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ParallelFiction-Ja_En-100k

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第十三話 最近は傍観者サイドの主人公とか多いけどな 突然ではあるが、俺の幼なじみの話をしようか。 腐れ縁こと出雲有月は、ラノベ的登場キャラの役割に当てはまると『主人公』の枠に入る。不思議なくらいーーむしろ殺意を覚えたくなる位に面倒事に巻き込まれ、そしてその友人である俺をも巻き込んでくれる、厄介極まりない役柄だ。 なまじっか能力が高いので、有月は出会った事件に何かと首を突っ込み、解決に乗りだそうとする。それは別に良い。俺も人の子なので、人道的に見過ごせない時には協力を惜しむ積もりはない。ぶっちゃけ、人様の人生を台無しにしようとする外道共に慈悲を掛けるつもりは無い。 ところがどっこい、問題なのは有月こと馬鹿の短絡的行動だ。この馬鹿は全国模試でトップクラスの成績を誇るのに、悲しいほどに馬鹿なのである。知識はあれど知恵はない典型だ。 何が悪いかって? あのヘタレイケメンは、目前の事件解決を最優先事項に置き、その後に起こり得る二次災害は計算度外視なのだ。 お陰で俺は、同校のいじめっ子どもに囲まれたり、他校の不良共に囲まれたり、借金取りのやくざに囲まれたり、とある少女のファン共に囲まれたり、とあるお嬢様の護衛衆に囲まれたり。一度か二度位は本気で命の危機を覚えたりもした。俺の数少ない取り柄の一つにあるしぶとさは、これによって培われたといっても過言ではない。 もちろん、最終的には有月の首根っこを捕まえて、無理矢理事件解決を手伝わせた。奴は馬鹿ではあるが有能な馬鹿である。順序立てて物事を一つ一つ解決させていけば、最後はすっきりと収まる。 ............だいぶん話が逸れたな。最初っから逸れまくりだ。 身近に主人公体質のヘタレがいたせいで、俺はよく事件に巻き込まれてきた。が、それはヘタレが巻き込まれたのであって、俺が巻き込まれたわけではない。ヘタレが巻き込まれたから、その巻き添えが俺にも及んでいた。 長くなった。つまり、俺が言いたいのは。 「俺は主人公体質じゃねぇ!」 という心からの叫び。 (だから、たまたま寄った食料品売場に、何で昨日の赤毛巨乳がいるんだよ。どんな偶然だよ) 朝に遅刻で道を全力疾走してパンを口に咥えた美少女転校生とぶつかり合うぐらいの、テンプレかつ現実にはあり得ない展開である。俺が主人公体質を忌避する理由もわかったろう? もう厄介事の予感しかしない。 宿で昼食を取った後、俺たちは予定通りに明日以降の旅路に必要な食料品等を買いに市場に繰り出していた。金銭のやり取りは殆どレアルで、俺は荷物持ちをしながらそのやり取りを観察する。今後、一人で買い物をする機会があるだろうし、買い物をするときの常識的な対応を覚えるためだ。 で、食料品を買い込む段階にいたり、最初の食料品売場にきた段階で、最初のモノローグに戻る。 「ん? どうしたカンナ」 「............レアル、俺はちょいと急用を思い出したから宿に帰る。後の買い物は頼んだ」 「へ? あ、ちょっとおい!」 俺は雑貨の入った小物を、咎めようとする相棒に押しつける。 まだだ。赤毛女は此方に気がついていない。目の前にある商品を見定めるように観察したままだ。何かの拍子がなければしばらくはあのまま。音もなく、自然な形で立ち去れば問題はーー。 「ーーお嬢様、こちらの買い出しは終わりました」 神の悪意か、悪魔の悪戯か。回れ右になる直前である。声に引かれ、赤毛女が売り物から目を離し背後を振り返った。 赤毛女の目が、俺の姿をバッチリ視界に収めた。 時が凍り付いた。 「凍り付かせるのは君の専売特許でしょ?」 どこぞの精霊様を幻視する。やかましいわッ。 「....................................ッ、待ちなさい!」 五秒ぐらいの時空凍結(比喩)の後、先に元の時間に戻ったのは俺の方だった。すぐさま回れ右をして全力で走りだした。一拍遅れて、赤毛女が鋭い声を上げた。もちろんここで待つ馬鹿はいない。 「ーーーーッ、その男を捕まえなさい」 赤毛女を振り向かせた人物。紙袋を抱えた冒険者風の男は女の声に反応するとためらい無く荷物を手放し、俺を捕獲しようと両手を広げて立ちふさがる。 「ーーーーッ」 「なにッーーーがぁッ」 妨害者の前で減速すると思っていただろう、だが俺は逆に男を正面にしてあえて速度を上げた。驚く男を余所に、俺は彼の手の動きに注意を払い、その左脇腹辺りをねらってぶつかった。衝突の直前、左手を男の脇に、右手を伸ばされた腕に添える形で両手を捻り込み、その脇下をこじ開けるように駆け抜ける。 俺の躯が完全に通る寸前、男の右手が俺の服の裾を狙うが、それを予想していた俺は躯の勢いをそのままに水平方向に一回転、服の裾を掴もうとする指先を躯の遠心力を使って強引に引き剥がした。 舐めるなよ。こちとら伊達に様々な包囲網を突破してきていない。たかが一人程度で俺の脱出技術を阻止できると思わないでもらいたい。自慢できる技能でもないがな! にしても、赤毛と冒険者の男は主従関係にあるようだ。赤毛の言葉に脊髄反射で従っていたし。お嬢様って呼ばれていたし。 くそっ、こんなフラグは普通は有月の担当なんだがな。有月が『身近』にいない今、奴の悪運が俺に降りかかってきてんのか? とりあえず俺は、ひたすらに町中を駆け抜けていった。 走りに走った俺だったが、土地勘のない町中を周囲をろくに観察せずに逃げたのが悪かった。勢いで駆け込んだ路地裏だったが、その到達点は建物の壁に囲われた袋小路。 「逃がさないわよッ」 「げッ............」 一度は撒いたはずの赤毛女が奇しくも追いつき、唯一の逃げ道を塞いでしまう。続けて、複数人の冒険者ーーおそらく全員が赤毛女の従者ーーが路地裏になだれ込んできた。 分かり易いほどの袋の鼠だ。 「ふん、私に声を掛けられながらも逃げ出すなんて、舐められたものね」 獲物を追いつめた事で優越感に浸っているのか、勝ち誇った笑みで腕を前で組む赤毛。むぅ、胸が強調される格好だ。思わずガン見する。やはり見事である。 赤毛が、俺の視線が己の顔に向いていないのに気がつく。 「って、あなたどこを視ているの?」 「その我が儘なおっぱいを」 「ーーーーッ............しょ、正直に答えるのが美学とでも思って?」 「むっつりよりおーぷんであれ! が俺の信条だ」 俺の真心からの(使い方あってるか?)返答に赤毛が怯み、拍子に乳も揺れる。昨日からどうにも頭の中がおかしい。乳の事ばかり考えている気がする。 「............下賤な平民らしい、獣じみた発言ですこと」 「男ってのは、誰も彼もが心の中に獣を飼ってるんだ。女性の胸に実るたわわな果実を貪りたいと常日頃に考えているんだ!」 普段の俺なら絶対に発言しない台詞だ。たぶん、昨日からのアレで性欲が溜まってるせいだ。でなけりゃ心の中の本音を口にしたりしない。 「それはあなただけですッ」 「いんや、みんな同じだね。そこの冒険者どもッ、考えなかったとは言わせないぞ。隣を併走しているときに、赤毛の胸がたゆんたゆんに揺れているを見て何も想像しなかったとはッ」 話を振られて、ぎくりと肩を振るわせる野郎陣。彼らにとっての幸運は、赤毛が俺の言葉を鼻で笑い、背後を振り返らなかった事だ。 「彼らは私の家に仕える忠実な部下たちです。いかに私の美貌であろうとも、そのような目を向けるはずが無いわ」 信頼を寄せているようだが、奴らは俺と目を合わせようとしない。よかったね、と他人事のように念を送る。 冒険者風従者たちの尊厳が辛うじて保たれた所で、俺は改めて思案する。 逃げ場は正面方向に限られ、赤毛を含んで障害が四人立ちふさがっている。つい先ほどのような振り払い方は通用しないだろう。 実力行使でいくか? 初見での不意打ちなら、たぶん問題なく突破できる。ただ、昼間の町中で、というシチュエーションと今朝のレアルとの会話が待ったをかける。切羽詰まるほどの危機的状況ではない。 「さぁ、教えてちょうだい。昨日、あなたはいったい何をしたの? 何をどうすればあの短時間で私に術式を悟らせないような構築ができたのか」 真剣な眼差しが、昨夜に俺の胸ぐらを引き寄せたときと同じだ。 「............企業秘密ってことじゃだめか?」 「だめね。昨日からあたしなりに色々と考察してみたけど、あの氷魔術は異様すぎだわ。どれほどの技術があって、優れた術式があったとしても、魔力を練り上げてから術式の構築、そして発動の瞬間にまで一切魔力を感じなかった。一人の魔術士としては見過ごすわけにはいかないの」 お陰で寝不足だわ、とぼやいた。 「もちろん、ただとは言わない。相応の礼はするつもりよ。魔術式の理論は言い値で買うわ。そうね、学会にでも発表して認められるなら、その最大協力者として名を残すことも約束する。その他に発生する経済効果の何割かも保証する」 初対面の時と同じで、一人で勝手に話を進めていくなこの赤毛さん。 「光栄に思ってほしいわ。このあたしが、それほどまでにあなたの能力を買っている事実に」 そして清々しい位に唯我独尊である。ぶっちゃけ、俺はあなたの身分とかこれっぽっちも知らないんですけどね。雰囲気的に貴族であろうとは思うんだが。 ............はて? 首を傾げる。 赤毛さんの気配ーー魔力に違和感を覚えた。ごく最近に、似た魔力を感じた記憶がある。けど、思い出せない。記憶を探ろうとすると、胸の奥から凄まじい『嫌悪』が吹き出してくる。赤毛さんに対しては欠片ほどの敵意は感じないのに、記憶の中の『似た誰か』さんには凄まじく怒りを覚えている。 「............なぁ、赤毛さん」 「ーーーーそれってあたしのこと?」 「この場に赤毛はあんただけだろう。名前知らないし」 あ、と赤毛さんは呆けた。今更に思い出したようだ。 魔力の気配がーー雰囲気が似ているという事は、その誰かが赤毛さんに近しい人物の可能性がある。いの一番に浮かんだのは、血の繋がり。 「もしかして、あんたって妹か弟とか............」 その先を口にする前に、俺の背筋がビリっと痺れた。 この感覚は覚えがある。麓の村を出発してから何度か感じたこれは。 はっとした俺は反射的に手の中に握り拳ほどの氷を生み出し、全力で投擲した。俺の突然の行動に前方の赤毛さんたちはぎょっと凍り付くが、狙いは彼女たちではない。氷の投球は赤毛さん達の横を走り後ろに突き抜けて『何か』に衝突し、爆発が起こった。 衝撃の煽りを受け、赤毛さんは地面に倒れた。他の従者たちも倒れはしなかったがバランスを崩したたらを振む。 危なかった。後もう少し手前で爆発していたら、少なからずの負傷者がでていたかも知れない。そして、赤毛さん達のど真ん中でだったら、爆心地にいた彼女らはバラバラに吹き飛んでいた。 爆発の後に、新しい足音が近づいてくる。冒険者風の出で立ちが六人。顔を布で覆い隠しているので人相の把握はできない。とりあえず、進んで交友関係を結びたくはない格好だ。

Chapter 13 There are a lot of protagonists on the bystander's side recently This is a bit sudden, but shall I talk about my childhood friend? Izumo Yuuzuki, who I'm fated to be stuck with, enters the framework of a {protagonist} if I a.s.sign him a character role in a light novel. He gets involved into things that are troublesome to the point of being mysterious -- or rather to the point of wanting to pick up the urge to kill. And the friend that is me also gets involved in them, it's a role whose trouble knows no bounds. With his ability to be rash being high, Yuuzuki plunges his head one way or another into an incident he comes across and tries to settle on a solution. That is fine and all. I didn't plan on holding back in cooperating with him on the occasion I couldn't overlook it humanely, because I was also a child. To be honest, I don't plan on having any mercy towards bad people who are trying to ruin other people's lives. Nevertheless, the problem here is the idiot Yuuzuki's hasty actions. Even though this idiot boasts top cla.s.s results in the national mock exam, he's so foolish it's sad. He's the perfect example of knowledge not being equal to wisdom. What is wrong with him, you ask? That inept pretty boy puts the immediate resolution of the incident as his first priority and neglects taking into account the secondary disasters that may occur afterwards. Thanks to him, I get to be surrounded by bullies of our school, by delinquents of another school, by the money collectors of the Yakuza, by fans of a certain girl and by the escort group of a certain honorable lady. I even remember risking my life once or twice. It's not an exaggeration to say that my tenacity being one of my very few good points is developed due to all of that. Of course, eventually I would catch Yuuzuki by the scruff of his neck and force him to help me solve the incident. That guy may be an idiot, but he's a capable idiot. If he settles everything one by one in a particular order, he will get to the end of it without problems. ......... I really went off track there didn't I? I digressed right from the beginning. Because the inept protagonist material, I've been dragged into incidents a lot. Although it's because the inept guy gets himself dragged into them, it's not that I myself get dragged into these incidents. The inept guy gets himself involved into it and that's why his involvement reaches even me. It became long winded. In other words, what I wanted to say is: "I'm not a freaking protagonist material!" Is what I shout from the bottom of my heart. (So, why is yesterday's huge breasted redhead here at the grocery store we casually stopped by? What kind of coincidence is this, I ask you) It's a template scene that's kind of like cras.h.i.+ng into a beautiful female transfer student who ran with all her might with a bread in her mouth because she's being late in the morning, which is a development that in reality is impossible. You already understand the reason I avoid being a protagonist material right? I already have nothing but premonitions of trouble. After eating lunch at the inn, we went to the marketplace to buy groceries and the like that are necessary for our trip we plan on going tomorrow. With the one paying for them being Real, I observe the exchange while carrying the bags. From now on, there will be opportunities where I will be shopping on my own, so for that sake I'll learn the common interactions during our shopping. So, as we reach the stage of buying up the foodstuff, I return to the first monologue which is where we went to the first place those foodstuff were sold. "Hm? What's wrong Kanna?" " ......... Real, I just remembered something a little urgent so I'm going back to the inn. I'm leaving you with the rest of the things we have to buy." "Eh? Ah, wait just a minute, hey!" I pushed the small things from the general store to my partner who is trying to question me. Not yet. The red haired woman hasn't noticed us. She's observing in order to ascertain the commodities in front of her. Unless something happens, she will be like that for a while. If I leave with a quiet and natural visage, the problem would be-- "--Milady, we have finished shopping." Is this G.o.d's ill will, or is it the devil's trick? It's just before I turned to the right. Drawn by that voice, the redhead woman separated her eyes from the goods and turned around. The eyes of the redhead woman perfectly captured my figure in her sight. Time froze. "What is frozen is your specialty don't you think?" I envisioned an honorable spirit from some place. How noisy. "....................................ah, wait, you!" After about five seconds of s.p.a.ce-time freeze(metaphor), the one who returned to the original time earlier was me. I immediately turned right and ran with all my strength. Being late a beat, the red haired girl swiftly raised her voice. Of course, there are no idiots who would wait here. "----gh, seize that man." A person turned his head to that red haired woman. When the adventurer like man who is holding a paper bag responded to the voice of the red haired woman, he lets go of all his bags without hesitation and stood in my way with both his arms spread as if he's planning to capture me. "----gh" "What---are you-" I guess he thought I would slow down in front of the adventurer, but I did the opposite and intentionally raised my speed in front of him. To that surprised man, I paid attention to the movement of his hands and b.u.mped close to his left side. Just before the collision, I put my left hand on his armpit and my right hand on his extending arm, twisted both my hands intently and ran under his armpits in order to break through. When my body was about to pa.s.s through completely, the man's right arm aimed at the hem of my clothes, but I expected that so I made a horizontal turn while keeping momentum, forcibly tearing away the fingertips that was trying to grab the hem of my clothes by using my body's centrifugal force. Don't underestimate me. I didn't break through various encirclements just for show. I won't let you think you can prevent my escape skills with only one guy. It's not a skill I can brag about though! Even so, it looks like the redhead and the adventurer guy has a master servant relations.h.i.+p. He followed the redhead's words by reflex after all. He even called her with "milady". Well s.h.i.+t, these flags should be Yuuzuki's responsibilities. Now that Yuuzuki's not {nearby} , does that mean that guy's bad luck falls onto me? For the time being, I'll do nothing but run through downtown. The one running the run is me, but it was my bad for running away without sufficiently observing my surroundings in the unfamiliar downtown. I rushed into a back-alley with force, but once I arrived I found myself at a dead end surrounded by building walls. "I will not let you get away now." "Geh........." The red haired girl who I should've shaken off miraculously caught up, completely standing in the way on my only way out. Following her, multiple adventurers-- most likely all of them being the red haired girl's servants--rushed into the back alley. It's the easy to understand rat in the bag. "Hmph, running away while you were called out by me, I underestimated you didn't I?" So she would be immersed in a sense of superiority by cornering her prey, this redhead with her arms crossing each other is showing a triumphant smile. Hm, it's a pose that emphasises her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. I unintentionally stared at it fixedly. The redhead noticed my line of sight even though I didn't turn my face towards it. "Wait, where do you think you're looking at?" "At those selfish t.i.ts." "----gh......... Do, do you really think answering honestly is a virtue?" "Be more open than taciturn! Is my creed." The redhead flinched from my answer (was it a saying?) out of sincerity, even her b.r.e.a.s.t.s shook that moment. My brain is being really strange since yesterday. It feels like b.r.e.a.s.t.s are all I'm thinking about. "............You appear to be a vulgar commoner, what an animal like statement." "That's because for "men", everyone has a beast inside their mind. They crave for the drooping fruits born on women's chest and they're always thinking about them!" If it's the usual me I wouldn't have spoken that line. It's probably because of the pent up s.e.xual desire from what happened yesterday. I wouldn't have spoken out what's really on my mind if not for that. "It's only you who is like that." "Nope, everyone's the same you know. The adventurers there, I won't let you say you didn't think about it okay? Seeing the redhead's b.r.e.a.s.t.s swaying loosely whenever you run next to her and imagining nothing that is." Bringing up that topic, the group of fellows got startled and shook their shoulders. Fortunately for them, the redhead laughed scornfully at my words and didn't look behind her. "These adventurers are faithful subordinates who serve my house. No matter how good looking I am, I can tell you it's impossible that they would look at me with those kind of eyes." She seems to be relying on faith, but they don't seem to try looking at me in the eye. Aren't you glad, is what they sent together with the feeling like it's somebody else's problem. With the adventurer like servants barely retaining their dignity, I pondered once again. Escape is limited to the front direction, standing in my way are four people including the redhead. I won't apply the way I shook them off some time ago I guess. Shall I go by using force? If it's a surprise attack they see for the first time, I can probably break through with no problem. It's just that with the town in daylight, I should put on hold this morning's conversation with Real and this so-called situation. It's not a situation that critical to the point of being cornered. "Well then, you shall give me an explanation. What in the world did you do yesterday? In what way were you able to put up a construct I couldn't understand in that short time?" That serious look is the same as the time she pulled on my collar last night. " ......... Saying it's a trade secret is not allowed?" "No, that is not allowed. I've tried studying various things right after yesterday however, that ice magic is too strange you see. How much skill you have or how outstanding your magic is, I felt absolutely no magic power in the construction of your magic; from the time you refined your magic power, until the moment of invocation. As a sorcerer, I cannot overlook this event, do you understand?" Thanks to that, I'm lacking sleep is what she grumbles. Of course, I won't be saying just that. I plan to give a suitable reward for this. I will buy the theory on the magic formula at the price you ask for. Oh that's right, I will even promise you I will reserve your name as the largest contributor in the case I release this and become recognized even by the academic conference. In addition, I can also guarantee you a percentage of the economic effects that springs forth." Just like during our first meeting, miss Redhead is advancing the negotiations selfishly on her own. "I hope you consider the privilege. To the fact that this me is going to buy your abilities up to that extent." And then there is that self-conceit at a refres.h.i.+ng degree. To be completely honest, I could care less about your social standing though. I do think she has this atmosphere like an aristrocrat though. ............ Reward? I inclined my neck. I remembered miss Redhead's presence--a sense of discomfort from magic power. I remember experiencing a similar magic power very recently. However, I just can't recall. When I tried to search for my memory, a dreadful {disgust} gushed out from within my chest. Although I don't feel any splinters of hostility towards miss Redhead, I remember a terrible anger against a {similar someone} within my memories. " ............ Say miss Redhead." "----Are you referring to me?" "Aren't you the only redhead here? I don't know your name either." "Ah" Miss Redhead was shocked. She seems to have realized after all this time. The person whose presence of magic power --whose atmosphere is similar is likely a person close to miss Redhead. The first thing that came to mind is a blood relations.h.i.+p. "Maybe... your sister or brother......" Before I could say the last part, my back muscles became numb like I was shocked. I remember this sensation. It's what I felt several times after departing from the village at the foot of the mountain. Surprised, I reflexively produced an ice the size of a fist in my hand and threw them with all my strength. Miss redhead and co. got startled stiff from my sudden actions, but my aim wasn't them. The pitched ice ball ran beside Redhead's group, broke through to the back and crashed into {something} . And then an explosion occured. Receiving the gust of wind from the impact, miss Redhead dropped to the ground. The other servants didn't collapse, but shook after their balance was broken. What a close call. If that exploded a little later, a lot of injured people may be left behind. And it if was right in the middle of miss Redhead's group, those at the center of explosion will be blown away to pieces. After the explosion, new footsteps drew near. Six people dressed like an adventurer. Because their faces were concealed by a cloth hood, I couldn't grasp their facial features. At any rate, they didn't look like someone who is willing to make friends with me.

第四話 この世界の現実を再確認する 「............なんかいろいろいるな」 白に近い灰色の毛並みをした四足歩行の獣がうじゃうじゃいた。そのどれもが血走った目でこちらを見据えている。歓迎されている気配は皆無。 「『スノーウルフ』。寒冷地方に生息する狼型の魔獣だ。群を形成する習性を持っている。どうやら、この山に住み着くウルフの群の一つが麓にまで降りてきたようだ。本来は、もっと奥地に住み着いているのだがな」 俺に説明するように口にしながら、レアルはゆっくりと背中の大剣を鞘から引き抜いた。野生の殺気に当てられて若干腰の引けている俺とは真逆に、深い落ち着きを払った様子。 「カンナ」 「絶対に傍を離れないから大丈夫です!」 情けない台詞を全力で叫ぶ。情けないって? 下手にカッコつけて狼の晩ご飯になるよりマシだ! 「そうか。では............くるぞっ」 苦笑を漏らしたレアルが鋭い声を上げるのと、狼どもが襲ってくるのは同時だった。 「せいッ」 短くも激しい気迫とともに大剣を大振りすると、正面から牙の生え揃った大口を開けて飛びかかってきた灰狼が、頭を縦に割られながら吹き飛ばされた。 「次ッ」 横から襲ってくる狼は爪を振りかざすが、レアルはそれごと剣で叩き潰した。続けざまに突進してくる狼も同じ末路にたどり着く。 「だりゃぁぁぁっっっ」 剣を振るう度に、狼達が肉塊へと変じていく。飛び散った鮮血に、純白に降り積もった雪が赤に染まっていった。 飛び散る肉片やら血やらに、俺はぐっと吐き気と悲鳴をかみ殺した。 相手が人を襲う魔獣であれ、そこにあるのは間違いなく生き物だ。それを何ら躊躇いもなく血祭りに上げていくレアルの表情に大きな感慨は無し。まっすぐに相手を見据え、正確に剣を叩き込んでく。 どれほどにこの世界が俺にとってファンタジーだったとしても、この世界に生きる人々にとっては『これ」が現実だ。そして世に生を受けたモノは例外なく、他の生物を殺して生きていかなければいけない存在だ。その事に罪はない。俺だって死にたくはない。レアルだって同じはず。 だからこそ、目の前にある外敵を葬る選択を選ぶのだ。 俺は今、何の力も持たない荷物持ちだ。この危機的事態を乗り越えるためには彼女の力が必要。だから、いかにヘタレた台詞を吐こうとも、情けなく腰が引けていたとしても、この光景だけはしっかり目に焼き付けた。 俺は未だ、彼女の問いに答えてはいなかった。 「これから先、どうするのか?」と。 答えは目の前の惨劇だ。 明確な返答ではない。ただ、一つの現実を再確認した。 この異世界で、俺は生きていかなければならないのだ。 魔獣の群は十分ほどで駆逐された。辺り一面に灰色の毛と積もった雪を血染めにした狼の死体。その死骸の中心地点にたつレアルは、じっとりと青眼で剣を構えている。傍らの俺はと言えば、もう襲ってくる相手もいないのに未だに心臓がドキドキしている。 周囲に動く気配がなくなってから更に一分経過した頃、ようやくレアルはゆっくりと息を吐き構えを解いた。吊られて俺も、溜まりに溜まった肺の空気を盛大に吐き出した。 剣を背中の鞘に戻すレアルは、僅かほどにも呼吸を乱していなかった。あれだけの奮闘を見せながらも、息を荒げるほどでもなかったのか。どれほどに鍛錬をすればその領域にたどり着けるのか。ただじっとレアルの陰で息を忍ばせていた俺の方が肩で息をしているのに。 畏敬の念を抱く俺だったが、落ち着きを取り戻すとはっとした。 自分たちの目的が山草の採取でも魔獣の討伐でもない。 改めて、狼の死骸に目をやる。 「おいおいおいおい。ここって先に村娘さんがきてたはずじゃぁ」 この狼達が、山草を取りに来た娘さんと遭遇していないとは限らないのだ。むしろ、その可能性の方が高い。 もしかしたら............。 「............最悪の結果も、考えなければならないな」 血の気の引く俺に、レアルは冷静に振る舞いつつも、強ばった声で言葉を返す。考えている先は同じだった。 脳裏に血の海に沈む娘さんの末路を浮かべ、俺は凍り付きそうになった。が、歯をぐっと噛みしめながら地面にへばりつく足を強引に踏み込んだ。 「畜生がッ。おいレアル、とにかく探すぞ!」 「分かっているッ」 俺たちは魔獣の死体が転がる付近一帯を手分けして探す。次々に目に付く狼の亡骸が、次の瞬間に人間のそれになるのではないか。拭えない恐怖を胸に抱きながら、それでも必死に目を凝らす。 「頼むから、無事でいてくれ」 まだ名も知らぬ姿も見ない相手だが、心の底から彼女の無事を祈る。正直、神様とやらに祈りを捧げるのは趣味ではない。しかし、それで誰かが助かるのならば、神だろうが悪魔だろうが、いくらでも祈りを捧げる。 不意に、凄まじい突風が俺を襲った。娘さんを探すことに集中していた俺は足下が疎かになり、風にあおられて大きくバランスを崩した。 更に運の悪いことに、倒れまいと足を踏み出した先が、いつの間にか近づいていた下り傾斜だった。 「のわぁぁぁっっっ」 俺の悲鳴にレアルが鋭く反応するが、彼女が駆け寄るよりも早く、俺は下り傾斜を転げ落ちた。回転する視界の中、俺はパニックになり唯衝撃を和らげようと体を丸める程度しかできなかった。 数秒の回転の後、躯が浮遊感に襲われた。まさか、崖の外に投げ飛ばされたのか。絶望に心を支配されるが、一瞬の後に下から強烈な衝撃を受けてしこうが真っ白になる。 思考が正常に戻った頃、どうやら躯が停止しているのに気が付いた。ショックで思うように動かない体を延ばし、どうにか躯を仰向けにした。 格好そのまま上の方を見れば、自分が投げ飛ばされた傾斜の端っこが見えた。幸いに、雪のクッションのお陰で五体が満足でいられる程度の高度しかなかったらしい。 俺が投げ出された崖の両端は地続きの傾斜だった。急いでそこを滑り降りてくるレアルに、俺は倒れたまま手振りで無事を知らせる。ほっとしたレアルは安堵の息を吐きながら俺の手を掴み、立ち上がるのを手助けしてくれた。 「まったく、驚かせてくれるな。心臓が止まるかと思ったぞ」 「正直すまん。ちょいと注意散漫だったわ」 服にへばりついた雪をはたき落としていると、自分が落ちた先に目がいく。上の山草が生えているあたりからは完全に死角になる形で、洞穴を見つけたのだ。 俺の視線に釣られたレアルも、洞穴の存在に気が付く。 そして、人間のモノに間違いない鞄を見つけたのだ。 大急ぎでその中身を開くと、この直上に生えている山草の束。間違いなく、俺たちが探している娘さんの所有物だ。 「おそらく、ウルフ達から逃げるときに落としたものだろう」 「ってことはッ」 「まだ希望的観測にすぎない。が、少なからず望みは出てきた」 俺とレアルは互いに強く頷きあい、洞窟の中に足を踏み入れた。

Chapter 4 : Reconfirming the reality of this world. [............Looks like several stuff happened] Canine creatures whose fur is between white and grey move around walking in four legs; that stare which focuses on us with their bloodshot eyes doesn't show any signs of a warm welcome. [{Snow Wolf} is a wolf shaped magic beast frequently found in cold regions. They tend to band in groups and normally they habitate more hinterland locations... it looks like a group of them ended up climbing down the mountain] Real calmly pulled out her sword from the sheath and prepared herself as I was provided with an explanation. She keeps great composure in front of the surrounding murderous air- unlike me whose legs are about to give out. [Kanna] [I will absolutely not leave your side, so no worries!] I shout at full lung that miserable statement; pitable isn't it? Well, it beats some lame attempt at acting tough and ending up as the dinner of a pack of wolves! [I see. Then............ they are already close] Real has a bitter smile as she proceeds to leash out sharp slices; with a strong voice she matched the charge of the group of wolves. [Seitsu] Momentarily, a surge of intense spirit could be felt as the great sword drew a long angle; the ashen wolf that who lunged forward and had his ready to bite jaw wholy open got blown away with it's head bisected vertically. [Nexttsu] Wolves that approach from the side with the intention of using their nails or wolves that approached in grouped straight on with their fangs; all of them where crushed by Real's giant sword. [Daryaaatsutsutsu] As each sword swing turned a wolf in a slump of flesh; the constant splashes of blood turned the pure white of the snowy ground crimson. I held down the sound of my nausea as the blood and pieces of flesh where splattered everywhere. Even if your opponent is a monster that attacks people; there is no mistake that those are still living organisms. Without minding that Real surfaced no hesitation nor didn't gave signs of any strong feelings as the bloodbath kept increasing... her eyes completely focused on the opponent and her hands accurately commanded the sword movement... It doesn't matter how much fiction this world seems to me; for the people residing here {this is] reality... For every living creature that has possess the gift of life there is -without any exception- another creature that has no choice but to kill others for the sake of keep on living. There is not any sin in this... and if I don't want to end up dying; I need to act just like Real has just done. And for that reason; make the choice of burying the enemies in front of you. Right now I'm but a baggage carrier that has absolutely no strength on his own... for the sake of triumphing over this type of dangerous situations; she has deemed necesary power. That's why; it doesn't matter how much you clown with your words or how easily your legs give away; I need to imprint this scene in my eyes. .... I have still not answered the question she once gave me... "What will you do from now on, Kanna?", was it? The answer is the tragic event in front of me. It's obviously not a clear answer; but there is at least one reality that was reconfirmed now. I have to make absolutely sure that I can survive in this another world. The extermination of these magic beast took roughly 10 minutes; the immediate area has been filled with stashes of corpses from these grey wolves that now smear the snow surface red. At the center of this mess stands Real; cooly using her blue eyes to check her great sword. In contrast I am here; even though no enemies remain, my heart still races... A minute was spent as she was making sure that no surrounding enemies were approaching and only after that; Real allowed herself to breathe in relief. Even I who was on his toes, strongly lushed out the air acc.u.mulated in my lungs after the battle was over. Returning the sword to her back, I noticed that Real's breaths were not disturbed in the least... I was shown that type of intense huge battle and are you telling me that you didn't experience physical agitation in the least? Just what type and just how much of an intense training was drilled into you as to reach that level? I who was merely watching the performance from the side, am showing signs of fatige in my shoulders... Rather than being submerged in awe's embrace; I need to regain my composure. Our goal for coming to this mountain is not subjugation of beasts nor the collection of medicinal herbs... At least I have to check the corpses. [Oioi oyeoye; wasn't this the place the village girl was supposed have pa.s.sed?] It's not truly certain that these wolves encountered that daughter at thee time she was picking up herbs... however, the possibility is undoubtedly there. It might even be that............. [............We should also consider even the worst case sceneario] To the me who couldn't but be drawn back a little by this much blood; Real responded to with a calm behaviour. Her voice was slightly stiff; meaning the idea we had was the same... A bad image of a young girl sinking in a sea of blood came to my mind; I couldn't help but to be still in my own place... Bitting my own teeths; I forcibly move those clinged legs with strong steps. [Screw it! Oi Real! In any event let's just keep looking!] [I agree] We split and circled around inside the area were the pile of corpses laid; continuing the search... One after another I kept b.u.mping into sight of death wolves... Maybe the the next body I find; would be a human one? Without being able to push away the dismay in my chest; I desperately continued to search. [Just please be safe] She is someone who I don't know the looks nor the name; yet I am wholeheartedly praying for her well being. Truth be told; I'm not the type that prays much to G.o.ds... However; if it's for the sake of someone else being saved-- whether it's a G.o.d or a devil; I'll gladly pray as much as I can... Suddenly, as I was concentrating on looking for the young girl; I was a.s.sailed by a huge gust of wind- The great wind took advantage of me being focused in something brought negligence towards my feet; I was sweeped at until my balance was lost... As a bonus; bad luck dictated that the place where my feet had to fail; was the place where a descending slope was forming- [Nowaaaatsutsutsu] Real made swift response to my shriek; but even faster than her, I proceeded to roll down the slope. As my field of vision continued rotating I could only feel panic and curl my body to reduce the shock. After a few seconds of rotation; my body was struck by a floating sensation.... It couldn't be; was I seriously flung off from the cliff? -Despair proceeded to rule my heart; but the next moment I felt a strong impact in coming from below as everything became white. At this time my train of thought returned completely to normal; it looks like something stopped my body... I touch myself thinking of the after effects of the crash; I ended up stopping in a face up position. Keeping my position I look at the slope I fell off from; it looks like due to the fortune of the snow cus.h.i.+on being here is that I didn't proceed further down... There are two declining edges on the cliff that I fell from; Real slides here in a hurry through the other pathway. Without standing up, I made hand gestures to show that I'm safe. While breathing a huge relief, Real grabs my hand and helps me stand up. [Seriously; try not to surprise me like that anymore. I though my heart would stop] [I'm really sorry; I was too distracted] As I was slapping off the snow out of my clothes; I directed my eyes to the place I thumbled down from... It can't be possibly seen from the area where the herbs grow due to a blindspot; but a cave happens to be there. Real who was lured by my sight, also became aware of the cave's existence. Additionally; there is in that place a bag that without a doubt belongs to a person. ... Quickly opening the bag disclosed that the contents were a bunch of medical herbs which grow on the upper part from here... This can only be -without a doubt- property of the village girl we are looking for. [Probably, while running away from the wolves; she fell here] [So, that means-] [It might be wishful thinking; but at least the prospects are there] After strongly nodding at each other; we took steps into the cave.

従者筆頭さんーーランドは俺らが座るテーブルの一席に腰を下ろすと、自分の分の酒を注文した。程なく彼の分が届くと、誰からともなく杯を持ち上げると。 「じゃ、とりあえず乾杯な」 杯を打ち合わせる。器が木製なので鈍い音がし、俺達は酒を一口煽った。働いた後の一杯は最高だね。............昼間の一件は、働いたと言ってもいいのかね。 ランドは、イケメンが順当に年を重ねたようなナイスガイな顔立ちをしていた。というか、ファイマの従者一同は全体的に整った顔立ちをしており、その筆頭であるランドは顔立ちも筆頭であった。どうでもいいか。日々の鍛錬を惜しまないのか、爽やかと言うよりは精悍な印象を受け、鎧を着ていない軽装だと引き締まった体躯が一層に見受けられる。いわゆる細マッチョか。男の理想的な体型の一つだ。俺が女だったらちょいと見惚れていたね。 「まずは昼間の一件の礼を言いたい。お嬢様からもあっただろうが、改めて言わせてくれ。カンナ君がいなければ、我々はお嬢様を守ることすらできず全滅していただろう。我々従者の筆頭として、心より感謝する」 深々と頭を下げるランドに、俺は手を振って答えた。 「その件はもう良いさ。それなりの報酬はもらってるからな」 「これはケジメの問題だ。悪いが素直に受け取ってくれ」 困った俺はレアルに目を向けるが、彼女は微笑しながら頷くだけだ。仕方がないな、と俺は黙って彼の礼を受け入れた。 「で、それだけを言いに来たと言う訳では無かろう。それとも、ただ純粋に酒を呑みにきたのか?」 レアルは呑んでいた器を置きながら言った。俺も柑橘系の味わいがある果実酒をさらに一口。上手い。 「礼を言いに来たのも間違いではないが、本題は別だ」 ですよねー。 整っていつつ生真面目な顔立ちをさらに真面目に引き締め、正面から俺の目を見てくる。酒の席で馬鹿話をするつもりは毛頭ないか。 「他でもない、改めて君にお嬢様ーーファイマ様の護衛を依頼しにこの場に来た。これは従者達全員の総意ととってもらって構わない」 「従者全員ねーー」 どうにも含みのある言い方だ。 「肝心のお嬢様は?」 「ーーーーお嬢様は、私がこの場に来ていることは知らない。これは私の独断だ。できればお嬢様には内密にお願いしたい」 展開的に、そうだと思ったよ。 「結論は明日の朝までには出すって言ったでしょ」 「だが、それだと君が護衛を引き受けてくれるとは限らないだろう?」 「や、だから迷ってる最中なのよ、これが」 あんたが来るまでの間もずっと迷っていたんですよ。 「............お嬢様のことだ、君達に護衛の依頼こそしたが、色良い返事が貰えるとは期待してはいないだろう。我々も同感だ。幾ら報酬が高くとも、場数を踏んだ冒険者であるなら安請け合いはしない。その点、即座に承諾しなかった君達はむしろ信頼できる」 場数は場数でも、路地裏喧嘩やらですけどね。 「諦め半分かい。だったら何でランドさんはこの場にいるわけ」 「望みが薄くとも、主のために最善を尽くすのが我々の勤めだ」 乾いた唇を酒で湿らせる。 「それだけ事態を重く見ているということかな、ランド殿」 「............我々もお嬢様も、同一の認識です」 レアルの言葉に重く頷くランド。 「ファイマ様は、さる高貴な家の出身。その身を狙う者は、それこそ星の数もいるだろう。実際、これまで何度か此度のような暗殺や、誘拐の企てもあった」 「実家に帰れ」 あ、やべ、思わず素で言ってしまった。 頭痛を抑えるように額に手を当てるレアル。 「............君は時折怖いくらいに正直になるな」 「いや、彼の言うとおり。実際問題、今回の襲撃は、一歩間違えればお嬢様の身も危ぶまれた。本当にお嬢様の身を案じるのであれば、それが一番なのだろう。だが............」 ぐっと、テーブルにおいた器を握る手に力が籠もる。内心の複雑な思いを乗せるように。 「............我々としては、お嬢様の望みを叶えて差し上げたいのだ。これがあの方の最後の我が儘であるのだから」 そこから先はだいたい予想通りだった。 ファイマは今年で十八歳(年上っ!?)。貴族の娘として生まれた彼女にも縁談の話が持ち上がっている。十六歳の時点で結婚しても普通な貴族社会の中で、むしろ遅い方。でなくとも婚約ぐらいはしている。だが、彼女はそれを今まで突っぱねて来たらしい。 「魔術士としての類稀なる才能を有していたお嬢様は、兼ねてより国外の魔術にも大変興味を持っていた。だが、書物だけの知識だけでは限界がある。それに、国外の魔術書本となれば入手自体が困難だ」 俺もざっくりとしか教わっていないが、魔術は国によって独自の体系を取っていることもある。同じ効果のある魔術でも、それを構成する術式の構成が、国ごとに差異が生じるのだ。魔術が使えない俺には想像するしかないが、多分日本語をアメリカ人が発音する、ぐらいの違いがある。構成が違えば、得手不得手も存在するし、規模や詠唱速度にも差が出てくる。 「結婚がなされてしまえば、お嬢様の身は一層に御家に縛られる。だからこそ、ファイマ様はお父上であるへーーご当主に願い出ていたのだ。縁談の前に国外の魔術を学びたいと。だが、先にも述べたように、お嬢様を狙う者は多い。おいそれとご息女を国の外に出すわけにはいかなかった」 どこのご当主さんかはしらないが、妥当な判断だ。 「なるほど、読めたな」 レアルが合点が行ったように頷いた。 「ファイマ嬢は婚約の承諾と、己の自由を取り引きしたのだな?」 「その通りです。認めなければ、出家するとまで」 ............どゆこと? 「つまりだ。彼女は国外に魔術を学びにいく代償として、それまで突っ張ってきた婚約を受け入れると、当主に持ちかけたんだ。それが受け入れられなければ、教会に入信しシスターになるとまで言ってな。長々と縁談の延期を持ちかけるより、事後に縁談の話を確約してしまえば、親としては安心できる」 「............行動力のあるお嬢様だな」 としか俺には言えない。 「実際に、それが脅し文句ではなく実行してしまう辺りが、ただの温室育ちのお嬢様ではないな」 俺もレアルも半ば呆れた。 「そういった経緯があり、我々としてはせめてこの旅を無事に終わらせたいのだ。この旅が終われば、ファイマ様に待っているのは窮屈な結婚生活。ならば、僅かの間でも自由を謳歌していただきたい。その為に、我々はこの旅に同道することを志願したのだ」 「そこに命を賭ける価値があると?」 「少なくとも、我々はそう思っている」 愛されてんなファイマお嬢様。と、素直に感想を抱く。 ーーーーが、これが単純な美談にならないのが世の悲しいところか。 それらはどこまでいってもファイマ周辺の事情であって、俺らはどこまでいっても部外者である。お涙頂戴の情が溢れるお話であろうとも、俺らが関わり合いになる義理はない。 義理はないんだがーーーー。 「正直に言わせてもらえば、同じ女として彼女の願いを叶えてやりたいという気持ちはある。状況が違えば力を貸すのもやぶさかではないが」 レアルは言いながら俺の方を向く。俺と一緒に旅をしていなければ、引き受けていたという意味だろう。 五分ほどを使って、一通りの考えを纏めて、俺は心を決めた。 卑怯だ、と心の中だけでランドに叫んでおこう。 「なんだかんだで君はファイマ嬢の護衛を引き受けていたと思う」 ランドが引き上げていった後、俺とレアルは二杯目の酒を注文していた。もちろん、彼への返事は「YES」である。幾つかの条件を追加してもらうのを前提で契約を結ぶのを約束した。元々天秤の揺れ具合は偏っていた。そこにランドの口にした話がとどめを刺したのだ。 「なんだかんだって」 「君は自身が思っている以上に義にアツい男だ。でなければ、あんな状況の城から私を連れ出そうとは思わないだろうし、麓村でも娘さんを助けにいこうとはしない。口では文句を散々言っていても、助けを求める手を取らずにはいられないのさ」 「............分かったようなことを言いやがって」 レアルから顔を背けて、俺は酒を煽る。先ほどよりも強い酒が俺の喉を焦がし胃を熱する。不機嫌になりつつも、内心ではレアルの言うことが的を射ているのを認めていた。 本音を言えば、ファイマの話が転がり込んでこなければ、あの異様な魔力と関わりを持とうとは思わない。我関せずを貫いていた。ファイマと出会うことなくあの魔力と相対していたなら、極力避ける選択をしていたに違いない。 それでも引き受けたのはーーたぶん『精霊術』って便利な力を手に入れたからだろう。俺自身は無能でも、あの力は誰かの助けになれる。 出来る事があって、求められる願いがあって、成す為の意志があるならば、そこに躊躇う必要はないのだ。 ーーただ、ちらっとだけ。 あの異質な魔力と俺は、ここから先々でいろいろな関係を持っていくのではないかという予感を抱いていた。すぐに否定したが。 ............結局は儚い望みでした。

Mr. Head servant--Rand lowers himself on one of the seats of the table we're sitting at and orders his own alcohol. As soon as his order arrives, he lifts up a cup out of thin air. "Well then, first of all, a toast." We knock the cups together. As the container makes a dull sound from being made of wood, I take one gulp out of it. One cup after work is the best isn't it? ............ With the matter during the daytime, I can say I've worked right? Rand has a nice guy look like a pretty boy who has piled up the right amount of years. Or more like, all of Faima's servants has well-featured looks on the whole and Rand, who's at the top, also has looks that's at the top. Do I care? Did they not spare any daily training? I get more of a masculine impression from them rather than fresh and their lean body can be seen even more when they're lightly dressed without armor. So this is the so-called slender macho. It's one of men's ideal physique. If I was a woman I would be captivated by that for a while. "First things first, I want to give you my thanks about the matter during the day. You may have heard it from our lady, but please let me say it once again. If it weren't for you Mr. Kanna, we would've all perished without being able to protect our lady. As the chief attendant, we give you our heartfelt thanks." I wave my hand to Rand who lowered his head very deeply and answer. "That case is already settled, okay? We're receiving a certain amount of reward after all." "That is a matter between public and private. Excuse me, but please accept it obediently." I embarra.s.singly point my eyes to Real, but she just nods while smiling. "I guess it can't be helped" I think and I silently accept his thanks. "So? You probably didn't come here to say only that. Or are you truly here for the alcohol?" Says Real while she puts down the cup she drank out of. I take another mouthful of the citrus flavored fruit wine. It's good. "I certainly did come here to give you my thanks, but the main question I have is something different." You don't say. While preparing himself, he tightened his serious face even more seriously and looks in front of me in the eye. So he has no intentions to have some silly talk over some drinks. "What I want to say is, I've come to this place to request you to be milady's--Lady Faima's escort. This is the general consensus of all of us attendants, so there are no problems." "Really, you attendants--" It was a way of speaking that had no meaning in any way. "What about the lady in question?" "----Milady is, she doesn't know I've come to this place. This is on my own judgment. If possible I would like to request you to keep this a secret to the lady." I already thought so from the development, you know. "I told you I would give you my reply tomorrow morning, didn't I?" "But, that doesn't necessarily mean you will accept being her escort, now does it?" "No, that's why I'm telling you, I'm still in the middle of hesitating about that part." I've been stuck in between it the whole time until you got here you know. "............It's about the lady. She certainly have given you a request to escort her, but I suppose she has no antic.i.p.ation to a favorable response. We are also of the same opinion. No matter how high the rewards, if you are an adventurer who has gained experience, then you wouldn't give your word without much thoughts. In that respect, I can put more trust in you who didn't immediately agree." Although experience is experience, mine was that of a back alley fight. "So you gave up halfway? If that's the case, then why are in a place like this, Mister Rand?" "Even if the prospects are low, putting our utmost devotion to our master is our duty." I moisten my dry lips with the wine. "I wonder if you are seeing how serious of a situation this is, Sir Rand." "............We as well as our lady are similarly aware of it." Rand nods heavily towards Real's words. "Lady Faima is from a certain n.o.ble house. There should be a myriad of perpetrators who would aim for someone like her. In reality there has already been several attempts up until now at a.s.sa.s.sination just like this time and abduction." "Go back home." Ah, s.h.i.+t. I unintentionally spoke up without thinking. Real puts her hand on her forehead as if to suppress a headache. "............You really can be frighteningly honest sometimes." "No, it's just as he said. The actual problem in today's attack is that one wrong move and I would have feared for the lady's personage. As long as I am truly concerned with her, going back home would be for the best. However............" Suddenly, his one hand that is holding the cup on the table is filled with strength. Like he is putting in his complex inner thoughts. "............We want to grant our lady her wishes. This is her final selfishness after all." What follows is generally what we expected. This year, Faima turns eighteen (she's older!?). Marriage talks also happen with her who is born as a n.o.bleman's daughter. She is rather a slow one among the aristocratic society, where it's normal to marry when you're sixteen. Or at the very least engaged. But it looks like she has turned them down until now. "Our lady, who is endowed with a rare talent as a sorceress, also held great interest in magic from outside the country for some time. However, she is restricted to knowledge from books. In addition to that, acquisition itself is difficult when it comes to magic books from outside the country." I was taught only roughly about this, but sometimes magic may take an original system depending on the country. Even if it's magic with a similar effect, the composition of the magic formula that's composed of it creates a difference in each country. The me who can't use magic can only imagine, but the difference is probably like a difference in the p.r.o.nunciation of an American in j.a.panese. If their composition varies, then strengths and weaknesses will also exist and variations in scale or chanting speed will appear. "If the marriage is done, then the lady herself will be all the more bound to the house. For this reason, Lady Faima had requested it to his father--the head of the house. That she wants to study the magic of the other countries before she's engaged. However, as I mentioned before, there are many people aiming for our lady. He couldn't possibly let his daughter go out of the country so readily." I don't know where the head is from, but that's an appropriate judgment. "I see, I can see where this is going" Real nods as she understood. "If Miss Faima were to be engaged, then she will be able to carry on with her business as she pleases, am I correct?" "That is correct. Even if it means becoming a priestess if she doesn't accept." ............What does that mean? This is how it is. She approached the head with the following proposition: as compensation for going outside the country to study magic, she will agree to the engagement that she has come to support. She even said she would enter the church and become a sister if she could not accept it. It would give her parents a bigger peace of mind if she makes a firm promise in the subject of marriage after it's over rather than proposing a drawn out postponement on the engagement." "............The lady has quite the ability to take action, doesn't she?" Is what only I can't say. "In fact, she's not only talking big there, but she will properly realize that though. Our lady did not merely have a sheltered upbringing, you see." Real and I are halfway astonished. "Under such circ.u.mstances, we just wish to safely end this journey at the very least. When this journey ends, what awaits Faima is a constrained married life. In that case, I would like her to enjoy the freedom even if only for a little time. For that sake we have volunteered in accompanying her in this journey." "And there is merit in risking your life for this?" "That is what we're thinking at least." She really is loved, that lady Faima. Is honestly the impression I have. ----But, is this such a sad world that this can't become a simple moving tale? There are circ.u.mstances around Faima no matter where they go and we're outsiders no matter where we go. No matter how much of a tearjerker this story is, there's no obligation for us to get involved in this. There are no obligations but----. "To be frank with you, I feel that as a fellow woman I would like to grant her wishes. If the situation had changed I wouldn't be so reluctant to lend you my strength though." While saying so, Real looked my way. She must mean that she would have accepted it had I not gone on a journey together with her. I spent around five minutes briefly putting together my thoughts and then I made up my mind. Let's just go with shouting "You coward" to Rand within my mind. "I think that you would have accepted being Miss Faima's escort in the end." Afterwards, when Rand had gone back, Real and I ordered a second cup. Naturally, my answer towards him was [Y E S] . We promised to bind a contract with them under the premise that we will have them supplement several conditions. Originally the swinging of the scales was biased. And the conversation with Rand delivered the finis.h.i.+ng blow to it. "In the end you say" "You're a man burning with righteousness more than you think. Else you would have never considered taking me out from the castle in that situation and you would have not even tried going to the girl's rescue in the village at the foot of the mountains. Despite having harsh complains coming out of your mouth, you can't help lending a helping hand to those who need it." "............Talking like you understand me." I face away from Real and gulp down the alcohol. The alcohol that's stronger than the one I had before burns my throat and heats up my stomach. While becoming ill humored, I admit in my mind that what Real said was on point. To tell you the truth, if the story about Faima didn't roll in then I wouldn't have thought that the strange magic power would have any relations.h.i.+p with her. I still maintain that that has nothing to do with me. If I didn't meet Faima and was confronted with that magic power, then I would for sure choose to avoid it with all my strength. Even so, why I accepted it is--probably because I got my hands on this handy power called {Spirit art} . Even if I myself am an incompetent person, that power can be used to save someone. If you have something you can do, a desire you want and the will to achieve it, then there should be no need to hesitate. --Except only for an instant. I have this premonition saying "Won't that strange magic power and I have various connections with each other wherever I go in the distant future?" I immediately denied that though. ............Ultimately, that was only a wish of mine.

第七話 「カンナ」ゆえに理を知る 「ねぇ、お兄さん」 熱されていた心に染み渡るような、聞き覚えのある声。 咄嗟に声の主を振り向くと、そこに立っていたのは俺たちが助けに来た娘さんだ。だが、髪の色が違う。先ほどまでは茶色だった髪が、今は澄んだような青い色へと変じていた。 「どうしたい、娘さん」 「あれ? この状況、もうちょっと驚くかと思ってたんだけどな」 己の髪にふれながら娘さんは意外そうに言う。確かに少しは驚いた。それは否定できない。レアルの側にいたはずなのに、いつの間にこっちに移動したのやら。 「でも、娘さんからは悪い感じ、しないからな」 「どうして? 私のせいで、お兄さんはこんな状況になってるんだよ?」 状況は緊迫しているはず。なのに俺は、娘さんとーー少女との会話を続けていた。 「別に悪気があった訳じゃなぇんだろ?」 言葉にしてから疑問が出てきた。 「ってか、おまえのせいなのか?」 「そだよ」 悪びれもない肯定。 「お兄さんがこの場にいるすべての状況は、私が原因。私が成そうとして起きた結果だよ」 「はっ、おまえさんみたいなロリになにができるんだよ............」 鼻で笑ってやるが、内心は己でも不気味なほどの確信が埋めていた。 この少女のーー少女の形をした『何か』は、この状況の根本たる存在であるのだと。 横を見れば、間近の巨人と、遠見にレアル。どちらも、動きを止めていた。まるで時が止まったかの様に静止していた。 「お兄さんの精神は今、通常の百倍以上にまで加速しているわ。安心していい」 サラっと言うなよ。安心できる訳ないだろう。今際の臨死体験的なアレだろうが。これが動き出したら俺は確実に死ぬんじゃね? 「そうね。間違いなく死ぬでしょうね」 可愛い顔してさらっと言うなよ! 切れそうになる寸前で、少女が囁く。 「............私みたいな『力』、欲しくはない?」 そう言って一歩、彼女は横に退いた。 彼女の背後から現れたのは、白銀に輝く、槍だった。転がっていた俺がぶつかったのはこいつだったのか。 「おいおい、まさか本当に伝説の武器とかか?」 「知らないわ。『人間』が勝手に祭っているだけの『楔』よ。でも、そうね、人間風に言えば、これは確かに伝説の武器と言えるかもしれないわ」 「おいおい、冗談はよしてくれよロリ娘。はっきり言って、俺は無能無才無出来と呼ばれて十七年の残念男だぜ?」 自分で言ってて切なくなってくるが、事実だ。 神様に嫌われているとしか言えない程に。 俺は何の才能も持たない出来損ないなのだ。 赤ん坊の頃に二本の脚で立ち上がるのにも時間がかかった。言葉を覚えるのにも人の倍は掛かった。走るのも遅く、体も弱く、何に手を出しても他人よりも大きな後れを取ってきた。 それは異世界に召喚されても変わらなかった。 俺があの腹黒姫のところから逃げ出したのも結局はそれだ。 先にも説明したが、この世界において『魔術』とはポピュラーな技術だ。そしてその元となる『魔力』はこの世界に存在している『森羅万象』に内包されている。 勇者として異世界から召喚されたはずの俺とて、例外ではないはず。むしろ、勇者と呼ばれるだけに莫大な魔力を秘めているのを期待されていた。 ところがどっこい、いざお城付きの宮廷魔術士に魔力を測定してもらえば、驚愕ーー俺は割と納得ーーの『零』である。一般の庶民ですら十や二十は持っているのに、どこまでいっても『零』だったのである。 ーーーーだから、俺は用なしになった。 「ったく、勝手な都合で呼び出して、無能と分かれば即座に切り捨てるとかどんな暴君だよ。人様をなんだと思ってんだ。虫けらか?」 言っていて凄まじく腹が立ってきた。やはり、あの腹黒姫(ついでにその取り巻き)には絶対に後悔させてやるしかない。 「憤りを感じているの?」 「当たり前だろうがッ。俺は恨みは絶対に忘れないし、恨みの元には必ず報復する主義なんでな」 相手が貴族だろうが王族だろうが関係ない。これまでもそうだったのだ。これからも変わりはしない。 恨みの報復は倍返し。基本中の基本だろ? 「そうね。そんなあなただから私は選んだの」 するりと、少女が俺の手を掴み、導く。 「どれほどの屈辱に塗れようとも、決して色褪せない魂。何人たりとも犯すことのない、絶無の純色」 「お、おい............?」 「神に愛されなかったが故に、神の埒外にある忌み子。けれども、この世の誰にも束縛されぬ、孤高の王」 導かれるままに、俺は白銀の槍に触れる。 「さぁ、『かんな』の子よ。この槍を取って」 「ちょーーッ」 「後は貴方次第。がんばってね、お兄さん♪」 最後に、輝かんばかりの笑みを残した少女の顔を最後に。 俺の思考が弾けた。 凄まじい激痛が槍に触れた手から伝わったのは一瞬。 「の..................がッ............」 時間にしては刹那だった。だが、躯の中心を突き抜けるような衝撃に、思考が何倍にも引き延ばされた感覚。期末テスト前に一夜漬けで全教科を詰め込んだときの数十倍の熱が頭の中にこもっている。 頭の血管が破裂するかと思った。その前に、ショックで心臓が止まるかと思った。 「あんのロリっ子、何勝手に話を完結させてやがるんだ」 貧血と同じ風に揺れる視界を、どうにか耐える。 白銀の槍に振れた瞬間、俺の中に何かしらが流れ込んできたのは理解できた。何かしらというのは『何か』としか表現できないからだ。頭に熱が籠もっているのも、圧倒的な情報量が無理矢理押し込められたから。 あの少女の形をした存在との会話は、覚えているのだが、最後のあたりがいまいち自信がない。 「孤高の王がどうたらこうたらつってたか?」 そこから先が曖昧だ。割と重要な事を言っていた気がするのだが。 「............って、え?」 視界を影が覆う。何かが上に多い被さっているのか? 視点をあげてみれば、氷の巨人が剣を大きく振りかぶっている。 ....................................................................................。 「あ、やっべ」 死を確信する前に、声が囁く。 「やり方は分かっているはずよ」 声に導かれるようにーー否、導くように俺は唱えた。 できると、そう直感していた。 「凍れ」 氷の切っ先が眉間に触れるのと同時に、ぴたりと動きを止めた。巨人が自ら動きを止めたのではない。俺が止めたのだ。そう確信できる。 正確には、巨人の全身の関節を『凍結』させたのだ。こいつの大部分は氷で出来ている。であるなら、『今の俺』にとっては、もはや驚異ではない。 俺はそれまでまとっていた防寒具を脱ぎ捨てた。寒さを防ぐ装備は、もう俺には無用の長物。凍えるほどの外気はしかし、俺の敵ではなくなったのだ。 疑問を感じる前に、俺は動いていた。 関節を固められてもなお、巨人は動こうともがく。 だったら、叩き潰すだけだ。 眉間に振れている氷の大剣に、手袋を脱いで触れる。通常ならそれだけで凍傷になるであろう温度だったが、かまわず手を添える。 「もらうぜ、うぉおりゃぁッ」 少し力を入れただけで、氷の大剣は柄からへし折れる。大した怪力ではない。柄あたりの水分子の結合を弱めただけだ。 刀身の大部分は俺の手の中。このままだとさすがに使いにくい。 イメージするのは。 「アックスとか、どうでしょうか?」 幅広の刃がバキバキと音を立てて変形し、俺の手に収まるのは巨大な斧だ。大きさは、柄だけでも俺の身長ぐらい。刃部は俺の上半身ほど。 氷の巨人は動けないながらも、刀身の失った柄から新たに氷をのばしていく。また新しく武器を作り出す気か。 が、その前に。 「砕けろッ」 直上に跳躍し、なんの細工もない溜からの、直下型全力スイング。斧はゴーレムの頭のない頭頂部に吸い込まれ、ガラスが砕ける破音が悲鳴代わりに響きわたった。 終わってから手の中にある大斧に驚く。おい、俺は何をしたんだ? どうやってあのゴーレムを粉砕したんだ? ってか、この氷のアックスはなんぞ? 「カンナッ」 混乱していた俺に、レアルが駆け寄ってくる。 「おい、無事か?」 「無事っちゃぁ無事だけどよ」 「そうか、一時はどうなるかと思ったぞ」 安堵の息を吐いてから、レアルはバラバラになったゴーレムのなれの果てに目を向ける。 「それにしても驚いたな。まさか君が魔術を使えたとはな。魔術は使えないと言っていたのに、隠していたのか?」 「ーーーーいんや、違う」 『魔術』という言葉に、俺は本能的に否定を述べる。 「これは魔術じゃない。もっと異質で根本的な代物だ」 正確な言葉が思い浮かばないのは、俺がまだこの世界の知識に通じていないからだろうか。魔術という概念すら理解していないのに、断言できる不思議な感覚があった。 「人の言葉を借りるなら『精霊術』といったところかしらね?」 第三者の声。向けば、槍が『あった』場所に、青く長い髪をした美女。女性的な柔らかさが覗ける姿は、この極寒の地には不釣り合いな格好。 直感的に、あの少女だと分かった。 同時に、彼女が人間でないことも、だ。 「............気配など感じなかったぞ?」 息をのむレアルを余所に、俺は青髪の美女に問いかける。 「どこまでが仕込みだったんだ?」 「あら? 意外な第一声ね。恨み辛みを重ねられると思ったけど?」 「それを含めて、責任の所在をはっきりしておきたいんだよ」 おもしろい子ね、と女が鈴の音よろしくころころと笑った。

Chapter 7 : [Kanna] learns the reason [Nee, oni-san] A familiar voice warms my heart. In a spur of the moment, I turned towards the owner of the voice.. and standing there was the young girl we came to rescue- But there it was something different; her hair was different, the hair that was light brown so far, was now transparent blue in color. [What is it, little girl?] [Are? I thought you'd be more surprised by this situation.] The girl said surprised as she touched her own hair... It's true that I'm a little bit surprised; I can't argue that- she should have been right next to Real, just how did she get here? [But, you don't give off a bad feeling...] [Why? It's because of me, that oni-san got into this mess, you know?] This situation is quite pressing, however I felt like continuing the talk with this little girl-- with this woman. [It's not like you did it with bad intentions, right?] However a doubt raised from this exchange... [But, it's really your fault?] [It is] She confirmed it without any shyness. [All of what oni-san has been through in this place; in the end, I'm the cause. It has all been a consequence of what I have done.] [Ah!? Just what could a little loli like you do?............] While I'm laughing up to my nose, on the inside I'm trying to bury an ominious conviction... This woman-- or rather, this {something} that has the shape of a woman; has to be the source of origin of the current course of events. If I look to the side, I can tell that both the golem that is close by or Real who is far away; are not moving an inch. It's as if their time has been stopped. [Right now I'm accelerating oni-san's spirit several hundred times more than normal; you can relax.] Don't say it straight like that; it's not like I can relax now... This is like one of those near death slow motion last minutes, right? The moment things start to move again, at that point I'm sure to be killed. [True, at this rate you are sure to die] Don't add a cute face to that straightforward commentary! While I'm on the verge of being cut down, the woman whispers. [............ Don't you want {power} like mine?] After saying such, she gave one step to the side... What was revealed behind her was that s.h.i.+ning silver spear. So that's what I collided with when I was sent rolling... [OiOi, are you telling me that this really is a legendary weapon?] [As if I know. This is something that the {humans} arbitrarily used as a {chain} ... But, it's true that from human perspective, this might fit the description of legendary weapon.] [OiOi, would you please give me a break with those jokes, loli girl? I'll say it straight, but I'm just this poor 17th year old guy who is known for having no competency, no talent and no results, you know?] It's miserable to say such self depreciating things, but it's a fact. It's to the extent that you can say that kami-sama disliked me. It doesn't matter what it is, I just don't have an ounce of talent when trying it. As a baby, it took a long time for me to be able to stand in two legs. I needed for about twice as much time than everyone else when learning to speak. When running, I am slow; and my body is actually relatively frail. It doesn't matter in which area I give it a try, I always fall behind everyone else. And that did not change at all after I got summoned to this world. It's the main reason of why I ran away from that wicked princess. I touched this one before, but in this world {magic} is a popular art; and it doesn't matter where you look in this world, {all things in nature} have {magic power} . The me who was summoned to this world to become a hero, at the end even then there it was no exception. It's worse as others had the expectation that the one summoned would possess a tremendous amount of magic. And that's where it was, when the court magician at the castle was asked to measure my magic power; everyone was atonished because the quant.i.ty was {zero} -- in my case I understood reality quickly -- ... Even the ordinary populace tend to have 10 or 20 in size, it doesn't matter where you look, you won't find someone with {zero} . ---- That's why, they had no use for me. [-Really, you called me at your own b.l.o.o.d.y convenience; and when you realized that I didn't had the talent, you selfishly tried to cut me off, just what sort of tyrant is that? Just what do you think people are? Some worms crawling down there?] I was amazed by the tremendous discharge of words I had saved. After all, I really need to have that wicked princess regret what she has done (while am at it, her followers too!). [Do you feel indignation?] [That's a given! I'll never let go of this grudge! Absolutely get retribution for your grudges, happens to be my principle!] I don't care if the opponent is royalty or n.o.bility. I have been like this from long ago, and I'll be like this in the future as well. Get twice as much worth for your resentment, that's the basics of the basics; you know? [That's true. It's because you are like this that you are my chosen one] And thus, the woman grabbed my hand and led me somewhere... [It doesn't matter which sort of humilliation you are smeared with, stains will never touch your soul. It doesn't matter who it is, you'll never be broken. You are completely devoid of any colors.] [O, oi............?] [You who were never loved by G.o.d, became an abhorrence outside the scope of G.o.d's children. No one can shackle you in this world; you are a solitary king] By her guidance, my hand would touch the silver spear. [Now, Children of {kanna} , grab this spear] [Wai--] [What's next is up to you, do your best; oni-san] At the end, the face of this girl finally had a bright smile. Then my thoughts became divided- In an instant, intense pain was transmitted through the hand that had touched the spear. [No.................. Gah............] In time, it was just but a moment; however, it was as if the core of my body was broken through by a huge impact; it was a sensation of having my thoughts stretched over many folds. As if last minute cramming for the mid-term exams for every subject was squeezed into my brain and then repeating that many times in my head. As I was thinking that my blood vessels would rupture, but even before that; the shock was enough to stop my heartbeat [That loli girl, she did as she pleased for the sake of advancing her story] My field of vision swayed, the same as if I had suffered from anemia- I bear with it somehow... The moment I grasped that silver spear, I understood that something flowed inside me. I have no other words to describe that something other than {something} that I feel as if it's being poured inside my head. An overwhelming amount of information is forcefully transfered in. The conversation I had with that female shaped life form, I somehow remember it; but I feel that I'm missing the last bit... [Just how did it end up as a solitary king thing?] But other than that it's ambiguous, I feel that it was something really important... [............Erm, Eh?] A shade is covering my field of vision... That means there is something big on top of me, right? A little bit outside from that point of vision, the ice giant was there slicing with his great sword. ..................................................................................... [Ah, this is bad] In front of this premonition of death, I heard the muttering of a voice. [You should understand how it's used] A voice then was trying to guide me --wrong; the voice purposely pointed me towards the conclusion... You can, said such intuition. [Freeze] At the same time the tip of the ice blade was to touch my forehead, it was suddenly stopped from moving. It's not like if the giant himself stopped the blade, it was I who stopped it; that's for certain. To phrase it better, every joint in the body of this giant is now {frozen} ; in the first place this guy is mainly made of ice... thanks to that, to the {current me} he no longer is a big deal. I proceeded to take off the heavy clothes I had been wearing until now, those clothes meant to block the cold are already of no use for me. The air around me is completelly chill, however that doesn't bother me anymore. Before falling into doubts, I moved according to my feelings. ... Even with the joints completely hardened, the giant still tries to move... If that's the case, then I just need to take it out. Usually, just touching something at this temperature would end in frostbite; I stretch my hands nonetheless. [I'll be taking this, UOORYAA!] With just some effort, the handle of the sword was broken. It's not like super human strength was used, it was just a process where the bind of water molecules mantaining the ice was weakened. The great bulk of the blade is in my hands, merely using it as it is would be hard. Let's focus the image... [Something like an axe, would be fine?] With a cracking noise, the large part of the blade changes shape, becoming a large axe in my hands. It's size is great, the handle alone is for about as tall as I am; the blade part is as big as my upper body. Althrough the ice giant can not move, perhaps wanting a new weapon, he is now extendending a bulk of ice from the handle that's in his hands... as if to replace the blade that was lost. Well, before that happens.... [Smash into pieces!] I jump ahead, there is no technique to this; I merely give a large swing with all of my power, the axe sinks easily into the middle of the head of this golem. Instead of screams, the sound of collapsing gla.s.s resounded all over the place. After the event, I was surprised by the axe that was in my hands. Oi, what was I doing just now? How was that the golem ended up pulverized? Rather, what's with this Ice Axe? [KANNA-] While I was confused, Real approached. [Oi, are you safe?] [If asked if I'm safe, I'm safe, but...] [I see, I was wondering what was going to happen for a second.] After breathing in relief, Real glanced at the destroyed golem. [Even so, I was surprised; to think you'll make use of spells. You said you couldn't use magic, where you hiding it?] [-------- No, it's different.] I instinctively denied that this was what's called {magic} . [This is not magic, it's something that's fundamentally different in nature] I can't remember the exact words; is it because I don't have knowledge about this world? I don't have a proper understanding of what the concept of magic is about, but there is a strange intuition that leads me to say this. [To borrow human words, the name should be something like {Spirit Magic} ?] The voice of a third party; turning around, a beautiful woman with long blue hair was there where the spear {was} supposed to. The sight of a feminine softness came into view... it's a disproportionate appearance for this extremely cold place. Intuitively, I understood that she was that girl. At the same time, I also knew that she is not a human being. [............Her presence can't be felt at all?] While gulping, Real noticed something strange; I asked a question to the blue haired beauty instead... [Just how much of this was planned before hand?] [Ara? Some unexpected opening words.... Have you perhaps piled up pent up resentment?] [That's not wrong, but more than that I want to clarify what were you responsible of] 'Interesting child', her greeting had a ring which sounded as if it was spelling those words...

第十九話 投げちゃいけないなど誰も言っていない 「............馬車ってぇのは意外と揺れるな」 「そうか? これでもかなり上等な部類だぞ。一般市民が使うような物だと、これ以上に相当揺れる」 人生で初めて乗る馬車の乗り心地は、想像以上に悪かった。不満を漏らす俺に対して、隣に座るレアルは平然としていた。 少し考えれば、現実世界の車両と幻想世界の馬車の差異は歴然だ。動力が馬力とかどうのと言う前に、あちらの車両の車輪は基本的にゴム製だが、こちらは木製だ。そもそも、こちらの世界に来てからゴム製品を見たことがない。車軸の方にも衝撃吸収をしてあるサスペンションなど入っていないだろうし、路上がコンクリで舗装された車道でなく、土を軽く均しただけ。そりゃ揺れるか。頭さえ固定できればどこでも寝られるのが、俺の数少ない取り柄だから、揺れはそこまで問題ないか。 「でも、いくら少ないっていっても、ずっとこの揺れじゃぁお嬢様は辛いんじゃねぇの?」 「一時とはいえ家を離れる時点でいろいろな旅の不便は覚悟していました。それに、こういうのは慣れです。最初は確かにキツイものがありましたが、今ではさほど気になりません」 俺とレアルの新たな雇い主であるファイマは、不満を漏らすでもなくにこりと笑った。深窓のお嬢様では持てない逞しさを感じた。 ーーランドが訪れた日の翌朝、俺らは前もって教えられたファイマの泊まっている宿を訪れた。もちろん、正式な契約を交わすためだ。部屋を訪ねると、ファイマは起き抜けで目をしょぼしょぼとしていたが、件の話を引き受けると口にした途端、一気に覚醒し感激の余りに俺の手を取った。女性に触れる機会が少なかったのと、予想外の喜びように、俺は驚いた。 ただし、今回の件に一つだけ条件を追加させてもらった。 護衛として雇われるなら、俺としては手札を躊躇する気はない。しかし俺の精霊術は、ファイマにとって格好の観察対象だ。教えて『すぐさま出来るようなもの』ではないし、俺だってこの力の全てを把握している訳でもない。というか、教え方を知らない。なので、以後にこの精霊術ーーファイマには魔術で通しているがーーへの干渉を控えてもらう事を条件に出した。それを持ちかけられたファイマは少しだけショックを受けたが。 「確かに、カミシロさんの扱う術式は魅力的ですが、背に腹は代えられませんから、仕方がないですね」 と、すぐに承諾した。こちらから何らかの条件を提示するのは予測できていたのだろう。 現在は、町を出発してから三時間ほど経過した頃。お昼と言うにはまだまだ早い。出発したばかりだが、今のところは何らトラブルは起こっていない。 「なぁレアル、次の町までどのくらいで着くんだ?」 「特に問題がなければ四日かそれ前後だろう。幸い、ここからしばらくは見晴らしのよい平地続きだ。魔獣との遭遇はあるだろうが、盗賊どもの襲撃はあまり気にしなくていいはずだ」 隠れる遮蔽物がない平地で、わざわざ正面から来る無法者はいないか。魔獣は基本、知性を持っていないのでそこらお構いなしだ。ただ、極希に人間並みの知能を持った魔獣も存在するらしいが、その殆どが凄まじい能力を有しており、それが十も集まれば一国が滅ぶとされている。一生巡り会わないのを切に願うばかりだ。 「ところでお嬢様、短い期間とはいえ一緒に旅するんだ。一応、あんたの得意な魔術を教えてくれ」 「............貴様、お嬢様を戦わせる気か?」 俺としては当然の疑問を口にしたのだが、従者の一人から批判の声が上がった。ランドは馬車の御者で、もう一人は哨戒として馬車の後ろを徒歩で歩いている。幌の中にいる最後の一人だ。 従者ズは例外なくイケメン揃いで、彼も間違いなくイケメンだ。いい感じの渋さが出てきているランドと比べて若々しく、おそらく二十代前半ほど。有月ほどではないが、女子に黄色い声援を浴びるぐらいにはかっこいい。 そんなイケメン君が、俺を睨む。 「場合によりけり。切羽詰まった状況だったら、ここにいる人間の総力が必要になるかもしれないだろ」 「そうならないために、護衛の我々や雇われた貴様たちがいるんだろうが」 「あのね、俺は万が一のことを言ってるだけだ。もちろん、お嬢様を危険に晒さないのが最善だ。そこに異論はない。ただ、常に最悪の事態を想定して動くのが護衛の仕事だと俺は思うわけよ」 ガチガチにルールを固めても逆に動きづらい。必要なのは、咄嗟の状況で動かせる手札の数。多ければ多いほどに使える選択肢が増えるし、たった一枚の手札が全ての戦況を逆転させるのを、俺は経験で知っている。 「新参者が分かったような口を............」 理論整然な説明をしたつもりだったが、イケメン君はお気に召さないようだ。なにが悪かったのだろう。相手がイケメンだから(爆発しろ)と心の中で唱え続けていたのが悪かったのか。それとも、たまに激しく揺れる瞬間に、お嬢さまのバウンドする胸を凝視していたのが悪かったのか。レアルの胸当ての奥に収まってる山とどちらが大きいのか想像していたのが悪かったのか。 ............あれ? これって普通に怒られる要素? 「よしなさいアガット。カミシロさんの言葉は正しいわ」 「............お嬢様がそう仰るのでしたら」 主の一言であっさりと引くイケメン君。ざまぁ、とは欠片にも思わない。新入りにデカい顔されれば、よほど人間が出来ていないと良い気分はしないものだ。 「私の得意属性は風で、攻性術式と支援術式が中心です。後の三属性は初級程度は扱えます。未熟な身で、上位属性の習得には至っていません」 魔術には基本の四属性。上位四属性を含み、大まかな三つの部類に分けられている。威力を重視した攻性術式。防御を念頭に置いた耐性術式。サポートに特化した支援術式だ。これを術式特性と呼ぶ。魔術はだいたい属性と術式特性で効果が決定づけられる。基本、人間誰しもが基本属性の一つと術式特性のどれかに適性があり、それを中心にしてほかの魔術も覚えていく。 何事も例外はある。レアルが良い例だ。彼女は特別に得意な属性が無い代わりに、全ての属性に対する耐性術式と、特定の支援術式に秀でている。攻性術式は初級のほんの一部しか使えないが、超前衛役の彼女からしてみればちょうど良い適性だ。 「補足しますと、ランドも火属性の攻性術式と支援術式を扱えます。アガットともう一人は攻性も支援も使えませんが、剣術のみでしたらランドとも良い勝負でしょうね」 「ちょうどいい具合にバランスが良いパーティーになったなこれは」 俺もどちらかと言えば前衛だが、氷の精霊術で遠距離攻撃もこなせえるために遊撃に近い。レアルら前衛三人に、ランドと俺が中堅。万が一の後方支援にファイマとなった。贅沢を言うならば、回復役がほしいところだが、支援術式の中に含まれる回復魔術は習得が困難で、だいたいが医者を営んでおり、冒険者のような危険職に就くことは少ない。 「スキルポイント振り分けのワンクリックで覚えられる訳ないか」 この世界にとっては謎の言い回しに、ファイマもレアルを首を傾げたが、俺は笑って誤魔化した。 「貴様、まさかランドさんと自分が同等とでも言うつもりかッ」 「や、だから俺は冷静に戦力を把握しただけだよ?」 イケメンーーアガット君がまたも噛みついてくる。 「ランドさんは我々の中で随一の実力者。貴様も多少なりともやるようだが、ランドさんの足元にも及ばない。身の程を知れ!」 「誰よりも知ってるさ。余裕を持って勝てるのは路地裏喧嘩までさ。自分の無能とはかれこれ十七年の付き合いだからな」 人に馬鹿にされ、貶されているのは慣れている。悪意のない敵意程度では俺の精神は揺るがない。 しかし、この様子だと、彼は俺がファイマの護衛として同道するのを快く思っていない。昨晩、ランドは従者一同の心は一つみたいに言っていたが、筆頭である彼の言葉だから渋々頷いた、といった感じか。 「なんだその目は。馬鹿にしているのか貴様はッ」 何を言っても食って掛かるねこの人。気に入らない奴の言葉は全て否定の対象になってる勢いだ。子供か。俺も大概にガキだがこの人はそれに輪をかけている。や、興奮気味になると誰しも子供っぽくなるものだ。冷静になった彼が非常に優れた護衛であることを祈る。 それから時間が経ち、午前と午後が切り替わる境に、昼食がてらの休憩に入った。丁度良いところに木が一本生えており、馬車から繋ぎを解いた馬をそれに括り付け、付近の草を食べさせる。俺たちは馬車から降り、座ったままで固まった体の筋肉を解しながら思い思いの休憩をとる。 俺とレアルは昼食の前に体術の訓練を行う。町にいるときほどに本格的ではなく、軽い運動のようなものだ。出来るならば、氷の精霊術も使いたかったが、ファイマたちの目があるので使用は控えた。口止めはしているが、目の前で氷をバンバン作られたら、ファイマの好奇心がまた暴走するかもしれない。 レアルは剣の素振りで型を確認し、俺は柔軟運動をして躯を暖める。数分ほどで躯がほぐれ、いざ開始しようとした。 手甲の留め具を確認しているところに、アガット君が声をかけてくる。 相変わらずーーというほど対面してから時間は経っていないがーー何が気に食わないのか険しい面持ちだ。 彼は両手にそれぞれ木の棒ーー木剣を携えており、そのうち左手の一本を俺へと放った。反射的に受け取ってしまうが、戸惑うばかりだが、アガット君はこちらの心境などお構いなしに言った。 「構えろ。俺が相手になってやる」 ーーーーこれが、俗に言う新人いびりか? 困ってしまった俺は助けを求めるようにファイマやランドに目を向けるも、彼らが口を開く前にレアルの言葉が割り込んだ。 「ふむ、たまには私以外と手合わせするのも悪くないだろう」 それまで振るっていた剣をどすりと地面に突き刺した。アガットと俺との訓練に彼女は賛成だった。 「変な言い方だが、私のスタイルは少数派だ。正当からはずれた邪道にも近い。それに、普段から慣れてない武器を使うのも訓練になる。緊急時には手元に得物が無いなど事態などざらにある。有り合わせの武器で対処しなければならない可能性も考えられるしな」 「・・・・この木剣を使えってことか?」 「手甲も足甲も外してな。無論『アレ』も禁止だ。緊急時の防御に使うのは構わないが、その時点でカンナの負けと判断するからな」 普段の指導役にここまで言われたら文句は言えない。彼女の言葉に道理は通っているし、俺も十分に納得できた。 手甲と足甲を躯に固定していたベルトを外し、身軽になると改めて木剣を握り、試しに素振りをしてみる。木刀や鉄パイプはあちらでも使ったことがあるし、誤魔化しは利くか。 「勝手に話を進めさせてもらったが、ランド殿もファイマ嬢も問題ないだろうか。私としては、言った通りカンナに少しでも経験を重ねて欲しかったのだが」 レアルの問いかけに、ランドは問題ないと頷いた。 「私としても願ったり叶ったりだ。アガットも我々と共に常に鍛錬は怠っていないが、たまには我々以外の人間と訓練するのも良い経験になるだろう。それに、私自身、彼の戦い方には興味がある。肩を並べる相手の実力を測るのも必要だろう」 期待に満ちた声に、俺は居心地の悪さを覚える。今からお見せするのはかなり格好の悪い戦い方になると俺の中では確信があった。 「レアル。悪いけど、剣は正真正銘の素人だから、我流でいくぞ?」 「正式に訓練する時間もないし、これはあくまで緊急時の対策だ」 「アガット君も構わないか?」 「好きにしろ」 短い答えと共に、彼は剣を正眼に置いた。堂に入った構えが、一朝一夕の鍛錬で身に付かない重さを感じさせる。俺も同じように構えようとして、思い留まる。年期の違いは明らかだ。同じスタートを切っても勝負にならないのは明らか。どう攻めていくか。 改めてアガットの構えを観察する。否、剣術の素人がいくら構えを見ても読み取れる情報などたかが知れている。 「早く貴様も構えろ。それとも、怖じ気付いたか?」 挑発の言葉を口にするも、彼の表情は険しい。 (むしろ緊張気味だな) 糸が切れる寸前の様な張りつめた空気だ。微塵の隙も感じられないが、それと等しく心に余裕がない。 ............一つ手を思いつく。 もちろん、現実世界にいた頃に使っていた手だ。彼のように正道の剣術を学んできた者ほど効果的な手段だ。 「よし」 俺は剣を片手に持ったまま、手首を捻りくるくると回す。怪訝な顔をするアガット君を余所にそのまま剣を回す。 「レアル。三秒カウントで始めてくれ」 「・・・・構えないのか?」 レアルは俺の手にある剣の切っ先を目で追い、やがて肩をすくめてカウントダウンに入った。悪いな。今からやるのは、始まりがある程度予測できないとやりにくい戦法なのだ。 「3」 正直に言おう。いかに我流の剣術を使おうとも彼に勝てる気は欠片もない。ファイマを襲っていたチンピラどもにすら勝てないと確信できる。 「2」 剣術では勝負にならない。ならばどうすれば相手と戦えるか。 答は簡単だ。これを『剣術同士の勝負』で無くせばいい。相手が得意とするフィールドに立たなければいい。 「1」 最後の一秒。 アガット君の握る手に力が入る。開始と同時に踏み込む算段だ。 対して俺は、左足を大きく踏み込み、体勢を低くする。躯のバネを引き絞り、力を溜め込む。そして最後に、右手に持っていた剣を逆手に持ち替えて固定、腕を引き絞る。 「0ッ!」 開始の合図と共に、アガットが大きく踏み込む。素早い踏み込みだ。普通に構えていたら、彼の動きに反応できずに一本取られただろう。 だから俺は普通に構えなかった。そもそも、剣を振るうつもりもなかった。左足を前に大きく踏み込み、右手は後方で引き絞っている。得物を持つ手の握りは逆手。 ーーそう、これは『槍投げ』のフォームだ。 鋭い踏み込みで迫るアガットに向けて、俺は木剣を全力で『投げた』。なかなかの速度を得た木剣が、アガットの顔をめがけて空を走る。 まさか、木剣を投げ放つとは思ってなかっただろう。アガットは大きく驚くと踏み込みが鈍る。そして、迫り来る木剣を手に携えた己の木剣で弾き飛ばした。驚いたとはいえ、速度を持った木剣を宙で迎撃するのはさすがだ。 けれども、木剣を弾き飛ばしたところで追撃への反応が遅れる。ほかでもない俺自身の存在だ。剣を投げた直後に駆け出した俺に、彼はさらなる驚愕に躯が固まる。 そこに、全速力の体当たりをぶちかます。コツは肩から若干斜め上方向を狙って突っ込む事だ。相手の体重にこちらからの衝撃が勝てば相手の躯が若干浮いて体勢を崩せる。 狙いの通り、彼の躯は衝撃に耐えきれず、踏鞴を踏む。そこにすかさず低空タックル。相手の足を刈り取る要領で彼の両足を抱え込む。バランスを崩したところで足を取られれば、彼はもう倒れるしかない。 相手が地面に倒れると俺は即座に両足を解放、素早く躯を動かしそのまま彼の胴体に跨がる形でのし掛かった。こうなってしまえばもうこちらのやりたい放題。 彼が「あっ」と声を上げる前に、マウントポジションになった俺はアガット君の眼前に拳をつきだした。 「勝負有り、だな」 ............よくよく考えたら、これって訓練じゃなくね?

Chapter 19 n.o.body has said I'm not allowed to do something like throwing it "............Horse carriages really do shake around surprisingly." "Is that so? Even so, this carriage is quite the first cla.s.s one you know. If it was like the one ordinary citizens use, then it would shake even more than this." The comfort of the horse carriage I'm riding on for the very first time in my life is worse than I imagined. Real is sitting next to me and is acting calmly in contrast to me who is leaking out complaints. When I think about it a little, there is a clear difference between the vehicles from the real world and the horse carriages from the fantasy world. Before talking about something like the driving force being horsepower, the wheels of the vehicles over there are basically made of rubber, but the wheels here are made of wood. I haven't seen any products made of rubber since coming to this world. Even the axle part doesn't seem to have anything like a shock absorbing suspension and the like and also the road isn't paved in concrete and it's just soil that's lightly leveled. So of course it would shake. Being able to sleep anywhere as long as I can keep my head in a fixed position is one of my few redeeming features, so that's why the shaking is not that much of a problem. "But even if you say how little it is, ain't this tough for the lady if it shakes like this the whole time?" "Although it is temporary, I am prepared for the various inconveniences of journeys the moment I left my house. Besides, this is practice. It was certainly difficult in the beginning, but now I am not particularly concerned about it." Real and my new employer, Faima doesn't even show any dissatisfaction and is instead smiling sweetly. There I feel the st.u.r.diness a secluded lady wouldn't have. --The next morning after Rand's visit, we visited the inn we were told beforehand where Faima is staying. The reason is, of course, to form an official contract with each other. When we paid a visit to the room, Faima's eyes were blinking weakly the first thing in the morning, but as soon as we mentioned we're accepting the aforementioned discussion, she woke up right away and took my hand too excitedly. I was surprised due to the insufficient opportunity of touching women and her unexpected joy. It's just that this time, we had them only add one condition to the contract. If we're employed as an escort, then I myself would have no intentions to hesitate playing my hands. However my spirit art is a fitting observation target for Faima. I didn't tell her it's {something that can be done immediately} and it doesn't mean that even I have grasped this power completely. More like, I don't know the methods of explaining it to her. That being the case, we took out the condition that they would refrain from meddling with this spirit art --I'm forcing Faima to accept this as magic though--. Being offered that condition, Faima received just a little shock though. "The spell Mr. Kamis.h.i.+ro is handling is certainly fascinating, but I won't be able to escape an urgent problem without making some sacrifice, so I suppose I have no other choice." Is what she said and immediately accepted. She must have predicted we would've presented some sort of condition. Currently, around three hours has pa.s.sed since departing from the town. It's still early to call it noon. We just departed, but no trouble has happened so far. "Hey Real, how long until we reach the the next town?" "If we don't run into any particular problems, then it should take four days or something along that line. Fortunately, from here flatlands with a good view will continue on for a little while. We may possibly encounter magic beasts, but we should not have too much to worry about bandit raids." So there are no outlaws who would go out of their ways to approach us directly in the flatlands, where there are no covers to hide behind. As for magic beasts, they basically don't hold any intelligence, so they would disregard that sort of thing. It's just that magic beasts who have the intelligence of a common folk seems to exist, but they mostly possess absurd abilities and if ten of them gather, then a whole country can be led to ruin. I only wish in earnest that I won't meet them by chance in my whole life. "By the way my Lady, although it's going to be a short while, we'll be travelling together. So just in case, please tell me the magic you're good at." "............You b.a.s.t.a.r.d, are you planning on letting the Lady fight?" I spoke of a question that's reasonable to me, but one of the servants raised a voice of criticism. Rand is the coachman of the carriage and another is walking behind the carriage as a patrol. The last servant is inside the carriage hood. Every single one of the servants are without exception handsome guys and and he's also without a doubt handsome. Compared to Rand who appears rugged, he looks young, probably somewhere in his twenties. Though not as much as Yuuzuki, he looks cool enough to be basked in high pitched cheers from women. That kind of Mr. Handsome is glaring at me. "That depends. In a cornered situation, we may need all the strength from the people here, don't you think?" "But aren't us guards and you b.a.s.t.a.r.ds we employed here in order to prevent that?" "Listen here, I am only speaking about the worst case scenario. Of course, not letting the Lady be exposed to danger is the best. I have no objections to that. It's just that, I think that always moving under the a.s.sumption of the worst-case scenario is the job of a guard, that's all." Stiffly putting together rules would conversely make it difficult to move. What's necessary is several hands you can play in a sudden change of situation. The more hands you can play, the more you can increase the available options and I have experience turning the tables on the whole battle situation with just a single hand. "I'll take that novice know-it-all like mouth of yours and............" I intended to give an accurate explanation on the theory, but Mr. Handsome doesn't seem to be pleased with that. I wonder what's wrong. The other party is a pretty boy (go explode), so was it wrong for me to recite that from my mind? Or was it wrong for me to stare at the Lady's bouncing b.r.e.a.s.t.s whenever it shakes violently once in awhile? Was it wrong for me to imagine which one is bigger; hers or the pair of hills inside Real's breastplate? ............Huh? Is this something you would normally get angry about? "Stop that Agaht. Mr. Kamis.h.i.+ro's words are correct." "............If you say so, milady." Mr. Handsome draws back with only a single sentence from the mistress. "Serves you right" is what I couldn't think even a shred of. If a newbie acts arrogant, then they'll be the guy who won't feel good if people don't do very well. "My most proficient attribute is wind and I am focused on offense and support spells. Next to that I can handle elementary level magic on the other three attributes. I am inexperienced, so I have not achieved acquisition of any superior attribute." In magic there are the fundamental four attributes. Including the superior four attributes, you can roughly divide them into three categories. Offensive spells that puts emphasis in power. Resistance spells that keeps defense in mind. Support spells that are specialized in support. They call these spell characteristics. The effects in magic is generally determined on the spell attribute and characteristic. Usually, every person has apt.i.tude in a single basic attribute as well as one of the spell characteristics and you will focus on those and also learn other magic. There is an exception on everything. Real is a good example for that. To make up for the lack of a specially strong attribute, she excels in resistance spells of all attributes and specific support spells. She can't use any offensive spells but only a portion of the elementary level ones, but she has the super vanguard role, so in that case she has just the right apt.i.tude. "Adding to that, Rand can also control fire attributed offensive spells and support spells. Agaht and the last one can control neither offensive nor support spells, but they should provide a decent challenge to Rand if it's only through swordsmans.h.i.+p, isn't that right?" "This became quite a well balanced party doesn't it?" I'm also a vanguard if anything, but I'm closer to a guerilla because of me also being able to handle long range attacks with my ice spirit art. With Real and the other two as the vanguards, Rand and I would be at the center. And just in case, Faima will give support in the back. To be more lavish, you'd want the healing part there, but with the learning of recovery magic that's included within the support spells being difficult, those people generally run as a doctor and very few would take on jobs like an adventure. "So it isn't as simple as learning it just by spreading your skill points with one click." Faima and Real looks puzzled to the mysterious expressing for this world, but I smiled and gloss it over. "You b.a.s.t.a.r.d, are you by chance trying to say that you and Mr. Rand are equals!?" "No really, I was just calmly trying to understand our war potential, you know?" Mr. Handsome--Agaht snaps at me again. "Mr. Rand is the most influential person among us. You b.a.s.t.a.r.d may seem to be able to handle yourself more or less, but you are no match to Mr. Rand. Know your place!" "Look, I know that more than anybody else. I was able to win some leeway up to that back alley fight. I've been a.s.sociated to my own incompetence for almost seventeen years after all" I'm used to being ridiculed and spoken ill of by people. My mind won't shake with this degree of hostility with no malice. However, with this situation, he doesn't think well of me going with Faima as her escort. Last night, Rand was talking like the hearts of all attendants were one, but it feels like they reluctantly agreed because it's the words of the head servant. "What's with those eyes? Are you making fun of me, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d!?" He really can flare up on whatever I say, this guy. It has the force makes the words of the guy he doesn't like become target of complete denial. Is he a kid? I'm pretty much a brat, but this guy's even worse. No, everyone will become a kid if they become agitated. I pray he will be an extraordinary excellent escort once he's calmed down. Some time pa.s.sed after that and at the time when the twelve hour clock is switches, we take a lunch break. They untied the horse from the carriage, tied him to the tree that grew at just the right place and let him eat the gra.s.s around it. We get off the carriage and take our break the way we like while we loosen our muscle that's gotten tight from sitting. Real and I perform some training in fighting techniques before lunch. It's not a genuine one like the time in the town, but it's something like a light physical training. I would've wanted to use my ice spirit arts if that was possible, but Faima and the others have their eyes here so I refrain from doing so. We forbade them to speak, but if ice is produced right in front of their eyes, then Faima's curiosity would probably run wildly again. Real is doing practice swinging and checking her posture and I'm doing some flexible exercises and am warming up my body. When I loosened my body after several minutes, I was about to start my exercises. Mr. Agaht calls out to me as I'm checking the fasteners of my arm guards. As usual--It was that kind of confrontation, so time didn't pa.s.s, but--he has a stern expression like he has something he can't stand. He has a wooden stick--sword held in each hands and he threw the one in his left hand at me. I received it out of reflex, but I'm just perplexed at this. Mr. Agaht speaks, unconcerned about my state of mind. "Stand ready. I shall be your opponent." ----Is this, what you call hazing the noob? Although the troubled me is looking at Faima and Rand with the request for help, Real's words cuts in before they could open their mouths. "Hum, I don't think it's bad to have a bout with someone besides me once in a while, don't you agree?" She stabbed the sword she had been swinging on the ground. She supports the training with me and Agaht. "This is a strange way of saying it, but my fighting style is that of a minority. It's closer to the wrong way that's off from the proper way of fighting. In addition to that, using a weapon you're not familiar with on a routine basis is also training. You should also consider the possibility of having to use any weapons available at hand." "****You mean, like using this wooden sword?" "Also take off the arm and leg guards, Kanna. Naturally {that} is also forbidden. There is no problem if you use it to protect yourself in emergency, but I will be judging it as your defeat in that case." If I'm told this much by the usual coaching role, then I can't complain. Her words makes sense and I can also understand that well enough. When I take off the belt where the arm and leg guard are fixed on and have become light footed, I once again grab the wooden sword and tried some practice swinging as a test. I had moments I used a wooden sword and iron pipes for that, will cheats work? I have advanced the conversation as I pleased, but this isn't a problem for Sir Rand and Miss Faima is it. Like I said, I would like Kanna to pile up experience even if a little for me, you see." "It's no problem" says Rand and nods to Real's question. "Everything is moving the way I would like. Agaht is not negligent in the constant training with us, but training with someone besides us will become good experience, I hope. Besides, I am also interested in his way of fighting. Gauging the abilities of the companion you will be fighting shoulder-to-shoulder is also necessary, don't you agree?" I can hear uneasiness in the voice full of antic.i.p.ation. I'm confident that what I'm about to show them from now will be quite an uncool fighting style. "Real. My bad, but I'm a genuine novice with the sword, so I'll be going with what I've taught myself, okay?" "It's not officially the time to do training either, this is purely an emergency countermeasure." "Mr. Agaht, you don't mind it either right?" "Do what you like." Together with a short reply, he points his sword to my eyes. It's an expert posture, but it lets me feel a weight he didn't add to himself with only a dray of training. As I think about going with a similar posture, my thoughts stops. The difference in years is clear. Even if we had the same start, it was clear this won't become a contest. How will I attack. I once again observe Agaht's posture. No, no matter how long a fencing novice looks at the posture, I can at most understand information that can be read. "Quickly adopt a posture, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Or perhaps, have you lost your nerve?" Even if he spews out words of provocation, his expression is sharp. (He's rather tense isn't he) The air is so tense like it's on the verge of cutting strings. Not a single gap can be felt, but at the same time he has no leeway in his mind. ............I hit upon an idea. Of course, it's an idea I've used during the time I was in the real world. It's an effective measure even against people who have studied the correct path of swordsmans.h.i.+p. "Alright then." As I'm holding the sword in one hand, I twist my arm and turn it round and round. I continue turning my sword with Mr. Agaht making a dubious expression. "Real. Please start counting from three." "****Are you not adopting a posture?" Real follows the point of the sword in my hand with her eyes and before she shrugs her shoulders and began the countdown. I'm sorry. What I'm going to do now is a strategy that is difficult to pull off if I can't predict the beginning to a certain extent. "Three" Let me be frank with you. No matter how I use my self-taught swordsmans.h.i.+p, I don't have a shred of chance to win against him. I'm convinced I can't even win against those thugs who attacked Faima. "Two" I'm no match for him with sword skill. So in that case, how should I fight my opponent? The answer is simple. I can just get rid of the {bout between fellow swordsmen } . You don't have to be able to stand on the field your opponent is specialized in. "One" The last second. Mr. Agaht puts his strength into the sword in his hand. It's a step you take to attack at the same time as the start. As for me, I step far forward with my left foot, lowering my posture. I draw my body's springs and store my strength. And at the end I s.h.i.+ft the sword in my right hand in an underhanded grip and pull my arms. "Zero!" Together with the start signal, Agaht steps forward in a grand way. It's a quick step. If you took a stance the usual way, a point would probably be taken from you without you being able to respond to his movement. That's why I didn't take a stance like usual. I had no intention of swinging the sword in the first place. My left foot is going far in front of me. My hand is holding the weapon in an underhanded grip. --That's right, this is a form of {Javelin throw} . Pointing towards Agaht who is quickly rus.h.i.+ng and approaching me, I put all my strength into {throwing} the wooden sword. The wooden sword that gained quite a lot of speed, runs through the sky towards Agaht's face. I bet he didn't expect I would ever throw it. Agaht gets very surprised and his rush weakened. And then, the approaching wooden sword flicked off the wooden sword he is carrying in his hand. Although he's surprised, intercepting a wooden sword with that kind of speed in midair is as you can expect. But, the response to the follow-up after the wooden sword being flicked away was late. It's none other than the presence of me. He hardened his body from becoming even more surprised by me who broke into a run immediately following the throwing of the sword. There I do a full speed, all out ram attack. The trick is to aim your thrust diagonally upwards from the shoulder. If my impact can win from the opponent's weight, then the opponent's body would float somewhat and that would destroy his posture. Just as I have aimed, he stumbled a step or two from being unable to bear the impact. There I do a low alt.i.tude tackle. With the trick to mow the opponent's legs, I hold both his feet. If I can take his feet while his balance is destroyed, then soon he can do nothing but fall down. As my opponent falls down the ground, I immediately release both his feet and quickly move my body to take on the form of straddling on his body as he is. Now that it comes to this, I can do whatever I please. Before he could raise his voice and say "Ah", I stuck my first out in front of Mr. Agaht's face as I got into a mount position. "Game, set, match, I suppose." ............Now that I think carefully, this isn't training, is it?

「ま、とりあえずそこに掛けな。今茶を持ってこさせるから」 言われるままに俺はソファーに腰をかけ、その隣では肩を縮こまらせたクロエが座る。 さね。いい加減に隠居したいんだが、どいつもこいつも頼りない奴らばかりでね」 笑いながら、婆さんは執務机ではなく、テーブルを挟んで俺達と対面にあるソファーに腰を下ろした。執務机じゃないんだ。 「正面からのほうが腹の割った話もしやすいだろう」 だから、人の心読まないでくれ。 「ま、さっきも言ったが話の経緯は大体察しているよ。ったく、女とはいえ黒狼の娘がそう簡単に主君を決めるわけ無いだろうに」 どうやら、婆さんの心情は俺達の方に傾いている。 「しかし、あんた等もぎりぎりで運が良かったねぇ。後一歩でも外にでてたらどんな目に遭ってたか分からないよ」 運が良かった、とはどう意味だろうか。俺とクロエは揃って首を傾げた。 「あんたら、ギルドの規定を読んで無いのかい」 「や、今日正式に冒険者になったばかりなんで」 「小僧はともかく、黒狼っこの方はもうCランクだろうよ」 「も、申し訳無いでござる............」 「冒険者ギルドの内部ってのは一種の治外法権なのさ」 「治外法権?」 現実世界で、大使館の話になると大体出てくる単語だ。 「冒険者ってのは我の強い奴らが多くてね、諍いってのは日常茶飯事だ。喧嘩沙汰もね。んで、冒険者に登録してるのは平民だけじゃなくて貴族もそれなりにいる。前者と後者が争ったら、殆どの場合は貴族様の一人勝ちだ。だから、ギルドの建物内で起こったトラブルはそのギルドのトップが裁く決まりになってるのさ」 冒険者ギルドは世界各国に拠点を置き、国との関係は持っているが、決してその下部組織ではない。ギルドとは言わば、領地を持たない国家なのだ。 「勿論、国からの要請があればそれを依頼って形にして冒険者達に仲介する義務ってのはある。けど、そこに強制力はないのさ」 「意外と自由なんだな、ギルドって」 「ま、治外法権って言っても、根っこから法律と対立はしてないよ。人道的に見て、間違いのない裁量を心がけてはいる。じゃなけりゃぁ、とてもじゃないが冒険者ギルドをおかせては貰えないからね」 ちなみに、駆け込み寺みたいな緊急避難所みたいには使えないらしい。あくまでも、ギルドの建物内部で起こった問題にのみ対処している。 「あ、じゃあ運が良かったのって、あの貴族の坊ちゃんと言い争ってたのがギルドの内部だったって意味か?」 「もし仮にギルドの外であんなことやってたら、侮辱罪で確実に牢屋にぶち込まれてただろうね。最悪の場合はこれだね」 と、婆さんは親指で首を掻き切る動作を見せた。「わふッ!?」とクロエが悲鳴を上げ、俺も少しだけ血の気が引いた。 「たかだか怒らせただけで? んな大げさな」 出禁や国外追放は覚悟していたが。 俺の楽観視に婆さんが肩を竦めた。 「世の中には人間の想像を絶するような非常識を平然と行う馬鹿がいるのさ。悲しいことに、そういう奴ほど権力を持ってる。いんや、権力ってぇのは人を化け物に変えちまう魔力を持ってるのかもねぇ」 「............貴族の大半を人外認定するのはどうかと思うでござるが」 「まともな奴もいるけどね、少数なのが事実さ」 渋い表情を浮かべる婆さん。嫌な思い出でもありそうだな。 テーブルに置かれたコップを手に取り、お茶を口に含んだ。この世界では一般に普及している類だが、今まで飲んだことのあるものの中で一番上等だと思える味だった。 「ほぉう、そりゃまた............」 聞いていた婆さんの目が細くなる。婆さんは職員に労いの声をかけて退出させると、溜息を吐いた。 「............何か問題でもあったでござるか?」 「ああ。どうやら、今回の件は「お咎め無し」ーーてぇ訳にはいかなくなっちまったようだねぇ」 「あの貴族の坊ちゃんがゴネたのか?」 「それもあるが............問題なのはあの坊ちゃんの背後だ。並の貴族だったら悪くて厳重注意で済ませられたんだが」 「この国の公爵さね」 「って、カンナ氏はなんでそんなに冷静でござるかッ! 相手はこ、こここここ公爵家でござるぞッ! 王様の次に偉い身分のお方でござるぞ!」 「ぐへぇッ! ちょ、ちょクロエ、首絞めるな揺らすなッ!」 「これが落ち着いていられるでござるかッ!」 錯乱したクロエが俺の胸ぐらをつかんでガクブルに揺する。それ以上揺らされると昼食のツノウサギがリバースするぞ。 「ま、そんな訳だ。相手がこれだけデカい権力を持ってると、あたしからの厳重注意だけじゃ流石に足りないのさ。............いい加減落ち着きな黒狼っこ。別に腹切って詫びろなんて無茶ぶりは無いから」 「ほ、本当でござるか? セップクしないでもいいのでござるか?」 クロエは腕を止めると、ビクビクと盛大にビビりながら問い返す。ちなみに俺もシェイクされすぎてビクビクしてます。セップクしなくても口から腹の中身をぶちまけそうです。 「そこだけは保証してやる。今後の活動に影響がでるような処罰は、あたしの権限の全てを賭けてさせないさ。が、それ未満の罰は覚悟しておいて貰う事になるだろうねぇ」 「死なないだけでましでござる!」 いやいやいや、落ち着けクロエさんや。まだ安心するのは早い。 「あの坊ちゃんが想像通りの下種だったら、クロエはこのままぬるねちょペットライフの刑だな」 「言っている意味は分からないでござるが、卑猥な響きでござるな!」 「ぬるねちょもペットライフもさせないから安心をし」 婆さんには通じたようだ。 「じゃあ俺がぬるねちょか」 「や、そこで無言にならないでくれよ冗談だから止めてくださいお願いしますいや本当に」 「ったく、常にボケを挟まなきゃ気が済まないのかねこの小僧は」 俺のボケが潰されただとッ!? 「年期が違うんだよ年期が。伊達に歳はとってないさね。って、話が脱線したよ。割と真面目な話をしてるんだから黙って聞きな」 だってよクロエ、と喉まで出掛かったが、婆さんの眼力に負けて押し留める。これ以上は叱られそうだ。 「もう一度言うが、無理難題はあたしの権限でどうにかするから安心しな。それに、坊ちゃんがあんた等に何を望んでいるかも予想はついてる」 はて、ぬるねちょ以外に俺らに出来る事はあるだろうか。お金か? や、公爵家の次男ならお小遣いもたんまり貰ってそうだ。 「古来より、名誉を傷つけられた貴族が相手に望むものはたった一つって相場が決まってるさね」 婆さんはコップに残ったお茶を一気に飲み干し、大仰な素振りでテーブルに置いた。 「つまり、互いの尊厳を賭けた「決闘」さ」 「「............けっとう?」」

[For the time being, have a seat. Tea will be brought in soon.] I sat on the sofa as told. Chloe who sat next to me has her shoulder shrunk to make herself look smaller. [Well, you can say that ne~. I would love nothing more than to retire but the lot of them are all unreliable bunch ne~.] While laughing, basan sat down on the sofa facing us, rather than at the desk. Was it not a work desk? [It would be easier to talk face to face.] Like I said, please don't read my mind. [Well, as I said earlier, I have a general understanding of the situation. Good grief, even though she is a young woman of the Black Wolf Clan, one does not decide on a Lord that easily.] Apparently, basan was on our side, at least emotionally. [But both of you were lucky ne~. That was a very close call. Had that happened a few steps more, who knows what kind sight I would witness.] What did you mean, we got lucky? Me and Chloe tilted our heads together. [Have any of you read the guild rules?] [Well, I officially become an adventurer just today, so...] [The youngster aside, you miss Black Wolf are already C-rank.] [Apologies de gozaru......] [Let me tell you that the Adventurer's Guild possess extraterritorial rights within its boundary.] [Extraterritorial rights?] Back on earth, its a word that comes side by side with emba.s.sies. [There are a lot of strong willed individual amongst adventurers, disputes are daily occurrences. Dispute settlements are also common. That's because, its not only commoners applying to be an adventurer but also the members of aristocracy. If the former and latter were to get into a dispute, in most cases it would end in latter's victory. Therefore, any trouble occurring inside the guild building will be handled by the guild.] The Adventurer's Guild has many base of operation around the world. Each of them in cooperative relations.h.i.+p with the country they reside in but, it is by no means a subordinate organization to any of those countries. [Of course, if there were any appeal from any country, the guild is obligated to respond and mediate the request to the adventurers. However, it comes with no compulsory effect.] [The guild is surprisingly free huh.] [Though I say extraterritorial right, it does not detract much from the laws of the resident country. From a humane perspective, I always endeavor to make no mistake in my discretion while also upholding the law. If I don't perform at least that much, this adventurer's guild would simply be taken over ne~.] By the way, it seems the guild cannot be used as an emergency shelter from outside matter. It only addresses problems that occur within the building itself. [Ah, now I understand why you mentioned we were lucky. We were still inside the guild during the argument with that botchan.] [If that scene happened outside the guild, no doubt you would have been thrown into jail for all those insults ne~. This is the worse case scenario.] Chloe yelped a bit while I felt blood drained from my face. [For just p.i.s.sing off a n.o.ble? Isn't that a bit exaggerated.] I was only prepared to be expelled and exiled. Responding to my optimism, basan put her hand on my shoulder. [In this world there exist lunatics who could calmly conduct unimaginable things. Sadly, those kinds of person more often that not, possess authority. Or perhaps, authority itself possess some kind of magical means to transform man into monsters ne~.] [......This one wonders if it is a good idea to acknowledge the majority of aristocrats as inhuman de gozaru ga.] [Honest n.o.bles exist, true but they are in the minority.] Basan said that with a bitter expression. Probably some bad memories. When the conversation got cut off, a staff entered the room bringing in tea as if antic.i.p.ating our break. I picked up a cup from the table and sipped some tea. Its a popular brand in this world. Out of all I have ever drank, this brand is the best. [Hou, that again......] Basan furrowed her brows after listening to the message. The staff left after basan voiced her grat.i.tude. When its only us left, basan sighed. [......Is there any problem de gozaru ka?] [Apparently, the case this time can no longer be simply brushed aside ne~.] [Was it because of that botchan?] [That too.........but the real problem looms behind that botchan. If he is a member of the middle ranking n.o.bility or lower, it would have been settled with a stern warning.] [His father is the Duke of this country.] [ K-KKanns.h.i.+, why are you behaving so calmly de gozaru ka?! Is it not the D-d-d-duke household we offended de gozaru ka?! The second most prestigious status after the King are they not de gozaru zo!] [Ugh! Wait, Chloe! Don't strangle me!] [How can this one be calm in this situation de gozaru ka!] The agitated Chloe grabbed my collar and shakes me terribly in her panic. [Well, that's the gist of it. With your opponent having that level of power, only my reprimand is not going to be sufficient to them, as one would expect. ......Its about time you calm down, Black Wolf girl. Its not like they would demand harakiri as apologies.] [I-is it true de gozaru ka? Will it be fine even if I don't perform seppuku de gozaru ka?] Chloe, still in trembling mode, questions so while still being nervous after she stops shaking me. [I can at least guarantee you that much. From here on out, I will wager all the authority I possess to oppose any action that will affect your punishment. But, you both have to be prepared for something less than capital punishment ne~.] [Anything is better than death de gozaru!] No no no no, calm down Chloe-san. It's too early to be relieved. [If that botchan is a sc.u.m like I imagine him to be, Chloe's punishment might be a slimy ma.s.seuse pet life.] [This one does not understand the words but it sounds indecent de gozaru na!] [Be a.s.sured, I won't let you be a slimy ma.s.seuse nor enter a pet life.] Basan seems to understand my words. [Then I'll be the slimy ma.s.seur.] [No, please don't be silent there. It's a joke so please stop the silent treatment, I beg of you.] [Good grief, you youngster really can't stop being a boke.] My boke act was crushed!? [Age and experience, my dear apprentice, age and experience. Mine is not just for show ne~. Now now, our conversation has gotten derailed. I'll be talking seriously now, so be silent and listen.] I was going to voice out my complain with Chloe but I lost to basan's glare and stopped. More than this, then I'm gonna get scolded for real. [I'll say it again but I'll do anything in my power to deal with any unreasonable demands. Besides, I daresay I know what that botchan wants.] Eh? Was there anything else other than slimy ma.s.seuse that we can do? [Since ancient times, once a n.o.ble's honor is at stake, there is only one method to decide the outcome.] Basan drank up all her tea and put the tea cup down in a dramatic manner. [In other words, a [duel] with one's honor at stake.] [[......Duel?] ]

目を覚ましたら、そこは戦場の硬い土の上ではなく、柔らかいベッドの上だった。 「あら、気が付いたの?」 しばらく『ぼぅ』っとしていると、ベッドのある部屋の前を通りかかったナース姿(異世界にもあった!?)のお姉さんが入ってきた。 「............ここは?」 「ドラクニルの帝立病院よ。ちょっと待っててね。今先生を呼んでくるから」 「特に目立った外傷もないし、治療の必要も無いね。ただ念のために、今日だけは安静にして貰うよ」 簡単な診察と問診を終えた医者は退室していった。説明を聞いた俺は起こしていた上体を、ベッドの上にぼふりと倒した。 有月を発端とする数々の厄介事の中で、アレほどに大規模で派手な終結の仕方は無い。なお、入院の原因は火傷だ。近所のスーパーで安売りしていた花火を大量に買い込み、それを彩菜監修のもとにイジって『爆弾』を作ったのだ。や、カッコ付けてヤクザの事務所を背後に「俺たちに手を出したら、こうなる」と映画みたいな台詞を吐いたが、火薬の量を間違え事務所を爆破したときにその余波に巻き込まれたのだ。 二度と手製爆弾など作るか、と心に決めた事件であった。 そんな若気の至り(現時点でもまだ未成年だが)に思いを馳せていると、覚えのある気配が近づいてきた。 「目が覚めたようだな、カンナ」 姿を現したレアルに、俺は片手を上げて応えた。姿はあのビキニアーマーモドキではなく、見慣れた軽鎧だった。魅惑の谷間が隠れてしまったのが残念だ。 「よぉ。騎士団とかの仕事とかはいいのか?」 事後処理とか、報告書とかあるだろう。たかが三日で自由に動き回れないと思うのだが。 「君が起きたら直ぐに私のところに連絡が来るように話を付けていたんだ。細かい書類作業は副団長に任せてきた。処理が滞ることはないだろう」 「改めて礼を言わせてくれ。野営地で警備を担当していた者達から話は聞かせて貰った。君が居合わせなかったら騎士団や冒険者達に相当数の被害が出ていただろう。これらを未然に防げたのは君のおかげだ。ありがとう」 「成り行きだ。報酬はきっちり請求させて貰うぞ」 「事後承諾だが、『柄』の件も含め、ギルドを通して支払わせて貰う。安心してくれ」 「ただ働きは御免だからな」 ここで物語の主人公なら「当然の事をしたまで」とか言いそうだが、生憎と俺はそれよりも損得勘定が頭に出てくる。貸し借りの精算を念頭に置く辺り、つくづく自分が『勇者』に不向きなのだと自覚できた。 ただ、俺の欲に満ちた要求にレアルの表情から嫌悪の色は見えない。初めから俺の言葉を予想していたのだろう。そして俺も、そんな彼女の答え方を初めから予想していたように、自然と笑みがこぼれた。 ーーーー今なら、聞いても良いかも知れない。 「なぁレアル。いい加減に教えちゃくれねぇか。おまえさんがこの国でどんな立場にあるのかをな」 「............ああ、今日はそのつもりで来た。いい加減に、隠すのも心苦しくなって来ていたところだ」 幻竜騎士団を率いていた人物ーー『竜剣』レグルス。 「帝国軍特殊遊撃部隊『幻竜騎士団』。その団長が私、レアル・ファルベールだ」 「遊撃部隊?」 「決まった役割のない部隊ーー言い換えれば、軍内部での『何でも屋』だな。今回のように魔獣の討伐に赴いたり、手が足りない部隊の補佐に回ったりとな」 「へぇ............。またなんであんな妙なコスプレなんぞしてたんだ?」 「こすぷれーーとやらは意味不明だが『妙な』とはあの鎧姿か。立場的に素性が露見すると色々と動きにくくなるのでな。対外的に『男』で通せるように部隊を率いるときには常にあの姿でいるのだよ。団員の殆どや軍の上層部は私の正体は知っているが」 ディアガル軍は実力主義であり、腕さえあれば男女差別は無い。事実、女性の軍人もそれなりに所属しているらしい。それでも、女性が率いる一部隊は希であり何かと目立つ。性別的に目立つよりは格好の面で目立つ方がまだ動きやすいのだと。 そこで作られたのが、全身鎧姿の『レグルス』だ。 「そーいや、幻竜騎士団のトップは元冒険者だって聞いてたが。............もしかしてそのときも正体を隠してたのか?」 「まぁ、な。それはまた少し別の事情があるがな。四年前までは冒険者として活動していたのだよ」 言葉を濁したレアルに俺は追求しなかった。言う通りに、また別に面倒な話なのだろう。 「ふぅん。『竜剣』ってのは?」 「冒険者はAランクに到達すると、『二つ名』を与えられる仕来りがある。君も見た支援術式『ドラゴニック・レイジ』とあの大剣を愛用していることろから付けられた名だよ」 確かに『ドラゴニック・レイジ』を発動したレアルが背負っていた気配は、魂を揺さぶるような圧倒感があった。まだ出会ったことはないがなるほど、『竜』という存在を彷彿させるには十分すぎるだろう。 ーーーー久しく見ていないあの竜は癒し系です。 「それとリーディアル様との関係も気になっているだろうから教えておこう。彼女と私は、私が冒険者時代だったころに師弟関係にあった。今でも何かと縁があり、恥ずかしい話だが世話になっている」 「あのババア............」 知り合いって範疇を軽く越えているだろうが。あの婆さんのことだ、真実を知ったときの俺の反応を想像して面白がっていたのだろう。 「あの御方を『そんな風』に呼べる人間は、この国でも君だけだろうな。『師匠』に対しては皇帝すら一目置いているのだが」 ............ちょっと待ってほしい。元Aランク冒険者のお師匠様? 俺の顔が引きつっているのを見て、レアルは「本当にあの人は」と嘆息し苦笑しながら言った。 「リーディアル様は『千刃』の異名を持つ元Sランク冒険者であり、冒険者ギルド・ドラクニル支部の現ギルドマスターだ」 「はぁッッ!? Sランクッッッッ!?」 それなりどころか(支部だが)一組織の頂点でしかもSランク。人外レベルであるAランクをさらに上回る超越者達じゃねぇか!? 「はぁ............。師匠はそんな細かいことは気にされない御方だ。本当に失礼があればそもそも何度も君に会おうとはしない。むしろ気に入られている証拠だろう」 「............それはそれで嫌だな」 「言わんとするところは何となく分かるが、諦めろ」 どうやら婆さんの問題児(?)ぶりは師弟時代にも経験があるようだ。レアルの同情に俺は複雑な心境になった。 元々、レアルが冒険者ギルドに登録したのは、師匠であるリーディアルの元で実力を付けるためだったのだ。目標であるAランクに到達し、ある程度の経験を積んだら冒険者を引退し、軍に入るつもりだったらしい。元Aランク冒険者であり、Sランクのお墨付きもある実力の折り紙付き。彼女は直ぐに軍の内部でも頭角を現し、騎士に任命されて一部隊を率いる地位についたのだ。 「............さて、身の上話はこのぐらいにしておこうか」 和やかな雰囲気を霧散させると、レアルの表情が真剣味を帯びた。 「君が鉱山の洞窟内で見た事実を説明してほしい。洞窟内を見聞しようにも岩盤が崩落して進入不可能になってしまったのでな」 「............や、悪い。それ俺が原因だわ」 申し訳なく頭を掻くと、レアルは苦言することなく頷いた。 「事情があるのは十分に察している。責めるつもりはないさ。だが、だからといって事態の究明の為に捨て置いていい問題でもない」 「オーケーだ。とりあえず、主観にはなるが説明する」 俺は洞窟の内部で目撃した出来事。謎の魔術士に六本剣の女剣士。巨大な召喚術式。そしてそのどれもに『異様な気配』が通っていたこと。どうにか召喚術式を破壊し、六本剣の女剣士を撃退するのが限度だったということを伝えた。 「六本剣の女剣士だと............?」 心当たりがあるらしいレアルは顎に手を当てた。 「知ってるのか?」 「............確か元Aランク冒険者に『天剣』の二つ名を持つ六本の剣を操る女性がいた、と聞いたことがある」 「『いた』ってぇのは過去系かい?」 「数年前から行方を眩ましており、冒険者としての活動は現在行っていないらしい。ただーーーー」 「ただ?」 少し口ごもってから、レアルは難しい顔になる。 「ーーーー相当に荒くれだったらしくてな。Sランクにも届かんとする実力者だったらしいが、それ以上に問題が多かったようだ。彼女に『潰された』将来有望な冒険者は両手では数え切れないほどいたと」 「............それって物理的に? 精神的に?」 「両方の意味でだ」 相手にしなくて良かった、と俺は心の底からほっとした。ランクで言えばレアルと同等の実力者でしかも戦闘狂いのケがあったと。それと正面からぶつかって勝てるはずがない。 「事が事だ。ギルドの方に問い合わせて『天剣』の情報を当たってみよう。守秘義務があるだろうが重大犯罪に関わっている可能性がある以上、出し惜しみは無いだろう」 「俺の証言だけでギルドに話が通るか?」 「私がリーディアル様を経由すれば何とかなる」 「頼りになる伝手だこと」 ギルドと国って確か政治的な繋がりを持たない別組織だよな。癒着問題とかとか大丈夫かね。 純度百パーセントの殺意とそれを制御しうる理性を宿した瞳を思い出しそうになり、俺は頭を振った。 「野営地も含む人為的な魔獣召喚に加えて、行方不明だった『天剣』の関与。しかも『例の気配』が絡んでると来ている、キナ臭さが一気に増したな。頭が痛くなるような問題だよ、まったく」 『例の気配』は俺の主観でのみ感じ取れている。『あの』腹黒姫と渓谷で遭遇した炎使い。『天剣』とやらに怪しげな魔術士。どれもが繋がっているはずなのに、それを証明する手立てが一つもないのだ。 「一国の王女に「あなたは犯罪に関わっていますか?」なんて聞ける訳ないしなぁ」 「不敬罪どころか下手したら国際問題に発展するぞ」 現状、打つ手なし。結局、地道な捜査しか手段がなさそうである。 果たして室内に飛び込んできたのは。 「おお、クロエ。おはーーーーぐもぉぁッッ!?」 おはようで正しいのかは不明だが声を掛けようとして。だが半泣き気味に叫び声を上げながら突撃してきたクロエに言葉半ばで抱きしめられて中断させられる。レアルほどではないがそれでも豊満過ぎる胸に呼吸器官を圧迫された。 あ、なんか既視感あるなこれ。 「拙者、拙者ッ、心の底から心配したでござるよぉぉぉッ! 気がついて良かったでござるぅぅぅぅぅッ」 心配してくれたのは非常に嬉しいのだが、乳拘束を解除してくれ。俺の後頭部を固定する腕をタシタシ叩くが、感極まっているクロエには聞こえていない。頭を包み込む感触は極上だが、このままでは本当の『極楽浄土』に昇天してしまう。 「............いい加減にしろクロエ。そのままだとカンナが死ぬぞ」 見かねたレアルが強引に引き剥がしたところでクロエは我に返り、酸欠で頭がくらくらになる俺に顔を真っ赤にして頭を下げた。 「も、ももも申し訳ないでござる............」 「次からはもっと手加減してもらえると助かる」 できれば、胸の感触を楽しめる程度の力加減でお願いします。

When I open my eyes, it's not on the hard battlefield ground, but on a soft bed. [ara You have awaken?] After being in a daze for a while, the figure of an onee-san pa.s.s in front of the room with my bed in it and after saying so, the nurse... {There is a nurse in this world!?} ...enters my room. [............Where am I?] [Here is Draknil's Imperial Hospital. Please excuse me for a while. I'm going to call the doctor.] [There is no particularly conspicuous external trauma, so no further treatment needed but just in case, I need you to rest for today.] (male doc...) After a brief examination and inquiry, the doctor leaves. I listened to his explanation while being upright, so I relax myself on the bed when he left. I wonder how long ago since I was last hospitalized. If I'm not wrong, it was that time when I went up against a local yakuza. Back to the topic of hospitalization, my previous case was caused by burns. We bought a lot of fireworks that was on discount from a nearby supermarket and under the supervision of Ayana, I turned those into [bombs]. Well, I got too immersed into it and spout lines like {This is what you get when you mess with us.} while posing inside the office. And then, I got caught up in the blast because I mistook the amount of gunpowder needed to blow up the place. It was an incident that made me decide to never again make my own homemade bomb. During my reminiscence of such youthful indiscretion (though I'm still a minor now), a familiar presence draws near. [You seem to have woken up, Kanna.] I raise one hand as a response to Real who showed up. She is no longer wearing the pseudo bikini armor, instead it's the light armor I'm used to seeing. It's a real pity that the enchanting valley has been hidden from view. [Yo, is it okay for you to ditch the knights and paperworks?] I imagine there will be post-processing and written reports to be done. I don't think she could move freely after merely three days. [I asked the hospital to contact me as soon as you got up and I left all the detailed paperworks to my adjutant. The processing won't be delayed.] [Allow me to thank you again. I heard from those left in charge of security at the encampment. If you hadn't been there, there would have been considerable damage inflicted to the knights and adventurers alike. It is thanks to you that it didn't happen. Thank you.] [I just happen to be there but I expect to be properly compensated for it 'kay.] [It is an ex-post-facto approval but I'll compensate you through the guild, including the [shaft's] delivery. Rest a.s.sured.] [I just don't wanna work for free, y'know.] If this were a tale of a hero, he would say [I only did the right thing to do], but unfortunately, I'm more of a profit-loss person. With that in mind, I'm fully aware that I'm not what they call, a [hero] material. But I can't sense any hint of disgust from Real at my greedy demands. She must've expected this from the beginning. Since I was also expecting that kinda reply from her all along, a smile naturally adorns my face. It's mysterious how this unreserved and outspoken exchange can make me feel at ease. ---It might be a good time to ask. [Say, Real. Isn't it about time you tell me. About your position in this country.] [.........Yes, I came here today with that intention as well. It's also getting harder for me to keep on hiding the fact.] The knight leader of the Genryuu (Phantom Dragon) Knight Order-The [Ryuuken], Regulus. I already knew her true ident.i.ty but I wanted to hear it from the person herself. [ I am the leader of the Imperial Army Special a.s.sault Unit [Genryuu Knights], Real Farbell.] [a.s.sault Unit?] [A unit without a fixed role--In other words, a unit for [anything and everything] in the army. We are a.s.signed to subjugation missions such as the one before or sent to a.s.sist other short-handed units.] [Oh~......... Also, what's with that strange cosplay of yours?] [I don't get what you mean by cosupuray but by [strange], it's that armor, right? From my standpoint, revealing my ident.i.ty would be detrimental in various aspects. When I'm leading my unit, I'm always in that figure to pa.s.s externally as a [man]. My subordinates and most of the upper bra.s.s are aware of my true ident.i.ty though.] The Diagal Empire's military is a meritocracy and there is no discrimination so long as one has the merit. In fact, female soldiers are also subjected to that evaluation. Nevertheless, a unit led by a woman is a rare thing and stands out conspicuously. It is easier for her to be conspicuous in terms of appearance compared to standing out due to her gender. That was how the [Regulus] clad in a full body armor came to be. In addition to the defense it provides, the armor is also enchanted with spells that converts her voice into that of a man and obfuscates her characteristic long ears. Thanks to that, those who were oblivious to the circ.u.mstances thought of her as a [male]. [Oh right, I heard that the top of the Genryuu Knights was a former adventurer. ............Did you hide your ident.i.ty even then?] [Well, yes... but that was due to another reason. Until four years ago, I was an active adventurer.] I didn't pursue Real's evasive words. It must've been a troublesome topic, separate from this one. [hmm What about [Ryuuken]?] [When an adventurer reaches rank, they are bestowed an [alias]. It's a name derived from the spell you witnessed, the [Dragonic Rage] and my favored greatsword.] Indeed. After activating [Dragonic Rage], Real's presence became overwhelming to the point of being soul-shaking. I haven't met any real [dragon] yet but that display of hers was more than enough to portray the existence of a dragon. ---That dragon of hers that I haven't seen for quite a while is a soothing-type, it doesn't count. [Given that we are both involved with Lydeal-sama, I will tell you. She was my mentor back when I was an adventurer. Even now we are still in touch with each other. It's embarra.s.sing but I'm very much indebted to her.] [That hag.........] I know they're acquainted but this is beyond what I expected. Knowing that basan, she must be amusing herself by imagining my reaction when I know the truth. [You're the only person in this country to address her [that way]. Even the emperor pays his respect towards [master].] .........Please wait for a bit. Looking at my face becoming stiff at the realization, Real sigh while smiling wryly, as if to say [you're really incorrigible]. [Lydeal-sama is a former S-rank adventurer with the alias [Thousand Blades] and she is currently the guild master of Draknil's branch of Adventurers Guild.] [Whaaaat!? S-rank!!?] Far from being just an executive, she's the top of it! (although a branch). [Haa......... Master won't care about such trifle things. In the first place, if you were really rude in her eyes, she won't keep you company time and again. Rather, that is proof the she took quite a liking to you.] [.........That in itself is disagreeable too.] [I know what you're trying to say but give up.] Apparently, she's speaking from experience concerning basan's mischievous side. Real's sympathy makes me feel complicated. From the start, Real's reason in registering as an adventurer was in order to receive tutelage from the former S-rank. After gaining some experience and reaching rank, which was her target in the first place, she retired from adventuring. It seems that her objective was to enroll into the army all along. [.........Now then, let's wrap it up for my background, shall we?] Real's expression turns to a more serious note, scattering the previous peaceful atmosphere. Seems like she didn't come here only for a visit. I expected it though. [Please explain what happened back at the mine cave. The cave collapsed you see, making any entry impossible.] [.........um My bad. I did that.] Feeling guilty about it, I confess while scratching my head but Real accepted it without complaining. [I understand that there were circ.u.mstances that led to that. I'm not blaming you. But that doesn't mean it's a matter that we can ignore as we need to investigate the situation.] [Okay. First off, this explanation will be from my point of view.] The things that I witnessed inside the cave. A mysterious magician and a swordswoman armed with six swords. A huge summoning magical formation. And lastly, all of them were clad in that [strange presence]. I also told Real about how I managed to destroy that summoning magical formation and fending off the six-sword woman was the most I could do against her. [A swordswoman armed with six swords you say.........?] Seemingly enlightened by those words, Real touches her chin. [You know her?] [.........If I remember correctly, I once heard that a woman who wielded six swords was an rank adventurer with an alias [Heavenly Sword].] [[Was] as in past tense?] [She went missing several years ago and at present, she doesn't seem to be an active adventurer anywhere. However......] [However?] After hesitating for a bit, Real continues with complicated expression. [.........Apparently she was quite a rough person. She seemed to possess ability befitting an S-rank but before reaching it, she caused quite the controversy. She [crushed] the hands of countless prospective adventurers.] [.........Was that physically? Or mentally?] [Both ways.] From the bottom of my heart, I'm glad I didn't took her head-on. In terms of rank, she is equivalent to Real and what's more, she's a battle maniac. I'm sure I won't win if I confront her honestly. [With the situation as it is, let's contact the guild for more information about [Heavenly Sword]. Though they are bound by duty of confidentiality, the subject this time may have been involved in a major felony. I presume they won't be unwilling to cooperate.] [Will the guild cooperate with my testimony alone?] [It'll somehow be fine if I go through Lydeal-sama.] [Sure is a reliable connection.] The Guild and the countries it reside in are two separate organizations that doesn't have political connection. I did smack her with a superma.s.sive ice sh.e.l.l after all. Remembering her eyes harboring 100% pure murderous intent that was kept in check by her reasoning, I shook my head to dismiss it. [In addition to the induced magic beast summoning, there's also the involvement of the missing [Heavenly Sword]. Moreover, all of them are clad with [their presence]. This is getting more and more suspicious. Good grief, this is quite a headache inducing matter.] [That presence] can only be felt by my perception. That malicious black princess and that flame magician we encountered at the valley. [Heavenly Sword] and that mysterious magician. All of them are connected but there's no way to prove it. [Can't exactly ask the princess of a kingdom [Are you involved in shady business?]] (kanna) [Let alone lese majeste, it might even unfold into an international problem.] Presently, our hands are tied. In the end, there seems to be no other course other than a plain investigation. Just as I thought, the person barging into the room is... [Ou Chloe. Mor--guhoo!?] I dunno if it's a good morning or not, just wanted to greet her but I got interrupted in the middle of my greeting. Chloe, who was halfway into tears starts to charge while calling my name and embrace me tightly. hn Somehow, I'm having a sense of deja vu. [This one, this one was beset with anxiety from the bottom of one's heart de gozaru yooo! This one is relieved that Kanns.h.i.+ have recovered de gozaruuuuu.] I'm happy that you're worried about me but please release me from this breast restraint. I'm tapping her hand that's wrapping around my head but Chloe who is so overcome with emotion didn't notice it. The sensation wrapping my head is heavenly but at this rate, I'll ascend to [heaven] for real. [.........That's enough, Chloe. Kanna will die if you keep it up.] Chloe got her awareness back when Real who could no longer unable to let it pa.s.s, forcibly peels her off from me. While being flushed red, she lowers her head to me who's dizzy from oxygen deficiency. [Apologies de gozaru.........] [I'd like it if you go easy on me the next time.] If possible, please use just the right amount of strength so I can properly enjoy the heavenly sensation.

第十六話 深淵の一端を覗く 「契約」の返答は直ぐには出来なかった。とりあえずファイマには「明日の朝までには決める」と答えた。ファイマは特に不満を漏らすことなく頷き、自身が泊まっている宿へと戻っていった。 少しして、それまでファイマが座っていたイスに今度はレアルが腰を下ろした。 「遅くはなったが、調子はどうだ? 精霊術の反動が原因で意識をなくしたんだろう?」 「ご明察だ。まだちょいと右腕の調子がおかしい」 布団から右腕を引きずり出そうとするが、どうにも反応が悪い。肘から指先にかけてが言うことを聞かない。頭から出る指示に、動作がワンテンポ遅れる感じだ。 レアルは引きずり出した俺の右手に触れ、柔く揉んだ。 「なるほど、筋肉が強ばっている。痛みは?」 「反動がきた直後はやばかったが、今は無い」 「痛みを覚える程か............相当に強固な物を破られたのだな」 彼女も、婆さんから精霊術に関して一通りの知識は教わっている。俺が意識を失った理由も心得ていた。 「事情は従者さんやファイマから聞いてたんだろ」 「一応はな。だが、君の意見も聞かせて欲しい。君の氷を破るとなると、相当に強力な魔術であるからな。念のために、最初から説明してくれ」 聞かれるままに、俺は覆面達が襲ってきてから気絶するまでの一通りをレアルに説明した。ただ、頭が本調子じゃ無いので記憶が曖昧な部分があるのは先に言っておいた。 「............確認するが、魔力の気配から術式の発動までどのぐらいの時間があった?」 「一秒から二秒くらいだったか。けどそれがどうかした?」 それを聞いたレアルは、しばらく考え込むように顎に手を当てた。 「麓の村に滞在していた時、魔術に関する一通りの知識は君に教えたな」 「完全に理解しているかは自信ないけど」 「構わない。ーー通常、魔術を扱うためには魔力とそれを制御するための術式が必要だ。術式そのものも魔力を使って構築し、できあがった術式に再度魔力を流し込むことによって、魔術は発動する」 「そのぐらいは覚えてる」 「魔術を発動させるためには、二度の魔力制御が必要になってくる。そして、これら二つの作業は、強力な魔術であればあるほど複雑になり、それに要する時間も増えていく」 俺の中にあるファンタジー知識とほぼ同じの内容だ。 「それがどうかしたのか?」 「............気づいていないようだな」 呆れた、とレアルが半眼になる。 「少しだけ話が逸れるが、私は己の攻撃力は相当なものだと自負がある」 「............相当の一言で片づけていいレベルじゃないだろうよ」 「黙って聞け。加えて、身体強化の魔法を併用すれば、威力はその数倍にまで跳ね上がる」 「ああ、アレは凄まじかった」 俺が全身全霊を掛けた、直径二メートルぐらいの氷の固まりを、真っ二つにしましたからね。精霊術の反動で、オレの意識が三時間ぐらい飛びましたが。 「思い出したか。君の精霊術が作った氷は、私の全身全霊を掛けてようやく破壊できるぐらいの強度を持っているんだ。そして話は今日の件に戻る」 「や、氷の檻は頑丈に作ったつもりだが、全身全霊って訳じゃないぞ」 「鈍いな。まだ反動の影響で頭がはっきりしてないのか。全力でないとは言え、君が作ったという時点で、その氷の強度はちょっとした「鉄」にも匹敵する。そして、鉄を粉々に吹き飛ばす程の魔術は、瞬間的な威力が出る火属性の魔術とて容易いものではない」 「............あ」 レアルの懸念にようやく考えが至る。 「ようやく察したようだな。そうだ。君の氷を破る程の魔術にしては、魔力の起こりから発動までの時間が短すぎる。初歩的な魔術ならともかく、鋼鉄ほどの強度を持つ物体を破壊する威力となると、たった一、二秒で術式を練り上げるなど不可能だ。ーーいや、不可能とは言わないが、間違いなく宮廷魔術士程の実力が必要になってくるだろうな」 つまり、千人を十人で壊滅できるぐらいの人間でないと無理なのか。 「言われて見りゃぁ、確かにあの魔力は異様だったな」 「異様だと?」 「話を聞いててやっと思い出したんだがな」 氷の檻を爆破したのと、その後に巻き起こった炎の柱。二つとも同質の魔力ではあったが、その気配が人の物とは思えないほどに濃密だった。思考がスッキリした今、確信を持ってそう言えた。 「断言できるほど、この世界の人間を沢山見てきた訳じゃねぇがーー」 ........................待てよ? 確かに、アレほどに濃い魔力の持ち主と今までであったことはない。 だが、引っかかる。 ............強いて言えば雰囲気だろうか。 正直、気配と雰囲気の違いが分からないが、気配と呼べるぐらいに明確ではない。なのに、一度気が付いてしまうと、頭から離れない。気になって仕方がない。 あの魔力と、似た雰囲気を持った魔力の持ち主と、オレは出会っているのか? 身近で知り合ったと言えばファイマか? いや、彼女は確かに巨大な魔力を持っていたが、人間を辞めるほどに濃くはなかった。従者さん達に関して言えば、レアルが教えてくれた魔術士と呼べるレベルには至っていなかった。 この町の住人も、時折飛び抜けて高い魔力量を持つ者もいたが、ファイマほどではない。 記憶を巻き戻し、霊山の麓村の住人達を思い出すが、そもそも魔術士がいない。精霊の婆さんに至っては、俺と同じで魔力を持っていないが、アレは例外。じゃああのレアルが召喚したあの癒し系飛竜? や、人間ではないが、やっぱり違う。 もっと戻って............あまり思い出したくはないが、俺が一番最初に居たあの城だ。なるほど、魔術士と呼べるような魔力を持った者を見かけたのは、あの城が一番多かった。しかし、どれもこれもが違う。 ここまで思い出して該当者なし。記憶違いを疑うがーー即座に否定。間違いなく俺の中にあの魔力の気配が残っていた。 ふと、ファイマの顔を思い出した。 そういえば、彼女と似た気配を持った人物が居たな。忘れていた。 ーーーーファイマの顔の陰に、別の人間が見えた。 ゾクリと背筋が震え、凍り付いく。 強烈な寒気と吐き気が襲いかかり、顔から血の気が引く。 「ッ、どうしたカンナッ」 俺の顔が蒼白になり、その尋常ではない様子にレアルが肩を掴んだ。しかし、その彼女に意識を割り当てる余裕が俺にはなかった。 ............ようやくたどり着いた。 あの、深い深い闇を瞳の奥に宿した女性の存在を。 俺をこの幻想世界に呼び出し、身勝手に傲慢に無慈悲に切り捨てた、あの少女の存在を。 思い出せなかったのではない。思い出したくなかったのだ。 忘れられるわけがない。ただ、仮初めとは言え忘れるしかなかったのだ。脳裏に浮かび上がる度に、心身が激しい怒りと憎しみを思い出す。 それは今でも変わらない。 だが、この世界に呼び出された当初より魔力を感じ取れる今だからこそ、分かることもある。 まさしく可憐と呼べる美しい美貌の、瞳の底に隠れた深淵。その深淵こそ、俺が感じたあの異質な魔力に繋がっていた。 こみ上げる吐き気と寒気をぐっとかみ殺し、俺は肩に置かれた相棒の手に触れた。己ではない人の温もりを感じながら、どうにか冷静さを取り戻す。徐々に血の気も戻り、顔色を見て心配そうにしていたレアルが安堵の息を吐き出した。 その彼女の顔を見る。 「思い出したぞレアル」 レアルは改めて真剣な眼差しを返す。 「俺の氷をぶち破った奴。あのとき感じた魔力は、俺をこの世界に呼び寄せたクソ女の魔力と似てやがった」 「........................間違い無いのか?」 「ああ。魔力の量の差が桁違いだから分かりにくかったが、思い出すともう疑いようがない」 しかし、とするとどういう事なのだろうか? ファイマとあのクソ女の気配が似ているのだと今気が付いたが、一方でファイマとあの異様な魔力の気配は別物だ。A=BでB=Cなら、普通はA=Cだ。けれど、そう単純な話でも無いらしい。勘違いの一言、ではすまされない確信が俺の中にはある。 「あの姫は、王族の中で次期君主と期待されるほどの切れ者と同時に、国内では五指にはいるほどの魔術士だ」 考え込む俺に、レアルが補足した。 「掛け値なしに宮廷魔術士としての実力も兼ねそろえている。彼女であるなら、瞬時に鉄製の武具を破壊できる程の魔術を構築できるだろうな。だが、こんな僻地に次期国王がーーこの場合は女王か。彼女がこの場所にいる理由が分からない」 そもそも、気配は似ていただろうがクソ女自身があの場に居なかったのは俺自身が知っている。似ているが別物だ。 「あーー、なんかすごい気持ち悪いな、この感覚」 俺は両者に共通するであろう「何か」に、堪らない不快感を覚えるのだった。

Chapter 16 I peek at the end of the abyss I wasn't able to give an answer to the "contract" right away. For the time being I responded to Faima with "I will make up my mind before tomorrow morning". Faima nodded without showing any dissatisfaction in particular and returned to the inn she is staying at. A little bit later, the one who dropped her body on the chair Faima was sitting on until now is Real this time. "It is a little late, but how are you feeling? You have lost consciousness from receiving the backlash from the spirit art, haven't you?" "You've got great insight. My right arm still feels a little funny." I try to drag out my right arm from the bed, but the response is bad in every way. The part from my elbow to my fingertips doesn't listen to me. It felt that its actions were one beat late to the instructions I relayed from the beginning. Real touches my right hand I dragged out and ma.s.sages it softly. "I see, your muscles are becoming stiff. What about pain?" "It was terrible right after the backlash, but now I've got no pain." "So it was so bad you can feel the pain............the reason must be that a considerable firm object was broken." She too had been taught the usual knowledge in relation to spirit arts by grandma. She understood the reason I lost my consciousness. "You did hear it from Faima and the servants, didn't you?." "The outline, yes. However, I also want you to let me hear your opinion on this. When it comes to breaking your ice, they should have considerably strong magic after all. Please explain from the beginning, just to be certain." Just as I was asked, I briefly explained to Real from the time the masked men attacked us until the time I fainted. It's just that my head isn't in a normal condition, so I told her beforehand that there are some parts in my memory that are unclear to me. "............I will be checking it, but how much time was there between the presence of that magic power and the invocation of the magic formula?" "There was about one or two seconds between that. But, what about that?" After asking, Real put her hand on her chin for a while like she's thinking. "I've taught you the general information in relation to magic during the time we stayed at the village at the foot of the mountains, didn't I?" "I'm not sure if I understood it completely though." "That is fine. --generally, in order to use magic, you require magic power and a magic formula for the sake of controlling that magic power. You also use magic power to construct the magic formula and by inserting magic power the second time into the finished magic formula, you invoke the magic." "I can remember at least that much." "In order to invoke magic, it becomes necessary to control magic twice. And so, the two times you control magic becomes more complex the stronger the magic becomes and the require time will also increase." That is roughly the same as the fantasy knowledge in my mind. "Is there something wrong with that?" "............It looks like you haven't noticed it." "I'm shocked" Real says as her eyes become half-closed. "This will be only a little off-topic, but I'm proud of my considerable offensive ability." "............It's not at the level where you can end it with quite a few words, don't you think?" "Be quiet and listen. In addition, if I use body reinforcement magic as well, my power would jump up several times." "Yeah, that was dreadful." A roughly two meter diameter lump of ice I created with my body and soul was cut right in half after all. My consciousness soared for three hours from the spirit art's backlash though. "So you remember. The ice your spirit art created possesses the strength that took my all to be able to break it. And so, let's return to today's matter." "No, I intended to make the ice cage st.u.r.dy, but I had no reason to put my all into it, you know." "Slow, aren't you. Is your head still not cleared up from the effect of the backlash? Although you didn't put in all your strength, the intensity of the ice is also quite comparable to that of [iron] at the moment you made it. Also, a magic that blows up iron to smithereens is not as easy as a fire attribute magic that can bring forth instantaneous power." "............Ah." I finally arrived at Real's worries. "You finally understand now. That's right. The time between the rise in magic power and the invocation is too short considering it's a magic capable of destroying your ice. It's a different story if it was an elementary magic, but when it comes to power that can destroy an object possessing the strength of steel, it is impossible to do something like refining a magic formula in a mere one or two seconds. --No, I won't say it is impossible, but what's certain is that a power on the level of a court magician becomes necessary for this, you see." So in other words, it's impossible if there's no people who is roughly able to cause destruction to thousands of people with just ten of them? "Now that you mention it, that magic power was pretty strange, you know." "Strange you say?" "I finally recalled after hearing about it though." The ice cage exploded and a pillar of flame broke out afterwards. Both have the same quality of magic power, but the presence was so dense it doesn't look like it belongs to a person. Now that my thoughts have become clear, I'm able to say it with confidence. "It's not like I've seen enough of this world's people to the point of being able to a.s.sert this, but--" ........................Wait, huh? It's true that up until now I haven't seen anyone who possess magic power that dense. But I'm bothered by it. ............I wonder if it's the atmosphere if I have to say it. Honestly, I don't understand the difference in presence and atmosphere, but it's not so clear as to be called a presence. Even so, when I've noticed it once, it won't leave my head. I can't get it out of my mind. Have I come across this magic and the possessor of magic with a similar atmosphere? Speaking of acquaintances, is it Faima? No, I admit she possesses huge magic power, but it wasn't so dense that she had quit being human. And as for her servants, they didn't reach the level of a sorcerer Real told me about. The residents of this town too; sometimes there are people with outstandingly high amounts of magic power, but not at the amount of Faima's. I rewind my memories. I recall the residents of the village at the foot of the mountains, but there were no sorcerers there in the first place. The spirit grandma I'm left with doesn't possess magic power like me, but she is an exception. Then, that soothing flying dragon summoned by Real? No, it may not be human, but it's still different. Going back even more............I don't really want to recall it, but it's that castle I was in at the beginning. Oh I see, of the places I've caught sight of people possessing magic power at a level that can be called a sorcerer, that castle had the most. However, each and every one of them are also different. I recalled my memories up to there and the person in question wasn't there. I suspect it's a lapse of memories though--I deny that immediately. The presence of that magic power remained inside of me. Suddenly, I remembered Faima's face. Now that I think about it, there was someone holding a presence similar to her. I forgot about that. ----In the shade of Faima's face, I could see a different person. *Shudder* my back s.h.i.+vers and froze in place. A strong chill and nausea swoops down on me and blood drains from my face. "H- What's wrong, Kanna-" Seeing my face becoming unusually pale, Real grabs my shoulders. However, I don't have any composure to put my awareness onto the girl. ............I finally reached it. The existence of that woman who houses that intense deep darkness inside her eyes. The existence of that woman who summoned me to this fantasy world and self-centeredly, haughtily and ruthlessly discarded me. It wasn't that I couldn't remember her. It was because I don't want to remember her. There's no way I will forget her. It's just that I had no choice but to forget her even just temporarily. Each time she emerges in my mind, I would recall my extreme anger and hatred. That doesn't change even now. But, I can sense the magic power better than when I was summoned in the beginning so that's why I also understand. No doubt the abyss is hiding in the depth of the eyes on that lovely beautiful face that can be called sweet. That abyss must be connected to that unusual magic power I felt. As I chew off the nausea and the chill I felt in one go, I feel my partner's hand placed on my shoulder. While feeling the of warmth from a person that is not myself, I regain my composure in some way. Little by little, the blood also return and the worried Real spat out a breath of relief after seeing my complexion. I look at the face of that girl. "Real, I remember it now" Real returned a serious look once again. "That guy who bursted down my ice. The magic power I felt at that time is disgustingly similar to that b.i.t.c.h who summoned me to this world." "........................Are you certain?" "Yeah. The difference in amounts of magic power is in a different league so it's hard to know, but now that I recalled it I don't doubt it anymore." But, if we a.s.sume that, what would this all mean? I noticed just today that Faima's presence resemble that b.i.t.c.h, but at the same time Faima's presence is different from that of the magic power. Usually if A=B and B=C, then A=C. However, it doesn't seem that simple in this subject. I have the conviction I won't be fooled by a few misunderstandings. "That princess is sharp and able enough to be expected to become the next ruler from within the royalty and at the same time she is magician enough to be the top five within her country." Real supplemented to the brooding me. "She also has the capabilities as a court magician without exaggeration. If it is her, then she should be capable of constructing magic capable of destroying iron weapons in an instant. However, the next in line being in this remote place is--So in this case, it's the queen. I don't know the reason for her to be in this location." In the first place, their presence may resemble, but I know that the b.i.t.c.h isn't in this place. Something else resemble this presence. "Aaaah, somehow I have a very bad feeling about this. I felt this unbearable discomfort towards this[something] the two have in common.

頭痛ーーとまでは届かないが、重量が頭の裏側にのし掛かったような負荷を自覚しながら、俺は目を覚ました。 「あーーーーーーOH] 頭を手で押さえながら上半身を起こすと、自分の上半身がーーというか毛布に覆われている下半身も素っ裸だ。ちなみに朝の生理現象はバッチリである。健康的だな。 横を見ると、毛布を抱きしめるようにして黒い髪にフサフサの狼耳を持った女性が寝息を立てていた。とてもとても幸せそうな寝顔にほっこりーーはせず、俺は昨日の晩に起こった出来事を思い出して悶絶した。 坊ちゃんとの決闘が終わった後だ。後の処理を竜人の婆さんに押し付けた俺はそのままギルドの隣にある食堂で晩飯にありついた。その際、戦いの直後と言うこともあって、祝杯とばかりにクロエと酒を呑んだのである。 最初の方こそ二人とも酒の味を楽しむ余裕があったが、段々とクロエの酔いが酷くなっていった。今回の件によっぽど鬱憤が溜まっていたのだろう。それは酒が進むほどにエスカレートしていった。 これはやばいと危機感を覚え、俺はどうにかクロエから酒を取り上げ、店の勘定を手早く済ませると彼女を引きずりながら(文字通り)どうにか滞在先の宿へとたどり着いた。 何とかクロエの体をベッドに横たえると、少なからず俺にも酔いが回っており深い眠気が押し寄せてきた。さっさと自分の部屋に戻って布団に入ろうか、という所で服の裾を掴む手が伸びてきたのだ。 目を向けると、上気した頬と潤んだ瞳、ぺたりと垂れた狼耳をしたクロエが上目遣いでこちらを覗いてきたのだ。 あ、これは完全に欲情してやがる。口調が変わっているのが証拠だ。多分、戦いの高ぶりと酒の酔いが絡み合って性欲の方に変異したのだろう。危機的状況に於ける興奮が引き起こす、恋愛感情の誤解と近いか。 そこから先は、砂糖を大放出するぐらい甘いやり取りがあって『わんわんタイム』の再来である。 これ以上は勘弁してほしい。俺の羞恥心がやばい。 だって酔ってたんだよ! 酒の勢いだったんだよ! 男子高校生の性欲なめんな! ............据え膳を前にしたら快く平らげてお代わりを申し出るくらいには健全な野郎なのだ。 記憶の中にある女友達二人の視線が薄汚い豚を見るような冷たい視線になっているが、俺はヘコタレないぞ。精神的にタフなのが俺の数少ない長所の一つだ。そして豚は実は綺麗好きな生物だ。 しかし、女性の体とは本当に神秘に満ち溢れていると知らされるな。今まで性の対象はほぼ全て女性の胸に収束していたが、肉体を交えてみるとそれだけが女性の全てではないと分かる。腰や臀部のラインや、髪の奥から見え隠れするうなじなどだ。 そう思えるのは、並を遙かに凌駕しているクロエだからこそだ。こんな綺麗な女性と同衾できたのは、俺の人生の中でトップ5に入るほどの幸運にちがいない。 美人だしね! ケモフサだしね! 「............いい加減に服着るか」 R元服ゲームだと朝の生理現象をヒロインに解消させるシーンがあるが、隣で心地よく寝息を立てるクロエを無理矢理起こすほど俺は鬼畜でない。や、昨晩は随分と鬼畜だったが、今の俺は賢者だ。賢者にしては思考が残念すぎるが、とにかく服を着よう。 けれども、俺がベッドから降りる前より早くにガチャリと扉が開いた。 ーーーーほ? 「ん? 鍵が掛かってないな。ドラクニルは治安が良いとは言っても不用心だな」 クロエとはまた違った方向で際だつ美しさを持った銀髪の美女が部屋の扉を開けたのだ。 「悪いなクロエ。ノックをしても返事が無かったので入らせてもらった。カンナを知らないか? あいつの部屋を訪ねても誰もい............な............く............て............」 部屋に入ってきたレアルは、上半身裸の俺をベッドの上に確認すると言葉の語尾を鈍らせた。言い忘れていたが、昨晩はクロエを彼女の部屋に運び、そのままベッドインした流れだ。レアルは同性の部屋故に、気軽にトビラを開けてしまったのだ。 「........................おはようございます」 いたたまれない空気の中、俺はかろうじて朝の挨拶を口にする。レアルからの反応はなかったが、徐々に顔を赤らめていくのは見えた。年頃の男が女性の部屋のベッドに裸で居たのだ。何があったかを想像するのは誰でも難くない。 「わふぅぅ............ん? もう朝でござるか?」 狙ったのではないか、というタイミングでクロエが目を覚ました。寝ぼけ眼を擦りながらムクリと上半身を起こす。拍子に、抱きしめていた毛布がずり落ち、かすかに引っ張られた豊かな乳房がポポヨンと揺れながら外気に晒される。ついでに括れのある魅惑の腰までが露出した。 素っ裸の男女をベッドの上に確認すると、レアルの顔はいよいよ『ボンッ』と音を立てるほどに真っ赤に染まった。 「およ、こんな朝から来客でござるか? ............って、え? レアル殿ッ!? こ、こここここここれはそのえっとあのおはようございますッ!?」 「とりあえず乳を仕舞え」 「わふッ!?」 ようやっとレアルの存在を認識したクロエがテンパり、俺が指摘してやると慌ててずり落ちた布団を掻き抱き胸を隠した。 「なにをやっとるんだおまえ等はぁあああああああああッッッ!!」 轟音とすら称せそうな声音がレアルの口から発せられた。その余りの大音量はこの宿屋のみならず、隣三件ほどまでに響きわたり、未だ眠りについていた住人を残らずたたき起こす結果となった。 ちなみに俺はそれを至近距離で浴びせられた結果、聴力が数分間麻痺してしまったとさ。鼓膜が破れるかと思ったね。 一端叫んで冷静さを取り戻すと、『下で待っている』と強張った声で残すとレアルは部屋を出ていった。 羞恥に悶えてシェイクダンスをおっぱじめるクロエを余所に、俺は溜息を吐いてから今度こそ脱ぎ散らかしていた服を軽く着て一端自室へ。色々な液体を吸った服を脱いで新しい服の袖に腕を通し、宿屋一階に向かった。 この宿の一階は食堂のような本格的な料理は出てこないが、代わりに簡単な飲み物は注文すれば用意してくれる。ギルドが紹介している都合上、多くの冒険者が利用し、依頼の簡単な打ち合わせや作戦会議を行えるのだ。その為の大きめなテーブルとそれを囲う複数個の椅子はそれなりの数が用意されている。 酒や料理が出されないのは、冒険者達が酔った勢いで喧嘩を仕出かし、宿の器物破損を防ぐためだとか。馬鹿騒ぎがしたければ付近に立派な料理店や酒場があるのでそっちに行けと宿の壁に張り紙があった。 その一席に近づくと、足跡でこちらに気がついたレアルが振り返り、ぼそぼそと喋り出した。 「まぁ、その............なんだ。合意の元であるのならばその............あれだ、私だって文句をは言わないがそのなんだ............先程も言ったが部屋に鍵を掛けておかないのは不用心すぎると思うのだがね私はその............なんだ、怒鳴って悪かったとは思っているがその............あれだ」 「その............あれ(orなんだ)」が妙に多い台詞を口にするレアルの頬からは朱の色が抜けきっていない。 「や、お見苦しいものをお見せしました」 「............いや、こちらこそ取り乱してすまない」 俺は謝罪を述べながらテーブル席の一つに座り、レアルは頭を振って気を取り直しながら頭を下げた。 微妙に居心地の悪い空気が間に漂う。 たった数日だけしか離れていないのに、随分と久し振りに思えるのは、この一ヶ月感のつき合いが濃密だったからか、この数日に多くのことが起こったからだろうか。どちらにせよ、レアルとこんなにも顔を合わせづらい雰囲気は初めてのことだ。 さすがの俺もここまで考えるとヘコむ。 「お、お待たせしたでござるッ」 そろそろこの微妙な空気に耐えきれなくなってきた所に、ようやく服を着たクロエが二階から降りてきた。頬からは赤みが取れず表情も強張ったが、正気は取り戻したようだ。 ナイスだクロエッ! 俺一人じゃもうこの空気は無理だ! 「れ、レアル殿ッ、先程は失礼いたしました!」 「いや。いかに同性の部屋といえど、確認もとらずに部屋に入った私の方が悪かったのだ。気にしなくても良い」 「うぅ............拙者、一生の不覚でござる............」 両手で顔を覆い、羞恥にまた沈みそうになるクロエを、その前に椅子に座らせる。席に腰を下ろしたクロエはそのまま頭を抱えてテーブルに突っ伏してしまった。これはまだ少し時間が掛かりそうだ。 だが、クロエが来たことで微妙な空気が若干紛れたのは幸いだ。心の中でクロエに礼を言って、俺はレアルの方を向いた。 「レアル。連絡手段の取り方を決めるの忘れてたが、どうやってこの場所を知ったんだ?」 「あ、ああ。しーーリーディアル様から教えてもらった」 「リーディアル............ああ、あの竜人の婆さんね」 あの婆さんを呼ぶときは基本『婆さん』だったので、リーディアルが彼女の名前だというのをすっかり忘れていた。 「............っておい、個人情報の秘匿はどうなった」 「私はリーディアル様と個人的な伝手をもっているからな。私と君の繋がりを話したら教えてくれたんだよ」 「あの婆さんの知り合いだったのか。や、世間ってぇのは広いようで案外と狭いねぇ」 「............私は、あの方の口から君の名前が出た時は驚いたがね。早速ギルドの方で問題を起こしたようだな」 婆さんの知り合いというのならば、昨日の決闘騒ぎも聞き及んでいるか。レアルの半眼に俺は頭を掻いた。 「その件に関しては、カンナ氏だけの責任だけではござらんよ。経緯はどうあれ、大本の原因は拙者にござるよ」 どうにか羞恥の悶絶から復活したクロエが顔を上げていった。 「いや、クロエが謝ることでも無いだろう。詳しい話はリーディアル様から説明された。確かにカンナの対応も問題はあったかもしれないが、一番の原因は相手の貴族にあったとな」 「............『あの対応』に問題が合ったのは否定しないのでござるな」 「当たり前だ。下手に煽らなければ決闘騒ぎにまで発展しなかっただろうさ。その自覚はカンナもあるのだろう?」 「かっとなってやりました。けど反省も後悔も無い!」 結果的にあの下種い坊ちゃんの鼻面を(リアルに)へし折れて大満足でした。 「本人もこう言っているのだ。君がそれ以上気にする必要は無い」 「は、はぁ............だんだんとあの坊ちゃんが不憫に思えてきたでござるな」 いまいち納得し切れていないクロエだが、とりあえず頷いた。 ふぅ............どうやらこれで変な空気は完全に消え去ったな。 「ところで............」 「二人はつき合っているのか?」 「ん? 誰と誰が?」 「カンナとクロエ、がだ」 「せ、拙者とカンナ氏がでござるかッ!? そ、そそそそそそそそんな滅相もないでござるよ!!」 「だが、二人とも知り合って間もないのにもう肉体的な関係を結んでいるのであろう?」 「確かにそうなのでござるがっ! それはえっとその、恩返し的な意味でありまして恋愛感情からくるものではないのでござって!」 「む、そうなのか」 「そうなのでござるよ! 拙者が無理を言って伽を申し出て、カンナ氏がそれに応えてくださっただけなのでござる! こ、こここここここ恋人関係などとてもとてもッ! あ、でもカンナ氏が良ければ拙者としても大歓迎でござって............」 「とりあえず落ち着け」 「朝っぱらの衆目の中ってことを忘れるなよ」 「ぬぅ............申し訳ないでござる」 シュンとなるクロエだが、どうにも小動物的な印象を覚えた俺はほほえましくなる。俺よりも年上のはずだよね、君。 俺とクロエのそんなやり取りを見ていたレアルがぽつりと。 「あ、うん。人並みに男だが」 「そうか............」

But I did wake up with a heavy sensation at the back of my head. [Huuuuuuargh] Holding my head while sitting on the bed, I realized that not only my upper body but my lower half was also without clothes, though I'm covered with blanket down there. When I look beside me, a woman with black hair and a set of fluffy wolf ears is pleasantly sleeping while hugging her blanket. Looking at her peaceful sleeping face did not bring a smile to my face. Rather, remembering what happened last night made me squirm in embarra.s.sment. After the duel with botchan was over, I pushed the post-processing to the Ryujin basan and immediately went to the diner next door for a late dinner. At that time, I intended only for a toast in celebration with Chloe for the duel we just won. At first, we could afford to enjoy the taste of sake but Chloe's intoxication gradually worsened. This time's case must have caused her to pile up a whole bunch of stress. Her condition escalated with every downed sake. I felt a crisis looming and stopped her from drinking. After quickly paying my tab, I had to drag Chloe back (literally) and somehow, managed to reach the inn where we're lodging. By the time I successfully delivered Chloe to her bed, I was also attacked by intense drowsiness coupled by slight intoxication. I was intending to go back to my own room after noticing my own condition when a hand grabbed the hem of my clothes. Turning my head to look at her, Chloe was looking at me with a combo of moist eyes, flushed cheek and drooping wolf ears. Her changed speech pattern was proof enough. Perhaps the stimulation from our fight earlier and her intoxication intertwined and thus, transformed into s.e.xual desire. Excitement caused by a momentary crisis but misunderstood as romantic feelings, or maybe something close to that. From there, numerous sweet nothings capable producing large amount of sugar were exchanged and the second coming of [wanwan time] occurred. I would like to refrain from explaining more than this. But I was drunk, you see! It was under the influence of sake, you know!? Don't underestimate the s.e.xual drive of a high school boy, d.a.m.n it! ! ...............I can say with confidence that there exist no healthy b.a.s.t.a.r.d that can willingly reject a woman's advance. The two female friends in my memory are looking down at me with a cold gaze as if they're looking at a dirty pig but I won't be discouraged by it. Mental strength is one of my strong point after all. And pigs are actually lovely creatures. But, I never really knew that a female body is full of mysteriousness. Up till now, almost all of the target of my s.e.xual focus was converged on women's breast but when I take a proper look, I understand that a female body encompa.s.s more than just their breast. Such as the captivating lines of the hips and the b.u.t.t. The occasional glimpse of the nape hidden behind her hair. That's why, to me Chloe's level is far and above beyond the average women. Being able to share a bed with such a beautiful woman is without a doubt one of the top 5 lucky event in my entire life. She is a beauty after all! She has the kemofusa trait after all! ! [............About time I wear something.] In R-rated games, this is the scene where the heroine helps defeat the morning phenomenon but I'm not a fiend enough to forcefully awaken the sleeping beauty next to me just for that. Well, last night I was quite a fiend myself but right now, I'm just a sage. However, before I even got out of bed, the door was opened by someone. ---Eh? [hn? The door's not locked. Even though Draknil's public order is good, that was really careless.] A silver-haired beauty on the level of Chloe, albeit on a different tangent was the one who opened that door. A fellow traveler -Real- who just parted with both of us a few days ago, showed up suddenly early in the morning. [My bad Chloe. There was no answer even after knocking, so I let myself in. Do you know where Kanna is? I went knocking on his door but no one.........was..................there............] Upon entering the room, Real's word faltered as soon as she saw the s.h.i.+rtless me on top of the bed. I forgot to mention, but last night after I took Chloe to her room and our wanwan time, I went straight to sleep as is. Because this was a same gender room, she just casually opened the door. [...............A very good morning to you.] Unable to endure the deafening silence, I barely squeezed out a morning greeting. There was no response from Real but I could see her face gradually blus.h.i.+ng harder by the second. A man of marriageable age lying naked on the bed in a woman's room. Its not difficult for anyone to imagine what happened. [wafuu............hn? Is it morning already de gozaru ka?] As if aiming for this exact timing, Chloe woke up. She raises her upper body while rubbing her sleepy eyes. As a matter of course, the blanket she was hugging earlier fell down to her lap. When she finally saw Chloe by my side and both of us naked, Real's face was dyed red enough to produce a sound effect, [pomf]. [oyo, A visitor this early in the morning de gozaru ka? ............eh? Real-dono!? T-t-t-th-thi-this is...eto, ano......g-good morning!?] [For the time being, cover your chest first.] [wafu!?] Chloe who finally recognized the existence of Real became extremely fl.u.s.tered. It was not until I pointed it out before she realizes her own condition and hurriedly hid her chest with the blanket earlier. Seeing Chloe acting out a cla.s.sic reaction of a maiden who was being shy after having her love affair witnessed, something [snapped] inside Real. [What did both of you doOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! ! ! ! !] A sound which could only be referred to as a thunderous roar came out from Real's mouth. The excessively loud voice reverberated not only within this inn but I suspect it went as far as three blocks away, definitely awakening anyone who wasn't awake yet. Incidentally, due to being exposed to such volume at close range, my hearing faculty was paralyzed for a few minutes. I thought my eardrums would break. After unleas.h.i.+ng her sound bomb and regaining her composure, Real left the room but not before leaving a message [I'll be waiting downstairs!] with a stiff voice. Leaving behind Chloe who began writhing in shame, I lightly wore my scattered clothes and went back to my own room after sighing. I took off the clothes soaked in various liquids from last night and put on new set and then finally headed down to the first floor. Due to its nature of being a guild recommended establishment, the inn is popular among adventurers and many uses the place to hold their briefings and strategy meetings. To accommodate that purpose, large number of tables was placed in the first floor along with appropriate amount of chairs. I overheard that the reason why alcohol and food didn't get served here was to prevent brawls between adventurers due to drunken impulses, and potentially damaging the inn. As I was approaching her seat, Real who noticed me from the sound of my footsteps turned around and began talking awkwardly. [Well, um.........that, if that was based on mutual consent......um, yeah, I'm not complaining so.........as I've said just now um, I think that was too careless of you to leave the door u-unlocked so............um I'm sorry for yelling earlier and uh......yeah...] Real's cheek was dyed in vermilion red the whole time she muttered those strange incantation. [I showed you something unsightly.] [............No, I'm the one who should apologize for losing my temper.] I sat down while offering an apology. Real responded by shaking her head lightly and lowering her head for to apologize as well. A delicate atmosphere drifted between us. Even though we've not met for only a few days, it felt longer than that. Was it because of the bond we've developed over the course of a month? Or was it because the various happenings during the last few days? Thinking that far even made me a bit depressed. [S-sorry to have kept you waiting de gozaru.] Just as I was reaching the point where I can't endure the atmosphere anymore, Chloe who was dressed finally came down. Her cheeks are still red and she was still stiff from embarra.s.sment but at least, she's recovered enough. Dispelling that mood alone was impossible for me! [R-R-Real-dono, please pardon my discourtesy!] [No. The blame is on me. Even if it was the same gender room, entering the room without confirming first was a mistake. You don't have to worry about it.] [uuu.........Once in a lifetime blunder of this one's life de gozaru.........] Covering her face with both hands after sitting down, Chloe was about to descend into whirlpool of shame again. And that wasn't the end. She continued as is and placed her face on the table. She's gonna need more time to settle down huh. Luckily, Chloe's timely arrival chased away the delicate atmosphere earlier. Thanking Chloe in my mind, I turned to Real. [Real, Didn't we forget to decide on how to contact each other? How did you find us?] [Ah, that's right mas- Lydeal-sama told me about it.] [Lydeal.........Oh its that Ryujin basan.] Since I've been calling that grandma as [basan] from the start, I've forgotten her name was Lydeal. [............tte oi, what happened to my privacy?] [That's because I have a personal connection with Lydeal-sama. I told her about our relation to obtain your whereabouts.] [You're an acquaintance of that basan huh. Just as I thought the world is wide, its unexpectedly small huh.] [............As for me, I was surprised when I heard your name brought out as a topic in our conversation. It looks like you didn't waste any time in creating troubles at the guild.] If she is an acquaintance of basan, maybe she knows the details from yesterday's duel. I can only scratch my head in face of Real's scrutinizing look. [For that matter, the blame does not fall on Kanns.h.i.+ alone de gozaran yo. Regardless of the particulars, the root of the problem was oneself de gozaru yo.] Chloe who was finally resurrected from her h.e.l.l of shame, raised her face while adding her piece. [Its not like Chloe have to apologize for that case too. Besides, Lydeal-sama had already filled me in on the details. Certainly, Kanna's belligerent att.i.tude may have been a problem but the biggest cause of that conflict was that n.o.ble.] [............This one does not deny [that att.i.tude] was one of the cause of that problem de gozaru na.] [Isn't it obvious. If Kanna didn't fan the flame at the time, it wouldn't have turned into such a big commotion ending with a duel. I'm sure that Kanna noticed that too, right?] [I let my anger took control. But I have no regrets!] As a result, I got to smash that sc.u.m botchan's high pride (and nose). That was really satisfying. [The person herself said this. [You don't have to worry about the case anymore]] [.........This one is starting to feel pity for that botchan de gozaru na.] Chloe wasn't fully convinced but nodded in a.s.sent for the time being. Phew.........It seems that the awkward atmosphere has gone away completely. Here's hoping the current mood stays to the end. [By the way............] [Are the two of you going out with each other?] [hn? Who with whom?] (Kanna) [Kanna and Chloe] [Th-This one dating Kanns.h.i.+ de gozaru ka!? T-T-T-Th-That is out of the q-question de gozaru yo! !] [Even though you two just met not too long ago, you both are already in a physical relations.h.i.+p, right?] [Certainly that is true de gozaru ga! But that is......um......etto......I-Its this one's way of repaying a favor and it is not something born of r-romantic feeling de gozatte!] [Oh, is that so?] [That is so de gozaru yo! This one was beset by an unreasonable demand to serve as an attendant and only Kanns.h.i.+ provided aid during this one's distress de gozaru! B-By no means we are l-l-lo-lo-lovers! Ah, but.........um......if Kanns.h.i.+ is willing...um.........this one would very much welcome it de gozatte............] [Relax for a bit Chloe.] [Don't forget that we are in the midst of a morning crowd. ] [muu.........Apologies de gozaru.] Chloe who became despondent, projects an image of a small cute animal and that made me smile. You're supposed to be older than me, aren't you. Real who was watching our interaction said... [Yup. Just an ordinary man] [Is that so.........]

