。 このまま街へ踏み込むのは悪手だ。街が荒れればその時点で自分の失点は覆し難いものとなる。ここから追い返したとしても、被害は無視できるものではないだろう。 となれば......。 「兵は全員、街にたどり着き次第、予定通り左右に別れて敵を挟撃する! 騎士隊は街の門を閉じ、挟撃作戦の間、門を使って敵を足止めする!」 「り、了解しました!」 話している間に、街の門はすぐ目の前だ。 兵を指揮する役目を追った騎士が左右へと別れ、それに兵たちがついて行く。 いくらかのホーラント兵がそれに釣られてついていくが、大多数はまっすぐミュンスターへと迫る。 「閉めろ! 早く!」 怒鳴りつけるスティフェルス。 騎士隊は転げ落ちるように馬を降り、必死に門を閉め、閂をかける。 数瞬の後、分厚い木製の門を叩く音が響き、更に向こうから、挟撃する兵たちの声と、武器が叩きつけられる音が響く。 一枚の扉の向こうにある狂騒を聞きながら、スティフェルスは馬を降りた。 (街を放棄するとは、ビロンは何を考えている!) 策が成らず、怒りに震えるスティフェルスが見る先は、王都側の出入り口方面。 霞んで見える道の先にも、街の住人は見当たらない。 「絶対に殺してやるぞ! ホーラントの連中をすり潰した次は、貴様の番だ!」 ミュンスター、王都方面出口近く。避難する住民たちの最後尾にビロン伯爵は居た。 サブナクは、危険なので集団の中央付近にいるか、最初に脱出をするようにとビロンを説得しようとしたが、これだけは譲らず、妻と子供だけを先に行かせ、ビロン自身はサブナクたち第三騎士隊と共に殿を務める。 「久しぶりに鎧を着ると、違和感があるね」 馬に乗るのも久しぶりだし、とビロン自身はのんきな様子だが。 一人の兵が馬上のサブナクに駆け寄り、何かを報告する。 「......伝令がきました。義兄さん、ミュンスターに敵軍が来たようです」 「ああ、敵軍ね。まとめてそう呼べば楽だね」 命を奪い合う音が遠くから聞こえるような気がして、ビロンは空を見上げて思案する。 「これから王都方面へ向かう路上で、うまくトオノ伯爵と合流できれば、楽なんだけどね」 街の住民たちは先にある街に疎開し、戦闘が終わり次第戻す事になっている。国境に近い街だからと、ビロンは日頃から逃げ出す準備を徹底させるようにとしていたが、まさか本当にこの策を使う日が来るとは思っていなかった。 住民にはかなり負担をかけたが、命を失うよりは良いだろうと割り切るしかない。 「確かに、一二三さんが到着すれば、こっちの勝ちは確定でしょう」 ちゃんと味方になってくれれば......と、サブナクは心の中で付け足した。 「サブナク、誰か近づいてくる!」 一人の同僚騎士が、声を上げながら馬を降りて剣を抜いた。 「義兄さん、下がってください。敵か味方かわかりません」 サブナクも馬を降り、剣を抜く。 (剣術はあまり得意じゃないんだけど、仕方ない) ため息を隠しながら、注意深く構えたサブナクが見たのは、槍を掴み、歩いてくる第一騎士隊リベザル。そして彼に率いられた第一騎士隊の隊員たちと、王子アイペロスの姿だった。さらに見慣れない男が一人、王子の横にいるのが見えた。 「リベザル隊長に......アイペロス王子?!」 第三騎士隊の誰かが驚きの声を上げた。 数秒、記憶を辿り、一二三と出会ったフォカロルでの出来事を思い出した。 「全員、構えを解くな! こいつら、魔法具で操られている!」 「えっ?」 一瞬判断が遅れた騎士の一人を、リベザルの槍が貫いた。 途端に乱戦となる。 互いの騎士隊はほぼ同数であり、他の第三騎士隊員やビロンの領兵が応援に駆けつけるまで持ち堪えれば良いと思っていたサブナクたちだが、想定外の苦戦を強いられた。 「こいつら、片腕が無くなっても攻撃してきやがる!」 「報告書にあった通りだ、落ち着いて致命傷を与えろ!」 魔法具の影響で若干動きが鈍っている第一騎士隊だが、戦闘に慣れていない第三騎士隊にとっては強敵であることには変わりがない。 「そしてぼくの相手は貴方ですか......」 剣を構えるサブナクの前に立つのは、槍を突き出したリベザルだ。 その目は視点が定まっていない狂人のそれだが、威圧感は尋常ではない。 (これは、ここで死ぬのかな......) 次々と繰り出される槍は、以前に見た技量よりも多少劣っては見えたが、サブナクにとってはかわすのがやっとの速度だった。 膂力も尋常ではなく、突きを剣の腹で止めても、たたらを踏むほど押し込まれる。 あっという間に肩で息をし始めたサブナクに対し、リベザルは平然と構えている。 「これをあっさり撃退したのか、やっぱり一二三さんは化物......うわっ!」 突然背中を押されたサブナクは、リベザルに向かって二歩、三歩と前に出る。 目の前にリベザルが迫り、慌てて横に転がったサブナクのすぐ横を、槍の一撃が通りすぎた。 「あぶっあぶっ......」 這々の体でリベザルから距離をとったサブナクに、不満げな声がかけられた。 「誰が化物だ。それと、槍相手にやたらと距離を取ろうとするな。前に出ろ、前に」 サブナクが声の主を見ると、見覚えのある黒髪黒目で目つきの鋭い青年が、相変わらずの奇妙な服を着て、腰に刀を差して立っていた。 手に持った鎖鎌の分銅をくるくると回しながら、ずいっと一二三が前に出る。 「ひ、一二三さん? いくらなんでも、早すぎ......」 「こいつは俺の獲物だ。チンタラやってて取り逃したら......ありゃ?」 リベザルの様子に、一二三は眉をひそめて見回してから、ため息をついた。 「こいつも正気じゃないのか。つまらん状態になったなぁ」 首を振る一二三に、構わずリベザルの槍が迫る。 サブナクが叫ぶまでもなく、一二三は体を横に向けて半身の形で避ける。槍の引き際に斬りつけようとしてくる刃も、鎖を使って体に触れさせない。 更に突き込んでくるリベザルの腹を前蹴りで押し込んで距離を取った一二三は、再び分銅を振り回し、相手の顔面に分銅を打ち付けた。 鼻ごと顔面の中心を叩き潰されながらも、リベザルは槍を繰り出す事をやめない。 片目は眼窩から飛び出し、目と鼻と口から夥しい血を流す。 それでも、リベザルは止まらない。 「虚しいなぁ。戦う理由を持たない奴の攻撃なんぞ、機械が振り回す棒きれとなんら変わりない」 言葉の通りに、危なげなく穂先を避ける一二三は、その間にも左手に握る鎌でザクザクとリベザルの腕を傷つける。 「一二三さん、こいつらは痛覚が無いうえ、恐怖などの感情がないんです。傷をつけても......あれ?」 次第に動きが緩慢になるリベザルに、サブナクは首をかしげた。 「生き物ってのは、一定以上の血が流れると身体の自由が効かなくなるんだよ。痛みとか恐怖とかは関係ない」 そのくらい知ってるだろう、と一二三が話す間に腕も上げられなくなったリベザルは、ついに膝を付いた。 鎖鎌を収納し、素早く腰の刀を抜いた一二三は、リベザルの鎧の前面を叩き斬った。 「見ぃつけた」 むき出しになった魔法具を、一二三は左手で鷲掴みにして、無理やり引き剥がした。 身体に埋まっていた管が引き伸ばされ、ブチブチと音を立てて千切れる。 痙攣するリベザルは、管が全て切れてしまったところで、大の字になって仰向けに倒れた。 「う......」 「正気に戻ったか」 意識を取り戻したリベザルは、動かない自分の身体に困惑する。 「き、貴様は......! か、身体が動かん......一体どうなって......」 「知らん。わかっているのは、お前が今から死ぬという事実だけだ」 「なんだと......」 むき出しの胸部に刀を突きたてた一二三は、右手に伝わる心臓を貫いた感触に口の端を引き上げた。 「うむ。殺すなら、人形ではなく、ヒトが良い」 血が減っているせいか、刀を抜いてもあまり血が出ないのを興味深く見ながら、懐紙で刀を拭い、鞘へと納める。 「ひ、一二三さん、さっきリベザル隊長は正気に戻っていたんじゃ......」 恐る恐る近づいてきたサブナクに、一二三はそうだな、と答えた。 「試しにやってみたら、意外としっかり意識が戻ったな。死ぬことを自覚されないと、こっちもつまらないからな。良い発見だった」 この上なく良い顔をする一二三に、サブナクとその後ろで一部始終を見ていたビロンは、しばらく声を出せなかった。 「さて、まだ獲物がいるな」 次の武器にと契り木を取り出し、ぐっと握りこんだ一二三は、気負いのない軽やかな足取りで、乱戦が続く第一対第二の騎士隊同士の戦場へと向かう。 それを見たサブナクは慌てて叫んだ。 「だ、第三騎士隊! 全員逃げろぉおお!」 戦いが始まったところで、少し距離を置いていたベイレヴラは、リベザルが殺害されるのを見て腰を抜かして驚いた。 魔法具の影響を受けて、恐怖を感じない殺人人形と化していたリベザルを軽くあしらっただけでなく、態々正気に戻してから殺したのだ。 異常としか思えない行動に、強さよりも一二三という人間の狂気に対して、ベイレヴラは恐怖した。 誰も見ていないのをいいことに、這うように戦場から離れようとしたところで、ふくらはぎに激痛が走った。 突然の痛みに転がりながら、涙目で足を見ると、見たこともないような十字型の金属が突き刺さっていた。 「な、なんだこりゃ」 あまりの痛みに触れることもできずにいるベイレブラに一人の少女が近づいてきた。 「一二三様にようやく追いついたと思ったら......この幸運、一二三様に感謝しなくては」 手裏剣を右手に、ゆっくりと歩いてくるのはオリガだ。 色白の顔は無表情ながら、緑の瞳は強い殺意を以てベイレヴラを睨み据えている。 「あら、覚えていたようね」 光栄でもなんでもないけれど、とオリガは二つ目の手裏剣を放ち、無傷の方の足にも傷を付ける。 もはや痛みに声もあげられず、歯を食いしばるベイレヴラは、必死で手裏剣を引き抜き、切り裂いた服で傷を縛り上げた。それでも、血は止まらない。 「た、助けてくれねぇか......こんな足になっちまったら、もう野垂れ死ぬしかねぇけどよ。せめてもっと穏やかに死にてぇよ......」 みっともなく泣きべそをかいて見せるベイレヴラは、内心でホーラントの工作員からの助けを待っていた。 追撃が来ない事に、さらに時間を稼ごうと言葉を続ける。 「だから......」 「黙れ」 ベイレヴラが泣いて許しを乞う間に詠唱を済ませていたオリガは、風の刃で無慈悲に片腕を切り飛ばした。 ひぃひぃと泣き喚きながら、肩の綺麗な切断面から血を撒き散らしてもんどり打つベイレヴラを見ても、オリガは少しも表情を崩さない。 「お前は、そうやって地べたを這いつくばって、必死に生きることを望みながら死んでいくのが相応しい。みっともなく、無様に、惨たらしく死になさい。そうして初めて、お前の行為を許す気になる可能性が出てくるかもしれないから」 もはや、まともに話もできず、傷ついた足をもぞもぞと動かして逃げようとするベイレヴラは、助けてとうわ言のように繰り返すが、オリガは聞かない。 「私たちが受けた屈辱は、お前にはわからないでしょう。わかって欲しくもありません。一二三様に拾われるという幸運が無ければ、今頃は......」 もがくベイレヴラに近づき、腹を踏みつけて動きを止める。 出血で意識が朦朧とし始めていたベイレヴラは、霞む視界に映るオリガが、手首に固定していた短剣を外し、右手に握り締めたのを見た。 「一二三様、感謝いたします。この手で復讐を果たすことができることを。そしてカーシャ、見ていなさい。私たちの仇が死にゆく様を」 ポツポツとまるで誰かと会話しているように呟いたオリガは、短剣を力いっぱいベイレヴラの胸に振り下ろした。 心臓を突き刺されたベイレヴラは、即死した。 引き抜いた短剣を抱えたオリガは、いつの間にか自分が泣いていた事に気づいた。 その涙のわけは自分にも判らないが、ひとつの復讐が終わり、自分の心が解放されていく感覚は、彼女の胸の中に確かにあった。

As they are steadily getting closer to Munster's gate, before Stiffels' eyes the large front gate is left open allowing anyone to see quite well into the city. And in there are no people at all, not outside the gate, not inside and not even on the streets of the city. The first to realize this was Stiffels who was at the head of the troops. Following after him, the knights noticed the abnormality of the city as well. "C-Captain!" (Knight) "What will we do now!?" (Knight) They are pressed with intense force by the soldiers from Horant from the back. As it is a serious looking mass urging closer with their weapons in their hands, Stiffels appeared to be even more frightened. Stiffels takes the situation into consideration. It is a bad move to step into the city as it is now. If the city falls into ruin, it will become difficult to disprove it being my blunder. Even if we turned away from here, it wouldn't be possible to disregard the damages. If it's like that... "All soldiers, as soon as we finally reach the city, we will divide to the left and right and pincer attack the enemy, just as planned! During the pincer operation we will use the gate to confine the enemy!" (Stiffels) "U-Understood!" (Soldiers) While he is explaining, the city gate draws nearer. Commanding the soldiers, the knights following their duty, split up left and right accompanied by the soldiers. A few of Horant's soldiers are lured by that and follow them, but the great majority advances directly towards Munster. "Close it! Hurry!" (Stiffels) Stiffels shouts. The knight order, dismounting their horses as if falling off, desperately shuts the gate and affixes the bolt. After a few moments sounds of knocking against the thick wooden gate reverberate. Furthermore, from the other side, the voices of the pincer attacking soldiers and the sounds of weapons clashing arise. While listening to the frenzied uproar on the opposite side of the door, Stiffels dismounted. "(What is Biron thinking to abandon the city!?)" (Stiffels) Failing his plan, Stiffels looks ahead in the direction of the side facing the royal capital trembling in rage. Even as he watches the road in front until it gets blurry, he can't see the city's residents. "I will definitely kill you! After pulverizing the lot from Horant, it will be your turn, you son of a bitch!" (Stiffels) Earl Biron was at the end of the line of the escaping residents in Munster, close to the exit towards the royal capital. At the beginning of the escape Sabnak asked Biron to be in the centre of the group because of the danger, but without yielding even a bit, Biron himself works alongside the rear guard of Sabnak's Third Knight Order with only his wife and children having gone ahead. "It's been a while since I wore an armor. It feels uncomfortable." (Biron) Though it even has been a while since he last mounted a horse, Biron is carefree. A single soldier rushes over to the mounted Sabnak and reports something. "... The messenger came. Brother-in-law-san, it seems the enemy army arrived at Munster." (Sabnak) "Ah, the enemy army, eh? It is nice if they gather all together like this." (Biron) Feeling like he can hear the sounds of the death struggle in the far distance, Biron looks up to the sky while pondering. "It will become easy if we can successfully meet up with Earl Tohno on the road leading to the capital after this." (Biron) The city's residents have evacuated from the city beforehand. It has been decided that they will return once the battle finishes. As it is a city close to the national border, Biron naturally had plans for fleeing prepared, but he didn't really believe that the day he would use those plans would ever come. Although it was quite the burden on the residents, they had no choice but to make a clear decision of moving rather than loosing their lives. "Certainly, if Hifumi-san arrives, it will probably decide the victory here." (Sabnak) Sabnak added within his mind. "Sabnak, someone is approaching!" (Biron) It was a single associated knight, but as he dismounted the horse he drew his sword while raising his voice to a roar. "Brother-in-law-san, please stand back. We don't know whether he is an ally or an enemy." (Sabnak) Descending from his horse, Sabnak draws his sword. (Swordsmanship isn't really my strong point, but whatever.) While hiding his sigh, Sabnak set up his stance cautiously and saw the First Knight Order's Ribezal walking over gripping his spear. And as he lead the First Knight Order's members, the figure of Prince Ayperos could be seen. Furthermore there was a single unknown man besides the prince. "Captain Ribezal... Prince Ayperos!?" (Knight) Someone from the Third Knight Order raised their voice in surprise. Searching his mind for a few seconds, he recalled the incident Hifumi encountered in Fokalore. "All hands, don't lower your guard! These guys are controlled by a magic tool!" (Sabnak) "Eh?" (Knight) A single knight, being late in his decision for an instant, was pierced by Ribezal's spear. At once it turned into a melee. The number of knights on either side is almost the same. Sabnak's group thought it would be fine if they endured until the other members of the Third Knight Order and Biron's territorial soldiers came running, but they were forced into hard fight exceeding their assumptions. "These fellows keep on fighting even if they lose an arm!" (Knight) "It is just as it was written in the report! Calm down and deliver fatal wounds!" (Sabnak) The first Knight Order's moves have become a little bit dull due to the influence of the magic tool, however that doesn't particularly change the fact that they are formidable opponents for the Third Knight Order, who isn't accustomed to combat. "And now you are my opponent... ?" (Sabnak) In front of Sabnak, who has his sword at the ready, stands Ribezal pushing out his spear. Although Ribezal's eyes are unfocused like the ones of a madman, he has an uncommonly intimidating air. (I see, this is where I die, I guess...) The spear lunges at him successively and although he could see that it was inferior to Ribezal's ability he had seen before, it was barely at a speed Sabnak could evade. Ribezal's physical strength isn't common either. Even stopping the thrusts with the sword's core, he is pushed to the degree of tottering. In contrast to Sabnak, who began to breathe heavily in the blink of an eye, Ribezal is calmly setting up his stance. "He repelled these thrusts easily? Hifumi-san is a monster after all... uwa!" (Sabnak) Suddenly being pushed from the back, Sabnak walks 2, 3 steps towards Ribezal. Having Ribezal approach in front, Sabnak jumped to the side in a hurry rolling over on the ground and avoided the spear's attack that way. "Phew phew..." (Sabnak) Scurrying away from Ribezal's range, Sabnak stood up leaking a disgruntled voice. "Who is a monster? And also, don't try to recklessly compete with the range of a spear wielding opponent. Go ahead, forward with you." (Hifumi) Looking at the owner of that voice, Sabnak saw a youth with his sharp eyes with their dark pupils and his black hair and recognised him. As usual he wore weird clothes and the katana was affixed to his waist. While holding the counterweight of the kusarigama in his hand and spinning it around in circles, Hifumi appears at the front without hesitation. "H-Hifumi-san? No matter how you look at it, you are here too fast..." (Sabnak) "This guy is my prey. You have missed your chance, slowpoke... ah?" (Hifumi) Hifumi frowned due to Ribezal's state and after looking around he sighed. "He isn't even conscious, huh? He became boring." (Hifumi) Shaking his head, Hifumi doesn't care about Ribezal's spear approaching him. Without even minding Sabnak's shout, Hifumi avoids the thrust by having half his body turn sideways. He also slashes at the blade of the spear the moment its forward movement stopped and using the chains it doesn't touch his body. Hifumi, taking some distance by pushing the continuously thrusting Ribezal away with a front kick into his stomach, swung the counterweight once again and nailed it into the face of his opponent. Although he has his nose in the center of the face smashed, Ribezal doesn't cease to lunge at Hifumi with his spear. One of Ribezal's eyes leaps out of its socket and a large amount of blood flows from his eyes, nose and mouth. Even so, Ribezal doesn't stop. "What a lifeless doll. Without having a reason to fight, his attacks etc. are no different from some kind of broken machine." (Hifumi) During the time he utters those words, Hifumi, avoiding the spearhead safely, roughly cuts at Ribezal's arms injuring them in the process with the sickle (kama) held in his left hand. "Hifumi-san, on top of not feeling any pain, those guys don't feel anything like fear. Even if you plaster them with wounds... Huh?" (Sabnak) As Ribezal's movements gradually became sluggish, Sabnak tilted his head to the side in confusion. "If it's a living thing, it will have its body restricted after loosing a fixed amount of blood. It has nothing to do with pain or fear." (Hifumi) "I think you should know at least this much", Hifumi said while Ribezal lost the strength to raise his arms and finally dropped to his knees. Hifumi, storing away the kusarigama and quickly drawing the katana from his waist, assaulted the front of Ribezal's armour. "Found it~~" (Hifumi) Hifumi tightly grabbed the magic tool, exposed to the air, with his left hand and forcibly tore it off. Stretching the pipes embedded in Ribezal's body, they are plucked out making a sound of *ripping*. The spasming Ribezal, having all of the pipes torn off, collapsed lying spread-eagle while facing up. "U..." (Ribezal) "His consciousness has returned, eh?" (Hifumi) Ribezal, having regained his senses, is bewildered at his own unmovable body. "You b-bastard are... ! M-My body, what did you... ? What the heck happened... ?" (Ribezal) "Don't know. As far as I know, the only thing now waiting for you is death." (Hifumi) "What did you.. ?" (Ribezal) Hifumi standing up and piercing the bare chest with the katana, lifted up the corners of his mouth as he sensed the feeling of the katana penetrating the heart being transmitted to his right hand. "Umu. If you kill it has to be a human and not a doll." (Hifumi) While looking with great interest at the katana, which hasn't much blood on it due to the blood having dwindled before, he wipes it with a paper and stores it in the scabbard. "H-Hifumi-san, if Captain Ribezal's consciousness has returned before, then..." (Sabnak) Hifumi answered "That's right" to the timidly approaching Sabnak. "I took a chance and tested it out. Unexpectedly his consciousness returned completely. Dying without being aware of it is even for me stupid. It was a good discovery." (Hifumi) Sabnak and Biron, watching the whole thing from the start to the end, didn't say anything to Hifumi, who showed an extremely pleased face, for a while. "Well then, I am still not finished with my prey yet." (Hifumi) Taking out the chigiriki* as his next weapon and grasping it firmly, Hifumi, with a light stride without any fervour, heads towards the battlefield where the melee between the First and Third Knight Order continues. Watching this, Sabnak yelled in a hurry, "T-Third Knight Order. All members run awaaaaay!" (Sabnak) When the fight begun, Beirevra distanced himself a bit. Watching the death of Ribezal, he was stricken by fright. Being under the influence of the magic tool, Ribezal, being a murdering doll without feeling any dread, wasn't just lightly dealt with but also expressly had his consciousness returned before getting killed. Due to the act which can't be called anything but abnormal, Beirevra trembled in horror in regards of the man called Hifumi, not because of his strength but rather because of his madness. When he tried to leave the battlefield by crawling as it was a good thing no one saw him, an intense pain traveled through his calf. While rolling around due to the sudden pain, he looked teary-eyed at his foot and saw some cross-shaped metal stuck there. "W-What on earth is this?" (Beirevra) A single girl approached Beirevra who couldn't feel his foot due to the intense pain. "Just when I caught up with Hifumi at last... I haven't shown my gratitude to Hifumi for this good luck." (Origa) It is Origa slowly walking over with a shuriken in her right hand. While her fair-skinned face is expressionless, he green pupils are leaking a powerful killing intent as she fixes her glare at Beirevra. "Ara, it seems you remembered." (Origa) Although it is just a trifling honor, she throws a second shuriken in the same way and also inflicts a wound on the yet unhurt foot. Without being able to raise his voice already due to the pain, Beirevra clenches his teeth, frantically pulls out the shuriken and binds up the wound with a piece of ripped off cloth. Nevertheless, the blood doesn't stop to spill. "Won't you help me... ? With my feet like this, there is nothing but death in the wild awaiting me by now. At least I want to die more calmly..." (Beirevra) Beirevra, showing a disgraceful lamenting, anticipated help from the spy of Horant within his mind. He continues his speech to gain further time as the pursuit isn't coming. "Therefore..." (Beirevra) "Shut up." (Origa) Origa finished the casting during the time Beirevra wept and begged. The wind blades mercilessly sent one arm flying. Origa's facial expression doesn't even change a bit seeing Beirevra turning a somersault scattering his blood after having his arm cleanly cut off at the root of his shoulder while bawling with a *giddy laughter*. "For you it is an appropriate way to die while grovelling on the ground like this frantically trying to survive. Have a disgraceful, uncouth and gruesome death. And only after that the possibility of me forgiving your deeds might appear." (Origa) By now, he isn't capable to even talk anymore. Beirevra, restlessly stirring his injured feet and trying to move to escape the predicament, repeats his talking about help as if in delirium. Origa doesn't listen to him. "You probably don't understand the humiliation we suffered. I don't want you to understand it either. If we didn't have the luck to be picked up by Hifumi, by now we would..." (Origa) Drawing near to the struggling Beirevra, she tramples down on his abdomen and his movement ceases. Beginning to have a hazy consciousness due to the blood loss, Origa is reflected in Beirevra's blurry field of vision. He watched her taking off the dagger fixed to her wrist and grasping it tightly in her right hand. "Hifumi-sama, I wish to express my gratitude. I am able to carry out my revenge with this. And, look Kasha, at the way our foe heads towards his death." (Origa) Origa, murmuring as if she is holding a conversation with someone bit by bit, swung down the dagger with all her strength towards Beirevra's chest. Being stabbed in the heart, it was an instant death for Beirevra. Having pulled out the dagger, Origa noticed herself sobbing. She doesn't understand the reason for those tears either, but just by finishing her revenge, she could definitely feel the liberation of her own heart within her chest.

103.Dare 「ひとつ、聞いておこう」 ラボラスは、ナイフの柄を握りしめたまま、抜かずに問いかける。 「なぜ、この森へ来た?」 「魔人族がこの森の奥にいる、と聞いた。そいつらを見に来た」 「魔人族に会うつもりか」 「そう言った」 一二三の返答を聞いて、ラボラスは素早くナイフを抜く。 「なおさら、ここから生かして返すわけにはいかなくなった」 一二三は正眼の構えのまま、動かない。 「魔人族は危険だ。何をするつもりかは知らんが、我らがこの世界のために奴らを閉じ込めているというのに、無用の騒動を持ち込む事は許さん」 ナイフ逆手に持ち、左手は魔法を放つ為にフリーにしたラボラス。 その動きを見た5人のエルフが、同様に弓やナイフを構える。 「逃げたい軟弱者は、さっさと失せろ! ここに残るのは、この森、そして世界を守る覚悟があるエルフだけでいい」 ジリジリと逃げ始めていたエルフたちの足が止まった。 一二三も、彼らがどちらを選ぶかを待っている。 「俺は......無理だ」 「俺もだ」 立て続けに二人のエルフが逃げ出したが、残った三人の若者は、意を決して武器を手にとった。 「役者は揃ったな。始めようか」 初手はラボラスの魔法攻撃だった。 鋭く先が尖ったこぶし大の石礫が、立て続けに何十発も弾けるような速度で一二三を襲う。 刀を添えるように当てて弾道をずらしながら、身体を半身にしながら避ける。 そのまま猛進して突きを見舞うが、ラボラスは乱暴にナイフで弾いた。 ナイフを振った勢いで、素手の左手が一二三の腹に叩き込まれる。 当たる瞬間に地面を蹴り、身体を浮かせた一二三は、殴られた勢いをそのまま距離を取るのに利用した。 再び、同じ距離で対峙する。 突然の接近戦に、周囲のエルフたちは援護も何もできず、魔法や弓の構えをとりつつ見守るしかない。 「速いな。打撃もできるのか」 一二三は、再び刀を構え直した。 殴られた腹は、内臓までは問題なさそうだが痣くらいは付いているだろうと思えるくらいには痛い。 「魔法一辺倒の無能では、男衆のまとめ役は務まらん。今のはうまく避けたようだが、次はそうはいかん」 ナイフを順手に持ち替え、ラボラスが背中を丸めるようにして構える。 右手に持ったナイフを突き出し、左手はすぐに魔法を放てる形で添えている。 「変わった構えだな。だが、馴染んでいるようだ」 「そうだ。これがこの森で培われた我らエルフの技。貴様ら人間とは、魔法も武器も、技量のレベルが違うのだ」 足を滑らせるようにして、ラボラスがジリジリ距離を詰めてくる。 一瞬、ラボラスが視線を外した事を一二三は見逃さない。 一二三が一歩だけ身体をずらしたところで、風の魔法が足元ではじけた。 「......避けたか」 「わかりやすい合図はやめろ。興ざめする」 「ふん......やれ!」 ラボラスの号令で、矢と魔法が一斉に一二三を襲う。 その速度は先ほど一二三を襲ったエルフたちよりも一段と早く、威力も高い。 一二三は刀で弾き、身体を振って避けるが、飽和攻撃に合わせる形で、絶妙なタイミングでラボラスのナイフやくさび型の石で攻撃を加えてくる。 「避けているだけではな!」 さらに速度を上げて攻撃を重ねてくるラボラス。 そのうちの一撃、突き出されたナイフを素手で払った一二三は、背を向けて駆け出した。 「逃げるか!」 ナイフで傷ついた腕を振り、一人のエルフの視界を血で塞ぐ。 「うっ?」 矢を放とうとしていたエルフは、急に赤く染まった視界に一瞬だけたじろいだ。それがその男の最期の瞬間となった。 握られた木製の弓ごと、腰の部分で一閃して身体を両断する。 「なんとなく、だが」 飽和攻撃を加えた相手に仲間が殺されたせいか、ふと、攻撃が止む。 「魔法より矢の方がわかりにくい。いや、逆だな。魔法はなんとなくわかるようになってきた」 言いながら、背後から迫っていた風魔法を刀の柄で叩き散らした。 「......貴様、本当に人間か......」 一筋の汗をこぼしたラボラスの、押し殺したような声に、一二三は笑顔で答えた。 「あたりまえだ。俺もお前も、お前らも、斬られれば死ぬ、普通の人間だ。あんなふうに」 身体を二つに分かたれた死体を指差す。 「だから、やり直しの効かない殺し合いにワクワクするんだろうが」 傷ついた左手を気にすることなく、両手でしっかりと刀を握り、八相に構えた一二三。 「お前は、どうしてもここで殺さねばならん」 「そうか、頑張れよ」 他人事のように呟いた一二三に、再び魔法の攻撃が集中した。 先ほどまでと違い、一二三は縦横に駆け回りながら魔法をやり過ごし、並ぶエルフたちの間を 「ぐああっ?!」 方々から悲鳴が上がり、血煙を噴き上げて倒れるエルフたち。 同胞が邪魔で狙いをつけられずにいるうちに、さらに三人が殺された。 ふと、何かに気づいた一二三が、一人のエルフの背中を押した。 「えっ?......え......」 一瞬、何をされたかわからなかったエルフだったが、激しい衝撃に視線を落とすと、自分の胸に突き立つ大きな石の楔が見える。 「なんで......」 理由もわからないまま絶命したエルフが倒れると、魔法を放ったラボラスの視界に、笑顔の一二三が映った。 「ら、ラボラスさん!?」 同士打ちに驚いたエルフは、一二三からラボラスへと目を向けたところで刀に心臓を突かれ、即死した。 ラボラスは串刺しになった仲間ごと魔法で一二三に次々と石を飛ばす。 刀を引きつつ、死体を蹴り飛ばして盾にした一二三は、膝の力を抜いて倒れるような極端な前傾姿勢で駆けた。 ラボラスではなく、別のエルフに向かって。 「く、来るな!」 驚愕し、慌てて魔法を向けようとするが、遅い。 一二三が逆袈裟に切り上げようとして、今度は後ろに転がった。 助かった、とエルフが安堵したのは一瞬で、ラボラスが放った細かく、先の尖った弾丸のような石弾が全身を穿った。 「チッ」 「俺の獲物を横からさらうなよ」 散弾を避けられ舌打ちするラボラスに、一二三は口を尖らせた。 ラボラスは答えない。 足が止まった一二三に向け、ナイフを手に轟然と迫る。 エルフのイメージとはそぐわないその強靭な肉体と同様、愛用のナイフも肉厚で重厚だ。 対して、その攻撃は繊細で隙がない。 「いい腕をしている」 的確に急所を狙う突きと、逃げ道を塞ぐように振られる斬りつけが混じると、周囲からの魔法を捌きながら対応する一二三は、ジリジリと下がりながら小さな切り傷を増やしていく。 だが、一二三は手を出さない。 そして、余裕の表情をしているのは一二三の方だ。 「速い。だが、素直すぎる」 その瞬間、ラボラスを含めたエルフたちは、信じられないものを見た。 一二三が構えた刀が、ナイフの突き全てに切っ先を当てていく。突きで突きを迎え撃っている。 「信じられんことを、する!」 必死で突きの速度を上げるが、一二三はそれに余裕で付いて行く。 「読みやすいのがいかん」 ギシギシと金属音が、テンポを速める。 「ぐ、この!」 「それがいかんのだ」 しびれを切らしたラボラスが、防御を突き破る勢いで体ごと突きを繰り出す。 だが、一二三はそれを迎え撃つ事なく、前のめりになったラボラスの脇を通りすぎる。 想像していた衝撃が無く、前に向かってたたらを踏んだラボラス。その膝を一二三は横から踏みつけた。 バランスを崩したラボラスは、素直に倒れず、無理に身体をひねってナイフを振るった。 だが、伸ばした腕は刀に切り飛ばされる。 「クソがぁああ!」 「うるさい」 腕を失い、叫び声を上げたラボラスの喉を、するりと入り込んだ刃が切り裂く。 熱い血液を喉と口から溢れさせたラボラスは、一二三を睨みつけたまま、死んだ。 「ら、ラボラスさんが......」 未だ生き残っているのは一人の若い男のエルフのみ。 手に持った弓を捨てたエルフは、頭を下げて許しを乞うべきか、どのような言葉を並べるべきか、迷い、口から息を吐くばかりだ。 膝をついたエルフに、一二三は刀を提げたままで近づく。 「ま、参った......」 「選択の機会はあった」 だから、これはその結果でしかない、と一二三は刀を振り下ろした。 ザンガーが木戸の外れる音に顔を上げると、血まみれの一二三が立っていた。 「......あたしを、殺しに来たのかい?」 プーセとシクは、ザンガーの両脇に寄り添う。 「まだ死にたいと思うなら、それはそれで構わんが」 一二三が放ったナイフが、囲炉裏の灰に突き立つ。 「これは......ラボラスのナイフだね」 時折、丁寧に手入れをしたナイフをじっと見つめているのを、ザンガーも何度か見ていた。 「ラボラスは、死んだんだね......それで、あんたに敵対したエルフに、報復をしたいと思うかね?」 プーセとシクが、身体をこわばらせた。 「......怒っているんじゃないのかい? この村のエルフは、あんたを襲ったんだよ?」 「戦いたいなら殺す。そうじゃないならわざわざ弱い奴を殺しても楽しくもなんとも無い。それより、魔人族を見に行く方が優先だ。俺は一眠りしてくるから、昼には案内してもらうぞ」 一二三が踵を返すと、ザンガーが慌てて手を伸ばした。 「ま、待っておくれ」 勢いよく腰を上げたザンガーを、プーセが支える。 「シクに聞いたよ。エルフの最期について、何かを見つけた、と」 「その事か」 一二三は、先ほどのエルフたちに話した事を説明した。 体内に入った何かが溜まり、身体の末端からじわじわと固まって変質する様を説明され、プーセは青い顔をしているが、ザンガーは頷きながら聞いていた。 「......ようやく、納得できたよ。あたしが妙に長生きできた理由が」 ふぅ、と息を吐き、ザンガーは消えかけた囲炉裏の火に枝を放る。いつもより丁寧に、そっと落ちるように。 「あたしはね、小さい時からあまり外に出なかったんだよ。森も、怖くてあまり近づかなかった。森の木々からの“何か”が理由なら、あたしが変質するのが遅いのもわかるよ。思えば、よく森で過ごした者ほど、早く死んでいった気もするけれどね。今更言っても、どうしようもないけれど」 話ながら、ザンガーは涙をこぼしていた。 顔をくしゃくしゃにして、歯を食いしばりながら、ただただ泣く。 「森の民と言いながら、森の恵みで生きながら、あたしたちは森に殺されていたんだね......。こんなに虚しいことはないよ......おばあちゃん......」 幼い日、見捨ててしまったあの祖母は、どんな気持ちだっただろうか。 死の瞬間が安寧ではなかったという絶望に、見捨てられたという絶望が重なった心境は、どれだけ悲痛だったか、想像することすら出来ない。 「ザンガー様......」 不安げに声をかけてくれるプーセやシクを見て、ザンガーは傍らの布で乱暴に涙を拭った。 「ひっひ......恥ずかしいところを見せてしまったね。......人間さん、一つ、お願いがあるんだがね」 立ち上がり、無表情に見下ろす一二三に、ザンガーは頭を下げた。 「あたしを始め、この村から出て行く者を募るから、どこか別の土地へ連れていってくれないかね?」 「ざ、ザンガー様?」 驚いたプーセが声を上げるが、ザンガーは頭を下げたままだ。 「この村の、エルフの指導者として、この挑戦だけはやっておきたいのさ。この森に、いつかエルフは取り込まれる。いや、もう取り込まれているんだろうね」 「俺は、魔人族の所へ行くと言ったはずだが?」 「そこから戻ってからでいいのさ。村の希望者をまとめるにも、時間がかかるからね。無茶なお願いだというのはわかっているけれど、あたしにできる事はなんでもするよ」 それが、指導者としての義務だ、とザンガーは一二三を見た。 「エルフは、魔法が得意なようだが」 唐突な質問に、ザンガーはひゃっひゃっと笑った。 「そうだねえ。あたしも得意だし、このプーセも治療魔法はたいしたもんだよ」 「それを、異種族に教えたことはあるか?」 「無いね。でも、できるかもしれないよ......いや、やるしかないんだろうね。それが人間さんの願いなら」 返答を聞いた一二三は、顎に手を当てて唸った。 「......なら、やってもらおう」 話は戻ってからだ、と言い残し、一二三は出ていった。 「ザンガー様、私はついて行きます。......私も、あの森の光景が怖くなりました......」 「いいのかい? あんたはまだ若いから、無理に森を出ることはないんだよ?」 プーセは、微笑みながらそっと首を横に振った。 「ザンガー様は私に魔法を教えてくださった方です。その方が何かに挑戦されようというのに、お手伝いしないなんてありえません」 「ぼ、ぼくも手伝うよ! ......魔法は、難しいけれど......」 シクの頭を撫で、ザンガーはありがとう、と呟いた。 「なんだか、ワクワクしてきたねぇ」 同胞が殺されたというのに、自分は本当に残酷なんだろうね、とザンガーは内心で思っていた。

Chapter 103: Dare "I want to ask you one thing." (Laboras) While grasping the haft of the knife tightly, Laboras asks without drawing the blade out. "Why did you come to this forest?" (Laboras) "I heard that the demon race is deep within this forest. I came to visit them." (Hifumi) "You plan to meet the demons, huh?" (Laboras) "That's what I said." (Hifumi) Hearing Hifumi's reply, Laboras swiftly draws his knife. "That means there's even less reason to let you leave this place alive." (Laboras) While having a stance of aiming at the eyes with his katana, Hifumi doesn't move. "The demons are dangerous. I don't know what you intend to do, but even though we are imprisoning them on behalf of this world, you are only bringing unnecessary turmoil." (Laboras) Laboras kept his left hand free to use magic while holding the knife in a backhand grip in his right hand. The five elves who saw that change, similarly set up their bows and knives. "Get out of my sight, you weakling who want to escape! The ones who are to stay here are only the elves who have the resolve to protect this forest and world." (Laboras) Having started to retreat bit-by-bit, the elves stopped their feet. Hifumi is also waiting to see which choice they will make. "For me... impossible." "For me as well." One after the other two elves ran away, however the remaining three elven youths readied their weapons. "The actors have assembled. Let's begin?" (Hifumi) The beginning was a magic attack by Laboras. Several tens of fist-sized pellets which had sharpened points assault Hifumi in succession at a speed similar to a machine-gun. Taking a stance with his legs in a L-shape, Hifumi evades those while using the katana as support to shift their trajectory. Although Hifumi dashed forward swiftly and greeted with a thrust, Laboras roughly repelled it with his knife. Laboras drives his free left hand into Hifumi's abdomen with the momentum of the swung knife. Kicking the ground at the moment of being hit, Hifumi who became unsteady used the force of being struck to take some distance. Once again they face each other at the same distance. Due to the sudden close combat, the surrounding elves are unable to give cover or to do anything else. Even though they have readied their spells and arrows, they have no choice but to watch attentively. "You are quick and you are even able to hit me, huh?" (Hifumi) Hifumi fixed his stance once again. The hit abdomen is painful to the extent that I can at least expect a bruise though it's unlikely to have reached as far as my internal organs. "An incompetent person who completely relies on magic isn't fit to act as mediator between men. It seems that you avoided it skilfully just now, but next time that won't work." (Laboras) Changing his hold of the knife to an overhand grip, Laboras takes a stance of curling up his back. Holding out the knife he held in his right hand, his left hand supports in a style of enabling him to release magic at any time. "It's a different stance. However, it looks like you are familiar with it." (Hifumi) "Indeed. This is an elven technique we have fostered in this forest. It's at a different level in skill, weaponry and magic in comparison to you lowly humans." (Laboras) Making sure to slide his feet, Laboras slowly closes the distance. Hifumi doesn't miss the instant Laboras shifted his sight. A wind spell burst open underfoot the spot where Hifumi moved away from with a single step. "... Avoided, huh?" (Laboras) "Don't leak such easily detectable signs. It's a kill-joy." (Hifumi) "Humph... do it!" (Laboras) Upon Laboras' command arrows and spells attack Hifumi all at once. Their speed is much faster than that of the elves who attacked Hifumi a while ago. The power is higher as well. Hifumi avoids them by shifting his body and repelling them with his katana, but in a style of matching the saturation attack, Laboras adds attacks with his knife and wedge-shaped stones with a perfect timing. "You are doing nothing but avoiding!" (Laboras) Laboras increases the speed by stacking up even more attacks. Hifumi, who knocked aside the thrust out knife among those blows with his bare hand, turned around and ran off. "Are you running away?" (Laboras) Swinging his arm which was wounded by the knife, Hifumi steals the sight of an elf with his blood. "Ugh?" The elf, who tried to fire an arrow, faltered only for an instant due to his abruptly dyed red field of vision. That became this man's final moment. Alongside the wooden bow he grasped in his hands, his body was was bisected into two parts at the waist in a flash. "It's only vaguely, but..." (Hifumi) As result of their companion being killed by the opponent who was showered with a saturation attack, they unintentionally cease their attacks. "The style of the archery is harder to grasp than the magic. No, it's the other way around. I reached the point where I can somehow understand the magic." (Hifumi) While saying that, he struck the wind spell approaching from behind with the hilt of the katana and scattered it. "... You bastard, are you really a human...?" (Laboras) Due to the subdued voice of Laboras who spilled drops of sweat, Hifumi answered with a smile, "That's obvious. You, me, you guys will die if we are cut by a blade. We are normal people. Just like him." (Hifumi) He points at the corpse which had its body split in two. "That's probably why we get thrilled by killing each other, because starting over is not possible." (Hifumi) Without minding his injured left hand, Hifumi grasps the katana tightly with both hands and assumes a hachisou* stance. "I will kill you here by all means." (Laboras) "I see. Do your best." (Hifumi) Once again the magic attacks concentrated on Hifumi who muttered that as if it was someone else's problem. Different to before, Hifumi lets the spells go past while running around as he pleases. He slips through the spaces between the lined-up elves just like a whirlwind. "Guaaa?" The elves in all directions raise screams and collapse in fountains of blood. While being hindered by their brethren making them unable to take aim, three more got killed. Suddenly noticing something, Hifumi pushed the back of an elf. "Eh...? Eh..." The elf didn't comprehend what was done to him for an instant, but once he lowered his look due to an intense impact, he saw a large wedged stone piercing into his own chest. "Why...?" Once the dead elf collapsed without even understanding the reason, Hifumi's smiling face was reflected in the sight of Laboras who released the spell. "L-Laboras-san!?" An elf, surprised by the friendly fire, shifted his attention from Hifumi to Laboras and was instantly killed by the katana stabbing directly into his heart. Laboras fires one stone after the other at Hifumi with magic while including his companion, who got skewered, in the line of fire. While pulling out the katana, Hifumi, who decided to use the corpse as shield and kicked it flying, dashed in an extremely forward-bent posture, as if falling, by drawing out the power of his knees. He doesn't head towards Laboras, but to another elf. "D-Don't come!" Although he tries to face Hifumi with magic in panic and fright, he is too slow. As he tried to finish him with a reversed diagonal shoulder slash, Hifumi fell onto his back this time. At the moment the elf felt relieved with a "I'm saved," his entire body was riddled with holes by the stone bullets, similar to finely sharpened shells, fired by Laboras.magic "Tsk." (Laboras) "Don't sweep away my prey from the side." (Hifumi) Hifumi pouted at Laboras who clicked his tongue due to Hifumi avoiding his shots. Laboras doesn't reply. Facing Hifumi who stopped his feet, he approaches him with the knife in his hand while roaring. Similar to his strong body, which doesn't suit the image of elves, his knife is also thick and solid. In contrast to that, his attacks are precise without any gaps. "You are quite skilled." (Hifumi) The thrusts are accurately aiming at the vital spots and the blended-in slashes are swung in order to close possible escape routes. Hifumi, who deals with those while handling the spells from the surroundings, is slowly retreating while getting more and more small gashes. However, Hifumi doesn't take the initiative. And, Hifumi has a composed expression. "Fast. But, those attacks are too straightforward." (Hifumi) At that moment, the elves including Laboras saw something unbelievable. The katana wielded by Hifumi counters all of the knife thrusts with its point. The thrust are met with thrusts. "I can't believe that you are doing this!" (Laboras) Although Laboras frantically raises the speed of his thrusts, Hifumi calmly follows up on that. "Easily readable attacks won't work." (Hifumi) The tempo accelerates accompanied by creaking metallic sounds. "Guh, this!" (Laboras) "That won't do." (Hifumi) Laboras, who grew impatient, unleashes a thrust entrusting the weight of his entire body into it with a force to break through Hifumi's defence. However, Hifumi passes alongside the flank of Laboras who pitched forward without meeting the attack. Laboras stumbled a step or two forwards as the impact he expected was missing. His knee was stepped on by Hifumi from the side. Losing his balance, Laboras forcibly twisted his body without collapsing obediently and swung his knife. But, his outstretched arm is sent flying after getting cut by the katana. "Damn iiitt!" (Laboras) "Shut up." (Hifumi) The throat of Laboras, who raised a scream after having lost an arm, is torn open by the blade which pierced into it in a smooth and unhindered motion. Laboras, who spilled hot blood from his mouth and throat, died while glaring at Hifumi. "L-Laboras-san is..." There still one young elven man alive. Throwing away the bow he held in his hands, the elf just bows while only breathing out from his mouth as he is puzzled whether he should beg and what kind of words he should use. Hifumi approaches the elf, who fell to his knees, while holding the katana in his hand. "I-I give up..." "You had a chance to choose." (Hifumi) "Therefore this is nothing but the outcome of your choice", Hifumi swung his katana downwards. Once Zanga raised her face due to the sound of the sound of the wooden door being lifted, the bloodstained Hifumi stood there. "... Did you come to kill me?" (Zanga) Puuse and Shiku are nestling close to Zanga on both her sides. "If you still believe that you want to die, I won't mind." (Hifumi) The knife, thrown by Hifumi, pierces into the ashes of the sunken hearth. "This is... Laboras' knife." (Zanga) Intently staring at the knife which she had sometimes carefully maintained, Zanga had seen it several times in the past. "Laboras is dead... so, do you yearn to exact your revenge upon the elves who were hostile towards you?" (Zanga) Puuse's and Shiku's bodies stiffened. "... You aren't angry? This elf village attacked you, didn't it?" (Zanga) "I will kill if I'm challenged. If that doesn't happen, I have no hobby of going out of my way to kill weaklings either. Rather than that, I prefer to go visit the demon race. I will have you guide me there at noon after I got some sleep." (Hifumi) When Hifumi turned on his heel, Zanga extended a hand in panic. "P-Please wait." (Zanga) Zanga, who got up vigorously, is supported by Puuse. "I heard from Shiku. He told me that you discovered something about the final moment's of an elf." (Zanga) "About that, huh?" (Hifumi) Hifumi explained what he told the elves from before. Explaining the accumulation of something that entered their bodies and the way it changes by slowly hardening from the extremities of the body, Puuse's face turns pale. But, Zanga listened while nodding. "... Finally I'm able to understand, the reason for my strangely long life." (Zanga) Zanga tosses a twig into the fire of the sunken hearth which was about to vanish and blows at it with a "Fuu~" Politer than usual, she lowers her body softly. "I didn't go outside much since I was small. I didn't get too close to the forest either because I was scared. If that "something" from the forests' trees is the reason, then I can understand why my transformation has been slow. Now that I think about it, I have a feeling that those, who spent a lot of time in the forest, died early as well. However, even if I say that now, it cannot be helped anymore." (Zanga) Zanga shed tears while talking. She only weeps while enduring the pain with a dishevelled expression. "While living with the blessing of the forest and being called the people of the forest, we were getting killed by that very forest... It can't be something that empty... Grandma..." (Zanga) What kind of emotions did her grandmother, she ended up abandoning in her childhood, bear, I wonder? Her mental state, which was burdened with the despair of having abandoned her and the despair of her grandmother not having had a peaceful death; just how heartbreaking was it? I'm not even able to imagine it. "Zanga-sama..." (Puuse) Looking at Shiku and Puuse who is uneasily calling out to her, Zanga roughly wiped away her tears with a cloth at her side. "Hii hi... I ended up showing you something embarrassing. Human-san, I have a single request." (Zanga) Standing up, Zanga bowed towards Hifumi who is looking down on her expressionlessly. "Since I will recruit those who want to leave this village, can you please take us, including me as well, to some other place?" (Zanga) "Za-Zanga-sama?" (Puuse) The shocked Puuse raises her voice, but Zanga remains in a state of bowing. "As leader of the elves of this village I only want to popularize this attempt. One day the elves will be imprisoned by this forest. No, they already are, I think." (Zanga) "Didn't I tell you that I'm going to the demons?" (Hifumi) "It's fine if it's after you come back from there. Also, gathering the interested people of the village will take time. I know that I'm making an unreasonable request, but I will do anything for it." (Zanga) "That's my duty as leader", Zanga looked at Hifumi. "Aren't elves good at magic though?" (Hifumi) Zanga laughed with a "Hya Hya" due to the sudden question. "They are. It's my strong point. Puuse is quite skilled at healing magic, too." (Zanga) "Is that something which you were taught by another race?" (Hifumi) "I don't think so. It might be possible... No, I guess there's no other choice but to do it, if that's your wish, human-san." (Zanga) Hearing her answer, Hifumi placed a hand on his chin and groaned. "... If that's the case, I will have you do it." (Hifumi) "Further talks are after I come back", leaving those words behind, Hifumi went away. "Zanga-sama, I will accompany you. ... I have also become scared of this forest's scenery..." (Puuse) "Are you sure? It's not like you have to force yourself to leave the forest since you are still young." (Zanga) Puuse softly shook her head while smiling. "It's my way of thanking you for teaching me magic, Zanga-sama. Even though that method will be some kind of challenge, something like not helping you is impossible for me." (Puuse) "I-I will help as well! ... Magic is difficult, but..." (Shiku) Stroking Shiku's head, Zanga murmured a "Thank you." "Somehow it got exciting, didn't it?" (Zanga) Although my brethren got killed, I guess I'm truly cruel

4.More Than Words 【二人の元冒険者】 街に出た一二三はどこへともなくゆるゆると歩いていく。 城を出て、貴族たちのものと思われる大きな屋敷が立ち並ぶエリアを抜けると、2階や3階建ての家が並び、商店や屋台が集まる商店区画にたどり着いた。 何かの肉や魚を焼いて売っている屋台からは良い匂いがする。 野菜を大量に積み上げた店では、いかにも庶民らしい人たちが楽しそうに井戸端会議に花を咲かせている。 レストランは道端までテーブルが出ていて、老人たちがパイプを加えて何やら語り合っていた。 老若男女、たくさんの人々が行き来し、何かの客引きの声があちこちで響き、喧騒をさらに一層騒がしくしていた。 服装は様々だが、あまり綺麗とは言えない。服飾産業はあまり発展していないのかもしれないと、一二三は思った。 ちなみに、一二三の格好は古武道の濃紺の道着に袴、足にはスニーカーというスタイルだ。他には見ない格好なので、何人かがチラチラと見てくるが、日本にいる時から道着で出歩く癖があったので、特に気にならない。 (王が無能でも、街の奴らはたくましく活きているというやつか。王が誰であろうと、自分の人生を謳歌しているようだな) 闇魔法収納から銀貨を取り出し、適当な屋台で串焼きをいくつか買ってみた。銅貨5枚の串焼きを買うのに銀貨を出したら嫌がられたが、釣りはいらないと言うと、頼んだ量の倍を差し出された。 食べながら歩いていると、ふと見慣れない雰囲気の店を見かけた。 何かの商品を並べるわけでもなく、これといって呼び込みをしているわけでもない。暖簾のように黒い布を垂らした入口に、いかつい男が腕組をして立っていた。 看板はあるが......一二三には読めない。 気になったので、声をかけてみることにした。 「あぁ......なんだ?」 急に話しかけられて、男は眉をひそめて応じた。 「ここは何かの店なのか?」 「看板に書いてあるだろう。ここは奴隷屋だ。お前みたいな奴には関係ない店だ」 「関係ない? 紹介でもいるのか?」 「......そんなもんはいらんが、ウチの奴隷は安くても金貨50枚からだ。お前みたいな若造に払える金額じゃないだろう」 話は終わったと、男はまた視線を通りに向けた。 (奴隷か......) 一二三は、歩きながら考えていた今後の事について、再び考えを向ける。 (まずはこの世界を回ってみようと思ったが......) さっきの会話の中でも、文字が読めない、金銭の価値がわからない、商取引のルールを知らないなど、必要な知識がまるで足りていない事が露呈してしまった。屋台で買い物はしたものの、釣りをもらっていないので、銀貨と銅貨の交換比率もわからない。 奴隷がいれば、そういう知識も得られるし、この世界で自由にやっていくのに何かと便利かもしれない。金はたっぷりある。城の金庫の半分の量をもらったのだ。多少高い奴隷を買っても、足りないということはないだろう。 裏切ったりするならば、始末すればいい。 「金貨というのはこれか?」 闇魔法収納から金貨と思われるコインを1枚出して、男に放り投げた。 「あ? ......ああ、だが一枚や二枚じゃ......」 「手を出せ」 男の手首を掴んで手のひらを無理やり上に向けさせる。見た目からは想像できない一二三の腕力に驚く男の手の上に、さらに収納から金貨を30枚ほどぶちまけた。 半分以上がこぼれて散らばるが、一二三は気にも留めない。 「これは親切に教えてくれた礼だ。商品を見せてもらいたいんだが、いいな?」 呆然としていた男は、慌てて金貨を拾い集めてから、態度を180度変えて一二三を店内へ促した。 「こ、こちらでお待ちください! だ、旦那様~!」 応接へ一二三を座らせた男は、店の奥に走って引っ込んで行ってしまった。どうやら、応対は別の人物が来るらしい。 ほとんど待たさせることなく、地味ながら質の良さそうな服を着た男がやってきた。 「お待たせして申し訳ありません。この店を経営させていただいております、商人のウーラルと申します。門番風情のミドの奴に、大変な大盤振る舞いをしていただいたとか......」 笑顔ではあるが、その視線は初めて見る一二三を値踏みしているのが明らかだ。 「あれくらいは大したことじゃない。それよりも、ここで奴隷が買えると聞いたんだが」 「これは太っ腹で。当店は確かに奴隷を商っております。お客様は、奴隷を購入されるのは初めてでしょうか? よろしければ、奴隷についてご説明をさせていただければと思うのですが」 「ああ、恥ずかしながら何も知らない田舎者でね。こちらからお願いしたいところだ」 「では......」 ウーラルの説明は要点をしっかり押さえて簡潔でわかりやすかった。 ・奴隷は犯罪奴隷や借金奴隷、家族や村の為に売られた換金奴隷などがいる。 ・犯罪奴隷はほぼ全員が国の奴隷となり、鉱山等で強制労働を強いられ、一般に出回ることは無い。 ・一般に売りに出ているのは借金奴隷か換金奴隷で、この店にもこの2種しかいない。 ・誘拐されて奴隷にされた者もいるが、誘拐はもちろん、そういった出自の奴隷を取り扱うだけで極刑に処されるので、まずまともな商人なら取り扱うことはない。 ・奴隷は特殊な魔法による刺青でその行動を制限され、持ち主に反抗することはできなくなっている。 ・奴隷は一切の権利が認められないが、理由なく殺すことは犯罪である。 「理由なくということは、理由があればいいのか?」 「その通りです。刺青による制限で主人やその家族に直接危害を加えることはできませんが、主人の物を盗んだり、主人の友人に害を及ぼした等の理由があれば、罪には問われません」 「正当な理由があると証明する必要は?」 「主人の証言があれば十分です」 なんとも穴だらけの法もあったものだと、一二三はため息をついた。 だが、都合が良い事ではある。 しばし目を閉じて考えていた一二三は、ウーラルに注文をつけた。 「今からいう条件に見合う奴隷はいるか? 金額は気にしなくていい」 ウーラルは質の悪そうな羊皮紙を懐から取り出し、応接のテーブルにあった羽ペンにインクをつけて、次の言葉を待つ。 「充分な体力があり、旅に耐えられること。文字の読み書きができること。自分の身を守る程度には戦えること」 ささっと走り書きをしたウーラルが、ふと目線を上げてきた。 「男性か女性か、どちらがよろしいでしょうか?」 「どちらでも良い。問題は能力だ」 「かしこまりました。では準備をさせていただきますので、少々お待ちください」 ややあって、応接室へ戻ってきたウーラルに促され、さらに店の奥へと進む。 「こちらが、ご希望に会う商品でございます。どうぞご自由にお選びください」 「話しかけても?」 「もちろん構いません」 連れて行かれた部屋は広く、10人ほどの男女が手枷をつけられた状態で並ばされていた。シンプルな貫頭衣は茶色く汚れ、その表情は暗く、おどおどと一二三を見ている。どんな相手に買われるかで、彼らの運命が決まってしまうのだ。 奴隷の目に、自分はどう映るのか一二三は想像してみた。 とても金を稼いでいるような年には見えないだろう。商人か貴族のボンボンにでも見えるか......と思ったが、自分の格好を振り返ると、そうは見えないだろうと苦笑する。 ふと、並んだ奴隷達の中で、端に隣り合って立つ二人の女が一二三の目にとまった。 一人は小柄で、一二三の首くらいまでの背丈。薄い青の髪に、翠色の瞳をしている。 もう一人は一二三と同じくらいの身長で、よく鍛えられた身体をしていた。こちらは茶色の髪に赤みがかった瞳をしている。 (街でも見かけたが、こういう髪や目の色を見ると、文字通り隔世の感というか......。二人共整った顔をしているな。本当なら、娼館の経営者が買取りそうな見た目だが) 「お前とお前、名は?」 「......オリガ」 小柄な方が、消え入りそうな声で答えた。茶髪は答えない。 生意気に睨んでくる茶髪は無視して、オリガに話しかける。 「ではオリガ、お前は何ができる?」 「......風と水の魔法が使える。それに......」 少しの逡巡を見せたあと、ぐっと息を飲んでから続きを話した。 「夜の相手もできます......」 「オリガ!」 オリガのつぶやきに、茶髪が声を荒げる。 「カーシャ、私たちは彼に買ってもらうべきだと思う。どこかの変態貴族に買われるなんて、嫌......」 「そんな事! こいつだってどんな奴かわからないじゃないか!」 茶髪はカーシャという名前らしい。 自分はそんな変な性癖があるように見えるだろうかと、ちょっとヘコむ。18歳の一二三は人並みに性欲もあるし、女性が嫌いというわけでもない。 ただ今は、幾人もの命を奪った満足感が性欲を抑えているが......。 それが異常だと気づかない一二三は、さりげなくカーシャの両手に視線を走らせる。 「カーシャと言ったか。お前は両手で剣を使うんだな。それも両手剣じゃなくて片手剣二刀持ちか」 「手の平と親指、人差し指を見たら大体わかる。筋肉のつき方と今の動きで大体の実力もわかる」 突然の指摘にカーシャだけでなく、オリガやウーラルも絶句している。それが当たっていると知っているのだ。 「た、確かにこのカーシャは剣をつかえます。私は実際には見ておりませんが、冒険者としてある程度稼いでいたようですので、腕の方も確かでしょう。オリガはカーシャと二人で仕事をしていましたので、こちらの魔法の実力も中々のものです。二人共、仕事の失敗で多額の借金を抱えて奴隷堕ちしています」 ウーラルが補足をしてくれた。 オリガもサーシャも、その説明を苦々しい表情で聞いている。 (冒険者か......多分、多くのファンタジー小説で登場するような、採取や討伐を生業とする連中だろう。魔物が存在する世界という話だから、そういう職業もあるか) 「よし。ではお前たちに選ばせようか」 言い放った一二三の表情は、イメラリア王女に向けた冷徹な笑みだった。 「俺はこれから旅をする予定だ。体力もいるし、戦いにもなるだろう。その変わり、俺を裏切らずについて来ることができるなら、楽しい人生を約束する」 「何を言ってるんだか。奴隷になったアタシたちに楽しい人生なんて......」 「私はついていきます」 オリガは小さな声で、しかしはっきりと一二三を選んだ。翠の瞳はしっかりと一二三を見据えている。少しだけ怯えているのだろう。うっすらと涙で揺れているのが見えた。 (やれやれ、こっちに来てから女性に怯えられてばかりだな) 自業自得を棚に上げ、「どうする?」とカーシャの方を見る。 カーシャは動揺していた。 この男は何を訳のわからないことを行っているのだろう? なぜオリガはこいつについて行く気なのだろう? 目の前の男の顔を見る。 笑顔ではあるが、見れば見るほど背筋が凍る。 こいつは危ない奴だ。とびきり危険な事を何のためらいもなくやる奴だと、直感がガンガンと警鐘を鳴らす。言葉よりもより直接的に、一二三の瞳の奥にある何かが、カーシャの心の中に不安の闇を広げていく。 だが......オリガの事を思うと、カーシャに選択肢は無かった。 「......わかった。どうなるかわからないけれど、アタシもオリガと一緒に連れて行って欲しい......」 「決まりだ!」 一二三には全くもってどういう仕組みかはわからなかったが、オリガとカーシャの肩の後ろにある刺青に、一二三の血を触れさせて契約が完了した。 金額は二人合わせて金貨600枚。 即金で支払った事もウーラルやオリガたちを驚かせたが、珍しい闇魔法の使い手だという事も驚愕の対象だった。 「なんとも不思議な方ですね。お召し物からどこか遠い所からのご来訪だとは思いましたが......」 初めは一二三を見定めようとしていたウーラルだが、今ではすっかり上客としてもてなしていた。応接室では良い香りの茶に添えて、焼き菓子まで用意されていた。 ソファに座る一二三の後ろには、手枷を外されたオリガとカーシャが立っていた。着ているものは貫頭衣のままだが。 「良い商いをさせていただきました。また奴隷がご入用でしたら、ぜひ当店をご利用ください。ご希望にお答えできる商品を揃えておきますので」 「ああ、俺も良い買い物ができたよ」 手をつけずにいた焼き菓子を白い布に包んで手渡され、一二三は奴隷二人を連れて店を出た。 街の喧騒に迎えられ、太陽を見上げて時間は昼を少し過ぎたくらいかと一二三は思った。この世界でも、日の高さで朝昼夜と言うのなら。 「腹が減ったな」 朝稽古中に飛ばされて、軽く屋台で食べたくらいだったので、ちゃんとした食事がしたかった。 「どこか適当な食事ができる店を知らないか?」 「それなら、少し行ったところにうまい店がある......あります」 一二三の問いにカーシャが答えた。 「慣れないなら、無理に敬語で話す必要はないぞ」 さっきとは違う、穏やかな笑みで一二三は言う。 彼は傍若無人で自分勝手な基準で動く、はた迷惑な正確ではあるものの、自分の身内には優しい。敵になると人間扱いしなくなるが。 「じゃあ、そのオススメの店に行ってみるとしようか。ああ、それと......」 続く一二三の言葉を、オリガもカーシャもすぐには理解できなかった。 「俺はこの国の王族に追われているから、一応そのつもりでな」

Chapter 4: More Than Words Hifumi walked leisurely into the town, disappearing into the crowd. Leaving the castle, Hifumi passed by an area lined with very large mansions that seemed to belong to nobles, arriving at an area lined with 2-storey and 3-storey houses, various shops, stalls and some food carts. An enticing smell wafts from the stall grilling and selling some kind of meat and fish. In a shop storing large amounts of vegetables, common people are happily gossiping. On a roadside table attached to a restaurant, some old men with pipes were discussing something. Men and women of all ages came and went, voices of merchants resounded here and there, adding to the hustle and bustle. The clothes varied, but could not be called beautiful. The clothing industry was quite possibly not too advanced, thought Hifumi. Incidentally, Hifumi was clad in a martial arts uniform, a dark blue hakama, on his feet were a style of sneakers. Besides, some people were glancing at Hifumi, but he wasn't worried, since it was a habit to go for a stroll wearing his hakama in Japan. Even though the King was incompetent, these fellows in town are quite well-built. That King was living quite extravagantly. Taking a silver coin out of the Dark Hole, Hifumi bought some skewers from a stall. He was looked at unkindly for taking out a silver coin for skewers that cost 5 copper coins, but was presented with twice the skewers when he said the change was unnecessary. As he ate while walking, he noticed a shop with a strange atmosphere. He did not see any products on display, nothing special drawing him in. A black cloth was hanging over the entrance, and a stern faced man standing near it with folded arms. Though there was a signboard, Hifumi could not read it. Because he was interested, he decided to call out. [ Aa..... what? ] Suddenly talked to, the man responded with his eyebrows raised. [ What kind of shop is this? ] [ It is written on the signboard. It is a slave shop and has nothing to do with a guy like you. ] [ Nothing to do? Without even an introduction? ] [ ....Such a thing, the cheapest of our slaves cost 50 gold coins, it is not an amount a youngster like you can pay. ] Finishing his speech, the man turned his eyes to the street again. A slave, huh... Thinking about the future, while walking, Hifumi thought about it again. Though I intended to travel around the world first... In the previous events, he could not read the characters, did not understand the values of the coins, and realised that he did not have enough knowledge at all. Though he shopped at the stalls, he did not get the change, so he didn't know about the conversion rate. If he had a slave, he would be able to obtain that knowledge, and it would be convenient in the future. He had enough money, after all, he had half the contents of the castle treasury. Even if it was a somewhat high-class slave, it would be sufficient. In case of betrayal, he would 'deal with the problem'. [ A gold coin, like this? ] Pulling out a gold coin from the Dark Hole, Hifumi threw it at the stern man. [ Ah? .... Yes, but one or two coins.... ] [ Put out your hands. ] Hifumi grabbed the man's wrist and forced it upwards. He threw out approximately 30 gold coins from the storage into the hands of the man who was surprised at Hifumi's strength. Though more than half spilled and scattered, Hifumi was unconcerned. [ Thank you for telling me this so kindly, but I want to see the commodities, get it? ] Dumbfounded, the man quickly picked up the gold coins, his attitude did a complete 180 and urged Hifumi inside the shop. [ W-Wait here please! M-Masterrrr ! ] The man disappeared into the depths of the shop, and another person came out. Without letting Hifumi wait too long, a man dressed in subdued, yet high quality clothes received him. [ I am sorry for keeping you waiting. I am this shop's manager. Dealing with the gatekeeper must have left a bad taste in your mouth..... ] Although smiling, the man appraised Hifumi on seeing him. [ Not a big deal. Though I heard it is possible to buy slaves here. ] [ That is generous of you. This shop certainly trades in slaves. Honoured customer, shall we begin the slave purchasing? Of course, I can explain a little about this for a first-time buyer. ] [ Ah, though embarrassing, I am from the countryside, so please explain everything. ] [ Well then... ] The manager explained concisely, holding to the main points. There are Crime slaves and Debt slaves, slaves sold for the sake of their families or villages called Realisation slaves. For Crime slaves, all of them belong to the country and are forced to work in the mines, etc, they are generally not sold. In general, there are only 2 kinds of slaves sold here : Debt and Realisation slaves. Though there are people who are kidnapped and enslaved, because there is a very high penalty for handling such slaves, most merchants don't deal in them. The slave's actions are limited by a tattoo imbued with special magic, it is impossible to rebel against the owner. Though slaves don't have rights, it is a crime to kill one without cause. [ Is it necessary for there to be a reason? ] [ I'm afraid so. Though the master or their family cannot harm the slave directly due to the limitation set into the tattoo, if the master's belonging is stolen, or if an associate of the master is harmed, it is not a crime. ] [ Is there a need to prove it? ] [ The master's testimony is enough. ] Seeing that the law was full of holes, Hifumi sighed. However, it is convenient. Shutting his eyes and thinking for a while, he asked the manager [ Is there a slave that meets my conditions now? Money is not an issue. ] The manager takes out a sheaf of parchment from his breast pocket, dips a quill in ink from a nearby table, and waits for the next words. [ Has to have enough strength, should be able to endure long travel, should be able to read and write. Also powerful enough to protect me in a fight. ] Quickly scribbling the data, the manager suddenly looked up. [ A man or a woman, which is preferred? ] [ Either one is fine. The problem is ability. ] [ Certainly. We will prepare it, please wait for a while. ] The manager ushers Hifumi to the interior of the shop. [ Here, the merchandise that meet your requirements. Please choose freely. ] [ Talk to them? ] [ Of course, no problem. ] The room Hifumi was taken to was wide, and ten men and women lined up against the walls in handcuffs. Wearing simple, dirty tunics, they looked hesitatingly at Hifumi. What kind of person buys them, their fate is in that party's hands. Hifumi imagined what he looked like in the eyes of the slaves. Hifumi hardly looked old enough to be earning money. Did he even look like a merchant, noble or well-to-do young man.... Recalling his appearance, he smiled wryly, realising that was not the case. Suddenly, among the slaves that had lined up, two women next to each other caught Hifumi's eye. One was of small build, height came upto Hifumi's neck, thin blue hair and emerald green eyes. The other was almost the same height as Hifumi, had a tempered and hard body. She had reddish eyes and brown hair. I saw it in town, hair and eyes like this are poles apart..... Both had well featured faces. Truly, an appearance such that a brothel owner will immediately buy them. [ You and you. Name? ] [ ....Origa] The smaller one answered in a fading voice. The brown haired one did not answer. Ignoring the audaciously staring brunette, Hifumi asked Origa. [ Then, Origa, what can you do? ] [ .... I can use wind and water magic. Besides.... ] After hesitating a little, catching her breath, she continued jerkily [ At night, can also keep company... ] [ Origa! ] To Origa's murmur, the brunette raised her voice. [ To be bought by such a person! A perverted noble buying us, how unpleasant... ] [ Such a thing! Do you not understand what kind of fellow this guy is? ] (Manager) The brunette seems to be called Kasha. Hifumi admitted he did have a strange air about him. 18 year old Hifumi had a sexual desire like anyone else, and he did not dislike women. Though currently, the satisfaction of depriving people of their lives suppressed his desires.... Not noticing the abnormality, Hifumi casually ran his eyes over Kasha's hands. [ Kasha, is it. You use both hands to wield a saber. In addition, you can wield swords in both hands at the same time. ] [ Generally, I can understand the rough ability from the muscle movements of your palm, forefinger and thumb. ] (TN: Huh? How?) Not just Kasha, but even Origa and the manager are at a loss for words. [ Certainly, this Kasha uses swords in both hands, her ability as an adventurer is quite good. Origa worked alongside Kasha, her magical ability is quite high. Both of them have become Debt slaves due to a large sum of money. ] The manager supplemented. Origa and Kasha listened with unpleasant expressions. Adventurer, huh.... Perhaps such an occupation exists in fantasy novels, forming parties whose task is subjugation and collection of demons and monsters. But in this world, what kind of occupation is this? [ Okay. Now you two decide. ] Hifumi's expression had a cold smile. [ I plan to travel in the future. Physical strength is necessary, fights are very likely. If you can follow without betraying me, I promise a fun life. ] [ What do you say? Being slaves to a fun life... ] [ I will follow. ] Origa answered Hifumi in a low voice. Her emerald green eyes stared firmly at him. A little frightened, her eyes shook with tears. Man, I've been scaring women since I came here. Turning a blind eye to his faults, he wondered (What should I do about Kasha?) Kasha trembled. Why is this man doing such an incomprehensible thing? Why is Origa following this fellow? She looked at the man in front of her. Though he is smiling, her spine freezes. This guy is dangerous. Her instinct sounds an alarm, this guy won't hesitate to jump into dangerous things. Rather than that, the darkness in the depths of his eyes brings anxiety to Kasha's heart. However, Kasha had no choice when it came to Origa. [ ....Understood. Though I do not understand how, I want you to take me with Origa.... ] [ It is decided! ] (Manager) Though Hifumi did not quite understand the mechanism of the tattoo, he smeared some blood on the tattoos on Origa and Kasha's shoulders, completing the contract.magic The amount of money paid for both of them was 600 gold coins. Paying the full amount in cash surprised the manager, Origa et al, but it was more surprising that the customer was a user of the rare Dark magic. [ An extremely mysterious person. Though it is obvious that he is from a far off place based on his clothes..... ] At first, the manager was trying to analyse Hifumi, but now treated him like a guest of honour, as evidenced by the tea and sweets in the drawing room. Behind Hifumi who was sitting on the sofa, Kasha and Origa stood with their handcuffs removed, both wearing simple tunics. [ This was good business. By all means, please visit our shop again when more slaves are needed. ] [ Ah, I too was able to do some good shopping. ] Wrapping the sweets in a cloth, Hifumi left the shop with his slaves. Greeted by the hustle an bustle of the city, Hifumi looked up at the sun. If morning and night were the same in this world, it would be noon. [ I'm hungry. ] Time flew during his morning practice, and he had only eaten a snack at the stall. He wanted a proper meal. [ Do you know any place that serves good food? ] [ In that case, there is a good store where I went a little.... There it is. ] Kasha answered Hifumi's question. [ It is not necessary to force yourself to use honorifics. ] Hifumi says with a calm smile, different from a while ago. Though he has an arrogant and self-centred standard that inconveniences others, he is kind to his family. If someone is not an enemy, he treats them humanely. [ Then, let us try out the recommended shop. Ah, that's right.... ] Neither Origa nor Kasha understood what he said, he continued, [ I am being chased by this kingdom's royalty, we need to leave. ]

39.Roll On 【戦争はからかう事から】 早朝の街道を、猛烈なスピードでトロッコが走る。 二人の兵士が向かい合って、無言のまま汗だくでハンドルを漕いでいる。 アロセールをでて、フォカロル目前の現在位置まで休まずに走らせてきたので、二人共疲労困憊だったが、一刻も早く領主の元へたどり着かねばならないという義務感に押されて、速度を落とさない。 そのまま終点のフォカロルへ突っ込んだトロッコは、レールの終わりで派手に脱線。兵士たちは事故時の緩衝材として積みあげられた藁の山に頭から突っ込んだ。 一人は気を失ったが、もう一人がガサガサと藁をかき分けて這い出てくる。 「中の方の藁、腐ってるじゃねぇか......」 口に入った藁を吐き出しながら、ふらりと立ち上がった所に、門番の兵が駆け寄ってきた。 「どうした!?」 「ああ、俺は斥候部隊の伝令だ。もう走る気力も無いから、一二三様に伝えてくれ。......ヴィシーの軍勢がローヌに迫っている。数はおよそ13,000、うち魔法使いは500は居ると思われる、と」 「とうとう来たか!」 「よし、俺が館まで行ってくる!」 緊張感よりも高揚感の方が先に出るあたり、ここの領軍の雰囲気がわかる。接する時間は多くなくとも、トップの性質は伝わるらしい。 気絶した兵に水を浴びせて起こし、手が空いている兵は他の連中に話を広めに行った。 ヴィシー挙兵からの、一二三領軍の長い一日は軽い雰囲気で始まった。 オリガが執務室の扉をノックすると、間延びした返答が聞こえた。 中に入ると、一二三が机の上にあぐらをかいて何事かを悩んでいた。カーシャの姿は見えない。 「お呼びとの事ですが、どうかされましたか?」 「オリガか。伝令からヴィシー挙兵の報があった」 「いよいよですか」 「結局、ベイレヴラの事は無視されたな」 オリガはそっと首を振った。 「せっかくお気遣いいただきましたが、ヴィシーの者たちはこれで虎の尾を踏みました。ベイレヴラの事は、ヴィシーが無くなってからでも遅くはありません」 一二三はずっと手元の紙を睨んでいる。 「先程から、何をお悩みですか?」 「随分前から、領にも付ける為の正式な家名を作れと言われててな。出兵の時までに決めないと、とは思っていたんだが」 面倒くさいからもうこれでいいや、と書類に“トオノ”と書きなぐった。別に思い入れも無いが、他に思い浮かばなかったらしい。 この時から、旧ハーゲンティ子爵領はトオノ子爵領となった。 「よし。それじゃ、予定通り先発隊を送って国境警備の連中を退かせるように。例の仕掛けも準備させろ」 「かしこまりました。アリッサに直ぐにご命令をお伝えします。私もお手伝いさせていただき、一二三様の勝利の為に尽くします」 「違うだろう」 今回はローヌを空にして敗走に見せかけて退きつつ、罠にかけて相手の数を減らす作戦を使うと決め、その為の訓練をしている。一二三は別行動だが。 オリガとしては、負けたふりをするのは一二三の印象を悪化させるので相応しくないと、正直に言えば反対したかったが、一二三自身が華々しい勝利などに興味が無かったので、強くは言えなかった。 多くを殺す機会があるから戦争をするのであって、勝てばまた戦えるから勝つように頭をひねるし工夫もするが、勝利そのものはどうでもいいらしい。 「ヴィシーが攻めてきたって聞いたんだけど!」 ドバンと勢いよく駆け込んで来たのは、カーシャだった。 「なんでそんなに落ち着いてるのさ! 早く準備しないと!」 「落ち着きなさい。貴女の役割は決まっているでしょう。ここで喚いている暇があるなら、さっさと一二三様の移動の用意をしてきなさい」 「そ、そうだけどさ......やっぱり、オリガも参加するのかい?」 不安を滲ませた顔で見るが、オリガの顔には動揺も焦りも無い。 「今になって何を言っているの。貴女には貴女の役目が有るように、私にもするべきことがあるの」 「一二三さんもさ、あんまりオリガが前線に出るのは嫌じゃないのかい?」 頑ななオリガではなく、一縷の望みをかけて一二三に話を振ったが、反応は冷淡だった。 「別に。本人の好きにすればいい。別にもう俺の奴隷でも無いんだし」 「私は、一二三様と共に戦います」 言葉での説得は無理だと思ったカーシャは、肩を落とした。 「......準備してくる」 「本当に良かったのですか?」 「あれも大切な舞台装置だ。俺好みの状況を作るには必要なんだよ」 刀を腰に差した一二三は、先に行くと言って出ていった。 「カーシャ......本当に馬鹿なんだから......」 小さなつぶやきは誰にも聞かれなかった。 トロッコによるピストン輸送により、翌日にはフォカロルからアロセールへの軍の移動と展開がほぼ完了していた。この世界では異常と言える速度だ。 「平和だなぁ......」 曇り空だが、気温はさほど低くない。 袴の帯を巻き直しながら、一二三はローヌ方面の街道をぼんやりと見つめていた。街道脇には片道だけだが線路が敷設されている。背後のアロセールの街の中では、避難する住民と装備や道具を整える兵たちで混乱している。 予測では、明日か明後日にはヴィシー軍の先頭がこの街へと到達すると見られる。 「準備できたよ」 アリッサが、二人の兵士を連れてやってきた。 兵士たちは担いできたトロッコをレールに据付け、進行方向を確認する。 「いよいよ始まるね......一二三さんはやっぱり戦争は怖くないの?」 「おおっぴらに人が殺せる機会だ。逃したら勿体無い」 「殺されるかも知れないとか思わないの?」 アリッサの疑問に、一二三はトロッコに乗り込みながら答えた。 「思わないわけないだろ。殺す気があって殺されたくないなんて贅沢だ」 「えっ?」 「よし、出発」 号令に反応して、二人の兵士がトロッコを進め始めた。 グングンと速度を上げるトロッコは、あっという間に見えなくなる。 「一二三さんも、死ぬかもしれないって思うんだ......」 自分が殺されかけた時の事を思い出し、アリッサは一二三がズタズタになる姿を想像しようとしたが、どうにも思い浮かばなかった。 国境があるローヌは無人になっており、以前の戦訓から警戒された罠も無かった。 多くの人数が街道に並び突き進んで来たヴィシー軍は、緊張から一時解放され、ローヌの街を使って野営を行おう事にした。屋根のある場所で寝られる分、兵達の慰労にもなるだろうと判断したためだ。 オーソングランデによる占領後、ほとんど使用されていない家々にはホコリが積もっていたが、硬い地面に寝転ぶよりはマシだと兵たちは喜んだ。 ワイワイと騒がしく食事を取り、適当な建物に入っていく兵たちを、一二三は物陰から観察していた。 ヴィシーの兵たちは装備がばらばらで、数人いる隊長だか将軍だかの指示でグループ単位で動いている所を見なければ、正規兵には見えない。 行動に慣れが見られず、規律らしい規律も見えないあたり、寄せ集めの印象がある。 兵達の行動を観察しているうちに、数百から千程の集団に別れており、それぞれにトップがいるらしい。トップ同士で何やら打ち合わせを行い、言い争いになっている。どうも年かさで髭の濃い、いかにも武将然とした男が野営に反対しているらしい。 一刻も早くオーソングランデに攻め入るべきだと声を張り上げているが、他の全員が休息を望んでいたので、最終的に不満ながら受け入れたらしい。 合議が終わったトップたちが、それぞれ別の建物に入って行くところまで確認する。 (街ごとに編成された軍をまとめて派遣したんだな) するすると建物裏の影に潜むと、一二三は陽が落ちるまでの時間、眠りについた。 ヴィシーの軍が動き出したという報は、早馬によってオーソングランデ王城へも伝えられた。 「......パジョー、予定通りに」 「はっ!」 知らせを受けたイメラリアは、パジョーを呼んで援軍を編成し、急ぎフォカロルへ向かわせるという、従来の計画を指示した。 退室するパジョーを見送るイメラリアに、宰相が声をかける。彼も、イメラリアの狙いは知っていた。 「イメラリア様、その......よろしいのですか?」 「わたくしの覚悟はできています。パジョーも納得してくれました......確かに、わたくしのせいで一二三様はこの世界に呼ばれて、望まぬ苦労をされたでしょう」 イメラリアの目は、フォカロルの方を見つめている。 「しかし、だからと言ってこの世界を蹂躙していいとは思いません。個人的な恨みもありますが......。獣人たちと戦うなら、それはわたくしたちにとっても利益となったかもしれません。ですが、同じ人間同士の戦いを助長するようなことは許されません」 「イメラリア様......」 「卑怯な手段ではありますが、一二三様が窮地に陥る事無く今回の戦争を乗り切れるほどの常軌を逸した人物であれば、わたくしも諦めますし、誰にもあの方を止められないでしょう。ですが、報告によればヴィシーの兵は1万を優に超える数とのこと。少数でこれに勝利することは不可能です」 涙が、こぼれる。 「わたくしには力がありません。お父様の仇を討つにも、卑怯で回りくどい手段を選ぶしか可能性が見出せませんでした。失敗すれば、わたくしも死ぬでしょう。その時は、弟の事を頼みます」 宰相は語らず、ただ礼のみをした。 夜になったローヌの町は、ひっそりと静まり返っている。 片手で足る程度の数しかない篝火は、眠たげに立っている見張りの顔をうすぼんやりと照らしていた。 (そろそろだな) するすると物陰から出てきた一二三は、影から影へと渡るように移動する。 目標は、軍のトップたちがそれぞれ選んだ建物だ。 一番手近な建物に近づき、試しに木戸を開いてみると鍵もかかっていなかったので、そのまま侵入する。 建物内に感じる気配は五つ。部屋ごとに分かれて眠っているらしい。 手近な部屋に入り、眠っている男の首を切断。 さらに次の部屋へ入り、同様に殺害する。 (はいはい次、次) 同様に建物を渡り歩き、昼間見たトップと思しき連中と、同じ建物にいる人物を殺していく。 女を抱いている者もいたが、合わせて串刺しにして殺した。 (なんかこんな映画あったな) ホラーは嫌いなのでうろ覚えの映像が頭に浮かぶ。 一太刀で苦しまずに殺してやるだけ、自分は優しいもんだと勝手な感想をつぶやいた。 確かにさくりと刀を突きいれて殺しているが、頸動脈だったり斬首だったり心臓を一突きだったり、果ては顔面から脳を貫いたり胴体を真っ二つにするなど、寝ている相手の反応はどうかという実験を兼ねたやり方を選んでいた。 二時間ほどかけて、目をつけていた連中は皆殺しにする。誰一人として一二三の存在に気付かず、無抵抗な相手を殺すだけの作業に一二三は後半にはすっかり飽きてしまっていた。何人かは抵抗や反撃をしてくるかと期待していたのに、と一二三の不満は溜まっていく。 食料も時々見かけたが、飢えて元気がない相手を殺しても面白くなさそうなので、手を付けずにおく。 最後に、合議で一人息巻いていた男が選んだ建物へと侵入する。 大いびきをかいている髭オヤジの部屋はすぐに分かった。 見たくもない寝顔を観察しながら、一二三は刀ではなく携帯用の羽ペンとインク壺を取り出した。 額に『騒音公害野郎』と漢字で書きつけられたのは、ブエルという名のヴィシーきっての猛将と恐れられている男だった。兵を率いて敵へ突撃する時の苛烈さは右に出るものがいないとされており、その性格の荒さもまた有名だった。 目覚めたブエルが侍従に指摘されて落書きに気付いた時、その怒りは一瞬で沸騰した。 さらに自分以外の将たちがほとんど殺害されている事を知った時、誰もが彼の近くに行けないほどに怒り狂う。 「卑怯にも寝入ったところを狙い、しかも俺を生かしておくとはどういう意味だ!」 当り散らされた侍従は、小さくなって黙る以外にない。 「俺が他の連中に比べて脅威じゃないというのか! 俺など生きていても役に立たないだろうと馬鹿にしているのか!」 ご丁寧に、一二三はローヌを去る前に起きている門番に顔を見せてから気絶させており、その事で外部の者が犯人だという認識がブエルに植え付けられてた。そしてそれが、オーソングランデの者だろうと決めつけている。 逃げそびれた者たちを大音声で脅しつけたブエルは、兵の消耗も考えない速度で軍を進める。 「おのれオーソングランデめ! 俺が街へたどり着いた時がお前たちの最期だ! 目に物を見せてくれるわ!」 収まらない憤りを怒声に変えながら、ヴィシーの兵たちは昨日よりも疲れた顔をしてアロセールを目指してゆく。

Chapter 39: Roll On Along the road illuminated by the morning sun runs a handcar at neck-breaking speed. Two soldiers are silently pumping the car down the rail, drenched in sweat. Since leaving Arosel they have gone non-stop towards Folkalore, and though are much exhausted they do not stop; their duty to their lord motivates them to return even a second sooner. And upon reaching their destination, the hand car passed beyond the end of the rail, crashing and sending the soldiers into a mountain of straw, which was there to break their fall. Even so, one of them fainted from the impact, while the other hurried out from the straw. [Blegh... it's rotten, isn't it] He said, spitting out straw from his mouth. Soldiers from the gate run up to him, [Who goes there?!] [Ah, I am a messenger from the scout division. I can no longer run, so pass my words to Lord Hifumi... Vichy troops have been spotted approaching Rhone. A host of about 13,000 men. 500 of them may be magic casters.] [So they have come!] [Alright, I'm heading off to the castle!] More than tension the soldiers felt exhilaration, and this atmosphere spread through the army. They spoke with the scout for but a brief moment, but had already understood the crux of the report. The passed out soldier was awoken with a bucket of water, and the soldiers who were otherwise unoccupied went around telling the others the news. This day began with the lightest mood the soldiers have felt since Vichy began preparing their forces, Origa knocked on the door to the lord's office, and waited to be permitted to enter. Upon entering, she saw Hifumi with his legs crossed on the table, pondering something. Kasha was nowhere to be seen. [You have called for me, how can I be of service?] [Origa? A messenger reported incoming Vichy force] [So it's finally time?] [In the end, they completely ignored the matter with Beirevra] Origa gently shook her head. [I am grateful for the concern, but the fault lies with Vichy for stepping on the tiger's tail. The matter of Beirevra can be solved when Vichy is no more] Hifumi said whilst holding onto the paper in his hand. [What has been on your mind, my lord?] [Since a while back, I've been told to settle on a formal Family name for my domain. I hadn't thought to do it until the next expedition, though] He didn't want to think about it, so he used to write "Tohno" on the documents. He wasn't particularly attached to the name, but couldn't think of anything else. And since then, the region was known as Vagenti's Domain no longer. It was now Tohno's Domain. [Alright. Just as we planned, have the garrison forces return. Have the prototypes prepared as well] [Understood. I will pass the order along to Alyssa. I am honored to be allowed to assist you my lord on your path towards victory] [That's wrong] [I apologize. We shall show Hifumi-sama how we wonderfully crush the enemy] Currently the plan was to empty Rhone, set traps, and decrease the number of enemies that way. Hifumi, however, would move on his own. Origa saw is inappropriate to allow Hifumi's image to deteriorate because of a loss, and thus rejected this kind of tactic, but because Hifumi himself did not care much for victory, she didn't object too strongly. After all, he started the war to kill a lot of people; if he won, he would have to plan another battle, and devise schemes to win the next one. Victory itself mattered little to Hifumi. [I hear that Vichy has invaded!] The door opened with a bang, and Kasha ran in. [Why are you so relaxed! We have to prepare] [Calm down. You have a task you must carry out. There's no use shouting around in our Lord's room. Prepare for Hifumi-sama's departure.] [Y-yes, but... Origa is also going to fight?] Kasha's face was dyed in worry, while Origa carried a cool expression.magic [What are you saying now? You have your mission, I have mine] [Hifumi-san, surely you can't possibly let Origa out onto the front lines?!] Obstinately, Kasha directed the conversation at Hifumi, but his cool response crushed her hopes. [Not really. She should do as she will. She is not my slave, you see] [I will fight together with Hifumi-sama] Seeing that no further words could convince either of them, Kasha's shoulders dropped and, [... I will make preparations] [Would that be fine?] [She is a part of the larger play. She's necessary to set the stage as I will it] Hifumi wore his katana on his hip, and left. [Kasha is just a fool, after all...] A whisper that no one could have heard. By the rail and shuttle one could reach Arosel from Folkare by the following day, and thus in a day the forces were assembled there. This was a speed never before seen in this world. [How peaceful...] Though it was cloudy, it was not cold. Tying the obi of his hakama, Hifumi looked down the road in the direction of Rhone. On one side of the road lay the tracks. Behind Hifumi, in the city of Arosel, the hoi polloi were taking shelter while the soldiers were busily getting ready for war. By their predictions, the vanguard of the Vichy forces was set to come into view by tomorrow. [We have finished preparations] Alyssa stated, having arrived with two soldiers. The soldiers were on the handcart, choosing the direction it would move in. ['Tis finally time... Hifumi-san truly does not fear war?] [It's an opportunity to kill people in broad daylight. Missing it would be a shame] [You never think that you will be the one to be killed?] Hifumi answered Alyssa's question while as he got onto the handcart. [Of course I do. When you kill, it's a privilege to not be killed] [Huh?] [Alright, let's go] The soldiers set the cart into motion upon his order. The cart accelerated and soon it was out of sight. [So Hifumi-san also thinks about dying...] Remembering her own close brush with death, Alyssa tried imaging a mortally wounded Hifumi, but could conjure no such image in her mind. Rhone, on the border, had no garrison and no traps to welcome the invaders. The Vichy vanguard were able to relax only after a few hours, and came to use Rhone as a rest area. Probably to attempt to reward their soldiers as much as they could. As Orsongrande forces never used the houses in Rhone, a thick layer of dust was present in every building, but it was still better than sleeping on grass and stones. And observing these boisterous soldiers who were partaking in a meal, was none other than Hifumi. Vichy soldiers were shabbily dressed, and outside of the captains and generals giving out orders, none looked like a part of the regular army. The way they moved showed an attempt at discipline but a complete lack of thereof as well, a truly shabby scene. Observing this horde and separating them into groups of hundreds and thousands, were the captains and the generals. These men came together and started bickering angrily. The eldest among them, a man with a dark mustache, was clearly in disagreement with the rest. He was demanding that they immediately attack Orsongrande, while the others were demanding a break, leading to discontent and disagreement between them. When their "meeting" concluded, each commander went into a different building. (They are probably planning on rearranging the troops after they all have gathered in the city) Gliding into the shadows created by buildings, Hifumi slept there until it was dark. Upon hearing that Vichy troops were advancing, an individual took the fastest horse to Orsongrande Castle. [...Pajo, as expected] [Ay!] Upon learning of the news Imeraria called Pajo and ordered her dispatch reinforcements to Folkalore, as they have previously schemed. When Pajo had left, Imeraria called in the Prime Minister. He, too, knew of her intentions. [Imeraria-sama... are you certain this is what you wish for?] [I have made up my mind. Pajo, too, is satisfied... Yes, it is my fault that Hifumi-sama was brought into this world and subjected to unpleasant happenings] Imeraria's gaze was towards Folkalore. [That, however, does not give him a right to trample on this world. I can't say I am not motivated by a personal grudge, though... Had he fought the beast-men there may have been use of him, but fighting fellow humans is unforgivable] [Imeraria-sama...] ['Tis an underhanded trick, but should Hifumi-sama overcome the predicament before him, should he be such an aberrant of a man, then no one under the heavens could stop him. But I have been told Vichy forces number more than ten thousand. Victory with a handful of men is impossible.] And as her tears spilled out, [I am powerless. I can't even strike down my father's foe without resorting to cheap tricks. Should I fail I too will die. When that happens, please take care of my brother] The Prime Minister, without saying anything, bowed and left. Night had fallen on the city of Rhone shrouding it in darkness and silence. Some still stood around campfires, their sleepy faces illuminated by its light. (I guess it's time) Hifumi slipped out from his hiding spot and traveled from shadow to shadow. His targeted the buildings he demarcated as belonging to commanders. He approached the first building and tried the lock on the wooden door--it was unlocked so he went in. There were five people inside the house. One in each room, sleeping. He entered a room and slit the throat of a sleeping enemy. Then to the next, and the next, murdering as he went. (Yup, yup, next, next) Hifumi then moved to the next housing, dispatching of the men he remembered seeing that day and any who were in the house. Some were embracing a woman, so he skewered both of them. (Wasn't there a movie with a similar plot?) Hifumi was not a fan of horror, so he didn't remember the movie all too well. Picking methods that would dispose of his enemies quickly, Hifumi felt like he was being a kind person to them. But he did indeed pick methods like cutting the carotid artery, decapitating, stabbing in the heart, stabbing the brain, cutting a body in half--methods were such that a sleeping person could not react. Within two hours he had planned to dispose of every commander. Not a single had learned of Hifumi's presence, nor put up any resistance, causing Hifumi to quickly grow bored. He desperately hoped that some would counterattack, but all disappointed. He also saw food, but found it boring to kill starving enemies, so decided not to tamper with it. At last he entered the building where the mustache-commander was. The mustache-geezer was soundly snoring in his room. After observing his sleeping face, Hifumi took out not his katana, but a quill and wrote. Buer, the man feared as the strictest general, awoke with the phrase{Noisy Bastard} written on his forehead. Buer was known as the strongest, most violent general, and his anger was likewise famous. Thus when he saw the phrase written on his forehead he exploded in anger. Yet even that anger was incomparable to his rage when he heard that every other commander was killed. [Such cowardly tricks! And why leave me alive?!] His poor chamberlain could only remain silent through his anger. [Is he saying that I'm not a threat?! That my presence wouldn't change anything?!] Hifumi was kind enough upon leaving Rhone to show himself to a patrolling soldier and then knock him out. This way he meant to convey that the slaughter was carried out by someone from the outside. Buer, of course, figured that Orsongrande must have done it. Buer berated these individuals, threatening them with the greatest of punishment, and failed to consider his troops when forcing the march. [Orsongrande bastards! I will reach your gates and end you! Just come before me!] The soldiers drowning in his constant litany of anger and hatred, were marching towards Folkalore even more exhausted than they were yesterday.

152.Don'T Stop The Party 「油をしみこませた槍に火をつけて打ち込むのです!」 「狙いは不死兵だ! 箱から出てくる前に焼き尽くすつもりでやれ!」 イメラリアとネルガルの指示が飛び、オーソングランデとホーラントの連合軍が次々に火矢よろしく燃え盛る槍を城に向かって打ち込む。 時折投槍器本体を燃やしてしまう兵がいるのはご愛嬌というものか。 「......その、いいんですか? お城に向かって火を点けるなんて......」 臨時相談役という適当すぎる役職を与えられたプーセが、肩書に似合わない落ち着かなさを見せながら、イメラリアに話しかけた。 「構いません。本来、城というものは火事になりにくいように基本的に石で作られていますし、外壁付近には燃える物を置かないのは基本です。ネルガル様に確認もいたしましたので、周囲の小屋などは焼けるでしょうけれど、城そのものは問題ありません」 「そ、そうなんですか。お詳しいのですね」 プーセの感想が、イメラリアは可笑しくて仕方なかった。 「うふっ。わたくしはオーソングランデ第一王女として生まれ育ったのです。お城が自宅だったのですよ」 「あっ」 自分が話している相手が何者かを再認識して、プーセは赤面する。 「良いのです。わからないことがあれば教えてさしあげますから、何でも聞いてくださいね。それに、わたくしからも色々と聞きたいと思っておりますから」 イメラリアが視線を戻すと、城門の向こうで炎が上がり、うめき声が次々に上がっては消えていく。 「不死兵の無力化は順調のようですね。もう少し打ち込めば、完全に押え込めるでしょう」 ネルガルの言葉にうなずいたイメラリアは、サブナクに視線を移す。 目があったサブナクは無言で頷いた。 「では、ネルガル様。予定通りに」 「わかりました。作戦開始!」 ネルガルの号令と共に、火がついていない槍が数本、ホーラント兵から射出された。 槍が狙うのは、晒し者然として吊り下げられたクゼム宰相その人だ。 「ええっ!?」 声は聞こえないが、燃え盛る前庭を呆然と見ていたクゼムは、自分のすぐ脇の壁に槍が当たり、石の破片を飛ばしたのを目撃して、再びもがき始めた。 だが、縄で完全に縛り上げられた体は、芋虫よりも動ける範囲が少ない。 数本の槍が貫通した時点で縄はかなり解けたが、その時点でクゼムは血を流して死んでいる。 一本の槍が、無惨な死体を吊るしていた縄を偶然切断し、外壁の突起に当たって跳ねた死体は、燃える前庭へと落ちていった。 「落下を確認。おそらく、生きてはいないでしょう」 「ああ、見えていた」 ネルガルに従っていた将兵たちの会話は、騒音の中にかき消された。 兵たちにとっては、自分たちを私利私欲のために操ろうとした奸臣を成敗したという達成感を充分に味わうことができ、その機会を譲ってくれたオーソングランデ側に感謝もしていた。 だが、一部の将官たちの感想は違う。 「......オーソングランデの手でホーラントの高官が殺害されたという記録を残さないために、自分たちで始末とつけろというわけか。あのエルフの進言があったかどうかはわからんが、少女だと甘く見ていると、いつの間にか国号が変更されていても不思議ではない」 「すみません。良く聞こえませんでした」 騒音に紛れた苦々しい言葉。 そばにいた兵が、指示を聞きそびれたと感じて聞き返してきたのを、咳払いをして言い直した。 「ネルガル様の指示は、火が収まり次第とつげきというものである。時間も惜しい。魔法兵で水魔法が使えるものは消火を開始せよ。歩兵は状況確認と魔法兵の護衛を行うように。不死兵がまだ残っているとも限らん」 「承知しました!」 後方に下がって待機していた魔法兵が、命令を受けて燃える城を目指してじりじりと前進する。水魔法の使い手を前に、念のため他の魔法兵も追随させるようだ。 「正面からは我々ホーラント軍。側面からオーソングランデ軍が突入する、か。しかしどうするつもりだ? 側面に門は無いのだが......」 気にしても仕方がない、と一人の将は雑念を振りほどく。 「消火が完了し次第突撃する! ここまで来たのだ! オーソングランデの兵たちに我らの実力を見せるのだ!」 声を揃えて応えた兵たちに、将は笑顔を見せた。 これら全てが囮だとは口が裂けても言えないな、という苦笑だったのだが。 城内には、不死兵以外にホーラントのクゼム側の兵士たちが五十名ほど残されていた。 彼らは戦闘要員というわけではなく、一二三に指導を受けたガアプの指示で罠を設置したり、敵が突入してからの罠や相手の状況を確認するため、雑用のような役目を負わされている。 本来が城内警備の兵たちで、城の構造については熟知している。 「あんなに燃えてても大丈夫なのか?」 休憩室として詰め込まれていた二階の部屋。城の西端にあるその部屋からは、燃え盛る前庭が見渡せた。 「多分、問題ない。城の本体には火がついてないし、延焼するような物もないだろう」 「不死兵だっけ? あっさりやられちまったな」 待機命令を受けて、見回りに出た者たち以外は手持無沙汰で、雑談に精を出す。これも、彼らにとっては不安を紛らせるための大切なコミュニケーションだった。 「正面の守りがやられたんだ。そろそろ一階に突入されるんじゃないか?」 「ああ、確か一階の罠の状況は五人で確認するんだったな」 あらかじめ役割が決まっていた五人が立ち上がり、道具を持って一階へ向かう廊下へと歩いていく。 「うまくいけば、部隊長とかを仕留められるかもな」 「どこからそんな自信が出てくるんだ......」 話しながら待機室を出ていくのを見送り、残った兵士たちも立ち上がる。 「じゃあ、突破されて二階に来られた時のための準備をするか」 「......なあ、やっぱりやらないとダメかな」 用意された道具を見て、一人の兵士が呟く。 「いい加減あきらめろ。俺たちには、やれと言われたことをやるしかない」 同じ道具を抱えた兵士は、これが運命だ、と語った。 「マジか......」 城の東側、そびえたつ塀を見上げたオーソングランデの兵は、四メートルはある塀に長い縄を付けた鎖鎌をひっかけ、するすると上っていくフォカロル兵たちを呆然と見上げていた。 塀の上に立ったフォカロル兵が、下にいる二十名ほどの選抜されたオーソングランデ兵を見下ろす。 「鎖鎌はそのままにしておくから。もう鎮火し始めてるみたいだから、急ごう」 さらりと伝えると、向こう側へ飛び降りてしまった。 十名ほどいたフォカロル兵すべてが、同様に縄を伝って登り、次々と向こうへと飛び降りる。 そこからがオーソングランデ兵にとってこの戦い最大の修羅場だった。 軽装で精々革製の胸当てていどの装備しかしていないフォカロル兵と違い、オーソングランデ兵の多くが金属の鎧や兜をつけている。重量差は言うまでもない。 「なんのこれしき!」 とロープにしがみつく者もいるが、ほとんどが半分も到達せずに落下する。 あきらめて装備を外し、塀の上まで到達。さらにその高さから全員が飛び降りる勇気を振り絞るまで、たっぷり二十分を要した。 消火が完了し、一階に突入したホーラント歩兵たちは、広々として何も置かれていないエントランスへと入っていく。 「痛っ!? なんだこりゃ?」 痛みを訴えながら、次々と転がって悶絶する兵士たち。 遅れて入ってきた部隊長がよく見ると、エントランスの床一面に糸がついた釣り針が敷き詰められていた。 明るいエントランスでも小さな釣り針は見えづらい。サンダル状の履物をしていた兵士が針の痛みに座り、転がると、後続がそれに引っかかって転倒し、小さな針を全身に受けた。 「落ち着け! 冷静にならないと......あつっ」 床に転がる彼らを踏み越えた部隊長は、肩に液体が入った小さな陶器瓶をぶつけられて、思わずよろめいた。 「な、なんだ?」 肩を見ると、得も言われぬ色をした液体がべったりとついている。 怪我をするような攻撃でないことを確認し、少しだけホッとして息を吸い込む。 「臭っ!」 卵が腐ったような刺激臭が、部隊長を襲う。 至近距離で思い切り吸い込んだ部隊長は昏倒寸前で身もだえし、周囲の兵士たちもそこから離れようとする。 しかし、部隊長だけでなく動きが止まった兵士たちに次々と投げつけられた液体は、エントランスを瞬時に腐臭の地獄絵図に変えた。 糸と針に絡まれて、小さな痛みを全身に受けながら、息を止めても鼻の奥を刺激するほどの悪臭に包まれ、少なくない兵士が嘔吐している。 「これは訓練だから、命は取らなくても良いと言われている!」 ややくぐもったその声は、エントランスから二階へ上がる大階段の上にたつ警備兵のものだった。 手持ちの瓶を投げ終わった警備兵は、声が出にくい、と顔にマスクのように巻いていた布を外す。 「罠にはまり、攻撃を受けた! 同国人だからこれ以上攻撃はしないから、て、撤退を、おえええええ......」 一緒に瓶を投げていた警備兵が、その様子を見て眉をひそめた。 「なんで布を取るんだよ......」 マスク越しでも涙目になるような状況で、無鉄砲な真似をした同僚から警備兵は目をそらした。まともに見たら、つられてしまいそうだったから。 「負けた、か......」 部隊長はこみ上げるものを必死で抑えながらつぶやいた。 「だが、ここでの負けは別に問題ない」 彼らはあくまで陽動に過ぎない。城内を制圧するのは見せかけの目標であり、城へと侵入したのがホーラントとオーソングランデの兵士たちだと錯覚させるためでしかない。 もちろん、彼の本心を言えば、何かしらの戦果は欲しかったのだが。 「ネルガル様、ご武運を......」 祈りの言葉を紡ぎ、部隊長はそっと目を閉じて、吐いた。 「こちらが隠し通路の入り口です。本来であれば、緊急事態のみ、王族とその侍従のみが利用できるとされているのですが......」 ネルガルが、城内へとつながる隠し通路は、城の真裏、木々が生い茂る中にある石碑にあった。 石碑の前に立ったネルガルが振り向き、同行者を確認する。 護衛のホーラント兵二名、イメラリア、サブナク、ヴァイヤー、そしてアリッサに、プーセも同行している。 「ここを他国の方が通る......しかもエルフの方が我が城へ来られるのは初めてですよ」 緊張をごまかすように話すネルガルに、イメラリアは会釈をする。 「光栄でございますわ。......ネルガル様、急ぎましょう。時間はあまりないのでしょうから」 遠く、城の向こう側からはホーラント兵士たちが突入する雄叫びが聞こえる。 逆に、東側から侵入しているはずのオーソングランデ兵たちの声がいまいち聞こえてこない。 「アリッサさん。侵入方法は斥候をされた貴女にお任せいたしましたけれど、本当に大丈夫ですか?」 「大丈夫、大丈夫。簡単な方法でやるように言っておいたから」 それより、早く行こうと急かすアリッサに、イメラリアは不安ではあったが、今はやることがあるのだ、と気持ちを切り替えた。 「では、参りましょう」 「はい。兵士たちに犠牲が出る前に、終わらせてしまいたいですからね」 石碑の中ほど、楔のように撃ち込まれた小さな石のパーツを叩き落とすと、ネルガルは石碑本体に肩を当て、ぐっと力を入れた。 すると、ゆっくりと石碑が台座の上を滑っていく。 そして、階段が露わになった。 「この通路にはこれといって罠などはありませんし、一本道です。二人が並んで精一杯の幅しかありませんので、気を付けてください」 ホーラント兵たちが先に入り、ネルガルが続く。 ヴァイヤーの後にイメラリアとプーセが続き、サブナク、アリッサと続いた。 中は暗く、先頭の二人と、騎士二人が持っているホーラント製の魔法具の明かりが頼りだ。 石造りの床、壁、天井は飾り気もなく、延々と先へ続く通路が、不安を掻き立てる。 だが、明かりの向こうに仄かに見える上り階段が、少しだけ希望を与えてくれた。 「ちょっと暗いですね......」 「ネルガル様」 ゆっくりと歩いていたネルガルに、イメラリアが声をかけた。 「走りましょう。時間が惜しいのです」 「ですが、イメラリア様を走らせるわけには......」 「わたくしが何者であろうと関係ありません」 乗馬服のイメラリアは、置き場所に困って持ってきていた鞭を握る。 ろにするような愚か者にはなりたくありません」 「......わかりました。二人とも、ペースを上げよう。一本道だから、後ろは気にしなくて良い」 「はっ」 ホーラント兵が走りだし、全員が続く。 「はっ、はっ、一二三様を、絶対、驚かせて、やるのでくぴっ!?」 「しゃべりながら走るとベロ噛んじゃうよ?」 息を切らして走るイメラリアは、思い切り舌を噛んでしまったらしい。 口を押え、鼻息をふぅふぅ吹いているイメラリアに、アリッサが余裕の顔で声をかける。 基本の体力がまるで違うのはイメラリアも承知の上だが、無性に腹が立つ。 文句の一つも言いたかったが、想像以上に舌が痛くて、声が出せない。 「ぷぷっ......」 涙目でアリッサを睨むイメラリアを見て、思わずサブナクが噴き出す。 通路を抜けたらもう一度鞭で打っておこう、と固く誓うイメラリアだった。

Chapter 152: Don'T Stop The Party "Set the spears, which were soaked with oil, on fire and launch them." "The targets are the immortal soldiers! Do it with the intention to burn them to nothing before they can crawl out from the box!" Imeraria's and Nelgal's instructions are flying around. Brightly burning spears and of course fire arrows are shot towards the castle one after the other by the allied forces of Orsongrande and Horant. Is it an amusement for the present soldiers that sometimes the main body of a spear thrower ends up catching fire? "... That, is that fine? To set fire to the castle..." (Puuse) Puuse, who was assigned the overly ambiguous position of temporary advisor, addressed Imeraria while showing an unsettled expression that doesn't fit her post. "No problem. Originally something like a castle is made out of stone which makes setting it on fire basically difficult. Not placing burnable things in the vicinity of the outer walls is the standard. Given that Nelgal-sama confirmed it as well, the surrounding pens and such will probably get burned, but there's no problem for the castle itself." (Imeraria) "I-Is that so? You are quite knowledgeable." (Puuse) It was inevitable that Puuse's thoughts were funny for Imeraria. "*chuckles* I was born and raised as First Princess of Orsongrande. A castle was my home." (Imeraria) "Ah." (Puuse) Seeing the person she is talking with in a new light, Puuse blushes. "It's fine. Please ask me anything as I shall teach you if there's something you don't understand. Besides, I believe that there are various things you want to hear from me as well." (Imeraria) Once Imeraria returns her sight ((to the castle)), flames are rising on the other side of the castle gate and the groans, which rose successively, are vanishing. "The disabling of the immortal soldiers seems to be going well. If we fire for a bit longer, they will probably be immobilized completely." (Nelgal) Imeraria, who nodded at Nelgal's words, shifts her look towards Sabnak. Meeting her eyes, Sabnak nodded silently. "Well then, Nelgal-sama, just as planned." (Imeraria) "Got it. Start the operation!" (Nelgal) Alongside Nelgal's order, several spears, which haven't been ignited, were shot by Horant's soldiers. The aim of the spears is Prime Minister Kuzemu who was suspended by a rope outside the castle just like a pilloried criminal exposed to public view. "Eeh!?" His voice can't be heard, but Kuzemu, who watched the brightly burning front yard in a daze, began to squirm again after witnessing a spear hitting the wall right next to him and stone splinters hurling about. However, his body, which was completely bound by a rope, had less flexibility to move than a caterpillar. The rope came apart quite a bit when several spears pierced it, but at that time Kuzemu had already died to blood loss. One spear severed the rope with the tragic corpses hanging onto it by chance. The corpse, which bumped about as it hit the protuberances on the outer wall, fell into the burning front yard. "His fall has been confirmed. He is likely not alive anymore." "Yea, I saw." The conversation of the officers accompanying Nelgal was drowned out by the noise. The soldiers are able to fully savour a sense of accomplishment for punishing a treacherous retainer who tried to manipulate them for his own selfish desires. They were grateful towards Orsongrande's side for conceding them the opportunity for that. However, the thoughts of a part of the generals are different. "... Does that mean that we've been told to get rid of him by ourselves in order to not leave behind records that a high official of Horant was killed by the hands of Orsongrande? I don't know whether it was according to the counsel of that elf, but if you take her lightly because she "Sorry, I didn't hear you properly." The scandalous words were lost in the noise. When the soldier, who was next to him, asked again feeling that he failed to hear an order, he corrected himself after clearing his throat. "Nelgal-sama's instruction is to charge as soon as the fire abates. Time is valuable, too. Begin extinguishing the fire with the magic soldiers who can use water magic. Have the infantry check the situation and act as guards of the magic soldiers. We will limit the fire's range to the still remaining immortal soldiers." "Acknowledged." The magic soldiers, who moved back to the rear and were on standby, slowly advance towards the burning castle after receiving the order. With the water magic users in front, the other magic soldiers are made to follow as well just for caution's sake. "Orsongrande's forces will storm in from the sides and our Horant forces from the front, huh? However, what is the plan? There are no gates at the sides, but..." , a single general shakes off his idle thoughts. "Attack as soon as the fire fighting has finished! We came this far! We will show our true strength to the soldiers of Orsongrande." The general showed a smile to the soldiers who answered with an uniform voice. No matter what, I won't tell them that everything of this is just a decoy Inside the castle there were around 50 soldiers of Horant's Kuzemu camp left besides the immortal soldiers. Their duty is to carry out miscellaneous chores like setting up traps under the instructions of Gaap, who received training from Hifumi, or checking the situation of the opponents and traps after the enemy storms in, but that doesn't mean that they are combat personnel. They are familiar with the structure of the castle as soldiers originally defending inside the castle. "Will it be alright if it burns this much?" The room on the second floor, which was made into a break room, was crowded. The brightly burning front yard was visible from that room which is located on the west side of the castle. "Probably it's no problem. The castle's main part hasn't caught fire and something like the fire spreading won't happen either, I guess." "And the immortal soldiers? They were finished off easily." Having received a standby order, except for those who left on patrol, they are bored and put their energy into chatting. For them this was also an important communication for the sake of distracting themselves from their worries. "The defence at the front was done in. Won't the first floor be stormed any time now?" "Yea, if I remember correctly five people have to check the state of the traps on the first floor." Five people, whose role had been decided beforehand, get up, take their tools and walk towards the corridor leading to the first floor. "If it goes smoothly, they might be able to kill a commanding officer or such." "From where are you getting such confidence...?" Staying on standby while talking, they see off those leaving the room and the remaining soldiers stand up as well. "Well then, shall we prepare for the time when the enemy will reach the second floor after breaking through?" "... Hey, isn't it fine if we don't do it after all?" Looking at the arranged tools, one of the soldiers mutters. "Just give it up already. We have no other choice but to do what we were told to do." A soldier, who carried the same tool, said "This is our fate." "For real...?" A soldier of Orsongrande, who looked up the wall towering high over the surroundings on the east side of the castle dumbfoundedly, respected the soldiers of Fokalore who were climbing the four-meter-high wall swiftly while hanging onto kusarigama's with long ropes attached. A soldier of Fokalore who stood on top of the wall, looks down on the 20 chosen soldier of Orsongrande below. "Leave the kusarigama as it is. It looks like they have already started to put out the fire. Let's hurry." Once he told them without delay, he jumped off the wall on the other side. All of the 10 present soldiers of Fokalore climb up the same rope and jump down towards the other side one after the other. From there on it was this battle's worst scene of carnage for the soldiers of Orsongrande. Different from the soldiers of Fokalore, who were at the most equipped with leather breastplate as lightweight armour, many of Orsongrande's soldiers are wearing metal armours and helmets. It goes without saying, but those are slightly different in weight. "What a trifle!" There are also those who cling to the rope, but the majority falls without even holding on for half a minute. Giving up and removing their equipment, they arrive on top of the wall. Furthermore it took a full 20 minutes until all of them mustered the courage to jump down from that height. Horant's infantrymen, who rushed into the first floor after the fire fighting finished, entered an entrance hall where nothing has been placed apart from spaciousness. "Ouch! What the hell is this?" While complaining about the pain, the soldiers fall over one after the other and faint in agony. Once the commanding officer, who entered late, looked properly, the surface of the entrance hall's floor was covered by fish hooks with strings attached. It's difficult to see the small fish hooks even in the bright entrance hall. A soldier, who wore a type of sandal footwear, sat down due to the pain of the hooks. Once he rolls around the one following behind tumbled after getting caught in that and suffered from the small hooks on his whole body. "Calm down! If you don't collect yourself... Ack!" The commanding officer, who stepped over those rolling around on the ground, was hit by a small earthenware jar and a liquid got onto his shoulder. He staggered unintentionally. "W-What?" Once he looks on his shoulder, a liquid with an indescribable colour sticks to it. Ascertaining that it's not an attack that will cause an injury, he feels slightly relieved and breathes in. "It stinks!" An irritating stench, similar to rotten eggs, assaults the commanding officer. The commanding officer, who inhaled it with all his might at point-blank range, writhes while on the verge of fainting. The surrounding soldiers also try to get away from him. However, the liquid which was successively thrown at the soldiers, and not only the commanding officer who stopped moving, changed the entrance into a hell of rotten smell in an instant. Getting entangled by the strings and hooks, they are enveloped by a stench to the degree of provoking their noses' insides even if they stop breathing while receiving small injuries on their entire bodies. Quite a lot of soldiers are vomiting. "We've been told that this is training, thus it's fine as their lives won't be stolen!" That voice, which slowly mumbled this, was that of a guard who stood on top of a large stairway leading from the entrance hall to the second floor. The guard, who finished throwing the jars on hand, removes the cloth which he wore like a mask on his face, as it's difficult to use his voice. "You suffered attacks after getting caught by traps! I won't attack you any further since you are fellow countrymen, r-retreat, buueeeehhhhhh..." The guard, who threw jars together with him, looked at his condition and knit his eyebrows. "Why did you remove the cloth...?" The guard averted his eyes from his colleague, who acted recklessly, in a state similar to becoming teary eyed across his mask. It was apparently because he would be lured in if he looked directly at him. "We lost, eh...?" The commanding officer muttered while frantically suppressing the feeling of something welling up. "However, a defeat in this place is not a particular problem." They are no more than a diversion to the bitter end. Gaining control of the castle is a fake objective. It's nothing but causing the illusion that the soldiers of Horant and Orsongrande invaded the castle. Of course, if he talked about his true feelings, he wanted to get some kind of military gains though. "Nelgal-sama, may the fortune of war..." Spinning words of a prayer, the commanding officer quietly closed his eyes and barfed. "This way is the entrance to a hidden passage. Originally it has been decided that it can only be used by royalty and their chamberlains and only is a state of emergency, but..." (Nelgal) Nelgal was at a stone monument located inside thickly growing trees just behind the castle where the hidden passage, connecting inside the castle, lies. Standing in front of the stone monument, Nelgal turns around and confirms his fellow party members. Two guarding soldiers of Horant, Imeraria, Sabnak, Vaiya, Alyssa and Puuse are accompanying him. "For people from another country to pass through here... and moreover for an elf to be able to come to our castle, that's a first." (Nelgal) Imeraria nods towards Nelgal who talks in order to gloss over his tension. "It's a honour. ... Nelgal-sama, let's hurry. We don't have overly much time." (Imeraria) From far away, on the other side of the castle, the war cries of Horant's soldiers charging in can be heard. Conversely, not a single voice can be heard from the soldiers of Orsongrande who should be invading from the east side. "Alyssa-san, I left the means of invasion to you who went scouting, but is it really alright?" (Imeraria) "It's fine, it's fine. I told them to do it in a simple manner." (Alyssa) Imeraria was uneasy about Alyssa who urged on with "Rather than that, let's go quickly," but she switched her feelings with "Then let's go." (Imeraria) "Yes, I want to put an end to it before victims appear among the soldiers." (Nelgal) Once he knocked down a small stone part which was lodged into the stone monument like a wedge, Nelgal pressed against the stone monument's main body with his shoulder putting quite a bit of strength into it. Doing that, the stone monument slowly slides on top of its pedestal. And a stairway became exposed. "There are no special traps in this passage. It's a straight path. Please be careful since it has a width allowing at most two people passing through it side by side." (Nelgal) The soldiers of Horant head in first and Nelgal follows them. After Vaiya, Imeraria and Puuse went in, then Sabnak and after him Alyssa. The inside is dark. The two in the lead and the two knights rely on the light of the magic tools made by Horant which they are holding. The passage, which continues endlessly ahead without even any decorations on the stone floor, walls and ceiling, stirs up one's anxiety. However, the ascending stairs, which are faintly visible on the other side of the lights, were able to bestow hope albeit just a bit. "It's a bit dark..." "Nelgal-sama." (Imeraria) Imeraria called out to Nelgal who walked slowly. "Let's run. Time is precious." (Imeraria) "However, to make you run, Imeraria-sama..." "It's unrelated what person I might be." (Imeraria) Imeraria in her rider's suit grasps the lash which she brought along after being trouble with leaving it in her house-room. . I don't want to become a fool who ignores our objective using the excuse of gender and social status at a time when we should run." (Imeraria) "... Got it, you two, let's raise the pace. It's fine to not care about the rear since it's a straight path." (Nelgal) "Ha!" The soldiers of Horant begin to run and everyone follows. "Ha! Ha! I will, definitely, surprise Hifumi, thu-!?" (Imeraria) "If you talk while running, you will end up biting your tongue, you know?" (Alyssa) Imeraria, who runs while being out of breath, apparently ended up biting her tongue with all her strength. Alyssa calls out to Imeraria, who is breathing through her nose with a *fuufuu* while holding her mouth, with a calm face. Even Imeraria is well aware that their basic stamina values are completely different, but she still gets very angry. She wanted to make just one complaint, but as her tongue hurt more than she imagined, she couldn't use her voice. "Pupupu..." (Sabnak) Seeing Imeraria glaring at Alyssa with teary eyes, Sabnak spontaneously bursts into laughter. Let's hit him with the lash once more once we get out of the passage

イメラリアは届けられた報告書を読み終えると、力なく椅子へと腰を下ろした。 「い、イメラリア様?!」 側に控えていた侍女が慌てて駆け寄るのを、軽く手を上げて制した。 「大丈夫です。少し疲れただけですから」 弱々しく微笑むと、宰相を呼ぶようにと命じ、再び報告書を読み直した。 「国と貴族領で条約を結ぶなんて......。これでは我が国をないがしろにしているようなもの。本来ならば懲罰対象ではあるのでしょうけれど......」 凡そ一般の人々にしてみれば、敵を倒して尚且つ魔法具が安くなり流通も増えるようになる。何がいけないのか理解されない可能性が高い、とイメラリアは踏んだ。 宰相にも報告が行っていたのだろう。想定よりも早く、執務室のドアがノックされた。 「入りなさい」 「ご命令により、参上いたしました」 「聞いていると思いますが、ホーラントの件です」 イメラリアの許可を得て立ったままの姿勢を許された宰相アドルは、報告は私にも届いております、と語った。 イメラリアは頷く。 「トオノ伯を処罰するべきかとも考えましたが、現実的には不可能でしょう。無理にやろうとしても、オーソングランデ対フォカロルに......いえ、実際には一二三様へつく貴族も少なくないでしょう。旧ヴィシー領は全てフォカロルに組み込まれている状況ですし」 「イメラリア様のお考えに、私も賛同する者でございます」 「では、静観するのが良い、と?」 「私は、これは良い機会なのではないかと考えておりました」 良い機会? とイメラリアが問うと、アドルは僭越ながらと断りを入れた。 「折角ですから、トオノ伯の戦果を祝い、同時にイメラリア様の即位式を執り行うのです。トオノ伯が近くにいる状況であれば、反対派の貴族たちもおいそれとは手出しができますまい」 この提案を、最初は良い考えだと承服しようとしたイメラリアだが、よくよく一二三の性格を考えると、危惧すべき点があることに気づいた。 「これは、あの方が最も嫌う”利用する”ことにはなりませんか?」 「事前の説明と了解が必要でしょうな。トオノ伯が喜ぶ物も用意しておけば、なお良いでしょう」 胸を張って答えるアドルに、イメラリアは眉を潜めた。 「一体何を考えているのです? わたくしはもう、浅慮で誰かを失うような事はしたくないのですが......」 「ご安心を。トオノ伯に対しては正当な依頼としてご相談をすればよろしいかと愚考いたします。要するに、自身のあずかり知らぬ所で利用される事が不愉快なのであって、真正面から誠意を以て依頼をすれば良いのです」 丁度、国軍の兵に対する指導の依頼もせねばなりませんから、とアドルは言った。 「敵対するつもりで考えると、なるほど恐ろしい相手ですが、頼む相手とすれば、これ以上頼りになる方もおりますまい」 アドルの言葉を受け、イメラリアは目を閉じて考えた。 「......わかりました。宰相の案を採用いたします。ただし、一二三様への依頼はわたくしから直接お話いたします。騎士隊に、一二三様が王都へ入られたらこちらへお呼びするようにと伝えてください」 深く頭を垂れたアドルは、瞳を潤ませていた。 「そして、イメラリア様の王位継承につきまして、心からお祝い申し上げます」 声が震えている事にイメラリアも気づき、ふっと、微笑む。 「何かと心配をかけましたね。どうか、これからもわたくしを支えてくださいね」 ホーラントでのアレコレを手早く片付けた一二三は、スプランゲルから譲ってもらった馬を駆って、既にホーラントとオーソングランデの国境まで戻ってきていた。 フォカロルへ戻る領軍には“適当に観光でもしながら帰ってくればいい”と言い残して。 当初は街道を気ままに駆け抜けていたのだが、オーソングランデへ近づくにつれて街道を移動する人の数が増えて来て、仕方なく舗装されていない街道脇を走る羽目になった。 「何があった?」 街道を進む人の流れは、そのほとんどが一二三同様オーソングランデ方面を目指しており、荷車や馬車を使い、家族総出で移動している者が多く見える。何かの商品を積載した馬車に乗った、商人らしい者もチラホラ見かけるが。 「なあ、随分と街道が混んでいるが、何があったんだ?」 目線の高さが近いという理由だけで、近くを通った馬車に乗った商人に声をかけた。 「ああ、ホーラントのお城で何か大変な戦いがあって、たくさん兵が死んだという話が聞こえて来たんですよ。聞けば、オーソングランデには誰でも受け入れてくれる豊かな領地があるらしいので、皆さんそこを目指しているのでしょう」 声をかけた商人は、人が多く移動しているのに着いて行って、道々で民衆に食料や日用品を売っているのだという。 「私はホーラント国内を移動して商品を売っていますので、丁度いい商機が来た、というやつです」 国境へ近づくほど人口密度が上がるので、商売は順調なのだろう。ホクホク顔で答えてくれた。 商人へ金貨を一枚投げて、一二三は更に先を目指した。 さらに二時間程街道を進み、国境まで間も無くという所で、やたらと渋滞している場所がある。 馬車や荷車は舗装の外では進めなくなる危険があるので、全員が仕方ないという顔で進むのを待っているようだ。 「お、これは?」 ほんのわずかだが、前方から血の匂いが漂ってきた。 思わず、一二三の口角が上がる。 街道の外を急いで進みながら、腰に差した刀の位置を調整する。 ほどなく、渋滞の原因が見えてきた。 「並べ! 順番にだぞ!」 ホーラントの一般兵の装備をした男が、がなり声を上げている。 他に数名が並び、一人一人に尋問だか検問だかをしているらしい。 馬上のまま近づいた一二三の前にも、一人の兵士が立ちはだかった。 「妙な格好をしているな。ここを通る理由を言え」 「その前に聞くが、俺が先日ここを通過した時にはお前らみたいのはいなかったが、一体何をやっている?」 舌打ちをして、兵士は剣を抜いた。 周囲にいた一般人たちからざわめきが起き、距離を取る者もいる。 「つべこべ言わずに質問に答えろ!」 叫ぶ兵士を無視して、先頭集団のやり取りを見ていた一二三は、そこで民衆から金を受け取っているのを見つけた。 「通行料......か」 「そうだ! ここを通るなら銀貨一枚を払っていけ!」 もはや包み隠そうともしない兵士の言葉に、一二三は一人の子連れの女性を指差した。 「なぁ、あんた。ちょっと聞くが」 「この国では馬鹿な兵士に施しをする制度でもあるのか?」 「えっ? あの、その......」 兵士と一二三を交互に見ながら、女性はどう言っていいかと迷っている。兵士も怖いが、一二三の目も怖いらしい。 「お前は! 俺を馬鹿にしているのか!」 激昂して左足を踏み出し、剣を振り上げたところで、兵士の動きはピタリと止まった。 左手で逆手に抜いた刀が、兵士の左目を貫いている。 「言ったろう? 馬鹿な兵士、と」 人の話はよく聞け、と言いながら、血振りで抜き取った眼球を飛ばす。 絶命した兵士が倒れると同時に、周囲から悲鳴が上がった。 一二三が一喝すると、逃げ出そうとした民衆も足を止めた。 そこへ、他の兵士たちも駆け寄ってきた。誰もが同じ様な見たことのある革鎧を着ていることから、全員がホーラントの兵士らしい事がわかる。 うち一人が進み出て、倒れた兵士を見やった。 「......これは一体どういう事だ?」 「剣を抜いて斬りかかってきたから殺した」 刀は、抜いたままで右手に提げている。 「改めて聞くが、何をやっている? 見たところ、金を取って通すか追い返すかの二択のようだが」 「王や領主の許可を得ない勝手な移動は禁じられている! 許可を得て費用を払ったものだけが通れるのだ!」 威圧するように胸を張り、馬上の一二三を見据える兵士は、さりげなく腰の剣に手をかけている。 一二三は、不安げに見ている民衆たちをぐるりと見渡した。 「そんな書類を提出している奴なんかいないようだが? 要するに袖の下を渡すかどうかって話だろう? もっと堂々としろよ」 ふっと鼻で笑った一二三は、さらに続ける。 「で、こいつらはさておいても、俺からも金を取ろうってのか?」 「ちっ。貴様の目的と名前を言え! 金額次第で通してやる」 ホーラント国民であるならば、国のために働いている我々に報謝するのは当然であろうと続けた兵士の言葉を聞いて、一二三は我慢できずに高笑いしてしまった。 「あっはっはっは! 残念だが、俺はホーラント国民じゃあない」 懐から取り出したのは、イメラリアの署名が入った通行許可証だ。 「俺はオーソングランデの貴族だよ。領地に帰るから、さっさと道を開けろ」 その書類をマジマジと見ていた兵士は、怒りか焦りか、震えながら道を開けた。 丁度兵士たちに囲まれるような位置に来たところで、馬を止めた一二三は街道にいた民衆たちへ視線を向けた。 「ああ、そういえば俺も一領主なんだわ。フォカロルという街を中心にしたトオノ領というところなんだが......」 トオノ領フォカロルという名前を聞いた民衆たちが、にわかにザワつき始めた。商人の話が本当なら、彼らが目指しているのはそこなのだ。 「そこに来るなら、歓迎しよう。オーソングランデ所属の貴族、ヒフミ・トオノ伯爵として、希望者の通行を許可する。もちろん、無料でな」 突然勝手なことを言い出した一二三に、民衆は喜びの声を上げそうになったが、先に声を上げたのは兵士の方だった。 「ふざけるな! 外国の貴族が何を勝手なことを!」 「だが、お前はどこの貴族ともどこの領主とも言わなかっただろ?」 完全な屁理屈だが、目的が挑発なら逆に丁度いい、と一二三は笑っている。 「全員剣を抜け! こいつは貴族を語る犯罪者だ!」 その言葉で、この場にいた兵士全員が剣を抜いた。 「抜いたな?」 ぐるりと見回して、兵士全員が剣を構えるのを見届けた一二三は、一言、呟いた。 すぐさま馬上から飛び上がり、一人の兵士を頭から両断する。 立ち上がりながらも逆八相に刀を摺りあげて一人を斬る。 二人が倒れて空いた包囲網から、馬を逃がしてやった。 「ほら、抜いたなら斬れ。武器を取ったなら殺せ」 「ぐぐぐ......かかれ!」 顔を真っ赤にした兵士は、自分も含めて全員で同時に斬りかかることを選んだが、結果は惨憺たるものだった。 首を落とされる者、腹を割られて呆然と自分の内蔵が流れ出す様を見ている者、手足を失って悶絶している者......。 最後に残った兵士は、もはや破れかぶれで斬りかかってきたが、剣の腹を左手で叩き落されて剣を取り落とし、一二三がくるりと一回転させた刀で右手を二股に斬り割られた。 「あぐぅ......」 腕から夥しい量の血を流しながら膝をついた兵士は、間も無く失血で死ぬだろう。 一部始終を見ていた民衆たちは、すっかり一二三に対して怯えの表情を向けている。 懐紙で拭った刀を鞘へと納めたところで、腕を斬られた兵士が死んだ。 「何日か遅れて俺のところの領兵が来るから、気が向いたら話しかけてみるといい。こいつらよりはちゃんと対応するだろうさ。多分な」 馬が戻ってきたのを見つけた一二三は、嬉しそうに馬に駆け寄って撫でてやり、ひらりと飛び乗ると、さっさと行ってしまった。 金を払わずに済んだ民衆は、何が起きたのか理解できないまま、気を取りなおして歩みを進めて行く。 「どこに行っても、仕事に追われるのは宿命なのか......」 こんなことなら、もう少し義兄の所でゆっくりしていれば良かった、と王城内に新たに与えられた執務室でサブナクは嘆いていた。 サブナクが王都へ戻ると同時に、イメラリアの戴冠に先駆けて近衛騎士隊の創設が正式に執り行われた。隊長をサブナク、副隊長をヴァイヤーとし、第二騎士隊と第三騎士隊から数名ずつが選出された。 残った騎士たちは全てまとめて、単に騎士隊と呼ばれる組織へと再編成された。騎士隊長として元第三騎士隊長のロトマゴ、副隊長にはミダスを含め三名が任命された。 両騎士隊に上下関係は無く、近衛騎士隊は城内及び王族の護衛を主任務とし、騎士隊は兵を率いての治安維持や軍事活動を行う。 慌ただしく叙任が行われ、イメラリア自ら手渡された新しい隊服に身を包んだサブナク。彼が与えられた最初の仕事は、来る戴冠式の警備計画の立案と訓練という、おお仕事であった。 「なんでこんなに仕事が多いんだ」 自分の代わりにフィリニオンがフォカロル領へと派遣されて、内心ホッとしていたのだが、これなら引き受けていた方がマシだったかもしれないとさえ思う。 何しろ、編成されたばかりの出来立て部隊なので、連携どころか隊員どうしの顔合わせがようやく終わった程度なのだ。いくら護衛対象がイメラリア一人とはいえ、この広い王城とその周辺が対象では、頭を捻って考えた計画も、穴があるような気がしてならない。 「失礼します」 執務室へ入って来たのは、新たにサブナク付きとなった侍女だった。 「近衛騎士隊副隊長のヴァイヤー様より、書簡が届いております」 渡された書簡は羊皮紙を丸めた物で、丁寧に蝋で封印されている。 「なんだってこんな大仰な......」 蝋を剥がして中身を読み進めているうちに、サブナクは涙が溢れてきた。 ヴァイヤーからの手紙には、イメラリアからの指示でフォカロル領で一二三を待つ間に、他領からも兵を鍛えたり文官を育てたりという依頼が殺到している事。旧ヴィシー領もフォカロル同様の政治体制に移行しつつあることが分かりやうすく書かれ、最後に、“フィリニオンさんと婚約しました”と上司であるサブナクへの報告が書かれていた。 「なんだよそれ。ぼくは振り回されて忙しくて、女性と食事すらままならないというのに......」 「隊長様」 「その呼び方おかしくない? で、何かな?」 ハンカチで目を抑えながら尋ねると、侍女は無表情のまま言う。 「よろしければ、夕食をご一緒しますか?」 「......同情ならやめてくれないか」 「いいえ」 侍女はとんでもない、と首を振った。 サブナクは泣いた。

Once Imeraria finished reading the delivered report, she sat down on a nearby chair. "I-Imeraria-sama!?" (Maid) She raised her hand to rein in the maid who rushed over from the side, she was standing at the ready, in a panic. "I'm alright. I only felt a bit tired." (Imeraria) With a frail smile she ordered the prime minister to be summoned and read over the report once again. "Something like forming a treaty between a nation and noble's territory... This is something like slighting our country. Originally this would probably make him a target of disciplinary actions, but..." (Imeraria) If I consider the citizens as a whole, for them it will mean the opportunity to obtain cheap magic tools on top of him having defeated the enemy nation. It's very likely they won't comprehend what's wrong with that Faster than she expected, there was knocking on the door to her office. "Enter." (Imeraria) "As you have ordered, I have come." (Adol) "Though I think you've heard about it, it's about Horant's matter." (Imeraria) Prime Minister Adol, having obtained Imeraria's permission to stand at ease, told her that the report has reached him as well. Imeraria nods. "I also considered whether we should punish Earl Tohno, but realistically it's probably impossible. Assuming we do something reckless, Fokalore might oppose Orsongrande... no, there might also be a not so small number of nobles supporting Hifumi-sama. The situation is that all the former Vichy territories have been annexed by Fokalore." (Imeraria) "I'm also agreeing with Imeraria-sama's view." (Adol) "Then, it's fine to carefully watch the situation?" (Imeraria) "I considered whether this isn't a good opportunity." (Adol) As Imeraria asked "Good opportunity?", Adol excused himself for being presumptuous. "It's the long-awaited chance to hold Imeraria-sama's coronation ceremony while at the same time celebrating Earl Tohno's military gains. The opposing nobles won't be able to meddle at a moment's notice, if Earl Tohno is close by." (Adol) Imeraria decided to agree with this suggestion of the prime minister as good idea, but once she carefully considered Hifumi's character, she noticed a point that should cause apprehensions. "Won't this turn into a situation of "being used" which he hates the most?" (Imeraria) "It's probably necessary to explain it in advance and get his consent. If we also prepare something to please Earl Tohno, it will be even better." (Adol) Due to Adol answering pridefully, Imeraria lowered her eyebrows. "What in the world are you planning? I already don't want to lose anyone else thanks to thoughtlessness, however..." (Imeraria) "You may be relieved. In my humble opinion it will be alright as long as we discuss about a proper request for Earl Tohno. To put it simple, he will participate by himself without knowing that he is being used in a disagreeable way. It will be fine if we just directly request it from him sincerely." (Adol) "Because it's just at the right time where we are also asking him to coach the soldiers of the national army", Adol said. "If you consider him with the intention to become hostile against him, he is indeed a terrifying opponent, but if you rely on him as an ally, there won't be anyone more reliable either." (Adol) Imeraria closed her eyes to think about Adol's words. "... Understood. We will use your plan, prime minister. However, I will be the one to directly talk with Hifumi-sama about the request. Please tell the knight order to invite Hifumi to this place once he enters the capital." (Imeraria) Adol, who hang his head deeply, got teary eyes. "And, I congratulate Imeraria-sama from the bottom of my heart for the succession of the throne." (Adol) Even though Imeraria realises his trembling voice, she shows a whiff of a smile. "In one way or another it caused you to worry, eh? Please support me from now on as well, okay?" (Imeraria) Hifumi, who swiftly finished up this and that in Horant, mounted the horse, he had Suprangel concede to him, and already came back as far as the national border of Orsongrande to Horant. He left the territorial army heading towards Fokalore with the words "It's fine if you return while also properly doing some sightseeing." At first he freely travelled on the highway, but as the amount of people moving on the highway increased the closer he got to Orsongrande, he reluctantly got stuck with travelling besides the highway where it wasn't paved. "What happened?" (Hifumi) Almost the entire flow of people advancing on the highway is heading in the direction of Orsongrande, just like Hifumi. Using carriages and wagons, there are many people moving together with their entire families visible. Sporadically he catches sight of merchant-like people who embarked on carriages loaded with some goods. "Say, the highway is awfully crowded. Did something happen?" (Hifumi)magic He called out to a merchant riding on a carriage close-by with the only reason for his choice being the proximity in the height of his view. "Ah, there is some very grave battle going on in the royal castle of Horant. I heard many soldiers have died. Since there seems to be a rich territory accepting anyone in Orsongrande, everyone is aiming to go there." (Merchant) Hifumi arrives at the called-out merchant even though there are many people moving around them. He is selling food and daily necessities to the masses along the road. "Given that I'm selling my goods by moving within Horant, the right business opportunity popped up. That's the kind of guy I am." (Merchant) As the density of people increases the closer it is to the border, it might be profitable for business. Throwing a gold coin to the merchant, Hifumi headed on. Advancing on the highway for another two hours, there is an excessive congestion of carriages right before the border. Because there is the danger of losing carriages or wagons if proceeding off the pavement, everyone is waiting to go ahead with a resigned expression. "Oh, this is?" (Hifumi) Albeit a small amount, the scent of blood came drifting from further ahead. Instinctively the corners of Hifumi's mouth rise. While advancing in a hurry offside the highway, he adjusts the location of his katana hanging at his waist. Soon the source of the congestion came in sight. "Line up! Stand in a row!" A man, wearing the equipment of a common soldier from Horant, is raising his voice quite loudly. Several other people are lined up. It seems he is doing an inspection or interrogation of them one by one. A single soldier blocked the way of Hifumi approaching on top of the horse. "Don't you have a strange appearance. Tell me your reason for coming here." (Soldier) "Before that, listen, when I passed through here a few days ago a lot like you wasn't here, but what the hell are you doing?" (Hifumi) Clicking his tongue, the soldier drew his sword. It causes a commotion among the commoners, who were in the vicinity. Some also take a distance. "Answer the question without nitpicking!" (Soldier) Ignoring the yelling soldier, Hifumi watched the exchange of the group at the front. He discovered the soldier receiving money from the people there. "Toll... eh?" (Hifumi) "That's right! You have to pay one silver coin if you want to pass here!" (Soldier) Due to the soldier's words, who doesn't even try to hide it anymore, Hifumi pointed at a single woman with her children. "Hey, you. Listen to me for just a minute." (Hifumi) "Is there a system of giving charity to dumb soldiers in this country?" (Hifumi) "Eh? Umm, that..." (Woman) While alternating her look between the soldier and Hifumi, the woman is puzzled what kind of answer would be good. The soldier is scary, but it seems Hifumi's eyes are scary as well. "You! Are you taking me for a fool!?" (Soldier) Taking a step forward with his left foot in rage, he raised his sword overhead, but the soldier's movement suddenly stopped. The katana, drawn and held with the left hand in a backhand grip, is piercing the soldier's left eye. "Didn't I tell you? A dumb soldier." (Hifumi) While saying "You should listen more closely to what people tell you", the eyeball flies off due to Hifumi pulling out the katana and shaking the blood off it. At the same time as the dead soldier fell, screams rose from the surroundings. Due to Hifumi's roar, the people, who tried to escape, stopped their feet as well. The other soldiers came rushing over as well. From the fact that all of them are wearing a similar-looking leather armour, Hifumi understands that apparently are soldiers of Horant. A single one among them stepped forward and looked at the collapsed soldier. "... What the heck is this about?" (Soldier) "I killed him because he came slashing at me with his drawn sword." (Hifumi) He is holding the drawn katana in his right hand. "I will ask once again, what are you doing? Though, judging by appearance, it seems there are two choices to pay money to pass through or otherwise be sent away." (Hifumi) "We are prohibiting the travel that hasn't been approved by either the king or a feudal lord. Only those paying the price to obtain permission can go on!" (Soldier) Throwing out his chest as if trying to daunt him, the soldier stares at Hifumi atop his horse. In a casual manner he puts his hand on the sword at his waist. Hifumi surveyed the uneasy looking commoners in a circle. "However, doesn't it seem like there isn't any guy handing over such official papers? In short, I wonder if it's a story of giving a bribe? Do it more boldly." (Hifumi) Hifumi, who laughed scornfully without warning, continues further on, "So, even setting those guys aside, are you going to take money from me as well?" (Hifumi) "Tsk. Bastard, tell me your name and aim! Whether you pass through depends on the amount of money." (Soldier) "If you are a citizen of Horant, it is only natural to repay us for working for the sake of the country." Continuing to listen to the words of the soldier, Hifumi ended up being unable to contain a loud laughter. "Ahahahaha! What bad luck! I'm not a citizen of Horant." (Hifumi) He took out the traffic permit signed by Imeraria from his pocket. "I'm a noble of Orsongrande. Since I want to return to my territory, hurry up and open the way." (Hifumi) The soldier, who took a long hard look at the document, opened the path while shivering in anger or fluster. Just as he reached a position, where he was surrounded by the soldier, Hifumi stopped his horse and turned his sight towards the people, who were on the highway. "Ah, which reminds me, I'm one of the feudal lords as well. The place is known as Tohno territory which has the city Fokalore as its core, but..." (Hifumi) The people, who heard the name Fokalore of the Tohno territory, began to suddenly get noisy. If the story of the merchant was true, they were headed towards that place. "If you are going there, you will be welcome. As Earl Hifumi Tohno, a noble affiliated with Orsongrande, I'm approving your passage as applicants. Of course, free of charge." (Hifumi) The people almost raised their voices in joy due to Hifumi, who unexpectedly proposed this matter on his own accord, however a soldier was the first to raise his voice. "Don't screw around! What are you pulling here as noble of a foreign country!?" (Soldier) "However, didn't you say any noble and any feudal lord before?" (Hifumi) Though it is completely a sophism, it will be perfectly fitting if the goal is to provoke them "All of you, draw your swords! This guy is a criminal who only calls himself a noble!" (Soldier) Upon those words every soldier present drew their sword. "You drew them, eh?" (Hifumi) Looking around by turning in a circle, Hifumi made sure that all soldiers set up their swords and muttered a single question. Promptly jumping off the horse, he bisects a single soldier without hesitation. While standing up, he wards off another's sword to the side and slices him with a reverse hassou stance. As the encirclement was broken by two soldiers having collapsed, he let the horse get away. "Hey, if you draw, you have to slash. If you hold your weapons, you have to kill." (Hifumi) "Gugugu... get him!" (Soldier) The soldier, with a deep red face, chose to have them, including himself as well, slash at Hifumi at the same time, but the outcome was something tragic. Some have their heads sent flying, some are dumbfounded at having their bellies sliced and are staring at the sight of their own organs spilling out and some have fainted in agony due to losing their limbs... The last remaining soldier came assaulting with his sword in total desperation, however having him drop the sword by striking its middle part with the left hand, Hifumi makes a full revolution holding the katana and cuts off the lower part of the soldier's right arm. "Aguu..." (Soldier) While shedding large quantities of blood from his arms, the fallen soldier before long dies of blood loss. The people, who saw the entire spectacle unfold, are looking at Hifumi with completely frightened facial expressions. At the time he put his katana back into its scabbard after wiping it with a paper, the soldier, who had his arm loped off, died. "Because my area's territorial soldiers will come here a few days later, it's fine for you talk to them if you feel like it. Rather than those fellows, they will treat you properly, probably." (Hifumi) Hifumi, who found the horse that had come back, ran up to the horse in joy and gently brushed it. Once he nimbly mounted it, he quickly went his way. While the people, ending up not having to pay any money, don't comprehend what has just happened, they pull themselves together and continue walking. "Am I fated to be chased by work no matter where I go... ?" (Sabnak) If it was to be like this, it would have been alright to rest at the place of brother-in-law for a bit longer At the same time as Sabnak returned to the capital, an official ceremony was held for the first founding of the Royal Knight Order due to Imeraria's coronation. The captain was Sabnak and the vice-captain was Vaiya. Several people were chosen from each, the Second and Third Knight Order. Consolidating all the remaining knights, those were reshuffled into an organisation that was merely called knight order. The former captain of the Third Knight Order, Lotomago, was appointed as its captain and there were three vice-captains including Midas. There is no hierarchical relationship between the two knight orders. The main duty of the Royal Knight Order is the protection of the royalty as well as the castle. The knight order leads the army to maintain the public order and for military activities. Having been appointed in a hurry, Sabnak was dressed in the new order's uniform that was handed to him by Imeraria herself. The first assigned task for him is to draft and practise the security protocol of the coming coronation ceremony. It was major task. "Why is there so much work?" (Sabnak) Having dispatched Phyrinion to the Fokalore territory as my replacement, I feel relieved in my heart, but being responsible for that side might have been better if it's like this At any rate, since it is a fresh unit that has been formed just recently, let alone cooperation, the order's members just finished meeting their comrades. No matter how much Imeraria is the only protection subject, I can't help but feel there will security holes in this wide royal castle and its surroundings even if I wrack my brain devising a plan. "Excuse me." (Maid) The one to enter the office was the new maid, who was assigned to Sabnak. "A letter has arrived from Royal Knight Order Vice-Captain Vaiya." (Maid) The given letter was a rolled up parchment having a thorough wax seal. "What!? Such exaggeration..." (Sabnak) While tearing off the wax and reading the contents, Sabnak spilled tears. The letter from Vaiya states that while waiting for Hifumi in Fokalore following Imeraria's instruction, there are requests from other fiefs flooding in to train their soldiers and educate their civil officials. He lightly and in a comprehensible way writes that even the former Vichy territories are in the process of switching over to the same political system as Fokalore. At the end he wrote to report about the "Engagement to Phyrinion-san" to report about it to his superior officer, Sabnak. "What the hell is this? Though I'm not able to enjoy food and women as I'm busily running about..." (Sabnak) "Captain-sama." (Maid) "Isn't this way of calling me weird? So, what is it?" (Sabnak) As he asks while holding a handkerchief to his eyes, the maid says expressionlessly, "If you like, you can join me for dinner?" (Maid) "... Won't you stop it, if it's out of pity?" (Sabnak) "No, it isn't." (Maid) , he shook his head. Sabnak cried.

サブナクを含む十五名の騎士と、同様に護衛を連れたビロン伯爵を従えたイメラリアが国境が見える位置までたどり着いた時には、朝日がしっかりと視界を確保してくれていた。 街道から外れた茂みの中、爽やかに冷えた朝の空気を吸い込みながらも、イメラリアは不満顔である。 「どうしてこんなものを被らないといけないのですか」 草や葉を張り付けた布に包まれて、細い指でつまんで前を合わせているイメラリアは、同様の格好で隣にいるサブナクに非難の視線を向けた。 「我慢してください。これも相手から見つかりにくくするためです。それより、あれを見てください」 サブナクが指差した先では、国境の手前、オーソングランデ側の兵士詰所や宿舎周辺でで忙しそうに立ち回る兵士たちと、彼らに交じって何かの作業をしている市民の姿が見えた。 「何をやっているのでしょう?」 「おそらくは、こちら側の施設を接収し、大工なりに改装をさせているのでしょうな」 ビロンが冷静に答える。 ガラスの加工が未熟で、レンズというものが存在しない世界だが、簡素な筒で遠方を見やすくするやり方はある。ビロンが使っているのも、木製の単なる筒ではあったが、無いよりはましだった。 手渡された筒を覗き込んだイメラリアは、宿舎周辺にいる兵士たちの装備を確認し、魔法使いはいないようだと判断する。 「大した人数はいないようですね。兵士だけなら二十人くらいでしょうか」 「ええ、こちら側にいる分だけならそうですね」 両手を筒状にして覗き込んでいるサブナクは、問題は塀の向こうだと言った。 「ここから見える分には、変わった設備等は見えません。あるいは、これから作るのかもしれませんが。義兄......ビロン伯が言われるように改装をしているのであれば、何かしらの設備を運び込もうとしている可能性もありますね」 「建物を使う程の大規模な魔法装置だとすれば、大問題です。まだ解明できていない古代魔法の中には、大規模な殲滅魔法もあると聞きます。もし同様の物をホーラントが発見なり開発したとすれば......」 イメラリアは、じっと国境を凝視したまま考える。 こういう時、一二三ならどうするだろうか。 (正面から突撃されるような気もしますが......) 内心苦笑しながら、以前に言われた事を思い出す。 「サブナクさん、ビロン伯、協力して国境周辺を常時監視する体制を整えてください。何か動きがあればすぐに知らせるように。そして......」 指示するかどうか躊躇われたが、そうしなければならない、とわかっている以上、人を動かして結果を得るのも自らの仕事だとお腹に力を入れて、声を絞り出した。 「夜間、可能な限り国境へ近づいて偵察をさせてください。できれば、塀の向こうまで確認するように」 それは危険な任務であり、見つかれば命の保証はない。 それでも、国を危険に晒よりは良い。 そう思わなければ、やりきれない。 「陛下」 ビロンは、被っている布の隙間から白い歯を見せて笑った。 「そのご決断を無にしないために、兵たちは訓練しているのですよ」 「そうですよ。必要だとお考えであれば、どんどんやるべきです。ぼくも、そのご命令は当然の事だと思います。むしろ、ぼくが出すべき指示でした」 全てわれわれにお任せください、と両方から言われ、イメラリアは少しだけ心が軽くなった。 ゆっくりと後退し、サブナクとビロンはそれぞれの兵に指示を出す。 イメラリアは被っていた偽装のための布を取り、乗馬服に張り付いた草を払い落とした。 「ところで、このちょっと間抜......変わった格好は、どなたの考案ですか?」 布を兵士に返したイメラリアの質問に、兵士たちは顔を見合わせた。まさかイメラリアが知らないとは思わなかったらしい。 「あの......トオノ伯爵領からの兵士に教わりました。遠目から見えにくくすることで、ゆっくり監視できるようになるから、と」 「......そうですか」 想像以上に一二三の薫陶が行き届いていることに、喜んでいいのか恐怖するべきか迷いつつも、イメラリアはかなり冷静に思考できるようになっていた。 「興味がありますわね。一二三様の兵士から、他には何か教わりましたか?」 「はい。個人戦から集団戦闘、陣地攻めや、逆に防衛の方法も......」 女王から直接質問を受けた兵士は、ガチガチに緊張しながらも、懸命に訓練を思い出し、内容を羅列する。 その中で、イメラリアには気になることがあった。 「......その方法は、他の教導部隊からも各領地に指導がされているのでしょうか?」 「恐らくはその通りかと。教本のようなものもありましたので」 「なるほど。ありがとうございます」 「い、いえ! 恐縮であります!」 女王直々に礼を言われた兵士は、カクカクと強張った動きを仲間に笑われながら受け取った布を大事に抱えて後退した。 「ホーラント側も、同様のやり方を知っている可能性が高いということですね......」 やっかいな種を蒔いてくださったものです、とイメラリアは嘆息した。 頭の中の冷静な部分では一二三に助けを求める考えもあったが、それが正解だとは、どうしても思えなかった。 「......どうしましょうか?」 「そこまで考えてませんでしたけど......話しかけるのはダメですか?」 プーセが悩む姿を見て、片耳兎のヴィーネが素直に答えた。 長い日数をかけて荒野を抜けてきた彼女たちは、ようやく見えてきた人間たちの町へ続く街道の入り口を前に、どう接触するかを迷っていた。 彼女たちにはわからなかったが、ちょうどフォカロルとアロセールの中間地点あたりに位置する街道途中にある小さな町のすぐ近くだった。 「あっしらは獣人族ですからねぇ。顔を出したとたん、攻撃されてもおかしくありやせんぜ」 「笑ってる場合じゃないよ」 いや参った、と頭をかいているゲングに、マルファスは首を横に振る。 「プーセさん。とにかく話をしに行きましょう。ここで色々考えても仕方ありません」 「......そうですね。わかりました」 恋する乙女は強いですね、とからかいつつ、プーセはゲングたちにいざとなったらプーセとヴィーネが魔法でけん制してから、さっさと逃げましょうと伝えた。 「わかりやした。なぁに、レニさんがいつも言ってるように、とにかく話をしてみましょうや」 「じゅ、獣人族!?」 「それに......あれは人族じゃない、エルフか? 初めて見た!」 突然現れた獣人族とエルフのグループに、警備をしていた兵士たちは浮足立った。 本来であれば急いで応援を呼ばなければならないところだが、あまりに予想外の状況にそれすらも忘れてしまった兵士たちは、どんどん近づいてくる獣人たちをじっと見ているしかできなかった。 「あの......よろしいですか?」 話しかけたのはプーセだ。 耳以外の容姿は一番人間に近いということで、最初に彼女が話すことになった。 「は、はい!」 近くでみると、エルフ独特の整った容姿に、話しかけられた兵士も思わず上ずった声で返事をする。 「私たちは荒野の向こうにある町から来ました。何分、こちらへ来たのは初めてなもので、教えていただきたいのですが」 恐る恐る、自分より背の高い兵士に上目使いで話しかけるプーセは、初対面であればどこか可憐なお嬢様にも見えたかもしれない。 「ええっと......」 兵士はドキドキと鼓動を早めつつも、プーセの後ろで待っている獣人たちを見る。 犬の獣人はいかにも強そうで怖いが、他はなぜか片耳しかない兎の獣人女性と、虎獣人とはいえ、子供にしか見えない。 「彼らは私の連れです。ある人に会うために旅をしているのです」 「ある人、とは?」 もしご存じであれば助かるのですが、と前置きをする。 「一二三さんという人です。黒い髪の、ちょっと変わった」 何が変わっているかは言わない。 「ひふみ? ひふみ......あぁ!」 声をあげ、隣の同僚を見ると、同じように目を真ん丸に見開いている。 「りょ、領主様じゃないか!?」 「間違いない......どうしよう......と、とにかく詰所に来てもらって」 「馬鹿野郎!」 彼らが使っている詰所は、男所帯の多くがそうであるように、掃除が行き届いているとはお世辞にも言えず、来客など全く想定していない。不審な人物を連れて話を聞くための小さなテーブルとイスがある程度だ。 怒鳴り声をあげた兵士は、へらへらとした笑顔でプーセに「少々お待ちを」と伝え、同僚の腕を引っ張って少し離れた場所に移動する。 「なんでダメなんだよ」 「よく考えろ。あんな上玉なんだ。ひょっとしたら領主様が荒野で見つけてきたコレかもしれん」 「えっ」 言いながら小指を立てて見せた兵士に、同僚の顔が青ざめた。 「それをあんな狭苦しい詰所に入れたなんて、領主様に知れてみろ。文字通り首だけにされるぞ」 「じゃ、じゃあどうしたら......」 「とにかく待ってもらえ。急いで隊長に知らせてくるから」 と、言うなり全力疾走で責任者に報告を届けると、聞かされた方も思わず立ち上がり、少なくとも自分の立場ではどうにもできない。というより、そんな判断をしたくもない。 「急いでフォカロルへ護送......いや、丁寧に、気を使って丁寧に、細心の注意を払ってお送りするのだ!」 その命令は、もはや悲鳴に近かった。 盗賊を殺しながら、一二三はふと考えた。 「大規模な戦争ってのは、この世界ではほとんどやってないんじゃないか?」 「ぎゃあああ......は、離せぇ!」 足元で、手首を極められてうつ伏せになっている盗賊の声が聞こえる。 「大規模というと、どの程度でしょう?」 オリガは、鉄扇で別の盗賊の首を叩き折りながら、一二三に笑顔を向けた。 「そうだな。例えば十万とか二十万とかの軍勢どうしがぶつかるような。何万人も殺されるような戦闘だな」 一二三が振り向いたはずみで肩の関節が外れた盗賊は、大きな悲鳴を上げたところで首を踏み折られた。 「それは無いかと。オーソングランデの全兵力を集めても、五万いかないでしょうから」 「そうか。大体の戦闘は平地でぶつかり合うという形だったな。運用を考えても、その辺が限界か」 「そうですね。兵をきちんと組織化して役割を決めて運用するという方法が、一二三様のご提案より前にはありませんでしたから。せいぜい、魔法使いか歩兵かの区別程度でした」 「ふぅん」 一二三は次の盗賊が振り下ろした剣を避け、軽く拳を当てて鼻を折る。 「ぶぎゃっ!」 鼻を押さえるために持ち上げた左手は、一二三に掴まれて手首を捻り折られた。 「それでか」 「何がです?」 オリガの風魔法が、逃げようとした盗賊の首を後ろから切断する。 「ヴィシーとの戦闘の時も、他での模擬戦をやっても、何のためらいもなく敵地に飛び込む奴が多かったからな」 自分が今やっていることを完全に棚に上げた発言に、オリガはクスリと笑った。 「誰もが一二三様のようにお強ければ良いのでしょうけれど......。私も以前はそうでしたが、誰も彼もが、腕っぷしと武器の強さが一番大事だという考えですから」 ですが、これからは変わります、とオリガはもう一人を風魔法で殺した。 その間に、一二三も二人の盗賊の首を折る。 「戦争に道具が持ち込まれました。魔法もただ攻撃するだけではなく、魔道具が使われ、魔法薬も。罠が一般的になり、防衛も兵が出て行って戦うのではなくなります。それはそれは多くの方法があり、攻める側も守る側も、たくさん考える必要が出てきましたね」 外にいた盗賊が全員死に、二人がそろって盗賊が隠れ家にしている洞窟の前に立つと、オリガは鉄扇を腰に提げ、魔法で中にいる人物を探す。 「こんどのホーラントでの戦闘で、それが見られるならいいんだが」 「少なくとも、アリッサはしっかりとやってくれますよ」 「問題はホーラントと、イメラリアか」 中の調査を終えたオリガは、再び鉄扇を手にする。 「イメラリア様にはサブナクさんが付いて行っているようですし、ホーラントも一二三様の兵士がしっかり指導したでしょう。それに、ホーラントには魔法や魔道具もありますから。......中には十六人います。うち三人は動いていませんし、女性のようですね。まだ息はあるようです」 その女性たちがなぜ盗賊のいる洞窟にいるのかは、お互いにわかりきっているため言及しなかった。 「特に変わった物の感触はありません」 「じゃあ、入るか。女は任せた」 「わかりました」 刀は腰に差したまま、無手でぐんぐん入っていく一二三の後ろを、オリガは鉄扇を構えたままついていく。 「もし」 一二三がぽつりとつぶやくのを、オリガは聞き逃さない。 「もし、世界が一斉に戦いに巻き込まれたとしたら」 「地理的に王都が主戦場になるかもな。人間対亜人ということになれば、そうだな......一番可能性が高いのは、俺の領地か」 一人の盗賊の両目を、出会い頭に両手の親指で潰した一二三は、そのまま固い岩壁に後頭部を叩きつけて殺した。 「魔人族は俺を殺しに来る。うまく事が運べば、イメラリアもそうするだろう。獣人はどうだろうな。あまり関わろうとしないかもな。俺が囲まれた状態になれば、ヴィシーあたりもまた攻めてくるかもな」 「それはそれは、楽しい未来図ですね」 死体を通路の隅に蹴とばした一二三は、それにしても、と呟く。 「領軍はまだ到着しないのか」 「彼らも一二三様の兵です。きっとすぐに追いつきますよ」 二日後、フォカロル領兵が軍の進行速度としては異常な速さで追いついたのだが、その頃には、町の周囲にいた盗賊や凶悪な魔物は綺麗に片づけられていた。

At the time Imeraria, who was accompanied by fifteen knights including Sabnak and the same number of guards led by Earl Biron, arrived at a spot from where the border could be seen, the morning sun already guaranteed a clear visibility. Even while inhaling the fresh, chilly morning air within the thickets off the highway, Imeraria dons an expression of dissatisfaction. "Why would it be wrong if I didn't wear this thing?" (Imeraria) Wrapped up in a cloth that had grass and leaves attached to it, Imeraria, who is facing the front while pinching the cloth with her thin fingers, turned a criticizing look towards Sabnak who is next to her in the same attire. "Please endure it. These are for the sake of making it difficult for our opponents to find us. Rather than that, please look at that." (Sabnak) Ahead, where Sabnak pointed at, there were soldiers walking around busily in the vicinity of Orsongrande's military station and barracks in front of the border and there were also citizens, who were carrying out some task while mingling with the soldiers, visible there. "I wonder what they are doing?" (Imeraria) "I fear that it's likely that after confiscating the facilities on our side, they are having carpenters and such remodel them." (Biron) Biron answers calmly. It's a world where such things such as lenses don't exist as the civilization is inexperienced in processing glass, but there's the method of easily looking at a distant place with a plain pipe. Even the one Biron is using was a plain pipe made out of wood, however it was still better than having nothing. Imeraria, who peered into the pipe she was handed, confirms the equipment of the soldiers located in the area of the barracks and judges that there aren't any magicians. "It doesn't seem like they are boasting a considerable amount of people. If it's just the soldiers, there's around 20 of them, isn't there?" (Imeraria) "Yes, that's right if you just count those on this side ((of the border))." (Sabnak) Sabnak, who is peering through both his hands which he has arranged in a tubular shape, said "the problem are the soldiers on the other side." "The parts which can be seen from here; they don't seem to be unusual devices. Possibly they might construct them from now on though. If they are remodelling like mentioned by Brother-in-law... Earl Biron, there's also the possibility of them bringing in some devices." (Sabnak) "If it's a large-scale magic device to the degree of using an entire building, it will become a big problem. Among the ancient magic, which hasn't been classified yet, there are also spells for large-scaled annihilation, I've heard. If Horant has discovered and developed something identical..." (Biron) Imeraria ponders while fixedly staring at the border. I wonder what Hifumi would do in such situation? (I have a feeling that he would attack them from the front...) While smiling wryly within her mind, she remembers something she was told before. "Sabnak-san, Earl Biron, please set up a system of continuous observation of the vicinity of the border by cooperating with each other. Inform me at once if there are any changes. And..." (Imeraria)magic She hesitated whether to give them the order or not, however, since she understood that she had to do so, she squeezed out her voice by putting strength into her stomach ((persuading herself)) that it was her task to obtain results by moving people. "Please carry out reconnaissance by closing in on the border as far as possible during the night. If possible, confirm even the soldiers on the other side ((of the border))." (Imeraria) This being a dangerous mission, their lives won't be guaranteed if they are found. Even so, it's still better than putting the country at risk. It will be unbearable if I don't think about it in such way. "Your Majesty." (Biron) Biron smiled while showing his white teeth through a gap in the cloth covering him. "The soldiers have been training for the sake of not bringing your determination to naught." (Biron) "That's right. If you think that it's necessary, you should do it steadily. Even I believe that that order is to be expected. Rather, it was an order that should be given by me." (Sabnak) "Please leave everything to us", being told that from both sides, Imeraria's heart became lighter albeit only a bit. Retreating slowly, Sabnak and Biron issue instructions to their respective soldiers. Taking off the cloth used for camouflage that covered her, Imeraria brushed off the grasses which clung to her riding habit. "By the way, this slightly, well... unique attire is whose idea?" (Imeraria) The soldiers exchanged glances due to the question of Imeraria who returned the cloth to a soldier. They apparently didn't want to believe that Imeraria isn't aware at all. "Umm... it was taught to us by the soldiers from Earl Tohno's territory. Since it's easy to observe while being difficult to be spotted from a distance, they said." "... Is that so?" (Imeraria) Even while wavering whether she should be scared or delighted due to Hifumi's education being thorough beyond her imagination, Imeraria had reached the point of being able to consider it quite calmly. "Now I'm curious. Were you taught something else by Hifumi-sama's soldiers?" (Imeraria) "Yes. From individual to group combat, attacking an encampment and in reverse, the methods of defending one, also..." The soldier, who received a direct question from his queen, eagerly recalls the training and lists its contents even while being stiff due to nervousness. Among those there was something that bothers Imeraria. "... Have those methods been taught in each territory by other instruction units?" (Imeraria) "It's likely just as you said? There existed something like a textbook." "I see. Thank you." (Imeraria) "N-No! I'm sorry!" The soldier, who was thanked personally by the queen, retreated holding the cloth, he received, dearly while being ridiculed by his comrades for his stiff, overly ceremonious movements. "That means that it's very likely for Horant's side to also know the same methods..." (Imeraria) "Troublesome seeds have been sown", Imeraria grieved. There was also the notion of asking Hifumi for help in the composed part of her mind, but she wasn't able to consider that as being correct no matter what. "... What shall we do?" (Puuse) "I didn't consider it this far ahead, but... is it pointless to start a conversation?" (Viine) Seeing the figure of the worried Puuse, the one-eared rabbit, Viine, answered frankly. The girls, who left the wastelands after experiencing a number of long days, hesitated how to get in contact in front of the entrance to the highway leading to the city of humans that could be seen at last. The girls didn't know, but they were right next to a small town located en route the highway and positioned around the half point between Fokalore and Arosel. "It's because we are of the beastmen race. Just showing our faces, it wouldn't be odd for us getting attacked either ~ssu." (Gengu) "This isn't a situation to laugh about." (Malfas) Due to Gengu scratching his head while say "Well, I give up", Malfas shakes his head. "Puuse-san, let's go to have a talk at least. Even if we consider various things in this place, it won't change anything." (Viine) "... That's so, isn't it? Got it." (Puuse) While teasing her with a "Maidens in love are powerful", Puuse told Gengu and the others to run away immediately since she herself and Viine will restraint ((the attackers)) with magic if push comes to shove. "Understood ~ssu. Say, let's try having a talk with them at least just like always said by Reni-san." (Gengu) "B-Beastmen!?" "Moreover, that's not a human but an elf? It's the first time I've seen one!" The guarding soldiers became agitated due to the group of beastmen and elves appearing all of a sudden. Originally it's a situation where they should call for reinforcements in a hurry, but the soldiers, who ended up forgetting even that due to the overly unexpected circumstances, didn't do anything but staring at the beastmen who were steadily getting closer. "Umm... is it alright?" (Puuse) The one who addressed them is Puuse. It was decided for her to talk first as her appearance, except the ears, is the closest to humans. "Y-Yes!" The soldier, who was addressed, gives an answer with an unintentionally excited voice due to her well-featured appearance unique to elves once he sees her from close-by. "We came from a city that is located on the other side of the wastelands. As it's the first time for us to have come here after all, I'd like you to instruct us." (Puuse) Puuse, who timidly talks to the soldier, who is taller than her, with upturned eyes, might be regarded as cute ojou-sama from somewhere if met for the first time. "Umm..." Even while the soldier's heartbeat accelerates with a throbbing sound, he looks at the beastmen waiting behind Puuse. The dog beastman is scary as he seems to be really strong, but the others are a rabbitwoman, who has no more than one ear for some reason, and a tiger beastman, though that one can't be seen as anything but a child. "They are my companions. We are travelling in order to meet a certain person." (Puuse) "A certain person, you say?" "It will be a help if you know him", she says as preface. "It's a man called Hifumi-san. He has black hair and is a bit unusual." (Puuse) She doesn't mention what's unusual. "Hifumi? Hifumi... aah!" Once he looks at his colleague next to him after raising his voice, that one's eyes are likewise opened widely and form a perfect circle. "I-Isn't that Lord-sama!?" "There's no mistake... what to do... a-anyway, have them come to the guard office." "Moron!" The guard office, they are using, isn't prepared for something like visitors at all as you can't say that they are attentive to cleaning by any standard, just like it's the case with many all-male households. To a certain extent there is a small table and chairs for the sake of listening to the story of the suspicious people they brought in. The soldier, who raised an angry voice, tells Puuse [Please wait for a minute] with a frivolous smile and moves to a slightly separate place while pulling an arm of his colleague. "Why is it no good?" "Think properly. There's such a pretty woman. Perhaps Lord-sama might have found her in the wastelands." "Huh?" Due to the soldiers rising his pinky while saying that, the face of his colleague became pale. "Try imagining Lord-sama ((finding out)) us having her enter such cramped guard office. We will be literally changed into being just heads." "T-Then, what shall we do...?" "At any rate, have them wait. I will hurry to notify the captain." Saying that, he dashes away with all his strength and once the soldier delivers the report to the person in charge, even the person, who was informed, stands up unintentionally and isn't able to do anything, at least in his own position. Or rather, he doesn't want to make such decision either. "Escort them to Fokalore swiftly... no, politely, pay attention to being courteous, escort them while paying meticulous attention!" His order was already close to being a scream. Hifumi suddenly pondered while killing the bandits. "A large-scaled war; practically there hasn't been one in this world, has there?" (Hifumi) "Gyaaaa... r-release me!" The voice of a bandit, who is lying face down while his wrists are immobilized under Hifumi's feet, is audible. "Talking about large-scale, I wonder what's the extent?" (Origa) While hitting the head of another bandit with her iron-ribbed fan, Origa turned a smile towards Hifumi. "Let's see. For example military forces of 100.000 or 200.000 clashing against each other. It's a battle where several 10.000 of people will be killed." (Hifumi) The bandit, whose shoulder joints were disconnected by the momentum of Hifumi turning around, had his neck stepped on and broken at the time he raised a loud scream. "There wasn't such thing? Even if you assemble all military forces of Orsongrande, it likely won't go past 50.000." (Origa) "I see. The general battle was in the form of the troops clashing with each other on a plain. Even if you consider the practical use, that is the limit, huh?" (Hifumi) "That's right. There's the method of managing it by deciding the soldier's roles and and organization accurately, but that didn't exist before your esteemed suggestion, Hifumi-sama. At most they classified ((the troops)) by magicians or infantry." (Origa) "Hmmm." (Hifumi) Avoiding the sword swung down by the next bandit, Hifumi hits them lightly with his fist and breaks their nose. "Bugyaa!" The left hand, which the bandit raised to hold his nose, was caught by Hifumi, its wrist was twisted and then broken. "That's all? (Hifumi) "What is?" (Origa) Origa's wind magic severs the head of a bandit, who tried to escape, from behind. "Even at the time of the war with Vichy and when we did sham battles with others, there were many fellows who would leap into enemy territory without any kind of hesitation." Origa slipped a chuckle due to his statement which was completely blind to his own shortcomings in the situation he was currently in. "It will be fine if everyone is as strong as you, Hifumi-sama, but... I was also like that before, but everyone has the opinion that the power of their physical strength and weapons is the most important." (Origa) "However, this will change in the future", Origa killed yet another with wind magic. During that time Hifumi broke the necks of two bandits. "Tools will be introduced by wars. Even magic won't be simply for attacking but will be used for magic tools and magic potions, too. Traps will become popular, defences will also vanish since the soldiers will go out to fight. There's many, many ways. For the attacking side as well as the defending side the necessity to consider it plentifully will appear." (Hifumi) With all the bandits besides them dead, the two are standing together in front of the cave which has been made into their hiding place by the bandits. Origa affixes her iron-ribbed fan to her waist and searches the inside for people with magic. "It's fine if we can observe that in the battle with the current Horant." "At least Alyssa will do it properly." "The problems are Horant and Imeraria, huh?" Origa, who finished the investigation of the interior, takes the iron-ribbed fan into her hand once again. "It seems Imeraria-sama is accompanied by Sabnak-san. Horant was also sufficiently trained by your soldiers, Hifumi-sama. Besides, Horant also has magic and magic tools. ... There's 16 people inside. Three among them can't move. They appear to be women. They still seem to be breathing." (Origa) She didn't say anything further as both of them understand why those women are within a cave where there's bandits. "There's isn't any particular sensation of something unusual." (Origa) "Then, shall we go? I leave the women to you." (Hifumi) "Understood." (Origa) Origa follows behind Hifumi, who steadily enters unarmed with his katana affixed to his waist, while preparing her iron-ribbed fan. "If." (Hifumi) Origa doesn't fail to hear Hifumi muttering a single word. "If the world was involved by fighting all at once." (Hifumi) "Geographically the capital might turn into the main battlefield. If it turns into a war of humans versus demi-humans, let's see... the place with the highest probability ((to become the main battlefield)) is my territory, huh?" (Hifumi) Hifumi, who crushed both eyes of a bandit with the thumbs of both his hands in passing, killed him by slapping the bandit's back of the head against the wall of rock just like that. "The demons will come to kill me. If she proceeds matters cleverly, Imeraria will likely do that as well. I wonder how about the beastmen. They might try to not get involved overly much. If I'm in a state of being surrounded, even Vichy's neighbourhood might come attacking again." (Hifumi) "My goodness, that's an enjoyable future outlook." (Origa) Hifumi, who kicked away the corpse into a corner of the passage, mutters "Be that as it may." "The feudal army still hasn't arrived?" (Hifumi) "They are also your soldiers, Hifumi-sama. Undoubtedly they will catch up right away." (Origa) Two days later Fokalore's territorial soldiers caught up with an abnormal quickness for the marching speed of an army, but at that time the bandits and ferocious monsters, which were in the vicinity of the city, had been completely disposed of.

21.Shining Star 【救助とレクチャー】 「夜間の戦闘は、とにかく相手に見つからない事が重要だ」 屋根の上から、兵士たちが撤収していくのを見守った一二三は、行動開始前にオリガとカーシャに向かって言った。 心もとない月明かりにを背にした一二三の表情は、オリガ達からは見えない。 「自分に光が当たらない位置を意識しろ。気配を消せ。そして音を立てずに殺せ。刃物が金属に当たらないように、相手に叫ぶ余裕を与えないように。死体が音を立てて倒れないように」 歩いている人間を自分の方へ引き込むときの動きや、刃物の使い方を説明しながら、一二三は腰に刀を差した。 「口を塞ぐときはしっかり手のひらを使うこと。指や腕は噛み付かれる。鼻も塞ぐようにしろよ。人は鼻からでも悲鳴をあげられる」 突然息ができなくなる、それだけでも充分混乱させられると一二三は言った。 「それじゃ、行くぞ」 「あの......どうやって降りるのですか?」 ここは二階建ての建物の屋根の上。オリガは暗い路面を覗き込んで怯えていた。 「これくらいの高さ、飛び降りられないか?」 「......この高さはちょっと......」 「アタシも、無理かなぁ......」 「仕方ない。受け止めてやるから順番に降りてこい」 返事も聞かず、一二三は闇の中にひらりと降りていった。 「降りてこいって......」 「......よし。カーシャ、私が先に行くわね」 恐る恐る下を覗き込み、一二三の位置を確認したオリガは、ぐっと息を止めて屋根の先へと飛び出した。 見送ったカーシャの耳に、下から小さな悲鳴が聞こえたが、無事に受け止めてもらえたようだ。 「オリガは軽いからいいんだろけど」 そう思うと、この程度で怯んでいるわけにもいかないと、カーシャは覚悟を決めた。 「ご主人、信じてるよ」 とうとうカーシャも、逃げ腰気味ながらも飛び降りた。 落ちてきたカーシャを、上手く横抱きに受け止めた一二三は、勢いを殺して隣に立たせた。 「怪我はないな?」 「う、うん......ありがとう、ご主人」 怖かったせいか抱きとめられたせいなのか、カーシャは自分の鼓動が早くなるのを感じたが、余計なことは考えないようにしようと、素早く装備を確認した。 その間にも、一二三から素早く指示が出る。 「ここから先は声を出すな。まだ余裕があるが、少し行けば追いつくだろう。足音は立てないように気をつけろ。剣は抜いておけ」 さらに、カーシャは一二三が収納から取り出した布を腰に巻いて、鎧の金属音を抑えるように言われた。 「あの、ご主人様、私は......」 「オリガは念のため手裏剣をいつでも投げられるように。道中に敵がいれば俺が手本として殺すが、アリッサを救出する時にはしっかり働いてもらうからな」 カーシャは、手のひらから伝わる一二三の体温が暖かい事に、何故か違和感を感じていた。そんな風に受け止めてしまうことを、申し訳ないと思ってもいるが、扱いの良さに対する感謝よりも、人を殺す事に対する技術と態度への恐怖の方が、まだ強い。 月明かりも届かない、建物の影を選んで進み、ほんの数分。一二三は不意に立ち止まり、後ろの二人に振り向いた。 目の前にある朽ちかけた廃屋を差し、小さな声でつぶやく。 「この建物にいるようだな。中に5人、建物周りを二人が回っているな」 一二三は、ここで手本を見せるから見ているように言うと、オリガ達から少しだけ離れて、暗闇に溶け込むように気配を消した。 すぐそこにいるはずなのに、オリガもカーシャにも、一二三が闇の中に消えていなくなってしまったように見えた。 建物の影から、二人組の男がやってくる。廃墟の外側を回る見張りだ。 特に会話もなく歩いてくる二人が一二三の前を通り過ぎた瞬間、一人目の顔面に手を当てて、音もなく自分がいる闇の中に引き寄せた。 驚きと息苦しさに身体を硬直させたが、直後には鎌で喉を裂かれて絶命した。 「よし、こっちへ来い」 一二三の声が二人を呼ぶ。 音を立てないようにそっと声の方へ近づくと、廃墟の壁に耳を当てて、中の様子を伺う一二三の姿がうっすらと見えてくる。 「この建物、中は部屋に分かれていない倉庫のような状態だな。アリッサは向こう側の壁だ。柱にでも縛り付けられているのか、壁に押さえつけられているのかわからんが、まだ息はあるようだ」 アリッサの前に3人、右から回り込んだ場所の出入り口の内側に二人いるようだ。 一二三は、二人に出入口の内側にいる二人を誘い出して素早く殺し、中に踏み込んで他の三人の注意を引くように支持する。 「俺は、別の場所から入る」 「別の場所? 他に入口があるのですか?」 建物は随分草臥れた様子だが、木戸が朽ちて穴が空いた窓も、人が入るには小さい。 「心配しなくていい。中には明かりがあるだろうから、踏み込んだ瞬間に見え難くなるだろうから、気をつけろよ。突入のタイミングは任せる」 一二三は再び気配を消して、その場を離れた。 ドアの前に来たオリガとカーシャは、顔を見合わせて頷いた。 小さな声で詠唱したオリガは、最小限に抑えた風の刃でドアのヒンジを壊した。 すっかり老朽化していたヒンジは、いとも簡単に切断され、ドアはゆっくりと外側に向かって倒れた。 室内の光が、四角く夜道を照らす。 「......ここも限界か」 何の警戒もせずに顔を出した男の首に、カーシャが思い切り剣を振り下ろすと、兜をつけたままの頭が、コロコロと路上を転がっていった。 「敵か!」 もう一人の見張りが剣を抜きながらそっと外の様子を伺うと、目の前にカーシャの姿を見つけ、驚きながらも距離を詰めてきた。 だが、ふくらはぎにオリガの手裏剣がめり込み、激痛で転んでしまい、そのままカーシャに斬り殺された。 男たちの死体を飛び越え、オリガとカーシャが室内へ飛び込むと、そこには壁に手を釘で打ち付けられたアリッサと、その目の前で彼女に剣を突きつけた男が見えた。 残り二人の男は、その二人の前で剣を構えている。兵長らしい男はいないようだ。 アリッサは、痛みに耐えながらも見た事がある二人が飛び込んできた事に驚いた。 「君たちはあの時の貴族の従者さん!」 「従者じゃないんだけどね」 「助けに来ましたよ」 そうは言うものの、室内を見回したオリガは内心焦っていた。一二三は別から侵入するとは言っていたが、他に入り込めそうな場所はなく、石造りの壁がぐるりと取り囲んでいる。 「殺せ」 昼間の兵士と同様、感情の起伏が見られない会話をすると、剣を構えた二人がにじり寄ってくる。 この距離の近さだと魔法を使う余裕はない。手裏剣での牽制を考えていたオリガに、カーシャが声をかけた。 「アタシが二人共押さえるから、その間に......」 親友がやってくれるというなら、それを信じようと魔法杖を握りしめた。 しかし、決意は悲鳴で中断される。 「きゃっ!」 可愛らしい悲鳴はアリッサ。もう一つの悲鳴はアリッサに剣を突きつけていた男だ。 突然アリッサの顔の横から突き出された刀が、目の前にいる男の胸に突き立ったのだ。 刺された男も驚いたが、アリッサもびっくりしている。 それを見ていたオリガとカーシャは、逆にホッとしていた。誰がやったか、直ぐにわかるから。 突き出された刀が引き抜かれ、驚きの表情のまま死んだ男が倒れた。 さらに数回の擦過音がして、アリッサを拘束していた壁に亀裂が入り、あっという間に脆くも崩れ落ちた。釣られて倒れそうになるアリッサを、後ろから一二三が抱きとめた。 「よう、朝といい今といい、運が悪いなお前は」 もう力が入らないのか、ぐったりと手足を放り出したまま、涙目で一二三を見上げるアリッサは、痛みにこらえながら、腫らした顔でぎこちない笑みを見せた。 一二三の無茶苦茶な侵入方法に、残された二人の男は呆然としている。 それを見逃さず、カーシャは立て続けに背中を斬りつけて殺す。両方共、即死だった。 馬車の天井、幌になっている部分をぼんやりと見つめながら、アリッサは助かった事よりもこれからの不安に泣きそうだった。 (もう、兵士には戻れないんだろうなぁ......。それよりも、また動けるようになるのかなぁ......手も足も、全然動かせる気がしないよ。痛いなぁ。助けてもらった時は嬉しかったけど、これから僕、どうなるんだろう?) 味方だと思っていた人たちに殺されかけて、他国の貴族と従者に助けられて、自分が今からどうなっていくのか、アリッサには想像もつかなかった。というより、このまま動けなくなってしまうなら......最悪の状況も覚悟しないといけないと思う。 「入るぞ」 不意に声がかけられ、返事も待たずに馬車の中に乗り込んでくる人影が二人。一二三とオリガだ。 カーシャは、酷く傷つけられたアリッサを見ているのが辛いからと、馬車の外で見張りをしている。 「一二三さん......」 「少しじっとして、動くなよ」 アリッサの横に座り込んだ一二三は、彼女の身体のあちこちを、服の上からそっと触れていった。 時々、触れられた場所が痛む。 その行為に、いやらしい感じはせず、真剣な表情の一二三に見とれてしまっている自分に気づいたアリッサが目線を外すと、そこにも自分と同じような顔で一二三を見つめるオリガの姿があった。 ああ、この人はそうなんだと、アリッサが思っていると、一二三の手が離れた。 「肋骨が何本か折れてるな。あとは両手の怪我の他に、右腕と両足も骨にヒビが入ってる」 ごくごく冷静に告げられる状況に、アリッサは諦めがついた。 「一二三さん、お願いですから、僕を殺してくれませんか......」 「なんでそんな話になるんだ?」 首をかしげる一二三に、オリガがそっと触れながら告げた。 「これほどの怪我となると、高位の治癒魔法使いか、高級な回復薬をいくつも使わないといけません。いずれにしても、金貨が数十枚は必要でしょう」 「そうです。僕にそんなお金は払えません。こんな状態だともうどんな仕事もできませんから......弱って誰かに迷惑をかけたりするよりも、ひと思いに殺してください。一二三さんになら、僕......」 声が聞こえているのだろう、外からカーシャの嗚咽が聞こえる。オリガも涙をこぼしていた。 沈んだ空気が馬車の中を支配するが、それすらも一二三には関係ない。 「それなら、問題ないぞ」 「回復薬なら、王都を出る前に大量に買い込んできたからな。気にせず使える」 収納から、ガラス製の瓶を次々に取り出して床に並べていく。 一本買うのにベテランの冒険者でも躊躇するような高級回復薬が、まるで安物のように適当に置かれてく様は、その価値を知る者には気が遠くなりそうな光景だ。 「ご、ご主人様、どうしてそんなに」 「回復薬があるんだって?!」 カーシャも馬車の中に飛び込んできた。 「カーシャ、少し静かにしろ。で、これは飲むものなのか? 傷にかけるものなのか? まだ試してないから、使い方も効き目もわからん」 「どちらでも大丈夫です、ご主人様。外の傷には振りかけて、内蔵や骨の傷には飲むと効果があります」 「そ、そんな高い薬使われても、僕にはお金が......」 「大丈夫よ、アリッサ。ご主人様はお金持ちだから」 そのお金の出処については、アリッサの精神衛生上、言わずに置いたオリガだった。 無理やり口に流し込まれ、手足に振りかけられ、毛布ごとびしょびしょになったアリッサは、すっかり傷も塞がった。 「こんな即効性があるのか。高いだけの事はあるな」 「あ、ありがとうございます......」 文字通り、湯水のように回復薬を使われ、どうしていいかわからないアリッサは、とにかくお礼だけはなんとか言えた。 「アリッサ、早速で悪いが今からの事についてだ」 「あ、はい......」 それでもいいと、アリッサは一二三の言葉を待った。 「こいつらと一緒に、復讐したいと思うか?」 問う一二三の隣に、笑顔のオリガがいる。

Chapter 21: Shining Star "As for battle during the night, generally speaking it is important that you are not discovered by your opponent." (Hifumi) Atop the roof while watching the retreating soldiers, Hifumi explained to Origa and Kasha before starting to act.magic In the moonlight, Origa's group could vaguely see the stature of Hifumi but not his facial expression. "Be aware of the location where the light won't shine on you. Erase your presence. And then, without making a sound, kill. Take care that you don't hit on metal with the hamono. Don't give your opponent the chance to yell. Make sure the corpse drops silently." (Hifumi) Hifumi explained the necessary movement to draw a walking person towards your own direction and also how to use the hamono while affixing the katana to his waist. "Properly use the palm at the time of covering their mouth. Fingers and the arm can be bitten. Shut their nose since people can still scream through their nose." (Hifumi) Suddenly being unable to breathe, only that is already plenty to cause chaos, Hifumi said. "Well then, let's go!" (Hifumi) "Ano ... how do you plan to get down?" (Origa) Origa was scared as she peered down on the dark road surface. "At only such a height, you jump down, no?" (Hifumi) "... This height is a bit ..." (Origa) "Me too, it's impossible, I think ..." (Kasha) "Guess it can't be helped. I will catch you, so jump down in order." (Hifumi) Without waiting for an answer, Hifumi nimbly descended into the darkness. "Come down ..." (Hifumi) "... Alright, Kasha I will go first." (Origa) Timidly peering down while confirming Hifumi's location, Origa held her breath and jumped off the roof. After seeing her off, Kasha's ears caught a small shriek from below which confirmed that she had likely been caught safely. "Since Origa is light, it's fine, but ..." (Kasha) Thinking of it that way, it was foolish to falter for such a reason, thus Kasha resolved herself. "Master, I believe in you." (Kasha) Though it looked like she was preparing to run away, Kasha finally jumped down as well. Hifumi skillfully caught the falling Kasha sideways and used the adjourning wall to kill the momentum. "You aren't injured, right?" (Hifumi) "U, un ... thank you, master." (Kasha) Kasha felt like her own heart beat had increased. Trying to not ponder about unnecessary matters, she quickly checked her equipment. Likewise in the meanwhile, Hifumi gave sharp instructions. "Do not speak from here on out. We still have some time left, with a little walking we should easily catch up. Pay attention to not make any obvious footsteps. Take out your swords." (Hifumi) Furthermore Hifumi told Kasha to wrap her body in a cloth he had taken out from his storage in order suppress the metallic clanking of her armor. "Ano, master, I am ..." (Origa) "Origa, be ready to throw your shurikens at any time. If enemies turn up along the way, use my way of killing as a model. We will have to work hard in order to rescue Alyssa on time." (Hifumi) For ending up reacting in such a way, she likewise felt like apologizing. She was grateful how well he treated her. Yet, the skills and attitude he used in order to kill people still struck fear into her. It was only a few minutes of moving forward along the shadows of the buildings without being hit by moonlight when Hifumi suddenly stopped and turned to the two in his back. Entering the decaying deserted house in front of them, he murmured in a small voice. "This seems to be the right building. There are 5 people inside and two people are patrolling the vicinity of this building." (Hifumi) After telling them that they should observe his way of killing, which he would display here, he merely separated from Origa's group slightly before he melt into the darkness visibly erasing his presence. Although he had to be close by, Origa and Kasha lost sight of him after he vanished into the darkness. From the shadow of the building two men approached. Without having any kind of conversation, the two passed the spot where Hifumi had been before. In an instant an arm was wrapped around the lower face of one, drawing him soundlessly into the darkness. As his body went stiff due to the surprise and suffocation, a sickle immediately slit his throat quietly ending his life. "Alright, come here." (Hifumi) Hifumi's voice called the two. Taking care to not make any sound as they approached in the direction of the faint voice, the figure of Hifumi, who was pressing his ears against the wall of the abandoned building in order to to check the state inside, dimly appeared before them. "The interior of this building isn't divided into rooms similar to a warehouse, that's the current state. Alyssa is on the other side of the wall. I don't know whether she is bound to a pillar or pinned to the wall, but it appears that she is still breathing." (Hifumi) Apparently three people were in front of Alyssa and the other two were located inside around the entrance on the right side. Origa's group would lure out the two at the entrance to kill them swiftly while Hifumi would raid the interior to attract the attention of the other three in order to support them. "I will enter from a different location." (Hifumi) "Another location? There is another entrance?" (Origa) As the building was in quite a worn out state, the wooden doors covering the windows were rotten and had holes a small person might fit through, too. "You don't have to worry. Since there will be some light, it will become difficult to see for a moment after stepping inside. Be careful of that. I leave the timing of the break in to you." (Hifumi) Hifumi erased his presence once again and left the place. Coming in front of the door, Origa and Kasha glanced at each other exchanging a short nod. Origa chanted a spell with a small voice. The hinge of the door was broken with the minimum force of wind blades required. As the hinge had become thoroughly worn out, it was very easily disconnected. The door slowly began to fall towards the outside. The light from inside shone in a rectangle onto the street. "... This place is at its limit too, huh?" Without any kind of vigilance the head of a man peeked out. Kasha swung down her sword with all her might. The head was severed as it is alongside the helmet tumbling down on the street with a *koro koro*. "An enemy!" The other guard drew his sword while quietly checking the outside. Discovering Kasha right in front of him, he closed the distance even though he was surprised. However, Origa's shuriken dug into his calf causing him to fall down in pain. Kasha slew him where he fell. Jumping over the corpses of the men, Origa and Kasha rushed inside. There they saw a man thrusting his sword in front of Alyssa whose hands were pinned to the wall with nails. The remaining two men raised their swords in preparation in front of the two. Although Alyssa was bearing the pain, she was surprised by seeing the two charging inside. "You are the attendants of that noble from that time!" (Guard C) "Though we aren't attendants." (Kasha) "We came to rescue her." (Origa) Although she said so, Origa, who surveyed the inside of the room, was panicking within her mind. "Kill them." (Guard C) Just like with the soldiers during the day, without showing their wavering emotions, the two prepared their swords while sidling up. At such short distance there was certainly no chance to use magic. "Since I will be holding both of them back, you can use the time to ..." (Origa) Believing in the ability of her close friends, she tightly grasped the magic wand. However, her determination was interrupted by a scream. "Kyaa!" (Alyssa) The other scream came from the man threatening Alyssa with his blade. All of the sudden a katana passed by from the side of Alyssa's face, piercing through the chest of the man before her eyes. Not only was the person stabbed surprised, but even Alyssa got startled. In contrast, Origa and Kasha who were watching that scene, were relieved since they understood right away who had done this. As the stabbing katana was extracted, the man collapsed dead with an astonished expression. Furthermore after a few scraping sounds, a crack appeared on the wall surrounding Alyssa before it became brittle and crumbled down in the blink of an eye. "It seems you are quite unlucky, be it this morning or now." (Hifumi) Having already lost all her strength, Alyssa was listlessly hanging from complete exhaustion. With teary eyes she looked up to Hifumi while bearing the pain. And even though her face was swollen she showed a clumsy smile. Due to Hifumi's absurd way of intrusion, the remaining two men were in a dumbfounded state. Not missing this chance, Kasha killed them slashing their backs in succession. While vacantly staring at the canopy part covering the roof of the carriage, Alyssa was weeping due to being rescued from this crisis and the anxiety of the future yet to come. I may not be able to return to being a soldier anymore, I think ... Leaving that aside, I think it has come to the point where I might not be able to move anymore ... I am not certain that I can move my legs and hands at all. It is painful. At the time I was rescued I was happy, but what shall I do from here on out? The people she considered to be her allies tried to kill her, just to be rescued by a noble and his attendants from another country. Alyssa wasn't able to imagine how she should proceed from now on. "I am coming in." (Hifumi) Suddenly she heard such a voice, and without waiting for her reply either the figures of two people could be seen entering the carriage. Kasha, for whom it was painful to see the horribly wounded Alyssa, remained outside the carriage to stand on guard. "Hifumi-san ..." (Alyssa) "Stay still and don't move." (Hifumi) Sitting down besides Alyssa, Hifumi gently touched all over her body atop her clothes. Sometimes the places he touched caused her pain. She didn't feel repulsed by his action. Becoming aware of the serious expression Hifumi displayed while examining her, she removed her gaze from him to the figure of Origa who just like Hifumi watched her with a similar expression. , Alyssa thought and concluded to leave everything in Hifumi's hands. "I am not sure how many ribs are broken. Besides the injuries on both hands, the bones of the right arm and both feet are fissured." (Hifumi) Upon being told about the situation with extreme serenity, Alyssa accepted her fate. "Hifumi-san, I have a request. Could you please kill me ... ?" (Alyssa) "How did it come to such talk?" (Hifumi) Hifumi was tilting his head in confusion. Origa softly touched him while informing him. "When it comes to such a degree of injuries, you have to receive healing from a high ranking healer or use a great number of high grade restorative medicine. Either way dozens of gold coins are required." (Origa) "That's true. I can't pay such amount of money. Since I can't already do any kind of work in this condition ... and because I don't want to cause trouble for someone with my impairment. Please resolve yourself to kill me. If it is Hifumi-san, I ..." (Alyssa) Apparently her voice was quite audible as Kasha could be heard sobbing outside. Though the mood of the carriage's interior was dominated by depression, Hifumi looked as if it had nothing to do with him. "If that's the case, there is no problem." (Hifumi) (ED: "As for restorative medicine, I bought a massive amount of them before leaving the capital. You don't have to worry about using them." (Hifumi) From his storage he took out bottles made out of glass one after the other and lined them up on the floor. Although a veteran adventurer would be hesitant to buy even one bottle of such high grade restorative medicine, the situation now made it seem as if it was a completely cheap article. Someone who was aware of their value would likely lose consciousness upon seeing such a spectacle. "M-Master, why do you have so many?" (Origa) "There is restorative medicine?!" (Kasha) Kasha had jumped into the carriage, too. "Kasha, be a bit more quiet. So, do you drink this? Or do you apply it on the wounds? Since I haven't tried them yet, I don't know how to use them nor how effective they are." (Hifumi) "Both methods are fine, Master. For external wounds you sprinkle it on top and for the inner bone fractures you drink it in order for it to be effective." (Origa) "U-using such expensive medicine, I don't have money for that ..." (Alyssa) "It's alright, Alyssa. Master is a rich person." (Origa) In order to clear Alyssa's mind from concerning with monetary issue, Origa told her to let it go. Forcibly pouring it into her mouth and sprinkling it over her hands and feet, the blanket became soaked, but all of Alyssa's wounds were healed. "It has such an immediate effect, huh? If only it wasn't this expensive." (Hifumi) "Th-Thank you very much ..." (Alyssa) They had used the restorative medicine literally like water. Alyssa who didn't understand why it was fine to do so, still managed to express her gratitude somehow. "For now it might be difficult for Alyssa but from here on out it is work" (Hifumi) "Ah, yes ..." (Alyssa) Even so, that was fine. Alyssa waited for Hifumi's words. "Do you want to get your revenge alongside these fellows?" (Hifumi) Next to the smiling Origa, Hifumi asked.

46.We Will Rock You 【狩りは囲い込みが肝心】 ミダスとサブナクは、イメラリアからの命令で王城内の警備として武装したまま歩いていた。 すでに夜の帳が降りた城内は、最低限の魔法の明かりだけが灯され、長い廊下の先は暗闇へ向かってどこまでも伸びているかのように見える。 「ミダス先輩と警備なんて、ぼくが騎士隊に入る時の研修以来ですね。 まともに鎧を着るのが久しぶりで、なにか違和感があるのか、時々鎧の留め具を調整しながらサブナクは努めて明るく言った。 「少し静かにしないか。いつ戦闘になるかわからん」 「でも、城の中に賊なんて入ってこないでしょう? 出入りは第一騎士隊が固めてますし、城周りも第三騎士隊が何人か巡回していますよ?」 ミダスは城の中が安全だと思い込んでいるサブナクにため息をついた。 「今日何が起きたか、お前も知っているだろう」 「イメラリア様が王位を継承される意思を示されたことですか?」 「で、この城を警備しているのは通常は第一騎士隊なのに、なぜ俺たちまで動員されたと思う? ......これが答えだ」 進む先に人影を見つけたミダスが立ち止まり、剣を抜く。 目の前には、第一騎士隊の隊員が三名、槍を持って立っていた。 「これより先は立ち入り禁止だ」 第一騎士隊の一人が言う。 ミダスはこの男に見覚えがあった。騎士隊の中でも優秀で、間も無く副隊長に昇進すると噂されているのを聞いたことがある、フレデリックという奴だ。剣の腕で言えば第三騎士隊の中でも中の下レベルのミダスではどうにも分が悪い。 だが、はいそうですかと引き返すことはできない。 「この先のイメラリア様のお部屋に呼ばれている。通してもらおう」 「ふっ、第三騎士隊ならそれらしくこそこそと隠れて通ってみたらどうだ? そうすれば、私たちは堂々とお前らを殺して手柄にできるんだがな」 フレデリックに鼻で笑われても、ミダスは冷静に相手を見ている。 「何が狙いだ......。いや、狙いはわかる。だが、こんなに早く動くとはな」 「この国で最も権力を持つお方がそう望まれたのだ。誰にも止めることはできん。そして王城を守る我々は、王国の安定のために寄与すると信じてここにいるのだ」 「それが年若い少女の命を奪う行為でも?」 「一人の命を守るために、国を危機にさらすわけにはいかん」 ミダスの質問に、フレデリックは当たり前の話だと答えた。 「少女の命って......ミダスさん!?」 「どうやら、女王陛下はイメラリア様の排除に動いたらしい。第一騎士隊は陛下の味方をするそうだ」 「そういうことだ。お前の顔は知らんが、若い方はサブナクとかいう奴だな? 優秀だと聞いているから、今ならこちらに味方すれば、第一騎士隊へ引き上げてやるぞ」 引き上げるという言葉に、サブナクはムッとした。 本来、第一とか第二とかいう呼び名は、騎士隊が編成された順番に過ぎない。だが、割合高級貴族の出身者が多く、華やかな城内警備が基本の第一騎士隊は、他の騎士隊を下に見ている者が多かった。 フレデリックも、その例に漏れないのだろう。 挑発には乗らない、とサブナクは自制する。 「馬鹿なことを。今のイメラリア様の側に立つ人の事を考えたら、自殺行為だとわかるだろう」 「馬鹿は貴様ら第三騎士隊の連中だ。あのような下郎をのさばらせ、あげく伯爵だと! どこの馬の骨とも知れぬ者を調子づかせたのは、他の何者でもない、あの王女だろうが」 槍の石突を床に打ち付け、怒りを露わにしたフレデリックの顔は、醜く歪んでいる。 「俺がいれば、あのような男は直ぐに始末できた! 領地へ戻っている間に王城内は一二三という男に対する恐怖に震えている。こんな無様があるか! 今日の所は女王陛下のお考えで一二三が居ない間の作戦だが、本来なら正面からあいつを八つ裂きにしてやるところだ!」 激昂するフレデリックを見て、サブナクは思わず吹き出してしまった。 「何がおかしい!」 「いや......そういう風に一二三さんを過小評価していると、ロクなことにならないと思ってね」 そういえば、パジョー先輩ももう少しだけ慎重であれば死なずに済んだ、と彼女の顔を思い出し、サブナクの笑いは苦笑に変わった。 「なんっ......」 フレデリックの怒声は、首筋に吸い込まれるように突き刺さった手裏剣で止められた。 そのあまりの勢いに、血を吹き出すフレデリックはのけぞって倒れる。 「うわっ!?」 「フレデリック!」 両脇に居た同僚は、素早く彼の身体を支えたが、既に息絶えているのがわかった。 「これは......」 一二三かと思って振り向いたミダスとサブナクの目に映ったのは、怒りのあまり白い顔が無表情になっているオリガだった。 「......騒がしいから見に来てみれば、汚い口で一二三様の事を悪し様に......!」 オリガが自分たちなど目もくれず、第一騎士隊の生き残りたちを見ているのに気づき、まずいと判断したミダスは、サブナクを引っ張って廊下の脇へと逃げた。 「貴様! 何者だ!」 一人の騎士が槍を突き出してオリガに迫るが、彼女は右手を前に突き出したまま動かない。 何をしようとしているのかわからず、立ち止まって槍を構え直した瞬間、オリガの風魔法で兵の首が落ちた。 「貴方たちのような下衆どもに名乗る名前はありません」 聞こえていなくてもいいとばかりに小さな声でつぶやき、視線は生き残った騎士を見ている。 「なんだかあの子、以前よりだんだん怖い感じになってきてないですか?」 「しっ! 黙ってろ!」 サブナクの言葉は聞こえたのか無視されたのか、オリガは視線を外さない。 正体不明の攻撃と、初めて見る杖を使わない魔法を見せられ、残った一人は槍を構えながらもジリジリと下がっていく。 それでも足を止めないオリガは、懐から30センチ弱の棒を取り出したかと思うと、片手で優雅に開いた。 それは鉄製の扇だったが、この世界の者は見たことがない。 この場にいる誰もが、正体不明の金属細工に戸惑っているのを気にも留めず、オリガは鉄扇をうっとりと撫でた。 「また変なモノを出しやがって......」 この言葉がいけなかった。 「変......? 私が一二三様からいただいたこの鉄扇を、変とは......」 翠の瞳を暗く光らせ、オリガはつかつかと騎士へ歩みよると、扇を左から右へと払った。 「ぅべっ......?」 オリガの動きに反応できず、頬の肉をごっそりと持って行かれた騎士は、目を白黒させていた。 「この武器への侮辱は一二三様への侮辱。死んで詫びなさい」 バシッと音を立てて折りたたんだ鉄扇を、顔を押さえてもがく騎士の喉へと突き刺した。 ぶわっと口から血を吐いた騎士が倒れ、ピクリとも動かなくなると、オリガは一二三を真似て懐から取り出した紙で鉄扇を拭い、大切に仕舞った。 その視線が少しだけ柔らかくなってミダスたちに向く。 「ミダスさん、サブナクさん、貴方がたは今の武器をどう思われますか?」 「つ、使いやすそうで、良い武器だと思う」 「そ、そうだね、何だか優雅でよく似合うと思うよ」 慌てて必死に褒め言葉を並べた二人に、オリガはにっこりと微笑んだ。 「ありがとうございます。お礼に先ほどの失礼な言葉は、忘れることにしますね」 (聞かれてた!) 愛想笑いが凍りついたサブナクを無視して、ミダスはオリガに頭を下げた。 「助けていただいて礼を言う。あのままでは私たちに勝ち目はなかった」 「礼には及びません。私はただ、一二三様の指示でミダスさんたちを探しに来ただけですから」 「ぼくたちを?」 「ええ、“これから夜明けまで、城から誰ひとりとして外に出すな”との事です。私もそのお手伝いをいたします」 イメラリアの寝室に踏み込んだのは、第一騎士隊の中でも精鋭10名だった。 ドアの前に待機していた侍女を腕づくで退かせ、槍を握ってそっとドアを開た騎士たちは、寝室とは思えないほど広々とした部屋の中央にある天蓋付きのベッドを睨んだ。 今そこに眠っている少女を殺害するのが、彼らの任務だ。国のためだと自分に言い聞かせながら、ジリジリとベッドへ近づく。 「覚悟!」 少女が死ぬ瞬間を見たくない一心で、薄いカーテンの外から、掛け布団の膨らみに次々と槍が突き込まれる。 肉を貫いた感触が、騎士隊に罪悪感を植え付けるが、これは正義の任務だと、心を押さえつけた。 「残念だったな」 カーテンの向こうから突き出された刀が、一人の騎士の首をかすめて頚動脈を絶った。 降りしきる血の雨の中、カーテンから刀を揺らしながら出てきたのは一二三だ。 左手には、槍で穴だらけにされた女の死体が掴まれており、たじろいだ騎士たちの目の前に放り捨てられたそれが、女王の死体だと分かったとき、騎士たちは事態が飲み込めずに狼狽える他ない。 ただし、騎士の中でただ一人だけは違った。 「全員、構えろ! 狼狽えるな、敵の目の前だぞ!」 構えを緩めない騎士の一喝で、他の騎士たちも目の色を変えて槍を構え直した。 心底嬉しそうな顔をして、一二三はベッドから降りてきた。女王の死体を蹴り飛ばして脇にどける。 「トオノ伯爵、邪魔をしないでいただきたい。イメラリア様はいずこへ?」 「そんなことはどうでもいい。お前の名前は?」 「第一騎士隊副隊長のデウムスと申します。トオノ伯爵、どうか王女の行方を教えていただきたい」 「お前たちの主は、そこで死んでいるが?」 まだやるのか、と聞く一二三に、デウムスは歯を食いしばった。 「我々はアイペロス王子を王とするよう命ぜられています。まだ終わったわけではありません。......邪魔をなさるなら、死んでいただきます」 「なら、やろうか」 両手で掴んだ刀を、左足を前に半身に構えた自分の背後に隠すように立つ。 一件無防備に見える姿だが、デウムスは槍を突く隙を見つけられない。視界に入らない刀が、どのように出てくるかも見えない。 (これほどとは......) デウムスは、報告書でしか一二三の強さを知らない。だが、今初めて実感した。 ジリジリと間合いを図るデウムスに対し、一二三はゆったりと構えている。 緊張に耐えられなかったのは、他の騎士だった。 「う、うおぉお!」 猛然と突きを放つ騎士に対し、一二三は斜めにすくい上げるような一閃で槍を切り落とし、更に袈裟懸けに斬りおろして騎士の足を根元から断ち切った。 片足で転げまわる騎士は、間も無く血を失って絶命した。 誰かがつぶやく。 デウムスには辛うじて剣線が見えたが、他の者には何が起きたか把握できていない。一二三は一歩も動いておらず、腰の返しのみでひと呼吸のうちに二度の斬撃を見せた。 「さあさあさあさあ、まだまだお前らの方が 左足を前にして再び同じ構えに戻った一二三は、おどけた調子で言う。 「お前たちは手を出すな。......私がやる」 デウムスはむしろ邪魔になると判断し、他の騎士たちを後ろに下がらせた。 逆に一歩だけ踏み出し、腰を落として槍を構える。 「あなたは危険だ。刺し違えてもここで終わっていただく」 「いいね。試してみるといい」 「ぬぅっ!」 先に動いたのはデウムス。 先ほどの一二三の刀に負けず劣らずの速度で、穂先を一二三の顔面へと叩き込む。 一二三は左足を引いて半身を入れ替え、ギリギリ届かない位置までさがり、そのまま刀を切り上げる。 「一度見た技を!」 素早く槍を引いて穂先で刀を叩き落とし、その勢いで再び突いた。 刀を引き寄せながら槍の穂先を横から摺りあげて外へと逸らす。 一瞬の攻防のあと、デウムスは距離を取った。 「いい腕だ。槍の使い方をよく知っている。だが、行儀が良すぎるな」 デウムスは答えない。 一二三は姿勢を変え、刀を正面に正眼の構えをとる。 「まだ殺さないといけない奴もいる。眠いからそろそろ終わりにするぞ」 一二三の言葉が終わる前に、デウムスの槍が一二三の心臓を目掛けてはしった。 避ける動きを見せない一二三に、デウムスは勝ちを確信する。 (とった!) だが、真正面を向いていたはずの一二三の身体は、いつの間にか横を向いており、槍先は左の脇と腕の間を虚しく抜けていく。 そして左手を離し、脇で槍先を押さえた一二三の右手一本で握られた刀が、真っ直ぐにデウムスへと向かった。 「ほ、穂先を抱え込むとは......非常識な......」 鎧の隙間から腹を貫かれ、口の端から血をにじませながらも、デウムスは痛みよりも驚愕が顔に出ていた。 「どうせ押すか引くかしなけりゃ切れんのだ。しっかり挟めば問題無い」 「なんて奴......」 デウムスが崩れ落ち、一二三が血振りをすると、残った騎士たちはどうして良いか分からず、とにかく目の前の敵を倒すべきだと、遮二無二襲いかかってきた。 「遅い」 残った八人の騎士たちも、しっかりと鎧を着込んでいたものの、最小限の動きで順番に喉を断ち割られ、次々に自らが作った血だまりに倒れた。 全ての騎士を死体に変え、納刀した一二三は血の匂いを吸い込んで、笑った。 「楽しかった」

Chapter 46: We Will Rock You Sabnak and Midas patrolled the king's castle upon Imeraria's order while armed. The veil of darkness had already descended within the castle. Having only a minimal lighting by the magical lamps, the darkness further down the long corridors appears to be spreading forever. "Something like patrolling with Midas-senpai, that's something that happened during training when I entered the Knight Unit, right?" (Sabnak) It's been a while since they wore normal armor. Wondering what this feeling of discomfort was, Sabnak occasionally adjusted the armor's fasteners while making an effort to be cheerful. "Can't you be a bit more silent? We don't know when it will turn into a battle." (Midas) "But, a thief or such won't break into the castle, no? Those coming and going are thoroughly checked by the First Knight Unit and there are also some members of the Third Knight Unit making their rounds in the vicinity of the castle, isn't that so?" (Sabnak) Midas sighed at Sabnak who was under the impression that the castle's inside was safe. "What happened today? Even you should know that, I suppose." (Midas) "Are you talking about the matter of Imeraria-sama announcing her intention to inherit the crown?" (Sabnak) "So, though the First Knight Unit usually is guarding this castle, why do you think we were mobilized? ... That's the answer to your question." (Midas) Discovering the figures of people ahead in front, Midas stops and draws his sword. Before his eyes there are three members of the First Knight Unit standing holding their spears. "Going beyond this point is forbidden." (Knight) One of the First Knight Unit's members said. Midas remembered this man. He was an excellent knight amongst the Knight Unit. He heard that there were rumors of him being promoted to the rank of vice-captain soon. He is called Frederik But he can't simply turn back while saying "Yes, that's how it is." "We have been summoned to Imeraria-sama's room farther down this hall. Let us pass." (Midas) "Hah, if you are from the Third Knight Unit, why are you trying to sneak around and conceal yourself? In this situation it will become an achievement if we boldly kill you guys." (Frederik) Even though Frederik is laughing scornfully, Midas is watching the other party calmly. "What is your aim... ? No, I know what you're scheming. But to move this quickly." (Midas) "This was commanded by the lady possessing the most authority in this country. It is impossible for anyone to prevent it. And, each of us, who protect the royal castle, believe that we are contributing to the kingdom's stability." (Frederik) "Even the act of stealing the life of a young girl?" (Midas) "We can't expose the country to danger just to protect a single life." (Frederik) Towards Midas' inquiry, Frederik answered as if it was a natural matter. "A girl's life... Midas-san?!" (Sabnak) "It appears that Her Majesty the Queen is moving in order to remove Imeraria-sama. It seems that the First Knight Unit sides with Her Majesty." (Midas) "That's how it is. I don't recall your face, but that young fellow is called Sabnak or something, right? Since I am hearing that you are an excellent knight, I will promote you to the First Knight Unit, if you support us now." (Frederik) As he heard the talk about being promoted, Sabnak got angry. Originally, the popular names like First or Second are nothing more than the order how the Knight Units are organized. But, having a high percentage of high-ranking nobles as alumnae, the First Knight Unit, based on their showy defense of the castle, has many members who look down upon the other Knight Units. It seems that even Frederik hasn't escaped this custom. Sabnak restrains himself. "What a foolish thing. If you think about the people standing on Imeraria-sama's side currently, you should know that this is suicidal." (Sabnak) "The fools are you guys of the Third Knight Unit. Letting such trash as that risen earl do as he pleases! Becoming enthusiastic about someone you don't even know where he comes from nor what kind of person he is, I wonder what's up with that princess." (Frederik) Slamming the spear's pommel onto the ground, Frederik's face, warping unseemly, revealed his rage. "If it were me, I would have already gotten rid of that man! He is returning to his territory while those within the king's castle are shivering in fear where this man called Hifumi is concerned. Such unsightly behavior! Although the point of today's operation by Her Majesty's plan focuses on the time Hifumi isn't here, originally it would have been better to properly cut that guy to pieces straight from the front." (Frederik) Watching the enraged Frederik, Sabnak ended up bursting into laughter unintentionally. "What's so funny!" (Frederik) "No... I just think that it isn't smart to underestimate Hifumi-san in such manner." (Sabnak) Which reminds me, if Pajou-senpai had been only a little bit more careful, she might have avoided dying. "Wha..." (Frederik) Frederik's angry voice, trying to inhale, was stopped by the shuriken stuck in his neck. Owed to the overwhelming force, Frederik's head was thrown back as he collapsed while spurting out blood. "Uwa?!" (Knight A) "Frederik!" (Knight B) His colleagues standing on both sides quickly caught his falling body, but they knew that he had already passed away. "This is... " (Sabnak) Thinking it was Hifumi, Sabnak and Midas turned around and saw Origa, whose face had become white and expressionless due to overwhelming fury. "... I decided to come and have a look since it became noisy, just to hear this filthy mouth slandering Hifumi... !" (Origa) Origa, without paying Sabnak and Midas any attention, was looking at the surviving knights of the First Knight Unit. Midas, judging it to be dangerous, escaped by dragging Sabnak to the side of the corridor. "Bastard! Who are you!" (Knight B) One of the knights approached Origa pushing out their spear, but she didn't move while holding out her right hand in front. Without understanding what she was trying to do, at the moment he stopped to fix his spear stance, Origa removed the soldier's head from the neck with her wind magic. "There is no need for me to tell scum like you guys my name." (Origa) Murmuring this in a small voice as if it is fine for them to not hear it, her line of sight turns towards the remaining knight. "Hasn't that girl somehow gradually turned more scary from before?" (Sabnak) "Shh! Be quiet!" (Midas) Without it being clear whether she didn't hear Sabnak's words or decided to ignore them, Origa's gaze didn't waver. After seeing that she didn't use the wand to display her magic, he judged it to be an unknown attack and readied his spear while slowly retreating. Even so, without stopping her feet, just as he thought so, Origa took out a rod, that was a little longer than 30 centimeters, from her bosom and gracefully held it in one hand. It was an iron folding fan, though it was something that no one in this world had seen before. Everyone, who were at the scene, couldn't contain their feeling of perplexity due to the unknown metal craftsmanship. Origa caressed the iron-ribbed fan with rapt attention. "She took out a strange thing once again... " (Knight A) These words were prohibited. "Strange... ? You are calling this iron-ribbed fan I received from Hifumi-sama strange..." (Origa) With her green pupils shining darkly, Origa briskly walked up to the knight and swung her folding fan from the right hand side to the left. "Ubeh... ?" (Knight A) Without reacting to Origa's movement, the knight was bewildered as the flesh of his cheek was torn off completely. "Insulting this weapon is like insulting Hifumi-sama. Apologize by dying." (Origa) With a sound of *bashitto* she folded up the iron-ribbed fan and stabbed it into the throat of the knight who was writhing as he held his face. The fallen knight spurt out blood from his mouth with a *buwa* and died without even twitching. Imitating Hifumi, Origa retrieved a paper from her breast pocket and gently wiped the iron-ribbed fan clean before putting it back with great care. She turns her gaze, which had become only slightly tender, towards Midas and Sabnak. "Midas-san, Sabnak-san, what do you think about the weapon you have seen just now?" (Origa) "I-It seems e-easy to use. I-I think it i-is a fine w-weapon." (Sabnak) "T-That's r-right. I-I think it s-somewhat matches y-our elegance." (Midas) As the two desperately lined up words of praise in panic, Origa smiled sweetly. "Thank you very much. As thanks I will pretend to forget about your impolite comments from before." (Origa) (She heard them!) Disregarding the frozen Sabnak with his forced smile, Midas bowed towards Origa. "You have my thanks for saving us. Had it stayed like that, we wouldn't have had a chance of victory." (Midas) "There is no need to thank me. I just came looking for you guys following Hifumi-sama's instruction." (Origa) "Us?" (Midas) "Yes, I am to tell you, "From now on until dawn, not a single person is allowed to leave the castle." I shall help you with this task as well." (Origa) It was 10 elite soldiers picked from among the First Knight Unit who broke into Imeraria's bedroom. Shoving the maid standing in front of the door on standby by brute force aside, the knights clasped their spears tightly and quietly opened the door. They glared at the bed with its canopy attached situated in the middle of the room you wouldn't consider to be a bedroom due to its sheer degree of vastness. Their mission is to kill the girl sleeping there currently. While persuading themselves that it is for the sake of the country, they are slowly approaching the bed. "Prepare yourself!" Wholeheartedly not wanting to watch the moment the young lady dies, they are continuing to stab their spears one by one at the bulging bed cover from the outside the thin curtains of the canopy. As they sensed the spears penetrating flesh, feelings of guilt were planted within the knights, but they suppressed their hearts by reminding themselves that this was a just cause. "How regrettable" As a katana protruded from the other side of the curtain, the carotid artery of the neck of one of the knights was severed. Within the downpour of blood Hifumi comes out from within the curtains while swinging his katana. In his left hand he is holding the corpse of a woman riddled with spear holes. He tossed it in front of the faltering knights. At the time they comprehended that this was the corpse of the queen, the knights couldn't do anything but lose their presence of mind unable to swallow the current state of affairs. However, there was only one single knight amongst them who was different. "All hands, get ready! Don't get panicked in front of the enemy!" Due to the roar in a thunderous voice for the knights to not let down their guard and prepare themselves, the other knights fixed their spear stance having life return into their eyes. With a completely delightful facial expression Hifumi descended from the bed. He kicked the queen's corpse to the side in order to put it out-of-the-way. "I'd like you to not obstruct us, Earl Tohno. Where is Imeraria-sama?" "Who gives a damn about something like that. What is your name?" (Hifumi) "I am called Deumus, vice-captain of the First Knight Unit. Earl Tohno, please, I'd like you to tell us the whereabouts of the princess" (Deumus) "Even though your master has passed away over there?" (Hifumi) "You still want to go on?" hearing this from Hifumi, Deumus clenched his teeth. "We have sworn our lives to the duty of Prince Ayperos to become king. For that reason we can't stop here ... If you plan to hinder us, I will have you die." (Deumus) "If that's the case, let's get going." (Hifumi) Grabbing his katana with both hands, he stepped forward with his left foot by half a step in order to hide his back. On a first glance this can be seen as defenseless stance, but Deumus isn't able to discover a gap he can thrust his spear into. As the katana doesn't enter his visual field, he can't fathom in what way it might approach him.magic (This much...) Deumus doesn't know anything about Hifumi's strength except what he read in the reports. But now he experiences it for the first time himself. In contrast to Deumus, who is attempting to close the distance between them impatiently, Hifumi sets up calmly. Another knight couldn't stand the tension. "U-uooo!" Against the knight releasing fierce thrusts, Hifumi cut off the spear diagonally in a flash as if scooping it up. And moreover, as he was using the blade to slash it diagonally from the shoulder he severed the knight's foot from its root. The one-legged knight, rolling around in circles, died before long due to loss of blood. Someone mutters. Deumus barely managed to watch the sword's path, but the others didn't grasp what happened. Without even taking a single step, Hifumi executed two slashes within a person's breath visible only by him turning his waist. "Come, come, come on, there are still a lot of you **left!" (Hifumi) Hifumi, returning to his previous stance of halving his left foot in front, says in a jesting tone. "If you lot don't get going ... I will." (Deumus) Just that they would instead become a hindrance to Deumus, the other knights retreated to the rear. Conversely, making only one step forward, Deumus, lowering his posture, prepares his spear. "You are dangerous. I will end it here even if it means stabbing each other." (Deumus) "That's good. It's fine for you to try." (Hifumi) "Nuu!" (Deumus) The first to move was Deumus. Equal to the speed of Hifumi's katana just now, Deumus drives the spearhead into Hifumi's face. Hifumi shifts his stance by drawing back the left foot a half step. He moves back until Deumus' attack just barely doesn't reach him. Without changing his posture, he cuts upwards with his katana. "That's a technique I have seen before!" (Deumus) Swiftly pulling back his spear, he deflects the katana with the spearhead and used that force to thrust the spear a second time. While drawing the katana back to himself, Hifumi averts the spearhead coming for him from the side to the outside. After this instant of offence and defence, Deumus took his distance. "You are well skilled. You are using your spear quite proficiently. But your manners aren't very good." (Hifumi) Deumus doesn't answer. Changing his posture, Hifumi adopts a stance of directly aiming at the eyes with his katana. "There is still a hopeless guy I haven't killed yet. I will finish it soon because I am sleepy." (Hifumi) Before Hifumi finished his words, Deumus drove his spear aiming at Hifumi's heart. As Hifumi doesn't show any intention to avoid it, Deumus is confident in his victory. (Gotcha!) But, Hifumi's body, which should be turned to the front, is turning sideways before Deumus noticed it. The spearhead passes by through empty air on the left side in the space between the arms And, separating his left arm, Hifumi, holding the katana in his right hand, pinned down the side of the spearhead and faced Deumus directly. "Pinning down the spear by holding it between your arm and body... How absurd..." (Deumus) Piercing the abdomen through the gap in the armor, though blood was leaking out from his mouth, Deumus showed a face of astonishment rather than pain. "At best you are able to push or pull before it snaps. There is no problem to get in-between that." (Hifumi) "What a guy..." (Deumus) As Deumus crumbled down, Hifumi shook off the blood of his katana. The remaining knights, without knowing what would be the right thing to do, recklessly came rushing in as they wanted to at least kill the enemy in front of them. "Too slow." (Hifumi) Even though there were eight knights left and although they wore proper armor, their throats were cut sequentially with a minimum of movement. One by one they dropped into the pool of blood they had produced themselves. Changing all of the knights into corpses, Hifumi, returning the katana into its scabbard and inhaling the smell of blood, laughed. "That was fun." (Hifumi)

初の三国会談は、ヴィシーをほとんど無視した形で進められた。 一二三は基本的に聞いているだけで、話していたのは大体イメラリアとスプランゲルで、時々気を使ってイメラリアが話を振ったときに、ロシーが遠慮がちに意見を言うといった具合だった。 結果として、オーソングランデとホーラントは多少の賠償金を支払った後に直接の通商条約を結ぶ運びとなり、一二三を通じて軍事的な情報交換を行うという内容も盛り込まれる事となった。 ヴィシーに対しては、ホーラントはこれまで通りの交流は続けるが、魔法具についての独占的な流通は事実上無くなる事となった。オーソングランデ側からは、賠償金の支払いと“平和への協力”を要請する、とイメラリアは中央委員会への伝言を依頼した。 「平和への協力とは、具体的にはどのようなものでしょうか......」 当初は自分の力でオーソングランデとの交渉をまとめてやると息巻いていたのが、会談の終盤ではすっかり肩を落としていたロシーは、曖昧な依頼に恐る恐る確認の言葉を紡いだ。 イメラリアはよそ行きの笑顔を浮かべ、ロシーに平坦な言葉で返す。 「今回の戦争について、我が国は全面的に中央委員会の責任であると考えています。そして、ヴィシー自身が不要に犠牲を増やし、結果として崩壊に近い状態に陥った事についても、触れざるべき人物を刺激したヴィシー自身が原因であると考えております」 ここまで言って、イメラリアは一二三にチラリと視線を向ける。触れざるべき人物は、見られている事を知りつつもあくびをして無関係だという顔をした。 イメラリアは、小さく息を吐いた。 「中央委員会を含め、分裂している旧ヴィシー地域については、わたくしは形式上賠償は求めますが、それ以上は自分で考えていただきたいと申し上げているのです。自分たちの失敗を回復するのに、わたくしとわたくしの国を利用しようとしないでいただきたい。単純に申し上げて、不愉快です」 自国の問題に巻き込む前に、自分たちはどうあるべきかを考えてから、改めてお話をいたしましょう、とイメラリアははっきりと言った。 スプランゲルは、そんな彼女を好ましいと感じ、優しげな視線を向けていた。 「新たな女王陛下の言うとおりだな。自国の後始末は自国で考える事だ。誰かに頼るなら、当然それだけの謝礼は必要だろう」 すっかり立場を失ってしまったロシーは、条約の内容を詰める話し合いが始まったところで、やんわりと会談場から追い出されてしまった。 すっかり意気消沈した様子で、退室の挨拶もそこそこに扉へと向かうロシーを、一二三の視線が追っていた事に気づいた者はいなかった。その口元が笑っている事も。 随行員が待つ控えの部屋へと向かうロシーには、案内の一人もつけられなかった。信用しているのだと好意的にとることはとてもできない。放っておいても良い相手だと、オーソングランデそのものから軽んじられている事の証左だとロシーは受け取り、実際その通りの意味での扱いだった。 黙り込んでトボトボとあるくロシーに、声をかける者がいた。 「失礼だが、ヴィシーからの使者の方ではありませんか?」 「はあ、その通りですが、貴方は?」 突然話しかけてきた中年男性に、ロシーは警戒を露わに名を尋ねた。 「私はオーソングランデの子爵、レオナールと申します。お一人のようですが、我が国の案内はどうしたのですか?」 レオナールの問いに、ロシーは答えずに顔をしかめるだけだった。 「まさか、国の代表としてお越しの貴方に、案内すらつけていないのですか? これは我が国の、いや、王女の失態ですな! まだ若いとは言えなんという、王女に成り代わり、非礼をお詫びいたします。ささ、私がお供させていただきましょう」 大げさな身振りで気持ちのこもらない謝罪を受け、ロシーは自分が馬鹿にされているのではないかと疑った。 「いえ、一人で戻れます。お気遣いありがとうございます」 「いえいえ、遠慮はいりませんよ。......何やら、顔色が悪いようですが、どこか具合が悪い所でもあるのですか?」 思わず舌打ちをしそうになったロシーだが、グッと堪えた。 「先ほどの会談で、王女殿下に手ひどくやられましてね。本国へ戻ってからの報告を思うと、気が重いと思っておりました」 皮肉のつもりは無いが、言い方は少し意地が悪い感じになってしまったが、別に構わないか、とロシーは開き直った。 「それはそれは......では、オーソングランデ貴族とのパイプができたと成れば、多少は使者殿の顔も立つのではありませんか?」 「......何を言っておられるのですか?」 「王女の身勝手な振る舞いに眉を顰めている貴族も少なからず存在するということです。よろしければ、場所を変えてお話をしましょう」 胡散臭い、とロシーは思った。相手を改めて観察すると、確かに貴族らしい仕立ての良い服を着てはいるものの、中年でどこか冴えない風情の、薄ら笑いをスマイルと勘違いしているような雰囲気だ。 だが、逆に考えれば利用するつもりで近づけば、何か役に立つかも知れないと思考を切り替える。このまま帰国しても、オーソングランデとの交渉不調の責任を問われ、僻地に飛ばされるのは目に見えているのだ。 「では、私どもが使わせていただいております部屋へ行きましょう。随行の者たちにも、是非挨拶をさせていただきたいので」 「なるほど、今後の事も考えれば、顔合わせは必要でしょうな。では、参りましょう」 ロシーは貴族の笑顔を胡散臭いと評したが、自分も同じ顔をしている事に気づいていなかった。 「レオナール子爵がヴィシーの使者と接触。随行員たちが待つ待機室へと向かいました。恐らくは何かしらの交渉を行うものとみられます」 執務室で報告を受けた騎士隊長ロトマゴは、特に反応を示さずに頷くのみだった。 それを見た騎士は、報告を続ける。 「ヴァイヤー近衛副隊長からの報告では、使者であるロシーが随行員から殺害される可能性があるという事でした。......近衛騎士隊としては、経過を見守るという事でしたが......これは、城内での犯罪を見過ごす事になるのではないでしょうか。主流派ではないとは言え、我が国の貴族が巻き込まれる可能性があります、ここは騎士隊が出向いて......」 「バールゼフォン」 興奮気味に話し始めた騎士を、ロトマゴは名前を呼ぶことで押さえた。 「報告は聞く。だが私見を聞くつもりは無い。城内の事は近衛騎士隊とイメラリア様が決められる事だ」 「しかし......」 「任務に戻れ。偶然見かけていた事を報告した事は良い。だが、本来の我々の任務は明日の戴冠式を無事に終わらせるまで、城外で目を光らせる事だ」 「......了解しました」 渋々と退室していくバールゼフォン。だが、一瞬だけ、その目が憎しみを孕んで自分に向けられた事に、ロトマゴは気づいていた。 入れ替わりに入って来たヴァイヤーにも、その視線は向いたが、背中で受けたヴァイヤーは気づかなかった。 「ご無沙汰しております、ロトマゴ隊長......バールゼフォンは、新しい所属先でうまくやっているでしょうか」 「彼を知っているのかね」 椅子に座るように促したロトマゴは、侍女にお茶をいれるようにと言った。 「もちろんです。元は同じ第二騎士隊ですからね。入隊時期も近いので。......彼に何かありましたか?」 「いや、少し気になっただけだ。それより、ヴィシーの連中を監視しているのでは無かったかね?」 「ある程度の時間で交代しているのです。何時間も人間の集中力は持ちませんし、暗くて狭いところでじっとしていると、気が滅入ってしまいますからね」 ヴァイヤーは笑って、紅茶を差し出した侍女に礼を言って受け取った。スマイルを向けられた侍女は、少し顔を赤くして微笑むと、軽やかに部屋の隅へと戻った。 「それで、ヴィシーの使者に何か動きがあったということですが」 「ああ。会談から追い出されたロシーに、レオナール子爵が接触した。さっきまで君が監視していたヴィシーの待機室に揃って入ったようだ」 「動きましたか。思ったより早かったですね」 「なんだ、知っていたのか」 つまらなそうに息を吐いたロトマゴに、ヴァイヤーはすみません、と詫びた。 「レオナール子爵を始めとした王子派残党が、ヴィシーとの繋がりを作ろうと画策しているところまでは掴んでいます。......と言っても、今回の会談の結果、ヴィシーと伝手が出来たところで、何もできないでしょうけれど」 余裕ある雰囲気で紅茶を飲むヴァイヤーだったが、ロトマゴは先ほどのバールゼフォンの目を思いだし、何か嫌な違和感を感じていた。 ヴァイヤーはお茶の礼を言うと、いつ騒動が起きるかわからないので、監視を続けます、とロトマゴの執務室を後にした。 しばらく一人で考え込んでいたロトマゴは、目の前の書類を片付けてから、やおら立ち上がり、どこかへと出かけていった。 城のバルコニーから見下ろすと、いつもであれば城の前にはある程度の観光客や地元住民たちが憩いの場としている広場は、一般人が締め出され、数人の兵が早足で移動しながら、不審な者が無いかを調べている。 城へ納品に来た業者など、時々通過しようとする人物たちは、いつもより城から離れた位置で、いつもより厳重な検査を受けていたが、誰もが“仕方ない”という顔をして素直に検査を受けている。 その広場から街の方を見ると、いつも以上にたくさんの出店が出ており、広場に入れない分、街の人口密度が増しているように見えた。 バルコニーの手すりにあぐらをかいて座った一二三は、無表情にその人々の営みを見ている。 見ているが、意識はしていない。 日課の瞑想の途中だが、思考はこれまで殺してきた人々の事を思いだし、その最期をゆっくりと噛み締めて、心の中で感謝を告げる。 明日の戴冠式の時かその前か、城の中でまた何人かを殺す事になるだろうという予感があった。自然と微笑みが浮かぶ。 武の道にいる者として、自分はなんと幸福なことだろうか。これまで多くの人々を殺し、自分が磨いてきた技術が本物であるという事が証明できた。そしてこれからも、また多くの人を殺すのだろう。それを思うと、心は穏やかになり、波紋ひとつも見当たらない水面のように、優しい気持ちが胸に広がる。 ふと、一二三は顔を上げて西へと視線を向けた。 町の向こう、霞んで見える地平線の先には、以前サブナクから聞いた獣人族たちが住む荒野のエリアがあり、隣接する森にはエルフもいるという。 さらに荒野の先にも、人が住む国があるらしい。 獣人たちは強いと聞いた。 どんな戦い方をするのだろうか。 武器を使うのか、爪や牙を使うのか、ひょっとしたら、飛べる者も居たりするのだろうか。 「決めた。戴冠式が終わったら、荒野に行こう」 たくさんの食料を買って、闇魔法の収納に放り込み、馬を駆って一人で行こう。領地の事はカイムたちに任せておけば良い。領地に寄って、プルフラスに別の武器も作らせて持っていこう。 ピクニックを楽しみにしているような気分だった。 「一二三さん」 バルコニーに出てきたのは、アリッサだった。 赤いくせ毛にアイスブルーの瞳を輝かせ、楽しそうに笑っている。 「なんだか楽しそうだね。いいことあった?」 「いい事か。この世界に来てからはいい事ばかりだ。これからも楽しい事が待っているだろうからな」 「帰ったら、何かやっておく事はある?」 お手伝いの内容でも確認するような気安さで尋ねてくるが、これでも領主と軍事責任者の打ち合わせなのだ。二人とも、それで良いと思っているのだが。 「そうだな。しばらくしたらフォカロル辺りでも強い魔物が出てくるだろうから、それに備えておく必要があるだろうな。俺も一度フォカロルへ行くから、現地で教えてやろう」 「うん。オリガさん、元気かな」 「まあ元気だろう。いずれフォカロルへ戻るだろうから、帰ってきたら色々話を聞くといい」 人間相手と獣相手では勝手が違うから、経験してきたオリガの話は軍の参考になるだろう、と一二三は言う。 アリッサは素直に頷いて、早く帰ってくるといいね、と笑った。 「一二三さんは、領地に戻って領主様の仕事をするんでしょう? フィリニオンさん、結婚するらしいから、もうお仕事できないし」 「領地の運営なんて、一通り職員が育てばトップなんて飾りになるだけだ。俺は俺で、面白い事を探しに行く予定だな」 「一二三さんが言う面白いことって......」 アリッサは口をもにょもにょさせて、難しい顔をした。 一二三の嗜好を正面から批判する気は無いし、それで助けられた事も感謝はしているが、オリガのように積極的に一二三のために殺しがしたいとは思わない。 「まあ、まずは今から起きる事を楽しまないとな。お前はサブナクにくっついているといい。面白い経験ができるかもしれない」 「わかった。フォカロルへ戻るときは声をかけてね。置いていったら嫌だよ」 アリッサはさっと手すりから飛び降りると、あっという間に駆けて行った。 「さて、俺は今のうちに少し寝ておくかな」 収納から菓子パンを取り出し、もしゃもしゃと齧りながら、一二三はそっと城の中へと消えていった。

The first conference of the three countries advanced in a way of mostly ignoring Vichy. As Hifumi was basically only listening and as Imeraria and Suprangel talked about the main points, it was a situation, where Roshi only shyly voiced his opinion at the few times Imeraria brought up a subject and took him into consideration. As result it reached a stage of Orsongrande and Horant tying a direct treaty of commerce once Horant paid a little amount of reparations. This also included the matter of building a military information exchange through Hifumi. In regards to Vichy, Horant will continue the same degree of exchange as until now, but as a matter of fact the monopolistic circulation of magic tools would disappear. "As soon as you pay the reparations, you can request 'cooperation towards peace' from Orsongrande", Imeraria stated as verbal message to the central committee. "What does that cooperation towards peace concretely contain... ?" (Roshi) Although he spoke passionately that he would finalize the negotiations with Orsongrande by himself at first, Roshi, who completely dropped his shoulders at the final stages of the conference, timidly spoke his words to verify the ambiguous verbal message. Showing her best smile, Imeraria returns in flat speech to Roshi, "Concerning the war this time, our country considers the central committee to be fully responsible. And even concerning the situation of unnecessarily increasing the victims in Vichy itself and as result of that falling into a state close to collapse, we believe Vichy itself being the cause by provoking a person it shouldn't have touched." (Imeraria) Speaking up to here, she turns a fleeting glance towards Hifumi. The person, who shouldn't be touched, showed an indifferent attitude as he yawned while being aware that he is being watched. Imeraria took a small breath. "Regarding the split, former Vichy region, including the central committee, I demand formal reparations, but above that I want them to come up with a plan by themselves. They shouldn't try to use me or my country in order to recover from their own mistakes. I call such behaviour simply disagreeable." (Imeraria) "Let's have talks once again after they came to a conclusion about what they should do before involving me in their own country's problems", Imeraria clearly said. Suprangel turned a gentle look at here "It is as the new Majesty the Queen says. The cleaning up of one's own country is something to be concluded by one's own country. If you rely on someone, it will naturally require an equal reward." (Suprangel) Even though Roshi, who ended up losing his position completely, began the conference to work out the details of a treaty, he was gently expelled from the location of the conference. There wasn't anyone, who noticed Hifumi's gaze following Roshi as he faced towards the door in a hurry, giving a polite phrase for parting from the room, with a completely, dispirited look. Neither the matter of his mouth forming a smile. Roshi, heading towards the rest room where his attendants are waiting, wasn't even accompanied by a single person guiding him. He can't take the statement as favourable, if he believes in it, at all. Roshi interpreted it as proof of being looked down on by Orsongrande itself and in reality his treatment had just such meaning. Walking trudgingly without saying a word, Roshi was called by someone. "Excuse me, aren't you the envoy from Vichy?" "Haa, just as you say. You are?" (Roshi) Roshi asked for the man's name exposing his vigilance towards the middle-aged man, who suddenly appeared and started a conversation. "I'm a Viscount of Orsongrande called Leonhart. You seem to be alone, what has happened to the guide from our country?" (Leonhart) Roshi only frowned without answering Leonhart's question. "Certainly you don't want to tell me that they haven't assigned a guide to you, who came here as representative of your country, right? This is our country's, no, the princess' mistake! How to say it, although she's still young, I want to apologise for the impoliteness on behalf of the princess. Let's go, I will accompany you instead." (Leonhart) Receiving an apology that isn't filled with a feeling of being an exaggerated gesture, Roshi doubted whether he is being made fun of. "No, I will return myself. Thank you very much for your concerns." (Roshi) "No, not at all, there's no need to hold back. ... As you look unwell for some reason, is there something wrong with your health as well?" (Leonhart) Although Roshi almost clicked his tongue unintentionally, he withstood with an effort. "I have been treated awfully by Her Highness the Princess at the conference just now. I felt depressed, if I consider that I have to report after returning to my own country." (Roshi) Though I didn't intend to be sarcastic, my words ended up having a feeling of being slightly malicious, but that doesn't really matter, does it? "My goodness... then, if you are able to build a connection with nobles from Orsongrande, won't it be possible for you to preserve your face a little bit, Envoy-dono?" (Leonhart) "... What are you trying to say?" (Roshi) "There aren't few nobles, who have been raising their eyebrows due to to egoistic behaviour of the princess. If you don't mind, let's have a talk at a different place." (Leonhart) Although he is certainly wearing finely tailored clothes befitting a noble, once I look at my conversation partner again, that middle-aged man gives off a feeling as if having some kind of misunderstanding with his faint smile and his somewhat dull appearance. However, once I consider it in reverse, if he has approached me with the intention to use me, he might be useful in some way "Well, then let's go to the room used by us. I want you to also extend your greetings to my attendants without fail." (Roshi) "Indeed, if you consider the matters from now on, it's indispensable to meet them. Then, let's go." (Leonhart) Roshi evaluated the noble's smile as suspicious, but he didn't notice that he was also showing the same face himself. "Viscount Leonhart has come into contact with Vichy's envoy. They went towards the room, where the attendants are waiting on standby. I believe it to be likely that they will carry out some kind of negotiations." Knight Captain Lotomago, who received the report in his office, only nodded without showing any particular reaction. Seeing that, the knight continues his report. "In the report from Royal Knight Order Vice-Captain Vaiya there was a mention about the possibility of Envoy Roshi to be killed by his attendants. ... It was mentioned that the Royal Knight Order is observing the progress attentively, but... this won't result in the overlooking of a crime within the castle, right? Although they don't belong to the main faction, there is a possibility of our country's nobles being dragged into it. Dispatching the knight order here..." "Balzephon. The knight, who started to get heated up while talking, was reigned in with Lotomago calling his name. "I will listen to the report. But, I have no intention to listen to your own personal opinion. The matters within the castle are decided by Imeraria-sama and the Royal Knight Order." (Lotomago) "However..." (Balzephon) "Return to your duty. It's good that you reported on something, you saw by chance. But, as our primary task is to finish the coronation ceremony safely tomorrow, we have to keep a watchful eye on things outside the castle." (Lotomago) "... Understood." (Balzephon) Balzephon has left the room reluctantly. However, the eyes he turned at me were filled with hatred, albeit only for an instant Even Vaiya, who came entering as replacement, had this hateful gaze turned at him, but Vaiya, receiving it from behind, didn't notice. "Please excuse me for my long silence, Captain Lotomago... Is Balzephon doing well at his new assignment?" (Vaiya) "Do you know him?" (Lotomago) Lotomago, urging him on to take a seat, told the maid to bring tea. "Of course. We both were originally in the Second Knight Order. The time of recruitment is drawing near as well. ... Did something happen with him?" (Vaiya) "No, I was just slightly worried. Leaving that aside, weren't you monitoring the lot from Vichy?" (Lotomago) "We are alternating at a certain interval of time. There are no humans who possess the ability to concentrate for countless hours. If you are staying still in a dark and narrow place, you will end up feeling depressed." (Vaiya) Vaiya laughed and thankfully received the black tea offered by a maid. The maid, to whom he smiled, smled with a slightly red face and lightly returned to a corner of the room. "And, that means that something happened for Vichy's envoy to make a move." (Vaiya) "Indeed. Viscount Leonhart contacted Roshi, who was expelled from the conference. It looks like they entered Vichy's rest room, you monitored until just now, together." (Lotomago) "They made a move, huh? It was faster than I thought." (Vaiya) "What? So you knew about it?" (Lotomago) Vaiya apologised with a "I'm sorry" to Lotomago, who exhaled his breath with a bored look. "We have grasped it until the point that the remnants of the prince faction, such as Viscount Leonhart, are scheming to create a link with Vichy. ... Although I say that, as outcome of the conference today, they won't achieve anything, even if they were able to make a connection with Vichy." (Vaiya) Vaiya was drinking the black tea with an atmosphere of composure, but Lotomago, remembering the eyes of Balzephon just now, felt some unpleasant sense of discomfort. "Since we don't know when an uproar might happen, we will continue to observe", thanking for the tea, Vaiya left Lotomago's office. Brooding over it by himself for a short while, Lotomago slowly stood up, after sorting the documents in front of him, and left towards somewhere. If you look down from the balcony of the castle, there is a plaza in front of the castle, which has been usually used by tourists and local residents as place of relaxation and refreshment to some degree. That plaza has been locked out for the general public and several soldiers are checking whether there are any suspicious people while moving in a quick march. Those, who sometimes try to pass through, like merchants coming to deliver goods to the castle, received a more strict inspection than usual at a place further away from the castle as usual. But all of them are obediently accepting the inspections with a "It can't be helped" written on their faces. If you look towards the city from that plaza, you will see a lot more food stalls than usual having set up at spots not belonging to the plaza. It appeared as if the population density of the city had risen. Hifumi, who sat cross-legged on the railing of the balcony, is watching expressionlessly the activity of those people. Although he is watching them, he isn't conscious of them. He is in the middle of his daily meditation, but his thoughts are recalling the men and women he had killed so far. Slowly reflecting upon their final moments, he expresses his gratitude to them within his mind. He had a premonition that he will once again kill some people within the castle at the coronation ceremony tomorrow or before that. Naturally a smile appears on his face. As person following the path of martial arts (T/N: not carnage? o.O), this is something joyful. So far I have killed many people. I was able to prove that the techniques, I refined, were the real deal. And, even after this, I will also kill many people, I guess. Suddenly Hifumi raised his face and looked westward. On the other side of the city, before the horizon becomes a blur, there is a prairie area, where the beastman race lives, I was previously told by Sabnak. He said there are elves in the adjoining forest, too. It seems there are countries, where humans live, even further beyond the prairie. I heard that the beastmen are strong. I wonder what kind of battle style they use. Do they use weapons? Do they use fangs and claws? I wonder if there are possibly some who can fly. "That's it. I will go to the prairie once the coronation ceremony has finished." (Hifumi) I will buy plenty of food, stuff it in my darkness storage, buy a horse and go there by myself. It's fine if I leave the matters of the territory to Caim's group. Let's have Pruflas make another weapon as well, when I'm close to the territory. It was a feeling as if looking forward to a picnic. "Hifumi-san." (Alyssa) It was Alyssa coming out to the balcony. With her ice blue pupils shining within her red, frizzy hair, she is laughing happily. "Somehow you seem to be happy. Did something good happen?" (Alyssa) "Something good? There are only good things since I came to this world. I'm looking forward to the enjoyable things from now on, too, I guess." (Hifumi) "Is there something I should do once I return?" (Alyssa) She comes asking with a familiarity as if checking the details for helping out, but even though things may appear this way, it's a meeting between feudal lord and the one in charge of military affairs. Though both of them are considering it to be fine like this. "Let's see. Since there will likely powerful monsters appear close to Fokalore for a while, it's probably necessary to prepare for them. As I will temporarily go to Fokalore as well, I will instruct you on-site." (Hifumi) "Uh huh. I wonder if Origa-san is healthy." (Alyssa) "Well, she's probably fine. Since she will probably return to Fokalore sooner or later, it's fine for you to listen to various stories from her, once she came back." (Hifumi) "As the situation differs depending whether your opponent is human or beast, the stories of Origa, who experienced it herself, might be of use as reference for the troops", Hifumi says. Nodding obediently, Alyssa laughed and said "it would be nice if she returned quickly." "Hifumi-san, will you do your job as feudal lord-sama after returning to the territory? Since it appears that Phyrinion-san is getting married, she won't be able to work anymore." (Alyssa) "For things like the administration of the territory the top will only become a decoration if the general staff grows up. With me being me, I plan to go looking for interesting things." (Hifumi) "The interesting things you are talking about, Hifumi-san..." (Alyssa) Alyssa made a difficult face and a *monyo monyo* was visible on her face. I don't have any intention to directly criticize Hifumi's preferences. And I'm also thankful for the matter of being rescued, but I don't think I want to actively kill for the sake of Hifumi like Origa. "Oh well, first I shall enjoy the things happening from now. It's fine for you to stick to Sabnak. It might give you an interesting experience." (Hifumi) "Understood. Greet me once you come back to Fokalore, ok? It's unpleasant to be left behind." (Alyssa) Alyssa quickly jumped off the railing and dashed away in the twinkling of an eye. "Well, I think I should sleep a bit before it's too late." (Hifumi) Retrieving a sweetened bun from his darkness storage, Hifumi silently vanished inside the castle while chewing with a sound of munching.

149.Getting Away With Murder クゼム側ホーラント兵たちは、前線から徐々に崩壊するかに見えたが、兵たちが目の前にいたネルガル側へと逃げ始めたため、双方を巻き込んだ乱戦となった。 もはや敵味方の区別なく襲い始めた不死兵に、ホーラント兵たちは剣や槍、時には火球などの魔法で対応していたが、刃物はもちろんのこと、火だるまになっても動きを止めず、それどころか炎にまみれたまま兵士にしがみつく者までいる。 「やめろ! 放せ! 放してくれ!」 「ああああ......」 悲鳴と怒号が入り混じる中、乱入する一団がいる。 「網! でっかい奴のために持ってきた網で足止めするよ!」 アリッサが率いるフォカロル兵たちが、不死兵の攻撃で混乱するネルガルの部下たちの前を、台車で無理やり横断していく。 若干のホーラント兵を巻き込みつつ、不死兵を踏み潰しながら、フォカロル兵は次々と網を投げていった。 「アリッサさん!」 「槍を!」 ようやく前線にもどってきたネルガルの声に、アリッサは短く叫ぶ。 その一言で理解したネルガルは、周囲の兵に向かって指示を飛ばした。 「投槍器で敵兵に向けて一斉に攻撃! 手が空いているものは自分で投げろ!」 網に絡み取られ、もがいている不死兵たちに、槍の雨が横殴りに叩きつけられた。 「た、助けて!」 中には不死兵ともみ合っていて一緒に網にかかったホーラント兵もいたのだが、狂乱さながらに降り注ぐ槍は、彼らに対しても無慈悲に突き刺さる。 「私は、この一件だけでも、相当な罪を背負うことになりますね」 王になれば部下になるはずだった兵士たち。 彼らが阿鼻叫喚の中で不死兵と混ざり合って死んでいく様を見ながら、ネルガルは顔をゆがめてつぶやいた。 「ですが、これで......」 「全員、離れて! 後退! 後退!」 ネルガルたちの正面を左へと抜けて行ったアリッサ率いるフォカロル兵が、口々に下がるようにと叫びながら戻ってくる。 焦りを隠せないその表情に、ネルガルが正面をよくよく観察すると、槍で貫かれた中でもホーラント兵は絶命しているように見えるが、不死兵たちは武器で網を切り裂き、這うようにして抜けだし始めていた。 槍を受け、ハリネズミのような状態になりながらも、真顔のままで淡々と自分の邪魔をする網を切り裂いていく。 「なんという......後退します! 投槍器は前方に向けたまま、全員、合図をするまで後退! 隊列は崩さず、油断しないように!」 ネルガルが、網から抜け出そうとしている不死兵たちの向こう側に目を向ける。 そこでは、こちらのような対応ができず、不死兵に次々と殺されていくホーラント兵の姿があった。 「あっちの指揮官は何をしているのだ! このままでは......」 今は敵かもしれないが、説得して協力を頼むつもりだったネルガルは、蹂躙される自国の兵の姿に、歯噛みして後退せざるを得ない自分の非力さを呪った。 「もし、一二三さんのような力があれば......」 同じことを、この世界の何人が考えただろうか。 さすがに頭が無いと動かないらしく、ずるりと滑り落ちた不死兵の身体は、台車の下へと落ち、車輪に潰された。 「長官! このままだと......」 「とにかく距離を取る! あとはホーラントに任せよう!」 ここでホーラントのために余計な消耗はできない、とアリッサは考えた。見捨てるようで申し訳なく思うが、部下の命を投げ打つような場面とも思えない。 相手の正体が明確で、巨人兵のように対抗策がわかっているのであれば話は別だが、初見であり、いかにも対応が難しい相手に乱戦を選ぶほど、アリッサは蛮勇を好むタイプではない。 「でも、逃げるだけだとダメだよね......どうしよう......」 冷静に、と自分に言い聞かせてはいるものの、聞こえてくる悲鳴と再び交戦が始まった自軍側の喧騒に、焦りが増大する。 だが、アリッサが冷静になろうと頑張っているとき、彼女の上司は全く冷静では無かった。 「ふざけるな!」 「......えっ?」 台車に足をかけ、アリッサの頭上を飛び越えていったのは、他の誰でもない、一二三の姿だった。 未だ地面にある網の上を器用に駆け抜けながら、一番近くにいた不死兵の首を横薙ぎに刎ね斬った。 さらにもう一体を左右に両断し、近くで倒れて呻くホーラント兵にも刀を突きたてた。 「ひ、一二三さん?」 「アリッサ」 一二三の突然の登場に目を瞬かせていたアリッサは、後ろからオリガに声をかけられて肩を跳ね上げて驚いた。 「声をかけただけでしょう。失礼な」 「ご、ごめんなさい。あ、兎の人だ。こんにちは」 「え、こ、こんにちは」 オリガに何とか食いついてきたヴィーネは、アリッサからフレンドリーにあいさつされて、目を白黒させながら応えた。 「アリッサ。ここから一二三様が蹂躙を開始されます。私はこぼれた者どもを始末しますので、邪魔をしないように」 「私も行きます!」 なんとか息を整えたヴィーネも、腰に差していた短い杖を握りしめ、同行を宣言する。 オリガは、ヴィーネの目を見て、頷くことで了承を伝えた。 「あ、じゃあ僕も行く。あとは適当に王女様に従ってやってね。よろしく」 台車から飛び降りて一二三の後を追うオリガとヴィーネを追って、部下に適当すぎる命令を出したアリッサも、脇差を片手に台車から飛び出した。 「......どうする?」 「どうって......領主様が出て行ったんだ。もう出番無いだろ」 そうだそうだ、と確認しあったフォカロル兵たちは、とりあえずは状況を伝えよう、とイメラリアがいる場所を目指して後退していった。 「やべっ。なんだあれ」 不死兵のために前線が混乱していく様を見つめながら、撤退のタイミングを計っていたタンニーン。 彼は馬上から見える光景に、焦っていた。 クゼムの執務室で見た覚えのある男が、細い剣を振り回し、不死兵とホーラント兵を分け隔てなく切り刻んでいるのだ。 今は最前線の出来事だが、ここまで到達するのは時間の問題だろう。 よく見れば、三人の女性が、彼をサポートするように周囲の兵士たちを攻撃している。 「あいつ、あんな強かったのか......」 「タンニーン様! 不死兵が倒されていきます!」 どういたしましょう、という問いかけに、タンニーンは即答しなかった。 後ろを見ると、まだ状況が伝わっていないらしく、クゼムが乗った馬車は変わらず部隊の中腹あたりにあるのがちらりと見えた。 「あと一台分の不死兵がいるだろう。前線に持って行って解き放て。俺は宰相のところへ状況を伝えに行く」 不死兵を乗せた馬車のもとへと向かう部下を見送り、タンニーンは馬の向きを変えた。 だが、その行先はクゼムの場所ではない。 「魔法が防がれ、不死兵もだめ。人数も圧倒できないなら、勝てるわけないだろ」 吐き捨てるように言うと、兵士たちの隊列から外れ、後方へ向かう振りをして逃亡していった。 不死兵の足を払い、頭を踏み潰す。 びくりと痙攣した不死兵は、二度と起き上がることは無かった。 「う、うわああ!」 混乱して一二三に斬りかかるホーラント兵もいる。 「よっ」 左手で剣を横から叩いた一二三は、剣につられて体勢を崩した兵士の肩を撫でるようにして仰向けに引き倒し、刀で喉を貫く。 「......で、木偶の坊はまだいるのか?」 じり、とすり足で迫る一二三に、ホーラント兵は怯えて竦み、不死兵だけが涎を垂らして襲いかかる。 柄頭で目の前に来た不死兵の頭を叩き潰し、勢い余って倒れかかってくる身体を前蹴りで跳ね返す。 「どうして、なぜこうなった?」 一二三は、目の前のホーラント兵たちを指差した。 「考えない戦い方なんざ、いくらやっても意味がない、とマ・カルメたちは言わなかったか? ちょいと前に潰した奴が使っていた強化兵も役に立たないのはわかっていたはずだ。なのに......」 語る一二三にも構わず襲いかかる不死兵たちだったが、蹴り飛ばされ、首を刎ねられ、次々と行動不能にされていく。 「またこんなガラクタ兵士を作りやがって。そろそろ我慢の限界だ。全部ぶち壊してやる。あの宰相は説教だな。邪魔するなら殺す。邪魔になる場所にいても殺す。選ぶ時間は俺の刀がお前らに届くまでだ」 不死兵たちは話を理解せず、一二三やオリガたちに向かっていくが、ホーラント兵たちは一人、二人と武器を捨てて逃げて行く。 中には、武器を構えているものもいたが、大半は判断がつかずに右往左往といった様子だ。 「そら! はじまりだ!」 くるりと一回転。周囲に群がる不死兵の首を残らず斬り飛ばし、一二三はクゼム側のホーラント軍に向かって猛然と駆け出した。 「まずい! あれはまずい!」 ネルガルはこの戦いが始まってから最高に焦っていた。 それはクゼム側の動きではなく、一二三の行動に対してだ。 「このままだとホーラントの兵士がごっそり減ってしまう! 急いで網を撤去! 終わり次第前進!」 ネルガルの叫びに、兵たちがフォカロル兵がばらまいた網を回収しに向かうが、何しろ広く巻かれた上に、あちこちを不死兵が切り裂き、死体が絡まっている。 「時間がない! 街道から出て大きく迂回して向かう! 街道を出られない馬車と半数の兵は残って......」 「お待ちください!」 ネルガルの元へ、サブナクが馬に乗って駆けてきた。 「騎乗のままで失礼します」 「さ、サブナクさんですか......」 「この網はぼくたちが台車で無理やり引っ張って大半を撤去します。進軍はそれからでも遅くないでしょう」 「しかし、このままではホーラントの兵が......」 「急ぎます。ですがこれは良い機会であるとお考えください」 「良い機会ですと?」 サブナクの提案に、ネルガルは鼻白んだ。 「誤解なきよう。全てはネルガル様が王座に着くための、女王陛下からのご提案です」 「イメラリア様のお考えですか。お聞かせいただきましょう」 手短にお伝えします、とサブナクは前置きして、口を開く。 「フォカロル兵からの報告で、一二三さんたちがホーラント側へ突進したことを知った陛下は、このまま崩れていくホーラント兵のところへ突入します。オーソングランデ軍もそれに続き、一二三さんが切り開いた場所から敵軍中央を突破するのです」 「と、突破? 無理やり中央を通り抜けるのですか!」 驚くネルガルに、サブナクは頷く。 「そうです。彼らとぶつからなければならないのは、彼らがぼくたちの“前”にいるからであって、“後ろ”にいるのであれば、無視して首都を目指すことができます。双方に余計な犠牲を出すこともありません」 「しかし、無理やり突破すると言っても、無理があるのではないですか」 「今だからできるのです」 ネルガルの不安をサブナクは切って捨てた。 「敵は味方を巻き込む行動に出ました。すでに一般の兵たちの士気は最低です。おまけに指揮系統も一二三さんのせいで混乱していくでしょう。誰だって、指示がなければ命がけで大軍の前に立ちたいとは思いません」 ただ、とサブナクは真剣な表情から一転して柔和な笑みを浮かべた。 「ネルガル様には、呼びかけをしていただきますけれど。“ホーラントの王が通るのだ。道を開けろ”ってね」 一二三の背中がどんどん小さくなるのを見て、ネルガルは了承の意を伝えた。 「で、結局一二三さんは何をそんなに怒ってるの?」 脇差で不死兵の首を飛ばしながら、アリッサはヴィーネに近づいて尋ねた。 「え? 私もよくわかりませんけれど、この変な兵隊を見てから急に不機嫌になられて......えいっ!」 水の塊がホーラント兵の顔に当たり、鼻や口から水をまき散らして転げまわっている。 「あ~......なんとなくわかった。それより、魔法が使えるんだ! すごいね!」 「いえ、あの、水魔法しか使えないんで......」 恐縮するヴィーネに迫る不死兵を、アリッサは乱暴に蹴とばした。 「僕は全然適正が無くて、なんにも使えなかったんだよね」 残念、残念、と言いながら、転がった不死兵の目に脇差を差し込み、脳を壊す。 「それだけ強ければ、あんまり関係ないような気がします......」 残酷ともいえることを平然とやっているアリッサに、ヴィーネは自分の腕前に早速自信を失っていた。 「強い、かな? お手本があんな感じだからね」 アリッサの視線は、踊るように身体を滑らせながら、不死兵を両断する一二三の姿を見ていた。 「あの長い刀が、いまいち使いこなせなかったんだよねー。手の長さが足りなくて」 「ご主人様もお強いですが、奥様も......」 ヴィーネが見ている先には、一二三からやや距離をとり、鉄扇をひらひらと揺らしながら立っているオリガがいた。 一二三のやり方を見て、とりあえず首を落とせば良いと判断したらしく、近い者は鉄扇で、一二三やアリッサからも離れている者は、風魔法で次々に首を刎ねていく。 そこに迷いや戸惑いは無い。 不死兵もホーラント兵も、まとめて区別なく首を落としていた。 「オリガさんは、ものすごくキツイ訓練するんだよね。お仕事もあるけど、毎日やってるみたい」 「そうなんですか......」 ヴィーネは魔法も直接攻撃もこなすオリガを見て、すごいとは思ったが、それ以上に怖いと思った。 「奥様って......」 「それ以上は言わない方がいいと思うよ」 「はい。ありがとうございます」 何かを言いかけたところで、オリガがこちらをちらりと見たような気がして、ヴィーネは口を噤んだ。

Chapter 149: Getting Away With Murder Horant's soldiers on Kuzemu's side could be seen gradually caving in at the front, but since they started to escape towards the side of Nelgal who was right in front of their eyes, it turned into a melee that swallowed up both sides. As the immortal soldiers began to attack without making any distinction whether enemy or ally, Horant's soldiers corresponded with swords and spears as well as spells such as fireballs at times, however the immortal soldiers wouldn't stop moving even if their bodies were covered by flames, not to say anything about them being cut by edged weapons. On the contrary there are even immortal soldier who are clinging to soldiers while being aflame. "Stop! Release me! Please let go!" "Aaaah..." There is a group barging into the mix of screams and angry roars. "Nets! Restrain them with the nets we brought for the big guys!" (Alyssa) Fokalore's soldiers led by Alyssa have forcibly come through in front of Nelgal's subordinates, who are in chaos due to the attacks of the immortal soldiers, with a platform wagon. While involving many of the soldiers of Horant, Fokalore's soldiers cast one net after the other while crushing the immortal soldiers. "Alyssa-san!" (Nelgal) "Spears!" (Alyssa) Due to the voice of Nelgal who finally came back to the front line, Alyssa yells shortly. Understanding with that single word, Nelgal faced the soldiers in the vicinity and hurled instructions at them. "Simultaneously attack the enemy soldiers with the spear throwers! Those who have free hands, throw the spears!" (Nelgal) A rain of spears was released at the immortal soldiers, who are struggling while being entangled by the nets, from the side. "H-Help!" There were also some soldiers from Horant who were caught in the nets together with the immortal soldiers while struggling with one another, but the spears, which poured down despite the madness, mercilessly pierced them as well. "Even if it's only this one case, I will be burdened with a considerable sin." (Nelgal) The soldiers who should be my subordinates once I become king. Nelgal muttered with a strained expression while watching them die with agonizing cries as they were mingled together with the immortal soldiers. "However, with this..." "Everyone, get away! Retreat! Retreat!" Several of Fokalore's soldiers spearheaded by Alyssa, who came out on the front left side of Nelgal's group, return while shouting for retreat. Due to their expressions, which can't hide their impatience, Nelgal observed the front very carefully and especially looked at the dead soldiers of Horant who were pierced by spears. However, the immortal soldiers had begun to slip out by crawling after cutting the nets with their weapons. Even though they are in a state similar to a hedgehog after being struck by spears, they indifferently tear up the nets, which are hindering them, with serious looks. "What to say... we will retreat. While the spear throwers are turned towards the front, everyone, retreat until I give you a sign! Don't be careless and don't let the ranks fall apart!" (Nelgal) Nelgal shifts his attention to the opposite side of the immortal soldiers who are trying to slip out from below the nets. At that place were the figures of soldiers from Horant who had been killed one after the other by the immortal soldiers unable to cope with them just like his side. "What is the commander over there doing!? If it goes on as is..." (Nelgal) Currently they might be enemies, but Nelgal, who had the intention to ask for their cooperation through persuasion, cursed his own powerlessness as he had to retreat while grinding his teeth due to the figures of this country's soldiers having been overrun. "If I had strength like Hifumi-san..." (Nelgal) I wonder how many people pondered about the same thing in this world? , the bodies of the immortal soldiers, which slipped off, fell below the platform wagon and were smashed by the wheels. "Director! At this rate..." "At least get some distance! Let's leave the rest to Horant!" (Alyssa) I think it's inexcusable as we are abandoning them, but I don't want this to become a scene of throwing away the lives of my subordinates either. It would be a different story if the true identity of the opponents was clear and if they knew about countermeasures as with the giant soldiers, but as she sees those immortal soldiers for the first time, choosing a melee with an opponent, that is really hard to deal with, Alyssa isn't the type to like such recklessness. "However, if we just escape, that's no good either, right...? What shall we do...?" (Alyssa) Although she has been telling herself to stay calm, the audible screams and the tumult of her own army's side, which started hostilities once again, increases her panic. However, at the moment when Alyssa was doing her best to gather herself, her boss wasn't calm at all. "Don't fuck around with me!" (Hifumi) "... Eh?" (Alyssa) The one who jumped over Alyssa and planted his feet on the platform wagon was no one else but Hifumi himself. While skilfully running through the nets which are still on the ground, he hit the head of the immortal soldier, who was the closest, with a sideways sweep. In addition, he bisected one more immortal soldier into left and right parts and even stabbed his katana into a groaning soldier of Horant who had fallen nearby. "Hi-Hifumi-san?" (Alyssa) "Alyssa." (Origa) Alyssa, who blinked her eyes due to Hifumi's sudden appearance, got surprised with her shoulders jumping up after being called by Origa from behind, "I just greeted you. Excuse me." (Origa) "E-Excuse me. Ah, it's the rabbit person. Hello." (Alyssa) "Eh? H-Hello." (Viine) Having somehow kept up with Origa, Viine replied while being bewildered by being greeted friendlily by Alyssa. "Alyssa, from here on out Hifumi-sama will start the extermination. Given that I will deal with those being left over, take care to not be a hindrance." (Origa) "I will head out as well!" Even Viine, who put her breathing in order somehow, grasps the short wand, which was visible at her waist, and announces her participation. Origa looks into Viine's eyes and gives her consent by nodding. "Ah, then I will join, too. The rest of you obey Princess-sama suitably. Best regards." (Alyssa) Chasing after Origa and Viine who were pursuing Hifumi who jumped off the platform wagon, Alyssa, who gave her subordinates a far too irresponsible order, also got off the platform wagon with her wakizashi in her hand. "... What shall we do?" "What, you ask... Lord-sama made his appearance. We likely won't get a turn anymore." The soldiers of Fokalore, who affirmed that with a "Right, that's right," retreated to the location of Imeraria for the time being to report the news to her. "Oh shit! What's that?" (Tannin) While observing the chaotic state of the front line due to the immortal soldiers, Tannin measured the time for a retreat. He was flustered due to the scene visible from atop his horse. The man, he recalls having seen in Kuzemu's office, is brandishing a thin sword while chopping up immortal soldiers and Horant soldiers without any distinction. Currently it's an event taking place at the front line, but it's probably a matter of time for him to reach this place. Once he looks properly, three women are attacking the surrounding soldiers in order to support him. "That guy, was this strong...?" (Tannin) "Tannin-sama! The immortal soldiers will be defeated!" Tanning couldn't immediately reply to the question "What shall we do?" When he looked back, he could fleetingly see that Kuzemu was still around the centre of the forces without moving the carriage he boarded. "There's one more unit of immortal soldiers, right? Transport them to the front line and release them there. I will go to the prime minister's location to inform him." (Tannin) Seeing off his subordinate who headed to the place of the carriage with the immortal soldiers on it, Tannin changed the direction of his horse. However, his destination isn't Kuzemu's location. "Our magic was blocked and the immortal soldiers are useless as well. If we can't overwhelm them with numbers either, there's no possibility of us winning, I guess." (Tannin) Once he said that as if spitting out the words, he left the ranks of the soldiers and escaped by pretending to head to the rear. Cutting off an immortal soldier's feet, he crushes its head underfoot. The immortal soldier, that spasmed with a twitch, got never up again. "U-Uwaaah!" There's also a soldier from Horant who slashes at Hifumi while being confused. "Yo!" (Hifumi) Hifumi, who hit the sword to the side with his left hand, pats the shoulder of the soldier, whose stance was thrown off balance after being pulled by the sword, pulls him down face-up and pierces his throat with the katana. "... So, are there still any blockheads?" (Hifumi) Due to Hifumi approaching by inching forward, the soldiers from Horant are frozen in fear and only the immortal soldiers attack while drooling. Smashing the head of an immortal soldier, who came in front of his eyes, with the pommel, he repels its body, which has fallen over thanks to it having too much momentum, with a front-kick. "Why? Why did it turn out like this?" (Hifumi) Hifumi pointed at Horant's soldiers in front of him. "Something like fighting without thinking is meaningless no matter how many times you do it. Ma Carme's group told you that, didn't they? You should have known that even the reinforced soldiers, the guy I crushed easily before used, were useless as well. And yet..." (Hifumi) The immortal soldiers were attacking the talking Hifumi without caring about it, but being sent flying by kicks and having their heads cut off, they become unable to move one after the other. "Once again you have created such garbage soldiers. Slowly I'm reaching the limit of my patience. I will destroy all of you. I have preached it to that prime minister. I will kill him if he becomes a nuisance. Even if he stays in a place where he is a hindrance, I will kill him. My katana will reach you guys at the chosen time." (Hifumi) The immortal soldiers don't understand his talk. They are heading towards Hifumi and Origa's group, but one, two soldiers of Horant throw away their weapons and run away. Among them there were also some who prepared their weapons, but the majority was in a confused state unable to make a decision. "Look! It's the beginning!" He makes one full rotation. Slicing and sending the heads of the immortal soldiers, which are swarming the vicinity, flying without missing a single one of them, Hifumi started to fiercely run towards Horant's army on Kuzemu's side. "Bad! That's bad!" (Nelgal) Nelgal was in the highest panic since this battle started. It wasn't in regards to the movements of Kuzemu's side but towards Hifumi's conduct. "As it is now Horant's soldiers will end up diminishing completely! Hurry and remove the nets! As soon as that's finished, advance!" (Nelgal) Upon Nelgal's yell, the soldiers head out to collect the nets which were scattered by Fokalore's soldiers, but on top of them having been spread out widely, they are entangled by corpses of immortal soldiers, which are torn to pieces, all over the place. "There's no time! Take a large detour by leaving the highway! Half of the soldiers and the carriages, which can't leave the highway, are to stay behind..." (Nelgal) "Please wait!" (Sabnak) Sabnak came galloping on a horse towards Nelgal's location.magic "Excuse me for staying mounted on my horse." (Sabnak) "S-Sabnak-san...?" (Nelgal) "We will remove the majority of the nets by pulling them with our platform wagon. Even if you advance after that, it won't be too late, I think." (Sabnak) "However, if it goes on like this, Horant's troops will..." (Nelgal) "We will hurry. But, please consider this as being a good opportunity." (Sabnak) "Good opportunity, you say?" (Nelgal) Nelgal was disappointed due to Sabnak's suggestion. "Don't misunderstand. All of it is a proposal by Her Majesty the Queen for the sake of you, Nelgal-sama, sitting on the throne." (Sabnak) "It's Imeraria-sama's idea? Let me hear it." (Nelgal) "I shall tell you briefly", Sabnak opens his mouth with that preface. "Due to the report by Fokalore's soldiers, Her Majesty, who was aware of Hifumi-san's group charging at Horant's side, will rush to the location of the soldiers of Horant who will be thrown into disarray at this rate. Following her, Orsongrande's army will also penetrate the centre of the enemy army through the spot opened up by Hifumi-san." (Sabnak) "P-Penetrate? She will forcibly pass through the middle?" (Nelgal) Sabnak nods at the surprised Nelgal. "That's right. It won't do unless we fight against them as they are in "front" of us. If they are in our "back," we will be able to head for the capital while ignoring them. That will also avoid producing unnecessary victims on both sides." (Sabnak) "However, even if you say that you will forcefully break through, that's unreasonable, isn't it?" (Nelgal) "It's possible because it's now." (Sabnak) Sabnak cut through and dumped Nelgal's worries. "The enemy started an operation involving their own forces. The morale of the common soldiers is already at the lowest level. To make matters worse, even the chain of command has been thrown into disorder thanks to Hifumi-san. I don't think that they want to stand in front of a large army while risking their lives if there isn't anyone giving instructions." (Sabnak) "However", Sabnak completely switched from a serious expression to revealing a gentle smile. "Nelgal-sama, you have to call out to them though. "The king of Horant is passing through. Open a path." is what you have to say." (Sabnak) Watching Hifumi's back getting rapidly smaller, Nelgal conveyed his acceptance. "So, why is Hifumi-san actually this angry?" (Alyssa) While sending an immortal soldier's head flying with her wakizashi, Alyssa got close to Viine and asked. "Eh? I don't understand it well either, but after seeing these weird soldiers, he became sullen all of a sudden... Ei!" (Viine) Hitting the face of a soldier of Horant with a lump of water, the soldier rolls around while scattering water from his nose and mouth. "Ah~... somehow I get it. Rather than that, you can use magic! That's amazing!" (Alyssa) "No, umm, I can't use anything but water magic, so..." (Viine) Alyssa violently kicked an immortal soldier who approached the ashamed Viine. "As I have no suitability at all, I wouldn't be able to use any magic." (Alyssa) While saying "how regrettable, how regrettable", she thrusts her wakizashi into an eye of the immortal soldier which fell over and destroys its brain. "If you are this powerful, I feel like that's not overly relevant..." (Viine) Due to Alyssa doing things that might be also called cruel, Viine immediately lost confidence in her own skills. "Powerful, it is? That's because my role model gives such impression." (Alyssa) While making her body shift as if dancing, Alyssa's gaze rested on the figure of Hifumi who is bisecting an immortal soldier. "I'm still unable to quite master that long katana, you know. The length of my arms is insufficient." (Alyssa) "Master is strong as well, but even his wife..." (Viine) Ahead of where Viine is looking was Origa standing and swinging her iron-ribbed fan after having taken a bit of distance from Hifumi. Watching Hifumi's manner of doing, she apparently judged that it's fine to sever the heads for the time being. She beheads the close-by soldiers with her iron-ribbed fan and those, who are too far even from Hifumi and Alyssa, with wind magic. There's no hesitation or confusion ((in her actions)). She removed the heads of immortal soldiers and soldiers of Horant altogether without any differentiation. "Origa-san has practised very intensely. She has her work as well, but it looks like she has been at it every day." (Alyssa) "Really...?" (Viine) Watching Origa who is capable of attacking directly and with magic, she considered her amazing, but above that she thought of her as frightening. "The madam..." (Viine) "I think it's best if you don't say any more." (Alyssa) "Yes, thank you very much." (Viine) Feeling as if Origa sent a fleeting glance her way at the moment she was about to say something, Viine held her tongue.