第十五話 ご契約の際には規約の確認を 精霊術の制御は魔術とは別物ではあるが、精神に大きく関わりがあるのは共通している。魔術に必要な魔力は精神力を練り上げて生み出し、精霊術は直接精神力を使う。つまり、魔術の場合は精神と魔術の合間に魔力のワンクッションがあり、精霊術にはそれがない。故に、複雑で強固な精霊術であればあるほど、それが破られたときの影響が術者に跳ね返ってくる。日本の神秘でたとえるなら呪詛返しか。 瞼を閉じたまま、俺は自分の身に起こった事をぼんやりと思い出す。 今回は、イメージは単純だが、強固に作った氷の檻が強引に破壊された事により、宿っていた精霊達の悲鳴が俺の体に跳ね返ってきたのだ。レアルとの訓練でも同じような事は度々起こっている。最初の頃は、一日に二度三度と意識が吹き飛んでいた。あいつの攻撃力はちょっとおかしい。 考えている内に、 ............赤毛さんのドアップ顔である。もうちょいで唇と唇がくっついてしまいそうなほどだ。そんな彼女と、バッチリ目が合う。 「............近くね?」 「うひゃぁッ」 謎の奇声を上げながら、赤毛さんはバッと顔を離した。頬は林檎のように真っ赤に染まり、髪との色の境が少なくなる。 ーーーー惜しいことをしたか? とちらっと考える。 「............微妙にまだ眠い」 精神が回復しきっていないのか、頭が重い。それでも俺はどうにかベッドの上で体を起こした。そこで、自分が今までベッドに寝ていたのだと気が付いた。改めて周りを見渡すと、ここは宿で取った俺の部屋だ。俺が意識を失った後、従者さん達は俺の言葉を聞き届けてくれたようだ。 躯を起こしたが、次に何をするかは一切考えていなかった。・・・・・・とりあえず、レアルを呼んでくるか。隣の部屋にいてくれるだろうか。いなかったら食堂の方にいけばいいか。でも体動かすのがだるい。もうこのままもう一回寝ちまうか? 「あ、あのッ............」 二度寝の誘惑に負けそうになった俺に、赤毛さんが絞り出すように言った。先ほどまで赤くなっていた彼女だが、今は打って変わって気弱な表情を浮かべている。 言いたいことがあるのだろうか。視線を投げ掛けると、赤毛さんはもにょもにょと口を歪ませる。 「................................................その」 ループしだしたぞ。 これはずっと待たなければいけないパターンか? その後何度もループし、待てども待てども赤毛さんは単音のような声を口から漏らすだけで一向に話が進まない。こちらから口火を切るか? 俺が口を開くよりも早く、宿の扉がドバンっと大きく開かれた。 「ええい、まどろっこしいわっ!」 俺も赤毛さんもビキュンッと肩を震わせた。扉を壊す勢いで現れたのはレアルと、その背後には赤毛さん従者隊の一人だ。意識を失う寸前まで言葉を交わしていた相手でもある。 「お、おうレアル、おはようさん」 「おはようカンナ。だがもう夕方過ぎだぞ」 意識を失ってから四時間ってところか。 「全く、驚いたぞ。いきなり走り出したと思ったら、これまたいきなり君が意識を失って運ばれてきたんだからな」 「そりゃ心配かけたな」 全くだ、とレアルはほっとした風に胸をなで下ろした。 「さてお嬢さん」 レアルに呼ばれ、赤毛さんはもう一度肩を震わせる。 「君はカンナに言わなければならない事があるんじゃなかったのかい?」 咎めるまではいかず、大声にも届かずに、レアルは強く言った。 「多分、彼は気にしないだろうな。後ろの従者筆頭さんの話を聞けば、彼の中では既に『勘定』は済んでいるのだからな。行動の根っこは正義感であろうが、実利的な結果を求める強かさは見習いたいところだが」 迷惑料の謝礼を言っているのだろう。俺としては貰える物を貰えればとりあえず文句は無い。 「しかし、それは彼の中で完結しただけ。本来ならば、真っ先に通さなければならない筋が有るはずだ。ーーーーと、この話はカンナが気を失っている間に終わったと思っていたが、繰り返させるな」 流れ的に、赤毛さんがレアルに叱られている感じだ。俺の知らない内に赤毛さんがエルフ耳さんの逆鱗に触れたのだろうか。でも、それにしてはレアルはあまり怒っていない。礼儀のなっていない子供をしかる母親に近い雰囲気だ。年齢的に赤毛さんほどの子供がいるはずはないのだが。 ーーーー胸の豊満な果実のお陰で、母性は溢れているが。 いやいやいや。おっぱい=母親じゃねぇだろ。さすがにまだ彼女に母性はない。ワイルド寄りだ。 ........................昨日からずっとおっぱいのことばっかり考えてるな。 レアル、赤毛さんと、立て続けに見事な巨乳さんが現れたせいだ。俺は悪くない。悪いのは暴力的なおっぱいだ。って、また考えてる。 至極まじめな空気の中、一人だけひたすら馬鹿な思考に浸っていると、赤毛さんは意を決したように俺に顔を向けた。 「わたしの名前はファイマ。身勝手だけど、ファミリーネームは伏せさせてもらうわ」 赤毛さんは自らを名乗ると、頭を下げてきた。 「....................................これまでの無礼を許して欲しい」 上辺ではない、心の底からの言葉だとわかる。 「あなたは一度とならず二度までもわたしの身を助けてくれた。なのにわたしは己の好奇心を満たすことばかり考えていて、最低限の礼すら忘れていたわ」 確かに、赤毛さんーーファイマからの礼は聞いていなかったな。最初から『期待』してなかったからすっかり忘れていた。 「本当に今更ではあるけれど、助けてくれてありがとう。あなたがいなければ、わたしはあなたに礼をこの場で述べることすら無かったわ」 美人さんにお礼を言われるのも悪くはない。自然と頬が緩んだ。 改めて従者筆頭と交渉しある程度の『謝礼』を受け取る。短期間護衛を雇うよりは多くもらったが、迷惑料を込みと考えれば妥当な値段、とレアルが言う。下手にボッタクったり、逆に遠慮すると互いの関係が微妙になってしまう。妥当な線だろう。 ファイマは命を救われた礼ともう一つ、不必要に俺を追い回した事への謝罪も述べた。 「そもそも、何であんな真夜中に従者も連れずに出歩いてたんだ?」 「たまには一人で散歩をしたいとおもいまして」 護衛とは言え、むさっ苦しい男従者が四六時中張り付いていたら、気も滅入ってくるか。 「............あの後、彼にこっぴどく叱られましたが」 従者筆頭を目に渋い顔になる。主に言いなりなだけの付き人ではないらしい。既に叱られているなら、俺から言うことはない。 従者さんの話だと、彼女自身かなり高位の魔術士らしく、万全の状況ならあの程度のチンピラに遅れは取らないらしい。事実、彼女はチンピラに絡まれた時点では冷静に奴らを撃退しようとしていた。だが路地裏に潜んでいた仲間の一人に背後から襲いかかられ、腕で首を絞められパニックを起こしてしまったとか。俺が通りかからなければ、あるいは少しでも遅ければ、ファイマはそのまま締め落とされ気絶していた。そして静かになったところを路地裏の奥深くに引きずり込まれーーと、これより先を語るのも、今となっては意味ない。結果として俺は彼女の危機に居合わせ、チンピラ共を撃退できたのだから。 ちなみに、俺が(文字通り)叩き潰したあのチンピラ共は、あの後従者達がこの町の治安を維持している兵屯所に突き出してきたとか。奴らの素行の悪さは、ファイマだけでなく町の住民も少なからずの被害を被っていたらしい。婦女暴行未遂こそ今回が初めてだったが、窃盗や無銭飲食、暴力沙汰で何かと目を付けられていた。ただ、小悪党よろしく逃げ足が早く、市民の通報から兵士が駆けつけてくるまでの間に毎回逃げおおせていた。この世界の文明レベルだと、現行犯以外に立件逮捕は難しいのだろう。だが、ファイマの新鮮な証言と気絶した上でしっかりと従者さん達が拘束していたので、身柄の引き渡しはスムーズに行われ、とうとう後ろに手が回ったのがあのチンピラ共の末路である。とりあえず、心の底から反省するまで娑婆に出てこないことを願おう。 「そういえばカンナ。おまえもどうして一人で外に出てたんだ?」 簡単な事情説明は終わっており、レアルも昨晩の経緯はもう知っている。その発言は至極当然の疑問だった。 ........................言えるわけがない。エロいねーちゃんの元にナニしに行きましたなどと。 「確か、彼はあのとき何か叫んでましたね。えっと、ニャンニャーー」 「ファイマさんすとぉぉっぷ!」 危うく赤毛さんが口走りそうになるのを、絶叫で遮る。 「どうしたカンナ、急に大声を出して」 「............レアルよ、男には黙って一人になりたい時もあるんだ」 「............? ........................そうか」 俺の真剣な声色に、レアルはそれ以上詮索せずに話を打ち切った。 あ、あぶねぇ。昨晩はかなりはっちゃけた台詞を叫びまくっていた。思い返すと自分でもどん引きするレベルだ。ファイマも俺の必死さに飲まれて口を噤んだ。 「ところでお二人とも。見たところ旅をしていらっしゃるように見えますが」 「ああ。この町には物資の補給に立ち寄っただけだ。明日には出発する」 レアルが端的に述べると、ファイマはさらに聞いてくる。 「あの............差し支えなければ、行き先の方を伺ってもよろしいでしょうか?」 「うん? 我々が向かう先はディアガル帝国の方だが?」 「本当ですかッ」 うぉぅ。行き先を告げた瞬間、赤毛さんがすごい食いついてきた。 失礼しました、とファイマは咳払いを一つ。 「実は、あなた方二人の腕を見込んでお願いがあるのですが」 ファイマは魔術に対する並ならぬ熱意があるようだ。家に仕える従者を引き連れ、今はその造詣をさらに広めるための旅にでているという。今回は俺の使った氷の 現在彼女が目指しているのは奇しくも俺らと同じディアガル帝国。かの地に伝わる魔術の秘伝を得るための旅の途中なのだ。 ディアガル帝国とは、他でもなくレアルの故郷である。多分、ここまで目的地の名称が出てこなかったので補足しておく。 「ですが、今回の襲撃で護衛の一人が戦えなくなってしまいました」 「そんなに重傷だったのか?」 「命こそ助かりましたが、剣を握る方の利き腕を深く切り裂かれていました。元通りには戻るでしょうが、最低でも二、三ヶ月の治療期間が必要になると、治療術士が言っていました」 元通りになる時点ですごいな。現実世界だったら、骨の接合や神経の縫合とか、それなりに設備の整った医療施設でないと、最悪は腕を切断して他の組織を守る処置になる。さすがは治療魔術。ただ、すぐさま元通りというわけにもいかないか。 「一週間程度ならともかく、一ヶ月以上をこの町で過ごすわけにはいきません。彼には申し訳ないとは思いますが、この町で治療に専念してもらい、我々は先に向かいます。もちろん、その間の生活費や治療費は負担しますが」 役に立たなくなったらポイ捨てにするつもりは毛頭無いようだ。どこぞの真っ黒黒姫も見習って欲しいね。 「ですが、彼が抜けた穴も小さくはありません。かといって、名も知らぬ誰かを新たに雇うつもりもありません。名前こそ明かせませんが、我が家は確かに『そこそこ』に名のある家系です。それを目当てによからぬ企みを抱く者が近寄ってこないとも限りません」 贅沢を言っているのか、慎重なのか判断に困るな。だったら素直に家に帰れば良いじゃんといってやりたい。身も蓋もない言い方ではあるが。 「そこでお二人にお話があります」 「............つまり、我々と契約を結びたいのか?」 レアルが先んじると、ファイマは「はい」と頷いた。 「幸いというのも変ですが、お二人ともディアガルへ向かう途中。であるならば、その道中に私の護衛も引き受けて貰えないでしょうか。もちろん、報酬の他、その間の生活費や、戦いで怪我を負った場合の治療費もこちらが全面的に補償します」 「至れり尽くせりだな」 人間一人を雇うに当たり、必要経費を全て負担するとなると、安くはない額になる。それを全面的に補償するとなると、破格の待遇だ。 「ふむ、路銀が多いに越したことはないか。どうするカンナ?」 「俺に振るの?」 レアルはそれまで聞くに徹していた俺に目を向ける。 「相棒の意見も聞かずに、私の独断で契約を結ぶわけにもいかないだろ」 俺からすれば、レアルは『保護者』なのだが、いつの間にやら対等な関係に昇格していたらしい。 「つってもなぁ............」 俺はとりあえず頬を掻くしかなかった。

Chapter 15 When making agreements, check the rules Mastery in spirit magic is different from magic, but what's common between the two is the large connection to one's mind. For magic, the required magic power is refined through force of will and for spirit magic, you use your force of will directly. In other words, there are actions to reduce the impact from magic power during a break of connection between mind and magic in the case of magic and there are none of that for spirit magic. As a result, the stronger and more complex the spirit magic is, the more effect the rebound has on the user when it's destroyed. For example the reversal of curses in j.a.panese mysteries. With my eyes still shut, I vaguely recall what happened to my body. This time, the image was simple but due to the firmly made ice cage being forcibly destroyed, the screams of the spirits that dwells in there rebounded towards my body. Something similar also happened often in my training with Real. In the beginning, I lost my consciousness over and over in one day. That girl's offensive abilities are somewhat ridiculous. While I'm thinking about that, my hazy thoughts are becoming clearer. I regained my consciousness a long time ago, so I open my eyes swiftly. ......... I'm greeted with a closeup on miss Redhead's face. Her face is so close; a little bit more and our lips would touch. I perfectly lock my eyes to such girl. " ............ Close, aren't you?" "Uhyaa-" While raising a strange voice, miss Redhead jerked her face away. Her face is dyed bright red like an apple, bordering the color of her hair. ----Did I just do something regretful? Is what I thought by accident. " ............ I'm still somewhat sleepy." Maybe my mind's not completely recovered, my head feels heavy. Even so, I somehow raise up my body on the bed. And accordingly, I realized I'm actually on a bed. I once again look around me and I see this is the room I took in the inn we we're staying at. It looks like the servants kept their word after I lost my consciousness. I raised up my body, but I can't think of what to do next at all. ******For the time being, shall I go call Real? I wonder if she'll let me into the room next door. If not, can I go to the dining room? But my body's moving slowly. Shall I just go sleep like this? "Ah, uhm............" When I felt like losing to the temptation of going back to sleep Miss Redhead talked to me as if she's wringing out her words. She became red up until some time ago, but now her face suddenly changed into a timid one. I wonder if there's something she wanted to talk about. When I raise my eyes, miss Redhead curls her lips like she's impatiently trying to form her words. " ............................................. You see" You're kind of looping, you know. Is this the pattern where I have to wait forever? Afterwards it'll loop many times over and even if I wait and wait, miss Redhead won't advance the conversation at all by just leaking out a monotonous voice from her mouth. Shall I blow the fuse? Before I even opened my mouth, the door of the inn was opened with a big bang. "Aargh, you're being sluggis.h.!.+" Both miss Redhead and my shoulders shakes in a beat. The one who appeared with a force that broke the door was Real and one of miss Redhead's servant group. The one whom I exchanged words with just before I lost my consciousness also appeared. "He-, hey real, good morning" "Good morning, Kanna. But it's already past evening, you know." So I was unconscious for about four hours. "I was really surprised you know. Just when I recalled that you suddenly broke into a run, you suddenly lost consciousness and was carried here after all." "I worried you didn't I?" "Indeed you did," Real was relieved from the bottom of her heart as she said that. "Now then, young lady." Being called by Real, miss Redhead once again shook her shoulders. "Didn't you have something you should be telling Kanna?" Real strongly says that without going as far as reproaching her or saying it with a loud voice. "Perhaps he doesn't care, don't you think? If I hear the story from the head servant behind me correctly, the {settlement} has already been completed during that incident after all. The root of his actions was a sense of justice, but he ended up wanting to follow the example of that stubbornness that wished for a profitable result though. She must be talking about the remuneration for the inconvenience. I have no complaints for now if I'm able to receive the things I can receive. "However, that is only completed during that time. Legally, you are supposed to go through someone well-informed.---- I was thinking that talk was over during the time Kanna was unconscious, but don't make me repeat it." It feels like miss Redhead was scolded by Real from the flow of the conversation. I wonder if miss Redhead experienced the imperial wrath of miss Elven ears. But nevertheless, Real doesn't really get angry. Her aura feels similar to that of a mother scolding a child whose manners are unacceptable. There shouldn't be any children like miss Redhead around though, age wise. ----She's overflowing with motherhood though, thanks to the voluptuous fruit that is her chest. No no no. It can't be true that b.o.o.bs=mother right? There really is still no motherhood within her. She's more on the wild side. ........................ I really have been thinking about nothing but b.o.o.bs since last night. It's completely because of the appearance of miss Magnificent melons, Real and miss Redhead. I'm not at fault. What's at fault are the violent b.o.o.bs. Wait, I'm thinking about them again. Within the extremely serious mood, when only one person is immersed in nothing but stupid thoughts, miss Redhead faced me as if she is resolved. "My name is Faima. This may be selfish of me, but I will be concealing my family name." Miss Redhead bows when she gives us her name. ".................................... I would like you to forgive my impoliteness so far." I can understand those words didn't come from the outside, but from the bottom of her heart. "You have saved me not only once, but twice now. Despite that, I wasn't thinking about anything save satisfying my curiosity and had forgotten even the least amount of grat.i.tude." I certainly didn't get a thank you from miss Redhead--Faima. I had no {expectations} from the beginning so I completely forgot about it. "It is truly too late for this, but thank you for saving me. Had you not been there, I wouldn't have been able to express my grat.i.tude in this place." Being thanked by a beauty isn't bad either. My face naturally loosened. We negotiated again with the head servant and received a certain amount of {reward} . Real said we got a lot more than the cost of hiring a short term escort, but it's an appropriate price if you take into account the included inconvenience fee. When you rip someone off underhandedly or you conversely restrain yourselves, the relations.h.i.+p between the two of you will become complicated. It's a reasonable line don't you think? Faima expressed her grat.i.tude for saving her and also expressed her apology for unnecessarily chasing me around. "So why were you out in the middle of the night without taking your servants in the first place?" "Once in a while I consider taking a walk on my own." Though they're guards, I guess you'll still feel depressed if the slovenly male servants cling onto you around the clock. "............ Afterwards, I was severely scolded by them though." The head servant shows a face that is sour to the eyes. It doesn't look like he's an attendant who's just a yes-man to their employer. If she's already scolded, then I have nothing to say. According to the servant, she herself seems to be quite a high ranking sorcerer and in a perfect situation she wouldn't seem to be held back by those kinds of hoodlums. Actually the girl was trying to repel the hoodlums calmly at the time she got involved with them. But she was attacked from behind by one of their fellows hidden in the back alley, was strangled by an arm and panicked or something. If I didn't take that road or if I'm even a little bit later, she would choke like that and faint. And then she would be dragged deep inside the back alley that has become quiet and-- oops, speaking any more about that is meaningless now. I mean, I happened to be there during her crisis and as a result, I was able to repel those bunch of hoodlums. Incidentally, the bunch of hoodlums I smashed (literally) were handed over to the soldiers' post that maintains this city's public order by the servants or something. Their bad behavior wasn't limited to Faima and they seem to have done quite a lot of harm to the citizens here. This is the first time they attempted rape, but for some reason they had an eye on things like theft, leaving the restaurant without paying and violence. It's just that they are fast on their feet as befitting to small scoundrels and they would escape each time during the time between the reports from the townspeople and the time the soldiers come running. As for the culture of this world, a.s.sembling a case to arrest people seems difficult unless they are caught red handed. But the servants properly restrained them with Faima's fresh testimony and the fainting on top of it, so their delivery was done smoothly and the last days of the bunch of hoodlums swiftly caught up to them. For now, I hope they won't come out until they reflected from the bottom of their hearts. "Speaking of which, Kanna. Why did you also go outside on your own?" The brief explanation on the circ.u.mstances ended and Real also had understood what happened last night. That remark is an extremely natural question. ........................I can't tell her that. Things like going to some erotic lady's place that is. "He certainly did shout something at that time. Uhm, something about nyannya--" "Miss Faima stooop!" I interrupt miss Redhead with a scream when she was about to blurt it out. "What's wrong Kanna? Why did you suddenly interrupt her with a loud voice?" "............Look Real, there are times that men too want to be silent and alone." "............? ........................Is that so." From my earnest tone of voice, Real stopped the conversation without prying further into it. That, that was dangerous. Last night I shouted quite some words. They're at the point where even I would walk away from myself when I think back about it. Faima even swallowed my desperation and shut her mouth. "By the way, both of you. I can see you appear to be traveling, judging from your appearances." "Correct. We only stopped by this town to replenish our supplies. We will be departing tomorrow" Faima already heard what Real stated straightforwardly. "Uhm............If you don't mind, can I ask where you will be heading to?" "Hm? Our destination would be the Empire of Diagall (diagaru) though?" "Is that true!?" Woah. The moment she was told our destination, miss Redhead takes a big bite at it. "Excuse me" says Faima along with a cough. "The truth is, I was hoping I could count on you on this request I have" Faima seems to have an unparalleled enthusiasm in regards to magic. She says she took her servants who are working in her house and right now she is on a journey in order to further extend her deep knowledge about magic. This time, the ice magic I use just like that was too unorthodox and her curiosity took a full swing or something. Currently the place the girl is heading towards to is strangely enough the Kingdom of Diagall, just like us. She is in the middle of a journey in order to acquire the secrets of magic that is handed down in that place. As a matter of fact, the Kingdom of Deagall is Real's birthplace. Perhaps, since the place of destination never came up until now, she added that information. "However, one person is rendered unable to escort me because of today's attack." "Was it that serious of an injury?" "His life is certainly saved, but his sword arm was strongly cut off. It will return to how it was before, but I was told by the healing magician that a treatment period of at least two to three months is necessary for that." It's really amazing that it can return to how it was before. If this is the real world, then the treatment at worst would be to amputate his arm to protect the rest of his body if there are no medical facilities with proper equipment for things like joining of the bones and st.i.tching of the nerves. That's healing magic for you. But it looks like returning it immediately is also impossible for them I guess. "It would have been fine if it was for one week, but we can't stay in this town for more than a month. I feel sorry for him, but we will go ahead of him to the country and have him devote himself to the treatment in this town. Naturally, his living and treatment expenses will be taken care of however." It looks like she doesn't have the least amount of intention to toss him away when he becomes useless. I wish the pitch black princess black would follow her example. However, the gap he left open with this is not small. Having said that, I have no plans to employ someone new whose name we don't even know. I will certainly not reveal my name however, my house is a house of {fairly well} renown. It doesn't stop at people approaching us who harbors bad intentions to aim for that reputation." I'm troubled in deciding whether I should call her extravagant or careful. I want to say "Isn't it fine if you just go back home obediently?". I have a blunt way of saying things though. "Therefore we have this conversation with the two of you." "............In other words, you would like to form a contract with us?" As Real had antic.i.p.ated, Faima nods "Yes". "Calling this fortunate would be strange, but the two of you are in the middle of heading towards Diagall. If possible, I would like to ask if you could take up the duty of escorting me on the way. Naturally, I will compensate you for everything in addition to the remuneration; the living expenses during the escort as well as the treatment expenses from injuries as a result of fights." "That is quite thorough of you." If you properly employ one person and end up being in charge of all the necessary expenses, it won't be cheap. It's an extraordinary treatment if you're employed with full compensation. "Hmm, so there is no need for us to go over our large traveling expenses. What shall we do, Kanna?" "You're letting me decide?" Real s.h.i.+fts her focus to me who was listening intently until the end. "I can't just arbitrarily form a contract without asking for my partner's opinion, now can I?" From my point of view, Real is my {guardian} , but my status seems to have gone up to one with an equal relations.h.i.+p before I noticed. "Even if you say that to me............" For now, all I could do is scratch my cheeks.

どーしてこうなった。 などと言うと思ったか! (誰に向かって言っとるんだ?) 自己ツッコミ乙。 ............良い感じに頭が茹で揚がっているなこれ。 思考が自由気儘に暴走を始めている中、俺の背中を布で擦っているクロエが声を掛けてきた。 「や、良い感じだ」 「それは良かったでござる............」 良い、と言いつつも彼女の言葉は尻すぼみ。自分から進んで始めはしたが、恥ずかしいのは変わりないか。俺も非常に恥ずかしい。 つーわけで、クロエさんに背中を洗って貰っている最中でござる。 後々にはなるがとりあえず金銭的な貸し借りは先の話で整ったが、心境的には恩返しの先延ばしは心苦しい。今出来る形で少しでも恩に報いたいと考えていたクロエは、俺が一人で浴場に向かうのを目撃したのだ。俺が一人で浴場に入り、かつ他に人間がいないのを確認し、意を決して男湯に突入したのだ。もちろん、男湯側の脱衣場には『準備中』の立て札も忘れずに。これで他の客は入ってこない。 「ヒノイズルでは、来客をもてなす時、こうやってお客人の背中を洗って差し上げるのが風習の一つにあるでござる」 ヒノイズルの日本酷似は凄まじいな。 「これで恩の一端を返せたとは思わないでござる。ただ、拙者がカンナ氏にこの上ない感謝の念を抱いている事だけは知ってほしかったでござる」 顔を赤くしながらも真剣な目で言われれば、俺も無碍にするつもりはない。湯船に浸かる前に体はもう洗ったが、改めて彼女に背中を任せることにした。 「幼い頃に父上の背中を洗って差し上げて以来でござるが、やはり男性の背中とは広いものでござるな」 「俺はどちらかっつーと貧弱な方だ」 「だとしても、女のそれとはまったくの別物でござるよ」 俺が顔を向けていないのと背中を擦る作業に没頭していたからか、クロエの声からは緊張が薄れてきていた。手つきも慣れてきたのか、最初こそぎこちなかったが、今ではスムーズに腕が上下している。俺もだんだんと気恥ずかしさが無くなり、されるがままになる。 それからしばらくは、クロエが布で背中を擦る音だけが浴場に響いた。 「カンナ氏、お訊ねしてもよろしいでござるか?」 「なにさ」 「渓谷での一件、拙者が意識を失った後、他の皆様は操り人形であった拙者を哀れんで介錯を望まれていた。けれども、カンナ氏だけは拙者の命を助けようと提案された。どうして拙者を生かそうと思ったのでござるか?」 「他の奴らに聞いてないのか。俺はただ、人様を操って悦に入ってる奴のシナリオを愉快に潰したかっただけだ」 後はまぁ、黒幕とやらの情報が入ればと期待もあったが、後付けか。 「............意識を失っている間、拙者には『声』が聞こえていたでござる」 「お前さんを操ってた奴のか?」 「違うでござる。全く別の声でござった。その声は拙者にこう語りかけてくださった」 ーーーー黒幕のシナリオなんざ、俺が愉快に痛快に台無しにしてやる。 どこかで聞いたセリフだこと............。 「その声が胸の奥から聞こえた途端、拙者を支配していたあの忌まわしき『声』が消え去ったのでござる。そして、徐々に拙者の中から熱が奪われて行くのを感じたでござる」 タイミング的にはアレだ、ファイマが宝石を摘出した段階だな。熱が奪われた云々は、リアルに心臓を冷やして止めてたからだ。 「拙者を助けた方法は既に聞いているでござるが、驚いたでござるよ。まさか生きている内に一度心の臓を止められるとは思わなかったでござる。そして、このそれを再度動かしてくれたのもカンナ氏であると」 「俺だけの成果じゃねぇよ。ファイマが心拍蘇生の知識を持ってたから成功したんだ。正直に言えばアレは博打も良いところ。生きてる人間の心臓を、ろくな医療機器もない場所で止めるなんて正気の沙汰じゃねぇ」 「それでも、結果として拙者は生きているでござる」 「おまえさんが助かる確証は無かった。結果オーライの事実を善意の塊みたいに受け取るなよ」 もし仮に、クロエを助けることで大きなリスクを背負うような状況であれば、俺はたぶん彼女を助けようとはしなかっただろう。犠牲を払ってまで助けるには、俺とクロエの関係は希薄すぎる。善意だけで助けるには材料が足りない。 「............拙者はあの時死んでしまっても良かったのでござるよ」 「............そいつはどういう意味だ」 我知らずに声が低くなる。死んでもよかっただと? 折角助かった命を自ら捨てるような言葉に、俺は憤りを覚える。 「誤解無きように言っておくでござるが、命を助けていただいたことは本当に感謝しているでござる。こうして生き長らえた以上、恩を返しきるまではなんとしてでも生き抜く所存でござる」 ヒタリと、クロエの両手が俺の背中に触れた。俺のものではない人間の体温が伝わり、高ぶった感情が収まる。 「正直に言ってしまうでござるが『声』に操られていた時であっても、抗おうとすれば抗えたでござるよ。意に添わぬ命が気に入らなければ、それこそ命を賭して断固の構えを取ることもできたでござる。偏にそれができなかったのは、拙者が卑しくも命を惜しみ、声に従うことを自ら選んだからでござる」 それを責められるほどに、俺は高尚な人間ではない。誇りのために死ね、などと俺は絶対に言えない。 「けれども、あの瞬間だけは違ったでござる。全身を覆う心地よい冷気に包まれたとき、拙者はそれまで抱いていた未練が無くなっていたことに気が付いたでござる。あの優しき冷気に包まれて命を散らすならば、本望でござった」 自ら死を望んだような言い回しに、だが俺は先ほどのような怒りはこみ上げなかった。語るクロエの声には、安らぎすら覚える穏やかさがあったからだ。 「おそらく、ただ命を助けてもらっただけでは、拙者はこの先ずっと『声』に対する恐怖を抱いたままでござったであろう。けれども、あの安らぎを思い出せる限り、拙者は二度とあの『声』に支配されることはないと確信しているでござる。ですから、拙者は改めて、あなた様にお礼を申し上げたかった」 その言葉は、心の奥底から発せられた声だと、俺は心に覚えた。 「............ところで、背中はもう洗い終わったんじゃねぇの?」 「へ? あ、そ、そうでござるな」 「や、そこで停止されても困るんですけど」 「ひゃぅッ!? え、あ、いや、ちょっと待たれよ!」 どうしたんだ。先ほどまでのシリアスは霧散したのか、背後でクロエがあたふたとする気配が伝わってくる。 「............ぶでござる。............んなは度胸だと母上が............。母上もこうやって父上を............」 なにやらぶつぶつと呟きだしたクロエ。心なしか、その声には鬼気迫るモノが含まれている。今更になってこのシチュエーションが恥ずかしくなってきたのか。 ぶっちゃけ俺は最初から明鏡止水の心で座っている。後ろにいるのは、ござる口調ではあるが素晴らしい肢体を持った女性だ。下手に意識を傾けると、下半身の『ムスコ』が起床してしまう。まだ寝ていてくれ。後でこっそり起こしてやるから。 「か、カンナ氏ッ!」 「ほッ!? え、あ、なんぞ?」 ムスコを寝かし付けている時に急に大声を上げられ、変な声がでた。 「し、失礼するでござるッ」 言葉だけを捉えれば、恩返しの一端もでき、かつ羞恥心も限界になったので浴場を飛び出す前のセリフだ。聞いた瞬間も俺はそう思っていた。 ーーーームニュリと背中に極上の柔らかさを感じるまでは。 あろうことか、クロエは風呂場を出るどころか、俺の背中に抱きついてきやがった。 「え、ちょっとクロエさん、なにやってんのッ!?」 「だ、抱きついているでござるよ」 「そう言う意味じゃねぇよっ」 背中越しに、俺の胸辺りを抱くように腕を回して体を密着させてくる。背中に感じている感触は紛れもなくアレだ。クロエの持つたわわなアレだ。っていうか、柔らかい中にちょいと堅いものがあったりする。お胸の首だ。まさか体に布を巻いてないのかッ。生で接触してるのかっ?! ワザワザ自分ではぎ取ったのかっ? 「止めろクロエッ、この体勢はいろいろとあれでやばいッ」 「安心してほしいでござる。拙者も拙者でいろいろとアレでやばいでござるから」 「安心の意味を辞書で調べてこいッ! じゃなくてっ!」 「あんまり動かないでほしいでござるッ。その............擦れてちょっと変な気分になってきたでござる」 「じゃぁ身体離せよッ!」 僅かに身動ぎするだけで、背中の柔らかいモノがムニュムニュと変形し、二つの突起物がクリクリと擦れる度に背筋がゾクゾクする。 「ちょっと、おまえさんマジでどうしたッ!? やっぱり痴女かッ!?」 「やっぱりってなんでござるかッ!? ヒノイズルのおなごは淑女の鑑と呼ばれるほどでござるぞッ」 「淑女の鑑は男湯に突入して裸で野郎に抱きついたりなんかしねぇよッ!」 「拙者の母上はこうやって堅物であった父上を墜としたと豪語してござったぞッ!」 「アグレッシブだなおまえの母ちゃんッ!」 それは年頃の娘に聞かせて良い話なのか。 「母上が言っていたでござるっ! 男の方はこうやって裸で抱きしめてやればイチコロであると! この普段は邪魔で仕方がない胸も、場合によっては最大の武器になると!」 「おまえの母ちゃんはぜってぇに淑女の鑑じゃねぇよ!」 「なにを言うでござるかっ! 母上は良妻賢母の見本のようなお方であると、近所のご婦人方から尊敬を抱かれているでござるっ」 「ここまでの会話の流れでそれを信じろとッ?」 「........................無理があるでござるな」 「アレッ? ここで素直に肯定すんのッ!?」 「い、いえッ。普段の母上は常に父上の三歩後ろを歩くようなお方なのでござるよ。ただ、その・・・・男女関係の話になるとちょっと・・・・」 昼は清純で夜は野獣か。 ............そんな嫁さん欲しいかもしれないな。 (や、馬鹿なこと考えるなっての) アホな思考が浮かんだお陰か、茹だっていた頭に僅かばかりの冷静が戻った。それをどうにかたぐり寄せ、俺は表面上だけでも冷静に言葉を発した。 「いい加減にしろ」 言葉に形ばかりだが険を滲ませる。 「こんなことをして貰うためにおまえさんを助けたんじゃねぇよ。お互いに子供じゃないんだ。こっから先は冗談じゃすまねぇぞ」 「............拙者とて、ただの冗談でこのような恥ずかしい行動ができるわけ無いでござる」 グッと、俺を抱きしめる腕に力がこもる。背中に触れる柔らかな感触の更に奥から、早鐘を打つ鼓動が伝わってくる。けれども、クロエの言葉はそれとは真逆に静かになっていた。 「言葉だけでは、拙者の感謝は返しきれないのでござるよ。たとえ幾千幾万の財宝を積み重ねたところで、到底返せないのでござる」 俺の心臓も、荒れ狂うほどに高鳴っている。鼓動の音が耳にまで届いている。 「言葉ではなく、財だけでなく、あなた様への恩を返す方法を必死で考えていたのでござる。そんな時にふと、母上から聞かされていた父上との馴れ初め話を思い出したのでござる」 で、タイミングを合わせたように、俺が浴場に向かう音に気が付いたのか。後は俺の知ってのとおり、だ。 「最初は背中をお流しするだけで終わるつもりだったでござる。如何に恩を感じていたとは言えその............夜這いをする度胸は拙者には無かったゆえに」 この状況は夜這いにはいるのか? 「けれども、あなた様への恩の気持ちを再確認してしまえば、躊躇いはいつしか無くなっていたでござる。拙者はやはり母上の娘なのだと自覚できたでござるよ」 「クロエ............」 「責任を取れ、などというつもりは毛頭無いでござる。カンナ氏とて旅の身であるのは承知の上。けれども、もし僅かばかりでも拙者の気持ちを受け取っていただけるのであれば」 クロエは俺の耳元に口を近づけ、そっと呟く。 「............今夜、我が身をあなた様に捧げましょう」 脳裏で、何かが軋んだ。 僅かばかりに残っていた理性の糸が、今にも弾け飛びそうだ。 俺は自身の胸の前で組まれていた彼女の腕を解き、身を離した。 「あ............」と悲しげにクロエが漏らすも、俺はゆっくりと彼女の方へ身体ごと振り返った。 漆黒の瞳と視線が交錯する。既に彼女の顔は朱に染まっていたが、俺の目に宿った情欲の色を見て取ると、それを更に赤らめた。 ようやく、彼女の素肌を全て視界に収めた。 コレまでに紙媒体やネットの世界で女性の裸を見た事は多々あった。俺だって年頃の男だ。いろいろとエロい想像を働かせ、自分だったらこうするああするを妄想して自家発電を行った回数など数え切れない。 だけれども、いざ女性の生身を前にすれば、言葉を失うしかない。 整った顔立ち。くびれた腰つき。ふっくらとした臀部。すらりとした手足。言葉は出ず、だが紛れもない興奮が心身を駆けめぐる。 俺は暴走しそうになる心を必死に押し止める。 最後の防波堤になったのは、皮肉にも豊かな胸元の一点。 染み一つない肌に穿たれた傷跡。 俺の視線の先に気が付いたクロエが、歪んだ皮膚の一部を指でなぞる。 「宝石が埋め込まれていた傷は町の治療術士に治して貰いました。もう痛みはありません」 「けど、傷跡が残っちまったな」 「構いません。私が呪縛から解き明かされた証だと、むしろこの傷跡を誇りに思いましょう。あなた様のお陰で、私は自由になれたのだと」 不意に、クロエの口調が変わっている事に気が付いた。その事に触れようとしたが、問題はないか。あるいは、よりいっそうに彼女に『女性』を感じられる。 「最終確認だ。本当に良いんだな? 一時の感情に流されて、後悔しないか?」 「............確かに衝動的なモノではありましょう。だとしても、この時この瞬間を後悔することは永劫にありません」 「分かった」 俺は彼女の頬にそっと手を伸ばし、顔を近づけた。クロエは俺が触れると一瞬だけ震えるが、すぐに肩から力を抜き、そっと目を閉じた。 互いに首を僅かに傾け、俺は彼女の唇に己のそれを重ね合わせた。 最初は僅かに触れ合わせるだけの優しい口づけ。 唇を離すと、当たり前だが至近距離にクロエの顔が身近にあった。 上気した頬に潤んだ瞳。俺が口付けしたばかりの柔らかい唇。 「カンナ様............」 クロエが俺の名を呼んだ。その声の中に、口付けを再度求める色欲が含まれていたのを、俺は確かに感じた。 決定的に、俺の中に残っていた最後の躊躇いが消え去った瞬間だった。唇が触れただけだと言うのに、コレまで感じたことのない高ぶりがこみ上げてきた。 もう一度、身体ごと抱き寄せて唇を重ね合わせる。先ほどよりも強く、深く、長く。クロエの柔らかな双丘が俺の胸板で潰れて密着度が大きくなる。唇の柔らかさと胸の柔らかさに、俺の興奮は天井知らずに上がっていく。 鼻で呼吸をするのも忘れ、息苦しくなった俺は唇を離す。どうやらクロエも呼吸を忘れていたようで、俺と同じく口で息を大きく吸っていた。 互いの呼吸が整ったのを見計らい、三度目の口付け。今度はクロエから求めてきた。俺の背中に手を回し、唇と身体を押しつけるようにして唇を重ねる。 その最中、なんとなしに薄目を開くと、クロエの獣耳がピクピクと動いているのが視界の端っこに見えた。猫じゃらしを目の前で振られた猫のように、俺は興味本位に微動している獣耳に手を伸ばし、やんわりと触れた。 「ひゃうッ」 ビクリとクロエは全身を震わせると、唇を離し何かを堪えるようにギュッと目を閉じた。俺は慌てて彼女の耳から手を離す。 「え? あ、悪い。痛かったか?」 「ち、違います。ただ、獣人やエルフの耳は他の種族のそれよりもかなり敏感らしいので、少し驚きました」 「そっか。いきなり触ってごめんな」 「............了解だ」 口付けを交わしながら、俺は獣耳を優しく揉んだ。水濡れのシットリした毛並みを指先に感じ、フニフニとした柔肉の感触は癖になりそうだ。耳の付け根や先端、内側を擦ると彼女の背筋がその都度に震えた。同時に、唇に吸い付く力も強くなる。 その様子は凄まじい色っぽさを秘めており、我慢が出来なくなった俺は彼女の口内に己の舌を捻り込んだ。 突然の異物の侵入に驚き、目を見開いて身体を離そうとするクロエ。だが逃してはやらない。耳に触れていた手を頭の裏に延ばしてそのまま固定。ついでにもう片方の手でケモミミモフモフを継続。そしてそして、俺はクロエの口の中を『蹂躙』していく。 己以外の熱を感じ取る。火傷しそうな体温と唾液の粘りけを絡め取るように舌を動かす。舌がクロエの口の中を触れ、または俺の指に耳を擦られる度に、ビクリとなる。 しばらくそのまま彼女の口内を堪能すると、また己が息をしていなかったことを思い出す。けれども今度は口を離さず、ゆっくりと鼻で息を吸う。舌も動かすのを止め、クロエの唇の裏側を軽くなぞるに留める。 「............はむぅ」 小休止の最中、俺の舌先に別の熱が触れた。クロエの舌だ。おそるおそる、と言った感じにツツくように俺の舌を刺激する。 俺は彼女の口内を蹂躙したくなるのを堪えて、やんわりとクロエの舌を舐め返す。またもゾクリとクロエが震えるが、彼女は俺の舌を絡め取る。動きこそぎこちないが、俺のモノを感じ取ろうと丹念に舐める。 動きこそ先程よりも大人しい、だが舌が混じり合う音はそれ以上に浴場に響いた。徐々に互いの舌が激しく蠢く。いつの間にか、俺とクロエは互いの舌を貪るように絡み合わせた。 そして、舌の動きが最高潮に達したとき、クロエの身体が一際激しく強ばった。声にならない悲鳴を上げ、一気に脱力したのだ。 ............今のはもしかしなくても。 俺は彼女の口の中から舌を引き抜き唇を離した。粘りけのある唾液の糸が離れた俺と彼女の舌先を繋ぎ、重力に負けて千切れ落ちる。 彼女は心ここにあらず、といった様子だ。瞳は色を失い口元はだらしなく空いたまま唾液でてらてらと光っている。虚空を見つめると、力なく俺の胸元に倒れてくる。俺はそっと彼女の身体を受け止めた。 「わ、わふぅ............」 「............あ、あまりらいろうるらないれる。............くぅん」 舌が全く機能してないな。意味不明である。一分か二分ほど時間を待つと、脱力から回復したのかクロエは顔を上げた。 「お、お恥ずかしいところをお見せしました」 「まだキスしただけだぜ?」 「か、カンナ様の接吻が激しすぎただけです! あんな............舌だけで私は............。わふぅ............」 「や、悪い。思っていた以上に気持ちよかったからさ、つい」 嘘ではないが、クロエの感じる様子が堪らなかったのが最たる理由だ。アレで欲情しない野郎は不能で間違いない。 「しかも、すごく手慣れている様子が見受けられますし」 「いやいやいや、俺はぶっちゃけ初体験ですが」 「嘘ですっ! ............え、本当に?」 「ホントホント」 「........................将来が非常に恐ろしい御仁でござるな」 あ、急にござる口調に戻りやがった。 ここで興奮が冷めるのは非常に頂けない。俺は再び情欲の熱を上げるために、少し無理矢理に彼女の唇を奪った。 「わふぅッ!?」と悲鳴を上げるも、クロエは目を潤ませて俺の口付けを受け止める。殆ど迷い無く舌を差し出してきたので、喜んで舐める。そしてすぐに離した。 とても残念そうになるクロエだったが、キスだけで終わらせるわけにもいかない。今夜はまだまだ始まったばかりなのだ。 俺は、俺と彼女の身体の間に挟まり潰れている二つの果実を、下から掬い上げるようにして包み込んだ。片手だけでは収まりきらない巨乳が俺の手の形に押しつぶされる。 「痛いか?」 「い、痛くはないのですが............ちょっと驚いてしまって」 「そっか。なら続けるぞ」 「は、はい............どうぞご自由になさってください」 OKが出たので、俺は心おきなく、だが傷つけないように最大限の気遣いを持って彼女の巨乳を揉みしだく。両手でガッシリと、左右の桃ーーメロンでも可ーーを丹念に............ひたすら丹念に。 ............あ、ちょっとこれ凄い。 「か、カンナ様?」 ............ずっと揉んでても飽きない。 「はっ!?」 俺が我に帰ったクロエの悲鳴は、その胸の頂である桃色の果実をイジったからだ。 危うく悟りを開きそうになるほどの無我夢中で彼女の巨乳を揉んでいた。ぶっちゃけ、揉んでいた最中の記憶があまりない。手に残るのは、極上の柔らかさと、そうでありながらも指を間違いなく押し返す弾力。念願の巨乳に直に触れたのに、何の言葉も思い浮かばない。これほどの感動を表現する事が、俺には出来なかった。 間違いないのは、俺が巨乳好きであったこと。 巨乳好きであったことをこの日ほど誇ったことはない。 それほどに巨乳が大好きであったのだ。 っておい。またクロエがクタってなったよ。またも俺の胸にしなだれてくる。彼女の再起動に数分また要した。 「本当に大丈夫か? 今日はもう止めておいた方が」 「誰のせいですかッ」 少しムクレる彼女が微笑ましく、何度目かになる口付けを交わして機嫌を取る。この段階までくると、クロエもキスにさほど抵抗はなくなり、むしろ積極的に求めてくるようになった。 さてと、唇を頂き胸も堪能すると、いよいよ本番か。いい加減に、俺のアレもバースト寸前である。人生の中でおそらく最高高度と強度を記録している。熱量もメルトダウン一歩手前。 我がムスコを眺めていると、クロエも俺の視線につられてそちらを見やる。と、十分すぎるほどに赤かった頬が更に赤くなった。異性の急所を見たことは幼い頃に父親と風呂に入った時などにあっただろう。だが、『この状態』になった男のソレを見たことは初めてに違いない。 「こ、これが私の中に............」 「怖いか?」 「正直に言えば少々............。けれども、ここで引いては女が廃ります」 「それを聞いて安心した」 俺はクロエを膝の上に載せ、力強く抱きしめた。彼女の温もりも、肌の感触も、胸の柔さも全てを感じ取るように。 「クロエ。俺は今からおまえを抱くぞ」 「はい、カンナ様。今から私はあなた様に抱かれます♪」 俺たちは至近距離で見つめ合い微笑んだ。 そして、今夜また何度でも交わすであろう口付けのカウントをまた一つ重ねるのであった。

How did it turn to this? Or so you thought I'd say huh! (Who am I talking to?) I self-quipped myself. ............Seems like my head is getting hot in a good way. By the time my thoughts were starting to go wild, Chloe talked to me while she rubbed my back with the towel. "Yeah, it's just fine." "That is good degozaru............" Even when she says that it's good, her words are barely audible. Though she's the one who started this, she's embarra.s.sed all the same huh. Of course, I am too. And that's why I'm now in the middle of having Chloe-san wash my back degozaru. Though it's a talk for later, it's been decided that Faima will lend Chloe the money she needs in this journey. Being only on the receiving end is frustrating for Chloe. Looking for any way possible to show her grat.i.tude, Chloe saw me going to the bath alone. Having confirmed that I was the only person there, she made up her resolve and invaded the men's bath. Of course she didn't forget to leave the {in preparation} sign in front of the changing room so that no one comes in. "It is a custom of the people of Hinoizur to wash their backs when entertaining our guests degozaru." The similarity of Hinoizur to j.a.pan is terrifying. "This one doesn't count this as returning even a part of my favor degozaru. But this one just wanted you to know that this one feels great grat.i.tude towards you degozaru." Even I can't refuse her when she says something like this with that tomato face and those straight eyes. Though I already washed my body before getting in the bath, there is no problem in having her wash my back again. "The last time I did this was when I washed father's back as child degozaru. As expected, the back of a man is big degozaru." "Mine is on the small side though." "Even then, it's totally different from a woman's back degozaru yo." Probably because I'm not looking at her and that she's focused on was.h.i.+ng my back, I could feel the tension disappearing from Chloe's voice. Did she also get used to the task? Her hands which were awkward at first were now moving smoothly. My embarra.s.sment disappeared too as I got used to the situation and let her do as she pleased with me. For a while the only sound that could be heard in the bath was that of Chloe was.h.i.+ng my back. "Kanns.h.i.+ can I ask you something degozaru ka?" "What is it?" "At that time in the valley when everyone else thought to put this one at peace out of pity, only Kanns.h.i.+ was thinking about saving this one, why is that?" "Didn't you hear from the others? I simply didn't like the idea of the guy who manipulates others from behind the scene getting his way." And it would have been good if you had information about the mastermind. "............While this one was unconscious, I heard a{voice} degozaru." " Was it the guy who controlled you?" "That's wrong degozaru. It was a totally different voice degozatta. That voice said this to me." ----Something like the mastermind's scenario, I'll blow it to pieces. It's a line I remember having heard somewhere............ "The moment this one heard that voice coming from the depth of my chest, that hateful voice that was ruling this one disappeared along with my body heat degozaru." It was at that time, when Faima removed that crystal from Chloe's chest. The reason she felt the heat disappearing is because I literally froze her heart. "This one already heard about the way she was saved degozaru. It surprised me degozaru. This one never though that you would stop my heart while I still lived degozaru. I also heard how the one who got it moving again was Kanns.h.i.+." "It's not like I did it alone. It was only possible because Faima knew about CPR. That was a bet to say the least, to stop the heart of a living person in a place without proper equipment is not what a sane person would do." "Nevertheless, as a result this one is alive right now degozaru." "There was no prove that you were going to be saved. Don't just take the fact that it went well and forget the rest like some embodiment of good will." If it was a case where saving Chloe brought me a big risk, I probably wouldn't have saved her. Our relations.h.i.+p isn't so great that I'd suffer some sacrifices for her. I didn't have enough materials to do that much for her out of kindness. "............At that time this one was fine with dying degozaru yo." "............What could you mean by that?" Without realizing it myself, my voice got sharper. It was fine to die, she says? I felt anger Towards the words that indicate throwing aside that life that I took the trouble of saving. "Please don't misunderstand, this one is truly grateful for having saved my life. Since this one got to live, this one will do everything she can to survive until this favor is completely payed back." Hitari, and the arms of Chloe touched my back. i felt a warmth that's not mine and the emotions that surged within me calmed down. "Honestly speaking, this one could have fought against the{voice} . If it didn't sit with me to be manipulated, this one should have ended her life. That I didn't was simply because I felt that my life was too precious and chose obedience over death." I'm not so much of a proud human that I would criticize that. I would never tell her to die for her pride. "But only that time was different degozaru. At that time When this one was embraced by that refres.h.i.+ng cold, I truly believed it fine to die while feeling all the thoughts that tied me disappear degozaru. I thought it fine to meet my end at the hand of that gentle frost degozaru." It sounds like she desired her own death. But I didn't feel the anger that I felt before. The voice of Chloe as she recited her thoughts was calm enough that it even sounded peaceful. "It is most likely that if you had just saved my life, I would have continued to fear that{voice} as long as I live. But now as long as I remember that peaceful feeling, this one won't fall under that{voice} 's rule ever again. That's why, this one wanted to thank you again." For some reason, I was sure those words came from the bottom of her heart. "............By the way, don't you think that's enough was.h.i.+ng my back?" "Eh? Ah, that's right degozaru na." "No well, I'll be troubled if you don't retort me there." "Hyauu?!Eh, ah, no, wait a little." What happened? Did her serious air from before disappear? Chloe was getting fl.u.s.tered behind me. "............Guts degozaru.............An is guts is what Mother............This is also how Mother............Father." Suddenly, Chloe started muttering something. I felt something helplessness in her voice. Coming this far, did she find the situation to be embarra.s.sing? Frankly speaking, my heart has been maintaining a state of calm and serenity since the moment Chloe entered. The one behind me, despite being a gozaru girl, is no doubt the owner of a voluptuous and magnificent body. The moment I think about it, my{son} down there will be fast awake. Please continue your sleep. I'll wake you up later. "Ka, Kanns.h.i.+!" "Hoeh?! Eh, ah, what?" surprised by Chloe's loud voice that came when I was putting my son to sleep, I let out a weird voice. "Excuse me degozaru...!" If you take her words literally, she finished her act of grat.i.tude which she came for and couldn't bear with this situation any longer. Hence, she's leaving the bath. I also thought so when I heard her. ----Munyuri, until I felt those soft lumps on my back, that is. Of all things, let alone leaving the bath, Chloe hugged me from behind. "Eh, hey Chloe-san, what are you doing?!" "Hu, hugging you degozaru." "That's totally not what I'm asking though--!!!" Putting her arms around my chest, Chloe was sticking her body to mine. This sensation on my back no doubt belongs to the two fruits dangling from Chloe's chest. And in the middle of that softness I felt a hard sensation. She's sticking so close even her decolletage is touching me. Don't tell me she took off her towel? She's in her birthday suit?!! She took it off herself?!! "Stop this Chloe, This position is simply bad." "Don't worry degozaru. It's pretty bad for this one too degozaru." "Go look up the meaning of bad in a dictionary! That's not what I want to say!" "Please don't move much degozaru. That............They're rubbing and making this one feel weird degozaru." "Then let go!" With every little movement I make, *munyumunyu* the soft protrusions on her chest, Chloe's melons *kuikuri* rub against my back. "Just what's gotten into you?!! As I thought you were a s.l.u.t huh?!!" "What do you mean as you thought degozaru ka?!! The women of Hinoizur are well know for being yamatonades.h.i.+ko degozaru zo!!" "A yamatonades.h.i.+ko doesn't enter the men's bath and start hugging guys!" "This one was told that this one's Mother sealed the deal with my stubborn Father in this same way." "She's a rather aggressive one, your mom!" Is that even a talk you should be telling your daughter who's come of age. "Mother told me degozaru! If you get naked and hug them like this, men are nothing to fear! Even these b.r.e.a.s.t.s that are always in the way become the mightiest of weapons!" "Your Mother is absolutely no yamatonades.h.i.+ko!" "What are you saying degozaru ka?!! Mother is respected by the neighboring ladies as the model of the good woman." "You're telling me to believe that with this flow?" "........................That would be hard degozaru na." "Hmm? You're normaly agreeing?!!" "N, no. The usual Mother is always elegantly following behind Father degozaru yo. Just that.... when it comes to love life she becomes a little...." A lady at day and a beast at night huh. ............I might just want such a bride. (No, I'm telling you to stop thinking stupid stuff.) Thanks to my idiotic thoughts that kicked in like always, a bit of calm returned to my overheating head. Making use of that, I released calm sounding words, regardless of how I was feeling on the inside. "Cut it out already!" I clenched my fist as if to give shape to my words. "I didn't save you so that you would do something like this. We're both not children. Beyond this point can't be wrapped up as a joke." "............This one too, I wouldn't do something like this as a simple joke degozaru." Gutto, Chloe puts more power in the arms holding me. I could feel her heartbeats growing faster. Yet contrary to her heart, Chloe's words were becoming rather calm. "Mere words aren't enough to express my grat.i.tude degozaru. Even if this one was to line up tens of thousands of treasures, it wouldn't be enough degozaru." My heartbeat was also going so fast, I thought I'd go crazy. The sound of the throbbing is reaching my ears. "Not just with words or riches, this one was desperately thinking of a way to return the favor degozaru. That's when this one recalled the story of how Mother and Father got together degozaru." At that time she heard me going to the bath huh. And the rest is as I know it. "At first I was only going to wash your back degozaru. No matter how much grat.i.tude this one was feeling towards you, that is............I didn't have the courage for something like yobai." This situation counts as yobai? "But after reconfirming my feelings of grat.i.tude for you, all the hesitation I had had disappeared. This one is really Mother's daughter." "Chloe............" "I won't say something like take responsibility degozaru. I understand that Kanns.h.i.+ is also in the middle of a journey. But if you have the slightest intention of accepting my feelings then..." Chloe brings her mouth to my ear and whispers. "............Tonight, I'll offer my body to you." Something broke inside me. The final bit of reason in me was about to fly off any time. I tore off Chloe's hands that were on my chest and moved away from her. I turned my body towards Chloe who leaked a sad voice. I gaze into her pitch black eyes as she gazes into mine. Though her face was red enough, confirming my eyes dyed in l.u.s.t, that redness went up all at once. i finally looked at her whole wholly naked whole body. Till now I have seen girls' bodies in magazines and on the net numerous times, I am a man of age after all. I can't count the number of times I was picturing myself in this kinda situation, going full ero and thinking how I'd do this and that. But now that I was beholding the real thing, I could only lose my words. Her pretty face. Her lean waist. Her big round a.s.s. Her smooth limbs. No words came out as I was dominated by a fever in both mind and body. I somehow control my bursting heart. The final brake was ironically a certain part of her rich chest. A scar could be seen On her unblemished skin. Having noticed my line of sight, Chloe slightly touches the mark with her fingers. "I asked this town's healing magician to cure the wound. It doesn't hurt anymore." "But a scar remained." "I don't mind. In fact, I shall proudly think of it as the proof of having been released from my constrains. Of having been saved by you." I noticed that Chloe's dialect has changed out of the blue. I was going to ask about it, but then again, it's not problem. In fact, it only serves to make her more alluring as a{woman} . "For the last time. It's really fine, right? You won't regret it after moving on impulses?" "............True enough, what's moving me now is something momentary. But there will never come a time when I regret this moment." "I got it." I extend my hand to Chloe's cheek and draw her face closer to mine. She shudders for a moment upon my touch, but soon relaxes her body, closing her eyes. Tilting our necks a little, I overlapped my lips with hers. Our first kiss was a soft one with our lips merely touching. Our lips part and Chloe's face was obviously right in front of me. Chloe's crimson cheek and wet eyes, her soft lips that I just took came into view. "Kannsama............" Chloe calls my name, in her voice I sensed a clear desire to pile our lips again. It was then that the reluctance I had felt disappeared completely. Despite our lips having only touched, pleasure that I never tasted before a.s.saulted me. Once more, we exchanged a kiss in each other's embrace. Stronger, deeper, longer than the first time. Chloe's soft double mountain attack a.s.saulted me around the chest. My sanity received clear damage from the combination of Chloe's sweet lips soft lumps attacks. Having forgotten to breathe through my nose, I release Chloe in search of oxygen. It seems Chloe was the same as she started taking deep breaths the moment our lips parted. Estimating the timing we regained our breaths, the third kiss. This time it was Chloe who pushed for it. Putting her hand behind my back, she kissed me while thrusting her lips and body into me. As I opened my eyes in the middle of the kiss, I barely caught Chloe's dog ears moving pikupiku. Like a cat that found a wild foxtail millet, I curiously extend my hands to the swaying beast ears and touch them. "Hyauu!!" Chloe's body suddenly s.h.i.+vers, then she closes her eyes as if enduring something. I take my hands off her ears in a hurry. "Eh? Ah, I'm sorry. Did that hurt?" "That's not it. Apparently, the ears of elfs and beastmen are more sensitive than the other races', so it just surprised me." "Is that so? Sorry for touching them out of the blue." "............acknowledged." While exchanging a kiss, I gently rubbed her beast ears, feeling her wet fur on my fingers. I might get addicted to the sensation of her soft meat. When I started rubbing the tips, bottom and inside of her ears, she began fidgeting around and strengthened the force of her kiss. Her appearance was so s.e.xy and erotic. Unable to hold myself back, my tongue invaded her mouth. Confused at the sudden invasion, Chloe tried to separate her body from mine. However, I'm not letting her go anywhere. I proceed to{dominate} Chloe's mouth with my tongue while not forgetting to move my hand that was caressing her ears behind her head, getting hold of her as I continue patting her ears with the other hand. Feeling a heat that's not mine. I move my tongue to absorb Chloe's scalding heat and saliva. Every motion of my tongue or fingers sends s.h.i.+vers down Chloe's body. Enjoying her mouth like that for a while, I noticed that I forgot to breathe once again. This time though, without stopping the kiss, I take the air through my nose. Simultaneously, I trace the inside of Chloe's mouth with my tongue. "............Wamuu" Suddenly, I felt a heat that's not mine on the tip of my tongue. Chloe's tongue. Poking my tongue hesitatingly, she stimulated it. Holding back my desire of dominating her mouth, I lightly lick her tongue back. Despite quivering for a moment, Chloe bites at my tongue. Moving her tongue awkwardly, she was licking my tongue in a desire to perceive my presence. Though, our movements were quieter than before, only the wet sound of our tongues intertwining reverberated through the bath. When the movements of our tongues reached the climax, the body of Chloe greatly shook. Making a soundless shout, she lost all strength. ............That just now was undoubtedly... I take my tongue out of Chloe's mouth and release her lips. Before long, the silver line connecting our lips disappears. She was in quite the disheveled state. Eyes that lost color and lips that were glossy with saliva. As I was gazing into empty s.p.a.ce, Chloe fell on my chest. I gently receive her falling body. "Wa, wafuu............" "............A, amari ra iro uru rana ireru............kuuun" I couldn't understand a word she said as her tongue wasn't functioning properly. After waiting for a minute or two, Seemingly having recovered, Chloe raised her face. "I, I showed you something very embarra.s.sing." "All we did was merely kiss, you know?" "Ka, Kannsama's kisses are so intense! That............You only used your tongue, yet I............Wafuu............" "No well, sorry. It was much more pleasurable than I thought so I just..." Though that's not a lie, the biggest reason was the erotic look on Chloe's face as she felt the pleasure. A man that won't l.u.s.t over that can't exist. "Moreover, your movements seemed rather experienced." "No no no, this is actually my first time." "You're lying!!............Eh, really?" "Really really." "........................You'll be terrifying in the future degozaru na." Ah, she suddenly went back to using gozaru dialect. It would be horrible if my excitement subsided at this point. I stole Chloe's lips a bit forcefully to reignite my pa.s.sion. "Wafuu?!!" Even as she raises a surprised voice, Chloe's eyes looking my way were rather moist as she accepted my kiss. Chloe unreluctantly pushed out her tongue to me so I went ahead and licked it. Not prolonging the kiss, I broke the connection between our lips. Though Chloe was disappointed, it won't do to spend the whole night kissing. I extend my hands from below and scoop the two fruits crushed between our bodies. But they didn't fit there and got crushed by the shape of my hands, as expected of melons. "Does it hurt?" "I, it doesn't hurt but............That surprised me." "I see. Then I'll proceed?" "Ye, yes............please have your way with me." Having received the go sing, I started rubbing Chloe's b.o.o.bs without holding back while making sure not to hurt her. Ga.s.s.h.i.+ri with both hands-- ............Ah, this is amazing. "Ka, Kannsama?" ............I could keep rubbing them forever. "Hah?!" Having the pink fruits at the peak of her b.o.o.bs played with, Chloe moaned. Returning me to my senses. I was so focused on groping them that I might have reached enlightenment. Although I don't remember a thing of when I was rubbing them. What remained in my hands was the highest cla.s.s of softness and, contradicting it, the elasticity to push back my fingers. Despite having just put my hands on the big b.r.e.a.s.t.s that I so desired, no words came out. The ability to turn this much emotion and pa.s.sion into words wasn't something I had. I'm undeniably in love with big b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Never did I feel the pride of loving big b.r.e.a.s.t.s as much as I did on this day. That's just how much my love for big b.r.e.a.s.t.s went. Tte oi, Chloe fell down again. She catches her breath on my chest. Eventually returning to normal after a few minutes. "Are you really fine? Would it be better to stop for today?" "Whose fault is it?" The sullen Chloe fawns over me and comes for another kiss. At this point, even Chloe has gotten used to kisses and even started proactively asking for them. Now then, having taken her lips and enjoyed her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, it's finally time for the real thing. That thing of mine is on the verge of bursting after all. It's most likely broke a record of intensity and size in my whole life. Not to mention that it's been blazing hot that it's a step away from melting down. Following my sight that's focused on my son, Chloe turns her eyes in the same direction. Her already red cheek were dyed a stronger shade of crimson. She might have seen the mark of a man when she washed her Father's back as a child. But it should be her first time seeing one in{this state} . "Th, this is, inside me............" "Are you scared?" "It's honestly scary............But it would be shameful as a woman to pull back here." "Hearing that makes me relieved." I place Chloe on my tights and strongly hug her. For the sake of feeling her body warmth, her smooth skin, her squashy chest. "Chloe. I'm gonna eat you up." "Yes, Kannsama. I'm now going to be eaten by you." We gazed into each other from up close and smiled. Once again, we added to the count of the kisses we exchanged who knows how many times tonight.

第十一話 赤毛(巨乳)さんの登場 どんだけ興奮してたんだよお馬鹿ッ。と己にキレながら、俺は宿に向けて全力で走る。後日に出直すなんて冗談ではない。急いで財布をとりに戻り、再出撃する事で頭がいっぱいだ。若い衝動を舐めるなよ。これしきのことで踏みとどまる程の柔ではないのだ。 そう、たかが財布を忘れた程度では踏みとどまらない。 なので。 「狙いをすましたようにトラブル起こしてんじゃねぇよこのアホたれどもがぁッッ」 十分すぎる助走からの跳び蹴り。狙いは、うら若き女性を無理矢理路地裏に連れ込もうとしていた不届き者の一人。その側頭部に足裏が届き、運動エネルギーの全てを受け止めた男は派手に吹き飛んだ。 この短い説明で今がどのような状況なのかは理解いただけたはずだ。 跳び蹴りをかました俺は、男を吹き飛ばしてから空中で華麗にバック転し、スチャっと音が聞こえるほどに見事な着地を決めた。十点満点は確実だ。少しすっきり。 改めて状況を確認しようか。 この付近にいるのは、俺を除いて六人。 一人は中々に可愛らしい少女だ。歳は顔たちからして俺と同じかそれ前後。髪の色は薄暗い明かりの中でも判断できる紅色。燃え盛る炎を連想させる情熱の色。そして、ローブを羽織って躯の前で止めているのだが、その下からでも自己主張の激しい胸の膨らみ。レアルよりは若干劣るが、あれはちょっと比べては行けないレベルだ。これはこれで十分に凶器だ。 残る四人は言わずともがな、そんな彼女の口を塞ぎ羽交い締めにしている不届き者たち。内一人は既に吹き飛ばし、少し離れた位置で伸びている。 五人は何の前触れもない乱入者の登場に口をポカンと開けたまま凍り付いていた。 「やかましい!」 いち早く我に返った手近な男の顔面に拳を捻り込む。鼻が潰れる感触を反動で感じながら、腕を振り抜いた。男は鼻をグシャグシャにしながら後ろに倒れ込み、そのまま動かなくなった。 少女を拘束していた男が、枯れた声を絞り出した。『お楽しみ』を邪魔し、さらには仲間を問答無用で吹き飛ばした俺に、怒りの表情を向ける。それは、残り一人も同然だ。 二人の怒りを向けられた俺は。 「この野郎............、人がせっかく大人の階段に足を掛けようとしてたのに」 ギンッと、残る二人の男に有らん限りの殺気を向ける。怒りの形相を浮かべていた男二人が「ひっ」と喉を慣らした。 「その気が失せるようなことしてんじゃねぇよ! どうしてくれるんだこの若い衝動はぁぁぁっっ」 拳に絶叫を乗せて、三人目の顎を下からかち上げる。足が完全に宙に浮き、重力に牽かれてつま先が地面に付くと、支えを失った人形さながらに崩れ落ちた。 最後の一人、少女を拘束していた男は悪態を付くと、腕にとらえていたその細身を突き飛ばすと、腰に差していた剣を鞘から抜いた。この段階に至り、ようやく俺は他の畜生共も腰に鞘入りの剣を差していたのに気が付いた。 「お、お前、俺たちが何者か知ってーー」 「知るかぁッ! 俺は今日この街に来たばっかりの田舎者だっ」 ついでに異世界二週間とちょい。 「自分で田舎者っていうか普通。というか、だったらなおのこと、お前に俺たちが何をしようか関係無いだろうがッ」 「シャラップ! これからおっぱいの大きなお姉さん(確定事項)とニャンニャンしようって時に、無理矢理ナニおっぱじめようとする現場見せられた身にもなって見ろッ! 心おきなくニャンニャンできねぇだろうがッ」 「理不尽すぎるッ。そりゃ八つ当たり............」 うん、間違いなく八つ当たり。でも、こういう場では言った者勝ち。 「............よく見りゃぁ武器も何もねぇな。へッ、田舎者の若造が余計な正義感を出しただけか。そうだ、ナニも慌てるこたぁねぇ」 言葉を交わしている間に冷静さを取り戻したのか、男がニヤケる。ぶっちゃけきもい。 「多分、田舎町ではちょっとは腕の立つ内の一人だったんだろうよ。所詮は井の中の蛙だ。ここは一つ、大海に出た先輩としてアドバイスをしてやらなくちゃなぁ。なぁに、授業料はお前の命でーーーー」 「台詞が長いッ」 一気に踏み込んだ俺は、固めた拳を男の腹にぶち込んだ。敵を目の前に悠々と長口上とかアホであろうか。 バギンッ! 「げふぉッッ」 肉を打つ感触ではなく、硬質な何かを破砕する音が腕に返る。痛みはないが、小さく驚く。 男はヨロケながらも数歩後ろに下がり、だが倒れなかった。何度もせき込みながらもどうにか踏ん張り、自分の服の裾をめくり上げた。すると、その下から、丈の広い木製の輪がガランと音を立てて落ちる。貴族の女性が身につけるコルセットのような形状だ。服の下に仕込む防具の一種だろう。あの音はそれが割れた音だ。俺が殴りつけただろう部分から見事に割れている。 「げほっ、げほっ。もしもの為に着てたのが役に立ったぜ。残念だったなぁ」 完全に木製コルセットが壊れているのを見ると、多少なりともダメージは通ったが、その殆どが無効化されたと見て間違いない。 美咲だったら、コルセットごと 男は小さな痛みを堪えながら、だが先ほどとは違い隙無く剣を構える。 「もう油断はねぇ。確実に、間違いなくお前をぶっ殺す」 男の言う通り、構えにはもはや油断は感じられない。しかも、俺は奴の指摘したとおりに防具の類を一切持ってきていない。昼間に購入した防具類は全て宿に置いてきてある。これも小さな失敗だ。今後はどんなときでも、外出するときは手甲の一つぐらいは持って行こう。 確かに、手元には防具の類は一切無い。そして、人としてはともかく、男が剣を構える姿は堂には入っており、レアルほどではないが腕はあるだろう。これではさすがに素手のままでは相手できない。 「死ねぇぇっ!」 勢いに殺気を交えた確かな剣の振り下ろし。このまま腕で防ごうものなら、その腕ごと俺の躯は斬撃の前に両断される。 だが、忘れては無いだろう。 氷の大精霊から授かった『秘法』を。 ーーガギィィィィンッッッ。 硬質な金属音が闇夜の街に木霊した。 男は目を見張った。 よし、強度は問題なさそうだ。 混乱は置き、とにかく自分の攻撃が防がれた事実を瞬時に受け止めた男はすぐさまに剣を引き、横薙の二撃めを繰り出した。この反応、ただの路地裏喧嘩で鍛えたのではなく、それなりの場数を踏んだ経験からくる物。が、またも堅い音で阻まれる。俺の右腕を覆っているのと同質の物体が左腕に現れ、同じように防いでいたのだ。 二撃目を防がれた男はまるで化け物と相対したかのような目を向けてくる。 「お、お前ッ、魔術士かッ」 「いんや、別物」 ぎりぎりと剣を押し込もうとするが、俺の左腕を覆う透明の物質ーー精霊術によって生み出された氷の手甲には傷の一つも付かない。 左腕で阻んでいた剣を振り払い、一度男との僅かばかりの距離をとる。そして、大きな一歩を踏み込み、速度と体重を乗せた右腕を繰り出した。男は咄嗟の反応で剣を盾代わりに水平に構えるが。 左と同じく、氷の手甲に覆われた右腕。その一撃は盾代わりの剣を半ばからへし折り、その先にある男の腹部に突き刺さった。男は四メートルほど水平に吹き飛び、そのまま地面にしばらく転がって止まった。 「ーーーーふぅ、大分すっきりしたぁ」 暴漢共がだれ一人動かなくなったのを確認してから、俺は構えを解き、景気付けに手甲で覆われた両手を互いに打ち付けた。 どうやら精霊の婆さんに教わった精霊術は、俺の躯にしっかりと根付いている。殺気を当ててくる相手にも、レアルとの訓練通りに立ち回ることが出来た。霊山の麓の村での一週間は、どうやら俺がこの世界で生きていく為の最低限の技術を教えてくれたようだった。 軽く念じて両腕を覆う氷の手甲を解除する。氷はガラスが割れるのに近い音を立てて砕け散り、パラパラと地面に降り注ぐ。 さてと、と俺は最後の一人に突き飛ばされた少女の方へ向いた。後回しにはなってしまったが、拍子に怪我でもしていたら困るし、 念のために家の方に送る程度はしたい。下半身の興奮は、男共をしばき倒したことで発散してしまった。大人の階段は非常に惜しいが、今回は素直にあきらめよう。 「とりあえず、怪我はーー」 少女の方へ目を向ける。 可愛らしい顔が至近距離で此方を見つめていた。 「ーーおおぉッッ?」 先ほどの男ではないが、俺はたまらず数歩後ずさる。だが、少女は俺のそんな様子など気にもせず、俺の顔を見て、(多分)腕を見て、そして足下に散らばった手甲の果てーー氷の礫に目をやった。 彼女はしゃがみ込み、氷の粒の一つを手に取った。その眼差しは真剣であり、視覚の全てを見逃さないと感じさせる力強さだった。 呟きを一つすると、彼女は勢いよく立ち上がり。 なぜだか俺は胸ぐらを掴まれた。 ーー初対面の女性に胸ぐらを捕まれた経験は初めてである。 どうでも良いが、至近距離で相対しているので、少女の持つ二つの桃が胸板に当たっている。またも若い衝動がこみ上げてきそうな、柔らかくも強烈な感触だ。 「この氷は、あなたの魔術が生み出したもの?」 手に取っていた氷の欠片をずいっと突きつけてくる。 「そうよね、無から有を生み出すためには魔術を使うしかないもの。でも不思議。魔術で生み出されたものの寿命はとても短い。魔力の供給が途絶えれば生み出されたものは時間を置かずに消滅してしまう」 いきなり説明し始めたぞこの女。胸ぐら掴んだまま。 この赤毛の女の言うとおりである。人為的に操作されて生み出された魔術の産物は、魔術が終わればすぐさまに消え去る。炎などの場合、何かしらに燃え移ればそれはそのまま燃焼は継続するが、大本の火元は魔力がなくなれば消えてしまう。ここまではレアルや精霊の婆さんから教わった通りである。 って、しまった。ここで俺は自分のミスに気が付いた。 「なのに、この氷からは魔力を感じられない。であるのに、ずっと形を保ったまま私の手の中で存在し続けている。さてどういうことかしらね?」 内心の慌てを努めて隠しながら、俺は表情を崩さずに氷に「消えろ」と語りかける。すると彼女の手の中にあった氷を含んだ、この場一体に散らばった手甲の果ては余さず微細に砕けて消滅した。 俺の精霊術と一般の魔術は、表面上の現象は似ているが、内面は根幹からの別物だ。婆さんに注意されたのを忘れていた。 「あら、消えちゃったわね。よほど緻密で正確な術式を使っていたのかしら。魔術で生み出されたものであっても、それがより現実に近ければ近いほど、魔力を失ってからも形を保ち続けるから。でも、だったら尚更に疑問がでてくるわ」 胸ぐら掴まれてから一言もしゃべっていない俺に構わず、彼女は続ける。 「このあたしが、こんな間近にいて、直に目にしていながらも、貴方が行使した術式が一切『見えなかった』。しかも、『氷』属性なんて言う、水の魔術士のほんの一握りしか習得し得ない超高難易度の術式がね。理解は出来なくとも、少なくとも概要ぐらいは認識できたはずなのに」 赤毛女は変わらず俺の胸元を手で固定しながら、そのまま思考に埋没してしまったのか、顎に片手を当て一人ぶつぶつと呟き始めた。言葉の端に『魔力』やら『術式』やらが何度も出てくるので、おそらくこの場で自分なりの俺の精霊術を魔術的に解釈しようとしているのだろう。ぶっちゃけ『無駄』の一言で終わるが、口にすれば余計に話が拗れる。 つーか、折角助けたのに褒美が胸ぐら掴みってどーなのよ。恩着せがましく言うつもりは無いが、さすがにこれはどーなのよ。 ............や、胸元に当たる凶悪で素晴らしい双丘の感触があるから、苛立ちは相殺されているから文句は言うまい。 彼女に悪意らしきものは感じられない。礼節云々はともかく、目の前の現象に知的好奇心を刺激されているだけだ。改めて彼女の服装を見ると、軽装の上にローブという、一般的な魔術士風の格好だ。ただし、服の作りやローブの裏地に施された模様は、俺の目から見ても上品に思える。どこかのお嬢様だろうか。 ーー冷静に分析が進むに連れて、厄介事の匂いがしてきた。婦女暴行未遂の現場に出くわした時点で十分に厄介事だが、それとはまた違った方向性でだ。思い出すのは有月だ。あの幼馴染みが厄介事を持ってくる時の状況によく似ている。 冗談ではない。異世界への召喚ってだけでも手一杯なのに、これ以上の面倒に巻き込まれたら堪らない。 俺の背中に冷たい汗がたらりと流れたその時、鋭い声と共に複数人の地面を蹴る音が聞こえてくる。音の方を見れば、三人の冒険者風の格好をした者達がこちらに走り寄ってくる。その視線はまっすぐに、俺の胸ぐらを現在進行形で掴んでいる赤毛女だ。十中八九彼女の関係者だ。 これはチャンスである。 悪いとは思ったが、俺は赤毛女の手を胸ぐらから力ずくで引き剥がす。声に反応しそちらに注意が行っていた赤毛女は「アッ」と声を出すが手はすぐに離れてしまった。 「じゃぁな。これからは夜道を歩くときは保護者同伴にしろよ」 俺は一言を残すと、冒険者達が駆けてくる方向とはもちろん反対の方向へと走り出した。途中、柔らかい感触の何かを踏みつける感覚と「ぬごぉ」とこの世のものとは思えない呻き声が聞こえた気がしたが、間違いなく気のせいであろうと結論づけて、俺はその場を離れた。

Chapter 11 : Red hair (with big breast) enters the stage Just how far where you aroused, you idiot. While berating myself, I ran full speed towards the inn... I can't even joke around with leaving this to another day; so I'm returning ASAP to get my wallet... My head is filled with thoughts of getting back to that place; you better not look down with youthful indiscretions; they are not fragile enough that this amount of seat back is discouraging. Exactly, it's not like I'm just going to give up because I forgot my wallet... Therefore... [DON'T GO CAUSING PROBLEMS BY TARGETTING SOME RANDOM BROAD, YOU s.h.i.+TTY DUMBa.s.sESS!!] (Kanna) I made a full speed run flying drop kick, my objective is; one of the scoundrel guys that was dragging off an unwilling cute girl towards the backalleys. The moment these soles reached the opponent, the guy was blown away flas.h.i.+ly by all of that kinetic energy. I guess the current situation should be easy to understand after that short explanation... The I who was in the middle of a flying drop kick, noticed that the guy who was sent flying tumbled wonderfully in a back flip; a long noise was heard as he did an amazing landing... This would surely get a 10 out of 10, I guess I should pat me in the back a little. Let's review the issue once more? Right now there are six people other than me here. One of them is the beauty over there; judging by the face, she is for about the same age as me... Her hair color is easily distinguishable red even in this dim brightness, with a tone that resembles the pa.s.sion of a burning flame. Additionally, the robe that she wears in her body stands tall, the reason being the self a.s.serting buldge that protudes from her chest. While it is indeed lesser compared to Real, it's still at a level where you are better off not worrying about comparisons; that's already quite the lethal weapon as it is. If I was to say something of the remaining four, they are brutish fellows that are closing off the girl's mouth and holding her hands on her back. One of them was already sent flying away; so he is a little bit separated from where we are standing now. The 5 people where completely frozen in place awestruck with their mouths hanging by the intruder that barged in without any prior notice. [NOISY!] (Kanna) I promptly bury a twisting fist into the face of the guy that was trying to argue with me; the reaction from the backlash tells me that his nose is broken, I retract my arm and the guy with a crumpled nose collapses to his back; it looks like he won't move anymore. The guy that was detaining the girl, squeezed out with a withering voice. His {enjoyment} was disturbed, and his friend got sent flying without any questions asked; he faces me with an angry expression, it's the same for the other remaining guy. And the I who is in the receiving end of these two's anger. [You b.a.s.t.a.r.ds............ Getting in the way of someone climbing the stairways to adulhood...] (Kanna) While glaring, I let out as much bloodl.u.s.t as I can to these two, they let out a [Hii] scream after receiving my anger. [It's not like it's going to shy away with this! What do I do with these youthful impulsesssssss!!!] (Kanna) My fist moves as I scream, I hit the third guy's jaw from bellow. His feet raise from the ground and gravity causes him to fall into the ground, as a doll that had it's strings broken. And the last guy, the one that was detaining the girl spat out curses; he thrusts away the slender waist that was caught in his arm, and pulls out a sword from his belt. It is only at this point, that I notice that the other brutish guys also have swords in their belts. [Y-you, it looks like you don't know us--] (other punk) [AS IF I KNOW! I'M A COUNTRY b.u.mP THAT JUST GOT TO TOWN TODAY!!] (Kanna) On top of that, it's two weeks in this world. [Calling yourself a country b.u.mp, or rather; you are just a normal guy- You should't have any relation with us!!] (other punk) [SHARAP! When I was about to do some nyannyan with a big breasted onee-san! (ident.i.ty to be settled); I find the scene of some guys forcing someone else in front of my face! I can't nyannyan with a clear conscience after this!] (Kanna) [That's just stupid. And you are just venting your............] (other punk) Yep, I'm absolutely venting in anger, though no one who points that out is here. [............ Now that I look at ya, you don't carry a blade. Heh, just a hillbilly greenhorn who has a big sense of justice? Right, nothing to make a fuss about] (other punk) After going into self monologue, the guy regains his calmness and let outs a smile. To put it bluntly, he is disguisting. [Maybe, you might be a big shot with a strong arm in the hicks, but that's just a frog in a small pond. Let me give you some advice as your senior in the big ocean; so, the price for learning is going to be your life----] (other punk) // senior = senpai // [YOUR INTRO IS TOO LONG] (Kanna) Without any pause I stepping in, I hardened my fist and struck the guy's belly. I wonder if there is some idiot who will just stay still as an enemy is in front of you running out their mouths with leisure. BAGIN-! [Gehuooo] (other punk) This is not the feeling of hitting flesh, and the sound hints that the feeling in my arm is one from clas.h.i.+ng with something hard. I'm not in pain, but it's sudden enough to be surprised... The man staggered some steps behind, but he did not fall; after he braced himself and regained his footing; he brushed off a part from his own clothes, and bellow it; a roundish wooden thing fell to the floor, making an empty noise... I guess it's like one of those corsett that n.o.ble ladies wear from time to time, and a type of protection that is meant to be put under one's clothes... and from the sound of it, it looks like it broke- It splits magnificently from the part where I hit it. [Geho, geho; I wore that one just in case. Too bad, isn't?] (other punk) I take a glance to the wooden corsett that is broken, while it looks like some damage pa.s.sed; without a doubt most of it was nullified. If it would have been Misaki, she would have gotten the ribs along with destroying the corsett. The guy seems to be holding on the pain, and holds his sword in a different way from before, without gaps. [No more carelessness, I'm going to kill the s.h.i.+t out of ya fer sure] (other punk) Exactly as he says, you can't feel negligence anymore from his stance; additionally- like this man pointed out, I don't have in me any sort of protective gear... the armor purchased during the day, was all left in the inn. This is certainly a small failure, from now on; every time I go out, I'll carry something with me. It is indeed so; right now I have absolutely no armor at hand, and then there is the opponent, even if it's just a human, he has a sword in hand... There is no way he is as strong as Real, but he should at least know a thing or two; going against him barehanded is a little bit too much after all. [DIEE!] (other punk) A vigoroous swing filled with killing intent was heading my way; in the case of trying to block this with just my arms, those arms would be slashed through along with my body... Well, there is no way that I can forget it... Those {Secret arts} that were pa.s.sed down to me by the great ice spirit. -- GAKINNNNN. The echo from a metallic hardness spreads through the night town. The man open his eyes wide... Nice, it looks like density won't be an issue with this Leaving behind his confusion, he quickly discerns that his attack was stopped and speedely retracts his blade; he lunges forward with a swipping side attack as a follow up... With this reaction, you can tell that he did not only learn to fight in the backalleys; it shows that it's someone who has experiences from different places, however; the same hard sound was heard again, since another object of the same quality of the right arm materialized in my left; stopping the swing in the same way. The man who had his strikes stopped twice looks at me as if he was seeing some sort of monster... [Y- you, are you a magician!?] (other punk) [Nah, it's something else] (Kanna) I pushed back a little the sword with the transparent material in my left arm-- It looks like there is no scratch in the ice arm protectors made by spirit magic. After shaking off the sword with the blocking arm, I made sure to make some distance between the guy and I- then, with a large step forward; I put great speed and body weight as I trust my right hand forward. The guy makes a quick reaction and puts his sword horizontally so that it acts as a s.h.i.+eld... Of course, just like the left hand; the right one was completely covered with the ice protector. That single blow breaks the covering sword right down the middle, and just like before I dive my first into the guy's abdomen; blowing away the guy horizontally for about 4 meters. He rolled a little in the floor and then stopped moving. [---- Fuh, I feel seriously refreshed] (Kanna) I check around to confirm that the hoodlums really stopped moving, and then I relax my stance. Driven by the mood, I struck together the two fists that are protected by ice. It looks like the techniques that were taught by the spirit baa-san are firmly engraved in my body; even if the opponent comes forth with killing intent, I can perform for about the same as I did in those training rounds with Real. During that week spent at the village on the foot of the sacred mountain, I somehow managed to learn the basic techniques required to survive in this world. I lightly relax my arms, and release the ice that has been covering them; said ice makes a gla.s.s shattering like sound as it touches the ground, fluttering as it crumbles. And now, I better head towards the girl that was thrusted away by the last guy... while I have been delaying it, it would be a problem if she got injured then. ... I don't think I can take her to my place to make sure if she is alright. As a result of the scuffle with these guys, the excitement of my lower half has subsided... It's regrettable to let go of that adult stairway; but let's obediently give up on that now. [In any event, if injured--] (Kanna) I put my eyes where the girl is supposed to be... ... And I find that a beautiful face is staring at me from a point blank distance. [--Ooohhhh?] (robed b.r.e.a.s.t.s) It's obviously not the guy from just now; I took some steps back, but the girl doesn't mind that at all and totally stares at my face, stares at my arms (probably), and then sees the place laying around my feet-- She totally stares at the ice wreckage. She squats down, and grabs with her hands one of the ice pieces... That gaze is completely serious, and strong enough to emit a feeling that she absolutely wouldn't let slip even the slightest detail. After muttering something, she got up with great vigor. ... For some reason, she grasped my collar. -- This is obviously the first time I experience having a girl grab my lapels on our first meeting. Whatever is fine. We are already in a point blank range face to face confrontation... The two amazing peaches she is a possesor of are touching my chest; those adolecent impulses are surely going to surge forth once again; it's a tender yet intense feeling. [This ice, it's the product of your own magic, right?] (tender but intense b.r.e.a.s.t.s) Without any hesitations, she trusts forward the ice piece that she has in her hand. [It has to be, to be able to create an existence from nothing; it can only be done through magic... But this is a unusal; something created by magic has a very short life sp.a.w.n, thus something that was given birth by magic should be extinguished after it's magic power supply is cut] (tender but intense b.r.e.a.s.t.s) This woman suddenly started explaining with my collar in hold as it is. It's exactly as this red head woman says, things created artifically by magic; quickly disappear once the magic is done. For example in the case of flame, if you manage to set something on fire, then that something will continue burning as it is until the combustion materials run out; but for the original flame, once the magic that produces it stops, it will cease to be. That much fits with what I learned from Real and the spirit baa-san... -Erm, c.r.a.p. Right now I'm noticing my mistake... [Then why is it, I don't feel any magic flowing within this ice at all; but it's a fact that it's continuing to exit in my hand without losing any shape. Why is that?] (tender but intense intelectual b.r.e.a.s.t.s) Trying to conceal as much as possible any internal turmoil I'm in, without modifying my facial expression at all I give the order [disappear] to the surrounding ice. Then even the ice that she was holding winthin her hands, the small crusts scattered through the place as they vanished in thin air. My own spirit magic and magic look like similar phenomena on the surface, but at their core they are quite different; grandma did gave out a warning about that which I had forgotten. [Ara, it has disappeared; should I say you have quite a precise and finely tuned technique? Even if it was created by magic, it might be proper to say that it's something which it's closer to material that exists in reality; as it can keep it's shape even after magic is no longer supplied.... If that's the case, then I have even more questions...] (girl) To the I who keeps being restrained by my lapels without saying a word, she continues. [While I'm being this close, as I see it happen first hand; I have absolutely not {see you} using any techiques; furthermore, we are speaking about the {ice} attribute here... an extra high difficult to perform technique that only a handful of water magicians manage to grasp.... I'm unable to comprehend this at all, I should have been able to understand at least as much of the outline for this...] (curious girl) As usual this red haired woman never lets go of my collar, keeping her hand fixed... It looks like she is losing herself in her thoughts as it is, she puts a hand in her chin and kept mumbling stuff; the words {magic} and {technique} kept popping up... She probably is trying to interpret the spirit magic I used in this place in the terms of attribute magic. Totally speaking her own mind without holding nothing back, but that now only be sumed up with the word {pointless} ; but it's better not to twist more the story by fessing up now... Or rather, after going through lengths to help her; the sole reward I get is getting seized by my collar... It's not like I want to say to her face that she is indebted to me, as expected that would be a little bit too much. ............ Nah, right now in my solar plexus there is this atrociously wonderful sensation brought forth by those twin hills, it's certainly good enough that it offsets any complain I might have about this. I can't feel any sort of malice coming from her... Let's not speak about decorum and so on; it's merely that she has nothing but intelectual curiosity in the phenomenom in front of her. I take another look at her clothes, in the upper part she has a robe which fits in the lightweight equipment cathegory, a popular choice for those with a magician's air- The one thing is, the pattern in her clothes and the lining of the robe seems quite extravagant even to my eyes; is she an well bred lady from somewhere? -- As the a.n.a.lysis was prooceding calmly, I noticed the scent of problems ahead. It's awkward enough to b.u.mp into a possible rape scene head on, but the smell is from a different nature than that... It's as if I'm reminded of Yuuzuki-- this closely resembles those burdens brought by that childhood friend of mine... Don't joke around-- I already have my hands full with being summoned to another world; I can't afford to get caught up in even more troublesome things. As I was experiecing cold sweats through my back, I could hear the loud voices and step sounds from several people; looking in that direction, three guys that look like adventurers were approaching this place while running- Their line of sight was completely fixated in this woman who has been holding my lapels all along. Eight to nine out of ten, they probably have a relation to her. This is a chance. I think it's a bad thing to do, but I forcefully peel off the red hair's hand from myself; the redhair who had put her attention to the incoming voice let out an [Ah] voice when her hand was shrugged off. [Cya, from now on you should walk around at night only with one of your guardians] (Kanna) After leaving those words, I naturally made a dash in the opposite direction those adventurers where coming from. Midway, I somehow felt I was stepping into something soft and a [nugoh] sound reached my hears, there it shouldn't be any reason for any sounds; let's sum it up that it's probably just my imagination; as I leave that place.

人らしき気配を察したのが四秒前。 膨大な量の魔力を察したのが三秒前。 根源を視界に収めたのが二秒前。 魔術が解き放たれたのが一秒前。 そして、ありったけの精神力を精霊術に回せたのが一秒と零秒の間。 氷の絶壁が生じたのが、一秒の十分の一の、さらに半分ほどの刹那前。 鉄を溶かすほどの超熱量が炸裂。冗談のような爆炎が氷の壁を隔てた向こう側で荒れ狂った。 脳が沸騰する程の圧迫にさらに負荷を掛け、氷の大槍を生み出す。その数を十。 『敵』の姿は視覚にうっすらとしか確認できないほどの遠目に立っている。幸いにもーーあるいは不幸にも、『そいつ』の気配には覚えがった。 忘れもしない。町でファイマが襲われた時、その最後の最後に現れた異様な魔力だ。寸分の狙いも違わず、精霊術の的に設定する。 槍の命中を確認ーーいや、その寸前でいつかの時と同じような炎の柱が立ち上がる。氷の槍は数秒ほど形を保つが、それが限界だ。瞬く間に水に変じて蒸発した。 『敵』の魔力は未だに健在だ。滓かな減少も感じられない。だが、莫大であるが故にそこに生じる揺らぎーー動揺が読みとれた。状況は未だに飲み込めていないのだ。証拠に、驚異であった十の氷槍を防いだというのに、炎の柱がすぐさまに消えない。状況把握のために防御を固めているのだ。 パシリと、頭に走る鋭い痛みに皮膚が弾ける。精霊術で創造した現象を強制的に破壊されたフィードバックが、負傷の形で体に現れる。頭部の一部分が裂けて血が吹き出す。左目を赤い色彩が覆い隠した。 内面の圧迫と外部の痛みを『根性』で堪える。 あの炎の柱が消える前に次の一手を打たねばならない。それが一秒先か一分先かは定かではない。思考に裂いていられる時間は余りない。あの炎が消えた瞬間、掴んでいたチャンスは霧散する。 あの異質すぎる魔力の持ち主を、本気にさせてはならない。相手が未だに小手調べの段階で、全身全霊を持って潰しておくべきだ。 膝が折れ地面に倒れそうになる。かろうじて俯せに倒れるのだけは避けて膝を突くだけに留める。ついでに、それまで背負っていた黒髪を地面に下ろした。と、今度は立ち上がる力が残っていない。 この距離では、強力な一撃は放てない。 精霊術の利点であり欠点は、使用者の精神に強く影響される点だ。至近距離ならともかくとして、長距離の対象に対しては非常に不安定になる。威力も総じて低くなってしまう。 「レア............ルッ」 舌が縺れるのは、思考と肉体の繋がりが離れ始めているからか。俺はさらに気合いを込めて口を開く。 「ーーーーッ、私はどうすればいいッ!」 俺の呼び声に、相棒は頼もしく問いかけてくれた。他の四人は未だに言葉を失い呆然としている中、彼女だけは俺の言葉に応えてくれる。敵が誰で状況がどうなのかとの疑問は二の次に、最善の一手を求めてくれる。 「俺を............担いで突っ込めッ!」 「承った!」 迷い、躊躇いを省略し答えるやいなや、彼女は背負っていた剣を逆手に持つとそれを前方に投擲。山成りを描き遠く離れた地面に突き刺さる。そして、俺を背負って駆けだした。人間を背負いながらとは思えないほど速度で走り抜けながら、レアルが言霊を紡ぐ。 短い祝詞にあわせ、地面に突き刺さった大剣を中心として術式方陣が現れる。術式の閃光と共に現れるのは、力強い翼を持った一頭の獣。霊山を越えた時に乗ったあの竜だ。 レアルが届く前に竜は翼を広げ、大地を駆ける。 「飛び乗る、舌を噛むなよ!」 助走を付け、途中の地面に突き刺さった剣を回収してから長い跳躍。本当にどんな筋肉してたらこんなスタントアクションが可能なのか。俺を背負ったレアルが飛び乗ると、竜は誰に言われるでもなく、それまでの助走の勢いのまま飛翔した。翼をはためかせ、わずかに宙に浮いたかと思えば、レアルの疾走よりも遙かな速度で空を駆ける。 彼我の距離がスタート地点からおよそ半分を切る。この時点で、炎の柱が消滅した。その先に姿を表したのは、豪華な装飾を施したローブを纏う一人の男。 魔力が膨れ上がり、術式が発動。尾を引く大きな炎の弾丸がこちらを迎え撃つ。 (発動までが早いッ) 魔力の気配がより顕著になるのは術式を構築し始める段階からだ。そして、用いる魔力が多ければ多いほど、術式が複雑で有ればあるほどに、始動から術式の発動までの時間が長くなる。 男が今まさに放った魔術は、始動から発動までのタイムラグがほとんどない。けれども『当たれば死ぬ』という直感の警報が鳴り響く。 「安心しろ、私が道を開く」 俺がとやかく口にする前に、レアルが応えた。そこに焦りは微塵すら無く、自信にあふれた一言だった。 ギラリと、彼女が片腕で携えた大剣が煌めく。雄々しくも暴力的な力の象徴が銀の光を煌めかせる。 炎は既に目前。このままでは直撃のコースだ。 「キュアアアアアアアアッッ!」 竜の彷徨が轟くと、あろうことか彼ーー今更だが雄か雌か?ーーは翼を畳み首をも胴に巻き付かせた。そんなことをすれば墜落必至。更にこんな超スピードでなどと大事故を自ら起こしているようなもの。驚きはまだ終わらない。竜は翼を畳む寸前に体勢を変化させ、勢いを付けて水平軸から僅かに逸れるように横回転をした。 ーーー斬ッ............。 俺の混乱を余所に、耳の端に音を拾う。 既にレアルは剣を振り切っていた。始まりは見ていなかったが、おそらく袈裟切りなのは終わりの体勢を見て推測。 僅かに遅れて、後方から爆発音。竜の体が横回転し、視界もそれに従う。自然と視界に入る背後では、渓谷に切り立つ両脇の壁それぞれの一部が大爆発を起こしていた。 未だ無事なこの身。そして後方で起こった二つの爆発。 炎をーー魔術を、斬り払いやがった! 天と地の判別が付かなくなり、まさに前後左右に上下すら曖昧になる空中でありながらも、俺は『そいつ』から片時も意識を逸らしていなかった。 爆発に煽られ、竜の背から放り出されたとしても、それまで竜が俺とレアルを運んでいた際に生じた『慣性』までは消せなかった。宙を飛ぶ翼は無くとも、俺の体は突き進む。 極寒の地に身一つで放り出されたような寒気に襲われた。氷壁を壊された反動の激痛が神経を焼く。 朦朧とする思考の中、千年の時を過ごす大精霊を思い出す。 「ガッ............ァァアアアアアアアアアアアアアア!!!!!」 意識が戻り力が漲り活力が全身を駆けめぐる。 奥底からこみ上げる心ーー魂の昂ぶりに、精霊は歓喜し応えてくれる! 直径にして三メートル。 厚みにして五メートル。 柄の長さは六メートルを超える。 超巨大の氷槌を生み出すに至った。 勝利の確信に至っていた男の表情が、凍りつく。 空中で身動きが取れない俺を粉砕せんと新たに術式を作っていたが、もう遅い。 両手で柄を握りしめ、全身で叩きつけるように大槌を振るう。 男の手が俺ではなく、振り下ろされる大槌に向けられた。 「ーーーーァァァァアアアアアアアアアアッッッッ!!!!」 大地を焦がすほどの超高温の暴虐はしかし、槌に触れた瞬間に刹那に消滅した。不発ではない。術式は間違いなく発動していた。ただ、大槌ーーそれを構成する氷の秘めた『超低温』が、発生しうる熱量の全てを吸収しただけだ。 最後に男と眼が合う。 怒りを込めた大槌を、俺は全力で叩きつけた。 氷の破壊槌は『小さな抵抗』を文字通り圧殺し、そのまま大地を粉砕した。小規模な地形変化が起こるほどの衝撃が地面を揺るがす。槌の着弾点を中心とした大地が割れ、隆起が起こった。 一つの命が潰れたのを感じ取ると、俺はそのまま意識を手放した。

It was four seconds before that I felt a human presence. three seconds, that I sensed a great amount of magic power. two seconds, that I caught sight of the magic power's source. one second, that the magic was unleashed. and, less than one second, that I poured every drop of spirit force into the spirit magic. around a tenth of a second, that the ice cliff was produced. a blaze hot enough to melt steel exploded. a joke like amount of explosive flames raged across the ice wall. adding to the burden of my brain that felt like it's boiling, I made ten great ice spears and shot them with great momentum just as I felt the fireball's heat subside though the enemy was not at a distance where my eyes can clearly catch his form for better or worse I remembered this guy's presence. there was no way I can forget. it was the strange magic power that appeared when Faima was attacked in town without an inch of error I set him as the target for the spirit magic. I confirmed the hit, not, just like last time a pillar of fire rose and blocked the spears. thought they managed to sustain their shape for a few seconds, that's all. the projectiles quickly lost their form and turned into water the enemy's magic power was still there. it didn't feel like it's decreased. but thanks to it being so enormous I could easily read his confusion. this guy still hadn't grasped the situation. as proof of that, although the spears were neutralized there was no sign of the flame pillar disappearing. the feedback of having something created using spirit magic destroyed, the wounds inflicted on my body.the flowing blood covered my left eye as a part of the skin of my head was torn apart. I endure the external pain and the internal stress with guts. I have to make my next move before that pillar disappears. I didn't know whether that's going to be a second or a minute away but the time I can spend thinking certainly wasn't long, the moment that pillar vanishes my chance vanishes with it. no matter what I must prevent the owner of that miscellaneous magic power from getting serious, hence there was a need to crush him before he regained his calm. I started collapsing as my knees give in, but I managed to get myself together. I lower the blackhair on the ground while at it. (TN: remember he was carrying the black haired girl since last chapter). except I no longer had the strength to stand. at this distance, I can't fire a powerful attack. the biggest advantage yet worst draw back of spirit magic is that it greatly depends on the psyche of the user. close range is one thing but long range attacks are quite unstable and the firepower lowers too "Rea.........l" the reason my tongue tangled up is that the connection between my mind and body is getting hazy.I mustered more guts is I opened my mouth "what should I do?" dependably, my partner answered my call. while the other four were lost for words and in a daze only she responded to my words. regardless of the enemy and the situation she just asked me what matters. my mouth naturally turned into smile "carry me..........and dive right in" "Accepted" as soon as she finished saying so, without a hint of hesitation, Real throws her sword which flies a little far away before piercing the ground. with a speed that made you doubt whether she really was carrying a human, she fetched me and started running along with the light of the formation a single beast with strong looking wings made it's appearance. it was the same dragon we rode on when we crossed Reizan. (TN : Reizan is the mountain where they met the great ice spirit) right before Real's arrival the dragon spread it's wings and started running. "we're jumping, careful not to bite your tongue" just as Real jumped while carrying me, the dragon, without being told by anyone accelerated into the sky. just when I think it's fluttering it's wings and floating, the dragon cut the wind with a speed much superior to Real's run. by the point we shortened the distance to a half, the flame pillar faded away. what came into view was a single man wearing a gorgeous robe, the man's raised hand was clearly aimed at us. the man's magic power swelled up and the magic activated. leaving a trail behind, a ma.s.sive bullet of fire came our way (he's fast) the more magic power you have and the more complicated the formula the longer it takes to invoke the magic yet the magic this man fired had almost no time lag between the start and invocation of the spell my hunch is telling me that getting hit by that means death "don't worry, I'll open the path" before I could even say anything Real answered me.there wasn't a fragment of impatience in that answer, rather her few words carried a sense of confidence. girari, the great sword in her hand glittered, the symbol of violent might glowed in silver the flame was already in front of us, it will be a direct hit as it is "kyuaaaaaaaaa!" the dragon roared and, it was kind of late at this point but is it male or female? folded it's wings and rubbed it's neck into it's torso. if you do such a thing you can't avoid cras.h.i.+ng. not to mention the speed we were flying at, it's the same as causing a big accident willingly. ki............. I picked such a sound at the tips of my ears different from the confused me Real was already swinging her sword, though I didn't see the beginning of it, I could guess the slas.h.i.+ng line from her posture the explosive sounds from behind. the dragon's body made a rotation and with it my field of vision. what spontaneously entered my sight from behind was the scene of some parts of the two sides of the valley blowing up. the two explosions behind me. she cut the flame, the magic, that's the only way to explain the phenomenon that took place. though my sense of direction was messed up as I danced in the air, something like averting my focus from that guy, I didn't although we were lunched in the air and I got tossed from the dragon's back the fact that we've reached the goal remained I was attacked by a cold sensation as if I was thrown with nothing on me into an intensely cold land. the feed back from losing the ice wall burned my nerves. inside my hazy consciousness, I remembered the thousand years old great spirit. she taught me that in spirit magic the image is originally secondary and what really matters is the strength of the will. an unshakable spirit. as long as you have that spirit magic can be used. "ga...........aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!" I regained my consciousness as I felt vitality returning to my body. the spirits rejoiced as they answered to the excitement of my soul three meters in diameter five meters in thickness with a length of more than six meters a great ice hammer was there. the face of the robe who had been a.s.sured of his victory freezes he started making a new magic to pulverize me before I land but it was already late I grab the handle with both hands and swing the great hammer with my whole body the man's hand was directed at the hammer rather than me, what was fired was the same annihilation magic that destroyed my ice twice before. maybe because the situation was quite extreme for him, there was practically no time lag between the magic power acc.u.mulation and the activation of the magic "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!" a temperature enough to melt the earth was released however, the instant it touched the hammer it was all dispersed. it wasn't a misfire the magic had certainly activated. it was merely that the ultra cold leaking from my hammer had sucked all the heat. right at the end it felt like my eyes met with the robe's. what his eyes showed was undoubtedly the color of despair I had unleashed a full swing of anger the annihilation hammer literally trampled the 'small resistance' pulverizing the ground along it. a shock big enough to produce small-scale changes in the topography shakes the earth. the land had split with the impact point as a center and an uplift occurred. the moment I felt the end of a life , I let go of my consciousness as it is.

「やったでござるなカンナ氏! 流石でござるよ」 クロエが狼尻尾をぶんぶん振り回して駆け寄ってくる。 「まだ勝った訳じゃぁないさ」 「けれども、これで人数の上では対等でござるよ」 数週間の訓練と勘の良さだけでは限界があり、地力の差は歴然だった。加えて精霊術に縛りを加えた状態だ。トリッキーな戦術が上手くハマったから良かったが、あのまましばらく続けていたら俺は護衛A、Bによって遠からず戦闘不能に追い込まれていたに違いない。 「あの坊ちゃんの実力はどうだ?」 「性根はともかくとして、言うだけはあるでござるな。軽く見積もってもCランクの実力は身につけているでござる。負ける気はしないでござるが、そう簡単に勝たせてはもらえないでござるな」 お金持ちでイケメンで実力保持者か。ちっ、リア充が。性格の点でそのすべてを帳消しにしさらにマイナス補正なので羨ましいとは思わないが。 「なるほど............。じゃ、相手の数も減ったし、ちょいと作戦変更だ」 俺が手短に作戦を伝えると、クロエは少しだけ躊躇うがすぐに頷いた。 もはや得意技となりつつある斧(決闘再開前に戻しておいた)の全力フルスイングを、喋っている途中の坊ちゃんにぶち込んだ。咄嗟に二本の剣でどうにか防ぐが質量差は歴然、坊ちゃんが吹き飛ぶ。この様子だと作戦とか考えず感情で俺の相手を選んだようだ。 吹き飛びながらも坊ちゃんは見事なバランス感覚で体勢を立て直すと剣を構えた 対峙する相手を入れ替えたのにはちゃんと意味がある。相性の問題だ。俺が残った護衛Bを相手にする場合、相手も警戒するだろうからもう下手な小細工は通用しないだろう。力押しをするにもあの強固な防御を突破するのは難しい。一方で、坊ちゃんは見た目や動きを重視していたのか出会った時そのままの格好。豪華ではあるがあからさまに護衛よりも防御力は低い装備だ。技量では俺の方が劣るだろうが、攻撃力で勝る為にごり押しも可能だ。 そして、クロエが護衛を引き受けてくれるなら俺は坊ちゃんとの相手に専念できる。クロエの技量なら護衛Bの防御を突破できなくても長時間粘り続けることが出来る。 「こ、このッ! 不意打ちとはどこまで卑怯なッ」 「ぐッ、この平民ーーーー」 「ぐぉッ!?」 斧を振るった隙を見て反撃にでようとする坊ちゃんの腹に、旋回させた斧の柄を突き込んだ。たぶん、「平民風情が!」とか言いたかったのだろうが、聞いてやる義理は無い。 今の攻撃は豪華な胸当ての部分に当たったのでダメージはない。感触からして護衛A、Bに当てたときと同じだ。あの胸当てもミスリル合金だ。傷の一つも付かない。 「た、たかがEランクのーーーー」 坊ちゃんの技量なら問題なく回避できたのに、どうしてそうしなかったのか。それは彼の冷静な判断力が俺の絶え間ない『口撃』によって失われているからだ。 「お行儀の良い決闘ごっこがしたいならお家に引きこもってママのおっぱいでもしゃぶってな!」 「こ、このッ」 「激オコプンプンってかッ? もう言葉もないって感じだな!」 精神論ですべてが片を付くほどに世の中は甘くはないが、その部分が結構な割合を占めているものまた否定できない。いかに超人的な能力を秘めていようが精神面が劣っていればそれは致命的な弱点になり得るのだ。 勝つための罵詈雑言は俺の数少ない得意技の一つである。 ーーーー確実に悪役スキルだが存外に気に入っている。 俺の『口撃』によって怒り狂う坊ちゃんが、憤怒に顔を赤黒くさせる。 「殺すッ! 貴様はこの手で切り刻んで殺してやる!」 クロエと戦っていたときの様になっていた剣戟はもはや見る影もなく、坊ちゃんはがむしゃらに剣を振り回す。 劣る者が勝利を掴むための鉄則の一つ。 ーーーー敵の精神を揺さぶり、全力を発揮させない。 ただでさえメンタルが弱いところに、卑怯な手(否定はしない)で護衛の一人を倒されたのだ。それまで相手をしていたクロエとはまるで違うタイプの俺が相手になったと、様々な要因が奴にとって悪い方向に傾いた。 クロエの言ったとおり、坊ちゃんは普通に強い。そこは素直に認める。正面から戦えば勝てるかどうか、という相手だ。 けれどもとことんまで煽られたお坊ちゃんを相手にするのは素人よりも容易い。二剣による絶え間ない連携も隙のない攻撃ももはや存在しない。武器を両手にそれぞれ持つ利点を手放した隙だらけの攻撃にならば、技量の劣る俺とて対処できる。 闇雲に振るわれた右の剣に向けて、俺は『待ってました』と力を込めた斧の一撃を重ねた。 ゴギンッと鈍い音を立てて、坊ちゃんの手から剣が弾き飛ばされる。どうやら握りも甘くなっていたらしい。 「ガアアァッ!」 意味ある言葉すら発せなくなったのか、獣じみた声で吠えると坊ちゃんは逆の剣を強引に振るった。斧を思いっきり振るった後なので反撃も出来ず、だが余裕を持って後退してそれを避けた。 坊ちゃんも俺の動きと同時に、同じく距離を離すように後退し、剣を失った右手を腰の後ろに回した。その部分には、小物を入れる為のポーチ状の袋が下げられており、そこに手を突っ込んだのだ。そして、再び右手が俺の視界に入ったとき、手の中には俺が予想もしなかった代物が握られていた。 ファンタジーの世界には余りにも不釣り合いなその器物。 ーーーー拳銃だ。 彼我の距離は斧の間合いからは離れている。今から踏み込んでも間に合わない。こちらがあちらに届く前に奴の拳銃から発射された弾丸が俺を穿つ。 坊ちゃんが浮かべた表情は、憤怒の中にありながらも勝利を確信した笑みだ。整った顔立ちを醜く歪めるほどに口の端っこを歪めている。 実は、坊ちゃんが腰の後ろに手を回した時点で既に俺は投擲のフォームを開始していた。そして、銃を取り出して構えた時点でもやは投げる直前だ。いつかのようにやり投げの要領で発射したのである。 多分、最後に坊ちゃんが笑ったのは、勝利の確信と冷静を失った思考で俺がどのような恰好をしていたのか、視界に収めていながらもそれを判断できていなかったのだろう。 別に、坊ちゃんがまさか銃を持っていたのを予想していたわけではなく。ただ単に普通に斧の投擲でトドメを刺そうとしただけだ。 斧を投げちゃいけないなどと誰が言った? ーーーーそろそろ、本格的に槍投げの練習をしていた方が今後便利かもしれないと思い始める。 顔面に斧をめり込ませた坊ちゃんは、派手に転倒した斧の先端は尖っているタイプではなく平べったいので死にはしないだろう。それでも鼻は完全に折れたかな。不細工になった顔からは鼻血が結構な勢いで流れており、完全に意識は途絶えている。 嫌な予感は多分、坊ちゃんが最後に隠し持っていた拳銃だったのだろう。取り出されたのが最後の最後で良かった。 「完・全・勝・利ッ!」 ビシッと、ポーズを決めてみる。 正直、ここまで持ってくるのに多少は手こずると思っていたが、蓋を開ければ特に目立った難所もなく、初っぱなからこちらのペースだ。決闘開始と同じ相手と戦っていたらこうまで簡単には終わらなかった。策がハマりすぎてテンションがおかしいレベルに到達している。だが、テンションがマックスでありながらも戦いの調子を崩さないこの精神構造は俺の数少ない長所の一つだ。 はて、妙に場が静かだな。俺が坊ちゃんの相手をしている間にも、クロエは護衛Bと激しい攻防を繰り返していたはず。こちらの不真面目極まりないやり取りとは一線を介する、実力が伯仲した見応えバッチリの戦いだ。現実世界では立派に興行収入が得られるぐらいの。 気になってそちらに目を向けると、どうしてかクロエも護衛Bもだ。そしてあろう事か主審の婆さんや副審の試験官。ついでに女性職員さんもを口をぽかんと開けて俺の勝利のポーズに目を向けていた。 ーーーーふむ、どうやら俺の勝ち様に見蕩れているのか。 結局、護衛の二人はろくに喋らなかったな。

[yatta, Kanns.h.i.+, you did it de gozaru na! As one would expect de gozaru yo.] Chloe rushed over to me with her tail wagging around. [You haven't won yet, calm down black wolf girl.] [But now we have equal number of people de gozaru yo.] Moreover, I'm in a situation where I can't fully use my Spirit Art. Although the surprise tactic worked well in my favor, if that situation continued on for a little while longer, I would've been driven to a corner by armor A and B. [What about botchan's ability?] [His disposition aside, his skills are genuine de gozaru na. Even a rough estimation would place him among C-rank de gozaru. This one will not lose to him but a swift victory will not be easy de gozaru na.] I'm not jealous though. After all, his character negates all the points from the attributes, and continue taking it further into minus zone. [I see...... Now then, since we have less opponents, let's change our strategy.] When I told her the strategy, she hesitated a little before nodding in agreement. I unleash my signature full power swing towards the swearing botchan using the axe (which I transformed back before restarting the duel). Though he tried to defend against it using his swords, the difference in ma.s.s is apparent. It seems that he chose me as an opponent based on emotion, and not because of a strategy. While he was being blown away, botchan splendidly recovered his stance with a superb sense of balance. As for me, I had my reason for switching with Chloe. Its a compatibility issue. If I continue against the remaining armor B, he will be more vigilant and that will render my petty tricks useless. Breaking through that solid defense is difficult by using only brute force. With Chloe taking care of the remaining armor, I can fully concentrate on botchan. Even if she can't break through armor B's defense, with her level of ability, Chloe can keep him company for a long time. [Y-you! How cowardly can you go with your surprise attacks.] [gh, you lowly--] [Guho-!?] Seeing a gap in my combo, botchan tried to slip in a counter but I prevented it by thrusting my axe handle to his stomach. He probably wanted to say [lowly plebeian] but I don't have any obligation nor motivation to ask. The attack just now struck his gorgeous armor, so he took no damage. Additionally, that armor produces the same reaction I received from attacking armor A and B. Its also mithril alloy huh. There is not a single scratch on it. [a mere E rank--] That's because I keep shaving away his mental points with my incessant [verbal attack]. [If ya wanna have a well-mannered duel, ya should just stay at home and suck on mama's t.i.ts!] [Y-you!] [Aww, is oko-chan being angry? How cute. Can't find any words to your feelings, can you oko-chan...] No matter the world, breaking down a person's psyche is not an easy feat. It also can't be denied that psyche accounts for considerable part of a person's life. [Verbal attack] is one among the few signature move that I possess. Beyond any doubt its from a villain skillset but unexpectedly, I quite like it. Botchan who was on the receiving end of my [verbal attack], was now in a fit of anger. His face deep red from indignation. [Kill! I'll kill you and chop you up!] Lost to his rage, botchan swings his sword haphazardly. A mere shadow from the flurry of blows he displayed during his bout with Chloe. An ironclad rule to obtain victory for one who is in inferior position. Rattle your enemy's spirit and mind to prevent them exerting their full might. For example, armor A was defeated using cowardly means (not gonna deny) when he was still in a daze. Unlike Chloe whom he fought just before, I am a different type of combatant. Various factor works in tandem against botchan from the moment he chose to fight me. As Chloe said, botchan is strong, in his normal condition. I'll be honest and admit that. If I fought him head-on, I'm not sure I can win. He's that strong. However, dealing with an enraged botchan right now is even easier compared to fighting a rookie. His swings now bear little semblance to his original battle style, a continuous coordination of attacks between two swords that covers any gap in his defense. Against an enemy who doesn't utilize all his available weapons effectively, even an unskilled me can steal a victory. Aiming towards his right hand sword, which botchan swings haphazardly, I [waited] for this chance as I hit it with my full force blow. With a metallic sound, a sword was blown away from botchan's hand. Apparently, his grip was also affected. [GRAAAAAAA!] He can't even scream meaningful words now. While howling like a beast, botchan swing his remaining sword forcibly. I can't retaliate immediately after doing a full swing, but I can avoid it easily. The other side has one sword left. Furthermore, he completely lost his composure. The rest can be dealt with brute force. Moving at the same time I did, botchan retreated a few step behind. His now free right hand moves behind his back. I can see a small pouch attached to his waist. Botchan proceeded to thrust his hand into the pouch. When his right hand was fully visible again, he was holding onto something I truly did not expect to see. Its an instrument far too disconnected to the reality of this fantasy world. A pistol. Full of killing intent fueled by anger, botchan points the muzzle towards me. He's aiming straight between my eyebrows. He was too far out of my range. I won't make it even if I rush in now. No doubt the bullet would pierce my head before I could reach him. Botchan had a confident villainous smile on his face despite him clearly in rage, as though his victory had been set in stone. His crooked smile was so twisted, it even manage to deform that ikemen face. And then... In fact, I had already started the motion of throwing the axe when botchan was retreating. And then, when the gun was taken out, that was just before the axe left my hand. I threw it the same way one would throw a javelin. Perhaps, the reason botchan was smiling not unlike a villain earlier was because he was so convinced in his victory and wanted to burn my final moments into his eyes. To that end, he was oblivious of everything else. Adding that to his lost of composure resulted in botchan seeing my action but unable to comprehend it. Its not like I expected botchan to possess a handgun. No one said anything about [can't throw your weapon away] From here on out, I should earnestly start practicing my throwing form huh. Botchan who received an axe with his face flas.h.i.+ly tumbled over but he won't die. After all, the axe I made this time had a flat tip. Nevertheless, his nose got broken completely. With blood flowing out of his broken nose, botchan now sports an ugly expression in his unconscious state. My bad feeling earlier, perhaps came from the hidden gun botchan had prepared. I'm glad it was brought out at the last minute. [Complete! Victory!] Declaring so, I strike a pose. To be honest, I had thought that coming to this point would be a lot tougher. But once the battle had started, there was no particularly dangerous moment. After all, the battle flow had been in my control from the start. It wouldn't be so easy if I were to fight the same opponent as before. The duel area is strangely quiet. Even while I'm busy dealing with botchan, Chloe must have been in a fierce battle against armor B. From the way he skillfully handled my underhanded tactics, I'm sure they will exhibit an evenly matched display of true capability. Back on earth, they are most certainly capable of generating a box-office-hit level of income. When I tried to peek at them, for some reason, both Chloe and armor B were looking back at me. Looking around, even basan, the examiner and the healer did the same. While I'm at it, the female staff had her jaw dropped with a shocked expression while looking at me still making my victory pose. Apparently they are captivated by my magnificent victory pose. Still affected by my tension level Max, I thought that was the case. -- In the end, both the armors did not utter a single word.

第一話 既にお城は脱出しました--癒し系飛竜の上で状況説明 どうも、神城カンナです。今年で十七の高校二年生。絶賛彼女募集中の健康優良思春期男子。 突然ですが、現在俺は『ドラゴン』の上で絶賛空中遊泳中。 .........竜と書いてドラゴンです。決してドラゴンという名の飛行機ではありません。長い首に鋭い牙。堅い鱗に背中の両翼。しかもどうしてか、つぶらな瞳がチャーミングな生物です。 「ん? どうした?」 数えるのもめんどくさくなるほどに現実逃避していた意識を引き戻したのは、俺の前に座る少女だ。太陽を反射して輝く銀の髪は美しい細工を連想させ、大きな双眸には宝石をはめ込んだような碧眼。整った顔立ちと合い勝り、人間離れした美貌を持っていた。 ──訂正、そもそも『人』でなかった。証拠は、彼女の長い髪から長くとがった耳が伸びていることだ。偽物でないのは、時折ピコピコと動く様子から見て取れる。 「あ、いや。ちょっと現実逃避してたわ」 「またか? まぁ、君の身の上を思えば、無理もないかもしれんが」 ポリポリと頭を掻く俺に、彼女は苦笑した。 「それよりもどうだ、こいつの乗り心地は」 「尻が痛い以外は問題ない。景色も良いしな」 「済まんな。なにぶん急に召喚したせいで、鞍の準備ができていなかったようだ。普段はもっとまともな装備を用意しているのだが」 「あの状況で脱出できただけでも上等じゃね? 俺の尻の痛みぐらい、どうってことねぇさ。肌触りも良いし」 さわさわと、竜の背を撫でてやる。堅いは堅いのだが、は虫類と同じでさらさらとした肌触りが堪らない。蛇は手触りがヌルヌルしているように思われるが、アレは動きだけを見ている為の誤解で、実際には病みつきになる触り心地なのだ。 俺の撫でた感触に、竜は「キュイキュイ」と可愛らしい声で鳴いた。なにこの癒し系。愛らしすぎる。 「こいつは少々人見知りでな。私以外にはあまり気を許さないのだが、君は気に入られたようだ」 「不思議と動物には好かれるんだよな、昔から」 「それは得な体質だな」 「前に、大量の猫が津波のように押し寄せてきたことがあるけどな」 「それは..................羨ましいな」 羨望の視線が送られてくる。どうやら猫好きらしい。だがいやいや。 「全身に纏わり付かれると、体温と毛玉のせいで暑いんだこれが」 冬なら暖房いらずだが、夏だと意識が飛ぶレベルの熱気が籠もる。 「ーーところで、こっちの猫って体長が三十センチ............じゃ伝わらねぇか。このぐらいの大きさの毛むくじゃらで、こんな耳を付けた四足歩行する可愛い動物、であってるか?」 俺は手で猫の平均的な大きさの幅を作ってから、頭の上に手で猫の耳の真似をする。一見するとふざけたジェスチャーに見えるかもしれないが、彼女は笑わずに真摯に頷いてくれる。 「ああ、基本的にはそうだな。ただ、実物を見てくれないと正確には判断できないと思うが。基本は可愛らしい小動物だ」 俺がどうしてこんな妙な質問とジェスチャーをしたかというと、俺の中の『猫』と彼女が『猫』と認識している動物に差異がないかを確認するためだ。 みなさんはもう気づいていらっしゃるでしょう。たぶん、最初のドラゴン発言あたりから察しは付いていたかと思います。というか、長耳銀髪碧眼美女の時点で確定的か。 そう、俺は現在異世界にいたりします。 異世界にいちゃったりします! 大事なので二回。 はい、異世界に召喚された神城カンナです。 中二病乙? いやいや、これが中二病の妄想からくる幻覚症状ならどれだけよかったか。そりゃぁ、中二病的な展開にあこがれがないと言えば大嘘である。異世界に勇者として召喚され、旅で出会った仲間達とともに魔王やらなんやらに立ち向かうヒロイックファンタジーにあこがれた事は間違いなくある。今だって時折チラッと考えることはあった。 が、リアルはマジ困る。二次元は二次元であるからこそ娯楽なのだ。三次元にまで浸食したらしゃれにならん。 そして、しゃれにならない状況に陥ったのが、現在の我が身である。 .....................まぁ、やはり現実と妄想は違うようで、勇者として召喚された時点までは、まぁテンプレートな展開だったのだが、そこから先がまぁ酷いこと酷いこと。 余りに酷すぎて割愛するが、なんやかんやで出会ったのが、目の前の長耳銀髪碧眼美女。名前はレアル・ファルベール。ごらんの通り、人間ではありません。が、この世界に召喚されて最も心暖かい人間味あふれる人なのは間違いない。最初が悪すぎた。あそこまで悪いのは人生で始めてである。 やはり簡単な順序だけでも説明しておこう。 まず始めに、俺は学校で授業を受けていた。 で、いきなり光に包まれて異世界に召喚された。 何の前振りなし。今日の晩飯なににするかなぁと退屈な授業を退屈に受けていた最中である。酷すぎる。 異世界に召喚され、混乱の極みに達していた俺の目の前には、『それまで』生で見た中では間違いなく一番美しい美女だった。 んでもって、やはり「勇者よ、この世界をお救いください」てきな懇願。もうね、あれだけの美女に涙目でお願いされたら、並の男なら二つ返事に「まかせておけ!」と答えていたに違いない。だって、最初は俺だって「世界でも何でも救ってやらぁ!」と叫びそうになった。 ところが不思議なことに、喉元まで出てきていた叫びが、美女をもう一度目にした瞬間に押し止められた。口から音が発せられる前に、背中を極寒の冷気が駆け抜けたからだ。液体窒素をぶちまけられたかのような凄まじい寒気に、俺は瞬間的に大量の冷や汗が背中を伝う。 再度、改めて美女を見た。 そして気づいたのだ。 彼女の瞳の奥にある、凄まじいほどの『黒さ』に。 そこから先はまぁ、いろいろあった。 で、なんやかんやで召喚されたお城からの脱出決意した俺は、迷い込んだ牢屋で、捕らわれの身だったレアルと出会いこれを救出し、ともに逃走を敢行。城の外に何とかでられた俺たちは、レアルがその場で召喚したドラゴンの背に乗り、無事に脱出を果たしたのである。 割と「勘だけは良い』と人からは言われていた。ポーカーやら麻雀等の賭事は強い方だったと思う。人の機微には聡い方だったのかもしれない。が、今回のは極め付けすぎる。あんな冷や汗掻いたことがない。 レアルから聞くところによると、彼女が捕らえられたのはあの美女のしでかしたことらしい。清純そうに見えて腹黒だという。 むしろ、腹黒であるからこそ清純を装っているのか。だとすると黒さのレベルがハンパない。己の美貌すら利用する黒さ。いろいろな意味で黒すぎる。 「で、どうするんだカンナ。この先宛はあるのかい?」 「むしろ逆に聞きたい。俺はこれからさきどうすりゃいいんだ?」 「いや、私が質問しているんだが.................................。私の方はとりあえず故郷に帰還するのが当面の目的になるが」 とりあえず、あの超激辛腹黒姫(お姫様だったらしい)の元から逃げ出すことしか考えていなかったので、逃げた先からなにも考えていない。ただ、あのままあの城に留まっていたら、偉い目にあったには違いない。勇者だよ、勇者。波瀾万丈間違いなしだ。波瀾万丈させるから勇者呼び出すんだよ。 「まったく、思慮が深いのか行き当たりばったりなのか、よくわからない男だな、君は」 「よく言われる」 「よく言われてるのかッ」 本当によく言われている。 ちなみに、レアルの口調が男っぽいのは、男を気取っているわけではなく、彼女が『騎士』だかららしい。男所帯の中で育ったせいで自然と身についてしまったとか。 牢屋に捕らわれていた当初は、薄手の肌着一枚で錠に両手を拘束された格好だった。俺の中の美女ランキングはそれを見た瞬間、彼女が第一位となった。あの腹黒姫? 外見だけだ。中身を加味してワースト一位に決まっている。 話がずれた。現在の彼女は、軽快な動きを重視した、急所を重点的に守るライトアーマー。そして傍らには、身の丈にも達するほどの巨大な剣。どちらも捕まった際に奪われたらしいが、幸いにも城内に保管されていたので奪還に成功。その時に剣の方は実際に持たせてもらったが、見た目の通りに凄まじく重い。 「とりあえず、表立って追っ手が来ることは、まぁあるまい。君も私も、この国にあってはならない存在だからな。存在を喧伝するような真似はするまい」 「あ、そういえばそんなこと言ってたな。何故に?」 「この『平和』なご時世に『勇者』などという最大戦力を異世界から呼び出したと他国に知れ渡れば「戦争を仕掛けますよ」と言っているようなものだ。おそらくは秘密裏に呼び出し、どこかしらに送り出して先手を打とうと考えたのだろう。その時、君には「敵は侵略者」などと嘘を囁かれていたかもしれんな」 「怖っ。割と平和主義な男なのですがね俺は!」 「........................衛兵に迷わず跳び蹴りをかます男は、平和主義者といえるのか?」 「平和主義者と非戦闘主義は別物なのですよ」 己の平穏は己で勝ち取るべき。座右の銘です。 「私の方は私の方で、色々とな。おそらく『外交』の『切り札』として利用する算段だったはずだ。余り認めたくはないが、私にはそれだけの価値がある。だが、こちらもあくまで秘密裏に、密約としてだ。表だって私を利用すれば、間違いなく周辺国から反感を買う」 「聞いてると、かなり野心溢れてる国だな。溢れすぎじゃね?」 本当に逃げ出せてよかったと、改めて認識する俺だった。

Chapter 1 : Sudden escape from the castle -- Soothing on top of a flying dragon & explaining the situation. Greetings, this is Kamis.h.i.+ro Kanna. 17 years old, coursing through his 2nd year of high school and like any healthy adolecent boy, I would like a girlfriend. You might consider this sudden, but right now I'm flying across the skies on top of a {dragon} . By dragon I mean what j.a.panese would put it as Long . Not a codename that some combat planes might get from time to time; but a creature that has sharp tusks, long neck, hard scales and huge wings on it's back. But what is it that, the pupil of the eyes are charming like that of a cute creature? [N? What is it?] It's certainly too much of a bother to keep numerating things as I would like to drift away from reality, my awareness is brought back by this girl who is sitting in front of me. A beauty who resembles works of art with radiant silver hair which reflects the s.h.i.+ning sunlight; with two big blue eyes that could pa.s.s as precious stones, nice orderly features and a gorgeous appearance; she is a beauty which is as if it almost departs from human race; is there waiting. -- Correction, in the first place {human} is not applicable in this case. It's enough to glimpse at the sharp, long ears that extend from her long hair; of course they are not fake as they do tremble from time to time as if to give evidence of their actual autenticity. [Ah, nah. I was just escaping reality for a while] [Again? Well, thinking of what you have been through; that might not be strange at all] To the me who was scratching his own head, this girl directed a smile. [But more than that, isn't this guy quite the comfortable ride?] [If there is no issue with the pain in the a.s.s when sitting; one can enjoying a pleasant scenery] [Sorry, since it was summoned so suddenly there it was no chance to arrange something to use as saddle. Normally, I prepare proper equipement in advance] [The first priority was to get away from that situation, right? Then my a.s.s hurting a little is no problem at all. Oh, and the texture is nice to the touch] While rustling a little I touch the back of the dragon. If one just judges by looking, it would seem as if it's hard and very hard at that; like any reptile, it can't possibly be said that it has a smooth skin and the touch feels slippery like that of a snake; but that's a misunderstanding if one only looks. It's easy to become absorbed in the sensation transmitted by touching it directly. Due to feeling me petting it, the dragon lets out a cute [kyui kyui] as if it's the singing voice of a bird like. Just how soothing is this? Quite lovely. [This guy is a little bit shy to strangers and not counting me it really doesn't pay much attention to others. It seems it's attached to you] [Ever since young, for some reason or the other; animals are quite fond of me] [That's a good const.i.tution] [Once, there it was this one time where a large amount of cats collided with me as if it was the tidal wave of a tsunami] [That's.................. Extremely enviable] Eyes of envy are directed at me, it looks like she is a cat lover. In truth, it's not all that nice. [Having your whole self covered and with all of that fur, the body temperature rises a lot] In winter the heat is nice and all, but in summer it can get hot enough that it wouldn't be weird to faint. [--By the way, here cats are small animals that go for like 30 centime............ no, that might not be here. They are for about this big covered in fur, the have ears like this and walk in four legs and they are quite cute life forms, they exit here?] I draw the size of an average cat with my hands, imitate the shape of the ears on my head. At first glance they look like gestures of me s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g around, but this girl puts an earnest face and nods without laughing [Aa, there is something like that. I don't think I can give a conclusive opinion without seeing it,, but it's mainly a small and cute animal, right?] The reason of why I would enact such weird gestures is because I want to make sure that what I recognize as a {cat} and what she recognizes as a {cat} are the same exact thing. Dear audience, you might have long realized it already. Probably from the onset where I brought up the word dragon; or rather, the bit with the beauty with long ears, silver hair, blue eyes might have been decisive. Yes, I'm currently in another world. I'm currently in another world; since it's important, it might as well be said twice. Oh yeah, this is the Kamis.h.i.+ro Kanna who has been summoned to another world. Thanks for the chunnibyou? Nah nah, if it was just wild ideas that sprouted from an halluciniation due to chunnibyou, that would be a joyious thing rather. If I try to say that I wouldn't enjoy any of those chunni like developments, that would be just a huge lie. To be summoned to another world as a hero, travelling while experiencing encounters with your companions for the sake of oppossing the demon lord which would be the basic standard in heroic fantasy. Even at this age, sometimes I think about stuff like that even if it's just a little. But when it actually happens, it's truly some serious trouble. The two dimensions can be entertainment because they stay in the two dimensions; when they actually corrode into the 3D world, it doesn't become something you can joke around with. And to fall into that you can joke around with state of affairs; is where I am right now. ..................... Well, it's quite true that reality and illusion are different. It was to the point were I was summoned as a hero, the template was fulfilled up to there; after that it became heinous thing after heinous thing. It's actually because it's heinous that I'm going to omit a large chunk of it. The bottom line is that I ended up face to face with this beauty of long silver hair, long ears and blue eyes whose name is Real Farbell. As you might have realized, she is not from the human race and I should add that ever since the summoning, she is by far the person who has been the most overflowing with human compa.s.sion and warm heart that I have met; there is no room for discussion here. From the get go it was the very worst, it was by far the worst thing I have experienced in my life. As expected, is better if I go with a simple explanation of the sequence of events.... At fist, I was just attending cla.s.ses in school. Suddenly, I was surrounded by light and summoned to another world. There it was obviously no prior notice while I was entertaining the thought of what to dine today to combat the boredom of being in cla.s.s; that's too cruel. After being summoned to another world, in front of me who had reached the absolute peak of confussion; at such juncture stood the one who for me {at that time} became the number one beauty that I have ever seen in my life. Be as it may, as expected the [Hero, please save this world!] line popped up. Naturally, if a girl who looks that pretty pledges you with teary eyes; the average guy will let out an immediate [leave it to me!] response. Even I at first was about to let out something like [I'll do something about saving this world!] out of my mouth.... It might be something mysterious, but that line was stopped by that very same beauty even before the words could let my throat as I took a second glance at her. A strong, cold chill ran through my back, a tremendous s.h.i.+ver with an intensity as if liquid nitrogen was poured on me, right away cold sweat started running through my back. Exactly because I saw that beauty more calmly. And then I realized. That dreadful something {black} that laid in the back of her eyes. And after that, well; several things started from there. Eventually, somehow or the other I was certain that I had to escape from the castle where I was summoned, losing my way in the dungeon; I released Real who I found was imprisioned there. Deciding to break out together, we somehow managed to leave the castle and it was at that point that Real summoned a Dragon for us to ride, putting a safe end to our escapade. In a way, I could be described as someone with a [quite the good intuition} . When betting on poker or stuff like mahjong, I think I'm strong, and I believe I'm someone sharp towards human sensibilities. But, this time it was too much of a large portion, I had never had a sweat as cold as that one. According to what the story went, Real was captured by that beauty and arbitrarily framed. It doesn't matter how innoncent she seems at first glance, in the end she was just wicked. Probably, is exactly because she is wicked that she is pretending to be completely innoncent, and if that's so then her level of darkness can only be described as 'completely died'; a level of wickedness where she decides to make use even of her own beauty and that just shows how she is too dark in too many ways. [Well, what will you do now, Kanna? Do you have any objectives?] [Rather than asking me I would like to hear the opposite; just who can tell me what am I supposed to do from now on?] [No, well if I'm asked what I would do now.................................. In my case, my current purpose is returning to my hometown] For the time being, I could only care about getting away from that super wicked black princess (she might even have been a true princess after all); so I could not spare any leasure on thinking what to do after escaping. It's just that, if I had stayed in the castle; there is no doubt that it would have turned into something horrible. A hero, a brave; without a doubt a storm full of drama has been unleashed already and it was a storm full of drama huge enough that they had to call a hero to deal with it. [Really, whether you are someone who acts after deep consideration, or if you are someone who haphazardly pushes on, I don't really get which of those you are in the end] [I get told that a lot] [You get told that a lot!?] But it's true that I get said that a lot. In case if there is any doubt, Real tone of expression is somewhat male like and it's not like she is putting on airs of being a man, but that she comes out as a {knight} ; as if it's a natural consequence of a girl having being raised in an all-male household. Originally when I saw her in jail, she was in thin underwear only and with her hands restrained through a wodden tablet. The moment I saw her, my internal beautiful girl ranking was completely overturned and gained a new first place. The wicked princess? For that one, even when factoring her appearance; since the contents which are an absolute worst are considered, that sends her to the indisputed last place; that's obvious. Changing the subject, Real's appearance is now a light armor that emphasizes mobility and protects only the vital points; she also has a great sword which is for about as tall as she is. Those two items were taken away at the time of her arrest, but fortunately were inside the castle and it was possible to recover them. At that time, there it was this chance where I actually had to hold her sword, and just as it looks it's incredibly heavy. [In any event, it's not like they can officially organize a pursue party; the two of us don't have any evidence of residence in this country and they can't afford to reveal that we were there] [Ah, so to say; you sound really certain of that, why is that?] [If in this current time of {peace} , the large powers get to hear that a {hero} was called for; that would be the same as telling them [prepare for war] . Surely the ritual was made in secrecy and behind closed doors, they probably have already thought ahead on were to dispatch you. And at that time, you'll likely be told lies in the lines of [the enemy are invaders] to get you to act] [Scary. I am a man whose inclination is towards pacifism] [........................ Would a man who gives a flying kick to a guard without any moment of doubt, ever be described as a pacifist?] [Pacifism and non-combatant doctrines are actually different things] You should earn your own peace, that's my motto. [In my case I have my own circ.u.mstances, there is really plenty to consider. Probably, I was being kept to use as a {trump card} for {diplomacy} ... I don't like to be reminded of it, but I do hold that much value. Additionally, they also surely had wanted to use me as a deal under the table. This goes without a doubt for this land that has already earned a lot of antipathy from the surrounding countries] [Now that I hear it; this is probably a country overflowing with strong ambition. Is it noticeable?] Once again I realize that I was really glad that I managed to escape.

第二十六話 醜悪な装飾品 死骸の処理を終えた俺たちは、ランドの元へ向かった。馬車から少し離れた位置にある大きめの岩に、覆面を背を預ける形で座らせている。もちろん、両手と両足には俺が作った氷の錠が填められている。顔は伏せられているので表情は窺えないが、髪の毛は俺と同じ黒色だ。 「おっさん、何か分かったか?」 「カンナ君か。ゴブリンの処理は終わったようだな。お嬢様もお疲れさまです」 「労いは結構。それよりも進展は?」 「あまりありません。身につけている物はどこにでも手にはいるようなのが殆どですし、顔も覚えが有りません。少なくとも、襲撃者達と我々との直接的な関わりは無いと思われます」 大岩の側には、横たわった三つの死体。覆面の顔は既に明かされていたが、俺も見覚えはない。異世界に来てから一ヶ月程度だ、これで見覚えのある顔だったらそれはそれで大問題だ。 「そう。生き残りの意識は?」 「それもまだ。強い衝撃を受けたショックで意識を失ったので。ただ、全身打撲以外は酷い怪我を負ったわけではないので、もう少しすれば目が覚めるでしょう」 「ご免なさい。手加減をしている暇が無かったの」 「それは贅沢を望みすぎです。生きて捕縛できただけでも良しとしておきましょう」 二人が生き残りの側で話し合っている間に、俺は死んでいる三人の方に寄った。レアルもその後に続く。 そちらの方には、アガットが膝を着き、死体を調べていた。 「お疲れさま」 「............ちっ、貴様か」 もう好感度が下落の底辺に行き着いているな。 「アガット殿。人の顔を見るなりその態度はいささか無礼が過ぎないか?」 「............それは失礼した」 咎めるレアルに、アガットは言葉だけで謝罪を述べる。や、謝る気まったくないよね。顔こっち向いてないし、言葉もレアルに向けてるし。俺の顔はこっちですよ? まぁ、彼のご機嫌を伺うつもりも無いので、俺はアガットの態度も気にせず死体の側にしゃがむ。 「とりあえず、南無」 自分で殺した相手とは言え、手を合わせても罰は当たるまい。この程度でこいつらに対する減刑は望めないが、こちらの気持ちだけは多少楽になる。 形だけの黙祷を済ませ、俺は早速死体に注目する。 覆面やローブは取り払われており、軽鎧も外されている。それだけを見れば普通の町民。腹部や胸に明いた大穴がなければ、眠っているようにも見える。穴を開けたのは俺なのだが。肉体はそれなりに鍛えられているようで、肩幅も広いし腕も太い。 「............ん?」 視線で死体の身体をなぞっていると、ある一点に違和感を覚える。 魔力を感じたときと同じ気配だ。だが、人の存在として感じる『魔力の気配』とはまた違う。どちらかと言えばファイマが術式を使ったときの魔力の動きに似ている。 「............ちょいと失礼しますよっと」 俺は小さく言葉で謝ると、死体の衣服を「剥ぎ取った」。正確にはまず、腹部に穴が開いた死体の服を破く。 「なっ、貴様っ! 死者を辱めるつもりかっ!?」 例のごとく、アガットの叫びはガン無視。 それよりも、俺の注目は露わになった死体の素肌。正確には、血の気の失せた死体の、胸元辺り。案の定というか、人間の体には似つかわしくない物が存在していた。 俺に視線を向けていたアガットは気が付かなかったが、それよりも先にレアルが目を見開き小さく驚きの声を上げた。 「なぁレアル。最近のファッションにこんな物って有るのか?」 「............いや、このような醜悪な装飾品は無いな」 そこに有るのは、光沢を放つ宝石だった。職人の手で加工されたと一目で分かる美しさを持っており、素人目にもこれが一級品の価値を持っていると判断できた。これが、人間の肌に「直に埋め込まれて」いなければ、素直に職人の腕を賞賛できただろう。 俺とレアルの硬い表情からようやく事態を察したのか、アガットも死体に目を向け、肉体に埋没した宝石を目にして驚愕する。 「これはッ............」 「アガット殿、やはりこれは」 「............ああ、凶悪な犯罪者を牢獄に収監する際、その行動を抑止する為の手段だ。戦闘力が高い者を拘束する場合、簡単な処置では力尽くで脱走するからな。拘束具の他に、特殊な術式を込めた宝石を身体に埋め込むのだ。効果は様々だが大概の場合、身体能力を制限した上で違反行為を行った瞬間、全身に激痛が走る仕組みになっている。もっと酷い類になると、特定の行動を行った瞬間に即死するモノもある」 「つまり、こいつらは何かしらの犯罪を行った咎人ってことか」 「一概にそうとも言えん。だが、こいつらは行動に何かしらの制限を負っていたのは間違いあるまい」 元々物騒な展開だったが、これで一気にキナ臭さが増したな。 「無理矢理従わされてた............って場合もあり得るか」 「あまり考えたくはないが、な」 「最悪だな畜生」 人様の命を狙うのを生業とする外道なら、そいつらの命を散らすのに罪悪感は抱かない。だが、そうせざるえない状況に落とされた者の命ともなれば別だ。 腹の奥に重たい『何か』がのし掛かる。 俺がその重みで動けない間に、レアルとアガットが残りの二人の衣服を破ると、やはり同じくそれぞれの身体に宝石が埋め込まれていた。 「我々では判別つかないが、どれもが同じ処置が施されていると見て間違いないだろう」 「俺たちだけでは判断ができん。お嬢様とランドさんに指示を仰ぐしかないな。おそらく、生き残りの一人にも同じことがなされているはずだ」 俺たちは再度ランド達の方に向かうと、彼らに死体に施された宝石のことを話した。二人とも驚くが、すぐさま生き残りの服を切り裂き、胸元を露わにする。 「............また『隠れ』かい」 なんと、最後の生き残りは『女』だった。ようやく見ることができた顔はまさしく女性のもの。造りは現実世界風で言えば東洋系だ。髪も黒だし、日本人と言えば信じてしまいそうだ。 そして、露わになった胸元には白く細い布ーー所謂サラシがグルグル巻きにされているのだが、その奥に納められているのは窮屈そうな二つの山。まさしく巨乳だった。 「この世界に来てから巨乳がインフレ起こしすぎだろうよ」 や、非常に嬉しいと言えば嬉しいのだが、釈然としない。 隠れ巨乳二人目であるはともかくとして、問題なのは彼女の胸元に埋め込まれた宝石だ。やはりというべきか、死体の三人と色も形も同じモノが存在していた。違いは、他の者とは若干の形状が異なる。 「お嬢様、内蔵された術式は解読できますか?」 「ちょっと待って、やってみるわ」 ファイマは宝石に指先で触れると、目を閉じて意識を集中する。数分の時間をそのままに過ごすと、額に汗を滲ませながら口を開いた。 「............最悪ね。行動制限、思考の限定化に痛覚の鈍化。果ては時間制限での自死措置。他にも色々嫌な術式のオンパレードよ」 宝石から指を離し、ファイマは深い溜息をはいた。聞いた単語だけでも不吉すぎる内容だった。 「生きて帰還する事を一切望まず、ただ対象の命を葬るのを義務づける使い捨ての処置ね。およそまともな人間の所業じゃないわ」 「............暗殺者とはそもそも人の道を外した者だが、これはさすがに」 アガットが哀れみの目を元襲撃者に向ける。レアルもランドも同様に同情を彼女に注いだ。 「しかも、性質が悪いことに、任務の達成が不可になったと本人が判断した時点でも自死する仕組みになってるわ。今は意識を失っているから引っかかってないけど」 「つまり、意識を取り戻した後に尋問しようとしても」 「その前に術式が発動して、心臓が破壊されるわ。無理でしょうね」 「くそ、どうこうしても情報は引き出せないか」 ランドが悔しげに呻いた。 「............となると、彼女が意識を取り戻す前に死なせてやるのが彼女のためになるかもしれませんね」 「そう............かもね」 任務失敗の絶望の中で死ぬよりは、意識のない内に殺してやる方が安らかに死ねる。アガットの厳しい答えにファイマは苦しげに頷く。相手がいかに暗殺者とは言え、むやみに苦しめて死なすほどの恨みは無かった。ランドもレアルも彼の言葉に同感なのか、特に口を出さなかった。 ーーーーさて、俺はといえば。 「ファイマ、この宝石って取り出せないのか?」 唐突である俺の問いに、ファイマは戸惑いを見せながらも答えた。 「私が考えなかったとでも? コレは埋め込まれた者が死なない限り取り出せない。無理矢理にでも取りだそうとすれば、その時点で術式が発動するわ」 「具体的にはどんな風にこの隠れ巨乳さんは死ぬんだ? ただ心臓が停止するだけか? それとも破壊されて停止するのか?」 「............? 心臓が破壊される方ね」 「なるほど。そりゃそうか。じゃ、次の質問だ。仮にこいつの心臓が止まったとして、その後に宝石を取り出した場合、心臓は破壊されるのか?」 「宝石の術式を稼働させるために本人の魔力を使っているから、心臓が停止した時点で魔力の供給は止まるわ。破壊はされないはずよ」 「ってこたぁ、心臓が止まってたらそいつは死んだと判断されるんだな?」 「............何が言いたいの?」 「いいから答えてくれ。心臓が止まったと術式が判断したら、宝石は何ら問題なく取り出せるんだな?」 「確実とはいえないけど............多分」 「じゃ最後に。ファイマ、お前って雷系の魔術は使えるか?」 「............使えないわ」 「そうか。あればあれで確率は上がるんだが」 とりあえず、知りたい情報はすべて揃った。後は運を天に祈るばかり。こういうとき、祈る神様がいないのは困るな。『アレ』は基本的に俺の敵だからな。祈ったところで願いが通った試しがない。 最初に、俺は自分で作った氷の錠前を破壊し、暗殺者の両手を解放する。次に氷のナイフを作ると、暗殺者の胸元を締め付けるサラシを切り裂いた。強引に圧縮されていた二つの山が解き放たれ、ボロンと揺れる。普段ならちょいと興奮する場面だが、これからしでかす『博打』を考えるとちょっとそんな余裕はない。 「さすがに意識のない者を辱めるのは私も容認できないぞ」 「悪い、少し黙っててくれ。これから割と真面目な賭にでるからな」 俺を制止しようとするレアルの手を、逆に止める。 「どう転んでも死ぬしかない運命なんだ。だったら、ちょっとばかり『外道』に外れてみるのも悪くないだろ?」 「............何をするつもりだ」 「後で説明してやる。ま、成功したら儲けモノだと思っててくれ」 暗殺者の体勢を、岩に背を預けている格好から地面に仰向けになる風に変えてやる。 俺は左の手を彼女の左胸ーー心臓の直上に置いた。感じたこともないほどに柔い感触の下に命の鼓動を感じた。脈々と血潮を全身に送る奔流を手のひらに受ける。 そうだ、一つ忘れていた。 「おっさん。あんた心拍の蘇生方法って知ってるか?」 「............いや、聞いたこと無いな。そもそも『しんぱく』とは?」 そうか、この世界だとそのレベルか。 だが、一人だけ表情を変えた。 「あ、あなたまさかッ」 ファイマが気がついたか。やはり、彼女の知識レベルはこの世界では相当のモノだと判断できる。 だが、今は時間が惜しい。 この暗殺者が目を覚ましてからでは遅い。彼女の意識がない今であるから試せる手段なのだ。 俺は自らに喝を入れる。 「黒幕のシナリオなんざ、俺が愉快に痛快に台無しにしてやる」 左手に氷の精霊を宿し、暗殺者の体内に注ぎ込む。彼女の身体を生かす心臓に向けて、超低温の波動を送り込んだ。冷気で手の平を作るイメージだ。それを使って、心臓をやんわりと包み込む。 「お嬢様、こいつはいったい何をするつもりですか?」 「............氷の魔術で作った超低温で、この女性の心臓を止めるつもりなのよ。そして、心拍が停止した所で宝石を取り出すの」 「それは普通に殺すのとどう違うのだ?」 アガットもレアルも俺の行動が理解できない。当然だ、この世界の人間にとって、心臓の停止=死なのだから。 だが、ファイマにとってはーー俺の成そうとしている事を知っている彼女にとっては別だ。 「............人間の身体ってね、ただ単に心臓が止まっただけでは死なないのよ。心臓が止まって全身の血流が止まって、脳に新鮮な血液が行かなくなって、脳も止まって初めて人は死ぬのよ」 「それはどう言うことですかファイマ様?」 「分からない? 一度心臓が止まっても、脳が完全に死ぬ前に再び心臓が動き出せば、その人は生き返るのよ!」 「「「ーーーーーッッッッ!?」」」 三者の驚愕が背後から伝わるがそれに反応する余裕は俺にはなかった。 心臓が低温で冷やされるにつれて、徐々に鼓動が弱まっていくのを感じている。徐々に、徐々に冷気を強め、緩やかに心臓を停止させていく。あくまで自然な形を装い、命の鼓動を消していく。 左手に全ての注意を向ける。心臓が完全に止まる瞬間を見極めなければならないのだ。僅かにでもその底辺を見誤れば、それだけ蘇生できる可能性が減る。蘇生に掛ける時間も増えていく。時間がかかれば、脳に血液が途絶える時間も増え、脳障害の危険性も増していく。 頼るのはやはり俺の増大した『勘』だ。命の灯火が消える寸前、後僅かで火が消えるか否かの境目を見出すのだ。 「心臓が止まったら合図して。宝石を取り出すのは私がやるわ。魔術式を埋め込んだ宝石の扱いは専門外だけど、この中では一番マトモに扱える。万が一の誤作動を防ぐ程度には制御できるはず。カンナはその後の心肺蘇生に全力を尽くして」 ファイマの言葉に頷くだけに留める。はっきり言って、ひたすら氷の強度を高める以上に神経を使う。下手に温度を下げすぎると、心臓の内部に貯まっている血液が凍ってしまうからだ。あと、冷やしすぎると身体全体の体温が低下し、やはり蘇生が困難になってくる。 「アガット、ナイフを貸して」 「............コレを使ってください。手入れは怠っていないので切れ味は問題ありません」 「そう。ランドは酒と清潔な布を馬車の荷物から取ってきて。宝石を抉ったら、酒で消毒して傷口を布で塞いで」 「分かりました。少々お待ちください」 「カンナ。ランドが戻ったらいつでも大丈夫よ」 ファイマの準備も整った様だ。後は俺がタイミングを間違わなければ。 そしてーーーーーーーー。 「ッ、今ッ」 俺の合図に寸分違わず、ファイマはナイフを肉に突き立て、宝石をえぐり出した。 「心臓はッ!?」 「............無事だっ」 心臓は停止しているがキズはついていないのを気配で確認。そして、宝石は完全に身体の外に取り出された。 一つ目の賭は成功した。 後は二つ目の賭が半と出るか丁とでるかだ。 「人工呼吸は私がやるわッ! 心臓マッサージはカンナがッ!」 素早い連携で、俺は膝立ちになり暗殺者の左胸に両手をあわせ、肘が垂直になるよう体勢を直す。そして、全力で彼女の左胸の押し引きを繰り返す。およそ十回繰り返したところでファイマが鋭く叫ぶ。 心臓への刺激を一旦停止。ファイマは大きく息を吸い込み自らの唇で彼女の口を塞ぎ、肺に溜めた空気を一気に送り込む。それが終わるのを見計らい、俺は再び心臓への刺激を開始。そしてまた十ほど繰り返したところでまたもファイマが口腔経由で酸素を送り込んでいく。 誰もが沈黙を保つ中、空気を送り込む音と、俺が心臓を動かす気合いの音だけが場に響く。俺とファイマは一心不乱に暗殺者の蘇生を行う。 およそ二分の救命活動が経過。俺にとってはその十倍近くの時が流れたかのような緊張感だった。 手の平に命の鼓動が再起動をしたのを感じる。同時に、それまで無言を保っていた彼女の口から蘇生の息吹が戻った。 「心肺の蘇生を............確認............したわ」 暗殺者の呼吸が正常になったのを確認すると、俺とファイマは気が抜けて仰向けに倒れた。 と、地面が背中にぶつかる寸前で誰かに受け止められる。背後に顔を向ければ、なんとあのアガット君が俺の身体を受け止めていたのだ。 「............なんだ、その顔は」 「や、予想外の人物に受け止められたから」 「............たまたま近くに居ただけだ」 気持ちが表情に出ていたのか、意外そうな顔をしているだろう俺を目に、アガットが憮然とした態度になる。ただ、険な雰囲気は少ない。 「一つ聞いていいか?」 「なにさ」 「どうして貴様はアレほどまでに真剣だったのだ? シンパイのソセイとか言ったか。アレを行っている時の貴様の表情は、鬼気迫るほどの真剣味を帯びていた。見ず知らずの相手にどうしてそこまで真剣になれたのだ?」 「............言っただろ。黒幕のシナリオを愉快痛快に潰すってな。上から目線になってるだろうクソ外道の鼻っ柱をへし折りたかったのさ。この暗殺者ーー元かーーは生きたいと願ったはずだ。でなけりゃぁ、こんな畜生の塊みたいな宝石を埋め込まれた時点で自害してる。俺はこの女を生かしたいと思った。そして、俺はこの女を生かすための手段を知っていた」 俺は自らの心意気を口にする。 「出来ることがあって、望まれることがあって、成す意志があるなら、あとは全力を注ぐだけだ」 無能である俺に出来る事などたかがしれているのだ。だったら、その数少ない『可能』に全力を注ぐのは当たり前だ。でなければ、俺は正真正銘の『無能』になってしまう。 「............出来ることを全力で............か。だから貴様はあんな卑怯な戦い方を?」 彼が言っているのは、訓練で行っている模擬戦の話だ。 「生憎と正々堂々が出来るようなおよその才能は持ち合わせてないんでな。まぁ、好みの問題でもあるんだけど」 意表を突いて優位に立っている相手の度肝を抜くのは、アレはアレで非常に楽しい。勝利を確信した畜生の顔を歪めるのはなかなかの快感だ。ちょっと性悪ではあろうが。 アガットは俺の言葉に口をへの字に曲げるが、表情は手の掛かる子供を見る親のそれに近い。や、貴方まだ二十代前半でしょうよ。 「それよりも、こいつは強制されていたとは言え、お嬢様を狙った下手人だぜ? 延命に成功したがいいのか?」 「............お嬢様が成そうとすることであるならば、俺たちは全力でそれをサポートするまでだ。それに、恩を忘れて再び向かってくることがあれば、その時はその時全力で迎え撃てばいい」 「............ま、そこまでは俺も面倒見きれねぇわな」 恩に礼の必然は求めていないが、仇で返すようなら俺とて容赦するつもりはない。 「カンナ。もう一度錠前を作ってくれ。意識が戻ったとき、反射的に暴れないとも限らないからな」 言われて俺は再び元暗殺者の両手首を氷で錠する。腕や足が冷えてしまうのはこの際我慢してもらうほか無い。気休め程度だが、錠前と肉体の間に布を巻いてやり、冷気を遮断してやる。 「では、とりあえず彼女は先に馬車の方に運んでおく」 レアルは暗殺者の露わになった巨乳を布で覆うと、彼女を抱き上げて馬車の方に向かった。女性とは言え人間一人を軽々しく(しかもお姫様だっこ)運ぶ後ろ姿はカッコいいな。 「それはそうと、ファイマもお疲れだ」 「............興味本位で読んでた医学書がこんなところで役に立つとは思ってなかったわ。人生何が役に立つか分からないわね」 俺一人で人工呼吸と心臓マッサージを行っていれば、何かと手間取って失敗したかもしれない。ファイマが救命救急の知識を持っていたのは幸いだった。おかげで心臓マッサージだけに専念できたのだから。 「しかし、見れば見るほど貴方の魔術って異常よね。魔力のまの時も感じさせないくせに、その制御レベルはちょっとおかしすぎるわよ。常識外れ、なんて括りじゃ言い表せないわ」 「企業秘密だ」 「その一言で全てを納得しろって言うのは酷よ。無理矢理に話せ、なんて言うつもりはないけど、考察の自由ぐらいは許して欲しいわ」 そこまで禁止したつもりはない。勝手に考えて勝手に解明してくれや。 「そもそも、氷の魔術で冷気を作って、心臓を止めようって発想そのものがまずあり得ないわ。それに雷の魔術に関しての質問。アレは、心停止した後に、心臓にショックを与えて再稼働させるためでしょ? 一体どんな思考回路を持っていればあんな回答に行き着くのか」 またファイマが思考に耽りそうになっていた。 彼女の言うとおり、そもそもの発想が違うのだろう。この世界の住人の大半にとって、魔術は『攻撃のための手段』なのだろう。一方、俺にとって魔術や精霊術は『手段』の一つでしかないのだ。 この思考は、火や電気、果ては水までもエネルギー源と考えている現実世界の科学文明が土台になっている。元は力の象徴であり、自然現象の神秘や恵みすらも、生活の利便のために研究し発展に繋げていく世界で育ったからこそ考えつくのだ。 ご大層な説明になったが、つまりは環境の違いだ。今の話は、もっともらしい文を繋げただけで深く考えたわけではない。頭脳明晰なキャラは別の見た目ロリの同級生が担当している。 その後、カンナ達は穴を掘り、元暗殺者達の死体を埋葬した。さすがに魔獣と同じように燃やして処理してしまうのは憚られたからだ。名も知らぬ相手だったので身元の判断は付かないが、手頃な石を積み重ね墓標の代わりに置いた。 今度こそ後処理が終わると、彼らは馬車に乗りその場を後にした。もう昼を過ぎてからかなりの時間が経過していたが、あの場で夜を過ごす気には到底なれない。焼いたとは言えゴブリンの死肉を求めて他の魔獣が集まらないとも限らないのだ。気分的な問題でも、見た目焼死体の山の側で安心して寝られるほどに、全員図太くも無かった。 カンナ達の乗る馬車が居なくなってその半日ほどが経過した、日付も変わった夜更けの頃合い。 ほとんど炭化し、もはや何者かと判別できない黒こげの死体の山の側に、一つの人影が寄った。 「............『糸使い』め、ヘマをしたか。くくく、奴の悔しがる顔が見物だ。だから忠告したというのに。ゴブリンなどという雑魚を使うのは止めておけと。人の忠告は素直に聞けばよいモノを」 影は笑みを堪えて震える。 「............だが」 一頻りに笑うと、影はそれまでの愉悦を消し、別の方向に顔を向けた。 「あ奴の怠惰を許したのは他ならぬ『時詠み』だ。彼女が『否』と口にしていれば、『糸使い』の奴ももっとマトモな手札を用意していたはず。現に、万が一の保険に傀儡も用意していた」 丁度、カンナ達が暗殺者達の死体を埋めた地点だ。その墓石代わりの石を見る。石の数は三つ。つまり、その下には三人の死体が埋まっている。 「差し向けた傀儡は四人。だが、死体は三人。残りの一人は生け捕りか? だが、傀儡に施した処理に『小娘』が気が付かない訳がない。あの性格だ、哀れに想って介錯をしているに違いないが............」 影は三人が埋められた場所に近寄ると、地面に向けって手を向ける。ボゴリ、と音を立て、手を向けた付近の土が宙に浮かび上がった。その下に、埋められていた三人の死体が露わになる。 影はその死体の顔を確認すると、顔をしかめる。 「よりによって『獣』を連れて行くか。やはり町で失敗した時点で処分しておくべきだったか。『糸使い』も傀儡の中でも使える手駒だからと惜しんでいたからな。まったく、余計な手間を掛けさせてくれる。たかが駒の一つに執着するからこんな事になる」 苛立ちを呟きながら、地面に向けていた手をサッと振るう。宙に浮いていた土は支えを失ったように重力に引かれ、死体達を再び埋没した。 「『時詠み』のシナリオからこれ以上の逸脱は危険か。下手を打てば今後の展開に異常が生じるか。仕方がない。『獣』を含め、私自らが直接始末するのが確実か。塵も残さずに消却してしまえば証拠も残らんだろう」 渓谷の道の先、カンナ達が向かう方角を見据えながら、深い決意を口にする。 「............しかし解せんな。ここまで『時詠み』のシナリオが外れたのはいつ以来だ? 私の記憶がある限りでは数えるほども無いはずだが。『あの小娘』の一行にイレギュラーが生じたか」 ふと、町での出来事を思い出す。 「............そう言えば、町で『あの小娘』を守っていた氷使いがいたな。『偶然』にも傀儡らの手札を覆したようだが、どうせ奴は『小物』。取るに足らん路傍の小石にすらならん要素のはずだ。あれより路傍の小石の方が周囲に影響を与えるだろう」 影にとって『氷使い』の少年は、意識する価値すらない『無能』でしかなかった。彼の人生観からしてアレほどまでに『無出来』の者を探す方が困難であるほどの『無才』は存在していなかった。 故に、影の頭の中から『氷使い』はすぐさまに消え去っていた。 ーーーーそれが自らの破滅を呼ぶとも知らずに。

Chapter 26 Ugly decoration After finis.h.i.+ng disposing the corpses, we headed towards Rand's place. He lets the masked man sit with his back resting on a large stone at a place a little away from the carriage. Of course both his arms and feet are restricted with an ice lock I made. His face was covered, so I can't see his facial expressions, but his hair is colored black like mine. "Old man, you learned anything?" "Oh is that you, Kanna. Looks like you finished disposing the goblins then. Thanks for helping out as well, milady." "A thanks is fine. More importantly, any progress?" "Not so much. You can get your hands on the things they're wearing almost anywhere and I don't remember any of their faces. There doesn't seem to be any direct relation between us and the a.s.sailants." Three corpses are lying beside the big rock. The faces of the masked men are already revealed, but I don't recognize them either. It's been around a month since I've come to the other world, but it's a big problem in itself if it was a face I can recognize. "I see. And the consciousness of the remaining survivor?" "Still not yet. He did lose consciousness from the shock he received from a strong impact. It's just not that he is bearing any terrible injuries with the exception of the blow on the body, so a little more and he should regain consciousness soon." "I'm sorry. I didn't have the leisure to go easy on him." "That is asking for too much. I can settle with just apprehending him alive." While the two are talking together beside the survivor, I approach the three dead people. Real also followed behind me. At that place, Agaht is examining the corpses on his knees. "Thanks for the hard work." "............Tch, it's you b.a.s.t.a.r.d." My enjoyment already reached rock bottom. "Sir Agaht, isn't that att.i.tude right after seeing someone's face somewhat rude?" "............That was rude of me" Agaht expressed his apology to the reproaching Real, but only with words. No, it really didn't feel like apologizing, you know. He wasn't facing this way and his words were also towards Real. My face is over here, you know that? Well, I'm not planning to ask about his health, so without caring about Agaht's att.i.tude, I squat beside the corpse. "First of all, amen." Though they are enemies I myself have killed, I may as well join my hands. I don't expect doing that would reduce these guys' penalties, but it will comfort only their feelings. After finis.h.i.+ng my silent prayer which is merely for form's sake, I immediately observe the corpses. I remove the mask and robe and also take off the light armor. He looks like regular townspeople if I just look at him. If the hole in his abdomen and chest weren't there, then he would look like he is sleeping. The one who made these holes was me though. His body seems to be trained accordingly; his shoulders are wide and his arms are also thick "............Hm?" I trace the body's physique with my line of sight and then a certain place felt out of place. It's the same sign I had at the time I felt the magic power. But, it's still different from the {Sign of magic power} that you can feel as the existence of people. If anything, it resembles the movement of the magic power at the time Faima used a spell. "............Excuse me for a bit, here we go." I apologize with a few words and "tear off" the clothes on the body. More accurately, first I tear off the clothes of the corpse opened by the hole in the abdomen. "Wha-, hey you b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Do you intend to violate the deceased!?" As usual, I ignore Agaht's shouts like cancer. More importantly, my attention is on the now naked dead body. Specifically the chest area of the corpse where the color of blood has faded away. As I had expected, something inappropriate for a human body has been living there. Agaht who had his eyes on me hadn't realized it, but Real spread her eyes and raised a soft voice "Say Real. Does the current fas.h.i.+on has this kind of thing?" "............No, it doesn't have an ugly decoration like this one." What is there is a gem that is releasing a glossy finish. It holds a beauty you can see at a glance that it's manufactured by a craftsman's hand, even the untrained eyes can judge that it's holds value of a first cla.s.s goods. I guess I could praise the craftsman's skills, if that wasn't "directly embedded" into the person's skin. Maybe he finally guessed the situation from Real and my stiff expression, but Agaht also s.h.i.+fted his eyes towards the corpse and became surprised after seeing the gem buried inside the body. "This is-............" "Sir Agaht, so this really is." "............Yes, it's a measure for restraining the actions of fiendish criminals at the moment of imprisoning them. It's because in the case we restraining a person with high fighting strength, they could escape through brute force from simple means. Besides physical restraints, we embed a gem with a particular spell loaded on their body. There are various effects, but in most situations it becomes a mechanism which runs acute pain through their body the moment they perform an offensive act above the physical restriction. If they get a harsher type, then they also have one that inflicts instant death the moment they carry out a specific behavior." "So in other words, it means these guys are criminals who carried out some kind of offense?" "I can't say that is necessarily so. However, I have no doubt these people bear some sort of restriction in their actions." It was a dangerous development from the start, but the smell of burning went up with that. "Being forced to obey............that situation is also possible, huh?" "I don't really want to think about that, I'd say." "That's the worst case, d.a.m.n it." If it's true that they're villains who aim for other people's life as a living, then I won't feel guilty even if I send them to their next life. It'll be different if it's the life of someone who have no other choice, but to do it. A heavy {something} weighed on inside my stomach. While I couldn't move with that heaviness, Real and Agaht tore off the clothes of the remaining two and again, each of them have a gem embedded onto their body just like the one before. "We can't make any distinctions, but I have no doubts they're all had the same treatment." "We can't judge with just us. We have no choice but to ask Milady and Mr. Rand for directions. I dare say that the survivor should have the same thing done to him." We once again headed towards Rand and Faima and then talked about the gem put on their corpses. Both were also surprised, but they immediately cut up the survivor's clothes and exposed his chest. "............Really, another{concealed} one?" For the love of, the last survivor is a {woman} . The face that I can finally see is also a woman's face, no doubt. Her physique, if I go with the real world-ish, is oriental. Her hair is black and also I would kind of believe it it if I'm told she's j.a.panese. Also, on her exposed b.r.e.a.s.t.s is a thin white cloth--a.k.a. a saras.h.i.+ wrapped around it, but what is inside it are two seemingly cramped mountains. Without a doubt they're huge b.r.e.a.s.t.s. "The inflation on huge b.r.e.a.s.t.s went up too much since coming to this world, you know that?" No, speaking of being happy, I am very happy about it, but I'm not satisfied. Setting aside the fact it's the second one with huge concealed b.r.e.a.s.t.s, the problem is the gem embedded at her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Should I say "as expected"? The thing has the same color and appearance as the three corpses. What's different is the shape varied a little. "Milady, can you decipher the equipped spell?" "Just a moment, I will try." When Faima touched the gem with her fingertips, she closed her eyes and concentrated her senses. When she spent several minutes like that, she open her mouth while sweat spread on her forehead "............It's the worst case. Behavior restriction, becoming dull in the sense of pain in the form of thought restriction. The end is a suicide act in a time limit. In addition to that there is also an array of various unpleasant spells." Separating her finger from the gem, Faima let out a deep sigh. The matter was too sinister, even with just the words I heard. "A disposable measure, obligated to bury only the targets life without at all expecting to return alive. It is not an act from an average decent person." "............a.s.sa.s.sins are someone who have left the path of a person in the first place, but that really is" Agaht pointed a look of pity towards the former-a.s.sailants. Real and Rand also poured similar sympathy towards the girl. "And yet the most ill-natured above all is that it has a mechanism in which they would commit suicide the moment the person themselves judged they cannot realize their duties. She is still unconscious at the moment, so she isn't caught in it though." "In other words, even if we try interrogating her after she regained her consciousness." "The spell would invoke before that, destroying her heart. It's impossible I guess." "d.a.m.n, so we won't be able to pull out information from her even if we do it this way?" Rand groaned in frustration. "............When it comes to that, perhaps we should let her die before she regains consciousness, for her sake." "That............may be for the best." Rather than dying while in despair of failing her duties, it would be more peaceful for her to die while she's still unconscious. Faima silently nodded towards Agaht's harsh answer. Regardless of how much the opponent is an a.s.sa.s.sin, there's not that much grudge to thoughtlessly let them be tormented to death. I wonder if Rand and Real also agree with his words, they didn't particularly put their word in. ----Well then, as for me. "Faima. This gem, you can't take it out?" Faima answered my abrupt question, still while looking confused. "Are you saying I didn't think about it? This can't be taken out as long as the person hasn't died. If you forcibly try to take it out, then a spell will be invoked at that time." "In what way will Miss Big Hidden t.i.ts exactly die? Does only her heart stop? Or will it stop by being destroyed?" "............? The method where the heart is destroyed I suppose." "I see. I guess it's like that. Then the next question. If we take out the gem after we temporarily stop her heart, will the heart be destroyed?" "The gem uses the person's own magic power in order to invoke the spell, so the moment the heart stops, magic supply would stop as well. It shouldn't be destroyed then." "So that means she's judged as dead when her heart stops, right?" "............What do you want to say with that?" "Never mind that, just answer please. If the spell judged that her heart stopped, then we can take out the gem without any problems, right?" "I can't say it for certain, but............perhaps." "Then the last one. Faima, can you use lightning type magic?" "............I can't use it." "That so. Our chances would've gone up with that if you could though." For the time being, I've completed the information I wanted to know. Now all's left is pray to the heavens for fortune. It's troubling that the G.o.d I'm praying for isn't here at a time like this. {That} is basically my enemy after all. I never tried pa.s.sing my wishes whenever I prayed. At the beginning I destroy the ice locks I made and release both a.s.sa.s.sin's hands. Next I create an ice knife and cut off the saras.h.i.+ that's tightening the a.s.sa.s.sin's chest. The two mountains that were forcibly compressed was released and shook with a boing. It's a little stimulating scene if it was on a normal day, but I don't have the leeway for that when I think of the {gamble} I'm about to do. "Even I can't approve of putting an unconscious person to shame as you would have expect." "My bad, but please say nothing. I'll be putting a relatively serious wager now." Real, who was trying to restrain me, stopped her hand instead. "There's no fate other than to die no matter how it plays out. In that case, it shouldn't be bad even if you're {unorthodoxly} disconnected for just a little bit, don't you think?" "............What are you trying to do?" "I'll explain afterwards. Well, please think of it as a G.o.dsend if I succeed." I change the a.s.sa.s.sin's posture from leaning with her back on the rock to lying face up on the ground. I then put my left hand on her left breast--above her heart. I feel the pulses of life under the soft feeling I've never felt before. I get the torrent that's continuously sending blood circulation through the whole body within my palm. That's right, I forgot something. "Old man. You know the method to revive a heartbeat?" "............No, I've never heard about that. In the first place, what is this {hard beat} ?" Is that so, so this world is at that level I guess. However, only one person changed their expression. "Yo-you, could you be-" So Faima noticed. I can judge that her level of knowledge is quite the thing in this world. But time is precious right now. It'll be too late after this a.s.sa.s.sin opens her eyes. It's because she's out cold right now that I have a method I can try. I give a pep talk to myself. "The scenario of the mastermind, you see? I'm going to joyfully and thrillingly spoil it" I house the ice spirits inside my left hand and pour it in the body of the a.s.sa.s.sin. I point it at the heart that is keeping her body alive and pour in a surge of extremely low temperature. It's an image that creates a palm of cold wave. I create that and then softly wrap around the heart. "Milady, what in the world does this man intend to do?" "............He intends to stop the woman's heart with the extreme low temperature he creates with ice magic. And then, take out the gem the moment the heart has stopped." "How is that different from killing her normally?" Neither Agaht nor Real could understand my actions. That's justified. As far as the people in this world is concerned, stoppage of the heart=death after all. But it's different as far as Faima is concerned--the girl who knows what I'm trying to accomplish. "............The body of people you see, they won't die just by simply having their heart stopped. Only when the heart stops, the blood flow through the body stops, fresh blood doesn't go to the brains and the brain also stops will the person die." "What does that mean, Ms. Faima?" "Don't you understand? Even if the heart stops once, if the heart starts to move once again before the brain dies, then that person will come back to life, that is what that means!" """-----W-!?""" The shock of the three is transmitted from behind me, but I don't have the leeway to respond to that. I feel the heartbeat gradually weakening as the heart cools with low temperature. I gradually, gradually strengthen the cold temperature, gently stopping her heart. At the end it will take on a natural shape and extinguish the beats of life. I put all my attention to my left hand. It's because I have to make sure the moment the heart completely stops. If I make even a little mistake in the foundation, it'll decrease the likelihood of resuscitating her by that much. It'll also increase the time spent on resuscitating her. If we take more time, it will increase the time where blood stops flowing inside the brains, not to mention the dangers of brain disorders. What I'm relying on is of course my increased {perception} . Just before the torch of life goes out, I will pick out the borderline of whether the fire will go out or not a little after. "Signal when the heart stops. I will take out the gem. The handling of the gem with magic spells embedded in it is outside my area of expertise, but I can handle it the most proper among us. I should be able to control it enough to protect it against an unlikely malfunction. Kanna, completely devote yourself in resuscitate the heart and lungs after that." I stop only to nod to Faima's words. To be clear, I use my nerves on top of devotedly raising the intensity of ice. Because doing it badly and lowering the temperature too much would end up freezing the blood saved up inside the heart. Also if I cool off too much, the whole body temperature will go down that would make it difficult to resuscitate her as expected. "Agaht, lend me your knife." "............Please use this. I haven't been negligent in maintenance, so there should be no problems in its sharpness." "Is that so. Rand, take out alcohol and clean cloth from the luggage in the carriage. When I scoop out the gem, I disinfect it and stop the wound with the cloth." "I understand. I will be right back." "Kanna. It will be fine anytime when Rand returns." Looks like Faima's preparations are also in good order. Then I have to get the timing right. And then--------. "-Ugh, Now!" Almost at the same time as my cue, Faima stabbed the knife inside the flesh and gouged out the gem. "The heart is-!?" "............It's safe!" The heart had stopped, but I confirm the sign that there's no wound attached to it. And so, we completely took the gem outside the body. My first wager was a success. Next is the question whether the second wager would come out halfway with a bang. "I will perform artificial respiration! You do the heart ma.s.sage Kanna!" With quick coordination, I kneel down and put both my hands on top of each other on the a.s.sa.s.sin's left side of the chest and correct my posture so my elbows are straight. And then I repeatedly press on her chest with all my strength. When I repeat it around ten times, Faima sharply shouts. I briefly stop stimulating the heart. Faima drew a big breath, then covered the woman's lips and sent in the air acc.u.mulated in her lungs in one go. I guess when she's done with that and then once again start stimulating her heart. And then after another ten repeats, Faima sent in oxygen through the mouth again. While everyone is staying silent, only the sound of air sent in and the sound of my fighting spirit of moving the heart resounded in the surroundings. Faima and I wholeheartedly to revive the a.s.sa.s.sin. Around two minutes of lifesaving action pa.s.sed. To me they felt so tense like time had lapsed tenfold. Within the palm of my hand I feel the beats of life have restarted. At the same time, the girl who had kept silent up until now returned signs of resurrection through her mouth. "Resuscitation of heart and lungs............is............confirmed." Upon confirming the a.s.sa.s.sin's breathing returning to normal, Faima and I feel exhausted and fell down face up. And, right before my back met with the ground I was caught by someone. When I turned my face towards my back, I see that that Agaht caught my body for some reason. "............What's with that face?" "Well, it's because I was caught by someone unexpected." "............I just happened to be nearby, that's all." Maybe I let my feelings show on my face, but Agaht showed an angry att.i.tude looking at me who was showing an unexpected face. Except there was hardly any harsh mood. "Can I ask you one thing?" "What?" "How come you were that serious about that? You said resuscitation of heart and lungs or something, didn't you. That time that was taking place, your face carried a so much seriousness that you were close to being dreadful. How come you could become this serious towards an unknown third party?" "............I told you didn't I? That I would joyfully and thrillingly spoil the scenario of the mastermind. I wanted to break the fighting spirit of that s.h.i.+tty villain who I bet is looking down on us. This a.s.sa.s.sin--or is it former--should've wanted to live. If not, then she would've commited suicide the time such a gem that's like the embodiment of livestock, embedded on her. I feel like wanting to let this woman live. And I knew the way to let this woman live." I speak of my own disposition. "If there's something I can do, something that's wished for and a will to do so, then what's left is to just pour all my effort into it." It's because the things the incompetent I can do don't amount to much. If that's the case, then it's natural to pour my all into those few {possibilities} . If not, then I'll end up becoming a genuine {incompetent person} . "............with all your strength, the things you can do............is it? So is that why you b.a.s.t.a.r.d went for that cowardly fighting style?" What he's talking about is the mock battles we do in training. "Sorry, but I don't happen to have the abilities to be able to do it fair and square. Well, it's a matter of preference really." Being unpredictable and striking dumb an opponent of superior standing is, you may not think so, but it's unusually enjoyable. It gives quite the pleasant feeling to see the face distort of the brute who was convinced he's winning. It's a little evil though. Agaht curved his lips like an inverted V towards my words, but his facial expression is closer to that of a parent looking at a difficult child. No, you're still in your early twenties, right? "More importantly, while this girl was forced into it, she's a criminal who aimed for the lady you know? Is it fine that we managed to keep her alive longer? "............if milady tries to do it, then we will support her with all our strength. Moreover, if she forgets her debt of grat.i.tude and once again face her, then at that time we can attack her with all our strength." "............Well, even I think it'll be too much to take care of at that point." I don't necessarily wish for a thanks for her debt, but even I don't plan on forgiving her if she's going to return as an enemy. "Kanna. Create some locks again please. It won't end with just reflexively struggling at the time she regains consciousness after all. Like I've been told, I once again put both hands of the former a.s.sa.s.sin into locks with ice. At this moment there's nothing I can do to the cooling down of her arms and legs beside letting her endure it. It's just a temporary peace of mind, but I coil some cloth between the flesh and the locks, blocking the chill. "Now then, I'll go on ahead and carry her into the carriage for now." Real covered the a.s.sa.s.sin's exposed huge b.r.e.a.s.t.s with cloth, held up in her arms and headed to the carriage. Though she's a woman, her retreating figure as she carries a person lightly(moreover in a princess carry) is cool. "By the way, you too thanks for the helping out, Faima. "............I didn't think that the medical books I've read out of curiosity were helpful in this sort of place. I don't know what was useful in life." If I had to perform artificial respiration and cardiac ma.s.sage by myself, then I'll probably meet some difficulties one way or another and fail. The fact Faima had knowledge in emergency care was good. Thanks to that I could devote myself in doing only cardiac ma.s.sage after all. "But you know, the more I look at your magic, the more it looks abnormal. It doesn't even let me feel magic at that time and that level of control is too strange. Out of common sense, I couldn't express a conclusion like that." "It's a trade secret." "It's unfair to tell me to accept everything with just that word, you know. I'll make you tell me, isn't something I plan on telling you, but I'd like you to allow me at least some freedom of study." I didn't plan on forbidding it that far. Please think about it as you please and shed light to it as you please. "In the first place, the very idea itself of creating a cold wave with ice magic and stopping the heart with it is nearly impossible. Not to mention the question in relation to lightning magic. That was for letting the heart restart by applying a shock after the cardiac arrest, am I correct? Really, what train of thought do you have to hold to arrive at that answer." Again Faima became absorbed in her thoughts. Just like she said, the idea in the first place is different from what you expect. As far as the majority of the residents of this world is concerned, magic should be a {way to attack} . As far as I'm concerned on the other hand, magic and spirit arts are only one of the {ways} This thinking is based on the science culture of the real world where fire, electricity and on top of that even water are considered energy sources. Originally, even if they're a symbol of power, a mystery of natural phenomenon or a blessing, I've come up with that precisely because I'm raised in a world that's connected with research and development for the sake of convenience of everyday life. It became an exaggerated story, but in other words it's the difference in environment. I didn't mean to think deeply just by connecting plausible sentences in that topic just now. The keen character is what my loli cla.s.smate with a distinct appearance is in charge of. Afterwards, Kanna and the others dug up a hole and buried the deceased former a.s.sa.s.sins. It is because disposing them by burning them like the magic beasts was hesitated upon as one would expect. The other party did not want to let their name known so they don't have anything that can reveal their ident.i.ty, but a gravestone of moderately piled up stone was placed instead. This time the aftermath was finished and so they rode the carriage and left that place behind. A considerable time has already pa.s.sed since noon, but they could not afford spending the night in that place. Other magic beasts who hunts the dead flesh of goblins, despite being burned, may gather. Even if it was an emotional problem, there were no such member who would be able to peacefully lie down beside the appearance of a mountain of burnt corpses. It is the time of the night. Half a day pa.s.sed since the carriage Kanna and co was riding on disappeared and the date had also changed. A lone figure approached the side of the pile of the burnt black corpses that it's nearly carbonized and it's no longer possible to make any distinction. "............ So,{String user} woman, you've made a blunder. Ku ku ku, that vexing face of hers was a sight to see. That's why I warned her. Stop using small fries like these goblins. That it would be good if she listen to someone's warnings obediently" The figure bore a smile and shaked. "............But." Smiling briefly, the figure extinguishes his joy until now and faced a different direction. "The one who permitted that person's laziness was none other than the {Time Reciter} . If she had said {no} , then the string user woman should have prepared a more proper hand to play with. I had prepared even puppets as insurance for the worst case." It was exactly the place where Kanna and co had buried the bodies of the a.s.sa.s.sins. Looking at the stones subst.i.tuting the gravestone. The number of stones were three. That is to say three bodies are buried under it. "There were four puppets sent here. But, there are three bodies. Is the remaining one captured alive? But there are no reason for the {young la.s.s} to not notice the treatment given to the puppets. It's that character of hers, I'm certain she will feel pity and help her though............" The figure approached the place where the three were buried and pointed the hand towards the surface of the ground. A (bogori) sound was made and the ground around the place the hand was pointing rose in mid-air. Thereunder, the three buried corpses were exposed. The figure confirmed the face of those corpses and then frowned. "So they took along the {Beast} of all things. So we should have put them down the moment they failed in the town after all. I regretted it because the {string user} is also a useful piece even among my puppets so. Good grief, I'm letting them take too much time. It's become like this because I'm attached to one of my pieces." While murmuring irritation, the hand pointing towards the ground was swung quickly. The soil floating in midair was then pulled by the gravitational force as if it lost support, once again burying the corpses. "It would be risky if we deviate any more from the scenario of the {Time Reciter} . Irregularities would be caused in the development from hereon if we move poorly I see. There's no other choice. Dealing with it firsthand myself, including the {beast} , should be certain. If I erase them without leaving behind even trash, then there shouldn't be any evidence remaining, I suppose." The figure spoke of their strong decision while gazing at the direction Kanna and the others are heading towards, at the other side of the road of the ravine. "............I cannot comprehend this however. Since when has the scenario of the {Time Reciter} ever been off? I cannot count any as far as my memories serves however. Did something irregular arise in the party of {that young girl} ?" Suddenly, the incident at the town was recalled. "............Speaking of which, there was an ice user protecting {that young girl} in town. It seems the tables of the puppets were also overturned by {coincidence} , that person was {small-time} at any rate. He should be an element even if he is like trivial pebbles on the roadside. The pebbles on the roadside gives more influence on the environment than him, I suppose." As far as the figure is concerned, the {ice user} boy was nothing but an {incompetent person} who was not even worth being aware of. Judging from their view of life, there had never existed a {lack of talent} before that makes finding a person with {no results} more difficult. Therefore, the {ice user} promptly vanished from within the figure's mind. ----Without even knowing that that would spell the figure's own fall.

第十二話 細身の人がでっかい武器を使うのって、ファンタジーの醍醐味だよね あの後、こっそり宿の自室に帰還した俺は、とりあえず溜まりに溜まっていた下半身を自家発電で発散した。精神的には兎も角、肉体的にはいろいろと限界だったのだ。とてもではないが次の日の夜まで耐えられる自信がなかった。加えて、明日の夜だと、その翌日の朝にはこの街を出発するのだ。体力的にキツい。二泊三日の関係上、チャンスは初日の夜しかなかったのだ。 とりあえず、一人寂しくスッキリして翌日である。 「うぉらぁッッ」 気合いを乗せながら手甲を装備した右の拳を振るう。狙うは相手の顔面正中だ。 「重いが、正直すぎる」 相対するレアルは冷静に呟きながら、鞘入りの大剣を縦に構えて攻撃を防ぐ。無論これが防がれるのは折り込み済み。本命は右手を引かずにそのまま続けて下から繰り出す左の追撃。だがレアルはこちらも見越していたのか、大剣の角度を調整し、鞘の先端付近で追撃を防いだ。素人相手だとこの時間差上下攻撃はかなり有効なんだが、楽に対処されてしまう。 「狙いは良いが、今度は重さが足りない............なッ!」 語尾の最後に力を入れ、レアルは剣で受け止めていた俺の拳を弾き飛ばした。両腕にかかる衝撃を堪えきれずに俺は体勢を崩しながら数歩下がる。そこに襲いかかってくる上段からの叩きつけ。 咄嗟に両腕を交錯して受け止めるも、瞬間に腕の交錯点から全身に伝わってくる凄まじい衝撃に膝が折れそうになる。大剣そのものの質量も有るが、それを振るうレアルの膂力が凄まじい。手甲を装備していなければ、俺の腕は粉砕していかもしれない。そうでなくとも至る所の関節が悲鳴を上げていた。頭に受けたわけではないのに脳が揺れ、視界が明滅する。 「のぉぉ............があッ!」 だが、どうにか根性で意識を保つと、俺は剣を受け止めたまま一歩を踏み込み、右の蹴りを放った。 避けるか、あるいは剣から手を離して腕で受け止めるかするか。とりあえず、距離をいったんはなして仕切り直しにしたい。 ところがなんと、彼女は避ける動作すらせずに、そのまま剣をもう一度振り上げたのだ。 俺の右蹴りが彼女の脇腹に直撃する。足甲を装着し、質量とそれに伴う衝撃力が上がった蹴りをだ。なのに、足に返ってくるのは、大木を相手にしたような感触だ。本当に生身の人間か? レアルの表情が小さく曇る。痛みを感じていないわけではない。なのに剣を振るう構えは微動だにしなかった。 やばい、と思考した次の瞬間には、剣は振り下ろされていた。 今度は受け止めきれない。もう一度両腕で受け止めるも、その防御ごと俺の躯は地面に叩きつけられていた。 宿の裏庭を借りて行っていた朝の鍛錬は、俺が地面に潰れた時点で終わりを迎えた。 倒れた状態からどうにか状態を起こし、地面に腰を下ろした状態になるが、それが限界だ。疲労と痛みでまだしばらく立てそうにない。一方レアルは、鞘入りの大剣を地面に突き刺し柄に片手を置いているが、それで躯を支えてはいない。普通に直立している。唯一、肩で息をしている所が俺の慰めどころだ。これで涼しい顔されていたらへこむ。 「やはり、防御力が上がれば自然と動きに幅が出るな。特に最後の辺り、右の上段攻撃で目を引き付けてから、左からの下段攻撃。あの動きは中々良かったな」 「普通に受け止められていたんですけど」 「素手ではないが、二刀流との経験は少なからずあるからな。その時に対処法を覚えていなければ受けるのも難しかったな。ただ、言ったとおりにあれは二撃目の重さがなくなる。きちんと防御が出来るなら問題はない。ただ、初見の相手にはかなり有効な一手なのは間違いないだろう。それに驚いたのは、最後の最後に私の一撃を防いだことだ。鞘入りとはいえ、それなりの本気を一度でも防ぐとは思わなかった。君の防御ごと潰すつもりで放ったんだがな」 「あれは体勢の問題だ。上からじゃなくて、横からだったら確実に吹っ飛んでたよ。二回目は堪えきれなかったし」 たった一発で俺の体力は根刮ぎに削られていたのだ。両手両足が未だがくがくと震えている。 「つーか、足甲付きの蹴りを無防備に受けきるってどーなのよ。あの感触は生身じゃなかったんだが」 「苦し紛れで打った蹴りなど、幾ら防具で強度を上げていてもたかが知れている。鍛錬を怠っていない躯であるなら、しっかりと両足を踏ん張っていれば体勢を崩すことはない」 その鍛錬がどの程度なのかが気になる。あのでっかい剣を自在に振り回せるぐらいか? とてもではないが無理だ。 「カンナだって、精霊術で作った武器を振るうだろう。あの大斧を振り回せるんだからな」 「あれは精霊が力を貸してくれるからであって、俺の筋力が上がってるわけじゃないんだよ。でなけりゃ、氷で出来てるからってあんな凶悪な質量を持てるわけがない」 精霊術で生み出した氷の造形物は、それが俺の影響下に有れば、俺がもつに限り質量をあまり感じさせない。お陰でレアルの大剣並に超重量級の武器も割と楽に振るう事が出来る。試しに精霊術で大斧を作り、精霊の加護を取り払ったものを持ち上げようとしたのだが、危うく腰を悪くしそうなほどに重かった。もう一度精霊に頼むと、やっぱり普通に持ち上がった。しかも、俺が扱い易い程度に軽すぎず重すぎず。至れり尽くせりだ。 それに、今回の鍛錬の趣旨は、俺自身の動きを鍛えるためであって、戦闘力の直接向上ではない。精霊術やレアルの付与魔術はなし。あれを使うと、宿の裏庭程度では敷地が狭すぎる。半径五十メートルぐらいのスペースが無いと余所様に迷惑が掛かってしまう。 「そーいやさ」 躯の熱が冷めるのを待っている間、俺は昨晩の出来事を思い出した。内容はとても口に出来ないが、その時の疑問をレアルに問う。 「昨日町中で『氷の魔術』は超難易度って聞いたんだけど、それってほんとうなのか?」 「............あぁ、そういえばそうだったな。済まない、伝え忘れていた」 あっさりと認めるレアル。 「知っての通り属性魔法は苦手でな。各属性の対処法は覚えていたんだが、その詳細はすっかり教え忘れていた」 属性魔術については、レアルにも婆さんにも、麓の村に滞在していた期間中に教えられていた。地、風、水、火、元、空、氷、雷の八つが、属性魔法の大まかな括りだ。 「この中で、元、空、氷、雷は属性魔法の中で上位属性と呼ばれている。予想の通り、残りの四つよりも制御が困難であり、才能有る限られた者にしか扱えない属性だ」 「魔術が使えるって時点で十分に才能がありそうなんだが」 無能男の代表として言ってみると。 「指先に火を灯したり、避暑のために風を起こす程度なら、ちょっとしたコツさえあれば五歳の子供にだって出来る。が、それが実戦に通用するかと言えば否だ。明確な規定があるわけではないが、最低でも魔獣の一体を魔術のみで制圧できる程度でないと魔術士とは名乗れないな」 「戦闘力で判断してんのか?」 「指先の火程度では魔獣の最低ランクすら倒せないからな」 「魔獣を丸焼きに出来るぐらいの火力が、魔術士としての最低ラインって事か」 「この魔術士の最低レベルをクリアできる者の割合は、人間族で十人に一人か二人程度。種族によってこの割合はまちまちだな。五割を上回る種族もいれば、百人に一人いるかいないかというのもある。............話がようやく初めに戻るな。で、だ。とりあえず人間族に限定して話を続けるぞ。実戦レベルで魔術を使える者の中でさらに上位四属性を扱える者は、千人に一人ほどだ」 大まかに言えば、人間一万人の内、上位属性を扱える者はたった一人という計算になる。一握りの天才という奴か。 レアルは説明を一旦終えてから、複雑な表情になり。 「まぁ、珍しいと言えば珍しいが、制御が難しいだけあって、それがそのまま実戦に通用するかもまた別だが。術師の中には、そこら辺の上位属性使いよりもよっぽど強い地術使いとかいるからな」 嫌な事でも思い出していたのか、苦虫を摺り潰したような顔になっている。 「今までの話を聞く限り、人前で精霊術を使うのはやめておいた方がいいかもしれないな。珍しいってのはそれだけで人目を引くから」 「あまり隠すのに躍起になって、実戦で使うのを躊躇ったりしないか?」 「生死が関わる場面になったら躊躇無くいくさ。外聞や見栄を張って死にたくはないからさ」 命のやり取りで自重する気は無い。 レアルとの会話を続けている内に、火照っていた躯がいい感じに落ち着いてきた。躯も動ける程度には回復し、俺は膝に手を突いて立ち上がった。空を見上げれば、太陽が天頂にそろそろ到達する。 「いい時間だな。昼飯食ったら消耗品の買い物にいこうぜ」 「相変わらず大した回復力だな。あれだけ疲労していたら、普通は胃が食べ物を受けつけないぞ?」 「しぶとさは俺の数少ない取り柄の一つだからな」 己でも自慢なのか自嘲なのかわからない応えが自然と口から出ていた。

Chapter 12 - The true charm of fantasies are slender people using huge weapons, right? Right after I stealthily returned to my room afterwards, I released all that had acc.u.mulated in my lower body by applying the handbrake.(TL:( deg ? deg)) I'm physically at my limit in various ways, let alone mentally. It wasn't very bad, but I'm not confident I can endure this until the next evening. In addition to going tomorrow evening, the fact is that we depart the morning after that. That's going to be physically harsh. We're only staying here for three days and two nights, so the first night was my only chance. For now, I refresh my lonesome self and enter the next day. "Uoraah!" While sending out a yell, I swung my right fist that is equipped with a hand guard. My aim is the center of my opponent's face. "That was solid, but too honest" While Real calmly muttered those words, she prepared her sheathed greatsword and defended against my attack. Of course, I took her defending this into consideration. My fi was to unleash my left hand's follow-up from below without drawing back my right hand. I don't know if Real also antic.i.p.ated this, but she adjusted the angle of her greatsword and defended it with the tip of the scabbard. If she was a novice opponent, this time's distinct up and down attack would be quite effective, but it was dealt with without breaking a sweat. "Your aim is good, but this time the weight you put in is lacking......... see!" Inserting power right after the end of her sentence, Real flicked off my fists that were stopped by her sword. I couldn't withstand the impact on both arms and moved several steps back with my stance crumbled. From there she struck an attack on the upper body. Although I promptly crossed my arms to catch the blow, my knees almost felt like breaking from the tremendous impact transmitted from my crossed arms to the whole body. There is the ma.s.s from the very sword itself, but the strength of its wielder Real is also amazing. If I didn't have my hand guards, my arms would have probably been smashed. That didn't happen, so every joint is screaming. Even though I didn't receive it on my head, my brain is shaken and my field of vision is flickering. "Noooh......... gaah!" However, when I somehow held onto my consciousness through willpower, I caught the blow from the sword and I went all in and released a right kick. Will she dodge it or will she let go of her sword and catch the kick with her arms? In any case, I want to immediately take distance and prepare myself to attack again. But wait, she once again raised her sword overhead without even taking any evasive actions. My right kick made a direct hit to her flank. Equipped with a leg guard, it's a kick that had its force of impact improved by its accompanying ma.s.s. Even then, what returned to my feet was the feeling as if I had a large tree as an opponent. Is she really made of flesh and blood? Real's face is slightly clouded. It wasn't like she didn't feel any pain. Even so, her sword wielding posture didn't move. "This is bad" just as I thought that, the next moment the sword was swung down. This time I couldn't stop the blow. Even if I stop it with both my hands once more, my body would be thrown to the ground with each defense. The training we had in the hotel backyard we borrowed this morning met its end when I collapsed on the ground. In one way or another, I went from being defeated to sitting down on the ground, but that is my limit. It doesn't look like I'll be able to stand for a while from the pain and fatigue. Real, on the other hand, stabbed the ground with the greatsword in its scabbard and placed her hand on the grip, but it's not to support her body. She is standing normally. Being the only one gasping for breath is really comforting. With that I put on my cool face. "As I thought, if your defensive capabilities increases, freedom will appear in your spontaneous movements. Especially around the end, where you distracted my eyes with your upper body attack from your right and did a lower body attack from your left. That move was quite good." "You stopped those blows normally though." "This may not be barehanded, but I have considerable experience in dual sword fencing after all. If I didn't learn how to cope with it at that time, I would have difficulty receiving this. It's just that, you didn't put any weight in the second hit like I said. You won't have any problems if you can neatly defend it. But I'm certain it's a move that is fairly effective against opponents you meet for the first time. "It's all about your stance. If you didn't attack from above but from the side, I would certainly be blown away. I couldn't withstand the second cut either." The fact is that with just one blow, my strength was completely shaved off. Both my hands and feet are still trembling. "And that, what was that about, receiving my kick equipped with a leg guard without defending. What I felt wasn't that of flesh and blood." "No matter how much its intensity is increased by the leg guards, I know what a kick can do when done out of desperation. By not neglecting training your body, your posture won't break if you stand firm on both legs." I'm interested in how far I have to go with that training. About as far as being able to swing around that huge sword at will? That's not completely unreasonable. "Kanna, even you wield weapons made from spirit magic don't you? You could swing around that giant axe after all" "That's by borrowing the power of the spirits, so that's not going to raise my physical strength. If that wasn't the case, I wouldn't be able to hold such a brutal weight since it's made of ice." If the objects formed from ice made with spirit magic exist by my influence, I wouldn't feel much of the weight it possessed. Thanks to that, I can also wield super heavyweight cla.s.s weapons that rivals Real's greatsword with relative ease. As a test I made a giant axe and tried to hold up something that removes the divine protection of spirits, but the weapon was so heavy, my lower back almost got hurt. When I relied on the spirit again, I could hold it up normally as expected. Moreover, it's at a manageable degree, neither light nor heavy. It's more than satisfactory. Besides, the goal of today's training was in order to train my own movements and not a direct improvement to my fighting strength. No spirit magic and none of Real's enhancement sorcery. If we use those, then the inn's backyard will be too small. If there is no s.p.a.ce with a radius of about fifty meters, it will cause inconvenience to other places. "Oh that's right" When we waited until our bodies cooled off, I recalled last night's event. I can't let the contents of the event slip my mouth, but let's ask Real about the problem at that time. "Yesterday in town, I heard that {Ice sorcery} is super difficult, but is that really true? " ......... Aah, now that you mention it, that's true. I have no excuses, I've forgotten to tell you." Real easily admits it. "As you already know, I'm weak with elemental magic. I memorized the coping method of each element, but I completely forgot to teach you the details of them." Both Real and her grandmother were taught about elemental magic during their stay in the village at the foot of the mountain. Earth, wind, water, fire, origin, sky, ice and lightning. Elemental magic can be roughly bundled into these eight elements. (TL: I wrote down origin, but I can't find the actual element that corresponds to this kanji: Yuan , which roughly means beginning, former time or origin. Anyone has any better idea?) "Within those, origin, sky, ice and lightning are called superior attributes within elemental magic. As you can expect, mastery over those four are harder than the other four elements and they can't be handled by anyone other than the limited people with talents for them." "It seems there is plenty of talent within you the moment you can use magic though." When I try saying that as the representative of incompetent men. "If it is like lighting up a fire on your fingertips or bringing about the wind to ward off the summer heat, even a five year old could do it as long as they have quite the skills for it. But if I could say whether or not that could pa.s.s in actual fighting, it would be a no. There may be no clear rules about this, but if you can't at the very least suppress a magic beast with just sorcery, then you can't be called a sorcerer, now can you?" "So you judge by fighting strength?" "It's because you won't be able to take down even the lowest ranking magic beast with an amount that is like a fire on your fingertips." "So it means that a firepower to the extent of being able to roast a magical beast whole is the minimum as a sorcerer, huh" "The rate of people who can overcome the lowest level of a sorcerer for the human race is one or two in ten. These ratios differ for each race. There are those who exceed five per ten and there are some who may or may not have one in hundred. ......... We went quite off-topic didn't we? And, so. For now I will continue the explanation limited to the human race. Further within the people who can use sorcery at a combat level, the ones who can handle the four superior attributes are about one in thousand." Generally speaking, the calculation means that only one person would be able to handle superior attributes among ten thousand humans. A handful of guys that can be called a genius. After Real temporarily finished her explanation, she made a complicated expression. "Well, it's unusual to call it unusual, but only its mastery is difficult and it's a different story if it may be used in combat as it is. It's because the earth magic users are stronger than the superior attribute magic users within the magic experts." Did she recall unpleasant things? Her face looks like it has a sour face printed over it. "The last what you will hear for today is that it may be for the best if you refrain from using spirit magic in public. You'll grab all the attention just from the unusual magic after all." "Won't you hesitate in using it in combat if you become too desperate in concealing it?" "If it becomes a scene involving life and death, that hesitation will go away. I don't want you to die by sticking to appearances and honor" I don't feel like restraining myself in giving or taking lives. While I continue the conversation with Real, my burning body settled down pleasantly. My body even recovered to the point of being able to move and so I pressed my hands on my knees and stood up. When I look above in the sky, I could see the sun will be reaching the zenith soon. "This is a good time don't you think? Let's go shopping for useful things after we have lunch shall we?" "You're very resilient as always aren't you? Normally your stomach won't accept food when you're that fatigued, you know." "Toughness is one of my few redeeming features after all." An answer that doesn't show if I'm actually boasting about myself or mocking myself naturally came out of my mouth.

深夜を越えた翌朝。 詳しく言及はしていなかったが、クロエは処女だった。女性の初体験は次の日がかなりキツいと聞いていたのだが。 事実、あの後一回どころか五回ぐらい数を重ねた後、クロエは「わふぅ............。わふぅぅん............。くぅぅん............」と、譫言を呟きつつ足腰が立たなくなっていた。 とりあえず脱衣所でしっかりと体を拭いて服を着せてやり、抱き抱えて部屋に連れて帰ったのだ。他の女子面子が起きないか冷や冷やしたがどうにかクロエをベッドに横たえると、俺は俺でそろっと男子部屋に戻って寝床に伏した。こちらも初体験の上に相当に激しく動いたのですぐさま眠りに落ちた。 そして朝起きると、全身に凄まじい疲労感。筋肉痛、とまではいかなかったが、起きるのが少々億劫になった。初めてだからって張り切りすぎたようだ。や、思春期真っ直中の野郎なら、盛りの付いた猫のようになってしまうのも仕方がないか、と自己弁護で納得する。相手は狼だったが。まぁ、捕食したのは俺ですが。 ところが、男の俺よりもキツかったはずのクロエはケロッとしていた。一番驚いたのは普通に立って行動していた事だろう。 「あ、カンナ氏。おはようでござるよ」 すっかり元の口調に戻ったクロエが、爽やかに挨拶をしてきた。心なしかお肌も毛並みもつやっつや、獣耳もぴんっと直上に立ち、ズボンからでている尻尾も力強く動いている。 まさに気力が漲っている。 「............なんでおまえさんはそんなに元気なの?」 精神的には俺も充実しているが、体力の面で言えば明らかにクロエに負けている。元々の体力差を加味しても、クロエの調子の良さはおかしい。 「拙者、一族の中では落ちこぼれでござったが、体力に限って言えば他の者にも負けていなかったでござるよ。その............昨晩のあれ直後ではさすがに無理だったでござるが、ある程度の睡眠時間が確保できれば、すぐに回復するでござる」 「あれ」と口にするクロエは恥ずかしげに小声になる。するとあれか、俺の体力が保てばあの後更に回数をこなせたのか。 「あ、いや。拙者も『初めて』だった故、あれ以上はちょっと............」 良かった。一方的に絞られた訳ではないのか。男としてのプライドがぎりぎりで守られたらしい。最中は本当に我を忘れる勢いだったが、終わった途端の疲労感がやばかった。 「(いやいや、初めてであれほどとは本当に末恐ろしいでござるのだが。危うく快楽の蟻地獄に飲み込まれると思ったでござるよ)」 ほっと胸をなで下ろした俺は、クロエの呟きを聞き逃していた。 情事の翌朝に腰が抜けて動けなくなる、というテンプレかつお馬鹿極まりないイベントをどうにか回避出来たようで、俺たちは予定通りに街を出発した。 馬車に揺られてまたも一週間の旅である。 霊山の麓村での滞在期間を除けば、俺の異世界生活の大半は旅の道中で彩られていると思う。交通機関の主が徒歩か馬車が中心なのだし仕方がないか。現実世界では車や電車、果ては空を飛ぶ飛行機まであったが、ソレを望めない今その対比をしても仕方がないか。 しかし、こうも移動に時間が掛かると、月日などあっという間に過ぎ去ってしまいそうだ。この世界に来てから早一ヶ月以上。この調子だと、元の世界に帰るのに最短でも半年ぐらい掛かるのは覚悟しておいた方がいいかもしれない。 「なにを黄昏ている」 馬車の後部から呆っと外の光景を眺めていた俺に、レアルが声を掛けてきた。 「や、いつになったら帰れるのかねぇと」 「............ああ、そう言えばそんな事情もあったな」 ちょっと! 如何にも「今思い出した」みたいな口振りは止めてくれませんか! 割と切実な問題ですよ! 「すまないすまない。悪気はなかったよ。ただ、知り合ってまだ一ヶ月なのに、随分と長い間一緒にいるような錯覚をしてしまってな」 「まぁ............その気持ちは分からなくもないな、俺も」 ユルフィリアの王城を脱出してから、レアルとはずっと一緒に居たのだ。少なからず背中を預け合って戦った間柄。更に、定期的に訓練も相手もして貰っている。短期間ではあるが非常に深い付き合いをしてきたのは間違いない。 「あと数日もすればディアガルの南端国境だ。そこにある街にさえ着けばディアガルの帝都まであっと言う間。もう少しの辛抱だ」 「帝都に着いたとして、そう簡単に帰れる手段が見つかるとはどうにも思えないんだがなぁ」 「随分と後ろ向きな発言だな」 「前向きすぎると横道を見逃すからな。こう言う時は寄り道をするぐらいの気持ちで挑んだ方が建設的だ」 身近に前向きすぎる馬鹿が居たお陰でそんな教訓が生まれた。 「そういやぁ、おまえさんはディアガルに着いたらどうすんだ?」 「とりあえず『職場』の方には顔を出そうと思っている。私も一応、部下を持つ立場を預かっていた身でな。一ヶ月以上も顔を出していなかったから、それなりの騒ぎにはなっているだろう」 「や、重役が一ヶ月も無断欠勤してたら、それなりどころのレベルじゃ済まさないと思うんだが」 「かもしれん。だが、この場でとやかく言っても仕方があるまい。実際に顔を出してみんことにはな。ま、大丈夫だろう」 自分の周囲に目が行き届いているし、必要であれば熟考を重ねるが、根っこの部分では本当に前向きだ。考えた上で前向きになれるのは美点と言えるか。 「城の方にもそれなりに顔が利く。それとなく君が元の世界に帰れる帰還方法を探してみよう」 「正直、頼れるのは事情を知ってるおまえさんしかいないからな。悪いけど本当に頼りにしてる」 「他ならぬ君の頼みだ。喜んで引き受けるとも」 割と秘密なお話をしているが、別にこの会話は小声で交わしているわけではない。かといって俺ら以外にこの声は伝わっていなかったりする。 実は、会話を重ねている最中にも、俺は僅かばかりに精霊術を行使していたのだ。 俺が扱える精霊術は氷をーー冷気、冷却を主に司っている。 簡単な科学の問題だが、水が冷やされて氷になるのは、内部の水分子の動きが凍結して個体になるからだ。今回俺はこの『凍結』の部分だけを抜き取って操っている。 声ーーまたは音は空気の振動によって他者に伝わるのだが、俺は自身とレアルの周囲にその『凍結』の結界を張り巡らせている。辺りに拡散する空気の振動をそれで停止させているのだ。 もちろん、これで馬車の内部の空気が氷点下にまで落ち込むようなヘマはしない。ここら辺は精霊術のご都合便利能力の賜で、凍結結界の薄い膜こそ少々冷たいが、その周囲は普通に常温だ。 つまり、この音の凍結結界を使えば、周囲を気にせず堂々と秘密なお話が出来るのだ。しかも、魔力を使っていないので、他の魔術士にこの結界がバレる心配は極端に減る。 こんな小細工じみた芸当が出来るようになったのは、渓谷での一件が大きな要因だ。クロエの心臓を止めるときに俺は精霊術で冷気を操ったが、その時の微細な感覚を頼りにここ数日練習したのだ。お陰で音の凍結結界はもとより、自家製冷房機みたいな事も出来る。 はっきり言って、精霊術の自由度は半端ではない。明確なイメージさえ出来るのならば汎用性に上限は無いのかもしれない。逆を言うと、イメージが固まらないと複雑な事は出来ないのが欠点だ。ここら辺は今後の課題だな。とりあえず欠点とそれに対する妥協案はあるが。 「それより、君はどうするのだ? 帝都に着いたとして、すぐに情報は手に入らないだろう。私はしばらく職場の方に留まるだろうし、一緒には行動できないぞ?」 ファイマとの護衛契約はディアガルの帝都に着くまで。レアルとは今語ったように当面は別行動。すると自然に俺は完全に単独フリーになってしまう。 もちろん、そのことに関しては考えてある。 「この際だし、冒険者ギルドの方に登録しようかと思ってる。幸か不幸か、俺の髪がこんなになったお陰でな」 俺は自分の頭上にある白い髪を指さした。 城を脱出した時点ではとれない選択だったのだ。理由は、城の連中に俺の顔が割れていたからだ。仮にも国家の機密である勇者召喚の当事者であり、幽閉されていたレアルの脱走の手引きもした。レアル曰く表だっての指名手配はされなくとも、影ながらの捜索はされているだろう。 そんな中、冒険者ギルドに登録すれば所在がバレる危険性があった。ギルドが発行するギルドカードは冒険者の身分を証明する物ではあるが同時に、ギルドが冒険者を管理するための物でもある。つまり、俺の情報がギルドの中に流通してしまうのだ。守秘義務は当然あるだろうが、国の要請があれば止むを得なくその情報を提示する事もあるのだ。ましてや、俺の黒髪黒瞳はユルフィリアや周辺国では非常に珍しい部類に入る。もし万が一にその事がユルフィリアの王城に伝われば一気に捜索の手が伸びる可能性があった。 ところがどっこい。渓谷の一件で俺の髪と目はごらんの通りに変色してしまった。この世界にはまだ『写真』なる技術が存在していない。個人の特定に役立つのはおそらく、性別と年齢や体格。そして髪と瞳の色だ。仮に似顔絵があったとしてもこのうち二つでも情報との差異があれば、それは別人と判断されるにちがいない。髪の色だけなら、この世界にも洗髪料ぐらいはあるだろう。だが、瞳も鮮やかな紅に変化したのだ。目の色を変える方法は容易くないはず。 「怪我の功名ってやつだな。これで以前よりも気を使わなくても済む」 「そういうところは前向きだな」 「理由のない前向きはただの馬鹿だって事さ」 真の前向きとは、不利な状況の中でも活路を見いだすことだと俺は思っている。根拠のないそれは思考の停止も同然だ。希にそれでもどうにかなっている輩もいるが、そいつは『神に愛されている』としか言いようのない激運の持ち主なので例外だ。 「元々の持ち合わせに今回の報酬も上乗せされるから、働かなくても当面の生活費は困らないと思うが」 ユルフィリアから拝借した財宝類は俺とレアルの山分けと、既に話を終えている。内訳は、名が通ってそうな絢爛な品や処分に困るような品はレアルに。普遍的に流通してそうな品は俺。金額的には等分になるように振り分けているが、内容に偏りがあるのは仕方がない。ディアガル帝都の内部にレアルは(本人談だが)独自の伝手を持っている。訳ありの品、徹底的に守秘義務を重視する業者に任せるとのこと。かなりグレーゾーンに近いが真っ当な商売を心掛けているとか。そんな相手との繋ぎがもてるからこそのこの振り分け。 「金ってのはあって困るもんじゃないだろうさ。なんだかんだで世の中金があればどうとなることも多いし。まさか現実世界に帰る方法が分かるまで引き籠もりニートになるわけにも行かないだろうさ」 「『にーと』とはなんだ?」 「働かずに自堕落に生活するやからの総称だ」 幻想世界は現実世界と比べて室内で出来る娯楽が少ない。あっても対人が主のカードゲームや、ボードゲームぐらいだ。相手に困らないならぶっちゃけニート生活も悪くないが、あいにくとそんな知り合いは皆無である。だったら、簡単な仕事でもいいから働いた方が健全である。 「ふむ............だったら『彼女』の指南を受けるのはどうだ? 現段階でCランク。後もう少しでB、という段階まで行ったのだ。ギルド内での立ち回りを学ぶにも適任だと思うぞ?」 「おお、そりゃ思いつかなかった」 レアルのアドバイスに納得した俺は、音の凍結結界を解除し件の人物に声をかけた。 「おいクロエ、ちょっといいか?」 「ん? なんでござるかカンナ氏」 「俺は帝都に着いたら冒険者ギルドに登録するつもりなんだが、おまえさんさえよかったら指南役になってくれねぇか?」 「指南もなにも............カンナ氏は今でも十分に強いと思うでござるが」 「馬鹿言うなよ。俺は所詮素人に毛がもっさり生えた程度だ。や、戦闘面の話だけじゃない。俺はここらへんの一般常識には疎いし、冒険者ギルドは名前しか知らない。ギルドの使い方とか、心構えとかそういった根本的な事を教えて貰いたい」 「ああ、そういうことでござるか。もちろん構わないでござる。拙者としては恩を返せる機会が増えて願ったり叶ったりでござるよ」 俺としては先日の『ワンワンタイム』で十分に返して貰ったつもりだが、クロエとしてはまだまだらしい。彼女も嫌がっている様子はないし、この好意は有り難く受け取ろう。 ぶらりぶらりと馬車の旅で一週間が経過し、無事にディアガル領の南端都市にたどり着いた。国境沿いにある街だからか交易が盛んらしい。だからか、なかなかの規模を誇っている。城のような巨大建造物こそ無かったが、それでも発展度はユルフィリアの首都に匹敵していた。 ここから帝都まで、通常なら馬車の旅を追加で二週間かそれ以上の時間を要する。直線距離に限れば一週間弱で到着するらしいのだが、ユルフィリア王国の領土に比べ、魔獣の出現頻度も比較的に高いらしく且つ強さも上だとか。 しかもユルフィリアとの国交における玄関口のような街だが、ここからディアガルまでのルートが一番困難な道のりらしい。危険な魔獣が生息する地域を迂回し、安全に移動できるルートに迂回すると、どうしても遠回りになってしまうのだ。 そもそも、ディアガルは百年以上前まで鎖国に近しい状況だったのだ。と言うのも、前述に記した通り、まず魔獣の強さが他の地域よりも高い上に危険地域も広い。土地や道程を開拓するのにも非常に困難だったのだ。 その関門の一つが先日にトラブルに見舞われた渓谷ーー確か、フレイムリザードの渓谷と呼ばれていたな。名を冠する魔獣が時の英傑に討伐されるまでは進出不可地域だったらしい。 もはや魔境といっても差し支えないぐらいに厳しい環境の土地だ。それらの話をファイマから教わっている最中は鬱な気分になったものだ。なにせ俺らが目指している土地はまさにその魔境のど真ん中なのだから。冗談を抜きに命がけの旅になりそうだ。 そんな俺の杞憂は、次にファイマが続けた説明によって解消された。 「............まさか魔法万歳の世界でこんなのを見る事になるとは」 国境の街に到着したその翌日。数日前にこの国の詳しい地理を聞かされた時はゲンナリとしていたが、その後に説明に出てきたのが、今まさに俺の目の前にある存在だ。 「............拙者も初めて見るでござるが、凄いでござるな」 「私も、利用するつもりでいたから話には聞いていたけど、これはさすがに圧倒されるわね」 クロエもファイマも『ソレ』を見上げ、驚きと感動を半々ぐらいに呟いた。同じく、ランド、アガット、キスカも同様にだ。 「そうか、この中で『こいつ』を見たことがあるのは私だけか。まぁ無理もない。外からきた人間はだいたいこいつを見て圧倒されるからな」 レアルは納得した風に頷くと意気揚々に言った。 「さぁ! こいつがディアガル帝国の大動脈にして名物。『魔導列車』だ!」 ーーーー魔導列車。読んで字のごとくに魔術の力で動く列車だ。 ディアガルの国交が開かれて以降、手先の器用さで言えば他の種族よりも先んじているドワーフ族の協力の下、ディアガルが国の威信と発展を望んで作り上げたのがこの魔導列車だ。 この列車の線路はこの南端都市を始め、領内に点在する様々な発展地域から延びており、そのすべてがディアガル帝都に繋がっている。 「構想から現在の形になるまでおよそ二十年近くの月日を要した。線路を通すに適したルートの構築から、野生の魔獣への対処。列車そのものの設計に至るまで苦難の連続だったらしい」 列車である以上、線路を破壊されれば一溜まりもないが、線路の敷いてある各地には魔獣除けの結界術式が設置されており、よほどに危険な魔獣でない限り線路の上は安全だとか。なお、魔術除けすら通用しない魔獣も当然いるが、そもそもそれらの生息地には線路を通していないので殆ど問題ない。 「この魔導列車の完成によって、危険地帯の多いディアガルは他国との国交の容易化を実現し、今日までの発展を遂げたのだ」 自国の成し得た偉業を誇らしげに語るレアルは、いつになく饒舌だ。 「こいつの主な役割は物資の運搬や重要人物の護送ではあるが、金銭さえ払えれば一般平民の利用も可能だ。多少値は張るがな」 ここ始発の南端都市から終点である首都までの、一人当たりの運賃が金貨一枚。気軽に乗れない値段ではあるが、列車なら寝ている間に着く。それに比べて徒歩や馬車だと、道中の食料や魔獣への対処で経費が嵩む。そう考えると遙かに安上がりだ。 「この南端都市から出発して、二日後には帝都の駅に到着しているだろうさ。魔導列車の凄いところは、ある程度の管理さえ出来れば夜間も休まずに走り続けられる所だ。馬車は生き物が牽く以上、どうしても休憩を挟まないといけないからな。しかも速さは段違い」 「蒸気機関と魔導機関のハイブリット機構だったわね。魔術具で水と熱を生み出して、その時に生じる蒸気の圧を利用して車輪を動かす、だったかしら」 「さすがはファイマ嬢。詳しいな。その通りだ」 どうやら、この世界はまだ『電気』を動力とした機械類は存在していないようだ。「雷」の概念は魔術属性の一つである以上ある程度の理解はあるらしいが、それを「燃料」と捉えるまでは行っていない。将来的にその研究がされるだろう。 ぶっちゃけ俺には関係ないか。電気の概念は知っていても、具体的に利用する方法を教えられるほど詳しくないし、実際に作ってみせる技術力もない。というか、俺の目的はこの世界からの脱出、元の世界への帰還だ。そこいら辺に力を注ぐ余裕もないしな。 「ここまで連れてきた馬車の馬はどうすんだ? 連れてくのか?」 ランドに聞くと、彼は首を横に振った。 「いや、この街で売ってしまうよ。ディアガルには最低一ヶ月は滞在する予定だからな。連れて行くにしてもこの街に預けるにしても、それだけの期間を放置しておくのは心苦しい。だったら、しっかりと面倒を見てくれる相手に譲った方が馬も喜ぶだろう」 短い間ながらも俺たちの乗る馬車を引っ張ってくれた相手だ。その後はちょっとだけ気になっていた。 「安心して欲しい。昨日の内に私が信頼できる馬業者に任せてきたから。少なくとも扱いの悪い持ち主には当たらないよ。売る側にも売る相手を選ぶ権利はあるんだから」 や、キスカが安心させるように肩を叩いてくるが、そこまで気にしてないからね? 如何にも『全部分かってる』みたいに悟りきった表情やめてくれません? や、流石に馬刺にされるとかだったら思うところは出てくるけどさ。 「騎士たるもの、相方となる馬に絆を感じるのは自然な事よ。あなたの気遣いはきっとあの馬にも届いているから」 「や、そこまで思い入れは無いから。つか、俺騎士じゃねぇし。剣すらもってねぇから」 「あら、あなただって立派な『剣』を持ってるじゃない」 と、キスカは視線を下に下ろした。はて?と彼女の視線を追うと、ちょうど俺の下半身の一点に到達してーー。 「って下ネタかよ!」 「随分ご立派なものをお持ちで............」 両手を添えた頬を赤らめ、彼女は伏せ目がちに。 「誉められているはずなのに素直に喜べない! ってかいつ見たんだ!」 「............ワンワン」 「あの時かぁああああああああああああッッッ」 よりにもよって俺の卒業式はばっちり目撃されていたらしい。頭を抱えて絶叫した。 「夜更けに風呂場にクロエさんが向かうのを目撃して、後を付いてったら............ねぇ?」 「や、同意を求められても」 「それに私だって女なのよ。扉の隙間越しとはいえ、あんなのを見せられたら見て見ぬ振りは出来ないわよ」 「というか、あの場に乱入しなかった事を誉めて欲しいぐらいだわ」 「あ、うん。そうだな。それは確かに」 「本当に、混ざってしまおうかどうか真剣に迷ったんだから」 「素直に感謝しづらいな!」 そんな会話をそばで聞いていたクロエは「わふぅぅ............」と顔を真っ赤にしていた。獣耳もペタリと垂れ、頭を抱えてその場に蹲る。うん、君も卒業式を目撃された一人だったな。 「騒がしいな。いったい何の話だ?」 「こっちの話だ気にするな!」 ここで規律の権現であるアガット委員長の登場だ。あかん、ここで奴が会話に参加すると更にSAN値が激減する。出会って数時間の相手と『ワンワン』していたなどと知れば確実にぷっつんする。 とりあえずその場は勢いで誤魔化した。幸いにもアガットや話をちらっとだけ聞いていたレアルとファイマには事実は伏せられたようだ。唯一、ランドは話を聞きながら苦笑していた。あのおっさんにはバレたかもしれない。くそ、不覚だ。 出発直前のハプニングはあったが、そんな一幕以外は特に問題も起こらず、ディアガル帝都への優雅な二日間の列車旅に出発したのであった。

The morning of the next day. Though I didn't allude on it much, Chloe was a virgin. I heard that the morning after the first time is always painful for the girl. And in fact, Chloe couldn't even stand, going "Wafuun............Wafuun............Kuun............" and muttering some incomprehensible stuff after we piled our bodies for the fifth time yesterday. for starters, I changed her clothes then princess carried her to the girls' room. Though I got a cold sweat thinking about the other three waking up, things went well. Finally I went back to the guys room and feel asleep. being my first time combined with all that intense moving I did, I fell to sleep pretty fast. The first thing I felt when I woke up in the morning, was tiredness and muscle pain, not. Nevertheless, it was a pain to wake up. Looks like I gave it a little too much of my best since it was my first time. No well, since I'm an adolescent I guess it couldn't be helped that I ended up like a rugged old cat, or so I convinced myself. The opponent was a wolf, yet I was the one who did the eating. But then, Chloe who was supposed to be having a harder time because she's a woman, was actually pretty energetic. It was the most surprising when she stood and moved around normally. "Ah, Kanns.h.i.+. Good morning degozaru yo." Having completely returned to her old way of speaking, Chloe cheerfully greeted me. With glossy skin, her beast ears standing tall and her tail energetically moving around, she was totally back to normal. She was clearly overflowing with vitality. "............ Just why are you so energetic?" Though I'm also fine mentally, I can't keep up with Chloe physically. Even counting the difference of our stamina she's still a little too lively. "It's true that this one was a dropout among my race degozatta ga, but the only thing I wasn't losing in was my stamina degozaru yo. The thing is............Yesterday, though this one couldn't keep going after that degozaru ga, with some sleep I'm back to normal degozaru." The voice of Chloe when talking about [that] was barely audible due to embarra.s.sment. More importantly, If I had more stamina we would have done it even more after that. "Ah, no. Last night having been this one's{first time} and all, anymore than that would have been a little............" I'm relieved. Knowing I didn't get one-sidedly sucked. Looks like I was barely able to protect my pride as a man. Though at first I forgot myself, the sense of exhaustion after the deed was nothing to scoff at. "(No no, for you to be like that on your first time, truly a fearsome personage degozaru noda ga. This one was a step away from drowning in the doodlebugs of pleasure degozaru yo)" Feeling relief from Chloe's words, I missed the words she muttered. When the next morning came, I was unable to move my waist. Having avoided such a stupid template, we left town as planned. Once again, we spent a week of being shaken by the carriage. Aside from the time spent at the village at the base of Reizan, I've been doing nothing but travelling since I came to this world. Since the only means of travel here are walking or riding a carriage it can't be helped huh. Back at the real world there were cars, trains and planes. Well, thinking about things that are not here won't do me much huh. Though when it takes this much time just to move around, time really pa.s.ses by in a flash. A little over a month since coming to this world. Going by this flow it might take at least half a year for me to return home. "What are thinking about?" Real called out to me when I was looking at the scenery outside the carriage. "Well, I was wondering when I'll be going home." "............Ah, you also had such circ.u.mstances." Oi! Please stop that way of talking that screams [I just remembered]! It's quite the serious problem for me! "Sorry sorry. I meant no ill. It's just that despite having met for the first time a month ago, it feels like we've spent a long time together." "Well............It's not like I don't understand that feeling myself." Ever since the Yurufiria castle escape, I've been together with Real. I trusted her with my back to her in battle many times. Not to mention that she accompanies me in training a lot. There is no doubt that a rather deep bond exists between us despite having known each other for only a month. "Only a few days until Diagal's border. Once we reach the town there it won't take much to arrive at the capital. You just have to hang in there a little more." "Even if we set foot in the capital, I don't think a way for me to return home can be found that easily though." "Those are some pessimistic words there." "If you're too positive you'll miss the back-doors after all. At times like these it's better to put in mind that the road will be a long one." Thanks to always having a way too positive idiot by my side, that kinda way of thinking came to be. "By the way, what will you do once we reach the capital?" "I think I'll first drop by my{work place} .I'm more or less someone left with subordinates after all. There should be quite the commotion since I didn't show my face for a month." "Nah, If the superior disappeared for a month there's gotta be more than quite the commotion going on." "That might be true. But worrying about it here won't help. First thing first, I have to go take a look. Well, it's probably fine." She's properly looking at her surroundings, if necessary she'll think things through, but at the heart of things Real is really positive. Being all positive after thinking it through could be said to be a good point huh. "I have some connections at the castle too, so I'll try looking into a way for you to go home." "Frankly put, you're about the only one I can rely on due to my situation. Sorry but I'm really counting on you." "It's a request from you of all people. Of course I'll gladly do it." Though we were doing a secret discussion, it's not like we were talking in small voices. Despite that, this talk didn't reach a single soul. The reason for that would be the spirit magic that I had been using. The spirit magic that I possess rules over ice--frost and freeing. It's a simple science problem but, the reason why water freezes into ice is that the movement of the molecules of water freezes and they clump together. This spirit magic makes use of the{freezing} part. Voices--Or yet sounds are transmitted through the vibrations of the air, I put up a barrier of{freezing} around me and Real. I'm stopping the movement of the air here. Of course, I won't mess up and freeze the air in the carriage. This part is where the acc.u.mulation of the convenience of spirit magic comes to s.h.i.+ne. Though the barrier layer itself is rather cold, the temperature around it is pretty normal. Simply put, using this barrier, I don't have to mind the surroundings. Besides, I'm not even using magic power so the worry of other magicians noticing is pretty low. It's pretty much thanks to the event in the valley that I became able to do such tricky stuff like this one. I had manipulated the cold to stop Chloe's heart, relying on the sensation I had at that time, I've been piling up training for the past few days. Thanks to that I can even do the job of an air conditioner now. To be honest, spirit magic is pretty free. if you have a clear image there might not be any restrictions. On the other hand, without a clear image you can't do complicated things. This will be the next weakness to work on. For now I understand the problem and have a countermeasure against it but. "Rather than that, what are you planning on doing? It's not like you'll get information once we get to the capital. I'll be spending a while in my work place, so I can't keep you company?" The contract with Faima ends once we reach the capital, as she just said, Real will be acting separately from me. So naturally I'll be going solo. Of course, it's not like I didn't give that any thoughts. " I think I'll take the chance and join the adventurer guild. For better or worse, my hair's become like this after all." I turned my eyes to the hair on my head. At that time we fled the castle it was a choice that I couldn't consider. Obviously because my face was seen by the people at the castle. I know about the hero summoning, which is a state secret, and even helped break Real who was confined out. Even if they don't issue an official search, they should be moving behind the scenes, is what Real said. Had I registered at the guild at that time, the possibility of being found out was high. Though it can proof one's ident.i.ty, the adventurer guild card is also used to monitor the activities of adventurers. In other words, my personal information will be recorded by the guild. Sure, they're not supposed to disclose that to anyone, but some pressure from the country and they'll give in. Not to mention, my black hair, black eyes are pretty rare in this region. If such information reached the Yurufiria royal castle, they might have moved to arrest me right away. On the contrary. Thanks to the events at the valley, my eyes and hair changed color as can be seen. Since this world doesn't have anything like pictures, they should identifying people by their race, age and body size. And the color of their eyes and hair. Even if there was a similarity in the other factors, they wouldn't think it's the same person if the color of their hair and eyes isn't the same. Though a way to change hair color exists in this world, even my eyes have turned bright crimson. It shouldn't be that easy to change eye color here. "Finding fortune in misfortune. At least I don't need to worry as much as I used to about being found out." "You're being optimistic here." "It's simply that being positive for no reason is called being an idiot." A truly positive guy is someone who finds something worth rejoicing about in the middle of despair. A baseless positivity is the same as giving up thinking. Though you can find guys who still manage even then, I can only call those as{loved by G.o.d} , the type who has the luck of the world is an exception. "If you add this time's reward to what you already had, I think you can live without working though." The treasures we stole from Yurufiria's castle were divided between me and Real. The stuff that is hard to turn to money was taken by Real while I took the things that are easy to liquidate. Though we split them evenly, it can't be helped that it ended up looking unfair for Real. According to her, since she knows the right people in the capital of Diagal (self proclaimed), she only has to give the goods to a merchant acquaintance who will take care of it. She said something about them dealing in borderline legal business. It's exactly due to her having such connections that we split the goods like this. "It can't trouble me to have more gold. Most problems in the world can be solved through money after all. I can't go becoming a hikikomori NEET until I find a way back to the real world." "What's a{NEE-T} ?" "It's about the folks who don't work and spend their lives in depravity." This fantasy world is lacking in forms of entertainment compared to the real world. Even if they existed they'd mostly be board games and card games. If I had someone to accompany me I wouldn't mind becoming a NEET but sadly I don't have any such acquaintances. Hence, I'd rather do whatever job I can. "Fumu............Then you might want to learn from{her} . A C-rank who got close to B-rank, she should be able to teach you how to be an adventurer." "Oh, I didn't think about that one." Following by Real's advice, I released the sound barrier and called out to Chloe. "Oi Chloe, can I have a moment?" "Hnm? What's the matter degozaru ka Kanns.h.i.+?" "Once we set foot in the capital, I plan on registering in the adventurer guild. If you're fine with it, could you teach me the ropes?" "What is there to teach............This one thinks Kanns.h.i.+ is already strong enough as it is degozaru ga." "Don't be stupid. I'm at most a little better than your average commoner. It's not only fighting, I'm quite ignorant about common sense and the only thing I know about the guild is it's name. I want you to teach me how to use the guild and the thinking of an adventurer." "Ah, so that's what you meant degozaru ka. Of course I don't mind degozaru. Since the opportunities to return the favor would increase, this one couldn't ask for more degozaru yo." I personally think she already returned more than enough with last night's{wanwan time} . But it seems like Chloe thinks she still has ways to go. It's doesn't seem like she forcing herself to help me. Let's take her kindness gratefully. Just like that, a week of travelling on the carriage has pa.s.sed, we safely reached the southernmost town in the Diagal territory. Maybe due to being close to the border, trade is flouris.h.i.+ng here. And that's probably why it's a rather big town. Though there was nothing like a castle, it was as prospering as the capital of Yurufiria. Normally, it would take at least two weeks from here to the capital on a carriage. If we're talking simple distance it seems to only take a week. but compared to the kingdom of Yurufiria, not only is the rate of meeting magic beasts much higher, they're also stronger. Besides, despite being something like the diplomatic link to Yurufiria, it appears that the way from here to the rest of Diagal ranks first in harshness compared to the rest of the country. Having to avoid the areas where magic beasts live and looking for a safe pa.s.sable route, it becomes quite the roundabout trip. To begin with, it was only around a hundred years ago that this country stopped being an isolated nation. With that being said, the magic beasts are stronger than normal and danger crawls everywhere. It was bone breaking just to make a town. One of such dangerous places would be the valley that got caught up in trouble a few days ago--I think it was called the flame lizard's valley. It seems to have been an uncharted territory until the hero of that time subjugated the so called flame lizards. It has so harsh an environment that one would think it's haunted grounds. In the process of learning about these things from Faima it made me rather dispirited. The place we're aiming for happens to be right in the middle of such a haunted land after all. But those fears of mine were blown away with Faima's explanation. "............Who thought I'd be seeing this guy in a world of swords and magic." It didn't really hit home when I heard the explanation about this country a few days ago, but the thing that appeared in such explanation is the exact same thing i'm looking at right now. "............This one hasn't seen one before too degozaru ga. This is amazing degozaru." "Me too, since I had intended to use it, I had heard the stories but, to think it was to this degree." Looking at{that} both Chloe and Faima were overwhelmed with surprise and admiration. Of course the other three were no different. "I see, the only one here who has seen{this guy} would be me huh. Well, it's understandable. Most of the people who come from outside are overwhelmed ny this guy after all." Real was nodding as she started getting convinced on her own. "Come! This is the Diagal empire's famed{magic train} !" ----Magic train. Just as the name implies, it's a train that moves with the power of magic. After Diagal opened diplomatic relations, known to be more technologically advanced than the other races, it was in cooperation with the dwarfs that the magic train came to be, serving as the main brand of Diagal. Beginning with this town, it rails real several cities and towns which are all connected to the capital. "It took about twenty years for it to come to it's current completed state. From finding the right routes for pa.s.sing the rails to coming up with countermeasures for magic beasts, it seems to have been a series of hards.h.i.+ps to arrive at the stage of making the train." A train is useless if the rails are destroyed. But then again, it appears anti magic beast barriers have been deployed around the rails. As long as it's not a pretty powerful magic beast, the rails are safe or so they say. although there are magic beast immune to magic, there are apparently no rails in areas where those live. "With the completion of this magic train, Diagal which is br.i.m.m.i.n.g with danger areas managed to make good diplomatic relations with other countries. And has been growing to be what it is today." Real who was proudly declaring the achievement of her country was pretty talkative. "Though the job of this guy consists mainly of transporting goods, and escorting big shots, anyone can ride it by paying a fee. Though it's a little expensive." Going from this border town at the southern tip of the country till the imperial capital would be one gold coin per head. A price not easily affordable to all. But if you think about it, you could even sleep in the train until your destination, compared to that, walking or using the carriage entails more expenses when dealing with rations and magic beasts. Once you think like that, one gold coin becomes quite the cheap price. "Departing from this town, we'll arrive at the capital in two days. The astounding part of this train is that with just some repairs it can keep going nonstop. Since it's pulled by living creatures, a carriage must make stops. Moreover, the speed is on a different league." "The hybrid of steam engines and magic. I think they produced the water and heat with a magic tool then made use of the pressure from the generated steam to move the wheels." "As expected of Faimjo. You're quite knowledgeable. It's exactly as you said." Looks like, a machine that runs on{electricity} has yet to be invented in this world. Being one of the magic elements, they have a certain level of understanding concerning [lightning]. But the idea of using it as a source of energy is still unheard of. Such research will probably take place in the future. Honestly, it's a talk that has nothing to do with me. Although i know about electricity, it's not to a level where i can teach them how to use it. Nor do I have the technical skill to make such device. Never mind that, my goal is to return from this world back to my own. I don't really have the leeway for such side quests. "How do you intend to handle the horses that we brought with us? Are we gonna bring them along?" When I asked Rand such he replied by shaking his head to the sides. "No, We're gonna sell them in this town. We intend to reside in Diagal for at least a month after all. Whether we leave them or bring them, it' kind of feels bad to leave them on standby for a whole month. Surely the horses will be happier to be left in the care of someone who will properly look after them." It was only for a short period, but they pulled the carriage for us. I got a slight bit curious about their destination. "Don't worry, just yesterday, I left them in the care of a trusted horse merchant. At least they won't be sold to someone who mistreats them. Even the side that's selling has the right to choose who to sell to after all." No well, Kisuka is. .h.i.tting my shoulder as if to ease my worries but I'm not that worried you know? Won't you stop making that{I understand everything} knowing face? "As someone who calls himself a knight, it's only normal to feel a bond towards your horse, your partner. Your feelings have no doubt reached that horse." "Nah, my feelings aren't that strong. Actually, I'm not even a knight. I don't even have a sword." "Ara, don't you have a splendid{sword} right here?" And Kisuka lowered her gaze. Hmm? Following her line of sight, it was glued to a certain point in my lower half-- "Tte, a dirty joke huh!" "You possess quite the wonderful............" Putting her hands on her beet red cheek, she said while looking down. "Even though I'm being complimented, I can't honestly get happy! Rather than that, when did you see it?" "............Wanwan." "It was that tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime!!!" Of all things, it looks like my graduation ceremony was perfectly witnessed. "I saw Chloe-san heading towards the baths at night, once I followed her............ne?" "No, even if you demand agreement from me." "Moreover, even I am a woman you know? Even if only through the crack in the door, if you show me something like that, I can't simply pretend not to have seen anything." "Actually, you should praise me for not breaking in then." "Ah, un. That's right. True enough." "Really, I was even seriously thinking whether to join in or not." "I somehow can't bring myself to be grateful!" Hearing such a conversation go on next to her, Chloe went [Wafuu............] with a reddened face. Her beast ears hanging down, she held her head and crouched down. Un, you're also someone that had her graduation ceremony witnessed. "What are you guys talking about?" "It's nothing important. Don't worry about it!" And here, the incarnation of discipline, the committee chairman Agatt make his appearance. This is bad, if this guy partic.i.p.ates in this talk, the already low SAN level will get lower. If this guy know that I did{wanwan} with someone a few hours after meeting them, surely he'll snap. Anyway, I managed to deceive him. Fortunately, Real and Faima who weren't really that focused on our talk seem to be still in the dark. Only, Rand let out a bitter smile while listening to the conversation. It might have been exposed to that old man. d.a.m.n it, I messed up. there was such a happening when setting out but, apart from that event nothing happened as we departed on a graceful two day train trip towards the capital.

第二十五話 リアルにそんな先生はいるのだろうか? 何故キスカとこれまで殆ど会話が無かったと言えば、それは偶然ではなく半ば彼女が意図的に俺を避けていたからだとか。ファイマと同性である彼女は、アガットとランドに比べて最も彼女に近しい護衛だ。それだけに、ファイマの守護に細心の注意を払い、雑談等の会話を最低限に留めるようにしていた。加えて、ファイマやランドは既に俺にある程度の信頼を置いているが、俺とレアルはやはり外部からの協力者だ。万が一の裏切りがないとも限らず、これまで俺たちの観察に徹していたのだ。 だったら何故この段階で俺と普通に会話をしたのかを問うと、キスカの目から見ても俺たちが信頼に足る人間であると判断できてきたからだそうだ。もし俺がファイマに害をなす気なのならば、その隙は幾らでもあった。だが、結局俺はファイマに害を成す素振りを見せず、二度目の覆面の襲撃でも身体を張ってファイマを守った。もはや俺たちを疑う余地はないと確信ができたのだ。 さて、ようやく従者三人とのまともな交流を終えると、次なる問題が浮上した。 「これがリアルファンタジーの弊害かッ」 「君は時折意味不明な事を叫ぶな。それも異世界の文化か?」 「............間違ってはないな」 俺たちの目の前に広がるのはゴブリンの『残骸』である。もちろん、レアルが無双しランドたちが迎撃した魔獣の成れの果てだ。 ゲームだとモンスターの死骸はすぐに消滅するが、リアルなファンタジーの世界ではもちろん自然消滅などしてくれない。魔獣の死骸は普通に残るし、時間が経過すれば当たり前のように腐る。そして、腐った死体は疫病の元になるか、あるいは『アンデット』系統の魔獣に変貌する。 冒険者や旅人にとって、排除した魔獣の『処理』は当然のマナーであり義務なのである。そして俺たちは、現在進行形でその義務を遂行中なのである。 ーーーーというか、死体が積もりすぎて馬車の進行方向を妨げている。 「馬車の中にある荷物に何でスコップがあるか分からなかったが、こういう理由だったんだな」 「数体ならともかく、こういった道具で一カ所に纏めて、一気に燃やさないと時間が掛かりすぎる」 レアルは言葉の通り、手にしたスコップでゴブリンの死体を掬い、道脇の一カ所に纏めていく。俺はといえば、氷でスコップを作り、同じ作業を行っている。死骸を掃いているとは思わず、赤色や緑色をした雪を処理していると自らに言い聞かせて作業に没頭する。そう思っていないとちょっと厳しい。 「周囲に燃えるモノが無いから良いけど、森の中とかだったらどうするんだ? 下手すりゃ山火事だ」 「森の中であるのなら、原生する魔獣が死体を勝手に処理してくれる。腐ってもそれが肥料の代わりになって森の一部になるので問題はない」 魔獣によっては、死骸の一部が様々な道具制作の素材となる場合があり、冒険者によってはそれを求めた『魔獣狩り』を生業にしている者もいる。ここら辺はRPGで定番の流れだな。ちなみに、ゴブリンの死骸は有用性が殆ど無く、極稀に所持していた武器が貴重品だったりするが、百匹狩って一つあるかないかぐらいの低確率だとか。 「魔獣の死体処理は討伐者の義務ではあるが、基本的には放置で問題ない。今言ったように、その付近に生息する魔獣が食料代わりに処理してくれるからな。ただ、さすがにこの量だと処理しきれないだろうし、肥料になろうにもここのような乾いた土地ではそれも難しい。こういった場合はやはり燃やすか、あるいは埋めるしかない」 と、言うわけで、俺とレアルはせっせと死体を一カ所に集めていく。 この間、アガットとランドが何をしているかと言うと。 アガットはファイマの側に張り付いて護衛の任務を継続中。ファイマをおそった覆面たちは、とりあえず最初に現れた人数に限れば、先ほどの四人を含めすべて撃退できた。だが、更に追加がないとも限らず、一層に警戒を強めている。馬車の荷台でキスカと共に警戒中。 ランドは、死んだ三人と未だ意識を戻さない最後の一人を取り調べ。所持品や人相で襲撃犯の背後関係の手掛かりが無いかを探っている。気を失っている奴に関しては、意識が戻り次第尋問するらしい。 「素直に口をわるかね。曲がりなりにも暗殺に雇われた輩が」 「思わん。それでも態度や口振りだけでも読みとれる情報という物はある。尋問は専門外だからこれ以上は何も言えないが、ここはランド殿に任せるほか無い」 俺は刑事ドラマのとあるシーンを思い出す。取調室で、担当刑事が容疑者を尋問するシーン。スーツ姿のランドが覆面を取り調べる光景を脳裏に浮かべた。ダンディなイケメンは次元を隔てた先にあるファッションも見事に着こなしていた。 などという妄想はともかく。 「レアル、今回の襲撃をどう見てる?」 「おそらく君と同じ予想だ。百歩譲って、ゴブリンが待ち伏せをするのはまぁ理解できる」 「百歩譲るんだ」 「アガットにはああ言ったが、珍しい事例だ。滅多にない。ただそれ以上に、幾ら同族とは言えこれほどのゴブリンが一挙に襲いかかってくるなどあり得ない。一つの群にしても、あまりにも密集過多だ」 五体満足の死体は少ないが、それでもざっと軽く見積もって百以上のゴブリンの死骸が散らばっている。 「せいぜい集まって二十や三十。それ以上になれば、同族であれ様々な齟齬が生じてくるだろう。縄張り争いや、餌の取り分などな。自然現象ではなく何かしらの外因があったと見て間違いない」 予想というか俺の場合は、ゴブリン全体から感じた雰囲気が、本能ではなく何かしらの意図的なモノを含んでいたのを察したからだ。 「外因に心当たりとかあるのか?」 「世には『魔獣使い』という輩もいるにはいる。何かしらの手法を使って魔獣を従え、使役する術は存在する。かく言う私自身も、特定個体の竜と契約を交わし、任意に呼び出して使役できる。これも大まかな括りで言えば魔獣使いの一枠だ」 聞いた話だけで結論を述べれば、魔獣はある程度は行動制御可能のようだ。現実世界でも猛獣使いとかいたしな。 「ただ、私の言う『契約』は契約者と契約対象に相互理解が必要だ。その為に、契約対象に高度な知性が求められる。とてもではないがゴブリンとは無理だ。一方的に支配権を強いる契約もあるが」 そもそも、ゴブリンは魔獣としては最低ランクの能力しかない。魔術的な契約を結ぶほどの利点は無い。 「これほどの量を操るぐらいなら、もっと高位の魔獣を従えた方がよほどに効率がいい」 とはいえ、とレアルは馬車の方をちら見して付け足す。 「我々を抜きにゴブリンとは言えこの物量をぶつけられれば、ファイマや他の面々とて余裕は持てなかったろう。そこに暗殺者共の襲撃などあれば、君が気が付かなければ防ぎようが無かった。あの場にいた全員が前方のゴブリンどもに集中していたからな。ま、あの状況では当然か」 「てぇことは、ゴブリンをけしかけてきた奴と暗殺者の背後はイコールで結ばれてるって事か?」 「そう考えるのが自然ではあるな。色々と不可解な所は残っているが。すべてが状況証拠であり、双方が全くの別件である可能性もある」 それを言ってしまうと切りがない。事実の究明はこの時点で一旦終了する。後はランドが覆面の生き残りから情報を仕入れることを願う。 それから一時間ぐらいを使って、ようやくゴブリンの死骸を一カ所に纏め終わる。雪掻きならぬゴブリン掻き(語呂悪いな)とともに、俺の精神もガリガリ掻きながらの作業だった。 出来上がったゴブリン死骸の山はなかなかの大きさになった。山の表面から緑色の手や足、頭が突き出ている光景は本当に気持ちが悪い。 「じゃ、ちょっと離れててね」 ファイマに言われて、俺たちは彼女の後ろに下がる。それを確認したファイマは、ゴブリンの山に向けて手を翳す。小さくぶつぶつと呟くと、覆面を潰した時のような幾何学模様ーー術式が中に浮かぶ。それも両手に一つずつ。 最初に右手の術式が光を放つと、風が死骸の山へと向かう。切り裂く、吹き飛ばす等の攻撃的な現象は起こらない。 およそ一分ぐらい風が吹き続け、その次に左手の術式から火の玉が放たれた。大きさは拳よりも少し大きい程度。あの死骸の山に火を点火するにはちょっと火種が小さい。 だが、火の玉が死骸の山に触れるか否やという瞬間、轟っと音を立てて激しく燃えさかった。火の大きさは一気に膨れ上がり、積上がった死肉を飲み込み燃え移る。 「ファイマ嬢は風系の術式を得意としていたと聞くが、まさか炎系統もここまで使えるのか。恐れ入る」 「いえいえ。前にも言ったとおり、私が習得しているのは、風系統の魔術式が中心。他の三系統は冒険者の必要最低レベルを納めている程度よ。もちろん炎属性もね」 「だが、この火力は炎属性の中級はあるぞ?」 「これは風系統の魔術を工夫して使っただけですよ。多分、カンナなら理解できるんじゃない?」 ファイマに問われた俺は、少し考えてから昔に理科の授業内容を思い出した。 「最初の風の魔術で、特定の気体を集めたんじゃねぇのか? で、次の火の玉で一気に燃え上がったと」 「正解ッ」 パチリと、ファイマは小気味の良く指を鳴らした。 「空気中の成分を分解して、酸素だけを集めたの。効果が出るまで少し時間が掛かるから戦闘には使えないけど、大きな火種が欲しいときには結構重宝する方法なのよ」 赤毛魔術士の説明を受けてもレアルはいまいち理解できないようで首を傾げるだけだ。現実世界だと中学生なら誰でも知っている科学の実験だが、この世界の人間にとっては希有な知識か。 「ちなみに、今回は酸素を中心に集めたけど、これを水素に置き換えるとここら周辺が吹き飛ぶぐらいの威力になるわね」 「水素か............水素燃料とかに使えそうだな」 現実世界では水素を燃料とした新しい技術が開発されていたが、一番ネックなのは水素の補給事情だ。空気中から水素だけを取り出すのにかなりコストが掛かる様だが、幻想世界の魔術を使えば簡単に水素を供給できそうだ。 そんな俺の呟きに、ファイマの目が鋭く光った。本当に光ったと思えるほどに、彼女の目つきが変わった。草食動物が肉食獣に変貌した具合の豹変だ。 「ちょっと、今の話を詳しく」 「へ?」 ガシッと、ファイマに両肩を捕まれる。 「水素を燃料に? その発想は無かったわ。そうよね、あの爆発力は確かに有効よね。異国では『蒸気機関』なんてモノが開発されてるんだもの。熱を利用した新しい動力は既に存在するわ。だったら、蒸気なんて使わずに熱をそのまま利用すればいいのよ。酸素だったら燃焼だけで大したエネルギーは確保できないけど、水素の爆発力なら問題ないわね」 あ、これは俺がファイマの前で初めて精霊術を使った時と同じ顔だ。好奇心や研究意欲が暴走している。 「私もまだまだね。国の宮廷魔術士たちを馬鹿にできないわ。私も結局は魔術を戦争の道具としてしか見てない。視点がどうしてもそっち寄りになる。そうよ、魔術って言うのはもっと自由であるべきなのよ。攻撃魔術なんて所詮は魔術という分野のほんの一部でしかない。それが魔術の発展に繋がっているのは事実だけど、不要と切り捨てられた理論であっても、他の分野には欠かせない要素かもしれないのよ。重要なのは、既存の先入観に囚われず、ありとあらゆる可能性を模索する発想力。今後の魔術発展には必要なの。そう自由な発想力がッ!」 「落ち着け」 スパンッ! 「はうッ!? ............あ」 俺のはたきを頭に食らい、ファイマは我に返った。俺とレアルの何とも言えない温い視線に気が付き、顔を赤くする。 「ご、ごめんなさい。私ってば、興味のあることが目の前にあるとついつい周囲に目が行かなくなっちゃうから............」 「や、いいんだけどさ」 死骸の山が燃え盛るシーンが背景でなければ放置しても構わなかったのだが。肉が焼ける臭いに、そろそろ俺の不快指数が限界を超えそうである。 「悪いが、その話は渓谷を抜けてからで良いか? もうちょいと安全な場所に落ち着いたら幾らでも話を聞くからさ」 「そ............うよね、今はこんな話をしている場合でもないわよね」 少なくとも、ゴブリンの燃え滓を側に熱中する話ではない。 「ファイマ嬢、できれば私にも『サンソ』や『スイソ』とかいう『カガク』について教えて欲しいのだが。私だけ話に着いていけないのはそこはかとなく寂しい」 レアルが手を挙げてそんな願いを出した。教室で先生に質問したがる子供みたいだな、と俺は何ともおかしく思った。 「あら、そのぐらいだった喜んで。科学について興味を持っていただけるだけでも嬉しいわ」 こっちはこっちでそんな子供の質問に答える先生みたいだな、とも思った。こんな若くておっぱいの大きい美人な先生だったら、俺はもっと真面目に授業を受けていただろうか。 おっぱいが気になりすぎて授業にならなかったろうと結論を出した。

Chapter 25 Does that kind of teacher exist in reality though? Speaking of why I hardly had any conversations with Kiska until know. That wasn't because of coincidences, but partly because she intentionally avoided me or something. Being of the same s.e.x as Faima, she is an escort closest to her compared to Agaht and Rand. For that reason alone she made it a point of paying close attention to Faima's protection while keeping conversations like chats to a minimum. At the same time, Faima and Rand have already put some trust in me, but me and Real are still outsiders working together with them. There's been not just even a remote possibility of betrayal, thus far have they completed their observation of us. When I ask why she's having a conversation with me at this stage in that case, Kiska said she seemed to have judged with her eyes that we're trustworthy people. I had as many opportunity as I like if I were thinking about doing Faima harm. But I didn't show any behaviour of trying to harm Faima and I also put my body in the masked men's attack for the second time and protected Faima. They were convinced that there's no more room for doubting us. Well, now that I finally got the proper interactions with the three attendants out of the way, the next problem rose to the surface. "Are these the harmful effects of real fantasy!?" "You really do shout ambiguous lines sometimes. Is this also culture from the other world?" "............You're not wrong about that I guess." What's spread out in front of our eyes is the {wreckage} of the goblins. Of course, they were the ruins of what once were the magic beasts intercepted by Rand's party and Real's musou mode. If it was a game, then the monster corpses would disappear right away, but they won't naturally disappear in a realistic fantasy world of course. The corpses of magic beasts will remain normally and when time pa.s.ses it would obviously decay. And then the decayed corpses could cause an epidemic, or possibly transform into an {Undead} type of magic beasts. I'm sure that {Disposing} eliminated magic beasts is appropriate etiquette and responsibility as far as adventurers and travelers are concerned. And so we, in present continuous tense, are executing said responsibility. ----Or more like, the corpses piled up too much and is blocking the way of the carriage. "I didn't know why we had a shovel inside the carriage, but it was for this reason right?" "It's not that bad if it's just several corpses, but it will take too much time if we don't gather them in one place with this tool and burn them all at once." Just as she said, Real scoops up the goblin corpses with the shovel in her hand and put them all on the roadside in one place. And as for me, I make a shovel with ice and do the same work. I don't think of it as sweeping bodies, I just tell myself I'm disposing of red and green snow and immerse myself with my work. If I don't think like that it'd be a little tough. "There's nothing around us that can burn so it's fine, but what are you gonna do if it's inside a forest? It'll be a wildfire if we do it poorly." "If it's inside the forest then the magic beasts living in there will deal with it on its own for us. And even if it decays, that will become fertilizer instead and become part of the forest so there are no problems." Depending on the magic beast, there are cases where parts of the corpses becomes raw material for producing various tools and some adventurers earn their bread with {hunting magic beasts} of whose materials are requested. I guess it's the standard course of events around this part. By the way, the goblin corpses is practically useless and though the weapons they own extremely rarely are valuable, it has a low probability where you probably won't get one after hunting hundreds of them or something. "Dealing with corpses of magic beasts is the duty of the subjugator, but there's essentially no problem if you leave it as it is. Like I had said, it's because the magic beasts living in the area will dispose of it as food. It's just that that with this amount they won't be able to dispose of them as you would expect. Also becoming fertilizer is difficult on dry areas like here. In this case there's no other choice but to burn it either way or bury them." And with that said, me and Real diligently gather the corpses in one place. If you're asking what Agaht and Rand is doing in the meantime. Agaht is standing by Faima's side and is in the middle of his guard duty. We were able to repel the masked men who attacked Faima if we only limit to those who appeared in the beginning and include the four from just now. However, additional masked men may come, so we strengthen our vigilance all the more. He's on alert together with Kiska on the cargo stand. And as for Rand, he's examining the three dead men and the last one who still hasn't regained his consciousness. He's investigating whether or not there is any background on the perpetrators of the attack with their personal belongings and looks. It looks like he will interrogate the unconscious guy as soon as he regains his consciousness. "I wonder if he will obediently disclose it to us. That fellow who employed them to somehow a.s.sa.s.sinate her." "Don't think so. Even so, there are things like information we can just read from their behavior and way of speaking. Interrogation is outside my area of expertise so I can't say any more than this, but we can't do anything aside from entrusting this part to Sir Rand." I recall a certain scene from a police drama. A scene where the detective in charge is interrogating the suspect in an interrogation room. A scene where Rand in a suit is investigating the masked man was floating in my mind. A dandy good looking guy is also splendidly wearing fas.h.i.+on coming from the other side of the dimension. That sort of delusion in any case. "Real, how do you see this time's attack?" "It's likely the same as what you had expected. a.s.suming the goblins were lying in ambush is, well, understandable." "So we're a.s.suming." "I've told Agaht, but it's an unusual case. It's rare. It's just that beyond that, it's impossible for this many goblins to rush on together like that despite how many are of the same tribe. Even if they acted as one group, it was too excessive of a crowd." Corpses in perfectly good health are scarce, but even so there are more than hundred goblin corpses scattered about if I roughly estimate it. "At most 20 to 30 would gather. Any more than that should produce various conflicts even if they are of the same tribe. Turf wars and food shares and the like. There's no doubt it's not a natural phenomenon, but some external cause." The expectation, or rather my case is that I judge that the mood I felt from the whole goblins doesn't harbor any instinct, but some kind of intentional something. "You got any idea on the external cause of this?" "In this world there are people called {Magic beast tamers} . There exist a technique that uses some sort of method to subdue and employ magic beasts. I myself could similarly exchange contract with a specific individual dragon and arbitrarily call them for use. This is roughly speaking also one of the frameworks of a magic beast tamer." If I state the conclusion based on what I hear, then it seems like it's possible that the behavior of the magic beasts were controlled to some extent. There are animal tamers in the real world too. "It's just, the{contract} I mentioned needs a mutual understanding between the contractor and the contractee. For that, advanced intelligence is needed from the contractee. That's nearly impossible with goblins. There are also contracts that forces the right to control to one party though." In the first place, goblins have nothing but the lowest ranking ability as magic beasts. There's no advantage in binding a magical contract with them. "If they manipulate at least this amount, then it would've been much more efficient to just subdue a much higher rank magic beast." "Although" Real adds as she glances towards the carriage. "Though they're goblins, I don't think even Faima and the others will be able to last if they're hit with this amount without us. And if the a.s.sa.s.sin's attack and such happens there, then there won't be any defense if you hadn't noticed them. It's because all the members were concentrated in front of the goblins. Well, I suppose it's justified considering the situation." "Which means, the guy who instigated the goblins and the one behind the a.s.sa.s.sins can be linked with an equal sign, is that what you mean?" "It's natural to think like that, you see. There are still various mysterious points left though. All the evidence is circ.u.mstantial and it's also possible that both parties are entirely separate." There'll be no end to this if you end up saying that. We temporarily end the investigation of facts at this moment. I also wish Rand will find out some information from the masked survivor. We then spend around an hour after that and finally the goblin corpses in one spot. It was a work that both shovels away the goblins that couldn't end up as snow shoveling(that sounds wrong) as well as my mind. The finished goblin corpse mountain has become quite the size. The sight of green arms, legs and heads sticking out from the mountain surface is really gross. "Okay then, stand back a little." Being told by Faima, we withdraw behind her. After confirming us, Faima then goes towards the goblin mountain and holds her hand above her head. When she mutters softly, a geometry pattern like that time the masked man was crushed--a spell floated in the inside of it. Also one on each hand. When the spell on her right hand first unleashes a light, wind then blows towards the corpse mountain. An aggressive phenomenon where it cuts them up and blows them away didn't occur. Wind continues to blow for about a minute and then a fireball is unleashed from the spell on her left hand. The size is a little larger than a fist. It's a little small for a source to set that heap of corpses on fire. But the instant the fire ball touches the heap of bodies, it made a roaring sound and it furiously blazed. The size of the fire swells up in one go and it spreads and swallows up the acc.u.mulated dead flesh. "I hear Ms Faima's forte is her wind attribute spells, but to think you could also use the fire attribute this far. I'm amazed." "No, not at all. Like I had said before, What I'm learning is centered on wind magic spells. I've obtained the minimum level necessary for adventurers on the other three, you know. Naturally, this includes the fire attribute." "But this firepower is at the intermediate level for fire attributes, you know?" "I only devised a wind magic spell and used that, you know. Kanna, you could probably understand this, don't you?" Being asked by Faima, I recall the contents of the science lessons from long ago after thinking about it a little. "With the wind magic at the beginning, you gathered a specific gas didn't you? So, the fire ball that comes next flares up in one go." "Correct!" Faima briskly snapped her finger. "I disa.s.sembled the components in the air and only gathered the oxygen. It takes some time until it has effect so it's unusable in battle, but it's quite a handy method for when you want a large source of fire you see." Even after receiving the explanation from the redhead sorcerer, Real doesn't quite seem to understand, so she only tilts her head. It's a science experiment every middle school student knows about if it was the real world, but is this rare knowledge to this world's people? "Incidentally, I've gathered the oxygen in the center this time, but if I replace them with hydrogen, then it would become powerful enough to blow away the area around here." "Hydrogen, huh............Stuff like hydrogen fuel would seem to be usable then, wouldn't it?" A new technology is being developed in the real world by using hydrogen as fuel, but the number one bottleneck is the supplying situation of hydrogen. It looks like it costs quite a lot to take just the hydrogen from the air, but it looks like you could easily provide hydrogen if you could use magic from the fantasy world. Faima's eyes shone strongly towards such mutterings of mine. Her eyes changed so much it really seemed to be s.h.i.+ning. It's a sudden change of state transforming a herbivore into a carnivore. "Excuse me, give me the details on that topic just now." "Wait, what?" Both my shoulders are firmly caught by Faima. "Hydrogen as fuel? I never had that idea. I guess that is right, that explosive power is certainly effective. In a foreign country, some {steam engine} is developed after all. New power that uses heat already exists. In that case, just use heat as it is instead of steam. A great amount of energy isn't guaranteed from just burning oxygen, but it won't be a problem with hydrogen's explosive power, right?" Ah, it's the same face Faima had that time I used spirit arts in front of her for the first time. Curiosity and research ambitions are running wildly. "I still have long ways to go. I can't make fun of the country's imperial court magicians. I too can't see magic as anything other than tools for war in the end. My opinion is to stop that by any means. That's right, the thing we call magic should be liberal. Things like offensive magic is after all nothing more than a part of the field called magic. That it is tied to the development of magic is a fact, but some theories, however unnecessary and discarded they are, could be vital components in other fields. What is important is inventiveness that explores every single possible solution without getting caught up by existing preconceptions. It's necessary for future magic development. That liberal inventiveness that is!" "Calm down." Bonk! "Hau!? ............Ah." After her head took a hit from me, Faima became herself again. She noticed me and Real's indescribable warm eyes and blushed. "I, I'm sorry. Dear me, it's all because I unconsciously stop looking around me when there is something interesting in front of my eyes............" "No, it's fine though." I wouldn't mind leaving her alone though, if it weren't for the scene of a mountain of corpses burning in the background. The stench of burning flesh is slowly about to go over the limits of my discomfort index. "Sorry, but can we wait until we get out of this ravine? I'll let you hear about it as many times as you want once we settled down in a somewhat safer place" "That's............right, I guess. Now is not the time to be doing this sort of conversation." At least it's not a topic to be going nuts for by the side of the goblins' cinders. "Ms. Faima, I'd also like you to teach me about {Psy-ens} like {Oxie jen} or {Hidro jen} though. It's somehow lonely if I'm the only one not keeping up with the conversation." Real raised her hand and let out that sort of request. She's like a kid wanting to ask the teacher a question in the cla.s.sroom I thought quite amusingly. "Oh, if it's that much, then with pleasure. I'm happy even if it's just taking interest in science" And this one looks like a teacher answering that kid's problem doesn't she, is what I also thought. I wonder if I would be taking cla.s.ses more seriously if I had a young, beautiful, big b.o.o.bed teacher like her. I then draw the conclusion that b.o.o.bs would bother me too much for me to get taught anything.

ビバ翌日。 最後の最後に医者の診察を受け、健康体のお墨付きを貰った俺は晴れて退院となった。帝立──つまりは国が直々に運営するだけあって、町医者が営む病院とは規模が段違い。表に出て改めて病院の外観を眺めるとその壮大さは壮大だった。病院と知らなければ『城』と勘違いしてしまいそうだ。 ──どうやってあんな高いもの作ったんだ? や、どうせ便利な魔術とかあるんだろう。地属性魔術は建設現場では大活躍するらしいし。 「俺は出所したヤクザか」 病院から出た俺を一番に出迎えたのはクロエだ。レアルは忙しいだろうし、この街で他に仲の良い同世代はいないので仕方がないが。あれ、実はぼっち予備軍? 「これからどちらに行かれるのでござるか?」 「とりあえずギルドの方に顔を出すつもりだ。リーディアルの婆さんに、報酬の件とか色々と問いつめておきたいからな」 「では拙者もご一緒するでござる」 「............暇なのか?」 「酷いでござるッ!? 一人でギルドにいくのはちょっと寂しかったのでござるよ! あと拙者も今回の成功報酬に関して手続きをしなければならないのでござる!」 クロエをちょいちょいイジりつつ俺たち二人はギルドに向かった。 「ぎ、ぎぎぎぎぎぎぎぎギルドマスターですとぉぉぉぉぉぉぉぉぉッッ!?」 「クロエ、五月蠅い」 レアルから、俺が真実を知ったのが伝わったのだろう。婆さんは椅子に座るなりさらっとクロエに身分を明かした。 「ギルドマスターでござるよッッ! ギルドのマスターでござる! ギルドでマスターでござるよ! ギルドなマスターなのでござるよ?!」 直訳だな。妙な四段活用。しかも後の二つは微妙に意味が通らない。 「しかも元Sランク!? 冒険者にとっては天上人にも等しい御仁でござるぞ! どーしてカンナ氏はそこまで冷静なのでござるかッ!」 「や、俺もレアルに聞かされたときはふつうに驚いたわ」 「なんで昨日の内に教えてくれなかったのでござるかッッ!」 「忘れてた」 「軽いでござるぅぅぅぅぅッッッ!」 頭を抱えながら絶叫するクロエを傍目に、件のギルドマスター様は腹を抱えて大爆笑だ。さらにそれを傍目に、シナディさんが困った様子で頭を振っていた。 一頻りに笑い終わった婆さんは、目尻に溜めた涙を拭う。 「や、悪気は無かったんだ。ただ、アンタ等の驚く顔が見たくてついつい隠しちまったんだ。許してくれ」 「めめめ滅相もないでござる! ギルドマスター殿から謝罪を受けるほどの事ではないでござる!」 「そうだぞクロエ。この婆さんに改まる必要なんて無いぞ。むしろ偽証罪で慰謝料請求するぐらいが丁度良い」 「............あんたはあんたで変わらなすぎだろう」 「これは失礼しましたババ............失礼、ババア様。慰謝料を寄越して欲しいのですがババア」 「確かに畏まる必要はないがアンタの場合はもうちょい遠慮しな! というか言い換えた意味ないだろ! 最後は直できたね!」 「............カンナ氏のそういうところは、本当に凄いと思うでござる」 昨日の時点で十分に驚かされたのだ。ちょっとぐらい仕返ししても罰は当たらないだろう。 「ったく、小憎たらしい男だねおまえさんは。まぁいい。改めて自己紹介しておこうか。冒険者ギルド、ドラクニル支部のギルドマスターをしているリーディアルだ。若い頃は元Sランク冒険者にして『千刃』の名を頂いていた。ま、だからといって今までどおりの接し方でかまわないからね」 冒険者の天上人を前にガチガチに緊張していたクロエは、本人の了承を得ると少しだけ肩の力を抜いた。「いいのか?」とシナディさんに視線を送るが、彼女は苦笑を浮かべながら頷いた。 「さて、と。自己紹介はもういいだろうさ。早速だが本題にはいろうかね。まずは小僧の報酬に関してだね」 レアルからは依頼達成のサインは貰っていないが、話は昨日の内に彼女から直接婆さんに通されていたらしい。俺は依頼の受注書をそのまま婆さんに提出する。 「まずはご苦労だったね。事の顛末はレアルの奴からすべて聞かせて貰った。随分と活躍したらしいね」 「ったく、たかがお届け物じゃなかったのか? えらく働かされたぞ」 「こちらの落ち度、としか言いようがない。今回のレイド依頼は、Cランクに任せるレベルじゃぁなかったよ」 Aランクの魔獣こそ出現しなかったが、規模で言えばBランクを中心に部隊を編成し、最低一人のAランク冒険者が同行するべき難易度と現在では判断されたようだ。後の祭りだが。 「レアルも言ってたが、アンタを寄越さなかったら冒険者にも騎士団にも相当数の被害が出ていただろうね。ギルドマスターとして、礼を言うよ」 「全くだ。追加報酬は期待できるんだろうな?」 「謙遜の欠片もないね。小僧らしいといえばらしいが」 婆さんが目配せすると、シナディさんは報酬の入った布袋をテーブルの上に置いた。 「元々の依頼報酬、銀貨五枚に追加報酬で金貨二十枚だ」 日本円に換算して二百飛んで五万円。予想を遙かに越える額だ。 「オーガをニ体に、リザードマン多数。そのほか危機的状況を回避できた貢献度を考えりゃぁそのぐらいは当然さ」 「すごいでござるよカンナ氏! 金貨十枚を越える依頼報酬はBランクにならないと得られないでござる!」 「つまり、アンタは一流の冒険者と同じだけの成果を挙げたって事だ」 正当な報酬ではあるが、あまりの額に少しだけ気後れしてしまう。良いとこせいぜい金貨五枚前後だと思っていたからだ。 続けてクロエもレイド依頼の報酬を受け取る。こちらは元々の報酬である金貨二枚の所に、四枚の追加報酬が上乗せされた。ジェネラルゴブリンを何体か討伐したことが高評価の一因だ。 「ついでに、その実力に偽り無しとし、黒狼っこにはBランク昇格試験の受験を許可しよう」 諸手を挙げて大喜びするクロエの頭を撫でてやる。「わふぅ」とだらしない笑みを浮かべるクロエだ。本当に狼か? 「これこれ、喜ぶのは早いよ。それはBランクにきっちり昇格してからにとっておきな。まぁ、実力は申し分ないだろうさ。後は面接試験でヘマをしなきゃ合格は問題ないかね」 Cランク昇格試験からは腕っ節だけではなく教養の面でも能力を求められる。 「紳士的な貴族が相手なら問題ないが、礼儀の『れ』の時も知らない屑みたいな貴族もギルドに依頼してくるからね。そこいら辺の対応力も高ランク冒険者には必要だよ」 「うぅぅ............。そこに関しては不安一杯でござる」 「心配だったら、昇格試験対策にギルドが開催してる『貴族相手の交渉講座』があるから受けときな。ソイツを真面目に受けたら、昇格試験の時はほぼ間違いないだろう」 上のランクに行けば行くほど、依頼人が『貴族』の割合が大きくなってくる。報酬の支払い能力が一般庶民のキャパを越えてしまうからだ。それだけに貴族との対応能力は必須スキルだ。 や、俺はしばらくDランクでのんびり活動させて貰うから問題ない。とりあえず、ドラクニル支部で受けられる『美味い魔獣』を制覇するまでは考えなくていいだろう。『現実世界』に戻るまでの時間と生活費を稼ぐために冒険者になったのだ。出世欲はほとんどない。 「なにを他人事みたいな顔をしてるんだい、小僧」 クロエに講座の説明をしていた婆さんの顔が俺の方を向いた。 「や、ぶっちゃけ他人事だが」 「馬鹿を言うでないよ。言っておくが、アンタには黒狼っことは別にCランクの昇格試験を受けて貰うんだからね」 ........................今なんと? 鳩がマグナム弾を食らったような顔をしているだろう俺に、婆さんが嘆息混じりに言った。 「鉱山でアンタがどれだけ大暴れしたのかは、レアルだけじゃなくて依頼を受けた冒険者たちからも報告を受けてる。とてもDランクに収まるような実力じゃないのは把握済みだ。冒険者たちから「あの白髪の若者はどこのどいつだ!」ってぇ問い合わせが受付の方に殺到してるくらいだしねぇ。対応に困ってるよ」 「あーーーーーーーーッッッ!?」 すっかり忘れていた。 あの場にはレアルとクロエだけではなく、冒険者や騎士団も戦っていたのだ。氷の雨を降らせたり砲弾とばしたり斧を振り回してたし。戦場に飛び込んだ時も空から思いっきり氷砲弾ぶっこんだからな。目に付かない方がおかしい。 「さすがはカンナ氏! Dランクに昇格して一ヶ月も満たない内にCランクに昇格するための実績を積むとは!」 クロエがキラキラした目で褒めてくるがいやいや。 「ったく、実力を隠すなら隠すでもうちょいとやりようがあったろうに。ま、あの状況じゃぁ仕方がなかったとも思ってるが」 叱責とも呆れとも取れる婆さんの言葉に、俺は己の迂闊さを呪いたくなった。 「だいたい、鉱山での大暴れ以前に野営地でオーガをニ体撃破したんだろうさ。この時点で実力的にはCランクでも問題ないと判断できるよ。こいつは野営地でアンタと戦った騎士団員から証言が取れてる」 聞けば聞くほど言い逃れの言葉が潰されていくようだ。それでも俺は喉から音を絞り出すように口を開いた。 「............俺は別に『上』を目指すつもりはねぇぞ」 「アンタにとって、冒険者家業が日銭を稼ぐための手段に過ぎないのは重々承知してるよ。だがね、冒険者ギルドってのは『良く』も『悪く』も公明正大が大原則だ。冒険者の『実力』や『報酬』に対しては誠実でなきゃぁならん。明らかに上のランクを目指せる人材を低ランクで遊ばせておけば、ギルドの面子に関わってくる」 婆さん個人に実力がバレるのならば話は別だが、今回は多数に俺の実力が知れ渡っている。冒険者同士の繋がりもあるだろうし、レイド依頼を受けた者とはまた別の冒険者にも噂が広がっているだろう。 「............もし断ったら?」 「断れると思ってるのかい?」 言葉が発せられると同時に、肌を貫かれるような気配が室内を蹂躙した。俺の横に座るクロエは「ひぃ............」と耳を垂れ、怯えた悲鳴を上げた。シナディさんにしても額に脂汗を浮かべ、圧倒されぬよう眉間に皺を寄せる。 俺の目の前にいるのは人当たりの良い婆さんではなく、Sランクの高みに至った規格外の存在だった。 「............脅しか」 「さぁね。好きに受け取りな。しかしやるね。私の『気当たり』を前にして欠片も調子を崩さないか。Cランク程度なら下手すりゃ卒倒してるんだが。肝の座りが半端じゃないねぇ。ますます将来有望だ」 絶対の強者が浮かべる凄みのある笑みに、俺は拒否権が無いことを今更ながらに思い知ったのだった。

Viva the next day. After a last examination to confirm my health, I'm finally discharged from the hospital. ---How did they construct such a tall structure? It's probably built with the help of some convenient magic or some such. It seems likely that earth attribute magic plays a major role in its construction. [Am I a yakuza now?] Chloe is the first to welcome me out of the hospital. Real is occupied and I got no other close friends of my age in this city, so there's no helping it. [Where are you heading now de gozaru ka?] [For the time being, I'm going to show my face at the guild. I wanna ask Lydeal basan about my reward and various other things.] [Then, this one would like to accompany you de gozaru.] [.........Too much free time?] [That's awful de gozaru! It's just that it would be somewhat lonely going to the guild alone de gozaru yo! This one also have to go through the formalities for the previous request de gozaru!] While teasing Chloe along the way, we head towards the guild. And then, after talking to Cindy-san at the reception counter, she guides us to basan's office, as usual. [G-G-G-G-G-Guild M-M-Master---!!?] [Chloe, you're exaggerating.] I guess it's because Real already told me the truth. [Guild Master de gozaru yo! Guild's Master de gozaru! A Master of the Guild de gozaru yo! Because it's The Guild Master de gozaru yo! ?] It's all literally just a literal interpretation but with a weird 4-stage inflection. Also, the latter two doesn't make any sense at all. [Moreover a former S-rank! ? As far as adventurers are concerned, S-rankers are luminaries from the heavens de gozaru zo! How is it that Kanns.h.i.+ is unperturbed de gozaru ka! ?] [Actually, I was pretty surprised when Real told me about it.] [Why did you not tell this one yesterday de gozaru ka! ! ?] [I forgot.] [As if this is trivial de gozaruuuuuuuu! !] Seeing the shrieking Chloe at her wits end, the aforementioned guild master is roaring with laughter while holding her stomach as if she's unrelated to the topic. Speaking of someone unrelated, Cindy-san by her side shakes her head, seemingly troubled. After finis.h.i.+ng her laughing fit, basan wipes off tears from the corners of her eyes. [I meant no harm by hiding it. I just wanted to see your surprised face so I unintentionally hid the fact. Do forgive me.] [P-P-Please pay us no heed de gozaru! This much is not enough to warrant an apology from Guild Master-dono de gozaru.] [So she says, Chloe. You don't need to stand on ceremony with the likes of this basan. Rather, you should claim reparation for her perjury.] [.........As for you, you're too indifferent to this.] [My deepest apologies baba.........pardon, babsama. Nevertheless, I'd like to claim reparation for your perjury, baba] [Certainly both of you don't have to be all formal with me but in your case, you should be a little more reserved! Or rather, there's no point in your rephrasing! You even reverted back at the end!] [.........Seeing you like that, this one thinks Kanns.h.i.+ is actually amazing de gozaru.] That's because my astonishment ran out yesterday. A little revenge won't net me a punishment. [Good grief, you sure are a petty man. Well, that's fine. Shall we begin anew with self introduction? I am Lydeal, the Guild Master of Draknil's branch of Adventurer's Guild. In my youth, I'm known as [Thousand Blades], the alias I received when I was still S-rank. While that may be true, I won't mind if you interact with me no differently than before.] Chloe who is nervous in the face of the luminary releases her tension when said luminary gave her express approval. [Now then. I a.s.sume that much is enough for an introduction. It's a bit sudden but let us get to the point, shall we? First of all, regarding the youngster's remuneration.] I didn't get Real's signature but it seems that she personally reported to basan yesterday. I submit the request certificate as is. [First and foremost, great work out there. Real already filled me in about the circ.u.mstances. It seems that you played an active role in this incident.] [Good grief, wasn't that just a delivery errand? I got worked to the bone y'know.] [I have nothing to say except it was an oversight of mine. This time's raid request wasn't at the level that should be entrusted to C-rankers.] Although rank magic beast didn't appear, judging by the scale of the outbreak, the raid team should've been organized around B-rankers at the core, with at least one rank adventurer accompanying them. [Real said it as well. If you hadn't shown up when you did, the adventurers and knights would have suffered considerable casualties. As the guild master, you have my grat.i.tude.] [d.a.m.n right I did. I can expect additional reward, right?] [There's not even an ounce of humility ne. How very much like you, youngster.] Following the eye signal from basan, Cindy-san put my reward in the form of a pouch on the table. [The original request reward, 5 silver coins with an additional remuneration of 20 gold coins.] In j.a.panese Yen, it would amount to 2.5 million yen. An amount far and above what I antic.i.p.ated. [Two ogres and a large number of lizardman. That and including your pivotal contribution in avoiding the worst case scenario, this amount is reasonable.] [It's amazing de gozaru yo, Kanns.h.i.+! Earning more than 10 gold coins from a request is not possible unless you are a B-ranker de gozaru!] [In other words, you've accomplished a feat comparable to that of a first cla.s.s adventurer.] It's a justified recompense but I'm a little bit daunted by the amount. I thought it'd be about 5 gold coins at most. Subsequently, Chloe also receives her reward from the raid. Four additional gold coins are added to her original reward of 2 gold coins. One of the reasons for her high valuation was her accomplishment in which she subjugated several general goblins. [While we're on the occasion, since her strength has proven to be true, black wolf girl is permitted to take B-rank promotion exam.] I stroke Chloe's head, who's wholeheartedly rejoicing. [Now now, it's too early to be rejoicing. That should be saved after being promoted to B-rank. Well, I have nothing more to say concerning your ability. If you don't screw up the interview afterwards, you'll have no problem pa.s.sing the exam.] (baba) Promotion to C-rank onwards requires not only strength but also a certain degree of refinement. [There would be no trouble if the commissioner is a well-mannered n.o.ble but there are also trash-like n.o.ble who don't even know [c] from courtesy coming to the guild with a commission. It is indispensable for high-ranking adventurer to be able to deal with such an occasion.] (baba) [Uuuuuu......... This one is full of anxiety regarding that de gozaru...] [If you're worried, you should join the [Aristocratic Measures Negotiating Course] held by the guild for those preparing for the promotion test. If you undergo that diligently, you'll almost certainly be promoted.] As one goes higher in rank, the ratio of [n.o.ble] clients will increase. That is because commissioning a request for those ranks exceed the capacity of commoners. Hence, the necessity for the ability to deal with n.o.bility. Since I'm gonna take it easy as a D-rank, it doesn't matter to me. For the time being, I guess I'll put it off until I conquered all [delicious magic beast] requests that can be received at Draknil's branch. After all, I only became an adventurer to earn living expenses and to pa.s.s time before I return to the [real world]. I got almost no desire for a promotion. [Why are you looking like it's someone else's affair, youngster?] Basan, who was explaining the course to Chloe turns to me. [Frankly speaking, it is though.] [What foolishness are you spouting. I'm telling you now, aside from black wolf girl here, you will also undertake the C-rank promotion test.] .................................Whadja say? Basan continues with a sigh, seeing that I kinda look like a dove that just got shot by a peashooter. [It's not only Real who reported the extent of your rampage at the mine but also the other adventurers who accepted the request. They've already grasped that your ability does not correspond to your D-rank at all. Those guys are flooding the receptionists with inquiries such as [who the heck was that white-haired young man?!]. I'm having trouble dealing with it, you know.] [Ahhhh-----!?] I completely forgot. It was not only Chloe and Real fighting there, but also all those adventurers and knights. I made ice fall down like a rain, launched away ice sh.e.l.ls and brandished an ice axe. Even when I jumped into the battlefield, I blasted an ice sh.e.l.l with all that I had. [As expected of Kanns.h.i.+! To pile up achievements enough for a promotion to C-rank within less than a month after being promoted to D-rank!] Chloe is complimenting me with sparkling eyes but nonononono... [Good grief, if you wanted to hide your abilities, you should have put a little more effort to do so. But well, in that situation, I think that there's no helping it.] Hearing the words of basan containing both rebuke and exasperation makes me want to curse my own carelessness. [Besides, before you went on a rampage at the mine, you already crushed two ogres at the encampment. Even at that point, you were judged as having C-rank level of ability. This is based on the testimony from the knights who fought with you at the encampment.] The more I listen, the more the chance of snaking out of this feels slithering further away from me. Still, I open my mouth to wring out what's left of my resistance. [.........I'm not particularly aiming for the [top].] [In your case, I'm very much aware that being an adventurer is no more than your method of earning living expenses. But I must inform you that, for better or worse, the Adventurer's Guild upholds the principle of fairness. We have to be upright regarding adventurer's [ability] and [reward]. And if we let an obviously capable person at the level of a higher rank to roam about as a lower rank, the guild's face will be besmirched.] It's a different story if I'm exposed only to basan personally but this time, my abilities are well-known to quite the number. I mean, there are connections between adventurers and rumors must've spread from those who accepted the raid request. [.........If I refuse?] [Do you think you can?] Chloe, who's sitting beside me lets out a frightened [hii......] with her ears lowered. Even Cindy-san breaks out in a cold sweat and furrows her brows so as not to be overwhelmed. In front of me is no longer the sociable basan but the out of standard presence of one who reached the lofty height of an S-rank. [.........A threat?] [Who knows. Take it as you will. Still, you're good. In the face of my [intimidation], you didn't even flinch. A normal C-ranker should have faint right about now. Your guts isn't half-baked at all ne. You look more and more promising by the minute.] Looking at the intimidating smile of the apex adventurer, I realize -though it is too late- that I have no right to refuse.

第五話 娘さん発見。そして閉じ込められる 洞窟の中は完全に闇に包まれていたので、レアルが魔術の火を指先にともし、明かり代わりにして進んでいく。 内は寒いは寒いが、風がないだけでも外よりだいぶマシだった。とは言うが、防寒具がなければかなり厳しい温度には違いない。 最初、大声で娘さんを探そうとしたが、レアルに即座に却下された。もし万が一に魔獣が内部に生息していた場合、関心をすぐに集めてしまうからだ。また、そうして活動を始めた魔獣が、この中に逃げ込んだ娘さんを発見し、襲わないとも限らないからだ。 俺たちは逸る気持ちを抑えながら、確実に洞窟の中を進んでいく。 そして............。 「アッ」 魔術の明かりで垂らされた洞穴の奥に、彼女は居た。村で聞いたとおりの外見特徴の幼い少女が、膝を抱えて震えている。俺は歓喜がこみ上げてくるのを必死に押し止め、急いで少女の元に走り寄った。 俺の走る音に、娘さんがノロノロと顔を上げた。 「お兄ちゃんたち、誰?」 「大丈夫かッ、助けにきたぞ!」 安心させるために手を握ってやると、氷に触れたように冷たい。 まずい、もうかなり体温を失っている。レアルの火魔術しかない薄暗い明かりの中でさえ分かるほどに顔色が青い。このまま防寒具を着せても暖まる前に衰弱してしまうかもしれない。 わずかに逡巡するも、俺は即座に決断。 俺はまず自分の防寒具を脱ぎ、続いて中に着ていた上半身の衣服を全て脱ぎ捨てた。あえて言おう、すこぶる寒い! 「か、カンナッ?」 目の前でいきなり始まった(上半身だけ)ストリップショーにレアルが目を白黒させるが、文句は後で聞く。口で説明している暇が惜しい、というか、寒いので口を利くのも億劫だ! 「ちょっとごめんな」 冷気に震える声で娘さんに一言断りをいれ、俺は彼女の着ていた服を全てはぎ取った。そして俺は防寒具だけをもう一度着直し、彼女をその内側に押し込んだ。胸板に娘さんの肌が押しつけられ、強烈な冷たさが襲いかかる。一瞬娘さんを放り投げたくなる気持ちをねじ伏せ、全力で抱きしめる。 「おい、いったい何をッ」 「こんだけ凍えてんなら、素肌で大部分を暖めてやった方が早い! それよりレアル、もっと火力を上げろ! ガチでつめてぇ! 俺まで凍えちまう!」 俺の意図に気が付いたレアルは、片手で灯していた火に両手を添え、それを大きくした。その分だけ熱量が上昇し、少女の冷えた躯と、少女に体温を奪われていた俺を丸ごと暖める。 「ああ、癒される」 またまた、物理的な熱にホロリと涙がこぼれそうになる。 「いきなり脱ぎだした時は、君の正気を疑い始めたぞ」 「さすがに女のお前さんに「脱げ!」とは言えないしな」 俺の体温と魔術の火のお陰で、娘さん肌に熱が宿り始めたのを感じることができる。震えも徐々に収まってきており、危険な状況は回避できたらしい。俺はほっと息を吐いた。 体温が戻って意識がはっきりしてきたのか、娘さんが至近距離からこちらを見上げてくる。 「悪いな、いきなり裸にしちまって」 俺は謝りながら頭を撫でてやるが、娘さんは首を横に振った。 「寒いときはこうしろって、お父さんが言ってたから」 素肌で暖を取るのは、寒冷地方の緊急手段として浸透しているらしい。俺にロリコン疑惑を掛けられなくて済みそうでもう一度ほっとする。 「で、何でこんな場所にいたんよ? 夜になっても帰ってこないから、村人のみなさん、すんげぇ心配してたぜ?」 「えと、お母さんが風邪引いちゃったから、山草を採りに来たんだけど............」 だいたいが俺たちの予想通りだった。洞穴の上に生えている山草を取り終えた所でホワイトウルフの遠吠えが耳に入ったらしい。慌てて山を下りようとして、俺が滑り落ちた傾斜に足を踏み入れ、同じように崖の下に落下。そしてウルフ達の鳴き声をかなりの近さから聞いたために、思わず目の前の洞穴に逃げ込んでしまったのだ。 「そしたら、外が吹雪になっちゃって」 「出るに出られず、やがて体温が奪われて動けなくなったか」 レアルが最後の言葉を継ぎ、娘さんはすまなそうに頷いた。 「ご、ごめんなさい」 「いや、いいさ。無事ならそれで、な」 優しげな顔で頭を撫でてやると、娘さんが心地よさそうに目を細めた。つられてレアルも笑みを浮かべた。凛々しい印象の彼女だけど、こうやって笑うと凄い美人さんなのだと再認識させられた。 「さて、娘さんの無事だったし、さっさと山から下りちまおうぜ」 「そうだな............」 レアルが俺の持ってきた荷袋の中から、娘さん用の防寒具を取り出し、彼女に着せてやろうとしたとき、どぉぉぉぉんと言う腹に響く低音が伝わり、続けて小さく無い揺れが感じられた。天井からはぱらぱらと小石が降ってくる。 音と振動は直ぐに止んだが、間をおかずして洞穴の入り口方向から強い突風が流れ込んできた。突風も数秒経たずして落ち着いたが、俺の背中に寒いはずなのに汗が流れた。 「............レアルさんや、俺はものすごく嫌な予感がするんですが」 「奇遇だな。私もだ」 俺はレアルとひきつった顔を見合わせた。 俺と娘さんは服を改めて纏い、防寒具を羽織る。 モコモコの綿の詰まった上着の暖かみに娘さんは笑顔ではしゃぐが、俺には割と余裕がなかった。この場にレアルはいない。彼女には洞窟の入り口を確認しに行ってもらっている。 しばらくしてレアルが戻ってくるが、その表情はかなり険しい。どうやら、悪い予感は的中してしまったようだ。 「ああ。完全に埋まっていた」 先ほどに聞こえた音と振動は、雪山が雪崩を起こした音。そして、入り口方面から吹き抜けた突風は、雪崩でそれがふさがった拍子に発生したモノだ。 「魔術で溶かせねぇのか?」 「一応はやってみたが、無理だな。私の技量では、あの雪の壁を貫通する前に魔力が尽きる」 「剣をスコップ代わりにするとか」 「人の愛剣をなんだと思っている。が、私もそれは考えた。しかし、積もった量が多すぎて雪が高密度に圧縮されている。岩盤並の堅さになっていて、掘るにも一苦労だ」 「例の付与魔術でに筋力強化とかねぇの? あるならそれでーー」 「むろん、君の言うとおりに筋力上昇の魔術はあるが、戦闘用の切り札だ。耐性魔術と違って肉体強化は使用後の反動が凄まじいし、長時間は使えん。どれほどの厚みがあるかも分からんから、安易に使えない」 防御に関しては躯の表面に魔術を展開するのでいいのだが、肉体強化は内部の筋肉や骨格に作用し強引に能力を底上げするから、反動が凄まじいらしい。火事場の馬鹿力を人為的に起し、その効果を何倍にも引き上げていると考えてもらえばいい。 「完全に閉じこめられたな」 一難去ってまた一難とはこのことである。 「前向きに考えられなくもないが............」 レアルの言にも一理ある。外に出た後に雪崩が起きれば、それに巻き込まれていた可能性が大きい。と考えれば、むしろ運が良かったのかもしれない。 「雪崩が起こった時点で運はマイナス値を振り切ってるけどな」 「言うな。私だって頭を抱えたい」 「で、どうするカンナ?」 「俺に聞くなよ。俺が聞きてぇよ」 それでもどうにか思考を絞り出す。 「レアル。聞いておきたいが、お前の魔術、後どれくらい保つ?」 魔術は『魔力』を消費して発動する。消費した魔力は一晩休めば全快するらしいが、逆を言えば魔術を使いながらでは魔力はほとんど回復されない。この状況で頼みの綱はレアルの魔術に限られてくる。 「私自身のこの程度の寒さなら、無意識レベルで発動する耐性魔術でどうにかなるので問題ない。あるとすれば、属性魔術の方だな」 体内に宿る魔力には個人差がある。そして、同じような効果を持つ魔術でも、その人の適正により魔力の消費量が大きく変動する。 レアルの魔力の総量は人と比べてかなりのモノであるらしいが、適正が強化魔術に大きく振り分けられており、属性魔術にいたっては他の魔術使いよりもかなり多くの魔力を消費してしまうのだ。 「今すぐどうこうなるわけではないが、長丁場になるならいささか心許ないな。朝まで保つかは微妙なところだ」 人間が熱を作るには体力が必要。そして手元に体力の元となる食料の類は一切ない。この状況で俺と娘さんが新しい熱を得るには、レアルの魔術が必要不可欠。が、それも長くは保たないとくる。 「大ピンチだな」 娘さんが復唱する。 「ああ、超絶にピンチだ」 レベルがあがった。 軽いノリに聞こえるだろうが、マジである。本当にピンチなのである。 「朝になったら誰か助けに来てくれると思うか?」 「助けに来てはくれるだろうが、この洞窟に気が付くかは分からん。お嬢さん、この洞窟って村では知られているのか?」 「多分、お父さんたちなら知ってると思う。私は初めて来たけど............」 「望みは無くはないか。運が少しだけ上方修正したな」 「まだまだ安心はできないがな」 ごもっとも。だが、希望が零よりは心にゆとりができる。 さて、後はなにもすることがない。天に運を任せ、救助が来るのを待ち望むのみ。 ヒュオンッ。 凍える風が吹き、俺と娘さんがそろってクシャミを漏らす。娘さんはもとより、俺も彼女に体温を奪われたので少しばかり躯が冷えている。風邪を引かなきゃいいが。というか、明日以降の命運があるかがそもそも不安ではあるが。 「おい、大丈夫か?」 「大丈夫じゃねぇよ。寒いに決まってん............」 文句を垂れようとしたところで、俺は寸前に起こった自然現象を思い出した。 風が吹いたのだ。閉じこめられたはずの洞窟に。 俺ははっとして洞窟の奥を振り向いた。 「どうしたカンナ?」 「............風が吹くって事は、空気の流れができてるって事だ。空気の流れができてるって事は、............どっかに外に通じてる穴があるはずだッ」 俺たちが入ってきた入り口は雪崩によって塞がれてしまった。だが、にもかかわらず風が吹くというならば、俺たちが入ってきたのとは別の入り口が存在している可能性がある。 「まだまだ幸運値は上昇中みたいだぜ」 「それが人間の通れるサイズだとは限らないんだぞ?」 「だったら、その付近の岩盤をお前がぶち抜け、レアル。筋力強化は短時間しか使えないらしいが、逆に短時間なら問題ないんだろ?」 素の筋力が、完全武装の重鎧騎士も軽く吹き飛ばすほどだ。先ほどのような突風が起きる程度の大口なら、付近の岩盤もそこまで厚くないかもしれない。希望にかなりのご都合主義が混ざっているのは間違いないが。 「じっとしてても状況は好転しないんだ。動けるうちに出来ることは全部やっておいたほうが、後悔しないだろ?」 「............道理だな。よし分かった、つき合おう」 快い返事にうれしく思う。そうと決まれば、と少女に向けて背を向けて屈んだ。 「どれだけ歩くか分からねぇからな。おぶってくから乗りな」 「う、うん」 村娘は話に付いて行けなかったが、どうやら動くことらしいのだけは分かったらしく、素直に乗っかってくれた。 「お兄ちゃんの背中、おっきいね」 「伊達に男やってねぇからな」 可愛らしい妹を持った兄の心境はこのことか。おぶっているだけで心が温かくなってくる。 「ではお姉ちゃん、先に行こうかい」 「そうだな............って、私はいつ君の姉になった?」 「いや、なんか流れ的に。なんか年上っぽいし」 「私はまだ十八だ」 「やっぱり年上............え、まだ十八? 耳が長いのに?」 「エルフもハーフも、二十歳前後までは人族と成長速度は大差ない。君は私を何歳だと思っていたんだ?」 「ずいぶんと落ち着いてる、場慣れもしてるから経験豊富な年齢かと」 「具体的な年齢を聞くと、君を叩き斬りたくなってきそうだな」 「割と怖いので勘弁してください」 ハーフエルフの方でも、女性が己の年齢を気にするのは世界共通............異世界共通なのだと学びました。 明かりはレアルの魔術のみで、景色は代わり映えのない岩肌ばかり。時間の感覚が狂い始めていたが、歩いたのは五分や十分ではない。体力的な問題もあり、そろそろ引き返そうかと迷い出した所で、通路の奥に光が見えた。 「こいつはなんとも、凄いな」 一歩足を踏み入れたのは、それまでの閉鎖感のある洞穴路とは打って変わって、開放感のある広々とした空間だった。見上げるほどに高い天井に、声が反響しそうなほどに奥まった広さ。半球型の空間の壁面には半透明の氷壁が張り付いており、キラキラと輝いていた。見たことのない壮大な光景に感じ入る。 「悪いがカンナ、天井の中心を見ろ。一番高い位置だ」 言われたとおりに視線を直上にあげると、天井の一番高い位置には、巨大な大穴が開いている。通路にいたときに吹いた突風はあそこからの空気の流れだったのだ。 「まさか天井に穴があるとはな。さすがにあれは登れんぞ」 「竜を召喚すればよくね?」 「............いや、仮にそれで出られたとしても、外が吹雪だ。出た途端に強風にあおられて岩肌に叩きつけられるかもしれない」 どうして俺たちが山を登るのに竜に乗る飛行ではなく、わざわざ徒歩を選んだかというと、こう言う理由である。さらには暗がりで視界が悪くなりうるため、慣れない地形での夜間飛行は相当に危険なのだ。 「つーか寒ッ。ここが一番寒むくね?」 「確かに。私でさえ寒く感じ始めたな」 「とりあえず根性で朝まで耐えて、吹雪が止んだら竜を召喚して脱出しようぜ。それまでは体力温存に集中しよう。ここはさすがに寒すぎるから洞穴に戻ろう」 「それしかないか............。外に通じる穴を見つけられただけでも良しとするか」 ここから先は俺と娘さんの体力がどこまで持つかの体力勝負だ。ここよりはまだ寒さの緩い洞穴の中に戻ってじっとしているしかない。 俺は若干の気落ちをしつつ、娘さんを背負ったまま来た道を戻ろうと振り返る。 その前に、俺の目は広い空間内の中心部へと吸い込まれた。 このときになって初めて気が付いたが、そこには奇妙な物体が鎮座していた。細長い棒のようなものが、一本。岩肌の地面から伸びている。 「おいレアル、あれ何だと思う?」 「あれは............槍か?」 俺の言葉に振り返ったレアルが目を細め、指さした先の物体の正体を呟いた。ちなみに、エルフ種の視力は人間の数倍近くあるらしいので、彼女がそういうなら間違いないのだろう。 俺の中に、嫌な............とまでは行かずとも、微妙な予感が生まれた。 「............こういう場所にある武器とかって、なんか曰く付きなモノじゃねぇのかな。俺の知ってるおとぎ話とかではよくあるパターンだけど」 「滅多にあるわけではないが、そういう話はあるにはある。もっとも、君の言うとおりに曰く付きだがな。何かを封印していたり、武器そのものを封印していたりと、余りお近づきになりたくないたぐいだ」 嫌な予感はしない。しないのだが、割と大変な目に遭いそうな予感はしていたりする。この世界に来てからこういう第六感的なモノが冴えてきているので、不安が大きい。 「............見なかったことにするか」 「同感だ」 真剣な同意に、俺たちはなにも見なかったと言うことでその場を後に。 ーーーーしようとして、ふと上を見た。 なんか魔術陣らしきモノが空中に出現していた。 「ーーーーえ、マジで?」 光の図形で構成されたそれは、俺がこの世界に呼び出されたときに城内の床に描かれていた召喚陣の雰囲気に非常によく似ていた。 事態の異常にレアルも気が付き、空中の魔術陣に視線を向ける。 「しまった............『守護者』かッ」 「もしかしなくても、あの槍を守ってる的な?」 RPGでもよくある、名の通りに宝物を守護する最後の試練だ。 「あの槍はかなりの曰く付きのモノらしいな。許可されぬモノが足を踏み入れれば、迎撃目的に某を召喚する魔術罠が仕掛けられていたんだろう。さてカンナ、どうする?」 「だから異世界初心者の俺になぜに聞くのさッ。逃げるに決まってんだろうが! お前さん、実は割と考えるのめんどくさがりやだろうッ」 「騎士だからな」 激しくつっこみを入れつつ、慌てて空間の入り口の方へと振り向く。俺は言うに及ばず、背中には娘さんもいるのだ。そもそも、俺たちの目的はこの娘さんの救助で宝探しではない。 背後からひときわ強い光。魔術陣が発光したのか。一拍おいて、床を伝わる重苦しい音と震動。足がもつれそうになるのを根性で持ち直し、全速で出入り口へと走る。 後もう少し、と言うところで、俺の足下を大きな影が過ぎる。 「ッ、避けろレアルッ!」 俺よりも先行していたレアルは、後数歩でこの空間から脱出できる地点。だが、俺の声に反応し横へと飛び退く。それとほぼ同時に、彼女の頭上から大質量が轟音をたてて地面に降り立った。

Chapter 5 : Found the girl, but got myself confined The inside of the cavern was completely enveloped in darkness; Real fingertips produced an illuminating flame, for the sake of advancing. If asked if this was cold, it was obviously cold; but in comparison to outside, it was much better due to the absence of the gale winds... That being said; without clothes specifically designed to guard off low temperatures, being here would be unacceptable. Initially I wanted to call out for the girl to know that we are here; but Real quickly vetoed my idea- If it happens to be a demon further inside the cavern, it would surely be roused by human voices- and when that happens, there is the possibility of him finding first the young villager in this confined environment. With a strong feeling that we shouldn't stray from each other; we stepped into the cave... And then............. [Ah] At the inner most part that the flame illuminated; we could see her figure... Trembling on her knees, the young girl fit perfectly the description we had previously heard. I had to force myself from giving an expression of joy as I directed my steps towards her. She slowly raised her face to the sound of my steps [Oni-chan, who are you?] [Don't worry, we came to help!] To ease her worries I touched her with my hand; I touching her was as cold grasping ice. ... This is bad; her body temperature has lowered too much already, checking her face under the dim light of Real's fire magic is enough to see that her complexion is already quite blue- At this rate, she might even break down from the cold before we put the clothes we brought for her... Even if I'm slightly reluctant; it's better if I settle this in one go. First thing is me taking off my valued clothes for the cold; so I stripped everything off from my upper body. Let me add a note that I'm extremely cold right now! [Ka- Kanna?] At the sight of me who had suddenly started a strip show (upper half only though); Real's eyes became a monocrome... She can complain later; but right now there is no time to put any explanations into words. More than anything, I feel soo cold that it's a pain to open my mouth to talk... [Forgive this for awhile] s.h.i.+vering with cold my voice gave an onesided notice to this girl as I proceeded to take off all of her clothes; that done I began to wear again my clothes again, but I put her inside as well this time. When I pressed the girl skin unto my chest, it felt terribly cold; for a moment I wanted to push her away, but I buried those feelings as I put my arms around her; making sure of holding her with my whole strength. [Oi, just what is the deal!?] [The fastest way to warm up the body is doing it from skin to skin! More than that Real; please increase the fire! I'm seriously freezing here, I might even end up freezing!] After realizing my intention; Real used her two hands to make the fire bigger and the heat increased accordingly. The girl's deprived body temperature was returning by using me as a warmer. [Aaa, how refres.h.i.+ng] Yet again the blisfull physical heat made me spill tears... [When you suddenly stripped off, I seriously started doubting your sanity] [Naturally, I can't boss around a woman like you with words like [undress quickly!] ] Between my own temperature and the fire; the young girl is radiating now heat of her own. She has also stopped trembling... I could only breath a sigh as we evaded the most dangerous situation. Maybe because she regained a normal temperature, the senses of the girl seem to have returned, and she now gazes me from point blank distance. [Sorry, for having stripped you so suddenly] As I apologized I pat her head, the girl shook her head to refute me. [When you are freezing, you should do it like this; is what my otou-san said] Apparently, over here it's also wide-spread knowledge that an emergency measure against cold is to increase the warm skin to skin. Since the Lolicon label won't be added to me, once again I'm compelled to breath in relief. [Well, why are you at this place? Since you didn't return by nightfall, everyone in the village was incredibly worried, you know?] [Eto, because okaa-san caught a cold, I came to pick up medicinal herbs, but............] The outline was just like we had imagined it; as she was done picking up herbs for her mother, the howl of the wolves could be heard. In a fl.u.s.ter she hurried down the mountain and -just like I did- she treaded upon the slope; falling through the cliff. Even then, she could feel quite close the roar of the wolves; thus she could only think of seeking refuge in the cave that was in front of her. [And it was then, that the weather turned into a snow storm...] [It became impossible to leave, you got cold to the point you couldn't to move anymore] As Real added the last bit, the village daughter nodded quietly in a sorrowful manner. [I- I'm very sorry] [Don't worry about it, as long as you are unharmed, it's ok] The girl narrowed her eyes confortably as I placed my hand on her head with a heartwarming face. Taken by the mood, Real also surfaced a smile... Normally she dons a very dignified look; but yet again I realize that superb beauties like her really need to smile like this. [Very well, since the girl is safe; we have no more business in this mountain] [That's true............] From the bag I was carrying Real took the clothes we had brough for the girl and proceeded to dress her on them... As this was happening, a large DOOOOON resounded, as if it was the roar of a stomach; followed by a small incessant trembling... The feeling continued and small peebles kept falling from the ceiling. The vibration and sound that stopped quickly enough where followed by a rather strong wind current that poured from the entrace. The gust of wind settled down in a few seconds, and as it did, large amounts of sweat poured from my back. [............ Real-san, I somehow; have an incredibly bad premonition] [Coincidentally, me to] I noticed that Real's face had gone stiff. Once again I check that the girl and I have properly set our clothes on. The village girl buried her face in the cotton of her garment while enjoying it's warmth; unfortunately I can't afford such allowance in this weather. Real is not present among us, she went to to check the condition of the entrance. As she returned, her countenance was quite grim... It looks like that bad premonition was on the mark. [Yeah; it's completely buried] That shaking and roaring from before are probably the work of a snow slide. And then, the reason of why the wind blew so intensily; was because the avalanche was pus.h.i.+ng air in as it was blocking the entrance. [Melting it with magic?] [I gave it a try and proved impossible. With my capacity I would exhaust completely my magic without making a hole in that wall of snow] [How about using that large sword as a shovel?] [Just what do you think of other people's loved sword... But, I also thought about it- however, the piled up snow is so much that it's now compressed abd has high density, right now is similar to bedrock in firmness... Digging through there would be unreasonable] [Does endowment magic allow self strengthening? If that's possible, we could--] [Yes; as you have surmissed, increasing your own strength is possible. It's common to use it as ace when it comes to fighting... However; unlike spells that increase tolerances, increasing the capacity of your own body has a big recoil and can't be put into use for long... We don't know how thick the blockade actually is, it would be better not to try it] For defense, it's enough with merely coating the surface of your own body with the spell; however since for strengthening you are using magic to mess around with the internal functions of your body at a muscle & bones level; the backlash has to be serious. It's like artificially trying to increase an already huge fire scene? Maybe I should even enlarge that example many folds to get a proper description... [We are completely trapped] After clearing one dangerous situation; you find yourself in the next one... [We should think positively from now on............] What just was pointed out by Real does have some truth. For example; if the avalanche would have occurred as we are exiting the cave, we would surely had been involved. When thinking about that, perhaps this was our fortune. [But the fact that we encountered an avalanche makes our luck value switch to minus already] [Don't say it; I feel like holding my head at that] [Well, what do we do Kanna?] [Don't ask me something I want to hear myself] Even if I complain, I need to squeeze some ideas. [Real, let me hear it straight... For how long would you be able to use magic?] Activating spells obviously consume the user's magical strength. What's necessary to fully recover one's own depleted magic power is to have a good night of rest; conversely, as long as one keeps casting spells; it won't be possible for your own magic to gradually recover... In the current situation, our last ray of hope is Real's magic. [Since I unconscously protect my own body against the cold; there is no issues with myself. The thing is, the elemental magic I'm able to use...] There is obviously individual differences with the amount of magic each person posses. Additionally, even if several people cast the very same magic spell, the magic consumption will be different in each case due to differences of suitability to that magic type. The amount of magical energy that Real posses seems to be quite outstanding compared to any regular person. As her speciality lies in reinforcement type of spells; consumption for elemental magics can't be good compared to the ones from her natural trait. [I can't exactly tell right now... I can't hold this peace for too long; and lasting until morning would be out of the question] Humans need heat to be healthy; and right now we don't have at hand any sort of meal that would grant us that effect... The village girl and I have no means to increase our bodily heat other than rely on Real's magic- Magic that can't be possibly held for long. [It's a big pinch] This girl repeats after us. [Yeah, an ultra absolute pinch] The level was increased. It might not sound like much from our talk; but this is a serious pinch. [Help will probably come with the morning, right?] [They will probably come, but it's not sure if they'll know about this cave.. Ojou-san, are people aware of this cave in the village?] [Maybe, I think that otou-san and the others know about; but, it's my first time comming here............] [It's not like I want unreasonable wishes granted; but at least our luck should change a little bit more for the better] [It's still to early to be relieved] Reasonable enough, but; if prospects become zero then it would be hard to keep your mind together. Well, right now there is nothing we can do about this other than leave it to heavens and eagerly await for tomorrow's rescue. Fyuoin--- The freezing wind blows, the girl and I sneezed simultaneously. Not only the village girl, as there it was no choice but for me to hog her low temperature; so my body feels quite cold now. Catching a cold would be one thing, but there the uncertainty if we'll even make to tomorrow. [Oi, are you ok?] [I can't be ok now, it's obvious I'm super cold............] As a complain escaped me, I noticed the essence of the natural phenomenom that has just transpired... The wind blew; in a cave that's supposedly sealed shut. To make certain of this, I turned my way towards the bottom of the cave. [What is it, Kanna?] [............If there is wind blowing, that means that the air is flowing inside............ If the air is flowing inside; that means there it has to be some sort of hole or access to the outside.] The entrance we used is already blocked by the avalanche; if despise that the wind still blows, then there it has to be another exit to this cave. [The value of our luck seems to keep increasing] [It might not be necessarily big enough for a person to pa.s.s, you know?] [Even if it's like that, we just need to have Real use brute force to enlarge the hole, right? If muscle reinforcement can't be used for a long duration; then it won't be a problem if it's used for only a bit, isn't?] Pure muscle strength, enough to send fully armored knights flying; enough to produce huge gusts of winds like the ones from this mountain. Unless the rock around it is extremely hard, there is no mistake on placing our hopes on the rocks being blown away. [Even if we can't turn around our current situation, rather than just regret it later; wouldn't it be better to try everything we can while we can still move?] [............True enough; I got it, I'll go with your idea] It's great that she agreed with me; once that's settled I show my back towards the young girl. [I'm not sure how much we'll need to walk; so hop on] [Y- yeah] The village girl couldn't get our talk just now; she only seems to have understood that we need to move out and obediently climbed on me. [Oni-chan's back is wide] [Being a man not just for show] I wonder if the guys that have cute younger sisters feel like this? Just by carrying her, I somehow feel my heart fulfilled. [Then onee-chan, let's go ahead] [Of course............ Erm, how did I ended up as your sister?] [Nah, it's that, you know? Going by the air you seem older] [I'm only 18 years old] [You really are older............ eh, only 18? Even though you are from the long eared tribe?] [Elves and half elves growth is not really that different from humans up until the 20 years old. Why were you thinking something unusual about me?] [You are always so composed, being experienced in several areas; I thought you were from a well versed age] [And if I heard what actual concrete age you were thinking, I'll make mince meat out of you with this blade?] [You are making it sound scary, so please speare me from that] Even for half elves; it looks like women of all origins are concerned with their age............ And it seems to be something common regardless of the world. It can be seen thanks to the illumination magic that Real is using; the scenery is completely made from rock without exceptions; the sense of time is being affected due to the lack of progress even if we haven't walked for 5 minutes... There is not only stamina to consider, but we also shouldn't stray too far to the point we lose our return path; while thinking that I saw a light at the bottom of the cave. [This somehow, looks amazing] We eventually stepped into a different area from the closed tunnel which was the cave so far; ending up in a room that had a huge open s.p.a.ce. One could see the ceiling was quite high, to the extent our voices could perfecly echo around from the back; translucent s.h.i.+ning ice walls created a hemispherical form that was dyied with different colors; I greatly admired the magnificent view which was like nothing I had seen up to now. [Sorry Kanna, but try to focus your eyes on the center most position of the ceiling] Rising my eyes as I was told; indeed at the highest point on the ceiling, it immediately came to view that a gigantic hole was there. Strong winds were flowing through that place bringing the cold air. [To think the hole would be in a high ceiling. And there is no place to climb] [Should I summon the dragon?] [............No, if we go outside now we'll only b.u.mp into the snow storm; the moment we leave, such strong strong wind is enough to smash us on the rocks ] That reason was why we initially did not use the dragon this time around and we ended up walking. Additionally; thanks to not being familiar with the local area and since it's dark; we could only bet on flying at blind, which would end up being dangerous. [Rather, I'm cold. It's this room the coldest place here?] [Indeed; even I started feeling the cold] [In any event we'll have to show our guts and stand the cold until morning; by the time the snow storm stops, by summoning the dragon we'll get out; we should focus on preserving our stamina until then and since this is the coldest part; we'll return to near the entrance of the cave.] [There is no other options............. Finding a hole that leads outside is already a great thing] From here on, the girl and I can only face straight on this endurance race to see how weakened we are until morning; return to the part of the cave where it's less cold and quietly resist there without moving a finger. I glanced around on last time with the girl at my back before turning back... ... But before that, I felt as if my eyes were sucked towards the central part of this s.p.a.ce. It is only now that I noticed this; a strange s.h.i.+ning object is placed at the center; it's long and narrow like a stick, that cylinder grows out from the hard rock. [Oi Real, what do you think is that?] [That's............ A lance?] Focusing where I said, Real narrowed her eyes and unveiled the ident.i.ty of the object. In all probability, the elves eyesight may be many folds stronger than that of us humans; for that reason she can't be mistaken. At that time a rejection............ A subtle feeling that I shouldn't leave was born. [............ When you find a weapon in a place like this; the normal would be for a shady story to be related to it... In the fairy tales I know at least; stuff like this is the usual pattern.] [Normally, it shouldn't possibly be like that; but there are such stories around as well. More than that; if there is an story that comes with this, it's probably something about a seal. If the weapon on itself gets sealed; then it's probably something you wouldn't want to touch.] It's not an unpleasant feeling... it is not; but I still feel like I'm going to b.u.mp into a great crisis. Ever since I ended up in this world, it's as if my 6th sense was awakened... I'm feeling uneasy now. [............ The best would be if we don't even look at it] [Agreed] After a serious consense, without even looking we where to proceeded back... ---- Moving my sight, by coincidence I saw the ceiling... Something like a magic formation appeared in the air... [----Eh, seriously?] The formation was completely composed by light; the image was very similar to the formation on the floor that was used to summon me to this world and was at the castle. Real also seems to have noticed the anormality; her eyes raised to the air and glimpsed the formation. [c.r.a.p ............ It has to be a {guardian} ] [No need to guess, it's here to protect that spear?] There are plenty of those in RPGs... As the name implies, it's the last ordeal placed to protect the treasure. [It does look like that spear has a shady story attached... Unauthorized entry probably won't be forgiven, thus a summoning trap was stablished to deal with those who approach. Well Kanna, what now?] [Why is the opinion of me who is a total beginner in this world keps being asked!? My vote naturally goes to running away! The truth of the issue is that surely you believe that worrying about bothersome things is too much of a pain!] [I'm a knight after all] I strongly played the straight man, in a fl.u.s.ter I went back to the entrance of this s.p.a.ce. Not even talking about me, I have the village girl on my back; from the start we didn't had the aim of hunting for treasures, but just to rescue this girl. The light from behind became way more noticeable; it has to be from the summoning formation... After a short period; a big sound and violent tremors could be felt on the floor. I exerted my guts as not to have my legs entangled; and I made a full speed dash towards the entrance. Only a little bit more, as I almost said that; a large shadow could be seen at my feelt. [-!? STEP ASIDE, REAL!] Real who was running in front of me was only a couple of steps from the exit of this area; however as soon as my voice reached her, she jumped to the side. Almost at the same time, the sound of something incredibly large could be heard landing in the place where she just was.