166.Get Ready For It 会議の翌日。朝のうちに簡易集落からマルファスは旅立ち、レニたちも昼食後には出発するため、午前中はマルファスを送り出してから、住人総出で荷物をまとめていた。 集落を出ていくのは全体のおよそ八割である約二百名。獣人族のうち、戦闘に長けた者たちや、ソードランテに愛着をもっている人間など、数十名が残った。残留組は他の獣人たちの集落を回って、魔人族に対抗する勢力を作るつもりらしい。 道は分かれたが、お互いにいがみ合うこともなく、穏やかな別れとなった。 数台の馬車に荷物を積み、この集落へ来た時のように、子供以外は馬車を守るように歩いて移動する。 手を振って別れを告げる人たちは、多くが涙を湛えていた。 「最後まで、レニに残ってもらいたいって言ってたね」 残留組の姿が見えなくなったあたりで、レニやゲングと共に先頭を歩いていたヘレンが呟いた。 「仕方ないよ。戦う事を前提としたら、ウチじゃどうしようもないもん」 それでも何とかしてしまいそう、という感想なのはヘレンだけでなく、残留組も同じだったのだろう。しかし、レニは頑なに拒否した。問題を解決するために戦わないといけないなら仕方無いが、戦うために問題を解決するのは嫌だ、と。 結局、残留組は仮に虎獣人の男がまとめ役となった。奴隷として一二三に買われた一人で、一二三の強さにあこがれて鍛え続け、自警団としても精力的に活動していた男だ。スラムを追われることになったとき、人一倍悔しそうにしていた人物だった。 「勝ち負けの判断をどこに持ってるか、の違いだけなんだけどね。ウチは仲間がちゃんと生活できて、天寿を全うできる環境を作れたら、集団の長としては勝ちだと思ってる」 「......そっか」 ヘレンは素っ気ない返事をした。レニが言っていることが正しいような気はしたが、うまく理解できなかったからだ。 戦いが苦手な兎の獣人である自分が言うのもおかしな話だが、誰かを、何かを守る為に戦うのは別に悪い事じゃない、とヘレンは思っていた。だが、それに別の誰かを巻き込むのは確かに変だ、というのも納得できる。 ちらりと、後ろを見る。 森の中をひっそりと歩く集団の仲ほどに、浮かない顔をしている熊獣人と虎獣人の少女。マルファスがザンガーに託した、妹リーデルと友人オルラだ。 ヘレンから見て、オルラはマルファスに多少なり恋心を抱いているようにも見えたが、彼に付いて行くことも無かったあたり、そこまでの関係では無かったようだ。 「まあ、色々あるよね......」 人の心配をしている場合じゃないか、とヘレンは嘆息する。 兎獣人と羊獣人が共同で暮らしている集落を出てから今まで、種族を問わず色々な男性とであってきたが、仕事の忙しさもあって、誰かと恋仲とかつがいになるような機会は無かった。 獣人族としては、レニやヘレンの歳で夫を見つけるのは決して早くは無い。だが、ちっともそんな相手を見つける気にもならない。 「男、ねぇ......」 ゲングは年上すぎるし、他の連中もピンと来ない。 他に、と考えた時に、思いつくのは一二三くらいか。 「何が?」 「なんでもない」 午前中の取りまとめと荷物の準備で、すでに眠そうな目をしているレニを見て、ヘレンはふと、「レニは誰か好きだったりするのかな?」という質問を頭に浮かべた。 ぽてぽてと歩く親友を見ながら、一時は一二三が好きだったりするのかとも思ったが、男として好きというわけでもないらしい、と考える。 そのうち、恋愛相談なんかも受けるかも知れない。 「まあ、なるようになるか......ゲングさん。一二三さんの町まで、どれくらい歩くの?」 「うーん......このペースだと、十日から十二日くらいですかね」 「そっか。道案内、よろしくお願いします」 「任せてくだせぇ」 行ったり来たりで疲れているだろうに、そぶりも見せずにゲングは笑う。笑うのだが、牙をむき出しにしているので、ちょっと怖い。 そんなやり取りも耳に入らず、半分寝ながら歩いている代表に率いられ、獣人とエルフ、人間の混成団体は、森の中を進んで行く。 のんびりと観光して、各地の名物をたっぷりと楽しんだ一二三とオリガ。二人が王都へ到着した時、番兵は二人に「王城で女王陛下がお待ちです」と伝えた。だが、一二三は「ああ、そう」とだけ言って、城下町で適当な宿に入った。 その動きは騎士隊がしっかり把握しており、連絡を受けたイメラリアの額に青筋を生んだ。 そんな女王の心労を知ってか知らずか、一二三は約束通りオリガを連れて城下町で買い物を楽しみ、結局、途上したのは翌日の昼前だった。 「......言いたいことは色々ありますが、とりあえずは遠方からお疲れ様でした」 「ああ、気にしなくていい。この世界に来て初めて、ゆっくりできたからな」 二人の会談場所は、先日サブナクたち重臣を集めて会議をしたあの部屋だった。 侍女にも退席させた部屋の中、テーブルを挟んだ二人の距離はおよそ五メートル。互いに澄ました顔をしてはいるが、イメラリアは複雑で緊張した心中を懸命に隠している。 「で、用件は?」 早々に焼き菓子に手を伸ばしている一二三の言葉に、余裕を見せるかのようにイメラリアは紅茶を一口。 「......その前に、オリガさんはどうされたのですか?」 「買い物じゃないか? 宿を出るときに別れたから、どこへ行ったかまでは知らん」 「護衛......いや、無用な心配でしたね」 貴族が一人でふらりと買い物に行くなど、比較的治安の良いエリアでもありえない話なのだが、もはやイメラリアはオリガも一二三同様の扱いで良いと思っていた。 「どうせ、騎士隊の監視があるんだ。気にすることもないだろ」 「一二三様の監視はしていましたが、どうしてオリガさんにまでつけていると?」 「宿で気配が二人分オリガについて行った。知っている雰囲気だったからな。元第三騎士隊の誰かだろう」 具体的に誰が、とまではイメラリアにもわからないが、恐らく当たっているだろう、と思った。 これ以上、余計なやり取りをしても突かれるだけだと判断し、イメラリアは数枚の便箋が入った封筒を取り出した。 「フォカロルで一二三様に会い、その後国境へと向かったフィリニオンさんからの報告です。魔人族との戦闘がなされた、と書いてありましたが、これについて教えてください」 フィリニオンが急いで仕上げた報告は、のんびりしていた一二三を追い抜いて王城へと届けられた。そこに書いてある内容を重く見たヴァイヤーは、すぐさまイメラリアへと報告、手紙を献上した。 夫への恋文のような内容を含む便箋まで合わせて献上してしまい、イメラリアは同性が綴った愛の言葉を見てうんざりしたのだが。 「戦ったな。普通の人間よりは強かったが、人数が少ない。もうちょっとしっかり準備をしないと、人数の多い人間側を叩くには不足だな。あ、魔法は中々だったぞ。空中に剣を生み出す奴が来てたな。他の雑兵どもでも、人間の魔法使いよりは大分上だった」 一二三の話を聞きながら、イメラリアはさっとメモを取る。何でもないように話している言葉でも、そこには重要な情報が含まれている事を知ったからだ。 「......それを、一二三様はわたくしに報告しようとは思いませんでしたか?」 非難する言葉と、それを表す視線。 「他国の事だしな。おまけに、俺はもう貴族を辞めた。国境からの報告は上がっているんだろう? なら、その中に魔人族の情報が含まれていないことに危機感を覚える方が先じゃないか?」 正論なのだが、イメラリアは何も言わずにじっと一二三を見る。それだけではない。嘲弄するような言葉の裏で、一二三が何を言いたいかを懸命に探していた。 唾を飲み、口を開く。 「き、貴族というものは当主を引退したからと言って貴族でなくなるわけではありませんし、国に貢献せずとも良いというわけではありません。わたくしは常に国を守る為の情報を求めていますし、それに協力するのは貴族を含む国民の義務です」 イメラリアの反論に、一二三は手を叩いて笑った。 「あっはは! いい言葉だ。理想はそうだろうな。だが、俺が言った落ち度についても考えるべきだろう。まあ、それについてはサブナクやらプーセやら、周りの連中も同罪か」 ひとしきり笑ってから、一二三は闇魔法収納から紙束をずるりと取り出した。分厚い書類は皮ひもでまとめられ、ちらりと見ただけでもびっしりと文字が書かれている。 テーブルを滑ってきた書類を受け取ったイメラリアは、さっと最初の数枚に目を通す。そこには、魔人族が攻めてきた位置から、軍の編成、使ってきた魔法やヴィシーからの対応について、事細かに記載されていた。 「これは......」 「俺が喋ったことをカイムがまとめた書類だ。頑張って目を通せ。対応を考えろ」 「あ、ありがとう......ございます」 「まあ、情報を集めようと考えていることは正解だろうな。ホーラントで舌を噛みながら頑張って走ったご褒美だ」 「なっ......!」 誰が喋ったかなど、考える必要も無い。あの場にいて、一二三に話す機会があったのはアリッサだけだ。 顔を真っ赤にしてうつむき、アリッサへの恨みつらみを頭の中でいくつか並べてから、咳払いをする。 「こほん。理由はどうあれ、助かります。対応についてはサブナクさんたちと相談して用意いたしましょう。それで、お呼びした本題ですが」 「ん? その情報が欲しかったんじゃないのか?」 「それもあります。ですが、お願いしたいことがあるのです」 聞きながら、一二三は焼き菓子を一つ摘み、口に放り込む。視線だけはイメラリアに向けたまま。 「騎士たちに、一二三様の戦い方を指導していただきたいのです」 「それなら、あっちこっちでフォカロルの教導が行ってるだろう」 そうではありません、とイメラリアは首を横に振る。 「一二三様個人の技についてです。わたくしは......それほどの回数は見ておりませんが、騎士の方々......ミダスさんやヴァイヤーさん、もちろんサブナクさんも、一二三様の強さとその技術について、惜しみない賞賛を送っております」 「褒めるのは、そこまででいい」 「誰かが強くなりたいと思うのは大歓迎だが、そのために俺を誉めそやす必要は無い。人に認められようとは思っていないし、それが嬉しい人間でも無い」 イメラリアば息を飲んだ。 だが、聞き逃しはしていない。「強くなりたいのは大歓迎」だと。 「では、余計な飾りは不要ですね。......お願いいたします」 イメラリアは話しながら立ち上がり、ゆっくりと頭を下げた。 「この国の騎士に、国を守る為の力を」 「......それが、お前が出した国を守る方法か」 「いいえ。それだけではありません」 一二三は、意外な答えに片眉を引き上げて、わざとらしく驚いて見せた。 「その......今は、お教えできません」 口ごもるイメラリアを見て、一二三はニヤニヤと笑いながら立ち上がった。 「明日からだな。朝イチから始める。人数は決まっているんだろう?」 「ええ。三十名ほど、ご指導をお願いいたします」 「わかった。また明日だな」 そのまま出て行こうとする一二三に、イメラリアはふと疑問を持った。 「城内に泊まられないのですか?」 「ああ、もう城下で宿をとった。隠居夫婦は、民衆たちとのんびり過ごすさ」 「夫婦......」 再び座ったイメラリアは、そのままテーブルに顔を伏せた。 「へ、陛下!?」 「気にしないで......大丈夫だから......」 一二三と入れ替わりに入ってきた侍女が声を上げたが、イメラリアは片手をあげて細い指を揃えて揺らす。 三分ほどだろうか。ひとしきり誰にも見せない顔をしてから、勢いよく顔をあげた。 室内には、不安げに待機している侍女がいた。 「サブナクさんたちに連絡を。今夜、ここに集合するように、と」 再び、イメラリアは一人でぼんやりと座っていた。 「......どうしよう......」 誰も答えない。自分で答えを出さなくてはならない。 お腹が鳴った。 「元気出さなきゃ......」 ふらりと立ち上がり、イメラリアは執務室に用意されているはずの昼食を求めて歩き出した。

Chapter 166: Get Ready For It The next day after the meeting, Malfas set off on his travel from the simple settlement during the morning and Reni and the others gathered their luggage together with all residents after seeing off Malfas in the morning, because they will depart after lunch as well. The ones leaving the settlement amount to around 200, roughly 80% of all residents. A few dozens consisting of those excelling at battle among the beastmen and the humans, who are attached to Swordland, stayed behind. The group staying behind seems to plan to visit the villages of other beastmen and build a force that will oppose the demons. They chose different paths in life, but it was a calm separation without any quarreling. Packing their luggage on several wagons, the travellers, except for the children, move by walking in order to protect the wagons, just like at the time when they arrived at this settlement. Many of the people, who waved their hands and bid farewell, had tears blurring their eyes. "Until the very end they said that they'd like Reni to stay behind, didn't they?" (Helen) Helen muttered to Reni and Gengu, who walked at the front of the group together with her, just when the group staying behind wasn't visible anymore. "It can't be helped. There ain't nothing I can do if they take fighting as given." (Reni) , it's not only Helen that shares that thought, but it was likely the same for the group staying behind. However, Reni denied it stubbornly. In her eyes it can't be helped if they have to fight to resolve a problem, but she dislikes to resolve a problem as a result of fighting. In the end the group staying behind chose a tigerman as temporary mediator. As one of those bought by Hifumi as slave, he admires the strength of Hifumi and continues to train his body. He's a man who also actively participated in the vigilante corps and a person that looked more frustrated than others when they were driven out of the slums. "I think the only difference lies in what you use as basis for judging whether you won or lost. As leader of the group I believe it to be our victory if we can create an environment where our comrades can live properly until they are met by their natural death." (Reni) "... I see." (Helen) Helen replied curtly. She felt that the things that Reni was saying are correct, but logically she couldn't understand them well. It's odd for me, who is a rabbit beastman who are weak at fighting, to say so, but fighting for the sake of protecting something or someone isn't something bad per se, is it? She throws a fleeting glance to the rear. The reason being the depressed-looking beargirl and tigergirl who are walking silently among the group inside the forest. It's the younger sister Riedel and her friend Olra whom Malfas had entrusted to Zanga. In Helen's eyes it looked as if Olra was harbouring some feelings of love towards Malfas, but as she didn't go with him, their relationship apparently hadn't gone that far yet. "Oh well, there are various circumstances, aren't there...?" Helen sighs. After leaving the village where rabbit and sheep beastmen live together, she had met various men, regardless of race, so far, but as she was busy with her work, she hadn't had any opportunity to start a romance or to go steady with someone. For beastwomen finding husbands at the age of Reni and Helen is definitely not too early. But, she doesn't feel like finding such partner at all. "A boyfriend, eh...?" (Helen) Gengu is too old, and the other guys are just not my pair of shoes either. When she pondered about who else there might be, "What not?" (Reni) "It's nothing." (Helen) Looking at Reni who seems to be already sleepy due to the preparations and gathering of the luggage throughout the morning, the question [I wonder whether there's anyone Reni likes?] suddenly popped up in Helen's mind. While watching her best friend who walks sluggishly, Helen thought that Reni liked Hifumi at some point, but she believes that it doesn't mean that she liked him as a man. Sooner or later, I might get some love consultation or something like that. "Well, what will be will be, huh...? Gengu-san. How long do we have to walk to Hifumi-san's city?" (Helen) "Hmm... at this pace, I think it will take around ten to twelve days." (Gengu) "I see. Please help us our guide." (Helen) "Please leave it to me." (Gengu) Gengu laughs without showing in his attitude that he's likely worn out from going back and forth. He laughs, but since he's baring his fangs, he's a bit scary. The mixed group of humans, elves and beastmen, which is led by a representative that walks without listening to that exchange while being half asleep, advances through the forest. Hifumi and Origa went on a carefree sightseeing tour and fully enjoyed the famous local products of every place they visited. When the two arrived at the royal capital, they were told [Her Majesty the Queen is awaiting you at the royal castle] by the sentries. However Hifumi only replied with a [Oh, really] and went to a suitable inn in the castle town. With the knight order fully grasping his movements, veins popped out on Imeraria's forehead who had received their report. Knowing or unknowing of Imeraria's worries, Hifumi took Origa out to enjoy a shopping stroll as he had promised her and it was just before noon of the next day when he finally went to the castle. "... There are various things I'd like to say, but first of all, thank you for making such a long trip." (Imeraria) "No problem, don't worry about it. I was able to take it slowly for the first after coming to this world after all." (Hifumi) The place where the two of them met was the room where Imeraria had gathered Sabnak and her other chief vassals to hold a meeting the other day. Inside the room, which she had even cleared of maids, the two are approximately five meters apart from each other with a table in-between. Both of them wear composed expressions, but Imeraria is eagerly struggling to hide her nervosity and complicated feelings. "So, what's your business with me?" (Hifumi) Due to the question of Hifumi, who quickly stretches a hand towards the baked sweets, Imeraria takes a sip of her black tea as if trying to show her composure. "... Before that, what's Origa-san doing?" (Imeraria) "Isn't she shopping? Since I bid farewell from her when I left the inn, I don't know where she went." (Hifumi) "A guard... no, that's a pointless concern, isn't it?" (Imeraria)magic Something like a noble aimlessly going shopping by themselves is unthinkable even with a relatively good public order in the area, but by now Imeraria considered it fine to treat Origa in the same way as Hifumi. "The knight order is monitoring her anyway. There's nothing to worry about, right?" (Hifumi) "They monitored you, Hifumi-sama, but why should they do the same for Origa-san?" (Imeraria) "There were two presences who followed Origa at the inn. I felt like I know them. I guess someone from the former Third Knight Order." (Hifumi) Even Imeraria doesn't know who exactly it was, but she thought that he's likely right about that. Judging that they will be only pick at each other even if they unnecessarily argue back and forth any longer, Imeraria took out an envelope that had several sheets of paper in it. "This is the report of Phyrinion-san who headed to the national border after meeting with you at Fokalore, Hifumi-sama. It mentioned that you had a battle with the demons, but would you be as kind to explain the circumstances to me." (Imeraria) The report, which Phyrinion finished up in a hurry, was able to reach the royal castle after to overtaking Hifumi who carefreely enjoyed his trip. Vaiya, who gloomily looked at the contents written there, immediately reported to Imeraria and passed the letter to her. He ended up presenting Phyrinion's report together with papers that contained love letter-like contents for her husband. Imeraria was bored seeing words of love composed by the same sex though. "I wanted to fight them. Although they are stronger than common humans, their numbers are low. If they don't prepare a bit better, it won't be enough for them to strike at the human camp with its big numbers, I suppose. Ah, their magic was quite nice. I met a guy who created a sword in the air. Even the other small fries were considerably superior in comparison to human magicians." (Hifumi) Imeraria takes quick notes while listening to Hifumi's story. That's because she knew that even if he phrases it as if it's trivial information, important intelligence can be won out of it. "... Didn't you consider reporting that to me, Hifumi-sama?" (Imeraria) A criticizing remark and a gaze which says that. "It's the circumstances of another country, right? What's more, I already stopped being a noble. The report has come in from the border, hasn't it? Then, shouldn't you first feel a sense of danger due to the report not containing any information about the demons?" (Hifumi) It's a fair argument, but Imeraria fixedly stares at Hifumi without saying anything. And not just that. She fervently searched for what Hifumi wanted to say behind his mockery-like words. Gulping down her spit, she opens her mouth. "T-The ones called nobles don't stop being nobles just because they retired as family head. It's not like it's fine for them to not serve the country. I constantly need information to protect the country. Cooperating with that is the duty of the people which also includes the nobles." (Imeraria) Upon Imeraria's rebuttal, Hifumi clapped his hands and laughed. "Ahahaha! Those are nice words. The ideal might be like that. But, you should think about the oversight I told you about, shouldn't you? Well, as for that, I guess Sabnak, Puuse and the people around you are at fault as well." (Hifumi) After laughing for a while, Hifumi smoothly took out a bundle of papers our of his darkness storage. The bulky documents have been put together with a leather strap. With just a fleeting look, one can see that they are densely filled with characters. Imeraria, who received the documents that Hifumi slid over across the table, quickly scans the first several pages. What was minutely written there were the place from where the demons attacked first, the composition of their army, the magic they used and how Vichy dealt with them. "This is..." (Imeraria) "The documents Caim put together from what I told him. Do your best and look through them and then ponder about countermeasures." (Hifumi) "T-Thank you... very much." (Imeraria) "Well, I guess that planning to gather information is the correct approach. See it as reward for running around and keeping at it while keeping your mouth shut in Horant." (Hifumi) "Wh-...!" (Imeraria) There's no need to even think about who might have leaked that. The only who was present there and had a chance to talk with Hifumi is Alyssa. After listing several grudges and hard feelings towards Alyssa in her mind while hanging her bright red head in shame, Imeraria clears her throat. "Ahem. Putting the reason aside, it saves me troubles. As for the countermeasures, I will consult with Sabnak and the others, and arrange for them. Thus, next is the real reason why I called you here." (Imeraria) "Mmh? It's not because you wanted this information?" (Hifumi) "There's that as well. But there's something I'd like to ask of you." (Imeraria) While listening, Hifumi picks up a backed sweet and tosses it into his mouth. Only his gaze remained on Imeraria. "I'd like you to teach your way of fighting to the knights, Hifumi-sama." (Imeraria) "If that's the case, the instructions of Fokalore are carried out all over the place, right?" (Hifumi) "That's not it", Imeraria shakes her head. "It about your personal techniques, Hifumi-sama. I haven't... seen it that many times, but everyone of the knights... Midas-san and Vaiya-san, of course Sabnak-san as well, have highly praised your strength and skills without reluctance, Hifumi-sama." (Imeraria) "You don't have to praise me any further." (Hifumi) "I warmly welcome anyone who wants to become strong, but there's no need to praise me for that sake. I don't expect to be acknowledged by others and I'm not such a nice person either." (Hifumi) Imeraria gasped. But, she didn't fail to hear it, namely [I warmly welcome anyone who wants to become strong] . "Excessive sugarcoating is unnecessary then, right? ... Please help us." (Imeraria) Imeraria stood up while talking and slowly bowed her head. "Please bestow strength to protect this country to the knights of Orsongrande." (Imeraria) "... As means to protect the country created by you?" (Hifumi) "No, it's not only that." (Imeraria) Hifumi lifted one eyebrow due to the unexpected answer and showed fake surprise. "Umm... right now I can't tell you." (Imeraria) Seeing Imeraria hesitant to speak about it, Hifumi stood up while grinning broadly. "From tomorrow onwards, right? I will start early in the morning. You have decided on the number of people, haven't you?" (Hifumi) "Yes. It will be 30 knights. Please do bestow your teachings on them." (Imeraria) "Got it. See you tomorrow." (Hifumi) Imeraria suddenly had a question for Hifumi who was about to leave like that. "You won't be staying in the castle?" (Imeraria) "Yeah, I already took an inn near the castle. The retired married couple will spend its time carefreely among the people." (Hifumi) "Married couple..." (Imeraria) Imeraria, who sat down once again, placed her head on the table with her face turned downwards. "Y-Your Majesty!?" "Don't worry... I'm alright..." (Imeraria) The maid, who entered in exchange for Hifumi, raised her voice, but Imeraria lifts a hand and waves her slender fingers. After not showing her face to anyone for around three minutes, Imeraria raised her face energetically. Inside the room there was a maid on standby while looking uneasy. "Pass a message to Sabnak-san and the others. They are to gather here tonight." (Imeraria) Once again Imeraria was sitting absent-mindedly in the room by herself. "... What should I do...?" (Imeraria) No one replies. She has to find an answer by herself. He stomach rumbled. "I have to show that I'm full of spirit..." (Imeraria) Standing up staggeringly, Imeraria started to walk in search for the lunch that should have been prepared in her office.

「素晴らしい成績です」 珍しくカイムが人を褒めるのを聞いて、勉強部屋になっているホールの当番だったデュエルガルは驚いた。 「へぇ、お嬢さんはそんなに優秀かね」 「そうですね。ブロクラに頭を下げて勉強を教えてもらって、何とか合格した貴方とは大違いです」 「うるせっ」 のどかなやり取りをしている二人の前では、フィリニオンが机に突っ伏していた。 「つ、疲れた......。こんなに勉強したのは生まれて初めてよ」 「お疲れ様です、お嬢様。こちらをどうぞ」 微笑むクリノラから、あたたかな湯気が上がるカップを受け取ったフィリニオンは、一口含んだだけでニッコリと笑顔があふれた。 「甘くて美味しい......ありがとう、クリノラ」 蜜をとかした甘い紅茶はフィリニオンが小さい頃からの好物だが、上質な蜜は高価なので、特別なときだけクリノラが気を利かせて出してくれる。 鼻腔をくすぐる甘い香りとほのかな苦味が、疲れた頭を癒してくれる。 そこに、採点を終えたらしいカイムが声をかけた。 「領主様が課題として用意された分を、無事に修了されました事を確認いたしました。主命に従い、フィリニオン様を領主代理同等の権限を持つ代官として歓迎いたします」 よろしくお願いいたします、と頭を下げるカイムに、フィリニオンは慌てて立ち上がった。 「ちょ、ちょっと待って! 私は単なる領地運営の手伝いとして派遣されただけで、代官とか領主代理とか、聞いてないんだけど?!」 「そうですか。では、今お伝えしたという事で」 サラリと流して、話を続けようとするカイムにフィリニオンが食ってかかる。 「冗談でしょう? そんな重要な仕事なら、もっとちゃんと準備したのに!」 しかも、こんな危険地域の領主代理なんて、とふらつきながら椅子に座った。 「仕事などいつも急なものです。私たちなど、奴隷身分に落ちてすぐ教育・実務とほんの数日の間にあっという間に領主様の駒にされました」 それが悪いとは思いませんが、とカイムは柄にもなく自分の事を話した事に一瞬口を引き締め、そこまでで話題を変えた。 「とにかく、この領地で今は貴族の身分を持つのはフィリニオン様のみです。領主様の依頼でもありますので、受けていただきます」 グレーの瞳でまっすぐ見つめてくるカイムに、フィリニオンはゆっくり首を振った。 「仕方ないわね」 立ち上がったフィリニオンは、緑の髪をかきあげる。 「フィリニオン・エル・アマゼロトは、今から当地での代官任務にあたります。......これから宜しくね、カイムさん、デュエルガルさん」 出された右手を順番に握り、カイムは相変わらずの無表情のまま、デュエルガルは豪快に笑ってよろしくと挨拶をした。 そこへ駆け込んできたのは、彼らと同じ文官奴隷のブロクラだった。 「カイムさん、ヴィシーを離反独立したピュルサンから、助力を乞う書面が届いていますが......」 ブロクラの言葉を聞き、書面に目を通したカイムは、その書面を迷うことなくフィリニオンに手渡した。 「早速お仕事です、領主代理。分裂した敵国の一部が、助けて欲しいとなりふり構わぬ書面を送って来ました」 いきなり舞い込んだ問題に、フィリニオンの文書を読む手が震える。 「さて、どうしますか?」 それでも、カイムは容赦なく選択を迫った。 フォカロル領軍の主な仕事は、食料の調達の為の狩りだったりする。自分たち軍だけでなく、職員たちの食事に使われる材料も狩ってきて、少ない予算で食事を豪勢にするため日々努力しているのだ。 実際、敵と直接やりあったのはヴィシーからの侵攻に対する戦闘くらいで、基本的には訓練の日々だった。 募兵から人数も増えて、久しぶりの実戦だと張り切って遠征してきた彼らだったが、いざ国境まで来てみると、お頭である一二三が好き放題に暴れて、ハイエナよろしく国境警備兵たちが戦果を漁ったあとだった。 まだホーラント側の兵の補充はなく、実質的に国境一帯はオーソングランデによる占領状態となっている。 「また派手に暴れたらしいね」 国境警備の兵たちから聞き取りをしたアリッサは、いつもどおりの一二三に、苦笑いするしかない。 説明をしている兵たちも、こんな子供が領兵の隊長だとは信じられなかったが、アリッサの指示で兵たちがキビキビと動き、自分たちよりもよっぽど練度が上であると分かってからは、自分の上官よりも丁寧に接していた。 「トオノ伯爵は三日前に国境を通過され、敵兵を完全に討ち滅ぼしてのち、ホーラント王都を目指して出発されました」 これは自分たちが王都へ到着する前に、大体の事が終わってそうだと思った。 今回はミュカレは同行していないので、一二三から言われた“自分で考えて適当に”という命令にしたがって、適当に思考を走らせる。 「うーん......。とにかく一二三さんを追って行こうか。何か手伝うことがあるかもしれないし」 「了解しました! 聞いたな、みんな!」 応、と逞しい男たちの声が響き、警備兵たちが怯えている。 「今日はここで休ませてもらって、明日の朝出発しよう。警備兵さん、宿営の場所を借りたいんだけど......」 上目遣いのお願いをするアリッサと、その背後から無言で圧力をかけてくる領兵達に、警備兵は頷く他なかった。 一二三に救済という名の虐待を受け、自我を取り戻した元ホーラント兵たちは、フォカロルへ向けて徒歩でゾロゾロと街道を移動していた。 護衛にはフォカロル領兵の一部に加え、一度王都へ戻る第二騎士隊の生き残りたちがいた。 無論、ヴァイヤーもその一人だ。 旅も二日目。特に問題も起きる事なく、食事はフォカロル領兵たちが捕まえてくる魔物の肉と台車に積んだ穀物でたっぷり食べられるとなると、自然と気楽な雰囲気になり、仲良くなるのも早かった。 「では、君は王都からの出向組だったわけだ」 「ええ、王都で兵士をしていましたが、家族もいないので新たな領軍ができると聞いて志願しました」 ゆっくり話を聞くため、ヴァイヤーは馬の轡を取り、歩いて兵と話す。 最初は騎士がわざわざ馬を降りて隣を歩くことに恐縮していた兵も、アレコレと話すうちに笑顔を見せるようになっていた。 「はじめは聞いたこともない新興貴族の領地だと聞いて不安だったんですがね、蓋を開けてみたらこれが良くできた領主様で、民衆には平等だし気楽に接してくれるし、俺たち一般の兵にも普通に接してくれる人でしたんで、びっくりしたもんです」 その代わり、訓練は結構厳しいし、色々意味がわからない事もさせられたけれど、とこぼした兵士に、ヴァイヤーは引っかかった。 「その、意味がわからない事というのは、例えば?」 兵士の話を聞いて、ヴァイヤーは頭を殴られた様な衝撃を受けた。 彼らフォカロル領兵は、剣と槍、弓の三種の武器を、一対一、一対多、集団戦など、様々な状況を想定して使用する訓練を受けていた。さらには、投槍器や建物内、荒野、街中や森の中など、環境も様々なパターンを用意し、どういう時にどう動くのか、軍団や小集団での動きをくり返し行うという。 しかも剣や槍の練習方法に至っては“型稽古”という聞きなれない言葉が飛び出し、興奮気味に質問をすると、それが武器を扱う一連の動きをパターン化したものを繰り返す訓練だと分かった。 「なるほど......」 騎士の訓練は主に一対一で剣や槍の技量を競うもので、一人での訓練はひたすら素振りを繰り返す程度が一般的だ。 兵士も同様で、掛け声や合図で走ったり戻ったりを覚える程度でしかない。 フォカロル領軍の訓練は、王都や他の領地の軍から一歩二歩どころではない先を進んでいるのだと、ヴァイヤーは確信した。 思い返せば、夕べ野営の準備が終わったあと、フォカロル領兵たちは交代で剣を持ち、向かい合って何かを動きを繰り返していた。あれが型稽古なのだろう。 「ひとつ、お願いがあるのだが......」 不意に切り出された言葉に、兵は驚いたものの笑顔でなんでしょうと返した。 「君たちの訓練に、私も参加させてもらえないだろうか?」 ヴァイヤーは、ここでフォカロル領兵の訓練方法を吸収することで、オーソングランデをより良くする事ができるのではと考えた。 「じゃあ、これとこれ。あとこれな。お前たちもたっぷり食っておけよ。まだ先は長いからな」 一二三に促され、オリガは彼に続いてスープと野菜のボイルを注文した。続いてフォカロル兵たちも肉やパンを頼んでいる。 注文を聞いているレストランの店員は青ざめた顔で引きつった笑顔を浮かべており、他に誰も客がいなくなった店内を足早に歩いて厨房へと消えていった。 兵たちを殺害したあと、そのまま悠々と街中へ入っていた一二三は、たまたま目に付いたレストランへ入り、昼食を摂ることした。 すでに騒ぎは街中まで広がっており、通りからは人がいなくなり、多くの店や住宅が木戸をしっかりと閉じてしまっている。 逃げ出す客の会計を慌ててやっていた不運なレストランが、閉店前に一二三に踏み込まれたのだ。 断ったら何をされるかわからないので、店員も料理人も、とにかく早く満腹にさせて出て行ってもらおうという思いで懸命に料理を作り、盛り付けている。 「お、お待たせいたしました」 店員が次々とテーブルに料理を並べていくが、一二三は首をかしげた。 「......なんか少なくないか?」 皿は他の国と変わらないサイズだが、盛っている量は明らかに少ない。 「これ以上はご容赦ください。飲食店向けの配給といっても、限度があるのです......」 怯えながらも、精一杯の勇気を振り絞って説明された内容に、一二三は引っかかる部分を見つけた。 「配給? この街じゃ、食材は買ってくるんじゃなくて配られるのか」 とりあえず目の前の料理を口に放り込み、飲み込んでから味は悪くないと呟いた。 「国全体がそういう決まりになっています。食料品など全ての物資は、一度領地を収める貴族の元へ集められ、そこから各家庭に配布されるのです」 怯える店員を無理やりテーブルに座らせて、一二三があれこれ質問するとホーラントという国の全体像が見えてくる。 食料品や衣料品は配給制で、家も個人の持ち物ではなく貴族からの貸出になっているという。そして個人が稼いだ金額はかなりの部分が居住費用と言う名の税金として持っていかれるそうだ。 「食事ができない心配はなさそうですけれど、頑張っても意味がなさそうですね」 冒険者という明確なリスクとリターンがある職についていたオリガは、ちょっと理解できないという感想だった。ホーラントには冒険者ギルドも存在せず、魔物を駆除するのはもっぱら貴族お抱えの兵士たちらしい。 「そう言った安全保障の費用も、税金に含まれていますので......」 決して悪口は言わないが、困っているという感情は隠しきれていない。 「ふぅん。そんなら、金と一緒に食材も置いていくか」 不意に立ち上がった一二三は、闇魔法収納から適当な食材を空いたテーブルにドサドサッと積み上げた。 軽く数十人分の料理が作れる量がある。 「こ、これは......」 驚愕する店員の肩を叩いて、一二三はニカッと笑う。 「ぶっちゃけ、足りない。食材は追加でやるから、もっとたくさん作ってくれ。味は悪くないしな」 「わ、わかりました!」 急いで料理人を呼び出し、二人して恐縮しながら食材を厨房へと運んでいく。 ほどなく追加で運ばれてきた料理は、量も味も満足いくものだった。 「国が違うと味付けも変わるが、結構食えたな」 「ええ、とても美味しかったですね」 一二三たちの言葉に、今度は心からの笑顔で店員は頭を下げた。その隣には、厨房から食材のお礼に出てきた料理人もいる。 「とりあえず、これで足るか?」 数枚の金貨を渡した一二三に、食材までもらってこれは受け取れないと店員は固辞した。 「それに、オーソングランデの金貨はこの国では使えませんので......」 申し訳なさそうに言う店員に、一二三はそんな事かと笑った。 「それなら、しばらくどこかに入れて隠しておけばいい。もうすぐこの国は無くなるから、金貨の形が違うとか、そんなつまらんことを気にする奴はいなくなるだろ」 「うぇっ?」 突然の亡国予言に、思わず変な声が出た店員は、そのままさっさと出ていった一二三たちの背中を呆然と見送った。 料理人を見ると、彼もこちらを見ている。 「今、あの人この国が無くなるって言った?」 「ああ、確かに言った」 街の人々が言っていた話では、この街の警備兵を皆殺しにした凶悪な侵入者との事だったが、さっきまでのやり取りでは印象が180度変わっていた。 だが、最後の台詞は完全に侵略者のそれだった。 混乱している店員に、料理人はバシっと背中を叩いて声をかけた。 「わからんもんを考えてもしょうがない。それよりも」 一二三が追加で置いていった食材を指差す。 「今日はもう店を閉めて、久しぶりに腹いっぱい飯を食おうぜ」 うまそうな肉も新鮮な野菜もあるぞ、と二人で調理法を提案しながら、いつ以来かの楽しい食事の時間となった。

"Magnificent results" (Caim) As he listened to Caim, who was a person who rarely smiled, Doelgar was surprised while being on duty in the study hall. "Hee, ojou-san is this excellent?" (Doelgar) "That's right. Bowing her head to Brokra, she had him teach her. A great difference to you who just somehow passed." (Caim) "Shut up." (Doelgar) The two were quietly exchanging words in front of the desk where Phyrinion had fallen prostrating herself. "I-I'm worn-out... It was the first time in my life that I studied this much." (Phyrinion) "Good work. Ojou-sama, here, please." (Krinola) Phyrinion, who received the cup with warm steam rising from it from the smiling Krinola, brimmed with a sweet smile by taking no more than a single sip. "How sweet and delicious... thanks, Krinola" (Phyrinion) Black tea sweetened with honey has been Phyrinion's favorite drink since she was a child. Given that fine quality honey is very expensive, Krinola only takes it out on special occasions. The sweet aroma tickling the nose and the faint bitter taste are able to heal her tired mind. That's when she was called out by Caim, who finished grading her. "I confirmed that you have completed the part prepared as assignment by Feudal Lord-sama without problems. In accordance to the ruler's orders Phyrinion-sama will be welcomed as prefectural governor holding the same authority and rank as the feudal lord's representative." (Caim) Caim bowed with a "Please treat me well" causing Phyrinion to stand up in a hurry. "J-Just a moment! I have only been dispatched simply to help with the territory's administration. No one told me anything about me becoming something like prefectural governor or the feudal lord's representative!?" (Phyrinion) "Is that so? Well, then you've been told about the matter now." (Caim) Phyrinion flares up as Caim tries to continue the talks with a smooth flow. "That's a joke, no? If it was such important task, I would have prepared a lot more diligently!" (Phyrinion) "Furthermore, such crucial task such as the feudal lord's representative", she sat down on the chair while feeling light-headed. "Work and such is always something sudden. We, immediately after falling to the status of being slaves, changed into the feudal lord's chess pieces in the blink of an eye after receiving education and practical work experience for merely a few days." (Caim) "Though I don't consider it to be bad", Caim tightened his mouth for an instant as he talked about their own situation totally out of character. Taking it this far, he changed the topic. "At any rate, currently the only person holding a rank of nobility within this territory is Phyrinion-sama. Since it is also the request of Feudal Lord-sama, please accept the post." (Caim) Phyrinion slowly shook her head at Caim, who is looking directly at her with his grey eyes. "There is no other way." (Phyrinion) Phyrinion, standing up, brushes up her green hair. "Phyrinion el Amazelo will undertake the duty of being the prefectural governor of this place from now on. ... Best regards, Caim-san, Doelgar-san." (Phyrinion) Grasping the held out right hand in turns, Caim did it with his usual expressionless face while Doelgar smiled heartily as he replied that he was looking forward to it. It was the equally civil official slave, Brokra, who came rushing in at that point. "Caim-san, a letter has been delivered from Pearson-san asking for support in their independence and separation from Vichy..." (Brokra) Hearing Brokra's words, Caim scanned the letter and handed the letter over to Phyrinion without hesitation. "You've got work right away, feudal lord's representative. As one part of the enemy nation split away, they decided to send a letter without caring about appearances in their desire for help." (Caim) As Phyrinion read the document, her hands trembled due to the sudden, unexpected problem. "Well then, what do you want to do?" (Caim) And yet Caim mercilessly pressed her for a decision. The Fokalore territorial army's main occupation was to hunt for the sake of supplying food. They aren't just military forces, but also providers of the ingredients used by the staff members for the meals. They are putting great efforts into making luxurious meals with the scarce budget every day. In reality, having directly competed with the enemy, it was basically daily training so that they could fight against an invasion from Vichy. Even increasing their numbers by recruitment, they were in high spirits due to the expedition as it had been a while since they could actually fight. But, now that they came even as far as the national border, they saw how their leader, Hifumi, went wild as he pleased whereas the border guards scavenged for loot just like hyenas. Without reinforcements of soldiers on Horant's side, the substantial border area has become a captured territory of Orsongrande. "It seems he rampaged flashily around once again, eh?" (Guard) Alyssa, who caught the words of the soldiers from the border security, couldn't help but smile bitterly due to the usual antics of Hifumi. Although they had explained it to the soldiers, they didn't want to believe that such child was the commanding officer of the territorial troops. But as they saw the soldiers move briskly upon Alyssa's order, they understood that they were far above in proficiency and treated her even more politely than their own superior officer. "Earl Tohno passed through the border 3 days ago. After completely destroying the enemy, he departed aiming for the capital of Horant." (Guard) Before we arrive at the capital ourselves, the majority of the business will be finished, it seems Since Miyukare didn't accompany her this time, she was told by Hifumi "Think about it and act appropriately." In accordance with that order, she considered things properly. "Yea... Anyway, let's chase after Hifumi? There might be something we can help with." (Alyssa) "Understood! You heard her, everyone!" (Soldier) With an "Aye" the voices of the burly men resounded frightening the guards. "Get some rest here today and then let's depart tomorrow morning. Guard-san, I want to borrow some camping sites, but..." (Alyssa) As Alyssa pleaded with upturned eyes, the guard had no other choice but to agree due to the territorial soldiers applying pressure on him in silence from her back. The former soldiers of Horant, who regained their ego after being abused by Hifumi in the name of rescue, moved along the highway in groups heading towards Fokalore on foot. In addition to a part of the Fokalore territorial army as escort, there were the survivors of the Second Knight Order, who were returning to the capital temporarily. Of course, Vaiya is also one of them. The journey takes two days. Without any particular problems occurring either, they quickly got on good terms as it had naturally became an easygoing mood due to being able to eat plenty as the Fokalore territorial soldiers went hunting for monster meat and as there was grain on the wagon. "Then, you were in the group transferred from the capital?" (Vaiya) "Yea, I was a soldier of the capital, but after hearing that it was possible to join a new territorial army, I volunteered as I have no family anyway." (Soldier) In order to listen closely to the story, Vaiya takes the bridle of his horse and walks together with the soldier. The soldier was thankful for a knight expressly dismounting his horse first to walk alongside him. It reached the point that he showed a smile while they were talking about this and that. "At first I was anxious hearing that it is the territory of a rising noble, which I didn't know before, but after looking at the condition of the territory, I was amazed that it was a quite able Feudal Lord-sama, who dealt with the population in a carefree and impartial manner and who was a person that treated even us common soldiers normally." (Soldier) "But on the other hand the training is pretty harsh and there are also various things I don't get the meaning of", Vaiya was caught in the grumbling of the soldier. "What's an example of the things you don't get the meaning of?" (Vaiya) Listening to the story of the soldier, Vaiya received an impact as if being hit on his head. They, the Fokalore territorial soldiers, received training using various imaginary situations such as group battles, one-to-many fights, one-on-one fights and fighting with the three types of weapons; sword, spear and bow. Furthermore they carried out repetitions of moving as small units and army corps learning how to move and at what time. They even prepared various patterns in different environments such as forest, downtown, buildings and prairie, and how to use spear throwers there. Moreover he heard the unfamiliar word "style practice" when it came to methods of sword and spear training. He understood that they repeatedly practiced although the pattern changed to using these weapons in serial combination moves, as he asked some questions due to his excitement. "I see..." (Vaiya) With the knight's training being one-on-one to increase the ability in swordsmanship and spearmanship, it was typical to repeat nothing but practice swings for self-training. It's the same for soldiers as well. Their training is no more than learning to return running upon signals and yelling. The training regimen of the Fokalore territorial army has advanced one or two steps ahead of the capital or the other territory armies If I think back now, after they finished setting up the camp last night, the Fokalore territorial soldiers, holding a sword in turns, were repeating motions facing against something. That has been style practice, I guess. "I have a single request, but..." (Vaiya) The soldier returned a smile albeit being surprised due to the abruptly stated words. "I wonder if it isn't possible for me to take part in your training as well?" (Vaiya) Vaiya thought that if he were to absorb the training methods of the Fokalore territorial soldiers here, he would be able to improve Orsongrande by a lot. "Then, this and this. And also that. You guys have to eat plentifully as well. Our destination is still far away." (Hifumi) Urged on by Hifumi, Origa ordered boiled vegetables and soup following his example. Next the Fokalore territorial soldiers also ordered meat and bread. The restaurant server, listening to the orders, showed a cramped smile with a pale face. As there were no other guests in the restaurant, he vanished into the kitchen quickly. Hifumi, who leisurely entered the city after killing the guards, entered the restaurant he noticed by chance and had lunch. The uproar has already spread across the city. Many shops and residential buildings have ended up closing their doors tightly and the people have vanished from the streets. Hifumi entered the restaurant, which had bad luck for its paying guests running away in a hurry, before it could close up. Since they didn't know what would happen if they refused, the server and cook prepared the meals and dished them up in their desire to have them fill up their stomachs and leave as soon as possible. "I-I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." (Server) The server lined up one dish after the other on the table, but Hifumi tilted his head to the side. "... Isn't that somehow insufficient?" (Hifumi) The plates aren't any different in size to other countries, however the dishes on top of them are obviously lacking. "Please forgive this. Although it is food rationing suited for restaurants, there are limits..." (Server) While being scared the server mustered his courage with all his effort and explained the details to Hifumi, who discovered the part that bothered him. "Food rationing? Then, aren't ingredients distributed and sold in this city?" (Hifumi) Tossing the cooking in front of his eyes into his mouth for the time being, he muttered that the taste was bad after swallowing it down. "Such regulations are enacted in the entire country. All the goods like groceries and such are gathered by the nobles once they are supplied to the territory and distributed to each household from there." (Server) Having the scared server forcibly sit at the table, Hifumi inquired about this and that to get the whole picture of the country called Horant. By rationing the clothing and grocery, it has become a system where these items are loaned from the nobles, so families and individuals do not possess their own personal effects. And quite a big part of the money earned by individuals seems to be taken away as taxes in the name of residence expenses. "It seems you don't have to worry about not being able to eat, but there isn't any meaning in doing one's best either, isn't that right?" (Origa) The impression of Origa, who had the occupation of adventurer with distinct risks and returns, was that she wasn't able to understand this system somehow. There isn't an adventurer's guild in Horant either. Apparently the task of exterminating monsters is exclusively allocated to the soldiers employed by nobles. "Since these types of security guarantee costs are included in the taxes as well..." (Server) You can't call it an insult in the least, but he isn't able to hide his feelings of being bothered by it. "Huuumph. And if you are given ingredients alongside money?" (Hifumi) Hifumi, standing up suddenly, retrieved suitable ingredients from his darkness magic storage and placed it on an open table with a thud. It is an amount that can easily feed dozens of people with meals. "T-This is..." (Server) Striking the shoulder of the shocked server, Hifumi smiles broadly. "To be frank, server, prepare a lot more since you have extra ingredients. The taste isn't bad." (Hifumi) "U-Understood!" (Server) Hurriedly calling the cook, both of them carry the ingredients to the kitchen while being thankful. Before long more dishes were carried in. The quantity as well as the taste were satisfying. "Although the flavor changes if it's a different country, you ate a considerable amount." (Server) "Yes, it was very delicious." (Hifumi) The server bowed with a smile from the bottom of his heart this time due to Hifumi's words. Next to him was the cook, who appeared from the kitchen to give his gratitude for the ingredients. "For the time being, will this be enough?" (Hifumi) As Hifumi wanted to pass them several gold coins, the server firmly refused to accept it as they had even provided the ingredients. "Besides, we won't be able to use the gold coins from Orsongrande in this country..." (Server) Due to the server saying this apologetically, Hifumi laughed about this matter. "If that's the case, it will be fine, if you hide it somewhere for a little while. Because this country will very soon vanish, the folks worrying about such trivial matters, like the shape of gold coins being different, will disappear." (Hifumi) "Ue?" (Server) The server unintentionally released a strange voice due to having been promised a ruined country suddenly. He saw off Hifumi's group quickly leaving in blank amazement. Observing the cook, he is also looking in that direction. "Did that person say that this country will vanish just now?" (Cook) "Yea, he definitely said that." (Server) The story told by the people of this city informed them of an atrocious invader who massacred the guards of this city, but with the exchange from just now, their impression of him turned 180deg. But his last words were completely those of an invader.magic The cook called out to the confused server and hit his back with a smack. "There's no point in thinking about stuff we don't understand. Also, leaving that aside..." (Cook) He points at the other ingredients left by Hifumi. "The restaurant has already been closed for today. Let's stuff our bellies for the first time in a while." (Cook) "There is delicious looking meat and fresh vegetables!" While the two discussed the art of cooking, it became a time of enjoying eating before long.

フォカロルの領主館の隣には、以前の領主が建てた大きな別宅があり、愛人や使用人が住んでいた。現在は職員の独身寮として機能している。 部屋は余っていたので、ホーラントからの移住組で独身かつ職員としての就業希望の者は一時的にだがここへ住むことになった。元々が職員寮なので、食堂で三食提供される。 その他、領軍に入ると希望した者は領軍兵士たちの独身寮や家族寮へ入り、その他の職を希望する者や鍛冶や木工の技能を持った者は、街中で宿や職人の弟子たちの寮へと移って行った。 職員としての道を選んだ者たちに、最初に与えられた試練は勉強だった。 領地の成立経緯とはかけ離れたイメージではあるが、今のフォカロル領は国内どころかこの世界でも最先端の教育のメッカとなっている。 強制的に勉強させられているヴィシー離反側からの出向も含め、近隣の街や他の貴族領にて文官として働く者、出入りする商人の子息などがこぞって教育を受けさせるためにフォカロルへと“留学”してくる。 いわゆるカリキュラムを組んで進められる基礎学習に加え、成功的な発展を遂げているフォカロルの領地経営についても余すことなく教えてくれるという魅力があった。 この教育事業だけでも、トオノ伯爵領の運営資金はかなり潤っている。 人口は増えているが、職員たちが戸籍の登録や市民情報の運用に慣れてきた事もあり、領主館内はむしろ落ち着き始めている。ホーラントからの移民等で一時的にバタつきはしたものの、文官奴隷たちも含めて、多少は休みが取れるようになってきた。 そんな中で、面白くないと感じる者もいる。 「最近は、めっきり面白い物を作る機会がなくなったな」 制作班の班長として、一時は寝る時間も無いほどだったドワーフのプルフラスだ。彼らも最近は椅子や机などの事務用品を作っては、余暇に酒を飲んでいるという穏やかな日々を送っていた。 「面白い物?」 話し相手になっているのはヴァイヤーだった。 最初は領軍の訓練に参加して、その特殊な隊列であるスリーマンセルの考え方や、軍の運営についても学ぼうと、軍務担当の文官であるミュカレを尋ねたのだが、アリッサと離れ離れで不機嫌極まりない彼女に追い出されてしまった。 場所が領主館内の一室だったこともあり、 「幸せオーラ出している奴は出て行け!」 というミュカレの叫びは、2階フロアに職員に語り継がれる名言となった。 余裕が出てきた独身職員の間でカップルが増え始めているのも手伝い、この一言でミュカレは完全に“お局様”の地位を固めている。 「そう言えば、領軍が使っている台車や投槍器もこちらで作られたそうですね」 「作りはしたが、考えたのは領主様だな。台車は、最初はトロッコという名前で領地内を走り回っている荷車に車輪を付け直したやつだな」 中々うまく走ってくれなくて大変だった、とプルフラスは笑って、片手に持った酒を呷った。 「あれやこれやと作らされたぜ。使い方がとんとわからねぇ武器なんかもな。“扇子”っていう折りたたみの扇が、フォカロルの土産物として売ってるのは見たか? あれだって、オリガの嬢ちゃんが持ってる鉄扇を作る時に試しに木で作ってみた奴が元なんだよ。名前をつけたのは領主様だけどな」 聞けば聞くほど、一二三という人物像がわからなくなっていくヴァイヤーは、いつの間にか難しい顔をしていたのだろう。プルフラスが笑う。 「何をヘンテコな顔をしてやがる。領主様の事が知りたいなら、オリガの嬢ちゃんに聞くのが手っ取り早いぜ。まだ帰ってきてないけどな」 「なるほど......」 「それより、あんた騎士様だろう? 興味があるなら、領主様が使っている武器の予備があるぜ。見てみるかい?」 「良いのですか?」 嬉しそうに言うヴァイヤーを見て、プルフラスも嬉しくなった。 「おう、領主様からは武器の作成依頼はどんどん受けて良いと言われているしな。気に入ったのがあれば、持って行ってもらっても構わんぞ」 立ち上がったプルフラスは、ヴァイヤーを連れて作業室の奥にある倉庫兼試験室へと移動した。 土がむき出しの広い試験室には、壁一面にいくつもの武器と思しきものが並ぶ。木製や鉄製の物がほとんどだが、中には魔物の素材だろうよくわからない材質でできた物もある。 「これはすごい。騎士隊の訓練場でもこんなのは見たことがない。持ってみても?」 「もちろん」 許可を得たヴァイヤーが最初に手にしたのは、鎖鎌だった。鎌をじっと見てから、鎖とその先端についた分銅を興味深く見つめる。 「変わった形状の......武器なんですか?」 「そうらしい。何度か修理をしたが、試しに使ってる所を見せてもらったときは面白かったぜ」 使い方を聞いたものの、鎖の先の部分を振り回して、重りを当てたり、鎌で切りつけたり引っ掛けて引き寄せたりすると言われても、ヴァイヤーには今ひとつ理解できなかった。 さらに寸鉄や三節棍に始まり、 組立式の十手や手裏剣についてはプルフラスにも説明できたので、ヴァイヤーは聞き逃すまいと真剣に耳を傾ける。手裏剣は、試しに何度か投げてみた。 「こういう小型で携帯性の高い武器は良いですね。城内での警備にも利用できそうですし......」 「興味があるなら、あの鉄面皮カイムに聞いてみたらいい」 プルフラスから出た意外な人物の名前に、ヴァイヤーは首をかしげた。 「カイム殿、ですか?」 なぜ文官の彼の名前が出てくるのかという質問に、プルフラスは自分でも不思議だとは思うが、と言う。 「あの無表情野郎は、ここにある武器の内容を一通り知っている。使い方もある程度は領主様に教わったようだし、手裏剣と鎖鎌についてはこの試験室で毎朝訓練しとる」 さらには、他の奴隷達も時々はここで訓練をしているらしい。 「彼らは奴隷で、しかも文官でしょう? どうして訓練をしているのでしょう」 「さあ、俺は聞いたことが無いから知らんなぁ。気になるなら、直接聞くといい」 「はぁ」 ヴァイヤーにとっては、カイムは正直苦手なタイプだった。沈着冷静で感情を表に出さないカイムは、どう考えているかがわかりにくくて会話が続かない。 「まあ、ここの出入りは俺が許可出しておくから、好きにしたらいいさ」 「ありがとうございます」 「やめてくれよ。俺だって奴隷なんだから、騎士様に頭を下げられても困るぜ」 笑いながら去っていくプルフラスの背中を見ながら、ヴァイヤーは苦笑い。 「ここの奴隷は、全然奴隷に見えないんだよなぁ」 気を取り直して、カイムに会いに行くことにした。この武器を近衛騎士隊に取り入れようと思ったのだ。 国境砦のホーラント側の警備はまだ回復できていなかった。先ほど殺した連中が警備部隊だったのかは不明だが、とにかく兵士は誰もいない。 砦周辺には、一般の民衆と思しき家族や夫婦が何組も座り込んでいた。 馬に乗ったまま街道上の国境を通ると、オーソングランデ側には兵士たちがしっかりと立っている。 「トオノ伯爵様! お帰りなさいませ!」 当番らしい二人の兵士がにこやかに出迎えた。一二三のホーラント侵入の時にいい稼ぎができたのだろう。 「ああ、後からホーラントからの難民が来ているだろう?」 「ええ、今のところは入国が許可できない者ばかりでして......」 ホーラント側の正式な許可も身分証も無いままでは、さすがに入国を許可するわけにもいかず、許可証を持つ商人以外は断り続けているという。 「なら、フォカロル領を目指す難民は通してやってくれ。その連中は俺の所の領民になるからな」 顔を見合わせた兵士たち。 「それは、自己申告でよろしいのですか?」 「構わんよ。それで自力で俺の領まで来れるなら、受け入れてやろう」 「そういう事でしたら、了解いたしました」 一二三は、あっちの領地に入ってもいいから、希望者がいるか声をかけるようにと行って、適当な心付けを渡した。 一人は残り、一人は喜び勇んでホーラント側へと駆けていく。一度破ってしまうと、国境の意識も薄れるのだろうか。 「じゃあ、あとは任せた」 「はっ!」 再び馬を走らせる。 街道をグングン走っていくと、通りすぎる商人たちが手を振ってくる。 情報に敏い者たちや王都に暮らす者たちには、一二三の容姿や姿、その腰に差した不思議な形状の剣までもが広まり始めていた。 一部のお調子者や流行りもの好きな冒険者の中には、真似をして片刃の剣を扱う者も出てきている。もちろん、使い方は滅茶苦茶な上に細いだけの粗悪な剣も多く、魔物との戦闘中に折れて命を落としたりという事も起きている。 王都のギルドでも、一部の新人が片刃の細剣を使っているが、ギルドでベテランが殺された事件を知っている者たちの中には、刀を恐怖の対象に見ている者もいる。 一二三は手を振られたら適当に手を振り返す。馬車に乗った若い女性や若かった女性が黄色い声をあげたりするが、馬を走らせている一二三は適当に聞き流して通り過ぎた。 「適当に愛想を振りまいておけば、領地に人も金も集まるだろう。また遠征するのに準備もしたいからな」 あれを造りたいこれをしばらく触ってない、と領地に戻ったらプルフラスに作らせる武器や道具を考えながら、馬をミュンスターへ向けて走らせる。 「あ~......ここが一番落ち着く」 「サブナク......じゃなかった隊長、こんな所で夕食を摂っていいんですか? 城内の自室に侍女が運んでくるんでしょう?」 城内にある騎士階級向けの食堂で、サブナクはテーブルについて第三騎士隊から近衛騎士隊へ移籍してきた仲間たちとディナータイムを楽しんでいた。 「公の場所でなければ呼び捨てでいいし、敬語もいいよ。まだ実感もないからね」 貴族階級が食べる料理だけに、食材も味付けもこだわりのメニューだが、騎士隊員向けでボリュームもある。 雰囲気的にクラブ活動の部室の様な気安さもあり、最低限のマナーさえ守れば、誰もうるさく言わない独特の空間だった。 グリルした魚とたっぷりのサラダをほおばりながら、サブナクはリラックスを通り越した緩んだ顔で笑っていた。 「侍女の子ね......そういえば名前を聞いてなかったなぁ」 サブナクの呟きに、肉と根菜のタルタルをパンに載せながら同僚が笑った。 「ひどい奴だ。城内の侍女と言えばどこかの貴族の娘だろう? どっかの高位貴族だったら、あとが怖いぞ」 貴族出身かぁ、とサブナクは侍女の顔を思い浮かべた。濃紺の髪に同じ色の瞳。見た目は整っているが地味ではある。 「でもなぁ......なんというか、怖い」 同僚が眉を潜めた。 「トオノ伯爵と普通に話せるくせに、何を言ってるんだ」 「そういうのとは、ちょっと違うんだよ」 よくわからないと肩をすくめる騎士の横に、どこからかミダスがやって来て座った。 「邪魔するぞ」 「あれ、ミダスさん......じゃなかった、副隊長どの」 座ったミダスの前に、食堂の職員がワゴンに載せてきた料理を並べて、去っていった。 「ミダスでいい。......ここの料理は多すぎるのが難点だな」 シチューにスプーンを差し込んだミダスに、サブナクが疑問を投げた。 「ぼくが言うのもなんですが、いつも家に帰って奥さんの手料理を食べてたのに、今日はどうしたんですか?」 「誰のせいだと思ってるんだ」 サブナクを睨みつけて、シチューを一口食べる。妻の料理の方が美味いと思った。 「戴冠式の警備で、城外の警備を騎士隊に丸投げしただろう。その責任者が私になったんだよ。おかげで今日は夜中まで帰れそうにない」 「あれ? ミダスさんは副隊長になったから、王城近くに家が用意されたんでしょう? 食事だけ帰れるんじゃないですか?」 「ああ、一応用意はされたんだがな......私も妻も、広すぎて落ち着かなくて、辞退した」 「あ、わかる。ぼくも城内に部屋が用意されましたけど、一人で三部屋にバスルームまであるんですよ。独身寮に戻ろうかと思いましたよ」 いつの間にか、騎士隊が庶民派の巣窟になりつつある、と同僚騎士は思わず笑ってしまった。 「私の家のことより、さっき話していたサブナク付きになった侍女件だけどな」 「彼女がどうかしましたか?」 「彼女はシビュラ・ヴィンジャーという名前だ。ちゃんと覚えて置いた方がいい」 「......なんでミダスさんが彼女の名前を知っているんです?」 スプーンを置いたミダスは、深い溜息を付いて目を閉じた。 「たまたま宰相と顔を合わせる機会があってな。サブナクに会う機会があれば、よろしくと伝えて欲しいと言われたんだよ」 「どうして宰相が......」 「アドル宰相のフルネームを知らないのか?」 「それくらい知ってますよ」 胸を張って答えたが、サブナクが思い出すまでにたっぷり十秒はかかった。 「えっと......アドル・フィオル・ヴィンジャー様でしたよね。あれ? ヴィンジャーって......」 「彼女は宰相の一人娘だよ。現ヴィンジャー侯爵家当主の姪にあたる」 「え......だって彼女、玉の輿って言って......」 動揺してフォークがカチカチとサラダボウルに当たる。 「アドル様は宰相職に任じられた際に、実家への贔屓をしないことを示すために侯爵家から籍を抜いたから、娘である彼女は正確には貴族じゃないからな」 玉の輿なのは間違いないな、と聞いていた同僚は笑ったが、サブナクとしては笑い事ではない。 伯爵の子息は準子爵扱いとなるが、領地も無く年金も微々たるもので、ほとんど貴族とは言えない。貴族の次男以下が武官や文官を目指すのはその辺りに理由があり、騎士に慣れた者は幸運な方だったりする。 「落ち着けサブナク。イメラリア様からのご好意とこれまでの成果、近衛騎士隊長としての格の問題もあって、お前さんの実家と同等までの引き上げが検討されている。......条件付きでな」 「条件......ですか」 ミダスはしばらく言い難そうにしていたが、サブナクに睨まれて観念した。 「......それなりに釣り合う相手と結婚して、身を固めることが条件だ」 まあ、いつまでも独身のままフラフラしてないで観念しろ、とミダスがサブナクを諭している間に、同僚はそそくさと逃げ出した。

Next to the feudal lord's mansion in Fokalore there is a large second residence built by the previous feudal lord. His lovers and the servants lived there. Currently it is functioning as staff's dormitory. Since there were rooms left, it was decided that the unmarried aspirants desiring to work as staff among the group of immigrants from Horant will live there temporarily. Because it's the staff's dormitory to begin with, they are provided with three meals per day in the dining hall. In addition, those wanting to join the feudal army will enter the dormitories for families and singles of the territorial troops. Those hoping for employment and those, who possessed skills in carpentry and blacksmithing, were moved to inns in the whole town and dormitories for the pupils of craftsmen. The people, who chose the path of becoming a staff member, were given a probation for studying first. It's quite different from the image they had of the territory's circumstances, but currently Fokalore is becoming a cutting-edge training centre in this world, let alone within the country. Including even those who have left the alienated Vichy, where education is compulsory, there are many people like the sons of the coming and going merchants and those who are working as civil officials in the neighbouring cities and other noble's fiefs, who are gathering in Fokalore for "studying abroad" to receive education. In addition to learning the basics in what is called advancing through a set curriculum, there was a charm in being taught anything without reserves concerning the territorial administration of Fokalore, which has accomplished a successful expansion. Even with only this education service, the Tohno territory's operation budget is profiting quite a bit. Although the population is growing, the staff members got used to handling the citizen's information and the registration in the family register. Rather, the situation has begun to settle down within the mansion of the feudal lord. Although the immigrants from Horant caused some temporary noise, it reached the point that the staff could take a little vacation, even including the civil official slaves. There is one person that doesn't find such situation amusing. "Recently the opportunities to build remarkably interesting things vanished." (Pruflas) As group leader of the development team the dwarf Pruflas hadn't even the time to sleep for an hour. Nowadays they are building office supplies like tables and chairs. They bid farewell to the calm days where they could leisurely drink sake. "Something interesting?" (Vaiya) His conversation partner was Vaiya. Participating in the training of the feudal army in the beginning, he asked Miyukare, who is the person in charge of military affairs, to teach him the management of troops and the unique way of thinking to implement three man cells within the ranks, but he ended up being driven away by her, who was extremely displeased over being separated from Alyssa. There was also the matter of the place being a room within the lord's mansion. "Guys, who are emitting an aura of happiness, should just leave!" (Miyukare) This shout of Miyukare became a famous saying handed down amongst the staff on the second floor. Contributing to the increasing number of couples between the single staff members appearing, Miyukare has completely solidified her position as "Court Lady-sama" with those few words. "Now that you mention it, the wagons and spear throwers, used by the feudal army, apparently were developed here." (Vaiya) "We built them, but the idea came from the Lord. The platform wagons were wagons with wheels attached for travelling within the territory having the name rail car at the beginning." (Pruflas) "They didn't run well and were terrible." Pruflas laughs while gulping down the sake he held in one hand. "We build this and that. There were also thing's that couldn't be used as weapons at all. There is the collapsible fan called "Folding Fan." Did you see them being sold as souvenirs in Fokalore? That thing is something we originally tried to make out of wood as a trial at the time we produced the iron-ribbed fan Origa-jou-chan possesses. Though it was the Lord who gave it its name." (Pruflas) The more he heard, the less Vaiya could understand the character called Hifumi. Before he noticed it, he was making a troubled face. Pruflas laughs. "What are you making such weird face for? If you want to know about Lord-sama, you simply have to ask Origa-jou-chan. Though she hasn't returned yet." (Pruflas) "I see..." (Vaiya) "Putting that aside, you are a knight-sama, aren't you? If you are curious, there are spares of the weapons Lord-sama uses. Do you want to have a look?" (Pruflas) "Is that alright?" (Vaiya) Seeing Vaiya saying this delightfully, Pruflas became happy as well. "Aye, you can say it's fine because we are steadily receiving requests to produce weapons from Lord-sama. I won't mind you taking some with you, if you are pleased with them." (Pruflas) Pruflas, who stood up, took Vaiya and moved to the testing room, that also functioned as storage, which existed within the work room. The testing room, with its wide, bare ground, has countless weapons and kimonos lined up on one wall. Most of them are made out of wood and iron, but there are also items with unknown materials on the right side that might have monster materials within. "This is amazing. I have never seen something like this, even not at the training field of the knight order. Can I also hold them?" (Vaiya) "Of course." (Pruflas) The first thing Vaiya held after receiving permission was the kusarigama. After gazing at the sickle, he intently stares at its chains and the counterweights with their pointed ends with great interest. "A strangely formed... weapon, is it?"`(Vaiya) "Seems so. I repaired it several times, however it was interesting at the time I was shown the place where it was used for testing." (Pruflas) Though he had heard about the way to use it, it was said that you could swing the end part of the chain, hit with its weight, cut with the sickle and throw and pull with it. Vaiya wasn't able to understand most of it. Furthermore, beginning with the suntetsu and sansetsukon and arriving at the tokko and caltrop, he couldn't imagine how to use those. Because Pruflas was able to explain about the shuriken and the jitte for enforcing orders and regulations, Vaiya earnestly and carefully listened to him without missing anything. He tried to throw the shuriken several times to test it. "Such small and hand-held weapon with high adaptability is great. It can be used by guards within the castle..." (Vaiya) "If you are interested in it, it's fine to ask that arrogant Caim." (Pruflas) The name of an unexpected person appeared at this place from Pruflas. Vaiya tilted his head to the side. "Caim-dono, it is?" (Vaiya) Even Pruflas himself considers the question, why the name of that civil official appeared here, to be strange. "That expressionless arsehole knows the basic details of the weapons in this place. It seems he was taught the way of using them to some degree by the feudal lord. He is practising his usage of the shuriken and kusarigama in this testing room every morning." (Pruflas) Furthermore it appears that the other civil official slaves practise here sometimes as well. "Aren't they slaves, and even more civil officials? Why are they training?" (Vaiya) "I don't know. I don't care since I wasn't told about it. If you are worried about it, go and ask them directly." (Pruflas) "Haa." (Vaiya) Vaiya was bad with the type of person like Caim. He couldn't keep up a conversation with Caim, who doesn't show his emotions on the surface, since he doesn't know what he's thinking about. "Well, since I gave you the permission to come and go here, it's fine if you do as you like." (Pruflas) "Thank you very much." (Vaiya) "Please stop. I'm a slave as well and will be troubled if a knight like you bows his head to me." (Pruflas) Vaiya smiles bitterly as he is watching the back of the leaving Pruflas who is laughing. "I can't see the slaves here as slaves at all." (Vaiya) Pulling himself together, he decided to go meet with Caim. He considered to adopt these weapons in the Royal Knight Order. The guards in the border fortress on Horant's side still hadn't been replaced. Although it's uncertain whether the previously killed group was the guard unit, there are no soldiers at all. In the vicinity of the fortress the common people, apparently families and couples, were sitting in countless groups. Once he passed the border on the highway while riding on his horse, there are soldiers properly standing guard on Orsongrande's side. "Earl Tohno-sama! Welcome home!" (Soldier) The two soldiers, apparently on guard duty, greeted him while smiling. They probably were able to earn some good income during the time of Hifumi's invasion in Horant. "Ah, the refugees from Horant won't come following from behind?" (Hifumi) "Yea, currently there are only people who have no permission to enter our country..." (Soldier) As it is there's no person in charge on Horant's side to hand out authorization and identification papers. As one would expect, they can't enter the country without permission. Except for the merchants, who have a permit, they will be continuously denied entry. "Then let the refugees heading for the territory of Fokalore pass through. Those guys will become citizens of my place." (Hifumi) The soldiers exchanged glances. "Is it fine to do a verbal, unsubstantiated assertion?" (Soldier) "I don't care. I will accept them, if they can come to my territory by themselves." (Hifumi) "In such case, affirmative." (Soldier) Since it's also alright to enter the territory over there, Hifumi handed over a suitable gratuity for them to go calling out whether there are any candidates. One of them remained while the other ran off to Horant's side in high spirits. "Well, then I leave the rest to you." (Hifumi) "Ha!" (Soldier) Once again he spurs on his horse. As he is steadily travelling on the highway, there are too many merchants waving their hands at him. People, who are living in the capital, and people, who are sensitive to information, began to spread Hifumi's appearance and figure as well as even the strangely formed sword affixed to his waist. One part among them are adventurers, who have strange tastes in fashion, and people who get carried away easily. There are also people imitating him by handling a single edged sword. Of course, many of those swords are crude while being only thin making them nonsensical to use. Cases of people losing their lives during battles with monsters due to those breaking are occurring as well. Even a part of the newcomers in the capital's guild are using a thin, single-edged sword, but among those people, who know about the incident of veterans being killed in the guild, there are those who regard the katana as object of dread. Hifumi waves appropriately and returns waves. Although young women and young women, who boarded carriages, raise shrill voices upon seeing him, Hifumi, who is travelling on horse, passes them by while ignoring them irresponsibly. "If I become suitably popular, it will likely gather money and people in the territory. Although I want to prepare an expedition again as well." (Hifumi) "I want to make that and I haven't touched this in a while", while thinking about tools and weapons for Pruflas to make once he returned to the territory, he steers his horse to gallop towards Munster. "Ah~... this is the most relaxing place." (Sabnak) "Sabnak... no, I mean, captain. Is it fine to take your dinner at such place? Shall we have a maid carry it to your own room within the castle?" In the dining hall intended for knight ranks within the castle, Sabnak was enjoying dinner time with his companions, who transferred from the Third Knight Order to the Royal Knight Order, at one table. "It's okay to address me without honorifics unless it's an official place. Not using honorific language is fine, too. It still doesn't feel real after all." (Sabnak) As it's only food eaten by nobility, the menu is picky about seasoning and ingredients, but the dishes intended for knights are plentiful in quantity as well. There is a relaxed atmosphere as if in a club room for extracurricular activities. If one protects the minimum of manners, it's a peculiar place where no one will annoy you. While stuffing his cheeks with loads of salad and grilled fish, Sabnak laughed with a face, that has gone beyond relaxing and is now slackening. "The child of a maid, eh... ? Which reminds me, I didn't hear her name yet." (Sabnak) As Sabnak mutters this, his colleagues laughed while dipping bread in a tartar sauce made out of root crops and meat. "You are a heartless guy. Aren't they daughters of some nobles, if you talk about the maids within the castle? It will get scary later, if she's the daughter of some high-ranking noble." "Of noble origin, eh?" Sabnak remembered the face of his maid. She has dark blue hair and pupils in the same colour. Her appearance is put in order plainly. "But you know... how do you call it? She's eerie." (Sabnak) His colleague lowered his eyebrows. "What are you saying in spite of being able to interact normally with Earl Tohno?" "It's slightly different from that." (Sabnak) "I don't quite understand", the knight at his side shrugs his shoulders. Midas came from somewhere and sat down. "Let me intrude." (Midas) "Eh? Midas-san... no, I mean vice-captain-dono." (Sabnak) A dining hall staff member came pushing a wagon, lined up the dishes in front of the sitting Midas and left. "Midas is okay. ... It's a bad point that there is too much of the food here." (Midas) Sabnak threw a question at Midas, who put the spoon into the stew. "It is difficult for me to say it, but didn't you usually go home to eat your wife's home cooking? What's wrong today?" (Sabnak) "Whose fault do you think it is?" (Midas) Glaring at Sabnak, he eats a mouthful of the stew. He considered his wife's cooking to be delicious. "Due to the guarding of the coronation ceremony, all of the guarding outside the castle has been dumped on the knight order. I became the one responsible for that. Thanks to that, it doesn't look like I will return home until midnight." (Midas) "Huh? Haven't you arranged for a house near the royal castle after you became a vice-captain, Midas-san? Can't you go home for just eating?" (Sabnak) "Yea, more or less I did prepare it, but... my wife and me refused because we couldn't calm down with its too big size." (Midas) "Ah, I know that feeling. There was a room prepared for me within the castle, however having three rooms and even a bathroom for myself... I wondered whether I should return to the dormitory for singles." (Sabnak) "Before we became aware of it, the knight order has turned into the den of the commoners faction", their knight colleagues ended up laughing unintentionally. "Rather than the matter of my house, it's more about the case of the maid attached to Sabnak you talked about before." (Midas) "What's wrong with her?" (Sabnak) "She is called by the name Sibylla Winger "... Why does Midas-san know about her name though?" (Sabnak) Midas, who put down the spoon, closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. "By chance I ran into the prime minister. He told me to convey his regards, if I meet you by chance, Sabnak." (Midas) "Why does the prime minister..." (Sabnak) "Don't you know the full name of Prime Minister Adol?" (Midas) "I know at least that much." (Sabnak) Even though he replied pridefully, it took Sabnak full 10 minutes to remember. "Umm... it was Adol Phyiol Winger-sama, right? Eh? Winger..." (Sabnak) "She is the only daughter of the prime minister. And at the same time she is the niece of the current head of the Marquis Winger household." (Midas) "Eh... but she said something about marrying into money and power..." (Sabnak) His trembling fork hits the salad bowl with a clacking.magic "At the time Adol-sama was appointed to his duty as prime minister, in order to not make it seem like his family's home is being favoured, he gave up on his family status as Marquis family. That's why his daughter isn't a noble to be precise." (Midas) "There's no doubt that she would marry into money and power", his colleagues, who heard that, laughed, though it isn't a laughing matter for Sabnak at all. The son of an Earl is treated as Associate Viscount, but with having a small annuity and possessing no territory, you almost can't call them nobles. That situation is the reason why those below the second son of a noble are aiming to become military officers or civil officials. People, who became skilled as knights, were in a fortunate situation. "Calm down, Sabnak. With your accomplishments so far and the good will of Imeraria-sama, you have reached the problematic status of captain of the Royal Knight Order. You can consider this as being raised to the same rank as your family's home. ... With conditions attached." (Midas) "Conditions... it is?" (Sabnak) Midas hesitated to continue for a short while, but he resigned himself when Sabnak glared at him. "... The condition is to marry a partner that suits your rank and settle down with them." (Midas) "Well, you should be prepared that you won't be able to idle around as single indefinitely", while Midas warned Sabnak, his colleagues escaped in a hurry.

146.Magic 執務室を出たホーラント宰相クゼムは、そのまま城内にある自分専用の部屋へと入っていった。 そこは本宅へ帰る時間が無い場合などに仮眠をとるための部屋であり、城内で働く高級職員にのみ与えらえる部屋である。あくまで仮の宿泊設備のため、お茶を入れる程度の設備と収納、ベッドが一つだけ設えてあるのみだ。 クローゼットを開き、手早くコートを羽織り旅装に着替えたクゼムは、執務室へは戻らず、兵たちを指揮する将軍の執務室を訪ねた。 「私だ。入るぞ」 一声だけかけて、勝手知ったるという雰囲気で入室したクゼムの横を、着崩れたドレスを慌てて押さえながら侍女が走り出て行った。 「これは、宰相閣下」 丁寧な物言いをしながらも、半分以上ボタンをはずしていたシャツをゆっくりと整えながら、若い男がはにかむ。 「タンニーン。貴様も一国の軍を預かる将となったのだ。多少は外聞を考えろ」 「いやいや、あちらからモーションをかけられては、断りようもありませんでね。ところで、そんな恰好してどうしたんです?」 悪びれた様子もなく、顎先の髭を手で撫でつけながらタンニーンと呼ばれた男が問う。 三十前半といった見た目のタンニーンは、クゼムが現在の体制を整えてから登用した軍人で、ホーラント貴族としては伯爵家に次男として生まれ、クゼムからすれば甥にあたる男だ。 能力はあるが女癖が悪く、上位者に好かれない性格のせいで辺境勤務が多かったのだが、クゼムが実権を掌握するとともに呼び寄せ、大臣を処分した後で軍のトップへ引き上げた。 血縁者で制御しやすいと考えた上での人事だったが、想像以上に手癖が悪かったのを見て、若干後悔していた。 「オーソングランデから千人の大部隊がここへ迫っている。すぐに準備をして迎撃しろ。私も同行する」 「おやおや。軍事的観点から言えば、首都の出入り口をガチガチに固めて防衛。しかる後に敵の疲れを待って反撃というのが、確実かつこちらの損害も少ないんですがね」 しかも、遠くまで出張る必要がないから楽でいい、とタンニーンは笑う。 苦い顔で言うかどうかを迷っていたクゼムだったが、少なくとも目の前の男を味方として動かさなければならん、と腹をくくった。 「......最悪の場合、ネルガルがオーソングランデの軍に同行している可能性がある。同行していても護衛で固められ、顔が見られたとしても田舎者どもにはわからんだろうが、首都に来るのはまずい」 軍体制上、城内の状況を知る者はほとんどが首都か近辺に勤務し、地方の町や村に駐屯する者の中には、一生城に入らない者もいる。 「つまり、首都にネルガルが来る前に、行方不明にしておきたい、というわけですか」 「そうだ。だから今すぐにでもこちらから打って出なければならん。今動かせる兵は、少なくとも二千はいるだろう」 「首都の防衛は?」 「そんなもの、考えなくていい。強化兵も出す。使えるのは五体ほどだが、役には立つだろう」 「仕方ないですな。ほかならぬ宰相閣下のご依頼ですからね」 シャツの襟を伸ばし、煌びやかな飾りを施されたジャケットを着ると、不思議と軽い性格が隠されて威厳が見えてくる。 「ところで、例のお客人は?」 「あの男なら、ガアプを付けている。ガアプに城の防衛を任せているが、問題ないだろう」「まあ、あいつは魔法兵の中でも研究畑ですからね。連れて行く実働部隊とは別なんで、大丈夫ですよ。それより、気になることがありましてね......」 「どうも、侍女の中でも結構な人数がお客人が気になるらしくてですね。こりゃライバル登場かな、と」 顔を紅潮させたクゼムに微笑みかけたタンニーンが手を叩くと、先ほど走り出た侍女が恥ずかしそうにうつむきながらも入ってきた。 タンニーンも立ち上がり、部屋の中央で向き合うと、素早くレヴィの腰を抱く。 「ああ、かわいいレヴィ。俺は今から戦場へと往かなければならない。愛しい君を置いていくこの罪を、どうか許してほしい」 「タンニーン様......」 呟くために開かれた侍女の唇を奪い、クゼムが怒鳴りだす寸前まで舌をからめあったタンニーンは、腰を抱く腕に力を込めて、自分の腰にレヴィの細い体を押し付けた。 「必ず帰ってくるからね、それまでこの部屋をきれいにしておいてくれないか。勝利の報酬はここで頂戴するつもりだからね」 言いながら腰から下を撫でてくる大きな手に熱い吐息を漏らしながら、侍女は小さく頷く。 「伯父さん、いや宰相閣下。どうか勝利の暁には、彼女を迎えるための家をお願いしたいんですがね」 振り向きながらの要求に、クゼムは深いため息を吐いた。レヴィという侍女にとってはマイホームなのだろうが、タンニーンにとっては妾宅である。 「......わかった。だが、先ほどの件は確実に頼む。私も見届けるからな」 「お任せあれ。ではレヴィ、あとは頼んだよ」 軽いくちづけをして部屋を後にするタンニーンを見送り、クゼムは不安を覚えながらも強化兵を持ち出す準備に取り掛かる。 「ここまで来たのだ。誰にも邪魔はさせん......。そうだ。あれも使おう。もはや出し惜しみしている場合ではない」 オーソングランデ撃退後のシナリオ。つまり一二三の扱いについても考えねばならぬ、とクゼムは唸り声をあげながら城内を早足で突き進む。 「打って出る、か。民衆か、城の連中に見せたくないものでもあるんだろうな。あ~......ネルガル、か? それじゃなくても、首都攻撃となれば基盤もぐらつくか」 「どうやら、僕たちは留守番のようです。念のためご教授いただきました方法の実験も兼ねて、城の防備を固めておきますが、出番はなさそうですね」 一二三の隣に立ち、城に併設された広場にて大人数が並んでいる様子を見て、ガアプは苦笑いを浮かべた。 「兵は二千五百を動かすそうです。歩兵が二千、魔法兵が三百......防衛戦であれば、僕たちにも出番があったんでしょうけれど、今回は無さそうです」 生返事をしながら、タンニーンの指示を受けた中級兵が隊列を作っていく。大まかに言えば歩兵を魔法兵の前後に置き、いざとなれば歩兵が左右に分かれて魔法兵が前に出られるようにするようだ。 強化兵も魔道具と思しき鎖で繋がれてやってきた。 五体いる強化兵はすべて最前列を歩かせるらしい。 「でかいのは、もう壁としてしか利用しないようだな」 賢明な判断だ、と一二三は考えた。 対抗手段がわかってしまった兵器は、もはや隠し玉でもなんでもない。無駄に頑丈であることを生かして、オーソングランデが使ってくるであろう投槍器に対する防壁に使う算段だろう。 そうこうしているうちに、前列から出発し始めた。その隊列の後ろから、奇妙な馬車が続く。プレハブ小屋にそのまま車輪を付けたような大きな馬車を、五頭の馬がゆっくりと引いていく。 「ああ、あれはですね......」 説明をしかけて、ガアプは「あっ」と声を上げてうつむいた。 「す、すみません。あれについては内容をお教えするわけには......」 「強いのか?」 「......強化兵よりも、さらに後に僕が開発したものです。これ以上は、ご勘弁ください」 その様子から、何か楽しいものらしいと判断した一二三は、ホーラントの将も馬鹿ではないらしい事と、自分も知らない秘密兵器の存在にわくわくしてきた。 「うん、丁度いい」 「えっ?」 「それくらいの何かが無いと、アリッサやイメラリアの勉強道具としては面白くないからな。いいんじゃないか?」 ガアプは目の前の男の立ち位置がわからなくなる。 「し、しかしこう言ってはなんですが、あの兵器を相手にしたら、倍以上の兵力でも厳しいのではないかと言われていまして......」 言っていることが自画自賛であると気づいていないのか、ガアプは兵器について詳細を濁しながらも、その脅威について語る。 だが、その全てを一二三は笑顔で聞き流した。 「良いな。それで死ぬならそこまでだ。今度は勝った方に合わせて誰かをぶつけるようにするか、ぶつける数を増やすだけだしな」 獣人とかもいいかもな、とさらりと言う一二三に、ガアプは気づいた。 一二三は敵とか味方とかを考えていない。ぶつかり合う駒の色が違うだけ程度の認識なのだ。 視線を兵器が乗った箱馬車へ向ける。 (この戦いでホーラントが勝ったなら、今度はこの一二三さんが連れてきた獣人と戦うことになる。そしてそれに勝ったら、今度は......) 不毛にもほどがある、とガアプは頭痛を覚えた。負ければ終わりだが、勝ったとしても次の戦いがやってくる。この男が存在する限り、無限の戦いにホーラントは飲み込まれていくのだ。 「一二三様、お食事の準備が整いました」 「昼食は私たちが作らせていただきましたの。お口に合うと嬉しいんですけれど」 三人の侍女たちが、上目使いの視線をちらちらと一二三に向けながら、屋上の風にひらひらと舞うスカートを抑えつつ近づいてきた。 「ああ、そうか。ありがとうな」 一二三が礼を言うと、侍女たちは嬉しそうに一二三の手を引いて食堂へと誘う。 屋上で警備についている兵士たちが羨ましそうに見ているのを、ガアプは不安げに見ていた。 「危ないものほど、魅力的に見えるのかも、しれないね」 身勝手な考えではあるが、技術を教わった以上、一二三には一刻も早く帰ってもらいたいとガアプは思った。 「タンニーン! そんな気楽に笑っている場合か!」 隊列中ほどで、共に馬車の上にいたタンニーンとクゼムは、想像以上に早い接敵に対応しようとしていたが、その矢先にオーソングランデ側から猛攻を受けていた。 首都を出発して二日目。太陽が中天にある頃である。 今までの戦争であれば、大軍同士が接敵したことがわかれば、お互いの代表が話し合いの場を持ち、その間に陣を敷き、ぶつかり合うのが基本であったが、最前線からの情報によると、ホーラントの強化兵を確認したオーソングランデは、見えた数秒後にはすでに槍をうち始めたという。 「あの槍の威力は俺も知ってる。でもよ、痛みを感じない強化兵なら関係ないだろ?」 「それが......」 状況を伝えにきた兵が言うには、正確な狙撃をしてみせたオーソングランデの槍は、瞬く間に強化兵の膝と足首を破壊し、行動を制限したうえで、頭部に向かって集中して槍を浴びせたという。 「私がこちらへ向かう前には、二体が頭部を破壊されて行動不能になっておりました」 「ま、魔法兵に攻撃させろ! どうせオーソングランデには大した魔法使いはいない!」 叫ぶクゼムに、タンニーンはその魔法使いを前に出して、遠距離からの攻撃をするように命じた。 「その間に、後ろから例の気持ち悪いのを連れて来てくれ。さっさと使って終わらせてしまおう」 「よ、よろしいのでしょうか?」 戦いが始まったばかりだというのに、虎の子の兵器を使うというタンニーンに、兵もクゼムも目を見開いた。 「いいさ。出し惜しみして負けても馬鹿みたいだろ? こういうのは、完全に相手方が勢いづくのを阻止しないと総崩れしてしまう。ほら、急げ」 駆けて行く伝令を見送り、タンニーンはぼやいた。 「まあ、魔法で多少盛り返せば、数で勝ってるこっちの勝機は揺るがないでしょう」 その言葉に、クゼムは肩に入っていた力を抜いた。 「早く終わらせないと、お客人に城の美女たちが奪われてしまうかもしれないし」 ふざけた物言いをしながら、タンニーンは立ち上がり、宝石がちりばめられた派手な鞘に納まる愛剣を手にした。 「どこへ行く?」 「ちょっと前線に行ってきますよ。こういう時は“士気”ってやつが大事なんです」 馬車に併走させていた愛馬の手綱を兵から受け取り、軽やかに鞍の上に飛び乗る。 「それじゃ、宰相閣下。また後で」 急な接敵に驚いたのは、何もクゼムたちだけではなかった。 「いきなり撃つというのは、野蛮ではありませんか!」 「何をぬるいことを仰るのですか。敵だと判断するには、あの巨人兵がいれば一目瞭然です。先制して見事に打倒しているフォカロルの兵や、頑張って援護している王国の兵を褒めるべきでしょう」 「ぅぐぬぬぬ......」 言い合いをするイメラリアとオリガに、ネルガルは周りを見ても助けがいないことに苦笑いを浮かべていた。 アリッサはさっさとフォカロル兵がいる前線へ行き、狙いをつけるために指揮をしている。サブナクは状況の確認に追われ、ヴァイヤーはもとより最前線にいる。 フォカロルのみでなく、オーソングランデ王国軍も同調して投槍器を発射しているのは、ヴァイヤーの判断だろう。 前線から駆けてきた騎士が、サブナクに向かって叫ぶ。 「巨人兵はほぼ無力化に成功したようです! 敵の総数はわかりませんが、こちらと同等かそれ以上の隊列が続いているのが確認できます!」 「敵の動きは?」 サブナクは、質問をしながら水の入ったカップを手渡す。 「ありがとうございます。敵は一時的な混乱から回復しつつあり、巨人兵の後ろにいた歩兵たちが左右に広がる動きを見せています」 「サブナクさん。こちらの話を伝える機会はありませんか?」 イメラリアの問いに、サブナクは「残念ですが」と答えた。 「少なくとも遠距離戦が終わるまでは難しいでしょう。あちらには魔法兵がいる可能性が高い以上、陛下の御前を無防備にするわけにも参りません」 「こちらの魔法兵との打ち合いになるのですか?」 「難しいでしょう」 オーソングランデの魔法兵は、有体に言って“貧弱”である。 習熟の度合いも低く、もしオリガのレベルで入隊すれば、瞬く間に魔法兵のトップに上れるだろう。 「人数も少ないので、魔法の打ち合いになればしばらくは台車を盾にして向こうの魔力が尽きるのを待つ形になります。そうすれば、こちらから打って出て押さえこむことも......」 過去の対魔法使いの対応としては、大盾で耐えるのが定石とされていたが、人的被害も無視できなかった。今回は頑丈な台車を倒して盾にするフォカロルの常套手段を使わせてもらう、とサブナクは出発前に決めていた。 か細い声に全員が視線を向けると、小さく手を上げたエルフのプーセがいた。 「魔法障壁は使わないのですか?」 思わず素で聞いてしまったサブナクに、プーセが逆に驚き、簡単に説明する。 要するに魔力による魔法に対する防壁なのだが、長い封印のためにエルフは魔法障壁が得意な者が多く、プーセも使える。 ところが、人間の間では魔法は攻撃の手段としての研究のみ進められていたため、そういった技術は失われてしまっていた。 「よかったら、障壁でお手伝いができると思うんですが」 ありがたい話ではあったが、サブナクにとってあくまでゲストである彼女を戦闘に参加させるのは気が引ける。 イメラリアにしても同様で、魔法を研究する者として見てみたい気持ちもあったが、ここは、と自分を抑えていた。 抑えていないのは、オリガだけである。 「素晴らしいですね。ぜひ見せてください。私も前線まで同行しますね」 「あ、はい」 連れだって台車 「お待ちなさい」 やれやれ、と首を振ったイメラリアは「この台車ごとわたくしたちを前線へ進めなさい」と指示を出す。 「サブナクさんも前線で指揮をする方が良いでしょう。どうせなら、わたくしやネルガル様がお話をする機会を逃したくはありません。障壁が作れるというのであれば、危険も少ないでしょう」 サブナクが台車を操る兵士に合図を出すと、兵たちをかき分けて前へと進みだす。 プーセが詠唱を始めると、オリガやイメラリアの視線が集まる。 (やりにくい......) 真剣な目で見つめられながら、タイミングを見計らったプーセが魔力を展開すると、うっすらと半透明の壁が地面から沸き立つように広がっていく。 その直後、ホーラント側から魔法攻撃が始まったが、火球や岩石、風も水も、すべて障壁に当たると同時に霧散していく。 「これはすごい」 「なるほど、属性を持たせない魔力を具現化して......」 褒め言葉と解析の声が混じるなか、プーセは障壁の維持に意識を集中しながら赤面していた。 (治癒と障壁は得意なんだけどね) 攻撃関係はからっきしであることは、黙っておこうと思ったプーセだった。 「ああっ!」 突然、オリガが声を上げて立ち上がった。 「一二三様が見ています!」 「えっ。どこどこ?」 どんな感が働いたのか不明だが、オリガの言う通り、一二三は街道から離れた場所でのんびり観戦していた。 一二三の名前を聞いた兎獣人のヴィーネも、慌てて耳と首を動かしているが、見つけきれずにいた。 「こうしてはおれません。一二三様が見られているなら私も戦いに......あ痛っ!」 慌てて杖を掴んで立ち上がったオリガの頭にコツン、と当たったのは、小さな石を包んだ羊皮紙だった。 そこには、一二三の下手な文字で「黙って見てろ」とだけ書いてある。 「そう言えば、これはアリッサの試練でした......」 しょんぼりとして座りなおしたオリガの後ろ。戦場の空気に緊張していた虎獣人の子マルファスは、匂いと石が飛んできた方向を見て、口を開いて固まっていた。 マルファスが見つけた一二三の姿は、自らの集落を壊滅させたあの男だったからだ。

Chapter 146: Magic Kuzemu, who left the room to perform his official duties, entered his private room located in the castle just like that. It's a room for the sake of taking a nap in cases such as when he has no time to return to his principal residence. It's a room that can be obtained and granted only to high-ranking staff members who work in the castle. Because it's a temporary accommodation to the bitter end, it's only provided with a single bed, storage and equipment at the level of being able to prepare tea. Kuzemu, who opened the closet and quickly changed into travelling clothes by putting on a coat, visited the office of the general who commands the soldiers without returning to his own office. "It's me. I'm coming in." (Kuzemu) A maid ran out of the room next to Kuzemu, who entered the room in a familiar manner after giving just a short notice, while fixing her dishevelled dress in a hurry. "Oh, how surprising, Your Excellency, the Prime Minister."magic Even though his manner of speech is polite, the young man is shy while slowly putting his shirt, which had more than half its buttons undone, in order. "Tannin, you bastard became the general who is in charge of this country's army. Think about your reputation a bit." (Kuzemu) "No, no, being wooed by the other side, there's no reason to refuse it either. So, what's wrong for you to have such appearance?" (Tannin) Without even a fraction of timidity, the man called Tannin asks while smoothing down the beard at the tip of his chin with a hand. The appearance of Tannin, who is said to be in the first half of his thirties, is that of a soldier promoted after Kuzemu adjusted the current system. As noble of Horant, he was born into an Earl family as second son. For Kuzemu he is a man that is related to him as nephew. Although he has the ability, his philandering is bad. He had to serve at remote regions many times thanks to his character which wasn't liked by his superiors, but alongside Kuzemu seizing the power, he was summoned and raised to the top of the army after the ministers were disposed of. It was a personnel affair with the reasoning that it would be easier to control the army with a blood relative, but seeing that Tannin's sticky fingers were far worse than expected, Kuzemu regretted it a bit. "A large force of 1000 soldiers from Orsongrande is moving towards this place. Get ready to intercept them immediately. I will come with you as well." (Kuzemu) "Oh dear, if seen from a military viewpoint, we should tightly solidify the entrances of the capital for a defence. What we should do following that is to counter-attack after waiting for the enemy to tire out. That way we will certainly win while our side will have little losses as well." (Tannin) "Moreover it's fine to take it easy as there's no necessity to go to a distant place", Tannin smiles. Kuzemu was hesitating whether to tell him or not with a bitter expression, but "... In the worst case there's the possibility that Nelgal is accompanying Orsongrande's troops. Being supported by guards who are accompanying him as well, countrymen will likely not recognise him even if they were able to see his face, but for him to come to the capital is bad." (Kuzemu) On top of the army's organization, the people, who know about the castle's internal affairs, are mostly those working in the capital or its neighbourhood, some among those stationed in provincial cities and villages and there are also people who haven't entered the castle even once in their life. "In other words, before Nelgal arrives at the capital, we want him to go missing, is what you mean?" (Tannin) "Right. That's why it's necessary to leave here and strike them at once. Currently there are at least 2000 soldiers who can be moved." (Kuzemu) "What about the capital's defence?" (Tannin) "It's fine to forget about it. We will take the reinforced soldiers with us as well. There are around five bodies that can be used, but they will likely serve their role." (Kuzemu) "It can't be helped. After all it's no one other but His Excellency the Prime Minister requesting so." (Tannin) Once he put on a jacket, that had gorgeous decorations, and straightened the neck of his shirt, a strange dignity could be seen which was usually hidden by his non-serious nature. "By the way, what about the aforementioned visitor?" (Tannin) "If it's that man, Gaap is sticking to him. I have entrusted the protection of the castle to Gaap, but it probably won't be a problem." (Kuzemu) "Somehow it appears that a reasonable number among the maids feel inclined towards our visitor. Is this the appearance of a rival, they ask." (Tannin) Once Tannin, who smiled at Kuzemu whose face was blushing, clapped his hands, the maid, who ran out not long ago, entered while looking downward in embarrassment. Tannin stands up as well and when they face each other in the middle of the room, he quickly hugs Levy's waist. "Ah, my precious Levy. I must head to the battlefield from now on. Please, I'd like you to forgive this crime of leaving you behind, my beloved." (Tannin) "Tannin-sama..." (Levy) Stealing the lips of the maid who opened her mouth to mutter words, Tannin, who entangled his tongue with hers up to the point that Kuzemu was on the verge of shouting, put strength into the arm hugging her waist and pressed Levy's thin body against his waist. "I will definitely come back to you. Won't you please keep this room tidy until then? I intend to receive my reward for victory here." (Tannin) The maid nods lightly while leaking a hot sigh due to his large hand stroking her from the waist to below while saying that. "Uncle, no Your Excellency, the Prime Minister, I'd like to request a house for the sake of welcoming her at the dawn of victory, please." (Tannin) For the maid called Levy it's probably her own home, but for Tannin will be a house where he keeps a mistress. "... Got it. However, I rely on you to definitely make sure about the matter just now. I will ascertain it myself as well." (Kuzemu) "Leave it to me. Well then, I entrust the rest to you, Levy." (Tannin) Seeing off Tannin, who leaves the room after giving her a light kiss, Kuzemu begins to prepare for taking out the reinforced soldiers while remembering his anxieties. "They came up to here. No one is allowed to be a hindrance... That's right, let's use those as well. It's not a situation anymore where I should be holding back on releasing those." (Kuzemu) The scenario for after the repelling of Orsongrande. In short, I have to ponder about Hifumi's treatment as well "They have gone out to strike at them? The populace, eh? There's probably things they don't want to show to the people of the castle. Ah~... Nelgal, huh? Even without that, their foundation will get unsteady if it comes to an attack on the capital." "It seems we are to watch home. For caution's sake, it also serves as experiment of the methods we learned from professor. The castle's defence has been strengthened, but it doesn't seem like there will be any chance to test it." Looking at the sight of a large number of people lining up in the square, which was established in the castle, while standing next to Hifumi, Gaap showed a bitter smile. "It looks like they will take 2500 soldiers. 2000 infantrymen, 300 magic soldiers... if it was a defensive battle, there would be a chance for us to have a turn as well, but this time that's unlikely." (Gaap) While he gives a half-hearted answer, the intermediate soldiers, who received Tannin's orders, form up in units. Generally speaking, the infantry is placed in front and behind the magic soldiers. When push comes to shove, the infantry will part left and right so that the magic soldier are able to go to the front. The reinforced soldiers arrived while being tied with chains that appear to be magic tools. All of the five reinforced soldiers will apparently walk in the front row. "It looks like the big ones aren't used as anything but a wall anymore." (Hifumi) That's a wise move Weapons, which have the measures to oppose them revealed, are worthless as hidden aces. Capitalizing on their pointless sturdiness, they will likely serve as bulwark against the spear throwers which Orsongrande will probably use. Meanwhile the departure started beginning with the front row. A weird carriage follows behind the ranks and files. Five horses slowly pull the large carriage which is similar to a prefab hut with wheels attached to it. "Oh, those are..." (Gaap) Starting to explain, Gaap cast down his eyes after raising his voice with an [Ah] . "I-I'm sorry. To tell you the details about those..." (Gaap) "Are those strong?" (Hifumi) "... Stronger than the reinforced soldiers. It's something that was later on further developed by me. Please forgive me, but any more than that ((is impossible))." (Gaap) Hifumi, who judged that it's apparently something fun going by his look, got excited by the existence of a secret weapon even he doesn't know about and due to the general of Horant appearing to not be an idiot. "Yea, that's just right." (Hifumi) "Huh?" (Gaap) "If you don't have something at this level, you won't be interesting as study case for Alyssa and Imeraria. Isn't that fine?" (Hifumi) Gaap doesn't comprehend the role of the man in front of his eyes. "H-However, although you say that, I was told that it might be harsh even with more than twice the military force if one takes on those weapons..." (Gaap) Doesn't he notice that he is praising himself by saying such a thing? Even while keeping the details of those weapons ambiguous, Gaap talks about their threat. However, all of that was ignored by Hifumi with a smile. "It's fine. If they die with just this much, that's all there is to them. Will they try to hit someone collectively towards the direction of winning? That will only increase the numbers to be hit." (Hifumi) Due to Hifumi smoothly saying "The beastmen and such are easy prey as well", Gaap realized. Hifumi doesn't take enemies or allies into consideration. His level of perception of them is just the colour difference of game pieces clashing against each other. He turns his sight at the box-shaped carriage with the weapons on it. (If this swaying Horant wins, it will result in us fighting the beastmen which would be brought along by this Hifumi-san next. And, if we won against them as well, next...) If we lose, it will be the end, but even if we won, the next battle would come. As long as this man exists, Horant will be engulfed in endless battles. "Hifumi-sama, the preparations for your meal are finished." "Lunch has been made by us. We will be happy if it suits your taste." Three maids approached as they held down their skirts which fluttered in the wind on the rooftop while facing Hifumi with fleeting glances of upturned eyes. "Ah, really? Thanks." (Hifumi) Once Hifumi thanks them, the maids drag him to the dining hall by pulling Hifumi's hands while looking happy. The soldiers, who are on guard duty on the rooftop, looking at that enviously made Gaap uneasy as he watched. "Dangerous guys might appear to be attractive. I can't understand." (Gaap) Those are egoistic thoughts, but above being taught skills, I'd like to have Hifumi go back home as soon as possible "Tannin! Is this a situation where you can laugh around care-freely!?" (Kuzemu) Tanning and Kuzemu, who were together on a carriage at around the middle of the ranks, tried to cope with coming into contact with the enemy faster than they imagined, but they suffered fierce attacks from Orsongrande's side at their vanguard. It's the second day after departing from the capital. It's the period when the sun is at the zenith. If it was like war until now, both armies, once they knew about nearing the enemy, would have representatives hold a conference and meanwhile take up positions. Clashing against each other was formerly the basics, but Orsongrande, which confirmed Horant's reinforced soldiers according to the news from the front row, began to fire spears already after having observed them for several seconds. "I also know about the power of those spears. But, if it's the reinforced soldiers who don't feel any pain, it's irrelevant, isn't it?" (Tannin) "That is..." (Kuzemu) According to what the soldier, who came to relay information, said, Orsongrande's spears, which were shot precisely, destroyed the feet and knees of the reinforced soldiers in a flash and on top of restricting their movement, the spears were focussed at their heads. "Before I head over here, two heads were destroyed and they became incapable of acting." "H-Have the magic soldiers attack! After all there are no remarkable magicians in Orsongrande!" Due to the shouting Kuzemu, Tannin had their magicians step forward and ordered them to attack from a distance. "During that time, please take the aforementioned gross ((things)) in the rear along. Let's have this finished by using those." (Tannin) "I-Is that alright?" The soldier and Kuzemu opened their eyes widely due to Tannin mentioning to use their treasured weapons even though the battle started just now. "It's fine. We will look like idiots if we lose due to being unwilling to deploy them, right? These things will end up routing them if they aren't completely blocked by the enemy side bundling its strength. Hey, hurry up!" (Tannin) Seeing off the runner who dashes away, Tannin grumbled. "Well, if we make a bit of a comeback with magic, our chance of winning probably won't be shaken as we outweigh them by numbers." (Tannin) Due to that remark, Kuzemu released the tension which entered his shoulders. "If we don't finish it quickly, the castle's beauties might get stolen by our guest." (Tannin) While talking about something ridiculous, Tannin stood up and took his beloved sword which was sheathed in a flashy scabbard that had jewels embedded within. "Where are you going?" (Kuzemu) "I'm off to the front line for a bit. At these times something called "morale" is important." (Tannin) Accepting the reins of his favourite horse, which was made to run along the carriage, from a soldier, he easily jumps on top of the saddle. "Well then, Your Excellency, the Prime Minister. See you later." (Tannin) The ones being surprised by the sudden enemy contact wasn't just Kuzemu's army. "Aren't we uncivilized to shoot spears all of a sudden!?" (Imeraria) "What stupid stuff are you talking about? It's obvious that it's the enemy if those reinforced soldiers are there. You should praise Fokalore's soldiers, who splendidly knocked them down after taking the initiative, and the kingdom's soldiers who are doing their best in protecting them." (Origa) "Uugununu..." (Imeraria) Nelgal revealed a wry smile at Imeraria and Origa quarrelling thanks to the fact that there won't be any help after watching his surroundings. Alyssa has quickly gone to the front where the soldiers of Fokalore are and hands out commands for the sake of assigning targets. Sabnak was driven away to confirm information and Vaiya was at the front line to begin with. For not only Fokalore but Orsongrande's royal army to shoot their spear throwers in alignment is probably Vaiya's decision. A knight, who came running from the front line, shouts towards Sabnak. "It looks like we were successful in making the reinforced soldiers mostly powerless! I don't know the total number of enemies, but we were able to confirm that their files and ranks are continuing equal to our numbers or above them!" "How about the enemy's movements?" (Sabnak) Sabnak hands over a cup filled with water while asking. "Thank you very much. The enemy is recovering from the temporary confusion, the infantrymen, who were behind the reinforced soldiers, are showing movements towards spreading out left and right." "Sabnak-san, isn't there any chance to tell them our side of the story?" (Imeraria) Sabnak answered Imeraria's question with a [Though it's regrettable, but no] . "At least until the long distance battle ends, it will probably be difficult. Seeing that it's very probable for magic soldiers being over there, I won't allow it as Your Majesty will be defenceless." (Sabnak) "And if it turns into a rally with our side's magic soldiers?" (Imeraria) "That might be hard." (Sabnak) The number of Orsongrande's magic soldiers is, to say it frankly, Their skill levels are low as well. If someone at Origa's joined the army, they would probably climb to the top of the magic soldiers in the twinkling of an eye. "Since their numbers are low, it will take the shape of waiting until the opponent's side runs out of mana by using a platform wagon as shield for a while, if it turns into a rally of magic. In that case, it means that we will be pinned down after leaving from here..." (Sabnak) Going by past measurements versus magicians, enduring with large shields was considered to be an established tactic, but they weren't able to disregard human losses either. Once everyone turns their sight towards the fragile voice, there was the elf Puuse who raised her small hand. "Can't you use a magic barrier?" (Puuse) Due to Sabnak plainly asking by reflex, Puuse is surprised and explains it briefly. To put it simply, it's a magic bulwark against magic, but there are many elves who have become strong at it because of the long sealing. Puuse can use it as well. However, because only magic as means of attack was advanced in research among humans, that type of skill ended up being lost. "If you like, I can help you with the barrier, I think." (Puuse) It was a welcome offer but, Sabnak feels reluctant to have her, who is just a guest to the bitter end, participate in the battle. Even for Imeraria it's the same. She had the drive of wanting to observe it as person who researches magic, but she restrained herself with The only one not restraining herself is Origa. "That's wonderful. Please show us by all means. I will accompany you to the front line, too." (Origa) "Ah, yes." (Puuse) Even a platform wagon got taken. "Please wait." (Imeraria) "Good grief", Imeraria, who shook her head, gives the instruction [We will advance to the front line together with this platform wagon] . "It's probably better if you take command at the front as well, Sabnak-san. At any rate, Nelgal-sama and me don't want to miss an opportunity to make a speech. If they are able to deploy a barrier, there will likely be little danger, too." (Imeraria) Once Sabnak gives a signal to the soldier steering the platform wagon, the soldiers begin to advance to the front by pushing their way through. When Puuse starts to chant, Origa's and Imeraria's gazes focus on her. (That's not easy to do...) While being stared at with serious eyes, Puuse, who chose the timing on her own discretion, deploys her mana and a faintly translucent wall extends by seemingly boiling up from the ground. Immediately following that, magic attacks started from Horant's side, but fireballs, rocks, wind and water, all of it scatters at the moment it comes in contact with the barrier. "This is amazing." "I see, it's the materialization of mana that holds no attribute..." Within the mix of praising and analysing voices, Puuse blushed while concentrating her consciousness on the preservation of the barrier. (It's because I'm good at healing and barriers though.) Puuse decided to stay silent about her being utterly useless in regards to offensive magic. "Aah!" (Origa) Suddenly Origa stood up and raised her voice. "Hifumi-sama is watching." (Origa) "Eh? From where?" Although it's unknown how she sensed him, just as Origa says, Hifumi was care-freely observing from a place separated from the highway. Even the rabbit beastwoman Viine, who heard Hifumi's name, shifted her ears and head in hurry, but she wasn't able to find him. "I can't stay like this. If we are observed by Hifumi-sama, I will fight as well... ouch!" What hit the head of Origa, who stood up while grasping her wand in a hurry, with a clunk was a small stone wrapped in a parchment. Only [Stay silent and watch] in Hifumi's poor handwriting is written on it. "Now that he mentions it, this is Alyssa's trial..." (Origa) Behind Origa, who sat down once again while being downhearted, the tigerboy Malfas, who was nervous due to the atmosphere of a battlefield, whiffed, looked in the direction from where the stone came flying, opened his mouth and became stiff. The figure of Hifumi, which Malfas discovered, was that of the man who destroyed his village.

32.Message In A Bottle 【死者になって構わない使者】 ミュンツァー侯爵家次男のデボルドが、十名の護衛と同数の侍従を連れて王都を出て行く。その姿は明らかに一二三がアリッサを連れて王都へ戻って来た時を意識しており、自らが用意させたビラを巻きながら、さながらパレードのような様相だった。 撒き散らかされたビラには、“イメラリア王女たっての願いにより、デボルド・ミュンツァーは民の平和と安寧の為の使者となった”と書かれている。 ところが、王都とは言えまだまだ識字率は低い。拾う者は居ても、読むものはほとんどいなかった。一部の酔っ払いやお調子者だけが歓声をあげるだけで、派手好きな貴族を冷ややかに見ている者の方がずっと多かった。 同じように、王城のバルコニーから見送るイメラリアの視線も、極寒のそれである。 「イメラリア様。こちらでしたか」 声をかけたのは、第三騎士隊のパジョーだ。 「パジョーですか......」 振り向いたイメラリアは、パジョーの顔を見て少し肩の力を抜いた。 「これで、私も政のために人を生贄にした事になりましたね......」 いや、最初の犠牲者はあの勇者様かと、イメラリアは自嘲する。 「......貴方の忠心、まこと嬉しく思います。では、その策が無にならぬよう、次に進まねばなりませんね」 バルコニーを離れて執務室へ向かうイメラリアに付き従いながら、パジョーは後悔の念に苛まれていた。誰かを犠牲にする策を考えたことではなく、それを主たるイメラリアに伝えたことを。 一二三と別れ、カーシャやサブナクと共に大急ぎで王都へ戻ったパジョーは、旅の埃を落とすのもそこそこに、急ぎイメラリアへ報告するために登城した。 パジョーとサブナク、そしてあわせて登城を許されたカーシャを労い、イメラリアはカーシャへ慰労としていくばくかの金を渡した。一二三からそれなりの報酬を渡されていた事もあり、始めは遠慮したカーシャだが、生活を立て直す元手にと言われて、半ば強引に押し付けられた形である。 これは、パジョーのこれまでの報告から、そうすることでカーシャを王族側に多少なりと惹きつける意味合いもあった。多少の金銭で一二三に近しかった者を引き込めるなら安いものとイメラリアは考えた。 サブナクとカーシャが下がった後も、パジョーだけはイメラリアと長時間の打ち合わせを行った。イメラリアは、一二三がこれ以上戦争を続ける事で力をつけ、いつか本格的にオーソングランデと対決するまでになるのではないかと危惧しており、一二三の戦いぶりを近くで見てきたパジョーに意見を聞きたがった。 「始めは、一二三様がここまでの戦果を上げるとは思っておりませんでした。これはわたくしの見通しの甘さが問題でしょう。個人の武が強いからといっても、多数と多数の戦いであればと、彼の非常識さに対する認識が足りませんでした」 「イメラリア様、それはわたしにも言える事であり、宰相にも言えることでございます。あれほど戦いを好む者が、あそこまで鮮やかに敵地を押さえてしまうとは、誰にとっても思いがけない事でしょう」 個人として強いからといって、戦争で生き残れるとは限らない。王族や騎士としての教育を受けてきた二人にとっては、個を貫く事に正直な一二三が、戦略や戦術にまで精通しているとは、しかも過去に例の無いやり方で、最小限の犠牲でやり遂げるとは予想外だったのだ。 一二三の活躍は、ヴィシー方面からやってきた商人達によって格好の話題であり、既に王都のあちこちで“細剣の騎士様”が味方にほとんど犠牲を出さずにヴィシーを圧倒していると、まるで英雄譚のような話が広まっている。 多少誇張はされているが、ほとんどが真実であることと、オーソングランデ側にとって吉報である事が逆にタチが悪い。あまり一二三の人気が上がって欲しくない王城としても、これといって対応ができずにいた。 このままでは、イメラリア一人の人気だけでもっているような王城に向けられた畏敬の念は、そっくり一二三に持っていかれるかもしれない。 「彼は英雄ではありますが、それ以上に狂人です。戦いのために、人を殺す環境を作るために街と人を育てています」 パジョーは、敢えて強い言葉でイメラリアに伝えた。言うまいとは思っていたが、これは王女主導で無ければ成せない策への必要な踏み台だった。 「お許しいただけましたら、イメラリア様に策を献じたいと思うのですが......」 「許します。聞かせてください」 パジョーが考えた策は、簡単に言えば“最終的に戦争を終わらせたのはイメラリアである”という形に持っていく事だった。今オーソングランデが握っているアロセールを始めとした占領地は、本来不要な領地であり、今後統治していくにも難があるとパジョーは考えていた。 まずはデボルドを使者に使ってヴィシーを挑発し、旧ヴィシー領を取り戻すための軍勢をヴィシーが動かし、寡兵で占領後間もないアロセールや受領したばかりのフォカロルで一二三が戦う間に、イメラリアが旧ヴィシー領の無条件放棄など一定の譲歩を持って密かにヴィシーとの終戦協定をまとめてしまうというものだった。 「おそらくデボルドは殺されるでしょう。アロセールなどに出向している兵は多数が死ぬでしょう。ですがこれで、一二三さんの戦果は頭打ちになり、平和を取り戻したのはイメラリア様であると宣伝することができます」 「ヴィシーの兵で、一二三様を押さえる事ができるでしょうか?」 まず最初の不安はそこだった。ヴィシーが挙兵したところで、一二三に食い破られて終わりなのではないかと。 「ですので、ヴィシーには多くの兵で以て反撃に出てもらわなくてはなりません。総力を以て当たらなければヴィシーは滅ぶと思わせる程の挑発が必要です。このために、和平の使者に挑発の文書を持たせるのです」 「......少しだけ、考えさせてください」 パジョーを下がらせたイメラリアは、翌日にはデボルドを執務室へ呼んだ。 いよいよ自分の出番が来たと、意気揚々イメラリアの元へ向かうデボルドを見かけたパジョーは、申し訳ない気持ちとイメラリアとこの国の為には仕方がないという気持ちを 当然のことながら、ヴィシーの中央委員会へは一二三が渡した書面が先に届いている。 「ベイレヴラをさし出せ、か」 初老の委員は、工作員から渡された書面に目を通し、ため息をついた。 今は彼以外の委員は自分の街への指示や対応にかかりきりで、会議場には彼だけが居た。ミノソンという名のこの男性が代表を務める都市は、全ての委員が代表をしている都市の中で最もオーソングランデ側から離れており、今のところはある程度の兵を呼び寄せる指示を出すだけに留めている事ができた。 間もなく他の委員も集まる予定ではあるが、大凡遅れるであろうとは思っていた。削り取られた国土は、それだけ都市防衛が難しいという事を何よりも明確に表している。特に国境に近い都市は、防衛の方法を必死で考えているだろう。 ミノソンは、自分の街が襲われる程にオーソングランデが食い込んで来たなら、その時点で既にヴィシーは瓦解しているだろうと達観していた。 「それにしても、困ったもんだ」 問題は、目の前の書面についてだ。 ベイレヴラという工作員が降り、アロセール方面で活動していた事はミノソンも知っていた。彼を差し出して事が収まるなら、それでも良いと思う。 だが、現在ベイレヴラは行方不明となっている。 この書面が到着する前に、アロセール方面の情報を聞き出すためにベイレヴラは委員会に呼ばれた事があった。30すぎの小男で、見た目の印象はどこか小狡い印象を与える人物だった。 一二三の脅威がヴィシーに迫っているという状況を、自分が呼び出された事から感付いたのかもしれない。二度目の呼び出しにベイレヴラは現れず、他の工作員に探させたが見つけられなかった。 オーソングランデや獣人族エリアへ入ったとは考え難く、魔法具のやり取りで近しくしていた伝手を使ってホーラントへ渡ったと見るのが自然だが、ホーラントへの問い合わせには、入国の記録は無いという正式な回答が来ている。ミノソンはまるで信用していないが。 しかし、ホーラントに強い追求はできなかった。ヴィシーがオーソングランデと事を構えるのであれば、ホーラント側からオーソングランデへ兵を集めて見せることで圧力をかけ、場合によっては二正面の対応を強いるために攻撃もするという申し入れがあったのだ。 味方になってくれるというのに、無碍にはできない。ヴィシーだけでは難しいが、ホーラントと組めればずっと有利になるからだ。 「そうすると、自然と対応策は絞られるか......」 ミノソンの考えは、それから2時間かけて集まった委員会にて、特に反対意見も無く承認を得る事となった。 現状のままでは書面の通りにヴィシーは無条件でオーソングランデの属国化か吸収の道しか残されていない。今は講和や要求には応じず、ヴィシーは各都市からの戦力を集結し、いくつかの都市国家を奪還するなど一定の勝利を挙げてから、オーソングランデとの交渉に望む。 戦力の糾合が出来次第、ヴィシー軍は総力を挙げてローヌへと向かう事になる。 デボルドを代表するオーソングランデ使節団がフォカロル入りした時、一二三は丁度街の入口でドワーフと防壁工事の指示を出していた。 妙に派手な馬車を連れた20名程の集団が見えた時、警備兵や民衆は貴族が来たと身構えていたが、一二三は無視してドワーフと話していた。 「それで、壁にはこれくらいの菱形の穴を明けておくわけだ」 「壁に穴を開けちまってもいいんですかい?」 「ははぁ、なるほど」 若いドワーフが一二三の知識に感心しているうちに、デボルドたちは街へ入ってきた。 だが、一二三の指導が行き届いた兵の対応は、国内からの来訪者にも、たとえそれが貴族だとしても、しっかりとチェックを入れる。 「無礼な! 私は恐れ多くもイメラリア王女殿下より任命された和平の使者であり、ミュンツァー侯爵家のデボルドだぞ! 貴様ら下賎な一兵卒に検閲など受ける謂れはない!」 兵に馬車を止められ、虚栄心に障ったデボルドは醜く喚き散らしていた。フォカロルへ到着するまでに通過したすべての街をフリーパスで通ってきたのに、ここで初めて通常の検査を受けたのが不満らしい。 和平の使者という言葉が引っかかった一二三は、わめき散らすデボルドに近づいていった。 「うるさい」 「む、貴様はあの時の無礼な成り上がり者だな。ふん、貴様が主なら、部下の出来もこの程度という事か」 「ここは俺の街だ。俺が法だ。お前のような奴ほど何を持ち込むかわかったもんじゃない。しっかり調べないとな」 「何を馬鹿なことを。貴様のような下賎な者の相手なぞ、侯爵家の私がするわけがなかろう。進めろ」 馭者に命じて馬車を進めさせようとするデボルドの目の前に、いつの間にか白刃がきらめいている。瞬時に間を詰めた一二三が抜いた刀には、突然の事に慄くデボルドの顔が映っている。 「ひぃっ......。貴様、何を......」 「言っただろう。ここでは俺が法だ。従わないなら犯罪者として処分するだけだ」 顔を紅潮させて恥辱に震えるデボルドだが、結局は一二三の圧力には抗えなかった。一二三の指示で荷台の中身を確認していく兵を横目に見ながら、怒りを隠そうともしないデボルドは、震える声で言った。 「貴様、私にここまでの事をやったのだ。覚悟はできているだろうな......。私はイメラリア王女殿下の勅命によってヴィシー中央へ赴く使者であるぞ」 一二三は答えず、厳重に封印された小箱を見つけた兵からそれを受け取り、丁寧に開いた。中には、この世界では珍しい純白の紙が折りたたんで蜜蝋で封じてある。 「それは王女殿下からの親書だぞ! 貴様のような奴が触れていいものではない!」 喚くデボルドを無視して、一二三は手にとった紙を陽の光に透かしてみた。 さっと親書を元通りに封印すると、兵に元の場所に戻すようにと渡した。 「もういい、通れ」 「覚えておけよ下郎め。私がこの使命を果たした後で、そんな態度をとったことを後悔させてやるからな......」 「そうだな、まあ頑張れ」 すっかり興味を無くして打ち合わせに戻る一二三を、デボルドは馬車が離れて見えなくなるまで睨みつけていた。 「一二三様、よろしいので?」 何かあれば投げるつもりだったのだろう、手裏剣を手にしたオリガがどこからか一二三の元へ駆け寄ってきた。 「哀れな道化だ。真剣に相手してやる必要もない。多分もう会わないだろうしな。それより、もうすぐローヌの国境でまた戦いになる。軍の再編と移動の準備をしておいてくれ」 「ヴィシーが攻めてくる情報がありましたか?」 「そうなるだろうってだけだ。だがせっかく時間に余裕がありそうだからな。念入りに歓迎の準備をしてやろう。さあ、また忙しくなるぞ」 色々とドワーフに作ってもらわないといけないと、足取りも軽くドワーフの作業所に向かう一二三の頭の中には、あれこれとヴィシーとの戦いに向けたアイデアが湧き出していた。 一二三が感じた戦争への予感は、この時からまる二週間後、少しだけ彼の予想を裏切る形で現実となった。

Chapter 32: Message In A Bottle Debold, the second son of the Muntzer marquis family, brought ten guards and ten chamberlains with him as he left the royal capital. It all looked like a parade-like spectacle, with leaflets prepared for him rolling around. That was something Hifumi clearly saw when he returned to the royal capital with Alyssa. On the scattered leaflets, "According to princess Imeraria's wish, for the sake of the peace and harmony of the nation, Debold Muntzer has become the peace envoy", could be read. Despite it being the royal capital, the literacy rate was low. So even though some people picked up the leaflets, the extent of those who could read them was practically non-existent. Part of the crowd, consisting of drunkards and carefree people, were cheering loudly. But the huge majority were coldly appraising the flamboyant noble. Like the people below, on the castle's balcony, Imeraria saw them off with a cold gaze. "Imeraria, did you need me?" The one who called out to her was the Third Knight Unit's Pajou. "Oh, it's Pajou." Turning around and seeing Pajou's face, Imeraria relaxed a little. "With this, I too, for the government's sake, have sacrificed someone else, haven't I?" Imeraria spoke but then mocked herself. [No, the first victim should be he who is hailed as a hero] "Debold was aiming for you, Imeraria. In my humble opinion, shouldn't this be viewed as self-defense? Besides, the one who suggested this was me, so let me be the one to shoulder the sin of sacrificing that man." "... I'm sincerely happy over having your loyalty. Well then, in order for that plan to not come to naught, we can't do anything but advance, can we?" Following Imeraria, Pajou left the balcony and the two entered Imeraria's office. Pajou was tormented with a sense of regret. Not because of the plan with sacrificing someone, but mainly due to what she had previously told Imeraria. Earlier, after having separated from Hifumi, Kasha and Sabnak joined Pajou, who had already returned to the royal capital. In order to quickly report to Imeraria, the three briskly cleaned themselves off and arrived at the castle gates. As they had previously received remuneration from Hifumi as well, Kasha did show some restraint in the beginning, but she was eventually forced to accept the gold as funds to start her life anew. While Imeraria, on the other hand, was thinking that if they could use some money to win over someone having been close to Hifumi, it would be a cheap price to pay in the long run. After all, if Hifumi kept going like this, continuing the war and building up strength, who knows when he would have a full-blown confrontation with Orsongrande. Fearing that, Imeraria wanted to hear Pajou's opinion, having seen Hifumi's manner of fighting close up. As the report concluded and Sabnak and Kasha stepped back, Pajou began a long follow-up session with Imeraria. "At first I didn't think Hifumi would be able to accomplish numerous amounts of military achievements as he has now. This, of course, is a matter of my predictions being too naive since we knew that only his individual military prowess was strong. But him having experienced countless battles, it seems that we still underestimated his absurdness." "Imeraria. I can say that I'm of the same opinion. The prime minister would also agree with us on this conclusion. No one could have expected that his love for battle would enable him to brilliantly take control of the enemies territory with such ease." While someone may be strong individually, it doesn't mean he will survive on the battlefield. And as far as the two of them, having undergone training for nobility and knights respectively, in terms of strategy and tactics, Hifumi's an expert. Besides using methods never seen before, he also had the lowest amount of possible casualties... those were all completely unexpected accomplishments. News of Hifumi's activities had been brought to the royal capital by merchants coming from Vichy, and had already become the topic of conversation within the capital. Everywhere you went you could hear how the "Knight of the Slender Sword", with barely any casualties or losses, had overwhelmed Vichy. It was just as it was in one of those heroic tales. It was slightly exaggerated, but mostly true. Something that should've been good news for Orsongrande was conversely quite unpleasant. Even if the Royal castle didn't want Hifumi's popularity to rise, there wasn't much they could do about it. If it continued like this, Hifumi may take away all the popularity Imeraria was having, as well as the sense of respect towards the royal castle, for himself. "He really is a hero, but above that, he's a lunatic. He's nurturing both cities and the people within them for the sake of fighting, and creating environments in which he can kill others." Using intentionally strong words, Pajou told Imeraria. "If you'd forgive me, I have a plan I'd like to present to you." "Go ahead, let me hear about it." The plan Pajou had thought about was, simply put, 'to make it seem like Imeraria was the one who ended the final war'. That Arosel, while under Orsongrandes control, was essentially an unnecessary territory and would be difficult to govern. First of all, they'd use Debold as a messenger to provoke Vichy into dispatching troops to take back their previous territory. While they're fighting Hifumi in territories such as Fokalore, which he had just recently been bestowed, or Arosel which has recently become occupied, Imeraria would unconditionally surrender Vichy's former territories with an absolute concession. Lastly, they'd secretly make an agreement to cease hostilities. Pajou planned to achieve these plans all in one go. "Debold will probably be killed. And the majority of the soldiers leaving for Arosel and the like will die as well. But with this, Hifumi's military gains will reach its limit. And we'll then publicize that you were the one who brought back the peace." "Vichy's soldiers should be able to hold Hifumi back, shouldn't they?" First of all, the initial unrest would be over there. And as a result of Vichy taking up arms, they should be able to tear into Hifumi and afflict some damage. "That being the case, we need to have Vichy counterattacking with a lot of soldiers. It's necessary to provoke them to the extent they believe that unless they attack with all their power, they'll have no option but to face ruin. For that purpose, we have the peace envoy bringing a provoking letter." "...Please give it some thought." Having returned for the day, Imeraria called Debold to her office the next day. Finally, his own turn has come. Catching a glance of Debold triumphantly striding over towards Imeraria, Pajou saw him off with a mix of remorse and resolve. It's for the sake of the country! Understandably, Vichy's central council received the letter Hifumi sent first. "Hand over Beirevra, huh?" Scanning over the letter presented by their spy, the elderly council member let out a sigh. Right now he was the only member in the room. All the other members were spending their time dealing with their own cities. He was called Minoson, a city representative of the city located furthest away from Orsongrande, so after having gathered an assuring amount of soldiers, he stopped. The other council members had plans to gather soldiers soon as well but were generally behind schedule. Their territories were whittled away, making it clear that just defending the city would prove hard. The cities near the national border were frantically thinking up any means of defending their cities. If Minoson's city was attacked, it meant that Vichy would've already collapsed at that point in time. Of course, he wouldn't not make any great effort just because of that. War is unchanging. For the sake of a new era, any powerful people on the losing side would have to be sacrificed. That's just the way it is. "Even so, this is troublesome." The problem was the letter lying in front of him. Concerning giving up the spy called Beirevra, Minoson was well aware of what had happened over by Arosel. If giving him over would end all this, it would've been a good option. But currently, Beirevra's whereabouts were unknown. He was summoned before the council before this letter's arrival, where he briefed them on the news from Arosel. He was a man past thirty, with a small stature, and facial features giving him a cunning expression. With the threat of Hifumi approaching Vichy, and himself being summoned, perhaps he suspected something. The second time he was summoned, he never appeared. Other spies looked for him but found nothing. It's quite unlikely he went towards Orsongrande or the Beast's territory. It would seem natural if he were to use one of the intermediaries he got close to in dealing with the distribution of the magical tools to cross over to Horant. But an inquiry was made, and Horant responded with a formal letter that there were no records of him crossing the border. Minoson didn't believe them at all though. After all, if Vichy takes an aggressive stance against Orsongrande, Horant making a display of gathering soldiers it would apply some pressure. A proposal would then have been made so that depending on the situation, both Horant and Vichy would attack, forcing Orsongrande to defend on two fronts at once. They were allies, although it wasn't an alliance without obstacles. It'd be hard if it was only Vichy, but granted that Horant were to join them, they could turn the tables on Orsongrande. "Doing that, they will have to wrack their brains on the spot for a countermeasure." The council members gathered within two hours. They didn't really have any opposing opinions, so Minoson's plan was approved. Currently, in accordance with the letter, there are no other alternatives than Vichy unconditionally becoming a vassal state of Orsongrande, or being completely absorbed. For the moment, Vichy won't respond to the demands or talks of reconciliations. They will gather the troops from all their cities and recapture some city-states. After an assured victory, they'd enter negotiations with Orsongrande. They planned to go all out. As soon as they finished rallying their forces, they would march towards Rhone en masse. By the time Debold and the delegation representing Orsongrande entered Fokalore, Hifumi had just instructed the dwarfs to construct a protective wall at the city entrance. When a strange gaudy carriage, followed by around 20 people became visible, the guards and general populace got ready to welcome the incoming noble. Hifumi, however, ignored them and continued talking with the dwarfs. "So, make some diamond shaped holes in the wall, like this." "Is it really okay, making a hole in the wall ?" "Haha, I see." While the young dwarf was admiring Hifumi's knowledge, Debold and company entered the city. Nevertheless, the soldiers under Hifumi's leadership were thorough. Even if the traveler came from within the country, and even if they were an aristocrat, they were to be completely checked. "How rude! I'm the Muntzer marquis family's amazing Debold, a peace envoy appointed by her highness princess Imeraria! You lowly soldier bastards have no reason to do an inspection!" Stopping the carriage, the soldiers were interfered with by the vain Debold, as he shouted at them with an ugly face. They could freely pass all other cities until Fokalore, where they were subjected to a normal inspection, which Debold was dissatisfied with. Hearing the words 'Peace envoy', Hifumi approached the raging Debold. "Shut up." "Huh, you're that disrespectful upstart. Heh, if you're the leader, no wonder your subordinates also behave like this." "This is my city. I'm the law. We don't know what guys like you are bringing in, so we need to do a thorough search." "What kind of absurd thing is that. It's for bastards like you of low birth. This doesn't concern me since I am of the Marquises lineage. Advance." As he ordered the coachman to continue, before he noticed, a drawn blade was gleaming in front of his eyes. Having drawn closer in an instant, Hifumi's abruptly drawn katana made Debold tremble. His fear filled eyes reflected on the blade. "Hiii... You bastard, what are you..." "I said so, didn't I? Here, I'm the law. If you don't abide by the rules, I'll dispose of you as a criminal." Debold's face flushed. In the end, he didn't resist Hifumi's pressuring and trembled in disgrace. He gave a sidelong stare at the soldier who checked the roof rack's contents on Hifumi's orders. Without hiding his fury, Debold spoke in a trembling voice. "You bastard. With what you've just done to me, I hope you're prepared... On her highness princess Imeraria's imperial command, I'm an envoy on my way to Vichy's central government." Hifumi didn't answer. He was given a small box with a seal on it from the soldier who found it. After carefully opening it, he found a pure white paper inside. This kind of paper was very rare in this world. It was folded and sealed with beeswax. "That's her highness the princess' handwritten letter! It's not something bastards like you are allowed to touch!" Ignoring the screaming Debold, Hifumi took the letter in his hand and held it up against the sun. The letter, sealed just as before, was quickly returned to its original place by the soldier. "That's enough, go along." "Remember this, you low-life. After I've fulfilled my mission, I'll make you regret having that attitude." "Is that so? Well, do your best." Completely without interest, Hifumi returned to his meeting. All the while Debold glared at him until he was out of sight from the carriage. "Hifumi, is that really okay?"magic Origa ran over to Hifumi from someplace. A shuriken in her hand, as if she was going to throw it somewhere. "He's just a pathetic clown. No need to take him seriously. We probably won't even meet him again. Leaving that aside, the national border by Rhone will soon become a battlefield again. Rearrange the troops and ready them to leave." "You got information that Vichy is going to attack?" "I guess so. But it seems we still have time to spare. So let's carefully prepare a welcome party for them. Alright, looks like we'll be busy again." Of course. they'd have to use the various goods the dwarfs had made. Moving towards the Dwarfs workplace, one idea after another on how to fight against Vichy gushed forth into Hifumi's head. The premonitions Hifumi had about the war would be slightly betrayed by reality, just two weeks after this day.

城内勤務のエリートとはいえ、侍女の仕事は朝が早い。 自分が担当している貴族によっては朝食を職場で摂る場合もあるし、朝必ず用意しておかねばならないこだわりの飲み物があったりとそれぞれに忙しく準備をしている。 彼女たちの寮では陽が昇る前に朝食を摂っている者も多く、明け方には出勤する侍女たちで混雑している。 サブナク付きとなっているシビュラに関して言えば、どちらかというとゆっくり出勤しても大丈夫な方だったりする。 サブナクは一人で地方勤務をしていた経験が長いので、お茶を入れたりちょっとした掃除くらいは片手間に自分でさっさと片付けてしまうし、貴族のわりに人を使う事に慣れていないせいか、シビュラに対してアレコレと指示を出すことも少ない。 それどころか、朝から執務室に居なかったりする。今日のように。 「では、はじめましょう」 自然と掃除が基本的な仕事になるので、シビュラは毎日決まった清掃を繰り返していた。城内のあらゆる場所よりもこの部屋が綺麗だという自負心もある。 「......気になりますね」 そんな彼女だが、今日は朝から室内のある場所が気になって仕方がなかった。 昨日、サブナクが突然現れた食器棚の辺りだ。 どうやって室内へ入ったのかについてははぐらかされてしまったが、この食器棚辺りに何か秘密があるらしい事は彼女にもわかる。 一度気になると掃除も手につかず、一時間ほど経っても視線がつい棚へ向かってしまう。 「ちょっとだけ、調べてみましょう」 そして、食器棚のすぐ脇の壁をグッと押したら、開いた。 「これは......」 鎧を付けた騎士がようやく入れる程度の入口だが、小柄なシビュラには充分な大きさだ。覗き込むと、薄暗くはあるが通路が続いているのが見える。 彼女も知っている侍女や下男が利用する通路よりも薄暗く、全体的に狭い印象がある。途中にポツリ、ポツリと棚のような物が設置されている。 恐る恐る廊下に踏み込むと、扉は自然と閉じた。 慌てて壁に触れると、先ほど同様に開いてくれたので、シビュラは息を吐いた。 (こんな通路があったとは、知りませんでした) 使用人用の通路はあくまで廊下を駆け回る姿を見られない為と、食べ物などを急いで運ぶ近道としての物であって、直接部屋には繋がっていない。 食堂方面でもっと近道ができれば、サブナクへの食事の準備もしやすくなるのでは、と感覚で裏通路を進む。 「動くな」 シビュラは不意に声をかけられ、飛び上がるほど驚いた。 「大声を出さず、ゆっくりこっちに顔を向けろ」 指示通りに時間をかけて振り向くと、どこかで見た事がある人物が、細い剣を抜いてシビュラに向けていた。 「名前と所属を言え」 「......シビュラ・ヴィンジャーです。お城で働く侍女です」 生まれて初めて武器を向けられ、平静を装いつつも声は震えている。 「貴方は、トオノ伯爵様ですね......?」 シビュラが尋ねると、一二三は刀を下ろした。 「そうだ。お前は確か、サブナク付きのメイドだったな。なぜここにいる」 武器は下ろされても、一二三の視線は相変わらずシビュラの隙を伺うような鋭いものだ。 しばらく迷ったが、サブナクと執務室で話しているところも見ているので、素直に興味本位でサブナクが出入りしている場所を調べたら入れた事を伝える。 「あいつは......」 機密というのをわかっていない、とプリプリ怒る一二三を見て、これが城内で恐れられている人物か、と改めてシビュラはさりげなく観察する。 どこの国の衣装かわからない衣装に、他では見たことがない黒髪に黒目。見た目は自分と変わらない位若く見えるものの、父親よりもずっと濃くて重たい雰囲気もある。 「とにかく、ここを早く出ることだ。侵入者と間違えられたら、殺されても文句は言えんぞ」 「ころ......城内ですよ......?」 思わず声を上げたシビュラに、妙なものを見る目を向ける一二三。 「場所は関係ない。物でも人でも信念でもなんでもいい。何かを守ろうと思うなら、ためらわずに邪魔者は始末する。それを恐れてむざむざ不利益を被る奴は......阿呆だな」 それと、サブナクには情報の重要性についてミッチリ教える事があるから、夜は執務室で待っているように伝えろといい、一二三は薄暗い通路の向こうへ消えていった。 ヴィシーからの使者が訪れたのは、一二三がまだ裏通路に篭って城内構造の確認をしている時だった。 中央委員会からの使者を名乗る男は、10名程の随行員をつれて王都を訪れており、事前の約束も何もない無礼な訪問ではあるものの、とりあえずは宰相が面会をする事になった。 場所は城内にある応接の為の一室で、宰相の後ろには二人の騎士が付き、使者にも随行員から二人の兵士が付き従っている。 「お初にお目にかかります。ヴィシー中央委員会より派遣されました、ロシーと申します。この度オーソングランデ王に御即位なされると伺いまして、ヴィシーを代表いたしまして、急ぎお祝いをと思いまして」 気持ち程度ではございますが、と伝えつつ渡された目録には、ヴィシー産の織物や工芸品に加え、ホーラント製と思しき魔法具の名前も記載されている。 そこに気づいた宰相は、目の前の使者はオーソングランデとホーラント間のいざこざが既にほぼ終了している事に気づいていないのではないかと見た。 「これはありがとうございます。ところで、戴冠式に関してはさほど大きく宣伝したわけではありませんが、ヴィシー中央委員会はよほど良い耳をお持ちのようですな」 宰相アドルの言葉に、貼り付いたような笑顔を崩さないロシーは、いやいやと首を振った。 「偶然、商談も兼ねてとある貴国の貴族様の元を伺う機会がございましてね。入国してすぐに戴冠の事を知りましてからは、慌てて本国と連絡を取りました次第です。私程度の物が使者というのも心苦しいのですが、何より、祝い事への使いは早い方が良いだろうとのことでして」 「それはそれは、ご足労をおかけいたしましたな。部屋を用意させますゆえ、戴冠式まではごゆっくりおくつろぎください」 「では、お言葉に甘えさせていただきます。それで、新たな女王陛下への謁見は叶いますでしょうか。よろしければ、中央委員会からのご相談ごとをお伝えさせていただきたいのですが......」 来たか、とアドルは思った。できればヴィシーの狙いを知るまではイメラリアと接触させるのは避けたかった。 「王女は、戴冠の準備でご多忙です。式典が終わりましたら、多少は時間が取れるかも知れませんが、今の時点ではなんとも......」 「そうですか。残念ですな」 「よろしければ、ご用向きをお伺いしておきましょう」 アドルの質問に、少し考え込む姿勢を見せたが、ロシーはすぐに頷いて見せた。 「左様ですな。宰相閣下に先にご相談させていただければ、女王陛下の前で緊張しながらお伝えするよりも良いかもしれません」 そこまで言うと、ロシーは座り直して周りを見回し、声を押さえて話し始めた。 「先の不幸な衝突について、正式にヴィシーより講和の申し入れをさせていただきたいのです。そこで可能であれば、中央委員会としては貴国と中央委員会で和平条約を締結したいと考えております......」 口元には笑みを浮かべたままながら、ロシーの目は鋭く宰相を見ている。 「もちろん、私どもは敗北した側です。賠償についても可能な限りお支払いさせていただきますし、魔法具などの商品流通についても、貴国商人の都合に合わせてご相談させていただく用意があります」 敗北という言葉に、ロシーが連れている護衛がぴくりと反応したが、宰相はあえて無視する。重要なのはそこではない。 まずここで、オーソングランデがホーラントとの直接通商を開始する事は掴んでいないらしい事がはっきりした。そして、中央委員会の狙いも。 「お申し出はわかりました。私どもの方で調整をいたしまして、会談の機会をご用意いたしましょう。具体的な内容については、その際に」 「おお、ありがとうございます。どうか、陛下へよろしくお伝えくださいませ」 何度も頭を下げながら、ロシーが退室していく。 それを見送った宰相は、新たにいれさせた紅茶の香りをゆっくり胸に吸い込んだ。 「ずいぶん追い詰められた感じだな」 「トオノ伯......」 ロシーたちが出ていったドアとは別方向、出入り口などないはずの方向から一二三がやって来て、アドルの前に座った。 アドルは驚いたが、どうやってとは聞かない。今までの一二三や死神の行動を見たことで、常識を当てはめる相手を選ぶようになっていたからだ。 「追い詰められた......それはそうでしょう。ヴィシーがトオノ伯から受けたダメージはまだ回復できておりませんでしょうし、国内が分裂している状況ですから」 「そこで、独立したピュルサンを潰すのに、オーソングランデとつながって国家としての正当性と、あわよくば後ろ盾にしたいってところか。それに......」 「何かお気づきですか?」 ニヤッと笑った一二三は、ここから先は近衛騎士隊の仕事だな、とだけ言って、立ち上がった。 宰相は、確認しておくべきだと思った事を口にする。 「トオノ伯は現在のヴィシーをどう思われますか?」 「どうでもいい。中央委員会にもピュルサンにも肩入れするつもりはない。......まあ、もっと頑張ってやりあってくれたらいいさ」 「......トオノ伯にお願いがあるのですが」 一二三は答えず、立ったままでアドルの顔を見る。 「イメラリア様とヴィシーの使者の会談に、同席いただけませんか?」 一瞬キョトンとした顔を見せた一二三が、次の瞬間には楽しそうに笑っていた。 「いいね。面白い」 馬を乗り継いでヴァイヤーたちフォカロル出向部隊が王都へ帰りついたのは、戴冠式予定日の二日前。かなりギリギリだった。 「只今戻りました」 帰着の報告に来たヴァイヤーを、机に向かっていたサブナクは隈が浮かぶ顔で見上げた。 「あ、ああ......ヴァイヤーか。お疲れさん」 「だ、大丈夫ですか?」 「ああ、ちょっと色々と準備が忙しくてね......。今からヴァイヤーにも参加してもらうから、とりあえずこれに目を通して、連れて帰ってきた連中も含めて警備に参加するように」 取りまとめた書類を渡すと、サブナクはヴァイヤーを促して応接へと座った。素早くシビュラが紅茶を用意する。 「それで、フォカロルまで行って何か収穫はあったかい? ......嫁を見つけた以外で」 「止めてくださいよ。アマゼロト子爵の許可は得られましたが、今度は婿入りの話になっているので、まだまだ結婚は先の話でして......」 「うん。そんなに嬉しそうに話されると正直傷つくから、この話題は今度にしよう」 「......なんとかしようと思えばすぐに何とかなるのに」 涙目のサブナクにシビュラがポツリと呟く。 「いいから、呼ぶまで離れててくれる?」 「あの......」 「ああ、彼女の事は気にしなくていいから」 「はぁ」 妙な空気を持った主従の姿に首をかしげつつも、ヴァイヤーは叩き込まれてきた鎖鎌と手裏剣について口頭で報告し、用意しておいた報告書をサブナクへ手渡した。 「トオノ伯が考案された武器だと伺いましたが、殺害せずに捕縛する事や、距離がある相手へダメージを与えるという点でも正式装備として検討する価値はあるかと」 「だが、実戦ではまだ一二三さんしか使った事がないんだから、少なくとも、ヴァイヤーたちが他の隊員へ指導できる程度には習熟する必要があるんじゃないか?」 「指導については、トオノ伯より最終的な許可がいただければ、フォカロルから指導の人員を派遣していただく準備まではできています」 「随分と準備のいいことだね」 「カイム殿にご協力いただけました」 「彼か......なら納得だな」 サブナクにしてもヴァイヤーにしても、結局一度もカイムが相好を崩すような場面を見ることがなかった、とお互いに鉄面皮の異名を持つ文官奴隷を思い出した。 「それなら、丁度一二三さんは城内......のどこかにいるだろうから、探して許可をもらうといい。すでに他の隊員は一二三さんから指導を受けているし、引き続き誰かに教えてもらう必要もありそうだったからね」 それに、と新たな書類をテーブルに置いて、サブナクは苦笑いを浮かべた。 「その“鎖鎌”の有用性が試せるかもしれないな。明日にでも」 書類には“ネズミ捕り指南”というタイトルが付いている。 「一二三さんが書いた計画書だよ。明日の午前中、イメラリア様がヴィシーからの使者にお会いになる。そこに一二三さんも同席するそうだが......ヴィシーからの随行員の動きが怪しい、と一二三さんは睨んでいる」 サブナクの話を聞きながら、ヴァイヤーは書類を読みすすめて行く。裏通路の件は初めて目にするが、それを利用した監視を実戦で試すという事らしい。 「今から一二三さんを探して直接打ち合わせをしてくれ。ヴァイヤーをこの作戦の責任者にする」

Although those working within the castle are elites, the work of the maids starts early in the morning. There are also cases of taking breakfast to the workplace of the nobles, they have been assigned to. Each of them is busy preparing as there are those, who will always complain about drinks in the morning, if it hasn't been prepared. There are also many people, who are taking breakfast to their masters before the sun has risen in the dormitory of the girls. Dawn is crowded with maids reporting for work. If you talk about Shibyura, who is assigned to Sabnak, you might say that she will be alright, if she takes it slow going to work. Given that Sabnak has a long history of working in the provinces by himself, he will at least do basic cleaning and prepare tea in his spare time to get it done quickly. Having led a life of not being accustomed to take a person in his service like other nobles, Sabnak even rarely tells Shibyura to do this or that. On the contrary, he isn't in the office since morning. Today's the same. "Well, then let's start." (Shibyura) Since basic work like cleaning has become her second nature, Shibyura repeated a fixed cleaning routine every day. She also has pride in tidying up all places, even dim rooms, within the castle. "... It bothers me." (Shibyura) Even such girl couldn't help to be worried about a place in the room since today morning. Yesterday Sabnak suddenly appeared next to the cupboard. He ended up dodging how he got into the room, but she knows that there is some secret concerning this cupboard. Being bothered by it once, her hands have stopped cleaning and she has turned her view to the shelves standing like that for around an hour. "Let's try examine it just a little bit." (Shibyura) And once she firmly pushed the wall right next to the cupboard, it opened. "This is..." (Shibyura) It's an entrance where a knight wearing his armour barely fits through, but for the petite Shibyura it has plenty of size. As she peeks inside, she can see a dim passageway continuing onwards. It's even gloomier than the passageways used by the servants and maids, which Shibyura knows about as well. All over it gives an impression of being narrow. Standing alone midway, something like shelves has been installed. Once she timidly stepped into the passageway, the door closed automatically. As she touched the wall in panic, it opened just same as before. Shibyura took a breath. (I wasn't aware that there was such passageway.) The passageways used by the servants are, to the bitter end, for the sake of running through the hallways without being seen and also served as a short-cut to carry stuff like food hurriedly. They aren't directly connected to a room. If it's possible to take an even better short-cut to the dining hall, it will become even easier to prepare the meals for Sabnak "Don't move." Shibyura was surprised to the degree of jumping up when she was suddenly called. "Don't shout. Slowly turn your face in my direction." Once she finished turning her face as ordered, she saw a person, she had already seen somewhere, pointing a thin blade towards her. "Tell me your name and affiliation." (Hifumi) "... I'm Shibyura Winger. I'm working as maid in the castle." (Shibyura) Having a weapon pointed at her for the first time in her life, her voice has been trembling even though she pretends to be calm. "You appear to be Earl Tohno, right... ?" (Shibyura) As Shibyura asked him that, Hifumi lowered his katana. "That's right. If I'm not wrong you were Sabnak's maid. Why are you here?" (Hifumi) Even though he has lowered his weapon, Hifumi's look is sharp as usual as if seeking for gaps in Shibyura defence. Although she hesitated for a moment, she honestly tells him that she was investigating the place of Sabnak's coming and going out of curiosity, because he has also seen the place where she has been talking with Sabnak in the office. "That guy is..." (Hifumi) "It's not like it's highly classified information", seeing Hifumi being in a huff, Shibyura casually observes him anew, wondering I don't know to which country his clothing belongs and he has black pupils and black hair, I hadn't seen anywhere else. Although his appearance looks to be young, no different from me, he also has continuously an even stronger, oppressive aura than father. "Anyway, leave from here right away. If you were mistaken for an invader, you wouldn't be even able to complain about getting killed." (Hifumi) "Kil... This is within the castle... ?" (Shibyura) Hifumi shifts his attention towards Shibyura, who raised her voice unintentionally, as if seeing something strange. "The place is irrelevant. Things, people, faith, all of it is fine. If you consider protecting something, you will have to get rid of hindrances without hesitation. Those, who are deceived by handicaps and helplessly fear that, are... idiots." (Hifumi) "And, since I will properly teach Sabnak about the importance of information, it's fine for you to tell him to wait in his office at night", Hifumi vanished to the other side of the gloomy passageway. At the time Hifumi was still secluding himself in the hidden pathways to confirm the structure within the castle, a messenger from Vichy arrived. The man, calling himself an envoy of the central committee, has come to visit the royal capital leading around 10 attendants. Although it was a rude visit without even a previous arrangement, it was decided that he would be meeting the prime minister for the time being. In the place being a room that is used as reception room within the castle, there are two knights standing in the back of the prime minister. Two soldiers, acting as attendants, are accompanying the envoy. "It's the first time for us to meet each other. I'm called Roshi and was dispatched by Vichy's central committee. I've heard that new king will be enthroned in Orsongrande at this time. As representative of Vichy, I hurried to extend my congratulations." (Roshi) He handed over a list, which is recording handicrafts and fabrics native to Vichy in addition to magic tools apparently made in Horant, while telling "Please take this as a little gift." the envoy in front of me hasn't realized that the quarrel between Orsongrande and Horant has mostly been settled already, now has he? "Thank you very much for this. By the way, it's not like we greatly advertised the coronation ceremony to that degree, but Vichy's central committee seems to possess quite good ears." (Adol) Roshi's smile, that looked as if plastered onto him, wasn't disturbed by the words of Prime Minister Adol. He shook his head with a "No, no." "Only by chance. We used the opportunity to ask a certain noble-sama of your country with whom we previously also had business discussions. Becoming aware of the matter with the coronation immediately after entering your country, I immediately got in contact with my own country in a hurry. I'm very sorry that the envoy is someone of my degree, but above all, I was told that it was likely quicker to use me for the celebration." (Roshi) "Oh my goodness, you have experienced quite the troublesome journey. Please relax at ease until the coronation ceremony. We will prepare a room for you." (Adol) "Then I will gladly take you up on your kind offer. And, is it possible to receive an audience with the new Majesty the Queen? If you don't mind it, I want to report all of this to the central committee, but..." (Roshi) Adol thought. He wanted to avoid Imeraria getting in contact with him until he knows the objective of Vichy, if possible. "The princess is busy with the preparations for the coronation ceremony. Once the ceremony finished, she might have a little bit time, but at this point in time, it's quite..." (Adol) "That's right, isn't it. How regrettable." (Roshi) "If it's alright with you, I will listen to the reason for your visit." (Adol) Although he displayed a look of pondering over it for a bit due to Adol's question, Roshi easily gave a nod. "That's right. If I'm able to discuss it with Your Excellency, the prime minister, in advance, it might be even better than conveying it while under stress of being in front of Her Majesty the Queen." (Roshi) As he said this much, Roshi corrected his posture, surveyed his vicinity and began to speak in a lowered voice. "Concerning the previous sorrowful quarrel, I want to officially propose peace from Vichy. Now, if that's possible, the central committee is considering to enter a peace treaty between your country and the central committee..." (Roshi) While still floating a smile on his lips, Roshi's eyes are piercing the prime minister. "Of course we are the defeated side. Even regarding the reparations, I have the privilege of offering as much as is possible. Also, regarding the flow of goods such as magic tools etc, I'm prepared to discuss how to suit the circumstances of your country's merchants." (Roshi)magic Due to the word "defeated," the guards, which Roshi brought along, reacted with a twitch, but the prime minister purposely ignored that. They aren't important. First off, with this it is clear that they apparently don't know that a direct trade between Orsongrande and Horant has begun. And even the central committee's aim has become evident. "Your offer became clear. Let's prepare an opportunity for a conference once I've coordinated our side. On that occasion we will talk about the concrete details." (Adol) "Oh, thank you very much. Please convey my best regards to Her Majesty." (Roshi) Roshi exits the room while bowing many times over. The prime minister, who saw him off, slowly inhaled the aroma of the newly, brewed tea into his nose. "He gives off the feeling of being driven against the wall quite a bit." (Hifumi) "Earl Tohno..." (Adol) From a different direction of the door, Roshi's group left, in a direction where there shouldn't be anything like a door, Hifumi entered the room and sat across Adol. Although Adol was surprised with how he hasn't heard him, it reached already the point of him choosing to whom to apply common sense after having seen the actions of the shinigami and Hifumi until now. "Driven against the wall... that is probably so. Vichy still didn't recover from the damage it received by you, Earl Tohno. The situation is that their country has been split apart." (Adol) "Accordingly, although the independent Pursang is being blockaded, if they are lawful state connected to Orsongrande as state, that place will yearn for support, if possible, huh? Besides..." (Hifumi) "Have you realized something?" (Adol) Hifumi, who laughed broadly, only said, "it's the job of the Royal Knight Order from here on", and stood up. The prime minister speaks as he though it's something he should confirm, "What do you think about the current Vichy, Earl Tohno?" (Adol) "I don't care. I have no intention to support either the central committee or Pursang. ... Well, it would be great, if they did their best in competing with each other even more." (Hifumi) "... Though I have a request to you, Earl Tohno." (Adol) Without answering, Hifumi stood and looked into Adol's face. "Will you accept to be present at the conference between Vichy's envoy and Imeraria-sama?" (Adol) Hifumi, who showed a blank expression for an instant, laughed as if enjoying it in the next instant. "That's great. Sounds interesting." (Hifumi) The unit of Vaiya's group that had been transferred to Fokalore, riding atop horses, arrived totally out-of-breath at the capital two days before the scheduled coronation ceremony. It was quite at the last moment. "We have returned." (Vaiya) Vaiya, who went to report of their return, looked at Sabnak sitting at his desk and showing the expression of a shadow. "A-Ah... Vaiya, huh? Thanks for your work." (Sabnak) "A-Are you alright?" (Vaiya) "Yea, I've been slightly busy with various preparations... Since I want you to participate from now on as well, Vaiya, have a look at this for the time being. I will have you join in the guarding, including the guys you led back here." (Sabnak) Once he gave him the compiled documents, Sabnak urged Vaiya to sit down at the reception. Shibyura quickly prepares black tea. "So, have there been any results of you going as far as Fokalore? ... With the exception of you finding a wife, that is." (Sabnak) "Please stop it. I obtained the permission from Viscount Amazelo, but since it has now become a talk of being adopted into their family, the marriage is still a long way off..." (Vaiya) "Yea. Since you will honestly hurt my feelings, if you speak this joyfully, let's close this topic now." (Sabnak) "... Though you will be able to manage one way or the other, if you consider doing something." (Shibyura) Shibyura mutters a few words due to the teary-eyed Sabnak. "Listen, will you leave until I call you?" (Sabnak) "Umm..." (Vaiya) "Ah, it's fine to not mind her." (Sabnak) "Haa." (Vaiya) Even while being puzzled due to the state of master and servant, which held a strange mood, Vaiya orally reported about the information of the shuriken and kusarigama, he had driven into him. He handed over a report to Sabnak he had prepared ahead of time. "I heard these weapons were invented by Earl Tohno, but with the possibilities of capturing without killing and causing damage to an opponent on distance, I wonder whether there is value in considering these as official equipment, too." (Vaiya) "However, since no one but Hifumi used this in combat so far, isn't there a necessity for at least your group, Vaiya, to be skilled enough to teach about those to the other members?" (Sabnak) "Concerning the coaching, if we are able to obtain a final permission from Earl Tohno, it will be possible to even dispatch personnel for training from Fokalore." (Vaiya) "You've prepared considerably well." (Sabnak) "I was able to obtain Caim-dono's cooperation." (Vaiya) "Him, eh? ... Then I can agree." (Sabnak) Even for Sabnak and Vaiya, in the end they never seen a scene of Caim smiling broadly. They remembered the civil official slave, who holds an alias of arrogance for each of them. "If that's the case, Hifumi-san is just now within the castle... since he might be anywhere, it's fine if you get permission to search for him. The other members are already getting coached by Hifumi-san. It's even probable that it's necessary for him to teach someone continuously." (Sabnak) "Besides", Sabnak showed a bitter smile due to a new document on the table. "We might be able to test the usefulness of this 'kusarigama.' Even as early as tomorrow." (Sabnak) The document has a tile called "Instructions for a mousetrap." "It's a plan written by Hifumi-san. Tomorrow morning Imeraria-sama will meet with the envoy from Vichy. I hear that Hifumi-san will be present there, but... the movements of Vichy's attendants are suspicious, going by Hifumi-san, who has been keeping an eye on them." (Sabnak) While listening to Sabnak's talk, Vaiya goes ahead with reading the documents. It's the first time he has seen the matter about hidden pathways, but apparently those were used for monitoring and as a test for combat. "Please get ready to personally search for Hifumi-san from now on. You will be the person in charge of this operation, Vaiya." (Sabnak)

騎士たちとスラム住人との接触は、会話から始まった。 スラムの出入り口となる通路には数名の力自慢の獣人が立ちはだかり、自らの体で壁を作っている。 「道を開けろ、獣ども」 馬の上から高圧的な物言いをするのは、謁見の間で王に獣人への対応を命ぜられたゼブルだ。 「籠城したところで、貴様らの寿命がほんの少しだけ伸びるに過ぎん。降伏せよ。命を失うよりは奴隷として生きながらえる方がいくばくか幸せであろう」 話し合いをするつもりは毛頭ないと言わんばかりの台詞に、獣人以上に慌てたのはスラムに逃げ込んだ人間たちだった。 騒動に気づいた人間が数名、獣人たちの後ろに立って話を聞いていたのだ。 「待ってください! ここには人間もいるんです!」 獣人たちの間を抜けて、男が必死で腕を振り、自分たちの存在を主張した。 だが、ゼブルの返答は冷淡だった。 「平民ごときの命など、我々の崇高なる使命の前では躊躇にすら値しない。汚らわしい獣どもに縋った自らの愚かさを悔いて死ぬが良い」 「そ、それは兵士たちが俺たちを守ってくれなかったからです!」 喉が破れんばかりに叫ぶ男に、ゼブルは鼻で笑って返した。 「守るに値しない、と今言ったはずだが?」 「そんな......」 がっくりと膝をついた男の肩に、一人の獣人が手を置いた。 「安心しろ俺たちがしっかり守ってやる」 「そうだな。ここで俺たちは人間にお礼をしないといけないな。色んな意味で」 豹の獣人がケラケラと笑うのを見たゼブルは、不愉快そうに口を歪めた。 「獣が人の言葉を使うな! 全員、剣を抜け!」 ズラリと並ぶ兵士と騎士が剣を抜く。総勢50名はいるだろうか。見ようによっては壮観と言ってもいいかも知れないが、相対している立場ではそうも言っていられない。 特に馬上の騎士が持っているのは、馬の上から振り下ろす事を想定した長剣で、その風格には堂々たるものがある。 だが、獣人側には多少なり余裕があった。 「おお、来るぞ来るぞ!」 犬獣人ゲングもこの場所にいる。 一二三からの指導を受ける際に、最も重点的にしごかれたゲングは、人間の騎士を正面に見据えても、些かも動じていない。 「へっ。一二三さんの威圧感に比べたら、あいつらなんか屁でもねぇや!」 啖呵を切るゲングに、周りの獣人たちも同意した。 見ると、想定通り馬を使う騎士が兵士を置いてけぼりにして突出してくる。 「よし! 教わったとおりにやるぞ!」 「おう!」 気合を入れた獣人たちが最初にやったのは、スラムの方へと撤退する事だった。 唖然としている人間たちを力のある獣人が担ぎ、整然と退く。 「はっは! 獣どもは恐れをなしたらしい」 「このままスラムへ乗り込んで、皆殺しにしてやろう!」 気炎を上げて馬の速度をあげた騎士たちは、後ろから走ってくる兵士のことなどお構いなしに、まっすぐ獣人たちへと迫る。 「私が一番乗りだ! ......うわっ!?」 ゼブルが駆る馬が、突然バランスを崩して前のめりに倒れた。 前方に振り落とされたゼブルの目の前には、巨漢の虎獣人が立ちはだかる。 「おう、馬から落ちた気分はどうだ?」 「囀るな! 腕を振り回すしか能のない獣風情......が......?」 ゼブルが剣を握り直して立ち上がった時、虎獣人は驚くべき膂力で3m近い長さの丸太を振りかぶっていた。 「ああ、振り回すしか能が無いのは確かだな。腕だけじゃない、が!」 力いっぱい振り抜かれた丸太で、ゼブルは通りの壁に叩きつけられ、板壁を突き破って戦場から強制的に退場となった。 その間にも、勢いよく迫る騎士たちの馬が次々と転び、鎧姿の騎士たちが地べたに叩きつけられている。 「なるほど、これは楽だな」 距離をとって見ていたゲングは、策がうまく嵌った事に笑いが堪えきれない。 罠といってもごくごく単純なもので、スラムに入る入口の通りに、20センチ程の深さの小さな落とし穴を大量に作っただけだ。 車輪で走るなら無視できる程度の大きさしかないが、馬や人の足なら引っかかる。 さらに、『刃を立てて切るなんて難しい真似、すぐに覚えられるわけないだろう』という一二三のありがたい配慮によって、膂力を活かせる獣人には丸太をそのまま。非力な獣人には長槍を持たせている。 長剣も届かない距離から、槍に突かれ、丸太に叩き潰される騎士たちの姿を見て、後続の兵士たちの足が止まる。狭いスラムの入口は、あっという間に騎士たちの死体と、辛うじて生きて、うめき声を上げながら退避しようともがく騎士で塞がれた。 「人間の知恵で人間が叩きのめされるとは、洒落にしてもキツイやね」 ゲングは、無理に笑った。 騎士たちが危機に陥っているなどとは毛ほども想像していないソードランテ王ブエルは、ロウソクで照らされた薄暗い寝室の中で、一汗かいた後の軽い酒を飲んでいた。 ぐしゃぐしゃに乱れたベッドの上では、猫獣人の女が一糸まとわぬ姿で息も絶え絶えに倒れている。 「ふん。今日のメスはなかなか良かったな。褒めてつかわそう」 喉を通るアルコールの感触を味わったブエルは、褒めると言いながらも猫獣人には一瞥もくれない。 「おい、誰かもっと強い酒を持ってこい!」 ブエルの大音声が響く。 だが、それに答える者はいない。 「どうした! 誰かいないのか!」 怒声をあげると、ようやく部屋の扉が開いた。 だが、入って来たのは熊の獣人だ。 「この階の人間は全て殺した。あとは、お前だけだ」 返り血にまみれた熊獣人サルグは、ブエルを指差して牙を剥いてみせた。 「護衛の無能どもが......。王自ら害獣駆除とは、騎士連中には再教育が必要だな」 ブエルはベッドの横に立てかけていた大剣を抜くと、サルグに向けて構えた。ガウン一枚だけの姿だが、堂々とした姿は武勇の程を言外に語る。 「我が一族はこの剣で獣を殺し、この荒れ果てた地に国を打ち立てたのだ。地獄に落ちたら他の獣人に誇ると良い。自分は由緒ある剣で殺されたのだと」 「死ぬのはお前だ。人間の街に押し込められた獣人は、俺が開放する!」 「戯言を抜かすな、下郎」 ブエルの踏み込みは、速い。 真っ向から振り下ろされた剣に対し、身体を捻って避けたサルグはそのまま右手を突き出した。 鋭い爪は剣の柄で叩かれ、軌道を逸らされる。 「獣の分際で、なかなか良い動きをする」 首を狙った剣は、サルグが腕を押さえて止め、反撃の噛み付きに対してブエルは頭突きで対応した。 肉と骨のぶつかり合う音が続き、サルグは全身に少しずつ傷を追い、ブエルも額を切って激しく血を流し、あちこちに打撲傷を負っていた。 「ふむ。久しぶりに歯ごたえのある相手だった。だが、これで終わりだ」 ブエルの見立てでは、ここまで警備と戦って来たサルグの疲労はピークで、動きも次第に鈍っている。これまで剣を振り回して攻撃を重ねてきた事もあり、次に繰り出すつもりの突きには対応できないだろう。 首を一突きして、この戦いは終わる。 だが、予想外の邪魔が入った。 「ぬぅっ!?」 突然、ブエルの足に猫獣人の女がしがみついた。 「貴様っ!」 激昂したブエルは、女の頭を強かに蹴り上げ、首の骨を折られた女はズルズルと脱力して息絶えた。 だが、それはブエルにとっての致命的な隙となる。 吠えるサルグの爪が、ブエルの腹に突き立ち、背中の皮膚を押し上げる程に深く貫いた。 血を吐き、ブエルは跪く。 「お前の......負けだ......」 ブエルが見抜いていた通り、サルグの体力は限界だった。この一撃を避けられていたら、負けたのはサルグの方だっただろう。 膝の力が抜け、床に座り込んだサルグは、命をかけて機会を作ってくれた猫獣人を見た。 あらぬ方向に首が曲がり、虚ろな目をしている死体に向かって、サルグは涙を流した。 「すまない......俺がもっと強ければ......」 「おっと。ギリギリ間に合ったか? アウトかな?」 誰もいないはずの部屋に、サルグ以外の男の声が響く。 「だ、誰だ?」 「よお」 フロアとしては5階部分だが、かなりの高さがあるはずの窓から、一二三がひょっこり顔を出した。 窓の縁に鎌を引っ掛け、身軽な動作で部屋へど躍り込む。 倒れているブエルにチラリと視線を向けると、「まだ息があるな」と収納から魔法薬を取り出し、ブエルの傷にバシャバシャと振りかけた。 「な、何をする......」 「うん? お前次は俺の番だからな。ほら、お前も」 もう一本の瓶を開封し、座り込んだサルグの頭から液体を落とす。 「うわっ......傷が?」 ブエルの剣で傷つけられた身体が、あっという間に回復していくのを感じ、最初は驚いていたサルグだが、同じようなものを先にブエルにかけていた事に気づいた。 「まさか!」 「うぅ......」 サルグの危惧した通り、死の淵にいたはずのブエルが、うめき声を上げながらも起き上がり、傷の塞がった身体を見下ろしていた。 「これは......一体何が起きたのだ?」 「起きるのが遅い。さっさと立ち上がれ。傷はもう治ったはずだぞ」 「貴様がやったのか」 立ち上がったブエルは、破れたガウンの内側に見えている腹をなでている。 「すっかり塞がっている。どういう魔法か知らんが、便利なものもあるものだ。褒めてつかわそう」 軽く流した一二三の態度に、苛立ちを見せたブエルだが、先に声をあげたのはサルグの方だった。 「何を考えているんだ! あの猫の女性が命懸けで隙を作って、ようやく殺せたと思ったというのに!」 「そうだな。お前らの勝負はそこで終わったようだな。オッサンが負けて、熊が手助けしてもらってなんとか勝った」 順番に指を差された二人は、殺し合いの直後だが揃って一二三を睨みつけた。 「で、次は俺の番だ。弱った奴を嬲る趣味はないからな。回復させてやっただけだ」 騎士道精神あふれるだろう、と笑うが、ブエルは笑いごとではないと叫んだ。 「貴様! 回復の礼はするにしても、王の前でその態度はなんだ!」 一二三はニヤリと笑う。 「王だからどうとか、そんなのは関係ない。命を助けてやったんだ。礼をしてもらわないとな」 「ちっ。やはり下賎な男なのだな。いくら欲しいというのだ」 腕を組み、見下したブエルの態度に、一二三は目を見て答えた。 「この国」 「なにっ!?」 「受け入れられないなら、その命はやはり今日でなくなることになるぞ?」 「王を脅すつもりか!」 剣を掴み、ブエルは一二三の首を狙って剣を叩きつけようとした。 だが、僅かに下がっただけで、その剣は空を切る。 「そうそう。嫌なら戦えよ。お前ら二人同時でいいぞ。俺はそれがやりたくてこんなところまで登ってきたんだからな」 一二三の言葉が終わったとき、サルグもブエルも我先にと一二三に襲いかかった。 サルグの爪は一二三の胸部を狙い、ブエルの剣は喉を狙う。二人共、突きだ。 横に入り込んできた一二三を狙い、腕を引きながらサルグは牙を突き立てようとした。 「口を開く時は、充分気をつけないとな」 一二三の手に握られた寸鉄の先が、尖った牙を前から打つ。 片方の牙が折れ、初めての痛みにしゃがみこんだサルグを飛び越えるように、ブエルが上段から剣を振り下ろしてきた。 「死ね!」 重さのある剣が、かなりの速度で迫る。 鎖を張っても切断されると判断した一二三は、左手を伸ばしてブエルの腕を掴み、切り下げる勢いのままブエルを投げ飛ばした。 「おおぅ!?」 投げられるという初めての体験に驚いたブエルは、不格好に床に叩きつけられた。 くるりと振り返った一二三は、うずくまった姿勢から立ち上がりざまに攻撃を仕掛けてくるサルグの姿を見た。 全身のバネを使った鋭い突きが、辛うじて一二三の頬を浅く裂いた。 「よくできました」 伸ばされた腕を絡め取り、肘と肩の関節を極めてサルグを床に押し付ける。 その首筋に、容赦なく鎌を振り下ろす。 (終わった、か......すまない、オルラ......) 「......獣人を殺すなら、人間の側ではないのか。何故俺まで殺そうとする」 背中を強打したブエルは震える身体を剣で支えて立ち上がる。 「俺はどちら側でもない」 懐紙で血を拭った鎖鎌を収納し、素手になった一二三は、右手右足を前にした半身に構えた。 「戦いを求めて、この世界を彷徨っているだけだ」 「狂人め......」 肩に担ぐようにしてようやく剣を構えることができたブエルは、素手の相手ながら異常な存在感を持って目の前に立つ敵に対し、恐怖と敬意の念を持った。 もし、この男が自分の部下であったなら、荒野を潰して国を広げることだってできたかもしれない、とさえ思った。 雄叫びをあげたブエルの一撃は、奇をてらわない素直な打ち下ろしだった。 速く、重い一撃は、ベストコンディションであれば一二三に傷をつけることができたかもしれない。 先ほどと同様、一二三が腕をつかみにいった瞬間、投げられるのを防ぐためにブエルが腰を落とした。 だが、それにすら対応してみせる一二三。 腕を掴むのをやめ、ブエルの懐に入り込み、両手で相手の両足をすくい上げた。 前ではなく後ろに倒されたブエルは、後頭部を床に打ち付け、慌てて立ち上がろうとするも、膝に力が入らない。 剣を支えに立ち上がったところで、一二三の手によって頚椎を捻り折られた。 三つの死体が倒れ伏した寝室で、一二三はサルグにつけられた頬の傷に触れ、指に付いた自らの血を舐めた。 「せめてこれくらい出来る奴がもっと増えてくれないとな」 文句を言いつつも、久しぶりに傷をつけられた興奮で、一二三は腹の底からわきあがる高笑いがおさえられなかった。

The contact between the knights and the slums' residents began with conversation. Several beastmen, who are proud of their strength, are using their own bodies to form a wall obstructing the pathway, which is the entrance to the slums. "Clear the way, beasts." (Zebul) The one speaking in a high-handed manner from atop his horse is Zebul, who was appointed to deal with the beastmen by the king during the audience. "Even if you hole yourselves in, it won't extend you bastards' life span in the least. Surrender. Rather than losing your lives, you will likely be happier surviving as slaves." (Zebul) The humans, who took refugee in the slums, panicked more than the beastmen due to his remarks, which showed that he hadn't any intention at all to talk it over. Several humans, who noticed the uproar, listened to the speech standing behind the beastmen. "Please wait! There are humans here as well!" Coming out from in-between the beastmen, a man frantically waved his arms and advocated their existence. magic However, Zebul's reply was indifference. "The lives of commoners and their likes doesn't even deserve consideration in front of our noble cause. It's fine for you to die while regretting your own foolishness of clinging to filthy beastmen." (Zebul) "T-That's because the soldiers didn't protect us!" Zebul returned a scornful laughter at the man, who yelled close to wearing out his throat. "You aren't worth to be protected, is what I should have said just now though?" (Zebul) "Such a..." A single beastman placed their hand on the shoulder of the crestfallen man, who dropped to his knees. "Be relieved. We will properly protect you." "That's right. We have to show our gratitude to the humans here. In various ways." Zebul, who watched the leopard beastman laugh with a giggle, bent his lips in displeasure. "Beast, don't use human speech! All hands, draw your swords!" (Zebul) The soldiers and knights, lining up in rows, draw their swords. Their numbers are probably around 50 in total? Although it might be a magnificent view to watch, you can't really say that from the standpoint of having to confront them. Especially the mounted knights holding a longsword, supposed to be swung downwards from atop the horse, have an imposing appearance. But, the beastmen's side had quite the composure. "Ooh! Her they come! Here they come!" (Gengu) The dogman Gengu is also at this place. Gengu, who exerted the most focussed effort at the time of Hifumi's coaching, stares directly at the human knights and isn't perturbed in any way either. "Hee. If you compare it to the intimidation of Hifumi-san, those guys aren't even close to a fart!" (Gengu) The surrounding beastmen also agreed to Gengu's harsh words. Once you observe them, the knights, who are using horses, are sticking out just because they are leaving the soldiers behind, as according to assumptions. "Alright! Let's get it done as we were taught!" (Gengu) """Yeah!""" What the beastmen, who motivated themselves, did first was to retreat towards the slums. The humans, who have been dumbfounded, are carried by the strong beastmen and they retreat orderly. "Haha! The beasts are scared, it seems." "Let's enter the slums and get on with the massacre!" The knights, who talked big and raised the speed of their horses, disregard something like the soldiers running after them from behind. They charge directly at the beastmen. "I will get them first! ... Aaargh!?" (Zebul) Zebul spurs on his horse, but, being suddenly thrown off balance, he fell due to pitching forward. In front of Zebul, who was thrown to the front, stands a gigantic tiger beastman. "Alright, how did you feel being thrown off the horse?" "Don't babble! Lowlifes such as incompetent beasts, who can only swing around their arms... are...?" (Zebul) At the time Zebul stood up and fixed his grip on the sword, the tiger beastmen brandished a 3-m-long log with amazing muscle strength. "Yea, it's certainly true that we are incompetents, who can only swing something around. It's not only the arms though!" Zebul was slapped into the wall of the avenue by the log. which was swung with full power. Breaking through the wooden wall, he was forcefully removed from the battlefield. Also, in the meanwhile, the horses of the knights, who have been pressing onwards vigorously, are falling over one after the other and the armoured knights are thrown onto the ground. "Indeed, this is easy." (Gengu) Gengu, who stayed at distance and observed, isn't able to withstand laughing at how well their plan is working out. Although you might call it a trap, it's something extremely simple. They only made a large amount of small pitfalls with a depth of around 20 cm along the entranceway to the slums. The pitfalls' size is at the level that one might ignore it if passing over them on wheels, but if it's the feet of people and horses, those will get stuck. Moreover, according to Hifumi's thankful forethought of {It's not likely that they will be immediately able to do such difficult actions like preparing their swords to slash with them} , the beastmen, making use of their physical strength, can wield logs as is. And the powerless beastmen are holding long spears. Looking at the state of the knights being smashed by logs and pierced by spears from a distance, a longsword can't reach, the following soldiers stop their feet. The narrow entrance to the slums was clogged up with a number of corpses and knights evacuating while raising groans being barely alive. "Humans get beaten up by human wit. Even as a pun it's harsh." (Gengu) Gengu laughed forcibly. The king of Swordland, Buell, who can't guess the crisis, the knights have fallen into, in the least, drank a light sake after working up a sweat in his dim bedroom illuminated by candlelight. On top of the soggy, dishevelled bed a stark naked catwoman has collapsed while gasping. "Hmm, today's female was quite good. You have my praises." (Buell) Savouring the sensation of alcohol pouring down his throat, Buell talks about praising while not even throwing a single glance at the catwoman. "Hey! Someone bring a stronger sake!" (Buell) Buell's very loud voice reverberates. But, there's no answer to it. "What's wrong!? Isn't anyone there!?" (Buell) Once his voice raised in anger, the room's door finally opened. However, the one, who entered, is a bearman. "All humans on this floor were killed. There's only you left." (Salgu) The bearman Salgu, who was smeared in blood, pointed at Buell and bore his fangs. "Those incompetent guards are... For the king himself to exterminate harmful vermin, it's necessary to retrain those knights." (Buell) Buell drew the large sword, which was leaning horizontally against the bed and pointed it towards Salgu. His only cloth is a single gown, but his impressive figure implicitly shows the level of his military prowess. "Our family has slain beasts with this sword and established a nation on this desolated soil. It's fine to boast to the other beastmen, once you dropped to hell, about having been killed by this historical sword." (Buell) "The one to die is you. I will free the beastmen, who were imprisoned in the humans' city." (Salgu) "Don't spout such nonsense, lowlife." (Buell) Buell's charge is fast. Against the sword, which was swung downward head-on, Salgu evaded by twisting his body and thrust out his right paw. Hitting the hilt of the sword with his sharp claws, he averts its trajectory. "You are moving fairly well for one with the social standing of a beast." (Buell) The sword, which was aimed at the neck, was restrained by Salgu's arm and stopped. Buell corresponded with a head-butt against the counter-attacking bite. The sound of bones and flesh colliding continued. Salgu was getting covered in wounds little by little. Buell was also intensely shedding blood from a number of cuts and had sustained bruises here and there. "I see. It's been a while since I had a tough opponent. But, I will finish it with this." (Buell) The judgment Buell made was that Salgu's movements have gradually grown dull and that he was at the peak of fatigue due to having struggled against the defence up to here. So far Buell had repeatedly attacked by brandishing his sword and thus Salgu likely wouldn't be able to deal with intended thrust coming next. Once I stab the neck, this battle will end. However, an unexpected hindrance came in-between. "Nuu!?" (Buell) Suddenly the catwoman clung to Buell's feet. "You bitch!" (Buell) The enraged Buell fiercely kicked the catwoman's head and the woman, having her neck broken, died while slowly slipping down with her strength being lost. However, that has become a fatal opening for Buell. The claws of the roaring Salgu pierce into Buell's stomach and deeply penetrated to the level of pushing out the skin of Buell's back. Throwing up blood, Buell kneels down. "It's your... loss..." (Salgu) Just as Buell had foreseen, Salgu stamina was at its limit. If Buell had avoided that one blow, Salgu would have been the one who lost. Losing strength in his knees, Salgu sat down on the floor and looked at the catwoman, who created this chance by risking her own life. Facing the dead body with its head being bent the wrong way and its eyes being vacant, Salgu shed tears. "Sorry... If I had been stronger..." (Salgu) "Uh-oh. Am I barely in time. Or am I out?" In the room, where there shouldn't be anyone, the voice of a man besides Salgu resounds. "W-Who is it?" (Salgu) "Yoo." (Hifumi) Hifumi suddenly turned up at the window, which should be at quite the height due to this part being on the 5th floor. Having hooked the sickle to the edge of the window, he jumps into the room with nimble movement. Once he took a fleeting glance at the defeated Buell, he took out a magic potion from within his storage while saying [He is still breathing] and sprinkled it over Buell's wounds with a *splash* "W-What are you doing...?" (Salgu) "Mm? After you it's my turn. Here, you too." (Hifumi) Having already opened one bottle, he pours the fluid completely over the sitting Salgu. "Uwaa... the wounds are?" (Salgu) At the beginning Salgu was surprised about the sensation of his body, which had been injured by Buell's sword, recovering in the twinkling of an eye, but he realized that it was the same thing Buell went through beforehand. "No way!" (Salgu) "Uuh..." (Buell) As Salgu had feared, Buell, who should be at death's door, got up while raising groans and looked down on his body with its healed wounds. "This is... just what the hell happened?" (Buell) "You are slow at waking up. Stand up quickly. Your injuries should have already been healed." (Hifumi) "Was that your work, bastard?" (Buell) Buell, who stood up, is stroking his belly while showing the inside of the torn gown. "It has been completely closed. I don't know what kind of magic that is, but it certainly is convenient. I shall praise you." (Buell) Buell showed irritation due to Hifumi's nonchalant attitude, however it was Salgu, who raised his voice before Buell. "What are you thinking? That catwoman risked her life to create an opening and even though I believed I finally killed him!" (Salgu) "That's right. It looks like your guys' fight finished right there. The middle-aged man lost and the bear somehow won by getting help." (Hifumi) The two, who had a finger pointed them in turns, glared at Hifumi in tune albeit it being just after them killing each other. "So, next is my turn. I don't have a hobby of tormenting a weakened opponent. Thus I just had you recover." (Hifumi) "My chivalrous spirit will probably overflow", Hifumi sneered, but Buell shouted that it wasn't a laughing matter. "You bastard! Even if I'm grateful for the healing, what's with this attitude in front of the king!?" (Buell) Hifumi smiles broadly. "Being a king, how does that matter? I don't care about such stuff. I saved your life. Aren't you thankful for that?" (Hifumi) "Tsk. You are a lowly man after all. Tell me what you desire." (Buell) Due to Buell folding his arms and having an attitude filled with despise, Hifumi looked into his eyes and replied, "This country." (Hifumi) "What!?" (Buell) "If you are unable to accept, will it better for you to lose your life today after all?" (Hifumi) "Do you plan to threaten the king!?" (Buell) Grasping his sword, Buell tried to strike with his sword aiming at Hifumi's neck. However, just by lowering his waist slightly, that sword cuts empty space. "Oh, yes! You can fight against me, if you dislike it. It's fine for you both to go at it at the same time. I climbed all the way up to this place because I wanted to do just that." (Hifumi) At the moment Hifumi finished his speech, Salgu as well as Buell attacked Hifumi striving to be first to hit him. Salgu aims his claws at the breast of Hifumi. Buell's sword heads towards his throat. Both of them lunge at him. Aiming at Hifumi, who stepped sideways, Salgu tried to pierce him with his fangs while drawing back his arm. "You aren't careful enough when you open your snout." (Hifumi) The tip of the suntetsu, grasped in Hifumi's hand, hit the sharpened fangs from the front. Jumping over Salgu, who squatted down in pain when a pair of his fangs broke, Buell swung his sword down from a overhead position. "Die!" (Buell) The sword, which has weight, approached with quite the velocity. Hifumi, who judged that he would be cut, even if put up the chain, seized Buell's arm by stretching out his left hand and hurled away Buell with the momentum of slashing as is. "Oouuh!?" (Buell) Being surprised by his first experience of being thrown, Buell was awkwardly slapped onto the ground. Turning around, Hifumi saw the figure of Salgu, who has started to attack in the act of standing up from his crouching posture. The pointed thrust of using his entire body as spring barely tore open Hifumi's cheek with a shallow cut. "You did well." (Hifumi) Grabbing the extended arm and arresting it, he pins down Salgu to the floor by pressing the shoulder and elbow joints. Hifumi mercilessly swings down his sickle at Salgu's nape of the neck. (It's the end, huh...? Sorry, Olra...) "... Aren't you on the humans' side, if you kill a beastman? Why are you trying to kill me as well?" (Buell) Buell, who hit his back, supports his trembling body with his sword and stands up. "I'm on neither side." (Hifumi) Storing away the kusarigama, which he had wiped clean of blood, Hifumi, who became unarmed, took a stance of having his right hand and his right leg in front. "I'm just roaming this world in the pursuit of combat." (Hifumi) "You lunatic..." (Buell) Buell, who was finally able to set up his sword by shouldering it, held a feeling of respect and terror towards the enemy standing in front of him with an abnormal presence while being an unarmed opponent. If this man was my own subordinate, it might also be possible to expand the nation by crushing the wastelands The one blow of Buell, who raised a war cry, was an honest strike without any tricks. The fast and heavy hit might have been able to injure Hifumi, if Buell had been in his best condition. At the moment Hifumi grabbed his arm just as before, Buell lowered his waist in order to prevent being thrown. However, Hifumi shows how to even deal with that. Ceasing to grab the arm, he plunged into Buell's bosom and scooped up both legs of his opponent with both arms. Buell, who was tossed onto his back unlike before, bangs the back of his head against the floor and tries to stand up in a hurry, but his knees have no strength. At the point when he stood up with the support of his sword, his cervical vertebrae was twisted by Hifumi's hand and broke. In the bedroom, filled with three fallen corpses, Hifumi touched the wound on his cheek, caused by Salgu, and licked his own blood sticking to his finger. "I have to increase the number of fellows, who are able to do at least this much." (Hifumi) Even while grumbling, Hifumi didn't suppress the laughter rising from the bottom of his abdomen due to the excitement of having received a wound after a long time.

51.Black Or White 【女騎士への辞令】 女性騎士フィリニオンは馬に乗って街道を進みながら、不満げに口を尖らせていた。 「なんだってわたしがフォカロルなんて僻地に行かなきゃならないのよ」 服や食料を乗せた小さな馬車が、その後ろをついてきている。馬車の中では、野営の際に見張りをしていた、ビロン伯爵の使者が眠っている。馭者をしているのは、フィリニオンの侍女として実家から来てもらっているクリノラだ。 「フォカロルはもう国の端っこではありませんよ、お嬢様」 18歳のフィリニオンよりもいくつか若いクリノラの無邪気なツッコミに、フィリニオンはため息をついた。 「わかってるわよ。でもおかしいでしょ、騎士隊の隊員が領主の手伝いに派遣されるなんて。しかも、これ本当はサブナクの役目なのよ?」 緑色の柔らかな髪を風に揺らしながら、フィリニオンは愚痴をやめない。 「ですが、騎士なんて危険なお仕事よりも、街で領地の運営をしていただく方が、私としても安心です。もう戦争も終わるのだと、街では噂になっていますよ。何でも、今向かっているフォカロルの領主様のご活躍のおかげとか」 戦闘に巻き込まれる可能性が高い職場からフィリニオンが離れたのが嬉しいのか、クリノラは異動の話を聞いてからずっと上機嫌だ。 「......知らないって幸せよね」 第三騎士隊所属のフィリニオンは、当然のことながら一二三という人物について知っている。王女の継承宣言の際にもサブナクと同じく民衆に紛れており、本人の顔も見ている。 「ちょっと顔つきが幼いけど、整ってはいるのよね。でも中身がね......」 遠目に見た一二三の顔を思いだし、次いで報告書で読んだ彼の履歴を思いだした。 「お嬢様、どうかされましたか?」 「なんでもない。フォカロルまであとどれくらいかしら」 「既にトオノ領には入っています。明日には着きますよ」 「......うん?」 会話を交わしながら、街道の先を見ているフィリニオンの視界に、土煙を上げて近づいてくる何かが見えた。 「クリノラ、馬車を街道の外へ! 何かわからないけどすごい勢いで近づいてくる!」 「は、はいっ!」 クリノラが手綱を操ると、馬車は直ぐに街道の外へと移動する。段差で馬車が跳ね、ビロンの使者も飛び起きた。 「何かあったのですか?!」 クリノラが状況を説明している間に、フィリニオンも街道を出る。 「なんなのよ、まったく......」 念のため剣を抜き、馬を降りて馬車の脇へと待機したフィリニオンは、手のひらにじわりと浮かんだ汗を服で拭った。 剣は正直、自信がない。女性騎士に憧れて、一時期熱心に練習はしていたものの、領地の運営の楽しさに目覚めてからはさっぱりだった。経営に口出ししすぎて父親から騎士隊へ入れられてからは、多少は鍛え直したが、騎士隊の中では最低ラインの腕だった。 「野盗や魔物の類じゃありませんように......」 だが、願いは二重に裏切られる。 間も無く見えてきた土煙の正体は、大型の猪型の魔物だった。森やそれに近い位置でよく見られるタイプの魔物だが、サイズは3メートル近くあり、魔物退治を得意とする冒険者でも、人数がいないと厳しい大きさだ。 そしてその大型の魔物を追う者たちがいる。 何かの台車のような物に乗った三人組は、二人が何かのレバーを操作し、一人が弓矢のような台車に固定された何かを構えている。全員、どこかの兵士のように揃いのシンプルな鎧を着ている。 「うおおおお!」 「ばか! 速すぎだって!」 「怖い怖い怖い!」 口々に叫びながら魔物を追い立てていた彼らが発射した槍のようなものが、鈍い音を立てて魔物の尻に突き刺さった。 雄叫びをあげて走る勢いのまま転がった魔物に、猛スピードのまま台車が突っ込み、三人は散り散りに吹っ飛ばされて、魔物を飛び越えて転がった。 「うわ......」 これは無事では済まないだろうと、クリノラを馬車の側に残し、フィリニオンとビロンの使者は恐る恐る近づいて行く。 魔物は、転がった拍子に首を折ったらしく、完全に絶命していた。 他の魔物がいないかと安全を確認したあと、倒れている三人の様子を見ると、全員がフラフラと立ち上がっている。 「だ、大丈夫......なの?」 怖々と一人に尋ねると、兵士らしき男は恥ずかしそうに頭をかいて頭を下げた。 「あ、驚かせてすみません」 「い、いや......無事ならいいんだけど」 残った二人も立ち上がって、粉々になった台車を見て「怒られる~」と頭を抱えている。 「わたしはオーソングランデ第三騎士隊所属のフィリニオンです。どこかの兵士かしら。ずいぶん頑丈なのね。不思議な乗り物に乗っていたし」 「これはこれは、騎士様でしたか! この程度で怪我はしませんよ、我らは受身という技を身に付け、そしてそれが必須となるような厳しい訓練を日々受けておりますので」 (受身?) 始めて聞く単語に、フィリニオンが警戒する。もしかすると他国の者かもしれない。 そう思っている間に、他の二人の兵たちも集まり、フィリニオンたちに頭を下げた。 「お騒がせして申し訳ありません。この先で野営準備を行っていたのですが、食料にするのに魔物を追っておりまして」 「それはいいのだけれど、あなたたちの所属は?」 お恥ずかしいと照れ笑いをする大の男三人は、他に見る兵士のような武骨さが無く、どうにも軽い感じがする。 「ああ、失礼いたしました! 我らはトオノ領の領軍に所属する領兵です」 (これが......) 寡兵で大軍を打ち破ったというイメージとかけ離れた、お調子者と言って差し支えない様子の兵達に、フィリニオンはひどく不安になった。 「この先、馬でしばらく行った所に我らの陣があります。領主の一二三様へ報告するのに戻りますので、よろしければご一緒にいかがですか。領主一二三様が、イノシシナベとかいうのを作るそうですので、ご迷惑をおかけしたお詫びに......」 「一二三様がおられるのですか!?」 話を遮って身を乗り出したのは、ビロンの使者だ。 思ったより早い出会いになりそうだと、フィリニオンは気持ちを引き締めた。 ヴィシーの大都市の一つ、ピュルサンの代表であるミノソンからの書簡には、一二三が中央委員会からの使者に語った内容以外に、重要な事が書かれていた。 「ベイレヴラは、ヴィシーを出奔したらしい。で、ミノソンが調べた範囲では、また商人の振りをしてオーソングランデを抜けて、おそらくホーラントへ向かっただろうということだ」 一二三の説明に、オリガはしばらく間を置いて、口を開いた。 「信用、できるのでしょうか?」 一二三が放った書簡を拾い上げ、オリガはじっくりと目を通した。 「しばらくヴィシーはピュルサンの独立関係でゴタゴタするだろう。そこに攻めていくのも良いが、ミノソンがそれで楽ができると考えているのが透けて見える。それが気に入らん」 「本来なら“ピュルサン対ヴィシーの残り”になるのが、かなりの部分がオーソングランデとの戦いに向くとなると、その分敵が減るだろ」 しばらくヴィシーは放っておく、と一二三は言った。 「もう少しごちゃごちゃしてから入り込んだ方が、楽しくなりそうだからな」 「では?」 紅茶を入れなおし、一二三の前に置きながら、オリガは期待の目を向けた。 「ホーラントに行く。魔法具の件も気になるからな。裏でこそこそやって準備してるようだから、多少は手応えがあるだろう」 オリガの中では、一二三がオリガの復讐のためにわざわざホーラントへ向かうという図式になっていた。しかも、また二人で旅ができるというのではと期待する。 「アリッサと......せっかくだから、遠征ついでに軍もいくらか連れて行くか。色々作っておいた道具も試したいし」 二人きりではないことにがっかりしているオリガを無視して、一二三は早速プルフラスに用意させるために出ていった。 「それにしても......」 一人、部屋に残されたオリガは、デスクの上の書面を見た。 「ベイレヴラ......覚悟しなさい。私が必ず殺す」 静かな室内に、決意の言葉が響いた。 リベザルがミュンスターに到着したとき、まだミュンスターは健在ではあったが、街の中は出歩く人々は見当たらず、厳戒態勢というべき状況にあった。 「これはどういうことだ? 第二騎士隊は何をしている?」 予測ではホーラントとはほとんど戦闘になることはなく、睨み合いで終ると見られていたはずで、街の住人に影響が出るほどの戦闘が起きているのは完全にリベザルの予想外だった。 「おや、第二の次は第一ですか。まるでここが王城のようですな」 館でリベザルを迎えたビロンは、つまらなそうに言った。 「この街の状況はどういう事かね?」 ソファにどっかりと座り、リベザルは出された紅茶で喉を潤す。 「第二騎士隊ではホーラントの兵を押さえきれていないようですな。どうやら妙な魔法具で強化されているとか」 「魔法具だと?!」 想像以上に窮地にあるホーラント国境の戦況に、リベザルは自分の計画が狂う事に歯噛みした。王子を旗印に戦力を糾合して王城に帰るはずが、肝心の戦力が削られている。 「それで、第二騎士隊はどこにいる?」 「国境近くの村に宿営していますよ。どうやら私がトオノ伯爵に援軍を要請したのが気に入らないようで」 ビロンは白い歯を見せて笑い、これは失礼、と役目済ましに言う。 「一二三に援軍を頼むというのか! なぜあの男なのだ!」 「強いからですよ。多くの敵を殺し、民衆を守り、領地を守る。同じ領主としてコツを伺いたいくらいです」 睨みつけるリベザルの視線を無視して、ビロンは焼き菓子を一つつまんだ。 「お一ついかがですか? 甘いものは心を落ち着けます。冷静になって判断する必要があるときは、必ず菓子を用意するようにしているのですよ」 仕事が詰まっていると菓子ばかり食べるので、子供みたいだと妻などには笑われてしまうのですがね、とビロンは笑い、もう一つ口に放り込んだ。 「不要だ! これで失礼させていただく!」 「ああ、待ってください。貴方がここへ来たということは、王城で何かあったのでは?」 ビロンの質問に一瞬硬直したが、リベザルは知らぬと言い捨て、荒々しくドアを開閉して出て行く。見送って、ビロンは大きく息を吐いて椅子に身体を預けた。 「やれやれ、さすがは第一騎士隊長どの、威圧感は大したものです」 ビロンの予測では、リベザルたち第一騎士隊は第二騎士隊と合流してホーラントとの戦いに向かうことになる。勝てれば王子を祭り上げて凱旋し、王位継承まで力づくで推し進めるつもりだろう。 負けた場合は、ここへ敵がやってくるだろう。 「最悪の事態も考えておくべきか......」 天井を見上げて策を考えながら、デスクの上の鈴を鳴らす。 すぐに執事が入ってきた。 「お呼びでしょうか」 「会議場に領軍の隊長たち全員を呼んでくれ。それと、戦闘のための物資の用意も」 「......かしこまりました」 老執事は何も聞かず、ただ頭を垂れた。 「頼むよ。......それにしても、彼は無事にトオノ伯爵と接触できたかな? 早ければ、もうこちらに向かってきてくれているハズだけど。まあ、期待は期待として置いておいて、できることをしないとね」 憤慨するリベザルは、館の外で待つ第一騎士隊の所へ戻ってきた。 隊長の不機嫌な様子に、誰も声をかけない。 ただ一人を除いて。 「どうやら、ホーラントの魔法具でかなり被害が出ているようですな」 後ろ手に縛られたまま、ベイレヴラがいやらしく笑う。 リベザルに睨まれても、話すのをやめない。 「対応策はありますぜ。ワタシの人脈があれば同じものを用意できますから、それで兵隊を強化すれば......」 ベイレヴラを見て、しばらく考え込んでいたリベザルだが、今は無視して第二騎士隊との合流を優先させる事にした。 「今、第二騎士隊は国境近くの村にて布陣しているそうだ。多少手こずっているようだが、我々が救援に向かえば、すぐに押し返せるだろう!」 おう、と騎士たちから声があがり、列をなしてミュンスターの街を抜けていく。 縛られたまま歩かされているベイレヴラは、相変わらずヘラヘラと笑っている。 「まあ、必要な時に言ってくださいよ」 「そんなものに頼らずとも、我々騎士隊の実力を以てすれば、いくらでも勝機はある!」 そう言いつつも、何故かベイレヴラの身柄をビロン伯爵へと渡す気にはならなかった。 ビロン伯爵はすでに王女派につくと決めているような節がある。そこに敵国の情報を持った者を渡せば、あの一二三によって手柄は奪い去られてしまうかもしれない。 「とにかく、貴様の出番はない」 なんとしても、王子派の騎士隊だけで戦果を上げねば。 焦りが、リベザルを支配していた。

Chapter 51: Black Or White While the female knight Phyrinion was advancing along the highway on horse, she pouted in dissatisfaction. "Why? Is it absolutely necessary for me to go to such remote district such as Fokalore?" (Phyrinion) The clothes and food was placed in a small carriage that is following her in the back. Earl Biron's messenger, who was on guard duty at the time of camping, is sleeping within the carriage. Krinola "Fokalore isn't at the end of the nation any more, ojou-sama." (Krinola) Phyrinion sighed as Krinola, being a few years younger than the 18-years old Phyrinion, innocently tsukkomi'd. "I know about that too! But it's strange. Something like deploying a member of a knight unit to help a feudal lord. Moreover, is this really Sabnak's duty?" (Phyrinion) While her green tender hair sways in the wind, Phyrinion can't stop to complain. "However, rather than doing such dangerous work such as being a knight, the way of taking care of the territorial administration of a city is a relief for me as well. It has become a rumor in the city that the war has already ended, too. They say, the Lord-sama of Fokalore, where we are currently heading towards, has played an active role to influence this or something like that." (Krinola) Is she happy that Phyrinion left the workplace where she would very likely be involved in a battle? Krinola has been continuously in a good mood since hearing about the matter of being transferred. "... It's a blessing, if you don't know about it, right?" (Phyrinion) Phyrinion, who is affiliated with the Third Knight Order, is naturally aware of the person called Hifumi. As she slipped into the masses at the succession announcement of the princess just like Sabnak, she has also seen the face of the person himself. "Although his face is slightly immature, he is well-equipped. But his contents..." (Phyrinion) Recalling Hifumi's face she saw from far away, she remembered the personal history she read in the subsequent report. "Ojou-sama, what's wrong?" (Krinola) "Nothing. How far is it until Fokalore?" (Phyrinion) "We have already entered the Tohno territory. We will arrive tomorrow." (Krinola) "... Oh?" (Phyrinion) While conversing with each other, Phyrinion's view is observing the highway ahead. Something is approaching while rising a cloud of dust was in sight. "Krinola, get the carriage off the highway! Something unknown is approaching us with great speed." (Phyrinion) "Y-Yes!" (Krinola) Krinola, steering with the reins, immediately moves the carriage away from the highway. Biron's messenger also jumped up to his feet with the carriage hitting the bumps on the ground. "Did something happen?" (Messenger) During the time when Krinola is explaining the situation, Phyrinion leaves the highway as well. "What's going on? Good grief..." (Phyrinion) Drawing her sword for caution's sake, Phyrinion, who dismounts her horse and waits besides the carriage, wiped the sweat, that drenched her palm, with a cloth. Admiring female knights, she practiced enthusiastically for a period of time, but it was no good after she realized the fun of territorial administration. Because she was placed in the knight unit by her father for interfering with the administration too much, she restarted her training more or less, but in terms of skills she was at the lowest ranks amongst the knight unit. "I hope it isn't the kind of monsters and bandits..." (Phyrinion) But, her hope has been betrayed two-fold. Soon the true identity of the approaching cloud of dust was visible. It was a large monster of the wild boar type. It is a type of monster that can be seen in near places such as forests, but its size is close to three meters. Even for adventurers, whose strong point is to subjugate monsters, it will be a harsh game, if they don't hunt it with an appropriate number of people. And then there are people who are chasing that large monster. A trio who boarded something like some wagon. Two of them are operating some kind of lever. The last is preparing some bow that is fixated on the wagon. All of them are wearing a simple armor somehow similar to the uniforms of soldiers. "Uoooo!" "Fool! It's too fast!" "Scary! Scary! Scary!" While unanimously yelling, they fired something like a spear urging the monster forward. With a dull sound it pierced the butt of the monster. As the monster fell over with a great force raising a roar, the wagon crashed into it at high-speed. The three are scattered and blown off the wagon rolling over the monster. "Uwa..." (Phyrinion) Feeling uneasy whether this has ended safely, Phyrinion and Biron's messenger approach the crash site leaving Krinola at the carriage. The monster had its neck broken at the moment it fell. It was 100% dead. After they confirmed that there aren't any other monsters, as they try to examine the state of the collapsed three, all of them are standing up unsteadily. "A-Are you alright... or?" (Phyrinion) As she asks one of them nervously, the soldier-like man bowed his head while being embarrassed. "Ah, I'm sorry for frightening you." "N-No... if you are fine, all's well." (Phyrinion) The remaining two also get up. Seeing the shattered wagon, they are at their wit's end and say [We will be scolded~] . "I am Phyrinion belonging to Orsongrande's Third Knight Unit. I wonder to whom you soldiers are affiliated. You are surprisingly sturdy. You boarded a strange vehicle there." (Phyrinion) "Oh, what an honor, you were a knight-sama?! We aren't this injured. We have acquired a technique called ukemi. And it has become something indispensable for our intense training we receive everyday." (Ukemi?) (Phyrinion) Phyrinion raises her vigilance due to the word she has heard for the first time. While pondering about this, the other two soldiers came close and bowed to Phyrinion's group. "We are deeply sorry to have caused you anxiety. As we prepared a camping site further down the highway from here, we chased the monster in order to get some food." "That is fine, but what's your affiliation?" (Phyrinion) They don't have the boorishness like other soldiers I have seen. They somehow feel gentle. "Ah, please forgive us our impoliteness! We are territorial soldiers belonging to the territorial army of the Tohno territory." (They are...) They were quite different from the image she had about the small army force that defeated a large army. Phyrinion became very anxious due to the objectionable aspects of the soldiers as she thought them to be frivolous people. "Slightly away on horses from here on was our camp. Given that we are returning in order to report to Lord Hifumi-sama, how about travelling with us if that's alright with you? We have troubled you because of Lord Hifumi-sama apparently saying that he wants to make bear stew, as an apology..." "Hifumi-sama is there?" (Messenger) Bending himself forward in curiosity, it is Biron's messenger who interrupts the soldier. It seems that I will meet him faster than I expected Except for the details Hifumi told the messengers from the central committee, there was something important written in the letter from Minoson, who is the representative of Pursang, the single metropolis of Vichy. "It looks like Beirevra has fled from Vichy. So, according to the extent of Minoson's investigation, it appears as if he is most likely planning to head towards Horant, escaping Orsongrande by once again pretending to be a merchant." (Hifumi) Listening to Hifumi's explanation, Origa paused for a little while and then opened her mouth. "Are we able to trust this information?" (Origa) Picking up the letter Hifumi threw away, Origa carefully scanned its contents. "Soon there will be confusion in Vichy as effect of Pursang's independence. Even though it will also be fine to attack then, it seems too obvious that Minoson considers it to be possible with ease. I don't like that at all." (Hifumi) "Originally it would become "Pursang vs. the rest of Vichy." If it turns out that quite a part of Vichy has to face Orsongrande in war, the enemies will decrease for them accordingly, right?" (Hifumi) "Let's leave Vichy alone for a while", is what Hifumi said. "It looks to me that it will be enjoyable, if we let their state become a little more complicated by being mixed up." (Hifumi) "So?" (Origa) While pouring tea into the cup again and placing it in front of Hifumi, Origa looked at him in expectation. "We will go to Horant. Since I am also bothered over the magic tool case. It looks like they have been getting reading secretly behind the scenes, so there will likely be some reaction." (Hifumi) Within Origa it had taken the form of Hifumi especially heading towards Horant for the sake of Origa's revenge. Furthermore she is hoping for them both to be able to travel together again. "With Alyssa... as she has waited for a long time now. While we are at it, we should also take some troops along on the expedition, huh? I am planning to test various tools we built as well." (Hifumi) Ignoring Origa, who was disappointed that it wouldn't be just the two of them, Hifumi immediately left for the sake of having Pruflas prepare the necessary things. "At any rate..." (Origa) Origa, remaining in the room by herself, looked at the documents on top of the desk. "Beirevra... get ready. I will kill you without fail." (Origa) Her words of determination resounded within the silent room.magic At the time when Ribezal arrived at Munster, Munster was still standing strong, but there weren't any people to be found roaming within the city. It matched a situation you ought to call a state of high alert. "What's this? What is the Second Knight Unit doing?" (Ribezal) He has never predicted that it would practically become a battle with Horant. He believed it would end with both sides glaring at each other. It was completely unforeseeable for Ribezal that a battle would take place to the degree that it would influence the residents of the city. "Oh my, after the Second, now the First? This place is completely similar the royal castle now." (Biron) Biron, who welcomed Ribezal in his mansion, said while looking bored. "What's up with the situation in this city?" (Ribezal) Sitting down on the sofa with a flump, Ribezal appeases his thirst with the black tea that was served. "It seems that the Second Knight Unit can't stop Horant's soldiers. Somehow or other they are strengthened by a strange magic tool or something like that." (Biron) "Magic tool, you say?!" (Ribezal) Ribezal was grinding his teeth due to his own plan going astray as the battle progress at the national border to Horant was in a predicament beyond his imagination. He should return to the royal castle to rally troops under the prince's banner, but the crucial war potential has been reduced. "And? Where is the Second Knight Unit?" (Ribezal) "They are quartering in a village close to the border. It appears that they aren't pleased with me requesting reinforcements from the Tohno earldom." (Biron) Showing his white teeth, Biron laughs. "Excuse my discourtesy", he says finishing his business. "You say you have asked Hifumi for reinforcements? Why that man?" (Ribezal) "Because he is strong. He has killed many enemies, protected the populace and defended his territory. It's to the extent that I want to inquire about his secret as likewise territorial lord." (Biron) Disregarding Ribezal's scowling look, Biron picked up a single baked sweet. "Do you want one? The sweetness will calm your mind. Once it is necessary to make composed decisions, I am always making sure to prepare pastry." (Biron) Since he eats nothing but sweets being clogged up with work, he ends up getting laughed at and branded as child by his wife, Biron laughed and threw another one into his mouth. "It's unnecessary. Please excuse me for leaving now!" (Ribezal) "Ah, please wait. Does your coming here mean that something happened at the royal castle?" (Biron) Although he stiffened for an instant due to Biron's question, Ribezal told him that he doesn't know. He leaves while roughly opening and closing the door. Seeing him off, Biron entrusted his body to the chair with a large breath. "Good grief! As expected of the First Knight Unit's captain, he has a quite intimidating air." (Biron) By Biron's estimation it has been decided that the Ribezal's First Knight Unit will merge with the Second Knight Unit and head towards fighting against Horant. In case they lose, the enemy will turn up here. "Should I also take the worst case into consideration... ?" (Biron) While deciding on a policy, he looks up to the ceiling and rings a bell on his desk. His butler came entering right away. "You have called?" (Butler) "Summon all of the commanding officers of the territorial army in the conference room. And prepare the materials necessary for battle then." (Biron) "... Certainly!" (Butler) Without asking anything, the elder butler merely bowed his head. "I entrust it to you. Anyway, I wonder if he has contacted the Tohno earldom safely? If he was fast, they should already be heading this way. Well, hope has to be placed as hope. It doesn't influence what's possible to be done." (Biron) The indignant Ribezal returned to the place outside the mansion where the First Knight Unit waited. No one calls out to him seeing their captain's displeased look. Except just one person. "Somehow or other, it looks like the magic tools of Horant have caused considerable damage." (Beirevra) In a state of having his hands tied behind his back, Beirevra laughs disgustingly. Even as Ribezal glares at him, he doesn't quit to talk. "There are countermeasures. I can prepare the same thing if my people are still alive. If you enhance the soldiers with this..." (Beirevra) Looking at Beirevra, Ribezal broods over it for a short while, but, ignoring Beirevra currently, he decided to prioritize the linking up with the Second Knight Unit. "It seems the Second Knight Unit is now lining up at a village close to the border. The appear to have a somewhat hard time, but if we go to reinforce them, the enemy will be forced back right away!" (Ribezal) "Yea!" with the knights raising their voices, they leave the city of Munster in a line. Beirevra, who had been bound and is walking as is, is still laughing frivolously. "Oh well, please tell me once it is necessary." (Beirevra) "Without even relying on someone like you, we have all chances to win, if we use our true strength as knight unit." (Ribezal) While saying this, somehow I couldn't bring myself to hand over Beirevra to Earl Biron. Earl Biron has already a tune as if he has decided to join the princess' faction. If I handed over a person holding information about an enemy nation, it might end up being snatched away as achievement by that Hifumi. "At any rate, you bastard won't have a role to play." (Ribezal) No matter what it takes, I have to raise military gains with only the knight units belonging to the prince faction. Ribezal was ruled by impatience.

145.Lionsong 当初の計画としてイメラリアは幌なしの馬車の上でネルガルと共に先頭にいると主張したが、護衛の関係上、それだけはビロンやサブナクに猛反対を受け、しぶしぶ諦めた。 最終的には、イメラリアとネルガルはフォカロルが持ってきた物資運搬用大型台車に座席を取り付け、護衛と共に搭乗することとなった。大型でも速度があり、護衛もしやすいとの理由だ。 先頭はヴァイヤーが率いる騎士隊が務め、その後ろにイメラリアとサブナクを含む護衛騎士隊、そしてフォカロル兵が続き、さらにビロン伯爵の私兵を含むオーソングランデ王国軍本体が続く。 フォカロル兵はアリッサが率い、オリガは獣人たちを連れてイメラリアと共に台車の上にいた。 「現状報告を」 「はい。国境のホーラント側には依然として相手方兵士が複数居るようですが、人数は五十に満たない数のようです」 サブナクが淀みなく答えると、イメラリアは鷹揚にうなずいた。 「では当初の作戦通りに。オリガさん、お願いしますね」 「承知いたしました」 オリガ鉄線を抱えたまま微笑む。 「では、進軍開始」 「進め!」 イメラリアの命令を受け、サブナクが声を張り上げると、先に見えるヴぁイヤーが手を挙げて応え、大軍はゆっくりと進み出す。 国境の前までやってきた、自軍の二十倍以上の人数をようする軍を確認し、ホーラント兵が浮足立たないはずがなかった。 彼らは国境警備兵である以上、進軍してくる敵国の兵に対応するのが義務ではあったが、世の中には不可能なことがある、と責任者は口には出さずとも考えていた。 「全員で足止めをする。伝令はすぐに首都へ連絡を。“オーソングランデが大軍を以て国境に攻めてきた”とな。寝ている奴も叩き起こせ。総力で当たらなければ踏みつぶされて終わりだぞ!」 そう指示を出し名がら、総力でも踏みつぶされるだろうが、と粛々と進んでくるオーソングランデ軍をにらみつけた。 ふいに、彼の耳に声が届く。 『この声が聞こえていますか?』 「......なんだ?」 周囲を見回すと、他の兵たちにも声が聞こえたらしく、全員がきょろきょろと首を回している。 『わたくしの名はイメラリア・トリエ・オーソングランデ。オーソングランデの女王です。魔法によって貴方たち国境のホーラント兵すべてに呼びかけています』 それはオリガの魔法だった。 風魔法により音声を増幅し、且つ指向性を持たせる。音波について一二三の指導を受けたオリガにのみ可能な魔法だった。 「魔法で声を飛ばすだと? そんな馬鹿な......」 狼狽える兵士たちに、さらに呼びかけは続く。 『残念ながらそちらの声を拾うことはできませんので、一方的に宣言させていただきます。今、こちらにはホーラントの次期王ネルガル様がおられます。目の良い方ならば、見えるかと思いますが』 イメラリアの正面にいた騎士たちが左右に分かれると、台車の上にいるイメラリアと、その隣に座るネルガルが見える。 ホーラント警備兵の中にネルガルの顔を知っている者が数名いたこともあり、およそ間違いないのではないか、と口々に話している。 『わたくしたちはホーラントに攻め込むために来たのではありません。ネルガル様を無事に首都までお送りするために参りました。ですが』 再び、騎士たちがイメラリアの前に立ちはだかり、武器を抜いた。 騎士の武器は本来槍や剣なのだが、それ以外に鎖鎌を振り回したり、刀のような物を持っている者もいる。 『もし邪魔をするというのであれば、相応の覚悟をしてくださいませ』 女王の宣言は終わり、軍は再びゆっくりと進み始める。 もはや、ホーラント国境警備兵たちに戦う意思は存在しなかった。 「一千人超の兵数だと? 何かの間違いではないのか!」 国境から必死の思いで情報を持ってきた伝令は、報告を終えた途端にクゼムから怒鳴り声を浴びせられることとなった。 「で、ですが実際に大軍が国境まで迫っているのをこの目で確認いたしました!」 疑われるのは心外とばかりに、伝令も声を張り上げる。 「そのような大軍で我が国に入ってくるとは......」 「だから言っただろ?」 相変わらずクゼムの執務室に入り浸っていた一二三が笑う。 「あんな木偶の坊が出てきたところで、恐れて攻めてこないなんて考えるのがおかしいんだ」 「対策といいますと?」 一二三から話を聞くために足しげくここへ訪れていたガアプの質問に、一二三は首を横に振る。 「それを聞いたら面白くないだろ? 単純に敵の前に出したら負けるかも知れないなら、出し方を考えろよ」 そのやり取りも、クゼムを苛立たせる。 敵であるはずの一二三に、頭を下げて教えを乞う姿を目の前で延々とやられているのだ。 状況が分かっていない伝令も、クゼムが見る見る不機嫌になっているのはわかる。 「さあ、本番だぞ!」 一二三がひょいと立ち上がると、室内全員の視線が集まる。 「思ったよりも早かったが、俺の予想が合っていればイメラリアたちはまっすぐここを目指してくるだろうな。あいつが目的の為に下げる頭を持っているなら、フォカロルの助けを借りて一気呵成にここを目指す」 俺がやったように、と一二三はクゼムに向けてにっこりと笑った。 「で、では、貴殿が出ればその進軍は止まるのではないか? 友好な......そう、今こうして友好な関係を築きつつあるのだから......」 「なにをトチ狂った事を言ってやがる。言っただろう。戦争をやれ、と」 クゼムの前に進みながら、一二三は刀を抜く。 あまりにも自然なその動きに、切っ先がクゼムの左目に突きつけられるまで、周囲にいた人物は全く反応できなかった。 「やる気が無いなら、ここで死ね。あのガアプの方がまだ見込みが......」 「わかった! わかったから武器をおさめてくれ!」 クゼムが悲鳴のような声をあげると、刀はすうっと離れ、滝のような汗を流したクゼムは喘ぐように呼吸を繰り返した。 「ガアプ! 城の防衛は貴様に任せる!」 乱暴な指示を出したクゼムは、ヨロヨロと立ち上がると、執務室を後にした。 それに誰も追随する者は居らず、息巻くガアプはクゼムの様子など知らぬ顔をして、迎撃の準備の為に、一二三に一礼して出て行った。 「なあ」 取り残された伝令に、一二三が声をかけた。 「ここは首都だろう? かき集めれば兵なんざ大量にいると思ったんだが、妙に少ないように見える。何かあったか?」 以前に単身乗り込み、スプランゲルと対峙するまでは、城の外にも兵士たちがかなりいた印象を持っていた一二三は、昼間に城の中を勝手に歩き回って疑問を感じていた。 「はあ。以前は徴兵によって民衆から大量に兵士を集めておりましたが、前王によって著兵が廃止されましたので、以前の三分の一もおりません」 給料などの待遇が見直されたため、以前から残っている者が多いとは言うが、激減と言っていい人数差である。スプランゲルはフォカロルの兵たちを見て「有象無象が大量に居ても役に立たない」と考えたらしく、フォカロルから教導部隊が派遣されてくるにあたり、人数を激減させて予算の使い道を装備や待遇に回すようにしたのだそうだ。 「なるほどな。で、今この首都を防衛するのに兵数はどれくらいいる?」 「はっきりとはわかりませんが、三千はいるかと」 「ふぅん」 防衛側が三倍とすると、中々厳しいだろうとは思うが、それだけイメラリアがどう戦うかが気になる一二三は、にやにやとした笑いが抑えられない。 伝令が気味悪がって逃げるようにドアを開けたその背中に、一二三が声をかけた。 「ああそうだ。あんまり内情をペラペラ喋るもんじゃないぞ」 失敗を指摘された恥ずかしさと、「聞いたのはそっちだろう」という怒りで顔を真っ赤にした伝令は、何も言わずに出ていった。 「......まあ、数日は先か」 つぶやいた一二三は、応接のソファにごろりと横になる。 「アリッサはどう出るかな? うずうずしてくるが、我慢、我慢」 そう言えばオリガを置いて来たな、と今更に思いだしたが、別に心配しないといけないような奴でも無いか、と目を閉じた。 波が割れるようにホーラント国境警備兵たちが左右にわかれ、中央をヴァイヤーたちが堂々と進む。 敵の間を進むのはやはりそれなりの緊張感があるらしく、騎士たちはその後ろから来る護衛も含めて、一様にこわばった顔をしていた。 「実際にやってみると、これほど大胆な方法もありませんね」 ネルガルの呟きに、イメラリアは反応しない。 不思議に思って視線を向けると、真顔でガチガチに緊張しているのが見えた。 ネルガルは兵たちの間に台車が入っていくと、すっと立ち上がる。 「私はこの国、ホーラントの王になるネルガルだ。オーソングランデへの攻撃などと、どこの愚か者が考えたかわからんが、幸運にもオーソングランデ女王、イメラリア陛下のお力添えを得られた。今ここで私の話が聞こえている者は、君たちの同僚、国民に伝えるのだ!」 突然の演説にイメラリアは一瞬だけ驚いた顔を見せたが、その狙いを知ってすぐに真顔に戻して見せた。 ネルガルの護衛たちも驚いているあたり、予定外の行動だというのがわかる。サブナクもびっくりした顔を見せており、そのまま目を見開いていた。 イメラリアは、サブナクには腹芸は無理なのだと悟る。 「オーソングランデは強い!」 ネルガルは大声で断言した。 「君たちもフォカロルから派遣された教導部隊の技術を知っているだろう! 聞けば、失われたはずの魔道具を使った巨人兵も倒されたそうではないか! では、どうやって君たちはオーソングランデに対抗するつもりか!」 ホーラント兵士たちは唖然としながらも、不満が次第に顔に出てくる。 彼らとて、オーソングランデの兵が強いことは知っているのだ。魔法とは違う方面で進んだ技術を目の当たりにしたことも、簡単に王城に侵入されたことも、誰一人知らぬ者はない。 声にこそ出さないが、不満は共通している。今更それを蒸し返して、自らの兵を貶めてどうするのか、と。 「ではどうするか」 ネルガルは笑みを浮かべる。 「仲間になれば良い。前王スプランゲルが考えたように、オーソングランデと共にあれば、その技術も私たちを殺す物から私たちを守るものになる。今、君たちを危地へと押しやったのは何者か! それに従う理由があるのか? そうでなければ、今君たちがやるべきは、私たちと共に倒すことではないか。その愚か者を!」 兵士たちの受けた驚きは波のように広がり、次第にネルガルを讃える声となる。 ゆったりと周囲を見回したネルガルは、座りながら「勝手をいたしました」とイメラリアに詫びる。 「いいえ。良いお言葉でした。今のお話の通り、“お味方であられるうちは”我がオーソングランデはホーラントの良い隣人として在りましょう」 「......ありがたいお心遣い。肝に銘じておきましょう」 「では、サブナクさん。進みましょう。まだ先は長いのです」 軍は進む。 ホーラントの警備兵も半数以上がその進軍に従った。 (順調ですね。......フォカロル軍がこちらにある以上、一二三様自身が立ちはだかることは無いでしょうが、敵はどう出るでしょう。途上か、あるいは首都で待ち構えているのでしょうか) ちらり、とイメラリアは斜め後ろに座るオリガを盗み見た。 イメラリアは、ホーラントとの問題が片付けば、一二三に対する封印術式について本格的に準備を進めるつもりでいる。 (そのために、オリガさん。申し訳ないとは思いますけれど、貴女を最大限に利用させていただきます) イメラリア自身も、周囲の者も気づくことは無かった。誰もが一二三を抑えることを考えはしても、殺すことを考えていないことに。 それがイメラリアを含むこの世界の者たちの甘さと言えばそれだけだが、自身の中にある一二三に対する感情が“憎しみ”ではない何かへと変質していることに、まだイメラリアは気づいていなかった。

Chapter 145: Lionsong As first part of the plan Imeraria emphasized her staying in the vanguard together with Nelgal in an open-topped carriage, but receiving vehement opposition from Biron and Sabnak based on the concerns of her guarding, she reluctantly gave up on that. In the end it was decided that seats would be installed on the large platform wagon for transporting goods brought along by Fokalore and Imeraria and Nelgal would board that wagon together with their guards. The reason is that it's easy to guard and that it has speed albeit being large. The knight unit led by Vaiya will serve as vanguard. Behind them will be the guarding knight unit including Imeraria and Sabnak. And after them it continues with Fokalore's soldiers and then the main forces of Orsongrande's royal army including the feudal army of Earl Biron. Fokalore's soldiers will be led by Alyssa. Origa will take along the beastmen and stay on the platform wagon together with Imeraria. "Report the current state." (Imeraria) "Yes. it seems there are still several parties of soldiers remaining on Horant's side of the national border, but it looks like their numbers don't exceed 50." (Sabnak) Once Sabnak answered fluently, Imeraria nodded lordly. "Well then, following the first part of the plan, Origa-san, please go ahead." (Imeraria) "Understood." (Origa) Origa held an iron wire while smiling. "Then, commence the march." (Imeraria) "Advance!" (Sabnak) Following Imeraria's order, Sabnak raises his voice and Vaiya, who is visible at the head, raises one hand in response. The large army starts to go forward slowly. Horant's soldiers, who confirmed the army possessing more than 20 times their own force's numbers after they arrived in front of the border, were in a state of agitation. Above them being border guards, they had the duty to deal with the soldiers of the enemy nation who advanced up to the border, but the person in charge thought . Wake up those sleeping as well. It will end with us being crushed underfoot if we can't muster all our strength!" While giving such directions, he silently glared at the advancing army of Orsongrande and thought Suddenly a voice reached his ears. {Can you hear this voice?} "... What?" Once he looks around, it seems that the other soldiers have heard that voice as well. All of them are turning around their heads while looking at the surroundings restlessly. {My name is Imeraria Torie Orsongrande. I'm the queen of Orsongrande. I'm calling out to you, all of Horant's soldiers at the border, with magic.} (Imeraria) That was Origa's spell. She amplifies the voice with wind magic and yet makes it sustain a directionality. It was a spell possible to only Origa who received Hifumi's guidance regarding sound waves. "Her voice is delivered by magic, she says? Such a stupid..." As the soldiers get flustered, the calling out to them continues further. {Since I'm unfortunately unable to pick up your voices, I will make an one-sided announcement. Currently the next king of Horant, Nelgal-sama, is with us. I believe you can see him him if your eyes are good enough.} (Imeraria) Once the knights, who were in front of Imeraria, part to the left and right, Imeraria, who is on top of a platform wagon, and Nelgal, who is sitting next to her, are visible. As there are also several people among Horant's guards who know Nelgal's face, several of them state "There's no mistake about it." {We don't have come to invade Horant. We came for the sake of delivering Nelgal-sama safely to the capital. But.} (Imeraria) The knights once again blocked the way in front of Imeraria and drew their weapons. The knights' weapons are originally spears and swords, but in addition there are also those who are wielding kusarigama's and swords similar to katana's. {If you become an obstacle, please resolve yourselves suitably.} (Imeraria) As the queen's proclamation finishes, the army begins to advance slowly once again. The border guards of Horant had already no intention to fight.magic "The number of soldiers is more than 1000, you say? Haven't you made some kind of mistake?" (Kuzemu) The messenger, who brought the information from the border with a feeling of desperation, was shouted at with an angry voice by Kuzemu just as he finished his report. "H-However, I did confirm with these eyes that a large army has actually drawn near the national border!" As if being vexed by getting doubted, the messenger raises his voice. "With that kind of large army entering our country..." (Kuzemu) "That's why I told you, didn't I?" (Hifumi) Hifumi, who hung around Kuzemu's office as usual, laughs. "It's odd to believe in them not coming to attack out of fear just because those useless things made their appearance." (Hifumi) "Are you saying that there are countermeasures?" (Gaap) Hifumi shakes his head towards the question of Gaap who visited this place frequently in order to listen to Hifumi. "It won't be fun, if I told you that, right? If you might get defeated once you simply show yourself in front of the enemy, consider the way of showing yourself." (Hifumi) Even that exchange makes Kuzemu irritated. The state of them begging for instructions while bowing their heads towards Hifumi, who should be their enemy, is continuing endlessly in front of his eyes. Even the messenger, who doesn't understand the circumstances, knows that Kuzemu has become displeased in the blink of an eye. "Well then, it's the crucial moment!" (Hifumi) When Hifumi stands up all of a sudden, the looks of everyone inside the room gather on him. "It was faster than expected, but if it goes according to my prediction, Imeraria and the others are probably aiming to come here directly. If that woman possesses the intelligence to lower her head for the sake of her goal, she will head here in one stretch by getting Fokalore's help." (Hifumi) "It's what I would have done", Hifumi grinned at Kuzemu. "T-Then, won't their march stop once you come forth? Since we are currently in the process of building a friendship... right, a friendly relationship..." "What madness are you talking about? I told you, didn't I? Go to war, I said." (Hifumi) Hifumi draws his katana while stepping in front of Kuzemu. Due to his far too natural motion, the people in the surroundings were completely unable to react until the katana's point was thrust before Kuzemu's left eye. "If you don't have any intention to do so, you will die here. That Gaap still has promise, but..." (Hifumi) "I got it! Please take away the weapon, I understood!" (Kuzemu) Once Kuzemu raised his voice into something similar to a scream, he, who sweated like a waterfall, repeatedly breathed hard after the katana vanished. "Gaap! I leave the defence of the castle to you bastard!" (Kuzemu) Kuzemu, who issued reckless instructions, stood up while being unsteady on his feet and left the office. Without there being anyone who follows him, Gaap, who got worked up, feigned ignorance at the state of Kuzemu, bowed towards Hifumi and left for the sake of preparing the interception. "Hey." (Hifumi) Hifumi called out to the messenger who was left behind. "This place is the capital city, right? I thought that there will be a large number of soldiers and such if they are scraped up together, but it looks like there are strangely few. Did something happen?" (Hifumi) Hifumi, who held the impression that there were also quite a few soldiers outside the castle after he marched in by himself previously and even squared off against Suprangel, felt like asking while selfishly walking around inside the castle during daytime. "Well, previously a large amount of soldiers were assembled by conscripting from the common populace, but since mercenaries were abolished by the late king, there isn't even a third left in comparison to before." One can say there are many people remaining from before since the treatment of things like salary got improved, however the difference in numbers can readily be called a sharp decrease. Seeing the soldiers of Fokalore, Suprangel apparently believed [It's useless even if there's a large number of riff-raff] . Around the time when the instruction unit arrived after being dispatched from Fokalore, he tried to circulate the planned budget into treatment and equipment by decreasing the numbers rapidly. "I see. So around how many soldiers are currently available to defend this capital?" (Hifumi) "I don't know the precise number, but it's around 3000, I guess?" "Hmm." (Hifumi) If the defending side has three times the numbers of the attacking side, it will likely be quite harsh As the messenger was crept out, he opened the door to get away and that's when Hifumi called out to him from behind. "Ah, that's right. Don't flap your mouth too much about the true state of affairs." (Hifumi) The messenger, who had a bright red face out of embarrassment for having his blunder pointed out and anger showing [The one who asked was you, wasn't it?] on his expression, left without saying a single word. "... Well, it's several days ahead ((of schedule))?" (Hifumi) Muttering that, Hifumi threw himself on the reception sofa. "I wonder how Alyssa will perform? I'm itching to do something, but I have to stay patient, must stay patient." (Hifumi) "Come to think of it, I left Origa behind", he remembered this late in the game, but After Horant's border guards divided to the left and right as if cleaved open by a wave, Vaiya's group boldly advanced through their middle. Apparently feeling quite tense after all by going forward between the enemy, the knights had uniformly stiff expression and that also included the guards who came after them. "It isn't such a bold move once you actually have a go at it either." (Nelgal) Imeraria doesn't respond to Nelgal's mumbling. Once she turned her look to him after considering it odd, what she could see was him being nervous with his teeth chattering while having a serious look. When the platform wagon with Nelgal enters the space between the soldiers, he quickly stands up. "I'm Nelgal who will become the king of this country, Horant. I don't know what kind of idiot considered something like attacking Orsongrande, but fortunately I acquired the help of Her Majesty, Imeraria, the queen of Orsongrande. Those, who are listening to what I'm saying now in this place, convey my words to the people and your colleagues!" (Nelgal) Surprised showed on Imeraria's face for an instant due to the sudden speech, but her expression reverted to a serious one right away as she knows his aim. It's easy to tell that it's an unexpected action going by Nelgal's guards being surprised as well. Sabnak being startled showed on his face and his eyes kept being widely open. Imeraria realizes that it's impossible for Sabnak to express himself without words and gestures. "Orsongrande is powerful!" (Nelgal) Nelgal declared in a loud voice. "All of you are probably aware of the skills of the instruction unit dispatched by Fokalore! If you ask, haven't they even defeated a giant soldier who used magic tools which were supposed to be lost technology!? How do you all intend to oppose such Orsongrande!?" (Nelgal) Although the soldiers of Horant are dumbfounded, dissatisfaction gradually appears on their faces. Even they know of the strength of Orsongrande's soldiers. There is no one who doesn't know about them having easily invaded the royal castle and all of them witnessed a skill that advanced in a different direction of magic. Though they don't raise their voices, displeasure is commonly shared by them. Bringing it up again at this point in time, they wonder what to do after having their own army being looked down upon. "So, what will you do?" (Nelgal) Nelgal reveals a smile. "It's fine for you to become our comrades. If it's together with Orsongrande, just as the late king Suprangel planned, those skills will prove successful to protect ourselves from those killing us. Who was it that that thrust you into a dangerous position now!? Besides, is there any reason to obey? If that's not the case, isn't overthrowing that someone together with us what you should do now? To bring down that fool!" (Nelgal) The astonishment, felt by the soldiers, spreads just like a wave and gradually turns into voices praising Nelgal. Nelgal, who surveyed the vicinity calmly, apologizes to Imeraria with a [Sorry for acting on my own] while sitting down. "No, it was a good speech. Just as you said now, "... Thanks for your consideration. Let's leave a deep impression." (Nelgal) "Well then, Sabnak-san, let's go ahead. The destination is still far away." (Imeraria) The army advances. More than half of Horant's guards followed their march. (It's going well. ... Seeing that Fokalore's army is on our side, Hifumi-sama himself probably won't stand in our way, but I wonder when the enemy will show up. Along the route? Or will they lie in wait at the capital?) Imeraria stole a fleeting glance at Origa who sits diagonally behind her. Imeraria has the intention to genuinely hasten the preparations of the sealing magic formulae in regards to Hifumi once the problem with Horant is put in order. (For that reason, although I feel sorry about it, Origa-san, I will make the best use out of you.) There was something no one realised, even not Imeraria herself. Even though everyone pondered about restraining Hifumi, they don't consider killing him. If you call this the naivety of the people of this world, including Imeraria, it ends here, but Imeraria still didn't realize about there being an emotion inside herself that has changed into something that is not "hate" towards Hifumi.

116.The Beautiful People 誰かが声をあげるより早く、最初の犠牲者が出た。 それは主に対して苦言を呈していたあの魔人族で、主が反応できなかった一二三の突きから身を挺して庇った結果だ。 「ぐはっ......お、お逃げください!」 身体が一瞬浮く程の勢いを持った突きを胸に受けた男は、それでも主を逃がす事に必死だった。 だが、鈍い主は目を白黒させるだけだった。 「うあ......」 「遅い」 目の前で部下が刺し貫かれた事で狼狽えている間に、目の前まで迫った一二三にあっさりと首を刎ね飛ばされた。 「な、なんという......」 苦悶の表情で主の最期を見届けた男は、その次の瞬間にはこめかみから顔半分まで刀で断ち割られ、脳漿を撒き散らして転がる。 刀を振り、貼り付いた血と脳漿を飛ばしながら、一二三は大きく息を吐いた。 そして、鼻から息を吸う。 「外の空気は良い。さっきは埃っぽくてまともに呼吸も何もなかったからな」 明け方の冷えた空気に、新しい血の匂いが乗ってくる。 突然の凶行に、算を乱して逃げた者が多かったが、彼らは最終的には正しい判断をした事になる。後になってウェパルから少数を相手に逃げ出したと怯懦を責められ閑職へと飛ばされる憂き目に遭うのだが、それでも、命は長らえたのだから。 不幸だったのは、この場に残って戦うことを決めた者たちだ。 「相手は一人だ! 遠方から魔法で撃ち殺せ!」 馬に乗った誰かが、一二三を指差して叫ぶ。 それに呼応して、四方から火球や土くれが一二三を狙って次々に打ち出された。 「やはり、人間よりも魔人族の方が魔法は得意なのか。速度が違うな」 感心しながらも、するすると身体を揺らして魔法攻撃を避けていく。アガチオンが放ってきた高速の石礫に比べれば、かなり遅い。 顔の正面に向かってきた風魔法の攻撃を刀で散らした一二三は、そのままくるりと刀を回して鞘へ収めた。 「今更降伏するつもりか?」 魔人族の誰かが嘲弄するのに、一二三はつまらなそうに答えた。 「馬鹿かお前は。勝てる相手に降伏なんぞするわけないだろう」 柄頭を左の手のひらでポンポンと叩きながら、一二三は開いた闇魔法から突き出した短刀を右手に掴んだ。 「久しぶりに短刀の稽古がしたいから、付き合ってもらおう」 一二三の持つ刀を参考に、フォカロルにいるドワーフのプルフラスが三日三晩かけて作り出した短刀は、見た目は脇差に近いが、刀身が厚く、武骨な印象を持つ反りの少ないものだ。 アリッサが持つ脇差は、この短刀を見た一二三から散々ダメ出しされたプルフラスが奮起して鍛造したものだ。 酷評しながらも、一二三は重さがあるものの頑丈そうなところは良いと思っていたので、そのまま持ち歩いていた。 刃を外向きに逆手に持ち、右足を出した半身の姿勢で左手は腰に添えて構える。 「構うな、攻撃を続けろ!」 一二三に再び魔法攻撃が集中するが、やはり当たらない。 簡単に避けてみせる一二三にしびれを切らした誰かが、自分の部下たちに突撃を命じた。 「とにかく一度でも斬りつけて来い! 俺が止めをさせる状況を作り出せたら、出世はいくらでも約束してやる!」 その言葉に、魔法が飛び交う光景に一瞬だけ躊躇したものの、五人いた部下たち全員が声を上げて突進した。 その手には剣や槍を持っていて、我武者羅に走る。 「相手をよく見ろよ。それじゃ当たらない」 足が速い、先頭を走って来た男の剣を歩いて避け、首筋にするりと短刀を滑らせて殺す。 突っ込んできた槍の穂先を叩き落とし、踏みつけて押さえる。 「あっ!?」 槍を離してしまった兵士は、そのままの勢いで前につんのめって、一二三が差し出した短刀に自ら喉を貫かれる格好になった。 二人が揃って血を吹き出している姿に、残った三人が恐怖に足を止める。 一人の背中に、誰かの火球が轟音を上げて打ち付けられ、飛ばされるように前に吹き飛ばされた。 驚きと痛みに歪むその顔を、一二三の左手が掴み、地面に叩き付ける。 一度の痙攣の後、絶命したその兵士に視線を移すことなく、一二三は前に出る。 それでも、まだ残っている二人は武器を握りしめて立っていた。 後に引けないのは状況がなせる業でもあったが、魔人族が押し込められた狭い社会の中で、上位の立場へと上がる機会は無いに等しい。戦争も無く、生まれでほとんど一生の社会ランクが決まるのだ。 そこへ転がり込んできた王の仇討ちという一大イベントである。止めはさせずとも、貢献したとなれば......。その一縷の望みをかけて、二人の兵士は震えながらも槍と剣をそれぞれ構えていた。 見方によっては美談かもしれない。自らの一命に自分や家族の将来を託した姿は、同じ立場の者たちにすれば美しく見えただろう。 だが、そんなものを一二三は尊重しない。 「死ね。阿呆どもめ」 肘打ちで槍を叩き折り、脳天に短刀を突き差すと、剣を持った相手には手首を下から蹴り上げて剣を離させ、頭を掴み、短刀を握ったままの拳で顎を強かに殴りつけた。 首がぐるりと回り、頚椎が破壊された身体は一瞬で魂を手放す。 「まともに戦う力を得ることも、脳みそ絞って力不足を補う工夫をすることも無く、流れに押されて怯えた 一二三は、本気で怒っていた。 戦えない者を嫌うことはない。料理人でも文官でも農夫でも、自分の人生を精一杯生きているならば、それが良いことだと思っている。 だが、戦いの場に身を晒しておきながら、生きる努力も勝つ工夫もせず、ただ武器を振り回して戦っている気になっている奴は嫌いだ。 「それに、お前は自分の存在理由が何かわかっているのか?」 一二三が指差したのは、今や物言わぬ死体となった魔人族兵士たちに突撃を命じた魔人族の貴族だ。 「お、俺は魔人族の中でも名誉のある生まれの......」 言い差したところで、一二三が駆け寄って思い切り殴りつけた。 落馬した貴族は、背中を打ったようで呼吸ができずに喘ぎながら、いくつかの歯を吐き出しながら頬を押さえている。 「そうじゃないだろう。お前は勝つために兵士を死なせるのが役目だろうが。どんな手を使ってでも、最終的に敵を、俺を殺すにはどうするかを考えて、そのために兵士の命を使うのが指揮官だろうが」 確実に自分を殺せる状況を作り出すために、一度ならず二度も復讐に身を任せる事を拒み、部下に手を出さないように命じる事ができたイメラリアを、だからこそ一二三は評価している。 冷静に、確実に自分を殺しにくる。そのために戦闘力は無くとも立場と思考を最大限に利用する。それが、一二三の求める“人間の在り方”だった。 「奴隷であっても、その立場の中で自分にできる復讐のために努力を続けた者もいる」 這い蹲り、逃げ出そうとする貴族の背中に足を乗せた一二三は、ゆっくりと力を入れていく。 「そいつは少しおかしくなったが、自分の力で復讐するために自らを鍛え続けた。強くなるために貪欲に、プライドを捨ててでも力を得るために努力を続けた」 「ぐぇええ......や、やめてくれ......」 背骨がミリミリと音を立てるのを聞きながら、みぞおちが圧迫されてうまく声が出せない貴族は、小さな声で懇願する。 だが、一二三の足はさらに力が入る。 貴族はもはや息をするのに必死で、口を開閉しながら地面を掴むしかできない。 「お前らの王は強かった。フェゴールとやらも俺を殺すために工夫をした。ベンニーアとかいう女も、自分にできる技を最大限に利用して、俺の命を狙った」 背中にめり込み始めた一二三の足の圧力に、すでに肋骨が数本折れ、内臓にも刺さったらしく、口の端から血を流して貴族は涙を流して助けを乞うている。 「お前を殺す。他の、ここにいる連中は皆殺す。魔人族の戦力を考えていくらかは残すかとも思ったが、やめた。残していても、ウェパルの役には立たないだろう」 水気を含んだ音と空気が漏れたような悲鳴が響いて、貴族は力尽きた。 「あとは、お前らだな」 短刀を順手に持ち替えた一二三は、視線を巡らせて残りの人数を数えた。 残っているのは、後三十三人。 「どういう事か、ご説明いただきたい!」 フォカロル領軍の指揮官であるアリッサのために設えられた天幕の中で、ヴィシーからの使者は声を荒げた。 その目の前に座っているアリッサは、キョトンとして吠えている中年男をまっすぐ見ている。 椅子に座るアリッサの後ろに立つミュカレは、使者の無礼な振る舞いに青筋を立てて震えているが、今はアリッサが主役である、と拳を握って耐えていた。 「説明なら、したよ?」 首をかしげて?マークを頭上に浮かべているアリッサに、使者は苛立ちを隠そうともしない。 「長官殿の言われる説明とは“魔物が強いから退治しに来た”という、先ほど最初に聞かされた一言の事ではないでしょうね」 「だって、他に理由なんかないもん」 「そんな理由が信じられるとでもお思いか! 大軍を持って国境に布陣する事が、どれだけ我がヴィシーを構成する各都市国家の人民に不安を強いているかを知らぬとでも言うのですか!」 使者が平手でテーブルを叩くと、カップが揺れて焼き菓子が皿から宙に浮かぶ。 その焼き菓子を落ちる前に摘み取ったアリッサは、ポイッと口に放り込んだ。これもカイム特製のもので、アリッサはこの焼き菓子が大好きだった。 「だって、それ以外に来た理由なんかないし」 口をもごもごさせてから、ぬるくなったお茶を飲む。熱いのが苦手なアリッサのために、ミュカレが手ずからいれたものだ。 「本当に、魔物も何体か倒したよ。兵士の訓練も兼ねてるけど、一二三さんの指示通りだし、何の問題も起きてないと思うけど? 魔物がいて困るのは、町の人たちもおじさんも同じだと思うけど」 「ぐ......ですが、これほどの規模である必要があるかという話で......」 「おじさんは」 顔と年齢に似合わず、見据えるように細められたアリッサの視線は、四十代半ばを過ぎた使者をすら話を止める程度には圧力を持っていた。 「仲間の誰かが死んじゃう可能性があっても、他人を気にして人数を減らして戦力を減らすのが良い事だと思ってる?」 「それは......」 「ぼくは、仲間だと思ってた人達に殺されかけたことがあるけれど、死ぬくらいの怪我ってすごく痛いんだよ。悲しくてやりきれないんだよ。仲間の誰かがそんな目に遭うくらいなら、誰かが怒っても怖がっても、仲間が生きて帰れる方法を考えるし、選ぶよ」 ミュカレがお茶を足して、アリッサが礼を言う。 その間、言葉を選んであうあうと使者が汗を流している。 「ぼくたちは一二三さんという領主の意思でここに来ているし、魔物を倒すことも命令だしみんなの為だと思ってやっていることだよ。でも、それが嫌だというのなら、仕方ないよね」 アリッサが首を捻ってミュカレと目線を合わせ、ミュカレが頷いたのを見て、使者はようやく話が通じたと思ったが、現実は甘くない。 「懸命に生きているぼくたちと、不平不満を言うだけで魔物対策を何もしていないおじさんたち、どっちが正しいかは実力で決めようか」 アリッサはコロコロと笑っているが、想定外の結論に使者はもはや真っ青を通り越して白くなっている。あの恐ろしい領主ならともかく、年若い少女にこうまで強行な意見を言われるとは思っていなかったのだ。 「そ、そんな無茶苦茶な......」 「一二三さんもぼくも、変なことは言ってないよ。ただ、とても重要で簡単な話をしてるだけだよ」 狼狽えて椅子の上で小さくなって滝のように汗を流す使者に向かって、アリッサはゆっくりと、噛み締めるように言った。 「望みがあるなら、実力で手に入れないと」 助けられて教えてもらったぼくが言っても、変な感じだけれどね、と笑うアリッサの声が、天幕の外にいる兵士たちの耳にも聞こえていた。

Chapter 116: The Beautiful People Faster than anyone could raise their voice, a first victim appeared. It's that demon, who mainly gave an opposing advice towards this hunt, shielding his lord willingly with his body against Hifumi's thrust. "Guha... p-please r-run a-aw-away!" The man, who received a thrust into his chest with the power to make his body float for an instant, pleaded even in this situation desperately to his lord to escape. But, his stupid lord was only bewildered. "Ua..." "Too slow." (Hifumi) While getting panicked due to his subordinate being stabbed in front of his eyes, he was easily beheaded by Hifumi who came in front of him. "W-What have you..." In the next instant the man, who witnessed his lord's perishing with an anguished expression, has his face split in two from the temple by the katana and grey matter gushes out from within. While sending the blood and brain fluid flying by swinging his katana, Hifumi deeply breathed out. And then he inhales air through his nose. "The air outside is pleasant. Previously I wasn't able to breathe normally due to the dust." (Hifumi) The stench of fresh blood is drifting into the chilly air of dawn. There were many people who ran away chaotically due to the sudden murder, but that will result in them having made the right judgement in the end. Although they will encounter later on bitter experiences due to being blamed by Vepar for having cowardly run away from a single opponent and will be sent to their sinecure, they will at least have long lives. The unlucky ones were those who decided to stay in that place to fight. "It's only one opponent! Shoot him with magic to death from a distance!" Someone, who was riding a horse, shouts while pointing at Hifumi. In response to that, fireballs and lumps of earth were released from all four directions at Hifumi one after the other. "Demons are better at magic than humans after all, huh? The speed is higher." (Hifumi) Even while admiring the spells, he avoids the magic attacks by smoothly swaying his body. Compared to the high-speed pellets fired by Agathion, these spells are quite slow. Hifumi, who scattered an attack of a wind spell which came at him directly from the front with his katana, rotated the katana in his hand and sheathed it into its scabbard. "Do you plan to surrender at this point in time?" When he was mocked by some demon, Hifumi replied while looking bored, "Are you an idiot? There's no way for me to do something like surrendering to opponents I can defeat, is there?" (Hifumi) While hitting the pommel with the palm of his left hand with a *pon pon*, Hifumi grabbed the dagger, which stuck out from the opened darkness storage, with his right hand. "As it's been a while since I yearned for some dagger practise, keep me some company." (Hifumi) The dagger, which was produced by the dwarf Pruflas, who's currently in Fokalore, taking 3 days and 3 nights by using Hifumi's katana as reference, is close to a wakizashi The wakizashi, Alyssa possesses, was forged by the excited Pruflas after he was harshly reprimanded and urged to improve it by Hifumi who saw this dagger. Even while criticizing it severely, Hifumi carried it with him since he considered its sturdiness, although that adds to its weight, as its good point. Holding it in a backhand grip so that the blade is facing outwards, he puts forth his right foot and sets up a L-shape stance with his legs while holding his left hand at his waist. "Don't mind it! Keep on attacking!" The magic attacks focus on Hifumi once again, but they don't hit him all the same. Someone, who got impatient due to Hifumi evading everything completely, ordered his subordinates to charge in. "At least cut him, even if it's only once! If we can create a situation where I can finish him off, I promise that you will be promoted as much as you like!" Despite hesitating only for an instant because of the scene where numerous spells are flying about, all 5 subordinates raised their voices and rushed in due to those words. They frantically dash onwards while holding spears and swords in their hands. "Look properly at your opponent. Otherwise you won't hit them." (Hifumi) Avoiding the sword of the man, who came running at the lead due to his fast feet, by stepping aside, he slides the dagger into the nape of the neck in a smooth, unhindered motion and kills that man. Knocking down the approaching spearhead, he pins it down by stepping on it. "Ah!?"magic The soldiers, who ended up releasing his spear, fell forward with his current momentum and it turned into a situation of him himself having his throat stabbed by the dagger simply held out by Hifumi. The remaining three stop their feet out of fear due to the first two spurting blood out. Someone's fireball crashed into the back of one of them with a roaring sound and he was blown towards the front as if flying. His face, which is warped in surprise and pain, is caught by Hifumi's left hand and slammed into the ground. Hifumi steps forward without spending a glance at the soldier who died after convulsing once. Nevertheless, the remaining two stood while grasping their weapons tightly. Although it was an act changing it into a situation were they couldn't back out of, it was also equivalent to not having an opportunity to raise to a higher position in the narrow, caged-in world of the demons. Without any war either, their social rank is decided for most of their lives at their birth. What fell into our laps at that point is the great event of avenging the king. If we contributed to it, even without delivering the finishing blow... Depending on one's point of view this might be a moving tale. Their figures of entrusting the future of their families and themselves into a personal command might be seen as beautiful if watched by people in the same position. However, Hifumi doesn't respect such things. "Die, you idiots." (Hifumi) Breaking the spear with an elbow strike, he stabs the dagger into the crown of the head. Then he kicks the wrist of the opponent, who held a sword, from below. Having released his sword, the soldier's head is seized and Hifumi's fist, which grasped the dagger as is, determinedly bashed into the soldier's chin. With the head making a full circle, the soul leaves the body in an instant due to the destroyed cervical vertebrae. "Even if you acquire the strength to fight at the front, don't stand on the battlefield with a scared mug after going with the flow without figuring out how to compensate for the lack in wrecking your brains. It's irritating." (Hifumi) Hifumi was truly angry. It's not like I hate people who can't fight. Cooks, civil officials and farmers, if they live their lives while giving it their best, that's a good thing, I think. But I hate uneasy fellows who are simply fighting by swinging their weapons without even scheming how to win and without putting effort into surviving while exposing their bodies at a place of battling. "Besides, have you understood anything about your raison d'etre?" (Hifumi) The one Hifumi pointed at is the noble demon who ordered the charge of the demon soldiers who became silent corpses now. "I-I was born having prestige amongst the demons..." In the midst of him saying that, Hifumi rushed over and hit him resolutely. The noble, who fell off the horse, holds his cheek while spitting out several teeth and wheezing unable to breathe as he apparently hit his back. "It doesn't seem so. It's your role to let soldiers die for the sake of victory, right? But, thinking about what you should do to kill me, your enemy, in the end, no matter what methods you use, it's a commander's duty to use the lives of his soldiers for that goal, isn't it?" (Hifumi) That's why Hifumi evaluates Imeraria, who was able to order her subordinates to not start a fight, while rejecting to surrender herself to revenge not once but even twice for the sake of creating a situation where she is able to definitely kill him, highly. She will come to definitely kill him in a composed manner. For that reason she utilizes the maximum of her thinking and standing even if she doesn't have fighting strength herself. That was Hifumi's desired "way of humans." "There is also someone who continued to give her best to achieve her revenge while being in a position unable to do so by herself as slave." (Hifumi) Hifumi, who placed his foot on the back of the noble, who tries to run away while grovelling, slowly increased the foot's strength. "That person became slightly weird, but she continued to forge herself for the sake of getting revenge with her own power. She continued to put in great efforts to obtain power, even by discarding her pride, while being greedy to become strong." (Hifumi) "Gueeee... p-please stop..." The noble, who can't properly speak due to the pressure on the solar plexus while listening to the grinding sound of the spine, pleads in a feeble voice. But Hifumi puts even more strength into his foot. The noble is already desperate to just breathe. He is unable to do anything but grasping the ground while opening and shutting his mouth. "You guys' king was powerful. Even Phegor or whatever schemed to kill me. Even that woman called Bennia or such aimed at my life by using her own technique to the maximum of her ability." (Hifumi) Due to the pressure of Hifumi's foot the nobles back began to cave in. Several ribs have already broken and were apparently stabbing the internal organs. Leaking blood from his mouth, the noble begs for help while shedding tears. "I will kill you. I will kill all of you who are outside here. I thought about leaving behind some of you while considering the war potential of the demons, but I quit that notion. Even if I leave them alone, they probably won't be able to stand in for Vepar's role." (Hifumi) With the sound of water leaking and a scream as if he ran out of air, the noble used up all of his strength. "Next it's you guys' turn." (Hifumi) Hifumi, who changed his hold of the dagger into an overhand grip, counted the number of remaining people by letting his look circle around. There are 33 people remaining. "I'd like you to explain to me what this is about!?" The messenger from Vichy raised his voice in the tent set up for Alyssa who is the commander of Fokalore's feudal army. Alyssa, who is sitting in front of him, looks directly at the howling middle-aged man in puzzlement. Miyukare, who is standing behind the chair Alyssa uses, is trembling with a vein popping up due to the rude behaviour of the messenger, but she endured it with a clenched fist thinking "I did explain to you, didn't I?" (Alyssa) Due to Alyssa tilting her head to the side with a ? floating above it, the messenger isn't even able to hide his irritation. "It's not about the comment "Because the monsters are powerful, we came to exterminate them" as I heard as explanation by director-dono at the beginning." "But, there's no other reason." "Do you really think that I'm able to believe in such a reason!? Although you have lined up with a large army at the national border, do I have to even tell the unknowing you how much uneasiness you are spreading amongst the people of each city-state compromising Vichy!?" Once the messenger strikes the table with his palm, the cups shake and the baked sweet jumps into the air from its plate. Alyssa grabbed that baked sweet before it fell down and tossed it into her mouth. As these were specially made by Caim, Alyssa loved those baked sweets dearly. "But, there's no other reason for us to come here besides that." (Alyssa) After chewing with her mouth, she drinks the tea which was lukewarm. It was personally poured by Miyukare for the sake of Alyssa who isn't very good with hot things. "In reality we defeated several monsters already. Although the soldiers' training is held at the same time as well, that's according to Hifumi-san's instructions. I think it doesn't cause any kind of problems though? The ones being troubled about the monsters are the city's residents and you as well, ojisan, I believe?" (Alyssa) "Gu... however, it's a talk about whether it's necessary for the army to have such scale..." "Oji-san." (Alyssa) The gaze of Alyssa, which became narrow as if zooming in on him while being unsuitable for her own age and face, held a pressure to the degree of even stopping the talking of the messenger who had passed half through his forties. "Even if there's the possibility of some of my comrades dying, you believe it's a good thing to decrease the fighting strength by decreasing the number of people because of minding other people?" (Alyssa) "That is..." "I have already experienced being killed by people I considered to be my comrades, but an injury close to death is exceedingly painful. It's saddening and unbearable. Rather than some of my comrades suffering such a thing, I will think about ways for my comrades to return alive, even if they scare or anger someone. That's my choice." (Alyssa) Alyssa thanks Miyukare for adding some tea. During that time the messenger is sweating while struggling to choose his words. "We have come here following the intentions of our feudal lord, Hifumi-san. He has given the order to subjugate the monsters while considering the benefits of everyone. But, if you dislike that, it can't be helped, right?" (Alyssa) Alyssa tilts her head in contemplation and matches her sight with Miyukare. Seeing Miyukare nodding, the messenger believed that his arguments finally got through, but reality isn't that soft. "You oji-san's aren't doing anything to deal with the monsters and are just voicing your discontent and grumbling at us, who are risking our lives to survive. Let's decide who's correct with skill, huh?" (Alyssa) Alyssa laughs pleasantly, but due to the conclusion going beyond his expectations, the messenger's face exceeds being ghastly pale and has already become white. "S-Such an absurd..." "Neither Hifumi-san nor me have said anything strange. It's simply a very important and simple talk." (Alyssa) Facing the messenger, who is shedding sweat like a waterfall and who has become small on top of the chair while being in panic, Alyssa told him slowly while chewing her words. "If there's something you desire, you have to obtain it with skill." (Alyssa) "Though it feels strange for me, who received help and education, to say that", Alyssa's laughing voice could be heard by the soldiers who are outside the tent.

25.Take A Look Around 【与えられた領地・初仕事は戦争準備】 ヴィシー中央委員会は、ヴィシーを代表する5つの大都市から選出された委員によって運営されており、ヴィシー国内では通称“中央”と略される。 基本的に都市毎の自治を認めている体制上、そこで決められる事は大まかな指針程度であることがほとんどだが、こと軍事・防衛に関しては一定の強制権を持つことで、ともすれば分解しかねない都市集合国家たるヴィシーをまとめている。 中央から各都市へは表向きには連絡員が派遣され、裏では工作員が出入りをする形で、表面的にも内部的にも、中央からの監視の目はある体制が完成している。そのため、自発的にヴィシーを離脱しようとする都市国家はこの50年以上存在しなかったのだが......。 「一体どういう事だ! 何が起きているというのだ!」 中央委員会の会議場、質素ながら重厚な造りの室内で、でっぷりと太った男が声を荒げた。 「騒いでも始まらん。まずは情報を集めるべきだ」 「ですが、アロセールの代表は行方不明。派遣した調査員によると、兵のほとんどが殺されているそうです。情報がまとまるには時間がかかるでしょう」 「もたもたしている間に、オーソングランデの連中が何か仕掛けてくるかもしれませんわ」 「それは無かろう。戦争をする理由も無ければ、流通から見てもその準備をしているようには思えぬ」 中央の委員たちはそれぞれに意見を交わしているが、“どうやらアロセールで多くの兵が殺されたらしい”程度しかわからない現状では、誰も決定的な事は言えなかった。 本来なら、すぐにでもオーソングランデへ抗議なりするべきなのだろうが、限りなく怪しいと言っても、何ら証拠のあるものではない。 「失礼します!」 一向にまとまりがつかない会議場へ、一通の書類を持った兵が駆け込んできた。 「なんだ? 今は会議中だぞ?」 「それが......オーソングランデより我が国へ抗議の書面が届きました」 「抗議だと!?」 机を殴りつけるようにして立ち上がった男は、太い腹を揺らして兵に近づき、書面をひったくった。 「......こ、これは......」 絶句している男から、女性の委員が書類を受け取ると、全員で書面を覗き込む。 オーソングランデからの書面には、ヴィシー中央委員会がホーラントから得た魔法具によって人心を惑わし、都市国家へその強権を持って指示を出し、無実の少女を殺害しようとし、さらにはオーソングランデ領内までその魔法具を利用した侵略行動を行った事への抗議と、その証拠となる書類と証言者を確保している旨が書かれていた。 さらには、オーソングランデは今回のヴィシーの横暴を全てのヴィシーに属する都市国家へ喧伝し、一定の期間内にヴィシー中央委員会を支持するか、独立国家として都市連合から離脱もしくはオーソングランデへ帰属するかを問うものとし、ヴィシー側へ味方するのであれば、中央委員会もろとも正義の名の下に鉄槌を下すと書かれている。 「これは抗議どころか、宣戦布告じゃないか!」 「一体どうして......」 「呆けている場合じゃなかろう。すぐに各都市へ連絡を送り、オーソングランデからのふざけた書面に回答しないように通達するべきじゃ」 「た、確かに......君! すぐに各都市にいる全ての連絡員に通達を送り給え!」 「はっ! 了解いたしました!」 書類を持ってきた兵は、直ぐに会議場を飛び出していった。 「これはヴィシー最大の危機だ。万一、離反を考える都市が出てきたら......」 「それは無いと思いますわ。私たちの都市の規模ならいざ知らず、他の都市は単独では国家としては成立しませんもの」 「それはそうか......兵力を考えても、ホーラント側や獣人族エリアに割く人員を考えれば、我が国にそれほど影響を与えるような真似はできんだろう」 会議場に束の間の安堵が訪れたが、未だにオーソングランデへの対応は決まっていない。 侃々諤々とはいえまとまらない会議は、ひとまず都市国家との連携の確認をするという、なんとも消極的な対応をすることで閉会となった。 あるいはここで、オーソングランデに対して積極的に防衛する対応を取れば違う未来もあったかもしれないが、彼らは自分たちの国の結束は揺るがないという勝手な常識から離れる事は結局できなかった。 一二三の登城から二日。一二三たちはまだ城内に留まっていた。 「連合国というか都市国家の集合体というのは、権利が分散して各地の安定的な統治がしやすいというのはある。うまく連携が取れれば特化した産業を育てて相互に経済発展ができる。だが、最終的に守らなければならない“国”という体制が都市ごとでしかない以上、何か不利益があれば簡単に離反するものさ」 城内に用意された部屋で、朝からステーキをモリモリ食べながら一二三は言う。 ヴィシーへの書面の仕掛け人はもちろん彼だ。 同席しているのは、王女イメラリア、アリッサ。そして奴隷から解放されたオリガとカーシャだ。 オリガたちは、奴隷から解放されても一二三の元を離れなかった。まだ復讐を果たしていないということで、一二三に専属で雇われた冒険者としてついて行くということになったのだ。オリガの強い希望とカーシャがそれに同調したことに対し、一二三は軽く「じゃあ雇うから。とりあえずはベイレヴラを捕まえるか殺すまでな」と軽く請け負った。 アリッサは、子爵待遇となった一二三の従者として雇われる事になった。とにもかくにもこの国での身分を得た事で、少しホッとしていた。陞爵の儀式が終われば、オリガたちと共に領地へ向かう事になっている。 「しかし、一応の説明は受けましたけれど、本当にこれでよろしかったのでしょうか......」 イメラリアは一二三と対照的に、不安を顔に浮かべ、湧かない食欲に手が止まっている。 一二三が城へ戻って来たあの日、イメラリアは彼からの提案でヴィシーへの書面を作成し、鳥と早馬、そしてヴィシー駐在大使を通して中央委員会へ届けさせた。おそらく、今日明日頃にはヴィシー中央へ届いているだろう。この世界の伝達レベルでは最速だ。 あの時一二三は、なるべく早く、ヴィシーの中央が動き出す前に、集めた書類を根拠にした抗議と場合によっては“都市毎に”状況を見て制裁を下すという書類を送るように言ったのだ。 「それで、しばらくは都市ごとにお互いの動きを監視し合って動くに動けなくなる。いつの間にか隣の都市が敵になっていましたなんて、笑えないからな。それに、書類を見る限りだと、中央とやらも大した兵力は持っていないな。およそその規模による経済力と裏から手を回す工作員連中の影響で国としてまとめているような状態だ。先にこちらがヴィシーを糾弾すれば、中央連中は国の取りまとめに必死にならざるを得んだろうよ」 一二三の言葉に、イメラリアは反論できなかった。宰相と相談して、急ぎその手配はしたのだが、時間が経つと疑問が湧いてくる。あの時は急がなければという焦りがあったが、一段落してみると、これは宣戦布告に等しいものがあると思えてくる。 「少なくとも、強固な政治体制でも無ければ、誰か一人の支持が中心になるわけでもない合議制が中央委員会の形である以上は、どんなに早くても二週間くらいは動けないだろう」 言いながら立ち上がった一二三に、オリガたちが追従しようとするが、軽く手で制した。 「どちらへ?」 「ちょいと城下へお買い物さ」 顔を隠すために用意させたフード付きマント手に取り、一二三は軽やかな足取りで部屋を後にした。 一二三が退出した後、アリッサが口を開いた。全員の視線が集まる。 「一二三さんって、ヴィシーを潰すみたいな過激な事を言われてましたけど、何だか書類を送ったりして相手を押さえるとか、穏便な流れだよね?」 「アリッサさん、貴族の従者となれば言葉遣いも直さないといけませんね」 「あぅ......」 イメラリアにピシャリと指摘され、アリッサは萎縮してしまった。 「それはさておき、一二三様の行動についてですが、全く穏便ではありませんわ」 「おそらく一二三様は都市国家を分断して攻略していくおつもりです。その為に、今は動けないヴィシー側から、ホーラント側に兵力を集中して国境を固めるように一二三様から提案がございました。自分の方は領軍として100人だけ兵力を分けて欲しいと要請も受けております」 どうやら、イメラリアと一二三の間で話し合いがあったらしい。 「アタシが言うのもなんだけど、よく王女様はヴィシーとの対立を認めましたね」 「......ヴィシーを潰さないと、この国の方が潰れます。一二三様が国内で暴れて崩壊するか、ヴィシーからの流通が完全に止まって枯死するか......」 実際は選択肢なんて無かったのだと、イメラリアはため息をついた。 一二三が足を運んだのは、ドワーフのトルンが経営する武具店だった。 「なんで知ってるんだよ」 「ビラが撒かれてたぞ。客が持ってきたのを見た」 トルンが突き出した羊皮紙には、ヴィシーから女性を救った英雄一二三は、ヴィシーからオーソングランデを守るために新たな国境の領主として子爵に叙される事になったと書かれている。 「ふぅん。羊皮紙だって安くもないだろうに」 「そうでもしないとヤジ馬どもが解散しなかったんだろうよ。それより、何か買いに来た......というより、また何か妙なもん作らせようってのか?」 「妙なものとは失礼な。立派な戦の道具だよ」 言いながら、一二三は闇魔法収納から数枚の紙を取り出した。王城にあった上質な紙だ。 そうは言いながらも、トルンの目は好奇心に輝きながら、広げられた紙の上に向けられている。 「何だこりゃ?」 「寸法はそこに書いてある通りで、発注数はこれな」 紙に書かれたのはいくつかの道具の設計図と、武器の構造図面だった。 「こんなものをこんなに揃えてどうするんだ?」 「どうするか見たいなら、一緒にフォカロルへ来いよ。この世界で初めての戦い方を見せてやるよ」 「ふん、考えておこう。まず数が多いな。構造も複雑だ。二週間はかかるぞ」 「10日で揃えてくれ」 「......知り合いを呼んで手伝わせよう」 さらに一二三は、ウーラルの奴隷店へ向かう。 相変わらず門番として立っていたミドは、一二三の顔を見るなり慌てて店の奥へ飛び込んでいった。 ほとんど待たせる事なく、ウーラルが店から出てくる。 「これはこれは一二三様。ご活躍のお話は伺っております。私どもの店を覚えていてくださって、本当にありがとうございます。ささ、どうぞお入りください」 ウーラルの先導で以前も入った応接へ座った一二三は、文字がかけて計算ができる奴を老若男女区別なく見せて欲しいと言った。 「難しいかもしれんが、なるべく頭がいい奴がいいな」 「はっはっは! 確かに、賢い者は奴隷にはあまりいませんからな。おっと、これはオリガやカーシャには秘密でお願いいたしますね。では、さっそくご用意いたしまししょう」 五分ほど待たされ、用意ができたというウーラルについていくと、5人の男女が並べられている部屋へ着いた。 やはり全員簡素な筒胴衣で、薄汚れた姿でボンヤリと立っている。 「これらは全員、ある程度の計算と文字の読み書きができます」 横領をした元官僚や、帳簿付けとして働いていた宿が潰れて無職になって、最終的に奴隷に落ちた者など、様々だった。 それら一人一人と会話を交わし、足し算引き算はできるが掛け算割り算はできない者がほとんどだったが、これもこの世界の基準だと諦める事にした。 「全員買おう。金は出すから身体を綺麗にして新しい服を着せて、明日にでも王城まで連れてきてくれ」 「かしこまりました。ところで、何故教養のある奴隷をお求めに?」 この程度で教養があると言っていいのか、一二三には疑問だったが、そこには触れずにおいた。 「思い切り戦うには、準備が大事ということだ。それより、手先が器用なドワーフの奴隷とかはいるのか?」 一二三の質問に、ウーラル恭しく頭を下げた。 「もちろんでございます」 意気揚々と王城へ戻って来た一二三は、オリガ達を集めて今後の説明をすると切り出した。 「十日後には王都を出てフォカロルへ向かう。本当なら、領内の他の村とかもまわるのが慣習らしいが、戦争前だから省略する」 戦争前という言葉に、アリッサたちはぐっと肩に力が入った。 「それまでに準備をするが、まずは部隊編成だ。部隊は4つに分ける。100人を30・30・30・10に分ける。最後のは輜重隊な」 どうやらこの世界では自分の食料や資材は自分で運び、隊ごとに別れて調理するのが普通らしく、輜重兵とか輜重隊という言葉は存在しないらしい。 「まあ、説明は今度するから、取りあえずは資材や食料を運び、調理をする専門の部隊があるとだけ覚えておくといい。残りの30ずつが一部隊で、それぞれ役割分担をするからな。で、それぞれの一番隊隊長がカーシャ、二番隊隊長がオリガ、三番隊隊長がアリッサな」 慌てて立ち上がったアリッサに軽くチョップをくれてやり、動揺している残り二人も目線で押さえる。 「どうせ今までの戦い方は役に立たないからな。誰が隊長になっても一緒だ」 「気にしなくていい。どうせ最初のうちは相手はまともに戦える状況じゃない」 新しい紙を出して、何やら書き付け始めた一二三に、カーシャの疑問が投げかけられると、一二三は字を書く手を止めることなく言った。 「俺の予想が正しければ、最初は一般市民を巻き込んだ包囲殲滅戦になる」 「市民を......」 続きが言えないオリガの言葉を最後に、室内は一二三の持つ羽ペンの音だけで満たされた。

Chapter 25: Take A Look Around The Vichy central committee is run by 5 committees representing the 5 large cities, popularly abbreviated to "Centre" in Vichy. Basically every city recognises it's own local authority that has a structure to it. A liason from the centre is sent to each city, while on the surface a perfect observation system for the centre, a perfect cover for spies. For that reason, a city-state trying to withdraw from Vichy had not happened for more than 50 years.... [ What on earth...? What is going on! ] In the central committee's simply decorated yet dignified conference room, a corpulent fat man raised his voice. [ This clamour is pointless. First it is necessary to gather information. ] [ In any case, the representative for Arusel is unaccounted for. According to the observer sent, most of the soldiers seem to have been killed. Collecting information will take time. ] [ While we're being slow, Orsongrande is possibly starting something. ] [ Impossible. There is no reason for strife, nor is there any indication of such from their goods circulation. ] The central committee members exchanged several opinions, "It seems that many of Arosel's troops have been murdered" being the predominant theme. Legally speaking, protests should be lodged with Orsongrande, but cannot for lack of evidence. [ Excuse me! ] A soldier rushed into the unsettled conference room carrying an official document. [ What? We're in the middle of a meeting right now. ] [ That is.... A letter of protest has reached our country from Orsongrande. ] [ Letter of protest!? ] A man stood up hitting the desk, his large stomach wobbling, and snatched the document from the soldier. [ Th-This... ] Seeing the man at a loss for words, a female committee member took the document from him and looked it over. According to the document from Orsongrande, the committee of Horant had obtained magic tools that twisted human nature, the city-state had also issued instructions for the death of an innocent woman. Furthermore, a protest against using these magic tools for aggressive behaviour within Orsongrande territory, backed up with evidence and an eyewitness. Moreover, Orsongrande called out the high-handedness of the city-state's central committee over time and questioning the independent actions carried out under their jurisdiction, calling for allies to separate from Vichy, ending with telling the central committee to come down hard on this in the name of justice. [ This is no protest, it's a declaration of war! ] [ Why in the world.... ] [ Immediately contact every city and tell them not to reply to this joke of a protest from Orsongrande. ] [ Definitely..... You! Immediately notify our contacts in every city! ] [ Yes! Understood! ] The soldier who brought the document immediately rushed out of the conference room. [ This is a great danger for Vichy. If by some chance a city-state emerges considering separating..... ] [ I think that is quite unlikely. I don;t know about here, but establishing an independent nation won;t be considered in other city-states. ] [ Is that so? ..... Considering the military forces, the beastmen tribe area and the Horant side have more troops present. If you think about it, our country will not be affected to that extent. ] Relief filled the conference room for a while, but the interaction with Orsongrande had yet to be decided. The meeting ended with the decision of cooperation for the time being, albeit half-heartedly. The future may have been different if they had taken a proactive defense regarding Orsongrande, but with common sense was usually disregarded in favour of possible selfish gains. It was Hifumi's second day at the castle. They had stayed over at the castle. [ The assembly of the allied city-states is dispersed everywhere, an easy way to maintain stability and cooperation. With the right cooperation, economy grows well. However, every city-state will defend itself, and the patriotic feeling that every "country" has is much lower. ] Hifumi explained while cheerfully munching on a steak in the morning. The instigator of the protest document to Vichy was obviously him. Sitting with him were Princess Imeraria and Alyssa. Origa and Kasha had been released from slavery. Even though they were freed, they had not left Hifumi. With their revenge still unaccomplished, they were now employed exclusively by Hifumi as adventurers to travel with him. They strongly wished to accompany him so, Hifumi lightly said [ Well then, you're hired. For now, until Beirevra is caught and killed. ] Alyssa was employed as an attendant to Hifumi, who was treated as a viscount. At any rate, she was relieved at having obtained a social position in this country. Once the promotion ceremony ends, they would go to the territory. [ However, would the tentative explanation received be enough, I wonder..... ] In contrast to Hifumi, Imeraria was clearly uneasy, reflected in her appetite. The day Hifumi had returned to the castle, Imeraria made the document to send to Vichy as proposed by Hifumi. It was delivered to Vichy's central committee via the ambassador to Vichy who received it by pigeon and a fast horse. It would probably reach Vichy that day or the next. That was the fastest level of communication in this world. At the time, Hifumi told them to send the documents to each city in Vichy before the central committee began to move. [ In any case, it is impossible to keep the movements of every city under surveillance. Unawares, the neighbouring city may be an enemy, amusing, isn't it. Besides, on examining the documents, the centre has a large number of troops. Due to this, each city will send their agents everywhere there is great influence and financial strength. The central committee will desperately scramble for control. ] Imeraria was unable to object to Hifumi's words. After a brief consultation with the Prime Minister, it was hurriedly arranged. Though now doubts have come up with time. At the time, it was a hasty action, but at this point, could it be likened to a declaration of war? [ At least the strength of their political system is nonexistent. Thanks to their council system, it'll lead to squabbles and it's unlikely that they will move for two weeks at the earliest. ] magic While saying so, Hifumi rose. Origa, Kasha and Alyssa attempted to follow, but stopped when he signalled them not to. [ Where to? ] [ Shopping near the castle for a while. ] Throwing up a hood to hide his face, Hifumi left the room as though he had not a care in the world. After Hifumi left the room, Alyssa opened her mouth. All eyes focused upon her. [ About Hifumi-san, saying something extreme like crushing Vichy, but sending documents instead, seems rather gentle, isn't it? ] [ Alyssa-san, as a noble's attendant, your speech will require correction. ] [ Auu.... ] Alyssa instantly withered at Imeraria's quiet rebuke. [ Apart from that, Mr. Hifumi's actions are not gentle at all. ] [ Mr. Hifumi probably intends to use divide and conquer to capture the city states. As a result of that, now when Vichy moves, the troops on the side joined with Horant will be fortified as per Mr. Hifumi's suggestion. ] Apparently, there seemed to have been a discussion between Hifumi and Imeraria. [ That's what I said too, but the princess agreed to the confrontation with Vichy, no? ] [ .... If Vichy isn't destroyed, this country will be. Will Mr Hifumi be violent here and cause it to collapse internally? Or will the circulation of goods from Vichy stop and cause the same? ] Imeraria sighed as though she had no options. Hifumi had made his way to the shop that the dwarf Thorn managed. [ How did you know? ] [ It's on a bunch of flyers, a customer showed one to me. ] The document that Thorn thrust at Hifumi detailed "the actions of the hero Hifumi in saving a woman from Vichy and bequeathing upon him the title of Viscount as a lord to defend the new border between Orsongrande and Vichy". [ Hmm, even the parchment isn't of bad quality. ] [ Apart from, that, would you like to make purchases.... or rather make another strange object? ] (Thorn) [ How rude. They are splendid battle tools. ] While saying so, Hifumi pulled out several pieces of high-quality paper from his Dark Storage. Bad attitude notwithstanding, Thorn's eyes sparkled with curiosity while looking over the papers. [ What the heck!? ] [ The dimensions are written there, as are the number of orders. ] Blueprints for some tools and weapons were written on that paper. [ Why do you want so much of this assembled? ] [ If you want to see, come to Fokalore with me. The manner of fighting in this world. ] [ Hmm, let me think about it. There are many orders, and the structure is quite complex. It will take around 2 weeks. ] [ Do it in 10 days. ] [ .... I'll have to call in an acquaintance. ] After that, Hifumi went to the slave shop once again. The same doorman was standing guard. He took one look at Hifumi and hastily scampered into the depths of the shop. Almost immediately, the manager, Uraru came out of the shop. [ Hello hello, Hifumi-sama. Thank you very much for remembering this humble shop, please come in. ] Led inside by Uraru, Hifumi sat down and mentioned the same conditions as last time, strength, regardless of age or sex, in addition to a new one. [ It may be difficult, but a bright fellow is preferable. ] [ Ha ha ha! Certainly, there won't be many smart slaves... Oops, keep that secret from Origa and Kasha please. Well then, I shall make preparations at once. ] After waiting for a while, Uraru returned and led Hifumi to a room with five people in it, of both genders. Every single member was wearing simple padded tunics, all somewhat dirty. [ These can read and write and count to some extent. ] An embezzling bureaucrat, an accountant at a bankrupt hotel, various others who fell into slavery. Talking to each one, addition and subtraction was possible, but few could do multiplication and division, it seemed to be the general standard for this world. [ I'll buy them all. Clean them up and get them some new clothes on me. Bring them to the castle tomorrow. ] [ Certainly. Incidentally, why would you want educated slaves? ] They call this level educated? [ Preparations are very important to fight to the heart's content. That aside, are there slaves skilful enough with their hands as much as a dwarf? ] Uraru respctfuly inclined his head to Hifumi's enquiry. [ Certainly, there are. ] Exultantly returning to the castle, Hifumi gathered his girls [TN: I'm tired of constantly writing all their names] and explained their next move. [ In 10 days we will leave and go to Fokalore. It will be a routine visit of village territories. War omits nothing. ] Hearing the word 'war', Alyssa flinched. [ We will prepare till then, but first is the military unit formation. 100 men shall be divided into 4 corps, with a 30-30-30-10 composition. The last one will be the military supplies corps. ] Apparently supplies were carried individually in this world, a unit for cooking and supplies does not seem to exist here. [ Well now, I guess I'll have to explain. That unit will carry materials and food, and do all the cooking. For the remaining 3 corps, Origa, Kasha and Alyssa will be the commanders for the first, second and third respectively. ] Hifumi lightly bopped Alyssa on the head as she stood up panicking. [ The conventional methods of fighting are useless anyway, doesn't matter who the commander is. ] [ No need to worry. In any case, you do not need to fight your opponent directly in the beginning. ] While answering Kasha's question, Hifumi pulled out a piece of paper and started writing on it. [ If my expectations are correct, it'll be a siege that will involve the civilians as well. ] [ The civilians.... ] Origa was unable to continue, the silence filled with the sound of Hifumi's quill.

56.Wanted Dead Or Alive 【防衛は侵攻の始まり】 オリガが一二三に合流したとき、既に第一騎士隊は壊滅状態にあった。 契り木の鎖を振り回し、分銅で騎士たちを打ち据える。顔面と喉を集中的に狙い、動きが鈍ったところで首を叩き折る。 あちこちに折れた歯と血が散らばり、一面に転がる第一騎士隊の隊員たちは、誰ひとり息をしていない。 第三騎士隊の面々は、サブナクの言葉で一二三の到着に気づき、全員が慌てて戦場から退いていた。 第一騎士最後の一人が槍を突き入れるも、穂先を鎖に絡め取られて体勢を崩し、足払いで転ばされた。 「終わりだ」 首を踏み折られた騎士は、口の端から血を流して死んだ。 「よし、片付いたか」 契り木を仕舞い、気崩れた道着を整えているところへオリガが近づく。 「一二三様。このあたりに敵はもう、いないようです」 オリガの報告を聞いた一二三は、第三騎士隊が固まっている方をチラリと見遣ってから、そうかと呟いた。 「それと......先ほど、ベイレヴラを発見いたしました」 「そうか。それで、そいつはどうした?」 「私の手で、殺しました」 腕に固定し直した短剣をさすりながら、喜びとも悲しみともつかない顔をするオリガの肩に、一二三の手が置かれる。 「お疲れさん。ようやく終わったな」 一二三には、以前小説で読んだ“仇討ちの助太刀”を思い出していた。それとはちょっと違うが、なんとなく、こういうものなのかと軽い気持ちでそんな台詞を言ったのだが、オリガはその労いの言葉で、ようやく救われた気がした。 感極まったオリガは、溢れ出す涙をぬぐいもせず、一二三の胸に飛び込んだ。 「お?」 「申し訳ありません。少しだけ、このまま......」 突然泣き出したオリガに一瞬疑問を浮かべた顔をした一二三は、オリガの肩を掴んで引き離し、真正面から彼女の瞳を見つめた。 「笑えよ、オリガ」 「復讐を果たして敵を殺したんだろう。嬉しいだろう? そういう時は笑うもんだ」 しばらく一二三の顔を見ていたオリガは、ぐっと喉を鳴らして息の飲んでから、涙を流したままで朗らかに微笑んだ。 「そうだ。それでいい」 傍から見れば、何か試練を乗り越えたカップルのように見えたかも知れないが、周囲に転がるのは騎士たちの死体だ。 そこに、サブナクとビロン伯爵が、おっかなびっくり近づいていく。 「ああ、サブナクか。この先の街でも、まだ戦っているんだろう? 俺は行くから」 「いやその、あの人なんですけど......」 サブナクが指差す先には、抜け殻のような様子で立ち尽くしたままのアイペロス王子の姿があった。 「あのガキがどうかしたのか?」 「ガキって......あれでもこの国の王子なんですよ」 見たことあるはずですよ、とサブナクは言うが、一二三は首をかしげるばかりだ。 邪魔をされたと思ったのか、オリガは呪い殺さんばかりの目でサブナクを見ている。 「まあいいんですけど。あの方も操られているようなのですが、ぼくたち第三騎士隊で引き取りたいのですが......」 「俺と戦う気もないガキに用は無い。好きにすればいい」 「ありがとうございます」 一二三の返答を聞いて、サブナクは数人を集めてアイペロスの元へと向かった。 代わりに、ビロン伯爵が一二三の前に出る。 「救援ありがとうございます。ビロン伯カムラットと申します。トオノ伯爵ですね」 「ビロン? ああ、あの手紙を寄越した伯爵か」 「ええ、この度は......」 謝意を伝えようとした瞬間、一二三の右手が逆手に刀を抜いて、ビロンの首筋に冷たい刃があたる。 「敵がいるからと呼ぶのはいい。だが、それを自分の利益として利用されるのは気に入らん」 「り、利用するつもりは......」 「自分の街を守るために俺を呼ぶことは利用することにならないのか? 俺は敵を殺しにきたが、その敵にお前が含まれないと思い込むのは都合が良すぎると思うぞ」 先ほどまで余裕ある微笑みを浮かべていた顔に汗を滴らせ、ビロンは刃に映る自分を見た。 「私は、自分と民衆は自ら守るつもりで......第三騎士隊もいましたから......第一騎士隊の件は計算外で......」 荒い息を吐いて、ビロンが途切れ途切れに言ったところで、一二三は刀を離した。 「お、同じ国の貴族として、英雄のトオノ伯に助力を乞う事は......」 「戦いがあるからそこへ行く。国や所属がどうとうかは関係ない。俺の敵になるかどうかだけが基準だ。......遅れてフォカロル領兵がここへ来る。敵対するも歓迎するもお前の自由だが、互恵関係だと思うなら、与えられた利益に見合う物を用意すべきだろう、と俺は思うが?」 ニヤッと笑った一二三に、ビロンは自分が呼び込んだモノの正体を始めて知った。敵がいれば喜ぶ戦闘狂だと思ったが、大きな間違いだったのだと。 (この男はただただ殺し合いがしたいのであって、戦いの結果に興味が無いのか) 先ほど一二三が到着した時に、サブナクが慌てて第三騎士隊を退去させた理由が分かった。あのままでは、同じ騎士隊としてまとめて鏖殺されていたかもしれないのだ。 王子の方へと向かう一二三の背中を見て、ビロンは自分の失策にため息を付いた。 「取り敢えず、この魔法具を外すか?」 「何か副作用があってもまずい。暴れられてもまずいし、このまま王都へ連れて帰った方がいいのでは?」 「王子派の連中から、何か言われそうな気もするが......」 棒立ちのアイペロス王子を中心に、騎士たちが意見を戦わせていたが、まだ結論は出ていない。 そこへ一二三が歩いてきたのに気づき、全員が道を開ける。 「サブナク。こいつが王子だと言ったな」 「ええ、殺すのはやめてくださいよ......」 「イメラリアとの約束があったのを思い出したんだよ。俺はすぐには殺さん」 言いながら、一二三は乱暴に服を引き裂き、王子の胸に食いついている魔法具を掴んだ。 「こいつの運命を選ぶのは、こいつ自身だ」 リベザルの時と同様に、相手の身体を一切気遣わない乱暴な手段で魔法具を引き剥がした。 周りで見ていた騎士は、それを制止することもできず、ただ状況を見守っている。 地面へと崩れ落ちた王子に、誰も手を触れようとしない。 「う......うぅ?」 目を瞬かせ、王子が意識を取り戻した。 「なん、だ? 一体何が......胸が痛い......? うわっ」 穴だらけで血まみれの自分の身体を見て、一気に錯乱する王子に、バシャバシャと魔法薬がかけられた。 「起きたな。立て」 空になった瓶を放り捨て、一二三が命じる。 すっかり塞がった傷に気を取られていたが、はっとして起き上がる王子。 「貴様はあの時の......」 憎悪に彩られた目でにらみつけるが、一二三は毛ほども動じない。 「さて、ここでお前の運命を決める選択だ」 「なんだと? 貴様、王子である僕に向かって......」 平手打ちが一発、アイペロスの頬を打つ。 「黙れ」 視界がチラつくほどの痛みに、アイペロスの目に涙がたまる。 「この国の王座にはイメラリアがつく」 「な......」 「お前はこれから好きにするといい。姉と敵対するもよし。恭順して何らかの地位をもらうのも手だな。......ああ、お前の母親はもうこの世に居ないから、頼ろうとしても無駄だぞ」 最後の言葉に、アイペロスは目を見開いた。 周りを見回して、見知った顔は近くに来ていたビロン伯爵のみだったので、彼の顔を見る。 ビロン伯爵は、ゆっくりと首を左右に振った。 「そんな、ま、まさか......」 「ああ、俺が殺した」 アイペロスの視線が自分に戻ってきた事に気づいた一二三は、サラリと真実を告げる。 「う、うわぁあああああ! 貴様が! 貴様はあああ!」 錯乱して掴みかかって来るのを、右足で蹴り飛ばして転がした一二三は、無様に地面へと転げたアイペロスを睨みつけた。 「あいつらは自分で俺に敵対する道を選んだ。そして失敗して死んだ。俺を恨むのは勝手だが、その行動の責任はお前自身が取ることになると覚悟しろ」 一二三の威圧感に、アイペロスは気圧されるが、恐怖以上に怒りの感情が強い。 「き、貴様はこの国に潜り込んだ寄生虫だ! 姉に取り入って分不相応な地位に就いただけでなく、姉を誑かし、王となるべき僕を足蹴にするなど、許されないぞ!」 一度吐き出し始めると止まらないのか、一二三への批判は続く。 「お、王子、一先ずは王都へ戻られては......」 サブナクが声をかけるも、王子は止まらない。 「貴様ら第三騎士隊がいかんのだ! このような者を国に引き入れ、地位を与えた結果がこれだ! 血統のなんたるかを理解しない野蛮人に、この僕を害す、る......?」 アイペロスの視界が歪む。 いつの間にかアイペロスの頭は左右に別れ、血を流しながらずれていく。 びしゃっと音を立てて倒れた時、アイペロスは頭の中身をこぼして死んでいた。 「それ以上、一二三様を侮辱することは許しません」 殺ったのは、オリガだ。 右手を前に突き出し、考えられる最大限の斬れ味を持った風の刃が、アイペロスの頭部を両断した。 「あちゃ~......」 「お前はここで留守番。アリッサたちが到着するのを待ってろ」 一二三にゲンコツをもらって、オリガは頭をさすってしゃがみ込んだ。 「俺の獲物を横取りしやがって。あのアホガキはあのまま泳がせたら、まだまだ国内で混乱を生み出すはずだったのに......」 「し、しかし......」 「本人より先にキレる奴がいるか。とにかく、残った奴らは俺の獲物だからな」 憤慨しながらミュンスターの街へと単身で入って行く一二三を涙目で見送ったオリガは、がっくりと打ちひしがれている。 「ちょっと、いいかな?」 話しかけてきたビロンに、オリガは立ち上がって一礼する。 「ああ、あまりかしこまらなくていいよ。私は助けてもらった立場だからね。それで、トオノ伯の軍勢がこちらへ向かっているという話だけれど、ミュンスターで歓迎したいから、良かったら人数を教えて欲しいのだけれど」 そういうことであれば、とオリガは人数と編成を伝えた。 「それで、おそらくこの街での騒動はこれで一度収束すると思うのだけれど、連れてきた軍はそのまま帰還する形になるのかな?」 ビロンの質問に、オリガは怪しむ視線を向けた。 「いや、これだけの戦闘力があるトオノ伯が、態々軍を連れてきた理由がわからなくてね」 「......まあ、いいでしょう」 すっと、無表情に戻したオリガは、わざとらしい咳払いをする。 「今回の行軍は、遠征訓練を兼ねたものです。本来ならどのような戦いにおいても一二三様に助力というものが不要なのは当然のことです」 ですが、とオリガは続ける。 「フォカロル出発後に、一二三様が一度だけお考えを話されたことがあります。......魔法具で操られた者と戦っても面白くないから、ホーラントは 「私たちフォカロル領軍は、準備が整い次第、ホーラントへ侵攻いたします」 青ざめた顔をしているビロンに、オリガは更に続けた。 邪魔をするのであれば、その勢力もまとめて潰して押し進みます、と。

Chapter 56: Wanted Dead Or Alive At the time Origa joined up with Hifumi, the First Knight Order was already close to complete annihilation. Swinging the chains of the chigiriki, he hits the knights with the counterweight firmly. He focuses his aim on faces and noses and once their movements grow dull, he strikes at their necks. Broken teeth and blood are scattered all over. On one side there are the fallen members of the First Knight Order of whom none are breathing anymore. Everyone of the Third Knight Order, noticing Hifumi's approach due to Sabnak's warning, withdrew from the battlefield in panic. Even the last member of the First Knight Order, coming thrusting his spear, had the spearhead arrested and his stance broken. He fell down by being tripped up. "It's the end." (Hifumi) The knight, having his neck broken by being stepped on, died spurting blood from his mouth. "Alright, they were disposed of, huh?" (Hifumi) Putting away the chigiriki, he puts the somehow disheveled dougi in order just as Origa is drawing close. "Hifumi-sama, it looks like there aren't any enemies in this area left." (Origa) Hifumi, listening to Origa's report, muttered "Is that so?" after sending a fleeting glance in the direction of the gathering Third Knight Order. "And... I discovered Beirevra not long ago." (Origa) "I see. So, what happened to him?" (Hifumi) "I killed him with my own hands." (Origa) While stroking the dagger she fixed back on her arm again, Origa shows a face of neither sadness nor delight. Hifumi puts his hand on her shoulder. "Good work. It is finally over." (Hifumi) Hifumi remembered the novel "Assistance in Revenge" he read once before. Although it was slightly different, for some reason, the words he casually said were something along those lines. He had a feeling that Origa at last, with those words of appreciation, was saved. Origa, overcome with emotions, leaped into Hifumi's chest without even wiping the tears that started to pour out. "Oh?" (Hifumi) "I'm very sorry. Let me stay like this, only for a bit..." (Origa) Hifumi, who showed a face of doubt for a moment due to Origa suddenly bursting into tears, seized her shoulders and pulled her apart. He directly stared into the eyes of her. "Smile, Origa." (Hifumi) "You killed your enemy accomplishing your revenge, right? Aren't you glad? At such times you should smile." (Hifumi) Origa, looking at Hifumi's face for a while, smiled cheerfully while shedding tears after having taken a deep breath in one go that resounded through her throat. "That's right. It's fine like this." (Hifumi) If seen from the sight, they might look like a couple that overcame some ordeal, but there are corpses of knights scattered in the surroundings. Sabnak and Biron approach nervously at that point. "Ah, Sabnak, is it? I wonder if they are still fighting in city down the road? I will go there." (Hifumi) "No, umm... Though that person..." (Sabnak) Sabnak pointed ahead. There was the figure of Prince Ayperos standing rock still with an appearance as if being an empty husk. "Is something wrong with that brat?" (Hifumi) "Brat, you say... Even if he's like that, he still this country's prince." (Sabnak) "It should be obvious", Sabnak says, but Hifumi does no more than tilting his head to the side. Origa is looking at Sabnak with eyes full of nothing but the wish to curse him to death. "Well, it's fine. Although it seems he is being manipulated as well, we, of the Third Knight Order, want to take him into custody, but..." (Sabnak) "I have no use for a brat that shows no inclination to fight with me. It's fine if you do as you like with him." (Hifumi) "Thank you very much." (Sabnak) Hearing Hifumi's answer, Sabnak gathered several people and headed towards Ayperos' location. In exchange Earl Biron steps in front of Hifumi. "Thank you for your assistance. I am called Earl Biron Kamrat "Biron? Ah, that letter-sending Earl, eh?" (Hifumi) "That is so, on this occasion..." (Biron) In the instant he tried to convey his gratitude, Hifumi draws his katana with his right hand using a backhand grip and presses the cold blade against the scruff of Biron's neck. "It's alright to call me here because there are enemies. But, I don't like your intention of using it for your own benefit." (Hifumi) "I-Intention to use you is wr-"(Biron) "To call me for the sake of protecting your city isn't using me? I came to kill the enemies, but I think it is far too good and convenient to be convinced that you aren't included as one of them." (Hifumi) Until just now he had the leeway to show a smile, but now sweat was trickling down on his face. Biron saw his own reflection on the blade. "I planned to personally protect the people and myself... since there was also the Third Knight Order... with the First Knight Order being outside my predictions..." (Biron) Breathing roughly, Biron talked in broken parts. Hifumi separated the katana. "A-As nobles of the same country, I requested the assistance of the hero Earl Tohno..." (Biron) "Because there are battles, I will go there. I don't care about the country or members of the same faction. My only criterion is whether you will become my enemy or not. ... The overdue territorial soldiers of Fokalore will come here. You are free to welcome them or to oppose them, but if you consider mutual beneficial relations, I think you should arrange something corresponding for the given benefits. Don't you think so?" (Hifumi) Hifumi laughs broadly. Biron began to realize the true nature of the thing he had called himself. He thought that if Hifumi was a battle maniac, he would be delighted if there were enemies, but he made a huge mistake. (This man yearns for nothing but killing. Doesn't he have any interest in the result of a battle?) He now understood the reason why Sabnak had the Third Knight Order depart in a hurry at the time when Hifumi arrived. At that rate they might have been massacred in one go as they are a knight order as well. Looking at Hifumi's back heading in the direction of the prince, Biron took a short rest as consequence of his blunder. "Shall we remove the magic tool for the time being?" "It will be bad if it has some side effects. It will also be bad if he acts violently. Isn't it better to take him in the current state and return to the royal capital?" "I have a feeling that the guys of the prince faction will say something about this, but..." With Price Ayperos standing in the middle, the knights debated their opinions, but as of yet they haven't reached a decision. Noticing that Hifumi came walking over, all of them get out-of-the-way. "Sabnak, you said that this guy is the prince." (Hifumi) "Please don't accelerate his death..." (Sabnak) "I recalled that I made a promise to Imeraria. I won't kill him right now." (Hifumi) With those words Hifumi violently tore off the prince's clothes and grabbed the magic tool embedded in his chest. "I will let that guy himself choose his own destiny." (Hifumi) Same as with Ribezal previously, he tore off the magic tool in a brutal way without caring about the other party's body at all. The knights, visible in the surroundings, are just watching the situation without being able to stop this. No one tries to catch the prince as he collapses to the ground. "U... Uu?" (Ayperos) Blinking his eyes, the prince regained his consciousness. "Wh...at? What the he... My chest hurts... ? Uwah." (Ayperos) As the prince is looking at his own bloodstained body with a hole in his chest, he becomes confused right away. A magic potion was applied on him with a splashing sound. "You woke up. Stand up." (Hifumi) Flinging away the emptied bottle, Hifumi orders him. Although he was completely preoccupied with the healed wound, the prince quickly got up. "You bastard are from that time..." (Ayperos) The prince is glaring with eyes full of hatred, but Hifumi isn't even a bit perturbed. "Well then, you have the choice to decide your fate here." (Hifumi) "What was that? You bastard, towards me who is the prince..." (Ayperos) A single slap strikes Ayperos' cheek. "Shut up." (Hifumi) Tears are gathering in Ayperos' eyes as the pain makes his surroundings appear blurry. "This country's throne is taken by Imeraria." (Hifumi) "Wh..." (Ayperos) "It's fine for you to do what you like after this. It's even alright to oppose your elder sister. There is also the way of receiving some position of allegiance. ... Ah, since your mother isn't in this world anymore, relying on her is pointless even if you want to." (Hifumi) Ayperos opened his eyes widely due to the last words. He surveys the vicinity. Because he only recognized the face of Earl Biron, who came close, he looks at that face. Earl Biron slowly shook his head left and right. "Such a... n-never..." (Ayperos) "Ah, I killed her." (Hifumi) Hifumi, perceiving Ayperos gaze returning to him, informs him of the truth without hesitation. "U-Uwaaaaaa! You bastard! You bastard aaaaaare!" (Ayperos) As the prince suffered from being seized by madness, Hifumi kicked him with his right leg causing him to fall to the ground. Hifumi scowled at Ayperos who was unsightly tumbling to the ground. "They chose the path of hostility by themselves. And they died due to that mistake. You are free to resent me, but have to resolve yourself to bear the responsibility for that action yourself." (Hifumi) Although Ayperos is overpowered by the intimidating air of Hifumi, on top of fear, the emotion of rage is strong within him. "You bastard are a parasite that has infiltrated this country! Not just ascending to a position, that doesn't befits your-likes, by buttering up to elder sister, you are even deceiving elder sister. I won't forgive you for kicking me who should become the king!" (Ayperos) Does he not cease once he has started to spit out words of rage? He continues the insults towards Hifumi. "P-Prince, let's returning to the capital for the time being..." (Sabnak) The prince doesn't stop even as Sabnak calls out to him. "I won't go anywhere with your rotten Third Knight Order! Drawing someone like that into the country, this is the outcome after he was given a rank and territory! A savage that doesn't understand what pedigree is! To injure me! Wh..." (Ayperos) Ayperos' field of vision warps. Before anyone knows what's going on, Ayperos head divides left and right. Both halves get out of alignment while shedding blood. At the time he collapsed to the ground with the sound of a short splat. Ayperos died spilling the contents of his head. "I won't forgive you for insulting Hifumi-sama anymore than this." (Origa) It is Origa who did him in. Stretching her right hand in front of her, she bisected Ayperos' head cutting it with the a wind blade possessing the highest sharpness she could think of. "Acha~" (Sabnak) "You will stay here. Wait for the arrival of Alyssa's group" (Hifumi) Origa squatted down rubbing her head after she received a fist from Hifumi. "You stole my prey. Letting that foolish brat go freely like that should have created still more chaos within the country, but..." (Hifumi) "H-However..." (Origa) "Is there anyone that loses their temper over that brat from before? Anyway, the remaining lot is my prey." (Hifumi) Origa, being stricken with depression, saw Hifumi off with teary eyes as he went towards Munster by himself while being indignant. "Do you have a moment?" (Biron) Recovering herself, Origa bowed to Biron who came and started talking to her. "Ah, it's fine if you aren't this formal. After all I'm in the position of having been saved by you. So, I hear that Earl Tohno's troops are headed here, but since I want to welcome them to Munster, I'd like you to tell me the number of people if it suits you." (Biron) "If it is something like that", Origa told him the number of people and their formation. "And, I think that the dispute in this city will likely reach its temporary conclusion with this, but I wonder if it will result in having the troops, he brought along, return?" (Biron) Upon hearing Biron's question, Origa faced him with a suspecting look. "No, I don't understand the reason why Earl Tohno, who has this much fighting strength, especially brought along his troops, you know." (Biron) "... Well, it's fine, I guess." (Origa) Origa quickly returning to being expressionless, unnaturally clears her throat. "This time's march was something like doing an expedition practice. Originally it's only natural that they are unnecessary to do something like assisting Hifumi in such sort of battle." (Origa) "But," Origa continues. "After the departure from Fokalore Hifumi-sama had only once talked about his plans. ... Because it isn't interesting to fight people who are manipulated by a magic tool, he won't enter Horant **** and," (Origa) "As soon as our Fokalore territorial army has put their preparations in order, we will invade Horant." (Origa) Origa further continued as Biron was becoming pale. "If you become an obstacle, we will advance the troops to crush you in one go with that power as well."

181.Paint It Black 一二三の刀が振るわれる度に、彼を閉じ込めている障壁はどんどん崩されていく。 プーセが声を上げ、眼下で行われている非常識な行いに驚いていた。 「魔人族ですら破れたかったあれを......とことんふざけた男ね」 慌てて魔法を構築し直しているプーセを横目に、ウェパルは首を横に振った。これは完全に失敗ではないか、とイメラリアへ視線を向けると、女王は表情を動かさずにしっかりと状況を見据えていた。 「この程度の事は想定いておりました。一二三様の左手についても、異常と言っても良い程に頑丈なあの武器についても、この程度の事は出来るかも知れない、と」 「は、はい!」 「どうやって、彼を止めるつもり?」 「それは......」 ウェパルへの返答は、突然の声に遮られた。 「ヴィーネ?」 全員の視線がバルコニーへ入る扉へと向かう。そこには、片耳を失った兎獣人のプーセが立っていた。 怒っているような、力が入っているような、とにかく口を引き結んで眉間にしわを寄せた表情をした彼女は、プーセへと目を向けていた。 「プーセさん、ご主人の封印は......なんですか!?」 「悪いけど、この場所を守るのがぼくの仕事なんだ」 進もうとするヴィーネの肩を押えて、サブナクは困り果ててしまった。これが暗殺者なり暴漢なりであれば、イメラリアのために剣を抜くことも躊躇わない。だが、見知った相手で素手の獣人族。しかも一二三の忠臣と言っていい。 迷っているサブナクの背後から、イメラリアの声が聞こえる。 「は、え? あ、はい!」 今までのイメラリアであれば、すぐに解放するように言っていただろう。意外な命令に一瞬戸惑ったが、サブナクがヴィーネを離す事は無かった。 「ヴィーネさん。貴女、今“封印”と言われましたね?」 イメラリアとヴィーネは、互いの考えを覗き込むかのように睨みあった。 「......誰から、その話を聞いたのですか?」 「もちろん、ご主人様からです!」 ウェパルは俯いて顔を横に振り、プーセは目を見開いた。 「つまり、一二三様は封印についても、わたくしたちの狙いを知っている、と?」 視線を上げる。距離があって表情や視線までは見えないが、一二三が自分を見て笑っているような気がした。 そこで、ふと疑問が浮かぶ。 「ヴィーネさん。一二三様は封印される可能性を知って、何故ここにいるのです? 少なくとも王城へ近づかなければ、封印される可能性は無くなるはずです」 「それは......私には教えていただけませんでした......」 悲しさと悔しさを綯交ぜにして、吐き出すように答えたヴィーネに、イメラリアは同情すら覚えた。そして、一二三に対して感じたのは、怒り。 「あの方は、どこまでも女性を馬鹿にしていますね!」 一二三を慕う女性は、彼女が知る限りでも五人以上いる。好色になることを歓迎するわけでは無いが、いくらなんでもヴィーネに対する扱いはあんまりだ、とイメラリアは憤る。 「ヴィーネさん。そのような扱いをされても、一二三様に尽くすというのですか?」 「私には時間が足りなかっただけです! 奥様やアリッサ様のように、一二三様の近くにいて、私の事を知ってもらう時間が!」 だから、封印を止めさせたいらしい。 しばらく考えたイメラリアは、一先ずヴィーネの事は置いて、指示を出す。 「でも......」 「オリガさんの動きを見ます。彼女が動けば、まだ機会はあるのです」 了承して、詠唱を再び始めたプーセ。その背中に向かって、ヴィーネが声を上げているが、流石に戦闘向きではない種族で、しかも女性の力では、それなりに鍛えているサブナクの腕を振りほどくことはできないようだ。 「それで、結局はオリガに何をさせるつもりなの?」 「“させる”というのは語弊があります。これはオリガさん自身からの申告です。魔法を吸収できるという左手の特性についても、その時に詳しく聞きました」 バルコニーの手すりにそっと右手を置き、一二三を見下ろすと、丁度左手を振るい、わずかに残った障壁の残滓を削り取っているところだった。 「オリガさんには、彼の左手を切断してもらいます」 振るわれた左腕が伸びきった瞬間、オリガが一二三に向かって駆け寄るのが見えた。 いつ見ても、見惚れるように流麗な動きだ、とオリガは熱い吐息を吐いた。身体がうずいてくるが、それどころではない。 彼女は一二三の隙を虎視眈々と狙っているが、殺気は放っていない。一二三を殺したいわけでは決してない。視線に込めたのは愛情。一二三の近くで彼の全てを見てきたと自負する自分が、それでも完全に把握できない愛する夫へ、いつも向けている視線だ。 見られている事は一二三も分かっているはずだが、そんなことはオリガにとってどうでも良い。大切なのは、一瞬を見つける事だけ。 魔法を無効化する左手を切断する、それが可能な一瞬を見つけて、動く。 「邪魔です」 二人の間に割り込むように飛び込んできた魔人族の兵を蹴り飛ばし、転がったところに風魔法の刃を飛ばして首を切断する。その動きは、一二三に劣らぬ程に滑らかだ。というより、どこか一二三の動きに似ている。 細かな足運びや視線の置き方、相手を前にしたときの体捌きなど、多少なり戦いに身を置いた者が見れば、一二三とオリガの動きは瓜二つに見えただろう。それだけ、オリガは一二三を観察し、その背中を追ってきた。他の誰よりも近く、誰よりも早く。 「どきなさい!」 折りたたんだ状態の鉄扇を敵兵の太ももに叩きつけて、悶絶する男の首に二度目の打撃を加える。 「......ぐっ!」 それでも自分に向かって倒れ込むように剣を振り降ろしてくる魔人族に対し、オリガは無理やり身体を捻って脇をすり抜け、視線を向けずに敵の背中へと風魔法を飛ばした。 血をまき散らして倒れる兵を放って走り始めたオリガの目前では、刀を鞘へと戻し、残りの障壁に向かって、一二三が面倒そうに左手を振るおうとしていた。 好機、と瞬時に判断する。 オリガはより力強く、しかし音は最小限に、地面を蹴った。 刀という武器の性質上、右側に回り込むのは危ない。特に一二三のレベルになると、多少体勢が悪かろうと、抜き打ちの一撃は必殺の威力を持つ。 左側であれば、刀は抜いてから改めて振るうしかできない。左手は魔力を吸い取る事はできても、生き物に対しては打撃か掴むかの二択しかない。反撃を受けても、オリガの持つ鉄扇であれば十分に防げる。 鉄扇を開き、手元に引き寄せる。 狙うのは手首、何度も見た、触れた、左手の黒い部分が始める場所。 そこを、鉄扇で斬り飛ばすのだ。 一二三の左後ろへと、顔を押し付けるように迫る。 口から、愛すべき夫の名前が漏れる。 彼を攻撃することに対して、オリガは忌避感も無ければ躊躇いも無い。片手が無くなった程度で一二三がそれほど弱くなるとは思っていないし、手が無い程度のこと、オリガにとって一二三に対する愛情に陰りなど出ようはずがない。 一二三からの愛情はどうか。 オリガは今まででも、身に余るほど沢山の愛情を注いでもらったと思っている。それに何より、一二三と戦いになる事で彼から愛想をつかされる、とは不思議とオリガには思えなかった。 それが間違いでない事は、すぐに分かった。 一二三が素っ頓狂な声を出したのが、オリガの耳に届いた。 手ごたえはあったが、半端だった。 「......やる気か?」 「間違っているかもしれませんが......それも一二三様が望む事の一つ、かと」 一二三の左の手首からは、血が流れている。動脈は外れているようだが手の甲側がざっくりと斬り割られたようだ。 「いやいや、お前がイメラリアと何か企んでいるのは知っていた。内容もある程度は、な。なるほど、イメラリアが最後に頼んだのは、オリガの腕か」 一二三は笑いながら、バルコニーを一瞥した。 その間、左手を動かしてみたが、指は多少動いても、力が入らない。もう、左手は使えないと思っていい。 「一二三様の封印を達成するためには、その左手は邪魔になります。不意打ちは半分、成功しましたが......永遠に添い遂げるため、私は一二三様と戦います」 「これも夫婦喧嘩というのかね。まあいい。お前が俺を選んだあの日、お前のやる事は全て受け止める、と決めた。それがお前の決意なら、真正面から受け止めてやろう」 「一二三様......ありがとうございます!」 満面の笑みで、オリガは答える。頬も胸も、他の部分も身体中が熱く滾る。最愛の人との殺し合い。この夫婦だけに通じる、心と身体の交流は、オリガの不意打ちから始まり、今、一二三が刀を抜いたことで続行されることが決まった。 「俺を封印したいのだろう? なら、この世界の最高を見せてみろ!」 「はい! しっかり見ていただきます!」 オリガの魔法が、文字通り風を切って飛ぶ。 タイミングを合わせて、鉄扇を掴んだオリガも前へ。 一二三は笑っていた。 多少物足りないのは覚悟の上で、今の最高を見せてれくれるだろう期待を胸に。 「奥様が!? どうして!」 サブナクに押えられながらも、ヴィーネには一二三とオリガが対峙するのが見えたらしい。さらに必死で暴れるヴィーネを、サブナクは仕方なく羽交い絞めにするような恰好で捕まえている。華奢な方に見えて、荒野を生きていた獣人族なだけあり、足や腕辺りからは張りのある肉の感触が伝わる。 ちらり、とバルコニーへ入るドアのあたりに、妻の姿が見えたような気がした事については、考えない事にした。 「ヴィーネさん。オリガさんは一二三様と共に封印されることを望んでいます。不意打ちは失敗しましたが、彼女は一二三様の足を止めるために......それだけでは無いようですが......彼と戦う事を選びました」 置いて行かれる恐怖からか、ヴィーネは既に涙声で絶叫していた。 サブナクを振り回さんばかりに暴れるヴィーネへ近づいたイメラリアは、そっと彼女の頬へと手を添えると、思い切り振りかぶった。 肉を叩く音が響く。 「......えっ」 イメラリアは、びんたでは無く、拳を握ってヴィーネの頬を打った。 ヴィーネのみならず、サブナクも唖然としている。 「子供のように泣きわめくのは止めなさい。見苦しい」 サブナクがヴィーネを解放するように言われて手を緩めると、膝から落ちるようにヴィーネは座り込む。 頬を押えている彼女を見下ろして、イメラリアは続けた。 イメラリアが指差したのは、今まさに一二三とオリガが戦っている広場。周囲にはまだまだ魔人族の兵が居り、手前側では騎士たちが、向こう側ではフォカロルの兵士たちが戦っている。 中央に近い魔人族の中には、夫婦げんかに巻き込まれて死ぬ者がいるようだ。 「彼らと共に封印される覚悟で、あそこへ行き、永遠を一二三様と過ごすことを選ぶか、です。それとも、一二三様が切り抜ける方に賭けて、ここに残りますか?」 最も、あそこへ向かえば、戦いに巻き込まれてあっという間に殺されてしまう可能性もありますけれど、とイメラリアは添えた。 イメラリアが話し終わると、しばし目をパチパチと瞬かせていたヴィーネ。 「行きます。......プーセさん、今までありがとうございました。女王様。無礼をお許しください。そして、ありがとうございます」 「良いのですよ」 イメラリアは、自分がとても久しぶりに笑った気がした。 「同じ男性を愛した同志です。同じ道を進むことはできませんが......どうか、幸せになってください」 サブナク以外の全員が固まった。 「あ、えっと......はい。ありがとうございます」 「は、はい。失礼します!」 バルコニーから飛び出した身のこなしは、流石に獣人族と言ったところか。スカートを翻して広場へと向かうヴィーネの表情は、晴れ晴れとしている。 「サブナクさん。今の話は記録には残さないように」 「も、もちろんです!」 さて、とイメラリアはバルコニーの縁へと進む。

Chapter 181: Paint It Black Each time Hifumi swung his katana, the barrier locking him in was torn down a bit. "Eeh!?" Puuse screamed, surprised by what was taking place below her eyes and lacked any common sense. "Something even the demons wanted to tear down...what a thoroughly messed up man." Vepar shook her head while casting a sidelong glance at Puuse who was hurriedly fixing the spell's structure. When Vepar looked at Imeraria, wondering whether this wasn't a complete failure, the queen had been fixedly staring at the situation without a change in her expression. "I had expected for something at this level to happen. I believed that Hifumi-sama's left hand and his weapon, which is sturdy beyond abnormal levels, might be capable of realizing something like this." Imeraria said indifferently, faced Puuse, and ordered, "Puuse-san, leave the countermeasure against that to Origa-san. It looks like she wasn't in time now, but please deploy the barrier once more." "Y-Yes!" (Puuse) "How do you plan to stop him?" (Vepar) "That's..." (Imeraria) "Please wait!" Imeraria's reply to Vepar was suddenly interrupted. "Viine?" Everyone turned their eyes towards the door leading to the balcony. The one standing there was the rabbitwoman who had lost an ear, Viine. Was it because she was angry? Or because she put strength into it? Either way, she furrowed her eyebrows and pursed her lips while having shifted her focus on Puuse. "Puuse-san, what was that about....master's sealing!?" Sabnak blocked the path in front of Viine who had started to walk while shouting. "I'm sorry, but protecting this place is my job." (Sabnak) Sabnak was greatly troubled as he restrained Viine's shoulders who tried to proceed onward. If this had been a hoodlum or an assassin, he wouldn't hesitate to draw his sword for Imeraria. But, it was someone he knew and an unarmed beastman. Moreover, someone who could be called Hifumi's loyal retainer. Imeraria's voice was audible from behind Sabnak who was hesitating, "Sabnak-san, please keep restraining Viine-san just like that." "Ye-, eh? Ah, yes!" (Sabnak) If it had been the past Imeraria, she would have likely told him to release her right away. Sabnak was bewildered by the unexpected order for an instant, but he didn't let go of Viine. "Viine-san, you said Imeraria and Viine glared at each other as if to probe each other's thoughts. "...From who did you hear about this?" (Imeraria) "Of course from master!" Viine immediately replied. Vepar cast her eyes downwards and shook her head. Puuse widened her eyes. "In other words, you're saying, Hifumi-sama is aware of our aim, the sealing?" Imeraria clenched her teeth with her shoulders trembling. She raised her eyes. She couldn't see his face and look because of the distance, but she felt like Hifumi was laughing while looking at her. At that point a question suddenly popped up in her mind. "Viine-san, why is Hifumi-sama here despite knowing that he might be sealed? The possibility that he will be sealed should at least vanish if he didn't come close to the royal castle." (Imeraria) "That is...nothing he told me about..." Viine answered as if spitting out her twisted mixture of sadness and bitterness. Imeraria even felt pity for her. And the feeling she harbored towards Hifumi was rage. "That man is thoroughly looking down on women!" (Imeraria) As far as she knew, there were more than five women yearning for Hifumi. "Viine-san, you devote yourself to Hifumi-sama even while being treated like that?" (Imeraria) "There was just not enough time for me! The time to for Hifumi-sama to get to know me while being close to him like the madam and Alyssa!" (Viine) That was apparently the reason why she wanted to stop the sealing. Imeraria, who pondered about it for a short moment, put aside Viine's situation for the present, and ordered, "Sabnak-san, please hold back Viine-san like that. Puuse-san, please continue." "But..." (Puuse) "We will watch Origa-san's movements. Once she makes her move, there will be another opportunity." (Imeraria) Puuse acknowledged and started to cast the spell again. Viine called out to her from behind, but being from a race that wasn't suited towards combat, she apparently couldn't free herself from Sabnak's fairly trained arms with the strength of a woman. "So, what do you actually plan to have Origa do?" (Vepar) is a faulty way to express it. This is something Origa-san herself had requested. At that time I heard the details about the left hand's special trait allowing it to absorb magic." (Imeraria)magic The moment when she looked down at Hifumi while quietly placing her right hand on the handrail of the balcony, was the exact moment of Hifumi swinging his left hand and shaving off the faint remains of the barrier. "I will have Origa-san cut off that left hand." (Imeraria) At the moment Hifumi had extended his left arm, they could see Origa running towards Hifumi. , Origa sighed passionately. It wasn't just her body that was throbbing. She was vigilantly watching for an opportunity to attack Hifumi, but she didn't release any bloodthirst. There was no way that she wanted to kill Hifumi. Her look was filled with love. It was the look she, who prided herself to have seen all of Hifumi and yet not having been able to fully grasp him, always turned at her beloved husband. Hifumi should also be aware that he was being watched, but something like that didn't matter to Origa at all. What was important was to discover that one moment. Severing the left hand that invalidated any magic; she would move after finding the instant allowing for that. "You're a nuisance." (Origa) She kicked a demon soldier, who had jumped at her as if to wedge himself between the two, flying and sent wind blades at the place where he had fallen, cutting off his head. That movement was so smooth that it was not inferior to Hifumi's. Or rather, it somewhat resembled Hifumi's movements. Her detailed footwork, the places where she looked, and the defensive body movements when in front of an opponent; if someone slightly experienced in combat watched it, they would likely regard the movements of Hifumi and Origa to be alike as two peas in a pond. That's how much Origa had observed Hifumi and chased after his back. Closer than anyone else, faster than anyone else. "Get out of the way!" (Origa) She struck the thigh of an enemy soldier with the folded iron-ribbed fan, and then delivered a second blow against the man's head who had fainted in agony. "...Guh!" Origa forcibly twisted her body, slipping past the flank of a demon soldier, who swung his sword down as if flopping onto her, and unleashed wind magic at the soldier's back without even looking back at him. Before Origa's very eyes, who had started to run while neglecting the soldier that collapsed while spreading a fountain of blood, Hifumi had returned his katana into its scabbard, turned himself towards the barrier's remains, and was about to swing his left hand while looking as if it was bothersome. In an instant she judged that to be a good opportunity. Origa kicked the ground powerfully but as quietly as possible, going around towards the left side from behind Hifumi. Knowing the property of his katana, going around to the right side would be dangerous. Especially if it came to Hifumi's level, the act of drawing his katana and attacking in one stroke possessed the power of an instant-kill technique if one's stance were to be slightly bad. If it was his left side, he would only be able to swing the katana anew after drawing it. Even if he could absorb mana with his left hand, he had only the choices of punching or grabbing living beings with it. Even if she were to receive a counterattack, it would be plenty possible to defend as long as it was the fan in Origa's hand. She opened the fan, and drew it back below her hand. Her aim was the wrist, a place she had seen and touched many times, and the spot where the black part began. She would cut at that place with her fan. She approached as if pushing her face into Hifumi's left back. When the scent of his sweat reached her nose, she suddenly broke into a smile. The name of her lovable husband escaped from her mouth. Origa had no hesitation or reluctance to attack him. She didn't think that Hifumi would become overly weak from just losing one hand, and it was impossible for Origa to love Hifumi less because of something like him missing a hand. The question here would be about the love coming from Hifumi. Even now Origa believed that she had received much more of his love than she deserved. Above all that, Origa strangely couldn't believe that his feelings of love towards her would cease from it turning into a battle against him. She immediately knew that she hadn't been wrong about that. "Uh-oh. Ooh?" Hifumi wildly raising his voice reached Origa's ears. There was feedback, but it was lacking. "...You wanna have a go?" (Hifumi) "I might be wrong, but...that might also be one of your wishes, Hifumi-sama." (Origa) Blood was flowing from Hifumi's left wrist. It looked as if an artery had been cut, and the back of his hand had been deeply torn apart. "No, not at all. I knew that you were scheming something with Imeraria. Even what it was, to some extent. I see, what Imeraria had requested in the end was your skill, huh?" (Hifumi) Hifumi glanced in the direction of the balcony while laughing. Meanwhile he tried to use his left hand, but even though he could move his fingers a bit, he couldn't put any strength into them. It was fine to think that he wouldn't be able to use his left hand anymore. "That hand will become a hindrance towards sealing you, Hifumi-sama. The surprise attack succeeded partially, but...for the sake of us staying married for eternity, I shall fight against you." (Origa) "I wonder whether you could call this a matrimonial quarrel? Well, whatever. On that day when you chose me, I decided to accept everything you do. If that's your decision, I will accept it without any protest." (Hifumi) "Hifumi-sama...thank you very much!" Origa answered with a smile plastered across her whole face. Her cheeks, chest and other parts of her entire body overflew with passion. A deathmatch with her beloved. The exchange of body and mind understood by only this married couple began with Origa's surprise attack and now continued with Hifumi drawing his katana. "You want to seal me, right? Then try showing me the best of this world!" (Hifumi) "Sure! Allow me to show all of it to you!" (Origa) Origa's magic literally cut through the wind. Not just one or two, but five small wind blades drew a big arc and rushed upon Hifumi, Matching their timing, Origa advanced as well while tightly grasping her fan. Hifumi laughed. His chest was filled with the hope that he might be shown the currently best while being prepared for it to be somewhat insufficient. "The madam!? Why!?" (Viine) Even while being restrained by Sabnak, Viine apparently saw the confrontation between Hifumi and Origa. Sabnak reluctantly arrested Viine, who was struggling even more fervently, by binding her arms behind her back. He felt the springy sensation of her flesh at her legs and arms as could only be felt from a beastman who survived the wastelands while being regarded as fragile. He decided to not think about his hunch of having seen his wife at the door to the balcony. "Viine-san, Origa-san wishes to be sealed together with Hifumi-sama. The surprise attack failed, but in order to stop Hifumi-sama's feet...although it's not just that...she chose to fight against him." (Imeraria) "Please stop it then all the more!" Viine was already screaming with a tearful voice, probably because of the fear of being left behind. Approaching Viine who was struggling as if to throw off Sabnak, Imeraria gently placed her hand on Viine's, and then wielded it with all her strength. The sound of flesh being hit reverberated. "...Eh?" Imeraria hadn't slapped but instead punched Viine's face. Not just Viine, but even Sabnak was dumbfounded. "Stop bawling like a baby. It's unsightly." (Imeraria) Once Sabnak loosened his hold after being told to let go of Viine, Viine sat down, obviously having lost the strength in her legs. Looking down on her, who was holding her cheek, Imeraria continued, "Even if you kick up a fuss here, I won't stop. Hifumi-sama and Origa-san won't stop either. Neither will Puuse-san." She made a short break, breathing in deeply, "What you can do right now is to choose between two options. Either look on enviously how the things will pan out while doing nothing, or go over there." Imeraria was pointing at the plaza where Hifumi and Origa were fighting right now. There were still many demon soldiers around them. On this side the knights and on the opposite side Fokalore's soldiers were fighting. There were some among the demons close to the plaza's center who died after getting dragged into the matrimonial quarrel. "Either you go over there with the conviction to be sealed, spending an eternity with Hifumi-sama, or you stay here, betting on Hifumi-sama cutting his way through." (Imeraria) "But then again, it's also possible that you will get dragged into the battle and be killed in no time, if you were to go over there," Imeraria added. Once Imeraria finished speaking, Viine blinked her eyes repeatedly for a short time. No sooner than putting strength into her knees and standing up, she wiped away her tears. "I will go. ...Puuse-san, thank you for all you've done for me so far. Your Majesty, please excuse my rudeness. And, thank you very much." (Viine) "It's fine." (Imeraria) Imeraria felt that it was the first time in a very long time for her to smile. "I'm a kindred soul who loved the same man. I can't proceed along the same path, but...please become happy by all means." (Imeraria) Everyone except for Sabnak froze. He shook his head and donned an expression as if having swallowed a bitter pill. "Ah, umm...okay. Thank you very much." (Viine) "Y-Yes, excuse me." (Viine) Her agility as she jumped off the balcony could be called proof of her being a beastman. The expression of Viine, who headed towards the plaza with her skirt rolled up, looked bright. "Sabnak-san, make sure to forget what I said just now." (Imeraria) "O-Of course!" (Sabnak) "Now then," Imeraria advanced to the edge of the balcony. Very soon the barrier would be reconstructed. Imeraria tightly grasped her wand as her chest was throbbing out of nervousness, "Let's start."

カーシャおすすめの店は、商店通りから一本それた道にある『踊るクルード亭』という店だった。昼は定食屋、夜は飲み屋になるらしい。 一二三はメニューが読めないので、適当な肉料理とサラダ(通じた)を注文。 10分ほど待って、やってきたのはよくわからない生野菜の盛り合わせと、ラムチョップのような形の肉をトマト風のソースで煮込んだものだった。 「なかなか美味いな。いい店を知ってるじゃないか」 もりもり口に詰め込みながら、頷く一二三の向かいには、オリガとカーシャガ並んで座っていた。二人ともシチューのようなものとパンを食べている。 「でしょ? ここって少し引っ込んだ所にあるからあんまり混まないけど、肉も野菜も良いのを使うんだよ......ってそうじゃなくて!」 「食事中に騒ぐなよ。行儀が悪いぞ」 前の世界と同様にフォークやナイフ、スプーンで食べる形式だったし、食べ物もいまいち正体不明ながら十分美味しい。食事が合わないとこれから先が大変だったと、一二三は内心ホッとしていた。 奴隷は同席しないとか食事のランクは最低のものが普通とかいう話も出たが、横で粗末な雑穀を床に座って食べられる方が居心地が悪いと、二人の奴隷も椅子に座らせて好きなメニューを選ばせた。 個人の気分と慣習なら、迷わず自分の基準を採用する。 「ぐ......。と、とにかくさっきの事、説明しなさいよ」 「何のことだ?」 周囲を見回してこちらの話を聞いている者がいないことを確認してから、カーシャは言う。 「王族に追われているって話よ。一体何をやったのよ......」 「ああ、騎士と王を斬り殺した。ついさっきな」 もとより、一二三は自分の出自も城での出来事も、隠すつもりも誤魔化すつもりも無い。 自分の基準に従ってやった事であるし、その為に発生する面倒も危険も、自分の選択の結果として受け止めるのは当然だと思っている。まして、これからは何にも縛られず自由に振舞おうと決めた以上、全ては自分で背負う気でいる。 (まあ、自分の力で切り拓けない壁にぶちあたったなら、それまでの人生ということだな) と、割と自然に人生の行先を受け止めていた。 というわけで、まるで何でもないことのように城での惨劇を説明され、オリガとカーシャはすっかり食欲を無くしてしまった。 伝えるべきは伝えたと、食事を再開した一二三を、奴隷達は半信半疑で見ていた。 「少しよろしいですか?」 オリガが、おずおずと質問を口にした。 「疑うわけではありませんが、先ほどのお話が本当ならば、騎士や兵士が追ってきていると思うのですが......」 「それ以前に、よく城から出てこられたね」 食後の紅茶を飲みながら、一二三はすっと目線を少し離れたテーブルへ向けた。一二三たちのあとから店に入ってきた二人組の男が、向かい合って何かを話しながら食事をしている。 「城からは、王女が俺を追い出したからな。あいつはどの騎士でも俺に敵わない事がわかっているから、単純に追いかけて捕まえるとか殺すとか、そういう方法は選ばないだろう。監視はついてるけどな」 一二三は自然な仕草で立ち上がると、先ほど見た二人組のテーブルに近づいて、気さくに声をかけた。 「やあやあ、お疲れ様」 「な、なんだお前......」 男たちは驚いた様子だったが、大分腰が引けている。 空いた席にさっと座ると、一二三はにこにこと話しかける。 「さっきも城であったな。監視業務なんかもやるんだな」 一二三の言葉に、男たちは息を飲んだ。 「俺は顔を覚えるのは苦手なんだが、人の身体を覚えるのは得意なんだ」 誤解されそうなセリフを言いながら、人差し指でテーブルを叩く。 一二三が看破した通り、二人はあの現場に居合わせた騎士だった。運良く生き残った二人は、一般人に変装をして一二三の行動を監視していたのだ。 命令は監視と報告のみ。何があっても手を出すなと言われている。もちろん、手を出せるはずもなかったのだが、目標の方から接触されるとは考えてもいなかった二人は、どうしていいか分からず、ただただ冷や汗を流すのみだった。 「まあ、城勤めの奴にこんな諜報任務は無理だよな。そういうのはその筋のプロに任せないと。王族とはいえ、オウジョサマはまだまだこういう所は甘いな」 実はこれは大きな勘違いで、二人が所属する第三騎士隊は城内から一般の市民生活区域までの拾い範囲で活動する諜報寄りの集団で、だからこそ城内の事件でも手を出す事なく生き残ったのだった。 二人共経験豊かな諜報員であったし、城では顔をほとんど隠す甲をつけていた自分たちが、まさか体つきから見破られるとは思っていなかった。 「緊張する必要はないぞ。俺は俺に敵対しないなら、別に気にはしないし、下手なりに頑張ってやっているんだ。これで王女は懸命にやっているのがわかるしな」 目の前で話しているのは同僚の敵ではあるのだが、攻撃の意思が無いと聞いて、つい安心してしまうのは仕方がないことかもしれない。 「俺だって極悪人やシリアルキラーじゃないんだ。誰彼構わず殺したりしないから、安心しろ」 (お前が極悪人じゃないなら、世の中に悪人はいねぇよ!) とてもとてもツッコミたい気持ちを抑えて、二人の騎士はテーブルに視線を落としたまま、まるで叱られている子供のように萎縮していた。 「ただな、他の連中はいただけないな。俺が見たことがない奴らだが、お前たちと違って殺意を向けて俺を見てやがる」 「ま、待ってくれ、他の奴らだって? 今の監視者は私たちだけのはずだが......」 すっかり自分たちが王女の手の者だと言ってしまっている。この国の諜報のレベルがうかがい知れる。 「別口なんだろう。城を出てすぐに追ってきたお前たちと違って、連中がついて来たのは奴隷屋を出たあたりからだからな」 な男に、要らぬ刺激ををしようとしている者がいる事が大問題だった。城内での事は箝口令によってほとんど外に漏れていないが、街中であの事件が再現されようものなら......想像するのも恐ろしい。 しかもそれが、城の関係者であれば、さらに問題だ。報復が残った王族に向かえば、いよいよこの国の存続が危うくなってくる。 「ゴードン、すぐに状況を隊長に伝えて応援を呼べ」 「り、了解しました! 失礼します!」 無意識だろう、指示を受けた少し若い方の男が、一二三に頭を下げて走り去った。残った男の表情は苦々しい。わざわざ挨拶するなど、本来なら調査対象に対する態度ではない。 「まあ、頑張ってくれ。俺は俺のやりたいようにやるから」 元の席に戻っていく一二三の言葉は、男にはもはや脅し文句にしか聞こえなかった。 元の席についた一二三は、ぬるくなった紅茶をぐっと飲み干した。 「......聞こえてたんだけど」 カーシャがジト目で聞いて来るのを、一二三は笑顔で受け止めた。 「ああ、そうか。これから楽しくなりそうだな」 「楽しく?」 「俺に武器を向けてくる奴がいるってことは、また人が殺せるってことだ。ああ、楽しみだな。早く騒ぎが起きないものか」 語る一二三は心底わくわくしているのが誰の目にも明らかで、言っている内容が聞こえなければ、ピクニック前夜の子供のような表情だ。 「ご主人様は、戦える奴隷から私たちを選ばれました。私たちは、ご主人様の身を守る為に買われたのですか?」 オリガの質問に、一二三は首を振る。 「俺が指定したのは、自分の身を守る程度に戦える奴だったぞ。大体、俺の獲物を他の誰かに殺させるなんてもったいない真似をするわけないだろう」 一二三のポリシーは、自分を攻撃する者や、目の前で重犯罪を犯した者など、自分の基準で殺していい奴を殺すという点にある。殺すこと自体に忌避感は無いが、 「じゃあ、アタシたちは何で買われたんだい? 旅をするとは聞いたけど、ご主人の強さなら、一人でも問題なかったんじゃない?」 「俺は違う世界から呼ばれて来たと言ったろう? つまりこの世界の事を何も知らないんだ。金貨も銀貨もあるが、どの位の価値があるのかわからないし、この国の他にどんな国があるのか、それどころかこの街の外の景色すらまだ見てもいない」 だから、と一二三は続ける。 「誰かこの世界の事を教えてくれる相手が欲しかった。俺はこの世界に何も分からず放り出されたからな。できるなら、俺を裏切らない奴がな。奴隷を選んだのは、都合がよかったからだ」 「どうして、私たちを?」 一二三は、にやりと笑う。 「お前たちはあの中で一番強そうだった。二人でいれば、お互いをフォローして戦えるようだったからな。悲しいかな、俺は追われる身だから、戦う機会は多いだろう。その中で、チームワークをもって動けるなら、生き残る可能性はぐっと高くなる」 戦いの予感に、一二三は気分を高揚させ、二人の奴隷は緊張を禁じ得ない。 「戦う必要があるのは分かりました。ただ、私たちは今、何の武器も持っていません。ご主人様にお願いができる立場ではないことは承知の上ですが......」 「わかっている。この後は装備を買いに行こう。いつまでも若い女の子が着ていていい服でもないしな」 「......ありがとうございます」 つい顔を赤らめるオリガに、カーシャは不安だった。いつの間にか、オリガは一二三という異質な存在に慣れてきている。 「それにしても」 ポツリと、一二三が独り言をこぼす。 「俺は被害者なんだけどなぁ」 「問答無用で命で償わせる奴を、被害者扱いするわけないでしょ」 カーシャのツッコミに、離れて聞いていた騎士が思わず親指を立てた。 「うーむ......」 「ご主人様、どうかなさいましたか?」 店を出て、うなる一二三にオリガが不思議そうに首をかしげた。 そのツヤのある瞳と白い肌に、まるで人形のような子だなと、一二三の思考がそれかけた。 「例の殺気を飛ばして来てる奴ら、気配からして人数が倍くらいに増えたぞ。多分10人くらいだな」 ずいぶんセッカチな奴らだと、嬉しそうに文句を言う。 「え、じゃあ......」 まだ丸腰のカーシャは、周囲を見回して不安に汗をにじませる。 「とりあえず、釣り上げるか。お前たちは俺がどういう殺し方をするのか、見学をしているといい。おーい!」 隠れて様子を伺っていた先ほどの騎士に手招きをした一二三は、仕方なくそばに来た騎士の肩を叩いた。諜報部隊のプライドはもうボロボロだ。 「攻撃は禁止されていても、武器は持っているだろう? 悪いけど俺が戦ってる間、こいつらの護衛を頼まれてくれないか?」 突然の依頼だが、一二三を狙う集団と騎士隊は関係無いとアピールする機会だと、騎士は了承した。 「名前は?」 「......ミダス」 「ではミダス、どこか袋小路になっている路地を知らないか?」 ミダスを先導に15分ほど歩くと、商店通りの喧騒とはうって変わって、静かな住宅街へと景色は移っていった。 この街の建物は石造りが基準で、商店通りとは違い道は狭くなり、建物は3階建てや4階建てが増えてくる。城下町は人口が多く、集合住宅が増えるのだろう。 自然と、通りは薄暗くなり、日中の人口も少ない。商業区と同様に、このあたりも石畳の地面になっているが、商業区よりも表面は荒い。 「こっちだ」 ミダスが促した通りを曲がると、10メートルほど先で建物の壁に突き当たる、行き止まりになっていた。 刹那、風切り音が聞こえた。 飛来した矢は、一二三の刀にあっけなく叩き落とされた。 夜間に使用することを前提にしたのか、矢は黒く塗られ、先端が濡れている。 ミダスたちを通りの奥に下がらせ、一二三は後ろから路地へ入ってきた者たちを見た。 人数は9人。全員が一見して一般市民に見える服を着ているが、その目は暗く濁っている。 通りの狭さもあり、先頭の二人だけが駆けてくる。 手には黒塗りのナイフを持ち、一言も発さず、目線だけでお互いの意思疎通を図っている。 (慣れているな。単なる金目当てのゴロツキではないようだ) 相手がプロだと察し、つい嬉しくなってしまうのは何故だろうかと、一二三は自問する。元の世界にいたときは、ここまで戦い自体には興味がなかったはずだが、自分でも何かの束縛が外れてしまった気分がしていた。 だが、悪い気分ではない。 あるいは、たまの試合やくだらない喧嘩以外、戦いとは無縁なあの世界では抑えられていた一二三の本性が、この世界でいよいよ現れてきたのかもしれない。 迫って来たナイフを握る手を、一二三が側面から手を添えて逸らす。まるで最初からそうする予定だったかのように、ナイフはもう一人の胸に突き立った。 驚いてナイフを離した男の腕を取り、関節を極めてうつぶせになった後頭部を踏みつけ、石畳で頭蓋骨を割る。 あっさりと二人が死んだが、次の刺客は臆することなく迫っている。 一二三は冷静に刀を抜いて正面に来た男の手首を切り、返す刀で喉笛を斬り裂いた。 血煙に沈む男を無視して、その後ろから近づいていた男の足の親指を思い切り踵で踏みつけ、よろけた所で胸に刀が突き刺さる。 横からナイフを振り上げて来た相手の胸に肩を押し当て、体勢を崩してたたらを踏んでいる隙に、こちらも心臓を刺し貫いた。 「残りは4人だな」 血濡れの刃をだらりと下げて、殺人鬼は嗤う。 「早く来い。殺してやるから」

'The Crude Dancer' was on a side road joining the main street. Restaurant during the day, seemed to become a pub at night. Since Hifumi could not read, Kasha made a suitable order of a meat dish and salad. After waiting for about 10 minutes, what came over was a platter of fresh vegetables and a meat dish that looked like lamb chops cooked in tomato-like sauce. [ Quite delicious. You seem to know some good shops. ] Stuffing food in his mouth, Hifumi nodded at Kasha and Origa sitting opposite him. Both of them were eating a stew-like dish with bread. [ Right? Though there aren't too many people here, the food is good... ] (Kasha ) [ Don't make noise while eating. It's bad manners. ] Like in the previous world, there were forks and knives, the food was delicious, though its origin was unknown. Hifumi was secretly relieved that the meals in this world were suitable. As it is, sitting with slaves to eat a meal is considered extremely degrading, whats more, giving the slaves rough cereals while sitting on the floor was the norm. But Hifumi made the two sit side by side and order whatever they wanted. Hifumi didn't care about custom, and stood by his own standards. [ Gu.... Anyway, before, the explanation about that thing? ] [ What thing? ] Looking around and confirming that no one was nearby, Kasha asked [ Being chased by the royal family, just what did you do.... ] [ Ah, I killed some Knights and cut the King's head off. A while ago. ] From the very beginning, Hifumi had no intention of concealing or deceiving his origin and events in the castle. He followed his own path, causing trouble and danger, so the result of his choices was natural. Moreover, he had decided that he would not be bound to anything in the future, and would live freely, according to his own wishes. Ah well, it appears as though my strength can cut down and confront any obstacles. Seems like I can wander about enjoying life... Being told about the tragedy in the castle as though unimportant, Kasha and Origa lost their appetites. They were in doubt but asked when they saw Hifumi continue with his meal. [ Is that fine? ] Origa asked timidly. [ Though I don't doubt it, if the story is true, then Knights and soldiers will soon be coming after us.... ] [ Before that, I left the castle. ] While drinking the tea that came after the meal, Hifumi turned his gaze to a table a little away from them. Two men who came in after Hifumi were eating while talking about something. [ From the castle, the princess sent me out. That guy should understand that he is no match for me, a Knight. Simply chasing, not arresting or killing, he is lucky to just be observed. ] Hifumi calmly rose from his table, walking over to the duo's table, he affably said. [ Good work, guys. ] [ Wh-What do you... ] The men were extremely surprised, backing away a little. Quickly sitting down on the newly-vacated space, Hifumi says with a smile, [ We met at he castle a while ago. Observation duties, is it. ] To Hifumi's words, the men held their breath. [ Though I am not good at remembering faces, I'm good at remembering bodies. ] Hifumi tapped the table with his forefinger while saying lines that could be heavily misunderstood. According to Hifumi, the two men were Knights who happened to be present at the killing site. The two people who survived, were disguised as ordinary people and were observing Hifumi. Their instructions were simple: Observe and report. They were ordered not to raise a hand, no matter what. On being contacted by their observation target, they were covered with a cold sweat, why, they did not know. [ Ah well, it is impossible for those employed in the castle to do this kind of espionage work. This should be left to the professionals. There is still a long way to go for the sweet oujousama. ] Actually this was a big misunderstanding. The third Knights corps, to which the two men belonged, only gathered intelligence within the castle and within range of the general citizen's districts, for this reason, events within the castle are taken care of. Both men were experienced intelligence officers and did not think they would be seen through easily without their full-body armours. [ You don't need to be nervous. If you are not hostile to me, I don't particularly mind. The princess' earnestness has been conveyed. ] On hearing that their enemy had no intention of attacking, both men were relieved. [ I am not a heinous person, nor a serial killer. I don't kill people randomly, be relieved. ] Even if you are not a scoundrel, aren't you the bad guy here! Holding down a tsukkomi the two Knights dropped their gazes to the table, like children being scolded. [ Anyway, the other people are unacceptable. I have not seen those guys, nevertheless I can feel their killing intent towards me, unlike you. ] [ W-Wait, other guys? Even though the observers today are supposed to be just us.... ] Hifumi saw through the princess' subordinates completely, figuring out the country's intelligence level. [ A different team, I guess. Unlike you fellows that followed me from the castle, those guys followed me from the slave shop. ] Shocked at having been noticed since the beginning, leaving that aside, in front of them was an absolutely untouchable man, attempting something would be a big problem. Though the events within the castle had not been leaked due to the gag order, but if the incident was to be reproduced in the town..... just imagining it is frightening. Besides, it would be a problem if people of the castle were concerned. If the retaliation went to the Royalty, the future of the country would be in doubt. [ Gordon, tell the commander the situation immediately, and call support. ] [ R-Roger! Excuse me! ] Receiving the short instructions from his superior, the young man unconsciously lowered his head towards Hifumi and ran off. The remaining man's face was bitter. [ Ah, work hard. I will do what I must. ] Returning to his seat, Hifumi's threatening words went unheard. Sitting down at his former seat, Hifumi drank the lukewarm black tea in a gulp. [ .... We heard it ] Hearing Kasha's words, Hifumi caught her reproachful gaze with a smile. [ Ah, is that so. It looks like things will be fun in the future. ] [ Fun? ] [ I can kill anyone that points their weapon at me. Won't that be fun. Like hell I'm not gonna cause trouble! ] The excitement in Hifumi's heart was clearly visible to everyone, like the expression of a child on a picnic. [ Master, we were chosen among slaves who can fight. Is it that we were bought for the sake of protecting master's body? ] To Origa's question, Hifumi shook his head. [ I specified that they should be able to fight to protect themselves. It is a waste to let someone else kill my prey. ] According to Hifumi's policy, anyone who attacks him, commits a crime in front of him, will be killed.He will kill, but.....rationally. He will persist to that standard. [ Then, for what were we bought for? Though we have to travel, just master's strength alone, it shouldn't be a problem? ] [ I told you I was from another world right? I know nothing about this world. I haven't even seen the land outside this city, much less other countries. Even the values of gold and silver coins is mystery to me. ] So, Hifumi continued, [ I want a companion in this world to explain that. A slave was the simplest solution because betrayal is not an option. ] [ Why us? ] Hifumi grinned. [ You two seemed to be the strongest among that lot. Two people, backing each other up is better in a fight. How sad that I am chased, so that there are more chances to fight. As such, teamwork increases the possibility of surviving greatly. ] To Hifumi's excitement at any imminent battles, the two slaves cannot help but be nervous. [ We understand that fighting is necessary. However, as we are now, we do not have any weapons. Master, please understand the situation... ] ( Kasha )magic [ Understood. After this, we will go to buy equipment. Young girls can't wear these clothes indefinitely. ] [ .......Thank you very much... ] (Origa) Kasha was uneasy when Origa blushed. Unaware, Origa was getting accustomed to this different existence Hifumi. [ Be that as it may, ] Hifumi soliloquised sighing. [ It is I who is the victim. ] [ The fellow who debates over lives like this, who is the victim! ] To Kasha's tsukkomi, the Knight sitting nearby reflexively gave a thumbs up. [ Umu.... ] [ Master, is something wrong? ] Leaving the store, Origa asked doubtfully on hearing Hifumi groan. With glossy eyes and white skin, resembling a doll, Hifumi said [ The number of those guys letting out bloodthirst wildly has doubled, maybe about 10 of them. ] Surprisingly impatient, he said delightfully. [ Eh, then..... ] The weaponless Kasha looked around uneasily. [ For the time being, we can reel them in. You will observe how I kill. Oi! ] Hifumi beckoned to the previously concealed Knight, who reluctantly approached. The pride of the Intelligence force is already tattered. [ Prohibited from attacking, yet carrying weapons? Sorry, but can you do something? ] (TN: I'm quite sure I botched the second part of this line.) Though a sudden request, when the Knight realised that the group outside meant nothing to Hifumi, he agreed. [ Name? ] [ .....Midas. ] [ Then, Midas, do you know of any blind alleys nearby? ] Guided by Midas for about 15 minutes, the noise of the store street changed and the scenery shifted to a quiet residential street. The stonework of the buildings differed from the street of shops, the 3-storey and 4-storey buildings increased. The castle town has a large population, the housing complexes may increase. The street being dim, naturally the crowd is scarce. Similar to a commercial district, the ground is paved with stone, though the surface is rougher. [ Here. ] Midas urged while prompting, 10 metres ahead was the building wall culminating in a dead end. At that moment, a sound was heard cutting through the air. The arrow that came flying, was knocked down by Hifumi's katana. Using the night, the arrow was painted black, it's tip wet. With Midas and the other two ahead of him, Hifumi saw the people who entered the alley from the back. There are nine people. Though all members seemed to be wearing civilian clothes, their eyes are bitter. The street is really narrow, only the two in front charge forward. Holding black knives, without a single word, they mutually understand each other only with glances. They seem experienced. They don't seem to be mere hooligans after money. Guessing that the opponents were professionals, Hifumi asked himself why he was inadvertently glad. In his original world, he would not be interested in the fight, but here, he felt that some kind of restraint had come off. But it's not an unpleasant feeling. Or rather, with the exception of occasional brawls and matches, Hifumi's true character held in check, by fighting here, has most likely surfaced in this world. Casually swatting the approaching knife-wielding hand to the side, it ended up in the other man's chest, as though planned from the beginning. The man released the knife in surprise and promptly had his arm joints broken. Thrown to the ground face-first, his skull broke on the pavement. Though two people instantly died, the next assassin approached without flinching. Calmly pulling out his katana, Hifumi slit the wrist of the man in front, and continuing on, cut his throat. Ignoring the man spraying blood from his throat, Hifumi crushed the next man's toes with his heel, his katana piercing through the staggered man's chest. Hifumi rammed the chest of an opponent coming from the side with his shoulder, passed by while piercing his heart. [ There are four people remaining. ] Languidly lowering the blade soaked in blood, the murderous demon laughed. [ Come quickly. I want to kill. ]

180.Get The Party Started 一二三を睨みつけているマルファスは、身長こそ左程変わっていないが、身体つきは一回り大きくなり、爪は鋭く、分厚くなっていた。 「中々頑張って鍛えたみたいだな。よしよし、それだけ殺気を抱えてかかってくるなら、ちゃんと相手してやろう」 そう言いながらも、一二三は鎖鎌を収納したが、かと言って刀を抜こうとはしない。 無手となった両手をブラブラと下げて構えようともしない一二三に、マルファスは苛立ちの表情を見せる。 「うああ!」 真正面から飛びかかってきたマルファスの頭を右手で叩いて軌道をずらした一二三は、隙だらけの脇腹を前蹴りで押し返した。 「掛け声やら雄叫びを否定する気は無いが、攻撃のタイミングを教える必要が無いなら黙ってやれ。声を出さないと攻撃もできないなら帰れ」 邪魔だ、と魔人族の兵の頭を掴み、地面へ叩きつけながら冷静に指摘する。そして、ため息と共に決断を述べる。 「お前はこれが限界だな。もう少し身体ができてきたらやりようもあるだろうが......相手との力量差を知ろうとしない猪武者は、あっという間に命を落とすのが末路、か。まあ、可哀想に、と思わなくも無いからな。有効に利用してやろう」 遮二無二爪を振り回してくるマルファスの動きを鼻歌でも歌いそうな程に軽やかに、余裕を持って回避する。 「アリッサ! ちょっと来い!」 ちゃんと聞こえたらしく、広場の出入り口から魔人族の間をすりぬけるようにして、アリッサが走って来た。 「今から最後の授業をしてやる。ちゃんと見ていろ」 「えっ......うん!」 最後という言葉に引っかかったアリッサだったが、すぐに返事をする。無かったはずの交流。その時間を無駄にしたくない。 「ところでアリッサ」 「拙速は巧遅に勝るという言葉があってだな。簡単に言えば、素早く判断し、行動することは多少の粗があっても遅れるより良いという意味だ」 アリッサは黙ったまま、一二三に睨まれるままに立ち尽くしている。顔中に大量の汗を流しながら。 「策があるならまだしも、戦場に遅れる奴があるか。フォカロルに帰ったらカイムにでも正直に白状して、反省しろ」 小さく肩をすくめているアリッサを見て、一二三は小さく笑う。 「じゃあ、始めるか」 改めて、マルファスに向き直る。 その後ろに、オリガが背中を合わせるように滑り込んできた。 「私は邪魔が入らないようにします」 「アリッサ、しっかり見ておきなさい。貴女がこの場で見聞きしたことは、必ずフォカロルの兵士たちに、そしてこの世界の戦う者たちに伝えるのですよ」 「うん! ありがとう!」 アリッサのの元気な返事に、オリガはにっこりと頷いた。その姿はするりと移動し、複数の風の刃を撒き散らしながら、周囲にいる魔人族の兵を鉄扇で切り刻む。 「というわけだ。教材としてしっかり使ってやる。......死に物狂いでかかってこい。すぐ終わっては勉強にならん」 話の間、適当にあしらわれていたマルファスは、相当頭に血が上っているらしいことが、荒い呼吸と唸り声で伝わってくる。 爪を前に出すように構え、今までと同じ攻撃を繰り返そうとしているらしいマルファスを見て、一二三は少し落胆した。 「獣人族はどいつもこいつも......そういう意味では、レニがいたのは僥倖か」 獣人族にとっても、一二三にとっても。 イメラリアは、自分のやろうとしている事の結果を自らの目で確認する事を決めている。 グレーの肌に大粒の汗を浮かせて様子を見ているウェパルと違い、イメラリアは全ての感情を押し殺したような瞳で、冷静に広場を見下ろしていた。 ミダスが魔人族の攻撃に倒れ、後送されていく様子も、無言のままで見ていた。 イメラリアの後ろで、同じように様子を見ていたサブナクが声を漏らした。 彼女がその声に振り向くと、ウェパル同様に冷や汗を流しながら、戦況を見ているのがわかる。その様子がどこか可笑しくて、戦闘開始から初めて、イメラリアは口に手を添えてそっと笑った。 女王の笑みに気付いたサブナクが、顔を歪めた。何と表現して良いかわからないが、困惑が多分に含まれていることは間違いないようにイメラリアには見える。 「ああ、笑ってしまってごめんなさい。サブナクさん、貴方はわたくしの護衛なのですから、眼下ばかりに気を取られていてはいけませんよ」 「これは、失礼いたしました」 汗を拭い、サブナクは姿勢を正した。それでも、視線は広場から離せずにいる。 「ミダスさんが怪我をされたようですね」 「心配ですね......とわたくしが言うのも、変な話でしょうけれど」 「そのようなことは......陛下の御心遣いには、ミダスさんも嬉しいでしょう」 「原因は、わたくしにありますが。それでも?」 サブナクは口ごもった。 認めるべきか否か、彼には判断できなかったのだろう。 「意地悪な事を聞きました」 再び視界を広場へと向けた時、一二三は獣人と思しき少年をあしらいながら、いつの間にか中央近くへ来ていたアリッサに向かって何かを語っている。 「獣人族がなぜ......?」 「あの子はね、一二三と戦いたくて魔人族に加わったのよ」 ウェパルが、獣人の子を見つめながら口を開いた。 「それで、この戦場に?」 「私は呼んでないわよ。流石にまだ若すぎるし、訓練も途中だったし」 バシムなり他の魔人族兵なりに唆されて、予定外の転移組の中に紛れてここへ現れたのだろう、とウェパルは考えられる状況を語った。 「あの男に家族どころか集落ごと壊滅させられたらしいわよ。裏は取ってないけど、私は信じた。......あの子だけは、助けてあげたいんだけど......」 口に出したウェパルにも、それが不可能な事はわかっていた。すでに彼は一二三の前に立ち、明確に敵意を持って攻撃した。 「無理でしょうね......せめて一矢報いることができれば、と願うしかないのね」 イメラリアも獣人族と一二三の動きをしばらく見ていたが、どうやらアリッサに向けて何かを伝えようとしているのか、アリッサを呼び出し、横で立たせたのが見えた。一二三は、彼女の目の前に立ち、改めて獣人を迎え撃つつもりらしい。 「一二三様の動きが止まりました。......良いタイミングです」 「ちょっと待ってよ! それじゃ、あの子が巻き込まれるじゃない!」 「何もこのタイミングじゃなくても......」 「これを見逃して、他に機会がある保証はありません」 イメラリアは、プーセに向かって顔を向けるだけでは無く、その近くへと歩み寄った。 「今、結界を発動したらどうなりますか?」 「......た、タイミング次第ですが、一二三さんだけか、マルファス君も巻き込まれるか......」 「マルファス?」 「あの獣人族の子よ。貴女も彼を知っているのね?」 ウェパルもプーセの前に立つ。多少背の高いウェパルが見下ろすようになるが、プーセは荒野で出会った時と同様に、見つめ返した。 「ええ。知っています。一二三さんとの因縁は知りませんでしたけれど......」 プーセは意見を求めるようにイメラリアへと視線を戻した。 目を閉じて考えていたイメラリアだったが、意を決したのか、しっかりと目を開き、青い瞳がプーセを捉えた。 「“やらされた事もやってしまった事も、結局はやった奴が結果を受け止めるしかない”......ですか」 イメラリアは、一二三が王城を後にするときに語った言葉を復唱した。言葉にすると、改めて自らの心をチクチクと刺してくる。結局はイメラリアの選択がこの状況を生んでいるのが、自覚できるからだ。 「今の状況は、彼の行動が全て自分に跳ね返ってきただけの事。こういう状況になったのも、彼の選択の結果です。......構いません。プーセさん、始めてください」 冷たい意見を言い放ったイメラリアに、ウェパルが詰め寄ろうとするも、間に入り込んだサブナクに阻まれた。 「ここでわたくしたちを止めるつもりですか? ここまで状況は進みました」 イメラリアが右腕を広げ、広場を指した。 「わたくしやプーセさんを止めたとして、その後どうするのですか? 人間と本格的に戦いを始めますか? その先にある、一二三様との戦いを覚悟されていますか?」 とにかく始めるしかない、とプーセは杖を握りしめ、障壁を実体化させるための詠唱を始める。一二三を中心に二、三人が入れる程度の大きさに止め、エリアの大きさよりも障壁の頑強さへ魔力を振り分ける。 杖を通した魔力が流れ、不可視の力が一二三の周囲へと到達した瞬間、プーセはオリガと目が合った。 「......お。もう始めるか」 爪や牙を使う獣人族への対応について、実戦の動きを見せながらアリッサへ説明していた一二三は、足元に不穏な力の流れを感じた。 練習相手として、大した傷は受けないもの振り回され続けたマルファスは、もはや体力の限界だった。 荒い息をして、目だけはギラギラと光らせているが、もう腕を上げるのも辛い程に疲労している。 「そろそろだな。......アリッサ」 「最後に良い事を教えてやろう」 力を振り絞り、牙をむいて迫るマルファスを横目で見ながら、一二三は拳を握った。 「生き物は、血を流さずとも死ぬ」 喉を狙って飛び上がったマルファスに対し、一二三は膝を折って潜り込むように相手の下へと滑り込む。 倒れ込むような勢いをそのまま拳へと乗せ、マルファスの心臓をめがけて激しく打ちつけた。 胸を激しくノックされたマルファスの体内に振動が駆け巡り、胸骨と肋骨は深刻なダメージを受けた。 意識したのか違うのか、マルファスは目を見開いて一言だけうめき声を漏らすと、力なく倒れた。 そして、二度と動かない。 「人体は頑丈で脆い。こいつも身体がもっと大きくなるか、筋肉がもっと発達していれば、この程度では死ななかったかもな」 命を奪った感覚をじっくりとその手に味わいながら、一二三はマルファスを見下ろした。 打撲跡はあっても、血は一滴も流れず、切られた傷も見当たらないその死体は、まるで眠っているようにも見える。 「アリッサ、行け」 シンプル過ぎる別れの言葉。 一二三の顔には笑顔も怒りも無い。まっすぐにアリッサを見つめている。 「一二三さん......やっぱり、一緒に......」 「駄目だ。お前には仕事を任せたはずだ」 「でも......うん。我が儘でした。ごめんなさい。あの、ありがとう。助けて貰って、色々教えてもらって......楽しかった! 一二三さんと出会えなかったら......」 「お前が選んだ結果だ。薬をやったときに聞いただろう。好きに生きてきたはずだ。これから先もそうしろ。お前の人生だ。俺は知らん」 最後にもう一度礼を言ったアリッサは、名残惜しそうに何度も振り向きながら、脇差で魔人族たちを切り刻みながら去って行った。 見上げると、イメラリアがじっとこちらを見つめ、その隣でプーセが何やら必死な表情で杖にしがみついている。 彼女たちが何を狙っているのかを既に知っている一二三は、足元に広がる魔力を感じながらも、何も対策をしなかった。いや、黒々と染まっている左手を揺らしている。 周囲には相変わらず魔人族たちがひしめいている。 飛んできた火球を左手で掻き消した一二三は、すぐにオリガの姿を見つけた。 「良く持った方、か。本当なら、あれにも残ってもらった方が都合が良いんだがな」 息が上がり始めているなか、威力よりも範囲を広げる形で魔法による牽制を行い、近い位置にいる敵から鉄扇で斬殺していくオリガ。 彼女が一二三から得たヒントを元に開発した魔法は、結局その資料ばかりがフォカロルに保管されているだけで、伝授された者はいない。まだ若い彼女が、もし精力的にこの世界で魔法についての技術を広めて行けば、戦争の在り様がまた変化したかもしれない。 しかも、それは一二三がいた世界では有りえない方向への変化だ。ひょっとすると、充分に成熟した魔法技術は、一二三すらも簡単に屠り去るものになるかも知れない。 「後は、残った連中に期待するとしようか。だが、俺もそう簡単に閉じ込められるのは癪に障る。さあ、コレにお前たちはどう対策する?」 うっすらと見え始めた障壁。一二三もこれにはエルフの里で見た覚えがある。イメラリアの隣でウェパルが複雑な顔をしているのが見えて、思わず彼は笑ってしまった。 「随分と分厚くて狭苦しい形状だな」 左手でそっと触れると、ずぶずぶと障壁へと指先が埋まった。 そのまま左手を振ると、障壁はざっくりと削り取られた。 さらに、一二三は抜き打ちで腰の刀を抜き放ち、目の前の障壁に向かって逆袈裟から打ち下ろしの二連撃を繰り出した。 先に左手でつけられた穴と合わせて、障壁に大穴が空く。 状況がわかったのだろう。バルコニー上でプーセが慌てているのが見える。 「さあ、ただ閉じ込めようと簡単に考えてはいないだろう。この手と刀に対して、お前はどうする?」 一二三の言葉と視線は、まっすぐにイメラリアへと向かっていた。

Chapter 180: Get The Party Started Malfas, who was glaring at Hifumi, hadn't changed all that much in size, but his muscles had grown significantly, and his claws had become sharp and thick. "It looks like you did your best and trained yourself quite a bit. Nice, nice, I will properly take you on if you come at me while having this much bloodthirst." (Hifumi) Hifumi put away the kusarigama while speaking, but having said that, he didn't draw his katana. Irritation dyed Malfas' face seeing Hifumi not even trying to get ready and just letting his unarmed hands dangle. "Uaaah!" (Malfas) Hifumi diverted the trajectory of Malfas, who had leaped at him from the front, by hitting his head with the right hand, and forced him back with a front kick towards the completely defenseless flank. "I have no intention to forbid you to roar or shout enthusiastically, but if there's no need to announce the timing of your attack, then shut your trap. If you can't attack without using your voice, go home." (Hifumi) He calmly pointed out while grabbing the head of a demon soldier with the words, "You're a nuisance," and throwing him on the ground. And then he announced his conclusion alongside a sigh, "So this is your limit, huh? You might get a little better if you forge your body, but...a hotspur, who doesn't even try to understand the difference in ability between him and his opponent, will end up losing his life in the blink of an eye. Well, it's not that I don't have any pity with you. I will show you how it's done effectively." Hifumi evaded Malfas' movements, who was swinging his claws frantically, with such a composure and easiness that it looked as if he could as well hum a song. "Alyssa! Come here for a moment!" (Hifumi) Apparently having heard him properly, Alyssa ran over from the plaza's entrance area while quickly slipping through in-between the demons. "I will give you your final lesson now. Watch me." (Hifumi) "Eh...? Okay!" (Alyssa) , but still answered immediately. She didn't want to waste any time on any unnecessary exchanges. "By the way, Alyssa." (Hifumi) "There's the saying, done is better than perfect, right? Simply put, it means, deciding swiftly and taking action is better than being slow even if it's somewhat roughly done." (Hifumi) Alyssa silently stood stock still while being watched by Hifumi. While her face was drenched in sweat, Hifumi said, "I guess you could say being late to the battlefield is better as long as you've got a plan. Reflect on it and honestly confess to Caim once you get back to Fokalore." Seeing Alyssa shrug her shoulders lightly, Hifumi laughed a bit. "Well then, time to start." (Hifumi) He turned around to Malfas once again. Behind Hifumi, Origa slipped in, matching her back against his. "I will make sure that there are no nuisances." (Origa) "Alyssa, watch properly. Make sure to tell what you've seen and heard here to Fokalore's soldiers and the people fighting on this world." (Origa) "Okay! Thank you!" (Alyssa) Origa nodded with a smile at Alyssa's energetic reply. Origa moved speedily and without delay, chopping up the surrounding demon soldiers while scattering several wind blades. "As you see, I will make full use of you as teaching material. ...Come at me with your life on the line. It won't be much of a lesson if it ends right away." (Hifumi) Malfas, who had been handled suitable while talking, made it clear that he apparently had lost his cool quite a bit by growling and breathing roughly. Watching Malfas getting ready by thrusting his claws in front and being about to repeat the same attacks as until now, Hifumi was somewhat disappointed. "Every last one of the beastmen...in that meaning, Reni having been there was a godsend, huh?" (Hifumi) For the beastmen and for Hifumi. Imeraria decided to confirm the result of what she was trying to do with her own eyes. Different from Vepar, who was watching the situation with big drops of sweat running down her gray skin, Imeraria had been coolly looking down at the plaza with a look that seemed to conceal all her emotions. She had silently watched how Midas was defeated by a demon's attack and how he had been sent back. "Midas-san..." Having watched the same scene as Imeraria, Sabnak whispered under his breath. Once she looked over her shoulder in response, she saw that he was watching the battlefield while sweating in the same way as Vepar. Finding his look comical, Imeraria covered her mouth with a hand and quietly laughed for the first time since the beginning of the battle. Sabnak's expression warped as soon as he noticed the queen's smile. She didn't know how to express it best, but to Imeraria it looked as if there was no mistake that his expression contained some bewilderment. "Ah, sorry for laughing. Sabnak-san, you're my guard, so you mustn't only pay attention to what's happening below." (Imeraria) "This...excuse me!" (Sabnak) Sabnak wiped his sweat away and straightened himself. And yet he couldn't separate his eyes from the plaza. "It looks like Midas-san has been wounded." (Imeraria) "How worrisome...well, even if I say so, it probably only sounds weird." (Imeraria) "Something like that is...I'm sure Midas-san will be happy to hear of your consideration, Your Majesty." (Sabnak) "Although I am the cause?" (Imeraria) Sabnak faltered. He couldn't decide whether he should approve or not. "I asked you something nasty." (Imeraria) When she returned her eyes to the plaza again, Hifumi was talking about something with Alyssa, who had come close to the center of the plaza without her noticing, while dealing with a boy who appeared to be a beastman. "A beastman? Why...?" (Imeraria) "That boy, well, he joined the demons as he wanted to fight against Hifumi." (Vepar) Vepar explained while looking at the beastboy. "So, why on this battlefield?" (Imeraria) "I haven't called him. As expected, he was still in the middle of training as he's too young." (Vepar) He probably showed up here after sneaking into one of the unplanned transfer units after being instigated by Bashim or another demon. Vepar talked about the circumstance she could think of, "It seems not only his family, but even his village had been annihilated by that man. ...I didn't collect any evidence, but I believe him. ...I wanted to at least save that boy..." Even as she voiced out that wish, Vepar knew that it was impossible. He was already standing in front of Hifumi, attacking with clear hostility. "I think that's impossible...looks like I have no choice but to wish that he can at least retaliate once." Imeraria also watched the beastman's and Hifumi's movements for a while, but seemingly trying to teach something to Alyssa, Hifumi called her over and had her stand next to him. Hifumi apparently planned to face the beastman again in front of Alyssa. "Hifumi-sama stopped moving. ...It's a good opportunity." (Imeraria) "Wait a moment! Won't that boy get dragged into it then!?" "Even without doing it right now..." "If we let this pass, there won't be any guarantee that we will get another chance." (Imeraria) Not only did Imeraria face Puuse, she also stepped up close to her. "What would happen if you were to deploy the barrier now?" "...I-It depends on the timing, but it will be only Hifumi-san, or Malfas-kun will be dragged into as well..." (Puuse) "Malfas?" "It's the name of that beastboy. You know him as well?" (Vepar) Vepar also got in front of Puuse. The slightly taller Vepar looked down on her, but just like at the time when they met in the wastelands, Puuse stared back. "Yes, I do. I don't know about his fate with Hifumi-san, though..." (Puuse) Puuse looked back at Imeraria as if seeking her opinion. Imeraria had been pondering with her eyes shut, but apparently having resolved herself, she opened her eyes widely, seizing Puuse with her blue eyes. ""Be it things that were allowed to happen or things that happened, in the end the one who did it has no choice but to accept the consequences"...is it?" Imeraria recited the words Hifumi said when leaving the royal palace. As she did, she felt a prickling pain in her heart once again. After all she was well aware that it had been her own choice that created this situation. "The current situation is simply a recoil of all his actions. Even this situation is a result of his choices. ...Don't mind me. Puuse-san, please start." (Imeraria) As Vepar tried to draw close to Imeraria, who gave her coldhearted opinion, she was kept in check by Sabnak who thrust himself between them. "You plan to stop us here? The situation has advanced up to this point already." (Imeraria) Imeraria lifted her right arm, pointing at the plaza. "Even if you were to stop Puuse-san and me, what will follow afterwards? Are you going to start an all-out war against the humans? Are you resolved to fight against Hifumi-sama, who would await you down the road?" (Imeraria) , Puuse grasped her wand tightly, and started the chant to materialize the barrier. Stopping at a size of allowing two or three people to be inside with Hifumi in the center, she assigned her mana towards the sturdiness of the barrier rather than its size. Her mana streamed through the wand, and in the instant the invisible power arrived at Hifumi's location, Puuse's eyes met with Origa's. "...Oh. They have already started, eh?" Hifumi, who had been giving an explanation to Alyssa while actually showing her the movements by dealing with a beastman using his claws and fangs, sensed the flow of a turbulent power at his feet. Malfas, who had been continuously abused as sparring partner without receiving any significant injuries, was heavily gasping as he had already reached the limit of his stamina. While he was breathing roughly, only his eyes were brightly glaring, but he was so tired that it was painful for him to lift his arms any longer. "I think it's about time. ...Alyssa." (Hifumi) "I will teach you something nice at the end." (Hifumi) While casting a sidelong glance at Malfas, who had mustered his strength and was approaching while bearing his fangs, Hifumi clenched his fist. "Living beings can die even without shedding blood." (Hifumi) Hifumi crouched down and slipped beneath Malfas, who had leaped at him while aiming for his throat. Using Malfas' momentum of falling for his own objective, Hifumi violently struck his fist against Malfas' heart. A vibration ran through Malfas' body who had his chest hit strongly. His breastbone and ribs had suffered serious damage. And his heart fell in panic due to the unexpected shock. Was he conscious? Or was it something else? Malfas widened his eyes and feebly collapsed after groaning once. And he never moved again. "A human body is sturdy and fragile. If this guy's body had grown bigger or if his muscles had developed more, he might not have died from something like this." (Hifumi) Hifumi looked down at Malfas while thoroughly savoring the feeling of having stolen a life with his hand. The corpse, which lacked any traces of being beaten, any cut wounds, and didn't shed any blood, looked completely as if Malfas was merely sleeping. "Alyssa, go." (Hifumi) An overly simple farewell. There was no anger or smile to be found on Hifumi's face. He looked directly at Alyssa. "Hifumi-san...after all, together..." (Alyssa) "No. I have entrusted a job to you." (Hifumi) "But...okay. I was selfish. Sorry. Umm, thanks. For saving me, for teaching me many things...it was fun! If I hadn't met you..." "No need for ifs." Hifumi smiled at Alyssa who was frantically looking for words. "It's the outcome of your choices. I told you when I applied the medicine, right? You should live as you like. Keep doing so even in the future. It's your life. It doesn't concern me." (Hifumi) Alyssa, who thanked him once more at the end, left while cutting through the demons with her wakizashi as she kept looking back, looking reluctant to part. Once he looked up, Imeraria was intently looking his way, and next to her, Puuse was clinging to her wand with a desperate expression for some reason. Hifumi, who was already aware of their goal, didn't take any countermeasures even while feeling the mana spreading beneath his feet. No, he shook his left hand which was dyeing jet black. The demons were still crowding the vicinity as before. Hifumi, who erased a fireball hurled at him with his left hand, immediately found Origa. "She kept up well, huh? Originally it would have been convenient to have her left that behind as well." (Hifumi) With her breathing starting to get shorter, Origa had been keeping the enemies in check with magic while focusing on range rather than power, and slaying the nearby enemies with her iron-ribbed fan. The magic, which she had developed as her own after receiving a hint from Hifumi, has been only recorded in documents that are stored in Fokalore without anyone having been instructed in it. If she vigorously continued to spread her magic techniques in this world, it might change the way of wars once more as she was still young. Moreover, it might head in a direction impossible for Hifumi's original world. By chance, magic techniques, which would have been developed extensively, might become able to easily defeat even Hifumi. "I guess I got to rely for the rest on the guys staying behind. However, even I feel irritated about being locked in so easily. Let's see, how are you going to deal with this?" (Hifumi) The barrier had become faintly visible. Hifumi recalled having seen it in the elven village, too. Seeing Vepar pull a complicated expression next to Imeraria, he involuntarily ended up laughing. "It has a fairly bulky and cramped shape." (Hifumi)magic Once he touched it gently with his left hand, his fingertips sank deeply into the barrier. Once he swung his left hand like that, the barrier was roughly scraped off. Moreover, Hifumi drew his katana and attacked in a single stroke, unleashing a series of two downward slashes after cutting upwards against the barrier in front of him. Matching it with the hole created by his left hand before, he tore open a big hole in the barrier. Probably grasping the situation, Puuse looked panicked atop the balcony. "Come on, you're not believing that I will be simply locked in with just that, are you? What are you going to do against this katana in my hand?" (Hifumi) Hifumi's words and eyes were directly turned at Imeraria.

40.Come To Me 【餌は大きく、目立つように】 夜明け前、待たせていた兵士が動かすトロッコでローヌからアロセールまで戻って来た一二三は、待っていたオリガにとりあえず予定通りに進んでいると伝えて眠りについた。 領主が眠る間、アリッサ率いるトオノ領軍は、次の作戦に向けて慌ただしく準備をしていた。一部の兵たちは一般市民の避難を手伝い、家財を積んだ多くの馬車がフォカロルへ向かう街道から外れた農村へと移動する。 移動を命じたのが一二三だったことに、オリガは感動し、カーシャは怪しみ、アリッサは理由を聞かずに了解した。 「ウロウロされたら邪魔だし、巻き込まれて数が減ったら税収が減る」 と、一二三が理由を述べると、オリガは感動し、カーシャは納得し、アリッサは一二三が言うならそうなんだろうと納得した。 半ば強制的な移動だが、兵達の気楽な雰囲気もあり、戦時中だから仕方ないという言い訳でどんどん移動が進んで行く。 アリッサが住民に向かって言った、「明後日には帰ってこれるよ」という言葉には半信半疑ながら、こんな子供が落ち着いていられるくらい余裕なのか、と住民は受け止めていた。 一部の兵たちは、夜通し戦闘の準備をしていたため、まだ夢の中にいる。 交代で準備の続きをしている兵たちは、二車線のレールに数台ずつ並べられたトロッコの最後尾の車両に投槍器を固定している。前にある台車は牽引役兼予備の槍の輸送車となる。 「作戦はわかってる?」 「えっと、見える位置に敵が来たらトロッコで逃げながら槍で攻撃。面倒な魔法兵は伏兵でできるだけ狙い撃ち。フォカロルに着いたら門を閉めてまた槍で攻撃」 あってる? と少しだけ背が高いオリガの顔を見上げるアリッサに、そっと微笑む。 「ええ、問題ないようね。じゃあ、私は一二三様を迎えに行くから、残りの準備をお願いね」 たたたっと駆けていくアリッサを見送るとカーシャは苦笑いしながら呟いた。 「なんだか、戦争前の雰囲気じゃないね」 「負けると言っても“フリ”だけなのよ。フォカロルへ戻る頃には相当数の援軍が王都から到着しているはずだし、最終的にはヴィシー軍だけが数を減らして撤退するという流れは揺るがない」 「信用、してるんだね」 誰のことを、とは言わない。 「当然です」 不機嫌に鼻を鳴らして歩き出すオリガに、カーシャは複雑な表情で続く。 (フリ、ね。何もなければ、アタシもこのままオリガと話し合う時間が取れるけれど......) 今日この日まで、少しずつ話す機会が増えてきたオリガとカーシャ。 相変わらずオリガは素っ気ない態度を取っているが、完全に無視される事は無くなった。 このままゆっくり、元の間柄に戻れたら、いつかまた二人で自由な冒険者に戻れるかもしれないと淡い期待も浮かぶ。 準備万端整った頃、ローヌの方面から馬と人の足音が響いてきた。 ローヌ側の出口で見張りに立っていた領軍の兵が、旗を振って味方に接敵の知らせを送る。フォカロル側の門の上に居た同僚からの了解の合図を確認すると、見張り兵は一目散に逃げて行った。彼はそのまま農村へ行って避難民の護衛をするように言われている。 当然、命懸けで戦う気は全くない。敵と切り結ぶのは領主の役目であり楽しみなので、その機会を奪うことは許されない。 そんな言い訳をしながら見張り兵が街から離れていく頃、投槍器がセットされた二台のトロッコの間で、一二三は仁王立ちで敵を待っていた。 手には鎖鎌。袴は紐を使って裾を簡単に縛って、腰には刀を提げていた。 手持ち無沙汰に分銅を振り回している彼の両脇では、トロッコに乗り込んだ兵士が投槍器を構えて今か今かとそわそわしている。 速度を落として無人の街の中を突き進むヴィシー軍は、一二三の姿を見つけて号令を上げて止まる。 この時点で、ヴィシー軍はローヌでの被害に逃げ出した者や所属する街へとまとめて撤退した集団もあり、9000程へ数を減らしていた。その事も、ブエルの怒りを燻らせる燃料になっている。 先頭には、鎧兜を身につけたブエルが、立派な馬にまたがって一二三を睥睨する。 「なんだ小僧。邪魔をするな。そこをどけ!」 ほんの二言、三言の間に、ブエルは怒り爆発したらしい。最後は怒鳴り声になっている。 ニヤニヤと笑っている一二三は、背筋を伸ばした見事な礼を見せた。 「お初にお目にかかる。オーソングランデの子爵、トオノ領を治める一二三と言う」 「おや、どうやら俺の名はヴィシーでもそれなりに有名になったらしいぞ」 振り向くと、トロッコの上にいるオリガは「当然です」と返した。 領軍兵士たちは笑っている。 「何がおかしい!」 ブエルが大喝するも、一二三の笑顔は崩れない。 「戦争前の訓示で全員に言ったんだよ。“敵の総大将の額にわかりやすい印を入れておいた”ってな」 一二三の言葉に、ブエルの両脇の侍従が先に「まずい」という顔をした。 次の瞬間、ブエルの雄叫びが上がった。 怒りに任せてブエルが馬を進めようとした瞬間、馬の鼻先に一二三が投げた分銅が軽く当たった。 驚いて暴れる馬を押さえる間に、トロッコが動き出し、一二三が飛び乗ってゆるゆると速度を上げていく。 「追え! 逃がすなぁ!」 ブエルの指示に、侍従を含めた先頭の騎馬集団が馬を走らせようとした瞬間、次々に槍が馬も兵も問わずに突き刺さる。 「適当に打ったら速度をあげろ。しばらく走らせてやれ」 トロッコに座った一二三の指示を、オリガとアリッサが順次兵達に伝達する。 倒れた兵たちを避ける者も踏みつける者、つまづいて転ぶものなど、とにかく追えと言うブエルの声に背中を押されて、ヴィシーの兵たちは必死で前に進む。 軍の前衛は騎馬が多く、後続を顧みないブエルの暴走により、ぐんぐんと距離が開いていく。 懸命に追う前方の集団に釣られて、ヴィシー全軍が駆け足で進みだし、最後尾がアロセールの街を出たところで、街道の両脇から大量の槍が飛んできた。 想定外の奇襲で混乱に陥った後部集団には兵をまとめる者もおらず、次々と貫かれる仲間を打ち捨てて散り散りに逃げ惑う。 最後部に固まっていた魔法兵を集中的に狙う槍が止む頃には、魔法兵はほぼ壊滅しており、ヴィシーの軍は2000程の先行する騎馬兵と、離されながら追いかける5000程の歩兵・弓兵となっており、後部の生き残りは逃げ帰ってしてしまった。 伏兵として街道脇に潜んでいた領兵たちは、ヴィシーの軍が一二三たちを追いかけて行ってしまうのを見送ったあとは、死体の片付けと生き残った敵兵の処理をしてから、農村へと避難させた住民たちを迎えに行くという役目が残っている。 「誰だよ、反対側のこっちまで槍飛ばしたヘタクソは」 「100人は殺ったぜ」 「俺なんか3人まとめて串刺しにしたぞ」 口々に話しながらなれた手つきで死体を片付ける兵たちの顔には、戦争の悲壮感も敗北への恐怖も無い。 「そんじゃ、村に行こうや。あとは領主様がやってくれるだろ」 その場の全員が同意して、列も作らずに歩き始めた。 「村方面もレール敷いてくれてたら良かったのに」 彼らにとって、戦争はもう終わった気分だった。 「そろそろ例の場所を通過します」 オリガの報告に、一二三は頷くだけだった。 後ろを追ってくるヴィシーの集団は、騎馬集団が後続を完全に引き離している。 ガタガタと揺れるトロッコの上で、あぐらをかいて座っている一二三は、背を向けている進行方向をチラリと見やる。 「待て! 正々堂々戦え! 殺してやる!」 馬上で元気に喚きながら追いかけてくるブエル他、ヴィシー軍には待ち受ける物に気づいた様子はない。 断続的に放たれる槍によってヴィシー騎馬兵はみるみる数を減らしていたが、あえてブエルは狙わない。 敵の配置を見極め、攻撃の指示を出していた一二三は、予定の位置を通った事に気づいた。 「全速」 一二三の一言を、オリガは聞き逃さない。 「全員、全力で進めなさい!」 オリガの号令で、トロッコのハンドルを持つ兵たちが声を上げてあらん限りの力を込める。 「僕が軍務長官なのに......」 「一二三様の言葉を聞かないからです」 速度を上げるトロッコにヴィシー騎馬兵の視線が集中したときに、最初の罠にかかったのはブエルの横を走る侍従の一人だった。 馬の前足が街道の地面を踏み抜いた。浅くて小さな落とし穴だが、足を踏み外した馬は簡単に転ぶ。 次々と転倒し後続に踏まれるヴィシー兵たち。 ブエルは慌てて馬の速度を緩めて、後続を率いて街道の脇に出たが、そこにも草に紛れて落とし穴が用意されている。 しばらくは追いかけて来たブエルだが、とうとう馬が倒れて落馬した。 起き上がろうとしているのが一二三にも見えたので、どうやら無事らしい。 「フォカロルで待ってるぞー!」 一二三が声をかけると、何かを言い返してきたようだが、その頃にはトロッコはずっと離れた位置まで進んでいた。 「速度を緩めていい。あとはフォカロルで敵を待つ」 この時点で、ヴィシー軍は歩兵と弓兵は多くが残っているが、馬をかなり消耗した。 後続を待って一旦休息を取る事にしたブエルだが、集まってくる兵が少なくなっている事に腹を立て、周りに当たり散らした。 本来なら、多くの兵力により少数のオーソングランデ兵を蹴散らし、今頃は堂々とフォカロルを目指して進軍しているはずだった。それが、オーソングランデが勝手に設定したローヌの国境を越えてからこっち、何もかもがブエルの神経を逆なでする。 「まともに戦うこともせず、不意打ちに罠に逃走だと......俺をどこまで馬鹿にするつもりだ! あの小僧だけは絶対に殺してやる!」 息巻いているブエルだったが、今この時にも、魔法兵が逃げ去ったり馬を失ったりした事に危機感を感じた者たちが、次々と離脱、逃走していた。 その事が、さらにブエルを怒らせる。 このまま成果を上げられずに帰国すれば、まともに戦う事なく味方をまとめ切れずに逃げ出した将として、二度と表舞台に立つことはないだろう。一生を僻地の農村で警備部隊として過ごす羽目になりかねない。 大きな戦いに参加する機会は無かったものの、連戦連勝して武力により地位を築いてきた自負を持つブエルにとって、戦いすらできずに撤退など考えられない。 慌ただしく食事をして一時間の休息を終えると、今度は整然と進軍する。 「敵の援軍が到着する前に、フォカロルを落とす! 進軍開始!」 時折兵達の足を取る小さな落とし穴に苛立ちながらも、ブエルは他の者の馬を借り、顔を赤くしながら復讐に燃えていた。 パジョーたち第三騎士隊が率いる援軍は、まるで待ち構えていたかのような早さで編成を終え、早朝に3000名の兵たちが王城を出る。 英雄の危機を救うために向かう兵たちを、民衆は熱烈に応援していた。 何も知らない兵たちは、多くの歓声を嬉しそうに聞いて歩みを進めていたが、兵を率いて馬を駆る第三騎士隊の面々は表情を消している。もし“狙い通りに行けばあの男と戦うことになる”という矛盾した任務を抱えては、笑顔など浮かびようもない。 今回の援軍の長は、一二三と近しくしていたという理由により、パジョーが選ばれたという事になっている。 先頭を進むパジョーの表情も硬い。 「少し急ぎます」 「あまり急ぐと兵が置いていかれる。元々国境に近くて防備が固いフォカロルが直ぐに落ちるわけもない。あまり焦るな」 すぐ後ろを進むミダスの声に、ため息をついて無理に笑うパジョーの顔は、ミダスにしてみれば痛々しくて見ていられない。 「そんな顔をするくらいなら、こんな策を進言しなければいいだろう」 「今更ね。これはイメラリア様の復讐でもあるし、この国が泥沼の闘いに引きずり込まれるのを止める為の作戦なのよ」 「わかったから、少し肩の力を抜け。フォカロルに着く前に疲れてしまうぞ」 「......そうね」 少しだけ速度を緩めて、パジョーはまた前を向いて黙った。 鎧を着たその背中を見ながら、ミダスはこの戦いの行き先が見えないと感じていた。事実、サブナクはこの援軍に誘われていたが辞退している。秘密を守ることは約束したが、どうしても一二三と敵対する理由が納得できなかったというのが理由だった。 彼は若いから、突出した力を持った者がいることの危険性よりもその英雄的な一面の方が眩しく見えるのだろう、と言い訳をしても、自分も今ひとつ納得ができていないのが本音でもある。 若々しい、だからこそ眩しく見えるが危うい正義感に踊らされているのは、サブナクではなくパジョーとイメラリア王女ではないだろうか。確かに一二三は王を殺したが、王に非がなかったわけではない。この国で戦争を起こしたが、結果は利益を齎している。 フォカロルにて、一二三は待っていた。 抜き見の刀を見つめて、期待に胸を弾ませながら。

Chapter 40: Come To Me Before dawn Hifumi, who came back with the soldiers using the rail car from Rhone to Arosel, told Origa, who had been waiting for him, to advance at once as planned and fell asleep. In the time the feudal lord was sleeping, Alyssa, commanding the Toono territorial army, was busy preparing with the goal of executing the next military operation. As the move was something Hifumi had ordered, Origa was deeply moved emotionally, Kasha was full of doubts, and Alyssa agreed without having heard the reason. "They will be a hindrance if they loiter around. If a number of them is swallowed up by the battle, the tax yields will decrease." (Hifumi) With Hifumi stating this as reason, Origa was impressed, Kasha was able to consent, and Alyssa grasped it by saying "I guess if that's what Hifumi says, then it has to be correct." Although it was partly a forced migration, with even the soldiers having an easygoing mood and having explained to the residents that it was inevitable due to the war, the move steadily made progress. Facing the residents, Alyssa said [You will be able to come back the day after tomorrow.] While they were only half-convinced by such words, the residents came to grips with it thinking The portion of soldiers, who stayed up all night to prepare for the battle, were still within their dreams. The soldiers, continuing by taking shifts, lined up several vehicles on each of the two rail tracks and installed spear throwers on the rear wagon of the rail cars. "Do you understand the strategy?" (Origa) "Etto, once the enemy approaches a visible location, escape with the rail cars while attacking with the spears throwers. As much as possible ambush and snipe at the troublesome magic soldiers. Once we arrive at Fokalore, we close the gate and once again attack with the spear throwers." (Alyssa) "Did I get it right?" as Alyssa looked up to the face of the only slightly taller Origa, she was gently smiling. "Yes, there seems to be no problem. Well then, after I go to join up with Hifumi-sama, please take care of the remaining preparations." (Origa) Kasha smiled bitterly following Alyssa, who ran off at a fast pace, with her sight until she was out of view while murmuring, "Somehow there isn't the mood as if it was before a war." (Kasha) "Although one might say that we are inferior to them, it is just a 'handicap.' There should be a considerable number of reinforcements from the capital arriving at the time we return to Fokalore. At last, the course of events will lead to nothing but the Vichy army withdrawing after having their numbers diminished." (Origa) "I will put my trust into them." (Kasha) She didn't say into whom though. "That's only natural." (Origa) As Origa started to walk with a displeased snort, Kasha continued to display an expression full of mixed feelings. (Handicap, huh? If nothing is done, my time to talk with Origa will disappear, but ...) Up until this day, today, the chances for Kasha to speak with Origa had increased little by little. Although Origa still displayed the same cold attitude towards her, it wasn't like she completely ignored her. At the current rate they might return to their original relationship slowly. She also held onto the fleeting hope of them both possibly going back to their free adventuring days once again someday.magic Around the time all preparations were in order, the ground shook with the sounds of feet from people and hooves from horses coming from the direction of Rhone. The soldiers of the territorial army standing watch at the exit towards Rhone warned their allies of the nearing enemy by waving a flag. Because crossing swords with the enemy was the Lord's duty and enjoyment, they wouldn't be forgiven if they stole that opportunity. Around the time when the soldiers on watch left the city with such an excuse, Hifumi waited for the enemy in a daunting pose between two rail cars with installed spear throwers. The hem of the hakama was tied by using a simple string. The katana hung at his waist. While he was bored and thus swung the counterweights on both sides around, the soldiers, who had boarded the rail cars, set up the spear throwers and waited impatiently and nervously. The Vichy army plunging forward had to drop the speed within the uninhabited city. As they discovered Hifumi's figure, the order to halt was given. At this point of time, the Vichy army had decreased to an amount of around 9000 due to the people, who ran away from the damage in Rhone, and those who went to round up the evacuating masses affiliated with the city in one place. Being the vanguard, Buer, wearing an armored helmet, straddled his splendid horse and glared at Hifumi. "What is it youngster? Don't be a nuisance. Get away from there!" (Buer) After merely saying two words, during the third word, Buer's fury erupted. Hifumi, who was grinning broadly and laughing, straightened his back and performed a beautiful bow. "I am honoured to meet you for the first time. I am a viscount of Orsongrande governing the territory of Toono, my name is Hifumi." (Hifumi) "Oya, for some reason it seems my name has become famous even over there in Vichy." (Hifumi) Looking over his shoulders, Origa returned a [That's only natural!] on top of the rail car. The members of the territorial armed forces laughed. "What's so funny!" (Buer) Even as Buer shouted in a thundering voice, Hifumi's smile didn't falter. "Before the war I instructed all of them 'I've put an easily recognizable mark on the forehead of the enemy's supreme commander.'" (Hifumi) Due to Hifumi's words, the chamberlains on both sides of Buer made a face displaying [Oh no!] The next moment Buer raised a roar. Within a second Buer let the anger guide him and dashed forward with his horse. Hifumi lightly hit the tip of the horse's nose by throwing the counterweight. While holding down the horse, which acted violently due to the surprise, the rail cars started to move. Hifumi leisurely jumped on top of it and the speed increased. "After them! Don't let them escape!" (Buer) Upon Buer's instruction the group of horse-riders in the vanguard, including the chamberlains, spurred their horses into gallop. But they were pierced by spears, regardless whether it was soldier or horse, one by one, within a moment. "Raise the speed after properly hitting them. We will have them run for a while." (Hifumi) Origa and Alyssa conveyed the instructions of Hifumi, who was sitting on top the rail cars, to the soldiers sequentially. Urged on by the voice of Buer telling those, who were stumbling, falling over or such, to avoid the fallen soldiers or even tread on them, but no matter what to chase them, Vichy's soldiers frantically advanced forward. There was a lot of cavalry in the vanguard troops. Even with Buer running wildly without concerning himself with those trailing behind, the distance spread steadily. Lured by the group that was eagerly pursuing at the front, the entire army of Vichy started to advance by running fast. At the time the end of the line left the city of Arosel, they were assaulted by a large quantity of spears hurled at them from both sides of the highway. There was no one left to put the soldiers in order as the rear group fell into chaos due to the unforeseen surprise attack. One by one they abandoned their pierced comrades and scattered in all directions trying to to escape. At the time the spear attacks, which concentrated their aim on the magic soldiers gathered in the last division, ceased, the magic soldiers were almost completely annihilated. In the end, of the Vichy army, around 2000 cavalary went ahead, around 5000 infantry alongside the archers chased after them while being separated and the survivors of the rear scurried home. The territorial soldiers lurking close to the highway in order to ambush the enemy, after letting the troops from Vichy, who were chasing after Hifumi's group, pass, they cleared away the corpses and dealt with the surviving enemy soldiers. From thereon the last remaining task was for them to meet up with the citizens taking refuge in the farm villages. "Who was the clumsy fellow, who hurled the spear until the opposite side of here?" "100 people were done in." "I skewered 3 people or something like that all at once!" In the faces of the soldiers, who were clearing away the corpses by using their hands while severally talking, there wasn't any fear of losing nor any tragic feeling about the war. "Now that it's done, let's go to the village. I think we can let the Lord deal with the rest." Everyone agreed on the spot and began to walk without even forming a line. "Even though it would be nice if the rails were even laid out in the direction of the village." For them it was a feeling of the war having already ended. "We will soon pass the aforementioned place." (Origa) Hifumi only nodded to Origa's report. The mass of Vichy soldiers pursuing in the back were completely separated from the cavalry group following. On top of the rail car which was shaking and rattling, Hifumi was sitting cross-legged having turned his back to the direction of movement staring at them with a fleeting glance. "Wait! Fight me fair and square! I will kill you!" (Buer) Besides Buer, who was chasing after them while shouting energetically on top of the horseback, the other Vichy forces didn't appear to have notice what was awaiting them. Although the number of Vichy's cavalry had decreased fast due to the intermittent firing of spears, they deliberately didn't aim at Buer. Ascertaining the deployment of the enemy, Hifumi gave directions on the attacks. Then he noticed them passing through the scheduled location. "Full speed ahead." (Hifumi) Origa didn't miss Hifumi's brief instruction. "All members, go forward with full power!" (Origa) With Origa's command, the soldiers, holding the handle of the rail car, raised their voices and poured all their strength into it. "Despite me being the military affairs director ..." (Alyssa) "This is because you didn't listen to Hifumi-sama's words." (Origa) At the time the Vichy cavalry focused their eyes on the sped-up rail cars, it was one of the chamberlains galloping next to Buer, who fell for the first trap. It was a small and shallow pitfall, but the horse, missing its footing, quickly fell over. In succession Vichy soldiers following tumbled and were stepped on. Even though Buer eased up the speed of the rushing horse and ordered the following soldiers to get off the highway, pitfalls, almost indistinguishable from the grass, were prepared there as well. For a while Buer continued the pursuit, but at last he fell off the horse as it collapsed. Since Hifumi also saw him trying to get up, Buer was apparently safe one way or the other. "I will wait for you in Fokalore!" (Hifumi) Although his enemy tried to retort something to Hifumi's call, the rail car was already in a far distance at that time moving away from that location. "You may lower the speed. We will wait for the enemy at Fokalore afterwards." (Hifumi) There still remained many archers and infantry within the Vichy army at this time, but the horses were pretty much wasted. Buer decided to take a temporary rest waiting for those following, but losing his temper due to the lessened number of soldiers gathered, he found fault with everybody in the vicinity. Frankly speaking, their large military force was kicked around by a few Orsongrande soldiers. He had expected to grandly march towards Fokalore about now. "Without fighting directly, it is just surprise attacks, traps and escaping ... To what extent do you plan to make fun of me! Only that youngster, I will definitely kill myself!" (Buer) While Buer was getting worked up, even at that time, those, sensing the impeding crisis after the magic soldiers disappeared and the horses were lost, broke away one by one and deserted. Buer got even more enraged about this matter. As it was now, he would have to return to his country without earning any accomplishments. Generals, who escaped without being able to gather their allies and to decently fight without accidents, never reappeared on the public stage a second time. As far as Buer was concerned, he held a pride of having build up his status by successive victories and his military power, although he never had the chance to participate in a large battle. It was unthinkable for him to do something like retreating without doing anything as long as he was able to fight. Taking a hurried meal and resting for about an hour, they now advanced orderly. "We will conquer Fokalore before the enemy's reinforcements arrive! Start marching!" (Buer) While the soldiers were sometimes irritated by having their feet sink into the small pitfalls, Buer borrowed a horse from another person. His face was red while burning with the desire for revenge. Pajou's Third Knight Unit led the reinforcements. Quickly finishing the formation of the troops, it was almost as if they were laying in wait. In the early morning 3000 soldiers departed from the royal castle. The soldiers, heading out for the sake of rescuing the hero from his crisis, were passionately cheered on by the populace. Although the soldiers, who didn't find it strange, were joyfully listening to the shouts of joy while advancing forward by walking, all of the Third Knight Unit, leading the troops while riding on horses, erased their facial expressions. As a result of her close relationship to Hifumi, Pajou was elected as leader of the current reinforcements. Leading the advance, Pajou's expression was stiff, too. "Let's hurry up a bit." (Pajou) "If we rush too much, we will leave the soldiers behind. In the first place, it is unthinkable for Fokalore, which has a firm defense being close to the border, to fall easily. Don't get too impatient." (Midas) Towards the voice of Midas, who was moving right behind her, Pajou sighed with a forced smile on her face. She didn't want to be seen as pathetic in Midas' eyes. "Rather than having to show such a face, it would have been fine to not propose such a plan, I think." (Midas) "Saying this now? This is also for the sake of Imeraria's revenge. It is a strategy to stop having this country being dragged into the quagmire of war." (Pajou) "Since you understand, get a bit more relaxed. You will end up being worn out before we arrive at Fokalore." (Midas) "... Oh well" (Pajou) Easing up just slightly on the speed, Pajou faced towards the front again and was silent. While watching that back wearing an armor, Midas felt that he couldn't foresee where this battle was headed to. I guess, since he is still young, he only sees that dazzling heroic appearance of Hifumi rather than him being someone holding a protruding strength. But even with such an excuse, he still isn't quite able to comprehend the real intention himself either. Being young, he is manipulated by a perilous sense of justice due to looking at that radiant appearance. Though I wonder if it isn't only Sabnak but also Pajou and Princess Imeraria being affected by this? Hifumi was waiting at Fokalore. Staring at the view of the drawn katana, his heart was leaping in anticipation.

105.Crawling 細い、軽く下草を刈っただけの道を進むと、すぐに結界の場所に辿りついた。 「これが結界か」 道の上、少し背を丸めれば通れる程度に穴があいている。 一二三は結界に指先を触れさせたが、少しだけ痺れるような感覚がある以外は、ひんやりとしたプラスチックのような感触だった。 「殴ったら割れそうだが......まあ、それは後でいいか」 するりと穴を潜る。 一二三は腰の刀の位置を正すと、するすると急ぐわけでもなくゆっくりでもなく、歩みを進める。 森は結界を越えても続いているが、エルフの住む森に比べると、空気は澄んでいるように一二三には感じられた。当然だが、木々のどこにもエルフの死体はない。 「まっすぐ、行ってみるか」 道は遠く森の外へと続いている。 結界を越える前にザンガーやプーセに尋ねてみたが、魔人族がどのように生活しているのか、結界の向こうのどのあたりに住んでいるのかまでは、二人とも知らなかった。 一二三は“なんとなく”で道が続く先へ歩くことにした。道があるなら誰かが通っているだろう、くらいの気軽さだった。 そして1時間ほど歩いたところで、森というには木がまばらになり、遠い先も見えるようになる。森の切れ目は曖昧で、いつの間にか見通しが良くなっていた。 「街......か」 森が終わり、道が続く遠い先に石造りに見える灰色の塀が見える。 まだ、かなり距離があるせいか、人がいるかどうかまでは見えないが、一部塀が高くなっている場所がある。一二三は、そこに門か見張りための櫓か何かがあると考えた。 「とりあえずは、あそこに行って......」 言い差したところで、一二三は素早く身を翻し、地面を転がった。 そのすぐ脇を、一二三と同じくらいの体格の獣が通り抜ける。 「魔物か」 立ち上がった時、一二三の手には既に刀が抜身で握られている。 魔物と向き合う。 それはしなやかな肢体を持った、豹のような見た目の魔物だった。鋭い爪は隠すつもりも無いようで、力強く地面を握り締めている。 牙をむき出しに威嚇して見せる魔物を相手に、一二三は右足を出し、刀を相手に突きつけるように構えた。 「オーソングランデあたりの魔物よりは強そうだな」 先ほどの不意打ちは、かなり近くに来るまで一二三に気配を感じさせなかった。 もう少し速度が速ければ、初撃はダメージを受けていたかもしれない。 「豹か。獣人とは違うのだろうが、どうかな?」 誘うように刀の切っ先を揺らすと、魔物は苛立ったような唸り声を響かせる。 にらみ合いの最中、不意に一二三が上段に振り上げると、好機と思ったか、魔物は爪をむき出しに飛びかかって来た。 「おっ?」 それは一二三が想定したより速い。 的確に首を狙ってくる前足を、斜め前に進むことでやり過ごしつつ、柄頭を顎にぶち当てた。 「ギャンッ!」 たまらず悲鳴を上げた魔物は、円を描くように駆けて距離を取ろうとする。 だが、一二三はそれを予測して直線で迫る。 すぐ目の前まで迫ると、迎え撃つように大きな口を開く。 「逆に、それが弱点だ」 腰ごと押し込むように、魔物の喉に向かって刀を突き刺す。 刃を寝かせた突きは、僅かな抵抗を感じさせながらも延髄さえも貫通した。 「グゥ......」 刀身にしっかりと噛み付いて見せた魔物だったが、抵抗はそこまでだった。 額に足を当てて、刀を引き抜く。 血にまみれた刀に懐紙を当てて、一気に拭った。 鋭い牙でこすられた刀身だったが、すでに本来の輝きを取り戻している。 「なるほど。魔人族以外でも魔物も強いのか」 本来の目的以外でも、楽しめるかもしれない、と一二三は鼻から息を吐いた。 「それは、魔王が現れるという意味ですか?」 「市井の人々は、そのように噂をしておりますな」 イメラリアの質問に、宰相アドルは断言を避けた。 「......事実の確認は、できていないのでしょう? 何か問題でもあるのですか?」 「いいえ、何も問題はありません」 この場にいるもう一人が、口を開いた。封印魔法研究の手伝いのために登城しているオリガだ。 彼女はここ数日の間、王都へ宿を取って滞在している。 随行の兵士は5名のみで、全て女性である。伯爵の妻としては異常な程に薄い警備態勢だ。しかし、一二三に恨みを持つ弱小貴族が雇ったゴロツキを瞬殺し、さらにその弱小貴族も一晩で潰されるという事件があり、それ以外でも基本的に他の貴族との交流は控えるようにしていたため、不気味に感じた王都の貴族たちはオリガに近寄らない。 逆に、今や商工業において最先端となったフォカロルの領主代理であることから、商人や職人などが、勉強や挨拶のために引切り無しに訪れる。 それら平民たちに、オリガは分け隔てなく接し、時には貴重な技術についても惜しみなく伝えることすらしてみせた。 「やはり、英雄の妻は只者ではない」 という評判が、貴族と平民ではその意味する方向性は違うものの、大きく広がるのに時間はかからなかった。 そういった話は当然、イメラリアの耳にも入っている。だが、その話題に触れることはしない。 「問題が無いとおっしゃるには、何か理由がお有りでしょう。教えていただけますか?」 「陛下、私ごときにそのような言い方は不要です。私の夫は陛下の臣なれば、その妻である私も陛下のために尽くす者ですから」 スラスラと口上を述べたオリガに、“心にもないことを”とイメラリアは鼻白んだが、それを顔に出さないようにするくらいはできるようになった。 「わたくしは一二三様には一定の敬意を表す者です。その配偶者である貴女に対しても、当然そうあるべきだと考えております。それで、質問には答えていただけますか」 「その夫が今、強化された魔物の背後にいる者について調べております。それに、それぞれの国や地域において、私たちトオノ伯爵領軍は戦闘技術の伝授を惜しまないつもりです」 「その戦闘技術を伝える事も、一二三様のお考えからですか?」 「他国にまで......それは、場合によっては利敵行為にもなるのでは......」 オリガが素晴らしい事のように語る内容に、アドルは遠慮がちに不安を述べた。 それに対するオリガの答えは、微笑みから始まる。 「他国......ヴィシーやホーラントが私どもから技術を学び、仮にそれを私どもに向けてきたところで、充分に対処可能です」 「し、しかしフォカロル以外が狙われた場合は......」 アドルが重ねて懸念事項を口にすると、オリガの笑は深まる。 「心配ありません、宰相閣下」 その口調は、自信に満ち満ちている。 「その場合でも、“充分に抵抗できる”くらいのお手伝いはさせていただきます」 勝てるとは言わない。 フォカロルが押さえるとも言わない。 ただ“戦える”ことを保証する。 「......では、各領地で対応することにいたしましょう。状況を見て、随時国から戦力を派遣します」 「その際は、トオノ伯爵領も全力でご協力いたします」 イメラリアとオリガは、お互いの顔を見合わせて微笑む。 「では、魔法の研究の続きをいたしましょう」 「ええ、そうですね」 揃って立ち上がった二人は、ヒールの音を響かせながら資料室へと向かった。 一人残されたアドルは、無言で溜息をついた。 街と思しき場所へゆっくりと近づいた一二三は、その近くで戦闘が行われているのに気づいた。 その様子が見える距離まで近づき、木陰に陣取る。 「魔人族、か」 塀を背にして、30名程の魔人族たちが同程度の数で迫る狼型の魔物たち相手に奮闘している。 一際背の高い魔人族が、身長と同じくらいに長い長剣を担いだまま、先頭を切って魔物の群れへと飛び込む。 走る勢いそのままに、担いだ長剣を振るって独楽のように周りながら、魔物たちをズタズタに引き裂いた。 そこに、他の魔人族たちから炎や雷の魔法攻撃が加わると、押し包まんばかりだった狼の魔物たちは、あっという間に数を減らし、半分以上が殺されたところで逃散した。 魔人族の男たちは無理に追うことをせず、素早く被害状況を確認すると、周囲を警戒しつつ街の方へと向かって歩いて行く。 一二三がその向かう方角を見ると、出入り口と思しきドアが、塀の一部にあるのがわかった。 腕を組み、考える。 「戦闘力は高いな。ここで声をかけるか、街中を見てからにする、か」 このまま街に入ったところで、戦える奴をしらみつぶしに探すのは骨が折れそうだ、と一二三は苦い顔をした。 「ここは普通に強い奴を聞いて......ん?」 不穏な空気に気づいた一二三は、素早く鎖鎌を取り出した。 先ほど魔人族に撃退された狼の魔物たちが、今度は一二三をターゲットにしたらしい。 10頭程の群れが、一二三を取り囲む。 「なるほど。ここら辺の魔物は、気配を隠すのがうまいらしい」 こういう魔物としのぎを削っているというのなら、魔人族の戦闘力も平均して高いのかもしれない、と一二三はのんきに考えながら、鎖鎌の分銅を振り回した。 「ブフッ!?」 突然鼻先を鉄の分銅で殴られた魔物は、血を撒いて悶絶している。 攻撃を受けた仲間を飛び越えるようにして、数頭が一度に一二三を襲った。 左手に握った鎌を、そのうち一頭の顔面に叩きつける。 眼球を貫き、脳を破壊した鎌は、そのまま頭蓋骨に引っかかる。 そのまま振り回した一二三は、鎌を投げて死体ごと別の一頭に叩きつけ、代わりに引き寄せた分銅を、さらにもう一頭に投げつけた。 一度に三頭を殺した一二三は、素手のまま走り、最初に鼻を殴りつけた魔物の首を踏み折って殺す。 「......よし」 手応えを感じた一二三は、腰の刀に手を触れることなく、木を背にして立った。 先ほどの豹型の魔物に比べると、弱い。 「さあ、か弱い動物を殺すのは趣味じゃないが......」 残った六頭を見ると、まだ戦う気でいるようだ。素手になった事で、驚異度は下がったと判断したのかもしれない。 「遊びたいなら、付き合ってやろう」 右手を前に半身に構えた一二三に、六頭は一斉に飛びかかる。 口を開いて噛みつきに来た一頭の前足を掴んで他の魔物にぶつける。 膝を引っかきに来たのを、素早く足を引いてかわし、足元に突出してきたところで喉を蹴り飛ばした。 そのまま木の周りをぐるりと回った一二三は、飛んできた魔物の首をつかみ、木の幹に叩きつけた。 ぐしゃり、と頭蓋が潰れる音がして、手を離すと血で一文字を描いて、地面へと落ちる。 別の一頭が噛み付いてくるが、一二三が人差し指と中指を伸ばし、下顎に引っ掛ける。 ガクン、と自分が飛びかかる勢いで顎が外れ、そのまま首を捻って折る。 最後の一頭は、一二三の背後から首を狙って牙を向いた。 それを一二三は自分から後ろに下がって背中を当て、バランスを崩して地面に倒れたところで、心臓の辺りを殴りつける。 血を吐いて、魔物は動かなくなった。 「ふぅ......」 一二三は、乱れた道着を正しながら、息を吐いた。 「......それで、戦いを見学した感想は?」 振り返り、一本の大木に向かって一二三が言葉を投げる。 「気づかれたか。人間というのは、聞いたよりも高い能力があるのだな......」 魔人族らしい、耳の長い男が大木の影から姿を見せた。 「で、お前も俺と遊びたいのか?」 「好戦的だな。だが、今はやめておこう」 そうか、つまらん、と一二三が呟くと、魔人族の男は一二三に提案を持ちかけた。 「人間、お前は私たちの国で働く気は無いか?」 「......は?」

Chapter 105: Crawling Advancing through the path which had only the small, simple undergrowth trimmed, he arrived at the barrier's location right away. "This is the barrier, huh?" (Hifumi) Above the path, there is a hole to the degree of him being able to pass if he cowers a bit. Hifumi touched the barrier with a finger, but except a feeling similar to going a bit numb, it had a sensation like plastic which got cooled down. "It looks like it would break if I hit it, but... well, I leave that for later." (Hifumi) He passes through the hole speedily and without delay. Once Hifumi adjusts the place of the katana on his waist, he walks ahead, not slowly but neither hurried. The forest continues even when he goes through the barrier, however compared to the forest where the elves live, Hifumi felt that the air has obviously become clear. Though it's natural, but there are no elven corpses on any of the trees. "Shall I try going straightforward?" (Hifumi) The path continues towards outside the forest in a distance. He tried asking Zanga and Puuse before passing through the barrier, but the two didn't know how the demons live their lives or what's life like on the other side of the barrier. Hifumi decided to walk ahead by following the path "for some reason or another." And after he walked for around an hour, the trees became too sparse to call it a forest and he became able to see far ahead. The forest's parts became vague and before him realizing it the visibility improved. "A city... huh?" (Hifumi) With the forest ending, grey walls, appearing to be made out of stone, can be seen far ahead after following the path. Is it because there's still quite a distance? It's yet not clear whether there are people or not, but there's a place where a part of the wall is heightened. Hifumi judged that it might be something like a watchtower for the sake of guarding or a gate. "For the time being I will go there..." (Hifumi) Just in the midst of saying that, Hifumi swiftly dodged and rolled on the ground. Right next to his side, a beast with the same physique as Hifumi cuts through. "A monster, eh?" (Hifumi) At the moment he got up, Hifumi is already grasping the unsheathed katana in his hand. The monster and him face each other. It was a monster with an appearance similar to a leopard possessing a flexible body. Without any intention to hide its sharp claws, it is tightly and powerfully grasping the ground. Due to the opponent being a monster which displays its intimidation by snarling, Hifumi stepped forward with his right foot and took a stance as if thrusting the katana at his opponent. "It seems to be stronger than the monsters around Orsongrande." (Hifumi) Hifumi wasn't able to sense its presence until it came quite close for its surprise attack just now. If its speed had been a bit higher, he might have received damage from its first attack. "Leopard, eh? It might be different from beastmen, but I wonder how?" (Hifumi) Once he swings the point of the katana as if luring it, the monster makes a growl as if it was irritated. In the middle of their confrontation, when Hifumi suddenly raised the katana in an overhead position, the monster, judging it as opportunity, leapt on him with its blank claws. "Oh?" (Hifumi) It was faster than Hifumi had expected. While letting the forepaw, which was precisely aimed at his neck, go past by advancing forward diagonally, he hit its jaw with the pommel. "Gyan!" The monster, which whined as it was unable to endure, tries to take a distance by dashing in a circle. However, Hifumi has predicted that and presses forwards in a straight line. When he gets right in front of it, it opens its large snout in order to attack him. "Conversely, that is your weak point." (Hifumi) He thrusts the katana towards the throat of the monster while pushing the pommel with his waist. The thrust, which put the blade sideways, pierced even the medulla oblongata while experiencing only little resistance. "Guu..." The monster tried to strongly snap at the katana's blade, but that was the extent of its opposition. Pressing his foot against its forehead, Hifumi pulls out the katana. Placing a paper on the blood-smeared katana, he wipes it clean in one go. The blade had rubbed against the sharp fangs, but it has already regained its original radiance. "I see. Even if you put the demons aside, the monsters are strong as well, eh?" (Hifumi) I might be able to enjoy myself with something else besides my original objective "Does that mean that it's possible for a demon king to appear?" (Imeraria) "There are such rumours among the people on the streets." (Adol) Prime Minister Adol avoided the affirmation of Imeraria's question. "... Isn't it possible to verify the truth? Or are there some problems?" (Imeraria) "No, there are no problems." (Origa) The other person who is present at this place opened her mouth. Origa was visiting the castle for the sake of helping in the research of the sealing magic. For the period of several days in this place, she has taken and been staying at an inn in the capital. All of her just 5 attending soldiers are women. The security measures are strangely weak-levelled for the wife of an Earl. Though there is the incident of her instantly killing the thugs who were hired by young nobles who have grudges against Hifumi and moreover her crushing those young nobles in one night, she made sure to abstain from interacting with other nobles. And the capital's nobles, who felt her to be eerie, don't approach Origa either. On the other hand, since she is the feudal lord's representative of Fokalore, which was at the forefront in regards to industry and commerce, merchants and craftsmen come visiting her without interruption for the sake of greetings and studying. Without discrimination, Origa dealt with those commoners and at times she even taught them valuable techniques for free. "The hero's wife isn't an ordinary person after all." is her reputation, but although nobles and commoners mean that in different ways, it didn't take long for it to spread widely. Of course such talks have reached Imeraria's ears as well. However she doesn't touch that topic. "You saying that there are no problems must mean that there's some reason. Could you please elaborate?" (Imeraria) "Your Majesty, that way of talking to me is unnecessary. If my husband is Your Majesty's retainer, then I, who am his wife, shall serve Your Majesty as well." (Origa) Due to Origa making that statement smoothly, Imeraria was disappointed that "she doesn't really mean it", but she was at least able to make sure that this wasn't revealed on her face. "I'm someone showing proper respect towards Hifumi-sama. I believe it should be the same towards you who is his spouse. So, would you mind answering my question?" (Imeraria) "My husband is currently investigating the person who is behind those strengthened monsters. In addition, our Earl Tohno feudal army intends to give instructions in combat techniques to each nation and area without sparing any efforts." (Origa) "Is the idea of teaching those combat techniques originating from Hifumi-sama?" (Imeraria) "Even to foreign countries... that will also depend on whether it will become act which serves the interests of the enemy..." (Adol) Adol shyly expressed his worries towards the details Origa talked about as if they were something wonderful. Origa's reply which confronts those worries begins with a smile. "Foreign countries... Vichy and Horant are learning techniques from us. Even if they turned against us, for argument's sake, it's very possible to deal with them." (Origa) "H-However, in case they aimed at another place than Fokalore..." (Adol) Once Adol mentions the matter he fears once more, Origa's laughing intensifies. "Do not worry, Your Excellency, the Prime Minister." (Origa) Her tone is filled with confidence to the brim. "Even in such case we will have the privilege of helping out with at least "sufficient resistance."" (Origa) She doesn't talk about winning. Neither does she say that Fokalore will suppress them. She just guarantees "to resist" them. "... Then, let's deal with it in each territory. Watching the state of affairs, we will dispatch war potential from the country at any time." (Imeraria) "At the time of doing that, the Tohno Earldom will also cooperate with you at full power." (Origa) Imeraria and Origa smile while looking at each others faces. "So, let's continue the magic research." (Imeraria) "Yes, let's do that." (Origa) Standing up together, the two headed towards the reference room while the sounds of their heels resounded. Having been left alone, Adol sighed into the silence. Hifumi, who slowly approached the place which appeared to be a city, noticed a battle raging in its vicinity. Getting close to a distance so that he can watch the situation, he takes up position in the shade of a tree. "Demons, eh?" (Hifumi) Against the backdrop of the wall, around 30 demons are struggling against the same number of wolf-type monsters. A remarkably tall demon shouldered a big long sword of approximately the same length as himself and dove into the pack of monsters leading the charge. While rotating like a spinning top and brandishing his shouldered long sword with the momentum of dashing, he tore the monsters into shreds. With the other demons adding fire and lightning spells, the monsters, who were just overwhelmed by the pressure, fled in all direction once their numbers decreased to less than half in the blink of an eye. Without recklessly chasing, the male demons quickly confirm the damage and walk towards the direction of the city while being vigilant of the surroundings. Once Hifumi looked in the direction of their heading, he discovered a door, which appeared to be the entrance, at one part of the wall. He ponders while having folded his arms. "Their fighting strength is high? Shall I call out to them from here? Or shall I do so after taking a look at the city?" (Hifumi) Even if I entered the city just like that, it will require much effort to search fellows, who are capable in fighting, one by one "Hearing that there are several strong guys here... mm?" (Hifumi) Hifumi, who noticed the threatening air, swiftly took out his kusarigama. The wolf monsters, which were earlier repelled by the demons, have apparently switched their target to Hifumi next. A pack of around 10 of them surrounds Hifumi. "I see. The monsters in this neighbourhood are skilled at erasing their presences." (Hifumi) If it means that they can ruthlessly compete with such monsters, the average fighting strength of demons might be high "Bufu!?" The monster which had suddenly the tip of its nozzle hit by the iron counterweight, faints in agony while sprouting blood. Making sure to jump over their comrade which had suffered the attack, several monsters assaulted Hifumi all at once. The sickle, grasped in his left hand, strikes the face of one of the monsters among them. Going through its eyeball, the sickle which destroyed the brain gets stuck in the skull. Wielding it as is, Hifumi struck another monster with the corpse by throwing the sickle. In exchange he reeled in the counterweight and threw it at yet another monster. Hifumi, who had killed 3 monsters in one swoop, advances unarmed and kills the monster, whose nose had been bashed in the beginning, by stepping on its head. "... Alright." (Hifumi) Feeling the feedback, Hifumi stood against the back of a tree without touching the katana at his waist. Compared to the leopard monster from a while ago, they are weak. "Hurry up, it's not my hobby to kill frail animals, but..." (Hifumi) Once he looks at the remaining six monsters, it seems that they still have the will to fight. They might have judged that the level of threat fell with him having become unarmed. "I will entertain you if you want to play." (Hifumi) The six monsters simultaneously leap at Hifumi, who put up his right hand in front at half length. Grabbing the forepaw of one of the monsters which came biting at him with its snout open, he throws it at another monster. Dodging by swiftly drawing back his foot from one which came to claw at his knee, it came into a conspicuous spot under his feet and he kicked its throat. Being surrounded by trees in a circle, Hifumi seized the neck of a monster which came jumping at him and slapped it into the trunk of a tree. With a wet sound of the skull being crushed, it makes a beeline of blood once Hifumi removes his hand while dropping to the ground. Another monster comes snapping at him, but straightening the middle finger and the index finger, Hifumi hooks its lower jaw with them. Having its jaw dislocated by the force of its own leap with a *wobble*, it cocks its head in puzzlement and fold just like that. The last monster aimed its fangs at his neck from behind Hifumi. Hitting the back of Hifumi who had willingly stepped back, its balance crumbled and it dropped to the ground. At that moment Hifumi struck the area around its heart. Coughing up blood, the monster ceased moving. "Phew..." (Hifumi) While correcting his dishevelled dougi, Hifumi breathed out. "... So, what's your impression after observing the battle?" (Hifumi) Turning around, Hifumi throws those words at a large tree. "I was noticed, huh? You have a higher ability than I heard of those called humans..." A man with long ears, who seems to be a demon, appeared from the shadows of the large tree. "So, do you want to play with me as well?" (Hifumi) "You are quite belligerent. However, I will pass on that for now." When Hifumi muttered "Is that so? How boring", the male demon offered a suggestion to Hifumi. "Human, you don't have any inclination to work for our country, do you?" "... Ha?" (Hifumi)

111.Dancing In The Moonlight 一二三の“礫”を受け、さらにベンニーアの咆哮を受けた魔人族の女に、一二三は無表情で刀を突き立てて殺した。 心臓に吸い込まれるように音もなく刺さった切っ先は、引き抜かれると血を滴らせてなお輝きを失わない。 「さてさて」 刃を拭った懐紙を放り捨て、ひらひらと舞い散るのに目もくれず、一二三は残った魔人族たちを見遣った。 「お前たちは、どうする?」 「ど、どうって......」 一人が思わず口に出した。 その女に、一二三の視線が向いた。 「ひっ......」 「こいつは、俺に敵対したから死んだ。そいつも、そいつも」 一二三が指差したのは、先ほど刺殺された魔人族の女と、倒れ伏したベレト、無残に二つ折りの姿を晒すベンニーアの三人だった。 「で、お前たちはどうする?」 「降参します!」 「わ、わたしも!」 次々と手を上げる魔人族の女たち。 中には武器を持った者も居たが、慌てて投げ捨てて両手を開いて敵意がない事を懸命にアピールしていた。 「あ、あんたたちは、本当に調子がいいんだから......」 「やっぱり、魔人族というのは基本的に頑丈なんだな」 ようやく身体を起こせるようになったウェパルに、一二三は感心した、と首を縦に振った。 ウェパルの所へ行こうとした一二三が、ふと足を止めて他の魔人族たちを見回した。 「この中で、魔法で傷を治せる者はいるか?」 無言で二人ほど手を上げる。 「じゃあ、ウェパルを治してやるといい。いい点数稼ぎになるぞ」 言われた意味が判らない二人は、お互いに顔を見合わせる。 「このウェパルが次の魔人族の王だぞ。一気に昇進するチャンスだ」 それに反応したのは、一二三が背を向けていたウェパルだ。 「突然何を言っているのよ......」 「言葉の通りだ」 刀を鞘に納め、位置を調整しながら一二三が振り返る。 「ここの王は俺との戦いをお望みらしいからな。王が死ねば、後釜がいるだろう?」 「王を殺せると思っているの? 万一、貴方が勝ったなら貴方が王になるのが自然じゃない」 「それじゃあ、駄目だ」 今のアガチオンが王では駄目な理由も同じだ、と一二三は語る。 「俺のカンでしかないが、あの王は強いし、頭も回る。そういう突出した誰かが世界を手に入れるって終わりじゃ駄目だ。戦いが起きても、一通りやってしまえば平和になってしまう。停滞が訪れ、人々が命懸けで生きる事が無くなる。生き延びるための努力をしなくなる」 ぽん、と一二三が柄頭を叩く。 「世界の勢力は出来るだけ拮抗している方がいい。そして、お互いに接触できる範囲に生活しながら、お互いが文字通り命懸けで戦って、あらゆる局面で如何に敵を出し抜くかを考え続けるべきだ」 「それで、何故私なの?」 二人がかりの治癒魔法を受けながら、ウェパルは一二三を睨んだ。 「簡単だ。お前なら魔人族を見捨てて逃げたりしないだろう。魔人族がバラバラになるのを良しとしないだろう。魔人族が戦い抜けるように、魔人族の平和と安定のために、必死で頭を使うだろう」 丁度いい程度でな、と一二三が笑った。 「......刺激的な男だとは思ったわよ、でも、想像以上だったわ」 「褒め言葉だと思っておく」 「一応聞くけど、どこへ行くつもり?」 歩き始めた一二三に、ようやく立てる程度まで回復したウェパルが声をかけた。 「もちろん、俺の命を狙っている奴のところだ。......そうだ、そうだ。手土産があった方が良いな」 すらりと刀を抜くと、魔人族たちはそわそわと距離をとり始める。 「そう怖がるなよ」 苦笑いを浮かべ、ストン、とベレトの首を落とす。 短い髪を掴み、それじゃ、と一言残して去っていく一二三を、誰もが無言で見送った。 「えっと......隊長が王様になるんですか?」 「ついさっき殺そうとしておいて、良く言えるわね」 「あ、あれは命令で渋々だったんですよ!」 治癒魔法をかけていた少女の言葉を受けて、ウェパルはため息を吐いた。 「まあいいわ。もう、こうなったら成り行き任せにしかできないわ」 服に付いた土埃を払い、ウェパルは服を整えた。 殴り飛ばされた時にスカートが裂けていたが、気にしていられない。 「とはいえ、知らないところで話が進むのはシャクだわ。貴女たちは、好きにしなさい。怖いならどこかに隠れておいて、魔人族の行く末が気になるなら、ついておいで」 一二三を追って歩き始めたウェパルに、その場の魔人族の半数が追従した。 一二三の歩みは次第に早く、城の出入り口が見えてきた頃には、走り始めていた。 「に、人間!?」 「止まれ、止まれ!」 門の前には二人の番兵がたち、夜明けを待つ暗い街中を駆けてくる一二三の前に立ちはだかった。 それでも、速度を緩めるどころか更にギアを上げた一二三は叫んだ。 「俺の前に居るなら斬る! 避ければ殺さん!」 その声に、思わず一人が飛び退いた。 避けてしまった事に後悔しながら同僚の方を見た番兵は、一二三が腰から抜き打ちに放った剣撃が、同僚と木製の大門をまとめて切断するという衝撃的な光景を間近に見ることになった。 悲鳴を上げる間も無く両断された兵士は、ドアと共に城の敷地の方へと転がっていく。 「さあ、張り切って大暴れしてやろうかね」 刀を見ながら、話しかけるように呟く。 流石に、轟音と言って差し支えない派手な音を立てた城門前には、ゾロゾロと魔人族の兵たちが集まってきた。 それぞれが武器を掴んでいたり、魔法を放つ構えを取っていたりと、油断は見えない。 ゾクリ、と一二三の背中に寒いものが走った。 「おう、怖いねぇ」 言葉とは裏腹に、顔は笑っている。 戦いの始まりは、誰かが放った魔法だった。 一抱え程の大きさがある火の玉は、一歩だけ身体をずらした一二三の脇を通り過ぎたが、その行き先を見ている余裕は無い。 よくよく訓練された動きで、魔法に合わせて数名が武器を突き出して突撃してきたのだ。 「やるなぁ。だが!」 グイと迫ってきた槍の穂先は、一二三がひと振りした刀で敵の前腕ごと切り飛ばされた。 残りは剣。 全てが一二三に当たる事なく、互の刃を欠けさせただけで終わる。 「ぎゃぁ!」 「うわっ......」 腕を失った魔人族の喉を切り裂いて止めを刺し、手首を返して剣を空振りした兵士たちを立て続けに二人斬り殺す。 更に走り、囲んできた連中を放って魔法を放ってくる一団へと向かう。 「この!」 石礫が、突風に押されて一二三の全身を打つ。 致命的な部分にあたるものだけを刀身で弾きながら、尚も迫る一二三に恐怖した魔人族たちは、一斉に魔法を放つことで直径一メートルにも及ぶ巨大な火球を作り出した。 息を吐きながら、大上段に構えた刀を振り下ろす。 綺麗に二つに分かたれた炎の塊は、刀に熱だけをまとわりつかせ、霧消する。 「対魔法も、だいぶ慣れてきた、かな」 石礫で全身に細かな傷を作りながらも、一二三はまだ息を切らせる事も無い。 「まだ、何かできるんだろう? 灰色マントの女は、面白い技を持ってたぞ」 ベンニーアの咆哮は、音を扱う魔法の一種だったのだが、一二三にとっては一発芸扱いだった。 だが、それでも非力を補う工夫をした事で、彼女に対する評価はそれなりに高い。 「もっと色々見せてくれ。それで、俺も成長できる」 刀を正眼に構えた一二三は、頬を流れ、口の端に触れた血を、舐めた。 城門前に集まった魔人族は30名を超える。 すでに死体と化したものは3人。まだまだ数の有利は変わらないが、気勢は圧倒的に一二三が上だ。 疲れを見せない歩みはダンスのステップを踏むかのように流麗で、ひらひらと揺れる袴が魔人族たちを誘っているかのようだ。 近接武器を持つ者が一二三に肉薄し、その腹に刃を突き立てようとして、柄頭で手の甲を折られ、離した武器が地面に当たる前に頭を叩き割られて死ぬ。 風魔法の刃を、刀で次々に散らされた魔人族の女は、目の前に迫った一二三に対して怯えることしかできず、抵抗なく細い首を切断された。 剣を叩きつけようとして一二三に膝を蹴られた男は、逆に曲がった自分の膝を呆然と見ている間に、心臓を貫かれた。 再び魔法を合体させようと同僚を見た魔人族は、すでにその同僚が両目から血を流して仰向けに倒れているのを見つけ、驚き硬直したところで同じように両目を刀で貫かれ、脳を壊された。 さらに、血の狂宴は続く。 日中には一般に解放され、市民の憩いの場としても利用される城門前の庭園は、武骨な石造りの壁に蔦が巡り、季節ごとには色とりどりの花が咲く。今の時期は仄かに甘い香りを放つ真っ白な花が咲いているのだが、その香りはむせ返るような血の匂いにかき消されていた。 鼻から、その匂いをたっぷりと吸い込んだ一二三は、口からゆっくりと息を吐き出した。 「さあ、まだ半分以上残っているじゃないか。いいね、もっと楽しもうや」 懐紙で血を拭った一二三は、納刀して素手になった。 両手の指を絡ませぐりぐりと関節ほぐすと、隙と見て敵が突き出した槍を掴み、引き寄せた。 身体を引き寄せられた魔人族の男は、踏ん張って立ち止まろうとするが、体重を乗せて突き出した槍の勢いは、一二三が誘導したせいもあって、簡単には止まらない。 ようやく立ち止まったところで、一二三のつま先が股間を蹴り上げた。泡を噴いて膝をつき、手頃な高さになった頭蓋を一二三の肘が叩き割る。 鼻血を噴いて倒れた男の首を踏み砕いた一二三は、そのまま踏み込んで再び走り出した。 「あれだ。あの男の強さも相当だが、あの剣は、驚異だな」 城の窓から見下ろしていたアガチオンは、一二三の姿を見ながら呟いた。 傍らでは、フェゴールが佇んでいる。 「あれはすごいな。魔法の火球を叩き割ってしまったぞ」 見世物を楽しむかのように笑い声を上げながら振り向いたアガチオンに、フェゴールは深刻な顔で頷いた。 「おそらく、あの武器の力でエルフの森を抜けて来たのでしょう。身体能力も注目すべきでしょうが、万が一城内へ侵入されたとしても、王の力を以てすれば、たやすく殺せるかと」 「フェゴール」 アガチオンの鋭い視線が、フェゴールを捉える。 「僕はあまり賭け事は好きじゃない。勝てる“だろう”などという言葉は、好きじゃないな」 「失礼いたしました」 「ちょっと勿体無い気もするけれど、ホールの仕掛けを使おうか」 アガチオンは、しばらく悩む格好をしてから呟いた。 「お待ちください。いくら強いとは言え、まだまだ兵たちの方が圧倒的に多数であり、侵入されたとしても私がおります。御身自ら動かれずとも......」 「ダメだなぁ、フェゴール。兵たちがなんとかしてくれるなんて、自分でも信じていないだろう?」 見てみろ、とアガチオンが目線で城門前の様子を見るように促した。 もはや魔人族側は壊滅に近い程に数が減らされ、立っている者の倍ほどの人数が倒れ伏していた。 「ははっ! あいつは面白いな。素手で僕の兵士たちを殺しているぞ。人間じゃなかったら、戦力にしたかったな」 手を叩いて笑ったアガチオンは、おもむろに立ち上がった。 「フェゴール、お前が自分で戦う事は許さん。さっき言ったとおり、ホールの仕掛けをお前に任せる。僕は、彼を迎える準備をするよ」 「......御意」 戦場となった正門が見える部屋から、アガチオンは足音も立てずに出ていき、侍女が二名付き従う。 それを見送ったフェゴールは、再び戦場へと視線を落とした。 「一二三、か。魔人族の繁栄のために......王の悲願のために、踏み台となってもらおう」 誰にも聴かせるつもりもない言葉を吐き出し、フェゴールは王が望んだ仕掛けを動かすため、そっと部屋を出た。

Chapter 111: Dancing In The Moonlight Hifumi stabbed the katana expressionlessly into the female demon, who received the "pebble" thrown by Hifumi and on top of it suffered the yell of Bennia, and killed her with that. The katana's point, which pierced into her heart as if being drawn in, hasn't lost its radiance though it has blood trickling down once it's pulled out. "Well then." (Hifumi) Throwing away the paper he used to wipe the blade, Hifumi looked at the remaining female demons without paying attention to the flickering in his eyes. "How about you guys?" (Hifumi) "H-How, you say..." One of them unintentionally opened her mouth. Hifumi directed his sight at that woman. "Hii..." "That one died because she was hostile towards me. That one and that one as well." (Hifumi) The ones Hifumi pointed at were the woman, who was stabbed to death just a moment ago, the fallen Beleth and Bennia, who showed a cruelly two-folded posture, those three. "So, what will you do?" (Hifumi) "I surrender!" "M-Me too!" One after the other the female demons raise their hands. There were some among them who held weapons as well, but freeing both their hands by throwing those away in a panic, they appealed that they have no hostile feelings. "Y-You guys are really just talk, so..." (Vepar) "Demons are sturdy after all." (Hifumi)magic Hifumi praised Vepar, who finally managed to raise her body, and nodded his head. Hifumi tried to head over to Vepar's location, but suddenly he stopped and surveyed the other demons. "Is there anyone who can heal wounds with magic amongst you?" (Hifumi) Silently two of them raise their hands. "Well, then it's fine for you to heal Vepar. It will let you earn some points." (Hifumi) The two, who don't understand the meaning of what they were told, look at each other. "This Vepar will be the next demon king. It's your chance to get promoted right away." (Hifumi) The one who reacted to that is Vepar but Hifumi pretended to notice that. "What are you saying all of a sudden..." (Vepar) "It's just what it means." (Hifumi) Sheathing the katana into its scabbard, Hifumi turns around while adjusting its position. "That's because the king here wishes to fight with me it seems. There has to be an heir if the king dies, right?" (Hifumi) "Do you think that you will be able to kill the king? If you won by some odd chance, it would be only natural for you to become the new king." (Vepar) "Well, that's no good." (Hifumi) "It's the same reason why the current king, Agathion, is no good either", Hifumi states. "It's no more than my intuition, but that king is strong. He is smart as well. It mustn't be allowed for someone who sticks out like that to obtain the world. Even if it happens through fighting, it will basically become peaceful once that's finished. Falling into stagnation, the people will live their lives without any desperation. The reason to strive hard for the sake of survival will vanish." (Hifumi) Hifumi hits the pommel with a *pon* "It's best if the world's powers are competing with each other as much as possible. And, while living in a range where they are able to get in contact with each other, they will fight with each other by literally risking their lives. They should ponder how to outwit their enemies in all kinds of situations." (Hifumi) "But, why me?" (Vepar) While receiving healing from the two responsible for it, Vepar glared at Hifumi. "That's easy. If it's you, you won't abandon or run away from the demon race. I don't approve of the demons dispersing. For the sake of being able to fight to the bitter end, the demons will have to frantically use their heads to achieve peace and stability." (Hifumi) "You are just the right person for that", Hifumi laughed. "... I knew that you were an exciting man, but it's far more than I imagined." (Vepar) "I will consider those words as praise." (Hifumi) "Just in case, let me ask, where are you going" (Vepar) Vepar, who recovered to a degree that she could finally stand up, called out to Hifumi who set out. "Of course, to the place of the fellow who is aiming for my life. ... Ah, true, that's right, it would be best if I brought him a present." (Hifumi) Once he smoothly draws out his katana, the demons start to take some distance nervously. "Don't be so scared." (Hifumi) Floating a wry smile, he cuts off Beleth's head with a *thump*. Everyone saw Hifumi, who grabbed its short hair and left while leaving the word "Well then" behind, silently off. "Umm... You will become the king, Captain?" "You are able to say that without shame though you tried to kill me just moments ago, eh?" (Vepar) "T-That was due reluctantly following orders!" Hearing the words of the little girl who cast healing magic on her, Vepar sighed. "Well, it's fine. I won't be able to be happy-go-lucky anymore now that it has come to this." (Vepar) Wiping off the dust sticking to her clothes, Vepar fixed her appearance. Although her skirt was torn at the time she was sent flying, she doesn't mind that. "Though, it's annoying that the story is advancing at an unknown place. You guys, do as you like. Hide yourselves somewhere if you are afraid. Follow me if you care about the fate of the demon race." (Vepar) Half the demons at that place followed Vepar who began to walk to chase after Hifumi. Hifumi's pace became gradually faster and at the time the castle came into view he began to run. "H-Human!?" "Stop, stop!" The two guards in front of the gate stood in the way of Hifumi who came running from the dark city which waits for daybreak. Notwithstanding, Hifumi, who raised his speed to another level instead of easing up on it, yelled, "I will kill you if you stand in my way! I won't if you let me through!" (Hifumi) Unintentionally, due to that voice, one of them jumped to the side. The guard, who looked in the direction of his colleague while regretting having jumped aside, was able to closely watch the shocking scene of Hifumi's sword attack, which was released by drawing the katana from his waist and attacking in the same stroke, cutting his colleague and the large, wooden front gate altogether. The soldier, who was cut in two without time to raise a scream, tumbles onto the castle's ground together with the door. "Well, let's go on an eager rampage, shall we?" (Hifumi) While looking at his katana, he mumbles as if addressing it. As one could expect, groups of demon soldiers gathered due to the castle's gate making a loud sound where one wouldn't object to call it a thunderous roar. As each of them were grasping their weapons or preparing to release their spells, carelessness wasn't present. A chill travelled down Hifumi's spine with a *shudder* "Oh, how scary!" (Hifumi) Contrary to his words, his expression is full of smiles. What started the battle was someone releasing their magic. The fireball, which has the size of around an armful, passed the side of Hifumi who evaded by simply taking one step. But he hasn't the leeway to watch its destination. With very practised moves several soldiers came charging with their weapons held in front while combining it with magic. "Not bad, but!" (Hifumi) The spearhead, which suddenly approached him, was sent flying by Hifumi cutting the spearhead including the forearm of his opponent with one swing by his katana. What remained was the sword. Without hitting Hifumi at all, it finishes with them simply missing each other. "Gyaaa!" "Uwaa..." Finishing off the demon, who lost his arms, by piercing his throat, he turns over the katans with his wrist and slays two soldiers, who stroke and missed, in succession. Furthermore he runs towards the group which shoots spells at him after surrounding him. "This!" The entire body of Hifumi, who is pressured by a gust of pellets, is hit. While repelling only those pellets which would hit fatal spots with his katana, the demons, who panicked due to Hifumi still approaching, created a huge fireball reaching around 1 m in diameter by releasing their spells simultaneously. While exhaling, Hifumi swung the katana he held overhead downwards. The lump of fire, which was cleanly cut in two, wraps just the katana in heat and vanishes like mist. "I got fairly used to its anti-magic property as well, I guess." (Hifumi) Even while suffering small wounds all over his body due to the pellets, Hifumi isn't out of breath. "Are you still able to do anything, I wonder? The woman in the grey mantle had an interesting skill." (Hifumi) Bennia's yell was a kind of magic manipulating sound, but Hifumi treated it as a gag. However, his evaluation of her for scheming to compensate for its powerlessness is fairly high. "Please show me a lot more. I will will be able to grow with that." (Hifumi) Hifumi, who set up his katana as if aiming at their eyes, licked the blood streaming down his cheeks with his tongue. The number of demons gathered in front of the castle's gate is above 30. 3 people have already been turned into corpses. It still doesn't change their advantage in numbers, but Hifumi is overwhelmingly above them in spirit. Fluently moving as if performing a dance without showing any fatigue, the swaying and fluttering hakama seems to be inviting the demons. A person close-by closes in upon Hifumi while holding their weapon. As he stabs the blade into their belly, he breaks the back of their hand with the pommel and smashes their head before the dropped weapon can hit the ground. The female demon, whose wind blades were scattered one after the other by the katana, is unable to do anything but getting frightened of Hifumi, who approached in front of her eyes. Her thin neck was severed without any resistance. A man, who tries to throw his sword and thrust his knee at Hifumi, is pierced in the heart while dumbfoundedly watching his own knee bending in the other direction. A demon, who tried to combine their magic with his colleague once again, suddenly discovers his colleague collapsed facing up while shedding blood from both their eyes. Having both his eyes pierced by the katana in the same way due to being petrified in surprise, his skull was crushed. The wild party of blood continues further on. The garden in front of the gate, which is generally open during daytime and used as place of relaxation for the common people, has ivies surrounding the boorish stone wall. Various flowers bloom there depending on the season. A pure white flower, which is releasing a faintly sweet scent during the current period, is blooming, but its scent was drowned out by the stench of blood as if being choked. Hifumi, who plentifully inhaled the scent of that flower, slowly breathed out through his mouth. "Well, isn't there still more than half of you remaining? That's nice. I will be able to enjoy myself even more." (Hifumi) Wiping off the blood with a paper, Hifumi returned the katana into its scabbard and became unarmed. Once he relaxed his joints with a creaking sound by entwining the fingers of both hands, he caught the spear of an enemy who saw this as a chance and pulled it towards himself. The male demon, who had his body dragged along, tries to stop it by bracing his legs, but the force of the spear, which was thrust out by putting his body's weight into it, isn't stopped easily as that was guided by Hifumi as well. At the time he finally came to a halt, he was kicked by Hifumi's toes in the nether region. Falling to his knees while bubbles foamed at his mouth, his skull, which was at a handy height, is crushed by Hifumi's elbow. Hifumi, who broke the head of the man, who collapsed while spouting a nosebleed, by stepping onto him, began to dash once again just like that. "That's it. That man's strength is considerable, but that sword is a miracle." (Agathion) Agathion, who looked down at the spectacle from a window of the castle, muttered while watching Hifumi's state. Phegor stands at his side. "That is amazing. It broke the fireball's magic into pieces." (Agathion) Phegor nodded with a serious expression at Agathion, who turned around while raising a laughter as if he was enjoying an exhibition. "I dare say that he surpassed the forest of the elves due to the power of that weapon. We should also pay attention to his physical abilities, but even if he invades into the castle in worst case, we will be able to kill him easily if we use the strength of the king, I guess?" (Phegor) "Phegor." (Agathion) Phegor is seized by Agathion's sharp look. "I'm not very fond of gambling. I dislike words such as "probably" can win." (Agathion) "Excuse my rudeness." (Phegor) "Although I feel like it's a bit wasteful, let's use the hall's device?" (Agathion) Agathion muttered after worrying over it for a while. "Please wait. No matter how powerful he might be, there's still an overwhelming number of soldiers left. Even if he trespasses into the castle, I will be there as well. Even if you don't move yourself..." (Phegor) "That's pointless, Phegor. You don't even believe yourself that the soldiers will be able to manage somehow, do you?" (Agathion) "Try looking", Agathon urged him on to observe the situation in front of the gate with his gaze. Having already decreased the number of demons to a degree of it being close to an annihilation, the number of people, who have fallen, is twice that of those who are still standing. "Yes, my liege! That guy is interesting. He is killing my soldiers while unarmed. If he wasn't a human, his war potential would be high." (Phegor) Agathion, who laughed while clapping his hands, suddenly stood up. "Phegor, I don't permit for you to fight him by yourself. Just as I told you moments ago, I leave the hall's device to you. I have to prepare myself to welcome him." (Agathion) "... At your will." (Phegor) Agathion leaves the room, where you can see the main gate which turned into a battlefield, without even making any footsteps. Two maids followed him. Seeing him off, Phegor dropped his look onto the battlefield once again. "Hifumi, huh? For the sake of the demon's prospering... for the sake of the king's dearest wish, I will have you become a stepping stone." (Phegor) Spitting out words he didn't intend for anyone to hear, Phegor quietly left the room in order to to operate the device as wished by the king.

160.A Hard Day’S Night ヴィシーの混乱は続いているが、隣の国で戦争をしているとは思えない程、不思議とフォカロルを初めとしたトオノ伯爵領は落ち着いていた。国境の町、ローヌを除いて。 住民の全てが死亡したローヌには、国境を管理するオーソングランデの兵と、領地管理のために駐在しているフォカロルの兵とその家族、一部の商人くらいしか住んでいない。 そのため、ヴィシーでの騒動から逃げてきた難民を引き受けるのに、空き家だらけで国境に近く、管理もしやすいこの町が選ばれた。 国庫にまだ不安があるとして、オーソングランデ宰相であるアドルの発案および要請で、難民の世話は当地を領有している一二三に一任されることとなった。正直に言って、度重なる戦闘によってオーソングランデの経理状況は火の車と言って差し支えない。どれだけ増えるかわからない難民を養う余力は無かった。 そこで、体よく押し付けてしまおうという話になったのだが、これを一二三というよりトオノ伯爵領の実務を取り仕切るカイムがあっさり引き受けることを決めた。 「この際ですから、難民ではなく領民として取り込んでしまえば良いのです。人材不足も解消できますし、居場所を作ってやれば、多少キツめの仕事でも文句は言わないでしょう。安く奴隷が手に入ったと思えば、経費的にも問題はありません」 カイムの案は、その場で一二三の許可が下りた。 というわけで、今のローヌには人がどんどん増えている。 オーソングランデの国境警備兵の検閲を受け、さらにフォカロル領兵のチェックを受ける必要があるが、余程怪しいか態度が悪いとかでもない限り、ローヌへの立ち入りは許可された。 何日も野宿をしながら、魔人族や強化兵に怯えて逃げてきた人々にとって、ちゃんとした建物を与えられ、仕事まで斡旋されるという扱いは、むしろ今までの町や村での暮らしよりも良い部分さえあった。 家々は空き家になってからそれほど経っておらず、手入れは自分でしなければならないにしても、さほど苦になるような破損は少ない。 きちんと申告を行い、氏名や年齢、来歴などを登録することで、一時的な食糧や生活物資の支援を受けることもできた。来歴は、怪しいところがないかを確認するためでもあったが、仕事を割り振る参考にするためでもある。 噂がどこからか流れているのだろうか、戦況が良くないという話も手伝って、ローヌへと流入する難民の数は、日増しに増えていく。 それらの人々は、自分たちの国を誰が削り取ったかなどすっかり忘れてしまったようで、口々に細剣の騎士である領主一二三を称賛しており、王都などオーソングランデ内を回っていた劇団が、大人気の演目である『細剣の騎士』をローヌ内で格安にて連日上演したため、その熱気は留まるところを知らない。 「......劇団まで呼んだのは、さすがにやりすぎじゃねぇかと思うんだけどよ」 「文句ならフォカロルにいる無表情野郎に言いなさいよ」 ローヌに設置された、臨時の役場。その一室でドゥエルガルとミュカレが書類から目を離すことなく、声を上げることもなく、チクチクと言い合いを続けていた。 これはフォカロルにおける文官の部屋では日常茶飯事なことで、ブロクラや、時にはパリュですらも、仕事は続けながらブツブツと何かを呟いていることがある。特に仕事量がピークになっている時に良く見られる光景で、今も彼ら二人と共に室内で仕事をしているパリュも、特に気にも留めなかった。 ちなみに、カイムはむっつりと黙って仕事をしているタイプで、かつ他人の仕事ぶりを気にすることも無いので、言い合いや独り言に参加することも注意することも無い。 「大体、なんで私がこんな国境まで派遣されなくちゃならないのよ。別に隊長各の連中に任せればいいでしょ」 「それを言ったら俺だってそうだ。職人やら見習いやらを拾い上げるにしても、各商業ギルドから誰か寄越せば終わりだろうに」 実際は、戦闘関連の訓練しか受けていない兵士たちでは、いくら隊長格でもオーソングランデ国軍との折衝は難しく、また何の決定権も持っていない。商業関連にしても、ギルド同士の調整はドゥエルガルが行っており、人員の取り合いは日常茶飯事であるため、強権を以てそれを行える人員は必要になる。 二人とも、それは分かったうえでの愚痴なのだが、今回は同室のパリュがそれを看過できなかった。 「......ドゥエルガルさんもミュカレさんも、ここの処理を私一人でやれと言うんですか......?」 「うっ......」 愚痴っていた二人がパリュへと視線を向けると、その表情は疲れ切っていて、目だけがギラギラと光っている。 彼女は戸籍に関する責任者であり、領地の人員が増えるとなれば必然的に彼女に仕事が回ってくる。国境を越えてきた人々すべての調査を行い、諸々の状況を確認して適切な対応をすること、それら全てが彼女の部署に係ってくる。実際、随行させた職員は彼女の部下が一番多いが、それでも一番忙しい。 愚痴を言う余裕すら無くなって、書類の束や数十分毎に持ち込まれる問題に辟易していたところで、年長者二人が仕事を放棄するような話をし始めて、完全に怒ったらしい。 「いや、これはちょっとした息抜きのジョークって奴でな。お互い忙しいし、これくらいの心の余裕は欲しいだろ?」 「べ、別に本気で仕事を放るつもりはないのよ? むさい男ばっかり相手にしないといけないから、ちょっと愚痴ってみただけよ」 あわてて弁解する二人の前に、パリュは自分の机にある山積みの書類からごっそりと二人の前に一抱えの束を移した。 「ドゥエルガルさん。心の余裕があるのであれば、これをお願いします。入国後の書類作成済みの住人の分で、職歴まで記載しているうちの商工業に関わっていた人たちの分です。私が業種ごとに仕分けをするつもりでしたが......余裕があるのであれば、問題ありませんね」 「......はい」 「ミュカレさん。これは過去に軍属であったと申告された方の書類で、過去の賞罰も含めて二次チェックが必要と思って分けておいた分です。ここには女性も沢山含まれていますから、軍務担当として確認をお願いいたします」 「......わかりました」 国境に書類を取りに行く、と言ってパリュが部屋を後にした直後、ドゥエルガルとミュカレは思い切り空気を吐いて、緊張していた肩を落とした。 「十以上年下の女の子にビビったのは、これが初めてだぜ」 「......二十じゃなくて?」 「俺はカイムより年下だぞ」 目を見開いて、声も出せずに驚いているミュカレに、ドゥエルガルは一言悪態をついて、倍以上に増えた書類と戦い始めた。 書類を前にして悪戦苦闘しているのは、ローヌ出張中の文官だけでは無い。 「アリッサ様。唸っていても、教本は進みません」 カイムに注意され、アリッサはペンを挟んだ唇を突き出した。 「なんでこんなことしなくちゃいけないの」 「貴族として、領主として独り立ちするために必要な勉強です。アリッサ様は次代の伯爵家当主として、今も増え続ける領民たちのために我々を率いていただかなくてはなりません」 すらすらと説明される内容は、アリッサもすでに納得している内容ではあった。 一二三から養女として迎える旨の話をされたとき、あまりにも突然すぎて拒否をしていたアリッサだったが、ホーラントへ向かったころに感じていた感情が、男性に対する愛情というよりは、頼りになる年長者に感じるそれだっということに薄々自覚をし始めていたこともあり、最終的には受け入れることにしたのだ。 アリッサが伯爵家を継ぐという話が決まると、カイムはすぐさま用意していた自作の教本を積み上げ、ブロクラも可能な限りの貴族らしいアイテムを用意し、今は貴族の女性に必要な礼儀作法を教える家庭教師を探している。 領民にはアリッサが跡継ぎになるということを正式には公表されていないが、領地運営に関わる者と、そこから聞きつけた兵士たちには一日と経たずに話が広まっていた。 領主館の職員たちにとっては、アリッサをよく知らない者も多いので、戸惑う声が大きい。ただ、まだ若い一二三が隠居するとは考えにくいので、いつもの気まぐれな施策の一つではないか、という受け止められ方をしている。 兵士たちは狂喜していた。 これまでは領主の手前もあって、あれでも多少はアリッサに対する熱狂度合いは多少抑え目であったのを、これからは跡継ぎとしてこれまでの上官への態度ではなく、命を代えてもお守りすべき主になるのだ、と興奮していた。 そういった周囲の反応はさておき、本人は単に一二三の家族になれるのが嬉しくて承認したようなものなのだが、先代である一二三があまりに貴族らしい生活からかけ離れていたため、貴族になるということに対してまったく考えが及んでいなかった。 養女になることを承認した翌日、一二三をお父さんと呼ぶべきかどうか、さらにはオリガをお母さんと呼ぶと怒られるのではないか、と本人的には重要な事柄に頭を悩ませながら執務室へ向かっているところを、カイムに捕まって勉強させられている。 そして、もう一人同じ部屋で教本を前に頭を抱えている女性がいる。片耳兎獣人のヴィーネだ。 連れて帰ったその日に、職員たちに“秘書”という新しい肩書付きで紹介された彼女もまた、一二三の仕事を支えるための知識と現在のトオノ伯爵領の状況を把握するため、文官や職員たちが用意した資料を片っ端から頭に叩き込んでいる最中だ。 「頭が爆発しそう......」 資料には人口動向から産業構造の変遷、軍の編成についてなど、一二三がフォカロルを任されてからの内容がみっちりと図解入りで記入されている。 獣人族であるヴィーネに対して、職員たちは忌避感は無かったようで、珍しいというのと、一二三が連れてきた人物だということで、興味深々という反応だった。特に女性職員にとっては、うまい具合に一二三のプライベートな話が聞けるのではないかという、少し下世話な興味も含まれている。 そのせいか、ヴィーネへ領地の資料を各部署から提出するようにという指示が出たとき、必要以上に張り切って細かな書類が作成され、最初の数時間は説明という名目でひっきりなしに職員が入れ替わり立ち代わりにヴィーネを訪ねてきていた。 それでは集中できないので、カイムが監督をしているアリッサの勉強部屋へと移動になったのだ。 いくら興味をそそられると言っても、無表情でまっすぐに目を見つめて「用件は?」と聞いてくるカイムの前で、雑談交じりの会話をするほど豪胆な職員はいなかった。 お蔭で、ヴィーネは監視付きで緊張感漂う部屋の中、アリッサの唸り声をBGMにして勉強をすることになっている。 「わからない部分があれば、遠慮なく聞いてください」 「は、はい」 と、返事はしたものの、第一印象からカイムのことを“怖い”と思ってしまったヴィーネは、ちらちらとカイムに視線を送りながらも、質問どころか声をかけることすらためらっていた。 もじもじと書類を握りしめているところに、ノックをして文官のブロクラが入ってきた。 「失礼します。アリッサ様、家庭教師が手配できましたので、明後日から教養のお時間をいただきます」 「......外でみんなと訓練したい」 「駄目です」 ブロクラではなく、カイムがぴしゃりと一言、平坦な声で言う。 「こんなに長く座りっぱなしで勉強してたら、お尻痛くなっちゃうよ!」 「しばらくはご辛抱ください。教養課程でダンスなどもありますから、体を動かす機会はあります」 そういう問題じゃない、と涙目で抗議するアリッサに、カイムは淡々と教養と勉学が領主としての立ち居振る舞いに如何に重要な要素かをくどくどと説明する。 で聞いていても疲れるような、淡々とした説得に、アリッサは五分弱で根を上げて、わかったから、と教本の書き取りに戻った。 ホーラントでのアリッサの活躍を目の前で見たヴィーネは、あれほどの強者がぐうの音も出なくなるほど言葉でやり込められるのか、と感じて、さらにカイムが苦手になった。 救いを求める視線を、たまたまブロクラが見つけたために、ヴィーネの質問は彼女が受けることで解決を見たのだが、そうでなければ延々とカイムに怯える兎獣人は、秘書課程を終えることなく部屋に閉じ込められたままだったかもしれない。 ただ、そのままカイムとブロクラがヴィーネへの教育について延々と意見をぶつけ合わせるという展開が繰り広げられたため、ヴィーネが感じるプレッシャーはいや増すばかりだった。 「職員室か、ここは」 アリッサとヴィーネの様子を見に来た一二三は、その議論を聞いて一言呟くと、部屋には入らずに退散していった。

Chapter 160: A Hard Day'S Night The chaos in Vichy is continuing, but for some strange reason Tohno Earldom, which included Fokalore, was calm to a degree that one wouldn't be able to think that there's a war going on in the neighbouring country. That is, except for the city at the border, Rhone. Besides the soldiers of Orsongrande, who are controlling the national border, the soldiers of Fokalore, who have been stationed there to govern the territory, their families and some merchants, no one lives in Rhone where all inhabitants died before. That's the reason why this town was chosen. It's easy to manage and close to the border while being filled with empty houses where refugees that escaped from the turmoil in Vichy can live. Upon the suggestion and appeal of Orsongrande's Prime Minister Adol out of worry over the royal treasury, it was decided to entrust the care of the refugees to Hifumi who is governing the area. In all honesty, it's no stretch to say that Orsongrande's financial situation is in a dire strait due to the continuous battles. It didn't have the monetary leeway to support refugees with especially as it's unknown by how much their numbers will grow. Accordingly it resulted in Orsongrande's government discreetly pushing it onto Hifumi, but Caim, who manages the operational business of Tohno Earldom all by himself instead of Hifumi, readily decided to take responsibility for the matter at hand. "It will be fine to take them in as residents and not as refugees on this occasion. It will also be possible to resolve the shortage in human resources. If we provide them a place to stay, they likely won't complain even about some slightly harsh jobs. If we consider it as procurement of cheap slaves, there won't be any issues regarding the expenses either." (Caim) Caim's idea immediately got Hifumi's authorization. For that reason the number of people in Rhone is now increasing rapidly. It's necessary for the refugees to get examined by Orsongrande's border guard and to furthermore receive a check-up by Fokalore's soldiers, but as long as they aren't overly suspicious or have a bad attitude, they will be given permission to enter Rhone. For the people, who ran away from the demons and reinforced soldiers in fear while sleeping outdoors for many days, the treatment of being legitimately assigned a house and being even offered work was better than the life in their villages or cities until now. Not that much time passed since all the houses became deserted. Thus, even if they have to do the repairs by themselves, the amount of bothersome damage to the houses is little. Once they registered things such as their full name, age and career by properly filing a report, they were even able to obtain a temporary support in food and daily commodities. The information about their career was to confirm whether there are any dubious parts, but it will also serve as reference to assign jobs to them. Factoring in the reality that the war situation isn't good, the number of refugees flowing into Rhone is increasing day by day. As they apparently absolutely forgot who it was that weakened their own country, many of those people are praising the feudal lord Hifumi who is also the Knight of the Slender Sword. Because a theatre troupe, which visited several places inside Orsongrande such as the royal capital, performed the highly popular play {Knight of the Slender Sword} for a prolonged time in Rhone for little money, the refugee's enthusiasm knew no bounds. "... To even call a theatre troupe, I believe that to actually be over the top." "If you got any complaints, take them up to the expressionless bastard in Fokalore." The temporary town hall set up in Rhone. In one of its rooms Doelgar and Miyukare continued a thorny dispute without taking their eyes off the documents and without raising their voices. This is a daily occurrence in the civil official's room in Fokalore. Even Brokra and at times Paryu will grumble about something while continuing their work. As it's a spectacle that can be observed especially well when their workload reaches a peak, Paryu, who was currently working in the same room together with those two, didn't pay any heed to their quarrel. By the way, since Caim is the type to do his work silently and moreover doesn't care about the way others work, he doesn't participate in the quarrelling and speaking to himself nor does he caution others about it. "In the first place, why do I have to be sent to the border? It would have been probably fine if we had left it to each of the commanding officers." "If you say that, it applies to me as well. Even in regards to picking out craftsmen and apprentices, it would probably finish quickly if each of the trade guilds sent someone over." In reality, for the soldiers who had received only training related to combat, it's difficult to negotiate with Orsongrande, no matter whether they obtained a commanding officer rank, and they also hold no right to make any decisions. Even in regards to trade; Doelgar is carrying out the regulation of the guilds. Because the scramble for personnel is a daily struggle, this is a task that has to be done by personnel who holds the power of the state. Though both of them understand that, they keep complaining about it, but this time Paryu, who was in the same room, was unable to ignore it. "... Doelgar-san, Miyukare-san, are you telling me to handle the documents here all by myself...?" (Paryu) "Uh..." Once the two, who had complained until now, turn their looks at Paryu, they see her exhausted expression with only her eyes gleaming with a glare. She's the one in charge of the family register. If the number of people in the territory increases, it becomes inevitable for additional work to visit her. Performing an investigation of all the people who crossed the border, and deciding on an appropriate handling for them after confirming all kinds of information is part of her post. As a matter of fact, the majority of staff members, who were made to follow those three, are her subordinates, but even then they are the busiest as well. They had even lost the time to complain. At the moment she was fed up with the problem of several bundles of documents being brought in every 10 minutes, she apparently got mad at her two seniors who started to talk about abandoning their work. "No, this is just a joke to vent a bit. Each of us is busy. That's why we need at least this much freedom of mind, right?" (Doelgar) "I-I didn't particularly plan to really abandon my work? I just tried to complain a bit since I have to always associate with filthy men." (Miyukare) In front of the two who were trying to justify their conduct in panic, Paryu swapped an armful of document bundles from the pile of documents lying on her desk towards them. "Doelgar-san, if you have freedom of mind, I leave this to you. It's the part of the people related to commerce and industry who registered to have work experience among the residents who have completely drawn-up official papers after entering the country. I intended to sort them according to their type of industry, but... since you have leeway, there won't be any problem, right?" (Paryu) "... Yes." (Doelgar) "Miyukare-san, this is the part among the documents about those, who reported to have been civilians in military employ in the past, I considered it necessary for them to receive a secondary check. Since there are plenty of women included here, please check them as the one in charge of military affairs." (Paryu) "... Got it." (Miyukare) "I will go to pick up the documents at the border", saying that, Paryu left the room. Immediately following that Doelgar and Miyukare spit out the air in their lungs and dropped their tensed shoulders. "It's the first time for me to feel frightened by a girl who's more than 10 years younger than me." "... Aren't you 20?" "I'm younger than Caim." Due to Miyukare opening her eyes widely in surprise while unable to speak, Doelgar cursed with a brief comment and started to fight against the documents which had increased by more than twice. The ones struggling hard in front of documents aren't just the civil officials who are on official business in Rhone. "Alyssa-sama, even if you groan, that doesn't make you progress through the textbook." (Caim) Being cautioned by Caim, Alyssa pursed her lips which had a pen in-between them. "Why do I have to do this?" (Alyssa) "As noble it's a necessary study to stand on your own as feudal lord. Alyssa-sama, you have to lead us for the residents, who are continuing to increase even now, as next head of the Earl household." (Caim) The smoothly explained details were ones even Alyssa had already agreed on. At the time when she was told the gist of her being accepted as adopted daughter by Hifumi, Alyssa rejected it as it was far too sudden, but decided to accept it in the end as she was beginning to become vaguely aware of the fact that the emotions she felt at the time when she headed to Horant were reliance towards a senior rather than love towards a man. Once it was decided that Alyssa will inherit the Earl household, Caim piled up his own textbooks which he prepared immediately and Brokra arranged for as many noble-like items as possible. Now they are looking for a private tutor to teach her the necessary etiquette for a noble lady. There hasn't been an official announcement to the residents about Alyssa becoming the heir, but those related to the territory's management and the soldiers, who heard about it from the staff, spread the story in less than a day.magic Since there are many people among the staff members of the feudal lord's mansion who don't know Alyssa well, there have been many bewildered voices. However, since it's hard to imagine for Hifumi, who is still young, to retire, they were able to accept it with "Isn't that one of his usual whimsical policies?" The soldiers were greatly delighted. There was also the feudal lord's side until now. That suppressed the degree of enthusiasm towards Alyssa more or less. But now they were excited that they should mainly guard her even in exchange for their lives, not with the attitude towards a superior officer as until now but from now on towards the heir. Setting aside such reactions of her environment, the person herself was simply happy about being able to become Hifumi's family, but because the predecessor Hifumi was too far apart from a noble-like life, the idea that he had become a noble didn't reach him at all. The next day after she consented to become his adopted daughter, she was heading towards Hifumi's office while racking her brain over an Alyssa-typical important matter of whether she should call Hifumi father and whether Origa will get mad if she calls her mother, but on the way she was caught by Caim and forced to study. And there's one more woman in the same room at her wit's end in front of a textbook. It's the one-eared rabbit beastman Viine. On the day they returned while bringing her along, she was introduced to the staff members with the new title "Secretary" added. Right now she's in the middle of systematically getting the documents prepared by the civil officials and staff members driven into her head for the sake of understanding the circumstances of the current Tohno Earldom and the knowledge necessary to support Hifumi's work. "It looks like my head's going to explode..." It's documents filled with earnest schematic entries and content after such things as the population's movements, the changes of industrial structures and the composition of the army were entrusted to Fokalore by Hifumi. As they had apparently no feelings of avoiding her, the staff members reaction was that of very deep curiosity towards the beastman Viine as the person who was brought along by Hifumi and as someone unusual. Especially the female staff members are harbouring slightly dirty interest wondering whether they will be able to hear about Hifumi's private life in a delicious manner. As result of that, they drew up more-than-necessary, finely-detailed documents in high spirits at the time when they were ordered to present the territory's documents of each department to Viine. Under the pretext of explaining those, staff members continuously visited Viine for few hours at start while changing places with each other. Since she couldn't concentrate in that situation, Caim had her move to the study room of Alyssa whom he is supervising. No matter how much interest they might have; in front of Caim, who asks [Your business?] while directly looking at them with no expression, there were no staff members that were bold enough to try starting an idle chat round. Thanks to that, it resulted in Viine being able to study with Alyssa's groans as BGM inside the room with a feeling of tension hanging in the air due to the continuous monitoring. "Please don't hold back and ask me if there are any parts you don't understand." (Caim) "Y-Yes." (Viine) Though she gave him an answer, Viine's first impression of Caim was her considering him At the time she was restlessly grasping a document tightly, the civil official Brokra knocked and entered the room. "Excuse me. Alyssa-sama, since I was able to arrange for a private tutor, the time for education will start from the day after tomorrow." (Brokra) "... I want to train outside with everyone." (Alyssa) "That's not allowed." (Caim) Not Brokra but Caim flatly comments with an indifferent voice. "If I study while keeping sitting for such long time, my butt will get sore!" (Alyssa) "Please endure it for a while. Since there's also dancing in the general education course, you will have the chance to move your body." (Brokra) "That's not the problem here", Alyssa objects with teary eyes. Due to that, Caim repetitively explains just how important education and studying is for the bearings of a feudal lord in a dispassionate manner. Due to the indifferent persuasion that seems to even tire out Viine who is just listening from the side, Alyssa threw the towel, 50% out of weakness, and returned to transcribing the textbook after saying "Got it." Viine, who saw Alyssa's great efforts in Horant with her own eyes, wondered that such a strong person was talked down with words to a degree that she couldn't even refute at all resulting in her having even more difficulty in dealing with Caim. Because Brokra discovered her look searching for help by chance, she tried to resolve it by receiving Viine's question, but the rabbit beastman, who will otherwise stay eternally afraid of Caim, might get locked up in the room without graduating the secretary curriculum. However, since it developed into an endless clash of opinions regarding Viine's education between Caim and Brokra, the pressure felt by Viine only increased. "Is this the staff room here?" (Hifumi) Hifumi, who came to see the situation of Alyssa and Viine, muttered that comment after hearing the dispute and ran away without entering the room.

175.Army Of Me 女王イメラリアと獣人族代表レニの会談は、和やかに始まった。 レニは用意された焼き菓子や紅茶に喜び、お返しとして持ってきた果物は、魔法で冷やされ、カットされて焼き菓子の横に並んだ。瑞々しく、砂糖とは違った爽やかな甘さは、イメラリアを楽しませた。 「おいしい果物ですね。貴重な物なのではありませんか?」 「はい。たまに見つかるくらいです。でも、取っておけるものじゃないし、誰かに取られるかも知れないので、いつもはすぐに食べてしまいます」 「では、これは......」 「一二三さんがいくつか保管していたので、貰いました」 一瞬、イメラリアが伸ばした手が止まった。だが、果物に罪は無い。また一つ摘み上げ、口に運ぶ。 果汁に濡れた指先をハンカチで拭った。 「食べてばかりでは、お話が進みませんね」 居住まいを正して、イメラリアは改めて目の前に座る兎の獣人、その隣にいる兎の獣人を見た。後ろに立つ狼か犬かわからないが、男の獣人は怖いので視線を向けないようにする。 ふわふわの白い毛で、とろんとした垂れ目の羊獣人を見る限り、狼や虎など、猛獣系の獣人を束ねているような人物にはとても見えない。隣に座る兎の獣人も、少し気の強そうな目をしてはいるが、王城という場所に緊張しているのが丸わかりで、見方によっては彼女の方が微笑ましくすら見える。 イメラリアの印象は「人間と大して変わらない」だった。護衛の犬だか狼だかの獣人は、獣そのものの顔つきだが、女性は普通の人間の顔が、鼻先を中心に“それっぽい”雰囲気なだけだった。獣人の中でも種族や個人で違うのかも知れないが。 「それで、わたくしにお話があるとか。折角ここまで来ていただいたのですから、色々お聞かせくださいね」 「それじゃ、まず一つ目です。......来る魔人族との会談において、陛下はどのあたりを着地点に考えておられますか?」 いきなり核心部分へ突っ込む質問をされて、イメラリアは思わずレニを睨むような目になってしまった。 「不躾な質問だとは承知しています。ですけど、ウチとしても獣人族の未来を背負っているのです。どうか、教えてください」 「......わかりました。当然ですが、わたくしを含め、この国の誰も、魔人族との戦いを考えていません」 「実際に前線を見ましたが、貴国は国境で完全に魔人族を押えています。このままでも、貴国としては被害を受けることがありません。一二三さんを動かすことができれば、勝利は間違い無いでしょう。勝利すれば、非常に強力な魔人族という個体を、戦力として組み込むことが叶い、他の国との戦いも楽になるでしょう。それでも?」 再び一二三の名前が出たことで、イメラリアは内心で警戒レベルを引き上げた。眠くなりそうな、可愛らしい声で紡がれる言葉は、その音色とは裏腹に戦いの良い部分のみを言う。 だが、今のイメラリアはそこに流されることは無い。 「誤解をされているようなのでお話しますが、わたくしは隣国であるホーラントとの戦いを望んでおりません。先日も、かの国の問題を解決するためのお手伝いはさせていただきましたが、その結果として改めて友邦としての立場を確認した、という結果に満足しています。それに......」 ここまでの言葉に、特段の反応を示さないレニを見て、イメラリアは質問の意図が掴めずにいた。 「一二三様はもはや貴族家の当主を引退された身。わたくしが王国の都合で命令できる立場ではありません」 「何かしらの褒美を以て、依頼をされるというのはどうでしょうか?」 「彼を納得させるだけの褒美を用意できるとは思えませんわ。王国としてはお恥ずかしいことですけれど......」 「簡単ですよ」 レニは、一言でイメラリアの言葉を遮った。 彼の事を知っている、とイメラリアはレニを評した。そして、まだ良く理解していない、と不思議な優越感を感じる。 未だ一言も発していない兎獣人は、レニの言葉にすら緊張したようだ。どうやら、打ち合わせなどは行っていないらしい。 「......その言葉、魔人族を獣人族に変えても通じそうですね」 「そうですね。......そうされますか?」 「驚かないのですね」 イメラリアが意外そうな顔をすると、レニは笑った。 「言いだしたのはウチですけれど、受け入れる可能性が低いのはわかります。もしそれで動く様な人なら、ウチはもうお願いしていますよ“獣人族以外を、倒してください”と」 「うっ......」 一二三を操る術があるのであれば、人間を減らすのにも使っている、とレニはハッキリと宣言したに等しい。 「それに、女王陛下は一二三さんに頼るのをやめようとしていませんか?」 「なぜ、そう思うのですか?」 「国境のローヌの町にいる間、色々聞きました。ホーラントとの戦闘における陛下のご活躍を。そして、騎士たちへの訓練についても」 「......それが、どうして一二三様に頼らないことに繋がるのですか?」 自分の声が震えていないかどうか、イメラリアは別室で確認したかった。 奇跡的に、紅茶を一口飲むことで喉の震えは収まった。 「一二三さんを頼らない防衛の構築。引退宣言はたまたまかもしれませんが、英雄と言っていい活躍をした人の引退を簡単に受け入れたこと。騎士たちへの訓練。どれもこれも、一二三さんの年齢を考えても、早すぎる次代への引き継ぎです。全て、一二三さんが居なくても国を守るための体勢作りじゃないかな、と思っただけです」 単なる想像ですよ、とレニはふにゃりと笑っているが、イメラリアは目の前の少女と同じように考えている人間がどれほどいるのか......いや、ひょっとすると一二三自身も同じ考えで、引退を宣言したのもそれを後押しするつもりなのか。もしかして訓練を引き受けたのも......。 「女王陛下?」 汗をかいているイメラリアに、レニが不安げに話しかけた。 「え、ええ、大丈夫、です......。それより、話が逸れましたね。我が国の状況がどうあれ、戦争は圧倒的な力を以て短期間で勝つ。それができなければ、 強引に話を戻した。 レニは一二三についてそれ以上言及するつもりは無いらしく、静かに「わかりました」と答える。 「一つ目、と言われましたね。他にあるのですか?」 「はい。その前に、一つお詫びを言わないといけません」 レニが言う意味が解らず、イメラリアは首をかしげた。 「一二三さんをこの国......いえ、この世界から排除する計画について、ウチはもう知っています」 「有力な情報源から聞きました」 レニが王都へ来る間、接触があった可能性を考えたイメラリアは、計画を漏らしたのがオリガではないかと考えた。 だが、それはすぐに否定された。 「王城は久しぶりですね。宰相殿とお話して以来でしょうか」 レニの頭の後ろから、青白い顔をした男が顔を覗かせていた。 「死神さんです。この人とウチを、陛下が主催されている一二三さん対策の仲間に入れてください」 首だけの死神が「力を削がれて首しか具現化できないんですよ」とブツブツ話しているが、レニは無視している。 「良い提案ができますよ。その代わり、獣人族の居留地を用意していただくか、荒野の一部をウチたちのために開発してもらいたいんです」 どうでしょうか、とレニは問う。 「ミダス」 「と、トオノ伯爵......いえ、引退されたのでしたね」 ミダスに声をかけたのは、レニを送って城の近くをうろついていた一二三だった。 「ちょっと来い」 有無を言わさず街中へとミダスを連れて行った一二三は、一人の男を指差した。 女王懐妊の大ニュースで賑わう街の中、店の主人らしい人物と話しているその男。恰好は麻のシンプルな上下で、旅の商人だとわかる様な、大きな荷物を背負い、しっかりと布を巻いて固定したブーツを履いていた。 「彼が、どうかしたのですか?」 王都を出入りする商人は数が多い。各地を往復して地方の産物を運んでくる者がほとんどだが、中にはそれを元手に王都で一花咲かせようと言う者も少なくない。件の男がどちらなのかはわからないが、ミダスの目には、そんなありふれた商人の一人にしか見えなかった。 「技法とかそんなもんじゃないから、説明するのは面倒だけどな......よーく、見て見ろ。耳がちょっと尖っているように見えないか?」 言われたとおりに注視してみると、確かに、気持ち耳の先が鋭い。だが、その程度なら個性と言って差し支えないくらいだ。 「ここから見えるかどうかわからんが、瞳を見て見ろ。緑色をしているが、どんな色でも普通は瞳のど真ん中は真っ黒だ」 人差し指で自分の目を「あかんべぇ」と開きながら話す一二三の声を聞きながら、ミダスは懸命に目を細めて商人の顔を見つめたが、さすがにそこまでは見えなかった。 「あいつ、目の真ん中の色が少し赤みがかっているな。あれ、魔人族の特徴と合致するんだが......どう思う?」 「どうって......彼が魔人族だと?」 「そういう事だ。じゃあ、答え合わせと行こう」 戸惑うミダスを置いて、一二三はまっすぐに男の元へ向かった。 後を追いながら、ミダスは一二三が最初に城から町へと出た時の事を思い出していた。突然の監視命令に驚きつつ、平民の服に着替えて若い奇妙な恰好をした男を追ったあの日を。 あっという間に見抜かれ、新任だった頃と同じように恥ずかしい思いをした。妻にも言えなかったくらいだ。 その彼が、あの時のように肩で風を切って通りを歩く。 そして、あの時と同じように何をするのかわからない、プレッシャーを自分に与える。 「まったく、会うたびに寿命が縮むな......」 目の前で、一二三が男に声をかけた。 「ちょっといいか?」 「え、はい。何でしょうか。何か入り用ですか?」 横から声を掛けられ、男は全ての客にそうするように、笑顔を向けた。 話し相手だった商店主は、一二三の顔を見てすぐに気付いたらしくはじけるように笑って、用があるなら、と身を引いて店の奥へと入っていった。 「ちょっとあっちで話そうか。魔人族の、あ~......名前はどうでも良いか」 「まあ、隠すのが仕事だからな。尊重しよう。今のうちはな」 追いついてきたミダスと共に、男を無理やり引っ張り、通り沿いにテーブルを広げていたカフェへと入る。 「紅茶を三つな。あと、飯を頼む。美味いなら何でも良い」 勝手にさっさと注文をした一二三は、腰の刀はそのままに、椅子に浅く座った。 魔人族と言われた男は気付いていないようだが、ミダスはこれが一二三のいつもの座り方ではない事を知っている。何かあれば、すぐに動けるようにしているのだろう。 ミダスは緊張していた。普通の人間相手であれば、一二三はここまで構えない。 「魔人族の所は、割と大ざっぱな飯が多かったからな。こっちに来て食い物が美味いから、驚いたんじゃないか?」 完全に魔人族と決めつけて話す一二三に、いよいよ男は不機嫌な顔を見せた。 「勘違いです。魔人族だなんて、誤解ですよ」 「へぇ、魔人族を知っているのか? 単なる商人にしては、良く知っているな」 「ふ、フェカロルで仕入れた情報ですよ。魔人族が来るって話で、慌ててこっちに来たんで......」 「フ“ォ”カロルな。あれでも愛着あるんだ。間違えないでくれよ。......で、ミダスよ」 腰を浮かせてそわそわとしている商人の隣で、じっと男を見ていつでも動けるように身体をこわばらせているミダスへと視線を向ける。 「そんなに緊張していると、余計に動きが鈍くなるぞ。で、魔人族がここに来る話ってのは、大々的に発表されているものなのか?」 「......いえ、日時が決まってから直前に兵士を動員して道路を占拠し、先導する予定になっています」 「そんな機密をしっている割には、俺の顔を知らないってのは、ちょいと妙だな」 商人の頭を掴み、身を乗り出した一二三は、じっと男の目を見る。 「こ、殺すのか......?」 眼前に迫る一二三の黒い目を見て、魔人族だと認めたも同然の言葉を放つ。 「殺したいな。腹が減った魔物のように、ここしばらくは全然満たされていないからな。殺したい」 だが、と一二三は手を離し、椅子に座る。 「もっと楽しい、喰いきれないほどの食事が待っている、と思うと、まだしばらくは我慢ができる」 魔人族の男は理解できなかったが、ミダスは声を精一杯押えて叫ぶ。 「な、何をやる気ですか!」 「おやぁ? 人類の未来のために、協力してやろうってんだ。何か問題があるか?」 「女王陛下は戦いを望んでおられません。どうか、自重いただきたい......!」 「それは、魔人族がどう動くかだろう。な?」 問いかけられ、魔人族は「知らない」と首を横に振る。 「自分はウェパル様の意向など聞かされていない!」 一二三の指が首を掴むと、あっさりと魔人族は気を失った。 「捕まえて、魔人族を見破る練習にでも使え。こういう奴がそれなりに入り込んでいると考えて、もっと真剣に町を見て回るべきだろうな」 椅子にどっかりと座り、一二三は離れて様子を見ていた店員に「気にせず持ってきていい」と伝えた。 念のため、魔人族を後ろ手に縛りあげたミダスは、近くを通りかかった兵士に命じて、近くにある騎士隊の詰所へと運ぶように指示した。 「もう一度言いますが、ご自重いただきたい。今回の事は感謝いたします。しかし、もはやこの世界に余計な戦いは不要です」 「ふぅん......。そうか、そう思うならそれでもいいかもな」 では、と立ち去ろうとしたミダスに、続けて一二三が声をかけた。 「なあ、ミダス。戦いが起きないと思っている奴と、戦いが起きるかも、と思っている奴とでは、どっちが生き残れると思う?」 「......貴方から教わりました。戦いは起きるかもしれません。そのつもりでいなければいけません」 え、とミダスが間抜けな声を上げて振り向いた。 「戦いが起きた時に、冷静に動ければ生き残れる。素早く動けても、敵のところに逃げ込んじゃあ、意味が無いだろう」 テーブルの上に並べられた料理から、手始めに魚の身をごっそりとフォークで掬い、口に放り込む。 「よぉく見ろよ。誰が敵で、誰が味方か。お前が信用する者は、頼れるものは何だろうな。で、いざという時にそれはお前の助けになるかな?」 「何が言いたいのです」 「別に。ちょっとした雑談だよ」 本格的に食事にとりかかった一二三は、それ以上何も言わなかった。 ひたすらにミダスを疑心暗鬼にさせた出来事から一週間後、魔人族とエルフ、獣人族たちを引き連れ、フォカロルの軍勢が王都へとやって来た。

Chapter 175: Army Of Me The conference between Queen Imeraria and beastmen representative Reni began harmoniously. Reni enjoyed the offered baked sweets and black tea, and the fruits, which she brought as return gift, had been sliced and lined up next to the baked sweets while being chilled with magic. Their juicy sweetness, which was refreshing in a different way from sugar, pleased Imeraria. "What delicious fruits. Aren't they fairly valuable?" (Imeraria) "Yes. To the extent that they can only be found once in a while. But, they are nothing you could set aside, so we always eat them immediately since they might be taken by someone." (Reni) "Then, these are..." (Imeraria) "Since Hifumi-san had stored some of them, I received them from him." (Reni) For an instant the stretched-out hand of Imeraria stopped. However, the fruits were sinless. Picking up yet another, she brought it to her mouth. Then she wiped her fingers, which had gotten wet by the fruit juice, with a handkerchief. "We have just been eating without proceeding with the talks, haven't we?" (Imeraria) Correcting her sitting posture, Imeraria looked once more at the sheep beastgirl sitting in front of her and the rabbit beastgirl at her side. She doesn't know whether the beastmen standing in the back is a dog or a wolf, but she makes sure to not look at him since male beastmen are scary. As far as for the sheep girl with her droopy eyes and her fluffy white fur, she doesn't look at all like a person who leads wild beastmen such as wolves or tigers. Even the rabbit girl sitting next to her is pretty obviously nervous in a place like the royal castle, albeit having a strong will dwell in her eyes. Depending on the point of view, she looks even charming. The escorting beastman, who might be dog or wolf, looks just like a beast, but the women only have a "beastmen-like" atmosphere due to their noses in the center of their human-like faces. Even among beastmen there might be differences between tribes and individuals though. "So, I heard you have something to discuss with me? Since you especially came all the way here, please allow me to listen to your various matters." (Imeraria) "Well then, let me start first with a question. ...Your Majesty, around what point are you planning to compromise in the upcoming conference with the demons?" (Reni) Being all of a sudden asked a question that stabs into the heart of the matter, Imeraria instinctively looked at Reni with something akin to a glare. "I'm well aware that it's an impolite question. However, even if it might be rude, the future of the beastmen race rides on this. Please tell us, if possible at all." (Reni) "Understood. It's only natural, but no one in this country, including me, plans to fight against the demons." (Imeraria) "I have actually seen the front-line, and your country is completely holding back the demons at the border. At this rate there won't be any damage to your country. If you can get Hifumi-san to act, victory is certain, I'm sure. If you win, it might be possible to include the demons, who are said to have extremely powerful, individual strength, into your military forces. Fighting against other countries will probably become much easier. And yet you don't wish to fight the demons?" (Reni) With the name of Hifumi appearing once again, the wariness level in Imeraria's mind went up. But, the current Imeraria won't be lulled by that. "Since it seems that you're having a misunderstanding, I shall tell you; I don't wish to fight against Horant, our neighboring country. The other day I had the privilege to help that country in resolving its problems, and as result of that, we could deepen our friendly relations. I'm satisfied with that outcome. Besides..." (Imeraria) Looking at Reni, who didn't show any particular reaction to her words up till then, Imeraria couldn't grasp the intention behind Reni's question. "Hifumi-sama has already retired as family head of his noble household. I'm not in a position where I can order him for the sake of the kingdom." (Imeraria) "How about requesting it from him by offering him some kind of reward?" (Reni) "I don't believe that I could arrange for a reward which could make him change his mind. It's a disgraceful truth for the kingdom, but..." (Imeraria) "It's simple." (Reni) Reni interrupted Imeraria's speech with a brief comment. , Imeraria evaluated Reni. And she feels a strange sense of superiority that Reni still doesn't understand him well. The rabbit girl, who still hasn't raised her voice once, seems to be tense due to Reni's words. It looks like they haven't had a preparatory meeting. "...Those words, it looks like they would pass even if I exchange "That's true. ...Are you going to do so?" (Reni) "You're not surprised, are you?" (Imeraria) When Imeraria looked astonished, Reni laughed. "I'm the one who suggested it, but I know that it's unlikely for him to accept. If he were a person to move because of that, I would have already asked him, "Uuh..." (Imeraria) If there was a method to manipulate Hifumi, it could also be used to make him lower the number of humans "Besides, aren't you trying to stop relying on Hifumi-san, Your Majesty?" (Reni) "Why do you believe so?" (Imeraria) "I heard various things while staying in Rhone. About your active role in the battle against Horant. And also about the training for the knights." (Reni) "...How do those things connect to not relying on Hifumi-sama?" (Imeraria) Imeraria wanted to check in a separate room whether her voice trembles or not. Miraculously the quivering of her throat calmed down after taking a sip of black tea. "The construction of a defense not depending on Hifumi-san. The retirement declaration might be unexpected, but it's a fact that you easily accepted the retirement of a person who accomplished a lot for this country and is hailed as hero. The training for the knights. Above all, considering Hifumi-san's age, it's too early for him to hand over his title to the next generation. I just wondered whether not all of this serves as your stance to protect the country even without Hifumi-san being present." (Reni) How many humans are thinking the same as the little girl in front of me...no, is Hifumi himself thinking the same as well by chance? Does he plan to support her even after declaring his retirement? Or was perhaps him taking over the training also... "Your Majesty?" (Reni) Reni uneasily spoke up to Imeraria who's sweating. "Y-Yes, I'm...fine... Rather than that, we digressed from the topic. Whatever the situation of my country might be, wars are won within a short time with overwhelming power. Otherwise they only turn into a useless waste of lives and hard-earned tax money. At times it might be necessary to fight too, but it's a crucial task of a ruler to protect the interests of the people supporting them, if the balance is off." (Imeraria) She forcibly returned to the topic. Reni apparently doesn't intend to reference to Hifumi any further, and calmly answers "Got it." "You said it was your first question. Do you have any others?" (Imeraria) "Yes. But before that I have to apologize." (Reni) Imeraria tilted her head to the side in doubt, not understanding the meaning behind Reni's words. "As for the plan of removing Hifumi-san from this country...no, this world, I already know about it." (Reni) "I heard about it from an influential informant." (Reni)magic Pondering about the possibilities with whom Reni might have gotten in contact after coming to the capital, Imeraria considered whether it might have been Origa who leaked the plan. But, she abandoned that idea right away. "It's been a while since I last visited the royal castle. Since the time of talking with Adol-dono, I guess." The face of a man that had a bluish-white face peeked out from behind Reni. "It's shinigami-san. Please allow this person and me to join the group of people, organized by you, setting up countermeasures against Hifumi-san, Your Majesty." (Reni) The head-only shinigami grumbles, "I can't materialize anything but my head as my power has declined," but Reni ignores him. "We will be able to provide good ideas. Instead I'd like you to prepare a foreign settlement for the beastmen, or develop a part of the wastelands for us." (Reni) "How about it?" Reni asks. "Midas." (Hifumi) "E-Earl Tohno...ah, no, you have retired, haven't you?" (Midas) The one calling out to Midas was Hifumi who loitered around close to the castle after sending Reni off. "Come with me for a bit." (Hifumi) Hifumi, who forcibly dragged Midas downtown, pointed at a single man. That man is talking with another man, who seems to be a shop owner, inside the city that is thriving due to the big news of the queen's pregnancy. His attire is a simple, linen jouge. He carries large baggage that makes it easy to see that he's a traveling merchant. He wears boots that had cloths fixedly coiled around them. "Is something wrong with him?" (Midas) The number of merchants coming and leaving the capital is huge. Most of them are peddlers who transport the produce from the countryside, visiting various places, but among them there's also not few who try to attain success in the capital with their earned funds. He doesn't know which of both the merchant in question might be, but to Midas he seemed to be nothing more than an ordinary merchant. "It's really a bother to explain since he doesn't use any technique or anything...look very closely. Doesn't it seem as if his ears are slightly tapering to a point?" (Hifumi) Certainly, the ends of his ears are pointed. But, if it's to such an extent, it might as well be called an individual quirk. "I don't know whether you can see them from here, but have a look at his eyes. They are green, but no matter what color eyes have, they are usually black right in the middle." (Hifumi) While listening to Hifumi who speaks as he pulled down his lower eyelid of his eyes with his index finger, saying "Like this," Midas intently gazed at the merchant's face while intently straining his eyes, but as might be expected, he couldn't see that far. "The middle of that guy's eyes has a tinge of red, you know? That complies with a characteristic feature of the demons, but...what do you think?" (Hifumi) "What, you ask...are you saying that he's a demon?" (Midas) "That's what I mean. Well, I will go and check the truth." (Hifumi) Leaving the bewildered Midas behind, Hifumi headed straight for the man. While chasing after him, Midas recalled the events at the time when Hifumi left for the city from the castle for the first time. That day when he chased a young man with a strange appearance after changing his clothes into that of a commoner while being surprised by the sudden surveillance order. Being immediately spotted, he felt just as embarrassed as during the time when he was still a newbie knight. The shame was so strong that he couldn't even tell his wife about it. That young man walks across the street while swaggering about just like back then. And just like at that time, not knowing what he's going to do next pressures Midas. "Damn it, each time I meet him, it shortens my life span..." (Midas) In front of him Hifumi calls out to the man. "You've got a moment?" (Hifumi) "Eh? Yes, what is it? Do you need something from me?" Being called out from the side, the man turned towards Hifumi with a smile just as he does with all customers. The shopkeeper, who had been his conversation partner, smiled brightly, apparently recognizing Hifumi immediately after seeing his face, backed away with a "Looks like he has business with you," and entered his store. "Let's talk for a bit over there? Demon's, ah...I guess your name doesn't really matter anyway." (Hifumi) "Well, I guess it's your job to stay hidden. You have my respect. For now, that is." (Hifumi) He forcibly drags the man along together with Midas, who caught up, entering a cafe that spread out tables along the street. "Black tea for three. Also, food please. Anything's fine as long as it's delicious." (Hifumi) Quickly ordering on his own accord, Hifumi shallowly sat down on a chair with his katana still affixed to his waist. It seems the man said to be a demon still hasn't realized, but Midas knows that this is not Hifumi's usual way of sitting. Midas was nervous. If the opponent was a normal human, Hifumi wouldn't prepare himself to such a degree. "The demons' place had a lot of relatively sketchy food. Didn't it surprise you after coming here that the food's so tasty?" (Hifumi) The man's face became increasingly sullen due to Hifumi talking to him while having arbitrarily decided that he's a demon. "You're wrong. Taking me for a demon is a misunderstanding." "Hee, you know about demons? Aren't you quite well-informed for a simple merchant?" (Hifumi) "I-It's information I obtained in F-Fekalore. I came here in a hurry after hearing that the demons are coming..." "Fokalore, right? I'm still attached to that place. Don't make a mistake there. ...So, Midas." (Hifumi) Hifumi turns his eyes to Midas who has tensed his body in order to be capable of moving at any time as he intently watches the merchant, who looks fidgety while half-risen to his feet, next to him. "If you are so tense, your movements will become unnecessarily slow. So, has the story of the demons coming here been announced on a grand scale?" (Hifumi) "...No, it's planned to mobilize the soldiers just before the planned date, occupy the highway and guide them here." (Midas) "Compared to knowing such highly-confidential information, not knowing my face is slightly odd, isn't it?" (Hifumi) Hifumi, who grabbed the merchant's head and bent forward, fixedly stares into the eyes of the man. "A-Are you going to kill me...?" Seeing the black eyes of Hifumi as his face approaches right in front him, the man speaks words that are equal to confessing that he's a demon. "I really want to kill you. After all I haven't had my fill for a while around here, just like a hungry monster. I'd love to kill you." (Hifumi) "But," Hifumi removes his hand and sits down on his chair. "If I consider that waiting for a meal that I haven't been able to devour yet is a lot more fun, I can still endure for a short time." (Hifumi) The demon didn't comprehend, but Midas yells while restraining his voice to the best of his ability, "W-What are you getting all psyched up for!?" (Midas) "Oh? I told you that I'm going to cooperate for the sake of humanity's future. Is there any problem with that?" (Hifumi) "Her Majesty doesn't wish to fight. Please, I'd like you to restrain yourself...!" (Midas) "That depends on how the demons are going to move, doesn't it?" (Hifumi) Being asked, the demon shakes his head, say "I don't know." "I haven't been informed about Vepar-sama's intentions!" Hifumi's fingers grabbed the demon's neck and he easily fainted. "Arrest and use him to train how to see through demons. Considering that such a guy has infiltrated this far, I'm pretty sure that you should patrol the city a lot more seriously." (Hifumi) Sitting down on his chair with a flump, Hifumi told the employee, who watched the situation from a distance, "Don't mind it, you can bring the food over." Midas, who tied the demon's hands behind his back for caution's sake, called over a soldier that happened to pass nearby and ordered him to carry the demon to the close-by knight order's station. "I will say it once more, but I'd like you to act prudently. I shall thank you for this time. But, unnecessary battles are not needed in this world any longer." (Midas) "Hmmm... I see, if that's what you believe, that might be fine as well, I suppose." (Hifumi) Continuing, Hifumi called out to Midas who was about to leave after saying, "Well then." "Hey, Midas. Between a guy that believes no fighting will take place, and a guy that believes fighting might take place, who do you think will be able to survive?" (Hifumi) "...I was taught by you that fighting might happen at any time. It's wrong to not stay with that belief." (Midas) "Eh?" Midas raised an idiotic voice and turned around. "You will be able to survive if you can calmly move at the time when the fighting starts. Even if you can move swiftly, it holds no meaning if you take refuge at a dangerous place, right?" (Hifumi) From the outset Hifumi stabs the whole body of a fish with his fork from the dishes that had been lined up on the table and tosses it into his mouth. "Have a gooood look. Who's your enemy and who's your ally. Check on how many people you can rely among those you trust. And, whether they can become your support when push comes to shove." (Hifumi) "What do you want to say?" (Midas) "Nothing really. Just a little small talk." (Hifumi) Genuinely starting with his meal, Hifumi didn't say anything else. One week later after the incident that made Midas jump at shadows, Fokalore's military forces arrived at the capital while bringing demons, elves and beastmen along.

147.Breathe Easy 「おっ。どっかで見た虎の子か」 マルファスは無言で一二三へ向かって駆け出していた。 のんきに待ち構えている一二三の視界には、怒り心頭の形相で、獣人族の身体能力をいかんなく発揮するマルファスの向こうに、慌てて追いかけてくるゲングの姿が見えた。 「お前はぁあああ!」 まだ距離もあるというのに、マルファスは両手の爪をするどくむき出しにして飛び掛かる。 体格差もあるが、何よりも愚かしいまでにまっすぐ突き出された攻撃など、一二三にとっては目を閉じても躱せる。 首をかるく傾けて避けた一二三は、前蹴りで柔らかい腹を蹴り飛ばした。 「ぎゃん!」 腹を押さえて転がるマルファスを見ながら、ゲングは息を切らせて一二三の前に立ち、頭を下げた。 「ご無沙汰しておりやす。この虎獣人の坊主は、一二三さんに鍛えてもらいたいと言ってついてきたんでやすが......」 「おう、そうか」 攻撃されたことなど忘れた様子で、一二三は軽く頷く。 土にまみれ、悶絶しているマルファスの前に立った一二三は、懐手をしたまま見下ろした。 「おう、虎っこ」 一二三の問いかけに、マルファスは睨みつけるのが精いっぱいのようだ。 「お前弱すぎ。前と全然変わってないどころか、弱くなってないか? 次に会ったときには殺すと言ったが、これじゃあな。殺す気にもならん」 音も立てずに一二三の後ろに近づいていたオリガが、低い声で話しかけた。その手には鉄扇があり、血がにじむ程に強く握りしめられている。 「お話はお済でしょうか。よろしければこの無礼者は私の手で始末したいのですが」 その冷たい視線はマルファスを捉えている。 獣人である自分に気付かれずに近づかれたことにも驚いていたが、それ以上に、先ほどまで笑顔を向けていた美女が、自分を殺す許可を求めていることの方が衝撃だった。 「な、なんで......」 痛みと悲しみの入り混じる涙があふれる。 そこへ割り込むようにして、ゲングがマルファスを庇う格好で跪く。 「お、奥様! どうかご容赦いただけやせんか!? こいつも何かの勘違いってやつかと......」 「めんどくせ」 一言つぶやき、一二三はその場で簡単に説明することにした。 荒野で虎獣人の集落を叩き潰した際に見逃した子供が二人いて、その一人がマルファスであること。 次に会ったときに強くなっておくように言いつけておいたこと。 名前を教えていなかったこと。 「......では、一二三様が言いつけられた事を守れず、弱いままだったという事ですね。やはりどこまでも救いがたい餓鬼です。知らなかったといえ、このような連中を一二三様の前に連れてきたことは私の落ち度です。この犬も含めて、責任を持って処分いたします。兎もエルフも同罪ですね」 振りあげられた右手を、一二三の手が掴む。 「待たんか。......あのな。なんで俺がお前を止めなきゃならんのだ。俺がアリッサや間抜け女王のために我慢しているというのに、お前は......」 ギリギリと手首を締め付ける痛みを感じながら、オリガは「はっ」と息を飲んだ。 一二三が誰よりも人を殺したいと常に考えているのを、誰よりも自分が知っているはずではないか、と。思えばイメラリアの弟であるアイぺロスを殺害した時も怒られたのだと気づいたオリガは、万力の如き力で締め上げられている痛みも、自分を叱りつける一二三の優しさのように思えてきた。 「し、失礼いたしました。も、もっと強く握りしめていただき、私に罰を、もっと......」 「阿呆」 「あっ」 ぺっ、と手首を放してオリガを放り捨て、一二三はしゃがみこんでマルファスに顔を近づける。 「で、どうするよ。諦めるなら今殺す。だが、そうだな......ゲング」 「へい!」 「レニたちはどうしている?」 唐突な質問に、一瞬だけ呆けていたゲングだが、唾をのみこみ、話し始めた。 「人間も町にたくさん住むようになりやして、スラムはどんどん大きくなっておりやす。人間の町とのいざこざもありやすが、レニさんやヘレンさんが、それはもう頑張って町を守っておいでで......」 たくさんの獣人や人間。はてはエルフまでもが共に暮らすようになり、このままいけば人間だけの町と勢力が逆転するのでは、とゲングは懸命に説明した。 「しかもですね、獣人族でも魔法が使えるのがわかりやして、ほら、あそこにいる兎獣人のヴィーネさんなんてね、一二三さんの役に立ちたい一心で魔法も習得して、ここまで会いに来られたわけでして!」 「ふぅん。......それじゃ、こうしよう」 マルファスの頭をつかみ、一二三は無理やり視線を合わせた。 「お前、荒野に帰れ。そんで人間の町を潰すなり手に入れるなりして、一端の強さを示して見せろ。それができたら、また相手してやるよ」 「に、人間の町を......」 驚愕するマルファスに、一二三は「できないか?」と問う。 「あー、残念だなー。獣人族がまとまってかかって来たら、俺でも勝てないだろうと思ったんだけどなー。つぅか、虎は虎らしく集団戦闘を磨けよ」 妙な口調でふざけながら、一二三は興味を無くしたように離れていく。 ちなみに、これは一二三の勘違いで、虎は本来集団ではなく単独で狩りをする。 「とにかく、今は観戦中だから、邪魔するなよ」 手を振る一二三を見送りながら、ゲングに支えられて立ち上がるマルファス。その眼には涙が光ってはいたが、目つきは完全に獣のそれになっている。 「マルファス、と言いましたね」 オリガが声をかけると、ゲングもマルファスもびくり、と肩を震わせた。 「今度こそ、一二三様をがっかりさせないように頑張りなさい」 オリガがそっと差し出した紙を、ゲングがマルファスに代わって受け取る。 「案内と護衛として数名の兵士をつけますから、今からフォカロルに戻り、そこから荒野へ帰ると良いでしょう。荒野へ行く前に、フォカロルでしばらく鍛えなさい。その紙をフォカロルの職員に見せなさい。良くしてくれるはずです」 「ありがてぇお話ですが、どうして......」 「わかりませんか?」 微笑みが、怖い。 「一二三様の願いが成就することが、今の私の人生の目標なのです。そのためであれば、何だってやりますし、誰だって殺します」 右手首を愛おしそうに撫でながら、オリガは空を仰ぐ。 「戦いなさい。戦える者全てを巻き込んで戦いなさい。そしてその全てを以て一二三様を殺しなさい」 ただし、とオリガは再び睨みつけた。 「先ほどのような温い攻撃しかできないなら、その命も周りの命も、簡単に消えることを肝に銘じておきなさいね」 楽に勝つために魔法兵を一気に動かしたのは間違いだったか、とタンニーンは歯噛みしていたが、表情には見せない。 「もう魔法兵は下げていい。適当に槍を打ち込んで牽制しながら歩兵を前面に出した隊列に変更する」 指示を受けた兵士が大声で伝達し始めるのを聞きながら、タンニーンは現状を見直す。 数の上での有利はまだ覆っていないはずだ、と確信はしていた。こちらの攻撃がほとんど届いていないのは痛いが、逆に自軍の損耗も少ない。 「このまま歩兵で無理やり押し返す、か。スマートさには欠けるけれど、確実なのは......」 問題はオーソングランデ側にネルガルがいるのか。いるとしてどこにいるのかを判断するのに、歩兵をぶつけてしまっては乱戦になる可能性が高い。そうなればたった一人を捜索するのは困難になる。 だが、それは杞憂で終わった。 探し人が向こうから出てきてくれたのだ。 「タンニーン様! ネルガル様......を名乗る者があらわれました!」 「......へえ」 兵士が息せき切って駆け付け、叫んだ言葉に、タンニーンは目を丸くして、数瞬おいてにやりと笑った。 「全員に伝えろ。それは偽物だ、と。そして王位継承者を名乗る不届き者は、我らの手によって始末しなければならない、とな」 ネルガルが前線へと出張ってきたとき、その姿は豪奢なローブを着た上位者然として堂々としており、見事な体躯を持つ馬は、宝石をちりばめられた輝く鞍を背負い、どこか誇らしげであった。 (こういうことは、戴冠してからだと思っていたんですけどね) 苦笑しつつも歩みを進めると、オーソングランデの兵たちが道を譲り、障壁の前まで人垣で通りができた。 ホーラントの魔法攻撃が収まり、まばらな槍が飛んでくる中で隊列の移動が始まっているのが見える。 「我がホーラントの兵士諸君!」 慣れていない大声で、ネルガルがややかすれた声を張り上げる。 一応はホーラント側前線にも聞こえたようで、いくつかの視線がこちらへ向いているのがわかった。 「私は、次期王ネルガルである! オーソングランデ国王、イメラリア殿の厚意によってここまでやってきた。私は首都アドラメルクへ戻り、偉大なるスプランゲル陛下を弔わねばならぬ! 何者が軍を指揮しているかは知らぬが、道を開けよ!」 堂々とした宣言に、ホーラント兵たちはざわめいているが、それもすぐに収まり、首を傾げながらも隊列変更を続けていた。 「どうやら、あちらは陛下を偽物だと判断したようですね」 さりげなくネルガルの後ろについて来ていたヴァイヤーがつぶやくと、「残念だけれど」とネルガルは首を振る。 「それと、私はまだ戴冠前ですから“陛下”ではありませんよ。......予定通り、お願いいたします」 「ネルガル様......お辛いでしょうが......」 振り向いたネルガルは、晴れ晴れとした顔をしている。 「本来であれば、もっと前から私がやらなければならないことだったのです。これだけの助力を受けておきながら、貴国へ恨み言を言うような真似は致しません。それに、ある意味では良かった、と思っているのです」 「よ、良かった、ですか?」 「そう。良い事ですよ。何もなければ私は勉強を終えて城へ戻り、戴冠していたでしょう。......ただ指名されたというだけで、何らの功績も無いままに」 ヴァイヤーには返す言葉もなかった。 彼は一応は血縁者ではあるが、前王とはかなり遠縁であるという。当然、不満も多かろうことはヴァイヤーにも簡単に想像できた。国内ではなくフォカロルへの留学を決めた前王スプランゲルも、そのあたりを危惧しての措置だったのかもしれない。 「良い機会です。ここで私は王としての指揮を見せて城へと凱旋し、国民に私の顔と声を知らしめる事といたしましょう。もう少し、貴国にはお手伝いいただきますが、その分、イメラリア陛下のように堂々と戦場を渡って見せますよ」 「それは......」 イメラリアは単に怯えを隠して、一二三への対抗心によって立っている部分が大きいのだが、それも知っての上で言っているのかもしれない、とヴァイヤーは感じた。 「頼もしいお言葉です。では、予定通りに。ご武運を」 「ありがとう」 会話が終わり、表情を引き締めたネルガルが正面を向く。 「ホーラントの精鋭たちよ! まだ私の声が聞こえないか!」 大喝するような声の中、ヴァイヤーはそっとネルガルの後ろから離れた。 「イメラリア陛下。ホーラントに動きはありません。ネルガル様の声に多少は動揺が見えますが、それ以上は......」 「そうですか......では、予定通りに進めてください」 馬上で頭を下げたヴァイヤーは、ネルガルが馬上の人となってからも変わらず台車の上にいるイメラリア女王の、後ろに視線を滑らせた。 そこには、再会した一二三に抱きつかんばかりに近寄り、紅潮させた顔でどれだけ会いたかったかを語り続ける兎獣人と、それを聞き流しながら台車の床に座って紅茶を飲み、王家御用達の菓子類を貪る一二三がいた。 さらにその隣では、オリガが王国の婚姻や貴族の愛妾の扱いや決まりについて、サブナクに向かって根ほり葉ほり聞いているらしい。サブナクは貴族の習慣についての知識は乏しく、町のいざこざレベル以外の法についても詳しくないので、答えに詰まっては睨みつけられ、情けない顔をして汗をかいている。 「あの、あれは......」 「気にしてはいけません。今はネルガル様とホーラントのために、急いでやることがありましょう?」 苛立たしさを前面に出したイメラリアの言葉に、ヴァイヤーは慌てて馬を後方へと走らせていく。 「まったく......サブナクさん!」 「は、はいっ!」 サブナクは笑顔で立ち上がった。イメラリアからの助け舟だと思ったのだ。 「近衛騎士隊長としてなんですか、その体たらくは! 宮中を守る者としての自覚が足りないとは思いませんか?」 援軍かと思ったら挟み撃ちだった状況に、サブナクは混乱している。 「え、いや、しかし......」 「あまり良い事ではありませんが、貴族社会では男女の問題は付き物です。時には、貴族どうしのもめ事に割って入り、解決する必要もあるのですよ?」 イメラリアの視線の先、平身低頭のサブナクの向こうでは、頷くオリガが見える。美しい兎獣人を侍らせ、自分が楽しみにしていたお菓子をパクパクと口に放り込む一二三の姿も。その姿に対して無性に腹が立ったイメラリアは、ふん、と鼻を鳴らした。 「お妾さんが一人や二人増えたくらいで、立場に不安を覚える人もいるようですから、ちゃんと勉強しておいてくださいね」 「......文句があられるのでしたら、真正面でお聞きますよ、陛下」 「あら、オリガさんの事とは言っていません。......それとも、ご不安なのですか?」 うふふ、とわざとらしく一二三に視線を向けてから、悠々と座りなおしたイメラリアに、オリガは鉄扇をへし折らんばかりに両手で握りしめている。 「ぐぎぎ......」 「お、オリガさん、落ち着いて」 なだめようとするサブナクを無視して、オリガは一二三の傍らへと座りこみ、そっとその肩に手を置いた。 一二三は特に反応せず、ゆっくりと紅茶を口に含む。 「奥様、大丈夫ですか......?」 不安げに声をかけるヴィーネを危うく睨みつけそうになり、オリガは指で眉間をほぐした。 「だ、大丈夫ですよ。せ、正妻としてこの程度のことでは負けませんから......」 にぎやかで呑気な雰囲気の台車の周りでは、ヴァイヤーの連絡を受けた兵たちが、前線へと進みゆく。 彼らは、道中でネルガルの説得を受けて合流したホーラント兵であり、今はネルガル直属として編成された舞台である。 その数、二千名。 長い行列は、最高指揮官であるネルガルを目指して、整然と進む。本当の王を玉座へと送る。最高の栄誉を実現する機会を得た兵士たちは、心身ともに漲っていた。

Chapter 147: Breathe Easy "Oh, what did the tiger cub see?" Malfas ran off towards Hifumi in silence. On the other side of Malfas, who fully demonstrated the physical prowess of beastmen with an expression of rage, the figure of Gengu, who chased after him in a hurry, appeared in the field of vision of Hifumi who is leisurely lying in wait. "You are aaaahh!" (Malfas) Despite there still being distance left between them, he leaps up while revealing the sharp claws on both his paws. There's also the difference in physique, but more than anything, something like an attack that was sent in a straight line to the degree of being stupid can be dodged by Hifumi with closed eyes. Hifumi, who avoided it by tilting his head slightly, delivered a frontal kick into Malfas' soft belly. "Gyan!" (Malfas) While watching Malfas who is rolling around while holding his belly, Gengu stood out-of-breath in front of Hifumi and bowed. "Sorry for not contacting you ~ssu. I brought this tigerboy along as he said that he wants to receive training from you, Hifumi-san, but..." (Gengu) "Oh, is that so?" (Hifumi) Hifumi nods lightly while apparently having forgotten about being attacked. Hifumi, who stood in front of Malfas who has fainted and is smeared with dirt, looked down on him with the hands in his sleeves*. "Hey, tiger child." (Hifumi) The best Malfas can do is glaring at Hifumi who starts to ask a question. "You are far too weak. Let alone you having not changed at all from before, you got even weaker? I told you that I would kill you the next time we met, but this won't do. I don't have even any motivation to kill you." (Hifumi) Origa, who approached from behind Hifumi without making even a single sound, addressed him in a low voice. The iron-ribbed fan is in her hand and she is gripping it tightly to a degree that blood is spilling. "Did you finish your talk? If you don't mind, I want to get rid of this rude fellow with my own hands." (Origa) Her cold gaze seizes Malfas. He was also surprised about her having approached him, who is a beastman, without getting noticed, but rather than that, it was a shock for the beauty, that looked at him with a smile until not long ago, to request permission to kill him. "W-Why...?" (Malfas) Tears due to a mix of pain and sadness overflow. Trying to cut in there, Gengu kneels in a way of protecting Malfas. "M-Madam! Can't you please show some leniency!? This fellow is misunderstanding something as well, I think...?" (Gengu) "How bothersome." (Hifumi) Muttering a brief complaint, Hifumi decided to explain it briefly at this place. It's about Malfas being one of the two children he overlooked at the time of crushing the village of tiger beastmen in the wastelands. And about having told him to get strong the next time they met each other. He didn't tell his name though. "... Then, without abiding to what he was told by you, Hifumi-sama, he is still as weak as he was. After all he is a brat who is stubbornly difficult to save. Well, even if I didn't know, it was my mistake to have brought a guy like this in front of you, Hifumi-sama. Please punish us, including this dog as well, for being responsible. It's the same sin for the elf and rabbit as well." (Gengu) Hifumi's hand grasped Origa's right hand which was raised overhead. "Won't you wait...? Hey, why do I have to stop you? Even though I'm enduring for the sake of Alyssa and that stupid queen, you..." (Hifumi) While feeling the pain of her wrist being tightened to the limit, Origa gulped with a [Ha] . Once she recalled, Origa, who noticed that he got angry at the time when she killed Ayperos, the younger brother of Imeraria, as well, felt as if it was Hifumi's kindness to scold her, also including the pain of her wrist being constricted with a force similar to a vise. "E-Excuse me. G-Grasp it tighter, punishment for me, more..." (Origa) "Idiot." (Hifumi) "Ah." (Origa) Flinging Origa away by releasing her wrist with a "phooey", Hifumi brings his face close to Malfas who is squatting down. "So, what will you do? I will kill you now if you give up. However, right... Gengu." (Hifumi) "Aye!" (Gengu) "How is Reni's group doing?" (Hifumi) Gengu, who was beffuddled for just an instant due to the abrupt question, swallowed his spit and began to talk. "Having reached the point that many are living in the human city, the slums have grown rapidly ~ssu. There are also quarrels with the human part of the city, Reni-san and Helen-san are protecting the city by doing their best now... ~ssu." (Gengu) "There's plenty of beastmen and humans. On top of that the elves are living together with them. If it goes on like this, the power will reverse in regards to the human-only city", Gengu explained earnestly. "Moreover, it's been discovered that beastmen can use magic, too. Look there, the rabbitwoman Viine-san who is over there, she has learned magic with her whole heart in her wish for being helpful to you, Hifumi-san. Because of that she was able to come here to meet you ~ssu." (Gengu) "Hmm... then let's do it like this." (Hifumi) Grabbing Malfas head, Hifumi forcibly matched his line of sight with Malfas'. "You, go back to the wastelands. And then show me a part of your power by making good use of what you possess and destroy a human city. Once you are able to do that, I will be once again your opponent." (Hifumi) "A human city..." (Malfas) Hifumi asks the shocked Malfas [You can't?] . "Ah, how regrettable. Though you probably thought that even I won't be able to win if you were able to unify the beastmen. Rather, a tiger has to refine a tiger-like group combat." (Hifumi) While making fun of him in a strange tone, Hifumi separates obviously having lost any interest in him. By the way, it's Hifumi's misunderstanding, but tigers originally hunt individually and not in groups. "At any rate, don't disturb me as I'm currently observing." (Hifumi) While Hifumi sees them off with a wave of his hand, Malfas stands up after being helped by Gengu. Tears were glittering in his eyes, but his look has become completely that of a beast. "You are called Malfas, right?" (Origa) When called out by Origa, Gengu's and Malfas' shoulders quivered with a jolt. "Work hard this time for sure to not make Hifumi-sama disappointed." (Origa) Gengu receives the paper, Origa quietly held out, in place of Malfas. "It's probably good for you to return to the wastelands by going back to Fokalore now since they can give you several soldiers to guard and guide you. Train for a while in Fokalore before you head into the wastelands. Show this paper to a staff member of Fokalore. It should serve you well." (Origa) "It's a welcome offer, but why...?" (Gengu) "Don't you understand?" (Origa) Although she's smiling, she's scary. "Realizing Hifumi-sama's desires are my goal of life now. If it's for that cause, I will do anything. I will kill anyone." (Origa) While caressing her right wrist preciously, Origa looks up to the sky. "Fight. Fight by involving all those who can fight. And kill Hifumi-sama with all of them." (Origa) "However", Origa glared once again. "If you are unable to do anything but lukewarm attacks like the one just now, your life and the lives of the ones in your surroundings will simply vanish. Engrave that into your heart." (Origa) Tannin grind his teeth in vexation, but it couldn't be seen on his expression. "It's already fine to pull back the magic soldiers. We will reform the ranks by bringing the infantry to the forefront while screening with suitable spear fire." (Tannin) Tannin reviews the current state while listening to the soldier, who received the instructions, relaying them in a loud voice. For our side's attacks mostly not reaching is painful, but on the other hand our own army's losses are few as well. "We will be forced back against our will by infantry as is, huh? Although it's lacking in smartness, what's certain is..." (Tannin) The problem: Is Nelgal on Orsongrande's side? Assuming he is, it's very likely that it will turn into a melee once both infantries clash despite us having concluded where he is. Once that happens, it will be troublesome to search for a single person. However, that ended up being a needless worry. The person, they are looking for, made an appearance on the other side. "Tannin-sama! Nelgal-sama... or a person calling himself like that has appeared!" "... Oh?" (Tannin) Tannin stared in wonder and grinned broadly after a few blinks towards the yelled words of the soldier who came running and was panting. "Inform everyone, that's an imposter. And tell them that the scoundrel, who impersonates to be the crown prince, must be eliminated by our hands." (Tannin) At the time Nelgal left for the front line, his appearance looked impressive like a high-ranking person, who wore an extravagant robe, and his horse, which possessed a magnificent stature, was equipped with a sparkling saddle that had jewels embedded within. It was somehow boastful. (I thought such kind of acts will happen after the coronation though.) Once he proceeded at walking pace while smiling wryly, Orsongrande's soldiers made a path for him and he was able to pass through the crowd of people until in front of the barrier. With Horant's magic attacks having ended, he can see that movement of the ranks has started while spears are fired sporadically. "My dear soldiers of Horant!" (Nelgal) Nelgal raises his voice which is getting gradually hoarse as he uses a volume he isn't used to. With him being apparently audible to Horant's side's front line as well, he pretty much realized that several gazes were facing his way. "I'm the next king, Nelgal! Thanks to the kindness of Imeraria-dono, the ruler of Orsongrande, I arrived at this place. I will return to Adolamelk and hold a memorial service for His Majesty, the great Suprangel! I don't know who is commanding the army, but open a path!" (Nelgal) Due to him having boldly declared that, Horant's soldiers were astir, but even that came to an end right away and the changes in the ranks continued even while he tilted his head to the side ((in confusion)). "It seems that they decided for Your Majesty to be an imposter." (Vaiya) Once Vaiya, who approached casually from behind Nelgal, mutters that, Nelgal shakes his head and says [How disappointing] . "And, as I'm still not crowned, it isn't "Your Majesty." ... As planned, please go ahead." (Nelgal) "Nelgal-sama... that might be difficult, but..." (Vaiya) Turning around, Nelgal shows a cheerful expression. "Originally that was something I had to do since a lot earlier. While receiving so much support, I won't act as if reproaching your country. Besides, in a sense it's good this way, is what I think." (Nelgal) "I-It's good?" (Vaiya) "Yes, it's a good opportunity. If nothing had happened and if I had returned to the castle after finishing my studying, I might have been crowned. ... But, with just being nominated, I still wouldn't have any kind of achievements either." (Nelgal) Vaiya lacked the words to retaliate. Even the former king Suprangel, who decided his studying abroad in Fokalore and not within the country, might have taken such measure in apprehension of those circumstances. "It's an excellent chance. If I triumphantly return to the castle after displaying my commanding as king in this place, it will probably make my voice and face known to the people of my nation. I'd like to have your country help for a bit longer, but accordingly I will stride across the battlefield majestically just like Her Majesty, Imeraria." (Nelgal) "That is..." (Vaiya) Though a large part of that is due to Imeraria bearing a heart of rivalry towards Hifumi while she hides her fear. Even so that might be said by me since I'm aware of it "Those are promising words. Well then, just as planned, good fortunes of war." "Thank you." Once finishing the conversation, Vaiya, who tightened his expression, faces to the front. "Elites of Horant! Have you still not heard my voice!?" (Nelgal) While Nelgal was shouting in a thunderous voice, Vaiya quietly left from behind Nelgal. "Your Majesty, Imeraria, there are no movements from Horant. It looks like they are a bit shaken by Nelgal-sama's words, but beyond that..." (Vaiya) "Is that so? ... Then, please proceed as planned." (Imeraria) Vaiya, who bowed atop his horse, shifted his look to behind Queen Imeraria, who was on the platform wagon without change, even after Nelgal mounted a horse. There he saw Hifumi who was indulging in pastry of the royal purveyor, drinking black tea and sitting on the floor of a platform wagon while ignoring the rabbitwoman who was continuing to tell him how much she wanted to meet him again with a flushed face as she approached him to a distance of being about to embrace Hifumi. Moreover, next to them there's Origa who seems to be thoroughly enquiring Sabnak about the rules and treatment of noble's concubines and marriages in the kingdom. Sabnak has limited knowledge regarding the customs of nobles. As he isn't well-informed about the law, except those regarding troubles on the streets, he is sweating with a miserable expression while being glared at for being hard pressed to answer. "Umm, that is..." (Vaiya) "Don't mind it. Let's hurry up for the sake of Nelgal-sama and Horant for now?" (Imeraria) Due to Imeraria's words, which made her irritation clear as day, Vaiya makes his horse gallop to the rear in hurry. "Good grief... Sabnak-san!" (Imeraria) "Y-Yes!" (Sabnak) Sabnak stood up with a smile. He thought it was a lifeboat from Imeraria. "What's this as Captain of the Royal Knight Order, this predicament!? Don't you think that you are lacking self-awareness as person who protects the royal court?" (Imeraria) Sabnak is confused due to what he believed to be a reinforcement being in fact a pincer attack. "Eh? No, but..." (Sabnak) "It isn't something overly nice, but the problem of men and women is an indispensable part in the noble's society. Isn't it also necessary to sometimes resolve a quarrel between fellow nobles by forcing your way through?" (Imeraria) Ahead of Imeraria's gaze, on the other side of the prostrating Sabnak, the nodding Origa is visible. And also the figure of Hifumi who is heartily tossing the sweets, she looked forward to herself, into his mouth while being served by a beautiful rabbitwoman. Imeraria, who got excessively angry due to that spectacle, snorted with a "Humph." "As there are also people who feel insecure about their position with the mistresses increasing by about one or two, please study it properly." (Imeraria) "... If you have any complaints, I will listen to them directly, Your Majesty." (Origa) "Oh my, I haven't talked about you, Origa-san... or do you feel uneasy?" (Imeraria) Due to Imeraria calmly fixing her sitting posture after turning her sight towards Hifumi and leaking a forced "Ufufu," Origa tightly grasps her iron-ribbed fan with both hands and is on the verge of breaking it. "Gugigi..." "O-Origa-san, calm down." (Sabnak) Ignoring Sabnak who tries to soothe her, Origa sat down next to Hifumi and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. Hifumi holds the black tea in his mouth without showing any particular reaction. "Madam, are you alright...?" (Viine) Almost glaring at Viine who calls out to her in worry, Origa relaxed her brows with her fingers. "I-I'm alright. A-After all I won't lose to a situation of this degree as legal wife..." (Origa) The soldiers, who received Vaiya's message, in the vicinity of the platform wagons with their lively and carefree atmosphere advance to the front. They are the soldiers of Horant, who joined Orsongrande's side after accepting Nelgal's persuasion along the way. Currently they are an unit directly commanded by Nelgal. Their numbers are 2.000. They advance orderly aiming for Nelgal, who is their supreme commander, in a long procession. They will escort the real king to his throne. The soldiers, who understood it as opportunity to achieve the highest of all honours, were filled to the brim ((with pride)) in mind and body.

37.Candy 【軍務長官の部下】 教会跡に入ると、広いホールの奥、元は祭壇があったであろう場所に木製の巨大な椅子に座る中年男が見えた。 先を進むビフロンが小走りに進み、中年男に耳打ちをする。 話を聞いた男は一二三を無遠慮に見て、ゴロゴロと響くような低い声で話す。 「ウチの連中が世話になったようだが、何者だ」 「ここの新しい領主だ。お前がトルケマダだな?」 「そうだ。で、領主様はわざわざこんな掃き溜めに何の用だ」 血走った目で睨みつけてくるトルケマダ。多くの相手をそれで威圧してきたのだろうが、一二三は相手の視線は把握しても、目つきなど気にしない。 「ここで死ぬか、俺の命令に従うかを聞きに来た」 「ハッ」 鼻で笑って、トルケマダは傍らに置いた木製の水筒に口をつけた。アルコールの臭いがする。 「スラムのまとめ役だと聞いた。ここの住人を集めて従うかどうか選ばせろ」 「ハッハッハ、そう焦るな若造。で、従わなかったらどうする? 兵でもけしかけて殺すのか。以前も同じような要求をしてきた貴族様がいたけどな。死体になってお帰りいただいたぜ」 おどけた話し方をすると、周囲にいる手下らしい男たちからも笑いが起きた。 一二三は反応しない。というより、トルケマダの話をほとんど聞いていない。 「そういう話はどうでもいい。さっさとやれ。あと、お前臭いぞ。体くらい洗えよ」 一二三がしかめ面をして、左手でヒラヒラとトルケマダを煽ぐ真似をすると、ヘラヘラと笑っていたトルケマダも、険しい顔つきに変わった。 「そうそう、そうやって真剣に聞けよ。死ぬか生きるかの瀬戸際だぞ」 「調子に乗るな。若造がスラムで粋がって無事に帰れると思うなよ」 さらに低い声で凄むが、一二三の反応はため息だった。 「話にならんな」 じゃらりと音を立てて取り出されたのはローヌでの戦闘で使用した鉄製契り木だが、鎖の収納機能が壊れており、柄の長いフレイルと化している。自分で直せなかったので、取り敢えずそのまま使うことにした。 「お、やるか?」 それが武器だと判断できたらしく、トルケマダはニヤニヤ笑って横に立つビフロンを向いて、相手してやれと言おうとした矢先。 鈍い音がして契り木の分銅がこめかみにめり込んだ。 頭蓋の薄い部分にまっすぐ打ち込まれたそれは、明らかに脳まで届いている。 「やるかどうか聞く前に動け。馬鹿が」 手早く鎖を引き寄せて振り回す一二三の前で、白目を向いたトルケマダは椅子から崩れ落ちた。 手下たちは一瞬何が起きたか把握できなかったが、死体が床に落ちた音で我に返った。 「野郎! 殺す!」 「待て!」 手下たちが剣に手をかけようとしたところで、ビフロンが慌てて周りの男たちを制した。 「なんで止めるんだ!」 「ビフロンさん、トルケマダさんが殺られたんだ! 生かして帰せねぇだろ!」 「俺たちじゃ、束になっても勝てねぇ。それがわからなかったからトルケマダさんは死んだんだ......領主さま、名前を聞いてもいいか?」 口々に不満を漏らす手下たちをなんとか鎮めたビフロンは、剣から手を離して見せた。 「一二三だ。まとめ役は死んだぞ。ビフロン、お前が代わりをやるのか」 「まとめ役と言っても、ここにいる連中を束ねてただけだ。スラムの人数なんて把握できないし、どこに誰がいるかもわからん」 「あ~、やっぱりそうか。面倒くさいなぁ」 頭を掻きながら鎖をじゃらじゃら揺らす一二三に、ビフロンは刺激しないようにとそっと質問を投げかけた。 「俺は死ぬよりはアンタに従う方を選ぶ。従わなかったら、また兵士たちが来るのか?」 トルケマダは余裕ぶって話していたが、以前のハーゲンティ子爵時代のスラム出兵の時、損害が多いために最終的に武力による制圧は撤回されたが、スラム側も相当な人数が死んでいる。トルケマダはうまく逃げ回って事が落ち着いて当時の有力者が残らず死んだのを確認してから顔役ぶって押し出してきたに過ぎない。ビフロンも、適当なグループに所属しておけば楽だというだけで、トルケマダの所にいた。 今、あの時のように兵を派遣されれば、スラムの人間はほとんどが処分されるだろう。 「なんで兵を送り込む話になるんだ?」 「いや、貴族とか領主ってのはそういうもんだと......」 ガン、と契り木で床を突いた音に、ビフロンは驚きに一歩後ずさった。 「俺の邪魔をするなら俺に殺す権利がある。それをわざわざ他人に譲る訳が無いだろうが」 何を言っているんだという空気が教会跡の全員に充満した。 誰にも、それこそオリガにすら理解はされなかったが、ローヌの大通りに一二三が一人で立っていたのも同じ理由だったりする。脇道に入った奴だけ殺していいという妙な命令も出ていた。 「部下を使って人を殺す奴の気が知れん」 フンッと鼻をならして憤る一二三に、誰もついていけない。 「話が逸れたな。面倒くさくなったから、あとはお前に任せる。明日の朝、俺に従うならゴミの通りを抜けた外に出ておけ。街中に残っている奴は殺す。それがわかりやすいだろう」 「そ、その話を信じるかどうかは......」 「関係ない。危機を嗅ぎ取ることができないならそれまでだ」 また明日、と学生のような軽い挨拶をして出ていった一二三を見送り、ビフロンはどっかりと床に座り込んだ。 「び、ビフロンさん......」 「お前たちも死にたくなかったら従った方がいい。ここはスラムだ。無理強いはしねぇがな」 その視線がトルケマダを向いたのを見て、他の男たちも次々とビフロンに従うと言い出した。自分たちより強いビフロンが従うなら、という単純な論理のようだ。 「あ、他の連中に秘密にしたら、他のグループの連中は楽に始末できるんじゃねぇか?」 そんな事を言い出す者に数人が賛同したが、ビフロンはやめた方がいいと言う。 「俺たちに言い渡された言葉が他の連中に伝わって無いと知られたとき、あの領主さまはどうすると思う?」 立ち上がって、ビフロンは全員を見回した。 「聞いただろう? あいつの邪魔をした奴は殺されるんだ」 他の連中に伝えに行く、と教会跡を出て行くビフロンに、他の者たちもついていった。 文官奴隷という言葉は一二三の造語であり、フォカロル以外では通用しない。 当人たちは奴隷という立場と文官という地位の整合性に最初は首をかしげるばかりだったが、実務が始まると“あ、これは言葉そのままの意味だ”と理解した。 行政サービスが行き届いてこそ税金という名の 戸籍を集計した結果、スラムを除いても5万近い人数がいるとわかったフォカロルで、数十人の職員がいるとはいえ、5人で政務を取り仕切るのは過重労働である事は間違いない。 アリッサ付きとなり、領軍に関する事務に携わる事となったミュカレは、その中でも自分は楽をしている方だと思っていた。 実際、武装に関しては損耗が少ないせいもあって管理も楽であり、一二三がいつの間にかドワーフに作らせている道具や武装について使い方を覚える方が大変なくらいだ。 王都で文官をしていた彼女にとって、平民の女を馬鹿にしている貴族どもや、偉ぶった上司が居ない新しい職場は過ごしやすい環境ですらあった。 「あ、あの......ミュカレさん、これわかんないんだけど......」 毛の長い絨毯敷きの執務室、重厚なデスクにしがみつくようにして書類に目を通していたアリッサが、とたとたと近寄ってきて、秘書用のデスクにいるミュカレに恐る恐る書類を差し出してきた。 「アリッサ様。部下の私が立ちますからと言いましたよね? 上に立つものは下に任せてどっしりと構えているものです」 「あ、あの......ごめんなさい......」 書類を受け取りながらの説教に、アリッサはあからさまに落ち込んだ。小さい身体がさらに小さく見える。 「それに、この書類はここで人数の計算を間違っているから最終的に合わなくなるのです。募兵しても200人いないのですから、これくらいは把握してください」 「あぅ......」 すっかり気落ちしてしまったアリッサを見て、ミュカレの背筋にぞわりと来るものがあった。ニヤつきそうになる顔を根性で引き締めて、アリッサの方に手を置いて優しい声に切り替える。 「アリッサ様、厳しい事を言ってしまって申し訳ありません。ですが、こういう雑事は私にお任せくだされば良いのですよ」 「でも、それだとミュカレさんが大変だと思うし......」 なんて可愛らしい子かしらと、十歳も離れていないアリッサに鼻血をこらえるのが精一杯のミュカレは、かろうじて表情に出さないまま、冷静を装って礼を言う。 「こんな奴隷の私にまでお気遣いいただいて、ありがとうございます。私はアリッサ様の補佐として任命されました。これが私の使命なのですから、どうぞ遠慮なく私に頼ってください」 「そうかな......よく判らないけど、ありがとうミュカレさん!」 朗らかに笑うアリッサを抱きしめないように鋼の精神でこらえていると、一二三がノックも無しに部屋に入ってきた。もちろん、湯を浴びて、ゴミ臭い道着は着替えている。 「あっ、一二三さん!」 「......気色の悪い空気を出すなよ」 「あら、部下と上司が仲良くするのは仕事を円滑にする重要な要素だと言いますけれど」 一二三はミュカレと話をするのが苦手だった。奴隷なのに遠慮なく物を言うのは全く気にならないが、何か言いようのない相性の悪さを感じていた。 (こういう奴だと見抜けなかった俺が悪いとは思うんだが......) 「明日スラムを掃除するから、後処理の準備に人数を割り振ってくれ」 一二三の言葉に、敏感に反応したのはミュカレの方だ。 「......また何かやらかすのですか?」 これで人手不足は解消だな、と満足気な一二三に、ミュカレは頭を抱える。 「スラムの連中が使い物になるでしょうか」 「それはお前たちの教育次第だ。アリッサ軍務長官、頼んだぞ」 「あ、はい! 了解です!」 アリッサの頭をポンポンと叩いてから、一二三はさっさと出ていった。 「また面倒事を......」 おままごとのような配置だが、何故か領軍の兵たちはアリッサの言う事をよく聞くので、この領では兵に関する揉め事は少ない。小さい身体でちょこちょこと動き回るアリッサは、威厳は皆無だが大人数の状況を把握することと、素早く指示を出すことには妙に長けていた。 一二三の慧眼と言っていいかも知れないが、何か悔しいので絶対に認めないミュカレだった。 「では、領主様の無茶に応える準備をしましょう」 「ミュカレさん、そういう風に一二三さんを悪く言っちゃダメだよ?」 「......申し訳ありません。本音が漏れました」 何でこんな良い子があんな血塗れ男に懐くのか、嫉妬が煮えたぎるミュカレだった。 ホーラントからの文書がイメラリアに届いたのは、ようやくヴィシー方面への軍の編成内容が決まった頃だった。 ホーラントに近い街から、まる五日かけて届けられた書面を見て、イメラリアは頭痛を感じて眉間を押さえた。 気遣う言葉に、イメラリアは顔を上げてパジョーを見た。 「......パジョー、ホーラントはローヌでの住民虐殺は我が国の責任だと書いて来ているわ。わたくしが貴女から報告を受けた内容では、ホーラントの魔道具と思しき物が原因だと聞いたのだけれど」 「誓って、ご報告させていただきました内容に嘘偽りはございません。......ホーラントは、ヴィシーに協力するということでしょうか」 「その通りです。ヴィシーが我が国へ“報復”する事の正当性を確かめるような文面ですから、侵攻まではして来ないとは思うのだけれど......念のため、ホーラント側の街道にも兵を集めておくべきかしら」 血の気の多い人が多くて困ると、ある人物を筆頭に思い浮かべながらイメラリアが悩むのに、パジョーがすっと近づいた。 「その件ですが、第二騎士隊のスティフェルス隊長の名義で、ホーラント方面への出兵の動きがあります」 「何を勝手な......」 「それが、どうやらアイペロス王子の承認を得ていると吹聴しているようです」 「おそらくは、王子派閥が王女様に近しいと思われている一二三さんに対抗しての事かと思われますが......」 「わたくしは、弟と覇権を争うつもりはありません」 「も、申し訳ありません。口が過ぎました」 ピシャリと注意され、パジョーは慌てて口を 「......考える事が、すっかり殺伐とした内容ばかりになってしまいましたわ。ほんの少し前までは、もっと穏やかに民の生活を見ていられましたのに」 今ではヴィシーに早く動き出して欲しいとさえ思っている自分に、イメラリアは細い指でそっと目を覆った。

Chapter 37: Candy Entering the ruins of the church, inside a spacious hall, where the altar originally stood, there was a middle-aged man sitting in a huge wooden chair, surrounded by several standing men. Probably his subordinates. Bifron jogged forward, whispering something in the ear of the middle-aged man. Having listened to what Bifron was saying, the man rudely looked at Hifumi, and started talking in a deep, resounding voice. "It seems some of our guys are indebted to you, but who are you?" (Torkemada) "The new Lord. Are you Torkemada?" (Hifumi) "Correct. So, what business does the Lord have, coming all the way to our garbage heap?" (Torkemada) Torkemada glared with bloodshot eyes. He had probably been able to daunt many people with that gaze, but Hifumi didn't really care. "I came to ask you whether you want to die, or follow my orders." (Hifumi) "Hah." (Torkemada) Laughing scornfully, Torkemada put a nearby wooden flask towards his mouth. The content smelled like alcohol. "I heard you were the manager here in the slums. I was thinking of gathering the inhabitants here and have them choose whether to submit or not." (Hifumi) "Hahaha, don't be so hurried, youngster. So, what will you do if I don't obey? Set the soldiers after us to kill us? There was an aristocrat making the same demands before, but we sent him home as a corpse." (Torkemada) Speaking in a joking manner, the surrounding subordinates started laughing. Hifumi didn't respond, or rather, he didn't really listen to what Torkemada said. "I don't care about that. Just do it. Also, you smell. You should at least wash your body." (Hifumi) Hifumi frowned, waving his left hand around in an imitation of Torkemada. Torkemada himself stopped laughing, and put on a grim look. "That's the kind of serious look you should listen with. This is the moment where your life or death is decided." (Hifumi) "Don't get carried away. Don't think a youngster like you can act brave here in the slums, and then return in one piece." (Torkemada) He once again threatened in a deep voice, but Hifumi only responded with a sigh. "I can't get through to you, can I?" (Hifumi) With a rattling sound, Hifumi retrieved the metal chigiriki he used in the battle in Rhone. Although, the retractable function for the chain had broken, so it was more like a flail with a long handle. As he couldn't fix it on his own, he could only use it as it was for now. "Oh, you want to fight?" (Torkemada) Judging that it was a weapon, Torkemada grinned broadly and turned to Bifron standing beside him, about to tell Bifron to be Hifumi's opponent. The chigiriki made a dull sound as its weight was driven into his temple. Hitting the weak part of the cranium and continuing straight ahead, it clearly reached his brain. "Move before you ask someone whether to fight or not. Idiot." (Hifumi) Hifumi nimbly pulled back the chain and swung it around, as Torkemada fell down from from his chair with the whites in his eyes showing. The underlings couldn't understand what happened for a short moment, but came to their senses as they heard the sound of the dead body hitting the floor. "You asshole! Kill him!" (Mob A) "Wait!" (Bifron) As the subordinates were about to draw their swords, Bifron hurriedly commanded them to stop. "Why are you stopping us!?" (Mob A) "Bifron, he killed Torkemada! We can't let him go back alive!" (Mob B) "Even if we attack in a group, we can't win. Torkemada died because he didn't understand that... Lord, could you please give us your name?" (Bifron) Having somehow calmed down the subordinates voicing their dissatisfaction, Bifron showed that his hand had separated from the sword. "It's Hifumi. Your manager has died, so Bifron, can you substitute for him?" (Hifumi) "Manager... well, he only managed the people here. As we don't have a grasp on the huge number of people in the slums, we don't know where people are." (Bifron) "Aahh... So it's like that. What a bother." (Hifumi) Hifumi scratched his head, shaking the chains. The listless Bifron took that moment to quietly ask him a question. "I'd chose to follow you over dying. If I weren't going to follow you, will the soldiers come again?" (Bifron) Torkemada was talking as if he was filled with composure, but during Viscount Hagenti's rule, soldiers were dispatched to the slums. They had huge losses, and while they managed to drive back the soldiers with force in the end, a considerable amount of people in the slums died. Only after running around, confirming that all the influential people back then had died, did Torkemada start behaving like the boss of this gym. And since joining an appropriate group makes it easier, Bifron had joined Torkemada. If soldiers were now dispatched like they were back then, the people in the slums would easily be disposed of. "Why are you asking whether I'd send soldiers?" (Hifumi) "Well, nobles and Lords are like that, so I figured..." (Bifron) Bam. The sound of the chigiriki hitting the floor made Bifron take a step back in surprise. "If someone obstructs me, I have the the privilege to kill them. I won't let anyone else take that away from me." (Hifumi) Everyone in the church ruins felt as if asking what the hell Hifumi was talking about. Although nobody, even Origa, comprehended it, it was the same reason why Hifumi stood on the main street in Rhone by himself. "I don't understand the minds of guys who use their subordinates to kill people." (Hifumi) Hifumi angrily snorted with a "fun~" as no one kept up with him. "The conversation has deviated. As it has become tiresome, I will leave it to you afterwards. Tomorrow morning, those who obey me will lose the status of trash, the others will have to get out. Those remaining in the city will be killed. I think that's easy enough to understand." (Hifumi) "W-Whether they are going to believe this story or not ..." (Bifron) "It doesn't matter. It will be their end if they aren't able to sense the danger." (Hifumi) Biding his farewell, Hifumi gave them a light greeting of "see ya tomorrow!" as if he was a student while leaving. Bifron sank to the floor with a thump. "Bi-Bifron-san ..." (Mob A) "You lot better obey him as well if you don't want to die. This here are the slums. You will die if you insist." (Bifron) Seeing him having his view facing towards Torkemada, the other men one by one told Bifron that they would obey. "Ah, will we keep this a secret from the other groups so that we can comfortably get rid of the guys from the other groups?" (Mob B) As several others agreed to that sort of idea being proposed, Bifron told them to better stop it. "What do you think will that Lord-sama do at the time he learns that we hadn't passed on the announcement to the other groups?" (Bifron) Standing up, Bifron looked at everybody. "Didn't you listen? Anyone who becomes an obstacle will be killed by that guy." (Bifron) As Bifron left the church ruins to go inform the other groups, the other guys also tagged along. The expression 'civil official slave' is a word coined by Hifumi. With the exception of Fokalore it hadn't circulated yet. Although their position as slaves, and their status as civil officials made the people confused in the beginning, but when they started actually working, they just said "ah, so that's what the expression means", and understood. With the administration service being completed, the war reserve funds could be definitely collected under the name of taxes. Other than Kasha's principle of saying "something is wrong with these people", only the 5 civil official slaves were put to work like slaves just as that title implied. The result of tallying the family register was the knowledge of there being close to 50.000 people in Fokalore even if the slums were excluded. Although there were dozens of staff members, only 5 people managing the government affairs by themselves doubtlessly was a matter of overwork. Attached under Alyssa, Miyukare took part in the office work on matters closely related to the territorial army. She considered that to be an especially comfortable situation for herself. In reality the management related to armament was easy too as the loss was originally small as well. Before Hifumi became aware of it, the method to learn how to use the tools and arms made by the dwarves became difficult as those were unfamiliar. For the women who served as civil officials in the capital this was a new workplace supported by a peaceful environment without having superiors that acted self-important or nobles making fun of them for being women of common birth. "A-Ano ... Miyukare-san, I don't understand this, but ..." (Alyssa) Alyssa was scanning through the documents as if clinging to the massive desk in the office with its long fur carpet spread out. Someone who came approaching with a *tota tota* timidly held out the documents to Miyukare at her secretary desk. "Alyssa-sama. You asked for the subordinate standing in front of me, right? You have to be prepared to entrust substantial things to those below as one standing above others." (Miyukare) "A-Ano ... I am sorry ..." (Alyssa) Alyssa got openly depressed as she was lectured while receiving the documents. "Moreover, because the document is incorrect here regarding the count of people, it can't be used as final count. Since there aren't 200 people with even the recruited soldiers, you have to understand at least this much, please." (Miyukare) "A..u ..." (Alyssa) She tightened her face, that almost began to grin, with will-power, placed a hand on Alyssa and changed to a soft voice. "Alyssa-sama, I am very sorry for saying such harsh things. But it is fine to leave such miscellaneous tasks to me." (Miyukare) "But, if that's the case, I think it will become difficult for Miyukare-san ..." (Alyssa) It took Miyukare all her effort to withhold the nosebleed due to Alyssa who wasn't even ten years younger than her. Barely, without revealing her facial expression, she pretended to be calmly thanking her. "Such a lowly slave like me receiving such consideration, thank you very much. I was appointed as Alyssa-sama's assistant. Since this is my duty, please rely on me without holding back." (Miyukare) "Is that so? ... Although I don't quite understand, thanks Miyukare-san!" (Alyssa) As she endured with a mind of steel to not embrace the brightly smiling Alyssa closely, Hifumi entered the room without even knocking. "Ah, Hifumi-san!" (Miyukare) "... Don't leak such sickening mood." (Hifumi) "Ara, you can say that it is an important element for smoothly handling the work that the subordinate and the superior get along with each other." (Miyukare) As she didn't even care about speaking her mind without holding back even though being a slave, he felt some indescribably bad affinity with her. (I think I am to blame for not seeing through such a fellow, but ...) "Since I will clean out the slums tomorrow, you have to assign a number of people to prepare dealing with the aftermath." (Hifumi) Miyukare's side reacted sensitively towards Hifumi's words. "... Have you done something again?" (Miyukare) , because of that Hifumi had a complacent mood. Miyukare was at her wits' end. "Will it prove successful to use the guys from the slums?" (Miyukare) "This will depend on your guys' education. I leave it to you, military director Alyssa" (Hifumi) "Ah, yes! Understood!" (Alyssa) After hitting Alyssa's head with a *pon pon*, Hifumi immediately left. "Again a troublesome matter ..." (Miyukare) Although her deployment was like playing house, given that for some reason the soldiers of the territorial army listened well to the things Alyssa said, there were only few troubles in relation to the soldiers of this territory. Even if it might be fine because of Hifumi's discerning eye, Miyukare absolutely couldn't accept it since it was somehow vexing. "Well then, we should prepare to meet the Lord-sama's unreasonable demands." (Miyukare) "Miyukare-san, you are not allowed to speak bad words about Hifumi-san in such way, okay?" (Alyssa) "... I am very sorry. My true opinion leaked out." (Miyukare) How could such excellent child become emotionally attached to such bloodstained man? It was the time to finally decide the details of the troops organisation fielded against Vichy when a letter from Horant to Imeraria arrived. Looking at the delivered documents which took a full 5 days to arrive from the city closest to Horant, Imeraria held the middle of her forehead feeling a headache. Due to the anxious words, Imeraria raised her face and looked at Pajou. "Pajou, it is written here that Horant claims the massive killing of citizens in Rhone to be the responsibility of our country. However going by the details I read in your report the cause was apparently some magic tool from Horant." (Imeraria) "I swear that there are no lies to be found in the contents of the report you have received from me ... Will Horant cooperate with Vichy?" (Pajou) "It seems so. Although I think it won't come as far as an invasion because they have to ascertain the validity of Vichy doing something like "Revenge" against our country going by the contents of the letter ... I wonder whether I should gather some soldiers on the main road on Horant's side just to be sure." (Imeraria) In spite of being remembered of a certain person being first on the list of many hot-blooded people causing many to be troubled while Imeraria was worried, Pajou drew close all of a sudden. "However, regarding this matter, there is movement to dispatch troops in the direction of Horant in the name of Captain Stifels of the Second Knight Unit." (Pajou) "What is he selfishly ..." (Imeraria) "That is, it seems he spread a rumor of having somehow obtained the approval from Prince Ayperos "With all due respect, it appears the prince faction is opposed to the matters of the princess who is thought to be intimate with Hifumi-san ..." (Pajou) "I have no intention to compete for the hegemony with my younger brother." (Imeraria) "I-I am very sorry. I have said too much." (Pajou) Being slapped with a warning, Pajou hurriedly shut up. "... Though there is something I am thinking about, in the end it has become nothing but completely brutal matters. Even though I wanted to take care of the life of the people becoming a lot calmer until just a little while ago." (Imeraria) Now she was only thinking of wanting to start moving quickly against Vichy. Imeraria gently covered her eyes with her slender fingers.magic

「バカが! この人数相手に勝てるつもりか!」 叫び声を上げて一二三に向かって走り始めたバールゼフォンだが、他の騎士たちでごった返すダンスホールの中、笑いながら滑るように移動する一二三を、あっという間に見失った。 「ちぃっ! どこに行った!」 ぐるりと周りを見回すが、姿が見えない。 「人数が多いということは、必ずしも有利とは言えないぞ」 一人の騎士の頭を叩き、相手が振り向く前に死角に入ってまた別の騎士を叩く。 「こんな感じで、お互いが邪魔で仕方ないだろ?」 「そこだ!」 剣を振りかぶった騎士が、語る一二三の背後から斬りかかる。 「声を出すなよ。不意打ちにならんだろ」 言いながら、一二三は目の前にいた騎士の肩に軽く手を置いて、ヒョイっと位置を入れ替えた。 「ぎゃっ!?」 「うっ......」 一二三を斬るつもりが、仲間に剣を当ててしまった騎士は、戸惑っている間に刀で首を撥ねられた。 「お互いが近すぎる。下手に振り回すと味方を斬る事になるぞ」 同士討ちを目の当たりにした騎士たちは、剣を構えつつも及び腰だ。 離れた位置にいたバールゼフォンは、全員に散開を指示した。 「全員、ホールの壁まで下がれ!」 声を聞いてハッとした騎士たちは、ジリジリと下がる。 広々としたホールの中央に一人残された一二三は、刀を納めて不敵に笑う。 「ここまでは正解かな。で、どうする?」 「偉そうに......第二騎士隊を壊滅させたとはいえ、戦闘後で疲労の極みにあった隊長達を背後から襲っただけだろう。貴様のようなぽっと出の奴に、俺たち騎士が遅れを取るはずがない」 「現実を見ろ」 一二三は、バールゼフォンの言葉を聞いて呆れたように首を振る。 腰の刀、柄頭を指先で叩く。 「これだけの人数がいて、すでに俺の前に出て一対一で戦おうという奴が名乗り出てこないのは何故だ? 簡単だ。仲間が殺されるのを見たからだ。勝てないとわかっているからだろう」 カチカチと柄頭の金具に爪が当たる音が響く。 バールゼフォンは周りにいる騎士たちを睨みつけるが、誰もが視線をそらして目を合わせようとしない。 「貴様らはぁ、騎士の誇りはないのか!」 「いやいや、そう言うならお前が率先してかかって来いよ」 笑いながら言われ、バールゼフォンは顔を真っ赤にして一二三を見据えた。 「ああ、これが怖いなら、素手でやってやろう」 刀を鞘ごと腰から抜き、さっさと収納に放り込むと、一二三は手のひらを見せた。 「ほら、しっかり剣を構えろよ。俺は鎧を着ていないから、当たれば殺せるかもしれないぞ。当たればな」 「貴様は騎士を舐めすぎた。ズタズタに切り刻んで、死体をイメラリアの前にで晒してやろう」 バールゼフォンは、剣を構え直して進み出た。 一二三との距離をジリジリと詰めていきつつ、一瞬だけ、視線を一二三の背後側にいる騎士たちに送る。 二人ほどが頷いたのを確認したバールゼフォンは、あえて大きな声を出した。 「死ね!」 「それじゃ無理だ」 ゆっくりと、一二三は斜め前に進む。 それだけで、バールゼフォンの剣はもとより、背後から振り下ろされた二本の剣も当たらない。 するりと通り過ぎるようにバールゼフォンの背後に回った一二三は、つま先で相手の膝の裏を蹴ると、膝をついたバールゼフォンの首に腕を回した。 剣を握る右手もろとも首を締め上げられ、バールゼフォンはゆっくりと意識が混濁していく。 「ほら、周りを見てみろ。騎士の誰もお前を助けに来ようとしないぞ。騎士とはなんだ? 仲間を見捨てても自分の命を守る奴の事か? 格好や武器を気にして、本当の戦いから逃げる事か?」 すぐ近くから聞こえる一二三の声に、バールゼフォンの頭はぐちゃぐちゃに混乱していく。 自分が守りたかった騎士の誇りは何なのか。たった今、殺されつつある自分を、遠巻きに見ている連中は何なのか。自分は、一体何になりたかったのか......。 「まだ頭は動くだろう。お前が今生き残るためには、何ができる? 背筋を伸ばして剣を振り回す事か? 生まれの良さを自慢する事か?」 バールゼフォンは考えた。文字通り必死で考えた。 締め上げられた圧力で腕が萎えて剣は落としてしまった。左腕も、一二三の腕に掴まれて動かせない。足も、跪いた姿勢ではうまく動かせない。 いよいよ視界が白く混濁してきた。 「......コイツもこの程度か」 落胆したような一二三の声が聞こえて、締める力は更に上がる。 「お?」 バールゼフォンは力いっぱい首をすくめて、口を開いた。何とか指2本程開いた前歯で、思い切り一二三の腕に噛み付いた。 「おっと」 噛みちぎられる寸前で、一二三は拘束を解いて離れた。 窮地を脱したバールゼフォンは、なりふり構わず転がって一二三から距離を取った。 「今の選択は良かった。噛み付きは下品だとか言う奴もいるが、有効な攻撃だ。歯が丈夫ならな」 冷静に話す一二三を、咳き込みながら涙を浮かべた目で見たバールゼフォンは、黙ったまま首をさすった。 「さて、お前は今、生き残るために文字通り噛み付いたわけだが......次の手はどうする?」 「......死にかけて逆に冷静になれた。もう理想の騎士にはなれない。なら、格好を付ける意味もない」 言いながら、鎧をガチャガチャと外し、床に落として行く。 「理解はした。俺は貴様には敵わない」 身軽な格好になったバールゼフォンは、吹っ切れた、と呟いた。 「次は、俺が勝つ」 言い終わると、バールゼフォンは一二三に背を向けて全力で走った。 そのまま、普段は騎士や貴族が使わない使用人のための狭い出入り口から飛び出して行った。 一二三は、それを追うことはしなかった。 「いいねぇ。どこまでやってくれるか、楽しみが一つ増えたな......さて」 突然逃げ出したバールゼフォンを呆然と見送った騎士たちに、一二三はひとりひとり視線を合わせて行く。 「一人だけ、名誉とやらより命を選んだわけだが、お前らはどうする?」 今なら大サービスで、全員まとめて素手で相手してやろう、と言った。 一二三は右足を踏み出し、両手を前に出してリラックスした構えを取る。 「どっちかが死ぬまで、とことんやろう」 気絶から復帰したヴァイヤーとミダスの指示により、兵士たちは王城前の広場へと民衆を誘導する。 いよいよ戴冠式が始まる、と兵士が口々に叫び、走らずにゆっくり進めと注意を飛ばす。 「ミダスさん、こちらは終わりました」 兵士たちの配置を終えたヴァイヤーは、ミダスに駆け寄って報告を上げた。 「了解した。では、私は引き続き会場の警備にあたるので、サブナク隊長へ連絡を」 広場へ残ったミダスは、引き続き兵たちに指示を出しながら、民衆が王城の前に集まるのを見届けていた。 多くの民衆が広場に入り、ザワつきが収まってきたころ、ミダスがふと上を見ると、王城のバルコニーに鎧姿のサブナクが現れ、ひと呼吸置いて、シビュラを従えたイメラリアがゆっくりと姿を見せた。 「王女様だ!」 誰かが声を上げると、民衆の視線が一斉にバルコニーへと向けられた。 兵たちも周囲に気を配りながらも、つい視線は上を向いている。 「オーソングランデに住まう皆さん、この度、わたくしイメラリア・トリエ・オーソングランデは、父のあとを継ぎ、この国の王として立つ事となりました」 集まった民衆は、大多数が喜色を浮かべており、拍手が鳴り響いた。 それを見たイメラリアは、嬉しそうに微笑む。 「ありがとうございます」 すぐに真剣な表情を取り戻したイメラリアは、大きく息を吸い込む。 「この国は多くの危機にさらされ、戦いが起こり、多数の兵や騎士たちが傷つき、少なくない人数が亡くなりました。トオノ伯爵の活躍もあり、結果として勝利はいたしましたが、犠牲があったことを、わたくしは忘れる事はありません」 誰もが、静かに新たな女王の話に耳を傾けていた。 「彼らが命懸けで守り抜いてくれたこの国を、わたくしは豊かで住みよい国にする義務があります。守った甲斐があったと、そう思える国にする使命があります。経験も浅く、若すぎる頼りない王である事は認めます。だからこそ、皆さんにお約束をします。わたくしは身勝手な暴君にはならない事を」 清々しい表情ではっきりと言い切ったイメラリアは、地響きにすら感じる程の歓声と拍手を一身に受けながら、ゆっくりと王城の中へと戻っていく。 人々は口々に先ほどの宣言に付いて意見を交わしながら、ゾロゾロと日常へと戻っていった。 民衆が解散するのを見送っていたミダスは、自分がいつの間にか涙を流している事に気づいた。 「パジョー、お前が目指していた物とは違うかもしれないが、イメラリア様は自分の足でしっかりと立って、歩んでいくと宣言された。問題は多いかも知れないが、充分満足できる結果だと、私は思うぞ」 王女とこの国の行く末を案じて、若い命を散らした同僚を思い出し、ミダスは集団からそっと離れ、流れるままに涙をこぼした。 一二三を囲んだ集団は、すでに残すところ十名を少し超える程度だった。 素手の相手に剣で斬りかかった集団は、足や腕、首を折られて、死ぬか七転八倒して悶絶するかのどちらかを強制されていた。 五体無事な者たちは、怪我した仲間を引きずって一二三から引き離すのが精一杯だ。 遮二無二斬り付けるも、まるで磁石で吸い付くかのように、攻撃する騎士の懐にすっと入り込むと、指二本を楔のように突き出した拳で、肋骨や顎を叩き割る。 そこで痛みに剣を落とそうものなら、腕を掴まれて投げ落とされ、頭から硬い床に落ちて首を折るか、運が良くても頭にダメージを受けて気を失う。 しっかりと剣を握ったままだったとしても、顔を掴まれてこれも床に後頭部を叩きつけられて血の花を床に咲かせるか、肘の内側を叩かれて、自らの剣で顔や足を傷つける事になる。 「馬鹿な......相手は武器も持っていないのだぞ......」 「くそっ! なんで死なないんだ!」 驚愕する者、怒る者、分け隔てなく一二三の攻撃は続く。 切り上げるように逆袈裟に剣を振るった騎士は、剣を振り上げた勢いをそのまま利用され、腕を掴まれたまま円を描くようにくるりと上から下へと力を流され、床で鼻面を潰され、気を失った。 兜を掴まれ頚椎をひねり折られた者。 奪われた自分の剣を顔に刺して死んだ者。 指で喉の肉をちぎられて失血死した者。 まだ生きて呻いている者もいるが、血で彩られたダンスホールの中で、最後の一人が逃げ出そうとして足をかけられて転ばされ、首を踏み折られて死んだところで、立っているのは一二三だけとなった。 流石に人数が多かったのと、久しぶりに素手で多くの相手をさばいた事で、胸いっぱいに息を吸い込んだ一二三は、満足げに息を吐いた。 たっぷりと血の匂いを味わい、のんびりと止めを刺してまわる。 中には命乞いをする者もいたが、「遅い」と一言で切り捨てて、最後まで刀も何も使わず、踏むか捻るかで命を奪っていく。 ふと、覚えのある気配がダンスホールへと入って来たのに気づいた一二三は、ゆっくりと開くドアへと視線を向けた。 「......これほどの人数が、あの者に味方したのですか......」 そこに立っていたのはイメラリアだ。 「一番元気だった奴は、賢明にも逃げていったけどな。多分あいつが首謀者だろう」 後の連中は始末したが、ひょっとしたら何人かはまだどこかに潜んでいるかもな、と一二三は笑う。 「一二三様。わたくしは先ほど、戴冠式を済ませてきました」 王冠というより、ティアラと言ったほうがしっくりくるような、金色に輝く細かな装飾が施された冠が、イメラリアの柔らかな銀髪の上に在った。 短く言い、一二三は気絶している最後の一人の首に踵を載せ、体重をかけた。 鈍い音とうめき声が聞こえ、イメラリアは目をそらした。 「ちゃんと見ておけ。これはお前が騎士を統率できなかった結果だ」 一二三に言われ、イメラリアは息を整えてホールの中を見渡した。 「いったい、どうすればこのような事にならずに済んだのでしょうか......」 「さあな。俺なら怪しいと思った時点で締め上げるか......いや、これくらい大事になった方が良いな。馬鹿を炙り出すのに都合がいい。実際、これだけの馬鹿が集まってきた」 それに、相手が多いとやりがいもあるしな、と一二三が言う。 状況を察したのか、フォカロル領兵たちがぞろぞろと入ってきて、手際よく死体を片付け始めた。 「まあ、それは俺だからできるやり方だ。お前はお前のやり方があるだろうし、望む結果によっても違うだろう。俺は殺したいと思ったからこうした。そうじゃなければ、そうじゃないやり方をするしかないんだろうな」 イメラリアは考え込む。 「考えろ、考えろ。どうせ、答えなんてやってみて結果が出るまでわからんのだ。今の戦いだって、蓋を開ければ俺が死んでいた、となっていても不思議でもなんでもない。やれることを考えて、決めたら精一杯やって、使えるモノは全て使って、結果が出てから喜ぶなり悲しむなりすればいい」 一二三は、部屋を出て行く寸前でイメラリアを振り返った。 「周りを見ろ。使える奴が勝手に集まって来ているだろうが。物が見えるのと見えた物を理解できるのとでは、全く別の話だぞ」 寝るつもりなのか、一二三は「おやすみ」と言って去っていった。 「そうですわね。宰相にサブナクさん、ヴァイヤーさんにロトマゴさん。ミダスさんも助けてくださいましたね。それに......」 イメラリアは、先ほど多くの拍手と歓声をくれた民衆たちの顔を思い出していた。 足早に謁見の間へと向かったイメラリアは、玉座へ座るとロトマゴを呼び出し、逃亡したバールゼフォンを追い、しかるべき処置をするようにと命じた。 これが、イメラリア女王最初の命令だった。

"What an idiot! Do you plan to win against this number of opponents?" (Balzephon) Although Balzephon started to dash towards Hifumi raising his voice to yelling, he lost sight of Hifumi in the blink of an eye as he was moving, as if gliding, in the dance hall crowded with the other knights while laughing. "Tsk! Where did he go!?" (Balzephon) He surveys his surroundings while turning in a circle, but he isn't able to spot Hifumi's figure. "You can't say it's always advantageous to have large numbers." (Hifumi) Striking the head of a single knight, he enters the blind spot of his opponent before he can turn around and strikes yet another knight. "I guess it's inevitable for you to obstruct each other with such experiences?" (Hifumi) "There you are!" A knight, who was brandishing his sword, slashes at the back of the talking Hifumi. "Don't speak. You have to do a surprise attack." (Hifumi) While saying these words, Hifumi lightly placed his hand on the shoulder of the knight, who was in front of him, and changed places with him in a swift movement. "Gya!?" "Uh..." The knight, who planned to hit Hifumi instead ended up hitting his own colleague with his sword, was beheaded while being perplexed. "You are far too close to each other. That results in you cutting your own allies, if you swing your swords poorly." (Hifumi) The knights, who personally witnessed the friendly fire, have an indecisive attitude even while preparing their swords. Being in a separate location, Balzephon instructed all of them to disperse. "Everybody, fall back to the walls of the hall!" (Balzephon) Hearing his voice, the surprised knights are slowly withdrawing. Hifumi, who was left all alone in the centre of the hall, sheaths his katana and laughs daringly. "Is this the correct answer, I wonder? So, what will you do next?" (Hifumi) "How arrogant... although the Second Knight Order was destroyed, you likely only attacked captain's group from the back after they were exhausted from the battle. Us knights won't fall behind a country-bumpkin like you bastard." (Balzephon) "Look at the reality." Hifumi shakes his head as if being incredulous about Balzephon's words. He knocks with a finger on the pommel of the katana at his waist. "We have so many knights here, why won't the fellow, who has already come out in front of me and told me to fight him one-on-one, come forward? It's simple. You saw your colleagues getting killed. You are probably aware that you won't be able to win." (Balzephon) The knocking sound of a nail hitting the metal fixtures of the pommel is resounding. Balzephon glares at the knights in his surroundings, but all of them are trying to not make eye contact and avert their sight. "You worthless bunch! Don't you have pride as knights!?" (Balzephon) "No, no, if you say this much, you have to take the lead and come forward yourself." (Hifumi) Saying this while laughing, Balzephon stared at Hifumi with a bright red face. "Ah, if you are scared of this, let's go bare-handed." (Hifumi) Once Hifumi drew the katana, together with the scabbard, from his waist and quickly tossed it into his darkness storage, he showed his palms. "Hey, set up your sword properly. Since I'm not wearing any armour, you might kill me, if you hit me. If you hit me, that is." (Hifumi) "You underestimate a knight far too much, bastard. I will chop you into pieces and present your corpse in front of Imeraria." (Balzephon)magic Balzephon stepped forward correcting his sword stance. While gradually shortening the distance to Hifumi, he dispatches the knights, who are in Hifumi's back, with a glance, that lasted only an instant. Balzephon, confirming that both of them nodded, purposely spoke in a loud voice. "Die!" (Balzephon) "That's impossible in this situation." (Hifumi) Hifumi slowly advances diagonally forward. With only that alone, to say nothing about Balzephon's sword, the two swords, swung downward from the back, don't hit either. Hifumi, who circled into Balzephon's back as if smoothly passing through, kicked the backside of his opponent's knee with the tips of his toes and locked an arm around the neck of the kneeling Balzephon. Constricting the neck together with Balzephon's right hand holding the sword, Balzephon's consciousness is slowly getting muddy. "Hey, try having a look at your surroundings. There's no knight trying to approach in order to save you. What's a knight? Are they guys, who also abandon their friends to save their own lives? Are they running away from battles only caring about appearance and weapons?" (Hifumi) Due to Hifumi's voice from right close-by, Balzephon's head has become a sloppy mess. What is the pride of a knight I wanted to protect? What is that lot looking from a distance as I'm getting killed this very minute? Just what the hell did I want to become...? "Your brain still works, I guess. What can you do to survive right now? Is it holding your head high and brandishing your sword? Is it being proud of your noble birth?" (Hifumi) Balzephon thought. He literally thought in desperation. I ended up dropping the sword due to my arm losing strength because of the pressure of the constriction. It's also impossible to grip Hifumi's arm with my left hand. I can't move my feet well due the kneeling posture either. At last his vision became a cloudy white. "... This guy was also only at this level, huh?" (Hifumi) With a disappointed voice of Hifumi audible, the strength of constriction is raised even further. "Oh?" (Hifumi) Balzephon ducked his head with all his might and opened his mouth. Somehow managing to open his front teeth to the degree of 2 fingers wide, he bit into Hifumi's arm resolutely. "Uh-oh." (Hifumi) On the verge of having meat torn off, Hifumi released the restraint and separated from Balzephon. Balzephon, who got out of the predicament, gained distance from Hifumi by rolling on the ground without caring about his own appearance. "Your choice just now was good. There are people even saying that biting is vulgar and such, but it's an effective attack. Teeth are strong." (Hifumi) As Hifumi was talking calmly, Balzephon looked at him with eyes filled with tears while coughing and rubbed his neck staying silent. "Now then, just now you literally bit yourself to survival, but... what's your next move?" (Hifumi) "... I was able to calm down due to being close to death. I won't be able to become an ideal knight anymore. Therefore, there's no meaning in putting up a front either." (Balzephon) While saying this, he removes his armour with clattering sounds and drops it on the floor. "I have understood. I'm no match for you bastard." (Balzephon) Balzephon, whose figure became agile, muttered "Finally free." "Next time I will win." (Balzephon) Once he finished saying that, Balzephon turned his back on Hifumi and ran with all his power. Without change he rushed out from the narrow exit for the servants, the knights and nobles usually didn't use. Hifumi didn't chase after him. "How nice. How far will he get? My anticipations increased by one more... well then." (Hifumi) Hifumi matches the sight of each of the knights, who saw off Balzephon suddenly escaping in blank surprise. "Only one chose life rather than honour, but what will you guys do?" (Hifumi) "If it's now, I will give you a big service. I will finish you all at once while unarmed", he said. Stepping forward with his right foot, Hifumi holds out both his hands in front and takes a relaxed stance. "Let's do this thoroughly until either of us dies." (Hifumi) Due to the instructions of Midas and Vaiya, who regained his consciousness, the soldiers are guiding the populace to the plaza in front of the royal castle. "At last the coronation ceremony is starting", several soldiers loudly exclaimed, cautioning the people to advance slowly without running. "Midas-san, this side is finished." (Vaiya) Vaiya, who concluded the stationing of the soldiers, ran up to Midas and gave his report. "Understood. Since I will be continuing with the assignments of the guards for the venue, get in touch with Captain Sabnak." (Midas) While issuing instructions to the soldiers without break, Midas, who remained at the plaza, made sure that the populace gathered in front of the royal castle. At the time many people entered the plaza and the noise settled down, Midas unintentionally looked upwards and saw Sabnak's armoured figure appearing on the balcony. Imeraria slowly showed herself accompanied by Shibyura, taking the breath of the people. "It's the princess!" As someone raised their voice, the people's gazes instantly turned towards the balcony. Even the soldiers, while paying attention to the surroundings, turned their looks upwards against their better judgement. "Everybody living in Orsongrande, on this occasion I, Imeraria Torie Orsongrande, will succeed my father and rise to be the ruler of this country." (Imeraria) A great majority of the gathered populace expressed joyful looks and applause reverberated. Seeing this, Imeraria smiles delightfully. "Thank you very much." (Imeraria) Imeraria, who regained a serious expression right away, inhales a large breath. "This country has been exposed to many crisis. Battles have occurred, a great number of soldiers and knights got injured and a not negligible number of them perished. There are also the great accomplishments of Earl Tohno. Although these resulted in victories, there were sacrifices as well. I won't forget this fact." (Imeraria) Everyone listened carefully and silently to the speech of the new queen. "For them, who risked their lives to protect this country, I have the obligation to create a good country, where everyone can live in abundance. If there was a result of having protected it, I believe it to be the mission to make such country. I'm well aware that I'm an unreliable, young ruler with shallow experience. For this reason I will promise all of you. I won't become an egoistic tyrant." (Imeraria) Imeraria, who declared that with a refreshed expression, slowly returns into the royal castle while receiving cheers and applause to the degree of feeling an earth tremor. While men and women were exchanging their opinions about the just heard declaration, they returned to their daily lives in succession. Midas, who followed up on the dissolution of the populace, noticed himself shedding tear before he knew. "Pajou, it might be something different from what you had been aiming for, but Imeraria-sama, firmly standing on her own feet, announced her path. There might be many problems, however I believe it to be a plenty satisfactory outcome." (Midas) Anxious about the fate of this country and the princess, he recalls his colleague, who lost her young life. Secretly splitting away from the mass, Midas spilled a stream of tears. There were already less than 12, of the group surrounding Hifumi, remaining. The group, who assaulted their unarmed opponent with swords, having their necks, arms and feet broken, were forced either to faint in agony, to toss themselves about in great pain or to die. For those, whose limbs were still alright, the most they can do is to drag away their injured comrades to separate them from Hifumi. Even as they slashed desperately, Hifumi directly steps into the bosom of the attacking knights, as if completely sticking to them like a magnet, and with his held-out fist, similar to two wedges, he hits their chins and ribs. Once they drop their swords due to the pain, their arms will be arrested and they will get thrown. Crashing into the solid ground with their heads first, their necks will be broken or, if they are lucky, they will faint due to the damage suffered by their heads. Even if they tightly gripped their swords, their faces will be grabbed and the back of their heads will be thrust into the floor causing a flower of blood painting the floor. Or they will have the insides of their elbows beaten, which naturally causes them to injure their faces or feet with their own swords. "Impossibles... the opponent isn't even using a weapon." "Shit! Why doesn't he die!?" Frightened people, angered people, Hifumi continues his attacks without discrimination. On the contrary, to finish it up, using the force of the sword swung downwards by a knight, he arrested the knight's arm, quickly circled around, let the power flow downwards from above and crushed his face, nose first, into the ground making him faint. One of them had their helmed seized and their cervical vertebrae broken by twisting. One of them had their sword stolen and died by having it thrust into their own face. One of them had the flesh of the throat torn off with fingers and bled to death. There were still some alive moaning, but within the hall painted in red with blood, the last one, trying to run away, had his feet constricted and fell over. With him having his neck broken by being stepped on only Hifumi was remaining standing. , Hifumi, who inhaled a breath due to overflowing with emotions as it had been a long time since he handled a large number of opponents bare-handed, exhaled in satisfaction. Amply savouring the smell of blood, he goes around delivering the finishing blow carefreely. There were also some begging for their lives, but with a single word of [Too slow Hifumi, who suddenly noticed a presence entering the dance hall he remembers, slowly turned his look towards the open door. "... Although it was such amount of knights, did you spare that person...?" (Imeraria) It's Imeraria who stood there. "The most energetic guy was also the smartest and ran away. He is probably the mastermind." (Hifumi) "I dealt with the lot left behind, but there's still the possibility of something else lurking somewhere", Hifumi laughs. "Hifumi-sama, just now I finished the coronation ceremony." (Imeraria) Rather than a crown, she was bestowed a diadem with detailed ornaments and gleaming in golden colour so that it was more suitable to call it a tiara. It was on top of Imeraria's soft, silver hair. With these short comment, Hifumi placed his heel at the neck of the last fainted knight and put his weight onto it. Hearing the thick groan, Imeraria averted her eyes. "Watch it properly. This is the result of you not being able to firmly lead the knights." (Hifumi) Due to Hifumi's words, Imeraria put her breathing in order and surveyed the inside of the hall. "What on earth do I have to do so that it doesn't end like this... ?" (Imeraria) "Don't know. In my case, at the time I considered them to be suspicious, I would screw them up? ... No, this much had better be important for you. It's convenient to reveal the idiots. In fact, this many idiots came gathering." (Hifumi) "Besides, there's also a worth in doing it as there were so many opponents", Hifumi says. Groups of Fokalore soldiers entered and began to skilfully clean up the corpses. "Well, this is your way of doing things. I have likely my own way of handling things. The desired outcome is probably different as well. Because you wanted to kill them, you did this. You likely have no choice to do it this way whether you like it or not." (Imeraria) Imeraria ponders. "Think and think about it. You won't get an answer until the results appear after trying. After all, if I look at the battle just now, I could have died. There's nothing strange about that either. Considering the things you can do, deciding to do your best and using everything you can use, it's fine to be sad or happy once the results come out." (Hifumi) Just before leaving the room, Hifumi looked back at Imeraria. "Observe your surroundings. Though those, who are usable, might come gathering on their own accord, it's a totally different story whether you will be able to understand the things you see and the seen things." (Hifumi) Hifumi said [Good Night] and left. "That's right, isn't it? The prime minister, Sabnak, Vaiya-san and Lotomago. I should request the support from Midas-san as well. Besides..." (Imeraria) Imeraria remembered the faces of the people, who gave her many cheers and applauses not long ago. Imeraria, who headed towards the audience hall at a quick pace, sat on the throne and summoned Lotomago. She ordered him the suitable measure of chasing the escaping Balzephon. This was the first decree of Queen Imeraria.