第二十三話 やるきを出した途端に忙しくなるとちょっと損した気分になる法則 と、意気込んではみたのだが、早くもそれを後悔する羽目になった。 渓谷に突入してからしばらくして、ビリッときました嫌な予感。 「アガット、馬車を止めてくれ」 俺は今まさに肌に触れた感覚に従い、御者をしていたアガットに言う。俺の突然の言葉に、アガットは少し呆けてから眉間に皺を寄せた。 「は? 急に何を言っているんだ貴様は」 「なぜ俺が貴様の命令を聞かなければならんのだ!」 ここで彼の好感度を上げてこなかったのが裏目に出たか。声を荒げる彼の反応に、内心の苛立ちを隠せず舌打ち。アガットの目端がさらにつり上がるが、彼の機嫌を取るつもりは無い。俺が言っても聞かないなら、上司に頼むだけだ。 「ランドのおっさん」 「............アガット、彼の言うとおりにしろ」 「ランドさんッ、ですがッ」 俺の表情から本気を悟ったランドが命じると、アガットは憮然としながらも馬車を引く馬の手綱を引いた。 「カンナ、何か感じたのか?」 この面子の中では俺を一番よく知るレアルだ。すぐにこちらの事情を察してくれた。彼女の問いに俺は頷いて肯定。馬車の外に降り、進行方向の離れた地点に目を向けた。 今通っている道の両端は切り立った崖が立ち塞がっている。そして見据えるその先には、大きな岩が幾つも隆起している。俺はそのうちの一つに視線を凝らす。 「全く、なんなのだ貴様はッ。好き勝手な事をしおって! ランドさんも、何でこのような輩の言うことを聞くのですかッ」 一人でヒートアップしている野郎の言葉は無視し、俺はさらに意識を『そこ』へと集中する。 そして。 気合いとともに全力投射。精霊の力を借りた投げ槍は、俺の狙った大岩の一つに命中し、その付近を派手に吹き飛ばした。 俺の突然の行動に驚いていた他の面々だが、俺が槍で吹き飛ばした地点から現れた「もの」の存在にさらに驚愕する。 吹き飛んだ岩の瓦礫だが、宙を舞うのはそれだけではなかった。五つほどの、緑色をした人型の何かが姿を現したのだ。『燻り出された』の方が正しいか。 RPGでお馴染みの『ゴブリン』だ。霊山の麓を出発してから何度か出くわしている。人間よりも一回り小柄で、武器や防具を扱う最低限の知能を有した人型魔獣の一種。知っての通り、だいたいが質より量で攻めるタイプの雑魚魔獣である。ただ、雑魚とは言え魔獣の一種ではあり、戦闘の素人であればさすがに手に負えない程度の強さは持っている。 「ほぉぅれ、もう一丁ぉぅ!」 続けて投げ槍二発目を投擲。別の岩に着弾すると、同じように瓦礫と共に新たなゴブリンどもがぼろぼろと吹き飛んだ。 「ゴブリンが・・・・待ち伏せをッ?」 「何も驚くことはあるまい。一個体の能力が低いゴブリンだ。その程度の知恵を働かせるぐらいはあるだろうさ」 驚愕からの一声を発するアガット。対してレアルは俺の行動に僅かに目を見開くだけですぐさま立ち直る。さすがはレアルだ。そう、まだまだ終わりではない。 ここからが始まりだ。 「おっさんッ! アガットッ! えっと............あともう一人ッ!」 非常に失礼だが、最後の従者さんの名前を覚えていなかった。 「今からやっこさんらが団体様で到着だ! 備えろッ!」 俺が護衛衆に叫ぶのを皮切りにしたかのように、前方の他の岩群の影から、まるで台所に出現する黒い悪魔の如くにわらわらとゴブリンの集団が這いだしてきた。その数、十や二十では足りないほど。馬車がすれ違える程度の広さを持った谷間の道に、緑色が溢れかえっている。ぶっちゃけキモい。せめてもの救いはゴブリンの色が『黒』で無いことか。 あのまま何も備えずに道なりに進んでいれば、ゴブリン達の包囲網ど真ん中に突っ込むところだった。魔獣の波状が一方向からに限られただけでも僥倖か。 「な、なんて数なの............」 大量なゴブリンの数を目に、ファイマの声におびえの色が混じった。ゴブリンは見たことあっても、あそこまでの量は初めて目にしたのかもしれない。 俺も初めてといえば初めてだが、現実世界で魔獣ではなく人間の大集団に追いかけ回された経験か、案外落ちついている。 「お嬢様は馬車の中で待機していてください。いざという時のために、いつでも術式の展開できるようにはお願いしますッ」 鋭いランドの指示に従い、ファイマは馬車の中に引っ込む。ただ、荷台に乗る直前に、俺に気遣いの表情を向ける。 「............気を付けてね」 不安顔の彼女ににへらと笑ってから俺は表情を引き締め、改めて前方のゴブリン集団を見据えた。 いの一番に動き出したのはレアルだ。 「カンナ」 「突っ込むかい?」 「私にはそれしかできん。君は討ち漏らしを頼む」 「心得た」 それだけの会話でレアルは力強く頷くと、右手を剣の柄に添え、敵集団に向けて駆けだした。 「お、おい。彼女は何をッ」 迷わずに駆けだした彼女を後目にアガットが声を上げる。 「あれだけの数だ。後手に回ってりゃぁ、単体戦力ではこちらが有利とは言え数に押し潰される。先手をとって流れをこっちに引き込まないと危ない」 「だからといって、彼女一人だけを行かせるのかッ」 「本人が大丈夫だと思ったから行ったんだろうさ」 ドガンっとそんな音が聞こえた気がした。ゴブリン集団の先頭に接触したレアルが、背中の剣を抜刀するのと同時に一薙。五、六匹の魔獣が体を胴体部から水平に両断されながら宙を舞った。何度見せられても豪快な太刀筋である。 彼女は全身を鎧で固めた重装甲兵ですら吹き飛ばすのだ。それよりも明らかに軽くモロい相手など、まとめて数十が掛かってきたところで揺るぎはしない。 「............普段の立ち振る舞いから想像はできたが、まさかあれ程とは。我々が近くにいれば彼女は十分に力を発揮できんだろう」 ランドが感嘆の呟きを漏らす中、レアルは再度剣を振るい、一撃目と同じようにゴブリンを肉片に変えていく。ランドの言うとおり、下手に近くで戦っていたら、彼女の攻撃で巻き添えを喰らう可能性が出てくる。 「行ったぞカンナッ!」 レアルの剣は彼女の身の丈ほどの刀身を持つ。それだけに間合いも広大だが、谷間の道をすべてカバーするほどではない。レアルの薙払いから逃れ、隙間を縫って彼女の後方へと抜け出すと、我先にと俺たちの方へと突撃してくる。 ここで、最近練習してきた氷手裏剣のお披露目だ。腕を振るい、生み出した鋭い氷の円板を投げ放つ。氷手裏剣はゴブリン達の頭や胴に深々と突き刺さり、バタバタと地面に転がった。 「この短時間で魔術をッ」 さっきから驚きすぎだなアガット君。君はファイマが街で襲われていた時、俺が精霊術を使っていたのを見たはずだが。ん? そういや彼って魔術使えないんじゃなかったっけ? 確か剣術オンリーの前衛職だったとファイマから聞いてたはずだが。使えないだけで魔力自体は感じ取れるのかもしれないな。まぁ、精霊術は魔力を一切使わないので、この際魔力感知の有無はどうでもいい。 「詮索は後だ。出鼻は挫いたからな。アンタ等は馬車に近づいてきた奴らを片づけてくれ」 とりあえず、レアルには命中しないよう精霊に願いつつ、氷手裏剣を投げまくり、彼女が討ち漏らしたゴブリンをどんどん撃退していく。俺の精神力が続く限り精霊術は使用可能だ。氷手裏剣を作る程度なら殆ど精神力消費せずに済む。残弾を気にせずに攻撃を連射できるのは有り難い。 いささか数が多すぎるので氷手裏剣でも討ち漏らした数体のゴブリンは、アガットとランド、あと名前を覚えていない従者の一人に処理を任せる。相手は連携も何もなく、殆ど単体で攻めてくるようなものだ。ランド達の腕があれば、よほどの油断がない限り安全に対処できる。 しかし、本当に数が多いな。もう五十ぐらいのゴブリンを葬っているが、敵の勢いが衰える気配が無いな。どこにこれだけの数が潜んでいたのか。もしかしたら、ここら近辺に生息していたゴブリンがこの場所に集まっているのかとさえ思える。 この場を支配する気配の大半は、俺たちに向かって殺到するゴブリン達のそれだ。低い知能でありながら、人間に対する紛れもない破壊衝動を抱き、蹂躙せんとする意志が感じられる。それこそ、自らの命を省みる事すら度外視した行動だ。これは、大なり小なりこれまで遭遇してきた魔獣とほぼ変わらない。 であるのに、それらの殺意とは別種の気持ち悪さが、背筋を這い寄ってくる。真夏の暑い日に風邪を引いたらこんな感じだろうか。あの覆面達の襲撃や、ゴブリンの待ち伏せで感じた気配とは別種だ。 寒気を感じていた俺だが、それとはまたさらに別の気配を察知。 「っと、こりゃまずい。アガット、おっさん、ちょっとここ任せた」 「おい、さっきから貴様は勝手が過ぎーーーー」 イケメンの台詞をサラッと聞き流し、俺は足下から斜め上後方に向け、直径一メートルほどの氷柱を作り、それに足を乗せた。ついでに足裏に氷を張り付けて氷柱と合体、滑り落ちないように固定すると氷柱の長さを一気に伸ばす。結果として、俺の体は真後ろの馬車を飛び越えて反対側に飛び出る。これで、回り込むより早く移動できる。なぜこんな妙な移動手段を取ったかと言えば。 「かっ、来やがったか狼藉者共ッ」 いましたよ。覆面で顔を覆った暗殺者が四つ、馬車の後方から迫っていた。俺たちが前方の魔獣達の対応に追われている最中に、後方から音もなく忍び寄りファイマを暗殺するつもりだったか。この状況を狙ったのか、この状況を好機と見たのかは定かでない。けれども、奴らの不意打ちは俺が奴らの存在に気が付いた時点で失敗だ。 馬車を完全に越えた辺りで氷柱と足裏の合体を解除、俺の体は地上四メートルぐらいの高さで自由になる。続けて今回は大斧ではなく氷の大剣を生み出し、着地するのと同時に切っ先を地面に突き刺した。 イメージするのは、霊山でやり合ったアイスゴーレムとの戦闘。あの時に見た光景を、いまこの場に再現するッ! 気迫と共に、俺が剣を突き刺した地点から氷の剣山が突き出る。大地を食い破り、波となって迫り来る覆面共に襲いかかった。四人の内三人は剣山の波に飲み込まれ、体を貫かれた。一番後方で走っていた奴だけはギリギリのタイミングで逃れた。 「逃がしたかい............だったら、もう一発ーーーーあ............」 再び地面に剣を突き刺そうと立ち上がろうとして、俺は愕然とした。 「足がしびれてうごけねぇ............」 そりゃそうだよ。いくら精霊術って便利な技があっても、それを扱う俺自身は普通の男子高校生だ。建物の二階か三階かぐらいの高さから飛び降りたら普通はこうなる。間違っても、剣の一振りでボウリングのピンよろしく敵集団を吹き飛ばせるようなエルフ耳巨乳美女と同等の身体能力は持ち合わせていない。 半ば自爆で俺が身動きが取れない隙に、まだ無事な覆面が剣山を迂回し再び馬車に接近してくる。剣山での攻撃を諦めた俺は、氷手裏剣に攻撃を切り替えたが、なんと覆面は飛来してくる氷の刃を手持ちのナイフですべてはじき返した。銃の弾丸とまでは行かないが、弓矢ぐらいの速度はあったはずだぞ。 そうこうしている内に、覆面が馬車に急接近。逆手に取ったナイフを構え、ファイマのいる荷台ではなくそれを守る俺へと走り寄る。そこで俺は己の失敗を悟る。氷手裏剣を投げるのではなく、斧を作って迎撃の準備をしておくべきだった。覆面が迫る中、現時点で俺の手元は空だ。新たに氷の武器を生み出すにしろ、僅かながらにタイムラグが生じる。辛うじて足の痺れを脱し、立ち上がるのが精一杯。 俺の眼前でナイフの一閃が走る。俺はやむなく両腕に装備した手甲でそれを迎え撃つ。金属同士の擦過に火花が散る。ナイフという得物の性質上、重さはないがその分素早い。一息つく余裕無く繰り出されるナイフの連続攻撃を、刃が肌に触れるギリギリの所で手甲で弾いていく。レアルほどの重さはなくだが手加減もない、殺意に満ちたナイフ捌きが精霊術を使う余裕すら削り取る。 感情任せに反撃したくなるのをぐっと堪える。下手に防御を崩せば、その隙を余さずに刺し貫かれる。やはり、普段から大斧を使う選択は正しい。広い間合いでごり押しするならともかく、至近距離からの技量戦に持ち込まれると途端に襤褸が出る。 「伏せてカンナッ。『エア・ショット』ッ」 突然の声だったが俺は素直に従い、体勢が崩れるのを覚悟で体を伏せた。直後、俺の身体があった空間を『魔力で出来上がった風』が吹き荒れ、ナイフを振りかぶった覆面を大きく弾き飛ばした。 背後を見ると、馬車の荷台の背部からファイマが両手を突き出してた。今の風は、彼女が放った魔術だ。馬車の中で待機していたファイマが隙を見て援護してくれたのだ。 「悪い、助かった」 「安心するのは早いわ。不意打ちを気づかれないように速度重視の術式だったから威力は無い。多分気絶もして無いわよッ」 覆面は数度地面に転がるとすぐさま体勢を立て直す。俺は追い打ちに氷手裏剣を更に投げる。覆面はやはりそれらを弾き返すが、跳びだそうとする勢いは殺せたか。 相手との距離が離れている内に、大斧を創造しようとするが止める。代わりに、手甲を更に氷で覆い、表面積を拡大した。素早い相手に間合いの大きい武器は対処しづらい。ここいら辺の判断は現実世界で培った、路地裏喧嘩での経験により即座に下せる。こういった場合、攻撃よりも防御を優先すべき場面だと確信する。 再び覆面がナイフを翻して襲いかかってくるが、防御の範囲が広がったおかげで対処はしやすくなった。かといって楽になったわけではなく、覆面が俺より背後ーーファイマの方へと向かうのを阻止するので手一杯だ。 ファイマもファイマで、覆面と俺の距離が近すぎて魔術の援護ができない。それを加味して覆面は俺とは離れないように接近戦に徹している。 (きっついなァッ) 最初の遭遇時、俺は襲いかかってきた覆面の内、三人を撃退した。だが、思い返せばあれは相手にとって『俺』という存在が予想外すぎたが故の結果。半分くらいは運の要素で追い返せたようなものだ。 言い換えれば、相手がこちらをある程度把握した時点で俺の有利はほぼ消え失せ、一転して劣勢に陥る。刃物を振り回す本職に正面切って勝てるほどに俺は強くない。それは精霊術を使っても同じだ。圧倒的な技量不足と経験の無さが足かせで、精霊術の強みを帳消しにしているのだ。 (けど、自分の無能とは付き合いが長いんでなッ) 諦めの悪さと生き意地の汚さに、ついでにセコさ定評のある俺だ。天才のように咄嗟に最善の選択は選べないが、逆に時間さえあれば状況を打開する策の一つも思いつく。 相手の土俵で戦ってやる義理などないと教えてやろう。 鋭く突き出されるナイフが俺の水平に構えた手甲に命中。そして、相手が得物を引くよりも早く、手甲を覆う氷に注いでいたイメージを文字通りに『爆発』させた。現実世界で言えば『クレイモア地雷』の様なものだ。手甲を覆う氷が粉砕し弾け、その礫が覆面に向けて襲いかかる。この至近距離に、点では無く面をカバーする攻撃に、覆面は避ける間もなく全身に氷の礫を喰らった。 強引に弾き飛ばされ、覆面の身体が宙に舞う。俺はその身体が地面にたどり着く前に、氷が残っていたもう片方の腕を地面にぶつける。拳の接点より広がる大地に向けて俺は瞬間的に込められる精神を叩き込んだ。手甲の氷が砕け、代わりにそこから俺のイメージが走る。 いくらかのダメージを喰らった覆面だったが、点よりも面を優先したせいで、吹き飛んだ割に負傷は少なそうだ。軽業士のような見事な空中挙動で体勢を立て直し、両足から地面に着地した。 「ーーーーーッ」 ところが、見事な着地だったはずの覆面は、まるで足払いを掛けられたかのように転倒した。覆面で表情は伺えずとも、奴の驚愕と混乱が目に見えて伝わった。慌てて手を付いて立ち上がろうにも、その付いた手すら足の時のように見えない何かに払われたかのように空を舞う。 「ーーーーッ、『エア・プレッシャー』ッッ!」 俺の鋭い声に、背後で魔術を練り上げていたファイマが術式を解放した。俺との距離が離れ、それでいて完全に動きが止まった。まさに千載一遇のチャンスを、ファイマは見事に狙い撃つ。 動きを止めた覆面の直上に、いつかのアイスゴーレムが現れたときと同じ様な幾何学模様が出現。だが、それとは全く別質の構図と気配だ。次の瞬間、覆面とその周辺の地面が轟音を立てながら大きく陥没した。具体的に何が起こったかは不明だが、まるで幾何学模様から不可視の大槌が振り下ろされたかのようだった。陥没地の中心を見ると、覆面姿の男がピクピクと痙攣しているが、意識は既に無い。 これで、こちらの方面で動いているのは俺とファイマだけになった。 「今の魔術は?」 「原理は至って単純。あいつの上空に空気を圧縮させて、真下方向に限定解放しただけ。たかが空気とはいえ、超圧縮した空気が一方向に解放された勢いは半端じゃないわ。ただこの魔術、術式も単純だし威力もあるんだけど、座標の固定から空気の圧縮、それから解放までのタイムラグがあるから、相手の動きを完全に止めないとまるで当たらないんだけどね」 それよりも、とファイマは動かなくなった覆面の、正確にはその周辺の地面に目を向ける。 「さっきのあいつ、不自然に転んだけど、あなた何かした?」 「奴が着地するだろう付近の地面を凍り付かせた。身軽な奴でも、突然地面が氷ったらバランス崩すだろうさ」 よくよく見れば、陥没した地点とその周囲に、きらきらと光を反射する氷の礫が散乱している。 「............上位属性の氷魔術をそんなセコいことに使う人見たこと無いわよ」 「何を言う。セコさと小細工は俺の十八番だ」 「オハコ?」 「伝わらねぇのか。得意技って意味だ」 「............過程がスゴいのに、出される結果が小細工って。実際に効果があったからなおのこと酷いわね」 そうか? 小細工で大物を倒すのって結構楽しいぞ。 とにもかくにも、目下の危機は脱したと見て間違いない。馬車前方から伝わってきていた喧噪もいつの間にやら収まっていた。 「カンナ、いなくなったと思ったらこっちにいたのか」 「おおレアル、そっちは終わったの............ぎゃぁぁッ」 声の方を振り向けば悲鳴が出ました。何故かって? 銀髪長耳美女が全身真っ赤っかになってこちらに近づいて来たからだよ。ファイマも同じく赤いレアルさんを見て腰を抜かしそうになっている。 「ああ、大丈夫だ。これは全部返り血だ。怪我らしい怪我は無い。かすり傷程度だ」 「だとしても怖いわッ!」 乾いていない血飛沫が光を反射して非常にグロテスク。本人が普通にしているからより一層異様な光景を演出している。 あれだけの魔獣の集団を惨殺してたら、全身返り血に染まるのも当たり前だ。アニメやゲームの戦国モノやら無双系ってスタイリッシュなイメージあるけど、リアルな視点だと非常に血みどろな世界だよな。 「で、あっちの方は片付いたのか?」 「とりあえずはな。ただ、従者の一人が負傷した。名前は何だったか?」 「誰が怪我したのかは分かった」 これで通じてしまう辺りかなり不憫な扱いを受けているな、彼。後でしっかり名前を聞いておこう。 「今はランド殿とアガットで応急処置を行っている。命に別状はないだろう。して、こっちはこっちで忙しかったようだな」 陥没した地点の中心地にいる覆面、それと氷の剣山に刺さったままの三人に目を向けた。 「............君も人のことは言えないな。人間が張り付けにされて空中にぶら下がっている光景はなかなかに酷いぞ」 「俺も今そう思った」 指を鳴らし、精霊術で作ったこの場のすべての氷を粉砕した。固定していた氷も砕け、串刺しになっていた三人は音を立てて地面に落ちる。 そして、身体に穴を開けられた覆面達を中心に、赤い染みが広がりだした。それは、レアルの身体を染め上げているのと同じ色をしていた。 そこに命が無いのは、既に知っている。 今更ながらにーー 本当に今更ながらに、自分が何をしたかの事実を確認した。 俺は、人を殺した。

Chapter 23 The rule that makes you feel you lost a bit when you become busy as soon as you show motivation That's what I said and I tried to be enthusiastic about it, but I'm already made to regret it. An unpleasant premonition came buzzing about some time after rus.h.i.+ng into the ravine. "Agaht, stop the carriage please." In accordance to the sensation I could feel on my skin right at this moment, I tell that to Agaht, the current coachman. Agaht frowns towards my sudden words after being somewhat surprised. "Huh? What the h.e.l.l are you saying suddenly, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d." "Why the h.e.l.l do I have to listen to your commands!?" So not raising his favorability backfired me here huh. Unable to hide my irritation on the inside, I click my tongue towards his savage response. Agaht's quick wittedness went up even more, but I'm not planning to curry his favor. If he doesn't even listen to what I'm saying, then I'll just ask his superior. "Old man Rand." "............Do as he says, Agaht." "But, Mister Rand." When Rand gave the orders after he understood the seriousness from my expression, Agaht pulled the reins of the horses pulling the carriage while feeling dejected. "Kanna, have you sensed something?" Among this lineup is the one who knows me the best; Real. She immediately understood our situation. I gave a positive nod towards her question. I got off the carriage and turned my eyes towards a spot separated from the direction we're moving towards. Steep cliffs are standing in the way on the sides of the road we're pa.s.sing right now. And on the one I'm staring at are many large rocks protruding. I concentrate my line of sight at one among those. "Really, what the h.e.l.l is with you, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d!? You're just doing whatever you please! Mister Rand too, why are you listening to this sort of comrade!?" Ignoring the words of the chap who's heating up on his own, I concentrate even more of my senses towards{that place} . And then. A full power throw together with a yell. Borrowing the powers of spirits, the spear hits the large rock I was aiming at and loudly blew away its vicinity. All the others were surprised by my sudden action, but they were even more surprised by the existence of the "thing" that appeared from the spot that was blown up by my spear. The wreckage of the stone was blown off, but that's not the only thing dancing in the air. Around five green looking humanoid something appeared. {Smoked out} would be more accurate I guess. It's the well-known {Goblin} in RPGs. I came across them several times since departing from the foot of the sacred mountains. A variety of magic beast with a build one size smaller than us people and possessing intelligence to be able to handle weapons and armor at the very least. They're the type of small fry magic beasts that generally attack in quant.i.ty over quality. "Look here, another one!" I successively throw the second javelin. When it impacted another stone, it similarly scattered away together with new goblins. "Goblins are****lying in ambush?" "This is nothing to be surprised about. Goblins are weak on their own. They should have at least that much intelligence to use." Agaht shot forth a cry out of surprise. As for Real, she only slightly widened her eyes and then immediately recovered. I expected no less from Real. That's right, it's not over yet. The battle starts from here on out. "Old man! Agaht! And err............ the other guy!" I'm unusually impolite there, but I couldn't remember the name of the last servant "The rascals will be coming in groups now! Get ready!" As if my shouting to the escort group became the starting shot, a ma.s.s of goblins began crawling out from the shadows of the other rocks in front of us, shuffling like they're that one black devil that appears in the kitchen. There's not just ten or twenty of them anymore. The path through the ravine, which is wide enough for two carriages to pa.s.s through each other, transformed into overflowing green. It's disgusting to be brutally honest. At least it helps that the goblins aren't {black} in color I guess. If we had gone along the road like that without preparing ourselves, then we would've plunged into the middle of the goblins' encirclement. So the waves of magic beasts being restricted to one direction is fortunate. "Wha- what is with this number............" Faima lets out a voice mixed with a startled appearance from the sight of the ma.s.sive amount of goblins. Even if she had seen a goblin, this may have been the first time she has seen so many of them until now. Speaking of first times, this is also the first time for me, but I'm surprisingly composed; probably from the experience I got from being chased around in the real world; not by magic beasts, but by a large group of people. "Please standby within the carriage, milady. Please allow yourself to constantly build up your spells for that critical moment!" In accordance to Rand's sharp instructions, Faima withdraws into the carriage. Though just before she gets on the cargo stand, she turns towards me with a concerned expression. "............Be careful, okay?" After I thoughtlessly smiled towards the girl carrying a worried look, I tighten my expression and once again focus on the crowd of goblins in front of us. The first to move is Real. "Kanna." "You're gonna charge into them, right?" "That is all I can do here. I'll leave those escaping me to you." "Will do." Real strongly nods with just that conversation and breaks into a run towards the group of enemies, her right hand accompanied with the grip of her sword. "He-hey. What is she-" Agaht raised his voice as he watches the back of her breaking into a run without any hesitation. "There's that many of them. If we lose the initiative, we'll be crushed by their numbers even though we have the advantage in individual strength. It'll get risky if we don't make the first move and pull the battle flow towards our side." "Just for that reason, you're letting her go all by herself!?" "She's doing this because she thought she would be fine, don't you think?" It felt like a sound like a "kaboom" could be heard. Real, who made contact with the vanguards of the goblin crowd, draws out her sword on her back and simultaneously mows down the enemies with a strike. Body parts of five, six of the magic beasts flutters about in mid air as they got bisected horizontally. A splendid swordsmans.h.i.+p no matter how many times I see it. She blows away even the heavy armored soldier who is wearing a full body armor. She didn't do a swing that would result in taking several of the clearly lighter and weaker enemies and the like in one go. "............I was able to imagine it from her everyday behavior, but certainly not to this extent. I suppose she won't be able display enough strength if we are nearby. During Rand's mutterings in admiration, Real swings her sword the second time and just like the first swing, the goblins turn into pieces of meat. Rand's right; there's a chance that you'll get dragged into her attack if you fight poorly near her. "They're going for it, Kanna!" Real's sword has a blade the size of her height. With just that her range is also large, but it's not to the point of covering the path of the ravine. Once the goblins dodge Real's sweeps and slip out towards her back, they would strive to be the first to a.s.sault us. This will be the great debut of the ice shurikens I've been practicing with lately. Swinging my arm, I throw the produced sharp ice discs. The ice shurikens ran very deeply into the head or torso of the goblins and they tumbled with a clattering noise. "Casting magic in this short time-" You've been too surprised for some time, aren't you Agaht. You should have seen me using my spirit arts at the time when Faima was attacked in the city though. Hm? Come to think of it, didn't he say he can't use magic? I think I've heard it from Faima that he's got a swordsman only vanguard position. Maybe he just can't use it and he can sense magic power itself. Well, spirit arts doesn't use at all, so whether he can or cannot sense magic this time is all the same. "Questions will come later. That took the wind out of me after all. You guys take care of those getting near the carriage please." For now I'll throw the ice shurikens while requesting the spirits not to hit Real and rapidly drive back the goblins who pa.s.sed her. Spirit arts is available for as long as my willpower lasts. If it's about creating ice shurikens, then I can practically complete them without spending any willpower. I'm grateful I can do rapid fire attacks without minding the remaining bullets. Their numbers are somewhat too much so I entrust Agaht, Rand and also that one servant whose name I don't remember with dealing the goblins that escaped even my ice shurikens. The enemies are like a being who would attack separately, without any coordination. If we have the skills of Rand's group, then I can safely deal with it as long as I don't get very careless. But man, there's really a lot of them. We've already buried around fifty goblins, but there's no sign of the enemy's forces declining. Where are all these numbers hiding. All I can think of is that maybe the goblins living close around here are gathering at this place. Most of the presence that is dominating this place are the ma.s.s of goblins rus.h.i.+ng towards us. While having low intelligence, they harbor a clearly destructive urge towards people and a will to trample can be felt from them. Especially the behavior that ignore even any concern for their own life. This is more or less constant with the magic beasts we've encountered so far. And yet, a kind of grossness that was different from the killing intent of theirs came crawling through my spine. I wonder if it's kind of like the feeling you get when you catch a cold on a warm midsummer day. It's a different kind of feeling than the attack of those masked men or the presence I felt of the goblins lying in ambush. I was feeling the s.h.i.+vers, but I sense a presence even more different from that. "Woah, this is bad. Agaht, old man, I'm leaving you with this for a bit." "Hey you b.a.s.t.a.r.d, you have been too selfish for a while now----" Smoothly ignoring the pretty boy's remarks, I create a one meter diameter ice pillar that's slanted upwards from at my feet towards the back and I then place my feet on it. I stick some ice on the soles of my feet and combine it with the ice pillar while I'm at it so that I don't slip off and then I let the ice pillar increase in length in one go. As a result, my body flies over the carriage at the back and leaps to the other side. With this I can move faster than taking a path around it. If you ask me why I took such a strange way of movement, well. "So you ruffians have come, huh!?" They're here. Four a.s.sa.s.sins with a mask covering their face were approaching from the back of the carriage. So while we're keeping ourselves busy in dealing with the magic beasts at the front, they planned to creep quietly from the rear and a.s.sa.s.sinate Faima, huh? Not sure whether they were aiming for this situation or they saw this situation as an opportunity. But still, their surprise attack failed the moment I noticed their existence. I cancel the adhesion between the ice pillar and the soles of my feet around when I went past the carriage and my body breaks free at the height of four meters above the ground. Continuing from that, I produce a large sword instead of a large axe this time, stabbing the point of the sword on the ground at the same time I land. What I imagine is the battle with the ice golem I competed with at the sacred mountains. I was able to reproduce the sight that I saw at that time at this place now! Together with vigor, a ice spikes protrude from the place I stabbed the sword in. Biting and tearing the ground, they become a wave and attack the approaching masked men like a wave. Three out of the four got swallowed up by the wave of spikes, piercing their bodies. Only the guy farthest in the back escaped at the last moment. "So you got away didn't you............in that case, another shot----Ah............" Thinking I'm going to stab the ground with the sword again, I became surprised. "My feet have gone numb and can't move............" That's a given of course. Now matter how much of a convenient ability spirit arts are, I myself, the one using it, am a male high school student. Normally it'll be like this if you jump down from a height of the second or third floor of a building. I never happened to have in hand the physical ability similar to that of the huge breasted elven eared beauty who could blow away a group of enemies with one sword swing like they're bowling pins. During the gap where I couldn't make any moves from my semi self-destruction, the still safe masked man circ.u.mvented the ice spikes and once again approached the carriage. After I gave up on the attack with the ice spikes, I switched to attacking with ice shurikens, but the masked man deflected all of the ice blades with the knife in his hand. They didn't go as fast as a bullet from a gun, but they should have the speed around that of a bow and arrow, you know. In the meantime, the mask quickly approached the carriage. He prepared his knife he held in an underhand grip and ran, not towards the cargo stand Faima is in, but me who is protecting it. With that I realize my mistake. Instead of throwing ice shurikens, I should have created an axe and prepare to intercept his attack. What I have in my hand was emptiness at the time the masked man was approaching me. Even though I will create a new ice weapon, it would produce a time lag, if even a little. I barely escaped the numbness of my legs and standing up is the best I can do. A flash of the knife ran in front of my eyes. I reluctantly confront it with the arm guards on both of my arms. The sc.r.a.ping of fellow metals caused sparks to fly. Due to the nature of the specialized weapon called the knife, it has no weight, but it's fast. I repel the knife's consecutive attacks which is unleashed without a pause when the edge is barely about to touch my skin. The knife handling filled with killing intent, which isn't so heavy as Real's attacks and not going easy on me either, shaved off even the leeway to use my spirit arts. I endure the desire to counterattack out of emotions. If I let down my guard unskillfully, then the stab would unsparingly go through that opening. I knew it, the choosing to use the large axe regularly is the correct choice. It's different when I'm steamrolling in a wide distance between each other, but my shortcomings will appear as soon as he brought the fight in abilities at point-blank range. "Down, Kanna! {Air Shot} !" It was a sudden voice, but I meekly obey and lay down with the resignation of breaking my stance. Immediately following that, a {wind readied with magic} sweeped over the airs.p.a.ce my body was in, grandly sending the masked man who brandished the knife flying. I look behind me and see Faima sticking out both her hands from the back of the carriage's cargo stand. The wind right now was the magic she released. Faima was standing by inside the carriage and backed up when she saw an opening. "My bad, you saved me there." "It's early to feel relieved. It's a spell with no power, because it puts emphasis on speed so that the surprise attack won't be noticed. Perhaps it won't even make him faint, you know!" The mask rolled over several times on the ground and immediately reordered his stance. I throw ice shurikens again while pursuing him. The masked man repelled those just as I expected, but was he able to reduce the momentum to fly away? While I'm some distance apart from my enemy, I stop trying to create the large axe. Instead, I cover my arm guards more and more with ice, enlarging its surface area. It's difficult to deal with a fast enemy using large weapons. I cultivated my judgment about this in the real world; I can immediately decide it because of my experience in back-alley fights. In this sort of situation, I'm convinced that I should take priority in defense over offense. Once again, mister mask turned his knife and rushed on, but it became easier to deal with thanks to having my range of defense extended. Having said that, I'm stopping him from going towards behind me-- towards Faima, so I'm having my hands full instead of the whole thing becoming easy. Faima's also being her, she can't support me with magic when the masked guy and I are too close together. Taking that into account, the masked guy stuck with close combat so as to not separating himself from me. (This is hard!) At the beginning of an encounter I repelled three of the masked men that came attacking. But, now that I think about it, the existence that is{me} was too unexpected to the enemies which led to this outcome. It was like half of it was repelled with luck. To put it in another way, now that the enemies understand our side to some extent, my advantage pretty much disappeared and we got our tables turned. I'm not so strong to be able to win against a professional wielding an edged weapon. That doesn't change even if I use spirit arts. My lack of overwhelming abilities and nonexistent experience cancels my forte which is spirit arts. (But, I've been a.s.sociated with my incompetence for a long time you know!) It's me who is established to be bad at giving up and being underhanded with d.a.m.ned stubbornness and while I'm at it, I'm petty. I can't choose the best option immediately like a genius, but I will come up with a single plan that could break the situation out of a deadlock as long as I have enough time. Let me teach him I don't have any obligations to fight in my opponent's ring. The sharply pushed out knife hits the armguards I set up horizontally. And then, before the enemy could pull away the weapon, I let the image that's concentrated onto the ice covering my arm guards {explode} , literally. To put it in real world's words, it's something similar to a {Claymore mine} . The ice covering the arm guards shatters and those pebbles rushes on towards the masked man. With an attack that covers the surface and not just a point at point blank range, the masked man receives the ice pebbles with his whole body without having the time to avoid it. Being forcibly sent flying, the body of the masked man flutters in midair. Before the body reached the ground, I hit the ground with the other arm that has ice remaining. I loaded the instantly loaded my intention towards the ground spread beyond the point of contact of my fist. The ice on my arm guard breaks and in exchange my image flows from there. The masked man has received some damage, but because I took priority on the surface rather than a point, he may not have gotten much wounds when he was blown away. He splendidly arranged his postures in mid air like an acrobatic person and landed on the ground on both his feet. "-----W-!" On the contrary, the masked man who should have made a beautiful landing, fell down as if he tripped up. The guy's surprise and confusion was remarkably transmitted even without being able to see his expression because of his mask. He got on his hands and tried to stand up in a hurry, but even the hand he got on revolved in the sky like he was swept up by something he can't see like the time with his legs. "----!, {Air Pressure} !" On my sharp voice, Faima who was refining her magic in the back, released a spell. He was a distance apart from me, but despite that she stopped his movement completely. Faima splendidly aimed and shot the one in a million chance for sure. Above the masked man whose movement was stopped, a geometry pattern similar to the time the ice golem appeared the other day made its appearance. But it gives off a quality of composition entirely different from that one. The next moment, the ground below and around the masked man caved in along with a thunderous roar. It's unclear what exactly happened, but it was as if a large invisible hammer was swung down from the geometry pattern. I look at the middle of the cave-in and see a masked appearance of a man twitching and convulsing, but he already lost consciousness. With this, the only ones moving to this direction is me and Faima. "The magic right now is?" "The theory is very straightforward. The air in the sky above him was compressed and it was only released with the restriction to the direction right below it. Though I say it's only air, the force of a super-compressed air released in one direction is not half-hearted. It's just that this magic, although the spell is simple and it has power, it compresses air at a fixed coordinate and then it has a time lag until it's released, so it won't hit at all if the opponent's movement isn't completely stopped, you see." "More importantly" Faima says as she turns her eyes towards the masked man who isn't moving anymore, or more accurately the ground surrounding him. "Some time ago, that man fell down unnaturally, but did you do something to him?" "I let the surrounding ground he would land on freeze. I'm sure that no matter how agile that guy is, he would lose his balance if the ground is suddenly frozen." If you look very closely, you can see ice pebbles scattered around the caved-in site, reflecting light like glitters. "............I've never seen anyone using the superior attribute ice magic in such an petty way." "What are you saying. Pettiness and tricks are my forte." "Fortay?" "So that wasn't introduced or something? A signature move, that kind of meaning." "Even though the mechanism is amazing, you say the given result is a trick. It actually had effect, so it's all the more cruel, isn't it." Really? It's quite fun taking out big-shots with tricks, you know. In any case, there's no doubt that we escaped the current crisis. The hustle and bustle in front of the carriage was also settled down before I realized. "Kanna, just when I thought you were gone, have you been here?" "Hey Real, so you're done on your side............gyaa!" I turn around and let out a scream. Why a scream? It's because a silver haired, long eared beauty has become blood-red and approached our side you know. Faima similarly saw the miss red Real and became petrified. "Aah, I'm all right. This is all blood spurted on me. I look like I have injuries, but I don't. There are only scratches." "Even so, it's scary!" The undried blood splashes reflects light and is unusually grotesque. The person herself is acting like usual, so it produces an all the more bizarre scene. If you slaughter that large a group of magic beasts, then it would be natural for your whole body to be dyed in blood spurts. Things like warring states in anime or games and the musou series have a stylish image, but in a realistic point of view, it's an unusually gory world, isn't it? "So, are you finished over there?" "For the time being, yes. It's just that one of the attendants was injured. What was his name again?" "I know which one is injured." He's been receiving quite a pitiful treatment throughout this trip, didn't he? Let's properly ask for his name afterwards. "Right now, Sir Rand and Agaht are proceeding with the emergency treatment. He shouldn't be in any serious condition. And then, your side seems to have been busy here. She turned her eyes towards the masked man inside the cave-in and the three other men who are pierced by the ice spikes. "............Who are you to say about the others? People being affixed and hanging in mid-air, this scene is quite cruel you know." "I also thought so." I snap my fingers and demolish all the ice I created with spirit arts in this place. The ice that was fixing them also broke and the three people who ended up skewered fell noisily on the ground. And then at the center of the masked men whose body was punctured, a red stain spread out. That stain had the same color Real's body was dyed in. I already knew that there's no life in there. Although it's late-- Although it's really late, I confirm the reality of what I myself have done. I, killed somebody.

「そろそろ帰るわ。これ以上遅くなるとランドの雷が怖いもの」 帰りを待つランドの怒り顔を想像してたのか、ファイマは苦笑した。一人で足早に去ろうとする彼女の背中に、俺は待ったを掛ける。 「送ってく。お嬢様一人を夕暮れの町中を歩かせるのも危ないしな」 「あら、あなたにしては紳士的な言葉ね」 「俺ほど紳士を体現している野郎はいないだろうな。............ま、冗談はさておき、初めて会ったときのこともあるしな。さっきも妙な野郎に絡まれてたし、心配っちゃぁ心配なんだよ」 「最後の一言だけで済ませてくれれば格好良かったんだけど。けどありがとう。ではエスコートを願い出来るかしら?」 「喜んで、お嬢様」 三文芝居のようなやり取りをし、俺たちは笑いあった。 「............ねぇカンナ」 前触れもなくファイマが切り出すと、彼女は寂しそうな笑みを浮かべていた。 「前に専属護衛の契約を持ちかけたじゃない。改めて聞くけど、受ける気はない?」 そう言えば、そんな話もあったな。 「ランド達の護衛だけじゃ不満か?」 「そんなことはないわ。彼らにはいつも助けられてるし、それが彼らの役割であったとしても感謝してる。だけど、やっぱりあなたもその一員になってくれたらって、今日話をして改めて思ったの」 「あいにくと、俺ほど貴族様の礼儀を弁えてない奴もいないと思うぜ」 先日受けた貴族講習の内容は既に八割ほど忘れている。辛うじて有力貴族の家名を数個覚えているだけだ。そんな俺に、貴族ご令嬢の護衛など務まるとは到底思えなかった。 「あなたに礼儀を求めるなんて贅沢は言わないわ。ただ、今日みたいにフラッと街に繰り出して、他愛もない話に花を咲かせて、ゆっくりとお茶が飲めたらとても楽しそうだなって」 祭りの後の寂寥感を、ファイマも同じく感じていたのか。ここ数時間の楽しさを思い出すように遠くを見るような目になった。 「初対面の人に傲慢な態度を取っちゃうのは、別にそれで嫌われても構わないって、頭の片隅で諦めていたんでしょうね。別に私個人が嫌われようが好かれようが、相手が見ているのは私ではなく私の持つ家名だもの」 自分を偽って人と無理に交流を重ねるよりは、魔術理論の調べ物をしていた方が遙かに楽しい。彼女は自嘲気味に言う。 何となくだが、彼女が求めているのが『護衛』では無いことを、俺は悟った。 「家族や護衛達を除いて、『私』を貴族のお嬢様としてではなく、『ファイマ』という一個人で見てくれたのは、覚えている限りではあなたが初めてよ。だからでしょうね。あなたとの話がこんなに楽しいと思えたのは。打算も無く、見栄もなく、つまらない意地すらない語り合いなんて、いつぶりかしら」 大袈裟な、とはとても口には出来なかった。今日聞いた限りでも、彼女の家はかなり格式が高く実質的な力も強い。その血縁者だけあり、ファイマを通じて背後の家に取り入ろうとする輩が後を絶たないだろう。そう言った環境の中で、気の許せる友人を作るのがいかに困難か。 彩菜の事を知っているだけに、想像もできる。知り合った当初など、彩菜が気を許せる相手は親友である美咲だけだったしな。 「別に、四六時中張り付いて欲しいとは思わないわ。普段は自由に過ごして貰っても構わないわ。けど、お願いした時だけでもいいの。こうして一緒に、貴族の娘であるファイマじゃなく、タダのファイマとして話してくれればそれでいい」 「護衛の勧誘ってぇ割には随分と微笑ましい契約内容だな」 もはやそれは護衛ではなく、普通のお茶会の誘いだ。 「で、どう?」 さて、どう伝えたものかと俺は考えを巡らせるが、その答えがでる前に少々事態が急変することとなった。 「いたぞ、あそこだッ!」 喧噪を保つ人通りの多いなかで、一際大きな声が聞こえた。それから少し遅れて、複数の地面を蹴る足音が徐々に近づいてくる。 はて、どこかで聞いたことのある声だ。しかも最近。 同じことを思ったのか、ファイマも「ん?」という表情になり、俺たちは顔を見合わせた。そして、揃って声がした方向へと振り向いた。 見れば、数時間前に俺が『這い寄るジャーマンスープレックス』で沈めたチャラ男貴族ではないか。そいつが、背後に『肉体労働万歳』な体格をした野郎を複数引き連れてこちらに走り寄って来る。 「おい、そこの女! よくも俺を虚仮にしてくれたな!」 と、チャラ男が走りながらこちらを指さしてくる。かなりご立腹な様子だ。ファイマは「うわぁ............」と表情筋をひきつらせた。どうやら、気絶から回復してからずっと彼女のことを捜していたらしい。手下まで引き連れてだ。 ----グシャッ。 「へぶあぁッ!?」 体はほぼ自然体のまま、速攻で作った氷の礫を親指だけを使って弾き飛ばし、向かってくるチャラ男の鼻面にぶち込んだ。何が起こったのか、チャラ男には理解できなかったろう。突然の衝撃と激痛に先頭を走っていた彼は派手に転倒し、後ろに続く肉体労働派達も巻き込まれる形で転んだ。 「----えぇぇぇ............」 何が起こったのかを理解できたファイマがどん引いた表情で声を上げた。常識的に考えれば彼女の反応は当然だろう。が、俺はそんな彼女の手を引っ張る。 「............いいのかしら?」 ファイマは血を流す鼻を押さえて悶えているチャラ男に、気の毒そうな視線を送る。さらに言えば、後続の肉体派達に蹴られてしっちゃかめっちゃかになっている。既に彼のHPは半減気味だ。 目論見の通り、先手はしっかりと取れた。 「とてもじゃ無いが、既に「お茶でもしましょう」って雰囲気じゃねぇだろ。話をする前に路地裏に連れ込まれてお子さま御法度のぬるねちょにゃんにゃんシーンに突入だ。なら、逃げるしかないだろ」 ぬるねちょにゃんにゃんシーンの意味は分からなかったろうが、路地裏のくだりで俺が言わんとしていることは察しただろう。それでも彼女は咎めるように言った。 「多分、彼が怒っている理由の半分近くはあなたが原因だと思うのだけれど」 「カッとせず冷静にやったが、後悔は微塵もない」 「............あなたがそう言ったことに躊躇いが無い人間だったというのを失念していたわ。護衛に誘おうとしたのは失敗だったのかもしれないわね。逃げることには同意するけど」 安心しろ。まだ専属護衛を引き受けるとは言っていない。 走り出してから背後をちらりと振り返ると、チャラ男の転倒に巻き込まれなかった肉体派の数名が追いかけてくるのが見えた。さらにその背後では鼻を手で押さえながら痛みに涙するチャラ男がこちらを指さしながらなにやら叫んでいた。多分「追いかけろダボども!」とでも喚き散らしているのだろうな。 「似たような事を言っているのだろうけど「ダボども」はどこから?」 「俺の脳内変換」 「聞いた私が悪かったわ」 さて、夕暮れの逃走を繰り広げるのに、いささかの問題を俺は見逃していた。 まず、立派な逃走経路を構築できるほど俺はドラクニルの地理に詳しくはなかった。現在の滞在先である宿と冒険者ギルドの周辺地域ならば把握しているのだが、この付近の区画はたまにしか来ないので土地勘がまだ疎い。 この程度ならまだ問題はない。修学旅行の滞在先で、有月の奴が地元の不良学生に絡まれた流れから始まった大逃走劇に比べればぬるいぬるい。原因は不良校の番格と付き合っていた女が有月のイケメン度に酔って言い寄り、ぷっつんした番格が有月をシメようとしたのだ。ちなみに俺は、他の友人と売店で売ってる木刀で二刀流ごっこしてたら、逃げている最中の有月が泣きついてきて巻き込まれたのだ。最終的には番格を罠にハメた後、身包みを剥いだ全裸姿をスマホに激写し、これ以上迷惑かけてくるなら世界的な動画サイトにぶっ込むと脅して騒動は集結した。 問題だったのがファイマの貧弱さだった。 逃走劇開始から五分ほどの経過で、ファイマの体力はスッカラカンになっていた。逃げ込んだ路地裏の壁に背中を預け、俺の言葉に返事も出来ないほどに息を乱していた。 隣を走る彼女の様子から既に限界が近いのを察した俺は、咄嗟に近くにあった脇道に入り込んだ。幸いなのは、ここに逃げ込んでもすぐにはチャラ男の配下達が追いかけてこなかったことだ。運良く、人混みに紛れて俺たちの姿を見失っていたのだろう。 ただ、逃げ道が明確に存在していても、彼女はそこに逃げ込む前に力尽きるだろうな。願わくば、奴らが俺たちのことを諦めて撤収してくれることなのだが、やはり問屋がそうは卸さないらしい。 俺が路地に入り込んだ側の方から人の声が聞こえてきた。続けて響く駆け足の音。少しすると肉体派を引き連れたチャラ男が再び姿を現した。 ファイマの方をもう一度見るが、すぐに走れそうなほどには体力が回復していない。無理に走ってもすぐに追いつかれてしまうだろう。 相手がタダの一般市民なら、ここらで精霊術をしこたまぶち込んで返り討ちにするのだが、チャラ男はどうにも貴族の息子らしい。面と向かって実力行使にでるのは、騒ぎをさらに大きくする結果になる。 ぶっちゃけ、アイスボードを使えたら彼女も乗せて一気に速度を稼げるのだが、あれは小回りが利かずに町中で使うと交通事故紛いの大惨事が起きかねない。路地裏から飛び出た途端に通行人と衝突したら目も当てられない。 と、そこまで考えてから、ようやく俺は自分の手札を思い出した。 「ファイマ。三秒で決めろ。おんぶかお姫様だっこ。どっちがいい?」 「はぁ............はぁ......。............お姫様だっこ」 急かす意味で「三秒」と言ったのだが、ファイマは息を切らせつつきっかり三秒で答えた。俺が何かをするのだと表情から読みとったのだろうな。覚悟を決めた表情でうなずいた。 「んじゃ本日初公開の新技だ」 俺はまず、己の手甲、肘、膝と靴の裏に氷を具現して張り付けた。今回の技の肝は足裏だ。両足の氷は地面に対して垂直になるようなブレード状になっており、かなりの鋭さを持っている。切れ味も相応だが、この刃の用途は攻撃用ではなく別にある。 「ちょいと失礼するぜ、お嬢様」 「お、お手柔らかにね」 チャラ男達は既に目前にまで迫っていた。後数秒もしないうちに俺たちのいる場所にまで到達するだろう。 「んじゃ、落ちないようにしっかり捕まってろよ」 俺の確認にファイマはしっかりと頷き、俺の首回りに両腕を回すとしっかりと抱きついてきた。彼女の体が固定できたのを確認すると、俺はチャラ男達に一度だけ振り返り。 名を付けるなら『キックブレード』だろう。原理はアイスボードの時とほとんど同じだ。これこそが、俺がここ数日で開発した技である。 「相変わらず、魔術を器用に使うわねッ!?」 「お褒めに与り光栄だな」 路地裏から飛び出て表通りに入ると、俺は少しだけ速度を落とし、それでも十分な速度で人混みの中を縫うように走り抜ける。 身体能力が『並み』の俺は、格上の相手には距離をとって遠距離から精霊術を放つスタイルになる。だが、アンサラほどの手練れともなるといかに距離を稼ごうにも技量差がありすぎて、強引に距離を潰されて接近戦に持ち込まされる。逆に、遠距離主体の相手の場合はそのまま距離を詰めれば活路を見いだせるかもしれないが、何にしても機動力の改善が必要なのは明白だった。 そこで、出来上がったのがこのキックブレード。アイスボードと比べると最高速では劣るが、両足の と体の各部に貼り付けた氷を器用に制御することで高い小回り性能を獲得。さらに、僅かばかりの力が加われば一気に加速することが可能であり、緊急回避にもかなり役に立つ。さすがにゼロからトップスピードに行くのは無理だが、一からトップスピードの手前まで行くことができたら十分すぎるだろう。 ちなみに、満足な制御ができるまでまる二日ほど派手な転倒を繰り返した経験があったりする。生傷を大量に作っただけあり、人混みの中でもスイスイと進むことができる。すれ違う誰もが驚く表情を見せたが、かなりの速度で通り過ぎるのでそれほど顔は覚えられていないだろう。 キックブレードの走行が安定したことに落ち着きを取りもどしたようで、首に回っていたファイマの腕から力が抜け、代わりに彼女は楽しそうな笑みを浮かべていた。 「ふふふふ、あなたといると退屈しないわね。なおさら護衛に欲しくなるわ」 「別に護衛としてじゃなくても、暇な時があれば付き合ってやるよ」 そう言うと、彼女は「え?」と俺の顔を見た。きょとんとなっているそんな彼女が可笑しくて、俺は彼女に目だけを向けて笑ってやった。 「別に『友達』と会うのに理由なんか必要ないだろ?」 彼女を抱きかかえたまま、俺は夕暮れ時の町を走り抜けるのだった。

[I ought to return soon. Any later than this, Rand's wrath would be dreadful.] Faima is smiling bitterly. Did she imagined Rand's angry face awaiting her return? [I'll send you back. It's dangerous to let an ojou-sama walking alone through the town at dusk.] [Ara, how gentlemanly of you.] [I daresay that n.o.body embodies a gentleman as much as I do. .........Jokes aside, there's also that time when we first met and you just got yourself entangled with a strange guy a while ago. I'm worried about you.] [It would have been much better if only you just said the last words. Thank you, nonetheless. Then, would you kindly escort me?] [It would be my pleasure, milady.] Acting out the third-rate play brought us to laughter. [......Say, Kanna.] Adorned with a lonesome smile, Faima begins to talk without any preamble. [Before, I offered you a contract to be my exclusive escort. I ask you again, won't you accept it?] Come to think of it, there was that too. [Are you dissatisfied with only Rand and the other two?] [That is not true. They are always aiding me and I am grateful for that even if that is their role. However, our talk today made me consider anew the thought of having you as a part of them.] [Unfortunately, I don't think that there's anyone else who would be more disrespectful to a n.o.ble than me.] I had already forgotten about 80% of the content on aristocratic measures I attended the other day. I barely even remember the names of the most influential aristocrats. I could never imagine someone like that serving as an escort to an ojou-sama of a n.o.ble house. [I will not seek the luxury of demanding etiquette from you. Only for you to share a leisurely tea break with me and like today, to walk around aimlessly while childishly engaging in a lively conversation.] Did the same feeling of loneliness after a festival inundated Faima as well? Feels like she's recalling the fun we had in the last few hours judging from her far away look. [It does not concern me if my overbearing conduct to someone I have never met would be reciprocated with loathing. In the corner of my mind, I have resigned myself on that matter. Whether I personally dislike it or not, what they are looking at is not me personally but my family name.] Rather than forcing herself to socialize through a fake persona time and again, it is much more fun for her to study the theory of magic. So says the girl in self-derision. For some reason, I realize that what she's looking for is not an [escort]. [As far as my memories would serve, with the exception of my family and escorts, you are the first person to see [me] not as the young lady of a n.o.ble household but as the individual named [Faima]. I presume that is the reason why I thought it was so much fun talking with you. When was the last time I had a silly, meaningless conversation devoid of any schemes and pretenses, I wonder?] From what I've heard today, her household is considerably prestigious and substantially powerful. Even among blood relatives, there's no shortage of those who tried to curry favor with her household through Faima behind the scenes. Just how difficult it would be to make a friend in such an unforgiving environment. I can imagine the hards.h.i.+p of it because I'm close to Ayana. When we first met, the only person Ayana cared about was her best friend, Misaki. [It is not particularly my wish to have you to stay by my side around the clock. You are free to spend your free time however you wish. I only ask that you stay by my side when I wish for it. And when we do, it is all right for you to talk with me not as Faima, the young lady of a n.o.ble household but as Faima. Simply Faima.] [Quite the attractive contract for a mere escort.] It's no longer about an escort but an invitation to an ordinary tea party. [So? How about it?] Before I could reply to her, the situation abruptly change. [There they are! Over there!] In the midst of hustle and bustle of the evening crowd, a loud voice reverberates. Slightly later, multiple footsteps kicking the ground gradually approaching our position can be heard. Well now, from when and where did I hear that voice. Recently, at that. As if thinking the same thing, Faima's countenance goes like [hn?] while we exchange glances. And then, we turn our attention towards the voice. Looking closely, isn't that the n.o.ble gaudy I ko-ed with [Crawling German Suplex] a few hours ago? He's rus.h.i.+ng here followed by several guys with a body that screams [physical labor banzai!] [Oi, woman! How dare you make a fool out of me!] Says gaudy while pointing here, still running all the while. He looks pretty angry. [tei!] --gusha [hebuaa!?] What happened would've been impossible for gaudy to understand. He was running at the forefront when he got hit by the impact that caused him severe pain and subsequently made him go tumbling down flas.h.i.+ly. His minions -muscle corps- running closely behind also got rolled up, tumbling down like a domino. [--eeee......] Faima who understood what had transpired pulls an incomprehensible expression with that voice. Looking at it through the lens of common sense, her reaction would be the natural one. I then pull the dumbfounded girl's hand. [............Is that okay?] Faima sends a pitiful glance to gaudy who's writhing while holding down his b.l.o.o.d.y nose. He was further stomped by his muscle corps minions when he tumbled, resulting in a very messy scene. After all, his HP decreased by half in one go. The first move unfolded exactly as planned. [Not really but it's not exactly the atmosphere for [let's have some tea~]. Like I said before, we would be brought straight into the back alley for some slimy ma.s.seuse in a nyannyan scene that couldn't be shown to a child. No choice for us but to escape.] She didn't get the meaning of slimy ma.s.seuse in a nyannyan scene but she must've guessed the overall context from the [taken into back alley part]. Even so, she censures me. [I do believe that half the reason he is angry was because of you.] [I did it calmly without any hesitation, but I have no regrets.] [.........I had forgotten that you are a man who would utter those words without hesitation. Perhaps it was a mistake of mine to invite you as an escort. Although I do agree with escaping.] No worries. I haven't said I'll become your exclusive escort yet. Regardless, we begin our second great escape for today. As we started running, I look back to see several of the muscle corps who hadn't been caught up in gaudy's fall is chasing after us. Further behind them is gaudy. Teary-eyed due to pain, he's holding his nose and shouting something while pointing at our direction. He's probably clamoring [chase them, you dogs!]. [I could hazard a guess from the similarity but where did [you dogs] come from?] [My very own version.] [I hate myself for asking.] Now then, despite the fact that we are escaping under the cover of dusk, I overlooked a somewhat problematic matter. First, I'm not familiar enough with Draknil's layout to form a solid escape route. I'm familiar with the area around where I'm currently lodging and the area around the adventurer's guild but I can't say the same for this area because I only come here occasionally. Though that part isn't much of a problem, yet. It's even lukewarm compared to the great escapade that Yuuzuki started when he was entangled with local delinquents back during our school trip. The cause was the school bancho's girl who became spellbound by the ikemen Yuuzuki, tried to get close to him which resulted in the enraged bancho trying to strangle Yuuzuki. The problem now is Faima's scant stamina. Around 5 minutes from the start of our second great escape, Faima is completely out of gas. She's leaning against the wall of a back alley we hid ourselves in, much too breathless to even respond to my words. Running by her side earlier, I noticed that she was close to her limit from her appearance and immediately entered the nearest back alley. Fortunately, gaudy's minions chasing after us didn't notice. As luck would have it, they must've lost sight of us in the crowd. What's more, the exit to this back alley can be seen at the opposite side from where we entered. After all, rus.h.i.+ng into a back alley haphazardly in an unfamiliar place may end up in getting cornered in a cul-de-sac. However, even if there's a clear escape route, she'll run out gas again before we manage to get out. Hopefully they'll give up on us and withdraw but it doesn't seem that they will let us go that easily. I can hear their voice from where we entered the back alley. Following that is the sound of them running. A little while later, gaudy once again makes an appearance. I take a look at Faima once more. She hasn't recovered enough to immediately continue running. Even if she push on unreasonably, they will soon catch up. If our opponents are only members of the general public, I'd make a stand here and turn the table on them with Spirit Art. Sadly, gaudy seems to be a n.o.bleman's son. Employing force in a face to face confrontation would only result in a larger uproar. Frankly, it'd be nice if I could use the ice board. I'd be able to give her a ride and quickly gain some speed all at once. But the ice board doesn't have the maneuverability needed for tight turns. If I were to use it inside the city, accidents are only a matter of time. As soon as I glide out of this back alley, I won't be able to avoid colliding with any pa.s.serby by relying on my sight. After thinking that far, I finally recall one of my technique. [Faima, decide in 3 seconds. Piggyback or princess carry. Which one do you prefer?] [Haa.........haa..................Princess carry] I meant [3 seconds] to urge her, yet Faima responds in exactly 3 seconds while holding her breath. She might've guessed I'm onto something from my expression. I nod with a determined look. [Today will be the debut of my new technique.] To start, I manifest ice and put them on my tekkou, elbow, knee and lastly, the sole of my shoes. The crux of this technique lies on the sole. The ice on both shoes are shaped like a blade perpendicular to the ground. Although it has the appropriate sharpness, the purpose of this blade isn't for attacking. [Forgive my discourtesy, milady.] [P-Please be gentle.] Gaudy's men are going to pa.s.s the entrance anytime now. In less than a few seconds, they'll reach it. [Hold on tight so ya don't fall off.] Faima nods firmly to my final check and wraps her arms around my neck, tightly hugging me. After confirming her body is secured, I turn to look at gaudy and his men. [Kickblade] should do for the name, I guess. The theory behind it is almost the same as that of the ice board. This is what I'd developed in the last few days. [As always with you, an ingenious use of magic.] [I'm honored by your praise.] Faima's half amazed half surprised remark got me chuckling in high spirits. I slow down a bit before das.h.i.+ng out of the back alley and entering the main street but even by doing so, I still retain a sufficient speed to weave through the crowd. As the possessor of an [average] level of physical ability, my style is to maintain a distance against superior opponents and shoot them down using Spirit Art. However, distance is meaningless when it comes to opponents as skillful as Answerer. They would forcibly close the distance and bring the fight into close quarter combat. Conversely, in the case of a long-range opponent, I might be able to find a way to escape if I maintain the distance. Anyhow, it was clear that I need to improve my mobility. That's the reason behind kickblade's completion. It is inferior in maximum speed compared to the ice board but in return, it has high maneuverability achievable by skillfully controlling the ice blade{glistening sword} attached to each foot. Furthermore, it is possible to instantly accelerate by using only a small amount of force. A very useful feature for emergency avoidance. Going from zero to top speed is impossible but it would be more than enough if I can go from zero to a step below top speed. Incidentally, I experienced two days of tumbling over and over again before I could achieve a satisfactory level of control. She seems to have calmed down now that we have settled into a steady speed as Faima loosens her arms around my neck while donning a joyful look. [fufufu It certainly does not bore me when I'm with you. All the more reason to have you as my escort.] [Even if I'm not your escort, I'll go out with you when I'm free, y'know.] When she heard that, she goes [eh?] while looking at my face. The sight of her staring blankly is so comical that I ended up laughing. [You don't need a reason to meet your [friends], do you?] With Faima in my arms, I sped through the capital at dusk.

改めてクロエに話を聞いてみたが、彼女から手に入れられる情報はコレで限度のようだ。操られていた間の記憶は朧気ながらあったらしいが、操っていた本人に関しての記憶は入念に消されていた。黒幕に関しての話はコレで区切りだろう。 「で、クロエ。おまえさん、これからどうするつもりだ?」 「どう、とは?」 「そこで首を傾げるなよ。おまえさんはもう自由だ。黒幕相手に復讐の道を選ぶなり、故郷に帰るなり、流れのぶらり旅に出るなり、いろいろあるだろうよ」 「............一番に復讐が出るのが凄いわね」 「不毛とか抜かすなよ? 俺はぶっちゃ復讐推奨派だ。受けた借りは特上盛りで返す主義だからな」 あの腹黒姫は絶対に許さない。絶対にボコる。 クロエは僅かに顔を伏せると、非常に言いにくそうに語り出す。 「拙者、とある理由があって故郷に帰るつもりは毛頭無いでござる。あ、別に犯罪等を犯した、というのではないので悪しからず。復讐にしても、相手に関しての記憶が完全に無い以上、それに執着しても不毛でござるよ。判明した時はその限りでは無いでござろうが、今すぐにどうこうと動くつもりはないでござる」 「じゃあぶらり旅?」 「一人旅も悪くはないのでござるが、悲しいことに今の拙者は無一文でござる。どうやら黒幕やらに全て奪われたようで。これといって貴重な物を所持していなかったのが幸いでござったが」 操り人形の使い捨て暗殺者にワザワザ資金を持たせるのもおかしいか。 「なので、今この場から放り出されたら、拙者は数日と経たずに野垂れ死に確定でござる」 ............流れが読めてきたな。 レアルに視線を向けると、彼女は肩を竦めた。あちらもクロエの言わんとするところに予想がついたか。 「えっと・・・・厚顔無恥ことこの上ないのは重々承知ではござるが、拙者を皆様方の旅に同道させていただく事はできないでござろうか?」 「旅人の金稼ぎといえば冒険者ギルドがあるだろ」 「冒険者ギルドにはもう既に登録済みでござる。それなりの経験があると自負はしてござるが、残念なことにギルドカードも奪われてしまったようで」 ギルドカードとは、冒険者ギルドにおける身分証だ。その人物の実力やこなしてきた依頼を記録保存してくれる。 「............ギルドカードの発行、再発行は本部か大きな支部に行かないと出来ないのよ。カードは不正が出来ないように特殊な素材で出来ていて、専用の装置を使わないと作れない。この街にもギルドの支部はあるけど、依頼の受注と精算に限られてるわ」 「............そういう訳でござる。聞けば皆様方はディアガルの都に向かっているとか。帝都にある冒険者ギルドならばカードの再発行は可能でござる。せめてそこまで旅にご一緒させて貰うわけには行かないでござろうか。勿論、その間に消費する旅費に関しては、ギルドでの依頼をこなし必ず利子付きで返済するでござる」 「............だってよ、どうするファイマ?」 この一行のリーダー格はランドだが、最終的な決定権はファイマに委ねられている。彼女に指示を仰ぐのは自然だ。 「参考までに聞くけど、クロエさんのランクは?」 「Cの上辺りでござるな。後もう少し依頼をこなせばBへの昇格試験を受けられる所だったでござるよ。まぁ、半年近く依頼を受けていなかったので、Cの下辺りにまで落ち込んではござろうが」 後になって詳しく聞かされたが、ギルドの登録者は実力と実績によってランク分けされており、その如何によって受注出来る依頼の難易度も異なってくる。ランクは最下位のEからD、C、B、A、Sの五段階。ここいら辺も、俺が今までに手に触れてきたRPGに近しい設定だ。非常に受け入れやすい。 クロエの言うCランクは丁度中間の段階。冒険者として一人前の名乗りを許されるランクだとか。彼女の口振りからすれば、その一人前からさらに一歩進んだランクBーー『有能な』冒険者にもう少しで手が届く所だったのだろう。 付け加えると、ランクAは『超一流』の冒険者。さらにその先の最上位ランクSの冒険者は『英雄』と呼ばれるくらいの実力を持っているとか。 日常的に新たな登録者と引退する者が絶えないので正確な人数は不明だが、ギルドに登録する全冒険者は数千人にも及ぶ。そんな中でAランクの者は百人弱しかおらず、Sに至っては僅かに七人ほどだから、それだけで実力の程は想像できる。 「冒険者としての来歴は?」 「故郷のギルドに登録したのが十五の時でござるから............四年ぐらいでござるな」 「え? お前さん今何歳?」 「十九歳でござるが」 また年上かッ!? 知り合う女全員って俺より年上(しかも巨乳)ばっかりじゃねぇか。約一名に関しては九百歳ぐらい離れてるし。や、年上好きとしては嬉しいシチュエーションだが、クロエは仕草や雰囲気的にどうしても年上に見えない。同い年か年下に思っていた。 「カンナ、話の腰を折らないで」 「あ、すまん。続けてくれ」 ファイマに咎められて俺は口をつぐんだ。 「もう。ーーーーそっか、四年でBの昇格試験を受けられるぐらいね。ギルドからの試験の見通しは?」 「慢心をせずに挑めば合格は問題ない、との言葉は頂いていたでござるよ。なので、正直惜しいことをしたと悔やんでいるでござる」 「でしょうね。でも、十五の時に登録して、今の年齢でBランクに上がれるお墨付きが付くならそれはそれで立派じゃないの。並の冒険者だったら、Cランクで五年や六年を過ごす人なんてザラよ?」 コレも後で聞いたが、上のランクに昇格する為の試験を受けるには、数ある任務を手当たり次第にこなせばいい、という訳ではない。ギルドが用意した特定の依頼や、緊急性や重度の高い依頼を完遂し、実績を積まないといけない。ギルドの用意する依頼の場合は、試験官代わりの上位ランク冒険者が同道して受注した冒険者の実力監修に当たる。緊急性、重要度の高い任務はそれの成功時点で十分な実力があると判断され、この時点でようやく昇格試験を受ける資格が得られる。だいたいの冒険者はこの実績を得る段階でつまずく。 「確かに、通常の冒険者の中であれば拙者は優秀な部類にはいるでござろうが、黒狼の中では未熟も良いところ。同時期にギルドに登録した黒狼の者は、その大半が現段階でBランクに昇格しているし、中にはAに上り詰めた天才までいるでござるしな」 乾いた声で小さく笑うクロエ。この黒髪さん、実力云々の話になると途端に卑屈になる傾向があるな。優秀な奴らに周囲を埋められた境遇の劣等感には俺も覚えがあるが、あれはなかなかにキツい。 「自己申告ではあったけど、クロエさんの実力は確かなようね。だったら、経費(借金とも呼べるけど)の返済能力は問題なさそうだし。そうだ、何だったらあなたも私の護衛として雇われる? お給料払うわよ?」 「い、いえいえいえッ、滅相もない! 同道する身であり、皆様方の護衛を引き受けるのはむしろこちらから願ったりでござる。ですが、そこまでの好待遇は身に余るでござる。これ以上、ファイマ氏からの好意に甘えるのは他ならぬ拙者自身が許せぬでござるよ!」 「そっか。本人がそこまで言うのならば無理強いは出来ないわね。わかったわ、詳しい話はランドが戻ってきてからにするけど、あなたがディアガルの都まで旅に同道するのは許可するわ」 「お、恩に着るでござるよファイマ氏!」 「こちらとしても、ディアガルまで目前とはいえ護衛の戦力が万全になるのは嬉しいわ」 話が纏まったようで、クロエが旅の一員に加わるのが決定したようだ。 ーーーー思えばこの瞬間が、これから何かと長く深く付き合う事になる、俺と三人の女性との邂逅だった。 「ところで、俺が目が覚めたとき、何でベッドの下に隠れてたんだ?」 「いきなり意識が戻ったので、びっくりしたからでござる」 この黒髪さんは、ちょいとだけヘタレが混じっているかもしれない。 さて、臨時的な護衛参入の話し合いが終わり、程無く外に出ていた三人が宿に戻ってきた。 戻ってきた三人は、意識を取り戻した俺にそれぞれ労いの声を掛けてくれた。驚くのはあのピュアな堅物アガットも労ってくれました。あの謎の襲撃者の強襲の元、生き残れたのは俺のお陰だと。ただ、一時も俺と視線を合わせず、あらぬ方向を向いたままだったのはご愛嬌。素直に認めたくないプライドと、助けられた恩がせめぎ合った結果だ。や、俺は海より高く空より深い心の持ち主なので許すけど。 新しい馬車の調達は問題なく完了し、業者の者に荷物の運び込み等の準備は任せているので、明日の朝には終わっているそうだ。キスカの怪我の状態も完治し無事に戦線復帰を果たした。そんなわけで明日は出発である。俺からしてみれば目覚めて早々だが、他の面子にとってはこの街で滞在二日目だ。買い出し等も既に終えているし、この街にとどまっている理由もない。 クロエの件に関してはランドは特に反対もせずに了承した。俺が気を失っている間にも彼女とランドは会話を交わしており、クロエが無害とは判断していた。アガットとキスカに関してはランドの指示に全面的に従っていた。本当に、ランドの言葉に聞き分け良いなアガット。 そんなこんなで諸々の話は終わって、今の頃合いは真夜中。明日の出発に控え、夕食が終わると早々に皆寝床に伏した。 一方で俺はと言えば。 「ぁぁぁぁああああああ。癒されるゥゥ............」 数日ぶりの入浴中である。 俺たちが現在泊まっている宿は、この街の中にあってなかなかランクの高い部類に入る。ベッドも柔らかいし出てくる料理もうまかったが、何よりも大浴場があるのが最高だった。 広さは十人ぐらい同時に湯船に入っても余るぐらいに広い。科学技術のないこの世界でこれだけの量のお湯を沸かすとなるとコストがすさまじくなりそうだが、そこは魔術的な手法で解決だ。水を生み出す魔術具と、生み出した水を温める魔術具を併用したお風呂であり、魔力さえ充填すればいつでも風呂が入れるのだ。ただし、風呂の掃除と魔術具に魔力を充填する時間が必要になるので、風呂に入れるのは夕方から翌日の早朝までだ。逆に、その間であるなら好きなときに風呂に入れる。 この風呂沸かし魔術具は、そこそこに値は張るが貴族の間では一般的に普及しているとか。ただし、このサイズの大浴場となるとなかなかお目に掛かれない。ファイマがこの宿を選んだ最大の理由はこの風呂にあったとか。そりゃ女の子だからな。 俺以外の面子は、もっと早い時間に風呂に入っている。あ、最初に言っておくがちゃんと男湯女湯しっかりと分かれてるからな? 時間が交互で男女入れ替わるわけではないのに俺がこの時間帯を選んだのは、一人でのんびりと湯船に浸かっていたかったからだ。 「............この一ヶ月、いろいろあったからなぁ」 ユルフィリアの王城に召喚されたところから始まって、レアルとの出会いに霊山での邂逅。ファイマを助けた縁から彼女の護衛を引き受け、数日前には謎の炎使いとの激闘。最後のは激闘という割には数分で終わった気がするが、命懸けだったのは変わりない。五体に不備はなく後遺症も今のところ感じられない。代償が髪と目の変色だったが、見た目の変化以外に被害はほとんどない。 確認したところ、全身の毛という毛が変色していた。勿論、下のアレも見事に真っ白。現実世界に戻ったらすこぶる目立ちそうな容姿になってしまった。 「............そもそも、あっちでは何日経ってんのかね」 異世界転移を題材にした空想物語は現実世界でも様々だったが、その中には異世界と元の世界で流れる時間の速度が異なったりするのもあった。こちらの世界で一ヶ月の時間が流れても、元の世界ではたったの一日、と言った具合だ。これならまだマシだが、逆だったらリアル浦島太郎になってしまう。 「や、今の段階で気にしても仕方がねぇか」 どう転ぶにせよ、ディアガルの帝都にたどり着くまではどうしようもない。そこに現実世界に戻る手掛かりがあるとは限らないが、深く考えるのならばそこに着いてからでもいいだろうさ。 難しいことを考えるのはここまでだ。久しぶりの一人っきりの時間。誰かといるのは苦痛ではないが、何も考えずに無心でいられる時間も必要だ。気の済むまで風呂を楽しもうではないか。 ーーーーいつかおっぱいの大きいお姉さんと混浴してぇなぁ............。 真面目な思考の最中に唐突に下ネタが浮かんでくるこの癖はどうにもならんな。本心でもあるし、諦めよう。 そんな純度の高いお馬鹿な事を考えていると、脱衣所の方にガサゴソと誰か入ってくる音がした。他人のことは言えないが、こんな深夜に珍しいな。夜中遅くにまで娯楽が溢れている現実世界と違い、幻想世界の夜は静寂だからだ。 別に湯船の独占欲も無いし、誰が入ってきても俺としては問題ない。俺は俺で気の済むままに風呂に入っていよう。 俺が風呂の縁に頭を乗せ、水と一体化するが如しの自然体で脱力していると、新たな入浴者が浴場に入ってきた。 ーーーーちょっとまて、この気配には覚えがあるぞ? 反射的に、俺は新たな入浴者の方に顔を向けた。 姿を現したのは、クロエだった。 勿論衣服は着ていない。健康的な肢体に布の一枚だけを巻き付け、その豊満すぎる胸を腕で隠しながら、浴場に現れたのだ。 胴体の部分の殆どは布と腕で隠されてはいるのだが、そこから伸びる手と足が眩しすぎる。余分な贅肉はなく、かといって筋肉質でもない。程良く肉の付いた健康美の体現だ。 悲しいかな、女性の肉体に潤沢な賛美を贈れるほどに俺の女性経験は少ない(や、無いけど)。それでも『綺麗な体』というのはこう言うのを指すのだろうとは確信できた。 「あ、あまり見つめないでほしいでござるよ............」 「....................................................................................」 羞恥に顔を紅に染めるクロエが恥ずかしそうに身を捩ると、それに併せて柔らかそうな乳房が腕に潰され変形する。また、頭上にある普段は尖っている犬耳も、主の意志に従ってペタリと折れている。その様子は、美しさと可愛らしさの両立を演出している。 俺はじっくりたっぷり一分経過してから、口を開いた。 「............や、ここ男湯」 人間とは、本気で驚くと逆に冷静になるらしい。本日起こった己の変化を遙かに凌駕する驚きが全身を襲っている。 「し、知っているでござる」 「............痴女か?」 「違うでござるよ!」 「だったら何でここにいるよ」 「か、カンナ氏の背中をお流しに来たでござるよ!」

I tried asking Chloe again, but I couldn't get my hand on any new information. though her memories from the time she was controlled were there, they were kinda hazy and couldn't be counted on. Above all she couldn't remember anything about the mastermind so the talk about the mastermind was put on hold for now. "So, what are you gonna do now Chloe?" "By what you mean?" "What are you tilting your head for there? Now that you've regained your freedom there's a lot of things you can do, like seeking revenge, returning home or going on a journey." ".............It's amazing how the first thing that came to your mind was revenge."(Faima) "Don't go on about it being unproductive or whatever, alright? I'm of the opinion that a favor is something you must return many-fold after all." I absolutely won't forgive that black hearted princess. I'll definitely beat the h.e.l.l out of her. Chloe hangs her head down a little and starts talking. "For a certain reason I have no intention of returning home. Ah, it's not like this one committed some kind of crime or the like. I can't take revenge without knowing anything about the culprit. At the time we discover their ident.i.ty I'd like nothing more, but this one won't make a move for the time being degozaru." "Then you'll leave on a journey alone?" "Travelling alone doesn't sound so bad. But unfortunately this one is penniless degozaru. Looks like the mastermind robbed me of everything there was to take. Luckily this one wasn't carrying anything of value at that time degozattaga." To have a puppet a.s.sa.s.sin carry money is rather weird huh. "And that's why this one will surely die in a few days if you people abandon me degozaru." ................I kinda get where this is going. I looked at Real and she shrugged her shoulders. Seems like she also understood what Chloe wanted to say. "Err...........Shameless as it is degozaru ga, can you let this one accompany you on your travel degozarou ka?" "If you need traveling funds can't you just work at the adventurer guild?" "This one is already registered in the guild degozaru. This one can boast about having a fair bit of experience degozaru ga, but the guild card was taken along my belongings degozaru. " A guild card is obviously the identification paper used by adventurers. It's main use is keeping records on the requests that an adventurer completed and how much ability they have. "................Be it getting a new guild card or reinstating another one both can only be done at the guild headquarters or a big branch. the card is made of special material that prevent fraud after all. It can't be made without the use of special tools. Though there is a branch in this town their job is limited to handling requests." ".................That is how it is degozaru. Since it turned out that everyone is heading towards the capital of diagal and I can issue another card in the guild branch of the imperial capital degozaru. This one was wondering if you will permit my company until the capital. Naturally this one will focus on clearing requests and pay you back every cent you spend on me with interests once I get my new card." ".................So she says, so what do you think Faima?" Though this party's leader is Rand, the one that makes the final call is Faima. It only makes sense to ask for her decision. "I'm just asking for reference but, what rank is Chloe-san at?" "This one is around upper C-rank degozaru. Had this one finished a bit more requests this one would have received the right to take the B-rank up chuunin exam de gozaru yo. Since I haven't done any requests for the past half month, I probably have fallen to the bottom of C-rank by now though." This was something I heard later but, apparently the adventurer guild ranks adventurers based on their ability and accomplishments into E,D,C,B,A and S- rank. Which is quite similar to the systems of the RPG games i know making it easly to understand. Being right in the middle, The C-rank that Chloe belongs to is the mark of a real adventurer. According to her words, Chloe was just a step away from becoming a B-rank--A{competent} adventurer. Beyond that are the rank{super excellent} adventurers and the S-rank {heroes} . Since no daily records are kept when adventurers register or retire, the exact number of existing adventurers is unknown. The amount of adventurers registered at the guild reaches a few thousands. Among them the number of rank adventurers is less than a hundred, furthermore only seven S-rankers exist. Just that number is enough to understand how powerful they are. "How long have you been an adventurer for?" "This one was fifteen when I registered in the adventurers guild of my hometown de gozaru kara..............About four years degozaru na." "Eh? how old are you now?" "Nineteen degozaru ga." Again it's someone older than me?!! Aren't all the women I meet older than me (what's more they have monster t.i.ts)? Heck, one of them is even nine hundred years my elder. No well, as someone who's into elder women this is quite the happy situation. Just that Chloe doesn't really give off the air of an elder woman, I even though she was my age or younger. "Stop interrupting the topic, Kanna." "Aah, sorry. Please continue." I was silenced by Faima's reprimand. "Mou.----I see, so you have enough ability to take the B-rank test in four years. And, what was the guild's opinion about it?" "As long as I don't let my guard down, pa.s.sing the test is no problems degozaru yo. That's why it feels quite mortifying degozaru." "I bet it is. But having the qualification to take the B-rank test at your age and in just four years from registering is already an amazing feat. It takes a normal adventurer six years just to reach C-rank you know?" This is also something I heard later but qualifying for a rank up test takes more than just clearing lots of requests. You need to complete certain requests and harsh and urgent requests given by the guild under the watch of a high ranking adventurer. It is only after successfully clearing such requests that one is deemed worthy to take the rank up test. Most adventurers stumble at this point. "It's true that this one can be said to be doing pretty good compared to other adventurers. But for a black wolf beastman I can only be called lacking in ability. In fact, the majority of my brethren who registered in the guild at the same time I did are already B-rank long ago, the talented ones even got to rank." A dry smile leaks from Chloe's mouth. This blackhair-san, she has a habit of getting spineless the moment the direction of the talk turns to strength. I know pretty well the feeling of inferiority born from having all those super able guys everywhere around you, that one is pretty tough. "Though self-proclaimed it seems that Chloe-san has some ability. Then it's safe to a.s.sume that she can pay back her expenses fee (or debt) through doing requests. Right, how about becoming my escort too? I will pay you, you know?" "N, no no no, I could never! As long as this one is accompanying you, it is this one that actually wants to be everyone's escort degozaru. Still this one can't take something like money from you degozaru. For this one to depend on Faims.h.i.+'s kindness anymore than this is something this one finds unacceptable degozaru yo!" "I see, if you're going that far then I can't force you. Alright then, I'll give you permission to accompany us until the capital of diagal. We'll talk about the details after Rand gets back." "Th, this one is indebted to you degozaru yo Faims.h.i.+!" "It's a happy thing for me that the battle prowess of my escorts will go up even if temporarily." Looks like they reached an agreement. It's now decided that Chloe will be joining us. (TL: ----Thinking back on it, this moment was the beginning of my long and deep relations.h.i.+p with these three women. "By the way, when I woke up why where you hiding under my bed?" "You suddenly regained consciousness so this one was kinda surprised degozaru. " This black hair-san might be a little no good of a person. Now then, just as the escort talk ended the three who were out returned. The three of theme said their grat.i.tude to me. Surprising enough even that innocent hardheaded Agatt actually thanked me. It was thanks to me that everyone survived, or so he said. However, that he didn't meet eyes with me even once ruined it. The result of the clash between his pride which couldn't simply accept it and his grat.i.tude for being saved. Well, I'm the owner of a heart higher than the sea and deeper than the sky so I'll forgive him. It seems they already took care of the carriage and supplies. The bought supplies are being put in the carriage by the merchant who will finish by tomorrow morning. Kiska has fully recovered too. Hence we'll be leaving this town tomorrow. Though I just woke up the others have already spent two days here, having taken care of the rations there is no need to prolong our stay. Rand didn't see any problem with the addition of Chloe to our forces. They talked plenty when i was unconscious and Rand seemed to have deemed her innocent. The other two didn't see a problem in following Rand's decision. Agatt really has full obedience to the words of Rand. Like that the important talk have ended. It's now midnight. Since we're leaving tomorrow the others went to sleep after dinner. Yi As for me. "Aaahh. I'm getting healed............." I'm in the middle of my first bath in a few days. The inn we're staying in happens to be one of the most luxurious inns in this town. the bed is soft and the food is tasty above all is this magnificent public bath. It can hold ten people with ease. Obviously it should be costly to build something of this caliber in this world where science hasn't advanced much. But that's where magic comes into play. A bath that employs a magic tool to generate water and a magic tool to heat it. As long as the magic tools are charged with magic power one can take a bath. The only disadvantage is that it takes time to charge the magic tools and clean the bath so one can only enter from evening to early morning. In return, you can take a bath whenever you want in that period of time. This magic bath is quite popular with the n.o.bles despite being rather pricey. Although one this big is very rare. It seems the biggest reason Faima chose this inn for is this bath. She's a girl after all. The rest have all bathed already. Ah, I'll just say this beforehand, but the baths are properly separate for men and women. The reason I'm entering at such a late time despite there not being a time rotation time is because I wanted to have the bath for myself. "...............So much happened this past month after all." Beginning from being summoned by the princess of Yurufiria, meeting Real and the events at reizan, saving Faima which led to ending up as her escort, the flame magician's battle a few days ago. Though the last one, dangerous as it was, felt too short for a death match. However, our lives were undoubtedly on the line there. So far, I can't feel anything wrong with my body. Though it did cost me the color of my hair and eyes, There's no side effects aside from that. After checking my hair I confirmed that it has turned white down to the last hair in my body. Of course my hair down there is also fully white. It's no doubt a flashy look that will no doubt attract attention when I return to the real world. ".............In the first place, just how much time pa.s.sed in my original world?" There are a lot of other world summoning stories in j.a.pan. And in some of those the flow of time in the two worlds was different. One month already went by in this world yet only one day has pa.s.sed in the original world, that would be better off. But if the opposite takes place I'll become a real life Uras.h.i.+ma Tarou. "Well, worrying about that right now is useless, huh." No matter how things roll, there's nothing I can do until I reach diagal's capital. Though it's not set in stone that a hint to returning is there, Thinking deeply about it can wait until after I get there. Let's forget about the difficult stuff for now. my first alone time in a while.Though I don't hate being with others, having some time alone where I empty my mind is important as well. I shall enjoy the bath until I'm satisfied. ----Someday I'd like to enter the bath with a voluptuous onee-san.............. no matter what i can't get rid of this habit of having erotic thoughts the moment I become serious. Well, It is my real desire and all. I should just give up. Just as I was thinking about something stupid, the sound of someone entering came from the dressing room. I'm not really in a position to talk about others but it's quite rare to come for a night bath. Different from the real world where you can find all forms of leisure in the middle of the night, this world's nights are quiet and calm. It's not like I had reserved the bath for myself or something. I don't mind someone else entering. I'll simply stay until I'm satisfied. Just when I reached my limit and raised my head after becoming one with the water, the newcomer entered the bath. ----Wait a moment, this presence is. I reflexively turned my face towards the new presence. The one standing there was Chloe. Obviously she wasn't wearing clothes. With only a towel wrapped around her healthy body and hiding her ma.s.sive chest with her arms. Chloe was there. Most of her body was hidden with the towel and her arms. But her arms and legs growing from there were breathtaking. Her body had just the right amount of flesh. neither fat nor muscular, it was a healthy body with the right curves. Sad huh, My experience in women isn't abundant enough (no, it's non existent) to give a detailed description on a woman's body. Despite that i could tell that this is a{gorgeous body} . "Ah, please don't stare so much degozaru yo............." (TL: That's impossible) "......................................................................................." Chloe twists her body with a beet red face and the soft looking ma.s.ses pressed against her arms change shape. The usually standing dog ears above her head are also dropped down in as if obeying her will. That appearance of hers was a perfect harmony between cuteness and beauty. After plenty of time pa.s.sed I opened my mouth. ".................Yo, this is the men's bath." It seems humans contrarily become calm when they get really surprised. "I know degozaru." ".............A s.l.u.t?" "That's wrong degozaru!" "Then what are you doing here?" "Th, this one came to wash kanns.h.i.+'s back degozaru!"

「ほんっとうに、有月って頼りないわね」 「ですね。カンナ君がいれば、もう少しましな状況になっていたかも知れませんね」 「............美咲さん、彩菜さん、本当に勘弁してください」 カンナが故郷に思いを馳せる数日前。 「何でほいほい人の頼みを聞いちゃうわけ? 困っている人を助けたいって思うのは人間としては美徳でしょうけど、時と場合を考えてよ。巻き込まれるこっちの身にもなって欲しいっての」 女友達の片割れである、柊美咲。まさしく元気溌剌といった感じの可愛らしい少女で、男女ともにクラスでは人気がある。運動神経は抜群で所属の空手部ではエースを誇り、大会での優勝経験も有る。 「ご、ごめ」 「まぁまぁ美咲さん。これ以上はいいでしょう。有月君が残念なヘタレイケメンであるのはもう周知の事実ですよ。あんな綺麗なお姫様に頼まれていやとは言えないでしょう」 そして二人に挟まれているのが、出雲有月。十人とすれ違えば十人がイケメンと断ずる整った顔立ちをした少年だ。無論、女子達からはすさまじい人気を誇り、男子からもその人あたりの良さから慕われている。文武両道を地で行っており、毎度のテストでは常に総合成績十位以内をキープしているハイスペック。 まさに、神に愛されているとしか言えない才能の持ち主だ。 「でもま、考えようによっては悪いことばっかりじゃないかもね。事情も分からずに放り出されるよりは」 「ですね。カンナ君の事も気になりますし、まずはこの場に留まって情報を収集。最低でも一般常識の獲得が最優先ですね。隙を見て脱出すればいいでしょう。有月君もそれでいいですね?」 少女二人の意見に、少年は口を挟めない。口を挟む度胸もなかった。 ーーーー三人が会話を重ねていたのは、お城のとある一室。 カンナが一人の女を連れて城を脱出した三日後、異世界からの来訪者が新たに召喚されていたのだ。 今は通過儀礼のような事情説明が終わり、休憩用の客室に通された後である。 「やっぱり、アヤもカンナがこっちに来てるって思う?」 「一昨日の出来事と、私たちに起こった出来事を比較すれば、可能性は高いでしょう。私たちを包んだ光は、彼が消えたときに観測できたものとほぼ同質と考えられます」 この二人の少女、実に逞しい。普通はこんな状況に放り込まれ、一応の事情説明はされていたとしても、こうも落ち着いた会話はできない。身内だけの空間に入れば泣き言の一つも吐くのだが。 「ってことは、カンナもあの美人さんに召喚されたって事になるけど」 「とっさに有月君の口を止めたのは正解ですね。あそこで下手に問いただせばあちらの警戒心を生み出していたでしょう。さすがは美咲さんです」 「でしょ? 有月の残念ぶりはこれまでのつきあいで把握してたしね」 ところがこの二人、当初は若干の焦りや不安を隠していなかったが、時間をおかずに現状を冷静に受け止めていた。無論、今でも不安は残っているが、それでも客観的な判断を下せるまでの余裕を取り戻していた。 間違いなく、友人一人の影響である。 「あ、あの彩菜さん、どうしてカンちゃんの事を聞いたらまずかったの?」 おずおずと口を開いた有月は、未だに痛むわき腹をさすっている。姫様にカンナの事を聞こうとする寸前、空手部在籍の友人に肘鉄を打ち込まれたのだ。ちなみにカンちゃんとは、有月が幼なじみの少年を呼ぶときの呼称である。 彩菜はため息を吐いてから答えた。 「いいですか? 仮に姫様がカンナ君を召喚していた場合、それを私たちに説明しないのは不自然なんです。もしかすれば、私たちが聞けば答えてくれるかもしれません。言い換えれば、聞かれない限りは答えないという選択をしている可能性があります」 「でも、お姫様がカンちゃんを召喚したとは限らないじゃないか」 「だったらだったらでかまいません。姫様が本当に知らないと言う意味ですから。けれども、もし姫様があえてカンナ君の事を伏せていたとするならば............」 己の不安を押し殺すように、彩菜の眉間に小さな皺が寄る。 「カンナ君は、彼女にとって非常に都合の悪い存在になっている可能性があります。あまり考えたくはありませんが、最悪の場合は............」 そこまで言って、彩菜は先の言葉を戒めるように唇を噛んだ。 彩菜の言わんとする所を読みとり、美咲がポンと親友の肩を叩いた。 「大丈夫だって。そりゃ私だって心配だけどさ、あのカンナだよ。なんだかんだで無事に決まってる」 「そ、うですよね。すいません。みなさんを不安にさせるような事を言ってしまって」 「いいのいいの。アヤがそういう役をしてくれるお陰で、私たちはいっつも助かってるんだから」 二人が友情を育んでいる中、有月は若干、蚊帳の外感を味わっていた。それに耐えきれず、何とか言葉を選ぶ。 「で、でも、どうして二人はお姫様をそんなに警戒するんだ? 僕には、あのお姫様が悪い人にはとても見えないんだけど」 微笑み合っていた女子二人は、途端に揃って溜息をつき、やれやれと肩を竦めた。 「え、なんなのその反応」 「今まであんたがどうして女絡みのトラブルに巻き込まれてこなかったのか、本当に不思議でならないよ。や、今は現に巻き込まれてるけど」 「間違いなく、カンナ君がしっかりと手綱を握っていたのでしょう。あの人がいないと、有月君の駄目っぷりに拍車がかかってしまいますね」 「さっきから、僕のMPががんがん削り取られてるんですけど............」 口を開く度、心に棘が捻り込まれていくのは気のせいではないはずだ。 「あの姫さんはね、私たちと話している間、ずっとにこにこと笑ってたけどね。一度も目が笑ってなかったの。気づかなかった?」 「............ごめん、分からなかった」 「ま、私のは直感だからね。けど、私はこの直感を信じてる。美咲は?」 「そうですね............。強いて言えば姫様の立ち回りが完璧すぎた所でしょうか」 「完璧って、何が?」 「言葉を運ぶタイミング、仕草、表情の変化。その全てが、人を安心させ、話を聞き入るように仕向ける最適な立ち回りをしていました。あれほどの事を自然とこなしている人を、私は見たことがありません」 「つまりは、演技をしてるっていいたいの? 彩菜さん」 「あれが天然という可能性も否定できませんが、警戒してもよい類だと、私は判断しました。それが私の役回りでもありますし」 九十九%信用できる相手であっても、残りの一%を疑うのが、カンナを含めた四人組の中にいた彩菜の役割だった。 「でも、美咲さんの印象と合わせると、あながち間違いとも言えないでしょう」 「だから、こんな暑苦しい真似もしてるんだしね」 実はこの三人、部屋に通されてからずっと、備え付けのベッドの布団を頭から被り、小さな声で会話をしていたのだ。仮に同じ部屋に誰か居たとしても、至近距離でないと会話の内容を聞き取るのは不可能だった。 「もしかして、盗聴を疑ってる? でも、ぱっと見この世界の科学技術って僕らの世界よりもかなり劣ってると思うよ? 城の外をまだ見てないから、一概に断言できないけど」 「甘いですね有月君。別の世界から私たちを召喚した技術。魔術と呼ばれてはいますが、あれは私たちにとっては未知の技術です。その技術を利用した盗聴器が有ってもなんら不思議ではありません」 「さすがはアヤね。さすがにそこまでは考えられなかった」 「ぼ、僕も............」 「あんたには最初から期待してないけどね」 クラスでは男女ともに人気のある有月だったが、友人達の間ではヒエラルキーが最低辺である。それだけの実績を重ねてきているのである。 「で、アヤ。今後の方針は?」 「先に話した通り、まずはこの世界の常識を含んだ知識の入手。最優先は文字の読解と金銭感覚です。この二つがなければ、城を脱出したときに私たちは確実に路頭に迷います」 「あの............本当に逃げ出すの?」 有月達を召喚した姫は彼に「この世界を救って欲しい」と祈っていた。それを一度引き受けた有月としては、逃げるという選択肢は躊躇われた。 が、彩菜は容赦なかった。 「少なくとも、私たちにそんな義理は有りません。姫様は美辞麗句を駆使していましたが、纏めてしまえば彼女が求めていたのは戦闘力。つまり、我々はいずれ戦場に駆り出されるかもしれません。私はこの歳で大量殺戮者の汚名を得るのはごめん被ります」 「私も同感。たかが三人に世界の命運を任せるとか、たまったもんじゃないわ。つまりは問題を押しつけられてる訳だし。自分の問題は自分で解決して欲しいわ」 カンナの場合、召喚主の内面に気がつくまで二つ返事で「OK」しそうになっていた。ある意味で、彼よりも非常にリアリティのある意見。相手が女性であり、同性だから出た言葉なのかも知れない。 「だが、本当に困ってるかもしれないだろ?」 「食い下がるわね有月。もしかして姫さんに一目惚れでもした?」 「そ、そんな訳じゃないけど............」 言いよどむ有月は、頬を赤らめながら顔を伏せてた。有月の顔の温度は上がったが、対して他二人の視線は温度を失っていた。 「当面の方針はアヤの言ったとおりで。けど、どうせならもうちょっと踏み込まない?」 「美咲さん、何か提案でも?」 「姫さんの考えはどうあれ、せっかく異世界に来たんだもの。もうちょっと異世界っぽい事をしてもいいでしょ。たとえば『魔術』を覚えるとかね」 三人を召喚した姫は断言していた。 有月達はこの世界において、類希なる魔力を有していると。いろいろと怪しい人物ではあるが、その部分は信じていいはず。何せそれを目的に召喚したのだし。 ............某男子高校生一人はこれに当てはまらなかったのだが、この三人が知る由もない。 「いずれ城を脱出するにしても、自衛手段は有った方が良いと思う。私や有月は同世代の中ではそこそこ動けるけど、それだけじゃ心許ない」 美咲は空手部のエースとして相応の自信が有るが、そこに自惚れは入り込んでいない。ここにはいない友人が、単なる技術や腕力では勝利につながらないのを教えてくれたからだ。 事が荒事に関わると、美咲は彩菜以上に冷静な判断を下せる少女なのである。 「アヤ言ってたよね。私たちはいずれ戦場に駆り出されるって。でも、現時点じゃ私たちはまだまだ素人も良いところ。それはあちらも分かってるはず。だから、しばらく私たちは戦いに赴くための訓練をさせられると思うんだ。だったらそれに便乗して、可能な限りの戦闘技術を吸収した方が絶対に良いはずよ」 「道理ですね。私の場合、二人と違って完全にインドアでしたから、魔法を覚える恩恵は一番有るかもしれません」 「アヤを悪く言う訳じゃないけど、足手まといが居なくなるだけでも大きいわ。それと平行して、この世界の知識をできるだけ多く学ぶ」 「決まりですね。有月君も良いですね?」 「正直、僕の意見って反映されないよね」 「多数決ですから」 こうして、異世界に新たに召喚された三人の少年少女達は動き出す。 そして、彼らが親愛なる少年との再会を果たすのは、これよりしばらくの後である。

[We really can't rely on Yuuzuki at all.] [That's true, if Kannkun was here; the situation would probably be a little bit better.] [............ Misaki-san, Ayansan; please forgive me!] A few days before Kanna thought about his hometown... [Why did you recklessly accept some outrageous request? I do think that wanting to help people in need is a great human virtue; but, how about thinking on the time and the place? If you want to get involved so much, at least be mindful and don't drag others into it.] One of the female members of this group is Hiragi Misaki; a beautiful girl who is someone who oozes liveliness. Popular with both boys and girls in cla.s.s; possesses extraordinary reflexes and is the prideful ace of the karate club- she also has a record of victory in tournaments. [So- sor-] [MaaMaa- Misaki-san; shouldn't we leave it at this? We all know quite well that Yuuzuki-kun is a pitiful hetare ikemen; he has no power to deny the request of such a pretty ohime-sama] And stuck inbetween, Izumo Yuuzuki. If graded by ten people, those ten would agree that he is a good looking boy with a well ordered face. Naturally, he boasts of tremendous popularity between the girls; and even among the boys he is considered someone to look up to due to his personality. Accomplished in both physical activities and studies; a high spec individual, who always scores among the top ten in the school ranks. It wouldn't be strange to say that he is a someone possessing enough talent that he is loved by G.o.d. [But, thinking about it- this is not the worst situation. It beats being thrown out without knowing anything at all.] [Truly, but I'm still worried about Kannkun. First we stay in this place and learn as much as we can; the first thing is to learn about the common sense of this world... Then, the moment we find an opening, we escape. Yuuzuki-kun agrees with this?] In front of the opinion of the two girls, the boy can't open his mouth; his mouth can't muster courage to oppose. ---- The place where the three are discussing, is a room in a certain castle. Three days after Kanna escaped with a woman, three new people from another world were summoned. This is right after the ritual was done and some circ.u.mstances were explained, they are now resting in one of the guest rooms of the castle. [So, Aya really thinks that Kanna was summoned here?] [If we compare the events that happened yesterday to what happened to us right now; it's quite possible. The light that surrounded us, seemed to be the same type that the one that s.h.i.+ned when he disappeared.] These two girls actually are quite strong willed. Normally if one is tossed into this situation; it wouldn't be possible to talk with such compossure even if the whole situation was explained clearly to them. The normal would be for them to get fl.u.s.tered and complain about everything but their own group. [-Then, Kanna also ended up summoned by that beauty-san.] [To promptly shut off Yuuzuki-kun's mouth can only be said as expected from Misaki-san. If we would have asked something weird there, it would have created wariness against us.] [Isn't it? I'm long aware of Yuuzuki-kun's pitifulness after being a.s.sociated for so long.] By the way these two; from the start they did not hid any impatience nor anxiety; and in no time they calmly a.s.sessed the situation. Of course, now some uneasiness is felt; but it's to the level where it won't cloud their objective judgement in the least. This is without a doubt, thanks to the influence of one of their friends. [A, ano; Ayansan? Why is it bad to ask about Kan-chan?] Trembling with fear, Yuuzuki managed to open his mouth. Even now he is rubbing his flank which is under pain- when he was about to ask the princess about Kanna, his good friend and member of the karate club drove an elbow into him. Additionally Kan-chan, is what Yuuzuki has called the boy ever since their younger days. Ayana sighted as she provided an answer. [Are you asking that? In the case of if that hime-sama really summoned Kanna; not explaining anything of that to us would be unnatural. At best, if we ask about it, she might answer us... In other words, she probably will never bring up the subject unless it's asked.] [But, it doesn't mean that the princess was the one that summoned Kan-chan] [If it's not the case then the princess can't say anything about it... However, if the princess is actually concealing what happened with Kannkun............] As if trying to get rid of her own anxiety, she made a lot of wrinkles in the middle of her own forehead. [... That would be because Kannkun's case is incovenient to her. I don't want to think too much about it, but in the worst case............] After saying that much, Ayana bit her own lips as if to prevent the words from surfacing. Having read through what Ayana did not say, Misaki slammed her palm into her shoulder producing a large pon sound. [It's obvious that it's ok. I mean, I'm a little bit worried; but we are talking about that Kanna, you know? It is obvious that he is somehow safe right now.] [That's- true... I apologize. Sorry for having say something that made everyone uneasy.] [It's fine, it's fine. It's because Aya always takes that role, that you are of great help to us.] While those two were nurturing their friends.h.i.+p; Yuuzuki to an extent, tasted the feeling of being completely outside the loop. As he could not bear it, he wanted to say something. [B-but, why are the two of you so vigilant against the princess? I just can't see that princess as a bad person.] The two girls that until then were smiling together; now breathe a large sight, to finally shrug their shoulders. [Eh, why do you react like that?] [I guess it's a miracle that you haven't gone through female relations.h.i.+p problems up to this point. But, now we are getting caught up.] [Without a doubt, Kannkun had a firm grasp of the reins... but the moment that person is absent, Yuuzuki-kun just foolis.h.i.+ly spurs out on his own.] [From before, my own MP keeps being seriously cut down............] Every time his mouth opened, the result it's as if in his heart some thorns are pickled; is that just his imagination? [That hime-san; every time she talked to us, her mouth kept smiling- but her eyes did not smile; not even once. Did you not realize that?] [............I'm sorry, but I did not realize.] [Well, it's only my intuition... But I do believe on this intuition. And Misaki?] [That's true............. If I had to put it roughly, the princess behaviour had places where it was too perfect.] [What was pefect?] [The timming to convey the words, the gestures, the facial expressions; everything as if it was designed to make others feel relaxed. It was an optimal behaviour to completely turn around any question that anyone would throw at her... People that can do that naturally; up to this point, I haven't seen any.] [In other words, it could only be a perfomance, Ayansan?] [I can't deny the possibility that her personality is naturally like that; but it's better if we keep our guard up. I have already decided it, because that's my role.] Even if the oponent is 99% trustworthy, to doubt that 1% is the role that Ayana a.s.sumed in the group of four that includes Kanna. [But, if I add up Misaki-san's impression to that, I can't say I'm making a mistake] [And that's why we are having this type of sultry reaction.] In fact, these three people; ever since they entered this room, without any hesitation grabbed a futton from the mattress of the bed and covered themselves with it; after that they have only spoken in low voices. Even for someone who is in the same room, they won't hear what they are talking about unless they step in really close. [Maybe you are suspecting wiretaping? But it doesn't matter how I look at it, the science and technology of this world is much inferior than ours; I haven't seen the outside of the castle, so I can't a.s.sert this concretely.] [That's way too naive Yuuzuki-kun; the technique that brought us to this world- that would be magic; it's a technology that's completely unknown to us. It wouldn't be strange at all if there are eavesdropping devices that use said method] [As expected of Aya, naturally I haven't thought things like that.] [Me- Me neither............] [From the start there it wasn't any expectations of you.] He might enjoy from popularity within the cla.s.s, but in his friend circle Yuuzuki's heriarchy is the lowest. That's merely the result of his own track record. [Then, Aya; what would be our future policy?] [It's just what I said before, first we obtain knowledge such as the common sense of this world; the most important thing would be learning writing and the monetary values. Without any of these two, escaping from the castle would just lead to be lost in the roadside] [Ano............ We are really running away?] When the princess that summoned this group told Yuuzuki [Please save this world] ; he who already took up this request, he has a hard time thinking about running away. .... But, Ayana was clearly lacking in forgiveness. [In the first place we don't have such obligation. And the princess kept using rhetorical flouris.h.i.+ng; but placing the topics together, in the end she was just interested in battle potential. In other words, she already has planned to throw us into the battlefield. I'm sorry but, I'll gladly pa.s.s on the chance of earning a ma.s.s murderer's stigma at this age.] [I have the same opinion. Leaving the fate of the world to just three people then it doesn't mean it's just some coincidence. That means that there is already something that they want to solve through force. If they want something solved, how about trying and do something on their own?] In the case of Kanna, he was about to answer [OK] until he noticed the true personality of the summoner. In that sense, these two have a much more realistic opinion than he has; probably because the opponent was a girl, more attention was put on the meaning of the words since the gender was no distraction. [But, they might really be troubled?] [You are buying the tale waaay too much, Yuuzuki... Could it be that you feel first sight for that hime-san?] [O- Of course that's not it............] As Yuuzuki was speaking, his face went red and he lowered his gaze. The temperature of his face increased a lot; on the other hand the gaze the other two laid on him lowered a lot on degrees. [The immediate policies will be what Aya mentioned, but; why don't we ride on this a little bit?] [Misaki-san, is that a suggestion?] [Regardless of what that hime-san is thinking; we just ended up in another world... so wouldn't it be fine if we do other world like things? For example, learning how to use {magic} ] That princess stated... That Yuuzuki's group who came from another world is in possession of an unheard amount of magical power; she is someone who is suspicious in too many accounts, but at least that part can be believed- the reason being, that the purpose of the summoning was finding such person. ............ There is one certain high school student in which case this did not apply, however right now these three don't know about this. [In any event, by the time we escape from the castle; the best would be to have means of self defence. Yuuzuki and I can move fairly well compared to people from our own generation, but having only that much is unsettling.] Misaki is the ace of the karate club so she has confidence on her own fitness; but there is no self conceint in that factor. The reason is the friend who is not there; he is the one who taught her that mere arm strength and technique are not enough to truly seal the deal. When they are involved in a fighting scene, Misaki is a girl who can make even more calm judgements than Ayana. [It's like Aya says, while we might be put out in a battlefield; at the current time we are as good as amateurs. These guys understand this already, that's why; they are surely going to train us so that we can fight. That's why we take advantage of the ride; it only has positive sides for us to absorb as many fighting techniques as we can] [That's reasonable. Unlike you two, I'm a complete indoor type; I might benefit the most from learning magic.] [It's not like I'm saying that has Aya any fault, though. If any hinderance we have is lost, that would be great. In parallel to that, we learn as much knowledge as we can from this world.] [This settles it. Is this fine with Yuuzuki-kun?] [To be honest, my opinion is not reflected at all...] [It's called majority of rule.] In this way, the newly summoned youths will start their movement in this world. And thus, the time they reunite with the boy they hold in high regard, is still far off.

食料品は明日以降に買うことにして、その日は宿に引き上げた。旅の疲れがまだ残っていたし、今日中にしなければならないわけでもない。日が暮れる前に宿で休むことにした。 ーーーーというのは、半分建前である。 宿での晩飯を終え、取り留めもない会話を終えたその日の深夜。 「............よし、行くか」 俺は盛大な決意を胸に、一人夜の町に繰り出した。 身も心も充填完了である。これでいかなる苦難に直面しても対処できる。 さて、なぜ俺がレアルに何も告げずに一人で外出しているかと言えば、話は昼食の後の解散まで遡る。 装備品を見繕い、明日の予定を含んだ雑談を交わしながら町中を歩いていた、その時に、見つけてしまったのだ。 いわゆる、色街と言う場所を。 だってさ、しつこく言うけど、俺ってば健康優良な思春期な男子高校生ですよ。レアルさんが時折見せてくる色気が、思春期男子の心を刺激してくるんですって。それがたとえ無意識だとしても。冗談抜きに、あの巨乳は凶器だ。ふとした瞬間に見える深い谷間はやばい。ついでに、麓の村にまだ居るであろう精霊様の谷間も思い出してこれ又やばい。 お恥ずかしいながら、こんな状況で自家発電が出来る機会があるとでも? もし見つかったら俺は悶死する。悶死しなくともその後がやばい。 そんな悶々とした奥底の衝動が、エッチな格好をして呼び子してるお姉さん方を見た瞬間、噴き出してしまいました。 この世界の風俗事情は、麓村に滞在していた時に、歴戦の男性諸君に教わってきた。何でも、男としての貫禄を身につけるために、コツコツと貯めた軍資金を元に、ワザワザ色街のある町まで遠出をしたとか。割と失敗談が多かったが、数少ない成功例を元に、外れのない店選びのコツを伝授してもらった。 エロに対する男の団結力に感謝し。 「いざッ」 念のため、レアルが寝ている隣の部屋の扉に耳を当てる。一枚の戸を隔てた先から、心地よさそうな規則正しい寝息が聞こえる。よし、熟睡しているな。 俺は抜き足差し足で部屋から離れ、一人そっと宿屋から外にでた。 昼間は活気に満ちていた街路は、日も沈み星が輝いている夜天の元では静けさが広がっていた。思っていたよりも明るいのは星明かりだけではなく、道の所々に一定間隔で経っている街灯の光だ。昼間の間に取り込んだ光を、夜中に放出する魔導具だ。お陰で道に迷う事はなさそうだ。 ただし俺の場合、魔導具の明かりだけが原因ではない。 人の気配、雑音、明かりがなくなった事により、俺は己の身に起こっている『異変』を改めて自覚した。 もしかしたら、と思い始めたのはあの腹黒姫との謁見からすぐだ。より明確に感じられたのは、あの霊山でゴーレムに襲われた時だ。 五感がーー気配を感じる能力が、上がっているのだ。 不思議なもので、視界のみならず、視界外の光景を何となくではあるが感じることが出来る。今なら、目を閉じたまま誰とも何ともぶつからずに街を一周できてしまうかもしれない。 立ち並ぶ家屋の一つに目を向け、眉を細めて意識を研ぎ澄ます。 壁を隔てた先、家の中に複数の気配を感じる。もしかしなくとも、これは住んでいる人間の気配だ。それ以上はプライバシーの侵害なので、意識を家から反らした。 元々勘は鋭い方だったかも知れないが、ここまでくると野生動物の本能レベルに近い。 「婆さんが言うには、俺の魔力が無いかららしいが............」 氷の精霊様曰く、この世界の万物は『いくつかの例外』を除いて魔力が宿っているらしい。人間は元より、無生物でも何でも『存在している』という時点で多少なりともの魔力を持っている。 だが、俺はその多少なりともの魔力すら宿っていない、完全なる『零』らしい。 理屈を言えば、俺は魔力零であるために、他の宿す魔力を気配ととらえ、明確に感じられるのだ。 ではなぜ、幻想世界に来てからこの気配を察する能力ーー以後は魔力探知とよぼうーーが伸びたかというと、だ。 ここからは俺の推測だが、おそらく俺の住んでいた現実世界では、魔力を豊富に宿した存在が極端に少なかったのだろう。幻想世界の一般市民が宿している魔力の平均を二十と仮定して、現実世界の人間は一とか二とかその位。つまり、俺が『魔力』と確信して察知できる程の魔力量が現実世界には無かったのだ。 だが、幻想世界に来て『魔力』と呼べる気配を躯が明確に覚えた結果、その存在をより細かく、正確に判別できるようになったのだ。 ーーーー長々と思考している間にそろそろ色街の入り口が見えてきた。 「............何だろうねぇ、このもやっとした気分」 エロを発散するために向かう途中で至極まじめな事を考えていたせいか、今の自分の行動が非常に情けなく思えた。 かといって大人の世界を目の前に怖じけが出てきたのかと言えば、答えは心の底から断言できる。 否であると! 多分、今の俺の顔は凄まじく鼻の下伸びまくりの、鼻息荒い変質者に見えるかも知れない。だがあえて言わせてもらう。 男の子だもん! 女の子の躯に興味津々の男の子だもん! ちょっと年上でクールでオッパイ大きなお姉さんとか大好きな男の子だなんだよぉぉぉぉぉぉッッッ! 「はッ!?」 思わず天に向けて両手を突き上げた俺は我に返る。 ここで衝動を発散させてどうするよ。 発散させるのは女の子の中にするべきだ。 俺はフンスと気合い?を入れ直し、大人の世界への一歩を踏み出そうとして。 財布を忘れていたことに今更ながらに気が付いた。

We decided to buy all groceries tomorrow and to spend the rest of the day in the inn... we are still carrying tiredness from our long trip; as there is nothing mandatory left to do for the rest of the day, I decided to chill out in my room after sunset. ---- Or that's what the official story is. Right after finis.h.i.+ng the meal, we put a stop to our conversation after the sun was set... [............Well, I guess I'm going] I hardened the determination in my chest, and decided to went out to the town alone in the night. Mind and body, they are both been fully loaded; like this I can deal with any type of situation... Now, the issue is why I didn't tell anything to Real and went out on my own; it's a story of when we got together during midday. When I was picking up my armor, we were casually speaking about what to do tomorrow while strolling the downtown; it was then when I found it. The place that's so called red light district. It's because, you know -- I know I'm persistent about this -- but I'm a healthy high school student and a young adolecent boy going through p.u.b.erty... And from time to time, Real-san lets out some tremendous s.e.x appeal; that's quite the incentive to the heart of any youth of age; even if it's unconscious... Joking aside, those huge breast are a weapon; and any casual sighting of that deep valley is seriously dangerous; on top of that, sometimes I remember the cleavage of that spirit-sama who was left in the mountain village; that one is also seriously dangerous. It might be something embarra.s.sing, but can I find the chance for some self discharge in my current situation? Supposing it's discovered, at time I'll just die in agony. Even if I don't die in agony, the after taste is going to be weird. As I kept worrying endlessly about that, an impulse was born unquenched in my heart; and at that time I happened to see a pervedly dressed onee-san on the street who was calling people; it was then that I felt ready to gush out... The habits of the s.e.x industry of this world; while I was throughly taught by those brave gentlemen who had cleared long service back there in the mountain village; I can say that anything goes for the sake of keeping my dignity as a man-- I painstakingly increased the war funds, and I already scouted a long detour to that street I'm aiming for. At the time, I had plenty of failures, but thanks to some successful talks, I did manage to grasp some tips to select a good store. This is all thanks to the join efforts of the good men that have interest in the ero. [ONWARDS-] Just in case, I go an listen from behind Real's door to make sure she is asleep; the door is quite thin and I manage to hear a sleeping breath which sounds as if her heart is satisfied thanks to the quiet rest... It's great that she seems quite deep in her dreams. I get away from the room with sneakily steps, and leave the inn on my own. ... The streets are as lively as if it was the daylight. Even when the sun has set, the sky still s.h.i.+nes thanks to the starlights as the calm of the night skies spread all over. It's not only that I consider the stars are so colorful, but on the roads you can find street lights at fixed intervals... It looks like it's magic tools that capture light during the day and release it during the night; thanks to those I don't think I'll be losing my way. Well, in my case; it's not only thanks to the street lights. The signs of people, noises; they are easier to percieve since there is less lightning... Once again I become aware that an {anormality} occurred in my body. It might be perhaps, from the time I had the audience with the wicked princess... It only truly became clear when the golem showed up in the holy mountains. My five senses-- I feel as if their ability to perceive was increased. It's mysterious, even if it's not in my feel of vision; I feel that I can somehow still see it. Even at this point, I feel like I could perfectly walk around town with my eyes closed and never b.u.mp into anyone. I focus my eyes in a house that's on the street, I narrow my eyebrows and try to stretch my consciousness there... Even though there is a wall inbetween, I can still feel the presences inside the house. It's likely that these come from the people living inside... Well, more than this is a violation of privacy rights; so I divert my attention from the house. From the start my intuition has always been sharp, but when it's taken to this level is like the instincts of a wils animal. [Grandma said, that it's likely because I don't have any magic power in me............] According to what the Ice spirit-sama said, {bar rare exceptions} ; everything in this world has magic power; this goes beyond humans, even inanimate objects have magic power to some level. However, there it seems to be no magic dwelling in me; I'm an absolute {zero} . To propose a theory, I who have zero magic inside me; is much more sensible to the presence of magic that comes from other places; to the point I can get a clear feeling. Then why, ever since coming to this fantasy world I can feel much better those presences? --From now on let's call that magic detection-- From now on this is only my guess, but maybe in the original world where I come from; magic still exists, but in a much more minuscule quant.i.ty. Let's a.s.sume that a regular person in the fantasy world has 20 of magic; in the real world each person might have only 1 or 2-- In other words, it was not enough in size for me to be able to detect it as {magic} . That's why, ever since I came here, I managed to grasp the clear and defined presence of that thing known as {magic} . The existence that once was too dim to be felt, now is big enough so that it can be accurately be pinpointed. ---- As I was lost in my own thoughts, the entrance to the red light district will be soon in sight. [............ What is it, this 'I'm finally here' feeling-] Because I was thinking about something so seriously while approaching this ero site, I somehow feel that my current behaviour is quite pitiful... While you can say a part of me is afraid of delving into the world of the adults and wants to return, the correct answer to that fear is clearly engraved in my heart... It's a no! Perhaps now, a big smile is stretching under my face, I might even be exhaling air roughly like a pervert; but please at least let me say it.... I'm a boy, you know? A boy who is quite interested in the body of girls, you know? A boy that likes girls a little bit older, cool, and with huge b.r.e.a.s.t.s, you knooooooooooooooooowwwwww!!! [AH!?] I involuntarely raised my two arms to the sky, I now return to myself. I'm going to release some impulses here. The type of release that goes inside girls. Fans of mine, please give me your support? As of now, I'll be stepping into the adult world. ... Now I notice that I forgot to bring my wallet.

第八話 この場合、美女ババアとでもいえばいいのか? 「切っ掛けは偶然。貴方たちがこの霊山をドラゴンで越えようとした時」 いの一番に、めちゃめちゃ寒かった記憶が浮かぶ。 「本来、生身の人間がこの山を越えるのは陸も空も含めて不可能なのよ。肉体的ではなく、この山は魂を凍てつかせる冷気が領域を支配しているの。どれほどの強靱な肉体を持っていても、先に心が死んでしまうわ」 「............越えちゃったけど?」 「そこの剣士さんはまぁ例外ね。耐性魔術が『精霊術』レベルにまで昇華されてるから」 美女がレアルを指さす。実感がないのか、美女の存在を未だ飲み込めていないのか、キョトンとしたままだ。 「けれども、貴方は違う。たかだかあの程度の炎の魔術で乗り切れるほどに柔い冷気じゃないのよ」 「そうか? さむっいちゃさむかったけど」 「寒いで終わっている時点で、貴方の特異性が証明されているの。でも、だからこそ、私は貴方を見つけることが出来たの」 柔らかく口端をつり上げる笑みは、芸術レベルだった。 「切っ掛けは今話したとおり。後は麓の村人と口裏を合わせて貴方をこの山に誘導したの。途中、ウルフの群に遭遇したときは少しだけ焦ったけど、剣士さんが思ってたより強くて助かったわ。結果的に、貴方たちをこの場に誘導する手助けになったけど」 あの少女が目の前の美女だとすると、村人からのレアルへの依頼も偽りだったのか。 「あ、彼等を責めないでね? あの人たちは私の我が儘につきあってくれただけだから」 「や、そりゃいいんだが」 どうにも疑問だらけだ。 「今更だけど、お姉さんは人間なん?」 「もちろん違うわ。人の定義で表すなら『精霊』かしらね。私たち自身は、己を表す言葉は知らないけど」 精霊ーーーー彼女が言った精霊術の精霊は彼女自身を指すのだろうか。 「なぁレアル。精霊ってなんぞ?」 言葉自体で想像は付くが、この世界での定義がわからない。 「............通常は、実体を持たぬ自我無き意志の存在を指す」 ようやく落ち着いてきたレアルが簡潔に答えるが、言っていて本人はあまりすっきりしていない様子。 「希に、意志を持った精霊がいるらしいが、人の姿へと変じ、明確な思考形態を持った類など、私は見たことがない」 「でしょうね。本当に自慢じゃないのだけれど、私ほどに自我が確立できるになるまではものすごく長い時間が掛かるの」 「具体的には?」 「千年ぐらいかしら?」 「お婆ちゃんっ!?」 「そうよぉ。こう見えて、私はすっごいおばあちゃんなの」 わざとらしくほっほっほと、年寄り臭く笑う精霊。ノリいいな。 「んで、婆ちゃんはなんで俺たちをこんなすこぶる寒い場所に呼んだんだ?」 「お、おい。堂々と女性を年寄り呼ばわりするのはどうかと思うんだが」 「あらあら、いいのよ。むしろそう呼んでくれるのは、親しみやすいわ。麓の皆は「精霊様〜〜」って。敬ってくれるのは嬉しいんだけど、ちょっと堅苦しいのよね」 目下最大の謎をぶつけるも、俺の言い様にレアルが突っ込みを入れた。呼ばれた当の本人は、割と気に入った風だ。 「ま、簡単に言えば、そろそろこの場所に留まるのも飽きて来ちゃったってところかな?」 精霊が、地に突き刺さっていた槍に目を向け、俺たちもそれに倣う。 銀光を放っていたあの槍は、今や半ばから折れており、長い柄の半分が地に突き立ったままを残していた。 「............折れてるんですが?」 「............折れてるな」 「ちょっとちょっと、他人事みたいに言わないでよ。君が折ったんでしょうよ」 「だってよ、レアル」 「いやいやいや、さりげなく人のせいにするな。明らかに君だろうが。精霊殿も君を指さしているだろう」 確かに触りましたけど、そう仕向けたのは婆ちゃんでしょうが。ってか、アレは本当に指先が軽くタッチした程度だったんだが。 「あ、別に責めてるわけじゃないのよ。むしろ感謝してるわ。私をこの場に縫い止めていたのはこの魔槍だったから。ま、正確には槍そのものに封印されてた訳なんだけど、ここ三百年近く誰にも抜かれないまま放置されてたし、同じ事よ」 そんな豆情報は知らんがな。 「誰もこの場所に来なかったわけじゃないわ。十年に一度か二度ほど、腕自慢やら技自慢の人間がやってきたわ。もちろん、目的はこの槍。この山に人の身で乗り込んできた時点でなかなかの魂の持ち主だけど、結局この槍を抜けた人は皆無。全員、前座のゴーレムに潰されるか、槍に触れたときに魂が耐えきれずに発狂死するかのどちらかだったわ」 憮然とする精霊の発言に、顔が自覚できるほどに引きつった。下手をすれば、俺もその腕自慢たちと同じ末路を辿っていたのか。 「人の身、とは言ったけど、だいたいの人間が魔術と魔術具で躯全体をガチガチで固めた完全防備でだったからね。防寒具一枚でここまで来た君とは、雲泥の差よ」 「そんなわけで私はこの山に一人だけずーっと寂しい思いをしていたのよ。たまに麓の山に分け身を送る程度は出来たけど、本体である私自身はこの空間で毎晩毎晩一人で枕を濡らしていたのよ」 枕ねぇし、流した涙も即座に凍りそうだな、と突っ込みを入れたくなったのは秘密だ。 「精霊殿、質問をよろしいか?」 「いいわよ剣士さん。お婆ちゃん、何でも答えちゃう」 軽すぎる精霊のノリに調子を崩されつつ、レアルが疑問を出した。 「貴殿がカンナを選んだ切っ掛けーーつまり、その槍を引き抜くに足る人物と判断したその理由をお聞かせ願いたい。推測するに『魂の強さ』というのが判断基準なのでしょうが、具体的には何なのだろうか」 「それは簡単。彼はーーカンナ君は、この世界でもっとも『純色の魂』を持った人間なのよ。カンナ君ほどに混じりけのない魂は、私は私が存在し始めてから一度しか見たことがないわ」 「純色の............魂?」 人を無垢な少年呼ばわりはやめて欲しい。これでも思春期まっただ中の青少年だ。実は、精霊の服(?)から覗いている白い太股やら、深い胸の谷間やらに目がいって困るのである。時折、自爆覚悟であの魅惑の双丘に飛び込みたい衝動に駆られている。 俺の場違いすぎる若さ故の衝動を余所に会話はシリアスに続く。 「それが生まれたときからなのか、環境がそうさせたのかは分からないわ。けど一目見た瞬間から、彼こそがこの槍を抜けると確信したの」 精霊がこの一連の騒動を起こした起点が、これだったのか。 「理解しにくいかしらね。ま、いずれは剣士さんにも分かるでしょうね。彼の側にいればいずれは、ね」 意味深に精霊が言うと、一息ついて。 「さすがに抜くどころかへし折ったのは、予想の上をいったけど」 「............今更だけど、壊してよかったのか?」 いい加減すぎね? 「細かいことは気にしない気にしない。もう折れちゃったんだし、今更何いってもどうしようもないでしょ」 「そりゃぁそうなんだがよ」 申し訳ない気持ちは偽り無く、レアルの方を向けば、彼女は彼女で肩をすくめて首を横に振る。あ、こいつ考えるの放棄しやがった。俺も思考を放棄したいんですが。 そしてこれよりほんの少し後に。 俺がちょっぴり人間からはみ出る第一歩を踏み出すわけなのだが、これよりもほんの少し後なのである。大事なので二回。だって、その時までは俺は自分がまともな人間だと自覚できたのだから。その間の短い期間を大切な思い出にしたいわけなのです。ノシ。 精霊の言葉が正しいのならば、彼女はこの山における自然現象にある程度の干渉ができるらしい。洞窟の入り口に戻ってみれば、そこを塞いでいたはずの雪の山は半ば以上が崩れていた。俺らが入山した途端の吹雪も、あの雪崩も、実は彼女が意図的に引き起こしたのだ。前者は俺の『資格』の再確認、後者は俺らを洞窟の奥へと導くために。 次の日の明朝に村に帰ると、村人総勢が揃って膝を折り、頭を垂れてきた。俺とレアルは大いに慌てたが、彼等は嫌々に頭を下げている様子ではなかった。 話を持ちかけてきた村人ーー村長だったらしいーーから聞くと、精霊のいっていた今回の真相は、紛れもない事実だという。彼女の分け身である少女が村を訪れてから画策したとのこと。彼等は精霊に従ったとは言え、見ず知らずの旅人を下手をすれば死地に追いやったと罪悪感にかられていたようだ。 とりあえず俺もレアルも五体満足で帰ってこれたし、彼等を責めるつもりもなかった。そのことを伝えると、せめてもの罪滅ぼしと、この村に滞在している間の費用を格安に提供してくれることを約束してくれた。当初は全額負担すると村長がいったのだが、さすがにこれは気が引けたので譲歩してもらった。 その日の晩。 「やー、いいお湯だったわ。お風呂に入ったのって三百年ぶりかしらね」 湯上がりさっぱりした様子の精霊が、水気にしっとりとした髪を吹きながら部屋にやってきた。水も滴るいい女を見事に体現しているが。 「氷の精霊が風呂に入って平気なのか。溶けるんじゃね?」 「いくら年寄りでも、私だって乙女よ。常に身は清くありたいじゃないの。それにあのぐらいじゃぁどれだけ浸かってても溶けないわよ。私を溶かしたければ、地獄の業火ぐらい持ってきなさい」 装備の手入れをしながらレアル。なかなかに見られない光景だったので、彼女の作業を見学させてもらっていた。 「レアルちゃんもお風呂入ってきたら、気持ち良いわよ?」 「これが終わったら行くさ。正直、風呂に入ったら今日はもう何もする気が起きなくなるだろうし」 同感である。俺たちは昨日から完璧に徹夜だ。これで気持ちのいい風呂に入ってしまえば、睡魔には勝てないに違いない。 その前に、一応は詰めておきたい話がある。 本人が気に入っているので、精霊の呼称は『婆ちゃん』で確定している。 「ん、何が?」 「どーして三百年ぶりに自由になった精霊が、俺たちと同じ部屋にいるんだよ」 至極自然に普通に部屋に入ってきたので、こちらもナチュラルに会話を続けていたが、実は俺も(おそらくレアルも)かなり驚いていた。確か村長宅に招かれてなかったか? いくら簡素で小さな村でも、こんな狭苦しい二人部屋よりはよほどに上等な部屋を用意されていたはずだ。 「あーだめだめ、ああいう堅苦しいのってどうも苦手で。私はもっとフリーダムにいきたい訳よ、フリーダムに」 ご都合主義に、この世界に来てから言葉にはなぜか不自由していない。おそらく、何かしらの変換が俺とこの世界の住人との間で行われているだろうが、たまに横文字発言がくるとどんな基準なのか気になる。現代日本の造語文化は侮れないのだ。 「あら、考えてみれば当然じゃない? カンナ君は、三百年間誰も抜けなかった伝説の槍を見事に抜いて見せた勇者よ? 少しばかり深いお話がしたくても不思議じゃないでしょ」 「抜いたどころか粉砕だったけどな。ってか、勇者はやめてくれ」 思い出した途端、胸の奥から凄まじい怒気がこみ上げてくる。 「精霊殿、カンナに『勇者』関係の言葉は厳禁だ。出来れば以後は控えてもらいたい」 「............みたいね。分かったわ。気を悪くしてごめんなさいね」 「や、俺こそ悪い」 事情を知らない婆ちゃんに非はない。詫びてくる彼女に俺は首を横に振った。 「ま、世間話だけじゃなくて、カンナ君にいろいろと『力』の使い方を教えておこうと思ってね」 何?とレアルがこちらに目を向けられるが、俺は反応に困った。 少しだけ婆ちゃんは考えると、おもむろにレアルの右手を取った。 「精霊殿何を............って、冷たいッ」 レアルが悲鳴を上げながらビクリと肩を振るわせた。可愛らしい悲鳴だったのは俺の胸の内に秘めておく。 「ごめんね。じゃ、カンナ君も」 次に俺の右手を取るが。 「........................アレ?」 彼女の右手から確かに冷気は感じる。手に触れている部分だけが、極寒の寒さを持っているのだが、俺はレアルのようには反応できない。冷たいと認識は出来るし、温度も体感できるが、それだけだ。悲鳴を上げるほどでもなかった。 「だいたい、水が一瞬で凍る一歩手前ぐらいの温度かしらね」 首を傾げている俺に、婆ちゃんは答えをくれた。それってマイナスうん十度でなかったか? 不意打ちでそんな温度に触れたらレアルと同じく悲鳴を上げそうなものだが。 「そう、レアルちゃんの反応が人間としては通常なのよ」 本当に通常だったら、凍傷になってるけど、と物騒な追記。 「俺が異常みたいな言い方だな」 「特異、という意味では間違いではないわ。ねぇカンナ君、あの洞窟でアイスゴーレムを倒したときのこと、覚えてる?」 半日足らず前の出来事だ、忘れるわけがない。むしろ、あえて今まで考えないようにしていた。レアルも、そんな俺を察して今まで触れてこなかった。 今でも意識をすれば、己の『奥底』に、新しい感覚が芽生えている。 やはり、婆ちゃんが『力』と称したのはコレのことか。 「............精霊術ってやつのことか」 「そう、精霊にのみ許された理の術法。カンナ君は、人でありながらも、きわめて精霊に近しい力を手に入れたのよ。冷気に耐性がついたのもそのせいよ」 「............あの時槍から流れてきた『アレ』が原因か」 「君が『得た』のはこの世界を支える理の一つ。私が長い年月封印されていたせいで、あの槍にはそれが染み着いていたの。本来なら、あの槍の所有者がその理の担い手になるはずだったんだけど、ね」 何度も言うが、槍は俺が見事にへし折った。不可抗力だが。 「過程はどうアレ、結果的には君は『氷結の精霊術』を身に宿したの。私が、その力を扱う術を教えてあげるわ」 一週間の滞在期間をおいて、俺たちは村を出発した。 「いいのかね、こんなに食料を分けてもらって」 広々とした草原を横断するか移動を歩く俺とレアル。俺の背中には、食用が満載した鞄。村の人たちが、餞別にと。宿代といい、食料といい、お世話になりっぱなしだった。もしこの先に機会があれば、恩返しが出来るといいのだが。 「気持ちはどうアレ、正直に言えば助かる。路銀はあるが先は長い。食費が浮くだけでもだいぶん楽になる」 レアルの現実的な話も頷けるので、俺はそれ以上は言わない。それなりの金銭は城を脱出するときに(迷惑料慰謝料その他諸々込みで)持ちうる限り頂いてきたが、それ以上の収入があるかは不明なのだから。 当初はすぐさまに出発する予定だったのを、一週間と大幅に期間を設けたのは、幾つかの理由がある。 一つは、追っ手の心配が無くなった事。正しくは無くはないのだが、俺たちが越えた霊山は、婆ちゃんが長年住み着いたせいで人間不可侵の領域になり果てていた。よって、空を行くにも地道に踏破するも不可能になっている。領地の一部にあるその危険地帯を、城の者が知らないはずはない。よって、俺らがその山を越えること、その先にある村に滞在しているはずがないと考えるだろう。捜索範囲を広げるにしても、霊山を隔てた対角上にあるここいら一帯は後回しになる。 急ぎの理由が無くなると、第二の理由。こちらは婆ちゃんの提案通り、俺の『力』をある程度使いこなす為の期間だ。この先の道程は短くないだろうし、その間に雪山で遭遇した時のようにいつ魔獣に遭遇しないとも限らない。レアルにばかり頼ってもいられず、少しでも自衛の手段があるのは間違っていない。 ついでに、レアルからこの世界における一般常識の講習だ。当面は超ド田舎出身の若造で通す予定だが、それにしても万国共通の常識ぐらいは仕入れておかないと、後々トラブルの問題になる。ついでに簡単な読み書きと数字も覚える。さすがに文字は今後も要勉強だが、数字ぐらいは何とか判断付くようになった。 当面の目的地はレアルの故郷だ。 レアルの故郷は、隣国においては首都ともよべる場所で、国王もその場所に陣を取っているとか。王様のお膝元となれば、発展の度合いは国で一番かそれに近しい。つまりはそれだけ人の数も多い。そして、人の多さとはつまり情報の多さにも等しい。 もしかすれば、俺が元の世界に帰る手段が。あるいはそれに類する手がかりが見つかるかもしれない。この事はレアルにすでに承諾を得ており、助力を得られる約束も取り付けてある。 期待はしない、が手探りでも先行く道が見えるなら上等だ。幸いにも旅の道連れがいるの。しばらくは退屈しない道のりになるだろう。 そう言えば、一応婆ちゃんにも俺がこの世界を訪れた経緯を教えた。長く生きているだけあって、何か知恵袋的な情報が得られるかもしれないと思ったからだ。 「ご免なさい。カンナ君を直接助けられる様な情報は持ってないの」 婆ちゃんの申し訳なさそうな顔を思い出す。 「過去に異世界から人を召喚したという話は、何回か聞いたことあるわ。けど、そのどれもが人間の国の内部で行われていたの。だから、あったという事実は分かるけど、その詳しい内容まではちょっとね」 「ちなみに、一番新しく異世界から人が召喚されたのって何時なんだ?」 この質問に答えたのはレアルだ。 「たしか............三百年前ほどだったと聞くな。公式の記録にも載っているはずだろう」 「そ、そうね。私がちょうど封印される時期だったかしらね」 それまでは軽い調子だった婆ちゃんだったが、急に仕草に落ち着きがなくなる。はて、何か知っているのだろうか。 そんな婆ちゃんに疑問を抱きつつ、追究するのも悪いと思って会話は打ち切られた。 婆ちゃんとの会話を回想してからふと、元の世界に思いを馳せた。ここ数日間の波瀾万丈に考える余裕が無かったのだ。 「有月の奴、妙な事しなきゃ良いがな」 一番に頭の中に思い浮かぶのは幼なじみの事。腐れ縁というか因縁というか、小学生低学年のころからの付き合いだ。俺とは真逆の色々と優秀な奴ではあるのだが、割と残念で問題の多い奴でもあった。トラブルメーカーと言うのはおそらく奴のことを指すに違いない。 続けて浮かぶのは、有月よりは付き合いは短いが、それでも中学のころからの友人である二人の女友達だ。有月を経由した出来事が知り合う切っ掛けで、有月と俺とその四人が大体常に一緒にいるグループだ。 「今頃、あいつ等どうしてんのかなぁ」 少なからずの騒ぎになっているのは間違いないだろうが、どうせ今は何も出来ないので、俺はそれ以上を考えるのをやめた。

Chapter 8 : In this case, should I use the term gorgeous grandma? [It was a coincidence, but it was at the time when you where flying with a dragon through this snowy mountain] From the very start? I remember that at the time, I was extremely cold. [Essentially, it's impossible for a flesh and blood human to cross this mountain; it does not matter if it's by foot or by air. This is not a "corporeal" issue- the cold air that dominates the mountain is something that aims to freeze the soul&h.e.l.lip; It's irrelevant how strong your body is, the heart will die before your body.] [&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;I crossed it as well, though?] [Knight-san there just happens to be exceptional, your elemental resistance magic has reached the level where it can work on {spirit magic} ] The beauty pointed at Real&h.e.l.lip; She can't feel it? It looks like she is not at ease with the existence of the beauty; she seems rather puzzled. [However, for you; it was different. At most you, only with that feeble flame magic; you blocked it off to the level you only felt some slight cold, didn't you?] [Really? But I felt it was extremelly cold, though?] [The point is that you only experienced normal cold; that's concrete proof of your peculiarity- but thanks to that, I was able to find you.] The edge of her mouth lifed in a charming smile, which was worthy of being immortalized as art. [Well, that was the motive; after that I made sure that the villagers would send you again to this mountain. On the route -when you encountered the wolves- I was slightly impatient; however, knight-san being so strong was quite helpful; it was even better that at the end they ended up guiding you to the entrance of this cave.] That small girl totally is the beauty in front of my eyes; in other words the request that the villager gave to Real was a fabrication. [Ah, but please don't reproch them, ok? That people were only playing along with my selfishness, ok?] [Well, that's fine; isn't?] There are various unknown points, though. [I know it's sudden, but is onee-san human?] [Of course I'm not. If put into human words I'm what's called {spirit} . Though, we don't have any specific word to define ourselves with.] Spirit---- I wonder if the spirit in the spirit magic she mentioned refers to herself. [Hey Real; what are spirits supposed to be?] While the word in itself brings something to mind, I don't know if that fits the definition of this world. [&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip; Normally, it would refer to an existence that has no ego nor violition.] Real who finally calmed herself down, adds a concise reply. [Rarely, there are spirits with a will&h.e.l.lip; But a.s.suming human shape, or having the ability to conceive such complex thoughts; I have never seen such a thing.] [That's how it is. It's not really something to be proud, but it took a veeeryy long time for me to develop my ego] [Concretely?] [Maybe for about a thousand years?] [A grandma!?] [That's true, even if I look like this; I'm a superb oba-san] Then this spirit deliberately gave an old person's 'Ohohoh' type of laugh. It's nice that she has high spirits. [Ermn, why did baa-chan called us to such a cold place?] [O- Oi, a women of high stature and greater age, I think you should address her in a more dignified way&h.e.l.lip;] [AraAra, isn't it nice? If you call me that doesn't give an easy to talk feeling? At the foot of the mountain everyone calls me [Seirei-sama~ ~ ] , I'm glad about being respected, but it's a little too stiff, you know?] Even though I was addressing the biggest mystery so far, Real retorted my manner of speech-- but the person herself seems pleased with how things stand. [Well, In short; it's that I already got bored of staying in this place?] The spirit put her eyes on the place where the spear is, and our eyes followed. The spear that once gave out a silver light is now broken in half, half of it's long handle is still standing on the ground. [&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip; It's broken?] [&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip; It broke.] [Hold it, Hold it&h.e.l.lip; Don't talk as if someoe else did it! It's obviously your fault!] [But, Real-] [Nope, nope, nope. Don't try to casually blame it on others- It had to be you. Even spirit-dono is pointing at you.] It's true that I touched it, but it was baa-chan who made me do it&h.e.l.lip; Or rather, it was at the level of a glimpse with my fingertips&h.e.l.lip; [Ah, but it's not like I'm throwing around blame; instead, I'm grateful. It was this magical spear that had me confined to this place; well, to say it properly is that I was sealed in this place and it haven't been touched for over 300 years; completelly neglected, always being the same.] I don't care about that trivia. [Not a single person dropped by this place regardless of how many decades piled up. Long time ago, humans that prided in tbeir skills came to the mountain; of course, their aim was the spear&h.e.l.lip; The people of the mountain lended their help and those guys had quite the resilent souls&h.e.l.lip; but not a single one could pull this spear; everyone was just crushed by the appearance of the golem, or died from insanity at the moment they touched the spear.] My expression changed by the casual remarks from the discouraged spirit&h.e.l.lip;. So, if it didn't go well; my final fate would have ended up being the same as those pride in their strength guys? [But those guys bodies, so to speak; are fundamentally different as they mainly relied on protection from magic spells and special tools to guard off the cold&h.e.l.lip; it's a world of difference compared to you who just came here with just some thick clothes.] [That's why I have been alwaaaaays here alone in this mountain, waiting. Eventually I learned how to split my body as to play at the foot of the mountain; but my true self has always been here, wetting my pillow night after night.] What's with the pillows!? Any spilt tear is likely to be frozen on the cheek&h.e.l.lip; Let's keep that retort a secret. [Spirit-dono, would you mind if I asked something?] [Naturally knight-san, Oba-chan will answer all of your questions.] To the spirit that hadn't lost a speck of that light feeling, Real inquired. [You had already chosen Kanna-- In other words, you had a concrete reason of why you judged him proper of pulling out that spear; I'm guessing that the criteria was {the strength of the soul} ; but there it has to be something else, right?] [That's easy. Him-- I mean, Kanna-kun, is the one who has the {purest colored soul} in this world. Kanna-kun's soul has no impurity mixed in at all; to the point I have never seen anything else like this ever since I came to be.] [Purest colored&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip; soul?] Would you guys mind stop speaking as if I was an ultra immaculate boy? I'm still a young man going through p.u.b.erty&h.e.l.lip; The truth is, those plentiful white tights and that bottomless valley like chest that sometimes leak through the spirit clothes(?) make it really hard where to look. I might even succ.u.mb to the temptation of performing suicide bombing on those wonderful steep hills. Without noticing the inappropriacy of my youthful indiscretions; the conversation proceeds in a serious tone. [I have no clue on what environment he was raised, but the moment I saw it; I was certain he would clear the challenge of the spear] The bottom line is that the current chain of events was planned from the start by the spirit. About the pure soul stuff, I really can't place any reason for it. [I don't know if that was hard to understand? Well, knight-san will surely understand it eventually; as long as you stay next to him.] After the spirit spoke something meaningful, she took a breath. [But of course I didn't thought that it would break, you went beyond my expectations.] [&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip; But right now, wasn't it good that ended up broken?] Aren't you being too careless? [There is no point on fusing about the small details already. Since it broke, even if we want to; we can't do anything about it.] [That sounds about right.] I can't really say if I'm totally not feeling guilty about this&h.e.l.lip; I take a look at Real, she shrugged her shoulders and shook her head&h.e.l.lip; Ah, this guy; she is already not thinking about it&h.e.l.lip;. Might as well stop thinking about it too. Again&h.e.l.lip; that's for later, though. I might have here taken the first small step that walks away from a regular person; this is also for later. It's important so I mentioned it twice; that's why&h.e.l.lip; At this time I still have the awareness that I'm a regular person; this is why I want to save this short interval of time as an important memory- QDEP. Going by the spirit's words; she should be able to interfere to some extent with the weather of this mountain&h.e.l.lip; When we returned to the entrance of the cave, the mountain of rubble that was blocking it simply collapsed. The snowstorm that happened when we came here, and even the avalanche; she had created them intentionally. The first one was to corroborate that I was {qualified} , and the second was was to lead us to deep into the cave. The next morning when we came to the village, all villagers went on their knees and lowered their heads&h.e.l.lip; Real and I were in a fl.u.s.ter, we are not used to people lowering themselves like that. When someone from the villaged told us the story --it looks like he is the chief-- The fact that the spirit was there was an undisputable truth, and her split body came to this village to iron out the details of her plan&h.e.l.lip; While they did as the spirit said, they experienced guilt because they might had driven to death travellers that know not about the mountain. For the time being is obvious that Real and I returned safe and sound, and we hold no blame towards them. Once that was told; at the very least, they promised to accomodate us cheaply in the village. They actually offered to do so freely, but as expected that would be a little bit too much. By the evening of that day&h.e.l.lip; [Yaah, warm water sure is nice. It's been over 300 years since I entered a bath.] Soaking in the post bath bliss, a spirit whose soft hair was emiting dampness was enjoying the air of the room. She is the ideal impersonification of a wet beauty overflowing with freshness. [An ice spirit taking a dip in warm bath water is ok? Isn't there any danger of melting?] [Regardless of how advanced my age is, I'm still a maiden, you know? Isn't it natural to always be clean? Additionally, it doesn't matter how much I soak in that temperature, there is no problem. If you want to melt me, you'll need to use something close to h.e.l.lfire from h.e.l.l] Real was now in the middle of caring her equipment; since for me this is something that I don't get to see normally, I was quite entranced looking at her work. [Isn't Real-chan also going to enter the bath? Right now it's quite confortable.] [Right after I'm done with this I'll go. To be honest, I want to take a bath and then do nothing for the rest of the day.] I'm on board too. We have been up all night and without rest since yesterday; if in this state you enter a relaxing bath, after that there is no way you can win over your tiredness. Before that, there is one talk I would like to fill more details in&h.e.l.lip; Naturally, since the one addressed liked it, the spirit is already totally designated as {Baa-chan} . [Nn, What is it?] [Why is it that a spirit who has first released in 300 years in the same room as we are.] She completely entered the room as casually as possible, and then proceeded to talk naturally as it is. Actually, I'm quite surprised as it is (probably Real to). Surely the village head invited her to his house? Even in this small village, there it has to be a room bigger and more suited for guests than a cramped dual room like this. [Ahhhhh-objection.o.bjection! I'm totally not good with that much stiffness! I want to be in a place where I have more freedom, you know? Freedom is the word!] Difference in standard, I wonder why I don't have any inconveniences when talking with people from this world? It might even be that, what's spoken actually transforms into something that we understand&h.e.l.lip; I wonder if the speech standard is like in european movies? I can't risk disrespect using cointed words from contemporanean j.a.pan. [Ara, it's easy to see what you are thinking. Kanna-kun is interested in who could use that legendary spear that others could not tame for 300 years, the hero of long ago? It's not weird to be a little curious about what happened then.] [Rather than using it, it was completely crushed. Better yet, stop it with the hero] Just from thinking about that word, a strong anger gushes up from the bottom of my heart&h.e.l.lip; [Spirit-dono, Kanna has an ill relation to the word {hero} , if possible from now on please don't touch it.] [&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip; So it seems. I get it&h.e.l.lip; Sorry for having reminded you of something unpleasant.] [No- instead, I'm also sorry] Grandma here has no fault for the circ.u.mstances that she does not know, I shook my head as I apologized. [Well, not only about the world, I also plan to teach Kanna-kun about using the {power} he now has.] Real looked at me as if to as 'what?', I'm actually troubled as how to respond. Grandma thought about something a little, and then slowly grabbed Real with her right hand. [Spirit-dono, what is&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip; Ah- Cold!] After a small shriek, Real shook her shoulders. I'll make sure to save that cute yell in the bottom of my chest. [I'm sorry, but; Kanna-kun as well-] Next, she grabbed me with her right hand as well&h.e.l.lip; [&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip; Are?] Certainly, I do feel cold from her right hand, but that's only from the part she is touching. Even if she is someone who posses extreme coldness, it's impossible for me to react like Real did&h.e.l.lip; I can recognize that it's cold, and I can also experience the temperature; but that's it-- It's not to the level I have to let out a voice. [That was, for about a little before water freezes, temperature wise.] Baa-chan gave an answer to the I whose head was tilted. Isn't that for about minus ten degrees celsius? If I get a surprise attack at that temperature; I should let out a similar yell to how Real did when she was touched. [Yes, Real-chan's reaction would be the usual for a regular person] If it was normal, I should be getting a frostbite. That's a dangerous postscript. [You are phrasing it as if something strange is going on with me&h.e.l.lip;.] [In a sense, the meaning is not wrong at all. Nee, Kanna-kun; do you remember how you defeated that Ice Golem in that cave?] It's something that happened in less than half a day; there is no way I don't remember. Rather, I have tried not thinking about it until now&h.e.l.lip; Real as well, probably to sympathize, she has not brought up the subject. Even now, if I try to become conscious about it; deep in the {bottom} of my heart, I feel that a new sensation was born. As expected, this is what grandma mentions as {power} . [&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip; This is that spirit magic you mentioned?] [Yep, a type of technique that is only allowed to be used by spirits; even though Kanna-kun is human, you are now able to use a power that's quite similar to ours. This is also why you can better tolerate the cold now.] [&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip; The cause is that {something} that came flowing when I touched the spear?] [You have {obtained} one of the principles that sustain this world&h.e.l.lip; Probably because I was sealed for so many years, that spear got stained with that. Originally, the owner of that spear was supposed to become the user, well-] Whatever it's said, I'm the one who marvelously broke that spear&h.e.l.lip; As if it was a prank by G.o.d. [Due to that process, in the end now within you resides the {spirit magic of freezing} ; I will teach you the techniques necessary to use that power] It was a week after that, that we left the village. [Is it all right? To give us such a large amount of food&h.e.l.lip;] Stepping through the s.p.a.cious gra.s.slands, Real and I are on our way; at my back there is a bag fully loaded of consumables that the people of the village gave us as a farewell gift. Not only the lodging, not only our meals; we ended up quite indebted to them&h.e.l.lip; later, if we get the opportunity; I'd like to repay them somehow. [I wonder how I should feel? Deep down, this is a lifesaver. The road is quite long and there is going to be travel expenses; anything that we can save in food is welcome.] I can only a.s.sent to Real's pragmatic talk; I have nothing to add. At the time we left the castle we took with us a decent amount of money (annoyance fee and apology fee among other stuff); but it's not know if we are going to be able to secure more money from now on. Originally, there it were several good reasons to depart quickly; but in the end we agreed at a full week stay. For one side, the worry about pursuers was gone&h.e.l.lip; Well, it's not totally gone in the end, but we went through the sacred mountain; thanks to grandma having spent there several years, it has become a well known area where people must not thread; the reason being that you can't go through it by foot nor by air-- That this is the number one danger zone in the area, the people of the castle can't be ignorant about this; therefore the fact that we crossed the mountain and that we stayed in the village can't be the first option they are going to consider. Even if they want to extend the search range, they would need to take a great detour while evading the mountain. With all that, we lost the reason for haste. On the other side- this is something proposed by grandma- we needed a grace period for me to master my {power} . Our journey from now on won't be short; and probably just like what happened in the snowy mountain, we are likely to b.u.mp into more magical beasts&h.e.l.lip; I can't forever rely on Real; I will undoubtely need means of self defence. On top of that, I had Real teach me more about the common sense in this world. I urgently need to evolve from a super clueless country b.u.mpkin brat, it was necessary to learn useful stuff about the ways of the world; it's obvious that not doing so will become a problem later. I learned the basics about numbers, reading and writting; these will natural become important from now on&h.e.l.lip; The numbers I could somehow stuff them in my head. Right now the immediate destination is Real's hometown. Real's hometown is the capital of the neighboring country; since that's the place where the king resides, it's probably the city that's the more developed in the whole country&h.e.l.lip; that also means that the population there has to be the largest in density in the country; and with that the amount of information that can be obtained is also the greatest. If that's the case, I might b.u.mp into means for me to return to my previous world; or at least some clue to make that possible. I already consulted this with Real, she also promised to lend a hand with this. My expectations are not big; there are problably going to be a lot of stumbling before actually finding my destination; fortunately, I'm blessed with a companion; so I won't get bored anytime soon. In those lines, I also told baa-chan the outline of the circ.u.mstances that brought me to this world; since she is soo long lived, she might hold an unexpected bag of wisdom, so to speak&h.e.l.lip; [I'm sorry, but I don't know anything that might directly help Kanna-kun] I remember grandma's sorrowful face. [There are stories about humans being previously summoned from another world, there it had been a bunch of them; but none of those where previously made in the human country; that's why, I know some fact from it, but not the accurate detail.] [By the way, the lastest people summoned from another world, when was the last time?] That question was answered by Real. [Certainly &h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip; I don't remember ever hearing something about 300 years ago, there it should be official records left.] [Ye- Yeah, I wonder why I had to be sealed&h.e.l.lip;] This is the first time grandma doesn't have a light hearted feeling; suddenly she got restless&h.e.l.lip; Probably, she already knows something. I do hold some doubts about this behaviour, but asking her about it somehow seemed bad; so I'll drop the topic&h.e.l.lip; After talking with grandma, suddenly memories started flooding in, I kept thinking about the previous world; something I didn't had the leeway about previously, due to the eventful days&h.e.l.lip; [It would be great if that Yuuzuki doesn't do anything weird] The first thing it came to mind was about my childhood friend, an unseparable relations.h.i.+p forged by fate; having been related ever since elementary school. An outstanding guy who is is better than me in all accounts; but he also has several pitiful sides- He is without a doubt what would be labeled as a troublemaker. Right after that, I thought about those who I had not as long of a relations.h.i.+p as with Yuuzuki, but it's those two female friends I had since middle school; it was a chance meeting by something caused by Yuuzuki&h.e.l.lip; But after that the four of us started hanging around, acting as a group. [I wonder what are they doing right now&h.e.l.lip;] Without a doubt, for a while I did feel like raisen some uproar; but because right now I can't do anything about it, I decided on not thinking more about it.

第十四話 斧を振り回す主人公って珍しいんじゃね? やれやれ、と軽く肩を竦ませただけでは済まされない展開だ。 五人の一番背後にいるは、軽鎧をまとっている他とは違ったローブ姿だ。直前の爆発は奴の放った魔術だろう。証拠はないが、状況ではそう結論した方が話が早い。 「おい、怪我してないか?」 「え? あ、はい」 赤毛さんに駆け寄り、立ち上がるのを手助けする。彼女は寸前に命の危機にあったのを未だに飲み込めてないのか、爆発の衝撃で思考が定まっていない。 「なぁ従者さん。あの覆面さんがたと面識ってあるのかい?」 「い、いや、無いが............」 主よりは混乱から立ち直るのが早かった。従者たちは俺の言葉に頷きつつ、乱入者達へと身構える。 「とりあえず、俺とアンタ達の諍いは後回しな?」 「............此方としても異論はない」 主の我が儘と安全の天秤が揺れる心配は無いらしい。従者としての心構えは万全だった。 俺は彼女の躯を背後に隠した。 ............勢いでこんな立ち位置になったけど、これって、赤毛さんを守る騎士さん的なポジションだよね。確実に赤毛さんの関係者になるな。赤毛さんに向けて放たれた魔術を迎撃したから、もう手遅れか。 なるほど、有月の奴は常にこんな感じで事件に巻き込まれていたのか。 遠い目になる俺を余所に、覆面達は無言で剣を懐から引き抜き、一斉に襲いかかってきた。問答無用とはこのことである。 狙いは間違いなく赤毛さんだ。覆面達が登場してから今まで、奴らの放つ明確な殺意が彼女に集中しているのを俺は感じていた。 咄嗟に構えようとする俺よりも先んじて、従者達が敵へと走り出した。 「貴殿はお嬢様を頼むッ」 「頼むって俺本当は部外者なんですけどッ」 初対面の若造に託していいんですかッ、とのつっこみは空しく、従者チームVS覆面チームの戦いが巻き起こってしまった。 覆面が無言で振りかざす剣を、従者も果敢に手にした剣で受け止め、火花が散る。身近にレアルという剣士がいるお陰か、彼女程ではないが護衛と覆面たち、双方の一撃一撃が鋭いことが分かる。昨晩のチンピラよりも別格だ。切り結んでくる覆面四人に、従者四人は劣勢になることなく相対している。 って、四人? 切り結んでいる覆面四人とは別に、ローブ姿の覆面が仲間よりも離れた位置に立っている、奴から魔力の気配を察知。 俺はその場でジャンプしながら円錐状の氷を精霊術で生み出し、魔力を操っている覆面に向けて投擲した。地上に立ったままだと、目の前で切り結んでいる従者達の誰かに当たる可能性があるからだ。 魔術の制御に集中していたせいか、俺が放った氷錐にローブ姿が気がついたのは目前に迫ってからだ。慌てて避けようとするも、精霊の加護を受けた氷の飛翔速度は弓が放った矢にも近い。当然、避けること叶わずに太股に突き刺さった。 ローブ姿の悲鳴が路地裏に木霊した。 よし、と拳を握るよりも早く、今度は直上からの殺気。上から? 感じるままに頭上を見上げると、路地を囲う家の屋根から、覆面の男が一人飛び降りる瞬間だった。手にはやはり剣を携え、落下の目標地点には赤毛さん。 落下してくる物体を狙い撃つ自信はない。判断した俺は、あの霊山でゴーレムを粉砕した武器ーー氷の大斧を作る。 「赤毛さん伏せろッ」 鋭い声に、赤毛さんは反射的にしゃがみ込み、俺はその直上から迫る暗殺者に向けて剛斧を振るった。風を薙払う一撃は覆面の脇腹に深々とめり込み吹き飛ばし、路地の壁に叩きつけられた。 続けて背後から。振り返るとこちらに迫る覆面の一人と、その更に向こうには腕から血を流してしゃがみ込んでいる従者。突破されたか。 迫る覆面は、突然(他人から見れば)現れた俺の大斧に目を大きく開き、踏み込みが乱れる。その隙を見逃さず、俺はそいつも大斧の薙払いで路地の壁に吹き飛ばす。 大斧というチョイスは、レアルとの鍛錬と話し合いの末で決定した俺のデフォルト装備だ。手甲と足甲で防御力も攻撃力も上昇したが、現代日本で暮らしてきた俺の戦闘力などたかが知れている。素人よりは余程動けるが、この世界のプローー戦いを生業にした者達相手に通用するはずもない。そこで俺が選んだ戦い方は『長い間合いと高威力の武器でごり押し』するという、身も蓋もない極論だ。 だったら剣で良いじゃないかとも思うだろうが、剣よりも斧の方が生み出す時にイメージしやすい。これは初めて精霊術で作ったのが斧だったからだ。何でこんなのを最初に作ったのかは、俺自身にも不明だ。先に述べたように、精霊の加護がある限り、俺の感じる斧の重量は振るうに最適化されている。こんな大質量の固まりを普通の剣と同じレベルで扱えるなら、非常に有効的だ。 ーーーーや、身の丈の大剣を素の筋力で自在に振り回している人とかもいますけどね。エルフ耳の巨乳剣士とか。 とりあえず、これで大抵の敵なら十分に戦いになるだろうというレアルのお墨付きをもらえる程度にはなったのだ。 瞬く間に仲間三人を無力化された覆面達に動揺が走る。最初に現れた五人は囮で、屋根から強襲してきた最後の一人が本命だったのだ。あるいは、最初に俺が氷で迎撃したローブ姿が高威力の魔術で俺らを吹き飛ばせていればそれでよかったのか。この状況になってしまえば、それを問う意味はない。 こちらは一人負傷しているがそれでも俺を含めて五人。赤毛さんはとりあえず戦力外で計算。対して覆面達は残り三人。人数差でも、戦力差でも彼我の優劣は明白。 何よりも、覆面達の予想外だったのが、俺の存在だ。つーか、俺自身もこんな事態になったのは予想外すぎる。敵三人を戦闘不能に追い遣ったのは俺だ。俺の存在がなければ、最初の魔術の不意打ちですべてが終わっていた。 襲撃の失敗を悟った覆面達は言葉無く同時にそれまで剣を切り結んでいた従者達と離れ、足から血を流しているローブ姿の側に駆け寄る。 覆面達の一人が、玉のような何かを取り出し、振りかぶる。 従者の一人の言葉を引き継ぎ、俺は斧から手を離し、前方に突きだした。かざした手とそこから続く空間に意識の全てを傾ける。 精霊術に必要なのは、明確なイメージだ。何を望み、何を成すのか。その確固たる意志で精霊に語りかけ、現実に具現化する。覆面共が一カ所に集まったのは幸いだ。 イメージするのは『檻』だ。右手を握り、左手は開いて平は上に。想像を右手に乗せ、左手は大地に見立て。 「即席留置所ってかッ」 右手の底をを左手に叩きつけた。バチンっと音が響くと、覆面達の周りを囲う壁が出現。氷の立方体が、すっぽりと逃亡直前の彼らを閉じこめた。 出現した半透明の壁に、だが振り下ろした腕の勢いは止まらなかった。覆面の手から放れた玉は地面に叩きつけられて炸裂、濃度の濃い白煙が吹き出した。 ーーーー氷の壁に覆われた密閉空間内に。 ........................これは笑うところだろうか? や、覆面達にとっては緊急事態なんだろうけどね。逃走用の煙幕玉使ったら、いつの間にか閉じこめられていた檻の中に充満するだけ。こっちは視界良好だけど、彼方はほぼ視界ゼロになってしまった。 内側から氷の檻を叩いているようだが、びくともしない。俺が精霊術で作る氷の強度は、そこに込めたイメージと距離の影響を受ける。俺の手元であれば最大強度はレアルの全力でようやく破壊できる程だ。距離が離れれば減衰し、加えて緻密な造形も難しくなってくる。俺と氷の檻の距離は少し離れているので難しい物は作れないが、あんな単純な構造であり、かつイメージをシッカリ持っていれば相当の堅さが保てる。それに、俺が精霊術で作った氷は、精霊の影響が切れない限り、俺と『リンク』している。俺の意識が『あれ』から離れない限り、ちっとやそっとの衝撃でヤブられることはない。 ふぅ、一旦落ち着いたか。感じ取れる範囲で殺気や魔力の動きは無い。俺が壁に叩きつけた覆面二人も意識を失っている。斧を叩きつけたとき、骨の数本が纏めてへし折れた感触がしたが、死んでいない。まぁ、勢い余って脊髄まで折れてるかも知れないが、そこら辺は自業自得としてあきらめてもらおう。 「赤毛さん」 声を掛けるも、赤毛さんは心ここにあらずって様子だ。 「あの覆面達と面識が無いのはわかったが、じゃあ命を狙われる心当たりってあるかい?」 「あ........................その............えっと............」 口から声が出るが、喉の辺りで引っかかっている。言葉にならない音が途切れ途切れに発せられる。めまぐるしい状況の変化に混乱気味か。 「なぁ従者さん」 こちらは黙りか。ただ、氷の檻を、そして意識がない覆面を見る目には険しさが強い。その表情からして心当たりが皆無でないのは読みとれた。お嬢様っぽいから、親の因縁やら身代金やらと想像するが、まだ会って一時間前後の相手の身の上を推し量れるはずもない。 しかし、これからどうするか。手元にあるならともかく、離れた位置にある造形物を支配下に起き続けるのは結構骨が折れる。檻を維持したままだと俺はこのままだとろくに動けない。 とりあえず、檻の内部温度を氷点下まで下げて覆面達の動きを封じておくか。そうすれば檻を解除しても逃げられる心配はない。 俺はイメージを変えようとした。 ーーーー鮮烈な気配が肌を突き刺した。 痛みすら覚えそうな過剰な魔力の動きを感じる。 その発生源が特定できるよりも早く、氷の檻が爆散した。 「ーーッ、がぁぁぁぁぁッッッ」 檻のイメージを固めるために使っていた右腕に激痛が走る。 激痛に目尻に涙が溜まるも、俺は噛みしめて前を睨みつける。やはり氷の檻は粉々に砕けており、中に充満していた白煙が広がり視界を遮る。 目には見えず、だが四つの気配がそこから離れようとしているのは感じられた。加えて、俺が吹き飛ばした奴等もここがチャンスとばかりに動き出す。あの怪我で動けるのか。死んでいないにしろ肋骨数本と内臓にかなりのダメージがあるはずなのに。脇腹を押さえて逃げ出す二つの覆面の動きは負傷しているとは思えないほどに素早く、俺も従者も咄嗟には手が届かない。 右腕の感覚は戻らない。俺は残った左手を起点に氷を作り、全力を持って蹴り飛ばした。狙いの甘さは精霊が補ってくれる。高速で飛翔する氷の礫は逃げ出そうとする内の一人に迫る。 ゴウンッと、爆音を立てながら、紅蓮の柱が天に伸びた。氷の礫はその炎の柱に吸い込まれると音すらも蒸発させる。 ーーーーッ、何だこいつはッ!? 炎の柱を構成する魔力の『質』に、オレは愕然とする。 オレの氷を粉砕したのと同じ魔力だ。だが今まで見てきたどの人間よりも異質。人間と呼べるのか疑問に思うほどに濃密だ。 氷の礫が消滅し、左の指先がビリっと痺れる、即席で作ったためそこまで強固には作っていないのに、体に返ってくる。つまり、あの炎の柱はそれ程までの超高温ということだ。 炎の柱はしばらくその場で燃え続け、やがてたっぷり三分ほど経ってから消滅した。柱の根本だった部分の石畳が溶けていた。どんだけの熱量だよ。覆面達はその場から完全に姿を消していた。気配を探るが、やはり感じられる範囲にはもういなかった。逃げられたか。 捕まえられはしなかったが、襲撃者達の犯行は失敗に終わった。もうこの場に殺意はない。一名ほど怪我人は出たが、ぱっと見では腕を切られたぐらいだ。この世界には治癒魔術という便利なものがある。腕がまるまる欠損していないのであれば、専門家に見せれば問題なく治るだろう。 「............助力、感謝する。我々だけでは危うかったかもしれん」 従者達の一人が剣を鞘に納めながら礼を言う。 「お礼は言葉よりも『 指で輪っかを作りながら伝えると、従者は呆れながらも笑みを作った。 「確かに、我々が巻き込んでしまったのは間違いない。了解した、望み通りの報酬ーーとまではいかないが、商人が護衛を頼むときの相場ぐらいは支払おう」 「交渉成立だな。・・・・・・あ、俺田舎者だからそこら辺の相場に詳しくねぇんだ。悪いが俺の保護者を呼んできても良いか? たぶんあっちはそこそこに詳しいはずだから」 「無論構わない」 「じゃあ、とりあえず俺たちの止まってる宿にーー」 ーーーーぐらりと、視界が揺れた。 足先から力が抜け、ぺたりとその場に尻餅を付く。頭の奥から凄まじい疲労感が押し寄せてきた。これには覚えがある。 「お、おい大丈夫かッ?」 意識が途切れ途切れになってくる。 「悪いんだけどさぁ............俺の保護者さんを呼んできてくれね?」 俺はどうにか最後の力を振り絞り、レアルがいるだろう宿の場所を伝えると、その場に倒れのだった。

Chapter 14 Aren't axe wielding protagonists kind of rare? This is not a development where I can get it over with by just shrugging my shoulders lightly and go "Good grief". The five people furthest in the back are dressed in robes unlike the others that are wearing light armor. The explosion just before must be the magic those guys released. There's no evidence, but it's easier if I conclude that from this situation. "Hey, are you hurt anywhere?" "Eh? Ah, no I'm fine." I rushed up to miss Redhead and helped her get up. Has the girl still not realized that her life was in danger just then; that thought hasn't settled in me from the impact of the explosion. "Say mister servant. Are you acquainted with those masked men?" "N- no, not at all though......" They were quicker to recover from the chaos than their head. While the servants nodded to my words, they put their guards up against the intruders. "Shall we put off our dispute for now?" " ......... We have no objections to that." It doesn't look like I'll have to worry about them swaying between the head's selfishness and their safety. Their mental att.i.tude as a servant was perfect. I hid her in the back. ......... I got into this position from the course of events, but this is a knight-like position where I would protect miss Redhead, isn't it? I certainly became the one in charge of miss Redhead didn't I? I intercepted the magic that was released towards miss Redhead, so it's already too late, huh. I get it now. So that Yuuzuki constantly gets rolled up into incidents with this kind of feeling. When I had a faraway look, the masked people silently drew out a sword from their bosom and attacked all at once. There's no use in arguing about it. Their target is without a doubt miss Redhead. From the entry of the masked men until now, I can feel that the killing intent those guys are releasing are all gathered on her. Before I even tried taking on a fighting stance at once, the servants started running towards their enemies. "I entrust milady to you sir!" "You say entrust, but I'm really an outsider though!" My "Are you sure about entrusting her to a youngster on your first meeting!?" retort was fruitless and the Servant team vs Mask team battle broke out. The masked men silently brandished the sword and were stopped resolutely by the sword held by the servants, scattering sparks. I don't know if it's thanks to them being swordsmen similar to Real, but I know the blows exchanged between the guards and the masked guys are fast, though they're not as good as Real. They're more extraordinary than those hoodlums from last night. The four servants faces the four masked men they're crossing swords without being inferior to them. Wait, four? In addition to the four masked men they're crossing swords with, one masked man in robes was standing at a place further away from their allies. I could sense the presence of magic from that guy. While I jumped from this place, I produced a cone shaped ice with spirit magic and threw it towards the masked man who is manipulating their magic power. If I stood on the ground while doing that, I may hit one of the servants who are crossing swords in front of me, you see. I wonder if it's because he's concentrating on controlling the magic. I mean, the time the robed man noticed the ice cone I released was when it approached right before his eyes. Of course, him avoiding those cones didn't happen and they pierce into his thighs. The screams of the robed figure echoed through the alley. Before I could even do a fist pump and say "Yes!", a bloodthirst came from above this time. From above? When I looked up as I felt it, a single masked man instantly jumped down from the roof of the house whose walls enclosed the alley. Carrying in his hand is also a sword and at the spot he is dropping down to is miss Redhead. I don't have the confidence in being able to hit the dropping body. When I judged so, I create the weapon that pulverized the golem in that sacred mountain-a great axe of ice. "Miss Redhead, get down!" Miss Redhead ducked by reflex from my sharp voice and I swung the st.u.r.dy axe towards the a.s.sa.s.sin approaching from above. Continuously from the background. When I looked over my shoulder, one masked person was approaching us and even further away was a servant crouching down with blood flowing from his arm. So they broke through. The approaching masked man opened his eyes wide from my large axe that suddenly (from another person's perspective) materialized and his steps became disordered. Without missing that opening, I also sent him flying to the walls of the alley with a sweep of the great axe. My choice of a great axe has been decided to be my default equipment at the end of the training and discussion with Real. My defensive and offensive abilities rose with the armguards and legguards, but I understood how much fighting strength and the like I, who had lived in modern j.a.pan, have with those on. I can move better than an ordinary person, but you can't really expect me to pa.s.s as an opponent against the pros of this world -- the people whose livelihood is fighting. Therefore, the way of fighting I chose is a blunt and extreme logic that is "overwhelming them with long distance support and a weapon with huge power." In that case, why not a sword is what I think you're going to ask, but an axe is easier to imagine than a sword when I'm creating a weapon. This is also why an axe was the first thing I created using spirit magic. I'm not sure myself why that was what I made at the beginning. Like I've mentioned before, as long as I have the divine protection of the spirits, the axe's weight that I feel is optimised for swinging around. It's unusually effective if you can handle this large lump of ma.s.s the same way you can with a normal sword. ----No, there is even someone who can wield a greatsword of their height at will through pure physical strength. Someone like an elf eared, huge breasted swordswoman. It came to the extent of receiving Real's authorisation who said "If it's regular adversaries, this should be enough to fight with for now I suppose." Unrest runs through the masked men whose three comrades were incapacitated in the twinkling of an eye. The five that appeared in the beginning were a decoy and the last person that attacked from the roof was in fact the deciding factor. Would it perhaps be fine if the robed people's powerful magic I intercepted with ice would blow us away? There's no point in asking since something like this happened. Here we have one injured, but five people including me. Miss Redhead is for the moment outside of the fighting power I calculated. As for the masked men, there are three remaining. It's obvious which side has an advantage in both the difference in number of people and fighting power. Above all else, what the masked men didn't expect was my existence. Or actually, that I myself brought about this situation was too unexpected. The one who knocked the three enemies out was me. If I wasn't here, the surprise magic attack at the beginning would've ended everything. Realizing the failure of their attack, the masked men separated from the servants they were crossing swords with without any words and rushed to the side of the robed figure whose blood is spilling from his legs. One of the masked men took out a sphere like something and held it up. Taking over the words of one of the servants, I let go of the axe, and stuck my hand in front of me. I concentrate all my consciousness to the s.p.a.ce that continues from the hand I held out. What is necessary for spirit magic is a precise image. What you desire, what you intend to do. You address the spirits with a firm enough will and materialize it to reality. It's fortunate that the masked bunch are gathered in one place. What I'm imagining is a {Cage} . Gripping my right hand, my left hand was open with something broad and flat on top of it. Placing my imagination on my right hand and my left hand choosing the ground. "Or rather an instant jail!" I struck the bottom of my right hand on my left hand. When the sound of a slap resounded, a wall appeared, enclosing the masked men. The cube of ice cleanly imprisoned those guys just before they escaped. The semi transparent wall that appeared couldn't stop the momentum of the swinging arm though. The ball that was released by the masked man struck the ground and exploded, gus.h.i.+ng out a very thick white smoke. ----inside the s.p.a.ce that is made airtight by the wall. ........................Is this where I should start laughing? No, as far as the masked men are concerned, this must be a state of emergency. If they used a smoke bomb meant for escape, it'll only fill the cage that locked them up without them noticing. Our vision here is good enough, but the vision in there has pretty much become zero. They seem to be hitting the wall of ice from the inside, but it's not moving an inch. The strength of the ice I make with spirit magic is influenced by the image I put into it and the distance. The maximum strength when it's near me is so strong it takes all of Real's power to be able to destroy it. If it's separated from me, it would dampen and at the same time precise modelling becomes difficult as well. Because the distance between me and the ice cage is short, it's not a difficult thing to create, but if it had that simple structure and you hold a strong image, it will hold a considerable st.u.r.diness. Moreover, the ice I make with spirit magic is {linked} with me as long as the influence of the spirits aren't severed. As long as my consciousness isn't separated from {that} , it won't break from a small amount of impact Phew, I calmed down for now. There's neither bloodl.u.s.t I can feel nor movement in magic power. The two masked men I threw onto the wall also lost their consciousness. That one time I struck with the axe, I felt that several bones broke, but he didn't die. I may have ended up overenthusiastically breaking his spinal cord, but let's just leave it at them getting their just desserts. "Miss Redhead" Even when I called out, Miss Redhead was being absentminded. "I know those masked men aren't your acquaintances, but did you happen to know they were aiming for your life?" "Ah.................. uhm.........err........." A voice comes out of her mouth, but it got stuck in her throat. An inarticulate sound came out choppy. Feeling confused by the change in the hectic state of affairs? "Say mister servants" And they're keeping quiet huh. Except that, their eyes that are watching the masked men that were caged by the ice and are now unconscious is very grim. I could read from their facial expressions that they weren't aware of it whatsoever. Since she looked like a rich lady, I imagined it to be her connection with her parents or ransom and whatnot, but I'm not even supposed to be able to imagine the personal history of the other party whom I didn't even meet until about an hour ago. But, what am I going to do now? Whether I'm close to it or not, it takes too much effort to keep objects formed under my control. If I'm going to keep maintaining the cage, I won't be able to move sufficiently while maintaining it. Shall I lower the temperature inside the cage until it's below zero and have that seal the movement of the masked men for now? If I do that, I don't have to worry about them running away even if I release the cage. I was about to try and change my image. ---A vivid sensation pierced through my skin. I feel an excess movement of magic power which I can even remember the pain from. The ice cage burst before I could identify the source of that magic power. -gh, gaaaah!" Intense pain runs through my right hand I'm using to solidify the image of the cage. Even if tears are collecting in the corner of my eye, I bit my teeth and glared in front of me. The ice cage was smashed to pieces all the same and the white smoke that was filled inside spread and intercepted my vision. I couldn't see it from my eyes, but I can feel the four presences trying to separate from that place. Moreover, even those guys I sent flying started to move because of this opportunity. Can they actually move with those injuries? Even though there's supposed to be quite some damage to several of their ribs and their internal organs even if they're not dead. The movement of the two masked men who are holding their side and running away are so fast you wouldn't think they were injured at all and neither me nor the servants could reach our hands right away. The feeling in my right arm doesn't return. I create ice on my remaining left hand and kicked off with all my strength. I'll have the spirit compensate for my half-hearted aim. An ice pebble that's flying at a high speed is approaching one of the men that are trying to run away. While a boom sound of explosion arose, a crimson pillar stretches into the sky. The ice pebble was sucked into that pillar of flames and evaporated with just a sound. ---gh, what's with that guy!? I was astonished by the {quality} of the magic power that pillar of flames is composed of. It's a magic power similar to my destroyed ice. However, it's different in quality compared to any human I've seen until now. It's so rich in quality that I'm doubting if that person is human. The ice pebble vanished, the fingertips of my left hand is tingling numb. Even though it wasn't made that strong as a result of creating it off the cuff, it returned to my body. In other words, it means that that pillar of flames was that extremely hot. The flame pillar continued to burn at that place for a while and eventually extinguished after a good three minutes. The portion of the paving that is at the base of the fire pillar has melted. What an extreme heat. The masked men disappeared from there without a trace. I looked around for their presence, but there was nothing within the range I can feel. So they escaped. We didn't catch him, but it ended with the a.s.sailants failing their criminal act. There's no killing intent in this place anymore. We came out with one injured, but judging from appearance it's to the extent of his arm being cut off. In this world, there is something convenient called healing magic. In the case your arm didn't become a stump, it can be healed without difficulties if you show it to a professional I think. " ............We're grateful for your a.s.sistance. It may have been dangerous with just us. One of the servants thanked me while sheathing his sword into the scabbard. "I'd prefer {some money} as thanks instead of words you know. It's a fact that I essentially have neither a relations.h.i.+p nor obligation with that lady you guys are serving. You won't face punishment even if I receive an inconvenience fee, right? When I tell them while making a halo with my finger, the servants made a smile although they were astonished. "Certainly, there is no doubt we involved you in this. I understand, your desired renumeration is-not what we can give you, but let us pay you at least the market price for a merchant requesting an escort." "Negotiation's complete then I guess. Ah, I'm a country b.u.mpkin, so I don't really know the actual market price. Can I call over my guardian? Since she should probably be well informed in that." "We do not mind, of course." "Then for the time being, let's go to the inn we're staying at and-" ---my vision shook violently. Strength left my feet and I fell on my back at that spot. An intense fatigue surged from inside my head. I remember this feeling. "He- hey, are you alright!?" My consciousness is about to break off. "My bad, but hey......... can you call my guardian please? I somehow mustered up the last of my strength and after I told them the location of the inn Real is staying in, I collapsed in this place.

今度こそ妙な空気を払拭し、真面目な話に移行する。 とりあえず、互いの伝言や手紙を宿かギルドの方に預ける手筈となった。レアルが俺に用があるときは宿の方に伝言を、俺がレアルに用がある時はギルドの方に、と言った具合にだ。 「今日は君の顔を確認するだけで、特にこれと言った情報は掴んでいないんだ」 「無理のない程度で頼むさ」 数ヶ月ぶりにドラクニルに戻ってきたばかりなのだ。早々に情報が手にはいるとは思っていない。短くても二、三週間は最低でも掛かるだろうし、長ければ数ヶ月程度覚悟している。 「おまえさんと山分けした蓄えもあるし、ギルドで依頼を受ければ日銭も稼げる。退屈はしないさ」 「悪い。数ヶ月も職場を留守にしているだけあってかなり仕事が溜まっていてな。そちらをある程度片付けないと君の用事に関して手を出している暇が無い」 「............むしろ、数ヶ月も留守にしていたのに随分とすんなり職場復帰が出来たでござるな」 俺も感じた率直な疑問を口にするクロエ。企業の重役が数ヶ月も姿を眩ましていたのに、顔を出した途端に混乱も問題もなく通常業務に戻れるのか。信頼関係とかそこいら辺は大丈夫なのだろうか。 クロエには俺の事情は精霊術と同じく、詳しくは話していない。俺が個人的にレアルに何かしらの頼みごとをしている、程度の認識だ。 「結構特殊な職場でな。詳細を教えてはやれないのだ」 「いやいや、詮索する気は無いでござるよ」 「重ね重ね悪いな」 そんなやり取りを横目に、俺は内心にぽつりと。 (まさか国の暗部的な部署じゃねぇだろうな。や、そんな漫画みたいな展開はないだろうさ) レアルの戦闘力はどう考えても戦場の最前線で大暴れする担当だ。 でも出会った当初に『外交云々』って言ってたな。捕らわれていたのはそれなりに『利用価値』があるからだと。愛用している巨大剣も代々伝わる家宝だって話だ。職場の方も部下を持つ立場にあると。 ............あれ? 改めて考えるともしかしてレアルって結構重要人物なんじゃね? 国家的な意味で。 この一ヶ月でレアルの人柄は結構理解できていると思う。武人肌で男前だが、面倒見の良い気さくな性格の銀髪エルフ耳巨乳。 急に湧いた疑問をすぐに払拭できない。だが、レアルに只ならぬ恩がある以上、事を詮索するのは誠実ではない。 内心に悶々とした心境を抱いていると、俺たちの席に近づいてくる気配があった。宿一階にはほかにもテーブルがあり、席に着いている他のグループもあったが、一直線にこちらに向かってくる。 視線の先には、上等と一目で分かる鎧をまとった端整な顔つきの青年がこちらに近づいてくる。 ーーーー遭遇するイケメン率、高すぎじゃね? ランド然りアガット然り坊ちゃん然り、ついでに女ながらにそこらの野郎よりもよっぽど男前のレアル然り。あれか、強い輩=イケメンの法則が成り立つ世界なのか。 近くで見ると耳の付近からツノが生えている。ギルドの婆さんのとは形状が違うが、彼も竜人族だ。 「まったく、探しましたよ」 彼女は困ったように眉を顰めながらも、けれども口の端に微笑が浮かんでいた。どうやら顔見知りらしい。 「おまえか。まだ勤務時間前だと思うのだが?」 「何を言っているのですか。数ヶ月分の書類が溜まっているのに、悠長に言わないでください」 「数ヶ月ぶりに復帰した上司を労ってやろうという精神が無いのか」 「ありませんね。俺の役割は、あなたを一刻も早く職場に引っ張って、認証の判子を一つでも多くの書類に押させることです」 「やれやれ、優秀な部下を持てて私は幸せだね」 「その優秀な部下のためにも、早く職場の方に来てください」 「すまないカンナ、クロエ。今日はこれで時間切れのようだ。例の件は何かが判明次第、手筈通りにそちらに手紙を送る」 「ああ、仕事頑張れよ」 「またでござるよ、レアル殿」 別れの言葉を済ますと、レアルはテーブルに立てかけてあった剣を背負い直し、宿の出入り口へと向かった。付近にはイケメン青年と同じ様な鎧を着た別の男性が待機しており、レアルの顔を確認すると頷き合い共にその場を離れていった。彼もレアルの部下なのか。 そんな背中を見ていてふと、至近距離から強烈な視線を浴びせられた。そちらに目をやって「うわぁ」って声を出さなかった俺を誰か誉めてくれ。 視線の主は、それまでレアルと慣れた様子で言葉を交わしていた青年だ。親の敵やら長年の仇敵を見るような目でこちらを見ていた。このメンチの切りようは半端ではない。 「おい貴様、調子に乗るなよ」 「............具体的にどの辺がだ?」 素直に疑問を出したのに、青年は苛立たしく舌打ちすると先を続けた。出会い頭にいきなりだな。 「見たところ人族の冒険者だな。本来であるのならば、貴様のような平民がレアル様と口を利くなどありえないのだ。身の程を弁えろ」 「レアルはそれほど気にしていないっぽけどな」 「貴様ッ、レアル様を呼び捨てにするなッ。あの方の知己でなければこの場で切り捨てていた所だぞッ」 切り捨て御免が許されるのか、この国は。 「まぁいい。平民ごときに礼儀を求めても無駄か。だがな、いかにレアル様が慈悲深いお方であっても、貴様らのような下賤な者が対等に言葉を交わせる相手ではないのだ」 「すいませんね。一ヶ月前までは名前すらない山奥の田舎に住んでまして、礼儀ってのには無縁の生活を送ってたもんで」 「道理で泥臭さが鼻につくわけだ。そこの獣人からも野蛮な獣臭さが臭ってきてかなわん」 ............前言撤回。コイツ、ブチコロソウカナ? 頭凍り付かせてかき氷のごとくに木っ端に砕いてやろうか!? (カンナ氏ィィィ!! こ、堪えるでござるよぉぉぉッ!) 顔色を変えたクロエが俺だけに聞こえる小声で悲鳴を上げた。表情には出ていなかっただろうが、小さな動きの変化で俺の怒りを感じ取ったようだ。感情に任せて精霊に命令を下そうとしていた頭を冷やす。 仲間や友人を侮辱されると導火線が短くなるのは、俺の数多い欠点の一つだ。いつも意図的に堪えているのだが、前もって心構えをしていないと今みたいに短気を起こしてしまいそうになる。自分のことに関しては火薬も導火線も湿気っているようにぜんぜん気にならないのだが。自らへの罵詈雑言をさらっと聞き流せるのは、俺の数少ない長所の一つだ。 「............言い返さないのか。どうやらプライドの方も相応に低俗らしいな」 しかしこのイケメン。昨日に騒動を起こした坊ちゃんよりも凄く滑らかに酷い言葉が流れ出るな。こりゃ普段から平民相手に侮蔑を垂れ流していないとできないぞ。 アガットの奴も結構プライドが高い奴だったが、あれは堅物であってほとんど悪意は感じられなかった。杓子定規な性分が、俺のいい加減さ(否定しない)を許せなかったのだ。初対面のファイマも、平民相手は下に見ていたがこの男までは酷くない。それに、認めた相手には平民相手でも対等に接する器量もあった。 この男とレアルとの温度差が少々不安になるな。 そんな事を考えていると、どうしてか宿を後にしたはずのレアルが戻ってきた。青年は彼女の顔を見るなりギョッとなるが、すぐさまに真顔を取り繕う。彼にとっての幸いに、まだ出入り口付近の彼女からはその変化が見えなかったところか。 「すまんなカンナ。一つ伝言を忘れていた」 「伝言?」 「ああ。リーディアル様が君に用があると言っててな。なるべく今日中にギルドの方には一度顔を出してくれ」 「この後はギルドに行くつもりだったし、わざわざ戻って伝えてくれなくても問題なかったぞ?」 「だからといって、承った伝言を伝えずに、というのはどうにもすっきりしないのでな」 律儀な奴だ。レアルとらしいといえばらしいか。 あ、そうだ。こっちも言うことがあったのだ。 「レアル、ちょっと良いか?」 「ん? なんだ。悪いが手短に頼む」 俺はイケメン青年を指さして。 「おまえさんが宿を出て行った途端に「平民がレアル様に口を利くな」とか「低俗な平民風情」やら「田舎者らしく泥臭い」などと素敵に素晴らしいお言葉を頂いたんだが」 「................................................はッ?」 口をあんぐりと開けたのは、ほかならぬイケメン青年である。あ、クロエの奴もぽかんとなってる。レアルも、何を言われたのか一瞬理解不能な顔になった。 「き、貴様ッ、プライドが無いのかッッ」 「んなもん、オカンの胎の中に収まってた頃に置いてきたよ」 いち早く立ち直って唾を飛ばす勢いに叫ぶ青年へ、俺は顔を顰めながら答えた。まさか俺が口を閉じて泣き寝入りするとでも? 馬鹿め! と笑ってあげよう。 部下の失態は上司の責任である。や、レアルを責めるつもりはないが、あくまで率直に青年の対応の悪さを報告しただけだ。 「............カンナの今の言葉は真実か、ベクト」 最初の時の和やかさは消え失せ、剣の如き鋭い視線で青年ーーベクトを射抜くレアル。途端、彼の端整な顔の額からブワリと汗が噴き出した。 「そ、それはその............この男の謂われのない誹謗中傷でッ」 「だったら、どうしてそこまで焦る必要がある?」 抑揚のない、だがだからこそ威圧感のある声色に、ベクトの焦燥が増していく。 「れ、レアル様は副官であり貴族である俺よりも、平民であるこの男の言葉を信じるとッ?」 「カンナは冗談や戯れ言は好むだろうが、根拠も必要もなく誰かを侮辱する男ではない」 「あ、ちなみにクロエには「獣臭い」って言ってたぞ」 「な、貴様ッ!? あ............いえ、違うのですレアル様!」 レアルの視線の鋭さが、剣の如きを通り越して巨剣にまで進化した。物理的な圧力すら持っていそうな視線に、ベクトはそれ以上の言葉を発することができない。彼を一瞥してから、レアルはこちらに頭を下げた。 「............すまないな二人とも、部下の不手際は私が謝罪しよう」 「別に謝罪も賠償もいらねぇから。ただちょっとだけ部下の教育はしっかりしてくれよ。多分、それで損するのは他ならぬおまえさんだ」 副官の役割は、上司の仕事を円滑に進めるためのサポートだ。潤滑油である彼が対応する相手を選り好みしていては、間違いなくレアルに迷惑が掛かる。 「クロエもすまないな」 「拙者はあまり気にしていないので問題ないでござるよ。それに職場とやらに復帰したばかりでござろう?」 「長期に職場を離れたのを言い訳はできない。が、そう言ってもらえるのは助かるな。コイツには後で厳重に注意をしておくのでそれで勘弁してくれ」 そう言ってから、レアルはまたも厳しい顔つきでベクトへと顔を向けた。 「............どうやら貴族至上主義の性根はまだまだ矯正が必要らしいな。書類作業が一通り終わったら、久しぶりに訓練に付き合ってもらおう。念入りに、徹底的にな」 「ひィッ............」 このとき、俺は間違いなくレアルの背後に巨大な竜の幻影を目撃した。同じ様なモノをクロエも幻視したのだろう。言葉の矛先を向けられたはずではないのに、余波だけで俺とクロエは背筋を震え上がらせた。直接にぶつけられたベクトの恐怖心は計り知れない。 「では二人とも。今度こそ失礼させてもらう。おいベクト、おまえもついてこい」 レアルは竜の幻影を背負ったまま、その後ろには竜の生け贄の如くに肩を落としてトボトボとベクトが続き、宿屋を去っていった。俺の頭の中では『ドナドナ』と効果音が鳴っていた。 「............さすがはカンナ氏でござるな。とても普通の人間には真似できない事を平気でなされる」 「それ誉めてんのか?」 「........................誉めているのでござるよ」 「今の間はなんだ」 「今度は疑問系かッ」 「判断が難しいでござるよッ!?」 「逆ギレかッ!」 俺とクロエはそんな風にぎゃいぎゃいと言い合った。 虎の威を借る狐を懲らしめるのならば、虎と仲良くなってしまえば良いのだ。今回の相手は例えからしてちょっと違ったかもしれないが、対応の仕方は同様だ。 そうなるように仕向けたが、ベクトには小さく同情もした。多分、訓練というとレアルの巨剣が登場するのだろう。あれを使って「徹底的」とまで言われたのだ。俺がこの一ヶ月で受けた彼女との訓練とは比べものにならないほどの困難を極めるだろう。多分、十分の九ぐらいの割合で殺されるのだろうな。

This time for real, Imma get rid of the weird mood and start talking seriously. First of all, we decided on how to contact each other by using the guild and the inn. If Real wants to leave a message, she sends a letter to this inn. And if I want to contact her, I'll put a notice through the guild. [Today I just wanted to check on you. I don't have any particular information to share right now.] [Just don't be too unreasonable for yourself, please.] She just got back to Draknil for the first time in several months. I don't expect any information to be available so quickly. Even as an estimation, it will take at least a few weeks to obtain and I'm fully prepared to spend a few months waiting. [I still have a lot of savings from the loot we divided, and I can even earn some more by doing guild requests. Its not gonna be a boring wait.] [My bad. Work has been piling up during the few months I was away. If I don't clear it up to a certain extent, I won't be able to spare some time to search for information regarding your circ.u.mstances.] [.........This one is rather surprised that Real-dono was able to resume working without too much difficulty after a few months of absence de gozaru na.] Is it even possible for someone of an executive level to resume working normally without any confusion or problems after being absent for a few months? I wonder if there is no issue with mutual trust between colleagues in her workplace. And just like I did with Chloe, Real also doesn't go into detail about spirit art or the request. This is a personal matter that I requested Real to investigate and both of us are aware of the need for keeping it under wraps. [Its a fairly unique workplace. Though I can't tell you any details.] [no no It was not this one's intention to pry de gozaru yo.] [I am sincerely sorry for this.] I was by the sideline watching their exchange while silently thinking. (Don't tell me she's in the secret service But, that's such a manglike development. It won't happen, right?) Considering Real's inclination for rampaging around, no matter how you slice it, she belongs to the front line. But back when we first met, she introduced herself as a [diplomat]. And [utility value] was the reason for her to be chained in that dungeon. All that info was included when she told me the story of her beloved greatsword, an heirloom pa.s.sed down through generations of her family. ............Eh? Now that I think about it again, isn't Real a pretty important person. At a national level, if I might add. I think I mostly understand Real's character from our month long journey. A silver-haired elf-eared beauty endowed with big breast with a manly personality. She is also a person with a gentle and caring personality. I can't immediately rid myself of this sudden suspicion. However, prying further into her circ.u.mstances would be inappropriate, seeing that I owe her my life. With my mind still in unrest worrying about such thing, a presence could be felt approaching our seat. There are other empty table here and there. There were also other groups seated here and there. But this presence aimed straight towards us. Real and Chloe also noticed as they turned towards the presence like I did. As our line of sight converged, we saw a graceful-featured young man wearing an easily recognizable high cla.s.s armor, heading towards us. ---Isn't my encounter rate with ikemen too high lately? Such as Rand, or Agatt, and even that botchan. While I'm at it, even Real looks more manly than that random guy standing over there, even though she is a woman. While I'm busy having ridiculous thoughts, the recently debuted ikemen young man finally came to a stop in front of us. Looking closely, one can see horns protruding from the area near his ears. Though the shape of his horn is different from basan from the guild, he is also a Ryujin. [Good grief, I've been searching all over for you.] The target of his words was Real. Although Real knitted her brows, one can see a hint of a smile on her face. Apparently, they know each other. [Its you. I think its still before work hours, isn't it?] [What are you talking about? You have a few months worth of doc.u.ment waiting to be sorted out even at this moment, so please don't be so leisurely.] [Don't you have any pity for your superior who just came back for the first time after a few months?] [No, I don't. My role is to pull you into the office as soon as possible and make sure you process as many doc.u.ments as possible.] [yare yare I sure am blessed with an excellent subordinate.] [For the sake of that excellent subordinate, please come to the office as soon as possible.] [Forgive me, Kanna and Chloe. It seems that we're out of time today. As soon as I find out something about that matter, I'll send a letter to you.] [Ok, do your best at work.] [Until we meet again de gozaru yo, Real-dono.] After her parting words, Real hoisted her sword, which was left leaning against the table the whole time, to her back and continue straight towards the exit. Another ikemen wearing an identical armor as the one before awaits her there. After confirming Real's face, they both nodded and left together. He is also Real's subordinate huh. I was watching his back when I suddenly felt an intense gaze from nearby. Please praise me for not drawing back and let out a creeped out [uwaa...] after being bathed by that look. The owner of said gaze is the subordinate of Real who just exchanged words with her a while ago. He's glaring at me like I killed his parents or like I'm his long-time enemy. His hateful gaze isn't half-hearted at all. [Oi b.a.s.t.a.r.d, don't get carried away.] [.........Specifically, how much?] Even though I asked honestly, the young man got irritated and clicked his tongue. Then, he continued on. [Judging by your appearance, I see that you are a human adventurer. By all rights, its impossible for a plebeian b.a.s.t.a.r.d like you to talk with Real-sama. Know your place.] [Real didn't care much about it though.] [b.a.s.t.a.r.d, you dare call Real-sama by her name only! If it weren't for the fact that you are her acquaintance, I'd cut you down right here and now!] Does this country allow that kind of action? [No matter. It is useless to expect etiquette from the likes of a peasant in the first place. However, no matter how benevolent Real-sama is, lowborn b.a.s.t.a.r.ds like you is not qualified to talk equally with someone of her station.] [Real sorry bout that. Till a month ago, I lived deep in the mountains without so much of a name of me own. It was a life with zero courtesy at all, you see.] [No wonder it stinks of mud in here. I also had to endure the stink of a savage animal from that beastman.] ............I take it back. Should I freeze his head and smash it into a shaved ice!? {Kanns.h.i.+! ! P-Please bear with it de gozaru yooo!} I don't think my anger appeared on my face. She must've noticed it through the small changes in my posture. I wrestled control of my mind before I could order the ice spirits in a fit of anger. It is one of my many shortcomings, having a short fuse when it my friends got insulted. I've always put up with it almost all the time but if I don't prepare myself in advance, I'll be quick to lose temper like I did just now. [............Not going to retort? Apparently your pride is similarly vulgar as your background.] But this ikemen is even worse than botchan yesterday. Streams of harsh words are flowing smoothly from his mouth. This level of contempt isn't possible unless he's been ingrained deeply with it by doing it habitually. That Agatt was also a guy with a lot of pride but that was because he's a straight-laced person. There was little malice behind his pride. As a stickler for the rules, he couldn't tolerate my no-rules principle. The different set of values adopted by Real and this man makes me a little anxious. When I was thinking about that, Real who should have left, came back for some reason. The young man was startled upon her return but immediately gloss it over. Fortunately for him, she couldn't see his face as she was still near the entrance. [My bad Kanna. I forgot to relay a message.] [Message?] [Yeah. Lydeal-sama said she wants to meet you. Would you mind showing your face at the guild today whenever you're free?] [I was planning to show up there after this. Wouldn't it be fine even if you didn't expressly come back and tell me?] [Just because that's true, I won't be satisfied if I don't deliver the message personally.] She's a disciplinarian huh. Seems like a Real-like trait. ah That's right. I have something to say as well. [Real, can I have a minute?] [hn? What? Sorry but please make it brief.] I pointed towards the ikemen young man. [As soon as you left the inn, he said something like [plebeian daring to speak to Real-sama] and [the likes of you vulgar peasant] and also [mud-smelling country b.u.mpkin]. I received all those wonderful words.] [...........................Ha?] It was none other than the ikemen young man who dropped his jaw in surprise. [B-b.a.s.t.a.r.d, don't you have any pride?] [I parted with that stuff in the womb of my ma y'know] Towards the young man who quickly recovered and vigorously spits out saliva while screaming, I just pull a funny face while answering. Ya think I'm just gonna shut my mouth and accept your insults meekly? Stupid idiot! Look who's laughing now. A subordinates' failure is the responsibility of the superior. I don't intend to criticize Real though. I was only reporting her subordinates' poor conduct. [............Does Kanna speak the truth, Becht?] Her initial gentle atmosphere was gone. Real now was glaring at the young man -Becht- with a sharpness not unlike a sword. Just as that occurred, sweat starts pouring down his face from his forehead. [T-That is.........i-its an unprovoked slander from that man. ] [If that's the case, why are you so fl.u.s.tered?] She said it in monotone but that is exactly the reason why its even more intimidating. Becht's uneasiness increases. [Re-Real-sama, do you believe a commoner man more than me who is your aide and a n.o.ble?] [Kanna likes to joke and prank around but he is not the kind of man who would throw baseless insults.] [Oh by the way, apparently Chloe here has a [beastly smell] to him.] [Wh-b.a.s.t.a.r.d!? aa.........T-That isn't true Real-sama!] Becht can't even speak anymore in the face of the pressure of Real's gaze which somehow managed to manifest physically. After taking a glance at him, Real bowed down to me. [.........I'm sorry, both of you. I apologize for my subordinates' inept.i.tude.] [Its not like I wanted apologies or compensation y'know. Just properly give your men some education 'kay. Perhaps, the only person to lose something in this matter is you.] The role of an aide is to facilitate the work of his superior. With his position as her aide, if he were to be selective in his conduct, that would definitely be a nuisance to Real. [I'm sorry Chloe.] [This one does not take it to heart that much, there is no problem de gozaru yo. Besides, didn't Real-dono just recently returned to work de gozarou.] [Being absent from work for a long time is not an acceptable excuse for this misconduct. But then again, I am grateful for your consideration. I'll be sure to pay close attention to this guy later so please let me off with this much.] After saying that, Real turned toward Becht with a harsh look. [.........It seems that your n.o.ble supremacy doctrine still needs further reeducation. Once I've finished handling my paperwork, I'll be more than happy to accompany your training. It has been quite a while since the last time. Let's enjoy it carefully and thoroughly, shall we.] [Hiii...............] At the time, I definitely saw a giant dragon phantom behind Real. I think Chloe also saw the same thing. Even though we weren't the target of the pressure, we still trembled from the aftermath. I can't imagine being in Becht's shoe, getting hit by that immeasurable pressure directly. [Well then, both of you. This time for sure, please excuse us. Oi Becht, come along.] Real, with the dragon phantom still visible behind her left the inn followed totteringly by Becht who's slumping his shoulder. He's like a sacrifice presented to the dragon. Looking at the scene reminds me of [Dona Dona]. Its even playing in my head. [............As one would expect from Kanns.h.i.+ de gozaru na. To calmly do something an ordinary person would never even think of without batting an eyelid.] [Is that a compliment?] [........................Its a compliment de gozaru yo.] [Then why the long pause?] [How did it become a question?!] [Its difficult to decide de gozaru yo! ! !] [Why are you getting angry at me for!?] Me and Chloe started a childish quarrel in that manner. To punish a haughty fox that borrowed the power of a dragon, all you have to do is to get along with that dragon. Reality just now may be different but same method can be applied. I intended for that to happen but now I feel just the tiniest bit of pity for Becht. Real's favorite heirloom sword might make an appearance during his training later. She did say [thoroughly] while implying its use. Compared to what I've been through the past month, I have a feeling his that session will be h.e.l.l of a lot harder.

第二十話 「おじさん」より「おぢさん」のほうがお茶目に感じるのはなんでだろう? ついでに新技開発 アガットから勝利をもぎ取ったのだが、直後にレアルに怒られた。アレでは木剣を使う意味がほとんどないと。俺も最後で気がついてました。 以降は木剣以外を使った攻撃、つまり拳や足を使った打撃は禁止を言いつけられ、再びアガット君との訓練に励んだ。 結果? あの後五戦やって全敗だ。最初の一戦の恨みを晴らすかの如く苛烈な攻めに、俺は為す術もなく一本を取られ続けた。骨を折るなどの後に引く怪我は負わなかったが、頭やらわき腹を強く打たれて非常に痛かった。絶対防具で覆って無いところを狙ってたよね。気持ちは分からなくもないので、文句は言わない。自業自得だと自身に言い聞かせた。 ぶっちゃけ、アレは一定以上のレベルの相手には下策中の下策と言える戦い方だ。彼らに不意打ち等の奇襲攻撃は殆ど通用しない。そもそも、奇襲という概念が無い。木剣投げを紛れもない『攻撃』と認識して、その後の俺自身の追撃ごと難なく迎撃されていただろう。ああいった突き抜けて強いタイプには、小細工等のちゃっちな手法では通用しない。 「隣、良いかな?」 休憩を終えた後、保存食の干し肉を噛み、水で流し込み、俺らは馬車に乗り込み再び出発した。今度の御者役はアガット君。俺は馬車の隅っこで先ほどまでの訓練内容を回想していた。そのそばに、ランドが断りを入れて腰を下ろした。 「済まなかったね、アガットの奴を止められなくて」 「いや、少しくらいここでガス抜きしとかにゃ、爆発しそうだったし。レアルが言ってたとおり、あいつ以外と訓練するのも経験だ」 「君は見た目よりも達観した考え方をするな。あそこまで滅多に打たれたら普通は憤るものだ」 「見た目は余計だ。あまり要領が良い方じゃないし、恨みを買うのも慣れてる。ボコボコにされたのだって、俺が弱いからだ」 弱い者が蹂躙されるのは真理だ。 「そう自分を卑下するものではないだろう。最初の一戦目だけだったが、君はあいつから白星を挙げている。奴はファイマ様の御家に仕える若手の中ではトップの腕前だ。まぐれで勝てる相手ではない」 「トップねぇ............」 馬車の御者席で馬の手綱を握るアガットの後ろ姿を眺める。先ほどよりも幾分かは和らいでいるが、それでもまだまだ雰囲気が固い。 「あんたから見て、アガット君はどんな人間に見える?」 「そうだな。安直な表現だが、好青年だな。才能を持ちながら、それに奢らずに鍛錬を重ねている。実直すぎるきらいもあるが、あれはあれで美点にもなろう。もう少し柔軟性がほしいところではある」 「真面目な堅物君ね」 ああいったタイプは俺の周りにいなかった。有月の奴は例の如くヘタレイケメンだし、美咲は元気娘。彩菜はちょい天然。ブレーキ役が俺だったが、割と緩いブレーキだったと思う。ああ言った委員長タイプは俺たちの中にはいなかったタイプだ。 「嫌いじゃないさ。苦手ってだけだ。ただ、ちょいと人間関係は考えておかないとなぁ、とだけは思うが」 「私としては、仲良くしてもらいたいのだが」 「だから、嫌いじゃないって。そこら辺は今後の展開次第で、互いにいろいろと妥協してきゃぁいい」 さすがに本人に聞かれると波乱が起きそうなので、ここまではかなり小声でヒソヒソ話。 「先ほどの訓練に話は戻るが、あいつには悪いが良い経験になったろう。言い方は悪いが、あの程度の奇襲で体勢を崩すなどまだまだだ。あの調子では、敵の奇襲に対応できん」 それまでの小声をやめ、ランドの声量が通常に戻る。アガットに聞かせ得るつもりで喋っていた。 アガットは、俺も人に言えるほどではないが、経験が足りなかった。真正面からの勝負には強いが、正道故に搦め手を使う相手と戦った経験値が足りない。 「敵が開始の合図を待って襲ってくるとは限らんし、真正面から来るとも限らん。むしろ常に不意を突き、こちらの隙に狙いを澄ましてくる。先の件でも、常に我々の死角を狙い、奇道を以って戦いを挑んできた。死の間際に敵の卑怯を罵っても意味がない。必要なのは、いついかなる時でも敵の行動に対処できる経験と心構えだ」 昼前に俺が言っていたことと同義の内容だ。俺の言っていることを遠回しに認めている言葉だった。おいおい、それを聞かせちゃって良いのかよ。ほら、アガット君の肩が小さく震えてる。やめてほしい、俺に矛先が向く。 非難の視線でランドを睨むと、またも小声で。 「君には悪いが、契約内容の追加と思って我慢してくれ。私としてはあいつの才能には期待している。その上である程度の柔軟性を持ってくれればと常々思っていた。間近に君のような『邪道』使いがいてくれれば、あいつも何かを掴めるかもしれん」 「まさか。私としては十分すぎるほどに誉めているとも」 にやりと、ナイスガイがスマイルを浮かべた。 ・・・・このおぢさま。見た目よりかなりくせ者である。 ま、そのぐらいでなきゃ指揮官ってのはつとまらないか。 「・・・・今度なんか奢れよ」 と、俺は追加内容に対する報酬を口にするぐらいしかできなかった。 そこから数日間は順調に旅が進んだ。途中に何度か魔獣の襲撃があったが、問題なく対処できていた。というか、レアルとアガット、そしてもう一人の従者が速攻で殲滅してしまうので俺の出番がほぼ無い。 まともな俺の仕事と言えば、昼食前に行われるアガット君との訓練。戦績は大体アガット君の勝ち越し。ただ、特別ルールとして、毎度五戦ほど繰り返すのだが、そのうち四回は剣だけを使い、残りの一回だけは俺が好きに動ける何でもありありで動くことが出来る。その一回だけ、俺はどうにかアガットから勝利をもぎ取ることが出来た。ちょっとだけ溜飲が下がる。しかし、彼は本当に不意打ちに弱いな。一度ペースが崩れるとずるすると引きずってしまう。逆に、ペースさえ崩さなければ、俺のにわか剣術では僅かにも揺るがない。俺の知る『剣術使い』の中でもっとも強い人間にも通ずる強さがあった。 結果だけを見れば負けに負けまくっているが、俺としては非常に有意義な時間だったと思う。レアルのような超パワーファイター以外の、正当派剣術使いとの戦いは、この先を生きてくのに必要な経験だ。 ただまぁ、剣術だけを鍛えている訳にもいくまい。使える物はなんでも使うのが俺の主義だ。 「ここら辺で良いかな」 前の町を出発して四日目の夕暮れ。レアルの言っていた通りに、俺たちは次の宿場町に到着していた。ファイマと出会った町よりは随分と小さかったが、旅の中継地点としてそれなりに栄えている様だ。 俺は現在、町から少し離れた平原に佇んでいた。もう日が沈んで時間が経ち、明かりは皆無だが問題ない。現実世界の日本都市ではお目に掛かれない天上の星明かりと、肌に感じる気配が周囲の様子を教えてくれる。 こんな人気のない場所を訪れたのは、偏に精霊術の訓練をするためだ。ここ数日はファイマ等の目もあり使用を控えていたが、その間にもイメージ訓練だけは行ってきていた。短い滞在時間だが、宿場町に腰を落ち着けていられる今に、イメージを実際の形にし、それが効果的か否かの考察をしておきたい。 普段、精霊術の訓練に付き合ってくれていたレアルはこの場にいない。今回はイメージを形にするだけなので、かなり無駄な作業も出てくる。より明確な形に出来上がってから、後日レアルと一緒に試して考えをまとめる予定だ。 「さて、始めますか」 右の手の平に意識を集中する。脳裏に描いたイメージの通りに、パキリと音を立てて氷の造形物が生まれる。形は細く平べったい楕円形。両端は鋭く尖っており、鋭利な刃物状になっている。 次に現在地から離れている位置に高さ二メートル程、横は一メートル程の十字架を作った。もちろん素材は氷。今回、こいつは的代わりだ。 調子を確かめるため、俺は手元に作った氷の楕円形を人差し指と中指の間に挟み、腕をバックスイングに振るって投げた。狙うのはもちろん、遠くの位置に作った氷の十字架だ。 ギンッと氷同士の衝突らしからぬ音が木霊し、投擲した氷の楕円形は十字架の交錯点の中心部に半ば程まで突き刺さっていた。 続けて、先に作った氷の楕円形をさらに三つ程作り、右手の指の間にそれぞれ挟んで投げ放つ。今度も狙い通りに十字架の交錯点に突き刺さる。 今行っているのは、遠距離攻撃の開発。これまでは遠くの相手には氷の固まりを作って投げたり蹴り飛ばしたりしていたが、もっと効率の良い攻撃方法が無いかずっと考えていたのだ。 よくあるRPGで、氷の固まりを空中に作ってそのまま敵に投射する技とかある。あれも出来ないことは無いのだが、俺の練習不足かいまいち威力がでない。それよりも実際に投げた後に精霊のサポートを得た方が威力がでるのだ。 この楕円形の氷は、いわばそれをもっと効率よく扱うために考え出した形状。参考は忍者がよく使う手裏剣。手裏剣=十字の形状とみんな思っているが、アレはぶっちゃけ投擲を主体にした小型武器の総称だ。俺が今回作ったのは棒手裏剣と呼ばれるタイプ。一説にはこちらが忍者たちにとっての主流だったと聞いたことがある。まぁ、あの十字の形状をいちいち作るのはめんどくさいだろうしな。 とりあえず、この氷で出来た手裏剣。以降は氷手裏剣と名付けようか。安直だな。名前を付けた方がイメージしやすいし、使うのも俺だけなので文句は受け付けない。 俺はその後もいくつも氷手裏剣を作り、ひたすら投げ続ける。最短の動作で投げ、最大の威力を出せるようにイメージを精練していく。今までが、イメージ→創造→作った物を掴んで投げる、の三段行程だった。それをイメージ→創造しながら投げる、の二段行程に短縮。腕を振るい、その最中に作って投げるという風に躯に刷り込むのだ。理想は、作った次の瞬間には指から離れている、と言った具合。これなら腕を振るうだけで氷手裏剣が投げられる。 およそ『五時間』の時間を掛け、当初のイメージ通りの攻撃手段が出来あがった。 「てりゃぁッ」 的代わりに作った十字架は六つ。そして、両腕を振るって投擲した氷手裏剣の数も六つ。鋭く空を走る手裏剣群は見事、六つの十字架の中心点に突き刺さった。続けて、腕を連続で振るい、氷手裏剣を連射。ガガガガっと音を立て、次々に突き刺さっていった。 六つの的が耐えきれずに全て砕けた時点で、氷手裏剣の開発は一端の完成とした。何かしらを思いついたら随時実験していく予定だ。 ふぅ、と一息を入れると、吐き出した空気が白く染まる。 氷手裏剣の一個一個は小さいが、塵も積もれば山となり、相当数の氷の欠片が散らばっていた。ついでに、精霊術で生み出した氷は精霊の影響から解放されても、通常の氷より随分と長く溶けずに形を保つ。それらが辺りの熱量を吸収していた様で、空気がかなり冷たくなっていた。北海道の、とまでは行かないが東京の冬ぐらいの気温になっている。 俺は周囲にある氷の残骸達に再び精霊を宿し、指を慣らす。小気味の良い音に合わせ、周囲の氷全てが跡形もなく消滅した。指を鳴らしたのは気分である。カッコよくね? 口にしたら台無しか。

Chapter 20 Why does "Odjisan" feel more playful than "Ojisan"? Also a new skill development while I'm at it. It's a fact that I s.n.a.t.c.hed away victory from Agaht, but Real scolded me immediately afterwards. Saying there's completely no meaning in using the wooden sword with that. I also noticed it in the end. Thereafter I was told any attacks that uses anything beside the wooden sword, in other words blows that uses hands or feet are forbidden and I made another effort in training with Mr. Agaht. The result? It was a complete defeat after five minutes of fighting him. At the beginning of the fight I was at my wits end from his offence so severe like he was avenging himself and points kept being taken from me. After great pains or something I didn't bear any injuries I went down with, but my head and flanks were hit hard among other places, so it's extraordinary painful. He was absolutely aiming at the places that wasn't covered by armor, didn't he. Given that I also didn't understand his feelings, I won't complain. I reap what I sow is what I told myself. To be blunt, that was a fighting style that can be said to be a bad plan within a bad plan against opponents above a certain level. Surprises like surprise attacks hardly work on them. In the first place, there was no concept of surprise attacks. The throwing of the wooden sword should have been recognized as an {attack} and each of my follow ups afterwards should have been intercepted. These sort of tricky techniques won't work against the kinds of people who are good at breaking through them. "Would you mind me sitting next to you? After the break ended, we boarded the horse carriage as we chewed on dried jerky and was.h.i.+ng it down with water and we departed once again. This time Mr. Agaht is the coachman. I've been reflecting on the training I've had just then in the corner of the carriage. Rand excuses himself and sits down near me. "I'm really sorry there, for not being able to stop that boy Agaht." "No, he'll look like he would explode if he doesn't let out a little steam here or something. And it's just like Real said; training with someone beside her is also experience." "Quite the philosophic way of thinking you have there, despite your appearance. " "The appearance part was uncalled for. I'm not really a guy who knows how to swim the tide and I'm used to be at the end of someone's grudges. After all I'm strong since I've been beaten black and blue." The weak being trampled is the truth. "That isn't something you should be humble about, don't you agree? I've only glanced at the first battle, but you raised a mark of victory on him. That boy abilities are at the top among the young people serving Lady Faima's esteemed household. He's no opponent you can win with a fluke. " "The top, huh............" I gaze at the back of Agaht on the coachman's seat holding the reins of the horses. He has calmed down somewhat compared to before, but even so the atmosphere is still stiff. "What kind of person does Mr. Agaht look like from your perspective?" "Let's see here. It's an honest expression, but he's a good young man. In spite of possessing talent, he repeats training without being haughty about it. He may also be a mine of excessive honesty, but that on itself is also a virtue. I would like for him to be a little more flexible. " "A seriously strait-laced guy, right?" I haven't had that type of person around me. That Yuuzuki fellow is usually the no good pretty boy and Misaki is the energetic girl. "I don't hate him you know. I find him a little difficult to deal with. It's just that I have to keep in mind interpersonal relations.h.i.+ps a little you know, that's all I'm thinking of. " "I would like you both to be on good terms for me though." "That's why I said I don't hate him. That part will be a future development from now on, so it'll be fine if we have to compromise together." As expected, trouble would occur if the whole thing was heard by the person himself, so up until now we've been talking secretly with quite a low voice. "Back to the topic on the previous training. It may have been a bad experience for him, but it was good experience. His way of talking is bad, but he has still got a long way to go, what with his posture crumbling from that level of surprise attack. He can't respond to his opponent's surprise attack in that condition." Dropping the low voice we've been doing up until now, Rand returns to his normal volume. He talks with the intention of letting Agaht hear him. Agaht didn't have enough experience, though I myself don't have enough either to say that to others. He's strong in a fight right from the front, but because of his path of righteousness he had insufficient experience with opponents who would attack their opponent's weaknesses. "The enemies aren't limited to waiting for the starting signal before attacking nor are they limited to attacking from the front. Rather, they're constantly attacking suddenly and they're clear to aim for our openings. Even in the previous case, you challenged the fight in a strange way and constantly aimed at our blind spots. It's useless to curse at your enemy for cowardice just before death. What's necessary is the preparedness and the experience to allow you to deal with your enemy's actions at any time." What he said has the same meaning as what I was talking about this morning. They were words that is indirectly acknowledging what I had said. Whoa wait just a minute, can you really let him hear that? Look, Mr. Agaht's shoulders are quivering a little. He's pointing his brunt of "I want him to stop" to me. When I glare at Rand with a look of criticism, he once again talks with a low voice. "I'm sorry to you, but please endure it and consider this as an addition to the contents of our contract. I have expectations in that man's talent. If he were to possess a certain level of flexibility on top of that, is what I've always been thinking. If there is someone like you nearby who uses the {wrong path} , even he may be able to grasp something." "Well, I never! I am certainly praising you more than enough in my eyes." The Nice Guy is showing a Smile meaningfully. ****this mister*. He's quite the ruffian despite his appearance. Well, I guess he won't be fit as a "Commander" if he can't do that much. "****This time's on the house." And I could only tell him the remunerations in relation to the addition to our contract. Since then, our travel have advanced well for several days. Magic beasts attacked us several times on the way, but we were able to deal with them without any problems. Actually, Real and Agaht as well as the other servant immediately exterminated them, so there's pretty much no turn for me. Speaking of my normal job, I've been training with Mr. Agaht before lunch breaks. The score is generally Mr. Agaht taking the lead. It's just that as a special rule that we repeat about every five fights, we only use swords for four out of five fights and only in the remaining fight I'm able to do anything I like without limits. Only in that one fight I am somehow able to s.n.a.t.c.h away a win from Agaht. I feel just a little satisfied with that. But really, he's weak against surprise attacks you know. When I'm being sneaky and his pace breaks once, I could completely drag him around. On the other hand, as long as his pace doesn't crumble down, he wouldn't even slightly waver by my improvised swordsmans.h.i.+p. The strongest people among the {Swordsmen} I'm acquainted with have the strength to be good. It's loss upon loss for me if you only look at the results, but I think this is an unusually meaningful time to me. A fight with an orthodox swordsman besides an ultra power fighter like Real is an experience necessary in order to live in the time to come. It's just that, well, I also can't afford to temper only my swordsmans.h.i.+p. To use anything I can use is my principle. "I wonder if it's fine around here." Evening of the fourth day since leaving the previous town. Just like Real had said, we had arrived at the next inn town. It's a lot smaller than the town I met Faima at, but as a resting point for travels, it seems to be flouris.h.i.+ng in its own way. Right now I'm loitering at the plains a little separated from the town. Time has pa.s.sed since the sun has set and there's no light, but that is no problem. The starlight in the sky you can't see in real world j.a.pan and the presence I feel on my skin tells me the situation around me. The visit to such a deserted place is solely for the sake of training my spirit art. With the eyes of Faima et al. for several days I've been refraining from using it, but I've been going with just image training too in the meantime. It's a short stay, but I want to study whether the practical form of the image is effective or not right now, when I can settle down in the inn town. Real who had always accompanied me in my spirit art training isn't here. Given that this time I'm only giving shape to my image, quite a useless production could appear. I plan to attempt doing this together with Real on another day and finalize the design after I've completed a more precise shape. "Now, let's start shall we." I concentrate my consciousness in my right palm. Like the image I've drawn in my mind, the moulded object is born along with a "pakiri" sound. Its shape is a thin and flat elliptical shape. Both ends are made sharp, becoming an sharp edged tool. Next, I have made a cross of about two meters at a distance from the current location and another one of about one meter beside it. Of course, the raw material is ice. This time, these will be the subst.i.tute for a target. In order to ascertain its condition, I hold the grip of the elliptical shape I created with ice between my index and middle finger and throw it with a back hand swing. My aim is, of course, the ice cross I've made at a distant place. A "Gin" sound of unrelenting collision between the two fellow ice objects reverberated and the elliptical shaped ice I threw had penetrated halfway into the center of the intersection of the cross. Continuing this, I furthermore create about three of the ice elliptical shape I created before, hold each of them them in between my right fingers and throw them. This time they also pierced in the intersection of the cross just as I aimed for. What I'm going for right now, is the development of a long range attack. Up until now I've been creating lumps of ice and have thrown them, kicked them or launched them towards opponents far away, but I've been thinking; isn't there a more efficient way to attack them? In RPGs there is often a skill or something where you create a lump of ice in the sky and project it towards the enemy just like that. That is also something that can be done, but I either lack training or I can't put in enough strength. More importantly, I can actually put in more strength if I acquire the support of the spirits after throwing it after all. This elliptical shaped ice is, so to speak, the shape I've come up with in order to handle that much more efficiently. Reference is the ninja's frequently used shuriken. Everyone's thinking that shuriken = cross shape, but that is, to be blunt, a generic name of small arms mainly for throwing. What I've made right now is a type called stick shuriken.* I've heard in one explanation these are mainstream for ninjas. Well, it's also troublesome to make those cross shapes each and every time you know. For now, a shuriken can be made with this ice. How about I call this Ice Shuriken from now on then. Quite simple, huh. It's easier to imagine it if I add a name to it and I'm the only one who can use this so I won't accept any complains. I can create the ice shuriken afterwards and throw them single-mindedly. I'm going to refine the image in order to throw it with the shortest execution and bringing out the maximum power. Up until now it's a three stage course of image->creation->grab created object and throw it. I'll shorten it to a two stage course of image->throw while creating them. I would swing my arm and throw it as I create it during the swing; I'll instill that behaviour into my body. What's ideal is where I'd let it go from my fingers the moment it's created, that kind of condition. This way I can throw ice shurikens with just by swinging my arms. It roughly took {five hours} and the attack method as I imagined was completed. "Terya!" The target subst.i.tute crosses I've made were six. And the amount of ice shurikens I threw by swinging both my arms were also six. The ice shurikens sharply ran through the air and have splendidly pierced into the center of the six crosses. Following that I continuously swing my arms, rapid-firing ice shurikens. "Gagagaga" sound resounds as they pierce the crosses one by one. The moment when the six targets couldn't endure it and completely broke, a part of the ice shuriken development was completed. I plan to experiment whenever I come up with something. "Fuuh" after I take in one breath, the air I then exhale is dyed white. The ice shurikens are small one by one, but if you pile up trash it will also become a mountain, a fair number of ice shards are scattered about. Incidentally, even if the ice born from spirit arts are released from the influence of the spirits, it keeps its shape without melting for a far longer time than regular ice. They appear to be absorbing the heat in the neighbourhood, so the air has become quite chilly. The ambient temperature didn't go as far as Hokkaido (T.N. average 2 degrees Celsius according to google), but it has gone to the ambient temperature of Tokyo in the winter. (T.N. around 5 degrees Celsius) I once again house in the spirits from the ice wreckage in the surroundings and wear them on my finger. Together with a gentle sound, all of the surrounding ice vanished without a trace. I feel like snapping my fingers. Would I ruin it if I say "Ain't that cool?" ?

ーーーー何故? ユルフィリア王国第二王女にして、見目麗しき可憐な美貌を持ち、そうでありながらも魔術士としての希有な才能を有する、フィリアス・エーデル・ユルフィリアは混乱の極みにあった。 数日前の宣告の通り、ユルフィリア王国によって召喚された『三人の勇者』有月達は、この世界に来てから初めて王都の外に足を踏み出した。 なにぶん、彼らにとっては初めての世界だ。監督役として、国王直属部隊でありその近辺の守護を担当する近衛騎士隊の数人が付けられていた。彼らは勇者達の万が一に対しての保険であり、とある人物の護衛でもあった。 霊山までの道程には特に魔獣の遭遇も無かった。王都から一日で移動できる範囲に出没する魔獣は、冒険者や城の兵士が定期的に掃討しているからだ。そのことは勇者達にも伝えてあり、特に問題もなく進んでいた。 ただし、いかに平穏とした道中であっても、近衛達の気が休まる瞬間はなかった。勇者達三人に同行している第二王女の存在だ。 霊山ーー『セラファイド山』には特別な『領域』が張り巡らされており、王家に連なる血の保有者のみが使用できる魔術具を使わなければ時間を置かずに死に至るのである。第二王女が居なければ霊山への進入は不可能なのだ。 大きな理由はそこにあったが、最大の理由は自らの指示で異世界より召喚した勇者達への責任感があるのだろうと近衛騎士達は判断していた。慈悲深いと評判の王女だ。無責任に勇者達を危険な地域に送ることを良しとしなかったのだ。幸いにも彼女は、近衛騎士隊と同等の戦力を秘めた宮廷魔術士隊に匹敵する才能を有している。少なくとも、霊山に到着するまでは目立った危険はない。 移動用の馬車で一日が終わると、翌日の昼前には目的のセラファイド山の麓にまでたどり着いた。 『領域』に足を踏み入れた瞬間にその場にいた全ての人間が『寒気』を感じた。肌に触れる外気はまだそれほど低温ではない。なのに、外からではなく内側から凍えるような寒さがこみ上げてきたのだ。 けれども、フィリアス王女が予め準備していた、王家に伝わる魔術具を使用すると、その寒気は即座に霧散し逆に心地よい暖かみが心身に溢れ出した。勇者達三人はフィリアスに心よりの礼を述べた。 フィリアスの手によって『領域』に無事進入を果たした勇者達は、この世界で初めての『実戦』を体験した。 近衛騎士達の予想の通り、生まれて初めてである魔獣相手に若干圧倒されている様子はあった。また、紛れもなく害獣であれど生きている存在を殺すことに若干の躊躇も見られた。この辺りはいかに勇者であれど、新人兵卒と変わりのない反応だ。 強烈な先制を仲間が獲得すると、それに有月が続く。危なげない動きで的確に魔獣の急所を切り裂いていく。彼の持つ剣の切れ味は鋭く魔獣の硬質な骨すらも切り裂くが、それに驕らない見事な剣の捌き。その技量は近衛騎士隊の面々も舌を巻くほどだ。おそらく、彼と対等に剣をあわせられるのは、今は任務で不在中の近衛隊隊長だけだろう。 そして近衛騎士隊の面々を一番に驚かせたのは、勇者達の中では一番非力であり、戦闘向きでないと思われていた彩菜だ。彼女は美咲が暴れ回り有月が舞うように剣を振るっている戦場の一歩外に膝立ちでしゃがむと、己の得物を水平に構える。 「フィー、ここに君の言う『伝説の槍』があるんだね?」 「伝承が正しければその通りです。三百年の昔に当代の勇者が使用し、国を襲った恐るべき魔神を封印した『魔槍』が鎮座しています」 洞窟の奥深くを見据えながらフィリアスが言った。 「魔神に伝説の槍............ねぇ。見事にRPG展開の一種だわ」 達観したような美咲の呟き。仲間内ではそれほどゲームを嗜んでおらず、特に感慨は受けていなかった。 「テンプレ展開はオタクにとっての浪漫です。私、ワクワクします」 隣では無表情に彩菜が言うが、美咲は親友故に無表情のその内面はかなり興奮気味であるのを読みとっていた。 「............アンタ、この世界に来てから随分と楽しんでるわよね。その銃然り、アタシの武器然り」 「現実と二次元はしっかりと区別しているつもりです。ただ、どんな状況でも楽しみを見いだすのが人生を謳歌する秘訣だと思っていますので」 某無能少年も同じだ。現に彼は食の道にこの世界の『楽しみ』を見いだしていた。 「で、フィー。その伝説の槍ってのを手に入れるのが今回の一番の目的よね?」 「言い伝えによれば、その槍は勇者の資格を持つ者に力を与えるとされています。勇者として召喚されたあなた達三人ならば問題なく槍の力を手に入れることが出来るでしょう」 美咲と彩菜の視線はそろって有月に収束した。 「ま、槍なら有月くんが妥当でしょうね。私は見ての通り運動能力壊滅ですし、美咲さんはーー」 「得物を使った武術は合わないんだよねぇ。有月なら槍だろうが弓だろうが剣だろうが問題ないだろうし」 「............どうしてだろう。厄介事を押しつけているときのノリと非常に近い気がするのは」 揃った言葉に有月はヘタレてそれ以上は口に出来なかった。能力はこの中でも一番高いのに相変わらずヒエラルキーは底辺である。 「ですが有月さんにお任せするのが最良だと私も思います。魔槍の能力を最大限に発揮するには膨大な魔力が必要となるでしょう。そうなると、この中で一番に魔力を有する有月さんならその力を存分に発揮できるはずです」 「うん、ありがとうフィー。僕、がんばるよ!」 「ですが、気を付けてください。魔槍を手に入れるためには、最後の関門として『守護者』が待ち受けています。それを打倒しない限り、魔槍の力を得ることは出来ません」 「ボスキャラの登場ですか。この山に生息する魔獣は私たちでも問題なく討伐できましたが、その守護者とやらの強さはいかほどですか? これまでが雑魚でもボスが桁違いというのはよくある話ですが」 彩菜の油断の無い問いに、フィリアスは毅然と答える。 「勇者の力があれば間違いなく討伐できると伝承ではあります」 「............いやいや、根性論じゃなくて論理的な意見を求めてんだけど」 自信満々で言うことか? と美咲が突っ込みを入れた。だが、それをフィリアスは首を『?』と傾げただけだった。美咲は頭を抱える。 「どうしたの二人とも? フィーが大丈夫だって言ってるんだよ? だから大丈夫だよ! なんたって僕らは勇者として召喚されーーー」 ーーーーゴンッ! 「痛いッ! ちょッ、台詞の途中に無言で拳骨するのやめてくんないッ? 美咲さん手甲付けてるからスゴく痛いんですけどッ」 「............カンナの苦労がよく分かるわ」 涙目の有月をスルーして、無能少年の普段の気苦労を察して本気で感心する美咲。 「『伝説の槍』を守護する以上、その『守護者』の実力は計り知れないでしょう。ここは一時撤退を視野に入れて行動した方がいいでしょうね」 「ただ、実力の勝る相手に常に尻尾を巻いて逃げられるわけではありません。今後の為にも多少の無茶は経験しておく必要があると思います。最初は正面から挑んで、どうしようもなかったら撤退しましょう。幸いにも、この山の近くには村があります。そこで一度作戦を立て直して再度挑む、というのが無難な所ですね」 有月に銃口を向けて黙らせ、彩菜が冷静な意見を述べた。 ユルフィリア側からの霊山の麓にはないが、山を越えた逆方向には小さな村が存在している。ここから村までの道のりは遠くないらしく、撤退先としては問題ない。 「フィーさん。念のために聞いておきたのですが、守護者のいる場所に撤退防止用のトラップが仕掛けられている、という言い伝えとかは無いでしょうか? もしあるなら先に麓の村に拠点を移し、万全の状態で挑みたいのですが」 「聞いているかぎりは............無いはずです」 「そうですか。でしたら、その場所の付近に到着したら改めて魔術的なトラップの有無を確認してください。その伝承を疑うわけではありませんが、念を押すことは無駄では無いはずですから」 「............了解です」 この一部始終を終えると、勇者三人と王女、それと近衛騎士の数名は意を決して洞窟へと入り込んだ。外とは違い風がないので内部の寒さはそれほどまでではなかった。ただこれはフィリアスが特別な魔術具を発動させたが為だ。それがなければ、どれほどに火を焚き暖を取り防寒具に身を包んでも、数分も経たずに身も心も真の意味で凍り付いて絶命していただろう。 ーーーー根性で耐えきった無能少年と普通に耐えた銀髪エルフ耳も居たりするが、あれは極々『極』例外である。 そろそろ夕暮れも近くなり、洞窟の入り口から差し込む日光の明かりも少ない。予め用意していたカンテラ型の魔術具で光源を確保し、注意深くして歩を進めていく。魔獣こそ出現しないが、程良く緊張感を保ったままに奥へ進む。 分かれ道もなく道なりに行くと、しばらくして遠くに明るい空間が見えた。その直前にまでたどり着くと、美咲はフィリアスに声を掛けた。 「フィーさん、魔術的なトラップはありますか?」 「............いえ、特には見当たりませんね」 「そうですか。では、一応念には念を、ということで」 彩菜は腰から下げていた大きめのポーチの中から、握り拳と同じほどの長方形の物体を取り出した。表面には英語表記らしき妙に凝った風のロゴが刻まれている。 「............ねぇ彩菜さん。それって僕達の世界であるC4とか、そんな感じの爆弾に見えるんだけど?」 「C4ではありませんが、錬金術で作った爆弾であるのは間違いありません」 「ちょっ、爆弾ッ? え、そんなの作れるのッ?」 「錬金銃の基本弾丸は、火薬で飛ばした弾頭を魔術式で増幅して発射するんです。爆弾が作れて当然ではないですか」 「そんなさらって言われてもッ。銃刀法はッ!?」 「有月くんも切れ味抜群の剣をぶら下げているでしょう。何を今更」 「あ、うん。確かにそうだね」 「彩菜さん、その爆弾は何のために?」 「魔術的な仕掛けは看破できても物理トラップが無いとも言い切れません。万が一に物理トラップで入り口を防がれたら、この爆弾でそれを吹き飛ばして退路を確保します。まぁ、それを見越してこれを用意したわけではありませんが」 フィーの疑問に答えながら、彩菜はてきぱきと爆弾を三個ほど設置していく。運動能力は最低ではあれど、彩菜は手先が器用なのだ。でなければ元属性の才能があったとしても、錬金術で美咲の装備や自身の銃を作るまでは至らない。 彩菜が爆弾の設置作業を続けている最中に、美咲は逸る気持ちを抑えるように剣の素振りをしている有月に声を掛けた。 』の準備、しておきなさい」 「まだ戦いも何も始まってないのに?」 「これは試合じゃなくて実戦でしょうが。よーいどんで始まるお行儀の良さを期待するんじゃないっての。最初の一撃で終わらせられるに越したこと無いでしょ」 有月の『超強化』は体への反動無く身体能力を数倍以上にまで高める術式だが、「開始から発動までの時間が掛かる」という欠点がある。最短でも一分のーー実戦となればそれ以上の時間が掛かる。 「でもそれは卑怯じゃ............」 「アンタ馬鹿? 正々堂々と戦って死んでりゃ世話無いわよ。槍を守ってるって言う「守護者」の強さは未知数なの。勝つために最大限の手を打たなくてどうするのよ。少なくとも、カンナの奴がこの場にいたら、アタシと同じことを言ってたでしょうね」 「カンちゃんが............そうだね」 頭が上がらない幼なじみの名前を出され、有月は迷いをなくして頷いた。美咲の言葉通りに、光属性魔術『超強化』の術式を練り上げていく。なお、無能少年の名前が出た時点で美咲は小声になっていたので、美咲と彩菜、有月以外にはその名は聞こえなかった。 ちなみに、この会話の間に王女と近衛騎士達はいっさい言葉を発していない。勇者女性陣の隙のなさに驚きを通り越して少々恐れを抱いていたのだ。まだ年若い年齢であり、実戦の回数も一桁を越えていないのにこの落ち着きの様だ。普通はビビる。 彩菜の作業が完了する頃に合わせて、有月も『超強化』を発動一歩手前にまで持って行く。この状態を長時間続けてはいられないが、五分ほどは保っていられる。 「超強化を発動した僕なら美咲さんの速度に追いつける。二人で同時に突っ込むから、一撃を入れた後に彩菜さんは銃で狙撃して」 「了解です。頼みましたよ、二人とも」 「頼りにしてるからね。後ろは任せたよ彩菜」 「任せてください」 「じゃあ、行こうか」 下準備は整った。後はこの先に待ち受けている『守護者』を倒すのに全力を傾けるだけだ。 戦闘態勢万全でいたのに、目の前にあるのはそんなほのぼの空間。勇者達のみならず、後を追った王女と近衛騎士達も揃って言葉を失っていた。 「あなた達も食べる? ちょっと凍り付いてシャリシャリするけど」 着物姿の美女がお椀に乗ったクッキーの一枚を勧めるが、それを受ける取る者はこの場には居なかった。ちなみに、クッキーは霊山の麓村に住むとある一家の奥さんが作ってくれたお手製だ。少女の方は来訪者達に目を向けつつも、変わらずショリショリとクッキーを咀嚼していた。 「えっと........................どちらさま?」 一番に早く立ち直ったのは、意外なことに有月であった。 それは答えになっていないだろう、と来訪者達一行の心が一つになった瞬間だ。 「............あら? 随分と覚えのある気配ね」 と、不意に穏やかな様子だった美女の目が有月の顔を見て細くなる。敵意や殺意は皆無でありながら、有月はその視線に背筋が凍り付くような寒気に襲われた。 「ふぅん............なるほどね。そこの男の子はどうやら『現代』の勇者様ってところかしらね?」 美女の言葉に息を呑んだのは有月ではなく、その後ろの王女達だった。勇者の召喚を行った事実は国家機密であり、他国はおろか自国の者にも知られておらず、王城でも限られた上層部の者にしか伝わっていない。であるのに、その事実を口にした青い髪の美女に警戒心を抱かずにはいられない。 「『忌み子』が現れたと思ったら、今度は『愛し子』ねぇ。私の姿を見ても襲ってこない所を見ると記憶の継承はされてないっぽいけど。あら、よく見ればそこの女の子二人も覚えがあるわね。こっちも記憶はまだ受け継いでないみたいだけど」 美女は少し考えると、側に座る少女に言った。 「悪いけど下がっててくれる? 万が一があると怖いから」 「ん、わかった。気を付けてね」 口の中に残っていたクッキーを飲み込むと、少女はコクリと頷いた。 一方的に話を進める美女に、有月はどうにか言葉を選んで口を開いた。消えてしまった少女のことは気になるが、美女の様子を見るに特に問題の無いように思えた。 「............もう一度聞きますけど、あなたはいったい誰なんですか?」 「そうね............ま、『今』は謎の美女様だと思ってくれてれば良いわ。逆に聞くけど、現代の『勇者様』がこんな寒々しく辺鄙な場所に何の用?」 「ぼ、僕たちはこの場所に封印されている伝説の槍を求めて来ました」 「............ああ、あれか。そうよね、勇者がこの場所に来たら普通は『アレ』が目的よね。すっかり忘れてたわ」 美女は非常に気まずそうに、勇者から視線を逸らして『ソレ』を横目に見る。有月達は美女の視線を追い、ついに彼らが求めていた『ソレ』に視点が到達した。 ちょうど半ばからまっぷたつに折れている、銀色の槍に。 「................................................折れてません?」 このやり取りは少し前にもしたな、と美女は思った。 「........................................................................嘘です」 凍り付いた空気を破ったのは呆然とした王女の言葉。その呟きを発端に、溢れるような激情が発せられた。 「嘘です嘘です嘘です嘘です! そんなはずはありません! この場には魔神を封印した槍があるはずです! あったはずなんです!!!」 「槍は今もあるわよ? 折れてるから、ちょっと丈夫なただの槍になっちゃってるけど」 叫ぶ王女を宥めようと美女が声を掛けるが、それに畳みかけるようにフィリアスが絶叫する。 「ふざけないでください! この場所は王家に伝わる魔術がなければ入ることは出来ません! それ以前に、よしんばこの場所にたどり着いても槍を守護する存在がいたはずです! 更に言えば、魔神を封印していた槍をそう簡単に破壊できるはずがない!」 「フ、フィーッ、ちょっと落ち着いて!」 美咲が慌ててフィリアスの肩に手を置くが、それでも収まる様子は無い。 こんなフィリアスを、勇者達はおろか近衛達も初めて目の当たりにした。普段の彼女はどんな時にも優雅で冷静を保ち、取り乱すことなど皆無であった。有月も彩菜もろくな反応も出来ず、美咲も同然に驚きを隠せなかった。 「あり得ない。こんなのあり得ないッ! こんなこと、今まで一度もなかった! こんなの「見たことがない」!!!!!」 最後の一際大きな叫びに、美女が「ふっ」と口の端を吊り上げた。 「『見たことがない』ね。なるほどなるほど。そう言うことか」 「何が可笑しいっ!」 「随分と面白い『魔力』を持っているとは感じられたけど、中々思い出せなくてね。今のあなたの言葉でようやく合点がいったわ」 それまでの緩やかな微笑みが消えると、見る者の心を鷲掴みにするような妖艶な笑みが浮かび上がった。 美女はゆったりとした動作で立ち上がると、ふわりとその場から浮かび上がった。彼女の足先が地上から離れたのを皮切りにしたように、凄まじいほどの冷気が場に溢れだした。共に発せられたのは、殺意こそ無いが膨大な圧倒感。 ようやく有月達は思い至る。 「............この冷気と圧迫感。槍が破壊されているところを見るに、あなたが封印されていた魔神『セラファイド』のようですね」 臨戦態勢をとる面々を見下ろしながら、宙に浮いた美女は口調のみは穏やかに言った。 「安心しなさい。封印された恨み辛みを吐くつもりはない。あの頃の私はちょっとやんちゃが過ぎてたから。自業自得だと受け止めているわ。それに恨みの対象はほとんど死んでるしね」 美女ーーセラファイドは自らが三百年前にユルフィリアを襲った魔神であると認めた。 「あなた達とやり合うつもりも無いわ。『あの子』のお願いがあれば話は別だけど」 「............魔神であるあなたが、僕らを見逃すのか?」 「別に、互いに害があった訳じゃないでしょ? それに、『魔神』って称号は私自らが名乗ったんじゃなくて、当時の人間が勝手に呼んで定着しただけよ」 有月は普段のヘタレ具合からは想像もつかないほどの真剣な眼差しでセラファイドを射抜くが、受けている者はどこ吹く風である。 「せっかく、こんな山の奥まで来てもらったんだし、手ぶらで帰しちゃうのも悪いかしらね」 クスリと、美女が笑う。 「ちょっとだけ『体験』はしてもらおうかしらね」 「身近」に聞こえた声に、有月はギョッとした。瞬きすらしなかったのに。『 』で向上した超身体能力すら自在に操ってみせる反射能力、動体視力を持ちながらも、セラファイドの接近に反応すら出来なかった。 「あなたが本来なら手にしていただろう力の一端。けれども、魔槍という『安全装置』が無い状態の、私の『力』を」 やんわりと。慈しむように。 有月の頬に。 「『あの子』が耐えきった『理』をね」 セラファイドの指先が。 触れた。 「アギッーーーーァァアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアっっ!!!」 流れ込むのは『波』としか形容のしようがない莫大な『何か』。 有月は心の奥底からの激痛に襲われた。まるで、極度の冷気を肌に感じると逆に熱を感じるかのような、強烈な痛みだ。否、これを痛みと称するのすら生ぬるい。 刹那の間、されど有月にとっては悠久とも取れる時間を置き、セラファイドは有月から手を離す。絶叫を残した彼は体を支配していた激痛から解放され、その痛みの余りに意識を手放しその場に倒れ込んだ。 「............一割どころかその千分の一にも満たない『理』の流入でもこうなるか。やっぱり『あの子』の『魂の強さ』は尋常じゃないって改めて理解できるわねーーーーって、危ないっ」 爆裂音に一瞬だけ遅れ、凄まじい速度で放たれた蹴り。岩盤すら楽に粉砕するであろう美咲の跳び蹴りを、セラファイドは間一髪で避ける。その表情に焦りは無いが、驚くには驚いていた。それよりも驚いていたのは蹴りを避けられた美咲本人だ。ほぼ全力に近い速度からあの至近距離で避けられるとは思いもしなかったのだ。 「本当よ。いやいや、速いわねーーーーとぉッ」 次いで起こる硬質な反射音。宙に逃れたセラファイドの心臓部めがけて、彩菜が躊躇い無く弾丸を発射したのだ。火薬の爆発によって推進力を獲得、更に銃口先端に発生した術式を貫通し、さらなる加速力を見せる弾丸は、一センチの鋼鉄板すら貫通する破壊力を秘めていた。けれども、セラファイドの正面に瞬時に生まれた『氷の壁』によって防がれる。厚み一センチにも届かない薄さでありながら、罅はおろか傷一つもつかない事実に彩菜は驚愕した。 「ちょっとちょっと、仲間が心配なのは分かるけどちょっと暴力的すぎない?」 「ふざけんなッ! 一体有月に何をしたッ」 「答えの次第ではただじゃすみませんよ」 美咲は両足から爆炎を発し、彩菜は銃口に巨大な術式方陣を展開する。 恋愛感情は『零』ではあったが、二人にとって有月は紛れもなく大切な友人だ。それを害されたとあっては怒りを禁じ得ない。 「大丈夫よ。ちょっと頭の中に入った『情報量』が多すぎて意識を失っただけよ。一時間もしない内に目を覚ますわ」 「............それを信じろと?」 「信じなくても良いけど、信じた方がいいと思うわよ。将来的には分からないけど、現時点でのあなた達の実力じゃ、今の私にーーーー傷を付けるのが精一杯でしょうから。『魔神』と呼ばれた事実は伊達じゃないのよ」 気負いもなく自然と口にされた事実に、美咲と彩菜は歯噛みする。セラファイドから発せられる威圧感は、格上の『それ』だ。ハッタリでないのは、今の連続の攻撃を難もなく防がれたことから明らか。有月が『超強化』を発動した上でなら、と頭の隅に考えるが。あの余裕を見るとそれすら込みでの発言だろう。 「お嬢さん。この場でやり合わない代わりに一つだけ、忠告しておくわ」 嘲笑とも愉悦とも取れる挑発的な感情を乗せて、セラファイドは言った。 「もう一度『見て』みなさい? 多分、面白いものが見えるわ」 「............ッ、あなたは一体どこまでッ」 「あなたの『同類』とは面識があってね。半分くらいは推測だったけど、今の台詞を肯定する所を見ると、間違いなさそうね」 クフリと、セラファイドが笑う。 「私はあなたの『見た』ものが何なのかは知らない。けど『あの子』が動いている時点で既に色々と壊れているでしょうね。それを見て慌てふためくあなたの様を愉快に想像するのを報酬として、私は退散するわ」 「待ちなさいッ」 「そう言われて待つ奴っているのかしらね?」 アーッハッハッハと高笑いを残し、魔神と恐れられた青髪の美女は溶けるように姿を消したのだった。 後に残されたのは、膨大な圧倒感から解放されてその場にへたり込んだ美咲と彩菜や近衛兵士。それと気絶した有月によりそうフィリアスだけだった。 「ーーーー壊れている? そんなはずはないわ。だってアレは............」 ーーーーちなみに、高笑いは彼女の演出である。段々と悪役組織の女幹部的な役回りが楽しくなってきたのだとは本人の談である。

--- Why? As the second princess of Yulfilia Kingdom, she is the owner of unparalleled beauty. A few days earlier, for the first time after being summoned to this world by the Yulfilia Kingdom, the [3 heroes] stepped out of the capital city. According to the heroes, this is their first otherworldly experience. The King ordered those under his direct command -the royal guards- to provide protection to the heroes, while also acting as supervisors for their expedition. Aside from being an insurance in the unlikely event of an emergency, they were also a.s.signed the role of escort for a certain personage. Magic beast encounter were non-existent during their travel towards the sacred mountain. It was thanks to the regular extermination conducted by adventurers and soldiers from the capital. The area surrounding the capital up to a day's travel were practically wiped clean. These facts were conveyed to the heroes and the party advanced without any particular problem. However, contrary to the peaceful moments of their travel, there was no moment of rest for the royal guards. It was largely due to the presence of the second princess in this trip. The area surrounding Sacred Mountain [Serafide] is special. Entering said territory would only be a suicide action without being accompanied by a special magic tool usable only by members of royal blood. Without the second princess tagging along on this trip, even entering the vicinity of Serafide Mountain is plainly impossible. Although the magic tool was the reason for her presence, the royal guards judged that her main reason was her sense of responsibility for summoning the heroes arbitrarily from other world. In their mind, she is a deeply benevolent and reputable princess. Fortunately, there was no conspicuously dangerous moments before arriving at the sacred mountain. After travelling by way of carriage for a day and a half, the party arrived at the foot of the sacred mountain before noon. The moment they set foot into the [domain] of sacred mountain, all of them felt inexplicable [coldness]. The freezing sensation dissipated after using the magic tool Princess Philias had brought and in its place, a pleasant warmth permeated throughout the body and mind, affecting all the expedition members. Naturally, the three heroes expressed their heartfelt grat.i.tude to the princess. The heroes who successfully entered the [domain] with the help of the princess experienced their first [actual battle] in this world. True to the royal guards' initial belief, the heroes were overwhelmed by the magic beast they encountered for the first time in their life. Not to mention, they were also hesitant to kill a living being, even if said creature is a harmful beast. No matter how much potential they hold as a hero, at the time, they are no different than a freshly recruited soldier. However, that impression was overturned during the second encounter onwards. The heroes seems to have found their resolve, eliminating their previously stiff movements. He aims at the wolves' vital points precisely using brilliant footwork. With his magnificent handling of the sword, Yuuzuki's blade is sharp enough to slice through muscle and bone effortlessly. Every member of the royal guards present were astonished by his proficiency. Perhaps, the only person equal to him from among the royal guards is the captain himself, who is currently away on a mission. And the most surprising person for the royal guards was Ayana. They thought of her as the weakest of the three and was not suitable for combat. [Fii, is this where the [Legendary Spear] located?] [If the legend is true, then yes. The magic spear once used by the hero from 300 years ago should be enshrined here to seal the monstrous devil.] Philias explains so while looking deep inside the cave. [A devil and a legendary spear huh...... Sounds similar to an RPG storyline isn't it.] Muttered Misaki indifferently. She was not particularly interested in games to begin with, hence the lack of excitement. [Cliches like these are otaku's romance. As for me, I'm very thrilled.] Next to her, Ayana added with a deadpan face. Behind that expressionless face, Misaki could see that her best friend is in a fairly excited state. [.........You are really enjoying this otherworld experience huh. Just look at your gun and my weapon.] [I'm properly drawing a line between reality and fiction. Though, I also think that finding amus.e.m.e.nt in any situation is the secret to enjoying life.] Another influence from a certain incompetent young man. In fact, that young man already found his [pleasure] in this world, in the form of food. [So Fii, our main goal this time is to obtain that legendary spear right?] (Misaki) [That is true and according to the legend, the spear will only submit and grant its power to those with qualification of a hero. As all of you have been summoned as a hero, obtaining the power of the spear would not be a problem.] Misaki and Ayana both concentrated on Yuuzuki. [Well, if its a spear then Yuuzuki-kun is an appropriate person for it. As you know, my physical ability is very low. As for Misaki-san--] [A spear doesn't suit my battle style. Besides, it doesn't matter if its a spear, a bow or a sword, Yuuzuki will be able to use it. ] [.........I wonder why I feel like a troublesome matter is being pushed over to me.] Hearing their words, the hetare Yuuzuki couldn't refute anymore. His ability is no doubt the highest among the three but his position is at the very bottom. [I also believe that leaving it to Yuuzuki-san would be the best choice. Huge amount of magic power will be required to unleash the full power of the magic spear. That being the case, Yuuzuki-san who has the highest amount of mana should be able to achieve it.] [Thanks Fii. I'll do my best!] [Nevertheless, please exercise caution. To deter any intruders trying to enter the inner sanctum, a [guardian] awaits as the last obstacle. Unless it is defeated, you will not be able to claim the magic spear as your own.] [Boss-type enemy makes an appearance huh. How strong is it compared to the magic beasts we took down so far? Though we were able to defeat the small fries up till now, its a common story for the boss to be a lot stronger.] Princess Philias answered Misaki's tension-free question. [The legend states that one with hero's power will definitely subdue it.] [.........no no no, I'm asking for a more concrete comparison, not a [if there's a will there's a way] kind of answer.] Towards the statement the princess said full off confidence, Misaki put in a tsukkomi. However, Filias only tilted her head in response. One can almost see the question mark on top of her head. Misaki can't help but to hold her head after seeing that reaction. [What wrong you two? Fii already said it'll be fine, right? So its gonna be fine! After all, we are all summoned as he--] ---gon! [That hurts! Can you not hit me without warning when I'm still talking? Misaki-san's tekkou hurts a lot, you know.] [.........I finally understand Kanna's hards.h.i.+p.] Ignoring a teary-eyed Yuuzuki, Misaki thought about Kanna and was really impressed with how he dealt with Yuuzuki's antics on a day-to-day basis. [As long as the [guardian] continues to guard the [legendary spear], we won't be able to measure its ability. I think its better if we consider a temporary withdrawal.] [However, its not like we can always run away each time we encounter a stronger enemy. For our future growth, I think it is also necessary to undergo a somewhat unreasonable situation. Let's challenge it head-on first. We will withdraw if there is nothing we can do. Fortunately, there is a village at the foot of this mountain. From there, we can reorganize and plan our next offensive in a relatively safety environment.] Ayana calmly voice out her opinion while silencing Yuuzuki by placing the muzzle of her gun in front of his face. At the foot of the sacred mountain on the opposite direction from Yulfilia Kingdom, there exist a small village. The distance between the village and this cave doesn't seem to be too far. Therefore, choosing it as a rendezvous point is appropriate. [Fii-san, I'll ask this just in case. Is there a trap set up at the guardian's room that will prevent us from retreating? Anything related to it in the legend? If there is, just like I said earlier, I'd like to relocate first to the village in order to recover our strength. I want all of us to be in perfect condition before facing the guardian.] [As far as I'm aware of.........there is none.] [Is that so. Then, when we arrive near the room of the guardian, please check again for the presence of a magical trap. I have no doubt about what the legend says but it doesn't hurt to be extra cautious.] [.........I understand.] Unlike the outside, there was no wind inside the cave, so its a bit less colder than the outside. But that was only because of Philias' special magic tool. Without it, in less than a few minutes, their body and mind would have been frozen, in the truest sense of the word. It doesn't matter how big the fire they burn up, or how much they can warm up by dressing in winter gear, they will simply die without the magic tool. --An incompetent young man and a silver-haired half-elf managed to endure it though. The former mainly by guts and the latter just endured it normally as one would against cold weather, of course with some help from magic. Needless to say, both of them are exception among exceptions. With dusk steadily approaching, sunlight was also steadily receding from the cave entrance. The party carefully move forward by using a light emitting lantern-type magic tool. No magic beast appeared but they still maintain a moderate state of alertness. After a while advancing through a straight path, a bright s.p.a.ce was seen in the distance. Right before stepping into the bright s.p.a.ce, Ayana called out to Philias. [Fii-san, any sign of magical traps?] [.........No, I don't see anything in particular.] [Is that so. Well then, I will place some extra precaution, just in case.] Ayana took out a fist-sized rectangular object from her slightly large waist pouch. Its' surface is engraved with a logo that looks like English. [............ne Ayansan. That looks awfully similar to a C4 from earth, doesn't it?] [Its not a C4 but its definitely a bomb I made using alchemy.] [Wh-a bomb? Eh, you made that?] [The theory behind the alchemy gun is simple. I merely amplify the bullet fired through use of gunpowder with a magical formation. Isn't it natural that I'm able to make a bomb too?] [Even if you say that... ...didn't you consider the Sword and Gun Law?!] [Yuuzuki-kun is also carrying an extraordinarily sharp sword. What are you even saying at this point.] [ah, um That's true.] [Ayansan, what is the bomb for?] (Fii) [Even if there is no magical trap, same can't be said for physical ones. In the unlikely event that the entrance got blocked by physical means, I'll blow it all way to secure our escape route. Well, I didn't exactly prepare this for this kind of situation.] Even while answering Fii's question, Ayana briskly set up three bombs. Ayana is highly dexterous despite her athletic ability being the lowest. Otherwise, she couldn't have created her own gun and Misaki's equipment by herself, even if she was blessed with the [Origin] attribute. As Ayana continued setting up more bombs, Misaki spoke to Yuuzuki, who was swinging his sword to suppress his impatience. [Yuuzuki, start preparing for [Overdrive].] [The battle hasn't started yet though?] [This is not a mock battle but an actual combat. The enemy won't wait obediently for you to finish preparing, you know. Up till now, you never ended your mock battles with the first blow right.] Yuuzuki's [Overdrive] is a spell that multiplies his physical abilities several times its original with no side effect to his body afterwards but... [But that's cowardly.........] [You a moron? I won't help you if you want to die while fighting fair and square, you know. To begin with, we don't even know the strength of this [guardian]. How are we supposed to win if we don't use everything we have from the start. ...At the very least, that's what Kanna would say, if he was here.] [Kan-chan.........that's true.] Hearing the name of his childhood friend whom he can't argue against, Yuuzuki who's no longer hesitating, nodded in a.s.sent. As instructed by Misaki, Yuuzuki began to circulate his mana to evoke the spell of light attribute magic [Overdrive.] Incidentally, during their conversation, the princess and her royal guards did not utter a single word at all. They were surprised by the lack of weakness nor any gap in conversation shown by the female heroes which also borders on the realm of fear. Despite being so young with actual battle experience less than ten times altogether, the female heroes are calm and collected. A normal person would have been nervous in this situation. By the time Ayana completed her task, Yuuzuki was only one step away from evoking his [Overdrive]. He can't maintain the condition for long periods of time, only for about five minutes. [Once Overdrive is activated, I'll be able to keep up with Misaki-san. Ayansan should fire only after we land our first blow.] [Got it. I leave it to both of you.] [Counting on you to guard my back Ayana.] [Please leave it to me] [Okay, let's go.] With all the preliminary arrangement ready, all the heroes have to do now is to defeat the guardian with all their might. Nodding their heads together as a signal, the heroes step forth into the bright open s.p.a.ce. The situation overwhelmed not only the heroes but also the princess and her royal guards. [Would all of you partake as well? Though it is a tad cold and crispy.] The beautiful woman dressed in kimono offered cookies to her dear visitors, but none of them had the right mind to just accept her offer. [etto...............Who might you be?] Surprisingly, the first to recover was Yuuzuki. It was really surprising to see Yuuzuki recover first. It had to said twice, because its important. (That is not an answer!) In that moment, all the visitors became united in their response. [.........Ara? Surprisingly, there is a familiar presence.] The calm and collected bijo eyed her visitors and furrowed a bit when she saw Yuuzuki. Despite detecting no hostility nor murderous intent, Yuuzuki was inundated by a bone-freezing cold sensation from her glare alone. [Hmm.........I see. I wonder if that boy over there is the [present generation] hero?] Hearing her words, it was not Yuuzuki who gasped but the princess behind him. The fact that they performed a hero summoning is a state secret. It was not known even to their citizens, let alone someone from outside the kingdom. The secret was only shared between selected members in the upper caste of the castle. Somehow, the fact was known to this blue-haired beauty, making the princess wary of her. [First the [unwanted child] came by, and now the [beloved child] suddenly appeared ne~. But even after witnessing my visage, you did not attack me. It seems that the memory from the previous hero was not inherited. Ara, if I take a closer look, those two girls there are also rather familiar. They do not appear to have inherited any memories of me as well.] After pondering something for a while, the beauty addressed the little girl by his side. [I'm sorry dear but would you mind stepping out for a bit? In the unlikely event of something scary happening, you see.] [un Got it, take care.] Swallowing the cookie left in her mouth, the little girl nodded and said so. And then, as if she was an illusion, she began dispersing like a mist. Yuuzuki managed to reorganize his words and started afresh with the beauty who unilaterally advanced their conversation earlier. He was worried about the girl who suddenly disappeared but seeing the lack of reaction from the beauty, it seems that there was no particular problem with it. [.........I'll ask once more, who are you?] [Let's see.........Well, I do think that [for now], a mysterious bijo-sama will suffice, no? Conversely, what purpose brings you, the current [yuushsama] to such a remote and dreary location?] [W-we've come looking for the legendary spear that was sealed inside this cave.] [.........ah, That one. That is true, is it not. Usually, when a hero comes to this place, [that] is their purpose. I have completely overlooked that part.] While being unusually awkward, the beauty took a sidelong glance at [that]. The whole visitor party followed her line of sight and eventually [that] came into their view. A silver-colored spear. [...............Is it broken?] (hetare) The beauty recalled she had the same exchange just a few days ago. [........................It can't be true.] It was the words of the dumbfounded princess who broke the frozen mood. Starting from that muttering, her pent up emotion gushed forth. [Its a lie Its a lie Its a lie Its a lie! That can't be true! There must be a magic spear that sealed an devil in this place! It should have been here! ! !] (craz-fii) [The spear is there, is it not? Although it was broken in half, it is still usable as a slightly st.u.r.dier common spear, no?] The beauty tried to pacify the shrieking princess, but she snaps back while pressing for answer from the blue-haired woman. [Please stop joking around! To begin with, this place cannot be entered without magic tool handed down in the royal family! And even if one managed to reach this s.p.a.ce, there was supposed to be a guardian protecting the spear! Furthermore, a magic spear capable of sealing a powerful devil was not supposed to be that susceptible to breakdown! !] (hyster-Fii) [F-Fii, calm down a bit!] This time, Misaki puts her hand on the shoulder of the agitated princess to calm her down. But it didn't work out as intended. Seeing the princess behaving like that was a first to the royal guards, let alone the heroes. She was the epitome of gracefulness and calm demeanor, not known to be distraught by anything. [Impossible. This is not possible! This has never happened before! ! I've never seen anything like this! ! ! ! !] Hearing her loudest yet outcry, the beautiful woman smirked with the edge of her lips slightly lifted. [[Never seen anything like it] ne~. Indeed. That would explain a lot.] [What's so funny! !] [Since I am visited by a couple of people bearing some very interesting [mana reaction], I couldn't help but to reminisce, you see. I was merely in agreement with your last outburst.] The gentle smile she had up to that moment disappeared, only to be replaced with a bewitching smile capable of captivating any onlookers. Just as her toes left the ground, a tremendous amount of cold air descended upon the visitors. What they felt was not murderous in nature, but instead it was akin to an overwhelmingly vast presence pressuring down on them. Finally, the visitors came to a realization. The self-proclaimed bijo-sama is not a member of the humankind. [.........This cold and oppressive feeling. The spear in a broken state. From that pieces of information, I surmise that you are the once sealed Devil [Serafide], aren't you?] (Fii) Towards the battle-ready crowd in front of her, the floating beauty calmly said. [Rest a.s.sured. I hold no lingering resentment from being sealed. And I profess that I was once a tad too mischievous. Being sealed was just reaping what I sowed, I have come to terms with that fact. Besides, the ones I hold a grudge with, almost all of them are dead by now.] The beautiful woman -Serafide- admitted that she was the devil that ravaged Yulfilia 300 years ago. [I have no intention to contend with any of you. Though, it would be a different matter entirely if [that child] were to request anything from me.] (bijo ba-) [............You, the devil is letting us leave?] (hetare) [It is not like we have done any harm towards each other, did we not? Besides, the t.i.tle [Devil] is not, in any way related to me, you see. Humankind from 300 years ago selfishly attached that t.i.tle to my name.] Yuuzuki shoots a glare towards Serafide, a far cry from his usual hetare att.i.tude but the person in question just brushed it off like a simple winter breeze. [After especially climbing the mountain to reach this cave with great difficulty, it would be a shame to return empty handed, is it not] The beauty sneered. [Allow me present you with a little gift of [experience].] Yuuzuki was utterly shocked hearing her voice right next to him. Even with his reflex and kinetic vision strengthened by his spell [Overdrive], Yuuzuki couldn't even react to Serafide's approach. [If only your original power is even a fraction of your current. However, my [power] is in a state without the magic spear acting as my so called [safety device].] Tenderly. On his cheek. [[That child] was able to withstand [my existence].] Serafide's fingertips. Touched. [Agh-gUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! ! !] [Something] which could only be described as an enormous [wave] gushed forth from that contact. Imagine your skin being exposed to extreme cold. Intense pain resulting from it would be as if you were feeling the opposite, a searing hot sensation. However, compared to what Yuuzuki felt, even that kind of pain was lukewarm. After a briefest fraction of an instant, or what felt like an eternity for Yuuzuki, Serafide withdrew her hand. When he was released from the pain that made him scream uncontrollably, Yuuzuki parted from his consciousness and fell down on the spot. [.........Far for 10 percent, even an influx less than a thousandth from [my existence] resulted in this. I am once again convinced of the abnormally high [mental strength] of [that child]--tte That was dangerous.] Instead of being fl.u.s.tered, it was more surprising that she was surprised by Misaki's sudden attack. Even further surprised than Serafide was the flying girl herself, who couldn't believe her eyes. She didn't even think someone could evade her full-powered, close-to-max-speed kick, let alone evading at the very last instant. [But its true. iya That was certainly fast--to --] However, that destructive force was blocked by an [ice wall] conjured up by Serafide in but an instant. Ayana was astonished by the fact that not only the ice wall did not even reach 1cm in thickness but also the fact that, there was not a single scratch on it after deflecting her shot. [Do calm yourself down. While I'm sure you're worried for your friend, is this not a tad too violent?] [Stop bulls.h.i.+tting me! What on earth did you do to Yuuzuki?!] [Depending on your answer, just an apology won't be enough.] Large bursts of fire erupted from Misaki's feet, while Ayana deployed a far bigger spell on her gun. Although any feeling related to [love] was [nonexistent], it can't denied that Yuuzuki is an important friend to both of them. Its not possible to suppress their anger after seeing what happened to him. [It is all right. He only pa.s.sed out because there was too much [information] crammed inside his head during that brief instant. He should be awake after less than an hour.] (bijo bab-) [.........Can we trust your word?] (Misaki) [You do not have to force yourself to but you really ought to believe me. I know not regarding your future self, but with your prowess at this moment, even with your utmost effort, a scratch on me will be your best result. I was not called the [Devil] for no reason, I'll have you know.] Misaki and Ayana grind their teeth hearing those words spoken casually without any shred of fighting spirit behind it. Moreover, the feeling of oppression coming from Serafide was of the highest grade known to them. It was clear she was not bluffing around, judging by her capacity to handle both of their consecutive attacks with ease. [Young lady, instead of having a confrontation today, I'm offering you an advice.] With a provocative tone laced with scorn and pleasure, Serafide said... [Why don't you [have a look] once more? Perhaps something of interest might draw your attention.] [............Just how much do you know.] [I have met one with a [similar bearing] as yours before. Half of it was but a conjecture but after hearing your words, I am fairly certain of it.] Serafide laughs. [I know not of what you have [seen]. But I am certain that it was already beginning to collapse in various places when [that child] began to move. I'll be enjoying myself while imagining you being fl.u.s.tered over your plight. And with that as my recompense, I'll be taking my leave.] [Stop right there.] (Fii) [I do wonder if there is someone who would actually comply with those words.] Leaving behind echoes of her laugh, the feared Devil, a blue-haired beauty dissolved into the air. The visitors who were left behind were finally released from the pressure crus.h.i.+ng down upon them. With Yuuzuki still propped in her arms, Philias... [.........Its broken? That can't possibly be true. After all, that is.........] --Incidentally, the laughter was in accordance to Serafide's role-play. It was a story about the person herself gradually getting immersed playing the role of female officer in an evil organization.

お会計を済ませると、店員さんがツノウサギからはぎ取った頭部の角を渡してくれた。 魔獣の素材を持ち込んだ場合、道具の素材になるような部位は無償で冒険者に回してくれる仕組みになっているそうだ。魔獣の解体は冒険者ギルドの専門窓口でやってくれるがあちらは有料。食用に適した魔獣に限るなら、こちらに引き取ってもらった方がいいかな。美味しく調理してもらえるし、素材も確保できる。 次回以降も食材の持ち込みを頼みそうになることを店員さんに伝えると、店員さんは笑顔で答えてくれた、たとえ営業スマイルであろうとも、女の子の笑顔は世界の宝だ。 現在時刻は地球換算で午後の三時くらいか。随分と遅めの昼食になってしまったが、晩飯の時間を遅くすれば問題ないか。 食堂を後にした俺は宿屋に戻る前に一度冒険者ギルドに向かうことにした。今日の内に職員さんにEランクで食用に適した魔獣素材の情報を教えてもらうため。珍しい種類の依頼があれば今日の内に受注処理を行い、明日に狩りを行うつもりだ。精算処理の期日さえ守れば、別に依頼を受注したその日に完遂しなければいけない義務はない。上のランクになると一週間を越える長丁場の依頼もあるからだ。 何か良い依頼はあるだろうか。もう一度ツノウサギの狩猟でも良いな。ステーキは食べたし、次はシチューにして貰おう。明日の朝一番に森で狩って食堂に持ち込み、晩飯に楽しむのもありか。だったらクロエも誘って二人で食うのも悪くないな。 そんな捕らぬ狸の皮取り算ならぬ、ツノウサギ肉算をしながらギルドに足を向けると。 「いい加減にするでござるよ!」 入り口付近のホールで大声で言い争っているのが聞こえた。誰の声かは一発でわかりましたけれども。ござるの部分で。 そこには巨乳狼耳黒髪ござるさんのクロエと、それと対峙する形で三人の男たちが睨み合っていた。や、鋭い視線なのはクロエだけだ。男たちの方は、一人の若者が他の二人を背後に控えさせる形だ。その整った顔に張り付いているのは癪に障るにやけ面。身なりはよろしく、装飾の凝った動きやすそうな鎧と、これまた煌びやかな鞘と柄を持った二本の剣を腰の両脇に装備している。 「そうかい? 少なくともお互いに実のある話だと思うが」 「自らの仕えるべき『主』は拙者自身が決めるでござる!」 「だから、その主になってやると言っているのだ」 「一昨日きやがれッ、でござる!」 「おうクロエ、おまえさんも依頼が終わったのか?」 「わふッ? あ、カンナ氏! お疲れさまでござる!」 剣呑な表情から一転し、クロエはパッと笑顔を向けてきた。 「お疲れさま。で、なんか揉めてるっぽいけど............」 「あ、その............なんというか」 困り気味のクロエがどうしたものかと説明する前に、にやけ面の男が言葉をかぶせてきた。 「なんだ貴様は。人の会話に割り込むとはマナー違反ではないか?」 「や、こいつは俺のツレなんで。言い争いをしてたから何事かと」 「ふんッ、貴様には関係のない話だ」 上から目線だな。ってかツレって言ってんだから関係ない訳ないだろうよ。 「クロエ、説明」 「あ、了解でござる」 誰かが喚いているが耳の右から左へスルーする。 話は俺と別れた直後にまで遡る。 クロエが昨日の内に受けていた依頼はとある人物の護衛だ。 今朝に俺と別れた後、ギルド内の集合場所に向かうと、依頼主の男がそこで待っていた。護衛として雇われたのはクロエの他にも二人。ただこちらは依頼主と顔見知りのようだった。 「もしかしなくても」 「そこの失礼な男でござるよ」 ビシっと指差されたのは、三人組の先頭に立つ若者だ。迷い躊躇い一切無く『失礼』と称されて、男の顔が見事にひきつった。 はて、どっかで見たことがあるような? ま、それは置いておくか。 護衛を引き連れてこんな場所になんの用だろう?との疑問を抱きつつも、仕事なのでクロエは素直に依頼主に従って奥へと進んでいく。その際に、妙に馴れ馴れしく男に声を掛けられ、どうにも辟易していたとのこと。クロエさん、本人を前に本当にズバズバ言うね。あ、男のひきつり具合が更に増す。 岩場に入ってからしばらくすると、岩の影から一匹の魔獣が姿を現した。その岩場で多く生息する『イワトサカトカゲ』だ。名の通り、頭部に岩のようなごつごつしたトサカを持った体長一メートル程の蜥蜴だ。この世界の魔獣は見た目そのままの名前が多いな。ちなみに食べられるらしい。 そこからは同じパターンが起こる。イワトサカトカゲが現れる度に、妙に気取った動きで討伐し、護衛に死体を袋に詰めさせた。また、Eランクよりも上位の魔獣が現れると今度こそ護衛の出番のようで、他の護衛と共に魔獣を倒した。この岩場は奥深くに入らなければ、最高でも適正レベルDの魔獣が主だ。特に難もなく討伐できた。 依頼主がイワトサカトカゲを合計四匹狩った時点で今回の狩猟は終了。誰も怪我をする事もなく無事にギルドに戻ってきた。 「護衛の依頼は、Cランクからでござる。それ未満ですと実力不足の場合が多くて許可が下りないのでござる」 ちなみに、イワトサカトカゲ狩猟の報酬は銀貨二枚。比べて護衛の依頼に支払われる金額は金貨一枚と銀貨二枚ほど。しかも、それが三人。 もちろん、比べるまでもなくーーーー。 「確実に赤字じゃねぇか!」 「馬鹿じゃねぇのッ!?」 「馬鹿でござるな」 思わず絶叫してしまった俺を許して欲しい。視界の端に顔を赤してプルプル震えている『馬鹿』がいたが、それどころではない。 あるいは同ランクの冒険者と共に依頼をこなすという手段もある。報酬は山分けになるが、これが一番正しい選択のはず。間違っても、格上の護衛を雇ってまで行う依頼ではないはずだ。 「しかも、馬鹿はこれで終わらなかったのでござるよ」 悲しげに呟く。そうだ、この終わり方だけではクロエが憤慨していた理由にならない。話は依頼の精算時点にまで戻る。 「この男は、拙者に護衛の話を持ちかけてきたのでござるよ。そこまでならまぁ話は分かるでござるよ。相手がどうあれ、報酬は良かったでござるからな」 Eランクの依頼をこなす最中の護衛。心情的には馬鹿極まりない内容だったが、逆を言えば仕事内容に対する対価は破格だ。本来であるならそんな生ぬるい環境はクロエとしては宜しくない。未熟なクロエにとって冒険者の依頼は仕事であると同時に自らを鍛えるための手段でもあったのだ。だが今は俺に借金がある立場。優先事項の序列は言うまでもない。 「別に利子も付けねぇし期限も無いから気軽に返してくれればいいのに」 「そのご厚意に甘えている身としては、一刻も早く借金を返済せねばこちらとしては心苦しいのでござる」 「この男はあろう事か、借金を肩代わりする代わりに配下に下れと抜かしたのでござるよ。黒狼の者にとって主君と配下の関係は親子の血縁よりも遙かに尊いものでござる。どれほどに首が回らない状況であっても、借金の糧に結ぶモノでは無いのでござる」 ただこれはヒノイズルの人間にとっては一般常識であるが、他国のモノにとってはそうではない。冒険者としてそこそこの経験を積んできたクロエにもそのぐらいの判別はできる。内心の苛立ちを押さえ込み、クロエは自らの種族にまつわる主従への考え方を彼に教えた。 「「黒狼の掟は承知している。なればこそ、私のような高貴な者に仕えた方がアナタの為になると思うのだが?」と。この阿呆な馬鹿男は拙者が黒狼の者であると知ったうえで言ったのでござるよ」 「おい」やら「貴様っ」やら他にも文句はあったが、クロエの説明の方が重要だったので完全に聞き流していた。 「聞こえていたのかッ。たかが平民風情が貴族である私の言葉を無視などーーーー」途中で耳をシャットアウト。 「で、クロエはどうするんだ?」 「無論、この馬鹿で阿呆で恥知らずの配下になるつもりは毛頭ないでござる。一昨年きやがれ、でござる」 言い回しがグレードアップしたな。それぐらいに嫌という意味だろう。 「だってよ。脈なしだぜ、高貴な貴族様?」 「この............人を馬鹿にしおって............ッ!」 怒り心頭過ぎて言葉がでないとばかりだ。 「大体、先ほどからなんなのだ貴様は! これは私とそこの女との話で部外者の貴様には関係ないだろうが!」 「だから、俺はこいつの関係者だっつの。人の話聞いてた? ちゃんと耳掃除してるか? 詰まってるんじゃね?」 「黙れッ! そもそも、貴族である私からの命令に拒否する権利など、平民の身分で持ち得る筈が無かろうが! 人が下手に出ていれば調子に乗りおって!」 「............との事ですがクロエさん」 「先代からきやがれ! でござるな」 ますますグレードアップしてるな。次あたり前世とか言い出しそう。 「というか、下手に出た瞬間が何時あったのか教えて欲しいでござる」 「あ、よせよクロエ。多分、『下手』って意味が分からない可哀想な人なんだから。とことんに甘やかされて甘やかされたお坊ちゃまなんだから。多分、叱られた事なんて皆無だろうさ」 「なるほど。いい歳して両親のことを『ぱぱ』やら『まま』やらと呼んでいそうでござるな。これは失礼した」 「ほれお坊ちゃま。そろそろオネムの時間ですよ? 家に帰らないと『ぱぱ』と『まま』が心配するぜ?」 「保護者同伴でなければEランクの依頼もこなせないような御仁でござるからな。両親は今頃、我が子の事が心配で食事も喉が通らないほどでござろう。早くかえって差し上げた方がいいでござるよ」 「あ、どうしたお坊ちゃま。顔を伏せて肩を振るわせて。 怒 イェーイと、クロエさんとハイタッチ。 ブチリと、切れちゃいけない物が切れる音が。 貴族の男はもはや叫び声すら上げずただ無言に、恥辱に赤黒くさせた顔を上げると、腰の得物をつかんで踏み込んできた。切り捨て御免ってか? ーーーーゴンッ! 綺麗に転倒した男の体は一瞬宙に浮くと、後頭部から地面に激突し、鈍い悲鳴を上げて動かなくなった。 あれ? このパターンは昨日もなかったか? 整った顔立ちに煌びやかな装飾鎧。ついでに腰にある二本の剣。そして覚えのある気配を統合して。 「ああ、昨日に試験場ですっころんで忘れ去られてた残念貴族だ」 そしてまたも気絶している男の顔を覗き込んで、俺はようやく思い出した。 「............そう言えばそんな輩もいたでござるな。昨日に続けて今日も気絶するとは、運が悪いのかそそっかしいのか」 はて、なんか妙に周りが静かだな。 周囲を見ると、どうしてかその場にいた殆どの者の視線がこちらに集まって口を閉ざしている。や、あれだけ大声で騒いでりゃぁ注目も集めるか。騒いでいたのは大の字で倒れて白目を向いている貴族の男だけだったが。 「おいおい、ヤバくねこれ。ちょっと調子に乗って煽りすぎたわ」 「こ、こちらこそ申し分けないでござるよカンナ氏。余りにも恥知らずな輩だった故か少々度が過ぎたようでござる」 ついつい、いつもと同じノリで挑発していたが、ここは異世界だ。あちらの世界の常識が通用しない。ここでの常識は『貴族』という存在が密接に絡んでいる。普通に考えて、一般市民が真正面から貴族に逆らうのはヤバいだろうよ。 護衛の片割れは気絶した主を必死で起こそうとその傍らにしゃがんでいるが、もう片一方からは殺気だった気配が臭いだしている。待ってほしい。あんたらの主が転んだのは俺達のせいじゃないぞ。ほら、昨日と同じで精霊術で凍らせた床は元に戻してるし。 「なぁクロエ。貴族に逆らうとやっぱり牢屋に入れられるとかあるのか?」 「ヒノイズルではあからさまな実害さえなければお咎めはないでござる。ただ、目に余る侮辱は処罰の対象になるでござるが」 「............手は出してないが、目に余る侮辱はしてたような気がしなくもないな」 「............土下座で済むでござろうか」 「ど、どどどどどどうするでござるかカンナ氏ッ」 クロエの顔が真っ青になる。 「逃げてどうするでござるかッ! 拙者達がこの輩を煽りまくった場面はこの場にいる全ての者が目撃しているのでござるぞッ。このままだと冒険者ギルドの出禁! 最悪は国外追放でござるよ!?」 「ああ。だったら一言レアルに断っておかないとな。ヤバいな、連絡先を聞いて無かったのは失敗だ」 「何故にそこまで冷静でござるか! 拙者の借金はどうするでござるかッ。まだ一銭たりとも返済できてないでござるぞ! なのに冒険者ギルドの出禁などされてはどうやって金を稼げばいいのでござるかッ!」 「利子は付けねぇから気軽にいこうぜ。それに、冒険者ギルドはここだけじゃないんだ。国を一つか二つ跨げばここらの沙汰も届かないだろうよ」 「もうすでに国外逃亡が視野に!?」 冷静なのは、同じような場面に何度か遭遇しているので慣れているだけだ。店やゲーセンの出禁扱いは経験あるが、国外追放は初めてだ。 「なかなかに愉快な状況になってるねぇ小僧」 修羅場に突入しそうな場面に割って入ってきたのは、愉快とばかりに響いたそんな声だった。 「途中から見させて貰ったが、随分とまぁ煽ったねぇ」 笑って姿を現したのは、昨日に水晶のある部屋で会った竜人の老婆だった。

After paying for the meal, the waitress gave me the horn from the rabbit. When bringing in magic beast as ingredients, it seems that any body parts that can be processed as materials are returned free of charge. When I told the waitress I'll be bringing in more ingredients the next time I visit, she gave a smile in response. Even if it was just a customer service smile, a smile from a girl is a world cla.s.s treasure. Currently, it should be around 3 pm in the afternoon, earth time. I had a late lunch, but it should be fine if I postpone dinner for a little bit. I left the restaurant and decided to enter the adventurer's guild once more before returning to the inn. It was to obtain information on edible E-rank magic beast from the staff. If there is any unusual request, I'll deal with any formalities today and go for the hunt tomorrow. Let's see if there's any good request. If not, I can always hunt for more horn rabbits. Now that I've tasted steak, next should be stewed horn rabbit. Hunting it first thing in the morning then sending it to the restaurant, and finally enjoying it for dinner. If that's the case, inviting Chloe for dinner doesn't sound so bad. Counting chicken before they hatch, I head to the guild while thinking about the horn rabbit meat. [That is enough de gozaru yo!] I heard a loud voice from the entrance hallway. I knew who it was the instant I heard her. From that [de gozaru]. As for the men, a young man was holding the other two from behind. Irritation can be seen hidden behind his well featured face. Adorned with lavishly decorated armor that seems easy to move in and two swords with gorgeous handle and scabbard on both sides of his waist. [Is that so? At the very least, I think we both have mutual interest towards each other.] [The Lord this one would serve, this one alone should decide de gozaru!] [That's what I'm saying, I'll be your Lord.] [This one refuses de gozaru! Return to the day before yesterday de gozaru!] [ou Chloe, have you finished your request?] [wa fu? Oh, its Kanns.h.i.+! Good work today de gozaru!] A complete change from her threatening expression, she greeted me with a smile. [Thanks. Though, it looks like you were in a heated discussion......] [Th-that......How should this one explain......] Before the troubled Chloe could find the words to explain, one of the three men covered her words with his own. [Who the h.e.l.l are you? Don't you have any manner? Suddenly cutting into a conversation like that.] [Well, she is my companion. So I was wondering if she got into a dispute.] [This is none of your d.a.m.n business.] A condescending att.i.tude. Then again, no way this is none of my business after saying that she's my companion. [Chloe, explain.] [um, Understood de gozaru.] Someone was screaming at me but I'll just let it pa.s.s from my right ear to my left. The story goes back to right after we part way this morning. The request Chloe had received yesterday was to escort a certain person. After parting with me, she headed towards the meeting place where her client was waiting. In addition to Chloe, two more person was added as escort. However, these two person and the client are acquainted. [No need to guess huh.] [Its that rude person over there de gozaru yo.] She pointed at the leader of the trio. Being called a rude person without any hesitation at all, the person in question was twitching in the face. Hmm, have I seen this guy before? Oh well, lets just leave it aside for now. At that time, she was already fed up with the strangely over-familiar man. Chloe-san, you really don't hold back even though the person in question is directly in front of you. Look there, his twitching got worse. A short while after entering the rocky area, a magic beast appeared from the shadow of a boulder. It was a staple in the rocky area, the [rock-comb lizard]. Only when a higher rank magic beast appeared, the escorts, including Chloe properly do their job and defeated the magic beast together. In the rocky area, as long as you keep to the outskirts, the highest level magic beast was only at D rank. They were subjugated without any difficulty. The hunt ends when the client subjugated a total of four rock-comb lizard. No one was hurt and they returned to the guild safely. [The request for escorts starts from C rank de gozaru. There were many cases of adventurers lacking ability for lower ranks than that, which results in permission denied to post such request under C rank de gozaru.] Incidentally, the reward for hunting rock-comb lizard was 2 pieces of silver coins. In comparison, reward for the escort request was 1 gold coin and 2 silver coins. What's more, there are three of them. Of course, there was no need for comparison...... [Isn't this definitely in the red!] [Is he an idiot?!] [He is an idiot gozaru na.] Please forgive me for shouting. It was purely unintentional. Alternatively, you can party up with adventurers of same rank. The rewards are split, but this should be the most correct choice. Maybe I'm wrong but it was not supposed to be too hard a request which required higher ranked escort. [Furthermore, the idiocy didn't end there de gozaru yo.] She murmured in grief. Yep, that was not the only reason Chloe got angry. [This man approached this one with another request offer to become his escort gozaru yo. This one understands the situation so far de gozaru yo. The client aside, the reward was certainly agreeable de gozaru kara na.] Escort for E rank request huh. The content was moronic but for its work, the reward was exceptional. [I won't take any interest and there is no deadline, so just take your time to repay me.] [As one who is being spoiled by such kindness, if this one does not repay the debt even a day sooner, it will weigh heavily on this one's conscience de gozaru.] [This man here believes he can attain loyalty in exchange for shouldering this one's debt de gozaru yo. For the Black Wolf Clan, relations.h.i.+p between a Lord and va.s.sal is more valued than parent-child relations.h.i.+p de gozaru. No matter how deep in trouble oneself is, being tied to a Lord due to debt will never happen de gozaru!] Perhaps that sort of thinking would apply as common sense in Hinoizur but not in other countries. Chloe, having some experience as an adventurer was able to make such distinction. Holding back her irritation, Chloe taught the idiot about the concept of Lord-va.s.sal relations.h.i.+p of her clan. [I am aware of the Black Wolf custom. In fact, for that very reason, I think it would be better for you to serve a n.o.ble like me?] There were intermittent background noise such as [oi] and [b.a.s.t.a.r.d] but since listening to Chloe has priority, I just ignore them all. [Did you hear me? The likes of you plebeian dares to ignore a n.o.bleman like me--] [So, what will Chloe do now?] [This one does not harbor even the tiniest bit of desire to become a va.s.sal for this shameless idiotic fool of a man de gozaru. Return to the yesteryear de gozaru!] Ho~ The expression got upgraded. Which means, it really rubbed her the wrong way. [Besides, isn't he hopeless, this highly esteemed n.o.ble?] [Y-you......keep making a fool out of me......!] Oh, it appears he's too angry too speak properly. [To begin with, how long do you b.a.s.t.a.r.d plan on intruding in my conversation with that woman! This doesn't concern an outsider like you!] [As I was saying for while now, I am involved with her. Can you hear me? Did you clean your ears properly? Are you sure its not clogged?] [Silence! In the first place, you plebeian has no right to refuse an order from a n.o.ble such as myself! Don't get full of yourself just because I'm behaving modestly!] [......That's what he said Chloe-san.] [Return to your ancestor de gozaru!!] It keeps leveling up. Maybe she will say antiquity at the next level. [Rather, this one wants to ask when and where did you behave modestly de gozaru?] [Oh come on. Give the man a break, Chloe. Can't you see how [pitiable] he is, judging by the way he doesn't understand the meaning of [humble]. That is sign of a thoroughly spoiled young master (obotchama). Most probably, he never got scolded or reprimanded for anything all his life.] [I see. He does appear to be at that age where he still refers his parents as [papa] and [mama] gozaru na. It was my mistake de gozaru.] [Now now, botchama. Isn't it about time for you to sleep? If you don't go home soon, [papa] and [mama] will be worried, you know?] [He is after all a personage who cannot handle E rank request without guardians de gozaru kara na. This one can only imagine the worries of a parent at this moment, anxious to the point of being unable to eat de gozarou. Hurrying home is the best course of action to be taken now de gozaru yo.] [What's wrong, botchama? You're looking downwards with shoulders shaking. Are you angry(a child)? ne, Are you a child(angry)?] <<author wordplay. angry=ikari, okoru. oko=child>> With a yay, I exchanged high five with Chloe. snap. Somehow I feel like I heard something snapping. The n.o.bleman who was no longer trying to put a word in, silently raises his face, which by the way, are deep red from humiliation. Like so, he grabbed the weapons from his waist and tries to step in. --- gon! The man who slipped, floats beautifully in the air for a moment then crashed down to the floor head first. After letting out a pathetic voice, he fell silent and stopped moving. Eh? Didn't this pattern happen before? A well featured face with a gleaming decorative armor. Two swords on his waist. From that bits and pieces, finally I remembered. [That's it! He was that disappointing n.o.ble who fell down and forgotten during examination yesterday.] Looking at the face of the man who fainted, I finally remembered. [.........Come to think of it, this person was there yesterday de gozaru na. Fainting again after yesterday, is he unlucky or just plain careless de gozaru yo.] ......It's strangely quiet all around. When I looked at the surroundings, most of them were staring at me and kept their mouth shut. Obviously, after all the commotion we made, it was bound to attract attention. Most of them can be credited to the n.o.bleman sprawled on the floor with his white eyes showing. [oi oi, this is terrible, right. I got excited and went too far.] [I-It is this one who should apologize to you Kanns.h.i.+. Due to this excessively shameless fellow, this one forgot oneself and reacted a little bit too much de gozaru.] Unconsciously, I was provoking them them as usual but I forgot, this is a different world. Common sense of earth does not apply here. Common sense here is closely intertwined with the existence of [aristocracy]. Please wait. Its not our fault your master fell, ya know. Look, I even restored the frozen floor. Same as I did yesterday. [Say, Chloe. Are there any cases where you go into jail if you go against a n.o.ble?] [In Hinoizur, as long as there is no real harm done, you will not be censured de gozaru. However, being too much of an affront are subjected to punishment de gozaru ga.] [......I haven't laid a hand on him but I feel like I've affronted him a tad too much.] [......Shall we perform dogeza de gozarou ka?] [K-k-kkanns.h.i.+, what should we do now de gozaru?] Chloe's face turned ghastly pale. [How can we escape de gozaru ka!? This scene where we infuriated this fellow have been witnessed by the surrounding people de gozaru zo! If the situation continues at this pace, we could be expelled from the guild! Even worse, exiled from this country de gozaru yo!?] [If that's the case, then I'll have to say goodbye to Real huh. But wait, I didn't ask for her contact information. That's a blunder.] [Why are you being so calm de gozaru ka?! What about this one's debt de gozaru! This one had not even paid even a single iron coin yet de gozaru zo! And yet, how should this one strive to obtain money when we are about to be expelled from the guild de gozaru ka!] [I won't attach any interest to it, so lighten up a bit. Besides, this is not the only adventurer's guild. If we cross over to one or two countries nearby, the matters here won't reach over there.] [You have already planned the escape!?] I'm calm because I'm used to situation like this. It was at the level of being banned from game center though, not at the level of a country. This is going to be my first experience being exiled. [This is a pretty amusing situation you're in ne~, youngster.] An amused voice suddenly cut into to the scene of carnage and confusion. [I've been watching from halfway but it was getting out of control ne~] An person came out from the surrounding while chuckling. It was the Ryujin old woman we met yesterday during the crystal test.

講習の内容は現実世界での社会科授業に良く似ていた。 昨今の国内情勢や有力貴族の名前。特に最も高い位である『公爵家』の名は必須事項。他には希少な素材の買い取り相場や護衛依頼の時のリスク管理。また、貴族と実際に交渉するときはどの程度まで不敬罪の対象となるか、冒険者としてどのように対応するべきか。 元々、俺の脳細胞はそこまで高性能ではない。高校の成績は『中の中から下の上』辺りだ。保健体育だけは満点近かったが。 ファイマが教えてくれたときは一日を掛けて一つの事柄をじっくりと教えて貰ったおかげでなんとかなったが、二時間半内に要点を詰め込んだ講習の内容を余さず暗記できるほどに有能ではないのである。 「............勉強なんて嫌いだ」 ギルドに隣接している食堂の一角で、俺は氷を枕代わりにしてテーブルに頭を垂れていた。知識の詰め込みに過ぎでオーバーヒートしている頭に冷気が伝わって非常に気持ちがよい。 「意外でござるな。カンナ氏の事ですし、あの程度はさらっと覚えられると思ってたでござるが」 「俺が覚えきれなかった内容を『あの程度』と言うかこの駄犬は。尻尾引っこ抜くぞ。毛を全て刈り取ってやろうか?」 「こ、怖いでござるよカンナ氏ッ! ............いやいや、そもそも拙者は狼であってーーーー」 「........................あぁ?」 「ワフッ?! せ、拙者ごとき駄犬で結構でござる! ワフッ!」 「嬢ちゃん。そこはもうちょっと踏ん張れや」 「無理でござるよぅ! カンナ氏のあの眼、視線だけで人を殺せるぐらいに恐ろしいでござるよぅ............」 涙目のクロエが耳をへにょらせてる。失敬な。機嫌が悪いのは否定しないがそこまでではないはずだ。 バルハルトのおっさんは俺とクロエのやりとりに肩をすくめた。 俺がふらふらになりながら食堂へと向かうところ、クロエはわかるのだがおっさんまで一緒についてきたのだ。何故か気に入られたらしい。俺もおっさんが何となく気に入ったが、今は会話を楽しめるほどに頭の熱が収まっていない。 「ま、兄ちゃんの機嫌が悪いのもわかるっちゃわかる。あれだけ注目を集めてりゃ無理もない」 俺の気疲れの原因は講習の内容だけではなく、他の冒険者達からの注目だ。興味津々な視線が俺の全身に突き刺さり、欠伸一つすらできない。 さらに始末の悪いことに、講師として訪れたあのAランク冒険者まで俺に強い関心を向けてきたのだ。居眠りも授業放棄もしてないのに、明らかに他の面子に比べて質疑応答の名指しがされる回数が多かった。この国の情勢や貴族の名前なぞほとんど知らない俺は、質問される度に「わかりません」と答えるしかなかった。 「傍目から見てもアンサラに目を付けられてるのが分かった。なぁ兄ちゃん、心当たりは無いのか?」 「............あると言えば、ある」 「どんなだ?」 「登録試験の時、試験官だったあいつに不意打ちで一撃ぶっこんだ」 「........................あのアンサラに、一撃当てたのか?」 「ああ」 バルハルトは渋い顔になりながら、両腕を組んで唸った。 「............登録試験で不意打ちかましたおまえさんを責めるべきか、あのアンサラに一撃入れたことを称賛すべきか、非常に悩むな」 「アンサラ殿はそこまで強い御仁なのでござるか? あ、いや。Aランク冒険者が紛れもない実力者なのは疑いようは無いでござるが」 クロエの質問にバルハルトは首肯した。 』の異名は伊達じゃねぇ。俺は盗賊の討伐依頼を受けたときに、同じ依頼を受けていたアンサラが戦っている光景を見たことがある。敵の先手を悉く潰し、気が付けば後手に回ってたはずのアンサラが斬り捨てていた。まるで相手の心の内を読んでいたかのようにな。あの竜剣が攻撃の達人なら、奴は反撃の達人だ。登録試験を受けようとするド新人が幸運で一撃を与えられる奴じゃない」 思い返すと、性格はアレではあるが、間違いなく実力のあるルキスの奴が一方的に攻めていても掠りもしなかった。 「アレか。プライドを傷つけられたから、丁度良い機会に舐めた新人をイビリ倒そうと?」 「Aランクにまで上り詰めた猛者が、そのようなセコい方法を取るとは考えにくいでござるよ。カンナ氏に純粋に興味を持たれていたのではござらんか?」 「良かったじゃねぇか兄ちゃん。Aランクとの伝手があれば、今後は何かと優遇して貰えるかもしれねぇぞ?」 「とは言うけどなぁ............」 「あんまり嬉しそうじゃねぇな。Aランクの後ろ盾はかなり魅力的だと思うがな」 「正直、関わり合いになりたくない」 既に『白夜叉』の云々でギルドの内部で注目を集め始めている。ここでさらにAランクとの繋がりがあると知れれば望まぬ騒動が起こりそうで怖い。 「冒険者は腕っ節次第でどこまでも成り上がれる稼業だ。だってのに、醍醐味である成り上がりに興味ないってのは珍しいな。上のランクに行けば名誉も金も掴み取りだぞ?」 「俺は毎日の日銭が稼げりゃぁいいんだよ。名誉がどうとか、出世とかあんまり興味ねぇ。威張り散らしたいわけでもないしな」 人によっては『枯れている』と思われるかも知れないが、他の者と俺とでは境遇がまるで違う。元の世界に戻る気でいるのに、この世界で出世してどうするよ。それに、出世すればするほど、有名税とはまた別に厄介事のフラグが乱立しそうで怖いのだ。現時点で既に致命的なフラグが刺さりまくっている気がするが、勿論気のせいだろう。 「私としては是非とも、上のランクを目指して貰いたいのだがね」 「カンナ氏ならBランクは確実。Aランクにも到達できると拙者は信じているでござるよ!」 「お、嬢ちゃん。随分と兄ちゃんのことを買ってるねぇ」 「当然でござるよバルハルト殿! カンナ氏は拙者の命の恩人であり、最も尊敬する御方でござるからな!」 「ははは。随分と期待されているようだ。女の子にこれだけ期待されていたら、応えてやらないと男が廃るな」 「いやいや。なってCランクが限度でしょうよ。それ以上は自分から目指そうとは思わーーーーーーーー」 ーーーーーーん? 「どうしたでござるかカンナ氏?」 クロエ。 「ん? 俺の顔になんか付いてるか?」 バルハルトのおっさん。 「やぁ、白夜叉君」 アンサラ........................っておい。 「一人増えてるッ!?」 「「え?」」 あまりにもナチュラルに会話に参加していたので気が付かなかったが、いつの間にかテーブル席にはAランク冒険者にして講習の時にしつこいくらいに俺を指名しまくった男が追加で座っていたのだ。 「はっはっは。どのタイミングで声を掛けようか迷っていたんだが、面白そうだったからこっそり同席させて貰った」 クロエとおっさんは呆気に取られている。先程まで話題に上がっていた人物がいきなり登場したのだから無理もない。 俺は二人の驚き以上のものを抱いていた。 (嘘だろ、今の今まで全く気が付かなかったぞ!?) この世界に来て鋭さを増した俺の『勘』が役に立たなかった事実に、驚愕を越えて恐怖すら覚える。 以前にも見た、心の奥すら見透かすような視線に射抜かれる。俺は狼狽しそうになる口元を引き締めた。 「ーーーーふむ、思っていたよりも立ち直りが早い。............いや、動揺を隠すのが上手いのか。なるほど、その若さでなかなかの胆力だ」 表情を取り繕ったハッタリを見抜かれる。 「君の活躍はリーディアル様から聞き及んでいる。ギルドに登録してからまだ一ヶ月程度なのに随分と活躍しているようじゃないか。登録試験の担当だった身としては非常に嬉しいよ。あ、店員さん。私の分の茶も頼む。彼らと同じ物を」 アンサラは近くの店員に自分の茶を注文する。その隙に俺は静かに深呼吸して心を落ち着かせた。 「............何の用ですかね、Aランク冒険者殿」 「そう警戒しないでくれ。別に取って食おうという話じゃない」 「や、警戒するなと言われても、あの登場じゃ無理ないでしょ」 「おっと、これは失敗だったか」 婆さんのとはまた違った、人を食ったような笑みを浮かべる。この男、いまいち人間像が掴みづらいな。 「えっと............拙者たちは席を外した方がよろしいでござろうか?」 アンサラ出現が発覚してから口を開いていなかったクロエが、おずおずと手をあげた。バルハルトのおっさんも居心地が悪そうだ。 「構わないよ。私の方が後から加わった形だ。気にしなくていい、クロエ君」 「拙者の名前をッ!?」 「目を付けた新人とよく一緒にいる冒険者の名前ぐらいは調べるさ。それと、そちらの君はバルハルト君だったかな?」 いきなり名を出されたおっさんは「ほぅ」と感心したような声を発した。 「俺は白夜叉の兄ちゃんと喋ったのは今日が初めてだぜ?」 「君は以前に盗賊の討伐依頼で一緒にしていただろう。それに、ギルドに登録して僅か三年でBランクに手が届きそうな有望株だ。まぁ、冒険者になる以前の経歴の方にも興味はあるが」 「分かった。降参だ。それ以上は勘弁してくれ」 しかし、おっさんは冒険者歴三年なのか。随分と歳食ってから冒険者になったんだな。以前の経歴、と言うからには冒険者になる前は別の職業だったのだろうか。 「ちなみに、彼は現在二十五歳だ」 「「マジで(ござるか)ッ!?」」 さらっと発覚したおっさんの年齢に俺とクロエは仰天した。 衝撃の事実。おっさんがおっさんでなかった。 「ちょっと待ておいこら、その驚きはどういう意味だお前らッ!」 「てっきりベテランの冒険者だと思ってたでござるよ」 俺も、そろそろ四十突入するぐらいだと思ってました。 「くそッ。俺だって自分の老け顔は自覚があったよ。けど、そこまで驚くことはねぇじゃねぇか」 「........................まぁ、それは良いとして。本当に何の用ですかね『 「ああ。実はリーディアル様から直々に依頼があってな。その為に君に声を掛けたのだよ」 婆さんから、という時点でもはや嫌な予感しかしない。 「依頼の内容は、とある冒険者のCランク昇格試験、その担当官だ」 「おっとどうやら急用を思い出した俺はここで失礼するぜい」 この場から逃げなければならない、という用である。 「まぁまぁ、待ちたまえ。話はまだ終わっていない」 「本来、Cランクの昇格試験は二種類行われる。冒険者としての知識を試される筆記試験と、Bランク以上の冒険者が監督として同行する試験用の特別依頼だ」 「あの............肩から手ぇどけてくれません?」 逃げられないんで。 「けれども、私が監督を任された冒険者は、この特別依頼の代わりに別の試験を受けて貰うことになった」 「ぬぉおおおおおおおおおおおおッッ、動けぇぇぇぇぇッッッ!!」 「もはや形振り構わなくなったな兄ちゃん」 テーブルに両手を付いて全力で踏ん張っているのに椅子から躯がぴくりとも離れない。俺の極小宇宙は輝いていないのかッ!? 俺の必死な様子を見て些かの調子も崩すことなく、アンサラは淡々と告げた。 「試験の内容は『Aランク冒険者との実力試験』だ。さぁカンナ君、試験会場に向かおうか♪」 「あぁぁぁぁぁぁぁぁぁ........................」 俺はアンサラに引きずられ、ギルドの奥へと連れ去られるのであった。

The content of this course is very similar to social studies cla.s.s back on earth. Recent domestic affairs and names of influential aristocrats. In particular importance are aristocrats of the highest rank, the [Duke's household]. Other than that, we are taught risk management for escort request and when estimating rare material's price. Also, to what extent can we talk during actual negotiation before being labeled as insolent and how should we respond to such situation as an adventurer. In the first place, my brain cells aren't that hi-spec. My high school grades were somewhere around [below average]. The only high grade I got was from my health and phy ed. When Faima taught me, I managed to get it all somehow because she spent one whole day meticulously teaching me one by one. That said, my brain isn't capable enough to memorize the contents of a 2 and a half hour course packed with essential points. The most I could do is to memorize the names of the most influential n.o.bles in this country, just barely at that. [.........I hate studying.] In the corner of the diner adjacent to the guild, I'm languis.h.i.+ng with my head on the table, cus.h.i.+oned by an ice pillow. The coldness transmitted to my overheated head due to cramming too much feels very pleasant. [How unexpected de gozaru na. This one thought that Kanns.h.i.+ would smoothly memorize a lesson of that degree de gozaru ga.] [What I couldn't memorize was called [only that degree] by this mutt. I'm gonna pull your tail out, y'know. Ya want me to pull every last strand of fur from your tail?] [Yo-You're scary de gozaru Kanns.h.i.+!......No wait, in the first place, this one is from the wolf cla--] [............Aaaa?] [wafu?! Th-This one is fine with being a mutt de gozaru! wafu!] [Jou-chan. Stand firm a bit more would you.] [Impossible de gozaru yo! Kanns.h.i.+'s eyes are so terrifying that he can kill just with a gaze de gozaru you......] How rude. I won't deny that I'm in a bad mood but not that much. Barlhardt ossan shrugs his shoulder at my back and forth exchange with Chloe. As I unsteadily wandered over to the diner next door, Chloe followed. Her following me, I get but ossan also tagged along. Seems like for some reason he took a liking to us. The feeling is somewhat mutual but with my head heated as it is, I can't enjoy the conversation. [Well, I get why bro is in a bad mood. Seeing you gather that much attention, it's understandable.] The cause of my languidness is not solely from the content of the course, but also the attention from the other adventurers. Highly curious line of sights sticks onto me, causing me unable to even yawn. To make things worse, even that rank adventurer c.u.m lecturer turned his attention towards me. Even though I didn't doze off and paid attention to his lecture, the number of times I got called to answer a question was clearly higher than the other partic.i.p.ants. I hardly know jack about this country's state of affair and the names of n.o.bles inside it, so every time I was asked, I had no choice but to answer with [I don't know]. [Even looking from the sideline, I could see that Answerer has eyes on you. Say bro, do you have anything in mind as to why?] [.........If I had to say, yes.] [How so?] [During my registration exam, I landed a surprise hit on him.] [..............................That Answerer? You landed a hit on him?] [Yea] Barlhardt crosses his arms while being grim. [.........I don't know if I should reproach you for doing a surprise attack during a registration exam or praise you for landing a blow on Answerer.] [How strong Answerer-dono actually is de gozaru ka? Ah no, this one does not doubt that he is a powerful rank adventurer de gozaru ga.] Barlhardt acknowledges Chloe's question. [His alias [One who answers the future (Fragarach)] is not a facade. Back when I undertook a request to subjugate bandits, he was also there for the same reason. Before I noticed it, Answerer who should have been one step behind had already completely crushed the enemy's first move. It was as if he was reading the enemy's mind. If Ryuuken is an expert on offense, then Answerer is the expert on counterattack. He is not a guy who will grant a lucky blow to a fresh rookie undergoing the registration exam.] In retrospect, though he was who he was back then, there was no doubt that the talented Ruks didn't even graze the examiner with his one-sided offensive. [My guess is because I hurt his pride, he's taking this opportunity to kick me down a notch.] [It is hard to imagine that a man of valor who climbed all the way to rank would take such a petty approach de gozaru yo. Have Kanns.h.i.+ considered that he is genuinely interested in you de gozaru ka?] [Isn't that a good thing, bro. If you have a connection with an rank, you might even be able to get preferential treatment in the future, you know?] [So you say but...............] [You sure don't look so happy about it. I think that having an rank as your backer is quite attractive.] [Honestly, I don't wanna get tangled with him.] I'm already beginning to attract attention inside the guild with [s.h.i.+royasha]. It's scary to think what kinda commotion would happen if it is known that I have a connection with an rank. [Depending on their skill and strength, those who ply their trade as an adventurer can rise up in any corner of the world. In light of that, it's unusual that you aren't interested in the satisfaction of getting ahead in life. If you rank up, prestige and money are yours for the taking, you know?] [Nah I'm good. Just need to earn my daily expenses. I don't really care about things like fame or getting a successful career. I'm not the type to swagger around.] Some might think of me as [wasting away] but my circ.u.mstance is entirely different from those sorta people. After all, I'm going back to my original world, so why would I pursue a successful life in this one. Besides, it's scary thinking about the especially troublesome flag that'll crop up the more successful and famous I get. [If you ask me, by all means it would be better to aim for a higher rank.] [B-rank is certainly within Kanns.h.i.+'s grasp. This one have faith that Kanns.h.i.+ would even attain rank de gozaru yo!] [Ou~ jou-chan, that sure is a high opinion of him ya got there.] [As it naturally should be de gozaru yo, Barlhardt-dono! Kanns.h.i.+ is one's own benefactor, the gentlemen this one holds in the highest regard de gozaru kara na!] [Hahaha. Apparently there is a high expectation placed on your shoulder. If a girl expects this much of you, not responding would make you lose out as a man.] (?) [Hang on there. C-rank is as far as I can get, y'know. I don't think that I'm going to aim more than tha---] ---hn? [What seems to be the matter de gozaru ka, Kanns.h.i.+?] Chloe. [hn? Is there something on my face?] Ossan Barlhardt. [Hi, s.h.i.+royashkun.] Answerer..............................tte oi. [Another one!?] [[eh?] ] I didn't notice because his partic.i.p.ation in the conversation was so natural but before I knew it, there is another man sitting at the table. The rank adventurer who persistently hounded me during the lecture. [The One Who Answers the Future (Fragarach)] is there, laughing cheerfully. [Hahaha. I was wondering when to greet you but your topic seems interesting, so I let myself join in secretly.] (answer) Chloe and ossan are dumfounded. Their reaction are justified, seeing that the person who was our topic of conversation a while ago appeared out of nowhere. I'm even more surprised than them. {No way! I completely didn't notice him until just now!?} The fact that my [intuition], which had become sharper ever since I came to this world, was useless, pa.s.sed through astonishment into the realm of fear. Is this the [power] of one equal to Real, an rank adventurer? Same as before, his piercing gaze seems like it could discern my mind. Still confused, I tighten my mouth. [---fumu You recovered faster than I expected. .........No, you are good at hiding your agitation, is it? I see, you have quite the mettle for your age.] He saw through the expression I wore to gloss it over. [I've heard of your active involvement from Lydeal-sama. It's only been about a month since you registered with the guild, but you've been considerably conspicuous, aren't you? As the one in charge of your registration exam, that makes me very happy. ah Waitress-san. I'd like to ask for some tea. The same as theirs.] Answerer orders his tea from a nearby waitress. During that time, I took the opportunity to take a deep breath and calm myself down. [.........What do you want, rank adventurer-dono?] (kanna) [Don't be so wary. I didn't especially come here to tease you.] [Though you say that, your manner of appearance speaks otherwise.] [Oh, that was my mistake, isn't it?] His smile is haughty, unlike basan's. It's hard to grasp his character. [etto............Would it be better if we vacate our seats de gozarou ka?] Chloe, who hadn't opened her mouth since Answerer appeared, raise her hand timidly. Ossan Barlhardt also seems uncomfortable. [You don't have to. After all, I am the one who barged in. Don't mind me, Chloe-kun.] [This one's name!?] [Investigating the names of adventurers who are often sighted with the rookie I'm interested in is the least I could do. Also, I a.s.sume that you are Barlhardt-kun, isn't it?] The ossan who was suddenly brought up utters an impressed [hou]. [Even though today's the first time I've ever talked with my bro s.h.i.+royasha?] [We were in the same request for thief subjugation. Besides, you're a promising adventurer capable of reaching B-rank just 3 years after registering with the guild. Well, I was also interested in your history before you became an adventurer.] [Got it. I give up. Spare me from speaking anything more.] Ossan raises his hand to surrender. That aside, ossan is an adventurer for only 3 years huh. Quite the age to be adventuring. A previous profession was it? I guess he was in a different line of work before becoming an adventurer. [By the way, he is currently 25 years old.] [[Seriously (de gozaru ka)! ?] ] Chloe and I are astonished at the candid revelation. A shocking truth. Ossan is not an ossan after all. [Hold on there d.a.m.n it! Why are you both surprised at that!?] [This one thought that you are a veteran adventurer beyond any doubt de gozaru yo.] Me too. I a.s.sumed he's about to enter 40. [d.a.m.n it. I know that I have an old-looking face but you don't have to be that surprised, you know.] [..................Well, enough about that. What are you here for, [One Who Answers the Future, Fragarach-san yo.] [ah Actually, I received a personal request from Lydeal-sama. That is the reason for me being here.] I have a bad feeling the moment I hear it's from basan. [The content of the request is to be the supervisor of C-rank promotion test for a certain adventurer.] [Whoa, I suddenly remembered some urgent business so I'll be leaving now.] It's urgent for me to escape from this place, that is. [Now now, would you mind waiting for a while. I haven't finished talking yet.] [Originally, C-rank promotion test are divided into two. A written exam to test your knowledge as an adventurer and an exam in the form of a special request while being supervised by a B-rank adventurer or higher.] [Um.........Could you please let go of my shoulder?] I can't escape if ya don't. [However, instead of the usual, I was tasked to hold a special exam for the adventurer in question.] [Nuuuooooooooooo, mooooveeeee! !] [You're no longer keeping appearance there bro.] (ossan) Even with my two hands on the table and exerting both my legs, I can't lift my b.u.t.t from the chair. Seeing my desperate effort, Answerer indifferently informs me without losing his laid back tone even the slightest bit. [The content of the test is [proficiency test with an rank adventurer]. Now, Kannkun, let us head to the exam venue.] [Aaaaaaaaaaa...............] I got dragged by Answerer and kidnapped to the depths of the guild.