165.One Love オリガの名前が出たことで、会議の出席者たちは互いに顔を見合わせた。 ここにいる人物で、オリガの事を知らぬ者はいない。その正確についても。 「その......それは信用できるお話なのでしょうか?」 サブナクがイメラリアにした質問は、この場にいる者に共通するものだった。 「信用......ですか。オリガさんが出した条件を聞けば、納得すると思いますよ?」 そっと、一枚の書類を取り出し、全員が確認できるように回す。 「これは......」 一瞬見ただけで、ヴァイヤーは声を漏らした。 「彼女が出した条件は“オリガさんを一二三様と共に封印すること”です」 「自分から、封印魔法を受けると言ったのですか!?」 アドルが驚く声を上げたのに対して、イメラリアは頷いた。 ここからは見えないが、プーセも初耳で、声も出ない程驚いているらしい。 「狂気の沙汰としか思えませんね」 乾いた笑いをもらすサブナクに、そうですか? とイメラリアは首をかしげた。 「わたくしは、この願いを聞いた時にすんなり納得できました。彼女は一二三様と共に在る為に、必死の努力で彼のやる事についていけるだけの実力を得ています。その最後まで、彼の隣にいたいと思うのは、自然なことだと思いますよ」 なぜか、イメラリアは自然と微笑みを湛えていた。 「計画を簡単に説明します」 また別の書類を取り出したイメラリア。それは人数分用意されており、計画を頭に入れたら、必ず処分するようにとの注意文が最初に書かれている。 「すでに王城へ呼び出している一二三様に対して、ヴィシーの現状を聴取した後、一つの依頼をします。ヴァイヤーさん」 「はっ!」 「一二三様から直接、騎士たちへその技術を指導していただけるように依頼をします。訓練を受ける人員を三十名ほど、両方の騎士隊の中から選抜しておいてください。訓練を受ける間、その方たちが担当している全ての役職から外してください」 「了解いたしました。......その者達が、最終的にトオノ伯と戦うということでしょうか?」 そうなると、事実上の決死隊を組織することとなる。自分も含めるつもりではいるが、人選するのは心が重い、とヴァイヤーが渋い顔をしていたが、イメラリアの回答はもっと規模が大きい。 「いいえ。たった三十人で何ができるというのですか。その方たちは一二三様を誘い込む具体的な作戦を立てるために、罠などを作成する際に必要な情報を得るための、いわば研究者であり、監視員です。罠を作り、オリガさんが動きを止めて、プーセさんの結界で閉じ込め、わたくしの魔法でオリガさんごと封印する......まだまだ乱暴で穴だらけの策ですが、大まかに言えばこういう流れです」 イメラリアの話を聞き、会議に参加した者たちは、全員が食い入るように書類を見つめている。誰もが、この場で全てを憶えていくつもりなのだ。 「ミダスさん。一二三様がここに滞在している間、常に監視をつけてください」 「は。善処はいたしますが......」 「気付かれていても一向に構いません。本当に隠さなければならないのは、オリガさんがこちらに協力してくれること、最終的な罠の場所。この二つだけです。なりふり構わずあの方の情報を収集することを最優先にお願いします」 ミダスが頭を下げたのを見て、イメラリアは「よろしい」と呟き、立ち上がった。 「次は一二三様がこの城へ来た後で、また会議の収集をします。みなさん、遠出は避けて呼出には即応できるようにお願いします。では、解散」 イメラリアとプーセを残し、男性陣は部屋を出ていく。サブナクは護衛ではあるが、このまま騎士隊からの人選について打ち合わせをするらしい。城内の反イメラリア派は、綺麗に一掃されているので、城内であれば問題は無い。 「......思えば、わたくしが城内での安全を得られたのも、一二三様が反対派を一掃してくださった御蔭なのですよね」 「女王様? 大丈夫ですか?」 プーセの声に、苦笑いで答える。 「大丈夫です。少し、自分の身勝手さに眩暈がしただけです。わたくしは、国にとっての損得で全てを判断しなくてはいけません。それが個人的には不義理であることでも、最終的に国の利益になるのなら......」 ぶんぶんと首をふり、手元の書類をまとめて、イメラリアは席を離れた。 「今日はもう休みましょう。余計な事ばかり考えてしまいそうです」 「その......エルフや獣人たちをまとめている人たちをそばで見てきましたので、女王様の苦労は解る......つもりです。い、一応は相談役なんですから、どんどん頼ってくださいね!」 イメラリアは、プーセの事を知ってから、彼女を利用することばかりを考えていた。そんな自分に、こんな言葉をかけてもらう権利があるのか、と迷う。だが涙はそんな彼女の迷いなどお構いなしに流れた。 そこは小さな村だったが、建物は綺麗で、宿も清潔で広い部屋がいくつもあった。温泉を目当てに、貴族や豪商なども訪れるらしく、食事も新鮮な野菜と、専属の冒険者が狩ってくる魔物の肉がしっかりと調理されて出てくる。 「二泊ぐらいして行こう。ここの温泉は気にいった」 フォカロルを出発して数日、少し寄り道をして温泉が有名だという村に入り、宿を押えてすぐに温泉を楽しんだ一二三は、宿にオリガが指定して用意させた、たくさんの料理を前に上機嫌だった。 酒を飲まない一二三は、オリガを話し相手にひたすら食べるだけだったが、この数日間、二人で向かい合ったり並んだりして、三食を共にしていることが幸せだった。 「昨日の夜に襲ってきた連中は、人数が多い割に、全くできない奴ばっかりだったな」 「技量が伴わないのを、人数でカバーしようとしたのでしょう。浅はかとしか言えませんけれど。それで思い出しました。あなたの服、返り血がついた分を宿で洗濯してもらいませんと」 「ああ、そうだったな。後で出しておく」 夫婦の会話に口をはさむものは無く、甘い野菜と、高級宿ならではのたっぷりと香辛料の効いた肉をしっかり味わいながら、ホーラントの強化兵は使えないとか、プルフラスがまた失敗作の兵器を作ったとか、互いに話題を出しては、相槌を打ちながら、のんびりとした時間を楽しんでいた。 「王都まで、あと何日くらいかな?」 「このペースで行けば、十日ほどでしょうか」 「そんなもんか」 部屋に戻り、ベッドに転がった一二三は、夜のうちにもう一度温泉に行くかどうか、迷っていた。 「オリガ」 「はい」 「王都についたら、城に行く前に買い物でもするか。久しぶりにトルンのおっさんの店に顔を出して、お前の装備......いや、服でも買うか」 突然の提案。そしてその内容に、オリガは息を飲んだ。 洗濯に出す自分の服を抱えたまま硬直しているオリガに、一二三は笑う。 「何を固まってるんだ。別に嫌なら......」 「いいい行きます! ぜひ! お願いします!」 服を放り捨て、一二三の上に重なるように飛び込む。 避けることなく受け止めた一二三にしがみついたまま、嬉しいと思う気持ちの奥に、寂しさを感じていた。 本当ならこんなことを言う人ではないことを知っている。願いはしても期待はしていなかった。それが良い事かどうかわからないまま、目を背けて喜んでいる自分が、とても矮小で汚いもののように感じたが、オリガにはもう、自分の心の動きをどうすることもできなかった。 悪い意味で吹っ切れた、と感じた。 一二三のためという免罪符を振りかざし、その実、自分の欲を叶えることにもう迷わない、と。イメラリアとの約束も、一二三の希望を叶える意味もあったが、多分に自分の欲が入っていることを、もう取り繕う気も起きない。 いくつものキスを浴びせて、オリガは一二三への素直な気持ちを口にする。 「ありがとうございます、あなた。最期まで、一緒ですよ......」 森の中、元はどこかの獣人族集落だったと思われる場所で、旧スラム住人達は暮らしている。さらに移動する可能性も考えて、簡素なテント暮らしではあるが、獣人やエルフにとっては、それほど大変ということもない。 ヘレンたちに連れられて、ゲングとマルファスが集落へとやってくると、獣人たちは歓迎し、プーセの姿が無い事に、エルフたちは驚いたり青ざめたりしていた。 バラバラに確認しても収集がつかないので、レニはヘレンやザンガー、ゲングとマルファスを含めた数名で、話し合いを兼ねた夕食会を開くことにした。 殺風景な天幕の中、食事が一通り終わると、レニの司会で話し合いは始まった。 「じゃあ、まずゲングさんから報告をお願いします」 「はい。プーセさんたちと共になんとか人間の住む町にたどり着いたんですが、ちょうどそこが一二三さんが領主をやっている町でして......」 人間の町での生活や食事の内容などを交えながら、オーソングランデという国の王都へ移動し、さらに一二三を追って別の国まで行ったこと、ヴィーネが一二三に出会ってそのまま残ることを選び、プーセが王女の相談役としての職を得て、しばらくは人間の国で人間の事を学ぶつもりでいることなどを説明した。 まだ、マルファスと一二三の関係については話さない。それは、本人から言うべきだとゲングは考えたからだ。 プーセの件について心配はいらないとわかって、ザンガーは大きく息をついた。 「なるほどねぇ......。まあ、プーセの事だから、何かしら一区切りついたら帰ってくるだろうさ。それよりもあたしは、その虎の子の方が問題だと思うけどねぇ。そんな顔をして帰ってきたんだ。何かあったんだろう?」 その場にいる者の視線を一身に受けて、マルファスは毛を逆立てて緊張した。 ゲングに背中を叩かれ、「何があったか自分で話せ」と促され、ポツポツと話始める。 「しゅ、襲撃されて、みんな殺された俺の集落......やったのは、一二三だった......」 同席していた妹のリーデルや、彼女の保護者のようになっている熊獣人の娘オルラは、驚いた顔をして固まっている。 二人の様子をちらりと見て、マルファスは一二三とのことを話した。集落で出会った仇だったこと、全く歯が立たなかったこと。そのまま逃げ出して、ゲングに付き添ってもらって帰ってきたこと。 ザンガーは頷いた。 「で、どうするつもりだい?」 「それは......」 ザンガーの質問に、マルファスは口ごもった。 自然と、視線が妹へと向かう。 「......二人で......いや、三人だね」 ザンガーは、マルファスとリーデル、オルラの三人に別の場所で話をしてくるように伝えた。 「もし、リーデルたちが残ることになっても、心配しなくていいよ。あたしもまだまだ元気だし、他の連中も良くしてくれるさ」 話し合いの場から離れようとして、ふとマルファスはレニへ向き直った。 「その......この集落は、今からどうするんですか? 俺は、先にそれを聞いておきたい」 「ん~......まだ、みんなの意見を聞いてから決めるつもりだけど」 ごそごそと、ポケットから羊皮紙を取り出した。 そこには、レニが考えていた今後の事や、夕食に何が食べたいかなど、雑多な内容が方向もめちゃくちゃに書かれていた。 「ソードランテで、魔人族の戦いとか強さは判ったし、さっきのゲングさんの話を聞いてそうしようかと思ったんだけどね。......一二三さんの所に逃げようかな、と思って」 「......マジで?」 「マジで」 レニとヘレンとのやり取りを聞いて、マルファスは何かを言いかけて、結局は何も発せずにリーデルの手を引いて外へ出た。オルラも、レニへ一礼して出ていく。 「......まあ、仇だって人の所に行くって話に、乗ってくるはずないよね」 ヘレンがため息をついて、デザートの果物をひょいひょいと口に放り込んでいるレニへと視線を戻した。 「で、本気で言っているの?」 「もちろん」 果汁で濡れた指を舐めてから、布巾でごしごしと拭う。 「正直言って、魔人族の魔法とか戦闘力とか見たら、ちょっとみんなを守って戦うとか、逃げて回るっていうのも、短期間は大丈夫だけど、長期間は難しいかなって。ザンガーさん」 「はっきり言って欲しいんだけど......魔人族とエルフだと、同じ人数だったら魔法対魔法で勝てる?」 「無理だね」 即答したザンガーに、レニは「やっぱり?」と頷いた。 「ご先祖も、結構苦労して、犠牲も沢山出してようやく隔離ができたって程度だったからね。真正面からぶつかったら、ちょっと厳しいねえ」 エルフの一部と、獣人族の中でも血の気の多い連中が、魔人族の反撃を声高に主張しているが、全体の三分の一にも満たない程度の人数でしかない。 レニを初めとした中心メンバーは、基本的に逃げる方で意見は一致していた。彼らにしてみれば、魔人族の正規軍と、寄せ集めでしかない自分たちとの実力の差は明白だったからだ。 それに、レニにしてみれば譲れない部分がある。 「ということだから、戦って犠牲を出したくはないし、かと言って、ずっと逃げ回るのは難しいよ。獣人だけならいいかもだけど、人間とかエルフさんには体力的に厳しいんじゃない?」 レニとしては、ここで集団を二分することも辞さないつもりでいた。 どうしても魔人族と戦いたいならば、それを望まない者たちとは離れたところでやってほしい。レニを信じてついてきてくれた人たちを、危険に巻き込みたくはない。 「明日にでも、みんなに聞いてみよう。ウチたちと一緒に一二三さんのところに行くか、ここに残って魔人族と戦うか。意見が分かれたら、そこでさようなら、だね」 それは、突き放したように、冷たいようにヘレンは一瞬だけ感じたが、強制はできない。 「マルファス君は、残るかもね。ゲングさんは、どう思う?」 「......あっしは、レニさんについて行きやすよ! こんなところで見捨てねぇでくだせぇよ?」 おどけた様子のゲングに、みんなが小さく笑い声をあげていると、そっと天幕へマルファスが戻ってきた。 「早かったね。......決まった?」 レニが声をかけると、マルファスは頷いた。 「妹をお願いします」 「そうかい......まあ、任せておきなよ。で、あんた自身はどうするんだい?」 ザンガーが、胸をどんと叩いて引き受けると、マルファスは頭を下げた。 「俺は、魔人族のところに行く。魔人族の軍に入って、一緒に一二三を倒す」

Chapter 165: One Love At the moment Origa's name was mentioned, the attendants of the meeting looked at each other's faces. Among those present here, there's no one who doesn't know about Origa, and neither about her firm beliefs. "Umm... is that a story we can believe in?" The question Sabnak posed at Imeraria was something shared by all those present. "Believe... you ask? If you hear the condition Origa-san put forth, you will understand, I believe?" (Imeraria) She quietly takes out one document and passes it around so that everyone is able to check it. "This is..." (Vaiya) With just looking at it for an instant, Vaiya's voice leaked out. "The condition she put forth is for "She said that she will willingly come under the sealing magic!?" (Adol) Imeraria nodded towards Adol crying out in surprise. It can't be seen from this place, but even Puuse seems to be surprised to the degree of being unable to voice out any words after hearing about this for the first time. "I can't consider that as anything but an act of madness, you know?" (Sabnak) Imeraria inclined her head to the side asking "Really?" to Sabnak who's letting out a dry laughter. "I was able to consent without trouble when I heard about her wish. She has acquired strength with desperate effort just to keep up with the things he does in order to be together with Hifumi-sama. Her wish to stay next to him until the very end is something natural, I think." (Imeraria) For some reason Imeraria wore a natural smile. "I will roughly explain the plan." (Imeraria) Imeraria took out yet another document of which she had prepared a copy for everyone. At the beginning of the text is a warning that they have to definitely make sure to dispose of the document once they memorized its content. "As for Hifumi-sama-sama who has already been summoned to the royal castle; after listening to him about the current state of Vichy, we will occupy him with a request. Vaiya-san." (Imeraria) "Ha!" (Vaiya) "I will request Hifumi-sama to directly impart his techniques to the knights. Please choose 30 knights, who will receive the training, from among both knight orders. Please remove those knights from all official duties they are in charge of for the time of the training." (Imeraria) "As you command. That means to say that those people will eventually fight against Earl Tohno?" (Vaiya) In that case it would actually turn into the organization of a suicide corps. I plan to join that group as well, but the choice of participants will be hard "No. What do you think will you be able to accomplish with just 30 people? Those people will be observers, so to speak researchers, for the sake of gathering the necessary information to draw up a trap in order to set up a concrete military operation that lures in Hifumi-sama. Creating a trap, locking him in Puuse-san's barrier, sealing him with my magic alongside Origa-san... it's still a reckless plan that's full of holes, but generally speaking that will be the course of events." (Imeraria) Listening to Imeraria's explanation, all those participating in the meeting are intently staring at the document. All of them intend to memorize all of it on this spot. "Midas-san. Please assign a continuous monitoring to Hifumi-sama during the time he stays here." (Imeraria) "Ha! I will handle it carefully..." (Midas) "It doesn't matter at all even if you get noticed. What we have to really hide is the fact of Origa-san cooperating with us and the place of the final trap, only those two. Please put your highest priority on gathering information about that man without minding appearances." (Imeraria) Seeing Midas bow his head, Imeraria muttered [Very well] and stood up. "The next meeting will be after Hifumi-sama came to this castle. Everyone, please make sure that it's possible for you to respond to a summons at any time by avoiding to leave too far from the castle. Then, adjourned." (Imeraria) The men leave the room with only Imeraria and Puuse staying behind. Although Sabnak serves as her guard, it appears that he's going to have preparatory meetings concerning the personnel selection from the knight order. Since the anti-Imeraria faction has been neatly purged inside the castle, there won't be any problem as long as she stays inside the castle. "... Now that I think of it, even me having obtained safety within the castle is thanks to Hifumi-sama eradicating the opposing faction, isn't it?" (Imeraria) "Queen-sama? Are you all right?" (Puuse) Due to Puuse calling out to her, Imeraria answers with a bitter smile, "I'm fine. I just got slightly dizzy by my own selfishness. It's wrong if I don't judge everything depending on the gain and losses for my country. Even if it's something ungrateful as individual, as long as it eventually turns into a benefit for the country..." (Imeraria) Shaking her head and gathering the documents close at hand Imeraria left her seat. "I will already retire for today. Otherwise it seems that I will just end up thinking about unnecessary stuff." (Imeraria) "Umm... since I observed the people who have brought the elves and beastmen together from close-by, I can relate with your troubles... or intend to do so, queen-sama. A-As I'm tentatively your advisor, please do rely on me!" (Puuse) Since she knows about Puuse, Imeraria only thought of way to use her. It was a small village, but the buildings were beautiful and the inn possessed several clean, wide rooms, too. Nobles and wealthy merchants seem to stop by with the hot springs as their goal. Even the meals are served after getting properly cooked with fresh vegetables and meat of monsters that are hunted by adventurers specialised on that. "Let's stay for around two nights. I'm pleased with the hot springs here." (Hifumi) A few days after departing Fokalore, they entered a village said to be famous for its hot springs and made a stopover for a bit. Hifumi, who enjoyed the hot springs right after finding an inn, was in a good mood in front of the abundant amount of dishes that were prepared by the inn after Origa specified their wishes. Hifumi, who doesn't drink any alcohol, just focussed on eating with Origa as conversation partner, but during these few days they were happily enjoying eating three meals per day together while sitting across or next to each other. "The group that came attacking yesterday night had relatively big numbers, but they only consisted of fellows unable to accomplish anything, didn't they?" (Hifumi) "They probably tried to cover up their lacking skills with numbers. Though you can't call that anything but foolish. Because of that I remembered. I have to get the inn to wash off the blood spurts on your clothes, dear." (Origa) "Yeah, yeah, that's fine with me. I will hand them over later." (Hifumi) While fully savouring the meat that used plenty of spices characteristic of a high-class inn and delicious vegetables without anyone interrupting the couple's conversation, each of them started topics such as Pruflas having once again created a flop weapon or Horant's reinforced soldiers being unusable. They enjoyed their time care-freely while keeping the conversation going by throwing in suitable replies. "I wonder how many days it will take until we reach the royal capital?" (Hifumi) "If we go at this pace, it should be around ten days?" (Origa) "Is that how it is?" (Hifumi) Hifumi, who fell on the bed after returning to their room, hesitated whether he should go once more to the hot springs during the night. "Origa." (Hifumi) "Yes." (Origa) "Concerning the royal capital; should we go shopping before heading to the castle? Should we also buy your equipment... no, clothes by visiting old man Thorn's shop after a long while?" (Hifumi) Origa gasped due to the unexpected suggestion and its content.magic Hifumi laughs at Origa who stiffens while holding her clothes to turn them in for the laundry. "Why are you stiffening up like that? If you actually don't want to..." (Hifumi) "I-I-I w-will go! By all means! Please!" (Origa) Tossing her clothes away, she leaps on top of Hifumi. While clinging to Hifumi who caught her without evading her, she felt loneliness within the feeling she considered happiness. In reality she knows that he's not someone to say something like that. Though she wished for it, she could not hope for it. While not knowing whether that's a good thing, she, who is delighted while averting her eyes, felt as if it's something very narrow-minded and filthy, but for Origa she couldn't allow herself to have her heart moved no matter what happens. I blew up in a bad way I use the excuse that it's for the sake of Hifumi, but in fact, I just don't hesitate in fulfilling my own desires anymore. Even the promise with Imeraria had the meaning of fulfilling Hifumi's aspirations, but I don't have any intentions to keep lying to myself and others that a large part of it is to accommodate my own wants. Bathing him in several kisses, Origa honestly voices out her feelings to Hifumi. "Thank you, dear. I will be with you until the very end..." (Origa) The former slum inhabitants live inside the forest, at a place that seemed to have originally been the settlement of some beastman tribe. Considering the possibility of having to move even further, they live in simple tents, but for the beastmen and elves that's nothing major. Once Gengu and Malfas reached the settlement while being led by Helen's group, the beastmen welcomed them and the elves turned pale or became surprised about Puuse not being with them. Since it won't properly connect to the full story even if they confirm pieces here and there, Reni decided to hold a dinner party while at the same time having a conference with several people including Helen, Zanga, Gengu and Malfas. When the dinner mostly finished inside the dreary tent, they started the conference with Reni as chairwoman. "Then, please give us your report first, Gengu-san." (Reni) "Okay. We somehow managed to reach a city where the humans live together with Puuse and the others, but that place was actually a city which is reigned by Hifumi-san as feudal lord..." (Gengu) While mixing in details about the life and food in the human city, he explained about them moving to the capital of a country called Orsongrande, about them even going to another country to chase after Hifumi, about Viine meeting Hifumi and choosing to stay by his side, about Puuse getting the job of being the princess' advisor, and her intention to learn about humans in a human country for a while. He still hasn't mentioned the relationship between Malfas and Hifumi. Understanding that she doesn't need to worry about Puuse, Zanga breathed out deeply. "I see... well, since it's Puuse, she will probably come back once she reached some break point. Putting that aside, I think that the issue probably lies on the side of that tiger club, right? After all he came back while having such expression. Something happened, no?" (Zanga) Receiving the looks of everyone present, Malfas got nervous and his hairs stood on end. Being hit on his back by Gengu and urged with [Explain yourself what happened] , he begins to speak bit by bit. "T-The one who... a-attacked my village and killed everyone... was Hifumi..." (Malfas) His younger sister Riedel, who was sitting next to him, and the beargirl Olra, who has been serving as her guardian, stiffen with a surprised expression. Glancing at the state of the two, Malfas talked about the incident with Hifumi, about how he was the enemy he met at his settlement, how he wasn't able to compete with him at all, about him running away and about him returning while having Gengu attend on him. Zanga nodded. "So, what do you plan to do?" (Zanga) "That's..." (Malfas) Malfas faltered due to Zanga's question. He naturally points his gaze at his younger sister. "... With the two of us... no, it's three now, I guess?" (Malfas) Zanga told Malfas, Riedel and Olra to have a talk at another location with the three of them. "Even if you decide for Riedel and Olra to stay behind, you won't need to worry. I will be in good health for a long time yet to come. And the others will take good care of them as well." (Zanga) Just as he was about to leave the conference venue, Malfas suddenly turned around to Reni. "Umm... this settlement, what do you plan to do from now on? I'd like to hear about that first." (Malfas) "Mmh~... I plan to decide only after hearing everyone's opinion." (Reni) She took out a parchment from her pocket with a rustling sound. Miscellaneous matters such as the future proceedings Reni thought of and what she wants to eat for dinner were scribbled all over the parchment. "I understood the power of the demons from the battle in Swordland. I was thinking of deciding what to do after the hearing Gengu-san's story just now, you know? ... I'm thinking whether we should run away to Hifumi-san's place." (Reni) "... You serious?" (Helen) "I am." (Reni) Listening to the exchange between Reni and Helen, Malfas was about to say something, but in the end he didn't voice it out and left the tent while leading Riedel by the hand. Olra bows to Reni and leaves as well. "... Well, the talk about going to the place of the person that is his enemy, you can't expect him to get on board with that, can you?" (Helen) Helen sighed, casually tossed a fruit as dessert into her mouth and returned her look to Reni. "So, are you really saying that in earnest?" (Helen) "Of course." (Reni) After licking her fingers that got wet from the fruit juice, she briskly wipes them with a cloth. "To be honest, if you look at the combat prowess and magic of the demons, even if we run around to escape or somewhat fight to protect everyone, it will be fine for a short time, but I think it will be difficult to do so for an extended period. Zanga-san." (Reni) "I want you to be frank... can the elves win in a fight of magic vs. magic against the demons, if you had the same number of people?" (Reni) "That's impossible." (Zanga) Reni agreed to Zanga's immediate reply with a [After all, huh?] . "It's to the degree that even our honourable ancestors had quite the troubles resulting in many sacrifices until they finally were able to isolate them. It we encounter them directly from the front, it will get slightly harsh." (Zanga) There are a lot of hot-blooded fellows among the beastmen and a part of the elves that are loudly insisting on a counter-attack against the demons, but their numbers don't amount to more than one third of everyone. The core members, who started out with Reni, basically agreed with her opinion of running away. In their eyes the difference in ability between the demon's regular army and themselves, who are only a mish-mash gathering, was more than clear. Besides, in Reni's eyes, there are some parts she can't yield on. "Since that's how it is, I don't want to produce casualties by fighting them, though having said that, always running from place to place will be hard as well. If it were only the beastmen, it would be easy to accomplish, but wouldn't that be harsh on the stamina of the humans or elves?" (Reni) As for Reni, she was convinced that she's prepared to even split the group in two at this point. If there are some who want to fight the demons no matter what, she'd like to let them do that even if they separated from those that don't wish for that. Reni doesn't want to drag the people, who came along with her while believing in her, into danger. "Let's ask everyone tomorrow. Whether they will go together with us to Hifumi-san's place or whether they will stay here and fight the demons. Once their opinions become clear, we will bid farewell, I suppose." (Reni) Only for an instant Helen felt as if that was a cold opinion of pushing them away, but they are not able to force them. "Malfas-kun might stay behind. Gengu-san, what do you think?" "... I will follow you, Reni-san ~ssu! Pwease dun' abandon me at such place, okay?" (Gengu) When everyone raised small chuckles due to Gengu playing the fool, Malfas quietly returned to the tent. "That was fast, wasn't it? ... Did you decide?" (Reni) Malfast nodded after being called out by Reni. "Please take care of my younger sister." (Malfas) "I see... leave her to us. So, what are you yourself planning to do?" (Zanga) Once Zanga guaranteed taking care of his younger sister while powerfully hitting her own chest, Malfas bowed his head. "I will go to the demons. I will enter the demon army and defeat Hifumi together with them." (Malfas)

8.What A Fool Believes 【侯爵邸侵入】 「見張りひとつも満足にできんのか!」 ラグライン侯爵家当主カーシモラル・ヴァド・ラグラインは、怒りを押さえることができず、手に持った見事な文様が施された陶器のカップを、目の前に跪く男に投げつけた。 額から血を流し、黙ってうずくまるのは、一二三の攻撃で慌てて逃げてきた見張り役の男だ。脇腹は軽く切れていただけだったので、乱暴に布を巻きつけている。 「そのくらいにしてやってくれませんかね。ただでさえ人数が減って困っているんですよ」 「オロバス。貴様らの都合などどうでも良い。一刻も早く勇者を始末することだけを考えろ」 オロバスと呼ばれた男は薄笑いを浮かべ、蜂蜜色の髪をかきあげてため息をついた。隣で痛みに悶える男を蹴飛ばした。 「おい、待機室へ行って全員を起こして武器を用意させろ」 軽薄そうな優男の雰囲気の顔に似合わない低い声で言う。 「本当なら処分するくらいの失敗だけどな。お前程度でも人手がいる。精々気張って働け」 返事もそこそこに、見張りの男は必死で部屋を出ていった。 それを見ていた侯爵は、オロバスに不愉快そうな顔を向けた。 「今からやるんだな?」 「あのですねぇ......」 癖なのか、髪をかみあげたオロバスは、やれやれと首を振った。 「勇者さんの腕前は、侯爵様もよくご存知でしょう? 普通に考えたら、あの馬鹿が軽傷で逃げ帰ってくるなんて不可能ですよ」 「む......では」 「間違いなく、あの馬鹿はわざと逃がされたんでしょう。そして、慌ててここに逃げ込んだのを見られた。もう間もなく、ここに乗り込んでくるでしょう」 「ふん。ここには領軍の兵やお前たちもいる。万一に備えて、熟練の魔法使いも雇った。一人で乗り込んでくる奴相手には充分だろう」 鼻で笑ってワインを傾けるカーシモラルをオロバスは冷ややかな目で見ていた。 (そんな簡単な相手なら、苦労しないんだがね) 「ここに逃げ込んだ奴がいるだろう? そいつは俺を狙ってたんだが、中に入れてくれ」 ラグライン侯爵邸の門には、二人の兵士が立っていた。 そのうち一人の前に行き、一二三は友人かと思うほど気安く声をかけた。 一二三の後ろには、パジョーがついて来ている。 「何を言っとるんだお前は。ここは侯爵様のお屋敷だ。帰れ、帰れ」 「まあ、そういう反応だろうな」 わかっていたけど、とりあえずは声をかけてやらないとな、と後ろのパジョーに言うと、パジョーは引きつった笑みを見せた。 「ほい」 軽すぎる掛け声で、一二三は門番の喉を指でつまんだ。反応する間もなく意識を失った門番は、背後の門扉に寄りかかって崩れ落ちた。 「......殺さないのね」 意外だとパジョーが言うのに、不満げに一二三が答える。 「俺は別に快楽殺人者じゃないぞ。殺すのは俺に武器を向けたり、明確に敵対した奴だけだ」 言いながら混乱して立ち尽くしているもう一人の門番に近づき、同様に首を絞めて意識を落とすと、力なく倒れた身体を塀のそばに転がした。 「ところで、どうして私がついて行かないといけないの?」 「お前は俺の見張り番だろうが。それに、これが故なき殺戮ではなくて、単なる正当防衛だと証明するための見届け人をやってくれ」 敵地に自主的に乗り込んでおいて何を言うかと思ったが、パジョーは声には出さなかった。 パジョーはてっきり一二三が正面扉から乗り込むと思っていたが、意外にも一二三は本館らしい大きな建物と少し離れて建つ平屋の別棟を目指して、音もなく歩いて行った。 「侯爵に会うんじゃないの?」 小声で尋ねると、一二三は振り向きもせずに答えた。 「襲ってきた連中の仲間なら、貴族の部下とかじゃないだろう。正規の訓練を受けた奴らには見えなかったからな。多分、組織ごと敷地内に飼われている連中がいるはずだ。話を聞くならそっちからだ」 なるほど、とパジョーは思った。 ある程度の資金力や領土を持つ貴族なら、領軍などの私兵を持っている。しかし、そう言った正規の私兵については内容を細かく王へ申告するという法律があるので、あまり表沙汰にしたくない仕事をさせるために、そういう輩を雇っていてもおかしくはない。正規軍と違って、何かあれば“処分”してしまえばいい。 「イメラリアは俺に手を出さないようにと厳命したんだろう? おまけに王が殺された件は秘密にしておきたいはずだ。事情を知っていたとしても、無かった事にされている事件を理由に正規の戦力は動かせないだろうからな。裏の世界の連中に任せるしかない」 平屋の別館の全体が見えてくる。窓が少なく、シンプルな作りの石造りの建物だ。 「さて、まずはご挨拶だ」 「おい、お前らの親分はいるか?」 「あ、誰だてめ......え......え?」 一二三の顔を見たとたん、声が出なくなったらしい。どうやら見張りの男は一二三の顔を知っていたらしい。似顔絵かなにかを見たのかもしれない。 「お前らがお探しの男が来たんだ。早くしろよ」 「てめえ! のこのこ出てきやがって!」 ようやく復活した見張りが武器も持たずに殴りかかってくる。体格の良さもあって、中々のパンチだと、他人事のように一二三は評価する。 が、一二三には当たらない。 固く握り締めた拳を、首を振るだけで簡単に受け流され、見張りは勢いのまま一二三に背中を向ける格好になった。 グギョッ、と湿った嫌な音がして、パジョーは思わず目を背けた。 (こんな殺し方があるのね......) 残酷すぎて、自分にはできそうにないと、パジョーはみぞおちのあたりに痛みを感じた。 死体を脇に打ち捨てた所で、髪をかきあげながら一二三たちに声をかける人物がいた。 「それ以上、うちの連中を減らさないで欲しいんだけど」 「誰か来ると思っていたが、お前がこの連中の親分か」 「団長と呼んで欲しいね。でも、どうして俺がトップだとわかるんだ?」 オロバスは、敢えて自分が軽薄に見えるようにしていた。髭も綺麗に沿って、不必要に筋肉がつかないように気を遣い、髪も特殊な薬品で薄めの色にしている。 全ては、相手の油断を誘うために。 「目線の置き方、相手の武器をまず確認して動きの全体を見ているだろう。武器を隠している点もだ。髪に触れたように見せて、背中の武器の留め具を外したな?」 どうしてわかるんだと、オロバスの顔から薄笑いが消えた。 「中にいる連中の気配も昼間の連中の動きも、悪くは無かったがどうも一本調子で工夫が足りない。連携した動きも、誰かに教わったままやっていると感じた。お前と違ってな」 「やれやれ......さすが勇者様といったところかな?」 オロバスは再び薄笑いを浮かべ、背中からナイフを出して、放り捨てた。 「参った。うちの連中が10人がかりでも返り討ちにあうわけだ。とてもじゃないがレベルが違うね」 降参したと、オロバスは両手を上げて手のひらを見せた。 「このとおり、武器は捨てた。命だけは助けて欲しいんだがね、勇者様?」 「ダメだ。お前の指示で俺は襲われたんだぞ。許すわけ無いだろう」 一切の慈悲を見せない一二三に、オロバスは戸惑いを隠せない。 「ちょっと待ってくれよ、素手の相手を殺すのか?」 「何を言ってるんだ」 刀に手をかけて、一二三がするりと前に出る。 「武器なら、持っているだろう」 「ちぃっ!」 オロバスは上げた腕の袖口から小型のナイフを取り出すと、そのまま振り下ろして一二三に斬りつけてきた。 オロバスは知らぬうちに背後に回り込んだ一二三に振り返ろうとするが、叶わなかった。 「まあまあ良くやったが、殺気と暗器はもっとうまく隠さないとな」 血振りを終え、懐紙を出そうとしたが、刀は既に綺麗な輝きを取り戻し、付着したはずの血も見えない。 これが神の力かと、便利なもんだとつぶやいて納刀する。 突然、待機室のドアが蹴破られ、20人ほどいたオロバスの部下たちはとっさに動くことができずに出入口を凝視するしかなかった。 入口から現れたのは、オロバスの首を持った一二三である。 「だ、団長!」 「てめえはアインたちを殺ったやつじゃねえか!」 入口に一番近かった男が、一二三に躍りかかるなり抜き打ちに斬り捨てられた。 「はいはいお静かに」 後に続いてパジョーが入ってきたのを確認してから、一二三は出入り口に仁王立ちで刀を抜き身のままに持っていた。 一瞬でいきり立った連中が、また一瞬で静まった。 美しい刃紋が、テーブル上のロウソクの光に揺れる。 「こうなりたくなかったら、大人しく質問に答えなさい。抵抗したらそいつを、誰も答えなかったら適当に、死んでもらうから」 オロバスの首を床に転がしながら、一人減った室内の男たちを見回した。 「最初の質問。お前たちは何者で、ここにいるのが全員かどうかだ。あっ、俺が嘘だと判断した時も殺すから。じゃあ、お前」 近くにいた奴を切っ先で指名する。 「お、俺? ......俺たちは、“隠し蛇”という。表に一人立っていただろう。そいつとここにいる奴らで全員だ」 観念したのか、指名された男は素直に話した。 「じゃあ次。お前らは侯爵のお抱えで、昼間に俺を襲ったのは、侯爵の指示か?」 他の男の目を見ると、そいつは震えながら語り始めた。 「お抱えというか......たまに侯爵の用事を請け負う変わりに、王都で活動する拠点として、ここを使わせてもらってるんだよ。流石に侯爵家の敷地内までガサが入ることは無いから......。今回も、侯爵からの依頼だったはずだ。団長はそう言っていた」 答えを聞いた一二三は、パジョーをチラリと見やった。 「......確かに、貴族の屋敷や敷地内なんて、余程明確な証拠でも無い限りは立ち入り調査どころか入ることすら難しいわね」 パジョーはため息混じりに言った。同様に匿われている犯罪者がいるだろうと思うと、気が重い。 「これで最後な。侯爵の本館にはどの程度の戦力がいる? 誰か知っている奴はいるか?」 一人が恐る恐る手を上げた。 「答えたら、助けてくれるか?」 「質問しているのは俺だ」 「う......館の中には、当直の兵士が何人か巡回しているはずだが、侯爵のいる3階には立ち入らないと聞いたことがある。あと、見たことは無いが......最近、魔法使いを雇ったという話も聞いた」 「魔法使いか......」 一二三が許可すると、隠し蛇の団員たちは一目散に逃げていった。 犯罪者を逃がしたことに、パジョーが避難がましい目を向けてくる。 「お前の仕事は諜報であって、犯罪者の取締じゃないだろうが。今時間をかけてあいつらを捕縛していたら、侯爵に逃げられるだろうが」 「それはそうだけど......」 一二三が外に出るのに、渋々ついていくパジョーだった。 「そろそろ眠くなってきたし、面倒くさくなってきた」 一二三は本館側面の石造りの壁を見上げてつぶやくと、少ない凹凸に指をかけてするすると登っていった。 しばらく開いた窓を見上げていたパジョーの下に、カーテンを結んで作ったロープが降りてきた。 「この格好で登れっていうの?」 「いや、掴むだけでいい」 首をかしげて言われた通りにロープを掴んだとたん、勢いよくパジョーの身体が引き上げられた。 「~~~!」 あまりの事に声もあげられないでいる内に、パジョーは抱えられて室内に降ろされていた。 「さて、ここは執務室みたいだな」 大きく重厚なデスクや立派な書棚が置かれている部屋を見回して、一二三はつぶやく。 もはやパジョーは一二三の言葉を疑いもしない。 「じゃあ、パジョーの手柄を探そうか」 「は?」 薄暗いロウソクの灯りを頼りに、パジョーは書類を次々に確認していた。 文字が読めない一二三は、机で何やらゴソゴソと作業をしている。 「問題の無い書類ばかりね......あら?」 ある書棚だけ、不自然に奥行が浅く見える。 「どうした?」 一二三に声をかけられ、パジョーが問題の場所を説明した。 一切の躊躇なく、一二三は棚の書類を全て床に捨て、ベリベリと書棚の背面板をはがした。 拾い上げたパジョーがさっと目を通すと、震える声で言う。 「これ......隣国ヴィシーとの密貿易の帳簿だわ......」 手柄どころか、下手をすると侯爵に消されると、パジョーは戦慄した。何をしても、ここから無事に城へ戻らなければ、命がないかもしれない。 「あ、隣りの奴じゃなくて、階段近くにいた奴が来るな。ちょっとうるさかったか」 「ど、どうするの?」 「落ち着け。まずはどんな奴か見てからだな」 ゆっくりとドアが開き、黒いローブを着て、フードを目深に被った男が入ってきた。 「......盗人か」 ひどくしわがれた声だ。 「お前が雇われた魔法使いか」 話す一二三を見た魔法使いが、素早く懐から短剣を取り出すと一二三たちへ振り向けた。 小さな声で魔法使いが何かを唱えると、不可視の風の刃が飛ぶ。 「あうっ!」 一二三は難なくかわしたが、パジョーが肩に刃を受けてしまい、そのままバランスを崩して倒れてしまった。 「これを避けるか......」 「ま、魔法の短剣......ホーラント国の魔法使いがなぜ!」 肩を押さえて距離を取るパジョーの言葉に、魔法使いはフードの下で笑った。 「ほう、我が国の魔法具をよく知っているな。娼婦の格好をしているが、オーソングランデの犬か?」 魔法使いが話すうちに、一二三が迫る。 「ぬうっ!」 一二三の突きが、急な風に煽られて逸らされる。 吹き荒れた風が、床に散らばる書類を巻き上げ、机の上のペンを飛ばし、椅子を倒した。 燭台が倒れ、机上の書類が燃え出した。 「ふむ、魔法というのはそういう使い方もあるのか」 火が広がりつつあるのに、気にせず風の魔法に感心している一二三を見ながら、魔法使いは内心冷や汗を流していた。 狙い通りならば、突風が刀を吹き飛ばし、丸腰になっていたはずなのだ。 しかし、風を受けた瞬間に一二三は刀を風向きに合わせて角度を変え、素早く引いて影響を最小限にとどめた。初見かつ不可視の魔法に対して、驚異的な対応力である。 勝てるにしても、無傷とは行かないかもしれないと魔法使いが考えている間に、室内に新たな人物が入ってきた。 隣室にいたラグライン侯爵だ。 「ストラス、これはどういう状況だ! ......貴様は!」 一二三の顔を見つけた侯爵が、激昂して何かを叫ぼうとした瞬間、強い風が侯爵の背中を押した。ストラスと呼ばれた魔法使いの仕業だった。 自分に向かって飛ばされてくる侯爵を、冷静に叩き落とした一二三が視線をストラスに戻した時には、既に逃げ出した後だった。移動のための魔法でもあるのか、気配は速い速度で離れていく。 「......逃げたか」 「パジョー、書類は持っているか?」 「ええ、大丈夫。......ちょっと!」 ドレスから引き裂いた布でストラスに切られた傷を止血したパジョーが顔を向けると、一二三が気を失った侯爵を侵入した窓から放り捨てるというショッキングなシーンが目に飛び込んできた。 「心配するな。まだ殺してない」 パジョーが慌てて窓の下を見ると、植え込みに落ちた侯爵の姿があった。片足がおかしな方向に曲がっているが、生きてはいるようだ。 「さて、ずらかるぞ」 「と、飛び降りるの?」 「当たり前だ。敵がうじゃうじゃいる室内なんか通ってたら逃げ遅れるぞ」 窓の外を見て、逡巡しているパジョーを見て、一二三は息を吐いた。 「仕方ないな。書類をしっかり持ってろよ」 「え? ちょっ、いやぁ~~~!」 パジョーを素早く横抱きにして、一二三は迷うことなく窓の外へと飛び出した。

Chapter 8: What A Fool Believes [ Can't you even observe properly! ] Unable to control his anger, the current head of the Raghlain family, Karcimoral Vado Raghlain hurled a stunningly decorated earthenware cup at a man kneeling in his presence. A small amount of wine pooled around the remnants of the broken cup. Dripping blood, the man who ran away from Hifumi's attack silently crouched. His side was lightly bound with cloth. [ Could you leave it at that? In addition, the number of people have decreased, I am embarrassed. ] [ Orbas. No matter the circumstances, think about dealing with the Hero as soon as possible. ] The man with honey-coloured, shoulder-length hair called Orbas gave a faint smile, and sighed. The man writhing with pain on the floor was kicked away. [ Oi, head to the standby room, wake everyone up and arm them. ] He said in a low voice that did not seem to match his face. [ Really, I have to deal with your mess. Work yourself to the bone and redeem your worth. ] The man on watch frantically left the room. The Marquis made an unpleasant face on watching this and turned to Orbas. [ Now, what to do? ] [ Um, that is..... ] Out of habit, playing with his hair, Orbas shook his head. [ Hero-san's skill, Marquis is aware of it yes? Come to think of it, it seems impossible for that fool to escape with only a slight injury. ] [ Mu..... Then ] [ Clearly, that fool was deliberately let go. Panicking, he was most likely to come here in a hurry. Most likely he was followed and we will have company soon. ] [ Hmm. Your soldiers and those of the territorial army are here too. In any case, a skilled magician is also hired here. That much should be enough to handle that one guy. ] Laughing scornfully while drinking his wine, Karcimoral looked at Orbas with cold eyes. That sort of easy opponent, it is not too troublesome. [ The guy that escaped is here. The fellow targeting me should be here. ] Two soldiers stood at the gate of the Raghlain estate. Walking forward, Hifumi casually walked over to the soldiers as though they were acquainted. Behind Hifumi, Pajou followed. [ What are you saying?? This is the Marquis' estate! Leave, leave! ] (Pajou) [ Hmm, such a reaction was expected. ] (Hifumi) Though understanding, Pajou showed a cramped smile while speaking to his back. [ Haa~ ] Letting out a quiet shout, Hifumi pinched the guard's throat with his fingers. Falling against the gate behind him, the guard collapsed, unconscious. [ ...... Didn't kill. ] Pajou said, surprised. Annoyed, Hifumi replied, [ I don't murder everyone. Killing is a weapon for me, only fit for those hostile to me. ] Saying this while approaching the other confused and stock-still guard, Hifumi knocked him out in a similar manner, the guard collapsed powerlessly next to the wall. [ By the way, why should I follow? ] [ You will be my lookout. Besides, to prove to the people tat come along that this slaughter was due to legitimate self-defense. ] , thought Pajou, refraining from voicing her thoughts. Though Pajou thought Hifumi would surely walk in through the front door, unexpectedly, Hifumi soundlessly headed towards a bungalow built separately from the main building. [ Are you not meeting the Marquis? ] On being asked in a low whisper, Hifumi replied without turning around. [ The guys that attacked me, they will not be a noble's subordinate. It takes regular training for them to be that inconspicuous. Most likely, there is a group on the premises used by those underground organisations. I want to hear the story from them. ] , thought Pajou. If nobility have a degree of financial power and territory, they have private soldiers such as the territorial army. However, because there is a law that the King must be informed the details of the territorial army, they cannot be used for any covert work. Unlike normal troops, they can only be used for 'disposal'. [ Imeraria has given a strict order that I am not to be touched, yes? Additionally, I am sure you want to keep the death of your King concealed. Even if you know the circumstances, this incident can be used as potential to start a war. So this can be left to people from the underworld. ] The entire wing of the bungalow came into view. There were a few windows, the stonework was of simple make. In front of the wooden door, a disagreeable-looking man stood. [ Well then, time to greet them. ] [ Oi, you, is your boss in there? ] [ Aa, who.... eh......eh? ] On seeing Hifumi's face, the man's voice gave out. Apparently the man seemed to know Hifumi's face. [ The man you people have been looking for is here. ] (Hifumi) [ You bastard! Nonchalantly walking in! ] Coming to his senses, the man struck without a weapon. With his good physique, it was a good punch, Hifumi evaluated disinterestedly. However, it did not connect. The punch was easily avoided by a slight movement of the head, Hifumi was already facing the guard's back. Hifumi hit the back of the guard's knee with his toes, when he dropped to one knee, grabbed his jaw and the back of his head and twisted. *Gugyo* , a damp, unpleasant sound was heard, Pajou turned her eyes away instinctively. Killing like this..... Too cruel, Pajou, who did not think she could do it, felt her stomach tremble.magic Near to where the corpse was discarded, a person with shoulder-length hair called out to Hifumi. [ Do not decrease our numbers any more. ] [ I thought someone was here, are you these guy's boss? ] [ I am the leader. But how were you able to understand that? ] Orbas dared to show himself frivolously while touching his hair. All, to induce negligence in the opponent. [ Positioned as you are, the opponent's weapons can be confirmed and any movements can be seen. The point of you touching your hair is to unfasten your weapon, yes? ] On being seen through, the smile on Orbas' face disappeared. [ The presence of the guys inside, also, those guys that attacked in the day, their movements were monotonous and their scheme was insufficient, although not bad. Their co-operative movements also, it felt like they learned from someone. Not you. ] [ Yareyare.... As expected of Hero-sama. ] Orbas faintly smiled again, and pulling out the knife from his back, tossed it aside. [ I give up. Even a squad of 10 people were defeated, the tables have turned. The levels are just too different. ] Giving up, Orbas raised his arms with his palms showing. [ As you can see, weapons have been discarded. Just my life, can you please spare it, Hero-sama? ] [ No. I was attacked by your instructions. I will not allow it. ] To Hifumi not showing any mercy, Orbas could not conceal his bewilderment. [ Wait a minute, you would kill an unarmed man? ] [ What are you saying. ] Hifumi smoothly stepped forward, his hand on his katana. [ You have a weapon. ] (Hifumi) [ Chii! ] Orbas immediately took out a small knife from the cuff of his raised arm, and instantly swung downwards at Hifumi. However, Hifumi was no longer there. Orbas tried desperately to turn towards Hifumi, who was already behind Orbas, but to no avail. [ His performance was so-so, should have hidden his bloodlust better. ] Though Hifumi was about to pull out the kaishi tucked in his kimono, with a single shake of the katana, the blood was cleared off, without a trace remaining. Is this the God's influence? Truly convenient, muttered Hifumi as he sheathed his katana. The door was kicked open, and about 20 subordinates of Orbas stared at the entrance, unable to move. At the entrance stood Hifumi, holding Orbas' head. [ B-Boss!! ] [ You're the bastard that killed Ain and the others! ] A man nearest to the entrance leaped at Hifumi. In a single movement, Hifumi drew his katana and sliced him to pieces. [ Yeah yeah, quiet down. ] Confirming that Pajou was behind him, Hifumi pulled his katana out of the body while imposingly standing in the doorway. The instantly enraged people instantly became quiet. The beautiful blade crest shimmered in the light of a candle on a table. [ If you don't want something similar to happen to you, answer my questions obediently. Resist like that guy, or not answer appropriately, everyone dies. ] While throwing Orbas' head on the floor, Hifumi surveyed the men in the room. [ The first question. Who are you fellows and are all members here? Oh, if I sense a lie, it's time to kill. Well then, you. ] Hifumi pointed his katana at the nearest guy. [ M-Me? ....... We are called "Hidden Serpent". All it's members are here. ] Resigned, the nominated man answered obediently. [ Then, next. You people, in the Marquis' employ, was attacking me in the daytime the order of the Marquis? ] Looking Hifumi in the eye, he began to talk while trembling. [ Rather than employed, we are allowed to use this place for occasionally undertaking errands for the Marquis. We do not set foot into the Marquis' home... This should have been a request from the Marquis, the leader said so. ] On hearing the answer, Pajou fleetingly glanced at Hifumi. [ .... Certainly, regarding nobles' residences, leaving aside on-the-spot inspections, yield no clear evidence. ] Pajou said with a sigh mixed in. To think that there might be criminals who have similarly been given shelter, it was depressing. [ And the last question. Are there troops in the Marquis' mansion? Does anyone here know? ] One person timidly raised his hand. [ On answering, will I be spared? ] [ I am asking the questions. ] [ Uu.... There were many soldiers on duty in the mansion, on patrol and so on, but it seems that they don't enter the third floor where the Marquis is. Recently, rumours of a magician being hired have been circulating. ] [ A magician huh.... ] Receiving Hifumi's permission, the members of Hidden Serpent ran away at full speed. Pajou shifted her gaze to the criminals fleeing from the shelter. [ Your job is intelligence, not criminal law enforcement. Spend time arresting them, the Marquis will be able to escape. ] [ Though that is so..... ] Hifumi went out, Pajou reluctantly followed. [ I'm getting drowsy, so bothersome. ] Hifumi murmured, looked up at the side wall of the mansion, and using his fingers, climbed up smoothly via the few irregularities in the stonework. After a little while, a rope that usually binds curtains descended from the open window. [ In this dress, I should climb? ] (Pajou) [ No, just grab it. ] Pajou gripped the rope tilting her head in confusion, and was instantly launched upwards. [ ~~~~~~~! ] (Pajou) Unable to let out any words, Pajou was caught inside the room. [ Well then, this seems to be an office-like room. ] Looking around the room which had a large, stately desk and an elegant bookshelf, Hifumi muttered. Pajou did not doubt Hifumi's words any more. [ Well then, search for your achievements. ] [ Haa? ] Relying on the dim light of a wax candle, Pajou confirmed documents one after the other. Hifumi, who could not read the characters was rummaging around the desk. [ No problem with the documents.... huh? ] A certain bookshelf, its depth seemed unnaturally inadequate. [ What's wrong? ] Calling out to Hifumi, Pajou explained the irregularity. Without hesitating, Hifumi threw away all the documents on the racks to the floor and peeled off the rear boards with a sound like tape being pulled off. A bunch of documents spilled out from a hidden compartment. Picking them up, Pajou quickly looked them over and said with a shaking voice, [ This.... an account book containing records of secret trades with our neighbouring country, Vichy.... ] Far from an achievement, if things don't go well, the Marquis may bump her off, Pajou shivered. No matter what happens, if unable to safely return to the castle, her life may be forfeit. [ Ah, not the fellow next door, but the guy near the stairs is coming here. Be quiet for a minute. ] [ Wh-What do we do? ] [ Calm down. First, see what kind of guy he is. ] The door slowly opened, and a man wearing a black robe with a hood covering his eyes entered. [ ...... A thief? ] An extremely hoarse voice rang out. [ So you're the magician that was employed. ] On seeing Hifumi speak, the magician quickly drew a knife from his robe and pointed it at Hifumi and Pajou. The magician chanted something in a low voice, and an invisible blade of wind flew forward. [ Auuu! ] (Pajou) Unlike Hifumi, Pajou was struck by it on the shoulder and losing her balance, fell. [ You dodged it?... ] [ M-Magic dagger.... A magician from the Horant country, why is it! ] To Pajou's words, the magician laughed under his hood at her holding her shoulder and taking some distance. [ Ho~, you know our country's magic tool quite well. Though you've got the appearance of a prostitute, are you a dog of Orsongrande? ] While the magician was speaking, Hifumi drew near. [ Nuu! ] Hifumi's thrust met a sudden gust of wind. That violent gust of wind blew up the documents scattered on the floor, the pen on the desk flew up, and the chair was knocked over. The candle fell, the documents on the desk began to burn. [ Hmm, magic can also be used like this huh. ] The fire was spreading, watching the unworried Hifumi admire wind magic, the magician was secretly in a cold sweat. According to the plan, the gust of wind should have blown away the sword, and without the sword... However, Hifumi adjusted his katana according to the direction of the wind while receiving it, neutralizing it. In spite of seeing such magic for the first time, such marvellous flexibility. While the magician thought that even if he wins, he would not come out of this unscathed, a new person entered. It was Marquis Raghlain from the next room. [ Strauss, what is this situation! ...... You! ] The moment the Marquis saw Hifumi's face, he tried to shout something, a gust of wind hit the Marquis' back. This was the act of the magician Strauss. Calmly knocking down the Marquis who was thrown at him, Hifumi returned his gaze towards Strauss, but he had already run away. His speed points to magic being used for movement. [ .....He ran away huh... ] [ Pajou, do you have the documents? ] [ Ee, they're all right........ Hey! ] When Pajou looked up after stopping the blood from her wound by tearing off a piece of her dress, a shocking scene met her eyes. [ Don't worry. He's not dead yet. ] Hurriedly going to the window and looking, Pajou saw the Marquis's figure in a tangle of thick shrubbery. One leg was bent in a weird direction, but he seemed to be alive. [ Well then, leave. ] [ J-Jump down? ] [ Obviously. Enemies will soon flood the room, and leaving will be delayed. ] Seeing Pajou hesitating while looking out the window, Hifumi clicked his tongue. [ No other way. Hold onto the documents tightly. ] [ Eeh? Wai-, IYAAA~~~~~! ] Grabbing and holding her sideways under his arm, Hifumi immediately jumped out of the window.

162.Holiday 一二三から、二人で王都まで出かけることを直接聞いたオリガのはしゃぎようは、事情を知る者も知らぬ者も、ちょっと近づきがたい程だった。 普通の女性程度には独占欲があり、普通の女性の何倍も嫉妬心がある、面倒くさい性格を全開にしながら、出発までの数日を過ごしていたオリガ。彼女はれ荷物を準備しながらも、誰かがついて来たいと言い出さないか、まるで周囲を威嚇しているかのように、鼻息荒く過ごしていた。 一二三の性格からして、誰かが“一緒に行きたい”と言えば、特別な事情でもない限り、好きにすればいいと許可を出してしまうことを、オリガは知っていたし、それを覆すような真似はできないこともわかっていたからだ。 その当人たる一二三は、旅を決めたその日のうちに、食料やらフォカロルに入ってきた魔導具やらを適当に買い込んで闇魔法収納に放り込んでしまうと、プルフラスと新しい武器の開発をしたり、カイムやその他の兵士たちと稽古をして過ごしている。 オリガは一二三の傍に寄り添い、街へ買い出しに付き添い、稽古にも参加して、片時も一二三から離れようとしなかった。 「領主様と奥様は、本当に仲がよろしいのね」 「良いことじゃないか。ヴィシーじゃ、またなにか騒動が起きているらしいけど、領主様の御蔭で、こっちにはちっとも危険が無い」 などと、高位貴族の一人でありながら、護衛もつけずにぶらぶらと歩き、庶民と同じ店で食事をする一二三と、そっと寄り添っているように見えるオリガを、フォカロルの町の人々は、微笑ましく見守っていた。 だが、領主館で勤めていて、オリガのことを良く知る人々は、そんなにのんきに構えてはいられない。 何しろ、一二三と会話している間、オリガがすぐ近くからじっと見つめてくるのだ。旅や王都の話さえしなければ何も無いのだが、王都行きの話題が出ると、殺気を放って睨みつけてくる。 「結局さ、色々あって新婚さんらしい事をあんまりしてないんだよね」 「はあ......新婚さん、ですか」 勉強部屋の中、カイムが仕事で席を外すと、アリッサは羽ペンを揺らしながら、向かいで勉強しているヴィーネに話しかけた。 前触れなく話を振られて、ヴィーネは教本から視線をあげて、生返事をする。 「最初はさ、一二三さんと同行してたのは、当時奴隷だったオリガさんともう一人の三人だけ。僕が加わっても四人だけだったんだよね」 天井を見上げているアリッサは、どこか遠くを見ているように見えた。彼女の言う“もう一人”が誰のことなのか、ヴィーネは知らなかった。だが、あえて名前を出さなかったことには、何か理由があるのだろうと思った。 「ということは、ご主人様は奴隷だった奥様と恋人だったわけですか」 ヴィーネは、オリガが元奴隷だったことは聞いていたので、それに驚きは無かったが、一二三とオリガが恋人らしい行動をしているイメージが浮かばない。 「恋人......うーん......へくちっ!」 指先で揺らしていた羽ペンの先がアリッサの鼻をくすぐり、小さなくしゃみが出た。 「うぅ......恋人というより、家臣とか弟子みたいだったよ。実際、戦い方は一二三さんに大分鍛え治されたらしいし、その時から武器も変えちゃったみたい。杖を使わなくなったのも、その頃だったかな?」 出会ったころは、僕も余裕が無かったからね、とアリッサは笑う。 そして、笑い話にできるくらい、昔の事になったのかと思うと、少しさみしい気持ちになった。 「こうして考えると、いろんな人が一二三さんと接触して、仲間になったり敵対したりしてきたけど、寄り添って隣にいようと思ったのは、オリガさんが最初なんだよね。カイムさんたちみたいに、仕える人はいっぱいいるけど、肩を並べて同じことをしたいって思ってるのは、オリガさんだけじゃないかな?」 カーシャやパジョーのように敵対して死んだ者や、サブナクのように協力はしても仲間にはならない者、イメラリアのように振り回される者など、アリッサの頭の中に、知る限りの人たちの顔が浮かぶ。 「アリッサ様は違うのですか?」 「うん?」 ヴィーネの質問を、アリッサはうまく飲み込めなかった。 「ええっと、つまり、奥様と同じようになりたいとかは考えられなかったのですか?」 「あ~、そういうことか......」 今はトオノ伯爵領の一部となっている、旧ヴィシー領アロセール。そこで受けた暴力と、一二三から助けられた時の事を、アリッサはハッキリ憶えている。痛みの記憶は薄れているが、その時に強烈に感じた無力感と死に対する恐怖は、今でも消えることなくアリッサに刻み込まれている。 その頃の気持ちは、あこがれと、自覚の無い恋心だったのは、今ならわかる。 「......違う、と思うよ。僕は一二三さんの事を好きだけど、それは強い人に対する尊敬なんだよ。だから......だから、僕は一二三さんの養子になるって、責任は重いけど、嬉しいって、思ってる、よ......」 じわじわと溢れてくる涙が、とうとう頬へとこぼれてつたう。 「もうっ、恥ずかしいな......なんでだろ......」 机に顔を伏せて、肩を震わせるアリッサに、ヴィーネはそっと近づき、背中を撫でた。 「わかってるよ、僕じゃオリガさんみたいにできないって......だから......」 とうとう声をあげて泣き出したアリッサを、ヴィーネはずっと撫で続けた。 王都へ出発する前日。 早朝。一二三が行う稽古に、オリガも参加していた。 フォカロルの町を出て、街道を少し外れた林の中。モンスターが出没することもあるが、一二三には何の影響もない。 人々の喧騒も無く、木と緑の匂いがするこの場所が、一二三のお気に入りだった。 オリガと二人、草の上に並んで正座をし、目を閉じる。 隣にいるオリガの気配の他、弱いモンスターが人の気配を見つけて逃げていくのが感じられる。 鼻を抜ける自然の匂いに心を落ち着かせながら、ホーラントやヴィシーでの戦闘の記憶を掘り起し、頭の中で戦いを再現する。そのすべての動きに満足感もあるが、反省もある。 もっと素早く殺せなかったか。効率よく命を奪うことができたのではないか。 そして、そこから次の戦いに活かすため、きっちりと動きを検証する。それは全て完全なる殺戮を実現するため。未だに、枯れることの無い泉のように湧き出す殺人欲求を、いつか発散しきるその時のため。 そっと目を開いた一二三の目の前には、一本の木がそびえる。 一抱えほどの太さがある幹は、まっすぐ天に向かって伸び、青々とした葉を太陽へと広げている。 抜き打ちの一撃は、切っ先を幹に向けて止まる。一ミリ以下の距離を残し、ギリギリで表皮を傷つけていない。時折一二三が行っている、得物の長さと自分の感覚を確認するための作業だ。 誰よりも自分の刀の長さを知っているが、だからと言って自分の腕の長さがまったく変わっていないとは限らないし、目釘の具合でブレが出ている可能性もある。それを確認するための、一つの儀式でもあった。 「さて、始めるか」 「はい。よろしくお願いします」 一二三に合わせて立ち上がったオリガが、鉄扇を左手に掴み、頭を下げた。 対する一二三も、両手を足の付け根に置き、するりと自然に礼をする。 同時に顔をあげ、武器を構えた。 オリガが右手に握った鉄扇は、閉じたままだ。 一二三は刀を抜き、正眼に構えている。 掛け声などは無い。 無言で踏み込んでいく一二三からは、足音が聞こえない。 滑るように迫る一二三に対し、オリガは一切の緊張を見せず、鉄扇の先をしっかりと一二三の眉間に向けている。 一二三の攻撃は、真上から振り下ろされる正面打ち。 オリガは斜め前へと踏み出し、刃の下から腕の下へと潜り込み、横殴りに鉄扇を振る。 腰の高さで一二三が刀を止めた時、鉄扇は首へと触れるかどうかの距離で止まっていた。 数秒。残心を置いて無言で離れる。 戻った時の距離は、最初に向き合って構えた時と全く同じだ。 「次」 「はい」 何をする、とは言わない。 もはや、そこまで説明しなければならないような段階ではない。 オリガは、ぎゅっと引き結んだ口を少しだけ緩め、薄く開いた唇から、ゆっくり息を吐く。 次の斬撃は、横から膝を断ち割りに来る。 右足を引き、刀が通り過ぎたスペースへ左足を進める。 膝をついた一二三の頭へと鉄扇を落とす。 寸止め。 数秒置いて、離れる。 それから、袈裟懸けや突き、連続斬りや蹴りを含めた攻撃を繰り返す一二三に対し、オリガは身体に覚え込ませた動きで切り返していく。 一二三の動きは、普段の戦闘の時よりもかなり遅いが、無駄が無く、足さばき一つにしても滑らかで迷いが無い。熟練の動きは、速度など関係なく、向き合う者が反応することを難しくしていた。 それでも、オリガはランダムで繰り出される攻撃に対応し、しっかりと致命傷を与えられる反撃を繰り出す動きをする。 約束の無い、何が来るかわからない攻撃に、以前はガチガチに緊張していたオリガも、実戦を重ねたことと、武器に慣れたこともあり、今では自然体で動けるようになった。 だが、次第に速度が増していく一二三の動きは、オリガの目では追えなくなっていく。構えからの初動を頼りに、ギリギリで捌いていく。 返しも避けられ、一合で終わらずに二合、三合と手数が増える。 袈裟斬りに対応し損ね、二合目の顔を狙った突きを危うげに避けつつも、反撃まではできず。再び刃を寝かせて胸を貫きに来る突きは躱せなかった。 「うっ......」 崩れる体勢を支えるために踏み出した足。それでも、突きは確実に胸に差し込まれたと思い、オリガはつい目を閉じた。 だが、覚悟した痛みは無い。 「目を閉じるな。どうなっても結果を受け入れるつもりでいろ」 一二三はよろけたオリガに合わせて、刀を引いていた。 汗を零す顔で胸を見下ろすと、自分の服に触れてはいるが、身体にはギリギリ届いていない距離で、切っ先は止まっている。 朝日に輝く刀身に、自分の顔が映っているのを見て、オリガは奥歯を噛みしめた。 「今日はここまでにするか」 「いえ、これでは一二三様の訓練になりません。お手伝いをさせてください」 汗をだくだくと流しながら、すがる様な目で続きを求めてくるオリガに、一二三は汗を拭うための布を放った。 「なら、まず汗を拭いて呼吸を整えろ。水を飲んで鈍さを取れ」 「はい......」 ごしごしと急いで顔と首を拭いているオリガに、一二三は荒野で採ってきたリンゴに似た果実を差し出した。 「動きは悪くない。疲れが出ても動きが乱れないように身体が慣れてくれば良くなる」 もう一つ取り出した果実を、一二三も一口齧る。甘酸っぱい果汁がたっぷりと喉を通って潤していく。 「武器に振り回されることは無くなったから、あとは繰り返しが大切だが......」 技術は、見て慣れて身体に染みこませていくものだというのが一二三の持論であり、実践してきたことだが、それが難しいということも知っている。道場で若い門人がやめていく理由の多くが、“単調な動きの繰り返しに飽きたから”だった。 「はい。これからもよろしくお願いいたします!」 笑顔で答えたオリガも、果実を口にして嬉しそうに味わった。 短い休憩を終え、二人とも再び立ち上がり、向かい合う。 「じゃあ、仕手と受け手を交代する。どんな攻撃でもいい。魔法を使ってもいい。どんどんかかってこい」 「はい! 行きます!」 鉄扇を構えたオリガは、全力で一二三にぶつかっていく。 全幅の信頼と好意を向けられる相手がいる。全力を受け止めてくれる。なんて嬉しい状況か。自分はどれだけ幸せなのか。 一生かけても追いつかないかもしれない。だったら、一生が終わっても付いていく。 突きを避けての突き。それを交わして足を払うが、飛び上がっての打ちおろしが来る。転がって避けながらも脇腹を蹴りに行くが、柄頭がそれを阻む。 二人きりの火花散る逢瀬は、オリガが疲労で動けなくなるまで続いた。こうなると、一二三が抱きかかえて領主館まで運んでくれる。それを狙った下心があったのは事実だが、オリガは疲れ果てた様子を見せて、吐息を荒くしながら一二三の肩にそっと頭を置く。 「......変な奴だな」 オリガにしてみれば、色っぽく上気した顔を見せて一二三へのアピールをしているつもりだったのだが、口元がニヤニヤと緩んでいるので、一二三から見たら疲れすぎてハイになっているようにしか見えていなかった。 恋愛経験の少ないオリガにとっての精一杯は、割と一二三に届いていなかったりする。

Chapter 162: Holiday The apparent excitement of Origa, who directly heard about her and Hifumi departing for the capital from him, made her to some extent unapproachable for those who knew and those who didn't know about the circumstances. Origa spent the few days until the departure going full throttle with her troublesome character, feeling several times more jealous than a normal woman and having a desire to monopolize him at the level of a normal woman. Even while preparing the luggage, she did so with a rough nasal breathing as if completely threatening her surroundings or saying that she doesn't want anyone to attend to her. Going by Hifumi's character, Origa knew that if she told him "I want to go together with you", he would give her permission to do as she likes as long as there are no special circumstances. She also understood how to act so that his decision didn't change. The person concerned, Hifumi, spent his time until the day of the travel by going to buy food and suitable magic tools in Fokalore and tossing them into his darkness storage, developing new weapons with Pruflas and training with Caim and the other soldiers. Snuggling up to his side, Origa accompanied him on his shopping in the city, participated in the training and made sure to not separate from Hifumi as much as possible. "Lord and his wife have a really nice relationship." "Isn't that a good thing? It seems like some uproar is once again happening in Vichy, but thanks to Lord, there's not the slightest danger to our side." And so on. Hifumi, who eats in the same restaurant as the commoners and wanders aimlessly around the town without any guards although he's an appointed noble, and Origa, who can be seen to gently nestle close to him, were warmly watched by the people of the city of Fokalore. However, the people, who know Origa well since they are serving in the feudal lord's mansion, cannot take such carefree attitude. That's because Origa is fixedly staring at them from close-by while they are talking with Hifumi. Although nothing happens as long as they don't talk about the trip or the capital, they are immediately glared at and pressured with blood thirst as soon as the topic of going to the capital comes up. "In the end, for a number of reasosn, they haven't done many things befitting newly-weds, have they?" (Alyssa) "Haa... newly-weds, is it?" (Viine) Inside the study room, Alyssa started to talk to Viine, who's studying opposite of her, while waving her quill pen around, once Caim stepped outside for work. With that subject being brought up without prior warning, Viine lifts her eyes from the textbook and gives a half-hearted reply. "In the beginning, you know, Origa-san, who was a slave at that time, and another person accompanied Hifumi-san. Even when I joined them, we were just four people." (Alyssa) Looking up at the ceiling, Alyssa seemed as if she was watching a distant place. Viine didn't know who the "That means master had a lover and wife who was a slave?" (Viine)magic Since Viine heard about Origa originally being a slave, she wasn't surprised about that, but she can't imagine Hifumi and Origa acting like lovers. "Lover... yea... Achoo!" (Alyssa) The tip of the quill pen, she swung with her fingers, tickled Alyssa's nose causing her to sneeze. "Uuh... rather than lover, it resembled more the relation of a pupil or a retainer. As a matter of fact, her way of fighting was mostly fixed and trained by Hifumi. It looks like she ended up changing her weapon back then, too. I guess it was around that time when she stopped using a wand?" (Alyssa) "At the time when I met them I didn't have much leeway either", Alyssa laughs. And, she was at least able to change it into a funny story. As soon as she thought of what happened in the past, she felt slightly lonely. "If you consider it like that, various people got in contact with Hifumi and became his friends or enemies, but the one who thought first of getting close to him was Origa, right? There are many people who serve him like Caim and the others, but the one who is planning to do the same things he does while standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him is only Origa, isn't she?" People like Kasha and Pajou who died after becoming hostile to him, people like Sabnak who hasn't become his comrade but still cooperates with him and people like Imeraria who get manipulated; the faces of all the people Alyssa knows float in her mind. "Are you different, Alyssa-sama?" (Viine) "Yeah?" (Alyssa) Alyssa couldn't understand Viine's question well. "Umm, in other words, didn't you consider wanting to become just like his wife?" (Viine) "Ah~, I see..." (Alyssa) The former Vichy territory, Arosel, that has now become a part of Tohno Earldom. Alyssa clearly remembers the events at the time when she was rescued by Hifumi from the violence she suffered there. The memories of the pain have faded, but the fear, that made her want to die due to the helplessness she intensely felt at that time, was deeply carved into Alyssa without having vanished yet. If it's now, she knows that her emotions at that time were yearning and the awakening of a love she wasn't aware of herself. "... It's different, I think. I like Hifumi-san, but that's respect towards a strong person. Therefore... therefore I will become Hifumi's adopted child, the responsibility is heavy, but I'm happy, is what I believe..." (Alyssa) The tears that overflow gradually, spill down along her cheeks finally. "Geeze, how embarrassing... I wonder why..." (Alyssa) Viine quietly approached Alyssa, who had laid her face on the desk with her shoulders trembling, and gently stroke her back. "I know. I'm not able to do the same things as Origa-san... that's why..." (Alyssa) Viine continued to stroke Alyssa who at last burst into tears after raising her voice. The day before the departure to the capital. Early morning. Origa participated in the training carried out by Hifumi. Inside the forest slightly off the highway once one leaves the city of Fokalore. Though monsters appear here often as well, it doesn't matter to Hifumi at all. This place that lacked the hustle and bustle of people and had the aroma of trees and greenery was the favourite place of Hifumi. Origa and him sit in seiza next to each other on the grass with closed eyes. Besides the presence of Origa who's next to him, he can feel weak monsters discovering the presence of people and running away. While calming down his mind with the scent of nature hitting his nostrils, he digs up the memories of his battles in Horant and Vichy. He reproduces the fighting inside his head. Although he has a feeling of satisfaction towards all his moves, there's also introspection. Couldn't I have killed them faster? Wasn't it possible to take their lives in a more efficient way? And, in order to make use of that in the coming battles, he closely inspects his movements. All of it is for the sake of realizing the perfect slaughtering. Even now his desire to murder is gushing out like an endless spring. For the sake of letting it out at any time. A tree towers in front of Hifumi who quietly opened his eyes. The trunk that has a thickness of several arms, grows directly into the sky and the lush leaves expand towards the sun. One blow of drawing the katana and attacking in the same stroke, the katana's point is turned towards the trunk and stops. Leaving less than a millimeter distance, it barely doesn't scratch the rind. It's an act he occasionally does for the sake of confirming his own sensation and the length of his own weapon. He knows the length of his own katana better than anyone else, but just because of that it doesn't necessarily mean that the length of his own arms won't change at all. There's also the possibility that the state of the rivet on the sword hilt slightly shifts. This was also a ritual to check that. "Well then, let's begin?" (Hifumi) "Yes. Please treat me well." (Origa) Standing up in concord with Hifumi, Origa held the iron-ribbed fan in her left hand and bowed. Opposite of her, Hifumi places both hands at the base of his legs and naturally bows in a smooth manner. Lifting their faces at the same time, they readied their weapons. The iron-ribbed fan, grasped by Origa in her left hand is still closed. Hifumi draws the katana and takes a seigan stance. There's nothing like encouraging yells. The footsteps from Hifumi, who steps in silently, are inaudible. Origa shows absolutely no nervousness towards Hifumi who is approaching as if gliding. She firmly turns the iron-ribbed fan's tip at Hifumi's middle forehead. Hifumi's attack comes directly from the front being swung down from above. Origa steps diagonally forward, slips below his arm and blade, and wields her iron-ribbed fan with a side sweep. At the time when Hifumi stopped the katana at the height of his waist, the iron-ribbed fan came to a stop at a distance where it's unclear whether it touches his neck or not. After several seconds, they separate in silence while remaining on guard. The distance at the time when they returned and the distance at the time when they prepared while facing each other in the beginning is completely the same. "Next." (Hifumi) "Yes." (Origa) They don't talk about what has to be done. They are already at a stage where explaining such things is unnecessary. Origa loosens her mouth that was tightly closed a bit and slowly exhales through her faitnly opened lips. The next slash unexpectedly comes to sever her knee from the side. Pulling back her right leg, she advances her left leg into the space where the katana passed through. She lowers her iron-ribbed fan at the head of Hifumi who went down on his kness. And stops just before it. After taking several seconds, they separate. From then on Origa strikes back against Hifumi, who repeatedly comes at her with attacks that included kicks and consecutive slashes and thrusts, with the movements she had her body master. Hifumi's movements are far slower than at the time of normal combat, but there are no useless motions and there's not a splinter of hesitation as he smoothly performs his footwork. His skilled movements, unrelated to something like speed, made it difficult for the person facing him to react. Even so, Origa deals with the attacks that are released randomly. She properly moves to unleash counter-attacks that can cause a fatal wound. Origa, who was frozen stiff due to tension in the past because of the attacks where she didn't know what will come next as there was no prior arrangement, became now able to move naturally as she got used to her weapon and piled up real combat experience. However, the movements of Hifumi, who gradually raised the spead, became untrackable for Origa's eyes. She barely handles them by relying on the initial motion from his stance. With her return attacks being avoided as well, the number of attacks increases to two then three without it finishing at one attack as before. Even while evading the dangerous thrust towards her face as second attack, she fails to deal with the diagonal slash and is also unable to counter-attack. At the second time she was unable to dodge the thrust coming to pierce her chest. "Uuh..." (Origa) She stepped forward with a foot to support her crumbling posture. Believing that she would be definitely pierced in the chest by the thrust, Origa unconsciously closed her eyes. However, the pain she resolved herself for doesn't come. "Don't shut your eyes. Do it with the intention of accepting the outcome no matter what happens." (Hifumi) Hifumi matched the staggering Origa and drew back the katana. When she looks down at her chest with a face that's dripping with sweat, the katana's point has stopped at a distance where it barely won't reach her body though it touches her clothes. Looking at her face being reflected on the sword's blade that's glittering in the morning sun, Origa tightly bit her back teeth. "Let's stop at this place today?" (Hifumi) "No, with this it won't become training for you, Hifumi-sama. Please let me help you." (Origa) Due to Origa requesting a continuation with an imploring stare while the sweat gushes out from her face, Hifumi tossed a cloth at her for the sake of wiping away the sweat. "In that case, first adjust your breathing and wipe the sweat away. Remove your sluggishness by drinking water." (Hifumi) "Yes..." (Origa) Hifumi held out the apple-like fruit he picked up in the wastelands to Origa who is wiping her face and neck briskly. "Your movements aren't bad. It will become better once your body gets used to not having its movements disturbed even if faigue appears." (Hifumi) Hifumi also eats a mouthful of another fruit he took out. Plenty of bittersweet juice passes through his throat and moistens it. "After you stopped being wielded by your weapon, all of importance that's left is repetition..." (Hifumi) It's Hifumi's pet theory that technique is something that will permeate into the body after watching it and getting familiar with it. Though it's something he put into practice, he also knows that it's difficult. There are many reasons why young students stop coming to a dojo, but one of them was "I got tired of repeatedly doing the same boring movements." "Yes. Please treat me well from now on as well!" (Origa) Even Origa, who replied with a smile, savoured the fruit while looking happy as she ate it. Finishing the short break, both of them stand up once again and face each other. "Well then, we will change the attacker and defender. Any kind of attack is fair. It's also fine for you to use magic. Come at me with everything you've got." (Hifumi) "Yes! I will!" (Origa) Origa, who had readied her iron-ribbed fan, clashes with Hifumi using all her power. I have a partner to whom I can direct my wholehearted trust and good will. He will receive my full power. What happiness! Just how blessed am I? I might not catch up to him even if I use all my life. Thus I will follow him until the end of my life. A thrust that avoids a thrust. In exchange for that, she performs a side sweep at his feet, but jumping up a hit comes down at her. Even while evading that by rolling over, she kicks towards his flank, but the pommel of his katana thwarts that. The rendezvous where sparks scatter between just the two of them, continued until Origa couldn't move anymore due to fatigue. Given the situation, Hifumi carries her to the feudal lord's mansion. It's a fact that she had the ulterior motive of aiming for that, but showing her exhausted state, Origa gently places her head against Hifumi's shoulder while breathing roughly. "... You are a strange one." (Hifumi) In Origa's case, she had the intention to appeal to Hifumi by showing an erotic, flushed face, but since her mouth slackens with a grin, it didn't look to Hifumi as anything but getting high due to being too exhausted. The best effort of Origa, who has little experience in love, doesn't reach Hifumi.

レニとヘレンがすっぽりとかぶっているのは、オリガとカーシャがいつかの時に番兵の目を避けるために使っていたフード付きのマントだ。闇魔法収納に放り込んでいたので、周りが騒ぐのも面倒だと二人に渡して被らせた。 「では、次」 今、一二三たちが来ているのはソードランテへ入るための門、そこへ並ぶ人々の中に紛れている。 荒野に面した独立国である以上、ガチガチに防壁の中へ囲い込んだ、出入りの少ない街かと一二三は想像していたが、街の外に農地や狩猟場があり、一般人は普段から少なくない人数が出入りしているようだ。 とはいえ、人口が爆発的に増加しているフォカロルと比べるとかなり少ない。日常的に出入りしている者がほとんどで、検問をしている兵士と顔見知りである確率が非常に高いらしく、身分証のようなものを見せている者の方が少ない。 「次......お前か。通っていい」 「はい。いつもどうも」 といったように、どんどんと列は消化されていく。 「次は......見かけない顔だな。連れの二人も、被り物を取って顔を見せろ」 兵士に言われ、躊躇するレニたちのフードを一二三がさっさと引き下ろした。 「じ、獣人!?」 「狼狽えるな。俺の奴隷で危険は無い。驚くより他にやることがあるだろう」 「ああ、わ、わかった」 高圧的に言われ、兵士は思わず事務的に名前を確認し、記録していく。そこで、兵士は自分が何をしているのかに気づいたらしく、顔を赤くして一二三に質問を続けた。 「この街を出た記録はないようだが、どこから来た? 何が目的だ?」 「荒野の向こう、オーソングランデからだ。目的は、単なる物見遊山だよ」 「荒野を抜けてきたって? そこで獣人も捕まえたのか! 恐ろしく腕が立つか、運が良かったんだな」 ジロジロと自分たちを見てくる兵士に、レニは目を伏せてヘレンは拳を握りしめていたが、一言も発さずに耐えていた。 その様子を見て、一二三は少し二人を見直すことにした。 「俺の財産だ。あまりジロジロ見るな。それで、もう通ってもいいのか?」 「ああ、悪かった。この許可証を持っていけ。入場税は銀貨5枚だが......持っているか?」 疑わしげな視線を向けてきた兵士が肘をおいているデスクに、一二三は無造作に金貨を10枚ほど積み上げて見せた。 ソードランテとは違うデザインの金貨だが、大きさは一回り大きく、彫り込まれた肖像も細かく美しい。 息を呑んで金貨に釘付けになっている兵士に、やれやれ、と一二三は溜息を吐いた。 「こっちの国の金だが、金は金だ。釣りはいらんから、さっさと通せよ」 熊獣人のサルグは、虎の少年たちを伴って林の中にある自分たちの塒へと戻った。 少年たちは初めて知ったのだが、熊の獣人は群れは作らず、一人かせいぜい家族単位での生活が基本となるらしい。 同族同士の交流はあるものの、共に生活する事はほとんど無いという。 「その分、熊獣人は家族のつながりは大切にするんだ。何かあって早くに親が無くなった子供がいれば、他の大人が引き取って育てたりもするんだよ」 高い位置に生っていた木ノ実を引きちぎり、サルグは自分の娘であるオルラと、少年とその妹に平等に分けてあげた。 「あ、ありがとう......」 「名前を聞いておこう。折角の娘の命の恩人だからね」 「恩人なんて......俺はマルファス、妹はリーデル、です」 兄が名を名乗ると、妹はピョコンと頭を下げた。 サルグは優しく微笑むと、マルファスの頭に手を置いた。 「マルファス。無理して丁寧に話そうとする必要はないよ」 「でも、種族も違うのに助けてもらったし......」 「そうだな。マルファスもそうした。種族が違うのに、俺の娘を助けるために、命をかけて声を上げてくれただろう」 お互い様なんだ、とサルグは大きな手でマルファスの頭をぐしゃぐしゃと撫で回した。 「遠慮せずに食べてくれ。最近は人間を警戒してこのあたりに住んでいる獣人は少ないから、魚も果物もたくさん採れるんだ」 ニカッと笑って魚を差し出し、サルグ自身も大きな口を上げて50センチ以上はある魚をペロリと平らげた。 「人間がそんなに来てるの?」 リーデルが果物を齧りながら尋ねると、サルグは首を振った。 「残念ながら、な。つい昨日も、近くで過ごしていた豹の獣人が捕まったみたいだよ」 今朝から姿を見なかったので、サルグは知り合いの豹獣人の塒を訪ねたところ、近くで血の跡が見つかったという。 「結構強い奴だったんだが、大人数で武器を持って囲んでくる人間相手には、やはり厳しいものがある......」 「でも、サルグさんは人間相手に勝ったじゃないか!」 マルファスが叫ぶと、サルグは笑う。 「そうだな。俺は自分でもなかなか強いと思うぞ。でもな、やっぱり人数が多いというのは驚異なんだ。どんな大きな獣人でも、毒のある虫に大量にたかられたら負けるもんだ」 蜂や蟻に襲われた奴を見たことがあるならわかるだろう、と言われ、マルファスとリーデルは青い顔をしてうつむいた。 「お父さん、ごはんの時にそんな話しないでよ。ほら、二人共食欲なくなっちゃったじゃない」 「ああ、こりゃすまん」 娘に叱られる大きな熊男の様子に、マルファスはつい笑ってしまった。 「ご、ごめんなさい」 「いや、そうやって笑ってる方がずっといい。特に男はな、余裕が無いとき程笑って見せるもんだぞ」 「何を偉そうに言ってるのよ」 和やかな雰囲気の中で食事は進み、リーデルがオルラに連れられて眠りに就いた。 火を起こし、パチパチと爆ぜる火を見つめながら、男と少年は静かに話し合っていた。 「実は、君にお願いしたいことがある」 少し離れた寝床にいるオルラたちの話し声が聞こえなくなった所を見計らって、サルグは静かに言った。 「お願い?」 「ああ、君たちにはオルラと共にもっと荒野の中央部に行ってもらいたい。人間や危険な獣人がいる地域を抜けて、兎獣人なんかの無害な連中の所へ」 「サルグさんは、どうするんですか?」 「人間の国へ行く」 即答したサルグに、マルファスは息を飲んだ。 「この辺りに長く住んでいるとわかるんだ。連れて行かれる獣人が減らない異常さに。あいつら人間は獣人を奴隷にしているらしい。繋がれている獣人を何度も見たから、それは間違いないだろう」 だが、それにしてもさらわれる獣人が多過ぎるのではないか、といつからかサルグは疑問を抱いていたという。 「意を決して、人間のいる辺りを隠れて見に行ったよ」 真剣な目で語るサルグの言葉が止まり、ひと呼吸の間。 マルファスは息を飲んだ。 「人間が作っている畑の近くに、獣人の死体が重ねて打ち捨てられていたよ。大量に、それこそ小さな山がいくつも。あれは墓場なんてものじゃない。文字通り捨てられていただけだ」 サルグの目の奥に、怒りの炎が灯る。 「どれもこれも新しい死体だった。兎や羊、虎や熊の死体もあったよ。......皮が剥がれたものも多かった」 「そんな......」 「他の獣人だからと言っても、あんな目にあっているのを見たら我慢できなかった。近いうちに、人間の国に入り込んで、できるだけの獣人を開放してやりたいと思っている。だから......」 「無茶だよ! 人間がたくさんいる所になんて行ったら、殺されちゃうよ!」 「落ち着くんだ、娘達が起きてしまう」 ハッとして声を押さえたマルファスが、それでも小さな声でサルグを止めようとするが、笑って受け流されてしまう。 「子供だと思っていたけれど、娘ももう自分が食べる物くらいは採れるようになったのを見たんだ。今日のことは偶然危ない目にあったけれど、荒野の中心部ならそこまで危ない目には合わないだろう」 娘は、ああ見えて結構力が強いんだ、とサルグは笑った。 「マルファス。君は優しい虎の男だから、良かったら彼女と共に行ってくれないか。妹さんとも気が合うようだ。......他の獣人たちも、あんなふうに種族を気にせず語り合えるようになればいいんだが」 サルグは、もしかしたら自分が開放した獣人たちなら仲良くしてくれるかもしれないな、と呟いた。 夢みたいな信じられない話だけれど、良かったら、協力して欲しい、とサルグは頭を下げた。 「俺も一緒に行きます」 「それは駄目だ。マルファスは若いからまだまだやるべき事がある。メスを見つけて子供を作れ。父親になって子供を守れ......俺のようには、なっちゃいけない」 それは、マルファスが初めて見る大人の涙だった。 こんなに強い人でも泣く時があるのか、としばらく呆然としていたが、マルファスはサルグの申し出を受けることにした。 「......わかりました。でも、二つお願いがあります」 「わかった。聞こう」 焚き火が小さく音を立てた。灰が空を舞い、マルファスの足元へ落ちる。 「オルラには、サルグさんから理由を説明してください。嘘や誤魔化しではなく、本当の事を」 「それは......」 「俺は、気づかないうちに人間に親を殺されました。何も知らないうちに、俺たちは親を失いました。多分、俺たちがその場に居ても親は殺されたでしょう。他にもたくさんの大人がいましたけれど、誰も生きていませんでしたから」 真っ直ぐにサルグを見る。 「知らないうちに親が死んでいるのは辛いです。せめて彼女には心の準備をさせてください。そして、その心配を杞憂にするために、必ず戻ってきてください。それまで、少し離れた場所には行きますが、そこで待っています」 お互いの目を見て、お互いの意思を感じ取る。 サルグはフッと笑うと、焚き火に小枝を放り込んだ。 「参った。どうやらマルファスの方がずっと大人のようだ。わかった。娘には明日、俺から話をしよう。そして、必ず生きて帰ってくると約束しよう」 だから、とサルグは再び頭を下げた。 「娘を、頼む」 門を抜けたレニとヘレンが見たのは、多くの人々が行き交う街のメイン通りだった。 街の出入り口からまっすぐ城へと続く通りは幅が広く道の左右には様々な店が軒を連ねている。 「うわぁ......」 「......うわぁ」 二人共同じような声を上げたが、レニは立派な建物や商品が並ぶ街の様子に感動しており、ヘレンはたくさんの人間がいることに違和感を覚えてつい口を出た言葉だった。 「立ち止まるな。さっさと行くぞ」 一二三が歩き出したのを慌てて追いかける二人は、彼の両脇に並んだ。 「どこへ行くの?」 「この国の金が無い。俺の持ち物を売って金を作る」 「お金ですか。人間はお金で物と交換するんですよね」 「変な話よね。食べられないし服にもならない物と交換なんて。損するじゃない」 口々に話しかける獣人娘たちを放って一二三はずんずんと歩いていく。 一二三の格好は相変わらず濃紺の道着と黒袴だったので、街の人々は奇異の目で見ているが、それ以上に彼が連れている獣人にも視線が集まる。 獣人奴隷は珍しくないが、鎖にもつながず連れ歩き、しかも血色の良さから金をかけて養っているのだと思われているようだ。 「......獣人が、結構たくさんいるんだね」 「みんな鎖でつながれてるし、怪我してる人も多いけどね......」 ヘレンは、次第に周りを見たく無くなってきた。 中年の男に怒鳴られ、殴りつけられる犬獣人の少年。貴族の護衛の道具として引き回される熊獣人の男。檻に入れられ、見世物のようにさらされた、値札がついた兎獣人の女。 それらを見ていくうちに、ヘレンはいたたまれない気持ちになった。何か一つ間違えば、自分もああなるのだ。 「レニ、やっぱり帰ろう」 「ダメだよ」 レニはしっかりと周りを見ながら言った。 「ヘレン。やっぱり人間はすごいと思う。力とか足の速さとか、獣人は確かに人間より上かもしれないけれど......こんなにたくさんの家を作って、いろんな物を取って、作って、食べてる」 レニはヘレンを見た。 ヘレンには、どこか別人のように見えた彼女の顔は、緊張と驚きでガチガチになっていた。 「嫌なものも見えるけど、ちゃんと見て、できることをしようよ。人間がどんどん増えたら、ウチたちはいつかどこにもいられなくなっちゃうよ」 「レニ......」 ヘレンがレニから逃げるように視線を離すと、檻にいる自分と同じ兎獣人と目が合った。 虚ろに見開かれた瞳からは、何の感情も見いだせない。 まだ、助けて、と声を上げてくれた方が良かったかもしれないと思うほど、ヘレンは胸が痛んだ。 「何か、できること......それで、あの人たちが助けられるのかな」 「わからない」 レニは言う。 「でも、増やさないことはできると思いたいよね」 そんな会話を聞きながら、一二三は自分の計画を頭の中で練り直していた。整理し直した計画を確認し、気づかれないように視線を二人の獣人に向け、ひっそりと笑った。 15分ほど歩くと、一二三は番兵に聞いた道具屋へと入った。 「これを買い取ってくれ」 店に入るなり一直線にカウンターに座る店主らしき親爺の所へ向かい、取り出した魔法具を置く。 一瞬面食らった店主だが、そこは慣れたもので、どこかの金に困った貴族の坊主かと道具を手にする。 「こりゃなんだ? 魔法具のようだが......」 「照明だ。ほら」 一二三が魔法具の一部に手をかざすと、ほのかに光り始めた。 「こ、こりゃ驚いた! 灯りの魔法具なんて早々手に入らないぞ! お前さん、こんなものどこで」 「グダグダ抜かさず買い取れ。他に持っていくぞ?」 店主は店の奥から袋を持ってきて、カウンターに金貨を積み上げた。 「金貨10枚でどうだ?」 「これで、街の宿にどれくらい泊まれるんだ?」 一二三の質問に、なんでそんなことを、と思った店主だったが、へそを曲げられて他に持ち込まれても困る。他国との交流がほとんど無いソードランテでは、たとえ中古でも魔法具は高級品だ。 「銀貨5枚で一泊素泊まりがこの変の相場だ。城に近い高級宿は銀貨20枚はする」 「高い方で」 「単純に50泊できるな」 「いいだろう」 一二三はカウンターの上の金貨を掴むと、懐に入れる振りをして闇魔法に収納する。 「で、その高い宿ってのはどこにある?」

What Reni and Helen snugly put on their heads were the hoods, attached to the mantles, which were used many times by Origa and Kasha to avoid the eyes of guards. Given that he had thrown those into the darkness storage, he passed those to the troublesome two, who would also make a racket in the surroundings, and had them wear those. "Well then, next." Currently, for the sake of entering the gate into Swordland, where Hifumi's group has arrived at, they have slipped among the people lining up to enter there. On top of being an independent nation, which faced the wastelands, the chattering was cut off within the protective walls. Hifumi wondered whether it was a city with little traffic, but there are places for hunting and farming other than the city. Apparently the number of common people coming and going isn't usually this small. Be that as it may, if you compare it to Fokalore, which has had a tremendous increase in population, it's insignificant. With it mostly being people entering and leaving everyday, the probability of them being acquaintances of the guards doing the inspections seems to be extremely high. There's only few people showing something like identification papers. "Next... you? You may pass." "Yes. Thanks as always." Due to them saying such, the queue is rapidly shrinking. "Next is... a face I haven't seen yet. Also, your two companions, remove your headgear and show your faces." As he was told by the soldier, Hifumi quickly pulled down the hoods of the hesitating Reni and Helen. "This..., beastmen!?" "Don't get flustered. My slaves are no danger. There's likely something else you have to do rather than being surprised." (Hifumi) "Ah, u-understood." Being told that high-handedly, the solder reflexively confirms the name in a businesslike manner and records it down. Thereupon, apparently realizing what he has been doing, the soldier's face became bright red and he continued to question Hifumi. "As there doesn't seem to be a record of you leaving this city, where did you come from? What's your objective?" "It's because I'm from Orsongrande, on the other side of the wastelands. My objective is to merely go on a pleasure trip." (Hifumi) "You say, you came out of the wastelands? Didn't you get caught by beastmen over there!? You are amazingly talented or had great luck." Due to the soldier looking at them with a scrutinizing look, Reni cast down her eyes and Helen clenched her fists, but they endured it without leaking a single word. Seeing their state, Hifumi decided to have a slight better opinion of those two. "They are my assets. Don't stare at them too much. So, is it already fine to pass as well?" (Hifumi) "Ah, sorry. Carry this permit. The admission tax is 5 silver coins, but... do you have those?" On the desk the soldier, who was facing him with a doubtful look, has been placing his elbow, Hifumi casually piled up around 10 gold cons. The design of the gold coins is different from the one in Swordland, but their size is one size larger. Even the portrait, which had been thoroughly engraved into it, is detailed and beautiful. Hifumi sighed with a "Good grief", as the soldier had his breath taken away and was unable to take his eyes off the gold coins. "It's the money of the country over there, but money is money. Because I don't need any attraction, hurry up and let us through." (Hifumi) The bearman Salgu returned to their nesting place within the woods being accompanied by the tigerboy's group. It was the first time the boy's group learned of it, but bear beastmen don't form packs. Apparently they are basically living by themselves or, at most, with their families. Although there is mingling with their fellow members of the same race, they are told that it almost never happens for them to live together. "Accordingly, the bear beastmen cherish their family ties. If a child loses its parents prematurely due to something happening, the other adults will look after it and raise it as well." (Salgu) Tearing off a fruit, that was growing at a high place, Salgu equally split it with Olra, who is his daughter, and the boy and his younger sister. "T-Thank you..." "Let's hear your name. You are the lifesaver of my precious daughter after all." (Salgu) "Something like benefactor... I'm Malfas Once her elder brother gave her name, the younger sister quickly, in a bouncing way, bowed her head. Salgu smiled gently and placed his paw on the head of Malfas. "Malfas, there's no necessity to force yourself to talk politely." (Salgu) "But, you saved us, although we are even from a different race..." (Malfas) "Let me see. Malfas did the same as well. In order to save my daughter, albeit her being of a different race, you put your life at risk and raised your voice." (Salgu) "We are of equal status in this regard", Salgu's large paw stroke Malfas' head roughing his hair up. "Please eat without restraint. Since there are recently few beastman living in this area due to being cautious of humans, lots of fish and fruits can be gathered." (Salgu) Presenting a fish while smiling broadly, Salgu himself made short work of the fish, who is more than 50 centimetres long, with his large jaw. "Are there this many humans coming?" (Riedel) When Riedel asked while chewing on the fruit, Salgu shook his head. "I'm sorry to say. Even just yesterday, it looks like they caught a leopard beastman, who lived nearby." (Salgu) Since he didn't see his figure since morning, he visited the nesting place of a leopard beastman acquaintance and discovered traces of blood close-by, he says. "He was quite the strong fellow, but against human opponents, who surround one with large numbers holding weapons, it's a harsh situation after all..." (Salgu) "However, didn't you win against human opponents, Salgu-san!?" (Malfas) As Malfas shouts, Salgu laughs. "That's right. I believe myself to be quite strong. But you know, likewise it's a miracle because the large number of people. No matter how big a beastman might be, they will be defeated, if they get swarmed by large quantities of poisonous insects." (Salgu) "You will likely understand once you saw a guy, who was attacked by bees and ants", being told that, Malfas and Riedel cast their eyes down with pale faces. "Papa, don't talk about such things during lunch. Look, haven't the two of them lost their appetite because of this?" (Olra) "Ah, sorry for that." (Salgu) Due to the appearance of the huge bearman being scolded by his daughter, Malfas just ended up laughing. "E-Excuse me." (Malfas) "No, it's always better to laugh like that. Especially a man has to show laughter at a time, he has no leeway." (Salgu) "What kind of self-important thing are you saying?" (Olra) Proceeding with the meal in this gentle mood, Riedel was taken by Olra and fell asleep. Lighting a fire, the man and the boy quietly talked with each other while watching the fire burst open with crackling sounds. "As a matter of fact, there's something I want to request of you." (Salgu) Choosing a place, where their talking voice couldn't be heard by Olra's group, whose bed was slightly further away, Salgu quietly said, "Request?" (Malfas) "Yes, I want you guys to go even further into the centre of the wastelands together with Olra. Leaving the area, where there are humans and dangerous beastmen, to a place of harmless folks like rabbit beastmen or something like that." (Salgu) "What will you do, Salgu-san?" (Malfas) "I will go to the human country." (Salgu) Malfas gasped due to Salgu's immediate reply. "I know since I've been living in this area for a long time. The abnormality, which doesn't abate, of beastmen being taken along. It seems those humans turn the beastmen into slaves. Since I saw beastmen, who were tied together, many times, there's likely no doubt about that." (Salgu) "However, aren't too many beastmen being kidnapped?" is the question that pestered Salgu since some time. "Resolving myself, I went and hid myself to see the area, where the humans are." (Salgu) For the interval of a person's breath, the words of Salgu, who talks with seriousness in his eyes, cease. Malfas gulped. "Close to the fields made by the humans, the corpses of beastmen were thrown away in a pile. It was a large quantity, to the extent of forming a small mountain. That's not a graveyard or anything like that. They have been literally thrown away." (Salgu) Within Salgu's eyes flames of rage are burning. "Each and every of the corpses were new. There were also corpses of rabbits, sheep, tigers and bears. ... Many of them had their fur torn off as well." (Salgu) "Such a..." (Malfas) "Although one might say it's other beastmen, I wouldn't be able to endure it, if I saw them suffering such a fate. Before long I have been considering to free as many beastmen as possible by going to the human country. Therefore..." (Salgu) "That's too rash! If you went to such a place filled with great numbers of humans, you will be killed!" (Malfas) "Calm down, you will wake up the girls." (Salgu) Malfas restrained his voice quickly, but even so continues to stop Salgu with a small voice, but Salgu ends up warding it off by laughter. "I thought she is a child, but you saw that my daughter also has already reached the point of being at least able to harvest things to eat by herself. Though she experienced something dangerous by chance today, she likely won't encounter dangerous looks to that extent, if it's in the central part of the wastelands." (Salgu) "My daughter, despite looking like that, her strength is fairly powerful", Salgu laughed. "Malfas. You are a kind tigerman, therefore, won't you go together with her, if it's fine with you? It looks like she gets along with your younger sister-san as well. ... Even other beastmen, if she reaches the point of being able to talk together with them without minding their races, it will be fine." (Salgu) "By some chance, if it's the beastmen I freed myself, she might get along with them", Salgu muttered. "It's an unbelievable story similar to a dream, but if you like, I want you cooperate with me", Salgu bowed. "I will go with you as well." (Malfas) "That's not allowed. There are still some things you should do since you are young, Malfas. Finding a girl and making children. Become a father and protect your children... you can't become like me." (Salgu) That was the first time Malfas saw the tears of an adult. is what he was dumbfounded about for a short while, but Malfas decided to accept Salgu's request. "... Understood. But I have two requests." (Malfas) "Got it. Let's hear them." (Salgu) The open fire made a small sound. The ashes, fluttering in the air, drop under the feet of Malfas. "Please explain your reason to Olra, Salgu-san. Without lies and deceptions, just the truth of the matter." (Malfas) "That is..." (Salgu) "My parents were killed by a human without me noticing. Before I realized anything, we had lost our parents. Probably, even if we had been at that place, our parents would have been killed. Besides, there were a lot of adults there as well, but none of them survived." (Malfas) He looks directly at Salgu. "Your parents dying, before you realized it, is painful. Please, at least, have her brace for it. And, in order to transform her worries into pointless anxiety, please come back without fail. Until then we will go to a place, which is slightly away, but we will wait there for you." (Malfas) Looking into each other's eyes, they sense each other's intention. Salgu laughed with a "Pfft" and tossed a twig into the open fire. "I give up. it appears that you have been an adult all along, Malfas. Understood. I will tell my daughter tomorrow. And I will promise her to survive and come back without fail." (Salgu) "Therefore", Salgu bowed once more. "I leave my daughter to you." (Salgu) What Reni and Helen saw after passing through the gate was the main road of the city with many people going back and forth. The road, which continues from the entrance of the city straight to the castle, has various kinds of shops lined up left and right of the broad path. "Uwaa..." "... Uwaa." Both of them raised their voices similarly, but Reni was deeply moved by the state of the city with its imposing buildings and goods. For Helen it was words just leaving her mouth remembering he sense of discomfort due to there being a large number of humans. "Don't stand still. Hurry up and move." The two chase after Hifumi, who began to walk, in a panic. They lined up at both his sides. "Where do we go?" "We don't have any money of this country. We will make money by selling my own property." (Hifumi) "Money, is it? Humans exchange items for money, right?" "What a strange story, right? To exchange something you can't eat with items that aren't even clothes. Isn't that a loss?" Hifumi, abandoning the beastgirls, who begin to chat severally, walks quickly. Given that Hifumi's appearance was still, as ever, a dark blue dougi and a black hakama, the city's people look at him with strange eyes, but even above that, their looks gather on the beastmen, he leads. Beastmen slaves aren't unusual, but walking without them having chains pinning them down as burden and moreover, because of their good complexion, the people are apparently considering him to raise them by expending money. "... There are plenty of beastmen." "All of them are bound by chains. There are many with injuries as well, but..." Helen had gradually lost her will to look at the vicinity. Being yelled at by a middle-aged man, a dogboy is beaten. A bearman, who is paraded about as guard tool of a noble. Stuffed into a cage, a rabbitwoman, with a price tag attached, was exposed as if it's some exhibition. While watching those, a feeling of being unable to bear it formed in Helen. If she makes a single mistake, she will end up like that as well. "Reni, let's go home after all." (Helen) "That's no good." (Reni) Reni said while properly looking at her surroundings. "Helen. I believe humans are amazing after all. Beastmen might be certainly above humans in such things as strength or running speed, but... they are building this many houses and are taking, creating, eating so many various things." (Reni) Reni looked at Helen. To Helen, her face, which appeared to be that of someone else somehow, was shaking with tension and astonishment. "Disgusting things can be seen as well, but if you observe it properly, there will be things we can do. If the humans increased rapidly, we would have no place to run someday." (Reni) "Reni..." (Helen) As Helen talks with a look similar to running away from Reni, her eyes met the rabbit beastman, who's the same as her, in the cage. In the hollow, widely-opened eyes there isn't any trace of any kind of emotions. She thinks it might have still been better if she had raised her voice with a "Help!", Helen felt sick at heart. "Something, something we can do... and then we can save them, I hope." "I don't understand." Reni says. "But, you want to believe that the things possible to do won't increase, right?" While listening to such conversation, Hifumi revised his own plan within his head. Reviewing the adjusted, fixed plan, he turned his look at the two beastmen so that they wouldn't notice and laughed quietly. After walking for around 15 minutes, Hifumi entered the second-hand shop, he heard about from the guard. "Please buy this." As soon as he enters the shop, he heads for the place of shopkeeper-like old man, sitting at the counter, in a straight line and places down a magic tool, he took out. The shopkeeper was taken aback for a moment, however with that being something he got used to, he holds the tool wondering whether it's the boy of a noble, who was troubled by money, from somewhere. "What's this? It looks like a magic tool, but..." "It's lighting. Look." (Hifumi) Once Hifumi held out his hand over a part of the magic tool, it began to give off a faint light. "T-That's surprising! I won't get my hands on something like a light magic tool quickly! Hey, where did you get such thing?" "Omit the yapping and buy it. Will you take others?" (Hifumi) The shopkeeper, bringing a bag from the shop's back, piled up gold coins on the counter. "How about 10 gold coins?" "How long will I be able to stay in an inn of the city with this?" (Hifumi) , but it will likewise be troublesome, if he gets and angry and takes it to someone else. In Swordland, that has almost no exchange with foreign countries, magic tools are high-class items, even if they are second-hand. "The market price around here is 5 silver coins for staying overnight without meals. For a high-class inn, close to the castle, it will take 20 silver coins."magic "Expensive." (Hifumi) "You will be able to stay 50 nights in a simple inn." "I guess that's fine." (Hifumi) Hifumi seizes the gold coins on top of the counter and, pretending to stuff it into his wallet, he stores them away in his darkness storage. "So, where are those expensive lodgings?" (Hifumi)

141.Wild World アリッサが入り込んだ部屋は倉庫のようで、運よく鍵もかかっていなかったことから、倉庫外へ出るのは簡単だった。 外から見たときには四階建てだと思っていたのだが、木箱が積み重ねられた狭苦しい倉庫の外は、城のホールのように天井が高くなっているのを、室内にある仄かな灯りでかろうじて見て取れた。 「外の感じからすると、上にもう一フロアあるくらいですかね」 一人の兵士が呟き、アリッサは頷く。 「ということは......うわぁ......」 倉庫の慎重に周囲の状況を確認しながら移動すると、巨大な檻を発見した。 アリッサの腰ほどもある太さの鉄格子が並び、光がほとんど届かないその奥には、壁に背をもたれさせて眠っている巨人兵がうっすらと見える。 檻が二つあり、片方が空になっているのは、朝に一二三が倒した方が入っていたのだろうとアリッサは推測した。 アリッサはここで悩む。 巨人兵を今のうちに始末してしまえば、今後ホーラント首都へ進むにしてもかなり楽になるだろう。 だが、対応準備をしているとはいえ、三人で巨人兵を相手にして必ず勝てるとは限らない。 唸っている間に、変化は訪れる。 「火事だぁ! みんな起きろ!」 隣の建物からだろうか、遠くから慌てた様子の声が聞こえた。 その声が聞こえたのか、眠っていた巨人兵がもそもそと動き出した。 「いったん隠れよう!」 アリッサの判断で、倉庫前まで戻って暗がりに隠れ、様子を見る。 どうやら他は三班とも早々に火をつけ始めたらしく、建物の外からは大勢の人間が行き来する音や怒号、木が焼けるパチパチという音が聞こえてきた。 檻の方を見ると、すっかり目が覚めたらしい巨人兵が天井に届かんばかりの長身を伸ばし、不機嫌そうに周囲を見回している。 そこへ、上階にいたのか、ホーラントの魔法使いと思しき人物が二人、息せき切って駆け込んできた。 「強化兵を出そう!」 「いや、私たちだけだと制御が......」 「延焼して焼け死んだりしたら、責任が取れないだろ! しかもこれは敵襲だろう! 鍵を開けるぞ!」 及び腰の同僚を一括した男が、鍵らしい魔道具を鉄格子の一部に当てながら、巨人兵に向かって「大人しくしていろよ!」と叫んでいる。 巨人はのっそりと立ち上がった状態のまま、ホーラントの魔法使いたちを感情の抜けたうつろな目で見下ろしていた。 その様子を見て、アリッサは仲間たちに向き直った。 「あれを解放されたらまずいよね。行こう!」 返事を待たず、弾かれる様な勢いで飛び出したアリッサは、止めようとしていた方の男に向かって、体当たりさながらに脇差を突き立てた。 「んぎっ?」 喉から漏れたような声を出して絶命したのを確認したアリッサが視線をもう一人へ送ると、戸惑う仲間の目の前で、巨人兵に鷲掴みにされてもがいている魔法使いの姿があった。 格子を開けた途端に捕まったらしい。 「は、離せ、この......」 痛みと恐怖で汗をびっしょりとかいた魔法使いが、必死に巨人兵を止めようとするが、魔法使いを掴んだまま、巨人兵はのっそりと檻から身を乗り出そうとしている。 「二人とも距離を取って戦闘準備! あれを用意して!」 仲間に指示を出すのに、アリッサは巨人兵の注意を引くために殊更大声をだした。 巨人兵の視線がのっそりとこちらを向いたのを確認し、光の当たる目立つ場所に立ち、脇差を右手に構える。 冷や汗が、頬を伝う。 未だ馬上から叩き落とされた時の怖さが身体を振るわせていたが、脇差を握る右手だけは強い気持ちで震えを押えた。 一二三が相手を挑発する時のイメージそのままに、真似をして笑って見せた。 それに腹を立てたのか、掴んでいたホーラントの魔法使いを、巨人兵がアリッサに向けて投げつけた。 「ぶべっ」 壁に叩きつけられ、カエルのような声を出した魔法使いは、そのまま板壁をぶち破って外へと転がり出て行った。 アリッサは、横に転がって躱しながらも、巨人兵から目を離さない。 睨み合いの最中、アリッサの耳に仲間たちの声が聞こえた。 「網を使います!」 次の瞬間、大きな網が巨人兵に覆いかぶさった。 もがくほどに絡まる網を引っ張りながら苛立つように唸り声をあげる巨人兵に、アリッサは脇差を抱えて走る。 この網はサブナクが防御陣地に槍避けとして張った網を、一部譲ってもらったものだ。目が細かく、縁に重りをつけて漁に使う網のようになっている。 「たしか、一二三さんが倒した時には......」 アリッサが狙うのは、網の下から見えている巨人兵の足。具足もつけていない裸足の指は薄汚れ、分厚い爪は獣のように伸びている。 両手にしっかりと握った脇差で、小指側から指を根元からごっそりと切り取った。 親指だけは、骨に引っかかったが、血を流しながら指が散らばったとたんに、巨人兵は尻餅をついた。 網に絡まり、身もだえしながらも的確に振り回してくる丸太のような腕を掻い潜りながら距離をとったアリッサは歯噛みした。 「これじゃ届かないよ」 座ったままもぞもぞと動く巨人兵を睨みつける。 網を投げた仲間たちは、武器を抜いて巨人兵に斬りかかっているが、怯む様子も見せない。 一二三の真似をして、巨人を転ばせて首か頭を狙うつもりでいたアリッサだが、座っている状態でも巨人の頭までアリッサの身長の二倍はある。 巨人の怪力で、網も次第にボロボロになっていくのを見ながら、アリッサは何か無いかと考えながら、空いている左手でリュックの中や懐を探る。そこで、手裏剣を見つけた。 「ほとんど使ったことないけど、たしか、こんな感じで」 オリガの真似をして、脇差を納めて右手で手裏剣を構え、腕を前に伸ばすようにして投擲する。 大きく外れた手裏剣が向こう側の壁にカツン、と音を立てて突き刺さる。 うなりながら二投目。 これが巨人兵の顔に刺さり、不愉快になったらしく前かがみにアリッサに迫る。 「もう一回!」 今度は大きく振りかぶって力いっぱいに叩きつける。 手裏剣は風を切って疾り、網越しに巨人兵の左目に埋まるほどの勢いで突き刺さった。 突然視界の半分を失った巨人兵は顔を押えて混乱した様子でもがいている。 「長官!」 「腕を狙って!」 再び脇差を握り、アリッサが仲間に指示を出す。 素早く対応した二人のフォカロル兵は、剣を使って巨人兵が顔面を押えている両手の手首をそれぞれ切りつけた。 痛みは感じずとも鬱陶しいのだろう、仰向けに倒れた巨人兵が腕を振り回して、兵士たちが振りほどかれたのと入れ替わりにアリッサが飛び込んだ。 「これで終わり!」 手裏剣でつぶされた目に向けて、脇差を深々と叩き込んだ。 脇差の切っ先で押し込まれた手裏剣が脳まで届いたのだろう。 残った右目を見開いたまま、巨人兵は動きを止めた。 「長官、やりましたね!」 褒めそやす仲間たちに笑顔を向けて、汗をぬぐったアリッサが、上階に資料を探しに行こうかと顔をあげると、魔法使いが投げつけられた壁の穴あたりから、すでに火が上がっているのが見えた。 「やばっ。みんな、資料はあきらめて脱出しよう! 上に行ったら火が回ってくるかも!」 「り、了解です!」 未だ外では燃え盛る建物の周りを、ホーラント兵たちが右往左往している。 その混乱に乗じて脱出することに決めたアリッサは、倒れて死んでいる巨人兵を一瞥すると、建物を後にした。 「まぁ、及第点かな」 上階へ続く階段からアリッサの戦いぶりを見つめていた一二三は、ぐいっと口の端を釣り上げて笑った。 身体能力はさておき、手裏剣を外したのはいただけないが、それにしても敵を倒す方法を設定し、指示をしっかりと出して、イレギュラーにも対応できた。今までのこの世界の戦いなら、身体能力で勝る相手なら、魔法が無ければ対応しようがなかっただろう。 “搦め手”をアリッサが選択し、効果的に利用した。 また、一二三のやり方を見て、自分でできる部分を拾い上げて実行したことも評価した。 「それじゃ、俺も次の目的地に行こうかね」 一二三がちらりと背後に視線を送る。 二階フロアには、五人のホーラント兵の死体が転がっていた。すべて一刀で斬り伏せられ、全員何が起きたかわからないという混乱の表情のままだった。 一二三は舌打ちを一つ。 「成果確認のためとはいえ、ストレスがたまるな......」 刀の鍔をこつこつと指で叩きながら不満を漏らしていると、アリッサが撤退した後の下フロアに数名のホーラント兵が雪崩れ込んできた。 「これは......強化兵がやられている?」 「そとにいる奴も死んでる。とにかくここは放棄だ! 死んでるならもうどうしようもない!」 口々に状況を話している兵士に向かって一二三が飛び降りる。 そのまま肩の上に膝を載せるようにして一人の兵士を押しつぶす。ついでに頭を掴んでいたので、後ろにそらされるようにして首が折れ、鎖骨ごと上半身を潰すようにして床に叩きつけられた兵士は即死だった。 「な、だ、誰だ?」 「あ~......そうだな。不審者ってところだな」 ゆっくり立ち上がった一二三は、懐手のまま鉄格子に背中を預ける。 「この!」 上段から振り下ろされた剣を避け、横から蹴りをくれてやると、剣は格子に引っかかり、兵士は素手のまま転がった。 「周りもよく見て戦わないとな」 ドン、とブレストアーマーの上から足全体で踏みつけると、兵士は血を吐いて絶命する。 別の兵士が突き出した剣に対し、一二三は懐から取り出した十手を軽く振る。 それだけで引っかけられた剣は兵士の手を離れた。 突然手の内から奪われたことに唖然としていると、その喉に向かって自分の剣が投げつけられた。 魔法使いが混じっていたのか、剣を投げた一二三に火球が迫る。 だが、一二三は冷たい瞳で業火を見つめると、手袋をした左手で火球を叩き落とした。 「よっ」 驚愕する魔法使いに、一二三はゆっくりと近づくと、先ほど火球を叩き落とした時と同様に、平手で相手の顔を殴った。 「ひぃっ!」 衝撃で倒れた魔法使いの頭の真横にたち、一二三は見下ろす。 「単にまっすぐ飛んでくる火の玉なんて、百発飛ばされても全部対応できるんだよ」 だから、と一二三は左手で魔法使いを指差す。 「お前らがやってるのは石を投げてるのと何も変わらん。まして掛け声まで出しやがって。無言でいきなり火炎瓶でも投げてこられた方がもっと対応し難いわ。俺が言っている意味がわかるか?」 問いかけられても、まるで金縛りにでもあっているかのように指一本動かせずに震えているだけの魔法使いを見て、一二三は深々とため息をついた。 苛立たしげに十手を魔法使いの目に叩きつけ、痙攣して死に向かう相手に興味を無くした一二三は、残っているホーラント兵たちに向き直った。 視線を向けられた兵たちは、思わず後ずさる。 火は完全に燃え移り、元あった灯りよりも燃え盛る壁をじわじわと登っていく炎が明るい。 「何のために、わざわざマ・カルメたちをこの国に派遣したと思ってる? お前らがもっとマシな戦いができるようにだろうが。お前らも」 剣を持った兵士たちを指差した時、一二三はもう怒りの表情を隠そうともしていない。 「馬鹿みたいに剣を振り回すだけじゃねぇか。いい加減腹が立つ。俺がどんだけ我慢して、殺さずに育てる選択をしたかわかってんのか。戦い方を教えて広めるためだけじゃないぞ。強い奴が増えたら危機感を持って鍛えようって奴が増えるのを期待してたんだ。戦い方を工夫して、新しい魔法やら新しい武器やらが出てきて、命がけの争いが始まるのを期待したんだ」 次第に語気が強まるのを、ホーラント兵たちは震えながら聞いている。 「時間が無かったか? まだ戦う準備ができていないのか? じゃあなんで攻撃した。なぜ逃げようともしない?」 腰から刀を抜く。 炎の揺らめきが、刀身を怪しく輝かせる。 「ふざけるなよ、本当に。この世界、これだけ人を殺すのに恵まれた世界で、お前らは一体何をやっていたんだ。まだヒントが足りないのか? それとも、目の間で誰かが死なないとわからんのか?」 興奮し、熱い息を吐いた一二三は、切っ先で巨人兵の死体を差した。 「あれはいい。あれもホーラントが魔法を研究した結果だろう。あれを倒すのにアリッサは頭を捻った。道具を使い、必要な技術を学び、倒すことができた。最初は俺もそれなりに手こずったからな。だが、それだけか?」 切っ先は、兵士たちへと向けられる。 「ひょっとして、それだけを頼りに戦争を起こしたのか? 殺し合いの決着がそんな簡単に終わるとでも思ったのか?」 鼻から息を吸い込み、口から吐く。 「選べ。鍛えた証明を俺と戦って示すか、逃げ出して俺の言葉をお前らの親玉に伝えるか」 さあ、と一二三が一歩だけ踏み出したところで、残ったホーラント兵は全員が背中を向けて逃げ出した。 その姿を見て、一二三は深いため息をついた。 刀を納め、息を整えて気配を消した一二三は、必死で逃げてゆく兵士たちの後をそっと尾行し始めた。

Chapter 141: Wild World As the room, which Alyssa entered, was apparently a storage, it was simple to leave outside the storage as it wasn't locked either. At the time when she looked from the outside she thought that the building had four floors, but outside the cramped storage with its piles of wooden boxes the ceiling has become high as if it was the hall of a castle. She was barely able to perceive that with the faint light existing inside the room. "Judging by the impression from outside, it has at least one more floor on top." One of the soldiers mutters and Alyssa nods. "That means... uwah..." Once they move while carefully checking the situation in the vicinity of the storage, they discovered a huge cage. Iron bars with a thickness at the level of Alyssa's waist are forming a grid. Inside, where light mostly doesn't reach, a giant soldier, who is sleeping while leaning his back against the wall, is dimly visible. There are two cages. Alyssa is troubled at this point. If we get rid of the giant soldier here and now, it will probably become quite easy even if we proceed towards the capital city of Horant from here on. However, even though we have done preparations to deal with them, it's not definitely certain that we can win against a giant soldier with 3 people. A change takes place while she is groaning. "It's a fire! Everyone, wake up!" It's from the neighbouring building, I guess? Did he hear that voice? The sleeping giant soldier was stirring restlessly. "Let's hide for the moment!" (Alyssa) Upon Alyssa's decision, they return to in front of the storage, disappear in the darkness and watch the state of affairs. It seems like the other 3 units have set fire quickly. There are angry roars and sounds of a crowd of people coming and going outside the building. Once she looks in the direction of the cage, the giant soldier, who appears to be completely awake now, stretches his tall figure, which gives the impression of being about to reach the ceiling, and surveys his surroundings while looking displeased. At this moment, two people, appearing to be magicians of Horant, rush into the place while panting (were they on the floor above?). "Let's release the reinforced soldier!" "No, controlling him with just us two is..." "If he is burnt to death due to the spread of fire, it will be our responsibility, won't it!? Moreover, this is an enemy attack! I will open the lock!" The man, who rebuked his colleague's indecisive attitude in one go, yells [Stay obedient!] towards the giant soldier while opening a part of the iron bars with a magic tool-like key. While having stood up sluggishly, the giant looks down on Horant's magicians with blank eyes which held no emotions. Seeing that situation, Alyssa turned around to her comrades. "It will be bad if that one's released, right? Let's go." (Alyssa) Alyssa, who jumped out with a force similar to being flicked away without waiting for an answer, headed towards the man who tried to stop her and stabbed him with the wakizashi just as she rammed into him. "Nnggh?" Once Alyssa, who confirmed his death as his voice leaks out from his throat, turns her gaze towards the other man. She saw the figure of the magician struggling while being held in an eagle grip by the giant soldier in front of her perplexed comrades. He was apparently caught just as he opened the cage. "R-Release me, this..." The magician, who was drenched in sweat due to pain and fear, frantically tries to make the giant soldier stop, but the giant soldier sluggishly tries to bend himself forward from the cage while grabbing the magician. "Both of you, take some distance and prepare for combat! Get that ready!" (Alyssa) While issuing instructions to her comrades, Alyssa intentionally used a loud voice to attract the attention of the giant soldier. Verifying that the giant soldier's gaze slowly turned her way, she stands in a conspicuous place where the light shines and prepares the wakizashi in her right hand. Cold sweat traces down her cheeks. Her body was still made to tremble by the scariness of the time when she was knocked down from atop her horse, but the shivering calmed down with only the strong sensation of holding her wakizashi in her right hand. Just as her image of the time when Hifumi provoked his opponents, she displayed a smile while mimicking him. Did he get angry due to that? The giant soldier threw the magician of Horant, he held, towards Alyssa. "Bubehh." Being slapped against the wall, the magician, who leaked a voice similar to a frog, smashed down the wooden wall and left by rolling outside. Alyssa doesn't take her eyes off the giant soldier even while dodging the rolling magician sideways. In the middle of the confrontation Alyssa heard the voices of her comrades. "We will use a net!" In the next instant a large net fell upon the giant soldier. Alyssa dashes while carrying her wakizashi towards the giant soldier who raises groans in irritation as he pulls at the net which got entwined by him struggling. They had Sabnak concede a share of the net which was spread out as spear protection in the defence encampment. It is a net used for fishing with weights attached at its edges and small eyes. "If I remember correctly, at the time when Hifumi-san killed it..." (Alyssa) What Alyssa is aiming for are the feet of the giant soldier who is visible from below the net. The bare toes, which aren't protected by armour, are slightly dirty. Thick nails have grown just like a beast. With the wakizashi, she firmly held in both hands, she completely cut off the toes from their root at the side of the little toe. Only the big toe was saved by the obstruction of the bone, but just as his toes were scattered about while the stumps shed blood, the giant soldier fell on his backside. Taking distance while slipping through the log-like arm which the giant soldier swung precisely even as he was writhing and getting entangled by the net, Alyssa grind her teeth. "This didn't get through." (Alyssa) She glares at the giant soldier who is moving around restlessly while sitting. Her comrades, who cast the net, have drawn their weapons and are slashing at the giant soldier, but the giant soldier doesn't look like he is faltering either. Imitating Hifumi, Alyssa planned to aim for the head or neck after the giant was made to fall down, but even in the state of sitting, the giant's head is twice as high as Alyssa's height. While watching as the net is gradually becoming worn-out due to the giant's superhuman strength, Alyssa wonders whether there isn't anything they can do and searches her pocket and the interior of her rucksack with her free left hand. There she found the shuriken. "It's something I almost never used, but if I remember correctly, it goes with such feeling." (Alyssa) Mimicking Origa, she sheathes the wakizashi, prepares the shuriken in her right hand and throws them while making sure to stretch her arm in front. The largely off shuriken pierces the wall on the opposite side while making a sound of *clonk*. While groaning she throws the second one. This one stabs into the face of the giant soldier. He approaches Alyssa by slouching while seeming to be very unhappy. "Once more!" (Alyssa) This time she throws it with a large swing using all her strength. The shuriken moved quickly and stabbed into the giant soldier's left eye with a force of getting deeply buried into it. Having all of a sudden lost half of his visual field, the giant soldier wriggles in a confused state while holding down his face. "Director!" "Aim for the arms!" (Alyssa) Grasping the wakizashi once again, Alyssa gives directions to her comrades. The two soldier of Fokalore, who responded to it swiftly, respectively cut at the wrist of both arms, with which the giant soldier holds his face, using their swords. The giant soldier, who collapsed facing upwards, swung his arms and Alyssa leapt in as substitute for the soldiers who were warded off. "This is the end!" (lyssa) She drove her wakizashi very deeply targeting the eye which had been crushed by the shuriken. Being pushed by the wakizashi's tip, the shuriken reached the brain. With the remaining right eye being widely opened, the giant soldier stopped moving. "Director, you did it!" Alyssa, who wiped off her sweat and turned towards her cheering comrades with a smile, already saw flames rising from the hole in the wall, where the magician was thrown at, once she lifted her face wondering whether they should go to look for the documents on the floor above. "It's terrible. Everyone, let's give up on the documents and escape! We might get surrounded by the fire if we went upstairs!" (Alyssa) "U-Understood!" Horant's soldiers are moving about in confusion in the vicinity of the buildings which are still burning brightly outside. Alyssa, who decided to escape by taking advantage of that chaos, took a glance at the fallen and dead giant soldier and left the building behind. "Well, a passing mark, I guess?" (Hifumi) Hifumi, who observed the combat style of Alyssa from the stairway continuing to the upper floor, suddenly lifted the edges of his mouth and smiled. Setting aside her physical ability, it's unacceptable for her to miss with the shuriken, but she created a method to kill her enemy, gave proper instructions and was even able to deal with irregularities. In case of a battle in this world up until now, there was no way to cope with an opponent, who excelled in physical ability, if there was no magic, I guess. Choosing his "weak point," Alyssa used it effectively. Also, watching Hifumi's way of doing things, she picked up the parts she can do herself and implemented them. This was also something he valued highly. "Well then, shall I go to the next target location as well?" (Hifumi) Hifumi sends a fleeting glance behind. Five corpses of soldiers from Horant were scattered around on the second floor. Having been killed with a single stroke, all of them wore a confused expression due to not understanding what happened to them.magic Hifumi clicks his tongue once. "Although it's for the sake of confirming the results, my stress keeps piling up..." (Hifumi) When he was venting complaints while tapping the guard of his katana with a finger, several soldiers of Horant rushed into the lower floor after Alyssa withdrew from there. "This is... the reinforced soldier has been done in?" "The fellow outside is dead as well. Anyway, this place will be abandoned! If he's already dead, it cannot be helped!" Hifumi jumps down towards the soldiers who are discussing the circumstances. A single soldier is flattened after having Hifumi's knee being driven on top of his shoulder. Since Hifumi grabbed the soldier's head while at it, he broke the neck by twisting it backwards and the soldier instantly died after being thrown onto the ground while Hifumi made sure to crush his upper body including the collarbone. "Wha-, W-Who are you?" "Ah~... let's see. A suspicious person, that's about it." (Hifumi) Hifumi, who stood up slowly, places his back against the iron bars while staying idle. "This!" Avoiding the sword which was swung down from an overhead position, he delivers a kick from the side and with the sword being stuck in-between the bars, the soldier fell over while being unarmed. "You have to fight after properly examining your surroundings." (Hifumi) Once he tramples down with his entire foot on top of the breast armour with a *bam*, the soldier vomits blood and dies. Hifumi lightly swings the jitte, which he took out from his pocket, towards the sword which was pushed forth by another soldier. The sword, which got hooked with only that, left the hands of the soldier. Once the soldier was dumbfounded by having suddenly snatched away his sword from his palm, his own sword was thrown aiming for his throat. Was there a magician mixed in? However, Hifumi stared at the conflagration with cold eyes and knocked down the fireball with his left hand which had a glove. "Yo." Hifumi slowly got close to the shocked magician and hit the face of his opponent with his palm in the same manner as he knocked down the fireball just now. "Hii!" Standing right next to the head of the magician who collapsed due to the impact, Hifumi looks down at him. "Something like a fireball that merely comes flying in a straight line can be dealt with completely even if you hurl 100 of them at me." (Hifumi) "Therefore", Hifumi points at the magician with his left hand. "What you are doing isn't any different from throwing with stones. Not to mention that you even release a yell. The way of suddenly throwing a Molotov cocktail in silence is a lot harder to deal with. Do you understand the meaning of what I'm saying?" (Hifumi) Looking at the magician who is simply trembling without even moving a single finger as if his hands and feet are completely bound, even when being questioned, Hifumi sighed very deeply. Striking the eyes of the magician with the jitte in irritation, Hifumi, who lost interest in the other party who is convulsing and heading towards death, turned around towards the remaining soldiers of Horant. The soldiers, who had that gaze turned on them, step back instinctively. The fire has completely spread. The flame, which is slowly creeping up the wall while burning, is brighter than the original light. "For what reason do you think I deliberately dispatched Ma Carne's unit to this country? It's so that you lot can fight a lot better, isn't it? You guys as well." (Hifumi) When he pointed at the soldiers holding their swords, Hifumi didn't try to hide his expression of anger anymore. "Are you only going to wield your swords like idiots? Your half-assed way makes me angry. Do you understand how much patience it took to choose to teach you without killing you? Teaching you the way how to fight isn't just for popularizing it. I had hoped that the guys, who try to train while possessing a sense of danger, will increase if the number of strong people grows. I anticipated ingenious scheming how to to fight, the appearance of new spells and weapons and the start of conflicts where lives are at risk." (Hifumi) With his tone getting gradually stronger, the soldiers of Horant are trembling while listening. "Wasn't there enough time? Weren't you able to prepare for fighting yet? Then, why did you attack? Why don't you try to run away?" (Hifumi) He draws the katana from his waist. The flames are flickering, but the katana's blade is shining dangerously. "Don't mess around, really. Just what the hell were you doing in this world that is blessed by killing this many people? Are there still not enough people? Or, do you not understand unless someone dies between your eyes?" (Hifumi) Hifumi, who breathed out intensely and excitedly, pointed at the corpse of the giant soldier with the katana's tip. "Those are great. Those are likely the result of researching magic in Horant. Alyssa wrecked her brain how to defeat those. Using tools and learning the necessary technique, she was able to kill him. At first even I had quite the hard time. But, is that all?" (Hifumi) The katana's tip is turned towards the soldiers. "By any chance, did you start a war while relying on no more than that? Did you even think that the conclusion of the killing will be reached that easily?" (Hifumi) Sucking in breath through his nose, he breathes it out through his mouth. "Choose. Will you fight with me to prove that you trained? Or will you escape and convey my words to your boss?" (Hifumi) "Hurry up", at the moment made a single step forward, all of the remaining soldiers of Horant turned their back on him and ran away. Watching their figures, Hifumi sighed deeply. Sheathing his katana, Hifumi, who put his breathing in order and erased his presence, started to quietly tail behind the soldiers who were running away frantically.

19.Know Your Enemy 【国境の生き残り】 パジョーと別れ、宿に戻った一二三は、旅に出る前にいくつか購入した明かりの魔道具を使って、夕食後にオリガから文字を習っていた。この街に来てからの習慣として、この数日ずっと勉強していたので、基本的な文字とその読み方については一通り終わっていた。 ちなみに、明かりの魔道具は結構いい値段がするのだが、ロウソクより良いと、その店にあるだけ購入している。計5個のお買い上げで、宿に泊まる時はオリガとカーシャに一つずつ渡している。 文字を書いてもらって発音を聞いて、その横に日本語で読み方を書く。後は延々と文字を書きながら音読して頭に叩き込んで行くことを繰り返している。 安くは無い羊皮紙を大量に使う勉強法だが、くり返しが一番近道だと、一二三は金に糸目をつけずに道具を買い込んでいた。 「ご主人様、今日はここまでにいたしますか?」 「そうだな、これで一通りの文字と読み方はわかった。後は単語と文法だな。これからもよろしく頼む」 「お任せください。ご主人様の覚えの早さなら、そう時間はかからないと思います」 暇なカーシャはその間、武器の手入れに勤しみつつ、二人がどんどん親密になっていくのを、少し寂しく感じていた。自分ももう少し踏み込んで一二三と付き合うべきだろうか? そんな事も浮かぶが、オリガの邪魔になるような事はしたくないとも思う。 そんなことを考えながら剣に傷が無いか確認しているカーシャの前で、勉強道具を片付けた一二三が立ち上がった。 「パジョーに面倒事は全部押し付けてきたから、明日はヴィシーへ入るか。馬車で行くから、また馭者を頼む」 二人の返事に頷いた一二三は、朝食を摂ったら出ようと言って、自室へと戻っていった。 ドアが完全に閉まるまで見送ったオリガは、自分のベッドへ向かいながらローブを脱いだ。線の細い身体に薄い生地のワンピースだけの姿は、オリガが寝るときのいつもの格好だが、カーシャはボンヤリとその姿を見ていた。 (腕とか足とか細いなぁ。やっぱり“女の子”って印象だよね) ご主人様が優しくする気持ちもわかるとため息をつきながら、引き締まった自分の手足を見る。 またため息が出た。 「どうしたの?」 「なんでもないよ。明日も早いから、さっさと寝ちゃおう。ご主人との旅だから、きっとまた、騒がしい日になるだろうし」 オリガはクスッと笑って肯定すると、魔道具の明かりを消した。 翌朝、ヴィシー側の街の門にサブナクが一二三たちの見送りに出てきていた。 薄い霧が出ていて、朝の光を柔らかくしている。 援軍到着に喜んでいたサブナクだったが、援軍で来た騎士全員が先輩だったため、随行の兵士に手伝ってもらってはいるものの、書類仕事は全く減らなかった。目の下の隈は濃くなる一方だ。 宿の方から、一台の馬車と一人の騎乗の男がやってきた。 「おはよう。何かあったか?」 「お見送りですよ。ここから先、街道沿いに二時間も行けば国境の砦があります。オーソングランデ側にとヴィシー側にそれぞれの兵がいますので、両方で通行許可証を見せてください」 「わかった。じゃあ、またな」 一二三が進み始めると、馬車をそれをゆっくり追っていく。 一二三の消えた先を見ていたサブナクの後ろから、パジョーの声が掛かった。 「いま、街を出られましたよ。......何かありましたか?」 「ストラスというホーラントから来たと思われる魔法使いの件よ。死体を検分して見たけど、例の短剣以外は、特に身分を示すような物は持っていなかったわ。ただ......」 ストラスの胸に、食い込むように取り付けられた魔道具のようなものがあったという。 体つきなどで見たところ50歳は過ぎているうえ、かなり痩せている。侯爵邸で見せた動きや、一二三から聞いた身のこなしができるようにはとても見えない。詳しい事はわからないが、あるいは身体に埋め込むタイプの身体強化の魔道具かもしれないと、パジョーは推測した。 「今日にも死体を王都へ送って、調査に回すことにするわ」 「身体強化......まさか、ゴデスラスを逃がしたのは、ストラス?」 「いえ、移動の時間を考えると無理があるわ」 「ゴデスラスも同じ道具を持っていたかもしれないけれど、身体検査は受けているから持ち込みはできない。同様の魔道具を使ってゴデスラスを逃がしたか、ゴデスラスが渡されて自分で使ったか......。いずれにしても、王都で人探しが必要みたいね」 と言いつつも、パジョーは探す手がかりすら掴めるかどうか、頭を抱えるしかなかった。 のんびり馬車を走らせて居ると、霧が次第に晴れてきて、道の先の砦が見えてきた。 魔物の一匹も出るかと思っていた一二三だったが、拍子抜けだ。 「あれが国境か」 特に塀などがあるわけでもなく、街道を塞ぐように2階建ての砦があり、こちら側と向こう側に一つの大きな建物があるだけだった。 カーシャの説明によると、街道を離れると魔物に襲われやすくなるので、塀で仕切る必要も無いとのことだ。 街道の上の砦で出国・入国のチェックをしており、両国側にある建物は、それぞれの国の国境警備の兵が詰めている兵舎だという。両国とも10名ずつを国境に配備する条約を結んでいるらしい。 砦がもうすぐ見えるというところで、一二三は違和感を感じとった。 「......静かだな。20人も居るような気配を感じない」 「え?」 「すぐに武器を抜けるようにしておけ。血の匂いがする」 カーシャ達にはわからないが、一二三が言うなら信用できると、カーシャとオリガは素早く自分の得物をつかんだ。この反応の良さは、訓練の賜物だ。 いったん馬車を収納して、馬も降りていく。 注意しながら近づいていくと、砦の前に数人の兵士が倒れているのが見えた。 一二三たちは駆け寄ることはせず、注意深く近づいていく。 「これは......」 状況がはっきり見えたカーシャは奥歯を噛みしめた。 越境前後の検査のため、砦を潜るようにトンネル状に開けられた通路には、石畳みで示された国境線のこちら側にも向こう側にも兵士たちが倒れている。一見無傷なものも、明らかに首や手足の向きがおかしいものもいるが、誰一人動くものはいない。 中には、手足をちぎられた無惨な姿をさらしている者もいた。 「全員、死んでいるのでしょうか......」 「いや、一人生きている」 するすると死体の間を抜けていく一二三は、国境線を越え、倒れ伏した一人の兵士のそばにしゃがみ込む。 「おい、起きろ」 装備から、ヴィシーの兵士と思われる若い女兵士は、うつぶせに倒れたまま無反応だった。ベリーショートにカットした赤い髪はくしゃくしゃになっている。 「やっぱり死んでるんじゃないのかい、ご主人?」 「いや、こいつは無傷だ」 言いながら、一二三は女兵士の手首を取り、親指側の手首にあるツボを押さえた。 「あだだだだっ!?」 突然の激痛に飛び起きた女兵士は、涙目で一二三から距離を取った。 その身のこなしは猫のようにしなやかだが、手首をさすりながらでは、なんとも恰好がつかない。 「なんでバレた?」 「死んでるかどうかくらい、見なくてもわかる」 「説明になってない!」 「説明する気もない」 一二三の素っ気ない返答に、ぐっと歯を食いしばった女兵士は、腰の剣に手をかけた。 が、彼女が剣を抜くよりも、一二三が抜いた刀が彼女の灰色の左目に突き付けられる方がはるかに速かった。 「余計な問答をするつもりはない。状況を説明しろ。役に立たないなら殺す」 「......わかった」 彼女はアリッサといい、ヴィシーの検問兵だった。貴族の女性に対応するのに、国境には一定人数の女性兵はいるらしい。 「ついさっきの事だよ。やたら力の強い男が突然暴れだしてさ、こっちの兵もオーソングランデ側の兵士もみんなやられちゃった。あっという間だったよ。投げ飛ばされた仲間にぶつかった時に、とっさに死んだふりをしたから難を逃れたよ」 兵士の割に妙にかわいらしい声で話すアリッサを、無表情に見ている一二三。オーソングランデの兵も全員死んだと聞いても眉ひとつ動かさない彼に、アリッサは口をとがらせた。 「仲間が死んだのに、反応ないんだね」 「どうでもいいからな。それより、暴れた男ってのはあいつか」 「誰が殺した?」 「わからないよ、うつぶせのまま目をつむってたし。ただ、他のみんなの声が聞こえなくなってから、誰かが近づいてくる足音が聞こえて、あいつが叫ぶ声が聞こえて、誰かが“制御がうまくいかないな”って誰かが行って、足音が離れてった」 「そうか。オリガ、カーシャ。馬で町まで戻ってパジョーを連れて来てくれ」 走り去る二人を見送る一二三に、アリッサが恐る恐る声をかける。 「あの~そろそろ剣を離してもらえると......」 言いかけたところで、一二三は刀を鞘に戻した。 「あ、ありがとう」 「礼を言う暇があるなら、離れていた方がいいぞ」 アリッサが首をかしげるのを無視して背を向ける一二三は、刀を戻して鎖鎌に持ち替えた。 「な、何......」 空気がピリピリと張りつめていくのを感じてアリッサがつぶやいたのと同時に、砦の陰から一二三に駆け寄り、殴りかかる姿があった。 牢を脱出したゴデスラスだ。 「数日見ない間に、ずいぶん気色悪くなったな」 拳を苦も無く避け、あざ笑うように一二三が言う。 ゴデスラスの姿はとても元騎士とは思えないほど薄汚れ、屈強だった体は筋肉が異常に膨れ上がり、涎を垂らしたまま顔は怒りとも苦痛ともつかない表情に歪んでいた。 武器も持たず、血が滴るほど拳を握りしめている。 「殺す、コロス......」 「正気を失ったか。つまらん奴め」 言いながら鎖鎌の分銅を投げつけ、ゴデスラスの腕をからめ捕った一二三だが、異常な力で逆に引き寄せられ、あっさりと鎖鎌を手放した。 「おう、馬鹿力だな。つよい、つよい」 「ぶ、武器が!」 のんきに構えた一二三に、後ろからアリッサの叫びが聞こえる。 再び素手で殴りかかってくるゴデスラスに対し、一二三も素手のままだった。 顔に向かって突き出される拳を首を振ってかわし、肉が無い肘を拳で打ち上げた。 確かに骨が折れる感触がしたが、ゴデスラスは躊躇せずにさらに殴りかかってくる。 「痛覚も無いか」 ステップで距離を取りながら、どう相手しようかと考えていると、自然と笑顔になる一二三。 それを見たゴデスラスは、さらに大きく叫びながら激しく攻撃してくる。 一二三は手のひらで押し込むように両脇最下部の肋骨を折った。それだけでは攻撃をやめないゴデスラスだったが、さらに折れた肋骨をけりこむと、内臓に傷を受けたらしく、口から血を流し、目に見えて動きが鈍くなってくる。 「痛みや恐怖は大切なセンサーなんだよ。それを失った奴なんて、相手としてはつまらんだけだ」 さらに一二三は喉元に指を付きこみゴデスラスの喉を潰すと、呼吸ができず苦しそうにあえぐ相手の目に指を突っ込んで仰向けに引き倒し、胸を踏みつけた。 一瞬震えたゴデスラスだったが、そのまま永遠に動かなくなった。 「......凄い」 オリガたちと共に、パジョーとサブナクが到着したのは、ゴデスラスが死んですぐだった。 ずいぶん早かったと聞くと、ゴデスラスがフォカロルの街の脇を抜けて国境へ向かう姿を巡回の兵が見かけたと報告を受けて馬を駆って追いかけて来ていたらしい。それでも追い付けなかったあたり、街道を無視して走ってきたとしても、人ならざる速度だ。 「これは......サブナク、すぐに戻って兵の半分を緊急の国境警備に連れてこい。それと、王都へ事態の連絡を」 パジョーの支持を受け、サブナクはすぐに引き返した。 一二三が簡単に状況を伝えると、パジョーはゴデスラスの死体に近づき、その装備と体を検めた。 「やはり一二三さんは凄腕ですね......。それにしても、こんなに変わり果てた姿になって......これは!」 服をはぎ取ったゴデスラスの胸には、ストラスの胸にあった物と酷似した魔法具を見つけた。ただ、ストラスが付けていたものと少々形が異なる。一二三が踏みつけたせいで潰れている部分もあった。 「そいつがおかしかったのは、それが原因か?」 「おそらくはそうです。ストラスの死体にもよく似たものがありました」 「なら、あれもそうかもな」 一二三が指したのは、先に砦で暴れて、誰かに殺された大男の死体だ。 パジョーがゴデスラスの死体を見ている間に、一二三が検分していたのだ。ストラスの物よりもゴデスラスの物に近い魔法具が、その胸に食い込んでいる。 さらに、全員が見ている前で、大男の胸にある刺し傷に手を突っ込んだ。 「うぇ......」 アリッサが思わず声を出したが、目は離さない。 「な、何やってんだい?」 恐る恐る声をかけてきたカーシャに、大男の服で手を拭った一二三が答える。 「気になることがあってな。この傷が心臓まで届いている。これが死因だな。で、だ」 一二三の目は、パジョーに向いている。 「傷の形状と深さから見て、あのストラスとかいう魔法使いが持っていた短剣な。あれと同じ形、同じ大きさの刃物のようだが......」 オリガが近くの井戸で濡らした布を持ってきてくれたので、一二三はしっかりと手を拭った。 「それにアリッサ、この男はそっちの軍の関係者らしいぞ」 「うぇ? な、なんで......」 「お前の剣の柄にある刻印と同じ奴が、こいつの服にある。これは支給品だな?」 「単純に考えるなら、オーソングランデにもヴィシーにも、ホーラントの連中が潜り込んで何かやってるという事だろうな」 一二三が出した結論と、発覚した問題の大きさに、一平卒に過ぎないアリッサはもちろん、騎士であるパジョーですら何も言えなかった。

Chapter 19: Know Your Enemy Hifumi had previously bought some magical tools that functioned like lamps. Separating from Pajou and heading back to the hotel, Hifumi continued learning his letters from Origa after dinner. Since he had made this a habit after coming to the town, he had a general grasp of the basic letters and their readings. Incidentally, the magical illumination tool was at a great buy, being better than a candle. He bought a total of five pieces; one each was given to Origa and Kasha at the hotel. The tutoring went somewhat like this: the letters were read aloud so so as to grasp their pronunciation. They were written in a horizontal fashion and repeated them aloud while writing helped memorising them. Since constant repetition was a shortcut, though this method used up a lot of expensive parchment, Hifumi bought it regardless. [ Master, is upto here sufficient today? ] [ Hm, I understand the general characters and pronunciations from this. No words or grammar right now. If necessary, I will ask later. ] [ Please leave it to me. Seeing master's speed, it won't take too much time. ] Kasha was carrying out her weapon maintenance during her free time. She watched the two get along quickly and felt a little lonely. While Kasha was pondering these deep thoughts, all the while cleaning nonexistent marks on her sword, Hifumi had cleared up his study material and stood up. [ Because of Pajou's troublesome state of affairs, we have to enter Vichy tomorrow. Since we're taking the carriage, I'll have to ask you two to be the coachmen again. ] Hifumi nodded at their responses and retired to his room after breakfast. Origa waited until the door to their room was completely closed and undressed facing her bed. A flimsy dress of rather thin material covered her slim body. Though it was usual for Origa to sleep like this, Kasha vaguely noticed her figure.magic Slender arms and legs. She really does give off a "womanly" impression. (Kasha) Understanding her master's kind treatment, Kasha sighed and tensed, gazing at her own arms and legs. She sighed again. [ What's wrong? ] [ It's nothing. We have to leave early tomorrow, go to sleep. We're travelling with master, so it's definitely going to be a turbulent day. ] Origa laughed gently in agreement and turned off the illumination tool. The next morning, Sabnak was at the gate that faced Vichy to see off the trio. A thin fog had come out, softening the morning light. Though Sabnak was pleased at the arrival of the reinforcements, since all the Knights that came along were senior to him, the paperwork had not decreased even though he had an attendant helping him. The dark circles under his eyes kept thickening. A man riding a horse and a carriage came from the direction of the hotel. [ Good morning. Something wrong?] [ Just seeing you off. From here, continue along the highway for two hours till you reach the stronghold at the border. Since there are troops on both the Orsongrande and the Vichy side, please show the permit to both. ] [ Got it. Well then, see you. ] Hifumi continued on, the horse-drawn carriage followed slowly in his wake, both slowly vanished into the mist covering the highway. Sabnak continued staring for a while at the spot where they disappeared. Pajou's voice rang out from behind him. [ Now it's possible to leave this place.... Something wrong? ] (Sabnak) [ It's the incident of the magician from Horant, the one called Strauss. The analysis of his body, except for the dagger, there was no indication of high social standing. However... ] Visibly penetrating Strauss' chest was a magic tool, possibly of an evil goal. Based on the build of the body, it seemed more than 50 years old and considerably thin. The movements displayed in the Marquis' mansion, as heard from Hifumi were hard to believe. Though not completely clear, it may have been a body strengthening type evil magic, surmised Pajou. [ The corpse can be sent to the capital today for further investigation. ] [ Body strengthening magic..... Could it be, the one that set Gothras free was Strauss? ] [ No, the timings are wrong. ] [ Gothras might have used a similar magic tool, but he was frisked before being put into prison. Did someone pass it to him for him to escape? ..... In any case, it is necessary to search within the royal capital for this possible accomplice. ] Even as she said this, Pajou was at her wit's end to even start looking for clues. As the carriage rolled on in a leisurely manner, the fog gradually cleared up. The stronghold on the edge of the road came into view. Seeing that the so-called demon seemed to have left already, Hifumi felt let down. [ That's the border? ] There were no walls or fences or such, the highway just ended at a 2-storey stronghold. Both sides had just one large building each, nothing else. According to Kasha's explanation, if one left the highway, they are immediately attacked by monsters. As a result, it was unnecessary to build walls. The central building functioned as a checkpoint for both countries. The large buildings on each side housed their respective border security soldiers. According to a treaty, 10 soldiers from each country could be assigned there. Seeing the stronghold come into view, Hifumi had an uneasy feeling. [ ...... It's too quiet. I can't feel any indications of a single person inside, much less 20. ] [ Eh? ] [ Arm yourselves immediately. I smell blood. ] Kasha and Origa did not understand, but believing in Hifumi, did so instantly. Their reactions were a result of constant training. The carriage was stored, horses were dismounted. Drawing nearer cautiously, several soldiers were visible on the ground in front of the stronghold. The trio did not rush forward, carefully approaching the bodies. [ This.... ] Seeing the state of affairs, Kasha gnashed her teeth. An inspection of the path leading to the stronghold showed soldiers lying dead everywhere on the stone pavement. At first glance, it was obvious that their limbs were pointing in strange directions, completely motionless. Amongst the bodies, some limbs were cruelly ripped off, exposing a gruesome sight. [ Everyone.... Dead? ] [ No, one person is alive. ] Smoothly moving among the corpses, Hifumi crossed the border and crouched down near a fallen soldier. [ Oy, get up. ] A young woman, a soldier from Vichy, judging from the armour, lay facedown on the ground completely unresponsive. She had disheveled red hair in a berry cut . [ As expected, she's dead. Master? ] [ No, this fellow is uninjured. ] While saying that, Hifumi took the woman's wrist and jabbed his finger at a vital point located on the thumb side of the wrist. [ Adadadadada !? ] The female soldier jumped up because of the sudden acute pain, with teary eyes put some distance between her and Hifumi. That agile movement was similar to a cat, but the teary-eyed wrist-rubbing didn't improve the impression. [ Why did it fail?? ] [ I know if you're dead or not even if I can't see you. ] [ That doesn't explain anything! ] [ I wasn't explaining. ] To Hifumi's cold response, the female soldier clenched her teeth and placed her hand over a sword at her hip. She made to draw her sword, but Hifumi was much faster. Instantly, Hifumi's katana was pointed at her grey left eye. [ I have questions. Explain this situation. You die if not. ] [ ...... Understood. ] The girl, Alyssa, was an inspection official of Vichy. There seemed to be a constant number of women soldiers on the border. [ This happened a little while ago. A powerful man suddenly started acting violently. The soldiers here and Orsongrande's too were instantly killed. I managed to survive because I played dead when a colleague was thrown against me and I fell. ] Noticing that Alyssa spoke with a strangely lovely voice for a soldier, Hifumi assessed Alyssa with an expressionless gaze. Seeing he did not so much as raise an eyebrow at the mention of the Orsongrande soldiers being killed, Alyssa pouted. [ Though your colleagues have died, you don't seem to be affected. ] (Alyssa) [ Doesn't matter. Leave that, what about the violent and powerful man? ] [ Who killed him? ] [ I don't know, while playing dead I had my eyes closed. However once everyones voices died out, I heard someone's footsteps approaching. I heard a voice say "Still lack control" and then the footsteps faded away. I saw neither the face nor the form. ] [ I see. Origa, Kasha. Return to the town by horse and bring Pajou. ] Seeing Hifumi see the two off, Alyssa asked timidly, [ Um.... the sword, could you-] She stopped mid-sentence when Hifumi returned his katana to it's sheath. [ Th-thank you.. ] [ If you have time to thank me, you have time to run. ] Alyssa tilted her head in confusion on seeing him disregard her. Hifumi returned his katana to storage, replacing it with the kusarigama. [ Wh-what..... ] As Alyssa muttered that, the atmosphere grew heavy. A shadow rushed out from the stronghold towards Hifumi, with the intent to strike. It was the escaped Gothras. [ In the past few days you've become considerably sickening. ] Hifumi sneered, easily avoiding the incoming fist. Gothras' appearance was very dirty, to the extent that one would not think he was a former Knight. A body bulging with swelled up muscles, drool dribbling down a face twisted in pain. He grasped a weapon tightly, blood dripping from the fists. [ Kill.... KILL... ] [ He's lost his sanity huh. How boring. ] While saying this, Hifumi had thrown the counterweight of the kusarigama, capturing Gothras' arm. Faced with the abnormal strength pulling the kusarigama, Hifumi easily let go of it. [ Hm, brute force huh. Pretty good. ] [ B-but the weapon! ] Alyssa yelled at the carefree Hifumi's back. Facing Gothras' barehanded second strike, Hifumi too was empty handed. A simple head movement dodged the fist to the face. An elbow met the fist. Bones were definitely broken, but Gothras continued his strikes without hesitation. [ No sense of pain either eh. ] Stepping some distance away in consideration for his opponent, Hifumi was wearing a huge grin. Seeing that, Gothras attacked furiously, shouting incoherently. A few palm strikes to Gothras' sides broke his ribs. Just that alone did not stop him, but a well-placed kick to the broken ribs did the trick. Gothras' movements noticeably slowed and he was throwing up blood, his internal organs seemed to have been damaged. [ Pain and fear are valuable sensations. This guy has lost them, he's a boring opponent now. ] Gothras's throat was crushed, courtesy a finger strike from Hifumi, a two-fingered strike to the eyes immediately followed. The onslaught was complete with a pulverizing kick to the now-prone Gothras's chest. Gothras trembled for an instant, his movements then stilled permanently. [ ...... Amazing ] Pajou and Sabnak arrived with Origa and Kasha just as Gothras died. It seemed that a sentry in Fukaroru had seen someone resembling Gothras heading towards the border, and the report had made it's way to Pajou. Eventually, they had given chase, but overtaking a single fugitive was impossible on the highway. [ This...... Sabnak, return immediately and bring soldiers immediately for emergency border security. And then send a report to the capital about this incident. ] Receiving Pajou's backing, Sabnak turned back immediately. Hifumi briefly told her the situation, Pajou approached Gothras' corpse to inspect his equipment. [ As expected, Hifumi-san is proactive...... In any case, this is a completely changed form of Gothras.... This is..! ] On tearing off Gothras' shirt, there was a tool resembling the one on Strauss' chest. However, the shape was a little different from Strauss'. There was a portion that had collapsed, a result of Hifumi's pulverising kick. [ This thing, was it the cause? ] (Hifumi) [ I fear that is so, there was something similar on Strauss' chest as well. ] [ In that case, there may be something like that there. ] Hifumi was pointing at the corpse of the large man who was acting violently earlier. While Pajou was looking at Gothras' corpse, Hifumi observed the large man's body. A magic tool similar to that of Strauss and Gothras was slightly ensconced in the chest area. In front of everyone, a hand was thrust into the large man's chest. [ Uee~.... ] Alyssa unintentionally squeaked, unable to look away. [ Wh-what are you doing? ] Kasha asked timidly, Hifumi wiped his hand on the large man's clothes and answered, [ A thought came to mind. There is a wound reaching his heart. My strike was not the cause of death. ] Hifumi turned his gaze to Pajou. [ Judging by the shape and depth of the wound, It's probably a weapon like Strauss had, similar to the size of that dagger he had.... ] Origa brought a cloth soaked in water from a nearby well for Hifumi to wipe his hand on. [ Besides, Alyssa, this man seems to be an official from your side. ] [ Ueh? H-how.... ] [ That fellow's clothes have the same seal engraved in the handle of your sword. They are issue-only goods, yes? ] [ If you simply think about it, people from Horant have slipped into both Orsongrande and Vichy for something, wouldn't you agree? ] Listening to his conclusion and the question that came to light, Alyssa and Pajou both began to understand the sheer weight behind it.

12.Makes Me 【訓練の日々】 一二三がギルドに登録し、オリガとカーシャの稽古が始まって三日が過ぎた。 まだまだ稽古は始まったばかりだが、オリガはもちろん、カーシャもなんだかんだと真面目に取り組んでくれるので、ついつい色々と力が入った指導になってしまう。 ギルドにたどり着くなり、テーブルに突っ伏して無言になる二人の女性の姿も、三度目となるとギルドの連中も見慣れたらしい。 精根尽き果てた二人に反して、疲れた様子も見せない一二三は、足取りも軽くカウンターへ向かい、慣れた動きで獲物の詰まった袋を渡す。 「お疲れ様です。今日はストーンボアの依頼を受けられていましたね」 「ああ、石化毒の毒腺だけ剥ぎ取ってきた。だいたい50匹分くらいな」 「では、確認させていただきます」 ヘラは、もう一二三が非常識な量を狩ってきたとしてもスルーすることに決めていた。 ストーンボアと言えば、体長3mを超えるものも珍しくない大型の蛇の魔物で、石で覆われた体表は刃を受け付けないと言われている。石化毒を注入してくる噛み付きや、硬い尾での攻撃は非常に強力で、力自慢が打撃武器で一体を倒すのにも苦労すると言われている。殺したあとでも、体表の石が邪魔で、買取対象の毒腺を取り出すことができず、丸ごと持ってくる冒険者がほとんどだったりする。 それを一日足らずで50匹と言われても普通なら信用できないが、ヘラはもう、一二三を普通と思うのをやめたのだ。 「52匹分の毒腺が、すべて綺麗に摘出されていました。報酬は満額、金貨5枚と銀貨20枚です」 布の袋に入れられたコインを掴み、懐に入れるふりをして闇魔法収納に放り込む。布の袋はヘラの前に戻した。 袋を受け取ったヘラが、くすりと笑って一二三を見た。 「何か楽しいことでもありましたか?」 「顔に出てたか、俺も未熟だな。今から、頼んでいた武器を取りに行くんだ」 やっぱり物騒な話題からは離れられなかったと、ヘラは苦笑した。 少しだけギルドで休憩というより、オリガが動けるようになるまで待ってから、注文していた武器を受け取りにトルンの店に入った。 「来たか。できてるぞ」 いつもの場所に座ったまま、顎をしゃくって一二三たちを呼び寄せた。相変わらず客あしらいが適当な感じだ。 台の上に並んでいるのは、作った本人もよくわかっていない武器と装備だ。 「まずは注文通りかどうか確認しろ。それから、裏の試験場で試してみるといい。俺もどう使うのか見せてもらうぞ」 「ふむ......」 作成してもらったのは、一二三が使う篭手の他、十字手裏剣と寸鉄と言う小型の武器だった。 これから魔物の相手をすることが増えるのに合わせて、腕周りだけは相手に触れずに済むようにしておきたかった。しかし、この世界の武装としての篭手は、まさに鎧の一部という感じに無骨でガッチガチに固められていた。手首の動きが制限されるのを嫌った一二三は、肘と手首の間を硬い皮で包み、手の甲に鉄板が当たるような篭手を作ってもらうことにした。 ささっと革紐で篭手をつけると、くるくると手首を回して自由度を確認する。 「いい感じだ。ほとんど邪魔にならないし、硬さも申し分ない」 「それが腕の防具だというのは聞いていたけどな、そんな薄い革と鉄板じゃ、何も防げないだろう」 ふんっと鼻をならずトルンに、一二三は二つの武器を手に取り、重さやバランスを確認しながら笑いかけた。 「......手裏剣も寸鉄もいい具合だ。篭手の使い方が気になるなら、実際に見てみたらいい」 トルンの案内で建物の裏、少し開けた空き地に向かう。 「カーシャ、剣を抜いて俺に斬りかかってこい。遠慮はいらんぞ」 言われたカーシャは、するりと剣を抜いた。稽古で嫌というほどやらされた抜刀は、大分素早く隙がなくなってきた。一二三から見たらまだまだだが。 「うっかり斬ってしまっても恨まないでくれよ、ご主人」 「そういう台詞は稽古中に一度でも俺に攻撃を当ててからいう事だな。それに、命の危険がある時こそ、技は冴え渡るもんだ」 いつの間にか、一二三の周りの空気が冷たくなっている。 剣を構えるカーシャも真剣だ。奴隷が主人に剣を向ける事の是非などは語られない。何しろ、稽古初日の最初のメニューは、真剣でひたすら一二三に攻撃する事だったのだ。もちろん、かすりもしなかったが。 ぐっと足の裏に力を入れて、飛びかかるように上段から斬り下ろすカーシャの剣筋は、確かな経験を感じさせる迷いの無い素直なものだった。 それだけに、読みやすいのが難点だと一二三は評する。 首筋を狙って力の限り打ち込まれた剣は、不意に振り上げられた一二三の左腕を滑るように軌道をそらされ、地面を斬りつける格好になったカーシャの額に、一二三が軽く頭突きを食らわせる。 鈍い音がした。 「!......痛った~......」 「何度も言っているだろう。力みすぎて自分からバランスを崩しているぞ。お前が振り回してるのは棒きれじゃなくて刃物だと、何度も教えただろうが」 涙目で額をこするカーシャに、まったくダメージを受けていない一二三はぴしゃりと言った。 「......なるほどな。正面から受けるんじゃなくて、剣の横から当てて逸らすための防具か。器用なもんだな」 「相手の力に逆らわず、逆に利用するのは俺の故郷だと当たり前の技術だよ」 「じゃあ、次は武器の使い方を見せてくれ」 なんだかんだ言っても、見たことのない武具に興味深々なのだろう。トルンが興奮気味に急かしてくる。 「じゃあ、これな。これは十字手裏剣という。投擲武器の手裏剣の一種だよ」 一二三が図面に描いた十字手裏剣は、ナイフのような刃が四方にあるタイプではなく、細い杭が十字に組まれたような形のタイプだ。 「トウテキ? 投げる武器か。手で投げるくらいなら、弓の方がよく飛ぶだろう」 「言うと思ったよ」 トルンの疑問に答えず、一二三は中央の柱に向かって手裏剣を打った。 ガツンと言う音を立てて、十字の一本が深々と突き刺さる。 「短距離なら、矢をつがえて弓を引いて狙い打つよりも、こっちの方がずっと速い」 「確かに、ご主人様は肘から先だけで一瞬のうちに投擲されました。あの速度なら、どんな熟練魔法使いの魔法も間に合わないでしょう」 太い柱に突きたった手裏剣を色々な角度から見ながら、トルンは低く唸った。 「軽く投げたように見えたが、しっかり刺さっている。致命傷を与えるには余程コントロールが良くないといかんだろうが、腕や足に刺さっても、充分相手を弱らせることができるだろう」 「そうだな。この形の奴は、投げやすくて当てやすい。その代わり比較的浅くしか刺さらないから、相手をひるませる時か、隙を作って逃げるための武器だ。オリガ」 呼び寄せたオリガに手裏剣を手渡す。 「これはお前が使うんだ」 「よろしいのですか?」 「元々は俺が使うつもりだったが、まだ他にも持っているしな。この前に話した、魔法を使う暇がない状況から立ち直るための手段として練習しろ。まずは、5歩離れた場所から狙い通りに当たるようにだ。投げ方はまた明日教える」 「はい。ありがとうございます」 「アタシには無いの?」 「カーシャはまず自分の剣をもっとうまく扱えるようになるのが先だ」 チェッと呟いたカーシャは、まだ額をさすっている。 「で、これはどう使うんだ?」 トルンが差したのは寸鉄だ。 握り締めると上下に少しずつ余る程度の長さがあり、中央に指を通すための穴があいている。中国拳法などで使われるそれとは違い、一二三が依頼したものは両端が尖っておらず、丸みを帯びた形状をしている。 突き刺す事を暗器としてではなく、拳打の威力を増す為の握りとして、服などに引っ掛けて体勢を崩す道具として、または石垣等に突き立ててよじ登るための道具として使う。先を尖らせないのは、使用中に先が曲がって取り回しがしにくくなるのを防ぐためだ。 一二三はさらりと用途を説明すると、握り締めた寸鉄の、拳の下から出た部分を思いきり柱に突きたて、自分の懐に引き込むように腕を振るった。 柱の一部が剥がれて、無残な姿を晒す。 「振るった力を一点に集中できるから、速度があれば力をかけずとも骨を砕くことができる。指と違って、引っ掛けて引っ張っても爪が剥がれる心配も無い」 「簡単な造りだったが、随分便利な武器だな」 しばらく寸鉄を試した一二三は、満足げに頷くと、トルンに金を渡した。 「......多すぎるぞ」 「寸鉄をもう一本。それと十字手裏剣は後5つ作ってくれ」 「いいだろう。また二日後に来い」 「早いな」 「一度作ったら楽なもんだ」 それから数日の間、一二三はオリガとカーシャと共に、自分も鍛え直すように訓練を続けた。手頃な練習相手として狩られる魔物たちにとっては、悪夢のような日々だ。 「はぁ......はぁ......」 今日は動きの速いランナーラビットを相手に、オリガが懸命に手裏剣を当てようとしている。一二三からの課題として、“首に打ち込んで一度で殺すこと”“必ず歩くか走りながら打つこと”“午前中のうちに10匹殺すこと”の三つを言いつけられている。 もう二時間以上歩き回っているが、足音や息遣いで気取られて逃げられるのをくり返し、やっと当てても致命傷とは言えないカスリ傷程度しか与えていない。リミットの昼までは、あと1時間程度だ。とても達成できそうにない。 動かない的にかなり当たるようになって、自分に自信を持っていた朝までの自分を本気で呪いたいと、一二三の課題に胸を張って答えた自分を杖で殴りたいとオリガは思った。 (動く的だとこんなに当たらないとは思わなかった) 焦りが動きを雑にして、余計な音を立てては逃げられる。 オリガは自分が情けなくて、表情は今にも泣きそうになっていた。 (このままだと、ご主人様に顔向けできない......!) 「落ち着け」 鼻息荒く獲物を探し回っていたオリガは、急に頭を 「ご、ご主人様......?」 今一番顔を合わせたくない相手に、どういう表情をしていいかわからないオリガに、一二三は苦笑い。 「ひどい顔してるな。そんなに鬼気迫った顔でうろついていたら、臆病な連中はすぐ逃げ出すぞ」 ひどい顔と言われて、オリガは別の理由でも泣きそうになったが、不意に一二三に頬を撫でられて心臓が止まりそうになった。 「まず顔の力を抜け。木に向かって手裏剣を打つときは、そんな表情じゃなかっただろう。もっと気楽にやれ。手裏剣はぶつけるんじゃなくて、狙った場所に置くように放るんだと教えただろう」 「は、はい......」 「まだ時間はある。木と同じ気持ちでいい。ただ自分の当てやすい距離まで行って、そのまま打つだけだ」 オリガは少し気持ちが落ち着いたのを自覚した。それから深呼吸をして、ギュッと握っていた手裏剣を少し楽に持ち直して、歩き始めた。 顔は少し赤くなっているが、気持ちは大分楽になった。 カーシャの方は、大木の前に立ち、抜剣・正面打ち・納剣を繰り返している。 朝から延々とやっているので、もう腕に力が入らなくなってきている。それでも、半歩踏み出しながら剣を抜き、二歩踏み込みながら切っ先が表皮だけ木を削るように上から下へまっすぐ切り下ろし、下がりながら剣を鞘へ戻す。 以前は両腰に簡単な金具でぶら下げられていた鞘は、多少の遊びを残したまま、剣帯でしっかりと腰に固定されている。以前のようにもたもたと剣を抜くような真似はせず、よどみなくスラリと抜き放つ事ができるようになっていた。 「それくらいでいいだろう」 一二三に声をかけられ、汗だくで振り向いたカーシャは、そのまま大の字に倒れた。 「疲れた~......」 「水をしっかり飲んでおけ。飲みすぎはいかんが、水分が足りないと動きが鈍る」 渡された木製の水筒から、浴びるように水を飲んだカーシャは、さっぱりとした表情で一二三を見た。 「で、どうだいご主人。アタシも大分良い形にできてると思うんだけど」 今までの動きで、カーシャは一二三に習った足さばきと、腰を中心にした剣振り方をひたすらくり返して身体に染み込ませていた。 「この短期間としては上出来だ。腰まわりの安定感は出てきたから、剣に振り回されている感じは無くなってきたな」 「腰周りとか......なんか言い方がイヤラシイ」 「何を言ってるんだお前は。それより、次は俺と模擬戦な......そんな顔するな。木刀でやるから安心しろ」 模擬戦と聞いて心底嫌そうな顔をしたカーシャに、二本の木剣を渡した。カーシャが使う剣と同じで、刀身が70cm程の長剣が二本だ。大して、一二三も二刀を構えて相対する。彼が持つのは、二尺四寸の太刀と一尺五寸の小太刀だ。 「ご主人、左右の長さが違うけど......」 「いいからかかってこい。本当の二刀の使い方を教えてやる」 「言ったね。アタシは両手持ちでずっとやってきたんだ。ご主人相手でも、アタシに分がある......いくよ!」 と同時に、小太刀を脇腹に叩き込む。もちろん、内臓にダメージがでない程度で、痛くなるように。 「ぐ......まだまだ!」 2本同時の突きを、×字に組んだ二刀で摺り上げて流し、そのまま太刀で押さえて小太刀で 息ができなくなったカーシャは、剣を落として転げ回った。 「何のために二つ持っているかをよく考えて動け。下手くそが粋がって二本振り回しても、怖くもなんともない」 「うっぷ......今の動きは......」 「基本中の基本だ。くり返しやってやるから、身体で覚えろ」 「なんか言い方がイヤラシイ」 「アホな事を言ってないで、さっさと立て」 教えて相手して繰り返させる。その間にいつの間にか一二三は受けた依頼の分の魔物を狩っている。 こうしてまた、夕方には疲れ果てた二人の奴隷が出来上がる。 「そう言えば、旅をすると言いながら、結局王都近くから離れてすらいないな」 夕食の席で、一二三は不意にそんな事を言い出した。 「どこかご主人様が行かれたい所があるのですか?」 スプーンを止めてオリガが訪ねてくる。 「行きたいとか行きたくないとか以前に、この世界の地理がわからん。地図とかないのか?」 「簡単な地図ならギルドで見せてもらえると思うけど?」 「そうか......」 少し辛めの野菜ソースを絡めた蒸し肉を口に放り込み、しばらく考えた。 「そろそろ別の街や別の国を見に行くか」 一二三の決断を聞いて、オリガとカーシャは顔を見合わせた。他国へ行くという事に、二人共通のある期待を持って。

Chapter 12: Makes Me Wonder It was the third day since Hifumi had registered in the guild and Origa and Kasha's practice had begun. The newly made dougi from demon hide was quite comfortable, without the stiffness a new uniform usually has and was easy to move around in. It was quite expensive though, thought Hifumi. Practice had just started, Origa aside, Kasha too was diligently making efforts. Finally reaching the guild, the two women silently fell onto a table, completely drained. The others in the guild were used to seeing these kinds of situations now. Contrary to the two exhausted people, Hifumi relaxedly stepped to the counter and passed over the bag containing the trophies with a practised movement. [ Thanks for your work. We've received the stone boa request today. ] (Hera) [ Ah, only the poison glands containing the petrification poison have been stripped off. About 50. ] [ Then, I shall confirm. ] Hera decided to ignore the absurd amount that Hifumi hunted. Speaking of the stone boa, it was a demon usually not longer than 3m with a stone body that blades had no effect against. A bite that injected petrification poison, extraordinarily strong attacks using the tail, boasting of unearthly strength, killing it is extremely difficult. After being killed, the stone body obstructs people from taking out the poison gland within. Adventurers that bring it back profit greatly. Though bringing in 50 of them in one day generally gives rise to suspicion, Hera had already given up on thinking of Hifumi as normal. [ There are 52 poison glands, all cleanly removed. The reward is 5 gold coins and 20 silver coins. ] Taking the coins from the bag, Hifumi pretended to put them in his pocket while throwing them into his Dark Hole storage. The bag was returned to Hera. Receiving the bag, Hera saw a small smile on Hifumi's face. [ Did something good happen? ] [ It's visible on my face? I'm still inexperienced. I'm going to pick up some weapons now. ] Hera smiled wryly, as expected, it was a dangerous topic. Rather than resting in the guild, after waiting for Origa to be able to move a little, they went to Thorn's shop to get the ordered weapons. [ You came? It's done. ] Sitting at his usual spot, Thorn jerked his chin, calling over Hifumi and the others. Lining the weapons and equipment on the stand, Thorn himself did not understand them well. [ First, verify whether the equipment is as ordered or not. After that, try them out in the testing ground in the back. I too want to see how to use it. ] [ Hmm... ] There was a gauntlet to be used by Hifumi, a cross-shaped shuriken, and a suntetsu . In the future, fights with demons would multiply, and he wanted to avoid touching the opponents. However, the gauntlets in this world were unrefined, clunky and excessively hardened. Hifumi, who disliked the resultant restricted wrist movement decided to have a custom one made. Hifumi put on the gauntlet, moved his wrist about to confirm it's flexibility. [ Feels good. Not hampering movement, and the hardness is nothing to criticize. ] [ Although I complied with what you said about the gauntlet, such thin leather and iron sheets will protect nothing. ] Snorting through his nose at Thorn, Hifumi picked up the other equipment and checked the balance and weight. [ ..... The shuriken and suntetsu are in good condition. If you're worried about how to use the gauntlet, it's better to watch it in action. ] Guided by Thorn to the back of the building, they headed into a vacant lot. In the centre of the lot was a thick pillar about 0.5m in diameter which had traces of several slashes. [ Kasha, draw your sword and slash at me. Don't hold back. ] Kasha smoothly drew her sword. In the heavily practised drawing movement, a chance was quickly lost. Watching it, Hifumi reflected that there was still a long way to go. [ Don't blame me if I cut you, Master. ] [ Say lines like those if your attacks actually hit me. ] Imperceptibly, the atmosphere around Hifumi grew colder. Kasha prepared to use her sword seriously. Leaving aside whether a slave pointing a weapon at their owner was right or wrong, the first thing on the day's practise menu was single-mindedly attacking Hifumi. No strike connected, of course. Suddenly putting power in her feet, Kasha sprung forward, bringing down her sword in a straight line, not hesitating as a result of experience. So easy to read Hifumi raised his left arm and smoothly averted the powerful sword strike aimed at his neck. The sword slash hit the ground, Hifumi lightly headbutted Kasha's forehead. A dull sound rang out. [ !....It hurrrtsss~~~.... ] [ I've said this many times. Over exertion destroys balance. You're not wielding sticks, they're edged weapons, I've taught you this many times. ] Hifumi said flatly to Kasha, who was rubbing her head with teary eyes. [ .... I see. Not taking the strike head on, using the gauntlet on the sword's side to redirect it. Skilfully done. ] (Thorn) [ It's a normal technique from my hometown, not opposing the opponent's power, but using it against them instead. ] [ Then, show me how to use the next weapons. ] Showing deep interest, Thorn excitedly urged him on. [ Then, this is called a cross shuriken, of the throwing-type. ] Like in Hifumi's blueprint, the shurikens were cross-shaped, with a blade in each direction. [ Throwing-type? Thrown weapon huh. A bow would be better than a hand-thrown weapon. ] [ That's what you think. ] Hifumi threw the shuriken at the pillar to refute Thorn's doubts. The shuriken deeply embedded itself in the pillar with a *gatsun*. [ For shorter distances, rather than nocking an arrow, aiming and firing, this is much faster. ] [ Certainly, master can throw from the elbow in an instant. With that speed, any skilled magician's magic would not be in time. ] (Origa) Looking at the embedded shuriken from various angles, Thorn gave a low groan. [ Though it seems to have been thrown lightly, it's tightly lodged in. Though unlikely to mortally wound without excellent control, even if it sticks in an arm or leg, the opponent will be greatly weakened. ] [ That is so. Throwing and hitting something is easy. On the other hand, shallow wounds will only cause an opponent to flinch. They are weapons to create opportunities to escape. Origa. ] Called forward, Origa was handed a shuriken. [ Use this. ] [ Is that all right? ] [ Originally I was going to use it, but you use it now. We spoke before about fighting without magic, practice with this so as to recover from situations not in your favour. First of all, aim at a place 5 steps away. I will also teach you the method of throwing it. ] [ Yes. Thank you very much. ] [ Not for me? ] [ Kasha, first handle your sword more skilfully. ] , muttered Kasha, still rubbing her head. [ Then, how is this used? ] Thorn asked, holding up the suntetsu. It consisted of a cylindrical metal rod with a ring attached on the body for a finger to pass through. Different from the Chinese Kenpo version, both ends were sharpened to a point, as requested by Hifumi. Apart from stabbing, it can also be used to tangle clothes and destroy the opponent's balance, stab into stone walls while climbing. While explaining the usage, Hifumi grasped the suntetsu and stabbed the end protruding from his fist into the pillar. A piece of the pillar fell off, exposing a sorry figure. [ Since all the power can be concentrated at one spot, with enough speed, even if power is lacking, bones can be crushed. Unlike fingers, there is no fear of fingernails peeling off while using it to hang from somewhere. ] [ Easy to make, yet surprisingly convenient weapons. ] Testing the suntetsu, Hifumi nodded contentedly and passed Thorn the money. [ ....It's too much. ] [ Another suntetsu. Also make 5 more shurikens. ] [ All right. Come again in 2 days. ] [ That's fast. ] [ I've made them once, it is easier to make them again. ] For the next few days, Hifumi made Origa and Kasha constantly practiced. Hunting demons as practice targets, every day was nightmarish. [ Haa.....Haa.... ] Today, Origa was trying hard to hit a "runner rabbit" with the shuriken. Hifumi had given her challenges like "Kill one after a strike to the neck", "Without fail strike it while walking or running", "From morning, strike and kill 10 of them". She had walked around for about 2 hours, but they escaped every time on sensing her footsteps and breathing. Barely grazed, far from fatal wounds, even ordinary wounds weren't accomplished. The time limit was in an hour. Achieving the target did not seem possible. Not having hit a moving target, Origa cursed her previous self-confidence and wanted to hit herself for answering Hifumi's challenges with a proudly puffed-out chest. (TN: We're talking about pride here guys.) I did not think moving targets would be this hard to hit. Hasty movements are sloppy, excessive noise makes them run away. Origa was miserable, with a face ready to cry at any moment. In such a case, I cannot face master....! [ Calm down. ] Breathing roughly while looking for prey, abruptly, her head was hit. She didn't notice anyone nearby at all. [ M-Master...? ] Facing someone she did not want to meet at that moment, Origa did not know what kind of face she was making. Hifumi smiled wryly. [ What an awful face. Prowling with a blood-curdling face like that, timid guys will immediately run away. ] To say she had an awful face, Origa almost cried for a different reason. Abruptly, Hifumi patted her cheek almost causing her heart to stop. [ When throwing the shuriken at the tree, loosen your expression, do it more comfortably. Don't just throw it, aim at a spot beforehand and then throw it like I taught you. ] [ Y-Yes.... ] [ There is still time. Focus on the tree, and hit it. ] Origa realised she had slightly calmed down. Breathing deeply, she gripped the shuriken slightly more comfortably, and began to walk forward. Though her face was red, her emotions were stable. Kasha found herself near a large tree, practising sword draws, frontal strikes and sword returns(to the sheath). Strength no longer filled her arms as a result of endlessly repeating it. Still, she drew her sword while taking a half step forward, stepped forward 2 steps while shaving off the tree's bark while slashing downwards, and returned the sword to the sheath while stepping back. The sheaths housing the two swords were affixed to her waist by metal fittings, leaving enough play to manoeuvre. The previous slow draws were gone, now it was possible for her to draw in a fluid movement. [ That's good enough. ] Hifumi called out, Kasha collapsed on the ground, drenched in sweat, spread-eagled. [ Tireeed~ ] [ Drink water properly. When moisture is insufficient, movement becomes duller. Don't drink too much though. ] Taking the wooden flask, Kasha drank some, splashed herself with some of it, and with a refreshed expression looked at Hifumi. [ How's that master? I think my form is considerably good. ] Kasha had single-mindedly absorbed the footwork learned from Hifumi resulting in the current movements that made her hips the core. [ You've done well in a short while. Thanks to your hips twisting for stability, the need to brandish your swords is gone. ] [ Hips twisting...... saying it like that is... dirty. ] [ The heck? Leaving that aside, next is a mock battle with me.... Don't look at me like that, we're using wooden swords. ] On hearing about the mock battle, Kasha glumly took the two wooden swords passed to her. The wooden swords were the same as her original ones, about 70cm long blades. Hifumi too took 2 swords with about 30cm difference in length between them and faced her.magic [ Master, the lengths are different... ] [ Pay attention. I will demonstrate the true usage two swords. ] (TN: I'm pretty sure he's referencing Musashi here.) [ Both my arms are now in better condition. Even if master is the opponent.... Here I come! ] Dodging Kasha's swords, Hifumi's longer sword abruptly changed direction to parry... at the same time the shorter sword drove into Kasha's side. Of course, there was no damage to internal organs, but it was painful. [ Gu..... No more! ] The two swords simultaneously drilled forward, the longer one suppressing Kasha's twin swords, while the shorter one struck the pit of her stomach. Unable to breathe, Kasha dropped the swords and fell over. [Think about the advantages of two swords. You lack the skill to wield two swords with a scary atmosphere. ] [ Uu....the movements today... ] [ It is the basics of the basics. Do it again and again for the body to remember. ] [ That's a dirty way of saying it. ] [ Stop playing the fool and quickly get up. ] They were repeatedly instructed again and again. Unbeknownst to them, Hifumi had obtained another demon hunting request. Like this, when evening fell, the two exhausted slaves were finished. [ That reminds me, eventually, I want to leave this capital city. ] While seated for dinner, Hifumi unexpectedly said. [ Is there a place master wishes to go? ] Origa asked, stopping her spoon. [ Before I want to go anywhere, I don't know the geography of this world. Aren't there maps? ] [ We can receive simple maps in the guild, I think? ] [ Is that so.... ] Putting the steamed meat with slightly salty sauce and vegetables in his mouth, Hifumi thought about it for a while. [ Well, we'll gradually go to another town and country... ] Hearing Hifumi's decision, Origa and Kasha exchanged glances. The two had a common intention in going to another country.

一夜明けて、早朝のうちに一二三たちは国境を出発。フォカロルは通過するだけにして、最速で街道を王都へと向かっていた。 馬車は収納し、3頭の馬に分乗して走る。オリガたちはまだ人を乗せて走れるほどの練度は無いので、アリッサは一二三の背中に張り付くようにして同じ馬に乗っている。 「ご主人様、これからどうされるおつもりですか?」 「パジョーに言った通り、イメラリアに会う。そこで話をまとめるから、詳しくはその時な。少し早くなったが、王都に着いたらお前たちを解放する話になるだろうから、そのつもりでな」 「でも、アタシたちはベイレヴラを捕まえないと無実を証明できないんじゃないのかい?」 馬を併走させながら、カーシャは爽やかに晴れた日の街道を振り返る。 「ヴィシーで仕入れた書類の中に、ベイレヴラの名前があった。しかも、中央からの工作員としてな。後から護送されてくるアロセールの奴の証言も必要だろうが、取りあえずはそれで充分だろう」 ヴィシーと結託した子爵の犯罪によって無実の罪を着せられ、奴隷に落とされた二人の女性冒険者。彼女たちは王女の密命を帯びた準騎士爵であり冒険者の一二三によって見出され、さらに身内から殺されるところだった少女を救って連れ帰ってきた。 国内へ宣伝する内容は決まっていて、その事もイメラリアへ伝えるようにパジョーに依頼している。 「......いいのかなぁ......」 一二三の説明を聞きながら、アリッサは自分が悲劇のヒロイン扱いになっている事に、戸惑いを覚えていた。 間もなく王都へたどり着こうかという辺りで、街道上に数人の騎士が立っているのが見えてきた。 「おっ、久しぶりだな」 騎士の一人は、ミダスだった。 さっと馬を降りた一二三は、手をあげて声をかけた。 「お久しぶりです。一二三さん」 「......どうしたんだよ、そんなに畏まって」 「どうしたもこうしたもありません。一二三さんから齎された情報と、その......成果によって、王城内はパニック状態になりました。差し当たって、今回の件はイメラリア王女自ら国民へ発表し、その成果に対して報奨を与えられる事となりました」 一二三の目論見通り、王が不在かつ金銭的に余裕がない今の状況で、隣国をいたずらに刺激したくないというのが本心だろう。しかし、黙殺するには大きすぎる状況。一二三は王女のサイン入の許可証を持ってヴィシーを出入りしている事もあり、先に大々的に成果を発表し、ヴィシーの非を鳴らす事で押さえ込む方法を選んだらしい。 ここまでは、ほとんどイメラリア王女主導で話がまとまったそうだ。暫定的に王となり、戴冠式を待つばかりの王子を、彼女は執政として実質の指導者として動いているそうだ。 「それに、一二三さんには陞爵のお話が出ております」 「騎士爵になるのか」 「いえ、それが......」 元々冒険者ギルドで噂になっていた一二三が、今度はヴィシー相手に派手な功績を残したという事で、城下町はお祭り騒ぎになっているらしい。戦争になるかもという話はほとんど聞こえず、平和な世の中で英雄が現れたという事と、年若い女性の復讐劇と救出という内容が、一般市民の琴線に触れる結果となったらしい。 そこで、一二三を処罰などしようものなら、ただでさえ王の急死で揺らいでいる王城の施政から人心が離れてしまうかもしれない。 「未定ではありますが、もっと上の爵位となりそうです。私たちは民衆から一二三さんを護衛しながら王城へお連れする為に迎えに出てきたのです。予想より、かなりお早いお着きでしたが」 騎士爵より上となると、私より上位の貴族になられますし、英雄にタメ口で話しているところを見られたら、民衆から白い目で見られます、と苦笑するミダスに、一二三は了承を伝え、馬車を用意する事にした。 「正直、私はもう少し一二三さんは密かに動かれると思っておりました。貴族となられた際も、自由な生き方を望まれていたかと思うのですが......」 「単に国とか貴族の都合で動かされるのは御免だな」 馬車を繋ぎ終わり、自分の馬に飛び乗った一二三は、見上げてくるミダスに向かって笑う。 「この状況は、俺が狙って作ったからな」 「え?」 「とはいえ、俺自身がそこまで目立つ事になるとは思わなかったがな。じゃあ、久しぶりにイメラリアに会いに行くか」 先に行こうとする一二三を、ミダスは慌てて追いかけた。 王都は街への入口周辺から、多くの人が集まって英雄の帰りを待ちわびていた。 民衆に受ける大きな出来事も長く起きなかった反動か、今日明日にも正義のために戦った英雄とそれを助けた奴隷の“美女たち”と、彼らに助けられた“可憐な少女”が王都へ到着するという噂は瞬く間に広まり、その姿を一目見ようという民衆が自然とヴィシー側の入口へ集まってきたのだ。 王の病死が発表されたときは、これほどの騒ぎにならなかったのは、国葬ではあるがひっそりと葬儀が済まされた事もあるが、それだけ城の事が民衆にとっては他人事だったからかも知れない。 屋台も多く出ているあたりに、民衆の逞しさが見えてくる。 「僕、ある意味ヴィシーからの裏切り者なのに、こんなに歓迎されていいのかな......」 馬車に入っているアリッサは、次第に見えてきた王都の喧騒に不安で泣きそうになっていた。 「どうやら、今回は私やカーシャもご主人様のおまけ扱いではなさそうですね」 「もう、なるようにしかならないんだろうさ。ご主人の考えてる事はよくわからないけど、今更何にもできないよ」 一二三とミダスの会話から、おそらく自分たちも城へ行かなければならないだろう事がわかり。三人は緊張していた。 馭者席に座り、一二三のやり方に諦めたような事を言っているカーシャも、内心初めての王城行きで不安だった。 そうこうしているうちに、一二三を迎えるために解放された門から、王都の民衆が一二三たちを見つけたらしく、大きな歓声が聞こえてきた。 「カーシャ、門の前で一度止まるぞ」 「わかった」 一二三の指示に頷いたカーシャは、彼に合わせてゆっくりと速度を落として行く。 門の正面に来た一二三は、馬を止め、民衆に向かって声を上げた。 「道を開けてくれ! 俺はこれよりイメラリア殿下へ罪を償いに行かねばならん!」 英雄の凱旋と思って待ち構えていた民衆たちは、その言葉に困惑している。口々にどういうことだと疑問が浴びせられる。 「出迎えに来た騎士に聞いた。俺の事を好意的に受け止めてくれている事を、感謝している! ただ、俺は国境を越え、敵とは言え一人の少女を救うために人を殺してしまった。これは俺の職権を越えた行為だ。結果として、王女殿下の信頼を裏切ることになってしまった......。それを俺は王女殿下へ自らの罪を侘び、処罰を受けなければならない!」 民衆のざわめきはより広がっていく。 「だが、彼女たちに罪はない! その事を王女殿下にお伝えしなければ! どうか俺が刑場の露と消えたとしても、この街の人々には、彼女たちを暖かく迎え入れて欲しい!」 大げさな身振りで朗々と語る一二三の姿は、民衆にどう見えただろうか。彼は一応貴族であるが、その彼が市民どころか奴隷や他国の市民のために、自らが罰せられる事を覚悟の上で、その身柄を安堵するために王女と話をしに行くという。 さらに、一二三に促され、馬車から身を乗り出したオリガとアリッサ。それに馭者席の女性も、彼が保護した対象だと伝えると、年噂通りの年若く整った顔立ちもあり、民衆の庇護欲は否応く上昇していく。 「あの子達が奴隷なのか......」 「ヴィシーの奴に騙されて奴隷になったらしいぞ!」 「あの騎士様、背は低いけどいい男ね」 「他の騎士とは違う雰囲気よね」 「あんな小さな子が殺されそうになったのか?」 「ヴィシーの奴ら、酷いことをしやがる」 口々に虚実入り混じった話が広がるが、どれも一二三への賞賛とオリガたちへの憐憫ばかりだ。 話が広がったところで、一二三は少しだけ馬を進め、王女の元へ行くので、どうか道を開けて欲しいと、美しい所作で礼をした。 ざわめきは左右へ別れ、門から王城へ続く道ができる。 その中を、一二三は神妙な面持ちで進んで行った。 チラリと一二三が視線を向けると、馭者席で緊張で固まっているカーシャと、その後ろからついてくる、ミダスたちの苦り切った顔が見えた。 ミダスたち騎士には、通りの民衆から“あの騎士を助けて欲しい”と次々に声をかけられている。肯定も否定もできないので、なるべく視線を合わせないようにしているようだが、その態度がまた周りの不安を煽り、声のボリュームを上げる結果となっていた。 (騎士連中も、こういう事には不慣れらしいな。で、王女サマはどうお考えかな?) 一二三が目の前に迫る王城を見上げると、バルコニーに一人の少女の姿をが見えた。 一二三達が王城への門をくぐると、鉄製の門は固く閉じられた。 ここまでゆっくり進んできたので、民衆はしっかりとついてきてくれている。門の向こうから、多くの嘆願や王城への批判が飛んできている。 一二三は馬を降り、他の三人も馬車を降りた。 「馬と馬車はお預かりします。まずは、王女殿下がお会いになられます」 ミダスに馬を預け、一人の騎士の先導で城内を進む。 中にいる騎士や使用人たちは、一二三がここを出る時と違い、興味深そうにこちらに目線を向けてきている。 視線は、アリッサやオリガ、カーシャにも向いているようで、三人とも居心地悪そうについて来ていた。 「......こちらのお部屋にて、お待ちください」 騎士が言うと、待機していたメイドがドアを開いてくれる。 そこに踏み込む前に、一二三は言った。 「案内、ありがとうな。後は、部屋の中で隠れている三人は、邪魔だからどけてくれ」 室内から感じる気配の数を告げると、メイドは何の事かわからない様子だが、騎士は明らかに動揺している。 パジョーやミダスなら、こういう事はしないはずだが、城内勤務の第一騎士隊には、まだ一二三の驚異は伝わっていないのかもしれない。 「な、なにを......」 さっさと部屋に入った一二三は、壺が飾られた台の後ろの壁と、反対側の壁に掛けられた絵画に刀を突き入れた。 くぐもった声が聞こえたあと、床に血が流れる。 「天井の奴は逃げたみたいだな。お前、次は許さんからな」 騎士は一二三に釘を刺され、容赦なく殺された二人の同僚が居た位置に目を向けると、慌てて帰っていった。 メイドは何が起きたか分からず、呆然としている。 「紅茶をもらえるか? 人数分」 メイドに声をかけ、一二三はどっかりとソファへ腰掛けた。とてもじゃないが、罪を償いに来た男の態度ではない。 「......全然許してないと思うんだけど」 「あいつは許したろう?」 血を見ながらのカーシャのツッコミに、天井の奴も見逃してやったんだと答え、一二三は刀を収納に放り込んだ。 「お前らも座れよ。まだまだやる事はあるんだからな」 紅茶はまだかなぁと、背もたれに沿って身体を伸ばしながらのんきな事を言っている目の前の男に、オリガたちはだんだん不安になってきたのだった。 「イメラリア王女がお見えです」 紅茶を飲んでのんびりしていた一二三に、ノックをして入ってきたメイドが声をかけた。 そのままメイドがドアの前から移動すると、イメラリアが入ってくる。ちらりと血の流れる2箇所を見つけて、眉をひそめる。 「ここに彼を案内した騎士を、後でわたくしのところへ来させなさい」 王女の席に紅茶を置いたメイドに指示をして、しばらく誰も入れないようにと合わせて念をおした王女は、一二三の向かいに座った。 その顔は、最後に別れた時と同じ、凛とした美しさだった。 「久しぶりだな。なかなかうまくやれていると聞いた」 「わたくしは、できれば会いたくありませんでしたが......ラグライン公爵やハーゲンティ子爵の件は、大変ご迷惑をお掛け致しました。それに、また城の者が余計な事をしたようで......」 イメラリアの目は、血濡れの床を見ている。 「気にしなくていい。第三騎士隊にはよく動いてもらっているしな」 「それで、わたくしにお話があるとか?」 「まあ、俺の話よりもまず、言いたいことがあるんじゃないのか?」 ふぅっとため息をついた王女は、一二三から視線を外して、アリッサの方を見た。 「貴女がアリッサですね。報告は受けています」 「は、はいっ! あの、僕は、その......どうなるの?」 イメラリアは優しく微笑んで、アリッサにできるだけ優しい声をかけた。 「安心なさい。貴女は正式にこの国の民として遇します。希望があれば、城での仕事を用意しますよ?」 「えっと、その......僕は、まだ一二三さんにお礼ができていないから......」 「そうですか。いつでもわたくしの所へ来ていただいて構いませんからね」 「あ、ありがとう......」 もう一度、にっこりとアリッサに笑顔を向けてから、イメラリアは一二三へ視線を戻した。 「いろいろと、うまくなさっておいでのようですね」 「皮肉ですよ」 「わかってるよ」 イメラリアは紅茶を一口含み、軽く口を湿らせて話を続けた。 さらに、とイメラリアは続ける。 「オリガさん、カーシャさん」 「はい」 オリガが返事をし、カーシャは背筋を伸ばした。 「この国の腐敗した貴族のせいで、奴隷などという立場へ貶められた事、貴族を束ねる王族に連なる者として、深くお詫び申し上げます。公式の場ではあまり言えることではありませんが、失礼ながら、この場で言わせていただきました」 「王女様、私たちは奴隷に落ちたことは残念に思っておりますが、ご主人様に買われた事は不幸だとは思っておりません。この手でささやかな復讐を果たすこともできましたし......」 カーシャは、オリガの言葉にうなづくだけだ。自分の話し方で王女に接していいかどうか判らないのだろう。本当なら、アリッサの言葉遣いもまずいのだが。 「そう言っていただければ、心が楽になります。特例として、城の魔法使いに奴隷紋の解除をさせる事にいたしました。この後すぐに行わせますから、どうかこれからは、自由に生きてください」 「望外のご配慮、本当にありがとうございます」 オリガとカーシャは、深々と頭を下げた。 「そして、一二三様には子爵になっていただき、ハーゲンティ子爵の代わりにフォカロルの街と周辺の村を治めていただきたいと思うのですが」 「おや、俺は罰せられるためにここに来たんだがな」 「茶化さないでください。ここで一二三様を処罰すれば、わたくし達は民の信頼を失うでしょう。そこまでお考えの上での行動だと思っておりましたが?」 一二三は、改めてイメラリアが王女として以上にしっかりと為政者として振舞っているものだと感心した。同時に、これを最大限利用しようとも思っている。 「悪かった。子爵の件、ありがたく受け取ろう。場所もいいな、希望通りだ」 「希望? また何かされるおつもりですか?」 眉をしかめて一二三を見るイメラリアに、紅茶を飲み干して答える。 「ヴィシーを潰す。できるだけ凄惨に、二度と俺と対峙しようと考えられないくらいに」 その場にいた全員が息を飲み、一二三の顔を見た。

At the break of dawn Hifumi and the others had departed the border. After simply passing through Fokalore, they quickly, they sped towards the Imperial Capital. After storing their carriage away, they proceeded on horseback. Origa and the others were not carrying people, so Alyssa clung to Hifumi's back riding the same horse. [Goshujin-sama, what would you be planning to do from now on?] [As Pajo had said, I will meet Imeraria. I'll summarize the matters at that point, so do wait until then. And though it may be early, but upon reaching the capital I intend to discuss your release; so I intend.] [But if we don't catch Beirevra, we won't be able to prove our innocence, would we?] Her horse running parallel, Kasha looked back on the road representing the bright and cheerful days. [Beirevra's name appears in the documents procured from Vichy. Labeling him as the Center's Spy, even. And though Arycelle's testimony, who is being escorted as we speak, is also necessary, what we have and know should suffice for the time being.] The Vichy conspiracy of the Viscount led to two women adventurers falsely accused and reduced to mere slaves. These two girls were singled out by the quasi-knight and adventurer with a secret mission Hifumi, and even rescued a girl who was about to be killed by her allies. Furthermore, the declaration to the rest of the country had also been decided, prompting Pajo to request that they pass along this message to Imeraria. [* * * Will it be alright? * * *] Listening to Hifumi's explanation, Alyssa felt as if she were being treated as some tragic heroine. After reaching the Capital's vicinity without a major problem, they saw a number of knights standing beside the road. [Yo, it's been a while] One of the knights was Midas. Dropping of his horse, Hifumi raised his hand and called out. [It has been a long time, Hifumi-san] [* * * What's up, why so formal?] [It's not about me. The information Hifumi-san had delivered.... It has caused the Imperial Castle to fall into a panic. For the time being, Queen Imeraria herself has announced this incident to the people, and has decided to reward you for your efforts.] Hifumi neither planned nor wanted neighboring countries to find the current absence of a king and financial difficulty as an ideal time to push their luck. However, the current state was too bizarre for them to ignore. Thus, using the Queen's permit and the fact that he had entered Vichy quite a few times, Hifumi had chosen to bring about some grand result and immobilize them by proclaiming Vichy's errors. Up to this point, Imeraria should have amassed quit some support. She was manipulating the temporary, just-crowned prince and guiding the nation as its true leader. [Moreover, they have been discussing the matter of your promotion] [Whether I will become a knight?] [No that...] Hifumi, who had already become a rumor in the guild, was so flashy in dealing with Vichy that the castle town broke out into wild revelries. With no one discussing the possibility of war, proclaiming him a hero who had appeared during this peaceful time, the common folk could not help but feel touched but a story of a young man carrying out women's tragic revenge and saving them in the process. So to punish Hifumi now, considering that the citizens are still recovering from their King's sudden death, would only lead to animosity between the people and the crown. [Though it is not yet decided, the title is bound to be well above a common knight. We have come to escort Hifumi-san to the castle and protect you from the crowd. Contrary to our expectations, you have arrived quite quickly.] And, "since you'll be promoted to a rank above a knight--above me, some will call you a hero and others will give outright ignore you" Midas' bitter smile seemed to convey; Hifumi acknowledged and asked for a carriage to be prepared. [Frankly, we too had thought that Hifumi-san would be moving more discretely. Even after becoming a noble, we had figured you wanted a freer lifestyle...] [Don't expect me to move according the wishes of nobles or countries] After a carriage had been prepared, Hifumi jumped on his horse and looking down on Midas, laughed. [I had intended to create this situation.] [Eh?] [Even so, I did not expect to stand out this much. Well, it's been a long time; let's go meet Imeraria.] Hifumi went off ahead, and Midas hurried to catch up. A large group of people had gathered by the front gate awaiting the hero's return. Whether prompted by a lack of happenings in the past years, and due to the rumor that Hifumi would be soon arriving, the people had gathered at the gate to catch a glimpse of this hero who fought for justice and save the two enslaved "beauties" and the "lovely girl." Even when the King had passed away suddenly from illness, the people did not react with such interest; and though the fact that it was a funeral, the castle town's silence could be attributed to the fact that they took it as a stranger's problem. The people even brought out food stalls, displaying the strength of the city's economic appetite. [In some sense, I too am a traitor from Vichy, but I had not expected this kind of welcome...] Alyssa, who was in the cart, began crying from nervousness upon seeing the great uproar that the city was in. [Seems like we Kasha and I won't be treated as Goshujin-sama's extras this time around.] [Seriously, it will be what it will be. I often don't understand what Goshujin is thinking, but I can't do anything about it at this point.] magic From Hifumi and Midas' conversation, the three understood that they too had to accompany Hifumi to the castle. Which caused them to worry. Sitting in the coachmen's seat, having just admitted to giving up on understanding Hifumi's ways, Kasha felt anxious to enter the Castle for the first time. And while the wheels of the carriage turned, the gates opened releasing a flood people, who, as if finally having found Hifumi's group, raised their voices. [Kasha. Stop for a second in front of the gate] [Understood] Nodding to Hifumi's instructions, Kasha dropped the speed. And coming straight to the gate, stopping his horse, Hifumi addressed the crowd. [Open me a path! I must go atone for my sins to Her Highness Imeraria!] The people, who had been awaiting a hero's triumphant return, were bewildered by his words. They turned to each other, murmuring. [I have heard from the knights who had come to meet me. That you have come to accept me most favorable. And you have my gratitude! But, I have crossed the border, and killed a man to save a little girl. Thus, I have exceeded my authority and betrayed Her Highness' trust... For this reason, I have come to confess my sin and accept my punishment!] The commotion only exasperated. [But these girls are not at fault! So I have come to tell Her Highness! Should I perish at the gallows tomorrow, I but ask that you welcome these girls warmly in my place!] Imploring the people with grand gestures, o how did Hifumi appear to the people! Although he too was a noble, for the sake of the people... no, for the sake of slaves and people of another country he was willing to accept a punishment, and to save them--appear before the queen. Moreover, upon his urging Arisa and Origa leaned out of the carriage. Including the driver, these were the girls he intended to protect; their young faces evoked in the people a desire to protect the girls. [Those children are the slaves you say...] [They were made slaves by those bastards at Vichy you know!] [That knight-sama, though he is a little short, what a wonderful man] [His aura is very different from other knights, no?] [They were going to kill that little girl?] [What demons those bastards at Vichy are!] A murmur of truth and gossip spread among the crowd, but every mouth sang Hifumi praise and expressed pity for Origa and the other girls. While the murmur continued to spread, Hifumi urged his horse forward - intending to meet the Queen - and bowed slightly requesting the people to clear him the way. The gathering parted creating a path from the gate all the way to the royal castle. And with a humble expression on his faith, Hifumi continued forward. When he looked back, he saw Kasha frozen from anxiety in the coachman's seat, and Midas' corps with a sour expression on their faces. As they advanced through the street, myriad voices called to Midas' group asking them to save Hifumi. Unable to accept nor deny the request, the knights decided to avoided making eye contact with anyone in the crowd which only increased the people's anxiety; as a result, the crowd only grew louder. (The knights too are unused to this, huh. Now then, what are the Queen's thoughts?) When Hifumi raised his gaze to the castle he saw a single girl standing on the balcony. When Hifumi passed through the castle gate, the steel gate closed behind him. Since he was advanced leisurely through the city, the people faithfully led him all the way to the castle. On the other side of the gate, some loudly petitioned the crown for mercy while others loudly criticized it. Hifumi got off his horse, and the three girls exited the carriage. [Please leave the horses to me. If you please, meet with her Highness] Leaving the horses to Midas, they were lead into the castle by a single knight. The knights on the inside, unlike the time when Hifumi had first left the castle, were now looking at him with gazes full of wonder. Since their gazes were also focused on Alyssa, Origa, and Kasha, the girls felt ill at ease. [***Please wait in this room] The knight said, and the maid opened the door. Prior to entering, Hifumi said, [Thank you for showing me in. But the three people hiding inside the room, you're a bother: get out] Feeling the presence of a few people inside the room, the maid look inquisitively at Hifumi--having no idea what he was talking about, but the knight started to tremble. Pajo and Midas would not do something like this, but the first division of the castle knights must not have heard yet of Hifumi's abilities. [W-what are you...] After entering the room, Hifumi stabbed his blade into the wall behind a decorative vase and the wall on the other side--decorated by a painting. He could hear some muffled voices on the other side, and blood flowed from the floor. [The guy in the ceiling seems to have run off, huh. You--I won't be as forgiving next time] Stunned by Hifumi's performance, the knights looked towards the place where their comrades now lay dead, and left in a panic. The maid, unable to understand the transpired, just stood dumbfounded. [Could I get some tea? For a few people] Calling out to the maid, Hifumi flopped onto the sofa. He didn't really have an attitude of someone who came to attone for his sins. [***You haven't forgiven any of them] [I did forgive that guy, though?] While retorting to Kasha's comment, talking about the ceiling guy whom he let go, Hifumi tossed the katana into the storage. [You guys sit down, too. We still have lots of work to do] Perhaps wondering why the tea was late, Hifumi stretched his body with an aloof expression on his face; seeing this, the girls' anxiety could only grow. [Her Royal Highness, Queen Imeraria!] While Hifumi was casually sipping some tea, a maid knocked on the door and so announced. And after the maid moved from the door, Imeraria entered. Seeing two pools of blood, she frowned. [Please have the knight who escorted him here brought before later] She told the maid who placed the tea at her seat, and ordered that no one is to enter this chamber for a while. Imeraria then sat facing Hifumi. She was just as dignified and beautiful as when they had first met. [It's been a while, eh. I heard you're handling things pretty well around here] [If possible, I would have preferred not to meet you... but I have caused you great inconvenience with Duke Lagraen's and Viscount Hagenti's incidents. Moreover, the men here have also acted excessively...] Imeraria directed her gaze at the blood stained floorboards. [Don't sweat it. Besides, I'm putting your third knight corps to good use] [Now then, you have something to tell me?] [Ah, before that, I believe there's something on your mind, no?] Sighing heavily, the Queen's eyes wandered off Hifumi and focused on Alyssa. [So you would be Alyssa, right? I have received the report] [Y-yes! Umm... what... what is my fate?] With a gentle smile, Imeraria tried to convey as much gentleness in her voice as possible, [Don't worry. You will be treated as this country's citizen. If you so desire, how about working here in the castle?] [Umm, about that... I have yet to repay my debt to Hifumi-san....] [I see. Feel free to come to my side at any time] [T-thank you...] Smiling at Alyssa one more time, Imeraria returned her gaze to Hifumi. [You have handled things well, I see] [That was sarcasm] [I know] Sipping her tea, Imeraria continued. Moreover, Imeraria continued, [Origa-san, Kasha-san] [Yes!] Origa replied while Kasha stood poised. [Because of this country's putrid nobles you have found yourself degraded to slaves; as a representative of the royal family who controls the nobles, I express my deepest apology. I apologize for my inability to do so publicly and hope that you will accept my apology] [Your Highness, while we do regret becoming slaves, we have not faced any misfortune after being bought by Goshujin-sama. Moreover, we were able, with these hands of ours, to carry out revenge...] Kasha merely nodded at Origa's words, unable to decide whether or not she had the right to address the Queen herself. Honestly, however, like Alyssa, she was rather poor with words. [Your words put my heart at ease. Since yours is a special case, I will have the castle magicians release your slave crest. We'll have this done immediately, so please live freely from now on] [We thank you for showing such unexpected benevolence] Origa and Kahsa deeply lowered their heads. [Furthermore, I would like to have Hifumi-sama become a Viscount and rule over Fokalore and the surrounding villages in place of Viscount Hagenti.] [Oh? I have come to receive a punishment though?] [Please stop joking around. If we were to punish Hifumi we would lose the goodwill of the people. Did you seriously expect me to do something so thoughtless?] Hifumi was once again taken aback by how well Imeraria carried herself as a statesperson. At the same time, he decided to make as much use of her as he could. [My bad. I'll gladly accept the title. Nor could I hope for a better land] [Hope? Are you planning something again?] Imeria asked with concern on her face; Hifumi merely sipped some tea and answered. [I will crush Vichy. So gruesomely that they will never think to cross paths me again] And the look on his face stole everyone's breath away...

「一二三様」 ノックをして一二三の執務室に入って来たのは、湯に入り旅の埃を落とし、丁寧に髪をとかしたオリガだった。 いつもの青いローブ姿ではなく、いつかの時のためにとこっそり買っておいた、とっておきのロングスカートと花の刺繍が入ったシャツという出で立ちだった。 「ん、オリガか」 何かを書き付けていた一二三は、顔を上げてオリガを見た。 緊張気味なオリガの顔を見て、いつかの手裏剣指導の時も、そんな顔だったな、と思い出す。 「話があるんだろうが、座って待っていてくれ。もうすぐ終るから」 「わかりました」 応接用として置かれたソファに腰を下ろす。 高級品だとすぐにわかる艶のある革の感触と、ふわっと軽く沈み込む座り心地で、オリガは少しだけ落ち着くことができた。 静かな室内に、羽ペンを走らせるカリカリという音だけが響く。 真面目な顔をして書き続ける一二三の顔を、オリガは飽きることなく見つめ続けていた。駆け抜けて来た、そんなに前じゃないあの日々を思い出す。そう言えば、一二三に文字の書き方を教えたのも自分だった、と懐かしんだ。 「一二三様、紅茶をお淹れしますね」 「ああ、頼む」 備え付けの小さなキッチンには、一二三が好きな焼き菓子が置かれていたので、お茶と合わせて一二三のデスクへそっと置いた。 「お、そう言えば菓子があったか。ありがとうな」 座ったままオリガに視線を向け、一二三は優しく笑う。 微笑み返したオリガは、やはり“この人が好き”だと改めて確信した。人を殺すことが好きだからと言って、自分に向けられる優しい笑顔も嘘ではない。 今にして思えば赤面する他ないが、奴隷として出会ったときには、ただ彼に気に入られる事で得られる物が多いのではないかと、打算だけで近づいた。 復讐心に塗りつぶされた心で、彼を利用して力を付けるために必死だった時には気づかなかったが、いつも彼は近くで笑っていてくれた。誰かに頼ることではなくて、しっかり自分の力でやり遂げるために、掛け替えのない時間をくれた。 オリガの胸の中を、思い出と共に熱い気持ちがめぐる。 「待たせたな」 目の前に一二三が座ったとき、オリガは自然と笑みが浮かぶ。 「何を書いておられたのですか?」 「ああ、獣人族に会いに、しばらく荒野行きだからな。その間にカイム達にやらせておく事を書き出していた」 ほら、と差し出された紙には、どこか角ばった印象のある文字で箇条書きで領地の開発や運営についていくつもの指示が書き込まれていた。 「とりあえずはリストアップしておく。細かいことは、みんなで勝手に考えて貰えばいい」 リストを見ながら、オリガはこぼした。 一二三が獣人族エリアやその向こうにある騎士の国と呼ばれるソードランテを目指す事は、身だしなみを整えている間に文官のパリュから聞いていた。実際に本人から聞くと、改めて自分がその旅の頭数に入っていない雰囲気がはっきりわかる。 胸が締め付けられるような思いを隠しながら、オリガは微笑みを保つ。 「一二三様の威光が、獣人たちや荒野の向こうまで届くのですね」 「大仰だな。ちょっと様子を見て、気が向いたら暴れてくるだけだ」 デスクから持ってきた焼き菓子を口に放り込み、頬をふくらませている一二三に、オリガは立ち上がって新しい紅茶を淹れた。 少しだけ迷って、オリガは口を開いた。 「その......荒野への旅に、私を連れて行っていただくことはできませんか?」 オリガの言葉を聞いて、一二三は目を見開いた。 「街も村もない、荒野を渡る旅だぞ?」 「構いません。一二三様と共に行けるなら、どこへでも」 顎をこすりながら一二三は考え込んだ。 「参ったな。オリガにはこの領地を任せておきたいと思ったんだがな。他に頼みたいこともあるし......」 「頼み、とは?」 一二三はオリガを手招きで隣に呼び、耳に口を寄せて誰にも聞こえないように伝えた。 顔が近づいて来たとき、オリガは心臓が高鳴るのを抑えるのに必死だったが、聞かされた内容に、緊張も忘れて飛び上がるほど驚いた。 「そんな! それでは一二三様は......」 「だが、楽しいとは思わないか?」 心底楽しそうに笑う一二三を見て、オリガはやっぱりこの人には敵わない、と思う。 「その時には、私も一緒にいさせてください。それをお約束いただければ、私は一二三様の言われる通りにフォカロルに残ります」 「そうか。ありがとうな」 「ですが」 オリガは、一二三にしがみつくようにその左腕を掴んだ。 「一二三様がいらっしゃらない間、寂しさで耐えられなくなりそうです。ですから、今度こそ私とつながりを作ってください......」 涙を浮かべてオリガが懇願するのを聞いて、一二三は困った顔をする。 「......冷静に考えて、俺のような奴を慕ってくれるのは嬉しいんだけどな。ちょっと男の趣味が悪いと思うぞ? 俺のように人を殺すことをやめられない奴は、いつか誰かに殺されるんだ。それは何十年後かもしれないし、明日かもしれない」 あっという間にお前を残して死ぬかもしれない、荒野から帰らないかもしれない、と一二三は続けた。 「その時は、私もお供するだけです」 オリガは真っ直ぐに一二三を見つめて、断言した。 参った、と一二三は両手を上げて、そのままオリガの肩を抱いた。 「オリガ、俺がいない間の領地を頼む」 「それは......」 「ああ、俺の妻として後を任せたいんだが、嫌か?」 「嫌なわけがありません!」 オリガは一二三の首にしがみつくと、声を上げて泣いた。嬉しい気持ちが溢れてくるが、何故か涙が止まらない。 しばらく子供のように泣きじゃくったオリガは、気持ちを確かめるように身体をすり寄せ、夢にまで見ていたキスを果たした。 「結婚かぁ。あの人がねぇ......」 調査のために各地を廻っている騎士からの定期報告の中に、フォカロル領で盛大に行われた結婚式の事が書かれていたのを見つけ、サブナクは天井を見上げた。 「オリガ様という方は存じませんが、トオノ伯とは近しい方なのですか?」 机に置かれた書類に視線を落としたシビュラは、サブナクの前に置かれたカップに新たな紅茶を注いだ。 「近しい、か。まあ、そうだね。あの人はこっちの世界では天涯孤独と言っていいから、一番長く側に居た女性だと思っていいかもね。魔法が得意な、可愛らしい女性だよ」 一二三に関する部分を見なければ、とサブナクは心の中で付け加えた。 「では、収まるべきところに収まったということですね」 「まあ、そうかもね。それにしても、あの人が奥さんを迎えるなんて想像もつかないよ。いよいよ落ち着く気になったかな?」 サブナクは立ち上がり、書類をまとめて掴んだ。 「出られるのですか?」 「ああ、イメラリア様へ報告をしないと、な」 「イメラリア様、お気を落とされなければ良いのですが......」 シビュラが呟いた心配事に、サブナクは首をかしげた。 「お祝いごとだと思うけど? これで一二三さんがこの国に根を下ろすつもりになったとも判断できるだろうし」 「驚く程鈍い人ですね。イメラリア様を近くで見ているくせに」 そんなだから、女が怪我するまで気持ちに気づかないのです。 「その事は蒸し返さないでくれよ。それで、鈍い婚約者に答えを教えて欲しいんだけれどね」 「イメラリア様は、無自覚でしょうけれどトオノ伯を慕っておいでですよ」 「はぁ?」 騎士隊長とあろう者が、そんな間抜けな顔を見せるのはやめてください、とシビュラは説明を続けた。 「考えて見てください。あの方のお考えを引っ張っているのは、トオノ伯への復讐心と同時に憧れでもあります。この国が最終的に安定したのも、謀反を起こした者を処分してイメラリア様の周囲に安全をもたらしたのも、結果的にトオノ伯のお力あっての事です。いつも彼の事を考えているイメラリア様にとっては、仇と同様に英雄としてその姿が映っていることでしょう」 半分以上は妄想というか願望な気がする、とサブナクは思ったが、声には出さなかった。ここしばらく一緒に過ごしている間に、彼女に余計な事を言うと十倍になって帰ってくる事を覚えたからだ。 「と、とにかくイメラリア様には気をつけて報告することにするよ。ありがとう」 逃げるように部屋を出たサブナクは、そのあとにイメアリアに報告した際、視線を落としたのを見て“まさか?”と思ってしまい、影響を受けすぎだと自重した。 イメラリアは報告を受けて、祝いの品を送るように指示したのみで、それ以外には特に言及しなかった。 一二三の結婚のあと、イメラリアからだけでなくビロンら国内の貴族からも祝いの品が届き、さらにはホーラント王スプランゲルからも、フォカロル領内で勉強中のネルガルを通していくつかの魔法具が贈呈された。 数日通してフォカロル領ではお祭り騒ぎが続き、しばらくは領主の妻となったオリガの美しさや、一二三に劣らず戦える才能豊かな魔法使いらしい、といった虚実入り混じった噂が市井の人々の噂のタネとなった。 オリガは幸せな新婚生活を楽しむ暇もなく、次々と領内の各部署を改めて視察して廻り、一二三が目指している物を理解するために懸命の努力を重ねていった。 最初のうちは、貴族の仲間入りをした平民上がりが政治の真似事で首を突っ込んで来ていると受け取り、拒否感を持っていた職員なども居たが、各部署の事を正確に理解しようとする姿勢は徐々に受け入れられて行った。 アリッサも、カイムを始めとした文官たちも、そんなオリガを支えるために資料や計画の説明などのために時間を作り、カイム主導の元で領主館の機能を整理してオリガを中心として動く体制を急速に整えていった。 気がつけば、一二三が書類に触らない日があるくらいにまでオリガ体制へと移行が進み、これ幸いと一二三が準備を進めた事もあり、あっという間に一二三出発の準備が完了した。 馬を駆り、フォカロルの出口にいる一二三の周りには、オリガはもちろんアリッサや文官たち、大勢の職員や兵たちが見送りのために集まっていた。 その外側には、噂を聞きつけて集まった領民たちもいる。 「一二三様が帰る場所はしっかりとお守りしておりますから、どうか安心して旅を楽しんでください」 そう言いながら、オリガは涙を流している。 これから先、どれほどの間離ればなれになるのかもわからないのだ。だが、もう止めようとはしない。一二三に託された物があるから、我慢できると自分を律する。 「ああ、帰る頃にはもっと街も大きくなっているだろう。領兵も武器も強くなっているだろうな。それを見られるのを楽しみにしている」 「はい。後のことは奥様と我々にお任せください」 カイムに合わせ、文官たちが頭を下げた。 「軍の事も、僕がちゃんと見ておくよ!」 涙を浮かべた目で叫んだアリッサの頭を、一二三は乱暴に撫でた。 「ああ、獣人たちが攻めてきても街を守れるようにしていてくれ」 そろそろ出発する、と一二三が言うと、職員は頭を下げ、兵は敬礼をして見せた。 「一二三様、どうかご無事で......」 「大丈夫だ。まだまだ、この世界で戦い、殺し合う事を楽しもうと思っているからな」 安心していいかどうかと思う台詞だが、オリガにとっては良いことに聞こえたらしい。穏やかな笑顔で、夫が馬を進めるのを見送っていた。 三国を巻き込んで好き放題に殺し回った男は、一人荒野へ向けて旅立った。 「獣人というからには、野性的で型にはまらない戦い方ができるだろう」 楽しみだ、と上機嫌な一二三を乗せて、黄色く輝く太陽の下で、馬は軽快に野を駆けてゆく。

"Hifumi-sama." (Origa) Entering Hifumi's office, after knocking, was Origa, who cleaned off the dust of the journey in a hot bath and had neatly combed her hair. Not wearing the usual blue robe, her outfit compromised of a shirt, with a flower embroidery, and a long skirt she had secretly bought at one time and put aside. "Mm, Origa?" (Hifumi) Hifumi, who was writing something down, raised his face and looked at Origa. Seeing Origa's face strained with nervousness, he recalls "I guess there's some talking to do, but please sit down and wait. I will be done very soon." (Hifumi) "Understood." (Origa) Origa sits down on the sofa, which had been placed in the office for receptions. She was able to calm down a slight bit with the feeling of softly, comfortably sinking into it and the texture of the glossy leather, which immediately gave it away as high-class item. In the silent office only the sound of the quill scratching across the paper can be heard. Origa continued to watch the face of Hifumi, who keeps writing with a diligent expression, without getting tired of it. "Hifumi-sama, I will brew black tea." (Origa) "Yea, please do so." (Hifumi) Since Hifumi's favourite baked sweet were in the small, installed kitchen, she quietly placed those next to the tea on the desk of Hifumi. "Oh, come to think of it, there was some pastry, wasn't there? Thank you." (Hifumi) Turning his sight towards Origa while seated, he smiles gently. Origa, smiling back, likewise renewed her conviction of him having "this soft-hearted nature." I can't help it but blush if I now recall the time, he met me as slave, and me approaching him with nothing more but the calculative thoughts what many possible things would please him. My mind, filled with the thought of vengeance, didn't notice it as I was desperate to get stronger by using him, but he was always smiling close-by. The memories swirl alongside passionate feelings within Origa's chest. "I kept you waiting." (Hifumi) When Hifumi sat down in front of her, Origa naturally floated a smile. "What did you write?" (Origa) "Ah, to meet the beastman race, I will go to the wastelands for a while. Therefore I wrote down the matters Caim's group has to do during that time." (Hifumi) "Look here," he presented her the paper. It was filled out with countless instructions concerning the administration and development of the territory in an itemized form with characters, that gave a somehow angular impression. "For now it's a listing. It's fine for everyone to ponder about the minor details by themselves. After all, I planned to go on a trip..." (Hifumi) While looking at the list, Origa cries. She heard from the civil official, Paryu, during the time of arranging her own appearance about Hifumi heading for the area of the beastman race and even the area beyond, Swordland While hiding the thoughts that are tightening her chest, Origa endures to smile. "Hifumi-sama, with your power you will reach the beastmen and even the vast plains on the other side." (Origa) "You are exaggerating. Looking at the situation there for a bit, I will only rampage, if I feel like it." (Hifumi) Origa stood up and poured new black tea into the cup of Hifumi, whose cheeks are swelling from tossing the baked sweets, he brought over from the desk, into his mouth. Hesitating only slightly, Origa opened her mouth. "Umm... isn't it possible to take me along on the journey to the wastelands?" (Origa) Hearing Origa's words, Hifumi opened his eyes widely. "It's a journey crossing through wastelands. There are no villages or cities, you know?" (Hifumi) "I don't mind. As long as I can go together with Hifumi-sama, anywhere is fine." (Origa) Hifumi pondered while rubbing his chin. "How problematic. I planned to leave this territory to you, Origa. There are other things I wanted to request of you as well..." (Hifumi) "Request?" (Origa) Hifumi beckoned her over next to him, brought his mouth close to her ear and told her so that no one would hear it. At the time his face came close, Origa was frantic to calm her throbbing heart, but hearing the details, she even forgot her nervousness and was surprised to the degree of jumping up. "Such a thing! In that case Hifumi-sama is..." (Origa) "Don't you think it's fun though?" (Hifumi) Looking at Hifumi laughing as if completely enjoying it, Origa thinks, "Please stay together with me at that time, too. If you are able to promise that, I will stay behind in Fokalore as you've told me, Hifumi-sama." (Origa) "Is that so? Thank you." (Hifumi) "However." (Origa) Origa grabbed Hifumi's left arm as if clinging to it. "It will be impossible for me to bear the loneliness during the time Hifumi-sama isn't here. Therefore, please build a relationship with me this time..." (Origa) Listening to the entreaty of Origa, who's showing tears, Hifumi makes a troubled face. "... If I consider it calmly, I'm happy that you are yearning for a guy like me. But don't you think that your taste in men is slightly bad? A guy like me, who won't stop killing people, can be killed some day by someone. This might happen 10 years from now on or it might also happen tomorrow." (Hifumi) "I might die leaving you behind in a blink of an eye and I might not return from the wastelands", Hifumi continued. "I will simply accompany you at that time as well." (Origa) Origa declared looking Hifumi directly in the eyes. "I give up", Hifumi raised both his hands and then embraced Origa's shoulders. "Origa, I will leave the territory to you while I'm not here." (Hifumi) "That is..." (Origa) "Yea, I want to leave the future to you as my wife, but is that no good?" (Hifumi) "I have no reason to disagree!" (Origa) Although she is overflowing with feelings of happiness, her tears don't stop for some reason. Origa, who cried like a child for a while, drew close with her body as if making sure and gave him a kiss, she had only experienced in her dreams so far. "Marriage, eeh? That person is..." (Sabnak) Looking at the written details within the regular report of the knights, who are observing all places for the sake of investigations, stating about the marriage to be grandly held in the territory of Fokalore, Sabnak looked up at the ceiling. "Though I don't know the person called Origa-sama, is she someone close to Earl Tohno?" (Shibyura) Shibyura, letting her look glide over the documents placed on the desk, poured new black tea into the cup placed in front of Sabnak. "Close? Well, I guess so. As it's fine to say that that person has no relatives in this world, you might as well think of her as the woman, who has been at his side for the longest time. She is a lovely woman with her forte being magic." (Sabnak) , Sabnak added within his mind. "Then it means that she was placed in a spot she should fit." (Shibyura) "Well, that might also be true. Even so, I can't really imagine that person accepting a wife. Did he finally felt like settling down, I wonder?" (Sabnak) Standing up, Sabnak collected the documents and grabbed them. "Are you going out?" (Shibyura) "Yea, if I don't report to Imeraria-sama..." (Sabnak) "It will be great if Imeraria-sama isn't disheartened, but..." (Shibyura) Sabnak was puzzled over Shibyura's muttered concerns. "I think it's a reason for congratulations, though? With this it will be possible to judge it as Hifumi-sama planning to take root in this country." (Sabnak) "You are a dense person to a frightening degree. And that in spite of observing Imeraria-sama from close-by." (Shibyura) That's why he doesn't notice her feelings until the woman is hurt. "Don't bring up that matter again. But you can teach your dense fiance the answer." (Sabnak) "Imeraria-sama is longing for Earl Tohno although probably unaware of it." (Shibyura) "Haa?" (Sabnak) "Please hurry up and stop showing such stupid face as person, who is the Knight Captain", Shibyura continued her explanation. "Please try to think about it. That lady's opinion is being twisted by her yearning as well as her desire for revenge against Earl Tohno. The stability of this country and the matter of bringing safety to Imeraria-sama's surroundings by disposing of those, who caused the rebellion, is entirely owed to the strength of Earl Tohno in regards to the results. For Imeraria-sama, who's always pondering about those matters, his figure is probably reflected in her eyes as hero and at the same time as enemy as well." (Shibyura) I have a feeling that more than half of that is her desire or rather a delusion "A-Anyway, I have decided to carefully report it to Imeraria-sama. Thank you." (Sabnak) Sabnak, who left the room as if running away, ended up thinking "Could it really be?" and tried to lower his view at the time of reporting to Imeraria afterwards. He was restraining himself so that he wasn't struck by Shibyura's influence too much. With nothing but ordering to send congratulatory gifts after receiving the report, Imeraria didn't mention it in particular otherwise. After Hifumi's marriage, there were congratulatory gifts delivered not only from Imeraria but also from the nation's nobles such as Biron and others. Moreover, even Horant's king, Suprangel, presented several magic tools through Nelgal, who is studying in the territory of Fokalore. The festival merrymaking continued to spread throughout Fokalore for a few days and for a while the townspeople repeatedly spread rumours, where one didn't know whether truth of falsehood was mixed in, about the beauty of Origa, who became the Lord's wife, her greatness as magician and her talents in battle being no less than Hifumi's. Without losing time, Origa enjoyed the blessings of a newly-married life and went around inspecting and revising each of the territory's departments one after the other. She earnestly invested great effort in order to understand the type of person Hifumi was looking for. At the beginning she received the treatment of a commoner, who attained the rank of a noble, poking her head into politics as if it was a play. There were even some staff members, who rejected her. But with her attitude of trying to correctly comprehend the matters of each department, they accepted her gradually. Alyssa as well the civil officials, starting with Caim, made time for things like explaining the plans and the supporting documents to such Origa. Under the leadership of Caim the work structures were rapidly arranged with Origa at the centre by adjusting the facilities of the Lord's mansion. Before it was noticed, it advanced to the point of switching over the system to Origa so that a day came, where Hifumi didn't need to touch any document. Taking advantage of that, Hifumi hastened his preparations as well. In a blink of an eye Hifumi's travel preparations were finished. Origa, of course Alyssa as well as the civil officials and a crowd of staff members and soldiers gathered around Hifumi, who was at the exit of Fokalore riding a horse, to see him off. Outside there are also citizens, who gathered after getting wind of it. "Since I will properly take care of the place for you to return to, Hifumi-sama, please enjoy your journey with a peace of mind." (Origa) Origa is shedding tears while saying that. I don't know how long we might be separated from now on. "Yea, at the time of my return the city will probably be a lot bigger than now. The territorial soldiers and weapons will have likely become stronger as well. I'm looking forward to see that." (Hifumi) "Yes. Please leave the future matters to us and your wife." (Caim) Matching with Caim, the other civil officials bowed. "I will properly take care of the military matters too!" (Alyssa) Hifumi roughly stroke the hair of Alyssa, who exclaimed that with tears in her eyes. "Yea, please make sure to defend the city even if the beastmen come attacking." (Hifumi) "It's time to depart", as Hifumi said that, the staff members bowed and the soldiers saluted. "Hifumi-sama, please stay safe..." (Origa) "It will be alright. I still want to enjoy situations of fighting and killing each other in this world for more time to come." (Hifumi) It's a speech where one will doubt whether it's fine to feel relieved, but as far as Origa was concerned, she apparently heard a good thing. The man, who went around killing and arbitrarily involved three kingdoms in his whims, departed towards the wastelands by himself. "Since they are called beastman, I will likely be able to fight in a way that's no different from a wild style." (Hifumi) "What a pleasure", getting excited in good humour, Hifumi gallops through the fields on his horse under the yellow-shining sun.

3.Can’T Repeat 【罪と立場】 少しの沈黙のあと、謁見の間は混乱の極みに陥った。 「なんだあの剣は! なぜ武器を持ったまま入室させた!」 「王の御前であるぞ!」 「近衛は何をしている! さっさと取り押さえろ!」 文官は後ずさり、待機していた騎士たちが素早く前に出る。 「お待ちください!」 一二三をかばうように、イメラリアは小柄な身体を精一杯開いて叫んだ。 「勇者様も、どうかわたくしの話を聞いてください」 「......言ってみろ」 「ありがとうございます......」 自分の言葉が無視されなかったことに、イメラリアは少しだけ安堵した。だが、これからが問題なのだと、改めて気を引き締める。 「待て、イメラリアよ」 王の声に、イメラリアは自分の父の姿を仰ぎ見た。 ゆったりと玉座に収まってはいるが、表情には苛立ちが見える。 「まず、わしと話させろ。勇者よ、わしはウィリバルケン・ゴーデンハイム・オーソングランデだ。この国、オーソングランデの王である」 一二三は、目線をイメラリアから動かさない。 「ゆ、勇者様?」 「お前の話を聞くと言った。早く言え」 自分を完全に無視した言い草に、王は玉座のアームレストを殴りつけた。 「わしを無視するとは! 勇者とは言え許さんぞ! 近衛ども、こやつを取り押さえろ! 多少傷をつけてもかまわん!」 王の命令で左右と背後から四人が突きかかるが、ひと呼吸で全員が斬り伏せられた。 「勇者様」 「なんだ?」 「お名前を、お聞かせください」 「......ヒフミだ」 少しだけ考えて、一二三は名前のみを答えた。遠野の苗字は、あるいはもう捨ててしまってもいいかもしれない、と考えたのだ。神を殺し、世界を越えて、人を殺した。 もとより家族に未練はないが、自分は一人でやってきたのだという事を、あえて自らに言い聞かせたかったのかもしれない。 名を聞いて、イメラリアはまっすぐと一二三の目を見つめて言った。 「ヒフミ様、わたくしたちの勝手な都合で、この世界へお呼びしたこと。心より、お詫び申し上げます。大変、申し訳ありません」 深々と頭を下げたイメラリアに、周囲の人々はざわめいた。 一人の無礼な若者に、王族が頭を下げているのだ。異例を通り越して、身分が固定されて上下関係がはっきりとしているこの世界では、異常なことだった。 「この度の事、全ての罪はわたくしにあります。ヒフミ様のお怒りを鎮めるために、わたくしにできることならば何でもさせていただきます。......もし、わたくしの命をお望みであれば、この場で斬り捨てていただいても構いません」 イメラリアの青い瞳。その視線は、一二三から離れない。覚悟を示すように、じっと彼の言葉を待っているようだった。 だが、声を上げたのは王だ。 「馬鹿な! 何故そのような事になるのだ! この者は勇者ではないのか? イメラリア、説明しろ!」 王は怒りで声がうわずっている。 「何故王女たるお前が頭を下げねばならんのだ? 儀式に参列した騎士たちはどうした? いったい何がどうなっておる!」 「......ご説明しましょう」 イメラリアの口から、その場の者たちを驚愕させる事実が語られる。 国を救うべく呼び出した男に、既に騎士が何人も殺されている。 そして驚くべき事に、王の『罪』を糾弾、いや、罰を与えようと言うのだ。絶対君主たる王へ向かって、そのような事は許されるものではない。 少なくとも、この世界の人々の感覚では。 「ヒフミと言ったな。今ならまだ間に合う。わしに跪き、この王国へ尽くすことを誓うのだ。お前の能力ならば、高い地位も得られるであろう。この場での無礼も罪も、今ならば見逃さぬこともない」 人が殺されているのに、とんでもない発言であったが、文官たちの反応から、王の権力というのはそれほどのものなのだという事が伺える。 ただ、目の前の異常な男に、それは悪手だった。 吐き捨てた一二三は、さらに言葉を続けた。 「驚くべき阿呆だな。自分の娘が必死にお前をかばっているのがわからんのか? およそ権力者ほど救いがたいものはないと思っていたが、これは極めつけだな。許しを乞うべき立場は誰だ? 俺じゃないぞ、娘を使って自分の国、自分の栄達のために一人の人間の未来を奪おうとしたお前だ」 「ひ、ヒフミ様......」 イメラリアが想定していた、もっとも恐ろしい事態へと進みつつある。 だが、もう遅かった。 刀を構え直した一二三に、さらに数人の騎士が踊りかかったが、傷一つ付けることもできずに殺された。 「で、ではどうするというのだ? どうしろというのだ? 今更お前を元の世界へ戻すことはできん。復活させることができたのは、召喚の儀式のみで、送還のやり方は失われてしまっている」 王の言葉に、一二三はイメラリアを見る。うつむく仕草で、帰すことができないのが事実だと示したイメラリアが、すがるような目を向けてくる。 「全てはわたくしが悪いのです。ですから......」 「親が素直に謝罪をするなら、まあ金銭で納得しよう。もちろん、お前たちの希望は聞かない。部下になるなど以ての外だ」 「お金ですか......」 王女は自分の財産は持っていない。自分の財布で何かを買うということがまずないからだ。 「もちろん、支払うのはこの国だ」 「な、何故......」 「犯人は王だろう。王の責任は国の責任だ。そうだな......」 一二三は、本心ではそこまで金が欲しいわけでもなかった。この世界で生きていくのに、当座の資金が欲しいと思った程度だ。ただ、王の態度はいただけなかったし、この後の反応を見たいと思って金額を指定した。 「この国の金庫から3割をもらおう。ああ、もちろん公式に謝罪をしてもらうぞ。国民に王が何をしでかして、結果として何を失ったかをしっかりと周知してもらおう」 「それは......」 イメラリアにはわかってしまう。この条件を父は飲めない。 膨大な金額になる金銭はもちろん問題だが、王の失態を公表するという事は、父の性格からも、王族の威厳からも絶対にできない事だ。退位の理由として十分な理由になるからだ。 「ふぅ......お前は馬鹿か。そんな理由が飲めるわけなかろうが。交渉をしたいならもう少し現実を見て物事を語らぬか」 王は一二三の話を聞いて鼻で笑った。 この期に及んで、まだ自分が優位であると示す事を諦めていない。 「では数年は食うに困らぬ程度の金をくれてやろう。多少は腕が立つようだが、狂犬は要らぬ。金をやるからすぐに城から出て行くが良い」 威厳を示すように、まるで余裕があるかのように語る王に、家臣たちは多少は落ち着きが取り戻せたように見えた。王は不可侵かつ誰よりも上位であるという共通認識を確かめるように、お互いの顔を見合わせる。 「最期まで、なんにもわからないか。哀れな奴だな」 ため息混じりに呟いた一二三の言葉を、何人が聞き取れただろうか? イメラリアには聞こえたが、その意味を理解する前に、次の光景が目に飛び込んできた。 「死ね」 足音を殺した見たこともない歩法で、一二三は一気に王へ迫る。 草を刈るような音を立てて、王の首は断ち切られた。 「ひぃっ......」 となりに座る王妃の膝の上に首が転げ落ち、王妃は恐怖に意識を失ってしまった。 王子も驚愕に同様に気絶してしまう。 「な、なんてこと......」 「言っただろう。子の責任は親が取る。今回の場合は親が首謀者だったからな。しかも示談の条件を出したのに、まだ自分の責任に気づいていなかったからな。死んで当然だ」 懐紙で刃を拭い、納しながら一二三が言う。その表情には悪意の欠片もない。 「残念だったな。お前が思うよりもずっと、お前の父親は馬鹿だった」 「わ、わたくしが責任を......」 うわごとのようにつぶやくイメラリアに、一二三は言葉を続ける。 「お前は反省した。それに父親の言う事に従ってやったことだろう? 後は勝手に賠償金をもらっていくからな。それで手打ちだ」 もはや家臣たちには言葉もない。 ただ一人、その中でも年若い青年騎士が、泣き崩れた王女を見て我に返ったらしい。 「こ、このまま帰れると思うな!」 「遅い」 刀を抜く必要もないと判断した一二三は、入身と呼ばれる動きで騎士の横を通り過ぎながら、相手の顎をすくい上げ、そのまま石造りの床に叩きつけた。 「見ろ」 イメラリアは、一二三に言われて怖々と目線を上げた。 そこにあるのは、ほんの少し前とはまるで違う、地獄のような光景だった。 数人の騎士の死体、壇上には気を失った母と弟。 そして......。 「これがお前の父親が選択した事の結果だ。全ては自分に従うものだと信じて疑わなかった愚か者と......」 一二三は、イメラリアを見る。 「少しは反省しようとしたお前の違いだ」 全くもって身勝手すぎる一二三の言い分だが、誰にも何も言えない。 形だけ言えば、一生を左右する被害を受けた者が、その首謀者に復讐しただけなのだ。王国の法では、誘拐犯を殺して逃れることは当然の権利だが一二三は知らない。 状況によって私的に犯罪者を誅する事はよくあるが、討たれたのが王であるなど、異常すぎる事態である。 座り込んでしまったイメラリアは、頭の中が整理できていない。目の前の光景をきちんと把握できているかも怪しいが、確かに視線は状況を見つめていた。 「さて」 さっと周りを見渡した一二三が、一人の男性の前に進む。 玉座の近くに立っているから、この場の者の中でも地位が高いのだろう。 「お前は?」 「......この国の宰相を勤めている、アドル・フィオル・ヴィンジャーだ」 震える膝を必死に抑えながら答える姿を、一二三は無表情に見据えた。 「怯えなくていい。俺に害を与えなければ何もしない。それより、この城の金庫へ案内してくれ。今すぐに」 疑問の表情を浮かべるアドルに、一二三は軽い調子で言い放った。 「賠償金をもらっていく」 城の金庫までアドルに先導させ、警備の兵もアドルが声をかけて中に入った。 多くの金貨・銀貨が箱に入って積み上げられた部屋に入ると、さっさと闇魔法で半分を収納してしまった。 三割の約束だったはずだと、アドルに抗議の視線を向けられたが、 「約束はあちらが断っただろうが。命は失ったが、そんなものに価値はないからな」 と、さらりと言い放った。 すっかり風通しが良くなった金庫を前に、もはや観念して、今後の国政について頭を抱えるアドルを置いて、出口と思しき方向へ歩いていた一二三の前に、先程まで謁見の間で泣いていたはずのイメラリアが現れた。 「ヒフミ様、お待ちください」 「何だ? 俺の用は終わったぞ」 「まずは、この度のお詫びを......」 深々と頭を下げるイメラリアに、不審な目を向ける。 ついさっき、自分の父親を殺した男が相手なのだ。論理のロジックはさておき、感情的にはとても許せるものではないだろう。 「わたくしは、この度の事で自分の浅はかさを知りました。もう引き返すことは叶いませんが、わたくしは、自分の行動の結果を考えることなく、言われるがままに生きていた事に、今更気がつきました。そして......」 顔を上げたイメラリアの表情は、表情を隠し、冷徹に事を進める為政者のそれになっていた。 「我が国オーソングランデは、貴方を許しません。わたくしは、これから母や弟を支えてこの国を強くしていきます。そしていつか、他力本願ではない自分たちの国の力で、貴方に復讐いたします」 「ふふっ」 耐え切れず、一二三が吹き出した。 「何なら、今からやりあってもいいぞ?」 「いえ、今の我が国の兵力では、貴方に歯が立ちませんでしょう。そのくらいの事は、わたくしにもわかります。わたくしは、わたくしの責任で貴方とことを構えるだけの人間になり、それから貴方に復讐をします」 「そうか。では、その時を楽しみにしておこう。......いい顔をするようになったな」 「ありがとうございます。では、一刻も早くここからご退去くださいませ。出口はあちらですわ」 示された方向へ、一二三が歩き出す。 背後から騎士が近づこうとするのを、イメラリアは手を挙げて制した。無駄な事だとわかっているのだ。 「......第三騎士隊で彼がこの国を出るまで監視しなさい。逐一わたくしへ報告を入れること。ただし、彼へ対する一切の攻撃、敵対行為は禁止します。国外に出てからは、その国にいる潜伏隊に引き継ぎをするのです」 攻撃を静止された騎士は、イメラリアの指令を受けて離れていった。 「お父様、仇を打てない弱いわたくしをお許し下さい。いつか、いつの日か......」 城門を抜けて街へと消えていく一二三の背中を見ながら、枯れたと思っていた涙がまた、頬を伝うのを感じていた。 こうして、神を殺し、王を殺した男が、異世界へと解き放たれた。

Chapter 3: Can'T Repeat After a short silence, the audience chamber was in utter chaos. [ Why, within the presence of the King is he carrying a sword?? ] [ In the King's presence! ] [ What are the Imperial guards doing?? Quickly, arrest him! ] The civil servants edge back, the Knights on standby move forward. Inside the castle there is basic equipment. Like the Knights in the summoning room, all these Knights have the same short spear. [ Please wait! ] Imeraria cried, standing in front of Hifumi with her diminutive body. [ Hero-sama too, please hear my story. ] [ ..... Go ahead ] [ Thank you very much.... ] On her words not being disregarded, Imeraria was relieved a little. However, thinking about the problem, she braced herself. [ Wait, Imeraria. ] Imeraria looked up on hearing the King's voice. Though he was sitting on the throne in a relaxed manner, his countenance showed irritation. [ First of all, speak with us. Hero, we are Wilburken Godenhaim Orsongrande, the King of this country. ] Hifumi did not look away from Imeraria. [ H-Hero sama? ] [ I said I would listen to what you had to say. Say it quickly. ] On seeing Hifumi's complete disregard for him, the King angrily struck the armrest of the throne. [ Ignoring us! Even a Hero is not permitted to ignore us! Guards, arrest this fellow! It's fine if he's injured a little! ] Four members of the guard charged forward at the Royal decree, all of them were cut down in a single breath. Without being flashy, a precise swing of the sword killed efficiently. Watching the elegance and cruelty, everyone in the audience hall held their breath. [ Hero-sama ] [ What? ] [ Your name, please let us hear it. ] [ ....... Hifumi. ] Thinking a little, Hifumi answered with only his given name. His family name of Touno he might as well throw away. Killing the God, crossing over worlds, killing people. Though there were no lingering attachments to his family, Hifumi had come alone, he may have wanted to persuade himself of that. Hearing his name, Imeraria looked Hifumi in the eye and said [ Hifumi-sama, due to our selfish convenience, you were called to this world. I sincerely apologise to you. Truly, I am very sorry. ] The surrounding people murmured on seeing Imeraria bowing deeply. A member of the royal family is bowing to a rude person. In this world, where status is fixed and hierarchical relationships are the norm, this is clearly the exception. [ This situation, it is my fault. To calm Hifumi-sama's anger, I will do anything I can.... My life, you may end it right here if you wish. ] Imeraria's blue-eyed gaze don't waver from Hifumi. Demonstrating resolution, she awaited his words quietly. However, the King raised his voice. [ Foolish! How could such a thing happen! Isn't this person a Hero? Imeraria, explain. ] The King's voice shook with anger. [ Why should the princess lower her head? What did the Knights taking part in the Ritual do? Just what is going on?! ] [ ..... *Explanation* ] From Imeraria's mouth, the reality of the situation shocked people in the hall. Some Knights have already been murdered by the man called to save the country. And most surprising, blaming the king with a crime, no, to say such a thing warrants punishment. Towards the King, a monarch, such a thing is unacceptable. At least, according to the people in this world. [ Hifumi, there is still time. Kneel to us and swear to serve this country. With your ability, you can obtain a high position. The rudeness here, and the crime, we will overlook it. ] Though people were killed, it was a terrible remark, but from the reactions of the civil officials, the King's influence seems to hold much weight. With these impossibly favourable terms, the King looked down on Hifumi from the platform full of confidence. However, to the abnormal man standing there, it was a bad move. Hifumi spat and continued. [ Astonishing. A man of power who is also a complete fool. Do you not understand that your daughter is desperately trying to protect you, do you not understand your position? You should be begging me. I and your daughter, who you want to use for this country. You tried to deprive a man of his future, for your own selfish interests. ] [ Hi-Hifumi sama.... ] Imeraria's fears were realised, the situation was going terribly bad. However, it was too late. Several Knights charged towards Hifumi, but were killed instantly. Hifumi had already reached the pinnacle of fighting one-handed. The civil servants unable to take in the violence back up against the walls, and some sit down in fear. Only the Prince and the Queen seem able to watch the situation without turning pale. [ Th-Then how to say this? You cannot be returned to your former world, the way of repatriation is lost, only the Ritual of Summoning remains. ] On hearing the King's words, Hifumi looked at Imeraria. She confirmed it by avoiding his gaze and looking down. [ Everything is our fault. Therefore.... ] (Imeraria) [ If a parent obediently apologises, consent to money. Of course, your wish of leaving will be heard. Becoming the likes of a subordinate is unreasonable. ] [ Money, huh... ] [ The princess herself does not have any assets. Because it is rare to buy anything with one's purse. ] [ Of course, the country pays for this. ] [ Wh-Why.... ] [ The criminal is a King. The King's responsibility is the country's responsibility. That is how it is.... ] Hifumi did not really want a lot of money. He wanted enough for immediate funds in this world. However, he was unable to accept the King's attitude and wanted to see the reaction of the King and specified an amount of money. [ 30 percent of this country's treasury. Ah, I will receive a formal apology, of course. This nation's King who messed up, you will publicize this event so that it is common knowledge. ] [ That is.... ] Understanding wells in Imeraria. Her father cannot accept these conditions. Thought the amount of money mentioned is not a problem, but publicizing the King's blunder, with her father's character, will not be allowed because of the Royal family's dignity. Something like this is reason enough for abdication. [ Heh... Are you stupid? I cannot accept such a reason. Take a better look at reality if you want to negotiate. ] The King scoffed on listening to Hifumi's conditions. At this late a stage, he did not give up his superiority. [ Then, I will give you enough money to live easily for several years. You are somewhat talented, but a mad dog is not needed. On receiving the money, leave the castle immediately. ] In order to show dignity to the vassals who are somewhat settling down, the King talked as though he had the upper hand. The King's authority is higher than anyone else, they reassured themselves of that while exchanging glances. [ Until the end, he understands nothing. What a pathetic fellow. ] Hifumi muttered to himself, with a sigh mixed in. How many people were able to hear it? Though Imeraria heard him, before she understood, the next scene jumped into her eyes. [ Die. ] With silent footsteps, Hifumi draws near the King in an instant. With a sound like cutting grass, the King's head was cut off. [ Hiiii... ] The head tumbled down onto the Queen's lap, who was sitting to the side, she fainted in fear. Similarly, the Prince fainted too. [ H-How.... ] [ Parents take responsibility for their child. In this case, the parents are the masterminds. Furthermore, the conditions were given, yet not met, his death was but natural. ] , said Hifumi, without a trace of malice in his expression. [ Regrettable. You always thought of your father first, but he was stupid. ] [ B-But I took responsibility.... ] To Imeraria's incoherent muttering, Hifumi continued, [ You reflected. Did you follow what your father said after that? According to his own convenience, he tried to give reparations. So I killed him. ] The vassals were already lost for words. Feeling fear and confusion, no one moved. But one person, a younger Knight saw the princess burst into tears and ran towards Hifumi. [ Don't think you can get away with this! ] [ Slow. ] Hifumi judged it unnecessary to pull out his katana, passed by the side of the Knight with a quick movement, scooped his opponent's chin and threw him to the stone floor. [ Look. ] Told by Hifumi, Imeraria raised her head timidly. A hellish sight filled her view. Several corpses of Knights, her mother and brother, fainted on the platform. And..... [ All this is the result of the action your father took. All because of believing in that fool. ] Hifumi looked at Imeraria. [ The difference is, you reflected a little. ] It was a really self-centred point of view, but no one said anything. In a manner of speaking, a person who's been hurt takes revenge on the mastermind. According to the kingdom's laws, killing a kidnapper and escaping are natural rights, though Hifumi didn't know that. Though criminals are privately put to death, it is a King that has been killed, the situation is too abnormal. Imeraria was sitting down trying to organise her thoughts. Though unable to precisely understand the person in front of her, she carefully watched the situation. [ Well now. ] Hifumi looked around, a man stepped forward. It is well built man, around 50 years old. Because he stood near the throne, he might be a high level person in this place. [ You are? ] [ .... This country's Prime Minister, Adel Fiore Vinya. ] Hifumi stared expressionlessly at the man who was desperately trying to suppress his shaking knees. [ Don't be afraid. If you don't harm me, I will not harm you. Apart from that, take me to the treasury of this castle. Immediately. ] To Adel's doubtful expression, Hifumi declares lightly. [ Reparations have been met. ] Hifumi was led to the treasury by Adel, the soldiers on guard also entered, as asked by Adel. Entering the treasury, there were silver and gold coins were piled up. Half of them were stored in the Dark Hole. The promise was that of 30 percent, Adel looked at Hifumi in protest. [ The promise was already broken. Though a life was lost, but such a life is unworthy. ] Hifumi declared lightly. Looking at the airy treasury, Adel had given up on the national administration in the future, was walking unsteadily towards the exit with Hifumi following. Imeraria, who was crying before in the throne room, appeared. [ Hifumi-sama, please wait. ] [ What? My business here is done. ] [ First of all, this apology..... ] Hifumi looks at Imeraria suspiciously.magic The other party is a man that killed her father a moment ago. Logically speaking, it is hardly a thing to be able to simply forgive. [ This time, I was foolish and unaware. Though it does not change what has already happened, without thinking about the repercussions, I did this. And now.. ] Raising her head, Imeraria's face was expressionless, like a cool-headed statesman. [ Our country Orsongrande does not forgive you, I will support mother and my younger brother and make this country strong. And in time, when we are unreliant on others, we will take revenge. ] [ Fufu ] Unable to bear it, Hifumi burst out laughing. [ If you like, how about competing now? ] [ No, the present military power of our country will not be able to stand against you. This even I understand. It is my responsibility to set it up. After that, I will have my revenge. ] [ Is that so. Well then, I will look forward to that time...... ] [ Thank you. Now please leave as soon as possible. The exit is there. ] Hifumi started walking in the indicated direction. Imeraria raised a hand, stopping the Knight approaching Hifumi from the back. She knew it was useless. [ ....Have the Third Knight corps observe him until he leaves the country. Get me a detailed report. However, all attacks against him are prohibited. On leaving the country, the task goes to the Spy corps. ] Receiving Imeraria's orders, the Knight left. [ Father, please forgive the weak me who cannot beat the enemy. Soon, one day..... ] While watching Hifumi's back disappearing into the town, tears thought to have withered streamed down her cheeks. In such a way, the God-killer, the man that killed a King, was released into the world.

156.Stop And Stare ヴィシーの騒乱に関して、オーソングランデもホーラントも、直接的な介入は行わない、とした。 これはヴィシー側にもピュルサン側にも加担しないという宣言であり、両国とも国境の警備を厳にするのみに留め、難民が発生した場合は、身分を記録したうえで入国は許可するものとした。 状況的に小規模な戦争であろう、という報告が両国の中枢に届いたために行われた措置であり、もしピュルサンでの騒動について詳しく報告が行っていれば、ヴィシーへの救援が行われたかもしれない。 もちろん、軽く見ていたわけではないが、それ以上にヴィシーと接する領地を持っている一二三の動向の方が、より緊張感を持って注視されていたため、真実は知られることがなかった。 フォカロルの行政機関以外は。 「ピュルサン兵の暴走ですか」 ヴィシー方面の情報を集めているフォカロル兵からの報告を確認したカイムは、眉ひとつ動かさず、部屋に集まっている文官たちへと視線を戻した。 「ヴィシーとピュルサンの戦争に関してですが、どうやらピュルサンの兵士が散り散りに周囲の町を襲っているというのが現状のようです。とても戦闘とは呼べないような、虐殺が行われている、と報告にはあります」 「ヴィシー側にも兵士はいるんだろ? そいつらはどうしてるんだ?」 ドゥエルガルの質問に、カイムは再び報告書へ目を落とす。 「ピュルサンの兵に悉く敗れているようですね。現在はピュルサンに近い町や村からは避難が行われているようです」 「そんなに強いの?」 ミュカレの質問に、他の全員が同意した。 特に従軍経験のあるミュカレからすれば、人数も少なく、隊としての連動した行動をしていない兵が、防衛側を破るのは余程の力量差が無ければありえないと言えた。 「正確な情報はまだありませんが、ほとんど夜盗のような動きをしているようです。昼も夜もなく移動し、手当たり次第に攻撃しているようですね」 「ピュルサンは、小さくても割と話ができる人が国王になってたと思うんだけど......。使節の人たちも、普通の人たちでしたし」 ブロクラは、フォカロルを訪問した使者たちを思い出して言う。とてもそのような暴走をするような政府には思えなかった、というのがブロクラの感想だった。 「状況に敏感な商人たちは退避を初めているようですね。彼らは商売道具や商品を奪われては生きていけませんし、情報に対する反応が早い。それにつられて、一般の市民からも難民が来るでしょう」 「ピュルサンに対しては?」 「特に何もしません。いえ、できません」 カイムは報告書を置き、質問をしたドゥエルガルを見つめた。 「こちらに攻めてきたというのであれば対応すべきでしょうが、領主様が不在の今、勝手に兵を動かすような真似はできません。やるとしても、領主様が戻られてからのことでしょう」 「カイムさん」 パリュはカイムの視線が自分を向いたのを確認して、一呼吸置く。 「逃げてくる方がいる可能性があるのであれば、兵士の皆さんに協力してもらって、検査や確認、情報収集をするべきです。それと、受け入れの態勢も整えなければいけません」 最年少であるパリュの意見に、全員が口々に同意する。 「では、人員についてはミュカレとパリュに任せます」 「任せて。人員にはまだ余裕があるわ。警備と防衛の人員も増やさないとね」 「いえ、兵士はできるだけ休ませておいてください」 カイムから珍しく“休み”の話が出たせいか、全員がびっくりして黙り込んだ。 それが不満なのか、カイムはゆっくりと全員を見回した。 「騒動の情報はすでに領主様へ送りました。飛んで帰ってきて、また兵士を連れて首を突っ込むのは明白です。帰ってきた兵士をそのままヴィシーに送るわけにはいかないでしょう。今の留守部隊がそのままヴィシー方面軍扱いになるのです。今のうちに休ませておかないと、余計な損耗が出ます」 反論は一切出なかった。 ピュルサン兵の暴走について、ヴィシー中央委員会ですら正確な情報は掴めていなかった。 じわじわと被害が広がっていくのだが、大きな部隊が移動しているわけでもなく、少人数のグループが移動しながら被害を広げていくうえ、自軍側が片っ端から敗退していくだけで、敵についても「傷を受けても気にせず攻めてくる」という、信じがたい内容しか入ってこない。 「どうなっている! ピュルサンは何を考えているのだ!」 中央委員会の面々は、顔を合わせてもお互いに大した情報を持っていない事を確認するしかない状況に、苛立ちが積もる。 「宣戦布告どころか、連絡一つ無い。おまけに、村も町も攻め滅ぼすだけで統治しようとすらしていないとは......」 「まるで狂人だ。ミノソン一人だけじゃない。ピュルサンの連中全部が狂ったとしか考えられん」 口々にピュルサンを非難する言葉が生み出されては誰にも受け止められずに消えていく。 残ったのは、無力感だけだ。 「もはや、それぞれの都市で対応できる状況ではない。被害を広げないためにも、以前のように国の戦力を集中して封じ込めを行うべきだ」 「そうですわ。ホーラントやオーソングランデ側はこの際、最小限の戦力で充分でしょう」 「フォカロルには多くの人員を研修のために送っているし、我々の都市にはフォカロルから教導部隊も来ている。まさかオーソングランデ側から攻撃してくることもあるまい」 大体の方針が決まったところで、委員会を排出していない町を防衛線として勝手に設定した彼らは、一方的に退去勧告を出し、同時に国内から兵力を集中させることに決まった。 そのやり方には、特にピュルサンに近い都市からは非難が多かった。だが、「では見捨てることにする」と脅されては、抵抗もできない。 これで、この騒動は終わりを迎え、ピュルサンという生まれて間もない国は、その短い生涯を終えるだろう、とヴィシーの誰もが考えた。 五日ほどたち、近隣の都市から予定していた全体の半分が集結できたころ、中央委員会に届けられた報告は、ヴィシーという都市国家集合体を最大の危機に追いやった。 「し、侵攻を受けています!」 慌てて会議室へ転がり込んできた兵士を、中央委員会のメンバーは一同揃って冷ややかな視線で出迎えた。 「今更何を言っている。そのピュルサンの侵攻を食い止めるために軍を動かしている最中であろうが」 「いえ、ピュルサン方面ではありません! 反対側からです!」 「なんだと!」 椅子を倒す勢いで立ち上がった中年の委員会メンバーは、顔を紅潮させて、興奮に任せて叫んだ。 「オーソングランデが攻めてきたというのか!」 伝令は、その言葉に首を横に振った。 「ま、魔人族です......魔人族の軍勢が、荒野から大挙して攻めてきました! ここまで三日かかりましたが、その時点では国境の向こうで陣を敷いているようでした......」 「魔人族だと? その情報は正確なのか?」 「この目で見て参りました。灰色の肌をした軍勢が並び、大将と見られる男が青い肌の馬に乗り、軍の正面に堂々と立っているのを」 その後、委員会がフォカロルへ救援を求めることを決定するまで、時間はかからなかった。 王都を抜けたあたりで、一二三の元へヴィシーとピュルサンの戦況と、魔人族の軍がヴィシーと対峙しているという情報が届けられた。 フォカロルの伝令は、カイムからの指示を受けて来たとだけ伝え、報告書類を手渡してさっさと去っていく。一二三の現在位置をカイムへ伝えるためだ。 「やっと来たか」 「魔人族、ですか」 一二三から報告書を受け取ったオリガが、内容に目を通す。 その横から、首を伸ばしてヴィーネも覗き込んでいた。 「そういえば、ウェパルさんという魔人族の王様に会いました。プーセさんたちと旅をしているときに、荒野で出会ったんです。女性ばかりで、ウェパルさんは特に綺麗な人でしたけど......」 口の端を下げて、眉を寄せる。 「何かあったの?」 「ご主人様の事を知っているらしくて、その......ご主人様の事を悪く言われて......」 その時に号泣するほど悔しかったのを思い出して、ヴィーネは大粒の涙を目にためていた。 「ウェパルか。ちゃんと王様やってたんだな。......とすると、ヴィシーを攻めたのは俺と戦う覚悟ができたのか? それとも、直接かち合うの避けて、わざとヴィシーを選んだのか......なんにせよ、ホーラントよりは楽しくなるだろう」 「一二三様。魔人族というのは、どのように戦うのですか?」 ヴィーネから一二三に対するウェパルの評価を聞いたオリガは、怒りを押さえた声で問う。 「魔法が得意だな。中には特殊な能力を持っている奴も多いらしい。強力な障壁を作るやつもいたし、攻撃になるほどでかい声を出せる奴も 楽しかったぞ、と一二三は笑う。 「力の強いのも結構いたが、メインは魔法だな。そういや、電撃を使える奴もいたな」 ヴィーネは意味が分からず、オリガを見たが、わからないとオリガも言う。 「あー......電気。いや、雷があるだろ? あれの小さい奴を操れるようなもんだな」 「雷を......」 一二三の説明を聞いた二人は、顔を見合わせた。 同じく魔法を使える二人にとって、想像もつかない事だった。 そんな反応を受けて、一二三としては少し思いついたことがあったが、ここで言っても仕方がない、と胸にしまう。 「俺は魔法についてはあまり詳しくないが、戦闘への応用やら速度に関しては、魔人族が一番、次にエルフ、人間ってところだな。獣人はどれくらいできるか知らんが、まだ使えるようになって日が浅いなら、人間より下じゃないか?」 いずれにせよ、魔人族相手ならヴィシーの軍隊は大した日数もかからず全滅させられる可能性が高い、と一二三は予想した。 「本気でヴィシーを攻める気でいるなら、という前提はつくけどな。ヴィシー側の勝機は、防衛側であることと、魔人族そのものが戦争慣れしていないところにある。ウェパルがそれをどう考えているか、だ」 世代が変わるほどの長期間、多種族と隔絶されていた魔人族は、同族同士の小競り合いや、魔物退治以外の戦闘行為は未経験である。エルフとの長い戦闘も遠い昔の話であり、伝聞やら文献で残るのみ。それらの再現ができるのか、対人間についてどう考えて動くのか、一二三はこれが楽しみだった。 「一二三様なら、どうされますか?」 オリガの質問に、一二三は空を見上げた。 「そうだな......何回か段階を踏んで戦いを仕掛けて、どういうやり口で人間側が動くかを見る。それと、その混乱の中で間者を潜り込ませる」 「面と向かってやりあうだけで入ってくる情報なんざ、高が知れてる。予備兵力や兵糧、逃走する場合のルートや、逆に回り込めたり伏兵を潜ませることができる場所。こういうのは“そっち側”にいないとわからんことが多い」 オリガの質問に対する答えを聞いて、ヴィーネは一二三の教えを受けたレニが情報を重要視する理由を知った。 「魔人族は人間に変装もできるらしいからな。敵の兵士にでも化けて人間側に何人か送り込んで、また小競り合いでもしながらそいつを回収する。そして対策を立てる」 ウェパルは慎重派の部類に入るから、ひょっとしたらそう考えてるかも知れないな、と一二三は評した。 「では、そこからフォカロルへも間者が入る可能性もありますね」 「だろうな」 軽く頷いている一二三に、危機感は微塵も無い。 「では、ヴィシーを助けるのですか?」 説明を受けて、自分の中でかみ砕いたオリガは、ヴィシーに勝ち目は無いだろうと判断した。ただでさえピュルサンとの戦闘に人員を割かれている状態であり、教導部隊を送ったと言ってもそこまで戦力が上がったとは言えない。しかも、都市国家の集合体である以上、命令系統も決して整っているわけではない。 フォカロルで無くとも、どこか強力な助力が無ければ、ヴィシーは負けるだろう。 だが、一二三は否定した。 「いや、ヴィシーは助けない」 「......では、魔人族側に?」 恐る恐る尋ねたヴィーネに、それも違う、と一二三は否定した。 「別にどっちかの味方になる必要も無いだろう。もうちょっと頭を柔らかくしようぜ」 手袋をつけた左手を見せて、一本ずつ指を立てていく。 「魔人族、ピュルサン、ヴィシー......今は三つの勢力が戦場にいるわけだ。それなら」 もう一本、指が伸びた。 「勢力が四つになっても、別に構わんだろう」 四本の指をゆらゆらと揺らしながら、どこが勝つかの賭けを開催するのも楽しいかもな、と笑い、オリガは「それでは一二三様に集中して賭けが成立しません」と微笑む。 ヴィーネはまだ、ヴィシーやピュルサンといった人間の国についての知識が追い付いていないせいか、話についていけずに困っていた。

Chapter 156: Stop And Stare Orsongrande and Horant decided to not directly interfere in Vichy's disturbances. With this being a declaration that they won't support either Vichy's nor Pyursang's side, both countries stopped at just fortifying their border's defence. In the case of an outbreak of refugees, they wanted to give permission for entering their countries based upon the refugee's recorded social status. It's a measure they adopted because of the reports, stating that it's likely a small scale war according to the situation, that reached both countries' central governments. If they had more detailed reports regarding the turmoil in Pyursang, they might have gone to reinforce Vichy. Of course that doesn't mean they looked at it lightly, but because they closely observed the movements of Hifumi, whose territory is adjacent to Vichy, while feeling rather tense, they never became aware of the truth. That is, with the exception of Fokalore's administration. "A rampage by Pyursang's soldiers, it is?" (Caim) Reviewing the report from a solider of Fokalore who has gathered intelligence about Vichy's area, Caim returned his look to the assembled civil officials in the room without moving a single eyebrow. "It's related to the war between Vichy and Pyursang, but it seems the current situation is such that Pyursang's soldiers have scattered and are attacking the surrounding cities. They are carrying out massacres that can't be called battles at all. That's what the report states." (Caim) "Vichy's side has soldiers as well, don't they? What are those guys doing?" (Doelgar) Upon Doelgars's question, Caim lowers his sight on the report once again. "It looks like they have been defeated all together by Pyursang's soldiers. At present they are apparently evacuating the people from the villages and cities close to Pyursang." (Caim) "They are that strong?" (Miyukare) Everyone else had the same opinion upon Miyukare's question. Especially from the point of view of Miyukare who has campaign experience, it was unbelievable for the defending side to be torn apart by soldiers, who don't work together in units and whose numbers are insufficient, unless there's quite the difference in ability. "We still don't have precise information, but it appears that they are mostly operating like night burglars. They attack at random while travelling without caring whether it's night or day." (Caim) "Even though Pyursang is small, I thought that the person who became king is relatively capable of negotiations, but... The people from the delegation were ordinary people, too." (Brokra) Brokra says while remembering the envoys who visited Fokalore. It didn't seem like a government that will do such reckless acts at all, was Brokra's impression. "It seems that merchants, who are sensitive to information, are beginning to evacuate. It's hopeless for them to survive if their goods and tools are stolen. Their reaction towards new information is quick. Being lured by that, refugees from the ordinary citizens will likely appear as well." (Caim) "What about Pyursang?" (Doelgar) "They aren't doing anything in particular. No, they can't do anything." (Caim) Putting down the report, Caim fixed his eyes on the asking Doelgar. "We should be able to deal with them if they come attacking our side, but with Lord-sama currently absent, we can't move the soldiers as we please. Even if we do, that's probably something for when Lord-sama has returned." (Caim) "Caim-san." (Paryu) Paryu takes a short pause to confirm that Caim's line of sight turned towards herself. "If there's a possibility of people escaping, we should gather information, confirm and examine it, and have all soldiers cooperate. It's wrong if we don't prepare for accepting the refugees." (Paryu) Everyone agrees with the opinion of Paryu who is the youngest. "Then, I will leave the assignment of personnel to you, Miyukare and Paryu." (Caim) "Sure. There's still leeway as for the personnel. We have to also increase the number of guards and defenders." (Miyukare) "No, please let the soldiers rest as much as possible." (Caim) Because of the unusual word "rest" appearing from Caim's mouth, everyone turned silent due to being startled. Caim slowly looked at everyone. "The news about the turmoil have already been sent to Lord-sama. It's obvious that he will come back flying and poke his nose in Vichy's affairs while leading soldiers again. There's no way that we can send the soldiers, who only returned, to Vichy just like that, right? The currently stationed unit will handle the battle in Vichy's area. If we don't have them rest for now, unnecessary losses will appear among them." (Caim) There wasn't a single objection. Even Vichy's central committee wasn't able to grasp precise information regarding the rampage of Pyursang's soldiers. Although the damage is spreading slowly, it's not like they are moving in a large unit. On top of increasing the damage while moving in small groups, their own troops just get defeated systematically as it's said the the enemy [Attacks without even minding being injured] . Nothing but such unbelievable details are being reported. "What are we going to do!? What is Pyursang thinking!?" The members of the central committee lose their temper as they can do nothing but confirm that neither of them possesses any relevant information even after meeting up.magic "Let alone a declaration of war, there's no contact from their side at all. In addition, they don't even try to rule the cities and villages but just destroy them utterly..." "Just like the act of madmen. It's not only Minoson either. I can't think anything but the entire lot from Pyursang having gone mad." The severally mentioned accusations towards Pyursang vanish without anyone being able to react. What's left is just a feeling of powerlessness. "It's already a situation that can't be dealt with by the various cities themselves. For the sake of not spreading the damage, we should entrap the enemy by concentrating our country's military strength just like before." "Yes, it's probably plenty to leave a minimum of troops to deal with Horant's and Orsongrande's side on this occasion." "We have sent a lot of personnel to Fokalore for training purposes. Training units from Fokalore have also come to our cities. There's no way that Orsongrande's side will come attacking in such situation." At the moment they decided a rough plan, they selfishly established a city, which hadn't sent a committee member, as line of defence and one-sidedly announced a recommendation for evacuation. At the same time they decided to gather the military forces from within the country. There was a lot of criticism towards that manner of handling things especially from the cities close to Pyursang. But, being threatened with [Then we will just abandon you] , they weren't able to oppose the decision either. With this, the turmoil will finish and the just newly established country named Pyursang will have its short lifetime come to an end Five days later, at the time when half of the entire forces had been assembled from the neighbouring cities, a report, which was delivered to the central committee, plunged the city-state assembly called Vichy into the worst-possible crisis. "W-We are being invaded!" The members of the central committee had all gathered and greeted the soldier, who rushed into the council room, with cold stares. "What are you saying at this point in time? We are in the middle of moving the army in order to hold back the invasion of that Pyursang, aren't we?" "No, it's not from Pyursang's direction! It's from the opposite side!" "What did you say!?" A middle-aged committee member, who stood up with the force of knocking over his chair, shouted while succumbing to an agitation that made his face blush. "Meaning Orsongrande is attacking!?" The messenger denied those words by shaking his head. "I-It's demons... an army of demons came attacking in great numbers from the wastelands! It took me three days to get here, but it looks like they had taken up position on the other side of the national border when I left..." "Demons, you say? Is that information correct?" "I saw them with my very own eyes. Troops with grey skin lining up and a man on horse with blue skin, who's likely the general, boldly standing in front of the army." After that it didn't take much time for the committee to decide sending a request for reinforcements to Fokalore. At the time he left the royal capital, the news of the war progress between Vichy and Pyursang as well as the stand-off of the demon's army against Vichy reached Hifumi's location. Just reporting that he received instructions from Caim, the messenger from Fokalore hands over the written report and quickly leaves again. It's in order to convey Hifumi's current location to Caim. "They finally came, huh?" (Hifumi) "The demons, you mean?" (Origa) Receiving the written report from Hifumi, Origa scans through its contents. Stretching her neck at Origa's side, Viine took a peek as well. "Come to think of it, I met with the demon's king called Vepar-san. When I was travelling with Puuse-san and the others, we ran into her in the wastelands. Just as woman, Vepar-san was a particularly beautiful person, but..." (Viine) She frowns while lowering the edges of her mouth. "Did something happen?" "Apparently knowing about you, master, umm... she talked badly about you..." (Viine) Recalling the degree of her frustration which made her wail at that time, large drops of tears accumulated in Viine's eyes. "Vepar, huh? She properly became their king. Does her attack on Vichy mean that she was able to resolve herself to fight against me? Or did she deliberately choose Vichy while avoiding a direct clash with me...? At any rate, it will likely become more enjoyable than Horant." (Hifumi) "Hifumi-sama, the ones called demons, how do they fight?" (Origa) Origa, who heard Vepar's assessment of Hifumi from Viine, asks with a voice that contained her anger. "Their strength lies in magic. It seems that there are many among them who possess unique abilities. There was a guy who could create strong barriers. And there was also another guy who could turn his voice into an attack." (Hifumi) "It was fun!" Hifumi smiles. "Their abilities and strength was splendid as well, but their main is magic, I guess. Which reminds me, there was also a guy who could use electric shocks, wasn't there?" (Hifumi) Not understanding the words' meaning, Viine looked at Origa, but Origa mentions that she doesn't understand either. "Ah... electricity. No, there's lightning, right? It's something like manipulating a small version of that phenomenon, I suppose." (Hifumi) "Lightning..." After hearing Hifumi's explanation, both looked at each other. For them, who can use similar magic, it was something they couldn't imagine. Receiving such reactions, there was something Hifumi thought of for a bit, but as it couldn't be helped even if he mentioned it here, he kept silent. "I'm not very knowledgeable about magic, but as for its practical use and deployment speed in battle, the demons are the best, then the elves and at last the humans, I guess. I don't know how much magic the beastmen can use, but aren't they far below humans as it still hasn't been long since they became able to use it at all?" (Hifumi) "In any event, if the demons' opponent is Vichy's military, it's very likely that they will be annihilated within a few days", Hifumi predicted. "That's under the premise that they are intending to really attack Vichy though. Vichy's chance of winning lies in the fact that they are the defending side and that the demons themselves aren't accustomed to war. It depends on what Vepar is planning regarding that." (Hifumi) The demons, who were isolated from the other races for the extended period of several generations passing, have no combat experience besides fighting amongst themselves and subjugating monsters. Even the long battle against the elves is a talk from a distant past, and only remains in books and hearsay. Can they return? And how do they plan to move against the humans? "If it were you, how would you handle it, Hifumi-sama?" (Origa) Hifumi looked up to the sky upon Origa's question. "Let's see... starting with battles in several steps, I would watch how the humans' side reacts. And then I would have spies infiltrate while using the confusion." (Hifumi) "Something like the intelligence from just facing each other in battle is of no importance. The reserve forces, provisions, a route in case of retreat, and in reverse, places where it's possible for the enemy to circle around and stage an ambush; there are many such facts you won't know unless you are on Hearing the reply to Origa's question, Viine understood why Reni, who received Hifumi's teaching, regarded information highly. "It seems that demons can disguise as humans. After sending in some people into the humans' camp by having them disguise as the enemy's soldiers, they can recover them while having skirmishes once again. And then they can form counter-plans." (Hifumi) "Since Vepar believes in cautiousness, she might possibly thinking like this", Hifumi evaluated. "Then there's also the possibility that a spy will enter Fokalore as well, right?" (Origa) "That's to be expected." (Hifumi) There isn't even a shred of sensing impeding danger as Hifumi nods lightly. "Will we help Vichy then?" (Origa) In addition to them having to split their forces for the battle with Pyursang, one can't say that Vichy's military prowess raised that much even after sending in training units. Moreover, seeing that they are an assembly of city-states, there's no way that they have prepared a chain of command either. Even if it's not Fokalore, Vichy will probably lose unless they get powerful assistance from somewhere. However, Hifumi denied that. "No, we won't help Vichy." (Hifumi) "... Then it'll be the demons' side?" (Viine) Hifumi denied Viine's timid question with a "it's something else." "There's no necessity to become an ally of either side, right? Let's keep our thinking a bit more flexible." (Hifumi) Showing the left hand which was covered by the glove, he raises one finger for each. "The demons, Pyursang and Vichy... currently those three powers are heading towards the battlefield. In that case..." (Hifumi) He held up yet another finger. "Even if a fourth power joins, it probably won't matter." (Hifumi) While slowly swaying four fingers he laughs and says "it might be fun to take bets which side is going to win, you know?" Origa smiles and says [In that case my bet on you, Hifumi-sama, won't come true] . Viine was troubled as she couldn't follow the conversation since her knowledge about the human countries, Vichy and Pyursang, still wasn't up to date.

再び戦いが本格化するのかと、騎士も兵士も背筋を伸ばし、緊張の面持ちであった。しかし、これから説明される作戦の内容を知っている副隊長たちは、違う意味での緊張に硬直していた。 「作戦は単純だ。敵を国境で挑発し、国内へ誘導する。敵がホーラント国土から離れて我が国内へ入り込んだところで背後から襲い、人的補給ができない状態の敵を殲滅する!」 今ひとつ理解ができないのか、兵士たちはただ立っているだけだが、作戦を始めて聞いた騎士たちはお互いに顔を見合わせている。 「隊長、質問をよろしいでしょうか」 「なんだ」 「国内へ誘導するとの事ですが、この村まで敵をおびき寄せるのですか?」 この言葉に、兵たちにも動揺が見えるが、スティフェルスの言葉はもっと強烈だった。 「いや、この村を更に通り過ぎ、ミュンスターまで退く」 兵たちがざわめき始め、騎士たちからは困惑の言葉が出始めた。 「それでは、村の者たちやミュンスターの住民が危険ではありませんか?」 「村の者は避難させる。ミュンスターの街へ迫れば、領兵が防衛に乗り出し、ホーラントの連中を止めるだろう。我々が背後からそれを襲えば、挟撃することができる」 ここまでの説明を聞いて、騎士たちや兵たちも落ち着きを取り戻し、逆にスティフェルスの作戦を賞賛し始めた。 「素晴らし智謀と言わざるを得ません!」 しかし、にこやかにスティフェルスを誉めそやす兵士たちと違い、一部の騎士たちは苦笑を隠せない。 彼らは知っている。この作戦には続きがあり、背後からホーラント軍を撃破した後、そのままの勢いで領主館もしくは戦線へ出てきているビロン伯爵を急襲し、殺害するつもりなのだと。 「まずは村人を避難させろ。近隣の別の村へ一時避難させるだけでいい」 指示を受けた騎士が、数名の兵を連れて村長へ説明をするために隊を離れた。 「では、他の物は戦いに向けて準備をするように、一時間後には出発する!」 スティフェルスの号令に、兵たちは声を揃えて応えた。 第二騎士隊が作戦準備を行っている頃、第一騎士隊は馬でミュンスターへ向かっていた。早朝にまとまって村をでるまで、リベザルはほとんど話すことなく、捕縛されていたはずのベイレヴラはリベザルの侍従として付き添っていた。 隊員たちは訝しんだが、それよりも自分たちが今からどういう道を行くべきかの方が重要な関心事であり、中には隊を抜けて首都へ帰ることを考えるものも少なくなかった。 「リベザル隊長、我々はこれからどう動くのでしょうか」 一人の隊員が不安げに馬を寄せて聞いてくるが、リベザルは視線を向けることもなく、抑揚のない声で答える。 「ミュンスターへ戻り、街のそばで野営を行う。いずれ第二騎士隊が戻った際に再度合流を打診する」 それだけをスラスラと話し、後は黙ったままだった。 仕方がないので隊員たちは無言で従い、胸中に不安を抱えたまま馬を進める。 リベザルの馬の横を歩くベイレヴラは、誰にも見えない位置でほくそ笑む。 (第二騎士隊の連中は何か考えているようだが、ホーラントの兵はどうせ使い捨ての洗脳兵しかいない。第二騎士隊とやりあっていなくなっても問題無い。後はリベザルを使ってビロン伯爵を殺害すれば、別の軍を送り込んでミュンスターを奪える) この策がうまく行けば、ホーラントの監視から情報が上がってベイレブラはホーラントで新たな地位を与えられる約束になっていた。 (戦争は頭でやるもんだ。騎士や兵隊は頭を使う奴に消耗させられるだけという事を、身をもって知るがいいや) 「義兄さん、お呼びとのことですが」 ビロンの執務室へとサブナクが入ると、そこには見慣れない痩せた兵士が直立していた。疲れた様子を見せてはいるが、しっかりと足を揃えているあたりは熟練の雰囲気を思わせる。 サブナクをソファへ座らせ、ビロンはデスクから動かぬままに立っていた兵を紹介した。 「彼はハックという領軍の兵でね。情報収集が得意で、とても頼りにしているんだ」 ビロンの言葉に、ハックという兵はビシッと背筋を伸ばした。 「情報収集......何か動きがあったのですか?」 サブナクの質問に、ビロンはハックから説明させようと言った。 「では......」 ハックは居住まいを正してサブナクの方へ身体を向けた。 「第二騎士隊長スティフェルス殿は、国境付近へ展開しているホーラント軍を釣り上げ、国内へおびき寄せて戦う策を立て、行動に移しました。国境の村から一般市民は退去させ、村を通過してミュンスターまで敵を引き寄せ、我が領軍との連携を取って挟撃。オーソングランデ国内に孤立させた敵軍を殲滅するという内容です。すでに国境へ向けて進軍を開始し、今頃はホーラント軍と接触している頃かと思われます」 スラスラと説明された内容に、サブナクは首をかしげた。 「挟撃? 義兄さん、第二騎士隊と連携するのですか?」 「いやいや、そんな話は来てないし、受ける気もないよ」 ビロンは微笑みを浮かべて、人差し指を立てた。 「おそらく、勝手にこっちを巻き込んで自分の手柄として主張するつもりだろうね。物語としては、“卑劣な方法で奇襲し、国内へ侵入を許すも、ミュンスター手前でこれを討ち果たした”ってあたりかな」 「そんなこと......」 「作ることはできるだろうね。反対の主張をする者がいなければ」 ビロンはスティフェルスの狙いを正確に見抜いていた。後が無い状態のスティフェルスに取って、第一騎士隊が壊滅に近い状態にある今、一二三に対抗できる戦果を上げることができれば、王子派の筆頭として権勢を得ることができる。 その中で、ビロンを殺害できれば王女派の勢力を削ることにもなる。 「つまり、義兄さんの殺害を狙っている、と」 「君がいる事を知ったなら、君たち第三騎士隊も狙われるさ」 王女派の証言が無ければ、戦争の流れを証明するのは第二騎士隊だけとなる、とスティフェルスは考えているはずだとビロンは指摘する。 サブナクは目頭を押さえた。フォカロルもこっちも、頭が痛い事ばかりだ。 「それで、義兄さんはどうするのです?」 まさか、スティフェルスの策に乗ることは無いだろう、とサブナクは訪ねた。 「当然。先日話した策もこういう時のためだよ。さて、我がビロン伯爵家は第三騎士隊へ正式に依頼したい事があるのだが」 「お伺いいたしましょう」 真面目な顔になったサブナクに対し、ビロンはいたずらっぽく笑った。 「ミュンスター住民全員の護衛を頼むよ。街の外で」 「......は?」 スティフェルスは。ミュンスターへ残しておいた伝令の兵からの報告が無いことに苛立っていた。 この時、すでにビロンの命によってミュンスターに残した第二騎士隊所属の兵は全て拘束されていたのだが、そのことをスティフェルスが知る術はない。 「仕方ない。街の門へと敵が殺到すれば、いずれにせよ領兵を動かさざるを得まい」 既に副隊長が率いる挑発部隊に国境を攻めさせており、手はず通りであれば間も無く敵を引き連れた部隊が村へと戻ってくる予定となっている。 敵が見えた時点で、スティフェルス率いる本体は慌てて撤退するように見せ、街道をミュンスターへ向かってタイミングを合わせて退いて見せる。 街の入口前で兵士たちは左右に別れ、大きく迂回して門にいるはずのビロン領兵と交戦するホーラント兵へ左右と後方から攻撃する。 ただ、騎士隊だけは門へ残り、領兵に混ざり込むようにして防衛に参加する。領兵を無理矢理に戦闘に巻き込むのだ。 そうこうしているうちに、大勢の足音が地響きを上げて迫ってきた。 「......来たか」 国境側を見ると、見慣れた鎧姿の騎士と兵士たちが、大量のホーラント兵に追われてこちらへ向かってくる。 「しかし、いつ見ても気味が悪い連中だ」 ホーラント兵は、突撃の時も声をあげたり顔を強ばらせたりしない。ただただ気の抜けた顔をして、無言で走ってくるだけだ。 今はそんな事に気を取られている場合ではないと、スティフェルスは首を振った。 「敵が来た! 予定通りに作戦を遂行する!」 号令に合わせ、最初はゆっくりと、第二騎士隊と兵士たちはミュンスター方面へと動き出す。 (これでビロンは終わりだ。リベザルがあの 様 「これはどういう事だ!」 激怒するアイペロス王子に、侍従も護衛の兵も、お互いに顔を見合わせるだけで誰も答えることができない。 ビロンが用意した館で自堕落に過ごしていたアイペロスが、戦線を冷やかしに行こうと館を出た時、すでに街の中には人が存在しなかった。 動揺したのは王子だけでなく、侍従たちも同様だった。 食事などは街の物に運び込ませており、酒と女にうつつを抜かしていた王子とその取り巻きたちは、街の様子など意にも介していなかった。 その結果が、この状況である。 「誰か説明しろ!」 怒鳴り散らす王子に、一人の影が近づき、さっと跪いた。 「アイペロス王子殿下、御前に」 「おお、リベザルか。良いところに来たな。スティフェルスもおらぬからな。まったく、肝心な時に役に立たん奴だ」 それで、これはどういう事かと問うアイペロスに、目を伏せたままリベザルが答える。 「スティフェルスは間も無くここへ来るでしょう。ホーラント兵に追い立てられ、こちらへ逃げてくる見込みです」 「なんだと! あの男、あれほどの大口を叩いて置きながら負けているのか!」 見苦しく地団駄を踏む王子に目もくれず、リベザルは続ける。 「この街をビロン伯は放棄しました。今は住民を連れて街道を王都方面へ逃げております」 「ビロン伯もか! しかも僕を置いて逃げただと!?」 顔を真っ赤にして怒り狂うアイペロスに、侍従たちはただオロオロとするばかりだ。 「ですので、私がお迎えに参りました次第で」 「そ、そうか! こうしてはおれん。すぐに街を出て王都へ戻るぞ!」 「それには及びません」 いつの間にか、第一騎士隊の隊員が周りを囲んでいる。誰もかも、生気を失ったような呆けた顔をして、剣を提げてゆらりと佇んでいた。 「......どういう事だ?」 「こういう事です。やれ」 リベザルの号令で、第一騎士隊の持つ剣が侍従や護衛たちに振り下ろされ、アイペロスの周りは一瞬にして血の海へと変わった。 立っているのがやっとという状況で、足を震わせて後ずさるアイペロスを、リベザルは遠慮なく捕まえ、背後から羽交い絞めにする。 「や、やめろ! 無礼な! ぼ、僕にこんな事をして......」 アイペロスの正面に、隠れていたベイレブラが近づく。その手には、リベザルや他の騎士たちへ取り付けた魔法具が握られている。 「誰だ貴様は! それは何だ!? や、やめろ......」 「なぁに、痛みはありませんし、付けたあとは、痛みどころか何も感じませんよ」 「や、やめ......」 高価な服を捲り上げられ、脂肪の厚い胸に押し付けられた魔法具は、内蔵された管を次々と体内に侵入させていく。 最初はビクビクと痙攣していた王子だが、すぐにぐったりとして動かなくなった。 横たえられたアイペロスに、ベイレヴラが「立て」と命じると、フラフラと立ち上がった。 その瞳に、既に光は見えない。 王子を生け捕りにしたうえ、文字通りの傀儡と出来たのだ。この成果はどれほど評価されるだろうか。ひょっとすると、貴族の地位すらも期待できるのではないか。 生ける屍のような騎士隊を従え、ベイレヴラはさらなる成果を得るため、街を逃げ出したミュンスターの領主たちを追った。

However, the vice-captains, knowing about the strategy that will be explained from here on, stiffened in tension for a different meaning. "The operation will be simple. We will provoke the enemy at the national border and lure them into our country. We will then attack the enemy, who will be cut off from Horant's territory after they entered our country, from the rear. In a situation, where they won't be able to replenish their troops, we will annihilate the enemy!" (Stiffels) As the soldiers are just standing there as if they aren't able to comprehend the mentioned things, the knights are exchanging looks with each other having heard about this strategy for the first time. "Captain, is it allowed to ask a question?" (Knight) "What is it?" (Stiffels) "You tell us to lure them into our territory, but are we luring the enemy up to this village?" (Knight) Even the soldiers can be seen to be agitated by those words, but Stiffels voice was more intense. "No, we will pass this village and withdraw till Munster." (Stiffels) The soldiers began to stir and words of bafflement started to appear from the knights. "Then, aren't the people of this village and the citizens of Munster in danger?" (Knight) "The villagers will evacuate. Once the enemy draws near the city of Munster, they will probably be stopped by the defense of the territorial soldiers. If we attack from the enemy's rear, it will be possible to launch a pincer attack" (Stiffels) Listening to the explanation up until here, the knights and soldiers regained their calm and in reverse began to praise Stiffels' strategy. "I can't help but to declare this as magnificent ingenuity!" (Soldier) But, different from the soldiers, praising the smiling Stiffels, a part of the knights can't hide a bitter smile. There is a continuation for this operation. After crushing Horant's army from the rear, using the momentum, they will assault Earl Biron, either in the Lord's mansion or at the front, if he appears there. It is a plan to kill him. "First, have the villagers take refuge. All they have to do is to temporarily escape to the different villages in the vicinity." (Stiffels) As the knights received their order, they took a part of the soldiers and left in order to explain the situation to the village headman. "Well then, take care of preparing the other things necessary for battle. We will depart in one hour!" (Stiffels)magic All present soldiers answered in a chorus towards Stiffels' command. Getting ready in the early morning, they left the village. Beirevra, expected to be a prisoner, accompanied Ribezal, who almost didn't talk at all, freely. Although the order's members were suspicious of him, their major concern was as to what road they should take from here on out. There weren't few amongst the order who also considered to leave and return to the capital. "Captain Ribezal, how will we move from now on?" (Knight) As a single knight drew his horse close and uneasily asks him, Ribezal answers in a monotonous voice without even turning towards him. "We will return to Munster and make camp in the city's vicinity. Sooner or later the Second Knight Order is going to return. At that time I will once again sound them out about joining hands with us." (Ribezal) After smoothly speaking those lines, he once again became silent as before. Obeying him in silence since there's no other way, the order's knights precede on their horses while bearing anxiety within their hearts. Beirevra, walking next to Ribezal's horse, chuckles at a spot invisible to everyone. (It seems the guys from the Second Knight Order are suspecting something, but Horant's troops include nothing but disposable, brainwashed soldiers anyway. There isn't any problem if they vanish in a competition with the Second Knight Order either. If we later kill Earl Biron by using Ribezal, we will send in another army to snatch Munster.) If this plan was to turn out well, Beirevra had been promised that the observation by Horant would be lifted and that he would be appointed as feudal lord of the new territory of Horant. (You lead wars with intellect. Using their head is something only wasted on knights and soldiers. It's better for them to experience it the hard way.) "Brother-in-law-san, I'm told you have called for me." (Sabnak) Sabnak, entering Biron's office, saw an unknown skinny soldier stand there uprightly. Biron introduced the standing soldier to Sabnak, who sat down on the sofa, without moving from his desk. "He is a territorial soldier called Hack. His strength lies in gathering intelligence. I am relying on him quite a lot." (Biron) The soldier called Hack straightened his back with a snap due to Biron's words. "Gathering intelligence... is there something you are interested in?" (Sabnak) Because of Sabnak's question, Biron had Hack do the explanation. "Well then..." (Hack) Hack turned his body towards Sabnak, who corrected his seated posture. "The Second Knight Order's captain, Stiffels, moved on to the next stage of his plan of drawing in Horant's army, spread out in the vicinity of the border, lure them onto our territory and stand up against them in battle. Evacuating the common villagers at the border's village, they will pull the enemy up until Munster by having them pass through the village. He plans to do a pincer attack in cooperation with our territorial army. He wants to annihilate the enemy army isolated on Orsangrande's ground. Those are the details. They have already started marching towards the border. I think they should be coming in contact with Horant's army right about now." (Hack) As the details were explained smoothly, Sabnak tilted his head to the side in confusion. "Pincer attack? Brother-in-law-san, are you going to cooperate with the Second Knight Order?" (Sabnak) "No, not at all. I haven't heard anything about such talks. It's unthinkable for me to follow that plan." (Biron) Expressing a smile, Biron thrust up the index finger. "I guess most likely they intend to claim the achievement for themselves dragging us into it on their own accord. The story should go like " "Such a thing..." (Sabnak) "They will be able to fabricate this, I think, if there isn't anyone to take an opposing opinion." (Biron) For Stiffels, who has his back to the wall, he will be able to gain power as the head of the prince faction, if he manages to obtain military gains counteracting Hifumi as the First Knight Order is currently in a state close to destruction. Amongst that, it will also be possible to whittle down the influence of the princess faction if Biron is killed. "In other words, he is planning to kill Brother-in-law-san." (Sabnak) "If he knew about the matter of you being here as well, he would likewise aim at all of you from the Third Knight Order." (Biron) If the princess faction has no evidence, there will only be the Second Knight Order to verify the flow of the battle, is what Stiffels should be thinking, Biron points out. Fokalore as well as here, there are only things giving him a headache. "And, what will Brother-in-law-san do?" (Sabnak) Certainly, I don't think he will go along with Stiffels' plan "Naturally, the plans, I mentioned the other day, are for such occasions as well. Well then, there is something our Earl Biron household wants to officially request from the Third Knight Order." (Biron) "Let's hear about it." (Sabnak) Biron laughed impishly towards Sabnak, whose face became serious. "I want to entrust you with the guarding of all citizens of Munster. Outside of the city." (Biron) "... Ha?" (Sabnak) Stiffels was irritated by unusually not receiving any reports from the messenger soldiers left behind at Munster. At this time all of the soldiers affiliated to the Second Knight Order, left behind at Munster because of Biron's order, had already been restrained, but Stiffels had no means to know about this fact. "It can't be helped. Once the enemy floods the gate of the city, the territorial soldiers won't be able to move anyway." (Stiffels) The provocation unit, led by the vice-captains, has already attacked the border. If all goes by plan, they can expect the unit, dragging the enemy behind, to return to the village soon. At the time the enemy becomes visible, the main force will show a rushed withdrawal led by Stiffels. They will match their timing of heading towards Munster along the highway so the enemy can see it. In front of the city's entrance the soldiers will split to the left and right. Making a large detour, they will attack Horant's soldiers from the left, right and back while they should be battling with Biron's territorial forces at the gate. However. only the knight order will remain at the gate. They will make sure to participate in the defense by blending in with the territorial soldiers. Meanwhile numerous footsteps, causing the earth to tremble, approached. "... They came, huh?" (Stiffels) As there were the familiar armored appearances of the knights and soldiers when he looked towards the border, they were chased by a massive amount of soldiers from Horant as they headed towards this direction. "But, no matter how often I see this, that lot is giving me the creeps." (Stiffels) The soldiers from Horant don't raise their voices and neither do their faces stiffen. , Stiffels shook his head. "The enemy came! Execute the strategy as planned!" (Stiffels) Following his order, the Second Knight Order and the soldiers, albeit slowly at the beginning, move in the direction of Munster. (With this Biron is finished. Ribezal is in such a sorry state. The influence within the royal castle will greatly slant towards us. Once Prince Ayperos is enthroned, I think I will aim for an even higher position.) (Stiffels) "What's this about!" (Ayperos) The chamberlains as well as the guarding soldiers, just looking at each other, none of them is able to reply to the raging Prince Ayperos. Ayperos passed his time in depravity in the mansion prepared by Biron, but at the time he left the mansion in order to move to the front for having a look, there wasn't any people left within the city anymore. Not just the prince was trembling. The chamberlains were likewise. Having their meals and such brought in by the people of the city, the prince and his followers, having indulged in booze and women, didn't even feel like caring about something like the circumstances in the city. The result is the current situation. "Someone explain it to me!" (Ayperos) A single shadow approached and quickly kneeled in front of the raging prince. "Your Highness, Prince Ayperos, I'm at your service." (Ribezal) "Oh, Ribezal, huh? You came at a good time. Even Stiffels isn't here. Good grief, this fellow isn't useful at crucial times at all." (Ayperos) As Ayperos asks "So, what's this about?", Ribezal answers him with his eyes cast down. "Stiffels will probably soon come here. Driven away by Horant's soldiers, I expect him to flee in this direction." (Ribezal) "What are you saying! That man, has he been defeated while previously bragging to such an extent!?" (Ayperos) Without even turning his eyes on the prince, who is unsightly stamping his feet, Ribezal continues. "This city was abandoned by Earl Biron. Currently he is leading the citizens escaping towards the capital on the highway." (Ribezal) "Even Earl Biron?! And he even left me behind while escaping!?" (Ayperos) The chamberlains are nothing but flustered due to Ayperos having a fit of anger with a deep red face. "Therefore it is I who came to receive you as soon as possible." (Ribezal) "I-I see! I won't have to worry then. Let's leave the city right away and return to the capital!" (Ayperos) "That won't be happening." (Ribezal) Every of them, with a befuddled face as if partially having blacked out, stood still and relaxedly held their swords. "... What's going on here?" (Ayperos) "That's what's going on. Do it." (Ribezal) Following Ribezal's order, the First Knight Order swung down their swords at the chamberlains and guards. Ayperos' surroundings transformed into a pool of blood in an instant. Ayperos, backing off with quivering legs in a state of barely remaining standing, is easily seized by Ribezal and has his arms being bind behind his back. "S-Stop! What rudeness! D-Doing such a thing to me..." (Ayperos) In his hands he is grasping the magic tool that was installed on Ribezal and the other knights. "Who are you bastard!? What's this!? S-Stop it..." (Ayperos) "Don't worry, you won't feel any pain. Far from pain, you won't feel anything at all after having it attached." (Beirevra) "S-Stop..." (Ayperos) Rolling up the expensive clothes, the magic tool was forced into the abundantly fat chest. The built-in pipes penetrated the interior of Ayperos' body one by one. At the beginning the prince was afraid and spasmed, but before long he became limp and ceased moving. Upon Beirevra's command [Stand up] the lying down Ayperos stood up unsteadily. There can't be seen any light in his pupils anymore. Isn't it even possible for me to expect the position of a noble? Accompanied by the living-corpse-like knights, Beirevra escaped from the city and chased after the feudal lord of Munster for the sake of gaining even more accomplishments.