ゴブリンの大群に襲われたあの渓谷。いきなり現れて人を爆殺しようとしやがった奴と『同じ気配』だッ!。 俺はテントの中から飛び出し、周囲の様子を伺う。一見すれば寝入る前と何ら変化はない。だが、背筋を伝わるのは間違いなく『あの異様な気配』であった。 おいおい、あれはファイマを狙った暗殺者じゃねぇのかよ。なんでファイマのファの字も無いだろうこんな場所にいやがる。もしかしてこの野営地にファイマがいるのか? や、貴族のお嬢さまが、なんでこんなむさっ苦しい野営地を訪れなきゃならんのだ。 焦燥感に駆られた俺は、急いで気配の根幹へと向かう。方角は、野営地の丁度中央部分か。 俺は迷わずに走り出し、気配の元へと走り出す。冒険者用の区画以外は立ち入り禁止だと忠告されていたが、仕方が無い。 「あ、おい貴様ッ、ここは一般人は立ち入り禁止だぞ!」 途中、野営地の内部を警備していた者に出くわすと、彼は武器に手を添えながら駆け寄ってくる。俺は入り口の時と同じく、だが急いでギルドカードと婆さんの署名入り書類を取り出し、叩きつけるように見せた。 「こ、これはあの御方の............」 「緊急事態だッ! 四の五の言わずに付いてこいッ!」 俺の鬼気迫る様子に只ならぬモノを感じ取り、彼は神妙に頷いて俺の後に続く。 追従していた兵士が驚きの声を上げた。む、確かに強い魔力の気配だ。しかも相当にでかい。だが、俺が静電気のような痛みを感じる前までは薄らとしか感じられなかった。 「詮索は後だ、行くぞっ」 再び駆け出して数分も経たず、俺と兵士は野営地の中心部にたどり着いた。テントや物資が所々に置かれた周囲と違い、ここだけは物が少なく広々としていた。全校集会にも使う学校の校庭を思い出すそこには、俺の目から見ても異様な光景が広がっていた。 まず地面は中央部から半径五メートルはありそうな巨大な方陣ーーーー魔術式が描かれていた。怪しい赤の光を放つそれから、膨大な量の魔力が発せられている。 そして、その中央部にはーーーー俺が感じた気配の根幹が佇んでいた。魔術士風のローブ姿の男だ。俺達の足音に気が付き、こちらを振り向くと、刹那の間だけそのギョロりとした目と合う。 「............む? おかしいな。ここには人払いの結界をーーーー」 「先手必勝!」 とりあえず何かを喋る前に氷の礫を顔面にぶち込んでおく。ローブの男は勢いのままに地面を転がり、仰向けの形で停止するとそのまま動かなくなった。今の一撃で運良く気絶してくれたようだ。 「............いささか乱暴すぎないか?」 異常事態ではあるが、俺のあまりの行動(自覚はある)に、兵士はひきつった声で突っ込みを入れてくる。ただ、咎めの色が薄いのは、この明らさまに怪しい魔術式の方陣に、今俺が吹き飛ばした謎のローブ男が関係していると分かっているからだ。 「あのギョロ目男の身の上は今はどうでもいい。それよりも、この魔術式が何なのか分かるか?」 「ちょ、ちょっと待ってくれ。俺もそこまで魔術式には詳しくないが、何とか読みとってみよう」 兵士は怪しく光る魔術式を観察し、やがておずおずと口を開いた。 「............おそらくだが、召喚系の魔術式だな。契約を求める類ではなく、単純に遠くの『何か』を呼び出す術式だ。悪いがそれ以上のことは分からん」 「............きな臭いな、こいつぁ」 ギョロ目男が『人払いの結界』などと怪しさ満点の台詞を吐いていた。おそらく、俺が感じた静電気と膜を破る感覚が『それ』だったのだろう。人を寄せ付けない為の措置など、よほどに大事な物を守りたいか、後ろ暗い事をしたかったかの二択。この場合は間違いなく後者だな。 俺が考えを巡らせていると、新しい足音が複数近づいてきた。人払いの結界を俺が破ったために、この魔術式の魔力を感知した野営地に残った兵士たちが駆けつけてきたのだ。 「冒険者殿ッ、これは一体何事ですかッ」 野営地の警備をしていた兵士が急いでこちらに駆け寄ってきた。 「あそこで倒れてるギョロ目の男が、ここで召喚の魔術式を用意してたらしい。ご丁寧に、人払いの結界まで使ってな。大方の人間が出払っているとはいえ、帝国軍がまだ残ってる野営地のど真ん中で大胆不敵なこった」 俺は気絶して動かないギョロ目を指さして言った。 「............見たところ、完成間際といったところです。あとは魔力を注ぎ込むだけ、という段階ですね」 ギョロ目が気絶している今、奴から感じられる『異様さ』は希薄だった。推測すると、最後の仕上げに必要な膨大な魔力を練り上げた為、俺の『気配探知』に触れたのだろう。 「詳しい内容はあんたも分からないのか?」 「召喚系の術式なら、我が騎士団の団長殿ならば詳細も読みとれたでしょう。私程度ではそれが「召喚系か否か」ぐらいが限度です」 兵士は視線を動かし、倒れているギョロ目へと向けた。他の集まった兵士が背中に手を回し、縄で縛り上げていた。 「奴の話が聞けるようになるのは少し後になりそうですね」 「や、悪いな。出会い頭に気絶させちまって」 「............いえ、この魔術式が発動してしまったら、何が『呼び出される』か分かったものじゃありません。妥当な判断でした」 どこぞの物語に出てくる勇者みたいに、わざわざ相手の言い分や身の上を聞いてたら、ギョロ目はその間に魔術式を完成させていたに違いない。 カンナ式必勝法の一つにこうある。 ーーーー相手の言い分は勝利した後に聞け。 警備の兵士にお墨付きをもらい、俺がホッとしたその時。 「うがぁぁぁぁああああああああああッッッ」 辺り一帯に絶叫が響きわたった。 ギョロ目は後ろ手に縛られたまま、絶叫を喉から絞り出しながら地面に描かれた魔術式の中央部へと走る。 「そいつを取り押さえろぉ!」 誰かが声を張り上げるも、ギョロ目は魔術式の中央部に到達。そして。 騎士団に所属している兵士なら人の死には少なからず触れてきただろう。だが、そんな彼らを持ってしても思わず目を背けてしまいたくなるような有様だ。俺もさすがに吐き気を覚えずにはいられなかった。 しかし、嘔吐している余裕はどうやら無いらしい。 中央部が赤く染まった魔術式が、急激に輝きを増したのだ。それに伴い、ギョロ目の死体から溢れ出していた血が色を失っていく。あたかも魔術式が血を取り込んでいるようにも見えた。 「............もしかしなくてもヤバいくねこれ」 「もしかしなくてもヤバいですよ! 全員、魔術式の外に待避しろ! 急げッ」 魔術式の輝きは、直視できないレベルにまで達していた。俺と兵士たちは、目を光から腕で庇いながら魔術式から離れた。ギョロ目の死体を回収している暇など無かった。 「なんなんだよこいつぁっ!?」 「おそらく、時間を掛けて練り上げる魔力を血を媒介に強引に精製したのでしょうッ! まさかこんな生け贄紛いの行為に出るとは、狂気の沙汰としか言いようがありませんっ!」 魔力の奔流が収まり、光が収束していった。目を庇っていた腕を退けると、ギョロ目の死体はどこにも見あたらなかった。 「ごぉぉおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおッッ」 未だに妖しい光を保ったままの魔術式。その中央部に、異形の姿を捉えたからだ。 全長は三メートルにも届く。異様に発達した筋肉は、腕の太さなど女性の胴回りほどもあり、手には野太い棍棒。荒い呼吸を漏らす口には鋭い牙が生え揃っている。そして頭からは、鋭い角が二本。だが竜人族よりも荒々しく禍々しい形状をしていた。 ファンタジーなモンスターでお馴染みの『アイツ』。 『オーガ』である。 部類としてはゴブリンと同じ人型の魔獣だが、それを遙かに越える巨体と凶暴性を誇り、体躯に見合う暴力を秘めた暴君だ。確か、討伐にはCランクの冒険者が複数で望むのがベスト。単独で挑むのならBランクの実力と『装備』が必須になってくる。 衝撃すら伴いそうな咆哮がまたも発せられた。 「ちっ、「お友達になりましょう」とは聞こえねぇな」 「いやいやいや、何を言っているんですかッ! むしろ「俺に血を見せろぉぉぉッッ」って言ってますよ!」 存外にノリいいなこの警備のアンちゃん。門で職務質問してるときはキャラを作っていたのか? などとお馬鹿な事を考えていると、異常事態はさらなる混沌へ突き進む。なんと、召喚魔術式がまた強く光ると、地面の下からせり上がるようにしてまたもオーガが姿を現したのだ。 「これは、永続召喚の術式ッ」 「なんとなく想像は付くけど詳細はッ?」 「名の通り対象を永続的に召喚する魔術式です。ですが、制御が難しく下手をすれば敵も味方も甚大な被害を受けるので、術式の研究及びに使用は禁止されているはずです」 「現に使われてるけどなッ」 「私に言われても困りますッ」 「二人ともッ、漫才はそれくらいにしておけっ! 奴らが動くぞ!」 召喚されたニ体のオーガは雄叫びを上げると、その一体が棍棒を振り上げながらこちらに走ってきた。動きは一見して緩慢だが、巨体故に一歩一歩の移動距離は人間と比べものにならない。あっという間にこちらに急接近してくる。 俺は棍棒の一撃を避けると氷の斧を具現。無防備になったオーガの背中にたたき込んだ。だが、氷でできた刃は奴の身体を両断することなく、少し突き刺さっただけで止まってしまう。 斧が食い込んだことに痛みは感じたのか、オーガはこちらの方へと視線を向けると、振り向きざまに棍棒を振り回した。迷わずに氷の斧を手放して距離を離すと、俺が寸前まで立っていた場所を棍棒が薙払う。生まれた風圧が俺の顔を撫で、背筋がひやりとなった。 「オーガの膨大な筋力が天然の鎧を形成しています! 直接的な攻撃は通用しませんッ」 兵士のアンちゃん。もうちょっと早く教えてほしかったよ。 「「レベルを上げて物理で殴れ」とは言うが、敵がやると理不尽そのものだなっ」 氷の円錐を三つ生み出して発射するが、二つは棍棒によってあらぬ方向に弾かれ、身体に到達した一本も先端がちょっとだけ刺さっただけで特に効果を発揮しなかった。煩わしそうにオーガはそれを片手で引き抜き、放り投げてしまう。 ちらりともう一体のオーガを見れば、別方面に集まった兵士たちに向けて突撃をしていった。対する兵士たちはよく訓練された動きでオーガの攻撃を回避するが、こちらと同じに攻め手に欠けているようだ。 「冒険者殿ッ。貴殿は魔術士と見受けるが、奴に通用する魔術はーー」 「あいにくと不器用でなッ。氷での物理攻撃以外はてんで使えない」 「くっ、通常は貴重な上位属性なんだがッ」 「無能で御免なさいねッ」 俺達はオーガの強撃を何とか回避しながら、兵士の二人は手に持っていた剣を、俺は氷の斧や円錐で攻撃を加えていく。だがどれもが分厚い筋肉に阻まれて致命傷にまで届かない。せいぜい掠り傷を増やす程度だ。 くそッ、このままだとじり貧だな。いっそのこと、あの炎の魔術士を倒したときのような超巨大氷槌で叩き潰すか。や、できなくもないがあれは凄まじいレベルの精神力を消費する。外したら目も当てられないし、一体を倒したとしてももう一体が残っている。安易に頼れない。 「うわぁッ!?」 思考を別に割いていると付近から声が上がった。兵士のアンちゃんが足を滑らせて転倒してしまった。その眼前では、オーガが大きく棍棒を振り上げていた。あの一発が直撃したら即死する! 「させるかぁぁッッ」 両手を前方に突き出し、倒れた兵士を庇うように氷の壁を具現。オーガの棍棒がそこに激突し、一撃で氷の壁に亀裂が入った。畜生、単純なパワーはレアル並かッ。今ので精神力をごっそり持って行かれる。 「え、え?」 「早く退けッ! 長くは保たない!」 突然現れた氷の壁と、それによって辛うじて命を繋いだことを受け入れきれない兵士は倒れたまま動けない。その間にも、オーガの豪打は繰り返され、氷に走る亀裂も大きさを増していく。 もう一人の兵士が立ち直れていない彼の首根っこを掴み、無理矢理その場から引きずり出した。その直後に繰り出されたオーガの一撃によって氷の壁は粉砕されるが、兵士のアンちゃんは無事だ。ナイスだもう一人の兵士さん。あ、どっちも名前知らない。 「あ、ありがとうございます冒険者殿っ」 「感謝は良いから打開策考えてくれ! このままじゃ嬲り殺しだ!」 「............通常なら炎系の魔術を使って焼き殺すところだが、魔術に心得がある者は全員、ゴブリンの討伐作戦に向かってしまった。かといって、我々の装備ではオーガの皮膚を突破できるほどの切れ味は無い」 半分涙目で礼を言う一方で、もう一人の兵士は苦みを噛みしめながら冷静な様子で言った。 俺はまず、氷の斧ではなく『槌』を生み出す。無論、全精神力をつぎ込んだ超巨大ではなく、無理の無い程度の大きさに止める。それでも円柱の太さはオーガの持つ棍棒ほどはあるが。 俺はチャンスを見極めるべく、オーガの攻撃を他の兵士二人と同じように回避していく。回避に専念し、オーガの気配を油断なく読みとれば難しくない。狙うのは大きな一撃だ。 だったら、円錐に直接打撃を加えイメージ+推進力で威力を底上げすればいいのだ。 凄まじい速度で空中を突き進む氷の円錐。直接発射した時よりも段違いの速度を持って飛来するそれはオーガの胴体部に命中。鋭い刃ですら掠り傷に留める頑丈な筋肉を食い破り、内臓を巻き込み背骨すら粉砕し、背中から飛び出していった。 身体にまん丸の穴をあけたオーガはクグモった鳴き声を上げた後、穴が空いた腹部から血をまき散らしながら音を立てて地面に倒れた。 「............Oh」 や、想像以上の威力にびっくりである。兵士の二人も同じく驚いて硬直している。突き刺さるとは思っていたが、まさか貫通するとは予想外である。うれしい誤算には違いないが。 「............はッ、冒険者殿! あちらのオーガもお願いします!」 もう一体の方は............最初に吹き飛ばされた一人を除いてまだ無事だ。ただ、最初の頃より動きに繊細さを欠いていた。あのままだと遠からず、また誰かがオーガの攻撃の餌食になる。 俺はもう一度氷の円錐を生み出し、いつでも『打撃』できるように氷の大槌を振りかぶる。こちらは準備完了だ。 「全員ッ! オーガから離れろぉぉぉぉぉぉッッッ!!!」 アンちゃんの声が届くと、オーガの付近にいた全員がその場から離脱。 再度の全力フルスイング。大槌から与えられる衝撃を推進力にし、爆発的な速度を得た円錐がオーガの頭部に命中。貫通どころか頭蓋と脳漿を派手に散らせながら首から上が消滅した。 俺の勝利宣言に少し遅れて。 ーーーーぉおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおッッッ!! その場にいた全ての人間が勝ち鬨を上げた。 「やりましたね冒険者殿ッ! さすがはリーディアル様の寄越した御方だッッ」 兵士のアンちゃんが涙をぼろぼろ流しながら俺の肩を叩いた。もう一方の冷静な兵士さんは、腕を組みうむうむと頷いている。他の面々もその場でヘタリ込んだりしていた。 「伊達に団長に鍛えられてませんから、あの程度で死にはしないでしょう。せいぜい骨の一本や二本が折れたぐらいでしょう」 明るく言うアンちゃんだったがいやいや。 「骨の一本や二本は結構重傷だと思うがッ!?」 「なぁに、我々にとっては日常茶飯事です。作戦中に出払っている魔術士の中には治癒術士もいますから、それまでの辛抱です」 「............なかなかにバイオレンスな騎士団だなここ」 「そういえば、最初のニ体だけで、まだ新しいオーガが呼び出されてないな」 永続式の召喚術式ーー対象を継続的に呼び続ける術式と先ほど聞いたが、それにしては三体目以降が現れていない。ただ、魔術式の光は相変わらず怪しい光を放っており、心なしかそれは徐々に強くなっているように見える。 「あの謎の男が生け贄となって生み出した魔力が、即座にオーガをニ体呼び出した時点で全て消費されてしまったんですね。ですが、おそらく術式には空気中の魔力を蓄積する仕組みも組み込まれているはず。時間を置けばまた新たな魔獣が召喚されてしまうでしょう」 とすると、ギョロ目の事情も聞かずに気絶させたのは失策だったか。奴がいてもいなくても結果が変わらないのなら、なるべく情報を聞き出してからでも遅くはなかった。 「そう気を落とさないでください。私はあなたの判断は正しかったと思っています。術式に組み込まれた魔力を集める仕組みは、術士が自らの手で魔力を集めるよりも遙かに非効率です。一度限りのニ体同時召喚よりも、数十秒から数分おきに継続的に新手を召喚されていたら、それこそ手に負えなかった」 隣の兵士さんも同意見なのか頷いていた。 「だが、こいつが言ったとおり、非効率ではあるがこの魔術式は空気中から魔力を集め続けている。あと少しもすれば新たなオーガが召喚されてしまうだろうな」 「てぇことは、新手が来る前にさっさと壊しちまった方が良さそうだな」 「ですね。冒険者殿、頼んでもよろしいでしょうか?」 「応、任せな」 魔術式方陣の内側から兵士たちを待避させる。俺は方陣の円周の端に寄り、氷の剣を生み出した。 「せいやッ」

This presence, there's no doubt about it. That valley when I was ambushed by a goblin horde. Its the [same presence] as that guy who suddenly appeared and tried to bomb us to ashes! I jump out of the tent and scrutinize the surroundings. At first glance, there's no change from before I went to sleep. But it was definitely [that strange presence] that sent a tingling along my spine. Hey hey, aren't they a.s.sa.s.sins targeting Faima? What are they even doing here when there's not even a Fa from Faima? Could it be that Faima is inside this camp right here and now? No it couldn't be, she's a n.o.ble lady of an aristocratic house. There's no reason for her to visit such a squalid encampment. Driven by a sense of uneasiness, I hurry over to the source of the presence. My direction will directly lead me to the central part of the camp huh. I don't feel any killing intent but I'm not foolish enough to be relieved just with that alone. Rather, I'm more anxious about the purpose of this [strange presence]. Without hesitation, I start running towards the presence. I've been advised not to enter any other area other than what was a.s.signed for adventurers but there's no other way around it. [Oi, you there. This area is strictly off limits for non-personnel.] Along the way, I come across another soldier who was guarding the camp interior. He rushes over to me with weapon in hand. I repeat the same thing I did at the entrance and take out both items to show him but in my hurry, it kinda looked like I threw it at him. [Th-this is that personage's............] [It's an emergency! Follow along without questions!] Perceiving something alarming happening from my fierce appearance, the soldier obediently nod and follow behind me. Hm it's certainly an indication of a powerful mana. What's more, it's a considerably large amount. But before I experienced pain from the static-like electricity, there was only a thin presence of mana. [Questioning comes later. Let's go!] Less than a few minutes after running again, both of us reach the camp center. Unlike the surroundings where tents and supplies are placed in various places, only a few things were placed on this area, leaving it s.p.a.cious. First of all, there's a huge magical formation with a radius of about 5 meter long drawn on the center of the ground. It emitting an ominous red glow along with an enormous amount of mana. And in the center of it all stands the source of the presence I felt. A man in a magician-style robe. He noticed our footsteps and turn around. I match eye with the goggle-eyed man for only a brief instant. [.........hm? Strange. I thought the barrier for repelling huma---] [Victory to the swift!] First things first, before he can say anything, I throw an ice pebble to his face. [.........Isn't that a little too rough?] Although it's a somewhat abnormal situation, the soldier put in a tsukkomi with a stiff voice against my somewhat excessive action (I'm aware of it). The reason why it didn't move pa.s.s tsukkomi is because he clearly understood the relation between the suspicious robed man I just blew away with the similarly suspicious magical formation on the ground. [I couldn't care less about that goggle-eyed man right now. Rather than that, do you know what this magical formation is for?] [Pl-please give me a moment. I am not quite familiar with magical formations but I will try to read it somehow.] The soldier observes the suspiciously glowing magical formation and before long, he opens his mouth. [............It may possibly be a magical formation intended for summoning. It is not the kind of spell for seeking a contract but rather one that simply calls for [something] from far away. I am sorry but I do not know anything more than this.] [.........It really stinks of suspicions.] The goggle-eyed man also said something 100% suspicious like that [human repelling barrier]. Most likely, it's that static electricity and the feeling of breaking a thin film that I felt earlier. As I'm busy thinking about it, several new footsteps came closer. Because I broke the repelling barrier, other soldiers who remained in this camp sensed the mana flowing from this magical formation and rushed over. [Adventurer-dono, what happened here?] The soldier stationed at the entrance rush over to us. [It seems that the goggle-eyed man lying over there was preparing a summoning magical formation here. He was being thorough, to the point of using a human repelling barrier. Even though it's mostly empty, he is bold enough to stand in the middle of the encampment where Imperial Army still maintains.] I explain that while pointing out to the fainted goggle-eyed man. [.........From what I am able to see, this magical formation is on the verge of completion. The only step left is to pour in mana.] (gateguard) Now that goggle-eyed is unconscious, the [strange presence] I'm sensing from him is thinning as well. My guess is, he must've triggered my [presence detection] because of the need to knead huge amount of mana necessary for the final step. [You also can't understand more details from it?] [If it is related to summoning spells, our head knight would be able to comprehend more. At my level, I can only determine whether or not it belongs to a summoning system.] (gateguard) The soldier move his gaze and turn towards the fallen goggle-eye. The other soldiers flip him around and tie him with a rope. [It is going to be a little while more before we can listen to his story.] (gateguard) [My bad. I made him faint the moment I saw him.] [.........I don't mean to blame you. If this magical formation was invoked, who knows what kind of things will be [summoned]. It was a reasonable decision.] Like the hero who appears in every story, if I had gone out of my way to listen to what the enemy has to say, that goggle-eye will undoubtedly be able to complete to spell in the meantime. One of the Kannstyle winning strategy is... ---Listen to your opponent after you win. I'm relieved after receiving approval from the guard post soldier. [Ughaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa] A scream resounds in the area. Goggle-eye, even with his hands tied to the back while squeezing a scream from his throat, runs to the magical formation drawn on the center of the ground. [Hold him down!] Someone raised his voice but goggle-eye had already reached the center of the magical formation. Soldiers attached to the knight order should've come into contact with death scenes in no small number. However, even they involuntarily avert their eyes from this scene. As one would expect from a normal guy, even I can't help but feel nauseous. But it seems that there's no leeway for vomiting. The magical formation that was stained in red suddenly increase in brilliance. Along with that, all the blood pouring out from goggle-eye's corpse loses its color. It was as if the magical formation is swallowing the blood. [.........No need to even guess that this is seriously bad news.] (kanna) [Even without guessing, it is clear that this is dangerous! Men, clear the area! Hurry!] (gateguard) The brilliance of the magical formation increased to a level which can't be directly seen with naked eyes. Me and the soldiers s.h.i.+eld our eyes while backing away from the magical formation. There was no time to collect goggle-eye's corpse. The spell's brilliance reaches its climax and intense light burst forth. [What the heck is this? !] (kanna) [It's likely that the mana that needed to be refined over time was forcibly refined through blood as a medium! Only an act of sheer madness can be used to describe this sacrificial conduct!] (gateguard) The torrent of mana settle down and the light subside. When I lower my arm, goggle-eye's corpse couldn't be seen anywhere. But we can't afford to be distracted by such a [trivial matter]. [goooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa] Even now, the magical formation is glowing ominously. Its also armed with a similarly huge club. Sharp fangs protrude out of its mouth, which is also releasing some wild breaths. And on its head, there's two sharp horns. But compared to the horns of ryujin folks, this one is rougher and more sinister looking. [That thing] is a well-known fantasy monster. An [ogre]. Ogres are categorically the same as goblins which are humanoid magic beasts but as a species it's above and beyond goblins, boasting huge frames and ferocious temperament. It's a tyrant of violence matched by its vicious frame. Once again, it releases a roar that causes a shockwave. [tch I sure can't hear that as [let's be friends 'kay]] (kanna) [No no no what are you even suggesting! I'd say that one is screaming [show me blood!].] (gateguard) Unexpectedly, this guard post soldier is good at following my rhythm. Did he awaken his persona during his gatekeeping questionings? While I'm thinking of silly things, the abnormal situation plunged further into chaos. Imagine my surprise when the summoning magical formation glowed again, only for another ogre to make an appearance as if it had risen from the ground. [T-this is a permanent summoning spell.] (gateguard) [Somehow I can imagine but any details?] (kanna) [As the name suggests, this is a spell that will continuously summon a target. However, it is difficult to control and if done poorly, enemy and allies alike will suffer great damage. For that reason, any research and usage concerning this type of spell should be prohibited.] [It's actually being used now though.] (kanna) [Nothing I can do even if you complain to me.] [Both of you, leave your manzai act at that! They are moving!] (calm soldier) Both the summoned ogres raise their battle cry and comes rus.h.i.+ng with clubs held high. Their movement looked slow at first glance but because of their giant body, the distance covered by each step dwarfs those of humans. After avoiding the a.s.sault I create an ice axe and drive it into the defenseless back of the ogre. However the blade made of ice didn't stand a chance. It only managed to cut for just a bit before stopping. Feeling angry from my axe slicing into it, the ogre turns its sight towards me and swings its club around. Without hesitation, I let go of my axe and retreat some distance away, narrowly avoiding the club smas.h.i.+ng into the place I was standing just before. The resulting wind pressure slams onto my face and made me shudder in fear. [The sheer muscle ma.s.s of ogre forms a natural armor! Direct attacks will not work!] Soldier bro, wish ya told me that earlier. [[I raised my proficiency and beat em all using laws of physics] but when the enemy does it, it's just plain unreasonable, d.a.m.n it.] Though the last one did reach its body, it's not particularly effective as it only manage to pierce for just a little bit. The ogre pulls it out with one hand and toss it away. When I sneak a peek at the other ogre, it's storming at other soldiers gathered in the other direction. The soldiers are evading its attack with well-trained movement and coordination but they seem to be just as lacking in firepower as well. [Adventurer-dono. You look the part as a magician but the magic that works against it is--] (bro) [Unfortunately, I'm lacking in ability. I can't use anything other than physical attacks using ice element.] (kanna) [gh Normally that would be a valuable firepower of a high-level attribute.] (bro) [Pardon me for the incompetence.] (kanna) 3 of us managed to continue evading the ogre's fierce onslaught while slipping in attacks. The two soldiers slash at it with their equipped sword while I pile up mine with ice axe and ice cones. Well, it's not like I can't do it but that action consumes a tremendous amount of mental strength. There is a possibility that it can evade the attack and even if I do manage to knock it down, there's still one more left. I can't use it carelessly. [uwaaa!?] I heard a voice from nearby while I'm busy thinking about strategy. Soldier bro slipped and fell. In front of the soldier, the ogre raises its club overhead. If that blow connects it'll be an instant death! [Like I'll let youuu!] I thrust my hands forward and manifest an ice wall to cover him. The ogre's club smash into it, causing a crack to form in the wall. [eh? What?] [Get outta there fast! I can't keep it up for long!] (kanna) Soldier bro who couldn't process the fact that he barely managed to cling to his life due to the sudden appearance of my ice wall got shocked and paralyzed. Immediately after that, the wall finally got shattered by the ogre but at least soldier bro is safe. Good job, another soldier-san. Oh I dunno neither of their name. [T-thank you adventurer-dono.] (bro) [Thank me later, just think about how to breakthrough this situation! At this rate, we'll be tormented to death!] (kanna) [............Normally, magic of the flame system would be used to burn it down but everyone with ability to use magic had gone to partic.i.p.ate in the goblin subjugation. On the other hand, our current equipment does not possess enough sharpness to pierce through the ogre's skin.] (calm) Soldier bro thanks me with halfway tearful eyes, the other calmly replied while biting the bitterness of our state. First of all, instead of an axe, I create a [sledgehammer]. Of course, not an ultra ma.s.sive size utilizing all my mental strength, but still a big one. Only to an extent that it's not unreasonable to wield. Still, the thickness of the handle is about the same as the club that ogre has. In order to ascertain my chance, I'm going to evade its onslaught like the two soldiers. If I concentrate fully on evading and pay careful at reading the presence of the ogre, it's not too difficult a task. If that is so, then I'll just have to add a direct blow to the cone and raise its penetration force using image + propulsion power. The ice cone pierces through the air at a terrific speed. It flies at an entirely different league compared to launching it directly and hits the ogre's torso. The cone tore through the solid muscles which can even withstand sharp blades. It even swallows up internal organs and crushes the ogre's spine before finally boring a hole at the back for its exit. After the ogre raised its final death cry due to the hole in its body, its crashes into the ground while scattering blood all over. [............Oh] The two soldiers are also equally surprised and went stiff at the sight. That penetration was certainly an unexpected outcome because I only expected the cone to pierce it. What a nice miscalculation it was. [.........hah! Adventurer-dono! Please take down the other one as well!] The other soldiers are.........still holding on, except for the one who was blown away. However, their movement lacks the composure they had in the beginning. If the situation continue as it is, it will only be a matter of time before someone else gets. .h.i.t by the ogre. I once again create an ice cone and get into position so I can [strike] it at any moment. My preparation is complete. I nod to signal soldier bro who then raises his voice. [Men! Clear away from the ogre! ! !] Everyone in the vicinity of the ogre clear away after hearing soldier bro's warning. The ogre who is puzzled at the sudden retreat of its prey turns its neck to look around. Far from penetrating, the cone flas.h.i.+ly annihilate its head while scattering pieces of skull and brain matter. Having lost its head, the ogre stagger on the spot and collapse without a death cry (got no head after all). My victory shout comes a little bit later. ---Oooooooooooooooooooooooo! ! ! All of the soldiers let out cries of victory. [You've done it, adventurer-dono! As expected of the one Lydeal-sama sent!] Soldier bro pats my shoulder while crumbling into tears. The other soldier nods with his arms crossed. All of the remaining soldier sink down on the spot. [We were not trained by our leader for nothing, he won't die of something of that level. At best, he might have broken one or two bones.] Soldier bro said so cheerfully but just hold on a sec. [One or two broken bones are quite serious though?!] [Don't sweat it. It's a daily occurrence for us. But all our healers are out subjugating, so he'll have to tough it out until then.] [............This knight order are a pretty violent bunch aren't they.] [Speaking of which, other than the first two ogres, not a single one got summoned again.] Soldier bro said earlier that this spell will continuously summon new ogres but there's no sign of the third one coming. The magical formation is still glowing ominously though and it seems to be gradually getting stronger. [The mana that was produced by that mysterious man's sacrifice was consumed in order to immediately summon two of those ogres. But it looks like this spell has a built-in mechanism to draw and acc.u.mulate mana from the surroundings. Given enough time, a new ogre will be summoned again.] If we a.s.sume so, was it a mistake to take down that goggle-eye before confirming the situation? If the end result doesn't change with or without him, it probably would've been fine to extract as much information as possible. Whether or not soldier bro was able to read it from my expression, he laughs wryly. [Please don't be discouraged. I think your judgement was correct. This built-in mechanism is far less efficient at collecting mana than a magician pouring it in directly. Compared to facing two at once, the situation would've been impossible to handle if a summoning occurred every few tens of second or minutes.] The soldier next to him also nods in agreement. [But, just as he said just now, this magical formation will continue to acc.u.mulate mana from the air, albeit inefficiently. With time, a new ogre will be summoned.] [In other words, it would be better to break it down before that happens.] (kanna) [I agree. Adventurer-dono, can we ask this of you?] (bro) [Ou, leave it to me.] I stand at the edge of the formation and create an ice sword. [seiya]

現実世界で列車の旅などしたことは無いが、こちらの世界に来てから旅と言えば徒歩か馬車だったのだ。その差故にか驚くほどに快適な二日間になった。列車内は比較的に安全が確保されているので、昼夜問わずに警戒を取らずに済むのが精神的には非常に有り難い。他にも、車内販売で食事まで出てきた。流石にホテルで出てくるような凝った物は売られていなかったが、それでも快適の一言に尽きる。客席側の窓から見える光景も、そこに魔獣が生息している事実さえ忘れられればとても綺麗だった。一応まだ護衛の役割は残っているのだが、これほどに快適で良いのかと少々迷ってしまうほどだ。 二日間の列車旅を終えて無事に到着した帝都『ドラクニル』の駅は、南端都市を含みこれまで何回か停止した中途駅のどれよりも遙かに規模が大きい巨大建造物だった。ディアガルの領内にある列車すべての終着点なのだ。納得の大きさだ。 駅から一歩出れば、帝都の町並みも相応に広大だ。ぱっと見渡すだけでも、これまで訪れてきた街のどこよりも巨大な街なのだとはっきり分かった。まず背の高い建物の数が段違いに多い。高層ビル、とまでは流石に届かないが、五、六階建てはありそうな物件がいくつも見えた。 「ふん、田舎者丸出しだな」 「田舎者ですが何か?」 アガットがぼそっと嫌みを口にするが、さらっと流してやる。 正確に言うと現実世界では日本の首都暮らしだったが、幻想世界では名も無い辺境の村出身で通っている。世間様の一般常識が欠落している、という意味では十分に田舎者だ。 俺の反応が面白くなかったのか気に入らないのか、アガットの表情に険が混じる。君は俺が絡むと本当に導火線短いな。これでランド曰く将来有望な隊長候補なのだから心配になる。 俺たちはとりあえず駅の側にある喫茶店に入った。ファイマの護衛依頼は帝都に到着した時点で完遂し、その精算を落ち着いた場所で行うためだ。 大きめなテーブルに陣取った俺たちは各自で飲み物を注文し、早速本題に入った。 「カンナ、レアルさん。改めてお疲れさまでした。現時点を持って護衛の依頼を完遂したとし、報酬を支払わせて頂きます」 改まった口調でファイマが言うと、彼女は隣に座るランドに目配せをした。頷きを返したランドは懐から膨れた布の小袋を取り出すとテーブルの上に置いた。ジャラリと音がしたことから、報酬としての財貨が入っているのだろう。 「金貨二十枚です。ご確認ください」 「............そりゃまた随分と奮発だな」 日本円にして二百万円だ。しかも、彼女にはここ数週間の旅の経費も支払って貰っていたので、実質的な報酬はおそらく金貨三十枚分になるだろう。 「少々貰いすぎな気もするが?」 レアルも疑問は呈しつつ、袋を受け取り中身を確認しながらも言った。現金な話だが、払う側が宣言した以上拒む気は毛頭ようだ。お金の話だけに。 「いや。正当な報酬のつもりだ。繰り返すが、カンナ君やレアル殿がいなければ、我々はとてもではないがここドラクニルに辿り着けず命を落としていただろう」 「これは昨日ランドと話し合って決めたの。私たちの遭遇した危険の度合いを考えれば決して高くないはずよ。だから、遠慮せずに受け取って頂戴」 彼女とランドがそう言うのならば、俺としても拒むつもりはない。後でレアルと俺とで山分けするか。 「我が儘な本音を言ってしまえば、二人には引き続き私の専属護衛を担って欲しいぐらいだわ。もちろん、相応の待遇は約束する」 「や、そう言ってくれるのは嬉しいが、誰かに仕えるってつもりは今のところ無い」 「私も本職があるのでな。一個人に雇われる訳にはいかんのだ」 やんわりと断ると、ファイマはクスリと笑った。 「ダメ元で言ってみただけだからそこまで謝らなくても良いわ。けど、本気でそう思えるぐらいに二人といるのは楽しかったの。それだけは覚えていて欲しいわ」 俺としても、ファイマと一緒にいるのは中々に楽しい時間だった。第一印象こそ悪かったが、今ではもうその印象は払拭されている。対等と認めた相手が誰であれ親しく話せる人柄には好感が持てた。 「レアルさんはともかく、こんな田舎者を引き入れるとなるとあなたの品性が疑われる恐れがあります。ご冗談はお止め下さい」 「あらアガット。貴方は彼の実力を疑っているのかしら」 「いやそれは............こいつがそこらの冒険者どもより腕が立つのは認めますが」 口惜しそうにだが、アガットは俺の実力を評価した。プライドの高さは相変わらずだが、認めるべきを認める素直さを彼は持っていた。これまでの道中で彼とは何度と無く訓練としての模擬戦をしてきたが、俺の卑怯千万な戦法に文句を口にしてきたが、あからさまな罵倒は意外と少なかったりする。がっちがちの堅物と思いきや、柔軟性が無いわけではないらしい。事実、最後の方では何でもありルール(精霊術は無しだが)での訓練では楽に勝つことは出来ず結構苦戦した。まぁ、それでも何とか勝てましたが、それはつまり相手の卑怯な行為にも咄嗟の反応が出来てきた事を意味する。どうやらランドの思惑通りに事が進んだようだ。 「いや、だとしてもこいつのような卑怯な真似ばかりをする男が傍にいれば、お嬢様の悪評に繋がります!」 「や、断ったんだからそこまで食いつかなくとも」 「そもそも、お嬢様の勧誘を断るような輩です。こちらに引き入れる価値もない!」 「断ったら断ったで面倒くせぇなおい」 「はいはいアガット。あなたはいい加減に落ち着きなさいな」 今にも席を立ち上がろうとするアガットを、キスカがやんわりと止める。 「私としては、カンナ君が一緒にいる職場は楽しいと思いますけど、本人が嫌がるのなら無理強いは出来ないですね。............はぁ、せっかく結婚相手が見つかったと思ったのに」 「や、おまえはおまえで大概だな」 「でも、遠距離恋愛っていうのもいいわね」 「本当にマイペースだなおまえさん」 キスカがここまで濃いキャラだとは思っていなかったよ。見目麗しい男装の麗人と思いきや、このパーティーの中では一番のボケキャラと認識している。この中で一番会話が少ないにも関わらずだ。 勧誘云々の話はここで区切りだ。 「それで、ファイマたちはこの後どうするんだ?」 「先方にはもう手紙で連絡してあるからその挨拶回りよ。私がドラクニルに到着したのは既に伝わっていると思うから、早く顔を出さないとね。カンナ達は?」 「まだ日も高いからな。今日の内に冒険者ギルドに登録申請しに行く予定だ」 「拙者はカンナ氏と同道する予定でござる」 「私はまず職場の方に顔を出すつもりだ」 となると、この喫茶店を出た時点でお別れか。 レアルは今後とも顔を合わせる予定はあるが、ファイマとはこれで一期一会になるだろうな。元々貴族と深いかかわり合いを持つつもりはない。この世界の住人でない以上、何かと面倒事の多そうな身分とのつきあいは控えていたい。というか、腹のさぐり合いが日常茶飯事の世界に足を踏み入れたくはない。 「ま、あれだ。なんだかんだで俺も楽しかったよ。あんたの護衛を引き受けたのは多分正解だったんだろうな」 「私もよカンナ。短い間だったけれど、この一ヶ月近くは本当に有意義な時間を過ごせたわ。もし困ったことがあったら言って頂戴ね。微力ながら助けになるわ」 「貴族様に助けを求めるような事態は御免被るがな」 それもそうね、と笑うファイマに、俺は別れの握手を交わすのだった。 喫茶店を出ると俺とクロエ、レアル、ファイマ等四人は別々の方向に出発した。後腐れ無いすっきりした終わり方だ。 「じゃ、早速冒険者ギルドにいくでござるか」 「場所分かってんのか?」 「駅にあった、帝都の地図が描いてあった立て札で所在は把握済みでござるよ。ここの支部はユーフォニアにある本部に次ぐ規模のギルドでござるから、近くに行けば直ぐに分かるでござるよ」 下準備はばっちりか。誰かに道を聞く手間が省けた。 「頼りになる先輩だこと」 クロエに笑いかけると、彼女は照れるようにはにかみ、獣耳と尻尾をピコピコワサワサ揺らす。分かりやすすぎる反応に、俺はほとんど無意識にクロエの頭に手を伸ばし撫でていた。小さくくせっ毛のある黒髪が指の間でくしゃりと流れた。 「わふぅッ」 「あ、悪い。つい」 気持ち的には犬を可愛がっているような心境だった。や、彼女は狼の獣人であるし、そもそも年上だ。ちょっと失礼だったか。 「あ、や............。い、イヤでは無いでござる。むしろもっと............」 むしろもっと............なにさッ。気になるんですけど。 「と、とりあえず冒険者ギルドに行くでござるよ!」 超強引な話題転換でクロエは歩き出したが、後ろから見えるその横顔が赤らんでいるのだけは確認できた。俺は何ともいえない気恥ずかしさを覚えつつそのことには触れず、黙って彼女の後を追った。 しかし危ういな。あの黒い狼耳と毛の肌触りは癖になりそうだ。元々ケモフサには関心があったが、いざ目の当たりにすると病み付きになる。先日の宿の一件ではその獣耳と尻尾を堪能したが、中毒性がやばい。自重せねば。 やはり一国の中心地というだけあって、ドラクニルの人間の数は他の都市を圧倒していた。そして、人数でもそうだがユルフィリアよりも圧倒的に人族以外の種族割合が多い。ぱっと見でも獣人系の人々が沢山居るし、長耳を持ったエルフ族もいれば、よく観察すると水人族らしい手に水掻きを持っている人も見つけられる。子供のように小柄な者もいたが、おそらくその何割かはドワーフ族だと思われる。なぜなら、ちっちゃな背丈に似合わないごっつい武器を背負って居たりするからだ。ドワーフ族はあの小さな体に反して人間を越える膂力を持っているのだ。しかしギャップが凄いな。 軽い人間観察をしながらクロエについて行くと、彼女はとある建物の前で足を止めた。どうやら目的地に着いたらしい。 「どうやらここがドラクニルのギルド支部でござるな。立て札に羽が交差している紋章があるでござろう? あれが冒険者ギルドの証でござるよ」 「へぇ............、ってでっかっ!?」 支部とぱっと聞くと小さいイメージが合ったが、俺たちがたどり着いた建物はかなりでかかった。学校にある体育館ぐらいありそうな面積に窓の数だけで判断すれば五階建て位はある。ぱっと目に付く周囲の建物と比べて大きさが二回りほど違った。や、高さだけ、あるいは面積だけ、との条件ならちらほらあったが、この面積で同程度の高さ、という条件付きだとこの建物が唯一か。 「拙者も支部でここまで大きなギルドは初めてでござるな。ほとんど本部と見劣りしないでござるよ」 「参考までに聞くけど、他の支部の規模ってどのくらいだ?」 「大衆食堂と同じくらいが基本でござる。宿と兼営している所もあるでござるな。帝都だけあって集まる依頼の数も訪れる冒険者の数も膨大でござるから、このぐらいの大きさでないと処理しきれないのでござろう」 こうしてギルドの前に突っ立っている間にも、武器を体の何処かしらに携えた者が出入り口をひっきり無しに通過している。 「とりあえず入るでござるか」 ギルドの中は思っていたとおりに大量の冒険者達で賑わっていた。内部の構造は、現実世界で以前にも訪れた市役所に似ていた。 クロエは書類らしきものを抱えて傍を歩いていた職員の男性に声をかけた。 「そこの職員のお方。申し訳無いでござるが、ギルドカードの登録、再発行はどこで行えばいいでござるか? ここのギルドを利用するのは初めてなのでござる」 「それでしたら、入り口から見て左端のカウンターですよ。後の案内は窓口職員が指示しますので」 「了解したでござる。さ、カンナ氏、こちらでござるよ」 職員の指示した窓口に行く。幸い、他の窓口と比べて並んでいる者はほとんどいない。すぐに人族女性の受付が対応してくれた。 「ようそこドラクニルギルドへ。お二人とも見ない顔ですね。当ギルドのご利用は初めてですか?」 「先程こちらに到着したばかりでござる。拙者はカードを紛失した故に再発行を、こちらの彼は新規登録をお願いしにきたでござるよ」 「畏まりました。再発行には金貨一枚。新規登録には銀貨一枚の費用が掛かりますが宜しいですか?」 「勿論でござる」 クロエはちらりと此方を見て(申し訳無いでござる)と声無く口にし、懐から金貨と銀貨を一枚ずつ取り出した。 ご存じの通り完全に無一文だった彼女だが、流石にそのままでは身動きが取れないので、当面の費用は俺が貸し出すという面目で工面している。補足すると、先程喫茶店で分かれた以降、ファイマとの連絡手段がなくなってしまう。渓谷近くの街からドラクニルまでに掛かったクロエ分の旅費は彼女自身が返済する予定だったのだが、返す相手との連絡手段が無い以上、いろいろと不都合が出てくる。なので、ファイマに対するクロエの借金は今回は俺が肩代わりし、クロエが俺に借金する形にしたのだ。俺の場合、深刻な財政難ではなかったし今回の報酬もあったのでクロエの旅費を肩代わりする分にはほとんど懐は痛まなかった。 「このご恩は必ず返すでござるッ!」とクロエは力強く決意していた。なんか、彼女の俺に対する恩がどんどん積み重なっていくな。気にするな、とは言わないがちょっと背中がこそばゆい。 「いま気になったけど、何で新規登録より再発行の方が金掛かるんだ?」 俺は素直な疑問を女性職員に尋ねた。 「ギルドカードは特殊な素材で出来ているだけではなく、その処理方法も複製不可能のための措置が幾つか施されています。その諸々の費用が本来であるなら金貨一枚なのですが、新米冒険者のみなさまには少々敷居が高いお値段です。ですので、新規はお安めにし、残りの分は依頼を受ける際の仲介料をギルドが徴収します。再発行で本来の金貨一枚を請求するのは、安易にカードを紛失するのを防いで貰うための措置です」 金貨一枚相当の物をそうぽんぽん無くされても困るか。 「では再発行の方、こちらの用紙に名前を記入の上、この印の所に血の一滴をお願いします。ナイフはこちらで用意しますか?」 「畏まりました。そちらの男性の方は、こちらの用紙に名前をお願いします」 「拙者はこの者の付き添いなんでござるが、再発行は時間が掛かるでござるか?」 「そうですね。ギルドのネットワークを検索し、お客様の名前と血に含まれた魔力情報を照合しますので少々時間は掛かると思います。こちらの方の新規登録が終了する頃にはそちらも完了しているでしょう」 「だったら、拙者のカードの受け渡しは彼の登録が終わってからでいいでござる。それで大丈夫でござるか?」 「勿論大丈夫です。偶にそのような方もいらっしゃるので」 女性職員の指示の元、俺は渡された用紙の空欄に自分の名前を記入した。この世界の文字はまだまだ練習中だが、とりあえず自分の名前だけは書けるようにしておいた。正直、まだ簡単な単語と数字の読み書きしかできないのが今後の課題だ。 「ちょうど良かったですね。新規登録の試験は日に三度あるのですが、その二度目がもう間もなく開始されます。定員にも空きがあるようですし、直ぐにでも受けますか?」 「じゃ、お願いするよ」 「ではそのように手続きを行います。一応、試験官の職員からも詳しい説明があると思いますが、ここでも簡単な説明をしておきますか?」 「拙者は以前にヒノイズルの支部で登録を行ったでござるが、そこと大きな違いはあるでござるか? 無いのなら拙者が道すがら説明するから大丈夫でござる」 「でしたら問題ありません。ギルドの登録試験、頑張って下さい」 社交辞令ではあろうが職員さんの応援を受けて、俺たちは彼女の言葉に従って試験会場の方へと移動した。

Though I've never traveled by train in the real world, and only walked or used the carriage to travel in this world, maybe that's why this time's train ride felt surprisingly comfortable. Since inside the train is rather safe, I didn't have to keep my guard up which was quite refres.h.i.+ng for my mind. I even had a meal in one of the cars, though it was nothing fancy like the stuff they have in hotels. Nevertheless, it was comfortable. Even the scenery beyond the window was quite beautiful if only you pretend not to have seen the magic beasts roaming around. Though the escorting job still continues, is it really fine to enjoy ourselves this much? Having finished our two day long trip, we safely arrived at the capital of Diagal,{Dracunil} . The train station of the capital was gigantic building, it was by far the biggest we've seen compared to those of all the towns we stopped at along the way and the border town we departed from. The meeting point of all the train rail in Diagal, it was a size proportional to that. For starters, the number of tall buildings was on a whole different level. Once you take a step outside the station, the vast streets of the capital come into view. Just from a single glance I understood that this city is bigger than any other I've been to before. Though they didn't reach the level of skysc.r.a.pers, some of them were five or six story tall. "humph, you're completely like a country b.u.mpkin." "I am, completely a country b.u.mpkin, so what?" Agatt seemed to be saying something, But I swiftly ignored him. The truth is, I lived in Tokyo in the real world, but here in the fantasy world I'm going with the setting of a country b.u.mpkin from a village lacking in development. Which isn't that far from the truth considering my lack of common sense. Did he not like my reaction? or did he simply not like me? Agatt's expression turns harsh. This guy really has a short fuse when it comes to me. Even with this, according to Rand he's a promising future knight captain candidate, I'm quite worried about him. We went into a cafe next to the station. Faima's request was completed the moment we stepped in the capital. Hence we're gonna receive our reward. Having a.s.sembled around a big table, we ordered some drinks and got straight to the point. "Kanna, Real-san. Once again thank you for your hard work. Seeing how the request was safely cleared, I'm thinking of handing you you reward." Having said that in a formal tone, Faima gave a glance to Rand, who returned a nod before proceeding to pull an inflated sack from his pocket. Judging from the sound it made when it hit the table, I'd say it contains the reward money. "Twenty gold coins are in there. Please go ahead and check." "............Well, that's pretty lavish of you." That's worth one million j.a.panese yen. Not to mention that she took care of all our travelling expenses for the whole trip, The total reward should be around three million yen. "Don't you think this is a tad too much?" Real expressed her question whilst checking the contents of the bag. It's kinda greedy, but it seems like she intended on rejecting whatever amount the other side proposed. "Not at all. I think it's right. I'll be repeating myself but, without you two it would have been impossible to make it this far." "This is something I already decided with Rand yesterday. Considering how dangerous the journey was, it's by no mean a high reward. That's why, don't hold back and take it." If these two are gonna say that much, I see no reason not to take it. Let's split this up with Real afterwards. "If I'm allowed to be selfish though, I'd like for the two of you to become my personal guards. Of course, I won't be frugal with your pay." "Nah, that makes me happy but, I don't really feel like serving under someone right now." "I have a job you see. That's why I also can't be hired by an individual." Seeing our gentle rejections, a chuckle leaks out of Faima's mouth. "I said it antic.i.p.ating failure so you don't have to be that concerned. But, being with you two was fun enough to make me serious about it. I hope you remember that." I enjoy being being with Faima too, Though my first impression of her was bad, that impression has been blown away by this point. The way she speaks intimately with anyone she considers an equal earned her point with me. "Real-san is one thing, but if you bring along such a country b.u.mpkin your character will be questioned. Please stop with the jokes." (Bagatt) "Ara Agatt. Are you possibly questioning his ability?" "No that is............I admit that this guy is stronger than your average adventurer but..." Although reluctant, Agatt highly evaluated my abilities. His pride is as high as always. Despite that,he's got the honesty to admit something when he has to. Till this point, I've sparred with this guy numerous times and though he complains about my unfair fighting style, he doesn't insult me much. Just when I thought he was a stone-headed brat, he actually had some in him. Matter of factly, the last battle I had with him where anything goes (except for spirit magic) was a tough one. Though I won in the end, he clearly got used to tricky fighters. Looks like things went as Rand wanted them to. "No, even so, hiring someone unfair like him will lead to milady's downfall." "Hey, I already rejected her so you don't need to be that persistent about it." "In the first place, he's the guy who rejected milady's offer. There's no worth in him joining us!" "This is becoming a pain even though I refused." "Yeah yeah Agatt. You should calm down." Kiska gently stops Bagatt who seems ready to jump out of his chair anytime. "Working together with Kannkun is fun for me but, we gotta respect his will. ............Ha~h, just when I thought I found a good husband." "You're just as bad as he is." "But a long distance relation might be good on it's own." "You really go at your pace." I never expected Kiska to be such a deep character. Just when I thought of her as a straight laced n.o.ble lady, I was forced to recognize her as the funny man of the party, regardless of the fact that she's the one I spoke to the least. It would be good to stop this invitation talk around here. "So, what do you guys plan on doing after this?" "Since I already sent a letter to the other party, I need to give them my greetings. Because they should already know that I'm in Dracunil, I better show my face fast. What about you guys?" "The day is still long so I think I'll go register at the adventurer guild." "This one will be accompanying Kanns.h.i.+." "I'll be going to my work place." In short, the moment we leave this cafe, it's goodbye huh. Though I'll be meeting Real later, a reunion with Faima is unlikely. I never intended to make a connection with a n.o.ble in the first place. Being someone not of this world, I'd rather avoid dealing with people with troublesome statuses. Rather I'd like to stay away from the world of n.o.bles where measuring each other's hand is an everyday occurrence. "Well you know, all in all it was pretty enjoyable for me too. I probably made the right call by taking this job." "It was for me too Kanna. This short period of less than a month that I spend with you guys was wonderful. If you're ever troubled, you can rely on me, though I don't know how much I can do." " I totally don't wanna be in situation where I need to be saved by a n.o.ble-sama though." That's right isn't it? I extended my hand to Faima who laughed while saying that for a farewell handshake. As we stepped out of the cafe, I and Chloe, Real, Faima and the three knights, left in different directions. It was a refres.h.i.+ng goodbye with no held feelings. "Now then, shall we head to adventurer guild degozaru ka?" "Do you know it's location?" "The guild's sign was on the map at the station degozaru yo. The branch here is only second to the Headquarters in Yufonia degozaru, that's why we should recognize it once we get closer degozaru yo." Her preparations are completed huh. It saves us the trouble of asking someone for directions. "Such a reliable sempai." Chloe embarra.s.singly fidgets and starts *pikopikowasawasa* swinging her tail and ears around in reaction to my joke. Towards her super obvious reaction, I reflexively extended my hand to Chloe's head and started patting her. Her bit curly black hair, smoothly pa.s.sed between my fingers. "Wafuu!" "Ah, sorry. Before I knew it." It felt like playing with a dog.No well, she's a wolf beastman, not to mention my elder. Was I a little too rude. "Ah, No............I, it's not like I didn't like it. In fact, more............" In fact, more............What does that mean. I'm really interested here. "F, for now we should go to this adventurer guild degozaru yo!" Having changed the subject rather focefully, Chloe started waking towards the guild. The only thing I could confirm from behind was her red face. Feeling an unexplainable sense of embarra.s.sment, I decided to just follow after her. But she is quite dangerous. The sensation of that fur on my hands and those ears might just become a habit. I was interested in kemofusa to begin with. Hence my hands can't help but get active whenever I see those ears and tail. I enjoyed a taste of Chloe's ears and tail just the other day. Nevertheless it's pretty addictive. I have to control myself. Not betraying it's name as the center of a single nation, the number of people in Dracunil surpa.s.sed that of other cities by far and wide. Moreover their numbers are so too but, the diversity of the races here easily overwhelmed that of Yurifira. From just a glance, the number of beastmen is high, and then there were the elves with their sharp ears and even some seakin like people with fins between their fingers, could be seen. There were even some frail child looking ones but, the majority of them most likely belong to the dwarf race. Why? Because they carried weapons that didn't suit their small statures. despite their looks, dwarves actually have more strength than humans. But the gap is simply amazing. While doing some light human observation followed after Chloe who suddenly stopped in front of a big building. Apparently, we've reached our destination. "This place seems to be the guild branch of this city degozaru na. Isn't there that sign with two crossing wings degozarou? That's the adventurer guild's proof degozaru yo." "Hee............Tte, it's big?!!" The word branch gave the impression that the place is small but, the structure in front of us was pretty big. Based on it's height which is around that of a school's gym and the number of windows it has, I'd say it's five story tall. Compared to the other buildings around it, the guild branch was twice as big. No well, If it's only in height or only in size then some of them meet the condition. However, the only one that has both is the guild branch. "It's also this one's first time seeing a guild branch this big degozaru na. It's almost the same size as the adventurer guild headquarters degozaru yo." "As a reference, how big are the other branches?" "Normally they have the same size as an eating house degozaru. Sometimes they also serve as inns degozaru na. Being the capital, the number of adventurers and requests are a level above other branches. the place has to be this big or they won't be able to handle it degozarou." As we stood in front the guild, people armed with weapons were coming in and out of the building. "For now shall we get inside degozarouka?" Inside the guild was as expected, bustling with adventurers. The interior design was similar to that of the city hall I visited before in the real world. Chloe called out to the guy that was pa.s.sing by with some doc.u.ments in hand. "The staff member over there, sorry but could you tell me where to register and where to reissue my card degozaru ka? It's my first time in this branch degozaru." "For that, you should head to the last counter on the left side of the exit, the personnel there will explain the rest." "Roger that degozaru. Now Kanns.h.i.+, it's this way degozaru yo." We go towards the counter that the personnel directed us to. Luckily, compared to the rest of the counters the number of people lined up isn't much. Our turn came right away and the woman at the counter got to business. "Welcome to the adventurer guild Dracunil branch. You two are unfamiliar faces, is this your first time in the adventurer guild?" "We arrived here just a while ago degozaru. This one lost her card so I want to issue a new one, this person wants to register degozaru yo." "Understood. You need to pay a single gold coin for the issuing of a new card and one silver coin for the registry, is that alright?" "Of course degozaru." Chloe sent a glance my way (Sorry degozaru) moving her lips she forms such voiceless words. Then she proceeds to take out the money from her pocket. As you know it's Chloe that was completely penniless which is why I ended up lending her some money. The thing is, we just parted with Faima and have no way of contacting her. Chloe had intended to pay her debt made to Faima throughout the trip on her own, but that can prove rather difficult if she can't even contact said Faima. Hence I payed Faima in Chloe's place, and Chloe can return the money to me. Since I wasn't lacking in cash and had just gotten the reward money, it was practically no problem to pay in Chloe's stead. "I'll definitely return this big favor degozaru!!" is what Chloe promised with determined voice. Her favors towards me are kinda piling up. I won't tell her not to mind it, but my back is ticklish. "I'm kinda curious but, why is it that reissuing a card costs more than getting your first one?" I asked the staff lady an honest question. "Not only is the guild card made of special materials, its's made so that n.o.body can replicate it. normally it would cost one gold coin but since most of the people who come to register don't have that much money we have them pay one silver coin now and deduce the rest from their quests' rewards later on. The reason why we demand the whole gold coin when reissuing is so that adventurers always keep their cards safe." it's troubling if they keep losing something that's worth one gold coin huh. "Well then, the person who wants to reissue her card, please write your name on this form and I'll need a drop of your blood here. Do you have a knife?" "Understood. the man's side, please right your name on this form." "This one is with this person degozaru ga, will it take time for this one's new card to be ready degozaru ka?" "Let's see, using the guild's network, we'll a.s.semble your information through your name and the magic power in your blood. I think it will take a while. It will be ready by the time this man finishes his registry." "Then, I'd like to get my card after he's done with his registration degozaru. Is that fine degozaru ka? "Of course that's fine. Sometimes there are people like that." I wrote my name on the form I was given. Though i'm still learning this world's language, I made sure to at least be able to write my own name. the fact that I can only deal with basic, simple words and numbers is a problem I need to deal with. "You came at a good time. The newbie registration test is held three times a day and the second test is about to start. Since we still have leeway in the number of partic.i.p.ants, will you take it?" "I'll take it now." "Then I'll make arrangements for that. I think you'll be getting an explanation on the test from the guild personnel overseeing it but, do you want a simple explanation now?" "This one did the registration at the Hinoizur branch degozaru ga, is there any noteworthy difference with the test they did there degozaru ka? If not then this one will explain to him degozaru." "In that case there is no problem. Please do your best with the test." Receiving the guild staff's lip service, we headed towards the test grounds as she told us to.

野営地を襲った異常事態を乗り越えはしたが、全ては解決していない。 「なにが何だか、って感じですね」 「だな。唯一の証言者であるギョロ目は消し飛んじまったし」 何の目的があってこんな場所に召喚術式を設置したのか、その理由は一切合切が不明だ。「お友達を作りたかった」などという和やかムードな動機でないのは確か。だったらオーガなどという「血祭り上等!」な魔獣を呼び出そうとしないだろう。 「そういえば、冒険者殿はどうしてここに召喚術式が敷かれているのに気が付いたのですか? あの召喚術士が構築した人払いの結界は完璧でした。恥ずかしながら、私を含む付近を巡回していた者も誰一人として、発生していた魔力の気配を見逃していましたし」 そういって兵士のーーって、いい加減名前聞いておこう。どっちがどっちだか判断しにくい。 「話の腰を折って悪いが、いい加減あんたらの名前を教えてくれ。俺はカンナ。冒険者ランクはDだ」 「おっと、これは失礼しました。自分はディアガル帝国幻竜騎士団所属のアストと申します」 こっちは落ち着いた方の兵士さんだ。 「同じく幻竜騎士団所属のフューズです」 ノリのいい門番のアンちゃん。 名乗りだけの簡単な自己紹介だ。ちなみに何度も「兵士さん」と呼んでいることから分かるとおり、彼らは騎士ではなく一兵卒である。 『騎士』とは封建領主から任命された武人を指す。そしてその騎士が率いる一部隊が『騎士団』だ。 だが、ディアガル帝国は少しだけ毛色が異なる。『騎士』が、その自らの采配を持って隊員を厳選し、それを『一戦力』として国が認められればそれは『騎士団』として扱われる。普段の身分階級はどうあれ、軍隊においてはディアガルは実力主義。有能とあればどんな人物でも起用するスタイルなのだ。 「恥ずかしながら、我々を含め、野営地に残っているのは幻竜騎士団に所属してまだ日が浅い者ばかりです。討伐の前線に向かっている者が数人残っていればオーガを討伐できたでしょうね」 フューズが悔しげに言った。 「............え? あれって単独討伐は冒険者ランクBは必要だぞ?」 「幻竜騎士団のほぼ全員は、元Aランクの冒険者だった団長が直々に鍛えていることもあり、ほぼ全員が冒険者Bランクと同等の戦闘力を有しています。副長に至ってはAに限りなく近いBランクの実力でしょうね」 「............冒険者ギルドにレイド依頼出すまでもなかったんじゃねぇの、今回のゴブリン討伐にさ」 レイド依頼に名乗りを上げたのは、一部を除きほぼ全てがCランク。その中でも最上位の実力は有しているだろうが、Bランクの実力者でほぼ全員を固めている幻竜騎士団に比べればかなり見劣りする。 「フューズの今言ったBランクというのは『人間』を相手にしたときの強さであり。魔獣の討伐を生業にしている冒険者達とは分野が異なる。同人数であれば魔獣討伐の効率はCランクの冒険者たちよりも随分と劣るだろうな」 魔獣討伐に限るなら幻竜騎士団三人で冒険者ランクCと同等だとか。まぁ、魔獣の種類によってもこの人数対比は変わるだろうし、一概にそうとも言え無いだろうが。 話が脇に逸れてしまったな。幻竜騎士団の実力はこれぐらいにして、目下の疑問に会話を戻す。 「ここは順序立てて考えていくか」 「と、言いますと?」 俺は二人に見えるように、人差し指を一つ立てた。 「あのまま俺がギョロ目に気が付かず、人払いの結界が維持したままの場合を想定すると、どうなる?」 「完成した召喚術式に魔力が注がれ、オーガの永続召喚が発動していたでしょうね」 「となると、だ」 フューズの言葉が終わってから、指の二本目を立てる。 「あんたらが気が付かない内に、野営地のど真ん中にオーガの大集団が発生したわけだ。で、十分な数が集まったとすると?」 「野営地の中で暴れ回っていたでしょうね。カンナ殿がいなければ、我々はオーガのニ体でさえ討伐できなかった。それが十体も二十体もいたと考えると、ぞっとする」 顔を少し青くしたアスト。安易に『全滅させられた』とは言いたくなかったのだろうな。 「現実的に見れば、あのギョロ目の『最初の目的』はあんたらを含む野営地の破壊だろうな」 俺は指の三つ目を立てた。 「野営地が破壊されて困るのは............まぁ、妥当に考えりゃぁゴブリンの討伐に向かってる騎士団の主力と冒険者達だろうな」 物事は順序立てて考えていくと、意外とシンプルに答えに行き着く。彩菜に教わった思考法だ。おかげであまり賢いとは言い難い俺でもここまでたどり着く。 「いや、ここが破壊されただけなら問題はない。幻竜騎士団の主力なら、オーガの集団であろうとも対処できるだろう。団員ならともかく、団長は相手が人であろうとも魔獣であろうとも一騎当千の実力者。オーガの十や二十は余裕で殲滅できる」 アストの言葉に、俺はとある銀髪巨乳エルフを思い出した。やっこさんのパワーならオーガにも真っ正面から対抗できるしな。誇張でも無いだろう。 「それにあちらにはCランク冒険者もいる。物資が破壊されるのは確かに痛いが、オーガの集団は戦力的に考えてあまり脅威ではないな」 一般市民や実力に劣る兵士ならオーガの集団は悪夢に他なら無いが、幻竜騎士団とCランク冒険者達の組み合わせにとっては『ちょっと強い魔獣』程度に留まる。 と、ここに来てアストの言葉と俺の言葉の擦れ違いに気が付く。 「ん? 俺が言ったのはこの野営地が破壊されたときの状況だ。別にオーガと幻竜騎士団がぶつかったときの話はしてないぞ?」 「いえ、アストは野営地を破壊した後のオーガがどのような行動に出るかを予想した上での説明ですよ」 「あ、ああ、紛らわしい言い方になってすまない」 整理すると、あのままギョロ目が召喚術を成功させれば、この野営地は物資ごと破壊され、オーガは作戦中の幻竜騎士団に............。 「って、オーガが都合良く幻竜騎士団に突っ込んで行くか?」 「召喚術式には例外なく、召喚した対象の行動を縛る術式が組み込まれている。細かくは無理だが大ざっぱな命令は下せるはずだ。むしろ、それがないと魔術式としては欠陥だ」 そりゃそうだ。召喚した対象が勝手気ままに動いたら、下手すりゃ召喚術士が殺されてしまう。 「野営地の真ん中に凶暴な魔獣を召喚したんだ。ここを拠点にしている幻竜騎士団を襲うのは自然か」 結局、オーガが幻竜騎士団+冒険者達の相手になるには役者不足であったっぽいがな。ギョロ目の行動は結局、騎士団の手間を増やし、物資を破壊するだけに終わる。 ーーーー果たしてそれだけで済む問題か? 痛みこそ無かったが、反射的に俺は耳元に手をやった。 「............カンナ殿?」 アストが声をかけ、フューズも首を傾げるがそれに言葉を返せるほどの余裕はなかった。 何だ今のは。感触としては、防具の裏に仕込んである反応氷結界が砕けたときに近い。だが、先ほどのオーガ戦では一撃も食らっておらず、仕込んでいた氷結晶は全て無事だ。 ............いや、違う。 俺が今持っている氷結晶の他にもう一つ、あらかじめ作っておいた氷結晶があるではないか。 「クロエに渡した氷結晶かッ」 あの感触はおそらく、彼女に渡した氷結晶が反応氷結界の効果を経て砕けたのだ。これほどの遠距離でも発動の有無が伝わってきたのは予想外だが、それどころではない。 偶然にも致命傷を受けた可能性もあるが、考えにくい。 クロエは純粋な技量で言えば俺が足下にも及ばない手練れだ。格下のゴブリンといえでも油断はないはず。それが百を越える集団なら尚更だ。加えて推定Bランクとされているゴブリンの上位個体も確認されている。隙を見せるなどありえない。 「............『ゴブリン』が相手なら?」 とてつもなく嫌な予感がこみ上げてきた。 そもそもの前提が間違っているのではないだろうか。 この場で俺たちは、オーガは作戦中の騎士団、冒険者の合同部隊の相手にはなりえないと結論を出した。だがそれは『合同部隊の相手がゴブリンの大集団』というのが前提。数を揃えたところでゴブリンは雑魚中の雑魚だ。手練れならゴブリンの軍勢を相手に背後から襲いかかるオーガも相手にできる。 けれども、 「............もし万が一、前方の主力部隊が苦戦していた場合に、オーガが奇襲を仕掛けたとしたら」 俺が出した結論に、アストとフューズが驚愕した。 「ま、まさか。幻竜騎士団と冒険者達の合同部隊がゴブリンを相手に苦戦するとでもおっしゃるのですかッ」 「いや、違う。カンナ殿が言いたいことはつまり、相手が『ゴブリン』だけとは限らない、という意味だッ」 ようやく答えが揃ってきたな。 今回発生したゴブリンの大発生。上位個体が生まれた為の希有な自然現象だとばかり思っていたが、人為的に発生した疑いが出てきたな。 ゴブリン以上の戦闘力を持った『何か』と、オーガの集団による前後からの挟撃。ギョロ目がやりたかった目的はおそらくこれだ。 「くそッ、なんで行く先々で面倒が発生するのかね!」 運命の神様に悪態をつきつつ、俺はクロエが今まさに戦っているだろう方面を睨みつけた。

We overcame the abnormal situation that hit the encampment but not everything had been resolved. [I feel like something is amiss.] (kanna) [Sure does. The only witness, that goggle-eyed man died and vanished.] For what purpose did he set up summoning spell in such a place, it will never come to light now. It was certainly not driven by a peaceful motive like [I wanna make friends]. If that's the case then, he wouldn't have summoned a magic beast like that [bring-on-the-blood-festival] ogre. [Speaking of which, how did adventurer-dono notice that there was a summoning spell being constructed here? That human repelling barrier erected by that summoner was perfect. I am ashamed to admit that everyone including me who were patrolling the camp did not sense any indication of mana overflowing.] (bro) It's hard to tell who's talking. [I'm sorry to interrupt but its about time we introduce ourselves. I'm Kanna. A D-rank adventurer.] [ah Please excuse us. I am Ast, a member of the Diagal Empire's Genryuu (Phantom Dragon) Knight Order.] That one is the calm soldier. [Also attached to the same knight order, Fuse.] And that is the soldier bro who followed along my rhythm. By the way, as what can be inferred from me calling them [soldiers] for so many times now, they are not knights per se, but only rank and file soldiers. A [knight] refers to military men appointed by the feudal lord and a unit led by that knight is known as a [Knight Order]. Usually, a [knight order] projects an image of a unit composed of [knights]. It doesn't change much in that aspect from that of its earth counterpart. Diagal Empire's military is dictated by meritocracy, regardless of social position. It's a style where anyone can rise up the ranks as long as they are capable. [Though it's embarra.s.sing to admit, all of us who remained in the camp joined the Genryuu Knight Order not too long ago. If those that went to the front line were here, they would've been able to subdue those ogres.] Fuse says so full of regret. [.........eh? To subjugate that alone requires a B-rank adventurer, right?] (kanna) [Almost all of the members of Genryuu Knight Order are trained directly by our knight leader, a former rank adventurer and most of us possess fighting prowess on par with B-rank adventurers. The adjutant himself is comparable to a top level B-rank nearing the limits of an rank.] (fuse) [.........Wouldn't it be fine even if you didn't request a raid from the adventurers guild for this time's goblin subjugation.] Those who partic.i.p.ated in the raid request were all C-rankers except for a small portion of them. For the raid partic.i.p.ants, they possess the highest level of ability for a C-rank but they are considerably outcla.s.sed by the Genryuu Knights which consist mostly of B-rank equivalent. [The B-rank Fuse mentioned was against the strength of a [human] opponent. The cla.s.sification is different from adventurers who makes a living subjugating magic beasts. With the same number of people, our efficiency at subjugating magic beasts will be much lower than C-rank adventurers.] (ast) Limited to magic beast subjugation, 3 knights from Genryuu Knights would be equivalent to a C-rank adventurer. Well, the ratio will change depending on the type of magic beast so it doesn't qualify as a general rule. Setting aside the talk about Genryuu Knights' ability, I direct our conversation back to the previous topic. [Let's review the situation from the beginning.] (kanna) [What do you mean?] With both of them looking, I raise my index finger. [What will happen if I didn't notice that goggle-eye and that barrier remains?] (kanna) [He would pour mana into the completed magical formation and the continuous ogre summoning spell would've been invoked.] (fuse) [And if it comes to that?] After Fuse finished his deduction, I put up my middle finger. [In the absence of your perception, an outbreak of ogres would have occurred in the middle of this encampment. And suppose if there were enough numbers? ] (fuse) [They would've rampaged around the encampment. Without Kanndono around, we wouldn't have been able to subdue even those two ogres. It is horrifying to think that there could be 10 or 20 of those.] Ast comments with a pale face. I guess he didn't wanna directly say that they would've been easily [annihilated]. [If you look over the sequence of events realistically, the [first objective] of that goggle-eye would be the destruction of this camp, and that includes all of you.] (kanna) I raise the third finger. [The trouble that would've resulted from destroying the camp.........Well, if you think about it properly, it would be troubling for the joint forces between Genryuu Knights and adventurers.] When you a.n.a.lyze the sequence of events in order, the answer you would arrive at is surprisingly simple. Ayana taught me this method of thinking. Thanks to her, I can arrive at this conclusion even though I'm not very smart. [No, there would be no problem even if this camp was destroyed. The main force of Genryuu Knights will be able to cope with a group of ogres. Members aside, our leader is a combatant powerful enough to match a thousand enemy, be they humankind or magic beasts. 10 or 20 ogres will be decimated easily.] Ast's words reminds me of a silver-haired kyonyuu (busty) elf. With her strength, she could compete with an ogre head-on. It's not an exaggeration either. [Besides, there are C-rank adventurers there too. The destruction of this camp would certainly be a painful blow but a group of ogres is not much of a threat, in terms of fighting power.] For civilians and less powerful soldiers, a group of ogre is nothing but a nightmare but for the combination of Genryuu Knights and C-rank adventurers, they are only at a level of a [somewhat strong magic beasts]. Listening up to here, I noticed the discrepancy between Ast's words and mine. [hn? What I hypothesized was the situation where this encampment would be destroyed. I haven't really proceeded to the point where Genryuu Knights and the ogres collide, you know?] (kanna) [What Ast said was a prediction of what the ogres would do after destroying this encampment, you see.] (fuse) [Oh. Ah, I'm sorry for the misleading words.] (ast) As Fuse supplemented, Ast apologize for his confusing words. To summarize, if that google-eye successfully complete his summoning, this camp and all stored supplies will be razed and the ogres will target the Genryuu Knights next......... [Wait, why did you think the ogres will conveniently target the Genryuu Knights next?] (kanna) [Without exception, a summoning spell has a built-in spell in order to bind the actions of summoned target. Although giving detailed instruction is impossible but it should allow for a rough command. Rather, a summoning magical formation is flawed if that spell is not present.] That's no surprise. If the summoned target has free will, an unskilled summoner will be killed. [Summoning ferocious magic beasts in the middle of this encampment. Is it a natural turn of event to attack the knights based here?] (kanna) In the end, it seems likely that the ogres are insufficient to become an adversary for the joint expedition. Because for all the efforts of goggle-eye in destroying their camp supplies, it will only be to the extent of adding some nuisance to the expedition. ---Was it something that really needs to be done? It didn't hurt but I reflexively cover my ear. [.........Kanndono?] Ast calls out to me while Fuse tilts his head but I'm in no condition to reply. This feeling is similar to when the reactive ice field I deployed under my armor broke down. But I didn't suffer a single blow from the ogre just now, so all the crystals I had on me are safe and dormant. .........No, that's not it. In addition to the crystals in my possession, there is another crystal that I made previously. [The ice crystal I gave to Chloe....] That feeling is probably because the ice crystal I gave her broke down after manifesting reactive ice field effect. It's unexpected that the activation indicator got transmitted even over such a distance but that is not the main issue here. She may have received a fatal injury by chance but that is hard to believe. Chloe's level of expertise is such that I can't even hope to reach her feet. Even against inferior goblins, she wouldn't be negligent. All the more reason for her not to be if it's a group of more than a hundred. [.........If [goblins] are her opponent?] I have an extremely bad feeling about this. I wonder if our a.s.sumption is wrong from the outset? On our part, we concluded that the ogres wouldn't be a worthy opponent to the main expedition party. However... [.........In the unlikely event that the main force is struggling, suppose if the ogres launch a surprise attack on them.] Ast and Fuse got shocked by the conclusion I ended up with. [It-It can't be. Are you saying that the joint forces between Genryuu Knights and adventurers will struggle against goblins?] (ast) [No, you're wrong there. What Kanndono implied was their opponents are not just [goblins].] (fuse) I finally arrive at an answer. I thought it was a rare natural phenomenon due to the birth of a superior variant but now I suspect that it was induced artificially. [Something] with higher combat power than goblins coupled with a pincer attack from the back with ogres. [d.a.m.n it, why does trouble crop up everywhere I go!] While cursing the G.o.d of fate, I glare at the direction where Chloe is currently fighting right now.

「夢じゃぁ......ねぇよな」 若干の痺れは残るが、左の腕から指先にかけて普通に稼働する。ただ、俺は意識のない間に衣服を脱がされていたようで上半身裸になっており、アンサラに『切断』されたはずの部位には白い包帯が巻かれていた。昇格試験の最後に起こった出来事が真実であったのを物語っている。 「明らかに入院が必要レベルの超重傷だったはずなんだが。......俺はどのぐらい寝てた?」 「二時間ほどでござるな。腕はシナディ殿の治療術式のお陰でござるよ。医務室の治療医によれば、半日ほどは痺れるでござるが、一晩寝ればそれも無くなるそうでござるよ」 すげぇな魔術。現実世界の医療技術じゃ数週間の入院に加えて長いリハビリ期間が必要だ。ただ、思っていたよりも痛みはないのだが、躯に力が入らない。二時間からの起き抜けにしては、丸一日食事を取っていないような飢餓感が腹にのし掛かっている。 「いくら優れた治療術式でも、失われた血液までは取り戻せないでござるからな。後で精の付く物を食べて養生するでござる。あ、それからーー」 『Cランク実力試験』の合格の報をクロエから聞かされた俺は、 「とりあえず奴は今度ぶん殴る」 と、決意した。 それを聞いたクロエは、予想外の何かしらを見るような目を向けてきた。 「............そ、それで終わりでござるか? 腕を断ち切られたのでござるよ?」 「だから言ったろ。全力でぶん殴るって」 「いやいや、だとしてもそれは............」 「仕返しにしては軽すぎるってか?」 黙りこくるクロエだが、この場合は肯定だろうな。 だが、一方で間違いなく今回の戦いで得られた物もあるのだ。 「かかかッ。上等じゃねぇか。むしろ釣りが来る結果だ」 俺は左腕を右手で握りしめながら、笑う。 ーーーー『異様な気配』に連なる者たちの中には『天剣』という凶戦士がいた。彼女が彼奴らの中のトップであると断言できるほど俺も楽天家では無い。同等の戦力を有する人間が他にもいると考えたほうが自然だ。 Aランク冒険者という『人外』の存在と戦うということの意味を。それに連なる代償を。 無能の俺が『主人公』よろしく健全な成長が望めるはずが無いのは、現実世界での経験が物語っている。人より成長率が遥かに低い俺にとって、人並みの『伸び』を得るためにはマトモな方法では駄目なのだ。 の苦手であろう遠距離戦で臨もうとした。だが、失敗した。俺が近距離戦を苦手であることを、他らなぬアンサラも考慮していたのだ。でなければ、初手の『武器とは投げる為にある!』があっさり避けられるはずが無いし、迷わず間合いを詰めようとはしない。 これまでは現実世界の『経験』に『精霊術』が加わったお陰で様々な場面を切り抜けてきた。だが、アンサラに完膚なきまでに敗北し、さらには腕を切断されるという事態。つまり、あのレベルの絶対強者に出会い戦いになれば、多少の差はあれど似たような結果が待ち受けていることの証明だ。 しかし、未来に待ち受けていたかもしれない『結果』と、手元に残っている『結果』には隔てようの無い『差』があった。 この瞬間に俺の腕は繋がっている。失われるはずだった左腕は、失われずに存在している。握ることのできないはずの左手を、力の限りに握りしめることができる。 そう、俺は何も『失っていない』のだ。 四肢が無事であり、再び立ち上がれるのならば後は心の問題。 ......まぁ、次会ったら殴るが。 ただ、よくよく思い返すとアンサラの行動は『試験官』としては随分と無茶をやらかしたのでは無いか。俺の個人的な感情はともかくとして、だ。 「実力試験で腕ぶったぎるとか明らかにやりすぎだろう......」 練習試合で事前情報無しにいきなり真剣持たされて戦わされたような理不尽さだ。しかも、相手は格上で手加減無しとくる。試験官ってぇのは、受験生に怪我を負わせ無いように最大限の考慮をするのが仕事では無いのか。俺が柔な精神の持ち主だったら、トラウマ抱えて引き篭もりになっているかもしれ無いぞ。まさか他の昇格試験の受験生にも同じような事を仕出かしてるのか? そうだとしたらなんとデンジャラスな特別試験なのだろう。 「擁護するつもりは欠片も無いでござるが、アンサラ殿はアンサラ殿なりに考えがあったとーー」 「考え......ねぇ」 そんなことを考えていると、医務室に婆さんとシナディさんが入室してきた。 「此度の件、本当に申し訳なかった。アンサラの奴を担当に指名した私の偽りようのないミスだ。そのことを深く謝罪する」 俺は婆さんの口から、アンサラが何を思って試験官として逸脱した行為に及んだのか、本人から聞かされた事の真意を説明された。 「......つまり、調子づいていた新人の鼻をへし折りたかったってか?」 話し終わった婆さんは頭痛を堪えるように眉間を指で押さえながら、深い深い溜息を吐いた。彼女としても、アンサラの行動は予想外だったのだろう。 「あんたにとっては不快だろうが、アンサラの言いたいことも分からんでもないのさ」 「まさか、リーディアル殿はアンサラ殿を庇うのでござるかッ!」 怒りを見せるクロエに、婆さんは首を横に振った。 「もちろん、奴には相応の罰を下す。ただ、若い頃に成功続きの奴は、後に失敗したときほど簡単に潰れるもんだ。私は アンサラの行動は許されないが、行動に至った心境だけは理解できると、婆さんはそう言いたいのだろう。 「失敗できるうちに失敗するってぇのも、これはこれで大事な経験だ」 や、俺の場合は失敗の経験数が他の人よりも遥かに多いが、そこに口を突っ込むと良い話が壊れそうなのでやめておく。 「ま、奴の場合は心配よりも好奇心が勝ってたんだろうが。アンタが今回の件で折れるか折れないかね」 「「台無しだな(でござる)!」」 良い話で終わりそうだったのが婆さんの付け足しで最悪になった。俺の心遣いを返して欲しい。 「庇うつもりはないと言ったろうに。あいつは人間観察が趣味でね。そのことを失念していたのが、アンサラに試験担当を依頼した最大の失敗だ」 婆さん曰く、Aランクに到達する人間はどこかしらの感性が一般人とズレている場合が多いとか。そんな中であって、アンサラは実力を有しながら良心を持つ比較的『まとも』な部類に入っており、それを考えて普段は冒険者登録試験の担当官を任せていたのだ。まさか、俺が彼の琴線を刺激するとは、婆さんも立会人を引き受けていたシナディさんも思ってもみなかったのだ。 婆さんからしてみれば、いまいち実力が不明な俺であっても、アンサラなら十二分に対処できるという配慮からでた人選だったのだろうが、今回ばかりは裏目に出てしまった。 や、世の中には何人もの冒険者を再起不能に追いやった(元だが)Aランク冒険者もいるのだ。それに比べれば怪我の保障を事前に用意していたアンサラは確かにマトモな部類に入るだろう。 「どちらにせよ、あんたがこの件で冒険者を辞めちまわないかちょいとだけ心配してたんだが、その様子だと杞憂だったようだね」 「まぁ、腕も無事にくっ付いてるしな」 「その一言で済ませられるのはカンナ氏だけでござるからな? 普通はギルドの人材管理とかそこらへんに関わる大問題でござるからな?」 そこらへんの問題はギルドの内部を取り仕切る婆さんの役目だ。俺はとやかく言うつもりは無い。心の中では全力でぶん殴ることだけは確定している。あとはまぁ、会った時に考えればいい。 気になるアンサラへの処罰ではあるが。 二ヶ月の依頼報酬五割減に、同期間内にAランク依頼の超難関な稀少素材の一定数確保。二ヶ月の間に規定数を確保できなければ三年の冒険者免許の停止で、一年内に同様の罪を犯した場合には永久免停の刑。ついでに、Cランク昇格試験の監督依頼もやはり一年間の禁止だ。 「ギルドとして下せる罰はこれが限度だ。残念なことにAランクの冒険者は不足していてね。仮に除名してもそう簡単に補充できる人材でもないのさ」 「別にええんでねぇの? 痛かったこと以外はこちらに被害はねぇし、結果的には実力試験は合格だったんだろ?」 「......黒狼っこじゃないが、随分と淡白だね。腕切られたのにそんなにけろっとしてる奴は初めて見たよ。もうちょいあるだろう。腕の一本や二本のお返しがあるとか」 「さっきも言ったが、腕もくっついてるしな」 俺はシナディさんのおかげで繋がった左腕をプラプラと振るった。 腕が切断されるほどの大怪我は確かに初めてではあるが、逆にそこまで届かない程度の怪我はそれなりの経験があるのだ。一番酷かった時など、両足と左腕が折れてしばらく寝た切り生活とかあったからな。それに比べれば今の状況は随分と上等だ。 それに、今回は得るものも多かった。感謝ーーは言い過ぎだが、必要以上に彼に罰を望む気持ちは無い。まぁ、殴るが。 「あ、シナディさん。腕の治療、ありがとうございました」 「いえ、それがあの場にいた私の役目でしたので、礼は不要です。それよりも、会場に残ったままの魔術の残滓をどうにかしていただけませんか? あのままですと撤去するまで会場が使用不可能なもので」 「ん............あ、本当だ。申し訳ない」 俺はパチンと指を鳴らす。これで、特別試験に使用した会場に残っていた氷は残らず消滅したはずだ。や、言われるまですっかり忘れていた。 ーーーーはて、なんか忘れている気がするが......気のせいだろう。 ちなみに、今回の件で慰謝料代わりに金貨十枚に加えて、婆さんのお勧め料理店の無料招待券を頂いた。

[It's not......a dream.] Some numbness remains but my left arm is working normally from my upper arm all the way to my fingertips. Only, someone took off my clothes while I was unconscious, leaving my upper body bare. [Evidently, it was a very serious injury that required hospitalization. ......How long was I out?] [About 2 hours de gozaru na. Kanns.h.i.+'s arm is due to Cindy-dono's healing magic de gozaru yo. According to the infirmary's doctor, the numbness should persist for about half a day and it should disappear after a rest overnight de gozaru yo.] Magic sure is incredible. Medical technology back on earth would require weeks of hospitalization in addition to a long period of rehabilitation. [No matter how superior the healing, it can't recover any lost blood de gozaru kara na. Afterwards, eating something nutritious to recuperate should do de gozaru. oh, also--] Chloe told the that I pa.s.sed the [C-rank proficiency exam]. [First things first, Imma sock that guy.] Yep. Gonna do that. When Chloe heard that, she turn to me as seeing something truly unexpected. [.........I-Is that it de gozaru ka? Kanns.h.i.+'s arm was cut off de gozaru yo?] [That's why I said it. Imma sock him to high heavens.] [Nonono, even so, that.........] [Is it too light for a retaliation?] Chloe is being silent but that would mean affirmative in this case. Well, it's not like I didn't consider that. As one would expect, that was the first time for me to experience a serious injury of getting my arm cut off and I don't want to go through that a second time. Obviously, I'm angry at Answerer but on the flip side, I did gain something from the fight. [kakaka Ain't that fine. Rather, that's the result of being enticing.] I burst into laughter while holding my left arm with my right. ---Among those who are linked to the [strange presence], there is a terrible warrior called [Heavenly Sword]. I'm not an optimist enough to claim that she's the top of that bunch. It's more natural to think that there are others with similar capabilities. I should know it thoroughly from experience even without going that far. The meaning of fighting of an [inhuman] existence, the rank adventurers. And the price that comes with it. This incompetent me can't hope for a safe growth provided to a [protagonist]. My earthly experience speaks for itself. For me whose growth rate is much lower than that of others, the normal method isn't feasible to obtain the [growth] of an average person. The only way available for me is to literally [engrave] it on my mind and body. The fact that I wasn't good in melee combat was also taken into account by Answerer. Otherwise, there's no way he could've easily avoided my initial [a weapon is to be thrown!] and close the gap without hesitation. I was able to survive the various situations so far thanks to my [experience] back on earth on top of the [Spirit Art]. Nevertheless, I was completely shut down by Answerer and even got my arm cut off. In other words, if I were to encounter another absolute powerhouse of his level, the recent situation is proof that a similar outcome awaits. However, there is a distinct [difference] between a [future outcome] that might occur and the [present outcome] at hand. At this moment, my arm is connected. My left arm, which was supposed to be lost, is properly present. That which should not be able to grip anymore, I can grasp tightly to the best I can exert. Yes. I did not [lose] anything. If my limbs are safe, the only thing left before I can stand up once again is a matter of the mind. If so, then the rest is a cakewalk. I'm used to a [defeat] of this level. There's no way that it can break my spirit. The only thing I can be proud of is my [willpower] ......I'll still sock him the next time we meet. But, looking back closely, Answerer's action as an [examiner] was quite excessive, wasn't it? Regardless of my personal feelings. [Chopping off an arm is clearly an overkill for a proficiency exam......] An examiner's job is to provide maximum consideration for the examinee so as not to cause injuries, right? If I had a fragile mind, I might've been traumatized and become a hikikomori, y'know. He can't possibly be doing the same thing to the other exam candidate, did he? If that's the case then, what a dangerous special exam! [This one have no intention to defend him de gozaru ga but Answerer-dono has his own thoughts to consider-] [Thoughts......is it?] (baba) As we were talking about that, basan and Cindy-san enter the infirmary. As soon as basan pulls out a chair in the room and sit down, she bows deeply. Cindy-san followed suit behind her, going further by bending at her waist. [For the matter in question, I am really sorry. It was my mistake designating that rascal Answerer to be in charge. I deeply apologize.] Basan explains to me the culprit's true motive she heard from the person himself. Specifically, the thought process he came up with that resulted in him deviating as an examiner. [......In short, it was to put a conceited rookie in his place?] After talking, basan exhales a deep sigh as she holds the area between her eyebrows to endure a headache. Even for her, Answerer's conduct must've been unexpected. [It might cause you discomfort but I do understand Answerer's standpoint on the matter.] [It can't be! Lydeal-dono intends to provide cover for Answerer-dono de gozaru ka!?] Basan shook her head towards the angry Chloe. [Of course, I will punish him accordingly. It's just that, those who succeed continuously in their youth can be crushed easily by a failure later on. Due to my position (guild master), I've seen a lot of promising adventurers vanish without making a name for themselves. What he saw was not as extensive as mine but it's similar.] I guess what basan wanted to convey was, though Answerer's conduct was inexcusable, she understood the reasoning behind it. [To experience failure when you have the leeway for it is an important experience in itself.] (baba) Actually, in my case, I got a lot more of those compared to others but it seems like I'll break the mood if I let it out, so I won't. [Well, in his case, I reckon curiosity might have a higher weight than concern. Wondering if you will breakdown or not.] [[That spoiled it (de gozaru)!] ] The chat that was ending on a good note got ruined by the last minute supplement by basan. [I told you I'm not covering for him. That guy observes people for a hobby ne. Forgetting that hobby of his was the biggest mistake I made when I tasked him to take charge of the exam.] According to basan, there are many among those who reached rank having a deviated common sense, in one way or another. From among those numbers, Answerer is in a relatively [decent] category, having both conscience and capability. Under no circ.u.mstances that basan and Cindy-san, who had taken the role of witness, would have thought that I stimulated his interest. From basan's perspective, even if I'm not sure what I'm capable of, her carefully selected personnel -Answerer- should be more than enough to cope but this time, it backfired instead. Though there was the rank adventurer (former) who had driven many adventurers incapable of making a comeback. Compared to that, Answerer who had prepared insurance for injuries in advance would certainly be in the decent category. [Either way, I was a little worried whether or not you would quit being an adventurer from this matter but it seems that it was a needless worry.] [Well, my arm is sticking at the right place after all.] [Isn't it only Kanns.h.i.+ who would settle with only a few words de gozaru kara na? Usually it would result in a big ruckus involving the guild's human resource management de gozaru kara na, right?] That matter is under the jurisdiction of basan. She handles the guild's internal affair. I don't intend to complain or anything. Cause in my mind, I'm all set with socking that guy to high heavens. After that, well, I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I'm also curious about Answerer's punishment. A 50% reward reduction for 2 month's request and within the same period, to secure a certain number of rare material from rank requests that are extremely difficult to procure. If the quota could not be secured within the time limit, his adventurer's license will be suspended for 3 years. If he commits a similar offense within a year, his will be sentenced to permanent suspension. While I'm at it, he's also prohibited from taking supervisor request for C-rank promotion exam for one year. [That is the limit to the punishment we can impose as the guild. Unfortunately, there are not enough rank adventurers. He's not a person we can easily replace even if, for argument's sake, he is expelled.] [I don't particularly mind though? I sustained no damage, if we count out the pain and in the end, I pa.s.sed the proficiency exam, right?] [......You're surprisingly indifferent for one not from the black wolves ne. This is the first time I've seen a guy so nonchalant after getting his arm sliced off. You should have reacted a bit more. A sliced arm or two as revenge for example.] [As I said, my arm is properly sticking.] Thanks to Cindy-san, I can wield my left arm. Certainly this is the first time I got severely injured to the point of dismemberment but conversely, I got quite the experience with injuries not at that level. Worst one I had was when I broke both legs and left arm. For a while, I lived a life confined to a bed. Grat.i.tude--is exaggerating it but I don't wanna punish him more than necessary. I'll still sock him though. [ah Cindy-san, Thanks for healing my arm.] [No, it was my duty to be present there so you do not need to thank me. More importantly, could you do something about the magical residue remaining in the venue? Left as it is, the venue is unusable until it is removed.] [hn......oh, that's right. Sorry.] I snap my fingers. With this, all the ice left at the venue used for the special exam should have disappeared. I had completely forgotten about it until I was told. ---Lemme see, feels like I've forgotten something......but it's probably just my imagination. Incidentally, in addition to 10 gold coins for reparation, I also received a free complimentary ticket for a restaurant recommended by basan.

第二話 凍死一歩手前で山越え完遂 休憩を小刻みに入れつつ計四時間の飛行を終え、レアルは山脈を一つ越した麓で竜を下ろした。 「ご苦労様。お陰で助かった。ゆっくり休んでくれ」 レアルは竜の顎をくすぐってからねぎらいの言葉をかけ、数歩下がった。キュイキュイと別れの挨拶らしい鳴き声をあげると、足下に出現した陣から発生する光に包まれた。躯全体が光に覆われ、竜の姿が見えなくなると、徐々に光は輝きを失い、光が完全に消失すると竜の姿も地面に浮かんでいた陣も同じく消えていた。レアルが竜を呼び出すときとは逆の順繰りだ。最初に見せられたときは度肝を抜かれた。 契約を交わしたモノを手元に呼び出す召喚魔術だそうだ。 そう、このファンタジーな世界には例に漏れずファンタジーの代名詞とも言うべき『魔術』が存在するのだ。そしてその原動力である『魔力』はこの世界の人々にとって、俺たちの世界での『電気』と同等に身近に存在するエネルギーらしい。 「へっくしょい」 ガチガチに冷えた躯を両腕で抱きながら俺はクシャミをまき散らした。今越えた山の標高が高いの何のって。上の方なんか雲を貫通してるぞ? そんな高々度を学生服で越えたんだぞ? 寒いなんてもんじゃない。幸いだったのは、制服が長袖のガクランだったくらいか。気休め程度だ。 「おっとすまん」 軽く宙に印を切ると、レアルの指先に火がともる。それを正面にかざすと火は指先から分離し、空中で火力をまして炎となった。 「ああ......癒される」 物理的な温もりに、涙がこぼれそうになる。 「あれだけの高度を飛ぶ場合、普段は防寒具を着るのだが、今回は緊急時だったから火属性の魔術で代用したんだが............無理があったか?」 竜が徐々に飛行の高度を上げていく過程で、防寒対策としてレアルが火属性魔術を俺らの周囲に展開したのだが、完全ではなかった。風が至るところから吹き抜けてきて、気が遠くなるほどに寒かった。彼女は己の力量不足に申し訳なさそうな顔をするが。 「属性魔術は必要最低限にしか修得してなかったのだ。寒い思いをさせてすまなかった」 「アレがなかったら確実に凍死してた自信あるね、俺は」 意識が飛んでいたらそのまま昇天していたかもしれん。そうすると異世界にいる俺はどんな天国に召されるのだろうか。 というか、レアルさんはあまり寒そうでないね? 「属性魔術は苦手だが、付与系統の魔術は得意でな。対冷魔術を自分にかけていたのだ。防御系の魔術は得意なんだ」 さよけ。 「さて、ここまでくれば数日は大丈夫だろう。我々が城からこの山を越えるまで、どれだけ軽く見積もっても三日は掛かる」 「追っ手の方も竜とかでとんでくるんじゃ?」 「だとしても、この山を越えられるほどの竜はそうはいない。少し自慢だが、私の契約した竜は、竜種の中では上位に入る。その分、飛行限界高度も速度もかなりある」 「あの癒し系が?」 「あの癒し系が、だ。さっきも言ったが、あの竜はあまり人になつかない種族だ。人種は問わず、滅多なことでは契約できん」 つまり、滅多に出来ない契約をしたレアルはすごい人なのだろう。感心すると、俺の視線に気が付いたレアルは頬を若干赤らめた。 「ま、まぁ滅多に出来ないとはいえ、出来ないわけではない。私など足下に霞むほどに大物と契約したものもいるにはいる」 照れ隠しのためか、己よりも格上の相手を押そうとする。妙に落ち着かない手振りに、凛々しい印象のレアルが可愛らしく見えてくる。 「は、話を戻そう。とにかく、仮に追っ手が来ていても、付近の村で一泊する分には問題ないはずだ。竜種は飛行速度はあるが人を乗せての継続飛行はあまり得意ではない。今回のように持って四時間が限度」 エンジンのギアと同じか。速度は出ないがパワーが出る低速と、速度は出るがパワーがない高速の違い。 「それにそろそろ日も暮れる。どちらにせよどこかで一泊はしなければならない」 付近にある村は、山を越えた時点で小さく民家の集落が見えたので位置は分かっている。村付近に竜を着地させなかったのは、人目に付くのを避ける為。魔術自体はポピュラーだが、召喚術系統はかなりレアな部類にはいるとか。というか、竜自体が珍しいので、どうしても注目を浴びてしまうのだ。 「............目立つならその耳も目立つんじゃね?」 ピコピコしている彼女の長い耳を指さす。 「それは問題ない。これの形はエルフのモノと変わらん。私は母方がエルフでな、ハーフなのだよ」 エルフ発言きましたよ。ファンタジーの代名詞第二弾ですよ。二次元大好きな人間にはたまらんでしょうよ。俺も若干オタク入っており、かつ可愛い物好き。耳がピコピコしているのを見ると、触りたくなってきてしまいます。 「エルフなら人族に比べて数は圧倒的に劣るが、いるにはいる。あの城の城下町にも、探せばいるだろう。その程度だ。実際、エルフの旅人が辺境の村を訪れることも珍しくない」 「吟遊詩人的な?」 俺の知っている創作物に出てくるエルフは、竪琴や笛をたしなんでいるイメージが強い。 「よく知っているな。そうだ、エルフは指先の感覚が鋭く、楽器の扱いに秀でていてな、趣味と旅費稼ぎをかねてよく街で歌っている。私はさすがに扱えないがな」 「つまり、俺たちは旅の傭兵とそのお付きってことか」 「そう振る舞っていた方が無難だろう。付き人扱いで君には悪いかもしれないが」 「平気平気。むしろお世話になりっぱなしでこっちが悪いくらいだ」 「君に助けられた恩は、私にとっては一生モノだ。このぐらいならおやすいご用だよ」 この異世界に無理矢理呼び出されはしたが、この女性と出会えたことは俺にとっては間違いなく幸運だと思えた。彼女はこう言うが、俺は俺として彼女に報いたいと願った。 ............このとき、俺とレアルは完全に失念していた。というよりも気づけるはずもなかったかもしれない。 俺らが竜に乗って越えた山は、この国にとって特別な意味を持つ霊山であったこと。 レアルの不得意な魔術でのあの簡単な暖で、俺が峠を乗り越えてしまったこと。 最後に、俺がこの世界に呼び出されてしまった『条件』。 「へっくしッッ! うう............早く風呂に入りてぇ。ってか、風呂ってあるのか? もしかしたら贅沢な希望?」 「三軒に一つぐらいはある。宿屋ならあって当然だろう」 「うぉおっし。おいしいご飯と風呂があるなら、俺はどこでだって生き延びられるぜ!」

Chapter 02 : Crossing the mountain and one step short of freezing to death We just ended our rest after flying for 4 hours in that dragon; then Real directed the dragon towards the foot of the mountain range. [I appreciate your efforts, we were saved thanks to you so please make sure to rest properly] Real tickled the jaw of the dragon to show her appreciation as she spoke before taking some steps of distance; receiving an animal greeting which sounded like kyui kyui before leaving, on it's feet a large magic formation showed up s.h.i.+ning in white light and when it's whole body became enshrined in brightness, the dragon's shape became less visible as the brilliance was gradually losing it's s.h.i.+ne to finally disappear when the radiance of the formation on the ground was completely gone; the order for that is exactly reversed from when she summoned it, implying that the fundation of process might be exactly the same. When I was shown this the first time, I became completely overwhelmed and it went way over my head. It looks like summoning magic consist of calling forth something that was previously contracted by the user. And quite properly, this fantasy world has what is without exceptions the quintessential example of what a fantasy world needs to have; which is the art know as {magic} . This driving force known as {magic} is something that everyone needs to take a hold of, it might be easier to understand if you compared it to the energy source from our world known as {electricity} . [Hekkushou] Hugging my body down with my own two hands, with chattering teeth; I let out some weird sneezing sounds. I can't even imagine how high is the alt.i.tude of the mountain we have just crossed now since the actual top is in fact above the clouds. Would I really have had to climb such a high mountain while on my student uniform? Fortunately it's not it's coldest right now and a blessing in disguise is that I can take at least some peace of mind that my uniform is a long sleeved gakuran. [Oops, sorry] A light sign breaks through this open s.p.a.ce as Real's fingertip produces a fire and while pointing her hands in front of her, the flame leaves her finger and flew off through the air. [Aaah......I'm being healed] Thanks to the new found heat, he was moved to the point were tears almost fell down. [When flying at such height the normal is to wear something that blocks the cold; at this time of emergency there is no choice but to rely on some fire attribute magic as a replacement............ I guess it isn't warm enough?] At the time we were gradually increasing the alt.i.tude while flying, Real deployed fire magic as to surround us as stop-gap mea.s.sure. It was not perfect, as the wind that could blew through from every direction ended up causing an overwhelming cold. At that time Real's face spelt clearly a deep regret over her own lack of ability to cope with the sutuation. [I have only learnt elemental magic up to the bare minimum, I apologize since I forced you to experience strong cold] [I can say with confidence if it wasn't for that fire, I would have long died frozen] My consciousness would have flied far away as simply as that and I would have ascended to heaven. Speaking of, if I die at this place, I wonder which world's heaven I would had ended up in? Or rather, I wonder why Real doesn't look cold at all. [While I truly am not good at elemental magic, endowment magic is something I can take great pride in and that allowed me to use spells to ward off the cold. This type of magic strong point is defense] Afterall. [And then, with this is fine since we already earned some days of advantage. From leaving the castle till crossing the mountain, it doesn't matter how fast we project them to catch up, they'll need at least 3 full days] [Even if the pursuers also use a dragon like we did?] [Even if they try that, there is no dragon that can overcome this mountain so simply. I'll allow myself to boast here, when it comes to cla.s.sifications, my contracted partner falls into the upper ranks of the dragon species, and for that reason we had quite the advantage in our trip when it came to elevation & speed] [Even when it looks so cute and soothing?] [Even when it looks so cute and soothing; I mentioned something about it previously, but that dragon does not really get attached to people and this is common for their species. Is common sense that contracts are rare, regardless of the species involved] In other words, Real who managed to achieve such an unusual contract is a remarkable individual. When Real noticed that within my sight some admiration was now mixed in, her cheecks flushed ever so slightly. [Wel- Well, the fact that it's unusual to achieve means not that it's completely impossible; there are those who have achieved contracts so overwhelming when using me as a reference you can't possibly even touch their feet] For the sake of hiding her own embarra.s.sment, she presses the talk towards someone on higher position, and her unusual hand gestures when losing compossure add a cute side that one would normally not notice, with her usual gallant expression. [Le- Let's return to our previous talk; regardless of how hard or pursuers chase us, there is no inconvenience factor for us if we spend a night in the local village. For any dragon, performing high speed continuos flight for long periods is not a simple thing- specially if you add human pa.s.sengers to the mix; similarly to our current case, four hours should be the upper limit] Should I relate this to engines and their gears? The strain when using low speed that requires low power becomes completely different when one uses a high gear with high speed which needs much more power. [In one side we have that, but there is that it also looks like the day is about to end. It won't do if we don't secure a place to spend the night] Right now we are close to the outskirts of a village; while crossing through the mountain the location of a village and it's settlemens was clearly visible and we made the dragon land before we got close to the village; this was for the sake of being as less eye catching as possible. While magic in itself is widespread, summoning magic can be considered in the category of unusual.... In the first place, if we go to the village with a dragon in tow, there is basically no other way of gathering more attention than that. [............If we speak about standing out, don't those ears already are something very noticeable?] After that line, her long ears trembled a little at the tip. [This won't cause any problem since the shape is different from the elves. While my mother was an elf, I'm only a half elf.] And now that key world elf has popped up; the second quintessential example of what a fantasy world is meant to be like. Being immersed in the love for the 2D world or not is absolutely irrelevant; even if you only have a little bit of an otaku in yourself like me or not; the love for cute things will ultimately always win. And when those long ears tremble a little right in front of you, the feeling of wanting to touch them naturally comes. [Actual elves are much less numerous than human beings; but whether it's a castle or a castle town, you can still find some if you put your mind into it; in contrast elves travelling to remote areas like this village would be extremely unusual] [Even something like travelling troubadours?] The ones that I know from fictional works give the strong impression of always having a lyre or a flute at hand. [You know well; that's correct. Elves naturally have a strong awareness for excellence when handling instruments that stems from their very own fingertips. You can always find one pa.s.sing through town and performing as to earn travel expenses-- As expected I don't have such gift for music] [In other words, we are a par of travelling mercenaries who merely are stopping at the village?] [Playing that part would be indeed the safest route... I'll have to treat you as an a.s.sistant even though I feel bad about it] [It's fine like that. I wouldn't feel good if I merely keep receiving a.s.sistance here] [My grat.i.tude to you who saved me from that place will last for a life time. Helping this much is but a simple matter.] After being forcefully dragged into this world, certainly having meet this woman has been without a doubt the greatest fortune. Exactly mirroring what she says, I myself have the mindset of rewarding her for all which she has done for me. ............ At this moment Real and I where completely unaware of it; and we wouldn't even noticed it for a long while after that. The mountant that we had just crossed with the dragon, has quite the big significance to this country as a sacred mountain. Simply because Real used that elemental magic which is her weak point to produce a little bit of warmth, and the fact that I happened to go through a simple preset mountain path. And lastly, the unique {condition} that I have been aflicted ever since being summoned to this world. [Hekkus.h.i.+! urgh............ I want to quickly enter the bath. Rather, are there even baths? Or maybe I have just stated a super luxurious aspiration?] [If you expect a small sized one, plenty of houses have. Of course an inn would count with one as well] [UOOOSHAA! If there is a nice meal and a bath, then I can survive no matter the place!]

午前中の労働時間だけで、銀貨四枚の報酬だった。内訳は、基本報酬が銀貨二枚で、状態の良い肉の確保でさらにプラス二枚。Eランクの狩猟系依頼の平均報酬が銀貨三枚とすると少しだけ色が着いたくらいか。今泊まっている安宿の一ヶ月の借り賃が金貨一枚なので、後四〜五回ほど似たような依頼をこなせば払えるな。 依頼を精算した時点で、職員さんにツノウサギの異名を知らされた。最初に教えて欲しかった、と話を聞かされた俺の顔に浮かんでいたので、さらに職員さんが付け加えた。冒険者になりたてで有頂天になった新人にキツい洗礼を行うために、あえてツノウサギの狩猟依頼を初依頼に回すことが多いそうだ。 「それにしても早かったですね。ツノウサギは通常動物のウサギとは違って臆病ではないので見つけるのは容易いですが、それでも五匹を狩猟するのは今日の夕暮れまで掛かると思っていました」 「や、一匹目は時間掛かったけど、それでコツも掴めたんすよ。最後の一匹なんか、見つけたときには既に木に突き刺さってましたが」 「ああ、偶にあるそうですよ? 戦闘力を持たない商人たちがツノウサギの肉を手に入れるときは、それを狙って森を探索します。偶にツノウサギの外見に、油断して自分の体に刺さったりもしますが」 「............言葉だけ聞くと笑えますけど、実際に想像すると冗談にならないですね」 真顔で言われると怖さ倍増だ。 「あ、自分用に一匹余分に獲って来たんですけど、どこに持ってって料理してもらえればいいんですか?」 「それでしたら、この支部の隣にある食堂に持って行けば大丈夫です。店長が元は冒険者でして、ドラクニルの付近に生息する食用の魔獣なら大体は捌けるはずです。ツノウサギの料理も通常メニューに載っていますが、材料の持ち込みなら格安で食べられます」 「ちなみに通常だとどのくらいの料金になりますか?」 「大体が銅貨五枚で、材料持ち込みなら鉄貨五枚程ですね」 値段の変動がスゴいな。魔獣素材の肉は人間の育てる家畜よりも上等であることが多いのは聞いていたが。冒険者基準ではEランクの依頼に属するツノウサギでさえこれなのだ。 職員さんにお礼を言ってから受付窓口から離れた。時間の頃は昼食の頃を過ぎている。遅い時間になってしまったが、食堂に材料を持ち込むのなら丁度良いか。稼ぎ時の時間帯に持って行っても迷惑になるだろうし。 混んでいるとは言うが、満席ではなく空席もちらほらとあった。その内の一つを選んで座ると程なくして店員がやってきた。化粧っけは少ないが素朴で可愛らしい少女だ。俺よりも幼いか。他にも数人の店員がテーブル席の間をするすると移動していた。 「いらっしゃいませ! ご注文はお決まりですか?」 「この店は材料の持ち込みが可能って聞いてたんだが」 「あ、お兄さんも冒険者さんですね? ちなみにモノはなんでしょうか?」 ギルドから無償で支給された獲物袋の中身を店員に見せる。魔獣の死体ではあったが、見慣れているのか店員は悲鳴を上げることなく頷いた。 「お兄さんはこの店は初めてでしょう。魔獣はモノによっては仕込みに時間が掛かる類もありますので、直ぐに調理してもお出しできない場合があります」 「つまり、前もって持ち込んでたほうがいいのか」 「中には数日掛かるモノもありますので気をつけてくださいね。その場合は引換証の方をお客様にお渡しするので、後日に店に持ってきてください」 「そっか。分かった。次回からそうする」 食材によっては、料理を楽しめるのは翌日以降になるのか。職員さんの説明にはなかったな。 「ギルドの職員さんが説明しなかったのは、素材がツノウサギだったからですよ。これは特に仕込みも要らずに当日にお出しできますから。調理方法はどうしますか? お勧めは『焼き』ですね。シチューにもできますが、少しだけ時間が掛かります。どちらも料金は鉄貨五枚です」 「じゃ焼きで」 「かしこまりました! では、ウサギの方はお預かりします」 店員は獲物袋ごとツノウサギを受け取ると、調理場の方へと向かった。「ツノウサギのステーキ持ち込みで!」と元気の良い声がここまで響く。 十分ほどすると木製の更に乗った、食欲をそそる香ばしい匂いのステーキが運ばれてきた。直ぐに飛びつきたくなるのを堪えて、両手を合わせて「いただきます」。幼い頃からの習慣で、これをやっておかないとすっきりしない。 では、改めて。 ーーーーーーーーーーー(食事中)。 結論。

Simply by hunting during morning hours, I obtained four pieces of silver coins as a reward. The breakdown was, 2 silver pieces for the standard reward plus 2 additional pieces for delivering it in good condition. a.s.suming the average reward for a single E rank hunting request as 3 silver coins, its just a bit above the average. The monthly rent for the cheap inn I'm lodging at was a piece of gold coin, so I'll be able to pay for it after doing similar request about four or five times. After receiving the reward, I was informed by the staff of the horn rabbit's nickname. I wanted you to tell me this first, or so I wanted to say but the guild staff continued on. It was in order to severely baptize ecstatic new adventurer. Although the horn rabbit has a ferocious nature contrary to its appearance, it can be defeated without any problem if some research was done beforehand. Even if no prior knowledge was acquired, those with the ability with to clear through E rank test should be able to safely defeat it, provided they didn't neglect caution. The hunt for horn rabbit was, for all intent and purposes, a subst.i.tute for [mental apt.i.tude] test. [Even so, that was fast. The horn rabbits are not timid, unlike normal rabbits, so they are easier to find. But still, it would normally take until dusk to hunt five of it.] [Well yes, the first one took a while for me to find, but then I got the hang of it. And when I found the last one, it was already stuck in a tree.] [Oh, that happens occasionally. When merchants without fighting power wants to obtain horn rabbit meat, they look for such an occasion when exploring the forest. The horn rabbit appearance being what it is, sometimes they themselves were the ones being stabbed if they are not careful.] [......I can laugh if I just listen to the words, but after actually experiencing it, its not a joke at all.] Its twice as scary when you say all that with a straight face. [Oh, I got one extra for myself, but where can I cook it?] [If that's the case, you can take it to the diner next to this building. The shop manager was originally an adventurer and should be able to handle most of the edible magic beast that lives in the vicinity of Draknil. The horn rabbit is usually on the menu but you will be given discount if you bring in the ingredients.] [By the way, how much does it cost normally?] [It is about five copper coins but if you bring in ingredient, its about five iron coins.] The price fluctuation is amazing. I had heard that magic beast meat was often superior than domestic meat. Even an E rank magic beast, the horn rabbit has this kind of price tag. After thanking the staff, I left the reception desk. Its currently past lunch time. Its late for lunch but isn't it a perfect time to bring in ingredient into the restaurant. I'm sure it would be annoying to bring it in during busy lunch hour. The diner next to the guild was unexpectedly crowded even after lunch. Most of the seats are occupied by adventurers. Maybe they all have the same reasoning as mine. Although it was crowded, it was not full house as there were empty seats here and there. Soon after having a seat, a waitress came. A simple but cute girl with little makeup. Seems younger than me. Several other waitress were also weaving between the tables. [Welcome! Have you decided what to order?] [I heard that you can bring ingredients here.] [That right! Is onii-san an adventurer? By the way, what did you bring?] I showed the content of the bag freely provided by the guild. It was a corpse of a magic beast, but the waitress nodded without screaming as if used to such situation. [This is onii-san's first visit right? Depending on the magic beast, it may take time to prepare, so we might not be able to serve them right away even if we started preparing it immediately.] [In other words, I should bring it in advance?] [There are some ingredients that take several days to process, so take note okay. In that case, a receipt will be handed over to the customer so they can return to the store at later date.] [I see. I got it. I'll do that next time.] Depending on the ingredients, enjoying dishes made out of it may happen the next day or even later date. That wasn't in the explanation the staff gave me. [The guild staff didn't explain much was because its only horn rabbit. We can serve this right away, no special preparations needed. Any preference for cooking method? Its recommended to grill it. We can also make a stew out of it but it will take a little bit more time. Both are priced at 5 iron coins.] [I'll take grilled] [Okay! Now then, I'll take the rabbit with me.] With the bag in hand, the waitress headed to the kitchen. After 10 minutes of waiting, a steak with mouth-wateringly appetizing aroma was brought out on top of a wooden plate. Enduring the urge from jumping straight at the steak, I put my hands together and said [Itadakimasu]. Its a habit done from my childhood, if I don't do this, it doesn't feel right. Now then, without further ado. ----------- (During mealtime.) Conclusion.

悩みをコンディションに直結させない図太さが俺の数少ない取り柄の一つだ。レアルとの後味の悪い別れを迎えたその翌日。小さな悩みを胸に抱きつつも俺は今日も今日とてギルドの方に足を向けた。 まず最初に向かうのは、ギルドの隣に併設されている食堂だ。昨日に預けた魔獣食材が調理完了しているはずだからだ。普段は昼食か晩飯にいただくのだが、今回のは朝食として食べるのが一番良いらしいからだ。 「いったいどのような魔獣を仕留めたでござるか? 拙者、ちょっとワクワクしているでござるよ」 「ふっふっふ、まぁ行ってみりゃぁ分かる」 ドラクニルのギルドでは金になる依頼ばかりを受けていた為に、クロエは食用魔獣の狩猟は殆ど受けていなかったのだ。ギルド横の食堂であれば金さえ出せば魔獣食材の料理も食べられるが、材料持ち込みよりかなり値段が高い。借金返済のために、彼女は食堂ではひたすら『安く多く味は微妙』な料理ばかりを頼んでいたのだ。そこに俺から『安くて美味い飯が食えるぞ?』という提案に一も二もなく食いついたのだ。 ーーーーこれで道連れができた。 食堂の扉にはいると、昼に比べてまばらだが少なからずの冒険者達が朝食をとっていた。俺たちは空いている席に腰を下ろし、すぐさまやってきた女性従業員に昨日もらっていた魔獣食材料理の引換券を渡した。受け取った瞬間、従業員の顔が小さく引き攣ったのを俺は見逃さなかった。すぐさま元の営業スマイルに戻ったが、些細な変化にクロエもただならぬ気配を感じたようで、表情に不安が浮かんだ。 「............カンナ氏、本当に今日出てくるのはどのような魔獣なのでござるか? 拙者、ちょっぴり胸がドキドキしてきたでござる」 最初のワクワクとは真逆のドキドキだろうよ。安心しろ、俺も同じベクトルにちょっぴり胸がドキドキしてる。や、間違いなく美味いとは聞いているんだが、見た目がなぁ。 「ちょ、カンナ氏ッ! その遠く見るような目は何なのでござるかッ! 拙者はいったい何を食べさせられるのでござるかッ!?」 いよいよクロエの不安が大きくなり始めた頃に、従業員さんが料理を運んできた。 メニューの内容は一般的な朝食メニューだ。パンにサラダとスープだ。パンは近所のパン屋から出来立てホヤホヤを仕入れており、サラダも産地直送の新鮮さだ。 そして、今回の魔獣食材を利用した料理はスープである。 ............その鮮やかな『紫色』のスープは、見た目からは想像できないほどの食欲をそそる良い匂いを漂わせていた。 「む、紫ッ!? 緑や赤色のスープは経験あるでござるが、さすがに紫色はないでござる! 魔女が怪しい儀式で使う謎の液体っぽいでござるよ! これはいったい何のスープでござるか」 「『ダンシャクバッタ』のスープ、だそうだ」 一言で表現すれば、巨大なバッタ型の魔獣である。体長はおよそ一メートル前後。大きさを除けばバッタそのものの生態であり、よく田畑に出没しては農作物を食い散らかす害獣だ。ちなみに、この紫色はダンシャクバッタの体液の色である。 や、魔獣図鑑で調べたとき驚いたね。食用も可という記述に、俺はシナディさんに確認をとったほどだ。何でも、ダンシャクバッタの血や肉には人間に必要な栄養源が多分に含まれており、かつ胃に優しく消化もしやすいので病人食に最適だとか。 「この毒々しい色のスープが、でござるか?」 「この毒々しい色のスープが、だ」 料理の前に、手と手を合わせて一礼。食材になった生き物への感謝がこの礼の意味なのだが、今回ばかりはこのキワモノ料理を食する己への祈りが殆どだった。説明ではいかに栄養満点の美味料理と聞かされてもこの紫色を前にするとどうしても信じきれない。 「安心するでござる、骨は拾うでござるから」 「不安になるようなこと言うなッ。ええいっ、南無三!」 意を決した俺は半ばやけくそ気味に紫色の液体をスプーンに含んで 「って、味噌かッッッ!?」 なんと、この魔女が儀式で使う実験材料のような色合いのスープは現実世界で慣れ親しんだ、だが遙かに凌駕する美味い味噌汁のような味わいだった。程良い塩気と独特の風味が舌を包み込み、喉を通して胃に染み渡る。 なるほど、疲れたり弱まった胃にこれほど『効く』料理は無い。見た目からしては予想外すぎる。 「え? ミソ?」 俺の声に目を見開いたクロエは、自らの紫色のスープに口を付けた。舌で味わいゆっくりと飲み干すと、クロエは微妙な表情を浮かべて呟いた。 「............詐欺ではなかろうか。この見た目で高級味噌と同じ味わいというのは。懐かしく思いつつも釈然としないでござるよ」 素直に感動するには見た目が悪すぎる。現実世界でも経験のない旨味が溶け込んだスープなのに、見た目が悪すぎる。二回言いたくなるほどに見た目が悪すぎる。あ、三回目。 や、見た目は確かに悪すぎる(四回目)が、間違いなく美味い。味噌が恋しくなったらまた狩猟しよう。クロエにその旨を伝えると究極の選択を迫られたように盛大に迷った挙句「またご相伴に預かりたいでござる」と絞り出すように言った。ヒノイズルでは家庭料理の一種であるが、国外に一歩出るとそれを食材として扱う場所は皆無。久しぶりに味わう懐かしき味噌の魅力には勝てなかったようだ。 紫な味噌汁との邂逅を経て、俺たちは食堂を出てギルドに向かった。謳い文句は伊達では無いようで、胃を中心に身体の隅々にまで体が暖かくなってきていた。つまりは絶好調である。見た目さえ克服してしまえば、あのスープはかなり需要がありそうだ。 俺とクロエのランクは離れているので、いつもの通りに別れてそれぞれの場所に向かおうとしたのだが、それよりも早くに声が掛けられた。シナディさんだ。受付ではなくその外で声をかけられるのは珍しいな。 「カンナさん。リーディアル様がお呼びです。緊急の用件が無いのでしたら、今から執務室の方に向かってください」 「婆さんが?」 「............カンナ氏、次はどんな問題を起こしたでござるか?」 「人をトラブルメーカーみたいに言うなッ! 少なくとも前回の件はおまえにも原因あるからなッ!?」 困った子を見るようなクロエの目に俺は叫んだ。「冗談でござる」と笑うクロエ。この狼さん、だんだんと遠慮がなくなってきているな。 「あ、いえ。別にカンナさんが何かしらの問題を起こした、という訳ではありませんので」 「あ、そなの」 知らず知らずの内に、という事でも無さそうで俺はホッとした。 「カンナさんがよろしければ問題ないですよ」 そんなわけで俺とクロエはシナディさんの案内の元、婆さんの執務室に訪れたのである。 「カンナ氏は冒険者になってまだ一ヶ月も経過していないでござるよ? や、カンナ氏の実力を疑うわけではござらんが、少々早急すぎると思うでござるよ」 「単純に冒険者になってからの時間を見れば早すぎるだろうさ。けど、この小僧のEランク依頼をこなした実績を見ればあんたも納得できるさ」 と、婆さんは手元に持っていた書類をクロエに差し出した。書類を受け取り、クロエは記述された内容に目を通すとまたも驚きに目を開いた。何が書かれているのだろう、と俺も横から目を通すと、右上には俺の名前が書かれており、箇条書きにされた欄には俺がここしばらくに依頼として狩猟・討伐した魔獣の名前が記されていた。どうやら、俺が冒険者になってからの実績の一覧のようだ。 「依頼をこなした数は十件以上。しかもその結果判定の殆どが最良だ。狩猟対象が食用魔獣ばかりってぇのが気になるがね」 「カンナ氏、どれだけ食い意地がはってるのでござるか」 おい、二人揃って呆れ顔はやめろ。クロエはさっきその食い意地のご相伴に預かっただろうが。味噌汁の感謝はどこに行った。 「その小僧が食いしん坊なのは今はどうでもいいのさ。過去にも似たような実績を積んで早い内に昇格した者はそう珍しくはない。冒険者として最低限の実力と心構えができていると判断できる」 どうやら、食材を美味しく狩猟する事を念頭に動いていたことが、最上級の評価をもらう結果になったのだ。食いしん坊のつもりはないが。 「レアルの知り合いって時点でただ者じゃぁ無いと思ってたがね。あ、そのことでの贔屓は一切無いよ。他の職員と話し合った公正な判断の元に下った判定だ」 「普通のEランク冒険者はこれだけの最良判定を受けるのは難しいでござるからな。なるほど。確かにこれだけの実績があるのならば昇格も納得でござる」 クロエは書類を返却しながら言った。 「で、どうだい小僧。これだけの最良を重ねてるから、昇格試験は免除。あんたさえよければこの時点でDランクに昇格だよ」 「え、試験無いのか?」 「EからDへの昇格試験は、実績を省みて免除される場合があるのさ。もっともそれ以降、Cへの昇格からは例外なく試験を受けてもらうがね」 Cランクへの昇級試験からは、実力のほかにも様々な面から冒険者を評価する試験が行われる。 下位ランクの依頼主は一般市民や個人経営の小さな店舗主がほとんど。だが上のランクに移ると貴族や規模の大きな商人が増えてくる。特にBランクからは国家からの依頼が舞い込むこともあるほどだ。当然、直接それらと顔を合わせた交渉を行う機会も増えてくる。そのときのために、ある程度の教養が必要になってくるのだ。 とりあえず、今は上のランクに興味はない。富も名声も求めてはいないが、上のランクで受けられる食用魔獣の狩猟依頼には魅力を感じる。ドラクニル付近に生息するEランクで食せる魔獣はほぼ全て網羅してしまったからな。 「Dランクへの昇格、お願いします」 「うっし。じゃあギルドカードをシナディに預けな。カードの方に昇格の手続きをしてもらう」 俺は懐から二枚のギルドカードを取り出し、シナディさんに渡した。彼女は恭しくそれを受け取り執務室を出て行った。 「さて、小僧への件はこれで終わりとして、だ。黒狼っ子の方もいることだし、こっちの用件も済ませちまおうかね?」 予想外にクロエは首を傾げた。 「確かあんたは、このギルドにきてカードの再発行を行ったね」 「悪いとは思ったがこっちで詳しく調べさせてもらったよ。どうやら、以前はBランク昇格試験を受けられる直前にまで実績を積んでたらしいね」 「結局、長期間依頼を受けなかったペナルティでその実績はすべて無駄になってしまったでござるが............」 と、クロエは肩を落とした。Bランクへの昇格に必要な実績は、DからCへと昇格する為の実績に比べてかなり厳しいらしい。Bランクは腕利きの冒険者と称されており、ギルドに登録した者達にとって憧れの地位であり、目指すべき高みだ。相応の実績が必要になってくる。 「そこで朗報だ。今日からCランクから上の冒険者に数十人規模の『レイド』の募集をかける予定だ」 「レイド............でござるか」 レイドとは、ギルドが出す依頼方式の一種で、個人ではなく複数の冒険者に呼びかけて行われる集団依頼だ。主に大量発生した魔獣の一斉駆除や逆に個人では手に余るような凶悪な魔獣を討伐する際に発生する。緊急性がほかの依頼よりも高い場合が多く、それだけに依頼としての実績や報酬は高い。 「ドラクニルから少し離れた山場にゴブリンの大規模な巣が発見されたらしい。付近に町村は無いんだが、あいにくと魔導列車の線路が近くに通ってる」 「確か列車には、魔獣除けの結界魔術具が設置されていたと聞いているでござるが」 「残念なことに、あれは知性を持った類の魔獣には効きにくいんだ。しかも、ゴブリンはなまじっか賢いから、列車に積載された物資を強奪しようと線路に岩を積んだりして進路を妨害する。それでたまに魔導列車に被害が出たりすんのさ」 「けどよ、ゴブリンなんて集団作ってもたかが数十だろ? それなりの腕を持つ冒険者を五人や六人そろえれば殲滅できるんじゃねぇの? 何十人も冒険者がいたら逆に人数が余りそうだが」 Cランクへのレイド依頼ならDランクになる俺には直接関係ない。だが、ふとした疑問を婆さんに投げかけた。 「言ったろ? 大規模な巣だって。通常時ならあんたの言うとおりなんだが、今回はタチが悪いことに『上位個体』が確認されてんのさ」 「上位個体?」 以前に渓谷で襲撃を受けた一件で、ゴブリンはある一定以上の集団には発展しにくいと教わった。あの時は自然では無く何かしらの人為的な要素があり、極めて例外に近いケースだ。 けれども、婆さんが言う今回の件に関しては、自然な形でありかつ極めて珍しいケースだという。それが上位個体の存在だ。 あるいは突然変異種とも呼べるこの個体は、魔獣の集団の中から突如として出現し、他の同種族よりも遙かに強力な力を有しているのだ。この上位個体は同種族にとっては王のような存在であり、これが出現した時に限り、一つの強大な力を持った頂点の元に意思の統一がなされる。集落の長を束ねる存在が乱立している時は不可能な、大規模な群も形成が可能になるのだ。 「ゴブリンの討伐ランクはEランクだが、その上位個体となると推定でBランクの能力を秘めているだろうさ。そしてそいつに率いられるゴブリンの数は最低でも五百を越える。あたしの見立てじゃ千に届くと思ってる」 「千............ねぇ」 小さな領地の軍隊レベルの数だな。それだけの数を率いる個体となると、確かにゴブリンの中では飛び抜けている。なるほど、レイドと呼ばれる大規模集団で挑むには納得の数だ。 「いくらゴブリンとはいえ、さすがにこの数をCランクの数人で挑ませるには荷が重すぎる。だからこそのレイドだ。それに、魔導列車は国営で動いてるからね。国の方から実働部隊が出されてギルドと合同で事に当たるつもりだ。というよりは、こいつは国からの依頼でもあるんだがね」 戦力を充実させ万全を期す、という表向きの理由のほかに、国営の施設の防衛に冒険者に任せきりでは国も面子が立たない、という裏の理由もあった。 「話を戻すよ。このレイド依頼はBランクより上は無条件だが、Cランクではある程度の実績を積んだ奴にのみ受注を許可する予定だ。記録の上では、黒狼っ子はこの条件を満たしていない。けど、あたしの推薦で受注可能にしてある。あんたさえよければこれに参加してみるつもりはないか?」 「この前の決闘騒ぎの時にあんたの動きを見させてもらったが、実力的には十分に上のランクでも通用すると判断した。それで、このレイド依頼でしっかりとした功績が残せたなら、ペナルティで抹消された実績を復活させてやるよ。もっとも、その後にBランクへの昇格試験を受けるための査定と、試験そのものはきっちりと合格してもらう必要があるがね」 降って湧いた好機に、だが唐突な話にクロエは答えに迷った。 「悪い話じゃないと思うけどね。なにもアンタに上位個体を倒せって話じゃない。そいつ等はBランクより上の冒険者が担当する手筈になってる。Cランクの冒険者達に求めてんのはその露払いさ」 「そうで............ござるか」 なおも迷いを見せるクロエが助けを求めるようにこちらを向いたが、俺は肩を竦めてそれを流した。 「俺に聞いてどうする。そこら辺の判断力も、上の冒険者になるために必要な条件なんじゃねぇの?」 「かかかッ。口先だけはもう既に一人前の冒険者かもしんないねぇ、小僧は」 「それは絶対に褒めてないよな」 愉快そうに笑う婆さんに、俺は半眼で睨んだ。悪意は皆無なのは分かるが、笑って言われるとさすがにイラっとくる。 婆さんの笑い声を耳に、クロエは小さな深呼吸をしてはっきりと答えた。 真剣なクロエの眼差しを受け、婆さんは不敵な笑みを浮かべるのであった。

Its the next day after the bad-aftertaste parting with Real. With the small worry weighing on my heart, I'm heading towards the guild today as well. But first things first, I enter the diner next to the guild. That's because the ingredient I deposited yesterday should've been finished by now. I usually eat my deposited ingredient for lunch or dinner but for the dish this time around, it seems to be best eaten during breakfast. [Just what kind of magic beast was it de gozaru ka? This one is a tad excited in antic.i.p.ation of it de gozaru yo.] [fu fu fu Well, you'll know it when you see it.] Due to her accepting requests while focusing on the monetary reward, Chloe hardly undertook request for hunting edible magic beast. At the diner next to the guild, you can eat magic beast dishes as long as you have the money for it but the price is considerably more expensive compared to bringing in ingredients yourself. In order to repay her debt faster, she had only ever asked for [cheap, plentiful and subtle] dishes at the diner. ---With this, I obtained a fellow challenger. When I entered the diner, its spa.r.s.ely populated with adventurers here and there compared to lunch time. We sit down promptly in an empty seat and I hand over the dish receipt I received yesterday to a waitress who came to wait upon us. The moment she took it from me, I didn't miss her face cramping. The waitress immediately recovers her customer service smile but Chloe also noticed her slight change and now, she is anxious. [.........Kanns.h.i.+, truthfully, just what kind of magic beast will be served de gozaru ka? This one is feeling rather nervous instead de gozaru.] She's probably experiencing the opposite of earlier excitement. No worries Chloe, I'm also sharing your anxiety. Well, I'd heard that its definitely delicious but its appearance leaves much to be desired. [Wai-Kanna s.h.i.+, why are you looking at the distance de gozaru ka?! What kind of dish are you going to make this one eat de gozaru ka?!] Just as Chloe's anxiety reaches full throttle, the waitress delivers our food. The bread is freshly baked from a local bakery while the salad is freshly picked from the farm. And the main highlight is the soup made using the magic beast I brought in yesterday. ............Appetizing aroma unimaginable from its appearance wafts from the vividly [purple] soup. [Pu-Purple! ! ? This one had only ever tasted red-colored or green-colored soup but never a purple-colored variety as one would expect de gozaru! This is not unlike a mysterious liquid used by witches in suspicious rituals de gozaru yo! What manner of soup is this de gozaru ka?] [Its a [baron locust] soup.] To put it simply, it was a giant gra.s.shopper-type magic beast with body length averaging around 1 meter. Except for its size, it has similar ecology to that of common gra.s.shopper. That includes its characteristic pest behavior. And as a matter of course, baron locusts can be often be found infesting fields of crops. In any case, baron locusts' blood and meat contains lots of nutrients which are essential for human body. It is also ideal as a meal for the sickly because its gentle to the stomach and easy to digest. [This poisonous looking soup de gozaru ka?] [Correct, this poisonous looking soup.] I put my palm together and slightly bow to convey my grat.i.tude for the meal. Usually I do this to convey my respects for the creatures that became my food but this time, I'm mostly praying for my well-being before eating this fad dish of mine. No matter how delicious and nutritious it was described to be, I can't bring myself to believe those description when this purple is right in front of me. [Rest a.s.sured de gozaru. This one will collect the leftover bones de gozaru kara.] [Don't say things that'll make me even more anxious. ......Here goes!] I hardened my resolve and swallowed a spoonful of the purple liquid. Sure enough, the taste is............ [The heck, isn't this misooo~? !] To my surprise, this ominous looking liquid which doesn't look out of place if used by a witch in a ritual is actually familiar to me back on earth. Just the right amount of saltiness coupled with its unique flavor envelopes my tongue, went down my throat and pervades my body through my stomach. I see. For a tired body and a weakened stomach, there's no dish that would be as [effective] as this one. Its too unexpected for the appearance. [eh? Miso?] Chloe who was wide-eyed after hearing my remark earlier personally taste a spoonful of purple soup to confirm. She took her time savoring the taste before allowing it to enter her stomach. Chloe comments with a complicated expression on her face. [.........How is this not a scam de gozaru ka? Having the taste of a high-quality miso despite this ominous appearance. While this one does feel nostalgic, this one could not fully accept it de gozaru yo.] The soup was too visually horrific for her to be honestly touched. Even though its a soup with an excellent taste that I'd never experienced back on earth, its too horrible to look at. It looks so horrible to the point I wanna say it twice. Ah that was my third time. In Hinoizur, miso is a dish known to every household. A taste of home, so to speak. But outside of the country, there's almost no place that treats it as food ingredient. It seems that the charm of nostalgic miso after a long time had won over her disgust. After the chance meeting with the purple miso soup, we leave the diner and head for the guild next door. It appears that the catchphrase was not written as mere sophistry as warmth is spreading throughout my body with my stomach being the center of it. To sum it up, I feel great. If something could be done to the color, that soup will likely explode in popularity. Chloe's rank is higher than mine, so we tried to separate as we usually do for our own request rank. But I got hailed before we managed to. By Cindy-san, no less. Its quite unusual speaking to her outside the reception area. [Kannsan, Lydeal-sama calls for your presence. If you do not have any other pressing matter, please head to her office immediately.] [Basan called?] [.........What sort of trouble have Kanns.h.i.+ gotten into this time de gozaru ka?] [Don't treat me like I'm some sorta chronic troublemaker! Besides, last time was on you, wasn't it?] I broke into a clamor after seeing Chloe looking at me as if I'm a problem child. [Oh not at all. Its not because Kannsan had caused disturbance of any kind.] [R-Right.] I got relieved knowing that I didn't do anything unknowingly. [If Kannsan does not mind, then there is no problem.] And so, Cindy-san guided us to basan's office. When we entered the room, we sit down on the sofa in the middle of the room without hesitation. Basan got seated the opposite of us as usual without particularly caring about our att.i.tude. [Wasn't Kanns.h.i.+'s initiation as an adventurer less than a month ago de gozaru ka? This one does not doubt Kanns.h.i.+'s ability but rather holds the opinion of the promotion being a tad hasty de gozaru ga.] [I am aware that it would seem to be too early judging by his registration date. But if you properly look at the youngster's track record on completing E-rank requests, you'll be convinced as well.] Saying so, basan hands over the doc.u.ment in her hand to Chloe. After receiving the paper and reading through it, Chloe opens her eyes wide in surprise for the second time. Looking from the side to peek at the paper, I can see my name written in the upper right corner. The rest of the paper had my completed requests along with its corresponding magic beasts listed in a bullet form. It looks like my track record since I started my activity as an adventurer. [Completed request numbers more than 10. Moreover, with best possible evaluation for almost all of them. I am quite curious on the point that all of those hunting requests consist of only edible magic beast ne~] [Kanns.h.i.+... Just how much of a glutton are you de gozaru ka?] Stop looking at me with astonished expression, dang it. Especially you Chloe. Ya just ate together with this so called glutton y'know. Just where the heck did your grat.i.tude for the miso soup fly to? [Presently, it doesn't matter if the youngster is a gourmand or not. In the past, its not uncommon for adventurers with similar results to be promoted faster than usual. As such, I have come to a conclusion that the youngster has the minimum level of ability and mentality required for a rank-D.] Apparently, my quest for hunting delicious food had resulted in me getting the highest possible evaluation. Being a gourmand was not my intention though. [The moment I knew you are an acquaintance of Real, I don't consider you to be just a normal person ne~. There's not a shred of favoritism in my earlier words, mind you. Also, I've discussed this matter with other guild staff and we reached this conclusion based on impartial opinions.] [It is normally difficult for an ordinary E-rank adventurer to achieve the best possible evaluation de gozaru kara na. Indeed. Without any room for doubt, with such a achievement, one would concur with a promotion de gozaru.] Chloe said so while returning the papers. [So, what say you, youngster? Considering your consistent top level evaluation, you are liable for an exemption from a promotion exam. If you agree to it, you'll be D-rank right here and now.] [eh? I don't have to take the exam?] [Promotion exam from E-rank to D-rank can be skipped depending on the track record of said adventurer. Thereafter however, will require you to undertake an exam, no exceptions given.] As for the promotion test for C-rank, in addition to being evaluated in ability, the guild will also test various other aspects. Most of the low rank requests are commissioned by commoners or privately-run small store's owners. But as you move up the ranks, the number of commissions submitted by n.o.bles and large-scale merchants increases. Particularly so for B-rank and above whereby requests from the country itself may drop in unexpectedly. As a natural turn of event, the opportunity in which adventurers themselves negotiating directly with those sort of high-profile clients increases as well. For such an occasion, a certain degree of education is required. Anyways, I'm not that interested in ranking up. I'm not seeking fame or wealth BUT I'm kinda attracted at the prospect of accepting delicious magic beast subjugation request at higher rank. After all, I've eaten almost all of the E-rank which can be found in the vicinity of Draknil. Naturally, my answer is clear. [Please promote me to D-rank.] [Right. Then hand over your guild card to Cindy. She will handle the promotion process.] I take out two guild cards from my chest pocket and hand them over to Cindy-san. She accepts it reverently and proceeds to leave the office. [Now then, that's the end of the youngster's matter. Since black wolf girl is also here, let's continue with yours as well, shall we?] The unexpected attention got Chloe tilting her head to the side. [If I remember correctly, you came to this guild to reissue your card.] [It struck me as odd, so I had it investigated at length. Apparently, your acc.u.mulated track record was at the level of just one step before being qualified to take B-rank promotion exam.] [In the end, it was all in vain as this one was penalized for not undertaking request for a prolonged period of time de gozaru ga.........] Chloe slumps her shoulder. The track record required for advancing to B-rank seems to be considerably harsher compared to from D to C. [I have good news for you. Starting today, we will be recruiting dozens of C-rankers and above for a [raid].] [Raid.........de gozaru ka?] Raid is a special kind of request posted by the guild that requires adventurers to form a group rather than undertaking it as individuals. Such a request occurs mainly when a magic beast outbreak needs to be exterminated all at once or conversely, when a single atrociously strong magic beast is beyond the capability of an individual. In a lot of similar cases, the urgency is higher than normal requests and accordingly, so does the recorded result and reward. [A large goblin nest seems to have been discovered in a mountainous region a short distance away from Draknil. There are no towns or villages in the vicinity but unfortunately, magic train tracks runs through the region.] [If this one remembers correctly, this one had heard that the magic trains was equipped with barrier magic tool to ward of magic beasts de gozaru ga.] [Regrettably, it is less effective against intelligent magic beast. In addition, the goblins are smart enough to pile rocks on the tracks to obstruct a train in order to plunder supplies loaded inside it. That is the reason why magic train got damaged sometimes.] [But even if goblins form a group, at most there should only be dozens, right? Isn't it possible for a group of five or six adventurers to completely annihilate those numbers? Gathering dozens of adventurers on the other hand seems a bit too much.] If its a raid request targeting C-rankers and above, then it has no direct connection with me who just got up to D-rank. Still, my casual comment got a reply from basan. [I told you, didn't I? It's a large nest. Normally, it would be just as you said but the situation this time is worse because the sighting of a [superior individual] had been confirmed.] [Superior individual?] A prior request I took taught me that goblins as a whole, have difficulty expanding their number beyond a certain point. Hence, my train of thought which leads me to believe that this request is unnatural and was induced by some outside elements. I concluded with this time being an exception. However, basan refuted me by saying this time's case occurs naturally, albeit at an extremely rare rate. It was all due to the existence of a superior individual. This particular individual, which could also be called a mutant variant will rarely appear all of a sudden from an existing group of magic beast. Without fail, it possesses strength far higher than its normal variant. The mutant is akin to being a king for their species and with the emergence of one, the species is unified under one banner of a single, powerful force. Large groups are then organized under said banner, which is normally impossible when there's a bunch of village chiefs. [The goblins are designated as E-rank but as far as the superior individual is concerned, its estimated to have B-rank level of strength. The goblin horde led by this particular individual is estimated to be at least around 500 goblins. My personal opinion is it will soar as high as 1000-strong.] [A thousand huh.........] Its at the level comparable to the number of troops in small territories. When it comes to an individual who can unify that number, for a goblin, that is certainly exceptional. I am convinced now. A horde that large definitely warrants the formation of a raid. [Even if its just goblins, challenging that number with just a few C-rankers, as one would expect, is much too heavy a burden. Hence, the formation of a raid. Besides, the magic train is a state-run operation. A response team will be dispatched from the empire as well, and our raid team is scheduled to join forces with them. In other words, the commissioner this time is the empire itself.] In addition to the official reason of improving war potential to the utmost, the underlying reason is, leaving the defense of its' state-run facility wholly to adventurers will make the empire suffer disgrace. [I'll return to our previous topic. The raid this time is strictly for B-rank and above but we plan to accept C-rankers with certain amount of track record acc.u.mulated. Officially, the black wolf girl does not meet this requirement. However, my recommendation will render it possible. If its all right with you, why don't you join the raid?] [I was able to observe your movement during the duel and I conclude that you are qualified for the next rank. If you can achieve a substantial achievement during this raid, thereupon, your erased track record will be reinstated. However, bear in mind that this exemption by no means extends to the promotion test itself. You also need to pa.s.s a stringent test in order to rank up.] Bewildered by the sudden opportunity dangling in front of her, Chloe lost her words. [I don't think this is a bad deal for you. After all, I'm not handing you the task of defeating the superior individual. That matter will be handled by those above B-rank. What is expected from C-rankers this time is the clean-up of any stragglers.] [Is that so......de gozaru ka......] The still bewildered Chloe now turns to me for a.s.sistance. I just shrug it off and offer my two cents. [Why are you asking me? Isn't it necessary for an upper rank adventurer to possess at least that level of decision making?] [ka ka ka. If we consider just your advice alone, you youngster are already a full-fledged adventurer ne~] [That is definitely not a praise ain't it.] I send a glower towards basan who's laughing cheerfully. I know she's not doing it out of malicious intent but its still really frustrating to be the target of a joke. Chloe takes a small deep breath as she listens to basan's laughter and p.r.o.nounce clearly... In response to Chloe's determined gaze, basan wears a dauntless smile.

第二十四話 堅物ほど意外とチョロい 凄まじいほどの嫌悪感がこみ上げる。 人を殺した事実............にではない。 人を殺した事実をさほど深刻に受け止めていない己の心に、だ。 「なるほどね。出来損ないってのは、ここまで深刻だったのかい」 これまで魔獣を殺してきた時には、確かに嫌な気分になっていた。それは、現実世界で平穏に暮らしていたが故。舞う血飛沫に散らばる肉片、命を刈り取る行為に触れてこなかったからだ。 けれども、短いながらも幻想世界に適応してきた俺は、その命の遣り取りに慣れてきた。快楽や悦楽を覚えるほどではないが、さほどに罪悪感を抱くことがなくなってきていた。 それがたとえ、人間が相手だとしてもだ。 「まさか精神的にもポンコツだとは思わなかったぜ」 「カンナ?」 「気にすんな。こっちの話だ」 レアルは覆面三人が死んでいることに疑問を抱いていない。彼女にとって奴らは「護衛対象を殺そうとした不届きモノ」であり、排除対象に他なら無い。そこに命の是非を問うのも可笑しい。生かしておく意味もない。この世界は、現実世界よりも命の価値が低い。 違うな。命の貴賤が現実世界よりも大きいだけだ。この幻想世界の住人にとって、犯罪者にすら人権が存在する現実世界の法律は考えられないだろう。国家の頂点に立つ男でさえ、人を殺せば犯罪者になると信じられないだろう。 俺はこの世界での間違いは何一つ犯していない。弱肉強食なのは世の摂理だ。けれども、ただのこれまで殺人の一つも犯してこなかった男が、犯罪者を殺しても何の感慨も抱いていないのは明らかに異常だ。 「............まぁ、もしもの時に躊躇わないってことが分かっただけでも良しとするか」 本当におかしいのはここからだ。 俺は今、自分の精神が平和な日本人男子から乖離しているのを認識しつつ、それでも現実世界に帰りたいと願っている。あの馬鹿なヘタレイケメンや美咲達と馬鹿な話をしながら騒ぎたいと思っている。そして、あいつ等を傷つける奴らがいるのなら、そいつの命を迷わずに刈り取れると確信が持てて安堵している。 「おい、本当に大丈夫か?」 「心の整理をつけてただけどわぁッ」 「............人の顔を見るなり悲鳴を上げるのはさすがに失礼ではないか?」 「血塗れの顔が至近距離にありゃ誰でも驚くわッ」 それまでのシリアスな気分が吹き飛んでしまった。ゴブリンの返り血に塗れた美女顔というのが非常にシュールだ。これでゴブリンの血液が青とか緑だったらもうレアルを美女として認識できないほどのトラウマ映像になっていた。 「それもそうか。どこかで水浴びでもできないだろうか」 「えっと............ただの水を出す程度なら魔術でできますけど」 おずおずと申し出るファイマ。 「ファイマ嬢、悪いが頼めるか。実は髪に付いた血が固まり始めて困っていたのだ」 「とりあえず、顔と頭だけは先に洗い流しておいた方がいいでしょう。そんな綺麗な銀の髪が痛むのは、女として見過ごせません」 「そう言うファイマ嬢とて見事な紅だろう」 「ふふふ、ありがとうございます」 殺伐とした光景が広がる中で、ガールズトーク止めてくれないかな。まだ覆面とかの死体とか放置されてるんですけどね。それを作ったのは俺なのですが。 色々とげんなりとした俺は、馬車の前方の方に様子を見に行く。その前に、唯一生き残っている意識を取り戻していない覆面の両手足を、氷の錠前を作って固定する。先日は瀕死だと思っていた覆面どもが意外と動けて逃げてしまったので、念のためだ。 アガット達がいる方に足を運ぶと、ちょっと後悔した。見渡す限りにゴブリンの死体が山のように。ただ単純に気持ち悪い情景が広がっている。 「貴様ァァッッ」 俺の姿を確認するなり、アガットが胸ぐらを掴んできた。 「止めろアガット」 「ですがこいつが急に持ち場を離れたせいで負傷者が出ましたッ」 「彼はお嬢様の護衛として契約したのであって、我々を守る役割はない。それに、あの状況で仔細に事を伝えていれば手遅れになっていた。緊急時における現場の判断としては間違っていない」 俺の胸ぐらを掴む手を、ランドが引き剥がす。最初はアガットも抵抗したが、すぐに力を抜いて俺の胸ぐらから手を離した。 歯を噛み締めるアガットの肩を柔く叩きながら、ランドが諭すように口を開いた。 「おまえがコノエーー従者隊としての訓練を受けた身として、命令違反や単独行動を忌むモノと考える気持ちは分かる。私も若い頃は骨身に染みるほどに叩き込まれたからな。だが、今我々に求められているのは、現場での臨機応変な判断力だ。特に、護衛対象の命に関わる案件であるならばな。おまえに足りないのは咄嗟の判断力だ。それさえ得られたのならば、お前は一部隊を率いるに足る男になれる」 「俺が............ですか?」 「もっとも、まだまだ実力不足ではあるがな。最低でも、私を倒せるぐらいの男になってもらわんと困る」 「............それはまだまだ先の話になりそうですね」 いつの間にやら話が落ち着いたようだが、俺は話の出汁にされた気がしてならない。だって、一言も喋ってないもん。勝手にアガットがキレて、ランドが落ち着かせて諭して、アガットが納得しただけだもん。アガット君ちょっとチョロくね? たった数行ぐらいで説得させられたよ。次からチョロット君って呼んでやろうか。確実にブチ切れるからさすがに止めておこう。 「アガットが失礼をした、申し訳ない」 「身勝手してるのは事実だからな。謝罪はいらねぇよ。そんなことよりも、負傷した従者さんは大丈夫なのか?」 「ああ、肩に小さく傷を負った程度だ。掠り傷、とまではいかないが、手持ちの薬を使えば数日で治る。今は馬車の中で横になっているよ」 「そうかい、そりゃ良かった」 俺も従者さんの様子を拝もうと馬車の荷台に入る。負傷者は薄手の布の上で仰向けになっていた。鎧は外され、負傷したであろう右肩には包帯が巻かれ、赤い色が滲んでいる。 俺の体重に木製の床が小さく軋んだ。音に気が付き、仰向けでボウッとしていた従者が首だけ動かしてこちらを向く。 「よぉ、元気か? ............って聞くのは失礼か」 「君か............、そうだね。元気ではないけれど、心配されるほど酷い状態ではないよ」 従者くんは物腰丁寧に答えた。今まで彼とは殆ど交流が無かった。会話らしい会話はおそらく、コノ瞬間が初めてだろう。 ーー訂正。従者くんではなく従者さんだった。胸当てを取った布の服の胸部が、ささやかなながらに盛り上がっていた。レアルやファイマと比較すると従者さんに酷く申し訳ないが、一応異性を感じられる程度の豊かさはあった。 「そりゃそうだ。年頃の娘さんの護衛に同性の一人や二人はいないとおかしいか」 「もしかして、私のことを男だと思っていたのかな?」 「失礼ながら、な」 いくらランドやアガットが護衛とは言え、風呂や着替えの最中に彼女と一緒にいられるはずもない。そのときのための同性の護衛がいないはずがないのだ。 「女ながらに男所帯の中で揉まれてきた身。今更自分に女らしさが残っているとは思っていないよ。それに、女にしては背も高いし体格もガッシリしているからね。鎧をつけていない普段着の状態でもよく間違われる」 確かに、中性的な顔をしているし、身長もアガット並に高い。声もちょっと高めの男性と、先入観があれば素直に頷けてしまう。だが、一度気が付けば、もう彼女のことを男性として見ることはできなかった。 「そうか? ちょいと身なりを整えりゃぁ、普通に女っぽくなると思うけどな。俺の友達も、素手で体格の良い野郎をぶっ倒せる奴がいるけど、普通に女やってるぞ?」 出会った当初は女の皮を被った猛獣的な何かだったが、今では普通に美少女やってる。ちょいと手が出やすいのが珠にキズであるが。 それに、話してみれば物腰や口調は普通に女性だ。レアルは身体的に女性と分かるが仕草や態度はほぼ男性と変わらない。そこを考えれば、彼女よりもよほど女っぽい。 「............もしかして私は口説かれているのかな?」 「その発言はどこから来たんだよ。口説いてねぇよ。俺は巨乳派だ」 「済まない。君の期待に添えそうにないの。私の胸はもう成長が止まってしまっているわ。けど、こんなまな板でよければッ」 「何さりげなく自分を押し売りしようとしてんだッ!」 「その............できれば最初は優しくお願いするわ。なにぶん初めてなモノで。できれば豊胸の為に揉んでもらえると助かるわ。ファイマ様とまでは望まないから」 「初めてまともに会話した数分後にどこまで妄想がかっとんでんだッ!」 「子供は三人は欲しいな」 「人の話を聞けよ! 天然さんかッ! あんた天然さんなのかッ!」 「............? こう見えても天然で女だけど」 「まごうことなき天然さんだったよッ!」 「そう言えば自己紹介がまだだったね。私の名前はキスカ。よろしく」 「マイペースッ!?」 俺は怪我人相手にどうして漫才をしているのだろか。 このパーティーの女たちは、俺のシリアスを見事にぶち壊してくれた。お礼を言う気は微塵もないが、ちょっとだけ救われた。

Chapter 24 The more stubborn ones are surprisingly easy I'm experiencing a terribly disgusting feeling within me. It's not............towards the fact I've killed someone. It's towards the fact my mind is hardly seriously coming to grips with the fact I've killed someone. "I see now. The good-for-nothing part has been serious so far, is that it?" (Not entirely sure what the raw meant) I did feel bad during the times I've come to kill magic beasts until now. The cause of that is the fact I had been living peacefully in the real world. It's because I haven't experienced the pieces of meat scattering about dancing sprays of blood, the act of reaping someone's life. However, after I have adapted to the fantasy world despite the short time, I've come to get used to the giving and taking lives. It's not so much that I would feel pleasure and enjoyment, but I've stopped feeling guilty about it. That was even if my opponent is a person. "I really didn't think I'd become an emotional wreck from this you know." "Kanna?" "Don't mind it. I'm talking to myself." Real had no doubts that the three masked men have died. As far as she's concerned, they're "rogues who are trying to kill the target of escort", no exceptions. It's even strange to ask about the right or wrong in life there. There's no sense in letting them live either. This world values life less than the real world. No, that's wrong. Life is just more precious than in the real world. Laws of the real world where human rights exists even for criminals must be unthinkable to the dwellers of this fantasy world. I bet they will find it unbelievable that even the men standing at the top of the country could become a criminal when they kill someone. I haven't made a single mistake in this world. Survival of the fittest is the providence of this world. But, it's just that it's obviously abnormal for a man who hasn't committed a single murder until now to not hold any deep emotions even if he killed a criminal. "............Well, just knowing that I won't hesitate in case something happens can be considered a good thing, huh?" What's really strange would be from here on. Despite the fact I recognized that my mind is deviating from the peaceful j.a.panese youth, I still wish to return to the real world. I'm thinking about wanting to make merry while doing idle talk with that idiot and inept pretty boy or Misaki and the others. "Hey, are you truly alright?" "I'm just adding a sense of closure, woa-" "............Raising a scream right after seeing a person's face is really impolite isn't it?" "Everyone would be surprised if they see a bloodstained face at point-blank range!" The serious mood up until then ended up being blown away. A beautiful woman's face that's smeared in goblin's blood looks unusually surreal. If the goblin's blood was blue or green, then it would become an image so traumatic I won't be able to recognize Real as a beautiful woman anymore. "So it's like that as well? I wonder if I can bathe in somewhere." "Err............You can do so with my magic if it's just at the level of putting out water." Faima suggests timidly. "My bad Miss Faima, but can I ask of you? To tell the truth, the blood stuck on my hair is starting to clot and it's been bothering me." "First of all, you should wash off the face and head first don't you think? As a woman I can not overlook the fact such pretty silver hair is spoiled" "You say that Miss Faima, but even you have splendid crimson hair" "Fufufu, thank you very much." I wonder if you girls can stop the girls' talk with a brutal scene spreading in the background. The corpses and stuff of the masked men among other things are being left as is there. The one who made that scene is me though. After feeling dejected in everything, I go see the state of the front of the carriage. Before that, I make an ice lock and fix it on the hands and feet of the sole surviving masked man who hasn't regained his consciousness. The other day, the masked men who I thought were on the verge of death surprisingly moved and ended up escaping us, so it's a just in case. When I carried my feet towards the place Agaht was at, I felt regret a little. Corpses of goblins piling up as far as the eye can see. A simply disgusting scene is just spreading out. "Why you bastaaard!" As soon as my figure was confirmed, Agaht grabbed my collar. "Stop, Agaht!" "But we have an injured person because this man suddenly left his post!" "He has made a contract as the lady's escort, it's not his duty to protect us. In addition, if he were to convey his reasoning in that situation, then it would've been too late. It's not wrong to judge based on the scene in an emergency." Rand pulled away the hand that was grabbing my collar. Agaht even resisted in the beginning, but he immediately released his strength and separated his hand from my collar. While softly hitting Agaht's shoulder who was gritting his teeth, Rand opens his mouth in order to remonstrate him. "I can understand your feelings as I myself had received training for the attendant corps and have thought about people who would violate orders or detest independent actions. A pierce through flesh and bones was thrown into my youth as well after all. What is demanded to us currently however, is judgement that adapts to the actual site. Particularly if the subject is affecting the life of the escort target. What you are lacking is a moment's judgment. If you could acquire just that, then you can become a man worthy of leading a unit." "I............can?" "But then again, you are still lacking in ability to me. I will be worried if you can't at the very least become a man who can defeat me." "............That isn't likely to be happening any time soon I suppose." Before I knew it, the conversation seems to have calmed down, but I strongly feel I was excused from the conversation. I mean, I didn't even say a single word, you know. Agaht went hysteric on his own, Rand calmed him down and persuaded him and Agaht just agreed with it, you know. Ain't Agaht boy a little easy? He's persuaded with just several lines you know. How about I call him Easyboy next time? He's going to flip out for sure so let's stop that after all. "Agaht has been impolite to you, forgive him." "It is the truth that I was being self-centered. I don't need the apologies. More importantly, is the injured servant alright?" "Yes, it only amounted to a small wound on his shoulder. It didn't go as far as a scratch, but if we use the medicine we have in hand then he will get better in a few days. He's lying down inside the carriage right now." "Is that right, I'm glad for him." I also go onto the carriage's cargo stand to see the servant's state. The injured guy is lying down face up with a thinly made cloth on him. His armor was removed and the bandages wrapping on the wound on his right shoulder with a red color spreading on it. The wooden floor creaks somewhat from my body weight. Noticing the sounds, the absent minded attendant only turns his neck this way. "'Sup, how are ya? ............ asking that is a little rude I guess." "Oh, it's you............I guess it is. I'm not well, but I'm not in a condition bad enough to be concerned about." Mr. Attendant answers in a polite manner. Up until now I nearly haven't made any interactions with him. This must probably be the first time we ever had a conversation-ish conversation with him. --Correction. It's not Mr. Attendant, but it was Ms. Attendant. The chest area of her clothing under the now taken off armor is bulging, though modestly. I'm terribly sorry for comparing the attendant with Real and Faima, but there's plenty enough of it for me to see her as the opposite s.e.x. "Oh, of course. So it is strange to not have one or two people of the same s.e.x escorting a daughter of marriageable age, I guess." "Were you perhaps thinking that I was a man?" "Excuse me for that, okay?" As much as an escort Rand and Agaht may be, they shouldn't even be able to be together with her during her baths and changing of clothes. You can't expect them not to have an escort of the same s.e.x for those moments. "I myself have been trained in an all-male household despite being a woman. I don't think there is any femininity left within me at this point. In addition to that, I am tall and also have a st.u.r.dy physique for a woman after all. I'm often mistaken even in my everyday clothes when I don't put on my armor." Sure enough she has an androgynous face and she's also as tall as Agaht. You'll end up agreeing honestly if her voice is also on the higher male side and you have some preconception. But once I notice it, I won't be able to see her as a man anymore. "That so? I think that you'll normally look woman like if you just fix your appearance a little though. My friend too, she's a girl who can beat up a fellow with a good physique with just her bare hands, but she's still living normally like a woman, you know?" The first time I met her she was a fierce beast-like something wearing a woman's skin, but nowadays she's living like a beautiful girl. The fact that she's a little quick to jab someone is her character flaw though. Moreover, if you try talking to her, she'll show manners and expressions like a normal woman. I could see Real is a woman physically, but her gestures and behavior is nearly no different than that of a man. When I think about that, then she really is more feminine than Real. "............Am I perhaps being hit on here?" "Where did that comment come from? I ain't hitting on ya. I'm on the giant breast faction." "I am sorry. I don't seem to be meeting your expectations then. My b.r.e.a.s.t.s have already stopped growing, you see. But, if you are fine with such a chopping board-" "What are you doing, casually trying to hard-sell yourself to me!" "Uhm............Please be as gentle as possible with me in the beginning. It's the first time for me at any rate. If possible, it would save me the trouble if I could have you rub my b.r.e.a.s.t.s for the sake of enlarging them. I would like them to be as large as Lady Faima's, you see." "How far have your delusions flared up since a few minutes on our first conversation!?" "You know, I want three children." "Listen when someone's talking to you! So you're a natural airhead!? Are you really a natural airhead!?" "............? Despite my appearance, I'm a natural airhead and a woman though" "You were definitely a natural airhead, you know that!?" "Speaking of which, I still haven't introduced myself, did I? My name is Kiska. Pleased to meet you." (T.N. kisuka; kisuka) "Going at your own pace!?" Why am I doing a two-person comedy skit with an injured person, I wonder. The girls in this party have destroyed my seriousness. Not in the slightest bit do I feel like thanking her, but it helped me out just for a bit.

「さて、大物はとりあえず仕留めた。魔獣の残りは他の者達に任せてもいいだろう。君とクロエは背後を気にせず洞窟の内部へ向かってくれ............ぐッ!」 レアルは表情を歪めると膝を折って崩れ落ちそうになる。剣も手からこぼれ、『ガランっ』と剣が落ちたにしては異様なほどの音が立つ。彼女はどうにか片膝立ちで体を支えたが、呼吸はかなり荒い。ピンク色の思考は霧散し、俺は彼女に駆け寄った。 「レアルッ!?」 「はぁ、はぁ、はぁ............ッ、安心しろ。『ドラゴニック・レイジ』の反動だ。あれは術者に無双の力を与えるが、効果時間が短い上に使用後に凄まじい疲労感が来る。ある程度体力が回復しても、一時間近くは身体能力も元々の半分以下にまで落ち込む」 切り札の存在だけは教えられていたが、まさかアレほどの効果があるとは驚きだ。代償は大きいだろうが超短期決戦用と考えれば妥当か。 さて、と。 後顧の憂いはコレで無くなったか。 「後は任せな」 「ちょ、ちょっと待つでござるよカンナ氏ッ。まさか竜剣殿ーーいや、レアル殿を置いていくつもりでござるかッ!?」 立ち上がり、洞窟に体を向けようとしたところでクロエが俺の肩を掴んだ。 「あんな満身創痍の一歩手前の状態で連れて行く気か?」 「この戦場にはまだリザードマンが大量に残っているでござる。そのような場所にレアル殿を置いては行けないでござるっ」 こいつは人の話を聞いていたのか? これ以上に手間を掛けると、洞窟から新手の魔獣が溢れ出す。そうなれば、それこそレアルに大きな危険が降りかかる。だからこそ、レアルは代償を承知の上で切り札を切ったのだ。 切った札が間違いでなかったと証明できるのは、俺しかいない。 「私は私の役目を全うした。君は君の役目を全うしてくれ」 「カッ。物語の一説に出てきそうなお言葉だこと」 「そこは黙って頷く場面じゃないのか? ま、君らしいと言えばらしい。............時間がない、行ってくれ!」 「応さッ!」 俺は肩を掴むクロエの手を振り払い、アイスボードに飛び乗って洞窟へと突入した。新しい魔獣の気配はまだ無いが、残された時間がまた無いのもまた事実。俺は焦りと、それよりも大きな苛立ちを抱きながら洞窟の奥へと言葉を投げた。 「おろろ?」 「............どうした」 外界からの光の届かない洞穴の奥に彼らは居た。 一人は長身の女性。男とは対して無表情でありながらも、触れれば有無言わさずに断ち切られそうな鋭い気配を身に纏っている。目を引くのは、両の腰に帯びた計六本の剣。 前者の声は男性が。後者の声は女性が発したものだった。 「ややや、どうやら表に配置していたジェネラルゴブリンの大将が討ち取られたみたいだねぇ」 「なに? 貴様が直に手を加えた強化個体ではなかったのか?」 「おかしいぃねぇ。Bランクの能力を総合的に引き上げて、戦闘力は間違いなくAランクに到達していたんだがねぇ。そいつを乗せてた品種改良したリザードマンにしても、Bランク程度の力はあったはずなんだがねぇ」 「............ふん、貴様といい『糸使い』といい、魔獣を手懐けるような輩の手札はやはり信用ならんな。『万軍』とは聞こえがいいが、率いるのが烏合の衆では意味がない」 「そりゃぁ『天剣』の君や『剛炎帝』の彼みたいな人外レベルの実力者と比べられたら、大概の存在は『烏合の衆』でしょうねぇ」 女性の言葉には隠しようのない侮蔑が込められていたが、男性は些かも気にする様子もなく首を捻った。『天剣』と呼ばれた女性は人外呼ばわりに小さく眉間を険しくしたが、男ーー『万軍』は調子を変えずに言葉を続ける。 「助手君に任せたはずの『オーガ」達も未だに来ないし、どうにも妙なんだよねぇ。本来なら、リザードマンとジェネラルゴブリン。それと背後からのオーガで表にいる人間は殲滅されてる頃なんだがねぇ」 「大方、術式の失敗でもしたのではないか?」 「万が一に備えて、助手君の体の中に『色々』と仕込んでたから、オーガの召喚だけは成功しているはずなんだがねぇ。召喚術式を敷いた野営地に、オーガを討伐できる様な実力者はいないはずなんだがねぇ」 「............もしやオーガが討伐されたのでは?」 「それこそあり得ないねぇ。これ『時詠み』からの指示だ。『彼女』の指示で動いたのならそれこそ失敗は『あり得ない』。君も知ってるだろう?」 ねっとりとした『万軍』の言葉に、『天剣』は舌打ちで答えた。それを肯定と受け取った男はクスリと笑う。 「私が表に出て騎士団と冒険者どもを皆殺しにすれば話は済むだろう」 「了承しかねるねぇ。今回、君に任された役割は僕の護衛だろう? 第一、君が暴れ回ったらこの鉱山がーーというか近辺の地形がめちゃくちゃになっちゃうねぇ。ここに敷いた『魔術式』はこの作戦の後もしばらく使うからそれは止めて欲しいねぇ」 『万軍』が指さしたのは、日の光が届かない場にあって唯一の光源。地面に描かれた巨大な魔術式だ。騎士団の野営地に描かれていたそれよりもさらに大きく、複雑な術式が描かれていた。 「ま、仕方がないねぇ。こうなったら予定を繰り上げて『大物』を呼んでしまおうかねぇ。下手な脱走者が出ればそれこそ今後に支障がでるか分からないからねぇ」 (そもそも、『時詠み』の指示であるならば、『護衛』などという『万が一』に必要な人員など無用だろうに) そう思う一方で、無理もないと納得する部分もあった。 (............一ヶ月前に起こった『竜剣』の脱走。任務に出たきり連絡が取れない『剛炎帝』。何より『封印されていた魔神の復活』。今まで発生してきた『イレギュラー』の度合いから見て、これらを『時詠み』が見逃すはずがない) 慎重になるのも仕方がない事態が立て続けに起こったのだ。不本意ながらも今回の任務に従ったのは自分だ。内心の文句は止められないが、それ以上の不満を露わにするのは子供すぎる。 感情は切り捨て、いま成すべきは足下の巨大な魔術式に嬉々として手を加えている『万軍』の身を守ることなのだ。 ーーーー思考よりも先に身体が反応した。 『天剣』が駆けだしたよりもわずかに遅れて、硬質な音がこの空間の入り口から小さく木霊した。音に気が付いた『万軍』は「ん?』と顔を上げたが、彼が何事かを確かめる前に『天剣』に首根っこを捕まれた。 「ぐへぇッ!? ちょ、何をするのかべぇッ!?」 「黙ってろ! 舌を噛むぞ!」 残念、既に噛んでいた。 力任せに襟を引っ張られた『万軍』は舌を痛めながら抗議の声を上げようとしたが、それを遮るように轟音がこの空間を支配した。 そこに答えを出す前に、『敵』が姿を現した。白髪の男。奇妙なことに氷の板のような物の上に両足で立ち、先ほどの砲弾ほどではないがかなりの速度でこの空間に進入してきた。 彼女は迎え撃とうと即座に動き出す。あれだけの速度で突入してきたのだ。『奇襲』が成功したと確信した上での行動だ。一気に勝負を決めようとしている。ならばその慢心を逆手に取り、トドメを刺しに来るところを万全の状態で返り討ちにしてやればいい。 「しまッーーーーーーッッ!?」 『天剣』が間違いと察するよりも早くに、白髪の男はスピードの乗った氷の板から跳躍し、速度そのまま山なりに飛ぶと地面に描かれていた巨大な魔術式に、いつの間にか手にしていた氷の斧を叩き込んでいた。 衝撃音と共に斧が命中した地点から氷の剣山が大地を飲み込み、魔術式を穴だらけにしてしまう。魔術式に宿っていた魔力は大きな燐光を一度放つと空気中に霧散し消滅してしまった。 『あの男、最初から狙いは魔術式かッ!?」 最初の奇襲で敵の狙いを完全に誤解していた。相手に迎撃の体勢を取らせて動きを止め、その隙に本命の召喚魔術式を破壊したのだ。相手の策略にまんまと引っかかり、『天剣』は屈辱の怒りに震えた。 「のぉぉぉおおおおおおおおおおおおおッッ! 私が丹誠込めて作った魔術式がぁぁぁぁぁぁッッッ!?」 頭を抱えて絶叫する『万軍』。ねっとりした口調も忘れるほどだ。 相方の大声に顔をしかめる『天剣』だったが、白髪の行動にさらに顔をを引き攣らせた。なんと彼は『天剣』『万軍』を完全に無視し、またも氷の板に乗ると来た道をあっさり引き返していったのだ。 「いい度胸だ。それほど死にたいなら微塵に切り裂いて殺してやる」 白髪の突入、脱出の速度はかなり速かったが『天剣』の最速よりは幾分か劣っていた。追いつき次第に滅多切りにしてやる。彼女は意気込み、大地を踏み砕かんばかりの勢いで走り出し、白髪が消えていった空間の出入り口ーー通路に飛び込んだ。 脳よりも速く、身体がその選択を『失敗』と判断した。 通路に入った途端に彼女が目にしたのは、宙に浮かぶ人の頭ほどの大きさがある氷の固まりと、その側でやはり氷の槌を構えた白髪の男だった。 カンナ式必勝法の一つにこうある。 「開幕『前』ドパンッ!、はむしろ礼儀である」と。 とりあえず今回の開幕前ドパンは予め気配を探知していた二人の内、しゃがんでいる片割れを狙ったわけだ。だが、もう一人の方ーー剣を持った女性だったーーが超反応を見せ、しゃがんでいた男を放った氷砲弾の狙いから離してしまった。おそらく、砲弾を打撃加速させたときの音が予想外に反響したのが原因だ。あの音でいち早くこちらの奇襲が発覚してしまったのだ。氷砲弾は色々な理由で回避されやすいな。 洞窟に突入してきたときからビンビンに感じていた召喚魔術式。それが置かれている広い空間に突入した瞬間、恐ろしいほどに膨大な量の魔力を二つも感じ取った。 (うん、無理ッ) あわよくば最初の不意打ちで油断した所を一気に撃破しようと目論んでいたが甘かったと断言せざるを得ない。それほどに隔絶した実力差を一目見た瞬間に判断できた。虎の穴に間違って飛び込んでしまった子兎の心境である。そして俺はツノウサギほど無謀ではないぴょん。 と、言うわけで当初の予定通りに速攻で召喚魔術式を破壊した。普段は『剣』を使う氷山攻撃を斧に変更したのは、助走が付いた状態ならこちらの方が地面を穿ちやすいと思ったからだ。 (ーーーーッ、そろそろやばいか............) 頭に走った痛みが己の限界が近いのを教えてくれた。 オーガとの戦闘から始まり、リザードマンの群やジェネラルゴブリンとの連戦。そこに加えて目の前の魔術式を破壊するときにかなりの精神力を消費した。奇襲の氷砲弾を使った後にすぐに、氷剣山波(今名前を決めた)を僅かな時間でイメージして発動したのだ。その反動がかなりキツい。後になって気が付いたが、開発したばかりで制御も慣れていない『アイスボード』の多用が予想以上の負担になっていたのも大きい。 軽い目眩を起こしたが気合いで立て直すと、突入したときよりも僅かばかりだが落ち着いてこの場にいる二人の人間を観察できた。 俺が狙った男は小柄で魔術士風のローブを着ている。おそらく野営地に設置された魔術式と、俺が今し方破壊したこの場にあった魔術式。感じられる魔力の気配から、どちらも根っこは彼が関係していそうだ。 何よりも『例の気配』を色濃く感じ取れた。間違いなく渓谷で戦った魔術士に連なる者達だ。 (冗談じゃねぇ) 渓谷での一戦は、不意打ちに幸運が重なって得られた辛勝。正面から戦えば百戦して百戦負ける自信がある。それと同等レベルが二人も相手などお話にもならない。 これが王道勇者物語なら黒幕らしき彼女たちに色々と問いただす場面だが、俺の役割はせいぜい主人公の友人AかBが限度。アイスボードに乗ると来た道を急いで戻る。 アイスボードから飛び降りた俺は靴底を地面にこすりながら反転し、氷砲弾の準備に掛かる。出来るだけ打撃加速に無駄が出ないよう、足裏と地面を凍結で合体させた。砲弾そのものに込める精神力も『最大限』だ。 この感覚は覚えがある。渓谷で炎使いと戦ったときと同じだ。 槌を振りかぶった所で、六本剣の女性が通路に姿を現す。距離を離しながらも正面から相対する立ち位置。彼女の目を見た俺は驚く。 純度の高い殺意を宿し、憤怒を心に燃やしていながらも、瞳には色濃い『冷徹』が秘められていた。ただ怒りに駆られているのではない。いかに効率よく『敵を殺すか』を模索する理性があった。これほどまでに殺意と理性を併せ持った目を、俺は見たことがなかった。 氷砲弾の打撃加速の寸前で悟った俺は。 自然と笑みを浮かべていた。 百戦を正面から戦えば百戦は負けるだろう。 だが、忘れてはいないだろうか。 いかに策謀を巡らせ、今回の戦い全体の裏を操っていようと。 ここは『あんた』の独壇場ではない。 ーーーー俺の独壇場だ。 あの手の輩はどれほどの速度の攻撃であっても、初動さえ見極めれば回避してしまう。 威力と速度重視で氷砲弾を撃っても六本剣の女には避けられる。少なくとも知り合いの天才空手少女は拳銃を相手にそれを『やってのけた』。それを知っていた経験が、この攻撃を脊髄反射気味に選んでいた。 「避けてみな」 打撃加速の瞬間、俺は氷砲弾に込めていた『イメージ』を解放。発射された氷砲弾は、刹那の間を置くと『洞窟の通路を踏め尽くすほどに超巨大化』した。 それを確かめる前に、彼女は超巨大氷砲弾の直撃を喰らい、魔術式が設置されていた広い空間まで吹き飛ばされる。 六剣の女性を飲み込んだ氷塊はそのまま壁に激突し、鉱山の全域を揺るがす轟音と衝撃が響きわたったのであった。

[Let's move on now that we've taken down the most powerful general. We can leave the remaining magic beasts to the others. You and Chloe can head inside the cave without worrying about the matters outside............gh!] Real's expression distorts and she falls down to her knee. She even drops her sword, causing it to produce a strange [garan] sound as it fell to the ground. Real managed to steady herself on one knee but her breathing is pretty rough. That erased my pink mode as I rush up to her. [Real!?] [Haa haa haa.........Don't worry. It's the recoil of [Dragonic Rage]. The spell grants its user unparallelled power but the duration is short and an intense feeling of fatigue ensues after each use. Even if I recover to some extent afterwards, my physical ability will regress to less than half of my optimal condition for about an hour.] She told me about her trump card earlier but I never would've thought it would produce that kind of result and aftereffect. That surprised me. The price might be a steep one but as a decisive blow to conclude a battle in an ultra short turn, it's a rather reasonable choice. Now then. With this, I don't have to worry about things out here. [I'll leave the rest to you.] (kanna) [P-Please wait for a moment de gozaru yo, Kanns.h.i.+. Are you possibly thinking of leaving Ryuuken-dono-no, Real-dono behind de gozaru ka!?] I stand up and tried to turn towards the cave when Chloe grabs my shoulder. [You want to bring along someone whose one step away from getting injured all over?] [There are still numerous lizardman left on this battlefield de gozaru. We can't possibly leave Real-dono in this place de gozaru.] Did this girl pay any attention at all to my explanation just now? If we tarry anymore than this, a fresh wave of magic beasts will stream out of that cave. I'm the only one who can prove her action wasn't the wrong move. [I fulfilled my role. Now, you go complete yours.] (real) [kah Those words sounds like they popped out of a fairy tale.] (kanna) [Isn't this the scene where you're supposed to be silent and just nod? Well, that's just like you I suppose..........We're pressed for time. Go, do what you must!] [Yeah!] I shake off Chloe's hand that was still grabbing my shoulder and sped off towards the cave after creating an ice board. There's no sign of any new magic beasts yet but there's no time left, that's a fact. [ororo?] [............What is it?] They are at the depths of the cave, a s.p.a.ce devoid of any external light. Although expressionless while facing the man, she is clad in a sharp bearing that indicates he will be cut down without warning should he ever try touching her. A more eye-catching aspect of her would be the six swords on both side of her hips. The one who talked first is the man. The latter question comes from the woman. [Dear me, it seems that the leader general goblin we deployed at the forefront was taken out nee.] (man) [What? Wasn't it a reinforced specimen that you knave personally worked on?] (woman) [How strange nee. I raised the overall ability of a B-rank goblin and its fighting strength has unmistakably reached rank. Even that improved lizardman its mounted on should have possessed B-rank level of strength.] (man) [.........hmm, you knave and that [Puppeteer] who relies on tamed magic beasts cannot be relied upon after all. Declaring yourself as [One Man Army] is fine but there is no point in leading a disorderly crowd of mobs.] [Well~ of course~ almost all in existence would be considered as merely [mobs] if you compare them to the likes of you, the [Heavenly Sword] or the [Flame Emperor].] The woman's words contain unconcealed contempt but the man inclines his head without minding it at all. The woman who was named [Heavenly Sword] frowns a bit after being allegorized as inhuman but the man -[One Man Army]- keeps on talking without changing his tone. [The [ogres] that I should've entrusted to a.s.sistant-kun still haven't come yet. In no way~, this isn't strange at all~. Originally, it should've been the Lizardman and General Goblins from the front, and then Ogres would appear from behind to annihilate~ every last one of those humankind~] [Is it possible for the spell to fall through?] [As a precaution for that unlikely event~, I I placed [various] fail-safe measures inside a.s.sistant-kun's body. The ogre summoning itself should have been successful even if something happened~ because there's shouldn't be anyone in the encampment capable of subduing an ogre ne~] [.........What if the ogres were killed?] [That is clearly impossible ne~. That was done under the instruction of the [Seer]. If we move according to [her] instruction, failure is surely [impossible]. You know that, don't you~?] [Heavenly Sword] clicks her tongue as a response to the words of [One Man Army]. The man who perceives that as a confirmation chuckles in return. [If I go out there and kill all those knight and adventurers, it will be finished easily though.] [I cannot permit that~. This time, you're a.s.signed as my escort, right~? Besides, if you go on a rampage, this mine or rather, this whole area will be decimated, wouldn't you agree~? We still need to use this [magical formation] laid here for a while longer after this operation so I want you to hold back on that thought~] A huge magical formation drawn on the ground. It's even larger and more complex in design than the one drawn at the encampment. [Well, there's no helping it~. Once it comes to this, there no choice~ but to move ahead of schedule and call in the [big one]. If we mess up again, some will be able to escape and who knows what problems might occur in the future should that happens ne~] {In the first place, if it weren't for [Seer's] instruction, an [escort] in the [worst case scenario] would only be a needless increase in the number of personnel.} (sword) Despite thinking so, there was a part of her convinced that it was not an unreasonable decision. {.........The breakout of [Ryuuken] which happened a month ago. The [Flame Emperor] whom we lost all contact with after going on a mission. And above all else, the [resurrection of the sealed Devil]. There is no way that [Seer] could have failed to notice all these [irregularity] that had occurred so far.} (sword) Although reluctant, she was the one chosen for this mission. She cannot suppress her inner grumbling but revealing further dissatisfaction would be too childish of her. She cut off her emotion to focus on what currently needs to be done which is to protect [One Man Army] who is merrily working on the giant magical formation under his feet. ---Her body reacted before thinking. Slightly later after [Heavenly Sword] started running, a sound of something hard clas.h.i.+ng echoes from the entrance of this s.p.a.ce. [guhee!? Hey, what are you doing!?] [Shut up! You'll bite your tongue!] Unfortunately, he already had. [One Man Army] who was pulled down by force tried to protest the rough treatment that resulted in his tongue stinging but he was drowned out by a roaring sound. Oddly enough, he is standing on an ice-like slab and although not as fast as his attack just now, he is entering this s.p.a.ce at a considerable speed. She immediately moves to intercept at the sight of him. Rus.h.i.+ng in at that speed indicates an action done under the belief that the [surprise attack] was successful. [Oh s.h.i.+----!?] Faster than [Heavenly Sword] realizing her misconception, the white-haired man leapt from the speeding slab and while retaining the speed, he flew across the s.p.a.ce towards the giant magical formation drawn on the ground. With an ice axe that appeared without anyone noticing, he drives it onto the magical formation. From the impact point, an ice sword mountain protrudes from the ground, riddling the magical formation full of holes. The large amount of mana inside the magical formation dissipates into the air after it glowed brightly for the last time. [That man's aim from the beginning was the magical formation!?] She completely misunderstood the enemy's aim from the initial surprise attack. By making his opponents ready themselves for a counter attack, thus halting their movement, he took the opportunity to destroy his real objective-the magical formation. [Nooooooooooooo! The magical formation I had poured my utmost intooooo!] [One Man Army] screams while holding his head. For once, he forgot to apply his sticky way of talking. His loud voice made [Heavenly Sword] frown and her face muscles further stiffens upon witnessing the white hair's behavior. He completely ignores both of them and proceed to return the way he came from once he got on board his ice slab. [Some nerves you have. If you want to die that much, I'll cut you into pieces myself.] Although the speed in which the white-haired man entering and escaping this s.p.a.ce is considerably fast, it was still somewhat inferior to [Heavenly Sword's] fastest speed. As soon as she catches up to him, she will slice him to shreds. Faster than her brain could tell her, [Heavenly Sword's] own body judged the decision as a [mistake]. As soon as she steps into the pa.s.sageway, she can see that the white-haired man is waiting for her with an ice hammer on hand and an ice block as big as a person's head floating near him. One of the Kannstyle winning strategy is... [A preemptive strike [before] the opening event is a rather polite thing to do.] Perhaps it's because of the unexpected echo caused by the sh.e.l.l being hit for the extra acceleration. That echo promptly revealed my ambush, rendering its surprise element moot. My ice sh.e.l.ls are easy to avoid for various reasons after all. When I stormed into the cave, my head starts blaring an alarm due to the mana that summoning magical formation emits. And the moment I entered the wide open s.p.a.ce where the magical formation was located, I can sense two terrifyingly huge amount of mana presence. {Yup. That's a big no-no} I feel like a rabbit who wandered into a tiger's den by mistake. But by no means I'm as reckless as a horn rabbit. And so, I kept on my course following the original plan, or at least half of it, which was to quickly destroy the summoning magical formation. The reason why I use an axe instead of the usual [sword] to produce an ice mountain is because I thought it'd be easier to drive it into the ground while leaping through the air. {---!! I'm getting dangerously close......} A headache warns me of my encroaching limit. Beginning with the ogres, I fought in a series of battles afterwards against the lizardmen and those general goblins. In addition to that, I exhausted a considerable amount of mental strength to destroy that magical formation just now. Immediately after launching a surprise ice sh.e.l.l, I manifest an image of the Ice Sword Mountain (decided on the name just now) without so much as a break. I manage to calm down just for a bit compared to when I rushed in, taking that chance to observe the two mastermind in this place. The one I aimed at is a small man wearing a magician-like robe. He's probably the one who set up the magical formation back at the camp and the one I destroyed just now. According to the mana I can sense from this man and the formations, both are connected to him. More than anything, I really don't wanna get close to her because of the razor sharp vibe she's clad herself in. And above all else, both of them are markedly thick with [their presence]. They're definitely related to the magician whom I'd fought in the valley. {This is no joking matter.} The battle in that valley was a narrow victory which I only managed to achieve through combinations of a surprise attack and loads of luck piled together. If I were to fight these two up front, I'm confident that I will lose 100 battle out of a 100. And that's not even taking into account of their difference in level and ability. If this were a tale of a righteous hero, right now would be the scene where the hero ask various questions to be answered by the two mastermind but the role a.s.signed to me would be the protagonist's friend A or B at best. I jump off the ice board and slid on the ground for a bit as I turn around to prepare launching an ice sh.e.l.l. In order to minimize energy dispersion and maximize acceleration as much as possible, I freeze my soles to the ground. I also pour the [maximum] amount of mental strength possible into creating an ice sh.e.l.l. I remember this feeling. It's the same feeling I got when I was against the flame magician back at the valley. A surge of power is overflowing from the depths of my soul, reinvigorating my limbs and spirit. Just as I finished manifesting a sledgehammer and getting ready to swing it, the woman armed with six swords appeared at the pa.s.sageway. Our distance notwithstanding, the spot she's standing at is right in front of me. I'm surprised to see her eyes. Despite the overwhelming bloodl.u.s.t and the rage burning in her mind, a deep [coldness] can be seen hidden in her eyes. I realize all that on the brink of launching my ice sh.e.l.l. She's smiling naturally and her eyes are br.i.m.m.i.n.g with the intention to kill me. It's a gaze that believes in one's victory unwaveringly. Regardless of what type of attack I would unleash, she would be able to deal with it leisurely, that's what those eyes are telling me. Certainly, the difference in ability between us is obvious. If I were to fight against her 100 times in an upfront battle, I'd lose 100 times, no two way about it. But have you forgotten? No matter how you strategize and manipulate this entire battlefield from the shadows, I'm the one in control of this fight from the very beginning. This is not [your] stage. It's mine. No matter how fast an attack is, one would be able to avoid it if they can determine its preliminary move. Launching an ice sh.e.l.l with an emphasis on power and speed will undoubtedly be avoided by the six sword woman. At least, that's what a genius karate girl I know [pulled off] against a pistol shot. From the insight gained from that incident, I chose this type of attack by reflex. [Try to avoid this!] On the brink of launching my ice sh.e.l.l, I release the [image] I poured into it. Before I could confirm anything, she ate a direct hit from my ice, causing her to fly backwards to the large s.p.a.ce where the magical formation was drawn. <<reword rview flow>> The ma.s.sive ice lump continued its course as is and crash into the far end of the s.p.a.ce, shaking the entire mine with a thunderous roar.