157.Freedom 「退屈な任務であるな」 青い皮膚を持つ魔人族の集落にのみ生息する特殊な馬に跨り、荒地の向こうに見える人間の軍勢を見据えて、魔人族軍の将であるバシムは舐めた指で髭を撫で押えながら不満を漏らした。 彼に与えられた任務はあくまで「偵察」であり、戦闘行為も最低限にしておくように言い含められていた。簡単に言えば、少し戦ってみて、人間がどのように戦うかを確認するだけだ。 敵対するか交流を目指すかが、この作戦の結果によって決まる重要な一手なのだが、頭が理解していても、バシムにとっては不満が溜まる。 「せっかく解放されたのだ。派手に戦果をあげて我らの存在を全ての種族に知らせるべきではないか」 あれほど強かった前王が死に、王が交代した。 その内容については秘匿され、城に出入りしていた主だった顔ぶれは、王となったウェパルを除いて、彼女の配下も含めて多くが死亡、行方不明となっている。 バシムにしても、ポストが空いて引き上げられたに過ぎず、城内で何があったのかは知らされることが無かった。噂の中には冗談のように強い人間族が関わったというものすらあるが、バシムは頭から信用していない。 「前王は魔法の研究やら実験やらが趣味であられた。であれば、何がしか実験中に事故を起こしたと考えるのが自然だ」 前王アガチオンは、魔法実験の結果として不死身の身体を手に入れたと言われていた。死んだということは、噂は真実では無かったということだろう。だが、その知識と強さは疑う余地は無かった。少なくとも、不死を思わせるほど強いのは確かだ。 ウェパルの台頭についても、バシムは不自然に感じていた。 「確かに位階は高いかもしれん。だが、王の器とも、それだけの力を持っているとも思えん」 今は従っているが、機を見て上を目指す事を諦めたわけではない。王であったアガチオンをはじめ、ベレトやフェゴールと言った実力者が一掃された今、自分にも可能性があると見ている。 「そのためには、この作戦を利用させてもらうとしよう」 独り言を呟いている間に、人間たちが敷いた陣地から、一人の兵士が馬に乗ってやってきた。 「私はヴィシー中央委員会からの使者である。我が国の前に兵を連れ、陣を敷いてこちらを向いている件について、ご説明願いたい!」 その声が、震えを必死に押えていることがバシムには可笑しくて仕方が無かった。 文献でしか残っていないが、人間というのは魔人族どころかエルフよりも魔法が不得手であり、また力も弱いという。人数だけは多いが、人間同士で集落に分かれており、互いに争いあって土地や人を奪い合っている。 ほんの数名、外から帰ってきた魔人がいるという話だったが、彼らの話についてはウェパルが独占してしまっているため、バシムは知らない。 隠す必要もないだろう、とバシムは相手を愚弄する視線を露わに、愛馬を進めた。 「吾輩が将である。何用か?」 聞いていなかったから、もう一度言え、という態度に使者の青年は歯噛みした。 「先ほど言ったとおりだ。何のためにここへ来たのかを教えていただきたい!」 怒気を込めた言葉に、バシムは鼻を鳴らして答える。 「ふむ。そのような態度は無礼ではないか。吾輩は魔人族の代表としてこのような場所まで来てやっているのだ。知りたくば、跪いて 尊大という言葉をそのまま表したかのようなバシムの態度に、使者はいよいよ我慢がならなかった。 怒りに震えていた使者だったが、ふとバシムの後ろに並ぶ兵たちを見て、逆に嘲るように口を開いた。 「......所詮は亜人ということか。物事の道理も尊厳も知らぬらしい。話すことは無い。寡兵でやってきたことを後悔すると良い」 背を向けた使者は、振り向くこともせずに陣へと戻り始めた。 一メートルほど進んだところで、その身体を刃が貫く。 「......は?」 自分の胸を貫通している剣を見た使者は、それが何かを理解できただろうか。ぐらりと揺れて、落馬した。 「人間というのは、これほど間抜けなのか。敵対を宣言しておきながら、何の警戒もなく背を向けおった」 魔法で生み出した剣を消し、振り向いたバシムの言葉に、近くにいた兵士たちは笑い声をあげた。 「では、諸君。愚かな人間たちに本当の戦い方を教えてやろうではないか」 鬨の声が魔人族たちからあがった時、ヴィシーの軍は使者が殺害されるという想定外の状況に浮き足だっていた。 魔人族軍約五十名。対してヴィシーの軍約二百五十名。 戦いは、少数による突撃から始まった。 「こんにちは。お届けものなのですが......」 「あ、どうも......あれ? 魔人族さん?」 レニのところを訪ねてきたのは、ウェパルの部下、ニャールだった。 「......どうやって入ってきたのよ」 「町の前までみんなで来て、町の兵士さんに武器を預けてきた」 はい、と折りたたまれた薄い木の板を差し出したニャールに、ヘレンは町の防衛体制に不安を覚えながら近づき、受け取った。 そのまま、レニへと手渡す。 「ありがとう。魔人族さんも座ってください。ヘレン、お茶とお菓子残ってる?」 「残ってるけど、少しは遠慮して食べてよね」 「あ、お構いなく」 町の出入り口では、一部のエルフを含む自警団と魔人族が睨み合いになっているのだが、とりあえず騒ぎにはなっていないようだ。 レニへと書簡を渡したいという魔人族に対し、自警団はとりあえず一人だけならば、と許可したらしい。 ヘレンが手早く用意したお茶に、ニャールはお礼をして口を付けた。毒などの心配は一切していないらしい。 豪胆なのか天然なのか、ヘレンには判断できなかった。 「で、なんて書いてあるの?」 「人間と戦うのに、協力して欲しいって」 「わかりました」 羊皮紙にさらさらと羽ペンを走らせるレニ。その筆致に迷いはない。手紙を読みながら、返事は決めていたようだ。 もたもたと慣れない手つきで紙を畳むレニを見て、ヘレンは引っかけて倒さないようにレニのカップを遠ざけた。 封蝋などというものは無いので、レニの柔らかい指でギュッと折り目を付けただけの手紙を渡す。 お茶を飲み、一口サイズに切られた果物をもしゃもしゃと遠慮なく口に詰め込んでいたニャールは、指についた果汁を服の裾で拭い、手紙を受け取った。 「これを、魔人族の王様に渡してください」 「はい。ありがとうございます。ごちそうさまでした」 「お疲れ様~」 ててて、と手紙を抱えて走り去るニャールに、レニが手を振る。 「......それで、なんて返事したの?」 「子供が遊びに誘ってるんじゃないんだから......」 「嘘はついてないよ」 遠ざけられていたカップを引き寄せ、温くなったお茶に口を付ける。 「どこかと戦うにしても、人数が少ないから敵対もできないし役にも立たないと思うよ」 エルフの加入で多少人数が増えたといっても、あくまで自警団としか言えない程度の規模でしかない。 ソードランテにいる人間側の軍を、罠も含めて足止めするのが精いっぱいなのだ。対外的な戦闘に巻き込まれても、何もできないに等しい。 「第一、ソードランテの中でも分裂してるのに、他に力を貸す余力は無いよ」 「もし、あれで魔人族が怒って攻めてきたらどうするの」 「逃げちゃえばいいと思う」 「逃げるの?」 どういうことなのか、とヘレンが問うと、レニは簡単な話だよ、と受けた。 「戦う人数がいない分、こっちは少ないわけだし、荒野や森には慣れてるわけでしょ? みんなで夜のうちにでも逃げて隠れちゃえばいいんだよ」 残っていた果物に手を伸ばし、レニは好物のボダンの果実が残っていることに声をあげて喜んだ。 「別にウチたちは“この土地”を守る必要があるわけじゃないし、自分たちが守れるなら、森の中に新しく町を作ったっていいわけだし。他の誰かのために、ウチたちの仲間が血を流す必要はないんじゃない?」 納得はするものの、ヘレンにとっては愛着が出てきたこの町を、簡単に手放す判断ができることに驚いていた。 「それ、みんなに話しておいた方が良いと思うよ。急にスラムを捨てようって言っても、すぐには動けない人もいると思う」 「ヘレンの言うとおりだね。魔人族さんたちがまた来る前に......と、自警団のところに行って、魔人族さんがちゃんと帰ったか確認しないと」 町の入口へと向かうレニ。 ヘレンは、建物の中をぐるりと見てから、両方の兎耳を垂らした。 「この町も家も捨てることになるのかな......」 すっかり町暮らしに慣れてしまったヘレンにとって、それは想像すると気持ちが苦しくなることだった。 領地へ戻り、カイムから状況を聞いた一二三は一日だけ武器の修理と追加に費やしたかと思うと、単身ヴィシーへと乗り込んだ。 オリガはヴィーネに文武共に稽古をつけるために残り、アリッサがフォカロルの兵たちを率いて帰還するのを待つことになった。 の一言で、ヴィシーからの救援要請は文字通り無視されることとなり、追い返されて泣きながら中央委員会へと戻った使者は、数日後には家族を連れて亡命するために戻ってきた。 それだけ、ヴィシー中央委員会は追い詰められているようだ。 「お気をつけて!」 フォカロルに負けず劣らずにぎわうアロセールを抜け、一度壊滅して、兵士と彼らが落とす金を目当てに集まった小規模な商人たちの町になっている新国境の町ローヌから、ヴィシーへと入る。 ここに配属された国の兵士は当然のように一二三の顔を知っており、もはや許可証の提示なども求めることはない。 馬を国境警備の部隊に預け、悠々と出国する。それを見ていたヴィシー側の兵士もおどおどと目を合わせずに許可をした。 ヴィシー側の国境では、野宿をしている者が複数座り込んでいた。多くは商人だが、民間の人々もちらほら見える。国境を越えて逃げるつもりのようだ。 そのまま、ヴィシーと荒野との間をゆるゆると進んでいると、一二三の前に三人の男たちが飛び出してきた。 「ヴィシーの兵士、か」 簡素なデザインの鎧を揃って着ているのを見て、一二三はつまらなそうにつぶやいた。 「こんなところで何をしている? 魔人族なりピュルサン兵なりと戦えよ」 ヴィシー兵たちは一二三のことを知らないらしく「余裕見せてんじゃねぇよ」と一二三を取り囲みながら威圧してきた。 「いいから金を出せ。食い物もだ!」 顔を近づけて恫喝してきた男を、一二三は冷たい目で見た。 「あれか。脱走兵ってやつか。魔人族が怖かったか?」 すぐ目の前の男が胸倉をつかもうとした手は、空を掴んだ。 「あ?」 身体を下げて男の両膝を掴み、そのまま再び立ち上がる。 両足を取られて仰向けに倒れた男は、受け身も取れずに強かに後頭部を地面に打ち付けた。 頭を抱えて唸る男の股間に、一二三のつま先がめり込んだ。 「何を......!」 泡を吹いて気絶した仲間を見て激高した兵士の後ろに、無言のまま一二三が回り込む。 腰のベルトを軽く引くだけで、兵士はすとん、と尻餅をつく。 そのまま、自分がなぜ座ったのかを理解する前に、頸椎を捻り折られた。 残った一人が逃げ出そうとするのを、左手で襟首を掴んで確保する。 「脱走前に魔人族を見ただろ? 状況を教えろ」 刀を抜き、捕まえた男の目の前で、泡を吹く男を刺し殺す。 なんら躊躇せず首を貫くのを見た男は、歯を鳴らすほど震えている。 「さ、最初の戦闘で、こっち側が半分近く殺されたんだ! 他の町からの補充もあって、まだ境界で戦いが続いているはずだが、魔人を殺せた奴がいないって話で......」 「怖くなって、逃げてきたか。戦場はどっちだ?」 震える指が指したのは、一二三がとりあえず行こうと考えていた方向だった。 「珍しく俺の勘が当たったか」 膝の裏を蹴飛ばし、跪かせた。 「殺さないとは言ってないだろ」 骨に当たらないように刃を寝かせ、背後から心臓を一突きする。 引き抜いた刀を拭い、ゆっくりと納刀し、わずかに乱れた服装を整える。 「お祭り会場はあっちか。終わってないといいんだがな」 収納から焼き魚を挟んだパンを取り出し、口の中に広がるほの甘いタレの香りを楽しみながら、一二三はブラブラと戦場を目指して歩き続けた。

Chapter 157: Freedom "It's a boring mission, isn't it?" Straddling the special horse, which only lives in the settlement of the blue-skinned demons, and gazing at the humans' military forces that can be seen on the other side of the wastelands, Bashim, who is the general of the demon's army, pinned down and stroke his beard with a finger, he had licked, while venting his dissatisfaction. The mission he was given is [reconnaissance] to the bitter end. He had been instructed to keep the combat to a minimum. Simply put, he is to fight for just a bit to confirm the humans' way of fighting. The result of this operation is an important move that decides whether they will aim for hostility or peaceful exchange, but even if he understands it with his head, his dissatisfaction only piles up as far as Bashim is concerned. "At last we were finally liberated. Shouldn't we let all races know about our existence by raising flashy war achievements?" (Bashim) Due to the death of the former king, who was quite strong, a new king took the reins. The details regarding that have been concealed. Excluding Vepar, who became the ruler, the majority of the personnel, who frequented the castle, including Vepar's subordinates, has died or gone missing. Even Bashim wasn't informed of what happened in the castle as he wasn't promoted into one of the opened posts. Among some of the rumours it's even said that it had to do something with a joke-like powerful human, but Bashim hasn't believed in that from the very beginning. "The former king had the hobby of experimenting and researching magic. In that case it's only natural to think that some kind of accident occurred during one of his experiments." (Bashim) It was said that the former king Agachion obtained an immortal body as result of his magic experiments. The fact that he died is also proof that the rumours weren't true, I guess. However, there was no room to doubt his knowledge and strength. At the very least it's correct that he was strong to a degree that made others think that he's immortal. Bashim sensed something unnatural about Vepar's rise to power as well. "Surely, her court rank might be high. But, even as the king's vessel, I can't believe that she's possessing that much strength." (Bashim) For now I will obey, but it's not like I gave up on aiming for the top once I see a chance. Now that Agachion, who was the king, and his powerful subordinates Beleto and Phegor were eradicated, I will check if there's a possibility for me to rise up. "Let's make use of this operation for that sake." (Bashim) While he was muttering his monologue, a single soldier on horse arrived from the encampment where the humans took up position. "I'm a messenger from Vichy's central committee. We are requesting an explanation why you have brought your soldiers in front of our country and why you have taken up camp here while facing our way." It was inevitable for Bashim to find the soldier, who frantically suppressed the trembling in his voice, funny. Though it remains only in books, it's said that the ones called humans are far weaker at magic and also physical strength than elves, not to speak of demons. Only their numbers are high, but mankind is split in settlements which are scrambling for soil and people by fighting against each other. It's a fact that there are demons who returned from the outside, albeit only few, but because Vepar is keeping their stories to herself, Bashim isn't aware of it. , Bashim exposed a mocking gaze and had his favourite horse step forward. "I'm the general. What's your business?" (Bashim) Due to Bashim's attitude of "Since I didn't hear it, say it one more time", the young messenger ground his teeth. "It's just as I told you before. I'd like you to tell us for what reason you came here!" Bashim snorts at the words loaded with anger and replies, "Hmm. Isn't such kind of attitude impolite? I have come to this kind of place as representative of the demon race. Shouldn't you kneel and beg if you want to know?" (Bashim) At last the messenger couldn't stand the Bashim's attitude which he expressed by not changing the haughtiness in his words. The messenger was trembling in rage, but when he suddenly sees the soldiers lining up behind Bashim, he talked with obvious ridicule. "... After all you are mere demi-humans, huh? It seems you don't comprehend neither dignity nor the truth of the matter. There's nothing to talk about. Just regret for having come here with a small military force." The messenger, who turned around, started to return to the humans' encampment without even looking back. When he advanced around a single metre, his body was pierced by a blade. "... Ha?" Seeing a sword penetrating his own chest, the messenger shook violently and fell off the horse unbeknownst whether he was able to understand anything. "The ones called humans are this stupid? They turn their backs on their enemy without any vigilance while announcing their hostility." (Bashim) The soldiers who were nearby raised laughters at at the words of Bashim who looked over his shoulder after erasing the sword he created with magic. "Well then, gentlemen, shall we teach the retarded humans the true way of battle?" (Bashim) At the time when the demons raised a war cry, Vichy's army was swept away by the unexpected situation of their messenger being killed. And army of around 50 demons against Vichy's forces of around 250. The battle began with an attack by the minority. "Hello. There's something I have to deliver, but..." "Ah, thanks... huh? A demon-san?" (Reni) The one who came visiting Reni's place was Vepar's subordinate, Nyarl. "... How did you get inside?" (Reni) "I came with everyone in front of the city and entrusted my weapons to the city's soldier-san." (Nyarl) Due to Nyarl presenting a thin, folded, wooden board with a "here," Helen got close while feeling uneasy about the defence measures of the city, and received it.magic She hands it over to Reni just like that. "Thank you. Please sit down, demon-san. Helen are there any sweets and tea left?" (Reni) "There are, but hold back on eating them a bit, okay?" (Helen) "Ah, please don't mind me." (Nyarl) The vigilante corpse, which includes a part of the elves, and the demons are confronting each other at the city's entrance, but for the time being it won't develop into an uproar, it seems. As for the demon who wanted to hand a letter to Reni; the vigilante corps apparently gave its permission as long as it's only a single person. Nyarl thanks for the tea, which was swiftly prepared by Helen, and tastes it. It appears that she doesn't have any worry that it might be poisoned at all. Helen was unable to judge whether she's bold or a natural airhead. "So, what's written on it?" (Helen) "They are requesting our cooperation in the fight against the humans, it says." (Reni) "Understood." (Reni) Reni lets the quill pen fluently run across a parchment. Her writing style shows no hesitation. She apparently decided on her reply while reading the letter. Watching Reni fold the paper in an inefficient and unfamiliar manner, Helen kept Reni's cup away so that it isn't knocked over by Reni getting hooked on it. Since there isn't anything like a sealing wax, Reni hands over the letter which has been only folded tightly with her soft fingers. Nyarl, who drank tea and stuffed her cheeks with fruits, that were cut into mouth size, without any reservations, wiped the fruit juice, which clung to her fingers, away at the cuff of her clothes and received the letter. "Please hand this to the king of the demons." (Reni) "Yes, thank you very much. Thanks for the delicious meal as well." (Nyarl) "Thanks for your hard work~." (Reni) Reni waves at Nyarl who runs away with a *tetete* while holding the letter in her hand. "... So, what did you answer?" (Helen) "It's not an invitation to play by a child, thus..." (Helen) "I haven't told a lie." (Reni) Pulling the cup to herself again, she tastes the tea which has become lukewarm. "Even if we were to fight somewhere, we won't be able to put up any opposition since our numbers are lacking. Thus I think that it's useless to try." (Reni) Although one might say that their numbers increased some with the elves joining, the scale is only at the level where it can be called a vigilante corps. Restraining the forces of the human side, which are living in Swordland, by including traps is the best they can do. Even if they get dragged into battle with a foreign enemy, it would be equal to them being unable to do anything. "To begin with, as long as Swordland is split among itself, we don't have any spare energy to assist others." (Reni) "What will you do if the demons attack us after getting angry over this?" (Helen) "I think it would be best to run away." (Reni) "Run away?" (Helen) When Helen asks "What's this about?", Reni answered with "It's simple." "The part of us not having the numbers to fight means that our side has few. We are also used to the wastelands and forest, right? Thus it will be fine if we hide after running away with everyone during the night." (Reni) Stretching out her hand towards the remaining fruit, Reni raises her voice in joy as the one left is her favourite fruit, Bodan. . I mean it's fine for us to create a new city in the forest if we can protect it by ourselves. There isn't any need for our friends to shed their blood for the sake of someone else, is there?" (Reni) Although she does agree with Reni, it was surprising for Helen that Reni was able to part with this city, which she learned to love, easily. "I believe it would be better if you talked with everyone about that. Even if you tell them to abandon the slums all of a sudden, I think that there will be people who can't move right away." (Helen) "It's as you say, Helen. Before the demon-san's come once more... oh, I have to go to the vigilante corps and check whether the demon-san's went home properly." (Reni) Reni heads to the city's entrance. After looking around in a circle inside the building, Helen let both her rabbit ears hang down. "I wonder whether that means that we will have to abandon this city and this home..." (Helen) For Helen, who got completely accustomed to living in the city, just imagining that caused painful feelings. Hifumi, who heard the state of affairs from Caim after returning to his territory, entered Vichy by himself immediately after spending just one day for repairing and supplementing his weapons. It was decided that Origa would remain to assign the training regimen in both, military and literary arts, for Viine, and that Alyssa would lead Fokalore soldiers while waiting for his return. With that brief comment the request for reinforcements by Vichy was literally ignored. The messenger, who returned to the central committee while crying about being sent away, came back to Fokalore several days later because he defected while bringing his family along. That's how much Vichy's central committee had been driven to the wall. "Please be careful!" Leaving Arosel, which is prospering equally to Fokalore, after being destroyed once, he enters Vichy through the new border city Lorn which has turned into a city of merchants who gathered for the purpose of the soldiers and the money those soldiers spend. The state's soldiers, who were assigned at that place, know Hifumi's face as if it's only natural and thus there's no need for him to show his permit anymore. Leaving his horse in the care of the border security's unit, he leisurely departed Orsongrande. Even the soldiers on Vichy's side, who saw that, gave him the necessary permission while cowering and avoiding eye contact. Several people, who are camping out, sat at the border on Vichy's side. Many of them are merchants, but sporadically people of the common populace can be seen there as well. They apparently intend to escape by crossing the national border. When he was advancing leisurely through the area between Vichy and the wastelands just like that, three man jumped out in front of Hifumi. "Soldiers of Vichy, huh?" (Hifumi) Looking at the simply designed armour they are wearing, Hifumi muttered that while looking uninterested. "What are you doing at this place? Fight against the demons or the soldiers of Pyursang." (Hifumi) Apparently the soldiers of Vichy don't know about Hifumi. They coerced Hifumi with [It ain't the time to show such composure] while surrounding him. "Listen, hand over your money. Your food as well!" Hifumi looked with cold eyes at the man who threatened him by bringing his face close. "It's that, eh? The thing that's called deserter, right? Were you scared of the demons?" (Hifumi) The hand which tried to grab his collar only grasps air, though he was right in front of the man. "Huh?" He seizes both knees of the man after lowering his body and stands up once again in that state. The man, who fell down with his face up after having both his legs trapped, severely struck into the ground with the back of his head unable to take any defensive posture. Hifumi's toes sank into the nether region of the man who is groaning while holding his head. "What are...!?" Hifumi silently circles around to the back of the excited soldier who watches his colleague faint while foam gathers at his mouth. By just lightly pulling his waist belt, the soldier falls on his backside with a thump. Before he comprehends why he was sitting, his cervical vertebrae gets twisted and broke. The last one tries to run away but gets secured by having the nape of his neck grabbed by Hifumi's left hand. "You saw the demons before running away, right? Tell me the state of affairs." (Hifumi) Drawing his katana, he stabs the foaming man to death in front of the seized man. The man, who saw his friend's head getting stabbed without any kind of hesitation, is trembling to a degree that it even affects his teeth. "I-In the first battle close to half of our side was killed! They should still be fighting at the border after getting reinforcements from the other cities, but with the story that not a single demon could be killed..." "You got scared and ran away, huh? In which direction is the battlefield?" (Hifumi) Where the trembling finger of the soldier pointed at was the direction where Hifumi had planned to go for now. "For a change my intuition was right, wasn't it?" (Hifumi) Kicking the back of the soldier's knee, Hifumi makes him kneel. "You won't tell me to not kill you, right?" (Hifumi) Setting the angle of the blade so that it won't hit bones, he stabs the soldier's heart from behind. Wiping the extracted katana, he slowly returns it into the scabbard and fixes his slightly disordered attire. "The festival venue is over there? Though it would be best if it hasn't ended yet." (Hifumi) Retrieving a bread with grilled fish sandwiched in from his darkness storage, Hifumi kept lazily walking towards the battlefield while enjoying the aroma of the slightly sweet sauce spreading inside his mouth.

馬の背にうつぶせの格好で乗せられ、ゆらゆらと運ばれているうちにヘレンはぼんやりと目を覚ました。 兎耳をピコピコと揺らし、目の前を地面が通り過ぎていくのを見つめて、少しずつ覚醒する。 「あ......あれ?」 それなりの時間、同じ体勢だったのか、鞍に当たっているお腹が痛い。 「あっ! 目が覚めたんだね、ヘレン!」 ニコニコと駆け寄ってくるレニを抱き寄せ、ヘレンは一二三を睨みつけた。 「わたしたちをどこへ連れて行くつもり!?」 「知らん。道はそいつに聞いているだけだ」 あっさりと答え、レニを指差した一二三を見て、ヘレンはレニに振り返った。 「一二三さんの話は本当だよ。気絶しちゃったヘレンを運んでもらったの」 「俺の名前だ。それより、気が付いたなら自分で帰れるな。それじゃ、これで終わりだな」 「はい。ここまでありがとうございました」 レニは深々と頭を下げて、ヘレンは状況がわからずにとにかく一二三を警戒していた。 こちらも道中で充分な話が聞けた、と一二三は焼き菓子をいくつかレニに手渡すと、馬に飛び乗った。 「ああ、ついでにもう二つ教えてくれ」 「さっき俺に襲いかかってきた虎の奴らがいただろう。あいつらの集落の場所は知っているか?」 一二三の質問に、レニとヘレンは顔を見合わせた。 「あ、あんたね! 二、三人に勝てたからって調子に乗りすぎよ! 集落といっても虎獣人たちが何十人もいるのよ? 荒野に一人で来るだけでもおかしいっていうのに、死にに行くつもりなの!?」 ヘレンがまくし立てるのを、一二三は涼しい顔で聞いている。 「そうだな。正確に言えば、俺を殺せそうな奴を探しているってところだな」 一二三の答えに、ヘレンは絶句した。 だが、レニは一歩前に出る。 「ウチ、知ってます」 「あの三人が出てきたところから、北東にずっと進んだ大きな泉の近くです」 なるほど、と一二三が頷いたのを見て、レニは嬉しそうに笑った。 「どうして教えたの?」 「一二三さんは、多分虎の人たちよりずっとずっと強いよ。お父さんが言ってたよ。本当に強い人は、とても優しいんだって」 だから、こんなに美味しいお菓子をくれる優しい一二三さんは、誰にも負けないくらい強いはずだよ、と無邪気に笑うレニを見て、ヘレンは肩を落とした。 「仕方ないわね......。あんた、怪我をしたらこの辺まで逃げて来なさい。わたしたちはいつもこの辺りで木ノ実や薬草を集めているから、お礼に怪我くらいは治療してあげる」 「そりゃどうも。で、もう一つの質問だが」 なんですか、とレニが首をかしげた。 「この荒野でしか食えない美味い物とかあるのか?」 馬にまたがり林を抜けて、一二三はレニに聞いた方角へと向かっている。 目印にした虎獣人の脇を通る。動物たちの仕業だろうか、三体とも早々に食い荒らされて無残な屍を晒していた。 「ふむふむ、目的地が一緒だと、楽でいいな」 腰の刀を指先でトントンと叩きながら、上機嫌で馬を進める。 レニが教えてくれた“美味い物”は、大きな蔦が絡まりあって伸びている特徴的な木にできる果物で、一口かじると爽やかな甘味がなんとも言えない美味さだと言う。 レニだけでなく、隣で聞いていたヘレンも口の端から糸を垂らしていたあたり、本当なのだろう。 ところが、ここ数年はその木が群生する泉の周辺を虎獣人が占拠してしまい、林の恵みの中でも特にそれを楽しみにしていた羊と兎の獣人たちはがっかりしているという。 丁度いいので、虎と会ってからその果物も話のタネに食べてみよう、と一二三は止めようとするヘレンを無視してやって来た。 林に入り、しばらく進んだところで陽が傾き始め、馬も疲れた様子を見せ始めたので、一際大きな木を見つけた一二三は、ここで一夜を明かす事に決めた。 馬からおりて適当な木に手綱を結ぶと、餌と水をやり、自分は焼き菓子を三つほど頬張って水を飲む。 この焼き菓子、実はカイムの手作りだったりする。料理や掃除も得意で妙に女子力の高い男だが、菓子作りはストレス発散らしい。規定事項通りに物事を進められない奴と仕事をしてストレスが溜まると、きっちり分量計算をした菓子を大量生産するらしい、と一二三は他の文官に聞いたことがある。 執務室に入って甘い香りがすると、カイムが不機嫌な証拠なので緊張するとか。 丁度いい間食になると思った一二三が持っていく分にいくつか作ってくれと依頼すると、どこかの商店の仕入れかと思う量が用意されていた。配って回っても減った気がしないほどだ。 「寝床はこんなもんか」 毛布を敷いただけの寝床に横になる。枕は丁度地面にせり出していた太い根だ。少しゴロゴロとするが、熟睡するのも危険なので丁度いい。 刀を左手に触れさせたまま、一二三は静かに目を閉じた。 猫獣人のジャレドが一二三の姿を見かけたのは本当に偶然だった。 人間が荒野の、しかもこんなに人里から離れたエリアにいるのは珍しいし、まして一人でいるなど初めてのことだったからだ。 最初は純粋な興味で、しかしそっと追いかけていくうちに何かの儲け話に繋がらないかと舌をペロリと動かしたのは、彼の生来の欲によるものだった。 動物相手にせよ植物にせよ、狩りによって生活の糧を得ている獣人たちにとって、物欲と言ってもせいぜい美味い物が食べたいとか、頑丈な皮で服が作りたいと言った程度だ。当然、通貨など存在しない。 だが、ジャレドは生まれつき珍しい物を集めたがる妙な癖があった。あまり帰らない粗末な家の中には、綺麗な石や珍しい植物の種、人間が落とした物や死体から盗んだ使い方もわからない道具など、狭い室内を足の踏み場もないほどに埋め尽くしている。 (あの人間の持っている武器は初めて見た) 興味本位であとをつけているうちに、刀に引き込まれるように視線を注いでいたジャレドは、人間が寝ている間に頂いてしまおうと決めた。 そして今、そのチャンスが訪れた。 夜の帳がおりた林の中は、曇の覆い空模様も手伝い真っ暗で、夜目が効くジャレドでも何とか見えるという程度だ。 (起きるなよ。命が惜しければな) ジャレドは獣人としての戦闘力は低いが、人間相手なら力も速度も上回っているという自信はある。それに、彼は獣人としては少数派だが武器を使う事に抵抗がない。 今も、抵抗された時のために骨を削って作ったナイフを握りしめているし、人間が持つ武器を手に入れたら、それも持ち歩いて使おうと思っている。 だが、必死に抵抗されたら思わぬ怪我をするかもしれない。だからそっと盗みとる事を選んだ。 そろりそろりと近づいたジャレドは、めいっぱいに見開いた目をキョロキョロと動かし、周囲に他の人間や獣人が隠れていたりしないかを警戒した。 (この辺りは虎獣人の集落も近いからな。あいつらに見つかったら面倒だ) そっと刀へと手を伸ばしたとき、ふと足元辺りにある人間の顔を見た。 目が合った。 全身傷だらけで、右腕の肘からしたをブラブラと揺らしながら猫獣人が虎獣人の集落に逃げ込んで来たのは、早朝の事だった。 「た、たしゅけて......」 最初に見つけた虎獣人の男に必死で懇願する猫獣人ジャレドに、すがりつかれた方は混乱せざるを得ない。 別に虎獣人と猫獣人は交流があるわけでも助け合っているわけでもない。むしろ虎たちは猫を見下しており、顔を合わせて女ならば攫って、男ならばなぶり殺しにする事もある。 「なんだよ、誰かこいつを痛めつけたのか?」 ジャレドの怪我を仲間のせいだと思い、虎獣人は周りにいた仲間に声をかけたが、誰も彼もが知らないと返事した。 「ガーファンたちじゃねぇか? 昨日から帰ってきてねぇしよ」 仲間の一人が言うと、近づいてきてジャレドを蹴り飛ばした。 「ひぃい......ち、違うんだ! 人間が、人間が......」 錯乱してわめき散らすジャレドを、虎たちは朝から変な奴が来た、と笑って真剣に考える者はいない。 「人間がこんな荒野の奥まで来るわけねぇだろ」 「そうでもないぞ?」 ガサガサと茂みをかき分けて顔を出した一二三は、やっと着いたか、と息を吐いた。 袴に貼り付いた草を丁寧につまみ上げて落とす一二三の姿を見て、ジャレドは悲鳴を上げた。 「本当に人間が出てくるとはな」 「だが、来た場所が悪かったな。ここは俺たち虎獣人のテリトリーだ。久しぶりのおもちゃだからな。簡単に死ぬなよ?」 ゾロゾロと集まってくる虎獣人の男たちは、全員が筋骨隆々で一二三と比べるとふた回りは大きい。 女も相当数いるうえ、彼女たちも戦う気らしく、スラリと伸びた腕の先には男達に見劣りしないほど鋭い爪が見える。 それでも一二三は意に介さず、ゆっくりとジャレドに向かって歩き出す。 「あ、あああ......」 もはや喉を震わせるしかできないジャレドは、尻餅を付いたまま後ずさるが、あっという間に追いつかれた。 「忘れ物だ」 硬い物がぶつかる音を立てて、ジャレドの脳天に骨で出来たナイフが突き立てられた。 ぐるりと白目を剥いて、ジャレドはしばらく痙攣していたが、ほどなく事切れた。 「で、だ」 ジャレドが死んだことを確認した一二三は、近くにいた虎獣人に声をかけた。 「泉はどこだ? 美味い果物があるそうじゃないか」 「聞こえなかったのか? 泉の場所だ」 小馬鹿にしたような一二三の態度に、虎獣人たちは素早く一二三を取り囲んだ。 「おお、なかなか素早いじゃないか。ガーファンだったか、あいつよりよっぽど速い」 あいつらよりは長持ちしてくれよ、と嘯いた一二三に、獣人たちはいよいよ怒り心頭となった。 「ほざくな!」 爪を振り下ろしてきたのを迎え撃つように、一二三は人差し指と中指の関節を立てた拳で手首を殴った。 ピンポイントに痛覚を打たれた獣人が腕を引くと、がら空きの顔に手を伸ばした一二三が、頭と顎の毛を掴んだ。 「こりゃ掴みやすいな」 笑いながら毛の抜ける音と骨が折れる音を響かせて、獣人の頭をぐるりと捻り折った。 声も出せずに死んだ獣人が崩れ落ちる。 「に、人間が......」 弱いとタカをくくっていた人間相手に、しかも素手で仲間が殺され、獣人たちは驚いていた。 「ぐ、偶然だ!」 叫びながら飛びかかった獣人には、鎖鎌の分銅を投げつけ、足を絡め取ったまま横向きに引き倒した。 脇腹を強かに打ち付けた獣人は、悶絶する間もなく引き寄せられ、鎌で喉を裂かれた。 「もっと考えて動けよ」 一二三が呆れていると、獣人たちの壁の一角がざわめく。 「お前、どうやら普通の人間ではないようだな」 獣人たちが道を譲り、開かれた場所から一二三に向かって歩いてくるのは、他の虎獣人よりもさらに大きな体格をした男だった。 「お前がここのボスか」 「そうだ。朝から好き放題やってくれたようだな」 虎のボスは、三つの死体を見やってから、牙を向いて威嚇した。 「歯を見せて何が楽しいんだ? それよりも、だ。責任者がお前なら言うが、教育がなっとらん」 「教育だと?」 フン、とボスが鼻を鳴らす。 「お前たち人間と俺たちは違う。敵と見たら殺す。わざわざ話し合いなど......」 「そうじゃない」 話を遮り、一二三は腕を組んで口をへの字に曲げた。 「戦いに卑怯もクソも無い。敵ならすぐに殺すか利用する。それでいい。実にいい」 だが、と一二三は獣人の死体を指差す。 「なんでお前らは爪で切りつけるしかできんのだ! その牙は偽物か? 硬いものを噛んだら簡単に折れるのか! 虎ならしなやかに動き回って翻弄して見せろ! 鈍足しかおらんじゃないか!」 突然憤怒をぶちまけた一二三に、虎獣人たちは呆然とする他ない。 「俺は少しは人間よりも強い奴がいるだろうと思って荒野まで来たんだ。それが、蓋を開ければバカの一つ覚えな虎とコソ泥の猫、戦いとは無縁な羊と兎だ! 馬鹿にしてんのか!」 言いたい放題の一二三に、虎のボスは眉間を震わせて吠えた。 「人間風情が吠えるな!」 他の獣人とは比べ物にならない速度の攻撃が、一二三を襲う。 辛うじて首を下げてやり過ごしたが、前髪を数本持って行かれた。 一二三が声を上げた事に、ボスはにやりと笑った。 「何とかかわしたか。だが次はそうは......」 「やればできるじゃないか!」 輝くような笑顔を見せた一二三は、鎖鎌を収納して刀を取り出す。 予想外の反応に、固まってしまったボスの目の前で、一二三は刀を抜いた。 鼻から息を吸い、口からゆっくりと吐き出す。 「よし! じゃあ始めようか!」

With a posture of being placed upside-down on the horse's back, Helen dimly came to her senses while being carried with a slow swaying. Watching the ground pass by in front of her with her rabbit ears shaking with a *piko piko*, she is waking up gradually. "E... Eh?" (Helen) Was it because I was the whole time in the same position? "Ah! You woke up, Helen!" (Reni) Being embraced by Reni, who came rushing over with a bright smile, Helen glared at Hifumi. "Where are you planning to take us!?" (Helen) "Don't know. I'm only following that person." (Hifumi) Looking at Hifumi, who answered readily and pointed at Reni, Helen turned her head towards Reni. "Hifumi-san's story is true. He accepted transporting the fainted you, Helen." (Reni) "It's my name. Putting that aside, you can go back home now that you recovered your consciousness. Well then, with this it's the end." (Hifumi)magic "Yes. Thank you very much until here." (Reni) Reni bowed very deeply. Helen, not understanding the circumstances, was at least cautious in regards to Hifumi. "I heard plenty of stories on the way here", Hifumi handed over several baked sweets to Reni and jumped on the horse. "Ah, while we are at it, please tell me two more things." (Hifumi) "Do you know the location of the village of the tiger fellows, who attacked me some time ago?" (Hifumi) Reni and Helen looked at each other due to Hifumi's question. "H-Hey, you! Don't get too cocky over winning against two or three. Although it's called village, aren't there several tens of tiger beastmen over there as well? Although you are already strange with just crossing through the wastelands by yourself, do you plan to go to your death!?" (Helen) Hifumi is nonchalantly listening to Helen rattling on and on. "That's right. To be precise, the point is that I'm searching for a fellow, who looks like they can kill me." (Hifumi) Helen became speechless due to Hifumi's words. However, Reni takes a step forward. "I know where it is." (Reni) "From the place those three appeared at, always head north-east. It's close to a large spring." (Reni) Seeing Hifumi nodding with a "I see", Reni laughed delightfully. "Why did you tell him?" (Helen) "Hifumi-san is probably a lot, lot stronger than the tiger people. Papa said it. Really strong people are very gentle." (Reni) "Therefore, Hifumi-san, who kindly gives me such tasty sweets, should be strong enough to not lose against anyone." Watching the innocently smiling Reni, Helen dropped her shoulders. "It can't be helped, I guess... You, escape to this place, if you get injured. Since we are always gathering fruits and medical herbs in this area, we will at least treat you injuries as thanks." (Helen) "Well now, thanks for that. I have another question though." (Hifumi) "What is it?" Reni tilted her head to the side. "Isn't there anything delicious to eat you can only find in these wastelands?" (Hifumi) Straddling the horse and exiting the woods, Hifumi is heading in the direction he was told by Reni. He passes the signs left by the tiger beastmen. "Hmm, I see. It's nice and easy that our destination is the same." (Hifumi) While tapping on the katana at his waist with his fingertips, he rides on the horse in a good mood. The "delicious thing" Reni told him about is a fruit growing on a tree characteristically growing large ivy's entangled with each other. It's flavour can't be called sweet but it's refreshing with a single bite. Not just Reni, even Helen, who listened next to her, had strings of drool hanging from her mouth, thus it was likely the truth. However, for the last few years the surroundings of the spring, where that tree grows en masse, is occupied by the tiger beastmen. The sheep and rabbit beastmen, who particularly looked forward to those among the blessings of the forest, felt dejected. As it is just the right occasion, let's try to make the topic of conversation eating that fruit after I meet the tigers. Entering the woods, the sun began to sink when he progressed for a while. As the horse started to show signs of exhaustion, Hifumi, who discovered a conspicuously large tree, decided to intentionally pass one night without sleeping here. Once he dismounted the horse and tied the reins to a suitable tree, he gave it fodder and water, stuffed his own cheeks with around three baked sweets and drank some water himself. These baked sweets were in fact handmade by Caim. He is a man, who has an oddly high level of femininity with his forte being cooking and cleaning, but he seems to vent stress by making pastry. If he works together with people, who don't go forward according to the prescribed regulations in everything, he will build up stress. Apparently he produces large amounts of pastry by accurately calculating the necessary amount. Hifumi heard that from the other civil officials. If one enters the office and there's a sweet fragrance drifting about, Caim is tense since it's a sign of him being displeased. Once Hifumi, who believed it to be perfect for snacking, requested of him to make a few as take-away share, Caim prepared an amount where you could wonder whether he was planning to stock up some shop. It's to the degree, that it doesn't feel like they would decrease, even if Hifumi were to go around and distribute them. "This thing is the bed, eh?" (Hifumi) He lies down on a spread out blanket. The pillow is a root, which was protruding from the ground in the right way. Although he tries to roll around a bit, it's just right since it's also dangerous to be sound asleep. While touching the katana with his left hand, Hifumi calmly closed his eyes. It was truly by coincidence that the cat beastman, Jaredo, caught sight of Hifumi's figure. It's unusual for a human to be in the wastelands and even more so in an area, which is separated this far from human habitations. Not to mention that it was the first time for one of them being alone. At the beginning it was genuine curiosity, but while secretly following him, he stuck out his tongue wondering whether it's not connected to some way to get rich quickly. That was because of his natural greed. Although it is called greed, beastmen, who are procuring their food for living by hunting animal opponents and plants, at most wanted to simply eat delicious things or to produce clothes out of solid hides. Something like currency naturally doesn't exist here. However, Jaredo had the strange habit of collecting rare things since his birth. His plain home, to which he doesn't return often, is filled with things like tools, of which he doesn't know the way of using stolen from corpses, and things dropped by humans, to a degree that there's no space to place one's feet indoor. (It's the first time I have seen the weapon, that human possesses.) While tagging along out of curiosity, Jaredo's look was obviously drawn to the katana. He decided to take it while the human is sleeping. And now that chance finally came. Within the woods, where the veil of darkness descended, it is pitch dark due to even the sky being covered by clouds. Even for Jaredo, who has night-sight, it is only at a level of him being able to see somehow. (Don't wake up, if you value your life.) Jaredo's fighting strength as beastman is low, but he has confidence that he can exceed in speed and strength, if his opponent is a human. Besides, he belongs to a minority among beastman, as he isn't opposed to using weapons. Even now he is tightly grasping a knife, which has been created by sharpening a bone, for the time he runs into resistance. He is certain that he will carry and use it, if he can obtain the weapon the human has. But there might be unexpected injuries, if the human struggles desperately. Therefore he chose to take and steal it secretly. Jaredo, who approached slowly and quietly, changed his position and looked around restlessly with his eyes wide open. He was cautious whether there would be other humans or beastmen hidden in the vicinity. (This area is close to the settlement of the tiger beastmen after all. It will become troublesome, if they find me.) At the moment he quietly extended his hand towards the katana, he accidentally saw the face of the human, being next to his feet. Their eyes met. It was early morning when a cat beastman came taking refugee in the tiger beastmen settlement while swaying with his right elbow dangling having his entire body covered in injuries all over. "H-el-p m..." (Jaredo) It cannot be helped that confusion sprang forth by the way the cat beastman Jaredo clung and frantically begged the first male tiger beastman he found. Even if there is interaction between cat beastmen and tiger beastmen, that doesn't mean they will particularly help each other either. Rather, the tigers despise cats and there are situations, where they will kidnap if it's a female and torture to death if it's a male upon meeting each other. "What's up? Someone gave this fellow a beating?" Believing the injuries of Jaredo being caused by his mates, he called out to his tiger beastmen mates, who were in the vicinity, but all of them answered that they didn't know. "Ain't that Gafan's group's work? They haven' come back since yesterday." Once one of his mates said that, the tiger beastman kicked Jaredo, who drew close, away. "Hiii... i-it's different! A human is... a human is..." (Jaredo) As Jaredo, who ranted and raved on in confusion, there's no tiger taking him serious and they laugh at him with "a strange guy came in the morning." "There ain't no way for a human to come this deep into the wastelands." "That's not true either though." Hifumi, who made an appearance by pushing his way through the thicket with a rustling, took a breath and said "I finally got here, huh?" Looking at the figure of Hifumi, who is carefully picking up the weeds clinging to his his hakama and throwing it away, Jaredo screamed. "A human has really appeared." "However, it's a bad place he came to. This place is our, the tiger beastmen's, territory. It's been a while since a plaything came along. Don't die too quickly." All of the male tiger beastmen, who are gathering in groups, are muscular and they are twice as big as Hifumi. On top of there also being females in considerable numbers, they apparently are thirsting to fight as well. Having arms, which are long and slender, their sharp claws, which can't be compared to the male ruffians from before, are visible. Even so, Hifumi, without feeling worried, slowly walks towards Jaredo. "A-Aaaah..." (Jaredo) Jaredo, whose voice is already unable to do anything else but tremble, fell on his backside while retreating, but Hifumi caught up to him in the blink of an eye. "You forgot something." (Hifumi) With the sound of hard things clashing against each other, he stabbed the knife, made out of bone, into Jaredo's crown of the head. Jaredo convulsed for a short while with his eyes rolling back, but before long he died. "So, that's that." (Hifumi) Confirming the death of Jaredo, Hifumi called out to the tiger beastman close-by. "Where's the spring? Aren't there tasty fruits close to it?" (Hifumi) "Didn't you listen? The place of the spring." (Hifumi) Due to Hifumi's behaviour being similar to that of a fool, the tiger beastmen quickly surrounded Hifumi. "Oh, aren't you fairly nimble? Was it Gafan? You are a lot faster than him." (Hifumi) As Hifumi asked them "Please last a bit longer than those guys", the beastmen became more and more enraged. "Don't babble!" As they attacked by swinging their claws downwards, Hifumi hit the wrist with a fist, formed out of the joints of middle finger and index finger. Hifumi, who extended his hand to the defenceless face once the beastman drew back his arm, which was hit with pinpoint attack causing a sense of pain, grabbed the hair of the head and chin. "See, it's easy to grab it." (Hifumi) While he was laughing, the sound of pulling out the fur and breaking their bones resounded. Then he twisted the beastman's neck and broke it. Without even leaking a voice, the beastman dies and crumbles down. "A-A h-human has..." Due to taking human opponents lightly as being weak, and even more so as their mate was killed barehanded, the beastmen were surprised. "A-A coincidence!" The beastman leaped at him while roaring. Throwing the counterweight of the kusarigama, it entangled their feet and they were pulled down sideways. The beastman, who was severely knocked into their flank, fainted in agony, was drawn close in no time and had its throat sliced open with the sickle. "Move once you think a bit more." (Hifumi) Hifumi is disgusted and a section of the beastmen wall stirs. "Somehow it doesn't seem like you are a normal human." With the beastmen making a path, a male, who had an even bigger physique than the other beastmen, came walking towards Hifumi through the open spot. "You are this place's boss?" (Hifumi) "That's right. Looks like you did as you please since morning." After the tiger boss looked at the three corpses, he threatened Hifumi by baring its fangs. "What's so fun about showing your teeth? Rather than that, although you say you are the person in charge, you have no education." (Hifumi) "Education, you say?" "Humph", the boss snorts. "You humans and us are different. We kill if we consider them an enemy. Something like expressly talking it out..." "That's not the case." Interrupting his speech, Hifumi folded his arms and his mouth curved into a he. "There's no unfairness or damnation in fighting. You say you immediately kill, if it's an enemy. That's fine. That's truly great." (Hifumi) "But", Hifumi points at the corpse of a beastman. "Why are you unable to do anything but cutting with your claws!? Are those fangs a decoration!? Won't you easily break something hard by biting it!? If you are tigers, you have to lead your enemies by the nose by moving around! Aren't you just slow-footed dimwits!?" (Hifumi) Due to Hifumi suddenly bursting in anger, the tiger beastmen can't do anything but being dumbfounded. "I came to the wastelands wondering whether there are fellows slightly stronger than humans. And once I look at the results, there were tigers, I can only remember as idiots, a thieving cat and a sheep and rabbit, which are unrelated to fighting! Are you looking down on me!?" (Hifumi) Due to Hifumi saying all he has to say, the tiger boss' eyebrows trembled and he roared. "The likes of humans don't bark!" Hifumi is attacked by a strike that can't be compared in speed to the other beastmen. He let it go past by barely lowering his head, but several strands of his forehead bangs were ripped away. Due to the situation of Hifumi raising his voice, the boss grinned broadly and laughed. "Somehow you dodged it, eh? But the next will..." "Aren't you able to do it, if you try!?" (Hifumi) Hifumi, who showed a sparkling smile, stows the kusarigama away and retrieves the katana. In the presence of the boss, who ended up hardening due to the unforeseen reaction, Hifumi drew his katana. Inhaling his breath through the nose, he slowly exhales it out of his mouth. "Alright! Shall we begin then!?" (Hifumi)

オーソングランデを早朝に出発し、オリガは馬車に大量のお土産を積んで、尚且つ大急ぎでフォカロル目指して疾走していた。 「それで、何か御用ですか?」 「と、とにかく馬車をお止めいただけませんか!」 街道をひた走る馬車に並走するのは、馬を駆る騎士ミダスだった。 イメラリアの命令を受け、十名の騎士を選抜した彼は、騎馬にて王都を発し、翌日には投宿した小さな町を出たばかりのオリガに追いつく事ができた。 「私は夫の元へ一刻も早く帰らねばなりません。妻としての勤めを果たすのに、一秒でも時間を無駄にはできません」 馭者席に身を乗り出したオリガは、ミダスの必死の呼びかけにも淡白な反応だ。 「では、そのままお聞きください」 いくら平民といえど、今は伯爵夫人であるオリガに対し、そう強くは出られない。 まともに会話の場を設けるのは早々に諦め、馬を操り並走しながらの会話を続ける。 「ホーラントの王が崩御され、その報を聞いた我が国の一部の貴族が、軍を率いてホーラント方面へ向かいました」 「そうですか。しかしこちらは反対側でしょう? ヴィシー側にも動きがあると言うのですか?」 違います、とミダスは首を振る。 「今回の件、全てフォカロルに関連して女王陛下がご懸念されている点が三つあります」 「私どもの領地に?」 ガラガラと響く馬車の車輪の音の中で、オリガの声は不思議と良く通る。 「お伺いしましょう」 それでも、オリガは馬車を止める素振りも見せない。 ミダスはこれはこれでフォカロルへ到着するか、王都方面へ向かっていると思われるネルガルとの合流が早まるから良い、と無理やり自分を納得させ、馬を気遣いながらも並走を続ける。 「一つは、フォカロルへ留学中のネルガル様の事です。フォカロル領内はともかく、こちらへ向かう途中で造反貴族の手の者が狙う可能性があります。二つ目は、現在ホーラント内に駐留し、戦術指導を行っているフォカロル領兵の存在です。彼らは今、危機的状況にあると言って良いでしょう」 「三つ目はなんでしょうか」 「貴女です、伯爵夫人」 揺れる馬上で、ミダスはうまくバランスを取る。 「トオノ伯の実力は知れ渡っておりますが、伯爵の介入は極力避けたいはずです。女王陛下の予測では、ホーラントを狙う貴族たちは、伯爵以上の戦果を上げることで女王陛下に対して実力を見せ、発言力を増すことを狙っているはずですから」 「馬鹿なことを。陛下は一二三様の戦果を見て重用しているとでも?」 「彼らからは、そのように見えたのでしょう」 呆れた、とオリガは吐き捨てた。 「フォカロルの繁栄も、陛下に対する発言力の強さも、全て一二三様だからこそであって、余人が同じような事をしたところで、何の意味が有りましょう」 「私もそう思いますし、女王陛下も今回の件は反逆行為として規定し、相応の処罰を与える事になっています。ただ、それでもホーラントの王位継承者がオーソングランデ内で害される事は何としても避けねばなりません」 同じ部隊か別働隊になるかはわからないが、オリガの護衛とネルガルを無事にホーラントへと送る事が、今回のミダスの任務だった。予定としてはオリガを無事に領地へ送り、ネルガルと合流して一度王都へと同行し、王都からはさらに多くの騎士や兵士によって護衛を行う。 「事情はわかりました。ですが、私に護衛は必要ありません」 「しかし......万一、伯爵夫人に何かあれば、トオノ伯爵が......」 「もし私が殺されたとして、夫が復讐をするとでも?」 「そ、それは当然では......」 「ありえません」 ぐいっと口の端を上げて笑うオリガは、薄く開いた唇から怪しい笑い声を漏らす。 「なぜなら、それは一二三様にとっての“敵対”にならないからです。夫にとっての敵対行為は、自分に対して攻撃の意思を見せたか否か、であって、私などがどうなろうと意にも介さないでしょうね。もちろん、それだけ強い相手だと分かれば違いましょうけれど。少なくとも、人質にしたところで意味は無いでしょう」 ミダスは、絶句して手綱を握り締めた。 「それに、不愉快ですね」 ふん、と嘲るように息を吐く。 「私は一二三様から最初に戦いの手ほどきを受けたのですよ? そう簡単に人質になるものですか。もし万が一捕まったとしても、あの方以外の誰かに触れられるような事があれば、その前にどんな手を使ってでも自裁いたします」 「わ、わかりました。それで、ホーラントへ派遣されている部隊のことですが......」 「それも心配無用です」 鉄扇を撫で、オリガはさらりと答えた。 「彼らも私ほどではありませんが、一二三様の指導をしっかりと受けています。きちんと敵を殲滅するでしょう」 少し休みますから、ついてくるなら好きにしてください、と言って馬車の中に引っ込んでしまったオリガに、ミダスは声をかける間もなかった。 「その“敵”というのは、一体どちらを指すのか......」 独り言のようにつぶやいた言葉は、蹄と車輪の音にかき消された。 フォカロル領軍教導部隊長マ・カルメは、十名の隊員たちと共に国境のオーソングランデ側に陣を敷いていた。国境の通路となる砦からは、両国の兵たちは一時的に退避している。 オーソングランデ兵は全員が近くにある兵舎で待機しており、ホーラント兵は敵軍が侵入してきた場合に備えて慌ただしく準備をしていた。 マ・カルメたちが展開しているのは五台の投槍器のみ。 そして、全員が鎖鎌や日本刀風の片刃剣を装備し、簡素な鎧を着込んでいる。 そこへ、一人の伝令が馬を走らせて駆け込んで来た。 「フォカロルの方々、ビロン伯爵様からの書状をお持ちいたしました! 責任者はどちらですか?」 「俺だ」 マ・カルメは馬を降りた伝令の前にひょいと出てきて、三つ折にされた羊皮紙を受け取った。 左手で器用に開いて、右手は腰の鎖鎌に触れさせたままでいる。 そのことで、伝令はすでにマ・カルメたちが臨戦態勢であることを知り、舌を巻いた。まだ敵が見えていない時点で武装するのはフォカロル領軍くらいで、しかも伝令に対してまで警戒を怠らない者が、オーソングランデのみならず、他の軍でもどれほど存在するだろうか。 自分が疑われているというのに、伝令は目の前にいる無精ひげを生やした男に感心していた。 「なるほど」 たたみ直した紙を、マ・カルメは自分の懐にいれた。 「この手紙はもらっておくよ。一応は、俺たちを守る為に必要だからな」 ニカッと笑ったマ・カルメの前歯は一本足りない。 「どうやらビロン様は自分のところの軍でひと 「ええ。貴殿らの部隊は少数ということもあり、五百を相手するのは難しいだろうと......」 「それは、やめとこうや」 「は?」 ダメダメ、と手を振って、マ・カルメは口を尖らせた。 「寄せ集めでも五百が相手だと、ビロン様の兵力を全部かき集めても同数以下だろ?」 伝令は、頷いて肯定した。 「だったら、まともにぶつかっても酷い損耗を出すのがオチだろ。五百相手に五千で戦うなら別だけどよ」 「しかし、貴殿らはたった十一名でしょう?」 「俺たちはまともに正面から戦うなんざしねぇよ? 部下がやられたら、俺も仲間もみんなアリッサ長官に怒られちまうよ」 人差し指を立て、マ・カルメは一つお願いがあるんだが、と切り出した。 「ひとつ提案があるんだわ。ビロン様の兵士をなるべく減らさず、俺たちも損害を出さずに、敵をやっつけるのに、協力をお願いしたい」 「では、伯爵様へお伝えいたしましょう」 伝令が素早く筆記具を取り出したのをみて、マ・カルメは作戦を完結に説明した。 「うまくいけば、損害は最小で済む。ちょいと相手の人数が多いから手伝いを頼みたいんだわ」 「了解いたしました。ビロン伯爵へは私が直接お伝えしましょう」 がっしりと左手で握手を交わし、マ・カルメはまた歯抜けの顔で笑った。 「これでうまくやってフォカロルに帰ったら、アリッサ長官に褒めてもらえるぜ!」 こういう男がそこまで入れあげるような美女なのか、と伝令は見たこともないアリッサという女性の姿を想像していた。 もちろん、実物とはまったく違う、大人の女性を思い描いていたのだが。 「うわっ!?」 オリガの乗る馬車、その馬にいきなり矢が打ち込まれ、馭者をやっていたフォカロル領軍の女性兵士は驚いて声を上げた。 あまりの痛みにいなないて倒れこんだ馬に引っ張られ、併走していた馬も転ぶ。 必然的に馬車もバランスを崩し、兵士は路上へ放り出された。 肩を強打しながらも、うんざりするほど訓練させられた受身をとり、致命傷は避ける。それでも、右腕は骨折したらしく激しく傷んだ。 しかし、それよりも先にやらねばならぬことがある。 「て、敵襲! オリガ様、ご無事ですか!」 「大丈夫か!? 全員、馬車の周囲を囲め!」 ミダスは馬から飛び降り、剣を抜いた。 オリガの随伴兵は五名の女性で、オリガの馬車の馭者をしていた兵士を除いた全員、後続の馬車に乗っていたのだが、辛うじて追突は免れた。 全員が、素早く降車し、横転した馬車に駆け寄りながら剣を抜いている。 「オリガ様! あっ!?」 さらに一筋の矢が飛来し、一人の兵士が着る鎧をかすめた。 金属の甲高い音がして、全員に緊張が走る。 「ちょっと、やりすぎてしまったかなぁ?」 死んじまったら楽しめねぇ、と言う男の声がして、街道脇の茂みからゾロゾロと鎧を着た男たちが現れた。 その先頭には、ニタニタと笑う薄汚れた革鎧の小男が立っていた。 「貴様は、アスピルクエタ伯爵の手の者か?」 ミダスが誰何するが、小男は無視してフォカロルの女性兵たちを見回した。 「へぇ......女の兵士ばかりとは、こりゃ珍しいなぁ。貴族の奥様が死んでても、お楽しみは残ってるな」 舐めまわすような視線を感じ、女性兵たちはゾワリと背筋を冷たいものが走るのを感じた。 「おおっと、動くなよぉ? まだ矢はあるんだ。下手に動いたら、そいつから......」 「貴方が、この薄汚い男たちの頭ですか」 小男の言葉を遮ったのは、馬車から出てきたオリガだった。 荷物がクッションになり、大した怪我はしていない。 「オリガ様!」 「へへぇ、あんたがそうか。思ってたより若いんだなぁ」 「答えなさい。貴方がこれをしでかした元凶ですね?」 オリガは、矢を受けて倒れ、すでに死んでいる馬を指差した。 「では、死になさい」 オリガが右腕を小男に差し向けると、かすかな風切り音がして、その短い首に一筋の赤い線が引かれた。 「うぇ?」 「そのまま聞きなさい」 ゆっくりと小男に近づきながら、オリガは暗く濁った視線を向けた。 「貴方の罪は二つ。一つは、私が一二三様に使っていただく為に三日かけて厳選した陶器の食器を割ったこと。これだけでも万死に値しますが、さらにもう一つ。夫に会うために家路を急いでいる妻の足止めをしたこと。いかなる理由があろうとも、これを許すわけにはいきません」 シャキ、と音を立て、閉じたままの鉄扇を小男の目の前に突きつける。 「あまりの大罪。もはや一秒でも早く逝くべきでしょう」 鉄扇が小男の額を小突くと、首が綺麗に胴と切り離され、丸い頭がコロコロと街道を転がった。 首の無い身体は、短い足で立ったままになっている。 「あの世で反省しなさい」 呆然と見ていたミダスが、慌てて周囲を見回した。 「矢が来るぞ! 全員......」 「心配いりません」 オリガが開いた鉄扇で口元を隠しながら言う。 「風魔法で周囲を確認しましたが、茂みに隠れているものはいません。出てきている十六人が全てです」 言われた内容よりも、それを知ることができる魔法がある事にミダスは息を飲んだ。 以前に一二三からヒントをもらってオリガが開発したエコーロケーションだが、すでにその精度は多少の障害物をものともしない。 兎角、そのことが判ればミダスたち騎士隊も、フォカロルの兵たちも遠慮する事は無い。 「全員、捕縛し......」 「処分しなさい」 オリガの一声で、女性兵士たちが走り出した。 自分たちよりも数が少なく、しかも女性ということで、動揺していた襲撃者たちも薄笑いで対応しようと武器を持ったが、それが失敗だった。 草を刈るような音を立てて、オリガの鉄扇が一人の喉をざっくりと抉り取る。 さらにオリガの魔法で一人が死に、兵士たちも次々に、しかも確実に息の根を止めていく。 「ふ、副隊長、我々は......」 警備対象だと認識していた女性陣が繰り広げるあまりの光景に、騎士の一人がミダスに視線を送った。 「仕方ない。一人だけでも捕らえて尋問する。急げ、皆殺しにされてしまうぞ」 ものの数分で戦闘は終了し、襲撃者は結局、一人残らず惨殺されてしまった。 「さて、馬車は一台ここに捨てていきましょう。残り一台で帰りを急ぎますよ」 最後の一人が事切れたのを確認したオリガの言葉に、兵士たちはさっと武器の血を拭い、壊れた馬車から荷物を移す作業に入った。 「......副隊長、我々は何をすれば......」 ミダスは、ため息をついた。 「引きつづき伯爵夫人に同行し、フォカロルでネルガル様と合流する」 他に何ができる、とミダスは馬に乗った。 そろそろ、フォカロル兵たちも準備が終わりそうなのだ。 「一枚は無事でしたか!」 お土産の陶器に無傷の物を見つけたオリガは、丁寧に箱に戻し、大切に胸に抱きしめた。 「ああ、一二三様。オリガがもうすぐ参ります」 うっとりとした表情は、先ほど無残な首無し死体を作り出した女性とは思えないほど、艶っぽく見える。

Departing Orsongrande early in the morning, Origa dashed towards Fokalore at high speed even while having large quantities of souvenirs loaded into the carriage. "So, what's your business?" (Origa) "C-Can't you at least stop the carriage!?" The one galloping next to the carriage on his horse was Knight Midas. Receiving Imeraria's order, he, who chose ten knights, was able to catch up with Origa the next day, just when she was about to leave a small town where she lodged at, by racing from the capital on horse. "I have to return to the side of my husband right away. I can't waste even a second pointlessly to accomplish my duty as his wife." (Origa) Origa, who bent herself forward in the coachman seat, indifferently reacts to Midas' desperate appeal. "Well, then please listen just like this." (Midas) No matter how much she might have been a commoner, he can't behave too obstinately towards Origa who is now a countess.* Quickly abandoning the hope of establishing a proper place for a conversation, he continues the talk while controlling his horse. "Horant's king has died. Hearing that news, a part of our country's nobles headed in the direction of Horant while leading their armies." (Midas) "Is that so? However, Horant is on the opposite side, isn't it? Are you saying that there's movement on Vichy's side as well?" (Imeraria) "It's something else", Midas shakes his head. "In the current situation there are three worrisome points in total related to Fokalore for Her Majesty, the Queen." (Midas) "To our territory?" (Origa) Origa's voice carries strangely well among the sounds of the carriage's wheels rattling across the highway. "Let's hear them." (Origa) Even so, Origa doesn't show any inclination to stop the carriage. Will I arrive in Fokalore like this? That's fine since it will speed up my linking up with Nelgal who is supposed to be heading in the direction of the capital "First point is about Nelgal-sama who is studying abroad in Fokalore. Leaving aside within the territory of Fokalore, there is the possibility of the subordinates of the rebellious nobles aiming for him while he's on the way towards our direction. Second, there are the soldiers of Fokalore who are currently stationed in Horant to carry out tactics teaching. It might be fine to say that they are currently in a critical situation." (Midas) "What's the third point?" (Origa) "It's you, Countess." (Midas) Midas skilfully keeps his balance on the shaking horse back. "As the ability of Count Tohno is well-known, they should want to avoid the intervention of the Count as much as possible. According to the prediction of Her Majesty, the Queen, the nobles, who are aiming at Horant, should be targeting to increase their influence by showing their competency to Her Majesty through achieving higher military gains than the Count." (Midas) "What a foolish notion. Did her Majesty actually bestow the title after having seen Hifumi-sama's military gains?" (Origa) "From their viewpoint it might have looked like that." (Midas) "How disgusting", Origa spat out. "The prosperity of Fokalore as well as his strong influence on her Majesty, all of it is because it's Hifumi-sama doing it. I wonder what kind of meaning it would have even if other people did the same." (Midas) "I believe so as well. Ruling this time's matter as treasonous act, Her Majesty will be able to punish them at a suitable time. But, even so we have to avoid at all costs to injure the heir of Horant's throne within Orsongrande." (Origa) Reading this chapter anywhere but at Infinite Novel Translations means it has been stolen This time Midas' mission was to send Nelgal safely off to Horant and to escort Origa although he didn't know whether to do that in one unit or to split up. "I have understood the state of affairs. However, it's not necessary for you to escort me." (Origa) "But... if something happens to you, Countess, in the worst case, Count Tohno will..." (Midas) "If I were to be killed, will my husband actually take revenge?" (Origa) "T-That's only natural..." (Midas) "It won't happen." (Origa) Suddenly opening her mouth, Origa leaks an ominous laughter from her lightly opened lips. "If you want to know why, it's because that wouldn't be a "hostility" towards Hifumi-sama. Whether my husband would regard an intentional attack against me as hostile act towards himself, is it? He likely doesn't worry in his mind what will happen to someone like me. Of course, it will be different if he realizes that it's a powerful opponent. But at the very least, there's no meaning even if they used me as hostage." (Origa) Midas grasped the reins while being speechless. "Besides, it would be unpleasant, you know." (Origa) "Humph", she breathes out as if ridiculing him. "Didn't I receive training in the basics of fighting from Hifumi-sama at the beginning? Do you think that I will be taken hostage that easily? Even in the unlikely event that I'm caught, I will deal with it myself using all means possible before anyone can touch me except that man." (Origa) "G-Got it. And, about the unit dispatched to Horant..." (Midas) "It's pointless to worry about them, too." (Origa) Gently stroking her iron-ribbed fan, Origa answered without hesitation. "Although it's not to the extent as with me, they have also properly received Hifumi-sama's coaching. They will neatly eliminate the enemy." (Origa) Midas even had no time to call out to her as Origa withdrew inside the carriage after saying "Please do as you like if you wish to accompany me since I will take a break for a bit now." "Just how the hell will they identify those "enemies"...?" (Midas) The words, he muttered similar to a monologue, were drowned out by sounds of the wheels and hooves. The commanding training officer of the Fokalore feudal army Ma Carme took up position at the national border on Orsongrande's side with ten team members. The soldiers of both countries have taken temporary shelter at the fortress' which are the passage of the border. All of the soldiers of Orsongrande are on standby in the barracks nearby. Horant's soldiers were busy preparing for the attack of the enemy army. What Ma Carme's group has deployed are five spear throwers. And all of them have kusarigama and Japanese-styled single-edged swords equipped and are wearing plain armours. Support the translator by reading this chapter at Infinite Novel Translations! At that place a single messenger came rushing in on his horse. "Gentlemen of Fokalore, I hold a letter from Count Biron-sama. Where's the one in charge?" "It's me." (Ma) Suddenly appearing in front of the messenger who dismounted from his horse, Ma Carme accepted the threefold parchment. Opening it skilfully with his left hand, his right hand remained on the kusarigama at his waist. As the Fokalore feudal army is already armed at a point of time where the enemy still isn't visible and moreover with the person receiving the letter not being negligent in his caution even towards a messenger, there are likely no other troops like that in not only Orsongrande but the other countries as well. Even though he was suspicious of him, the messenger admired the man with his sloppily grown beard in front of him. "I see." (Ma) Ma Carme put the re-folded paper in his pocket. "I have received this letter. Pretty much it seems like we are required for the sake of protection." (Ma) The front teeth of Ma Carme, who smiled broadly, are lacking. "It looks like Biron-sama intends to fight a battle with his own troops." (Ma) "Yes. There's also the matter of your unit having too few numbers. It will likely be difficult with the opponent having 500 soldiers..." "Let's stop that." (Ma) "Ha?" "No, no", waving his hands, Ma Carme pouted. "As the other party has put together 500 soldiers, Biron-sama's military forces will be below that even if he scrapes up all of them, right?" (Ma) The messenger confirmed it with a nod. "Therefore, the end result will likely turn into an unreasonable loss if we met them from the front. Though it would be different if you fought 500 opponents with 5.000." (Ma) "However, you are just 11, aren't you?" "It ain't like we will fight fairly from the front, you know? If my subordinates were done in, me, my friends and everyone would get scolded by Military Director Alyssa." (Ma) Raising his index finger, Ma Carme began to talk that he has one request. "I have one proposal. I'd like to request your cooperation in finishing off the enemy without us suffering any losses and without decreasing Biron-sama's troops as much as possible." (Ma) "Well, then let me inform Count-sama about this." Watching the messenger swiftly taking out writing materials, Ma Carme explained the whole strategy to him. "If it turns out well, it will finish with the least losses. Since the number of opponents is a bit much, I'd like to ask for your assistance." (Ma) "Understood. I will directly inform Count Biron of this." Firmly shaking their left hands with each other, Ma Carme smiled again with his teeth-less face. "If we return to Fokalore after being successful with this, I will be able to get praised by Director Alyssa!" (Ma) The messenger imagined the appearance of the woman called Alyssa whom he hasn't seen yet. Of course it was totally different from reality as he imagined an adult woman. "Uwaah!?" With an arrow suddenly stuck in the horse who pulled the carriage with Origa on board, the female soldier of the Fokalore feudal army, who served as coachman, raised her voice in surprise. Being dragged in by the horse which fell while neighing due to the excessive pain, the horse, which ran next to it, falls down as well. Inevitably the balance of the carriage falls apart, too, and the soldier was thrown out on the road. Although receiving a blow to her shoulder, she used ukemi, which she had been forced to train until getting fed up with it, and avoided a fatal wound. Even so she felt intense pain as she apparently fractured her right arm. However, even apart from that, there's something she has to do first. "E-Enemy attack! Origa-sama, are you alright!?" "Are you safe!? All hands, surround the carriage!" (Midas) Jumping off the horse, Midas drew his sword. Origa's attendants are five female soldiers. Everyone, except the soldier who acted as coachman of Origa's carriage, was staying on the following carriage and barely escaped from a rear-end collision. Everyone disembarks quickly and rushes to the toppled-over carriage while drawing their swords. "Origa-sama! Ah!?" Another arrow came flying and grazed the armour worn by a soldier. Causing a high-pitched metallic sound, it raises the tension of everyone. "Don't you think you have gone a bit too far?" "It will be more fun if they die", a male voice said. Men, who wore armours appeared in groups from the thickets at the road's sides. Translated by Infinite Novel Translations! At their lead was a small man who wore a slightly dirty leather armour and grinned broadly. "You bastards are the subordinates of Count Aspilketa, eh?" Midas asked for their identity, but ignoring him, the small man surveyed the female soldiers of Fokalore. "Hoo... there's only female soldiers, that's unusual. Even if the noble's wife dies, there will still be amusement left." Sensing gazes as if being licked all over, the female soldiers felt a chill run down their spines with a shiver. "Uh-oh, don't move. There's still arrows left. If you make unnecessary movements, that person..." "Are you the leader of those filthy men?" (Origa) The one who obstructed the words of the small man was Origa who came out from the carriage. As the luggage has become a cushioning, she hasn't suffered any major injuries. "Origa-sama!" "Hehee, that's you, eh? You are younger than I expected." "Answer me. Are you the ringleader of this mess?" (Origa) Origa pointed at the horse which has already died after receiving an arrow and collapsing. "Then, die." (Origa) Once Origa points her right arm towards the small man, a faint sound of wind comes forth and his short neck had a red line drawn on it. "Ue?" "Listen just like this." (Origa) While slowly approaching the small man, Origa faced him with a dark and muddy look. "Your crimes are two. First, you broke the porcelain tableware which took me three days to carefully select for the sake of having Hifumi-sama use it. Even only that deserves certain death, but moreover you hindered a wife who is hurrying on the road home to meet with her husband. Even if you might have any kind of reason, it's impossible for me to pardon this." (Origa) With a sharp sound, she thrusts her still closed iron-ribbed fan in front of the small man's eyes. "It's a far too heavy crime. You should die right away." (Origa) Once she poked the small man's forehead with her iron-ribbed fan, the head was cleanly detached from the torso and the round head rolled lightly on the road. The headless body continues to stand on its short legs. "Repent in the other world." (Origa) Midas, who watched her dumbfoundedly, surveyed the surroundings in panic. "The arrows will come! All members..." (Midas) "There's no need to worry." (Origa) Origa says while concealing her mouth with the opened fan. "I checked the surroundings with wind magic, but there's no one hidden in the thickets. The 16 men, who have come out, are all of them." (Origa) Rather than the mentioned details, Midas gulped due to the fact of there being magic which is able to grasp that. It's the echolocation which Origa developed after receiving a hint from Hifumi previously, but its accuracy is already ignoring some obstacles. Once they comprehend the situation somehow or other, Midas' knight unit and the soldiers of Fokalore don't hold back. "All hands, arrest them..." (Midas) "Dispose of them." (Origa) The female soldiers started to run upon Origa's voice. The disturbed assailants held their weapons and tried to deal with them with a faint smile as the number of enemies was less than them and they were even women, but that was a mistake. With a sound as if cutting grass, Origa's iron-ribbed fan gouges out the throat of one of them. One more dies due to Origa's magic and the soldiers also reliably kill them one after the other. "V-Vice-captain, we..." Due to the overwhelming scenery unfolded by the female group, whom they regarded as their target of protection, one of the knights sent his look at Midas. "It can't be helped. Even if it's only one, arrest them for interrogation. Hurry or they will end up annihilated." (Midas) Finishing the battle within a few minutes, the assailants were completely slaughtered in the end. "Well then, let's abandon one carriage here. We will hurry our return with the remaining one." (Origa) Due to the words of Origa who made sure that the last one was dead, the soldiers quickly wiped the blood off their weapons and began the transfer of the luggage from the broken carriage. "... Vice-Captain, if what we do..." Midas sighed. "We will continue accompanying the countess and join up with Nelgal-sama in Fokalore." (Midas) "What else can we do anyway?" Midas mounted his horse. It looks like the soldiers of Fokalore will finish their preparations soon. "One piece was safe!?" (Origa) Origa, who discovered an undamaged item amongst the porcelain souvenirs, put it carefully back into its box and embraced it in her chest with great care. "Ah, Hifumi-sama. Origa will be very soon at your side." (Origa) The entranced expression looks dreamy to a degree that one wouldn't think of her as the woman who created a tragic, headless corpse not long ago.

148.Thriller 馬上のネルガルの後ろは、いつのまにかオーソングランデの兵からホーラントの兵に入れ替わっていた。魔法兵も多く含む彼らは、しっかりと正面にいる同国人たちを見据えている。 その視線の先には、馬上で様子をうかがっていたタンニーンの姿もあった。 タンニーンは自分が計算違いをしていたことに苦笑していた。 ネルガルには自らを証明するものとして前王スプランゲルの署名が入った出国許可証が与えられてはいただろうが、それだけではクゼムに対抗するだけの人物、人数を糾合できるとは思っていなかったのだ。 「やれやれ、伯父さんはいまいち人望に欠けるところがあるとは思っていたけどね......それ以上に、ネルガルの方を褒めるべきかな? 大した人数を引き連れてきたもんだね」 おどけてはいるが、頬を伝う汗は止まらない。 タンニーンの見立て通り、今クゼム側三千人強と対峙しているネルガル直属兵は二千を超える。国境にいた兵士の他、途上でのホーラント貴族ほとんどがネルガルに恭順することを申し出、兵力も最大限に貸していた。 貴族たちの考えは簡単である。オーソングランデと友好的に接しているネルガルの方が経済的な将来性は上であるからだ。もちろん、オーソングランデと戦いたくはないという意味もある。 もちろん、兵士たちには単純に正義のための戦いとしてしか説明してはいないのだが。 「賢明なるホーラントの兵であれば、どこに正義があるか判断できよう! 私のことを知り、そして彼らは私と共に戦うことを選んだ! これが、私がここにいる証明であり、正統なる継承者として立つ証である!」 ネルガルの声は、タンニーンにまで聞こえている。 当然、周囲の者たちにもその話は聞こえている。不安げに自分をちらちらと窺う視線が鬱陶しい。 「こりゃ、厳しいな」 タンニーンの小さな呟きは、幸か不幸か誰にも聞こえなかった。 「少し様子を見る。合図をしたら、あの気持ち悪いのを最前線で......いや、最前列の後ろで放て」 指示を聞いた兵士が、あわててタンニーンに意見する。 「お待ちください、それでは最前列の兵が巻き込まれてしまいます」 「俺が決めたことだ」 「しかし......」 「あれはどうせ制御不能な代物だからな。それに、前列の連中はどうせ裏切る」 まあ見てろ、とタンニーンはネルガルとその周囲にいる兵士たちの様子を睨み付けながら、馬上で鼻を鳴らした。 明らかに同国の兵士だとわかる者たちが目の前に現れたことで、タンニーン側の兵士たち、特に最前列のグループは混乱していた。 「あれは、間違いなくホーラント兵士だぞ?」 「だが、命令が......」 「宰相より王様が上だろう!」 「まだ王様じゃないから、違うんじゃないか?」 口々に言葉を交わし、目線を泳がせ、誰かが答えをくれるのを待つ。彼らは優秀な兵士であるがゆえに、自らで判断はできない。 「王になるものとして」 ネルガルの言葉は、彼らを促す。 「道を開けるなら、民として遇しよう。だが、国家を壟断する者の手先に成り下がるというのであれば、許すわけにはいかない」 だが、決してやさしくはない。 「戦いを望みはしないが、ホーラントを正しき国へと導くために、私は戦いを躊躇することはない!」 タンニーン側からの槍は止み、魔法障壁は消された。 ネルガルが、ゆっくりと馬を進めると、その軍勢も進む。 迷い、戸惑う兵たちは、その圧力に隊列を崩しながら後退していった。 タンニーンが首都から“輸送した”ものは、人であり人ではなくなったものだった。 スプランゲルにすら秘匿されたまま、死んだ王太子ヴェルドレが命じた研究をクゼムが引き継ぎ、未完成ではあるが使える状態にまでなったというものだった。 ヴェルドレは、この研究が成功した暁には、正規兵全てにこれを適用するつもりでいたらしい。 その研究は、ヴェルドレ存命時には“不死兵計画”と呼ばれていた。 「タンニーン様の指示だあいつらを解き放つ準備をしろ」 「......本当に、よろしいのですか?」 不死兵を輸送......いや、隔離している馬車の兵は、その中身を知っているゆえに怯えた表情で聞き返した。 「お前はまだましな方だ。逃げるタイミングがわかるからな。だが......」 指示を伝えた兵は、すぐ近くの前線で混乱している味方を見ながら顔をゆがませた。不死兵が放たれた結果が、容易に想像できたからだ。 「まだ、準備をしろという命令だけだ。なにも、そうすると決まったわけじゃない」 気休めだ、と誰もがわかっていた。 「お、俺はやめる! どっちに行っていいかなんてわかるか!」 一人の兵士が、ネルガルの圧力に耐え切れずに、武器を捨てた。 「そ、それなら俺もやめる!」 箍が外れると、前にいた兵士から次々と武器を捨てていく。 「待て! 敵前逃亡は重罪だぞ!」 街道の外へ、隊列から外れていく者が続出し始めると、隊長各の兵士が焦って戻るように命じているが、その声に戸惑うものはいても、従う者は少ない。 「反逆罪になるよりましだ!」 誰かが叫ぶと、周囲もそれに納得し、賛同する声が波紋のように広がる。 もはや、ネルガルも前進をやめ、状況を見つめている。 「......味方にはならずとも、このまま瓦解してくれればいいんですけどね」 イメラリアとの打ち合わせでは、ネルガルの演説に賛同し、同行するのであれば良し。従わなくとも邪魔をしなければ充分な警戒をしたまま通過して首都を目指す。 もし、一部でも攻撃してくるようであれば、相当な打撃を与える、としていた。 接敵当初のフォカロル兵の攻撃は完全なイレギュラーではあったが、想定通りの状況を作れたことに、ネルガルは内心ホッとしている。 今なお混乱は続いているが、すでに隊列らしき状況はなくなり、逃亡していく兵はどんどん増えていく。このまま行けば、前線は軍としての機能を失い、そうなればまともな将であれば一度退いて首都へと戻るだろう。 ただ、ネルガルには一つ、気になるものが見えていた。崩れ始めた敵方前線の向こう側、妙に大きな四角い馬車が。 ネルガルはそのような形をした馬車に見覚えがない。誰か指揮官職あたりの者が作らせた箱馬車かとも思ったが、それにしては窓も申し訳程度の小さなものしか見当たらない。 「あれ?」 前線を固めるネルガルの兵に交じって、数名のフォカロル兵が隊列の端に陣取っており、アリッサも指揮官としてそこにいた。急に大勢の味方ホーラント兵が前線に出張ってきた際に、押し出されてしまう格好になったのだ。 元々の打ち合わせではホーラント兵が前線へ出張るようであれば、フォカロル兵とオーソングランデ兵が場所を譲ることになっていたが、アリッサと二十人ほどの兵だけは状況を把握するために残っている。 「何か見えましたか、長官」 大人が多くてよく見えないと言ったアリッサを肩車している兵士は、周囲の同僚から恨みがましい目で見られながら、笑顔で尋ねる。 「向こうがごちゃごちゃしてるんだけど、なんかおっきな馬車がある」 「馬車? 貴族の坊ちゃんでも来てるんですかね?」 「派手じゃなくて、なんというか、箱そのままおっきくしたみたいな」 両手で庇を作って向こうを見ながら、アリッサが首をかしげていると、その箱についていた扉が開かれた。 出てきたものを見て、アリッサは舌を伸ばして顔をしかめた。 遠目には、最初それは単なる簡素な鎧をきた兵士に見えた。背が高いとか筋骨隆々とかでもなく、むしろ痩せている。 その異様さは、つるりとした兜の下に見えた顔にあった。 鼻梁はそぎ落とされたように低く、瞼は垂れ下がり、紫色に変色した唇からは絶えず涎をこぼしている。一見して正気とは思えないが、さらに顔のあちこちに紫やどす黒い斑点があり、アリッサは知らなかったが、毒などで死んだ者の死斑そのものだった。 表情は抜け落ちたように平坦で、ただただぼんやりとしている。 「どっかで見たことあるような......あっ!」 アリッサが思い出したのは、ローヌというヴィシーの町で見た、夥しい数の死体。無表情のまま殺された死体と、ぐずぐずに腐っていた死体たち。 目の前にある兵士の頭をペチペチと叩き、急いで肩の上から降りたアリッサはその場で盛大に吐瀉した。 「ちょ、長官?」 あわててアリッサを囲む兵士たちが、それぞれ布巾や水筒を差し出すのを、アリッサは唾を吐きながら断る。 「ぺっぺっ......だ、大丈夫。それより......」 「ぎゃあああ!」 「や、やめろ!」 アリッサが何かを指示しようとした瞬間、敵兵の方から悲鳴が上がった。 不死兵たちが、敵ではなくまず手近にいたクゼム側兵士たちを襲い始めたのだ。 剣を持てないのか、両腕の小手に固定された刃を滅多矢鱈に振り回し、近くに寄った者にはしがみついて噛みついている。 捕まえられた仲間を助けるために、同僚たちが不死兵の背中や腕を斬りつけるが、離れるどころかまともに反応しない。 首筋をかまれ、おびただしい血を流していた兵士が力尽きると、不死兵の標的は、まだ立って歩いている他の兵士へと移る。 目の前で繰り広げられる惨劇に、どう対応して良いかわからず、ただ息をのむネルガルのところへ、ネルガルを護衛する兵をかき分けて、というより飛び越えながら、アリッサがやってきた。 「あ、アリッサさん?」 「すぐに兵を下げて! あれは危ない!」 返事を待たず、アリッサはネルガルが乗る馬の 「何がおきているのですか? 向こうの兵が同士討ちをしているように見えましたが......」 「時間が無いから簡単に言うけど、ホーラントの薬とか魔道具? で痛いとか怖いとかがわからなくなった人を見たことがある! それと一緒!」 イメラリアが乗る台車の前へ来ると、アリッサは馬から飛び降り、ネルガルが慌てて手綱を引いて馬を止めた。 「何が起きたのですか? 向こうが騒がしいようですが......」 「説明はネルガルさんに聞いて!」 言い捨てて、フォカロル兵たちが集まっている場所へ走り去るアリッサに、オーソングランデ兵たちはムッとした表情を向けたが、イメラリア本人は今さら気にもしていない。 「おっ。ホーラントの隠し玉とやらが出てきたか」 話を聞いた一二三は、立ち上がるや否や台車からはじけだすように駆け出し、オリガは無言で追いかける。 突然の事でヴィーネが戸惑いつつも、プーセをちらりと見やってから、一二三の後を追いかけた。 「ここで休んでおられたら良いと思いますわ。お茶でも飲まれませんか?」 迷っているプーセに、イメラリアが微笑みかけた。 「王女様。落ち着いてらっしゃいますね」 「もう、慣れました」 紅茶を用意するように命じ、イメラリアは再び前線へと視線を向けた。 「それに、今はまだわたくしが動く時ではありません」 お菓子を勧めながら、イメラリアは微笑んだ。 「荒事はそれが好きな方にお任せいたしましょう。淑女が活躍するのは、もっと知恵を使う場面がふさわしいのですわ」 「なるほど」 上流階級然とした語り口に、プーセは口を開いて感心していた。彼女も見た目こそ可憐で大人しい性格だが、基本は森の中で採集などをして過ごしてきた野生派で、生活様式は獣人たちに近い。 「......あれ、でも先日は馬に乗って戦場に飛び出して......」 「サブナクさん」 余計な事を思い出しているサブナクを睨みつけ、カツン、と踵を鳴らすイメラリア。 「わたくしが動かないからといって、我が軍が何の対応もしないというのはおかしいとは思えませんか」 「すぐに対応いたします! ヴァイヤー、どこ行った! ヴァイヤー!」 逃げるように台車から飛び降りていったサブナクを見送り、イメラリアは「まったく」とぼやいた。 「イメラリア陛下。......誠に申し上げにくいのですが、おそらくは我がホーラントで開発された魔法薬が使用された兵士が使われているようです」 「それは、どのような薬なのでしょうか?」 あくまで推測ですが、と前置きをして、ネルガルは語る。 「亡くなった......トオノ伯爵に討伐された王太子が研究を行っていなものの中に、人間の恐怖心や痛覚を鈍らせるものがありました。また、逆に人間の怒りの感情を増幅させるものも。短時間ではありますが、状況を見るに“攻撃性を持ちながら痛覚を持たない兵士”を作り出すことに成功したのではないかと......」 「なるほど。あの大きな兵士も大変鈍かったようですが、普通の兵士の大きさでそれをする、と。しかし、それでは大きな兵士よりも弱いのではありませんか?」 何の意味があって普通の兵士と同じような大きさにするのか、とイメラリアが問う。 「強化兵は、その大きさから運用に難がありました。装備も特注になりますし」 一般兵サイズであれば、奴隷のように檻などに押し込んでしまえば済むうえ、装備も他の兵士から使いまわしができる。死者から剥いだ物を渡しても文句も言わない。 「つまり......」 「一度に大量の不死兵を使えば、斬られても突かれても襲ってくる兵士で、敵を押しつぶすことができる、というわけです」 「ずいぶんと、面倒な薬を開発されたのですね」 はふぅ、と口から息を漏らし紅茶に口をつけるイメラリアに、ネルガルは首をかしげた。 「随分と、その......落ち着いておられるようですが......」 「ネルガル様。フォカロルの方々は、あのようにどうしようもない自分勝手な方々ですし、わたくしの騎士たちも、その影響でどこか軽すぎるところがございますけれど」 紅茶のカップを置き、熱い吐息と共にほほ笑む。 「その強さにだけは、わたくし信頼をおいておりますの」 「......感服いたしました。では、私は前線へ戻り、私の兵士たちと共に貴国と共に戦うことにいたします......私も、貴女のように民を信頼できる君主になれるように」 「わたくしも男であれば、あのように戦場を駆けまわるのも許されたのでしょうけれど」 「エルフは、主に魔法で戦いますから、男性も女性も関係ありませんけれど、人間は違うのですか?」 プーセの質問に、イメラリアは苦笑いで答えた。 「息苦しい身分ということもありますけれど、わたくしは失敗してしまいましたから」 魔法は得意ではあるけれど、攻撃魔法はからきしだ、とおどけて見せると、プーセもクスッと笑って、自分も同じだと答えた。 「魔物退治の時も、風魔法とかが得意な子が前に出て活躍するのに、わたしはずっと後ろから回復だったり足止めだったり......拘束の魔法も多少は使えますけど、動き回る魔物にはなかなか当たらなくて......」 カツン、とローヒールの音がして、プーセが顔をあげる。 イメラリアが立ち上がり、プーセに真剣なまなざしを向けていた。 「プーセさん。そのお話、もっと詳しくお聞かせ願えませんか?」 イメラリアは、プーセに魔法談義を求めた。 周囲が慌ただしく戦いに向かう中、イメラリアはプーセを抱き込むことを決意していた。

Chapter 148: Thriller Behind the mounted Nelgal the soldiers of Orsongrande were replaced by those of Horant before anyone really noticed. They, including many magic soldiers as well, are firmly staring at their fellow countrymen in front. Ahead of their gazes was also the figure of Tannin who was was waiting and watching the situation on horseback. Tannin smiled bitterly at himself having miscalculated. Nelgal was probably given a permit to depart the country signed by the former king Suprangel as something that proves his identity, but I didn't think that a person, who opposes Kuzemu with only that much, will be able to rally such numbers. "Good grief, I expected that uncle has aspects where he lacks in popularity, but... should I praise Nelgal's side on top of that? He brought along a considerable number of soldiers." (Tannin) Although he is playing the fool, the sweat doesn't stop flowing down his cheeks. According to Tannin's analysis, the soldiers directly commanded by Nelgal, who are currently confronting the 3.000 soldiers strong side of Kuzemu, are exceeding 2.000 in numbers. The rest of the soldiers, who were at the border, and most of the military forces lent by almost all nobles of Horant, who swore their allegiance to Nelgal, along the road to the capital. The nobles' thoughts are simple. Nelgal, who has a friendly relation to Orsongrande, is superior due to his economical future prospects. Of course, that also includes the meaning that they don't want to fight with Orsongrande. Naturally they haven't explained it as anything but a simple battle for justice to the soldiers. "If you are intelligent soldiers of Horant, you will be able to judge which side is just! You would know about me and you would choose to fight together with me! Me being here is proof of this. It's evidence of me standing here as legal successor!" (Nelgal) Nelgal's voice can be even heard by Tannin. Of course that speech is also heard by those in the surroundings. Their looks, which are from time to time examining each other uneasily, are gloomy. "This will be harsh." (Tannin) Tannin's small mutter wasn't heard by anyone, for good or bad. "I will look at the situation for a bit. Once I give the signal, ((send)) those gross ((things)) to the front line... no, release them behind the front row." (Tannin) The soldier, who heard the order, gives his opinion to Tannin in panic. "Please wait. In that case the soldiers in the front row will end up getting dragged into it." "It's what I decided." (Tannin) "However..." "Those are uncontrollable things anyway. Besides, the lot in the front row will betray us no matter what." (Tannin) "Well, watch it", while glaring at the state of the soldiers who are in his and Nelgal's surroundings, Tannin snorted atop the horseback. With people appearing in front of their eyes whom they obviously know as they are soldiers from the same country, the soldiers of Tannin's side, and especially the group in the front row, were confused. "Those are, without a doubt, soldiers from Horant, aren't they?" "But, the order is..." "The king is higher ranked than the prime minister, right!?" "Ain't it different since he still ain't the king?" With several of them exchanging words and letting their opinions freely adrift, they wait for an answer by someone. They are excellent soldiers thus they won't make a judgement by themselves. "As someone who will become king." (Nelgal) Nelgal's words incite them. "If you open the way, I shall treat you as my people. However, if you fall as low as being underlings of someone who monopolizes our state, there's no way I can forgive you." (Nelgal) However, by no means is it easy. "Though I don't wish for battle, I will never hesitate to fight for the sake of guiding Horant towards being a righteous country!" (Nelgal) The spears from Tannin's side stopped and the magic barrier was released. When Nelgal slowly advances his horse, his military forces advance as well. The soldiers, who are bewildered and puzzled, retreated while breaking the ranks due to his pressure. The things, which Tannin "transported" from the capital, were creatures which stopped being human. They were even hidden from Suprangel. Kuzemu took over the research, which was ordered by the dead Crown Prince Veldore, and brought them even to a state where they can be used albeit being incomplete. Apparently Veldore planned to apply this to all regular soldiers in the event this research was successful. That research was called "Immortal Soldiers Project" at the time when Veldore was still alive. "It's Tannin-sama's order. Prepare their release." "... Is that really alright?" A soldier of the carriage, which transports... no, quarantines the immortal soldiers, knows about the carriage's contents and therefore asks in return with a frightened expression. "You are still better of. You know the timing to run away. But..." The soldier, who conveyed the order, made a twisted face while watching his allies who are confused at the close vicinity of the front line. He was easily able to imagine the outcome once the immortal soldiers were released. "It's still only an order to prepare them. That doesn't mean it was decided to release them at all." "That's mere consolation", anyone could comprehend that. "I-I will stop! Do you know where I should go!?" A single soldier, unable to endure Nelgal's pressure, discarded his weapon. "I-In that case I will quit as well!" Once they lost all restraints, weapons are tossed away one after the other by the soldiers at the front. "Wait! Deserting is a heavy crime!" Once people, who leave the ranks towards outside the highway, start appearing one after another, the commanding officer orders all soldiers to return in panic, but even if there are those who are perplexed by his voice, there's only few who abide. "It's much better than treason!" When someone yells that, the surroundings agree to it and approving voices spread like a ripple on the water. By now even Nelgal has stopped his advance and is watching the situation. "... Even if they don't become our allies, it will be fine as long as ((their ranks)) collapse like this." (Nelgal) At the preparatory meeting with Imeraria, she approved of Nelgal's speech and consented to the soldiers accompanying him. They would head for the capital by passing through while being thoroughly cautious as long as they don't become hindrances by not obeying. If it seemed that a part of them would attack, it would deliver a considerable shock. The attacks of Fokalore soldiers, who came into contact with the enemy first, were completely irregular, but Nelgal feels relieved in his mind as he was able to develop the situation according to his hypothesis. Even now the chaos is lasting, but with the state of files and ranks apparently already gone, the soldiers, who escape, are gradually increasing. If it goes on like that, the front line will lose its function as army. Once that happens, any general, if they are decent, will likely return to the capital to retreat for a moment. However, Nelgal saw a single matter that bothered him. On the other side of the enemy's front line, which began to crumble, there was a strange, square carriage. Nelgal has no recollections of a carriage that had such a shape. He pondered whether it might be a box-shaped carriage which was made for someone in the higher governmental service, but considering that no window can be found, even not a small one to degree of being pitiful. "Huh?" Mingling with Nelgal's soldiers who have fortified the front line, several soldiers of Fokalore have taken up position in a part of the ranks and Alyssa was there as their commander as well. It turned into such situation once they ended up being pushed out at the time when suddenly a great number of allied soldiers of Horant headed to the front. At the preparatory meeting it was originally decided that Fokalore's and Orsongrande's soldiers would yield their spot once Horant's soldiers head to the front, but Alyssa and only around 20 soldiers have remained in order to grasp the state of affairs. "Did you see anything, Director?" The soldier, who gave Alyssa, who said that she can't see well as there are many adults, a shoulder ride, asks with a smile while being watched with resentful eyes by his colleagues in the vicinity. "The other side has been mixed up, but there's some large carriage." (Alyssa) "Carriage? Has the son of a noble come here?" "It's not that gaudy. How to call it? It looks just like a big box." (Alyssa) While watching the other side through a pipe made with both hands, once Alyssa tilted her head to the side, the door attached to that box was opened. Seeing the things that came out, Alyssa grimaced while extending her tongue out. With far-sightedness soldiers, who wore a simple armour, could be seen at first. They weren't tall or muscular but rather thin. Their bizarreness was visible on their faces which could be observed beneath their smooth helmets. The nose bridges are low as if they were chipped off, the eyelids dangled and drool was constantly spilling from in-between the violet lips. Though it's insane on a first glance, their faces have violet and darkish specks all over. Alyssa didn't know but, it was the post-mortem lividity of people who died by poison and similar. Their expressions are flat as if caved in and they are merely absent-minded. "I have seen those somewhere... ah!" (Alyssa) What Alyssa recalled was the large number of corpses she saw in the town of Vichy called Rhone. Corpses of those who were killed while being expressionless and corpses which had decayed slowly. Hitting the head of the soldier in front of her eyes with a *tap tap*, Alyssa descended from atop his shoulders in a hurry and grandly vomited right at the spot. "D-Director?" The soldiers, who have surrounded Alyssa in panic, offer towels and water bottles to her but Alyssa refuses while spiting out. "Peh, peh... I-I'm fine. Rather than that..." (Alyssa) "Gyaaah!" "S-Stop it!" The instant Alyssa tried to give some instructions, screams came from the enemy's side. The immortal soldiers began to attack the soldiers on Kuzemu's side, which were nearby, first and not their enemy. Don't they possess swords? Recklessly swinging blades which were installed at the gauntlets on both their hands, they are biting and clinging at those who were close to them. In order to save their captured comrades, the other soldiers cut at the arms and backs of the immortal soldiers, but let alone separating them, the immortal soldiers didn't even react. Once a soldier, who lost a great amount of blood after being bitten into the neck, used up all his strength, the immortal soldiers' target shifted to another soldier who is still standing or walking. Due to the tragedy being unfolded in front of their eyes, Nelgal's surroundings were simply having their breath taken away while not knowing how to deal with the situation. Alyssa arrived there after pushing her way through, or rather jumping over the soldiers guarding Nelgal. "A-Alyssa-san?" (Nelgal) "Pull back the soldiers right away! Those are dangerous!" (Alyssa) Without waiting for his reply, Alyssa grabbed the bit of the horse with Nelgal on it and skilfully changed its direction. Jumping on the horse behind Nelgal, she began to make the horse gallop by lightly striking its rear. "What has happened? It looked to me as if the soldiers on the other side are killing each other..." (Nelgal) "Though it's simple to explain since not much time has passed, it's Horant's drugs or magic tools? I saw people who didn't know pain or fear. And it's the same with them." (Alyssa) Once they arrived in front of the platform wagon with Imeraria on it, Alyssa jumped off the horse and Nelgal stopped the horse by pulling its reins in panic. "What happened? It looks like the other side is in an uproar, but..." (Imeraria) "Ask Nelgal for an explanation!" (Alyssa) Due to Alyssa running away towards the location, where Fokalore's soldiers have gathered, while saying that over her shoulder, Orsongrande's soldier turned angry looks at her, but Imeraria herself doesn't care about that at the moment. "Oh. Horant's hidden ace made its appearance, didn't it?" (Hifumi) Hifumi, who heard the conversation, runs off as if being fired off by the platform wagon the minute he stands up and Origa chases after him in silence. Even while Viine was perplexed by the sudden event, she started to pursue Hifumi after sending a fleeting glance to Puuse. "I believe it will be fine if you take a rest here. Won't you drink some tea as well?" (Imeraria) Imeraria smiled at the wavering Puuse. "Princess-sama, you are quite calm about it." (Puuse) "I got used to it already." (Imeraria) Ordering for black tea to be prepared, Imeraria turned her look towards the front line once again. "Besides, now is still not the time for me to make my move." (Imeraria) Imeraria smiled while offering sweets. "Let's leave the fighting scenes to those liking them. What a lady flourishes at is a suitable scene that uses more wit." (Imeraria) "I see." (Puuse) Due to Imeraria's way of talking like an upper class lady, Puuse opened her mouth in admiration. Going by appearance, she has a sweet, obedient character, but her lifestyle in the wilderness of basically spending time with gathering within the forest is close to that of beastmen. "... Huh? But, the other day you mounted a horse and flew towards the battlefield..." (Sabnak) "Sabnak-san." (Imeraria) Glaring at Sabnak who has remembered something unnecessary, Imeraria steps down her heel with a *clonk* "Don't you believe it's weird that our army doesn't react in any way just because I'm not moving?" (Imeraria) "I will have them deal with it right away! Vaiya, where did you go!? Vaiya!" (Sabnak) Seeing off Sabnak who jumped off the platform wagon as if running away, Imeraria grumbled [Geez] . "Your Majesty, Imeraria... it's really difficult for me to tell you, but they are likely putting to use the soldiers who took a magic potion which was developed in Horant." (Nelgal) "What kind of drug is that?" (Imeraria) "To the bitter end it's a speculation, but", giving that preface, Nelgal explains. "Among the things which were researched by the Crown Prince who was subjugated by Earl Tohno... and died, there were some making it possible to dull a human's fear and sense of pain. On the other hand there were also items which amplify the feeling of anger. It's for a short period, but, looking at the situation, wasn't it successful as it produced "soldiers who don't feel any pain while being aggressive"...?" (Nelgal) "I see. Those large soldiers seemed to be very slow as well. Those work with the size of a regular soldier, you say. But, won't they be weaker than the large soldiers in that case?" (Imeraria) "What meaning does it have to change them into the same size as a normal soldier?" Imeraria asks. "The reinforced soldiers have difficulties to make use of their size. Their equipment is custom-made as well." (Nelgal) If they had the the size of common soldiers, they would be able to use the equipment of other soldiers as well and on top of that it would work out once they are crammed into cages like slaves. Even if they were given items looted from the dead, they wouldn't complain either. "In other words..." (Imeraria) "If you use a large amount of immortal soldiers all at once, it's possible to crush an enemy with soldiers who will come attacking even after getting cut or stabbed. That's what it means." (Nelgal) "A considerably troublesome drug was developed there." (Imeraria) Nelgal tilted his head to the side due towards Imeraria who tasted the black tea after blowing on it with a "Hapheew." "A considerably, that is... you seem to have taken it quite calmly though..." (Nelgal) "Nelgal-sama, for the people of Fokalore it cannot be helped that they do as they please in such way. Even my knights have some too indiscriminate aspects due to their influence." (Imeraria) Putting down the cup with the black tea in it, she smiles alongside a hot sigh. "Only regarding their strength, I can trust in them." (Imeraria) "... That's admirable. Well then I will return to the front line and fight together with your country and my soldiers... even for me it should be possible to become a ruler who is able to trust his people like you do." (Nelgal) "If I were a man, I would probably be allowed to run around a battlefield like this as well." (Imeraria) "Since the elves mostly fight with magic, it has no relation to man or woman, but are humans different?" (Puuse) Imeraria answered Puuse question with a bitter smile. "There are also things called oppressive social rank, but it's because I failed." (Imeraria) "Although I'm good at magic, I'm utterly bad with offensive spells", once she jokes about it and displays it, even Puuse unintentionally smiled and replied that it's the same for her as well. "Even though children, who were strong at wind magic and such, played an active role by going to the front at the time of exterminating monsters, I was always kept indoors or cast healing from behind... although I can use binding magic more or less, it didn't work overly well against monsters that move around..." (Puuse) Once she hears the clonking sound of low-heeled shoes, Puuse lifts her face. Imeraria had stood up and was pointing a serious look at Puuse. "Puuse-san, won't you allow me to hear further details about this?" (Imeraria) Imeraria wanted a lecture in magic from Puuse. While the surroundings were headed towards battle in hurry, Imeraria decided to bring Puuse over to her side.

ロトマゴが異常に気づいたのは、壁の向こうから聞こえた異音からだった。 突然、壁に硬いものが当たる音がして、静寂が戻った。 壁の向こうが隠し通路になっていることは、ロトマゴも承知しているし、時々近衛騎士の誰かが通っているのも知っている。というより、移動に使うことに許可が欲しいとサブナクに相談され、快諾していた。 「誰かいるのか?」 返答が無いことに不穏な空気を感じ取ったロトマゴは立ち上がり、侍女に部屋を出て誰か騎士を呼んでくるようにと伝えたが、遅かった。 「失礼します、隊長」 ノックも無く部屋から入って来たのは、3人の騎士だった。すでに剣を抜いていた彼らのうち、一人は侍女に向かって部屋の隅で座っているようにと高圧的に言った。 侍女はロトマゴに視線を向け、彼に従うようにと言われてその通りに動いた。 さらに、五名ほどの騎士が隠し通路への入口から乗り込んできた。 そのうちの一人が、返り血を浴びている。 「......随分な格好だが、何の用だ?」 「まあ、簡単なことです。全て終わってその地位を失うまで、ここで大人しく座っていていただく。それが隊長の最後の仕事です」 最初に入ってきた騎士が冷静に語り、その間にロトマゴの視線が返り血を浴びた騎士に向いたのを見て、せせら笑う。 「貴方の護衛のつもりか、二人ほど壁の向こうにいましたので、処分しました」 「おっと、無駄に抵抗するのはやめてください」 手に持った剣をロトマゴの首に向けて、騎士は言う。 「抵抗しなければ貴方もあの侍女も無事に開放いたしますよ。地位を失ってから。それよりも、あまり抵抗されると我々も余裕がなくなりますのでね。隊長だけでなくイメラリア様への対応も変更せざるを得なくなります」 怯えた様子で座り込んでいる侍女を見て、ロトマゴは溜息をついて椅子に座り直した。 「一体何をするつもりか知らんが......バールゼフォンか?」 「おや、何かに感づいておられたようですね。ですが隊長は余計な事を考える必要はありません。この国が変わり、新たな時代が始まるのを、大人しく待っていてください」 乱入した騎士たちは、ニヤニヤと笑いながらロトマゴを包囲している。 溜息をついたロトマゴは、目を閉じた。 「どうやら、私に今できることは無いようだ。状況が動くのは、どうやらここではないらしい。君たちの言うとおり、私は待つ事にしよう」 「賢明なご判断ですな」 ロトマゴの近くに武器が無い事を確認した騎士たちは、3名を残して残りは部屋を出ていった。 その動きを黙って見ていたロトマゴは、愚か者どもの運命に思いを馳せた。昨日、バールゼフォンの様子から不安を覚えたロトマゴは、彼の事を一二三に相談していた。 その時の一二三の顔を思い出す。 彼はただ「わかった」と短く言っただけだが、その表情はプレゼントをもらった子供のように無邪気な笑顔だった。 「あっはっは!」 壁の向こうから突然笑い声が聞こえて、ネルガルと談笑していたスプランゲルは驚いて肩を震わせた。目の前に居たネルガルも同様だった。 「......隣室ではパーティーでもやっておるのか?」 「わ、私にはわかりませんが......」 冗談に対して生真面目に返す奴があるか、とスプランゲルは口を尖らせ、室内に居た侍女に尋ねたが、侍女にも状況がわからないらしい。 どうする事も出来ないので、じっと室内で待っていると、ノックをして入ってきた人物がいる。フォカロルの兵を連れたアリッサだ。 「こんにちは、王様」 「おお、フォカロルのお嬢さんか。一体何が起きておるのだ?」 スプランゲルはアリッサの無邪気さが気に入ったらしく、顔を合わせると好々爺とした表情を浮かべた。 最初にこの顔を見せたとき、ネルガルを含めたホーラントの従者たちは驚いた顔で固まっていたが、もはや受け入れられつつある。 「えーと、一二三さんが言うには、“むほん”が始まってるんだって。僕たちは王様の護衛に来たんだよ」 「謀反か。他国の王がいるというのにな。まあ、わしらは突然来たからのう。お嬢さんたちが守ってくれるなら、安心できるな」 「そうですね。アリッサ軍務長官殿、王をよろしくお願いいたします」 さっと立ち上がったネルガルは、頭二つ程背の低いアリッサに対して深々と頭を下げた。 「大丈夫。王様だけじゃなくて、全員守るように言われてるから。とりあえずは、ここを監視してた人はもういないよ」 アリッサが言うと、ぐったりとした二人の騎士を引きずったフォカロル領兵が、隠し扉から笑いながら出てきた。 「あ、長官! 敵は片付けて、隠し通路は制圧しました! こいつら領主様と比べると笑える程隙だらけですな」 「......比べる相手が間違ってると思う。引き続き、通路はお願いね。騎士さんたちは縛って通路に寝かせておいてね。他の人たちも、予定通りに」 やっと実戦だ。ホーラントは観光だったからなぁ、と兵士たちは談笑しながら、それぞれ部屋の内外で警備についた。 それを聞いていて、しかめ面をしているのはネルガルだ。 「......隠し通路とは? 我々は監視されていたのですか?」 怒りを押し殺したような声を出すネルガルに、アリッサではなくスプランゲルが動き、ゲンコツを打ち下ろした。 「馬鹿め。警戒のためにも警護のためにも、ひっそり監視するのは当然であろうが。本来ならば城内でわしらを守る義理もないお嬢さんたちが守ってくれたというのに、何という言い草か! ......すまんな、頭の悪い後継者でな」 「ううん。監視してたのは僕たちじゃないけど、嫌な気分なのはわかるし」 「も、申し訳ありませんでした......」 すっかり項垂れたネルガルは、たった今スプランゲルが“後継者”だとはっきり外部の者に言った事に気づいていない。 「それで、一二三殿はどうしたのかね? あの御仁なら、こういう荒事の時は真っ先に動いていそうなものだが」 スプランゲルの問いに、アリッサは腕を組んで首をかしげた。 「それが、どこに行ったかわからないんだよね。指示だけ出してどっか行っちゃった」 「ほう、それは......」 スプランゲルは顎を撫でてニヤリと笑う。 「何か楽しい事になりそうだのう」 ヴァイヤーは焦っていた。 数名の騎士が交代時間になっても戻って来ず、確認に行った者も戻らないか、行っても誰もいなかったという報告が上がってくる。 「何が起きている?」 異常事態であることは間違いないと判断し、戴冠式での護衛準備中に申し訳ないとは思いつつ、他の騎士たちには調査を命じ、連絡のために一人の騎士を伴い、サブナクの部屋へと足早に向かう。 長い廊下をもどかしく思いつつ進むと、サブナクの執務室が見える位置までたどり着いた。その扉の前には、数名の騎士が屯している。 その中には、行方不明だと報告を受けていた者の姿もあった。 一人の騎士がヴァイヤーに気づくと、腰の剣に手を当てて近づいてきた。 「誰かと思えば、近衛騎士隊の副隊長様ではありませんか」 「お前か......」 目の前の男に、ヴァイヤーは見覚えがあった。 第二騎士隊時代の同僚で、あまり顔を合わせる機会は無かったが、剣の使い手としては隊でも上位にいる人物だった。ホーラント攻めの際は、実家に呼ばれており不参加だったはずだが、ヴァイヤーが知らぬうちに戻ってきていたらしい。 「帰ってきたら驚いたよ。第二騎士隊は無くなっているし、近衛騎士隊なんてものができて、ヴァイヤーが副隊長で、 馬鹿にしたように言い放つ相手に、ヴァイヤーは努めて冷静に返す。 「変化について行けないなら、騎士をやめて帰ればいい。誰も止めはしない」 「ふざけるな! 第三騎士隊に媚を売った裏切り者が! 剣を以て国を守る騎士のくせに、あの男が持ち込んだ妙な武器を広めて騎士の品格を汚した奴の方こそ、騎士をやめろ」 他の騎士たちもその言葉に同調し、口々に第三騎士隊とヴァイヤーを罵った。 「......トオノ伯が、兵士を鍛える意味がようやくわかった気がする。フォカロル兵が戦争で勝って、第二騎士隊が敗れた理由は、こういう事なんだろう」 「ふん、さすがは副隊長。口は達者なようだ。だが、それもここまでだ」 不意に、ヴァイヤーの後頭部に激痛が走った。 朦朧とする意識を懸命に保ちながら振り向くと、そこにはヴァイヤーに同行していた騎士が、鞘に入ったままの剣を持って立っていた。 霞む視界でその表情まではわからなかったが、ただ一つ、身内にも裏切り者がいた事だけは認識できた。歯を食いしばり、自分の見る目の無さを嘆きながら、ヴァイヤーは意識を手放した。 ただ一つ気になったのは、倒れる寸前に視界の端を音もなく通り過ぎた、見覚えのある裾の広い奇妙な服を着た人物と、「注意力が足りん」と叱責する、聞き覚えのある声だった。 ヴァイヤーがサブナクの執務室へたどり着く直前、自室になだれ込んできた騎士たちを相手に、サブナクは素早く剣を抜いて対峙していた。 不意打ちをしようとした騎士は斬り殺され、サブナクの脇に転がっている。 死体を苦々しく見やって悪態をついた騎士は、剣を掴んだままサブナクを睨みつける。 他にも二名ほどの騎士がおり、一人は室内にいた侍女のシビュラに剣を向けていた。 「突然入ってきて、随分な事をしてくれたけど、一体ぼくに何の用だ。忙しいから、手短にお願いしたいんだけどね」 軽口を叩きながらも、サブナクは焦っていた。 一二三に指導を受けた甲斐あって、突然の襲撃にもなんとか対応できたが、まともにやりあっては騎士隊では下の中程度の実力しかないサブナクでは、勝ち目は薄い。 「貴様には、新しい騎士隊体制のために犠牲になってもらう。この後の戴冠式でイメラリア王女には新体制を発表させ、第二騎士隊を中心とした新たな組織を作ることになっている。その為に、貴様とロトマゴは邪魔だ」 「隊長の所にも行ったのか......」 「心配せずとも、用が済めばロトマゴも後を追わせてやる」 言いながら振り抜かれた剣を、サブナクは危うい手つきで弾いた。 「二人相手にどこまで生き残れるか、最後の運試しだ」 転がるように部屋の隅に退避したサブナクは、どうにか挟み撃ちの形になるのを避ける事には成功した。 だが、正面に二人を相手どるうちに、ジワジワと傷は増えていく。 「そらそら、このままなぶり殺しがお望みか?」 「死なない方を希望するよ。まだ結婚もしてないし」 「調子に乗るな!」 激昂した騎士の剣が、サブナクの膝を斬り裂いた。 流石に立っていられなくなったサブナクは、無傷の膝で何とか身体を支え、頭に振り下ろされた剣を防いだ。 そのまま、体重をかけられてジリジリと剣が降りてくる。 その時、別の場所から悲鳴が聞こえた。 サブナクと組合っていない騎士が振り返ると、そこにはシビュラを見ていた騎士が倒れており、ナイフを持ったシビュラが震えながら立っていた。 剣を振りかぶった騎士が近づくと、シビュラは目を閉じて駆け出し、その脇を通り過ぎる。 「なにっ?」 無視された騎士が慌てて視線を向けると、シビュラが向かった先にはサブナクを殺そうと更に体重をかける仲間の姿が見えた。 「後ろだ!」 慌てて声をかけるが、遅かった。 ナイフを握り締めたシビュラは、体当たりをするようにして騎士の脇腹、鎧がない部分に深々と刃を突き刺した。 「うっ?! き、貴様!」 シビュラはそのままナイフを手放してサブナクにしがみつき、脇にナイフを突き立てたままの騎士は、振り上げた剣をサブナクではなくシビュラの背中に叩きつけた。 「シビュラ!」 ぐったりと倒れこむシビュラを抱え、サブナクは叫んだが、シビュラは夥しい血を流し、汗だくで息を吐いていた。 「大切なものを、守るのに、躊躇して、は、いけないと......」 「無理に話すな! 気をしっかりもて!」 脇を刺された騎士は悶絶し、残った騎士は怒り狂って迫って来ている。 「侍女の分際で、騎士に刃を向けるとは!」 だが、その叫びが騎士の最後の言葉となった。 言い終えたその瞬間に、喉から刀の切っ先が突き出していた。 自分に何が起きているのか理解できないまま、血を吐いてのたうちまわって、ほどなく命を失う。 直後、小さな瓶が飛来し、シビュラの顎に当たった。 慌てて瓶を掴んだサブナクは、その瓶の正体に気づき、素早く開封してシビュラの背中にバシャバシャと浴びせた。 顔をしかめて痛みに堪えていたシビュラの背中の傷は、みるみるうちに癒えていく。 それを見て、安堵の溜息をついたサブナクは、魔法薬を投げてくれた人物を見上げた。 「高級魔法薬ってのは、すごい効き目ですね、一二三さん」 残り二人の騎士に止めを刺した一二三は、刀を納めると、ソファに座った。 「そんな事より、ちょっと茶をくれ。ひと暴れしたら喉が乾いた。ああ、あとヴァイヤーが廊下に転がってるから、踏まれる前に回収しておけよ」 傷が癒えて、落ち着いた呼吸に戻って意識を失っているシビュラをそっと寝かせて、サブナクは苦笑した。 「彼女に魔法薬を全部使ってしまったんで、斬られた僕の膝がそのままなんですよ。ぶっちゃけ、ものすごく痛くて立てません」 追加の瓶は、サブナクの額にヒットした。

It was because of the strange noise audible on the other side of the wall that caused Lotomago to notice the abnormality. Suddenly hearing a sound of something hard hitting the wall, silence returned thereafter. Lotomago has also been aware of the hidden pathways on the other side of the wall. He even knows that sometimes someone from the Royal Knight Order has been passing through there. Or rather Sabnak had consulted him about the permission to use it for travelling and he readily agreed. "Is someone there?" (Lotomago) Lotomago, feeling restless due to not receiving an answer, stood up. He told the maid to leave the room and call for some knights, but it was too late. "Excuse me, Captain." It was 3 knights who entered the room without knocking. While they had already drawn their swords, one of them forced the maid to sit down in a corner of the room. Turning her sight to Lotomago, the maid moved as she had been ordered by the knight. Furthermore, around five knights entered from the exit of the hidden pathway. A single one amongst them has been bathed in a spurt of blood. "... That's quite the appearance, but what's your business?" (Lotomago) "Well, it's something simple. We want you to hold still here until everything has ended including you losing that position. That is your last task as captain." The knight, who entered first, explains calmly. Seeing Lotomago's sight resting on the knight bathed in a spurt of blood, he laughs scornfully. "As there were two knights on the other side of the wall intended to be your guards, we got rid of them." "Uh-oh, please don't resist pointlessly." Putting the sword, he held in his hand, at the throat of Lotomago, he says, "If you don't oppose us, we will safely release you as well as that maid. After you lost your position. Also, apart from that, we will loose our leeway if you resist too much, okay? We will be compelled to change our way of treatment not only towards you, Captain, but also towards Imeraria-sama." Looking at the maid, who is sitting down in a frightened state, Lotomago sighed and reseated himself on his chair. "I don't know what you're planning to do, but... Balzephon, huh?" (Lotomago) "Oya, it looks like you have suspected something. However, there's no need for you to think about unnecessary things, Captain. Please wait obediently until we change this country and a new era begins." The intruding knights are grinning broadly while surrounding Lotomago. The sighing Lotomago closed his eyes. "It seems like there's nothing I can do right now to change the situation here. As you said, I have decided to wait." (Lotomago) "A wise choice." The knights, confirming that there were no weapons close to Lotomago, left 3 behind and exited the room. Lotomago, who watched their actions silently, gave more than a passing thought to the fate of these fools. Yesterday, Lotomago, sensing the uneasiness he felt from Balzephon's state, discussed that matter with Hifumi. He recalls the face of Hifumi at that time. He only said nothing more but [Understood] , but his expression showed an innocent smile as if being a child having received a present. "Ahhahha!" Suddenly hearing the laughter from the other side of the wall, the shoulders of Suprangel, who had a friendly chat with Nelgal, jumped in surprised. "... Are they holding a party in the next room?" (Suprangel) "I-I don't know, but..." (Nelgal) Suprangel pouts. Although he asked the maids within the room, they apparently aren't aware of the circumstances either. Since they don't know what to do, they are patiently waiting inside the room. After a knock people entered. It's the soldiers of Fokalore led by Alyssa. "Hello, King-sama." (Alyssa) "Oh, the young lady from Fokalore, eh? What the heck is happening?" (Suprangel) Apparently Suprangel was pleased with Alyssa's simple-mindedness. He showed a facial expression of a good-natured old man towards her. At the time he made this face for the first time, the servants from Horant, including Nelgal, made all together surprised faces, but by now they have already accepted it. "Umm~ Hifumi-san has said a "rebellion" is starting. We came to guard King-sama." (Alyssa) "Rebellion? Despite the king of a foreign country being here? Oh well, it's because I came quite abruptly. I will be able to feel safe, if it's the young lady's group protecting me." (Suprangel) "That's right. Military Director Alyssa-dono, please treat our king well." (Nelgal) Nelgal, who quickly got up, very deeply bowed towards Alyssa, who was around two heads smaller than him. "It's alright, it's not only king-sama. We've been told to protect all of you. For the time being, the people, who monitored this place, aren't here anymore." (Alyssa) When Alyssa said that, Fokalore's territorial soldiers dragged two limp knights out through a hidden door while laughing. "Ah, director! We have cleared the enemy and gained total control over the hidden pathway. These guys were full of openings to a laughable degree compared to Lord-sama." "... I think you are making a mistake in the party you compare them to. Please continue to guard the pathway, okay? Tie the knight-san's and lay them down in the pathway. The same for the other people as well, as planned." (Alyssa) "At last it's actual combat after we went sightseeing in Horant", the soldiers chatted lightly while they guarded inside and outside the room. Hearing that, Nelgal is frowning. "... Hidden pathway? Did you monitor us?" (Nelgal) Towards Nelgal, who speaks as if subduing his anger, it was not Alyssa but Suprangel who moved and hit him with an iron knuckle "Idiot. It's only natural to inconspicuously monitor for the sake of guarding and precaution. Despite the young lady's group originally has no obligation to come protect us within the castle, what's your manner of talking?! ... Excuse me for my dimwitted successor." (Suprangel) "Er, well... It isn't us who monitored you, but I can understand the unpleasant feeling of it." (Alyssa) "I'm very sorry..." (Nelgal) Nelgal, whose head was completely hanging, hasn't noticed Suprangel clearly mention him as "successor" to someone else. "So, what's the matter with Hifumi-dono? If it's that man, he's someone to stand at the vanguard of such fighting scene." (Suprangel) Due to Suprangel's question Alyssa folded her arms and tilted her head to the side. "That is, I don't know where he went. He only gave me my orders and ran off somewhere." (Alyssa) "Ho, that is..." (Suprangel) Suprangel strokes his chin and laughs broadly. "It looks like it will result in something enjoyable." (Suprangel) Vaiya was in a hurry. With several knights not coming back at the time of their shift change and the person, who went to check, not returning either, there was no one to send to gather information either. "What's happening?" (Vaiya) He judges it to doubtlessly be an abnormal situation. While feeling it to be inexcusable for the preparations of the guarding of the coronation ceremony, he has ordered the other knights to investigate and headed towards Sabnak's room at a quick pace accompanied by a single knight for the sake of communication. As he advances while feeling irritated by the long hallway, he finally reached the place that serves as Sabnak's office. Several knights are gathering in front of its door. Among them were also the figures of people who were reported to be missing. Once a single knight became aware of Vaiya, he put his hand on the swords at his hips and approached. "Just when I wondered who it was, isn't it the Royal Knight Order's Vice Captain-sama?" "You, eh... ?" (Vaiya) Vaiya remembered the man in front of him. As colleague from the time at the Second Knight Order, he didn't have many chances to meet him, but he was a person in the higher ranks within the order in regards to his mastery of the sword. At the time of Horant's attack he was summoned to his family's home and shouldn't have participated in the battles, but apparently he came back without Vaiya knowing about it. "I was surprised when I came back. The Second Knight Order has disappeared, something like a Royal Knight Order has been formed, Vaiya became a vice-captain and that ... fellow from the Third Knight Order became the captain." Due to the other party talking as if making fun of it, Vaiya makes an effort and replies calmly, "If you don't like the changes, it's fine for you to stop being a knight and go home. There's no one stopping you." (Vaiya) "Don't fuck with me! Though you are a traitor, who curried favours with the Third Knight Order! In spite of using swords to protect the nation, that man brought in weird weapons and spread them dirtying the dignity of knights. They stopped being knights." The other knights, agreeing with his words, shouted abuses at Vaiya and the Third Knight Order all over. "... I feel I finally understood Earl Tohno's meaning of disciplining the soldiers. I guess this is the reason why the Second Knight Order was defeated whereas Fokalore's soldiers won the war." (Vaiya) "Humph, as expected of you, Vice-Captain. You seem to be skilled at talking. However, that's how far it goes." Suddenly a pain ran through Vaiya's back of the head. Once he turned around while eagerly preserving to keep his consciousness, which was about to become hazy, he saw the knight, who accompanied him, there, although he stood holding his sword, still stuck in its scabbard. Although he didn't see his expression due to his blurry vision, he only realised one thing; him being a traitor belonging to the same organization too. While clenching his teeth and lamenting over his lack of a discerning eye, Vaiya lost his consciousness. There was only one thing bothering him. Something had quietly passed him at the edge of his vision as he was on the brink of collapsing. As it was a person he has a recollection of wearing strange clothes with a wide hem, he heard a voice reprimanding him [You don't pay enough attention] . Just before Vaiya finally arrived at Sabnak's office, Sabnak swiftly drew his sword and confronted the knights who rushed into his room as opponents. Slaying the knight, who tried a surprise attack, he has fallen over at Sabnak's side. The knight, who cursed looking at the corpse loathsomely, glares at Sabnak while holding his sword.magic In addition there are two more knights there as well. One of them had turned his sword towards the maid, Shibyura, who was within the room. "You came entering quite unexpectedly causing quite the situation, but what's your business with me? Since I'm busy I'd like you to keep it short though, okay?" (Sabnak) Sabnak was sweating buckets while cracking a joke. He was somehow able to deal with the sudden attack as result of receiving coaching from Hifumi, but Sabnak, who has no more than the level of skill to decently compete with the lower ranks of the knight order, has only a small chance of winning. "We want you bastard to become a sacrifice in order to establish a new knight order organization. Princess Imeraria will announce the new system at the coronation ceremony afterwards. It is expected for the Second Knight Order to play a central part in the creation of the new system. For that reason, Lotomago and you asshole are nuisances." "Did you go to the captain's place as well... ?" (Sabnak) "No worries, once he's of no use, Lotomago will also follow you in death." With these words he swung his sword. Sabnak repelled it in an unsteady manner of using his hands. "How long will you survive against two opponents? In the end it's a test of your luck." Sabnak, who retreated to a corner of the room as if rolling over, was one way or the other successful in avoiding a state of being pincer-attacked. However, while dealing with the two in the front, his wounds are slowly increasing. "Come on, come on! Do you wish to be tormented to death as it is?" "I hope to find a way to not die. I still haven't even been married yet." (Sabnak) "Don't get cocky!" The sword of the enraged knight cut open Sabnak's knee. Sabnak, losing the way to stand up, somehow supported his body with the remaining, unhurt knee and defended against the sword swung down at his head. The sword, carrying its own weight, gradually forced him down. At that moment a scream could be heard at another place. Once the knight, who isn't entangled with Sabnak looked back, he saw the knight, who had watched Shibyura, fallen. Shibyura stood there holding a knife in her hands while trembling. As the knight, brandishing his sword, approaches her, Shibyura closes her eyes and starts running passing by his side. "What?" Once the ignored knight turned his sight in a hurry, he could see Shibyura headed towards the figure of his companion, who put even more weight into his sword to kill Sabnak. "Watch your back!" He called out in panic, but it was too late. Shibyura, grasping her knife tightly, hurled herself into the flank of the knight and stabbed the blade deeply into the un-armoured part. "Uh?! Y-You bitch!" Shibyura let go of the knife and clung to Sabnak. The knight, who had the knife buried in his flank, raised his sword overhead and slashed not at Sabnak but Shibyura's back. "Shibyura!" (Sabnak) Holding Shibyura, who has limply collapsed towards him, Sabnak screamed, but Shibyura, shedding large quantities of blood, breathed out dripping in sweat. "Though to protect... someone important... hesitated... no good..." (Shibyura) "Don't talk recklessly! Cling to your consciousness strongly!" (Sabnak) The knight, who had his flank stabbed, has fainted in agony. The remaining knight is approaching in rage. "You dare to turn your blade at a knight! You, with a standing as maid!" But, this yell became the knight's last words. The instant he finished saying them, the point of a katana stuck out from his throat. Without even understanding what has happened to him, he writhes vomiting blood and before long he has parted this world. Immediately following a little bottle came flying and hit Shibyura's chin. Sabnak, grasping the bottle in a hurry, realizes the true nature of it. Opening it quickly, he pours it on Shibyura's back. The wound on the back of Shibyura, who endured the pain with a frown, is healed in a twinkle. Seeing this, Sabnak sighed in relief and looked up at the person who threw the magic potion. "High-class magic potions have an amazing effect, Hifumi-san." (Sabnak) Hifumi, who finished off the remaining two knights, sheathed his katana and sat down on the sofa. "Rather than something like that, I'd like you to give me a bit tea. If a person goes on a rampage, they will get thirsty. Ah, also, since Vaiya has collapsed in the hallway, retrieve him before someone steps on him." (Hifumi) Gently laying down the fainted Shibyura, whose breathing has calmed down after the wound healed, Sabnak smiled bitterly. "She ended up using all of the magic potion. My knee is cut without change. To be blunt, it awfully painful making it impossible to stand up." (Sabnak) An additional bottle hit Sabnak's forehead.

表向きには無事に、内部的には大量の死者を出しながら、戴冠式は無事に終了した。 イメラリアは新たな女王としてオーソングランデをまとめる事となり、その下にはアドルが引き続き宰相として王を補佐し、サブナクが近衛騎士隊隊長としてイメラリア及び城内の警備に当たる。 完全に王子派閥の影が消えた城内には、新たに領地を持たない法衣貴族や家を継ぐ予定のない貴族の子女からまとめて騎士や文官として採用される事が決まった。 今までと違う点は、全ての人員がフォカロルで研修を受ける事だった。 「では一二三様、彼らをお願いいたします」 旅支度を終え、ズラリと並ぶ新採用の貴族たち。彼らの目の前で、イメラリア女王は一二三に対してごく自然に頭を下げた。 さざ波のようにざわつく貴族たちだったが、これで一二三を新興貴族だと軽んじる者はいなくなるだろう、とイメラリアは思った。妙な虚栄心を持って一二三に対峙する者が出たら、折角集めた人員がまた減らされてしまう。 「わかった。仕事として受けた以上は、しっかりやらせてもらう」 一二三はしっかりと頷いて見せた。 フォカロルには、今後王都からの依頼として年に数名ずつの留学生を文官、武官共に送る契約となっている。もちろん、一二三に対して王国からはしっかり報酬が支払われる。 「サブナク隊長、申し訳ありませんが、よろしくお願いいたします」 「ああ、留守は任せておいてくれ。ゆっくり新婚気分を味わってくるといい」 一二三とイメラリアが話している近くで、ヴァイヤーはサブナクに出発の挨拶をしていた。彼はフォカロルまで一二三や研修生たちの護衛として数名の騎士たちと共に同行し、婚約者であるフィリニオンを伴って、フィリニオンの実家であるアマゼロト子爵領へと向かう予定になっている。 「私の分が終われば、次はサブナク隊長の番ですね。義父となる方は近くにおられますから、挨拶するのにご実家に戻られるのでしょう?」 サブナクの後ろに、そっと寄り添っているシビュラを見て、ヴァイヤーは微笑む。 「茶化さないでくれよ。......まだ、正式に宰相には話してないんだ」 目を丸くして驚いたヴァイヤーは、サブナクとシビュラを交互に見て声を上げた。 「驚きました! 何か問題でも?」 「それは......」 「サブナク様がヘタレているだけです。ヴァイヤー様がお戻りになられるまでには、殴ってでも挨拶に連れて行きますので、お気になさらず、花嫁を迎えに行ってください」 サブナクの腕を掴むシビュラの右手の細い指は、明らかに二の腕に爪を立てて食い込んでいる。 「文字通り命懸けで助けたのにこれですから。じっくりお話し合いをするつもりです」 気合たっぷりに鼻息を荒くしているシビュラに対し、サブナクはがっくりと肩を落としていた。 「それが問題なんだよなぁ」 戴冠式の騒動では、結果としてシビュラが二人の騎士を倒し、サブナクを救った格好となったのが、侍女たちの間で噂となって浸透しているらしい。 戴冠式以来、良い仲となった二人ではあったが、気丈でキビキビと振舞うシビュラに対し、穏やかな性格で他人の意見をよく聞くサブナクは、完全に尻に敷かれているように見えるらしい。 「せめて、少しは隊長としての実績を積んでから、自信が付いたら改めて挨拶に行くよ」 サブナクは力なく笑って、ヴァイヤーを見送った。 明るい門出となっている王城の正門前と違い、騎士隊長ロトマゴの執務室には、重い空気が漂う。 ここに居るのは、部屋の主であるロトマゴと、宰相アドルの二人だ。 「では、今日付けで退任するというのは間違いないのだな」 「ええ、城内で起きた一大事に、役に立つどころか敵に捕まる結果となってしまいました。もはや、武官として立つ瀬はありません。昨日のうちに、女王陛下には許可をいただいております」 デスクに残っている書類を整理しながら、ロトマゴは宰相の質問に静かに答えた。 「しかし、あの時は近衛騎士隊長も女王陛下ですら敵の襲撃を受けましたし、何もロトマゴ殿のみが辞める必要はなかろうと思うのだが......」 引き止めようとする宰相に対し、ゆっくりと首を振るロトマゴ。彼の顔には、悔しさや悲しみは無い。穏やかで柔らかな表情が浮かんでいる。 「サブナク隊長は、宰相のお嬢さんやトオノ伯に助けられたとはいえ、自ら行動し危機を脱しました。女王陛下に至っては、付いていた護衛が裏切ったのです。対して、私は何の抵抗もできず、座して時が過ぎるのを待っていたにすぎません......」 そこで一度言葉を区切り、ロトマゴは背もたれに身体を預けた。 「いえ、それは単に名目に過ぎませんね。老いて戦えなくなった武官は去るべきなのです。ただそれだけの事です。言い訳がましく理由を並べても意味がありません」 「どうやら、決意は硬いようだ」 「逃げ出すだけの話です。決意なんて高尚なものではありませんよ。それに、うまく仕事を押し付けられる後釜を見つけましたから」 微笑むロトマゴに、アドルもつられて笑った。 不意にドアがノックされ、一人の騎士が入って来た。 「失礼します。お呼びとのことですが......これは、宰相閣下とお話中でしたか、失礼いたしました」 入室したのはミダスだった。 「いや、私が呼んだのだから、大丈夫だ」 ロトマゴに促され、ミダスはロトマゴの前に立つ。 「ミダス、君の子供は、いくつだったかな?」 「は? 10歳と7歳ですが......。何かありましたか?」 急に家族の質問をされて面食らったミダスは、気を取り直して素直に答えた。 「そうか、やんちゃな盛りだな。一度は断ったようだが、王城の近くにある屋敷に移らないか。三人ばかりメイドを雇えば管理も楽だろう。その分、奥方も楽になるだろうし、子供に教育をするにも、王城の近くは習い事もしやすいから、何かと便利だろう」 「いえ、私たちにはやはりあの屋敷は広すぎますし......妻の手料理が好きなものですから、誰かに料理をしてもらうというのは気が引けますし」 頑固な奴だ、とロトマゴは笑い、聞いていたアドルも笑顔になっていた。 「しかしな、騎士隊長たるものがあまり遠くからの通いでは、何かあった時に対応するにも時間がかかるだろう」 「? 私は副隊長ですし、非常時には城内で待機する場所もありますので......」 「これからの話だよ。お前は隊長となるんだ。すでに女王陛下からも辞令をいただいている」 渡された紙を見て、ミダスは目玉が飛び出さんばかりに驚いている。 「こ、これは......。しかし、貧乏子爵家に過ぎない私が、このような立場というのは......」 「馬鹿者!」 戸惑うミダスに、ロトマゴは厳しい顔をして大喝した。 「お前は家柄を使って誰かの命を救えると思っているのか? あのトオノ伯は伯爵たる地位をひけらかして勝利を得たのか? 近くでそれを見ていたお前にとって、あの人物から得たものはそれだけなのか?」 いつもは見せることの無い、ロトマゴの強い口調に、ミダスは最初こそ驚くばかりだったが、言われた事をしっかり受け止めた時には、落ち着いて頭を下げることができた。 「申し訳ありませんでした。私は剣は苦手ではありますが、民衆に交じり、多くの人を見てきた経験はあります。それだけは、あのトオノ伯にも負けずとも劣らぬ自信があります」 「よろしい」 ロトマゴは、先ほどと同じ様な微笑みに戻った。 「では、今すぐにその辞令を持って家に帰り、家族に説明してきたまえ。引越しの準備をするにも、まずは奥方に話をする必要があるだろう? 屋敷はもう人を頼んで綺麗に磨き上げているし、メイドも三人程手配している」 「......お気遣い、感謝致します」 再び頭を下げたミダスの目には、少しだけ涙が浮かんでいた。 「なに、お前の肩に背負わせるものの大きさを思えば、最後にこれくらいはしなければな。......明日にはここを明け渡す。あとを、頼むぞ」 「はっ! お任せ下さい!」 結局、主に一二三のせいで多くの犠牲が出た戦乱は一時的にではあるが終結した。 オーソングランデとホーラントは、フォカロルの戦闘技術や領地運営技術を橋渡しの材料に使い、強い結びつきを得た。 逆にヴィシーはオーソングランデから使者とその随行員による城内工作について強い抗議を受け、最終的にはヴィシー側の全面的な降伏に近い形での終戦となった。 独立したピュルサンに対しても、ミノソンがフォカロルへ勉強のために人員を派遣してつながりを作る方法で、ヴィシーよりも強いパイプを作る事に成功したため、うかつに手を出すこともできなくなり、なし崩し的に独立を認める形となった。 国は増えたが滅びた国は無く、気がつけばオーソングランデの領地は広がり、発言権は過去に例を見ない程に強くなった。 それらの後ろ盾が一二三であることは、全ての国家の共通認識ではあったものの、表立って外交の場に顔も口も出さない一二三のスタンスもあり、さりげなくその動向を伺うに留まり、所属する国家であるオーソングランデも含めて、接触には慎重になっている。 その代わり、本人ではなく領地への働きかけは増えていく。 領地運営に携わる者、護衛や騎士、領地の兵を率いる者の多くがフォカロルへ訪れ、公金によって滞在して勉強していくので、領地の人口は増加の一途を辿り、領地に落ちる金額も増えていく。 戦争被害の影響もあり、労働力は世界中から集まってくる。いつの間にか、フォカロル領の人口は一二三が領主として就任した当初の数倍となっている。同じ領内にあるアロセールなどの街にも人が集まるようになり、フォカロルから派遣された代官によって整備された街は、見た目も制度も急速に整っていった。 そんな、今では王都以上の賑わいを見せるようになったフォカロルの街に領主が帰って来たとき、街では突然のお祭り騒ぎとなったのは、当然の結果かもしれない。 「通して~!!」 先頭を行くアリッサが叫び、兵たちが必死になって道をこじ開ける。 馬上のまま進む一二三の後ろには、ヴァイヤーたち騎士と文官、その後ろに採用されたばかりの研修生たちが続く。 多くの人物を従えて進むように見える一二三に、民衆は口々におかえりなさいと叫んだ。 それに応えるように、一二三が左手を上げてかるく振って見せると、黄色い歓声があがった。 「オリガさんがいなくて良かったね」 アリッサの呟きに、兵たちは頷いた。 そのまま、一二三とヴァイヤーは領主館へ向かい、残りの勉強に来た人々は、フォカロルがどんどん建てている宿泊施設へとアリッサが案内する。 「おかえりなさいませ、領主様」 館に入った瞬間に、お辞儀で出迎えたのは5人の文官奴隷だった。 カイムが進み出て、一二三の前に立つ。 「概ね問題は起きておりません。ご無事のお帰りをお喜び申し上げます」 鉄面皮の異名に恥じない真顔のままだったので、一二三は別に嬉しくもなんとも無かったが、久しぶりに聞いた平坦な声音に、帰って来た実感が湧いてくる。 ふと見ると、ミュカレがキョロキョロと落ち着き無く見回しているのが目に入った。 「ミュカレ、何を探している?」 「りょ、領主様、軍務長官は同行されていないのですか?」 「......王都からの研修生を宿泊施設へ案内している」 「ありがとうございます!」 礼もそこそこに、ミュカレは飛び出して行った。 その様子に呆れていると、上階からフィリニオンが降りてきて、一二三に会釈をする。 「お戻りと伺いましたので。これで、私の肩の荷も降ります」 少しだけ疲れが残っているようで、目の色は少し濁っているようにも見える。 「お疲れさん。後はいいから、ヴァイヤーを連れて行くと良い」 一二三の言葉にニッコリと笑ったフィリニオンは、年相応の美しさを見せた。 「ありがとうございます。......では、行きましょう」 フィリニオンに腕を掴まれ、ヴァイヤーは慌てて一二三に挨拶をして、二人はクリノラを引き連れ、彼女の宿泊場所へと向かった。 「では、遠征のあいだの出来事についてご報告をさせていただきたいのですが」 「その前に、ちょっと聞いておきたい」 カイムたち文官奴隷がそれぞれ報告をまとめた書類をを取り出し始めたのを押さえ、一二三はカイムに向かって言った。 「例えば、誰かにまたしばらく領地を任せるとして、お前たちの誰かを指名するというのは問題ないか?」 質問に対し、カイムはほんの数秒だけ目を閉じて、開いた。 「難しいでしょう。能力的な問題は無くとも、領地運営には地位を伴います。領主様やそのご家族、あるいは王都から派遣された貴族ならば問題はないでしょうが、平民や奴隷の誰かがその地位についたとしても、組織がうまく機能するとは思えません」 「そうか。面倒だなぁ」 王都からまた人を呼ぶのは面倒だし、どういう奴が来るのかわからない。 しかし、家族は当然この世界どこにもいない。 「家族......家族か」 ここまでつぶやいて、一二三の脳裏には元の世界に置いてきた家族の顔は浮かばなかった。そしてその事について何も思わなかった。 まだまだ、あっちの世界に帰りたいとは思っていない。 「そうです。例えばご結婚された上で、奥様へ一時的に任せる事は問題ないでしょう」 「ちょっ......」 カイムの提案に、デュエルガルは慌てて止めようとしたが、後の祭りだった。 一二三の結婚相手という話題は、近くで耳をそばだてていた女性職員を通じ、瞬く間に広まっていく。 職員から兵士、兵士たちからアリッサの耳へと、“一二三が結婚相手を探している”という噂が入るまで、3時間とかからなかったほどだ。 「これは大変なことになるかも......」 アリッサにしても、一二三という人物を一人の男性として見てどうかというと、はっきりとは答えが出ない。 好きではあるが、オリガという狂信的な人物を間近で見てきたせいか、どこか冷静になっているのが正直なところだった。競争になったとして、勝てる勝てない以前に刺されて終わりそうだ、とアリッサは思っている。 だが、第三者から見ての結婚相手として、新興貴族で国の内外を問わず知名度が高く業績も並ぶものがいない一二三は、貴族だけでなく側室の地位を狙う平民からも最高に人気の高い相手となるのは想像に難くない。 「もし今、オリガさんが戻ってきたら大変なことになる......」 あの一二三が積極的に結婚相手を探すとは思えないが、オリガに対しては噂だけでも充分すぎる刺激を与えるのは間違いない。 アリッサは慌てて噂の拡散を抑えられるだけ抑えるように指示を出し、オリガが戻ったら一番に知らせるようにと門番に申し伝えをするようにと命じた。 「オリガさん、早く会いたくはあるけど、今だけは帰ってこないでね......」 祈るような気持ちで、アリッサは急いで領主館へと向かった。

While publicly being peaceful and internally taking a massive toll, the coronation ceremony finished safely. Imeraria will unify Orsongrande as new queen, Adol will continue to counsel the ruler as prime minister and Sabnak will be assigned as guard for the castle and Imeraria as Royal Knight Order Captain. In the castle, where the shadow of the prince faction completely vanished, it was decided to appoint new personnel as civil officials and knights by gathering appointed nobles, who don't possess new territories, and the sons and daughters of nobles, who aren't estimated to inherit their households. The aspect, which was different from how it was done up until now, was that all of the personnel would receive training in Fokalore. "Then, please take care of them, Hifumi-sama." (Imeraria) Having finished their journey preparations, the newly recruited nobles were lining up in a row. In their presence Queen Imeraria bowed towards Hifumi very naturally. The nobles were noisily clattering about like ripples on a water surface, but there will likely be no one looking down on Hifumi as rising noble with this "Understood. Since I received it as job, they will get trained properly." (Hifumi) Hifumi showed a firm nod. There is an agreement that from now on several of each, civil officials and military officers, will be sent as exchange students as request from the royal capital to Fokalore every year. Of course, Hifumi will be paid proper rewards by the kingdom. "I'm sorry, Captain Sabnak, but thank you in advance." (Vaiya) "Yea, please leave the house-sitting to me. It's alright for you to slowly savour the life of a newly-wed." (Sabnak) Close-by, where Imeraria and Hifumi have been talking, Vaiya and Sabnak exchanged greetings of departure. He, together with several knights, will accompany Hifumi and the trainees as escort until Fokalore. Together with his fiancee, Phyrinion, they are scheduled to head towards the territory of Viscount Amazelo, which is Phyrinion's family's home. "Once I finish my part, next it will be Captain Sabnak's turn, right? Since the person, who will become your father-in-law, is nearby, will you return home for some greetings?" (Vaiya) Watching Shibyura quietly drawing close from behind Sabnak, Vaiya smiles. "Don't make fun of me. ... I still haven't officially talked with the prime minister." (Sabnak) Vaiya, who stared in surprise, raised his voice alternately looking at Sabnak and Shibyura. "You surprised me there! Is there some kind of problem?" (Vaiya) "That is..." (Sabnak) "It's only Sabnak-sama being a good-for-nothing. Please go meet your bride without worries as I will have taken him along for greetings, even if I have to hit him, until Vaiya-sama returns." (Shibyura) Shibyura, seizing Sabnak's arm with the slender fingers of her right hand, is clearly digging her nails into Sabnak's upper arm. "As this person saved me by literally risking her own life, I intend to talk it over carefully." (Sabnak) In contrast to Shibyura, who has a rough nasal breathing full of fighting spirit, Sabnak was crestfallen and had dropped his shoulders. "That is a problem." Between the maids a rumour has taken shape, which states that as result of Shibyura defeating two knights during the coronation ceremony's rebellion, she saved Sabnak. Those two had a good relationship since the coronation ceremony, but in contrast to Shibyura, who treats others with sterny* stout-heartedness, Sabnak, who often listens to the opinions of others with a gentle personality, is apparently seen as being totally dominated. "At least go to do formal greetings once you get some confidence after having acquired slight achievements as captain." (Vaiya) Sabnak saw Vaiya off laughing feebly. Different from before at the main gate of the capital, where it has turned into a cheerful departure, heavy air drifts about in the office of Knight Captain Lotomago. Two people, Lotomago, who's the owner of the room, and Adol are in here. "Then, there's no doubt that you will retire after today?" (Adol) "Yea, with the serious affairs, that happened in the castle, far from being helpful, I ended up being caught by the enemy. I have no position as military officer anymore. I have received permission by Her Majesty the Queen yesterday." (Lotomago) While sorting the documents remaining on the desk, Lotomago calmly answered the prime minister's question. "However, at that time even Her Majesty the Queen as well as the Royal Knight Order Captain suffered from enemy attacks. I think there's no necessity for Lotomago-dono to retire or anything like that though..." (Adol) Lotomago slowly shakes his head towards the prime minister, who tries to detain him. His face shows no grief or bitterness. He has a calm and gentle expression. "Even though Captain Sabnak was saved by Earl Tohno and prime minister's ojou-san, he personally acted towards escaping the danger. As for Her Majesty the Queen, she was betrayed by the guards attached to her. In comparison, I, who wasn't able to offer any kind of resistance, couldn't do anything more than passing the time by sitting and waiting..." (Lotomago) Temporarily pausing his words there, Lotomago leaned his body against the back of the chair. "No, that's no more than mere pretence. A military officer, who wasn't able to fight because of his old age, should leave. That's all there is to it. There's no meaning in lining up reasons, that seem like excuses, either." (Lotomago) "It seems that you've made your decision." (Adol) "It's just a story about running away. It isn't anything as noble as a decision. Besides, I discovered a successor, whom I was able to smoothly burden with the work." (Lotomago) Due to Lotomago smiling, even Adol was lured into laughing. With a sudden knock on the door, a single knight came entering. "Excuse me. I was told you called for me, but... this is, were you talking with His Excellency the Prime Minister? I'm very sorry." (Midas) It was Midas, who entered the room. "No, it's alright since I called you here." (Lotomago) Urged by Lotomago, Midas stands in front of Lotomago. "Midas, how old were your children again?" (Lotomago) "Ha? 10 and 7 years old, but... Did something happen?" (Midas) Midas, who was confused being abruptly asked about his family, pulled himself together and replied honestly. "I see, the prime time of being mischievous. Although you rejected it once, won't you move to the mansion, which is close to the royal palace? For only 3 people the care-taking will be easy as well, if you employ a maid. Accordingly it will likely become more comfortable for your wife, too. Because it is easy to get lessons close to the royal palace, even for educating children, it will probably be convenient one way or the other." (Lotomago) "No, the size of that mansion is for us too spacious after all... I will feel awkward to receive food made by someone else since I like the home cooking of my wife." (Midas) , Lotomago smiles. Adol, who listened as well, showed a smile. "However, if someone, who is the Knight Captain, commutes from too far away, it will likely take time to deal with it once something happens." (Lotomago) "? I'm the vice-captain. Because there's also a place in the castle, which is on standby in case of an emergency..." (Midas) "That's what we will talk about now. You will become the captain. The notice of personnel change has already been accepted by Her Majesty the Queen as well." (Lotomago) Looking at the paper, handed over to him, Midas has been surprised as if his eyeballs are popping out. "Th-This is... But, for me, who hails from a poor Viscount family, this sort of position is..." (Midas) "Idiot!" (Lotomago) Due to Midas being perplexed, Lotomago shouted in a thundering voice with a strict expression. "Are you believing that you can save anyone by using your pedigree? Did that Earl Tohno obtained his victories by showing off his position as Earl? Is it only that much you, who watched him from close-by, gained from that person?" (Lotomago) Due to Lotomago's powerful tone, he usually doesn't use, Midas was only surprised at the beginning, but at the time he properly grasped the things said, he was able to calm down and bow. "I'm very sorry. I'm not very good at swordsmanship, but I have the experience of having seen many people by blending in amongst the populace. In that aspect alone I have confidence that I won't fall behind or even lose to that Earl Tohno." (Midas) "Very well." (Lotomago) Lotomago returned his smile to the same one as before. "Then, go back home holding that notice of personnel change at once and explain it in front of your family. Isn't it necessary to have a talk with your wife first, also to prepare the moving? I have already called for people to tidy and polish up the mansion. A maid for around 3 people has been arranged as well." (Lotomago) "... You have my deepest thanks for your considerations." (Midas) In the eyes of Midas, who bowed once again, a few tears shone. "What? If I consider the size of the things that will weight on your shoulders from now, this is the least I can do at the end. ... I will vacate this place tomorrow. Also, I will rely on you." (Lotomago) "Ha! Please put your trust in me!" (Midas) Eventually the disturbances, which caused many victims to appear, primarily thanks to Hifumi, came to a temporary end. Orsongrande and Horant established a firm bond using the territorial administration skills and combat engineering of Fokalore as materials for bridge building. On the contrary, Vichy received a strong protest regarding the manoeuvring within the castle by the envoy and his attendants from Orsongrande. In the end, the cessation of hostilities took a shape close to a total capitulation of Vichy's side. Even concerning the independent Pyulsan, by using the method of forming a relationship of sending personnel for studying towards Fokalore, in order to successfully establish a pipe, which is stronger than Vichy's, Vichy became unable to make a careless move on them. As a result Vichy recognized the independence due to them being an enemy they had no way to crush. There were no countries, which perished, and the number of countries increased. Once they noticed, Orsongrande's realm had expanded and they became a power, whose right to speak couldn't be overlooked anymore as was custom in the past. Although it was the common understanding of all nation that this was due to Hifumi backing them, Hifumi has a stance of not making any speeches or showing his face in the public field of diplomacy. Adhering to what they heard about his nonchalant attitude, the nations have become cautious in contacting him, which also includes Orsongrande, the nation he belongs to. Instead, the appeal of his territory and not the person himself has increased. Many people, who are engaged in territorial administration, guards, knights and people, leading territorial soldiers are coming to visit Fokalore. Because they stay with public funds and study there, the territory's population is following the path of increase and the amount of money spent in the territory rises as well. There's also the influence of the war damages. Manpower from around the world comes gathering. Unnoticed, the population of the territory of Fokalore has become several times that when Hifumi was inaugurated as feudal lord first. Reaching the point that even cities like Arosel, being in the same territory, are gathering people, the developed cities, because of governors dispatched by Fokalore, rapidly put their appearance and institutions in order. It might be only a natural outcome that the city turned into a festival merrymaking at the time the feudal lord came back to the city of Fokalore, which achieved a prosperity above the current capital. "Let us through~ !!" (Alyssa) Leading at the front, Alyssa shouts and the soldiers desperately pry open a path. In the back of Hifumi, who is advancing on horse, there is Vaiya's group of knights and civil officials and continuing behind them the trainees, who were just freshly recruited. The population unanimously clamoured and welcomed Hifumi, who was seen to advance while being accompanied by many people, home. In order to reply to them, once Hifumi raised his left hand and lightly waved, high-pitched shouts of joy were raised. "It's good that Origa-san isn't here." (Alyssa) The soldiers nodded due to Alyssa's murmur. Hifumi and Vaiya head towards the lord's mansion as is and Alyssa guides the remaining people, who came to study, towards the lodgings, which are being rapidly erected in Fokalore. """""Welcome home, Lord-sama.""""" At the moment they entered the mansion, the 5 civil official slaves greeted them with a bow. Stepping forward, Caim stands in front of Hifumi. "There haven't been any problem on the whole. Let me express our pleasure for you returning home safely." (Caim) Since he had a serious look that didn't shame his nickname of arrogance, Hifumi wasn't particularly happy either, but as it had been a while since he last heard his indifferent voice, he actually experienced a feeling of having come home. As he casually looked around, he caught sight of Miyukare looking around restlessly without being able to calm down. "What are you looking for, Miyukare?" (Hifumi) "L-Lord-sama, hasn't the Military Director travelled together with you?" (Miyukare) "... She is guiding the trainees from the capital towards the lodgings." (Hifumi) "Thank you very much!" (Miyukare) Bowing in a hurry, Miyukare darted away. As he is astonished by this spectacle, Phyrinion comes down from the upper floor and bows towards Hifumi. "I heard about your return. With this the burden on my shoulders will be lowered as well." (Phyrinion) With her seeming to have only a bit fatigue left, her eye colour can be seen to have become slightly cloudy, too. "Thanks for your work. Since it's alright now, it's fine to take Vaiya along." (Hifumi) Phyrinion, who smiled sweetly due to Hifumi's words, showed a beauty appropriate for her age. "Thank you very much. ... Well, then let's go." (Phyrinion) Having his arm seized by Phyrinion, Vaiya gave his greeting to Hifumi in a hurry and, taking Krinola along, the two of them headed towards Phyrinion's lodging place. "Then, we want the privilege of reporting concerning the events during your campaign." (Caim) "Before that I want you to listen for just a minute." (Hifumi) Holding back the civil official slaves around Caim, who started to take out documents each gathered as report, Hifumi turned towards Caim. "For example, will there be any problem, if you guys nominate someone to whom I can entrust the territory for a while again?" (Hifumi) Caim closed his eyes for merely a few seconds regarding that question and opened them then again. "It's probably difficult. Even without the the issues of ability, the territorial administration brings status with it. If it's Lord-sama and his family, or possibly a noble dispatched by the capital, there won't be a problem, but I don't believe the system will function well, assuming some commoner or slave takes the post." (Caim) "I see. How troublesome." (Hifumi) It's difficult to summon someone from the capital again. I don't know what kind of person will come. However, naturally I have no family in this world. "Family... family, huh?" (Hifumi) Grumbling up to here, the faces of his family in his former world didn't appear in Hifumi's mind. He also doesn't think that there's still some way to go before he wants to return to the world over there. "That's right. For example, there would likely be no problems to temporarily entrust it to your wife, if you were to get married." (Caim) "St..." (Doelgar) Due to Caim's suggestion, Doelgar tried to stop the flow of the conversation in a panic, but it was too late. The topic of Hifumi's marriage partner has flowed to the female staff member, who was pricking up her ears nearby and has been spread in a twinkling of an eye. It didn't even take 3 hours until the rumour 'Hifumi is looking for a spouse' spreads from the staff members to the soldiers and from the soldiers to Alyssa's ears. "This might turn into a disaster..." (Alyssa) For Alyssa, if you ask her whether she sees the person called Hifumi as a man, she won't be able to answer clearly. I like him, but as result of having seen the fanatic called Origa from nearby, honestly speaking, it has cooled down in some respects. As for it becoming a competition, it will end by me being stabbed before it's about whether I can win or not However, for a spouse looking at it as third party, he is a rising noble with popularity regardless of inside or outside the country. But, for Hifumi, who isn't someone lining up huge achievements, it is easy to imagine that he will become the most popular partner, not just for nobles, but also for commoners, who will aim for the position of concubine. "If Origa-san came back now, it would turn into a major disaster..." (Alyssa) I don't believe that that Hifumi is actively looking for a marriage partner, but concerning Origa, even only the rumour will doubtlessly give her a plenty excessive stimulus. Issuing instructions to restrain the diffusion of the rumour in a hurry, Alyssa ordered to pass a message to the gatekeeper to notify her first, once Origa returned. "Origa-san, I want to meet with you soon, but only for now, don't come back, okay...?" (Alyssa) With feelings similar to a prayer, Alyssa rushed towards the lord's mansion.magic

26.Hush 【遠足は前日が楽しい】 短い期間のうちに戦争の準備をすると決めてから、一二三の日常は多忙を極めた。 部隊の編成に訓練、装備の手配、作戦立案に加えて、新たに領主となったフォカロル及び周辺村落に関する資料を読みながら、これからの政策についても考えねばならなかった。 「まあ出るわ出るわ。使途不明金の嵐だな。よくこれで破綻しなかったもんだ」 王城に複数ある会議のための部屋を一つ専有し、一二三は王都から一歩も出ずに、この部屋で執務をこなして過ごしている。今日この部屋にいるのは、先日ウーラルから買い入れた5人の奴隷達である。 いきなり王城へ連れてこられた奴隷達は、不安にかられながら男女別に部屋を与えられ、初日は一二三が忙しくしていた事もあって、何も指示されずに豪華な食事を恐る恐る食べて眠るしか無かった。 そして二日目、朝から一二三に呼び出されて集められての第一声が、旧ハーゲンティ子爵領に臨時で詰めているサブナクから送られてきた、子爵領の収支計算書を見ての台詞だった。 「とりあえず、適当に座ってくれ。ああ、床じゃなくて椅子にな」 どうしていいか分からず立ち尽くしていた奴隷達に声をかけ、全員が着席したのを確認してから、全員に数枚綴りの紙束をポイポイと配った。 「さて、今からお前たちにやってもらう仕事について説明する。と言っても、しばらくは戦争に行ってくるから、その間はその紙に書いてある事を覚えること」 「あの、ご主人様......これはなんでしょうか?」 一人の女性奴隷がか細い声で質問をすると、一二三は真顔のまま答えた。 「お前たちのために作った教科書だよ」 一二三が作成したのは、掛け算九九と割り算の計算方法について。百分率について。面積や体積の算出方法や簡単な帳簿の付け方だった。 「お前たちには、俺の新しい領地で文官として働いてもらう。その為に、最低これくらいは覚えてもらうぞ」 トントンと指先で書類を小突きながら、全員の顔を見渡して言う。 「ぶ、文官ですか? 奴隷なのに......」 「使えるなら平民も奴隷も関係ない。単に人材を集めるのに手っ取り早いからウーラルの店に行っただけだからな。他に会ったやつで適任者がいれば、都度雇っていくつもりだし」 それよりも、内容について説明するからよく聞けと言われて、奴隷達は必死で書類を睨みつけた。ここで失敗すれば、どういう扱いになるか判らないのだ。 午前中を奴隷達への指導に費やし、後は自習とした。 昼食をさっさと済ませた一二三は、そのまま城を出て、兵舎裏の訓練所に向かった。訓練所と言っても、あるのは街中と思えないだだっ広い空き地だけだが。 一二三がたどり着くと、そこには100名の兵士とオリガ達が待っていた。 「部隊ごとに整列!」 足元に土埃をあげて、100人が背筋を伸ばした。 これまで騎兵か歩兵かが貴族か平民かで分かれる程度だったオーソングランデでは、この編成は困惑を持って受け止められたが、そんな物を一二三が気にかけるはずもなく「いいからそうしろ」の一言で終わっている。 「はっきり言って、戦争のはじめのうちは訓練のつもりだから、気楽にやってくれ。敵は俺が殺すから、その間に何度か作戦行動をやって自分の役割を覚えればいい」 挨拶がわりに掛けられた一二三の言葉で、兵士たちは明らかに動揺している。死にに行けと言う貴族は居ても、気楽にやれと言う貴族はいないのだ。 「一二三サンさ、それじゃ士気が下がるんじゃないかな?」 奴隷から解放されて、変えた呼び方にようやく慣れてきたカーシャが苦笑する。彼女は一番隊隊長として歩兵を率いる役割を任されていた。 「いいんだよ。言うとおりに行動できれば死にはしないから士気はあってもなくても関係ない。特に歩兵隊は工兵と輜重兵の警備が中心だから、多分暇だぞ」 そりゃないよとむくれるカーシャを無視して、それぞれの隊ごとに主な役割とやり方を説明すると言って、二番隊だけを近くに呼び、他の隊は待っている間に走り込みや穴掘りをするように指示した。 オリガを先頭に、工兵として集められた二番隊が一二三の前に並ぶ。 「この中に戦の経験者はいるか?」 一二三の問いかけに数人が手を挙げたので、順番にその時の戦い方を聞いていったのだが、どれもこれも同じようなものだった。要するに、平原に整列して一斉にぶつかり合うという形だ。激突前には、お互いの将同士で何やら決め事をしていたらしい。 一二三は頭を抱えてしまった。想像以上に行儀のいい戦いばかりしか行われていない。こと戦いに関しては、獣人族の方がずっと優秀かもしれない。 「わかった。今までの戦争の経験は全部忘れろ。お前たちの役割は“戦争で楽に勝つために準備すること”だ。一列に並べて突撃しろなんていう事は言わない」 「楽に勝つ準備ですか?」 先頭にいたオリガが、困惑する兵達の代わりに質問する。 「そうだ。最初に攻める街でどういう事をするか説明するから、よく聞けよ」 それから一二三は、部隊ごとにそれぞれの役割や用意する物について説明し、さらに出発までの訓練スケジュールを説明した。 「俺はたまに見に来るくらいしかできないから、隊長がしっかり管理しろよ」 「了解しました!」 アリッサが元気よく答えるが、彼女が率いる偵察役の三番隊の兵たちは落ち着かない様子だ。偵察して敵の情報をいち早く掴んで作戦を立案する。当然の事のように聞こえるが、この世界ではほとんど行われていない。 戦争体験を聞いているうちに、獣人族はそういう事をしている可能性があると一二三は考えたが、今度の相手は人族だからと、頭の隅に置いておく。 「じゃあ俺は出かけるから、後は任せた」 間もなく正式に子爵になるはずの男だが、従者も連れずにぶらりと城下町へと出ていった。 城内を出入りするのは文官や騎士たちだけではなく、もちろん政治の中枢にいる高位の貴族たちも大勢いる。 彼らの多くは一二三が何者で、この世界に来たその日に何をやったかを知っていた。というより、目撃していた。一二三が王都から出ていったと聞いてホッとしたのもつかの間、直ぐにとんぼ返りしてきたと思ったら、何の間違いか英雄扱いされて今度は子爵になるという。 だが、どこにも情報に疎い者はいる。 「王女殿下、いささか一二三という男を重用しすぎかと愚考いたしますが......」 イメラリアの執務室へと訪れ、慇懃に臣下の礼を取りながら言った男は、オーソングランデ王都の南隣の領地を治めるミュンツァー侯爵家次男のデボルドという男だ。 (本当に愚考ですわね) 目の前で言葉を重ねて一二三を非難するデボルドを見ながら、イメラリアは危うく思ったことを口に出してしまうところだった。 デボルドは生来より他人を見下す性格だったが、父である侯爵の助力で能力に見合わない第三騎士隊副隊長という肩書きを得てからは、よりその傾向が強くなった。 剣がうまく使えるわけでもなく、事務的にもお世辞にも優秀とは言えず、周りからすれば取り敢えず毒にも薬にもならない場所に放り込まれただけなのだが、隊士としての経験もないまま副隊長に成れたのは、自分が優秀だからだと思い込んでいる。 「あの方は今やこの国の英雄ですわ。冷遇すれば民衆から反感を買うでしょう。それに、ヴィシーとの間に起きた事に決着をつけるためには、あの方の力が必要でしょう」 「民衆の意見など、我々貴族ましてや、王族たる王女殿下がお気になさる必要はありますまい」 デボルトの狙いはわかりやすいとイメラリアは思っていた。一二三の行動が発端となったヴィシーとの摩擦を解決し、その功績を持ってイメラリアとの婚姻をと考えているのだろう。最大のライバルだったラグライン侯爵家の長男が死に、自分が最有力候補だと“勝手に”思っているらしい。 「では、その役をお任せしましょう」 デボルドに声をかけたのは、イメラリアではなかった。 執務室へ入ってきたのは、ニヤニヤと笑いながら、わざとらしい礼をする一二三だった。 「誰だ貴様は! 今は私が王女殿下から大役を仰せつかっているのだぞ!」 脳内で勝手に進めている内容を喚いているデボルドに、今度こそイメラリアはため息をついた。一二三の非難をしていたくせに、その相手の顔も知らなかったのだ。 「先ほど話題にしてもらった一二三だよ。それより、イメラリア」 「なんでしょう?」 「こいつの申し出は中々良い案だと思うがね?」 「き、貴様! 王女殿下に向かってなんという口の聞き方を!」 一二三の顔を知らなかったことが恥ずかしいのもあってか、首から上を真っ赤にして怒っているデボルドは、大声をあげて一二三を突き飛ばそうとしたが、肩を押した自分の力をうまく返されて床に転がった。 「こ、侯爵に向かって無礼な!」 「勝手に転がったくせに何言ってんだ? それに、後継でもないのに侯爵家を名乗るなよ」 いよいよ我慢の限界なのか、赤黒くなるほど頭に血を登らせたデボルドが、次の言葉を発する前に、イメラリアが口を開いた。 「ミュンツァー、今は一二三様とわたくしが話をしているのです。控えなさい」 「二度は申しません」 キッパリと言われて、デボルドは一二三を射殺さんばかりに睨みつけながら、退室していった。 「で、一二三様の御用はなんでしょう」 「書類に署名を貰いたいんだが」 言いながら、闇魔法収納から取り出した書類を渡してくる一二三に、受け取りながら眉を寄せるイメラリア。 「......拝見しましょう」 書面には、ヴィシーがオーソングランデとの和解を求めるのであれば、ベイレヴラという工作員を事件の重要参考人として引き渡すようにと記され、その行動があって初めて交渉に応じる事ができるだろうとされている。 「......要求だけで、実質は何も約束されていない書面ですね」 「しばらく考えたが、ヴィシーでベイレヴラを見つけて捕まえる方法が思いつかなかった。その文書はある程度ヴィシーを追い詰めてから中央に送りつけてやろうと思う」 「ヴィシー側から引渡しをさせる形にするわけですね」 「応じてくれるなら、だがな」 一二三は執務室に用意された応接へと腰掛け、テーブルにあった焼き菓子を一つ、口に放り込んだ。さっくりと口の中でほどける甘味は、さすがは王女様御用達と思わせる上品さだ。 「こう言ってはなんですが、まだベイレヴラを探すおつもりでしたのね」 「優しいご主人様だろう?」 元だけどな、と言って笑う。 「人は誰しも、直接的にか間接的に何かを殺して生きて、成長していく。あいつらの場合は、たまたまそれが人間相手の騙し騙されの関係で、相手を殺して完結させると決めただけだ。探すだけでも面倒な相手をな。そう思えば、役に立ってくれたご褒美に、片手間でもそれくらいはやってもいいと思っただけさ」 もう一つ、焼き菓子を口に放り込んでいる一二三を見てから、イメラリアは羽ペンを取って署名を入れた。 「こういう事でしたら、喜んで協力しますのに」 インクを乾かすためにそっと息を吹きかけながら、聞こえるかどうかの声で呟いた。 そうして10日が過ぎ、準備を終えた一二三たちヴィシー遠征軍は王都を離れた。 通常であれば、派手に民衆をの視線を集めて堂々と街を出るのだが、一二三の意向で、夜も明けきらないうちに、複数に別れてひっそりと街道へ進みだした。 食料等の物資は、先に国境近くの街フォカロルへ輸送しているので、荷物はほとんどの兵が自分の武器くらいで、輜重隊の馬車が引いている移動中の食料が一番量が多い。 先頭の馬車には、一二三とオリガ達隊長の三人、王女代理の見届け人としてパジョーが同席している。 「......眠いねぇ」 「まだ太陽も出てないしね......」 アリッサとカーシャはまだ完全に目が覚めていないらしい。隊長として示しがつかないので、取り敢えず馬車に放り込んだのは正解だったと一二三は思った。 「フォカロルに着いたら一泊して、また早朝に出発するからな。作戦内容をしっかり確認しておけよ」 「その......私は初めてその“作戦”というものの内容を聞いたのだけれど......」 騎士であるパジョーには、一二三が立案した方法は気が引けるらしい。 「別にお前に何かやれってわけじゃない。それにな、一般の民衆にとっては為政者が誰かなんてあんまり関係ないんだよ。最初は反感を買ったとしても、自分の生活に支障がないとわかったら、あっという間に自分たちの生活に追われるだけだ」 言いかけたのを止めて、一二三はパジョーの目を見る。そこには友好的な感情は無い。あるのは最初に会ったあの夜に見せた、人を殺すときの暗い暗い闇だ。 「俺はこの国を良くしたいとか、民衆のために戦うとかいうつもりはない。ただ満足するまで戦うのに、領地が豊かであるに越したことはないだけだ。お前がそういう国を目指すのは構わないが、それが俺にとって邪魔になるなら殺す」 久しぶりに向けられた一二三の殺意に、パジョーは汗すらかけない。喉が渇いて、息を呑む喉がヒリヒリと痛む。 なんとか目線を逸らさずに言えたのは、一言だけ。 「......私は、この戦いを見届けるだけです」 「そうだ。それでいい」 話は終わったと、一二三は走行中の馬車を飛び出して、並走していた自分の馬に、器用に飛び乗った。 一二三がいなくなってから、重苦しい馬車の中の空気が少しだけ軽くなる。 革製の水筒から水を飲んでいたパジョーに、オリガが声をかける。 「......何かしら?」 「パジョーさんは、一二三様と敵対されることはありませんよね?」 それは、質問の形をした警告だった。 迷うことなく、パジョーは答える。 「私はオーソングランデの騎士だから、その役割を果たすだけよ」 「そうですか。もしその役割とやらが一二三様の邪魔となる時には......あなたの敵になるのは一二三様だけでは無いことを知っておいてくださいね」 アリッサもカーシャも眠ってしまった中、自分も馬に移りたくなったパジョーだった。

Chapter 26: Hush Since their decision to prepare for war in only a short while, Hifumi's daily life became quite busy. He had to train the formation of the troops, prepare the equipment, design a strategy, and in addition read up on the documents related to Fokalore and its surrounding settlements after having become the new feudal lord of the area. He had to come up with the future political measures, too. "Maa, what will happen, will happen. The problem is the unaccounted-for expenditures. The question is how to handle it well in order to avoid bankruptcy..." (Hifumi) Today there were 5 slaves he had purchased a few days ago from Ular within that room. The slaves, who were suddenly brought to the royal castle, were driven by anxiety while they were assigned to different rooms split by gender. These hectic and severe circumstances were also caused by Hifumi, who without giving them any kind of instructions, had them do nothing but eating a gorgeous meal and sleeping. And then, on the next day, after having seen the listings in the accounting book of income and expenditure of the Viscount's territory, which was delivered by Sabnak, who had been dispatched to the territory of the former Viscount Hagenti, Hifumi called for an assembly first thing in the morning. "First of all, please sit down properly. Ah, not on the floor but on a chair." (Hifumi) He called out to the slaves who didn't know whether such action would be fine and thus remained standing stock still. After confirming that everyone was seated, he distributed several bound paper bundles to all of them by tossing them. "Well then, now I will explain the work you are supposed to do for me. Well, although that's what I am saying, in a short while I will be going to war. In the meanwhile you will learn the things written on those papers." (Hifumi) "Ano, master ... what are these?" (Slave A) To the question asked by a single female slave in a small voice, Hifumi replied with a serious look, "Those are the textbooks I made for you." (Hifumi) Hifumi had written down the methods concerning calculation by division, multiplication by using multiplication tables, percentage calculation, and calculation of size and volume. He also included a simple way of recording an account book. (E: "I want you guys to work as civil officials in my new territory. For that reason, this is the least amount you have to learn." (Hifumi) Tapping on the documents with his fingers, he said this to all of them while surveying their expressions. "Ci-Civil O-Officials? Even though were are slaves ..." (Slave B) "If I can use them, it doesn't matter whether they are commoners or slaves. I only went to Ular's shop because it was the quickest and easiest way to gather talented personnel. If I meet another qualified fellow somewhere, I intend to employ them whenever possible." (Hifumi) After having listened properly to the speech you could call an explanation concerning the contents, the slaves frantically glared at the documents. The entire morning was spent on coaching the slaves. Afterwards it changed into self-study. Quickly finishing his lunch, Hifumi left the castle and headed towards the training school in the back of the barracks. 100 soldiers and Olga's group were waiting there when he finally arrived. "All units, line up!" Raising a cloud of dust by their movement, 100 people straightened their backs. Up until now the division in Orsongrande was simply whether one was infantry or cavalry and whether they were nobles or commoners. Thus such organisation of troops caused bewilderment. However, Hifumi wasn't worried about this matter in the slightest and simply ended it with the few words [It works well, so we will do it like that] . "Speaking frankly, because we intend to use the beginning of the war as training, be at ease and come along. Since I will kill the enemies, it is fine for you to just remember your own duties during the various military maneuvers." (Hifumi) Even if there was a noble telling them to go to their death, that noble wouldn't do it in such an easygoing manner. "Hifumi-san, won't the morale of the troops drop, if you put it like that?" (Kasha) Having been released from the slavery contract, Kasha, who finally got used to the changed way to address him, smiled wryly. "It's fine. As it is often said, the will to act on something until death or to not do it, has nothing to do with having or not having morale. Especially since the combat engineers and transportation corps are positioned in the center and will be guarded by the foot soldiers, they will probably have a lot of free time." (Hifumi) Disregarding Kasha, who became sullen with such rejection, he started to explain to each unit their main duties and methods. Because of that, the second unit gathered close by. The other units were ordered to rush and dig holes while waiting for their turn. With Origa in the lead, the second unit consisting of combat engineers assembled and stood in a line before Hifumi. "Is there anyone with combat experience among you?" (Hifumi) Because of Hifumi's question, several people raised their hands. Listening to the battle circumstances of each of them in order, it turned out that they were similar for all of them. In relation to the combat circumstances, you probably had to praise the beastmen race as superior all the way. "I understand. Forget about all the combat experience you obtained up until now. Your duty is "Prepare in order to win the war easily?" (Origa) Origa, who stood in front, inquired in place of the baffled soldiers. "Yes. I will now explain in what way we will be attacking the first town, so listen well." (Hifumi) From then on Hifumi explained to each unit what their duties were and which things they had to arrange. Furthermore he taught them the training schedule until the departure. "Since I will only be able to come and see occasionally, the captains have to manage things firmly." (Hifumi) "Roger!" (Alyssa) Although Alyssa vigorously answered, the soldiers of the scout unit, which she commandeered, weren't in a calm state at all. While listening to the talks of their combat experience, Hifumi considered that the beast race may use scouting, but since the enemies this time around where of the human race, he pushed these considerations into the corner of his mind. "Well, since I am leaving now, I entrust it to you." (Hifumi) Although he was a man, who before long would officially become a viscount, he casually didn't take any attendants with him and left for the castle town. The coming and going within the castle didn't only include civil officials and knights, as it was the political center of the nation there were naturally a great number of high ranking nobles as well. Many of them knew who Hifumi was and what he did on the day he came to this world. However, there was nowhere a person who wouldn't be interested in receiving information. "Your Highness the Princess, appointing the man called Hifumi to a responsible post is a little bit too much, in my humble opinion ..." (Debordo) Visiting Imeria's office, a male courteous retainer performed a bow while stating this. It was a man called Debordo who was the second son of the Marquis Muntzer household, which governed the territory adjourning south of Orsongrande's royal capital. (Truly a humble opinion, huh?) (Imeria) Imeria almost ended up revealing what she was thinking as she watched Debordo while he was repeatedly criticizing Hifumi in front of her eyes. By nature Debordo had a character that looked down on other people. Since he didn't have the corresponding ability to support his father in his work as Marquis, he earned the rank of vice captain of the third knight corps, which caused his inclination to grow even stronger. It wasn't like the reason for that was his skillful handling of the sword, nor could you say that he was superior in his business either. Rather he was tossed into that place so he wouldn't cause harm to his surroundings for the time being. As he hadn't any experience as regimental soldier either and yet became vice captain just like that, he was under the impression that it was due to his excellent constitution. "That gentleman is the hero of this country now. Receiving him coldly will provoke the masses into a revolt. Besides, while the trouble with Vichy is taking place, his strength will be essential in order to settle it." (Imeria) "Something like the opinion of the masses, to say nothing about the fact that we are nobles, there is no need for Her Highness the Princess who is of royalty to do them any favors." (Debordo) His biggest rival, the eldest son of the Marquis Lagrain household, had died. Apparently he considered himself "on his own accord" to be the strongest candidate. "Well then, let's leave this duty to him." (-) It wasn't Imeria who called out to Debordo. It was Hifumi, who came and entered the office performing an unnatural bow while smiling with a broad grin. "You bastard, who do you think you are! Currently I am about to be appointed to an important mission by Her Highness the Princess!" (Debordo) In spite of blaming Hifumi earlier, he didn't even know the face of his opponent. "It is the Hifumi from the topic just now. Leaving that aside, Imeria." (Hifumi) "What is it?" (Imeria) "I dare say that this guy's suggestion is a rather nice idea, don't you think?" (Hifumi) "B-Bastard! How dare you to speak like this to Her Highness the Princess!" (Debordo) Being disgraced for not having known Hifumi's face, Debordo, who turned red from the neck upwards due to anger, raised his voice loudly and tried to thrust Hifumi away. But the power he used to push the shoulder was used upon himself in return and he ended up falling to the floor. "What a rude behaviour towards a marquis!" (Debordo) "What are you talking about when you fell on your own? Furthermore, since you aren't the successor, you shouldn't use the name of the Marquis household either." (Hifumi) Finally reaching the limit of her patience, Imeria interjected before Debordo, whose dark red blood rose to his head, was able to spat out his next words. "Muntzer, right now Hifumi-sama and I are talking. Restrain yourself." (Imeria) "I won't repeat myself." (Imeria) Having been told quite clearly, Debordo left the office while glaring at Hifumi as if he could kill him with no more than that. "So, what kind of business do you have with me, Hifumi-sama?" (Imeria) "I want to get your signature for this document." (Hifumi) With these words, Hifumi took the document out of the dark magic storage and passed it to Imeria, who took it while frowning. "... Let me look at it." (Imeria) As for the document, it was Orsongrande's request for reconciliation with the demand to hand over the spy Beirevra as suspect of the incident. This action was required before any kind of negotiation could be considered to begin. "... Just this demand, this document substantially has no agreement at all." (Imeria) "Although I thought about it for a while, I couldn't come up with any idea how to have Vichy discover and arrest Beirevra. I think this document will corner Vichy to a certain degree by sending it to the fellows in the central government." (Hifumi) "As soon as it is delivered it will give Vichy a reason to keep up appearance, right?" (Imeria) "If they comply, that is, but ..." (Hifumi) Hifumi sat down in the reception prepared in the office and tossed one of the baked sweets, which were placed on the table, into his mouth. "That's what you are saying, but you still intend to look for Beirevra." (Imeria) "I am a kind master, don't you agree?" (Hifumi) Even though that was the cause, he laughed as he stated it. "Every person lives by killing, be it directly or indirectly, as they grow up. In their case, they were accidentally involved in the deceiving and cheating between human parties and thus they only decided to conclude this matter by killing the other party. Only in regards to the search, he is a troublesome opponent. Considering this, I only thought that it might be fine for it to become a popular odd job, if a useful reward was to be provided." (Hifumi) Looking at Hifumi, who threw another of the baked sweets into his mouth, Imeria picked up the quill and signed the document. "In such a case I will gladly cooperate with you." (Imeria) While gently blowing upon the document for the sake of drying the ink, she murmured in a voice where it was uncertain whether he had heard it or not. And then 10 days passed and the the preparations were finished. Hifumi's expeditionary force left the royal capital towards Vichy. Doing it the usual way, he would have left the city magnificently drawing the gazes of the public upon themselves. Since that wasn't Hifumi's intention, they split up in several teams and left the city inconspicuously advancing on the main road before the night was lifted by dawn. Such things like food and materials had been transported to the city Fokalore which was situated close to the national border. The luggage consisted of most of the soldier's weapons and there were many wagons drawn by the Supply Corps sheltering a large amount of food. In the first carriage Hifumi and Origa's group, the three captains, were situated alongside Pajou who acted as the Princess' representative and witness. "... I am getting sleepy." (Alyssa) "The sun hasn't risen yet either ..." (Kasha) Apparently Alyssa and Kasha weren't yet fully awake. "Upon entering Fokalore, we will stop there for a night and then set out in the early morning again. Review the contents of the strategy properly." (Hifumi) "Um ... It is the first time for me hearing of something like "strategy" but ..." (Pajou) For the knight Pajou Hifumi's method of drafting seemed to feel awkward. "There is no particular reason for you to do anything. Besides, concerning the general populace I am not overly interested in becoming something like a statesman. Even if I provoked animosity from the beginning, I realized that there are no obstacles in my own way of life, only that we would be chased for our life in a blink of an eye like that." (Hifumi) Just as he displayed on that night where they met for the first time, there was only deep dark and gloomy darkness as he killed people at that time. "I won't tell you that I am fighting for the sake of improving this nation or for its people. Just that there is nothing better than an abundant territory to satisfy my desire to fight. Although I don't mind if you aim for such a country, but if you become a hindrance to me, I will kill you." (Hifumi) It had been a while since she had to face Hifumi's bloodlust. Pajou didn't even manage to sweat. Somehow she managed to utter a few words without averting her gaze. "... I, I will only witness this battle." (Pajou) "That's how it is and that's how it should be." (Hifumi) Finishing this talk, Hifumi jumped off the moving carriage and while running parallel to it, he skilfully climbed on his horse. After Hifumi was gone, the heavy air within the carriage become a little bit lighter. Origa called out to her as she was drinking water from a leather flask. "... What's up?" (Pajou) "Pajou-san, you never been hostile to Hifumi-sama, isn't that right?" (Origa) The style of that question itself was a warning.magic Without hesitation, Pajou replied. "Since I am a knight of Orsongrande, I have to follow my duty." (Pajou) "Really? In case this duty causes you to become a hindrance to Hifumi-sama ... please be aware of the fact that not only Hifumi-sama will become your enemy." (Origa) Closed in among the sleeping Alyssa and Kasha, Pajou wanted to transfer to riding a horse too.

城を脱出したバールゼフォンは、騎士隊の寮に駆け込み、自室から保管していた金と予備の剣を掴むと、そのまま街の外へと出ていった。 門番には「急ぎの任務である」とだけ伝え、伝令のために用意されている馬を借り受けて街道を駆けて行った。 追っ手である騎士が番兵からその事実を確認したのは、実に三時間以上後の事で、もはや急いで追うにもどこへ向かったかもわからない状態だった。 だが、追われている側であるバールゼフォンは、血濡れの刀を提げた一二三が今にも背後から飛びかかってくるような恐怖感に急かされ、馬を潰す勢いで街道を駆けて行った。向かうのはヴィシーだ。フォカロルを抜ける必要があるが、ヴィシーに入ってしまえば、混乱の渦中にある都市国家群の中であれば、所属不明の人間も隠れやすいだろう。 途中の村や小さな街で食料を買い入れ、少人数の旅人や商人を脅すか殺すかして、金や衣服を手に入れた。 「もはや、騎士を名乗れる状態ではないな」 抵抗した商人を斬って捨てたとき、バールゼフォンは自嘲気味に笑う。 死体の懐を漁っている自分の姿を思うと、泣きたくなるほど情けない気持ちになるが、全てを捨てた以上は、復讐を終えるまではどんなことをしてでも生き抜く決意はできている。 小さな村の廃屋や野宿をくり返しながら、極力節約をしながらヴィシーを目指す。入国の際に門番に金を握らせる必要があるだろうし、それ以外でいくらでも金が入用になる可能性はある。今は贅沢を言っていられる状況ではないし、本当に良い宿は逆に監視が厳しい。 うっかり顔見知りの貴族と鉢合わせでもしたらと思うと、とてもじゃないが大きな街やホテルに長時間滞在する気にはなれない。 魔物に遭遇する可能性もあるが、街道から少しだけ離れて街道沿いに進むようにする。巡回の兵にも警戒すべきだと思ったからだ。 だが、そのせいで面倒な相手と鉢合わせすることになった。 「......何者だ?」 「それはこちらの台詞です。随分と荒れた格好をしていますが、その剣は中々良い物のようですね。どこからか盗んできたのですか」 街道が遠くに見える、森に近い場所でバールゼフォンの目の前に現れたのは、数名の兵を連れたオリガだった。 「この剣は自前だ。そういうお前らも、大分くたびれた格好をしているな。野盗の類には見えないが......」 剣の柄に手をかけて、バールゼフォンは距離を取る。 ローブを着たオリガの姿を見て、魔法使いの可能性を考えたからだ。杖を持っていない事が気になるが、雰囲気に危険なものを感じたバールゼフォンの判断は的確だった。 「まだ何も見ていないようですね......見逃して差し上げますから、どこへなりと消えなさい」 「見る、とは?」 「貴方には関係の無いことです。ひ......上司から与えられた任務を邪魔するのであれば、命の保証はできませんよ?」 話しながら、バールゼフォンは違和感を感じた。オリガがしきりに背後を気にしているように見えたのだ。 「任務だと? どこかの兵を連れているようだが、お前自身は騎士にも兵にも見えないな」 「余計な詮索は無用です。私は急いで戻らなければならない予感がするのです。消えないのであれば、消すまでですが......」 突然、オリガの背後から草を踏み付ける音が聞こえてくる。 「オリガ様、魔物がそちらに向かいました!」 大声で注意を促す声が聞こえ、オリガはすばやくその場から離れた。 結果として、飛び出してきた魔物はバールゼフォンの目の前に飛び出す格好になった。 「なんなんだ、こいつは......」 ビリビリと肌に響くほどの大きさで吠えたのは、鋭い牙をむき出しにした虎のような魔物だったが、その体長は通常の魔物よりもふた回りは大きい。 太い前足には鋭い爪が見える。軽く触れただけでも皮も肉も簡単に裂けるだろう。 魔物を追って来たのだろう何かの道具を抱えた兵士が、魔物が飛び出した森から出てきた。よく見ると、魔物の背中に短い槍のような物が二本ほど突き立っている。 「オリガ様、申し訳ありません。急に目を覚まして拘束が間に合いませんでした」 「問題ありません。餌を見定めたようですから、このまま放置します」 オリガが言う餌は、自分のことを指していると気づいたバールゼフォンは、素早く剣を抜いて構えた。 唸り声をあげる魔物から、視線を外すことはできない。 「お前らの獲物だろう。責任を持って片付けろよ」 「獲物? まあ、そう思うならそれでも構いません。頑張って私たちが離れる時間を稼いでください。それでは」 追って来られては迷惑ですから、とオリガは一枚の手裏剣を放つ。 「うっ?」 膝に傷を受けたバールゼフォンは、辛うじて転倒は免れた。 「では、さようなら」 兵を引き連れて去っていくオリガは、街道ではなく森へ消えていった。 後を追うため、痛みを堪えて踏み出したのだが、魔物は弱った獲物を捉えようと前足を叩きつけてくる。 辛うじて剣をつかって流したが、足に力が入って更に出血は増える。 「クソがぁあああ!」 絶叫が森に響いたが、その声は誰にも届くことはなかった。 「あんまり平和になるのも困るんですよ、死神としてはね」 「静かにしていろ。集中できん」 死神の言葉を、うるさいと言って聞き流した宰相アドルは、手を止める事なく次の棚へと移動する。 戴冠式が終わってからも、アドルは資料室へ閉じ篭って送還魔法の資料を探す作業は続けていた。 戦争は一旦終結したとはいえ、最大の問題である“一二三”は結果として無傷に終わったどころか、その領地は、勢力として一国に匹敵するまでに成長しつつある。 今後の事を思えば、ただでさえ人数が減った騎士隊を始めとした戦力強化のために、フォカロルへ人員を送る事も、処分した貴族が多かったために滞りが見え始めた文官たちの作業に対して、効率化を図るために研修を受けさせるのも反対ではない。 むしろ、その内容自体にはアドル自身も一定以上の評価をしているので、むしろ推進派と言っていい。 だが、だからといって、いつまでも一二三の存在がこの世界に在って良いとは思っていなかった。 「敵がいなければ敵を作るような男だ。いずれ、この国や女王陛下にとって害となることは間違いない」 そう考えたアドルは、引き続き対策を準備するために、失われた魔法についての資料収集に勤しんでいた。 「もうちょっと、誰かがあの人を焚きつけてくれたらいいんですけどねぇ」 「もう充分すぎるほど死者は出ているはずだ。あんな戦争が何度も起きれば、この世界が滅びる」 縦に無造作に重ねられた薄い石版を、割らないように慎重に、上から取り上げては目を通していく。 「おやおや。あの人が元いた世界では、何千人も何万人も死んだりという事もあるんですがね」 「......それで、どうやって社会が保てるんだ」 思わず手を止めたアドルは、首だけで浮かぶ死神を見た。 以前は顔だけだったのが、今では完全に頭部が復活している。 「大元の人口が違いますよ。何十億人もいるんですから。寿命だって100歳まで生きる人も珍しくはありません」 「億......想像もつかんな。まあいい、その素晴らしい世界とやらに帰れるように頑張っているんだ。少しは黙っていろ」 「わかりましたよ」 煙が散るように掻き消えた死神に、アドルは溜息を一つ吐いて作業を続けた。 重なった石版を全て確認し終え、目的の物が見つからなかった事に落胆する。 石版を撤去したその奥に、布に包まれてひっそりと立てかけられた物がある。手に取ると、それもまた記録のため石版だった。 誰かが隠すように置いたのだろうが、そのまま放置されてしまったのだろう。布ははがしているうちにボロボロに崩れてしまう。 「これは......!」 送還魔法とは違うが、これは使えるかもしれない、とアドルは上着を脱いで丁寧に石版を包むと、資料室を後にした。 一二三帰還の翌日、実家へと向かう準備をしていたフィリニオンは、一二三に呼び出され、何故か文官奴隷たちのための会議室へと来ていた。 「失礼します」 ノックをして部屋に入ると、正面には一二三とアリッサがいた。 他にも文官奴隷の5人や、ヴァイヤーの姿も見える。 「私が一番遅かったようですね。お待たせしてすみません」 謝りつつ、自然な流れでヴァイヤーの隣に座る。誰かがクスリと笑ったが、気にしない。 「呼んだ奴は全員揃ったな」 一二三が話し始めると、全員の視線が集中する。 「とりあえず、ヴァイヤーとフィリニオンは、もう出て行くんだったな」 「はい。フィリニオンの領地に寄ってから、王都へ戻る予定です。明日には出発をと考えております」 「そうか。それじゃ、フィリニオンにこれを渡しておく」 カイムが一二三から書簡を受け取り、フィリニオンに手渡す。 書簡を開くと、そこにはイメラリアの自筆での依頼が書かれていた。一二三の許可があることを前提として、フィリニオンを王城の文官へ登用し、その指導役として就任させる事が書かれていた。 抜擢と言っていいレベルの人事だが、フィリニオンは困惑していた。 「あの......私はもうすぐ結婚するのですが......」 隣を見ると、ヴァイヤーは何故かニコニコと笑っている。 「それは知ってるが、それが何か関係あるのか?」 「別に今すぐ城に来てやれとは書かれてないだろ。結婚してから仕事に就いても文句は言われないだろうよ」 「し、しかし家を守る立場である妻が働くというのは......」 子供ができるかもしれませんし、と言ってから、フィリニオンは赤面して顔を伏せた。 「カイム、オーソングランデの法では既婚者の女は働いたらいけないのか?」 「そういう法はありません。街でもご婦人がたは元気に働いておられます」 ほらな、と一二三はフィリニオンを向いた。 「ヴァイヤーと一緒に城で働けばいいだろ。それより、フォカロルでやっている事を文武ともにあっちで広めてくれ。ホーラントにも伝えたつもりだが、聞かれたら答えていいし」 「はぁ......」 それでいいのか、と思ったフィリニオンだが、この領地とこの領主に普通を求めてはいけないことは滞在の間にわかっていたので、言わないでおく。 「フィリニオン。まだしばらくは共に城で働こう。まだ現役を退くには早いし、女王陛下のお役に立てる折角の機会だから」 「そうね......わかりました。このお話、お受けします」 立ち上がって頭を下げたフィリニオンに、何人かが拍手を送った。 「それと、今までフォカロルで働いた分の給料と退職金を出さないとな」 デュエルガルが一二三に指示を受けて、布の袋に詰まった金貨をフィリニオンとヴァイヤーの前に置いた。 大の大人が抱え上げるのに苦労する量が入っている。 フィリニオンが恐る恐る開くと、銀貨も銅貨も無い、全て金貨が詰まっていた。 「こんなに?! ちょっとした屋敷が買えるくらいはありますよ?」 袋の中身は金貨1000枚。王都の兵士の月給が金貨1枚、騎士の月給で金貨5枚~20枚程度なので、その額の大きさにフィリニオンは不安になった。 「結婚祝いも兼ねてるからな。頑張って人口を増やして、国を豊かにしてくれ」 フィリニオンと共に、ヴァイヤーも慌てて立ち上がり、一二三に頭を下げた。 カイムたち文官奴隷は理解していることだが、今のフォカロル領の財政ではこの程度の金額は造作も無く出せる。 フィリニオンとヴァイヤーへの用は済んだから、と二人は先に退出した。 残ったのは、純粋なフォカロルの中心メンバーのみだ。 「それじゃ、本題と行こうかね」 まずはこれだ、と一二三は文官奴隷達に新たな書類を渡した。 「これは......」 受け取ったカイムが、珍しく言葉につまる。 彼から回された書面をみて、文官たちは次々に驚いた表情へと変わった。 「開放礼状? 私たち、奴隷じゃなくなるんですか?」 最年少のパリュの質問に、一二三は頷いた。 「領地も安定したし、もう買い入れた金額以上の回収はできたからな。それに、これから先の俺のやる事に、付いてくるかどうかを自分の意思で決めてもらうために必要なことだからな。イメラリアに書かせた」 相手が女王になっても変わらない扱いをする一二三に、流石と思う者もどうかと思う者もいる。 「僕は一二三さんにずっと付いて行くと決めてるから、後はみんながどうするかを決めてもらうんだって」 「私は残るわ」 アリッサの言葉を聞いて即決したミュカレ。 「落ち着け、馬鹿たれ」 一二三はミュカレにそう言うと、椅子に背を預け、まずは話を聞け、と続けた。 「まず、ここを出て行くにしてもそれなりの金額の退職金は出してやるから、商売なりなんなりすればいい。今から話す内容を知ったからと言って口止めもしない。話したければそうすればいい」 敵に回るなら対処するまでだし、と言われれば、誰もが黙っている事を選ぶのは自然な事だった。 「俺はこれから、しばらくの間獣人族の連中と遊んでくる。その先にある騎士の国とやらも見てくるつもりだ」 見てくるだけじゃ済まないだろうというのは、全員の一致する見解であったが、もちろん誰も何も言わない。 「その間に、この領地の強化を続けて貰う。俺の狙い通りに行けば、まずは獣人連中との戦いが始まるし、場合によっては騎士の国ともやりあう事になる。その時に、ヴィシーも再び敵になる可能性もあるからな。イメラリア次第だが、オーソングランデ王国軍も敵対する可能性も無いわけじゃない」 要するに、国の立て直しに集中したいホーラント以外、周りが全部敵になるかもしれないという宣言だ。 まだ騒動を起こすつもり満々の一二三に、アリッサとカイム以外の全員がうんざりした顔をしている。 「私はやっぱりこの職場に残るわ。戦争が起きるかもしれないのはどこでも一緒だし、どうせなら一番強い人の近くが安全よ。それに、私は軍務長官から離れる気はないもの」 ミュカレはアリッサへのウインクも交えて宣言した。 「俺も残る。今更別の仕事をしようとは思わねぇな。やっと商工関係も軌道に乗ってきたところだ。こんな楽しい仕事も無いと思うぜ」 「わたしも残ります。今まででも奴隷の扱いではありませんでしたし、この街に愛着もあります」 デュエルガル、ブロクラと続けて残留を選んだ。 パリュも、しばらくは考え込んでいたが、他の女性陣が残ることを選んだのを見て決心したらしい。 「私も、このまま働かせてください。他のところに行っても何かできるとは思えません。ここで皆さんと仕事をしたいです」 そして、最後まで沈黙を保っていたカイムへと視線が集まる。 「実は、私はいくつかの貴族家から引き合いが来ております」 「そうか。まあそうだろうな」 パリュはカイムにも残ってもらいたいのだろう。不安そうな目をしている。 カイムの優秀さは、出入りする人々から領の内外を問わず広がっており、もし奴隷身分でなければ更に多くのスカウトが集中していただろう。 彼が懐から取り出したいくつかの手紙は、その誘いの手紙だろう。それをカイムはためらいも無く破り捨てた。 「私は、領主様の言われる発展と破壊についてずっと考えておりました。人が豊かになることと戦の規模とレベルが高まる事の相乗効果というものを」 一二三に向かって一礼する。 「やはり、領主様はこの世界へと呼び出された英雄なのでしょう。私は血塗られていても発展する世界というものを見たいと思いました。困難の先にこそ、素晴らしい世界があるのだと信じています。苦労をして手に入れなければ、それは幻に過ぎないとも。どうか、これからもお仕えさせていただきたく存じます」 「わかった。これからも頼む」 「では、また領地を留守にされる前に、代官を選定してください。この際、お飾りでも構いませんので」 「ああ、それな」 アリッサは危惧していた話題が出たことに、肩を震わせた。 「誰かと結婚して、嫁さんに任せる事にする。前々から後継がどうとか、お前もうるさかったしな」 「貴族にとって、血統の継続は重要な責務です」 「ということだし、誰か俺と結婚するか?」 軽く言われた言葉に、カイム以外のその場にいた全員が「オリガが戻るまで待ってくれ」と叫んでいた。

Balzephon, who escaped the castle, rushed into the dormitory of the knight order, grabbed his spare sword and money, he had been safekeeping, from his own room and left towards outside the city. Simply reporting [It's an emergency mission] to the gatekeeper, he borrowed a horse, which has been prepared for messengers, and galloped away on the highway. The knight, chasing him, confirmed that fact from the guard. But he was in a situation, where he already didn't know how he should chase him, since it was more than 3 hours after the incident. But Balzephon, being on the chased side, is rushing due to his feeling of dread of Hifumi swooping down on him from behind while holding the blood-soaked katana any time now. He advanced on the highway with a force, which is wasting the horse. He is heading towards Vichy. There is the necessity to pass through Fokalore, but once he enters Vichy and once he is within the cluster of city-states, which are engulfed in a maelstrom of chaos, it will likely be simple to hide as person of unknown affiliation. Purchasing food in small cities and villages along the way, he obtained money and clothes by threatening a small number of travellers and merchants with killing them. "I'm already in a state that makes me being called knight impossible." (Balzephon) At the time he killed and discarded a merchant, who resisted, Balzephon laughed with a sentiment of self-deprecation. Once he thinks about his own figure scavenging the pockets of the corpse, it turns into a miserable feeling to the degree that he wants to cry, but above throwing everything away, he has made his decision to survive no matter what he has to do until he accomplishes his revenge. While repeatedly sleeping outdoors or in deserted houses of small villages, he heads for Vichy economising to the best of his ability. 'It's probably necessary to bribe the gatekeepers with money at the time of entering Vichy. Besides that, there's also the possibility of money becoming quite necessary. Currently isn't the time to talk about luxuries. On the contrary, really decent inns are strict on inspections.' If I consider that I might even inadvertently bump into noble acquaintance, it's absolutely no good to have the intention to stay for a long period in hotels and large cities. I might encounter monsters, but I will try to proceed by travelling along the highway being only slightly separated from the highway. However, thanks to that he ran into a troublesome opponent. "... Who's there?" (Balzephon) "That's my line. You have quite the wild appearance, but that case is a wonderfully nice item. Where did you steal it from?" (Origa) It was Origa, leading several soldiers, who appeared in front of Balzephon in a place close to the forest, only visible as distant place from the highway. "This sword is my own. Even if I tell you that, it hasn't the shape of being worn-out considerably. You don't look like some kind of bandits, but..." (Balzephon) Putting his hand on the sword's hilt, Balzephon takes distance. Watching Origa's figure, which was clad in a robe, he considered the possibility of a magician. He feels uneasy about her not holding a wand, but Balzephon's judgement, sensing that she was someone with a dangerous aura, was accurate. "You apparently still haven't seen anything... Since I will offer you to overlook us, get lost." (Origa) "Seen?" (Balzephon) "It's something unrelated to you. If you obstruct the mission we received from Hi... our boss, I won't be able to guarantee your life, okay?" (Origa) Balzephon felt a sense of discomfort during their talk. He saw that Origa has been constantly worrying about the area behind her. "Mission, it is? Although you seem to be leading soldiers from somewhere, you yourself don't look like a soldier or knight." (Balzephon) "It's pointless to pry too much. I have a premonition, that it's no good, if I don't hasten my return. If you don't disappear, I will go even as far as erasing you, but..." (Origa) Suddenly a sound of grass being trampled down can be heard from behind Origa. "Origa-sama, the monster is headed towards this place!" Hearing a loud voice calling for her attention, Origa left the spot promptly. As result it turned into a situation of the monster, which jumped out, to appear in front of Balzephon. "Wh-What? This fellow is..." (Balzephon) Howling with a volume to level of causing the skin to prickle like an electric shock, it was a monster similar to a tiger baring its sharp fangs, but its length was two sizes bigger than that of a normal monster. You can see sharp claws on its thick forepaw. Even if only touched lightly, skin and flesh would be totally torn off. The soldier, who held some tool and was likely chased by the monster, came out of the forest, where the monster jumped out from. If you look closely, the monster's back has been stabbed by around 2 things similar to short spears. "I'm sorry, Origa-sama. It suddenly woke up and the restraints weren't in time." "There's no problem. Because it seems to have grasped its fodder, we can leave it as is." (Origa) Balzephon, realizing that he was designated as the fodder, Origa was talking about, quickly drew his sword and fixed his stance. As the monster raises a growl, he is unable to let his view wander. "This is likely your prey. Take responsibility and dispose it." (Balzephon) "Prey? Well, I don't mind if you think of it like that. Please do your best to gain time so that we can get away. Well then." (Origa) "Since it will be a bother, if you come chasing", Origa threw a shuriken. "Uh?" Balzephon, who received a wound on his knee, barely avoided falling down. "Then, good bye." (Origa) Origa, leaving while taking the soldiers along, vanished towards the forest and not the highway. For the sake of pursuit, he stepped forward bearing the pain, but once the monster realizes that its prey was impaired, it struck with its forepaw. He managed to just ward it off by using his sword, however his feet had no strength and moreover his bleeding increased. "Fuuuuuuuuuck!" (Balzephon) The scream resounded in the forest, but his voice didn't reach anyone. "If it's too peaceful, it will be troublesome, too. For a shinigami, that is." (Shinigami) "Be quiet. I can't concentrate." (Adol) Prime Minister Adol, who ignore the death god's words by tell them to be quiet, moves to the next shelf without stopping his hands. Ever since the coronation ceremony ended, Adol continued with his search of magic documents about sending back home secluding himself in the reference room. Although the war ended for now, the result was the biggest problem, 'Hifumi', not only ending it unhurt, but his territory continuing to grow as far that you can even compare its power with a whole country. If I consider the situation from here on, even with the matter of sending personnel to Fokalore for the sake of strengthening our war potential for starters, the number of knights in the order has already decreased. Concerning the work of the civil officials, whose stagnation is apparent because many nobles were disposed of, I can't even oppose receiving training to make them more efficient. Rather, since the contents themselves are above the evaluated standard of Adol himself, you can instead call it a furtherance school. However, while that may be true, I don't want to believe that it is fine for Hifumi's existence to be in this world indefinitely. "He is a man that creates enemies if there aren't any. Anyway, I have no doubt that he will become a harm for this country and Her Majesty the Queen." (Adol) Adol, believing in that, worked hard at collecting documents about lost magic in order to prepare countermeasures after that. "A bit longer, though it would be great, if someone stirred him up." (Shinigami) "There should have already been more than enough casualties. If such war happens often, this world will perish." (Adol) He scans the thin lithographs, which were arbitrarily and carelessly piled up, picking up one after the other carefully, so as not to break them, from the top. "Oh my! In the world, he came from, many thousands and who-knows-how-many ten thousands people have also died." (Shinigami) "... How can society be sustained with that?" (Adol) Adol, who unintentionally stopped his hands, looked at the floating shinigami, which only had its head. Previously it was only a face, but now it has completely restored its head. "The population's origins are varying a lot. There are also several billion people. It even isn't unusual for people to survive up to 100 years in age." (Shinigami) "Billions... I can't even imagine. Well fine, I'm doing my best to return him to this wonderful world or whatever. Shut up a bit." (Adol) "Understood." (Shinigami) Adol heaved a single sight towards the shinigami, who disappeared as if smoke dispersing, and continued his work. Finishing to check all of the piled up lithographs, he is dejected as he didn't find the thing he's aiming for. In the interior, where the lithographs were drawn from, there's something, that leaned against the wall and was inconspicuously wrapped up in a cloth. Once he took it into his hands, even that was once again a lithograph for record keeping. Someone likely put it there in order to hide it, but probably ended up neglecting it. The cloth crumbles as he is tearing it off. "This is... !" (Adol) 'It's different from Return magic, but maybe I can use this', Adol took off his outer garment, carefully covered the lithograph with it and left the reference room. The next day after Hifumi's return, Phyrinion, who was prepared to head towards her family's home, for some reason came to the conference room of the civil official slaves after being summoned by Hifumi. "Excuse me." (Phyrinion) When she entered the room after knocking, Hifumi and Alyssa were in front of her. She can also see the figure of Vaiya and in addition the 5 civil official slaves. "It seems that I came last. I'm sorry for making you wait." (Phyrinion) While apologizing, she sits down next to Vaiya with a natural flow. Although someone let a laugh slip out, she doesn't care. "All of those called have gathered." (Hifumi) Once Hifumi begins to speak, all views concentrate on him. "First of all, Vaiya and Phyrinion will leave soon." (Hifumi) "Yes. After dropping by in Phyrinion's territory, we plant to return to the capital. We plan to depart tomorrow." (Vaiya) "I see. Well, then I will give this to Phyrinion." (Hifumi) Caim, receiving a letter from Hifumi, hands it over to Phyrinion. Once she opened the letter, a dispatch in Imeraria's handwriting was written there. As the condition was the permission from Hifumi, Phyrinion was appointed as civil official of the royal castle and it stated that she would inaugurated with a role of coaching. At the level of human resources you can call it an exceptional promotion, but Phyrinion was baffled. "Umm... I will marry very soon though..." (Phyrinion) Looking to her side, Vaiya is smiling for some reason. "I know that, but what does that have to do with anything?" (Hifumi) "It's not particularly saying that you have to go to the castle at once, right? There likely won't be any complaints even if you take up your post after marrying." (Hifumi) "H-However, for a wife, whose position is to protect the family, to work means..." (Phyrinion) "I might give birth to a child", after saying this, Phyrinion covered her blushing face. "Caim, is it not allowed for a married woman to work according to Orsongrande's laws?" (Hifumi) "There isn't such a law. Even in cities, the madams are working full of spirit." (Caim) "You see", Hifumi faced Phyrinion. "I guess it's fine if you work in the castle together with Vaiya. Leaving that aside, please spread the literary and military, you have studied in Fokalore, over there as well. I plan to tell this to Horant as well, but I want you to reply to them if asked." (Hifumi) "Haa..." (Phyrinion) 'Is it fine with that?' Phyrinion thought, but since she realized during her stay in the mansion of this territory's feudal lord that it was wrong to wish for something ordinary, she doesn't say anything. "Phyrinion, let's work in the castle together for still a while. It's still too early for you to step down from active duty. It's a precious opportunity to be helpful for Her Majesty the Queen." (Vaiya) "Oh well... understood. Let's accept this deal." (Phyrinion) Some people applauded to Phyrinion, who stood up and bowed. "And I have to give you the severance payment and salary for your work in Fokalore until now." (Hifumi) Doelgar, receiving Hifumi's instruction, placed a cloth bag filled with gold coins in front of Phyrinion and Vaiya. It has been filled with an amount that will even trouble a grown man to lift. Once Phyrinion timidly opened it, all of it was filled with gold coins, without silver or copper coins being in sight. "This much!? Isn't that enough to buy quite the mansion?" (Phyrinion) Inside the bag there are 1000 gold coins. Since a capital's soldier's monthly salary is 1 gold coin and a knight's monthly salary is around 5~20 gold coins, Phyrinion was uneasy about the amount of money. "It also serves as wedding gift. You did your best to increase the population and enrich the territory." (Hifumi) Together with Phyrinion, Vaiya also stood up in a hurry and bowed towards Hifumi. Although the civil official slaves around Caim are aware of it, for the current public funds of the Fokalore territory paying this kind of amount is no trouble at all. Because the business with Phyrinion and Vaiya came to a close, the two of them left. What remained are only the true core members of Fokalore's core. "Well, let's get to the real issue at hand." (Hifumi) "First is this", Hifumi handed the civil officials a new document. "This is..." (Caim) Caim received it, but was unusually lost for words. Looking at the document, which was passed on from him, the expression of the civil officials changed to surprise one by one. "Acknowledgement of Release? We won't be slaves anymore?" (Paryu) Hifumi nodded to the question of the youngest, Paryu. "The territory is stable as well. You were already able to amass more money than I paid for you. Besides, due to the things I will do from now on, it's essential for you to decide whether you want to follow me with your own resolve. It was written by Imeraria." (Hifumi) Due to Hifumi's treatment of the other side, who just became queen, hasn't changed, there are some thinking "As expected." and some "Is something wrong?" "Since I have decided to always follow Hifumi-san, I want everyone to decide what they want to do in the future." (Alyssa) "I will remain." (Miyukare) It was a prompt decision by Miyukare after hearing Alyssa's words. "Calm down, moron." (Hifumi) As Hifumi said so, he entrusted his back to the chair and continued with "First listen to my story." "To begin with, since you will be given an amount of money as severance payment within limitations even if you leave this place, it's fine to do business or whatever. I won't forbid you to speak about the details of my speech from here on just because you got to know them. It's alright even if you want to speak about it." (Hifumi) "I will deal with you if you become an enemy", once he said that, it became a natural occurrence of everyone choosing to remain silent. "After this I will go play with the lot of the beastman race. I also plan to go have a look at the Country of Knights, which is beyond." (Hifumi) Everyone came to the matching opinion "It likely won't finish with you going to have a look", but of course no one says anything. "During that time I want you to continue strengthening this territory. If it goes as I have planned, the fight with the beastman bunch will begin first. Depending on the situation, it might also become a fight with the Country of Knights. At that time there's also the possibility that Vichy will once again become our enemy. It's depending on Imeraria, but it's not said that it's impossible for Orsongrande's royal army to become hostile as well." (Hifumi) In other words, except Horant, which wants to focus on the reorganization of the nation, all their surroundings might turn into enemies. That's his announcement. Everyone except Alyssa and Caim, have fed up faces due to Hifumi brimming with the intention to cause turmoil again. "I will remain on this post after all. The possibility of a war happening is the same anywhere. I might as well stay safe close to the strongest person. Besides, I don't have any intention to separate from the Military Director." (Miyukare) Miyukare declared and threw even a wink towards Alyssa. "I will stay as well. I don' feel like doing another job at this point. I finally arrived at a point where the commerce and industry relations are on track too. I also believe there's no such enjoyable work like this." (Doelgar) "I shall remain, too. Until now we weren't even treated as slaves. I also fell in love with this city." (Brokkra) Next Doelgar and Brokkra chose to stay. Paryu pondered for a while, but seeing the others of the female camp choosing to stay, she apparently resolved herself. "Please let me work just as before as well. I don't think I would be good at anything else, even if I went to another place. I want to work here together with everyone." (Paryu) And at last the looks gathered on Caim, who maintained his silence so far. "As a matter of fact, there have been inquiries by several noble households for me." (Caim)magic "I see. Well, I guess so." (Paryu) Paryu likely wanted Caim to stay behind as well. She's looking at him with eyes full of anxiety. Caim's excellence has spread, regardless whether in or outside the territory by everybody coming and going. If he hadn't the social standing of a slave, there would have probably been even more scouts concentrating on him. The several letters, he took out from his pocket, are likely invitation letters. Caim ripped those apart and threw them away without hesitation. "I have always pondered about Lord-sama's talk regarding growth and destruction. The thing called synergy of promoting the level and scale of wars as well as people becoming wealthy." (Caim) Facing Hifumi, he bowed. "After all, Lord-sama is probably a hero (eiyuu) summoned to this world. I wanted to see the advanced world even if smeared with blood. I believe if it is to be a wonderful world, there will surely be difficulties ahead. If one doesn't get hold of it after going through hardships, that won't be anything more but an illusion either. Please, let me serve you from here on, too." (Caim) "Understood. I will leave it to you from now on as well." (Hifumi) "Then, please choose a governor before you leave the territory once again. It doesn't even matter, if it's only as decoration, now." (Caim) "Ah, that, huh?" (Hifumi) Alyssa's shoulders trembled due to a topic appearing, she was afraid of. "I will marry someone and leave it to my wife. You guys were also nagging me about an heir for a long time now." (Hifumi) "For a noble it is an important duty to continue the family line." "Saying something like that, is there anyone who wants to marry me?" (Hifumi) Due to the words he said lightly, everyone, who was in this place, except Caim, shouted [Please wait until Origa returns] .

115.Demon Days 過日の戦闘から、ソードランテの獣人側である元スラムは大分落ち着きを取り戻していた。 相当数が流入した人間たちも、特に問題を起こすことなく、ゆっくりではあるが獣人たちとのやりとりを増やしていった。人が食べなければ生きていけない以上、そこに交換や商取引は否応にも発生する。 元々交流があった大工などはもちろん、最初のうちは獣人たちに対して警戒していた人間も、獣人に慣れてきていた。 「レニ!」 そんなある日のこと。昼食後にウトウトしていたレニの所に、ヘレンが息巻いて飛び込んできた。 「うひゃあ!」 大声で飛び起きたレニは、勢い余って椅子ごと後ろに転がる。 一回転して床に座り込み、頭の柔らかい毛についた埃をぽんぽんと払った。 「いたた......そんなに慌ててどうしたの?」 「え、エルフが来たのよ!」 「えるふ?」 まだ半分寝ぼけているレニの頭に、ヘレンのげんこつが落ちる。 「目が覚めた? エルフの集団が、町の入口に来ているのよ」 「それなら、この前完成した建物にとりあえず泊まってもらったら?」 頭と目をこすりながらレニが答えると、ヘレンは首を横に振った。 「スラムの入口じゃなくて、町の入口! 人間たちと町の入口で対立してるみたいなのよ! ゲングさんがみんなを集めて戦う準備はしてるけど、どうするかレニに決めて欲しいって」 「どうするって......」 肩を掴んで揺さぶるヘレンに、レニは目を回すが、ガクガクと揺らすヘレンにも余裕がない。 「人間を追い払ってエルフを受け入れるのか、安全のために無視するのか、それとも、人間と一緒になってエルフを追い払うのか、よ」 「うぅ~ん......。それもあるけど、人間とエルフさんたちが仲良くなって、ウチたちの敵になるのも困るよね」 「あ......」 何故かエルフと人間は敵対するのが当然と思っていたヘレンは、レニの指摘に顔を真っ赤に上気させる。兎耳もへたりと倒れた。 「とりあえず、見に行こうよ。一二三さんも、どんなものでも見て聞いてからって言ってたし」 「そんな簡単に顔を出したら、両方から攻撃されたりしない?」 「そっか......あ!」 何かを思いついて、ニコニコと笑っているレニを見て、ヘレンは不安を隠せない。 「何するつもり?」 「一二三さんがやったことを真似してみよう」 (ぜったいロクなことじゃないよね) 止めるべきだろうか、とヘレンが迷っている間に、レニは家を飛び出していた。 「こんにちは~」 荒野側に固まっているエルフたちとマルファスたち三人の獣人。そして町の出入り口に剣を構えて並び立つ人間の兵士たち。 決して戦争をするわけでもないので、陣を敷くことなどもせず、お互いに使者を出すことも無く、ただただにらみ合いが続く半端に緊迫した空気の中で、突然あらわれたレニの声が響いた。 結局塞がれることの無かったスラムと外をつなぐ穴から出てきたレニは、ヘレンやゲングなど数名を引き連れて、両手に大きな籠を抱えてトテトテと暢気に歩いてきた。 人間の兵士たちは獣人の姿に緊張を見せて身構えたが、レニはそれを無視してエルフの一団へ無防備に近づいていく。 「おやおや、可愛らしい羊の獣人さんじゃあないか」 エルフたちの先頭にいたザンガーも、その姿が近づくにつれて緊張の色を見せ始めたエルフたちをなだめ、ニコニコと笑顔を見せて迎えた。 「こんにちは。羊の獣人さん。おや、なにやらいい匂いがするねぇ」 「差し入れです。お一つどうですか?」 レニが差し出した籠には、マフィンの大きさの焼き菓子がゴロゴロと無造作に入っていた。ほんのりと甘い香りが漂い、エルフの特に子供たちはそわそわとしている。 籠を持っているレニも、口の端から少しだけよだれが出ていた。 「じゃあ、遠慮なくいただこうかね」 ザンガーは一番上にのっていた焼き菓子を一つ摘むと、ためらいなく一口齧った。ホロリと口の中で崩れ、爽やかな甘みが広がる。 「ああ、美味しいねぇ。こんな甘くて美味しいお菓子を食べたのは、何十年ぶりかねぇ。ほら、せっかく持ってきてくれたのに、そんな顔をしていちゃいけないよ、羊さん。あんたも一緒に食べようじゃないか」 「うん。ありがとう」 「あ、わたしももらう!」 我慢できずに手を伸ばしたヘレンが、一番大きな物を掴むと、レニも籠を置いて食べ始めた。 「私も、いい?」 「うん。たくさんあるから、みんなで食べてください!」 警戒しながら様子を窺っていたエルフたちも、ザンガーの様子に安心して、次々に籠の中に手を伸ばしていく。 砂糖が希少で手に入らないソードランテだが、獣人たちの中でも元気な者は荒野の果実を集めてくる事ができた。一二三に簡単なお菓子の作り方を聞いた獣人の女性陣は、砂糖を使わないでジャムのようなペーストを作り、木の実を粉にした生地に練りこむ事で砂糖の代わりにする事を覚えた。 エルフの森でも果物は食べられていたが、こういった手の込んだ焼き菓子などは中々お目にかかれない。 焼き菓子を口にしたエルフたちに、笑顔が広がる。 「美味しいね」 「うん。甘い」 マルファスとリーデル、オルラといった獣人たちも焼き菓子を頬張って、笑っている。 他の獣人たちが持ってきていたお茶も振舞われ、あっという間に荒野のお茶会が始まった。 「ね、やっぱり甘いお菓子はみんなを笑顔にして仲良くなれるんだよ。一二三さんがやった通り」 「まあ、それはそうなんだろうけれど」 「おや、羊さんも一二三さんを知っているのかい?」 「エルフのおばあちゃんも知り合いなんですか? ウチたちは一二三さんに色々教えてもらって、人間と獣人の町を作ったんです」 「レニさんは、あっしらのような人間に虐げられた獣人をまとめあげ、今や町の代表をなさっておられます。こちらのヘレンさんも、副代表としてあっしら獣人や、人間との橋渡しに尽力なさっておいででして」 「門の前に集まっている人間さんたちは、残念だけれど獣人が嫌いみたいで......でも、ウチたちの町には獣人と仲良くしてる人間さんも沢山いますよ」 「そうかい、そうかい」 若いのに大変だ、と何度も頷いたザンガーは、焼き菓子を食べ終えると、マルファスたちを呼び寄せた。 「あんたたちが探していた街は、ここにあったよ。良かったねぇ、羊さんの町なら、きっと安心して暮らせるよ。ひょっとしたら、そこに親父さんもいるかもねぇ」 マルファスの頭を、ザンガーが節くれだった指でわしわしと乱暴に掻いた。 「あれ、エルフさんたちは来ないんですか?」 「おや、羊さんの町は、エルフも受け入れてくれるのかい?」 レニが胸をどん、と叩いた。 「ウチはね、どんな人でも楽しく暮らせる町が作りたいんです。荒野は同じ獣人同士でずっと敵対しているけれど、ウチたちの町は大変な事ほどみんなで協力してやってます。最初は、色々一二三さんに手伝ってもらったけど......それでも、これからは自分たちの力でやっていきたいんです」 「そうかい。あたしたちでも、それを手伝えたら楽しいかもしれないねぇ」 「プーセお姉ちゃんも一緒に行こうよ! プーセお姉ちゃんの魔法はすごいんだよ! 怪我があっという間に治せるんだよ!」 二つ目の焼き菓子を完食して、口の周りをお菓子のクズまみれにしたリーデルが、プーセの手を引いて、興奮気味にプーセの治癒魔法について話す。 「傷があっという間に!? そいつぁすげぇや!」 見たこともない魔法という言葉に興奮したゲングが顔を突き出すと、思わずプーセが小さな悲鳴をあげた。 「ご、ごめんなさい」 「あなたは顔が怖いのよ」 「ひでぇ! この顔は生まれつきですぜ」 ヘレンにぴしゃりと言われ、がっくりと肩を落としたゲングを、プーセは苦笑しながら励ましていた。 「みんなが仲良く、ね。しかも一二三さんが手伝った町かい。ちょっと興味があるねぇ」 ザンガーの決定で、エルフたちは全員でスラムに身を寄せる事になった。 突然お茶会を始めたと思ったら、スラムに向かったエルフたちを、町の入口で警戒していた人間たちは、何が起きたか理解できずに見送るしか無かった。 「派手にやってくれたわね」 ようやく城内を落ち着かせることができたウェパルは、自分の部下たちに城門周辺の片付けを命じ、ホールへとやってきた。 瓦礫の山と転がる死体。震える二人の部下を見て、ため息混じりに一言を投げた。 「天井を落としたのは俺じゃないぞ。失礼な」 「それ以上の事は貴方でしょう? ホールの天井が落ちたくらいの事、王が殺された事に比べたら些事の範囲だわ」 「良かったな。これでお前が王になれるぞ。魔人族の王だ」 一二三は、ニャールに向けていた刀を引いた。 緊張の糸が切れたニャールはヘナヘナと倒れこみ、フェレスが駆け寄る。 「そう......かもしれない。でも、他に強くて出世欲がある人は沢山いるし、私はそこに届かないかもしれないわよ?」 冗談めかして苦笑混じりに言うウェパルに、一二三は納刀しながら唇をペロリと舐めた。 「それは吉報。つまり、もっと殺せばお前が王になれるという事だな」 「......はあ。どうしてそこまでして私を王位に就かせようとするのよ」 「お前は、俺が気に入った奴に似ている」 一二三の言葉に、ウェパルは眉を顰めた。 「妬けるわね。私に似ているなんて、いい女じゃない」 「そうだな。そいつは人間の国の王女......今は女王か。そいつもお前と同じように、周りの誰かを守るために必死で頑張っている。俺にはできないことだな」 だから、と一二三は刀の柄頭を指先で叩いた。 「戦え。下手くそなりに工夫して、互いに懸命に戦って互いの大切なものを壊して、そこからさらに立ち上がって見せろ。それでお前たちの世界はとても良いものになるぞ」 「結果が出るまで理解なぞされてたまるものか。誰も彼もが俺と同じ考えなら、きっと世の中はとてもつまらないものになる」 さて、と一二三はウェパルに近づき、その目の前に立った。 「さて、覚悟はできたか?」 「......わかった。そうするまで貴方は魔人族領から出て行かないでしょうし、いつかは誰かがやらないといけない事だしね。どうせなら、事情を知っている私がやった方が、犠牲は減らせるわ」 「そうだな。そうだといいな。というわけで、俺を追い出すためにもうひと働きしてもらおうか」 王が人間に殺されたという知らせは、意図的に有力な魔人族にだけ即座に伝えられた。 城内にいた者も自宅へ戻っていた者も、慌てて近しい部下をつれて町の出入り口へと走った。 「王を弑した不届き者が街中を逃げ回っているが、いずれ町の外へと逃げ出すだろう」 という内容の情報が入っているのだ。 王には子が居ない。大罪人を始末したという実績があれば、血統を重要視しない魔人族の中であれば、王になる可能性がゼロではない。 特に、今の時点である程度の派閥を形成している者たちにしてみれば、王の死は悲しむよりも最大の機会としか写っていなかった。 だが、彼らは冷静なつもりでそうではなかった。何故なら、王を倒せる程の人間がいるのか、いたとしてその人間に勝てるのか、という事に思考が向かなかったからだ。 そして、彼らが疑問に思うべきだった点がある。 「なぜ、このような重要な情報が、こんな明け方に届いたのでしょうか」 王の死。しかも殺されたとなれば、公表どころか如何にして隠蔽するか、別の死因をどのように取り繕うかに終始するのが当然のはずだ、とある魔人族が主人である貴族に進言した。 だが、その意見はいとも容易く握りつぶされる。 「今回の連絡はウェパルからの物だった。署名もあったから間違いは無いだろう。あれも所詮は女だからな。突然の事態で混乱しておるのだろう」 「ですが、混乱しているならわざわざ署名した書面を届けさせるなどするでしょうか......」 「いい加減にしろ。うじうじと悩むことに時間を使って、王の座を逃すつもりか。とにかく今は下手人を我々で捕縛なり殺害するなりする事に集中するのだ」 同じような目的の者たちが、開け放たれた門から次々に出て行く。 「下手人を探さねばならぬな。まだそう遠くへは行っていないはずだが......」 それぞれの集団が行き先を決めるのに顔を付き合わせている間に、開いていた大門が突然、大きな音を立てて閉ざされた。 ガゴン、とかんぬきがかけられた音も聞こえる。 「待て! 何故門を閉めるのか!」 「敵は外に出たのだ! 今更閉めるとは何を考えている!」 文字通り締め出された者たちが、次々と門に向かって吠えている。 「敵なら、ここにいるぞ」 門の上、いつもなら見張りが立つ場所に、一人の人間が立っている。 「早朝出勤ご苦労。俺がお探しの人間様だ」 ひらりと飛び降りた一二三は、刀の鯉口を切った。 「そしてさようなら、だ」 スラリと抜いた刀に、顔を見せ始めた太陽の光が反射する。 「さあ、旅の仕上げだ。腹いっぱいやり合おうぜ」

Chapter 115: Demon Days After the battle the other day the slums, which is the beastmen part of Swordland, mostly regained their stability. Without any particular problems occurring even when a considerable number of humans influxed, it increased the exchange between the races, albeit slowly. Since people can't survive if they don't eat, bartering and business transactions develop into agreements. Those like the carpenters, who interacted with the beastmen from the start, and also the humans, who were vigilant towards the beastmen in the beginning, got naturally used to them. "Reni!" (Helen) One day Helen rushed like a storm towards the location of Reni who was dozing off after lunch. "Uhyaa!" (Reni) Jumping up to her feet due to the loud voice, Reni falls over backwards, alongside the chair, having been overenthusiastic. Sitting down on the floor after making one revolution, she wiped off the dust on her loose hair with a *pon pon*. "Oouuch... What's wrong that you are in such a hurry?" (Reni) "T-The elves came!" (Helen) "Elves?" (Reni) Helen drops her fist on the head of Reni who's still half-asleep. "Did you snap out of it? A group of elves has arrived at the entrance to the city." (Helen) "If that's the case, how about we have them stay at the recently completed building for the time being?" (Reni) Once Reni replied while rubbing her head and eyes, Helen shook her head. "It's not the slums' entrance but the city's! It looks like they have been confronted by the humans at the city's entrance! Gengu-san is gathering everyone to prepare for battle, but he wants us to decide what we will do, Reni." (Helen) "What we will do, you say..." (Reni) Reni is astonished because Helen grasps her shoulders and shakes them, but Helen, whose body is trembling, doesn't have any composure. "Shall we drive away the humans and receive the elves, do we ignore them for the sake of safety or shall we join up with the humans and drive away the elves?" (Helen) "Yee~a... There's that as well, but it will become problematic if the humans and elf-san's get along well and become our enemies, right?" (Reni) "Ah..." (Helen) Helen, who for some reason considered it to be natural for humans and elves to be antagonistic towards each other, dropped her rabbit ears and had her face flush bright red due to Reni pointing it out. "For the time being, let's have a look. Hifumi-san also said to judge after hearing and seeing what kind of person the other party is." (Reni) "Won't we get attacked by both sides if we turn up there just like that?" (Helen) "I see... ah!" (Reni) Helen hides her anxiety after seeing Reni smiling broadly who has been struck with some kind of idea. "What are you planning?" (Helen) "Let's try imitating what Hifumi-san did." (Reni) (That definitely won't be anything decent, will it?) (Helen) While Helen is hesitating whether she should stop her, Reni rushed out of the house. "Hello~" (Reni) The elves and the group of the 3 beastmen around Malfas have assembled on the wastelands' side. And the human soldiers have lined up at the city's entrance with their swords prepared.magic Since it's not like they want to wage a war at all, they simply continue the stand-off without setting up an encampment and without either side sending a messenger in a partially strained atmosphere. Suddenly the voice of Reni, who appeared, resounded. Reni, who came out of the hole that connects the slums with the outside and which hadn't been blocked in the end, took along several beastmen like Helen and Gengu and casually walked over in a trot while carrying a large basket in both hands. The human soldiers put themselves on guard and show nervousness due to the appearance of the beastmen, but ignoring that, Reni approaches the elven group defencelessly. "Oh my! Isn't that a lovely sheepgirl-san?" (Zanga) Zanga, who was at the head of the elves, calmed down the elves who were showing signs of tension when she saw that figure coming closer and welcomed her with a friendly smile. "Hello, sheepgirl-san. Oh, something smells nice." (Zanga) "It's refreshments. How about tasting it?" (Reni) Muffin-sized baked sweets were carelessly put all over into the basket held by Reni. Especially the children of the elves are getting fidgety with the faintly appetising aroma drifting around. Even Reni, who is holding the basket, has a bit drool leaking from her mouth. "Well, then let's enjoy it without holding back." (Zanga) Once Zanga picked up the backed sweets which was placed topmost, she bit a mouthful off it without hesitation. Chewing it in her mouth while being moved to tears, a refreshing sweetness spreads out. "That's indeed delicious. It's been several decades since I last ate such delicious and tasty sweets, I think. Hey! Although you brought it to us at great pains, it's no good if you make such a face, sheep-san. Do you want to eat together with us?" (Zanga) "Yes. Thank you." (Reni) "Ah, I will take some as well!" (Helen) Once Helen, who stretched out her hand unable to control herself, grasped the biggest sweets, Reni put down the basket and started to eat as well. "Is it alright for me to join as well?" (Zanga) "Yea. Everyone, please eat as there are plenty!" (Reni) Even the elves, who observed the situation while being cautious, stretch out their hands into the basket one after the other after being relieved seeing Zanga's state. Though sugar was rare and couldn't be obtained in Swordland, the healthy ones among the beastmen were able to gather fruits in the wastelands. The female beastmen group, which heard about a simple sweets recipe from Hifumi, created a paste similar to jam, which doesn't use sugar, and learned to use fruits instead of sugar by mixing the paste into batter made out of flour. The elves were able to eat fruits in the elven forest as well, but they haven't been able to often encounter such elaborately baked sweets. Smiles spread among the elves who ate the baked sweets. "It's delicious." (Malfas) "Yea. It's tasty." (Riedel) Malfas, Riedel and also the beastgirl called Olra are stuffing their cheeks with baked sweets and are smiling. Being treated with tea the other beastmen brought as well, a tea party began in the wastelands in the blink of an eye. "Hey, delicious sweets will make everyone smile and it becomes possible to get along with each other. Just like Hifumi-san did." (Reni) "Well, that's true I guess." (Helen) "Oh, sheep-san knows Hifumi-san as well?" (Zanga) "Is he an acquaintance of you, too, elf-obaachan? We were taught various things by Hifumi-san and created a city for beastmen and humans." (Reni) "Reni-san brings together the beastmen, who were oppressed like me, and is presently acting as representative of the city. Helen-san over there also assists in mediating between humans and us beastmen as assistant representative." (Gengu) "The humans, who are gathered in front of the gate, look like they hate beastmen although it's regretful... But, there are plenty of human-san's in our city who are good friends with beastmen." (Reni) "I see, I see." (Zanga) "Although you are young, you have it difficult", Zanga nodded several times over, but once she finished to eat baked sweets, she called over Malfas' group. "The city you were looking for was the one here. How nice, eh? If it's sheep-san's city, you will definitely be able to live there safely. By chance your father might be there as well." (Zanga) Zanga roughly stroke Malfas' head with her bony fingers. "Huh? The elves won't come in?" (Reni) "Oh, does the city of sheep-san accept elves as well?" (Zanga) Reni hit her chest with a thump. "We want to create a city where any kind of person can live happily. Although our fellow beastmen in the wastelands are still continuing to be hostile towards us, our city is something great where everyone's cooperating. In the beginning we received various help from Hifumi-san, but... even so, we want to live by relying on our own strength from now on." (Reni) "I see. It might be fun to help with that too." (Zanga) "Puuse-onee-chan, let's go together! Puuse-onee-chan's magic is amazing. She heals wounds in the blink of an eye!" (Riedel) Riedel has remains of the sweets smeared around her mouth as she is eating one baked sweets after the other, but pulling Puuse's hand, she talks about Puuse's magic in excitement. "Wounds are gone in the blink of an eye!? That's amazing!" (Gengu) Once Gengu pushed forth his face in agitation due to the remark about magic he had never seen before, Puuse unintentionally leaked a small scream. "I-I'm sorry." (Gengu) "You have a scary face." (Helen) "How cruel! I was born with this face." (Gengu) Puuse encouraged Gengu, who dropped his shoulder being heartbroken after having been told that flatly by Helen, while smiling wryly. "Everyone, let's get along, okay? Moreover, the city Hifumi-san helped out with. I'm slightly curious." (Zanga) Upon Zanga's decision, all of the elves decided to live in the slums. Just when they suddenly started a tea party, the elves headed to the slums. The humans, who were watching them from the city's entrance, couldn't do anything but see them off without understanding what had happened. "You did it quite flashily." (Vepar) Vepar, who was finally able to calm down the castle, ordered her own subordinates to clean up the area around the castle gate and turned up at the hall. A mountain of debris and corpses being scattered around. Seeing her two subordinates trembling, she made a brief comment with a sigh mixed in. "It wasn't me who made the ceiling fall. How rude." (Hifumi) "Everything else was you though, right? If you compare the matter of having killed the king with the issues of the ceiling having collapsed, the latter is in the range of being trifle." (Vepar) "It's great. With this you can become the ruler. The ruler of the demon race." (Hifumi) Hifumi drew back the katana which was aimed at Njal. Pheres rushes over as Njal, whose thread of tension was cut, collapses weakly. "Might be... so. However, there are plenty others who strongly desire to climb in rank. I might not reach it, you know?" (Vepar) Due to Vepar saying it jokingly with a bitter smile mixed in, Hifumi licked his lips while sheathing his katana into its scabbard. "That's good news. In other words, that means you will become king if I kill even more." (Hifumi) "... Haa. Why do you want me to ascend the throne to such an extent?" (Vepar) "You are similar to a fellow I like." (Hifumi) Vepar raised her eyebrows due to Hifumi's words. "I'm jealous. Someone resembling me won't be a good woman." (Vepar) "That's true. That person is the princes of a human country... now she is the queen, huh? Just like you, that person has frantically done her very best to protect the people in her surroundings. That's something I'm unable to do." (Hifumi) "Therefore", Hifumi hit the pommel of the katana with his finger. "Fight. Show me how you can rise even further from here on by destroying each other's important things, by risking your lives to fight with each other and by scheming in a clumsy way. By doing that you guys' world will become something very nice." (Hifumi) "Can you endure waiting to understand why until results appear? If everyone thinks like me, this world will definitely become something absolutely boring." (Hifumi) "Well then", Hifumi closed in on Vepar and stood in front of her. "Were you able to resolve yourself?" (Hifumi) "... Got it. I will do so until you leave the territory of the demons. It's something someone has to do sooner or later anyway. Might as well be me who knows the the circumstances. That will decrease the sacrifices." (Vepar) "That's right. It's good like this. Having said that, let's have the people work a bit more for the sake of chasing me out." (Hifumi) The notification that the king had been killed by a human was intentionally conveyed only to the influential demons right away. The people, who were in the castle, and those, who had returned home, hurried in panic to the entrance of the city leading their close subordinates. "The scoundrel, who killed the king, is running around all over the city, but he will likely escape outside the city sooner or later." That's the contents of the information. The king has no children. If they get the achievement of having gotten rid of the sinner, the possibility of them becoming king isn't zero even if their pedigree isn't regarded highly amongst the demons. Especially considering the people who are forming factions in the current occasion, rather than mourning over the king's death, they saw it as nothing but their biggest chance. However, although they intended to be calm, they weren't. That's because there's a human at the level of being able to defeat the king or are they able to win against that human as they are? They didn't turn their thinking in that direction. And there is a point they should consider in doubt. "Why was such important information delivered at dawn like this?" A king's death. Moreover if he was killed. Far from announcing it officially, it should be obvious to gloss it over with a different cause of death or to conceal it in any way from the beginning to the end. A certain demon proposed to a noble who is his lord. However, that opinion has been easily shelved. "This time's message was from Vepar. There's probably no mistake as it has her signature, too. That person is after all just a woman. She is likely confused by the sudden turn of events." "But, will she do something like expressly sending a signed letter if she's confused...?" "Cut it out! Using the time for something like worrying in hesitation, do you intend to let the king's seat get away? Anyway, for now we will concentrate on arresting the criminal or killing them." The people with the same objective leave through the open gate one after the other. "Search for the criminal. He shouldn't have been able to escape very far yet..." During the time each group meets up and decides their destination, the opened, large front gate suddenly closed with a loud sound. Even the sound of *don* signalling the affixing of the bolt can be heard. "Wait! Why have you closed the gate!?" "The enemy went outside! What are you thinking to close it this late in the game!?" The people, who were literally shut out, roar towards the gate one after the other. "If it's the enemy, he's here." (Hifumi) On top of the gate, where the guards are usually patrolling, a single human is standing. "Thanks for going to work early in the morning. I seem to be the human you are looking for." (Hifumi) Jumping down nimbly, Hifumi opened the mouth of the katana's sheath. "And, goodbye." (Hifumi) The sunlight, which started to make its appearance, is reflected by the smoothly drawn katana. "Now then, it's the end of your journey. Let's compete with each other to our hearts' content." (Hifumi)

泰然と立つ一二三は、道着に袴の姿で迫り来るヴィシーの兵士たちを待ち構えていた。 脇道を封鎖したと言っても、街のメインの通りであるここは、道幅8メートルは楽にあり、たった一人が相手なら回り込むのも苦ではない。 それでも一二三は、道の中央に立っている。 視線は前方を見据えながらも誰かに注視する事なく、目の前の光景をただそのままに瞳に映している。 幸せだと、一二三は感じていた。 敵がこんなにも沢山いる。沢山殺す相手がいる。こんな光景、こんな幸福は、きっと日本にいたら一生経験することは無かっただろう。 湧き上がる歓喜に、一二三は笑顔のまま振り上げた刀をひと振り、稲妻のような速さと木の葉のような軽さで斬りおろした。 一番槍だと意気込んで飛びかかった兵士は、一瞬何が起きたかわからなかったが、その数瞬あとには血の海に沈むことになった。額から顔の前半分を断ち割られていたのだ。 それからは、風切り音と悲鳴のくり返しだった。 喉を割く。 目を貫く。 脇・腿など鎧が無いところから動脈を断つ。 骨や鎧に刀が当たる音は一切しない。 作業のようでありながら芸術のように、あらゆる角度で肉体を傷つけていく。 「回り込め! 包囲して攻撃しろ!」 隊長からの苛立った声に、兵たちはまるで今気づいたかのように、一二三の両脇を抜けて背後から殺到する。 それでも、一二三を傷つけること能わず。 剣は空を切り、メイスが虚しく地を叩く。 「なんで避けられるんだ!」 「畜生、当たれよぉ!」 「あぁ、死にたくないぃ......」 「ち、血が止まらねぇ......」 遮二無二斬りかかってくる者、死体となった者、間もなく死体になるものが、一二三を中心に道いっぱいに広がる。 赤く染まった一帯は、見方によっては綺麗かもしれない。 「おい、矢を射掛けろ」 「は?」 「あの化物に向かって矢を撃てと言っている!」 突然の指示がうまく飲み込めず副官が聞き返すと、隊長は激昂して怒鳴りつけた。 「しかし、今撃てば確実に味方に被害が出ます」 「構わん。あれをどうにかしないと損害は増えるばかりだ!」 「......わかりました」 苛立つ隊長に短く返答した副官は、心の中で謝罪しながら近くの弓矢を持った兵士たちに指示を出した。 放たれた矢がまばらなのは、彼らの心情ゆえだったかもしれない。 その結果を見ることもなく、隊長はさらに残った兵たちへ命令を下す。 周囲の脇道を塞いでいる構造物を破壊して、建物を迂回して敵後方からの攻撃をさらに厚くしようという狙いだ。 早速100名ほどが構造物の撤去に取り掛かった。 「いくら強くてもこれだけの人数を全ては相手できまい」 矢をさらに撃つように命じ、勝利を確信した隊長は鼻を鳴らす。 最初に降りかかった矢の雨は、一二三の目にはっきりと見えていた。 「数が少ないな。それじゃ当たらん」 周囲では数人のヴィシー兵が矢を受けて悶絶している。 動けそうな奴には止めをさし、致命傷を受けたと見える奴は放っておく。 肩に矢を受けて転倒した男の首を斬って殺したとき、隊長らしい馬上の男の周辺で、ヴィシー兵たちが脇道の封鎖を解こうとし始めるのが一二三に見えた。 「ようやく始めたか」 それからしばらく、相変わらず数に物を言わせて押し寄せるヴィシー兵を次々に沈め、数箇所の封鎖を破り、敵兵が100名ほど脇道へ入ったのを確認したところで、一二三はニヤリと笑った。 「ここからが本気の殺し合いだぞ? 気合入れてかかってこいよ!」 一閃。 周りを囲んでいた兵を5名まとめて斬殺した一二三の姿に、さすがのヴィシー兵も足が止まった。 返り血を浴びた彼は、同じく血濡れの刀を数枚まとめた懐紙で拭うと、撒き散らした懐紙が降る中でゆっくりと納刀した。 「まずは、ちょいと掃除をしよう」 一二三を中心に道と同じ幅まで一気に闇が地面を覆う。一二三の闇魔法による収納だ。 突然、詠唱もなく発動した魔法に怯えるヴィシー兵たちだが、収納魔法は生き物は入れられない。 闇の中央には一二三が立ったまま、周りに倒れていた多くの死体が消えた。 まるで戦闘など無かったかのようにすっきりとしている。 「さて、今から俺はお前たちの大将首を取りに行く。頑張って止めて見せろよ?」 いつの間にか、一二三の腰からは刀が消え、代わりに130cm程の金属棒が握られている。 「新調した得物を初めて実戦で使うんだ。楽に死ねなくても恨むなよ?」 楽でも楽でなくても殺されたら恨むだろうと、こんな場面で思った者が数人いたかもしれないが、一二三が振るう棒で顔面や頭を潰され、先ほどと同様に次々と死んでいく。 さっきと違うのは、一二三がヴィシー兵を殺しながらどんどんと進んで行っている事だ。 「そらそら、もっとしっかり壁を作れ。剣をしっかり支えろ......お?」 矢の雨が再び一二三を襲う。 素早く棒を持ち直した一二三が握りをひねると、分銅がついた鎖が棒の中からじゃラリと伸びてきた。 味方もろとも襲う矢は、先ほどよりもずっと多い。 鎖を振り回して矢を払い、グングンと隊長に向かって迫る一二三の耳に、少し離れた場所から悲鳴が聞こえた。 封鎖に使われていた木材は、簡単に固定されただけのものだったので、数人で蹴り飛ばせば、すぐに跨げる程度の高さまで崩すことができた。 数箇所に別れた兵たちは、次々に路地へ侵入していく。 最初にそれに引っかかったのは、これが初めての戦争だった若者だった。 駆け出そうとした足は、地面に立つことなく埋もれ、中に仕込まれた鋭利な鉄くずや木の杭でずたずたに裂かれた。 悲鳴を上げることもできずに倒れた若者は、さらに全身に傷が付き、後続が上に倒れ込んできたことで体中を穴だらけにして死んだ。 悲鳴を上げたのは、若者の上に折り重なった別の兵士だ。 悪辣な罠は兵士が踏み込んだ全ての路地にあり、次々と傷ついて転げまわる男たちを増やしていった。 しびれを切らして別の通りに踏み込んでも、さらに同様かもっと深い穴に落とし込まれていく。 それだけならば十数名が死んだだけで済んだかもしれないが、一二三が罠を作らせたのは攻撃ではなく足止めのためだ。 罠の内外で足が止まっている兵たちに、次々と飛来したのは木製の槍だった。 一二三の領軍が、新開発の投槍器を使い、路地の奥、建物の影から顔を出しては射出し、射殺していく。 まだ台数は多くないので、手の空いた者は弓矢でフォローしていく。 狭い路地で動けないところを遠方から冷静に狙撃され、数箇所の路地でみるみるうちにヴィシー兵は数を減らしていく。 副官は上の判断を待たず、路地から兵を引かせ、正面の男に当たるように指示を出すが、各路地に向かってバラバラになりすぎた部隊は集結にいつまでかかるか予想もできない。 そうこうしている間にも、棒と鎖を組み合わせた奇妙な武器を持った男が、次々と兵を殺害しながら距離を詰めてくる。 「このままでは......」 副官は撤退するべきだと考え、隊長をチラリと見る。 出世欲に駆られたこの男に、その判断ができるだろうか。敗走となれば栄達の道は閉ざされたも同然だろう。だが、このままでは死ぬ。命令違反となっても、ここで無理やりに引くべきではないか。副官は迷っていた。 胸あたりまでの長さの杖を使うので、乳切り木とも書くこの武器は、棒の先に鎖をつけるか収納できるように仕込み、殴打の為の分銅などをつける、和製のチェインフレイルのような武器だ。 癖の強い武器で、扱いが難しいためあまりメジャーではないが、杖術に鎖の柔軟性が合わさり、使いこなすことができれば変幻自在の攻撃ができる。 棒の先で喉を潰された兵が倒れた所をさらに胸を踏まれて心臓が止まり、分銅で殴られた兵は顎が砕けて涙を流して膝をついたところでさらに頭を叩き割られた。 ある意味では刃物よりも残酷な死に様を晒していく兵を踏み越え、一二三はさらに速度を上げて兵が集まる中に飛び込んでいく。 虐殺は、まだ終わらない。 「隊長、ここは引きましょう」 「たった一人に......たった一人に負けたと言えるか!」 兵を叱咤し、あの男を何としても討ち取れと喚く隊長を見て、副官はため息をついた。 そっと隊長から距離を取った彼は、周辺の者に声をかけ、密かにローヌの街を出て行く。興奮している隊長は気づいていないが、一二三には30名程が退くのを見ていた。 この期に及んで剣も抜いていなかった隊長は、まるで反応できない。今になって、自分の周りが閑散としている事に気づいたが、後の祭りだ。 「死ね」 たった一言を叩きつけ、一二三は馬上の隊長の首に鎖を巻きつけて引きずり下ろした。 一二三が腕を振ると、隊長の首は可笑しな向きに捻り折られた。 あっという間に隊長が殺され、兵たちはすっかり戦意を失って、誰ともなく後退りを始めている。 「お前たちの大将は、死んだ」 「逃げるなら今のうちだぞ? 必死で逃げ帰って、この街で起きたことを言いふらすと良い。信じてもらえたらいいけどな」 ニタリと笑う一二三の顔を見て、ヴィシー兵たちは蜘蛛の子を散らすように逃げ出した。 武器は投げ捨てられ、戦友の死体も怪我をして動けない仲間も見捨てて。 一二三は残された怪我人をゆっくりと殺して周り、領兵達には死体の片付けと罠の埋め戻しをさせる。 フォカロルでの募兵に応じ、新しく領兵として入った連中は嘔吐したりふらついている者もいるが、初期から一二三と共に戦ってきた者たちは平然と片付けに勤しんでいる。今回も領主様のおかげで楽ができたと笑っている者すらいるようだ。 オリガとアリッサが、兵達に指示を出してから一二三に向かって駆け寄ってくる。 自分の姿を見て、水でも浴びるかと苦笑した一二三は、すうっと深呼吸をして、契り木を闇魔法の収納へ放り込んだ。 血の匂い立ち込める大通りは、もうすぐ日暮れを迎える。 一二三たちの領軍百名あまりが、数百の敵兵を撃退したという噂は、三日ほど後には王都でも間に広まり、あちこちの酒場では“細剣の騎士”様がまたやってくれたと大騒ぎだ。 そんな喧騒を横目に、ギルドで報酬を受け取ったカーシャは一人、夜の道を歩いていた。 納得して離れたつもりだったし、冒険者としての活動を再開したばかりとはいってもお金には充分すぎるほど余裕もある。人を殺すのはもう嫌になっていたし、奴隷じゃなくなった自由を満喫するため、美味しいと評判の店に行ってみたり、新しい剣を買ってみたりしていた。 それでも、ふとした時に隣にオリガがいない事が寂しくて仕方なくなる。 一二三の事は自分でも不思議な程思い出すことが少ないけれど、オリガの事を思い出す時には、最後には一二三が復讐のために人を殺すことを命じた時の顔だけは目に浮かぶ。 柔らかな明かりに照らされた狭い一人部屋で、ベッドに倒れこむと、寂しい気持ちは大きくなってくる。 「恋する乙女じゃないんだから......」 ひょっとして、自分の選択は間違っていて、あのままオリガや一二三と共にいるべきだったのだろうか。それとも、無理にでもオリガを連れてくるべきだったのかもしれない。 頭の中をグルグルと回る後悔によく似た何かを持て余しているところで、ドアを叩く音が聞こえる。 「......誰だい?」 立てかけていた剣を引き寄せ、短く問う。 帰ってきたのは、聞いたことのある女の声だった。 「パジョーよ。ちょっと話があるんだけど」 「? どうしてここが?」 ホッとして知り合いを招き入れたカーシャの質問に、パジョーは上品に笑う。 「それくらい、わたしたちが調べればすぐにわかるわ。これでもこの街を守る騎士隊なんだから」 「それはそれは、大したもんだね。で、アタシに何か用かい?」 椅子もない部屋なので、ベッドに隣り合って座った二人は、目線を合わせることもなく話す。 「王城より、貴女に依頼があります」 「お城から? 復帰したての冒険者に何をやらせるつもりだい?」

Stoic stood Hifumi, awaiting the Vichy soldiers in his Hakama and Dougi. The byroads were blocked off, but he stood on the main--a road eight meters in width where a group could easily surround a man. Yet Hifumi stood in the middle of it. He expressed no caution; his eyes simply reflected the scene before him. And he felt happiness. Behold how many enemies have come! How many he could slay! This scene, this happiness, surely he could never have felt it were he still in Japan. As the smile rose on his face, a katana rose in his hands; and with speed of lightning striking from the heavens, with the gentleness of a leaf carried by the wind, the katana was swung down. The enthusiastic vanguard blinked, unsure of what had happened, but by the time he blinked again he had already drowned in blood. For his face had split open. Again and again the sound of wind being cut was followed by shrieks. Cut the throat. Pierce the eye. Slice open an artery where the armor was weak. Not once did the katana strike bone or armor. As mechanically as if doing work, as beautifully as if an artist, he repeatedly carved their bodies from every angle. [Surround him! Encircle and slay him!] Their captain barked out orders, and as if snapping out of a trance, the soldiers attacked Hifumi from both sides and the rear. And yet no one managed to wound him. A sword only cut air around him; a mace merely struck earth. [How can he evade it?!] [Pierce the beast, damn it!] [I don't want to die...!] [T-the blood is not stopping...] Hifumi was quite surrounded: some desperately rushing to be killed, others already a corpse, and yet others soon to become a corpse. The road was dyed red: and to a friend it may even have looked beautiful.magic [Fire the arrows] [Huh?] [I'm telling you to shoot that monster!] The captain angrily responded to his adjutant, who could not comprehend such a bizarre order. [But, we will hit our own if we fire now] [I don't care. If we don't bring it down, even more will die] [...Understood] Curtly replying, the Adjutant offered a prayer and ordered the bowmen to fire. The arrows, much to the pride of their bowmen, flew tightly together. Without waiting for the result, the captain began issuing orders to the remaining soldiers. They were to dismantle the structures blocking the roads and attack the enemy from behind. He had thus sent a hundred men on this quest. [No matter how strong he may be, no one can fight this many men] Ordering the another volley of arrows, the captain was sure of his victory. A rain of arrows entered Hifumi's view. [Too few. They won't hit] A few soldiers around him were hit, and wallowed in agony. Those who could still move he disposed of; those who were fatally injured he ignored. He decapitated those who were hit in the shoulder, and then noticed that the enemy's commander was ordering his men to clear the roads. [So they had finally begun] And after briefly cutting down a few more Vichy soldiers, Hifumi confirmed that a hundred men had gone off to clear the roads and smiled. [So the slaughter finally beings? Come, be a man!] A flash. Seeing Hifumi decapitate five more men, even the trained soldiers stopped motionless. Though he was drenched in their blood, he nonetheless pulled out a paper to wipe the blood from his katana, and, after doing so, sheathed it. [Guess I should clean up a bit] Darkness spread from Hifumi's shadow and swallowed the earth around him. Hifumi use his darkness magic to dispose of the corposes. Vichy soldiers were terrified, although it had no effect on them--you can't store away a living thing. With Hifumi in the center of a sea of darkness, the myriad corpses sunk and disappeared. As if the battle had never happened. [Now then, I'm going to go get your captain's head. Do try to stop me please.] At some point the katana on Hifumi's waist was replaced with a 130 cm long pole. [It's my first time using this weapon. Surely you won't resent me for not killing you quickly?] They would probably resent him no matter how he killed him; the few soldiers who remained now had their heads smashed in. As before, they just kept on dying. But unlike before, Hifumi was slowly walking forward even as he continued to slay countless men. [Come on, keep the line. Ready your blades... Oh?] A second rain of arrows has come. Hifumi twisted the end of the pole, and a chain dangled out from within it. With all their men firing in unison, there far more arrows this time. And while Hifumi was deflecting the arrows with the chain and approaching the Vichy captain, distant screams reached his ears. Although the blockade was made of a durable material, if many people were to press on it, surely it would eventually fall. The same occurred, and many soldiers started heading towards the main. The first among them were the youngest, those unaccustomed to war. And after a few steps the ground beneath their feet disappeared only to reveal iron and wooden pikes. Unable to so much as scream their bodies were pierced, and those who fell on top of them rendered fatal their wounds. Those who screamed were those who fell on top of the young. This crafty trap was placed past every blockade, and the number of wounded and dead only increased. Even if they were to take another route, they would only fall prey to another trap. Surely the number of dead would only number in the dozens, but the objective was not to kill but to stop their advance. The soldiers who stopped before the traps were welcomed by a volley of spears flying towards them. Hifumi's guard appeared from deep within the buildings, as they use the spear-thrower to slaughter Vichy men. There were few such spear-throwers, so those empty handed followed with bows and arrows. The roads were narrow, and Hifumi's guards were far; they could leisurely snipe away at Vichy soldiers. Even more lives were quickly extinguished. Without waiting for an order, the adjutant commanded all remaining troops to attack the approaching monster. Yet he could not expect many to gather. And wielding a bizarre staff with chains, a man continued to approach while creating more and more corpses behind him. [At this rate...] The adjutant wanted to command the forces to retreat but then he glanced over the captain. Would this power-hungry man be able to approve of that decision? Withdrawing now would close the door on his career. But otherwise all would die. Should he withdraw troops even if it means being court-martialed? The adjutant hesitated. With its length coming up to his chest, this weapon which is also sometimes called the Chigirki (Chest-cutting Tree), has a chain attached to the end of it and a weight attached to the chain. It is like a Japanese chain flail. The weapon has its perks and demerits, and is rather hard to use; and although it's not Hifumi's specialty, the weapon does allow for a great variety of attacks if you were to mix in Jojutsu* while using it. For example, crushing somebody's throat and then stepping on their chest so as to stop their heart; or breaking their jaw, forcing them on their knees in tears, and smashing in their heads. Leaving corpses even more deformed than when he was using a blade, Hifumi hastened his pace towards a gathering of soldiers. This massacre has yet to end. [Captain, we must retreat] [A single man... Are you telling me we lost to a single man!?] Scolding his man, the captain desperately asked anyone to kill Hifumi, but the adjutant only sighed. And after taking a few steps away from the captain, the adjutant called out to nearby soldiers and made preparations to leave Rhone. Captain in his haste did not notice it; but Hifumi did. The captain never even had the chance to draw his blade. By the time he noticed he was abandoned, it was too late. [Die] With but a single word, Hifumi wrapped the chain around the captain's neck and brought him down from the horse. When Hifumi withdrew his hand, the captain (corpse) looked rather amusing. Seeing their captain killed, the soldiers completely lost their will to fight, and began edging back. [Your general is dead] [If you want to run, now would be the time? Desperately run back to your masters and tell them what had happened here. That's if they believe you of course] Fearing the smile on Hifumi's face, the Vichy soldiers scattered like baby spiders before a predator. They abandoned their weapons and the wounded too. Hifumi calmly wandered the field, disposing of any wounded, while his guard was busy burying the bodies. Those who had recently joined his guard were throwing up with lifeless eyes, while those who had already worked with Hifumi meticulously continued their tasks. Origa and Alyssa, after issuing the troops orders, rushed over to Hifumi. After looking at his appearance, Hifumi's face had a bitter smile on it as he wondered how he'd wash all the gore off. He continued to take deep breaths even as he put away the Chigiriki into his dark storage. The blood-stained main road soon welcomed a bloody sunset. With less than a hundred men, Hifumi's guards utterly crushed a force many times larger--in but three days such rumors reached the capital, and the bars were filled with songs of praise for the "Knight of the Slender Sword." Having witnessed these revelries in the guild, Kasha, who came there to get her quest reward, wandered into the moon-lit street. She left of her own free will; as an adventurer her life made an about turn and she was rather well off. She also sick of killing people, was satisfied with her life as a freewoman, dined in fancy and expensive restaurants, and even went out to buy herself a new weapon. Even so, she occasionally missed Origa. To her surprise, she rarely thought of Hifumi, but when she did, she would remember his face when he ordered a man to die for her revenge. Within the four-corners of her small inn room, she collapsed on the bed, feelings of loneliness overcoming her. [It's not like I'm in love or anything...] Perhaps she was mistaken. Perhaps she should have stayed with Hifumi and Origa. Or, perhaps she should have forced Origa to come with her, even if by force. As many thoughts and regrets filled her mind, she heard someone knock on the door. [...Who is it?] She grabbed a sword and asked. In response, she heard a familiar feminine voice. [It's Pajo. There's something we need to discuss] [? Why are you here?] In response to being let in, Pajo flashed an elegant smile. [It's not that hard to find where you live. I am a knight in charge of protecting this city, after all] [My, my, how impressive. Now then, what do you need from me?] As there were no chairs, they sat on the bed and spoke without looking each other in the eyes. [There's a request for you coming from the Crown] [The Crown? What could the Crown from a simple adventurer?]

155.Soldier ヴィシーからピュルサンが独立して以降、商業的にも政治的にも人の出入りは多少はあったものの、同じ国家であった頃に比べれば激減していた。 一部海産加工物や塩などの商品を輸出してはいたが、ヴィシー以外の国とは距離もあったため、それほどの規模ではなかった。 もともと観光者というものが一部の貴族を除いてほとんどいないため、商人が来ないということは即ち人が来ないということになる。 そのため、ピュルサン国内での異変は、国外に影響が出るまで、知られることがなかった。 自国の工作員だと名乗る人物から魔法具を受け取った伝令は、帰りの道中で使用方法が書かれた書類に目を通していた。 本来であればそのまま担当者なり国主であるミノソンに渡すのが筋であるのだが、自分がなぜオーソングランデ王都まで行ったのかを説明することができそうにないと判断し、これら魔法具は“交渉の末、フォカロルから寄贈されたもの”とするつもりで、その説明をするためにどのような物かを知っておくべき、と考えたのだ。 誤魔化しのために嘘を重ねていることに焦燥感を感じつつも、そうする以外にやりようがなかった。 「これは......こんなものがあるとは......」 そこに書かれている魔法具の効果は、彼を戦慄させるに充分だった。そして、身に余る野望を持たせる魅力に溢れていた。さらには、環境が整っていた。 「珍しいことをするんだな」 「そうでもないさ。遠くまで付き合ってもらったんだ。これくらいやるよ」 道中。町と町の間が遠く、どうしても野宿になってしまう場所がいくつかある。そこで伝令は食事の一つであるスープの作成を引き受けた。普段は兵士たちがやっていることだったが、その時は「労いと礼も兼ねて」と言い訳をした。 そうして、睡眠薬入りのスープを飲んだ兵士たちが眠りこけている間に、魔法具の準備をする。睡眠薬も、“眠っている間に施術するため”にと同封されていたものだ。 まず一人の上着を剥がし、痩せこけた自分とはまるで違う、鍛えられた胸元に嫉妬を覚えながら、自分の血を塗り付けた、小さな魔法具を胸に当てる。 ずぶずぶと心臓に向かって埋まっていく間、兵士は身じろぎ一つしなかった。完全に魔法具が埋没してから、数秒。 「うわっ!」 突然身体を起こした兵士に、伝令は悲鳴を上げて尻餅をついた。 全身を痙攣させながら、激しく息をする兵士は、次第に身体中の筋肉を膨張させ、倍ほどの堆積に文字通り膨らんだあと、元の体型に近いサイズまで縮む。 そこには、岩のようにガチガチに作られた筋肉を纏った、屈強な強化兵の姿があった。 「す、すごい......」 うつろな瞳でぼんやりと座る兵士に、伝令が「立て」と命じると、素早く立ち上がり、両手を伸ばして背筋を伸ばす。 興奮した伝令は、眠っている兵士たちに次々と魔法具を取り付けていく。 「これさえあれば、俺は......」 傀儡となった兵士たちを連れ帰った伝令は、報告と称して国主ミノソンに近づき、教科兵を使って魔法具を無理やり取り付けた。 伝令の言いなりとなったミノソンに指示を出し、自分を後継とする内容の退位宣言を書かせて訝しむ側近へ渡させ、国民へ発表させた。 王となった伝令の男は、兵士たちを次々と強化兵へと改造し、さらには巨人兵も十体ほど作成することに成功した。 非難したり抵抗する者がいれば躊躇うことなく処刑し、疲れを知らない強化兵に常に警備をさせることで、身の安全を確保した。 軍も再編し、自分を唯一の指揮官とし、他の全ての指揮官を解任し、平の強化兵へと改造する。気に入らなかった者は適当な理由をつけて殺した。 「すごいな。力というものは持つ者をこれほどまでに気持ちよくしてくれるのか」 慣れてきた玉座の上で、酒に酔った元伝令の口は緩みきっていた。 「かのフォカロル領を滑るトオノ伯爵も、このような気分なのだろうか。いやいや、あれも結局は一地方の領主に甘んじている。......所詮は、一個人の力に過ぎないということか」 自分は、いったいトオノ伯爵の何を恐れていたのだろうか、と腹の底から湧き出てくる笑いを止めようともせず、ピュルサンの王は声を上げた。 「そうだ。俺の兵士たちは最早単なる人間の軍ではないのだ。ヴィシーの中央委員会どもは、過剰にトオノ伯爵を恐れているようだが、所詮は個人の力。兵士がいようと単なる人間ではないか!」 玉座から立ち上がった王は、酔いが回って足元が奇妙なステップを踏んでいる。 「このような小国の王で終わる必要はないのだ! オーソングランデはトオノ伯爵頼み。ホーラントはオーソングランデとの戦いで疲弊している......」 吐き気を覚えて声を抑えたが、何を恥ずかしがるものでもない、と思い直し、侍女を呼びつけて持たせていたタライに思いきり吐いた。 粘つく口内を酒ですすぎ、また吐き出す。 「手始めにヴィシーをいただこう。そしてオーソングランデのフォカロルを潰し、時期を見てあの女王を俺のものにするのもいいな......」 部屋の隅に並ぶ強化兵たちを指さし、唾の混じった叫び声をあげた。 「強化兵! お前らを使って世界を握るぞ! まずはヴィシーを攻める! 近くにある町や村を襲い、お前たちの力を見せつけるのだ!」 返事をすることもなく、王の命令によって兵士たちはぞろぞろと部屋を後にする。その背中に、王は言葉を続けた。 「他の強化兵や巨人兵どもにも伝えろ! 補給はその場その場で奪ってしまえばいい! なりふり構わず殺せ! 抵抗する者もそうでない者もすべて殺せ!」 その言葉を聞いて、強化兵たちはぴたりと動きを止めた。 「どうした? さっさとしろ!」 強化兵たちは命令に忠実であった。 剣を抜き、なりふり構わず近くの侍女を斬り殺したのを手始めに、室内にいたものを片っ端から殺害していく。 当然、王の前にも兵士は迫る。 「な、なんだ? どうしたのだ?」 もし泥酔していなければ、「止まれ」の一言を発することができたかもしれない。 だが、突然目の前で殺されていく侍女たちを前にして、酔った愚かな王は、狼狽以外のことができなかった。 「あっ」 短い悲鳴。それが王の最期の言葉だった。 倒れ伏した王の死体に見向きもせず、強化兵たちは部屋を出ていく。 「......強化兵全員。巨人兵も」 「全員殺す。食料は奪う」 口々に、王からの指令を呟く。彼らの思考は指示を果たすことに集中してはいるが、その動きは決して鈍重ではない。 不用意な言葉によって放たれた殺人鬼たち。 彼らはあっという間に建物内の人間を皆殺しにし、待機していた仲間にも指令を伝え、折の中の巨人兵も警備を殺害して解放した。 巨人兵を制御する鎖を引いて、強化兵たちは町へと散らばっていく。 二百人の強化兵によって、町はほぼ一日で壊滅し、逃げ出した者を追って、さらに国外へも蜘蛛の子を散らすように広がっていった。 こうして、ピュルサンという小国は自らの滅亡とともに、災厄をヴィシーへとまき散らした。 原因となった元伝令については、誰も記録を残す者はおらず、幻の王となったのだが、およそこの世界では最も多くの命を道連れにした愚王だったことは間違いない。 強化兵の攻撃を逃れ、何とか逃げ延びた者が伝えたことでヴィシーにもその情報が入ったが、中央委員会が重い腰をあげるための信憑性ある報告が上がるまでには、相当な被害が広がっていた。 オーソングランデやホーラントへ状況が伝わったのも、ようやくここからである。 フォカロルの軍から台車と操縦のための兵士を数名引っ張ってきた一二三は、揺れる荷台の上で、オリガとヴィーネを前に座っていた。 「それにしても、素晴らしい太刀筋でございました。さすがは一二三様です」 オリガが一二三へとほめ言葉を次々に紡いでいる横で、ヴィーネは玩具のように首を上下させて同意していた。頭上の一本だけある兎耳が、首とワンテンポ遅れて揺れる。 だが、一二三は「そんなのはどうでもいい」とばっさり切り捨てた。 「注目するべき部分は、そこじゃない」 まず、最初にレヴィが襲ってきたときのことを思い出すように言うと、一二三はそこでレヴィがやった問題点を考えろ、と言った。 「えっと......武器を持っているのがわかりやすかったこと、でしょうか?」 「攻撃の時に不用意に掛け声をかけるのも問題でしょうね」 それぞれの答えに、一二三はそれもある、と頷いた。 「俺とレヴィのリーチの差も考えるべきだったな。俺の腕を斬りつけて武器を使えないようにするか、短剣に有利な距離まで詰めてくるかすれば、もう少しまともに戦える」 それでも、基本的な技術や筋力の差はあるので、絶望的ではあるのだが。 そんなことができるのはあんただけだよ、と随伴のフォカロル兵たちは同じことを同時に考えたが、もちろん口には出さない。 完全に自分を棚に上げたような発言に、ヴィーネは唖然としていたが、オリガは素直に頷いていた。 「人を殺すのに、そんなに真剣に考え込む必要はない。もちろん、殺せるように技術を磨いたり準備をするのは必要だが、そんなに構える必要もない」 水筒を取り出し、中の水を一口呷る。 「喉が渇いて水を飲むとき、腹が減って飯を食うとき。眠くなって眠る。必要な書類にサインする......それと同じで良い。殺したいから殺す。殺さないといけないから殺す」 必要なのは気合とか覚悟とかじゃない、と一二三は話す。 「その......ご主人様は、殺したらどうなるか、とかも考えないんですか?」 ヴィーネの質問に、一二三は笑って返した。 「俺は別に殺人狂じゃないぞ? 殺すのに後先考えないのは単なる馬鹿だ。殺す必要があって、その結果を受け止めるのは当然だろう」 「じゃ、じゃあ。その結果を受け止める覚悟は......」 ヴィーネの方に、一二三が軽く手を置く。 「何をそんなに緊張して生きてるんだ」 おかしな奴だ、と一二三が笑い、兵士たちの顔に緊張が走る。 「飯を食うのとかわらんだろ。次の給料まで残り三日。銅貨三十枚しか使えないときに、銅貨五枚の屋台の飯を食うか、食堂の銅貨二十枚の飯を食うか迷うのと同じだ。食堂で食うことを選んだなら、残り二日は食事の回数を減らさないといけない。そのために何時間も悩むか?」 オリガは微笑みながら「一二三様のおっしゃる通りです」と答え、ヴィーネは混乱しながらも納得しました、と答えた。 兵士たちはヴィーネに同情の視線を送る。 「殺すべきと思ったら殺せ。その結果は考える必要があるが、殺すことそのものについて足踏みする必要はない。それは手段に過ぎない。......そういう意味では、イメラリアももうすぐかもな」 手入れのために刀を抜き、道具を並べながら一二三は嬉しそうに呟いた。 「女王陛下が、どうかされましたか?」 顔は笑っていても、オリガの目は笑っていない。 「あれもそろそろ、俺を殺す目的だけしかない状態から、“殺してどうするのか”を考えて準備できる段階にくるだろう。戦いの空気を感じて、しかも自分で人を殺す指示を現場で出すことすら経験した。殺すことに対する精神的な忌避感が薄れて、殺人を方法の一つだと考えられるようになる」 ヴィーネは刀の複雑な造りに目を奪われているが、オリガは真剣に一二三を見ていた。 「俺を殺したい、排除したいという気持ちは変わらんだろうが。もっと冷静に俺を排除すること。その結果について、考えることができる。そうすれば、翻って俺を殺す方法についても、もっと冷えた頭で考えが回るだろうということさ」 なかごの状態を確認し、丁寧に拭う。 オリガは何かを言いかけて、やめた。 一二三も、オリガに問うことはしない。 「この部品、きれいですね。ご主人様」 「ああ、これは鍔と言って本来は手を守るためのものだ。これについては俺のこだわりがあってな、デザインは強度のためにシンプルにして、穴も極力小さくすることで、切っ先が間違っても入ってこないようにしている」 ヴィーネの前にかざすように差し出された鍔は、鈍い光を放ちながら、刀身を通す穴の周りに小さな穴が六つ開いていた。空いたスペースには“一”の一文字が刻まれているのだが、ヴィーネにはただ横線が引いてあるようにしか見えない。 「価値とかはわかりませんが......丁寧に作られたのはわかります」 「それでいいんじゃないか? お前にわかる範囲で良いと思ったなら、それがお前にとって価値があるわけだ。そういう意味で褒めてもらったと思えば、俺も嬉しい」 ふふ、と笑いをこぼしながら、拭った刀身に油を塗る。 「フォカロルに戻ったら、戦いの情報を聞きながら新しい武器でも作るか。ヴィシーはどうなってるかな。まさかあっという間に潰れたりはしないだろうが、楽しみ......いやいや、あのホーラントがちょっかいかけたんだから、あまり期待するのは早計か」 手入れの終わった刀を収納へ放り込み、一二三はごろりと横になった。 「少しだけ楽しみにしておこう。オリガ、苦労を掛けるがフォカロルに戻ったら手伝いを頼む。どうせカイムが仕事を押し付けてくるのは目に見えているからな」 「苦労だなんて思いません」 仰向けの一二三にそっと近づき、オリガは口づけを落とした。 「私は一二三様の妻なのです。共に滅びるその日まで......いえ、滅びた後も、魂は貴方と共にあります」 短く答えた一二三のために、オリガはそっと移動して膝枕をする。 赤面してチラチラとやりとりを見つめていたヴィーネが「羨ましい」と小さく呟く。 それが聞こえたオリガが余裕の笑みを浮かべ、恥ずかしさと嫉妬が入り混じる表情で、ヴィーネは唇をもにゅもにゅと動かしながらも、最後まで「自分も」とは言えなかった。

Chapter 155: Soldier Although there were some people coming and going for business and politics after Pyursang became independent from Vichy, it dropped sharply in comparison to the time when they were the same nation. There was export of goods such as salt and a part of the processed marine products, but the scale wasn't that large because of the distance to other countries besides Vichy. Because there's almost no people coming for sightseeing to begin with except for a part of the nobility, merchants not coming means basically people not coming. Hence the unusual phenomenon inside Pyursang wasn't noticed until its influence spread to outside the country. The messenger, who received a magic tool from the person who called himself a spy of the messenger's country, looked through the documents which had the way how to use it written in it along the way back home. Originally it's logical to hand it to Minoson who's the country's leader and the one in charge, but judging it as extremely unlikely for himself being able to explain why he went to the capital of Orsongrande, the messenger intends to sell this magic tool as "item gifted by Fokalore at the end of the negotiations" and thus thought that he should know about what kind of item it is in order to explain it. Even while feeling uneasy due to piling up lies for the sake of deception, there was apparently no other way but to do it like this. "This is... there is such a thing..." The effect of the magic tool explained in the documents was enough to make him tremble in fear. And, it was overflowing with a charm making him hold onto ambitions that are beyond his abilities. Moreover the circumstances were in order. "You are doing something unusual." "That's not how it is. I had you come along with me this far. I will do at least this much." Along the way, with the distance between cities being far, there are several places where they have to sleep outdoors no matter what. Accordingly the messenger took over the preparation of the soup which is one of the dishes. Usually it was something the soldiers would do, but at that time he explained it with [It's my way of thanking and rewarding you] . And then, while the soldiers are sleeping like logs after they drank the soup with sleeping medication in it, he prepares the magic tool. Even the sleeping pills were explained in the documents as "for the sake of medical treatment during sleep." Stripping off the tunic of one man first, he smeared his own blood on the soldier's chest while feeling jealous about its trained condition which is different from his own skinny self, and then put the small magic tool against the soldier's chest. While the magic tool buried itself towards the heart with a *zubo zubo*, the soldier didn't stir even once. A few seconds after the magic tool embedded itself completely, "Uwah!" Due to the soldier suddenly rising his body, the messenger fell on his backside while screaming. The soldier, who breathes roughly while his body is convulsing all over, has his muscles swell gradually from head to foot, and, after he literally grew to twice his size, he shrinks back to the size close to his original figure. What remained was the figure of a robust reinforced soldiers who was clad in muscles which were stiff like a rock. "A-Amazing..." Once the messenger orders the soldier, who is sitting absent-mindedly with blank eyes, [Stand up] , the soldier gets up swiftly, and straightens up his back while extending both hands. The excited messenger embeds magic tools into the sleeping soldiers one after the other. "If I have this, I'm..." The messenger, who brought back home the soldiers who turned into puppets, approached the sovereign Minoson pretending to make his report, and forcibly embedded the magic tool by using his reinforced soldiers.magic Ordering Minoson, who became the yes-man of the messenger, he made him write his own abdication declaration after setting himself as the heir, had him hand it over to a doubtful close aide, and had him make an official announcement to the people. The male messenger, who became the king, remodelled the soldiers into reinforced soldiers successively, and moreover succeeded in creating 10 giant soldiers as well. If there was someone who criticized or opposed him, he executed them without hesitation. As the reinforced soldiers, who don't know fatigue, were able to serve as constant guards, they guaranteed the safety of his body. Reorganizing the army, he remodels the low-ranking soldiers into reinforced soldiers, sets himself as sole commander and dismisses all the other commanders. Those, who were unhappy with it, were killed after finding a suitable reason for doing it. "Isn't this amazing? People, who possess power, can feel this good?" The mouth of the former messenger, who was drunk on sake as he sat on top of the throne he got used to, got slack. "I wonder whether Earl Tohno, who walks merrily in Fokalore's territory or such, feels like this as well? No, no, that person is satisfied being the feudal lord of a single area in the end. ...After all that means that he has no more than the strength of an individual?" Pyursang's king raised his voice unable to stop the laughter welling up from the bottom of his abdomen as he wondered why the hell he was so afraid of Earl Tohno. "That's right. My soldiers aren't an army of mere humans anymore. Vichy's central committee members seem to be excessively scared of Earl Tohno, but in the end he has the strength of one individual. Isn't he a mere human that tries to be a soldier!?" Standing up from the throne, the king does a strange dance with his drunken feet. "There's no need to finish with being the king of such small country! Orsongrande depends on Earl Tohno. Horant has been ruined due to the fight with Orsongrande..." He held down his voice as he felt nausea, but he changed his mind with "there's nothing I have to be shy of." Summoning a maid, he vomited into the washbasin, he had her hold, with all his might. Rinsing his sticky mouth with sake, he vomits once again. "Let's take Vichy for starters. And, crushing Orsongrande's Fokalore, it will be great to make that queen, whom I will see soon, into my possession..." Pointing at the reinforced soldiers lining up in the corner of the room, he raised a yell mixed with saliva. "Reinforced soldiers! Using you guys, I will seize the world! First we will attack Vichy! Assault the villages and cities nearby, and show them your strength!" Without replying, the soldiers leave the room in groups according to the king's decree. The king's words continued in their back. "Convey it to the other reinforced soldiers and giant soldiers as well! It's fine for you to steal supplies locally on site! Kill them without minding their appearance! Kill all of them, those who resist and those who don't!" Hearing those words, the reinforced soldiers suddenly stopped moving. "What's wrong? Do it quickly!" The reinforced soldiers were faithful to orders. Drawing their swords, they started by slaying a nearby maid without minding her appearance and then killed every single person who was inside the room. Of course the soldiers also get close to the king. "W-What is it? What's wrong?" If he wasn't dead drunk, he might have been able to utter the single word [Stop] . However, with the maids who have been suddenly killed in front of his eyes, the drunken, foolish king was unable to do anything but being panicked. "Ah." A short scream. Those were the last words of the king. Without looking at the fallen corpse of the king, the reinforced soldiers leave the room. "... All of the reinforced soldiers. The giant soldiers as well." "Kill everyone. Steal food." They mutter the orders of the king severally. Their thinking is concentrating on accomplishing their instructions, but their movements aren't dull at all. Devilish cut-throats who were released by careless words. They massacred the people inside the building within the blink of an eye, conveyed the orders to their colleagues who were on standby, and released the giant soldiers within their cages by killing their guards. Pulling the chains which are controlling the giant soldiers, the reinforced soldiers scatter into the city. The city gets almost completely destroyed by 200 reinforced soldiers. Chasing those who ran away, they further spread out in order to scatter in all directions outside the country. Like this, a calamity spread into Vichy alongside the downfall of the small country called Pyursang. There's no one left who remembers that a former messenger was the cause for all this. Although he became a phantom king, there's generally no doubt that he was a foolish king, who took along extremely many lives with him, in this world. Escaping the attacks of the reinforced soldiers, the people, who somehow got away, informed Vichy about those news as well, but extreme damage spread until a report, which has authenticity causing the central committee to get its heavy body moving, came in. And finally from there on the information was circulated to Orsongrande and Horant as well. Hifumi, who took several soldiers for the sake of steering a platform wagon from Fokalore's army, sat in front of Origa and Viine on top of the shaking load-carrying platform. "Nevertheless, it was wonderful swordsmanship. As expected of Hifumi-sama." (Origa) Next to Origa who is piling up one word of praise after the other towards Hifumi, Viine agreed while making her head go up and down like a toy. Her sole rabbit hear above her head is swaying while being one beat late in comparison to her head. However, Hifumi discarded it completely with [Such stuff doesn't matter at all] . "The part you should pay attention to isn't that." (Hifumi) First he tells them to remember the time when they were attacked by Levi. And then Hifumi says that they have to think about the problematic issue Levi did there. "Umm... her holding a weapon was easy to understand, is it about that?" (Viine) "Greeting and then being unprepared at the time of the attack is the problem, isn't it?" (Origa) Hifumi nodded and said "there's that as well" towards their answers. "You should consider the difference in reach between me and Levi, too, you know? If she reduced the distance to a range more favourable for a dagger or if she made sure that I can't use a weapon by slashing my arm, she could have fought me directly for a bit longer." (Hifumi) Even so, since there existed a fundamental difference in technique and physical strength, it was hopeless either way. , the attending soldiers of Fokalore thought simultaneously the same thing, but of course they didn't voice it out. Due to his statement which seems to be completely blind to his own shortcomings, Viine was dumbfounded, but Origa nodded obediently. "There's no need to ponder about things that seriously while killing people. Of course it's indispensable to prepare and refine your techniques in order to be capable of killing, but it's unnecessary to mind it too much." (Hifumi) Taking out a flask, he gulps down a mouthful of the water inside. "Drink water if you are thirsty and have a meal if you become hungry. Sleep when you become sleepy. Sign documents when necessary... it's the same as that. Kill since you want to kill. Kill since it's no good if you don't kill." (Hifumi) "What's necessary isn't fighting spirit or resolution", Hifumi says. "Umm... master, what will happen if I kill? Don't you think about such things as well?" (Viine) Hifumi returned a smile due to Viine's question. "I'm not really a homicidal maniac? Not considering the consequences while killing is the deed of a mere fool. Having the necessity to kill, it's only natural to accept the outcome from that, I think." (Hifumi) "T-Then, the readiness to accept that outcome is..." (Viine) Hifumi lightly puts his hand in Viine's direction. "Why are you living while being so nervous?" (Hifumi) "What an odd fellow", Hifumi smiles and the soldiers' faces are filled with tension. "You don't know when you will have a meal, right? There are still three days remaining until the next salary. It's the same with the hesitation whether to eat a meal at a cart for 5 copper coins or at the dining hall for 20 copper coins at the time when you can't use more than 30 copper coins. if you choose to eat in the dining hall, it will be wrong if you don't decrease the number of meals for the remaining two days. How many hours will you be troubled because of that?" (Hifumi) Origa answers [It's just as you say, Hifumi-sama] while smiling. Viine answered that she agreed even while being confused. The soldiers send pitying looks towards Viine. "If you think that you should kill, then kill. It's necessary to think about the result of that, but there's no need to hold back regarding the matter of killing itself. It's no more than a means. ... In that sense, Imeraria might be ((ready)) soon as well." (Hifumi) Drawing the katana in order to maintain it, Hifumi muttered delightfully while lining up the tools. "What about Her Majesty the Queen?" (Origa) Even while her face is smiling, Origa's eyes aren't. "That person will probably soon reach the stage where she can prepare by pondering "how to kill him?" since she has no other goal but killing me. She has felt the atmosphere of battle, and furthermore she even experienced herself giving the order to kill others on-site. Her emotional, evasive sense against killing has faded, and she has reached the point where she can consider murder as one of the possible means." (Hifumi) Viine is captivated by the complex structure of the katana, but Origa looked seriously at Hifumi. "Her feeling of wanting to remove me, to kill me, probably isn't weird. But it's about removing me more calmly. She is able to think about the consequences of that. In that case, her thinking will likely revolve about a method to kill me with a further cooled down brain in reverse." (Hifumi) Confirming the condition of the tang, he carefully wipes it. Origa started to say something but stopped. Hifumi doesn't ask Origa either. "This part is beautiful, master." (Viine) "Ah, it's called guard and is originally for the sake of protecting the hand. I have an obsession regarding this. The design is simple for the sake of strength. With the holes being as small as possible as well, it's to make sure that the point of of a sword never enters." (Hifumi) The guard, which was presented by holding it aloft in front of Viine, had six tiny, open holes in the vicinity of the hole for the sword blade to go through. The character of "Yi " has been carved into the open space, but Viine can't see it as anything but a simple horizontal line having been drawn. "I don't know its value, but... I see that it was created thoroughly." (Viine) "Isn't that fine then? If you think that it's nice by the scope of what you know, that means it has value for you. If I consider that it received praise with such meaning, I'm happy as well." (Hifumi) "Fufu", while spilling a laughter, he spreads oil on the wiped blade. "Shall we create a new weapon while listening to the news about the battle after we return to Fokalore? I wonder what happened to Vichy. There's probably no way that they were crushed in the blink of an eye, but I'm looking forward... no, no, after I meddled with that Horant, having too much expectations is rash, isn't it?" (Hifumi) After he finished maintenance, Hifumi tossed the katana into his storage and lied down. "Let's look forward to it just a bit. Origa, I leave the assistance to you once we return to Fokalore, though it will increase your troubles. Since it's obvious that Caim will push the work on us anyway." (Hifumi) "I don't consider it to be trouble." (Origa) Quietly approaching Hifumi who is facing upwards, Origa gave him a kiss. "I'm your wife, Hifumi-sama. Until the day we perish together... no, even after we perished, my soul will be together with you, dear." (Origa) Origa moves quietly and places the head of Hifumi, who replied her briefly, on her lap. Viine, who intently glanced at their exchange while blushing, gently mutters [I'm jealous] . Origa, who heard that, revealed a composed smile and wasn't able to say [Me too] until the end while Viine moves her lips with a *monyu monyu* having an expression mixed with jealousy and embarrassment.

178.My World 「完っ全に出遅れた!」 王城内にある貴族向けの大食堂が無料と聞いて、思うさま暴食を堪能していたアリッサは今、涙目で城内を全力疾走していた。 満腹で走っているので、胸から喉までに嫌な感触があるが、なんとか飲み込む。 調子に乗って四つ目のケーキを頼もうとしたときに、ようやく城の外が騒がしい事に気付いた自分に腹が立つ。城内で慌ただしく戦闘準備をしていた騎士を捕まえて状況を確認したところ、どうやら王城前広場に突然多数の魔人族兵が流入したらしい。 「もう始まってるの!?」 アリッサは、一応一二三の“計画”を知っている。最終的な一二三の狙いはもちろん、実のところイメラリア女王や他の種族たちが踊らされているのも知っていた。 なぜ知らされていたのか。 これだけ情報を先に持っているというハンデを与えられて、しかし少数の兵力。そこでどう立ち回るのか。先代領主である一二三からの“課題”に他ならない。 「お、怒られる......!」 先んじているという余裕に油断していた。部下の兵士たちの無事を祈りながら、王城から飛び出す。 戦いは始まっており、背の低いアリッサには全体を見通すことはできないが、王城から出撃した兵士たちが並び、押し込んでくる魔人族を必死に押えていた。どうやら、戦闘は広場全体で始まっているらしい。 一人の魔人族に飛び乗り、頭を蹴り飛ばしながら広場を囲む高い塀へと登る。 乱戦になりすぎていて、魔人族も人間側も魔法も弓も使えない状態らしい。広場の中央で、一際大きな存在感を放っている一二三の姿を最初に見つけ、次いで少し離れた位置で魔人族を相手に鉄扇を振るい、混戦の中でも最小限の大きさで風の刃を飛ばしているオリガを発見した。 そして、広場の隅で防衛態勢にあるフォカロル兵たちを、オリガがいた方向と反対側に見つけると、アリッサは塀を駆けてその中心に飛び降りた。 「領主様!」 「遅れてごめん! 状況は?」 「正確なことはわかりません!」 周囲は掛け声や悲鳴のるつぼで、背後の壁を除いて大わらわだ。喉が裂けんばかりに大声を出さないと、まともに会話もできない。 どこかの馬鹿が爆発の魔法を使ったらしい。魔人族も人間もそれぞれ二人ずつが吹き飛んでいた。 「魔人族が突然、その、広場入口にできた大穴から湧き出て来たんです! 前領主様と何か話したと思ったら、戦闘が始まりまして......広場からの出口は、騎士隊と国軍が押えているはずです!」 報告を聞きながら、アリッサは懸命に頭を回転させる。今、フォカロルの軍勢は何をするべきか。一二三の狙い。いや、願い。それは“可能性を見せる事”。 「お城から出てくる騎士と、町の方の兵士、どっちが強いと思う?」 「騎士たちでしょうね。彼らは前領主様の稽古を受けたんでしょう? それに、まだ城に向かっていった魔人族は少数です!」 「なら、決まりだね!」 アリッサは立ち上がり、どこからか飛んできた長剣を、脇差で弾いた。 「全員、二列縦隊! 出入り口側にいる魔人族軍の一部を切り取って、出口の兵士たちと協力して挟み撃ちにするよ!」 「応!」 質問や戸惑いは無い。アリッサが決めて、兵士たちが続く。 それは一二三が指導し、繰り返し訓練された動き。今となっては笑い話にしているが、当時は死ぬかと思った訓練で身体に染み着いた行動。 フォカロルの軍は、少数であっても強い。 それを今。彼らは改めて証明する。 「そうだ。お前らはそっち側で良い」 大きな布を引き裂くように、魔人族の軍へと勢いよく割り込んでいくフォカロルの軍を見て、一二三は一人の魔人族を上下に両断しながらほくそ笑む。 今から始めることにおいて、アリッサは数に入れていないのだ。彼女は後に残す者であり、まだ役割が残っている。 何より、フォカロル兵が本格的に参戦してしまうと、一二三の獲物が減る。 「どうした? 魔法を使えよ。遠慮しなくて良い」 一人の首を刎ね斬り、近づいてきた魔人族の足を踏み、まっすぐに伸びた膝の皿を蹴り砕き、倒れた首に刀を突きこむ。抜いた刀は、手元へと引き寄せる動きと共に、もう一人の喉を裂いた。 まるで一連の舞のような動きに、吸い込まれていく兵士たち。 「まだまだお前らの在庫はあるな? 俺の命はここにあるぞ。欲しければ取りに来い。ただし、お前らの命を賭けて、だ」 真っ黒な左手で、城の方にいる魔人族たちに向かって手招きをする。不意に飛んできた火球を、そのまま左手で払うようにかき消す。 あっという間に仲間を殺され、及び腰になっている魔人兵に囲まれながら、一二三は悠々と刀身へ懐紙を走らせる。 そこへ、広場の中央から唸り声が高らかに響いた。 「おう、ようやくバール何とか君の復活か」 台座にしがみつくようにしてふらついているバシムの身体の上には、鼻から上にバールゼフォンの頭部が張り付いていた。 バールゼフォンが再び雄たけびを上げると、身体は一度だけ痙攣し、しっかりと地面に足を付けて直立する。バールゼフォンが前を向くために、バシムの顔は上を向いたようになっているのが、異様に不格好だった。 「将軍に何をする!」 「頭だけ狙え!」 周囲にいた魔人族たちは、剣を持って頭部を狙う。 叫び声をあげて振るわれたバシムの右腕は、魔人族の顔面を真正面からぶん殴り、ふらついた相手から器用に剣を奪い取った。そして、その剣は元の持ち主の頭へと叩き落とされる。 「おっと、忘れていた。これはその身体の一部だ」 闇魔法から一二三が取り出したバシムの左腕は、今切断したばかりのように血が滴っている。 放り投げられたそれを、剣に突き刺して受け取ったバールゼフォンは、本来繋がっていた場所へと押し付けた。ぶらぶらと力なく垂れ下がった腕も、ほどなく完全につながる。 「便利なもんだ」 笑っている一二三を、バールゼフォンの変質して濁った眼が睨みつけた。 「おっと、怖い怖い。......怖いから、助けでも呼ぼうかね?」 思い切り息を吸い込んだ一二三は、バールゼフォンに背を向けて大音声を響かせた。 「ミダス! 魔人族の化け物に、民間人が襲われてるぞ!」 「サブナクさんはここに残ってください。ヴァイヤーさんは、一階に下りて騎士隊の指揮を。今ならまだ、魔人族の兵は少ない状況です。余裕をもって押し返せるでしょう」 そして、と一呼吸置いて、イメラリアは命令を下す。 「魔人族の殲滅に乗じて、一二三様に対する牽制を。槍や剣が彼の咆哮へ飛んでいく程度の事故は、複数回あってもおかしくはないでしょう。また、広場を制圧するために、彼の周囲に魔人族が押し込まれることも必然だと考えます」 「ご下命、承知いたしました。では」 ヴァイヤーは一礼の後、一歩だけ後ろ向きに下がり、背を向けて駆けて行く。 それを見送ったサブナクは、イメラリアへと視線を戻した。少しだけ、女王の顔が青褪めて見えるのは、気のせいではないだろう。 サブナク自身は、この作戦自体は反対だった。一二三が飛びぬけて強いことと、その性格というより性質によって、国の安定性に不安を覚えるという理由は解る。だが、それを言ってしまえば、強い勢力は片っ端から潰して回らなければならなくなる。 そして最後にオーソングランデ王族が残った時、果たしてその周囲には何者が立っているのだろうか。 「サブナクさん......サブナクさん?」 「はっ? ああ、これは失礼しました」 どうやら、考えに惑溺していたらしい。 「サブナクさんが考えていることは、わたくしも考えました。」 イメラリアは、隣でハラハラと戦況を見守っているウェパルを一瞥する。 「彼からの影響によって、良くなった部分は非常に多いのは認めております。ですが、この世界のことはこの世界の者たちで決めていくのが道理。わたくしはこの世界で政を行うものとして、一二三様には退場いただくのが良い、と判断しました」 「......私も、同じ意見なのよ」 話を聞いていたらしいウェパルが、バルコニーの手すりに乗り出したまま振り向いた。 「正直に、子供じみた意見を言わせてもらえば、“ずるい”」 女王たる人物が言う言葉じゃないだろう、とサブナクが顔をしかめると、ウェパルが小さく息を噴き出して笑った。 「そんな顔しないの。これでも真剣なんだから......私とイメラリアさんの約束はね、“お互いに頑張りましょう”くらいのものよ。邪魔が入らないところで、真剣にやりあうのに、あれはイレギュラーもいいところよ」 個人的な恨みもあるけれど、とウェパルは舌を見せて笑った。 「わたくしも、個人的な恨みも含めて、彼を排除することに決めたのです。サブナクさん。貴方も一二三様がいなくなった後の国を動かす一人なのです。覚悟しろ、とは言いませんが、しっかりしてください」 ほら、とイメラリアが広場を指し示す。 そこでは、城の方へ向かっていた魔人族兵を鎧袖一触に打ち負かし、押し戻している騎士隊の姿があった。圧倒的な攻撃の中でも、騎士の一人が魔法と思われる攻撃を受けて、血煙を上げて倒れた。 「戦いに赴くこと以上に、戦いを強いることの罪。わたくしは一二三様を呼び出したとき、それを全く考えていませんでした。その責任も......。目的のために誰かを死地へと向かわせる覚悟と、責任。一二三様にわたくしが示すべきは、きっとそういうものなのでしょう」 自分で戦おうとして失敗して、ようやく気が付きました、とイメラリアは力なく笑った。 一二三の叫びを聞いて、フォカロルの軍勢と入れ替わるようにして騎士や兵士と共に中央へと突っ込んできたミダスは、何故か復活しているバールゼフォンと一二三がいる場所までたどり着いた。 その間も、周囲では兵士と魔人族が殺し合い、徐々に人数を削られていく。それでも、民間人を救わねばならない一心で、剣を振るった。 元来が調査任務が主である第三騎士隊への所属が長いミダスにとって、本格的な戦闘は苦手な部類だったが、そうも言っていられない。 息も絶え絶えになって一二三の前に立ち、周囲を見回したが、見渡す限りの魔人族。他には城の方から近衛騎士隊の連中がせり出してきているのが見える程度だ。 「み、民間人はどこです?」 「お前の目の前にいるだろう?」 「......は?」 「俺だよ。民間人は」 今なら殴っても誰にも文句を言われないだろう、と拳を握るミダスを見て、一二三は笑う。 「俺は軍人でも無ければ、フォカロルの指揮権も持っていない。身を守る武器を持った程度の、どこに出しても恥ずかしくない民間人だ。違うか?」 「......いえ......」 言いながら、一二三が不意に飛んできたものを手刀で叩き落とした。 「哀れな民間人は、魔人族どころか騎士にすら攻撃をされているんだがな。この状況、どう思う?」 迎撃されたのは、近衛騎士が城内警備に使う手槍だった。 「いや、これくらいはたまたま......」 「ほう?」 さらに二本、槍が飛んできたのを一二三は容易く叩き落とした。 石畳の上に、音を立てて転がった手槍を見てミダスは絶句し、城の方へと目を向けた。 「なぜ......」 魔人族を押し戻そうとする動きの中で、明らかにこちらを狙って槍を投げようとする一人の騎士を見つけた。さらに言えば、騎士隊の動きは魔人族を一二三の方へと押し集めるような動きになっている。 「イメラリアの命令だろうな。この混乱に乗じて、俺を始末するつもりだな」 「馬鹿な! そんなことを......」 「見てみろ。お前らの女王陛下は、この状況を冷静に観戦しておられる」 言われるままに顔を上げたミダス。イメラリアと目があった気がするが、距離が遠く、その表情まではわからなかった。 「さて、ミダス。お前はどうする?」 「どう、とは?」 「近衛騎士どもと同調して、俺を押えに回るか? それとも、騎士の在り方とやらに従って、“民間人”を守るか?」 拳を振るわせていたミダスは、右手に握ったまま下ろしていた剣を両手に掴み直した。 「全員、横に二列に並べ! 近衛騎士隊からこちらへ漏れてくる攻撃を防ぐ! ......一二三殿、これはあくまで建前です。あんたは大人しく守られる様な人間じゃないでしょう」 剣を肩に担ぎ、ミダスは城へと向き直った。 「これは、近衛騎士の連中を守るためです。一二三殿が余計なトラブルに巻き込まれないようにする。少なくとも王都ではそうする。それが私の考える、平和の守り方です」 一二三の答えを聞く気は無いのだろう。言い捨てて、ミダスは防御の列へと加わった。中央で、前に出る。 「ふぅん。まぁ、いいさ」 敵はまだいる。 魔人族は数が減ってはいるが、それだけスペースに余裕ができてくると、次第に魔法攻撃が増えてきている。 飛んできた岩を、首をかしげて躱した一二三は、刀を鞘へと戻した。代わりに、鎖鎌を取り出す。 「あとは、俺がやるべきはひたすら殺すだけ、だな」 一二三は、イメラリアが封印を狙っている事は知っているが、その方法までは知らない。この機会を好機と見て仕掛けてくるだろうことまでは予想していたが、オリガやプーセがどう動くかまでは聞かなかった。 「ようし、ようし。全力で来い。この世界の今の力、食い足りないのはわかっているが、せめて腹八分くらいは楽しませてくれよ!」 鎖鎌の分銅を振り回し、一人の魔人族の顔面へと打ち付ける。 鎖を引き寄せようとした瞬間、一二三の隣を通り過ぎた気配。 しなやかな動きを見せたそれが腕を振るうのを視界の端で捉え、素早く首を傾けて攻撃を避けた。が、一筋の傷が一二三の頬へと刻まれる。 「ヒフミ......殺す......」 小さな音を立てて着地し、一二三を睨みつけながら爪に付いた血を舐める虎のような顔をした小柄な人物は、魔人族の軍に参加すると言って獣人族の集落を去ったマルファスだった。

Chapter 178: My World "I got a cooompletely late start!" (Alyssa) Alyssa, who filled her stomach to her heart's content after hearing that the big dining hall for nobles in the royal castle is for free, dashed through the castle at full speed with tears in her eyes right now. Given that she's running with a full stomach, an unpleasant feeling rises up from her chest to her throat, but she somehow manages to swallow it down. She's angry at herself for only noticing the noise outside the castle when she was about to enjoy her fourth cake after getting caught up in the moment. As a result of catching a knight, who was preparing himself hurriedly for battle inside the castle, and confirming the situation, she learned that a great number of demons had apparently flowed into the plaza in front of the castle. "They have already started!?" (Alyssa) Alyssa pretty much knows about Hifumi's "plan." The final wish of Hifumi of course, and she also knew that he's actually making Queen Imeraria and the other races dance on top of his palm. Why was she told about it? Being given a handicap of possessing this much information ahead of the others, and yet only having few troops at her hand. How she's going to deal with this situation is no more than a "homework" given by Hifumi, the previous feudal lord. "I-I will be scolded...!" (Alyssa) She was careless due to being able to anticipate the course of events. While praying for the safety of her subordinates, she rushes out of the castle. The battle has started, and the short Alyssa can't overlook the whole battlefield, but the soldiers, which sortied from the castle, were standing in a line, frantically holding back the pushing demons. Jumping upon a demon, she kicks his head while climbing the tall wall enclosing the plaza. As the battle has developed into a melee, neither the demons nor the humans can fire arrows or spells. First she discovered Hifumi, who is throwing a remarkably huge presence, in the middle of the plaza, and then she found Origa who swung her iron-ribbed fan at a demon at a slightly distant place, unleashing wind blades at the lowest size even within this melee battle. And, once she spotted Fokalore's soldiers, who were in a defensive formation in a corner of the plaza, on the opposite side of Origa, Alyssa ran on the wall and jumped down in the middle. "Lord-sama!" "Sorry for being tardy! What's the situation?" (Alyssa) "The precise circumstances are unclear!" The vicinity is a melting pot of screams and encouraging yells with desperate fighting going on except at the back of the walls. If one doesn't shout at the top of their lungs, a normal conversation isn't possible either. Some idiot apparently used exploding magic. A couple of demons and humans each were blown away. "The demons suddenly, umm, gushed out of a hole that opened up at the plaza's entrance! Straight after they talked about something with the previous lord, the battle started...the exit from the plaza should be under control by the knight order and the royal army!" What should Fokalore's troops do right now? Hifumi's aim. No, wish. That is "to show what's possible." "The knights, who have appeared from the castle, and the soldiers in the city; who do you think is stronger?" (Alyssa) "Likely the knights. They were trained by the previous lord, weren't they? Besides, the number of demons heading for the castle is still a minority!" "Then it's settled!" (Alyssa) Alyssa went into action and repelled a longsword, which came flying from somewhere, with her wakizashi. "All hands, form two columns! We will cut through a part of the demons' forces located at the plaza's entrance and launch a pincer attack by cooperating with the soldiers over there!" (Alyssa) "Aye, ma'am!" There's no hesitation or doubt. Alyssa decides, the soldiers follow. Those are the movements which Hifumi taught them and which they repeatedly practiced. Nowadays it has turned into a funny story, but back then it was so deeply ingrained into their bodies by training that it made them wonder whether they are going to die. Fokalore's forces might be few, but they are powerful. Right now they are going to prove that once again. "That's right. You guys should move over there." (Hifumi) Watching Fokalore's soldiers vigorously plunge into the demons' forces as if tearing apart a huge cloth, Hifumi chuckles while bisecting a demon into upper and lower body. As for what's going to start from now on, Alyssa hasn't been included in the count. She is a person to be left behind for later. She still has a role to play. Above all, if Fokalore's soldiers genuinely join the fray, Hifumi's prey will decrease. "What's wrong? Use magic. You don't have to hold back." (Hifumi) Loping off one head, Hifumi steps on the foot of another demon that had approached. Crushing the straightly extended kneecap of that demon with a kick, he completely pierces the demon's head with his katana after he fell down. Alongside withdrawing the extracted katana, he cut open the throat of another demon. The soldiers are completely sucked into his movements that are just like a series of dancing steps. "There's still plenty of you guys in stock, right? My life is over here. If you want it, come and take it. However, you have to put your own lives on the line." (Hifumi) With his pitch black left hand he beckons the demons, who are in the direction of the castle. A suddenly approaching fireball he erases with a wave of his left hand. While being surrounded by demons, who have become indecisive due to their comrades being killed in the blink of an eye, Hifumi calmly cleans the katana's blade with a paper. At that point, a loud roar reverberated from the center of the plaza. "Oh, it's finally Balsomething-kun's revival, huh?" (Hifumi) Balzephon's head was stuck from the nose to above on top of Bashim's body that's staggering while trying to cling to the pedestal. Once Balzephon raises yet another yell, his body twitches only once, and then he properly stands upright with his feet planted on the ground. Bashim's face looking upward for the sake of Balzehpon facing forward was oddly misshapen. "What are you doing to the general!?" "Aim at only the head!" The demons in the surroundings target the head with their swords. The right arm of Bashim, which was swung while raising a scream, directly strikes the face of a demon from right in front. Next he skillfully steals the sword from the giddy opponent. And then he strikes down that sword at the head of its original owner. "Oops, I forgot. This is a part of that body." (Hifumi) Bashim's left arm, which Hifumi retrieved from his darkness storage, is spilling fresh blood as if it had be severed moment's ago. Balzephon, who caught that arm, which Hifumi had thrown in his direction, by stabbing it with the sword, pressed it at the spot where it had originally been connected to. Before long the arm, which was dangling heavily, is completely connected to the body. "That's a convenient skill." (Hifumi) Balzehpon's transformed, cloudy eyes glared at the laughing Hifumi. "Uh oh, scary, scary. ...I guess I have to call reinforcements since you're so scary?" (Hifumi) Hifumi breathed in very deeply and screamed with a very loud voice while having his back turned on Balzephon, "Midas! A civilian is under attack by the demons' monster!" (Hifumi) "Sabnak-san, please stay back here. Vaiya-san, go down to the first floor and command the knight order. At the moment, there's still only few demon soldiers. You can probably force them back with ease." (Imeraria) "And then," making a short pause, Imeraria orders, "Take advantage of the demons' annihilation, and restrain Hifumi-sama. An accident of swords and spears flying his way, even if it's several, won't be odd, right? I also believe it necessary to herd the demons into his surroundings to gain total control of the plaza." (Imeraria) "I heard and received your command. Well then." (Vaiya) Vaiya bows, steps backwards only once, and runs off after turning around. I suppose it's not my imagination that the queen's face looks slightly pale. Sabnak himself was against this plan. He knows the reason why she feels anxious about the country's stability, considering Hifumi's nature, or rather his character as well as his outstanding strength. And, I think only when Orsongrande's royalty is left at the end, no one will really stand in their way. "Sabnak-san...Sabnak-san?" (Imeraria) "Ha? Yes, I'm sorry." (Sabnak) He had apparently been deep in thought. "Sabnak-san, what you are thinking about is the same what I'm thinking about." (Imeraria) Imeraria glances at Vepar, who is watching the ongoing battle while on tenterhooks, next to her. "I'm acknowledging that there are extremely many improvements thanks to his influence. But, it's a truth that the matters of this world have to be settled by the people of this world. As someone ruling in this world, I judged that it would be best to remove Hifumi-sama from it." (Imeraria) "...I share your opinion as well." (Sabnak) Apparently having listened to their conversation, Vepar leaned forward across the balcony's handrail while looking over her shoulder. "Honestly spoken, if you allow me to state a childish opinion, it's , Vepar breathed out slightly and laughed. "Don't pull such a face. Even though I may appear like this, I'm serious...the promise between Imeraria and me is just "Let's each other do our best." To compete seriously without any hindrances, that man is an irregular at best." (Vepar) "I have a personal grudge with him as well, though." Vepar stuck out her tongue and laughed. "I also decided to remove him while harboring a personal grudge. Sabnak-san. You are also one of the people who will influence the country's future after Hifumi-sama is gone. I won't tell you to resolve yourself, but please stay levelheaded." (Imeraria) "Look," Imeraria points at the plaza. Over there one could see the knight order pushing back and utterly defeating the demon soldiers heading in the direction of the castle. Even within the overwhelming charge, a single knight was hit by what appears to be magic and collapsed with a spray of blood. "More than proceeding towards battle, forcing battle is a crime. When I summoned Hifumi-sama I didn't consider that at all. The responsibility for that also... The resolve and duty to make someone head towards their death for the sake of an objective. I'm pretty sure that's what I should demonstrate to Hifumi-sama." (Imeraria) "I finally realized that it's a mistake to fight myself." Imeraria smiled feebly. Midas, who plunged into the center of the plaza together with knights and soldiers trying to switch places with Fokalore's troops after hearing Hifumi's yell, finally managed to arrive at the place with Hifumi and Balzehpon who has revived for some reason. Meanwhile the soldiers and demons kill each other in the vicinity, resulting in the number of people whittling down slowly. Even so, Midas wielded his word with the mindset of having to save a civilian. Midas belonged to the Third Knight Order, which was originally focused on investigative mission, for a long time. It was a group that was weak at genuine battle, and yet you cannot say so either. Standing in front of Hifumi while gasping, he looked around him, but as far as he could see, only demons were in sight. Otherwise he could only see the people of the Royal Knight Order pushing away from the castle. "W-Where is the civilian?" (Midas) "He's right in front of you, isn't he?" (Hifumi) "...Wha-?" (Midas) "It's me. I'm the civilian." (Hifumi) Looking at Midas who clenches his fists while saying, "I'm sure no one will complain even if I hit you now," Hifumi laughs. "I'm not a soldier, neither do I hold the command over Fokalore. I'm a civilian as written in the books, who holds a weapon to defend himself. Or am I wrong?" (Hifumi) "...No..." (Midas) While saying so, Hifumi knocked down something that suddenly came flying at him with with his hand. "This pitiable civilian is not only being attacked by demons, but even the knights. What do you think about this situation?" (Hifumi) What was intercepted was a short spear as it's used to guard by the royal knights inside the castle. "Well, this much is just an accident..." (Midas) "Hoh?" (Hifumi) Hifumi easily knocked down another two spears that came flying. Seeing the short spears loudly rolling on the stone paving, Midas was lost for words and then looked in the direction of the castle. "Why...?" (Midas) Within the movement of trying to push back the demons, he found a single knight who is obviously about to throw his spear in this direction. If you go even further, the knight order moves for the sake of gathering and pushing the demons in Hifumi's direction. "I'm sure it's Imeraria's order. I guess she plans to get rid of me, using this disturbance." (Hifumi) "No way! Doing something like that..." (Midas) "Have a look. Your guys' queen is calmly watching this situation." (Hifumi) Midas lifted his face as told. He feels like his eyes met with Imeraria's, but as the distance was too far, he didn't make out her expression. "Now then, Midas. What are you going to do?" (Hifumi) "What, you ask?" (Midas) "Are you going to restrain me in alignment with the royal knights? Or are you going to protect a "civilian" in accordance with a knight's duty?" (Hifumi) After being forced to swing his fist, he grasped the sword, which he had lowered while holding it with his right hand, with both hands and fixed his stance. "All troops, line up in two rows! Prevent the attacks by the Royal Knight Order being hurled this way! ...Hifumi-dono, to the bitter end this is my official stance. I don't consider you a person that will allow for him to be protected obediently." (Midas) Shouldering his sword, Midas turned around towards the castle. "This is for the sake of protecting the royal knights. Hifumi-dono, make sure to not get involved in unnecessary trouble. At least keep it like that in the royal capital. That's my idea of protecting the peace." (Midas) He has no intention to listen to Hifumi's answer. Saying so over his shoulder, Midas joined the defense line. He steps forward in its center. "Humph. Whatever." (Hifumi) There are still enemies left. The number of demons has diminished, but as that resulted in there being more space now, the number of magic attacks is gradually increasing. Hifumi, who dodged an approaching rock by tilting his head to the side, sheathed his katana. Instead he takes out his kusarigama. "All that's left now is to focus on killing." (Hifumi) Hifumi knows that Imeraria's aim is to seal him, but he still doesn't know how. He anticipated that she would likely make a move here, seeing it as a good chance, but he didn't hear how Origa and Puuse are going to move. "Alright, alright. Come at me with your full power. I'm well aware that the current power of this world leaves something to be desired, but at least allow me to enjoy myself at 80%." (Hifumi) Brandishing the kusarigama's counterweight, he flings it into the face of a demon. The instant he tried to pull back the chain, a presence passed next to Hifumi. He perceived that, which displayed flexible movements, swinging its arm at the edge of his vision. He swiftly dodged the attack by inclining his head, however, one long cut is carved into Hifumi's cheek. "Hifumi...kill..." The small person with his tiger-like face landed with a small sound, and licked the blood on his claw while glaring at Hifumi. It was Malfas who left the beastmen settlement after saying that he would join the demon army.magic

騎士が簡単に敗れるという衝撃的な場面を目の当たりにした兵士たちは、誰かが言った「て、撤退を!」という言葉に押されて我先に戦場から逃げ出した。 その言葉は単なる一兵士が恐怖に負けて発した懇願の言葉であったが、誰もそれを気にする者はいない。撤退という言葉に縋ることで、責任を負わずにこの場から逃げ出す事を選んだ。 整然としていた戦闘前の毅然さはどこへやら、バラバラに逃げ散る兵士を見て、獣人たちは快哉を叫んだ。 「よし、うまくいったな!」 だが、喜色満面の獣人たちとは違い、人間たちの反応は困惑気味だった。 スラムへ戻ってきた獣人たちは歓声で迎えられ、帰りを待っていた獣人たちから手荒いながらも暖かい歓迎を受けていたが、人間たちは身を寄せ合い、これからの不安を口々に呟く。 「だ、大丈夫なのか......」 先ほど獣人に担がれて退避した男も、汗をびっしょりとかいていた。 「騎士を殺しちまった......街に戻ったら他の騎士に殺されるんじゃないか?」 「兵士に恨まれたら、もう生活できないよ......」 狼狽える人間のところへ、小柄な獣人少女二人が、スラムの獣人たちをかき分けて歩いてくる。 レニとヘレンの二人だ。 「じゃあ、ここで暮らすのはどう?」 さらりとレニが口にした提案に、人間たちは一瞬何を言われているのかわからなかった。 「色々と教えてもらったお礼がしたいというのもあるけれど、家も修理すればまだまだあるし、やることもたくさんあるよ」 「そうよね。獣人だけじゃまだわからないことも多いし」 レニの提案にヘレンも同意し、周囲の獣人たちも歓迎の意を見せている。 「だが、ここは獣人の街だし......」 戸惑う人間の男性に、レニは首をかしげた。 「......違うよ?」 「は?」 話が噛み合っていないのを見て、ヘレンが兎耳をピコピコと動かして笑った。 「あんたたち人間には、獣人は一まとめに見えるんだろうけれど、荒野じゃそんなことあるわけ無いんだから。わたしもレニも、荒野に出たら虎や狼に襲われるかもしれないのよ」 こんなふうに別の種族が混ざり合って生活している時点で、今更人間が混ざっても誰も気にはしない、とヘレンは言う。 その言葉に、人間だけでなく獣人たちも顔を見合わせた。 今この場にいるのは、人間や兎、羊に豹や虎、犬に狼など、違いを言えば見た目も習慣もキリがない。 「ここは、一二三さんが言うには“人間の社会とも獣人の社会とも違う、異質な場所”らしいから、悪い人じゃなければ、誰が来てもいいんじゃないかな?」 ねえ、とレニがヘレンに同意を求めると、苦笑を浮かべたヘレンが頷いた。 「獣人に慣れた人間と、人間に慣れた獣人がいるんだもの。あいつの言うとおりだとは思うよ。でも、わたしたちで決めることじゃないと思うけど」 「いや、いいんじゃないんでしょうか」 獣人の集団から、ゲングがずいっと、犬獣人らしい鼻先の伸びた顔を突き出した。 「今や名実ともにレニさんとヘレンさんがこの街の代表でやすから、お二人がいいなら、誰も文句は言いやせんよ」 ゲングの言葉を受け、レニたちがぐるりと首を回すと、周囲の獣人たちは皆笑顔で頷いている。 レニは弾けるような笑顔を浮かべ、人間たちに向き直った。 「ということだから、この街は人間でも歓迎するよ」 「あ、ありがとう......?」 「で、でも騎士や兵士が黙っちゃいないぜ」 とてもじゃないが、安住の地とは言えない、と人間たちはまだ落ち着かない様子だったが、レニはそんな彼らに落ち着くようにと優しく話した。 そして続いた言葉に、この場の獣人たちは言葉を失った。 「一二三さんがお城の方に行ったはずから、たぶんどうにかなるんじゃないかな?」 「ひ、一二三さんとは?」 人間たちは、レニとヘレンに指示を出すだけで表に顔を出さなかった一二三の事をよく知らない。 だが、この数日顔を合わせてきた獣人たち、特に訓練に参加した自警団の連中は、毛皮でわかりにくいが青ざめた顔をしている。 その様子に気づいた人間たちは、何か大変な事が起きているらしい事だけは感じ取った。 「れ、レニさん。一二三さんは、人間の街に行くとは言われてやしたが、どうして城が目的地だと思うんで?」 「前に、お城に行って王様と話し合う必要があるって言ってたから、多分今は......」 ため息と共に肩を落とした獣人たちは、まだまだ続くと思っていた人間との争いが、どうやら杞憂に終わりそうだと溜息をついた。 「ど、どういうことなんだ?」 ワケがわからないという人間に、一人の虎獣人が答えた。 「一二三さんが“話し合い”だけで帰って来るわけが無いって事だよ」 「全くだ。逃げ帰った兵士連中を迎えるのが、生きてる兵士とは限らねぇってこったな」 「じゃあ、しばらく戦いは無いな」 解散だと口々に言いながら、獣人たちが先程までの戦闘の事を興奮気味に語り合いながら、家路についた。 取り残され、呆然とする人間たちに、ヘレンがハニカミながら声をかける。 「まあ、とりあえず寝るところはあるから、おいでよ」 ご飯もあるよ、と言われて初めて空腹感を感じ始めた人間たちは、連れ立ってヘレンに着いていった。 スラムの戦闘は、誰もが危惧したよりもずっと早く収束した。 サルグが王の部屋にたどり着くまでに殺した城内の人間は30名以上。夜間に王族の部屋を守る兵士や騎士がほとんど殺された計算になる。 「こ、これは......!」 王が、獣人を嬲った後片付けをするために、兵士が寝室へ向かう。獣人の女を牢へ戻し、一人でゆっくり眠るのが王の習慣だったので、当番の兵士は夜の決まった時間に城の中枢へと足を運ぶのだが、そこにあるのはいつもの光景ではなかった。 通路のあちこちに、首をちぎられたり腹に穴を開けた死体が転がっている。 誰もが苦悶の表情を浮かべ、武器を握り締めていた。 「大変だ! 侵入者だ!」 二人組の兵士が叫びながら、緊急事態だと王の寝室へと飛び込んだ。 「うっ......」 室内にあったのは、三人の死体。 王の為に牢から出された猫獣人の女、彼らの主君である王、そして見覚えの無い巨漢の熊獣人。 猫獣人は首をありえない方向へ向けており、王も同様に首が折れているのがひと目でわかる。熊獣人は首の部分から夥しい量の血を流し、刃物で切られたらしい首はちぎれかけている。 「ど、どうする?」 全く想定外の状況に、判断ができない兵士が同僚に話しかける。 どうしていいかは同僚でもわからない。 そして、外から聞こえてくる大勢の声。 「スラムに行った連中が帰って来たみたいだ......んん?」 寝室の窓から外を見た兵士が、近づいて来た集団に目を凝らすと、素っ頓狂な声をあげた。 「やたら走ってこっちに来てるな。騎士の姿も無い......」 「どけ」 仲間を押しのけて窓の外を確認した同僚は、松明の明かりを頼りに必死で城へと逃げてくる兵士たちをその目に捉えた。 しばらくそれを見ていた兵士は、そそくさと上半身の鎧を外して、下に着ていた麻の服だけの姿になった。 「何やってるんだよ」 「逃げる」 「あいつら、騎士がやられて逃げてきたんだろうよ。表情が見えた」 脛の部分が中々外れず、腰につけていたナイフで革帯を切る。 「状況を見ろ。王様と獣人の相討ちなのは明らかだろ。それにスラムからの撤退も早すぎる。獣人にあっさり負けたんだろうよ」 身軽になった兵士は、剣帯を付け直して長剣と財布だけは腰に提げた。 「このままここにいたら、スラム攻めの部隊を追いかけてくる獣人に殺される」 「......お、俺も行く!」 急いで鎧を脱いだ兵士は、連れ立って王の寝室を後にした。 誰もいなくなった部屋に、窓から顔を出したのは一二三だった。 壁の一部に鎖鎌を引っ掛け、分銅を握ってぶら下がっていた一二三は、ぐるっと振り返って逃げ帰ってくる兵士たちを見る。 「よく見れば、獣人が追いかけて来てないのはわかるだろうが」 逃げる判断は悪くないとは思いつつも、観察が足りないとこぼした。 「まあいい。国の 王の死体を見る。 苦痛と怒りの表情は、壮絶の一言だ。 「こいつ一人の存在が大きすぎたな。いなくなるとそれだけで穴があく。王が生きていれば、兵士も逃げたりはしなかったろう」 後はレニたちの仕事だ、と一二三は城を後にした。 城内に残されたのは、多くの死体と、何も知らずに眠る住み込みの使用人たちだけだ。 そして、逃げ延びて王への報告に向かった兵士によって惨状が発見され、城内は大混乱へと陥った。 スラム攻めで、先陣を切って突撃し、丸太の一撃で吹き飛んだゼブルだったが、廃屋の中で瓦礫に埋もれたまま生きていた。 金属鎧は胸の部分が陥没し、連結部分は歪んでしまってどう見ても全損状態だ。 「しかし、獣人が街を築くとは思わなかったが。まあいい」 語りながら、ゼブルの顔が変化する。 口元には鋭い牙が生え、顔が暗いグレーに変化していく。耳は鋭く尖り、細面も相まって、まるで童話のエルフのようだ。 「獣人と人間を敵対させる策はうまく行った。もうこの国の貴族に化ける必要も無い」 「おっと。そいつは聞き捨てならないな」 独り言のつもりが、不意に声をかけられたゼブルは、傷を負ったとは思えない素早さで転がり、剣を拾い上げた。 「誰だ?」 「俺の事はどうでも良い。それより、さっき言った“獣人と人間を敵対させる”という話をもっと詳しく教えてもらおうか」 暗がりからするりと出てきたのは一二三だった。 塒に帰るため騎士の死体が折り重なるスラム入口を進んでいたところで、廃屋の中から気配を感じて様子を伺っていたのだ。 「長い耳だ、エルフか?」 それにしては顔色が悪いな、と首をかしげる一二三に、油断なく剣を構えたゼブルが唾を吐いた。 「あんな生きた人形どもと一緒にするな。俺は、人間が魔人族と呼ぶ種族の一人だ。それよりも、貴様は誰だ? 獣人と一緒にいた連中とは違うようだが......」 話しながら、ゼブルは魔法の準備をしていた。 目の前の男は危険だ、と自分の勘が叫んでいるのだ。変身は得意でも戦闘はそこまで自信がないゼブルにとって、正面から剣を合わせるのは難しそうだ、と判断した。 一二三が口を開いた瞬間、ゼブルは剣を振り上げたフリをして、素早く右手を前に突き出した。 を!......はぁ?」 得意な雷魔法を放ち、勝ちを確信したゼブルだったが、雷は一二三が懐から出して放り出した寸鉄目掛けて命中した。 黒焦げになった寸鉄が床に落ちるより早く、抜き打ちに放たれた刀がゼブルの両足を薙いだ。 「あああああっ!」 膝から下をバッサリと持って行かれたゼブルは、尻餅をつくようにして倒れた。 苦痛に歪む顔のまま、ゼブルは左手の剣を投げつけるが、一二三が展開した闇の魔法に吸い込まれた。 「魔人か」 ゼブルの腹の上に、一二三の足が乗った。 剣と両足を失い、身体を床に押し付けられたゼブルは、怒りで顔を真っ赤にしている。 痛覚が鈍いとかの特性でもあるのか、と一二三はゼブルを見下ろした。 「で、さっきの答えを聞こうか」 「貴様が、貴様が何をやろうともう遅い。ソードランテの獣人は、積極的に人間と衝突するようになるだろう。この国の人間が減っていくのは、もう止められん」 「あ、それは別にいい」 一二三の答えに、ゼブルは目を見開いた。 「人間と獣人が争う。大いに結構。騎士や兵士がやたらと獣人を嫌っていたのは、お前らの仕業か。おかげで随分やりやすかった」 一二三は疑問を感じていた。王を含めた騎士や兵士たちが異常に獣人を嫌っているのに、わざわざスラムの存在を容認していたのだ。王が獣人を夜伽に使っていたのも腑に落ちない。 「ここ最近からだろう。お前が扇動して積極的に獣人排斥に向かったのは」 それが一二三には好都合だった。王に近いものほど獣人を毛嫌いし、まだその価値観が浸透していない平民は獣人を受け入れた。 「これで、街の人間、荒野の獣人、スラムの獣人と人間の3勢力に分かれた。王を殺された貴族たちは獣人を受け入れないし、荒野の獣人はもちろん人間の国にある街に参加しない。その間に挟まれて、チビたちがやってる混合エリアは自衛と運営に追われていくだろう」 「貴様、人間のくせに人間を危険に導いたというのか!」 驚くゼブルに、一二三は首を縦に振る。 「2グループじゃ駄目だ。三つ巴にならないと、駆け引きや防衛に頭を使わなくなる。戦闘も工夫しなくなる。人が行き来する窓口もできたからな。人口を含めた勢力は、これからひっきりなしに変動するだろう」 生き残る為に頭を使うようになるな、と満足げに頷く一二三。 「く、狂ってやがる......。俺たち魔人は人間との戦いを有利にするために、獣人と人間の対立を煽ったんだが......まさか人間に利用されるとは......」 「ご苦労だったな。お前の上司には伝えておいてやるから、居場所を教えろ」 逡巡を見せたものの、ゼブルは素直に答えた。 「エルフのいる森の更に奥。そこに俺たち魔人族の国がある。俺を殺した程度で図に乗るというなら、そこで地獄を味わうがいい」 「そうだな。楽しみだ」 小さな音を立てて、一二三の刀がゼブルの首を刎ねた。

Due to someone stuttering [F-Fall back!] , the soldiers, in whose presence the gut-wrenching scene of the knights getting completely crushed took place, escaped from the battlefield with each of them wrestling to be first to get away. Those words were a petition, released by a mere soldier as he succumbed to panic, but there's no one caring about that. By clinging to the lure called retreat, they chose to run away from this place without caring about their responsibilities. Watching the soldiers' ranks falling apart in their escape, scattering all over, without any of their orderly fortitude from before the battle, the beastmen shouted in exultation. "Alright, it went well!" However, different to the beastmen, who were all smiles, the humans' reactions were inclining towards bewilderment. Welcoming the beastmen, who returned to the slums, with cheers, the beastmen, waiting for their return, received them warmly albeit slightly roughly. However, the humans came together and murmured about their anxieties from now on. "I-Is it alright...?" Even the man, who was not long ago saved by being carried away by a beastman, said that while drenched in sweat. "The knights were killed... won't we be killed by the other knights once we return to the city?" "If we get blamed by the soldiers, our lives will already..." Two small beastgirls push their way through the slums' beastmen and walk up to the panicking humans. It's Helen and Reni. "So, how about living here?" (Reni)magic The humans didn't know for a moment what to say to the suggestion provided by Reni without hesitation. "Though there are many various things, you taught me, I want to thank you for, there are still houses that need repairs. There's plenty things left to do." (Reni) "That's right, isn't it? There are also many things we still don't understand, if it's only us beastmen." (Helen) Helen agrees with Reni's suggestion, too. The beastmen in the surroundings are showing a supportive attitude as well. "But, this place is the city of beastmen..." Reni was puzzled over a perplexed male human. "... Is there any difference?" (Reni) "Ha?" Seeing that their talk isn't meshing, Helen laughed with her rabbit ears moving with a *ping ping* "You humans probably look at the beastmen as one pack, but in the wastelands there's nothing like that. Me and Reni might get attacked by tigers and wolves too, if we go into the wastelands." (Helen) "No one will mind the humans blending in at this point when we are living by mixing with other races anyway", is what Helen says. Due to those words not only the humans, but also the beastmen looked at each other. The ones who are currently at this location are humans, rabbits, sheep, leopards, tigers, dogs, wolves, etc. If one were to talk about differences, there would be no end to mismatching appearances and customs. "Since this place seems to be "A heterogeneous place different from the humans' and beastmen's society" going by Hifumi-san's words, isn't it fine for everyone to join as long as they aren't bad people?" (Reni) "Right?" Once Reni asked for confirmation from her, Helen showed a wry smile and nodded. "There are humans, who got used to beastmen, and beastmen, who got used to humans. I think it's just as that man says. However, I don't believe it's something to be decided by Reni and me." (Helen) "No, isn't it fine?" (Gengu) From among the group of beastmen, Gengu stuck out his face with its long dogman-like nose. "Because Helen-san and Reni-san are the representatives of this city in name and reality at present, no one will complain, if it's okay with the two of you ~ssu." (Gengu) Being struck by Gengu's speech, Helen and Reni turn around their heads in a circle and see all the beastmen in the vicinity nodding with smiles. Showing a smiling face close to bursting, Reni faced the humans. "Since it's as you've heard, this city will welcome humans, too." (Reni) "T-Thank you...?" "H-However, the knights and soldiers won't stay silent about this." "You can't absolutely call this a safe place to live in", the humans were in a state of being unable to calm down yet, but Reni gently talked to them in order to have them regain their presence of mind. And due to what she said next, the beastmen at this place were lost for words. "Since Hifumi-san should have gone to the castle, it will probably work out somehow, won't it?" (Reni) "H-Hifumi-san, you say?" The humans don't properly know about Hifumi, who didn't show his face unless to give instructions to Helen and Reni. However, the beastmen, who encountered him in these few days, especially the bunch of the vigilante corps, which participated in the training, are showing pale faces, hard to recognize due to their fur. The humans, who noticed their state, only sensed that something terrible was going on. "R-Reni-san, you said that Hifumi-san has gone to the human city, but why is he headed for the palace, I wonder ~ssu?" (Gengu) "Because he told me before that it's necessary to go to the castle and talk with the king, he is probably now..." (Reni) The beastmen, who dropped their shoulders while sighing, believed that the strife with the humans will continue for a long time to come yet, but they sighed as it seems to have become a needless worry. "W-What's this about?" A single tigerman answered to a human, who doesn't comprehend. "The problem is that there's no way for Hifumi-san to just return after "talking."" "Good grief. The ones welcoming the bunch of soldiers, which ran home, won't just be the surviving soldiers." "Well, then there won't be any battles for a while." With these words signalling the breakup, the beastmen headed home while chatting somewhat excitedly about the battle some time ago. Helen calls out to the humans, who are left behind overcome with surprise, while being bashful. "Oh well, since we have a place for you to sleep, follow me." (Helen) "There's food as well", being told that, the humans, who began to feel the emptiness in their stomachs for the first time, came to Reni and went with her. The slums' battle came to a conclusion far quicker than anyone expected. The number of humans within the castle, who were killed until Salgu finally arrived at the king's chamber, had been more than 30. The count is mostly compromised of soldiers and knights, who were killed protecting the royal chambers at night. "T-This is...!" For the sake of cleaning up the king's night fun with the beastwoman, the soldiers head towards the bedroom. Given that it was the king's habit to restfully sleep by himself after returning the beastwomen to the prison, the soldiers on duty show up in the centre of the castle at the time, which was set as night-time, but what they found there wasn't the usual scenery. The halls are littered with corpses, which had their heads torn off or holes ripped into their bellies. All of them were showing an expression of anguish while grasping their weapons tightly. "It's a disaster! There's an intruder!" While shouting that, the two soldiers leaped into the king's bedroom in a state of emergency. "Uh..." What they discovered inside are three corpses. The catwoman, who was taken out of the prison on behalf of the king, the king, who is their lord, and a giant bearman, they don't remember. The catwoman's head is twisted in an impossible direction. They understand at a glance that the king's neck has been broken in the same way, too. The bearman is shedding a great amount of blood from parts of the head and his neck has been torn to pieces apparently sliced up by an edged tool. "W-What shall we do?" Because of the completely unforeseen situation, the soldier, who can't decide, addresses his colleague. Even his colleague doesn't know what would be good to do. And from outside they can hear the voices of a crowd drawing near. "Looks like the folks, who went to the slums, came back... mmh?" The soldier, who observed the circumstances from the bedroom's window, stares at the approaching group and screamed in a hysteric voice. "They are recklessly running this way. The knights can't be seen anywhere either..." "Move away." The colleague, who confirmed the situation outside the window after pushing his comrade away, perceived the soldiers, who have desperately come escaping to the castle, relying on the lights of torches with his eyes. The soldier, who looked at that for a short while, hurriedly removes the armour of the upper half of his body causing him to be in a state of only wearing the linen cloth below. "What are you doing?" "Running away." "Those guys have likely run away once the knights were done in. I looked at their expressions." As the lower leg part doesn't want to come off readily, he cuts the leather belt with the knife, which was affixed to his hips. "Look at the situation. It's plain as day that the king and the beastman simultaneously killed each other, right? Besides, there's also the premature withdrawal from the slums. They were probably easily defeated by the beastmen." The soldier, who lightened down his weight, hung the fixed sword belt at his waist with only his longsword and wallet. "If you stay here as is, you will be killed by the beastmen, who are chasing the assault unit, which attacked the slums." "... I-I will go too!" Taking off the armour in a rush, the soldier accompanied his comrade and left the king's bedroom behind. Hifumi appeared from the window in the room, with no one being there. Hooking the kusarigama at a part of the wall, Hifumi, who hang onto it by grasping the counterweight, turns around and looks at the soldiers, who came scurrying home. "If you watch properly, you will probably grasp that they aren't chased by beastmen." (Hifumi) Even while judging the decision to escape as not bad, he complained that their observation wasn't sufficient. "Well, it's fine. The country's chains came off." (Hifumi) He looks at the king's corpse. His expression of rage and agony is a sublime comment. "This fellow's existence was too large. He will leave just as much of a hole, once he disappears. If the king had survived, the soldiers probably wouldn't have escaped either." (Hifumi) The rest is the job of Reni's group What remained within the castle is only a large amount of corpses and the live-in servants, who were sleeping without realizing anything. And, discovering the tragic scene due to a soldier, who went to report to the king after escaping safely, the castle fell into chaos. Zebul was blown away by a single hit with a log when he charged as vanguard in the assault on the slums, but he survived while being burred under the rubble within a deserted house. The chest part of his metallic armour has caved in and it's in a state of being a total loss no matter how you look at it as the joints are bent. "Anyhow, I didn't think that the beastmen would build a city. Oh well, it's fine." (Zebul) Zebul's face transforms while talking. Growing sharp fangs in his mouth, his face turns into a dark green. Coupled with a slender face, his ears become pointed. He's just like an elf from fairy-tales. "The plan to have the humans and beastmen go against each other didn't go well. There's no necessity to take the shape a noble of this country anymore either." (Zebul) "Sorry. That can't be allowed to pass." He intended to speak to himself, however Zebul, who was suddenly called out by someone, rolled over with a speed, one wouldn't expect of someone injured, and picked up his sword. "Who's there?" (Zebul) "You don't have to worry about me. Rather than that, can you tell me a little bit more details about the "humans and beastmen go against each other" part, you talked about just now?" The one who smoothly appeared from within the darkness was Hifumi. As he was making way through the slums' entrance, which was packed with corpses of knights, in order to return to his hideout, he sensed a presence in a deserted house and decided to have a look. "You have long ears. An elf, huh?" (Hifumi) "Besides, you look unwell", due to Hifumi tilting his head to the side, Zebul, who prepared his sword warily, spit out, "Don't lump me together with such living dolls. I'm of the race which is called demon race by the humans. Putting that aside, who the hell are you, bastard? You seem to be different from the bunch that was together with the beastmen, but..." (Zebul) While talking, Zebul prepared his magic. , is what his senses are screaming at him. For Zebul, whose speciality lies with shape-shifting and who doesn't have much of confidence in his combat prowess, it will be tough to directly compete by sword, he judged. The instant Hifumi opened his mouth, Zebul pretended to raise the sword overhead and quickly stretched out his right hand in front of him. "Thunderbolt! ... Haa?" (Zebul) Releasing his prided thunder magic, Zebul was certain of his victory, however the thunder travelled towards the suntetsu, that was thrown out from Hifumi's chest, and hit that instead. Faster than the suntetsu, which became burnt black, hitting the ground, both of Zebul's legs were scythed down by the katana, released with a nukiuchi. "Aaaaaaaah!" (Zebul) Zebul, who had anything below his knees taken away by a single stroke, fell on his backside. As his face distorted in pain, Zebul throws the sword in his left hand, but it was swallowed up by the darkness magic cast by Hifumi. "Demon, eh?" (Hifumi) Hifumi placed his foot on top of Zebul's belly. Having lost his sword and both his legs, Zebul, whose body was pushed onto the ground, has a red face filled with anger. Has he also the trait to dull his sense of pain or such? "So, let's hear the answer to the previous question?" (Hifumi) "Bastard, no matter what you fucker do, it's too late. Swordland's beastmen will likely reach the point of pro-actively clashing with the humans. You can't stop the dwindling of humans in this country anymore." (Zebul) "Ah, that's actually fine with me." (Hifumi) Zebul opened his eyes widely due to Hifumi's reply. "Humans and beastmen are going to oppose each other. That's very nice. It was your guys' doing that the soldiers and knights hated the beastmen profusely, wasn't it? Thanks to that, it became very easy for me to do my things." (Hifumi) Hifumi felt a doubt. Although the soldiers and knights, including the king, have hated the beastmen abnormally, they expressly approved the existence of the slums. It didn't make sense for the king to use beastwoman for sex either. "This is likely very recent. You aimed at beastmen ostracism by actively inciting it." (Hifumi) That was very convenient for Hifumi. The antipathy was still limited to the people close to the king. The commoners, who still haven't had those values drummed into them, accepted the beastmen. "With this the 3 human powers, the human city, the wastelands' beastmen and the slums' beastmen drifted apart. If the king was killed, the nobles wouldn't accept the beastmen. The wastelands' beastmen naturally won't participate in a city, which lies in the humans' country. Being caught in-between, the pipsqueaks "Bastard, despite being a human yourself, you are leading the humans into peril." (Zebul) Hifumi nods toward the enraged Zebul. "2 groups are no good. If it doesn't become a 3-way-struggle, they won't use their brains to strategize and defend themselves. There won't be any scheming in battles either. That's because it would be possible for contact people to come and go. The force, including the population, will probably continue to fluctuate from now on." (Hifumi) "They will have to use their heads in order to survive", Hifumi nods in satisfaction. "Y-You are mad... For the sake of the battle with the humans to become advantageous for us demons, we instigated the confrontation between humans and beastmen, however... to actually be used by a human..." (Zebul) "I have put you through trouble. Teach me your guys' whereabouts since I will report to your superior." (Hifumi) Although displaying hesitation, Zebul obediently answered, "It's deep within the elves' forest. There you will find our demon races' country. If you get carried away for just having killed me, you will suffer hell there." (Zebul) "Is that so? I'm looking forward to it." (Hifumi) With a small sound, Hifumi's katana beheaded Zebul.

35.Celebrity 【出戻りは肩身が狭い】 再び国境警備の兵を配置し直してから、一二三たちは一度フォカロルまで引いた。兵たちを休ませたり、投槍器の修理や改修を行う。 一二三の見立てでは、本格的にヴィシーが挙兵して来るには1ヶ月近くが必要だろうと見ている。 本来それぞれの街を守るために分散している兵を糾合するだけでも相当の時間を要するうえ、明確な国家元首も居ない以上、指揮権で揉めるのは目に見えている。 軍の編成にもたついている間に攻め入る事も考えた一二三だが、フォカロルの統治だけでもそれなりに忙しかったうえ、ヴィシー内でもオーソングランデに近いエリアでいくつかの都市国家が一二三への恭順の意思を示して来ているので、その処理も必要だった。 「こちらにつくと言われても、無条件に受け入れるわけにはな。しばらくはヴィシーとの戦いは続くだろうから、具体的なやり取りはそれからだな」 「かしこまりました。では、使者にはそのように伝えます」 恭順を伝えに来た使者には、オリガが対応していた。 一二三が対応しても良かったが、考えることが多かったので一時的にオリガに取りまとめ役をやってもらう事にして、戦後に考えると決めた。 「大体、俺は為政者とかそういう器じゃないんだよ。早めに文官奴隷を教育しておいて良かった。これが今から人集めをしていたら寝る時間も無かったな」 オリガを見送ってから、応接のソファで身体を伸ばした。 採点は非常に厳しく、まだアリッサは合格をもらえていなかった。 「そ、それより一二三さんにお客様......なんですが」 「その......カーシャさんです」 来たか、と一二三はアリッサに見えないように嗤った。 「その、王都まで一二三さんの活躍は伝わって来たよ。ヴィシーの軍隊をほとんど被害を出さずに撃退したってさ」 「ああ、そうか」 応接に通されて、カーシャは一二三と向かい合って座ったが、会話が続かない。 重苦しい空気の中、何も言えないカーシャを一二三は見透かすような目で見ている。 「......で?」 しどろもどろになっているところに、ドアをノックして入ってきたのは、オリガだった。 「アリッサから、来客と聞いたのですが......」 カーシャの姿を見つけたオリガは、思わず立ち止まった。微笑みを浮かべていた顔は、すっと表情を消す。 「来たか。まあ座れ」 一二三は敢えてどちらにとは言わず、手も動かさない。 迷いなく一二三の隣に座ったオリガに、カーシャは悲しそうな目をした。 「それで、何の用で来たの?」 「あ、あのな......やっぱり一人で冒険者やってても限界あるし、今更誰かと組むのも違うかなって思ったから......」 「あれだけの恩を受けておきながら自分勝手に抜けておいて、また一二三様に拾ってもらえると思っているの?」 一二三は黙ってやり取りを聞いていたが、このままだとオリガが一方的にカーシャを責め立てて追い返して終わりそうだったので、そろそろ助け舟を出そうと思った。 「まあ、来るもの拒まず去る者追わずと言うし、別にまた雇うのは構わん。人手も足りていないからな」 「一二三様!」 しれっと許可した一二三に、すがるようにオリガが抗議するが、その手に手を重ねて落ち着かせた。 「お前の仕事も大分増えた。顔見知りなら能力も知っているし、仕事の割り振りもしやすいだろう。まだ次の戦いもあるからな。お前にあまり無理をさせたくはない」 「一二三様......」 自分への気遣いだと言われ、オリガは一二三の手にさらに手を重ねて頬を染めた。 わかりやすい奴だと一二三は思い、カーシャはそんな白々しい台詞を吐いた一二三を怪しんだ。 「まあ、領軍には戻さない。出戻りに指図されても気分が悪いだろうからな」 これでも、士気とかには気を使っているんだぞ、と言って一二三は笑った。 「しばらくは、俺の護衛兼秘書として、手伝いをしてくれ。部屋はこの館の中に用意する」 「あ、ありがとう。頑張るから、よろしく」 「ある程度は、相手の思い通りにさせることも重要だろうな」 オリガには一二三が言う意味がわからなかったが、彼が何かの確信を以て行動しているとわかったので、それ以上は何も言わなかった。 ヴィシーからの追跡部隊が壊滅したという知らせは、敗走してきた兵を受け入れた街から中央委員会へ素早く伝えられた。 対応のために収集されていた委員たちは、その知らせを聞いても冷静だった。 ある程度、一二三に関する情報を集めていたので、300程度ならはね返されても不思議ではないという認識ができているためだ。だが、追跡の為の兵がいたずらに減らされた事には不満だった。 「隊長に任じた男の判断ミスだな。死んだ奴にどうこう言っても始まらないが」 「でもこれで、相手が使う武器もわかったし、次の本格的な奪還作戦の為の威力偵察だと思えばいいのではないかしら?」 「所詮は小さな街からの寄せ集めの軍だったからな。追跡はできてもロクに戦闘にならないのは仕方ない」 既にデボルドが使者としてやってくる前に、ヴィシーは武力を以て抵抗する事を決めており、戦いになることに対して全員冷静に受け止めている。 「それにしても、新しい子爵......一二三と言ったか。この男は危険だな」 「逆に言えば、その一二三という男さえ死ねば、オーソングランデを止められるんじゃろう」 「でも、親書はたしかにイメラリア王女の署名があったようだけれど?」 過去、イメラリア王女と顔を合わせた事がある委員もおり、政治とは無縁で民衆に優しい少女だという印象だったが、この一連のオーソングランデの動きにはイメラリアの影が見え隠れしている。 王の死で何か思うところがあったのか、一二三という人材を見出したからなのかは不明だが、王位継承予定の王子を差し置いて、積極的に国を動かしているようだ。 「いずれにせよ、翁の言うとおり一二三を押さえる事ができれば、一方的な講和とはならずに済むだろう」 「目標としては一定の戦果を上げて、対話を求めるタイミングを図るという事で良いのね?」 「それで、こちらの兵はどれくらいの数になる?」 その質問に、控えていた侍従が全員に書面を配布した。 「15,000か。ローヌからアロセール迄を押さえるオーソングランデの兵は、例の子爵領軍と国境警備をあわせても200かそこらだろう。過剰じゃないか?」 「300が100にほぼ無傷ですりつぶされたのだし、奪還した街へ残す人員も必要だから、過剰とは言えないわ」 「余裕があるに越したことは無いが......やれやれ、金が出て行くばかりじゃのう」 そう言った年配の委員の脳裏に、ふと疑問が浮かんだ。 (オーソングランデは何を目的にヴィシーを攻めるのじゃ? 領地を広げるためか? 表向きは報復という理由だったが、メンツの為というには苛烈すぎる) まさかイメラリアと一二三との間に回復不可能な溝が存在するとは思わない彼には、そこが想像できなかった。 「どんなに急いでも、集結に3週間はかかります。それから部隊を整理しますから、実際に奪還作戦を始めるのはひと月程先ですな」 「ふん、それまでに物資などを集めなければならんか。忌々しい」 ヴィシー建国史上最大の兵力集結を前に、委員会は高揚した雰囲気だった。普段は利益の取り合いで喧々囂々、場合によっては罵り合いの場だったのが、利益よりも勝利を求める事で皮肉にも意識の統一ができた。 これまで委員会の話し合いがここまで円滑に進んだ事は無かったと、奇妙な充足感すらある。 「では、あとは我が国の兵士たちに期待するとしよう」 全員が頷いて、委員会は閉会となった。 カーシャが案内されたのは、オリガやアリッサと同じレベルの個室だった。 立派なベッドと文机が設えられ、広さも王都で利用していた宿の部屋を三つ合わせても足りなそうだ。 「なんだか、住む世界が違っちゃたのかねぇ」 ベッドに腰掛け、呟いたところで先ほど案内してくれた侍女がやってきて、一二三の指示でこの館の案内をすると言う。 領主館1階は、全面的に改装が施され、いくつかの会議室と事務室があり、正面入口は出入りしやすいように大きく解放できるように拡張され、入口を入った正面に5人ほどの職員が並んで受付をしていた。 「ギルドみたいに職員が並んでるけど、何をやってるんだい?」 「一二三様の指導により、街の住人は全て登録され、出生や死亡、婚姻は届出をするようにと義務付けられました。あれはその為の受付です」 スラスラと答える侍女の声は平坦だが、一二三への畏敬は感じているという話しぶりだった。 「出生や婚姻には祝い金、死亡の届出には見舞金が支払われます。皆最初は半信半疑でしたが、館にあった美術品を惜しげもなく売却され、職員の対応も良くなったと、住民たちからは概ね好意的に受け止められていると伺っております」 まだどうしていいかよく判らない様子の住民に、笑顔で説明する職員たち。親族の死亡届を出しに来た老婆は、職員にお悔やみの言葉をかけられて、涙を流しながら笑顔を見せていた。 カーシャからは見えないが、カウンターの奥にはカイムやブロクラ、パリュのデスクがあり、しっかりと仕事ぶりをチェックされているので、職員もまだぎこちないながらも懸命に応対している。 一二三はああ見えて、領民には優しくしているのかと、今まで知らなかった面を改めて感じ取ったカーシャは、それが何かのカムフラージュではないかと期待を込めた疑いの目を向けている。 一二三が悪者でなければ、自分がやろうとしていることに耐えられなくなりそうだからだ。 「では、次は二階をご案内させていただきます」 二階の執務室や倉庫スペースまで案内され、自室まで送られてからカーシャはベッドに飛び込んだ。 不正は限りなく減り、住民には公平かつ丁寧に対応する体制ができつつあり、混乱なく整然とした行政が敷かれつつあるのは、素人のカーシャでもよくわかった。 それは表向きで、一二三に何か恐ろしい狙いがあるのかも知れないが、今の自分には面と向かって一二三を非難する材料は見つけられないとカーシャは思う。 パジョーは一二三の存在そのものが戦争を引き起こす要因になると断じて、カーシャに協力を求めてきた。話を聞いたその時には、オリガが自分より一二三の傍にいることを選んだショックもあって納得したが、現実に一二三が行っているのは善政だと思う。 首を振って、頭の中に浮かぶ疑念を振り切る。 「一二三さんが無茶をしなけりゃアタシの出番も無いんだ。余計な事を考えて、追い出されたら元も子もないしね。ゆっくりオリガと話して、仲直りすることを考えようかね」 それに、明日からは一二三の側について仕事を始めないといけない。思ったより順調に一二三を観察できる配置につけたのは幸運だった。あとは、怪しまれないように仕事を頑張ろうと結論づけたところで、急いで移動した旅の疲れがでたのか、そのまま夕食に呼ばれるまで、カーシャは眠った。 「スラム?」 「ええ、概ね戸籍の作成は完了致しましたが、スラムだけは治安の問題もあり、文官が立ち入りすることが難しいようです」 戸籍担当の文官奴隷パリュからの報告を説明するオリガは、デスクに座る一二三の横に立つカーシャを一瞥もしない。これまで何度かカーシャから接触しようとはしたものの、けんもほろろに避けられていた。 「そういうエリアがあったんだな」 「スラムはある程度大きい街にはどこにでもあるよ。王都にだってあるわけだし」 戸籍も作らない程度の政治体制である以上、犯罪や貧困によって通常の生活圏からはじき出された連中というのは一定以上存在する。特にこの世界では、街を出て街道から少しでも離れれば魔物に襲われる可能性が跳ね上がる。 奴隷あがりで金がなかったり、犯罪などで逃げ出した連中が入り込む暗黒街はそれなりの人口を抱え、毎日何人かが死に、同数程度の何人かが転がり込む。 「冒険者崩れも多いから、ギルドが受理しないような胡散臭い仕事を請け負う連中なんかもいるだろうね。王都だと、一二三さんが潰した“隠し蛇”って奴らも、大半がスラム出身のはずだよ」 「街の人々から集めた情報では、スラムを束ねている集団はいるようです。人数までは把握できませんが、誘拐や強盗などの犯罪が起きていたようです」 今は、新たな領主の出方を見るために大人しく潜伏しているらしい。 兵達が数人ずつ巡回したが、兵を見たスラムの住人は立ち並ぶあばら家に引きこもって出てこようとはしなかったらしい。 どれくらいの人口がいるかは判らないが、放っておけばまたぞろ街へ出てきて犯罪を繰り返すようになるだろう。 「一二三様のお許しが頂けましたら、私が全て片付けて参ります」 「それはちょっと危ないんじゃ......」 オリガは、目線でカーシャを黙らせた。 「オリガ、少しはカーシャと仲良くしろ。共同で仕事を頼む事もあるかもしれない。それと、スラムの掃除は俺がやろう」 「一二三様のお手を煩わせるわけには......」 「オリガ」 名前を呼んで話を遮った一二三は、オリガをまっすぐに見つめて笑った。 「これは俺の仕事で、俺がやりたい事だ」 「......かしこまりました」 立ち上がった一二三は、腰に刀を差し、いつもの道着の上からマントを羽織った。王城から届けられた、領主である事を示す為のもので、左肩に王家の紋章と、右肩に一二三の家紋として新たにデザインされた刀と鎖鎌をモチーフにしたマークがデザインされている。 「スラムとやらに行ってくる。二人共、あとは任せた」 頭を下げるオリガとカーシャに見送られ、一二三はマントを翻して執務室を出て行く。 急速に整えられる領地の体制を頭の中で見直しながら、一二三の気持ちは次に起こるであろうヴィシーの反撃に思いを馳せる。一二三の予測が当たったとして、一ヶ月は、短い。 「......本格的に準備を始めないとな」 丁寧に準備をしてこそ、ローヌでの戦いのような興奮があるのだ。今度は一万か二万か。少なくとも、一二三が退屈するような事にはならないだろう。それに、パジョーを始めとしたイメラリアの手勢の動きもあるかも知れない。 あれがいい、これをやってみようと、微笑みを見せながら足取り軽く歩く姿は、まるで美しい女性とのデートを前に落ち着かない様子に見え、館を出て行く姿を見かけた一階の職員たちは、領主の機嫌が良いことを微笑ましく思っていた。

Chapter 35: Celebrity After once again rearranging the defense at the national border, Hifumi withdrew to Fokalore. letting the soldiers rest while the spear throwers were repaired and improved. According to Hifumi's prognosis, if Vichy was really raising an army, they'd need around a month before they arrive. Even just rallying the troops split up in order to protect all their cities would take a considerable amount of time, and since there isn't a clear head of the state, there will be disputes regarding who gets to be in command. Hifumi thought about attacking Vichy while they were slowly assembling their army, but he was busy enough with governing Fokalore. A couple of city-states situated within Vichy, but close to Orsongrande, had shown up to show their allegiance to Hifumi, and it was necessary for him to deal with them. "Even if they come here, we can't unconditionally accept them. We'll soon be continuing our war with Vichy, so any specific exchanges will have to wait until after that." "Understood. I'll convey that to the messengers." Origa was the one who interacted with the messengers. Hifumi could've done it as well, but as there were many things to think about, Origa was temporarily given that role. They can decide what to do after the war is over. "I don't have the ability to be a politician to begin with. I'm glad I decided to train those civil official slaves ahead of time. If I were to try and gather people now, there wouldn't be any time to sleep." After seeing Origa off, he stretched out on the reception sofa. Since Hifumi's very strict when grading, Alyssa had yet to receive a passing grade. "Th-that aside, you've got a visitor." "Well... It's Kasha." So she came. Without letting Alyssa see, Hifumi sneered. "Ehh, the talk about your endeavors have reached the capital. How you repelled Vichy's army without any losses." "Aah, I see." After being let through to the reception, Kasha was sitting down, face to face with Hifumi, but the conversation wasn't continuing. Within the heavy atmosphere, Hifumi was observing the quiet Kasha as if he could see through her. "...... So?" As she became flustered, there was a knock on the door, and Origa entered. "Alyssa told me there was a visitor..." Discovering Kasha, Origa instinctively stopped, and she quickly lost the smile on her face. "So you're here. Take a seat." Hifumi deliberately didn't mention in what seat, nor make any hand gestures. As Origa unhesitatingly chose to sit down next to Hifumi, Kasha showed a hint of sadness. "So, what's your business, coming here?" "W-well, you see... I'm quite limited working alone as an adventurer, and partnering up with someone else now feels a bit..." "After receiving such a big favor and selfishly leaving, you think Hifumi will let you back again?" Hifumi was listening to their exchange in silence. If it kept going as it currently was, it would just end with Origa one-sidedly throwing accusations at Kasha, who would end up being chased away. It's about time to give her some timely help. "Well, 'accept those who comes to you, and don't chase those who leave', they say. I don't really mind employing you again. We're lacking manpower, after all." "Hifumi!" Seeing Hifumi approve as if nothing had happened, Origa clung to him to protest, but Hifumi put his hand on hers to calm her down. "Your workload has increased considerably. If it's an acquaintance whose abilities you know, it should be easier to divide the workload, wouldn't it? Besides, there's also the next battle. I don't want to work you too hard." "Hifumi..." With Hifumi showing concern for her, as well as holding her hand, Origa blushed. What an easy to understand person, Hifumi thought, while Kasha raised some suspicions about him, saying such transparent words. "Well, I won't reinstate you in the territorial army. Having someone who left just to later return giving orders would be a bitter pill to swallow, right?" Even if it's like this, we've got to take things like the morale into consideration, Hifumi said with a smile. "For the moment, I'll have you be my guard and secretary, so please give me a hand. A room in this mansion will be prepared for you." "T-thank you. I'll do my best, so please take care of me." "It's important to meet the other side's expectations to some extent, at least." Although Origa didn't understand what Hifumi meant, she did understand that his actions were backed up with confidence in something, so she didn't say anything else. The news about the annihilation of the pursuit unit from Vichy was quickly relayed to the central committee from the city accepting one of the fleeing soldiers. Hearing the news, the committee members who gathered in order to deal with the situation stayed calm. From the news they've collected about Hifumi, it wasn't a mystery about that they were repelled as the pursuing soldiers only numbered 300. They were, however, dissatisfied with the loss of soldiers due to them fooling around. "It was a miscalculation by the appointed commanding officer. But it's pointless to place the blame on a dead man." "But we now know what weapons they're using, so isn't it fine thinking of this as reconnaissance for the upcoming all-out recapture operation?" "After all, it's just some troops gathered from small cities. They're able to pursue, but aren't good enough to have serve a purpose on a real battlefield." Even before Debold came as an envoy, Vichy had decided to resist with force, so everyone calmly accepted that they were going to fight. "At any rate, that new viscount... Hifumi, was it? That man is dangerous." "If you look at it from the other side, if that Hifumi dies, won't we stop Orsongrande?" "But, the letter was signed by princess Imeraria, was it not?" Amongst them, there were a couple who had seen princess Imeraria in the past. She had given them the impression of a girl unrelated to politics, and kind towards the populace. But these chains of events in Orsongrande have been sending mixed signals. They didn't know whether it was because she thought of something after the king's death, or because Hifumi was discovered, but she disregarded the prince who was supposed to inherit the throne, proactively moving the country herself. "Either way, like the old man said, if we can stop Hifumi, we can end this without some arbitrary reconciliation." "As the goal is to exceed a certain amount of military gains, we need to plan when to request a dialogue." "So, about how many soldiers are we going to send?" In response to that question, the chamberlain who was taking notes distributed a document to all the members. "15000, huh? The Orsongrande soldiers we need to stop from going from Rhone to Arosel would be the viscount's territorial soldiers and the border security, around 200 in total. Isn't this excessive?" "100 of them crushed our 300 soldiers just about uninjured. We need to leave personnel in the recaptured cities too, so I wouldn't say it's excessive." "It's better to have some flexibility, but... aren't we just throwing money away?" Saying that, doubts started appearing in the elderly committee member's head. (What's Orsongrande's goal with attacking Vichy? To expand their territories? Their official reason is retribution, but it's too severe to just be a matter of honor.) By no means could he even imagine that it was because of an irrecoverable rift existing between Imeraria and Hifumi.magic "No matter how much we rush it, the gathering of the troops will take around 3 weeks. After that, we need to organize them in units, so we need around a month before the recapture operation can be started. "Hmm. Until then, materials needs to be gathered. How annoying." In front of the biggest gathering of troops since the founding of Vichy, the committee was in an uplifted mood. In the place they were normally noisily scrambling for profits, cursing each other, their wishes for victory above profit was ironically what brought them together. Until now, the committee's discussions have never proceeded smoothly, so they were having a strange sense of satisfaction. "Well then, all that's left is to place our hopes in our soldiers." Everyone nodded, and the meeting was finished. The room Kasha was shown was on the same level as those Origa and Alyssa were living in. The room was equipped with a splendid bed, and a low desk. The size of the room was at least three times bigger than the room she was living in at the inn in the royal capital. "Somehow, it's like we're living in different worlds." Sitting down on the bed and mumbling that, the maid who showed her to the room gave her a tour of the mansion, as per Hifumi's instructions. Having received a complete restructure, the first floor had a couple of conference rooms and offices, and in order to make the passage through the entrance easier, making more space, it received an expansion. Inside was now a front desk, with five staff members working side by side. "It looks like at a guild, when they work side by side like that, but what are they doing?" "According to Hifumi's instructions, we're registering all the citizens and we're making it obligatory to report births, deaths, and marriages. The reception desk is there to deal with that." The maid smoothly responded in a flat voice, but you could hear her respect for Hifumi from her way of talking. "If they report that someone was born, or married, we give them some congratulatory money, and in case of death, they receive some monetary condolences. In the beginning, everyone were sceptical about it, but after generously selling off the mansion's artwork, and the staff members becoming better at receiving them, I heard that most of the citizens are receiving it favorably." For those who didn't understand what use all this had, the staff members were explaining with a smile on their faces. For the old woman who came to report a relative's death, a staff member was expressing their condolences with a smile, while shedding tears. Kasha couldn't see it, but behind the counter were the desks of Caim, Brokla, and Paryu, checking that they worked hard. Because of that, even if they were clumsy, the staff members did their best. Seeing Hifumi being kind towards the populace like that, Kasha was once again seeing a side of him she hadn't seen before. But isn't this just a camouflage of some sorts? She shifted her attention towards her doubts filled with some expectation. If Hifumi wasn't a bad person, Kasha wouldn't be able to make herself do it. "Well then, I'll introduce the second floor next." After being shown the offices and storage spaces, and led back to her room, Kasha threw herself on the bed. The level of injustice has drastically fallen, and without any chaos ensuing, an impartial, yet thorough, system was imposed in a well-organized way. Even Kasha understood all of that. Although that's how it looks, Hifumi might have some terrifying goal in mind, but after speaking to him face-to-face just now, Kasha couldn't find anything to criticize him for. As Pajou was sure that just the existence of Hifumi will be the primary factor in wars being caused, she sought Kasha's cooperation. After listening to Pajou back then, as well as the shock from when Origa chose to stay by Hifumi's side rather than return with her, she accepted. But in reality, she thought that the governing Hifumi was doing was good. Shaking her head, she dispelled the doubts arising. "Unless Hifumi does something unreasonable, it won't become my turn. If I think of too many unnecessary things and am driven out, it will all have come to nothing. I should also talk with Origa, trying to reconcile with her." Besides, she had to start working by Hifumi's side tomorrow. Getting a better than expected opportunity to observe Hifumi was a stroke of luck. Now, what remains is to work hard in order to not be suspected. Trying to quickly get rid of the fatigue from traveling, Kasha slept until she was called for dinner. "The slums?" "Yeah. The creation of the family register is mostly completed, but there's a problem with the public order in the slums, so it's difficult for the civil officials to enter." Origa explained the information she got from Paryu, the civil official slave in charge of the family register, to Hifumi as he sat by his desk. She didn't as much as glance on Kasha who stood next to him. Kasha had tried to get in contact with Origa a few times already, but she was brusquely warded off. "So there's an area like that." "As long as the city is of a certain size, there will be a slum. Even the royal capital has it." The political system, aside from not having created a family register, had plenty of people who were forced out from the sphere of a daily normal life due to crime and poverty. Especially in this world where if you leave the city and stray a little off the highway, the possibility of being attacked by a monster skyrocket. Slaves and penniless people run away from things like crime, entering the underworld, which in itself, would employ its inhabitants. Every day, people are dying, but the same amount of new people are streaming in. "There are many wannabe adventurers, so there will be people undertaking shady jobs the guild won't accept. Like the "Hidden Serpent" guys you crushed in the royal capital. Those kind of people mostly come from the slums." "According to the information collected from people throughout the city, it seems there is a group managing the slums. We don't know what their numbers are, but they are involved in things like abductions and robberies." For now, it seems they were laying low in order to get a grasp on the new lord's attitude. There had been patrols of a couple of soldiers before, but when the inhabitants of the slum saw the soldiers, they went inside their rows of shacks, and didn't come out, apparently. They didn't know how big of a population there was there, but if the slums were left alone, wouldn't they once again emerge in the city and commit crimes? "If I receive your permission, I'll go settle that problem." "Isn't that a little danger..." Origa's gaze caused Kasha to turn quiet. "Origa, get along a little with Kasha. I might entrust you with work where you need to work together. As for cleaning up the slums, I'll be doing it." "I can't be causing trouble to..." "Origa." Calling her name, interrupting Origa, Hifumi looked straight at her and smiled. "This is my job, and it's something I want to do." "...Understood." It was something delivered from the royal castle, to show that you are the lord of a territory. On the left shoulder was the royal family's coat of arms, and on the right shoulder was Hifumi's newly designed family crest. It was a symbol with the motif of a katana and a kusarigama. "I'm off to the slums. I'll entrust it to you two afterwards." Seeing off Kasha, and the bowing Origa, Hifumi left the office with a wave of the mantle. While revising the system to quickly put the territory in order in his head, he then thought about the likely coming counterattack from Vichy. If Hifumi's estimations were correct, they just had one short month. "...I must begin doing the preparations in earnest." As Hifumi was carefully preparing, he felt the same kind of excitement as from the fight in Rhone. This time, is it 10000? 20000? At the very least, he wouldn't be bored. Moreover, under the influence of Pajou, Imeraria's troops might be joining too. That would be good, so let's give it a go. Hifumi smiled as he walked with light steps, like a beautiful girl who couldn't calm down before a date. The staff members on the first floor who saw Hifumi walk out, pleasantly thought that him being in a good mood was something nice.

ソードランテの兵士たちも、武器は両手剣を使っている。 真っ直ぐに伸びた剣の刃は1m程の長さがあり、厚みも相まって武骨な印象を与える。 一二三と対峙した兵士たちはその剣を握りしめ、たった一人が相手だ、と気合を入れて駆け出した。 「獣どもに味方する狂人め! 死ね!」 一人が横なぎに振るった剣は、風を切って一二三に迫る。 だが、一歩前に出た一二三が刀を縦に構えて敵の肘に当てると、剣の勢いと重さも手伝い、乾いた音を立てて肘が折れた。 「ぎゃあっ......」 短い悲鳴をあげたところで、一二三の刀が兵士の首を滑る。 敢えて返り血を浴び、笑みを浮かべる男に兵士たちはたじろいだ。 「なかなか振りが速いじゃないか。だが、単に振り回すだけではな」 刃物はこう使うんだ、と一二三は踏み込みざまに連続で突きを放ち、一番前に出ていた兵士の両目を脳まで突き刺した。 声も出せずに倒れる兵士を蹴り飛ばし、ぶつけられた兵士はひるんだ所で腹を横一文字に切り裂かれた。 残りは二人。 もはや戦闘の意志は失いつつある兵士たちに、一二三は血の滴る刀を提げたまま、ゆっくりと近づく。 「な、なぜ獣人の味方をする?」 「別に、味方はしていない」 実際、荒野では100人以上の獣人を斬り殺しており、集落のいくつかは潰してきた。 「俺の敵になるなら、人間も獣人も同じだ。斬れば肉が見えて血が吹き出す。ほら」 鋭い突きに、質問をした兵士の頚動脈がパックリと割れ、赤い噴水が広がる。 「この世界の生きとし生ける者全てが、同じ血肉を持っている。俺は平等主義だから、差別はしないんだ」 血を失って倒れた兵士は、一二三の言葉が終わる前に事切れていた。 残った兵士は既に剣を落としており、ジリジリと後ずさっている。 「逃げるなよ。最期まで楽しもうぜ」 「う、うわあっ......」 たまらず、兵士が背を向けた瞬間、首の後ろから突き刺さった刀の切っ先が、彼の視界に映った。 混乱し、息苦しさに喘いでいるうちに、激しく血を吐いた。 暗転する兵士の視界、見下ろすようにたった一二三の姿はどのように映ったのか。恐怖に目を見開いたまま、最後の一人も息絶えた。 「死んだか。下っ端程度じゃこんなもんか。騎士連中なら、もう少し歯ごたえがあるかな? なあ、お前は知っているか?」 一二三は近くにある建物の影に向かって、質問を投げた。 大きな人影が驚いた様子を見せ、何も言わずに逃げていく。 「うん? ......それなりに強そうな手合いかと思ったが......まあ、いいか」 今日の所は次の獲物は来ないだろう、と一二三は懐紙で刀を拭うと、宿として使っている建物へと帰って行った。 惨劇の舞台で一二三の誰何から逃げ出したのは、誰でもないサルグだった。 しばらく人間のエリアを観察してスラムへと戻ってきた彼は、短期間で変わり果てたスラムの様子に驚いていた。 「これは一体......に、人間がいるのか!?」 スラムの街には当たり前のように人間が獣人と並んで歩いており、その様子は奴隷と主人ではなく、仲の良い友人のようにしか見えない。 思わずコソコソと隠れるようにスラムの奥へ進むと、そこはまだ解体されて居ない古い家があり、以前のスラムの様子が残っていた。 「おっ。お前は正義に味方さんじゃあないか」 困惑しきりでいるサルグに声をかけてきたのは、片腕の犬獣人だった。スラムへ入ったサルグが、最初に出会った男だ。 「獣人の救助とやらは進んでいるのか?」 カラカラと笑っている犬獣人は、以前出会った時とはまたく違う、きちんと仕立てられた服を着ていた。 「スラムは一体どうなったんだ? 人間が入ってきているようだが」 「どうなった、と言われてもな。俺にもわからねぇよ。わかるのは、俺にも出来る仕事があって、まともに食い物が手に入るようになったってだけだな」 「仕事だと?」 荒野ではまず耳にしない言葉に、サルグは首をかしげた。 「まぁな。片手でも、荷運びと釘打ちくらいはできるぜ。この家も、俺が手伝って建たんだぜ。まあ、ほとんど人間に習ってやったんだけどな」 はにかむ犬獣人に、サルグは牙を向いた。 「人間に使われているのがそんなに楽しいのか! 結局奴隷になってるなら......」 「お前さんは本当に視野が狭いな」 犬獣人は首を振り、やれやれと肩をすくめた。 「奴隷とは違う。働いてその分の金を貰って、それで食い物を買う。服も買ったんだ。命の危険も無く、色んな味の食い物を味わえるなんて、荒野じゃ考えられないだろう?」 「だが、人間ごときの言うことに従うなど!」 「その人間“ごとき”に、俺たち獣人はいいようにやられてきた。それがまだ理解できないのか。人を一人や二人殺したところで、俺たちが変わらないなら俺たちの立場も変わらないのは当たり前だ」 羊の嬢ちゃんの受け売りだけどな、と犬獣人は恥ずかしそうに笑う。 サルグはそれが全く理解できない。 獣人は自由に荒野をかけまわり、誰にも縛られずに自然の中で過ごすのが一番のはずだ。だが、目の前の男は人間と交わって人間に使われて喜んでいる。 「お前は......なんなんだ?」 サルグの口をついて出た言葉に、犬獣人は苦笑いしかできない。 「おいおい、大丈夫か?」 心配して近づいた犬獣人が、自分より大分背の高いサルグの肩に手をかけようとしたが、サルグは鋭く腕を振るい、その腕を叩き折った。 「ぐあっ!? てめぇ!」 痛みと怒りで声をあげた犬獣人に、罵りの声をあげたサルグの爪が襲いかかる。 開かれた口に突っ込まれた腕は、そのまま後頭部まで貫通した。 ほとんどもがれたようになった首をくたりと落とし、犬獣人の身体が膝をついて、倒れる。 スラムとは言え日中の街中だ。目撃した通行人も一人や二人ではない。 右手にべっとりと付いた血を見て、我に返ったサルグの耳に悲鳴が聞こえ、周囲を見回した。 周りに居た獣人や人間が、怯えの色を見せて後ずさるのを見て、サルグは悲鳴の原因が自分であることを認識した。 「ち、違う! これは......」 「誰か! 助けてくれ!」 サルグの弁解は誰にも届かない。 血まみれの手を振り回す3mの熊獣人の言葉に耳を傾けるには、先ほどの行動があまりにも身勝手で言い訳の効かない状況だった。 「ぐ......クソッ!」 騒ぐ人々をかき分け、サルグはその場から逃げ出した。 悲鳴を上げて道を開ける人間や獣人に目もくれず、サルグはスラムの奥へと逃げた。 朽ちかけた家屋の中に飛び込み、追っ手に怯えて言い訳を考えているうちに日が暮れた。 そして夜の帳が降りた頃、コソコソと隠れて戻ってきたところで、人間である一二三が人間を殺すのを見たのだ。 もはや、サルグの頭の中は信義と心情でかき乱されて、叫びたい衝動を必死に押さえるのに精一杯だった。 あの恐ろしい人間がどこかへ行ったのを確認したサルグは、スラムにいる事が怖くなり、逆に人間たちの住むエリアに隠れる場所を求めてフラフラと歩いて行った。 ソードランテの王、ブエルの機嫌は非常に悪かった。 そしてまた、彼を不機嫌にさせるに充分な報告が届く。 「......スラムへ派遣した兵からの報告はありません。帰還もしておらず、何者が原因かも不明です」 王が玉座の肘掛を掴む指に力が入り、ミシリ、と静かな謁見の間に音が響く。 だが、報告に来た騎士は言葉を止めるわけにはいかない。 「日中に大工に紛れて潜入した者の報告によれば、獣人どもはスラムの建物を再建し、技術を取り入れ、商店の真似事を始めたようです。一部では、農地が作られているという噂も聞いたようですが、こちらは未確認です」 一息置いた騎士は、チラリと王を盗み見た。 紅潮した顔は今にも弾けそうなほどに力が入っているのが解る。もし騎士が玉座の前、かなり離れて平伏しながらの報告で無ければ、苛立ちで斬り捨てられていたかもしれない。 「......兵士が殺されて居たという話はありますが、獣人たちの間でも誰がやったかは不明だと話されているようです。獣人同士の殺害事件も......」 「もういい!」 話を遮った王は立ち上がり、怒りに任せて声を張り上げた。 「いつからこの国の兵士は獣人の街に入ることすら出来ない貧弱者の集まりになったのだ! 兵士とはいえ、誇り高き騎士の国の誇りも無いのか!」 「王よ。兵などは所詮食い詰めた平民どもの集まりに過ぎません。ここは騎士を派遣し、人間の真似事をしている巫山戯た獣人どもに身の程を教えてやるべきではないでしょうか」 謁見の間にずらりと並んだ騎士のうち、一人の若い男が進み出た。ゆるいウェーブのかかった金髪と整った顔立ちは、血統の良いソードランテの高位貴族に多い顔立ちだ。 「......では、貴様ならできると言うのだな? ゼブル」 「我が剣にかけて」 芝居がかった仕草で、ゼブルと呼ばれた男はニヤリと笑った。 「では、貴様に命じる。兵を連れてスラムの掃除をせよ」 「お待ちください! 今のスラムで騎士が動くとなれば、民間人にも影響がでかねません。ここは調査を進めてからでも遅くはありますまい!」 老境にさしかかった年齢の文官が、慌てて王の命令に異論を唱えたが、それは王にとって耳障りの良い忠告ではなかった。 「調査だと? では調査をしてどうしろというのだ。獣人と仲良くやっているから放っておけとでも言うのか!」 「それは......」 「騎士が正義を成すため、この国の秩序を守るために動くのだ。平民に多少の犠牲が出たところで、気にするものでもない」 「王の仰せの通りです。我がソードランテは騎士が獣人を成敗して成り立った国。獣人を始末し、身の程を教えてやる事こそ、我ら武人の拠って立つところ。今更動物愛護や勘違いした平民の事を慮る必要などありません」 腕を広げ、周囲に言い聞かせるように語るゼブルの言葉に対し、王は頷き、他の騎士たちも賛同の声をあげた。 対して文官たちは苦い顔をしているが、この国で文官の立ち位置は非常に低い。どんなに家柄が良くても、武力を持たなければ軽んじられるのだ。 「王よ。折角の機会ですから、多少派手にやりたいと思うのですが、いかがでしょう。平民どもや獣どもは、我々騎士の存在を軽んじているように感じます。ここはひとつ、当事者以外の見ている者にも強者であり支配者が誰かという事を教えてやるべきでしょう」 「なるほど......よかろう、貴様の良いようにやってみろ。だが、失敗したなら騎士の誇りを汚した罪は命で償ってもらうぞ」 睨みつける王に対し、ゼブルは涼しい顔で片膝を付いた。 「御意のままに」 どうしてこうなった、と何度も頭の中だけでなく、口に出して言うほどヘレンは状況についていけなくなってきた。 数日たって宿を引き払ったかと思うと、獣人がたくさんいる街に連れて行かれ、レニと二人で暮らすための家を与えられ、二人で勉強の続きをしながら、たくさんの人間たちと相談をして、他の獣人たちのための住居や店についてアドバイスをしていく。 「鳥の獣人さんは、高い場所に出入り口があった方がいいんですかね?」 「鳥獣人だってずっと飛んでるわけじゃないんだから、出入りは上にも下にもあった方がいいんじゃない?」 「虎獣人の家はこの位の大きさでいいのかね?」 「あいつらでかいのも多いから、このくらいの幅とこれくらいの高さが無いと出入りしづらいと思うけど」 次から次に人間の大工たちがやって来て、ヘレンに質問を投げてくる。 あちこちにある建設現場をぐるぐる周りながら、大工たちの質問に答えて行く。 「あーもう! もうちょっとゆっくりさせてよ!」 思わず声をあげるヘレンだが、大工たちも次の建物が待っているので、早く仕上げてしまわないと、と焦っている。 それが獣人たちのための建物であることはヘレンも承知しているので、断るわけにもいかず、疲れた顔で次の建物へと向かった。 同じ頃、レニの方は獣人たちと新たに建設された店舗で打ち合わせ中だった。 「人間が使っている“お金”は、この三色があって、これが100枚でこれと同じ、これが100枚でこれと同じです」 並べられた貨幣を順番に指差しながら、レニは貨幣の価値についてゆっくり説明していく。 ふわふわとした白い毛の羊獣人が、おっとりした声でのんびり計算の話をしているせいか、睡魔に襲われる者もいるが、そこは獣人の荒っぽさで、叩かれたり足を踏まれたりして無理やり覚醒させられていた。 並んで勉強しているのは、男女合わせて10名程、半分は一二三が買った奴隷で、半分は元からスラムにいた獣人たちだ。 「でもよ、そんなたくさんの数をいちいち数えてたら大変だぜ」 「大丈夫ですよ。この金貨は普通の人は滅多に使わないそうですし、商品は数えやすい金額にすればいいんです......と、一二三さんが言ってました」 受け売りなんで、と恥ずかしげに答えるレニに、文句を言う者はいない。今のスラムで彼女以上に人間の生活や商売について詳しいものはいないのだ。自然と年長の獣人たちからも質問や相談を受けるようになっていた。 ヘレンは、そのとばっちりを受けたと言ってもいい。 「一二三さんか......最近あまり見ないが、どうしているんだろうね? 人間というより、あれは凶暴な獣人に近い匂いがするお人だけどね」 レニと同じ羊獣人の老婆が、欠けた歯を見せて笑った。 「さあ......昨日少しだけ会ったときは、なんだか楽しそうにしてたけど......」 老婆が言う、凶暴な獣人というのは違う、とレニははっきり言った。 「一二三さんは、凶暴な人には凶暴で、普通の人には普通の人だと思うよ? ウチは良くしてもらったし......」 「ああ、ごめんよレニちゃん。そういうつもりは無いんだよ。それに、獣人なら強い人に惹かれて当然だろうからね。頑張るんだよ」 「うん。頑張る!」 老婆が何を応援してくれたのかはわからなかったが、多分、一二三から与えられた勉強のことだろうとレニは思って、元気に返事をした。

The soldiers of Swordland are holding their swords with both hands as well. Having a length of around 1 m with their blades extending straight-lined, they give a boorish impression coupled with thickness. The soldiers, who are facing Hifumi, grasped those swords tightly. They broke into a run while motivating themselves with "There's just one enemy." "You mad friend of the animals! Die!" A single sword, swept sideways, approaches Hifumi rapidly. But, taking one step forward, Hifumi prepared the katana vertically and hit his enemy's elbow with it. Assisted by the weight and force of the soldier's sword, the elbow broke with a dry sound. "Gyaaa..." At the point the soldier gave a short scream, Hifumi's katana slips into the soldier's neck. The soldiers faltered from the smiling man, who deliberately bathed in the spurt of blood. "Aren't your swings fairly fast? However, it's not merely about swinging it." (Hifumi) "You use the hamon like this", Hifumi stepped into and hit the group, which was is in a sorry state, with thrusts. He stabbed both eyes of the soldier, standing at the forefront, up to the brain. Sending the soldier, who collapses without even a single sound, flying with a kick, he cut up the bellies of the soldiers, flinching from the thrown body, horizontally in a straight line. There are two left. Hifumi slowly approaches the soldiers, who have already lost the will to fight, holding the katana, which is dripping with blood. "W-Why are you acting as ally of the beastmen?" "I'm not particularly their ally." (Hifumi) In reality he had crushed several villages killing more than 100 beastmen in the wastelands. "If you become my enemy, it will be the same treatment for beastmen as for humans. If you cut them, meat can be seen and blood gushes out. Look." (Hifumi) With a sharp thrust he sliced the carotid artery of the asking soldier with a snapping sound* and a red fountain gushed forth. "All living beings trying to survive in this world have the same flesh and blood. I'm supporting the principle of equality, thus I won't discriminate." (Hifumi) The soldier, who collapsed losing blood, died before Hifumi finishes his speech. The remaining soldier has already let go of his sword and is retreating slowly. "Don't run away. Let's enjoy it until the end." (Hifumi) "U-Uwaah..." The second the soldier turned his back unable to endure it, the katana's point pierced through the back of the neck and was reflected in the soldier's view. While struggling due to choking and confusion, he vomited blood violently. How was the appearance of Hifumi, who looked down on him, reflected in the soldier's field of vision, which was blacking out? In a state of having his eyes widely opened in terror, the last one passed away. "He died, huh? The level of the underlings is around this much, eh? I wonder, will I be able to enjoy the feast a bit longer, if it's a group of knights? Say, do you know?" (Hifumi) Hifumi threw a question facing the shadow of a building close to him. A large shadow of a person shows a sign of surprise and escapes without saying anything. "Yes? ... I wondered whether it will be a match with someone quite powerful, but... well, who cares." (Hifumi) "The next prey probably won't come to today's spot", Hifumi wiped the katana with a folded paper and returned to the building, which he is using for lodging. The one who escaped from being asked about his identity by Hifumi at the stage of the tragedy was no one else but Salgu. He, who returned to the slums after observing the human area for a while, was surprised of the slum's appearance, which completely changed in a short time. "What the hell, this is... a human?" (Salgu) In the slum city humans are walking alongside beastmen as if it was a common occurrence. Their state can't be seen as anything else but them being close friends, with no distinction of slave and master. Once he proceeded into the slum's interior, reflexively hiding himself and moving stealthily, he discovered the remains of the previous slums' appearance with old houses, which haven't been demolished yet. "Oh, Aren't you Mr. Ally-of-Justice?" The one who called out to Salgu, who is at a loss, was the one-armed dogman. It was the man, he met first, when he entered the slums. "Is the rescue of beastmen or such making progress?" The dogman, who is laughing loudly*, is completely different from the time when he met him the last time. He wore neatly tailored clothes. "What the heck happened to the slums? It looks like humans have entered, too." (Salgu) "Even if you ask what happened, I dun' know either. What I know is that there's work I can do as well. Even if it's only for the obtaining of decent food." "Work, you say?" (Salgu) Salgu tilted his head to the side due to the words he hasn't heard about in the wastelands. "Well, yea. Even one-armed I'm able to at least carry goods and hammer nails. Even this house, I was contracted to help with it. Well, I was mostly trained by humans though." Salgu faced his fangs at the bashful dogman. "Is it that much fun to have been used by humans? In the end, if you have become a slave..." (Salgu) "Your outlook is really narrow." The dogman shook his head and shrugged his shoulders with a "Good grief." "It's different from being a slave. Working and receiving money for that work, you can buy food with it. I bought clothes, too. There's no danger to my life either. You won't be able to anticipate something like being able to relish variously tasting food in the wastelands, right?" "But you don't have to do something like following what the likes of humans tell you!" (Salgu) "We lived by "us beastmen are fine" due to the "likes of humans." Are you still unable to comprehend that? Even if you killed one or two humans, it will only be natural for our standing to not change, if we don't change." "Though that's second-hand telling of what the sheep jou-chan said", the dogman laughs looking embarrassed.magic Salgu isn't able to understand that at all. Running about freely in the wastelands and spending time in nature without being tied by anyone should be the best for beastmen. But, the man in front of him is glad being used by humans and to associate with them. "You are... what is it with you?" (Salgu) The dogman can't help but smile bitterly due to the words, which rushed out of Salgu's mouth. "Oi, oi, are you alright?" The dogman, who drew near in worry, tried to place his hand on the shoulder of Salgu, who is much larger than him, but Salgu, displaying his nimble ability, knocked that arm away. "Guaa! Bastard!" Due to the dogman raising a voice of anger and pain, the claws of Salgu, who countered with swearing, attack the dogman. The paw, thrust at the dogman's opened mouth, stabbed all the way through to the back of the head. The head, which was almost plucked off, drops limply and the dogman's body falls to its knees and collapses. Although it's the slums, is in the dead centre of the city during day. It's not only one or two passers-by, who witnessed that. Looking at the sticky blood attached to his right hand, the ears of Salgu, who came to his senses, heard a scream and he surveyed his surroundings. There were humans and beastmen in the vicinity, but watching them retreat showing looks of fright, Salgu realized that he was the cause of the scream. "I-It's different! This is..." (Salgu) "Someone! Please help!" Salgu's explanation doesn't reach anyone. It was a situation, where it was impossible to lend an ear to the overly selfish explanation of a 3 m big bearman, who is swinging around his bloodstained hands in a circle, trying to rectify his previous action. "Guu... damn!" (Saulgu) Pushing his way through the clamouring people, Salgu ran away from the area. Salgu escaped deeper into the slums without even turning his eyes at the beastmen and humans opening the way while screaming. Plunging into a decayed, broken building, the day came to an end while he is pondering about an excuse scared of the pursuers. And, at the time when the veil of darkness descended, he saw Hifumi, who killed humans as human, at the place, he came back to, moving stealthily. The best he could do now was to frantically hold down the urge of wanting to scream having his emotions and faith stirred up within his mind. Salgu, who confirmed that dreadful human having gone somewhere, walked unsteadily wishing for a hiding place in the area, where the humans live, as the situation of him being in the slums has become scary. The mood of Swordland's king, Buell, was extremely bad. And, once again, plenty of reports have come in to cause his ill humour. "... There are no reports from the soldiers dispatched to the slums. Without them even returning, it's unknown what the cause might be." The king grabs the armrest of the throne with strained fingers. *Creak* is the sound reverberating during the quiet audience. However, the knight, who came to report, cannot afford to stop his words. "According to the information of people, who infiltrated by blending in with the carpenters during daytime, the beastmen apparently were reconstructing the slums' buildings, incorporating engineering and starting sham shops. It seems they even heard the rumour of them creating agricultural land in one part, but that couldn't be confirmed." The knight, who took a breath, stole a fleeting glance at the king. He knows that the king's flushing face is under a level of pressure looking to snap any time soon. If the knight wasn't giving his report while being quite away from in front of the throne, he might have been slain in irritation. "... There are talks that the soldiers were killed, but it appears that even among the beastmen it's unknown who might have done it. Even the murder case of a fellow beastman..." "Enough!" (Buell) The king, who interrupted the knight, stood up and entrusted his voice to rage. "Since when have the soldiers of this country become a gathering of weaklings, who are even unable to enter a city of beastmen! Although they are soldiers, don't they even have the elation to be the pride of the knight country!?" (Buell) "My king. Something like soldier won't even exceed a gathering of plebeians, who went broke, after all. Shouldn't you teach the foolish beastmen, who are imitating humans, their standing by deploying the knights here?" A single, young man stepped forward among the knights lining up in a row in the audience hall. He has well-featured looks and blonde hair, which had a lax, wavy hairstyle. He has many aspects found in high-ranking nobles of Swordland with a good pedigree. "... Then, if it's you, you will be able to handle it, is what you say, Zebul "I swear by my sword." (Zebul) With a pompous bearing, the man called Zebul laughed broadly. "Well then, I order you, take some soldiers and sweep the slums." (Buell) "Please wait! If a knight moves to the current slums, the civilians won't be unaffected either. It won't be too late even after going ahead with an investigation here!" A civil official, who had advanced to old age, advocated his opinion to the king's order in a hurry, but for the king it was jarring and not a good advice. "Investigation, you say? What will you do after the investigation then? Are you even telling me to leave it alone after getting all friendly with the beastmen!?" (Buell) "That is..." "I operate in order to protect the order of this country, for the sake of upholding that knights are justice. Even if a number of victims appeared among the commoners, I won't mind it either." (Buell) "It's as the the king states. Our Swordland is a nation composed of knights judging the beastmen. It stands depending on us military men dealing with the beastmen and teaching them their own place. There's no necessity or such to deliberate thoroughly animal rights and the situation of commoners, who misunderstood it, this late in the game." (Zebul) The king nodded and the other knights also raised voices of approval towards the words of Zebul, who is spreading his arms and talking as if persuading his surroundings. In contrast the civil officials are making bitter faces, but the position of a civil official in this country is extremely low. No matter how good their pedigree might be, they will be looked down upon, if they don't possess military power. "My king. It's a precious opportunity, thus I think that I want to do it somewhat flashily, but what is your opinion on that? I feel as if the commoners and beastmen are making light of us knights. I should teach them about who's a leader, being a strong person even among those visible here, with the exception of a single person." (Zebul) "I see... very well, try and show me your greatness. However, If you fail, you will pay with your life for the crime of disgracing the pride of the knights." (Buell) Zebul went down on one knee towards the glaring king with a nonchalant air. "At your will." (Zebul) Helen couldn't follow the situation to a degree that not only did she ask that herself many times within her head, but she also put it into words. As soon as she moved out from the inn, where she spent several days, she is taken along to a city, where there are many beastmen. While she is given a house for the sake of living there together with Reni and is continuing to study, she consults with many humans and gives advice regarding houses and shops of other beastmen. "Wouldn't it be better for the entrance and exit of a bird beastman's house to be at a high place, I wonder?" "Since it's not like they are always flying, even if they are birds, wouldn't it be even better to have them come and go below and on top?" "Is this kind of size fine for the house of a tiger beastmen?" "Since there are also many large fellows among them, I believe it will be difficult for them to enter and leave, if the height and width isn't about this much." One after the other human carpenters turn up and throw questions at Helen. While going around the neighbourhood's construction sites, being all over, she answers the questions of the carpenters. "Ah, geez! Take it a bit slower!" (Helen) Helen rises her voice unintentionally, however since there are also the carpenters waiting at the next building, she is going to lose her presence of mind, if she doesn't finish up quickly. Given that Helen has also been aware that those are buildings for the sake of beastmen, she headed to the next building with a worn-out expression having no reason to refuse them either. At the same time Reni was in the middle of a briefing session with beastmen in a newly built shop. "The "money", used by humans, has these three colours. This is the same as 100 coins of this and this is the same as 100 coins of that." (Reni) While pointing at the lined-up currency in turns, Reni slowly explains the value of the coins. As result of the sheepgirl with the fluffy, white hair care-freely talking about calculation with a gentle voice, there are also some getting attacked by drowsiness, but they were forcibly woken up by the rough beastmen there stepping on their feet or hitting them. Of those lining up to study, half are beastmen, originally from the slums, and half are beastmen, bought as slaves by Hifumi, with around 10 each of both sexes. "But, you know, it's difficult, if you want to have to count each and every single one of such large number." "It's alright. Ordinary people apparently won't use this gold coin often. It will be fine, if you just make the price of the goods something easy to count... is what Hifumi-san said." (Reni) There are no people raising any complaints due to Reni embarrassedly answering "It's second-hand knowledge." Currently there's no one as knowledgeable about businesses and the life of humans as her. Therefore it naturally turned into her accepting consultations and questions from senior beastmen. You could also say that Helen suffered getting mixed up in that. "Hifumi-san, huh...? As we haven't seen him much recently, I wonder, what is he doing? Rather than a human, that person has an aura close to that of a ferocious beastman." The old sheepwoman of the same tribe as Reni laughed displaying her chipped teeth. "Who knows... at the time I met him yesterday for a bit, he looked somehow happy, but..." (Reni) "He is different from the ferocious beastmen, the old woman talks about", Reni said bluntly. "Hifumi-san is brutal for a ferocious person. But, do you believe that normal people are normal people? He treated me properly..." (Reni) "Ah, sorry, Reni-chan. That wasn't my intention. Besides, it's probably only natural for beastmen to be attracted to strong people. Do your best." "Yea. I will do my best!" (Reni) She didn't understand what the old woman was cheering her on for, but Reni thought

戴冠式を翌日に控え、慌ただしく準備が進む城内の一角に、会談の為の部屋が用意されていた。 通常は会議などで利用される広めで飾り気の無い部屋に、王女イメラリアが座るための豪奢な椅子が運び込まれ、その向かいに3脚程の椅子が並べられている。 それぞれの椅子の傍らに小さなテーブルが用意され、会談が始まる時には水差しや紅茶などが置かれる手はずとなっていた。 会談の場を任された侍女たちは、緊張の面持ちで部屋の隅に直立して王女たちを待っていたが、彼女たち以外にも王女たちを待っている者がいた。設置された絵画の隙間から室内を伺う、近衛騎士隊の面々だ。 近衛騎士のうち、サブナクのみが王女の傍らに立って護衛を行う事となっていたが、この機会に隠し通路からの監視も試してみようということになり、大の男が3人、手槍を握ったまま肩を寄せ合って息を潜めていた。 何かあれば、薄い壁を突き破ってサブナクの応援に躍り出る手はずとなっているが、まずそういう事態にはなりそうも無い。 「失礼いたします」 「お待ちしておりました。どうぞこちらへおかけください」 最初に現れたのはヴィシー中央委員会から派遣された使者、ロシーだった。随行員はおらず、一人で入室すると、侍女の案内で椅子に腰をおろした。 さほど間を置かず、一人の侍女が入室し、「王女殿下が入室されます」と告げる。 ロシーは立ち上がり、サブナクを連れてゆっくりと歩いてくるイメラリアに頭を垂れた。 「女王陛下。突然のお願いにも関わらず、ご相談の機会をいただけましたこと、恐悦至極に存じます」 大仰な身振りで礼を述べるが、その表情は作り物のような貼り付いた笑顔で、イメラリアは正直内心では気持ちが悪いと思った。 「まだ正式な継承はしておりません。わたくしの身分は、今の時点ではまだ王女に過ぎません」 「これは、大変失礼をいたしました、王女殿下。では、殿下のお時間を私程度の者に浪費頂くわけにも参りませんので、早速ではございますが、我が国からのお願いを......」 「お待ちなさい。この話し合いには他にも参加者がいます」 話を進めようとするロシーをぴしゃりと止め、イメラリアは用意された紅茶にそっと口を付けた。 良い香りがする、と紅茶を差し入れた侍女を見ると、紺色の髪と瞳を持った侍女は、無表情でさりげなくサブナクの方に視線を向けている。 あれが宰相の娘さんですか、とイメラリアが年頃の女の子らしい興味を惹かれたところで、新たな来場者の到着が伝えられた。 「トオノ伯爵一二三様、ホーラント国王スプランゲル様、ご入室です」 イメラリアは、謁見の間でも無いのになぜ名前を読み上げるのかと疑問だったが、目の前で立ち上がることも忘れて驚愕しているロシーの顔と、それを見てニヤニヤと笑いながら入ってくる一二三と老人を見たところで、彼らの仕業だと知った。 椅子から立ち上がったイメラリアは、スカートを軽くつまみながら挨拶をした。こんな挨拶の仕方も、今日で最後なのだと思うと、感慨深い。 「はじめましてホーラント国王陛下。オーソングランデ王女、イメラリア・トリエ・オーソングランデと申します。......お早いお付きで」 「おお、貴女が話に聞く聖女か。わしはホーラント国王スプランゲル・ゲング・ホーラント。先日、この男に完膚無きまでに叩きのめされた国の代表だよ」 一二三を差してカラカラと笑うスプランゲルを見て、イメラリアは眉を潜めた。以前に聞いた話では、ホーラント王スプランゲルはいつも気難しい顔をしている物静かな人物だったはずだが。 「それにしても、あの台車とかいう乗り物は楽しいな。アリッサ殿に乗せて貰ってここまで来たが、馬と違って休憩させる必要も無いし、飼料もいらぬ」 「馬鹿言え。その代わりにホーラントの兵が何人か筋肉痛で医務室行きになっただろうが」 「ふん。鍛え方が足りんようだな。アリッサ殿に鍛え直してもらったが、まだまだというところか」 先日まで戦争していたとは思えないほど、一二三とスプランゲルは和気藹々と話しあい、どっかりと並んで座り、紅茶に口を付けた。 敵とも言うべき一二三と、協力してオーソングランデと戦っていたはずの国の元首が隣に座って、ロシーは口をパクパクとさせていた。 「ほう。美味い紅茶だ。これは買って帰りたいな」 「お帰りの際にご用意させていただきますわ。それでは、会談を始めましょう。偶然ですが、三国の代表が集まっておりますし、とても良い機会ですから、今後の事をお話いたしましょう」 慌てふためくロシーを、スプランゲルはひと睨みして黙らせた。 「黙って聞け。そして世の中が変わっていることを、国でいち早く知る事ができた幸運をどう活かすか、必死で考えるが良い」 目の前に置かれていたビスケットのような焼き菓子を、立て続けに四つほど口に放り込んだ一二三は、彼らの会話を聞きながら一気に紅茶を呷った。 「お菓子おかわり。じゃあまずは、俺から王女殿下へご報告いたしましょうか」 わざとらしい敬語を使った一二三に、イメラリアはムッとしたが、すぐに肩の力をぬいた。 対して、ロシーはわなわなと震えていた。 ここまでの会話で、ヴィシーが蚊帳の外であり、すでにホーラントとオーソングランデ間の対立は終了し、それどころか友好的な雰囲気すら出来上がっていたのだ。 ロシーはこの場で、ヴィシー領土の正当な国家が中央委員会が運営する国家のみであると認めさせ、ホーラントからの魔法具流通を盾に最低限の補償で戦争を終了させるつもりであったのだが、その目論見は一言も発さずに終了した。 委員会メンバーになる夢も、ここで潰えたと思うと、ロシーは怒りに震える以外になかった。 「では、報告を聞きましょう。トオノ伯爵」 こうして、オーソングランデにて三国会談が開始された。 ヴィシーからの使者たちには、それぞれの宿泊のための部屋の他に、打ち合わせ等に使うための部屋も用意されていた。 代表者であるロシーが会談に望むあいだ、10名の随行員は全員がここに集まって待機をする事になった。他国の城内を自由に歩けるはずもなく、用意された軽食に手を付けることもなく、随行員たちは声を落として話し合っていた。 「......城内へ入る前、町の状況を見てみたが、どうにも戦争中の雰囲気じゃないな」 一人がポツリと呟く。彼は鍛えた身体をしているが、表向きは記録係の文官として随行している事になっている。 「流通が止まっているわけでもない。ホーラント方面から難民が通ったという話はあったが、街が荒れているわけでもない。本当に“通っただけ”だったようだ」 「その難民どもの目的地が、総じてフォカロル領という噂だったが......」 彼らが仕入れた噂話に出てくる“難民”は、既にフォカロルに到着している元ホーラント兵たちと、ホーラント敗北後に脱出した本当の意味での難民たちの情報が混在している。 「このままでは、我が国はフォカロルに残らず削り取られてしまうのではないか? 先日もまた新たに寝返った都市が出たそうじゃないか。ピュルサンだけではなく、また中央委員会の誰かが裏切っても不思議だとは思わんぞ」 「滅多な事を言うな」 だが、程度の差はあれ同様の事を誰もが考えていたせいか、それ以上は諌める言葉が出てこない。 「隊長、とにかく本国に戻って状況を伝えるべきではありませんか? このままここに居てもできることはありませんよ。ロシーの奴、王女どころか宰相にすらまともに話が通せなかったんでしょう?」 「隊長と呼ぶな。誰が聞いているかわからん」 「気にしすぎですよ」 一番年かさの男が注意するが、若い男は笑って済ませた。 だが、彼らを見て、話を聞いている者は確かにいる。 (やはり彼らは単なる随行員ではないのか......) 会談の場と同様、裏通路から監視していたのは、ヴァイヤー率いる近衛騎士の部隊だ。今回は相手が武器を持っている可能性もあり、3箇所に別れて随行員と同数の10名で監視をしている。 「......場合によっては、ロシーを殺害する」 隊長と呼ばれた男の言葉に、誰もが息を飲んだ。 「外交問題になり、うまくトオノ伯爵に罪を着せる事ができれば、我が国の立場も多少はマシになる。......そこまでの判断は、中央から許可を得ている」 「ですが、そううまく行くでしょうか。相手はあのトオノ伯爵ですよ」 「強いからと言っても、外交問題を起こせば槍玉にあげられるのは回避できまい。少なくとも、国内での影響力は落ちる。ピュルサンに肩入れしたり、寝返った都市に気を使う余裕は無くなるはずだ」 英雄で名前が広がっているからこそ、そう言った醜聞も広まりやすい、と隊長は説明した。中央委員会から説明された受け売りだと苦笑したが。 会談が不調に終わり、ヴィシーの立場が改善される見込みが無いようであればという前提で、彼らは“一二三の不興を買ったロシーが殺害された”という状況を作るための相談を始めた。 それを物陰から聞いていたヴァイヤーは、難しい顔をした。 隣にいた騎士が、小声で話しかけた。 「副隊長、あいつら城内で事件を起こそうとしていますが......」 「ああ、それはそうなんだが......トオノ伯相手に、彼らの手が通用すると思うか?」 「無駄でしょう。使者が敵対したら、随行員もただではすみませんよ。それに、他者の評価を気にする方ではありませんでしょう」 バッサリと即答した騎士に、ヴァイヤーは苦笑しながら頷いた。 「私もそう思う。......監視は続けつつ、一応トオノ伯と隊長へ報告しておこう」 「了解しました」 また城内の別室では、オーソングランデの主流派から外れてしまった貴族たちが、不満げな顔を突き合わせて語り合っていた。 「とうとう、女王が誕生するのか......」 慶事のはずだが、口調も表情も暗い。 それもそのはず、彼らは辛うじて城内での役を保った元王子派の貴族たちだったからだ。王妃の暴走とも言うべき王女暗殺未遂の件からこっち、全ての動きが裏目に出た結果、勢力としてはもはや捨て置かれる程度にまで弱まってしまった。 以前は城内にいる貴族の大部分を占めていた王子派も、残すところこの部屋にいる5名のみであり、子爵が最高位という位の低さも相まって、勢力とはとても言えない状態だ。 役目を解かれて領地に戻ったり下野した者はまだ良い方で、完全に王女直属組織として再編成された騎士隊の調査で汚職が見つかった者たちは、見せしめとして堂々と、あるいは裏で密かに“処分”されたりしている。 「今はヴィシーの中央委員会からの使者が王女と会談を行っているようだな」 「元はといえば、ヴィシーやホーラントが余計な真似をして国内を荒らしたせいですよ。我々のこの状況も、ヴィシーが我が国の貴族を騙して取り入った結果、事が明るみになって問題が大きくなってしまったせいでしょう。ホーラントに至っては、我々の戦力であった騎士隊を壊滅させる原因を作ったのです!」 実はこの会話も当番の騎士がこっそり聞いていたのだが、三人ひと組となっていた騎士たちは、顔を見合わせて頭痛がするのを、グリグリと眉間を押さえて耐えていた。 ヴィシーと結託して国の貴重な宝石であるアクアサファイアが国境を通り抜ける仕組みを作っていたのも、ホーラントの魔法使いを国に引き込んだのも、貴族の責任なのは間違いないのだが。 ここで、一二三に対しての話が出ないあたりは、完全に恐怖の方が優っているのだろう、と騎士たちは見ていた。それは納得できる。 「......であれば、丁度ヴィシーの使者がこの城にいるのですから、何かしら協力させてもよろしいのでは?」 「協力、とは?」 若い貴族がニヤリと笑って何かしら提案を始めたのを、最年長で爵位も高い中年貴族が身を乗り出して聞いた。 「我々がヴィシーとの関係強化の橋渡し役となるように調整させるのです。ホーラントからの魔法具もヴィシーを通じて購入している状況なのですから、ヴィシーとしては関係の修復への窓口ができるわけですし、王女は戦勝国の代表としての姿を保ったまま、我々が その提案に、場にいた全員が妙案だと膝を叩いて歓迎した。 「トオノ伯は強いとは言え新興の貴族。我々のように歴代の外交を知り尽くした貴族に、こういう部分では対抗できますまい」 「では、早速提案内容を取りまとめようではないか。うまく行けば、陞爵もあるかもしれんな」 明るい話題に顔をほころばせる貴族たちが、身勝手で現実を分かっていないことが良くわかるずさんな計画を立てているのを見ながら、騎士たちはそっと溜息をついた。

Waiting for the coronation ceremony the next day, hurried preparations are advancing in a room, reserved for the sake of the conference, in a corner of the castle. In a plain room, that is generally used for stuff like normal conventions etc., a luxurious chair for Princess Imeraria to sit in has been brought in and opposite of it 3 chairs have been lined up. Providing a small table besides each of the chairs, it was planned to place things like black tea and water jugs there at the time of the conference. The maids, who had been entrusted with the location of the conference, waited uprightly for the Princess' group to arrive in the corners of the room with tense expressions. But there was someone else there waiting for the Princess' group except the girls. Checking the room's inside from gaps in hung up pictures, they are members of the Royal Knight Order. As only Sabnak, among the Royal Knight Order, would carry out his guard duty standing next to the princess, it had been decided to use this opportunity to test the monitoring from hidden pathways. Three adult knights were holding their breaths while huddling together shoulder-by-shoulder and holding spears in their hands. The plan is for them to jump out through the thin wall in order to assist Sabnak in case something happens, but it doesn't even seem like it will turn into such a situation in the first place. "Please excuse me." (Roshi) "We awaited your arrival. Please come this way and sit down." The first, who made an appearance, was the envoy dispatched by Vichy's central committee, Roshi. Without a single attendant, he entered the room by himself and sat down on the chair he was guided to by a maid. With little to no waiting, a single maid enters the room and announces [Her Highness, the Princess, is entering the room] . Roshi stood up and bowed his head to Imeraria walking in while being slowly led by Sabnak. "Your Majesty, the Queen, I'm extremely delighted for you to give me a chance for discussions in spite my sudden request." (Roshi) Though he expressed his gratitude with exaggerating gestures, he gives me a bad feeling with his expression and its fake smile stuck on it "Officially I still haven't inherited the throne. Currently my social standing is nothing more than that of a princess." (Imeraria) "This is, I was gravely impolite, Your Highness, the Princess. Then, given that I don't want to annoy Her Highness with wasting her precious time on someone as insignificant as me, though it is immediate, the request from my country is..." (Roshi) "Wait. There are other participants joining us on this conference." (Imeraria) Flatly stopping Roshi, who tried to advance the talks at his own leisure, Imeraria quietly tasted the prepared black tea. Once she looks at the maid, who poured the tea, which gave off a nice fragrance, she saw the maid, who possessed deep blue hair and pupils, facing in the direction of Sabnak nonchalantly and without any expression. Even if Imeraria's curiosity was apparently piqued towards that girl of marriageable age, the arrival of new conference participants was announced. "Earl Hifumi Tohno-sama and the king of Horant, Suprangel-sama, are entering." Although Imeraria questioned why the names were read out aloud although they aren't at the audience hall, seeing Roshi's shocked face and him forgetting to stand up in front of them, she watched Hifumi and an old man entering while smiling broadly. She knew they were acting. Imeraria, standing up from her chair, lightly pinched her skirt while doing her greetings. "Nice to meet you, Your Majesty, King of Horant. I'm Orsongrande's princess, called Imeraria Torie Orsongrande. ... Thank you for your quick attendance." (Imeraria) "Oh, you are the holy woman I heard stories of. I'm the king of Horant, Suprangel Gengh Horant. I'm representing the country, which was utterly defeated by this man the other day." (Suprangel) Observing Suprangel, who laughed loudly pointing at Hifumi, Imeraria lowered her eyebrows. Going by the stories she heard before, the man Suprangel of Horant should be a calm person notorious for being always hard to please. "At any rate, that vehicle called platform wagon is fun. Though I came here hitching a ride from Alyssa-dono, there was no need for breaks unlike with horses. Fodder isn't needed either." (Suprangel) "What foolish thing are you saying. Thanks to that several of Horant's soldier had to go to the medical office with muscular pains." (Hifumi) "Humph. Seems that they have to be trained in this way of transportation. Though they were trained by Alyssa-dono after getting healed, there is still a long way to go, huh?" (Suprangel) As if they didn't fight a war just a few days ago, Hifumi and Suprangel harmoniously talked with each other, sat next to each other with a flump and tasted the black tea. As Hifumi, who should be the enemy, sat next to the ruler of the country, which should be fighting against Orsongrande, to which Hifumi belonged, Roshi's mouth flapped open and closed. "Ho, it's a delicious black tea. I want to buy this before I return home." (Suprangel) "We will prepare it at the time of your return then. Well then, let's start this conference. Incidentally, the representatives of all three human countries have gathered." (Imeraria) Suprangel made the panicked Roshi shut up with a single glare. "Be quiet and listen. And it's best to desperately think how to capitalise on such good fortune that you were able to be one of the first countries to realise how the world is changing." (Suprangel) Hifumi, who tossed around 4 pieces of the baked sweets, similar to biscuits, placed in front of him into his mouth in sequence, listened to their conversation while drinking the black tea in one go. "Give me more sweets. Well, shall I report to Her Highness, the Princess, first then?" (Hifumi) Imeraria got sullen at Hifumi for forcibly using honorific language, but immediately relaxed. On the other hand, Roshi trembled all over in fear. With the conference up until this point, Vichy has been left at the side with Orsongrande and Horant already having the confrontation between each other concluded. On the contrary, even a friendly atmosphere had developed between them. Roshi had intended to finish the war with the minimal compensation of circulating the magic tools from Horant as shield and to have only the country managed by the central committee to be recognised as official state of Vichy's territory. That plan was cut without him uttering a single word. Even my dream of becoming a member of the committee has fallen apart with this "Then, let's hear your report, Earl Tohno." (Imeraria) Like this Orsongrande started the meeting of the three countries. Each member of the emissaries from Vichy was provided a room for lodging purposes and all of them had a room for things like meetings etc. During the time they expected Roshi, who is their representative, to be at the conference, all of the 10 attendants decided to gather here and be on standby. As they shouldn't freely walk around within the castle of a foreign nation and without eating the prepared light meal either, the attendants talked with each other in lowered voices. "... Before entering the castle, I tried to have a look at the situation in the city, but no matter how you look at it, it hasn't an air of being in war." A single of them mutters a few words. Although he has a trained body, it has been arranged that he is officially following as civil official of records keeping. "It's not like the circulation of good and money has been stopped either. There was the gossip of refugees coming and going from the direction of Horant, but that hasn't caused the city to fall into chaos either. It was really "only coming and going."" "There was a rumour that generally the destination of those refugees was the Fokalore territory..." The "refugees", appearing in their procured gossips, are the former soldiers of Horant, who have already arrived in Fokalore, and those escaping after the defeat of Horant. The real meaning of the information about the refugees has been mixed up. "Won't our country end up being completely shaved off by Fokalore, if it stays like this? Didn't a new defecting city appear just a few days ago? Not only Pursang, it won't be even strange for someone else to double-cross the central committee once again." "Don't say anything careless." However, since all of them are thinking about the same thing with a difference in seriousness, no further words of remonstration are spoken. "Captain, shouldn't we return to our own country to relay the state of affairs either way? It won't solve anything even if we stay here as is. Roshi, that guy, won't be even able to directly talk with the prime minister, not to mention the princess, will he?" "Don't call me captain. You don't know who might be listening in." "You worry too much." Although he was warned by the oldest man, the young man ended up laughing. However, there's definitely someone here eavesdropping on their talks and observing them. (They aren't simple attendants after all, huh... ?) Similar to the location of the conference, a unit, led by Vaiya, was monitoring them from a hidden pathway. As there's also a chance of the other side possessing weapons this time, they are monitoring with the same number as there are attendants, 10, split up in 3 places. "... Depending on the situation, we will kill Roshi." Everyone gulped due to the words spoken by the man called captain. "If we are able to cleverly pin the crime on Earl Tohno once it becomes a diplomatic issue, our country's position will become slightly better. ... I have obtained the permission from central to go as far as making such judgement." "However, will it go that smoothly? Our opponent is that Earl Tohno." "Although he might be called powerful, if he causes a diplomatic issue, he won't be able to avoid getting criticized. At the very least his influence within this country will fall. He should loose the leeway to pay attention to betraying cities and to support Pursang." "Since his name as hero has been spreading, it will be easy to propagate this kind of scandal", the captain explained. Though he smiled wryly as that was the explanation he had been provided by the central committee. Under the preamble that Vichy's position likely won't improve, if the conference finishes in disagreement, they began to discuss in order to create a situation of "if Roshi is killed, Hifumi would fall into disgrace." Vaiya, who heard that from his hiding place, made a complicated face. The knight next to him addressed him in a low voice. "Vice-captain, they are trying to cause some incident within the castle..." "Yea, seems so, but... do you think their hands will reach with Earl Tohno as opponent?" "That's likely futile. If the envoy was hostile, it won't end with the attendants being sorry either. Beside, he probably doesn't care about the evaluation from others." Due to the knight answering immediately and resolutely, Vaiya nodded while smiling bitterly. "I think so, too. ... While you continue monitoring them, I will go and report about this to Earl Tohno and the captain for the time being." "As you've ordered." In a yet different room within the castle, the nobles, who ended up being left outside the main faction of Orsongrande, were talking together face-to-face with glum expressions. "At last, it's the birth of a queen, huh... ?" Though it should be an auspicious event, their tones and expressions were depressed. No wonder, they were the nobles of the former prince faction, who barely preserved their roles within the castle. Due to the matter of the attempted assassination of the princes which should also be called the rampaging of the queen, all of their movements resulted in backfiring on them. They already ended up being weakened as far as to the degree of being ignored in regards to their influence. Also, the prince faction, which previously commanded the majority of the nobles in the castle, has been decreased to the point of no more than the 5 in this room. Furthermore, combined with their low-ranking, with a Viscount being the most prominent, they are in a state, where you can even say that they have no influence at all. The people, who after having lost their power, were dismissed from their duties and returned to their territory, were still well off. Those found to be corrupt after an investigation by the knight order, which had been completely reorganized as organization under the direct control of the princess, have been secretly "disposed off" behind the scenes or boldly in front of everyone as warning. "I heard the envoy from the central committee of Vichy is currently carrying out a conference with the princess." "Originally, the nature of invading our country was an unnecessary act for Vichy and Horant. As result of Vichy currying favours with and tricking the nobles nobles of our country, including even us in this situation, this probably became a too big problem for the situation to be fairly beneficial. As for Horant, it was used as cause for destroying our knight orders, which were our combat potential." As a matter of fact the knights on duty were secretly listening to this conversation, however the knights, who were in three man cells, endured by rubbing their eyebrows with turning movements to lower their headaches as they exchanged looks at each other's faces. Making plans to get the aqua sapphire, which is a precious gem of this country, past the national border by conspiring with Vichy and winning over Horant's magicians to this country are undoubtedly the responsibilities of nobles. The fact, that the talks don't mention Hifumi here, is likely owed to their complete state of terror "... In that case, since the envoy from Vichy is just right now in this castle, won't it also be fine to get them to cooperate one way or the other?" "Cooperate, how?" The middle-aged noble, as the eldest and with the highest peerage, bent himself forward listening as the young noble began his proposal while smiling broadly.magic "We have to coordinate in order to obtain the duty of mediating the strengthening of relations with Vichy. Since we are in a situation of buying magic tools from Horant through Vichy, it means we will be able to make contact with those related to restoration in Vichy. The princess has to keep her appearance as the representative of the victorious nation, however if we can establish negotiations to guarantee the trade behind the scenes, we will be free from obstacles, including even the princess." That suggestion was welcomed by everyone at this place as excellent plan by clapping on their knees. "Though Earl Tohno is powerful, he is a rising noble. They won't be able to refuse us this part as we are nobles, who have full knowledge of diplomacy through our successive generations." "Well, let's settle the details of the proposal right away. If it turns out well, there's also the possibility of us rising in peerage." The knights softly sighed while looking at the nobles, who have smiling faces due to the cheerful topic, making plans carelessly. The knights understood well how the nobles selfishly didn't grasp reality.

片耳兎の女獣人から聞いた方角へ進むこと五日。 獣人たちの住むエリアを抜けて更に三日、木々の間を抜けて歩き続けていると、周囲はいよいよ樹海の様相を帯びてきた。時々木に登っては方向を確認する。 「このあたりからか......」 一二三は辺りに立ち並ぶ木々の種類が変わった事に気づいた。 森の雰囲気も、明るくからりとした乾いた空気から、葉が多く茂り薄暗い、じめじめと湿り気を帯びた空気へと変わる。遠くまで見通せていた澄んだ空気も、いつの間にか霞がかったものへと変わっていた。 木々の表面にも苔があるものが多くなり、ひび割れた表皮から別の草が生えているものもある。 「......寝心地は悪そうだな」 森の中を進む間、夜は木の枝に登って寝転がっていた一二三は、苔が付くのは嫌だな、と緊張感の無い感想を抱いていた。 さらに一晩を過ごし、朝早くから森の奥を目指していた一二三の視界に、奇妙なコブがある大木が映った。 そっと近づいてみると、大木の根元近く、幹に背中をあずけるようにすわる格好の、等身大の木彫りの人形が置かれている。 あちこち苔むした人形を掴んだが、しっかり幹にくっついており、軽く引っ張った程度ではびくともしない。まるで、肥大した幹の一部を削り出して作った仏像のようだ。 「それにしても、精巧な作りだ」 瞳を閉じた細面の人形は、深いシワが刻まれた顔をした老人ではあったが、若い頃はさぞや女性に人気があったであろう美形だった。そして、一二三がこの人形に注目した理由は、その耳にある。 「エルフか。いや、エルフの木彫り像か」 尖った耳は人の2倍以上の大きさがあり、後ろに向かって細長く伸びている。 美形であることも相まって、どこかで聞いたような、エルフの特徴そのままだ。 「しかし、木彫りの彫刻とは......ファンタジーの住人としては渋い趣味をしている」 明らかに木製だと解る質感と苔さえなければ、誰かが眠っていると言われても信じてしまいそうな精緻な仕事ぶりに、芸術に大して興味の無い一二三も、しばらく眺めているほどだった。 そこへ、風を切る音と共に飛来したのは、一筋の矢であった。 するりと身体を横へずらした一二三の脇を通り過ぎた矢は、湿った地面に突き立ち、小さな土埃を巻き上げた。 「まずは声をかけろよ。失礼な奴だな」 「チッ!」 まったく動じていない一二三の様子に舌打ちした何者かが、樹上からさらに矢を射掛けてくる。 二射、三射と文字通り矢継ぎ早の攻撃も、最初の攻撃で敵の居場所が分かってしまった以上、当たるはずもない。 スイスイと避け、木の陰に隠れて息を潜めてしまえば終わりだ。 「出てこい! 人間が我らの森へ踏み入った事、後悔させてやる!」 どうやら、敵は狙撃手としては失格なほどに頭に血が登りやすいタイプらしい。 一二三は相手の雑なやり方に苛立って、木陰から手首だけで十字手裏剣を飛ばした。 「あっ?!」 肩に傷を負った狙撃手は、たまらず木から落下した。 湿った土と積み重なった葉の上に、ぐしゃりと音を立てて倒れ込む。 一二三が駆け寄った時、敵はナイフを取り出して応戦する構えを取ろうとしたが、一二三が抜いた刀の切っ先が、吸い込まれるように喉元に当てられる方がずっと早かった。 「うぐ......」 薄暗い森の中でも妖しい光を放つ刀を間近で見た敵は、視線を刃に奪われたまま、息を飲んだ。 一二三より少しだけ背が高く、スラリと細い四肢ではあるが、決して弱々しくはない。少し癖のある長い金髪を後ろに流して縛った髪型のエルフは、切れ長の目をした見目の良い中性的な顔立ちだった。 そして、あの人形と同じような、特徴的な長い耳。 「お前......エルフか」 遠慮なくジロジロと見てくる一二三に、エルフは不快そうな顔で唾を吐く。 「それがどうした。エルフの森へ無断で侵入した人間が、このまま無事でいられると思うなよ」 「無断がダメなら、出入り口の門でも作って呼び出し用の鈴でも置いておけよ」 茶化すような言葉に、エルフの表情は益々険しくなる。 「まあ、お前の言葉でここがエルフの居場所だというのはわかった」 「貴様、我らエルフに何の用だ?」 「エルフは見に来ただけだな。生活の場が見られれば尚良いが、目的地はもっと奥だな」 「貴様、魔人族の所へ行くつもりか!」 驚きに目を見開いたエルフは、声を荒げた。 「そうだな。その魔人族とやらを街で一人見かけたからな。どうせなら、その親玉のツラでも拝んでおこうかと思ってな」 地獄だとかなんとか言われたから、ちょっと見に来たという一二三に、呆れたとエルフは言う。 「魔人族どもは今は我々エルフの秘術によって、奥地にて封印している。僅かなほころびから、弱い者は溢れ出すことがあるが......」 エルフが語る内容によれば、エルフの森に押し囲まれる形で、結界を張っているエルフによって魔人族は出入りを制限されているという。以前にドワーフのトルンが言っていた“人間と敵対する魔人族”というのは、結界の影響を受けにくい、魔力の弱い者が森を抜けた結果、人間の街に近づいた者たちのようだ。 一二三が殺したゼブルは、その中でもうまく人間の中に入り込めた部類なのだろう。 「なんだってそんな面倒なことをしている?」 まるで世界を守るために封印を施したかのようなエルフに、一二三は首をかしげた。 「簡単な事だ」 エルフは吐き捨てるように語る。 「魔人族は、元はと言えばエルフから別れた種族だ。あのような半端者どもを自由にさせるなど、我々エルフの恥だ」 「半端者とまで言う割には、滅ぼすこともせずに封印するだけで済ませているな」 そう言えば、ゼブルも耳が長かった、と一二三は思い出しながら疑問を口にした。 視線を逸らしてしまったエルフの様子を見て、おそらく純粋な戦闘となれば、エルフは魔人族を滅ぼす程の力は持っていないのだろう。 「そんなこと、人間には関係ない! それよりも、この先はエルフ以外は立ち入り禁止だ!」 「俺より背が高いくせに、子供のようなことを言う奴だ」 「子供と言うな!」 刃を当てられているのを忘れたのか、靴底を当てるように蹴ってくるのを、一二三は後ろへ一歩下がってかわした。 距離が開いたのを見て、エルフは今度こそナイフを抜き、逆手に持って構えた。手裏剣が突き刺さった左肩が痛むのだろう、顔をしかめて左手は拳を握りしめている。 「今度は、負けない!」 「戦いに“今度”がある時点で、甘いんだけどなぁ。......良かったな、援軍が来てくれたぞ」 一二三が肩をすくめたところで、森の奥から数名のエルフが現れた。 「シク、人間相手に何をやっている!」 先頭を進んでいた男のエルフが、引き絞った弓を一二三に向けたまま、ナイフを構えているエルフを怒鳴りつけた。 「で、でも......」 「お前ができるというから、魔法もろくに使えない子供のお前に見回りをやらせてやったというのに......」 シクと呼ばれたエルフは、叱られた子供そのままの表情で肩を落とした。後続の女性エルフが、シクに触れて治癒魔法を唱え始めた。 「子供だと?」 一二三の疑問に、怒鳴っていたエルフが苦々しげな表情で一二三に向き直った。 「ついてきてもらおう。我らエルフの指導者であるザンガー様から、人間が森に来ているから連れてくるようにと言われている。妙な真似をするなよ。本来なら我らエルフの森に人間が入るなど許されないからな」 至近距離で矢を向けられているというのに、一二三は特に構える事なく、刀をだらりと下げて目の前の矢とエルフを見ている。 「客人を迎える態度じゃないな」 「子供を相手に多少戦えたからと言って調子に......ああ!?」 一二三が左手を振ると、手裏剣が弓の弦を切る。 弾けるように暴れた弦が、弓を持つエルフの腕に傷をつけ、矢はポトリと落ちた。 「お前らの態度が気に入らない。だから、ついて行かない」 「人間風情が、ザンガー様の呼び出しを無視するといのか!」 腕から血を流しながら、先ほどと同様に怒声をあげるエルフを見て、一二三は笑った。 「まず、そいつを知らん。知らん奴に従うもなにもないだろうが」 モノの道理を考えろ、と笑う一二三。 「そうだな、どうせなら力づくでやってみたらどうだ?」 「言ったな。人間風情が、エルフに勝てると思うか!」 魔法で傷を癒したエルフが、腰のナイフを抜いた。 だが、最初に飛んできたのは風の魔法だ。 「それは、見たことがある」 一二三は、飛来した風の刃を大胆にも平手で横から叩いた。 パン、と弾けるような音がして、風の刃は散らされてしまう。 「な、なんて事を......」 後衛から魔法を放ったエルフは、驚愕を顔に浮かべている。 「ふむ。治療の魔法でもそうだが、お前らは杖無しで魔法が使えるんだな」 そう言えば、魔人族を名乗った奴も杖を使っていなかったな、と一二三は思い出した。 ふむふむ、と考えている一二三に、エルフたちの魔法が容赦なく襲いかかる。 炎の魔法を使わないあたりは、森の木々に気を遣っているのだろう。 風の刃や石礫が飛来するなかを、くるくると踊るようにすり抜けていく。 エルフが突き出したナイフを、一二三は指先で摘むと、くるりと手首を返してナイフを奪い取った。 そして、そのナイフを投擲する。 今まさに魔法を放とうとしたエルフの左目に、深々とナイフが刺さった。 絶命したエルフが倒れる瞬間には、ナイフを奪われたエルフも刀の一撃で死んだ。 「あと四人」 ふと見ると、シクは驚きと怯えで腰を抜かして後ずさっていた。 「なんだ、さっきまでの威勢はどこへ行った?」 「ひぃ......」 一二三と目線が合うと、シクは短い悲鳴を上げた。 「ま、待って!」 涙をいっぱいに浮かべたシクをかばうように、治療魔法を使っていた女性エルフが両手をいっぱいに広げて立ちはだかった。 「私たちの負けです! どうか、若い者は見逃していただけませんか......」 答えながら、一二三は突然走り出した。 女エルフの横を通り抜け、シクの横を走り抜け、さらに後ろにいた男女二人のエルフへ肉迫する。 一二三に対して魔法で遠距離から狙撃しようとしていた二人は、急に目の前に迫った一二三に驚くばかりで何も出来ない。 それを、一二三は逆袈裟に振り抜いた刀でまとめて両断した。 「攻撃をしないなら、殺さずにおいてもいい。だが......」 振り向いた一二三は、唖然としている生き残りのエルフを見た。 「敵対するなら殺す」 その言葉に、シクは泡を吹かんばかりに身体を震わせて驚愕している。 一二三は、溜息をついてシクに年齢を訪ねたが、シクは怯えるばかりで答えられない。 代わりに、女性エルフが16歳だと答えた。 「この子は、親無し子で、私が面倒を見ている子で......。この子が貴方を攻撃したのでしょう。私も謝ります。どうか、ご容赦ください」 「なら、親代わりとして俺の頼みを聞いてもらおうか」 一二三の言葉に、女性のエルフは息を飲んだ。若い男が女に求める事と言えば、大体想像がつく。だが、抵抗する力も無い。 「わ、わかりました......」 「じゃあ、道案内を頼む」 懐紙で拭った刀を納めた一二三は、袴の土を払った。 「魔人族の場所へ行く道だ。ほれ、さっさと行くぞ」 「は、はい!」 女性エルフは、未だ呆然としているシクに肩を貸してなんとか立ち上がらせると、仲間たちの死体を泣く泣く打ち捨てたまま、一二三の前を歩き出した。 「私たちにとって、この森は恵みを与えてくれる場所であり、最期を迎えるための墓でもあるのです」 森を傷つける事を大変な禁忌とする理由を、プーセと名乗った女性エルフが語る。 「森を傷つける事は即ちエルフとしての生き方を傷つける事である、と私たちは小さい頃から教えられて成長して行きます。親がいないこの子でも、例外ではありません」 とうとう気を失ってしまったシクを、プーセは背中に背負って歩いている。 シクは幼い頃に両親を亡くし、以来祖父に育てられていたが、その祖父も先日亡くなったという。 「まあ、恵みというのはわかるが、墓というのはどういう意味だ?」 「この森で育ったエルフは、ある程度の老齢になると、身体が硬直し始めるのです。そうしたら、自分で決めた木に寄り添い、そのまま木と同化して最期を迎えます」 だから、この森はエルフにとって墓でもあるのです、とプーセは言う。 「......さっき、よくできた木彫りの人形のような爺さんのエルフを見たが」 「それは多分、老いたエルフのなれの果てでしょう」 「わからんな。なんで生き物が木に変わる?」 「それは、私にもわかりません。昔からそうでした、としか」 しかも、エルフは100歳前後から身体の植物化が始まり、1年ほどで動けなくなり、それから半年程度で完全に木と一体化するのだという。一二三が持っていた長寿のイメージとは違っていた。 成長は早く、12歳程度で大人の身長にまで背が伸びるが、身体能力的には劣るのだという。 見た目以上にかけ離れた謎の生態に首をひねっている一二三に、今度は私からいいですか、とプーセが遠慮がちに尋ねた。 「どうして、魔人族のところへ?」 「強いらしいからな。それ以上の目的もある」 何か違うことを考えながらの適当な答えだというのは、聞いたプーセにもわかったが、それ以上は聞かなかった。 この時、一二三の頭の中には先ほど見た樹木と融合した老人エルフの姿が浮かんでいた。 「決めた。先にお前たちの集落に寄ることにしよう」 「な、何が目的ですか?」 「今の話が何かひっかかる。エルフの偉いのがいるんだろう? そいつに聞いておきたいことができた」 いくらなんでも、木に同化するのはおかしい、と一二三は考えていた。 ファンタジーな世界とはいえ、心にひっかかる、納得できないことには何か答えが欲しい。 「まだ時間はあるからな。寄り道くらい問題ない。というわけで、行き先変更だ」 プーセには、それを断ることができなかった。

Five days passed with him proceeding in the direction, he was told by the one-eared rabbitwoman. It took him further three days to leave the area, where the beastmen live. Once he came out from between the trees, the surroundings took the appearance of being a broad expense of various woodland. He occasionally climbed a tree to check his bearing. "Around here...?" (Hifumi) Hifumi noticed that the trees in the surroundings had changed. The atmosphere of the forest has changed as well, from a dry atmosphere filled with brightness and clarity to a damp and humid atmosphere, which is gloomy due to the overgrowing number of leaves. Also, the clear air, which allowed one to see into the distance without obstruction, transformed into something that appeared to be misty, before he noticed it. The number of trees having moss on their surface has become big and there are even those, growing different weeds from within their cracked rinds. "... This appears to be inferior in sleeping comfort." (Hifumi) Hifumi, who laid down after climbing on a tree's branch to take a break from advancing through the forest at night, harboured thoughts like In the sight of Hifumi, who headed deeper into the forest from early in the morning after spending one more night, a strange swelling, located on a tree, was reflected. Once he tries to get close quietly, he discovers a life-sized wooden doll having been placed in a sitting posture, as if entrusting its back to the trunk, close to the base of the tree. He grabbed the doll, which was covered in moss all over, but as it has been firmly stuck to the trunk, it's not moving even an inch at the level of just pulling it lightly. It's completely like a Buddha statue, which was created by cutting it out of one part of a large trunk. "All things considered, it's quite the elaborate craft." (Hifumi) The slender-faced doll with its closed eyes was an elder having an expression with deep wrinkles engraved, however he had a beautiful form, which definitely would have peeked the interest of women in his person during his youth. And, the reason why Hifumi paid attention to this doll is its ears. "Elf? No, the wood carving of an elf, huh?" (Hifumi) The pointed ears have a size, which is more than twice that of humans. They are extending longly and narrowly while growing towards the back. Coupled with having a beautiful shape, they are a characteristic of elves, he heard from somewhere. "However, a wood-craft sculpture... that's a refined pastime for dwellers of a fantasy." (Hifumi) Without clearing the moss he understands the feel of the material to be obviously wood. The minute way of crafting makes one believe that someone is sleeping. Even for Hifumi, who has no deeper interest in art, it was to a level of making him gaze at it for a while. What came flying alongside a sound of fast movement was a long arrow. The arrow, which passed the flank of Hifumi who moved his body sideways in a smooth, unhindered motion, pierced into the damp ground and blew up a small cloud of dust. "At least greet me first. You are quite the rude fellow." (Hifumi) "Tsk!" Someone clicked their tongue due to Hifumi's state of not being perturbed in the least, but they shoot another arrow from up in the trees. Even as he is attacked by a literally rapid firing of 2-3 shot arrows, seeing that he grasped the enemy's location with the first assault, those couldn't hit either. Smoothly avoiding the arrows, it ends once he hides behind a tree and holds his breath. "Come out! For a human to intrude our forest, you will regret that!" The enemy disqualifies himself as sniper as it seems that they are the type, who lets their blood easily rush to their head. Getting annoyed with the opponent's crude way of doing things, Hifumi launched a cross shuriken using only his wrist from within the tree's shade. "Ah!?" The sniper, who sustained a wound on their shoulder, fell from the tree unable to endure. He drops with a crushing sound on top of the leaves, which accumulated on the moist soil. At the time Hifumi rushed over, the enemy took out a knife and tried to take a fighting stance, but the point of the katana, which Hifumi drew, was by far faster and it was pressed against the throat as if being sucked in. "Uguu..." The enemy, who looked at the nearby katana shedding an ominous light within the dim forest, gulped with their sight being drawn onto the blade. Being slightly taller than Hifumi, the enemy has long, slender and well-proportined limbs, though they aren't frail by no means. The elf, with a hair style of slightly quirky, long blonde hair being tied and flowing down the back, had androgynous features having good looks and almond eyes. And, just like that doll, the elf has the characteristic long ears. "You are... an elf?" (Hifumi) Due to Hifumi scrutinizing them without reservation, the elf spits out, with a displease expression, "What about it? As human, who intruded into the elves' forest without permission, do you think you will be safe as it is?" "If entry isn't allowed, build a gate at the entrance and set up a door bell." (Hifumi) The elf's expression turns increasingly grim due to the belittling words. "Oh well, with your words I understood that this place is the elves' home." (Hifumi) "Bastard, what business do you have with us elves?" "I only came to see elves. If I can observe the place where you live, that will be even better, but my destination is further inside." (Hifumi) "Do you intend to go to the demon races' place, bastard?" The elf, who opened his eyes in surprise, raised his voice. "That's right. I ran into one of the demon race or whatever in the city. Thus I thought I might as well pay my respects to his boss." (Hifumi) Due to Hifumi saying that he wants go for a visit since he was told it was something like hell, the shocked elf says, "The demon race has been currently sealed deeper inside due to our, the elves', secret art. Since it's coming apart a bit, the weaklings are pouring out, but..." If it's according to the details mentioned by the elf, the demon race is restricted in their coming and going because of the barrier, which has a shape of enclosing and sealing them in the elven forest, being deployed by the elves. Previously the dwarf Thorn has called them "the demon race, which is hostile to humans." As result of those, having weak magic power, leaving the forest as they hate suffering the effects of the barrier, there are some, who got close to human cities. Zebul, who was killed by Hifumi, likely was the type, who was able to blend in between people without being discovered. "Why are you doing something this troublesome?" (Hifumi) Hifumi tilted his head to the side due to the elf completely acting as if they were applying the seal to protect the world. "That's simple." The elf says as if spitting out. "The demon race is a race that originally separated from the elves. Something like allowing such blockheads to be free would be the disgrace of us elves." "Even if you are going as far as calling them blockheads, you are just sealing them without even destroying them." (Hifumi) Which reminds me, Zebul's ears were long too the elves likely don't have the strength to destroy the demon race, if it's in genuine combat. "Such things got nothing to do with humans! Leaving that aside, it's forbidden for anyone but elves to enter past here." "Though you are taller than me, you are a guy spouting childish things." (Hifumi) "Don't call me childish!" The kick in order to hit with the shoe sole was avoided by Hifumi stepping back. Seeing that a distance opened up, the elf draws the knife this time and took a stance by holding it in a backhand grip. Probably due to the pain of a shuriken being stuck in the elf's left shoulder, he clenches his left fist while frowning. "This time I won't lose!" "Saying "this time" at the moment of fighting is overly optimistic, but... aren't you glad? Reinforcements came." (Hifumi) Even as Hifumi shrugged his shoulders, several elves appeared from within the forest's depth. "Shiku, what are you doing with a human?" The male elf, who was in the lead, turned his bow, which was drawn to the limit, towards Hifumi and shouted at the elf, who has prepared his knife, in that state. "B-But..." (Shiku) "Since you told me you would be able to do it, I let you, a child who can't use anything but weak magic, go on patrol and yet..." The elf called Shiku dropped his shoulders with an expression like a scolded child. The following female elf began to cast healing magic touching Shiku. "Child, you say?" (Hifumi) Due to Hifumi's question, the elf, who yelled, faced Hifumi with a loathsome expression. "Follow us. We have been told by Zanga-sama, who is the leader of us elves, to bring you human along since you have entered the forest. Don't do anything strange. Usually we elves don't tolerate something like a human entering the elven forest." Despite having arrows pointed at him at point-blank range, Hifumi is looking at the elves and arrows in front of him while holding the katana loosely without taking a particular stance. "That's not the attitude you welcome a guest with." (Hifumi) "Don't get full of yourself just because you were more or less able to fight with a child as opponent... ah!?" Once Hifumi waves his left hand, the bowstring is cut by a shuriken. The bowstring, which reeled violently due to being snapped, injured the arm of the elf holding the bow and let the arrow drop with a *plop* "I don't like your guys' attitude. That's why I won't accompany you." (Hifumi) "The likes of a human wants to ignore the summoning of Zanga-sama!?" Hifumi laughed as he watched the elf raise an angry voice just like before while shedding blood from his arm. "First, I don't know that guy. There's no point in obeying an unknown guy, right?" (Hifumi) "Think about the truth of the matter", Hifumi laughs. "Ah right, then you might as well try with force, how about that?" (Hifumi) "I told you. Do you believe the likes of a human can win against elves!?" The elf, who healed his wound with magic, drew the knife at his waist. However, what came flying first is wind magic. "That's something I've already seen." (Hifumi) Hifumi boldly hit the approaching wind blade from the side with his palm. Making a sound of *pan* as if being repelled, the wind blade scatters. "W-What have you..." The elf, who released magic from the rear, floats an expression of shock. "I see. You guys are even able to use healing magic without requiring a wand." (Hifumi) Come to think of it, the guy, who called himself one of the demon race, didn't use a wand either , he is mercilessly attacked by the elves' spells. Not using fire magic in the vicinity is probably because they are paying attention to the forest's trees. He slips through the fired wind blades and pellets as if whirling around in a dance. Once Hifumi got hold of the knife, which was thrust out by the elf, with his fingers, he turned over his wrist abruptly and stole the knife. And then he threw that knife. The knife deeply penetrated into the left eye of an elf, who just now was about to fire a spell. The instant the dead elf collapsed, the elf, who had his knife stolen, died with a single slice of the katana as well. "4 left." (Hifumi) Once he sees the sudden turn of events, Shiku drew back while being unable to stand up due to surprise and fright. "What's up? Where did your vigour from a while go?" (Hifumi) "Hii..." Once Shiku met Hifumi's gaze, he gave a short scream. "W-Wait!" In order to cover for Shiku, who had a tear-filled expression, the female elf, who previously used healing magic, stood in the way spreading bot her arms. "It's our defeat! Can't you please overlook the youth...?" While answering, Hifumi suddenly started to run. Passing the female elf sideways, passing Shiku sideways, he presses onto the two male elves, who stood further back. The two, who had been sniping Hifumi with magic from afar, aren't able to do anything with Hifumi abruptly appearing in front of them. Hifumi bisected them altogether with the katana, he swung in a reverse shoulder slash. "If you don't attack, I won't kill you. But..." (Hifumi) Hifumi, observed the surviving elves, which are dumbfounded. "If you are hostile, I will cut you." (Hifumi) Due to his words Shiku's body is trembling in fright with him only leaking foam from his mouth. Sighing, Hifumi asked Shiku about his age, but being nothing but scared, Shiku is unable to answer. Instead the elf woman replied that she's 16 years old. "This child is an orphan and I'm taking care of him... This child attacked you, I suppose. I will apologize as well. Please, forgive him." "If that's the case, will you listen to my request as his foster parent?" (Hifumi) The elven woman gulped due to Hifumi's words. Speaking of something a young man could want from a woman, she can mostly imagine it. However, she has no strength to oppose him either. "U-Understood..." "Then I leave the guiding to you." (Hifumi) Hifumi, who sheathed the katana he wiped with a paper, dusted off the dirt from his hakama. "It's the way to the location of the demon race. If you got, get going quickly." (Hifumi) "Y-Yes!" Once the elf woman made Shiku, who is still in a daze, stand up by lending her shoulder, she tearfully abandoned her comrades' corpses as they are and walked in front of Hifumi. "For us this forest is a place that gives us blessing. It's also a graveyard for the sake of welcoming us in our last moments." The elf woman, who introduced herself as Puuse, explains the reason why it's a grave taboo to damage the forest. "The act of damaging the forest is the same as damaging the way of life as elf, is what we are taught from childhood until becoming an adult. Even a child that has no parents is no exception." (Puuse) Puuse is walking while carrying Shiku, who finally lost consciousness. Losing both parents as child, Shiku was raised by his grandfather since then, but a few days ago that grandfather died as well. "Well, I understand you calling it a blessing, but what do you mean by it being a graveyard?" (Hifumi) "The bodies of the elves, who grew up in this forest, begin to petrify once they reach a certain age. If that happens, they snuggle up to a tree, they decided themselves, and accept their death by being assimilated with tree." (Puuse) "That's why this forest is also called a graveyard by the elves", Puuse says. "... Sometime ago I saw a finely-made wood-crafted doll of an elven elder." (Hifumi) "Those were probably the remains of an aged elf." (Puuse) "I don't know. Why do living creatures turn into wood?" (Hifumi) "That's something I don't know either. It's been like this for a long time, is the only thing I know." (Puuse) Moreover, with their bodies beginning to turn into plants around the age of 100, the elves will stop to move in about a year. After that they will be completely integrated into a tree in approximately half year. It was different to the image of longevity, Hifumi held. As their growth is fast, they will grow taller until the height of an adult in around 12 years, though their physical ability falls behind. As Hifumi is puzzled about this mysterious mode of life, which was very different from their appearances, Puuse shyly asked him "Is it fine for me to ask you this time?" "Why are you heading to the demon race?" (Puuse) "It's because they seem to be powerful. I have an objective beyond that as well." (Hifumi) Even Puuse, who listened, understood that it was a non-committal reply while thinking about something else, but she didn't ask any further. At this time the figure of the elven elder, whom he had seen being fused with the arbour, floated within Hifumi's mind. "I decided. Let's go to your village first." (Hifumi) "W-What's your goal?" (Puuse) "Something from the story just now is on my mind. The important elf will be there, right? I found something I want to ask him." (Hifumi) No matter how you look at it, being assimilated into a tree is weird Even though it's a fantasy world, it's stuck in my mind. I want some answers until I can agree with it. "I still have time. There's no problem to at least drop in on the way. For that reason, we will change our destination." (Hifumi) Puuse wasn't able to decline that.

106.Sweet Sacrifice 一二三が思っていたよりも、魔人族の世界というのは狭く閉ざされていた。 エルフの結界は強力で、時折見つけられる綻びはあれど、人が通れる程の物が見つかる事は珍しいらしい。 たまたまそういった穴を見つけた者が衝動的に出て行くか、魔人族の中でも魔力の高い者が穴を一時的に拡張し、工作員や兵士を送り出すのだが戻ることは難しい、と一二三に声をかけたフェゴールという魔人族の男が説明した。 王の補佐官として働くというフェゴールは、不健康に見えるグレーの肌色をした顔に疲れを見せながら説明を続ける。 「エルフと人間の対立が進めば、多少は結界も緩むのではないかと思ったのだが......」 フェゴールは、並んで歩く一二三に視線をチラリと向けて、ひと呼吸置いた。 「エルフどもが我々の想像以上に森から出たがらず、人間も森へと接触をしなくなったのでな。相変わらず強固な結界に阻まれ、魔人族全体で鬱憤が爆発しそうな状態なのだ」 「それで、なぜ俺に接触する?」 「それは......」 フェゴールは痩せた頬を人差し指で掻きつつ、一二三の顔色を窺う。 「人間とも敵対しているのではないのか?」 「本来はそうなのだが......」 深い溜息を吐いたフェゴールは、首を振る。 「今は、我々をこの地に封じ込めているエルフに対する憎悪の意見の方が圧倒的に大きい。長い期間、人間との接触が薄かったせいもあるだろうが、敵が明確でも戦うことすらできないというのは、思ったより鬱憤が溜まるものなのだ」 「わかる!」 急に大声を出した一二三にびっくりしたフェゴールは、満面の笑みを浮かべる一二三にまた驚いた。 「やっぱり、敵とわかったら戦って白黒つけないと気がすまないよな! 殺す事も殺される事も無い、ただ分けられただけで睨み合いなんてのは、つまらない!」 それから先、魔人族の町へ着くまでは一二三の独擅場だった。 「別に殺し合いだけが優劣の基準とは言わないが、頭を使った策略でも時間をかけた罠でも何でもいいから、対立したならとことんまでやり合うべきだ。壁を挟んで休戦するにしても、その期間は次の争いへの準備段階とするのは当然だ」 想定外に乗り気でいる一二三に、フェゴールは質問を向けた。 「人間というのは、皆そのような考えなのだろうか?」 だとすれば、魔人族がエルフが突破したところで、人間との戦いで非常に不利な状態からの始まりになるのではないか、とフェゴールは不安を覚えていた。 だが、それはあっさりと否定される。 「残念だが、こう考えている奴はそう多くないだろうな。いや、かなり少ないだろうな」 今までの経験からの話だが、と一二三はつまらなそうに呟いた。 「だから、魔人族がそういう部分まで考えて、計画的に事を進めようとしているのはとても良い事だ。人間がそれを知れば、より多くの人間が自分たちの敵や戦いについて考えるようになるだろう。まあ、一部の地域はそれなりに準備をしているだろうが」 フェゴールは付け足したように言われた“一部の地域”というのが気になったが、一二三が興奮気味に話しているのに口を挟むことができない。 「それで、お前ら魔人族は取りあえずはエルフの結界を突破して、それからどうするつもりなんだ?」 「具体的には、まだ何も決まっていないが、私としてはエルフのいる土地を奪い取ったところで、魔人族としての覇権を広げるために一度情報を収集し直して、方針を決めるべきだと考えている。今の君の話を聞いて、より強くそう思った」 この慎重論について、一二三は特に何も言わなかった。 フェゴールとしてはもっと急進的な事を言っているのでは、と考えていたが、取りあえずは受け入れられたのだろうと判断することにした。 「それで、人間よ。君にお願いしたいのは、戦力としてもだが、人間やエルフの情報をできるだけ教えて欲しい。我々が一番欲しているのは、何より外の情報なのだ」 魔人族の町。遠くから見えていた塀は、高さが四メートル程もあり、丁寧に削り出された石が複雑に積み重なった構造をしている。 興味深げに見上げていた一二三に、フェゴールが説明をしてくれた。 「魔物は昼夜問わず私たちを襲いにくるからな。魔人族と言っても、戦う力を持たない者もいる。そのために、以前の世代の人々が必死でこの壁を造り上げたそうだ」 塀の上には見張りが巡回し、各所にある どこか自慢げに語るフェゴールに、一二三は軽く頷くだけだった。 「フェゴールだ。彼は客人なので、その旨通達を回すように」 門番と思しき人物に声をかけ、人が二人並んで通るのがやっとというくらいに狭い通用門を 門番は目を丸くして一二三を見ていたが、特に何も言わなかった。 「通常、魔物への対応以外で人が出入りすることはあまり無いのでな」 大門が別にあるのだが、多くの兵が一度に出入りする時以外は、徒歩用の門と馬車用の門のみ使用するらしい。 「返答をしていないのに、町の中に人間を入れていいのか?」 「......まずは、私よりも王の話を聞いてもらいたい。王は私などより余程聡明で、魔人族の前途についても深く考えておられる。それから、判断してもらいたいのだが」 「王、な」 一二三の脳裏に、自分が殺したオーソングランデやソードランテの王、対して友好的であったホーラントの王の顔が浮かぶ。 (まあ、上がダメでも下が多少はマシなら、やりようはある) フェゴールの顔を見てから、一二三は頷いた。 「わかった。会おう」 「では、案内しよう」 ザンガーは、一二三が通り抜けるための数分間で精神をすり減らし、元通りに結界を修復した時点でその場に倒れた。 「ざ、ザンガー様!」 「いやだねぇ......すっかり衰えちゃって、恥ずかしいったらありゃしない」 ヒャッヒャッと笑ったザンガーは、よいしょ、と言いながら座り直すと、その場にいるエルフたち全員に告げた。 「もうあまり時間が無いから、簡単に言うんだけれどね」 誰かがゴクリと喉を鳴らした。 「あたしはこの森を出るよ。何人かは、ついてくるだろうね」 あんたたちも好きにすると良い、とザンガーが言うと、エルフたちは口々に疑問をぶつけて来た。 混ざり合って騒音にしか聞こえない声を、ザンガーは右手をひらひらと振って抑えた。 「みんなに集まるように言っているから、そこでちゃあんと説明するよ。結界も、あたしがちょっと頑張ったからね、しばらくは大丈夫さ。それより、ちょっと立ち上がるのを手伝ってもらえないかい?」 二人に腕を抱えられて立ち上がったザンガーは、杖をついて歩き始めた。 「さあ、おいで。森のエルフの終わりを決めなくちゃいけないんだよ。あんたたちも、ちゃんと見届けな」 立ち上がるのも苦労した老婆とは思えないほど、さっさと歩いて出て行くザンガーを、エルフたちは慌てて追いかけた。 そして、開かれたエルフたちの会合の中でザンガーとプーセが語ったエルフの最期について、最初は誰もが信じられないという反応を示した。 その反応に、当然だと思ったザンガーは、祖母を見捨てた自分の経験を語った。続いて、プーセも一二三と共に出会った老人について話した。 すると、数名のエルフが恐る恐る、掟を破って親族や知り合いの死に様を見てしまった事を語り、中には恐怖や後悔で泣き出す者もいた。 「ああ、やっぱりねぇ......」 「ど、どうしましょう」 予想通りの混乱具合に、ザンガーはつい笑ってしまうが、プーセは不安で仕方がないという様子だ。 「まあ、別にみんな一緒じゃなくてもいいのさ」 ザンガーの言葉に、全員の視線が集まる。 「森が原因という話だって、どうしても信じられないってのもいるだろうさ。別に残りたいなら、それを強要するつもりもないのさ。指導者だなんだと言われても、結局あたしは、怖くなって逃げ出すだけなんだから」 無責任な発言をするザンガーに、睨むような視線を向ける者もいる。 「でもね、問題はそれだけじゃないと思うんだけどねぇ」 ザンガーはため息と共に、魔人族がいる方を向いた。 「あの人間さんは、きっと魔人族を連れて出てくるよ。それまでに、あたしたちもどうするか覚悟を決める必要があるね」 「えっ? 連れてくるんですか?」 「一二三さんと言ったね。あの男は、自分の中に明確な基準があって、魔人族とエルフ族が争えば面白いと判断すればそれを狙うだろうね」 「でも、それで誰が得するんですか? 魔人族が結界を超えて出てきたら、人間だって襲われるんじゃ......」 プーセが理解できずにいると、ザンガーはその頭をそっと撫でた。 「きっと、個人の得とか損なんて見てないんじゃないかねぇ。もっともっと大きくて遠いものを見ているような、そんな目をしていたよ」 あたしが八十歳くらい若かったら、惹かれていたかもしれないねぇ、と呟いたザンガーに対し、プーセは反応に困った。 フェゴールに連れられて姿を見せた人間に街の人々は動揺していたが、遠巻きに見ているくらいで、話しかけてくる者などはいなかった。 一人を除いて。 「フェゴール! なんだそいつは!」 いきなり怒鳴りつけてきたのは、一二三も見たことがある大男だった。 町を外から見ていた時に、長剣を振り回して魔物の群れをなぎ払っていた男だ。 「ベレト、彼は王の客人だ。無礼な真似は控えろ」 冷静に返したフェゴールを、ベレトは鼻で笑った。 「はっ! 王の補佐官殿はろくに打開策も出せずに、とうとう人間にまで頼るところまで堕ちたか!」 大柄な身体に見合う大きな声だったが、フェゴールは慣れているようで、特に気後れした様子も見せない。 「貴様のように力押しでどうにかなる状況ではないというのが判らないというのであれば、何も言うことはない。愚直であることを美徳だと思うのなら、一人でそうしていれば良いのだ」 一歩も引かずに、頭二つ分は背の高いベレトに対して言い放ったフェゴールに、さらに一人の女性が近づいてきた。 「あらあら、どうしたの二人共」 身長は一二三と同じくらいだろうか。女性は魔人族だとすぐに判るエルフ同様の長い耳に、薄いグレーの肌をした美女だった。水色に近い青の髪に、同じ青の瞳を持ち、豊かな胸を強調するようなスリットが入ったローブに、高いヒールのブーツを履いている。 フェゴールが明らかに面倒臭いという顔をしたが、ウェパルという女性は完全に無視して、一二三の方を向いた。 「あら、人間がこの町にいるなんて、珍しい......んん?」 ベレトとフェゴールの会話も無視して、魔人族たちの街の様子を見ていた一二三は、ウェパルの様子を無感動に見ていた。 ウェパルはすっと一二三の前に近づき、その顔をまじまじと見る。 「あなた......なんて目をしてるのよ。それに......」 真顔でじっと顔を見つめていたウェパルは、素早く一二三の隣に並ぶと、左腕を抱きしめようとして、逃げられた。 「あんっ、素早い! 人間なのに身体能力も高いのね。興味深いわぁ」 「敵対するような感じじゃないが......なんだ、お前」 一二三が細めた目で油断なく見てくるのを受けて、ウェパルは腕を組んで胸を押し上げるような格好で身体を震わせた。 「その目、イイわね!」 一二三はウェパルを指差し、フェゴールを見る。 フェゴールは一二三に「すまない」と小さく頭を下げた。 「あれでも魔人族の中では上位に位置する軍人なのだ......あとでよく言い聞かせておく」 「ウェパル! お前!」 隙あらば一二三に擦り寄ろうとしているウェパルに、ベレトが汗をかきながら吠えた。 「あら、何か用かしら? 私は今忙しいのだけれど?」 「忙しい、だと!? 人間ごときに擦り寄るのが、そんなに楽しいか!」 「“ごとき”なんて言える程、貴方は人間より偉いのかしら?」 挑発するように指さされたベレトは、顔を紅潮させて、湯気が上がりそうなほど熱くなっている。 「少なくとも、こんなチビ程度片手で殺せる!」 「そうかしら?」 首を傾げたウェパルは、一二三を流し目で見た。 「私には、彼の方が強くて、ずっと危険な匂いを感じるのだけれど」 ベレトは怒りの視線を一二三に向けた。 一二三は、黙っている。 「ベレト。さっきも言ったが、彼は王の客人だ」 「......チッ! フェゴール、こいつが何か仕出かしたら、直ぐに俺を呼べ!」 がに股で、肩をいからせながらのしのしと歩いて行くベレトに、ウェパルは舌を出した。 「粗野な男は嫌い。それより、フェゴール。彼と王様の所へ行くのでしょう? 私もついて行くから」 「......余計な事はするなよ」 一言だけ釘を刺したフェゴールは、一二三に声をかけて再び歩き始めた。 その後ろを、一二三とウェパルが並んで歩く。 「......ベレトって、変なところで冷静なのよね」 「そうだな。実に残念だ」 「あら、魔人族の街のど真ん中で魔人族相手に手を出すつもりだったの?」 わざとらしく驚いて見せたウェパルに、一二三は目線だけを向けた。 「それが、何か関係あるか?」 ウェパルの背筋を寒いものが走り、ゾクリと身体を震わせたが、その口は微笑んでいた。

Chapter 106: Sweet Sacrifice The demon's world was a more confined place than Hifumi had expected. With the elven barrier being powerful, there are sometimes openings which can be located. But it seems to be rare to discover those at a level were demons are able to pass through them. "Demons, who discovered such holes by accident, impulsively exit the barrier or those amongst the demons possessing high amounts of mana temporarily expand a hole to dispatch spies and soldiers though returning is in both cases difficult", the male demon called Phegor Phegor who is working as aide of the king continues to explain while showing fatigue on his face which had taken on an ill-looking, grey skin colour. "If we increase the antagonism between elves and humans, won't that lead to the barrier weakening as well, is what we thought, but..." (Phegor) Phegor looked at Hifumi, who is walking next to him, with a fleeting glance and put his breathing in order. "Far from our imaginations, the elves show no signs of leaving the forest and the humans lost their contact with the forest, too. Obstructing us with a solid barrier as usual, it has turned into a situation where the resentment of all demons is about to explode." (Phegor) "So? Why did you get in touch with me?" (Hifumi) "That is..." (Phegor) While scratching his skinny cheek with his index finger, Phegor examines Hifumi's expression. "Aren't you hostile towards humans as well?" (Hifumi) "Essentially that's true, however..." (Phegor) Sighing deeply, Phegor shakes his head. "Currently our hate towards the elves who are imprisoning us in these lands is far more overwhelming. It's probably also because our contact with humans has been scarce for a long time, but as it isn't even possible to fight the elves as distinct enemies, more resentment than expected has accumulated." (Phegor) "I understand you!" (Hifumi) Phegor, who was startled by Hifumi suddenly raising his voice, was also surprised by Hifumi being all smiles. "After all, once you identified your enemies, you won't be able to settle down unless you can fight them squarely. Something like glaring at each other as each side is apart from the other without killing and being killed, that's boring!" (Hifumi) From then on until they arrived at the city of the demons, Hifumi monopolized the conversation. "I'm not particularly saying that the criterion of superiority or inferiority can only be found in killing each other, but since anything's fine, be it using your head to scheme or spending time on setting up traps, one should fight to the bitter end once confronted. Even if there's a cease-fire by putting up a wall between both parties, that period of time is naturally a phase to prepare the next strife." (Hifumi) Phegor faced Hifumi, who was unexpectedly enthusiastic, with a question. "The ones called humans, do they all have such way of thinking?" (Phegor) If that's the case, won't fighting with the humans turn into an extremely disadvantageous situation from the very beginning even if the demons break through the elves? However, that gets quickly denied. "Though it's disappointing, there probably aren't many guys who think like that. No, they are quite rare, I guess." (Hifumi) "Though that's from my experience up until now", Hifumi muttered while looking bored. "Therefore, considering even such parts, the demons who are trying to advance things systematically are really nice. If the humans were aware of that, more of them would reach the point of thinking about fighting and you as enemies. Well, in one region they are preparing accordingly though." (Hifumi) The "one region" Hifumi added caught Phegor's interest, but he isn't able to interject while Hifumi is talking excitedly. "So, once you demons break through the elven barrier, what do you intend to do?" (Hifumi) "We still haven't decided anything concrete, however I think that after we plundered the land where the elves reside and gathered intelligence for a while to expand the hegemony of the demons, we should be able to decide on a plan. Hearing your story just now, we are stronger than them, is what I thought." (Phegor) Hifumi didn't particularly say anything about this cautious approach. Although he believed that Phegor would say a lot more radical things, he decided to accept it for the time being. "Therefore, human. What I want to request from you, more than being a war potential, is to provide us with as much intelligence about the elves and humans as possible. What we desire the most is information about the situation outside." (Phegor) The city of the demons. The wall visible from a distance has a height of around 4 meters and a complex structure of having been formed by carefully cut stones. Due to Hifumi looking at it with great interest, Phegor explained, "Monsters come attacking us regardless of day and night. Although we might be called demons, there are also some who don't possess fighting strength. Because of that, the people of previous generations frantically built this wall." (Phegor) "The soldiers patrolling on top and the watchtowers at various places are essential in their stationing for the sake of making sure that no flying monster types are approaching", he explained. Hifumi nodded only slightly towards Phegor who is talking in a somewhat bragging manner. "It's Phegor. Since he is a guest, send a notification in regards to that." (Phegor) Greeting the person who appears to be a gatekeeper, they pass through a narrow, gloomy side gate where two people side-by-side barely fit through. The gatekeeper stared at Hifumi in wonder, but he didn't say anything in particular. "Normally there aren't many people entering and leaving except when it's about dealing with monsters." (Phegor) There is an additional large gate, but except for the time when many soldiers have to enter or leave all at once, only the gates for people and carriages seem to be used. "Although he didn't answer, is it fine for a human to enter the city?" (Hifumi) "... First off, I want you to listen to the story of the king. The king is far more wise than someone like me. He has deeply thought about the future prospects of the demon race. I want you to judge after that." (Phegor) "King, eh." (Hifumi) The faces of the kings of Swordland and Orsongrande, he killed, and of the king of Horant, who was friendly in contrast, rise to the surface of Hifumi's mind. (Well, even if the top is no good, there are still ways to go if those below are better.) After looking at Phegor's face, Hifumi nodded. "Got it. Let's go meet him." (Hifumi) "Well, then let me guide you." (Phegor) Zanga wore down her mind for the few minutes it took Hifumi to go through the barrier and collapsed right at the spot when she restored the barrier to its original state. "Z-Zanga-sama!" "Good gracious... I've completely declined. There's nothing more disgraceful than this." (Zanga) Zanga, who laughed with a "Hya Hya", corrected her posture while saying "Heave-ho" and informed all elves at this spot, "Since there isn't much time left anymore, I will keep it brief." (Zanga) The sound of someone gulping could be heard. "I will leave this forest. Some people will probably follow me." (Zanga) "It's fine for you guys to do as you like as well", when Zanga said that, the elves threw countless questions at her. As her voice couldn't be heard through all the noise mingling together, Zanga waved her right hand and they calmed down. "Since I've told everyone to gather, it will be explained there. The barrier will also be fine for a while since I did my best. Rather than that, could you help me a bit with standing up?" (Zanga) Zanga, who got up being held by two people, began to walk while propping herself up with the wand. "Come along. It won't do if you miss the agreement over the end of the forest elves. You guys have to properly see it with your own eyes, too." (Zanga) The elves chased after Zanga, who quickly left walking at a pace one wouldn't expect of an old woman who had trouble standing up, in a rush. And, at the beginning everyone showed a reaction that they couldn't believe the story about the last moments of elves which Zanga and Puuse explained to them in the opened meeting of the elves. Zanga, who considered that reaction to be only natural, talked about her experience of having abandoned her grandmother. Next Puuse talked about the elder she met together with Hifumi. And after that several elves timidly talked about the things they ended up seeing of the way their acquaintances and relatives, who broke the law, died. Some among them burst into tears due to fear and regret. "Ah, after all ~nee..." (Zanga) "W-What shall we do?" (Puuse) Zanga simply laughs due to the as-expected chaotic state. Puuse is anxious and in a state of being unable to stand it. "Well, there's no particular need for all of us to go together." (Zanga) Everyone's looks gather on Zanga due to her remark. "Even if I tell you that the forest's the reason, there will probably be some who won't believe it no matter what. If you really want to stay here, I have no intention to force you otherwise. Even if I'm called the leader, I'm just running away after getting scared in the end anyway." (Zanga) There are some who direct glaring looks at Zanga who makes an irresponsible remark. "But you know, I don't think that's the only problem." (Zanga) Alongside a sigh, Zanga turned towards the direction of the demons. "That human-san will undoubtedly lead the demons out. It's necessary for us to resolve ourselves until then deciding what we want to do." (Zanga)magic "Eh? Lead out?" (Puuse) "Hifumi-san told me so. That man, having clear values within himself, has likely judged it to be interesting if demons and elves clash directly and is aiming for that." (Znanga) "But, who will gain a profit from that? If the demons are able to leave the barrier, they will attack the humans..." (Puuse) As Puuse was unable to comprehend, Zanga gently stroke her head. "I'm certain that he isn't looking at something like personal gains or losses. His eyes were as if he is looking at something far, far more distant." (Zanga) Puuse was uncomfortable in reacting towards Zanga who muttered "If I was about 80 years younger, I might have been charmed by him." The figure of a human being led by Phegor caused a commotion among the people of the city, but by limiting it to watching from a distance, there was no one who came to start a conversation with him. Except one. "Phegor! What's this!?" The one who came shouting all of a sudden was the giant whom Hifumi had already seen before. It is the man who was mowing down the pack of monsters by brandishing his longsword at the time he watched the city from outside. , he is the king's guest. Abstain from rude behaviour towards him." (Phegor) Beleth laughed scornfully at Phegor who reprimanded him calmly. "Haa! The king's aide-dono, without even presenting a decent breakthrough solution, finally fell to the degree of relying on a human!?" (Beleth) Corresponding with his huge body, his voice was loud as well, but as Phegor seems to be accustomed to it, he doesn't show any nervousness either. "I have nothing to say to a bastard like you who doesn't comprehend that the situation won't get any better with a brute force approach. If you believe that tactless frankness is a virtue, it will be fine for you alone to be like that." (Phegor) Due to Phegor stating this bluntly towards Beleth, who is two heads taller than him, without taking a single step backwards, a women approached. "Oh my, oh my, what's wrong you two?" Her height is about the same as Hifumi's? With the long ears identical to elves which make it immediately apparent that she's a demon, the woman was a beauty who had a pale grey skin. Possessing blue, close to light blue, hair and likewise coloured eyes, she wore a robe with a slit that highlights her rich bust and boots with high heels. Phegor obviously showed a bothered expression, but ignoring him completely, the woman called Vepar looked in Hifumi's direction. "Oh my, a human being in this city, how rare... mmh?" (Vepar) Hifumi, who was looking at the state of the demons' city while disregarding the conversation between Beleth and Phegor, looked at Vepar's appearance disinterestedly. Vepar gets directly in front of Hifumi and takes a long hard look at his face. "You... what's with the colour of your eyes. Besides..." (Vepar) Vepar, who intently gazed at his face with a serious look, quickly lined up next to Hifumi and when she tried to closely embrace his left arm, he escaped. "Aww, how fast. Although you are a human, your physical ability is high. I'm very interested." (Vepar) "It didn't feel like hostility, but... what are you?" (Hifumi) Receiving the look of Hifumi assessing her vigilantly with narrowed eyes, Vepar folded her arms in a pose that her breasts were pushed up and her body trembled. "Those eyes, they are great!" (Vepar) Hifumi looks at Phegor and points at Vepar. Phegor bowed slightly and said [Sorry] . "That person is a soldier ranking fairly high even among demons... I will inform you about him properly later on." (Vepar) "Vepar! You!" (Beleth) Due to Vepar trying to snuggle up to Hifumi as soon as there's a chance, Beleth bellowed while sweating. "Ara, how may I help you? I'm busy right now, you know?" (Vepar) "Busy, you say!? Is it that fun to cuddle with someone strange like a human!?" (Beleth) "Being able to say "like", are you that much more remarkable than a human?" (Vepar) Beleth, having a finger pointed at him in order to provoke him, blushes and becomes heated up to a degree that it looks like steam is rising up from him. "At the very least I'm able to kill this midget with one hand!" (Beleth) "I wonder?" (Vepar) Inclining her head to the side, Vepar directed a sidelong glance at Hifumi. "I'm sensing a far more dangerous and powerful aura from that gentleman though." (Vepar) Beleth faced Hifumi with a look full of rage. Hifumi remains silent. "Beleth. I told you before, but he is the king's guest." (Phegor) "... Tsk! Phegor, if that guy messes up in some way, call me right away!" (Beleth) Vepar stuck out her tongue towards Beleth who walks heavily in the other direction while heaving his shoulders angrily and going bow-legged. "I hate vulgar men. Putting that aside, Phelgor, is he going to the king's place? I will come along as well." (Vepar) "... Don't do anything unnecessary." (Phelgor) Phelgor, who gave her a short warning, called out to Hifumi and they began to walk once again. Behind him Hifumi and Vepar are walking side-by-side. "... That Beleth, he is calm at strange aspects." (Vepar) "That's right. It's truly regrettable." (Hifumi) "Ara, did you plan to start a fight with a demon down in the middle of a demon city?" (Vepar) Hifumi only turned his gaze at Vepar who showed an unnatural surprise. "How is that related to anything?" (Hifumi) A chill travels down on Vepar's spine. Her body trembled with a shudder, but her mouth smiled.

45.Killer Queen 【演説には扇動と死体を】 「なんのために集まれって話だっけ?」 「王女様とあの英雄様から話があるんだってさ」 「細剣の騎士様か。また活躍したって聞いたぞ」 「なんでもヴィシーの大軍を少ない兵士で撃退したらしい」 ざわつく民衆の話題は、どちらかというと王女よりもフォカロルの新興貴族一二三の話題に偏っているが、概ね一二三の注文通りの話題になっている。 群衆の中にさりげなく紛れ込んだ第三騎士隊によって、これから行われるイメラリア王女からの発表が、一二三絡みである事が流布されていた。第三騎士隊にとってこういった情報誘導工作は初めてだったが、オリガの依頼を受けたサブナクによって指揮された作戦は、騎士隊の面々が驚く程効果的だった。 群衆の中には、サブナクも紛れている。 「王城にいま、あの細剣の騎士がいるらしいよ。なんでもヴィシー相手にすごい戦果を上げたんだってさ」 屋台で買い食いをしながら、世間話として話題に出す。 「おう、イメラリア様からまた褒美があるんだろうな。すごい奴もいるもんだ」 いい反応を返してくれる屋台の親爺に笑いかけながら、さりげなく周りの反応を見ると声が届いた人々が興味深げにこちらに耳を傾けているのがわかる。 (まったく、人の心を操るなんて、おとぎ話の悪魔みたいな人だ) 作戦を続けながら、サブナクはその人物に認められて請われた事が嬉しいやら恐ろしいやら、複雑だった。 そうこうしているうちに、第一騎士隊が王城正面に整列して人々を押しとどめ、間も無く王女が姿を見せると大声で繰り返していた。 声が枯れんばかりに静粛を訴えていても、民衆の口はふさがらない。 「あっ王女様!」 誰かが声を上げると、ざわめきは静まり、喉をからした騎士は落ち込んでしまった。 バルコニーに姿を見せたのは、イメラリア王女。 そしてその隣には一二三がいて、後ろの影になった場所に、オリガが控えているのがうっすらと見える。 (さて、今度は何をやらかす気ですか?) 謁見の間ではなく、自らの執務室へと一二三を招き入れたイメラリアは、応接のソファへ彼を促し、侍女に紅茶を用意させた。 「で、今回の件についてだが......」 「全てはわたくしの責任においての事です。パジョーさんの事は残念ですが、どうか他の騎士たちや城の者に罪を問うことだけは、お許しいただけませんか......」 一二三が話しはじめるのを遮り、イメラリアは頭を下げて一気にそう言った。 「ああ、それはもういい。今ここで暴れても、どうせ下手くその相手を繰り返すだけの話だ。つまらん」 大体、集団戦の基本どころか対人戦の訓練すらまともにやってないだろうと、一度出はじめた不満がボロボロと一二三の口から溢れた。 妙な話ではあるが、イメラリアはこの城の騎士たちのレベルが一二三の興味をそそらない程度だったことに安堵した。 「では......」 「ああ、今回はお前の責任という事はわかっている。首謀者は死んだしな。お前には殺すよりはもっと良い使い道が残っているから、今は殺さない」 少しも安心できない言葉だが、命はつないだらしい。 だが、殺すよりも良い使い道とはなんだろう、とイメラリアは不安だった。女である自分を求められたとして、断ることはできない。もしそれを望まれたとしたら自ら命を断つことも考えるべきだろうか。 しかし、と膝の上の細い手に力を込めて、覚悟を決める。何があっても、弟が無事に戴冠するまでは、そして目の前の男をどうにか押さえる方策が見つかるまでは、何があっても生きていなければならない。 だが、その目論見はあっさりと否定された。 「お前が王になれ。反対派は始末して後押ししてやるから、この国の絶対的な君主となってしっかりと強い国家を作れ。それが今回の件の償いということにしよう」 「そんな......! では、弟は......アイペロスはどうなるのですか? あの子の周りには次期王としてのあの子の支持者がいます。わたくしが王を目指すとなれば、わたくしやあの子の意思とは関係なく争いになってしまいます」 「知らん。大人しくしているなら別にいいし、敵対するなら殺す」 聞くまでもないだろうと、当たり前の事として切り捨てた一二三の顔は、極々平然としている。 「しかし、わたくしには王を継ぐつもりも、その能力もありません......」 一二三を召喚する以前、聖女と呼ばれて民衆と触れ合うことしか知らず、所詮自分はお飾りだと思っていた頃に比べれば、多少は政治を考えるようになった。 だが、為政者となる教育は受けていない。その結果として、信用していた騎士を失い、今この国そのものすら壟断されようとしている。 「お前はまだ若い。確か14だったろう。今からでも宰相なり貴族どもなりから学べばいい。それに、為政者は自分の能力で何かをやるもんじゃないぞ。能力がある奴を見つけて、上手く使えるのが優れた為政者だと、俺は思っている」 どうしてこんな男に王族の自分が政治を語られているのか、混乱しながらも彼が自分を慰める言葉をかけてきたのに、少しだけ気持ちが和らいだ。 しかしそれが間違いだというのは、彼女にもわかっていた。 「親にべったりの弟ほど、お前は無能じゃないだろう。とりあえずは周りの奴に助けられて国を守っていけばいい。その間に、しっかり兵を鍛えておけ。あ、フォカロルに修行に寄越してもいいぞ。きっちり仕上げてやるから」 「......いったい、何が狙いですか?」 「強い者が増えて、敵対すればこの世界はもっと面白くなる。腕力が強い奴に対抗するために技を鍛える者が出てくる。カンが鋭い奴を殺すために策を考える奴が増える。効率よく殺すために新しい武器も生まれる」 夢を語る少年のようなキラキラした目をしながら、イメラリアが過去に少しだけ読んだ暴君の言葉と似た事を語る一二三。 「それでは、この世界は、この国は乱れてしまいます」 「そうなるかどうかは、この世界の人間がどうするかによるだろう。俺が居た世界では、戦争で技術が進歩し、勝つために人は努力して工夫をする頭を鍛えていったぞ」 一体どれだけ血みどろの世界なのかと、イメラリアは想像して恐ろしくなった。なんという世界から勇者を呼び出してしまったのか、と。 そこに入ってきたのは、数名の若い貴族たちだった。 「イメラリア様!」 対応に立った侍女を押しのけるようにずかずかと入り込んできた貴族たちは、一二三の顔を見て小馬鹿にするように鼻を鳴らした。 「誰かと思えば、最近子爵になった成り上がり者か。イメラリア様にうまく取り入ったようだが、僕たちが来たからには、君にはもう用はないよ」 さらに、他の貴族たちも口々に一二三をなじる。 「イメラリア様、今王城の前に平民どもが集まっております。何やらイメラリア様よりお言葉があるとか」 「民衆が......?」 イメラリアの視線は、一二三へと向く。 「ああ、集めたのは俺だ。ちょっとこの国を率いていくのに、派手に宣言でもしてもらおうかと思ってな」 絶句するイメラリアに代わり、貴族たちが吠えた。 「貴様、調子に乗って国政を壟断するか!」 「しかも、イメラリア様に対してなんたる態度! 許せん!」 喚く貴族の声を涼しい顔で聞きながら、一二三はゆったりと立ち上がり、刀を取り出し、抜いた。 その時点で、一人の貴族は首が胴から離れた。 「声をあげるだけの奴はいらん。必要なのは、戦う意志を持つ奴だ」 イメラリアが執務室のバルコニーから見渡すと、王城の前面には民衆が詰めかけ、多くのという言葉すら温いと思える程の視線を感じる。 彼女はこれまで、このバルコニーから街を眺めたり、今のように民衆に語りかけたりすることは何度もあったが、これほど気が重くなる舞台は初めてだった。 チラホラと見える第三騎士隊の姿に、つい助けを求めたくなるが、これは自分が招いた状況でもある。助けを求めれば駆けつけてくれるかもしれないが、結果はわかる。 自分の隣りには一二三がいて、その後ろにはオリガという奴隷だった彼の従者がいる。 そして、その後ろには数体の若い男たちの死体が転がっている。先ほどの若い貴族たちだ。彼らは、自分がまさか殺されるとは、身分の低い成り上がりに反抗されるとは、夢にも思っていなかったのだろう。 しかし、現実はそうではなかった。彼らに優しい世界は彼らが気づかないうちに、もう終わっていたのだ。 これから先、次第に身分は意味をなさなくなり、血統ではなく実力こそが基準となる世界になると、一二三は彼女に言った。 うまく想像できなかったイメラリアは、それは強者に弱者が虐げられる世界ではないのかと問うたが、一二三は首を横に振って笑った。 「生まれという枷が弱者を弱者のままにするんだよ。弱者が強者を倒せる可能性が出るのが、身分の縛りがない世界だ」 やっぱりイメラリアには理解できなかったが、一つだけわかった事があった。王族だから貴族だからという生まれの差に従う事なく、悪いと思えば悪いと断じ、実力を以て処断する一二三のような者が増えるのだろう。 それはそれは恐ろしい世界だが、イメラリアはそんな世界の中で国を守らなければならない。 自分には戦う力は無いが、考える事はできる。一二三は言った。腕力が無くても頭で生きていく者も居ると。 考えろ、考えろと、イメラリアは自分に言い聞かせる。このままでは、王城内はイメラリア派とアイペロス派の争いが始まり、結果として多くの者が死ぬ。その中には、アイペロスや母もいるかもしれないのだ。 「みなさん」 イメラリアが語り始めると、民衆はしんと静まって聞き入った。 「いま、ヴィシーとホーラントによってこの国は脅かされています。しかし、この新たな伯爵である一二三様の活躍により、大きな驚異は去りました!」 おお~......と民衆は感嘆の声を上げ、一二三を讃える声が聞こえる。 その中には、サブナクの声もあった。 「お調子者め......」 イメラリアの耳に、苦笑いする一二三の声が聞こえる。 そこで、不意にひらめいた事があった。 「ですが、無傷で終わるはずの戦いは、わたくしの失策によって騎士たちが命を落とす結果となってしまいました! ただ一二三様へ任せておけば良かったものを、余計な手を出して、大切な命を失ってしまったのです!」 両手で大げさに顔を覆ったイメラリアは、これで自分の人気が落ちる事を確信した。これで民衆の支持を失えば、自分を利用して国を動かす企みは頓挫するだろう。 これで自分は死ぬかもしれないが、弟の敵となってまで生きるつもりはなかった。 顔を隠したまま、一二三を見ると......笑っていた。 「さて諸君! 今の話は真実だが、俺はイメラリア様を責めるのは間違いだと思う!」 ゆっくりと見回して、誰もが耳を傾けている事を確認する。 「国を守るために戦った俺を、イメラリア様はお許しくださった。それならば、俺たちも俺たち国の民を守るために騎士を動かしたイメラリア様も、そして戦って死んだ騎士たちも、賞賛を受けるべきではないのか!」 一二三の呼びかけに、民衆は湧いた。 紛れ込んでいる第三騎士隊の者たちは戸惑っているが、すでに民衆はコントロールできない状態だった。 「イメラリア様は、俺も、君たちも、同じこの国の民として守ろうと心を砕いておられる! だからこそ思うのだ! 国のために何も成し得ない、何もしようとしない者が王位についてはならないと! イメラリア様こそが、我々を率いて立つに相応しい御方だと!」 イメラリアを盛り立てる一二三の言葉に、民衆は次第に興奮状態になっていく。元々人気のある人物だけに、英雄がその行動を認めているということに、正体不明の期待感を抱く。 「俺はここに誓おう! 女王となるイメラリア様を支え、この国を強靭なる力を持つ国にすることを! どうか皆も、俺と共にイメラリア様を支えてくれ!」 一人一人の力に期待していると言う一二三の言葉は、民衆に強い衝撃を与えた。今までは政治に口出しすることは御法度だったのが、今目の前にいる貴族と王女は、民衆に失態を告白し、民衆の支持こそ必要だと言ったのだ。 誰ともなく王女を褒め称え、一二三を賞賛する声も更に大きくなった。 王女を伴って一二三がバルコニーから姿を消したあとも、しばらくは民衆たちの興奮は収まらなかった。 「やってくれたな......」 一二三がイメラリアの王位継承を支持したという話は、瞬く間に王城内を駆け巡った。 その報に苛立ちを隠せないのは、王子派閥の者たちだ。 特に派閥の筆頭たる高位の貴族たちにとっては、王子不在に行われたクーデターまがいのやり方に怒り心頭だった。 そこには、イメラリアの実母たる王妃の姿もある。 「まさか、イメラリアにこんな野心があるとは思いませんでしたわ」 ギリギリと歯を食いしばって怒りをこらえる姿は、鬼気迫るものがある。 王妃はこれまで、どうせ誰かに降嫁するイメラリアよりも、いずれ王を継ぐ王子アイペロスを可愛がっていた。 それをイメラリアも理解していたと思っていたのだが、裏切られたという気持ちは、王妃の表情をさらに険しくしていく。 「しかし、民衆の支持は完全にイメラリア様へ向いています」 「平民どもの支持などどうでもいい! 聞けば、姫に苦言を呈した若い貴族たちが殺されたというではないか! 伝統ある貴族として、これほどの横暴を許すわけにはいかん!」 「であれば、最終的にはイメラリア様にはご退場いただくほか......」 「お、おい......」 言いかけた貴族は、敵対しているとはいえ実母である王妃がこの場にいることに気づいて、怖々と王妃の方へと視線を向けた。 「かまいません。先に母親たるわたくしを裏切ったのはあの子です」 決然と言い放つと、王妃はすぐに腕の立つものを手配するようにと命じた。 「あの男に邪魔されぬよう、あの子が寝室で眠っている所をひと思いに殺しなさい。せめて苦しまないようにしてあげるのが、母の愛というものです」 狂気の滲む瞳に見据えられ、王子派の貴族たちは一斉に頭を下げた。

Chapter 45: Killer Queen "What's the story with us gathering here, I wonder?" "It is an announcement by Princess-sama and that Hero-sama, you know." "The knight-sama with the thin sword? I heard he played an active role again!" "They say he repelled the large army of Vichy with a few soldiers." The topic of the noisy populace, if one had to say, it is one-sidedly focusing on the new noble of Fokalore, Hifumi, rather than on the princess, but it was mostly due to Hifumi's orders that it became the talk of the town. Because of the Third Knight Unit being nonchalantly mixed up within the crowd, although it would be announced by Princess Imeraria after this, the matter of Hifumi's involvement had been circulated already. This kind of information manipulation work was the first time for the Third Knight Unit, but because of Sabnak leading the operation after having received the request from Origa, it was effective to the degree of surprising all of the knight unit. Sabnak is also slipping into the crowd. "Apparently that knight of the thin sword is within the royal castle currently. I am told he has achieved amazing war results with Vichy as his opponent, you know?" (Sabnak) While buying sweets at a stall, he spreads the topic as gossip. "Ou, I guess he will again receive a reward from Imeraria-sama. He is a great fellow." While smiling at the good response of the old man manning the stall, he watches the reaction of his surroundings in a casual manner and understands that all of the people in this place, the voice had reached, are indeed listening carefully with great interest. (Good grief, what a way of manipulating the hearts of people. It is a personality resembling the demons from fairy-tales.) While continuing the mission, Sabnak had a complicated feeling whether he should feel happy or frightened having accepted this kind of personality in the requested matter. In the meanwhile, the Third Knight Unit checked everyone standing in front of the royal castle. "Soon the princess will make her appearance!" they repeated continuously in a loud voice. Even as their voice become hoarse close to being mute, the crowd doesn't cease to chatter. "Oh, Princess-sama!" With someone raising their voice, the commotion subsides. The knights having exhausted their throats ended up feeling depressed. Having made her appearance on the balcony, it was Princess Imeraria. And next to her was Hifumi. In a shadowy place near the back Origa could vaguely be seen waiting. (Well then, what will happen this time?) Not being at the audience hall anymore, Imeraria had personally invited Hifumi to her office. Urging him into the reception sofa, a maid prepared black tea. "So, it is about this time's case, but... " (Hifumi) "The entire situation is my responsibility. Although the matter with Pajou is regrettable, I only implore you to not punish the other knight units and the people at the castle. Can you accept just this much... ?" (Imeraria) Interrupting the topic Hifumi has started, Imeraria straight away apologizes like that. "Ah, that's fine already. Even if I acted violently now, it would only be a story of repeatedly dealing with shitty opponents anyway. That's boring." (Hifumi) "In the first place, far from having a foundation in group combat, there isn't even decent training in inter-personal combat, don't you agree?" a worn-out dissatisfaction began to leak out from Hifumi's mouth on the occasion. Although it is strange, Imeraria was relieved that the standard of this castle's knight's didn't raise Hifumi's interest. "Then... " (Imeraria) "Ah, I am understanding that this time the responsibility is yours. The mastermind died. Since, rather than killing you, there is an even better task left for you, I won't kill you now." (Hifumi) Even though his words aren't permitting a peace of mind in the least, her life has been spared. But, I wonder what is that better task than killing me? However, as she resolved herself by putting strength into her slender arms laying atop her knees, she decided to not give up her life no matter what happens until her brother is safely crowned and until she discovers a plan to somehow calm the man in front of her. But that plan was quickly denied. "You will become the sovereign. Because I will support you by getting rid of the opposition, you will become the absolute ruler of this country building a powerful and sturdy state. Let's say that this will be your atonement for this time's affair." (Hifumi) "Such... ! Then, what about my brother... what will happen to Ayperos? In that kid's surrounding there are supporters pushing for that kid to become the next king. If I were to aim at becoming the queen, it will end up becoming a strife disregarding mine or that kid's intention." (Imeraria) "I don't care. There won't happen anything if he is obedient, but if he opposes this, I will kill him." (Hifumi) Hifumi's face showed that it wasn't significant enough for him to listen to such topic and that he would cut him down without doubt. It is an extremely calm face. "However, even if I intend to succeed as queen, I don't have the ability to do that either... " (Imeraria) Before summoning Hifumi, she was unaffected by these matters without getting in contact with them and was simply called saint by the people. Compared to the time she thought But she hasn't received any education in becoming a statesman. As a result of that, she has lost the knight she trusted. Currently she is monopolizing this country. "You are still young. If I am not mistaken, you are 14 years old, right? It is even fine to learn from a noble or the prime minister from now on. Besides, a statesman isn't a person that does something with their own ability. I believe that you will excel as statesman if you find capable retainers and use them skilfully." (Hifumi) Why is that man talking about politics to a royalty like myself? Notwithstanding my confusion, he is giving me words of consolation. Even if only slightly, my feelings are settling down. , she also understood. "You aren't an incompetent person like your brother who is clinging to his parent, I think. For now it is fine to make a move in order to protect the country and save those around you. During that time you can forge strong soldiers. Ah, it is also good to send them to Fokalore for training! I will polish them without fail." (Hifumi) "... What the hell are you aiming for?" (Imeraria) "By increasing the amount of strong people it will become a lot more interesting to oppose this world. People who have trained their techniques will oppose people boosting with raw strength. I want to increase the number of people thinking up refined schemes to kill people with sharp senses. I also want new weapons to be created for the sake of killing very efficiently." (Hifumi) While having glittering eyes like a boy talking about his dreams, to Imeraria, what Hifumi was talking about, was similar to the words of a tyrant she had only read a bit in the past. "Then, this world, this country will end up lapsing into chaos." (Imeraria) "I wonder whether that's what will happen or not, it depends on what the people of this world want to do. In the world I come from, war advances technology. For the sake of victory people forge their minds putting a lot of effort into coming up with elaborate schemes." (Hifumi) From what world had the hero been summoned?' It was several young nobles that came and entered the room at that point. "Imeraria-sama!" (Maid) The nobles entering in a rude manner pushed the maid standing in attendance aside. Seeing Hifumi's face they snorted as if scoffing at him. "I was wondering who it was, but I see it's the upstart who became a viscount recently, huh? But it seems you were skilfully buttering up to Imeraria. Now that we have arrived, there is no business left here for you anymore." (Noble) Furthermore, several of the other nobles also scold Hifumi. "Imeraria-sama, the commoners are currently gathering in front of the royal castle. Something about receiving words from Imeraria-sama." (Noble) "The populace is... " (Imeraria) Imeraria turns her sight towards Hifumi.magic "Ah, it is me who had them gathered. Let's make a showy proclamation though you are leading this country only for a short time now, is what I think." (Hifumi) In place of Imeraria, who was lost for words, the nobles roared. "Bastard, you are getting cocky trying to monopolize the national politics." (Noble A) "Moreover, what an attitude towards Imeraria-sama! Impermissible!" (Noble B) While listening to the screaming voices of the nobles totally undisturbed, Hifumi stood up calmly, took out his katana and drew it. At that moment a single noble had his head separated from his body. "Men only raising their voices are superfluous. Only those holding the will to fight are necessary." (Hifumi) As Imeraria looks out from the balcony of her office, the entire part of the castle is crowded with people. Even the word 'many' is lukewarm in regards to the amount of expectant gazes, she feels. Up until now she had gazed at the city from this balcony. She had addressed the populace, just like now, many times, but it was the first time for her to step on the stage while feeling this heavy-hearted. Sporadically seeing the figures of the Third Knight Unit, she inadvertently wanted to call out to them to save her, but this was a situation she had brought upon herself. Although they might come running if she requested their help, she knows what will happen then. Next to her Hifumi is standing. In the back there is the former slave called Origa, who is now his attendant. And behind her a number of corpses of the young nobles are scattered about. They have been young nobles not long ago. They didn't consider in the slightest that the upstart of low social status would oppose them or that he would really kill them. However, that wasn't the reality. Without them noticing how kind the world had been to them, their end already came. From now on the significance of social status will gradually vanish. It will become a world where ability will be the criterion and not pedigree, Hifumi had told her. Unable to imagine it well, Imeraria asked whether this world wouldn't become a place where the strong oppress the weak then, but Hifumi laughed and shook his head. "It is the fetters called birth that label a weak person to remain weak. It will be a world without the binding of lineage making it possible for the weak to defeat the strong." (Hifumi) Although Imeraria couldn't understand after all, she still grasped just one thing. The detestable judgement and the poor conclusion of obeying to something called difference in pedigree just because they are royalty or nobles, Hifumi wants to raise the number of people being judged by their true strength. This is an extremely frightening world, but Imeraria mustn't fail to protect the country within such world. Although she has no power to fight herself, she is able to come up with something. Hifumi said. There are also people surviving by using their head even without resorting to brute strength. Think, and ponder about it, Imeraria tells herself. As it is now, the contest to become the sovereign will begin between the Imeraria faction and the Ayperos faction. It will result in many people dying. Even Ayperos or her mother might be amongst those. "Everyone" (Imeraria) With Imeraria starting to talk, the crowd's noise subsided into silence and everyone listened to her words. "Due to Vichy and Horant this country is in peril now. However, thanks to the great efforts of the newly inaugurated earl, Hifumi-sama, a big miracle has happened." (Imeraria) Ooh~ ... with the people raising their voices in admiration, voices giving praise to Hifumi can be heard. Sabnak's voice was amongst them as well. "They are getting elated easily... " (Hifumi) The voice of Hifumi, who had a forced smile, reached Imeraria's ears. Then she suddenly hit upon a good idea. "But, expecting the fight to finishing flawlessly, knights ended up loosing their life due to my blunder! Even though it would have been fine to just leave things to Hifumi-sama, because of me getting unnecessarily involved, valuable lives were lost!" (Imeraria) Exaggeratedly covering her face with both hands, Imeraria was convinced that this matter would cause her popularity to drop. If she lost the support of the populace with this, it would become a setback in the plan of using her to manage the country. Although this might cause her death, she didn't intend to live just to become her own brother's enemy. Looking at Hifumi while concealing her face ... he was grinning. "Now then, Ladies and Gentlemen! The story just now is the truth, but I think it will be wrong for me to blame Imeraria-sama for that!" (Hifumi) Slowly surveying the crowd, he makes sure that everyone is listening carefully. "I, who fought in order to protect the country, feel obliged to forgive Imeraria-sama. That being the case, shouldn't the knights, who had been deployed by Imeraria-sama for the sake of protecting us and the people of our country and died fighting towards that cause, receive our admiration?!" (Hifumi) The crowd surged in response to Hifumi's appeal. Even though the knights of the Third Knight Unit, mixed amongst the crowd, were perplexed, it became a situation where the people couldn't be controlled anymore. "Imeraria-sama, me and all of you have to rack our brains how to protect the people, who are citizens of the same country as us! For this reason, think about it! It mustn't be allowed for someone, who doesn't attempt to do something and to accomplish something for this country, to take the throne! The only person suitable to stand up and lead us is Imeraria-sama!" (Hifumi) With Hifumi's words raising Imeraria to the top, the crowd is gradually becoming excited. Originally only being a person having popularity, with the hero approving of her conduct, the people welcome the mysterious feeling of expectation. "I will make an oath here! I will support Imeraria-sama in becoming the queen. Together we will change this country into a country holding strong power! Everybody, please also support Imeraria-sama together with me!" (Hifumi) The words of Hifumi, desiring for everyone's individual support, had a powerful impact on the crowd. Until now it was strictly forbidden for them to meddle in politics, but just now the noble and princess in front of their eyes, admitting their own failures to the populace, said that the support of the people was indispensable. As there were also those who applauded towards the princess, Hifumi's praising voice became even louder. Even after Hifumi accompanying Imeraria disappeared from the balcony, the agitation of the people didn't die down for quite a while. "Now they have done it... " The story of Hifumi supporting Imeraria in succeeding the throne spread in a flash within the king's castle. Those of the prince faction are irritated by those news without hiding that. Especially the high-ranking nobles, leading the faction, mistook the method as coup d'etat performed in the absence of the prince within their raging minds. The prince's real mother, the queen, is amongst them as well. "By no means I expected Imeraria to have such an ambition." (Queen) Her appearance, enduring her fury while gritting her teeth with grinding sounds, is somehow blood-curdling. Having been the queen so far, rather than Imeraria, who would be married off to someone anyway, she loved Prince Ayperos, who would succeed as king sooner or later, dearly. Although she believed that Imeraria had understood this as well, her facial expression is becoming even more grim due to the feeling called betrayal. "However, Imeraria-sama is perfectly suited for the support of the populace." (Noble) "Something like the support of the commoners doesn't matter at all! Haven't you heard? The young nobles wanting to give the princess their advice were all killed! Even the conservative nobles won't forgive this much oppression!" (Queen) "If that's the case, there is nothing left but to have Imeraria leave the stage eventually, it seems... " (Noble) "O-Oi... " (Another Noble) The speaking nobles, noticing that the princess' real mother, the queen, is present at this place albeit being hostile towards the princess, fearfully turned their gaze in the direction of the queen. "It doesn't matter. It is that child that has betrayed me, as her mother, first." (Queen) Declaring this decisively, the queen immediately raised her hand in order to prepare for giving a command. "So that you aren't hindered by that man, kill that girl instantly at the time when she is sleeping in her bedroom! The most my maternal love allows is to ensure her passing away without having to suffer." (Queen) Seeing the pupils oozing with madness, the nobles of the prince faction bowed their heads all at once.

57.Bad Medicine 【変な奴、変な薬】 ミュンスターのホーラント側にある扉の向こうでは、まだ戦いの音が鳴り続けている。 聞こえてくる声は味方のものばかりで、威勢のいい声だけを聞けば優勢かも知れないと思えるのだが、敵は恐怖を感じず、切り刻まれても声ひとつ上げないのだ。 数で言えば味方の方が少なく、時折聞こえる悲鳴は間違いなく自軍からのものだ。 「くそっ、このままでは......」 うまく包囲できているはずだと考えていたスティフェルスは、想像以上に時間がかかっている事に歯噛みしていた。包囲側の人数が少なすぎたか、敵の戦闘能力を見誤ったか。 「仕方あるまい。援護をするぞ!」 「し、しかし隊長、街中へなだれ込まれては混戦になります!」 スティフェルスは反論した騎士を睨みつけた。 「門に縄をかけて、一人分の隙間だけ空くようにしろ! 縄に引っかかったものや、くぐり抜けてきた者を順番に槍で刺し殺せ!」 指示通りに動き始めた騎士たちに苛立ちながら、スティフェルスは槍を握る。剣の方が得意ではあるが、距離をとって数人で同時に攻撃するならこちらの方が良い。 ほどなく準備が完了し、一人の騎士がゆっくりと スティフェルスは開口部の正面から少しだけ外れた位置にたち、いつでも槍を突き出せるように構えている。 少しだけ隙間が開いただけで、扉の向こうの狂騒がもれ聞こえ、濃厚な血の匂いが漂ってくる。 「もっと開け! 全員息を合わせて攻撃する!」 命令に従って見えてきたのは、無表情のままで扉を殴りつけているホーラント兵の姿だ。 「むん!」 力強く突き出された槍先は、ホーラント兵の首を正確に捉えた。 倒れる兵士の後ろには同じ無表情の兵が立っており、続いて突き出された騎士の槍に目を突かれて死ぬ。 そんな事をくり返し、悲鳴も恐怖も無い人形のような敵を一方的に殺戮していく。 腕にだるさを感じ始めた頃、ふとスティフェルスは味方の兵が上げる声が少なくなってきた事に気づいた。 ホーラント兵もかなり減っているはずだが、このままでは壊滅的な損耗を受けた愚将となってしまうという恐怖に、槍を振るう腕に力が入る。 その瞬間、幾重にもかけられた縄が、一気に断ち切られた。 「なにっ!」 信じられない光景に一瞬だけ気を取られ、次の瞬間には門が全開になり、ホーラントの兵が文字通りなだれ込んできた。 「た、退却!」 何人がスティフェルスの指示を聞いただろうか。 門に弾き飛ばされた者や、呆然としているうちにホーラント兵に殴り殺される者など、第二騎士隊は一瞬にして半分が敵兵の波に飲み込まれた。 部下たちが殺されるのに目もくれず、スティフェルスは槍を放り出して走る。 ホーラント兵は動きが鈍いので、グングン距離が離れるが、それでもスティフェルスは走った。 しかし、駆けた先に待っているのは、希望ではない。 「ベイレヴラは死んだ。第一騎士隊も全滅だ」 オーソングランデ軍とホーラント軍の戦いを、離れて見ていたホーラントの魔法使いに、ベイレヴラの監視のために別行動をしていた仲間が合流してきた。 「そうか。こっちはまあ順調だ。小細工をして兵士どもを削られていたから、魔法で援護してやったからな。手出しは禁じられていたが、これくらいはいいだろう」 いつまでたっても帰れないからな、とホーラントの魔法使いは同僚に笑った。 しかし、ベイレヴラと第一騎士隊の顛末を伝えてきた方の魔法使いは、青い顔をしている。 「......どうした?」 「ああ、第一騎士隊は、実質一人に全滅させられたんだが......」 「一人だと?」 改良された魔法具は、多少動きが緩慢になるデメリットがあるものの、それを補って余りある程に筋力が向上するのだ。腕に開きがあったにせよ、数人相手に一人で相手できるはずがない。 だが、青い顔をしている同僚は、嘘を言っているようには見えない。 「会話はなんとか聞き取れた。そいつはあの細剣の英雄だ」 「馬鹿な! 奴の領地は反対側だぞ?」 「間違いない。以前聞いた情報と特徴が合致する。戦闘力も情報通り、いや、俺の目にはそれ以上に映った。騎士隊長を傷一つ負わずに殺しやがったんだ」 話を聞いて、指の爪を噛みながら考える。 「魔法具の不良の可能性は?」 「無い。筋力の向上は明らかだった。それに......」 「それに?」 「王子も殺された。英雄の従者にな」 「......クソッ!」 王子を傀儡としてオーソングランデ中枢へ入り込む策は潰えた。 「あの男はこちらの戦場に向かって来ているはずだ。兵は捨てて退却すべきだと思うんだが」 すっかり腰が引けた様子の同僚に、首を振って拒否する。 「お前だけ戻って報告してくれ。こちらはまだ片付いていない」 「わかった。先に行かせてもらう。後でな」 同僚を見送り、再び戦場へ視線を戻す。 完全に開いた門から、ホーラント兵がゾロゾロと街へと入り込んで行く。 背後からオーソングランデ兵に切りつけられながらも、気にせず進む様は、何かの蜜に引き寄せられる虫の群れのようだ。 「第二騎士隊を全滅させるまでは攻撃しよう。これで第一、第二騎士隊が壊滅し、オーソングランデの戦力は急減する」 機を逃すまいと、視線はぐっと険しくなった。 もしかすると、縄が切れたのは魔法によるものではないか。と、かなり敵兵との距離が離れたところまできて、スティフェルスはようやく冷静に頭が回るようになってきた。 自分の周りには、既に10名程の隊員しか残っていない。いつかのリベザルの様子を彷彿とさせ、自分も失敗した者の側に回ってしまうのかと恐怖した。 「隊長、前方に何者かがおります!」 「なに?!」 不意に呼ばれ、いつの間にか自分が考え込んでいたことに気づいたスティフェルスが前方を見ると、どこかで見たような男が歩いていた。 するすると滑るように歩くその男は、黒目黒髪で、奇妙な服を着、左腰には細い剣を差している。 「奴は......!」 スティフェルスの思考が、一気に怒りに染まる。 ヒフミ・トオノ伯爵。 イメラリア王女の召喚魔法によって呼び出された異世界人で、王殺しの罪人でありながら貴族の地位を与えられ、ヴィシーとの戦いの結果として広大な領地を得る事となった、まるでおとぎ話の登場人物のような人物。 しかし、スティフェルスにとっては王城での影響力を競いあう目の上のコブにしか見えない。 「だが、この状況では致し方あるまい」 恥を忍んで助力を請うことに決めたスティフェルスは、奥歯を噛み締めて速度を緩めた。 「トオノ伯、こんな国の反対側までご苦労だな。想定以上に敵の数が多いので、手を貸してもらいたいのだが」 相手が元平民だと思うと、居丈高な態度が隠せなくなるスティフェルスだが、本人に自覚は無い。この言葉でも、恥を忍んで下手に出ているつもりだ。 同程度に居丈高な一二三の言葉に、スティフェルスは苛立ちが湧き上がるが、拳を握って自分を抑える。 そんなスティフェルスの目の前で、一二三はするりと刀を抜いた。 「報酬はお前の命でいい」 少しは抵抗しろよと言いながらの、最初の攻撃は顔に向かう突きだった。 辛うじて切っ先をかわしたスティフェルスに、周りにいた騎士たちが駆け寄り、一二三との間に割り込んで剣を構える。 「はっは! 騎士隊長というのは守られるものなのか!」 呵呵と笑いながら、突き出した刀を引き、さらに二つ三つと突きを重ねる。 一突きごとに一人を突き殺し、二人分の死体を作る。 「何をするか!」 ようやく体制が整ったスティフェルスが、剣を抜いて大喝するが、一二三を威圧することはできない。 「準備運動が不十分だから、ちゃんと生きてる奴を斬っておこうと思ってな」 「......狂人め」 「おう、そう思うならそのつもりで必死に戦えよ。狂人に言葉は通じないからな」 スティフェルスの前に立つ騎士は、文字通り盾となって、一二三の斬撃を胸に受けて鎧ごと心臓を断ち割られて死んだ。 どうと倒れる騎士を飛び越え、一二三の刀が唐竹割りに打ち下ろしてくる。 転がるように横に飛んだスティフェルスは、起きざまに剣を横に振って距離を取ろうとするが、その前に一二三が懐へ入り込んだ。 鎧の襟に柄を引っ掛けて引き倒す。 無様に転がされたスティフェルスは、土にまみれながら横へ転がった。 その間に別の騎士が斬りかかってくる。一二三は左手で相手の顎を掴み、親指でぐっと押して下の前歯を折った。 痛みとショックで一瞬動きが止まった騎士は、喉を貫かれて死んだ。 その間に、スティフェルスは起き上がって構え直している。 「部下の命を使って稼いだ時間だぞ? もっと有効に使えよ」 「貴様......」 切かかろうと隙を伺うスティフェルスの目の前に悠然と立つ一二三は、右手にもった刀は、構えもせずにだらりと提げ、左手は軽く前に出した奇妙な構えを取っている。 周りを取り囲む騎士たちも、攻撃のタイミングがつかめずにいる。 視線が、一二三の左手に集中していた。 指先はゆらゆらと揺れ、水中に漂う水草のように、決して早くはないが、予想できない動きを繰り返す。 一人の騎士が堪えきれずに打ちかかると、一二三の左手がムチのように動いてその顔を打った。 悶絶する騎士の目には指が入ったらしく涙を流し、鼻の骨が折られている。 痛みを訴える前に、痛みと涙で見えていない目をさくりと突き刺されて死ぬ。 「さあさあ、渾身の一撃を打ってこい。ひょっとしたら当たるかも知れんぞ?」 それでも、今目の前で見た仲間の死に様に、誰もが動けずにいた。 「ああそうか。これが怖いのかな? ならこうしようか」 鞘も掴まずに器用に右手だけで納刀すると、一二三は両手をブラブラさせて無手をアピールする。 その挑発に、最初に耐え切れなくなったのはスティフェルスだった。 力を込めた袈裟懸けの一撃は、他の騎士たちも驚く速度ではあったが、一二三にとってはそこまででもない。 振り下ろされる腕の下に入り込み、両肘の下から拳を当てる。 鈍い音がして、剣を落としたスティフェルスは、両肘から先をブラブラと揺らしながら膝をついた。 激痛と絶望に歪む顔面を一二三が掴む。そのまま頚椎を捻り折られ、スティフェルスは死んだ。 「言い忘れてたけどな。俺の本来の戦闘スタイルは無手なんだよ」 スティフェルスの死に、生き残った騎士たちは剣を捨てた。 「こ、降伏する」 「ま、待ってくれ! 俺たちはもう抵抗する意志は無い!」 「それがダメだと言ってるんだ」 一閃して首を飛ばし、一二三は苛立たしげに残った騎士を見た。 「剣を取れ。俺の前で武器を持って構えたんだ。俺かお前らか、どちらかが死ぬまで終わると思うな」 第二騎士隊は残り5名。 「......なんて奴だ」 ホーラントの兵に紛れて街へ侵入し、脇道から一二三の戦闘を監察していた魔法使いは、自国の騎士たちを容赦なく斬り殺すという凶行に驚愕していた。 それに騎士たちを圧倒する戦闘力は、確かに同僚が怯えるのも仕方がないというレベルだった。 「あの男は、危険だ」 ホーラントの兵をぶつける事を考えたが、おそらく全く歯が立たないだろう。正面から切り刻まれている間に、後ろから追ってくるオーソングランデ兵に数を減らされるのがオチだ。 どちらかといえば研究の方が得意で実践は苦手だが、落ち着いてゆっくり詠唱すれば威力のある風の刃が打てる。 (あの男はここで消しておく。そうしなければ、いつか必ずホーラントに害となる) そう思うと、詠唱が長く感じる。 目を閉じて詠唱に集中し、ようやく終わった時には、目の前に一二三が立っていた。 「その短剣......」 「お前、ホーラントの魔法使いだな。ストラスとかいうのと同じ剣だし」 この至近距離なら、と放たれた不可視の刃は、正確に一二三の顔に向かって飛んでいく。 「......いつも思うんだが」 首を振って風の刃をやり過ごした一二三は、顔色一つ変えずに話を続ける。 「タイミングや方向を教えるのはホーラントの魔法使いの決まりか何かか? せっかく便利な技なのに、実に勿体無い」 一二三が短剣を持った方の手首を掴んだ瞬間、言いようの無い痛みが走り、魔法使いは膝をついた。 一二三の人差し指の付け根の骨が、しっかりと手首のツボを押さえている。 「い、痛い......」 「質問がある」 顔を上げて疑問の声を上げた魔法使いに、容赦ないビンタが入る。 フードが外れて、20代半ばといった痩せた顔が露わになる。 「質問するのは俺だ。あの腑抜けになる薬と凶暴化する魔法具について、知っている限りの事を言え」 「......それは......」 一二三の踵が、思い切り魔法使いの足の小指を踏み抜く。 声も出せない程の痛みに、涙を浮かべる魔法使いに、表情を変えずに同じ質問をする。 「ま......魔法薬は、水でも酒でも、少量を混ぜたものを飲ませれば効果が出る。多少身体能力が上がるが感情と痛覚が無くなり、最初に指示を出した者の言う事を盲目的に聞くようになる。魔法具は、痛覚を無くして筋力を上げるが、凶暴化する欠点がある......」 「欠点は克服しただろう。さらに改良されたものがあるはずだ」 一二三からさらに踏み込んだ事を聞かれ、魔法使いは苦虫を噛み潰した顔をする。 「魔法薬は、調整ができなかった......。今この街に侵入してきている連中も、俺の言うことは聞いても、簡単な指示しか聞かない。魔法具は、理性を押さえて登録した人物の傀儡にするところまで成功している......」 さらに聞くと、アロセールの兵に使っていた時は、効果が薄かったのが、現在の人形のような人間を作るところまでは改良できたが、それが限界だったという。 魔法使いの話を聞いた一二三は、何かを考えついたらしく。二ターっと笑って魔法使いを見た。 「いいことを思いついた。最後に教えろ。お前らの国の首都の名前と、そこまでの距離だ」 「な、なんでそんな事を......ぎゃあっ!」 今度は股間を蹴り上げられ、丸くなって震える魔法使いに、一二三は容赦なく「吐け」と言った。 「首都はアドラメルク。ここからなら馬で3日程だ!」 痛みに耐えながら、逆に怒りがこみ上げてきたのか、魔法使いは叫ぶように言った。 「わかった。じゃあな」 懐紙で刀を拭ったところで、一二三は失敗したと苦い顔をした。 「魔法具が魔物にも効くかどうか、確認しておくべきだったな」

Chapter 57: Bad Medicine On the other side of Munster's gate facing towards Horant's side, the sounds of battle are still reverberating. With nothing but the allies's voices being audible, you might think they are superior if you only listen to the high-spirited voices, but the enemies, not feeling any fear, don't raise their voices even if they are chopped up. If you go by the numbers, the allies are fewer. Sometimes screams, doubtlessly belonging to their own troops, can be heard as well. "Shit, as it is now..." (Stiffels) Stiffels, thinking that they should have successfully surrounded them, was grinding his teeth as it took longer than he expected. Was the number of people doing the encirclement lacking? Or did he misread the enemy's combat prowess? "It can't be helped. We will support them!" (Stiffels) "B-But captain, if they surge into the city, it will become a chaotic battle!" (Knight) Stiffels glared at the objecting knight. "Affix a rope to the gate! Make sure to open it so that only one person fits through! Those entangled by the rope and those who got through will be stabbed to death with spears in turns!" (Stiffels) While getting irritated at the knights, who began to move as they were ordered, Stiffels grasped his spear. The way of the sword is his forte, but the spear is better if you want to simultaneously attack several people from a distance. Before long the preparations have been completed. A single knight slowly removes the secured bolt. Stiffels stands at a place a little bit away from the aperture in the front. He is prepared to thrust out the spear at any time. With only opening the crack a tiny bit, he can hear the leaking mania on the other side of the gate. The thick, pungent stench of blood drifts to him. "Open it more! Everybody, match your breaths and attack!" (Stiffels) Obeying the order, they confront the approaching enemies. It's the figures of Horant's soldiers beating on the door while being expressionless. "Oof!" The forcefully thrust spearhead accurately seized the neck of a soldier from Horant. In the back of the fallen soldier another likewise expressionless soldier stands. Next, his eyes are stabbed by a knight's spear and the soldier passes away. Repeating these actions, the enemies, people who aren't scared or don't scream, are one-sidedly slaughtered. Around the time he began to feel his arms getting heavy, Stiffels suddenly noticed that the voices, raised by his allied soldiers, had decreased. Although the soldiers from Horant should also have been decreased by quite a bit, his arms, wielding the spear, were filled with strength due to the dread that he would become a foolish commander who received a devastating defeat. In that moment, the rope, which had been damaged repeatedly, was severed in one go. "What!" (Stiffels) Being preoccupied with the unbelievable sight for just an instant, the gate opened fully in the next second. Horant's soldiers literally came flooding in. "R-Retreat!" (Stiffels) How many have been able to hear Stiffel's order? Some were sent flying by the gate opening abruptly and some were beaten to death by the soldiers from Horant while being overcome with surprise. In an instant half of the Second Knight Order was swallowed by a wave of enemies. Without even giving the dying of his subordinates a single glance, Stiffels threw away his spear and ran. Because the movements of the soldiers from Horant were sluggish, he steadily gained distance. Even so, Stiffels kept running. However, what awaits him at the place ahead isn't hope. "Beirevra died. The First Knight Order is also completely destroyed." (Magician A) As the magician from Horant left the watching of the battle between Horant's and Orsongrande's armies, he was joined by a companion who acted separately in order to monitor Beirevra. "I see. This side is well... doing fine. Since they used petty tricks and the number of soldiers whittled, I supported them with magic. Although I was forbidden to interfere, I guess this much will be okay." (Magician B) "Because else I won't be able to return to Horant no matter how much time passes", the magician from Horant laughed towards his colleague. However, the magician, who came reporting the circumstances of Beirevra and the First Knight Order, has a pale face. "... What happened?" (Magician B) "Ah, the First Knight Order was in fact annihilated by a single person, but..." (Magician A) "A single person, you say?" (Magician B) Although the improved magic tool has the demerit of causing the movement to become somewhat slow, to compensate for this, the physical strength has been raised to the extent that it is too much. But, his colleague, expressing a pale face, doesn't look as if he is telling a lie. "I somehow managed to follow the conversation. That person is the Hero of the Slender Sword." (Magician A) "Impossible! Isn't that guy's territory on the opposite side!?" (Magician B) "I have no doubt. His features match the information I heard before. Even the information about his combat strength, no, what was reflected in my eyes was above that. He killed the Knight Captain without receiving a single injury." (Magician A) Listening to the story, he bites the nails of his fingers while thinking. "Is there a possibility for the magic tool to malfunction?" (Magician B) "There isn't. The rise of the physical strength was obvious. Besides..." (Magician A) "Besides?" (Magician B) "Even the prince was killed by the hero's attendant." (Magician A) "... Damn it!" (Magician B) The plan of penetrating Orsongrande's center with the prince as puppet fell apart. "That man should be on the way headed towards the battleground here. I think we should withdraw giving up on the soldiers." (Magician A) He shakes his head in denial towards his colleague, who showed signs of completely getting cold feet. "Only you will return to report. This place hasn't settled yet." (Magician B) "Understood. I will go ahead. See you later." (Magician A) Having seen his colleague off, he once again turns his look towards the battlefield. Horant's soldiers are successively entering the city through the completely opened gate. Even while being slashed by Orsongrande's soldiers from the rear, they advance without minding it, just like a swarm of insects being drawn to some nectar. "Let's attack until the complete destruction of the Second Knight Order. With that the First and the Second Knight Orders will be annihilated, drastically decreasing the war potential of Orsongrande." (Magician B) "Let's not miss the opportunity", his gaze got considerably severe. Arriving at a place where the distance to the enemy was quite big, Stiffels reached the point of thinking about the situation calmly at last. In his vicinity there aren't more than around 10 order members left. Somehow it closely resembles the situation of Ribezal. He was scared whether he has ended up turning into someone surrounded by failure as well. "Captain, there is someone in front of us!" (Knight) "What?!" (Stiffels) Being suddenly called, Stiffels, noticing himself brooding over things before he became aware of it, looked ahead. There was a man, he had seen somewhere, walking towards them. That man, walking as if swiftly sliding, with his dark pupils and hair and donning strange clothes is wearing a thin sword at the left side of his waist. "That guy is... !" (Stiffels) Stiffels' thinking is straight away dyed in rage. Earl Hifumi Tohno. A other-world person called by Princess Imeraria's summoning magic. Being appointed to the rank of noble with territory while being a criminal who slew the king. He obtained a vast territory as result of his battle with Vichy. A person as if being entirely a character out of a fairy-tale. However, Stiffels can't see him as anything but a thorn in his side in the competition over the influence within the royal castle. "But, there probably isn't any other way in this situation." (Stiffels) Stiffels, deciding that he would request assistance abiding his shame, thoroughly chewed his back teeth and eased up on the speed. "Earl Tohno, thanks for taking the trouble to come to the opposite side of this country. Given that the number of enemies is far beyond the assumptions, I'd like you to lend us a hand." (Stiffels) Thinking that the other side is originally a commoner, Stiffels can't conceal his arrogant attitude, but he himself isn't aware of that. Even with these words he has intended to behave modestly bearing the embarrassment. Stiffels seethes in irritation due to Hifumi's likewise arrogant words, but clenching his fist he restrains himself. Hifumi drew his katana with a smooth, unhindered motion in front of such Stiffels. "Your life will be fine as reward." (Hifumi) While being told to resist a bit, the first attack was a thrust towards the face. Due to Stiffels barely dodging the katana's point, the knights in the vicinity rushed over and thrust themselves between Hifumi and Stiffels with their swords set up. "Ha ha! Are you a person to be protected because you are a Knight Captain?" (Hifumi) While ridiculing him with the sound of laughter, he pulls back the thrust katana and furthermore launches another two thrusts. Stabbing a person to death with each thrust, he creates two corpses. "What are you doing!?" (Stiffels) Stiffels, finally having recovered his stance, shouts in a thundering voice and draws his sword, but he isn't able to daunt Hifumi. "Since I have done insufficient warming up, I have felt like killing those guys who have properly survived." (Hifumi) "... You lunatic." (Stiffels) "Okay, if you think like that, fight desperately with that belief, since you won't understand the words of a lunatic." (Hifumi) The knight standing in front of Stiffels literally shields him. Hifumi's slashing attack, that he received at the chest, cut open the heart including the armor and he died. Jumping over the knight who falls with a crashing sound, Hifumi's katana swings down as if chopping bamboo bare-handed. Stiffels, jumping sideways rolling over, swung his sword horizontally in the act of getting up trying to get some distance, but before he could do that, Hifumi stepped into this bosom. Hooking the katana's hilt he pulls down the armor's neck. Stiffels, being thrown down awkwardly, rolled to the side while being smeared with dirt. In the meanwhile another knight came assaulting with his sword. Hifumi grabbed the opponent's chin with his left hand, applied firm pressure with his thumb and broke the lower part of the front teeth. The knight, who stopped for a moment due to the pain and shock, had his throat pierced and died. During that time Stiffels has managed to get up and has fixed his stance. "You are using the lives of your subordinates to buy yourself time? Use them more efficiently." (Hifumi) "You bastard..." (Stiffels) Hifumi, standing with an air of composure in front of Stiffels and telling him with earnest concern at this opportunity, held the katana in his right hand and loosely lowered it without even taking a stance. He is taking a strange stance by lightly putting out his left hand in front. Even the knights surrounding him can't grasp the timing to attack. Their gazes concentrated on Hifumi's left hand. His fingers sway from side to side, not fast in the least, like a water plant drifting underwater. He keeps repeating the unpredictable motion. When a single knight, unable to bear it, started to strike at him, Hifumi's left hand hit his face moving like a whip. The knight, who has fainted in agony, has Hifumi's fingers penetrate his eyes at the lacrimal-glands and break his nose. Before he can feel the pain, the thrust fingers gouge out the blinded eyes including tears and pain and the knight dies. "Come on, attack me with your strongest blow. You don't know, maybe you might even hit me?" (Hifumi) However, having seen their companion's death in front of their eyes just now, no one was able to move. "Ah, I see. This is frightening, isn't it? Then let's do it like this, huh?" (Hifumi) Hifumi skilfully returns his katana to its scabbard with only his right hand without even holding the scabbard itself. Hifumi appeals with both his hands dangling around while unarmed. It was Stiffels who lost his cool first as he couldn't bear that provocation. He put his strength into the diagonally, from the shoulder swung, sword. It was at a speed that surprised the other knights, but for Hifumi it wasn't anything special. Stepping in underneath the arms that were about to be swung downward, he hit him with his fist below both elbows. Stiffels, who dropped the sword with a dull sound, dropped to his knees while his arms dangled at the tip of both shoulders. Hifumi clutches the Stiffels' face that is distorted by pain and despair. Twisting and breaking the cervical vertebrae as it is, Stiffels died. "Ah, I forgot to mention it. My original combat style is bare-handed." (Hifumi) With Stiffels' death, the surviving knights discarded their swords. "W-We surrender." (Knight) "P-Please wait! We don't have any intention to oppose you anymore!" (Knight) "I have told you that this isn't allowed." (Hifumi) Sending the head flying in a flash, Hifumi looked at the remaining knights vexedly. "Pick up your sword. Prepare yourself while holding a weapon in front of me. I don't plan to end this until either you or me dies." (Hifumi) There are 5 knights of the Second Knight Order remaining. "... What a guy." (Magician B) Intruding into the city by blending amongst the soldiers from Horant, the magician observed the battle from a side alley. He was shocked by the brutality of mercilessly killing the knights of one's own country. Besides, the fighting strength, that overwhelmed the knights, was certainly at a level where it couldn't even be helped if his colleague got scared. "That man is dangerous." (Magician B) If I consider the situation of him crashing into Horant's soldiers, most likely they won't be able to deal with him at all, I guess. While being chopped up from the front, their numbers will decrease due to Orsongrande's soldiers pursuing from the back. My strong point is in the direction of researching and I'm weak at the implementation, but if I slowly cast with a calm mind, I will be able to release powerful wind blades. (I will have that man disappear here. If I don't do this, he will without doubt harm Horant one day.) Thinking about this, he feels that the casting time is long. He closed his eyes to focus on the casting. When he finished at last, Hifumi stood in front of him. "That dagger..." (Hifumi) "You are a magician from Horant. It's the same sword as that man called Strauss owned." (Hifumi) If it's at this distance, the released, invisible blades will accurately fly into Hifumi's face. "... I'm always prepared for it though." (Hifumi) Hifumi, who let the wind blades go past by shaking his head, continues his talking without even changing his expression. "Is the timing and direction taught to Horant's magicians a custom or something? Although it is a rare, convenient technique, you are truly unworthy of it." (Hifumi) In an instant Hifumi seized the wrist holding the dagger. Before the first sense of pain occurred itself, the magician fell to his knees. The bone of Hifumi's index finger's root firmly pins down the acupuncture point of the wrist. "I-It is painful..." (Magician B) "I have a question." (Hifumi) The magician is slapped in the face without mercy as he lifted his head raising his voice in doubt. As the hood comes off, a mid-20's, skinny face is revealed. "The one asking the questions is me. Tell me as much as you know about that magic tool, which makes those cowards ferocious, and the drug." (Hifumi) "... This is..." (Magician B) Hifumi's heel treads on the little toe of the magician's foot with full power. As the pain is to a degree that he can't even leak a voice, Hifumi asks the same question to the magician, who is shedding tears, without changing his facial expression. "Th... The magic potion, if you drink some of it mixed with small amounts of water and alcohol, it will show its effect. More or less the physical ability will rise and the sensation of pain will vanish. It has reached the point where they will blindly listen to the words of the one who gave them their orders first. Although the feeling of pain is lost and the physical strength goes up, there is a flaw that makes them brutal..." (Magician B) "You probably brought the weak point under control. It should be something that was improved even further." (Hifumi) Hearing about things that got even more to the core of the matter from Hifumi, the magician makes a sour face as if having eaten a bitter bug. "We weren't able to adjust the magic potion... Even the lot, currently invading this city, doesn't listen to anything but simple instructions even if it is me telling them otherwise. As for the magic tool, we have been successful up to the point of changing the target into the puppet of the registered person by suppressing the target's reasoning..." (Magician B) Asking further on, at the time it was used on the soldiers from Arosel, the effect was small, but they were currently able to improve it up to the point of subduing people like dolls. He was told that this was the limit. Hifumi, listening to the explanation of the magician, came up with something. He looked at the magician and laughed with a sinister smile. "I got a nice idea. Lastly, tell me, the name of your country's metropolis' and the distance to them." (Hifumi) "W-Why do you want to know such a thi... gyaaa!" (Magician B) Kicking the nether region this time, Hifumi relentlessly said [Spit it out] to the magician shivering and curling up. "The closest metropolis is Adolamelk While enduring the pain, was he filled with rage in reverse? The magician told him while shouting. "Understood. See ya." (Hifumi) Hifumi made a bitter face due to the failure while he wiped the katana with a paper. "I should have confirmed whether the magic tool will make monsters listen as well or not."

41.Nobody’S Listening 【彼女の代わりに矢を受けて】 フォカロルでの戦闘は、昼前にヴィシー軍が大きく広がった陣形でゆっくり近づいてきたところから始まった。 軍の中央では馬に乗ったブエルが、固く閉ざされたフォカロルの門を睨みつけている。 フォカロルの門は巨大で重厚な鉄製である。一二三の指示により、フルプラスが作成したものだ。 街を囲む塀も、ヴィシー方面を重点的に強化し、高さも従来の2メートル程の高さから3メートル近い位置まで上げられていた。 「用意せよ」 視線を外すことなく、ブエルは命じた。 部下の間を命令が伝わっていき、歩兵たちが次々とブエルの前に出て整列した。 この世界、街攻めの基本は大人数で当たって門を破壊するか強引に開け、門に入りきれない人員は塀を乗り越えるという極々単純な戦法だった。かなりの人数が逃走したとはいえ、敵に援軍が来るまでは充分な戦力差があると判断したブエルは、奇をてらわずに歩兵をひと当てして、高い塀は越えられずと門を強引に突破して防衛を崩し、そのまま雪崩込む策を選んだ。 ブエルが声を命令を終える前に、フルプラス特製の金属門がゆっくりと開き始った。 「ふん、数の不利を知って降伏を選んだか」 しかし、門から顔を見せたのは、降伏の使者ではなく、多くのヴィシー兵を殺してきた投槍器を3回り程大きくした巨大な何かだった。 門はその巨大投槍器が槍を突き出せる程度の幅を開くと止まった。それには丸太と呼んで差し支えない程の太い槍が装填済みだ。 ゴンという低い音を立てて射出された槍は、直線ではなく放射線を描いてヴィシー兵に迫り、刺さるというより潰すかたちで数人の命を奪った。 「な、な......」 見たこともない巨大な武器の登場に、ブエルは命令も忘れ、自分のすぐそばで赤い血にまみれて転がる丸太を見ていた。 その隙に投槍器が街の中へ引き込まれ、門は再び閉ざされる。 「なんなのあれ......」 空飛ぶ鈍器な兵器を見て、ブエル同様にカーシャも絶句していた。 その横では、一二三とプルフラスが結果を確認している。 「やっぱり重すぎるんじゃないか?」 「いくらなんでも限度があったか」 打ち出すというより無理くりに押し出されて、ろくな速度も出せずにやっとの事で敵に届いた丸太を見て、二人はのんきに話していた。 今のはいわゆる試作品で、とにかく大きくしたら威力も出るんじゃないかというドワーフたちの提案に、「じゃあ作ってみれば?」と一二三が許可を出した結果だった。 「失敗作だな。後で空いてる倉庫にでも入れとけ」 「仕方ないな。時間をみて改良するとしよう」 ブエルが驚異を感じているとは知らず、一二三もプルフラスも失敗と判断した。 ノリノリで作成に関わったドワーフたちは、何がいけなかったのか、計算が間違っていたのかと口々に見解を話しながら、ロープを結んだ巨大な投槍器と共に前線から下がっていく。 入れ替わるように、アリッサが一二三の方へ走ってきた。 「一二三さん、言われたとおりに住民たちは一時避難させたけど、あそこで良かったの?」 「いいんだよ。それより、ドワーフが希望した遊びは終わったから、後は任せる」 「了解! 一二三さんも気をつけてね!」 アリッサは走り回りながら兵達に次の指示を出していく。 閉ざされた門には鉄のカンヌキが三本も掛けられた。かなり破城槌でも使われない限りは破られないだろう。 から投げ槍器で狙撃できるようになっている。投槍器1台につき二人があたり、30分ごとに交代して休息を取るようにと指導している。 およそ50名ずつが二交替で間断なく槍を浴びせ続ける体制ができた。 仕上げは、一二三が行う。 「ようこそフォカロルへ!」 門の上によじ登った一二三は、パンパンと手を叩いて注目を集めた。 「遠方から来てくれたお前らに、歓迎の用意をしている。こう見えて結構頑張って作ったんだ。たっぷり味わっていってくれ」 「門を開けて出てこい! 正々堂々と勝負をしろ!」 一二三の言葉に怒りがぶり返したブエルは、喉が潰れんばかりの声で返答するが、ブエルの話が続いている途中で、一二三はさっさと引っ込んでしまった。 門の向こうでわめき散らすブエルの声に、ヴィシー軍の兵たちは同様に怒りに燃えるか、ブエルの様子に怯えているかどちらかだが、門の内側では、誰も敵将の言葉に耳を傾けない。 今までの戦場とこれから起きる事を知っているトオノ領軍の面々は、さっさと逃げればいいのに、一二三の挑発に乗ってここまでやってきたのは失敗だったと、他人事のように思っていた。剣や棍棒ではなく、配給された武装で遠距離からの攻撃と奇襲をくり返し、完勝が当然となった領軍では、戦争すわなち一方的な蹂躙にほかならない。 「大将は殺すなよ」 「大丈夫、しっかりみんなに伝えたから」 「では、号令は任せる」 「わかった! 全員、攻撃開始!」 アリッサの号令により、次々と槍が射出される。 降り注ぐ槍は、ヴィシーの兵たちを貫き、死体を量産していく。 目の前の仲間と合わせて即死するもの。 腹に槍を生やして悶絶するもの。 命令通りに狙われずに生かされているブエルは、慌てて突撃の号令をかけるが、駆け出そうとしたものから狙い打たれる。 さらに恐怖で背を向ける者も多くが槍の餌食となった。 仲間の死体に隠れる者もいるが、ドワーフが改良を重ねた槍の勢いは強く、骨に当たらなければ一人分の身体は悠々と貫通してくる。 それでも人数差で無理矢理押してくるヴィシー軍は、ゆっくりとだが距離を詰めてくる。 せ圧せ! 門に取り付けばこちらの勝ちだ!」 ブエルは自分が狙われないことを疑問に思わないのか、とにかく声を張り上げて剣を振り回している。 次々と射られ、倒れる仲間を踏み越えながら前に出てくるヴィシー兵は、とにかく一刻も早く門へ取り付き、この地獄の空間から逃れようともがいている。 戦闘開始二時間ほどがたち、一方的な損耗を強いられているヴィシー兵は数を減らしていたが、それでも傷だらけで門へたどり着き、味方の仇を討つべく手に持った剣や棍棒を振るって門を打ち据えていた。 ゴォンゴォンという音が、多重にテンポをずらして鳴り響くのに、一二三は顔をしかめた。 「うるっさ......クッション材でも貼っておけば良かったか?」 領主館で留守役の兵たちを指揮していたオリガが来た。 「そろそろ王城から援軍が到着するようです。斥候の話では第三騎士隊が援軍を指揮しているようです」 「斥候? 王城方面にも斥候を出してたのかい?」 オリガの言葉に、カーシャはつい声を上げてしまった。 「ああ、援軍の来るタイミング次第ではこちらの動きも変わるからな。......何か、あっちに斥候がいるのに不都合でもあるのか?」 「い、いや、味方の方ならそこまでしなくてもいい......いや、気にしないでよ」 しどろもどろになるカーシャを一瞥して、一二三は門の近くへ向かう。 「門に取り付いた奴らを殺してくる」 足場をよじ登って、再び門の上に登る。 オリガは危険だからと止めようとしたが、ここで敵が万一門を突破したら終わると言われ、では自分も手伝う、と一二三の後に続いて門の上へと登っていった。 カーシャも続こうとしたが、本来人が登るようにはできてないから、狭くて三人は無理だと一二三に待機を命じられた。 一二三が門の上から見下ろすと、10名ほどのヴィシー兵が、小揺るぎもしない門を必死になって武器で殴っている。 「うるさいよ」 一二三は闇魔法の収納から薙刀を取り出し、的確にヴィシー兵たちの頚動脈を撫でていく。 吹き上がる血で、門は赤く塗られていく。 オリガも負けじと訓練してきた風魔法でヴィシー兵の腕や足を切り落とし、次々と男たちを死の淵へと オリガは、戦場の高揚感と一二三と久しぶりに肩を並べて戦っているという事に興奮し、ヴィシー軍からの矢が降る場所で嬉々として魔法を放つ。 散々に繰り返した詠唱は既に限界まで短縮しており、次々と連発する風の刃が敵の命を刈り取っていく。 初めての本格的な防衛戦、隣にいる一二三へのアピールの意味もあって、眼下に群がるヴィシー兵たちを殺すのに夢中で、ふと顔をあげた時、確実に自分に当たるコースをたどる矢が見えたのに、オリガは何も反応できなかった。 一瞬、時間が引き伸ばされたように感じたその時、彼女の身体に覆いかぶさる影が視界に割り込む。 ドンという音がしたとき、オリガは人体に矢が当たる音は意外とくぐもっているのだな、と思考が明後日の方へと向いていた。 そのまま門の上から落下したときに、痛みで我に返った。 「痛い......矢は? 誰が、あ、あぁ......」 あのタイミングで飛来する矢から自分を庇える位置に誰がいたかなど、冷静であれば考える必要も無かっただろうが、その姿を目にして落ち着いては居られなかった。 「ひ、一二三様!」 肩に矢を受けて、さらに落下からもオリガをかばった一二三は、荒い息を吐きながら汗をびっしょりとかいて地面に倒れていた。 その場でそれを目撃した者全員が驚いている。 もちろん、カーシャも例外ではない。 「カーシャさん、ここは僕に任せて、一二三さんを館へ連れて行って治療して! オリガさんも落ちたんだから、一緒に館へ!」 狼狽える二人の女性に、最年少のアリッサが声をかけ、兵たちにも冷静に射撃を続けるように命令を出していく。 「そ、そうだな、急いで治療しないと......」 あるいは今がパジョーへ連絡する機会かとも思ったが、矢が一本刺さったくらいなら、一二三の持つ高級な回復薬で治るだろうことは、アリッサを治療した時の事を考えれば当然だった。 カーシャは兵を二人ほど呼んで一二三を近くの家から外した戸板に乗せて運ぶように指示を出し、自分はオリガに肩を貸す。オリガに目に見える大怪我は無いが、足首を酷く捻っており、まともに立つこともできないようだった。 トップ二人を見送った前線は、一時混乱に陥りかけたが、アリッサが似合わない激を飛ばして支えた。 「ほら、しっかり狙って撃って!」 背中を叩かれた領兵は、焦りを押さえて次の敵を狙う。 交代で休息していた兵は、アリッサの気丈さに舌を巻いた。 「長官は、冷静ですね」 「だって、一二三さんのあれ、演技だもん」 オリガさんは違うけど、とアリッサは言う。 「一二三さんがね、機会を見て自分が怪我をする振りか、実際に適当な傷を負って館に引っ込むからって......あ!」 とんでもないネタばらしをしたところで、アリッサは慌てだした。 「わ、忘れてた! 一二三さんが怪我したら、敵の大将を狙うようにって言われてたんだ! あいつを狙って、早く殺して! 当たったらしばらく射撃停止!」 戦闘中ずっと狙われなかったブエルは、馬上で指揮をしながらその姿を堂々とさらしていた。そこへ数本の槍がほぼ同時に突き刺さり、ブエルは自分に何が起きたかもわからないまま息絶えた。 総大将がぐらりと崩れて馬から落ちたのを見たヴィシー兵たちは、自分たちを死地へと追いやる声が聞こえなくなったのと同時に、槍の雨が収まったのに気がついた。 そして、指揮官が居ない兵士たちが選んだのは、攻撃ではなく退却だった。 門の前に群がっていた兵たちも、背後の味方が逃げ出したのを見て、一目散に門から離れていく。 「それじゃ、開門して半分は僕と一緒に敵兵を追い立てて国境まで行くよ! 残りは門の前の片付け!」 アリッサの指揮により、あっさりと戦闘が終了した事に頭がついていかなかった領兵たちだが、アロセールの住民たちが街へ戻る前に押し返さないといけないとアリッサに言われて、タイトなスケジュールだと文句を言いながら動き始めた。 ヴィシー側の住民は、館の前の広場へ一時的に移動させていたため、ヴィシーを追い返したことは住民の誰にも伝わっていない。 そこへ怪我をした領主が担ぎ込まれて来たので、館の周辺は騒然とし、畳み掛けるように 街へ入り、領民が口々に領主が怪我をしたことを伝えてくることと合わせて、パジョーは一二三が大怪我をしていると判断し、館へ向かう部隊として三分の二を自分が率いて、残りをミダスの指揮とする。 「ヴィシーの方は、お願いします」 民衆をかき分け、ヴィシー側の門へと馬を走らせるミダスを見送り、パジョーは騎士隊に向かって、馬を降りて剣を抜くように言い、兵には民衆が入らないように館を囲めと命じた。 上手くいきすぎている状況に不安はあるが、怖気づいている間に機を逃してはいけないと自分に言い聞かせ、仲間と共に一二三がいるはずの領主館へと踏み込んだ。

Chapter 41: Nobody'S Listening Just before noon the Vichy army slowly approached the stage of the battle, Fokalore, in a large spread out formation. Buer, placed at the center of the the troops mounted on a horse, glared at the tightly closed gate of Fokalore. The gate of Fokalore was an enormous and massive iron wall. The wall enclosed the city as well and the side facing Vichy was predominantly reinforced. It was elevated to a height of close to 3 meters in contrast to the traditional height of 2 meters. "Get ready." (Buer) Without averting his gaze, Buer ordered. As the command was transmitted between his subordinates, the infantry came out one by one in front of Buer and lined up. The foundation of assaulting a city in this world was to either strike at the gate using a great number of people or to forcibly open it. As for the soldiers not fitting in front of the gate, they were to climb over the wall. It was such an extremely simply strategy. Before Buer could finish voicing out his order, the gate, made by Pruflas using special metals, slowly opened. "Humph, being aware of the unfavorable numbers, they decided to surrender, huh?" (Buer) But, it wasn't a messenger of capitulation that appeared from within the gate. It was something as big in size as 3 of those spear throwers that had killed many of the Vichy soldiers. When the huge spear thrower's spears protruded from the gap of the gate, it ceased the opening movement. The discharge of the spears made a deep sound of *gon*. The spears approached the soldiers of Vichy drawing a radiating line rather than a straight line. They stole the lives of several soldiers not by piercing but by smashing them. "Wh-, Wh- ..." (Buer) With the appearance of the never-before-seen huge weapon, Buer even forgot to issue any orders as he watched a log smeared with red blood roll next to him. Using that opportunity, the spear thrower was pulled back into the city and the gate once again closed its maw. "What is that ..." (Kasha) Looking at the blunt weapons flying in the sky, Kasha, just like Buer, became speechless. At her side Hifumi and Pruflas were reviewing the results. "It might be too heavy after all?" (Hifumi) "No matter how you look at it, there is a limit to it, no?" (Pruflas) Watching the logs just barely reaching the enemy without even any decent velocity, those two had their attention drawn to the problematic issues rather than the things working out and easy-goingly discussed them. As the dwarves proposed "It is currently, so to speak, a trial product, but won't it still be quite powerful?" it resulted in Hifumi granting permission by saying [Why don't you try making it then?] "It is a failure. Just put it away into an empty storage house afterwards." (Hifumi) "I guess it can't be helped. I will try to improve it once I have some time." (Pruflas) Unaware of Buer's amazement, Hifumi and Pruflas judged it as failure.magic While the dwarves in high spirits were indulged in severally discussing their opinions where it was lacking and what they failed to calculate in, they retreated from the front-lines together with the huge spear thrower which was affixed with ropes. As if replacing them, Alyssa came running to Hifumi's side. "Hifumi-san, as you have declared, the citizens are taking refuge for the moment, but is that place really alright?" (Alyssa) "It's fine. Leaving that aside, since the playtime for the dwarves has ended, I leave the rest to you." (Hifumi) "Understood! Hifumi-san, please take care as well!" (Alyssa) Alyssa issued the next orders to the soldiers while running around. Three iron bolts were securing the closed gate. Each spear thrower was handled by two soldiers. They were guided to take a rest by shift at the intervals of 30 minutes. The system enabled them to keep up barraging the attackers with a constant attack pattern of 50 spears per wave day and night. Hifumi carried out the finishing touches himself. "Welcome to Fokalore!" (Hifumi) Hifumi, who had climbed to the top of the gate, gathered the attention with a *pan pan*. "To you, who came from distant lands, we have arranged a grandiose reception. Looking at you like this, I praise you for your splendid perseverance coming here. Please savor the banquet plentifully." (Hifumi) "Open the gate and come out! Fight fair and square!" (Buer) Although Buer's throat only got hoarse by replying to Hifumi's words in a voice filled with anger, Hifumi ended up withdrawing quickly in the middle of Buer's continuing speech. As Buer's voice raised hell on the other side of the gate, whether the soldiers of the Vichy army likewise got fired up in fury or were frightened by Buer's appearance, either way, as for the inside of the gate, no one lent an ear to the words of the enemy general. Not swords and clubs, but repeatedly attacking them by surprise attacks with the long-distance arms they were provided with, for the territorial army a complete victory was the given. For them this war was nothing else but a one-sided, bloody, straight obliteration of their enemies. "Don't kill the general." (Hifumi) "Alright, I will tell everyone properly to not do so." (Alyssa) "Well then, I leave the command to you." (Hifumi) "Roger! Everyone, begin the attack!" (Alyssa) Following Alyssa's order, spears were shot successively. With the steady downpour of spears, the soldiers of the Vichy army were pierced and a mass of corpses was produced. Some saw their companions right in front of their eyes meeting instant death. Some fainted in agony as a spear impaled them from the abdomen. Although Buer, who was spared from being aimed at following Hifumi's order, hurriedly gave the order to attack, those, trying to break into a run, were felled with aimed hits. Furthermore, many of those, who turned their back on the dread, became prey of the spears. Even though there were also those who hid themselves in-between their companions corpses, it was easy for the spears, having their power and force repeatedly improved by the dwarves, to penetrate through a man's body crushing its bones. The Vichy army, even despite its numbers, was forcibly pushed back and slowly had to distance itself. "Forward! Forward! Keep up the pressure! We will win once we get hold of the gate!" (Buer) Not thinking of having any doubts of himself not being targeted, Buer brandished his sword as he shouted. While stepping over their companions being shot one by one, the Vichy soldiers coming out in front clung to the gate as soon as possible by all means struggling to escape this hell domain. Around two hours had passed since the start of the battle. Pressured by the one-sided slaughter, the number of Vichy soldier's had considerably dropped. And yet they still struggled to arrive in front of the gate while covered in injuries. For the sake of avenging their allies, they battered with force at the gate using the swords and clubs they held in their hands. While a sound of *gon gon*'s reverberated with multiple shifted tempos, Hifumi frowned. "How noisy... it would have been better to install some cushioning materials on the gate, I guess?" (Hifumi) Origa, who had commanded the soldiers at the Lord's mansion while he was absent, approached. "It seems that the reinforcements of the royal castle will arrive before long. According to the scout's report, it appears the Third Knight Unit is leading the reinforcements." (Origa) "Scouts? Did you dispatch scouts into the direction of the royal castle as well?" (Kasha) Following Origa's words, Kasha ended up unconsciously raising her voice. "Ah, our movements here may likewise have to change depending on the timing of the reinforcements' arrival... Is it somehow inconvenient if we dispatch our scouts into that direction?" (Hifumi) "N-No, it is fine to go that far if it's for knowing the situation of our allies... No, don't worry about it." (Kasha) Glancing at the flustered Kasha, Hifumi faced towards the vicinity of the gate. "I will go kill the guys clinging to the gate." (Hifumi) Climbing the scaffolding, he ascended to the top of the gate once again. Although Origa tried to stop him by warning him of the dangers, Hifumi rebuked her by saying "It will be the end if the enemy manages to break through the gate here by some chance, thus I will go help out a bit" and continued his climbing to the top of the gate subsequently. Kasha also tried to follow him, but since it was originally impossible for people to climb there. Hifumi ordered her to wait on standby as it would be too narrow for three people up there either way. As Hifumi looked down from atop the gate, he saw about 10 Vichy soldiers desperately striking the gate without even causing small vibrations to it. "Shut up." (Hifumi) Hifumi withdrew a naginata from his dark magic storage and brushed the carotid artery with it precisely and gently. With the raising spray of blood the gate was painted in red. Origa also undauntedly used her wind magic, she had trained hard, for cutting off the legs and arms of the Vichy soldiers. One by one the men were plunged into the abyss of death. Origa was excited by the euphoria of battle fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with Hifumi for the first time in a while. She released magic at the arrows, descending on a dangerous spot, from the Vichy forces. Having shortened the thoroughly repeated chants to the limit, the wind blades reaped the enemy's lives continuously in succession. For the first time it had become a genuine defensive battle. There was also the significance of appealing to Hifumi who was standing right next to her. Being in ecstasy while slaughtering the Vichy soldiers below her, she saw an arrow following the course of certainly hitting her at the time she incidentally raised her face, but Origa didn't react in any way. In an instant, feeling as if time itself had slowed down, a shadow wedged itself into her field of vision covering her body. When a *don* resounded, Origa was surprised by the muffled sound of an arrow hitting a human body and her thoughts turned blank. At the time she fell down from the top of the gate, she came to her senses by the pain. "Painful ... arrow? Who is ... ah, ah, ahhh ..." (Origa) Something like who would have been able to protect her from the arrow flying at her at that timing, there wasn't even any necessity to think calmly about it. She couldn't settle down catching sight of that figure. "Hi-Hifumi-sama!" (Origa) Having an arrow stuck in his shoulder, Hifumi had even further protected Origa from the fall. While breathing roughly he had collapsed on the city's ground drenched in sweat. Everyone then and there was surprised witnessing that sight. Of course, even Kasha wasn't an exception. "Kasha-san, leave this place to me. Take Hifumi-san to the mansion for medical treatment! Since Origa-san has fallen down as well, go together to the mansion!" (Alyssa) Towards the two flustered women, Alyssa, the youngest of them, called out. She also issued an order to the soldiers to keep composure and continue the shooting. "Th-That's right, if we don't hurry with the medical treatment ..." (Kasha) Although she pondered whether this might possibly be her chance to get in touch with Pajou, with only one arrow having struck him and Hifumi possessing high-ranking healing medicine, Alyssa would naturally have considered the time for medical treatment. Kasha summoned two soldiers and gave them the instruction to remove a door of a nearby house and carry Hifumi on top of it. She herself lent her shoulder to Origa. Even though the front line, having seen off the two leaders, fell into confusion temporarily, they were propped up by Alyssa's extremely unsuited fiery encouragement. "Hey there! Aim properly while shooting!" (Alyssa) The territorial soldier, having his back clapped, suppressed his impatience and aimed at the next enemy. The soldiers, who took their rest in turns, were astonished by the stoutheartedness of Alyssa. "The chief is calm for sure." "After all, that was Hifumi just acting." (Alyssa) Though it was different for Origa, Alyssa said. "Hifumi-san had been looking for a chance to pretend getting injured. Since he withdrew to the mansion after actually getting injured... ah!" (Alyssa) Incidentally having exposed something outrageous, Alyssa began to panic. "Fo-Forget what I've said! I was told to aim for the enemy general once Hifumi became injured! Aim at that guy and quickly kill him off! After hitting him, cease shooting for a short while!" (Alyssa) That place was pierced almost simultaneously by several spears. Buer died without even understanding what had happened to him. The Vichy soldiers, seeing their general shaking violently and dropping from his horse as well as losing the audible voice forcing them to persist in this dangerous place, noticed that the downpour of spears had ceased. And then, as there wasn't any commander left any more, the soldiers chose to retreat rather than attack. Even those soldiers clustered in front of the gate, watching their allies in the rear fleeing, escaped from the gate at full speed. "Well then, open the gate! Half of you will accompany me to drive the enemies away until the national border! The remaining half will clear the area in front of the gate!" (Alyssa) Other than Alyssa's orders the territorial soldiers couldn't follow on how easily the battle had ended. But as Alyssa told them that it wouldn't work out if they didn't purge the enemy before the residents returned to the city, they started to move without complaining within a tight schedule. The Vichy's side residents were temporarily moved to the plaza in front of the mansion. But none of those residents were told that the Vichy army had been repelled. Because they approached that place carrying the injured Lord, the area around of the mansion became noisy. With the notification of the arrival of the reinforcements brought about by pressing for answers, great cheers were raised. Entering the city, she confirmed the matter about Hifumi's injury with several of the fief's population. Judging that Hifumi had received a serious injury, she led two thirds of the unit towards the mansion whereas Midas took command of the remaining third. "Please advance into the direction of Vichy." (Pajou) Pushing her way through the populace, she saw off Midas galloping away on a horse towards the gate facing into Vichy's direction. Pajou turned towards the Knight Unit and told them to dismount their horses and draw their swords. She gave the soldiers the order to surround the mansion for the sake of hindering the populace to enter the mansion. Although she felt anxious as things were going a tad too well, missing the opportunity due to being seized by fear was unacceptable she persuaded herself. Together with her comrades she broke into the Lord's mansion where Hifumi was supposed to be.

2箇所ある街の出入り口は、一二三の手勢によって封鎖されており、検査を受ければ入ることができるが、街から出ることは許していない。 封鎖は歩兵部隊である一番隊が担当し、工兵隊である二番隊が菱形格子状に伸縮可能な鉄格子を設置して、出入口を狭くする手伝いをしていた。 斥候隊である三番隊は兵士たちの詰所と代表の館から書類などの情報を回収したり、街の住人に紛れて情報収集を行っている。 「封鎖は問題ありません。何組かの旅人は引返しましたが、この街の住人や商人などは街へ入っております。特に怪しい者はおりませんでしたが、偽装して侵入した者がいないとも限りません」 一番隊の隊員からの報告を聞いた一二三は、そのまま交代で封鎖と検閲を続けるように指示を出し、数名の隊員と共に街中へと進んで行く。途中から、案内役としてアリッサも合流していた。 「どうして、入ることはできても出られないようにしたの?」 一二三の真横から、アリッサが質問してきた。 「物資の流入は極力止めたくない。この状況が広まれば民衆は多少の不便は我慢できるだろう。だが、食料や燃料が入ってこないとなると別だ。生きていけるかどうかの不安が溜まれば、いずれ民衆は暴徒になる。差し当たって生活に影響を与えないように、街へ入る予定だった物資は入れておきたい」 為政者の変更が一通り終わるまでの一時的な措置だから、出られない方は問題無いはずだと一二三は説明した。 「それに、他の街へアロセールの状況が伝わるのは遅いに越したことはない」 話しながらも、人が集まる中心街を足早に歩き、数箇所に張り出された広報を確認していた。一二三がアロセールの役人たちに指示した、オーソングランデへの恭順を住民たちに知らせるための物だ。 商店エリアの中央、大きな広場になっている場所では、字が読めない民衆のために口頭での発表がなされている。 職員が交代であたっているようで、今は応接室で一二三に命乞いをしていたあの女性職員が話していた。一段高い場所に立ち、感情を殺して淡々と説明している彼女の周辺には、街の住人たちが集まっていた。 「この街アロセールは、本日を持ってオーソングランデの一部となりました。一時的に街からの退去が制限されていますが、数日中には解除されます」 「この街は都市国家じゃなくなったのか?!」 「街の兵士たちはどこへ行ったんだ......?」 「なぜ戦争も無いのに代表は寝返ったんだ! これは裏切りだぞ!」 「これからどうなるのかな......」 不安や憤りを職員にぶつける人々は、未だ状況が掴めずにいるようだが、悪口や苦情を諌めたり弾圧したりすることはしないように一二三は指示していた。文句を言っても何もされず、特に生活に影響が出ないことがわかれば、為政者の切り替えも多少は楽になるだろうと思ったのだ。 集まって色々と話をしてる住民たちの横を一二三が通過する。 見慣れない装備の兵を連れて颯爽と歩く姿に、住民たちは彼がオーソングランデからの侵略者だと判断したものの、特に弾圧も暴行もされず、単に公共施設を出入りしているだけなので、遠巻きに観察するだけだった。 ここまでは、概ね狙い通りだと、一二三は判断した。 「あとは、残った戦力をどうするかだな」 「戦力? 兵士たちはもう居ないはずだけど......」 「他にもいるだろうが。そこに案内させるためにアリッサを呼んだんだ」 「どこ?」 「冒険者ギルドだ」 アロセールの冒険者ギルドは、商店エリアの外れにある。 ギルドは一種の独立機関ではあるものの、戦力となる人員が集まる性質上、国との連携はある程度保たれており、魔物の異常発生などで街が窮地に陥った際などは、協力する約束となっている。 戦争となると、兵士でもない冒険者たちを動員することは無いが、依頼として参戦する事を求められるので、冒険者たちの多くが活動拠点とする街への愛着を持っている。もちろん、完全な個人主義者で、国や街がどうなろうと気にしないタイプも多いのだが。 「ここの責任者に会いに来た」 カウンターにいたギルド職員の男に、一二三はオーソングランデ王都で作ったギルド登録証を見せて言った。 「オーソングランデで登録された、一二三さんですか......え?」 登録証を見た職員は、目の前の若者がこの街を落とした人物だと気づいたらしい。 「その......何の御用でしょうか?」 「このギルドが提携する国が変わるんだ。挨拶に来たんだよ」 「し、しかし......」 「ギルドが独自に俺と対立するという事なら、それでもいい。だが」 一二三が、連れてきた兵から受け取った包みをカウンターに置いた。話が聞こえたのか、ギルド内に居た冒険者たちは、状況を注視している。 その視線が荷物に集中したのを見計らって、一二三が包みを解いて中身が露わになる。 「ひぃっ......!」 職員の目の前に置かれたのは、この街の代表だったキュルソンの首だった。 苦悶の表情は何かを呪っているかのように見え、職員は声も出せないほどの恐怖で固まった。 「敵どうしになるというなら、どちらかがこうなるまでやりあう事になるが?」 「しょ、少々お待ちください!」 眼前に首を置かれて泡を吹いている職員に変わって、別の女性職員が慌てて一二三に声をかけて奥へ走っていった。 「おい、あれ......」 「街にあった張り紙、あれ本当だったのか」 「じゃあ、この街もオーソングランデになるのか?」 「戦争があったなんて聞いてないぞ!」 冒険者たちがざわめき始めたが、一二三を始め隊員たちは反応どころか目線も向けない。 実は、ギルドに入る前に、何があっても自分からは手を出さないようにと一二三から言いつけられている。冒険者たちを慮っての事ではなく、殺すなら一二三がやるからだ。 責任者を待っている間に、一二三はふと何かに気づいて、隊員たちに外に出て待っているように命じた。 「僕も?」 「ああ、狭いからな」 「狭いから?」 首をかしげながら、アリッサも指示通りギルドから出ていった。 そんなやり取りをしている間に、カウンターの奥から一人の老翁が進み出てきた。 「貴方がオーソングランデから来たという......むぅ」 カウンター上の首を見て、老翁は唸った。 「行政から連絡は来ておったが......本当にこうなっておったとは......」 「新しくアロセールを預かる一二三だ」 唸る老人に気遣うことなく、マイペースに声をかける一二三に顔をしかめたが、首を振って老翁は答えた。 「わしはレシという。このギルド支部の長じゃ」 レシと名乗った白いヒゲを蓄えた老翁は、魔法使いなのだろう、グレーのローブを着ており、手にした杖はシンプルながら握りは宝石がはめ込まれている。 「それで、この街のギルドとしては俺たちをどう迎えるつもり......どうやら、別の客が来たようだな」 「ぼくはこのギルドに所属する冒険者だ! 通してもらおう!」 ギルドの外から、若い男の声が聞こえる。 けたたましい音を立てて開かれたドアから、金属鎧を身につけた、長身の美男子が二人の美女を連れて入ってきた。ローブを来た女性は赤い髪に身長よりも長い杖を抱えている。もう一人の女性は長弓を背負った緑の髪のスレンダーな美人だ。 「レシさん! この状況は一体どういうことですか?!」 美男子は一二三を無視してレシに詰め寄ってくる。 「魔物狩りに出ている間に、街がオーソングランデの兵だらけじゃない。どういう事?」 ローブ姿の女性が美男子に続いてレシに言う。弓を持った女性は黙って見ていたが、カウンターの上の物に気づいて、顔を引きつらせた。 その様子に気づいた美男子がカウンターの首に気づいた。 「こ、これは! おのれオーソングランデめ! みんな、このまま敵にいいようにやられていいのか?! ぼくたちが帰ってきたからには、反撃をするんだ! あいつらをこの街から追い出そう!」 (なんか一人で熱くなってるな) 何やら演説を始めた美男子を冷ややかに見てから、一二三はギルド長のレシに話しかけた。 「あの熱血バカは?」 「このギルドでトップの冒険者、ケリコフじゃ。実力はあるんじゃが、少々冷静さにかける所があってのう」 「で、あいつはああ言っているが、あれがここのギルドの意思という事でいいのか?」 一二三がまっすぐ見据えるのに、レシは首を振った。 「いや、ワシを始め職員一同は一二三様へ従いますじゃ。冒険者はそれぞれがどうするか決めるじゃろう。できれば、寛大な処置をお願いしたいのじゃが......」 「無理だな」 即答され、レシは目を閉じて祈るようにうなだれた。 ケリコフの演説で、数名の冒険者は反撃に参加するつもりのようだ。彼ら同調者から一二三の事を聞いたらしいケリコフは、今度は一二三に詰め寄ってくる。 「キミがオーソングランデの代表という事だが......卑怯な方法で街を襲い、代表を殺害した事は許しがたい罪だ。直ぐにこの国から兵を引き、罪を償え」 真剣な顔で一二三に迫るケリコフを見て、一二三はレシの方を向いて訪ねた。 「こいつは本気で言ってるのか?」 レシはため息をついてケリコフをたしなめた。 「ケリコフよ。当ギルドとしてはオーソングランデ、というよりこの一二三様に従う事に決めたのじゃ。既に敗北しておるのじゃから、余計な騒ぎは起こさんでくれんか」 「何を馬鹿なことを!」 いちいちうるさい奴だと一二三はだんだん面倒になってきた。 「戦いの作法も弁えず、無法な行いをする彼らに屈するのですか! そんなこと、許されるはずが無いでしょう!」 「許すとか許さないとか、誰が決めるんだよ」 「もちろん、正義だ!」 一二三の質問に、ケリコフは自信満々に答えた。 「じゃあ、その正義は誰が決めるんだ?」 「正義の行いは誰が決めるとかじゃないだろう!」 「俺の正義とお前の正義は違うようだな。もう面倒くさくなってきた。この中で、爺さんの決定に従う者はそっちに寄れ。邪魔だから」 一二三が室内のカウンター側を指すと、半分ほどの冒険者がそこへ移動した。さっきからのケリコフの演説を冷めた目で見ていた者たちだ。 「お前たち、この街を思う気持ちはないのか?!」 「そういう一方的な押し付けが嫌なんじゃないか? というより、お前が嫌なんじゃないか?」 一二三のツッコミに、数人が思わず頷いている。 「ぐっ......。まあいい、正義を示せばぼくの言う事も伝わるはずだ! さあ、その腰に付けているのは剣だろう? さっさと抜いて......」 ケリコフが話終わるのを待たずに駆け出した一二三は、ケリコフの脇を通り抜けて、ローブの女に迫った。 「えっ?」 ケリコフの勝ちを疑わず、後ろで観戦する気だった女は、一二三に頭を掴まれ、勢いはそのままに石造りの壁に後頭部を強かに叩きつけられた。 ずるずると床に崩れ落ちた姿を見ると、頭部が潰れている。誰が見ても生きてはいない。 死んだ女の名前を呟いたケリコフの前で、慌てて弓を手にしたもう一人の女も、抵抗する間もなく抜き打ちの一太刀で首を落とされた。 転がった首がケリコフの足に当たり、うつろな目がケリコフを見つめているのが見えた。 「き、貴様は......!」 怒りの言葉は最後まで続かない。 剣を握っていたはずの右手は手首から先がいつの間にか落とされている。 「うぇ......?」 血を流す手首を呆然と見ているケリコフの左目に刀が突き立った。 脳を壊されたケリコフは、物言わぬ死体となった。 一二三はそれには目もくれず、自分の刀をまじまじと見ている。 「ふむ......やはり普通の刀より大分頑丈だな。隙間を狙ったとは言え、金属鎧の部分を斬っても刃こぼれもしないか」 「あのケリコフが......」 抗戦側に立った冒険者たちは、すっかり萎縮してしまったが、一二三は許すつもりは無かった。このまま見逃しても余計な事をするだろうし、何より選択はすでに終わっているのだ。 刀の性能を確かめるように、残った冒険者たちも次々と斬り捨てていく。両腕を失って呻く者、腹を裂かれて血を吐く者、腰から両断された女や、何箇所も突きを入れられて血ダルマになった男もいる。 一人残らず殺した一二三は、死体に囲まれたまま懐紙で刃を拭うと、また刀を点検している。これほどの惨状を生み出した事に、何ら感情を動かしていない。 ギルド側で見ていた冒険者や職員の中には、気を失った者や吐いている者もいる。そして一人残らず、一二三という男に恐怖していた。 レシも例外ではなかった。 冒険者として長く活動していたレシだが、これだけ人を殺すことに特化した技を振るう相手は見たことがない。そして、これほど自然体で人を殺す者も。 「というわけで、不穏分子はいなくなった」 納刀した一二三がレシ達に振り返ったとき、その顔には笑みがあった。 「数日は街から出られないが、その後は普通に活動できるようにする予定だ」 「その、冒険者が報酬から支払う税などはどうなるんじゃ?」 「今まで通りでいい。単に為政者が変わっただけだからな。今まで通り街のために狩りに勤しんでくれ」 片付けはギルドでやってくれと言って、さっさと出て行く一二三の姿を見ながら、職員も冒険者も、ケリコフ達が死んだ理由がわからなくなっていた。 このまま一二三殿の支配が安定して住民に特に被害が無く、今まで通りの生活がもどれば、いよいよケリコフたちは街を守るために戦った勇者から、街の安定を乱した愚か者として扱われるようになるだろう。 「その事の方が残酷かもしれんのう......」 残った右目を見開いて死んでいるケリコフを見て、哀れに思う資格は自分には無いのだろうとレシは思った。

The two entrances to the city were blockaded by Hifumi's troops; and while one could enter the city if he consented to an inspection, no one was allowed to leave. An infantry unit oversaw each of the exists, while the engineer corps set up an iron gridded fence-the grid being shaped in diamonds--so as to narrow the entrances. If needed, it could expanded or contracted. The third corps--the scouts--moved between the guardhouse and the Manor ferrying information and documents; they would mingle with the crowd to gather opinions and rumors. [There are no problems with the blockade. We prevented travelers from attempting to leave, but we do have citizens and merchants returning to the city. Although not one of them appeared at all suspicious, we cannot be certain that no one snuck in disguised] Having heard this report, Hifumi ordered the troops to continue the blockade and the inspections, and departed into a city with a few soldiers following him. On the way he was joined by Alyssa, who would act as a guide. [Why is it that we permit them to enter but not leave?] Alyssa asked Hifumi while walking right beside him. [The less we hinder exchange the better. As this situation continues the citizens will put up with minor inconveniences. However, if food and fuel stop entering the city, that won't last long. Should they fear for their lives, they will soon revolt. Thus, so as to minimize the impact on the city, I plan to allow entrance into the city.] And since the people believe it's a temporary measure while the government is being changed, they shouldn't mind being unable to leave too much. [And the longer it takes other cities to learn of the happenings at Arosel, the better] While talking he continued onward towards the busy city center while confirming the propaganda posted everywhere. Hifumi ordered city officials to post these to notify the citizens that they were now part of Orsongrande. Furthermore, in the marketplace and other highly populated areas he posted criers who declared the same news for those who could not read. The crier would be replaced by another after some time; currently, the speaker was the woman in the reception room who had begged Hifumi to spare her life some time ago. Standing one floor above the rest, she emotionlessly conveyed the information to the public who had gathered before her. [On this day, Arosel has become a part of Orsongrande. Presently, all are forbidden from attempting to leave the city; this ban shall be lifted soon] magic [We're no longer a City-State?!] [Where did all the soldiers go***?] [There wasn't even a war, and the government suddenly switches sides! What treachery!] [What will happen from now on***] The citizens, oblivious to the actual situation, hurled insults and complaints at the criers; Hifumi, however, ordered that these remarks go unpunished and the people remain unoppressed. There is no problem if all they do is complain; once they realize that there is no actual effect on their daily lives they will quickly accept the change. Hifumi passed through the crowd. Seeing a gallant figure escorted by soldiers in never-before-seen uniforms, the citizens figured him to be the Orsongrande invader; however, as her merely was entering the public facility and was not acting violently, they silently watched him. So far according to plan, Hifumi thought. [Now... what to do about their remaining forces] [Forces? No soldiers remain***] [There are others. That's why I called for you, Alyssa, to guide me there] [Where?] [To the adventurer's guild] Arosel's adventurer's guild is right outside the marketplace. The guild is an independent agency within the state and is boasts some strength; however, they also maintain a level of cooperation with the state, and when the state falls into some crisis, they have always promised to help. Of course, they could not be mobilized as any other military unit in case of a war, but they could be formally requested to help; and, driven by love for their country, many would rise to the task. Of course, there are also plenty loners among them--those who don't give a damn about what happens to this country or this city. [We've come to meet you leader] Hifumi said to the man behind the guild counter and showed him the guild card he had made in Orsongrande. [Issued in Orsongrande***Hifumi-san, is it***huh?] Seems like the identification was enough for the attendant to realize that the man before him was the one who had brought the city to his knees. [That is***for what reason?] [The country the guild deals with has changed. I've come to offer my greetings] [H-however***] [If the guild wishes to oppose me, that is fine. But] Hifumi placed a wrapped package on the counter his escorts had carried with them. The adventurers in the guild, as if hearing the entire conversation, were closely watching the scene unfold before them. Their eyes were package on the counter; Hifumi removed the wrapping, revealing its dreadful contents. [Hiii***!] The head of the city representative was neatly placed inside. The anguish on the representative's head inspired such fear into those present that they could not even speak. [If you want to oppose me, but one of us will end up looking like this] [P-p-please wait a moment!] Replacing the attendant who had fainted with foam coming from his mouth, a woman asked Hifumi to wait and hurried inside. [Hey, that***] [So those posters hanging all over the place were for real, huh] [Then this city is now part of Orsongrande?] [But there was no mention of a war happening!] The adventurers were quite noisy, but neither the Hifumi nor his escort as much as bat an eyelid at this noise. Right before they had entered the guild, Hifumi ordered them not to act regardless of what happens; so, they simply didn't even recognize the presence of the adventurers. If someone needed to be killed, Hifumi would do it himself. While waiting for the guild leader to arrive, as if he had noticed something, Hifumi asked his escort to wait outside. [Me too?] [Yeah, it's too cramped] [It's too cramped?] Tilting her head to a side, Alyssa said and left the guild. During this exchange an old man came from the back. [So you are the one who had come from Orsongrande***muh] The old man groaned when he saw the head on the counter. [News did come from the government***but to think it would end like this***] [I'm Hifumi, the new head of state] Ignoring the old man's groans and completely proceeding at his own pace, Hifumi said. The old man grimaced in return, but then nodded and responded, [I am Lesh. The head of this guild] Lesh was probably a mage. He had a white beard, wore a grey robe, and while his cane appeared simple, there was a jewel embedded into the handle. [Now then, how are you planning to treat this city's guild***apologies, seems we have another customer] [I am a member of this guild! Let me through!] A young voice was heard from outside the guild. With a loud noise the doors of the guild burst open and in came a tall lad clad in golden armor followed by two beautiful women. One of the women was robbed, had red hair, and a staff taller than her. The other girl carried a bow and had green hair. [Lesh-san! What the hell is going on?!] The lad ignored Hifumi and called out to Lesh. [We were out hunting monsters and suddenly the city is filled with Orsongrande troops. What's going on?] The robed woman followed up on the lad's comment. The woman with the bow was silent, but then noticed the head on the counter and quickly turned away. The lad then noticed the head on the counter. [W-what abomination***! Those Orsongrande bastards! Guys, we can just treat them as enemies now, right?! Now that I have returned let's launch a counter attack! We'll free the city from these invaders!] (You're the only one who's so fired up, though) After looking coldly at the lad's fiery speech, Hifumi addressed Lesh. [Who's this bloody idiot?] [He is the top adventurer at this guild, Calikoff. He is strong but lacks a composure] [Oh, and can I take his words as the official stance of the guild?] Lesh met Hifumi's gaze, and shook his head. [No, all of our staff will serve you, Hifumi-sama. As for the other adventurers, it is their choice. We pray for your leniency***] [Probably not going to happen] Lesh closed his eyes at the response, and bowed his head as if praying. A few adventurers decided to oppose Orsognrande's rule after hearing Calikoff's speech. As for Calikoff, after hearing about Hifumi from a nearby comrade, he faced Hifumi. [So you are Orsongrande's representative, huh***taking the city by cowardly tricks and killing the representative are heavy sins. Withdraw your troops at once and pay for your crimes!] He shouted with a serious face; Hifumi looked at Lesh incredulously and asked, [Is this guy for real?] Lesh sighed and addressed Calikoff, [Calikoff, it has been decided that the guild with serve Orsongrande and Hifumi-sama. The city has already fallen, can you please no cause any more problems?] [What rubbish!] Little by little Hifumi grew annoyed. [Ignoring all laws of war--who would yield to such tricks! Such actions could not possible be forgiven!] [Forgiven by whom?] [By justice!] Calikoff replied to Hifumi's question. [In that case, who decides that justice?] [Justice isn't something someone decides!] [And yet our definitions of justice differ. But this has gotten annoying. Hey, those who will follow this old man's command go over there. You're in the way.] At Hifumi's command about half of the adventurer's went behind the counter. They were those who were completely unaffected by Calikoff's fiery speech. [You guys, do you not love this city?!] [Maybe they just hate how you force your views on everybody? Or they just hate you?] Hifumi retorted and a few people reflexively nodded, [Guh*** Very well, I will just have to show my justice with my actions! Now then, that's a sword on your hip, isn't it, draw it already***] Without waiting for him to finish, Hifumi had already rapidly lunged at the robed woman behind him. [Eh?!] She did not doubt Calikoff's imminent victory so merely observed it as a sport, so she couldn't even react when Hifumi grabbed her head and crashed it hard into a wall. Her body fell limply on the floor, her head clearly cracked. No one doubted that she was dead. While he was still muttering the name of his fallen comrade, the other girl just reached for her bow but lost her head in the process. Her head rolled up to Calikoff's feet and stared blankly at him. [Y-you bastard are***!!] He never had the chance to finish the sentence. The hand that was supposed to be grabbing his sword now ended at the wrist. [Ueh***?] Calikoff watched dumbfounded as blood flowed from his wrist, and Hifumi used the opportunity to stab him through the eye. His brain thus damaged, he fell a corpse. Hifumi's eyes darkened and he looked intensely at his blad. [Hmph***it truly is more durable than a normal blade. Though I aimed at an opening, I still had to cut through armor, and yet not even a nick in the blade] [C-Calikoff has***] The other adventurers had now stood motionless, but Hifumi did not intend to let them off. If he did, they could go around causing problems, and, most importantly, they have already made their choice. As if to check the quality of his sword, he continued slaughtering every single adventurer around him. Some were groaning without hands, some had their guts spilled onto the floor, some women were cut right in half, and some men now turned into bleeding daruma (limbless). And surrounded by corpses Hifumi wiped his katana and again inspected the blade. Though he has caused such terrible carnage, he was not at all moved. As for those watching this unfold, many lost consciousness. But every single one of them now felt nothing but fear towards Hifumi. Lesh included. Even Lesh who has led a long life of pure combat had never seen anyone so specialized at killing people. And one who could do it so naturally. [And thus we got that out of the way] Hifumi said and turned towards Lesh's group with a bright smile on his face. [You won't be able to leave the city for a few days, but afterwards everything will return to normal] [Umm, how should we pay the adventurer's from now on?] [Do it as you have before. The only thing that has changed is the head of state. The city will run as it always has] Saying that he'll send help to clean the guild up, they watched Hifumi leave; and not one understood for what purpose Calikoff and the rest had to die. And thus even when Hifumi-dono's dominion would stabilize without many civilian casualties, and life returns to normal, there will probably be those who call Calikoff a hero and revolt. [That's a darn shame***] But looking at Calikoff's face, which stared back with only one eye, Lesh realized that he was not allowed to feel pity.