待ち伏せされた地点から出発した後に一回。夜を明かし、現時点までにもう一回と戦闘があったが、一度に襲ってくる数も通常と変わらず、頻度も並だ。だから俺はまた魔獣がやってきたのかと思ったのだが。 「いや、違う。これは............」 ファイマが聞くと、彼女は否定し自分の長耳に手を添えて目を閉じた。妙な音でも聞こえているのか。俺もファイマも彼女に習って耳を澄ますが特に変わった音は聞こえない。 下側にいた俺は急な高さの変化に驚く程度で済んだ。側に座っていたキスカも同じく。元暗殺者の黒髪巨乳も横たわっていたお陰か、幸いにも問題はなかった。 一方で反対側に座っていた面子も、レアルやアガットは咄嗟に側の縁に捕まって事なきを得た。荷物も、刃物関係は他の荷物にしっかり固定していたので危険はない。軽い何点かが転がった程度だ。 「きゃぁっ!?」 ただ唯一、俺とは丁度対面に座っていたファイマが傾きの下であるこちら側に向かって投げ出された。魔術士である彼女は、このパーティーの中で一番運動能力が低かったのが原因だろう。 俺は、咄嗟に彼女の体を受け止めようと身構えた。 「おわっとむごぉぅ!!??」 ん? 妙なくぐもった悲鳴だって? 遮られる視線に、塞がる口と鼻。柔らかくも弾力があり、崩れ落ちてしまいそうでありながらも存在感を表す二つの柔い塊が、俺の顔面をくまなく圧迫する。 ーーーー俺は、この世界に来て初めて『死んでもいい』と本気で思いました。 や、間違いなく本気で思ったのだが、いざ命の危機に瀕するとさすがにボケで死ぬ気は失せた。何せ口も鼻も巨乳によってミッチリ塞がれてしまったのだ。新鮮な酸素を取り込めず呼吸困難に陥り始める。 さらに運の悪いことに、混乱していたのかファイマが俺の後頭部を両腕でガッシリとホールド。胸に固定する形で抱きしめてきたのだ。密着度が上がり、さらなる酸欠に瀕する。 「ファイマ嬢。そろそろカンナを解放してやらないと危なそうなんだが............」 「え? ............ああっ、カンナ君ッ」 拘束から解放された俺は、酸素を求めて思いっきり息を吸い込んだ。どうやら乳息死ーーじゃなかった。窒息死の危機からは脱したようだ。巨乳とは、色々な意味で凶器なのだと初めて知りましたよ。 「だ、大丈夫?」 心配そうに聞いてくるファイマ。 「............大丈夫だからとりあえずどいてくれ」 彼女の気遣いは嬉しかったのだが、些か体勢がよろしくない。俺の言葉にようやく己が俺の体にのし掛かっていることに気が付き、顔を赤らめながら慌てて退いた。異性とのスキンシップはコレまで無いわけではなかったがーー拳と拳だった気がしなくもないが、それとはまた違う女性の柔肌の感触に名残惜しさを感じつつも、さすがにそれを口にはしなかった。 俺とファイマの間に気まずい雰囲気が流れる。多分俺の顔も、彼女に負けず劣らずに赤く染まっているだろう。 「キ、サ、マァッ! お嬢様になんて事を!」 「いやいやいや、完全に不可抗力ですからね! 窒息の一歩手前になってましたからねッ!」 「黙れっ! 嫁入り前の乙女の純潔を汚す不届き者めっ!」 「そこまで深刻な話じゃねぇだろうがっ!」 「言い訳をするな。女性のむ......む............むねに顔を............ええい、痴れ者がッ」 「堅物の上にピュアでさらに逆ギレかッ!」 怒りと羞恥に顔を赤らめるアガットに胸倉を捕まれ、ギリギリと首が締まっていく。これがラッキースケベを体験した時の主人公の境遇か。すぐにファイマの仲裁が入り事なきを得る。 「........................」 「で、お前はどうしたのよ?」 「............別に」 レアルから三白眼の視線を頂戴したが、聞くとすぐさま顔を逸らされる。同じ女性として、ファイマに対する不可抗力のセクハラに憤ったのだろうか。や、普段の彼女なら「仕方がない奴だ」と小言の一つで済ませてしまうだろう。不思議だ。 「皆、じゃれ合うのはそこまでにして。今はとりあえず状況の把握が大事よ」 一番冷静だったキスカがそう言い、いつの間にか御者席から離れていたランドが馬車の後部に顔を出した。 「ランド隊長。どうでしたか?」 「左側の車輪の軸が二本とも折れていた。応急処置程度ではどうにもならんだろう」 「二本とも折れるとかなんでよ。普通一つのどちらかだけだろうさ」 「一本だろうが二本だろうが車輪がイカレた事実には変えられんよ」 「彼女はエルフだからな。我々では聞き取れないような小さな音でも聞き分けられるだろう。この場合、気がつけたからといってどうこうなる問題では無いが」 車軸の折れた原因は、渓谷の荒れ道が原因だろう。道としての体裁は保っているが、至る所に大小の石が散らばっているし凸凹も多い。それらに乗り上げたり降りたりの繰り返しで、予想以上に車軸に負担がかかってしまったのだ。 「予備のパーツとかねぇのか?」 「車輪は一つ予備があるがそれだけだ。さすがに車軸が折れてしまうと、我々素人の手には負え無い」 「というと、ここから先は歩くしかないでしょうね」 キスカの言葉に頷くランド。 「幸い馬は健康そのものだ。お嬢様を一頭に乗せて、もう一頭に重たい荷物を背負わせれば、後は我々が運べば何とかなるだろう。荷台の方は惜しいが捨てていくしかないか」 そうと決まれば、俺たちはいそいそと壊れた荷台から荷物を運び出した。貴族子女の一人旅(従者込み)にしては、ファイマが予め持っていた荷物の量は驚くほど少ない。食料は金品は余裕を持たせているが、着替え等は最低限だ。各自で分担して運べば、荷台以外は破棄せずに済むようだった。 「この黒髪さんはどうするよ」 意識のない黒髪をどうにか背負い馬車の外に降りる。 「私と一緒に馬に乗せるわ。意識のない人間を運ぶのは骨が折れるから」 人体の不思議である。一説では重心の違いとかなんとか。しかし、丸一日近く意識が浮上しないのは少々不安だ。 「次の町に着いたら、医者に見せた方が良さそうだな」 「そうね。呼吸も安定しているし、目立った怪我は無いと思うわ。ただ、私もランド達も最低限の応急治療の知識しかもっていないから。私たちだけでは識別できない怪我を負ってるかもしれない」 「そうでないことを祈るよ」 現時点では唯一、襲撃の裏側につながる手掛かりだ。昨日の、ゴブリンの襲撃の件もある。無事に意識が戻るのを願うばかり。素直に質問に答えてくれるか、という課題もあるが全ては黒髪巨乳の意識が戻ってからだ。 「............って、あれ?」 黒髪さんを背負い、密着した距離になって俺はようやく彼女が纏う違和感に気が付く。まぎれもなく『人間』を背負っているのだが『それ以外』の者が身近にいるような感覚だ。後ろを振り返り、背中に乗せている黒髪さんの顔を見る。紛れもなく『人間』の顔をしているが、どうにもそれが不自然に見えて仕方がない。 (お?) 視界を閃光が埋め尽くした。 影は自らの運の良さにほくそ笑んだ。どうやら、乗っていた馬車に異常をきたしたようだ。馬車の車輪が、片側が外れて傾いている。今は荷物を運び出している最中だ。 これで馬車で逃げられる心配が無くなった。もとより逃がす暇すら毛頭ない。ただ、失敗の可能性を念頭に置いておくのが彼の主義だった。 魔力の気配を感じさせぬ長距離からの狙撃。いかに手練れの魔術士であろうとも、この距離からの不意打ちを察知するのは容易ではない。仮に術式の発動を感知したとして、今から放たれるのは鉄すらも瞬時に溶かすほどの熱量を秘めている。 「鋼炎よ、走れ」 必殺の魔弾が目標付近に到達。目標である女の側に立っていた、「獣」を背負っている少年に届いた。 (・・・・なんだ?) 気のせいであろうか。その少年と視線が交錯したような。

since we got attacked twice after the first ambush, just like Faima I totally a.s.sumed it's another attack "no,this is..."(Real) Real denies Faima's guess as she puts her hands on her ears and closes her eyes being on the down side I and kiska were only surprised, the big breasted former a.s.sa.s.sin was fine too since she was laying down on the other side Real and Agat immediately grabbed some part of the carriage and since the weapons were well stored the luggage was safe "kyaaaa!?"(Faima) only Faima who was setting right in front of me got thrown towards me, it must have been due to her, a magician having the worst physical ability in this party I hurried to catch her "watto mugoo !!??"(Kanna) hrn, a weird scream you say? un, it is mostly the kind of development everyone is thinking. for now I managed to catch her but the position was a little bad a soft yet elastic sensation, seeming about to fall off yet having an unignorable presence the two soft lumps embrace my face. it was the first time since coming to this world that I thought from the bottom of my heart "it's fine to die right here and now" though only for a second. both my mouth and nose were totally locked in Faima's melons. unable to take in fresh air I am starting to fall into breathing difficulty. to make matters worse probably due getting confused Faima is firmly holding my head between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s with both hands. "Faimjo. I'd say it's best if you release Kanna now...."(Real) "Eh......Aaa,Kannkun"(Faima) having been liberated I immediately inhaled in search of oxygen. looks like I somehow managed to escape the suffocation death. for the first time I learned how much of a weapon those valleys can be, in so many ways "a,a,are you fine "(Faima) Faima asks me in a worried tone ".........I'm fine, so for now please move aside"(Kanna) not that I never had skin s.h.i.+p with girls before but, I get the feeling that was more of an exchange of fists,while feeling refreshed from the soft skin of a woman completely different from my experience, as expected I didn't put my thoughts to my mouth. an awkward mood drifts between me and Faima. my face too was probably red enough not to lose to her. just as I am wondering whether to say something or not. "you! what kind of things are you doing to milady"(Agat) "no no no, it's a complete accident! I was becoming a step away from suffocation ne!" "shut your mouth!you d.a.m.ned scoundrel defiling an unmarried maiden!" "this is not such a serious story, oi" "stop piling excuses. in a woman's ch.....ch......... chest your face ..........ei you fool" "stubborn and pure and now your it's inverse blowing up eh" having my collar grabbed by Agat whose face is flus.h.i.+ng red from anger and shame my neck stats tightening. this is the protagonist's feeling when he experiences lucky-sukebe "..........................................."(Real) "and, what's wrong with you?" ".............nothing" I was looked at with white eyes by Real but when I ask her about it she diverts her face. as a woman was she angry at the the accidental s.e.xual hara.s.s.e.m.e.nt towards Faima? no normally she would just say something like 'you can't be helped' and that's all. how strange "keep it at that you guys. right now it's important to grasp the situation" KIska who was the most calm says so,and then Rand who was sitting on the driver seat showed his face "captain Rand how was it?" "the two wheels on the left side broke. we can't repair them with what's on us" "just why did both snap together.normally only one of the two snaps in this kind of situation" "be it one or two there is no changing the fact that the wheels are broken" "she's an elf after all. even a small sound that we totally can't hear won't be missed by her. though in this case it's not like you can do anything even if you hear it" it's likely that the axle breaking is due to this valley's road's condition.it's more or less maintained as a road but you can see stones here and there. itmust have reached the limit of it's endurance "isn't there anything like spare parts?" "there is one spare wheel but that's all. as expected there's nothing amateurs can do when the axle broke" "which means that from here on we have to walk eh" Rand nods his head at the words of Kiska "fortunately the horses themselves don't have a scratch on them. we'll have milady ride on one and put the heavy luggage on the other while we carry the rest.it's regrettable but we have to leave the carrier huh" once it was decided we started taking the luggage out of the broken carrier. for a n.o.ble lady travelling alone (with attendants) the stuff Faima brought was surprisingly few. food problems can be solved through money which she has plenty of but she didn't have much clothes. if we share between everyone seems like we don't need to discard anything but the carrier "what are we going to do about this blackhair?" I somehow carry the unconscious blackhair and get out of the carriage. .................I'll just say that I certainly didn't carry her because I wanted to taste the sensation of her voluptuous chest on my back. I mean it. there is no denying the happiness I'm in though! Faima who dind't know such inner thoughts of mine says. "she'll be riding the horse with me. it's quite tiring to carry an unconscious person after all" how mysterious is the human body. someone once said it's the differnce of the center of gravity or whatever.but for her consciousness not to return after a whole day is indeed worrying "it seems better to show her to a doctor once we reach the next town" "I guess, her breathing is stable, and she doesn't appear to have anything like an injury. just that neither I nor rand and the other two have any deep medical knowledge. it might be that we just don't know and she's actually injured" "I pray that's doesn't turn to be the case" as it is she's the only lead we have concerning the mastermind behind the attack we took.there's yesterday's goblin attack too. I really wish she safely opens her eyes. whether or not she'll honestly answer our questions is something I don't know but that comes after this voluptuous blackhair opens her eyes. "...........tte eh?" lifting the blackhair having gotten close enough to stick to her I feel some discomfort towards this woman. no doubt I'm carrying a human but it feels like something else is there too. I turn behind and take a look at her face it's unmistakingly a human yet something is weird about it.it feels as if her face is lacking something essential. but before I could take a better look at her. (Oh?) a flash filled my field of vision. looks like, a problem occurred with the carriage they were riding. the wheels of one side are removed and it's tilting. now they're in the middle of moving their Baggage. with this there's no longer any worry about them escaping by carriage. though from the beginning there was no intention of letting them flee. be it a skilled magician or not it's no easy feat to detect an attack from such a distance. and even if they do detect it, what's about to be unleashed has enough heat to melt steel within a second "O steel-flame, run" the one shot kill magic bullet draws closer to the target. then it reaches the boy carrying the 'beast' who was standing near the target. (what?) [nani?] [omae wa mo s.h.i.+ndeiru] is it my imagination. the man felts like he and the boy just locked eyes

第三十八話 可愛いものには(物理的に)刺がある 水晶の置かれた部屋を後にすると、俺たちは職員に勧められた安宿に泊まった。稼ぎの少ない冒険者にも良心的な宿賃でギルドカードを掲示すれば長期の利用も可能。さすがに風呂こそ無かったが、近所に大衆浴場があったので問題はない。 竜人の婆さんの提案を受け入れた翌日、冒険者ギルド支部を訪れた俺は無事にギルドカードを手に入れた。言われたとおりに二枚だ。 「良いですか? くれぐれも! 決して! 二枚とも! 同時に! 無くさないで! くださいね!?」 昨日からお馴染みの女性職員が対応してくれたのだが、カードの受け渡しの時に何故か鬼気迫るような念の押し様だ。やはり、あまり前例のない処理は受け入れ難いのか。無くさないように専用の入れ物を購入した方が良いかもしれないな。それと、あの婆さんには機会があれば礼を言っておきたい。 二枚のギルドカードにはしっかりと俺の名前が記載されている。 「これでカンナ氏も晴れて冒険者の一員でござる」 「微妙に手間取った分だけ、なんか感慨深いな」 小さなトラブルに見舞われつつも、結果オーライなので良いとしよう。 「では、カンナ氏、頑張るでござるよ。拙者も一日も早い借金返済のために誠心誠意で働くでござる!」 「じゃ、程々に頑張れよ」 「わふゥッ!」 またも頭を撫でてしまうと、クロエのやる気が激増した。尻尾と耳をビンビンに立ててCランクの依頼が貼ってある場所へ走っていった。 彼女の腰には昨日のうちに武器屋で仕入れた片手剣を差している。もちろん出資者は俺。クロエのもっとも得意とする得物は『片手剣』では無いらしいが、使い心地は今彼女の腰にある物が一番近いらしい。 離れていくクロエの背中を一瞥してから、俺は職員さんに向き直る。 「カンナ様は初登録と言うことで、最初の依頼のみこちらで指定した依頼をこなして貰います。まずはそれで受注処理の流れを覚えていただき、以降の依頼は壁にある掲示板より内容を確認の上、ご自身の判断でお選びください」 簡易チュートリアルみたいなもんだな。新人には優しい対応だ。俺はゲームの説明書はしっかりと読み込む派だ。 「依頼の種類は主に三つです」 魔獣の討伐等の狩猟系。 錬金術や調合に必要な触媒、素材を持ち帰る採取系。 このどちらにも該当しない雑事系。 「今回はどの系統になさいますか?」 「じゃ、討伐系で」 「かしこまりました。ではこちらになります」 職員さんが取り出したのは依頼状と思わしき一枚の紙だ。中央部には角の生えたウサギの様な絵(かなり精密だ)が描かれており、下部に依頼に関する簡易な説明が書かれている。 「依頼状にも内容は記載されていますが、こちらを受付の方に提出すればより詳しい説明が職員の方からされます。その詳細を聞いた上で納得していただけたのなら受注証明書にサインを頂きます。これで依頼の受注処理は完了となります」 と、依頼状とは別の紙ーー無記名の受け付け証明書を取り出した。 「ちなみに、この依頼は『ツノウサギ』の指定数狩猟ですね」 「狩猟って言うと、部位を持ち帰ればいいんですか?」 「ツノウサギの角は軽くて丈夫なので、加工すれば長持ちする道具として。肉の方は通常の家畜よりも高級とされている食材の一種です。今回は角の一定数を納品して頂ければそれで依頼は完了ですが、なるべく傷つけずに肉の方も納品していただくと追加報酬が生じます。この追加報酬は狩猟系のどの場合にも適用されます」 某モン○ンを思い出す。アレは捕獲すると追加報酬が生じるシステムだったがそれと同じだ。 「これはどのようなランク、種類の依頼であっても言えることですが、いかに報酬が魅力的でも、身に余る欲を出さないことが大事です。特に魔獣によっては単純な討伐よりも特定部位の採取が極端に困難な個体も存在しています。その事を念頭に依頼を行ってください」 「............肝に銘じておきます」 魔獣を相手に油断をするつもりはないが、職員さんの話を聞いて一層に気が引き締まる。モ○ハンに近いシステムだとしても、ここは俺にとっての現実だ。この都市にたどり着くまでそれはイヤでも体験してきた。 「お願いします」 さぁ、いよいよ俺の冒険者としての初依頼が始まるのである。 「はい、確認が取れたよ。ツノウサギは森の比較的浅い位置に生息しているからすぐに見つけられると思うよ。だからといって油断は命取りになるから気をつけてね」 「はい、ありがとうございます」 森の入り口に設けられた関所の兵士に依頼書を見せ、侵入の許可を貰う。 さらに言えば関所で警備しているのは全員が竜人族だ。戦闘の光景は実際に見たことはないが、戦闘力は全種族中でトップクラス。少ない人員で警備するならもってこいの配置と言えた。 両腕と両足の装備を今一度確認してから、俺は森へと入り込んだ。 森に入ってから芋虫のような魔獣やお馴染みのゴブリンやらと遭遇したが、求めているウサギの魔獣が一向に出現しない。や、魔獣以外の動物にもはち合わせたりしたが、鹿ーーっぽい何かーーや兎であっても角が生えていなかったりと。ツノウサギは高級食材ではあるが、超レアな魔獣ではない。ただ、魔獣を含む多種多様な動植物が生息する森の中で、お目当ての一種族を捜すのは思っていたよりも大変のようだ。 捜索を開始してから二時間を要してから、ようやく角の生えた兎型の魔獣を発見した。 ツノウサギは、人間で言う眉間の位置に鋭い角が生えている以外は、兎そのもの。頭頂から生えた長い耳に、ふっくらとした体毛にまるっとした尻尾。何より、あのつぶらな瞳が憎い。いかに魔獣とは言え、殺すのは躊躇ってしまう。 や、これまで既に何体も魔獣を殺してきているし、止むを得ない状況だったとしても殺人も犯している。今更『可愛い』と言うだけで殺すのに躊躇するのは間違っている。 そんな葛藤に内心が揺らいでいると、不意にツノウサギと視線が合った。 「キシャァァァッッッ!」 ーーーーーーーーあの可愛らしく愛らしい顔はどこに行ったのだろうか。 ツノウサギは視線の先に俺を確認すると、激しい奇声を上げて牙をむき出しにし、一瞬だけ力を溜めて勢いよく飛びかかってきたのだ。事前と事後のギャップが激しすぎだ。天使と思いきや般若もかくやとばかりだ。 後に聞いた話だが、あの可愛らしい外見とは裏腹に、ツノウサギは自分の数倍以上の相手に対しても恐れも知らず躊躇いもなく襲いかかる、非常に獰猛な肉食獣なのだ。あの愛らしい見た目に慣れない冒険者は反応が遅れ、大惨事に陥ることが多いようで、付いたあだ名が『初心者殺し』。 「うわぁぁッッ!?」 幸いにも、俺はウサギが動き出すよりも前に殺気を感じ取り、顔の変貌よりも早く体が反応した。情けない悲鳴を上げながら横に飛び退く。 鋭い角を振りかざして飛びかかってきたツノウサギは俺が寸前までいた空間を直進すると、その背後に生えていた一本の木に直撃。軽快な音を立てて、名前に冠される第一特徴の角が根本まで木の幹に突き刺さった。人間の肉体など軽く貫通してしまいそうな鋭さと勢いだ。 『初心者殺し』の刺突をどうにか回避した俺は、即座に氷の斧を生み出し、次なる攻撃を迎え撃とうと構えたのだが。 ............深く刺さりすぎて抜けないのか。 これも後に聞いた話だが、ツノウサギは間違いなく獰猛な肉食獣であり、初心者殺しの異名を持っている。ただ、頭の方は余りよろしくないようで、獲物が目の前にいるとそいつを狩る事に頭の全てが支配されて、周囲の状況を完全に忘れてしまうらしい。 そんなことを現時点で露も知らず、俺はもがいているツノウサギの背後に注意深く近づき、刃を潰した大斧をウサギの首に叩きつけた。骨が折れる感触が柄から伝わってくると、ウサギは動きを止め木にぶら下がる格好で脱力した。 狩猟目標の一匹目をどうにか確保だ。 確か状態の良い肉は追加報酬の対象だ。『血抜き』をぶら下がったままの状態で施す。今まで食用に適した魔獣に出会ったことは無かったが、やり方自体はレアルに教わっていた。 それが終わると、ツノウサギを張り付けになった木から引っこ抜いた。こいつが中々に大変で、最後は精霊術で作った氷の巨大ペンチを使い、何とか角を抜き取ることに成功。途中で角が折れないか冷や冷やしたが、頭蓋を含めたウサギの角は想像以上に頑丈だった。加工は大変だろうが、素材としては優秀だな。 ツノウサギの死体は、ギルドの方が支給してくれた狩猟用の袋に放り込んでおく。頑丈で水も通さない、結構な優れ物だ。ついでに、精霊術で冷気を作り出して袋の中に充填させておく。これで、簡単にウサギの肉が腐るのを防いでおく。 二匹目は特に苦労も無く発見できた。と言うのも、ツノウサギの種族としての気配を覚えられたからだ。それを頼りに森を歩くと、初遭遇に掛かった時間が嘘だったかのようにすぐにツノウサギを見つけられたのだ。 一匹目で対ツノウサギの狩猟方法を発見できたのが今日一番の幸運だ。危機感を覚えることもなく、常に木を背後にする形でツノウサギと対峙。即座に飛びかかって来るところを冷静に回避。角が木に刺さって張り付けになっている所で首を強打して絶命させる。あとはローテーションのように血抜きして木から角ごとウサギを引っこ抜き袋に詰め込んでいく。 そこからさらに一時間が経過するころには、ギルドの指定討伐数である五匹のツノウサギの狩猟が完了していた。しかも、最後の一匹など発見したときには既に角が木に突き刺さってもがいていた。『これでいいのか?』と突っ込みを入れつつ、容赦なく絶命させて確保した。 引き際を間違えないのが、長生きをするコツである。俺は素直に森の入り口へと引き返すことにした。 ただ、帰り道の途中に一匹のツノウサギと遭遇したので、こいつだけは狩猟した。指定数分は全てギルドに提出しなければならないが、それ以上の狩猟はその全てが冒険者の所有物になる。

Cute things have (physical) horns After leaving the guild, we stayed at a cheap inn recommended by the staff. Even adventurers with low earnings can afford long term lodging by use of guild cards, which guarantees them reasonable rates. There was no bath as expected, but there was no problem because there was a public bath nearby. The day after accepting Ryujin grandma's suggestion, I visited the Adventurer's Guild Branch and got my guild card safely. As promised, two of them. [Do you understand!? I implore you!! Never ever!! Lose both of them!! At the same time!! Please!?] As expected, it was difficult to agree with an unprecedented case like mine. It might be better to buy a special container so as not to lose it. At any rate, I'd like to say thanks to the grandma if got the chance. The two guild cards have my name on them. [With this, Kanns.h.i.+ has cleared the path to become an adventurer de gozaru.] [We were met with unexpectedly delicate situation but somehow, I'm deeply moved.] There was a bit of trouble but the rest came out fine, so let's just say, it's all ok. Let's try to receive a request immediately. [Now then, Kanns.h.i.+, please do your best gozaru yo. This one will also work wholeheartedly to repay this one's debt even a single day sooner!] [Then do your best moderately.] [Waffu!] When I stroked her head, Chloe's motivation skyrocketed. She ran to the board where C rank request are posted with her ears and tail standing up straight. Strapped on her waist was a one-handed sword purchased yesterday at a weapon shop. Of course, I'm the investor. It seems that Chloe's specialized weapon skill was not for the one-handed sword but the thing on her waist was the closest in comfort. After looking at Chloe's back for a while, I turn back to the staff. The seemingly recovered guild staff began her explanation. [Since this is the first job request for Kannsama, only the request specified here are available. First of all, please remember the flow of order processing. After confirming the contents of the request from the bulletin board on the wall, please choose at your own discretion.] It's like a simple tutorial. With gentle handling of the newcomers. Incidentally I'm from the faction that reads the game manual thoroughly. [There are three types of requests. Magic beast subjugation. Harvesting and collecting herbs, materials and catalyst needed for alchemy and compounding. Miscellaneous tasks which does not correspond to either of those above. Which group would you like to choose this time?] [Subjugation.] [Certainly. Here is the request.] The staff took out a piece of paper that appeared to be a request. In the center was a picture of a rabbit with horns (quite precise, honestly), and a brief description of the request was written at the bottom. [The contents are also included in the request form, but if you submit it to the receptionist, a more detailed explanation will be provided by the staff. If you are satisfied after hearing the details, please sign the order certificate. The order processing for the request is now complete.] A separate paper was taken out, a certificate of acceptance. [By the way, this [horn rabbit request] specifies hunting a number of them.] [Do I just bring back certain body parts in this hunt?] [The horn is light and durable. After undergoing treatment, it will last for a long time. While its meat is considered as high cla.s.s ingredient compared to ordinary domestic animals. If you can deliver a certain number of horns, this request will be completed, but if you also deliver its meat in undamaged condition as much as possible, additional reward will be given. This additional reward also applies to certain other subjugation targets.] Reminds me of a certain Mon Hun. <<tln: monster hunter myb>> It was a system where additional rewards are generated when monsters are captured. [This advice is true for any rank and type of request; even if the reward is attractive, it is important not to be too greedy. Some magic beast, in particular, rather than being hard to subjugate, are extremely difficult to collect specific parts of them. Please undertake your request with that in mind.] [......I'll keep that in mind.] I'm not going to let my guard down against the magic beasts, but I became tense after hearing the staff. Even if it is a system close to Mon Hun, this is reality for me. I have experienced it before arriving at this city. [Yes, please.] Finally, my first request as an adventurer begins. The hunt target, horn rabbit can be found in every part of the continent's forest. The reason for its high quality food evaluation was because of how dangerous they are compared to livestock. Non-combatants can't capture them by ordinary means nor by traps. I'm directed to a forest about thirty minutes walk south from Draknil. [I have confirmed. I think you'll find them quickly because they live in the outskirts of the forest. Nevertheless, you should always be alert, because a moment of carelessness can be fatal.] [Yes, thank you.] At the gate near the entrance to the forest, I showed the soldier my request form and got permission to enter the forest. The forest is a treasure trove of natural raw materials near the city, which is publicly managed by Diagal Empire to prevent excessive hunting and harvesting of the flora and fauna that lives there, and has a fence surrounding the forest to prevent trespa.s.sing by poachers. Furthermore, all the guards at the station are Ryujin. I have never seen them in battle but their fighting prowess are said to be top cla.s.s among all races. It could be said to be the perfect arrangement of guarding with a small number of elites. After rechecking the equipment on both arms and legs, I went into the forest. In retrospect, it may be the first time I have visited a land full of trees since I came to this fantasy world. Up until now, it was snowy mountains, gra.s.slands and valleys. I only saw forests from a distance. I even ran into normal beasts, some kind of deer lookalike and a rabbit without horns. The horn rabbit is a high cla.s.s ingredient but it was not a super rare magic beast. Nevertheless, it seems to be difficult to find your target in a forest with wide variety of flora and fauna, magic beasts included. Two hours after starting the search, I finally found a horn rabbit. Thinking of finally starting my hunt, instead of being enthusiastic, I groaned unintentionally. Long fluffy ears, fluffy body fur and a fluffy tail. Above all else, that hateful round eyes. Even though its a magic beast, this is making me hesitant to kill it. Coming this far, I have already killed many magic beasts. Even if its an unavoidable situation, I have committed murder. Its surely a mistake to hesitate killing just because its [cute]. When my mind was conflicted, I suddenly matched eyes with the rabbit. [Kishaaaaaa!] .........Where did that adorably cute face go? The horn rabbit confirms me in its line of sight, raises a strangely fierce growl while baring its fang and after acc.u.mulating power in just an instant, jumps vigorously at me. As I heard later, contrary to that cute appearance, the horn rabbit is a very ferocious carnivorous beast that attacks without fear and hesitation even against opponents several times its number. Adventurers who are unfamiliar with that adorable appearance would often react slowly, falling into catastrophe. A magic beast with the nickname [Beginner Killer]. [Uwaaa!] Fortunately, I felt killing intent even before the rabbit started to move and my body reacted just as the rabbit started to charge, by jumping sideways while screaming pathetically. Brandis.h.i.+ng its sharp horn, the horn rabbit went straight through the s.p.a.ce I vacated just a moment before and punctured a tree behind it. True to its namesake and its selling points, the horn rabbit pierced the tree trunk up to the base of its horn with a light sound. <<tln: horn-light and durable>> It was a combination of sharpness and momentum that can penetrate a human easily. I was able to avoid the Beginner Killer's first strike, and immediately made an ice axe to intercept the next attack. But the rabbit was still stuck in that same position, struggling to break free. .........Too deep? This is also what I heard later but the horn rabbit is definitely a ferocious carnivorous beast with the nickname [Beginner Killer] Without knowing such a thing at this moment, I cautiously approach the struggling rabbit and struck it in the neck with the blunt end of my axe. When the feeling of broken bone got transmitted through my axe, the rabbit stopped moving, hanging limply from the tree. Somehow I managed to secure my first target. Surely with the corpse in good condition, I'm eligible for additional reward. I applied [Bleeding] on the corpse as is. I never met an edible beast so far in order to use [Bleeding] on, but still, Real taught me how to do it. When it was over, I pulled the rabbit from the tree. ...This guy got itself stuck too d.a.m.n hard. In the end, I had to resort to using Spirit Art, materializing a huge ice plier to pull it out. I was nervous when pulling it out, afraid the horn would break halfway, but its horn and skull are st.u.r.dier than expected. Processing will be difficult, but it is excellent as a material. The corpse of the horned rabbit was thrown into a bag provided by the guild. Its st.u.r.dy and waterproof, a very useful item. Next, I produce cold air using Spirit Art and fill the bag with it. This keeps the rabbit meat from rotting too quickly. The second one was found without any particular hards.h.i.+p. This was because I was able to remember the signs of the horned rabbit as a species. When I walk through the forest by relying on it, I immediately found a horn rabbit. It was as if the time spent searching for my first rabbit was a lie. <<orz>> I was lucky enough to discover a hunting method for the horn rabbit after my first kill. Committing to memory of the danger, I confront the horn rabbit with a tree behind me. Calmly avoiding the horn charge. Once it got stuck in the tree, strike it in the neck to kill it. After I finish draining its blood, I pull it out and stuff it into the bag. Thus completes the cycle. About an hour later, the hunting of five horn rabbits, as per the request quota, was completed. Moreover, when I discovered the last one, it was already struggling to break free with its horn stuck in a tree. The trick to living a long life is to make a timely withdrawal. I decided to turn back to the forest entrance obediently. On the way back, however, I encountered another rabbit. Of course, into the bag it goes. All specified subjugation targets must be submitted to the guild but subsequent hunts are the property of the adventurer. As I've said before, horn rabbit meat is a luxury item. I am very interested in its taste, so I secured some to eat myself.

第三話 ヒモは嫌なので雪山捜索にでます 「くぉぉぉぉぉッッッ! ささささささ寒い!」 冷気が肌に突き刺さる。瞬きする眉毛が凍ってバリバリする。何より猛然と吹き付けてくる突風に躯が吹き飛ばされそうだ。 「............大丈夫か?」 「大丈夫じゃねぇけど大丈夫だ! 死ぬほど寒いけど大丈夫だ!」 「その連呼は私の不安を駆り立てるんだが」 「良いから前向いて歩けッ。転んでも助け起こせるほどにこっちには余裕ねぇからな!」 と叫びながら、積もった雪に足下をとられて転びそうになる俺。 「............そんなに余裕がないならどうして付いてきた」 「宿代払ってもらってその上恩人の女に一人働かせるとか居心地悪過ぎなんだよ。俺はヒモになるつもりはねぇぞ!」 「ヒモ?」 「女に養ってもらってる無職男子の総称だ!」 はい、神城カンナです。 現在、極寒の山中を登坂しています。竜で越えたあの山脈です。 また端折りすぎたな。とりあえずまたまた順序説明。 山脈を越え、その麓に降り立った俺たちは特に何らアクシデントに遭うでもなく無事に付近の村にたどり着いた。俺の想像の中にあった田舎の村とほとんど差異はなく、のどかで平和な村。 レアルは真っ先に宿屋に向かい部屋を取り、凍えていた俺に風呂を勧めてくれた。風呂を沸かす時間も惜しく、慣れない火属性魔術で湯を温めてくれる始末。俺はお世話になりっぱなしで申し訳ない気持ちになりつつ、だが風呂への欲求にあらがえずお言葉に甘え、暖かいお湯の中にダイブ。今までで一番気持ちよく入れた風呂だった。躯の芯から暖まる感覚に、俺は風呂に涙をこぼした。あれ? 俺ってこんなに涙もろかった? 風呂に入って一息ついた俺がほくほくしながら宿屋の一階に戻る。この宿屋は二階を客室に、一階を食堂にしており、普段から村の住人の舌を満足させているらしい。 が、今は食事に舌鼓を打つ客の姿はなく、深刻な顔をしたレアルと複数の村人がテーブルを囲っていた。雰囲気余り宜しくない。 その場に姿を見せるかを迷うが、村人の一人が俺の姿を発見し、それにつられてレアルも振り返った。 「カンナか、風呂はどうだった?」 「最高でした。............で、どういう状況よ、これ」 本来なら、笑いながらレアルに風呂を勧める所だが、さすがにそんな空気でないのは俺だって読める。 「実は、今日の昼頃に山に入った少女が未だ帰ってきていないらしい」 「山って、あのでっかい山か?」 この付近の山と言えば、雲を突き抜けるほどに高いあの山脈以外にないはずだ。なんでまた? 「彼女の母親が最近風邪を引いたらしくてな。あの山には、薬効のある山草が生えているらしい。おそらくそれを取りに行ったのだろう」 「そりゃまた母親思いのいい娘さんで............」 と言い掛けて、俺は現時刻を思い出す。慌てて窓の外を見れば、夜の闇が空を覆っている。 「おい、もう日が暮れちまってるじゃねぇか!」 「そう、もう夜だ。そして、あの山は日が落ちると天候が崩れやすい。だからこの村の人は必ず日が落ちる前に山を下りる。が、それを知らないはずのない少女が未だに戻ってきていない。なにか問題があったと考えて間違いない」 「だったらこんな場所にたむろってる暇なんてねぇじゃねぇか。早く迎えに行ってやらにゃぁ」 「分かっている。だが、あの山には危険な魔獣も生息している。夜行性な為に、昼に山に入るのは問題ないらしいが」 「............おいおいマジかよ」 魔獣ーーつまりはモンスター。ファンタジーの代名詞その三である。聞こえに違わず、人に襲いかかる危険な動植物の総称だ。 「夜の山に入るのは、力のない村人にとっては自殺行為だ」 ここまでの説明で、ようやく村人だけではなくレアルがこの場に参加している理由を察した。 「つまり、その娘さんの捜索を頼みに来たわけだ、この人たちは」 「その通りだ。さて、君はどう思う?」 「ん? 早く助けに行こうぜ」 あら? 何か変なこと言ったか? 「............人の話を聞いていたのか、君は?」 「早くしないと娘さんが魔獣の餌になるってことだろ? だったら早く助けにいかにゃならんだろうがよ。あ、そうだ。なぁなぁ村人さん達よ。なにか防寒具とか貸してくれよ。そのぐらいは融通してくれ」 「いや、だから魔獣が出てくるといっているんだが」 「だから聞いたって。娘さんがおいしく(お食事的に)戴かれている猟期的現場なんざ、俺は見たくも想像もしたくねぇぞ」 「何なんだよさっきからいったい。(設定では)傭兵のレアルに娘さんの救出を依頼しに来たんだろ? その人達。で、レアルはそれを承諾した。違うのか?」 「確かにその通りだが! 私一人で行くつもりだったのだが!」 「なに言ってんだい。俺も行くに決まってるだろうが」 「こんな事は言いたくはないのだが、この村の人々と君には何の縁もないんだぞ?」 「でもレアルは助けに行く気満々でしょうよ」 「それは私個人の気持ちだ。だが、同行者である君の意志を蔑ろにはできないだろう。だから聞いたのだが............」 「細けぇこたぁどうだっていいんだ! できることがあって、やる意志があるなら、躊躇ってる暇なんざねぇんだよ! レアルがそれを望んで、力があるなら俺はそれにいくらでもつき合う!」 と、言うわけで、最初に戻る。 「俺らが登り始めた途端に吹雪が来るとか運悪すぎだろ!」 「むしろ、我々がこの吹雪を呼び寄せてしまったと不安になるな」 後に、冗談から出た誠の発言です。覚えておいてください。 「ってかどうしてお前さんはそんな軽装でケロっとしてるわけ!?」 「耐寒魔術を掛けているからな。これ一枚で事足りる」 俺はモコモコのジャケットを羽織っていてさえすこぶる寒いのに、レアルは例によって例の如くライトアーマー一丁に、簡単な外套を羽織っているだけだ。 「魔術って便利だなおい」 「私はこの系統に特化しているだけだ。属性魔術はからきし。戦いで頼りになるのはこいつだけだ」 背中に背負う大剣を強調するように担ぎ直す。 確かに凄かった。城から脱出するときに衛兵やら騎士やらがわらわらと襲ってきたのだが、あの大剣の一振り一振りで例外なく吹き飛ばされていました。全身鎧で固めていた重装甲兵も何のそのである。単騎戦力がゲームに出てくる戦国武将並じゃねぇだろうか。 「それでカンナ。薬草の生息地帯は未だ先か?」 「あともうちょい歩く」 俺は手元の地図と、村人に教えられた地形の特徴とを己の周囲と照らし併せ、現在地を確認する。俺の背中には荷袋が一つ。娘さん用の子供向け防寒具だ。 娘さんが昼間に山へと入ったとき、格好は軽装だったと聞かされている。たとえ無事な娘さんを見つけても、この天気だ。吹雪に体温を奪われ、動けなくなっている可能性は大きい。 その場合、レアルが娘さんを背負って下山しないといけないのだが、万が一に魔獣に襲われたとき後手に回りかねない。だからこそ俺はレアルの後に続き、二重の意味での荷物持ちをかって出たのだ。 「まったく荷物持ちなど。明らかに後付けの理由だろうに」 「レアルもそれが必要だと分かったからこそ、俺を連れてきたんだろ?」 最初は村人の一人に頼もうかと思っていたらしいが、彼女の冷静な思考は俺を連れていく選択をした。彼らよりも、俺の方が足手まといにならないと判断したのだ。 「君も大概にお人好しだな。何の縁もない娘のために」 「別に好意十割って訳じゃねぇよ。わりと打算もある」 「確かに。あの後金勘定の話を始めたとき、村人達の顔がかなり微妙な感じになっていたな」 見ず知らずの他人のために、こんな寒い思いをしているのだ。ある程度の見返りを求めても罰は当たらないだろう。とりあえず、一泊分の宿代と数日分の食料。それと少しばかりの金銭を成功報酬として確約した。 「まったく、思慮が深いのか、そうでないのか。本当に判断に困る男だな、君は」 「ほめてるのかそれは」 「どうだかな」 会話で寒さを誤魔化しながら、俺らは目的地へと徐々に近づいていった。目指すは薬草の生息地点。そこを起点に捜索していく方策だ。娘さんもそこを目指していたはずなので、手がかりがあるかもしれない。 そして山を登り始めて三十分近く。無事に到着。暗がりながらも、吹雪に埋もれつつも生い茂る薬草群を発見。周囲の地形を確認するが、村人の情報通りだ。

Chapter 3 : It's not like I like to pimp; so I joined a mountain search [Kuoooooh! Cooooooold!] The chill air strikes my skin as my eyebrows keep twitching while being frozen and the worse of all is this strong gust of wind that lowers the temperature of my body. [............ Are you ok?] [I can't possibly be ok, but I'll be ok! I feel cold enough as if I'm dying; but I'll be ok!] [You are rather increasing my anxiety with such lines] [It's ok to just keep walking forward! I can still handle it even if we increase the pace more than this!] After spurting that lively statement; I further dive my feet on the snowy fields as a show of my intention. [............ It doesn't look like you have that much leeway; why would you go that far?] [Towards someone who is my benefactor, covered my lodging and is first and foremost of a lady-- while that girl is working outside in this weather; I can't possibly law down comfortably at home! I have no plans of becoming a financially dependant pimp!] [Pimp?] [Is a known term for a guy that gets sustained by a girl without working himself.] Greetings, this is Kamis.h.i.+ro Kanna. Presently; I'm enjoying mountain climbing through a frozen slope. That exact mountain range that was previously easily skipped from travelling thanks to the corteous services of dragonic airlines. I'm aware that I'm again skipping a lot of important details; but please let me of again by giving out the sequential order for the course of events yet again. After pa.s.sing the mountain range and decending through it's feet; we encountered absolutely no accidents and we safely got into the neighboring village without any unusual events. The village on itself was quite peaceful, there it wasn't any difference from how I imagined any countrisde village back in my world. The absolute first thing we did was heading towards the inn and having Real book a room, after that she recommended me to enjoy the warmth of a bath. It was the turn for that inexperienced elemental magic increased the temperature of the water; and even the short interval needed for water to boil felt excruciatingly long for the I who was in a completely frozen state. Soon I felt honestly bad for being cared for time after time; but please let me get away with it now since the desire for a bath was simply winning me over -- is what I thought as I was diving into the steamy water. I have to say that this is the first time in my life that I ever felt so good when entering the bath; that sensation of having the very core of my soul being surronded by warmth was so incredible that before realizing it I was spilling tears already. Ermn? Am I fragile to the point that I can be broken to tears easily? I made sure that I was refreshed after a short dive in the bath and then I returned to the room... It looks like the structure of this inn is that all of the guest rooms are located in the second floor; while the first one has a large dining room which gives the impression of being quite satisfying for the palate of the local residents. But; right now you can't see the image of several customers enjoy the meal in their seats, but rather the sight of a bunch of serious villagers surrounding Real's table with an atmosphere which is far from relaxed. I was unsure of adding my presence to that place or not, but once somebody noticed that I was in this floor; their hand stretched and I was dragged towards the place where Real was. [Oh, Kanna. Was the bath enjoyable?] [The absolute best. ............ Er, what sort of circ.u.mstance is this?] Originally it was the smiling Real who recommended me to enter the bath first, but as expected even I can read the sort of weird air that this place is enshrouded in right now. [Apparently, it seems that there is a girl who entered the mountain around noon and hasn't returned yet] [For mountain; you mean that exceedingly large one?] Speaking of mountains, there is no other mountain in the vicinity that goes over the clouds like that one; why is that? [That girl mother apparently caught a cold recently; and is well known that among the gra.s.s in that mountain there are medicinal herbs. Is easy to see that the girl's purpose was collecting those] [Such a thoughtful daughter has to be a good kid............] At the moment that bit was mentioned; I remembered the current time. A single glance outside the windows reafirms that we are already completely unto the night. [Oi, is totally past the time the sun sets by now!] [Exactly. It's night-time already; and the weather becomes rather harsh in that mountain by nightfall- which is why everyone in the village is absolutely clear that they need to return home before the day ends. A girl who absolutely know this and climbed the mountain hasn't returned by now has surely encountered some sort of mishap] [Then; doesn't that mean that we can't idle around in this place? We should head out right now.] [I know that much, but.... That mountain also has dangerous magical beasts; the fact that they have a nocturnal nature is one of the things that makes the mountain safer during the day] [............Oioi, that's serious stuff] Magical beast-- what some would spell as monster and is the quintessential example number three of the world in a fantasy genre. If it's as their definition states; they are dangerous animal, flora and fauna that have this wonderful healthy habit of attacking people. [Entering the mountain at night would be suicidal for villagers who have no strength to fight] Hearing the conversation up to this point makes it obvious the villagers can't possibly head out on themselves; bur rather they want to request the task to this Real present here. [Bottom line is, these people are requesting you to find that daughter....] [Precisely. And what do you think about it?] [Hmn? Let's hurry up and save her] Ara? I'm looked at as if I said something strange. [............Did you not listen to what these people said?] [The outline it's about how we should hurry so the girl won't be eaten by some monster; right? That's exactly why we should head out to help as soon as possible. Ah right- friendly neighbors of this village; would you mind lending some clothes strong against cold? Please at least offer that level of cooperation] [No, I'm talking about the bit where beast will come attacking] [That's why I'm saying that I heard it. In a place where gruesome sights are common, we have a rarity for the season: today's special consist of delicious village girl (In a cooking ingredients sense)] [You have been strange for awhile. (Like our setting points out) Mercernary girl Real has been requested by this people to search for that girl and you took on the job; right? ] [Certainly that's how it went! The actual issue is that I am going alone!] [What a foolish thing to say. It's settled in stone that I'll be tagging along as well] [I really did not want you to say that. The people of this village don't have any relation with you, right?] [That's no different for you; yet you are br.i.m.m.i.n.g with motivation of helping out, right?] [That's due to my personal motivations. Well, I really can't neglect the intention of my travelling companion; that's why please listen............] [Details might as well not matter in this situation! There are things that I also can do and there is also the motivation to do such when it counts! There is no spare time to hesitate! Since this goes according to Real's will; I'm just going to accompany you to the extent of the power I have!] And that's how we returned to the beginning. [Is way too unlucky that a snow storm began the moment we started to climb!] [It's like, we should be worrying that we are not the cause for this weather] There are things that after once said as joke; they may eventually change to truths. Please remember this for later. [Or rather, why are you dressed so lightly in this storm!?] [Because I used magic that makes me resistant to cold, this much is enough] Right now I'm wearing quite the fluffy jacket to ward off that cold; while Real is wearing her usual light armor with a sole simple cloack added in. [Just how convenient is that magic, oi] [My speciality only lies in this type of spells. As my elemental attribute magic is not that wonderful; for battle this is the one guy I can rely on] She says that while emphasizing the large sword at her back. Certainly, she was quite amazing. At the time we had to force a way out of the castle; it didn't matter how many guards or knights came swarming... They were all blown away with a single attack from that great sword and without any single exception. There it were plenty of guys with full body armor and / or heavy equipment in those ranks.... That amount of battle power on a single person wouldn't mean that she is good enough to be selectable in those games that are placed in the sengoku era? [More than that Kanna; is the part where the herbs grow still further ahead?] [Just some steps away] With a map in my hands; I check the shape of my surroundings and compare it with what was written to a.s.sest the current location. There is a large bag on my back; which is meant to be used to keep that child from the cold. When the village girl set out during the day; apparently she was dressed lightly. Even if she happens to be unharmed; the intense cold of this snowstorm is more than enough to make a person not being able to move. If that happens to be the current situation; Real on her own would have needed to carry the bag in her shoulder and in the case of beasts showing up she would have needed to fight the monsters with that handicap--- which is the reason of why I was so adamant about following her. In a dual sense you can say that I'm here for the luggage. [Really, to volunteer for luggage duty. Quite the evident reason] [And it's because Real understood that such a thing was necessary; that you let me tag along, right?] Initially, she had the idea of relying in one of the villagers; but after considering it calmly a little I became the obvious choice. Compared to them; she made the judgement that I'll drag her feet much less. [You are also quite softhearted; to go this far for a girl you don't know] [I'm not entirely moving out of good will. There is a profit factor added in] [Truly. When you began the talk of how much the pay was going to be; the faces of the villagers turned delicate] Handling so coldly people that we are not acquainted with; even if they ask for a refund later we can't be held punishable. In any event-- with one night stay and several days worth on food; is only that much what we requested as the completion fee. [Seriously. Should I put it that you might be someone of high prudence? You are really a man who is hard to judge] [Was that praise just now?] [I wonder?] As we were brooding over such conversation in this cold, we steadely approached the specified location which is towards the place where the medicinal herbs grow. This is the same place that the girl was aiming at and thus there it might be some sort of trail. Close to 30 minutes after we started or climbing through the mountain and while it's fully dark; we safely reached our destination. Even when burried in he snowstorm, the thick herbs are in abundance.... Now we need to check the surrounding terrain and sort the information we got from the villagers.

13:2000人突破記念配信(後編) 「皆さんーこんふわりんー」 白姫ゆかとコラボを始めた浮雲ふわりが恒例の挨拶をする。 こんふわりんー こんふわ! こんふわりんー! 『あわわわ、ボクがいいよって言った手前あれだけど本当にコラボ出来るなんて・・・』 ゆかちゃん嬉しそう 結構凄いことが起きてるのにそっちに集中出来ない件 ふわちゃんとコラボとかやばいよなー あぁ、絶対死んだわ 何だったら巻き込みで何人か死ぬぞこれ 俺は既に死んでると言ってもいい お姉ちゃんはわたしに刺さる 柿崎ゆる:わ、わた・・・しも・・・ 柿崎ゆる: 「にゃあああああああああ!!!」 !? ふわちゃん!? 俺なら死んでた わたしも死んでたと思う 柿崎ゆる:私もコラボしてもらえるときに言ってもらうもん!!!!! ゆるママ・・・ クール女子とは・・・? 『そ、それじゃあふわりお姉ちゃんは置いておいてヒゲオカート、始めるよ?』 絶対まともに出来ないぞふわちゃんwww 負けられない闘いがここにはある わたしもお姉ちゃんって言ってもらうんだ! 皆煩悩に塗れてるなぁ 「うぅ・・・他にも言って欲しい事あるから頑張りますー」 復活した えらいけどライバルだから負けられない 『それじゃあこのサーバーに接続してね! 同時に48人までだからROMしてる人も気軽に参加してくれると嬉しいな!』 『次にルール説明だけど、48人で4つのチームを作って各チームの3位までの人でもう一つチームを作って最後のチームの1位が勝ちだからね!』 結構実力差が出そう よし準備出来た 私も準備OK 『メンバーも揃ったみたいだね!それじゃあ始めるよ!』 開始の宣言をした彼女の画面が切り替わり、ゲームの画面が映し出された。 1チーム目は柿崎ゆるとリス兄とリス姉達の対戦だった。 ------柿崎ゆる視点------ 「うわぁ、よりにもよってこのステージなんだ・・・」 そう言った彼女の前にはヒゲオJrサーキットの文字が浮かんでいた。 「完全に実力が試されているコース・・・やるしかない、よね。」 気合を入れた彼女はスタートの瞬間を待っていた。 3...2...1... 「ここ!」 そう言ってボタンを押した彼女は上手くスタートダッシュを決めた。 「よし!」 他にも3人ほど綺麗にスタートダッシュを決めていたが、彼女はそれを気にせず3位以内を目指してひたすら走っていた。 「いいペース・・・間違いなく今までで一番いい走りを見せてる気がする・・・」 実際にかなりの集中力でライバル達の放った甲羅などを回避していっていた。 そして最終周でアイテムを持っていなかった彼女に赤い甲羅が襲いかかる。 「まずい!アイテムブロック間に合って!」 誰もがぶつかったと思った瞬間奇跡が起きた。 「(緑甲羅!?後ろに出すしかない!)」 起死回生の一手となったのは1秒程度の猶予しかなかった緑甲羅獲得からぶつかるまでの間に入力を完了した事だった。 「やった!」 そして彼女はギリギリの回避に成功し3位入賞に成功した。 そして次はリスナー同士の争いだったが運ゲーマップのせいで大いに荒れた。 ヒゲカーガチ勢を名乗っていた人もあれは無理と言ってたのだとか。 ------浮雲ふわり視点------ 次の対戦は浮雲ふわりvsリス兄リス姉の構図となった。 「ふふふ、負けませんよー?」 やっぱ上手いよなふわちゃん ふわ民はガチ勢多いから... 俺不安になってきた わたしもかなりガチ勢だったと思ったんだけど胃の中の蛙とはこの事なのかしら そしてレースも中盤になってきたところで動きがあった。 おい!?下位勢の所持アイテム頭おかしいだろ!? なんだこれwww カオスすぎるwww 9位以下の下位勢の所持アイテムが全て一発逆転アイテムになったのだ。 そして浮雲ふわりの順位は1位。 「まずっ!?」 これは終わったな トゲ甲羅が当たる瞬間に彼女はスピードきのこを使用しトゲ甲羅を見事に抜けた。 その後に雷が来たが、もう彼女を止める事は出来なかった。 「よしっ1位!」 ふわちゃんおめでとー 流石ふわちゃん成功率1%あるかどうかって言われてる高等テクニック一発成功とかやばい 最後のあれは痺れた ------白姫ゆか視点------ 『よくよく考えたらボクが1位になったらどうなるんだろ?』 考えていなかった でも参加しないのはなんか違うよね いっそのことふわちゃんに言ってもらいたい事言ってもらったら? そんな事しなくても言ってくれそうなんだけど 「もちろん、どんなことでも言ってあげますよー?お姉ちゃんですし?」 ゆかちゃんのお兄ちゃんとお姉ちゃんは俺たち全員だぞいいか?全員だぞ? お前・・・ノーベル平和賞受賞だわ・・・ そうか皆お兄ちゃんでありお姉ちゃんなのか・・・ なんか哲学的 『あはは、それじゃボクが1位取ったら何頼もうかなっ!』 『よし、じゃあ予選ラスト行くよ!』 コースはこれまた実力が浮き彫りになる ヒゲオJrサーキットと違い距離が長めで3周になっている。 このコースはカーブの数がそれなりに多くカーブを制す者が勝負を制すと言っても過言ではないくらいカーブが大事なのだ。 「スタートダッシュは余裕だねっ!」 白姫ゆかも好スタートを切り先頭集団の中に入っていった。 3位の位置にずっと居た彼女は2位との距離を維持したまま最終周へと入っていた。 そして、もうすぐゴールという所で後ろからゴールドスピードきのこを使い一気に追い上げて来るライバルがやってきた。 『(ここが使いどきかな?)」 彼女はスピードきのこを持っていないと通ることの出来ない難易度の高いショートカットへ入っていった。 『ここの段差をジャンプして最高高度の瞬間にきのこを使って・・・!届いてぇぇぇぇ!』 ここで難しいショートカットで勝負に来たか いける!いけるぞ! そしてその勢いをそのままに彼女は1位すらも抜き去り1位で勝利した。 あの思い切りの良さに痺れるし憧れる かっこよかったよゆかちゃん! 初見、なんでふわちゃんがコラボやってるの同事務所の人じゃないの(困惑) おっ初見さんいらっしゃい ふわちゃんがいるワケ?主を見れば分かる 主?・・・あっ(察し 『ふっふーん!ボクだって捨てたものじゃないよ!』 捨てられたら爆速で拾われそうだけどな 柿崎ゆる:どこにいけばひろえますか 気持ちはわかる なんだこの配信(困惑) 「あれを決めていくのはなかなかですねー」 『すっごく緊張したんだけどね、成功してよかったよ!』 『でも正直ふわりお姉ちゃんのトゲ甲羅避けは鳥肌が立ったよ・・・?』 お姉ちゃんすごいねーって言われながらよしよしされたい 想像しただけで幸福感に包まれた 『それじゃ時間も迫ってきたし、最終戦いくよ!リス兄もリス姉もふわりお姉ちゃんもゆるママも準備は大丈夫?』 柿崎ゆる:いつでもいいよ 私が勝!!!!!! わたしも負けない! いくぜえええええ!!!!! ガチ勢として負けられない 問題はステージなんだけどな... 流石にそこまで変なステージは来ないだろ おいやめろフラグを立てるな 『えぇ・・・』 最終戦に選ばれたのはコース落下率がかなり高い虹の上を走るコース、レインボウロードだった。 あー... 落ちたな(確信 いっぱい落ちるんだろうなぁ 『ま、まぁ気を取り直して、レースはもう始まるからね!』 そして最終戦が始まった。 スタートダッシュはなんと全員成功だった。 レベルたけぇよwww そして第一の関門壁の無い急カーブに入った。 外側や内側でカートがぶつかり合い落下していく人も現れた。 「1位は譲りませんよー」 全員がぶつかる寸前だったりぶつかって落ちかけたりといった状態になり、気付けば先頭は5人になっていた。 『ぐぅ、ボクが4位かぁ・・・』 「このままいけば・・・うふふ。」 そして最終周へと入り、ジャンプ台で5人が飛んだ瞬間待っていたと言わんばかりのタイミングで雷が落ちてきた。 落ちたな... 5人全員仲良く奈落の底へと向かっていった。 復帰したときには2人に抜かれてしまい、急いで追いかける。 途中スピードきのこを引きいざという時の保険も手に入れた。 そして最終周も半ばになった時にゆるママとふわりお姉ちゃんの二人が一気に勝負に出た。 「負けてたまるかぁぁぁぁぁ!!!」 成功確率というよりも、落下判定の隙間を縫うように走らないといけない究極のショートカット。 流石に途中で復帰させられるのがオチだって ふわちゃんがんばえー! ゆるママいけぇー! そして二人は綺麗に揃ってゴールラインを踏んだ。 システムの都合上同着は存在しないが、秒数がコンマ以下まで同じだった。 情報量が多すぎて整理できない 海外ニキまでいたのか? 『えぇ!!!!????』 「嘘、成功した・・・?人生初なんだけど・・・?」 柿崎ゆる:これは、完全な同着だね。 システムの都合上1位2位ってなってるけどこれはマジの同着と言ってもいい ゆかちゃんこのパターンは予想してなかっただろうなぁ 『うーん、どうしよう、二人とも何か言って欲しい事はあるかな?』 柿崎ゆる:お姉ちゃん大好きって言って 「私もそれで・・・」 ほんまに欲望に忠実よな だが、それがいい。 流れ弾確実に当たる奴が2人はいる件について やだ私まだ死にたくない 『あっ!そうだ!良いものがあったの忘れてたよ!ちょっと待っててね!』 ん? っぽいね 柿崎ゆる:どうしたんだろ? 「私も、わからないですねー」 するとがさごそとマイク音が復活した。 そしてそれは右耳から音が聴こえてきた。 やめろそれは死人が出る なんで持ってるのこの子・・・ いや確かに最近安くなってきたとは言え10万はするぞこれ 「ひゃぅ!?」 柿崎ゆる:こ、これは、だめっ!やばいよぉ! 『おねぇちゃん、ボクと今日は遊んでくれてありがと♪大好き♪』 「ぁぁぁぁぁぁっ!ぁぁぁぁぁぁぁっ!」 柿崎ゆる:ぁ...ぁ.... し、死ぬかと思った・・・ バイノーラルマイクはずるいって・・・ 耳がぞわぞわした これは・・・無理ね・・・皆、今までありがとう・・・ お前たち、死ぬのか? ゆかちゃんは悪くない あれに耐えられるお姉ちゃんはいるのだろうか 『今回のは二人ともだったからお姉ちゃんにしたんだけど・・・え、えっとじゃあ次は収益化が通ったら記念枠で土曜日の夜にまた配信するからね!通らなくても土曜日に配信するけどね!』 『それじゃリス兄、リス姉おやすみなさい!』 お疲れ様ー そうして第2回配信は終了した。 少なくとも4人の犠牲者を出しながら。

Ch 13 "Kon-fuwarinnnn, guysss." Fuwari Ukigumo, who started collaborating with Yuka Shirahime, greets everyone as usual. kon-fuwarinnn kon-fuwa! kon-fuwarinnnn! [Awawawa, I know I said I'm fine with it, but to think we're actually having a collab right now...] yuka-chan looks happy tfw theres all sorts of things going on right now, but that's the one thing she can't wrap her head around on I mean, collabing with fuwa-chan is awesome in itself Oh, I'm definitely dead i have a feeling a lot of people will die from collateral damage i might as well say i died at this point 'onee-chan' hits me in my meow meow Yuru Kakizaki: M-Me... Me too... Yuru Kakizaki: "Nyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" ?! fuwa-chan?! If it were me, I'd be dead. count me dead Yuru Kakizaki: Tell me when I get to collab too!!!!!! Mama Yuru... I thought she was a calm and collected girl...? [A-All right, let's leave Fuwari-oneechan alone for now and start Mustache-o Kart, okay?] bet fuwa-chan won't be able to do it seriously xDD there's a fight we can't lose here. I wanna be called onee-chan too! everyone's tainted by evil passions "Uuuph...I want you to say other things, so I'll do my besttt." shes alive again that's admirable, but i cant lose to a rival sooo [Alrighty, I'm connecting to the server! It can hold up to 48 people, so even if you're lurking, feel free to join in!] [Next, let me explain the rules. We'll divide the 48 players into 4 teams, and the top 3 players from each team will form another team. The first team to have the top player wins!] it seems like there's gonna be a big difference in skill alright, I'm ready I'm ready too [It looks like everyone's here! Let's get started!] After she gave the starting signal, her screen changed, and the game screen appeared. The first match is between Yuru Kakizaki and the Lis-niis and -nees. --Yuru Kakizaki's POV-- "Ugh, of all the stages, we got this one..." As she mutters to herself, the words Mustache-o Jr. Circuit appear before her. "This course tests your skill... I have no other choice but to do this..." With determination, she waits for the start signal. 3...2...1... "That way!" She presses the button and charges ahead at full strength. "Alright!" Three other players also followed suit, but she focused on aiming for the top 3 without worrying about them. "I'm off to a good start... I'm pretty sure I'm showing my best performance ever..." She's actually avoiding the shells thrown by her rivals with great concentration. Then, on the final lap, a Red Shell closes in on her, with no item to counter it back. "Oh no! I need to get that item block!" At the moment when everyone thought she was going to get hit, a miracle happened. "(A Green Shell!? I gotta throw it behind me!)" She managed to input the command to throw the Green Shell she had just picked up in that split second, and it saved her by barely dodging the Red Shell. "Yes!" She succeeded in finishing in the top 3 by a narrow margin. The next match was between the listeners, but it got pretty rough due to the luck-based map. Even the seasoned Mustache-o Kart players said that stage was impossible. --Fuwari Ukigumo's POV-- The next matchup is between Fuwari Ukigumo and the Lis-niis and Lis-nees. "Fufufu, I won't loseeee." fuwa-chan's too good there are a lot of hardcore Fuwamins, so... I'm starna feel uneasy I thought I considered myself hardcore too, but is this what they mean by frog in the well? And then, in the middle of the race, things started to get interesting. hey! the hell's up with the items held by the racers at the back?! wtf is this lmfaoooooo It's too chaotic LOL All the items held by racers ranked 9th or lower suddenly turned into game-changing items. And, Fuwari Ukigumo is in first place. "Oh no!" its all ogre now Just as the Spiny Shell was about to hit her, she used a Speed Mushroom and flawlessly dodged it. Then, a Lightning Bolt came next, but there was no stopping her now. "Alright, first place!" Congrats, fuwa-channn that high-level technique that only has a 1% success rate or something was insane the last part sent shivers down my spine --Yuka Shirahime's POV-- [Wait, what would happen if I'm the one who got first place?] I never really considered that either but it would be different if you didn't participate Maybe ask fuwa-chan to say something you've always wanted her to say? I think shell do that even without yuka asking her to. "Of course, I'll say aaaanything you want. I'm your onee-chan, after all." we're all yuka-chans onii-chans and onee-chans. you know? All of us. dude... you deserve the nobel peace prize... i see... all of us are her onii-chans and onee-chans... it almost sounds philosophical [Ahaha, in that case, I might ask for something if I win!] [Alright, let's go to the last qualifying round!] This course also tests your true skills: the Mustache-o Circuit. Unlike the Mustache-o Jr. Circuit, this one is longer and takes three laps. There are quite a lot of curves on this course, so it's safe to say that whoever can maneuver through them will win the race. "The start dash should be easy!" Yuka Shirahime also had a great start and entered the leading group. She maintained her third-place position while keeping her distance from the second-place racer as she entered the final lap. But then, just before the finish line, a rival using a Golden Mushroom caught up from behind. [(Is this the right time to use it?)] She enters a difficult shortcut that can only be passed using a Speed Mushroom. [I'll jump over this bump and use the mushroom at the highest point...! Please let me make itttttt!] is she planning to win by using that dicey shortcut? She might be able to make it! Go go! And with that momentum, she surpassed even first place and won the race. that bold move was both thrilling and admirable u were so cool yuka-chan! First-time viewer here. Why is Fuwa-chan doing a collab with someone from outside Imananji? (confused) o, welcome first-time viewer. Youre wondering why fuwa-chan is here? Look at the host streamer, and you'll understand. Host streamer? ...Oh (realizes [Hehe! I'm not someone to be thrown away either!] if you were thrown away, someone would pick you up at lightning speed Yuru Kakizaki: Where should I go to pick you up? I understand how she feels Whats up with this stream? (confused) "It's quite difficult to pull off that move." [I was so nervous, but I'm glad I succeeded!] [But honestly, Fuwari-oneechan's spikes gave me goosebumps...] Being told that onee-chan is amazing while being petted sounds like a dream just imagining it envelops me in a sense of happiness. [Well, time is running out, so let's go to the final race! Are Lis-niis, Lis-nees, Fuwari-oneechan, and Mama Yuru ready?] Yuru Kakizaki: Ready whenever. I'll win!!!! i won't lose either!!! Let's do thisssss!!!!!!!!!1!!1 I can't lose as a hardcore player the problem is the stage, though... I doubt the game would come up with a stage that's too weird now bruh. don't jinx us [Oh...] The final race was on Rainbow Road, a course with a very high elimination rate. oh... I'm sure I'm going to fall (confident there are gonna be lots of dropouts here [W-Well, let's regain our composure, the race is starting!] And the final race began. Everyone succeeded in the start dash. the level is way too high xD They enter the first obstacle with a sharp curve and no wall. Some carts collided on the outside and inside, and players started falling. "I'm not giving first place to anyoneeee!" Everyone started crashing and falling, and before they knew it, the frontline was down to five people. [Urk, I'm in fourth place...] "If I keep up this pace...hehehe." Then, as they entered the final lap, at the exact moment when the five of them jumped off the ramp, a Lightning Bolt struck. they all fell... All five of them fell into the abyss. When they respawned, they had fallen behind two other racers and had to catch up quickly. They also got a Speed Mushroom as a last resort. Then, halfway through the final lap, Mama Yuru and Fuwari-oneechan went all out. "There's no way I'm gonna loseeeeeee!!!" They had to run through the ultimate shortcut, where they had to thread the needle through the gaps in the fall detection system rather than relying on their success rate. they'll probably just respawn in the middle of the track you can do it, fuwa-channn! you got this, mama yuruuu! And the two of them perfectly crossed the goal line together. The system doesn't recognize a tie, but their times were the same down to the decimal. there's too much info to process weve even got kaigai-nikis now? [Huh?!?!?!?!?!?!] "No way, did I actually do it...? This is the first time this has happened to me..." Yuru Kakizaki: It's a complete tie. for real, the system says 1st and 2nd place, but this is legit a tie. yuka-chan definitely didn't see this coming. [Um, so, what should we do? Do either of you have anything you want to say?] Yuru Kakizaki: Say I love you onee-chan. "I'll go with that too..." damn, staying true to your desires, that's what's up But hey, its fine this way at least there are two people who will definitely get hit by friendly fire. noo I'm not ready to die yet [Oh! That's right! I almost forgot, I have something good! Hold on a sec!] huh? Seems like it. Yuru Kakizaki: I wonder what happened. "I don't know eitherrrr." Then, the sound of the mic rustling returned. And it was heard from the right ear. stop it, were gonna die Why does she have that... well, it's true that it's gotten cheaper lately, but it still costs a hundred thousand yen. "Hyah!" Yuru Kakizaki: T-This is bad! Not good! [Thanks for playing with me today, onee-chans. I love you. ] "Aaaaaaaahhh!" Yuru Kakizaki: A... Ah... i-i thought I was gonna die... binaural mics are cheating... my ears are all tingly I can't take this... anymore... Thanks for everything, everyone... Are you guys gonna die or something? Its not ur fault yuka-chan Is there even an onee-chan out there who can even withstand that? [Both of you did it this time, so I went with onee-chan... U-Um, anyway, so if my monetization gets approved, I'll do a commemorative stream on Saturday night! Even if the channel doesn't get monetized, I'll still stream on that day!] [Well then, good night, Lis-niis and Lis-nees!] Thanks for the streamm And so, the second stream came to an end. With at least four casualties in tow.

31:コミケ初日★ とうとう今日はコミケ初日、朝は一般参加と違い少し余裕を持っての入場。 ホテルで先にメイクをしてもらい、仮のウィッグを被った状態で入場。 衣装を薫さんから受け取り更衣室で着替える。 周りには男性コスプレイヤーの人達がそれぞれの衣装に着替えている。 僕が更衣室に入った瞬間に一瞬こちらを見た人が目を見開いて驚いていた。 確かにお化粧のクオリティが高いからびっくりするよね。 「えっ?女の子?」 「いやここ男子更衣室だぞ、男だろ。」 「クオリティたけぇな。」 そんな声が聞こえてくる 「運営さん!!!!!仕事して!!!」 僕はそんな声を後ろにウィッグを付け替える。 さっきまでのは金髪の適当に選んだウィッグだったけれど、今から着けるのは白姫ゆかの髪色と同じもの。 一瞬僕を知っているかのような声が聞こえた気がしたけど気のせいかもしれない。 他にも話している人は多いからね。 持ってきた鏡で自分の姿を確認してみるととても可愛い自分の姿が映る。 僕は今から白姫ゆかになる。 ボクの初めてのコミケを楽しまないとね♪ 『薫お姉ちゃん、由良お姉ちゃんお待たせ♪』 「あっ、ゆかちゃっ!!! んっ!お、おかえりなさい。」 「ゆかちゃんおかえり!」 白姫ゆかのコスプレをした優希が薫のスペースに戻ってきた。 『えへへ、どうかな?似合ってるかな?』 「うん!凄く似合ってるよ。」 『よかった♪それでボクは何をすればいいのかな?』 「もうちょっとしたら開場の時間だから私と一緒に売り子をお願い出来るかな?」 『大丈夫だよ!ボクに任せて!』 そしてディスプレイの設営を終えた3人は開場の時間を今かと待っていた。 【お待たせしました、只今よりコミックマーケットを開催します!】 会場が拍手に包まれる。 優希、薫、由良の3人も他の人と同じように拍手をしている。 「それじゃあ由良、ゆかちゃん、準備はいい?」 『うん!大丈夫だよ!』 「毎回のことだし大丈夫だよお姉ちゃん!」 「戦いの始まりだよ!」 有名サークルである薫のサークルの頒布物を求めて多くのオタク達が歩いてくる。 ぱっと見ただけで第一波で軽く100人近くが彼女達のサークル目指して歩いているように思える。 「あの人達の歩くルート的にすぐにこっちに来ると思う、気を引き締めるよ!」 「新刊セットぷらすを2つください。」 「はい、新刊セットぷらすを2つですね、3000円になります!」 「はい、ありがとうございます!こちら新刊セットぷらす2つになります!」 「ありがとうございます、ゆる先生これからも応援するので頑張ってください!」 「はい、ありがとうございます!」 「新刊セットぷらすを3つください。」 『新刊セットぷらす3つだね、えっと、4500円だよお兄ちゃん!』 精神的攻撃を喰らうもなんとか耐えお金を渡す事に成功した男は新刊セットを受け取りその場を後にした。 「新刊セットぷらすを4セットお願いします。」 「はい!新刊セットぷらすを4つですね!6000円になります!」 「ありがとうございます!こちらセットになります!」 「ありがとうございます。」 こんなやりとりを行う事3時間。 「んー!売り切れたー!」 「2人ともお疲れ様!」 「残りは既刊だけだからゆっくりできそうだね、一応ピヨッターで完売したって言っておこうかな。」 『結構サークル参加って疲れるんだね、ボク初めて知ったよ!』 「私はもう慣れたけど今日は特にペースが早かったねーゆかちゃんいて助かったよー!」 「あの、ここ柿崎ゆる先生のスペースで間違い無いですか?」 「あぁ、よかった!新刊は知り合いに頼んで入手してもらえたんですけどこうやって会いにくるなら売り切れた後の方が迷惑にならないかなと思って今来たんですよ!」 「それで僕たちの本題なんですけどゆかちゃんの写真を撮らせてもらいたいんです!」 『えっ?ボク?』 「配信いつも見てます! 3Dモデルも可愛いですけどリアルもこんなに可愛いなんて卑怯じゃないですか!!!」 「私もいつも見てるわよ! 本当に可愛いのね・・・本当に男の子なのかしら・・・?」 『むぅ、ボクだって一応男なんだよ、お姉ちゃん!』 「お、おねえちゃん・・・?」 「待って待って私だって見てるんだよ! それにしても・・・ふーん、いい衣装じゃん。」 『あれ・・・?もしかして前赤スパ投げてくれたRinお姉ちゃん?』 「えっ?覚えててくれた!? うっそ!やばい嬉しい!!!」 「なんでお前はいつも即バレしてんだよ・・・」 そう言っているのは石油王の格好をした男性だった。 『その服、もしかして石油王さん?』 「あー流石にバレるよな、いつも配信見させて貰ってる、最高に可愛い動画いつもありがとな!これからも応援させてもらうから頑張ってくれよな!」 『うん!ありがとう石油王のお兄ちゃん!』 「俺だけ、仲間外れ・・・」 『な、なんかごめんねお兄ちゃん。』 「今のだけで生き返れるレベル、ありがとう。」 「はぁ・・・男の子には思えないくらい可愛いなぁ!おい!」 「わかる」 「全員同意は流石に笑うんだが?」 『ねぇお兄ちゃん達、写真撮りたいんだよね?』 「撮らせて貰っていいかな?」 『うん!いいよ!どういうポーズがいいかな?』 「じゃあ笑顔でピースしてるところをいいかな?」 『こんな感じかな?」 パシャリ、と写真を撮る音が聞こえる。 「あぁ!家宝にするわぁぁぁ!!」 「ありがとな、ゆかちゃん。」 「可愛すぎじゃん・・・」 「ゆる先生、ゆかちゃんありがとうございました、これからも頑張って下さい!」 「またスパチャで会おう!」 『うん!お兄ちゃん、お姉ちゃんありがとう!明日はコスプレ広場に行く予定だから会えるかもしれないね!』 「会える事を祈ってるよ!」 そう言い手を振りながら彼らは別のスペースへ向かい歩いていった。 「どう?ゆかちゃん、今の気分は?」 「でしょ?これからも頑張ろうね、ゆかちゃん。」 「私も衣装のモデリングは任せてね!」 『由良お姉ちゃんもありがとう!』 その後16時になり撤収の時間になった。 あの4人組以外にも何人かボク目当てで来てくれた人がいてとっても嬉しかった。 ボクのボイスで癒されてくれたら嬉しいな。 【最カワ】白姫ゆかについて語るスレ3【男の娘】 346:名前:石油王 今ホテルに帰還したぜ早速ダウンロードしてボイス聴いてくる。 347:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん おっ石油王も着いたか、俺は今から聴いてくるよ。 348:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 347 私も帰ってきたわよ。 速攻でダウンロードして来るわ。 でもこのゆかちゃん本も最高にてぇてぇわね... 349:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん さっきぶりです、私も帰ってきたよ。 ダウンロードはとっくに終わってるから逝ってきます。 350:名前:予言者 俺も混ぜて... なんで俺今日現地行けなかったんだ.... 明日は行けるのに.... せめて感想だけ教えて欲しいぜ... 351:名前:石油王 352:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 待っててくれよー 353:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 女性向けバージョンの感想でよければいいわよ? 354:名前:予言者 皆ありがとう、なんだか暖かいな。 6時間後 419:名前:予言者 皆どうしちゃったんだ? 420:名前:予言者 あれ?マジで皆いなくない? 421:名前:予言者 しゃーない、寝るか...

Ch 31 At last, today's the first day of Comiket. Unlike the congoers, we have some leeway to enter in the morning. I get my makeup done at the hotel, then go to the venue with a temporary wig on. I'll put on the costume Kaoru-san gave me in the dressing room. Around me are other male cosplayers changing into their respective costumes. The moment I walked inside, I saw people's eyes widen in surprise. They're probably amazed by the quality of my makeup. "Huh? A girl?" "No, this is the men's dressing room, right? That's a guy." "That's some insane quality." Voices like these can be heard while I put on my costume. "Staff, get back to work!!!" While hearing these comments, I change my wig. I was wearing a random blond wig, but now I'm going to put on one that matches Yuka Shirahime's hair color. I thought I heard comments that seemed like they recognized me, but it could also have been my imagination. Lots of people are talking, after all. When I look at myself in the mirror I brought, I see a charming reflection. I'll be Yuka Shirahime for a while. I have to enjoy my first-ever Comiket [Kaoru-oneechan, Yura-oneechan, sorry to keep you waiting] "Oh, Yuka-chan!!! Mm! W-Welcome back." "Welcome back, Yuka-chan!" Yuki, dressed as Yuka Shirahime, returns to Kaoru's booth. [Hehe, how do I look? Do I look good?] "Yeah! You look amazing." [I'm happy to hear that So, what should I do?] "The convention will open soon, so could you help us sell things?" [Sure, leave it to me!] After setting up the display, the three of them waited for the opening time. "Sorry to keep you waiting, the Comic Market will start now!" The venue is filled with applause. Yuki, Kaoru, and Yura also applaud along with everyone else. "All right, Yura, Yuka-chan, are you ready?" [Yup! I'm ready!] "I'm used to this, so I'm okay, onee-chan!" "The war begins!" Otakus swarm Kaoru's well-known circle to buy copies of her work. At a glance, one could guess that around 100 people are heading towards her circle in the first wave. "I think those people will be here soon based on their walking route, so brace yourselves!" "I'd like two of the new book sets, please." "Sure, that'll be 3000 yen for two new book sets!" "Thank you very much! Here are your two new book sets!" "Thank you, and I'll keep supporting you, Yuru-sensei. Keep it up!" "Thank you very much!" "I'd like three of the new book sets, please." [Three new book sets, right? That's... 4500 yen, onii-chan!] Despite taking a mental hit, the man managed to hand over the money. After receiving his orders, he left. "I'd like four of the new book sets, please." "Sure, that's four new book sets! That'll be 6000 yen, please!" "Thank you very much! Here's your order!" "Thanks." This kind of interaction went on for three hours. "Phew! We're sold out!" "Both of you did well!" "We only have the old books left now, so we should be able to relax. Maybe I should announce on Tweeter that we're sold out." [Handling a circle booth is exhausting. Today's the first time I realized that!] "I'm used to it, but today was particularly busy. Having you around really helped, Yuka-chan!" "Um, this is Yuru Kakizaki-sensei's booth, correct?" "Oh, thank goodness! We managed to get your new book through an acquaintance, but we thought it'd be less bothersome if we came to see you after you've sold out!" "And actually, we were hoping we could take a picture of Yuka-chan!" [Huh? Me?] "We always watch your streams! Your 3D model is cute, but seeing you in person is just as adorable, it's almost unfair!!!" "I'm always watching too! You're so cute in person... Are you really a guy...?" [Mhh, I am more or less a male, onee-chan!] "O-Onee-chan...?" "Hey, hey, I watch your streams, too! But wow... Hmm, that's a great costume." [Wait... are you perhaps Rin-oneechan who sent me a red Super Chat?] "No way. You remember me?! Wow! I'm so happy!!!" "Why is your cover always blown immediately..." The man who said that is dressed like an oil tycoon. [Your clothes... are you Mr. Oil Baron?] "Ah, I was bound to get caught, huh? I always watch your streams, thanks for the wholesome videos! I'll continue to support you, so keep up the good work!" [Mm-hm! Thank you, Oil Baron-oniichan!] "I'm the only one left out..." [I-I'm sorry about that, onii-chan.] "Just those words alone brought me back to life. Thank you." "Ah... You're too cute to be a guy! Right, fellas?" "Agreed." "This unanimous agreement kinda makes me laugh." [Oh, you wanted to take a picture, right, onii-chans?] "Can we?" [Mm-hm! What pose do you want me to make?] "Could we have you smiling and doing a peace sign?" [Like this?] The sound of the camera shutter echoes. "Ah! I'll treasure this foreverrrrr!!!" "Thanks, Yuka-chan." "She's too cute..." "Thank you, Yura-sensei, Yuka-chan. Please keep up the good work!" "See you in the Super Chats!" [Yeah! Thank you, onii-chans, onee-chans! I plan to go to the cosplay plaza tomorrow, so we might meet again!] "We're hoping to see you there!" With that, they wave their hands goodbye and walk toward another booth. "How do you feel right now, Yuka-chan?" "Right? Let's keep doing our best, Yuka-chan." "Leave the costume modeling to me!" [Thank you too, Yura-oneechan!] Once the clock struck four, it was time to pack up. In addition to the previous group, several other people came specifically to see me. I was so happy. I hope they enjoy my voice packs. [Cuteness overload] A Yuka Shirahime Thread 3 [A trap] 346: Name: Oil Baron I'm going to download and listen to the voice packs immediately. 347: Name: Anon Onii-chan oh, youre here too, oil baron? i'm about to listen to them as well. 348: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>347 I just got back as well. I'm going to download it immediately. Still, Yuka-chan's book is peak tee-tee... 349: Name: Anon Onee-chan Short time no see, I just got home too. I finished downloading mine a while ago, so I'm off to listen. 350: Name: Prophet lemme join too... why couldn't i be there today... i mean, im going tomorrow, but yeah... could you at least share with me your thoughts on the voice packs... 351: Name: Oil Baron 352: Name: Anon Onii-chan ight, give me a bit 353: Name: Anon Onee-chan I only have the onee-chan version, is that okay with you? 354: Name: Prophet thanks guys. this makes me feel warm and fuzzy somehow. 6 hours later... 419: Name: Prophet how was it, guys? 420: Name: Prophet huh? did everyone seriously vanish? 421: Name: Prophet oh well, guess ill sleep...

14:感想回★ 優希こと白姫ゆかが配信を終了した直後、確実に死にかけている人が二人いた。 どう隠そうとも隠し切れない存在感を配信では放つ二人。 「はぁ・・・はぁ・・・」 私は今大変な状況になっている。 密かに想いを寄せているかわいい少年、その名前は姫村優希くん。 今私の最推しである白姫ゆかちゃんの中の人をやっているその子は男の子とは思えない容姿、声をしており、私はその魅力に魅了されてしまった。 そんな子がまさかのバイノーラルマイクを使って私と浮雲ふわりの二人に向けて 『おねぇちゃん、ボクと今日は遊んでくれてありがと♪大好き♪』 そして今の私が陥ってる大変な状況と言うのは・・・ 「鼻血が止まらない・・・」 そう、鼻血が止まらないのだった。 今は下を向きつつ鼻の付け根を押さえている そんな状況で気付けば配信は終わっていた。 物凄い鼻声で私は呟いていた。 そして5分ほどすると鼻血も治ってきたので少し話したい事も出来たので由良の元に向かった。 「由良、おきて・・・!?」 由良がデスクの上で丸まってぷるぷるしていた。 「ど、どうしたの由良!?」 「ぁ、おねーちゃん・・・」 まるで生まれたての小鹿のように震えながら由良はこちらを向いた。 「優希くん、やばいね・・・想像以上だったよ・・・」 「あっ」 私は全てを察した。 由良もおそらく私と同じ、いや5分前の私だったんだろう。 「あの声でバイノーラルでおねぇちゃんは反則だと思うよ、あれに耐えられるお姉ちゃんは世の中に存在しないんじゃないかな。」 そのせいで余計に心臓に多大なる負荷がかかるんだけど・・・ 「私もそう思う。」 同意せずにはいられなかった。 「あっ、それでお姉ちゃん何の用だった?」 「あっいけない忘れるところだった。」 優希くんの事で頭がいっぱいになるとポンコツ化してしまうのはどうにかしないといけないかもしれない。 「前のコスプレ衣装の件なんだけど、相手の方から連絡って来たかなって思ってその確認だったんだけど。」 「あーそういえばお昼にメール来てた気がする、ちょっと確認するから待っててお姉ちゃん。」 私は大丈夫、と返事をしてその場で待っていた。 「あっ来てた来てた、あーやっぱりかぁ」 「やっぱり服は採寸をしたいから出来れば早めに採寸に来て欲しいんだって。」 私達がデザインをした優希くんに着せるコスプレを製作してくれる会社からの返答で デザインの締め切りは今週末でお願いしたいとも。 「でも諦められないよね・・・」 「何とか出来ない?お姉ちゃん。」 「メールダメ元で送ってみるよ。 優希くん、来週空いてたりしないかな。」 私は優希くんにメールを送信した。 「なんなのよあの子・・・」 「今まで同期や同じ事務所の人とコラボ何回もやってきたけど、あの子の声、心をぎゅっと掴む何かがある・・・」 人の持つ声というのには何か力がある、私はそう思っている。 そして、あの子の声は心を掴む不思議な力を持っていると思わざるを得ない。 「お姉ちゃんって言われるのがあそこまで心がきゅんきゅんするものだったなんて、思わなかったわぁ・・・」 事務所で先輩後輩の間でそういった呼び方をする事は今までに何回もあった。 よくそんな会話が起きる度にてぇてぇとか尊いとか、言われていたけど 「これがあの子の力、って事なのかな。」 私は世の中は広いな、と実感した。 謎は深まっていくばかりだった。 ------ネット民達の反応------ 428:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん このスレのお姉ちゃん達、生きてるか? 429:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 俺は兄でよかった無事だぜ 430:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 432:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 今の今まで悶絶してたわ・・・ 433:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん しぬかとおもった!!! 434:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん まだ精神退行起こしてる奴いるけど大丈夫か? 435:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん まぁそのうち復活するでしょゆるママだって生きてたんだし 436:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん とりあえず言っておくわ、次はアンタ達よ あのバイノーラルでお姉ちゃんって言われたら誰だって死ねるってものよ 437:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん ひえっ 438:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 439:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん とりあえず気合で切り抜いてピヨッターに投稿したわ バズってくれたらゆかちゃんも有名になると思うんだけど。 440:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん ぶっちゃけ現状でも個人勢としてはかなりの勢いだよな。 439 乙! まじでありがたい 441:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 流石にふわちゃんとのコラボが実現するとは思わなかったけどな 442:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 441 443:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 442 でも同じ事務所のロリ系Vtuberの子よりテンション高くなかったかしら? 444:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 445:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 俺も思った 446:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 447:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 私も会ってみたいなぁ 448:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 447 コミケ来るらしいわよ? 449:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 448 死んでも行く! 450:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 俺も行かないとなぁ 451:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん もうすぐ収益化いけそうらしいしそっちの配信も楽しみだよな 452:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 今の俺人生を一番楽しんでるかも 453:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん わかるわ 454:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 455:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん

Ch 14 Right after Yuka Shirahime, a.k.a Yuki, ended her stream, two people were close to knocking on Death's door. These two have an unconcealable presence no matter how hard they try during the stream: Yuru Kakizaki and Fuwari Ukigumo. "Ha... ha..." I'm in a pinch right now. The adorable boy I secretly like is Yuki Himemura. He's the person behind my favorite VTuber, Yuka Shirahime, but he has an appearance and voice unlike a guy's, and I was completely captivated by his charm. Then, he suddenly used a binaural microphone and said to Fuwari Ukigumo and me... [Thanks for playing with me today, onee-chans.I love you. ] As for the dilemma I've gotten myself into... "My nose won't stop bleeding..." That's right, my nosebleed won't stop. I'm currently looking down and holding the bridge of my nose. By the time I noticed, the stream had ended. "Tohday's sthream was khwite suhmething again..." I mutter in a nasal voice. After about five minutes, my nosebleed subsided, and I was able to talk a little, so I headed to Yura's room. "Yura, wake up...!" Yura is curled up on the desk, trembling. "W-What's wrong, Yura?!" "Oh, onee-chan..." Yura turns to me, shaking like a newborn fawn. "Yuki-kun is crazy... That was more than I imagined..." "Ah." I understood everything. Yura is probably in the same situation as me five minutes ago. "Saying onee-chan with a binaural mic is cheating... I don't think there's anyone who can endure that." But because of that, it puts a huge strain on my heart... "I think so too." I couldn't help but agree. "Oh yeah, what did you need, onee-chan?" "Whoops, I almost forgot." I may have to find a way to prevent myself from becoming a complete scatterbrain whenever my mind becomes preoccupied with thoughts of Yuki-kun. "It was just to confirm if the person from the previous cosplay outfit contacted us." "Oh yeah, I think we got an email during lunch. Let me check real quick." I reassured her with a "Sure" and waited there. "Oh, here it is. Ah...I knew it." "They want to take measurements for the outfit, so they're asking if we can come in soon for that." It was a reply from the company that will be making the cosplay outfit that we designed for Yuki-kun. They said they could finish it in just over two weeks, but it'll be tough if we don't come in by next weekend. They also mentioned that the deadline for the design is this weekend. "But we can't just give up, right?" "Can't we do something, onee-chan?" "I'll try sending Yuki-kun an email, even if it's a long shot. I hope he's available next week." And so, I sent an email to Yuki-kun. "What's with that girl..." I spontaneously mutter to myself. "I've collaborated with other talents in the same agency, but something about her voice grips your heart tight..." I believe that one's voice has some sort of power. And her voice has an inexplicable power that captures your heart. "I never thought being called 'onee-chan' could make my heart race so much..." Me and my colleagues at the agency have called each other such at times. Whenever those conversations happened, people would say things like tee-tee or toutoi, but never once did my chest tighten like this. "This must be her power." I realized how vast the world is. The mystery only deepened. --The Netizens' Reaction-- 428: Name: Anon Onii-chan Onee-chans in this thread, are you still breathing? 429: Name: Anon Onii-chan thank goodness i was born an onii-chan. #safe 430: Name: Anon Onii-chan 432: Name: Anon Onee-chan I passed out until just a few moments ago... 433: Name: Anon Onee-chan i thought i was gonna die!!! 434: Name: Anon Onii-chan There's still some people here having a mental shutdown, are they gonna be alright? 435: Name: Anon Onii-chan eh, they'll probably come back eventually. i mean, mama yuru did too. 436: Name: Anon Onee-chan FYI, it could be any of you next. That "onee-chan" in binaural audio could make anyone faint. 437: Name: Anon Onii-chan Oof. 438: Name: Anon Onii-chan 439: Name: Anon Onee-chan Anyway, I pushed through and posted the clip on Tweeter. If it goes viral, maybe Yuka-chan will become famous. 440: Name: Anon Onii-chan Honestly, even now, she's going strong as an indie. >>439 Kudos! Thanks 441: Name: Anon Onii-chan Didn't think collabing with Fuwa-chan was gonna happen, man 442: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>441 443: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>442 But wasn't her energy not as high when she reacted to the loli VTubers at Imananji? 444: Name: Anon Onii-chan 445: Name: Anon Onii-chan i thought so too 446: Name: Anon Onee-chan 447: Name: Anon Onee-chan I wanna meet her too 448: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>447 I heard she's going to Comiket. 449: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>448 I'll go even if it costs me my life! 450: Name: Anon Onii-chan I wanna go too 451: Name: Anon Onii-chan she's also about to monetize soon, so I'm looking forward to the stream for that 452: Name: Anon Onii-chan i might be having the most fun in my life right now 453: Name: Anon Onee-chan I feel ya. 454: Name: Anon Onii-chan 455: Name: Anon Onii-chan

37:急なお仕事? 焼肉を食べた後にホテルでゆっくりと休憩していた薫のスマホに通話が来たことを知らせる音が鳴り響く。 「ん、誰だろう。」 薫はスマホを取り誰からの通話か確認するとそこには自分の大学時代の先輩の名前があった。 「先輩から?仕事関連の話かな。」 「もしもし、遊佐です。」 「あら、薫ちゃんコミケ後で疲れているタイミングにごめんなさいね。」 「いえ、まったりしていたところなので大丈夫ですよ。」 「そう言って貰えると嬉しいわぁ。」 「それにしても先輩が電話って珍しいですね、何があったんですか?」 「実はね、昨日うちのモデルの子ともう1人のモデルの子で撮影の予定が入っていたのよ。ただそのもう1人の子が交通事故で1週間ほど経過を見ることになってね、代わりに来れるモデルの子を探してたんだけど、条件が厳しくてねぇ。」 「あーなるほど、だいたい察しがつきました。」 「そう言うこと、ただアタシ優希ちゃんの電話番号聞き忘れてたから薫ちゃんなら分かるかと思ったってワケ。」 「それだったら今から代わりましょうか?優希くんの部屋すぐ隣にあるので。」 「お願い出来るかしら?もしOK貰ったら3人分の部屋そのまま確保出来るように手配するからホテルについては心配しないでいいわよ。」 「分かりました、じゃあ今から優希くんの部屋行くので少しミュートしますね。」 「分かったわぁ。」 私は優希くんの部屋をノックする。 優希くんの声がうっすらと聴こえる。 「優希くん、ちょっと開けて貰えるかな?」 私はドアの前に来た優希くんに声をかける。 「大丈夫ですよ!今開けますね!」 そう言いながらドアがガチャッと開けられる。 「優希くん、ゆっくりしてるところにごめんね、少しだけ上がらせてもらって大丈夫かな?」 「はい、何かありましたか?」 優希くんは不思議そうな顔をしてこちらを見つめていた。 その顔かわいい。 「えっとね、前GloryCuteのマネージャーって言ってた人覚えてるかな?」 「覚えてますよ!」 「実はその人から優希くんにお願いがあるらしくて電話が来たんだけど、ちょっと代わってもいいかな?」 「なるほど、僕に出来ることなら!」 「ありがとう、それじゃ代わるね。」 そして私はスマホのミュートを解除して優希くんに渡す。 「あらぁ優希ちゃん、突然ごめんなさいねぇ。」 「大丈夫ですよ!僕に何の用でしたか?」 「突然なのは分かってるんだけど、1日か2日の間モデルのアルバイトをお願い出来ないかしら!」 「本来来る予定だった子が交通事故で少しの間動けなくて代わりを探してたんだけどどうしても見つからないのよ、それで優希ちゃんなら東京に居るから駄目元で電話したってワケなのよぉ。」 「僕なんかに務まりますかね・・・?」 「問題無いわぁ、現地で着てた衣装とか見せて貰ったけど完璧だったわよぉ、だからいけると思うのよアタシは。」 「うぅ、駄目でも僕は責任取れませんよ?」 「問題無いわぁ。」 「分かりました、それなら受けさせてもらいます。」 「本当に助かるわぁ!一応報酬の話させてもらうわね、まず予備日含めてホテル3日分の確保、撮影が早く終わってもホテルはそのまま3日間使ってもらって構わないわ。 次に1日あたり5万円出させて貰うわ、迷惑料含めての金額だと思って貰って大丈夫よ。」 「そ、そんなにですか!?」 「緊急で呼ぶのって結構大変なのよ、かと言ってこちらの予想しているイメージじゃない人に頼むのはちょっと違うから仕方ないわぁ。」 「なるほど、ちょっと多いと思いますけど出来る限り頑張ります!」 「あー、あと雑誌に載る際は名前を載せる事になるんだけど、流石に本名は嫌、よね?」 「流石に本名はちょっと・・・」 「それだったらゆかちゃんの名前を使っても大丈夫かしら?」 「そっちならまだ。」 「分かったわぁ、明日スタッフをそっちのホテルに迎えに行かせるからお願い出来るかしら?」 「はい、大丈夫です!」 「撮影場所ではゆかちゃんの名前でスタッフに呼ばせるからよろしくねぇ。」 「それじゃ薫ちゃんにまた代わってもらっていいかしら?」 「はい、薫さん、マネージャーさんがもう一度代わって欲しいらしいです!」 「あ、ありがとう。」 薫さんはスマホを持ってまた部屋へ戻っていった。 「撮影って何をするんだろう。」 僕は気になって少しドキドキしていた。 「はい、今部屋に戻りました。」 「優希ちゃんからOK貰えたわぁ、本当に助かった、お礼に明日の撮影同行してもいいわよ?」 「ほ、本当ですか!?」 「優希ちゃんの可愛い姿しっかり目に焼き付けて来るといいわ。」 「楽しみです。」 「アタシもよ。」 そう言って通話は終了した。 「私は近くで見るだけだけど、また近くにいれるのは幸せ。」 もっとこの時間が続けばいいのになぁ、と私は思いながらベッドに自分の体を預け、眠りについた。

Ch 37 The sound indicating an incoming call echoed from Kaoru's phone as she was resting leisurely at the hotel after a fulfilling yakiniku lunch. "Hmm, I wonder who it's from." Picking up her phone, Kaoru sees the name of her senior from her university days displayed on the screen. "A call from Senpai? Maybe it's work-related." "Hello, this is Yusa." "Oh, Kaoru sweetie. I'm sorry for calling you when you must be tired after Comiket." "No, I was just relaxing, so it's fine." "I'm glad to hear that." "But it's unusual for you to call, Senpai. What's up?" "We had a photoshoot scheduled yesterday, but it was postponed because one model was involved in a traffic accident. We're on hold for a week and are currently seeking a substitute model, although our requirements are quite strict." "Ah, I see. I think I got the gist of it." "Yes, that's the situation. But I forgot to ask Yuki-chan's phone number, so I thought you might know." "In that case, should I ask Yuki-kun now? His room is right next to mine." "Could you do that? If it's okay with him, I'll arrange a room for three, so you don't have to worry about the hotel." "Understood. I'm going to Yuki-kun's room now, so I'll mute the call for a bit." "Got it." I knock on Yuki-kun's door. I can faintly hear his voice. "Yuki-kun, could you open the door?" I called out to Yuki-kun, who came to the door. "Sure, I'll open it now!" And with that, the door creaks open. "Sorry for disturbing you, Yuki-kun. Can I come in for a bit?" "Yes, is something wrong?" Yuki-kun looks at me with a puzzled expression. His face is so cute. "Do you remember GloryCute's manager?" "I do!" "Actually, he has a favor to ask you and called me. Can you take the call?" "If it's something I can do, of course!" "Thank you, then let's switch." And so, I unmute the phone and hand it to Yuki-kun. "Oh, Yuki-chan. I'm sorry for calling out of the blue." "No problem at all! Did you need me for something?" "I know it's sudden, but I was wondering if you could do some part-time modeling work for a day or two?" "Yes, the model who was supposed to come had an accident and can't move for a while. I've been having a hard time looking for a replacement. I thought that since you're in Tokyo, I'd give it a shot and call you." "I wonder if I'm up to the task..." "There's no problem. I saw you in the costumes you wore, and they were perfect. That's why I think you can do it." "Um, I won't take responsibility if it doesn't work out, okay?" "No problem, sweetie." "Okay. I accept." "You're a lifesaver! As for your compensation, I'll secure a hotel for three days, including an extra day. Even if the shooting ends early, you're welcome to use the hotel for all three days. Next, I'll pay you 50,000 yen per day. You can think of it as an inconvenience fee." "Th-That much?!" "Calling someone urgently can be quite a hassle. Then again, asking someone who doesn't fit the image we have in mind feels different, so it can't be helped." "I see. I think it's a little too much, but I'll do my best!" "Ah, and when you appear in the magazine, we'll need to use a name. You wouldn't want your real name, right?" "I'd rather not..." "In that case, would you be fine if we use Yuka-chan's?" "That might be better." "Got it. Tomorrow, I'll send a staff member to pick you up from your hotel. Would that be okay?" "Yes, that's fine!" "We'll have our staff call you by Yuka's name at the venue. Until then, take care, hun." "Now, could you please put Kaoru-chan back on the phone?" "Yes, Kaoru-san, the manager wants to speak with you again!" "Ah, thank you." Kaoru takes back her phone and goes back to the room. "I wonder what kind of shoot it will be." I'm a little excited and nervous. "Yes, I'm back in the room now." "I got the okay from Yuki-chan. You really saved me. As a thank you, you're free to accompany him to the shoot tomorrow." "R-Really?!" "It's a good opportunity to burn Yuki-chan's cute appearance into your memory." "I'm looking forward to it." "So am I." With that, the call ended. "I may only be watching from the sidelines, but being close to Yuki-kun makes me happy." Wishing for these moments to last, I surrendered myself to the bed, gradually slipping into sleep.

02:自己紹介動画を作ろう! 「うーん、どうしたものかな......」 僕は今非常に悩んでいる。 そう、自己紹介動画の撮影を行わないといけないからだね。 本来なら男性アバターで考えていたのでその時の原稿なんかは全て書き直し。 考えていた名前も完全に没行きに。 まぁこの3Dモデルどちゃくそ可愛いから良いんだけど、この娘をもっと広めたい。 ゆる先生の絵をもっと広めていきたい......まぁ広めるのはピヨッターでやっていたけど知名度の無いただのモブアカウントだったからね。 でもそんな事よりも大事な事がある......それは—— 「いやでもやっぱり性別の問題がなぁ......声、作ってみるかな?」 僕は一人部屋の中で呟きながら考えていた。 「うーん、本人には分かり辛い問題だし、動画を誰かに見てもらって声の問題は解決しよう」 この辺りは友人にこっそり見せたりするのがベターかな? 「次に名前だけど、これも考え直さないとだね まずキャラデザをした先生がゆるという名前なので、それに似せる事で先生のキャラだと思ってもらいやすいような響きの名前にしたよ。 白は髪色を意識して入れて、姫と言う言葉にピンクのイメージを持っている僕は、これを入れる事で完全に髪色をモチーフにした名前になった気がする。 他の人がどう思うか僕には分からないけどね。 そうなると次にキャラの方向性、キャラ付けっていうやつだね。 この娘の見た目だとどちらかと言えば妹キャラの方が合っている気がするから、視聴者の事はお兄ちゃん、お姉ちゃんと呼ぶ方がしっくりと来そう。 次に喋り方なんかはクラスにいる友人に動画を見てもらって判断してもらう事にしよう。 友人もVtuber沼にハマってるからきっといい意見をくれると思うし。 そうして原稿の内容を改変し、僕は動画を撮るために今モーショントラッキングをする装置を身に付けた。 正直この装置を着けて動くと暑いのでクーラーを入れておく。 季節も7月になったばかりとは言え長袖を着てると流石に暑いしね。 そして僕は意を決して録画開始ボタンを押し、録画を開始した。 次の日になり休みも終わってしまい学校へと向かう。 いつものように教室へと入り、まだHRの前なので席に座っている友人に動画を見せに行く事にした。 「おはよう裕翔、見てもらいたいVtuberの動画あるんだけど見てくれない?」 でも僕が困ってる時に助けてくれたりととても頼りになる友人だね。 「おぉ優希か、おはよう、それで動画って?」 「これなんだけどさ、どう思うか教えてくれないかな?」 「オッケーオッケー、任せてくれたまえ」 そうして僕の撮影した動画を裕翔に見せる。 画面からは僕が中に入ったバーチャル美少女が動きながら喋っている。 『この動画を見てくれているお兄ちゃん、お姉ちゃん初めまして!ボクは白姫ゆか、今日からVtuberとして活動していくことにしました!』 「なぁ優希、何この娘めっちゃ可愛くね?」 「だ、だよね」 中身が僕じゃなければ素直に可愛いと言えたかもしれないけど今は何とも言えない複雑な心境だったりする。 『そしてこの動画はタイトルの通り、ボクの自己紹介動画になっています!良ければ最後まで見ていってね!お兄ちゃん♪』 「ぐはっ」 裕翔がいきなり胸を抑えて苦しみ始めた。 「えっ裕翔どうしたの!?大丈夫!?」 「このお兄ちゃんはダメだ、胸がきゅんとなる、死ぬ」 そ、そこまで? 「え、えぇ......?」 「とりあえず冒頭だけの感想を言うぞ、この娘は流行る、この声にキャラデザ間違いなく強い」 声については流石に素のままだと男バレしそうだからちょっと作ってはいるのは確かだけど、そこまでなのかな?本人からするとよく分からないなぁ。 『まずボクの名前は最初にも言ったと思うけど白姫ゆか、17歳!本当だからね!』 『次にボクの趣味はゲームや歌う事、流石に版権の問題があると思うから歌ってみたはボカロ曲で許可が取れたものや民謡なんかになっちゃうと思うけど許してね!』 『それと配信は基本的に週末にやる予定だから皆良かったら遊びに来てくれると嬉しいなー、なんて』 『初配信は来週の7月11日、夕方の18時から始めるからよろしくね♪』 『次に動画の投稿についてなんだけど、基本的に週に3本を予定しているよ!動画は配信と違ってボクが話題の物を食べた反応だったり、動画にしやすいゲームをプレイしたり、そんなちょっとした事をしていく予定なので是非皆見ていってね!』 裕翔は自己紹介が始まってからはずっと口を閉ざしていた。 「どうだった?何か違和感とか感じた?」 「俺、推すわ。」 「へっ?」 「ヤバイ、俺Vtuberにガチ恋したかもしれん」 やばい、このままでは裕翔が叶わぬ恋に落ちてしまう。 「あのさ、裕翔?」 「「「何この娘!!!ちょーカワイイんだけど!!!」」」 「えっ?あれ?」 僕のスマホがクラスの女子達の注目を集めている。 流れているのはさっきの動画、あっこれだめなやつだ。 「「「白姫ゆか、検索しよ」」」 待って!!!!まだチャンネル無いの!!! バレる!!!!神様助けて!!!!!! 「俺も検索しよう」 だってまだ未発表なんだもの。 「「「「あれ?存在しない?」」」」 「ひゃ、ひゃい!?」 「「「「この娘の動画、どうやって手に入れたのか教えてもらおうか?」」」」 あぁ、もうだめみたいです。 都合良くHRを告げるチャイムなんてなる訳が無く。 「......くです」 「このVtuberは僕だよ!!!!!」 「まだチャンネルも作ってないのはこれで裕翔の反応良ければこの動画でデビュー飾ろうと思ってたの!」 「え?マジで言ってるのか?企業勢?」 「いや個人だよ?」 「マジで?どうやってあんな破壊力抜群のモデル手に入れたんだよ」 「50万出したからね......」 「50万出してまでやるとか姫くんちょーやる気じゃん......私応援してるよ!」 「うちもうちも!姫くんがんば!」 「ロリ声出せるショタ......うぇへへ。」 同じクラスの香月さんと天音さんと花園さんの3人が応援の言葉をくれた。 あれ?花園さん何か変な事言ってなかった? 「なんか今変な事言ってた人いなかった?」 「き、気のせいだと思うよ。」 「スパチャさせて!私が姫くんを養うんだ!」 香月さんも僕と同じ事を思ったみたいだけど花園さんは否定してるし、気のせいかな? それと天音さん、何とんでもない事を言ってるのかな!? 「優希、お前凄いな......俺に出来ることあったらさ、手伝うから何かあったら言ってくれよ?」 裕翔もそう言ってくれて、かなり心強い。 「「「私たちも何かあったら協力するよ!!」」」 裕翔に動画を見せた結果、クラスの女子と裕翔が早速ファンになったようだった。 あれ?喋り方とかの問題解決してなくない?

Ch 2 "Hmm, what should I do...?" I find myself in quite a predicament. You see, I need to shoot a self-introduction video. Originally, I had planned on using a male avatar, so I had to completely rewrite the script. Even the name I had chosen had to be scrapped entirely. Well, at least this 3D model is adorable, so I want to make her shine. I've been trying to promote Yuru-sensei's art, but it's difficult since I'm doing it on a mob Tweeter account. Nonetheless, there's something more pressing than all of that... "The gender's really bugging me... What if I try creating a voice?" I mutter to myself as I contemplate in my room. "Well, it's a problem that's hard for me to figure out on my own. I'll have someone watch the video and help me with the voice." Perhaps I could show it to a friend and get his feedback? "As for the name, I need to think of a new one. I want to include 'shiro' because her hair is whiteish, but I also want to include 'hime' from my surname to make it seem authentic." Since Yuru-sensei did the character design, I chose a name that would make people think it was hers. I added 'shira' to match the hair color, and since I associate 'hime' with pink, I thought it would make for a name that's inspired by the hair color. I don't know how others will perceive it, though. Now, onto the character's personality. Given her appearance, she gives off a younger sister vibe, so it'd feel natural to call her viewers onii-chan and onee-chan. As for how she speaks, I'll have my friend in class watch the video and give me his opinion. He's deep in the VTuber rabbit hole, so I'm sure he'll have some good insights. With these decisions made, I altered the script and donned the motion tracking equipment to prepare for recording. Frankly, it gets pretty hot wearing the equipment and moving around, so I turned on the air conditioner. Even though it's only July, it's still hot when you're in long sleeves. With a determined mind, I pressed the button and began recording. Now that the weekend's over, I headed to school the next day. As usual, I entered the classroom, and since homeroom hadn't started yet, I went to show my friend the video. "Morning, Yuuto. So, there's this VTuber video I want you to watch, could you?" He's been there for me when I've been in trouble, so he's a reliable friend. "Oh, it's you, Yuki. Morning. What's this about a video?" "It's this. I want you to tell me what you think." "Sure thing, leave it to me." I showed Yuuto the video I recorded. On the screen, there's a cute virtual girl moving and talking, with me controlling her movements behind the scenes. [Hey there, onii-chans and onee-chans watching this video for the first time! My name is Yuka Shirahime, and I've decided to become a VTuber starting today!] "Hey, Yuki, isn't this girl super cute?" "R-Right?" If I weren't behind that avatar, I might've been able to genuinely say she's cute, but my feelings are complicated at the moment. [As the title suggests, this is my self-introduction video! I hope you stay with me till the end! Onii-chan] "Guhaa!" Yuuto suddenly clutches his chest in pain. "Huh? What's wrong, Yuuto?! You okay?!" "This onii-chan is done for. My heart is racing. I'm gonna die." S-Seriously...? "U-Um...?" "For now, I'll give my first impression. This girl will be popular--her voice and design are undoubtedly strong." As for the voice, I naturally altered it a bit. Otherwise, viewers would automatically know I'm a guy, but is it really that good? [First of all, my name is Yuka Shirahime, and I'm 17 years old! It's true, I swear!] [My hobbies are gaming and singing. Due to copyright issues, I think I'll only be able to sing approved Vocaloid or folk songs. I hope you bear with me on that!] [I plan to stream primarily on weekends, so I'd be happy if everyone could come and play with me! Teehee.] [My debut stream will be next week on July 11th, starting at 6 pm. I hope to see you there] [I also plan on uploading vids thrice a week! They'll be about me reacting to popular things, playing games that are easily clippable, and other such things, so give those a watch, too, please?] Yuuto has been silent ever since the self-introduction started. "How was it? Did it feel strange in any way?" "I'm supporting her." "Huh?" "Ah, shit, I might've fallen in love with a VTuber." Uh oh, at this rate, Yuuto might fall into unrealistic love. "Um, Yuuto?" "WHAAAAAT?! SHE'S SO CUTE!!!" "Huh? Wha?" My phone caught the attention of the girls in my class. They're watching the same video I just showed to Yuuto. Oh no, this is bad. "LOOK UP YUKA SHIRAHIME!" Wait!!! She doesn't have a channel yet!!! Oh no, they'll find out! God help me!!! "I'll look up her name, too," says Yuuto. Nothing has been uploaded yet. "HUH? NO RESULTS???" "Y-Yesh?!" "CARE TO TELL US HOW YOU GOT YOUR HANDS ON THIS GIRL'S VIDEO?" Ahh, it's all over for me now. There's no way the odds would work in my favor, and the homeroom bell would ring. "...s me." "That VTuber is me!!!" "I was planning to debut with this video if Yuuto's reaction was good enough since I haven't even created a channel yet!" "Huh? For real? Are you under a talent agency?" "No, I'm an indie." "Seriously? How did you get such a high-spec model?" "I paid 500,000 yen for it..." I reply, looking into the distance. "You must be motivated to invest as much as 500 thousand, Hime-kun... I'm rooting for you!" "Me too, me too! Do your best, Hime-kun!" "A shota who can do a loli voice...Uhehehe..." Three classmates, Katsuki-san, Amane-san, and Hanazono-san, gave me words of encouragement. Wait, did Hanazono-san say something strange just now? "Did someone say something weird just now?" "P-Probably just your imagination." "Let me superchat you! I'm adopting you, Hime-kun!" Katsuki-san seems to have thought the same thing as me, but Hanazono-san is in denial. Was it really just my imagination? And what is Amane-san even saying?! "Yuki, you're amazing... if there's anything I can do to help, let me know, 'kay?" It's reassuring to hear Yuuto say that. "WE'D ALSO LOVE TO HELP!!!" It seems like Yuuto and the girls in my class instantly became fans after I showed the video. Wait, we haven't solved the issue about my way of speaking, have we?

気付けばボクのチャンネルは登録者が1万人到達していたらしい。 そう言われるとここ2日ほどチャンネル登録者の人数を確認していなかった気がする。 その間に何かが起きたんだろうけど、何かそんな影響あるような事あったかな? 『ボクのチャンネル最近2000人突破したばかりだったはずなんだけど、一体何があったのかな?』 「アタシはよくわからないけど、いい事じゃないかしら?」 「確かに、ゆかちゃんのチャンネルは今間違いなく勢いがあると思う。」 『嬉しいんだけど、ボクなんかのチャンネルで大丈夫なのかな・・・』 あまりにも順調すぎてボクは不安になった。 「大丈夫、ゆかちゃんは頑張ってるよ。」 薫お姉ちゃんがボクの頭を撫でながら励ましの言葉を投げかけてくれる。 『うん・・・ボクもっと頑張る。』 「無理だけはしたらだめだよ?」 二人とも優しくて心がぽかぽかする。 気分を入れ替えないとね。 「湿っぽいのはもう終わり! ゆかちゃん、よかったら写真何枚か撮らせてもらえないかしら!ゆかちゃんの事を上に報告する時に出来れば写真があるといいのよね。」 「ゆかちゃん、ここで大丈夫?家まで送っていくよ?」 薫お姉ちゃんが心配そうにボクに問いかける。 『ううん、大丈夫だよ薫お姉ちゃん!』 「そっか、もし何かあったらここに電話してね、直ぐに駆けつけるから。」 そしてボクは家に帰った。 ーそう 家に着いた 白姫ゆかのまま。 「何やってるの僕!?企業案件!?しかも実写で女装!?」 「なんでこんなに可愛い格好したまま帰ってるの僕!ちゃっかり着てた服まで持って帰ってきてるし!なんかチャンネル登録者1万人超えてるし!?」 「情報量が多すぎるよもおおおお!!!」 「・・・でも、今の僕、かわいい。」 恥ずかしいけど、この鏡に映っている僕は確かに可愛かった。 くるりとターンしたり、ポーズとったりするのも結構楽しかった。 「って僕は男!男だから!」 「・・・ただいま。」 「お姉ちゃん、お帰りーってお姉ちゃん!?」 「由良、私、死ぬかも。」 「一体何があったの!?デザイン出しに行っただけだよね!?」 「優希くんがね、ゆかちゃんになっちゃったの。」 「ど、どういう事?」 「優希くんがね、先輩の会社のスタッフさんの手で女装させられてたの。」 「写真は?」 「結構自分の欲望に素直だよね由良も。」 「写真!!!」 「ねぇお姉ちゃん。」 「何このめっちゃくちゃ可愛い子! なんで3Dモデルが現実に存在してるの? えっ?これが現実?嘘でしょ、ないない。」 由良が混乱してしまった。 「・・・ふぅ。」 「由良落ち着いた?」 「ごめんね、あまりの可愛さに頭が混乱しちゃったよ。」 「しかもね、帰り道もずっとゆかちゃんのままで、お家にそのまま帰っちゃったの。」 「私も行けばよかった・・・」 悲痛な由良の言葉が部屋に響いた。 この人イケメンなのにオネエ言葉が妙に似合うのはなんでだろう。 わたしはここまでテンションの高いマネージャーを見るのは久々だったからつい聞いてしまった。 「あら!聞いてくれるのね!実は・・・」 わたしは目を疑った。 その写真にはゆかちゃんが写っていた。 「あら?知ってるの?」 「この子、新人のVtuberですよ!私は1週間くらい前に知ったんですけど、めっちゃくちゃ可愛いんですよ!」 「は、遥ちゃん、妙にイキイキしてるわねぇ。」 「いいのよいいのよ、確かに可愛いものね。」 「それでマネージャー、この子は一体・・・」 「企業案件、そう言えば分かるかしら?」 ゆかちゃんが企業案件? 「ってことは、この子・・・」 「天は二物を与えてしまったって事なんですね・・・」 「(男っていうある意味マイナスポイントもあるんだけどねぇ、流石にそこまで言う必要は無いかしら。)」 「どんな内容なんですか!」 「新しいブランドのIVの撮影をしてもらう事にしたのよ。」 「もしかして、GloryCuteの?」 「そうよ。」 「ずっと候補が見つからないって言ってましたもんね、見つかって良かったですね!」 828:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 829:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 828 830:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 829 バズった!バズったのよ! 831:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 830 もしかして、前の切り抜きか? 832:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 831 そうよ切り抜き! めっちゃくちゃバズって通知止まんねぇわwww 833:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 832 有名人じゃんwww とまぁ置いといて影響何かあった? 834:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 833 聞いて驚かないで頂戴ね チャンネル登録者数1万人超えたわ・・・ 835:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 834 836:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 今来たけどピヨッターやばくね? 837:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん わたしのリア垢にも来てびっくりしたよ 838:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 俺の裏垢にも来たわ 839:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 男の裏垢...? 840:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 女の裏垢は怖いけど男の裏垢は見たことないわね。 実際どんな感じなの? 841:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 840 ぶっちゃけ表とやってる事変わらんな あれ?俺、裏垢持ってる意味あるのかこれ 842:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 843:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん ゆかちゃんの影響がこんなところにまで・・・ 844:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 1万人突破記念の放送と収益化の記念が 同時に来そうだなって私思うんだけど皆どう思う? 845:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 846:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん ふわちゃんかゆるママが死ぬ 847:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 845 846

Before I knew it, my channel had reached 10,000 subscribers. Come to think of it, I haven't checked the subscriber count for the past couple of days. I wonder if anything happened during that time that affected it? [My channel just reached 2,000 subscribers recently. Did something happen after that, I wonder?] "I'm not sure, but isn't this a good thing?" "Yeah, I think your channel is drastically gaining momentum, Yuka-chan." [I'm happy, but is this really okay for a channel like mine...] Things are going a little too well that I feel anxious. "It's okay. You're doing your best, Yuka-chan." Kaoru-oneechan comforts me by patting my head and giving me words of encouragement. [Yeah...I'll work even harder.] "Just don't push yourself too hard, okay?" Both of them were so kind that my heart felt warm and fuzzy. I need to cheer up. "Enough of the gloomy stuff! Yuka-chan, can I take a few pictures of you? Having them when I report to my bosses about you would be nice." "Should I drop you off here, Yuka-chan? Do you want me to walk you home?" Kaoru-oneechan asks me with a worried look. [No, it's okay, Kaoru-oneechan!] "Okay, well, if anything happens, just call me, and I'll come right away," replies Kaoru-oneechan, handing me her business card. And then I went home. ...That's right. I arrived at my house... ...still dressed as Yuka Shirahime. "What am I doing?! A corporate project?! And that, too, crossdressing?!" "Why did I keep this outfit on till I got home?! I even brought the clothes I was wearing earlier with me! And now, my channel has over 10,000 subscribers?!?!?!" "There's just too much information for me to processsssss!!!" "...But, I sure look cute right now." It's embarrassing to admit, but my reflection in the mirror looks cute. It's fun to twirl around and strike poses. "Ahh, but I'm a guy! A guy!!!" "...I'm home." "Welcome home, onee-cha- are you okay?!" "Yura, I might die." "What happened?! Didn't you go out to submit the costume design?!" "You know, Yuki-kun turned into Yuka-chan." "W-What's that supposed to mean?" "Well, Yuki-kun was cross-dressed by the staff at my senpai's company." "Do you have pictures?" "Wow, Yura, you're pretty honest with your desires." "Just show me the pictures!!" "Hey, onee-chan." "Who's this super cute girl? How did a 3D model come to life? Wait, this is reality? No way, that can't be true." Yura is confused and doesn't know what to do or say. "...Fuu." "All good now, Yura?" "Sorry, I got so confused by the cuteness." "Not only that, but Yuki-kun went straight home in Yuka-chan's outfit." "Maybe I should've gone with you..." Yura's words of sorrow echoed through the room. For someone so handsome, why does speaking in an endearing manner suit him well? It has been a while since I last saw him like this. "Oh, I see you're interested! The thing is..." I couldn't believe my eyes. It's Yuka-chan in the photo. "Oh? You know her, love?" "She's a new VTuber! I only learned about her a week ago, but she's suuuuuper cute!" "H-Haruka-chan, you're awfully lively all of a sudden." "No worries, sweetie. I admit she's cute." "So, Manager, how come you have her photo?" "A corporate gig. Surely, you can connect the rest of the dots?" Yuka-chan is doing a corporate project? "So, this girl..." "Heaven has blessed us with two gifts..." "(It might rub her the wrong way if I say she's actually a boy, but I guess I don't need to tell her that.)" "What kind of project is it?" "We'll be doing an IV for the new brand." "IV? An image video shoot... for GloryCute?" "Mm-hm." "I remember you saying you've been looking for someone. I'm happy you finally found a model, Manager!" 828: Name: Anon Onee-chan 829: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>828 830: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>829 It went viral! It really went viral!!! 831: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>830 wait, is this about that clipping you mentioned before? 832: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>831 Yes, that clipping! It's blowing up like crazy, and my notifications won't stop coming in lmaoo 833: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>832 ey we got a celeb in the making lol anyway, did it have any impact or something? 834: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>833 Don't freak out when I tell you this, but... Her channel has over 10k subscribers now... 835: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>834 836: Name: Anon Onii-chan I just got here, but tweeter's crazy rn 837: Name: Anon Onee-chan I was surprised cause it even reached my irl account. 838: Name: Anon Onii-chan it showed up on my alt's timeline too. 839: Name: Anon Onii-chan a dude having an alt account...? 840: Name: Anon Onee-chan Women's alt accounts are scary, but I've never seen a guy's alt account before. What's it like, actually? 841: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>840 to be honest, it's not that different from my main wait, whats the point of having an alt then 842: Name: Anon Onii-chan 843: Name: Anon Onee-chan Yuka-chan's influence has reached far and wide... 844: Name: Anon Onee-chan I'm guessing the special live stream for hitting 10k subs and the monetization celebration will happen simultaneously. What do you all think? 845: Name: Anon Onii-chan 846: Name: Anon Onee-chan either fuwa-chan or mama yuru will die. 847: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>845 >>846

29:いざ出発! とうとうやってきたコミケ出発の日。 僕は新幹線に乗ーーーる事はなく、薫さんの車で薫さんと由良さんと僕の3人で向かう事になった。 とてもありがたいのだけど本当にいいのかな? でもあそこまで強く一緒に行こうと言われると流石に断りきれないよ・・・ そして今僕は車に揺られながら向かっている訳なんですが・・・ 「あ、ありがとうございます?」 「もう私の妹になってよ!!」 「いや僕男ですよ!?」 何故か由良さんと二人で後部座席に乗る事になっていた。 滅茶苦茶頭撫でてくるのはなんでなの!? 恥ずかしいったらありゃしないよ!!!? 「むぅ、由良、優希くんが暑そうにしてるよ?」 「えっ!?そ、そんなこと無いよね!?」 「あ、暑くは無いですけど・・・頭撫でられるのは恥ずかしいので・・・」 「ど、どうすればいいんですかぁ!!」 「由良、落ち着いて!? 車めっちゃ揺れてるから!!」 「あ、ごめんね・・・」 それからはゆったりとした時間が流れていき気付けば由良さんは眠ってしまったようだった。 「あ、由良寝ちゃったんだ。」 「みたいですね。」 「今日は色々楽しみにしていたみたいだったから・・・」 「何がそんなに楽しみだったんですか?」 「うーん、優希くんにとっていい話ではないかもしれないけど、由良って末っ子なんだよね。」 「はい。」 「弟とか妹っていう存在に憧れてたみたいでね、優希くんを擬似的な弟や妹に見立ててるんだと私は思うんだ。」 「ま、まぁ年下なのは間違い無いですけど・・・」 「流石に本当に嫌だなって思うような事する子では無いから優希くんに付き合えるレベルでいいから付き合ってあげてくれると嬉しいな。」 「まぁ、少しくらいなら・・・」 人によっては望む所なんだろうけど僕は恥ずかしさが先に来てしまうタイプだから、過剰なスキンシップはちょっと僕の心臓に悪いかな。 それに男と思われてないっていうのも地味に傷つくんだ・・・ でも、僕なんかで幸せな気分になって貰えるのならそれはそれで嬉しいのも事実だけど。 「まだまだ道は長いから優希くんも眠くなったら寝ても大丈夫だからね。」 「はい!でもまだ大丈夫ですよ!」 「そっか、じゃあ次の 「はい!」 そして車は無事に次の大きなSAに到着した。 そこは餃子が有名な土地のSAで飲食店にも餃子がメニューに入っていた。 僕達は皆揃って餃子を頼んで小腹を満たすと飲み物を買ったりトイレを済ませたりした。 途中で行きたくなると地獄だからこういう行ける時に行っておくのはとても大事なんだよね。 そしてこのSAから由良さんが運転手を務めるらしい。 ・・・まさか。 「(やっぱりこうなったか・・・)」 僕の隣に座る薫さんを見ながらやっぱりか、と思った。 そして僕の想像を遥かに上にいく事態が起きる。 ぎゅっ そんな音がしたわけでも無いけれどそんな擬音がぴったり状況になった。 僕は薫さんに抱きしめられていた。 「!?!?」 「すぅ...すぅ...」 「ね、寝てる、んですか?」 「あーお姉ちゃんのハグ癖治ってなかったんだ・・・」 「ハグ癖って何ですか!?」 「えっと、抱き枕とかが無いと熟睡出来ない人とかって世の中にはいるよね?」 「確かにたまにそういう人が居るって聞きますけど・・・」 「お姉ちゃんの場合は意識が無い時近くにある物を抱きしめる癖があるの・・・」 まさか人も対象になるなんて初めて知ったけどね、と付け足しながら苦笑いしていた。 「すぅ...」 幸せそうな寝顔の薫さんを見ると起こす気にもなれなかったので必死に我慢した。 抱きしめられている心地よさからか僕は意識を失った。 「むんっ・・・?」 一瞬車が大きく揺れて僕は意識を再び取り戻した。 そのとき僕の顔に何か柔らかいものが当たった気がした。 気のせいじゃなかった。 薫さんが僕のことを抱きしめたままだった。 僕の顔は薫さんの胸元にすっぽりと入っていた。 さっきよりも悪化してる気がするよこの体勢!? 「むぐ!?」 「ん?なにかあっt・・・」 「あ、あ、ご、ごめんね優希くん!?」 僕に謝るのと同時に僕を離した薫さんは顔が心なしか赤くなっていた。 「ぷはっ、あの、その、抱きしめるのはまだいいですけど、いや良くはないんですけど、僕も一応男なんですよ・・・!」 「頭では分かってても不思議と優希くんならいいかなって思っちゃって・・・ごめんね。」 「警戒心が無さすぎですよ!? 男は狼って言うくらいなんですよ! 「(優希くんが狼・・・ありかも。)」 「何か言いました・・・?」 「ふぇっ!?気のせいだよ!?」 「何二人でイチャイチャしてるのさー」 「息ぴったりじゃん・・・ まぁいいけど、渋滞に巻き込まれちゃったからもうちょっと時間かかるからあれだったら寝てても大丈夫だよー」 「うん、分かった、由良よろしくね。」 「ふぁ・・・すいません、お願いします・・・。」 「「おやすみ、優希くん。」」 この後滅茶苦茶目的地に着いた。

Ch 29 Finally, the day to depart for Comiket has arrived. Instead of taking the bullet train, I ended up going with Kaoru-san and Yura-san in their car. I'm grateful, but aren't I imposing too much on them? But when they insist so firmly on going together, I can't exactly refuse... And now, as I'm being jostled in the car... "T-Thank you?" "Why don't you just become my little sister?" "But I'm a guy!" For some reason, Yura-san and I are in the back seat together. And why does she keep patting my head so much?! It's really embarrassing! "Um, Yura, I think Yuki-kun is starting to feel hot." "Huh?! Not to me, though?" "Well, I'm not hot, but... being patted on the head is a bit embarrassing..." "W-What do you want me to do?!" "Yura, calm down! The car is shaking a lot!" "Oops, sorry..." From there, time passed leisurely, and before I knew it, Yura-san had fallen asleep. "Ah, Yura fell asleep." "It seems so." "She seemed to be looking forward to today..." "What was she looking forward to?" "Hmm, it might not be a pleasant story for you, Yuki-kun, but Yura is the youngest child." "I see." "She admired the idea of having a younger brother or sister, and I think she sees you as a surrogate younger sibling." "W-Well, I am younger..." "She's not the type to do anything that would upset you, so I'd appreciate it if you could indulge her to some extent." "A little bit won't hurt, I guess..." Some people might wish for this, but I'm the type who gets embarrassed first. Excessive physical contact might be a little bad for my heart. And it's also a bit hurtful to be not seen as a guy... But if I can make them happy, then that's a good thing too. "We've got a long way to go, so feel free to sleep if you get tired, Yuki-kun." "Okay! But I can still keep going!" "All right, let's take a lunch break at the next service area then, shall we?" "Okay!" And so, the car safely arrived at the next large service area. This was a service area in a region known for its dumplings, which were on the restaurant's menu. We all ordered dumplings to fill our stomachs, bought drinks, and used the restroom. It's hell when you feel the urge to go once you're on the road, so it's essential to go when you can. It seems that Yura-san will be driving from this service area. Don't tell me... "(So, it has come to this, after all...)" I thought, glancing at Kaoru-san, who was sitting next to me. Then, a situation far beyond my imagination took place. Squeeze. There wasn't such a sound, but it perfectly described the situation. Kaoru-san is hugging me. "?!?!" "Zzz...zzz..." "A-Are you asleep?" "Ah, so her hugging habit hasn't been cured..." "What do you mean by 'hugging habit'?!" "Um, you know some people in the world who can't sleep deeply unless they have a body pillow or something, right?" "I do hear about such people occasionally..." "In my sister's case, she has a habit of hugging anything close to her when she's unconscious..." she adds with a bitter smile, not expecting people could be targets too. I thought it couldn't be helped since it was a habit, but wait a moment... "Zzz..." Seeing Kaoru-san's peaceful sleeping face, I didn't have the heart to wake her up, so I endured. Perhaps due to the comfort of being hugged, I lost consciousness. "Mmm...?" The car jolts a bit, bringing me back to my senses. At that moment, I felt something soft against my face. It wasn't my imagination. Kaoru-san is still hugging me. My face is buried in her chest. This position feels even worse than before! "Mmph?!" "Hm? Did someth..." "O-Oh, I-I'm sorry, Yuki-kun!" As she apologizes and lets go of me, Kaoru-san's face is slightly red. "Pwah- U-Um, hugging is still fine...Okay, maybe not really, but let's not forget I'm still a guy, so...!" "I know that in my head, but for some reason, I thought it was okay because it was you... I'm sorry." "You're too trusting, Kaoru-san! You know they say all men are wolves! "(Yuki-kun being a wolf... that could be.)" "Did you say something...?" "Huh?! It's just your imagination!" "What are you two flirting about?" "You're perfectly in sync... Anyway, it doesn't matter, we're stuck in traffic, so it'll take a bit longer. Feel free to sleep some more if you want." "Got it, Yura, thanks." "Um... sorry, and thank you..." "Good night, Yuki-kun." After that, we finally arrived at our destination in a mess.

ボクは羞恥心が限界に達したのでゆるママに声をかけた。 『その、流石に恥ずかしい・・・から。』 「んー?聴こえないなぁ・・・?」 恥ずかしいせいか小さな声しか出せない。 『恥ずかしいから降ろしてほしいなって・・・』 「あと10分、いや5分でいいから!!」 勇気を出して声を大きくして降ろして欲しいと告げるもあと5分だけと言われたのであと少しの我慢と思って頑張って耐えることにした。 ボクの頭を嬉しそうに撫でるゆるママの姿を見るとダメなんて言えなかった。 でもこの恥ずかしさだけはどうにかしないとボクが死んじゃう。 何かマシになるような事を考えないといけない。 この状況だけを見ればきっと微笑ましい姉妹のように見えるんだろうけどボクは男。 ・・・姉妹? そうか、ボクは今からゆるママ、いや、ゆるお姉ちゃんの妹だ。 ボクは妹、ボクはゆるお姉ちゃんの妹。 ずっと頭で反復し続けていると、ボクの意識は少し曇りがかってきた。 「ーちゃん! ーかちゃん!」 「ゆかちゃん!」 『ふぁ!?』 ボクは眠っていたのだろうか、とても気持ちのいい夢を見ていた気がする。 「よかった、やっと正気に戻ってくれた・・・」 「いや、えっと、その・・・なんというか・・・覚えて、ない?」 そう言われて記憶を探ってみる。 『あっ』 ボクが意識が曇りがかっていた時にゆるママに言った内容や行動についての記憶を全て取り戻した。 『う、うわあああああ! ボク、ボク、いやあんなこと言うつもりこれっぽっちも無くて!』 ゆかちゃんめっちゃ焦ってる でもあのシーンだけ観てると幸せそうだったよね 何度でも観れる はぁ、死ぬかと思ったぜ 『なんでボクはゆるママの妹なんて思い込んでたの!? ボクのバカぁ!男なのに何考えてるのボク!』 唐突な性別発表ォォォォォォォォ!!!! リアル男の娘ォォォォォォォォ!??!? 浮雲ふわり:えっ? 生きてて良かった.... あっ...ここまで最高の男の娘を見たのは私、初めてでして、こうなんといいますか、感動って言うんですかね 「ゆかちゃん!?まだ配信中!配信中だよ!?!?」 『えっ・・・?』 そしてコメント欄を見てボクは悟った。 『お、終わった・・・』 終わってないで むしろこれがスタート ゆかちゃん更に推せるわ というか男の子だったらこんな美人なお姉さんに膝枕されて頭なでなでとか拷問だわな はぁーてぇてぇ.... 浮雲ふわり:ほ、本当に男の子...なの? でも、今のボクは白姫ゆかとして見て欲しい、かな。』 男とは一体... いやむしろ女の子にしか見えない まって今思ったんだけど男の子なのに声そんなに可愛いとかなんなの? 『ボクのこの声は地声だよ、白姫ゆかとしての声はちょっとだけ作ってるけど、ベースは地声なんだよ?』 歌う時に人の声が変わったりするやつと同じか まぁどっちでもいいけどゆかちゃんは可愛い、いいね? ねぇ、お姉ちゃんにも撫で撫でさせてくれない? ず、ずるい!私もゆかちゃんなでなでしたい! ¥30000 生まれてきてくれて本当にありがとうございます、オフコラボの詳細はピヨッターで。 ふわちゃん壊れたwwwww もはや生まれてきた事に感謝してるぞこの人 さり気なくさっき取った言質を速攻で利用してて草 『えっと、ボクはこのままでも大丈夫、なのかな?幻滅した?』 感激まで覚えてる、これからも応援する! 幻滅するなんてないない、むしろ期待してた展開まである 失望しましたそんなに可愛いなんて酷いです。夢中になってしまいました。 最初だけ見るとアンチコメに見える不思議 俺の性癖...逝ってしまったのか...? 『えっと、ならよかった・・・のかな?』 安心して少なくともここにいる奴らの大半はむしろ喜んでる ご褒美なんだよなぁ はい優勝 ゆかちゃんはそのままのゆかちゃんでいて 「それじゃあ重大発表終わったところで、衣装変更に行こっか。」 『うぅ・・・男ってバレた上に衣装変更とか一種の罰ゲームだよぉ・・・』 なぁ、本当に男の子なんだよな...? 俺も自信無くなってきた... 私より可愛いもん、自信無くす... 勝てる要素が男らしさだけで泣ける 浮雲ふわり:私たちにとってはご褒美だから罰ゲームなんて言わないで! そうだそうだ! ふわちゃんいいぞ!!! 『うっ・・・そ、それじゃあ行ってくるね!』 逃げたw うーん可愛い 「ふふ、皆から可愛がられてゆかちゃん羨ましいね。」 浮雲ふわり:私は今貴女が一番羨ましいですよー わかる それから10分ほど雑談を続けていたゆるママだったが、その雑談の終わりを告げるノックが部屋に響いた。 「来た...ね。」 そこには白いフリルドレスに身を包んだ白姫ゆかの姿があった。 「はぁぁぁぁぁぁぁぁ・・・」 お姫様か?????? ふつくしい.... 普段はお嬢様言葉で話すお姫様が二人きりになると自分をボクと呼び始める、なんて最高のシチュエーション... なんか物語作り始めた奴いるぞ 誰かそういう漫画描いて ゆるママwww 浮雲ふわり:一瞬意識が飛んでいましたー ふわちゃんも酷いwww はぁ....男だからこそ出る言葉.... 浮雲ふわり:私はなんで家にいるのでしょうかー わかる.... わたしなんで仕事してるんだろ....休憩とかいいから早く終わらないかな... 皆大変だな... そしてそこからまた色々と衣装を着た白姫ゆかであったが最後にとんでもない物を持ってきた。 『えっとこれがラストなんだけど・・・』 いかないで もうやめて...しぬ.... ぁ....ぁ.... 浮雲ふわり:もうだめですしんじゃいます 最後の衣装は有名な不思議の国の◯リスの衣装をベースに現代風にアレンジされた衣装だった。 おまけに大きなうさぎのぬいぐるみを抱いている。 最後に!!!!王道の!!!!コスプレ!! 浮雲ふわり:ぁぁぁぁぁぁぁぁ可愛いよおおおおおお!!!!抱っこさせて!!!!!! 抱きしめたい可愛さ.... どこで....抱きしめられますか...? お姉ちゃんの妹になって....あれ?弟? 『どう?可愛いでしょ?今日の中で一番気に入ってるんだ♪』 可愛いです.... 死ぬほどかわいい.... 浮雲ふわり:にあってるよぉぉぉ!!! 『それじゃあ時間も来ちゃった事だし、りすにぃりすねぇ、ううん。』 『お兄ちゃん、お姉ちゃん、コミケよかったら遊びに来てね!約束だよ!』 絶対いぐ!!!!! 浮雲ふわり:もう向かってますー 『いやふわりお姉ちゃん早すぎるよ!?』 ------配信は終了しました------

My embarrassment was at its limit that I had to call out to Mama Yuru. [Um, this is getting really embarrassing for me... so...] "Hm? I can't hear you." I could only speak in a small voice out of extreme shyness. [I feel embarrassed, so... could you please let me down already...] "Just ten more minutes, no, five is enough!" I mustered up the courage to ask her to let me down in a slightly louder voice, but she asked for five more minutes, so I decided to endure it a little longer. At first, I was so embarrassed that I felt like I was going to die, but when I saw Mama Yuru happily patting my head, I couldn't say no. But I have to do something about my intense emotions, or I'm really going to kick the bucket. Something needs to be done to fix this. If you just look at our situation, it probably looks like a wholesome sisterly moment, but I'm a guy. ...Sisters? Oh, I see, I'm Mama Yuru's, no, Yuru-oneechan's sister right now. I'm the little sister; Yuru-oneechan's little sister. As I kept repeating that in my head, my consciousness became a little hazy. "...-chan! -ka-chan!" "Yuka-chan!" [Fwah!] Was I sleeping? I felt like I was having a really good dream. "Thank goodness, you finally came to your senses..." "Well, um, like... don't you remember anything?" I tried rummaging through my memories. [Ah.] I remembered everything I said and did to Mama Yuru when I was feeling woozy. [U-Uwaaaaaah! I...I didn't mean to say any of those things!] Yuka-chan's panicking so much but just watching that scene made me happy I could watch it over and over again sigh, i thought i was gonna die [What made me think I was Mama Yuru's little sister?! Stupid me! I'm a guy, what am I even thinking?!] a sudden gender reveal, whooo!!! A real-life traaaaaaap?!?!!? Fuwari Ukigumo: Eh? I'm so glad to be alive... ah... this is the first time I've seen such a pretty trap "Yuka-chan?! We're still live! Your stream is still on!!!" [Huh...?] Reading the live comments, I realized it. [I-It's over...] nah, it's not over If anything, were only getting started ppl will root for you even more, yuka-chan I mean, as a dude, being cuddled and patted by such a pretty girl is straight-up torture haa... tee-tee... Fuwari Ukigumo: Are you really...a guy? But if possible, I want you to continue perceiving me for what Yuka Shirahime is.] guy where... nah if you ask me, all I see is a girl but then why's his voice so damn cute for a dude? [This voice is my real one. I just tweak it a bit when I'm Yuka-chan. But it's still my real voice, okay?] Is it like one of those people whose voice changes when they sing? Eh, whatever. Doesn't change the fact that yuka-chan is cute as hell Hey, won't you let your other onee-chans pat you too? n-no fair! I wanna give yuka-chan head pats too! Y=30,000 Thank you for being born. I'll disclose the rest of our off-collab's details on Tweeter. fuwa-chan's broken wwwwww she's already thanking him for being born lmfao she's even nonchalantly using the promise from earlier as ammo LOL [Um, are you okay with how I am? Do you not feel disappointed or betrayed?] I feel deeply moved. I'm gonna keep supporting you! disappointed? oh, no, we were actually anticipating this I'm in despair. How can you be so darn cute?! I'm obsessed now. i thought that was a hate comment at first glance, lol. that was weird did my fetish...just show itself out...? [Well, in that case, it's a relief...I guess?] dont worry, the majority of the people here are super stoked abt this its like a reward for us Yup, you've won this Just keep being you, Yuka-chan "Well, now that the big announcement's over, let's go change clothes." [Ugh... now that everyone knows I'm a guy, changing clothes feels like some kind of punishment game...] hey, ur really a dude, right...? now also I'm starting to doubt myself... He's even cuter than me. It's a blow to my self-confidence... the only aspect where I would win is when it comes to masculinity, its just sad Fuwari Ukigumo: This is like a reward for us, so don't think of it as a punishment game! Yeah, what Fuwa-chan said! well said, fuwa-chan!!! [Mmh... O-Okay then, I'll go get changed for a bit!] she ran away lel aaagh so cute "Haha, I'm so jealous of Yuka-chan being loved by everyone." Fuwari Ukigumo: As for me, I'm jealous of you the mosttt right Mama Yuru kept chatting for about ten minutes, but then a knock signaled the end of the idle conversation. "She's...here." There stood Yuka Shirahime in a white frilly dress, not with a tiara like a fairytale princess, but wearing a black headband instead. "Haaaaaaaa..." are u a freakin' princess or what??? so purty... A story about a proper princess who starts loosening up and acts more boyish when she's alone with that special someone... or something... Someone's already cooking up a situation here someone make a manga out of that! mama yuru XD Fuwari Ukigumo: My consciousness left my body for a seconddd fuwa-chan's pretty intense herself lol Haa...words you expect to hear from an actual guy... Fuwari Ukigumo: Why am I even at home right noww we feel you... Why am I even at work... Can't I just finish this already and take a break... everyone's struggling, huh... And from there, Yura Shirahime, dressed in various costumes, finally brought something mind-blowing. [So, um, this is the last one...] dont go yet stop it...imma die... a... a.... Fuwari Ukigumo: I can't go on, I'm gonna die The final outfit is a modernized version of the iconic dress from A**ce in Wonderland. She's even holding a huge stuffed rabbit to go with it. The!!!! Ultimate!!!!!!! Cosplay!! Fuwari Ukigumo: Aaaaaaaaaa! You look adorbs, Yuka-chaaaaaan!!! Let me hug you!!!!! So cute...can I hug you pls... where can we... hug you...? Be onee-chan's little sister...wait, should it be little brother instead? [What do you think? Is it cute? It's also my favorite among the ones we tried out today] its v cute... It's too damn cute, I'm gonna die... Fuwari Ukigumo: It suits you perfectlyyyyy!!! [Well, it looks like our time's up, so... Lis-niis and Lis-nees, wait, no.] [Onii-chan, onee-chan, come hang out with me at Comiket, okay? That's a promise!] im deffo gonna go!!!!!! Fuwari Ukigumo: I'm already on my way to the connn [Um, it's still too early for that, Fuwari-oneechan!] ===The live stream has ended.===

26:感想回★ 「ふぅ・・・」 配信が終わり僕はようやく一息つくことが出来た。 お水を僕に手渡しながら薫さんがそう言った。 「配信中みたいにおねーちゃんって言ってもいいんだよ?なんてね。」 「もうやめてくださいよぉ! 恥ずかしさであの時は死ぬかと思ったんですからね!」 「私もショックを受けた影響でそのまま性別暴露するなんて思ってもみなかったけどね・・・?」 「結果的には思っていたよりも受け入れられたからそこは嬉しかったですよ?でも裏で何言われてるか分からないから少し怖いです・・・」 僕は思ったことをそのまま口にしていた。 「他人の言うことなんて軽く受け流しちゃえばいいと私は思うな。 絵師やってても似たような事は結構多いんだよね。」 「そう、だから人の言う事なんて気にしてちゃだめ。 自分の事を応援してくれる人のために頑張っていけばいいんだよ。 私もまだまだではあるから人の事言えないけどね。」 「僕の事を応援してくれる人の為に・・・」 そうなると今の僕には何が出来るだろう。 コミケに出展するときに出すボイスのクオリティを少しでも上げる事? 配信の頻度を上げる事? 動画の投稿頻度を上げる事? 答えは出ないけれど、少し心にかかっていた重みが取れた気がする。 「優希くんは今のままで十分頑張ってる、だから無理をしない事も皆のためだからね?」 「分かり・・・ました。」 優しい声で僕にそう囁いてくれる薫さん。 「二人とも?私のこと忘れてない!?」 「アタシもいるのよねぇ、近付けないくらいのやさしい世界を展開されてもアタシ困っちゃうわ。」 「あ!?ごめんなさい!」 僕はいい人達に巡り合えたな、と思った。 出会って時間は経っていないけれど、僕はこの人達の為にも頑張っていこうと思えた。 「でも、やっぱりあの時に私が感じた感覚は間違いじゃなかったんだ・・・」 初めて出会ったあの駅での出来事、あの時私はうっすらと男の子である可能性を感じていた。 ただ今日のお洒落をしたゆかちゃんはもう女の子としか思えない見た目だったのだけど。 「はぁ・・・ゆる先生が本当に羨ましい・・・」 「・・・でも。」 「オフコラボしてくれるってゆかちゃん言ってたし!!!最高の気分!!」 ただゆる先生と違って私は顔出しは出来ないから来るべき日の為に準備をしないとね。 待っててね、ゆかちゃん。 わたしは今日も撮影があった。 ゆかちゃんの配信がゆるママとのオフコラボと言っていたのでずっと見ていたかったけれど、配信の時間がお昼過ぎだった事もあり休憩の時間に少し見ることしか出来なかった。 それでも現実で可愛い服を着たゆかちゃんを見られたので気分はよかった。 ただ、家に帰ってからわたしは重大な事を知った。 「ゆかちゃんが男の娘ォォォォォォ!?」 あんなに可愛いのに男の子なんてわたしは信じられなかった。 だけど私は一瞬だけ後輩の可愛い男の子の姿が頭に浮かんだ。 優希くんも可愛かったな、と。 「はぁ、ゆかちゃんの事優希くんは知ってるの、かな。」 叶うならば前みたいに色々と語りたい、わたしはそう思った。 【男の娘?】白姫ゆかについて語るスレ2【女の子?】 1:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん ここは白姫ゆかについて語るスレです。 白姫ゆか以外のVtuberについては浮雲ふわりについてのみ話題に出してOKです 男の娘疑惑がありますが、出来る限り追求しないようにしましょう。 むしろ私は男の娘である事を期待しています。 468:名前:予言者 おい!!!!おい!!!! 469:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん よう予言者 470:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん あら予言者さんじゃない 471:名前:予言者 というかガチで男の娘だったのかよ!!! ご褒美じゃねーか!!!! 472:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 471 待って、ゆかちゃんは私の妹! 474:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 473 どっちだよ.... 475:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 最初の白のドレスもよかったけど 476:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 475 477:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 476 それには激しく同意するわ 男ってああいう清純なのに弱いんだよな 478:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん いやいや皆、やっぱあれだろ、最後の...さ? 479:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 不思議の国のゆかちゃんだよなぁ!!! 480:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん ア◯スゆかちゃんね.... 481:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 思い出すだけで死んじゃうからだめ 482:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 個人的には口約束の段階だけど ふわちゃんとのオフコラボも楽しみだわ 483:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん わかる、気になるよな 484:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 私なら欲望抑えきれないんだけど ふわちゃん耐えられるのかな... 485:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 出会って5秒でハグするまで見えたわ それからスレはかなり盛り上がりを見せたのだが そんな時にとあるURLが貼られた。 768:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん おい!!!!!ゆかちゃんのアンチスレが出来てるんだが!? ttps://-----------.ch 769:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 771:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん ふーん、死にたいのかな? ここは男である事を隠していたVtuber 他のVtuberの話題は出さないで下さい。 2:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 1 動画や配信を今まで見た上で言っているのか? 3:名前:名無しさん 私は切り抜きを見ただけです 男である事を隠してスパチャなどを投げてもらうのはいけないと思いますが? 4:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん あなた、何も分かっていないのね。 5:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 切り抜きなんて見てないでさっさと白姫ゆか公式チャンネルの公式プロフィール、自己紹介動画と第一回配信観てこい!!! 6:名前:名無しさん 4 5 7:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 6 見たらここへ書き込んでくれ 俺たちがおかしい可能性もあるが、その可能性は少ないと思ってる。 8:名前:名無しさん 私が間違っていました、あんな可愛い天使のような存在に対してこのようなスレを立ててしまった事心から謝罪いたします。 そして白姫ゆかという天使に巡り合わせてくれた本スレ民の方 いや変わり過ぎだろ!? 10:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 11:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 分かってくれたならヨシ! これから私達はゆかちゃんを見守る仲間だ! 12:名前:名無しさん 11 はい!師匠! 13:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん どういうことなの 14:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん

Ch 26 "Phew..." I finally got the chance to take a breather after the stream. "Good job, Yuki-kun," says Kaoru-san, handing me a glass of water. "You can call me onee-chan like you did during the stream, you know? Haha, just kidding." "Please cut it out...! That was so humiliating for me; I thought I was gonna die!" "Well, it's not like I expected you to accidentally reveal your gender from the extreme shock either..." "I'm happy that things turned out better than I thought, but it's still scary not knowing what people are saying behind our backs..." I thought out loud. "I think you should just brush off what other people say. As an artist, I've dealt with similar situations before." "Yeah. Don't worry about what they say. Just focus on doing your best for the people who support you. I've still got a ways to go, so I'm not exactly in a position to say that," sincerely says Kaoru-san. "For the people who support me..." What can I do for them right now? Improve the quality of my voice packs for Comiket? Stream more frequently? Upload more videos? I don't know, but the weight on my shoulders feels a little lighter. "You're doing great as you are, Yuki-kun. Don't push yourself too hard for other people's sake, okay?" "O-Okay..." Kaoru-san's kind reminder relieved me for some reason. "Um, guys? Aren't you forgetting someone else here?!" "I'm here too, you know? I'd be stumped if you made things between you two too warm and cozy to disturb." "Ah! We're sorry!" I thought to myself that I was lucky to have met such wonderful people. It hasn't been long since we've met, but I felt like I wanted to do my best for their sake. "But the feeling I had at that time wasn't wrong after all..." I recall the events at that station where I first met him, and I faintly sensed that he might be a boy. Although Yuka-chan, who was so fancy today, looked like a girl and nothing else. "Haa...I'm so jealous of Yuru-sensei..." "But..." "Yuka-chan said she'll do an offline collaboration with me! That's the best feeling ever!!!" Unlike Yuru-sensei, I can't show my face, so I need to prepare for the day when it comes. Wait for me, Yuka-chan. I had a photoshoot today. Yuka-chan had a collab with Mama Yuru on her stream, and I really wanted to watch it, but since it was around noon, I could only catch a glimpse during my break. Still, seeing Yuka-chan looking cute in real life made me feel good. But when I got home, I found out something shocking. "Yuka-chan is a traaaap?!?!?!" I couldn't believe it; she was so cute, I thought she was a real girl. But for a moment, I remembered my cute junior in school. Yuki-kun was pretty adorable himself... "Haa, I wonder if he knows Yuka-chan too?" If possible, I'd like to talk to him like we used to. [A trap?] A Yuka Shirahime Thread 2 [A real girl?] 1: Name: Anon Onee-chan This is a thread on Yuka Shirahime. If you are to mention other VTubers, only Fuwari Ukigumo's name is allowed. There are suspicions that Yuka-chan may be a trap, but let's not probe too much. Personally, I'm hoping that she is one. 468: Name: Prophet hey!!! hey!!!!!!! 469: Name: Anon Onii-chan Sup, prophet 470: Name: Anon Onee-chan Ah, if it isn't Prophet 471: Name: Prophet she really was a trap after all!!! we hit the jackpot!!!! 472: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>471 wait up, yuka-chan is my sister! 474: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>473 Which one is it...? 475: Name: Anon Onee-chan The first white dress was great, but I also loved the second one that looked boyish 476: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>475 477: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>476 I vehemently agree with that guys swoon for that kinda pure stuff 478: Name: Anon Onii-chan No, no, guys. Youre missing the point here. I'd say it has to be the last one...no? 479: Name: Anon Onii-chan Yuka-chan in Wonderland!!! 480: Name: Anon Onee-chan that was a**ce yuka-chan... 481: Name: Anon Onee-chan I can't even think about it without dying 482: Name: Anon Onii-chan it was a verbal promise for now, but im rly looking forward to her off collab with fuwa-chan 483: Name: Anon Onii-chan yeah, I'm curious about that too 484: Name: Anon Onee-chan If it were me, I wouldn't be able to control my desires I wonder if Fuwa-chan can handle it... 485: Name: Anon Onee-chan I could see them hugging within 5 seconds of meeting. After that, the thread became quite lively. Then, someone posted a certain URL. 768: Name: Anon Onii-chan yall!!! someone made a hater thread!! ttps://-------.ch 769: Name: Anon Onii-chan 771: Name: Anon Onee-chan Hmm, that their death wish or something? This is a hate thread on the VTuber Yuka Shirahime, who apparently has been hiding the fact that she's a trap. No talking about other VTubers. 2: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>1 have you actually watched her videos and streams? 3: Name: Anon No. I've only seen some clips. But isn't it messed up for a trap to hide that and still take Super Chats n' shit? 4: Name: Anon Onee-chan You don't get it, do you? 5: Name: Anon Onee-chan instead of watching clips, why dont you check her official channels profile and intro vid. 6: Name: Anon >>4 >>5 7: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>6 yeah, come back after you've watched them. there's a chance we're being way over our heads here, but I doubt it 8: Name: Anon I was wrong about everything, and I would like to apologize to the angelic Yuka-chan for making this ridiculous thread. Thank you for enlightening me, forum regulars who guided me to this angel. dude, that was a complete 180! 10: Name: Anon Onee-chan 11: Name: Anon Onee-chan as long as you understand, then everythings a-ok! now youre one of us who protects yuka-chan! 12: Name: Anon >>11 Yes, master! 13: Name: Anon Onii-chan what happened here 14: Name: Anon Onee-chan

30:スイーツ好きだっていいじゃない! 目的地である東京のホテルに着いた僕達、さぁ明日からコミケだ! ・・・という訳は無く早めに乗り込んだので明日は自由日だったりする。 今日も着いたのは夕方だったから何か美味しい食べ物が食べれるお店が無いか探す事になった。 色々東京の飲食店について書かれたパンフレットを見ていると何処も彼処も美味しそうに見えてくる。 うーん、と悩んでいると薫さんが 「僕は苦いものじゃなければある程度食べられますけど好きなものと言われると・・・ぁ、甘いもの、ですかね?」 でも夜ご飯じゃないから甘いものは今度で、と言おうとしたら薫さんと由良さんが 「え・・・いいんですか・・・?」 「もちろん!!東京のスイーツのレベルの高さ、見せてもらおうじゃないか!」 「私もあんまり東京ではスイーツ買わないから楽しみ・・・」 「それならここ、とかどうですか?」 僕はそう言いながら気になったお店を二人に見せる。 「おぉ、いちごを使ったスイーツの専門店・・・営業時間は・・・まだ余裕あるね。」 「確かに美味しそう・・・あっ待って!近くに他にも美味しそうなお店あるよ!」 僕達はわいわいとどこに行こうか話し合った。 結果として最初に言っていたいちごスイーツの専門店と近くにあったスイーツとパスタの美味しいイタリアンのお店に行くことになった。 普通逆なんだろうけどいちごスイーツのお店の営業時間の方が短いので仕方ない! そしてホテルから歩いて10分ほどするとそのお店が見えてきた。 お店もゆっくり食べられる時間ではないからかそれなりに空いていた。 席に案内されメニューを見るとミニサイズのケーキが数個並べられたミニケーキプレートというものが目に入った。 「これ、何種類も味わえるみたいですよ!」 「おぉいいね!流石優希くん!」 「私もこれにしようかな?」 折角なので皆で同じプレートを選び飲み物 全員アイスティーを選んだよ。 ケーキには紅茶だよね! そして数分待つとプレートとアイスティーが運ばれてきた。 中に入っていたケーキはショートケーキやレアチーズケーキなどの王道やサクサクのタルト生地の美味しい苺のタルト、あまり聞き慣れないフレジェというケーキが入っていた。 まずはショートケーキをぱくり。 思わず素の自分が出てしまった。 それくらい美味しいんだから仕方ないよね。 「っ!このフレジェっていうのも美味しいよ優希くん!」 二人とも顔が赤くなってるけどどうしたんだろう? 「これがフレジェですか?はむっ」 その瞬間僕の中に衝撃が走った。 カスタードのように見えたこのクリームはバタークリームで、でもただのバタークリームじゃない。 カスタードのような味も感じられるのでミックスされてるのかも。 そんな濃厚で、でもあっさりと感じられるクリームといちごの相性は最高の一言。 「わぁぁぁぁぁ♪」 僕の顔には溢れんばかりの笑顔が。 「きっ、気に入ったみたいだね!」 「凄く幸せそうな顔してる、かわいい・・・」 「はむっ!」 僕は夢中になって次はレアチーズケーキを頬張った。 「これも美味しいー♪」 「あぁ、優希くんかわいい・・・」 「あれ、おかしいな、死ぬほど甘いよ、このケーキ。」 何故か由良さんの目が遠くを見ているような気がするけど気のせい、だよね? その後ケーキを食べ終わった僕達はそのままの足で次の目的地のパスタとスイーツが評判のイタリアンレストランへ向かった。 そのお店で僕はローマ風カルボナーラとスイーツはオススメされたティラミスを注文した。 どちらも濃厚な味で僕のお腹はもう一杯。 二人も満足したようで僕達はホテルへ戻っていった。 あっでも流石に部屋は別々だよ! 朝になり起きた僕は由良さんに呼ばれたので一階にあるレストランでモーニングを食べながら話を聞く事に。 なんでも薫さんはやる事があるらしく朝早くにここを出て行ったんだとか。 僕に出来る事なら手伝ったんだけど大丈夫なのかな。 「僕に出来ることならなんでもいいですよ!」 「な、なんでも!? い、いや言葉の綾ってやつだ落ち着け私・・・ ふぅ、とりあえずね明日の優希くんのコミケの時にするお化粧の練習のために少し時間が欲しいんだよね!」 「ありがとう!それじゃこの後の優希くんの時間なくなっちゃうのもあれだし今からやっちゃう?」 「そうですね、お願いします!」 そして部屋に戻って道具を持ってきた由良さんはゆっくりと僕にメイクを施していった。 「よし!出来たよ!どうかな?」 そう言われて僕は鏡を見た。 うん・・・可愛い・・・ 悔しいけど可愛いんだ・・・ 「ねぇ、優希くんこれ着てみない?」 そう言って由良さんが色々服を渡してきた。 あ、これ着せ替え人形にされるやつだ。 案の定この後滅茶苦茶着せ替えさせされた。 「ねぇ、優希くんはこの後何処か向かう予定はあるのかな?」 「僕は特に決めてないですけど・・・」 「じゃあさ、有名なスイーツのお店行ってみない?私色々食べたかったんだよね!」 「えっ・・・でも流石に有名なお店に男が入るのは気が引けると言いますか・・・」 昨日みたいに色々な客層の人がいる店はともかく女性に人気の有名店に男が入るのは勇気が必要なんだよね。 「何言ってるの?今の優希くんなら平気じゃない?」 その手があったか!!!! その後滅茶苦茶もぐもぐした。 お昼ご飯もスイーツだったのは内緒。 私は朝から別行動をして急ぎで作ってもらった優希くんが明日から着る衣装を受け取りに向かっていた。 途中から企業としての意向も入ったので完成までギリギリまでかかってしまったのが原因。 でもそのおかげでとてもクオリティの高いものに仕上がっていた。 初日用の白姫ゆかの元々の衣装に近く 「早く着るところ見たいなぁ・・・」 私のワクワク感は高まっていくばかりだったけどまだあと二着もある。 外で着るのには勿体無いけれど黒のドレス。 脚のラインがしっかり見えるようになっているけれど可愛さも感じるふっくらとしたデザインが特徴的。 そして最後の一つ。 これは、その時のお楽しみ。 私的にはかなり大好き。 抱っこして寝たい。 明日のコミケ、頑張ろう。

Ch 30 We have arrived at our destination, a hotel in Tokyo, and from tomorrow onwards, it's Comiket! ...Ooooor, not. We arrived pretty early, so we have the entire day to ourselves tomorrow. But since it's already evening, we're searching for a restaurant to enjoy some delicious food. Every place seemed enticing as we went through various pamphlets about Tokyo's eateries. As I ponder, Kaoru-san asks, "Yuki-kun, what do you like?" "Well, I can eat most things as long as they're not too bitter, but if I had to choose, I'd say... sweet stuff?" Just as I was about to mention that it's inappropriate for dinner, Kaoru-san and Yura-san exclaim, "Oh, sweet treats! I love them too!" "Really...? Are you sure...?" "Of course! Let's experience the luxurious quality of Tokyo's desserts together!" "I don't often buy desserts in Tokyo, so I'm looking forward to it..." "Then, how about this place?" I showed them a shop that caught my attention. "Oh, a specialty shop for strawberry desserts... And would you look at that, they're still open!" "Indeed, they look delicious... Wait! There are other enticing shops nearby! We excitedly discuss where to go. Ultimately, we decided to visit the strawberry desserts specialty shop I had initially suggested and a nearby Italian restaurant known for its sweets and pasta. It seemed backward since one would typically have dessert after dinner, but the strawberry shop had shorter operating hours, so it couldn't be helped! And so, after a 10-minute walk from the hotel, we arrived at the shop. It wasn't too crowded, probably because it wasn't a leisurely dining time. We were seated and handed the menu. I noticed a mini cake plate, which featured several different cakes. "You can try various flavors with this!" "Ooh, goody! Nice catch, Yuki-kun!" "I think I'll choose this too." Since we were all going for the same plate, we ordered it as a set. We all opted for iced tea. It goes well with cake! After a few minutes, the plate and iced tea were served. On the plate are classic cakes like strawberry shortcake, cheesecake, and a delightful tart with crispy pastry and delicious strawberry filling. There's also a cake called Frasier, which we aren't familiar with. I immediately take a bite of the shortcake. Without realizing it, my true self emerged. It was just too delicious to contain my excitement. "Mm! This Frasier is also amazing, Yuki-kun!" Both of them have flushed faces. Did something happen? "So, this is Frasier? Awm." At that moment, I was overwhelmed by a sensation. The cream that appeared like custard was actually buttercream, but not just any ordinary buttercream. It had a hint of custard-like flavor, suggesting that the two were mixed together. The rich yet refreshing cream paired perfectly with the strawberries. It was an exquisite combination. "Wahhhhhhh" A bright smile spreads across my face. "S-Seems like you like it!" "He looks so happy. How cute..." "Awm!" I was engrossed as I stuffed the next cheesecake bite into my mouth. "This is delicious too" "Ah, Yuki-kun is so cute..." "Huh, strange, this cake is incredibly sweet." For some reason, Yura-san seems like she's looking into the distance, but it must be my imagination, right? After finishing the cake, we immediately headed to the Italian restaurant famous for its pasta and desserts. There, I ordered the Roman-style carbonara and the recommended tiramisu for dessert. Both were rich in flavor and filled my stomach. My two companions also seemed satisfied, so we returned to the hotel. But of course, we had separate rooms! When I woke up the following day, Yura-san called me, so we talked while having breakfast at the restaurant on the ground floor. Apparently, Kaoru-san had something to do and had left early in the morning. I would have helped if I could. I hope she's okay. "If there's anything I can do, I'm all for it!" "A-Anything?! N-No, calm down, Yura, it's just a figure of speech... Well, I'd like some time to practice your makeup for Comiket tomorrow!" "Thank you! I don't want to take up your time later, so shall we do it now?" "Yes, please. I'd appreciate that!" Then, we returned to the room, and Yura-san, who had brought her kit, slowly started applying makeup on me. "All right! Done! How does it look?" Having said that, I looked in the mirror. Yeah... cute... As much as it pains me to admit it, I look cute... "Hey, Yuki-kun, why don't you try these on?" With that, Yura-san starts handing me different clothes. Ah, this is one of those dress-up doll moments. Sure enough, I was made to try on an absurd number of outfits. "Hey, Yuki-kun, do you have plans to go anywhere after this?" "I haven't decided anything in particular..." "In that case, how about we go to a famous dessert shop? I've been wanting to try all sorts of things!" "Oh... but I'd feel awkward walking into a famous shop as a guy..." It takes courage for a man to enter a famous shop among women, unlike a shop with a diverse clientele like yesterday's. "What are you talking about? You're fine the way you are now, aren't you?" I forgot that option existed!!! After that, we ate to our heart's content. The fact that our lunch was also dessert is a secret. I had been on a particular errand first thing in the morning, hurrying to pick up Yuki-kun's costumes, which I had commissioned on short notice. It was due to the company's intentions mid-transaction, which caused the completion to be down to the wire. But thanks to that, the result was of very high quality. The costume for the first day looks close to Yuka Shirahime's default clothing and is an improved version of the outfit that was highly popular with the viewers during the stream. "I can't wait to see him wear it..." My excitement only grew, but there were still two more outfits. Although it's too good to wear outside, there's this black dress. It has a distinctive design with a silhouette that clearly outlines the legs yet also conveys a sense of cuteness. And then, onto the last outfit. This one is a surprise for the moment. Personally, I love it a lot. I want to hug him in it and sleep. I'll do my best at Comiket tomorrow.