「人を育てるという行為ほど、傲慢なことはありません」 領主館のバルコニーから見えるフォカロルの街には老若男女様々な人々が行き交い、それぞれの人生の中の1シーンを笑ったり泣いたり、一人だったり誰かと一緒だったりして過ごしている。 遠くにそれを眺めながら、オリガは一人ごとのように呟いたが、聞いている者が一人だけいる。カイムだ。 「誰もが一度だけの自分の人生を懸命に生きています。それに口を出し手を出し、その行く末を教育と言う名目で歪めてしまうのです。未来は誰にもわかりませんが、誰もがこれが正解かなんてわからないまま生きています」 「......奥様は、教育に関して何かしらお考えのようですが。何か問題でも見つかりましたでしょうか?」 「いいえ」 オリガはくるりと振り向いて、カイムにニッコリと微笑む。 「主人の......一二三様のなさる事に間違いはありません。この街で行われている教育も訓練も、全て一二三様の深いお考えによって生み出されたもの。誰もが迷いながら選ばなければならない人生の道筋に、光が見えている私たちの幸運を考えていたのです」 オリガはバルコニーから部屋へと入り、そっと執務室の椅子へと腰を下ろした。 「それで、準備は整ったのですか」 「大きな問題はありません。トラブルは全て想定内に収まり、解決済みです。ここまでは予定通りに進んでおります」 「それは重畳」 書類に目を通したオリガは、さっとペンを走らせサインを書き込み、カイムへと手渡す。 「では、私も当初の予定に従い、再度王都へ向かいます。明日の正午には出発いたしますので、護衛の手配をお願いいたします」 「全ては、あのお方の願いを叶えるため......」 瞼を閉じると、脳裏に浮かぶ一二三の顔。 「わかっているとは思いますが、これは一二三様が私たちに課された“宿題”でもあります」 「承知しております。私も領主様の意向を充分に理解しているつもりです。どうか、フォカロルの事は我々文官に安んじてお任せを」 表情を変えないままに、平坦な口調で言われた言葉ではあるが、そこに嘘が無いことはオリガにはわかっていた。 「ふふ、私も頑張らなければなりませんね」 立ち上がったオリガは、再び外の喧騒へと目を向けた。 夕日に染まりつつある街の中、たくさんの人々が足早に歩く。家路につく者が多いのだろう。 騎士や兵士に対立しているのは、既に獣人たちだけではなくなっていた。 生まれ変わったスラムの獣人との交流は、ソードランテの平民たちから隔意を奪っていく。 スラムの街を巡回する獣人の自警団は、見た目は厳ついものの、人間の街を巡回する兵士たちのような横暴さは全く無く、落し物や軽犯罪にも親身に対応するものが多かった。 なし崩しにスラムの代表者として祭り上げられたレニとヘレンも、積極的に人間から学び、ヘレンは店舗エリアの責任者として駆け回り、レニに至っては人間側との窓口として多くの人間や獣人から頼られる存在となっていた。 人間から見ると、恐ろしいイメージの獣人とはかけ離れたレニの見た目と穏やかな性格は安心感と庇護欲を与え、獣人からは人間の知識をいち早く吸収し、獣人の街を作り上げた立役者として尊敬の念を集めた。 そんなレニは、当然ながら戦闘に関してはからっきしで、戦うということに対しては忌避感が拭えない。 「人間と戦うことになるんですか!?」 目を白黒させて驚くレニに、ゲングは重々しく頷いた。 彼の背後では、腕を組んだ一二三が口を出さずに状況を見ている。 「既に自警団の有志と、この街を守るために戦う準備をしておりやす。一二三さんの指導で、この街を守るために」 「......どうにかして、戦いは避けられませんか?」 人間と戦うことになれば、折角友達になれた人々とも敵どうしになる、とレニは涙を流した。 「頑張って、みんなで頑張ってここまでできたのに......」 「レニさん......大丈夫です。獣人だけでも何とかやっていけやすよ。人間の街から物が入ってこなくなったらしばらくは大変ですが、他の連中も随分慣れやしたから」 レニをなだめるように言葉を並べるゲングに、一二三が後ろから冷たい声で言う。 「そんなに単純なわけないだろう。お前ら、人間の馬鹿さを甘く見すぎ」 「ば、馬鹿さって......一二三さんも人間でしょうや」 「俺は自分が賢くない事を知っているから、まだマシな方だ。こういう独裁国家で地位とか生まれとかの薄っぺらな根拠に縋って生きている奴の醜さに比べたら、俺のようにどうどうと実力を持って人を殺す方がよっぽど上等だ」 それよりも、今から出かけるから、後で混乱したくなければ人間が泊まる部屋を大量に用意しておいたほうがいい、と言い残し、一二三は部屋を後にする。 「あの、一二三さんはどこに行くんですか?」 レニの問いかけに、一二三は振り向いた。 「この街はお前らが守るんだろう? そんなチマチマした戦闘より、人間の街の方に面白い壊れかけがいるから、そっちと遊んでくる」 じゃあな、と一二三は去っていった。 そして、入れ替わりに部屋へ飛び込んで来たのはヘレンだ。 全力で走って来たようで、レニを顔を見るなり地べたに座り込んで、ぜぇぜぇと肩で息をしている。 「ヘレン、どうしたの?!」 「人間が、たくさんの人間が......」 「まさか、もう攻めて来たので!?」 こうしてはいられない、と飛び出そうとするゲングの服を掴み、ヘレンは首を振った。 しっかりと服を握ったまま、何とか息を整えたヘレンは、ゲングとレニを交互に見た。 「人間が、助けを求めてスラムに入ってきたの! それも、何十人も!」 人間も獣人も殺されるという事件が続き、貴族階級や富裕層が住むエリアは厳戒態勢となり、兵士や騎士が昼夜問わず街中を巡回していた。 平民たちの間にも当然恐怖は広がっていたが、ソードランテの上層部の指示もあり、兵士たちは平民に対して非常に冷淡だった。 「どうしてこっちまで巡回してくれないんだ! 以前は用もないのに来てる兵士だっていたじゃないか!」 貴族街への入口で、どこかの店の店主だろう中年の男が、兵士たちに向かって叫んでいる。 「今は非常事態で通常の巡回とは違うんだ。いいから帰れ」 「お前は、いつも店から商品をタダで持っていくクセに、いざとなったら何の役にも立たないんなら、次からはしっかり金はもらうぞ!」 「あれはその時にお前たちの安全を守ってやってる分の礼として貰ってやっただけだ。それとこれとは関係ない」 とぼけた顔で話す兵士に、男は殴りかかろうと拳を握ったが、駆けつけてきた他の商店主たちに羽交い絞めにされて引きずられて行った。 「馬鹿野郎! あのままだと兵士に殺されていたぞ!」 「あの兵士は、あの兵士は毎日のように俺の店からパンをタダでかっぱらって行きやがって、それなのに......」 自分たちの店がある場所まで戻ると、男はとうとう泣き出してしまった。 この男も他の人間たちも、平民としてこの街で生まれてからずっと生きてきた。横暴な振る舞いをする兵士相手だったが、被害は少額だった事もあり、それで治安が守られるなら、と我慢していたのだ。 誰もが、泣きたい気持ちは同じだった。 「......落ち着こう。別に俺たちが殺されると決まったわけじゃない」 「でもよ、犯人からしたら兵士の巡回も無いんじゃ狙われ放題じゃねぇか?」 男たちの間に沈黙が重くのしかかる。 彼らだけの問題ではない、妻や子、そして大切にしていた店があり、中には老いた親を抱えている世帯もある。万一があってから、では遅いのだ。 「......スラムの連中を頼ろう」 「獣人の店を作ってる大工の連中か? 確かに腕っ節はあるだろうが......」 「いや、獣人たちに護衛を頼もう」 肉屋をやっている男が小さな声で提案した内容は、すぐには受け入れられなかった。 「な、何を考えてるんだ。敵を呼び寄せるような真似をするのか?」 「そうだぜ。獣人が街をうろついてるのを見たら、兵士たちが何を言ってくるか......」 「その兵士が来ないから、こんな話をしているんだろうが」 決して大声ではなかったが、肉屋の言葉は他の男たちを黙らせるのに充分だった。 「大工たちがな、獣人に頼まれて肉を買いに来ることが多いんだ。別に騙されてるとか脅されてるとかじゃなくて、なんというか、友達の頼みで来たって感じでな」 「そう言えば、俺のところにもそんな客が多くなってきた」 八百屋が同意すると、金物や木製品の小物を売る店の店主も思い出したように頷く。 「俺は、つくづく人間の兵士が嫌になった」 俯きがちに話していた肉屋は、顔を上げて真剣な目をした。 「家族に話して、一度スラムに家族と一緒に話をしに行く」 「待ってくれ! 俺も行く!」 毅然として歩き出した肉屋に続き、八百屋も声をあげて追いかけていく 残った数名の男たちは顔を見合わせ、眉をひそめる。 「......俺も、行く。役に立たない人間と付き合うより、気のいい奴らなら獣人と過ごした方がずっとマシだ」 泣いていたパン屋が立ち上がって歩き出した。 残った男たちもしばらく話し合い、農夫や猟師たち、大工も交えて話し合った結果、獣人がどうしても受け入れられない数名を除いて、多くの平民たちがスラムに出入りする大工を通じ、獣人に街の巡回や家族の保護を依頼することになる。 「かわいそうになぁ。すっかり狂ってしまったか」 夜に出歩く者もいなくなり、兵士すら巡回することも無くなった街。 ゴーストタウンと言ってもおかしくない程、街の住人も減っていた。多くがスラムへと助けを求め、街へ残った者は息を潜めて家の中に閉じこもっている。 「でもまぁ、その方が獣人らしいと思うぞ」 そんな暗い夜道で、牙を剥いたサルグを指差しているのは一二三だった。 刀も持たず、丸腰のままで左手は懐に差し入れたまま、右手でまっすぐに獣人を差す。 「狂っただと......? 俺こそが獣人たるべき自由を愛する精神を守っている! 人間ごときに何がわかる!」 「自由なぁ」 激昂して叫び声を上げるサルグに対し、一二三は自然体のままで笑っている。 「自由を押し付けて、拒否されたんだろう? お前の言う自由は、他人に不自由を押し付ける自由か? 傲慢を押し付ける力がある奴だけが堪能できる自由なら、人間の国の方にもそこいらに転がっているぞ?」 結局は、押し付けで名ばかりの自由が受け入れられないから、子供のように喚いて暴れているだけだ、と一二三はサルグを言葉で斬る。 「ぐぅおおおお!」 もはや言葉で返すこともできず、サルグは身体を低くして四肢を使って駆け寄り、そのまま一二三の腹に向かって牙を剥いた。 「おおっと」 一二三は袴の裾をつまみあげてマタドールのように身体をひねってやり過ごすと、通りすぎるサルグのすねを思い切り蹴り飛ばした。 「ギャン!?」 土煙を上げ、走る勢いのまま地面を転がったサルグは、痛む足をこらえながら立ち上がる。 「お前と、な」 一二三は再びサルグを指差す。 「似ている奴がいるぞ。この国の王を名乗る奴だ。獣人を殺し、過去と今の戦闘力を吹聴して周囲を従えている。お前と同じ、傲慢な自由を力で押し付けている」 話している間にも、サルグは一二三を攻撃する。 まるで金属のような音を立ててカチ合う牙の攻撃も、鉄ですら切り裂きそうな鋭い爪の振り抜きも、柳のようにゆらゆら揺れる一二三にかすりもしない。 「王が語る自由とは、獣人や平民を虐げて得られる立場に自らが在る事だ。それはお前がやっている事と、何か違うか?」 熊の獣人らしく力任せに振り下ろされた拳は、一二三に当たらず地面を殴る。 大きな木槌を叩きつけたような音が響いた。 真っ直ぐに突き立てられたサルグの腕、その肘の外側にある痛覚のツボに、一二三が軽く突きを入れた。 しびれるような痛みに、さすがのサルグも腕を抱えこんだ。 「ならば、証明して見せろ。お前は獣人を開放するのが目的だろう? 人間のボスを倒して獣人を人間の街という枷から解き放ちたいと思うなら、こんなところで土にまみれて転がっている場合じゃ無いだろう」 一二三の指が、今度は城を差している。 「あそこにいるぞ、お前の自由を阻害する者が。獣人を街という檻に閉じ込め、荒野という広い世界を忘れるほどに人間の生活を押し付けた元凶が。考えろ、ここで俺と戦っている場合か?」 痛む肘をさすりながら、一二三を睨むサルグだったが、その言葉にはしっかりと耳を傾けていた。 「......なぜ、俺に王を殺させようとする?」 サルグの疑問に、一二三は簡単だ、と答えた。 「獣人が戦う事は本能だと思うからな。ちょいと後押ししてやろうと思っただけだ」 ブルブルと首を振ったサルグは、腕の毛皮にまとわりつく土埃を叩いて落とす。 「人間を殺す後押しだと......? 俺には、お前の行動も考えも理解できん。だが、戦う事が本能というのは素直に賛同する。そして戦うべき相手は、確かに人間のボス、王だ。その周りにいる人間と、人間に飼いならされた獣人を殺していくつもりだったが......」 サルグは、城の方を見つめた。 「王とやらが真の元凶というのなら、まず王を殺してやる。それが嘘でも構わない。また違う人間を殺せばいい。人間が減り、俺の行動を見れば、いつか、この街の獣人たちもわかってくれるだろう」 いつの間にか、サルグの目は穏やかな光を帯びたものになっていた。だが、その瞳の奥にある狂気が、些かも弱まっていない事を見てとった一二三は、嬉しくて顔がニヤける。 「それがわかったなら、早く行け」 一二三に促されたサルグは、痛みも忘れて城に向かって走り去った。 それを見届けた一二三は、収納から鎖鎌を取り出した。 「さて......くまさんの戦いを見物させてもらおうかね」 路地に入り込んだ一二三は、袴の股立を取り、風を引き裂くような速度で走り出した。 大通りを駆けるサルグですら追い越し、先に貴族街へとたどり着くほどに。 そのまま巡回の兵士を無視して駆け抜けた一二三は、城が見える位置に立った。 門は開いており、門番たちの向こうに見える広い庭には、かがり火に照らされ、騎士たちとその後ろに兵士たちがズラリと並んでいる。彼らに向かって壇上に立っている騎士の言葉から、彼らがスラムへと向かう事はわかった。 一二三は夜空を見上げてゆっくりと深呼吸をする。夜でも暖かい空気を吸い込み、乾いた空気の匂いを感じる。 その間に、騎士と兵士たちは城を出発し、スラムの方へと向かって進んでいく。 一二三は彼らに構わず、方角からサルグともぶつからないだろう事だけを確認する。 「さて、城では王と熊の対決。スラムでは羊が率いる獣人連中と騎士や兵士の対決か」 そして決着がついた後は......と想像し、鎖分銅をくるくると回しながら、一二三はニヤニヤと笑う。 「どう転んでも、なかなか楽しめそうだ」 一人のよそ者が楽しむための、ソードランテの長い一夜が始まった。

"The act of educating people is nothing arrogant." In the city of Fokalore, seen from the balcony of the Lord's mansion, various men and women of all ages are going back and forth. For each person it's one scene in their life; be it that they are laughing or crying; be it that they are spending their time together with someone or are by themselves. While gazing at it from a distant place, Origa murmured that as if being by herself, however there is a single person listening to her. It's Caim. "Everyone is earnestly living the one life they have. Extending our hands to them and talking with them, we end up twisting their fates under the pretext of education. No one knows about the future, but everyone is living without knowing whether theirs is the correct way." (Origa) "... Madam seems to be thinking in some ways about education, but did you discover some problem?" (Caim) "No." (Origa) Origa turns around with a whirl and smiles sweetly at Caim. "There's no mistake in what my husband... Hifumi-sama is doing. The training as well as the education carried out in this city are all things created by Hifumi-sama's profound ideas. I thought it is our fortune to see the light ahead on the path of life, everyone must choose while hesitating over it." (Origa) Entering the room from the balcony, Origa quietly sat down on the office's chair. "So, are the preparations in order?" (Origa) "There are no larger problems. All troubles have been concluded within our estimations and are resolved. It's advancing as planned up until here." (Caim) "That's excellent." (Origa) Origa, who's looking through the documents, lets the pen fly quickly across the papers, signs them and hands them to Caim. "Well then, in accordance with the first point of the plan, I will head to the capital a second time. Please prepare the escort since I will depart tomorrow morning." (Origa) "Everything is for the sake of granting that gentleman's desire..." (Origa) Once she closes her eyes, Hifumi's face floats up within her mind. "I believe you are aware of it, but this is also the "homework" which was assigned to us by Hifumi-sama." (Origa) "I'm well aware. I'm convinced that I'm adequately comprehending the intentions of Lord-sama as well. Please, be at ease and leave the matters of Fokalore to us civil officials." (Caim) It's words said in a flat tone without him changing his expression, however Origa understood that there was no lie in them. "Fufu, it won't do, if I don't do my best, too." (Origa) Standing up, Origa once again shifted her attention to the hustle and bustle outside. A large number of people walks at a quick pace in the city, dyed by the setting sun. What the knights and soldiers confronted wasn't the beastmen only anymore. The exchange with the beastmen of the reborn slums is depriving the commoners of Swordland from their reservations. Although the vigilante corps, which patrols the slum's city, has a grim appearance, they aren't oppressive, like the soldiers patrolling the human's city, at all. There were many occurrences of minor offences and lost property, they dealt with cordially, too. Even Helen and Reni, who were set up as representatives of the slums little by little, learn from humans pro-actively. Helen ran around as representative of the shopping area and Reni became a reliable existence for many beastmen and humans as point of contact for the human's side. Seen from the viewpoint of the humans, the appearance of Reni, who was very different from the terrifying image of beastmen, gives a sense of security with her gentle character and triggers a desire to protect her. She gathered a feeling of respect as key person, who built up the beastmen's city by quickly absorbing the human's knowledge as beastgirl. Such Reni naturally isn't able to completely eliminate her evasive nature towards fighting and combat. "It will result in a battle with the humans!?" (Reni) Gengu solemnly nodded to Reni, whose eyes darted about in surprise. Behind him Hifumi is watching the situation without interrupting the conversation while folding his arms. "We are already preparing to fight for the sake of protecting this city with the volunteers of the vigilante corps ~ssu. To guard this city with Hifumi-san's guidance." (Gengu) "... Aren't we able to avoid the battle in some way?" (Reni) "If it turns into a fight with the humans, the people, who became our friends at great pains, will also become mutual enemies", Reni shed tears. "I will keep at it, we got up to this point by everyone doing their best and yet..." (Reni) "Reni-san... it will be alright. Even if it's only the beastmen, we will somehow get through it ~ssu. It will be difficult for a while, if the people from the human's city don't come here, but they other guys have gotten quite skilled ~ssu." (Gengu) Due to Gengu lining up words after words in order to calm Reni, Hifumi says in a cold voice from behind, "It won't likely be that easy. You guys take the human stupidity far too lightly." (Hifumi) "S-Stupidity, you say... aren't you a human, too, Hifumi-san." "Since I'm well aware of the things I'm not knowledgeable about myself, I'm still on the better side. If you compared it to the ugliness of fellows, who are living by clinging to such things as birth right or status in such dictatorship, it will be a lot better to kill people, who possess a fair amount of ability like me." (Hifumi) "Also, putting that aside, since I'm going to depart now, it would be better, if you prepared a large amount of rooms for the humans, who don't want to be mixed up in the following mayhem", leaving those words, Hifumi heads towards the room's exit. "Umm, where are you going, Hifumi-san?" (Reni) Hifumi looked over his shoulder due to Reni's question. "You guys are going to protect this city, right? Rather than such slow-paced battle, I will go enjoy myself over at the human's city since it will be more fun to break that place apart." (Hifumi) "See ya", Hifumi went away. And, as if changing place, Helen plunged into the room. Apparently having come by running at full speed, she sits down on the ground right after having seen Reni's face and breathes heavily with a *pant pant* "Helen, what's wrong?!" (Reni) "Humans are, a lot of of humans are..." (Helen) "No way, did they already come attacking!?" (Gengu) Grabbing the clothes of Gengu, who tries to rush out while saying "I can't idle around like this", Helen shook her head. While tightly clutching his clothes, Helen somehow got her breathing in order and looked at Gengu and Reni in alternation. "The humans came entering the slums wanting to help out. And in addition to that, there are several tens of them, too!" (Helen) With the successive affair of beastmen and humans being killed, the residential area of the nobles and rich went on high alert. Soldiers and knights patrolled the whole block, regardless of day and night. Naturally fear spread amongst the commoners as well, but upon the order of Swordland's upper echelon, the soldiers were very indifferent towards the commoners. "Why don't you patrol our place!? Wasn't it you soldiers, who came here before although you had no business with us?" At the entrance to the noble block, a middle-aged man, who's likely the shopkeeper of some store, is yelling at the soldiers. "With the current state of emergency, the patrol is different from our usual routine. Listen up and go home." "If you are some good for nothing once push comes to shove in addition to your bad habit of always taking away merchandise from my store for free, I will have you pay money properly from the next time onwards." "That was simply received as your share of gratitude for protecting your guys' safety. This and that have no relation with each other." Due to the soldier talking while having a blank facial expression, the man clenched his fists and was on the verge of hitting him, but he had his arms restrained and was dragged away by the other shopkeepers, who rushed over. "Idiot! At this rate you would get killed by the soldier!" "That soldier, that soldier has snatched bread from my store almost everyday, despite this..." Once they returned to the place, where their own stores are at, the man finally burst into tears. This man as well as the other humans were born and always lived in this town as commoners. Although the group of soldiers behaved in an oppressive manner, it's also true that the harm was small. Because of that, they endured it as long as the soldiers were keeping the public order. All of them had the same feelings of wanting to weep. "... Calm down. It's not like it's particularly decided that we will be killed." "But, ya know, Won't the criminal then aim as much as possible at the places where the soldiers ain't patrolling?" A heavy silence falls upon the men. It's not only their problem. There's their wives and children as well as their cherished stores. Some of them are taking care of their old parents, too. It will be too late once they run into an emergency. "... Let's rely on the folks from the slums." "The group of carpenters, who has built the beastmen's stores, you mean? Certainly, they probably have some physical strength, but..." "No, let's request guards from the beastmen." The subject, proposed in a small voice by a man who's working as butcher, couldn't be accepted right away. "W-What are you thinking? Do you want to act as if calling for the enemy?" "That's right. What will the soldiers say, if they see beastmen loitering around in the city...?" "We are having such a conversation because those soldiers won't come here though." By no means it was in a loud voice, however the butcher's words were enough to silence the other men. "It has been many times that the carpenters have come to buy meat requested by the beastmen. It's not like they were particularly threatened or deceived to do so. How to call it? Ah, yea, it was a feeling of a friend doing a favour." "Which reminds me, there were many such clients at my place as well." Once the greengrocer agrees with it, the shopkeeper of the store, which is selling small articles of wooden products and ironware, nods as if he had remembered it, too. "I've gotten completely sick of the human soldiers." The butcher, who spoke while looking down, lifted his face and seriousness was reflected in his eyes. "I will talk with my family and go to the slums to talk about moving there temporarily with my family." "Please wait! I will go too!" Following the butcher, who headed out walking with resolution, the greengrocer also raises his voice and runs after him. The remaining lot of men look at each other's faces and knit their brows. "... I will also, go. Rather than going along with useless humans, it will be a much better way to support the beastmen, if they have a good heart." The sobbing baker stood up and walked away. Discussing it among the remaining men for a while and as result of talking it over together with the the farmers, hunters and carpenters, many commoners, except several people who can't accept the beastmen no matter what, have decided to request the beastmen for the protection of their families and the patrolling of the city by using the carpenters, who are entering and leaving the slums regularly, as liaisons. "Aren't you pathetic? You ended up going completely mad, didn't you?" It's the night in the city, devoid of any people taking a stroll and with even the soldiers doing their rounds missing. Although you might call it a ghost town, it isn't odd. The residents of the city have diminished after all. With many requesting help from the slums, those, who remained in the city, are holding their breaths and secluding themselves within their homes. "But well, I think that this way is beastmen-like." (Hifumi) In such dark night alley it was Hifumi pointing at Salgu, who was snarling at him. Without even holding his katana, he extends his right hand straight at the bearman while having his left hand inserted in his bosom in a state of being unarmed. "Mad, you say...? I'm protecting the spirit of loving freedom, which ought to be the rightful way of beastmen! What would a human like you know about that!?" (Salgu) "Freedom, eh?" (Hifumi) In response to Salgu, who raises his voice into enraged yelling, Hifumi laughs in a natural stance. "Forcing a freedom that was refused, right? The freedom you are talking about is a freedom pushed as inconvenience onto others, isn't it? If it's a freedom of having one's fill of killing by fellows, who just have the power to force their arrogance onto others, the human country's side has been plastered all over with it." (Hifumi) "In the end you are only rampaging around and crying like a little child because your compulsory make-believe freedom hasn't been accepted", Hifumi cuts Salgu with his words. "Guuoooo!" (Salgu) Without being even able to return any words anymore, Salgu lowers is body and rushes over using his four limbs. He bore his fangs towards Hifumi's abdomen. "Uuh-oh." (Hifumi)magic Hifumi picked up the hem of his hakama with his fingers, twisted his body like a matador, let him go past and kicked the lower leg of Salgu, who went too far, with all his strength. "Gyan!?" (Salgu) Salgu, who fell to the ground with the momentum of running, raises a cloud of dust and stands up while bearing the pain in his foot. "Hey, you." (Hifumi) Once again Hifumi points at Salgu. "There's a fellow, who resembles you. It's the guy, who calls himself the king of this country. He is announcing his past and current fighting strength and his surroundings are obeying him. Same as you he is forcing his arrogant freedom with strength." (Hifumi) Even while he is talking, Salgu attacks Hifumi. The attacks of his fangs, which are making sounds as if made out of metal, and the swings of his sharp claws, which look as if they would even cut through iron, are not even remotely close to hitting Hifumi, who is slowly swaying like a willow. "The freedom, the king is talking about, is about himself being in a position, which enables him to tyrannize the commoners and beastmen. How is that any different from what you are doing?" (Hifumi) The fist, swung downward with all the might apparent in a bearman, strikes the ground without hitting Hifumi. A sound, as if a huge wooden mallet stroke into something, reverberated. Hifumi made a light thrust at the acupuncture point for the sense of pain, which is located at the outer elbow of Salgu's arm, which was directly stabbed towards the ground. As expected, even Salgu had to hold his arm due to the arm's soreness similar to turning numb. "If that's the case, show the proof. Your objective is to liberalize the beastmen, right? If you believe that you want to release the beastmen of the fetters called the human's city by defeating the human's boss, you don't have the time to be rolling around while being covered in dirt at this place, right?" (Hifumi) Hifumi's finger points towards the castle next. "He is over there; the one who's obstructing your freedom. He is the main cause of locking the beastmen in the cage called city and forcing them into a human lifestyle to the degree of making them forget the vast world called wastelands. Think, do you really want to fight me here?" (Hifumi) Salgu glared at Hifumi while rubbing his hurt elbow, but he carefully listened to Hifumi's words. "... Why are you trying to have me kill the king?" (Salgu) Hifumi answered "That's simple" to Salgu's inquiry. "It's because I think that fighting is the beastmen's instinct. I just thought I would give a little push." (Hifumi) Salgu, who shook his head with a trembling, claps the fur of his arms to get rid of the dust. "Pushing to kill a human, you say...? For me your way of thinking and behaviour is incomprehensible. But, I will frankly approve about me fighting because of my instinct. And, the opponent, who I ought to fight, is definitely the human boss, the king. I intended to go kill the beastmen, who were tamed by humans, and the humans in the king's vicinity, but..." (Salgu) Salgu stared in the direction of the castle. "If the one called king or whatever is the true ringleader, I will kill the king first. It doesn't even matter if it's a lie. It will be fine, if I kill a different human, too. If they see my actions and the number of humans decreasing, the beastmen of this city will likely understand it as well." (Salgu) Before realizing, Salgu's eyes were tinged with a light of calmness. However, the madness, which dwells within his pupils, hasn't abated even a bit. Hifumi, who saw that, breaks into a smile with a delighted expression. "If you got it, hurry up and go." (Hifumi) Salgu, who was urged on by Hifumi, ran away towards the castle, even forgetting his pain. Making sure of that with his own eyes, Hifumi retrieved the kusarigama from his storage. "Well then... let's go spectate kuma-san's battle, eh?" (Hifumi) Going into an alley, Hifumi picked up the vents at the hips of a pair of hakama and dashed with a speed as if tearing through the wind. Passing even Salgu, who runs on the main street, he finally arrives at the noble block ahead. Hifumi, who ran through while ignoring the soldiers on patrol, stood at a position, where he can watch the castle. The vast garden, visible on the other side of the gatekeepers through the open gate, is illuminated by bonfires. Knights and behind them, soldiers, are lining up in rows. He knew they would be heading towards the slums after the speech of the knight, who is standing on a platform while facing them. Hifumi looks up to the night sky and slowly takes a deep breath. Breathing in the warm air, even though it's night, he experiences the scent of the dry air. In the meanwhile the knights and soldiers depart from the castle and advance into the direction of the slums. Without caring about them, Hifumi only confirms that they likely won't bump into Salgu going by their direction. "Now then, in the castle it's a showdown between the king and the bear. In the slums it's a showdown between the knights and soldiers and the beastmen lot led by a sheep, huh?" (Hifumi) "And after the conclusion it will be..." imagining that, Hifumi smiles with a broad grin while whirling the upper counterweight around. "No matter how it turns out, it looks like I will be able to enjoy myself quite a bit." (Hifumi) The long night of Swordland for the sake of a single outsider's pleasure began.

42.Liar 【演技派俳優(本当に刺さってる)】 館に担ぎ込まれた一二三を見て、文官奴隷の一人カイムは、一瞬だけ眉を動かした。 「カイムさん! 一二三様がお怪我を!」 取り乱したオリガに対し、いつもの鉄面皮を保ったまま、カイムは首を振った。 「落ち着いてください、オリガ様。......あまり多くの者に状況が知られるのは好ましくありません。領主様と共に執務室へお入りください。治療道具をお持ちします」 言うや否や、カイムは背筋を伸ばしたまま奥の部屋へと消えていった。 「ああ、一二三様......私のせいで......」 「オリガ、しっかりして!」 この数分ですっかり憔悴してしまったオリガを励まし、兵と二人でなんとか一二三を彼の執務室にあるソファへ寝かせる。一二三を運んだ兵は、カーシャにここは任せるように言われて前線へと戻っていった。 肩の矢に触れないようにそっとうつ伏せに寝かされた一二三に、オリガは床に座り込んで一二三へ縋り付いている。 「申し訳ありません、私が調子に乗ってしまったばかりに......」 さめざめと泣いているオリガは、不安と悲しみの裏から、一二三が自分を庇ってくれた嬉しさがこみ上げてくることで、自分が嫌になってまた泣いた。 「オリガ......」 カイムを待つ間、カーシャはオリガが心配ながら、一二三の様子からも目が離せない。そわそわと歩きながら、腰の魔法具にポーチの上から触れる。 「......オリガ、これを......」 苦しそうに一二三が目を開け、闇魔法の収納から取り出したのは、瀕死のアリッサを全快させたあの魔法薬の瓶だった。 やはりそれがあるかとカーシャは思い、つい苦い顔をしたが、一二三もオリガも気づいた様子はなかった。オリガに至っては、薬の存在に狂喜して、痛む自分の足など忘れたように笑顔を見せた。 「すぐに、すぐに瓶を開けますから!」 小さな木製の栓を抜くのももどかしく、落ち着けと自分に言い聞かせながら、ようやく栓を抜いた瓶を、オリガは恐る恐る傾けて一二三の肩の傷に少しだけかけて、矢を握った。 「矢を抜きます」 余計な傷をつけないよう、慎重に矢を抜いていく、かなり深く刺さっていたらしく、ズルズルと引き抜いた矢は、先端を15センチ以上も血で濡らしていた。 矢を放り捨てて、急いで魔法薬を傷口に振りかける。 「どうして......どうして!?」 もう瓶の中身のほとんどをかけているのに、一二三の肩の傷が塞がる様子は見られない。 「カーシャ! 魔法薬をかけても傷が治らないの!」 「ウソ......」 矢が抜けたぶん出血が増えた一二三は、既に意識が朦朧としている。オリガはうかつに触れることもできず、絶望した顔でへたりこんでしまった。 彼女の手から落ちた瓶が、床を転がった。 ノックもなく、文官奴隷のドゥエルガルが部屋に入って来て、包帯を握ってノシノシと一二三に近づいてきた。 一二三の前でしゃがんだところで、横に落ちている矢を見る。 「こんなに深く刺さってたのか......こりゃ危ねぇかもな......」 誰かに聞かせるつもりもないつぶやきだったのかもしれないが、オリガの耳に入ってしまった。 「危ないとはなんですか! 魔法薬が効かないのです、もっと他の薬を......」 「お、落ち着いてくれよ。魔法薬が効かない奴は稀にいるって聞いたことがある。何か特別な体質だったりすると、効果が薄くなったり逆効果だったりする場合もあるってな」 噛み付くような勢いのオリガに、ドゥエルガルが思い出したように説明する。 「特別な、体質......」 そういえば、一二三は召喚された“別世界からきた者”だったと、カーシャは思い出した。以前に彼が怪我をした所は見たことはなく、魔法薬どころか普通の傷薬すら使った所を見たことがない。 (それなら......) とにかく止血だけでもするように言うと、カーシャは魂が抜けたようになっているオリガを支えて、治療の邪魔になるからと隣にあるオリガの執務室へと連れて行った。 カーシャたちが出て行って、ひと呼吸おいてから一二三が呟いた。 「ドゥエルガル、お前意外と演技うまいな」 「領主様の方こそよっぽどだぜ。矢付きで帰ってきたと聞いた時は、本気で心配したぜ」 むくりと起き上がった一二三は、懐から懐炉の魔法具を取り出して床に放った。汗は冷や汗ではなく、単に暑いからで、想像以上に熱を持ってきた魔法具で、汗で済まずに火傷しそうだった。 汗を拭った一二三は、魔法薬の瓶を収納から取り出して、乱暴に肩に浴びせた。 あっさりと、傷がふさがる。 「便利なもんだなぁ」 肩を動かし、違和感がないことを確認する。 「ったく、こんなの文官の仕事じゃねぇぞ。それにしても、オリガさんが開けた魔法薬が効かなかったのはなんでだ?」 「前に使った空き瓶の中に水を入れただけだ」 すっかり騙されたオリガが可哀想だと、ドゥエルガルは肩をすくめた。 彼は、カイムを通じて指示書を受け取っており、その内容に従って芝居をうったのだ。オリガを激高させたつぶやきも、もちろんわざと聞こえるように言わされた 「しかし、なんだってこんな面倒なことをやる必要が?」 「調子よく物事が上手く進んでいる最中は、人はよく考えずに突っ走るというのは本当かという実験」 「ふぅん......。偉い人が考えることはよくわかんねぇな」 さほど興味がないようで、適当な返事をしながらドゥエルガルは床に落ちた瓶や矢を拾い集めた。 オリガの執務室へ入るなり、カーシャはポーチの上から魔法具を叩き割った。同じ瞬間、パジョーが持つ魔法具も割れているはずで、間も無く第三騎士隊がこの館に踏み込んでくるだろう。 「カーシャ。やっぱり私、一二三様のそばに......」 「いや、治療の邪魔になるからさ、それより、足は大丈夫かい?」 気遣いつつも、なんとか決着が着くまではオリガを留めておきたい一心で、しっかり肩を掴んで椅子に座らせた。 いつかの別れから、ローブの下に感じる身体の感触は、少したくましくなった気がして、さほどの時間も離れていなかったのに、寂しさを覚えた。 「もうすぐ援軍も来るから、あの人が来たら一緒に王都へ戻ろうよ」 「......あの人?」 何かを察したオリガの視線は、先ほどの不安に揺れる少女の顔から、敵を見る厳しいものに変わっていた。 「援軍が誰か知っているのね。なぜ私が知らない事をカーシャが知っているの?」 刺すような視線に、カーシャは何も言い返せない。 しばらく迷った挙句、全て話して無理にでも連れて行こうと決意したカーシャは、まっすぐオリガの目を見つめた。 「聞いて、オリガ。もうすぐ第三騎士隊がこの館に乗り込んでくる。それで、その......」 「......一二三様を狙うのね」 また、黙るしかなくなる。 「最初から怪しかった。一二三様の事が怖くなって離れていったはずなのに、あっさりと戻ってきて。それにチラチラと一二三様を追う目線。あれカーシャが魔物の様子を伺う時の癖があるのよ。自分じゃ敵わないだろうから、何かを狙ってるとは思ったけれど......この部屋に入ったとき、何かしたでしょう。魔法が発動したような雰囲気がしたもの」 「一二三さんは危険だって、パジョーさんに言われたんだよ。そりゃ、拾ってもらった恩はあるけど、あれはお金を払って買ったわけだし! オリガは一二三さんと会ってからどんどんオカシクなるし! よく考えなよ、一二三さんは良くしてくれたけど、本当なら王族殺しの罪人なんだよ?!」 焦りが、カーシャの声をどんどん大きくする。 まくし立てるカーシャの様子を見ながら、ふらつきながらも立ち上がるオリガは、懐から手裏剣を取り出した。 「や、やめなよ......。また二人で仲良く魔物狩りをしようよ。こんなさ、人を殺してどうこうなんて世界、アタシたちの居場所じゃないよ......」 「剣を抜きなさい、カーシャ。いま、あなたは明確に私たちの敵になったのよ」 館に踏み込んだパジョーたちを出迎えたのは、文官奴隷のカイムだった。 20人を超える集団で突然入ってきた騎士たちに、一瞬騒動になりかけたところを、カイムはいつもの冷徹かつ響く声で「仕事をしなさい」と一声で鎮めた。 「お待ちしておりました」 騎士隊の先頭にいたパジョーに、カイムは頭も下げずに言う。 「待っていたというのは......」 「もちろん、この街の領主たる一二三様が歓迎するという意味です。はるばる王城より軍を率いてこられることは、一二三様より伺っております。今は2階の執務室におります。不躾ではございますが、事は軍務にかかること。私ども文官や職員は近づくなかれと命ぜられておりますので、どうぞ上へお上がりください」 丁寧に話してはいるものの、抑揚も敬意も無い言い方に、パジョーたちは何も言わずにカイムの隣を抜けていく。 彼女たち騎士隊の全員が剣を抜いている事に、カイムも他の誰一人として言及しない。 「良かったのでしょうか?」 カイムと共に経理関係に携わる文官奴隷のブロクラが、不安そうに言うのに、カイムはジロリと視線だけを向けた。 「良いも悪いも無いのです。ここはあの方の城です。理由など、それで充分です」 わかったら仕事に戻るように言われ、ブロクラは彼が動揺する様子が見てみたいと思ったが、方法は見つかりそうになかった。 騎士隊が上がっていた二階の方を見上げて、また兵士たちが片付けに駆り出されるのかと、哀れに思う。 「これは......」 既に事切れたかと、恐る恐るパジョーが近づいた瞬間、猿のように飛び上がった一二三が、騎士の一人を踏みつけて乗り越え、ドアの前に立ちふさがる。 「よぉ、遅かったな」 「な、なんで......」 「ん~、役者が悪かったし、時期も悪かったな。それより、早く剣を構えろよ」 そういう一二三は、無手のままで右足を前に出した半身になり、両手はゆらゆらと前に突き出している。 「素手でこの人数と戦うつもり? それより、大人しく捕まってもらえたら楽なんだけど?」 パジョーが平静を装って語った言葉が終わった瞬間、一人の男性騎士が、一二三に首を掴まれて瞬く間に懐に引き込まれ、首を折られた。 「懐柔に来たわけじゃないだろう。話している暇があるなら、さっさと来い」 騎士の死体を放り捨て、一二三は不機嫌そうに言う。 「誰が考えた茶番か知らんが、面倒な領主を引き受けてあれこれ苦労させられた挙句にこの扱いだ。腹が立つより可笑しみすら感じるわ」 「うぬぅ!」 気合と共に剣をふる騎士は、手首を下から叩かれて剣をそらされ、襟を掴まれて倒された。起き上がる間も無く、拳が喉を潰す。 「斬れ味悪いな。ちゃんと研いでおけよ」 血濡れの剣を放り捨て、水平に斬りつけてきた腕を取って、遠心力をそのままに壁に叩きつけた。顔を打ち付けた騎士は、血を壁に擦り付けながら崩れる。 今度は三人同時に斬りかかってきたが、前に歩いて難なく剣線を避け、一人の膝を背後から蹴り、跪かせて首を捻じる。 死体を一人に投げつけ、もう一人には駆け寄った勢いで腕を取って仰向けに押し倒し、顔面を踏み潰す。 死体の下敷きになってもがいている者も、同様に喉を踏み潰して殺した。 そうして次々と殺されていく同僚を見ながら、パジョーは焦りを感じながらも腰の袋から小さな鉄の粒を取り出した。一二三と初めて会った夜に、見張りを殺した 一二三が最後の一人の首を折りに掛かった瞬間、パジョーは力いっぱい礫を投げつけた。 「おっ」 首を閉めていた相手を突き出し、その顔に礫が刺さる。 突然の痛みに絶叫する騎士だが、すぐに一二三に背中を強く踏まれて心臓が止まった。 「中々いい腕だな。だが、投げる動作はもっとさりげなくしないとな。わかりやす過ぎる」 「ご教授ありがとう。ゴロツキどもはともかく、騎士隊までこんなに簡単にやられるとは思わなかったわ......」 改めて剣を構えたパジョーに、一二三も刀を取り出し、抜いた。 「お前には色々と世話になったからな。時間をかけずに殺してやろう」 「そう簡単にいくかしら?」 「簡単に終わらなければ、それはそれで楽しいもんだ」 朗らかに笑う一二三に、狂人め、とパジョーは奥歯を噛みしめた。 一二三が軽く突きを入れると、パジョーは横から剣で払い、流れるように斬り込む。 半歩引いて剣をかわし、また踏み込みながら脳天に打ち込む。 あわてて後ろに飛び退くパジョーに、振り下ろしが突きに変化して切っ先が迫った。 転がって避けたパジョーが顔を上げたとき、目の前には誰もいない。 「え?」 自分の胸から突き出た刀が見える。 「避ける時も、相手から視線を切るな」 ああ、自分はここで死ぬのだと思うと、パジョーは不思議と落ち着いた気分になった。 「イメ......ラリア......さ、ま......」 ズルリと刀から離れ、倒れたパジョーの顔には、涙が一筋だけ流れていた。 刀を懐紙でぬぐった一二三は、納刀して首を鳴らした。 「じっとしているのは結構骨だったな。さて、あっちの様子でも見に行くか」 騎士たちの死体を踏み越え、一二三はオリガたちのいる部屋へと向かった。

Chapter 42: Liar Seeing Hifumi being carried into the mansion, the lone civil official slave Caim raised his eyebrows for a mere instant. "Caim-san! Hifumi-sama is injured!" (Origa) In contrast with the shaken up Origa, Caim, maintaining his usual prudence without any change, shook his head. "Please calm down, Origa-sama ... it isn't very desirable for many people to know of this situation. Please enter the office together with Lord-sama. I shall be in charge of bringing the medical tools." (Caim) No sooner than saying so, Caim straightened up his back and disappeared in an inner room. "Ah, Hifumi-sama ... because of me ..." (Origa) "Origa, get a grip!" (Kasha) She encouraged Origa, who had been completely haggard for these few minutes. The two soldiers somehow managed to lay down Hifumi on the sofa in that office. As Hifumi had been gently put to lay upside-down so as to not touch the arrow embedded in his shoulder, Origa was sitting on the floor clinging to Hifumi. "I am very sorry, just because I ended up getting carried away ..." (Origa) As Origa, sobbing sorrowfully, hit the bottom of grief and anxiety, she experienced a welling up of happiness due to Hifumi protecting her. Becoming disgusted at herself because of that, she cried once again. "Origa ..." (Kasha) In the time waiting for Caim, Kasha worried about Origa while also keeping a watchful eye on Hifumi's condition. "... Origa, this is ..." (Hifumi) Distorted by pain, Hifumi opened his eyes. From within the darkness storage he took out those magic potion bottles that had saved Alyssa on the verge of death. The existence of the medicine caused Origa to be very delighted once it reached her mind. She showed a smile as if she had forgotten something like the pain caused by her foot. "Right away, I will open the bottle immediately!" (Origa) Getting irritated at the small wooden cork while telling herself to calm down, she uncorked the bottle at last. Timidly pouring just a little on the wound on Hifumi's shoulder, Origa clutched the arrow tightly. "I will draw out the arrow." (Origa) So as to not unnecessarily widen the wound, Origa drew it out cautiously. Apparently it had penetrated quite deeply. She pulled out the arrow with a sound of *zuru zuru*. It was soaked and dripping in blood from the arrowhead 15 cm downwards along the shaft. Tossing the arrow away, she hurriedly sprinkled the magic potion over the wound. "Why? ... For what reason?" (Origa) Despite having already used up most of the bottle's contents, there wasn't any visible sign of the wound on Hifumi's shoulder being healed. "Kasha! Even though I am using the magic potion, the wound isn't getting cured!" (Origa) "No way ..." (Kasha) Origa, who couldn't touch the wound carelessly either, sank down to the floor with despair written in her face. The bottle, dropping from her hand, tumbled across the floor. Without even knocking, the civil official slave Doelgar entered the room and approached Hifumi with heavy steps holding bandages. Squatting down before Hifumi, he looked at the sideways laying arrow. "It had penetrated that deep inside? ... This might be dangerous ..." (Doelgar) Although he had probably muttered this without the intention of anyone hearing it, it ended up entering Origa's ears. "Dangerous you say!? The magic healing potion doesn't work, we have to apply other medicines ..." (Origa) "P-Please settle down. It is rare for the magic healing potion to not work, but I have heard of such occurrences. It was caused by some special constitution. There were even cases where its effectiveness had become weak and even had the opposite effect." (Doelgar) As Origa was emitting a threatening force as if snarling at him, Doelgar explained what he remembered. "Special ... constitution ..." (Kasha) There hasn't been a time when she had seen Hifumi getting injured before. Let alone a magic potion, she hasn't seen him even using a regular ointment. (If that's the case ...) (Kasha) As she told him to stop the bleeding at the very least, Kasha propped up Origa who had turned into a lifeless doll. She took Origa to her own office next door since they would just become a hindrance in the treatment. When Kasha's group left, Hifumi muttered after calming his breath, "Doelgar, you are unexpectedly skilful at acting." (Hifumi) "Not as great as Lord-sama. When I heard you came back with an arrow sticking inside you, I was seriously worried." (Doelgar) The sweat wasn't due to it being cold sweat but merely because of the heat. Due to the magic tool producing more heat than he had imagined, it apparently didn't end with getting sweaty but even scalded him. Having wiped off the sweat, Hifumi took out a magic potion bottle from his storage and roughly poured it on his shoulder. The wound closed itself quickly. "Quite the handy thing." (Hifumi) Shifting his shoulder, he confirms that there is no sense of discomfort left. "Good grief, this isn't the work of a civil official! At any rate, what was that failing magic healing potion that Origa-san opened?" (Doelgar) "It was simple water I filled in a bottle that had been used up before." (Hifumi) Doelgar, towards the pitiful Origa who had been completely deceived, with a shrug of his shoulders. He had acted out the drama as it had been dictated in the scripted play he had previously received from Caim. "However, why was it necessary to do something troublesome?" (Doelgar) "It's an experiment to see whether people really rush without thinking just because things are in the middle of advancing smoothly as often happens on the spur of the moment." (Hifumi) "Fuu~n ... I don't quite understand what people in a high position think about." (Doelgar) Without any particular interest, Doelgar gave a suiting answer while collecting the bottle and arrow that had fallen to the ground. At the same moment the magic tool that Pajou possesses should break as well. Before long the Third Knight Unit would raid this mansion. "Kasha. I want to be next to Hifumi-sama after all ..." (Origa) "No, you will become a nuisance during the medical treatment. Leaving that aside, is your foot alright?" (Kasha) Even while worrying about her, Kasha wanted to stop Origa leaving until things had somehow concluded. Thus she tightly grabbed her shoulder and forced her to sit on a chair. After being separated for five days, feeling the body beneath the robe, Kasha noticed that Origa had become slightly burly. Even though the time they had been apart hadn't been that long, she remembered her loneliness. "Since the reinforcements will also arrive soon, let's return to the capital once that person comes." (Kasha) "... That person?" (Origa) Origa's gaze, showing her sensing something, changed from the girlish face shaking with anxiety just before to something sharp she directed at an enemy. "Do you know someone from the reinforcements? Why does Kasha know something about them I am not aware of?" (Origa) Kasha wasn't able to retort anything towards that piercing look. Finally, after hesitating for a short while, Kasha decided to tell Origa everything and to take her along even if she had to do it by force. She looked directly into Origa's eyes. "Listen to me, Origa. Soon the Third Knight Unit will enter this mansion. And then, they ..." (Kasha) "... They are aiming at Hifumi-sama." (Origa) Once again Kasha was lost staying only silent. "I had been suspicious of you from the beginning. Although you should have stayed away after becoming scared of Hifumi-sama, you returned readily. Moreover your gaze kept following Hifumi-sama from time to time. That is a habit of Kasha while waiting and observing a monster looking for an opportunity. Since it didn't suit your normal self, I though that you were aiming for something ... but once we entered this room, you did something. It was something giving off the feel as if magic had been invoked." (Origa) "I was asked to inform Pajou if Hifumi was in danger. Well, it's not like I forgot about the favor I received by him picking me up, but that only happened because he purchased me by paying money! Origa, you have gradually become weird after meeting Hifumi! Think properly about it, Hifumi often does good things, but in reality, isn't he a criminal who murdered royalty?!" (Kasha) Losing her presence of mind, Kasha's voice became louder and louder. While watching the appearance of Kasha, who was rattling on, Origa stood up despite her light-headedness and took out a shuriken from within her bosom. "S-Stop ... Let us two hunt monsters happily together once again. There is no place for us in a world where killing people is the norm ..." (Kasha) "Draw your sword, Kasha. You have clearly become our enemy now." (Origa) It was the civil official slave Caim who went to greet Pajou's group storming into the mansion. Towards the group of more than 20 knights suddenly entering, although it got close to becoming a turmoil, Caim, donning his usual cool-headed nature and suppressed them by shouting [Don't increase my work!] with a threatening resounding voice. "You have been awaited." (Caim) Caim said to Pajou, who led the Knight Unit, without even lowering his head. "Awaited you say ..." (Pajou) "Of course, it means that the major of this city's territory, Hifumi-sama, welcomes you. I have heard from Hifumi-sama that you took upon yourself to come from the far away royal capital leading an army. Now, please head towards the office on the second floor. Please excuse my impoliteness, but it is a matter of involving the military affairs. Because we, the civil officials and staff, were ordered to not get close, please go on ahead to the upper floor." (Caim) Despite speaking politely, there wasn't even any expression of respect in his manner of speech. Without saying anything, Pajou's group left Caim's side. Neither Caim nor anyone else made a comment towards the matter of her entire Knight Unit having drawn their swords. "Was that alright?" (Brokra) Even as Brokra, being a civil official slave engaged in the accounting management alongside Caim, asked this uneasily, Caim only turned his look towards him blinking his eyes. "There is nothing good or bad about it. This place is the castle of that gentleman. That is already sufficient reason." (Caim) He thought about telling Brokra to return to his work if he understood, but seeing his discomposed state he couldn't find the right words for that. Looking up at the Knight Unit climbing the stairs in the direction of the second floor, he sorrowfully wondered whether he had to summon some soldiers to clean up again. "This is ..." (Pajou) Curious whether he had already died, Pajou approached timidly. In that moment Hifumi jumped up as if he was a monkey and treading on a knight in order to get over the group he landed in front of the door blocking their exit. "Yo, you're late." (Hifumi) "Wh-Why ... ?" (Pajou) "N~ The actors are bad and the stage is crude as well. Leaving that aside, hurry up and prepare your swords." (Hifumi) Like that Hifumi put his right foot in front into a stance with his legs in a L-shape remaining unarmed and pushed out both his swinging hands in front of him. "Do you plan to fight these numbers empty-handed? Rather than that, wouldn't it be more comfortable to get yourself arrested obediently?" (Pajou) Pretending to be calm Pajou spoke those words, but the moment she finished, Hifumi grabbed the neck of a male knight in a flash, drew him into his chest, and broke his neck. "It's not like you came here to gently persuade me, don't you agree? If you have the spare time to yap, then get over here quickly." (Hifumi) Throwing away the corpse of the knight, Hifumi said in ill-humor. "Although I don't know who came up with this farce, after taking over this troublesome post of feudal lord and enduring one hardship after another, this is the treatment I receive in the end. I even feel more amused than angry." (Hifumi) "You!!" The knight, swinging his sword alongside his yell, had his sword averted by Hifumi striking the lower part of his wrist and was brought down while having his neck detained. "The taste of killing them is bad. They should hone their skills properly." (Hifumi) Tossing away the sword soaked in blood, it lopped off the arm coming for a horizontal slash and, using his centrifugal force, he drove the knight into the wall. Now he was assaulted with swords by three knights at the same time, but avoiding the sword's path easily while walking forward, he kicked the back of the knee of one knight and twisted the kneeling knight's neck. Throwing the corpse at a knight, he grabbed the arm of another knight rushing towards him and knocking him down by pushing him with his hands he crushed the face, that was looking up, under his foot. Even the person, who was struggling being pinned down by the corpse, was killed in a similar manner of crushing the throat by stepping on it. While watching her colleagues being killed one by one just like that, Pajou took out a tiny iron pebble from within her pouch at her waist though she felt impatient. The second Hifumi was caught up in breaking the neck of the last knight, she threw the stone with all her might. "Oh" (Hifumi) Thrusting out his opponent holding him by his neck, the stone embedded itself into his face. Although the knight screamed due to the abrupt pain, his heart soon stopped beating as Hifumi immediately tread on his back with force. "You have a considerably good arm. But, the throwing motion has to be done even more casual. Otherwise it is too easily noticed." (Hifumi) "Thanks for the lecturing, even though it's coming from a hoodlum. Anyway, I didn't expect you to deal with the Knight Unit as easily as this ..." (Pajou) Hifumi took out his katana and drew it towards Pajou who had once again set up her sword. "I have received various favors from you. Therefore I will kill you instantly." (Hifumi) "I wonder whether it will be this simple." (Pajou) "If it doesn't end quickly, that will be something enjoyable." (Hifumi) The bright smile of Hifumi and his eyes filled with madness caused Pajou to grind her molars. As Hifumi broke into her range lightly thrusting at her, Pajou brushed off the katana from the side and cut at him in a flowing motion. Dodging the sword attack by retreating a half-step, Hifumi once again stepped forward while aiming at the crown of her head. Pajou jumped to the rear in a hurry. The downward swing of Hifumi's katana changed into a thrust and the katana's point approached her rapidly. When Pajou raised her face after avoiding the thrust by rolling over, there wasn't anyone in front of her eyes. "Eh?" (Pajou) She looked at the katana protruding from her breast. "Even at the time of evasion you shouldn't take off your eyes off your opponent." (Hifumi) , as Pajou thought that, her feelings mysteriously calmed down. "Ime ... raria ... sa, ma ..." (Pajou) Being separated from the katana by slipping down the blade, only a single line of tears could be seen on the face of the fallen Pajou. Getting rid off the blood with a paper, Hifumi returned the katana into its scabbard while cracking his neck.magic "She had splendid backbone to die staying still like that. Well, shall I go and see the situation over there." (Hifumi) Stepping over the dead bodies of the Knight Unit, Hifumi headed towards the room where Origa's group was.

流石に馬の足にはついていけないという二人に合わせ、手綱をとって歩く一二三たちは、林を抜け、日差しが照りつける荒野を進む。 「で、人間の国に行ってどうするのさ」 ヘレンが、頭一つは背が高い一二三を見上げる。 「まずは見てからだな。見て終わりか、潰すか、まあその時に判断する」 「潰すって......」 呆れ顔のヘレンを見て、苦笑いのレニが言葉を続けた。 「一二三さんは反対方向の人間の国から来たんですよね? 荒野に一人で来るのは怖くないんですか?」 「そうだな、怖くは無いな」 しれっと答える一二三に、ヘレンはフン、と鼻を慣らして耳を揺らす。 「虎じゃなくて狼だったらどうなのよ。あいつら集団で襲ってくるらしいから、一人じゃ相手できないんじゃないの?」 「狼の獣人なら何十人か殺したぞ。話かけもせずにコソコソ付いてきて、数人がかりで飛び込んで来たからな。片っ端から鼻をぶって転がして、首を踏み折ってやった」 あいつら、人の言葉が話せないんじゃないか、と一二三は不機嫌そうに言う。 「すごいなぁ」 「そういう問題じゃないと思うんだけど......」 弱肉強食の荒野を進んでいる割には、和やかな雰囲気のままその日の夕暮れを迎える。 一二三が収納からいくつかの料理を取り出して、三人で輪になって食べる。デザートはあの赤い果実だ。 果実の名前は“ボダン”と呼ばれているらしく、多くの獣人が好んで食べるが、綺麗な水があるところにしか出来ないので、たまに見つけるご馳走のような扱いらしい。 今は、彼女たちの目の前に無造作に積まれているが。 「やっぱり、美味しいね」 嬉しそうに笑うレニだが、口周りは果汁で真っ赤だ。 「もうちょっと落ち着いて食べなよ。意地汚いよ」 そういうヘレンも、久しぶりのボダンに笑顔がこぼれる。 「明日から、熊族や豹族のいるエリアを通ることになるんだけど......大人しくしてよね。戦いに巻き込まれるなんてゴメンだから」 お腹が膨れると、ヘレンは一二三に注意を促した。 人間の国に挟まれた荒野は、両端の人間が住む場所に近い位置ほど、強い種族がいるエリアになり、中央部程弱い種族が増える。 川や林が多く、自然の恵豊かな東西のエリアを有力な獣人が押さえているという理由もあるが、人間が弱い獣人を見つけた場合、捕まえて奴隷にする場合があるので、それを避けるために人間より弱い種族は人里を避けるという理由もある。 「この辺りまでは、まだわたしたちのような戦いを好まない種族が多いけど、明日には危険なエリアに入るから」 「なるほどな。じゃあ、案内はそこまででいい。そこから先は方向を教えてくれれば、一人で行く」 あっさりと納得した一二三。 ヘレンは当然という顔をしたが、レニは寂しそうな表情を浮かべた。 「じゃあ、明日でお別れですか?」 「どうせ戻る時には荒野を通るんだ。運がよければまた会うだろう」 「フン、その前に熊や豹に殺されないように、せいぜい頑張ることね」 第一、とヘレンは続けた。 「なんであんたは人間なのに、人間の国を潰そうなんて思うのよ。変な奴」 「理由か。そうだな......」 しばらく考えた一二三は、首を振った。 「簡単に言えば、敵は潰して当たり前だという大前提があるから、だな」 「敵? やっぱり、攻撃されたら反撃するのは戦える人なら当然なんですね」 「いや、それは違う」 レニの言葉をあっさり否定する。 「“攻撃されてから”は遅い。攻撃されそう、で殺すには充分だ」 「それはちょっと、あんまりじゃない?」 「馬鹿言え。攻撃されてそれで反撃する間も無く殺されるかもしれんだろうが。如何に速く、殺すかどうかを判断するのは重要なことだ」 お前と同じだ、と一二三はヘレンを指差す。 「わたしと?」 「聞こえた音を判断して、逃げるべきかを一瞬で判断するように癖が付いているだろう? 少し判断が遅かったら、それが死につながるからな」 「う......確かに」 「俺は戦う力があるから、逃げずに殺す。違いなんかそれだけだ」 一二三とヘレンが話す間、レニは何かを考え込んでいたが、ふと顔を上げて一二三を見つめた。 「やっぱり、戦う力は必要ですか?」 「別に?」 さらっと言う一二三に、きょとんとする二人の少女。 「戦いたいなら鍛えて頭を使って、必死で殺すための努力をするべきだろうけどな。別に世の中の奴全員が武力を持ってないといけないなんて考えてないぞ」 「でも、敵だったら殺すって......」 「俺はそうするってだけだ。戦う気がない、戦えないのがわかってる奴が勝てないやつと敵対するのは阿呆の極みだな。誰かを敵に回して戦う気があるなら、殺されても文句は言えないだろう」 言いながら、一二三は布を敷いて横になる。 いつの間にか、馬も眠る体勢になっていた。 「......なら、あんたも誰かに殺されても文句無いってこと?」 からかうように言うヘレンに、一二三は目線も向けずに答えた。 「当たり前だ。命のやり取りをする以上は、いつ死んでもいいと常に考えるのは当然だ」 明日も歩くから、さっさと寝ろ、と一二三は目を閉じた。 顔を見合わせたレニとヘレンは、人間は不思議な考え方をするんだね、とお互いに首をかしげた。 “騎士の国”と呼ばれる所以は、その国ソードランテの成り立ちが、オーソングランデから離反した騎士隊による入植だったとされているからだ。 開国当時は国と言うにはお粗末な村だったが、しっかりとした防壁を築き、騎士たちについてきた平民たちも次第に農業や狩猟に慣れ始め、百年もする頃には国としての制度も整えられていた。 何より、建国当時の騎士隊の実力が相当なもので、獣人たちと対等に渡り合うどころか、幾度となく襲い来る獣人を完全に撃退していたと言われている。 彼ら騎士たちの中で最も地位の高い者が王となり、他の騎士たちはそれぞれ王を支える貴族として支配体制を形作った。 国といっても大きな街が一つあるだけで、高い壁に囲まれた街を中心に、周囲に農地を広げていった。 実力豊かな騎士たちは、期を見ては獣人を捉えて従わせ、労働力として使役することを選んだ。本来ならば開拓という苦行にも等しい労働に従事していた平民たちも、自分たちより危険な作業をさせられ、ろくに食べ物も与えられずに使い捨てにされる獣人たちを見ることで、心を慰めた。 そして、現在でも獣人を捉えて奴隷とする制度は存在している。 「ちっ。ガキしかいねぇか」 馬を駆る男は、鎧をガチャガチャと鳴らしながら唾を吐いた。 周囲にいる兵士たちは、簡素な革鎧に槍を持ち、周囲を警戒している。 「収穫無しで帰るよりはマシだが、この分だと俺の成績に響くな」 男が視線を向ける先は、覆いの無い荷台を引く二頭立ての馬車だった。 荷台の上には鉄製の檻が乗せられ、中では二人の小柄な獣人がぐったりと横たわっている。一二三が出会った、虎獣人の兄妹だ。 「アンドラス様、周囲には獣人がいません」 移動しますか、と聞いてくる兵士に、アンドラスと呼ばれた男は街からもう少し離れる事に決めた。 あまり街から離れると、彼らが対応できないほど強い獣人が出てくる可能性があるので、慎重に行かなければならない。 開国の頃の騎士たちは、熊や虎の獣人とも渡り合ったそうだが、アンドラスは眉唾だと思っている。今のソードランテにいる騎士たちでは、戦闘が得意な獣人相手では1対1でも互角に戦えるかどうかも怪しい。 「うぅ......」 うめき声を上げ、目を覚ましたのは檻の中の少年だ。 「こ、ここは」 「目が覚めたか。大人しくしてれば、お前ら獣の住処よりもずっといい場所に住めるし、いいモンも食える」 だから大人しくしていろ、とアンドラスは目で威圧をしたつもりだったが、少年は檻から出せと喚き始めた。 一人の兵士を呼びつけて、未だに意識が無い女の子に剣を突きつけるように指示した。 ためらい無く兵士が言われた通りにすると、少年は口を閉ざした。 「静かにしないと、お前じゃなくてそっちのメスガキを殺す。外からちょいと突くだけだからな」 わかったら黙ってろ、とアンドラスは言い捨て、進行方向に視線を戻す。すると前方の木陰に熊獣人の子供が一人、隠れるように眠っているのを見つけた。 「お、幸先がいいな。またガキだが、頭数は揃ったな」 すでに捕まえた気でいるアンドラスの指示で、そろりそろりと兵士たちが熊獣人へと近づく。 槍先を熊獣人に向けた兵士が、あと数歩で接触するかという距離まで進んだ瞬間、 「人間だ! 逃げろぉおおお!」 檻の中の少年が、精一杯の声を張り上げた。 アンドラスが怒りの声を上げたが、熊の子供は既に顔を上げて起き出し、すぐ近くまで近づいていた人間に気づいて驚いている。 「ちっ! さっさと囲め。多少傷モノになってもかまわん」 熊獣人はつぶらな瞳に小さな丸い耳が可愛らしい女の子だった。手足に傷があっても、見た目が良い獣人の娘はそれなりの需要がある。 手間かけさせやがって、と呟いたアンドラスの眼前で、指示に従って駆け足で距離を詰めようとした一人の兵士が突然吹き飛ばされた。 「なんだ!?」 うろたえる兵士たちの目の前、少女を守るように立ちはだかったのは、身長3mを超えんばかりの、巨大な熊獣人だった。 硬そうな毛を生やした太い両手には太く力強い指先に分厚く尖った爪を持ち、むき出しになった牙は怒りに震えている。 「人間め! 俺の娘を狙うなぞ、許さん!」 巨体に似合わぬ俊敏さで兵士に近づき、右手を振り抜くと、破裂音と共に兵士の首から上が無くなった。 さらに近づいていた兵士たちを殴り殺し、突き出された槍を歯で受け止め、蹴りが兵士の腹をぶち抜く。 内蔵をこぼして痙攣している兵士が倒れた時には、熊獣人はアンドラスの目の前まで来ていた。 アンドラスは素早く剣を抜き、馬から飛び降りた。 アンドラスを捉えそこねた熊獣人の爪が、馬の脇腹を引き裂き、悲鳴が上がる。 転がって距離をとり、顔を上げた時には、すぐ目の前まで熊が迫る。 振り下ろされた腕を剣で防ぐ。 何とか止めたが、衝撃で左腕に痛みが走り、折れた、とアンドラスは直感する。 さらに腕を振り上げたところで、右手一本で横なぎに剣を振るう。 熊獣人の胸をかすり、浅い傷を付けるが、構わず振り下ろされた腕を這う這うの体で潜り抜ける。 避けそこねた分、頬をざっくりと切られたが、アンドラスに気にしている余裕は無い。 立ち上がりざまに切り上げたアンドラスの剣は、熊獣人の脇に更に傷をつけた。 だが、アンドラスの奮闘もそこまでだった。 のけぞって避ける体勢を取った熊獣人は、そのまま右足でアンドラスの股間を強かに蹴り上げた。 大きな足のつま先は、アンドラスの急所を潰し、さらにめり込む。 声も出せない程の痛みで地面に倒れ、アンドラスはあっけなく踏み潰されて死んだ。 「ふぅ......」 「お父さん、大丈夫?!」 一部始終を怯えながら見ていた熊獣人の女の子が駆け寄ると、さっきまでの怒りの表情はどこへやら、男は優しく笑ってみせた。 「ああ、もちろんだ。お前の方こそ怪我はないか、オルラ」 「大丈夫。あの子に声をかけてもらったから、怪我する前に気づけたの」 「そう言えば、俺もあの声で気づかされたんだった」 檻に近づいた男は、格子を掴むと力任せに開いた。 「勇気ある行動だった。おかげで俺の娘が助かった。礼を言う」 男はサルグと名乗り、虎の少年の手を引いて檻から出すと、気を失っている少女を優しく抱えて助け出した。 「あの......」 戦いを見て、助けられるまで呆然としていた少年は、意を決して声を出す。 「うん?」 「俺も、おじさんみたいに強くなれますか?」 日々の政務に忙殺されている新たな女王であるイメラリアの元へ、フォカロルから届けられたのは王都訪問の日程を報告する書面だった。 一二三は全く無視していたが、貴族は領地の出入りが自由ではあるものの、不文律として王都へ入る際には届出をするようになっている。王都へ入った貴族を、王が呼びつける場合もあるのと、他意がないことを示すためだ。 「フォカロルから? 一体誰が来られるのです」 一二三が荒野へと長い旅に出たことは、貴族のみならず平民にも知れ渡っており、長年人間と敵対していた獣人との戦いに単身向かったのだ、と新たな伝説が始まるとして、市井の人々の格好の話題となっている。 「王都訪問をされるのは、トオノ伯の奥方のようですな」 書類を読んでいた宰相のアドルは、イメラリアの質問に冷静に答えた。 「陛下への謁見を希望しているようですね。しかも、私にまで同席を求めておるようです」 「オリガさんですか......。しかし、一体どんなご用なのでしょうか?」 「さて、そこまでは記載がありません」 しばらくは首をひねっていたイメラリアだが、考えても仕方がない、と予定を決めておくように指示を出した。 「よろしいので?」 「一二三様の奥様です。無碍にはできません。それに、彼女の意思であれ一二三様の指示であれ、目的は直接確認しておくに越したことはないでしょう」 なるほど、とアドルは頷き、執務室を後にした。 「本当に、居ても居なくても心配させる人ですね......。今頃は、荒野のどこで暴れているんでしょうね」 とてもではないが、荒野で野垂れ死にをしているなんて想像はできなかった。そして、一二三の顔と同時に、随分前に出会った、奴隷だった頃のオリガの顔を思い出した。 「......本当に、何が目的なのでしょうか?」 できれば、一二三が居ない間くらいは、静かにしておいてもらいたいと切に願うイメラリアだった。

Hifumi, who walks holding the reins matching the two beastgirls that can't follow the pace after all, leaves the forest and advances into the blazing sun of the wastelands. "So, what are you going to do once you reach the human country?" (Helen) Helen looks up at Hifumi, who's a head taller than her. "First I will have a look. After looking? I will crush it? Well, I will decide it at that time." (Hifumi) "Crush it, you say..." (Helen) Watching Helen's stunned expression, Reni continued her words with a wry smile, "Hifumi-san, you came from a human country in the other direction, right? Aren't you afraid to travel the wastelands by yourself?" (Reni) "Correct, I'm not afraid." (Hifumi) Due to Hifumi replying nonchalantly, Helen shakes her ears and leaks a snort through her nose. "Unlike with the tigers, how did it work out with the wolves? As it seems that they come attacking in groups, isn't it impossible for a single person to oppose them?" (Helen) "If it's wolf beastmen, I killed several tens of them. Sneakily following me without even striking up a conversation, several of them came plunging at me. Rolling on the ground after having their noses systematically beaten, I stepped on their necks and broke them." (Hifumi) "Aren't these fellows able to speak human language?" Hifumi says seemingly pouting. "How amazing." (Reni) "Though I don't think that's the issue here..." (Helen) Compared to advancing through the wastelands, where it's survival of the fittest, they welcome the evening of that day in a relaxed mood. With Hifumi taking out several dishes from within his storage, the three of them eat their dinner in a circle. Their dessert is that red fruit. Apparently it is called by the name "Bodan." Many beastmen like to eat it, but since it can't be found anywhere but at places with clear water, they apparently treat it as a feast once they stumble upon it occasionally. Currently those are casually being piled up in front of the girls. "They are delicious, after all." (Reni) Reni laughs delightfully, but the area around her mouth is bright red with fruit juice. "Eat them in a bit more refined manner. You are a glutton." (Helen) Even as Helen says so, she spills a smile due to having bodan after a long time. "From tomorrow on we will pass through the areas of the bear and leopard tribes, however... stay docile, okay? I'd like you to excuse us from getting involved in your fights." (Helen) Once her stomach bulged, Helen called out to Hifumi. The wastelands, which are in-between the human countries, have the areas of the strong tribes at the outer edges, fairly close to the locations where humans live on both sides of the wastelands, and the centre of the wastelands, which are inhabited by the weaker tribes. At the edges there are many forests and rivers. But, although there is also the reason of the nature being abundant in the east and west controlled by the strong beastmen, there is likewise the reason that the weaker tribes avoid human habitations, because in case humans discover one of them there are cases of them being caught as slaves. "Up to this point there are still many tribes, like us, who don't like to fight, but tomorrow we will enter a dangerous area." (Helen) "I see. Well, then it's fine with you guiding just that far. Once you tell me the direction to head for afterwards, I will go by myself." (Hifumi) Hifumi consented easily with her. Even though Helen showed a facial expression that it was only natural, Reni had a lonely look. "Then tomorrow will be goodbye?" (Reni) "I will have to pass through the wastelands on my way back anyway. We might meet again if you have good luck." (Hifumi) "Humph. Before that, do your best to not get killed by the bears and leopards." (Helen) "In the first place", Helen continued, "I wonder why a human like you wants to crush a human country? You are a weirdo." (Helen) "A reason, huh? Let me see..." (Hifumi) Pondering about it for a while, Hifumi shook his head. "To put it simply, since I have the principle that it's just normal to crush an enemy, that's the way it is." (Hifumi) "Enemy? Isn't it only natural for humans to fight back, if they are attacked?" (Reni) "No, it's different from that." (Hifumi) He quickly denies Reni's words. is too late. There's plenty reason to kill them, if they appear as if they want to attack." (Hifumi) "Isn't that slightly... excessive?" "Don't say such foolishness. You might get killed without the time to counter-attack after getting attacked. It's important to decide whether to kill or not as fast as possible." (Hifumi) "You are the same", Hifumi points at Helen. "I am?" (Helen) "Don't you have the habit of judging in an instant whether you should run away once you determined a sound you heard? If you were just a little bit late in your judgement, that would lead to your death." (Hifumi) "Uhh... certainly." (Helen) "Because I have the power to fight, I kill without fleeing. That's the only difference there is." (Hifumi) In the time while Hifumi was talking to Helen, Reni brooded over something, but suddenly lifting her head, she stared at Hifumi. "Strength to fight is necessary after all?" (Reni) "Not really?" (Hifumi) The two girls stare blankly due to Hifumi saying this forthrightly. "If you want to fight, you train and use your head, though you might have to put in great and desperate efforts to kill. I don't particularly believe that everyone in this world should possess military power." (Hifumi) "However, you say to kill if it's an enemy..." "It's only me who does this. For a fellow, who knows they can't fight or has no interest in fighting, it is the height of idiocy to oppose someone they can't win against. If you feel like making an enemy out of someone and fight them, you probably shouldn't complain about getting killed either." (Hifumi) With these words Hifumi lies down on the spread-out cloth. Before anyone noticing, even the horse had entered a pose of sleeping. "... If that's the case, you wouldn't complain, if you someone were to kill you, either?" (Reni) Hifumi answered Reni's words, she told as a tease, without turning his sight towards her. "Of course. Above it being the giving and taking of life, it's just natural for me to always think that it's fine even if I die any time." (Hifumi) "Go sleep quickly as we will walk tomorrow, too", Hifumi shut his eyes. Reni and Helen, who looked at each other, were confused about the strange ways of human thinking. The reason it was called "Knight Country" was that this nation, Swordland, originated from a knight order, which became alienated from Orsongrande and had immigrated. At the time of founding the nation it was a poor village, but by building a sturdy bulwark, the commoners, who followed the knights, began to gradually get familiar with hunting and farming. It took a century for it to establish the system of a nation. Above all, with the knight order from the time of founding possessing considerable might, far from being able to equally compete with the beastmen, they completely repelled the beastmen, who came to attack, on countless occasions. The person with the highest position among the knights becomes king and each of the other knights supports the king as nobles. That's the shape of the governmental system. Although it might be called a nation, it is nothing more but a single, large city. With the centre of the city being surrounded by high walls, the circumference had agricultural land spreading out. The knights, with their great might, captured beastmen at the time they saw them, had them obey and chose to employ them as labour force. The commoners, who originally likewise engaged in the mortifying manual labour of reclaiming the wastelands, were comforted in their hearts by watching the beastmen doing more dangerous work than themselves and being discarded after abusing them without even giving them proper food. And even now the system of catching and enslaving beastmen still exists. "Tsk. Ain't there anythin' but brats?" Spurring on his horse, the man spit out while his armour made clinking sounds. The soldiers, who are in the vicinity, are cautious of their surroundings wearing plain leather armours and spears. "It's still better than returning without results, but at this rate it will effect my records." There was a two-horse cart pulling a load-carrying tray without cover at the place the man turned his sight to. On top of the load-carrying tray an iron-made cage is placed. Within there are two small, completely exhausted beastmen. It's the older brother and younger sister, who met Hifumi. "Andrus-sama, there are no beastmen in the surroundings." Due to the soldier asking whether they should move on, the man called Andrus decided to split away from the city a bit further. Since there's the possibility of strong beastmen appearing, to the degree that they wouldn't be able to deal with them, if they separated from the city too far, they have to be careful in their movements. The knights from the time of founding the nation apparently fought with the bear and tiger beastmen, but Andrus believes this to be a tale. For the knights, who are currently in Swordland, it's doubtful whether they could equally fight 1-on-1 against beastmen, who are strong in combat. "Uuhh..." It's the young tigerboy raising a moan as he wakes up within the cage. "Th-This place is..." "Did ya snap outta it? If ya stay obedient, ya will be able ta keep living in a far nicer place than yer animal dwelling. Ya will even be able ta eat da good stuff." (Andrus) "Therefore, be nice", Andrus intended to coerce him with his gaze, but the tigerboy began to shout to let him out of the cage. Calling a single soldier, he ordered him to thrust the sword at the still not conscious tigergirl.magic As the soldier did it without a single shred of hesitation, the tigerboy shut his mouth. "If ya ain't quiet, I will kill dat female brat over there and not ya. She will be simply stabbed from outside." (Andrus) "Shut yer trap, if ya get it", Andrus says over his shoulders and returns his gaze towards the direction of their travel. Thereupon he discovered a single bearchild sleeping visibly hidden in the shades of the trees ahead. "Oh, whatcha great omen. Though it's a brat once again, da quota had been reached." (Andrus) By the order of Andrus, who felt like having already caught it, the soldiers slowly and quietly approach the bearchild. The instant a soldier, who turned his spearhead towards the bearchild, advanced to a distance where he could touch it after a few steps, "It's the humans! Run awaaaaay!" The tigerboy within the cage shouted with all his strength. Although Andrus raised his voice in anger, the bearchild, who had already lifted its head after waking up, has been surprised in noticing the humans, who had approached right next to it. "Tsk. Surround it quickly! I don' even mind, if it has a few injuries here n' there." (Andrus) The bearchild was a girl, who had cute, rotund eyes and small, round ears. Even if her hands and legs had wounds, there will be demand for a beargirl with such a nice appearance. "It will be well worth the time", before the eyes of Andrus, who mumbled that, a single soldier, who tried to shorten the distance by running fast upon his order, was abruptly blown away. "What is it!?" In front of the panicking solders' eyes a gigantic bear with a height of above 3 m stood in the way in order to protect the beargirl. Having grown tough-looking fur, it possesses thick, sharp claws on the powerful, fat fingers on both paws. It is trembling in rage baring its fangs. "Human trash! I won't permit you targeting my daughter!" Closing in on a soldier with a nimbleness that doesn't fit its large build, everything above the soldier's neck was gone with an explosive sound once it waved its right paw. In addition to beating the soldiers, who approached closer, to death, the bearman catches the thrust-out spear with his teeth and hits a soldier's belly with a kick. At the time the soldier, who vomited out his intestines with spasms, collapsed, the bearman came in front of Andrus. Andrus, quickly drawing his sword, jumped off the horse. Although the bearman's claws fail to seize Andrus, the horse's flank is torn up and it raises a shriek. Taking a distance by rolling on the ground, the bearman had already approached immediately before his eyes when he lifted his head. He protects himself against the downward-swung arms with his sword. Even though he managed to stop them somehow, a pain travels through his left arm due to the impact and it broke. Andrus knew that by instinct. At the moment the bearman raised his arms overhead once more, Andrus swings his sword sweeping sideways with only his right hand. Grazing the chest of the bearman, he inflicts a shallow wound, but without minding he evades the swung arms by scurrying. He was cut deeply at a part of his face that failed to avoid it, however Andrus hasn't the leeway to worry about that right now. The sword of Andrus, who finished getting up in a sorry mess, inflicted yet another wound at the flank of the bearman. But, Andrus' hard struggle ended at that point. The bearman, who took an evasive stance by bending back, severely kicked the nether region of Andrus with his right foot as is. The large paws of his foot smash Andrus' crotch and sink further into him. Falling to the ground with such a pain that he can't even leak a voice, the bearman quickly crushed Andrus underfoot and thus he died. "Fuu..." "Dad, are you alright?" Once the beargirl rushed over seeing it all from the beginning to the end while being scared, the bearman showed a gentle smile making his expression of rage from before a lie. "Yea, of course. You have no injuries, Olra?" "I'm fine. I noticed them before they could hurt me since that kid called out to me." (Olra) "Which reminds me, I was made aware of the situation by that voice as well." The bearman, who approached the cage, grabbed the iron grid and burst it open with all his strength. "It was a courageous act. Thanks to it, my daughter was saved. You have my thanks." The bearman, calling himself Salgu, pulled out the tigerboy from the cage and helped out with the unconscious tigergirl by gently carrying her. "Umm..." Watching the battle, the tigerboy, who was dumbfounded until he was saved, resolves himself and speaks. "Yea?" (Salgu) "Will I also be able to become as strong as mister?" It was a letter for Imeraria, who is the new Queen and very busy with the daily governmental affairs, reporting the schedule of the royal capital's visit delivered by Fokalore. Although a noble has the liberty of leaving and entering a territory, there is an unwritten rule to send a notice before entering the capital, albeit that was completely ignored by Hifumi. It's for the sake of showing that a noble, who entered the capital, has no ulterior motive, even if there are also cases of them being summoned by the king. "From Fokalore? Just who the heck is coming here?" (Imeraria) Not only the nobles but even the commoners knew very well about Hifumi having left for a long journey towards the wastelands to fight by himself against the beastmen, who opposed mankind for a long time. It has become a commonly repeated topic among the townspeople as the start of a new legend. "It appears to be Earl Tohno's wife, who is coming for a visit of the royal capital." (Adol) Prime Minister Adol, who read the documents, calmly replied to Imeraria's question. "Apparently she is hoping for an audience with you, Your Majesty. Moreover she is even requesting my presence." (Adol) "Origa-san, is it...? However, just what kind of business does she have with us?" (Imeraria) "Well, the notice doesn't explain that far." (Adol) Imeraria cocked her head in puzzlement for a while, but considering it inevitable, she issued instructions in order to prepare the arrangements. "Is it fine?" (Adol) "She is Hifumi-sama's wife. It's impossible to ignore her. Besides, it's probably better to directly confirm whether her aim is for her own purposes or upon Hifumi-sama's instruction." (Imeraria) "I see", Adol nodded and left the office. "Really, he is a person who causes worries no matter whether he is here or not... I wonder where in the wastelands he is currently rampaging about." (Imeraria) Although it wasn't by all means, she wasn't able to imagine him dying a dog's death in the wastelands. And, simultaneously with Hifumi's face, she recalled Origa's face at the time they met quite a while ago when she was still a slave. "... What is she really aiming for?" (Imeraria) If possible, Imeraria was earnestly hoping to lead a quiet life at least for the period Hifumi wasn't there.

104.To Feel The Fire 都市アロセール。 一二三の電撃的な進攻によるフォカロルへの併呑の後、大きな混乱もなく人々はそれぞれの日々を過ごしている。 この街にある冒険者たちのギルドも、一二三に数名が殺された以外は、それまで通りに運営されていた。 支部のギルド長であるレシも、そのまま在籍している。 アロセールがヴィシーからオーソングランデへ吸収された当時、冒険者の中にはフォカロルの一二三に媚を売って保身を図ったと陰口を叩く者もいた。だが、ヴィシー時代よりも生活が向上し始めたことを人々が実感し始める頃には、そう言った噂話もすっかり収まっていた。 だが、レシは当時よりも深刻な悩みに頭を抱えていた。 「うむぅ......」 デスクの上に積み上げられているのは、アロセールのギルドに所属する冒険者たちからの証言や報告を、ギルドのスタッフが取りまとめた物だ。 その多くは、取り分の話や獲物の横取りなど、日常茶飯事とも言える見慣れた揉め事についてであったが、取り分けた書類に記載されているのは、これまでに見たことが無いものだ。 曰く、見たこともない魔物がいる。 曰く、サイズが通常よりふた回り以上大きな個体を見た。 曰く、魔物の群れが減り、強い個体が増えた。 「どういう事じゃろうな......」 レシは白いヒゲをさすった。 アロセールは、どちらかといえば人口が多い都市の一つであったし、国が変わってからは、フォカロルへの中継地として大変な発展ぶりを見せている。護衛として出入りする冒険者も増えた。 人が多い場所に近いほど魔物は然程強くはないというのが、冒険者たちの共通認識だった。人がいるから魔物が避けるのか、魔物が弱い場所に人が街を作るようになったのか、今更誰もわかることではないが、実際にそういう状況になっている。 それが、急速にバランスを崩しているというのが、レシは報告から読み取った現状認識だ。一般市民や冒険者の中には、そのイレギュラーな魔物に襲われた犠牲者も少なからずいる。 国か、他のギルドに協力を要請すべきか、とレシが決断を迷っているところに、ノックの音が聞こえた。 「入りなさい」 「失礼します」 一人の男性職員が入室し、会釈をする。 「領主様の使いという方がお見えですが......」 領主という言葉を口にした時、職員が少しだけ青ざめて見えたのは気のせいではないだろう、とレシは思った。彼は、一二三がアロセールで行った冒険者殺しを目の当たりにした一人だ。 「トオノ伯爵の使い、か......。無論、会わねばならぬだろうよ。通しなさい」 「それから、ワシが良いと言うまで、誰も部屋に入れるでないぞ」 再び頷き、職員は出て行く。 すぐに、二人の女性がレシの前に現れた。 まとまりのない赤い髪の少女が前を歩き、その後ろには、もう少し落ち着いた赤髪の女性が立っている。 初めての任務と、そのお守りのような立ち位置に、レシは彼女たちの用件を全く想像できなかった。 少女が、ニカッと笑う。 「僕は一二三伯爵領軍務長官のアリッサだよ」 アリッサの挨拶はまったく丁寧ではなかったが、あえて触れずに笑顔を向けるレシ。まずは“刺激しないこと”が最優先だ。 「どうぞ、こちらのソファへお掛けください」 「ありがとう!」 素直に座るアリッサと、一礼してから静々とアリッサの後ろにたったミュカレ。立ち位置は確かに重鎮と補佐官なのだが、キョロキョロと執務室を見回しているアリッサの様子が、すべてをぶち壊しにしている。 「紅茶で、よろしいですかな」 「うん」 レシが手ずから紅茶を入れる様子を、ミュカレはしっかりと見ていた。 そして、レシの方もそれを承知で紅茶を入れる。余計な疑いを持たれるのは得策ではない。 「どうぞ。それで、ワシに何かお話ですかな?」 「えっと......魔物のことだけど」 内心、動揺をしたレシだったが、長年の経験でうまく隠すことに成功した。 「魔物、ですか。ワシら冒険者ギルドの主な標的ですな」 「その魔物で、変わったことが無い?」 「変わった事......」 先ほどまで、頭痛の種として向かい合っていた書類の事を思い出す。 だが、じっくり考える時間は与えられない。 「強い魔物が増えたとか、聞いてない?」 仕方がない、と苦笑したレシは、そっと立ち上がるとデスクから書類を取り、アリッサの前に広げた。 「初めて見られた魔物や、凶暴化、巨体化した魔物の報告があがっております。ワシとしましても、対策に困っていたところでしてな」 さっと書類に目を通したアリッサは、そのまま後ろのミュカレへと手渡した。 ミュカレの赤い瞳が、飛ぶような速さで書類を読み取っていく。 「......アリッサ様、これは間違いないようですわ」 「ああ、やっぱり?」 主従が納得した顔をするが、レシはついていけない。 「何か、ご存知なのですかな?」 「私からご説明いたしましょう」 アリッサを止めたミュカレは、書類をレシへと返した。 「フォカロル領だけでなく、オーソングランデ全土、ヴィシーやホーラントにも、同様の状況が見られます」 驚くレシに、ミュカレは全てオーソングランデ王国ではなく、フォカロルが独自に調査したものだと付け加えた。 「なるほど。さすがは英雄殿と言ったところですな。慧眼という他ない」 実際は細かい部分を全てカイムの指示によって動いた結果なのだが、ミュカレもアリッサも、そこには何も言及しない。 「必要であれば、この書類を書き写したものを届けさせましょう」 「その必要はありません。内容は大体覚えましたから。それよりも、重要なお話があるのです」 「......伺いましょう」 書類を置き、居住まいをただしたレシに向けて口を開いたのは、アリッサの方だった。 「何者かが、魔物を強化している疑いがあります。これほど広範囲に渡り、かつ国を問わずに影響が出ていることから、ヴィシーやホーラント、当然オーソングランデも含めた国家に所属している可能性は低いかと」 「......おとぎ話に出てくるような、魔王のような存在ですな。荒野の向こうの国の可能性はありませんかな?」 「それらを調査するため、トオノ伯は荒野へ出ています」 「あの話は、本当だったのですな!」 思わず大声を上げたレシは、失礼、と言って咳払いでごまかした。 一二三が荒野へ、しかも単身で出ていった事は、噂話として届いていたが、多くの者が荒唐無稽なただの噂として切り捨てており、レシもその一人だった。 「正直に申しますと、強い魔物の目撃や遭遇例が極端に増えておりましたので、領主様か国へ相談を持ち込もうかと考えておったのですが......どうやら、フォカロルの中枢で働く方々は、我々なぞよりもずっと先を見ておられるようだ」 レシの言葉を聞いて、アリッサとミュカレは顔を見合わせた。 「私どもから、お願いしたいことがあります」 「なんでしょう」 ミュカレの言葉に、レシは素直に耳を傾けた。 「冒険者に、注意を促していただきたいのです。凶悪な魔物が増えている事、そしてその黒幕がどこかに存在するかもしれない、と」 「......混乱が起きるかもしれませんぞ?」 「結果として、何者が裏にいるのかがあぶり出せるのであれば、それで良いのです」 「どこの誰かがわかれば、一二三さんがやっつけちゃうからね」 ああ、とレシは不思議な納得をした。 「......わかりました。信用できる者から、少しずつ情報を流すように致しましょう。細かい手順に関しましては、ワシにお任せいただきたい。それでよろしいですかな?」 「もちろん構いません」 紅茶のお礼を言ってアリッサたちが退室すると、レシはソファの背もたれにぐったりと身体を預けた。 「何が起きているのか......ワシが生きているうちに、こうも世の中が動くことになろうとはな」 レシは自分のために入れた紅茶に口をつけたが、ひどく冷めていた。 エルフの村の夜明けは、騒然とした空気の中で迎えられた。 村の一部には多くの死体が倒れ、中には男衆のまとめ役だったラボラスの無残な惨殺体もある。 騒動を聞きながらも、怯えて家から出なかった者達も、陽が昇り始めるとそろそろと家から出て、惨状を目の当たりにすると慌てて知人たちと集まって、答えの出ない話し合いを各所で始める。 そういった状況を見越していたザンガーは、シクとプーセに村人たちへ状況を説明して集会をする告知をするように指示し、自らは杖をついて一二三の案内を買って出た。 「え......ざ、ザンガー様?!」 村の外れ、一二三が入って来た場所とは別方向に、小さいが大きな丸太を使った頑丈な小屋がある。その中に魔法陣を構築しているのだと、ザンガーは説明を交えながら「邪魔するよ」と入った。 当番として結界の構築のために魔力を使っていたエルフたちはかなり驚いている。 「な、何故ここに......え、しかも、人間が一緒に......?」 「落ち着きなさいな。この人は、まあ、何もしなければ何もしないよ」 多分ね、と心の中で付け加えたザンガーは、一二三を連れて小屋の中央にある椅子に腰掛けた。 「久しぶりに外の空気を吸ったねぇ。これも、あんまり良くないんだろうけれど......」 不意に寂しげな表情を見せたザンガーを不思議に思ったエルフたちだったが、それよりも、初めて見る人間に警戒心が高まっていた。 その警戒も、ザンガーの一言で吹き飛んだ。 「一瞬だけ、結界に穴を開けるよ」 「そ、そんなことできませんよ!」 一人のエルフが声を上げたが、ザンガーはヒャッヒャッと笑って手を振った。 「あんたたちじゃなくて、あたしがやるんだよ。これでも、昔はエルフ随一の魔法使いだったんだからね。攻撃魔法はからきしだったけどねぇ」 守る事に関しては、中々馬鹿にしたもんじゃないんだよ、とザンガーは楽しそうに一二三を見た。 「人間さんよ、どれくらいで戻ってくるんだね?」 「わからん。だが、ここの場所は覚えた」 「そうかい。......じゃあ、戻ってきたら、お願いするよ」 小屋の奥には、いくつかの魔法陣らしき円や正方形の中に文字や記号のようなものが無数に並んでいる。 杖を使って立ち上がったザンガーは、エルフたちに支えられながら魔法陣の前に座る。 「この小屋の向こう、道なりに1分も歩けば結界にぶつかるよ。今から3分だけ、道の上だけ結界を開いてあげるから、その間にお入りよ」 「人間さん、名前を、聞いていなかったね」 教えてもらえるかい、とザンガーが問う。 「一二三だ」 「ヒフミさんかい、不思議な響きの名前だねぇ。だが、いい名前だ。ねえ、一二三さんはどうして、こんな森の奥まで来て、わざわざ魔族に会うんだい? 敵対するのは、攻撃されるだろうことは、あんたにもわかっているだろうに」 言いながら、ザンガーは視線を魔法陣へ向けた。 「......この世界には、戦いが足りない。心に火を点けてくれるような、命を削る、人生をかける殺し合いが足りない。誰かが尻に火を点けてやらないとな」 「で、その火種が魔人族ってわけだね」 ザンガーは肩を震わせて笑っているが、周囲にいるエルフは、何かよくわからないがとんでもない事を言っているんじゃないか、と困惑している。 「じゃあ、あたしたちも必死になって生きなければいけないね。あたしたちは森を捨てたとしても、誇りあるエルフだ。そう簡単に滅びるわけにはいかないよ」 魔法陣に向かい、魔力を集中させ始めたザンガーの言葉に、一二三は背を向けた。 「それでいい。どこで途切れるかわからん人生だ。大いに楽しまなくてはな」 一二三は小屋を出て歩き始めた。 魔人族の技、魔法、何が見られるだろう、と逸る気持ちが踏み出す足を急かす。 「最初は、どんな奴と会えるかな?」 刀を取り出し、腰へと手挟む。 「願わくば、良い“魔王候補”が居れば良いんだがな」

Chapter 104: To Feel The Fire City Arosel After being annexed by Fokalore due to Hifumi's shocking invasion, the people are passing their days without any major chaos. Even the guild of the adventurers who are living in this city was managed as it was up until now, with the exception of Hifumi having killed several of its adventurers. Reshi who is the master of the guild's branch is also doing his job as usual. At the time when Arosel was taken from Vichy by Orsongrande, there were some among the adventurers who were defamed to have attempted to protect themselves by buttering up to Hifumi of Fokalore. However, once everybody started to actually feel that life was getting better than it was in the time of belonging to Vichy, those rumours completely settled down. But, Reshi was more troubled by the grave problem now than he was back then. "Hmmm..." (Reshi) What has been piling up on top of his desk are reports and testimonies from the adventurers belonging to Arosel's guild. They are documents which were collected by the guild's staff. Many of those are arguments among the adventurers themselves, snatching of prey and such. Those were common frictions one might even call daily occurrences, however what is reported in the divided documents is something that hasn't been seen until now. According to those documents, there are monsters which haven't been spotted so far. According to those documents, large specimen, which have more than twice the usual size, were observed. According to those documents, the groups of monsters decreased while the individual's power went up. "What's this about, I wonder...?" (Reshi) Reshi stroked his white beard. If pushed to say, Arosel was one of the cities which has too many mouths to feed. After their allegiance changed, it has shown an immense growth as stopover on the road towards Fokalore. The number of adventurers who are coming and going as escorts increased as well. It was the common knowledge of adventurers that monsters aren't very powerful close to places with many people. Do the monsters avoid those places because there are people there? Did people build their cities in places with weak monsters? No one knows about the truth by now, but presently that's how it is. Reshi's current understanding after reading the reports is that this balance is rapidly deteriorating. There is a considerable number of victims, who were attacked by those irregular monsters, among the common citizens and adventurers. Should I request the cooperation with other guilds or the country? "Enter." (Reshi) "Excuse me." A single male staff member enters the room and gives his greetings. "A messenger from Lord-sama has come, but..." , Reshi thought. This staff member is the only person who was personally present at the adventurer killing when Hifumi was in Arosel. "A messenger from Earl Tohno, huh...? Of course we have to meet them, I suppose. Let them in." (Reshi) "Don't let anyone enter afterwards until I tell you that it's fine." (Reshi) Nodding a second time, the staff member leaves. Before long two women appeared in front of Reshi. Walking in front is a girl with unkempt red hair. A woman with a bit more set red hair is standing behind her. Due to their roles being similar to one being on her first mission and one being the first one's care-taker, Reshi absolutely wasn't able to imagine what kind of business these two might have with him. The girl smiles broadly. "I'm the Military Director of the Tohno* Earldom, Alyssa." (Alyssa) Alyssa's introduction wasn't polite at all, however Reshi faces her with a smile without daring to touch that matter. First of all, his maximum priority is "to not provoke troubles." "There you go, please take a seat in the sofa over there." (Reshi) "Thanks!" (Alyssa) Alyssa sat down obediently and Miyukare quietly stood behind Alyssa after bowing. Their roles are certainly a leader and their aide, but with Alyssa's appearance of restlessly looking around the room, all of that impression is ruined. "Does black tea suit your taste?" (Reshi) "Yea." (Alyssa) Miyukare firmly watched the sight of Reshi personally pouring the black tea. And, Reshi pours the black tea while being fully aware of that. "Here you go. So, is there anything you wish to speak about with me?" (Reshi) "Ummm... it's about the monsters." (Alyssa) Reshi felt shaken within his mind, but due to his many years of experience he was able to successfully hide that. "Monsters, it is? They are our, the adventurer's guild's, main target." (Reshi) "Isn't anything peculiar about those monsters?" (Alyssa) "Anything peculiar..." (Reshi) He recalls the documents which caused him headaches not long ago. However, he isn't given the time to think it over carefully. "The numbers of strong monsters increased or such, you haven't head anything like that?" (Alyssa) , Reshi, who smiled bitterly, stood up quietly, grabbed the documents from his desk and spread them in front of Alyssa. "This is a collection of reports about monsters which became large or ferocious and monsters who were seen for the first time. Even though I have the intention to, there are some points which are troublesome to deal with." (Reshi) Quickly scanning through the documents, Alyssa handed them over to Miyukare in her back. Miyukare's red pupils read through the documents with a speed similar to leaping. "... Alyssa-sama, it seems there's no mistake about this." (Miyukare) "Yea, after all?" (Alyssa) Although lord and retainer don comprehending faces, Reshi can't follow. "Do you know something about this?" (Reshi) "Please let me handle the explanation." (Miyukare) Stopping Alyssa, Miyukare handed back the documents to Reshi. "Not only in the territory of Fokalore, the same state of affairs can be observed in all of Orsongrande and even in Vichy and Horant." (Miyukare) Miyukare told the surprised Reshi that it was something not only independently discovered in Fokalore but in all of Orsongrande Kingdom. "I see. As expected of what Hero-dono said. Others don't have such keen insight." (Reshi) In reality it was the outcome of all of the finer parts being moved by Caim's orders, but neither Miyukare nor Alyssa mention anything about that. "If necessary I will have someone deliver these documents after transcribing them." (Reshi) "That's not necessary. I have memorized the main points of their contents. Rather than that, there's something important to talk about." (Alyssa) "... Let's hear it." (Reshi) The one who addressed Reshi, who put down the documents and corrected his seating posture, was Alyssa. "There are suspicions that someone has strengthened the monsters. From the fact that it's extending over such wide scope while leaving an influence regardless which country it is, there's a low possibility that it's someone belonging to the countries Vichy, Horant and of course Orsongrande as well." (Alyssa) "... A being similar to a demon lord who appears in fairy tales. Isn't it possible that it's a country on the other side of the wastelands?" (Reshi) "Earl Tohno has left in order to investigate them." (Alyssa) "That story was true!" (Reshi) Reshi, who unintentionally raised his voice, glossed it over by coughing and saying "Excuse me." The matter of Hifumi having left towards the wastelands, and moreover by himself, reached him as rumour, however Reshi was one of those who discarded most of it as mere gossip. "If I may speak frankly, given that the witnessing of powerful monsters and the number of actual encounters has risen, I wondered whether Lord-sama has brought up consultations with other countries, but... it seems that everyone, who is working as central figure of Fokalore, is looking far more ahead than people like us." (Reshi) Listening to Reshi's words, Alyssa and Miyukare looked at each others' faces. "There is something we'd like to request from you." (Miyukare) "What may that be?" (Reshi) Reshi listened carefully due to Miyukare's remark. "I'd like you to make the adventurers aware of it, about the matter of fiendish monsters increasing in number and about the possibility of a mastermind existing somewhere." (Miyukare) "... Isn't it possible that this will trigger chaos?" (Reshi) "If it brings whoever is hiding in the shadows into the light as result, that will be fine." (Miyukare) "If we know who it is, Hifumi will finish them off." (Alyssa) "Oh!", for some strange reason Reshi could comprehend that. "... I got it. I shall circulate the information little-by-little starting with those I'm able to trust. I'd like you to leave it to me to deal with the finer details. Would that be alright with you?" (Reshi) "Of course, that's no problem." (Alyssa) Once Alyssa and Miyukare exited the room after thanking for the black tea, Reshi entrusted his body fully to the back of the sofa. "What's happening...? While I'm still alive the world is changing in various ways, it seems." (Reshi) Reshi tasted the black tea he poured for himself, but it had gone completely cold. Dawn in the elven village was greeted with an uproarious atmosphere. Many corpses are scattered in a part of the village. Among them, there is the cruelly massacred body of Laboras who rallied the men of the village under him. Even those, who didn't leave their houses in fright while hearing the turmoil, are gradually emerging from their houses once the sun begins to rise. Gathering with their friends in panic once they see the terrible scene in front of their eyes, they begin to discuss at various places without reaching an answer.magic Zanga, who foresaw such situation, instructed Shiku and Puuse to make an announcement that there will be a meeting to explain the circumstances to the villagers. Then she personally volunteered to act as Hifumi's guide while using a wand to prop herself up. "Eh...? Z-Zanga-sama!?" At the edge of the village, in a different direction from the place where Hifumi entered, there's a sturdy hut which used big logs although being small itself. "The magic squares have been set up in that hut", Zanga explained while mixing in a [Sorry for disturbing] . The elves, who were on duty to use their mana for the sake of holding up the barrier, are quite surprised. "W-Why here...? Eh, moreover together with a human...?" "Stay calm. This person, well, won't do anything if you don't do anything to him." (Zanga) , added Zanga in her mind and then sat down on a chair located in the middle of the hut she led Hifumi to. "It's been a while since I last breathed the outside air ~nee. This might not happen overly often either, but..." (Zanga) The elves judged Zanga, who suddenly showed a lonely expression, as odd, but apart from that their wariness has increased due to the human they have seen for the first time. Their vigilance was blown away by a brief comment of Zanga. "For just an instant, we will make a hole in the barrier." (Zanga) "W-We can't do such thing!" A single elf raised his voice, but Zanga waved her hand while laughing with a "Hya Hya." "It's not you guys who will do it, but me. Even though I may appear to be like this, I was the best elven magician back in the old days. I was completely unable to use offensive magic though." (Zanga) "If it's related to protecting something, it's better to not look down on me", Zanga looked joyfully at Hifumi. "Human-san, around when will you come back?" (Zanga) "Don't know. But I memorized this place here." (Hifumi) "I see. ... Then I will make my request once you came back." (Zanga) Countless scripting, similar to symbols and characters, are lining up within several magic square-like circles and squares. Zanga, who stood up by using the wand, sits down in front of a magic square while being supported by the elves. "If you walk for one minute along the path on the other side of this hut, you will encounter the barrier. Since the barrier will be raised open only for the path for about 3 minutes, go inside during that time." (Zanga) "Human-san, I didn't hear your name yet." (Zanga) "Could you tell me?" Zanga asks. "It's Hifumi." (Hifumi) "Hifumi-san? It's a strange-sounding name ~nee. But, it's a good name. Hey, Hifumi-san, why did you deliberately come to meet the demons this deep in the forest? Even you probably understand, but they are aggressive and will likely attack you." (Zanga) While asking that, Zanga turned her look towards the magic square. "... There isn't enough fighting in this world. There isn't sufficient killing with the life on the line, that whittles down one's life force as if setting one's soul on fire. Someone has to ignite a spark." (Hifumi) "So, that means that the demon race will be the trigger for that." (Zanga) Although Zanga is laughing with her shoulders trembling, the elves in the surroundings are baffled while thinking "Well, then it won't do, if we don't struggle desperately for survival either. Even if we abandon the forest, the elves have pride. There's no way that we will perish this easily." (Zanga) Due to the words of Zanga, who started to focus her mana while facing the magic square, Hifumi turned his back on her. "That's fine. You won't be able to enjoy life much unless you don't know when it will end." (Hifumi) Hifumi began to walk outside the hut. I will be able to observe the techniques, magic and anything of the demon race "I wonder what kind of fellow I will be able to meet first?" (Hifumi) Taking out the katana, he affixes it on his hips. "I pray for there to be a good

フォカロルの人口は、領主が変わる前の実に三倍に増えている。難民や移民がかなりの数にのぼるのだが、早い段階で住民の管理体制ができていたことと、外部から勉強のためにやって来て、お金を落として行くタイプの住民も相当数いたために、全体的にバランスは取れていた。 商工関係に関しては、国内どころか国外と比較しても、抜群に生産力と販売力を伸ばしている。 一二三の指示により商業は許可制にして整理をし、申告による税制度に切り替え、トロッコを使って領内における街と街の流通は領主が完全に主導権を握って、そこからの売上だけでも領地運営にかなり貢献している。 工業においてはこの世界で初めて規格の統一をし、一二三が発明した事になっている“ネジ”によって、木工と鉄工に大きな変化をもたらした。それまでは溶接か釘による不可逆的な固定が一般的だったのが、ネジの登場と規格化された工業品が爆発的に広まった事により、気の早い者は「フォカロルが全て工業品の基準を作る」などと言い出す状態だ。 知識面だけではなく、各領地からその軍事的な部分においても注目され、部隊ごと訓練に参加するために滞在し、結果として街に落ちる金銭は増えていく。 フォカロルに注目が集まると、人口が増える。結果として職員と彼らを束ねる文官奴隷達は再び忙しくなっていた。 「ギギギ......」 歯を食いしばりながら、般若の表情で書類を片付けているのは、文官奴隷の一人で軍務を担当しているミュカレだ。 文官奴隷のための執務スペースで、ミュカレは不機嫌を隠そうともせず、バッサバッサと音を立てて書類をさばいていた。室内にはデュエルガルとパリュもいたが、全員無言で仕事をしている。 「なに?!」 恐る恐る声をかけたデュエルガルに、ミュカレは投げつけるような視線を向ける。 「そんなに睨むなよ......。領主様が言っていた、引退兵士の受け入れだけどよ。鉄工関係で準備が出来たぜ」 「そう。それじゃ、引退を考えている兵士たちに通知して、希望者を工業ギルドに紹介するわね」 入れ替わりに入ってきた一人の職員が、ミュカレの表情に一瞬ギョッとした顔をして、足早にパリュのデスクへと向かった。 顔を上げたパリュは、眠たそうに紫色の目を半分閉じているが、いつもの事なので職員は特に気にせず、手に持った書類を渡す。 「パリュさん、王都から連絡が来ました」 「ありがとうございます。確認しますね」 職員が去ると、パリュは渡された書類に目を通す。戸籍の作成と処理ですっかり書類仕事になれた彼女は、書類を読むのも早い。一枚の書類に記載された内容をものの数秒で把握する。カイムほどではないが、領内の職員の中では書類処理能力は高い。 「......ミュカレさん。王都の戴冠式が終わり次第、アリッサ軍務長官が帰還されるそうです」 前置き無く伝えられたパリュの言葉に、ミュカレは椅子を倒す勢いで立ち上がった。 「本当に!?」 「この書類が偽物でなければ。領主様のいつもの読めないサインがあるので、間違いないかと思いますが」 「なら大丈夫ね! お帰りなさいのパーティーが必要よね!」 店はあそこがいいか、いっそホテルでも予約するか、とニコニコというよりニヤニヤという言葉がぴったりなだらしない顔をしているミュカレに、パリュはもうこれは病気だと思うことにした。不治の病だと。 「領主様も帰ってこられます。それに、ヴィシーから預かった兵士を数名連れて帰ってくるので、研修訓練に参加させる用意をするようにとの事です。宿泊施設はわたしが押さえますが、訓練に入れ込む段取りはミュカレさんしかできませんから、お願いしますね」 「任せておきなさい! 時間はあまりないはずよね。戴冠式って、いつだったかしら?」 「今日ですよ」 レオナール子爵がロシーに接触し、ヴィシーとのつながりを作ろうとしている動きは、城内監視をしている近衛騎士隊には筒抜けだった。 前日、最初にレオナールがヴィシーの随行員も交えて話し合いの場を持った時、「他にも貴国と友好関係を結びたいと願っている貴族はいる」と語り、戴冠式前に他の貴族も交えての会談を希望し、ロシーもそれを承諾したため、一網打尽にするために泳がす事になった。 そして本日、昨日同様にヴィシーからの使者たちのための待機室を舞台とした会談が始まった。 貴族たちは順番にロシーに対して丁寧な挨拶をして、貴族らしからぬ下手に出た態度だった。 対してロシーは充分な警戒をしているつもりではいるようだが、ここで結果を出す必要があり、焦っているのは明らかだと、彼らを少し離れて見ていた随行員の隊長は冷静に見抜いていた。 随行員は所詮はおまけに過ぎない、とオーソングランデ貴族たちはろくに言葉も交わさずに無視しており、それが随行員たちにとっては好都合だった。こっそりと位置を移動し、部屋の出入口を塞ぐように立っても、誰も気にしなかったからだ。 密かに監視をしていた、ヴァイヤーのみがその動きに注目していた。 「それでは、早速ですが我々の友好を形にするための話し合いをいたしましょう」 レオナールが音頭を取る形で話し合いは進む。 「単刀直入に申しますと、我が国としてはオーソングランデ国内へ流通させる商品の受け取り先になっていただければと考えております」 ロシーの言葉に、貴族たちはすぐには理解できない様子で、レオナールがその真意を問う。 「今後、我が国の商人が貴国へ入るにも制限がかかる可能性がありますし、敵対していた国の商品は、売れにくくなるでしょう。そこで、どなたかに一度買い手となっていただき、オーソングランデ国内での販売元となっていただければと」 そこまで言われて、なるほどと口に出しつつも、いまいち反応が薄い事に、直接的な言葉で言わないと理解もできないのか、とロシーは内心苛立っていた。 「......もちろん、ご協力いただけましたならば、格安にて商品を卸させていただきますから、貴国で販売される際の利ざやも大きく確保できることは間違いないでしょう」 「おお、それは素晴らしいご提案です! ロシー殿にご協力できるうえ、利益までご提供いただけるとは!」 「実に気が利いたお話ですな!」 ここまで説明されてようやくメリットを理解した貴族たちは、口々にロシーを誉めそやしながら、お互いに顔を見合わせて利益争奪のタイミングを伺っている。 (こいつらは本当に貴族か?) 随行員の隊長は、そんなやり取りを見ながら心底呆れていた。貴族といえば金と権力を持ち、無駄に愛国を語るお花畑連中だと思っていたが、薄皮一枚分すら欲を隠す事ができていない。 これなら、ヴィシーの商人連中の方が100倍は欲を隠して話ができる、と隊長は評した。 目線を配り、作戦を決行する合図をそっと他の随行員たちに伝える。何人かはそっと頷き、貴族たちの視界の外にいる者は、既に剣の柄に手を添えている。 「では、早速取引の量や内容についてお話を......」 ニヤニヤとした笑いを浮かべたレオナールが身を乗り出した。その目の前にいるロシーの向こう側で、随行員隊長が剣を振り上げるのが見え、次の瞬間にはレオナールの顔に血しぶきがかかる。 「残念だが、仲良しごっこはここで終わりだ」 首をザックリと斬られたロシーは即死。椅子から転げ落ちたその死体を踏み越えた隊長は、血濡れの剣を構えた。 「き、貴様! 自分の国の使者を......」 レオナールが糾弾しようとする間にも、流血沙汰に驚いた他の貴族たちは、我先に逃げようと、転がるように扉に向かうが、そこにも随行員たちが剣を構えて立ちはだかる。 「ここで全員死んでもらう。話し合いがうまく行かず、激昂したオーソングランデ貴族はロシーをナイフで傷つけ、俺たちが何とか反撃するもロシーは死亡。お前らも死亡。そういう事だ」 驚いて何も言えなくなっているレオナールに向かって、剣が向けられた瞬間、どこからか飛来した手裏剣が隊長の右腕に刺さり、衝撃で剣は手を離れて飛んでいった。 「うぐっ!? 一体なんだ!」 腕に刺さった見慣れない金属片に戸惑ううちに、隠し通路から騎士たちが雪崩込み、あっという間に室内は乱闘状態となった。 手裏剣を投げたヴァイヤーは、鎖鎌を手に隊長の前に躍り出た。 「オーソングランデ近衛騎士隊だ。この連中は私たちが処理する必要がある。お前たちも城内で剣を抜いた罪で拘束する。大人しくすれば殺しはしない」 「バカが! そう言われて投降するわけがない!」 叫びながら左手で剣を拾った隊長は、向き直ったところでヴァイヤーが投げた分銅に顔面を強かに打たれた。 再び剣を取り落とし、顔を抑えている所を鎌の柄で殴りつけて気絶させた。 他の隊員たちも傷を負ったものが数名出たが、全ての随行員を殺害するか捕縛する事に成功していた。鎧を着た騎士たちと、簡素な布の服だけの随行員では、ほとんど勝負にならなかった。 腰を抜かして座り込み、安堵の溜息をついたレオナールの前に、ヴァイヤーが立つ。 「騎士隊の者か。ここは礼を言っておこう」 「何か勘違いしているようですが」 ヴァイヤーは鎖鎌からロープへと持ち変えている。 「貴方がたも捕縛の対象です。新たな女王に処罰を決めていただくまでの間、牢の中で大人しくしておいていただきましょう」 「ば、馬鹿な! 何の罪があって......」 「貴方は無害だから大目に見られていただけです。有害であれば、排除されるのは当然でしょう」 手早くレオナールを縛り上げたヴァイヤーは、他の貴族たちと共に騎士隊管理の牢へと入れておくように指示をした。 転がったロシーたちの死体も、騎士隊によってさっさと片付けられていく。その間、ヴァイヤーはしきりに周囲を気にしていた。 「どうかされましたか、副隊長」 「いや......こういう戦いの場だから、トオノ伯が出てこられるかと思ったのだが......まあいい、間も無く戴冠式が始まる。目立つ場所はサブナク隊長に任せて、我々は引き続き影から監視を続ける」 ヴァイヤーの言葉を聞いて、騎士たちは足早に配置へと向かった。 戴冠式一時間前。 事件が動き出したのは、イメラリアの執務室からだった。 「貴方は......確か騎士隊の方でしたね。城外の警備を担当されていたと思うのですが、何かありましたか?」 執務室を訪れたのは、騎士隊所属のバールゼフォンだった。 ほとんど顔を合わせたことの無い騎士の、突然の訪問に疑問を感じたイメラリアは、何か違和感を感じた。 入るなり、さっと室内を見回したバールゼフォンは、イメラリアの前に立ち、恭しく一礼をしたが、跪いて臣下の礼を取らなかった。 信じられない非礼な態度に、周囲に居た侍女たちは驚き、イメラリアも流石に注意をすべきかと口を開こうとしたところで、バールゼフォンが先に言葉を発した。 「王女殿下、私はバールゼフォンと申します。第二騎士隊に所属しておりましたが、この度統合された騎士隊に所属する事となりました。王女殿下のもうされます通り、近衛騎士隊が城内を警備し、我々は城外の警備となっております。......ですが」 力を込めた目で、バールゼフォンはイメラリアの目を直視した。 「なぜ第三騎士隊出身者が近衛隊長なのでしょうか? ろくに剣も触れず、トオノ伯に媚を売るだけが能の人間ではありませんか。副隊長はヴァイヤーですが、あれは命じられた事をただこなすだけの愚鈍な男です。第二騎士隊の中でも、重要な仕事を任せられることはありませんでした」 「......どうやら、わたくしの人事に不満があるようですね。しかし、貴方のやり方は不敬でしょう。この場は見逃しますから、早く退室しなさい」 注意を受けたバールゼフォンは、フン、と鼻で笑った。 「いいえ。この場を支配しているのは俺......いや、俺たちだ。王女殿下には大人しくこの部屋で大人しくしておいて頂く。これから城内を少々掃除しますので、その間は今後傀儡の女王としての一生を過ごす心構えの時間としていただきましょう」 「何を言って......」 イメラリアが疑問を口にすると、不意に側に立っていた騎士が剣を抜き、イメラリアにつきつけた。 「!......貴方は!」 キッと睨みつけられ、騎士は僅かにひるんだが、剣はひかない。 「彼も俺と同じ第二騎士隊出身です。サブナクや元第三騎士隊の連中がいなくなるタイミングを作るのは大変だったよ。貴族は馬鹿しかいないし、ヴィシーの連中も囮にすら使えない無能ぞろいだった」 「バールゼフォンと言いましたね。貴方の狙いは何ですか」 剣を突きつけられるのはこれで二度目。あの時一二三に向けられた殺気に比べれば何てことは無いと自分に言い聞かせ、イメラリアは落ち着いて問いかけた。 「名誉」 「えっ?」 「俺たち騎士は敵と正々堂々戦って勝つ事が名誉だ。第三騎士隊の連中のように影からコソコソ覗き見をして具にもつかない会話を記録したり、ヴァイヤーのようにわけのわからない武器を振り回して悦に入ることじゃない。元はと言えば王女殿下があの男を重用し始めてからおかしくなった。それを元に戻すだけだ」 室内に居た他の騎士たちも剣を抜き、怯える侍女たちを一ヶ所に集めた。 「今頃は他の仲間たちが、ロトマゴとサブナクを始末しているだろう。元第三騎士隊連中を制圧したら、王女殿下には国民に向かって堂々と宣言していただきましょう」 バールゼフォンは、自分に酔っている、とイメラリアは見ていた。 「トオノ伯をこの国から追放し、無用な戦争を起こしたヴィシーとホーラントに対しては、賠償とは別に騎士隊が懲罰を加える、と」 「そのような無意味な戦いで、騎士の名誉とやらが保てるのですか?」 呆れたようにイメラリアが問うと、バールゼフォンは足早に近づき、平手でイメラリアの頬を打った。 これには剣をつきつけた騎士も驚いたが、睨まれて口を閉ざした。 「俺たち騎士隊を無意味に減らしたのはこの国の責任だろうが。これはホーラントとの戦いで死んだ第一・第二騎士隊への弔いでもある。侮辱は許さん」 頬の痛みを堪えながら、イメラリアは目の前の男よりも一二三の事を気にしていた。この事態に乗じて、あの男は何をしでかすかわからない、と。

The population of Fokalore has in fact increased three times after the change of feudal lords. Although its number has gone up quite a bit due to immigrants and refugees, the release of an early phase of a population management system and because there was a considerable number of residents, who were the kind to spend money coming from outside for the sake of education, an overall balance was attained. Those related to commerce and industry have been outstandingly developing their sales proficiency and productivity even if compared to outside the country, let alone the domestic companies. By Hifumi's instruction a license system for businesses has been set up. The tax system has been changed to declaring the taxes owed each time. The feudal lord has completely seized the opportunity to circulate goods and money from city to city within the territory by using the rail cars. Even just the sales from this enterprise are contributing to the territory's operation heavily. As for the industry, the standards have been unified for the first time in this world. Due to the "screw", which had been invented by Hifumi, carpenters and ironworkers experienced a great upheaval. Until then it was popular to affix things irreversibly by using nails or welding, but with the introduction of screws and by explosively spreading the industrial products, which were standardized, hasty people are starting to say things like [Fokalore creates the standards of all industrial products] . But it's not only the aspect of knowledge. All territories are also closely observing its military parts. Staying for the sake of participating in the training of each unit, the money spent in the cities is increasing as result. Fokalore gathered the attention and its population is growing. As outcome, the staff members and the civil official slaves, who were controlling them, became busy once again. "Gigigi..." (Miyukare) Miyukare, being the sole civil official slave in charge of military affairs, is finishing the documents with a dreadful expression while holding down her temper. In the space for the sake of the civil official slaves performing their official duties, Miyukare, without even concealing her ill humour, processed the documents with a sound of the pen scribbling across the papers rapidly. Doelgar and Paryu were in the room as well, but both of them are doing their jobs in silence. "What?!" (Miyukare) Miyukare turns her sight as if pouncing down on him towards Doelgar, who timidly called out to her. "Don't glare at me like that... Lord-sama told us that he agrees about the retired soldiers. We were able to procure the participation of the ironworkers, too." (Doelgar) "Right. Then, I will notify the soldiers, who are considering to retire, and have them introduced to the industry guild as applicants." (Miyukare) A single staff member came entering as replacement, but seeing Miyukare's expression, he made a startled face for an instant. He went towards Paryu's desk at a quick pace. Paryu, who raised her face, has her violet eyes half closed as if being drowsy, but the staff member doesn't particularly mind it as it is the usual and hands her the documents, he held in his hands. "Paryu-san, a message from the capital came." "Thank you very much. I will check it, okay?" (Paryu) Once the staff member has left, Paryu looks over the documents given to her. Becoming completely familiar with dealing with paperwork and drawing up a family register, she reads through the documents quickly. She grasps the contents, written down on one sheet of the documents, in several seconds. It's not at the level of Caim, but her documents throughput is high amongst the staff members of the territory. "... Miyukare-san. As soon as the coronation ceremony in the capital finishes, Director of Military Affairs Alyssa will return, it seems." (Paryu) Miyukare stood up with a force that knocked down the chair due to Paryu's words, which were conveyed without any preface at all. "Really!?" (Miyukare) "Unless this document is a forgery. Since it has Lord-sama's usual, unreadable signature, I believe there's no mistake to that." (Paryu) "In that case, it's alright! It's indispensable to throw a welcome home party, right!?" (Miyukare) "Will the restaurant at that place be fine? Is it even better to reserve a hotel?" Towards Miyukare, who shows a slovenly face and says exactly these words with a smile or rather a broad grin, Paryu decided to consider this to be already an illness. An incurable illness, that is. "Lord-sama will come back as well. Since he's coming back leading several soldiers he was entrusted with by Vichy, we've been told to prepare their participation in military training. I will find a boarding house for them but since there's no one but you, Miyukare-san, who can put them into a training schedule, please do that, ok?" (Paryu) "Leave it to me! There shouldn't be much time, right? When was the coronation ceremony?" (Miyukare) "It's today." (Paryu) Viscount Leonhart coming in contact with Roshi is a move trying to create a link to Vichy. It was leaked to the Royal Knight Order, monitoring within the castle. The day before, at the time when Leonhart had the first session of discussions together with the attendants of Vichy, he said [there are also other nobles, who are hoping to form a friendly relationship with your country] . Hoping for a conference with the other nobles before the coronation ceremony and as result of Roshi also agreeing to that, it had been decided to let them freely do it in order to arrest the whole lot at once. And today, just like yesterday, with the scene playing out at the rest room, provided for the envoy of Vichy, their conference started. The nobles politely greeted Roshi in turns, in a modest manner which didn't seem noble-like. On the other hand, although Roshi seems to intend being plenty cautious, there's a necessity for results to come out here. The commander of the attendants, who made sure to be slightly separated from them, calmly saw through him obviously being impatient. "The attendants are nothing more than extras", it was convenient for the attendants that the nobles from Orsongrade failed to even exchange a decent amount of words with them. No one cared about them even as they moved stealthily to their places and blocked the entrance of the room's door. Only Vaiya, who was monitoring them secretly, noticed those movements. "Well then, even though it's sudden, let's discuss the shape of our friendship." (Leonhart) The discussions advance in a way of Leonhart taking the lead. "If we get right to the point, for our country I consider it satisfactory if we proceed with the previous set up circulation of goods and money towards Orsongrande." (Roshi) As the nobles are showing that they haven't understood Roshi's words right away, Leonhart inquires about his real intention. "There is also a possibility of our country's merchants being restricted from entering your country from now on. It will likely be difficult to sell the merchandise of a hostile nation. Accordingly, we can have someone buy them temporarily if we are able to set up a selling agency within Orsongrande." (Roshi) Even while expressing their understanding as I went this far to put it into words, their reaction is weak and lacking. Won't they be able to understand it unless I tell them directly? "... Of course, if you were to agree to the cooperation, there is no doubt that you will be able to secure large profit margins at the time of selling the items in your country since we will sell the merchandise cheaply to you wholesale." (Roshi) "Oh, this a great suggestion! On top of a cooperation, you go even as far as offering us profits, Roshi-dono." (Leonhart) "It's a truly thoughtful story!" The nobles, who at last comprehended the benefits after he explained up to there, are praising Roshi unanimously while exchanging glances amongst each other inquiring about the timing of the contest over the profits. (Are these guys really nobles?) The commander of the attendants watched these exchanges while being disgusted from the bottom of his heart. Speaking of nobles, he thought of them as a group pointlessly and flowery talking about their love for their country while holding money and authority, though unable to hide even a single part of their desire through their thin skin. In this case, Vichy's merchants are 100 times better at talking while hiding their greed Shifting his line of view, he secretly gave the other attendants the sign to carry out the plan. Some nodded silently. Those being outside the noble's view have already drawn their hands to their sword's hilts. "Then, let's talk about the details and volume of the business right away..." (Leonhart) Leonhart, whose laughter changed into a broad grin, bent himself forward. With Roshi being in front of him on the other side, he can see the attendant's commander raising his sword overhead. In the next moment Leonhart's face is sullied by a spray of blood. "Bad luck, we will end the play-friends game here." Being deeply cut into the head, Roshi died instantly. The commander, who stepped over his corpse, which fell off the chair, prepared his blood-soaked sword. "B-Bastard! Your own country's envoy..." (Leonhart) While he was about to attack Leonhart, the other nobles, who were surprised by the bloody event, are scrambling for running away and head towards the door visibly tumbling about. However, even there they have been awaited by attendants standing in the way. "Have everyone here die. As the discussions haven't gone well, the enraged nobles of Orsongrande have stabbed Roshi with knives. Even though we were able to somehow counterattack, Roshi has passed away. You guys have passed away, too. That's how it will go." At the moment he pointed the sword at Leonhart, who has lost the ability to say anything due to surprise, a shuriken came flying from who-knows-where and pierced into the commander's right arm. The impact caused his sword to leap out of his hands. "Ugu!? What the heck!?" While being bewildered by the unknown piece of metal that pierced his arm, an avalanche of knights flowed out of the hidden pathway. In the blink of an eye the situation within the room changed into a state of fighting. Vaiya, who threw the shuriken, jumped in front of the commander holding a kusarigama in his hand. "We are Orsongrande's Royal Knight Order. There is a necessity for us to deal with this lot "Are you an idiot!? There's no way we will surrender just because you tell us to do so!" (Commander) The commander, who picked up his sword with his left hand while yelling, had his face severely struck by the counterweight thrown by Vaiya as he turned around. Dropping his sword once again, he fainted by being hit with the sickle's hilt as he was holding his face. Although several of his group's members were injured as well, all of the attendants were successfully arrested without being killed. For the knights, who are wearing armours, the attendants, who wear nothing more but simple clothes, were almost no contest. Vaiya stands in front of Leonhart, who sighed in relief while sitting down unable to stand up due to fear. "Are you someone from the knight orders? You have my thanks." (Leonhart) "It seems you are misunderstanding something here though." (Vaiya) Vaiya changes from holding the kusarigama to holding a rope. "You are a target for arrest as well. During the time until you receive your punishments from the new queen, I will have you obediently wait in prison." (Vaiya) "W-What foolish thing to say! What kind of crime did..." (Leonhart) "You have been tolerated since you are harmless. If you were harmful, you would have been removed by now." (Vaiya) Vaiya, who quickly tied up Leonhart, gave the order to put him together with the other nobles into the prison managed by the knight order. Even Roshi's fallen corpse is quickly disposed of by the knight order. In the meanwhile Vaiya constantly paid an undue amount of attention to his surroundings. "Did something happen, Vice-Captain?" "No... I thought Earl Tohno would appear because of a battle scene like this, but... well, it's fine, I guess. The coronation ceremony will start soon. We will entrust the conspicuous places to Captain Sabnak. We will continue to monitor from the shadows then." (Vaiya) Hearing Vaiya's words, the knights headed quickly towards their stations. One hour before the coronation ceremony. It was Imeraria's office were an incident started. "You are ... if I remember correctly, you were someone from the knight order. I believe you were in charge of guarding outside the castle, but did something happen?" (Imeraria) It was Balzephon, affiliated to the knight order, who visited the office. Imeraria, who felt doubts about a knight, whom she hardly ever met, suddenly visiting, experienced some uncomfortable feeling. Balzephon, who quickly surveyed the room while entering, stood in front of Imeraria and bowed respectfully. But, he didn't choose to kneel following the etiquette of retainers. The maids, who were close-by, are surprised by his unbelievably impolite attitude. At the moment Imeraria tried to open her mouth to warn him that he should be more careful, Balzephon spoke first. "Your Highness, I'm called Balzephon. I was a member of the Second Knight Order, but now I belong to the unified knight order. Just as Your Highness' said, the Royal Knight Order is protecting inside the castle and we are to guard outside the castle. ... However." (Balzephon) Balzephon took a straight look at Imeraria with forceful eyes. "Why is a former member of the Third Knight Order the captain of the Royal Knight Order? Isn't that person only talented at flattering up to Earl Tohno without even being able to properly handle a sword? Although the vice-captain is Vaiya, that person is an imbecile, who only does what he's told. He was never entrusted any important tasks at the Second Knight Order." (Balzephon) "... It looks like you are unhappy with my human resources. However, your manner of handling that is disrespectful. Quickly leave this room and I will overlook this situation." (Imeraria) Balzephon, who received that advice, laughed scornfully with a "Humph." "No, I'm the one controlling this situation... no, we are. I will have you obediently stay in this room. Given that there will be a small cleaning within the castle after this, during that time, let's get you ready to spend your entire life's time as puppet queen hereafter." (Balzephon) "What are you saying... ?" (Imeraria) Once Imeraria voiced her doubt, the knight, who stood at her side, suddenly drew his sword and thrust it at Imeraria. "! ... You are!" (Imeraria) The knight slightly falters due to her stern glare, but he doesn't lower the sword. "Just like me, he is originally from the Second Knight Order. It was difficult to create an opportunity where Sabnak and the bunch of the former Third Knight Order isn't present. The nobles are nothing but dumb. They were unusable incompetents even for acting as decoys with Vichy's group." (Balzephon) "You were called Balzephon, right? What's your goal?" (Imeraria) With this, it's the second time I have a sword thrust in front of me. Compared to the blood-lust I faced from Hifumi at that time, there isn't anything like that present currently "Honour." (Balzephon) "Eh?" (Imeraria) "For us knights it is honourable to win by fighting our enemies fair and square. It's not to be pleased with not knowing how to wield a weapon like Vaiya and neither is it to record useless conversations while stealthily peeping from the shadows like the bunch from the Third Knight Order. Originally it all became ridiculous starting with Your Highness appointing that man to a responsible post. We only want to reset that." (Balzephon) The other knights, who were present in the room, also drew their swords. The frightened maids gathered at one spot. "Right now our other companions are likely getting rid of Sabnak and Lotomago. Once we suppressed the bunch of the former Third Knight Order, we will have Your Highness grandly announce this feat to the citizens." (Balzephon) Balzephon is elated of himself "Earl Tohno will be banished from this country. Regarding Vichy and Horant, who caused a pointless war, they will receive punishment from the knight order in addition to the reparations." (Balzephon) "Can you hold onto your honour as knight with such meaningless action?" (Imeraria) Once Imeraria asked as if being disgusted, Balzephon quickly approached her and hit Imeraria's cheek with his open hand. Even the knight thrusting the sword at her was surprised by that, but he kept his mouth shut while glaring. "Though it was the responsibility of these countries to meaninglessly decrease our knight order, don't you agree? This will also serve as memorial service for the First and Second Knight Order, who died in the fight against Horant. I won't allow you to insult that." (Balzephon) While enduring the pain of her cheek, Imeraria worried more about Hifumi's situation than that of the man in front of her.

パジョーの思惑を何となくは想像できている一二三だが、これといって対応するつもりも無かった。オーソングランデそのものを敵だとは思っていないが、味方だとも考えていないので、どういう道を選んでも気にならない。 形はどうあれ、正式にフォカロルを中心とした子爵領の領主となった一二三は、フォカロルの旧領主館が今からの家となる。住むところにさほど頓着しないので、新たに雇い入れた侍女たちに清掃だけさせて、全ての部屋をそのまま利用する事にした。 部屋も使用人が使うような狭い一部屋で充分だと一二三は言ったが、領主がそれでは使用人が萎縮してしまうとサブナクに説得され、ハーゲンティが使っていた部屋を利用することになった。 ちなみに、オリガとアリッサも同じく領主館に部屋を貰って住むことになっていた。 二人には本来身内が使う部屋を与えられ、アリッサは急に豪華な部屋に住む事になり、しかも侍女たちが世話をしてくる環境になったことに戸惑っていた。 オリガはフォカロルに戻って来る頃から一二三に寄り添って秘書のような立場になっており、部屋も一二三の部屋の隣りを希望し、精力的に仕事をこなしていた。 遠征軍も一部は王都へ戻ったが、大部分の80人以上が残留した。 編成を戦時中のものから変更し、4グループに分けて領内の警備、フォカロルの治安維持、各種訓練、休息をローテーションで行うシンプルな形に変え、領内から新兵を募集することにした。 アリッサを軍のまとめ役、オリガを文官のまとめ役として雇用し、一二三の体制は一先ず形だけはできた格好だ。ちなみに、アリッサだけではまとめ役として不安だったので、文官奴隷から元王都文官のミュカレという女性を一人、補佐としてつけた。 自分の将来がかかっているだけに、全員必死だ。 「よし、時間だな。全員筆を置け」 ガリガリと書き込まれる音が止み、誰ともなく息を吐く音がする。 たった四人分だと、一二三はさっさと用紙を集めてぱっぱと採点していく。 「よし、まあいいだろう。全員を俺の直属の文官として扱う」 回答を確認したテストを、デスクの上にポイッと置いてから、全員を見回して一二三は言った。 「良かった......」 一人の女性がつぶやいて、他の全員も安堵の表情を浮かべている。 「それじゃ、このままこの街の体制について説明する。大した規模の街じゃないから、簡単な組織しか作らないからな。お前たちとミュカレの5人を、オリガをトップとしたこの街の行政の中心とする。ミュカレは知っての通り軍へ出向とし、場合によっては行政との橋渡し役になってもらう。徴税及び予算編成と執行はカイムとブロクラ。戸籍の作成と管理はパリュ。商工業関連の行政指導はドゥエルガルだ。職員はどんどん雇っていくから、適当に振り分けてお前たちの部下にするからな」 「あの......戸籍とはなんでしょうか?」 奴隷達の中で一番若い女性、パリュが手を挙げた。 「ああ、そう言えば説明してなかったな」 漏れが多そうだと一二三は言ったが、計算ができる人間が少ないので、この程度が限界なのだとサブナクから言われていた。 「どこに誰が住んでいるかを調べて取りまとめた情報の事だ。確か番地とかの概念も無いようだから、まずはお前の下に一番多く人員を回すから、後で説明する内容に従って街の全ての家と土地に番号を付けて、そこに誰が住んでいてなんの仕事をしているかを調べろ。そしてそれをカイム達に渡せ。それが徴税のための基本情報となる」 出生や死亡も届出をさせ、行政サービスもその情報に基づいて行うと説明した。 パリュはわかったようなわからないような顔をしていたが、後で説明があると聞いて頷いた。 「おれは商工業の指導をという事でしたが、何をやらせればいいんで?」 次に質問したのはドゥエルガルで、髭面の中年男だ。 「大まかな業種ごとに組合を作らせる。そこを通じて各職人や店を取りまとめ、産業の状況や行政からの指示をする。職に溢れた奴も、そこを通じて人手が足りていない所へ送り込むようにすれば、効率的だろう」 「なるほど」 ドゥエルガルはあっさり納得したらしい。 「それと、数人のドワーフの奴隷も間もなくフォカロルへ到着する。いくらか作らせるものもあるから、中で売り物になるものは国から組合を通じて市場に流すから、それについても任せる」 「わかりやした」 さらに、徴税方法や税率など、戦争中から考えていた内容を全員に説明し、戸籍情報がまとまり次第、税制変更を行うことを告げた。 確認にはそれぞれ領主館内に私室と執務室を与えられ、専属の侍女もつく。まるで貴族のような待遇に戸惑う一同だったが、 「それだけキツい仕事だという意味だよ」 という一言に、怯える者とやる気を出すものと様々だった。 その日には街へ到着したドワーフ達に、街の工事と道具の作成を、図面を見せながら説明して任せたり、街の警備について詰所ではなくもっと少人数が詰める交番のような建物を新設することを指示したりと、一二三は精力的に街中を回っていた。 自分の足で街を歩き回る新しい領主に、初めは戸惑っていた街の住人たちも、顔を覚えて次第に挨拶をしてくるようになった。 正直面倒だと思っていた一二三だが、戦争のための金と物資を生みだしてくれる相手だと思うと、自然に手をあげて応じる位の事はするようになった。 「何か、少し雰囲気がお優しくなられましたね」 一二三のために紅茶を入れながら、オリガは微笑んだ。 気がつけば、仕事があるとき以外はオリガが横にいるなと、一二三は思った。 「その......アリッサから聞きました」 オリガの声で、思考に沈んでいた意識が戻った。 「何を?」 「一二三様が、ヴィシー中央委員会へベイレヴラを差し出すようにと記された書面をお送りになられたことです。ありがとうございます」 アリッサはオリガによく相談をしているらしいので、そこで聞いたのだろう。隠すつもりも無かったが。 「まだ何の結果も出ていないし、素直にヴィシーが動く保証はない。礼を言われるような事じゃない」 「結果ではなく、そうして頂いた事が嬉しいのです。それで、その......」 顔を真っ赤にして、オリガはもじもじと何かを伝えようとするが、中々言葉にできない。 こうして見ると、年相応な女の子だが、最近は何故かスレてしまってるよな、と自分のせいだとは微塵も考えていない一二三だった。 「そこから先の事は、まだ言わない方がいい」 「俺だって男だ。お前の気持ちは嬉しい」 一二三はオリガを応接のソファへ促して、自分も正面に座った。 「でもな、奴隷だったお前を奴隷として俺は買った。復讐も満足に果たせていない。まあ、カーシャはあれで良かったらしいけどな。復讐のために俺の近くにいるからとは言わないが、何かの刷り込みのように俺が良く見えている部分はないか?」 「そ、そんな事はありません!」 オリガは、自分の気持ちが否定されたと感じて、涙が溢れた。 「落ち着け。俺もまだこの世界では落ち着いてそういう関係を持つ相手を欲しいと思えないというのもある。俺の都合だ。すまない」 頭を下げている一二三の姿を見て、オリガはすっと気持ちが落ち着いていった。 「そ、そんな、一二三様、私に頭を下げるなど、おやめください!」 「お前の事は嫌いじゃない。だが、それ以上今は考えられる状況じゃないんだ。そうだな......ヴィシーとの件が落ち着いたら、ゆっくり話す時間を作る。その時にオリガの気持ちが変わっていなければだけどな」 一二三は冗談めかした話し方だったが、オリガは真剣に受け止めた。 「分かりました。私の気持ちは変わりませんが、一二三様の傍にいるに相応しい女だと証明してみせます。ですから、私を見ていていただけますか?」 「......わかった」 一二三の返答に取り敢えず満足したのか、オリガは笑顔を取り戻して、仕事に戻ると言って一礼して退室した。 残された一二三は、刀を取り出して刀身を確認する。刃こぼれしないことは分かっていても、これは日課になっていた。 (恋人、結婚か。あっちでは考えなかった事だが、貴族になったからには、本で読んだような感じで、どこぞのお嬢さんが擦り寄ってきたりするんだろうか。よく聞く話だが、オリガでも誰が相手でも、結婚したら俺の性格は丸くなっていくのだろうか。人を殺すことをやめることができるだろうか?) 殺すこと殺される事よりも、自分が変質してしまうようで、それが怖かった。この世界へ来て、初めて怖いと思った。 (こんな奴の嫁になりたいと思う奴がいるかね......) それとも、嫁ができればそれが大事な相手になるのだろうか。子供ができれば......。 「やめやめ。気が滅入るだけだな」 決まってもいないことに色々思い悩んでも仕方ないと、仕事の続きに没頭した。 どうやら、仕事が早いのはトルンだけではなくてドワーフ全般に言える事らしい。 一二三がウーラルから買い入れたドワーフの奴隷達は、フォカロル到着の初日から与えられた仕事を精力的にこなしていた。 領の専属制作班として、奴隷ドワーフのプルフラスをリーダーに、10人のドワーフがいくつかのグループに別れて作業に勤しんでいた。買い入れたドワーフは15人だが、残りは街の工事にあたっている。 作業場所は広々とした作業場跡を買い取って利用している。 訪れた一二三の姿をみて、プルフラスが駆け寄ってきた。 「おお、領主様か」 「作業は進んでいるようだな」 まだ作業開始から一日だというのに、すでにいくつかの作品が作業場の脇に並べられていた。 「いやいや、楽しい仕事を与えてもらったからな、頑張っておるよ。奴隷になっちまって、このまま鉱山で死ぬまで働くかと思っておったが、あれこれと見たこともない物を作れるとは、みんな領主様には感謝しておる。さあ、指示通りにできているか確認してくれ!」 プルフラスに誘導されて、作品を順番に確認していく。 一二三の指示によって作成されたのは、投石器と大型のボウガンのような武器で、矢の代わりにシンプルな木槍を射出するように作られている。短い期間で大量に作るなら、矢を作るよりもただ削って作るだけの槍が早いからだ。 「武器はわかるが、この“とろっこ”とかいう台車はどうするんだ? 確かに重いものを載せても二人で簡単に動かせるが、図面通りに作ってみたら曲がる機能が無いんだが」 「専用のレールを引く。正確に言えば二本の棒を平行に敷いて、その上に載せる。棒がカーブすればそれに沿って曲がる」 「動作試験は済んでるな? 職員を何人か応援にやるから、街中を一周するレールを二本敷設していってくれ」 街中の図面を渡した一二三は、道路部分に引かれたラインをなぞって見せた。 「二本いるのか?」 「逆回りがあれば便利だろう。安い移動手段として普及すれば、街中の流通や人の移動が活性化する」 なるほどと大げさに頷くプルフラスに、一二三は爽やかに笑った。 「違うぞ、これからそのレールは街の外へ分岐する分も作ってもらう。国境方面にな」 「王都方面ではなく?」 「当たり前だ。これは戦争物資を素早く運ぶためのものだぞ? 人も物資も、手早く手配できるならそれだけ有利だろう」 朗らかに笑いながら物騒なことを話す若い領主に、プルフラスは息を飲んだ。 (これが噂の英雄“細剣の騎士”なのか?) プルフラスには、英雄というよりはもっと恐ろしい何かに感じられた。 だが、自分の立場を思い直せば、ここで腕を見せる以外にはないと、一二三の指示を聞き逃すまいと気持ちを切り替えた。 この街が、いつか戦場になるだろうと予感しながら。

As he didn't really consider Orsongrande an enemy nor did he judge them to be allies either, he didn't particularly care which path they would choose. The state being as it is, Hifumi officially became the feudal lord of the central viscount territory of Fokalore. The mansion of the former feudal lord of Fokalore became his residence from now on. Even though Hifumi said it would be plenty for him to use a small room like the servants used, he was persuaded by Sabnak that if the feudal lord were in such situation the servants rooms would end up shrinking even more. Thus, the result was that he would use the room Hagenti used before.magic Incidentally, Origa and Alyssa also received a room for living in the same former feudal lord mansion. The two were given rooms that were originally used by the former feudal lord's relatives. Alyssa swiftly decided on an extravagant room to live in, but she was unusually bewildered having her circumstances being taken care of by maids. From the time Origa returned to Fokalore she stayed close to Hifumi almost as if her position was to be his secretary. She also aspired the room next to Hifumi's room. Thus she was finishing her work vigorously. Although one part of the expeditionary force returned to the capital, the majority of above 80 people stayed behind. Revising from their organisation during the war, they divided into 4 groups to guard the territory, maintain the public order, and practice all kinds of things. They changed into a simple way of performing a relief rotation and decided to conscript new recruits from within the territory. Alyssa was employed as army manager while Origa was employed to manage the civil officials. Merely for form's sake Hifumi arranged this shape of system for now. As it would affect their own future, all of them were desperate. "Alright, it's time. Everyone put down your pens." (Hifumi) The scratching sound of filling in the papers ceased and without knowing who it was, the sound of breathing out could be heard. Since it was merely the portion of four people, Hifumi collected the sheets of paper without delay and graded them quickly. "Alright, maa, I guess it's fine. All of you will operate as civil officials under my direct control." (Hifumi) After checking the answers of the test, Hifumi tossed the papers on top of the desk and looked at everyone while talking. "I'm so glad..." (Slave) A single woman muttered while the others had a relieved facial expression. "Well then, I will now explain regarding the organisation of this city's administration. As it isn't a city of significant scale, it isn't feasible to make anything but a simple structure. The five of you, you guys and Miyukare, will play a leading role in the administration of this city with Origa on top. As you know, Miyukare will be transferred to the troops. Depending on the situation she will bear the duty of mediating with the administration. Caim "Ano ... What is a family register?" (Paryu) The youngest woman among the slaves, Paryu, raised her hand. "Ah, now that you mention it, I didn't explain that." (Hifumi) Although Hifumi said there were many leaks like that, since there were only few people who could calculate, Sabnak mentioned with confidence that this degree of taxation was the limit of what was possible. "It is work that investigates who and where someone is living and compiles this information. Certainly, because there is obviously no concept of addresses or such either, most of the personnel will be at first sent under your supervision. After explaining the details, they will attach a number to all plots of land and houses within the city. Furthermore they will check up who lives there and what kind of occupation they have. And then you will hand this information over to Caim's group. This will become the basic information in order to collect the taxes." (Hifumi) He also explained that the performance of the administration services was based on the information obtained by receiving reports about birth and death. Although Paryu had a face which likewise could mean that she understood it or didn't, after listening to his explanation she nodded in assent. "Even though I have the work called 'guidance of the commerce and industry,' what would be good to do there?" (Doelgar) The next question came from Doelgar, a middle-aged man with a bearded face. "Generally it is to make a guild for every type of industry. Each craftsman and store should be coordinated through them by giving them instructions depending on the situation of the industry and the instructions from the administration. Also, those guys who are unemployed will be efficiently sent to the places, which don't have enough hands, as manpower by the guilds." (Hifumi) "I see." (Doelgar) Doelgar seems to have understood it quickly. "And, before long there will arrive several dwarf slaves at Fokalore. Since they are able to somewhat produce some things as well, we will distribute those goods, which have become our specialty, through the guilds in the country's market. Everything in regards to that I will entrust to you." (Hifumi) "I have understood." (Doelgar) Furthermore, such things as tax collection and tax rate, he explained to everyone the details of what he planned during the war. As soon as the family register information was gathered, he would announce the change of the tax system. In order to validate them, each of them would be given a private room in the feudal lord's mansion to serve as office and would have an exclusive maid assigned to them. "You can interpret it as your work being this level of demanding and intensity." (Hifumi) After these words some became scared while others showed their determination. That day the dwarves arrived in the city, they prepared the tools for the construction work in the city and were shown the blueprints while receiving the necessary explanations. The instructions were about the new buildings like the police box, where a smaller amount of guards could be stationed unlike a guard office in concern of the the city's security. Hifumi was vigorously going through the entire city. As new feudal lord he walked through the city on his own feet. Even though the city's inhabitants were bewildered in the beginning, it reached the point that they greeted him as they gradually memorized his face. Although Hifumi frankly thought of it as troublesome, considering that they had provided the money and materials for the sake of the war, it naturally turned into him improving his acceptance of the matters regarding his governmental position. "Somehow your mood has become a bit more gentle." (Origa) Origa smiled while making black tea for Hifumi. Except during work, Origa is always besides me "That ... I heard from Alyssa." (Origa) Towards Origa's voice he returned his consciousness from his deep thinking. "What?" (Hifumi) "It's about the matter regarding Hifumi-sama sending a written letter in order for to the central government of Vichy to hand over Beirevra. Thank you very much." (Origa) Given that Alyssa is apparently often consulting with Origa, I guess she heard about it then. "We don't know yet what kind of effect it will have. There is no guarantee that Vichy will follow it obediently either. There is no need to thank me for something like that." (Hifumi) "Even if there are no results, I will gladly accept the situation just like that. Because of that, um ..." (Origa) With a deep red face Origa tried to convey something while being fidgety but she wasn't quite able to put it in words. Seeing her like that, although it is appropriate for a girl of her age, for some reason she ends up wearing me out recently "You better not continue saying anything yet regarding the previous matter." (Hifumi) "Even I am a man. I am happy about your feelings." (Hifumi) Hifumi urged Origa to the couch in the reception and also sat in front of her himself. "But, I bought you, who was a slave, as a slave. I couldn't accomplish your vengeance properly either. Maa, I guess for Kasha this much was fine already. Even though I won't say that I am close to fulfilling your revenge, isn't this like the often seen part of imprinting something?" (Hifumi) "Th-There is no such thing!" (Origa) Origa, thinking that her feelings were denied, started to spill tears. "Calm down. As I haven't really settled down in this world yet, you can say that I didn't think about wanting to have a relationship like that. It is for my own convenience. Sorry." (Hifumi) Seeing the figure of the apologizing Hifumi, Origa quickly subdued her feelings. "S-Such a degree of apology towards me, Hifumi-sama, please stop it!" (Origa) "I don't dislike you. But, in the current situation I don't plan to go any further than that. That's right ... once the case with Vichy has been settled, I will make time for us to talk at ease. However, only if Origa's feelings haven't changed at that time." (Hifumi) Even though Hifumi's way of talking showed signs of jesting, Origa took it seriously. "I understand. As my feelings won't change, I will prove it to you that I am suitable woman to stand at Hifumi-sama's side. Therefore, could you please watch me?" (Origa) "... Understood" (Hifumi) Was Hifumi's reply sufficient for her for the time being? Regaining her smile, Origa bowed and left the room as she had to return to her work. Hifumi, who was left behind, unsheathed his katana and checked the sword blade. < Lover, Marriage, huh? Although I didn't think about these things over there, now that I have become a noble, I wonder if somewhere there is an ojou-san approaching to snuggle up to me like the impressions I got from reading in books? As it is an often heard story, I wonder whether my own character will get as amicable to marry Origa or some other partner? Will I be able to cease killing people? > (Hifumi) Other than killing or being killed, me ending up changing in such way, that is scary. < I wonder if there is a fellow who wants to become the bride of such a guy? ... > (Hifumi) Or, I wonder, if becoming the wife is impossible, to become a cherished partner? "Stop, let's just stop. It will only cause me to feel depressed." (Hifumi) As it was inevitable for him to worry about various things without making a decision either, he continued to immerse himself in his work. Apparently it wasn't only Thorn who worked early but it was something that could be said for the entire dwarven race. The dwarf slaves Hifumi had bought from Ular did their assigned work energetically from the first day after arriving in Fokalore. As 15 dwarves were purchased, the remainder was working at the construction of the city currently. The manufacturing area was an extensive workshop which was bought to be utilized. Seeing the figure of Hifumi arriving, Pruflas ran up to him. "Oo, feudal lord-sama?" (Pruflas) "It seems the work is making progress." (Hifumi) Despite it only being one day since the work had started, there were already several products lined up at the side of the workshop. "No, not at all. Since accepting the assignment of such enjoyable work, we are doing our best. After becoming slaves, though we wondered whether we would work in the mines until death, we can now produce things that we haven't seen until now either like this and that. We all do this in order to thank the feudal lord. Now, please confirm whether we were able to follow your instructions adequately!" (Prulflas) Guided by Prulflas, he checked the products in turns. Producing according to Hifumi's instructions, there were ballistas and weapons resembling large bow-guns. In order for those being able to shoot simple wood lances were produced instead of arrows. "Although I can understand the weapons, what do you want to do with this wagon called "rail car"? Certainly, as it is easy to move it with two people even if it has to carry heavy load, according to the blueprints it doesn't provide a function to make a curve." (Pruflas) "I will draw up an exclusive rail. To say it accurately, we will lay out two poles side-by-side and place it on top of them. It will make the curves according to the curving of those poles." (Hifumi) "Haven't you finished the movement test? Since I will dispatch some personnel as support, please construct two rails around the whole city." (Hifumi) Hifumi handed over a drawing of the whole city. It showed the traced lines of the drawn parts of the roads. "Are there two of them?" (Pruflas) "It's convenient to have one going around in reverse. It will be a popular way of cheap travelling. It will stimulate the movement of people and goods in the whole city." (Hifumi) At the exaggerated agreement of Pruflas, Hifumi laughed refreshingly. "It is different. After this, I will have you make further rails having segments diverging away from this city to other places. In the direction of the national border." (Hifumi) "Not in the direction of the royal capital?" (Pruflas) "Obviously not. Won't these be used in order to quickly transport materials for the war? Goods and people as well. That alone is already advantageous for swiftly preparing." (Hifumi) The young feudal lord talked about dangerous things while smiling brightly. Prulflas had his breath taken away. <This is the rumored hero "Knight of the Slender Sword"?> (Pruflas) As for Prulflas, rather than a hero he felt something even more dreadful. But, thinking back on his own position, there was nothing for him to do but displaying his skill here. He acted as if he didn't hear Hifumi's indications and renewed his attitude. While he had a hunch that this city would become a battlefield someday.

169.Living For Love 「陛下」 ノックをして、イメラリアの寝室へ入ってきたのは、サブナクの妻であるシビュラだった。彼女とサブナク、そして彼女の父である宰相アドルだけは、イメラリアの狙いをしっていた。 そして、一二三が夜明け前までこの部屋にいて、何をしていたのかも。 「シビュラさんですか......」 「温かいミルクをお持ちいたしました」 ベッドの横へ、湯気を立てるカップを置いたシビュラは、手桶に入れたお湯の中からタオルを取り出し、堅く絞った。 「こちらでお体をお拭きください」 「ありがとう」 お礼に笑顔を向けて応えたシビュラは、クローゼットから真っ白なナイトガウンを取り出し、身体を拭い終わったイメラリアの肩へそっとかけた。 「間もなく、湯浴みの用意が整いますので、公務の前に身体をお浄めください」 「助かります......あの、やはり匂いますか?」 自分の身体の匂いを嗅ぎながら、イメラリアが恐る恐る尋ねた。自分では汗臭い中に少しだけ一二三の匂いが混じっているように感じる程度だが。 「ええ。男女の匂いというのは、本人以外の者には良くわかるものです。これがそこらの侍女であれば、ちょっとした下世話な噂話の種で終わるでしょうけれど」 「そ、そうですか」 抱えていたカップを置いて、慌ててガウンの前を閉じると、ふと思い出したように枕元に置いていた香炉を持ち上げて、シビュラへと渡す。 「忘れないうちに、これをお返ししておきますね」 「はい。確かにご返却いただきました」 「本当に効果があるのでしょうか?」 まだ痛みが残る下腹部をさすりながら、イメラリアは首をかしげている。 香炉は魔法具の一つで、無臭の特殊な薬品を焚くことで、女性の妊娠率を飛躍的に引き上げる、とされている。生理周期は合わせているが、それでも不安だったイメラリアから相談を受けたシビュラが、父であるアドルから借り受けてきたのだ。 そういった魔法具を所持していることを隠しているつもりだったアドルは、青い顔をして女王の為なら、としぶしぶ了承した。長く子がいなかったアドルが、探しに探して手に入れたものらしく、シビュラが生まれたのがその効果を表している。 そのエピソード付きで香炉と薬品を渡された時のイメラリアは、どういう顔をしていいかわからないという表情だった。 「時間も無いですから、ちゃんと授かっていることを願うしかありませんね」 「定期的に健診を入れるようにいたしましょう。早ければ、二か月程度でわかるはずです。借りた日に私も試してみましたから、うまくいけば陛下と子育ての相談もできますね」 「そ、そう......」 アドルの件もそうだが、知り合いの“そういう話”は苦手だった。自分が大した経験もないのに、どう返して良いかわからないからだ。 「とにかく、子が生まれたら、協力をお願いいたします。わたくしは、子供の出生について、公表するつもりはありません。そうですね、乳母兼教育係ということでいかがですか?」 「それは助かります。私も子供が生まれたら侍女の仕事は続けられませんから」 ですが、とシビュラが目を細めた。 「王子か王女かはわかりませんが......その子にも、父親のことをお伝えされないのですか?」 「一二三様がどのような人物であったか、についてはしっかりと話すつもりです。ですが、彼が父親だという話は致しません。まだ決めてはいませんが、いずれは地方の若くして亡くなった貴族が相手だった、とでも説明しましょう」 口を開きかけたシビュラは、少しだけぬくもりが残る香炉を抱えて、口を閉じた。 「面倒事を押し付けるようで、申し訳ないのですが......」 「私には、はけ口がありますから問題ありませんわ。もちろん、主人のはけ口にも私がおります。陛下が御心のままにお過ごしいただけるのであれば、それが臣としての幸福です」 だから、なんでも遠慮なく申し付けて欲しい、とシビュラは言う。 「では、まず一つお願いしたいのですけれど」 「はい、陛下」 「貴方と子とわたくしの子を、友人にしてくださいませんか?」 目を丸くして驚いたシビュラだったが、すぐにイメラリアの意図を汲み、微笑みを取り戻した。 「喜んで、陛下。それはきっと、私の子にとっても、素晴らしいことだと思います」 笑顔で向かいあった二人は、初めての体験や男性の扱いについてひとしきり話し合うと、イメラリアは彼女専用の浴場へ向かい、シビュラは血の跡も生々しい寝具を抱え、密かに焼き捨てるために焼却施設へと運ぶ。 そして、湯浴みから戻ってきたイメラリアの元へ、一つの書類が届いた。 そこには、トオノ伯爵領ローヌにある国境にて、魔人族との戦闘が発生したとの記載があり、防衛に成功したものの、ヴィシー国内に魔人族が潜伏しているか、最悪の予測として、ヴィシーがすでに魔人族に乗っ取られている、と書かれていた。 「魔人族は退却したはずでしょう。早くはありませんか? 一体何が起きたというのですか!」 だが、書簡を持ってきたヴァイヤーと、シビュラと共に早朝から登城していたサブナクは、イメラリアに明確な答えを出せない。 「予測としては、トオノ伯が撃退したものとは別の部隊が入れ替わりにヴィシーを攻撃し、攻略もしくは侵入に成功したのでしょう。でなければ、移動にかかる時間が異常に速いということになります」 ありえない、としたヴァイヤーに、イメラリアはその認識が甘い、と指摘した。 「プーセさんから色々と魔法の話を聞きましたが、結界以外にも様々な魔法があり、適正と習熟次第では、空を飛ぶことも可能だとか。第一、違う世界から呼び出された人物が、こちら......と言ってよいかは微妙ですが、居られるわけです」 何がしかの方法で、転移したり高速で移動することも可能かもしれない、というのがイメラリアの予想だった。実際に召喚魔法が使用できたのだから、まったく可能性が無いわけではない。 「相手は魔人族。エルフよりも魔法に優れている部分があるとされているのです。人間の感覚を押し付けていては、足元をすくわれるでしょう」 再び、イメラリアは報告書へと視線を落とした。 「さて、どう動きましょうか......」 時間は、彼女が思っているよりもずっと少ない。 「クソッ! 先遣隊の連中の話と違うじゃねぇか!」 必死で走りながら自陣へと引き返していた魔人族兵士の一人が、背後に見えるローヌの町に構築された、頑丈な防壁を忌々しげに見て、吐き出すように叫んだ。彼が得意としている投石魔法では防壁に傷をつけるのがやっとで、突入のための入口どころか穴すら開いていない。 一二三のせいで早期に撤退する羽目になったものの、ヴィシー侵入を果たしたバシム率いる魔人兵たちは、しっかりとヴィシー国内へ仲間を送り込むことに成功していた。 彼らを足掛かりとし、ウェパルの転移魔法によって国内へと突如現れた魔人族の軍は、瞬く間にヴィシー国内を制圧していった。 人数の都合もあり、基本的には各所の管理責任者を幽閉し、武器を取り上げ、食用を供出させるのみに止めている。逃げたとしてもオーソングランデやホーラントへの国境方面に近づくほど魔人族に会う確率が増えるだけで、他には荒野しか行くところがない。実質、ヴィシー各都市の人々は、町を離れる選択はできなかった。 そういった前例もあり、別の国とはいえ人間の国である以上、オーソングランデへの侵攻も簡単に終わるだろう、と魔人族の兵たちは考えていたし、ウェパルも実のところ、その程度にしか考えていなかった。 「うわっ!」 悪態をついていた魔人兵の隣で、同僚が槍に貫かれて倒れた。 だが、彼に手を差し伸べる余裕は無い。動きが鈍れば、次に串刺しになるのは自分なのだ。 「あぎゃっ!?」 また一人、誰かの悲鳴が聞こえた。 「クソッ! クソッ!」 背後からの恐怖に耐え切れず、兵士は手近な岩の影に飛びこんだ。 「ああ、まだ陣まであんな距離があるのか......」 五百メートル以上先に、自分たちが構築した戦陣が見える。戦陣と言っても、食料などの荷物をまとめて置いて、目印を立てただけの簡易な集合場所でしかない。だが、そこまで行けば少なくとも町から撃ち出されている兵器は届かないはずだし、仲間もいる。 だが、矢の雨ならぬ槍の雨が降るなか、そこまで敵に背を向けて走る勇気は無かった。 「攻撃が緩むのを待つしかないな......」 それがいつになるのかわからないが、少なくとも死ぬよりはマシだった。腰に提げた皮袋から、水を一口飲むと、魔人族の兵はぐったりと岩にもたれかかる。 「畜生、人間は魔法も碌に使えないと聞いたのは、一体なんだったんだ?」 兵士はぼやく。誰も答えを教えてくれないのを知りながら。 彼女は、兵力の三分の二を温存することにしたのだ。まず様子見をして、それから“兵力の振り分け”をしようと考えていた。オーソングランデ側。もしくはホーラント側へ集中し、出撃と残留の比率が逆であれば、魔人族は思うさま蹂躙が可能だったかもしれない。 しかし、大して警戒もしていなかったヴィシーの荒野側にある防衛力を基準に考えて、今回も不幸な出会いさえなければ、国境など楽に突破できる、と踏んでいた。 ちなみに、一二三の特徴は全軍に通達され、出会ったらすぐ撤退することと厳命されている。 魔人族兵が立てた計画は簡単で、国境の砦や防壁を魔法で破壊もしくはダメージを与え、膂力に優れた者たちで突破する、というものだった。 ところが、ローヌの町へと魔法攻撃を仕掛けた魔人族とその同僚たちは、信じられないものを見ることになった。 魔法障壁によって、彼らが放った岩石や炎は、完全に防御されてしまった。さらには、防壁に開けられたひし形や円形の隙間から次々に飛来する槍によって、魔法攻撃隊はあっという間に半減し、突撃のために控えていた兵士たちと共に、総崩れになって一時撤退を余儀なくされていた。 「隊長は......」 岩陰からそっと周囲を見回した兵士は、二本の槍を身体から生やしている、背の高い魔人族が倒れているのを見つけた。 「死んだか。誰が指揮するにしても、とりあえずは帰りたいんだがな......帰れるのか?」 ここまで、ウェパルの転移魔法でやってきたのだ。次に門が開くのは三日後。戦闘の状況を確認するためと、人員交代の為だ。徒歩や馬で買えるにしても、それだけの食糧は用意していない。死んだ連中の食糧を集めたとして、運搬の方法が無い。 「人間の町で馬車でも奪ってくるか......? いや、まず荒野の道がわからん」 絶望的な気分で、兵士はまた水を飲む。 たっぷり三日間、なんとかして生き延びる。最早攻め込もうなどという考えは吹き飛んでいた。 「ふん。大したことないのう」 「調子に乗らないの。エルフの魔法障壁が無かったら、危なかったんだから」 から国境の向こうを覗き込み、逃げていく魔人兵たちを見て笑っているプルフラスに、ミュカレはため息交じりに注意した。 周囲ではフォカロルの兵士たちが忙しなく動き回り、槍の補充や射手の交代、投槍器の点検などで大わらわだ。ちなみに、国境警備担当のオーソングランデ兵は、居場所が無くて隅に固まって一応は戦う準備をしている。 「そんじゃ、あたしたちは一旦休憩させてもらうよ」 「で、ウチが代わりにここでお手伝いします」 ザンガーとレニが、ミュカレへと報告する。 「はい。ご協力ありがとうございました。お疲れのところ申し訳ありませんが、また攻撃がありましたら......」 「構わんから、すぐに呼んでおくれ。魔法障壁は、あたしらの一番得意なことじゃからねぇ」 じゃあ、寝させてもらうよ、とザンガーは笑いながら獣人たちとエルフが宿舎として与えられたホテルへと戻っていく。その後ろに、同じく障壁を張る役を終えた数名のエルフがついて行った。 残ったレニは、待機していた獣人たちの元へと向かい、交代で休憩を取るように指示を出すと、再びミュカレの所へ戻ってきた。 ふわふわと白い毛を揺らして走ってくる姿に、ミュカレは頬が緩む。 「ウチたち獣人も、いつでも動けますから」 「本当に、あなた達がいてくれて助かりました。食料を用意しますから、使ってください」 「助かります......それにしても」 防壁の上へ、レニが視線を向ける。 そこには、仁王立ちで魔人族の動向を観察し、真紅のマントを翻しながら兵士たちに射撃の指示を出しているアリッサの姿があった。 しばらくその姿を見つめていたレニは、ミュカレに視線を戻すと、ふにゃりとした笑顔を見せた。 「なんだか、領主様は一二三さんに似ているんですね」 「え......」 まさか、とミュカレは高さ四メートルほどの防壁を見上げた。 風を受けながらもバランスを保って立っているアリッサの姿は、小柄ながらも凛々しく見えた。その立ち居振る舞いは、兵士に訓練を施す一二三の姿に似ていると言えなくもない。アリッサが、意図してそうしている可能性もある。 「え、まさか、え......いやいや!」 首をぶんぶんと振り、ミュカレは頭の中で重なったイメージを振りほどいた。 「あ、アリッサ様は先代のように傍若無人ではありませんよ。それに、可愛らしさがまるで違います。あの人を人と思わない冷たい目の男と一緒にするのはどうかと......」 「そうですか? 同じくらい、かわいい人だと思いますけど? 一生懸命やりたいことやってるのって、見ていてかわいいと思いませんか?」 あはは、と笑って獣人たちの集まりに戻っていくレニの背中を目で追いながら、ミュカレは混乱していた。 「かわいい? 獣人の嗜好ってみんなああなのかしら、と首をひねっているミュカレに、頭上からアリッサが声をかけた。 「ミュカレさーん!」 「は、はい! どうされましたか?」 「おねが―い! ヴィーネさん呼んできてー!」 「わかりました! お待ちください!」 風で聞こえにくいらしく、大声で呼びかけるアリッサに、ミュカレも精一杯の大声で答えて、役場へと早足で向かう。 「うふふ......やっぱり、あの男とは全然違うわよ。あの男もいなくなって、ヴィーネが連絡役になれば、領主補佐役として一日中隣に......」 本人はにこやかな微笑みのつもりだが、客観的に見て、口の片方だけを吊り上げた邪悪な笑みに、周囲は自然と道を開けた。 「ああ、くだらない戦争なんて早く終わらせなくちゃ。きっと、アリッサ様の元でフォカロルはもっと素晴らしい町になる......いや、そうしなくては!」 一部動機が不純な者も含めつつ、アリッサの領主としての基盤は整いつつあった。

Chapter 169: Living For Love "Your Majesty." The one entering Imeraria's bedchamber after knocking was Sabnak's wife, Shibyula. Only Sabnak, her and Prime Minister Adol, Shibyula's father, knew of Imeraria's aim. And also what Hifumi might have done in this room until before-dawn. "Shibyula-san...?" (Imeraria) "I have brought warm milk, Milady." (Shibyula) Shibyula put down a cup with steam rising next to the bed, and then took out a towel from a bucket with hot water and wrung it strongly. "Please wipe your body with this." (Shibyula) "Thank you." (Imeraria) Shibyula, who answered the gratitude with a smile, fetched a pure-white nightgown from the closet and gently wraps it over Imeraria's shoulders who had finished drying her body. "The preparations for taking a bath will be done very soon. Please cleanse your body before your official duties." (Shibyula) "That's a big help...umm, do I smell after all?" (Imeraria) Imeraria timidly asked while sniffing the scent of her own body. By herself she can only sense a slight smell of Hifumi lingering within her own sweat smell. "Yes. The mixed scent of man and woman is something very obvious to anyone besides the involved parties. If it's the maids around here, I suppose this would likely develop into a somewhat juicy topic of gossip." (Shibyula) "I-Is that so?" (Imeraria) Imeraria puts down the cup, buttons up the front of her gown in a hurry, and picks up the incense burner placed at her bedside as if having suddenly remembered it, handing it over to Shibyula. "I'm going to return this to you before I forget." (Imeraria) "Yes. I have certainly received it back from you, Your Majesty." (Shibyula) "Does it really work?" (Imeraria) Imeraria inclines her head to the side in doubt while patting her abdomen that still causes her pain. The incense burner is a magic tool which burns a special, odourless medicine considered to steeply rise the impregnation probability of women. She has matched it with her menstruation cycle, but being worried nonetheless, Imeraria sought counsel from Shibyula who had borrowed the burner from her father. Adol, who intended to hide the fact of him possessing such magic tool, reluctantly agreed lending it with a pale face since it was for the sake of the queen. Adol, who went without children for a long time, apparently got his hands on it after looking for it everywhere. The birth of Shibyula proved the tool's effectiveness. At the time when she was given the medicine and the incense burner while being told that anecdote, Imeraria wore an expression making it clear that she didn't know what kind of face she should make. "Since there's not much time left anymore, all I can do is to pray that I was properly blessed with a child." (Imeraria) "Let's have you get periodically examined. At earliest, you should know whether you succeeded in around two months. I tried it as well on the day I borrowed it, so if all goes well, I will also be able to counsel you on child rearing, Your Majesty." (Shibyula) "Y-Yes..." (Imeraria) It was the same with Adol as well, but Imeraria was bad at chatting "about such things" with acquaintances. Because she doesn't have that much experience in it, she doesn't know how to answer best. "Anyway, please help me out once the child is born. I don't have any plans of officially announcing the birth of my child. Ah yes, how about finding a person in charge of wet nursing and education?" (Imeraria) "That would be a lifesaver. Once my child is born, I won't be able to continue working as maid anymore." (Shibyula) "But," Shibyula squinted her eyes. "I don't know whether it will be a prince or princess, but... are you not going to tell that child about its father either?" (Shibyula) "I fully intend to speak about what kind of person Hifumi-sama was. But, I won't tell them that he's their father. I still haven't decided, but I will eventually explain it away that my partner was a provincial noble who died early." (Imeraria) Shibyula was about to speak up, but then decided against it while holding the incense burner with its little lingering warmth. "I'm terribly sorry to push something troublesome on you, but..." (Imeraria) "There's no problem because I have the opportunity to vent my emotions. Of course I will also serve as outlet for you, Milady. If it allows me to get along well with you, Your Majesty, it will be a blessing for me as retainer." (Shibyula) "Therefore I'd like you to give me any order without any reservations," Shibyula says. "Then, there's something I want to ask of you, if that's fine." (Imeraria) "Yes, Your Majesty." (Shibyula) "Can you please raise your child to be a friend of mine?" (Imeraria) Shibyula opened her eyes wide in surprise, but immediately recovered a gentle smile after grasping Imeraria's intention. "With pleasure, Your Majesty. I'm very sure that this will be something wonderful for my child as well." (Shibyula) Looking at each other with smiles, both chat about their first experience and the man's treatment for some time. Afterwards Imeraria heads to her exclusive bathroom and Shibyula takes the bedding with its fresh blood stains and carries it to the incinerator to burn it in secret. And then a single document arrived at Imeraria's place who came back from her hot bath. It was a record of the battle against the demons that occurred at the national border near Rhone in Tohno Earldom, reporting about the successful defense. It also mentioned that the demons were hiding inside Vichy, or in worst case, had already occupied Vichy. "The demons should have already retreated, no? Isn't that too early? Just what happened here!?" (Imeraria) But, Vaiya, who brought the document, and Sabnak, who attended the castle since early morning together with Shibyula, can't give Imeraria a precise answer. "Going by our estimations, a different unit switched with the one repulsed by Earl Tohno and attacked Vichy. They probably succeeded in invading or occupying Vichy. Otherwise it would mean that their traveling time was abnormally short." Imeraria pointed out, "That thinking is naive" to Vaiya who thought it to be improbable. "I heard various stories about magic from Puuse-san. She says that there are many different kinds of magic besides barrier magic. As long as the caster is reasonably skilled, even flying in the sky is possible or such. In the first place, it's questionable whether it's too much of an exaggeration for... a person, who was summoned from another world, to be here, but it proves that it's possible." (Imeraria) Imeraria predicted that it was possible to travel at high speed or transfer from one place to another with some kind of method. Since they were actually able to use summoning magic, the possibility of such methods existing isn't zero. "The opponents are demons. We are assuming that they have fields in magic where they excel over the elves. Using the common sense of humans here will likely pull the carpet from under our feet." (Imeraria) Imeraria lowered her look on the report once more. "Well then, how should we move...?" (Imeraria) There was a lot less time left than she was thinking. "Shit! Ain't that completely different from what the lot of the advance unit said!?" A single demon soldier, who was frantically running while retracing the path towards his own camp, shouted as if spitting out his words as he looked in utter annoyance at the firm wall erected around Rhone, which was visible in the rear. He barely managed to scratch the wall with his prided stone-throwing magic, and far from making an entrance for the sake of charging in, he couldn't even open a hole in the wall. Although they were forced to withdraw at an early stage due to Hifumi, the demon soldiers led by Bashim, who managed to invade into Vichy, properly succeeded in sending their comrades into Vichy. Using them as foothold, the demon army, which suddenly appeared inside the country due to Vepar's transfer magic, gained total control of Vichy in the blink of an eye. As they also had to worry about their numbers, they basically confined all those in charge at each place, confiscated the weapons and stopped any flow of goods with the exception of allowing food to be delivered. Even if the people escaped, the probability of running into demons would only increase the closer they got to the borders with Orsongrande and Horant. Besides those two countries, the only place they could go to were the wastelands. But in reality the people of all cities in Vichy couldn't pick the option of leaving their city. With that as precedent, the demon soldiers believed that the invasion of Orsongrande would likely easily come to an end, seeing that it's also a human country, albeit a different one. As a matter of fact, even Vepar didn't expect anything other than that. "Uwaah!" Next to the cursing demon soldier, his comrade collapsed after being stabbed by a spear. But, he doesn't have the leeway to lend him a hand. "Agyaaah!" The scream of yet another demon was audible. "Shit! Shit!" Unable to stand the horror from behind, the soldier leapt into the shadow of a rock within reach. "Ah, there's still so much distance left to our camp...?" More than 500 meters ahead he sees the battle camp they constructed. Although it's called a battle camp, it's nothing more than a simple assembly point serving as landmark where they gathered their luggage such as food. However, he didn't have the courage to run that far while turning his back on the enemy within a downpour of spears instead of arrows. "I guess I have no other option but to wait for the attacks to relax..." I don't know when that might happen, but at least it's better than dying. "Fuck! I heard that humans can't use any decent magic, so what the hell was that?" The soldier grumbles while being aware that he won't receive any response. she thought. If they had focused on Horant rather than Orsongrande, or if she had reversed the ratio of attackers and reserves, the demons might have been able to trample down the opposition to their heart's content. However, considering the defense capability of Vichy towards the wastelands, which they didn't guard overly much, as standard, she estimated that they would be easily capable of breaking through the national border as long as they don't run into some disastrous encounters. By the way, Hifumi's characteristics have been handed down to the entire army and they were strictly order to retreat at once when coming across him. The plan created by the demon army was simple; destroy or heavily damage the border fortress and walls with magic and then break through with demons excelling in physical strength. However, the demons and their collaborators, who began their magic attack against the city of Rhone, experienced something unbelievable. The rocks and fires cast by them were completely blocked by a magic barrier. Furthermore, due to the spears coming flying in succession through hidden round holes in the wall, the magic attack unit was reduced by half in a flash and was forced to retreat at once after being routed together with the soldiers waiting for the charge. "Captain is..." Quietly surveying the surroundings from within the shade of the rock, the soldier discovered a tall demon with two spears growing out of their back lying on the ground. "Dead, huh? Even if someone else has taken up command, I want to get back home for starters, but... will I be able to?" We arrived at this place with the help of Vepar's transfer magic. The next gate will open in three days. It's for the sake of getting a grasp on the combat situation and to substitute the personnel. Even if I could get back home on a horse or by foot, I haven't prepared that much food. And even if I collected the food of my dead comrades, I have no means to transport it. "Should I go steal a carriage from a human city...? No, I don't know the path through the wastelands to begin with." The soldier takes another sip of water while feeling desperate. I have to somehow survive for a full three days. "Humph, they weren't worth all that fuss." (Pruflas) "Don't get carried away. If the elven magic barrier didn't exist, it would have become dangerous." (Miyukare) Miyukare admonished Pruflas, who is laughing at the escaping demon soldiers while peeking at the other side of the border through a loophole, with a sigh. Fokalore's soldiers are moving around in a hurry, putting strenuous efforts into inspections of the spear throwers, relieving the shooters and resupplying spears. By the way, the Orsongrande soldiers in charge of border security have huddled together in a corner after having lost their place to be and are preparing themselves for battle just in case. "Well then, I will have you allow us to take a temporary break." (Zanga) "Then we will help out here in exchange." (Reni) Zanga and Reni inform Miyukare. "Yes. Thank you very much for your cooperation. I'm very sorry about exhausting you, but if there's yet another attack..." (Miyukare) "I don't mind. Please call us right away. After all magic barriers are the only things we are good at." (Zanga) "Well then, let me get some sleep," Zanga returns to the hotel given as lodging house to the elves and beastmen while laughing. Several elves, who finished their duty of deploying the barrier, likewise followed her from behind. The remaining Reni headed to the location of the beastmen on standby, ordered them to take breaks in alternation and returned to Miyukare once again. Miyukare's cheeks become slack due to her fluffy, white fur swaying as she comes running. "Us beastmen can move at any time." (Reni) "You being here was a really great help. I will arrange for some food, so please take it." (Miyukare) "That helps...at any rate." Reni turns her eyes towards the top of the wall. There she saw Alyssa assuming an imposing stance with her deep crimson mantle fluttering in the wind while observing the movements of the demons and giving firing orders to the soldiers. After staring at her for a short while, Reni returned her gaze to Miyukare, showing a weak smile. "Somehow Lord-sama resembles Hifumi-san." (Reni) "Eh...?" (Miyukare) Miyukare looked up the wall with its height of around four meters. Alyssa, who keeps her balance even while being hit by the wind, looked dignified, despite her small build. You could even say that her bearing resembles Hifumi at the time of training with the soldiers. It's also possible that doing so was Alyssa's aim. "Eh, no way! Eh... no no!" (Miyukare) Strongly shaking her head, Miyukare wiped away the overlapping images inside her head. "Ah, Alyssa-sama isn't as audacious as her predecessor. In addition, her cuteness is on a completely different level. How could you confuse her with a man whose eyes are cold and who doesn't think of others..." (Miyukare) "Really? I think their cuteness is similar though? Don't you consider it adorable to watch them do what they want to do with all their might?" (Reni) Miyukare was confused while watching the back of Reni, who is going back to the gathering of beastmen as she laughs with a "Hahaha." "Cute? That man is?" (Miyukare) Alyssa called out to Miyukare, who is wracking her brain wondering whether all the beastmen have such a taste, from atop. "Miyukare-san!" (Alyssa) "Y-Yes! What's wrong?" (Miyukare)magic "Pleeease! Call Viine~!" (Alyssa) "Understood! Please wait a moment!" (Miyukare) Miyukare answers at the top of her lungs to Alyssa who loudly speaks to her, apparently having troubles to hear due to the wind, and heads towards the town hall at a quick pace. "Ufufu...I knew it, she's completely different from that man after all. With that man gone and because Viine is on communications duty, I can stay all day long next to Lord-sama as her assistant..." (Miyukare) The person intends to smile sweetly, but looking at it objectively, it's a wicked smile with only the corners of her mouth lifted, causing the surrounding people to naturally get out of her way. "Yeah, I have to make that stupid war end as soon as possible. I'm sure that Fokalore will become a much more wonderful city under Alyssa-sama... No, it has to become so!" (Miyukare) While also including one person with a partly impure motive, the foundation of Alyssa as feudal lord was in the process of solidifying.

ミダスがネルガルを見つけ、合流に成功したのはフォカロルから舞い戻ること三日目のことだった。 「そのような状況だったのですか」 「オーソングランデの情けない実情をさらすようでお恥ずかしいのですが、そのためにネルガル様に万一の事があってはいけない、とイメラリア女王はお考えです」 「ありがたいお話です。国の中が一枚岩であるのは、理想ではありますが、難しい話だというのはわかります」 ホーラントなど、もっと大変な状況ですよ、とネルガルは微笑む。 安宿の一室で、水を飲みながらの会談は、とてもではないが次期王と騎士には似つかわしくないが、ネルガルの素朴な人柄と、ミダスの騎士らしくない野暮ったい雰囲気にはある意味合っていた。 ミダスが現状を子細に説明すると、ネルガルは騎士による護衛を快く受け入れた。 「実際、私を狙っているのは貴国の貴族だけではないかもしれません」 「と、申しますと?」 「ホーラントには私のような穏健派が実権を握るのを良しとしない者もいます。要するに、どの国にも主流派と反対派は存在するということです」 そう言うと、ネルガルは疲れた顔を見せた。 移動の間、暗殺に気を張りながら、帰国後の動きについても考えなければならなかった。本来であれば、フォカロルでの留学後はヴィシーの都市国家制度について学び、自分なりの政策をまとめてから帰国、スプランゲルと充分な打ち合わせをしてから王権を委譲、安定を待って戴冠という予定だった。 「まったくもって、物事は予定通りにはいきませんね。遺言が国にもあり、私も念のため持たされたものがありますので、即位そのものは問題なくできる予定ではありますが」 それもこれも、ネルガルが死亡してしまえば意味がなくなる。 改めて、ミダスは任務の重大さに気持ちが引き締まる思いだった。 「ホーラントの法では、王が亡くなり、次代の即位がなされるまでは、一時的に軍の責任者は解任され、全て宰相と文官たちによって次期王への引き継ぎがなされる事となっています。軍部が暴走するのを抑えるための措置です」 ですから外部からの攻撃には対処しても、勝手に他国へ攻め込むようなことはありませんよ、とネルガルはミダスを安心させるように語る。 だが、その制度にミダスは疑問を覚えた。 (つまり、次期王であるネルガル様がここにおり、ホーラントへ戻られて戴冠されるまでは宰相が実質の最高権限を持っている、というわけだ。なるほど自ら他国へ攻め込むことは確かにしないかもしれない。だが、他国から攻め込まれ、自衛のためと名分が立てば......?) 「はい。なんでしょう」 「......無礼を承知で、仮定の話をさせていただいても?」 ネルガルの傍らに立っていた護衛のホーラント兵が、身体に緊張を漲らせたのが見えたが、ミダスは思い切って尋ねた。 「もし......ネルガル様がこのままホーラントへ戻られず、帰国待ちのままになったとしたら、宰相閣下の権限はどうなるのでしょうか?」 「失礼ながら、そのご質問はどのような意図が......」 たまらず声を出した護衛を、ネルガルは右手を上げて制した。 「つまり、宰相が私の帰国を妨害する可能性がある、と?」 「......あるいは、行方不明ということに......」 絞り出すようなミダスの言葉に、ネルガルは天を仰いだ。 薄汚れ、黒ずみが目立つ天井板が、そのまま自分の気分を表しているかのように見える。 「一生見つからないように、ということですか。忠臣面して権限を握ったままにするには、良い方法かもしれませんね」 ホーラント兵はすっかり青ざめてしまっていた。彼はオーソングランデ国内で賊に襲われる可能性は考慮していても、同国人から狙われることは考えていなかったのだろう。 「ネルガル様。なるべく先を急ぎましょう。王都からはさらに人員を補充し、全力でご帰国を手助けさせていただきます。その先に関しては、その......」 「充分過ぎるお申し出です。帰国後については私自身がやらねばならぬ事。それよりも、私にそこまで肩入れしてよろしいのですか?」 他国の人間に対し、いささか度が過ぎてはいないかと笑うネルガルに、ミダスは首を横に振った。 「我が国は、オーソングランデはイメラリア女王を始め誰も戦いが起きることを望んでおりません。......ご存じの通り、他国との戦闘が始まれば自国内すらも脅かしかねない人物を抱えておりますので」 「ぷっ......あっはっは!」 たまらず笑い声をあげたネルガルは、なんとか声を抑えると、申し訳ないと詫びた。 「いやはや、一地方領主なのに女王陛下すらもその動向を気にするとは......スプランゲル陛下が私を勉強に行かせた理由が、改めて良くわかりました。とても真似できるような人物ではありませんが」 「あのような人物が何人もいましたら、民は平穏に過ごせますまい」 「おや、それはどうでしょうか」 ネルガルが微笑み、ミダスは首をかしげる。 「いざ戦いの場に出てきた相手には容赦しませんが、始めから戦う気のない相手には優しい方ですよ。志願した兵士以外を戦場に引き出すことはされませんから、そういった意味では、一般市民を徴用して兵士とするホーラントの方が余程、民を不安にさせているでしょう」 ミダスは目を丸くして聞いている。 「貴方もあの方の事をご存じのようですから、心当たりはあるでしょう。戦うか戦わないかは自分で選べ、そして戦うと決めたなら、どんな手を使ってでも相手を殺せ......それが、フォカロルであの方が兵たちに語っていることですよ」 唖然としているミダスを見て、ネルガルはまた、堪えられずに笑い声をあげた。 早暁、一二三はオリガとアリッサを連れて馬に乗ってフォカロルを発った。護衛はいない。誰からも護衛の必要性を訴える言葉は出なかった。 「本当に、僕も一緒で良かったの?」 アリッサは、並走するオリガにそっと尋ねた。 最初は王都に単身向かおうと考えていた一二三にオリガが同行を希望して許され、さらにオリガの推挙により、アリッサも同行する事となった。 夫婦水入らずの旅行も兼ねてのオリガの同行だと思っていたアリッサは突然の指名に驚き、援軍の編成と指揮があるからと辞退をしたのだが、その夜にオリガから“女同士の話し合い”という名の呼び出しを受け、説得に応じたという形で三人での旅となった。 「良いのよ。アリッサも一二三様と旅をした仲間なんだもの。最近はこういう機会もすっかり減っていたし、丁度良かったじゃない」 戦いに行くというのに、丁度いいも何もないだろうとアリッサは思ったが、それでも一二三やオリガと旅をするのは、どことなく心が浮ついて楽しくなってしまう。 「でも、せっかく夫婦二人で旅行できたのに」 「私は一二三様がこの世界に来られた日から一緒にいさせてもらったんだもの。それに、フォカロルに戻ってからもたくさん相手していただいたから」 頬を染めて微笑んでいるが、その“たくさん”の大部分が稽古に付き合ったという意味であることをアリッサは知っている。夜に自室に戻ってからは知らないが。 男女の付き合い方がそれで合っているかどうか、今まで男性と付き合ったことがないアリッサには自信がなかったが、多分何か間違っているんじゃないかと思っている。 領軍兵士たちは優しいし、ミュカレも色々と世話を焼いてくれてはいるものの、それはどちらかというと楽しい仲間づきあいだった。 「男の人かぁ......」 自然と、視線が一二三の背中に向いた。 「ところで」 オリガの声に、アリッサはびくりと肩を震わせた。 「な、なに?」 「一二三様の左手、ずっと手袋をされているけれど、何か聞いているかと思って」 アリッサは、おや、と首をかしげた。 「知らないけど......オリガさん、自分で聞かなかったの?」 「聞いてもはぐらかされちゃって......。そっか、アリッサも聞いていないのね」 オリガが見せたのは、安堵と不安の表情。 自分だけが聞かされていないというわけではないということにホッとして、何があったとしても、自分だけには教えてもらいたいという気持ち。 アリッサには、それが何となくわかった。 「アリッサは、気にならなかった?」 「気にはなったけど、必要になったら教えてくれるだろうし......。うん、僕は一二三さんがそれで良いと思ったなら、僕もそれで良いと思うから」 明るく笑ったアリッサの答えに、オリガはクスッと笑みをこぼした。 「時々、貴女には敵わないかも知れないと思うときがあるわ。そうね。一二三様のお側にいれば、いつか教えてもらえるでしょう。焦る必要はないのよね」 大きく息を吐いて、オリガは手綱を握りなおした。 「アリッサ、良い笑顔ね。私も貴女のその笑顔、好きよ」 昨夜の語り合いの中で、アリッサはオリガにも対バールゼフォンでの敗北と兵士の死を伝えていた。そこでアリッサが見せたのは気丈にふるまうぎこちない笑顔だった。 「も、もう。なんか恥ずかしいよ」 耳まで赤くして手を振るアリッサと微笑むオリガに、一二三が声をかけた。 「楽しそうなところに悪いが、俺は先に行くぞ」 「ええ、先にいる賊どもの事ですね」 振り向いた一二三に、オリガはにっこりと笑う。 つい先ほどから、街道の先に二十人ほどの人物が待ち構えているのを、オリガの魔法エコーロケーションでも捉えていた。 「わかるか。ちゃんと訓練しているな」 「あなたに考案いただいた魔法ですもの。当然です」 「じゃあ、行ってくる」 返事を待たずに、一二三はさっさと行ってしまった。 いつの間にか百三十センチ程の棒を取り出し、バシッと右脇に構えて突き進む背中を、オリガたちは見送る。 「私たちも急ぎましょうか」 「手伝うの?」 アリッサの質問に、まさか、とオリガは微笑む。 「貴女だって見たいでしょう? 一二三様が格好良く人を殺すところ」 「あ......うん、そうだね」 「行きましょう。一秒だって見逃したくないもの」 一二三の背中を追いかけるオリガを見て、アリッサは胸にすとんと落ちるものを感じた。 「......そっか。オリガさんも自分の“好き”のために、今を一生懸命生きてるんだ」 一二三のことばかりに気を取られていたが、すぐ近くにもすごい人がいたんだ、とアリッサはなんだか嬉しくなってきた。 「好き、かぁ」 もうちょっと自分も素直になって、正直にまっすぐ生きていこうと決めた。 「......魔人族の王様が、こんなところまで出てきて良いのですか?」 「いいのよ。全部部下に押しつ......信じて任せてきたから」 「職務放棄では?」 「部下を育てている、と言って欲しいわね」 魔人族の王となったウェパルと、エルフのプーセが荒野のど真ん中で言い合いをしているのを、それぞれの同行者は距離を取ってにらみ合いをしている。 プーセたちが一二三の領地を目指して荒野を横断中、ようやく出られるようになった外の状況を自分で視察すると言って出てきたウェパルと鉢合わせしたのだ。 お互いに顔は知らないが、エルフと魔人族は、それぞれの特徴を良く知っている。 「プーセさん、この方たちは......」 「肌の色ですぐにわかります。魔人族ですよ」 プーセが警戒を露わにしたところで、ウェパルは自己紹介をしたのだが、それでもプーセは緊張を緩めるどころか、より強い視線でウェパルをにらみつけたのだ。 「それにしても珍しいわね。犬と兎と虎の獣人が一緒にいて、エルフまでいるなんて」 ウェパルが犬獣人と言ったのは、ゲングの事だった。彼も護衛を兼ねて、一二三に会うためについてきている。道中は虎獣人マルファスの訓練相手も務めている。 「貴方たち魔人族が籠っている間に、世の中は動いているのですよ」 「閉じ込めたのは貴女たちエルフじゃない」 「閉じ込められるようなことをしたのは、魔人族でしょう」 魔人族とエルフの因縁は、代々受け継がれて歪に根を張っている。 普段は大人しく、穏やかな性格のプーセが敵愾心むき出しで言い合いをしているのを見て、マルファスやゲングも目を丸くしていた。魔人族とはほとんど縁が無く、先祖からの言い伝えなどを残す習慣のない獣人族には、プーセの気持ちはわからない。 「まあ、いいわ。それにしても、荒野もすっかり勢力に変化が出てきたみたいね」 「獣人とエルフと人間が、手を取り合う時代が来ているのです。以前のように魔人族が幅を利かせるのは無理だと理解するべきでしょう」 「プーセさん、止しましょう」 片耳兎の獣人が、プーセの肩に手を置いて止める。 「魔人族の王様、わたしたちはまだまだ長い旅をしなければなりません。どうか、ここはお見逃しいただけませんでしょうか」 深々と片耳だけが残った頭を下げる兎獣人の女性に、ウェパルはため息をついた。 「これじゃ、まるで私たちが悪役じゃない。別に、貴方たちをどうこうするつもりはないわよ。ちょっとだけ、外の様子を見に来ただけだし」 でも、とウェパルはプーセをちらりと見やって、兎獣人に声をかけた。 「何をしに、どこへ向かっているかは、教えてもらえるかしら、兎さん?」 「それを、貴女に伝える必要が......」 声を荒げたプーセを、「待ってください」と兎獣人が止める。 「わたしは、人間の男性が好きになりました。だから、彼に会いに人間の町に行くのです」 「あら、種族を超えた愛ってこと? 素敵じゃない。どんな人?」 「その......獣人にも人間にも同じように接してくれる優しい人で、そんなに強そうに見えないのにとても強くて、傍若無人だけど、どこかさわやかで......」 照れながら語る兎獣人に、ウェパルとプーセは顔を見合わせて同じ表情をしている。眉をひそめた難しい顔で。 「ええっとね......兎さん、貴女の名前は?」 「ヴィーネちゃん。ひょっとしてその人、細い片刃剣を腰に差して、ひらひらしたちょっと変わった服を着てる黒髪の人じゃない?」 「そうです! ご主人様のことを知っているんですか?」 「ご主人様?」 「ヴィーネさんは、元はその人に奴隷として買われたそうです」 辛い過去の事としてプーセが補足を入れるが、当人は特に嫌な過去ではないらしく、一二三を知っているという人物に会って興奮しているらしい。 「確かに、ご主人様には買われる形で出会いましたが、何も知らないわたしに学を与え、仲間を与え、自分の力で生きるための機会を与えてくださいました」 興奮気味に語るヴィーネに、また顔を見合わせるウェパルとプーセ。ゲングたち男性陣とウェパルの護衛は、完全に蚊帳の外だ。 「悪いことは言わないから、あの男はやめておきなさい」 「......えっ?」 ウェパルがきっぱりと止める言葉を発すると、ヴィーネはきょとんとして目を瞬かせた。 「あの男は世間をかき回して楽しんでいる危ない奴よ。近くにいたら絶対に不幸になるから、もっと良い男を見つけなさい」 「そんな、そんなこと!」 ヴィーネが助け船を求めてプーセに視線を送ったが、プーセは視線を落としてしまった。 「えっと......危ない人っていうのは、私も賛成でして......」 言いづらそうに、しかし正直に呟かれたプーセの言葉に、ヴィーネはがっくりと肩を落としてポロポロと泣き出してしまった。 「じゅ、獣人族は、少なくとも町の獣人族は、みんなご主人様のおかげであんな生活ができたんです。なのに、なのに......」 「ご、ごめんなさい。私も、一二三さんの事は悪いとは思ってないのよ。ただちょっと、近くにいると怖いというか......」 「怖いわよねぇ。抜き身の剣がそのまま歩いているみたいなものじゃない」 ウェパルの言葉で、とうとうヴィーネは号泣してしまう。 「と、とにかくここは退きますから、魔人族の人たちも、昔の栄光なんか忘れてさっさと元の場所に戻りなさいね」 プーセはウェパルを一瞥すると、ヴィーネの肩を抱いて、謝ったり宥めすかしたりしながら再び荒野を歩いていく。 呆然としていたゲングたちも、なんとなくウェパルに一礼してから後を追って行った。 「......え、これ私が悪いの?」 後ろに控えている護衛たちを見回す、彼女たちは元からウェパルの下についていた部下たちで、女性ばかりで気心のしれたメンバーだったが、全員が一斉にウェパルから視線を外した。 親切心で言ったのに、と口をとがらせて不満を言いながらも、ウェパルはプーセたちが向かった先とは反対方向へ視線を向けていた。 「ま、まぁいいわ。それよりも、面白い情報が聞けたし。人間と獣人とエルフ、か」 なんだか楽しいお散歩になりそう、とウェパルは唇をぺろりと舐めた。

It was on the third day after coming back from Fokalore when Midas discovered Nelgal and joined up with him. "Such things happened?" (Nelgal) "It's disgraceful as it apparently exposes the pathetic state of affairs in Orsongrande, but for that reason it's not allowed for anything to happen to you by any chance, Nelgal-sama, is Queen Imeraria's thinking." (Midas) "That's appreciated. It's an ideal that a nation's inside is a monolith, but I do understand that it's a complicated matter." (Nelgal) "The situation in Horant is even graver", Nelgal smiles. Discussing while drinking water in a room of a cheap inn is quite unsuitable for a succeeding king, though not quite yet, and a knight, however there was a certain connotation in the uncouth atmosphere between Nelgal's plain character and the un-knight-like Midas. Once Midas explained the particulars of the current situation, Nelgal willingly accepted the escort by the knights. "As a matter of fact it might not only be the nobles of your country who are aiming for my life." (Nelgal) "What do you mean by that?" (Midas) "There are also people in Horant who don't approve a moderate like me seizing authority." (Nelgal) "That's what it means", Nelgal showed a worn-out face. Even though he braced himself for an assassination during his travel, it wouldn't do if he didn't think about his movements after returning to his country. Originally his plans were to study about the city state system of Vichy after studying abroad in Fokalore, to return home after putting together his very own political measures, to become royalty after preparing plentifully with Suprangel and to get crowned while waiting for stability. "Really, things never go as planned. Since there's a testament in the country and I have been given it for caution's sake as well, I expect that I will be able to get enthroned without any problems though." (Nelgal) All that won't have any future if Nelgal ends up dying. Once again Midas had a feeling that his emotions became tense due to the significance of his mission. "According to Horant's laws, until the successor takes the throne, once the king has died, the one in charge of the army is dismissed temporarily and it will become a matter of everything being handed over to the next king by the prime minister and the civil officials. It's a measurement against the military authorities running wild." (Nelgal) "Therefore, even if they deal with attacks from outside, they will never invade a foreign country on their own devices", Nelgal tells Midas in order to give him a peace of mind. However, Midas had a doubt about that system. (In other words, that means, with Nelgal, who's the next king, being here, the prime minister actually holds the supreme authority until Nelgal returns to Horant and gets crowned. He might indeed not attack a foreign country by himself. But, if Horant is attacked by a foreign country, and if he obtains the justification of acting on behalf of self-defence...?) "Yes. What is it?" (Nelgal) "... Pardon my rudeness, but is it fine for me to talk hypothetically?" (Midas) The guarding Horant soldier, who stood at Nelgal's side, showed that his body was filled with tension, however Midas asked boldly, "If... you waited with your return without going back to Horant as is, Nelgal-sama, what will happen with the authority of His Excellency, the prime minister?" (Midas) "With all due respect, what do you intended by asking such question...?" Nelgal held back the guard, who raised his voice unable to endure it, by raising his right hand. "In other words, there's the possibility of the prime minister hindering my return, is what you are saying?" (Nelgal) "... Or, to announce you missing..." (Midas) Nelgal looked up to the sky due to Midas' squeezed out words. The ceiling boards, which stand out as they are blackened and slightly dirty, appear as if they are representing my own feelings. "In order for me to not be found for all my life, you mean? It might be a good method to change it into him seizing authority over my loyal subjects." (Nelgal) The soldier from Horant became completely pale. Even if he considered the possibility of being attacked by bandits in Orsongrande, he likely didn't think of a situation of being aimed at by fellow countrymen. "Nelgal-sama. Let's hurry as much as possible. We will further reinforce the personnel in the capital. I will help you return to your country with all my power. Regarding what happens after that, that..." (Midas) "You have offered more than plenty. As for after my return home, that's something I have to deal with by myself. Rather than that, is it alright for you to support me that much?" (Nelgal) Midas shook his head due to Nelgal laughing while asking "aren't you going a bit too far for a person from another country?" "Our country, Orsongrande, not to mention Queen Imeraria, doesn't wish for a battle with anyone happening. ... As you are well aware, there's a person who is quite capable of threatening even his own country if that leads to starting a war with another country." (Midas) "Pu...ahahaha!" (Nelgal) Nelgal, who raised a laughter while unable to endure it any longer, restrained his voice somehow and apologized with "I'm sorry." "Good gracious, although he is the feudal lord of a single province, for even the Queen to worry about his movements... I once again understood the reason, why His Majesty, Suprangel, sent me to study there, very well. He is a person that can't be imitated at all." (Nelgal) "If everyone was like that man, the people wouldn't be able to pass their time peacefully." (Midas) "Oh, I wonder about that?" (Nelgal) Midas tilts his head to the side due to Nelgal smiling. "Although he won't show mercy to an opponent that appeared at the actual site of a battle, he has a kind side towards those who are indifferent to fighting from the beginning. As he won't take any soldiers, but those who volunteered, along to a battlefield, that also means that the people won't be greatly anxious as with Horant that turns them into soldiers by drafting." (Nelgal) Midas listens while staring in wonder. "It looks like you are an acquaintance of that man as well, thus you probably know about it. Choose yourself whether to fight or not, and once you decided to fight, kill your opponents using any mean possible... that's what he is telling the soldiers in Fokalore." (Nelgal) Looking at Midas who is dumbfounded, Nelgal once again raised a laughter unable to to hold it back. At daybreak Hifumi took Origa and Alyssa and departed Fokalore on horse. There are no guards. There was no one who raised up words about the necessity of bringing guards along either. "Was it really alright for me to come with you?" (Alyssa) Alyssa quietly asked Origa who is galloping next to her. Being allowed her wish to accompany Hifumi, who at first planned to go to the capital alone, Origa moreover recommended for Alyssa accompanying them as well. Surprised by the sudden designation, Alyssa, who thought that Origa accompanying him also served as trip for the married couple with no outsiders being present, refused since there's also the command and organization of the reinforcements, but receiving an invitation under the pretext of having "a talk between women" from Origa that evening, it turned into a travel with three people as she complied to the persuasion. "It's fine. Alyssa, you are a friend who travelled with Hifumi-sama as well. Nowadays such opportunities have completely diminished, too. Wasn't it just the right time?" (Origa) , but even so her heart has become happy and restless about travelling with Hifumi and Origa for some reason. "However, you were finally able to have a trip as married couple." (Alyssa) "I was allowed to be together with Hifumi-sama from the day he came to this world. Besides, I had plenty of time to spend together with him after returning to Fokalore." (Origa) She smiles while blushing, but Alyssa knows that the "plenty" means her mostly accompanying him in his training. Though she doesn't know about what happens after they return to their own room in the evening. Alyssa didn't have any confidence whether that way of relationship between a man and a woman was correct as she never associated with a man until now, but she thought The fief's army soldiers are gentle. Although Miyukare pokes her nose into various matters as well, it is a rather fun companionship, if pushed to say. "Men, huh...?" (Alyssa) Naturally she turned her look at Hifumi's back. "By the way." (Origa) Alyssa's shoulders trembled with a start due to Origa's voice. "W-What?" (Alyssa) "Hifumi-sama's left hand is all the time covered by a glove, I wonder whether you have heard anything about that." (Origa) Alyssa tilted her head to the side with an "Oh?" "I don't know, but... Origa-san, didn't you ask him yourself?" (Alyssa) "Even when I did, he ended up dodging the matter... I see, Alyssa, you haven't heard anything about it either." (Origa) What Origa showed was an expression of relief and worry. While feeling relieved that it's not only her who hasn't been told anything, she feels that she wants him to tell just her if something's wrong. Alyssa realized that vaguely. "Aren't you worried about it, Alyssa?" (Origa) "Although I became mindful of it, he would likely tell me if it was necessary to do so... Yea, if Hifumi-san considered it to be fine like this, I'm fine with as well, I think." (Alyssa) Origa showed a smile unintentionally due to the bright and laughing voice of Alyssa. "I have a feeling and believe that I'm sometimes no match for you. Oh well. If I stay close to Hifumi-sama, he will probably tell me one day. There's no need to hurry." (Origa) Breathing out very deeply, Origa fixed her grip on the reins. "Alyssa, you have a pleasant smile. I like that smile of yours, too." (Origa) During their talk last night, Alyssa also told Origa about the death of her soldiers and her defeat against Balzephon. The smile that Alyssa showed then was an awkward one while conducting herself stout-heartedly. "G-Geez. That's somewhat embarrassing." (Alyssa) Due to Origa smiling at Alyssa, who waves her hands while becoming red up until her ears, Hifumi called out to them. "I'm sorry about interrupting your fun time, but I will go ahead." (Hifumi) "Yes, it's about the thieves ahead of us, isn't it?" (Origa) Origa smiles sweetly at Hifumi who turned around. Just a minute ago around 20 people, who are lying in wait ahead of the highway, were caught by Origa's spell Echolocation. "You found them, eh? You have practised it properly." (Hifumi) "It's a spell for which you provided the idea, dear. Thus it's only natural." (Origa) "Well, then I'm off." (Hifumi) Without waiting for an answer, Hifumi quickly went ahead. Origa and Alyssa see his back off as he plunges forward while setting up a pole of around 130 cm, he took out before either of them realized, on his right side with a whack. "Let us hurry as well?" (Origa) "To help him?" (Alyssa) Origa smiles while saying "no way" towards Alyssa's question. "Even you want to see it, right? How Hifumi-sama kills people stylishly." (Origa) "Ah... yea, that's true." (Alyssa) "Let's go. I don't want to miss even a second of it." (Origa) Watching Origa who chased Hifumi's back, Alyssa felt something fall down with a thump in her chest. "... I see. Origa-san is living with all her might for the sake of her own "love."" (Alyssa) I was only preoccupied with Hifumi, but right next to me there was an amazing person "Love, eh?" (Alyssa) Let's live honestly and straightforwardly while becoming a bit more frank with myself as well "... Is it alright for the ruler of the demons to come out this far?" "It's fine. I was pushed by all my subordinates... they left it to me while trusting me." "A resignation from your official duties, it is?" "I'd like you to call it a nurturing of my subordinates." As Vepar, who became the ruler of the demons, and the elf Puuse have a quarrel right in the middle of the wastelands, their fellow travellers have taken distance and are glaring at each other. While crossing the wastelands heading towards Hifumi's territory, Puuse's group bumped into Vepar who left after claiming to inspect the situation outside herself which finally allowed her to set out. Although they don't know each other's faces, the elves and demons are well aware of the other's characteristics. "Puuse-san, these people are..." "I have realized it right away by the colour of their skin. They are demons." (Puuse) Even though Puuse exposed her vigilance, Vepar introduced herself, but even so, far from lowering her tension, Puuse glared at Vepar with an even more intense gaze. "All things considered, it's unusual. Dog, rabbit and tiger beastmen together and there's even an elf with them." (Vepar) The one Vepar pointed out as dog beastman was Gengu. He has come along in order to meet with Hifumi while at the same time acting as guard. He also serves as sparring partner for the tiger beastman Malfas en route. "This world has changed while you demons have secluded yourselves." (Puuse) "Wasn't it you elves who locked us up?" (Vepar) "The ones who did something to be locked up were the demons, right?" (Puuse) The fate between elves and demons has been inherited for generations and is warped at the roots. Seeing Puuse, who usually has an obedient and calm character, having a quarrel with such naked hostility, Malfas and Gengu stared in wonder. Having mostly no relations with demons, the beastmen, who don't have a custom of leaving something like a legend from their ancestors behind, don't understand Puuse's emotions. "Well, it's fine. At any rate, it looks like there was a complete change in the power distribution in the wastelands, too." (Vepar) "The time for beastmen, elves and humans to meet each other and take each other's hands has come. You should probably understand that it's impossible for the demons to exercise their authority like before." (Puuse) "Puuse-san, let's drop it." The one-eared rabbitwoman stops Puuse by placing her hand on Puuse's shoulder. "Ruler-sama of the demons, we still have a very long travel ahead of us. Please, won't you be able to overlook us in this place?" Vepar sighed deeply due to the rabbitwoman who lowered her head which had only one ear remaining on it. "Aren't we completely the villains like this? We don't have any particular intention to travel together with you. I only wanted to check the state outside for just a bit." (Vepar) "But", Vepar looked at Puuse with a fleeting glance and called out to the rabbitwoman, "I wonder whether you can tell me what you are planning and where you are headed, rabbit-san?" (Vepar) "That is, the necessity to tell you is..." (Puuse) The rabbitwoman stops Puuse, who raised her voice, with a [Please wait] . "I fell in love with a human male. Therefore I'm heading towards a human city to meet him." "Oh my, love that exceeds races, you say? How beautiful. What kind of person is he?" (Vepar) "Ummm... as gentle person who treats beastmen and humans in the same manner, he is very powerful even though he doesn't look like he is that strong. He is overbearing but refreshing in some respects..." Vepar and Puuse, who look at each other's faces, have the same expression towards the rabbitwoman who talks while being bashful. Frowning and troubled expressions. "Umm, you know.... rabbit-san, what your name?" (Vepar) "Viine-chan. Does that person wear a thin, single-edged sword at his waist and slightly peculiar and frilly clothes while having black hair per chance?" (Vepar) "That's right! Do you know about master!?" (Viine) "Master?" (Vepar) "It seems that Viine-san was originally purchased as slave by that person." (Puuse) Puuse supplements it as painful matter of the past, but as it doesn't appear to be a especially detestable past for the person concerned, she seems to be excited about meeting a person who says that she knows Hifumi. "Certainly, I met master in the shape of being bought by him, but he gave me a chance to survive by my own strength, gave me friends and provided learning to me who didn't know anything." (Viine) Vepar and Puuse look at each other once again due to Viine talking while being somewhat excited. Gengu's group's male party and Vepar's escorts have been completely left out of the loop. "I won't say anything bad, but give up on that man." (Vepar) "... Eh?" (Viine) Once Vepar voiced out her clearly dissuading remark, Viine blinked her eyes in puzzlement. "That man is a dangerous guy who enjoys stirring up the world. Since you will definitely become unhappy if you are close to him, look for a better man." (Vepar) "Such, such a thing!" (Viine)magic Viine sent a look towards Puuse seeking for timely help, however Puuse lowered her sight. "Umm... as for calling him a dangerous person, I have to agree as well..." (Puuse) Due to Puuse's remark which was muttered honestly albeit she looked as if it was difficult for her to say, Viine dropped her shoulders in a crestfallen manner and ended up bursting into tears. "T-The beastmen, at least the city of beastmen, everyone was able to have such livelihood thanks to master. And yet, and yet..." (Viine) "S-Sorry. I don't think badly of Hifumi-san either. However, he is a bit, scary if you are close to him, or rather..." (Puuse) "He is frightening, isn't he? Isn't he someone that looks like he's walking with a drawn sword." (Vepar) Upon Vepar's comment, Viine finally ends up wailing. "A-Anyway, since we will withdraw from here, you demons, quickly return to your original place and forget about your former glory." (Puuse) Puuse glances at Vepar and soothes apologetically Viine by hugging her shoulders while walking into the wastelands once again. Even Gengu's group, which was dumbfounded, somehow followed them after bowing towards Vepar. "... Eh? Is this my bad?" (Vepar) Surveying the guards who are waiting behind her, it was only female members, whose disposition she knew, as her subordinates who were under her command from the beginning, but all of the girls simultaneously averted their looks from Vepar. Even though she complains by saying "though I just said it out of kindness" while pouting, Vepar turned her look towards the opposite direction of where Puuse's group was heading. "W-Well, it's fine. Rather than that, I heard something interesting. Humans, elves and beastmen, huh?" (Vepar) "It looks like it has become a somewhat enjoyable stroll", Vepar licked her lips.

173.Curtain Falls 「ほいっ」 国境の町ローヌ。街道に向かって築かれた防壁の上で、気の抜けるような声が聞こえる。 塀の内側、きっと歴史上トップレベルで平穏な前線に立ち、フィリニオンが見上げている先には、重りとして小石を括り付けた木筒を、アリッサが外に向けて放り投げたところだった。 防壁に開けられた穴。ドワーフたちの説明によると、射撃のためらしい、その隙間から覗くと、街道から脇に逸れた茂みの中に落ちるのが見えた。 それも、ようやく視認できるくらいの距離だ。先代に劣らず、アリッサがトオノ伯爵領の武断的性格を代表する人物なのは間違いないようだ。 「魔人族への手紙が入ってるから、見てね!」 大声でアリッサが呼びかけると、書簡が落ちたあたりの茂みが揺れた。単に回収しただけか、返事のつもりで揺らしたのかは不明だが、周囲で息をひそめ、投槍器にかじりついている兵士たちから、フィリニオンにまで緊張が伝わってくる。 以前は上司であり、愛すべきマスコットだったアリッサは、今では領主様である。男性兵士たちの間では、新たに覚悟を決めて一生を捧げる儀式を自己流で行うなど、暴走気味な空気が蔓延し始めていた。が、基本的にやる事はやる連中である。 「よし、作戦終了!」 防壁から飛び降りてきたアリッサの声が聞こえると、全員の方から一気に力が抜けていく。当然、当番として警戒に当たる兵士はいるが、監視任務に両手を緊張させておく必要は無い。 むしろ、リラックスしてじっくりと様子を伺い、何かあればバネが飛ぶように動け、と言われていた。 「通常通りに警戒を続けてね。あとはお願い」 近くにいた小隊長格の兵士に短い言葉で指示をだし、アリッサがフィリニオンの元へとやってくる。 「終わったよ。あとは返事待ちだね」 「ありがとうございます。では、先方からの返答があるまではこの町で待機します」 何もない町だからつまらないけどね、とアリッサが笑っているが、見る者が見れば宝の山だ、とフィリニオンは思っていた。 防壁の築き方から監視体制の構築、そして難民たちの受け入れと管理方法。魔人族とのやりとりが無ければ、すぐにでも王都や実家に向けて、勉強のために人を寄越すように手紙を送っているところだ。 「いえ、むしろ戦いが近いからこその状況なのよね。今からでも進言すべきかしら」 「なにを?」 「あ、いえ、こちらの話ですわ、伯爵」 あれこれとフィリニオンが考えているうちに、王都から新たな手紙が届いた。 「......これはどういうことかしら?」 「わ、わたしにはなんとも言えません......」 どんな顔をして良いかわからず、眉をひそめた何とも言えない表情のフィリニオンに、侍女のクリノラは首をぶんぶんと横に振った。主から聞かされた手紙の内容に、侍女ごときが言うべきことなど無いのだ。 「女王陛下、ご懐妊......相手は書かれてないけれど、まさか......まさか、ね」 王国貴族として御祝を送るべきなのだが、夫であるヴァイヤーとの兼ね合いもある。急ぎ実家へ連絡を入れて、夫へ祝の品を送り、夫と父の名前で王城へ届けなければならない。 「やれやれ、騎士だったころの方が、よっぽど楽だった気がするわ」 イメラリア懐妊の発表は、大々的に行われた。 サブナクら事情を知るもの以外、宰相など重臣たちは目玉が飛び出るほど驚き、ギリギリまで秘匿すべきではないかとの意見が出たが、それはイメラリアが押えた。 「恥ずべきことではありません。父親が誰かは敢えて言いませんが、お腹の子が男女どちらにせよ、正式な後継者であることは間違いありません。わたくしは、この子を日陰者にするつもりはありませんよ」 「しかし、貴族たちからの影響が懸念されますが......」 「今、表立って王族に意見するような気骨のある貴族がどれほどいるでしょうか? それに、わたくしの夫を選ぶとなれば、それはそれで争いとなるでしょう」 ヴィシーが壊滅し、他国からの婿をとるとなるとホーラントくらいしか無い。それ以前に、イメラリアの子が自動的に後継者となる以上、他国からの血を入れるのはあまり良くない、というのは全員の一致するところだった。ホーラントから血統的に侵略される形になる、と取られてもおかしくない。 かと言って、貴族たちから婿を取るとなると、人選が非常に難しい。王家の外戚となるということは、それだけ発言力を得るということになる。今現在、王族がイメラリア一人しか残っていないという特殊な状況もあり、王配を出した家柄となれば、その影響力は計り知れない。 もし、イメラリアが国内の貴族から夫を選ぶ、と正式に公表でもしようものなら、血が流れるだろう。下手をすると、貴族同志の内戦に発展しかねない。 「子を成すにあたって、わたくしの相手が誰かわからない、というのは都合が良いのです。身分はあれど許されぬ間柄なので公表されない。あるいは、貴族間の争いや血縁者の専横を避けるために伏せられた......始末された、としても良いかも知れませんね」 かつてない程に強権的に進められたイメラリアの懐妊発表劇。王城内で文官、武官を問わず、侍女をはじめ下働きの者たちにも衝撃を与え、それが冷めやらぬ前に民衆へと発表された。 王城前の広場を始め、王都各所にある騎士や兵士たちの詰所前に掲示され、民衆の間には、困惑を含みながらも一気に祝賀ムードが広がる。 今回は、広場での掲示は入口のみであり、身重の陛下に心の安寧を提供するため、と称して、しばらくの間は王城前の広場は立ち入り制限が設けられることになった。 「これは、魔人族を受け入れるための下準備でもあります」 一二三への対応を話し合う会議にて、イメラリアはここまでの指示における狙いを説明した。 サブナクやヴァイヤー、宰相アドルなど、出席している面々を見回す。全員が神妙な顔で頷いていた。若干一名、オリガのみが射殺すような目で睨みつけていたが。 「......とにかく、子の父親についての詮索は禁止いたします。意味が無いでしょうから、噂話については、先ほど言いました内容を意図的に広めて、あとは放置することにします」 特に反論が出なかったため、イメラリアは話を進めることにした。 「ヴァイヤーさん。騎士隊の訓練状況は如何ですか?」 「はい。トオノ伯からある程度仕上がったとの言葉を頂いております。連携の問題はありますが、さほど時間をかける必要もないかと」 「アドルさん。魔人族を受け入れる準備について、何かありますか?」 「宿舎につきましては、王城に近い高級宿をいつでも押えられるように準備をしております。人数にもよりますが、二十名以下であれば、充分受け入れ可能です。それ以上であれば、護衛の兵士には別に宿舎を用意しましょう」 ですが、とアドルは続けた。 「魔人族の食事や習慣についての情報が全くありませんので、どうしたものかと......」 「一二三様にお尋ねすれば解決するでしょう。しばらく魔人族の集落で過ごされたそうですから、色々と受け入れの相談ができると思いますわ」 「と、トオノ伯に、ですか?」 この集まりは、一二三を封印することを目標とした会合である。イメラリアが“一二三に頼れ”と言い出したことに、アドルは戸惑った。 「他に方法はありません。あの方ならしっかりと礼を尽くしてお願いすれば、快く教えてくださいますわ。そうでしょう、オリガさん?」 「......ええ、一二三様はお優しい方ですから」 オリガに声をかけたことで一同に緊張が走ったが、オリガは静かに同意したのみだった。 サブナクが思わずため息をついたのを見逃さなかったイメラリアは、そろそろ彼にもっと教育を施すべきかと考えた。素直が喜ばれるのは精々部隊長クラスまでだ。 「今、フィリニオンさんにお願いして、トオノ伯爵領のアリッサさんと協力して魔人族との会談準備を進めていただいています。そして、わたくしからはこの城内での会談を指定しました」 「城内で、というのは危険ではありませんか?」 ヴァイヤーの質問に、イメラリアは逆だと答えた。 「狭い室内であれば、防衛側であるこちら側の方が有利になるでしょう? それに、急ぎ仕掛けを作っておきたいと考えています」 「仕掛けですか」 「そうです。罠を仕掛けます。サブナクさん、城内の工事ですから、貴方に責任者として工事の進捗管理と作業員の監視を任せます。仕掛けの内容については、後程書類をお渡ししますから、施設関係の職員たちと打ち合わせをしてください。ただ、工事は表向きわたくしの懐妊を祝って新たな謁見の間を作るという事にして、罠の設置に関しては、最低限の者にしか知らせないように」 素早く立ち上がり、頭を下げたサブナクに対し、イメラリアは鷹揚に頷く。 「最後に。一つ考えていることがありますので、聞いていただきましょう。一二三様の封印についてです」 一度言葉を切ったイメラリアは、再び周囲の者たちを見た。 緊張した面持ちで向けられた視線を浴び、再び口を開く。 「魔人族の動き如何によっては、その時に一二三様の封印を行います」 詳しくは魔人族との会談が決まり次第としながら、イメラリアは状況を確認しながら機会をうかがう事を明言した。 「オリガさん」 「よろしいですね?」 「陛下がお約束を守っていただけるのであれば、私はあの御方と共に運命を歩むことを厭うつもりはありません。人は自らの努力と覚悟を重ねてこそ、最上の喜びを得られるのです。陛下もそうであられたように」 「......良いでしょう。貴女を信用することにします」 会合の翌日から、重臣たちが忙しく動き始めたのを城内の者たちは敏感に感じとっていたが、その理由は陛下の身辺を改めて良い形にするため、と適当すぎる誤魔化しで押し通された。 イメラリア懐妊の方を聞いた時、一二三の反応は淡白だった。 「そうか。オリガ、適当に祝でも買って届けてくれ」 数枚の金貨を手渡しながら告げた一二三に対し、オリガは「畏まりました」と言って受け取る。それだけだった。 「結局、ウェパルたちはここへ来るのか」 「はい。向こうからの返答で、女王陛下からの提案に沿って動くということに決まりましたので......フィリニオンさんを含めて、アリッサとフォカロルの兵士、それに、獣人族やエルフの代表たちも同行するそうです」 それは面白い、とオリガが読み上げた手紙の内容を聞いて、一二三は笑った。 「レニやザンガーが来るのか。いや、ザンガーは結構な婆だったから、別の奴かもな。荒野の因縁を人間の国の王都で晴らすか? いや、火種はローヌかフォカロルで集まるのか。もしそこで争いになったらつまらんな」 「そこは、カイムたちがうまくやるでしょう。彼としては、折角作りあげた町の中で暴れられると迷惑でしょうから」 「あいつなら、その程度の被害なら、眉ひとつ動かさずに対応するだろうよ。余計な予算がかかることで、片眉くらいはぴくりと動くかもな。パリュあたりは忙殺されてキレるかもしれんが」 一二三の座るソファ。その隣に座るオリガは、手紙を閉じた。 「それと、宰相閣下から魔人族の受け入れについて質問があるとの伝言を預かっています。この分だと、獣人族についても聞かれるかも知れませんね」 エルフについては、すでに城内にプーセがいるから問題ないだろう。おそらくは、彼女がエルフたちの世話役になると見られている。 「イメラリアとウェパルが話す内容如何によっては、ちょっと面白いことになるだろうな。当日は出迎えの手伝いでもしてやるか。ああ、魔人族の対応は、ベッドも食い物も人間と同じで良い」 「では、そのように伝えましょう。......どうかしましたか?」 リビングに控えめなノックの音が響き、オリガの声に対してドアの向こうから侍女が答えた。 「旦那様にお客様がお見えですが......」 「歯切れが悪いですね。誰なのですか?」 「獣人族の奴だな」 侍女より先に、一二三が口を開いた。 「野生動物に似た懐かしい気配だ。通してやれ」 「一二三さん、お久しぶりです」 最初にリビングへと入ってきたのは、羊獣人のレニだった。ふにゃ、とした相変わらず気の抜けるような笑顔で、白い癖っ毛を揺らして歩いてくる。 その後ろから、ヘレンとゲングが入ってきた。 「久しぶり」 全員が座り、紅茶とお菓子が配られたところで、一二三はレニに話しかけた。 「で、ずいぶんと早い来訪だが、何かあったのか?」 「まだ何も起きてません」 ぷぅぷぅと熱い紅茶を吹いて、湯気をまき散らしながらレニは答えた。 「でも、何か起きるんでしょう? 魔人族と一緒に行動したら、それに巻き込まれちゃうから」 だから早く来た、とレニは答えた。 「何かが起きると思うなら、来ないという選択肢もあるだろう?」 「知らないってことほど怖いことは無いと思います。それは、一二三さんに教わったことです。町での生活を知ったから、沢山仲間ができました。新しい世界が開けました。もし、森の中で怯えながら生活していた、あの頃のままだったら、今頃魔人族やエルフの事も知らずに、魔人族に殺されるか、人間に捕まっていたでしょう」 「だが、お前は敢えて俺のところに来た。それは危険だとは思わなかったのか?」 レニは、笑みを崩さない。 「一二三さんの近くが一番情報が集まるし、危険がどう発生するかを知れば、どう逃れるかもわかるはずです。......危険は、きっと一二三さんの近くで発生します」 だからレニは一二三の元へやってきた。 危険の匂いをしっかり感じ取り、仲間を守るための方法を考える。その責任を果たすために。 「良く言った。中々頑張ってるじゃないか」 一二三の褒め言葉に、レニは照れたように笑い、オリガは奥歯を軋ませた。 「こいつらの部屋を用意してやれ」 侍女が一礼して退室するのを見送り、一二三はレニとヘレン、そしてゲングの顔を見た。 「まあ、ゆっくり町でも見物して回るといい。食い物や道具に触れろ。金がいるな。小遣いもやろう。どうせお祭りはしばらく先だ。町をしっかり見て、勉強しろ。逃げ道や隠れる場所を探しておけ」 魔人族が来たときから、誰の手にも止められない騒動が始まる、と一二三は考えていた。死神がウェパルに与えた能力の正体は正確なところは不明だが、遠方から人員を送り込めるものだろう、と確信していた。 であれば、混乱と戦いの舞台は王城になる。 その時、そこには魔人族に対して騎士と兵士、エルフがいる。レニの勘が良すぎるせいで、獣人族はさっさと逃げるだろうと思われるのが残念だが。 「特等席が取れるかもな。ヘレン、ゲング、良かったなぁ。お前らの指導者に決断力と度胸があって」 丁度良い、と一二三は思っていた。 そろそろ、穏やかな日々に飽きはじめていたから。

Chapter 173: Curtain Falls "Okay!" Border city Rhone. A seemingly relieved voice can be heard atop the wall built towards the highway. Ahead of where Phyrinion, who stands at the historically most peaceful front line, is looking up to inside the wall, Alyssa just finished throwing a wooden tube, which had a stone tied to it as weight, outside the wall. A hole within the wall. According to the dwarves: if you peer though that opening which seems to be for the sake of shooting, you could see the projectile drop into the thickets which were to be found next to the highway. Additionally, it's at a distance one can barely confirm by sight. Just like her predecessor, it seems to be no mistake to label Alyssa as person who represents the militaristic nature of the Tohno Earldom. "It contains a letter for the demons, so check it out!" (Alyssa) Once Alyssa loudly called out towards the thickets, a thicket close to where the letter had dropped shook. It's unclear whether it shook with the intention to give a reply or to simply retrieve the letter, but even Phyrinion senses the tension transmitted by the surrounding soldiers who are holding onto the spear throwers while holding their breaths. Alyssa, who used to be a lovable mascot and her superior before, is now the feudal lord. Among the male soldiers a wild atmosphere of making new resolves and performing self-styled rituals of offering their lives had begun to run rampant. But, basically they are guys that get the things done that have to be done. "Alright, the mission is done!" (Alyssa) Once they heard the voice of Alyssa, who jumped off the wall, the tension escaped from everyone. Of course there are soldiers who stay on alert as they are on duty, but there's no need for those to tremble nervously during their observation duty. Rather, they were told to relax and slowly observe how things go, and to let the spears fly if something happens. "Continue the lookout as usual. I leave the rest to you." (Alyssa) Alyssa curtly orders a nearby lower-ranking commanding officer and then comes over to Phyrinion. "It's done. Now we have to wait for the reply." (Alyssa) "Thank you. Well then, I will wait in this city until there's a reply from the other party." (Phyrinion) "Though it's a boring city as there's nothing here," Alyssa laughs, but Phyrinion thought, From the way of the wall's build to the construction of the surveillance system, and moreover the management methods to receive refugees. It's to the extent that she would immediately send letters to the capital and her home to dispatch people to study these things here, if there wasn't the exchange with the demons. "No, rather it's surely in such state because the battlefield is nearby, right? I wonder whether I should propose it, even if it's just for the future." (Phyrinion) "Propose what?" (Alyssa) "Ah, no, it's something unrelated, Earl." (Phyrinion) While Phyrinion is pondering about this and that, a new letter from the capital arrived. "...I wonder what's this about?" (Phyrinion) "I-I can't say anything about it..." (Clinora) Not knowing what face to pull, the maid Clinora shook her head at Phyrinion, who was speechless while knitting her brows. The content of a letter she was told about by her master is nothing the likes of a maid should comment on. "Her Majesty the Queen is pregnant...the other party isn't mentioned here, but no way...you don't say!" (Phyrinion) I should send congratulations as noble of the kingdom, but I also have to coordinate it with my husband Vaiya. I must quickly send a message home, send a congratulatory gift to my husband and have it delivered to the royal palace in the name of my husband and father. "Good grief, I feel like my time as knight had been a lot less stressful." (Phyrinion) The announcement of Imeraria's pregnancy was carried out on a grand scale. Except for those who knew about the situation like Sabnak, it was an eye-popping surprise to the chief vassals like the prime minister. There were opinions that the news should be withheld as much as possible, but Imeraria rejected that. "It's nothing disgraceful. There's no particular need to state the identity of the father, but no matter whether the child will be male or female, there's no doubt that they will become the official successor. I have no intention to oust this child." (Imeraria) "But, I'm worried about the effect on the nobles..." "Just how many nobles, who have the backbone to publicly state their opinion against royalty, exist? Besides, if it came to choosing a husband for me, it would turn into quite the dispute, wouldn't it?" (Imeraria) With Vichy's destruction, the only option to take a husband from another country is limited to Horant. Seeing as Imeraria's child will automatically become the successor, everyone agreed that it wouldn't be overly smart to let the blood from another country enter the royal bloodline. It wouldn't be strange for that act to be perceived as invasion into the bloodline by Horant. Having said that, if it comes to choosing a husband from among the nobles, it would become extremely complicated. That's because becoming the maternal relative of the royal family grants one a very influential voice. At the moment there's also the special situation of Imeraria being the only royal left alive. If it was a good family that sent the prince consort, their clout would become immeasurable. If Imeraria were to officially announce that she chose a noble from within the country as husband, it would likely end in a lot of blood being spilled. In the worst case it would develop into a civil war between the nobles. "Not knowing the other party who made the child with me is convenient. Since they have a social standing that wouldn't allow for it, it won't be announced. Or it might be fine to assume it was managed...hidden for the sake of avoiding a dispute between nobles or a despotism by blood relatives." (Imeraria) The move of announcing Imeraria's pregnancy, which highhandedly made use of the state's power to an extent that hadn't been seen in the past, gave a huge shock to the ones serving inside the royal castle, starting with the maids, much less to say about the civil and military officials. The news was released to the general public while that shock was still lingering. Starting with the plaza in front of the royal palace, it was posted in front of the various guard stations of the soldiers and knights all over the capital. Even while feeling baffled, a celebratory mood immediately spread among the population. This time the announcement was only posted at the bulletin board at the entrance to the plaza. In the name of offering a peace of mind to the pregnant queen, it was decided to set up a temporary restriction for entering the plaza in front of the royal castle. "This also serves as preliminary arrangements to welcome the demons." At the meeting about how to deal with Hifumi, Imeraria explained the intention behind going as far as giving such an order. She lets her eyes wander across the attending personnel such as Sabnak, Vaiya and Prime Minister Adol. All of them nodded with humble expressions. Only one person, Origa, somewhat glared at her with eyes as if she's going to shoot her to death. "...Anyway, any prying in regards to the child's father is prohibited. As it's probably useless in regards to gossip, we will intentionally propagate what I said before and leave it alone afterwards." (Imeraria) Because there were no particular objections to her words, Imeraria decided to continue. "Vaiya-san, what's the situation with the knight order's training?" (Imeraria) "Yes. Going by the words of Earl Tohno, it's completed more or less. There are issues with the coordination during group combat, but I think we won't need that much time to fix that." (Vaiya) "Adol-san, is there anything to say about the preparations for receiving the demons?" (Imeraria) "I have arranged for the possibility to reserve a high-class inn near the castle as lodging at any time. It depends on the number of people, but if it's less than 20, the inn can receive them satisfactorily. If they have more people than that, I will prepare a different lodging for the escorting soldiers." (Adol)magic "But," Adol continued. "Given that we have no good grasp on the customs and food of the demons, I'm not quite sure what to do about that part..." (Adol) "That should be resolved by asking Hifumi-sama. Since it looks like he spend some time in the demon settlement, I think he will be able to consult us in various ways how to receive them." (Imeraria) "E-Earl Tohno will?" (Adol) This gathering is a meeting with the objective of sealing Hifumi. Adol was bewildered by Imeraria proposing to "rely on Hifumi." "We have no other option. If you ask that gentleman with the proper courtesy, he will gladly teach you. That's right, isn't it Origa-san?" (Imeraria) "...Indeed, Hifumi-sama is a kind person after all." (Origa) Tension traveled through the venue when Imeraria called out to Origa, but Origa simply agreed in a calm demeanor. Imeraria, who didn't fail to notice Sabnak unintentionally sighing in relief, decided that he should be given more education soon. Although it's an honest behavior, openly showing delight ends beyond the commanding officer rank. "Right now I have Phyrinion-san advance the preparations for the conference with the demons by cooperating with Alyssa-san of the Tohno Earldom. And it was specified by me to hold the conference in this castle." (Imeraria) "In this castle? Isn't that dangerous?" Upon Vaiya's question, Imeraria replied in reverse, "If it's a narrow, indoor venue, our side as the defending one is at an advantage, no? Besides, I want some mechanisms prepared in advance." (Imeraria) "Mechanisms?" "Yes. We will set traps. Sabnak-san, it's construction work inside the castle, so I leave the monitoring of the laborers and the management of the construction's progress in your hands as the one in charge. As for the details of the mechanisms, I will hand out the necessary documents later, so please arrange for meetings with the craftsmen of the related trades. However, publicly we will pretend that we are building a new audience hall in celebration of my pregnancy. Make sure that only the least necessary amount of people knows about the installation of the traps." (Imeraria) Imeraria stately nods at Sabnak who swiftly stood up and bowed. "Lastly I'd like you to listen since I've been pondering about one thing. It's about Hifumi-sama's sealing." (Imeraria) Taking a short break here, Imeraria looked into the faces of those present once more. With their expressions being tense and their eyes focused on her, she continues speaking, "Depending on the demons' movements, we will carry out Hifumi-sama's sealing at that time." (Imeraria) While deciding to handle the details depending on the conclusion of the conference with the demons, Imeraria declared that they would keep up-to-date with the circumstances, waiting for a good opportunity to carry out their plan. "Origa-san." (Imeraria) "That's fine with you, right?" (Imeraria) "Your Majesty, if you keep your promise, I intend to share the same fate as that gentleman. People can only obtain the greatest joy by repeatedly resolving themselves and investing their own efforts. It was the same for you, Your Majesty." (Origa) "...Very well. I will trust you." (Imeraria) On the next day after the meeting, the people working in the castle immediately sensed that the chief vassals had started to move hurriedly, but being given the reason that it's for the sake of improving Her Majesty's environment, the people fell for that overly vague deception. When he heard about Imeraria's pregnancy, Hifumi's reaction was plain. "I see. Origa, please buy a suitable congratulatory gift and send it to her." (Hifumi) Being told that while being given several gold coins, Origa received the money and said "Got it," which finished the whole matter. "So in the end Vepar and her demons are coming here?" (Hifumi) "Yes. With the reply from the other side, it has been decided that things will move in accordance with Her Majesty's proposal...it looks like Alyssa, Fokalore's soldiers and the representatives of the beastmen and elves, including Phyrinion, will accompany them." (Origa) Listening to the contents of the letter read out loud by Origa, Hifumi laughed while saying, "That's interesting." "Are Reni and Zanga going to come here? No, Zanga is quite the old hag, so it might be someone else. Are they going to clear the wasteland's fate in the royal capital of a human country? No, the triggers are assembled in Rhone or Fokalore, aren't they? It will be boring if it turns into a dispute over there." (Hifumi) "Caim and the others would probably manage it smoothly. For him a riot inside the city, which he built up at great pains, will only be a bother." (Origa) "If it's that guy, he will likely deal with such level of damage without even batting an eyelid. It might go as far as one of his eyebrows twitching due to the unnecessary budget expenses. Though Paryu might snap due to getting swamped with work." (Hifumi) Origa, who sat on the sofa next to Hifumi closed the letter. "Furthermore, I have been entrusted with a verbal message from His Excellency the Prime Minister that he has some questions regarding the reception of the demons. At this rate you might also be asked about the beastmen." (Origa) As for the elves it's no problem since Puuse is already staying within the castle. Very likely she is seen as having become the elves' mediator. "Depending on what Imeraria and Vepar talk about, it might become slightly interesting. I guess I will also help out with the meeting on the appointed day. Ah, it's fine to handle the demons' bedding and food in the same way as with humans." (Hifumi) "Then I shall pass it on like that. ...What is it?" (Origa) A reserved knocking can be heard in the living room. A maid on the other side of the door replied to Origa's question. "It seems there are visitors for master, but..." "You're not making yourself clear, are you? Who is it?" (Origa) "Looks like it's beastmen." (Hifumi) Hifumi said before the maid could even open her mouth. "It's the nostalgic presence resembling wild animals. Show them in." (Hifumi) "Hifumi-san, it's been a while." The one who entered the living room first was the sheep beastgirl Reni. With her usual, fluffy smile that lacked any tension, she walks over while making her white, frizzy hair sway. Helen and Gengu entered behind her. "Been a while." (Helen) When everyone had sat down and tea as well as sweets had been distributed, Hifumi started a conversation with Reni. "It's quite the early visit. Did something happen?" (Hifumi) "Nothing has happened yet." (Reni) Blowing at the hot black tea, Reni scattered the steam while answering. "But something is going to happen, right? If we were to travel together with the demons, we would get dragged into it." (Reni) "That's why we came here early," Reni replied. "If you believe that something's going to happen, you always have the choice to not come, don't you?" (Hifumi) "I believe there's nothing as scary as something you don't know about. That's something I was taught by you, Hifumi-san. After learning to live in a city, I was able to make a lot of friends. It opened up a new world for me. If I was still stuck in that time, where I lived in the forest while being frightened, I wouldn't know about the demons and elves, and I would have likely been killed by demons or caught by humans." (Reni) "But, you deliberately came to my place. Didn't you consider that to be dangerous?" (Hifumi) Reni keeps smiling. "The most information gathers around you, Hifumi-san. If I know how the danger will come to be, I should also know how to escape it. ...I'm sure the danger will originate near you." (Reni) That's the reason why Reni came to Hifumi's place. Properly perceiving the scent of danger, she considers methods to protect her friends. In order to carry out her duty. "Well said. You are doing your very best, aren't you?" (Hifumi) Reni shyly laughed due to Hifumi's praise, whereas Origa ground her molars. "Get some rooms ready for these guys." (Hifumi) Seeing off the maid leaving the room after bowing, Hifumi looked at the face of Reni, Helen and Gengu. "Well, it might be a good idea to slowly go around the city for a sightseeing tour. Come in contact with various food and tools. You need money, don't you? I will give you some pocket money. It's still a while until the festival starts anyway. Study by properly examining the city. Look for escape routes and hiding places in advance." (Hifumi) , Hifumi thought. The death god has kept the true identity of the ability he gave to Vepar ambiguous, but Hifumi believed that she's likely capable of sending in people from a distance. In that case the stage for the chaos and battle will be the royal castle. At that time the knights, soldiers and elves in the castle will face the demons. Though it's regrettable that it seems like the beastmen will quickly escape thanks to Reni's too good perception. "You might have been able to secure yourself some special seats. Isn't that great, Helen, Gengu? Your leader possesses courage and decisiveness." (Hifumi) , Hifumi thought. I would have grown tired of these peaceful days soon anyway.

虎獣人のボスは、やはり一人で戦うつもりらしい。 他の獣人たちは一二三とボス、二人の周囲を囲むように円を描いて立っている。 「虎獣人を舐めた事を後悔させてやろう。そんな細い武器を振り回したところで、俺の爪を防ぐことはできんぞ」 ニタリと牙を剥いて笑う虎のボスに、一二三は刀をだらりとおろしたままで微動だにしない。 「御託はいいから、さっさとかかってこい」 一二三は平然と目の前のボスから視線を外し、周りを囲む獣人にも声をかけた。 「見ているだけじゃつまらんぞ? 戦う意志と力があるなら、全員同時に相手してやるから、遠慮なくかかって来い」 あからさまな挑発に、周囲の空気は一気に緊迫感を帯びた。 「そうそう、この空気だ。相手を殺したい、殺すと言う意志。あとは行動と実力が伴うなら、文句ないんだがな」 一二三が言う間に、ボスは両腕を振り回して爪での攻撃を繰り出して来たが、一度見切った攻撃を喰らうほど、一二三は甘くはない。 「そらっ」 横っ面を引っ掻こうとしてくるボスの手に、タッチをするように平手打ちを叩きつける。 一気に腫れ上がった手のひらを、信じられないという目で見るボスを、一二三は呵呵と笑った。 「お前たち獣人の身体の作りも、ほとんど人間と変わらないよな。昨日、開きになった奴を見てきたから知ってるぞ」 一二三が言っているのは、彼を襲って返り討ちに遭い、食い荒らされた屍を晒していた三人の事だ。 「どんなに鍛えても、肉と水を革で包んだ身体である以上は、ぶっ叩かれたら腫れるわな」 「何をわけのわからないことを言ってやがる! この程度の傷とも言えん腫れなぞ、なんでもない!」 吠えるボスが両手を広げた瞬間、懐に走り込んだ一二三が、今度は平手で思い切り鳩尾を叩いた。 「ぐぶっ......ぼぇええ」 せり上がる物を押さえきれず、口から吐瀉物を撒き散らすボス。 これは要らないな、と刀を腰へ納め、情けなく涙をこぼす虎の腕を掴んだ一二三は、腫れ上がった手のひらに爪を立てると、一気に腕を引いて引き裂いた。 「ぎゃああああ!」 だらだらと血を流す右手を抱えるようにして、虎のボスは絶叫を上げた。 その姿に、周囲を囲む虎獣人たちは息を飲んだ。 自分たちのボスが、ここまで簡単に嬲られるとは思ってもみなかったのだ。 「人間でも爪は使えるんだ。こんな風にな」 右手が風を切り、指先がボスの喉を撫でると、首筋から血を吹き出したボスは声も出せずに倒れ、死んだ。 それを間近で見下ろした一二三は、冷静に呟く。 「ふむ。血管の位置なんかも人間とほぼ同じか。少し筋力が強いのと、耳や尻尾があるくらいか」 さて、と一二三は周囲で完全に硬直している虎獣人たちを見やる。 「ほら、お前らが手助けしないから、こいつは死んだぞ?」 泣きながらかけてきた虎の青年が抜刀で上下に分たれると同時に、怒りの声が上がる。 「貴様! 生かしては帰さん!」 「ボスの仇だ! 全員でこいつを殺すぞ!」 口々に声を荒げて飛びかかる獣人たち、男女の別なく一二三の前後左右から迫ってくる。 「おお、やっとやる気になったか!」 二人分まとめて首を刎ねながら、一二三は嬉しそうに叫ぶ。 くるりと刀の向きを変え、後ろに向かって突き出し、背後の女の腹を裂いた。 刀を前へと戻す勢いで更に一人を斬り捨て、敵の間を縦横に動き回りながら、喉や腿を斬りつけながら、血の勢いを見て人間との構造の違いを冷静に確認していく。 その場にいた全員が死体に変わる頃には、虎獣人の構造についてしっかりと検証が終わっていた。 懐紙で刀をぬぐい、納刀する。 すうっと鼻から息を吸い込み、口から吐いた。 「......他の獣人の中身も見ておきたいな」 一二三は、羊獣人のレニが言っていた泉を探して歩き出した。 木と葉、動物の皮で作られた簡素な家が点在する集落を抜けたところで、一二三はちょっとしたサッカーコート程の泉を見つけた。 水は透き通ってかなり深い位置まで見え、小さな魚や、エビのような生き物も見える。 周りを見ると、レニが教えてくれた捻くれた蔦が絡まったような木が、枝を伸ばして赤い果実を大量にぶら下げていた。 「これか」 こぶし大の果実をむしり取った一二三は、ためらい無く齧る。 サクっとした噛みごたえは梨のようで、みずみずしい桃のような香りと甘味が口と鼻に広がる。水気がたっぷりで、果汁の喉越しもサラリとしている。 「確かに、これは美味い」 立て続けに二つ程完食すると、中心にあった大きな種を放り捨てた。 「美味かった。けど、これだけはちょっとな......」 果実を食べ終わった時点で、一二三の両手と口の周りは真っ赤な果汁まみれになっていて、まるで人でも食べたかのようになっている。 両手を見て、泉を見た一二三は、まあ仕方ないと服を着たままざぶざぶと泉へ入っていた。 最初はキリッと冷たい水の刺激を受けたが、すぐに身体が慣れて、荒野の暑さを忘れさせてくれる泉の涼しさに浸る。 身体が冷え切る前に泉を出て、袴を脱いで絞っていると、集落がある方から、二人の虎獣人の子供が歩いてきた。 獣人の年齢は分からないが、小学校高学年位の男の子が、妹と思われる頭一つ分背が低い女の子を連れている。男の子は暗い目をして一二三を見つめ、女の子は怯えきった顔をして視線を落としていた。 「人間......」 一二三の姿をはっきりと見て、男の子は驚いた表情を見せたが、すぐに牙を剥いて怒りの表情に変わった。 「お父さんたちを殺したのは、お前か。人間!」 妹とつないでいた手を離して走って来た男の子の顔を、一二三は無表情のまま、濡れた袴でひっぱたく。 「ひっ......」 声を上げられない程に怯える女の子の前で、むち打ちになるほどの勢いで横っ面を打たれた男の子は、地面に転がって泣き始めた。 彼らを無視して悠々と袴をつけている一二三は、すぐに乾燥し始めた荒野の気候に感動しつつ、袴の折り目を指先で整えた。 「で、お前らは誰だ?」 ようやく立ち上がった少年は、怯えと怒りを綯交ぜにした表情を見せた。 虎の少年から答えは無く、一二三は溜息を吐いた。 「まあ、お前らが誰でも別にどうでもいいけどな」 顔をぐいと近づけ、一二三は少年の目を真っ直ぐに見た。 「もう少し大人になって、それでも俺が憎かったらかかって来い」 虎獣人たちの死体がある方を指差し、一二三はニタリと笑う。 「しっかり戦えるようになっておけよ。その時に俺より弱かったら、ああいう目に遭う」 悔しさの余り泣き出した少年に、女の子がすがりついた。 頑張れよ、と投げやりに声をかけた一二三は、彼らを放置して果物を片っ端からもぎ取って闇魔法の収納に放り込んだ。 果実を一つずつ少年たちに投げ渡し、さっさと立ち去った。 少年は涙をぬぐい、果実をじっと見てから齧り付く。どんどん溢れてくる涙に、美味しいはずの果物なのに、ちっとも美味しくないと呟いた。 隣で同じように泣きながら果物を齧る妹を見る。 その後、狼や獅子の獣人たちが形成する集落をいくつか壊滅させた一二三は、すっかり獣人相手の戦いに飽きていた。 そして同時に、迷子になっていた。 林は随分前から見えなくなり、見渡す限りの文字通りの荒野が続く。 「このままだと、騎士の国とやらに着く前に干からびるな」 馬の足取りも心なしか重く感じる。 しばらく考えていた一二三だが、考えをまとめて一旦戻ることにした。少なくとも、街が見えるまでは案内役が必要だと思ったのだ。 ゲームじゃないんだから、分かるまでウロウロするのも時間が勿体無い。 進行方向を変え、林があった方向を目指すと、馬も軽快に歩を進めるようになった。 そのまま、うっすらと見え始めた林を目指していると、一二三の感覚に久しぶりの気配が感じられる。 「やあやあ、お久しぶりです」 「お前か」 一二三の目の前に現れたのは、首だけで浮かぶ死神の姿だ。 「なんで首だけなんだ」 「おっと。これは失礼」 顔だけのくせに大げさに驚いて見せた死神は、黒い霧の中から全身を表した。 「宰相さんの前に出るときは、頭だけになっているんですよ“一二三さんが闇魔法を使ってくれないから、力が取り戻せません”ってね」 実際は、これだけ日常的に人が殺される世界にいれば、逆に元気になるってもんです、と舌をペロリと見せる死神に、一二三は視線も向けずに馬を進める。 「で、わざわざこんな所まで出てきて何のようだ?」 「私に距離なんて関係ありませんよ。流石に世界を渡る程の力はありませんけれどね。古代魔法だったかな? 神も人もまとめて飛ばすとは、大したものです」 宙に浮かびながら一二三に併走する死神は、大きく頷いて見せた。 「お前の関心は別にどうでもいい。それより、王都の動きはどうだ?」 「まったく、神使いが荒い人ですね。宰相さんは例の魔法に気づいてくれましたよ。美しき女王陛下への報告はされていませんが、そう遠くないうちに使える魔法だと判断してくれるでしょう」 死神は満足げに言う。 「それにしても、こちらで再会した時にまた殺されかけるとは思いませんでしたよ」 それに、人間相手に平謝りする時が来るとは、と死神は苦笑いを浮かべた。 実際、死神はからかうつもりで一二三が一人になった時に一度顔を出したことがある。その時にいきなり抜き打ちに斬りつけられ、腕一本を飛ばされて完全に降伏した。 今の死神は、一二三の手下として動いている。 「ですが、一二三さんが戦争を起こしてたくさん殺してくれたおかげで、私も随分元気になりましたよ。とりあえずは途中報告です。貴方の望むクライマックスに精一杯ご協力させていただきますよ」 だから、もっとたくさん殺してくださいね、と言葉を残して死神は消えた。 返事もせず、一二三は馬を進める。 「それで、わたしたちに道案内をしろって言うの?」 冗談じゃない、とヘレンは一二三に向かって言葉をぶつけた。 隣にいるレニはオロオロとするばかりだ。 「あんたは知らないようだけど、人間の国の近くにいた獣人がいなくなってて、人間に捕まって酷い目に遭わされているっていう噂があるのよ」 ヘレンは弱いタイプの獣人が人間に近づくなんて危険なことはできない、とはっきり断った。 「で、でも一二三さん困ってるし......」 「レニ!」 ヒートアップしたヘレンの攻撃がレニに向かう。 「あんたもちょっとお菓子もらったくらいで、簡単に人間を信用しすぎ! 確かに甘くて美味しかったけど......それとこれとは別なのよ!」 どうやらヘレンも、カイム特製の焼き菓子が気に入ったらしい。 「ちゃんと報酬はあるぞ?」 「人間って、お金とかいうのをお礼に使うんでしょ? そんなの貰っても......」 話している途中のヘレンの鼻先に取り出されたのは、泉の周りで一二三が乱獲してきたあの果実だった。 「これ、ウチが教えた果物だよ!」 すごいすごい、と興奮するレニに、ヘレンは腕を組んで鼻をならした。 「ふ、ふん! そんな果物いっこでわたしたちが命懸けで人間の......」 次々に取り出され、ヘレンとレニの目の前には赤く熟した果実が積み上げられ、甘い匂いを放っていた。 レニは興奮して、虎の獣人がたくさんいたはずなのに、と関心しきりだ。 「で、どうする?」 一二三の仕事が終われば追加を出すという言葉に、ヘレンも陥落した。 「ちょっと待っててくれる? レニと一緒に少し遠出するってお母さんたちに言ってくるから」 果実を抱えた二人が、手ぶらで戻ってくるまでそれほど時間はかからなかった。 「少し遠くまで採取に行ってくるって言ったから、しばらくは大丈夫。それより、他の獣人が出たら、ちゃんと守ってよね」 「大丈夫だよ、ヘレン。一二三さんは強いんだから」 何故か一二三を信頼しきっている様子のレニに、心配だとヘレンは耳を垂れさせた。 こうして、二人の道案内を得た一二三は、改めて騎士の国を目指すことになった。

The tiger beastmen's boss plans to fight by himself after all. The other beastmen are standing in a circle around Hifumi and their boss as if fencing them in. "You will regret making fun of tiger beastmen. Even if you swing around such thin weapon, it won't be able to defend against my claws." Hifumi doesn't even feel intimidated by the boss, who laughs smugly baring his fangs, as he lowered his katana loosely. "As it is a tedious talk, hurry up and come." (Hifumi) Calmly removing his look from the boss in front of him, Hifumi also called out to the beastmen surrounding them in the vicinity. "Isn't it boring to be just watching? If you have power and a will to fight, feel free to attack me without reservations. I will handle you all at once." (Hifumi) Due to his blatant provocation the air in the surrounding was tinged with a feeling of tension right away. "That's right, it's this air. The determination to kill, to kill your opponent. If that's also encompassed by action and ability, I won't complain." (Hifumi) During the time Hifumi was talking, the boss came sending an attack brandishing the claws of both arms, but Hifumi isn't as nice to receive an attack he has already seen once. "There!" The hands of the boss, which came clawing at Hifumi's side of the face, are slapped away upon touch. Hifumi laughed with a "Kaka" at the boss, who has a look of disbelief as his palms swelled up straight away. "Even if your bodies are those of a beastman, there's almost no difference to a human body. I know that because I saw the fellows, who were sliced open yesterday." (Hifumi) The ones Hifumi is talking about are the three, who met and attacked him just to have the tables turned on them and then had their corpses being ripped apart by animals. "No matter what kind of training you receive, in the end your bodies consist of meat and water being covered by skin. Thus it will become swollen, if it is beaten vigorously." (Hifumi) "What incomprehensible things are you talking about!? A swelling like this is of no concern and can't even be called an injury at this level!" The instant the roaring boss spread both his arms, Hifumi stepped into his bosom and this time hit the solar plexus with his palm using all his strength. "Gubuu... Boeee." Without being able to suppress what's rising from within, the boss scatters vomit from his mouth. "I don't need this", Hifumi put his katana back on his waist and grabbed an arm of the tiger's boss who's miserably spilling tears. Pressing the claws into the swollen palm, he pulled the arm without stopping and tore it off. "Gyaaaa!" Trying to hold the right hand, where blood spilled in an endless stream, the tiger boss raised a scream. The tiger beastmen in the surroundings had their breath taken away seeing his appearance. It was inconceivable for them to see their boss being toyed with this easily. "Even a human can use his fingernails. Like this." (Hifumi) Cutting through the wind with his right hand, the fingertips grazed the boss' throat. Without being able to raise his voice, the boss, who spurted blood from the nape of the neck, collapsed and died. Hifumi, looking down on him from nearby, calmly mutters, "Hmm. Even the location of veins is roughly the same as with humans, huh? With slightly stronger physical strength, it's at the level of them having animal ears and tails?" (Hifumi) "Well then", Hifumi looks at the tiger beastman in his surrounding, who had completely stiffened. "Look! Because you guys didn't help, this guy died, no?" (Hifumi) The tiger youth, who came rushing while weeping, was split in lower and upper half by the drawn katana* and at the same time the others raised their voices in anger, "Bastard! We won't let you return alive!" "It's the boss' enemy! Everyone, kill him!" Beastmen, leaping at him as they roared, come approaching Hifumi from all directions without any distinction whether they are male or female. "Oh, did you finally decide to go for it!?" (Hifumi) While decapitating two heads in one go, Hifumi exclaims delightfully. Changing the direction of the katana by turning around, he stabs it towards his back cutting open the stomach of a woman in the back. Slaying yet another in front with the katana using the momentum, he freely moves around between the enemies while cutting at throats and thighs. Meanwhile he watches the influence of blood and confirms in a composed manner that they have a different structure than humans. At the time all of those, who were at that place, were turned into corpses, he fully finished the inspection regarding the tiger beastman's body structure. Wiping his katana with a paper, he sheaths it into its scabbard. Feeling refreshed, he inhales his breath through the nose and exhales it from the mouth. "... I want to see the contents of other beastmen as well." (Hifumi) Hifumi went to look for the spring, the sheep beastwoman, Reni, told him about. Hifumi, who left the settlement dotted with plain huts made out of animal skins, leaves and wood, easily discovered the spring, which had a size of around a soccer field. With water that is as transparent that one could see even into quite the depth, one can observe small fishes and living things similar to shrimps. As he surveys his vicinity, there were the trees characteristically growing large ivy's entangled with each other as told by Reni. A large amount of red fruits dangled on the grown branches. "This, huh?" (Hifumi) Plucking off a fist-sized fruit, Hifumi bites into it without hesitation. With a crispy and chewy texture similar to a pear, a sweet fragrance like that of a juicy peach spreads through his nose and mouth. With an ample amount of moisture, the fruit even slides down the throat smoothly. "Certainly, this is delicious." (Hifumi) He ate around two successively and dumped the large seed in their core. "It was tasty. But, only this much is a little..." (Hifumi) At the moment he finished to eat the fruits, both sides of Hifumi's mouth are smeared with the bright red fruit juice. It completely looks as if he has eaten a person. Hifumi, who looked at the spring, looked at both his hands and entered the spring with a splash while wearing his clothes saying "Well, it can't be helped." At first he received a thrill from the clearly chilly water, but before long his body got used to it and he immersed himself in the coolness of the spring forgetting about the heat of the wastelands. Leaving the spring before his body gets completely chilled, he takes off his hakama and wrings it out. As he was doing that, two tiger beastmen children came walking from the direction where the settlement is at. Although he can't grasp the age of a beastman, a boy, at the age of around elementary school to the upper grades of elementary school, is leading a girl, a head shorter than him, which can be considered his younger sister. The boy stared at Hifumi with his black eyes. The girl lowered her sight having a face filled with fright. "Human..." Plainly looking at the figure of Hifumi, the boy showed a surprised expression, but that changed right away into an expression of rage baring his fangs. "Did you kill our fathers? Human!" Seeing the face of the boy, who came dashing after separating his hand which was connected with his younger sister, Hifumi slaps the wet hakama at him while staying expressionless. "Hii..." The boy, who had the side of his face hit with a power on the level of a whip, began to cry as he rolled on the ground in front of the girl, who couldn't raise her voice due to her fright. Hifumi, who has put on the hakama and quietly ignored them, arranged the fold of his hakama with his fingers while being impressed by the climate of the wastelands, which began to dry it right away. "So, who are you guys?" (Hifumi) The young boy, who finally got up, showed a mix of fear and anger in his expression. Without an answer from the tiger boy, Hifumi sighed. "Well, I don't give a damn who you are anyway." (Hifumi) Bringing his face close in one go, Hifumi looked directly into the eyes of the boy. "If you still hate me once you grow up a bit more, come at me any time." (Hifumi) Pointing in the direction where the corpses of the tiger beastmen are, Hifumi laughs broadly. "You better make sure to be able to fight properly. If you are weaker than me at that time, you will suffer that kind of future." (Hifumi) The young boy, who burst into tears being overwhelmed by bitterness, was hugged by the girl. Hifumi, who irresponsibly told him "Do your best", neglected them, plucked off absolutely every fruit and tossed them into his darkness storage. Passing a fruit each to the boy and girl with a throw, he quickly left. The boy, wiping his tears, bites into the fruit after staring at it. Although the fruit should be delicious, he muttered "It's not tasty at all" due to the steadily falling tears. The girl looks at the fruit and bites into it while weeping likewise next to him. After that, Hifumi, who annihilated a few settlements formed by wolf and lion beastmen, got thoroughly tired of fighting against beastman opponents. And at the same time he got lost. With the woods disappearing in front of him surprisingly, the wastelands literally continue as far as the eye can see. "Won't I dry up before reaching the Knight Country or such, if it's like this?" (Hifumi) He feels that even the horse's steps are somewhat heavy. Although Hifumi pondered for a while, he decided to return temporarily after gathering his thoughts. He thought that he would at least need a guide to lead him until a city becomes visible. Since it isn't a game, he doesn't want to waste his time until he stumbles upon one by wandering around aimlessly either. Changing his direction, he heads the way, where the forests were, and even the horse's pacing took a turn towards the better. As he is heading towards the woods, which faintly came in sight, Hifumi's sense feels a presence after a long time. "Yo, yo, it's been a while." "You, eh?" (Hifumi) What appeared in front of Hifumi is the figure of the shinigami, which is no more than a floating head. "Why is it only your head?" (Hifumi) "Oops. How impolite of me." The shinigami, who showed an exaggerated surprise although only on his face, revealed his full body from within a thick fog. "At the time I appeared in front of Prime Minister-san, it has only been hair as 'my power won't recover since Hifumi-san isn't using darkness magic', you know." "In reality, if it is a world where killing people is this common, I will become happy in reverse." Hifumi doesn't even look at the shinigami, who sticks out his tongue, and advances on his horse. "So, what business do you have with me that you even purposely come to such place?" (Hifumi) "Something like distance has no influence on me. Though my power isn't at the level to span over the whole world, as expected. Was it ancient magic? It was something great allowing gods and people to leap in one go." The shinigami, who keeps up with Hifumi staying at his side while floating in mid-air, displayed a large nod. "I don't particularly care about your interests. Rather than that, how's the development in the capital?" (Hifumi) "Good grief, what rude person to use a god as errand boy. Prime Minister-san became aware of the aforementioned magic. He hasn't reported it to the lovely queen, but he will likely decide to use the magic in a not so far future." The shinigami says that in absolute satisfaction. "At any rate, I didn't believe I would risk getting killed once again meeting you again." "Besides, that the time will come that I have to earnestly apologize to a human opponent", the shinigami showed a bitter smile. Actually, the shinigami, intending to poke fun at Hifumi, who had become alone at some point, turned up on one occasion. At that time Hifumi slashed at him by suddenly drawing the katana and attacking in the same stroke. The shinigami had to completely surrender as its arm was sent flying. The current shinigami is moving around as Hifumi's underling. "However, thanks to Hifumi-san causing a war and killing a lot, I became very lively as well. For the time being, I will report to you while en route. I will cooperate with you to my utmost ability for things to reach the climax you desire." "Therefore, please kill a lot more, okay?" Leaving those words, the shinigami vanished. Without replying, Hifumi proceeds on his horse while quietly showing a thin smile. "So, you are telling us to show you the way?" (Helen) "Gimme a break!" Helen threw those words at Hifumi. Reni, next to her, is all shook up. "You might not know, however the beastmen, who were close to human countries, are all gone. There's a rumour going around that they have been caught and went through a bitter experience." (Helen) "For weak types of beastmen it is impossible and dangerous to get close to humans", Helen clearly refused him. "B-But, Hifumi-san is troubled..." (Reni) "Reni!" (Helen)magic The excited Helen's attack turns upon Reni. "You, just because you received a little amount of sweets, you are trusting a human far too easily! Certainly, those were sweet and delicious, but... this and that are different!" (Helen) It looks like even Helen was pleased with Caim's handmade baked sweet. "Will there be a proper reward?" (Reni) "A human will probably use money or such to express their gratitude, right? Even if we received such thing..." (Helen) What Hifumi took out under the nose of Helen, who was in the middle of talking, was that fruit, he had excessively harvested in the vicinity of the spring. "This is the fruit I told you about!" (Reni) Due to Reni getting excited and going "Amazing, amazing", Helen folded her arms and snorted. "Hu-Humph! Us risking our lives for a human just because one such fruit is..." (Helen) Taking out one after the other, he piles up red, ripe fruits in front of Helen and Reni. They emitted a sweet aroma. Reni gets excited. "Although there should have been plenty of tiger beastmen", she is eagerly interested. "So? What will you do?" (Hifumi) Even Helen surrendered to the words of receiving more once they finish Hifumi's job. "Can you wait a bit? If I go slight far away together with Reni, we have to go tell that to our mothers." (Helen) Although the two carried fruits away, it didn't take much time until they came back empty-handed. "Since I told them that we will go harvesting slightly far away, it will be alright for a while. Apart from that, you will properly protect us, if other beastmen appear, right?" (Helen) "It will be fine, Helen. Hifumi-san is strong after all." (Reni) For some reason, Helen, who saw the state of Reni having full trust in Hifumi, drooped her ears in worry. Thus, Hifumi, who gained the two as guides, headed towards the Knight Country once again.

140.Nuclear Family 復讐戦は静かに幕を開ける。 アリッサと共にホーラントへ潜入したフォカロル兵の人数は十一名。アリッサに二人、残りも三人ずつに分かれて潜入及び破壊工作を行う。 砦のオーソングランデ側から、仲間の助けを借りてロープをかけてよじ登る。途中、マ・カルメたちの死体を吊り下げていたロープの切れ端と、それを切断した手裏剣が壁に刺さっているのを見つけたアリッサは、しばらく考えてから手裏剣を五枚、壁から引き抜いて懐に入れた。 「ここからは別行動」 「了解いたしました。ご武運を」 アリッサの合図で、兵たちは音もなく砦から縄を下ろして降りていく。 時折聞こえる小さな音から、うまくホーラント側の巡回を倒したことがわかる程度だ。 「行くよ」 「はっ」 アリッサは、砦の下を確認すると、するりと飛び降りた。 草の生えた地面にコロリと転がりながら着地すると、腕に抱えていたリュックを背負い、素早く脇差を抜く。 同行の兵たちも同じように動き、それぞれ火付けのための道具を持っていた。 アリッサが周囲を確認すると、先に降りた兵たちが始末したと思しきホーラント兵が二人、近くに倒れているのが見えた。それ以外、周囲には敵の気配はない。 先行した兵たちはもう、昼のうちに設定しておいた目的の場所に向かっていると判断したアリッサは、自分たちが担当する予定の建物を探す。 そろそろと移動しながら、目的の建物へと向かう。 明かりは点けない。お互いの身体に触れてはぐれないようにしながら、月明かりだけを頼りに歩く。 「......着いた」 アリッサの目の前にあるのは、夜の闇の中でも存在感を持った、四階建てと思しき大きな建物だった。 急ごしらえらしく窓も少なくシンプルな形をしているが、通常人が出入りするための扉とは別に、数メートルの高さがある巨大な門があった。 日中のうちに、密かに砦屋上からこの建物の大きさと異様な雰囲気を放つ大門が気になっていたアリッサは、何か重要な物......というよりは、ホーラントの巨人兵そのものか、それに関する何かがここにあるのだと確信していた。 まだ巨人兵がいるのであれば、奇襲で処理しておきたかったし、何か弱点がわかる資料があれば良いとアリッサは思っている。 建物の外周を、二人のホーラント兵が魔道具と思しき灯りを持ち、並んで歩いている。 「僕が始末する」 返事を待たず、するすると進みだしたアリッサは、兵たちの後ろから近づき、左手で一人の口をふさぎながら、右手に持った脇差をもう一人の首筋に後ろから突き立てた。 突然口を塞がれた兵士が混乱して持っていた灯りを落とすと、血を流して倒れている同僚が浮かび上がり、声にならない悲鳴を上げている間に、喉を切り裂かれた。 アリッサは一二三の真似をして懐紙で脇差を拭うと落ちている魔道具を拾い、しばらく見まわしていたが、援護に来た仲間に渡した。 「ごめん、消し方がわかんない」 「ぅえっ......?」 急に魔道具を渡された兵士は、光を放つ道具をくるくる回してみたが、結局スイッチの場所はわからなかったので、さっさと埋めてしまうことにした。 土をかぶせ、光が漏れなくなったのを確認すると、アリッサたちは小さくため息をついた。 建物を周回し、立ち入りできそうな木の窓を見つけると、脇差をひっかけてゆっくり開く。 中は真っ暗だったが、人はいないと判断したアリッサたちは、周りを警戒しながら、順番に建物へと入っていった。 アリッサは全く気付かなかったが、そこまでの動きを、一二三は隣にある兵舎の屋上から見下ろしていた。 「まあ、妥当な判断かもな」 アリッサの姿を確認した時点で、兵舎屋上に来ていた敵兵士たちはすべて殺害している。 フォカロルの潜入組の中には兵舎を担当したグループもいるが、1階から侵入したばかりで、中の調査をしながら移動しているようで、まだまだ屋上まではたどり着きそうもない。 「そんじゃ、保護者としてはしっかり観察してやるとするか」 建物の端まで行き、アリッサが潜入した建物に向かって猛然と走る。 目標までの距離は約十メートル。世界記録よりもさらに遠い。助走距離も短い。 屋上の縁を踏みつけ、風をかき分けて飛び上がる。 夜の冷えた空気が顔に当たる。 袴が音を立ててはためき、空気をはらんでブレーキをかけた。 「うぉおっ?」 想定外に距離が稼げず、失速した一二三は鎖鎌を取り出し、鎌の方を投げる。 乾いた音を立てて、目標の屋上に鎌が突き刺さり、鎖をつかんだまま三階部分の壁に足をついて音を殺す。 「ふぅ......ちょっと無理があったか」 鎖をよじ登り、屋上へ立つ。 「ただ待ってるのも暇だな......」 腕を組んで考えていた一二三だったが、ほどなく素手のままぶらぶらと三階へ降りて行った。 防御陣地を敷いた場所から一旦ミュンスターまで戻っていたイメラリアは、夕食を済ませた後も、ビロンが用意した部屋に籠り、ひたすら思考に没頭していた。 「失敗は失敗です。反省はしますけれど、引きずっていてはいつまでも進歩がありませんわ」 インクを付けたペンを、何の気なしに走らせる。 “防衛”“夜襲”“救出失敗”“巨大な敵” 整理していくと、フォカロルの教導隊と国境警備にあたっていた兵たち以外には大きな損害は出ておらず、一時的に失っていた国境周辺の土地も奪還できた。 予定通りに進んでいれば、今頃はアリッサたちがホーラントへ潜入し、調査と破壊工作に着手しているだろう。 そう思うと、イメラリアの中に仄かな焦りが生まれる。 「わたくしだって、わたくしだって......」 つぶやいてから、大きく深呼吸をして落ち着きを取り戻す。 “反省”“ホーラント”“ネルガル”“停戦” 長く陰鬱な説教を思い出しながら、つらつらと単語をかき続ける。 “できること”“できないこと” 「わたくしには、戦に出る才能はなさそうですわね......」 もはやそれは認めざるを得ない。 防衛に関してはサブナク主導で危なげなく成功し、朝の戦闘では活躍の場など見出せなかった。 「できること、できること......」 女王としての役目は忘れていない。ホーラントだけにかまけて他を疎かにはしないようにしなければならない。 だが、ここでホーラントとの決着を一二三やアリッサだけに任せてしまえば、いよいよ対ホーラントも対ヴィシーもフォカロル領の影響下を抜けられなくなるだろう。 「ですが、決着をつけるとなると、武力が必要になりますわね」 今のところは、サブナク率いるオーソングランデ王国軍と、協力してくれているビロン伯爵軍がいる。 だが、一国とまともに事を構えることを考えるのであれば、足りない。戦闘に関する技術的に言えば、フォカロル領兵を抜いてしまえばホーラント側に軍配が上がる、とイメラリアは把握していた。 「決戦、決着、交渉、停戦......」 決定的な戦力が無い以上、停戦のためには一二三を頼らざるを得ないのだろうか、と単語を声に出して書付けながら、ふと違和感に気付いた。 “決戦”と“決着”の間に×をつける。 ペン立てにそっとペンを戻したイメラリアは、青い瞳でじっと×印を見つめる。 「できること......これなら!」 椅子を倒さんばかりの勢いで立ち上がったイメラリアが、誰かいないかと声をかけると、そっとドアが開いた。 「お呼びでしょうか、陛下」 「......シビュラさん、まだ居られたんですか......」 恭しく使用人服のスカートをつまんで会釈をするシビュラを見て、イメラリアはへなへなと椅子に座りなおした。 「従軍しておりました使用人の一人が熱を出したようですので、お手伝いをさせていただいております」 しれっと言われた内容には半信半疑ながらも、性格はさておいても信頼はできるだろうと考えたイメラリアは、手元の紙にさらさらと書き込むと、サインを入れて封蝋を落とし、外した指輪を押し付けた。 「これを王都のヴァイヤーさんに届けてください。できるだけ急いで」 イメラリアが差し出した書簡を受け取ったシビュラは、ハンカチで丁寧に包むと、胸にそっと抱え持った。 「畏まりました。私が自分でお届けいたしましょう。丁度馬車もありますし、充分休ませることができましたから」 「騎士の誰かに頼んでもよろしいのですよ?」 いいえ、とシビュラは首を振る。 「陛下が悩み抜いて決められた内容ですもの。これくらいは何ともありません」 にっこりとほほ笑むシビュラに対して、イメラリアは顔をひきつらせた。 「なぜ......わたくしが悩んでいたと知っているのですか?」 「ほんの一時間ほど前から、少しめまいがいたしまして、このお部屋のドアにもたれかかって休ませていただいておりました。たまたまドアに耳をつけておりましたので、陛下の独り言を聞くとはなしに聞いてしまいまして」 視線だけ横に流して悪びれることなく話すシビュラに、イメラリアはもはや怒る気力も持ち合わせていなかった。 「もういいですから、くれぐれもお願いしますね」 「安んじてお任せくださいませ」 仰々しい礼を見せたシビュラが出ていくと、イメラリアは先ほどまで肩ひじ張って対策を考えていた疲れがどっと押し寄せてくるのを感じ、早々に着替えてベッドに入り込んだ。 「ほえ~......」 王都の入口、手続きが終わった馬車が町の中へと進んでいくと、一番栄えている通りを王城へ向かって突き抜けるように通りが続く。 様々な商店に色とりどりの商品が並び、石造りの三階建てや四階建てが軒を連ねている通りを見て、プーセは思わず声をあげた。 「ここがオーソングランデの首都です。特に決まった名前はありません。元々この町だけがオーソングランデと呼ばれていたそうです」 馬車の中で書類を整理していたパリュが説明するのを、獣人たちは興味深く聞きながら、道々に売られている、特に食べ物に興味深々という様子だった。 「それで、どこに向かうのですか?」 「まずは王城を訪ねましょう。領主様は特に決まった滞在先はお決めになられてません。城内で寝泊まりすることもあれば、気まぐれに街中の宿に泊まったりされるので......」 パリュは、貴族の中で一番連絡が取りにくい方だと思いますよ、と力なく笑うと、ヴィーネも同意すると言って微笑んだ。スラムの中でも、寝床にいたりいなかったり、眠る時間もバラバラで、会いたくても中々顔を見る機会すら作るのが難しかったらしい。 「でも、お城といったら王様がいるんでしょう? そんなところに、私たちが入れるんですか?」 「どうでしょう。少なくとも、領主様がどこにおられるかのヒントはあるんじゃないかと。そういえば私も、王城に泊まったことがあるんですよ......ひたすら勉強してましたけど」 「お城って、アレの事?」 マルファスが指差した先は、確かにオーソングランデが誇る王城であった。 いくつもの尖塔がそびえる王城は、荘厳な雰囲気を以て進行方向に見えていた。 「ええ、あれですね」 「はぁ~......こりゃあすごい、あんなデカい建物初めて見やしたぜ」 ゲングがペロリと鼻をなめてうんうんと首を振っている。 ほどなくして王城前に馬車はたどり着く。 護衛として台車に乗った兵士がついて来ていることもあり、パリュがトオノ伯爵領文官だという話はすんなり伝わり、当番していた騎士の中にパリュの顔を覚えていた者もいて、滞りなく手続きは進む、かに見えた。 「じゅ、獣人族か......」 トオノ伯爵のところの話なら、と呼び出されたのはミダスだった。 ネルガル護送の任務を終え、二日間の休暇を家族サービスに費やしたミダスは、休日明けにこれか、と暗澹たる気持ちで頭を抱えた。 こういう事もあるのだから、王都に屋敷を持っておいてくれればいいのにと内心愚痴りながら、目立っても良いことは無いと判断し、一度王城へ受け入れ、宰相と相談することにする。 磨き抜かれた床や精緻な彫刻を施された天井など、見慣れない室内をキョロキョロと見まわして歩く獣人族を見ながら、パリュは自分が奴隷として連れてこられた時も、あんな感じだったと思い出していた。カイムはどうだったかは思い出せないが、他のみんなも同じだったと思う。 「ミダス様。今、トオノ伯爵様はどちらに?」 「......ホーラントへフォカロルから兵を送っただろう? それに追従というか、先行というか......まあ、ホーラントへ向かったのは間違いない」 「ホーラントってのは、どこにあるんですかい?」 ぐいっと首を伸ばして話しかけてきたゲングに、ミダスは一瞬ひるんだが、咳払いをしてごまかした。 「なんというか、そうだな......フォカロルからここまでと同じくらい、反対側に向かったところにある、別の国だな」 「ははぁ~。そんな遠くまで一二三さんはお出かけなんですなぁ」 「じゃ、じゃあそこまで行けば、ご主人様に会えるんですか?」 「ご、ご主人様?」 今度はヴィーネが身を乗り出してきて、ミダスはパリュに視線で助けを求めた。 「トオノ伯爵の事です。どうやら、荒野の向こうにある人間の町で彼女たちを“購入”したり仲間にしたり、色々とされていたようで......」 「ああ、なるほど......」 突っ込んで聞いたら長くなるんだろう、と思ったミダスは、ヴィーネに対して首を横に振る。 「おそらくはそうだろうが、今は危険だ。だから、城内で大人しく......」 なるべく面倒事を起こすまいと画策したミダスだったが、一人の騎士が声をかけてきて徒労に終わることになった。 「やあ、パリュさんじゃないですか! お久しぶりです!」 「ヴァイヤーさん。お元気でしたか?」 「ええ、おかげさまで。フォカロルでは色々と教えていただきまして、ありがとうございました! お連れは......これは凄い、獣人族の方ですか......ひょっとしてこちらは、エルフの方ですか! 相変わらず、フォカロルではなんでも有りですね!」 楽しそうに話すヴァイヤーに、顔見知りのパリュも色々と話が盛り上がる。ヴァイヤーがフォカロル滞在中に何度か話したこともあり、妻であるフィリニオンと共に、戸籍などの住民管理についてのレクチャーを受けたこともある。 「それで、わざわざ王城まで足を運ばれたということは、何かあったのですか?」 「こちらの方々が領主様......トオノ伯爵様にお会いしたいとのご希望でしたので」 「それなら丁度良かった! 私たちも今からホーラント方面へ出発する予定だったのです。今度は一千人態勢ですから、数名増えたところで問題ありませんよ」 ヴァイヤーが安請け合いをすると、獣人たちは顔を見合わせて喜んだ。トントン拍子で一二三の元へ近づいているのだ。 「ばっ......!」 これに慌てたのはミダスだった。 ヴァイヤーの腕を引っ張って距離を取ると、聞こえないように声を落とす。 「ど、どうしたんですかミダスさん」 「なんでホーラントに行く必要があるんだ? しかも千人も兵士を連れて」 「陛下からのご命令です。大急ぎで人数を揃えて、ネルガル様を連れてミュンスターへ来るように、と」 目を見開いてしばらく呆然としていたミダスは、気を持ち直して質問する。 「まてまて、フォカロル領軍もビロン領軍もいるだろう。なんで追加が必要なんだ」 「知りませんよ。陛下の命令書には、そこまで書かれていませんでしたし。それに、命令書はサブナク隊長の奥様が直々にお持ちになられた程の重要書類でしたから、私としても疑問を差し挟む余地はありませんよ」 ネルガルからの書面をシビュラに強奪されたことは、名誉のために伏せておくことにしたヴァイヤー。 「ぐぐ......わかった。その方が私としても楽でいいかもしれん。トオノ伯に会いに来たのなら、早々に目的を果たしてもらった方が良いだろう。ヴァイヤー、任せてもいいか?」 「承知いたしました。あとですね、私からもお願いがございまして......」 「嫌な予感しかしないぞ、おい......」 ヴァイヤーはミダスの手を取って無理やり握手をすると、深々と頭を下げた。 「今回の出兵で近衛の副隊長以上が全員留守になりますので、城内の指揮をお願いします」 「勘弁してくれ......」 ホーラントの騒動が終わったら、長い休暇を申請して、子供たちを連れて遊びに行こうと固く誓ったミダスだった。

Chapter 140: Nuclear Family The revenge match silently opens its curtains. The number of soldiers from Fokalore who invaded Horant together with Alyssa is 11. They split up in groups of two with Alyssa and the rest in 3 men cells and are going to carry out infiltration and subversive activities. They climb the wall on the side of the fortress on Orsongrande's side using a rope with the help of their colleagues. Alyssa, who discovered the cut end of the ropes, which suspended the corpses of Ma Calme and the others, and the shuriken, which severed those very ropes, sticking in the wall, pulled out five shuriken from the wall after pondering for a bit and put them into her pocket. "From here on we will act separately." (Alyssa) "As you command. Good fortunes of war." Upon Alyssa's signal, the soldiers soundlessly drop ropes from the fortress and climb down. From the small sounds audible at times, one can approximately realize about them skilfully killing the patrols from Horant's side. "Go." (Alyssa) "Ha." Once Alyssa confirmed the bottom of the fortress, she jumped down speedily and without delay. She lands while rolling over nimbly on the ground, where grass was growing, carries the rucksack, she was holding in her hands, on her back and swiftly draws the wakizashi. Her accompanying soldiers moved in the same way. Each of them held tools for committing arson. Once Alyssa checked the surroundings, she saw two of Horant's soldiers, who were apparently dealt with by the soldiers who descended first, having collapsed nearby. Except those, there's no enemy presence in the vicinity. Alyssa, who concluded that the soldiers, who went first, were already heading towards their target locations which were set during the day, searches for the building they are in charge of. They head towards the target building while moving quietly. They don't turn on a light. While making sure to not get lost by staying in touch with each other, they walk while relying on just the moonlight. "...We are here." (Alyssa) What was in front of Alyssa's eyes was a large building appearing to have four stories which had an imposing presence within the darkness of the night. The seemingly hastily made windows had a slightly simple form, but apart from the door for people coming and going normally, there was a huge gate which had a height of several meters. Being bothered by the large front gate, that released a strange aura, and the size of this building, she secretly observed from atop the fortress' rooftop during the day, Alyssa believed that something important... or rather, Horant's giant soldiers themselves or something related to them was hidden in this place. If there were still giant soldiers, she wanted to dispose of them with a surprise attack. Two soldiers of Horant, who are holding lights which seem to be magic tools, are walking side-by-side on the outer circumference of the building. "I will get rid of them." (Alyssa) Alyssa, who went ahead swiftly without waiting for a reply, closed in from behind the soldiers and stabbed the wakizashi, she held in her right hand, into the nape of the neck of one soldier from behind while blocking the mouth of the other one with her left hand. Once the soldier dropped the light, he held, while being confused due to suddenly having his mouth blocked, he had his throat cut open while screaming soundlessly as he realizes his colleague collapsing while shedding blood. Imitating Hifumi, Alyssa wiped her wakizashi with a paper and picked up the fallen magic tool. As she looked around for a little while, she handed the magic tool over to a colleague who came as support. "I'm sorry, I don't know how to turn it off." (Alyssa) "Ueeh...?" The soldier, who was suddenly given the magic tool, turned around the illuminated tool, but since he didn't find the place of the switch in the end, he decided to swiftly cover it up. Once they confirmed that no light was leaking out after covering it with soil, Alyssa's group breathed a small sigh. Circling the building and finding a window that looks like it allows entering, she hooks the wakizashi into it and opens it slowly. The inside was pitch dark, but Alyssa and the other two, who judged that there are no people inside, entered the building one after the other while watching the surroundings. Alyssa didn't notice it at all, however Hifumi overlooked their movements up to there from the rooftop of the barracks which were next to that building. "Well, it might be a valid decision." (Hifumi) At the point in time he confirmed Alyssa's figure, he had killed all of the soldiers of Horant who had come to the barracks' rooftop. There's also a group responsible for the barracks among the infiltration unit from Fokalore, but as they just trespassed from the first floor, they are apparently moving while investigating the interior and are very unlikely to reach the rooftop for much more time to come. "Well then, shall I try to observe them properly as their guardian?" (Hifumi) Heading to the edge of the building, he runs fiercely towards the building Alyssa invaded. The distance to his target is around 10 meters. It's further away than the world record. The distance for the approach run is short as well. Stepping down on the rim of the rooftop, he jumps up while cutting through the wind. The chilly air of the night hits his face. The hakama made a fluttering sound, got filled with air and served as break. "Uoooh?" (Hifumi) Outside his assumption, Hifumi, who suddenly lost momentum unable to gain distance, takes out the kusarigama and throws the side with the sickle. With a dry sound the sickle stabs onto the target rooftop. While grasping the chain, he kills the sound by pressing his feet against the wall part of the third floor. "Phew... that was a bit unreasonable, huh?" (Hifumi) Scaling the chain, he heads towards the rooftop. "The boredom of simply waiting..." (Hifumi) Hifumi was pondering while folding his arms, but before long he descended to the third floor leisurely while while being unarmed. Imeraria, who temporarily returned to Munster from the location where they set up the defence encampment, immersed herself in her thoughts while secluding herself in the room prepared by Earl Biron even after she finished dinner. "A failure is a failure. I will reflect on it, but there won't be any progress even if I drag it out forever." (Imeraria) A pen stained with ink is made to travel across a paper casually "Defense", "Night Attack", "Rescue Failure" and "Giant Enemy." Once she sorted it out, they were even able to recover the area around the border, which was lost temporarily, without having large losses except the soldiers, who served as border security, and the instruction unit from Fokalore.magic If it proceeds as planned, Alyssa's group has infiltrated Horant around this time and they have probably started to work on their subversive activities and investigation. Once she considers it like this, a faint impatience is born within Imeraria. "Even I, even I..." (Imeraria) After murmuring that, she recovers her serenity once she takes a deep breath. "Reflection", "Horant", "Nelgal" and "Ceasefire." While recalling the long, gloomy sermon, she continues to write down words attentively. "Possible things" and "Impossible things." "I don't seem to have the ability to depart for battle..." (Imeraria) She already has no choice but to acknowledge that. Regarding the defence, it was a success and safe with Sabnak's leadership. I wasn't able to find a place where I could play an active role at the battle in the morning. "Things I'm capable of, things I'm capable of..." (Imeraria) I haven't forgotten my duty as queen. It's wrong if I don't make sure to not neglect other things by single-mindedly concentrating on just Horant. However, if I just end up leaving the conclusion with Horant here to Alyssa and Hifumi, it will likely become more and more impossible for Horant and Vichy to escape being influenced by Fokalore's territory. "But, when it comes to settling a battle, military force becomes indispensable." (Imeraria) At the present there is Orsongrande's royal army led by Sabnak and the feudal army of Earl Biron who is cooperating with us. However, if one considers the matter of directly taking an aggressive stance against a whole country, that's insufficient. Practically spoken in regards to the battle, Horant's side will be declared the winner if they end up overtaking Fokalore's territorial soldiers "Decisive battle, conclusion, negotiations, ceasefire..." (Imeraria) "Seeing that there's no deciding war potential, we are compelled to rely on Hifumi for the sake of a ceasefire, I guess?" While writing down the words she leaked with her voice, she suddenly realized a sense of discomfort. There's a X between "Decisive battle" and "Conclusion." Imeraria, who gently returned the pen to its holder, stares fixedly at the X mark with her blue eyes. "Things I can do... if it's this!" (Imeraria) As Imeraria stood up with a force about to knock over the chair and once she called out whether there's anyone around, the door opened quietly. "You have called, Your Majesty?" (Shibyura) "... Shibyura-san, you were still here...?" (Imeraria) Watching Shibyura curtsying while respectfully pinching the skirt of her servant's attire, Imeraria once again weakly slumped down on the chair. "Since one of the servants, who joined the campaign, developed a fever, I have offered my help." (Shibyura) Imeraria, who considered that she's probably trustable if you put aside her character even while being half in doubt of the details Shibyura told nonchalantly, smoothly filled out a paper at hand, signed it, applied sealing wax and pressed the ring, she took off, onto the wax. "Please deliver this to Vaiya-san in the capital. As fast as possible." (Imeraria) Shibyura, who received the letter held out by Imeraria, carefully wrapped it with a handkerchief and gently held it at her chest. "As you wish. I shall deliver it by myself. There's just now a carriage available. They were able to rest plentifully." (Shibyura) "Isn't it alright if you entrust it to some knight?" (Imeraria) "No", Shibyura shakes her head. "It's something with content that was able to remove Your Majesty's distress. This much is no trouble at all." (Shibyura) Imeraria had a cramped expression in contrast to Shibyura who was smiling sweetly. "Why... do you know that I was troubled?" (Imeraria) "Since a mere hour ago I took a little rest by leaning on the door of this room due to feeling slightly dizzy. Because I accidentally pressed an ear against the door, I ended up listening to Your Majesty's talk once I heard Your Majesty's monologue." (Shibyura) Due to Shibyura talking without being shy while only averting her gaze to the side, Imeraria didn't have the spare energy to get angry anymore either. "It's already fine, thus I request it of you sincerely." (Imeraria) "Please leave it to me while being at ease." (Shibyura) Once Shibyura, who bowed in an exaggerated manner, left, Imeraria, who thought about the countermeasure of stretching her shoulders and elbows until some time ago, felt fatigue suddenly descending upon her and went to bed after changing her clothes quickly. "Hoe~." Once they proceed into the city through the entrance of the capital on the carriage which finished the formalities, the street continues as if breaking through towards the royal castle as the most flourishing street. Watching the street where buildings, with three and four stories, made out of stone are put together in a row and where multicoloured goods are lined up at various stores, Puuse unintentionally raised her voice. "This place is Orsongrande's capital city. It hasn't an especially set name. It seems only this city used to be called Orsongrande originally." (Paryu) While the beastmen were intently listening to Paryu, who was sorting the documents inside the carriage, explaining, they looked like they had very deep interest in the things being sold along the road, especially the food. "So, where are we heading to?" "First we shall visit the royal castle. There isn't a rule, which was especially decided by Lord-sama, for places to stay at. There are cases where he stays in the castle and he also stays at down-town inns whimsically..." (Paryu) "Paryu, I think that he is the most difficult to contact among the nobles", once laughing feebly, Viine smiled while agreeing as well. Even in the slums it was apparently difficult for her to create an opportunity to see his face readily even if she wanted to meet him as his sleeping hours were scattered and he often wasn't in his bed. "However, there will be a ruler if we go to the castle, right? Will we be allowed to enter such place?" "I wonder. Won't we at least get a hint where Lord-sama might be? Which reminds me, I also happened to lodge in the royal castle... I did nothing but studying though." (Paryu) "The castle, is that?" (Malfas) What Malfas pointed at ahead was definitely the royal castle Orsongrande was proud of. The royal castle, where countless spires tower, was visible in the direction of their travel with its impressive presence. "Yes, that's it." (Paryu) "Haa~... this is amazing. It's the first I have seen such huge building." (Malfas) Gengu shakes his head with an "uh huh" while licking his nose with his tongue. Before long the carriage finally arrives in front of the royal castle. A soldier, who boarded a platform wagon as guard, has come following as well. Smoothly conveying the story of Paryu being a civil official of Tohno Earldom, there were some among the knights, who were on duty, who remembered Paryu's face and saw to it that the formalities went ahead without delay. "B-Beastmen, huh...?" "In that case it's a story from Earl Tohno's place", Midas, who was called in, said. Finishing the Nelgal escort mission, Midas, who spent time with his family during a two-days holiday, was at his wit's end with a gloomy feeling while thinking While complaining in his heart that it would be fine if they place them in a mansion they maintain in the capital, he judges that it won't be good for them to stand out, accepts them into the royal castle for the moment and decides to consult with the prime minister. While watching the beastmen who walk while looking around restlessly indoors as they aren't used to stuff like a ceiling, which had minute carvings added, and a floor which was completely polished, Paryu remembered that she had such emotions as well at the time she was brought along as slave. She can't remember how it was for Caim, but she believes that it was the same for everyone else. "Midas-sama, where's Earl Tohno-sama currently?" (Paryu) "... Soldiers were dispatched from Fokalore towards Horant, weren't they? Following them, or rather going ahead, or rather... well, there's no doubt that he headed towards Horant." (Midas) "Horant you say, where is that?" (Gengu) Due to Gengu addressing him while stretching his neck with a jerk, Midas flinched for an instant, but glossed it over by clearing his throat. "How to explain it? Let's see... it's a different country which is located on the opposite side with approximately the same ((distance)) from Fokalore to here." (Midas) "Hahaa~. Hifumi-san has gone on a trip to such distant place." (Gengu) "Then, then if we go until there, I will be able to meet master?" (Viine) "M-Master?" (Midas) With Viine bending herself forward this time, Midas searched for assistance with a look towards Paryu. "It's Earl Tohno. It looks like he made friends and "purchased" the girls in a human city located on the other side of the wastelands, apparently he did various things there..." (Paryu) "Ah, I see..." (Midas) , thinking that, Midas shakes his head towards Viine. "Though it might be so, currently it's dangerous there. Therefore, ((stay)) obediently in the castle..." (Midas) Midas manoeuvred so that they wouldn't cause trouble as much as possible, but that ended in vain when a single knight came calling out to them. "Yoo, isn't that Paryu-san? It's been a while!" (Vaiya) "Vaiya-san, are you doing well?" (Paryu) "Yes, thanks to you. Thank you very much for letting me learn various things in Fokalore! Your companions are... this is amazing, they are beastmen...? By chance, is this person an elf!? As usual, you can find anything in Fokalore!" (Vaiya) Due to Vaiya talking happily, his acquaintance, Paryu, gets excited chatting about various things as well. Having talked several times during Vaiya's stay in Fokalore, he received lectures regarding the population management such as family registers together with his wife Phyrinion. "So, for you to deliberately show up at the royal castle means that something happened?" (Vaiya) "These people harbour the wish of wanting to meet with Lord-sama... Earl Tohno-sama." (Paryu) "If it's that, you are just right! We planned to depart in the direction of Horant from this time forward. This time it's a corps of 1000 soldiers, thus there's no problem even if it's increased by several people." (Vaiya) Once Vaiya promised that without due consideration, the beastmen looked at each other delightfully. They are approaching Hifumi's location with large strides. "Id...!" (Midas) The one who was flustered by that was Midas. Once they take some distance after Midas pulls Vaiya's arm, he lowers his voice so that it's not audible. "W-What's wrong, Midas-san?" (Vaiya) "Why is there a need for you to go to Horant? Moreover while taking along 1000 soldiers." (Midas) "It's an order by Her Majesty. Come to Munster while bringing along Nelgal-sama after bolstering the numbers urgently, she said." (Vaiya) Midas, who opened his eyes widely and was dumbfounded for a while, asks after recovering his mind, "Wait, wait, Fokalore's feudal army and Biron's feudal army are there as well, aren't they? Why is it necessary to reinforce them?" (Midas) "I don't know. That much wasn't mentioned in Her Majesty's decree. Besides, since the decree was an important document to the extent of it being personally kept by Captain Sabnak's wife, even I have no leeway to harbour doubts." (Vaiya) Vaiya decided to conceal the matter of the letter from Nelgal being extorted by Shibyura on behalf of his honour. "Guh guh... got it. That way it might be even easier than me ((going there)). It will be better if they accomplished their objective once they went to meet with Earl Tohno. Vaiya, may I leave it to you?" (Midas) "Acknowledged. Also, there's a request from me as well..." (Vaiya) "I have a bad premonition. Oy..." (Midas) Once Vaiya shook Midas' hand after forcibly grasping it, he bowed very deeply. "Since everyone below vice-captain of the royal guards will be absent with this time's dispatch, I leave the command inside the castle to you." (Vaiya) "Please pardon me from that..." (Midas) Once the dispute with Horant ends, I will apply for a long vacation and go out to play while taking along the children

「くそっ! どうして街道近くでこんな強い魔物が出るんだ!」 体長2mはある虎のような魔物が鋭い爪を振り回してくるのを、冒険者は辛うじて剣で凌いでいた。長剣すでに何箇所も欠けてボロボロで、革鎧も肩と腕の防具は外れかけている。 「街道沿いは安全なはずなのに!」 その油断から、接敵時の対応が遅れた彼らは、たった一匹の魔物相手にろくな対応もできず防戦一方となっている。 「一旦逃げようよ! こんなの相手できない!」 やや離れた場所にいた、魔法杖を手にした女性の冒険者が叫んだ。 慌てて転んだためにローブは泥だらけで、土魔法を何度も唱えたせいで披露困憊の表情だ。 「逃げるったって、どうしろってんだ!」 どう考えても魔物の方が素早く、スタミナも残っている。 「あと一回、魔法で足止めするからその間に......」 「やるなら早くしてくれ!」 そのやり取りの間にも、前衛に立っている男の方は、ジワジワと傷つけられていく。 「......土よ爆ぜろ!」 焦った詠唱のためか、小規模な土くれがぶつけられただけだったが、運良く狙い通りに魔物の目に当たった。 「ギャァッ!」 視界を奪われた魔物は、七転八倒して首を振っている。 隙ができたと判断した冒険者は、魔物の姿を一瞥してから、二人並んで街道へ向かって走った。 必死に走って街道へ着くと、他の冒険者や商人の馬車も見え、魔物が追ってくる気配も無いことに安堵して、揃って座り込んでしまった。 「はぁはぁ......もう立てない......」 肩で息をしている女性冒険者は、杖にしがみついていた。 その横で、ある程度は息を整えた男の方は、思案顔だった。 「......どうしたの?」 「さっき魔物が転がった時に、妙な物が見えた」 「妙な物?」 木の枝を拾って、地面にガリガリと三角系の中央に丸印を書いた。 「こんな感じの......たぶん魔法具か何かだろう」 「魔法具なんて、魔物が持ってるはずないじゃない」 枝を放り捨てた冒険者は、女の方を見た。 「そうだな。ということはつまり、誰かがあの魔物にそれを取り付けたってことになる。あんなでかい魔物がこの辺りに出るなんて初耳だしな......」 二人顔を見合わせて、何とか気力を振り絞って立ち上がる。 「ギルドへ報告しよう。これはかなり大きな問題だと思う」 「そうね。賛成」 歩きだそうとした二人の前に、一人の小柄な女が進み出た。 ローブを着ている辺りは魔法使いに見えるが、杖を持っていない。 「ギルドへの連絡は不要です」 フードを取った顔は可愛らしいが表情は乏しく、翠の瞳は冒険者たちを無感動に観察しているようにしか見えない。 「......誰だ」 刃こぼれだらけの剣を握り、冒険者は仲間をかばうように構えた。 「オリガ、と申します」 丁寧なお辞儀をして、オリガはまっすぐに冒険者の目を見る。 「正直、ああも簡単に魔法具が見られてしまうとは思いませんでした。次はもっと工夫しないといけませんね。貴方も、思った以上に剣が使えたのは計算外でした」 もっとも、私の主の足元にも及びませんが、と続ける。 「あ、あなたがあの魔物をけしかけたの?!」 「単にあれが起きたときに貴方がたが近くにいた。それだけです。最も、そのまま殺されていただくつもりでしたけれど。おかげで余計な手間がかかってしまいました」 バシャッと音を立てて鉄扇を開き、口元を隠して目を細める。 「うおおっ!」 オリガの言葉で敵だと判断した冒険者は、杖を持たない魔法使いだと判断して一気に斬りかかった。 だが、2合、3合と鉄扇で軽くいなされてしまう。 「ダメですね。剣を振るうのに腰が安定していません。剣と一緒に身体ごと崩されていますね。私の親友も、よく注意されていた事です」 言いながら、冒険者の鼻を強かに打ち据える。 痛みと衝撃に一旦距離を取った冒険者は、鼻血を流しながら歯を食いしばった。 「何かと思ったら武器だったのか。魔法使いかと思ったが、見誤ったぜ......」 「誤りではありません。魔法使いです」 鉄扇を左手に持ち替え、右手を前に突き出す。 「! 危ない!」 本能的に危険を感じた男は、オリガに背を向けて女をかばう。 次の瞬間、男の背中はざっくりと切り割られ、自らの血で作った水溜りに倒れた。 「えっ?」 未だに反応できていない女の目の前、気がついた時にはオリガが開いた鉄扇を振り抜こうとしていた。 「遅い」 辛うじて意識があった男の目の前に、女の首が転がる。その表情は、何も理解できていないという顔だ。 「くそ......なんで......」 それが男の最期の言葉となったのを見届けると、オリガは周囲を見回した。 フォカロル領兵たちが、駆け足で集まってくる。 「目撃した者は?」 「残っておりません。全て処理いたしました」 「では、先ほど眠らせた魔物のところへ行き、あれも処分します。外から見えるのは問題があるようですから、今度は胸部を切開して埋め込むようにしましょう」 男女の死体を手早く街道近くの茂みへと捨てると、オリガは兵たちを率いて街道から離れていく。 「一二三様......この作戦は私が必ずやり遂げてみせます......」 その呟きは、誰にも聞かれる事なく、草をかき分ける音に混じって消えた。 王女の戴冠については、宰相と騎士たち、そして一部の文官等、城内の限られた者だけにのみ伝えられた。 全ての予定は、一二三との交渉次第で変動するためだ。 「で、俺の戦勝報告も兼ねて戴冠式を行うから、ついでにイメラリアの護衛をしろ、と」 王都へたどり着いた一二三は、兵士に声をかけられて王城へと来ていた。 一二三への打診を行うのは、宰相アドルと近衛騎士隊長となったサブナクの二人だ。 目の前でソファに腰掛け、紅茶に口を付ける一二三を、二人は緊張の面持ちで見ていた。 「俺は次の予定もあるから早めに家に帰りたいんだが......」 戦勝も何も適当に殺しただけで戦争して勝ったわけでもない、と一二三は言う。 「聞けば騎士隊も再編成されてるようだし、もう反対派も何もないだろう。必要か? 護衛」 「反対派はまだ多少は存在します。ある程度は追い出しができましたが......」 サブナクが慌てて言葉を発したが、一二三に睨まれてあとが続かない。 「その程度の事で外部の人間を頼るな。まず体制なり練度なりをどうにかしようとするのが当然だと思うぞ」 「うぅ......」 正直な気持ちを言えば、ホーラントとの戦いと一二三との戦闘でかなり減ってしまった騎士の補充が追いついていないので、原因の一つである一二三にフォローして欲しいというのもあったが、減った騎士隊については多分に自業自得であるのも理解しているサブナク。 理屈でお願いすれば理解する相手だとわかってはいるものの、その理屈が突っ込みどころ満載なのが問題だった。 隣の宰相を盗み見ると、どうやらサブナクに任せて様子を見るつもりらしい。その意図もなんとなくわかるが、わかりたくない。 「俺の目の前に立ちはだかるなら別だが、自分たちの敵の前に俺を立たせて処理させるような、都合のいい真似はするなよ」 「そういうつもりはないのですが......」 次の言葉を探してる間に、ノックをして騎士隊長ロトマゴが入室した。 宰相とサブナクに軽く目礼をすると、ロトマゴは一二三に向かって深々と頭を下げた。 「元第三騎士隊長、現騎士隊長のロトマゴと申します。一二三殿が城へお出でという知らせを受けまして、お詫びを申し上げるために参りました」 一二三は無言のままで、同席を求めたロトマゴの願いに頷いた。 「ありがとうございます」 サブナクに一二三の正面を譲ってもらったロトマゴは、座るなり一二三と目を合わせる。 「まずは、私の部下でありましたパジョー。そして隊が違うとはいえ、我が国の騎士隊がご迷惑をおかけしたことを、この国の騎士隊を束ねる者として、お詫び申し上げます」 「謝る必要は無い。誰も彼もが失敗は命で償った。それでいい」 一二三の言葉に、ロトマゴは再度頭を下げた。 「そして不躾ながら、一つお願いがございます」 「護衛の話なら、今断ったところだが?」 視線を向けられ、サブナクは俯いた。 「直接一二三殿に護衛をしていただこうとは思いません。それは、我々騎士と兵士の仕事ですから」 ロトマゴの言葉に、さらにサブナクは小さくなり、宰相は気まずそうに顔を背けた。 「ミュンスターで一二三殿にお世話になりました、元第二騎士隊のヴァイヤーという者がおります。今はこのサブナクの下で近衛騎士副隊長などと大層な肩書きを得ておりますが......。彼が一二三殿のフォカロル領兵に同行して王都へ帰着した際に、良い話を耳にいたしました」 侍女が新たに持ってきた紅茶を飲み、口を湿らせる。 「何でも、一二三殿の指導により独特の訓練法と戦闘方法を取り入れており、アロセール防衛戦の大成功もその指導の賜物と」 不機嫌とも取れる厳しい表情だった一二三が、その話を聞いて機嫌よさそうに笑った。 「ヴァイヤーか、覚えている。いい判断をするとは思っていたが、目も良いらしい」 「そこで、我々が城内を警備するにあたって、一二三殿から騎士隊及び兵士たちへの指導をお願いしたいのですが、いかがでしょうか。実は、ヴァイヤーも一二三殿の領へ行き、指導をお願いしているところです」 サブナクからもお願いするようにとロトマゴは言い、宰相も合わせて、あらためて三人が頭を下げた。 「......いいだろう。一週間なら、時間を作ろう。領で訓練に参加するのも構わない。そっちは元々隠さずに自由に決めるように言っておいたからな」 素早く顔を上げて笑ったのはサブナクだった。 「あ、ありがとうございます!」 「ただし、今から言う条件は飲んでもらう」 そこで提示された条件は、 ・全員が一二三の指示に従う事。反抗した者の処分は一二三に一任する。 ・城内の工事も指導をさせる事。 ・領兵を30名、王都へ呼び寄せて宿舎を手配する事。 「は、反抗した者の処分というのは......」 宰相が恐る恐る懸念を伝えると、一二三は鼻で笑った。 「明確に俺に対抗しようとしないなら、殺すまではしないから安心しろ」 「それで構いません」 きっぱりと言ったのはロトマゴだ。 「た、隊長......」 「私はもうお前の隊長ではない。しっかりしろ」 「す、すみません......」 ロトマゴは居住まいを正した。 「ヴァイヤーから聞いております。軍の動きで重要なことは連携であると聞いた、と。その邪魔をするのであれば、痛い目に遭わせて、それでも邪魔をするなら排除すべきでしょう」 城内警備、引いては女王陛下の警備は貴族の娯楽ではないのですから、とロトマゴは言った。 「では、明日からはじめよう。城内と周辺を警備する予定の者を集めておけ。午後には大工を呼んでおいてくれ」 「よろしく、お願いいたします」 再び頭を下げながら、サブナクはこれには自分も参加必須だろう、と気が重くなった。 カイムの元を訪れたヴァイヤーの手には、プルフラスから借りてきた鎖鎌と手裏剣が握られていた。 「カイム殿、お時間をいただければ助かるのですが......」 フィリニオンからの話と、ここ数日の滞在で文官奴隷たちの多忙ぶりを知っているヴァイヤーは、遠慮がちに声をかけた。 彼の姿を無言で見ていたカイムは、たまたま部屋で書類を書いていたデュエルガルに持っていた書類を全て押し付けた。 「これをお願いします」 貴族である騎士からの依頼を、奴隷が断れるはずもないのはデュエルガルにもわかるので、渋々書類を預かることにした。 それを無表情で見届けたカイムは、再びヴァイヤーの前に立つ。 「それで、ご用向きはなんでしょうか」 「あ、ああ。これなんだが......」 改めて鎖鎌と手裏剣を見せるヴァイヤーに、カイムは一度だけ頷いた。 「領主様やオリガ様が使われている武器のレプリカですね。手裏剣と鎖鎌という物です。私は武器にはあまり詳しくありませんが、他国でも見ない珍しいものだとは聞いております」 「カイム殿は、この武器に習熟されているとプルフラス殿から聞きました。できればこの武器を騎士隊にも取り入れたいので、カイム殿にご指導をいただければと思ったのですが」 即答したカイムに驚いたのは、ヴァイヤーだけでなく、何気なく聞いていたデュエルガルも同様だ。 「ちょ、ちょっと待ってくれ! カイムに抜けられたら業務が回らなくなる!」 「領主様は」 慌てるデュエルガルを右手を上げて制し、カイムは静かに語る。 「このトオノ領から戦闘技術と領地運営技術を積極的に推進する事を望まれております。その計画の中には、私たちの分散派遣も含まれているのです。私一人居ないくらいで滞るようでは困るのです。それに、丸一日を使うというわけでもないでしょう」 「も、もちろん。2、3時間の指導をお願いできれば、御の字だと思っております」 「では、午前中に訓練場にて行う事にいたしましょう。場所は押さえておきます。人数分の武器もプルフラスに用意させましょう」 ヴァイヤーは望外の好条件に、満面の笑みでカイムと握手しているが、デュエルガルはようやく落ち着き始めた職場が過去のものになるのか、と涙目になっていた。 「デュエルガル。明日の朝は貴方から他の文官へ説明をお願いします」 「......わかった」 女性陣から”なぜ止めなかった”と避難される未来は簡単に想像できた。ただでさえ機嫌の悪いミュカレを筆頭に、明日の朝は大荒れになるに違いない、どんな仕事よりやりたくない、とデュエルガルは暗い顔をして書類に向かった。

"Damn it! Why does such strong monster appear near the highway!?" The adventurer was barely able to fend off the tiger-like monster with its 2-meter-length, that brandished its sharp claws, with his sword. The long sword is already worn-out and chipped at several places and his leather armour has been torn off at the shoulders and arms. "It should have been safe along the highway!" They, who were delayed in their reaction towards the approaching enemy due to their negligence, aren't able to deal sufficiently with just a single monster opponent and have been forced into an one-sided, defensive battle. "Let's escape for now! We can't handle this opponent!" A female adventurer, who was in a slightly distant location holding her magic wand, shouted. With her robe covered in mud due to her falling down in the confusion, her expression is worn with fatigue after casting earth magic many times over. "Stand up and run away! What are you doing!?" No matter how they think about it, the monster is fast and has also stamina left. "Because I will snare its feet with magic one more time, during that time..." "If you are going to do it, be quick about it!" Even during this exchange, the man standing in front as vanguard is slowly getting injured. "... Burst open, earth!" Probably because the cast was done in a hurry, the monster is only stricken by a small scale of soil, but luckily it hit the eyes of the monster as planned. "Gyaaa!" Having lost its sight, the monster is shaking its head and thrashing around in agony. The couple of adventurers, who judged this to be a gap, ran towards the highway side-by-side after having looked at the monster's state. Once they reached the highway after fleeing desperately and saw other adventurers and the wagons of merchants as well, they ended up sitting down together feeling relieved over the presence of the monster not chasing them. "*pants*... can't run anymore..." The female adventurer, breathing heavily, clung to her wand. She worriedly looked at the face of the adventurer, whose breathing calmed down to some degree, at her side. "... What's wrong?"magic "At the time the monster thrashed around earlier, I saw something weird." "Something weird?" Picking up a branch of a tree, he drew a circle with a triangle in the centre on the ground. "It looked like this... probably some magic tool?" "A monster shouldn't have such a thing like a magic tool, now should it?" Throwing away the branch, the adventurer looked in the direction of the woman. "That's right. In other words, that means someone embedded it in the monster. It's the first time I hear about such big monster coming out in this area..." Both of them look at each other, muster some energy and get up. "Let's report this to the guild. I think this is quite a big problem." "Right, I agree." A single small woman stepped in front of the two, who tried to start walking away. To the vicinity she appears to be a magician as she is wearing a robe, but she doesn't possess a wand. "It's unnecessary to contact the guild." Her facial expressions are lacking however she has a lovely face after taking off the hood. She doesn't do anything but observing the adventurers with her green pupils without a change in her expression. "... Who are you?" Clasping the sword, which is riddled all over with chips in its blade, the adventurer set up his stance in order to protect his companion. "I'm called Origa." (Origa) Doing a courteous bow, Origa looks directly into the eyes of the adventurer. "To be honest, I didn't think you would end up discovering the magic tool this easily either. It's absolutely necessary to come up with something better for the next. Also, it was out of my calculations that you would be able to use the sword better than I expected." (Origa) "But then again, you are not at the level to even reach the sole of my master's feet", she continues. "Y-You have spurred on that monster!?" "I was simply close-by when it happened. No more than that. Though I intended for you to kill it as it is, I ended up wasting time needlessly thanks to you." (Origa) Opening the iron-ribbed fan with a sound of sploosh, she conceals her mouth with it and squints. "Uoo!" The adventurer, who judged her to be an enemy due to her words, slashed at her straight away deciding that she is a magician without a wand. However, she nimbly parries 2, 3 slashes with the iron-ribbed fan. "It's useless, you know? Although you are swinging your sword, you hips possess no stability. You are throwing your body together with the sword off balance each time. It's something I often cautioned a close friend of mine about too." (Origa) While saying this, she strongly hits the adventurer's nose. The adventurer, who retreated back temporarily due to the pain and shock, clenched his teeth while blood was running from his nose. "One way or the other I consider it, but it is a weapon after all? I judged you to be a magician, but I misread it..." "There's no mistake. I'm a magician." (Origa) Swapping the iron-ribbed fan into her left hand, she holds out her right hand in front of her. "! Watch out!" The man, who instinctively sensed the danger, covers the woman by turning his back on Origa. In the next second the man's back is cut deeply. He collapsed in the puddle of blood he had produced himself. "Eh?" In front of the woman, who couldn't even react now, the opened iron-ribbed fan was swung at the time she finally perceived Origa. "Too slow." The woman's head fell before they eyes of the man, who was barely conscious. Her facial expression was that of not having been able to understand anything. "Fuck... why..." Once she made sure that these became the man's final words, Origa surveyed the surroundings. The territorial soldiers from Fokalore are assembling by running quickly. "Are there any witnesses?" "There are none left. We disposed of them all." "Then go to the place of the monster that had been put to sleep before and dispose of it as well. It's a problem if it can be seen from outside. Next time incise the chest and bury it deep within." (Origa) Once they had dumped the corpse of the man in a thicket close to the highway, Origa commands the soldiers and leaves the highway. "Hifumi-sama... I will show you that I can definitely accomplish this task..." (Origa) Her muttering vanished due to being covered by the sound of pushing aside the weeds without anyone hearing it. Only limited people within the castle, such as the knight orders and a part of the civil officials, were told about the princess' coronation. That's for the sake of changing all the arrangements depending on the negotiations with Hifumi. "So, because the report of my victory will happen at the same time as the coronation ceremony, I will have to guard Imeraria while at it?" (Hifumi) Hifumi, who finally arrived at the capital, came to the royal castle after being called out by a soldier. The two people, who are sounding out Hifumi, are Prime Minister Adol and Sabnak, who became the captain of the Royal Knight Order. Hifumi looked at both's tensed expression as he was sitting in the sofa in front of them and tasting the black tea. "I want to return home quickly since I also got further plans though..." (Hifumi) "It's not like I won the war if I only killed as fit without caring about victory or anything else", Hifumi says. "If I heard correctly, you have also reorganised the knight orders. There is probably no opposing faction left. Is guarding actually necessary?" (Hifumi) "There is still some opposition left. We were able to drive it out to some degree, but..." (Sabnak) He answered in a rush, but doesn't continue after Hifumi glares at him. "Don't rely on external people for that degree of troubles. I think it's it's only natural to first use your own skills and structures." (Hifumi) "Uu..." (Sabnak) In all honesty, given that we aren't able to catch up with the replacements of the diminished number of knights due to the big battles with Hifumi and the war with Horant, I want the sole cause of it, Hifumi, to follow-up, but the decrement of our knights is substantially the payment for our own mistakes Although the other side will understand it if we request it with reason, the problem was the reason being riddled with holes to stab at. (T/N: Author phrased it more elegantly as in putting in tsukkomi's in a comedy routine, but that is difficult to understand without the Japanese culture as backing knowledge, so localized it) When he steals a glance at the prime minister sitting next to him, it becomes apparent that he intends to leave the entire situation to Sabnak. Although he somehow understands about the aim behind that, Sabnak doesn't want to know of it. "It will be different if they stand in my way, but don't make things convenient by making me deal with your enemies." (Hifumi) "We don't intend to do that, but..." (Sabnak) While he was choosing his next words, the Knight Order Captain Lotomago knocked and entered the room. Lightly nodding towards the prime minister and Sabnak, Lotomago turned to Hifumi and bowed very deeply. "I'm the former Third Knight Order's captain and the present knight order's captain, Lotomago. I was informed about Hifumi-dono visiting the castle and came in order to extend my deep apology." (Lotomago) Staying silent, Hifumi affirmed the wish of Lotomago, who requested to be present here, by nodding. "Thank you very much." (Lotomago) Lotomago, who had Sabnak yield him the seat directly in front of Hifumi, makes eye contact with Hifum as soon as he sits down. "First off, Pajou, who had been my subordinate, and, although from a different order, our country's knight orders caused you troubles. As someone in charge of managing this country's knight orders, I wish to express my apology." (Lotomago) "Apologies are not necessary. All of them compensated for their mistakes with their lives. It's fine with that." (Hifumi) Lotomago bowed his head twice due to Hifumi's words. "And, while being aware of my rudeness, I have a single request." (Lotomago) "If it's about the guarding, I just now refused it though?" (Hifumi) Being glanced at, Sabnak cast his eyes down. "I don't expect Hifumi-dono to act as guard personally. After all that's the job of our knights and soldiers." (Lotomago) Upon Lotomago's words Sabnak became even smaller. The prime minister awkwardly turned his face away. "We are indebted to Hifumi-dono for Munster. There is a person called Vaiya, formerly affiliated to the Second Knight Order. Now he has attained a very high rank as vice-captain of the Royal Knight Order below Sabnak here, however... After he returned to the capital accompanying Hifumi-dono's territorial soldiers of Fokalore, he told me a great story." (Lotomago) He wets his mouth by drinking the new black tea brought by a maid. "I'm told that they are adopting unique training regimens and battle techniques following Hifumi-dono's guidance and that the result of that guidance also led to the successful defensive battle of Arosel." (Lotomago) Hifumi, who showed a stern facial expression that could be even interpreted as pouting, laughed happily after hearing this story. "Vaiya, huh? I'm remembering him. I considered him to have a good judgement, but it looks like has good eyes as well." (Hifumi) "Therefore, while we will guard the castle, I want to request Hifumi-dono to guide the knight orders and the soldiers, but what do you think about that? Actually there is also the fact of Vaiya going to Hifumi-dono's territory to ask for coaching." (Lotomago) "This request is from Sabnak as well", says Lotomago. Together with the prime minister, the three bowed formally. "... I guess it's fine. If it's one week, I will make some time. I don't mind if you participate in the training in the territory either. From the beginning I told you that it is your free decision without hiding anything." (Hifumi) Sabnak lifted his head quickly all smiles. "T-Thank you very much!" (Sabnak) "However, you will have to accept the conditions I'm going to tell you now." (Hifumi) And then he gave his conditions. - Everyone will obey Hifumi's instructions. The removal of defying people will be left to Hifumi. - Construction work within the castle will be led by him as well. - 30 territorial soldiers will be called to the capital and lodging will be prepared for them. "Removal of defying people means..." (Adol) As the prime minister timidly voiced his concern, Hifumi laughed scornfully. "Be relieved, I won't go as far as killing them if they don't try to oppose me directly." (Hifumi) "Then there's no problem." (Lotomago) Lotomago said plainly. "C-Captain..." (Sabnak) "I'm not your captain anymore. Get a grip of yourself." (Lotomago) "I-I'm sorry..." (Sabnak) Lotomago corrected his seating position. "I have heard about it from Vaiya. I heard you place importance on the cooperation in the movement of the troops. If there is someone obscuring that, they will go through a bitter experience. If they are hindrance even after that, they should be quickly removed, I think." (Lotomago) "Because drawing Her Majesty the Queen's guard and the castle's defence away isn't entertainment for the nobles'", Lotomago said. "Well, then let's begin from tomorrow. Gather those scheduled to guard within the castle and its surroundings. Summon the carpenters in the afternoon." (Hifumi) "Please take care of us." (Sabnak) While bowing once again, Sabnak became depressed that he himself would be required to participate as well. In the hands of Vaiya, who arrived at Caim's location, he grasped the shuriken and kusarigama he had borrowed from Pruflas. "Caim-dono, it would be a great help, if you could spare some time for me, however..." (Vaiya) Vaiya, who knows about the busy style of the civil official slaves after his stay here for a few days, shyly called out to Caim. Caim, looking at his figure in silence, forced all the documents he held onto Duelgar*, who was coincidentally drawing up official papers in the room. "Handle this please." (Caim) Since even Duelgar knew that a slave can't decline a request of a knight, who is a noble, he reluctantly decided to take hold of the documents. Ascertaining that expressionlessly, Caim stands in front of Vaiya once more. "So, what's the intention behind your business?" (Caim) "A-Ah. What's this... ?" (Vaiya) Caim nodded once due to Vaiya showing the kusarigama and shuriken anew. "It's a replica of the weapons used by Lord-sama and Origa-sama. Those things are called kusarigama and shuriken. I'm not very well-informed about weapons, but I've heard that these are rare things you won't even find in foreign countries." (Caim) "I've been told by Pruflas-dono that Caim-dono is skilled with these weapons. Given that I want to incorporate these weapons in the knight order if possible, I considered to receive Caim-dono's guidance." (Vaiya) Not only Vaiya was surprised by Caim's immediate reply, but even Duelgar, who heard it unintentionally, was. "P-Please wait a moment! The work won't proceed if Caim goes missing!" (Duelgar) "Lord-sama..." (Caim) Raising his right hand to rein in Duelgar, Caim calmly says, "... wants to actively promote the skills of administrating a territory and the combat techniques of this Tohno territory. Our decentralized deployment has been included within this plan. It will be worrisome if the tasks are delayed with only me not being here. Besides, it's not like I will use the whole day for it." (Caim) "O-Of course. If you can help me for 2 or 3 days, it will be most helpful, I think." (Vaiya) "Then, let's carry out the training session in the mornings. I will find a location. Let's have Pruflas arrange for several weapons, too." (Caim) Vaiya, smiling all over his faces, shook hands with Caim due to the unexpectedly favourable terms, however Duelgar wondered with teary eyes whether his workplace, that had finally calmed down, became a thing of the past. "Duelgar, please explain the matter to the other civil officials tomorrow morning." (Caim) "... Understood." (Duelgar) I absolutely can't imagine how I'm to escape the future of "Why didn't you stop him?" from female camp. Even under normal circumstances, with the bad-tempered Miyukare at the top, there's no doubt that tomorrow's morning will become a great disaster. Rather than this, I prefer to do any work

一二三がホーラントへ侵入したという知らせが、王ではなくヴェルドレの元へもたらされたのは、ユーグがそうなるように城内で工作をしていたからであった。だが、そのことをヴェルドレは知らない。 「国内に入り込まれただと?」 「どうやら、我が国の国境警備隊は壊滅したようですな」 ヴェルドレと共に報告を聞いたユーグは、溜息をついた。 「だが、10人程度の少人数ならば、王都へたどり着く前に叩き潰す事は容易だろう」 そんなヴェルドレの言葉に、報告に来た兵が恐る恐る発言する。 「それが......すでに二つの街を突破しており、数日中には王都へ到達するものと見られます......」 おもむろに立ち上がったヴェルドレは、手にしていた陶器の杯を床に叩きつけた。 「なぜそれを先に言わぬか!」 すっかり萎縮してしまった兵は、跪いたまま震えている。 「落ち着いてください、ヴェルドレ様。......これは良い機会かもしれません」 「どういう意味だ」 兵士を下がらせたユーグは、余人に聞かれぬように声を潜めた。 「こういう筋書きを描くのです」 そっとヴェルドレの耳に届けられた策は、彼にとって好ましい、華々しく名誉に満ちた戴冠への筋道だった。 にやりと笑ったヴェルドレだが、ふと疑問を感じた。 「しかし、王の周りには近衛の兵が警備についている。俺には借り物の兵士かおらぬ。まずその策を進めるのに駒がおらぬではないか」 「ご冗談を。最強の私兵を 「......あれを使うのか」 「丁度良い機会です。国民に新たな王が持つ力を示してみせましょう」 ヴェルドレは逡巡した。 ユーグが言うヴェルドレの私兵というのは、兵士とは名ばかりの実験体たちの事だが、制御できる状態にはあるものの、移植や投薬などの実験を繰り返されたその見た目は“なんとか人の形を保っている”という程度で、とてもじゃないが人前に並べられる容姿ではない。 「ご心配には及びません。戦闘は城内だけに限定し、国民の前に並べる時は全身鎧ですっぽりと包んでおきましょう」 「うむ......」 「そのあたりも含めて、手配はお任せ下さい」 優雅に頭を下げたユーグに、ヴェルドレはしばらく考えたが、他に良い策は浮かばなかった。 「よかろう、ユーグの案を採用する」 「お任せください」 顔を上げたユーグは、口ひげを引き上げて笑った。 謁見の間には、静寂が横たわっている。 玉座の横に立つ王女の前には、第三騎士隊長のロトマゴと宰相アドルが跪き、部屋の両脇では警備の騎士たちがズラリと並んでいる。彼らは一様に沈痛の面持ちであるが、王女以外が表情を曇らせているのは、王子を悼んでではなく、この事実を知った王女の心境を慮ってのことである。 純粋に王子の死を悼む者は、この場ではイメラリアの他にいない。 「......弟は、やはり一二三様に殺されたのですか......」 「いえ......トオノ伯の従者であるオリガという者が王子を弑したと報告を受けております」 イメラリアの疑念を否定したのは、ロトマゴだった。 遅れて報告を受けた彼は、アドルの制止を無視して王女への報告を強行した。アドルは仕方なく同席し、イメラリアのフォローをすることにしたのだ。 「オリガさんが......」 イメラリアは、あまり話したことは無いが、いつも一二三の側にいる印象がある、同年代ながら可愛らしい顔に強い意志を秘めた目をした女性の顔を思い出した。 その時の状況を報告したロトマゴの言葉に、イメラリアは力が抜けそうになる足を必死で伸ばて立ち続けた。 弟がやってきた事はなんだったのだろうか。周りに踊らされて物見遊山で戦場へ向かったかと思えば、戦線には出ずにまだ子供のくせに女性をはべらせて遊びほうけていたとは。 イメラリアには、どうしてもオリガを恨むような気持ちは持てなかった。 状況を聞けば聞くほど、弟に王の器があるようには聞こえず、自業自得としか思えなかったからだ。 しかし、王族が自分ひとりになってしまったこと。守るために努力していたのに、あっさりと弟を失ってしまったことで、目の前が暗くなっていく。 王族としての責任感だけが、イメラリアを辛うじて立たせている。 「......他に、現場を見た者はいますか?」 「は。私へ報告した騎士以外では、本日帰着した第二騎士隊の者がおります」 ロトマゴは、イメラリアの許しを得て、待たせていた騎士を謁見の間へと入れた。 すっと背筋を伸ばし、兜を脇に抱えて入ってきたのはヴァイヤーだった。 ロトマゴとアドルのやや後ろに立ち止まり、音もなく膝をついて頭を垂れた。 「直言を許します。貴方が見たことを全てここで話してください」 「はっ!」 全員によく聞こえるように立ち上がることを許され、ヴァイヤーは王女に目を合わせないように注意しながら、第二騎士隊と第一騎士隊、そして一二三とビロンがどのような状況にあり、結果としてどうなったかを詳細に説明した。 謁見の間にいた全員が、誰ひとり声を出すことなく報告に聞き入っていた。 一二三の容赦ない王子派殲滅もさることながら、ヴィシーが行っていた人体実験まがいの兵強化には、イメラリアも言葉がない。 さらに、救助した元ホーラント兵たちを伴い、フォカロル領軍の一部が帰還途中であり、現在は王都の兵舎を借りて一時休息をとっているとヴァイヤーは報告した。 「それで、一二三様とフォカロル領軍本隊はどうしたのです」 「トオノ伯と一部の兵が先行してホーラント領へ侵入し、敵国境警備兵を完全に壊滅せしめて敵国王都へと向かわれました。本隊は半日の間を開けてトオノ伯を追っています」 ヴァイヤーの言葉に、イメラリアは頭を抱えた。 「まだヴィシーとの和平会談もできていないというのに......。止めても無駄なのでしょうけれど」 それにしても、とイメラリアは目の前に立つヴァイヤーを見た。 「貴方は第二騎士隊所属の騎士ですね。弟を支援する立場だと思ったのですが、なぜ第三騎士隊長のロトマゴの元へ?」 「はっ。私は一人の騎士であります。隊長の方針に従うのみですので、私自身は派閥や政治的な取引などとは距離を置きたいと考えております。ですが、今回の失態により第二騎士隊は数名の生き残りのみとなりました。事ここに至っては拠り所もありませんでしたので、第三騎士隊長へ身の振り方をご相談に伺いました」 そこで詳しい状況を掴んだロトマゴは、第二騎士隊の身を預かる事を了承し、イメラリアへの報告を行うように命じたらしい。 「なるほど......。わかりました。現時点で第一・第二騎士隊は解散し、第三騎士隊をオーソングランデ唯一の騎士隊とします。隊長は引き続きロトマゴへ任せます」 良いですね、と問うたイメラリアに、ロトマゴは口を開いた。 「畏れながら......騎士隊を統合される事も、私には過分な地位とは思いますが、統合した騎士隊の隊長を務めさせていただく事にも異論はございません」 ですが、とロトマゴは顔を上げた。 「国内の中心兵力がイメラリア様以外の者に集中するのは好ましくありません。近衛のみは騎士隊とは別の組織とし、イメラリア様のみに指揮権があるという形がよろしいかと愚考いたします」 ロトマゴの提言に、宰相も賛同の言葉を述べた。 黙っていれば、国内の軍部最高の地位に就けただろうに、と周りの騎士たちは顔を見合わせたが。 「わかりました。ロトマゴの良識と判断を多いに評価します。それで、新設する近衛騎士隊には......誰か推挙したい者はおりますか?」 「はっ。歳は若いですが、現実的な判断力を持った騎士として、サブナクを推します。そしてその補佐として副隊長にはここにいるヴァイヤーを」 ロトマゴの言葉に、再び跪いていたヴァイヤーが思わず顔を上げた。推挙の話は初耳だった。 「理由を聞きましょう」 「サブナクはトオノ伯との面識があり、伯の影響を良い形で受けております。何事にも柔軟に対応できることでしょう。伯からも領地運営に助力を求められる程度には組織管理能力もあります。経験は不足していますが、まず問題はないでしょう」 そこまで言ってから、ロトマゴはちらりとヴァイヤーを見遣る。 「このヴァイヤーも、騎士隊壊滅の状況にありながらもうまく兵をまとめて生還しました。実戦も経験しましたし、機転も効くようです。トオノ伯との関係を保つだけの能力もあるようです。所属していた隊を理由に手放すのは惜しい人材かと。それに、新たな発見によってこの国の兵を強くする提案を私に持ってきました」 イメラリアが興味を持ったことに、ロトマゴは内心安堵していた。 周りの国との戦線はこれから拡大している可能性が高い。国防の為の提案に敏感になってもらわなければ困るのだ。 「はい。これは、トオノ伯の指導によって行われていたフォカロル領兵たちの訓練なのですが......」 ロトマゴとヴァイヤーからの案と、近衛騎士隊の新設は即日承認された。 サブナクがミュンスターから戻るまではヴァイヤーが近衛隊長代理となる。 騎士隊からの除名すら覚悟していたヴァイヤーは、突然の要職への配置に緊張していたが、使者からの書面一枚でいきなり近衛隊長に任命されたサブナクはそれ以上に混乱し、ビロンを通して渡された書面を読んで声にならない叫びを上げた。何かの悪質ないたずらかとまで疑い、しばらく自室から出てこなかったという。 「お、魔法使い発見」 ホーラントの街道を意気揚々と進んでいた一二三は、目の前から近づいてくる集団の中に、ローブ姿の人物が数人紛れているのを見つけてほくそ笑む。 集団は剣を持つ兵士を含む30名程の軍隊で、魔法使いと思しき格好の者は5名ほど。適当な隊列の中程に固まっている。 そこへ無防備に近づいてくる一二三の姿に、戦闘にいた兵士が止まるように言った。 だが、一二三は無視する。 オリガたちは少し離れた後方で待機しながら、周囲に伏兵などがいないか警戒している。これも一二三の指導によるものだ。 「お前、魔法使いだろう? 王都の施設の事で、ちょっと聞きたいことがあるんだが」 いきなり目の前に来た男に、魔法使いたちは不機嫌な顔を向けた。 「貴様! 俺たちはユーグ様直属の命を受けた特務隊だぞ!」 無視された兵は一二三を威嚇するように、ぐいと迫った。 目の前にきた兵の顔面に、一二三の左手がピシャリと打ち当てられる。 周りの誰にも見えなかったが、人差し指がしっかり目にあたるえげつない攻撃だ。 突然の痛みに顔を押さえてうずくまった兵を放って、一二三は魔法使いたちに向き直った。 「魔法具の研究と保管をしている施設が城の近くにあるんだろう? 場所を教えてくれ」 「な、何者だお前は......」 横暴もいいところの一二三の行動に面食らった魔法使いは、辛うじてそれだけ言葉にできた。 「ああ、自己紹介がまだだったな」 悪い悪い、と一二三は笑った。 「オーソングランデの伯爵、一二三だ」 で、場所は? 慌てて武器を取り出した兵士たちに、一二三は口を曲げて不満を漏らした。 「なんだよ。平和的に話しかけたのに、この扱いは」 見れば、魔法使いたちも短剣を握って何かの詠唱を始めている。 顔を抑えていた兵も立ち上がり、左目を真っ赤にして怒りの表情で剣を抜いた。 ぐるりと取り囲まれた状況を一瞥して確認した一二三は、いきなり大きく一歩踏み込んだ。 「ぐえっ」 一人の魔法使いの腹を前蹴りで吹っ飛ばし、集団から一人だけを離脱させた。 二度ほどバウンドした魔法使いは、そのままぐったりと倒れている。 「あいつだけ残しておけばいいや」 言いながら、一二三は収納から三節棍を取り出した。 「な、なめるなぁ!」 最初の男が迫るのを、軽く体を揺らして避けたところで、魔法使いたちから火と風の魔法が飛んできた。 中々連携が取れているようで、剣を持った兵たちはうまく射線から外れている。 「ほいっと」 一二三は斬りかかってきた男が距離を取ろうとするのを、首を掴んでくるりと位置を入れ替えた。 風の刃で傷つけられ、火だるまになった男はしばらく転がっていたが、すぐに動かなくなった。 タンパク質が焦げる悪臭に顔をしかめる一二三に、次々と襲いかかってくる兵たち。 前衛を入れ替えつつ攻撃してくる様は中々堂にいったものだが、ある欠点があるのを一二三は見抜いていた。 下がろうとする者に着いて行くように接近し、棍の先で喉をついて殺す。 そのままの勢いで隊列に紛れ込むと、一瞬で兵たちは混乱した。 「動かない的を相手に練習したようだな。生き物と木偶は違うぞ」 一定の感覚で隊列を入れ替え、相手の疲労をさそうのは集団戦や護衛対象がいる相手なら有効かもしれないが、相手が少人数で、しかも動き回るならその限りではない。 すっかり隊列に入り込まれ、剣を振るに振れない団子状態になった集団の中で、一二三はいつの間にか邪魔な三節棍を仕舞い、右手に寸鉄を握っていた。 「長剣振り回しているくせに、密着しすぎだぞ~」 こめかみや脳天、眼球に次々と寸鉄を突きたてていく。 量産される死体や重傷者たち。 「たまにはこういう乱戦もたのしいなぁ」 寸鉄を仕舞い、この世界で作ってはいたものの使わなかった小太刀を逆手に持ち、朗らかに笑う。 すれ違いざまに頚動脈を撫で切って、血しぶきをくぐって別の相手の方に突き立てる。 さらに左手で次の敵の首を掴み、引き寄せつつ脇の下の鎧が無い部分に刃を滑らせる。 鮮血舞う街道から、数人の敵がひっそりと離脱しようとするのを一二三は見逃さない。 離脱者の一人が、転がっている魔法使いを回収しようとしたところで、その首筋に鉄の 「そいつには用がある。持っていくのは遠慮してもらおう」 一二三がそう言った時には、すでにホーラント兵は半数以上が倒れている。 そこで逃げようとしている者がいることに他のホーラント兵も気づき、全員が状況が分からずに散り散りに一二三から離れた。 離脱者の一人が舌打ちする。 「お前ら、最初から戦う気がなかったな。俺の顔も知っているような反応だったし」 一二三の指摘に、うめき声が上がる。 「図星か。お前らにもちょっとお話を聞かせてもらう必要がありそうだなぁ」 くるりと小太刀を回して順手に持ち替え、半身の構えで切っ先を突き出す。左手には、まだ礫があり、指先で弄んでいる。 「さあ、逃げおおせるか試してみるか? 勝てるかどうか試してみるか?」 それ以外の選択は許さない、と一二三は小太刀を揺らした。

The information that Hifumi invaded Horant has been brought not to the king but to Veldore. For that to happen, Yugu manoeuvred within the castle. But that's something Veldore doesn't know. "They stepped into our country, you say?" (Yugu) "It looks like he annihilated our border guards." (Messenger) Yugu, who listened to the report along Veldore, sighed. "However, if it's a small group of 10 people, it will be simple to crush them before they manage to reach the capital." (Veldore) Hearing the words of Veldore, the soldier, who came to report, timidly remarked, "That is... they have already broken through two cities. They are believed to arrive at the capital within a few days..." (Messenger) Veldore, standing up suddenly, threw the porcelain sake cup in his hand on the floor. "Why weren't we informed of this before?" (Veldore) The soldier, who had completely shrunk away, knelt while trembling. "Please calm down, Veldore-sama. ... This might be a good opportunity." (Yugu) "What do you mean?" (Veldore) Yugu had the soldier withdraw and lowered his voice so that others wouldn't be able to hear it. "I will propose a plot like this." (Yugu) Quietly whispering the plan into Veldore's ears. It was a method to spectacularly and honorably rise to the crown in a way desirable for Veldore. Although Veldore was laughing and grinning broadly, he felt a sudden doubt. "However, the king's surrounding is guarded by the soldiers of the Imperial Guard. They don't smell like soldiers I could entice to my side. Won't it be impossible to advance the plan without having such pawns to begin with?" (Veldore) "You are jesting. I have prepared the strongest private army *** You think they aren't?" (Yugu) "... You want to use that, huh?" (Veldore) "It's just the right opportunity. Let's show the people the strength of their new king." (Yugu) Veldore hesitated. The private army of Veldore, that Yugu refers to, are soldiers in name only as they are experimental bodies, but although they are in a condition possible to be controlled, they repeatedly went through experiments of implantation, medication and such. You absolutely can't show their faces and figures in public as their appearance can be called nothing more but "something vaguely human-like." "There's no necessity to be worried. The combat will be limited to within the castle only. At the time they are shown to the public, their whole body will be entirely covered in armor." (Yugu) "Uh huh..." (Veldore) "Please leave the arrangements to me, even including that area." (Yugu) Velodore thought for a moment as Yugu made an elegant bow, but no other good plan came to mind. "Very well, we will adopt Yugu's plan." (Veldore) "Please leave it to me." (Yugu) Yugu, who raised his face, laughed while twirling his mustache. Silence is spreading during the audience. In front of the princess, who is standing next to the throne, the Third Knight Unit's Captain Lotomago and Prime Minister Adol are kneeling. On both sides of the room guards are lined up in a row. Their faces are uniformly grave. Everyone's facial expression except that of the princess is clouded. They aren't mourning for the prince. That is in consideration of the princess who knew about the death of her brother. There is no one but Imeraria who genuinely mourns over the death of the prince. "... My brother has been killed by Hifumi after all...?" (Imeraria) "No... we have received the report that the prince was killed by someone called Origa who is Earl Tohno's attendant." (Lotomago) It was Lotomago denying Imeraria's suspicion. He, who belatedly received the report, forced the information upon the princess disregarding Adol's protests. Adol, standing reluctantly next to him, tried to do a follow-up for Imeraria. "Origa-san is..." (Adol) Imeraria recalled her giving off the impression of always wanting to be at Hifumi's side and that she was a woman with a lovely face and eyes concealing a strong ambition while being of the same age as her, although she didn't talk much with her. Imeraria, who was about to lose her strength due to Lotomago's words recounting the circumstances at that time, frantically strengthened her legs to keep standing. What came over my younger brother. I wonder if he went to the battlefield thinking of it as going on a pleasure jaunt as he has been manipulated by his surroundings. Although still a child who had yet to go to the front, he became engrossed in fooling around and being waited upon by women. No matter what, Imeraria didn't bear any grudge against Origa. Once she heard the circumstances and learned about the extent, it was obvious that her younger brother didn't have the qualifications to be the king. She couldn't consider it anything but him reaping what he sowed. However, in the end he was the last other remaining royalty. Despite great efforts put into protecting him, she ended up losing her young brother easily and lost hope herself too. Imeraria is barely standing due to nothing but her responsibility as royalty. "... Is there anyone else who saw the actual scene?" (Imeraria) "Ha! Except the knight who reported it to me, there is someone from the Second Knight Order, who returned today." (Lotomago) Lotomago, obtaining Imeraria's permission, had the waiting knight enter the audience room. It was Vaiya, who came entering while holding his helmet under his arm and straightening his back quickly. Coming to a stop slightly behind Lotomago and Adol, he quietly fell to his knees and bowed his head. "I give you permission to speak freely. Please tell us everything you observed." (Imeraria) "Ha!" (Vaiya) Having been permitted to stand up so that everyone could hear him clearly, Vaiya explained in detail what happened for the situation to progress towards such an outcome and the kind of situation the Second Knight Order, First Knight Order, Hifumi and Biron had been in, while cautious of making eye contact with the princess. Everyone who was at the audience, listened attentively to the report without interrupting. Even more than the merciless annihilation of the prince faction by Hifumi, Imeraria was lost for words at the enhancement of the live-experiment imitation-soldiers performed by Vichy. Furthermore Vaiya reported that a part of the Fokalore feudal army, en route to return, is accompanied by the rescued former soldier of Horant and that they are currently taking a rest in borrowed barracks of the capital. "And, what's the matter with Hifumi-sama and the main force of the Fokalore feudal army?" (Imeraria) "Earl Tohno and a part of the soldiers have gone ahead to invade the territory of Horant. Having completely annihilated the enemy's border guards, they are headed for the capital of the enemy nation. The main force is following Earl Tohno with a delay of half a day." (Vaiya) Imeraria was at her wits' end due to Vaiya's words. "Even though we didn't even hold peace talks with Vichy yet... Though it is probably futile to try stopping him as well." (Imeraria) "At any rate", Imeraria looked at Vaiya standing in front of her. "You are a knight belonging to the Second Knight Order, right? I thought your standpoint was to support my younger brother. Why are you on the side of the Third Knight Order's Captain Lotomago?" (Imeraria) "Ha! I'm just a single knight. Since I only followed my captain's policy, I think I want to keep a distance from things like political deals and factions myself. However, due to the failure this time there are only a few survivors of the Second Knight Order. Because it reached a situation about which nothing can be done and as we didn't have any authority, I consulted with the Third Knight Order's captain about our future course." (Vaiya) Lotomago, who fully grasped the circumstances, agreed to look after the Second Knight Order and apparently ordered him to report that to Imeraria. "I see... Understood. From this point on the Second Knight Order is dissolved. The Third Knight Order will be treated as Orsongrande's sole knight order. I will entrust the continued captaincy to Lotomago." (Imeraria) Lotomago opened his mouth due to Imeraria asking him whether that's fine. "With all due respect... I won't object either and will gladly accept serving as captain of the unified knight order, however I think that you are too generous to grant me this post, especially in regards to consolidating the knight orders." (Lotomago) "However", Lotomago lifted his head. "It's undesirable for anyone but Imeraria-sama to consolidate the core of the national military forces. Supposing that the imperial guard is the only other organisation besides the knight order, I wonder, in my humble opinion, whether it would be fine for it to take the shape of Imeraria-sama being in command." (Lotomago) The prime minister also expressed his approval towards Lotomago's recommendation. If Lotomago had stayed silent, he would have ascended to the highest position concerning the national military affairs "Understood. I highly appreciate the good sense and judgement of Lotomago. And for the newly organised Imperial Knight Order... do you want to nominate anyone?" (Imeraria) "Ha! Although he is young, he is a knight possessing pragmatic judgement. I nominate Sabnak. And as his advisor and vice-captain, Vaiya over here." (Lotomago) Due to Lotomago's words, Vaiya, who had knelt down again, spontaneously raised his head. It was the first time he had heard about being recommended. "Let me ask for the reason." (Imeraria) "Sabnak is an acquaintance of Earl Tohno. He has been influenced by the Earl in a good way. Either way, I think that he is also able to handle things flexibly. He even has such degree of managerial ability that he had been requested by the Earl to aid in the administration of the territory. He has insufficient experience, but that's no problem to begin with." (Lotomago) After having said this much, Lotomago looks at Vaiya with a fleeting glance. "Even Vaiya here gathered the already scattered soldiers and returned alive while his knight order was devastated. He also experienced actual combat and seems to be quick-witted. It looks like he even has the ability to only keep a supportive relation with Earl Tohno. Isn't he a capable and valuable person that parted with the knight order, he belonged to, for a reason? He brought to me suggestions how to increase the strength of this country's soldiers thanks to new discoveries." (Lotomago) Lotomago was relieved within his mind because of Imeraria having an interest in the matter. It's very likely that the fronts in the vicinity of the country will spread from here on out. I would have been troubled, if she wasn't sensitive to suggestions affecting the national defense. "Yes. It's about the training of the Fokalore territorial soldiers carried out according to Earl Tohno's guidance..." (Lotomago) The establishment of the new Imperial Knight Order, following the idea of Lotomago and Vaiya, was acknowledged on the same day. Vaiya would become the acting captain of the Imperial Knight Order until Sabnak returned from Munster. Vaiya, who was even ready to be expelled from the knight order, became nervous due to being suddenly appointed an important post, but Sabnak, abruptly learning of his appointment as captain of the Imperial Knight Order from an official document delivered by a messenger, was even more confused. Reading the document, that was handed to him through Biron, he raised a silent scream. Even going as far as to suspect it being a vicious prank, he didn't come out from his own room for a while. "Oh, magicians discovered." (Hifumi) Hifumi, who was advancing on Horant's highway in high spirits, chuckles as he has discovered several people wearing robes mixed among the group approaching from the front. Within the group, being a military unit of around 30 members, including the soldiers holding swords, there are 5 people having the suitable appearance of magicians. They are properly assembled in the middle of the soldiers' ranks. Due to the defenselessly approaching Hifumi, the soldiers, being combat-ready, told him to stop. But Hifumi ignores that. While Origa's group was on standby slightly separated at the rear, they were checking whether there was something like an ambush lying in wait in the vicinity. Even this was because of Hifumi's order. "You are magicians, I guess? There just a few things I want to ask about the institutions of the capital." (Hifumi) The magicians faced the man, who suddenly appeared in front of them, with sullen faces. "You bastard! We are a special unit directly under the command of Yugu-sama!" (Soldier A) The ignored soldier suddenly and forcefully drew near to threaten Hifumi. Hifumi's left hand hit the face of the soldier, who came in front of him, with a slap. Although no one in the surrounding saw it, it was a dirty strike fully hitting an eye with the index finger. Leaving the soldier who crouched down and held his face due to the sudden pain, Hifumi turned to the magicians. "The institution in charge of researching magic tools is probably close to the castle, right? Tell me the location." (Hifumi) "W-Who do you think are..." (Magician A) The magician, taken aback by Hifumi's behavior of extreme high-handedness, was barely able to squeeze out those words. "Ah, I didn't introduce myself yet." (Hifumi) "Sorry, my bad", Hifumi sneered. "I'm an Earl of Orsongrande, Hifumi." (Hifumi) "So, the location is?" The soldiers curtly took a distance from Hifumi, who repeated his question. As the soldiers took out their weapons in a hurry, Hifumi's mouth crooked and he leaked his dissatisfaction. "What's this about! Although I started a peaceful conversation, I get this treatment." (Hifumi) Once he looks, the magicians are grasping their daggers and have begun to chant something. Even the soldier, who held his face, stood up and drew his sword with a furious expression having a deep red left eye. Hifumi, confirming with a glance that he was surrounded in a circle, suddenly made a big step. "Gue" (Magician) Blowing one magician away with a front kick into his stomach, only one person was separated from the group. The magician after bouncing two times, collapsed, becoming completely limp just like that. "It's fine if only that guy remains." (Hifumi) While saying that, Hifumi retrieved the sansetsukon from his storage. "Don't make fun of us!" (Soldier A) As Hifumi avoided the approaching soldier from the start with a light sway of his body, fire and wind spells came flying from the magicians. With their way of having attained a considerable amount of cooperation, their attacks have been skillfully shot out-of-the-way of the soldiers holding swords. "Heave ho." (Hifumi) Hifumi, deciding to close the distance to the man who came assaulting with his sword, quickly seized his neck and switched places with him. The man, wounded by wind blades and having his body covered in flames, rolled around for a moment, but then stopped moving almost immediately. Frowning due to the stench of meat being burned, Hifumi is attacked by soldiers one after the other. Though they were quite expert in their methods of attacking while shifting the vanguards, Hifumi saw through a certain flaw they had. Getting close to the person trying to withdraw, he stabs the throat with the tip of his staff killing the soldier. As that soldier was thrown into the ranks of the other soldiers due to the force, chaos spread for an instant. "It looks like you practiced with opponents that aren't moving. Living things are different from wooden dolls." (Hifumi) It might be valid if the opponent's goal is an escort target or group battle so that they can lure the opponent to exhaust themselves by switching their ranks in a fixed rotation, but it's different if the opponent is a small group and even more so if the opponent doesn't stop moving around. As he completely stepped into their ranks, Hifumi, storing away the inconvenient sansetsukon before anyone noticed, gripped a suntetsu in his right hand while the group was bunched up together without being able to swing their swords. "You are far too close to swing around long swords~" (Hifumi) He is burying and stabbing the suntetsu successively into eyeballs, heads and temples of the foreheads. It's a mass production of corpses and heavily wounded. "Occasionally such melee is fun." (Hifumi) Storing away the suntetsu, he laughs merrily holding the kodachi, which was something that wasn't produced and used in this world, in a reverse grip. Gently cutting through the carotid artery just as he is passing by, he stabs a different opponent as he slips past the spray of blood. Furthermore, grabbing the neck of the next enemy, he draws the soldier to himself while slippingthe blade into the armpit where there is no armor. Hifumi doesn't miss several enemies trying to quietly break away after he plastered the highway with fresh blood. As a single person of those withdrawing tried to retrieve the magician, who was lying down at the side, an iron pebble sank into the back of his neck. "I have business with that guy. Restrain yourselves from taking him away." (Hifumi) At the time Hifumi said that, more than half of the soldiers from Horant had fallen. The other soldiers of Horant, noticing that there are people trying to get away, understood the state of affairs and scattered away from Hifumi. A single person of those withdrawing clicks his tongue. "You guys didn't have an interest in fighting from the start. You had a reaction as if you even knew my face." (Hifumi) As Hifumi points that out, they raise a groan. "Bullseye, huh? It looks like it's necessary to listen to your guy's story for a bit, riiight?" (Hifumi) Changing the kodachi to an overhand grip by rotating it around, he holds out the blades point in a stance with one leg bent in front and the other extended behind. Still having a pebble in his left hand, he is playing around with it with his fingertips. "Well then, do you want to attempt escaping? Or do you want to test whether you can win?" (Hifumi) "I won't allow any choices besides those two", Hifumi said as he swung the kodachi.

13.Stronger 【復讐心を糧に】 結局、オリガたちは一二三に何も言わなかった。というより、言えなかった。 奴隷の立場で主人の行動を縛るような真似をするのは以ての外だというのもあるが、自分たちの復讐のために一二三を巻き込む事に、二人とも踏ん切りがつかないでいた。 オリガは自分が強くなって復讐することは誓ったし、その為に一二三による厳しい訓練にも気力でついて行くことができている。だが、一二三の指導で力を得ることと、一二三の力を頼るのは、似ているようで違うものだとも思っていた。 夕食後、相変わらず一二三だけ別の部屋に入り、オリガたちは二人部屋で向かい合って、そんな相談をしていた。 「......確かに、オリガの言うとおりご主人に頼って何とかなっても、多分アタシたちの気持ちはスッキリしないだろうね」 ベッドに仰向けに倒れて布団の感触を味わいながら、カーシャはオリガに同意した。 思えば、この宿もオリガと二人で冒険者として活動していた頃よりもランクが高い。奴隷になったら生活環境が良くなるなんて、どんな皮肉だろうと苦笑する。 食事も好きなものを選ばせてもらえて、量もしっかり食べている。きつい練習のおかげか、それでも体型は維持できていた。逆に少しだけ引き締まったような気もする。 「でもそうすると、いつまでも私たちの復讐は果たせないのよね......。ご主人様はお優しいから、機会があれば多少はお願いをしてもいいのかも、とは思うけど......」 (優しい、ね。確かにそうだね) 敵対したら迷いなく殺すし、相手の立場や権威などは歯牙にもかけない。逆に言えば身内には優しいし、奴隷の二人とも何不自由なく生活できている。虐待や性的な暴行もない。 ベッドに座っているオリガは、透き通るような青い髪にブラシをかけている。綺麗に梳かれた髪は、洗いたてでしっとりとした光沢が有り、同性のカーシャでも見とれてしまう。 (普通奴隷なんてたまに水浴びをさせてもらえれば幸運な方なのに、アタシたちは毎日暖かいお湯で身体を洗えるし、身の回りの物も買ってもらえる) 客観的に見れば優しい主人だし、オリガは実際にそう思っているようだ。 「でも......」 カーシャには僅かに何かが胸に引っかかっていた。 その厚遇に感謝こそすれ文句などあるはずもないが、素直に賞賛するには、一二三は今までカーシャが会ってきた人物の中では飛び抜けて異質だった。胸の奥底で何を考えているかわからない、深い深い枯れ井戸を覗いているような背筋の冷たさを感じる。 「どうしたの?」 「いや、なんでもないよ。身体を綺麗にして横になったら、ちょっと疲れが出ちゃった」 一二三に好意を持っているらしいオリガを、無駄に不安にさせることも無いと、カーシャは笑って見せた。 「そろそろ寝ようか。明日もまた朝からご主人の厳しい指導が待ってるからね」 「そうね。おやすみなさい」 「おやすみ」 どうか、自分の不安の正体が親友の気持ちを壊してしまわないようにと、カーシャは心の中で願った。 翌日、三人が朝食をとっているところに、制服姿のパジョーが食堂へ入ってきた。 「先日の侯爵の件で報告があるんだけど、よろしいかしら?」 「ああ」 「失礼」 一二三の正面にオリガとカーシャが座っているので、自然と空いている一二三の隣にパジョーが座る事になる。 パジョーは周囲の人間がこちらの話を聞いていない事を素早く確認すると、音もなく椅子を引いた。体ごと一二三の方を向いて座る、すぅっと背筋が伸びたパジョーの姿勢は美しく見える。 「ラグライン侯爵の屋敷の書類はかなりの数が焼失してしまったわ。でも私が持ち帰った書類でもかなりの事実が判明したし、密貿易に利用していた......というより、その為に他人名義で立ち上げた商会まで判明したわ。今はその商会の拠点を調査しているの」 この数日、第三騎士隊と治安維持隊が共同で調査に当たり、王都の商業エリアから少し離れた場所にある古い建物が商会として登録されていた事がわかった。もっとも、混合部隊が踏み込んだ所、もぬけの殻だったらしいが。 「それを何故わざわざ俺に伝える?」 「貴方が当事者だからよ。結局は未遂で終わったけれど、侯爵が密貿易までしてお金を作っていたのは、宮廷内工作のためだったみたい。侯爵の息子......謁見の間で貴方に殺された騎士だけど、彼があの若さで近衛騎士隊に入れたもの、あの場で王族の近くにいたのも、稼いだ資金を使って貴族の中で大きな派閥を形成できた結果なの」 そうして王族に近づき、最終的には“優秀で若い騎士かつ家柄も良いので、王女の降嫁先に”という形に持っていこうと狙っていたらしい。相続問題など起きないとアピールするために子供はその一人だけにしたりと、中々気の長い計画だったようだ。自白はそこまでだったが、あるいは王家の外戚となって国政を操る狙いもあったかもしれない。 その遠大な計画が、王が勇者召喚を行ったことと、その結果として騎士だった息子を殺害されたことで潰えた。その復讐で一二三を狙ったのだろう。 「まあ、それだけなら高位貴族の中でひっそりと処理しちゃうんだけどね。裏をとって関係者を捕まえておしまい。世間的には侯爵は病死、騎士は訓練中の事故ってことでね」 しかし、商会の関係から調査を進めているうちに、単なる密貿易という規模の問題ではない事が発覚した。 「金額が大きすぎるのよね。こそこそやっている割にはかなり貴重な物品が出入りしているし。おまけに、購入側の商会なり個人なりの情報がまるでない。それにどうもその商会、売り先は全て決まっていたみたい。というより、その購入先が商会設立に関わったようね」 それで、とパジョーはオリガとカーシャの方へ身体を向ける。 「オリガさんとカーシャさんだったわね。貴方たちが奴隷になる前、“アクアサファイア”という宝石に関わる仕事をしなかった?」 パジョーの質問に、オリガはぴくりと身体を震わせた。 カーシャの目が鋭くパジョーを見る。 「......確かに、そんな名前の宝石を運ぶ仕事を受けたよ。けどそれがどうかしたのかい?」 「パジョー、回りくどい真似はやめろ」 「......わかった。最初から説明するわ。その上で、冒険者である一二三さん、貴方にオーソングランデ王国より依頼があります」 一二三に向き直ったパジョーは、真剣な目で説明を始めた。 パジョーの説明を聞いて、依頼については明日返答すると伝えた一二三たちは、オリガたちの部屋に集まった。 「で、そのアクアサファイアとやらの件が、お前たちが奴隷になるきっかけとなった借金を背負う事になった原因というわけだ」 「はい......」 パジョーの話を聞いてから、オリガは何やら思いつめた顔をしていた。 オリガたちが受けたのは、高価な宝石として貴族の間で有名なアクアサファイアを、職人がいるという街まで無事に運んで欲しいというものだった。数ある依頼票の中でも割がい仕事だったし、ギルドの依頼票があれば他の街へも楽に入れるので、観光気分もあった。 アクアサファイアは、オーソングランデの特産品でもあり、王族が許可をしないと国外へ持ち出すことは禁じられている。非常に高価ということで、採取から加工して販売されるまで、その所在を届け出る必要がある。貴重な分狙われやすいかというと、他国にでも売らないと簡単に足がつくので、普通の盗賊などは狙わない。 オリガたちは街道の各所にある兵士の検問で書類と現物を確認してもらいながら、数日かけて目的の街へとアクアサファイアを運んだ。依頼人はその街に先行して加工職人に話をつけておくことになっていた。 ところが、街の出入り口で確認してもらってから職人の所で木箱を開けてみると、中にはいっているはずのアクアサファイアが無い。 当然依頼人は怒ってしまい、オリガたちは賠償をしなければならなくなったが、一介の中堅冒険者に支払えるような金額でもなく、あえなく返済期限が来て奴隷となってしまった。 「アタシたちが奴隷になると決まった時、依頼人は嫌な顔で笑っていたんだ。その時、アタシたちはハメられたと気づいたのさ......」 自嘲気味に笑って、カーシャはため息をついた。 「その時の依頼人が、ベイレヴラとか言う奴で、そいつが侯爵とつながっていた商会の代表というわけか」 そして、アクアサファイアを持ち込んだ街は、侯爵の派閥に属する子爵が治める街だという。おそらく、街へ入る関所で侯爵の指示を受けた兵士が、確認をする時に抜き取ったのだろう。兵士が複数人いたらしいが、全員がグルならどうしようもない。 情報があり、整理して見てみると実に簡単な罠ではあるが、オリガたちは見事に引っかかった。 行方不明扱いになったアクアサファイアは、そのままヴィシーへ運び込まれたと、侯爵家にあった書類と商会に残された書類で確認が取れたらしい。その際に、オリガとカーシャの名前も出てきたという。 「要するに、犯罪をでっち上げて行方不明の宝石を作って、裏から国外へ持ち出したわけか」 ベイレヴラは侯爵のサインが入った許可証を使ってヴィシーへ行ったままとなっている。ヴィシーとの国境では騎士隊が出張って網を張っているが、戻ってくるかどうかもわからず、隣国を刺激しないためにも少数しか置けないので、成果が上がるかどうか疑問だ。 「それで、たまたま国へ貢献したことで出入国の許可を持っている俺が、冒険者の仕事としてヴィシーへ行って来いと」 本来であれば騎士の誰かが行くべきなのだろうが、国家所属の騎士だと所属がバレた時に言い訳の仕様がない。一二三であれば、実力のある冒険者が国境を越えて仕事をするのはそこまで珍しいわけでもないし、騎士爵と言っても他国では通用しないレベルの爵位だ。 今回はしっかりギルドを通して依頼をする事で、一二三への指名依頼として扱うという。騙して利用しているわけではないという、王国からのアピールなのだろうと一二三は受け取った。 「さて、どうしようか」 そういえば、ストラスとかいうホーラントの魔法使いの件はどうなったのかと一瞬頭に浮かんだが、話題にも出なかったあたりさほど重要でもなかろうと一二三は思考をヴィシー行きの件に向けた。 どこへ行くかと決めあぐねていたところだし、物のついでとヴィシー見物をしてくるものいいと、一二三は思っている。 馬や馬車は王国が用意するというし、オーソングランデ以外の者の戦いも見てみたい。機会があれば、命のやり取りをしたいと思う。 「お前たちにとっては、仕返しの機会だが、どうしたい?」 一二三が質問を投げると、終始うつむいて黙り込んでいたオリガが、床に座って一二三に頭を下げた。 「ご主人様。優しく扱っていただいておきながら、勝手な事を言う私をお許し下さい。できるなら、可能であれば、私たちに復讐の機会を......」 一二三の反応を待たず、オリガは堰を切ったように語りだす。 「あの時、私がカーシャを急かしていなければ、ちゃんと箱の中身を確認していれば......。私だけならまだしも、カーシャまで巻き込んでしまいました。あの時の事、片時も忘れたことはありません。ご主人様から武器を頂戴し、戦い方を教わって訓練している間、私はご主人様への感謝と共に、復讐心で行動しておりました。復讐が終わりましたなら、ご主人様に斬られて果てても悔いはありません。どうか、私に復讐の許可をください」 「オリガ、あんたまだそんな事を気にしていたんだね......。アタシはオリガと組んだことを一度も悔やんだことなんてないんだよ。アタシもしっかり確認をしようとは言わなかったし、オリガにだけ責任があるなんて、一度も考えたことなかったのに......」 泣きはらした顔を上げるオリガに、カーシャも涙をこらえきれなかった。 同じように床へ座り、頭を下げて頼み込むカーシャに、一二三は頭をかいていた。 「オリガ、お前は俺にやってくれとは言わないんだな」 「これは私の復讐です。私がやらなければ意味がありません」 復讐だよ、オリガ」 「カーシャ......」 「ふぅん......じゃあ、行くか。ヴィシーとやらに」 主人の決定に、オリガは再び頭を下げたが、次の言葉には、カーシャと二人で目が点になっていた。 「対人戦のいい経験が積めるしな」 「え? 経験って......」 戸惑うオリガに、一二三は立ち上がって笑った。 「要するに俺の奴隷に迷惑をかけた犯罪者と黒幕がいるわけだ。うまくやれば向こうから殺しに来るぞ。遠慮なくかかってくるうえに、殺してしまっても文句を言われない相手というのは貴重だぞ?」 「それって隠れての調査がうまくいってない場合だし、文句は言われるんじゃないかな......」 つい冷静にツッコミを入れたカーシャの言葉は届かない。 「一週間で対人戦の基本を叩き込むから、気合入れろよ。オリガは手裏剣と魔法の使い方をみっちり見直す。カーシャにも暗器をひとつ教えてやろう。旅の準備もあるし、忙しくなるなぁ!」 まずは準備だと部屋を出ていった一二三を、二人は呆然と見送っていた。

Chapter 13: Stronger In the end, Origa and Kasha said nothing to Hifumi, or rather, it was impossible for them to say it anything. From the slaves' point of view, it would be unreasonable to get their master involved for the sake of their revenge, so the two decided not to ask him. Origa had sworn to become stronger and take revenge, following Hifumi's relentless training energetically. Even though gaining power from Hifumi's guidance seemed similar to relying on Hifumi's power, it was different. After dinner, when Hifumi returned to his room, Origa and Kasha had a discussion. [ ....Certainly, as Origa said, depending on master one way or the other doesn't feel right. ] Falling back on the futon while relishing the feeling, Kasha agreed. A soft feeling is kind towards a tired body. In retrospect, their current hotel was better than the ones they used to frequent as adventurers. In spite of being slaves, their living conditions had improved, Kasha smiled at the irony. Being able to choose what to eat; how much to eat, is it thanks to the extreme practice that their figures were maintained? On the contrary, it feels like their figures had tightened. [But if this continues, we'll never get our revenge..... Master is kind, on getting an opportunity, he will listen to our request... though that's what I think.. ] (Origa) He is certainly kind. (Kasha) He doesn't hesitate to kill those hostile to him, regardless of their standing or authority. Conversely, he is kind to those he calls family, the two slaves can also live life without discomfort. There is neither abuse nor sexual assault. Origa, sitting on the bed brushed her pale green hair. Combing her freshly-washed beautiful and lustrous hair, even Kasha of the same sex was charmed. Generally slaves are lucky if they can occasionally bathe with cold water. We can wash our bodies everyday with hot water, can also buy and use everyday necessities. Objectively seen, he's a kind master, thought Origa. [ But.... ] Something caught in Kasha's chest. Not complaining the slightest and thankful for the good treatment, Kasha frankly admired Hifumi's personality. Substantially different from those she encountered till now. [ What's wrong? ] [ Iya~, it's nothing. My weariness was easily relieved by resting while cleaning myself. ] Kasha showed Origa a smile, who seemed to hold goodwill towards Hifumi, while worrying pointlessly. [ It's time for bed. We have to expect Master's severe training starting tomorrow morning again. ] [ You're right. Have a good night. ] [ Good night. ] Somehow, her real worries lie in how not to hurt her best friend's feelings, Kasha prayed in her heart. The next day, Pajou, who was wearing a uniform, went to the dining room where three people were eating their breakfast. [ There is a report on the Marquis from a few days ago, is that fine? ] [ Yes. ] [ Excuse me then. ] Since Origa was sitting in front of Hifumi, Pajou naturally went to sit down on the vacant seat beside Hifumi. Pajou quickly confirmed that the surrounding people will not overhear her, she pulled the chair silently. [ A considerable number of documents in the Marquis' mansion were been burnt by the fire. But the documents that I salvaged revealed a lot of information. They're smugglers..... Actually, a trading company was established under a different name for that purpose. We are now investigating the premises of the trading company. ] During these past few days, the 3rd Knight's Corp and the Public Security Corp have been investigating together. they discovered a building a ways away from the commercial area of the royal capital,registered under this trading company. But when the combined force of both Corps entered the place, it was completely abandoned. [ So why did you intentionally tell me this? ] [ Because you were involved in this. Though the Marquis' attempted murder was stopped, the money made from smuggling was used for political maneuvering within the Imperial Court. The Marquis' son...... The knight that you killed during the audience with the King, was able to enter the Imperial Knights Corp at a young age. A position that brings them closer to the royal family, and used their wealth on the nobles to create a large faction. ] To be acquainted with the royal family like that, "A young excellent knight with good family background, betrothed to the imperial princess" is what they were getting around to. If a problem in succession should arise, they'd appeal to the person sitting on the throne for a child, they really planned this for the long haul. Acknowledging it to that extent, there is a possibility to politically manipulate the maternal relatives of the royal family Having their grand scheme with the King summoning the hero collapse as a result of killing the son, who is also knight. They aimed at taking revenge on Hifumi. [ Hmm, if it's like that, those within the high-ranking nobles must be dealt inconspicuously. Collect evidence from the officials to arrest them and be done with it. Announce publicly that the Marquis died from an illness, and the knight had an accident during training. ] However, the investigation for anyone connected to the trading company have been pushed through, it has been discovered that the scale of the simple smuggling operation is a problem. [ The amount of money involved is too big. They were able to secretly move goods of staggeringly huge value back and forth. To make matters worse, there is no information on the individuals that buys through the trading company. Furthermore thanks to the company, all the items sold have been settled already. The purchases seem to have influenced the founding of the trading company. ] Thereupon, Pajou turned to Origa and Kasha. [ Origa-san and Kasha-san isn't it. Before becoming slaves, have you two done any work regarding a jewel called "Aqua Sapphire"? ] magic To Pajou's question, Origa's body twitched. Kasha looked sharply at Pajou. [ .....Indeed, we received the task of transporting a jewel of such a name. However, that was merely by chance.] [ Pajou, stop this roundabout behavior. ] [ ......Understood. I will explain from the beginning. In addition, there is a request for adventurer Hifumi-san, from the Orsongrande kingdom. ] Facing Hifumi, Pajou began to explain with an earnest gaze. Listening to Pajou's explanation and telling her they would reply to the request the next day, Hifumi, Origa and Kasha gathered in Origa and Kasha's room. [ So, this matter about this "Aqua Sapphire" is the source of your debts, and the reason you are slaves. ] [ Yes... ] After listening to Pajou's explanation Origa had a brooding expression on her face. Sitting next to her, Kasha grasped Origa's shoulder, eyes downcast. The details of the Knight Corps' investigation were told to them. Origa and Kasha had received a request to safely transport "Aqua Sapphire", an expensive jewel among the nobles from a craftsman. Since there were a large number of adventurers who wanted the request, in order to travel comfortably to other towns and sightsee, the guild did a recommendation. The Aqua Sapphire is a speciality of Orsongrande's, and without the Royal family's permission, it is forbidden to carry it outside the country. Because of it's extraordinarily high price, from the time it is collected, processed and then sold, reporting its whereabouts is essential. Ordinary thieves do not aim for it since selling it outside the country is not easy, as it can be easily traced. Origa and Kasha were carrying the Aqua Sapphire to the destination town with their documents being verified by soldiers at various stops along the highway, over the period of some days. The client was supposed to be at the destination town according to the craftsman. However, upon entering the town and checking the artisan's wooden box, there was no Aqua Sapphire inside. Naturally, the client was angry and Origa and Kasha had to pay compensation, but it was not an amount an ordinary adventurer could pay.The payment deadline passed, and they ended up as slaves. [ The moment it was decided that we would be slaves, the client was laughing unpleasantly.At that moment, we realised.... ] Kasha sighed, letting out a self-mocking laugh. [ The client at that time, a guy called Beirevura seemed to be a representative of the firm related to the Marquis. ] It was said that the destination town was managed by a viscount affiliated with the Marquis' faction. Most likely, the soldiers received orders from the Marquis to extract the Aqua Sapphire at a checkpoint while entering the town. If multiple soldiers were accomplices, then it could not be helped. According to the information, it was a very simple trap to set up. Origa and Kasha were caught magnificently. The documents recovered from the Marquis's home confirmed that the Marquis' company was going to take the missing Aqua Sapphire to Vichy. It was here that Origa and Kasha's names came up. [ In short, a crime was fabricated for the missing jewel, which was taken out of the country behind the scenes. ] Beirevura was going to Vichy using the permit with the Marquis' signature on it. The Knight Corps network extended only until the Vichy border, and they could not act beyond without possibly antagonizing the other country, so any result was dubious at best. [ And I can unexpectedly help this country since I have permission to leave, and work there as an adventurer. ] Originally, someone from the Knights should go, but there is no way to explain a knight coming from another country. If it's Hifumi, it is possible since it is not uncommon for adventurers to cross borders for work. Even though he has a peerage, that title is not used in other countries. This was requested to the guild, and they nominated HIfumi, who understood that it was an appeal from the country without any tricks. [ Well then, what to do. ] On that note, the incident involving Strauss of Horant momentarily came to mind, but was left aside as it was not as important as the Vichy situation. Unable to decide where to go, Hifumi thought of this opportunity as a good chance to explore Vichy. The kingdom will prepare a horse and carriage. He wanted to fight other people as well, not just ones from Orsongrande. [ For the two of you, it's an opportunity for revenge, how about it? ] When Hifumi asked the question, Origa, who had fallen silent at the beginning, sitting on the floor bowed her head. [ Master, please forgive me for saying such a selfish thing. If it is possible, the chance to take revenge....] Not waiting for Hifumi's reaction, Origa began to talk as though a dam had burst. [ At that time, if I had not rushed Kasha and confirmed the contents of the box properly.... Because of me, Kasha got dragged in. I have never forgotten that moment. Receiving weapons from master, being instructed in fighting, practising, all thanks to master. To compensate, even if master kills me, I will not regret it. So please let me take revenge. ] [ Origa, you still cared about that thing.... I never regretted pairing with you! I have never held you as responsible for what happened that time..... ] Seeing Origa crying her eyes out, Kasha was unable to hold back her own tears. To Kasha sitting on the floor and earnestly asking while lowering her head, Hifumi said [ Origa, tell me clearly. ] [ This is my revenge. Without it, everything is meaningless.] [ It is .....our revenge, Origa. ] [ Kasha..... ] [ Hmm..... Well then, shall we go? To Vichy. ] Towards the master's decision, Origa lowered her head again, but to the next words, their eyes became dots. [ Personal battles stack up good experience. ] [ Ee? Experience...? ] Seeing the bewildered Origa, Hifumi stood up and laughed. [ Put simply, the culprits causing trouble for my slaves are the ones pulling the strings. Others will come to try and kill you to tie up loose ends. Feel free to kill them without reserve. ] [ For a hidden investigation to go smoothly, causing a disturbance...... ] Kasha inadvertently retorted. [ In one week, I will drive in the basics of personal combat. Origa, review the use of the shuriken and magic carefully. I will also coach Kasha very strictly. Also, we have to prepare for travel, we'll be very busy!] Hifumi left the room first to start preparing, the two watching him leave in blank amazement.

154.Desert Rose 混乱する城を出たとき、一二三たちは誰にも見とがめられることは無かった。というより、誰にも見られなかった。 悪臭で気を失った両勢力のホーラント兵が、オーソングランデ兵が運び出す。死者は出ていないが、 オーソングランデ突入組も城外で転がっているところを回収され、気絶したフォカロル兵も二階から運び出されていく。 そういったゴタゴタをよそに、三階から飛び降りた一二三たちは、悠々と城下町へと歩き出した。 町の人々も避難先から戻ってきており、使用人もぞろぞろと城へ向かっている。 早くも商店を再開し、呼び込みを始めているたくましい商人たちもいた。 「適当に食い物でも買っていくか」 「はい。そういたしましょう」 オリガを連れてあるく一二三に、ヴィーネが駆け寄ってくる。 ゆらゆらと兎耳と胸をゆらして走るヴィーネは、整った容姿と珍しい獣人族ということもあって、街中の視線を一身に集めていた。 「フォカロルの兵隊さんに、アリッサ様への伝言をしてきました!」 「おう。ご苦労」 たった一言。短いねぎらいの言葉だったが、ヴィーネにとってはこの小さなコミュニケーションでも嬉しかった。自分が求めたものがここにあるのだ。 「主人の厚意により、貴女にはフォカロルで秘書官としての地位を与えることになりました。頑張ってくださいね」 オリガが伝えた言葉に、ヴィーネは困り顔だ。 「あの......“秘書”ってなんですか?」 「そこからなのね......」 ヴィーネが与えられた秘書官という地位は、一二三がつい今しがた作ったポストだったりする。それなりの肩書のように聞こえるが、ようするに一二三の手伝いを専属で行うポジションであり、オリガやカイムがやっていた雑用を任されるに過ぎない。 だが、ヴィーネにとっては一二三の近くで働けることが重要で、仕事の内容など二の次だ。 「ありがとうございます、ご主人様! 頑張ります!」 「まあ、適当にやればいい」 「一二三様。お探ししておりました」 使用人服をきた少女は、優雅に一礼すると、まっすぐに一二三の目を見る。 「誰だ、お前?」 「お城勤めをさせていただいております、レヴィと申します。タンニーン様のお世話を担当させていただく使用人の一人です」 「そうか。それで? ......鬱陶しいほど殺気をまき散らして寄ってきた理由を、納得できる理由を聞かせてもらえるんだろうな」 対峙する一二三の周囲、空気が重く、冷たくなる。 その状況に慣れているオリガは平然と、いや、鉄扇を握り、一二三と同じような空気を纏っている。 ヴィーネは距離を取り、一二三たちの邪魔にならないようにしていた。 「な、なんの話でしょうか。私はただ、タンニーン様より一二三様へ伝言をお願いされて参っただけで......」 「ふぅん......ここのメイドは伝言をしにくるのに、エプロンの内側に短剣を仕込むのか」 一二三の疑問が終わる前に、レヴィはエプロンの胸元からナイフを取り出した。 掛け声とともに突き出された切っ先は、細い腕にしては速いと言えたが、それでも一二三を傷つけるには遠く及ばない。 レヴィの小さな右手ごと包み込むように掴んだ一二三は、切っ先を外へ逸らしながら、左手で首元を押さえた。 そのまま、突き出された手の勢いを利用して、無造作に右手を引く。 かわいらしい容姿に似つかわしくない叫び声をあげて七転八倒するレヴィを、一二三は冷ややかに見降ろした。 「な、何をされたのですか?」 恐る恐る近づいてきたヴィーネは、青ざめた表情をしていた。 「ちょっと肩を外しただけだ」 「周囲には怪しい者はおりません。単独のようです、一二三様」 オリガの報告に、「だろうな」と答える。組織立ってやるにしては、刺客がお粗末すぎるからだ。 苦しみ悶えるレヴィの首を掴む。 「一つだけ答えろ。俺を殺そうとしたのは、何のためだ?」 一二三の質問に、レヴィは涙を浮かべながら視線を合わせようとしない。 「じゃあ、さっき名前が出たタンニーンとやらに聞くか」 何かを言いかけたレヴィだったが、言葉を紡ぐ前に首を掴む手に力が入った。 「オリガ、ヴィーネ。悪いがタンニーンって奴が誰か、どこにいるかを調べてくれ。俺はそこの飯屋にいる」 「了解しました」 「あ、ネルガルとかイメラリアあたりには聞くなよ。面倒になるのが目に見えているからな」 翌日には回復していたイメラリアは、ネルガルが用意した高級宿で目を覚まし、ベッドの上で身体を起こした。 「陛下! お身体は大丈夫ですか?」 随伴の侍女がイメラリアに駆け寄り、不安げに声をかけた。 「ええ、大丈夫です。......湯を浴びたいのですが」 「すぐにご用意いたします。それと、サブナク様へご連絡をさせていただいてもよろしいでしょうか。大変心配しておられましたので......」 「はい。彼にも心配をかけてしまいましたね。今はまだお昼でしょうか」 「あと一時間ほどでお昼になります、陛下」 薄い部屋着を脱ぎ捨て、湯あみのためのローブに着替えながら、イメラリアはまた失態を見せた、と気持ちが重かった。 「まだ体調が万全でいらっしゃらないとは思いますが......」 「ご心配は不要ですわ。それよりも、この書類には目を通させていただきましたが......よろしいのですか?」 昼餐のあと、ネルガルからの招待状を受け取ったイメラリアは、合わせて届けられた書面を確認し、その内容に驚いて慌てて城を訪れていた。 「まさか、自ら不利な条約を提案されるとは思ってもおりませんでしたわ」 頭がくらくらしそうです、とおどけて見せたイメラリアに、ネルガルは笑って見せた。 「それだけのご協力をいただいたということです。それに、こちらに利益が無いわけではありませんから」 ネルガルが作成した草案には、両国の被害についてお互いに補償などを請求しないとする内容と、ホーラントから格安で魔道具を融通することを確約する内容になっていた。しかも、その期限や数量の上限はイメラリアが即位している間続くとされている。 「すべては、貴国との繋がりを保つためと、余計な疑いを避けるためです。それに、私たちが開発している魔道具は、まあ、こう言ってはあれですが、一二三さんのおかげでかなり進展しますので、今回ご協力いただいたお礼も兼ねてということで」 ちゃっかりしているでしょう、とネルガルがウインクする。 その様子に、国内で戦闘行為があったことで心労を抱えているのではないかと心配していたイメラリアは安心した。 「では、ありがたくこの内容で条約を結ばせていただきますわね」 「ありがとうございます。すぐに契約書を作らせましょう」 文官を呼び、草案を清書するようにと命じたネルガルは、すっかり王として落ち着き始めていた。 「正直、大変ではありましたし、多くの命が奪われてしまったことは残念ですが......私が戴冠するのにこれ以上の印象付けはありません。戴冠と同時に国内の騒乱を平定するという功績を貰えましたし......」 王に対して兵士を差し向けたとして、クゼムは死後ではあるが罪を問われることになる。家族を含めて反逆者とその一族は厳しく処罰される予定だとネルガルは説明した。 また、クゼムに従った者たちは、一部住民に対する罪を犯した者以外は、無罪放免となって元の部署へ戻された。 「一番迷惑を蒙ったのは、城で働く使用人たちですね。油はなかなか落ちないし、臭いもまだ取れていませんよ。しばらくは一階は階段以外は閉鎖することにしました」 「しっかり労ってさしあげることですわ。お給金のことも大切ですけれど、きちんと見て評価することが大切だと思いますから」 「肝に銘じておきます。これからも、色々とご指導、ご鞭撻のほど、よろしくお願いいたします」 「ええ。精進してくださいましね」 大げさな身振りで頼み込むネルガルに、貴族の娘のように偉ぶったポーズをとるイメラリア。 しばらくして、お互いに耐え切れずに笑いあった。 和やかな雰囲気を湛えた室内に、一人の侍女が駆け込んだ。 「騒がしいね。何かあったか?」 息を切らした侍女が、胸元に抱きしめていたメモをネルガルへと手渡す。 「......そうか。わかった。君は兵士の誰かに声をかけて、責任者をここへ呼ぶように伝えてくれ」 再び早足で出ていく侍女を見送り、イメラリアがネルガルに尋ねる。 「何かありましたか?」 「ヴィシーで内乱......いえ、ピュルサンは独立していましたね。ヴィシーとピュルサンの間で、戦いが始まったようです」 ネルガルの言葉に、イメラリアは首をかしげた。 「規模がまるで違うではありませんか。地方都市一つが独立した程度の小国が、都市連合国家に勝てるとは思えませんが......ピュルサンの首長は何を考えているのでしょうか?」 「わかりません。ただ、ひとつわかることがあります。ピュルサンは何か強力な武器を手に入れたようです」 報告には、ピュルサンが圧倒的な戦力でヴィシーを侵食している、と記されていた。 「これでしばらくは持つだろう。とりあえずは親父の領地に隠れておくか......」 旅支度を済ませたタンニーンが、荷を積んだ馬車に馬をつなぐ。 「お前がタンニーンか」 「誰だ?」 声をかけたのは、レヴィの身体を肩に担いだ一二三だった。 「君か......それに、レヴィ、なのか?」 「こいつな?」 一二三からレヴィの身体を投げつけられ、タンニーンは小さな身体を抱えたまま共に倒れた。 そんな扱いをされてもピクリとも動かないレヴィに、タンニーンの顔がどんどん青くなる。 「お前の名前を出して、俺に短剣を向けたんだけどな。どういうことだ?」 冷やかに見下ろしながら、一二三はいつの間にか取り出した鉄の杖を、地面に打ち付ける。 「し、知らない! 俺は何も命じてない!」 棒の先をタンニーンの喉へ押し付けた。 「命じてはいない、か。こいつは“俺がいなくなればお前が城に帰れる”と言ってたんだ。命じてなくても、匂わせたように聞こえたんだがな......」 「それは違う! こいつが勝手にやったことだろう!」 必死で否定するタンニーンの上から、レヴィの身体を引きはがし、仰向けに転がした。 「この女は気を失っているだけだが......お前が言う事が本当なら、俺を襲った責任はこいつ自身に取らせないとな」 重い音が響く。 一二三が持つ杖が、レヴィの腹を打ったのだ。 「は、はは......し、し、真実がわかったなら、もう良いだろう! 帰ってくれ!」 「何がおかしい? こいつはお前の女だったんだろう?」 腰が抜けたのか、タンニーンは立とうともしない。 「そいつもたくさんいるうちの一人だ。何を勘違いしたのか、俺の邸宅まで押しかけてきて、使用人も殺しやがった。頭がおかしいんだよ」 へへ、とタンニーンは狂ったように笑う。 「ちょっと可愛い顔してたし、俺の言う事を素直に信じたから声をかけただけだったんだが、とんだハズレ女だったぜ。俺の代わりに殺してくれて、逆にありがたいくらいだ!」 恐怖心をごまかすための虚勢だろうか、タンニーンの言葉は女性を口説くときよりも滑らかだ。 「......お前、さっきの戦いで将軍だったらしいが、人が死んでるかどうかも見分けられないのか?」 心底がっかりだ、と一二三は首を振る。 「お前はどう思うよ、レヴィ」 「......うぇ?」 タンニーンが、仰向けに倒れているレヴィに目を向けると、彼女の目はしっかりと開いていた。頭をこちらに向けたまま、目だけをギョロリと向けて。 「タンニーン様......どうして......」 「俺はこいつを“殺した”なんて一言も言ってないぞ?」 にやっと笑う一二三。 気絶していたレヴィは、一二三に腹を突かれて覚醒した。 そして、タンニーンの本心を聞いた。 「そ、そんな......」 ゆっくり立ち上がったレヴィが、そっとエプロンの胸元を押える。そこには確かにナイフの感触。 そっと取り出したナイフを持ち、未だに座り込んだままのタンニーンへと近付く。 「こ、これは、違うんだ! 君の気持を疑ったことはないんだが、これは、その、状況が言わせた言葉で、あ、あ、愛しているのは本当のことなんだ!」 「ありがとうございます」 レヴィはにっこりと笑う。 「タンニーン様の軍は敗北しました。お城の周りにはオーソングランデの兵ばかりで、ホーラントの兵は奴隷のように働かされていました。もうタンニーン様の居場所はありません......」 これは多分に勘違いを含んでいるが、一二三は訂正しない。 「一二三様に一太刀でも、と思いましたが、失敗してしまいました。ですから、ここで私と最期を......」 ゆら、とナイフを握るレヴィの腕が振り上げられる。 「や、やめてくれ!」 膝が震え、後ずさりも満足にできない状態のタンニーンは、陽の光を反射する刃先から視線を逸らせずにいた。 「私もすぐに後を追います。お覚悟を」 「一二三殿! 助けてくれ! なんでもするから!」 懇願を無視して、一二三は杖を闇魔法収納へ放り込む。 「たす......」 涙を流す左目に、ナイフが突き刺さる。 根元までしっかりと潜り込んだ細身の刃は、命を奪うには充分な長さがあったようだ。 ずるり、と倒れ伏したタンニーンは、一二三から見てもちゃんと死んでいた。 「......では」 目玉ごと引き抜かれたナイフを握るレヴィは、振り返り様に一二三に猛然と駆け寄った。 気が狂ったように喚きながら繰り出された目玉付きナイフは、一二三に届くことは無かった。 一二三の腰から放たれた抜き打ちの一撃が、ずっと速い。 「惜しい。もう少し殺気を隠せていれば、もうちょっと近くまで来れたかもな」 両断された細い腰。 下半身はその場に倒れた。 上半身は、まだ生きている。 「タンニーン......さ......ま......」 ずるずると腕だけで、腸を引きずりながらタンニーンの死体へと向かう。 レヴィの手が、タンニーンの頬をひと撫でする。 満足した微笑みを浮かべて、レヴィの命は尽きた。

Chapter 154: Desert Rose At the time when they left the chaotic castle, Hifumi, Origa and Viine weren't questioned by anyone, or rather, they weren't seen by anyone. Horant's soldiers of both factions, who fainted due to the stench, are carried out by Orsongrande's soldiers. There aren't any casualties, but there's a great number of those who have nightmares. Orsongrande's raid party, which is scattered about outside the castle, is retrieved and the fainted soldiers of Fokalore are carried out from the second floor as well. Having said that, Hifumi's group, which jumped down from the third floor into the disorder outside, started to leisurely walk towards the castle town. The city's people are coming back from the previous evacuation, and the servants are heading to the castle in groups, too. Reopening the stalls as early as possible, there also were resolute merchants who have started calling out to potential customers. "Shall we go buy some suitable food?" (Hifumi) "Yes, let's do that." (Origa) Viine rushes over to Hifumi who walks while leading Origa. Viine, who runs with her rabbit ear and breasts wobbling, gathered the attention down-town due to the people there encountering a rare beastman with a well-featured face and figure. "I have passed on the verbal message for Alyssa-sama to a soldier-san of Fokalore." (Viine) "Okay, good work." (Hifumi) No more than a brief comment. Those were short words of gratitude, but Viine was happy even with this small communication. What she wished for is here. "Thanks to my husband's kindness, it has been decided that you will be granted the position of a minister's secretary in Fokalore. Please do your best, okay?" (Origa) Viine has a troubled expression toward the words she was told by Origa. , what's that?" (Viine) "So I have to start from there..." (Origa) The position of minister's secretary, which was given to Viine, was a post Hifumi created moments ago. It sounds as if it's quite the title, but in short it's no more than her being entrusted with odd jobs, which were done by Origa and Caim, while being in a position of working as exclusive assistant of Hifumi. However, for Viine it's essential to be able to work close to Hifumi. Something like the details of the job comes second. "Thank you very much, master! I will work hard at it!" (Viine) "Well, it will be fine if you handle it properly." (Hifumi) "Hifumi-sama, I looked for you." The girl, who wore the clothes of a servant, bows elegantly and looks straight into Hifumi's eyes.magic "Who are you?" (Hifumi) "I have the privilege of serving in the castle. I'm called Levi. I'm one of the servants who has been in charge of Tannin-sama's care." (Levi) "I see. So...? I wonder whether you can have me hear an agreeable reason for having approached me while scattering an irritating level of blood thirst." (Hifumi) Hifumi's surrounding, which confronts her, becomes freezing and the air turns heavy. Origa, who is used to such situations, is calm, no, grasping the iron-ribbed fan, she is clad in the same air as Hifumi. Viine made sure to not become a hindrance for Hifumi and Origa by taking some distance. "W-What are you talking about? Being requested to pass a verbal message to you, Hifumi-sama, from Tannin-sama, I just came to..." (Levi) "Humph... do the maids in this place hide a dagger inside their apron while coming to give a verbal message?" (Hifumi) Before Hifumi finishes his question, Levi took out a knife from the chest part of her apron. The dagger's point, which was pushed out alongside her yell to encourage herself, could be called fast for her slender arms, but even so it falls short of injuring Hifumi. Hifumi, who seized Levi's small right hand as if wrapping it up, restrained the bottom of her neck with his left hand while averting the dagger's point to the side. Using the force of the pushed out hand just like that, he casually pulls her right hand. Hifumi coldly lowered his eyes at Levi who tosses herself about in great pain while raising a scream that doesn't befit her adorable appearance. "W-What did you do?" (Viine) Viine, who approached timidly, had a pale expression. "I only dislocated her shoulder a bit." (Hifumi) "There are no suspicious people in the vicinity. It seems she acted by herself, Hifumi-sama." (Origa) He answers Origa's report with [I guessed so] . She was far too ill-prepared for an assassin considering those do it systematically. He grabs the neck of the suffering and agonizing Levi. "Just answer one thing. What's the purpose of you having tried to kill me?" (Hifumi) Due to Hifumi's question, Levi tries to no match his line of sight while revealing her tears. "Then, were you asked by Tannin whose name came up earlier?" (Hifumi) Levi started to say something, but the hand, which grasps her neck, was filled with strength before she spoke the words. "Origa, Viine, sorry, but please investigate who this Tannin guy is and where he is. I will be in the restaurant over there." (Hifumi) "Understood." (Origa) "Ah, don't ask the surroundings of Nelgal or Imeraria. It's obvious that it will become troublesome." (Hifumi) Imeraria, who recovered the next day, woke up in the high-class inn which was prepared by Nelgal, and sat up on top of the bed. "Your Majesty! Is your body alright?" The attending maid rushed over to Imeraria and called out to her uneasily. "Yes, I'm okay. ... Though I'd like to bath in hot water." (Imeraria) "I will have it prepared right away. And, is it alright for me to contact Sabnak-sama? Since he was very worried..." "Yes. I ended up having caused him to worry as well. Is it currently still noon?" (Imeraria) "It will become noon after around one more hour, Your Majesty." Throwing off the thin dressing gown, Imeraria was depressed thinking "Though I believe your physical condition to no be perfect yet..." "Your worry is unnecessary. Rather than that, I was able to look over this document, but... is that alright?" (Imeraria) After the luncheon, Imeraria, who received a written invitation from Nelgal, checked the letter which was delivered in addition, and visited the castle in a hurry after being surprised about its details. "By no means do I want to believe that you have proposed a treaty which is disadvantageous for yourself." (Imeraria) Nelgal showed a smile at Imeraria who played the fool with "It seems my head feels dizzy." "It means that we got this much assistance from you. Besides, it doesn't mean that there's no profit for our side." (Nelgal) The contents of the draft created by Nelgal firmly promised the lending of magic tools from Horant for cheap and that neither side will try to claim reparation from either side regarding the damages to both countries. Moreover, the time limit and the upper limit of the quantity is intended to continue for the period of Imeraria's reign. "Everything is for the sake of preserving a connection with your country and to avoid being doubted unnecessarily. Besides, the magic tools, which have been developed by us, well, how to say it, are like that, but since we have progressed quite a bit thanks to Hifumi-san, they also serve as thanks for having received your help this time." (Nelgal) "It's shrewd, I guess", Nelgal winks. Having been worried whether he is fearing that it would cause domestic fights due to those circumstances, Imeraria was relieved. "Then I will gladly accept concluding a treaty in this shape." (Imeraria) "Thank you very much. Let us create a written contract right away." (Nelgal) Nelgal, who called a civil official and ordered them to make a clean copy of the draft, began to completely stabilize as a king. "Honestly, it was a great disaster. It's regrettable that many lives ended up lost, but... I have nothing more impressive to my record than getting crowned. I was able to obtain the achievement of suppressing the domestic disturbances at the same time..." (Nelgal) "It has been decided that Kuzemu will be accused of the crime of having sent soldiers against the king though it's post-mortem. The rebels, including their families, and their relatives are scheduled to be punished severely", Nelgal explained. Also, the people who followed Kuzemu, except those who committed crimes against parts of the citizens, would be given back their former posts after being acquitted. "The ones who suffered the most troubles are the servants working in the castle. The oil doesn't come off easily. The stench hasn't disappeared yet either. I decided to lockout the first floor, except for the stairs, for a while." (Nelgal) "It's something you have to properly reward them for. The matter of wages is important, but I believe it's indispensable to acknowledge their value after examining them accurately." (Imeraria) "I shall engrave it into my heart. Please treat me well from now on as well by offering me various guidance and encouragement." (Nelgal) "Yes. Please resolve yourself for it." (Imeraria) Due to Nelgal requesting it earnestly with exaggerated gestures, Imeraria takes a posture of acting self-important like a noble's daughter. After a short while they burst into laughter as they couldn't endure it any longer. A single maid rushed into the room which was filled with a harmonious mood. "How noisy. Did something happen?" (Nelgal) The out-of-breath maid held her chest and handed a memo to Nelgal. "... I see. Got it. Call one of the soldiers and tell them to get the person in charge to this place." (Nelgal) Seeing off the maid who once again leaves with a quick pace, Imeraria asks Nelgal, "Did something happen?" (Imeraria) "A civil war in Vichy... no, Pearsan went independent. It seems battle broke out between Vichy and Pearsan." (Nelgal) Imeraria tilted her head to the side due to Nelgal's words. "Isn't the scale completely different? I can't believe that a small country with around one independent provincial city is able to win against a city alliance state, but... what is the head of Pearsan thinking?" (Imeraria) "I don't know. But there's one thing I do know. Apparently Pearsan obtained some powerful weapon." (Nelgal) In the report was written that Pearsan is encroaching upon Vichy with overwhelming military might. "I guess I will last for a while with this. Shall I hide in father's territory for the time being...?" (Tannin) Tannin, who finished the preparations, ties a horse to the carriage loaded with the baggage. "You are Tannin, aren't you?" "Who's there?" (Tannin) The one who called out to him was Hifumi who shouldered Levi's body. "You, huh...? In addition, Levi, is it?" (Tannin) "This one?" (Hifumi) Having Levi's body thrown at him by Hifumi, Tannin collapsed together with her small body while holding her. Due to Levi not moving with a twitch even when receiving such treatment, Tannin's face pales rapidly. "Mentioning your name, she turned a dagger against me. What's that about?" (Hifumi) While indifferently looking down on them, Hifumi hits the ground with a steel staff he took out unnoticed. "I-I don't know! I haven't ordered her anything!" (Tannin) He pressed the staff's end against Tannin's throat. . Even if you haven't ordered her, it can be interpreted as you hinting her towards it, but..." (Hifumi) "It's different! That's probably something that fellow did selfishly!" (Tannin) Tearing off Levi's body from atop Tannin, who frantically denied ((the accusation)), she turned over with her facing upwards. "This woman has only lost her consciousness, but... if what you say is true, I have to make her suffer the consequences of having attacked me." (Hifumi) A heavy sound reverberates. Hifumi struck Levi's abdomen with the staff he holds. "Ha, haha... I-I-If you understood the truth, it's probably alright by now! Please go back!" (Tannin) "What's so funny? This one was your woman, wasn't she?" (Hifumi) Did his waist give in? Tannin doesn't even try to stand up. "That one is also one amongst many. What did she misunderstand? Intruding into my mansion, she even killed my servant. She's insane." (Tannin) Tanning laughs with a "Hehe" as if he went mad. "I just called out to her because she obediently believed what I told her and because she had a slightly cute face, but she was an unthinkably messed up woman. If you kill her in my stead, I will be thankful to you in reverse!" (Tannin) A bluff to gloss over his fear? Tannin's words are smoother than at the time when he seduces a woman. "... You, it seems you were the general in the battle some time ago, but are you unable to differentiate whether a person dies or not?" (Hifumi) "I feel completely disappointed", Hifumi shakes his head. "What do you think, Levi?" (Hifumi) "... Ue?" Once Tannin shifted his attention to Levi who has collapsed while facing upward, her eyes were completely open. While turning her head this way, only her eyes face him with a stinging glare. "Tannin-sama... why...?" (Levi) "Hasn't he told me something like to Hifumi smirks. The fainted Levi woke up from being stabbed in the abdomen by Hifumi. And then she heard Tannin's real feelings. "S-Such a..." (Tannin) Standing up slowly, Levi gently grasps the part of her apron below her chest. She ascertains the sensation of the knife being there. Holding the knife which she took out quietly, she approaches Tannin who is still sitting. "T-This is different! I never doubted your feelings, but this is, with words I was induced to say by this situation, it's the truth that I l-l-love you!" (Tannin) "Thank you very much." (Levi) Levi smiles sweetly. "Your army was defeated, Tannin-sama. The surroundings of the castle are constantly filled with Orsongrande's soldiers and the soldiers of Horant are made to work like slaves. That's not a place where you belong anymore, Tannin-sama..." (Levi) This contains substantial misunderstandings, but Hifumi doesn't correct her. is what I thought, but I ended up failing. Therefore, your last moment ((will be)) together with me here..." (Levi) Grasping the knife, Levi raises her arm slowly overhead. "P-Please stop!" (Tannin) Tannin, who is in a state where he can't retreat properly due to his knees trembling, couldn't avert his look from from the blade's edge reflecting the sun's light. "I shall follow after you right away. Resolve yourself." (Levi) "Hifumi-dono! Please save me! I will do anything!" (Tannin) Ignoring his appeal, Hifumi tosses the staff into his darkness storage. "Sav-..." (Tannin) The knife pierces into his left eye which is shedding tears. The thin blade, which slipped in fully until the root, had apparently a sufficient length to steal his life. Tannin, who fell down with a dull sound, had properly died even after getting assessed by Hifumi. "... Then." (Levi) Levi, who grabbed the knife and extracted it together with the eyeball, turned around and fiercely rushed towards Hifumi. Despite howling as if she had gone crazy, the unleashed knife with the eyeball attached never reached Hifumi. The one attack by drawing his katana and attacking in the same stroke released from Hifumi's waist is too quick. "Regrettable. If you hid your blood thirst a little better, you might have come a bit closer." (Hifumi) Her slender waist was cut in two. The lower half of her body collapsed on the spot. The upper half is still alive. "Tannin...-sa...ma..." (Levi) She heads towards Tannin's corpse while dragging herself with just her arms and pulling along her guts. Levi's hand gently brushes Tannin's cheek. Releasing a satisfied smile, Levi's life came to an end.

宰相アドルから渡された石版に書かれている文字は、古くはあるものの、王族としての教育を受けたイメラリアにはある程度は読むことができた。 「これは......」 そこに記された内容は、明らかに送還のための術式ではない。読み終わったイメラリアは、その最後に記載された言葉に、動揺を隠せなかった。 「封印、術式......」 実力のある魔法使いが使えば、強力な魔法使いや強大な魔物でも封印できるだろう、と記されている。それだけ強力な封印を施すための魔法であり、これが必要になる日が来ないことを祈る、という言葉で終わっている。 「アドルさん、どういう事ですか。これは送還術式ではありません。オリガさんとのお話では、送還魔法を探しているとおっしゃっていましたね?」 「左様です。ですが、未だその魔法は見つかっておりません」 「では、この封印魔法の石版をわたくしに見せたのは......。一体、何を考えているのです」 イメラリアは睨むようにアドルを見ると、口を真一文字に引き締めた。 「......全ては、この国オーソングランデの為でございます」 「一応、あなたの考えを伺いましょう」 「ありがとうございます」 膝を付き、顔を伏せたままの姿勢でアドルは語る。 「今現在、我が国の状況は安定しております。順調と言っても問題ない状態でしょう。女王陛下が即位され、経済も安定し、人心も落ち着いている、と私は見ております。これも原因さえ考えなければ、トオノ伯の力に因るところ大でありましょう」 ここまでの話には、イメラリアも素直に同意した。一二三の存在に関わらずヴィシーからの干渉はあったわけで、他国との衝突が完全にオーソングランデ優位にまとまったのは国として非常に大きいメリットだった。 「ですが、これからの国にとってトオノ伯は重荷になりましょう。彼はこの国にとっての英雄となりましたが、このまま彼の領地が増えて行けば、遠からず国とフォカロルの立場は逆転するでしょう。いえ、既に技術や民からの信頼の面で言えば、フォカロルの評価は王都を超えていると言っても良いでしょう」 「だからと言って、一二三様を排除する理由には......」 「女王陛下」 無礼を承知で、アドルは顔を上げてイメラリアの言葉を遮った。 「全てはトオノ伯を中心に動いております。信じられない話ですが、フォカロルの商工業の基礎もトオノ伯の意見を土台にしているとの事。彼の能力は戦う事のみではありません」 「......少し、考えさせてください。わたくしは、この国の行く末に対する責任を自分が負っている事は重々承知しています。ですが、すぐに貴方のお話を了承するには、まだパジョーさんの、彼女の身に起きたことを自分の中で整理できているわけではないのです」 目を伏せたイメラリアは、息を整えるようにゆっくりと溜息をついた。 「あれは完全にわたくしの失策でした。一二三様の戦力を過小評価し、その知恵がどのように働くのかを見くびっていたのです。彼女の命を奪ったのは、他ならぬわたくしなのです」 「陛下。私を含め全ての家臣は陛下のお心のままにお仕えしております。どうか騎士パジョーへ懺悔を言葉をお使いくださいますな。彼女は陛下のために考え、行動いたしました」 イメラリアは辛うじて涙を押しとどめ、封印魔法については預かることとして、アドルとの面会を打ち切った。 退室の際、アドルが最後に言った「彼を殺す必要が無く、英雄のままで退場いただくための事です。どうか、良くお考え下さい」という言葉が、頭に焼きついていた。 一二三がスラムに現れたのは、獣人奴隷を買い込んでから数日後の事だった。レニもヘレンも連れず、犬獣人のゲングのみを案内に連れている。 「以前聞いた場所で合っていれば、ここから先へ向かうとスラムと呼ばれる場所になるはずでやす」 ゲングが差した方向は、細い裏路地が続き、ゴミや建物の残骸が積み上がったうらぶれた雰囲気の通りだった。 「以前もこんな感じの場所に来たな。それじゃ、行くぞ」 「お待ちくだせえ! いきなり人間が入っていったら、どんな目にあうか......」 引きとめようとするゲングを無視して、一二三はずんずんとスラムの中へと入っていく。 説得を諦めて、ゲングも急いで一二三の後ろをついて行った。 細い通りを抜けると、崩れた建物が目立つものの、それなりに建物が並ぶ住宅エリアにたどり着く。いくつかの建物から誰かが住んでいる気配を感じ、さらに視線が向けられているのを察した一二三は、腰に差した刀の柄を指でトントンと叩きながら、あてもなく歩く。 「どいつもこいつも、建物の中からこっちを窺うだけで出てこないな」 「警戒しているんでしょうな。人間が獣人を捕まえに来るのも珍しくないでしょうし」 だが、たった一人の人間が獣人一人を連れただけという一二三たちは、相手しやすいと思ったのだろう、複数の獣人が現れて一二三を囲むまでに、大した時間はかからなかった。 豹や熊など、様々な獣人が徒党を組んでいる様子は、一二三から見たら動物園のようで微笑ましい。 「人間が一人で何をしに来たか知らねぇが、金を置いていけば悪いようにはしねぇ」 片腕を無くした豹の獣人が、凄んでるんだか説得しているんだか微妙な態度で一二三に顔を近づける、が。 「息が臭い」 一二三は前蹴りで豹獣人を蹴り飛ばした。 反応する間も無く放物線を描いて飛んでいった豹獣人は、ボロ家の突き破った。 壁がクッションになったのか、気絶は免れたようで、腹を押さえてよろよろと立ち上がった。 「てめぇ!」 「ま、待ってくれ!」 激昂する熊獣人の前に、ゲングが飛び出した。 「この人は俺たち獣人にとって希望になる人なんだ! 話だけでも聞いてくれ!」 「希望だと?」 「俺の服を見てもわかるだろう! 人間の奴隷になった奴が、こんな良い服着れるかよ!」 「なんで人間の味方なんてするんだよ!」 ゲングとスラムの獣人たちがお互いに言い争うのを無視して、一二三は蹴り飛ばした豹獣人に近づいた。 「まだやるか? やるなら殺す」 「......降参する。命は惜しい」 うなだれる豹を放って、一二三は振り返った。 「こいつは降参するそうだ。他に俺とやりあいたい奴はいるか?」 豹の獣人はスラムの仲間内では強いまとめ役のような存在だったようで、一二三の呼びかけに答える者はいなかった。 とても残念そうに溜息をついた一二三は、適当な瓦礫に座った。 「このスラムの獣人をここに集めて来い」 「い、一体何を考えている?」 豹獣人の疑問に、一二三は指先を向けて答えた。 「このスラムにお前らの街を作る」 一二三の言葉を聞いた獣人たちは、口を開けて唖然としていた。 ゲングだけは笑顔のまま、周りを見回した。 「何度聞いても、面白い夢だなぁ。俺も一発、やってやるぜ」 一二三がスラムに出かけている間、レニとヘレンの他、残された獣人たちは宿にて留守番だった。 とはいえ、のんきに過ごしていたわけではない。 「こ、こんな目にあうとは......」 貸切にした食堂の一角、テーブルに突っ伏したのはヘレンだ。 彼女の前には上質な紙で作られたテキストがあり、並べて置かれた羊皮紙には汚い字が並んでいる。 ヘレンの隣では、レニが懸命にペンを握って勉強していた。 「レニ、何一生懸命やってるのよ。あの人間が言ってたじゃない、人間だって勉強してない奴はいっぱいいるって」 「でも、一二三さんは勉強しないと王様になれないって......」 「......本気で言ってるの?」 「うん」 呆れたという顔を見せたヘレンを、レニはまっすぐ見つめる。 「なんていうのかな......人間はまだ少し怖いけど、いろんな仕事とか作ったりとか考えたりとか、こういうのは荒野には無かったよね。この勉強っていうのも、知らないことがたくさん書いてあって、解らなかったことがどんどん解るようになって」 レニはペンを置いて、ヘレンの手を掴んだ。 「面白いと思わない? それで一二三さん、まず獣人族の街を作れって言ってたよ。街だよ? 人間の街みたいに色んなお店があって、色々な種族の獣人たちが、好きなことや得意な事で働くの」 「そりゃね、そうなったら楽しそうだけどさ......」 ヘレンがテキストに目を落とすと、公用語の文字と単語がズラリと並んでいる。読み方だけは何とか覚えたものの、単語がかけるかというとまだまだ難しい。 一二三は数日で大体の文章が読み書きできたと言っていたが、ヘレンは疑っている。 「街ができたら、ヘレンは何がやりたい? お店とか? お野菜を作るっていうのも面白そうだよね」 「王様になっても、店で物売ったり野菜作ったりするの?」 「二人共、人間の街には慣れていないのね。王様は兵士や騎士より偉い人で、彼らに指示を出して国を動かすのが仕事なのよ。とてもじゃないけれど、お店なんてやってる時間はないんじゃないかしら?」 少しタレ目の兎獣人は、レニたちに優しく微笑む。 「この歳になって、まさか人間に勉強をさせられるとは思ってなかったけれどね。将来の事を想像したり、夢があるのっていいわね。捕まって奴隷にされて、もう10年以上経ったけれど、こんなふうに何がやりたい、とか何をしよう、とか考えるのは初めてよ」 彼女の言葉を聞いて、レニは気づいた事があった。 「そっか。ヘレン、ウチたちは荒野にいる時は、ご飯を集める事と今の安全ばかり考えていたけれど、一二三さんと話しているうちに、いつの間にか将来の話をしていたんだね」 ヘレンも目を見開いていた。 「確かに、何かにビクビクするだけだったのが、レニと話すことも増えたね。ご飯の話やお店で売っていた道具の話とか......」 「このまま獣人の街ができて、みんなを呼べたら凄い事になるよ!」 よし、頑張るぞ、と鼻息荒くペンを握り直したレニに付き合って、ヘレンも頑張ろう、と心の中で呟いた。 「あの人間、文字を覚えたら後は何かの勉強をするって言ってなかったっけ?」 ヘレンがポツリと疑問を口にした。 「ん~とね」 レニが天井を見上げて思い出した事を言う。 「確か、接客のノウハウ? とかどうとか」 「わかんない」 顔を見合わせる二人を見つめながら、片耳の兎獣人は根拠なく、新しいご主人様の事を信じてみようという気持ちになっていた。たった数日の付き合いだが、レニたちの様子を見ている限りは、良い主人のようだから。 ある日を境に、ソードランテの職人たちの元へ奇妙な依頼が届くようになった。 鍛冶や木工などの工業分野の職人から、パン職人などの料理人、果ては宿の従業員などのサービス業従事者まで様々だ。 報酬も良かったので、多くのものが指定された宿へと向かう。 そこでズラリと並んだ獣人たちに怯むものの、しっかりと「お願いします」と丁寧な挨拶を受けて、素直に話を聞いてくれるうえに、大したことの無い技術でも目を輝かせて熱心に学び取ろうとするので、いつの間にか職人達も気をよくしていった。 次第に学ぶ内容によってグループが別れ、専門的なところへと踏み込んでいく。 元々奴隷として街中には相当数の獣人がおり、中には主人の代わりに買い物をしている獣人も居たせいか、貴族以外の平民たちにとっては獣人の存在そのものを忌避する感情は薄い。一二三が宿の食堂で実験して確認した感情的な部分は、平民に限って言えばだが、問題が無かった。 同時に、大工たちには別の仕事も依頼されていた。 スラムの大規模改修工事だ。 大工たちが舌を巻く程しっかりした図面が行き届き、古い建物が順序良く解体され、獣人たちの住まいから始まり、商店として使う建物、作業小屋、さらに鍛冶場や浴場までもが建設されていく。 材料となる木材は、外から獣人たちが次々と運んで来るので、作業は滞る事なく急ピッチで進められていった。 大工作業に参加する獣人も現れ、力のあるものや軽業が得意な者が中心となって、人間では数人がかりとなる作業も、獣人が加わるだけでどんどん捗るので、大工の中には街中での仕事も手伝ってもらいたいと言い出す者が出てきた。 瓦礫と古家に占領されていたスラムは、次第にスラムとは呼べない新たな街となっていく。 資金を出している人物は、打ち合わせに時々現れるだけで、金の出処など不明な部分が多くはあったが、金払いの良さと出資者の奴隷たちだという獣人たちの想定外の付き合いやすさに、そこを追求してくる者もいなかった。 やがて、ノウハウを得て開業する獣人が出始め、いよいよスラムは健全な街としての機能が出来上がっていく。 「ひゃ~......なんかすごい状況でやすね」 「スラムの影も形もねぇな」 犬獣人のゲングと片腕の豹獣人は、先に商店エリアが造成された街に近い場所を歩いていた。 「人間の知恵というのはすごいもんだな。何も考えずに使っていた建物が、あんなに色々と考えて作られていたとは、思いもよらなかった」 力が強いから、と人間の事をよく知らないままだったから、俺たち獣人はいいようにやられてきたのか、と豹獣人は自虐の言葉を吐いた。 「それに、一二三さんに買われるまでは、他の種族同士や、まして人間とこんなふうに協力して作業をするとは思いもしやせんでしたよ」 「そうだな......だが、一つ気になることがある」 真剣な目をした豹の獣人は、残った腕で顎を撫でた。 「人間の中でも、兵士やら騎士やらは俺たちみたいな獣人を捕まえに来るもんじゃないのか? 普通の人間はさておき、兵士の5~6人は来てもおかしくないんだが......」 豹獣人の気がかりは現実に起きていることだった。 日が暮れて、大工たちもスラムから帰って行った頃、数名の兵士たちがスラムへと入り込んで来た。 綺麗な建物が並ぶスラムの様子に驚いている彼らの前に、一人の青年が立つ。 いつもの胴着に黒袴、腰には刀を差した一二三だ。 「お前は......獣人では無いな。ここで何をしている?」 一人の兵士が誰何すると、一二三は細い剣をスラリと抜いた。 剣は片刃で反りがあり、人を惹きつけるような美しい刃紋が蒼く月明かりを反射している。 「何かと言われれば......お前らのような侵入者を待っていた、というのが一番正しいかもな。毎晩毎晩、ご苦労なことだ」 「調査に行った者が帰ってこないのは......全員、剣を構えろ!」 クックッと笑う青年に、兵士たちは異様な雰囲気を感じながら、剣を抜いた。 「抜いたな。それでいい」 一二三は今夜も楽しめそうだ、と金はかかったが優秀な釣り餌になった獣人の街に感謝した。

The characters, written on the lithograph handed over by Prime Minister Adol, although old, were something Imeraria, who received education as royalty, was able to read to some extent. "This is..." (Imeraria) The details, which were written down there, evidently isn't a spell formula for the sake of sending back. Having finished to read it, Imeraria wasn't able to conceal her unrest due to the words mentioned at its end. "Sealing spell formula..." (Imeraria) If a magician with ability uses it, they will likely be able to seal even mighty monsters and powerful wizards, is what is written there. We pray that the day, where it will be necessary to use a spell to perform such a strong seal, won't come, are the words finishing the record. "Adol-san, what's this about? This isn't a return spell formula. You said, during the talk with Origa-san, that you have been searching for a return spell, haven't you?" (Imeraria) "Indeed. But I still haven't found that spell yet." (Adol) "Then showing me this sealing magic lithograph... what the heck are you planning?" (Imeraria) Once Imeraria looks at Adol as if examining him carefully, his lips stiffened into a thin line. "... Everything is for the sake of this country, Orsongrande." (Adol) "For the time being I shall hear out your opinion." (Imeraria) "Thank you very much." (Adol) Bent on his knees, Adol talks with a stance of having his head lowered. "At this moment our country's situation is stable. I guess it's in a state with no issues, you might even say it's doing well. You, Your Majesty, were enthroned, the economy has stabilized and even the populace has calmed down, that's what I'm observing. As long as you don't think about the cause for this either, a large part of it will be on account of Earl Tohno." (Adol) Even Imeraria frankly consented to the story this far. As there was interference from Vichy regardless of Hifumi's existence, it was an exceedingly great merit for the country that the conflicts with the other countries settled with Orsongrande's complete predominance. "However, for the future country Earl Tohno will change into a huge burden. He became a hero for this country, but if his territory continues to grow, the positions of the country and Fokalore will likely reverse in the near future. No, if you talk about the aspect of the trust by his people and the engineering, you could already say that Fokalore's evaluation has surpassed the capital's." (Adol) "While that may be true, as reason for rejecting Hifumi-sama..." (Imeraria) "Your Majesty, the Queen." (Adol) With the knowledge of his impoliteness, Adol lifted his head and interrupted Imeraria. "Everything is moving with Earl Tohno at the core. Although it's an unbelievable story, I'm told that the basis of Fokalore's commerce and industry has been handled with Earl Tohno's views as foundation. His ability isn't only that of doing battle." (Adol) "... Please, let me think about it for a bit. I'm deeply aware that I'm bearing the responsibility for this country's fate. But, as for immediately accepting your arguments, it's not like I have been able put my feelings about what happened to Pajou's body in order yet." (Imeraria) Imeraria, who had cast down her eyes, slowly sighed as if adjusting her breathing. "That was completely my error. Underestimating Hifumi-sama's combat prowess, I belittled his intelligence. The one who stole her life was no one else but me." (Imeraria) "Your Majesty. Including me, all of your retainers are serving to follow Your Majesty's heart's desires. Please, don't use words of repentance towards Knight Pajou. She acted on behalf of Your Majesty." (Adol) Barely keeping back her tears, Imeraria decided to look after the sealing spell and closed the meeting with Adol. On the verge of leaving the room, Adol said at the last moment [This is something for the sake of having him leave as hero without needing to kill him. Please, think well about it] . Those words were burned into her mind. It was several days after he bought the beastmen slaves when Hifumi appeared at the slums. Without taking Reni and Helen along, he has only brought the dogman, Gengu, for guidance with him. "If it's at the location I was told about before, the place called slums should be ahead from here." (Gengu) The direction indicated by Gengu, was a path with a shabby atmosphere having accumulated remains of buildings and trash continuing into a narrow back alley. "I previously came to a place with such feeling as well. Well then, let's go." (Hifumi) "Please wait! If a human suddenly entered there, what kind of experience will they..." (Gengu) Ignoring Gengu, who tries to stop him, Hifumi quickly enters the slums' interior. Giving up his persuasion, Gengo followed Hifumi's back in a hurry, too. Once they exit the narrow alley, they arrive at a residential area with buildings lining up, although the collapsed buildings are standing out. Sensing signs of someone living there from several buildings, Hifumi, who guessed that they were turning their sights this way, aimlessly walks around while tapping the hilt of the katana, worn at his waist, with his finger. "Every last of them doesn't come out and merely peeks this way from within the buildings." (Hifumi) "They are probably cautious. It's likely not unusual for humans to come here to catch beastmen." (Gengu) "But, it's just one human with only a single beastmen", Hifumi says. Probably thinking that they would be easy opponents, it didn't take much time for several beastmen to appear and surround Hifumi. By the looks they have assembled a clique of various tribes such as leopards and bears. From Hifumi's point of view, it's pleasing with a zoo-like feel. "I dun' know why ya came here by yerself, human, but we ain't do anythin' bad ta ya, if ya leave yer cash and go." A leopard beastman, who lost one arm, brings its face close to Hifumi with a questionable attitude making it uncertain whether they are threatening or persuading him. "Your breath stinks." (Hifumi) Hifumi sent the leopard beastman flying with a frontal kick. The leopard beastman, who flew drawing a parabola without time to react, broke through a tattered house. Did the wall act as cushion? Apparently avoiding to faint, the beastman unsteadily stood up and and grasped its belly. "Bastard!" "P-Please wait!" (Gengu)magic Gengu rushed out in front of an enraged bear beastman. "This person is someone, who will become a hope for us beastmen! Please listen to him even if it's only for the story." (Gengu) "Hope, you say?" "You will likely understand once you look at my clothes. Those, who became slaves of humans, won't be able to wear such nice clothes, will they!?" (Gengu) "Why are you doing something like being an ally of a human!?" Disregarding the mutual dispute between Gengu and the slums' beastmen, Hifumi approached the leopard beastmen, he sent flying. "Do you still want to continue? If you do, I will kill you." (Hifumi) "... I give up. Life is precious." Leaving alone the leopard, who was hanging his head, Hifumi turned around. "It looks like this guy has given up. Is there anyone else, who wants to pick a fight with me?" (Hifumi) As it seemed that the leopard beastman was an existence similar to a powerful troubleshooter among the beastmen of the slums, there wasn't anyone answering Hifumi's call. Sighing due to being very disappointed, Hifumi sat down on a fitting debris. "Have the beastmen of this slum gather here." (Hifumi) "W-What the hell are you planning?" Due to the leopard beastman's question, Hifumi pointed his finger and answered, "We will build your guys' city in these slums." (Hifumi) The beastmen, who heard Hifumi's words, opened their mouths dumbfoundedly. Only Gengu surveyed the surroundings keeping up his smile. "No matter how many times I hear it, it's an interesting dream. I want to do it in one shot, too." (Gengu) During the time Hifumi has gone out to the slums, Reni, Helen and the other beastmen, who were left behind, stayed at the inn. Be that as it may, that doesn't mean they spent their time care-freely. "T-To suffer such a..." (Helen) It is Helen prostrating herself at a table in corner of the dining room set as reserved. In front of her is a book made out of fine quality paper. Next to it there is a messy handwriting lining up on a separate parchment. Reni was earnestly grasping a pen and studying besides Helen. "Reni, what are you doing as if your life depended on it? It's not what that human told you. Even among humans there are plenty, who don't study." (Helen) "But, Hifumi-san said that I won't be able to start looking like a ruler, if I don't study..." (Reni) "... Has he really said that?" (Helen) "Yeah." (Reni) Helen, who made an expression as if being astounded, stares directly at Reni. "What to say... humans are still a bit scary, but doing various things such as tasks, writing and thinking, such things didn't exist in the wastelands, right? You can even say that about this studying. Writing down many things I don't know, it has reached the point that I'm steadily comprehending things I didn't understand." (Reni) Reni put down the pen and grabbed Helen's hands. "Don't you think it's interesting? And, Hifumi-san said that he will build the first city of the beastmen race. It will be a city, won't it? It will have various stores like the human city and beastmen of various tribes will work on things, they like and are strong at." (Reni) "Well that's... if it's going to be like that, it will be fun, I guess, but..." (Helen) When Helen casts down her eyes at the textbook, there are the official characters and vocabulary lined up in a row. Although she somehow memorized the way of reading those, it was still far too difficult for her to write words. She was told that Hifumi was able to read and write the general sentences in a few days, but Helen is doubting that. "What do you want to do once the city is built, Helen? Is it a store? It seems to be interesting, even if you say you will grow vegetables, right?" (Reni) "Growing vegetables and selling them in a store, even if I become a ruler?" (Helen) "Both of you aren't used to a human city. As a more important character than soldiers and knights, the king's job is to manage the country by giving out directions. Although it's not by all means, you won't have the time to run something like a store, will you?" The rabbitwoman with the slightly drooping eyes smiles gently at Reni and Helen. "Becoming this old, I certainly didn't think I would be allowed to study by a human. If I imagine future, it's nice to have a dream. 10 years already passed since I was caught and turned into a slave, but it's the first time I'm able to ponder what I want to do or what I will do like this." Listening to her words, Reni noticed something. "Is that so? Helen, at the time, when we were in the wastelands, we just thought about our immediate safety and the matters of being able to gather food, but we did have a conversation about our future unnoticed during our talks with Hifumi-san." (Reni) Helen also opened her eyes widely. "If I remember correctly, the things, I talked about with you, Reni, increased as well, though it was just me being afraid of something. Talks such as about food or tools to be sold at a store..." (Helen) "If the beastmen city is built and if it's possible to invite everyone, it will become wonderful!" (Reni) "Alright, I will do my best", Reni once again clasped the pen with a rough nasal breathing. Helen also followed up by muttering "Didn't that human tell us to study something once we done with characters?" (Helen) Helen voiced out her question in a murmur. "Mmh~ that is." (Reni) Reni looks up at the ceiling and recount what she remembered, "If I'm not mistaken, it's the know-how of serving customers? Or something like that?" (Reni) "I don't know." (Reni) While watching the two looking at each other, the one-eared rabbitwoman had an unfounded feeling to try believing into her new master. Though they have been associating with him for only a few days, looking at the state of Helen and Reni, he appears to be a nice master. On a certain day in the local area, a strange commission was delivered to the craftsmen of Swordland. From the craftsmen in the industrial fields, such as carpenters and blacksmiths, to chefs, like bakers and such, and even those employed in the service sector, such as inn employees, it reached various people. Given that it had also an excellent reward, many of them headed to the designated inn. They flinched at the beastmen lining up in a row there, but receiving a properly polite [Please] and seeing them enthusiastically trying to collect information with shining eyes, even if it wasn't about a significant craft, on top of them listening to their speeches honestly, the craftsmen even were in a good mood before realizing it. Gradually splitting the groups by the learning content, they get into the core of the parts of their professions. From the start there is a considerable number of beastmen slaves within the city. It may be because there were also beastmen doing the shopping for their masters among them, that for commoners, with the exception of nobles, there was a weak feeling of shirking away from the beastmen's existence in itself. The emotional part, which Hifumi confirmed by experimenting in the dining room of the inn, was no issue, but only if you restrict the talk to commoners. At the same time the carpenters were requested to do a different job, too. It's a large-scale repair operation of the slums. Being attentive to the astonishing detailed blueprints, the carpenters skilfully dismantled the old buildings in order, starting with the dwellings of the beastmen, and constructed buildings, to be used as stores, manufacturing cabins and moreover even smithies and bathhouses. Given that the beastmen carried in wood, which was used as material, from outside in succession, the work advanced at a quick pace without being delayed. Beastmen, who participated in the carpentry work, appeared as well and those, who have strength, and those, who are specialized in acrobatics, played a central role in tasks, that would usually require the help of several humans. Since it was steadily making progress with just the beastmen joining in, some among the carpenters appeared, who proposed that they wanted help with the work down-town as well. The slums, which were occupied by deserted houses and debris, has gradually turned into a new city that can't be called slums anymore. The person, who has been providing the funds, had many obscure parts, such as the source of money, with him only appearing sometimes at briefing sessions. But due to the easiness beyond expectations to associate with the beastmen, who were said to be the investor's slaves, and the virtue of monetary payment, there wasn't anyone pursuing that point either. Before long, beastmen, who have obtained the know-how in running businesses, have started to appear. At last the slums have finished the facilities to function as healthy city. "Hyaa~ ... Somehow it's an amazing situation ~ssu." (Gengu) "There ain't no appearance or shadow of slums either." The dogman, Gengu, and the one-armed leopard beastman walked to a nearby place in the city, where the shop area was created earlier. "The human's intelligence is somethin' terrific. Although we used the buildings without thinkin' anythin' 'bout it, it was unexpected for them to have been built with various ideas to that extent." "Did we live by 'us beastmen are great' because we are strong and because we don' quite understand human matters?" The leopard beastman spit out self-depreciating words. "Moreover, until we were bought by Hifumi-san, we didn't even consider to do such a cooperative work with comrades from other tribes and much less with humans ~ssu." (Gengu) "That's right... However, there's a single matter I'm worried about." The leopard beastman, having a serious look, stroke his chin with his remaining arm. "Even among humans, aren't there those coming to catch beastmen like us such as soldiers and knights? Leaving aside the normal humans, it won't even be funny, if 5~6 soldiers come here, but..." The leopard beastman's worry was something occurring in reality. At the time the carpenters returned from the slums when the day came to an end, several soldiers came entering the slums. A single youth stands in front of them, who have been surprised by the appearance of the slums lining up clean buildings. With his usual black hakama on the dougi and the katana hanging on his hips, it's Hifumi. "You are... not a beastman. What are you doing here?" Once a single soldier asked for his identity, Hifumi smoothly drew the slender sword. The sword has a curve with a single edge. The beautiful, as if charming people, hamon is reflecting the pale moonlight. "If I were to say it one way or the other... I was waiting for intruders like you guys. This might be the most truthful answer. It's something I have put you through every and every night." (Hifumi) "The people, who went to investigate and haven't come back, are... everyone, prepare your swords!" While feeling a bizarre atmosphere due to the young man laughing with a "Kukuku", the soldiers drew their swords. "You drew them. Then it's fine." (Hifumi) It seems Hifumi will be able to enjoy this evening as well. He was thankful to the beastmen city, which became an excellent bait, though it cost money.

アイペロス王子の遺体は、立派な柩に収められ、きらびやかな絹の服をまとっていた。 頭部の縫い目は目立たないようにされてはいたが、やはり違和感は拭えない。 感情を押し殺した瞳で弟の遺体を見つめるイメラリアは、涙を見せることもなく、ただじっと遺体の側に座っていた。 謁見の間のすぐ隣にあるこの部屋は、王が私的な密談などを行うための小部屋だった。押して運べる車輪が付いた台座の上に乗せられた柩は、部屋の中央に安置され、周囲を囲むように置かれた椅子の一つに、たった一人でイメラリアが座っている。 静寂が支配する部屋に、すっと入ってきたのは宰相アドルだった。 「......失礼します」 反応を見せないイメラリアに一礼すると、アドルは王子の遺体を見つめてから、右手を胸に当てて頭を下げた。 丁寧に弔いの作法に則って動き、部屋を後にするアドルに、イメラリアは静かに立ち上がって軽く頭を下げた。 視界の端にその姿を見たアドルは、いたたまれなくなって気持ち足早になってしまう。 どうにか平静を保って部屋を出ると、静かに溜息をついた。 「ご傷心の様子ですねぇ」 いつの間にか、アドルの横には死神の顔があった。 「みだりに出てくるな。見られたらどうする」 焦るアドルの言葉にも、死神はケラケラと笑って答えない。 「そろそろお姫様に送還魔法の事を教えて差し上げてもよろしいのではないですか?」 「バカを言え。まだ資料の一枚も見つかっていない状態で、お前のような悪霊の言う事を報告できるわけがなかろう」 肩をいからせて歩き始めたアドルを、死神はフラフラと鬱陶しい程に揺れながら追う。 「傷ついたお姫様に、希望を見せて差し上げましょうよ。貴方にとっても国民にとっても、お姫様が気落ちしたままでは色々と困るでしょう?」 忌々しいという目で睨めつけ、アドルは資料室へと入っていった。 「悪霊の癖にこの国を気遣うふりをするのはやめろ。不愉快だ」 「おやおや、これでも人が懸命に生きる姿を応援する神様なんですけれどねぇ」 「......死神を名乗ったくせに、何を言うか」 視線を向けることなく、石版を漁って送還魔法やそれに類する魔法の資料を探す。もう何日続けたかも覚えていないほど繰り返した手つきは、石版の扱いにすっかり慣れていた。 「懸命に生きて、そして死んでいった者の魂こそ輝くのですよ」 死神の言葉に一瞬手が止まったアドルは、悪趣味な、とつぶやいて、そのまま作業を続けた。 それにしても、とアドルは思う。 (一二三という人物を送還して、それでこの国はどうなるというのだろうか?) しかし、とアドルはふと手を止めた。 一二三がいなくなったとて、始まった戦いがすぐに終わるわけではない。むしろ、最大戦力がいなくなる分、オーソングランデの立場は苦しくなるのだ。 (送り返すにしてもどこへなり飛ばすにしても、その前の準備にも念を入れねば......) 「おめでとう、サブナク!」 ビロン伯爵主催の夕食の席で、主賓の席に座らされたサブナクに、ビロンは杯を持ち上げた。 「本当に、私の実家からこんな騎士が出るなんて思わなかったわ」 カラカラと笑う姉に、サブナクは疲れきった視線を向けた。 「姉さん、ぼくがそういう役職に向いていないのはよくご存知でしょう?」 「あら、あなたは小さい時から頭も良かったし、剣はへなちょこだから、むしろ現場にいるより役にたつんじゃないかしら?」 ひどい言い草だとビロンが同情の目を向けるが、サブナクは昔から遠慮がない姉の言動には慣れっこだった。 「とにかく、これでぼくは早めに王城へ戻る必要ができました。近衛騎士隊というのは、どうやら王族......今はイメラリア様のみですが、あの御方をお守りするのが役目のようですから」 「ここは気にせず、他の隊員たちと共に戻るといい。トオノ伯のサポートは私の兵でも大丈夫だし、大きな戦いはしばらく無いだろう」 ホーラント国境の状況を知っているビロンは、少なくともホーラントが本格的に挙兵するにはそれなりの時間が必要だろうと見ていた。 「サブナク、王城へ戻る前にお父様へ報告の手紙を書きなさい。私からのと合わせて、実家に送ってあげるから」 「そうだね、私からもお義父様へお祝いの手紙を送るから、一緒に送ろう」 夫妻の言葉に、サブナクは少し照れてしまった。 「ありがとうございます」 はにかんだサブナクに、夫妻もにっこりと笑った。 サブナクは、いつかの騎士隊入隊の時にお祝いしてもらった事を思い出していた。 あの時も、気持ちよく祝ってくれて、それから懸命にやってきたのだ。これからも、何とかやって行けるだろうと前向きな気持ちになってくる。 「でも、城詰めの勤務は初めてなので、緊張しますね」 食後の酒をゆっくりと傾け、サブナクは呟いた。 男同士の話になるだろう、とサブナクの姉は席を外した。 「護衛というよりは、イメラリア様の相談役という側面もあるだろうね」 ビロンの言葉に、サブナクは首をかしげた。 「相談役なら、宰相のアドル様がおられますよ?」 「そうだね。でも彼だけの意見を聞いて決めるのは、イメラリア様の思考を狭めることになる。間違いとか正しいとかじゃなくて、色々な可能性を考えて、結果を想定して、宰相やイメラリア様とは違う視点での意見を言う。これだけでも、為政者としては助かると思うよ」 特にイメラリアは王族としては素直すぎる程なので、周りの意見をよく聞いてくれるだろう、とビロンは語る。 その結果がパジョーの最期を呼んだのではないかと、サブナクの脳裏を一瞬だけ疑問がよぎったが、ビロンの意見自体は納得できた。 「なにも、身を挺して盾になることだけが護衛の仕事じゃないだろう。本当に良い護衛というものは、守るべきものを危険に近づけないものだと思うよ」 ビロンの言葉に、サブナクはゆっくりと頷いた。 「おう、起きたな」 背後から、先ほど聞いた声が聞こえる。 「一体......」 「他の仲間は片付けた。お前には聞きたいことがあったから生かしておいた」 単純でわかりやすいだろう、と背中からの声が言う。 ぼんやりしていた視界がようやく鮮明になってきて、自分が木の幹を抱きしめるような格好で縛られている事がわかった。 そして、声の相手も思い出す。 先ほど、自分を蹴り飛ばした男、一二三だ。 首を捻って後ろを見ようとしても、相手の顔までは見えない。 「無理にこっちを向こうとすると、首を痛めるぞ?」 「......何が目的だ」 極力平静を装いながら問いかけるが、声が少し震えてしまった。 相手の姿が見えないことで、不安がより掻き立てられる。 「質問があると言っただろう。時間が勿体ないから、さっさと答えろよ?」 魔法使いからは見えないが、一二三が言うにはもう一人を縛り上げていて、そっちにも話を聞かないといけないと言う。 「ふざけるな。お前が敵だということはわかって......」 必死で振り向いて抗議をする魔法使いの頬をかすめて、小さな鉄の塊が目の前の木の幹にめり込む。 頬が切れたのか、急に熱くなった。 「選択肢は二つだ。喋って生き延びるか、黙って死ぬか、だ」 答えずに歯を食いしばる魔法使いに、一二三は笑った。 「取り敢えず質問その一、王都にある魔法具の研究所はどこだ?」 一二三の質問に黙っていた魔法使いの右肩に激痛が走る。 本人からは見えなかったが、 「時間が勿体無いと言ってるだろうが」 結局、同じようなことを繰り返して、息も絶え絶えの魔法使いが全ての情報を吐いたのはそれから30分後の事だった。 研究施設の場所も警備状況も聞き出した一二三は、お疲れさん、と言いながら魔法使いを縛っていたロープを刀で切った。 立っていられないほど消耗した魔法使いは、木にしがみついたままズルズルと膝をつく。 「さっさと吐けば良かったのに」 つまらなそうに言った一二三は、ふと何かに気づいて体を逸らした。 魔法使いの悲鳴。 それを見ずに走った一二三は、縛り上げて転がしていたはずのホーラント兵が膝立ちに起き上がっているのを見て、舌打ちした。 「馬鹿かお前。口止めに殺すなら喋る前にしろよ」 言いながら、ホーラント兵の顎を蹴り飛ばす。 歯と唾を飛ばしながらのけぞった兵の胸を踏みつけ、一二三は刀を目の前につきつけた。 「さあ、次はお前の番だな」 「ふふっ、俺がそう簡単に話すわけがないだろう」 不敵に笑った兵士は、右手に持った剣を自分の喉元につきつけようとしたが、叶わなかった。 シュルっと風を切る音がしたかと思うと、右手の肘から先がポロリと落ちた。 「え......?」 「そう簡単に自害なんぞさせるか」 まるで兵士の体を地面に縫い付けるかのように、左肩を刀が貫く。 「さて、質問タイムだ。......俺を知っていたな?」 切れ長の目が釣り上げられ、冷たい視線が兵士に向けられる。 「俺を見て数人で妙な動きをしただろう。というか、俺がお前らを追いかけるように仕向けようとしたな?」 魔法使いがいるとそこで止まってしまうだろうと思ったが、始末するのは不自然なので、兵の数が減ったところで、魔法使いを抱えて逃げるつもりだったな、と一二三は問うた。 その話に、兵士は驚きに目を見開いた。 慌てて否定の言葉を発したが、一二三は言葉よりも見てとった事を信じる。 しばらく何かを考えた一二三は、ズルっと刀を抜いた。 悶絶する兵士を捨て置いて、離れて待っていたオリガたちの元へ向かう。 その際、チラリと魔法使いを見たが、既に事切れていた。 「はい」 「研究所の場所は聞こえていたな? 俺は今から一人で王城へ乗り込むから、騒ぎになっている間に、魔法具をかっさらって、そのままオーソングランデへ戻れ」 例の事は、フォカロルへ帰りがてらやってくれればいい、と一二三は言った。 「わかりました。どうか、お気を付けて......」 不安そうに語るオリガに、一二三は優しく笑った。 「まだこの世界で遊び足りないからな。まだ死ねん」 踵を返し、未だ苦痛に呻く兵士の前を見下ろすように立った一二三は、おもむろに闇魔法で魔法薬を取り出し、どばどばと兵士に振りかける。 離れていた腕は繋がらなかったが、傷はすっかり塞がった兵士は、訳がわからないまま一二三に蹴飛ばされた。 土にまみれ、ようやく体を起こした兵士に、一二三の冷たい声が届く。 「さあ、王城までの追いかけっこだ。頑張ってお前の親分にすがりつくのが早いか、俺の武器がお前を両断するのが早いか、競争しようや」 何を言われているのか一瞬わからなかった兵士だったが、我に返ってすぐに、残った左手で体を支えて立ち上がり、バランスが取れないのかフラつきながら走り出した。 「よーっしゃ! 久しぶりに走り込みだな!」 刀を収納に放り込み、袴の裾を縛った一二三は、ホーラント兵との距離が充分に開いたところで走り出した。

Ayperos' corpse was laid out in an imposing coffin and donned gorgeous silken clothes. He was put inside making sure that the stitches on his head didn't stand out, but the out-of-place feeling couldn't be eliminated after all. Imeraria, staring at the corpse of her younger brother with eyes concealing her emotions, just sat motionlessly next to the corpse without showing any tears. The room right next to the audience hall was a small room for the king to carry out secret and private talks. The coffin, placed on top of a pedestal with wheels attached for transporting it, is enshrined in the centre of the room. Imeraria is the only person sitting as there was only one chair set up to be in the coffin's surroundings. It was Prime Minister Adol who entered quietly into the room dominated by silence. "... Excuse me." (Adol) As he bows towards Imeraria, who doesn't show any reaction, Adol lowered his head, putting his right hand over his chest, after seeing the corpse of the prince. As he moved according to the etiquette of polite condolences, Imeraria stood up silently and lightly bowed towards Adol as he left the room. Adol, who saw her figure in the corner of his eyes, ends up escaping at a quick pace owing to the feeling of being unable to endure being there any longer. Once he left the room while somehow or other remaining calm, he quietly breathed a sigh. "An appearance of grief, isn't it?" (Adol) Before realising it, there was the face of the shinigami next to Adol. "Don't appear without permission. What will we do, if you are seen?" (Adol) Even as Adol utters his words in a fluster, the shinigami doesn't reply and simply laughs with a giggle. "Won't it be fine to offer the information about the return spell to princess soon as well?" (Shinigami) "Don't be foolish. With the current status of me not having yet found a single document, there's no reason to report on the things told by an evil spirit like you." (Adol) The shinigami chased after Adol, who set off with his shoulders heaving in anger, while its legs are shaking and staggering. "Offer hope to the hurt princess. Wouldn't there be various troubles for you as well as the nation if the princess was dispirited?" (Shinigami) Glaring at him with eyes full of annoyance, Adol entered the reference room. "Stop pretending to be worried about this country when you're nothing but an evil spirit. It's unpleasant." (Adol) "Oh my! Although I may appear to be this way, I'm a god who earnestly aids people to survive." (Shinigami)magic "... What are you say despite calling yourself a shinigami?" (Adol) Without shifting his sight, Adol searches for lithographs depicting the return spell and furthermore documents pertaining to similar magic. Having repeatedly used his hands in such way for god-knows how many days, he completely got accustomed to handling the lithographs. "The souls of those eagerly striving to survive and having then died shine brightly." (Shinigami) Stopping his hands for an instant thanks to the words of the god of death, Adol muttered "what bad taste" and continued his search. , Adol considers. (I wonder what will happen to this country after sending home the person called Hifumi?) , Adol abruptly stopped moving his hands. Even if Hifumi was suddenly gone, it wouldn't mean that the wars started would end right away. Instead, with a part of its largest military strength gone, Orsongrande's position will become agonizing. (Even if he is transferred back to where he came from, if I pay attention to prepare for that in advance as well...) "Congratulations, Sabnak!" (Biron) Biron raised his sake cup towards Sabnak, who sat in the seat of honor during the dinner organised by Earl Biron. "Really, I never thought that such a knight would spring forth from my family's home." (Sister) Sabnak turned his fed up sight towards his elder sister laughing loudly. "Nee-san, aren't you well aware that I'm not cut out for such official position?" (Sabnak) "Ara, your head was always good since you were small. I wonder whether it isn't better for you to have such a post rather than being at the actual site, especially as you are a greenhorn at swordsmanship?" (Sister) Biron showed sympathy thanks to the cruel remarks, but Sabnak got used to the speech and conduct of not holding back anything of his elder sister since the old days. "Anyway, with this, it became necessary for me to return to the royal castle ahead of time. That means, the Imperial Knight Order appears to have the role of taking care of royalty... though it is currently only Imeraria." (Sabnak) "Don't worry about this place. It's alright for you to return together with your other order members. With Earl Tohno's support my troops will be alright as there probably won't be any large battle any time soon." (Biron) Biron, aware of the situation at the border to Horant, assessed the least time likely necessary for Horant to raise a full-scale army to be this much. "Sabnak, write a letter to father before you go back to the royal castle. I will match it with mine to be sent back home." (Sister) "That's right. Since I will send a congratulatory letter to the unpopular father-in-law-sama as well, let's send them together." (Biron) Sabnak ended up becoming slightly embarrassed due to the words of the married couple. "Thank you very much." (Sabnak) The married couple also laughed and smiled seeing the bashful Sabnak. Sabnak recalled the time he received congratulations for enlisting in the knight order the other day. Even at that time it felt good to receive congratulations. After that he earnestly put effort into doing his job. Even after this promotion, he is prepared to face forward and get on with it. "However, as it is my first time to be appointed to work at the castle, I will be nervous." (Sabnak) Slowly savoring the after-meal sake, Sabnak murmured. "It will probably turn into a talk between men", Sabnak's elder sister excused herself temporarily. "Rather than being a guard, there is likely the aspect of advising Imeraria-sama as well." (Biron) Hearing Biron's words, Sabnak inclined his head to the side. "Isn't there the prime minister, Adol, if it's about advising?" (Sabnak) "That's certainly true. But, if Imeraria-sama chose to only listen to his opinion, it would result in narrowing down her thinking. There isn't only right or wrong. Thinking about various possibilities, hypothesizing results, you can state your own opinion that's different from the prime minister's and Imeraria-sama's. I think you will be able to help as statesman, even if it's only this much." (Biron) "Especially given that Imeraria is far too obedient as royalty, she will probably listen too often to the opinion of her surroundings", Biron says. Although that question crossed Sabnak's mind for an instant, he was able to agree with Biron's view in itself. "I think it isn't the sole task of a guard to offer his all as a shield. Someone called a truly superb guard doesn't allow anyone, who is dangerous, to approach the person that ought to be protected, I believe." (Biron) Sabnak slowly nodded due to Biron's words. "Oh! You woke up." (Hifumi) A voice was audible coming from the magician's rear. "The heck..." (Magician) "I disposed of your other companions. I kept you alive because there are things I want to hear from you." (Hifumi) "Quite easy to understand, ain't it?" The voice from behind says. As his blurry vision at last became clear, he realized his state of being tied as if hugging the stump of a tree. And he has also recalled the voice of the other party. It's Hifumi, the man who had sent him flying with a kick some time ago. Even as he tries to turn his head backwards, it isn't enough to see the other party's face. "Won't your neck hurt if you recklessly try to face this way?" (Hifumi) "... What's your aim?" (Magician) While feigning calmness as best as he could, he asked a question, but his voice ended up trembling a bit. Unable to see the figure of the other party, his anxiety is further stirred up. "I told you that I have questions. Won't you not waste my time and hurry up answering them?" (Hifumi) Even though he can't be seen by the magician, there is one more person tied up. That being said, it isn't good if he doesn't listen to the words of that person either. "Don't screw around. I do know that you are an enemy..." Desperately turning his head, the magician's vision gets blurry in protest. A small iron lump is embedded into the tree stump in front of him. It suddenly became hot. "There are two choices. Talk and live or stay silent and die." (Hifumi) Due to the magician enduring the pain without answering, Hifumi laughed. "First of all, the first question is: Where is the capital's magic tool research institute?" (Hifumi) A sharp pain pierced the right shoulder of the magician who had remained silent at Hifumi's question. Though he wasn't able to see the person himself, a heated hoof was hammered into the shoulder. "I told you to not waste my time, didn't I?" (Hifumi) In the end it took 30 minutes of doing the same thing repeatedly until the magician caved in and spilled all the information. Hifumi, who learned the location of the research institute as well as the state of its defenses, cut the rope binding the magician with his katana while saying "Good work." The magician, exhausted to the degree of being unable to stand up, slowly slithers down to his knees while still clinging to the tree. "It would have been best, if you had told me everything immediately." (Hifumi) Hifumi, who said this indifferently, averted his body after suddenly noticing something. It's the magician's scream. Hifumi, running without looking at that, clicked his tongue seeing the soldier from Horant, who ought to be tied up, rising to his knees. "Are you an idiot? Do it before talking if you get killed due to being forbidden to speak." (Hifumi) While he says this, he kicks the soldier's chin. While the soldier is scattering spit and teeth, Hifumi steps on the chest of the backward-bent soldier. Hifumi thrust his katana in front of him. "Well then, next it's your turn." (Hifumi) "Fufu, there's no way I will talk this easily." (Soldier) The boldly laughing soldier tried to thrust the sword, he held in his right hand, at his own throat. But he failed. No sooner than the sound of cutting through the wind with a *fwish* was audible, the right hand, from the elbow to its end, dropped to the ground. "Eh... ?" (Soldier) "Did you think you could commit suicide that easily?" (Hifumi) As if completely pinning the soldier's body to the ground, the katana is stabbed into his left shoulder. "Now then, it's question time. ... Did you know about me?" (Hifumi) Raising his slit eyes, he faces the soldier with a freezing look. "Seeing me caused several people to move strangely, don't you agree? Or rather, didn't you guys try to make me chase after you?" (Hifumi) He thought they will end up staying there if there are magicians, but since they unnaturally were thrifty, they planned to escape while carrying the magicians away when the number of soldiers had decreased, Hifumi accused. The soldier opened his eyes widely in surprise due to his speech. Although he hurriedly denied it, Hifumi rather believed what he saw than what he said. Hifumi, who considered something for a moment, extracted his katana with a *slurp* Ignoring the soldier who fainted in agony, he heads towards a separate place, where Origa's group was waiting. Some time during that period, he looked at the magician with a glance, but he had already died. "Yes." (Origa) "Did you hear the location of the research institute? Since I will march into the royal castle by myself after this, snatch the magic tools during the time I'm causing a disturbance and return to Orsongrande." (Hifumi) "It's fine if you do the aforementioned thing as you are returning to Fokalore," Hifumi said. "Understood. Please, be careful..." (Origa) Hifumi gently smiled due to Origa's anxious words. "I haven't yet played around in this world sufficiently. I can't die yet." (Hifumi) Turning on his heel, Hifumi, looking down on the still in pain moaning soldier in front, suddenly takes out a magic potion from with his darkness magic and sprinkles it over the soldier with a *splosh* The loped off arm didn't reconnect, however the soldier, whose wounds fully closed up, was kicked away by Hifumi without understanding left from right. Being smeared with dirt, the soldier, finally raising his head, pays attention to the cold voice of Hifumi. "Well then, we will play tag up to the royal castle. Let's have a contest whether you will be faster in clinging to your boss or whether I will be faster in bisecting you." (Hifumi) The soldier didn't comprehend what Hifumi was talking about for a moment, but immediately coming to his senses, he stands up propping up his body with his remaining left hand and began to run while staggering about unable to attain proper balance. "Looking good! It's been a while since I ran!" (Hifumi) Tossing the katana into his storage, Hifumi, ties the hem of his hakama and began to run once the distance to the soldier from Horant increased sufficiently.

一枚の羊皮紙を見て、アリッサは唸っていた。 彼女のために設えられた天幕の中。ブーツを脱いで素足になり、重ねた毛布の上に寝転がっている姿は、幼く見える容姿とも相まって、とても一軍を率いる立場の者には見えない。 「一二三さん、帰ってきたのかぁ」 書かれていたのは、フォカロルから馬を乗り継いだ伝令が持ってきた一二三帰還の報だった。 「まだ、なんにもお仕事してないんだけれど」 実際、国境近くの平原に陣を敷いて一週間ほどになるが、何体かの魔物を集団で袋叩きにした以外は、ヴィシーの使者を追い返した以外に何もしていなかった。 毎日、交代で訓練と休暇と警戒をローテーションし、アリッサは時々訓練や警戒任務に顔を出す程度だった。 家に帰れないこと以外はフォカロルでやっていることと何ら変わりなく、兵たちも緊張した様子は無く、和気藹々と遠征を楽しんでいた。 「どうかされましたか?」 ミュカレが外でおこした焚き火でお湯を沸かして入って来た。 慣れた手つきでお茶を入れるミュカレを見て、ぴょこんと身体を起こしたアリッサが手に持った紙をひらひらと揺らす。 「一二三さんがフォカロルに戻って来たらしいよ」 「あら。今度はどこで暴れて来たんでしょうね。また余計なお金がかからなければ良いのですけれど。それよりも、新しい住人や奴隷でも連れてきてるのではないでしょうね。これ以上人が増えたら、パリュが大変です」 冗談交じりではあるが、実際領主自らが招いた住人となると、賓客扱いになるので必然的に外からの人物に対応する役にあるパリュの仕事が急激に増えることになる。 実際は、一二三は一人でぶらりと帰って来たので、パリュはこっそり胸を撫で下ろしていたのだが。 「僕たちも帰った方がいいのかな、と思ってるんだけど」 お茶の入ったカップをアリッサに手渡したミュカレは、自分の分のカップを両手に持ち、手を温める。木の優しい手触りを通して、熱が伝わってきた。 「きっと領主様は、どちらを選ばれても“ああ、そう”で終わりですよ。アリッサ様の良いようにされるのが一番ですよ」 「あははっ、言いそう、言いそう」 ぷぅぷぅと口を尖らせてお茶を冷まし、それでもまだ熱いお茶を少しずつ飲みながら、アリッサは笑う。 「じゃあ、一度帰ろうか。みんなも家に帰りたいだろうし、僕も一二三さんに会いたい」 アリッサの決定に、ミュカレは複雑な笑みを浮かべて了承した。 「かしこまりました。早速、全員に伝えます」 「明日の早朝に出発しようか。道中はゆっくり進んで魔物を掃討しながらってことで」 おや、とミュカレは首を傾げた。 「それでは、フォカロルへの帰還が大分先になってしまいますよ?」 「いいよ、ゆっくりで」 中々減らないお茶を見ながら、また息を吹きかける。 「オリガさんより先に一二三さんに会うのは、ちょっと危ない気がするし」 「ああ......」 納得はできたが、それが良いことかどうかは、ミュカレにはわからなかった。 だが、アリッサとの時間が長くなることに否やは無い。 (ピクニックは、帰りも楽しまないとね) アリッサと同様の報告は、さらに一週間ほど遅れてオリガの元へと届いていた。 もはや宿としてくつろいでいた城内の一室に、フォカロルから連れてきていた女性兵士が入り、オリガの前で背筋を伸ばして報告です、と凛々しい声で伝えた。 「奥様。領地より急ぎの書簡が届いております」 「急ぎですか。何かあったのですか?」 執務室で書物をしていたオリガは、珍しいですね、とペンを置いた。 「領主様が帰還なされたとの......」 言いかけたところで、いきなり目の前に文字通り飛んできたオリガに紙をひったくられた。 目を見開いて、破れんばかりに力を入れて報告書を握り締めるオリガを見て、女性兵士は心の中で溜息を吐いた。 (これさえ無ければ、可愛らしい奥様なのに......) そんな事を考えているうちに、オリガの目の端に大粒の涙が浮かぶ。 「ああ、一二三様......よくぞご無事で......」 はらはらと雫を零し、報告を胸に強く抱きしめる。 もちろん、オリガにしてもアリッサ同様一二三が無事であること自体に不安は抱いていなかった。それよりも、異世界から呼び出された彼が、自分の知らないうちに何かの拍子で元の世界へ戻ったり、この国よりも居心地の良い場所を見つけて帰らない事の方が不安だった。 一二三にとって、領地も爵位も“なんとなく”貰っただけで、彼にとってそれほど執着するものではない事は、オリガも知っているのだ。 「こうしてはいられません!」 いそいそと紙を折りたたみ、懐へと収めたオリガは、呆然と立っていた女性兵士に視線を戻した。 「すぐにフォカロルへ帰還します」 「い、今からですか?」 「ええ、今から女王陛下にご挨拶をしてきますから、その間に馬車の準備を。街道を極力中継無しで走破しますから、食料も軽く大量につめる保存食中心で用意してください」 「は、はい!」 真っ直ぐに目を見ながら指示される内容を、女性兵士は目を白黒させながらも頭に叩き込み、走って部屋を後にした。 「では、私も用意を」 「その前に、ちょっとお話をいいかな?」 兵士が開けたままにしていた扉から顔を覗かせたのは、近衛騎士隊長のサブナクだった。 「ノックもせずに女性の部屋を覗き込むのは、マナー違反ですよ?」 「いやいや、ドア開いてたし、それくらいは大目に見て欲しいんだけど......」 「私は構いませんけれど」 頬に手を当てて、オリガは首を横に振る。 「奥様のシビュラさんに、サブナク様に部屋を覗かれたと伝え......」 「申し訳ありませんでした!」 上半身が床と水平になるまで勢いよく頭を下げたサブナクに、オリガはコロコロと笑った。 「冗談です。でも、奥様とは時々お茶をご一緒させていただいているのですよ。それだけの地位なのですから、お気を付けいただかないと奥様もご心配されていますよ」 「肝に銘じますよ」 「それで、何の用ですか?」 「......一二三さんが、荒野から生還したと聞いたのだけれど」 「あら、流石に王都の情報は早いですね」 フォカロルの精鋭には負けるよ、とサブナクは頭を掻いた。 「一二三さん、今度は一体何をやらかして来たんだろうか。オリガさんはそれを知っているかと思ってね」 サブナクはオリガに促されてソファへ座ると、用意された紅茶に口をつけた。 正面にそっと腰掛けたオリガを見る。 「残念ですが」 オリガは膝の上で重ねた両手に視線を落とした。 「そこまでの情報は入っておりません。ですが、夫が何を成したかは重要ではありません。家に帰って来てくださった事が大切なのです。またお会いできる事が、何より重要なのです」 その微笑みに、サブナクは思わず視線を惹かれた。 鼓動を押しはやめるような危うい美しさを感じる。 「そ、そんなものなのか......」 「そんなものです。シビュラさんも、サブナク様が派手な武勲を立てられるよりも、ご無事に帰宅される事の方がずっと喜ばれますよ」 そんなふうに明るい笑顔を見せるオリガを、サブナクは何も言えずに見ていた。 「い、いや。初めて会った時に比べると、大分明るくなったと思ってね」 オリガは自分のカップを手にとり、紅茶が揺れるのを見ていた。 「ご存知の通り、私は奴隷でした。自由な冒険者から奴隷になって、知らないどころかこの世界の人でも無い、王を殺した危険な男性に買われたのです。訓練を受け、復讐を果たしたとはいえ、それから先については不安はまだまだありました」 ですが、と顔を上げる。 「一二三様との交流を進めるうちに、どんどんその在り方に惹かれ、結婚という奴隷になった時には諦めた幸福も得られました。離れ離れになっているのは寂しいですけれど、またお会いした時には、その分甘えてみようかと思います」 頬を染めて、照れながら惚気けてみせたオリガを前にして、サブナクは苦笑いを浮かべた。 「いやいや、参ったね。やはり一二三さんはすごい人だね。......それで、ぼくには一つ疑問があるんだけれど」 「なんでしょう?」 「......一二三さんは、何を目指しているんだろう? この国だけではなく、ヴィシーやホーラントにも技術指導をしているし、そのヴィシーやホーラント相手に戦った時も、結局は国を滅ぼすまではしなかった。その実力があるのに」 彼が単なる破壊者じゃないことは知っている、とサブナクは真剣な眼差しを向けた。 「戦闘が好きでも、破壊が目的ではない。かと言って、誰かを助けるというわけじゃない。利益も地位も求めず......」 そこまで言ったところで、サブナクはオリガの視線に含まれる感情が変化している事に気づいた。 それは微笑みと言うには暖かく、まるで子供を見守るかのような優しさが、オリガの翠の瞳に表れていた。 「......今はまだ、教えるわけにはまいりません。ですが、それを知った時にはきっと、サブナク様も、女王陛下も喜びを感じることでしょう」 「喜び......?」 「ええ、何しろ一二三様は女王陛下が異世界より呼び出された勇者様なのですから」 サブナクにとって、女性の穏やかな笑顔を心底怖いと思ったのは、これが初めてだった。 領主館の中庭には、共同の井戸がある。 滑車にぶら下がった釣瓶を落として水を汲む、ごくごく簡単な構造の縦井戸で、館の下働きの者たちが水を汲んだり、洗い物をしている場所でもある。 だが、今はそこには日常の穏やかな空気は存在せず、誰もが押し黙ったままで、いつもは居ない一人の男にチラチラと視線を送っている。 「いてて......まさか自分の手を削るなんて経験をする時が来るとは」 面白いもんだ、とつぶやいているのは、井戸の横でしゃがみこんでいる一二三だ。 長い眠りから目覚めた彼は、用意された食事をモリモリと腹に押し込むと、変質して硬い樹のようになった左手をコツコツと刀の柄頭に当てながら、この場所へとやって来た。 突然やって来た雲の上の人物に、下働きの者たちは慌てて跪いたのだが、「気にするな」と右手をひらひらと揺らすと、近くに置いてあった桶を取り、井戸から水をたっぷりと汲み上げた。 それからは、他の者たちに背を向けて座り込んで作業を始めた。 木製の義手のようになった手を、小刀で削り始めたのだ。 最初こそ、「完全に木彫りの感触だな」などと言いながら親指の外側を、まるで野菜の皮でも剥くかのように削っていたのだが、ほんの1センチ程彫ったあたりから痛みを感じるようになった。 小刀を桶の水で乱暴に洗いながら、削り取った場所を見ていると、削った部分の中は白い粘液状の膜があり、その下から血が滲んでくる 「指先はほとんど駄目だな。手のひらあたりは骨周りは無事、か」 指を削ると手の甲や手のひらを削り、挙句手首あたりも際どいところまで刃を滑らせる。 「エルフの連中と同じか。いや、進行速度が段違いで早いというのは理由がわからんが」 最初は粘液はピンク色かと思ったが、桶に手を突っ込んで洗うと、真っ白になる。 皮も肉も骨も血液も、粘液に置き換わっていずれは固まって行くのか。 ならば、と一二三は前腕の一部を斬りつけた。 「ここは大丈夫なんだな」 細く赤い線は、やがてぷっくりと血を浮き立たせ、一筋の赤い流れになる。 変質しているのが手首から先だと確認すると、一二三は小刀を置いてじっと左手を見つめた。 「斬り落としても良いんだが......あの薬だと穴は塞がっても欠損は治らないんだよな」 まだ数本残っている回復用の魔法薬だが、傷を塞ぐ効果はあっても、無くなった物が生えてくるわけではない。 エルフの森に行かない限りは進行しないだろうし、木製のままでもいいかな、などと一二三はとろりと樹液のように滴る白い粘液を右手で掬う。 「それにしても、こりゃ一体何なんだ?」 白い粘液が乗った右手をぐっと握ると、わずかだが液体以外の感触がした。 何かに気づいた一二三が、勢いよく振り返ると、たまたま視線を向けていた数名の肩が跳ね上がった。 「ちょっと、火を貸してくれ」 「ど、どうぞ!」 湯を沸かすために用意された火に向かい、一二三は左手をかざした。 「俺の思った通りなら......」 パチパチと音を立てて薪から爆ぜる音を聞きながら、炙られて黒ずむ左手を注視する。 切り裂かれた傷口から見えていた白い粘液は、炎に触れる前に水分を失い、真っ白な姿はそのままで、サラサラと砂のように一二三の右手へと落ちた。 その白い砂は、魔人族の前王アガチオンの身体を構成していたそれと瓜二つだ。 思わず、一二三の口の端が吊り上がった。

Alyssa groaned while looking at a parchment. The image of her lying on top of a stack of blankets with her boots taken off, bare-footed to top it off, in the tent which was set up for her sake coupled together with her appearance, that looks childish, doesn't give the impression of someone leading an army at all. "Did Hifumi-san come back?" (Alyssa) What was written in the parchment the messenger brought from Fokalore by changing horses was the news of Hifumi's return. "We still haven't done our job though." (Alyssa) In fact they have been encamped in the plains next to the national border for around a week, but except them killing countless monsters by ganging up on them in groups they didn't do anything but just sending back the messenger from Vichy. Everyday they were rotating the shifts of training, vacation and guarding. Alyssa showed her face sometimes at the training and guarding duties. Kind of unchanging from what they have done in Fokalore, except being unable to go home, even the soldiers enjoyed the peaceful campaign without a hint of tension. "What's wrong?" (Miyukare) Miyukare entered with hot water she boiled at the burning bonfire outside. Observing Miyukare who pours the tea in an accustomed manner, Alyssa, who got up quickly, waves the paper she's holding in her hand. "It looks like Hifumi-san has returned to Fokalore." (Alyssa) "Oh. I wonder where he will rampage around next. It will be fine if it doesn't cost any excessive amount of money again though. Rather than that, I guess he hasn't brought any new residents or slaves along. If the number of people increased any more, it would become quite difficult for Paryu." (Miyukare) There are jokes mixed in, but where residents, who were invited by the feudal lord himself, are concerned, it will become necessary to treat them as privileged guests and that will radically increase the workload of Paryu who has the role of dealing with people from outside. Actually, Paryu felt secretly relieved since Hifumi unexpectedly came back without anyone tagging along. "I wonder if it's best for us to return as well, is what I was pondering about." (Alyssa) Miyukare, who handed a cup filled with tea to Alyssa, held her own share with both hands to warm them up. By gently touching the wood of the cup, the heat within permeated to her hands.magic "It will definitely finish with Lord-sama saying "Ah, yea" no matter which choice you pick. The most important point is to do what is good for you, Alyssa-sama." (Miyukare) "Ahahaha, that would be just like him to say that." (Alyssa) While drinking the still hot tea with little sips after cooling it down with a sour look, Alyssa laughs. "Then let's return for now, eh? Everyone likely wants to go back home, too. I also want to meet Hifumi-san." (Alyssa) Miyukare acknowledged Alyssa's decision while showing a somewhat complicated smile. "Understood. I will tell everyone right away." (Miyukare) "Let's depart tomorrow early morning? We will slowly advance while getting rid of monsters along the way." (ALyssa) "Oh?", Miyukare tilted her head to the side. "Won't that cause us to take quite a bit time until getting back to Fokalore?" (Miyukare) "It's fine, to go slowly at it." (Alyssa) While looking at the tea that doesn't diminish easily, she blows at it once again. "I have a feeling that it's slightly dangerous for me to meet with Hifumi-san before Origa-san does." (Alyssa) "Ah..." (Miyukare) She was able to consent to that but whether that was a good thing or not was something Miyukare didn't know. However she has no objection about the time she can spend with Alyssa lengthening. (I have to enjoy a picnic with her during our return as well.) A report identical to that of Alyssa reached Origa's place delayed by one week. In a room within the castle where she already felt at home thinking of it as her own dwelling, a female soldier, whom she brought along from Fokalore, conveyed the news in a dignified voice while standing up straight in front of Origa. "Madam, a fast letter has arrived from your territory." "Fast, huh? Did something happen?" (Origa) Origa, who was writing in her office, put down her pen considering it as unusual. "Lord-sama has returned..." At the moment she started to say that Origa literally leapt at her all of a sudden and snatched the paper from her. Looking at Origa who tightly grasped the report to a degree of it being close to getting torn with widely opened eyes, the female soldier sighed within her mind. (As long as she isn't like this, she is a lovely madam, but...) While the female soldier is thinking about such things, large tears gather at Origa's eyes. "Ah, Hifumi-sama... how wonderful for you to be alright..." (Origa) She tightly embraces the report in her chest while shedding big drops of tears. Of course Origa, just like Alyssa, harboured no anxiety about Hifumi being safe himself. Rather than that, she was worried about him not returning after having found a country more comfortable than this one or him, who was summoned from another world, having returned to his former world at some point of time unknown to her. Origa is aware that territory and peerage, which he only accepted "for some reason or another", isn't that much of an attachment to him. "I cannot stay here like this!" (riga) Folding the paper happily and stuffing it into her pocket, Origa returned her look at the female soldier, who stood around in a daze. "We will return to Fokalore right away." (Origa) "Right now?" "Yes, right now. Since I will go to bid farewell to Her Majesty, the Queen, get the carriage ready in that time. Please prepare a large quantity of light food centred around preserved food as we will cover the whole distance of the highway without resting as much as possible." (Origa) "Y-Yes!" With Origa's eyes throwing daggers at the head of the flustered female soldier while giving her the instructions, the female soldier dashed out of the room. "Well, then I will get ready as well." (Origa) "Is it fine to talk for a little moment before that?" The face, which peeked in from the door which the soldier had left open, was that of Royal Knight Order Captain Sabnak. "Isn't it a breach of manners to peep into the room of a lady without even knocking?" (Origa) "No, no, the door was open after all. I'd like you to overlook this much at least, but..." (Sabnak) "I don't particularly mind though." (Origa) Putting her hand on her cheek, Origa shakes here head. "If I tell your wife, Shibyura-san, about you having peeped into the room, Sabnak-sama..." (Origa) "I'm very sorry!" (Sabnak) Origa laughed in a pleasant, high-pitched sound due to Sabnak bowing his upper body vigorously to the degree of it being level to the ground. "It's a joke. However, I have gone for a tea together with your wife a few times. Since you have such a high position, your wife will worry about you if you aren't careful." (Origa) "I shall take it to heart." (Sabnak) "So, what's your business with me?" (Origa) "... I heard that Hifumi-san returned from the wastelands alive." (Sabnak) "Oh, as expected, news travel fast in the royal capital." (Origa) "We are still inferior to the elites of Fokalore", Sabnak scratched his head. "I wonder just what the heck Hifumi-san has done this time. I thought maybe you may know about that, Origa-san." (Sabnak) Sabnak sat down on the sofa urged on by Origa and tasted the prepared tea. He looks at Origa who is quietly sitting in front of him. "I'm sorry." (Origa) Origa lowered her sight to her hands which were resting on top of her knees. "I haven't received that much information. However, it's not important what my husband has accomplished. What's important is that he did me the favour of coming back home safely. Being able to meet him again is more important than anything else." (Origa) Sabnak was unintentionally captivated by her smile. He senses a dangerous beauty from her that hastens the beating of his heart. "I-Is that how it is...?" (Sabnak) "Yes. Even Shibyura-san will be always far more delighted by you returning home safely than you accomplishing a showy deed of arms." (Origa) Sabnak looked at Origa, who shows a bright smile, without saying anything in return. "N-Nothing. I believe that you have become a lot more cheerful compared to the time when I met you first." (Sabnak) Picking up her own cup with a hand, Origa looked at the tea's swaying. "As you might know, I was a slave. Turning from a free adventurer into a slave, I was bought by a dangerous man who killed the king and who isn't from this world but of some unknown origin. Even though I received training and carried out my revenge, there were still many more worries regarding my future from then on." (Origa) "However", she lifts her face. "While proceeding in my interactions with Hifumi-sama, I got gradually charmed by the way he does things and obtained the happiness called marriage which I gave up on at the time I became a slave. Being apart from him is saddening, but I believe that he will spoil me as compensation for that time once we meet again." (Origa) Sabnak smiled wryly at Origa in front of him who spoke fondly of her spouse while blushing and showing a bashful side of her. "Well, well, I give up. Hifumi-san is an amazing person after all. ... Because of that I have a single question though." (Sabnak) "What is it?" (Origa) "... What is Hifumi-san's aim, I wonder? Not only this country, he is even teaching techniques to Vichy and Horant as well. Even at the time he fought against Vichy and Horant as opponents, he didn't go as far as destroying their countries in the end. Albeit he has the strength to do so." (Sabnak) "I know that he isn't a simple destroyer", Sabnak faced Origa with a serious gaze. "Even though he likes fighting, destruction isn't his goal. Having said that, that doesn't mean that he's helping anyone. He doesn't desire profits and social status either..." (Sabnak) Having said this much, Sabnak noticed that the emotions within Origa's look have changed. Her smile is warm filled with a kindness completely as if she is watching a child, but Origa's green pupils stood out. "... I can't tell you yet. But, at the moment you learn of it, you as well as Her Majesty, the Queen, will definitely feel delighted." (Origa) "Delighted...?" (Sabnak) "Yes, Hifumi-sama is the hero summoned from another world by Her Majesty, the Queen, after all." (Origa) For Sabnak it was the first time for him to be scared by a woman's gentle smile. There's a commonly shared water well in the garden of the feudal lord's mansion. The water well is an extremely simple vertical construction where one draws water by lowering a bucket which dangles on a pulley. It serves as place to do washing as well as spot for the mansion's servants to fetch water. However, missing the calm atmosphere of every day's life, everyone, who was currently there, kept silent while sending fleeting glances at the man who usually doesn't visit that place. "Ouch... for the time to come where I have to experience something like shaving my own hand." (Hifumi) The one who mutters "that's something novel" is Hifumi who is crouching next to the water well. He, who woke up from his long slumber, stuffed the prepared food into his belly with gusto and turned up at this location while knocking his left hand, which changed into hard wood, with the pommel of his katana. The servants kneeled in panic due to the person above-the-clouds who suddenly turned up, but once he waved with his right hand while saying [Don't mind me] , he drew plenty of water from the well after taking a bucket which was nearby. And then he sat down with his back turned towards the other people present and began his work. He began to shave his hand, which turned into a wooden artificial hand, with a small knife. At the beginning he shaved the exterior of his thumb completely as if peeling the skin of vegetables while saying something like [It has totally the feel of woodcarving] , but he started to feel pain after having merely carved around one centimetre. While roughly washing the small knife in the bucket's water, he looks at the spot he shaved off and discovers a membrane of white mucus in the shaved part and blood seeping out from below that. "The fingertips are mostly a lost case. The bone surrounding around the palm are safe, huh?" (Hifumi) He shaves his fingers, the back of his hand and the palm. At the end he even lets the blade slide across an area very close to the wrist. "It's the same as with the elven lot, eh? No, the speed of progression is remarkably faster though I don't know the reason for it." (Hifumi) At the beginning he wondered whether the mucus had a pink colour, but once he washed his hand by thrusting it into the bucket, it became pure white. The skin, flesh, bones and blood are replaced by the mucus and it hardens sooner or later? , Hifumi cuts a part of his forearm. "This place looks alright." (Hifumi) The thin red line soon gets enlivened by puffed up blood and it turns into one long, red stream. Once he confirmed that the change was happening from the wrist downwards, Hifumi fixedly stared at his left hand after putting down the small knife. "It's also fine to get rid of it by cutting it off, but... even if the hole is closed up by that medicine, it won't recover the loss." (Hifumi) There are still several healing magic potions remaining, however even if they have the effect of closing a wound, it's not like they can re-grow something that has been lost. It probably won't progress as long as I don't enter the elven forest. I guess it's fine if it stays in a wooden state "Be that as it may, just what the hell is this stuff?" (Hifumi) Once he forcefully clasped the white mucus he held in his right hand, he slightly felt a different texture except that of liquid. Hifumi, who noticed something, turned around vigorously and the shoulders of several people, who faced him by chance, jumped up. "Please lend me a bit fire." (Hifumi) "T-There you go!" Heading towards the fire prepared to boil some water, Hifumi held out his left hand. "If it's just like I thought..." (Hifumi) While listening to the sound of bursting open by popping firewood, he gazes steadily at his left hand being scorched and blackening. The white mucus, which was visible from the cut up wound, lost its moisture from being touched by the flames and fell down into Hifumi's right hand just like dry sand while maintaining its pure white appearance. That white sand was identical to the one which formed the body of the late demon king Agathion. Hifumi's lips slanted upwards unintentionally.

「何を・・・」 一二三の突然の凶行に驚愕したのは、残った二柱の神も同じようだ。 「まるで誘拐のようだというのは確かだが、俺にとっては非常に嬉しいことなんだ」 一言も発しない二柱の神の神に一二三は目線を合わせずに語る。 「初めて生きた者を......神を生き物と言って良いかはわからんが......斬った。とても気分がいい。武の道に入って十余年、腕が上がれば上がるほど、命を奪う欲求は募るばかりだった。剣と魔法の世界といったな? 魔物がいると。つまり命を奪っていい相手がいるわけだ。テンプレで言えば、人の命は日本よりずっと軽い扱いだろう。理由があれば人を斬ることもあるんだろう」 血は付いていないが、血振りをして納刀する。 魔法陣へ触れている足元から、少しずつ一二三の身体が透けていくのが見える。 「どうやら、そろそろ転移のようじゃな」 「だ、だがこのままこいつを行かせてもいいのか?」 ヒゲをしごく老神は落ち着いたようだが、武の神には焦りが見える。 「まあ、仕方あるまい。神を殺したとは言え、転移が始まってしまえばもはやわしらにはどうにもできん」 神たちが話す間にも、一二三は腰までが消えかかっていた。 「神様たち」 「なんじゃ?」 「また会おう。俺はあちらでもっとたくさんの命を奪い、恐怖で世界を満たす。そしてさらに力をつけて戻ってくるからな。まずは俺を呼び出した連中を始末する。俺は俺の意思を無視して無理やりやらされることが嫌いだからな」 一二三は自分の中に大きな力が渦巻くのを感じていた。殺すための力が。そして自分を呼び出した者への感謝と怒りが。 気持ちを整えるようにひと呼吸おく。 「俺は俺の倫理によって、あちらの世界を変えてみよう。痴人の夢かもしれないが......力であちらの世界をかき回して、力をつけたら何とかして戻ってこよう。そしてこちらの、このつまらない世界をも、かき回してやろう」 「じゃあな」 神の背筋にすら冷気を感じさせる笑みを残して、一二三はこの世界から消えた。 「わしらは、ひょっとするととんでもない者を見送ってしまったのかもしれんな......」 そして、転移が完了したその瞬間、鞘を走った刀が目の前の少女に突きつけられた。 「お前が、俺を呼び出したのか?」 一二三が少女へ向ける目は、冷たい。 「貴様! 何をする!」 何が起きているか理解できない少女と、突然の蛮行に激昂する騎士たち。 対して、一二三は氷のように冷ややかに周囲を観察していた。 「ひうぅ......」 少女は自分が刃物を突きつけられていることにようやく気付いたのか、困惑の表情が怯えに変わっていく。 「無礼な! この方を誰と心得るか!」 「うぅ」 「ああ、ゆっくりと話せよ。うっかり刃が滑ったら、それだけでお前は死ぬぞ」 助けを求めて瞳だけで周りを見渡すが、騎士たちでは少女の期待には答えられそうにない。騎士が半歩踏み出す間に、少しだけ刀を滑らせるだけで少女は死ぬのだ。 「ゆ、勇者様......あなたを召喚したのは、わたくしで間違いありません......」 「お前は何者で、俺に何を求めている?」 「わたくしは、この国オーソングランデの第一王女イメラリア・トリエ・オーソングランデです......」 一二三に目を合わせようとするものの、怖くてできないという事を繰り返しながら、ポツポツと話し始めた。 「我が国は、今は凶悪な亜人たちとの戦いで疲弊しています......。そこで、大昔の文献にあった古代の召喚魔法を再現することになりました......。王家の血を引く者のみが使えるという秘術でしたので、王族の中でも特に魔力が高いわたくしが、勇者様を呼び出す役を仰せつかったのです......」 (なるほど。ファンタジーでよくある悪と戦うための勇者としての召喚というやつか。そして......) 「仰せつかった? では、この儀式は誰が主導した?」 「そ、それは......」 一二三の目にありありと怒りの色を見てしまったイメラリア王女は、その名を告げた時にどうなるかを想像してしまった。 「王だな。第一王女ほどの地位の奴に指示を出せるやつなど、それくらいだろう。王妃かもしれんが。お前の親なら、お前がしでかした事の責任を取るのも道理だな」 「あ......」 自分の失策だと思ったか、イメラリアは目を見開いて見るからに狼狽し始めた。 今目の前にいる男が、自分が想像した正義感にあふれる勇者様ではなく、地位や権威など一切気にしない、ただ加害者としてしか自分を見ていない、極めて危険な人物だと気づいたのだ。 「ち、違います! これはわたくしが......」 「いくつだ?」 「お前の年齢だ」 「あ、じゅ、14歳です!」 不意に年を聞かれて、一瞬きょとんとするものの、慌てて答える王女。 「そうか......」 彼の中にある、実に身勝手ないくつかの基準の中に、“中学生まではその行動に親が責任を持つべき”というものがある。他に“犯罪者に人権は無い”や“宗教家や教育者の言うことには基本的に耳を貸さない”などがあるが、そのほとんどが日本の法や慣習とは合わず、一二三がジリジリとストレスを溜める一因にもなった。 「では、殺すべきはお前の親か」 その瞬間、一二三は振り向きざまに刀を振るう。 隙ができたと見て、不意打ちを狙った背後の騎士が、鎧の首元の隙間から赤い血潮を吹き散らしながら、声も出せずに倒れた。 「そんなに殺気を撒き散らしたら、嫌でもわかるぞ。未熟者め」 いつの間にか、切っ先は再びイメラリアの喉元へと戻っていた。まるでそこから動かしていないかのように、全く同じ場所へ。 その、たった一度の斬撃で、残った騎士は息を飲み、足がすくむ。 城仕えの中でも、今回の儀式に立ち会った彼らはエリート中のエリートで、剣技に置いて国内でもトップグループにいるのだ。 だが、一二三の剣線は誰一人として目で追うことができなかった。それどころか、いつイメラリアから刀が離れたかすら気づくことができなかった。 一二三の剣術も、騎士たちの驚愕をいや増す。 彼らが使う剣や槍は、叩きつけて重さと勢いで断ち切るための造りになっている。一二三の持つ日本刀のように、薄く細い刀では、薄い儀式のための衣装のみを身につけたイメラリアはともかく、鎧を着た自分たちに大きな傷をつけられるとは思っていなかったのだ。 不本意であろうが、実力は確かに勇者として十分すぎるものであると、死んだ騎士は自らの命で証明した。 「貴様ぁ!」 激昂した騎士が声を荒げるが、その足を踏み出すことができない。 対し、一二三はごく冷静だ。 「死にたければ踏み込んで来い。用があるのはこの女だけだ」 刀を降ろし、静かに見回しながら挑発する。 その瞬間、残った5人の騎士たちが一斉に突きかかった。 「......転換法」 つぶやきながら一二三は身体を滑らせるように回転しながら一人の騎士の横を移動し、撫でるようにその腕に手をそえた。 まるで踊るように一二三と位置を入れ替えられた騎士に、仲間の槍が突きたてられる。 ほとんどが鎧にはじかれるが、一つが鎧のつなぎ目から突き刺さり、ひるんだ隙に一二三の刀で首を裂かれる。 仲間を刺したことで動きが止まった騎士も、次の瞬間には目から脳を貫かれて絶命する。 「弱い」 一二三は吐き捨てるようになじった。 「お城のキシサマだろう? もう少し手応えがあるかと思ったが......」 「まだやるか?」 「貴様だけは許さん!」 騎士としてその強さを否定された彼らは、もはや王女を守ることよりも一二三を殺すことに頭を支配されていた。 三人同時に繰り出される短槍の突きや打ち下ろしを、一二三は散歩でもしているかのような軽やかな足取りでくぐり抜けて行く。 そして一人は突き出した槍を取られて体勢が崩れたところに喉を切り裂かれ、一人は踏み込んだ膝を後ろから踏まれて跪いたまま、頚椎に刀を差し込まれた。 「終わりだ」 がら空きになった脇から刀を突きこんで心臓を切り裂いた一二三は、血濡れの刃を再びイメラリアへ向けた。 近衛騎士の強さに絶対の信頼を置いていたイメラリアは、数瞬で血の海に沈んだ騎士たちを見ていられなかった。信じられなかった。 「さあ、お前の親のところへ案内してもらおうか」 何人も殺したというのに、一二三はなんでもない調子で語り、刀をゆっくりと鞘へ納めた。 王女の先導で、城の中を歩く。 一二三が召喚されたあの部屋は、騎士の死体を放置したまま施錠したため、あの部屋で起きた事は、まだ誰にも知られていない。使用人たちは遠ざけられ、重要な何かが行われるという事だけが、城で働く者のほとんどに伝えられている。 (立派な建物だ。以前にネットで見たような、西洋の城のイメージそのままだな) (使用人のような連中は、大体が麻の服か。やはり前の世界で言う中世程度の文化レベルなのか? イメラリアの服はだいぶ良い生地を使っているようだが......) 歩きながら、ふと思い立った一二三は、転移前に受け取った闇の属性魔法を試して見ることにした。転移後から体内にある違和感がおそらく魔力だろうという予測はできていた。 (闇魔法というと......) 以前にどこかで呼んだ小説を思い出しながら、魔法を使うイメージを固める。 直径20cmほどの黒い円が目の前に浮かび、一二三はそこに刀を差し入れてみた。 (入れることはできた。あとは......) 腰の後ろへ回した右手に、闇の奥から刀を掴み取るイメージを浮かべる。握り締めると、しっかりと手になじむ柄の感触があった。 (見なくても取り出し可能だな。本当に考える通りの事ができるな) そんな実験をしながら、足音を立てずに歩く一二三の前を、ヒールの硬質な音を響かせながら怖々とあるくイメラリアは、ぐるぐると回る思考を整理できずにいた。 このまま父である王の元へ彼を連れて行っていいのか? あるいはこのままどこか別の場所へ連れて行くべきか? 連れて行ってそれからどうする? 自分が騙したと知ったとき、何をされる? いや、自分が殺されたとして、その後は? 結局は、誰か城の者を捕まえて、結局は父の元へたどり着くのではないか? 「わたくしは、どうしてこんな事をしているのでしょうか......」 誰にも聞こえないほどの小さな声で呟いたつもりが、静かな同行者には聞こえていたらしい。 「そんなものは、お前の中にしか答えはないぞ」 「やらされた事もやってしまった事も、結局はやった奴が結果を受け止めるしかないんだ。そこに悪意があったかとか、利益があったかとか、喜ばれたかとか傷つけたとかは関係ない。行動と結果があるだけだ」 その言葉に、また頭の中が思考で埋まっていく。 「行動は全て自分に跳ね返ってくる。こういう状況になったのは、お前の行動以外に原因を求めても意味がないぞ」 一二三の言葉がイメラリアの中をかき乱している間に、いつの間にか謁見の間の前へとたどり着いていた。王は、この中で勇者の来訪を待ちわびているのだろう。 何も知らない騎士が、にこやかに迎えた。 「王女様、こちらが例の......」 「ええ、父にご紹介します。扉を開けてください」 ここまで来てしまったことで、イメラリアには一つの覚悟ができていた。騎士への言葉も、先ほどまでとは異なり、落ち着いている。 謁見の間には、王を中心に王妃と王子と思われる人物が壇上にあり、騎士や文官が部屋の両脇にずらりと並んでいた。 さりげなく闇に刀を収納していた一二三は、咎められることもなくイメラリアに続いて部屋へと踏み込む。 王の前、5メートルほどの距離をとって、イメラリアは立ち止まる。一二三はその斜め後ろに立っていた。跪かない事に一部の者が眉をひそめているが、気にしない。 イメラリアが一礼すると、王が口を開いた。 「イメラリアよ、その者が勇者か?」 だが、それに答えたのは王女ではなかった。 「いいや、勇者なんて来ていないぞ」 一二三は王の目をまっすぐと見ている。 「無礼であろう! 王の許しなく直言するでない!」 50歳くらいだろうか、立派なヒゲを蓄えた文官らしき男が叫ぶが、一二三はこれを完全に無視している。 「この女が呼び出したのは、異世界から無理やり引きずり出された、哀れな被害者であり......」 闇から抜き放たれた刀が、美しくも怪しい光を放っている。 「その罪を、命で償わせる、殺戮者だ」 正眼の構えを取った一二三は、薄く笑った。

[ What.... ] Astonished at Hifumi's sudden violence, the remaining two Gods were frozen in shock. [ Though it seems like an abduction, I am exceedingly happy about it. ] Hifumi said without meeting the two silent gods' gazes. [ For the very first time, a living person.... Whether a god can be called a living being is debatable.... I killed it. I feel very good. The desire to take a life increases as one walks the path of martial arts. The more one kills, the more their skill improves. A world of swords and magic? Demons exist. People that may deprive you of your life. One can say that a person's life has more value in Japan. If I have a reason, I will kill. ] There was no blood on the blade, but Hifumi shook the sword anyway. From where the magical formation was touching, his feet were slowly becoming transparent. [ Apparently this takes a while.. ] [ But, do we allow this fellow to just go as he pleases? ] The beard-stroking God seems to have settled down, but the God of martial arts hadn't regained his cool. [ Although he killed a God,the transfer has begun, we just can't do anything now. ] While the Gods were conversing, Hifumi's waist had started to disappear. [ Hey Gods. ] [ What? ] [ We'll meet again. I will take many lives there, fill the world with fear. I will come back much stronger. First I will deal with the people that called me, forcibly ignoring my intentions. I dislike people who try to manipulate me. ] The power to kill. Feeling better, he breathed out slowly. [ I will change that world according to my morals. Though it may be the dream of a fool..... I will ransack that world with my power, and find a way to get back, I'm sure I'll find something in that worthless world. ] [ Well then... ] Leaving behind a smile that brought a chill to even the Gods spines, Hifumi disappeared from this world. [ We may have unexpectedly sent off a terrible person.... ] The moment when the transfer was completed, the unsheathed katana, pointed at a girl in front of Hifumi. [ You, was I summoned? ] Hifumi snarled, eyeing the girl coldly. [ You bastard! What do you think you're doing! ] With the girl clearly not understanding what had occurred, the Knights suddenly yelled angrily. Contrasting to them, Hifumi was observing his surroundings icily. The six Knights gradually enclosed Hifumi, nudging him with their spears. [ Hiuuu.... ] The girl finally noticed the katana pointed at her. Her expression changed from perplexed to frightened. [ You are rude! Do you know whom you're speaking to?! ] [ Uu... ] [ Ah, speak slowly. If the blade slips carelessly, you will die. ] Looking over the Knights and the girl expectantly, Hifumi got no answers. If the Knights step forward by only half a step, the sword will slip and the girl dies. [ H-Hero sama..... It is I who have summoned you, it is not a mistake. ] [ Who are you, what do you want from me? ] [ I am the first princess of the Orsongrande Empire, Imeraria Torie Orsongrande... ] Attempting to meet eyes with Hifumi but failing, she started stuttering due to fear. Since it is a secret art that only a person of Royal blood can execute, since only those of the Royal bloodline are gifted with a large amount of mana, I was ordered to summon Hero-sama.... ] I see, summoning a hero to fight against evil happens in the fantasy genre often. And thus... [ Ordered to? Then, who is the initiator of this ritual? ] [ Th-That is ..... ] Princess Imeraria clearly saw the colour of anger in Hifumi's eyes, and was worried about telling him. But Hifumi could guess it easily. [ It's the King, isn't it. Only someone above the rank of 1st princess can order you. Though it might be the Queen too. If they are your parents, it makes sense that you are carrying out this duty. ] [ Ah.... ] Imeraria opened her eyes wide and looked quite flustered. The man in front of her eyes was not some hero fighting for some sense of justice, not caring for authority or power, but an extremely dangerous person. [ N-No, its different! I... this.. ] [ How old? ] [ Your age. ] [ Ah, 14 years old ! ] Puzzled momentarily by the question, she answered in a hurry. [ Is that so... ] Hifumi moved his sword away, just a little. In truth, he holds to some standards, one of them being "Upto junior high school level, the parents should take responsibility for their children's actions". Besides, "Criminals do not have human rights" and "Don't pay attention to religious fanatics and educators" are unsuitable for the laws and customs of Japan, because of which Hifumi had accumulated stress and impatience. [ Then, the ones that should be killed are your parents, huh.. ] At that instant, Hifumi turned and swung his katana. The surprise attack aimed at a gap in the neck of the Knight's armour struck true, and the Knight collapsed, unable to make a sound, blood gushing from his neck. [ Emitting bloodthirst so wildly, it's unpleasant, you know. Amateur. ] Exactly to the same place, as though it had not moved away at all. With merely one slash, the Knights froze in shock, feeling weak at the knees. Within this castle, the ones attending the ritual were the elite of the elite practitioners in the country. However, none of them were able to even see the sword's path. Furthermore, they didn't even notice when the katana had left Imeraria's throat. Watching Hifumi's swordsmanship, the Knights' shock increased. The swords and spears they use are heavily made and are used to cut using the weight and power. Apart from the thin clothes Imeraria was wearing for the ritual, they didn't think Hifumi's thin katana could damage their armour. For Hifumi, it was common sense to aim at the vital points of an opponent on the battlefield, but due to the difference in cultures, they were unable to understand. The dead knight's corpse proved that the ability that killed him was definitely that of a hero-level. [ You bastard! ] An enraged knight roars angrily, unable to step forward. Comparatively, Hifumi was very calm. [ Come forward if you want to die. I have business with this woman. ] Hifumi calmly provoked them, lowering his katana. At that instant, the five remaining knights charged together. [ ....Diversion method ] Hifumi muttered while turning his body to slide past a knight, using the knight's own momentum to move past him. Another knight's spear stabbed into the knight that replaced the lightly moving Hifumi's position. Though most of the damage is resisted by the armour, the spear pierced through the joints, the other's neck was split by Hifumi's katana. The light left the eyes of knight whose movement was restrained by stabbing his colleague and he died. [ Weak. ] Hifumi spat in disgust. [ Knights of the castle? I thought you'd be able to resist for longer than this. ] [ Had enough yet? ] [ You bastard, you are nothing! ] Their strength as Knights was dominated by Hifumi, no longer able to protect the princess. Simultaneously piercing and stabbing, Hifumi passed by the three knights as though he was taking a light stroll. The first knight had a spear protruding from his throat, the second had his spine slashed and the third was killed by Hifumi roundhouse kicking a knife into him, burying it upto the hilt. (TN: I dunno where the heck this knife came from) [ Its over. ] Hifumi declared disdainfully, turning the katana dripping with blood towards princess Imeraria again. Imeraria, who had absolute confidence in the strength of the Imperial Knights watched as the Knights sank in a sea of blood in the blink of an eye. It was unbelievable. [ Now, shall I have you guide me to your parents? ] Hifumi unconcernedly said, sheathing his sword after killing everyone. Guided by the princess, he walked within the castle. Servants and knights stared at them from a distance, but none called out to them. Seeing the haggard princess and the young man, no one was able to understand the situation. The room in which Hifumi was summoned, containing the corpses of the Knights had been locked when they left, and no one knew what had transpired there. Servants are not allowed access, they only know that some important things are done within that room. A splendid building. Looks quite similar to images of castles of the West that I saw on the net before. These servant-like fellows, are they wearing hemp clothes? Is the cultural level still that of the Middle Ages equivalent? Though Imeraria's clothes seem to be of fine make.... While walking, Hifumi suddenly decided to try out the Darkness magic attribute he received prior to the transfer. He predicted that the sense of incongruity within his body after the transfer might be mana. On letting an image float to his mind and concentrating the mana, something like black mist formed over his left hand. So this is Dark magic.... Remembering a previously read novel, he solidified the image for the magic. In front of him floated a black circle about 20 cm in diameter. Hifumi tried to insert his sword in it. It seems possible to put it in... Putting his right hand behind his back, Hifumi concentrated on the image and gripped the sword from the dark interior. Retrieval is possible even if I can't see it. Really, this shouldn't be able to be done. While experimenting Hifumi walked on noiselessly, Imeraria timidly walking with heels clacking was putting her whirling thoughts in order. Should I take him to the King? Or should I take him to some other place after all? Then what do I do after taking him elsewhere? When he knows he's been deceived, then what? Assuming I'll be killed, what then? In the end, someone in the castle can seize him, but eventually might reach father's place after struggling. [ Why do I have to do such a thing.....? ] Imeraria muttered inaudibly, her quiet companion seems to have heard her. [ Such a reason, only you will have the answer. ] [ Whether you did something out of malice, or out of profit, whether someone was grateful for it or was wounded by it, none of that matters. The only fact is that there will be a consequence. ] Another thought rose up in his mind.magic [ All actions bounce back on oneself. In such a situation, the reason is insignificant, only actions matter. ] While Hifumi's words disturbed princess Imeraria, they had arrived at the entrance of the throne room already. The king, waiting impatiently for the hero's visit. Not knowing anything, a Knight received them smilingly. [ Princess, this man.... ] [ Yes, I will conduct introductions to father. Please open the door. ] Her words to the Knight, different from before had calmed down. In the audience chamber, the King was sitting on a raised platform, with the Queen and Prince on his sides, with Knights and civil officials on both sides of the chamber. Storing his katana in the Dark Hole, Hifumi casually followed Imeraria into the chamber. 5 metres in front of the king, Imeraria halted. Hifumi was standing behind her in a bad mood. When Imeraria bowed, the King opened his mouth. [ Imeraria, is this person a Hero? ] But it was not the princess that answered. [ Nope, I am not a Hero. ] Hifumi said while looking the King in the eye. [ I may be rude! I'll speak plainly! ] An approximately 50 year old man seemingly a civil officer with a splendid moustache shouted, completely ignoring Hifumi. [ This woman did the summoning, dragging out this pitiful victim from a different world by force..... ] Pulled out from the Dark Hole, the katana shone with an uncanny light. [ This crime, make up for it with your life... ] With a cold light in his eyes, Hifumi sneered.

16.Viva La Vida 【復讐に遠慮は要らない】 馬車に載せていたロープを使ってグザファンを手早く縛り上げた一二三は、残った兵士に責任者を呼ぶように伝えると、グザファンをオリガとカーシャの前に転がした。 「オリガ、貴族の持ち物を盗んだ奴は、どういう罰を受けることになる?」 「......オーソングランデの法では、腕を切り落とすことになっていますが......」 「被害にあった貴族に始末される事の方が多いらしいね。それでも正当な対応として処理されるらしいけど」 オリガの言葉を引き継いだカーシャの言葉に、グザファンは顔を青ざめて、すがるような目を一二三に向けた。 「か、勘弁してください! 俺は上からの指示で......」 「ほう、ではその指示の内容と指示を出した奴を言え」 「そ、それは......」 グザファンは答えられなかった。ここで一二三に殺されなくても、上の名前を出した時点で今度は殺しに来る相手が変わるだけだと気づいた。 「言えないか。じゃあ......」 「待ってくれ! 言う! 言うから!」 正直に話すと後が無くなるが、話さなければ今死ぬ。ならば少しでもと考えるのは仕方がない事かもしれないが、涙で顔をクシャクシャにしながら命乞いをするグザファンの姿を見て、オリガもカーシャも何だか気が抜けてしまった。 「こんな情けないやつに騙されたとはね......・」 「本当に。殺す気すら失せるわね......」 そんな風に話していると、街の中から先ほどの兵士が走ってくるのが見えた。その後ろから、15人ほどの集団がやってくる。全員がグザファンと同じような鎧を着ているので、おそらくこの街の兵士たちだろう。 こちらへ走ってくるのを見ていた一二三だが、何かに気づいた瞬間、その集団に向かって走り出した。 「後ろだ!」 叫ぶ一二三の声を聞いて、兵士が振り返ると後ろをついて来ていた応援部隊がいつの間にか剣を抜いていた。 「え、なんで......」 つい立ち止まってしまった兵士は、後ろの同僚たちがグザファンではなく自分に向かってくるように見えて、思わずつぶやいた。 いや、気のせいではなく実際に自分に向かってくるのだと、一番近づいている兵隊長と目が合って確信した。兵隊長は剣を振り上げているが、明らかに狙いが自分だ。 「う、うわぁ!」 「避けろよ、バカ野郎!」 間一髪、斬られかけた兵士を突き飛ばした一二三は、振り下ろされた剣をかわしながら前蹴りで兵隊長を突き飛ばした。 たたらを踏んだ兵隊長だが、倒れるまではいかなかった。 「ぬぅ、抵抗するか! 賊めが!」 兵隊長が威嚇すると、一二三を取り囲むように兵たちが剣を構えて並んでいく。 数人はオリガとカーシャの方へ向かったようだ。 「賊はお前の所の奴だろうが。頭沸いてんのか」 すらりと刀を抜いた一二三は、吐き捨てるように言うと眉をひそめる。 「お前がこいつらの上司だな。躾ができてないのはわかっていたが、躾をする方もクズだったら仕方がないってことか? ん?」 一二三の挑発を聞いているのかいないのか、兵隊長は剣を構え直して部下たちに言う。 「この男は貴族を騙り我々の仲間に濡れ衣を着せて殺そうとした痴れ者だ! 今この場で断罪する!」 敢えて無視して大声で叫び、遠巻きに見ている一般人に聞こえるように語る。これは説明なのだと一二三は思った。“そういう事”にして、都合の悪い者を始末する。慣れているあたり初犯ではないようだ。 となると、一二三としては選択肢は一つだった。 「わかった。お前たちには話をしてる気にもならん。殺してやるからまとめて来い」 「舐めるなよ若造が! 死ね!」 再び上段から袈裟懸けに斬ってくる兵隊長だが、剣を振り下ろした時にはその左目に刀が刺さっていた。脳まで届いた刃が、あっさりと兵隊長の命を終わらせた。 「オリガ、カーシャ! 教えた通りに殺せばいい、思い切りやれ!」 一二三の声に二人が反応したかどうかは見ない。 女二人より一二三の方が危険だと判断したのか、兵隊長以外でも残り10人程が一二三を取り囲んでいる。 兵隊長が死んで兵達の間に動揺が走ったが、何としても一二三を始末しなければ自分たちが危ないことがわかっているのか、直ぐに立ち直って殺到してきた。 (カーシャたちに対集団戦の訓練はしてなかったな。今度教えてやりたいが、人数がいないとなぁ) のんきな事を考えながらも、一二三の動きは素早い。 兵士たちの攻撃が繰り出される前に、適当な一人の背後に回り込みながら位置を入れ替える。 一二三が居た場所に押し込まれた男は、数本の剣に貫かれて苦悶の声を上げたが、そのまま死んだ。 その間にも一二三はさらに移動し、一人の頸を斬り払ってから素早く刀を収納する。変わりに取り出したのは鎖鎌だ。 二人まとめて鎖で首を絡め取ると、引き込んで腰に乗せて投げ落とした。 首が折れるくぐもった音がして、二人揃って絶命したが、それを確認することなく鎖をほどくと、近くに来ていた男の喉を鎌で掻き切った。 血しぶきを避けるように別の相手へと近づき、突き出された剣に鎖を絡めて奪い取ると、脇腹の鎧の隙間に鎌を叩き込み、思い切り腹を切り開いた。 どろどろと流れ出す自分の内臓を呆然と見ていた兵士は、いつの間にか死んでいた。 「これで半分か。手応えがなさすぎるぞ。もう少し頑張ってくれないと殺し甲斐がない」 つまらなそうに嘯いた一二三に、さらに一人が斬りかかって来るものの、足を払われて簡単に転ばされ、撫でるように振るわれた鎌で頚動脈を斬られ、死んだ。 残りの兵士たちを惨たらしく殺してから、一二三は死体に囲まれたままオリガたちに目を向けた。 それぞれ二人ずつ相手をしていたようだが、既に一人ずつは倒している。 オリガは手裏剣で小さな傷をつけながら近づけさせず、動きが鈍ったところで詠唱をしていた風の魔法で首を落とした。魔法の精度が上がり、切れ味も増したようだ。 逆に二刀で近接戦闘をしていたカーシャは、右手の剣で上段の攻撃をくり返し、相手が防戦一方になったところで不意に左手の剣を腿に突きたて、動きが止まったところに喉を切り裂いて殺した。 「よし、良くやった」 短く褒めると、一二三は辺りを見回したが、最初は見物していた街の人々も、巻き込まれるのを恐れてか、誰ひとりいなくなっていた。 一二三たちの他に生き残っているのは、未だに縄を打たれて転がされたままのグザファンと、兵士たちを呼んできた男だけだった。 戦闘が終わったことを確認し、よろよろと立ち上がった兵士に一二三が名を聞くと、タムズと名乗った。 「いったい、どうなっているんだ......」 呆然としているタムズの目の前には、人だった物があちこちに転がり、血の匂い漂う街の入口が広がっている。 「特等席で最初から見ていたくせにわからないか? グザファンは旅人の荷物を漁るアホで、お前の上司を含めたここに転がった同僚たちはグルだったってことさ」 認めたくないのかショックが大きすぎて何も考えられないのか、タムズは黙ったままだ。 どうでもいいので放っておく事にした一二三は、仲間が惨殺されて完全に怯え切ったグザファンの前に立った。 「お前、こんな真似してどうなるか......」 「どうなるんだ? 倍の人数が来るのか? もっと強い奴が出てくるのか? まさか、偉い奴が出てくるからとか言うんじゃないだろうな?」 グザファンが言い終わるのを待たず、まくし立てるように一二三は言う。 「お前らの様に、立場が上の奴が無条件で偉いと思ってる奴が多過ぎる。あの死体を見てみろ。お前の同僚と上司の区別がつくか? どの肉がお前の友達だ? どの内臓が上司のやつだ? 人間なんて斬ればみんな血肉をこぼして死ぬ。王も騎士もゴロツキも同じだ」 一二三の話を聞いていたのは、グザファンだけではない。オリガとカーシャも、真剣に耳を傾けていた。 「俺もお前も、基本は人は同じだぞ。違うのは見分けるための見た目と、何を考えるか、何をするかだ。お前らはよからぬ事を考え、俺に敵対した。それだけだ」 絶句しているグザファンを無視して、一二三はオリガたちに向き直った。 「これで、こいつらが組織的にやらかした事はわかった。まとめ役がさっきの奴かもっと上かは、聞きにいけばわかるだろう。あとは......」 一二三はグザファンを蹴り転がして、二人の奴隷の目の前に押しやった。 「俺がお前たちの立場なら、こいつを殺す。殺したところで何もならないし、黒幕でもなんでもないが、実行したのはこいつだ。だから殺す」 それが復讐の始まりだと思う、と一二三は言う。 そして、オリガとカーシャの目を順に見つめてから、自分がどうしたいかは自分で決めろと言った。 カーシャは迷っていた。 普段は乱暴な話し方をするし、見た目もおしとやかとは正反対で、主人である一二三に対しても、気楽に話しかけるような彼女だが、基本的には善人で人を傷つける事を平気でできるタイプではない。 相手が武器を持って襲いかかってくるとかなら、自分が殺されるよりも殺す方をもちろん選ぶし、そうじゃないと生き残れないから。 だからといって、敵だからと言って、抵抗できない相手を殺害することには抵抗がある。復讐という大義名分があったとして、それは人として正しいことだろうか? カーシャが答えの出ない疑問を頭の中でこねくり回していると、隣に立つオリガは静かに言った。 「......殺します」 キッパリとオリガは言った。 「カーシャ、ここで引いたら、私たちはずっと後悔する気がする。辛い目にあった事をいつまでも過去の事にできずに。彼を殺し、彼にそれをさせた誰かを殺さなければ。だって、あの時私たちはご主人様にやってもらうのではなくて、自分たちの手で復讐を遂げると決めたでしょう?」 今回は、ご主人様にお膳立てしてもらっちゃったけど、とオリガは苦笑した。 そうだった、とカーシャは頭がクリアになったような気がした。 「アタシたちの敵はアタシたちで仕留めないとね」 剣を一本だけ抜いて、カーシャもオリガに微笑みを向けた。 「ご主人様、よろしければご主人様の“カタナ”をお借りできませんか?」 魔法ではなく、自分の手で殺したいというオリガの希望を叶えてやる事にした一二三は、鯉口を切ってからオリガに柄を向けた。 するりと引き出された刀身は、淡い輝きを湛えた美しい曲線を描き、命を奪う道具だという事を忘れさせるような雰囲気を湛えていた。 恭しく刀を受け取ったオリガは、カーシャと並び立ち、両手でたどたどしくもしっかりと柄を握り足元に転がったグザファンを見下ろした。 「や、やめてくれ......。悪かったと思ってるんだ。俺だって命令が無かったらこんな......」 「黙れ」 冷たい声をかけたのはオリガの方だった。カーシャは、緊張した様子で口を引き結んでいる。 「死は救いだと思いなさい。私たちが感じた絶望の生は、未来の苦痛への不安を味わう日々だった。どんな辱めを受けるか、どんな殺され方をされるかの不安を、考えたくなくても頭から離れない惨たらしい未来図に押しつぶされて生きるよりいいはずよ。死ねたなら、それで終わりなのだから」 言い終わるとオリガは隣りに立つ親友を見た。 カーシャは一度だけ頷いて、オリガと同時に剣を突き立てた。 「ぎぃっ......!」 あまりの痛みに、食いしばった声しか出せないグザファンは、即死はしなかった。 二人の剣はグザファンの大腿動脈を傷つけ、おびただしい血が流れ出すが、死ぬまでには少しの猶予が与えられた。 「アンタが死んでいく様を見ててやるよ。アタシたちの顔を見ながら、後悔しながら死ぬんだね」 「私たちはあの時の事をたくさん後悔しました。貴方に騙された事を。だから今度は、あなたがあの時の事をたくさん後悔しなさい」 二人は感情のない瞳でグザファンをじっと見ていた。 黙って見ていた一二三は、目を細めて見下ろす姿は、まるで慈悲深い聖母の様に美しいと、埒もないことを考えていた。 グザファンは、死にたくないとつぶやきながら死んでいった。 まずひとつ、オリガとカーシャの復讐が成った瞬間だった。 何も言わない二人の奴隷を連れて、一二三は食堂へ入った。 丁度食事の時間が迫っていたのもあったが、少し時間を置かないとオリガたちが動けないと思ったからだ。 怯えて入店を断られそうになったが、国の仕事で来たと、通行許可証と貴族を示すメダルを見せると、渋々店内へ入れてくれた。 「悪いな」 と言いながら、少なくない金額を店員に握らせてから、適当な料理を持ってくるように言った。 「いつまで呆けているつもりだ。そろそろ目を覚ませ」 「も、申し訳ありません」 「......少しは感傷に浸らせてくれてもいいと思うんだけど」 奴隷の立場を思いだして慌てて謝るオリガと、唇を突き出して不満を述べるカーシャに、女は強いなと一二三は思った。もう少し強くショックを受けるかと思ったが、問題ないようだ。 「下っ端もいいところの奴を一人倒したくらいで満足するなよ。これからまだまだ殺さないといけないんだからな」 「......殺すこと前提なんだね」 「変に地位が高くて悪知恵の働く奴ってのは、失敗して痛い目を見ても、運が悪かっただけだったと思ってまた同じことをやるもんだ」 だから、敵対して上から物を言ってくるような奴は、さっぱりと消してしまうのがいい。あとが楽だから、と一二三は言う。 そんな話をする三人の前に、次々と料理が並べられていく。 少し多めで変に豪華だが、一二三が貴族だと知った店主が頑張って用意したのだろう。 食欲がわかず、遠慮がちに食べるオリガたちと対照的に、柔らかなポークソテー風のステーキやシャキッとした新鮮なサラダをもしゃもしゃと味わいながら、一二三はごくごくシンプルに食後の予定を告げた。 「食べたらハーゲンティ子爵の屋敷に行くぞ。挨拶しに行かないとな」 まるで旅行の予定のように告げられたそれは、カーシャの耳には新たな殺戮の宣言にしか聞こえなかった。

Chapter 16: Viva La Vida Hifumi quickly tied Guzafan up with a rope and had him loaded into the carriage. Then he asked the remaining soldiers to call the person in charge. Guzafan was thrown in front Origa and Kasha. [Origa, this is the shithead that stole the noble's personal property, What kind of punishment will he receive?] [...... According to the laws of Orson Grande, an arm is expected to be cut off...... ] [ Although the harm done to us by the incident with the noble is much worse. His punishment must still be within legal limits.] As Kasha's words took over Origa's, Guzafan's face turned pale, he looked toward Hifumi for respite. [ Ple, please forgive me! I was only ordered to...... ] [ Really, what were the instructions given and who gave them] [That, that is...... ] Guzafan couldn't answer. Even if he is not killed by Hifumi, if he gave out the official's name it will be only a matter of time before he is killed by the accomplice. [You cannot say? Then...... ] [Please wait! I will say it! Im gonna say it! ] Speaking honestly might have delayed his disappearance, but not speaking would be certain death. In that case, since it couldn't be helped Guzafan begged for his life with a tear-streaked and disheveled face. Seeing this pathetic figure, Origa and Kasha were somewhat disgusted. [ Being deceived by such a miserable person....... ] [ Really. Even the desire to kill has dissipated.... ] While saying that, the soldier from before ran out of town. Immediately behind him were a group of about 15 people. Since all of them wore armour similar to Guzafan's, they were probably soldiers of the town. Seeing them run in their direction, Hifumi instantly noticed something and started running towards the group. [ Behind! ] Hearing Hifumi's yell, the soldier turned around, and before he knew it, the backup force behind him had drawn their swords. [ Eh, what..... ] Inadvertently halting, the soldier muttered upon seeing his colleagues face someone, not Guzafan, but him. No, it wasn't his imagination. The eyes of the lead soldier were clearly on him. The lead soldier raised his sword, clearly aiming for him. [ Uwaaa! ] [ Dodge it you fool! ] Hifumi pushed away the soldier that was about to be cut, by a hairs breadth. Lashing out at the lead soldier with a frontal kick, while dodging the swung blade. However the lead soldier only stumbled a step back and didn't fall down. [Nuu, stop your resistance! you thieves!] The lead soldier intimidates him and the soldiers surround Hifumi in a line with their swords drawn.magic Several people appear to be heading towards Kasha and Origa. [This piece of shit thief seems to be from your place. Is your head boiled?] Hifumi drew his slender katana, and with knit brows, as if spitting out his words: [ So you're their boss. I knew you couldn't discipline them, but I guess it can't be helped if the one disciplining them is trash, right? Hm? ] Whether they heard Hifumi's provocation or not, the lead soldier steadies his sword again and says to his subordinates. [This man is a noble who swindles, for him to frame and attempt to kill us is foolish! Arrest him on the spot!] Purposely ignoring it, he yelled out loud so that the surrounding commoners can hear what he's saying. Hifumi thought that this is an explanation. Using "That's how it is" to dispose of inconveniences. It seems this isn't his first offence and he's quite used to it. When it comes to it, Hifumi had only one choice. [Understood. It seems talking to you is a waste of time. Come, I'm gonna kill you all together ] [Don't underestimate me youngster! Die!] Once again the lead soldier raised his sword and slashed diagonally from the shoulder, but during the downward slash, a sword struck his left eye. The blade then swept through his brain, and the soldier's long life ended quickly. [Origa, Kasha! Kill them as I have taught you, do it with all your might! ] Hifumi didn't see if both of the girls reacted to his voice. Judging that Hifumi was more dangerous than the two women. Besides thelead soldier, the other 10 soldiers surrounded him. Seeing that the lead soldier was dead, unrest ran through the soldiers, but comprehending that not getting rid of Hifumi would be dangerous, they immediately recovered and rushed at him. Kasha and Origa have no practice in combat with multiple opponents. There are too many people to start teaching them now... Although he was thinking that in an easygoing way, Hifumi's movements were quick. Before the soldiers' attacks arrived, he quickly turned around and swapped places with a suitable person behind him. Crammed into the place where Hifumi was before, many blades arced, voices were raised in anguish, and the man died. Meanwhile moving further, a soldier's head was lopped off, and Hifumi stored his katana. The chain bound two people together at the neck, pulled them back, and then threw them to the ground. You could hear the muffled sound of a necks breaking. The two of them died together, the chain was untied without confirming their deaths, and the blade of the sickle cut into a nearby person's neck. The blood spray was avoided to deal with another opponent, a sword was thrust but the chain wrapped around it and and pulled, snatching it away. The sickle was driven through the opening on the side of the armor, slicing the stomach open with all his might. The soldier was stunned while staring at his own intestines messily flowing out, and died before he became fully aware of it. [ Half of them left. No resistance at all. You all aren't even worth killing if you don't persevere a little bit more ] Hifumi bragged, stating that he was disappointed, all while slashing at another oncoming person. A swipe at the soldier's leg and the soldier would easily fall, then gently slash the carotid artery with the sickle. The remaining soldiers were killed brutally. Hifumi, surrounded by dead bodies, turned his focus toward Origa and Kasha. Those two each have an opponent, but had already defeated them. Origa prevented them from approaching by hurting them with shurikens, and when their movements became dull, she chanted wind magic to cut their heads off. The accuracy of her magic is rising, and the sharpness seemed to have increased as well. Conversely, Kasha was fighting with her 2 swords nearby, she repeatedly attacks the upper body with the right sword and when the opponent blocks her attack she will suddenly stab the opponent's thigh with her left sword causing the opponent to stop on his tracks, then she will deal the killing blow by slicing through the throat. [ Great, you did well] Hifumi was looking around while praising them quickly. The townspeople who were there from the beginning were afraid of being caught up in the fighting, none of them dared to run. Only Hifumi and the gang survived with Guzafan still tied down and the man who called the group of soldiers. The battle was confirmed to be over, the soldier who was unsteadily trying to stand up asked Hifumi for his name and introduced himself as Tamuzu. [What the hell happened here......] In front of the dumbfounded Tamuzu, objects that appear to be people were scattered all over the place and the smell of blood permeated the air from the town entrance. [You still don't know even though you were watching from a special seat? Guzafan is a fool who rummages through travelers' luggages, the ones felled here are your colleges, including your boss. ] Whether he can't admit it or the shock was too big to think of anything Tamuzu could only remain silent. Hifumi decided to leave it alone because it didn't matter. He stood in front of Guzafan who was terrified from seeing his accomplices completely annihilated. [You, don't you what's going to happen because of your actions......] [What's going to happen? Are the numbers coming going to double?Is a stronger guy going to appear? Or are going to say some famous guy is going to appear?] Without waiting for Guzafan to answer, Hifumi kept rattled on. [There's too many people like you on their high horses, thinking they are great. Look at those corpses. Can you tell who's your colleague, your boss? Which flesh is your friends'? Which internal organ is your boss'? If a human being is cut, their insides spill out and they die. Kings, knights, and thugs, it's all the same. ] The one listening to Hifumi's words is not only Guzafan. Origa and Kasha were also seriously listening. [It's the same for you and me, the foundation for every human is the same. The only difference is their appearance, to distinguish them, what they think, and what they do. You guys only thought about doing bad things and were hostile to me. That was all. ] Ignoring Gazufan who was lost for words, Hifumi turned around to face Origa. [This, understand that these guys are organized when committing the crime. Whether that asshole from before is the mastermind or just the lackey, we will know when we hear it. Therefore...... ] Hifumi kicked Guzafan towards the two slaves [ If I were in your position, I would kill this guy. Nothing will happen even if you kill him, even the mastermind thought they are nothing, and would execute this guy. Therefore just kill him. ] This is revenge in the first place as Hifumi said. And then, staring intently at Origa and Kasha one by one, he told them to make their own decisions. Kasha was hesitant. Her way of speaking was coarse and rough, completely opposite to her graceful appearance, and unlike her master Hifumi, she was a girl who could not stay calm after injuring good people. If attacked by an opponent with weapons, one would naturally kill, since it is impossible to survive without doing so. Even so, just for being an enemy, killing an enemy, especially one who is not resisting. Just for the sake of revenge, as a person, is it right to kill? While Kasha was kneading around this question in her head, Origa calmly stood up. [ ...... Kill him] Origa said clearly. [ Kasha, pulling back now, I have a feeling that we will regret it. We had a hard time in the past. Kill him, if not, someone else will. After all, if master hadn't taken us at that time, how would we be able to take revenge with our own hands? ] Though this time, master arranged it, smiled Origa wryly. That is so, Kasha's head cleared. [ We will bring down our enemies. ] Pulling out a single sword, Kasha smiled at Origa. [ Master, if it's alright, may I borrow master's "Katana"? ] No magic, realising that Origa wanted to kill with her own hands, Hifumi loosened his sword in the sheath, and pointed it towards Origa, hilt first. Smoothly, the blade was drawn, light reflecting off its beautiful curve. The atmosphere changed. The fact that it was a tool to deprive life was forgotten. Reverently receiving the sword, Origa stood awkwardly clasping the katana next to Kasha, looking down at Guzafan rolling underfoot. [ P-Please sto-......I believed it was wrong. But after all, it was an order....] [ Shut up. ] Origa said in a cold voice. Kasha's mouth was drawn tensely. [Think of death as salvation. The life of despair that we felt, savouring fear everyday for the agony that is to come. What kind of humiliation would we receive, the anxiousness of how we would die. It's better than living with our minds crushed by the gruesome picture of our future, even if we don't want to think about it. Because if it were possible to die, then that would be the end of it] Origa looked at the close friend next to her who finished speaking. Kasha only nodded once and at the same time Origa thrust [Gi~ii......!] Guzafan only grit his teeth without even releasing any sound from the pain, he didn't die immediately. Their sword damaged Guzafan's femoral artery, an enormous amount of blood flowed out, a little reprieve was given before he died. [I'll watch the way you die. Look at our faces while you die in regret ] [We regretted a lot during that time. To have been cheated by you. Therefore this time, you must regret a lot during that time.] The two of them watched Guzafan's corpse emotionlessly. Hifumi was silently watching, over looking them fondly, it's like looking at a beautiful, benevolent, and profound holy mother but the comparison was silly. Guzafan died while muttering that he didn't want to die. For Origa and Kasha, it was their first taste of revenge. Origa and Kasha didn't say anything while Hifumi lead them to the dining room. The time to eat was just approaching, but they did not leave, as Origa and Kasha seemed as though they did not want to move. They were afraid to enter, since they might be refused entry, but after proving that they were working for the kingdom, they were reluctantly let in. After showing the medal of nobility, of course. [This is bad. ] While saying so, he gave the shop employee a huge amount of money and told them to bring suitable dishes. [How long are you going to be engrossed. You should wake up anytime now] [I'm, I'm deeply sorry] [......To bask yourselves in a little sentimentality is ok, but...] Origa remembered that they were slaves and got flustered, while Kasha pouted her lips in dissatisfaction. Hifumi thought they were strong women. Having experienced quite a bit of shock, there seemed to be no problem. [Don't be satisfied with defeating that one person who is at most a piece of shit underling. After this isn't there more people to kill and places to go?] [......To kill with reason huh] [ There should be a suspicious high ranking dipshit behind this, it was bad luck that you had experienced a painful mistake but you had to do it again. ] Therefore, erasing the hostile guy at the top should be done without regret. After that, you'll feel better, said Hifumi. In front of these three, a succession of dishes were lined up one by one. Though somewhat larger portions and strangely luxurious, it was because the shopkeeper knew Hifumi was a noble and worked harder at preparing the dishes. In contrast to Origa and Kasha, who didn't have an appetite and were reservedly eating the tender pork sauted style steak and the fresh and crunchy salad, Hifumi simply gulped down his meal and announced his plans. [ After eating, I will go to Viscount Hagenti's estate and say hello. ] Upon hearing the plan, only Kasha's ears did not detect the declaration of a new massacre.

52.Uptown Girl 【町は変わっていく】 「ふーん」 鍋の中にたっぷりと投入された猪型の魔物の肉をかき回しながら、一二三は気のない返事を返した。 領兵の案内で一二三と会うことができたとき、フィリニオンは冷静に一二三を観察し、ビロンの使者は平伏する勢いでミュンスターの状況を説明し、助力を乞うた。 その返事が、先の一言である。 「一二三様、この野菜はどうしますか?」 「ああ、気にせずどんどん放り込め。鍋なんだから難しく考えなくていいだろ」 緊迫した空気を纏う使者をよそに、グラグラと煮えたぎる鍋の中では、叩き折った魔物の骨から出た出汁と脂の濃厚な香りが漂い、アリッサはよだれを垂らして鍋を凝視している。 周囲では、輜重隊を中心にいくつかのグループが一二三を真似て鍋を囲んでいた。 全員が緩みきった顔で鍋を眺めている。 「あの......」 「ああ、取り敢えずお前らも食ってけ。話はそれからな」 たっぷり盛り付けられたお椀を渡され、流されるままに腰をおろして食べ始める使者の横で、フィリニオンはその粗野な煮込み料理を見つめていた。 「これ美味しいですね、お嬢様」 いつの間にか近くに座っていたクリノラが、ニコッとフィリニオンに笑う。 野外訓練の時も持参した食料だけを食べていたフィリニオンにとって、魔物の肉だと思うと気持ちが悪いが、美味しそうな匂いであることは否定できない。 ちらりと一二三を見ると、オリガたちと共に美味しそうに食べている。ここで拒否するのは失礼であるし、怒らせるのは怖い。 意を決して口にすると、濃厚な味が空腹に染み渡る。 「あ、美味しい......」 「当然です。一二三様手ずからお作りになられたのですから」 「こんなの、素材がまともなら何とでもなる」 あっという間に3杯ほど平らげてから、一二三は満足げに草むらに仰向けになった。 「で、ホーラントの方の街が危ないから、俺の軍勢に助けて欲しい、と」 ちゃんと話が通じていた事に、使者は慌てて頷いた。 「軍勢というより、ビロン伯爵はトオノ伯爵ご本人にお願いしたいとの事です。こちら、書状になります」 オリガが受け取り一二三に手渡すと、乱暴に開いてざっと目を通した一二三は、飛び上がるように身体を起こした。 「ホーラント方面の領主は、ビロン伯爵といったな」 「は、はい!」 「この国にも面白いやつがいるな」 ビロンからの書状には、定型文じみた援軍要請の文書に続いて、一二三への私信として一行だけサラリと書かれていた。 “敵は沢山おりますので、トオノ伯には残らず平らげていただきたい” 第二騎士隊は、隊長のスティフェルスを始めほぼ全員が国境近くの名もない農村にて待機していた。 怪我人は後送し、ミュンスターで治療を受けている。ビロン伯爵の動きを見張る人員を数名、付き添いとして送っていた。 数件の家を借りて騎士たちの宿舎として利用し、兵士たちは村の外で野営をしている。 ホーラントからの攻撃は収まっており、少数の見張りを国境へ残して様子を見ている状況だ。 第一騎士隊が村へやってきた時、丁度第二騎士隊が集まって軍議を行っているところだった。 馬の足音に慌てて様子を見に行った第二騎士隊の隊員が、リベザルを伴って軍議の場に戻ってきた。 「スティフェルス。久しいな」 「敵襲かと思ったぞ。驚かせるな」 第一と第二の騎士隊は仲が悪いというほどではない。勤務場所がまるで違うので、顔を合わせること自体が少ないためだ。隊長や副隊長どうしが城で顔を合わせる程度である。 「で、王城にこもっているはずの第一騎士隊が、こんな国の端まで何の用だ?」 芳しくない戦況への苛立ちを隠せないまま、スティフェルスはリベザルを睨んだ。 「共闘を申し入れに来た。個別で動いている場合ではない」 「共闘? 援軍ではなくて共闘とはどういうことだ」 リベザルが説明したイメラリアの継承宣言と一二三による王城内での蛮行に、第二騎士隊の面々は驚いた。 「まさか、そんな事になっていたとは......。この事、王子へは?」 「お伝えはしていない。今王城へ戻ってみろ、下手をすれば王子まで害される結果になりかねん」 「まさか......」 信じられないと首を振るスティフェルスに、リベザルは決して冗談や誇張ではないと言った。 「お前も知っているだろう。あの男は今でこそ何かの間違いで貴族になってはいるが、元はどこの誰ともしれない召喚者で、王を弑した反逆者だぞ。明らかに敵対した形になった王子に遠慮するとは思えん」 そこで王子を要して第一・第二騎士隊で連帯して王女派を抑えるのだと、リベザルは説明するが、スティフェルスの反応は芳しくない。 「リベザル、ひとつ聞くが」 「なんだ」 「騎士と兵は何人連れてきた?」 「......騎士が30。兵はいない」 リベザルの答えに、スティフェルスは鼻で笑った。 「戦力とも言えない程度の人数であとから来て、共闘とは笑わせる。先に王子を擁して戦果を上げるために動いたのはおれたちの方だ」 後ろで聞いている第二騎士隊の隊員たちは、後からついてきた王子に文句を言っていたくせに、と目で言っていたが。 「ちっ......」 「わかったか。ここは第二騎士隊の戦場だ。城の守人は城へ帰れ」 スティフェルスにすげなく断られたリベザルは、今夜だけは村に留まり、明日は一度ミュンスターへ戻る事にした。 部下たちをいくつかの家に宿泊させ、自分は村長の家の離れを一夜の寝床としたリベザルが家へ入ろうとすると、見張りに立つ騎士の横に転がされているベイレヴラがまた声をかけてくる。 「リベザル様。自分の実力を過信した第二騎士隊では、閣下の説得も聞く耳を持ちませんでしたでしょう」 「うるさい、黙れ」 「新たな魔法具を開発したホーラントに、第二騎士隊と遠征軍では勝ち目はありません。国境はいずれ突破されるでしょう。ですから、その前に同様の魔法具を用意して、第二騎士隊の代わりにホーラントを撃退すれば......」 構わず話し続けるベイレヴラの言葉に、リベザルは無視できなくなった。 「新しい魔法具というのは、それほどの効果があるのか?」 ようやく向けられた興味に、ベイレヴラはいやらしい笑みを浮かべた。 「ホーラントの兵は、ほとんどが一般の民衆からの徴兵です。それが騎士や兵を圧倒しているのです」 この意味がわかりますね? というベイレヴラに、リベザルは話を続けろと促した。 「よく来たね。歓迎するよ」 「お久しぶりです、義兄さん」 サブナクが500の兵を率いて援軍としてミュンスターへ到着すると、ビロン伯爵は笑顔で出迎えた。 「まさか君が来てくれるとはね」 「一二三さんでなくて残念ですが」 「いやいや、領軍だけだと持ちこたえるのも精一杯だろうからね。実に助かるよ」 それに、妙な連中ばかりが街に来てうんざりしてたから、気持ち的にも助かると言われ、サブナクは苦笑するしかなかった。 「まったく、敵はホーラントだか自分の国の騎士隊だかわからなくなってきたよ」 「しかし、ホーラントと戦闘になるとは思いませんでしたよ」 「私もさ。まあ、先に手を出したのが第二騎士隊の方だったとしても驚かないけれどね」 ビロンに促され、サブナクはソファへ座る。 暖かな紅茶が運ばれ、ビロンも向かいに腰を下ろした。 「それで、状況はどうですか?」 「良くないね。国境からの情報では、一応今のところは拮抗しているようではあるけれど......君から聞いていた魔法具と同じものが使われているのだろう。大怪我をしても顔色一つ変えずに向かってくる敵兵を相手に、肉体的にも精神的にも、こちらの兵は加速度的に疲労していっている。国境を突破されるのも、時間の問題だろうね」 そうなれば、あっという間にミュンスターまで敵は押し寄せてくるだろうとビロンは予測している。 「もちろん、第一騎士隊と第二騎士隊が力を合わせて事に当たれば、勝てる見込みも多少はあるけれどね。難しいだろう。もっと言えば、第一騎士隊の連中などは、私や君を排除する方向に動く可能性だってある」 「そんな......いえ、そうかもしれません。ぼくも義兄さんも、王女派だと見られていますからね」 「そうだね。もし私が彼らの立場だったら、一度敵に国境を突破させて、この街で乱戦状態を演出してその混乱の中で私を殺害してから、敵兵を追い返すだろう。ホーラントも国境を犯しても国土を広げようという意志は無いだろうからね」 ビロンの見立てでは、ホーラントの目的は魔法具の実験だという。であれば、一定の戦果が見られれば、さっさと退いてくれるだろうとビロンは言った。 「かと言って、領民たちが犠牲になることを許容するつもりはない。だから、多少の策を考えているから、サブナクには協力をお願いしたいんだ」 「ぼくにできることであれば。それで、策というのは?」 「それは、用意ができてからのお楽しみさ。さあ、君が来たのなら妻にも話をしておかなくては、もちろん、夕食は我が家で食べてくれるんだろう?」 久しぶりに姉上に会うのだから、ゆっくりしていくといいと、ビロンは爽やかな笑顔を見せた。 食事を終え、正式に王女からの通達を伝えたフィリニオンに対し、一二三はまた気の抜けた返事を返した。 「まあ、サブナクでなくても役に立つならいいさ。詳しいことはフォカロルにいるカイムあたりに聞いてくれ。俺はさっさとミュンスターへ向かうから」 そんなことより、戦場が自分を待っていると言い、自らの兵すらも小さな軍務長官に任せて、一二三は馬にまたがって街道の先へと消えていった。 もちろん、オリガも同様に追いかけていった。 おいてけぼりをとなったビロンの使者は、残された一二三の領軍と共にミュンスターへ向かう事となった。 「ひと組を護衛に付けるよ。さっき試作の台車を壊した人たちは罰として今度の戦闘から外すから、あの人たちについていくといいよ」 アリッサから指差され、サラリと罰を告げられた三人組は、肩を落としてうなだれている。 「あ、ありがとう。あの、彼らはどうして落ち込んでいるのかしら。戦場に行かずに済むなら、嬉しいんじゃないかしら」 「僕たちは一二三さんの軍だからね。戦いから外される方がイヤみたいだよ」 どうやらアリッサもよくわかっていないようだが、日常の訓練が続く街での待機よりも、色々と新しい道具で戦える遠征部隊の方が人気は高かった。 こうして、暗い表情の三人組に付き添われ、翌日には無事フォカロルの街へと到着した。 「まずは、領主館のカイムさんにお会いしましょう」 「わかりました」 クリノラを連れ、馬と馬車を預けて街の中を歩く。 (結構賑わってるわね......) 街の中心部は多くの商店が集まり、それぞれが大きな声で自分たちの商品を宣伝している。 大小様々な店が並び、商品も豊富で種類が多い。 「まるで王都のような活気ですね、お嬢様」 「ええ、そうね」 商品などよりも、フィリニオンには住民たちの笑顔が気になった。 曰く、王殺しの重罪人。 曰く、大量虐殺者。 曰く、無慈悲な冷血漢。 そんな男が治めている街にはとても見えないほど、住民たちは自分の生活を楽しんでいるように見える。 実際に会って話をした印象も、どちらかというと恐ろしい人物というよりは無邪気な若い貴族のような印象だった。 「うん?」 一つの大きな建物が目に入った。 出入り口の看板には、『フォカロル商工・職人ギルドセンター』と書いてある。 何かの公の施設のようだが、多くの商人らしき人物やドワーフが出入りし、時には荷物を抱えた若者なども入って行く。 ギルドといえば、魔物退治を主に引き受ける冒険者ギルドのイメージしか無いフィリニオンにとっては、完全に謎の施設だった。 「一体、この街はどうなっているの......」

Chapter 52: Uptown Girl "Humph~" (Hifumi) While stirring the meat of the wild boar monster type that had been plentifully thrown into the stew, Hifumi returned an indifferent answer. Once she was able to meet Hifumi, having been guided by the territorial soldiers, Phyrinion calmly observed Hifumi as Biron's messenger begged for assistance prostrating himself and explaining the situation of Munster with vigor. Hifumi's answer is the previously mentioned single word. "Hifumi-sama, what should I do with these vegetables?" (Origa) "Ah, keep throwing them in without minding it. I think it's fine to not think that seriously about it since it is just stew." (Hifumi) Alyssa is gazing at the stew while drooling due to the rich fragrance of the lard and the dashi from the broken down monster bones, which are boiling within the stew with loose, irregular movements, drifting around, completely unrelated to the tense atmosphere the messenger is clad in. In the vicinity of the supply unit in the center, several groups were surrounding stews mimicking Hifumi. Everyone is looking at their stews with a slack face. "Erm..." (Messenger) "Ah, for the time being you guys eat as well. The talks are after that." (Hifumi) Phyrinion stared intently at that rustical stew dish as she sat down next to the messenger and started to eat the distributed bowl with an ample amount of the stew in it. "This is tasty, Ojou-sama." (Krinola) Krinola, sitting down next to her before she noticed, smiled pleasantly at Phyrinion. For Phyrinion, who only ate the food she brought herself, even at the time of field training, she thinks of the taste to be bad if it's the meat of a monster, but she isn't able to deny the apparently delicious smell. Looking at Hifumi with a fleeting glance, he is eating it, obviously enjoying the taste, alongside Origa's group. 'It will be rude to refuse at this point. I'm afraid to anger them.' Resolving herself to taste it, her hunger is enhanced by the strong flavor. "Ah, delicious..." (Phyrinion) "That's only natural since it was made by Hifumi-sama himself." (Origa) "Using the ingredients like this, it will even become such a delicious dish." (Hifumi) After eating up around 3 bowls in the blink of an eye, Hifumi looked up from the grassy place being completely satisfied. "So, you want me to help with my troops since the cities in the direction of Horant are in danger." (Hifumi) The messenger nodded in a hurry towards Hifumi properly comprehending the story. "Rather than the troops, I'm told to relay to you that Earl Biron wants to request Earl Tohno himself. Here, it's written in this letter." (Messenger) When Origa hands it over to Hifumi after receiving it, Hifumi, who violently opened it and scanned its contents briefly, stood up as if jumping up. "You said the feudal lord of the region close to Horant is Earl Biron." (Hifumi) "Y-Yes!" (Messenger) "There are still some interesting fellows in this country." (Hifumi) Following the writing about the request for reinforcements, which had a stereotyped writing style, there was only a single line thinly written as private message for Hifumi in the letter of Biron. "Since there are plenty of enemies, I'd like for Earl Tohno to get rid of them without exception." Almost all members of the Second Knight Unit, starting with the captain, Stiffels, were on standby in an insignificant farm village close to the border. The wounded have been sent back to Munster and are receiving medical treatment there. Several members were sent as escorts in order to act as personnel to watch over Earl Biron's moves. Several houses have been rent and are used as lodging place for the knight order. The soldiers are camping outside the village. With the attacks from Horant having calmed down, the current situation is that a few have remained at the border to stand watch there.magic Just when the war council of the Second Knight Unit had gathered, the First Knight Unit turned up at the village. The members of the Second Knight Unit rushed to see the circumstances due to the sound of horse's feet. They returned to the place of the war council accompanied by Ribezal. "Stiffels. Long time no see." (Ribezal) "I thought it was an enemy raid. Don't surprise me." (Stiffels) It isn't to the degree that the First and Second Knight Unit are on bad terms. Given that their workplaces are completely different, it has resulted in them meeting up directly seldomly. It is to the extent of the captains and vice-captains meeting each other in the castle occasionally. "So, what business does the First Knight Unit, that should be secluding itself within the royal castle, have at the edge of this country?" (Stiffels) Because he couldn't conceal his irritation due to the disgraceful war situation, Stiffels glared at Ribezal. "I cam to propose a common front. It isn't the time of moving separately." (Ribezal) "Common front? Not as reinforcements but in a joint struggle, what's there matter with that?" (Stiffels) As Ribezal explained about the inheritance announcement of Imeraria and the acts of brutality within the royal castle by Hifumi, everyone of the Second Knight Unit was astonished. "No way, for such things to have happened... Did you inform the prince about these matters?" (Stiffels) "I haven't reported it. Returning to the royal castle at this point can even result in harming the prince, if it is executed poorly." (Ribezal) "Indeed..." (Stiffels) As Stiffels shook his head in disbelief, he could see that Ribezal wasn't joking or exaggerating in the least. "I think even you know about it. That man had now become a noble due to some mistake, but originally he is some unknown summoned person that we don't even know where he is from. He is a rebel who killed the king! You don't think that he will refrain from obviously turning antagonistic against the prince, do you?!" (Ribezal) As Ribezal explains that the prince needs the First and Second Knight Order to join hands in order to stop the princess faction, Stiffels reaction isn't unfavorable. "Ribezal, I have a single question." (Stiffels) "What is it?" (Ribezal) "How many knights and soldiers did you bring along?" (Stiffels) "... 30 knights and no soldiers." (Ribezal) Stiffels laughed scornfully at Ribezal's reply. "It is ridiculous to call it a common front if you come here with a number of people that can't even be called a war potential. It is our side who moved first for the sake of raising military gains for the prince." (Stiffels) 'And yet you complained about the prince following after us' was what the eyes of Second Knight Order's members, listening in the back, said. "Tsk..." (Ribezal) "You got it, right? This here is the battlefield of the Second Knight Unit. Go back to the castle, defenders of the castle." (Stiffels) Due to Stiffels' blunt refusal, Ribezal decided to stop at the village for the night and then to return tomorrow to Munster temporarily. Lodging his subordinates in several houses, Ribezal himself enters the house of the village headman about to spend one night on a bed in a detached room. Beirevra, who has been thrown next to the knight standing guard over him, calls out to Ribezal. "Ribezal-sama. The Second Knight Order, overestimating their own abilities, didn't even possess any interest in Your Excellency's persuasion." (Beirevra) "Shut up, you are annoying." (Ribezal) "The Second Knight Order and the expeditionary force don't stand a chance as Horant has developed a new magic tool. Sooner or later they will break through the border. Therefore, I can prepare a similar magic tool before that. If you were to repel Horant instead of the Second Knight Order then..." (Beirevra) It became impossible for Ribezal to ignore those words of Beirevra, who continued to spin his tale without care. "A new magic tool, you say? Is it this effective?" (Ribezal) Beirevra floated a repulsive smile as Ribezal's interest was finally piqued. "The soldiers of Horant are almost completely recruited from the common populace. They are overwhelming knights and soldiers with this." (Beirevra) "Do you understand the significance of that?" says Beirevra as he is urged on by Ribezal to keep talking. "I am glad you came. Welcome." (Biron) "It's been a while, brother-in-law-san." (Sabnak) Arriving at Munster as he led a reinforcements of 500 soldiers, Sabnak was greeted by a smiling Earl Biron. "I never expected you to be the one to come." (Biron) "It's regretful that isn't Hifumi-san." (Sabnak) "No, not at all. Since I've thought that I have to do my best by holding out with just the territorial army, you are really saving us." (Biron) Besides, because he was fed up with nothing but strange groups showing up at the city, it was even more of a feeling of being saved. Sabnak had no other choice but to smile bitterly. "Good grief, I'm unable to understand the enemies from Horant and the knight orders from our own country." (Biron) "However, I didn't think that it would turn into a battle with Horant." (Sabnak) "Me neither. Well, I wouldn't be surprised even if it was the Second Knight Order's side who made the first move." (Biron) Prompted by Biron, Sabnak sits down on the sofa. Having been presented with a warm black tea, Biron sits down on the opposing side as well. "Well then, how's the situation?" (Sabnak) "Not good. Going by the reports from the border, they seem to be struggling for supremacy for the time being, but... I think they are using something identical to the magic tool you told me about. As they are facing enemy soldiers as opponent who don't even change their expression when they suffer serious injuries, the mental and spiritual fatigue of our soldiers is accelerated. I guess it's just a matter of time until the enemy breaches the border." (Biron) "If that happens, the enemy will advance up to Munster in a blink of an eye", Biron is estimating. "Of course, if the First Knight Order and the Second Knight Order join their forces, it might also be possible to some degree for them to win. But it will be difficult, I think. If one were to say even more, it is possible for the lot of the First Knight Unit and their likes to move in the direction of eliminating you and me." (Biron) "Such a... no, you could say that. They regard me and brother-in-law-san as part of the princess faction after all." (Sabnak) "That's true. If I were in their shoes, I would let the enemy break through the border temporarily, produce a situation of a melee in this town and use the confusion to kill me before repelling the enemy. I don't think they have the intention of extending the country's territory even if Horant breaches the border." (Biron) Going by Biron's analysis, Horant's goal is to test the magic tools. "If that's the case, they will quickly withdraw once they were able to assess their defined war results", Biron said. "Having said that, I don't intend to allow the population of my fief to become sacrifices. Therefore, since I have thought up a plan, I want to request your cooperation, Sabnak." (Biron) "If it's something I can do. And, what's the plan?" (Sabnak) "That is, look forward to the enjoyment after I managed to finish the preparations. Well now, don't you want to talk to my wife now that you came here? Of course you will stay for dinner at our home, right?" (Biron) "Since you will be able to meet your elder sister after a long time, it is fine to take things slowly", Biron showed a refreshing smile. Finishing the meal, Hifumi once again felt like giving a reply towards Phyrinion, who conveyed the official directive from the princess. "Oh well, it's fine even if it isn't Sabnak as long as you are useful. Ask Caim, who is at Fokalore, about the details. I'm heading towards Munster without delay." (Hifumi) Rather than such things, the battlefield is waiting for him, is what he is saying. Entrusting them to the small military director even though they are his personal soldiers, Hifumi straddled his horse and vanished on the highway in front. Naturally Origa similarly chased after him as well. For the left behind messenger of Biron it became a matter of heading towards Munster alongside Hifumi's territorial troops who had likewise been left behind. "You will be assigned a group as escort. Since the soldiers, who broke the prototype wagon some time ago, will miss the battlefield this time as punishment, it is fine to accompany them." (Alyssa) Being pointed at by Alyssa, the trio, informed about their punishment without hesitation, are dropping their shoulders and hanging their head. "T-Thank you. Umm, why are they feeling down, I wonder? Shouldn't they be happy if they don't need to go to the battlefield?" (Messenger) "We are Hifumi-san's troops. Missing out on a battle is a disgrace." (Alyssa) Although he apparently didn't understand Alyssa quite well either, rather than staying in the city continuing their everyday training, it was far more popular for the soldiers to join an expeditionary force fighting with various new tools. Thus, accompanying the gloomy-faced trio, they arrived in the peaceful city of Fokalore the next day. "Let's meet Caim-san at them Lord's mansion first." (Phyrinion) "Understood." (Messenger) With Krinola in the lead, they give the horses and carriage into custody and walk through the city. (It's prospering splendidly...) There are many shops gathered in the centre of the city. Each of them are advertising their own goods with loud voices. Various shops, small and large, are lined up. There are also plenty of goods of many different kinds. "The liveliness is completely like in the capital, Ojou-sama." (Krinola) "Yes, it seems so." (Phyrinion) Rather than something like the merchandise, Phyrinion was bothered by the smiles of the residents. One reason is that he is a serious criminal who murdered a king. One reason is that he is a mass murderer. One reason is that he is a merciless, cold-blooded person. It can't be seen at all that such man is governing the city. It looks like the residents are enjoying their life. Even my impression after meeting and talking with him, if I had to say, rather than a frightening character, he gave me the impression of being an innocent, young noble. "Yes?" (Phyrinion) She caught sight of a single large building. Written on the signboard at the entrance is {Center of Fokalore's Commerce, Industry, and Crafting Guilds} . It seems to be some kind of public facility, but many merchant-like people and dwarves are coming and going. Occasionally there are some youngsters, holding packages, entering. It was a completely mysterious facility as far as Phyrinion was concerned. "What the heck has happened to this city... ?" (Phyrinion)

突然乱入してきた一二三の姿に、王もユーグも呆然とする他なかった。 本来ならば場を支配しているはずのヴェルドレは気を失ったままピクリとも動かず、標的指定した敵を一掃した強化兵は、新たな命令を待って微動だにしない。 「もう始まってたか」 遅れたか、と頭を抱えながらも、一二三は冷静に室内を観察する。 死体が一面に転がる光景を無感動に一瞥しつつ、まだ生きている人間だけを確認。 「貴方は......まさか......」 一二三の特徴を知るユーグが、信じられないと首を振った。 「おう、俺を知っているという事は、誘き寄せる策の首謀者はお前か」 で、お前がこの国の王か、と一二三はホーラント王スプランゲルを見る。 その目は睨むでもなく、ただ観察する視線だった。 「その方が、オーソングランデの英雄か......」 ホーラント王の言葉に答えず、入口から近づいてくる一二三に、ユーグは慌てて強化兵たちに叫んだ。 「城内の兵たち全員を敵に回して、どうやってここまで......。とにかく、強化兵ども! こいつを殺しなさい!」 「やっと始まるか」 最初に突進してきた強化兵は、揃って大剣を大上段に振りかぶりながら駆け寄ってくる。 「おおっと?」 以前よりも素早くなった動きと大剣のリーチの長さに意外そうな声をあげつつも、一二三は身体を半身にして二人の間に割り込む。 グシャッと音がしたかと思うと、柄頭で胸の魔法具を鎧ごと潰された強化兵が崩れ落ちた。 「弱点がわかっていたら、こんなもんだろう。おまけに、突っ込んでくるしか能がない所は変わってないし」 ため息混じりに首を振った一二三は、更に斬りかかってきた兵士を避けようともせず、自ら剣を持った敵の腕の間に滑り込んだ。 勢い良くぶつかって来た敵の胸に一二三の肩があたり、しっかりと構えて 更に一人、二人と切り伏せて行く一二三を、恐怖に彩られた顔でユーグが見、その隣ではホーラント王が興味深げに殺戮の様を見ていた。 そして、もう一人の生存者が目を覚ます。 「ぐ......」 ヴェルドレは頭の痛みですぐに動けず、しばらく倒れたまま唸っていたが、その間に周囲がどうなっているのかを把握することができた。 (あの男が、例の......) 血で赤く染まった視界の中で、今もなお強化兵がいとも簡単に殺されていく。 王孫たる自分は血まみれで床に這いつくばっているというのに、あの男は嬉々として、そしていとも容易く勝利を納めていく。 また一人の強化兵が、今度は胸を横一文字に切断され、臓物を撒き散らして転がった。 あの実験体たちを使って、今頃は国民の前で華々しく戴冠していたはずが、とそこまで考え、動かない身体を叱咤して玉座を見ると、そこにはまだ健在であり、なぜか穏やかな表情の王と、その横で腰を抜かしているユーグの姿が見えた。 もはや全てをぶち壊された、と憎悪に支配されたヴェルドレは、痺れが残る右手で剣と合わせて腰に固定していた魔法具を掴んだ。 「俺が......全て壊してやる......」 ヴェルドレが仰向けに転がったとき、その手に持つ物を見つけたユーグが叫ぶ。 「ヴェルドレ様! それを使っては......!」 ユーグの制止も虚しく、言い終わる前に魔法具はヴェルドレの胸に押し付けられていた。 それを戦いの最中にある一二三は横目に見ながら、ひっそりと笑みをこぼした。 一二三が謁見の間へ踏み込むのが早かったのは、もちろん問答無用で城内へ突入したのもあったが、城外に居た兵士が城内から応援に呼ばれる前に、別の問題に対応せざるを得なくなったという点もあった。 「そっちへ行ったぞ!」 「街へ行かせるな! ここで処分しろ!」 魔法使いたちの指示で右往左往する兵士たちが追っているのは、逃げ出した実験体たちだ。 もちろん、実際は逃げ出したのではなく、攪乱のためにオリガたちが4人ほどを城の近くで放ったのだが。 城の近くで発見された実験体は、何故か武器を持ち、すでに通りかかった住民数名を惨殺していた。 最初にそれを発見した兵士がすぐに応援を呼んだのだが、人数が増えても未だに捕獲も殺害もできず、兵にも民にも犠牲がどんどん出ている。 城にも異常を知らせると同時に応援を頼んでいるが、それも音沙汰がない。 「ちぃっ! 一体どうやってあの拘束から抜けたんだ!」 イライラと悪態をつきながら、一人の魔法使いが研究施設へとやってきた。 「残った連中を確認しないと......」 「その必要はありません」 開いたままのドアから入ってきた魔法使いを、オリガが素早く短剣を突きつけて止めた。 「な......」 「ようやく来ましたか。待ちくたびれましたよ」 その間にも、フォカロル兵たちが素早く扉を閉め、薄く開けた隙間から外の様子を伺う態勢に入る。 「ちょっと家探しするよりも、直接聞いた方が早いと思いまして」 ニッコリと可愛らしい笑顔を見せながら、少しだけ短剣を喉に当てる。 「彼らに使われた魔法具の在庫が見当たりませんから、ちょっと教えて欲しいのですけれど」 言いながら、オリガは鎖につながれたままぐったりとしている実験体の一人を指差す。 「そ、それは......」 急に、魔法使いは左耳が熱くなるのを感じた。 ベチャリと音がした方を見ると、片耳が床に落ちている。 「う、うぎゃあああ!」 「黙りなさい」 更に短剣をひと振りし、鼻先をそぎ落とす。 「必要な事だけ話せばいいのです」 もはや一刻も早く逃げたい一心で、魔法使いは別棟にある保管庫の場所を早口で話し、ぼたぼたと流れる血を両手で押さえてうずくまってしまった。 「そう。詳しく教えていただいて、ありがとうございます」 首筋にストンと短剣を振り下ろし、何でもないことのように懐から紙を取り出して血を拭う。 「さて、今の話を聞きましたね?」 その様子を見ていたフォカロル兵は、怯えながらも頷いた。 「もうしばらくこの施設にいないといけないようですから、残った実験体も街と城に向けて解き放ってしまいましょう」 そして研究施設にいた全ての職員はオリガたちによって殺害され、狂った強化兵たちが城へ向けて解き放たれた。 「それでは、私たちは予定通りに動きましょう」 30分とかからず、オリガたちは首都アドラメルクを脱出した。 「ぐぅおおおおおおおお!」 悶絶するヴェルドレを尻目に、一二三は最後の強化兵が振り下ろした剣を小太刀でそらし、刀を摺り上あげて頚動脈を切り裂いて殺す。 その間に、ヴェルドレは頭の大きさはそのままに、全身の筋肉を数倍に膨張させた異様な姿に成り果て、ゆっくりと立ち上がった。 その目にはすでに正気が無く、血管が顔一面に浮き出し、剥き出した歯も以上に伸長して牙のようになっている。 「あれは一体......」 「開発中だった最新の魔法具です。身体強化どころではない変化を起こし、異常な膂力と瞬発力を得る代わりに、正気を失います......」 王の疑問に、相変わらず腰を落としたままのユーグが答えた。本来であれば、どうしても押し迫った状況になった際に誰かに使用して、その隙に脱出なりするつもりで持って来たのだと言う。 「強化兵がやられて、自暴自棄になられたのでしょうか。まさか自分自身に使われるとは」 「もはや、人ですらやめたか......ヴェルドレよ......」 嘆く王の前では、ミシミシと音を立てながら、身長4mにもなろうかという巨体となったヴェルドレが、一抱えもある大きさになった拳を打ち下ろしていた。 もちろん、狙いは一二三だ。 床を叩き割り、はじけ飛ぶかけらすらも避けながら、一二三は大きく飛んで転がった。 「ほとんど大型の魔物だな。こうなると、人に使う技は通じないだろうなぁ」 素早く小太刀を投げると、吸い込まれるようにヴェルドレの脛へと突き刺さる。だが、ヴェルドレは反応どころか動きを止めようともしない。 「痛覚が無いのもそのままか!」 今度は大きく振り回してきた腕をうつ伏せになって交わし、踏み潰しを転がって避ける。 その間にも、一二三は空いてから視線を切ることなく、動きや骨格、筋肉のつき方を見つめている。 さらに、室内に散らばっている大剣を拾い集め、次々に投げつけてきた。 その威力は凄まじく、一本一本が根元まで石造りの床や壁に突き立つほどだ。 「これはもう兵器だな」 苦笑しながら、試しに一本を刀で弾いてみようと試してみたものの、流石に重さと速度があって軌道を逸らすのがせいぜいだった。 「ド、ウ、ダァ......。コワ、イダロ......ウ」 唸り声のような言葉が、途切れ途切れに聞こえる。 「いや」 さらに今度は、強化兵たちの死体も投げつけてきたが、速度に慣れてきた一二三は難なく避ける。 「楽しいなぁ」 ニヤッと笑い、右手一本で提げていた刀を両手に持ちなおし、しっかり正眼に構えた。 「惜しむらくは人間と技の勝負をしたかったが、それはまあいい。化け物でも強いなら、いいさ」 「グゥウウウウウ......」 腹から響くような声を上げながら、ヴェルドレはピタリと構えたまま動かない一二三を前に、右手をギリギリと音が出るほど握り締めた。 そのまま握り締めた拳をストレートに打ち込んで来るのに対し、一二三は構えたまま避ける動作を見せない。 (まるで家屋解体用の鉄球だな) などと余計な事を考えながらも、身体は以前に学んだ“眉唾技”の動きをトレースすべく適度な緊張感に包まれる。 以前にスラムでやった矢を叩き落とす技術よりもずっと非現実ながら、数回試して成功はした。突き込んでくる刀に切っ先を合わせて、帽子(切っ先)の丸みを合わせて上方へとお互いの刀を滑り上がらせるというものだ。同様の動きを拳同士でも再現できる。 (あれに比べれば、的がでかい分楽なもんだ) 自分に言い聞かせ、迫り来る拳の中指、第二関節の丸みに狙いを定める。 関節の動きが普通の人間と変わらない事はさっきまでの観察で把握した。であれば、刀で擦り上げる動きはそのまま応用できると踏んだ。 長い思考は一瞬で通り過ぎ、衝突の瞬間は乾いた金属音が知らせた。 骨と刀が打ち付け合い、僅かに拳は一二三の頭上を超えていく。 だが同時に、拳に刺さった刀が持っていかれる格好となった。 「グゥッ!」 想定外に拳をそらされたヴェルドレは、同時に相手が武器を手放した事に気づき狂喜した。これで敵は抵抗できない。 いよいよ叩き潰そうと、敵へと視線を戻した瞬間、その敵は眼前に迫っていた。 一二三は拳をそらした瞬間、刀を手放しつつ腕の下をくぐり抜け、膝を踏みつけて顔の前に飛び上がっていたのだ。 「敵から目を離すなよ」 右手に握った寸鉄を顎に突き立て、左手はヴェルドレの髪を掴む。 そのままヴェルドレの頭部を一回転させると、巨体は一瞬痙攣したあと、地響きを立てて倒れ、あとはもう、動かなかった。 「別に剣道の試合じゃないんだ。武器なんかいつだって手放して当然だろうが」 倒れるヴェルドレに巻き込まれないように飛び降りた一二三は、ゆっくりと刀を拾い上げ、傷や曲がりがないことを確認すると、右手に下げたまま玉座へ近づいた。 「......お見事」 「どうも」 王の言葉に、一二三は軽く答える。 それが聞こえているのかいないのか、一二三を見てユーグがガタガタと震えていた。 「わしはホーラント国王、スプランゲル・ゲング・ホーラントである」 名乗ってから、王は自分の横で情けなく座り込むユーグを見た。 震えるばかりで名を名乗れない小物が、孫の相談役面をしていたかと思うと、情けなく思う。 「......こやつは今さっき死んだ、わしの孫の友でな。丁度今、わしから地位を簒奪しようとしておったところじゃよ」 「うぇっ?!」 王の言葉に驚いたユーグが王を見るが、王は視線を合わせず、ただただ溜息をついた。 「この期に及んで、なぜわしが貴様を庇うと思うか」 王の言葉に、慌ててこの場から逃げ出そうとしたユーグは、一二三に足をかけられて転び、背中を踏みつけられて虫のようにジタバタと手足を動かしてもがいた。 「お前の名前は?」 ユーグに答える意思が無いと見て、一二三はスプランゲルを見た。 「そやつの名はユーグ・ユティレフト。残念ながら、この国の貴族だな」 「そうか」 王の答えを聞き、一二三は刀を逆手に持ち、さっくりと首を切断した。 「......それで、オーソングランデの英雄よ。わしを殺してこの国をその手にするか。いつかその野望も......」 「いらんよ、国なんか」 面倒くさいとつぶやいて、一二三は刀を納めた。 「......なんだと?」 「いらんと言った。ただ俺は戦って、結果として人を殺したいだけだ」 「な、なんという......」 今初めて、王は目の前の男が英雄ではなく狂人だと気づいた。 「サシで話ができたから、今日の所は話だけして帰るつもりだしな」 「こ、ここまでやっておいて、何の武功もいらぬと言うか!?」 その目に偽りは無いと、王はすぐに見抜いたが、まだ信じられない。 「この国だけじゃないぞ。ヴィシーもオーソングランデも......そういえば、獣人エリアもその向こうにも国があるらしいな。それらを引っ 目を輝かせ、大きな未来を子供のように語る一二三。 「というわけで、お前の国も少しだけ引っかき回すし、それでもこんな、頭を使って戦う事ができない木偶を量産するなら、その時は潰す」 ヴェルドレに投げ捨てられ、隅に散らばった強化兵を指差し、一二三は鼻を鳴らす。 「と言われても、実感が無いとどうしようもないよなぁ」 だから、と一二三は悪びれずに続ける。 「この国が作った凶暴化する魔法具な。あれを世界中の適当に強そうな魔物に付けていく事にした。そのうち国のあちこちで被害が出るだろうから、急いで対策するんだな」 玉座から飛び出さんばかりに叫ぶ。 「そのような事をすれば、民衆の被害も増える! どれほどの戦力を巡回させればいいのか......」 「だから、索敵の方法も頑張って確立しないとなぁ。突然襲われる可能性も考える必要があるし、街道も安全とは言えなくなるよな」 後は防壁も工夫したりしないと、等と他人事のように言う一二三を、王は怯えの混じった目で見据える。 「まあ、頑張って民衆を守る策を考えるといい。そこで提案があるんだが......」 もはや悪魔の囁きにしか聞こえないが、スプランゲルは話を聞かざるを得ない。 「俺の領に兵を送るなら、鍛えてやってもいいんだがね?」 しばらくは言葉がなかったスプレンゲルだが、駆け込んできた兵から実験体が脱走して暴れているという報告を受けた時点で、その為の助力も合わせて、一二三の提案を受けることになった。

The king as well as Yugu couldn't do anything else but be dumbfounded at Hifumi's sudden intrusion. Veldore, who should be ruling the place if everything had gone as originally planned, had fainted and didn't even twitch. The enhanced soldier, who had eradicated the designated enemy targets, was waiting for a new order and didn't even quiver. "You already started, huh?" (Hifumi) While being troubled with a "I'm late, eh?", Hifumi calmly surveys the hall's interior. As he takes an unimpressed look at the spectacle of corpses littering the whole area, he only confirms that there are still people alive. "You are... it can't be..." (Yugu) Yugu, knowing of Hifumi's features, shook his head in disbelief. "Okay, from the fact that you know about me, it means that you are the mastermind of the plan to lure me in, doesn't it?" (Hifumi) With a "So, you are this country's king?" Hifumi looks at Horant's king, Suprangel. It was a simple surveying look without him bearing any malice. "You are, Orsongrande's hero... ?" (Suprangel) As Hifumi drew closer from the entrance without addressing the king's words, Yugu yelled at the enhanced soldier, "Just how did you get here while making enemies of all soldiers within the castle... ? Anyway, enhanced soldier! Kill him!" (Yugu) "At last it starts, eh?" (Hifumi) The enhanced soldier, charging in from the onset, runs up to him while brandishing the large sword above its head. "Uuh-ohh?" (Hifumi) While raising such voice due to the unexpected long reach of the large sword and the movement, that became quicker in comparison to before, Hifumi makes a half step and wedges himself into its bosom. Accompanied by a sound of something crushing, the pommel of Hifumi's katana smashed the armour, including the magic tool at the chest, and the enhanced soldier crumbled down. "I guess that will happen if you know about its weak point. On top of that, it won't change the fact that it doesn't have the ability to thrust." (Hifumi) Hifumi, who shook his head with a sigh mixed in-between, slipped between the arms of another enemy soldier, who came slashing at him with the sword he held, without even avoiding. In contrast to Hifumi, who doesn't even move an inch as he firmly set up his stance, the enemy enforced soldier, who bumped into him vigorously, has his chest hit by Hifumi's shoulder and was sent flying, tumbling and stopping when he hit the wall at last. Hifumi, who cuts down two other enhanced soldiers, is watched by Yugu with his face coloured in dread. Horant's king, who stood next to him, observed the way of slaughtering with great interest. And, another survivor has come to his senses. "Gu..." (Veldore) Veldore, unable to move at once thanks to the headache, groaned for a while as he lay on the ground, but he was able to comprehend what was happening in his vicinity during that time. (That man is that aforementioned...) Even now the enhanced soldiers are easily getting killed within his field of vision that was dyed red with blood. While I, the royal grandson, am grovelling on the bloodstained floor, that man is gleefully achieving an extremely easy victory. There was still one enforced soldier, however having its abdomen severed sideways in a straight line, its entrails were scattered and it fell over. , thinking this far, he looked at the throne rebuking his unmoving body and saw the figure of Yugu, who was lying down unable to stand up due to fear, and the king, who showed a calm facial expression for some reason and was still in good health. Veldore, already dominated by a hatred to destroy all of it, grabbed his sword with his still numb right hand and the magic tool affixed to his waist. "I will... destroy everything..." (Veldore) At the time he turns his body over, Yugu who discovered the thing Veldore held in his hands, shouts, "Veldore-sama! If you use that... !" (Yugu) Before he finished speaking the magic tool was forced into Veldore's chest making Yugu's restraining words vain. While seeing this with a sidelong glance as he was in the midst of battle, Hifumi let his feeling show with a quiet smile. Hifumi, who quickly broke into the audience hall, of course stormed into the castle without asking any pointless questions, but the soldiers outside the castle couldn't avoid dealing with another problem before calling for reinforcements from within the castle. "They went that way!" (Soldier) "Don't let them escape into the city! Get rid of them here!" (Soldier) The soldiers, moving about in confusion following the orders of the magicians, are chasing the experimental bodies who escaped. Of course they didn't really escape by themselves but Origa set 4 of them free close to the castle for the sake of causing a disturbance. The experimental bodies, which were discovered close to the castle, had already slaughtered several residents, who happened to pass by, as they were possessing weapons for some reason. The soldier, who discovered this first, immediately called for reinforcements, but even though their numbers increased they haven't been able to capture or kill them until now. Gradually victims among the people and the soldiers are appearing. Although they have been requesting support while also knowing about the abnormality of the castle, they have no news about the situation either. "Tsk! How the hell did they get out of their restraints!?" (Magician) While cursing in irritation, a single magician arrived at the research institute. "If I don't check upon the remaining group..." (Magician) "There's no need for that." (Origa) The magician, who entered through the open door, was stopped by Origa quickly thrusting her dagger at him. "Wh..." (Magician) "You finally came, huh? I got tired of waiting." (Origa) During that time, the soldiers of Fokalore have promptly closed the door and adopted an approach of wait-and-see by looking outside through a small opened gap. "I believe it to be faster to ask directly rather than searching the entire institute." (Origa) While showing a lovely smile with a broad grin, she presses the dagger lightly against the magician's throat. "As we can't find the stock of magic tools used on them, I'd like you to help us out by telling us the location." (Origa) While saying this, Origa points at an experimental body limply hanging in the chains restraining it. "Th-That is..." (Magician) Suddenly the magician felt his left ear getting hot. Once he hears a slurping sound, his ear has fallen to the ground. "U-Ugyaaaa!" (Magician) "Silence!" (Origa) Swinging the dagger even more condemning, she chips off the tip of the nose. "It's fine for you to only tell me the necessary things." (Origa) As his mind was already solely focussed on getting away as fast as possible, the magician spilled the vault's location being in a separate building talking rapidly. He ended up crouching while suppressing the blood, which flowed with a dripping sound, with both hands. "I see. Thank you very much for informing me in detail." (Origa) Swinging the dagger straight down the nape of the neck, she wipes the blood with a paper she took out from her pocket as if it's a trivial matter. "Well then, you heard the story just now, right?" (Origa) The Fokalore soldiers, who saw her look, nodded while being scared. "Because it looks like it won't do to be at this institute for much longer, let's finish releasing the remaining experimental bodies towards the castle and city." (Origa) And thus all the staff members being at the research institute were killed by Origa's group and the insane, enhanced soldiers were released towards the castle. "Well then, let's move as planned." (Origa) Within less than 30 minutes Origa's group escaped from the capital city, Adolamelk. "Guuoooooooo!" (Veldore) As Hifumi sees Veldore fainting in agony with a sidelong glance, he wards off the downward-swung sword of the last enhanced soldier and kills it by slicing the carotid artery with the raised katana.magic During that time Veldore, whose appearance with a large head and his muscles having swelled several times across his entire body became strange , stood up slowly. There's no sanity left in his eyes anymore. With the blood vessels standing out on the surface of his face, it has even reached the point of fangs having grown on top of his bared teeth. "The heck is that... ?" (Suprangel) "It's the newest magic still under development. Raising the transformation to a level above enhancing the body, the target loses its mind in exchange for explosive power and abnormal physical strength..." (Yugu) Yugu, in the same condition of having dropped his waist as before, answered the king's question. Originally he brought it along with the intention use it on someone, if the situation required it, and escape during the resulting chaos. "Did he fall into despair when the enhanced soldiers were done in? I didn't expect him to use it on himself." (Yugu) "He already even stopped being a human, huh... ? Veldore..." (Suprangel) In front of the lamenting king Veldore turned into a giant with a height of 4 m while making groaning sounds. He brought down his fist that had grown to the length of an arm. Of course his aim was Hifumi. Even while avoiding the fragments of the smashed ground flying about, Hifumi made a huge leap and rolled over. "Practically it is a large monster. Now that it has come to this, the techniques that are used against people won't cut it, I suppose." (Hifumi) As he throws the kodachi sharply, it pierced the lower leg of Veldore as if being sucked in. But Veldore doesn't stop moving, let alone give any kind of reaction. "Looks like he doesn't even have a sense of pain, eh!?" (Hifumi) He avoids getting crushed by the following largely swung arm by rolling to the side. Even during that time, Hifumi keeps his eyes open staring at the state of the increased muscles, his physique and movement. Furthermore Veldore threw the large swords, scattered about within the hall, one after the other at him. His strength being absurd, each of them pierces the wall and stone floor down to hilt. "This is already a weapon." (Hifumi) While smiling wryly, he tried to repel one of them with his katana, but as expected of the speed and weight, the most he could do was to have it stray from its course. "W-h-a-t d-o y-ou... Scar-ed, are... n't yo-u?" (Veldore) Although the words are groans, broken syllables are audible. "No." (Hifumi) Even though Veldore threw the corpses of the enhanced soldiers next, Hifumi, who got used to the speed, easily evaded those. "How enjoyable." (Hifumi) Smiling broadly, Hifumi takes the katana, he previously held with only his right hand, into both hands and gets into a firm seigan stance. "I regret it as I wanted to use it in a match of techniques with a human, but I guess this much is fine. If it's the strength of a monster, it will be alright." (Hifumi) "Guuuuuuuuu..." (Veldore) While raising his voice as if it was resounding from within his stomach, Veldore grasped his right hand tightly, to the degree of a grinding sound appearing, in front of Hifumi, who doesn't waver in his firm stance. While facing the approaching straight punch of the tightly grasped right fist, Hifumi doesn't show any inclination to avoid it. (It's completely like the iron ball used to dismantle buildings.) Even while thinking about pointless things like that, he is enveloped in a moderate feeling of tension in order to trace the path of the "feint skill" his body learned before. Although it was even more unreal than the technique to knock down a fired arrow he displayed in the slums before, he was successful at testing it out a few times. It's something like having two swords sliding across each other deflecting their round blade tips upwards at the time of thrusting out the swords. Veldore is able to reproduce a similar motion with his fist. (If I compare them, it becomes easier because the target is so big.) Persuading himself, he decides to aim for the second joint of the approaching fist's middle finger. He had grasped through the earlier observation that Veldore's movement of the joints wasn't any different from normal humans. Once that was the case, he estimated that he could use a grazing motion with the katana. The lengthy consideration passed in a moment and he experienced a dry metallic sound in the instant of clashing. Striking the bone with the katana, the fist passes slightly overhead of Hifumi. But at the same time it took away the katana which was pierced into the fist. "Guu!" (Veldore) The averted fist was outside Veldore's expectation. But at the same time he was overjoyed at the opponent parting with his weapon. With this the enemy won't be able to put up a resistance. In the instant of turning back his sight towards the enemy to smash him at last, that enemy was right in front of his eyes. The second Hifumi averted the fist, he escaped below Veldore's arms while letting go of his katana and jumped up in front of him planting his knee into his face. "Don't take your eye off your enemy." (Hifumi) Stabbing the suntetsu grasped in the right hand into Veldore's chin, he seizes his hair with the left hand. As he rotated Veldore's head once, Veldore collapsed raising an earth tremor, afterwards his large build twitched for an instant and didn't move anymore. "It's not really a swordsmanship match. It's only natural to let go of something like weapons at any time." (Hifumi) Hifumi, who leapt away to avoid getting dragged down by the falling Veldore, leisurely picked up his katana. Once he confirmed that there was no warping or damage to it, he approached the throne as he held it close to the ground in his right hand. "... Well done!" (Suprangel) "Thanks." (Hifumi) Hifumi lightly responds to the king's praise. Unbeknownst whether Yugu had heard this or not, he looked at Hifumi trembling in shivers. "I'm the king of Horant, Suprangel Gengh Horant." (Suprangel) After he named himself, the king looked at the miserably caved-in Yugu besides him. At the thought of that small-timer, who could do nothing but tremble in fear without even giving his own name, acting as advisor of his grandson, the king judges him to be pathetic. "... He is a friend of my grandson, the guy who died just now. They were right at the point of attempting to usurp my position." (Suprangel) "Uee!?" (Yugu) Even though Yugu looks at the king surprised by his words, the king only sighed without looking at him. "I wonder, why do you think I would protect a bastard like you this late in the game?" (Suprangel) Due to the king's words, Yugu tried to escape from his current place in panic. Falling over as his feet were tripped by Hifumi, he struggled to move his feet and hands squirming like an insect as his back was tread on. "Your name is?" (Hifumi) Seeing that Yugu had no intention to answer, Hifumi looked at Suprangel. "That guy's name is Yugu Yutileft. I regret to say it, but he is a noble of this country." (Suprangel) "I see." (Hifumi) Hearing the king's words, Hifumi severed Yugu's head easily holding his katana in a backhand grip. "... Well then, Orsongrande's hero. Do you want to obtain this country by killing me? No matter how much you even aspire that..." (Suprangel) "Don't need it, something like a country." (Hifumi) Muttering that it would be too troublesome, he sheathed the katana. "... What was that?" (Suprangel) "I told you, I don't need it. I only fight for the sake of killing people." (Hifumi) "Wh-What a..." (Suprangel) For the first time now, the king noticed that the man in front of him wasn't a hero but a lunatic. "Since I was able to talk with you, I plan to go back at this point today." (Hifumi) "D-Do you want to tell me that you don't even want any kind of military exploits having come this far?" (Suprangel) The king immediately saw through that there was no falsehood in Hifumi's eyes, though he still couldn't believe it. "It's not only this country. It's the same for Vichy and Orsongrande... which reminds me, doesn't there seem to be an area of beastmen on the other side of this country? Dragging them into it as well, I want to steadily turn this world into one of fighting and killing each other. And I will have you desperately refine your skills by using schemes to escalate the wars even further." (Hifumi) Hifumi talks with sparkling eyes similar to a child with a large dream of the future. "For that reason, I only came here to agitate your country a bit. However, once you mass produce these dolls, who aren't able to use their head in battle, I will crush this country." (Hifumi) Hifumi snorts as he points at the enhanced soldiers scattered about in the corners thrown away by Veldore. "Even if I tell you, there's no way for you to understand unless you have experienced it yourself." (Hifumi) "Therefore", Hifumi continues calmly, "The magic tools developed by this country to make people ferocious, I decided to use those on suitably strong-looking monsters around the world. Since there will probably be victims here and there in your country before long, you better hurry to think of countermeasures." (Hifumi) He shouts as he is about to jump off the throne. "If you do such thing, it will increase the victims among the populace! Just how much military forces will be necessary to patrol... ?" (Suprangel) "Therefore, isn't it better to do your best in finding a method to search for the enemy? It's also necessary to consider the possibility of sudden attacks. Though the safety of the highway will be lost as well." (Hifumi) The king gazes with eyes tinged in panic at Hifumi, who tells him some of the consequences if they don't figure out a method of protection in the future. "Well, it's fine's if you do your best at thinking of a plan to protect the populace. I've got a suggestion there, but..." (Hifumi) It can't be called anything but the whispers of the devil by now, but Suprangel has no other option but to listen to Hifumi's words. "Won't it be fine if you send soldiers to my territory for training them?" (Hifumi) Although Suprangel was speechless for a little while, at the time he received the report of the experimental bodies having escaped and rampaging around from a soldier, who came rushing, he had decided to follow Hifumi's proposal including his support as well.