06:初配信!(前編) 前に僕がチャンネルに上げた動画が想像以上にいい評価をもらいチャンネル登録者数を着実に増やしていった。 料理動画以降に投稿出来た動画は2つしかなかったけれど皆楽しんでもらえたようでよかった。 本来だったら料理動画以外を作って上げていきたいところなんだけど、配信をしていないので視聴者の希望が分からないから、まずは料理動画でお茶を濁す事にした。 初回が唐揚げ、卵焼き、きんぴらごぼうだったけれど、第二回がパスタ、僕はカルボナーラが好きだからカルボナーラを作ったよ。 ローマ風っていう生クリームを使わないレシピにしたよ。 手軽で美味しくていいよね。 第三回目は天津飯、卵の中にかにかまを入れてふわふわに焼いてご飯の上に乗せて中華あんをかけたら完成のお手軽料理。 そんな動画を編集し投稿して土日はアルバイト。 気付けば次の週の週末になっていて普段よりも時間が経つのがとても早く感じた。 この調子で行って収益化が通ったらアルバイトしなくても良くなるのかな、なんて事を考えながら僕は配信を始める準備をしていた。 今日は全身を映しながらの配信にする予定なので、フルトラッキングをするために装置を身体に装着していく。 このトラッキングに使うアイテムは1個1万円程度で購入出来るけれど何個も使わないと全身トラッキング出来ないのが難点。 僕は予備も含めて10個用意しているよ。 あとは指の動きをトラッキング出来る手袋。 ピヨッターで10分後に配信を始めると告知してYotubeLiveの設定を確認する。 配信ソフトを起動し3Dモデルを表示し動かすソフトウェアを連携させる。 すると3Dモデルが表示され僕の身体の動きに合わせて画面に映った白姫ゆかが動き始める。 指などもしっかり動く事を確認して準備は完了。 声を作り今の僕はボクになる。 そして配信開始の時間になった。 さぁ、ボクの本当のVtuberデビューを始めよう。 既にかわいい ゆかちゃんかわいいしゅき 今日は何やるんだろう ボクが挨拶をするとコメントでみんなが反応を返してくれる。 最初からここまでの歓迎をされるなんて普通個人勢ではなかなか見れない。 本当にゆる先生に感謝、だね。 『今日はボクの放送に来てくれて本当にありがとう!今日はボクの自己紹介を改めてさせてもらって、それからピヨッターで募集してたましゅまろを開けていこうと思うよ!今後の動画に関わるアンケートもするからよかったら最後まで付き合ってね♪』 ましゅまろ送ったよー読んで欲しい! 俺も送った! アンケートも気になって夜しか眠れない 付き合う(意味深) 『それじゃあまずボクの自己紹介から!ボクは最初にも言ったとおり白姫ゆか、今17歳で身長は150cm!』 嘘だ、絶対嘘だゾ どう見ても140cmあるかどうかなんだよなぁ... って17歳マジ? チャンネルのプロフィールに書いてあるから間違い無いと思うYotubeで収益化するなら年齢は偽れないからね 『だって現実では150cmなんだもん!』 Vtuberがリアルの話をし始めて草 キャラ設定もクソもなくて草 『う、ま、まぁそこは置いておいて!ボクを作ってくれたママは柿崎ゆる、ゆるママだね!』 柿崎ゆる:もう死んでもいい... ママ唐突に現れたと思ったら死んだ件について ゆるママ!? いつものクールなゆる先生はどこに!? 正体現したね 『あわわわわ、ゆるママ来てくれたんだね、嬉しい♪』 満面の笑みを浮かべてボクはそう言った。 ゆるママダイーン!!! 惜しい人を亡くしてしまったな... あの笑顔で浄化されたんだな、あれ?俺の足元が消えていく? あ“っ” なんか最初から死に人多くない? へへっただの致命傷だ、どうってことねぇ 死んでないんだが 柿崎ゆる:つ、続けて大丈夫だよ。 ゆるママクールぶってももう遅いよ 焼きましゅまろにならないといいんだけど ゆかちゃん可愛いし大丈夫でしょ えっちなのはダメだからね!お兄さん許しませんよ! 『それじゃあ1つ目のましゅまろいくよー!』 「ゆかちゃんは個人勢ということですが デビューするきっかけやそれにあたって苦労したこと また推しや目標とするVtuberがいたら教えてください。」 真面目だ 普通の質問で安心した やめてクレメンス... 『それでねボクはその人の後輩でね、片想いだったんだけどある日にね、先輩に彼氏がいるのを見つけちゃったんだ・・・』 私も経験した事あるから辛さ分かるよ... 『それでね、先輩もVtuberが好きでね、もういっそのことボクが有名Vtuberになれたら先輩を見返せるんじゃないかって思ってね、始めたんだ。』 そう繋がってくるのか やっぱバーチャル肉体の問題は誰しもが経験するよなぁ 俺もそこで断念した 汎用モデル最近マシにはなってるけど顔付きが一緒なのがネックだもんなぁ 『次は推しや尊敬するVtuber・・・多いから迷うね。』 それに企業も増えたからマジで追いきれない 『うんうん、分かるよ。』 その対象の一人が何言ってるんだよwww ただのVオタになり始めてて草 いまなんじの7期生の浮雲ふわりちゃんだね!』 あのほわほわした感じたまらないよな 趣味が合うゥ! 『次に尊敬するVtuber、これはVライブの1期生の閃光のシュバルツさんかな?』 あいつ名前は酷いのにめっちゃいい人間だもんなわかるわ あの人の人生相談枠で人生救われた人マジで多いもんなぁ 『それもあるんだけど、あの人の動画って凄く丁寧に作られていて、最近でこそスタッフもいるんだろうけど1期生って自分で編集とかもやる必要があったらしいからそれも含めて凄いなぁって思うんだよね、だから尊敬する人。』 確かに自分で全てやるのって大変だもんなぁ 一時期本当倒れないか心配だったわ 寝落ちした事も何回かあったの覚えてるよ私 『それじゃあ次のましゅまろ行くよー!』 「料理動画見ました、料理って家族にも作ったりするんですか?」 あのご飯美味しそうだった 思い出させるなお腹減ってくるだろ! 『ボクの家はね、両親共働きでねなかなか時間が合わないんだよね 柿崎ゆる:ゆかちゃんのごはんたべたい... いなくなったと思ったら再浮上してきたぞこの人 『うぇぇー!?流石に他の人に食べさせてあげられるほどは上手じゃないよボク・・・』 はい切り抜きポイント 柿崎ゆる:( ́・ω・`) なんかゆるママまで可愛く思えてきた俺はだめかもしれない 『き、機会があれば・・・って事でだめかな?』 柿崎ゆる:言質はとった 『そ、それじゃ次いくよ!』 「ゆかちゃん大好き!」 『えへへ、ありがとう!ボクもお姉ちゃんのこと大好きだよ!』 っ! ッ!? 頭が溶けるぅ〜 『時間も押してきてるからさくっと次行くよー皆戻ってきて!』 「唐揚げとフライドチキンどっちが好き?」 『唐揚げ一択、異論は認めないよ。』 『はいつぎー!』 「お兄ちゃん、お姉ちゃん呼びされて心臓やっちゃったらお見舞い来てくれる?」 『むしろそんなことで病院行かないで!?というかガチで起きるなら精密検査だよ!?』 柿崎ゆる:私もなる ゆるママwww 「好きな事にゲームとありましたが、好きなゲームのジャンル、それと得意なゲームのジャンルを教えてください!」 『いい、質問だね。』 誰だお前 そのモデルから出ていい声じゃないwww 『ネタはここまでとして、好きなジャンルはアクションRPGで、得意なのはシューティングだね。』 ほうシューティングですか FPS? アクションRPG楽しいよね 『そうそう、FPSとかだね!』 実況配信とか見たい 『それはやるつもりだから安心してね!』 嬉しい...嬉しい... 「来月コミケあるけどコミケにサークル参加とかするんですか?」 『ボクもそれは考えていたんだけどね、ボクがVtuber始めようと思った時には既にサークルの募集期限終わってたんだよね、だから参加は出来ないかな?』 コミケのサークル募集期限早いもんね ボイスとか販売して欲しかった・・・ 『残念だけど参加するなら冬コミになると思う、皆ごめんね?』 大丈夫 ずっと寝てるから冬コミ前に起こして 柿崎ゆる:待って ゆるママ? なんだなんだ? 『ゆるママ?』 柿崎ゆる:私、サークル参加するから一緒に来ない? 『えっ?』 えっ? まじ? 合同ブース? 柿崎ゆる:詳細は後で、送るね。

Ch 6 The video I uploaded to my channel received more positive feedback than I had imagined and steadily increased the number of subscribers. Although I had only uploaded two more videos after the first cooking video, everyone seemed to have enjoyed them. Ideally, I would like to create videos other than cooking ones, but since I haven't gone live yet, I don't know what the viewers want. Therefore, I decided to buy time with cooking videos for the time being. The first one was karaage, tamagoyaki, and braised burdock root, and for the second one, I made pasta. I love carbonara, so I made it without using the Roman-style recipe with heavy cream. It was easy, delicious, and satisfying. For the third video, I made crab omelet on rice--an easy dish that involves beating imitation crab sticks into eggs and frying them to make them fluffy. I then placed them on rice and drizzled Chinese-style sauce to complete the dish. I edited and uploaded these videos and worked part-time on weekends. Before I knew it, the following weekend had arrived, and time seemed to pass by much faster than usual. If I continued like this and monetized my channel, I might not have to work part-time anymore. Today, I plan to stream while showing my entire model, so I will equip motion trackers on my whole body. The tracking items can be purchased for around 10,000 yen each, but the downside is that several are needed to track the whole body. I have prepared ten, including spares. I also have gloves that can track finger movements, but they get hot when worn, so I'll make sure to turn on the air conditioning to avoid heatstroke. I announced that I would start streaming in 10 minutes on Tweeter and checked the settings for YotubeLive. I started the streaming software and linked it with the software that manages the 3D model. Then, the 3D model appeared, and Yuka Shirahime began to move on the screen in sync with my body movements. After confirming that everything, including my fingertips, could move properly, I was ready. I modified my voice, and I am now Yuka. It's time to start the stream. Now, let's begin my actual VTuber debut. already cute from the get-go yuka-chwan youre sho cute ily whatre you gonna do today? As I greet my viewers, they respond in the live comments section, making me feel welcomed beyond what I imagined. It's not something an indie content creator would generally experience. I'm truly grateful to Yuru-sensei for this. [Thank you so much for coming to my stream today! I want to take this opportunity to reintroduce myself and read the marshmallows I collected via Tweeter. I will also be conducting a survey related to my future videos, so please stay until the end if you can] i sent you a marshmallow! i hope you read it!! i sent one too! im so excited for the survey i cant sleep at night ill stay with you (double meaning intended) [Let's start with my introduction! As I already mentioned, I am Yuka Shirahime, 17 years old and 150 cm tall!] no way, theres no way thats true we cant be sure if shes even 140cm ... huh? 17? seriously? It's also written on her channel bio, so I don't think it's false. You can't monetize your Yotube channel with fake info. [I mean, I really am 150 cm tall in real life!] lmfao a VTuber is already disclosing real-life info her character doesnt even have any specific lore or setting lolol [T-That aside! My mama is Yuru Kakizaki--Mama Yuru, for short!] Yuru Kakizaki: I don't mind dying this very second... that time mama suddenly appeared but then died mama yuru?! what happened to the usually calm and collected yuru-sensei?! showing her true colors, i see [Oh! Mama Yuru is here! Thank you for coming! ] I say with a big smile on my face. mayday! mayday! were losing mama yuru!!! dang, we lost a good person... she was purified by her smile... huh? why is the ground disappearing under my feet? a is it just me or are so many people already dying from the start? heh, dont worry, tis just a fatal wound. nothing to fuss over I didn't die tho Yuru Kakizaki: I-I'm okay, you can continue. Mama Yuru, it's too late trying to act cool now hope there aren't any burn(ed) marshmallows Yuka-chan is cute, I'm sure it'll be fine no lewd stuff, ok! onii-san won't tolerate that! [All right, I'm reading the first marshmallow!] "Yuka-chan is an indie VTuber, so do you mind telling us what made you debut and what difficulties you faced? Also, I'd like to know about your favorite VTubers, if any." oh, it's a decent one thank goodness its a normal question yamestop kudaplease... [I was their junior and had a one-sided crush on them, but one day I found out they got a boyfriend...] ive experienced the same thing, so I know how harsh that feels... [They liked VTubers, so I thought, what if I became a famous VTuber and showed them what I'm capable of? That's how I started.] thats how theyre connected? i guess everyone experiences issues with their virtual body i gave up on that too although the generic models have improved recently, the same-face syndrome is still a problem. [Next are my faves and VTubers I respect... Hm, there are a lot of them, so it's hard to say.] not only that but companies have also increased. Its hard to keep up [Totally. I agree.] youre one of them too, what are you saying lolol she immediately turned into vtuber-otaku mode lol [Anyway, we'll start with my fave! It's Fuwari Ukigumo-chan from Imananji's 7th wave!] you can never get enough of her comfy vibe we have the same tastes! [As for the VTuber I respect, I guess it's Glintz the Schwartz from V-Live's 1st wave?] his naming sense is something, but hes a good person, so I get it hes alr saved a lot of people from his real-talk streams [That's true, but that person's videos are well-made, and even though they have staff now, I heard that the first gen had to do everything themselves, including editing, so I respect them for that.] true that, doing everything by yourself is tough i was really worried they might collapse at one point i remember falling asleep during editing a few times [Okay, let's move on to the next question!] "I saw your cooking videos. Do you cook for your family too?" the food looked so delicious just thinking about it makes my mouth water! [Well, my parents both work, so it's hard to coordinate schedules. They used to cook for me when they had days off and I was really happy about it. But now I live alone, so I just cook for myself.] Yuru Kakizaki: I want to eat Yuka-chan's cooking... i thought she already vanished, but sensei's still here [Ueeeh?! But I'm not good enough to cook for other people...] clippable moment found Yuru Kakizaki: ('*o*`) even Mama Yuru is starting to look cute to me [M-Maybe next time when I get the chance...? Is that okay?] Yuru Kakizaki: Pledge confirmed. [A-Anyway, next!] "I love you, Yuka-chan!" [Ehehe, thank you! I love you too, onee-chan!] ! ?!?!?! My brain is melting... [We're running out of time, so let's move on quickly. Everyone, stay strong!] "Which do you prefer, karaage or fried chicken?" [Karaage all the way, no objections allowed.] [Next!] "If our heart fails after you call us onii-chan or onee-chan, will you come visit us at the hospital?" [If anything, I don't want you to end up in the hospital over something like that! If it does happen, please get yourself thoroughly checked!] Yuru Kakizaki: It happens to me too. mama yuru lmao "Under the 'Hobby' section, it says you like games. Can you tell us what genres of games you like and what genres you're good at?" [Hm. I like this question.] who the hell are you that's not a voice that model should be making XD [Okay, enough with the jokes. My favorite genre is action RPG, and I'm good at shooting games.] oh, you like shooting games? FPS? action rpgs are fun [Yep, FPS and stuff!] i wanna see you stream it someday [I do plan on streaming them, so don't worry!] bliss... "Comiket's next week. Will you be participating in a Comiket circle?] [I was also considering that, but when I decided to become a VTuber, the recruitment period for the circle had already ended. So I don't think I can participate.] comiket's circle recruitment deadline is pretty early... i was hoping youd be selling voice packs... [Sorry, but if I do participate, it'll probably be at the winter Comiket. Is that okay with everyone?] A-OK Wake me up when its time for winter comiket Yuru Kakizaki: Wait. mama yuru? oh? what's this? [Mama Yuru?] Yuru Kakizaki: I'm in a circle. Why don't you join me? [Huh?] huh? srsly? co-boothing? Yuru Kakizaki: I'll send you the details later.

32:コミケ初日、その時あの2人は 私は今激怒している。 本来今日は私がイベントに出る日じゃなかったからだ。 ちなみにイベントはコミックマーケット、通称コミケ、ここで行われるのだけどVtuber達は東京本社にある各部屋で行われる。 ちなみに今日の私はオフでコミケに行く予定だった。 ゆかちゃん達のブースは初日だったからね。 私たちいまなんじは企業ブースにてグッズの販売、更にSNSで応募してくれた人の中から抽選でブース内で開かれる特別イベントの招待券が貰えるというキャンペーンを行っている。 その特別イベントがバーチャル握手会。 と言っても1人3分程度の雑談が出来るサービスのようなもの。 各日10人の選ばれたVtuberの中で自分の推しを選択して抽選に応募。 当日に企業ブースへ向かい推しに会うだけ。 このイベントは時間の指定があるので忘れないようにするのも大事。 そして私は2日目に参加予定だった。 な!の!に! 「なんで私が急に1日目に移動になってるんですか!」 「本当に!本当にごめんなさい!」 マネージャーが必死に謝ってきているが、ゆかちゃんのブースの本とボイスを買えないなんて流石に酷い! 「私何度も何度もルートの確認して、うぅ・・・」 思わず泣きそうになった。 「あなたの欲しかった新刊とシリアルコードはなんとかして手に入れるから!本当にお願い!」 「というかなんで私に伝えた日程と私との握手会の日付が違うのおおおお! ・・・明日明後日は大丈夫ですよね?」 「それは大丈夫!約束するわ!」 「じゃあ新刊セットだけはなんとかして・・・でも転売屋からだけは買わないでくださいね、それだけは徹底したいから。手に入らなかったら私は恨みますけどね!」 「知り合いが現地参戦だから頼んでおくわ・・・」 じゃあ行ってきます・・・」 「本当にごめんなさい!!!!」 「絶対ゆるさないもん!!! ・・・でも来てくれてる人の為にも手は抜かないから大丈夫です。これでも大物Vtuberだから私。」 そう言って私は用意された部屋へ入っていった。 お盆休みを利用してわたしは初めてコミケに参戦する事にした。 もちろん目的はゆかちゃん本とド本命であるゆかちゃんのASMRボイス! これを買わずして何を買うと言うのか! ただ、両親にはモデルのお仕事が東京であるからって誤魔化して来ちゃった。 まぁ実際には明日にあるから! 嘘では無いし!うん! 1日早く来ちゃっただけだから! そしてわたしはネットで事前に情報を見て戦慄していた。 今回の来場者数は100万人を見込んでいるとか。 こんなに人が来るんだコミケって・・・ でもわたしは負けない! 絶対にゆかちゃん本を手に入れるんだ! 「あつい・・・」 わたしは今どこにいると思う? 地獄。 太陽の光差し込む人混みの中という地獄。 「日焼けしちゃいけないからってこんな服着てこなければよかった・・・」 そう、モデルであるわたしに日焼けは厳禁。 こんな時期でも長袖にロングスカート。 もちろん腕や顔にも日焼け止めを塗ってダブルで保護。 「始発最速で来たのはいいけど体力持つかなぁわたし。」 会場が開くまでわたしは地獄で待機することになる。 そして待つ事数時間、熱中症予防に大量の水分を持ってきていて本当によかったと思った。 何故かって? わたしの近くで暑さを軽く見ていた人たちがバタバタと倒れたから。 あれを見て予防の大切さを知ったよね。 それと今の気温見て目が飛び出るかと思った。 何よ38度って体温より高いよ。 そんな事を言っていたら周りから拍手が巻き起こった。 何これ、よくわかんないけどわたしも拍手しとこ。 それから列が前に進み始めた。 やっと入れるんだ! でもこの汗臭くなってるわたしを見てもらうのはなんか嫌だな・・・ そして1時間かけて目的のゆる先生のブースへ到着。 待ち人数もかなり多く、売り切れないか心配だけど、大丈夫かな。 列の進みが思っていたよりも早くて30分ほどでわたしの番になった。 わたしの前にいるのはよくわからない女性。 ゆる先生ではないみたいだけど誰なんだろう? 売り子さんって言う人かな? 「新刊セットぷらすを1つください!」 「はい!新刊セットぷらすを一つですね!1500円になります!」 わたしは用意していた1500円を渡す。 「ありがとうございます!こちら新刊セットぷらす一つになります!」 「ありがとうございます!」 るんるん気分でわたしは会場を後にした。 流石にここに長時間いたら死んじゃうからね・・・ 写真だけ並んでる時にささっと撮ったけど、やっぱり近くで撮りたいよね。 そしてホテルに戻ったわたしはシャワーを浴びていざASMRボイスを聴く事にした。 眠っても大丈夫なようにベッドでスマホを充電しながら聴いておこう。 既にワクワクが止まらない。 再生ボタンをぽちっと押したら ゆかちゃんの声が聴こえてきた。 『凄く疲れた顔してるけど、大丈夫?』 『えっ?一緒に寝たいの?どっちがお姉ちゃんかわからないね、これじゃ。』 ふふっと小声で笑うゆかちゃん。 この時点で悶えそう。 『はいっ、こっちにどーぞ!』 ふぁさっと布団を動かす音がする。 まるで隣にゆかちゃんがいるような、そんな錯覚を覚えるわたし。 『いつもボクのためにお仕事頑張ってありがとね、お姉ちゃん。』 『ボクにはこんな風にお姉ちゃんを癒してあげることしか出来なくてごめんね。』 何をやってるのそっちのわたし!? 『そんな事無いって?なら、いいんだけど・・・』 髪の毛に触れるような音が聴こえる。 『いきなり頭撫でないでよお姉ちゃん、えへへ。』 どうやらゆかちゃんの頭を撫でる音だったようだ。 『でもありがとう、大好きだよお姉ちゃん♪』 あ、もう無理死ぬ。 『そ、それじゃあお姉ちゃん、おやすみなさい!』 慌てたように布団を被るそんな音がしたかと思えばゆかちゃんの息遣いが聴こえてくる。

Ch 32 I'm absolutely exasperated. I wasn't originally scheduled to appear at the event today. By the way, the event is Comiket, short for Comic Market, which is held here. However, VTubers operate in separate rooms in our Tokyo branch. I planned to attend the convention today on my day off. Yuka-chan and the others have their booth on the first day, after all. Our company, Imananji, runs a campaign at the corporate booth, selling merch and giving away tickets to a special event by raffle from those who apply on social media. That special event is a virtual handshake event. Though it's more like a service where you can chat with a VTuber for about three minutes. You choose your bias from among the ten selected talents each day and apply for the raffle. Just go to the corporate booth on the day and meet your bias. It's only available for a specified time, so it's best not to forget. I was scheduled for the second day. Yet! Here! I! Am! "Why have I been suddenly moved to the first day?!" "I'm truly, truly sorry!" The manager is desperately apologizing, but not being able to buy Yuka-chan's book and voice pack at their booth is plain cruel! "I already went through the route repeatedly, haa..." I feel like crying now. "I'll somehow get you the new book and the serial code you wanted! Please, I'm begging you!" "Besides, why is the date of my handshake event different from the date you told meeeeee? ...My next two days are free, right?" "Yes! I promise!" "Then please secure the new book set somehow... but don't buy it from a reseller. I want to be thorough about that. If you can't get it, I'll hold a grudge!" "I know someone who's attending the con. I'll ask them..." Well then, I'm off..." "I'm truly sorry!!!" "I'll never forgive this!!! ...But I won't skimp on my performance for the people here. After all, I'm a big VTuber." With that, I enter the room that has been prepared for me. Taking advantage of the Obon holiday, I decided to attend Comiket for the first time. Of course, my aim is to get Yuka-chan's book and her ASMR voice pack, which I've been dying for! What else would I buy if not these?! However, I tricked my parents by telling them I have a modeling job in Tokyo. I do have one, but it's tomorrow! I didn't lie to them! Yup! I just came a day early! But after looking up the information on the internet beforehand, I was petrified. The number of visitors this time is expected to be a million. I had no idea this many people attended Comiket... But I won't lose! I'm determined to get my hands on Yuka-chan's book! "Ugh...so hot..." Where do you think I am right now? I'm in hell. Hell amidst a crowd under the glaring sun. "I shouldn't have worn these clothes just to avoid getting sunburnt..." Yes, as a model, sunburn is a no-no for me. I'm in long sleeves and a long skirt even in this weather. Of course, I've slathered sunscreen on my arms and face for double protection. "I made the right choice to get here early, but I wonder if I can last." I'll be waiting in this hell until the venue opens. After waiting for several hours, I commended myself for bringing a lot of fluids for heat stroke prevention. Why, you ask? Because people around me who underestimated the heat started dropping like flies. Seeing that made me realize the importance of precautionary measures. And then, I almost gasped when I saw the current temperature. 38 degrees Celsius?! That's even hotter than my body temperature. As I was engaged in soliloquy, a round of applause erupted around me. I don't understand what it's for, but I'll join in. Then, the line started moving forward. Finally, I can get in! But I don't really want people to see me all sweaty... After an hour, I finally reached Yuru-sensei's booth. There were a lot of people waiting, and I was worried that they might sell out, but it'll probably be okay. The line moved faster than expected, and it was my turn in about 30 minutes. I don't recognize the girl in front of me. She doesn't seem to be Yuru-sensei. Who is she? Maybe one of their assistants? "One set of the limited-edition book, please!" "Got it! That's one set of the limited-edition book! That will be 1500 yen!" I hand over the 1500 yen I've prepared. "Thank you! Here's your order!" "Thank you!" Euphoric, I leave the venue. I wanted to meet Yuka-chan, too, but if I stayed here for a long time, I'd surely die... I snapped a quick photo while she stood there, but I really wanted to take one up close. Back at the hotel, I took a shower and then settled down to listen to the ASMR voice pack. I'll listen while my phone is charged in bed, so things should be fine even if I fall asleep midway. My heart is racing with excitement already. As soon as I press play... I hear Yuka-chan's voice. [You look exhausted, are you okay?] [Huh? You want to sleep together? I can't tell anymore who's the onee-chan here.] Yuka-chan giggles softly. I feel like I might faint. [Okay, come here!] I hear the sound of the sheets rustling. It feels as if Yuka-chan is right next to me. [Thank you for always working hard for me, onee-chan.] [I'm sorry all I can do is comfort you like this.] What is voice-pack-me doing to her right now?! [You weren't tickling me? Well, if you say so...] I hear a sound like someone caressing hair. [Don't just suddenly pat my head like that, onee-chan, ehehe.] That must be the sound of me patting her head. [But thank you. I love you, onee-chan] Ahhhh, I can't take this anymore. [A-All right, onee-chan, good night!] I hear the sound of her quickly pulling the sheets over, and then Yuka-chan's breathing comes through.

20:チャンネル登録者1万人突破配信祭!(後編) 『皆ストップ!!!スターップ!!!』 彼女は少し大きな声でスパチャを止めるように呼びかける。 『次にね、進めなくなっちゃうから!一旦ストップ!』 また後で投げればいいだろお前らw スパチャ....ナゲタイ.... 何故かまだ投げ足りない視聴者達のことは一旦スルーして次のことを始める。 『今日もましゅまろ食べていこうと思ったんだけど、皆いらないのかなー?』 食べて ほらお前ら静粛に! 仕方ない、待とうではないか 『うんうん、それじゃあましゅまろ食べていこっか!まず一つ目!』 「ゆかちゃんはスパゲッティとナポリタンどっちが好き?」 『スパゲッティってね、麺の種類なんだよ! スパゲッティナポリタンって言うのもスパゲッティを使ったナポリタンって意味なんだよ!』 ほえー物知り 知らなかった 美味しいよね 食べたくなってきた あれ作った人は神だよなー 「コミケへのコスプレ参加は進展ありましたでしょうか? また、コスプレ姿を配信する予定はありますでしょうか? コミケに参加出来ないこの社畜めの生きがいとなっております。今後とも応援しております。 追伸:お仕事お疲れ様お兄ちゃんって言ってくれたら残業代のスパチャ投入も辞さない!」 ちゃっかり欲望解放してて草 確かにわたしも気になる! コスプレ配信は中の人次第だから怖いよなー 可愛い子ならご褒美 『スパチャはいらないけど お仕事お疲れ様だよお兄ちゃん! ちなみにコミケ参戦は確定しました! 仕事死んでも休む 俺もダメなら辞めてくる やばいやつしかいないw というかお盆なんだから休ませてくれよ会社さんよぉ... 私接客業、休みがない 『それとコスプレの配信については・・・まだわかんないかな?』 まぁリアルに影響しかねないしそこはね 見てみたいやつは現地行けって話よ 現地で写真撮るのはOKなの? 『現地で写真はオッケーだよ! あの会場内でツーショットは不可能に近い ここにいるリス兄とリス姉も気を付けてくれよな! まぁ常識よねー とらたま ¥50000 残業代ですご査収ください。 『ってマジで投げちゃったよこの人!?』 時給換算1000円としても50時間の残業だしなぁ 私も投げ足りないのに上限が邪魔を.... 誰が上手いこと言えと... 「コミケでは何を出すつもりなのか教えてください。 気になって夜しか眠れません...」 寝てるじゃねーか 寝てるやん 『予定ではASMR音源の予定だよ! 会場でシリアルを頒布って形にしようかと思ってるから荷物も少なくて済むね!』 ASMR音源キター!!! どんな内容なの? コミケが待ち遠しすぎて死ねる 絶対買いにいく!!!!! シリアルタイプ最近増えたよね 物で用意するもの減るからかなりメリットだからね ただ割れとか増えるのがなぁ 『ちなみに、お兄ちゃんバージョンとお姉ちゃんバージョンの2つを作る予定だよ。』 ファッ!? 本当!? ありがてぇ...ありがてぇ.... 謎の先輩とか後輩の存在はないんやな! お姉ちゃんなのにお兄ちゃんって呼ばれなくなるのね!!!! 『という事でASMR関係は当日をお楽しみに♪』 『それじゃ最後のましゅまろいくよー!』 「実はゆかちゃんには男の娘疑惑があるんですが実際はどうなんですか?」 誰だこれ出した奴 わたし、気になります! 『んー・・・ゆるママどう思う?』 柿崎ゆる:えっ?私? 唐突なパスに草 柿崎ゆる:どうせあの件もあるし皆の目で見てもらったらどうかな? え?どういうことだ? 目で見る???? 『うん、そうだね! それじゃあ先にお知らせの3つ目いくね!』 ほう 3つ目とな? 『来週の日曜日、ゆるママとオフコラボします!!!!』 は??????? まじ?????? 嘘でしょ???? どいてゆるママ、そこは私の場所....いやでもてぇてぇからいいや どんな配信になるんだ(震え声 『それで4つ目のお知らせ!』 『何故か企業案件が来たの・・・』 情報量多すぎるんだが???? 『えっと企業さんはGloryCuteさんって言うんだけど・・・』 GloryCute!? (やべぇ俺わかんねぇ) (奇遇だな、俺もだ) あーえっと女の子向けのファッションブランドで大きな企業の新ブランドなの! めっちゃ有名で最近の中高生で話題になってるんだよ! 『そうだったんだ・・・』 なんでゆかちゃんが知らないの!?!? の撮影なんだけど・・・もう皆分かったよね?』 それで判断してくれって事か... もしくはコミケで判断だな! 楽しみが増えたぜ! うーん、コミケ死ぬほど楽しみだわぁ... 『IVの投稿は8月下旬以降9月末までを予定しているからお楽しみに!』 生きる楽しみがまた増えてしまった それから、30分ほどの間視聴者の人とゲームをやりその日の配信は終了した。 スパチャは最終的に合計70万円を超えたのだとか。 こうしてお祭り騒ぎの収益化記念枠は終わった。

Ch 20 [Everyone, stop! Stopppp!!!] She calls out in a slightly raised voice for the Super Chats to stop. [We can't move forward like this, so please stop for a moment!] Guys, you can still send more later, chill lol i wanna...super chat... She proceeds with her live stream, ignoring the viewers who still want to send more. [I was thinking of eating some marshmallows today, do you not want me to?] eat some Shh, silence, guys! fineee, i guess ill wait [Okay, great! Well then, I'm eating the first marshmallow! Here we go!] "Yuka-chan, spaghetti or Napolitan?" [Spaghetti is a type of noodle, you know? So, Napolitan spaghetti is just Napolitan made with spaghetti noodles!] whew, someone's well-informed I didn't know that its good right i feel like having some now Whoever invented that dish is a god. "Are there any news regarding your cosplay at Comiket? Also, do you have any plans to live stream while in cosplay? As a corporate drone who cannot attend Comiket, you are my will to live. I will continue to support you. P.S. If you say, "Thanks for all your hard work, onii-chan," I will not hesitate to Super Chat my overtime pay!" Lol this sly dog voicing out his desires like that But I'm curious! a cosplay live stream is essentially watching the real person behind the avatar, so im kinda scared. if it's a cute girl, itd be a reward [No need to Super Chat, but thank you for all your hard work, onii-chan! By the way, we're confirmed for Comiket! I will take the day off even if it costs me my job Same, if my leave's not approved, I'm quitting. some people here are wild lol seriously though, it's Obon, give us a break from work, pres! I work in customer service, so no day-offs for me [As for the cosplay live stream... I'm not quite sure yet.] youd have to go live in real life, after all So those who wanna see it should just attend the con Can we take pictures? [Pictures are okay! Its borderline impossible to take selfies in that venue to all the lis-niis and nees here, do take note of that! Yup, it's common sense. Toratama Y=50,000 Here's my overtime pay. Please accept it. [Huh? He really sent a Super Chat?!] An hourly wage of 1k yen would mean 50 hours of overtime I haven't even sent enough yet. The capped amount is in the way... Well said... "Can you please tell us what you'll be releasing at Comiket? I'm so curious that I can only sleep at night..." so you CAN STILL sleep yep, they can sleep alright [I plan to release an ASMR audio pack! I'm thinking of giving them out in the form of serial codes to lessen what I need to carry!] ASMR confirmed!!!! What kind of content will it be? I cant WAIT for comiket i am so gonna buy them!!!!!!!! serial coded products are what's in now huh It does help in reducing the number of physical things you need to prepare its just that piracy and stuff still exist [Oh, and I plan to make separate versions for onii-chans and onee-chans.] Fah?! really!? thank you... thank you........ So no random senpais or kouhais, yes! onee-chans would be called onii-chans and vice-versa, after all!!!! [All right, so you've got some ASMR goodies waiting for you on the day of the convention, okay ] [Here's our last marshmallow for the day!] "There are speculations about you being a trap, Yuka-chan. But what's the truth?" who sent this I'm curious! [Um... What do you think, Mama Yuru?] Yuru Kakizaki: Huh? Me? a sudden baton pass lol Yuru Kakizaki: Well, we've also got that lined up, so how about you let everyone have a look? huh? meaning? let us have a look???? [Oh, you're right! Okay, onto our third announcement for today!] Oho third eh [Mama Yuru and I will be collaborating offline next Sunday!!!!!] ha??????????? for real???????? no way??? move aside, mama yuru, that's my cue... oh but it's tee-tee so I don't mind either way I wonder what kind of stream it'll be /shaking [And that brings us to announcement number four!] [For some reason, we've got a corporate project...] time out, this is all too much for us [Um, so, it's with an enterprise named GloryCute...] glorycute?! (crap man, i don't know what that is) (what a coincidence, comrade. me too) They're a fashion brand aimed at girls, it's the latest brand of a big company! it's so famous, it's the talk among every middle and high schooler! [Is that so...] you mean you didn't know either, yuka-chan!?!? [Well, they want to shoot an image video with me...I think you can guess the rest?] so you want us to judge based on that... OR we could see for ourselves at Comiket! there are even more things to look forward to now! aaa, I cant wait for comiket... [The IV will be uploaded sometime around August or September, so mark your calendars!] ive found another reason to enjoy life more And then, after playing games with the viewers for about 30 minutes, the live stream ended for the day. Apparently, the total amount of Super Chats exceeded 700,000 yen. Thus, the festival-like stream to commemorate the channel's monetization ended.

さっきはゆる先生が大変なことになってしまい通話が急に終了してしまった。 ちょっとやりすぎたかなって反省はしているけど男の僕を可愛いって言ったから仕方ない、うん、仕方ない。 とりあえず配信用に新しくゲームを買おうと思うから明日はゲームショップでも行こうかなーと考えていると裕翔から電話がかかってきた。 「ありがとう!それでどうかしたの?」 裕翔はしっかり配信を見てくれていたようだった。 ちょっと恥ずかしいな。 「あー、明日さ優希お昼までだろバイト。」 僕はシフト表を確認しながら答えた。 「明日1日練習の予定だったのが急に午前に終わる事になってさお互い暇だったらどこか遊びに行かないかなーと思ってさ。」 どうやら裕翔は部活の予定が短くなって暇らしい、僕もちょうどゲーム見に行きたかったから裕翔に聞いてみるのも良さそうだね。 「なるほど、僕さ配信用に何かゲーム1本買おうかなって思ってたんだよね、明日のお昼までに来てたリクエストのジャンルから何か選ぼうかなって考えてたんだけど一緒に行く?」 「おっゲーム見に行くのか、たまにはいいな俺も行くぜ。」 「ゲーム見に行くなら駅前集合の方がいいよな?」 「そうだねーゲームショップ駅前にあるから駅前集合にしよっか。」 「おっけー、んじゃまた明日な!」 そして次の日 「ふぅ、バイト疲れたなぁ。」 僕はバイトを終え一度家に戻った。 制服を洗濯機に入れて回し、シャワーを浴びてから再び出かける事に。 「よし、準備出来たし駅にいこっと。」 僕はラフな格好で駅に出かけた。 ん?どんな格好かって? カーキのキャスケットを被って白の少し大きめのTシャツ、ネイビーのジーンズを履いてるよ?靴は普通の白のスニーカーで 鞄は黒色のショルダーバッグを使っているよ! そして駅前に着いたら裕翔を見つけたので声をかけるためにゆっくり走りだした。 忘れてた、この駅小さな段差があったんだった。 そう思った時にはもう遅く体が前に倒れかけていた。 スローモーションで時が動き始める。 すると その声は女の人だった。 ゆったりとした語尾が伸びている特徴的な喋り方。 そして僕よりも身長の高い人で僕の腕を掴むとくるりと僕の体が抱き抱えられるようにして支えられた。 ちょっと今の状況は恥ずかしい。 まるで僕がダンスを踊っている時のヒロインのようなポーズだからだ。 少し顔に熱が出てきた。 女性は僕を離すと微笑み立ち去っていった。 「綺麗な人だったなぁ・・・」 「でも、なんか聴き覚えあるような声だったなぁ・・・気のせいかな?」 「おーい優希何やってんだ?大丈夫だったか?」 僕が転びそうになってるのを見ていた裕翔が僕に問いかけてくる。 「うん大丈夫、さっき一緒にいた女の人が助けてくれたから怪我も無いよ!」 「それならよかった、じゃ行くか?」 「だね、行こっか!」 ゲームショップへと辿り着いた僕はまずアンケートを見て希望の多かったジャンルのホラゲを見る事に決めた。 「大丈夫だよ?バイ○シリーズは全作プレイしてるし!」 そう、放送ではまるで苦手かのように振る舞っていたがある程度のホラゲは大好きだったりする。 グロいのは単純に好きじゃないけどね。 「あーそういえばバイ○シリーズ大好きだったな優希って。」 「そうだよー、あ、でも最新作のVRはまだやってなかったっけ。」 「えっ?」 「僕普通にプレイ出来ちゃうし反応もつまらなくならないかな、大丈夫かな?」 「いや絶対大丈夫、自信を持って言えるぜ俺は。」 「そこまで言うなら買ってみようかな?」 「買え買え、絶対いい動画撮れるから。」 「あと初見プレイで撮影しろよ!約束だぞ!」 そして夜、裕翔に唆されてゲームを始めた僕は絶叫する羽目になった。 でもそれはまた次回のお話。 私が駅からバスで帰ろうとバス停に向かっている途中小さな男の子のような見た目をした子が小走りで走って段差に躓いて転びそうになっていた。 すぐ横にいた私は思わず腕を取り男の子の勢いを殺すためにくるりと腕の中でターンをして抱きとめた。 そこに居たのはまるで女の子のような整った顔立ちをした男の子?だった。 いや、女の子なのかもしれない。 だって声が可愛いから。 私はそう言ってその場をすぐに立ち去った。 何故すぐに立ち去ったか、私は顔のにやけを抑える事ができなかったからだ。 私は今日の出来事は役得だったなーと思いながら帰宅した。 でもその男の子とまた予期せぬ出会い方をするとは私はまだ知る由もなかった。

Earlier, something happened to Yuru-sensei, abruptly ending our call. I feel a bit guilty for going too far, but she called me cute, so, uh, yeah...I couldn't help it. Anyway, I'm thinking of buying a new game for streaming, so I'll go to the game shop tomorrow. "Thanks! What's up?" It turns out that Yuuto watched my stream. I feel a bit shy. "Ah, yeah. You're working until noon tomorrow, right?" "Hmm, yeah, my shift ends at 1," I reply while looking at my schedule. "I was planning to practice all day tomorrow, but it looks like it'll end in the morning. We could hang out somewhere if we're both free." It seems Yuuto will be free since club activities are ending earlier than expected. I also wanted to check out some games, so it might be nice to ask him if he wants to tag along. "I see. I was thinking of buying a game for streaming based on the requests I receive before noon tomorrow. Wanna help me pick one out?" "Sure, checking out games is nice once in a while. I'll come too." "If we're gonna check out games, should we meet at the station?" "Sounds good. The game shop is near the station, so let's meet there around 2 pm." "Alright, see you tomorrow!" The next day... "Phew, part-time was so tiring..." I finished my shift and went back home. I put my uniform in the washing machine and showered before heading out again. "Okay, good to go. Let's head to the station." I went to the station in a casual outfit. Hm? What am I wearing, you ask? A khaki cap, a slightly oversized white t-shirt, and navy jeans. Oh, and I'm wearing white sneakers. I also have a black shoulder bag with me. When I arrived at the station, I saw Yuuto and briskly walked toward him to say hello. I forgot about the small ramp at the station. By the time I thought that, it was too late, and my body was about to fall down. Time seemed to slow down for a moment. But then... It's a woman's voice. She has a unique way of speaking, with a relaxed tone and elongated endings to her words. She's taller than me and grabbed me by the arm, quickly wrapping her arms around me to prevent me from falling. I feel a little embarrassed. I'm in a position that looks like the heroine in a dance number. My face is starting to feel hot. The woman lets go of me and smiles before walking away. "She was pretty..." "But her voice sounded familiar... Was it just my imagination?" "Heyyy, Yuki, what are you doing? You okay?" Yuuto saw me trip and asked me if I was alright. "Yeah, I'm okay. That woman earlier helped me out, so I'm not hurt or anything." "Oh, that's good. Shall we go then?" "Yeah, let's!" We made our way to the game shop and checked out the horror games, which seemed to be the most popular genre based on the survey. "Yeah. I've played all the games in the R* franchise." That's right, on the stream, I acted like I was awful with horror games, but I actually really love them. ...As long as they're not too gory. "Oh yeah, you love the R* franchise, don't you." "I do. Oh, but I haven't played the latest VR version yet." "Huh?" "But what if my reactions are too boring because I can play it normally?" "Nah, I'm confident that you'll be fine." "In that case, should I buy this one?" "Go for it. I'm sure you can make a good video out of it." "And promise me you'll record your first playthrough!" Urged on by Yuuto, I started playing the game later that night and ended up screaming my head off. But that's a story for another time. As I was on my way to the bus stop to take the bus home from the station, I saw someone who looked like a little boy running up the ramp and tripping. I was right beside him, so I instinctively turned and caught him in my arms to stop his momentum. It turned out that the person I caught was a boy who had a face that looked like a girl's, with delicate features. Maybe he's a girl, after all. His voice is cute. With that, I immediately leave the scene. I couldn't help but suppress my smile because everything was perfect - his tiny body, cute face, and sweet voice. As I headed home, I thought today's incident was a good one. Little did I know I would have another unexpected encounter with that boy again.

33:コミケ2日目! 今日はコミケ2日目、今日はサークルのお手伝いなども無いので薫さんと由良さんと3人でコスプレをするためにコスプレ広場へ行く事になった。 僕は昨日のように更衣室へ向かい、中で薫さんから渡された衣装に着替える。 「わぁ・・・すっごい綺麗な衣装・・・」 黒いのに輝いているこの衣装は俗に言うドレス。 お姫様だとか中世の貴族なんかが着ていそうなそんなドレス。 「あと髪飾り、か。 これはあっちで着けてもらったほうがいいかな?」 髪飾りは百合の花を模していて黒いドレスによく似合いそうだ。 「なんのコスプレだろう?」 「今日はドレスかよ....イケるな。」 「明日も来るのか・・・?何を着るんだ・・・?」 僕を見ながら話す声が聴こえてきて少し恥ずかしい。 でも悪い声は聴こえないから似合ってるのかな? 僕はそんな声を聴き流しながら荷物を纏めて集合予定の場所へ向かう。 その間に僕は意識を切り替える。 ボクは待ち合わせ場所の近くに行くと薫お姉ちゃんと由良お姉ちゃんが手を振って場所を教えてくれた。 お姉ちゃん達も僕と同じ黒いドレスでお揃いなんだよ! 『お姉ちゃんお待たせ!』 「ううん、私たちもさっき来たばかりだから大丈夫だよ、あっ髪飾り着けてあげるね。」 「そうそう!それにしても今日も似合ってるね!」 『えへへ、よかった!あと薫お姉ちゃんありがと!』 「どういたしまして、今日はあっちの方にあるコスプレ広場にいくんだけど、ローアングラーって言われる人達がいたらちゃんと断っていいからね?」 「ああいうマナーを守らない人達には一度ガツーン!と言ってあげないとね!」 そしてボクたちはコスプレ広場に到着した。 『うわぁー!凄い!』 周りには色々なコスプレをした人がいた。 有名な魔法少女アニメの主人公や、その友人達のコスを着た女性たち。 中には男性達がその衣装を着ている光景もそこにはあった。 他にも有名なロボットアニメのロボットをダンボールで再現したものや 棒立ちしていたボクたちに声をかける人が現れた。 カメラを持った青年は一瞬身動ぐも再度カメラを構えて写真を撮る。 「どうぞ。」 「ピース!」 ボクたちは3人でボクを中心にカメラに向かって笑顔を見せた。 「ありがとうございます!確認ですけどピヨッターなどに掲載とかは大丈夫ですか?」 『大丈夫だよ!ボクは白姫ゆかって言うの!よろしくねお兄ちゃん!』 こちらこそ、と青年は言いそそくさとその場所を立ち去っていった。 「今絶対心臓にダメージあったよね。」 「うん、私もそう思う。」 すると周りから声が聴こえた。 「白姫ゆかってもしかしてあの男の娘Vtuberの?」 「えっ?ゆかちゃんがここにいるの?」 「うぉおおおおお!俺は絶対ゆかちゃんを見るんだあああああ!!!!」 そう言いながら何人もの人がこちらへ向かってきた。 「あぁぁぁぁぁぁ!!!!めっちゃ綺麗で可愛いいいいいい!!撮影!!!撮影いいですか!」 「お、俺もいいですか!!」 「あたしも!!!!!」 『う、うん大丈夫だよ!お兄ちゃんお姉ちゃんローアングルはダメだからねっ!』 「「「「「「はーい!!!」」」」」」 パシャパシャとシャッター音が鳴り響く。 するとそんな中に沢山の人が集まってきた。 『あわわわわ、す、凄い人!』 「これは想定外だねぇー」 ある程度撮影を終えた彼らはお礼を言い去っていった。 その中でも1人の男性が残っていた。 「いやーゆかちゃんに会えて本当によかったよ!俺昨日本当は新刊買いに行きたかったんだけど、行けなくてさ、今日会えて嬉しいよ!これからも応援してるから頑張ってね!」 『うん、ありがとうお兄ちゃん!』 「おぅふ・・・それじゃ暑いから大変だろうけど、これスポーツドリンク。よかったら飲んでね!さっきあそこの自販機で買ったばかりだから冷えてるからね!」 『わざわざありがとう!あっそうだ、ボイスは後日販売する予定だからよかったら聴いてみてね!』 「うわーまじかー!絶対買うよ! それじゃ熱中症に気をつけてね! ゆる先生もお気をつけて! えっとそちらの人は・・・」 「あははー私は流石に分からないよねー ゆかちゃんのモデリングやってるゆらです! あなたも気をつけてくださいね!」 「モデリング!?実質ママじゃないですか!ここで倒れたらオタクの恥ってやつですからね!俺も気をつけます!」 そう言って男性は去っていった。 もうお昼になろうかと言う時間に突然聴き覚えのある声が聴こえた。 『あれ?この声・・・?』 「ああああああゆかちゃんかわいいよおおおおおおおおお!!!!!」 目がとろけたふわりお姉ちゃんがいた。 パシャパシャパシャパシャと写真を撮るふわりお姉ちゃん。 『あ、あの、ふわ』 「華、私の事は華お姉ちゃんって呼んで?」 確かにここでお姉ちゃんの中の人がバレるのはダメだよね。 『うん!分かったよ華お姉ちゃん!』 「もう死んでもいいかも・・・」 『お姉ちゃん!?』 「それと、あなたがゆる先生ですか・・・ あれ?も、もう1人いる?ど、どういうことですか?」 「あー多分私だよね、私はゆかちゃんのモデリングを担当してるゆらです、どうぞよろしく!」 「あ、どうも、私多分気付いていると思いますけど例のアレやらせてもらってる空木華です、よろしくお願いします。」 「私も気付いていたみたいですけど遊佐薫って言います、PNは柿崎ゆるです。 どうぞよろしくお願いします。」 そう言って3人は握手をしていた。 薫お姉ちゃんと華お姉ちゃんの間に火花が見える気がするよボク。 「とりあえず今日は会えてよかった。 本当は私昨日がお休みだったんだけどね、マネージャーさんが間違えてたらしくて新刊買いに行けなかったんだ・・・」 『新刊買えなかったんだ・・・えっと、ボクね、お姉ちゃんの事がVtuberとしての推しって言ってたのは知ってると思うんだけど、その、これ!新刊のセット! ボク後で企業ブースに差し入れに行こうかと思ってたんだ・・・よかったら受け取ってくれないかな、華お姉ちゃん!』 「やばい・・・嬉しすぎて泣きそう・・・」 そ、想像以上に感情豊かな人なんだね華お姉ちゃん。 「マネージャーさんがね、なんとしても手に入れるって言ってたのに、手に入らなかったって言うんだよ!絶望してたのに本当に嬉しい!ゆかちゃん、ありがとう!」 眩いほどの笑顔でお礼を言われるとボクまで嬉しくなってくる。 「あんまり長居しちゃうと他の人の邪魔になっちゃうよね、名残惜しいけどまた今度。 オフコラボ楽しみにしてるからね!」 バイバイ、と手を振って華お姉ちゃんも帰っていった。 「(あの人が最大のライバルになりそうかな・・・)」 薫お姉ちゃんの一言はボクの耳には入らなかった。 その後お昼もピークを迎え死ぬほど暑くなって来たので早めにボクたちはホテルへと戻ってきた。 ------とあるカメコの一日------ 拙者はカメコ、ローアングラーにござる。 今日は超絶可愛い女の子を発見した故必撮のローアングルで奇跡の1枚を撮影してご覧にいれよう。 いつものように素早く近付き撮影しようと思った瞬間その女の子から一言浴びさせられた。 何を言われようと拙者を止めることなどできないのでござる。 『ふーん、お兄ちゃん、そんな趣味あったんだ。 変態。』 ぞわりと背筋が冷たくなった。 たったの一言で拙者、いや私は罪悪感を感じてしまった。 「も、申し訳ない、普通に一枚いいですか?」 いつもの私らしからぬ態度で普通の1枚を撮影した私はデータを確認した。 そこには冷ややかな目で見ていた彼女の姿はなく眩しい笑顔で私を照らしていた。 「なんだ、ローアングルじゃなくても奇跡の一枚撮れるじゃないか私。」 今まで嫌な思いをさせてきた人達に心の中で謝罪し、私は心を入れ替えることにした。 だが後に掲示板にあの時の写真を載せたらあの子が男の子だと知った。 解せぬ。

Ch 33 Today is the second day of Comiket, and since we have no obligations to help out at the circle, Kaoru-san, Yura-san, and I thought we'd head to the cosplay plaza to cosplay together. I headed to the dressing room, just like yesterday, and changed into the costume that Kaoru-san handed me. "Waa... this is such a pretty costume..." This costume, shimmery despite in black, is what you'd typically call a dress. It's something you'd expect a princess or a noblewoman from the Middle Ages to wear. "And a hair ornament too... Maybe I'll put it on with their help later." The hair ornament, designed to resemble a lily flower, matches the black dress well. "I wonder who he's cosplaying as..." "So it's a dress today...it looks good." "Is he coming tomorrow too...? I wonder what he'll wear then..." I could hear these voices talking about me, which made me feel a bit bashful. But none were negative, so I guess the costume looks good on me. Ignoring the comments, I finished packing my things and headed to our meeting place. During this time, I switched my persona. As I approach the meet-up area, I see Kaoru-oneechan and Yura-oneechan waving to me. They're both dressed in the same outfit; we're all matching! [Sorry for the wait, onee-chan!] "No worries, we just got here ourselves. Oh, let me put on your hair ornament." "Yeah! And the costume looks great on you!" [Ehehe, I'm glad! And thank you, Kaoru-oneechan!] "You're welcome. We're going to the cosplay plaza over there, and if you sense any creepy photographer, don't hesitate to turn them down, okay?" "You have to give them a firm no, or they won't stop!" And with that, we arrived at the cosplay plaza. [Oh, wow. It's incredible here!] Around us are people in various kinds of cosplay. There are girls cosplaying as the main character and friends from a popular magical girl anime. There are also men dressed in the same costumes. Some are recreating famous mecha characters out of cardboard and various famous live-action heroes. A man approaches us as we stand still in awe. The young man with the camera hesitates for a moment but then composes himself to take the photo. "Go ahead." "Cheese!" The three of us smile toward the camera, with me in the center. "Thank you! Are you okay with me posting this on Tweeter?" [It's totally fine! I'm Yuka Shirahime! Nice to meet you, onii-chan!] The young man quickly leaves the scene after a prompt reply. "He must've taken a hit to his heart just now." "Yeah, I think so, too." Then, voices could be heard from around us. "Yuka Shirahime? You mean that trap VTuber?" "Huh? Yuka-chan's here?" "Uoooooooh! I'm definitely gonna meet Yuka-chaaaaaaaaaaan!!!" As peopled buzz about, many of them start heading our way. "Ahhhhhh! She's so pretty and cute!!! Can we take photos?!" "C-Can I, too?!" "And me, too, please!!!!!!" [Y-Yeah, it's okay! But no low-angle shots, okay, onii-chan, onee-chan?] "OKAYYYYYY!!!" The sound of camera shutters echoes around us. A crowd begins to gather in response. [Awawawa, t-there are so many people!] "I didn't expect this." Once everyone finished taking photos, they thanked us and left. However, one man remained. "I'm glad I got to meet you, Yuka-chan! I wanted to buy your book yesterday but couldn't, so I'm really happy to see you today! I'll keep supporting you, so do your best!" [Mm-hm! Thank you, onii-chan!] "Oof... It must be tough in this heat, so here's a sports drink. Feel free to drink it! I just bought it from that vending machine over there, so it's still cold!" [Oh, thank you so much; I appreciate it! I still plan to sell voice packs later, so please listen to them if you'd like!] "For real?! I'll definitely buy them! Be careful of heatstroke, okay? You too, Yuru-sensei! And um..." "Hahaha, you probably don't know me. I'm Yura, Yuka-chan's rigger! Please keep yourself hydrated, too!" "Rigger?! So you're essentially Yuka-chan's papa! Also, it would be an embarrassment to all otakus if I collapsed here, so I'll take care!" With that, the man leaves. Just as it was about noon, I heard a familiar voice. [Huh? That voice...] "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, you're so cute, Yuka-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!!" There stands Fuwari-oneechan, eyes in a trance. Fuwari-oneechan takes a flurry of photos. [U-Um, Fuwa-] "Hana. Call me Hana-oneechan." True, revealing onee-chan's identity here would be a disaster. [Okay! Got it, Hana-oneechan!] "I think I don't mind dying this very second..." [Onee-chan?!] "You must be Yuru-sensei... Wait, there's one more person? W-What's going on?" "Oh, me? I'm Yura, in charge of Yuka-chan's rigging. Nice to meet you!" "Ah, nice to meet you, too. You've probably guessed it, but I'm Hana Utsurogi, the one who's behind you-know-who." "And I'm Kaoru Yusa. My pen name is Yuru Kakizaki, as you have guessed. Nice to meet you." With that, the three of them exchange handshakes. But is it just me, or are sparks flying between Kaoru-oneechan and Hana-oneechan? "I'm glad I was able to meet you today. Yesterday was supposed to be my day off, but my manager made a mistake, and I couldn't buy the new book..." [You couldn't buy the new book? ...Er, I think you know that I've been saying you're my favorite VTuber, but, um! Here's the book set! I was thinking of bringing it to the corporate booth later... You can have this if you'd like, Hana-oneechan!] "Oh gee... I'm so happy I could cry..." H-Hana-oneechan is more emotional than I imagined. "My manager told me she'd get it no matter what, but she couldn't! I was so desperate, but this made my day! Thank you, Yuka-chan!" Being thanked with such a radiant smile makes me happy too. "But I shouldn't stay too long; I might get in the way of others. It's a pity, but let's meet next time. You still have an offline collaboration with me, okay!" Waving goodbye, Hana-oneechan leaves. "(That person might become my biggest rival...)" Kaoru-oneechan's comment didn't reach my ears. Noon came and made it unbearably hot for us, so we returned to the hotel early. --A Certain Casual Photographer's Day-- Call me a casual photographer, a low-angle enthusiast, if you will. Stumbled upon a real doll today, hence I simply had to capture her in that miracle shot from the bottom up. Like always, I swiftly made my move to immortalize her with my trusty lens. But then she tossed a single phrase my way. Not that it stopped me. Nothing can. [Hmm, you're into that kind of stuff, onii-chan? Creep.] A shiver ran down my spine. In one fell swoop, her words gave me a pang of guilt. "I-I'm sorry. May I take a normal shot?" Unlike usual, I took a regular shot and checked the photo. The girl who had been looking at me coldly was not there. Instead, a dazzling smile was shining on me. "Huh. I can take a miracle shot even without using a low angle, after all." I apologized to the people I had upset until now in my heart and decided to change my ways. However, when I posted that photo on an online forum, I found out that the girl was, in fact, a boy. I couldn't believe it.

今日の朝は裕翔に動画を見せるだけのはずが、妙に大事になった気がするけど皆の反応は間違いなく良かったのでこの動画を記念すべき1本目の投稿動画にすることにした。 動画は決まったので次はチャンネルを作っていこうと思う。 作っていこうと言ってもチャンネルの名前を考えるだけなのであまり難しく考える必要は無いと思うけどね。 ゆかちゃんねる 白姫ちゃんねる YUKAちゃんねる どれもしっくりこない・・・ それから考えた末に浮かんだのは逆に自分の名前そのままの方がいいんじゃないかという発想に至った。 検索でも名前だけで出来れば僕の名前しか知らなくても来る事が出来る。 下手にチャンネル名を付けてしまえば一致せずに時間がかかってしまうかもしれない。 決まったら後は簡単でYotubeでチャンネルを作成し、先程の動画を投稿するだけ。 1時間弱でチャンネル名を考える事から動画投稿まで完了してしまった。 ピヨッターの方もアカウントを新規で作り、白姫ゆかとしてのアカウントも用意した。 このアカウントをゆる先生にメッセージで送り、僕は今日は眠る事にした。 学校で皆僕に絡みまくってきたからちょっと疲れちゃった。 ----------柿崎ゆる視点---------- 「ん?メッセージが来てる。おぉ!とうとう動画撮影したんだね。どうせだからゆらも呼んで一緒に見るとしようかな。」 私はスマホ片手に妹のゆらの元へと向かう。 「ゆらーあの子、動画上げたみたいだけど一緒に見る?」 「えっ!?本当!?見る見る!」 そうして私たちは動画を見始めた。 『この動画を見てくれているお兄ちゃん、お姉ちゃん初めまして!ボクは白姫ゆか、今日からVtuberとして活動していくことにしました!』 冒頭に危険ワードが入っていた。 このお姉ちゃん呼びの時点でかなりダメージを貰ってしまったけれどなんとか耐える事が出来た。 「ふぅ・・・とりあえず内容としては問題無さそうだね、後は今後に期待させてもらおうかな・・・。」 「お姉ちゃん、配信来週だってさ、勿論見るよね?」 「みる!!!」 「お姉ちゃん、退行してるよ戻ってきて。」 「はっ!危ない!」 「私も次の仕事あるけど頑張って早めに終わらせるかなぁ。」 「そうするといいよ私もそうする。」 「それじゃ私も部屋に戻って作業の続きやってくるよ。」 「らじゃー、お姉ちゃんも頑張ってねー。」 「ありがとう、それじゃまた後でね。」 私はゆらの部屋を後にし自分の部屋に戻った。 「あっ、そういえばまだ拡散してなかったな。」 私は彼のピヨッターアカウントをフォローし、ツイートを拡散しておいた。 来週の週末が楽しみだね。 その為にも今の仕事早めに終わらせておこうと私は決意した。 その中にはVtuberについて言及するVtuber板と呼ばれる場所が存在している。 その中でも新たなVtuberで今後に期待出来ると思われる人をピックアップして紹介するスレッド『有望な新人Vtuberを発掘するスレ』に今日もとあるVtuberが紹介される事になった。 283:名前:名無しさん 今日ちょっとヤバい新人を発見したんだが 284:名前:名無しさん 283 どんなVtuberだ?男か?女か? 285:名前:名無しさん 284 公式プロフィールに性別が無いから 286:名前:名無しさん 285 287:名前:名無しさん 286 288:名前:名無しさん 287 妙に可愛いけどこれキャラデザ有名な人なん? 290:名前:名無しさん 289 柿崎ゆるっていう今売れてるアマチュアの絵師だな。 実は知ったのはその絵師さん経由だったりする。 291:名前:名無しさん 290 待って柿崎先生なのか!? 俺ちょっとチェックしてくるわこれから 292:名前:名無しさん 293:名前:名無しさん お兄ちゃんって言われただけで心臓止まりそうになった。 これ人死にが出るんじゃ無いか? 294:名前:名無しさん 293 人死にはねーよwwww 295:名前:名無しさん 今俺たちは伝説の幕開けを見ているのかもしれないな。 296:名前:名無しさん 今後の配信と動画に懸ってるから頑張って欲しいね。 297:名前:名無しさん ボクっ娘大好き俺氏、嬉しすぎて涙が止まらない。 298:名前:名無しさん わかる 299:名前:名無しさん ネット民からの反応もとても良かったが、それを本人が知る事はまだ、無かった。

I showed Yuuto a video I intended to share with him alone this morning, but things took a more significant turn. Still, everyone's response was undoubtedly positive, so I decided to make the video the first commemorative upload on my channel. Now that I have my video ready, I need to create a channel next. Though I said creating, it's just setting the channel name, so there's no need to think hard about it. Yuka Channel Shirahime Channel YUKA Channel However, none of these feels right... After some consideration, I decided that using my full name as the channel name would be the best choice. Search-wise, people won't be confused even if they only know me by name. If I add "Channel" to it, it might not come as a top result and would take people longer to find me. All that's left is to create the channel and upload the video. It took less than an hour to go from thinking up a channel name to uploading content. I also created a new Tweeter account named Yuka Shirahime. I then sent Yuru-sensei a DM and called it a day. After everyone bombarded me at school today, I felt pooped. --Yuru Kakizaki's POV-- "Hm? I received a message. Oh, he finally uploaded a video! I should call Yura and watch it with her." I picked up my phone and headed over to Yura's room. "Yura! He finally uploaded a video! Wanna watch it with me?" "What? Really?! I wanna see!" And so, we began watching the video. [Hey there, onii-chans and onee-chans watching this video for the first time! My name is Yuka Shirahime, and I've decided to become a VTuber starting today!] We heard a string of risky words from the beginning of the video. I was severely damaged when he said "onee-chan," but I managed to endure it. "Phew... His content seems fine for now. Let's see what he does in the future..." "Hey, onee-chan, he said his debut's next week. Of course, we'll watch it, right?" "Absolutely!!!" "Hello? Earth to onee-chan, you're regressing." "Ack! That was close!" "I have another job, but I'll try to finish it early." "Okay, I'll do the same." "Alright, I'll go back to my room and continue working." "Roger! Good luck, onee-chan!" "Thanks. Later then." I left Yura's room and went back to my own. "Oh, I haven't shared the video yet." I followed his Tweeter account and retweeted the post. I'm looking forward to next weekend. I made up my mind to wrap up my current work early just for that. Among them, there's a VTuber sub-forum that discusses VTubers. This sub-forum has a thread called "Discovering Promising New VTubers," where a certain VTuber was introduced today. 283: Name: Anon I found a pretty amazing fresh face today. 284: Name: Anon >>283 what kinda vtuber is it? male or female? 285: Name: Anon >>284 Not sure, but their profile doesn't have their gender listed, so I'm guessing they're female. 286: Name: Anon >>285 287: Name: Anon >>286 288: Name: Anon >>287 was the commissioned artist famous or smn? 290: Name: Anon >>289 It was done by an amateur illustrator named Yuru Kakizaki who's popular right now. I actually found out about her through that artist. 291: Name: Anon >>290 no shit, the Yuru Kakizaki?! I'm gonna check it right now. 292: Name: Anon 293: Name: Anon My heart almost stopped when she called me onii-chan. Won't this cause accidental deaths? 294: Name: Anon >>293 the hell you mean accidental deaths lmfao 295: Name: Anon We might be witnessing the beginning of a legend. 296: Name: Anon Her success depends on her future streams and videos, so I hope she does her best. 297: Name: Anon As someone who loves girls who use boku to refer to themselves, I'm so happy I can't stop crying. 298: Name: Anon ify 299: Name: Anon The response from netizens was very positive, but the VTuber herself was still unaware of it.

36:掲示板回(ロング)★ ここはインターネットの世界に存在する有名な匿名掲示板サイト。 今日もいろいろな情報が飛び交い人々が思い思いに会話を楽しんでいる。 【コミケ】夏コミにいたレイヤーを語るスレ【画像歓迎】 1:名前:名無しさん 今年の夏コミにいたレイヤーについて語るスレです 画像をバンバン出していきましょう。 2:名前:名無しさん 1 乙 3:名前:名無しさん 4:名前:名無しさん 今年も来たかこの時期が 5:名前:名無しさん まぁ毎年恒例だもんな年2回しか無いし 6:名前:名無しさん 現地行くお前らちゃんと水分取れよー 今年の夏コミは酷暑らしいからなー 7:名前:名無しさん 6 thx気をつけるわ 8:名前:名無しさん 俺は今から現地へ向かう、皆健闘を祈る 9:名前:名無しさん 8 俺地方民だから応援だけしとくわ 10:名前:名無しさん 9 お土産の画像期待しとけ 11:名前:名無しさん 10 おう、待ってるわ ------1日目終了------ 246:名前:名無しさん 知らん間に大分スレ進んでるな、とりあえず俺は今帰宅 247:名前:名無しさん 246 おっ、おかえり! 無事帰宅したようで何よりだわ 248:名前:名無しさん わい氏不覚にも熱中症になりかけて死にかける なんとか無事に戻ってこれてよかった2日目はもっと気をつけて行くぜ 249:名前:名無しさん 248 250:名前:名無しさん 249 251:名前:名無しさん 250 中部地方、これで察するだろ? 252:名前:名無しさん 251 40度オーバーの出る県はやべーわ そりゃ死人も出るわ 253:名前:名無しさん んじゃそろそろ画像貼ってくわ 画像名がレイヤー名だから興味ある人はその人探してみてくれな 254:名前:名無しさん おk 255:名前:名無しさん 256:名前:名無しさん おむすびころりん.jpg しらひめゆか.jpg 257:名前:名無しさん おむすびころりんってあれか スマホゲーのメインヒロインの1人だよな あとだんだむに草不可避 ダンボール被ってるだけじゃねぇかwww あとしらひめゆかって可愛いなこれ何のコスプレだ? 258:名前:名無しさん しらひめゆか可愛いな 俺だんです好きだわクオリティクッソ高くない? あとだんだむはズルいあんなん現地で見たら腹抱える 259:名前:名無しさん おっVtuberのゆかちゃんじゃん マジで現地に居たんだな 260:名前:名無しさん 知っているのか259 261:名前:名無しさん 259 詳細はよ 262:名前:名無しさん へぇ、調べてみるわ 男?・・・はぁ!?男!? 264:名前:名無しさん いやいや、あんなに可愛い女の子が男の子な訳・・・ 265:名前:名無しさん 男子更衣室にいたからガチだぞ 266:名前:名無しさん 265 267:名前:名無しさん 俺もレイヤーだけどマジでいたぞ 俺の相方が男でもイケそうとか言い始めてやばかった 268:名前:名無しさん いたいた、何がやばいって衣装のクオリティと 一緒にいるお姉さんたちがまた綺麗なんだわ 269:名前:名無しさん 268 俺アンチになるわ 270:名前:名無しさん 269 嫉妬でアンチになるなwww ------2日目終了------ 369:名前:名無しさん 370:名前:名無しさん 371:名前:元ローアングル侍 372:名前:名無しさん 371 おぉっとローアングル侍・・・元? 373:名前:元ローアングル侍 拙者は今まで悪い事をしていたのでござる 374:名前:名無しさん 373 今更だろローアングルはマナー違反だって まぁありがたいにはありがたいのは否定しないが 375:名前:元ローアングル侍 これを見てほしいでござる Yuka.jpg 376:名前:名無しさん おい、お前本当にローアングル侍か? なんだよこの神ショット 377:名前:名無しさん お前、消えるのか? 378:名前:元ローアングル侍 ゆか殿に罵られてから罪悪感が凄いのでござる。 379:名前:名無しさん 378 何やったんだよwwww 380:名前:元ローアングル侍 いつものようにローアングルしようとしたら 何か言葉にできない感情が生まれたのでござる。 381:名前:名無しさん 380 俺も言って欲しい... 382:名前:元ローアングル侍 381 383:名前:名無しさん 382 384:名前:元ローアングル侍 拙者は心を改めたでござる 次に会うことがあるのなら、前を向いて堂々と撮らせてもらう所存にござる 385:名前:名無しさん ま、まぁいいことなんだよ、な? ------3日目終了------ 651:名前:名無しさん おつおつ皆生きてるかー? 652:名前:名無しさん 651 653:名前:名無しさん 今日で終わりと思うと切ないよなー 654:名前:名無しさん 655:名前:名無しさん それすぎる 656:名前:名無しさん ほんじゃま俺の戦果を載せようか お前白姫ゆか好きすぎだろwww っておいなんだこの衣装 658:名前:名無しさん まほうだんしでクッソ笑ったのに最後の尊い生物はなんだ 659:名前:名無しさん 660:名前:名無しさん そういやさ、俺昨日白姫ゆかのアンチスレ行ったんだわ 661:名前:名無しさん 660 唐突だな 662:名前:名無しさん まぁ過去ログ落ちしてたんだけどさ 663:名前:名無しさん 662 アンチいないのはいい事では? 664:名前:名無しさん 663 665:名前:名無しさん 664 666:名前:名無しさん 665 あー俺そこの本スレ民だけどさ、あれには俺も困惑したわ 667:名前:名無しさん 666 本スレ民まで困惑すんのかよ 668:名前:名無しさん 667 いや確かに可愛いからな、一度見てみて欲しいとは思う。 ただあの変わり身は流石に怖いぞ。 669:名前:名無しさん 668 まじか見てみるかな んで男の娘ってまじなん? 670:名前:名無しさん 669 671:名前:名無しさん 670 世の中って広いんだな・・・

Ch 36 This is a famous anonymous forum site that exists in the world of the internet. Various information is spreading today, and people are enjoying casual conversations as they please. [Comiket] Summer Comiket Cosplayers Thread [Pics welcome] 1: Name: Anon This thread is for discussing cosplayers who were at this year's Summer Comiket. Let's drop those pics. 2: Name: Anon >>1 kudos 3: Name: Anon 4: Name: Anon It's that time of the year again, huh? 5: Name: Anon Well, it's an annual tradition, and it only happens twice a year 6: Name: Anon Those of you going to the venue, make sure you stay hydrated. They say this year's Summer Comiket is gonna be a scorcher. 7: Name: Anon >>6 thx, will keep that in mind 8: Name: Anon I'm heading to the venue now, wish everyone good luck 9: Name: Anon >>8 i live outside the city, so i'll just be cheering from here 10: Name: Anon >>9 Look forward to some souvenir pics 11: Name: Anon >>10 thanks, i'll be waiting ----End of Day 1---- 246: Name: Anon Didn't realize the thread advanced so much, just got home anyways 247: Name: Anon >>246 oh, welcome back! glad to see you made it home safe 248: Name: Anon ya boi here almost got a heat stroke. nearly died glad I made it back safe, I'll be more careful on the second day 249: Name: Anon >>248 250: Name: Anon >>249 251: Name: Anon >>250 chubu region. you can guess from that, right? 252: Name: Anon >>251 A place where it gets over 40 degrees is crazy No wonder people die 253: Name: Anon Alright, I'll start posting some pics The file names are the same as the cosplayer names, so if you're interested, look for them 254: Name: Anon OK 255: Name: Anon 256: Name: Anon omusubikororin.jpg yukashirahime.jpg 257: Name: Anon omusubi kororin? isn't that one of the main heroines in a mobile game? also, i can't help but laugh at "boxdam" they just put a cardboard box on lmaooo this yuka shirahime is cute, though, what cosplay is this? 258: Name: Anon Yuka Shirahime is cute. I like Dandesu, that's some crazy quality. And Boxdam is just hilarious, if I saw that IRL, I'd be rolling on the floor. 259: Name: Anon oh, it's the vtuber yuka-chan she was really there, huh 260: Name: Anon u know her, >>259? 261: Anon >>259 deets, now! 262: Name: Anon Huh, I'll look her up. A guy? ...Wait, what?! A guy?! 264: Name: Anon no way, there's no way such a cute girl is a guy... 265: Anon She was in the men's dressing room, so it's legit. 266: Name: Anon >>265 267: Name: Anon I'm a cosplayer and I also saw her My buddy started saying things like he wouldn't mind swinging the other way for yuka. it was crazy 268: Name: Anon yeah, what's insane is not just the quality of her costume, but also how pretty the women she was with were. 269: Name: Anon >>268 time to become a hater 270: Anon >>269 Don't become a hater out of jealousy, lolol ----End of Day 2---- 369: Name: Anon 370: Name: Anon 371: Name: Former Low-Angler Samurai 372: Name: Anon >>371 woah there, it's the low-angler samurai... wait, former? 373: Name: Former Low-Angler Samurai I have done unforgivable things. 374: Name: Anon >>373 You're saying that now? Being a low-angler is a breach of manners in itself Well, I won't lie I'm grateful you've decided to change 375: Name: Former Low-Angler Samurai Please feast your eyes on this. Yuka.jpg 376: Name: Anon are you sure you're the same low-angler samurai? whats with this angelic shot? 377: Name: Anon are you gonna vanish? 378: Name: Former Low-Angler Samurai Madam Yuka's verbal abuse gave me intense feelings of guilt. 379: Name: Anon >>378 Wtf did you do LMAO 380: Name: Former Low-Angler Samurai I propped to take my usual low shot, and she said this in the most jaded eyes and voice, "You're into that stuff, onii-chan? Creep," as if she were looking at filth. It made me feel things indescribable by words. 381: Name: Anon >>380 i wish she would say that to me too... 382: Name: Former Low-Angler Samurai >>381 383: Name: Anon >>382 384: Name: Former Low-Angler Samurai I have mended my ways. Should we meet again, I fully intend to boldly capture her visage, facing forward in all her glory. 385: Name: Anon i-i guess that's a good thing, right? ----End of Day 3---- 651: Name: Anon heyo, anyone alive? 652: Name: Anon >>651 653: Name: Anon Feels kinda sad that it's ending today 654: Name: Anon 655: Name: Anon Yea, too real 656: Name: Anon Alright, lemme post my accomplishments then. Dude, you're too into Yuka Shirahime wwwww Wait, what's with that outfit? 658: Name: Anon i was laughing my ass off at the magical boy, but what was that precious creature at the end? 659: Name: Anon 660: Name: Anon Speaking of which, I visited Yuka Shirahime's hate thread yesterday. 661: Name: Anon >>660 that's random 662: Name: Anon Well, the past log was gone, but there were barely any haters, it was kinda scary 663: Name: Anon >>662 isn't it great there are no haters? 664: Name: Anon >>663 665: Name: Anon >>664 666: Name: Anon >>665 Ah, I'm from the main thread, and even I was puzzled by that 667: Name: Anon >>666 Even a main thread member is confused? 668: Name: Anon >>667 Well, she's cute, I do want people to take a look But that change was undoubtedly scary 669: Name: Anon >>668 Really? mb I'll check it out So, is she really a trap? 670: Name: Anon >>669 671: Name: Anon >>670 It's a huge world we live in...

11:ホラゲ実況動画を投稿しよう★ 学校が終わり、家に帰ってきた僕はホラゲ動画の編集をしながらもしかしたら来るかもしれない浮雲ふわりとのコラボについて考えていた。 「推しの配信は何度も見てきているけど、まさかこうもいきなりそんな機会が訪れるかもしれないのは流石に予想外だったなぁ・・・」 ただ、その機会を作った原因が僕自身の見た目と声が原因なのは少し複雑な気分。 「今の僕の強みってなんなんだろう。」 かと言ってエゴサをするのもちょっと怖い。 「まぁ、そんな事気にしてたら意味が無いか・・・今は編集頑張らないと。」 僕は再び編集を始め、今日の夜からホラゲ実況の動画を上げていくために作業に熱中した。 夜もいい時間になってきた頃に最初の動画が完成した。 動画を投稿した僕は今日はスマホの充電器が刺さっている事を確認して、泥のように眠りについた。 白姫ゆかの初めてのVRホラゲ実況Part1(バイ◯ VR) 『皆久しぶり!白姫ゆかだよ!今日は超人気ホラーガンシューティングの最新作バイ◯VRの実況をやっていこうと思うよ!』 うずうずしている様子の白姫ゆかがオープニングムービーを見ながら開始の挨拶をしている。 『この動画はゲーム会社さんのほうで公開できる範囲が決められているから動画は複数パートに分けて投稿していくよ!ゆっくりになると思うけど付き合ってくれると嬉しいなー!』 『と、挨拶はここまでにしてゲームに集中していくよ!』 『映像のクオリティが前作よりも上がっているねーボク楽しみになってきたよ!』 まだゲーム内に不穏さは無く、主人公の周りの日常が描かれていた。 『あれ?今回のバイ◯の主人公って警察とか特殊部隊じゃなくて一般人なんだね。』 そう、バイ◯シリーズは大体警察や特殊部隊のメンバーである事が殆どで一般人が主人公を務めた事は今までなかったのだ。 それ故にファンからは新鮮さがいい、と好意的な意見も多かったらしい。 『おっとそろそろ操作が出来るようになったね!』 主人公は武器も持たずただ歩くだけではあるが地面を歩く時の音や地面の土や砂の表現が細かく、その音などを聞いて更に白姫ゆかはテンションを上げていく。 『土や砂の表現のクオリティ高いなぁ・・・』 白姫ゆかはそのクオリティの高さに感嘆していた。 そして最近主人公の娘が学校への通学路で何か怖い雰囲気があるから着いてきて欲しいと言われ、主人公は娘に着いていく。 その際に主人公は自分の銃を手にとり、娘と手を繋ぎながら歩いていく。 片手には銃をもう片方の手には娘の手を握っている主人公が娘の通学路を進んでいく。 『おっ!銃がきた!これがメイン武器かな?M16っぽいような?』 『おぉ!凄いねこれ!!!ボク銃持ってるよ!!!感触まである!やば!!!! 銃を持ってテンションが上がっている姿は無邪気で、見ている人をほっこりとさせる。 ただ、持っているのは銃器ではあるが・・・ そしてこの動画の見所でもある場面に入る。 主人公が何かを感じ取り、娘に離れるように言い、路地裏へと足を進めた。 そこには1体のゾンビが佇んでいた。 『ゾンビ!来たね!』 白姫ゆかは臨戦態勢に入り、いつでもゾンビを倒せるようにしていた 画面の中では主人公がソンビに向かって銃を連射している。 『死んで!!!!なんで!?当てたじゃん!!!!!いっぱい当てたじゃん!!!!』 実際には全く当たっていなかったのだが、ゾンビから撒き散らされる血液のせいで当たったと錯覚してしまったようだった。 『いやこないで、いやああああああああああ音が!!!!ぐちゃって!!!』 ゾンビが近付くほどに、音量が少しずつ上がり、ゾンビから内臓の脈打つ音やぐちゃりとした音が聴こえてくる。 発狂しながら銃を連射する白姫ゆか、そんな彼女に不幸が訪れる。 『弾切れ!?いややる!!!!おら!おら!おら!おらぁ!!!!!!!』 弾切れだ。 まるで不良の喧嘩のかけ声のように彼女は銃床でゾンビを殴り始めた。 『なんでしなないの!!!!金属だよ!!!来るなっていってるじゃん!!』 主人公の使っている銃はアメリカでは実際に一般人でも購入出来る銃器で金属ストックのため打撃武器としても使用する事も不可能では無いのだが、銃によるダメージを与え切れていなかったがために武器での殴りではゾンビを倒しきれなかったのだった。 『あっ・・・』 彼女はゾンビが腕を振り上げたのを見た瞬間に諦めたような表情をした。 誰かの名前を叫んでしまったのか、彼女は編集でピー音を入れていた。 そしてゾンビの攻撃を受けた彼女はゲームオーバーになっていた。 それから数十秒の間彼女はぼーっとしていた。 『・・・ぁ、いきてる。』 『怖かった・・・何がホラゲは大丈夫♪だよぉ、死ぬほど怖かったよぉ・・・』 リアリティが高すぎるゾンビのせいで彼女はボロボロだった。 『絶対に倒す、ボクを怖がらせた事後悔させてやる!!!!!』 そう言った彼女は次からは冷静にゾンビに ただ、ゾンビに出会う度に彼女は 『アレハCG、アレハCG。』 キリのいい場所で動画は終わったが、彼女の目は死にかけていた。 ------掲示板の反応------ 283:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん はい、昨日あった伝説の配信見た人集まれー 284:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 283 あぁ、ふわちゃんでしょ? 本当かどうかはわからないけど、ガチだったらやばそうよね。 私と代わって欲しいわ。 285:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 284 いやアンタも十分やばいじゃないか 286:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 285 ゆかちゃんが可愛いのが悪いのよ。 287:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん くそっ否定できねぇ 288:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 287 288 バイ◯VRだな! 290:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 291:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 悲鳴がたまらねぇんだ 292:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 293:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 291 292 お前達はゆかちゃんをそんな邪な目で見ていたのか? 294:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん いや違う、これはあの、あれよ。 あれ! 295:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 296:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん ごめん正直に言うと後半の目が死んだゆかちゃんもありだと思ってしまった。 297:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん わかる 298:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 299:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん そういえばコミケの話とかもそうだし、今日チャンネル登録者2000人超えたじゃん? 記念配信とかやるのかな? 300:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 301:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 次は水曜日って言ってなかったっけ? 302:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 303:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん あぁ、言ってた言ってた。 304:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 最近ゆかちゃんが生きがいになってきてるから毎日更新して欲しいけど、学生らしいから無茶だけはしないで欲しいな。 305:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 304 わかる、俺は地味にふわちゃんとのコラボも実現してほしいな。 306:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 俺はゆるママのV参戦を待ってる。 リアルタイムでゆるゆかてぇてぇさせてくれ。 307:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 306 お前、天才か? 308:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 今日もまた、ゆか推し達は語り合っていた。 最近は少しスレの消費速度が速くなってきているのだとか。

Ch 11 After returning home from school, I edited the horror game video while contemplating the possibility of collaborating with Fuwari Ukigumo. "I've watched my fave's streams so many times, but I never expected such a sudden opportunity like this..." It's just that it gives me mixed feelings because the opportunity arose due to my appearance and voice. "What are my strengths right now?" But I feel anxious to look up my name online. "Well, there's no point in worrying about that now...I need to focus on editing." I resumed editing and became immersed in the work, preparing to upload my playthrough video tonight. As the night wore on, I finished the first video. After making sure that my phone was charging, I fell into a deep sleep. Yuka Shirahime's First VR Horror Game Playthrough Part 1 (R* VR) [Hi, everyone, it's been a while! Yuka Shirahime here! Today, I'm going to do a playthrough of the super popular horror shooting game, R* VR!] Yuka Shirahime, in a state of eager anticipation, gives a brief greeting while watching the opening credits. [Since the game company has determined the range of what can be publicly released, I'll be posting the video in multiple parts! It might be slow, but I hope you stick around!] [Okay, enough talking. Let's focus on the game!] [The video quality is even better than the previous game; I'm excited!] As of yet, there is no unease in the game, and instead, the narrative focuses on depicting the protagonist's daily life. [Huh? The protagonist this time isn't a police officer or a special forces member, but a regular person.] That's right, most of the protagonists in R* are usually members of the police or special forces. It appears that there were many favorable opinions from fans regarding the freshness brought about by this. [Oh, looks like I can control my character now!] The protagonist walks unarmed, but the sound of their footsteps and the intricate representation of the ground, dirt, and sand leaves Yuka increasingly exhilarated. [The ground textures look so realistic...] Yuka Shirahime admires the high quality of the graphics. Recently, the protagonist's daughter asked him to come along because she felt scared walking to school. The protagonist grabs his gun and holds his daughter's hand as they walk together. Holding a gun in one hand and his daughter's hand in the other, the protagonist advances to his daughter's school route. [Oh! I get to have a gun now! Is this my main weapon? It looks like an M16.] [Woah, this is so cool! I'm holding a gun!!! It even feels like I'm holding a gun!!! Woahhh!!! Though it does feel a little light, so the realistic factor isn't quite there yet.] Yuka's pure excitement while holding the gun is heartwarming. She's only holding a virtual one, however... Then, the highlight of this video arrived. The protagonist senses something and tells his daughter to stay behind before heading towards an alley. There, he finds a zombie standing. [A zombie! Finally!] Yuka Shirahime readies herself for battle, but as soon as the zombie comes closer, something strange happens to her. On the screen, the protagonist fires his gun repeatedly at the zombie. [Die!!! Why?! I already shot you! I shot you so many times!!!] In reality, he hadn't hit the zombie at all, but because of the splattered blood, it seemed like he had. [No, don't come near me! Ahhhhhhhhh! The sound!!! Something just went squish!] As the zombie approaches, the volume of the pulsing of their organs and squishy noises grow louder. Alas, unfortunate circumstances are about to befall Yuka Shirahime as she goes insane firing her character's gun. [Out of ammo?! How can this be?! Take that! That! That, that, and that!!!] She has run out of bullets. Like a delinquent in a street fight, she starts hitting the zombie with the gunstock. [Why won't you die?! It's metal, you know?! Didn't I tell you not to come this way?!] The gun used by the protagonist is a firearm that even ordinary citizens could purchase in America. Because it had a metal stock, it could also be used as a blunt weapon. But because it wasn't dealing enough damage compared to the bullets, hitting the zombie wasn't enough to defeat it. [Ah...] As soon as she sees the zombie swing its arm, she gives up. She must have shouted someone's name, but it was censored during the editing process. And then, she was attacked by the zombie, and it was game over for her. For several tens of seconds, Yuka Shirahime was dazed. [...Ah, I'm alive.] ["I'm good with horror games" my butt... that was so scary...] The highly realistic zombie had left her in a terrible state, but she wasn't weak enough to let that be the end of it. [I'll definitely beat them. I'll make them regret scaring me like that!!!] With those words, she started calmly aiming for headshots of the zombies in-game. However, every time she encountered a zombie... She muttered to herself like a mantra, "That's CG, that's just CG." The video ended at a good stopping point, but her eyes looked dead. --The Online Forum's Reaction-- 283: Name: Anon Onii-chan Alright, who else saw that legendary stream from yesterday? 284: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>283 Oh, you mean Fuwa-chan's? I don't know if it's true or not, but if it is, it's gonna be insane. I wish I could switch places with her. 285: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>284 Nah, you're already plenty insane yourself. 286: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>285 Blame it on Yuka-chan being too cute. 287: Name: Anon Onii-chan Dammit, can't deny that. 288: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>287 >>288 R* VR! 290: Name: Anon Onee-chan 291: Name: Anon Onii-chan i couldn't get enough of her screams 292: Name: Anon Onee-chan 293: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>291 >>292 Were you guys looking at Yuka-chan with those eyes? 294: Name: Anon Onee-chan no no, it's like, you know, that thing! that!! 295: Name: Anon Onii-chan 296: Name: Anon Onii-chan Sorry, but honestly, I thought it was okay that Yuka-chan's eyes looked dead in the second half. 297: Name: Anon Onii-chan ikr 298: Name: Anon Onee-chan 299: Name: Anon Onii-chan Speaking of which, wasn't there talk about Comiket? And today, her channel subscribers crossed 2k Y'all think she's gonna do a special stream or something? 300: Name: Anon Onee-chan 301: Name: Anon Onii-chan didnt she say the next stream's on Wednesday? 302: Name: Anon Onee-chan 303: Name: Anon Onii-chan ah yeah she did 304: Name: Anon Onii-chan I really want her to post an update every day because Yuka-chan has become my will to live, but I don't want her to overdo it since she's still a student. 305: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>304 I get ya. Personally, I also want the collab with Fuwa-chan to happen 306: Name: Anon Onii-chan im waiting for Mama Yuru to join the V-community. please make YuruYuka tee-tee a reality. 307: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>306 You're a genius. 308: Name: Anon Onee-chan Today, Yuka's fans were discussing various things in the thread. It seems that the thread's active time has been increasing recently.

10:寝坊寸前/浮雲ふわり 僕は昨日の夜ベッドの上で閃光のシュバルツさんの配信を見ていたら気付いたら寝落ちをしてしまっていた。 いつもならアラームが鳴るのに、スマホの電源が落ちてしまったせいでアラームは鳴らず僕は目が覚めた瞬間遅刻を確信したー のだけど、運良くギリギリ間に合うタイミングだったので大急ぎで学校へ行く準備をしてバス停へ一気に走った。 スマホの充電はモバイルバッテリーがあるので学校に着くまでの時間くらいあればスマホの起動は出来るはず。 バス停に着くと丁度バスが来たタイミングで、あと数十秒でも家を出るのが遅れていたらアウトだったと思うとヒヤッとする。 バスはぎゅうぎゅう詰めでスマホを触る余裕は無いので充電状況の確認はまた学校に着いてからにしよう。 20分ほどバスに揺られると学校前のバス停でバスが停車した。 そのまま学校へ入り教室に向かう。 僕が教室でクラスメイトに挨拶をする。 「あっ姫くんだーおはよー!」 「姫くんおはー」 「姫くんやっほー!」 クラスの女子達が返事を返してくれた。 すると 「姫くん配信見たよー」 「ウチも見たー超可愛いかったよー」 「ゆるゆか・・・てぇてぇ・・・」 配信の感想まで言ってくれる、なんて良い人達なんだろう。 僕が白姫ゆかである事をクラスメイト以外に話している様子も無いしありがたい。 そして女子の一人が僕に質問してきた。 「姫くんってゆるママとリアルで会ったことないんだよね?」 どうしてゆる先生が気になるんだろう、僕にはよく分からないや。 「応援してるからね!配信頑張ってね!(容姿がわかればゆるゆか本冬には出せるわね・・・うぇへへ・・・)」 「ありがと!」 そうして女子達はまた散らばっていった。 「おいっす優希ー昨日は災難だったな。」 今日は少し来るのが遅かった裕翔が教室で僕を見るなりそう言ってきた。 「災難?あのゲームの事か!」 「いやゲームは知らんぞ?」 「えっ?じゃあ何の事?」 「えっ?てっきり優希の事だからもう知ってると思ったんだが・・・」 「まぁ、いいか。 とりあえず、優希さ昨日俺とゲーム買いに行く時転びかけたよな?」 「うん、あったね。 あの時女の人が助けてくれたから無事だったけど。」 「その女の人な、浮雲ふわりだ、いまなんじ7期生の。」 「へぇぁ!?」 どどどどどどういう事!? 「どういう事!?」 「いやー偶然って凄いな、浮雲ふわり、面倒だしふわちゃんでいいか、ふわちゃんがさ、妙に上機嫌で配信始めたんだよ。」 「うん、たまにあるよね。」 「それがな、可愛い男の子か女の子か分からない子を助ける時にぎゅっとしたから幸せだったって言ってた訳だ。」 嫌な予感がしてきた。 「そうしたらリスナーが男の娘疑惑のあるVtuberとして優希こと、白姫ゆかを紹介した訳だ。」 「それ裕翔じゃないよね!?」 思わず僕はツッコミをいれてしまった。 「んな訳ないだろ!?」 「お前は俺をなんだと・・・」 「まぁそんな事は置いておいてだな、そこで速攻で調べた訳だな、ふわちゃんが。」 「それで僕のアカウントにたどり着き、動画を見た、と。」 「そういう事、しかも凄いぞ、一発で優希だって見抜いてたからな?」 「はい????」 「そんで最後にこう言ってたぞ、白姫ゆかとコラボ目指していくからよろしくね、ってさ。」 「というかふわちゃん企業勢なのに僕とコラボ出来るの?普通企業勢って身内としかコラボ出来ないはずじゃ?」 「まぁ、普通そうだよな。 でもさ、この状況で浮雲ふわりっていうキャラが崩壊しかけててかなりバズったんだよな。」 「逆にその方向で売っていこうって事もあり得る訳なのね・・・」 推しと会える可能性があるのは嬉しいし、それがあの時の綺麗なお姉さんだと思うと更に嬉しくもなるけど・・・ 「ふわちゃんのストライクゾーンに入るほどなんだね、僕の容姿・・・」 「あっ・・・」 裕翔はやっちまったというような顔をしていた。 その後にあった今日の授業の内容は正直覚えてない。 ------浮雲ふわり視点------ 私の名前は そして浮雲ふわりの中の人をしている。 そんな私は朝一番でいまなんじの地区事務所へと足を運んでいた。 大手Vtuber事務所であるいまなんじは昔は東京にしか事務所が無かった。 そんな状況を打開すべく事務所が資金を出し主要な地方の都市に地区事務所を設立。 その結果ライバーが全国から集まり、面白い配信をする人が増え、いまなんじの名前は日本全国へと広がり、1つのムーブメントを巻き起こした。 それが現在でもVtuberが流行している理由。 そのおかげで私のような地方人にもチャンスが訪れた、というわけ。 会社のネームバリューのおかげなのか 何故? 確かにゲームは割と上手いとは思う、キャラデザも3Dモデルも全てが最高で私なんかがこの娘の中に入っていいのかと思ってしまうほど。 ただ1つあるなら私は人気のためにキャラを作った。 最近では驚いた事があっても素でそのキャラを演じてしまうほど。 語尾を伸ばして天然系の女の子を演出する。 何故かそれが世の人達に受け入れられて私の今の地位がある。 ゲームで可愛い子が出れば私は異常なほどにテンションが上がる。 それがウケたのも人気の要因の一つだとマネージャー含め社員の人は言っていた。 私は好きなゲームや雑談をする。 最早半分以上趣味と言ってもいい。 それで私はご飯を食べていける、普通より裕福な暮らしができる、ありがたい事に。 昨日、私は小さな男の子か女の子か分かりにくい子が転ぶのを助けた。 そうしたらとても可愛い顔と声をした子だった。 そんな子をこの腕で軽く抱きしめられた事がかなり嬉しかった。 またしたいな。 まぁ人にこれを言うとドン引きされるんだけど。 更に驚きなのはなんとその子が個人でVtuberをやっていた事。 更にその子の推しが私だったと言うこと。 今日早くに来たのはその子とのコラボ実現のため。 そして事務所に着いた私はマネージャーに話しかけた。 「マネージャーおはようございます。」 「あら空木さん、おはよう、今日は早いのね?」 「そうなんです、本人が許可を出したらになりますけど、コラボしちゃだめですか?」 「構わないわよー」 「あなたうちの事務所でもかなり頑張っているじゃない?ある程度自由にさせてやれって上に言われてるのよー」 「今までずっとこちらの希望を聞いてもらっていたからね、多少はお目溢しくらいするわよ?あとオフコラボとかするなら指定のカラオケ店にしてちょうだいね?そこならうちで権利取ってるからいけるわよー」 「いいんですか!?コラボ相手はそういうの気にしてそうだから助かりますけど。」 「その代わり、コラボ相手の配信ではちゃんとうちのタグ付けしてもらったりしてちょうだいね?結構大事だから!」 「よし、それじゃあ後は前から言っていた企画の確認なんだけど・・・」 今から私はあの子とのコラボの為に頑張っていく。 他に大事な事もあるけど、今の私にとって大事なのはあの子。 ふふふふふ・・・合法ロリかショタか・・・楽しみだなぁ・・・ ------遊佐薫(柿崎ゆる)視点------ 「どうしよう・・・」 私は今悩みに悩んでいる。 「お姉ちゃん、まだやってたの?」 「うん、ゆかちゃんに合う衣装考えてたら何個も衣装の案が浮かんできちゃって・・・」 「まぁ1つに絞るのって難しいもんね。」 「ううううう迷うよぉ・・・」 「お姉ちゃん私も一個考えてきたんだけど・・・どう?」 「ああああああああ絶対これも似合うよおおおお!!!」 「だよね!!!分かってくれると思ってたよお姉ちゃん!!!」 それから1時間 「お姉ちゃん、3つまで絞ったのはいいけど。」 「これ以上絞るなんて無理だよぉ・・・」 私は今にも泣き出しそうな声で呟いた。 そこで私は一つの光明を見出してしまった。 「どうしたのお姉ちゃん?」 「ゆら、私思うの、コミケって3日間もあるんだよ?」 「おい待て、お姉ちゃん? 流石に3日連続で着てくれるなんて思わない方がいいよ?」 正論である。 分かってはいるけど・・・ 「私たちのブースは1日目。」 「そうだねお姉ちゃん。」 「3日間行動をともにしても問題ないのでは!?」 念のために連絡を入れたらあっさりOK出してくれた。 コスプレ自体には興味あるらしい。 優希くんは天使か何か?

Ch 10 Last night, I was watching Schwartz the Glintz's stream in bed, but I fell asleep without realizing it. Normally, my alarm would go off the next morning, but my phone died, so when I woke up, I was convinced I was late. Luckily, I woke up just in time, so I hurriedly got ready for school and ran to the bus stop. I have a power bank, so I should be able to boot up my phone before I reach school. Fortunately, the bus had just arrived when I got to the stop. Had I been a few seconds late leaving the house, I would've been screwed, and that thought gave me chills. The bus was packed, so I couldn't check my phone's battery, but I figured I would do it when I got to school. After about 20 minutes, the bus came to a halt at the bus stop in front of the school. I walked straight to the classroom after getting off the bus. "Morning, guys," I greet my classmates. "Oh, it's Hime-kun. Morning!" "Mornin', Hime-kunnn." "Hellow, Hime-kun!" The girls in my class reply back. And then... "I watched your stream!" "Me toooo. You were super cute!" "YuruYuka tee-tee..." It's nice of them to even give feedback on my stream. I also appreciate that they haven't told our other classmates that I'm Yuka Shirahime. Then one of the girls asks me a question. "Hime-kun, you've never met Mama Yuru in real life, right?" I don't get why Yuru-sensei interests her so much, but oh well. "I'm rooting for you! Do your best on your streams! (If I knew what she looks like, I could make a doujin about them... Uhehehe...)" "Thanks!" And with that, the girls go their own ways. "Yo, Yuki. Yesterday was a disaster, huh?" Today, Yuuto arrived a bit late and said that as soon as he saw me in the classroom. "A disaster? Are you talking about the game?" "Huh? No, not the game." "Huh? Then what are you talking about?" "Huh? I thought you already knew because it was obviously about you, Yuki..." "Well, whatever. Anyway, before we went to buy the game yesterday, you almost tripped, right?" "Yeah, I remember that. But a woman helped me, so I was okay." "That woman was Fuwari Ukigumo from Imananji's 7th wave." "What?!" W-W-W-W-What's the meaning of this?! "What do you mean?!" "Coincidences are a funny thing, eh? Fuwari Ukigumo... The name's too long to say every time, so I'll just use Fuwa-chan. Anyway, Fuwa-chan started her stream yesterday in a really good mood." "Uh-huh, yeah, that happens often." "Anyway, Fuwa-chan said she was happy because she helped someone whom she couldn't tell whether they were a boy or a girl and got to hug them in the process." I don't like where this is going. "Then, someone from her chat introduced you, Yuki, as a possible femboy VTuber named Yuka Shirahime." "Please tell me that wasn't you!" I couldn't help but interject. "Of course not!" "What do you take me for, seriously..." "Well, let's put that aside. Fuwa-chan quickly researched and found your channel." "And then she watched my videos?" "Yeah, exactly. But what was amazing was that she immediately figured out it was you, Yuki." "Huh???" "Lastly, she said she's aiming to collab with Yuka Shirahime." "Besides, Fuwa-chan's a corporate VTuber, can she really collab with me? Normally, they only collaborate with VTubers from the same agency, right?" "Yeah, that's normally how it goes. But, in this situation, her character as Fuwari Ukigumo broke off multiple times, and her stream became pretty viral." "So it's possible that she might use that to promote herself, huh..." It's great that there's a chance that I might meet my fave VTuber, and I'm even happier if it's the pretty lady from that time, but... "It seems that I'm on Fuwa-chan's hitlist because of my physical appearance..." "Oh..." Yuuto made a face that looked like he messed up. I don't remember the contents of today's class that happened after. --Fuwari Ukigumo's POV-- My name is Hana Utsurogi. I love lolis and shotas, and I'm the person behind Fuwari Ukigumo. Early in the morning, I headed to the district office to get some things done at the big VTuber agency, Imananji. Back in the day, Imananji only had an office in Tokyo, which meant most of the VTubers were from or had to travel to the Tokyo area, which caused a lot of problems with support and handling issues. To overcome this situation, the agency decided to invest in opening district offices in major cities nationwide. As a result, VTubers from all over Japan started to gather and entertain with interesting live streams, and Imananji's name spread throughout the country, sparking a movement. That's why VTubers are still popular today. And I, a rural person, got a chance thanks to that. Perhaps because of the company's established reputation, I became a well-known VTuber. How? Personally, I think I'm pretty good at games; my character design and 3D modeling are all top-notch, to the point where I feel like I don't belong in this girl's body. However, if there's one thing, it's that I created my character for popularity. Recently, I even surprise myself by being able to act in character without thinking. I act like a natural, air-headed girl by extending my sentences and the like. Somehow, people accept me for it, and that's one of the reasons behind my popularity. Whenever a cute character appears in a game, my excitement goes through the roof. Apparently, that's one of the reasons why people like me, according to my manager and colleagues. I usually play games I like or host zatsudan streams. You can say it's more than just a pastime now. It pays the bills and allows me to live a more comfortable life than most, which is something I'm grateful for. Yesterday, I helped an androgynous person from tripping. Turns out, they had a charming face and voice, even though they leaned more toward the boyish side. I felt thrilled when I hugged them lightly with my arms. I want to do it again. But if I tell this to people, they would probably think it's weird. What's even more surprising is that they happen to be an indie VTuber. Not to mention, their favorite VTuber is me. Today, I came early to the agency to make my collab with them official. When I arrived at the office, I talked to my manager. "Good morning, manager." "Oh, hello, Utsurogi-san. You're early today." "Yes, if the person agrees, would it be okay to collaborate with them?" "I don't mind." "You've been working hard for the agency, so the higher-ups told me to give you some freedom," replies the manager, adding that restricting their talents too much will take away their strengths. "You've been listening to our requests for so long, so it's about time we give you some leeway. But if you do an offline collaboration, make sure to do it at our designated karaoke place since we have the rights to it. Okay?" "Really?! My potential collab partner seems to care about that, so I appreciate it." "In return, make sure to tag us properly in your collaboration partner's live stream, okay? It's important!" "Okay, then let's go over the plans we discussed earlier..." I'm going to work hard so I can collab with that person. There are other pressing matters, but that kid is important to me right now. Hehehe... I'm looking forward to finding out whether they're a legal loli or shota... --Kaoru Yusa (Yuru Kakizaki)'s POV-- "What should I do..." I'm struggling with something right now. "Still at it, onee-chan?" "Yeah, I was trying to come up with a costume for Yuka-chan and ended up with so many ideas..." "Well, narrowing it down to just one is tough." "Ughhh, I can't decide..." "Onee-chan, I came up with a design too...what do you think?" "Ahhhhhhhh! This would also look amazing on her!!!" "Right?!?!?! I knew you'd get it, onee-chan!!!" One hour later... "Onee-chan, we've managed to narrow it down to three, but..." "I can't handle trying to narrow it down any further..." I mutter in a voice on the verge of tears. But then I see a glimmer of hope. "What's up, onee-chan?" "Yura, you know how Comiket lasts for three days, right?" "Uh, onee-chan? You can't expect him to cosplay for three days in a row, can you?" She has a point. I know that, but... "Our booth is only on the first day." "That's true." "So, if we run the booth for three days, it'll be fine, right?!" Just to be safe, I asked him, and he was okay with it. He himself seems to be pretty interested in cosplay. Is Yuki-kun some kind of angel or something?

『もうこの配信無くして生きれない身体になってしまったので責任取ってください♡』 『まってた』 『あぁ^〜この声がたまらないんじゃぁ^〜』 『今俺にウインクしてくれた!もう死んでもいい!』 『死んでもいい兄貴生きて、ウインクだけで一生配信見れなくなるのは大損だゾ』 の目の前にある2枚のモニターの片方にコメントが表示され皆思い思いにコメントを入力している。 今僕は、Vtuberをやっている。 それもかなりの人気だ。 個人勢なのに破竹の勢いでチャンネル登録者数を伸ばして行き、もうすぐ100万人が見えてきている。 どうしてこうなったんだろう。 始まりは些細なきっかけだった。 よくある話で、ずっと大好きだった部活の先輩に彼氏が出来たことが原因だった。 傷心した僕はヤケッパチになってVtuberを始める事にした。 何故Vtuberなのか? 好きだからだよ、言わせないでよ恥ずかしい。 運良く有名になれたら推しとコラボ出来るかもしれないんだよ!!! ちなみにVtuberになるにはそれなりの機材が必要だったりする。 ガチでやらないなら数万円あれば出来るけれどどうせなら形から入って行こうと思った。 ヤケになってたしね。 お金は高校に通うために一人暮らしを始める際に親から今まで預けていたお年玉をもらっていたのでそれを使う事にした。 その金額驚きの100万円だ。 バイトしなくとも当分過ごせるのは間違い無いだろうこの金額。 それでも1年生からバイトをしていた僕はこのお金に全く手をつけていなかった。 まるっと100万もある訳で、傷心し、傷ついていた僕は浅はかにもそのほぼ全額を使い、Vtuberになるために必要な資金にしてしまった。 幸いにもかなりハイスペックなパソコン、オーディオインターフェースにキャプチャーボード、マイクは2種類、モーショントラッキングに必要な道具。 そしてVtuberにとって一番大事と言っても過言ではないほど大事な肉体。 そう、3Dモデルだ。 これが相場よりも安く入手する事が出来た。 ちなみに3Dモデルに関連する依頼料で50万は飛んで行った。 まず原画を昔からピヨッターでフォローしている絵師に依頼。 これだけで30万。 しかし、これでも安い方なのだ。 この絵師は有名ではあるがまだアマチュアと言える人で、僕が有名になればその原画を担当した、つまりママであると宣伝出来る。 だから君が頑張ってVtuberをやっていくのならこの値段でやってもいいと言われた。 勿論即座に了承した。 次に元絵を用意すれば20万で受けてくれるという良心的な値段設定の人が絵師さんの紹介でいたためその人にモデルの作成を依頼。 またこの人もプロ顔負けのアマチュア3Dモデラーでかなりクオリティが高いとの事。 ただ、絵師さんからの条件で、アバターとなる原画、3Dモデルは完成まで見せないと言われた。 ただ僕の情報を教える事で僕のデータをモデルにした3Dモデルを作ってくれるらしい。 そこで自己紹介を兼ねて僕のプロフィールを書いていこう。 次に身長が150cmで体重が43kg。 こらそこ!小さいっていうな!僕は気にしてるんだよ! 僕のこの情報を絵師さんに渡し、あとは待つだけ。 気に入らなかったら手直しもしてくれるとは言っていたので直ぐに出来るものではないだろう。 ちなみにこの金額が高いと思う人もいると思う。 でも名のある人がデザインしたものとそうでないものにはまず最初のスタートラインが大きく変わる。 特に今回の絵師さんなら最初の拡散に協力して貰えるとの事だったので広告費も付いていると考えたらお得に感じるのでは無いだろうか。 待っている期間はたまにVCでやり取りなどを行なっていた。 時が過ぎる事2ヶ月、今日がその納品日に決定したんだ。 その日は朝からずっと緊張していた。 なのでその間に3Dモデルを動かしたり、録音や録画の方法なんかの基礎的な知識を何度も確認していた。 そしてとうとうその時が訪れたんだ。 指定の時間になるとメールが届き絵師さんのHPの納品用URLが添えられたメールが送られてきた。 絵師さんのHPに入り、納品されたデータをダウンロードする。 データを解凍し、3Dモデルビューワーでモデルを確認する。 するとそこにはまさに絶世の美少女とも言うべきアバターが! 白をメインとした中にほんのり薄いピンクを入れたふんわりとした雰囲気のハーフアップ。 リボンは黒で少し大人びた雰囲気も感じられる。 ふっくらとした頬に可愛らしさを感じさせる小さめの唇。 瞳の色は薄めのピンク色で個人的性癖にどストライクだ。 身体はアニメで言うところの11歳、12歳くらいの女の子だろうか。 胸は控えめながらもしっかりと存在感を放っていて今後成長していきそうな雰囲気を感じさせる。 3Dモデルなので成長はしないけど。 手脚などは細めで服は黒をメインにしたワンピース。 手脚がよく映えるいい衣装だ。 総合的に言うと、すこだ。 かなりすこだ。 ただ、問題があるとするなら。 「僕は男だよ!?なんで美少女アバターなの!?!?!?」 僕は部屋の中で絶叫していた。 「先生!?あの!?なんで女の子なんですか!?」 僕は絶叫したすぐ後に原画を描いてくれた絵師さんこと、柿崎ゆる先生にVCを繋いだ。 「ん?いや君女の子だろう?女の子が女の子のアバターを使って何がおかしいと言うんだい?ちなみに私の最高傑作とも言うべき作品だ、見た目は気に入って貰えたかな?ちなみに、髪色とワンピースの色は弄れるようになっているから好きなように調整しておくれよ。」 「いやもう最高です、じゃなくて!僕は男ですよ!プロフィールにも書いてありましたよね!?」 「いやいや、冗談言っちゃいけないよ、キミのような可愛い声出す男がどこにいると言うんだい?それにプロフィールに性別書いてなかったから私が性別確認の意味も含めてVC繋いでいたんだぞ?」 「写真でも送ってみたらどうだい!流石に見た目なら分かるだろう?」 「うぅ・・・じゃあこれでいいですか!!!」 でもそう言われると確かに昔からかわいいとか言われてた記憶はある。 髪の毛は昔からお母さんが伸ばした方がいいって言ってたから伸ばしてたんだけどもしかして可愛いからいいって意味じゃないよね? それは、ないよね? 「んっ!まぁ、どちらにせよキミの声なら間違いなくVtuberとしてもやっていけるだろうさ。」 「そ、そうですか?」 「勿論、沢山のVtuberを観てきた私が言うんだ、間違い無いさ。」 「や、やれるだけ、やってみます・・・」 「はは、頑張って私の名前ももっと広めておくれよ?勿論キミのデビューは私がピヨッターで拡散しておくから、チャンネルの開設と自己紹介動画が出来たら私に教えておくれよ!」 そうして僕は意図せずバ美肉する羽目になったのだった。 私が今回引き受けた仕事の一つは個人でVtuberを始めるためにキャラの原画を描いて欲しいとの事だった。 元々私が無名も無名の頃からフォローしてくれている人だったので話だけでも聞こうと思った。 私の名前も大分売れてきたとはいえまだアマチュアだ。 プロと呼ばれる人たちと違ってまだ知名度が圧倒的に足りていない訳だね。 そこで一つ賭けをしてみる事にした。 私の依頼人の予算ギリギリで3Dモデルから原画までやってしまおうと思ったのだ。 ちなみに私は3Dモデルには疎いのでそこは私の妹であるこれまたアマチュアの3Dモデラーを起用する事にした。 ちなみに私クラスの絵師ならばキャラデザから原画だけで50万は取っている。 場合によってはもっと取る人もいるだろう。 そして3Dモデルを依頼する妹も最低でも30万ほどは貰うレベルだ。 時間はそこまで長くかかるものでは無いけれど、私達にも生活があるので合計で50万、これは譲れないラインだ。 それに私が少しでも安く原画を描くのだから依頼者にも頑張って貰わないといけない。 それを条件に出したところ快くOKが出た。 依頼者の情報を送ってもらい声に合ったキャラクターデザインをするためにVCで話してみる事にした。 依頼主のデータに性別が載っていなかったから丁度よかった。 出たのは可愛らしい声の女の子だった。 この子の声ならもしかしたら有名になれるかもしれない。 それからはずっとデザインを考え続け、妹にも協力してもらい彼女の声に合っている3Dモデルの作成に打ち込んでいった。 そして依頼を受けてから2ヶ月、とうとう納品の日がやってきた。 「私の最高傑作とも言える娘が出来た、ゆら、手伝ってくれて本当にありがとう。」 「お姉ちゃん、私が言うのもなんだけどこのモデルはヤバイ、間違いなく天下取れるよこれ。」 妹のゆらも私と同じ気持ちらしい。 「それじゃあ納品、しようか。」 そして私は納品用のページから3Dモデルと2Dのイラストデータをセットした。 すると10分ほどするとVCの通知音が鳴り始めた。 「お姉ちゃん、早速感想かな?」 「ふふ、少し楽しみだね。」 私は通話に応じると衝撃の事実を知らされる。 私は自分のキャラを崩さず対応する。 下手に騒がなかった私を褒めてもらいたい。 通話が終わった後に妹に私は告げた。 「依頼者あの声でおまけにこの見た目で男らしい・・・」 私は彼から送られてきた自撮り写真をゆらに見せた。 「しかもさ私の、凄くタイプなんだ・・・つらい・・・助けてゆら・・・」 そして新人Vtuberの中身の男の娘に二人は一目惚れしてしまったのだった。

[my body has become so dependent on your streams that it can't live without them. please take responsibility ] [I was waiting for this] [ahh^~ I cant get enough of your voice^~] [she winked at me! I can die happy now!] [don't say that bro. you'll miss out on a lot if you can no longer watch her streams all because of a wink.] On one of the two monitors in front of me, comments from a bunch of people are being displayed. I'm live streaming as a VTuber right now. Not to mention, I'm quite famous. Through my consistent efforts, despite being an indie, my subscriber count skyrocketed and is now nearing one million. How did this all begin? It all started with something minor. It's a pretty common story, one where the cause was the fact that the club senpai I've always liked got a boyfriend. Out of complete desperation from being heartbroken, I decided to become a VTuber. Why a VTuber, you ask? Because I like them. But please don't make me say that; it's embarrassing. If I hit the jackpot and make it big, who knows, I might be able to collab with my oshis!!! By the way, becoming a VTuber requires a decent amount of equipment to set up. If you're not that invested, you can make do with a few ten thousand yen, but I went all out. Again, I was desperate. I'm using the money I saved from several years' worth of New Year's money my parents gave me. This was initially meant to go to high school and independent living fees. All in all, it's a whopping ten million yen. I bet I can get by for now just from this amount, even if I don't work part-time. Despite that, I have worked part-time since 7th grade and never touched my savings. Now, this money will be used to fund heartbroken and superficial me's VTubing expenses. Fortunately, I already have a high-spec PC, an audio interface, a capture card, two mics, and motion tracking ready. And the most important thing to a VTuber is their indispensable body. That's right, a 3D model. I managed to get one at a price cheaper than the average. By the way, 500,000 yen already went to just the model and its related expenses. I commissioned the character design from one of the artists I was following on Tweeter. This alone cost 300,000 yen. Nevertheless, it was cheap. The artist may be famous, but she's still considered an amateur. Once I become popular, she can advertise that she's my mama. She agreed to the price as long as I worked hard at being a VTuber. Naturally, I complied on the spot. Next, she offered introducing someone who'll create and rig the model for 200,000 yen if I provide her with the same character. This person is also an amateur 3D model rigger yet puts professionals to shame with her top-tier rigs. However, the artist's condition was that she would not show me the original drawing or the 3D model that would become my avatar until they were completed. She said she'd make the 3D model from the information I provided. And so, I introduced myself and wrote my bio. Next, my height is 150 cm, and my weight is 43 kg. Hey! Don't call me small! It bothers me, okay?! After giving this information to the artist, I waited. She also said she was willing to make some changes if I didn't like the avatar, so I guess it won't be done right away. By the way, some people may think this price is too much. But there's a huge difference in the benchmarks between a design by a well-known artist and one not so much. Not to mention, this artist will cooperate with the initial publicity, so I'd say it's a good deal if you also consider the promotion fees. While I waited, we occasionally voice called. Two months passed, and today's the day I received my model. I was nervous first thing in the morning. So I went over and over the basics of moving the 3D model and recording. And finally, the time came. At the designated time, I received an email with the link to the artist's site for the downloadable goods. I went to the artist's site and downloaded the data. Then, I extracted the file and checked the model with a 3D model viewer. There's an avatar that could be described as an exquisitely beautiful girl! Her hair is fluffy from the bottom up and has a white base with a hint of pale pink. She also has a black ribbon on her hair, giving her a slightly mature look. She has plump cheeks and soft-looking lips. Her eyes are light pink, which I find very attractive. Her physique is that of an 11- or 12-year-old girl in anime. Her chest, though small, has a fairly prominent presence and shows signs of growing. But of course, being a 3D model, it won't. She has a slender figure and wears a black dress. It's a good outfit that highlights her arms and legs. All in all, I like her. I'm genuinely pleased. However, if there is one problem... "I'm a dude! Why a female avatar?!?!?!" I screamed in my room. "Sensei, um...! Why is my avatar a female?!" Right after I screamed, I VC'd the artist, Yuru Kakizaki-sensei, who made the original drawing. "Huh? Aren't you a girl? What's so odd about a girl using a female avatar? By the way, I'd say that's gotta be my greatest work of all time. How do you like her looks? Oh, and her hair and dress colors are modifiable, so you can change them as you like," says Yuru Kakizaki-sensei in a voice that gives me the impression she's as cool as her tweets. "She's absolutely the best! I mean, no! I'm a guy! Didn't I also mention that in my bio?!" "Oh, stop it with the lies. Where do you find a guy with a voice as cute as yours? Also, you didn't mention your gender in your bio. That's why I VC'd with you to confirm it, remember?" "Send me a pic! I'm sure I should be able to tell by looks!" "Oof... Does this convince you now?!" and with that, I send a selfie. But when she puts it that way, I remember being told I was cute since I was young. I've always let my hair grow because my mom said I should keep it long. Don't tell me she said that because I looked cute in it? There's no way...right? "Hm! Well, either way, your voice is definitely suited to be a VTuber." "R-Really?" "Really really! And that's coming from someone who has seen loads of VTubers." "I-I'll give it my best..." "Haha, good luck and spread my name too for me, will you? Of course, I'll share your debut on Tweeter, so let me know once you've created your channel and intro vid!" Thus, I unintentionally became a G.I.R.L. (Guy In Real Life). One of the commissions I accepted this time was to draw an original character for an indie VTuber. I had been following them since I was a nobody, so I thought I'd at least listen to what they had to say. Although my name has become quite popular, I'm still an amateur. Unlike the professionals, I am still far from being well-known. So, I decided to take a gamble. I offered to provide everything from the original design to the rigged 3D model as much as my client's budget could handle. Incidentally, I'm unfamiliar with 3D models, so I recommended my sister, an amateur 3D modeler. By the way, an artist of my caliber can charge 500,000 yen just for an original character design. Some may charge more than that. And my sister, who receives 3D model commissions, charges at least 300,000. It doesn't take that long, but we have to make a living, so the total of 500,000 yen is a non-negotiable line. And since I'd be doing the design as cheaply as possible, the client would have to do their best. When I presented these conditions, my client readily agreed. I decided to talk to them on VC to get their information and design a character that would fit their voice. The client's data didn't have a gender mentioned, so it was the perfect opportunity. The person who answered the call was a girl with a lovely voice. With her voice, I had a feeling she could become famous. From there, I kept brainstorming the design, and with the help of my sister, we worked on creating a 3D model that matched our client's voice. Two months after receiving the commission, the day of delivery finally arrived. "I've created a masterpiece of a child. Thanks for helping too, Yura." "Onee-chan, I know I'm saying this about my own work, but this model is superb! She could captivate the whole world!" My sister Yura seems to feel the same way. "Okay. All we need to do...is send these to her." I then uploaded the 3D model and 2D illustration data on the website. After about 10 minutes, I received an invitation to a voice call. "Onee-chan, could she be sharing her thoughts with us right away?" "Hehe, I'm a little excited." I answered the call and was informed of a shocking revelation. I respond without breaking character. Someone praise me for not losing my cool. After the call ended, I told my sister. "It turns out... our client... is a guy despite his voice and looks..." I showed Yura the selfie he sent me. "And the thing is... he's sooo my type... My heart hurts, help me, Yura..." And we fell in love at first sight with the G.I.R.L. behind the newbie VTuber.

38:撮影準備! 今日は急遽入ったモデルのアルバイトがある訳だけど、迎えの時間までまだ結構あるので サンドイッチを食べていると今から向かうという連絡が入ったようなのでホテルの入り口に戻る事になった。 「ふぅ・・・コミケの撮影と違ってしっかりとした撮影なので少し不安ですね・・・」 「大丈夫、ある程度はスタッフさんが指示を出してくれるから言う事聞いておけば余程失敗はしないと思うよ。」 薫さんがアドバイスをくれたので素直に言う事を聞くように心がけよう。 そして待つ事数分、ホテルの前に黒い車が停車した。 「お待たせしました、副社長より聞いていたかと思いますが今から撮影場所への送迎をさせて頂きます宮野と申します。短い間ではありますがよろしくお願いします。」 中からとても丁寧な口調で話す男性が現れた。 僕たちは口を揃えて挨拶した。 それから移動し、まずは衣装を合わせるためにGloryCuteの本社へと向かう事になった。 車が本社ビルの前に停まると僕たちは車を降り、中へと入っていった。 すると中でマネージャーさんが待っていた。 「ようこそ、優希ちゃん、薫ちゃん、由良ちゃん、今日は来てくれてありがとう。」 「いや、薫ちゃんにも言ったけど本当に切羽詰まってたのよ、今日一緒に撮影する子うちの売れっ子でね、撮影スケジュールがもうびっしりなのよ。」 「なるほど、だから代用立ててでも撮影したかったって事なんですね!」 「そういう事ね、それじゃ時間に余裕もあまりないし、優希ちゃん案内するからそこで衣装合わせしてもらってきてねぇ。」 「分かりました!」 そう言って僕は案内された部屋に入ると中には沢山の服が用意されていた。 その部屋の中で1人の女の人が椅子に座って僕の事を待っていたようだった。 「君が言ってた子だね、うーんちょっと色々イメージするからそこで立っててもらえるかな?」 「はい!」 僕は返事をすると姿見の前に立つ。 「うーん、秋物で姉妹コーデだから・・・」 彼女は1人で呟き始めると掛けられている服を取り僕の隣にあるハンガーラックに掛け始めた。 「これとこれもいいかな・・・」 彼女は僕の前に服をぶら下げたりしながら服を更に選んでいく。 結構な時間が経つと彼女の服選びは終了したらしく、僕の隣には結構な量の服が掛けられていた。 「よしっ!こんなものかな?」 「えっと、僕はどれを着ればいいんですか?」 「えっ?」 「とりあえずこの服を持って行くから次は撮影地に行く前に君のお化粧やっちゃうね。」 彼女はメイク担当の女性を呼ぶと服を持ってどこかへ行ってしまった。 「はーい、じゃあ次は私がメイクやっていくからよろしくねー」 「は、はい!お願いします!」 「そ、そうなんですかね・・・?」 流石に自分のお肌事情を他人と比較なんてした事ないからよく分からないかな。 「・・・よし、出来た。」 「こ、これが僕、未だに慣れないなぁ・・・」 「ふふっ、良く似合ってるよ。」 「それじゃ、次は移動するからついてきてね?」 僕はメイク担当のお姉さんに着いていき薫さんたちが待つロビーに向かった。 「お待たせしました・・・」 僕はロビーで待っていたマネージャーさんと薫さんと由良さんに合流した。 「おかえりなさい、今日も似合ってるよ優希くん。」 「うんうん!今日もいい感じだね!」 「やっぱりお化粧すると映えるわねぇ・・・」 「えへへ、ありがとうございます。」 僕たちは大きな車に乗せられ撮影現場へと向かうことになった。 「そうなのよ、しかもとびっきりの可愛い子でね、明日また迎えに行かせるからよろしく頼むわねぇ。」 「はい、わかりました!」 「あーそうそう、もし撮影早く終わっても居たかったらギリギリまでこっちに居てもいいからね、夏休み少しくらい楽しみたいでしょう?」 「えっ?いいんですか?スケジュールは・・・」 「だ・か・ら!早く終わったらの話。 まぁ遥ちゃんなら卒なくこなすと思うからアタシは心配していないけど。」 一度その、アキバとか行ってみたかったんです・・・」 「あらいいじゃない、オタクの聖地の一つよね、アタシも久しぶりに行きたいわねぇ。」 「えっ?マネージャーさんもオタクだったんですか?」 「アタシは可愛いものオタクよ。 家にだってファンシーグッズ一杯あるし、可愛い系のフィギュアとかも結構あるのよ?」 「な、なんか意外ですね。」 「皆に言われるわ・・・」 そしてマネージャーさんとの電話が終わったわたしは明日に備えて早く寝る事にした。 睡眠をしっかり取るのは美容において大事なことだからね。 朝になり準備をしたわたしは本社へと向かい衣装合わせとメイクをしてもらう。 今回は衣装を乗せたロケ車は2台に分かれるようなのでわたしはロケ車の中で待機していた。 すると今回一緒に撮る子の準備が出来たようなので現地へ向けて車は出発した。 早く終わらせてアキバに行ってみたいな。

Ch 38 I have a sudden modeling part-time job today, but there's still quite some time before the pick-up, so the three of us--Kaoru-san, Yura-san, and myself--went to a popular place nearby the hotel to have breakfast. As we ate our sandwiches, we got a message to head over, so we returned to the hotel entrance. "Phew... This is a proper photo shoot, not like the ones at Comiket. I'm a bit nervous..." "Don't worry; the staff will give you directions to a certain extent. As long as you listen to them, I don't think you'll make any major mistakes." Kaoru-san gave me some pointers, so I listened obediently. After waiting a few minutes, a black car pulled up in front of the hotel. "Sorry for the wait. My name is Miyano. I believe you've heard from the vice president, and I'll be providing transportation to the shooting location. I look forward to working with you, even for a short time." A polite-spoken man came out of the car. We all greet him in unison. Then we moved on, heading to GloryCute's headquarters to get the outfits. When the car stopped, we got out and went inside the building. Inside, the manager was waiting for us. "Welcome, Yuki-chan, Kaoru-chan, and Yura-chan. Thank you for coming today." "Well, as I told Kaoru-chan, we were really in a tight spot. The girl shooting with us today is one of our top models, so her schedule is packed." "I see. So that's why you wanted to shoot, even if it meant finding a substitute!" "That's right. We don't have much time to spare, so Yuki-chan, I'll guide you to where you can put on the outfits." "Understood!" As I entered the room I was guided to, many clothes were prepared inside. Inside, a woman was sitting in a chair, seemingly waiting for me. "You're the boy they mentioned, huh? Hmm, I have several images in mind. Could you stand over there for me?" she says, pointing at a large full-length mirror. "Yes!" I respond and stand before the mirror. "Hmm, it's an autumn outfit that should match their sister, so..." She mutters to herself, picking out clothes and hanging them on a rack beside me. "This and this might be good..." She continues to select more clothes while holding some up in front of me. After some time, it seemed she was done selecting clothes, and quite a number of outfits were hanging next to me. "Okay! This should be it." "Hmm, at worst, all of them?" "Eh?" "For now, I'll take these clothes. We'll do your makeup before we go to the shooting location." She calls a woman in charge of makeup and takes the clothes somewhere. "I'll be doing your makeup next, okay?" "Y-Yes, please go ahead!" "I-Is that so...?" I've never compared my skin with others, so I can't tell. "...And done." "Th-This is me... I'm still not used to this..." "Hehe, it suits you very well." "Now, let's move on to the next location. Please follow me." I follow the makeup artist and head to the lobby, where Kaoru-san and the others await. "Sorry for the wait..." I reunited with the manager, Kaoru-san, and Yura-san. "Welcome back, Yuki-kun. You're looking great as usual." "Yeah! You look great today!" "You certainly stand out with makeup on..." "Ehehe, thank you." A large car then takes us to the shooting venue. "Yes, and they're incredibly cute. I'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow. I'm counting on you, sweetie." "Yes, understood!" "Oh, if the shooting ends early, you can stay here until the last minute. You want to enjoy your summer break a little, right?" "Huh? Is it okay? But what about the schedule...?" "That's if the shooting ends early! I think you can handle it without any problems, Haruka-chan, so I'm not worried." I've always wanted to go to Akihabara..." "Sounds like a plan, love. It's one of the holy lands for otaku, right? I also want to go there. It's been a while for me." "Huh? Are you an otaku too, Manager?" "I'm a fan of cute things. I have a lot of fancy goods at home and quite a few cute figures, too." "That's... surprising." "I get that a lot..." After the phone call with my manager ended, I decided to go to bed early to prepare for tomorrow. Getting enough sleep is important for beauty. Morning came, and after preparing, I headed to the headquarters to get my outfit and makeup done. They divided the costumes between two studio vehicles this time, and I was stationed in one of them, waiting. The girl I'm paired with for the shoot is also ready, so the car departed for the location. I hope the shoot ends early so I can go to Akihabara.

27:Asmr収録 とうとうこの日がやってきてしまった。 コミケに出すためのボイスの収録をする、それが今日 ーとそれっぽく言ってみたけどただ締切がギリギリなだけなんだよね。 ボイスを納品した後にはシリアルコードの発行が必要になるんだけど、それがほぼ手作業なんだ。 そして今回のボイスはゆる先生のサークルの新刊セットに封入するという事になった。 ちょうど白姫ゆかを題材にした本らしいので特典としてもなかなかいいと思う。 僕としては出来る限り安く頒布したかったので本来の新刊セットに+500円という値段で決定した。 少しでも楽しんで貰えたら僕は嬉しいな。 「ふぅ、それじゃあ収録始めようっと。」 僕は意識を集中して白姫ゆかになる。 『お兄ちゃん、今日もお疲れさま!』 『えっ?耳掃除?ふふーん、やっぱりハマっちゃったんだね・・・』 『ボクなんかでよければいつでもやってあげるよ?』 『それじゃ、はい!ボクの膝の上に頭乗せて!』 『よく出来ました!』 『それじゃあ耳掃除、始めるよ?』 かりかりと耳を掃除する音が少しの間聴こえる。 『どう?お兄ちゃん、気持ちいい?』 『ふふっ、気持ちいいんだ。幸せそうな顔しちゃってるね。』 『くすぐったかったんだ?』 『それじゃぁ次は反対の耳掃除やっていくよ?反対向いてー!』 『はい!じゃこっちもやっていくね!』 再度かりかりと耳掃除をする音が聴こえる。 『ちょっと!動いたら危ないよお兄ちゃん!』 『・・・よし!これで大丈夫かな!』 『あっ!そうだ忘れてた!』 『あははっ!またお兄ちゃんびくってなってる!なんか可愛いかも?』 『お姉ちゃんー起きてー!』 『むぅ・・・』 『おーきーてー!遅刻しちゃうよー!』 『もう・・・こうなったら・・・』 がさがさと耳元で音がする。 『おねーちゃん、起きないと・・・』 『起きた?もうお姉ちゃん本当お耳弱いんだから!』 『まさかボクに耳をふーってされたくてわざとやってるってワケ・・・無いよね?』 収録がある程度終わり素に戻った僕は収録した音声のチェックをしていた。 「も、問題はない・・・けど自分の声のASMR聴くのはちょっと・・・SAN値が・・・」 「うん、でも違和感は無いかな?」 折角だし薫さんにも聴いてもらって改善点が無いか聞いてみよう。 連絡を取るために僕はVCを起動して薫さんにメッセージを送った。 私がコミケ前の追い込みを始め、作業をしているとVCのアプリからメッセージが届いたと通知があった。 「ん?優希くんから?」 「なるほど、収録したのはいいけど自分だけでは判断が出来ないから聴いて欲しいって事なんだ。」 私は勿論大丈夫だと返信した。 すると10分ほどするとファイルが優希くんから送られてきた。 作業用のPCに影響するといけないのでサブのノートPCにデータをダウンロードする。 私はそのデータをスマホに転送してイヤホンで聴きながら作業をする事にした。 作業どころじゃなかった。 耳にふーっと息を吹きかけるシーンが大量でそのシーンのたびに私の身体がびくびくと震えた。 正直どれくらい経ったのかすらもう私の記憶には無い。 「お姉ちゃんー夜ご飯できたよーってどうしたのお姉ちゃん!?」 「お姉ちゃん、発音変だよ!?」 私はデータの入っているスマホを由良に渡しご飯を食べた。 あれを500円で売るとか優希くんは正気なのかな・・・? そして寝る前に由良の部屋に行ったら布団の中でこれから聴こうとしている由良を見つけた。 さぁ由良も死ぬがよいのだ。 私は感想を優希くんに送り自分の部屋で眠りについた。

Ch 27 At last, the day has arrived. Today is the day to record the voice packs for Comiket. I've tried to make it sound dramatic, but the truth is, I'm just rushing to meet the deadline. After completing the voice recordings, I need to issue serial codes, a task that's almost entirely manual. And this time, the codes will be enclosed in the new sets from Yuru-sensei's circle. It seems the doujins' theme revolves around Yuka Shirahime, so it makes a rather nice bonus. I wanted to distribute it as cheaply as possible, so I decided to add 500 yen to the price of the regular set. I'd be happy if people could enjoy the recordings, even just a little. "Whew, well then, let's start recording." I focus my mind, becoming Yuka Shirahime. [Thanks for all your hard work as always, onii-chan!] [Huh? Clean your ears? Hehe, you got addicted to it, huh...] [I don't mind doing it anytime if you're okay with me.] [Okay then, come here! Rest your head on my lap!] [Good job!] [So, shall we start cleaning your ears?] The sound of ear cleaning can be heard for a while. [How is it, onii-chan? Does it feel good?] [Hehe, it does? You're making such a happy face.] [Did it tickle you?] [Well then, let's clean your other ear. Turn the other way for me, please!] [Okay! I'll start cleaning this side!] The sound of ear cleaning can be heard again. [Hey! No moving, onii-chan! It's dangerous!] [...Alright! This should be fine!] [Oh! I almost forgot!] [Ahaha! Onii-chan, you're flinching again! It's almost kind of cute.] [Onee-chan, wake uppp!] [Mmh...] [Wake. Up! You're going to be late!] [Geez... If that's how it is...] Rustling sounds can be heard close to one's ears. [Onee-chan, if you don't wake up soon...] [Are you awake now? You're really sensitive to sounds, huh, onee-chan!] [You... weren't pretending to be asleep just so I would breathe into your ear, right?] Once the recording was over and I returned to my normal self, I checked the audio quality. "N-No problems, I guess... but listening to my own ASMR voice is a bit... mentally challenging." "Okay. But it doesn't sound awkward, does it?" I should ask Kaoru-san to listen to it and see if there's anything to improve. To contact her, I launched the VC app and sent Kaoru-san a message. As I started the final push before Comiket, working on my tasks, I got a notification from my VC app. "Huh? A message from Yuki-kun?" "I see, he's finished the recording but can't judge it by himself, so he wants me to listen to it." I, of course, replied that it was okay. About 10 minutes later, I received a file from Yuki-kun. I didn't want it to affect my main work PC, so I downloaded the data to my secondary laptop. I transferred the data to my phone and listened to it with earphones while working. I couldn't focus on work anymore. There were many scenes where he gently blew into the mic, and each time, my body shuddered Honestly, I don't even remember how much time passed. "Onee-chan, dinner's ready! Hey, what happened?! Are you okay?!" "Onee-chan, your pronunciation's all over the place!" I handed Yura the phone with the audio data and had my dinner. Is Yuki-kun sane, selling that for a mere 500 yen...? Before going to sleep, I went to Yura's room and found her in bed, about to listen to the recording. Now, it's time for Yura to meet her end. I sent my thoughts to Yuki and went to sleep in my room.

24:女装しながらゆるママとオフコラボ!(前編) 『こ、こんにちは!白姫ゆかだよ!』 ボクは緊張を必死に隠しながらいつもの挨拶をする。 !? へぁ!? どういう事!? 『えっと、ボクが白姫ゆかで、こっちにいる美人なお姉さんがゆるママだよ!』 「もしかすると即売会で会ったことある人もいるかもしれないけど、私が柿崎ゆるです、よろしくお願いします。」 まさかのリアル映像でオフコラボしてくるとか想像つかんわwww きゃー!かわいいー!! 浮雲ふわり ¥10000 ゆかちゃんとても可愛いですよー とりあえずそこ代わって下さいゆる先生。 なんかきた... こわい 『うぇ!?えっとふわりお姉ちゃんスパチャありがとう!でも無理しないでいいからね?普通にコメントしてくれるだけでボクは嬉しいからね?』 浮雲ふわり:ゆかちゃんやさしい....もっと投げちゃいましょうかね...? ふわちゃん最初からぶっ飛んでるな さり気なくゆるママと交代しようとすんなw 投げたくなる気持ちは分かるけどさw 『それとボクこういう格好するの慣れてないんだけど似合ってる、かな?』 通りすがりのお兄ちゃん ¥5000 これだけでご飯10杯食べれる 破壊力ヤバすぎ というかこれで性別判断しろって言われても 女の子一択だろ ほんまそれ むしろこんな可愛い子が女の子の訳ないだろ! 何言ってんだこいつ... えぇ.... 『反応を見るに似合ってるみたいで嬉しいな♪』 恥ずかしそうにしながらも笑ってるところ最高すぎる 『えっとあんまり話してると次に進めないから一旦ここで切らせてもらうね!』 これからどうするん? 何やるの? わたしもそこにいきたい.... 『今日はここGloryCuteさんのオフィスに来ているんだけど、ここのマネージャーさん?でいいのかな、うん、オッケー?』 グッとマネージャーさんが親指を立てて合図をくれた。 『オッケーなんだね! それでそのマネージャーさんやスタッフさんがボクに合いそうな衣装を色々選んでくれたみたいで、IVで着る衣装を作るために必要なイメージやアイデアを出すためにまずは色々着てみる事になったんだって!』 つまり俺たち死ぬんだな 死刑宣告やんけ まだ死にとうない でも見たいんだろ? 当たり前だろ! 『でも、これ知らされたのさっきなんだよね・・・』 遠い目をしながらボクは呟いた。 ゆかちゃんェ... ゆるママとマネージャーさんGJ! これのおかげで今日も生きれそう はぁ...既にてぇてぇのにまだ来るのか... 「わかるよ皆、ゆかちゃん可愛いよね。」 そう言ってゆるママはボクを引き寄せた。 ゆるママはソファーに座り、ボクを膝の上に乗せ頭を撫で始めた。 は? は???? 浮雲ふわり:許さん、許さんぞ!!!!! ふわちゃん!? ふわちゃんに宣戦布告していくスタイルゥ! ああああ!てぇてぇ分がオーバードライブするんじゃあああああ!! 『ふぁぁぁぁぁぁ!!??』 あまりにも唐突な事態に変な声を上げてしまった。 仕方ないよね。 こんなにも美人なお姉ちゃんの膝の上に乗せられるなんて普通経験出来ないんだもん。 「なでなで、あー・・・最高、一度やりたかったの・・・ゆかちゃんありがとう・・・」 なんだこの光景美術館に飾るべきでは? 浮雲ふわり:ぐぬぬぬぬぬぬぬぬぬ ふwwwわwwwちゃwwwんwww 『あうあうあうあう・・・』 ゆかちゃんもオーバーヒートしてて草 完全に現状を理解できていない顔だ あぁ...てぇてぇよぉ.... この光景を見ながら死ねるってある意味幸せだよな... それ... 『その、流石に恥ずかしい・・・から。』 「んー?聴こえないなぁ・・・?」 『恥ずかしいから降ろしてほしいなって・・・』 「あと10分、いや5分でいいから!!」 結構強欲で草 5分も観させられる俺たち死亡確定なんだが... お前ら、じゃあな。 まて逝くな! 成仏出来たお兄ちゃん ¥3000 皆、無事を祈る。 惜しいやつを亡くしたよ... いいやつだったな... それから本当に5分ほどゆるママの白姫ゆかへの頭なでなでが続いた。 あの、ゆるママさん? ゆるママさーん!? 『ぁ...』 極度の緊張状態とゆるママの手によるなでなでの相乗作用のおかげか、白姫ゆかの目はもうとろとろに溶けていた。 「あっ、やっちゃった!? そのー、可愛すぎてつい・・・」 気持ちはわかるけどね!? ゆかちゃんなんかやばそう.... 大丈夫かな? ゆるママが慌てていると 『おねーちゃん、もっと。』 『もっと、なでなでして。』 虚な目で白姫ゆかがゆるママにおねだりを始める。 「い、いいの?」 『うん!おねーちゃんのなでなで、きもちいいからすき。』 ああああああああああああ!!!!???? なにこれ!!!!????? うわああああああああああ!!!!!! 浮雲ふわり:もうやだ・・・鬱だよ・・・ 『ふわりおねーちゃんとはまたこんど! 浮雲ふわり:うわあああやったああああ!!! 浮雲ふわり:絶対行くからね!!!!! ふわちゃん...よかったね.... 平和になった....のか....? よしよし、と白姫ゆかの頭を撫でるゆるママ。 『えへへへへ、おねーちゃんだいすきー』 「はぁう!?」 まだ始まったばかりなのに死者多くない? 俺も限界かもしれねぇ.... 「はぁはぁ・・・死ぬかと思った・・・」 あんなの至近距離で喰らったらそら死ぬって... MAP兵器レベルじゃんこんなの... むしろゆるママよく耐えたと思う ゆかちゃん戻ってこないね... 妹になりきってる感じ? 「とりあえず正気に戻してみるね。」 ゆるママは白姫ゆかを正気に戻すために声をかけ始めた。

Ch 24 [H-Hello! Yuka Shirahime's here!] I desperately try to hide my nervousness while saying my usual greeting. !? Huah?!? what's the meaning of this?! [Um, I'm Yuka Shirahime, and this beautiful lady over here is Mama Yuru!] "Perhaps some of you have already met me at con booths, but I'm Yuru Kakizaki. Nice to meet you," says Mama Yuru as she faces the camera with a sweet smile. i wasn't expecting this off-collab to be streamed with real-life footage lolol Kyaa! So cute!! Fuwari Ukigumo Y=10,000 You look absolutely adorable, Yuka-channnn Please switch places with me, Yuru-sensei. something came... scary [Ueh?! Um, thank you for the Super Chat, Fuwari-oneechan! But you don't have to force yourself, okay? I'm happy enough with just your regular comments!] Fuwari Ukigumo: You're so sweet, Yuka-chan... Do you want me to send some more...? fuwa-chan is off to a flying start. Don't casually try to switch places with mama yuru XD I get the feeling of wanting to super chat though XD [Also, I'm not used to dressing up like this, but do you think it suits me?] Just An Onii-chan Passing By Y=5,000 i could eat 10 meals just by looking at that her destructive power is over 9000 but to be told to determine her gender based on this... There can only be one choice: a girl exactly that hello, there's no way such a cute person can be a girl! ^ What is this dude even talking about... eeh... [Judging by your reactions, it seems like it suits me. I'm happy] the way she's shy but still smiling is just too precious for this world [We won't be able to do much if we keep chatting like this, so let's stop the chit-chat here!] whatre u guys gonna do now? What're you gonna do? I wanna be there too... [We're here at GloryCute's office today, and I guess Mr. Manager here...? Is that okay? Yeah?] The manager signals a thumbs up. [He said okay! So, it seems the manager and the staff here have picked out various outfits that might suit me, and in order to create the image and ideas for the outfit I'll wear in the IV, I'm going to try on a variety of clothes!] in other words, we're gonna die Is this a death sentence I'm not ready to die yet But don't you wanna see it? Of course! [They only told me about this just now, though...] I mutter, gazing off into the distance. Yuka-chan... gj, manager and mama yuru! thanks to this, I feel like I can live through today Haah... it's already tee-tee as it is, but there's still more to come... "I understand your feelings, everyone. Yuka-chan is adorable, isn't she?" With those words, Mama Yuru draws me closer. Mama Yuru sits on the sofa, places me on her lap, and starts to pet my head. ha? Ha????????????? Fuwari Ukigumo: I won't forgive this, I won't!!!!! fuwa-chan?! a declaration of war against fuwa-chan! aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! my tee-tee meter is sending me into overdriveeeee!!!!!!! [Fwaaaaaaaaaa?!?!?!] I let out a weird sound due to the sudden turn of events. I can't help it. It's not something you normally experience, being placed on the lap of such a beautiful lady. "Pat pat, aah... this is the best, I've always wanted to do this... thank you, Yuka-chan..." man, this scene deserves to be displayed in an art exhibit. Fuwari Ukigumo: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Fu www Wa www Chan www [Au, ah, uh...] even yuka-chan is overheating lmfao now that's a face that has lost control over comprehending the situation ah... tee-tee... too tee-tee... Seeing this scene, I feel somewhat happy, even if it means meeting my end... yo, fr that... [Um, this is getting really embarrassing for me... so...] "Hm? I can't hear you." [I feel embarrassed, so... could you please let me down already...] "Just ten more minutes, no, five is enough!" someone's greedy, lol were gonna die if we have to watch this for 5 more minutes... Adios, friends. no, don't go towards the light! Ascended Onii-chan Y=3,000 I pray for your safety, everyone. RIP, we lost a kind soul... He was a good guy... After that, Mama Yuru's head-patting session continued for about five more minutes. um, mama yuru? Mama yuruuuuuuu?! [Ah...] Thanks to the intense situation and Mama Yuru's petting, Yuka-chan's eyes had melted into a dreamy state. "Oh no, did I overdo it?! I mean, she was just too cute, that I..." we understand, but still! Looks like yuka-chan has it rough... is she okay? As Mama Yuru was panicking... [Onee-chan, more, please.] [Pat me more.] Yuka Shirahime starts pleading with vacant eyes to Mama Yuru. "A-Are you sure?" [Mm-hm! I love your pats, onee-chan; they feel good.] AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!?!?!?!?! What is this?!?!?! ughHHHHH!!!!! Fuwari Ukigumo: I can't take this anymore... I'm depressed... [Next time, Fuwari-oneechan! Fuwari Ukigumo: Waaaaaa yay!!! Fuwari Ukigumo: I'll definitely go!!!!! good for you, fuwa-chan... is peace...restored...? Mama Yuru pets Yuka Shirahime's head some more. [Ehehe, I love you, onee-chan.] "H-Huah?!" arent there too many casualties even though the stream just started? I might be at my limit too... "Haa haa... I thought I was going to die..." If you get hit with that at close range, of course youre gonna die... This is already on the level of a mass amplitude preemptive weapon... rather, I think mama yuru did well to endure it. yuka-chan doesn't seem to be coming back to her senses anytime soon... like she's wholly embodied the little sister trope? "Anyway, let's bring her back to her senses." Mama Yuru starts talking to Yuka Shirahime to bring her back to reality.

23:配信準備をしたよ! 今週もあっという間に過ぎていって気付けばもう金曜日。 学校へ出かける足も少しばかり軽く感じる。 それもそのはずで今日は終業式がある。 つまり明日から夏休み。 やりたい事も沢山あるので今年の夏休みは忙しくなりそうな予感。 校長の妙に長い話を聞いて教室へ戻ったらあとは少し長めのホームルームをして解散。 正直語るような事は無いんだよね。 ちなみに裕翔は夏休み中に陸上の競技会などがあるらしく忙しいらしい。 僕みたいなもやしっ子にはそんな事出来ないからその体力は羨ましいな。 でも僕は僕なりの方法でこの夏を楽しんでいこうと思う。 そして訪れた週末の土曜日。 僕は名古屋駅で薫さんを待っていた。 「優希くんお待たせ。」 「いえ、僕も今来たところですよ!」 「ふふっ、ならよかった。」 「今日はどこへ向かうんですか?」 「えっとね、先週と同じGloryCuteだよ。」 「えっ?」 嫌な予感がする。 「それじゃ、前と同じところに停めてるからいこう?」 そして薫さんの車に近付いていくと助手席に誰かが乗っている事に気が付いた。 「あれ?薫さんの車に誰かいますよ?」 「あっ、そういえば紹介してなかったね あそこにいるのは私の妹の 優希くんの3Dモデルを作った人だよ。」 そして車に近付いている僕達に気付いた由良さんが車の中から手を振ってきた。 車の中に入ると由良さんが僕に話しかけてきた。 「君が優希くんだね?お姉ちゃんからさっき聞いたかもしれないけど白姫ゆかの3Dモデルを担当した由良です、よろしくね!」 「いやー生で見る優希くんも可愛いねぇ!」 褒められているのは分かっていても男としては複雑な気持ちになってしまう。 「それで今日はどうして由良さんも来ているんですか?」 僕は気になったので二人に尋ねてみた。 「優希くんって外で配信する手段持っていないでしょ?」 ノートPCを持っていないから3Dモデルを使用した配信は出来ないんだった。 「あれ?という事は・・・?」 「そう、今日の配信はスマホを使ったライブ配信だよ。」 「そんな事まで先週の僕は言ってたんですか!?」 「うっ、まぁ場所を確保して貰えただけでもありがたいです・・・」 「まぁそこは大丈夫、あそこのマネージャーさんは私の先輩で融通も効くし、優希くんが衣装を着るならいつでもOKって言ってたから。」 「どうして僕にそこまで・・・?」 「優希くんに自覚は無いかもしれないけどね、整形もせずに男の子でそんな見た目の子普通は存在しないの。」 「確かに昔から可愛いとかよく言われてましたけど、そこまでいないものなんですか?」 「うーん、見た目だけなら女の子っぽい子はお化粧すればそこそこいるんだよね。 「それが僕の強みなんですね・・・」 「そういう事、私は優希くんみたいな子好きだよ?」 「うんうん、私も好きだよ!」 「すっ、好き・・・」 「だからね、自分を卑下しないで、自信を持って。 先週のように受付に向かい案内されてマネージャーさんのいる部屋に通された。 「あらー!優希ちゃん1週間ぶりね! 今日は配信をするって薫ちゃんから聞いてるんだけど、まず先週と同じ衣装着てみない? お化粧は先週と同じ子がやってくれるから安心して頂戴!」 「それじゃ私も着替えてくるから優希くんもいってらっしゃい。」 「はい、お願いします!」 「はい、出来た!先週と同じだけどどう?」 「そうでしょ!優希くんは本当に可愛いわね!配信の方も頑張ってね!」 薫さんがドアをノックしながら問いかけてきた。 「はい、大丈夫です!」 「それじゃこっちにおいで。」 僕はドアを開けて薫さんに着いていこうとした ーしたのだけど、そこにはとても綺麗なお姉さんがいた。 「どう、かな?似合ってる?」 僕と同じように黒をメインにしたフリルの多いドレスを着た薫さんがいた。 脚のラインがとても綺麗で思わず見惚れてしまった。 優希くんも似合ってるよ。」 「(今日はゆかちゃんじゃないんだね・・・)」 ぼそりと何かを薫さんが呟いたような気がした。 「何か言いました?」 「ううん、何でもないよ?」 「おぉー!二人とも似合ってるよー!」 「ありがとう、由良。」 「あー恥じらってる優希くんも可愛いなぁ!」 「だよね!流石由良!わかってる!!」 「でも今の二人、姉妹みたいでお似合いだね、私だけ除け者みたいでちょっと寂しいな?」 「由良は大事な妹だから安心して、ね?」 「いくよ!」 由良さんの合図で配信スタートを告げられた。 ただ、僕の女装姿が沢山の人に見られると思うと、落ち着くなんて事出来るはずもなかった。

Ch 23 Another week has flown by, and before I knew it, it's already Friday. Even my steps to school feel a bit lighter today. Today's the last day of school. In other words, summer vacation starts tomorrow. I have so many things I want to do this summer that I have a feeling it will be a busy one. After listening to the principal's unusually long speech, we returned to the classroom for a slightly longer homeroom session before being dismissed. To be honest, there's nothing particularly noteworthy to talk about. As for Yuuto, he has some track and field competitions during summer vacation, so he'll be busy. I envy his physical stamina, as I'm not much of an athlete. But I'll find my own way to enjoy this summer. And so, Saturday came. I waited for Kaoru-san at Nagoya Station. "Sorry for the wait, Yuki-kun." "No worries, I just got here too!" "Fufu, good then." "Where are we headed today?" "Um, we're going to GloryCute again, like last week." "Huh?" I have a bad feeling about this. "I'm parked in the same spot as last time; shall we go?" As we approached her car, I noticed someone sitting in the passenger seat. "Huh? There's someone in your car, Kaoru-san." "Oh, I forgot to introduce her. That's my sister, Yura. She's the one who made Yuka Shirahime's 3D model." As Yura-san noticed us approaching the car, she waved from inside. Upon getting inside, Yura-san spoke to me. "You're Yuki-kun, right? You might have heard from my sister earlier, but I'm Yura, Yuka Shirahime's 3D modeler. Nice to meet you!" "You look so cute in person, too, Yuki-kun!" Even though I knew I was being praised, it gave me mixed feelings as a guy. "So, how come Yura-san is with us today?" I was curious, so I asked both of them. "You don't have a way to live stream outside, right, Yuki-kun?" Now that she mentions it, I don't have a laptop, so I can't use the 3D model for live streaming. "Huh? So that means..." "That's right, today's stream will be done on the phone." "Did I also say something about that last week?!" "Urk, I'm already grateful that you went and secured a place..." "Don't worry about it. The manager over there is my senior, and they're pretty flexible and accommodating. They said anytime is okay if you want to wear costumes." "Why are they going that far for me...?" "You might not realize it, Yuki-kun, but guys who look like you without cosmetic surgery don't exist." "I recall being called cute a lot as a kid, but is my kind really that uncommon?" "Hmm, well, there are those who look like girls if they put on makeup. But there are very few people like you who have a cute voice, small height, and feminine shoulders. The list just goes on. I can confidently say there's no one quite like you, Yuki-kun." "So that's my strength, huh..." "Exactly. And I like boys like you, Yuki-kun." "Me too!" "L-Like..." "I'm telling you, don't put yourself down. Have confidence and let the whole world know you're cute!" As we talked, we arrived at the building and headed to the manager's room, where we were guided last week. "Why hello, Yuki sweetie! It has been a week! I heard from Kaoru-chan that you'll be streaming today. How about wearing the same outfit as last time? The same person will do your makeup, so you can relax, honey!" "All right then, I'll go change too. Yuki-kun, you go ahead." "Yes, please take care of me!" "Allll done! It's the same as last week, but what do you think?" "Right?! You're adorable, Yuki-kun! Good luck with the stream!" "Ready, Yuki-kun?" asks Kaoru-san as she knocks on the door. "Yes, I'm ready!" "Okay, come outside." I decided to open the door and follow Kaoru-san, but... I was greeted by a beautiful lady in front of me. "What...do you think? Does it look good on me?" Kaoru-san is wearing a frilly dress that's mainly black, just like mine. Her legs are slender that I can't help but stare. You look great, too, Yuki-kun." "(He's not Yuka-chan today, huh?)" I felt like Kaoru-san muttered something under her breath. "Did you say something, Kaoru-san?" "Hm? I didn't." "Ooh! You both look stunning!" "Thanks, Yura." "Ah, Yuki-kun blushing is so cute!" "Right? I knew you'd understand, Yura!" "But the two of you look just like sisters; I feel like the odd one out. It's a bit lonely..." "You're my precious little sister, Yura, so don't worry, okay?" "Here we go!" At Yura-san's signal, the stream began. However, just the thought of so many people seeing me dressed up made it impossible for me to calm down.

05:料理動画を撮ろう!★ お昼の眠気をなんとか乗り越えた僕は放課後になったので家に帰ることにした。 「それじゃ裕翔、僕動画撮影したいから今日は帰るねー」 「おう頑張ってな!帰りは気をつけて帰れよー?」 「お母さんじゃないんだから・・・」 「まぁありがと、一応気を付けて帰るよ。」 「おう、俺も部活行ってくるよ。」 歩きながら手を振って裕翔は部室へ向かっていった。 ちなみに裕翔は陸上部で、部内でも屈指の実力の持ち主で、女子の人気も結構高かったりする。 ちょっと羨ましい・・・ 裕翔と別れた僕はバスに乗り家の近くのバス停で降りた僕は家へ帰り、一度荷物を置いてから買い物に出かけた。 自転車でスーパーへと向かい材料を購入。 特に問題も無く帰宅した僕は汗を流すためにシャワーを浴び、服を着替えてからご飯を作ることにした。 「まずご飯を作るところを撮影して後で音声と動画を付ければいいかな?」 鶏肉をまずは一口大に切ってその切った鶏肉を醤油とお酒とみりん、にんにくのすりおろし、ナツメグ、うま味調味料を混ぜた調味液に鶏肉を30分程度漬け込んでいく。 漬け込んでいる間にお米を炊き、他のおかずを調理していく。 あまり上手に巻ける訳じゃないから少し動画にするのは恥ずかしい。 もう一つのおかずはきんぴらごぼう。 2つが出来上がる頃には漬け込みもいい感じになってきたのでそのまま揚げに入ろうと思う。 漬け込んだ鶏肉は水分をしっかりと切ることが重要だけど、ペーパーで拭くことはしなくて大丈夫。 二度揚げも必要なく揚がったものから取り出していく。 3分程度余熱で火を通したら完成。 この撮影した動画にはご飯を食べた後に編集で音声と3Dモデルのテロップを入れていく。 動画の編集をしていたら気付けば夜の22時になっていた。 丁度動画も出来上がったので投稿もしておいた。 『お兄ちゃん、お姉ちゃんこんばんは!今日はボクがお弁当を作っていこうと思うよ!』 『まず今日のおかずを紹介するね!唐揚げと卵焼き、きんぴらごぼうだよ!』 『まず鶏肉を一口大に切って、このテロップの材料を混ぜた調味液に30分漬け込んでいくよー!』 『漬け込んでる間に卵焼きを作るんだけど、ボクは甘い卵焼きが好きだからお砂糖を少し入れていくよ!もし参考にするならここは好みだから注意してね!』 『卵を焼く時は強火にすると初心者の人は焦げちゃうから中火くらいにすると焼きやすいと思うよ!』 『こうやって気泡が出来たら潰してさっと巻いて卵液をまた入れるよ、だいたい3回に分けてもらえると大丈夫だね。』 『巻けたらこうやって切って盛り付けたら完成だね!』 『次はきんぴらごぼう!ごぼうをささがきにするんだけどこれが面倒なんだよね・・・大好きなんだけど何回も作るのは面倒だから一回に大量に作って冷凍保存しておくよ!』 『ごぼうをささがきに出来たら一度お水に浸しておいてその間ににんじんを細切りにしていくよ!出来たら炒めていくんだけど味付けは醤油砂糖みりんだよ!あとは好みで鷹の爪を入れて完成!』 『最後に大本命の唐揚げ!調味液をしっかり切った鶏肉を片栗粉につけて油で揚げるよ!熱いから調理の際は気をつけようね!』 『こんな感じでいい色になってきたら3分程度余熱で温めたら完成!』 『次はお弁当!』 『こうやってお弁当箱にご飯とおかずを詰めて・・・完成!』 『お兄ちゃん、お姉ちゃん、味わって食べてね♪』 『この動画が好評だったらシリーズ化するかもしれないからよかったら高評価、チャンネル登録よろしくね♪』 ------柿崎ゆる視点------ 「あっ、動画上がってる。」 私は白姫ゆかのチャンネルからの通知を受け取り一度休憩がてら動画を見ることにした。 「今回は料理動画なのね、って料理!?」 Vtuberは基本的にバーチャルな存在で、企業勢なんかはまず実写の動画を撮影することは無い。 個人Vtuberだから出来ること、なのかな? 動画では唐揚げを楽しそうに作る白姫ゆかが映っている。 あの可愛い男の子が美味しそうに食べてるシーンを想像するだけでご飯が3杯は食べられそうな気がしてくる不思議。 実際そんなに食べられないけどね。 胸がきゅんきゅんとした。 普段の私はクールな女性のイメージを作り上げているのだけど、この子を見ている間の私はまるで一人の乙女のようだった。 ------掲示板の反応------ [最カワボクっ娘]白姫ゆかについて語るスレ[まさかの個人勢?] 1:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん ここは白姫ゆかについて語るスレです。 今後コラボなどで交流が出た場合などはいいですが現状は他Vtuberについての話題を出さないようにお願いします。 2:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 3:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん とうとう個人スレまで出来たか。 4:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 今回の動画見たやつおるか? 5:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 6:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 見た見た、腕細くて可愛かった。 7:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 6 8:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 7 まじで?ゆかたんのご飯食べたいなぁ俺もなぁ・・・ 9:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 腕細い、可愛い、抱きしめたい。 頭撫でたい、甘えさせてあげたい。 10:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 11:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん お弁当作ってくれないかなぁ お姉ちゃん大好きって言って欲しい。 12:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 8 9 11 欲望に素直で草 13:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 配信まで待ちきれないぜ、俺は寝て待つぜ! 14:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 13 お前何日寝続ける気だ、起きろ。

Ch 5 Having overcome my midday drowsiness, I headed home after school. "All right, Yuuto, I wanna film a video today, so I'm heading home," I say to Yuuto as I pack up my bag. "Got it, good luck! Be careful on your way back, okay?" "You're not my mom, you know..." "Thanks, I guess. I'll make sure to be careful on my way back." "Good. I'm off to club practice," he replies as he walks away. "Thanks," he says, waving goodbye as he makes his way to the clubroom. By the way, Yuuto is a member of the track and field club and is one of its best athletes. He's even quite popular among the girls. I'm a little envious... After parting ways with him, I hopped on a bus and got off at the stop near my house. I rode my bike to the supermarket and bought the necessary ingredients. Once I got home safely, I took a shower to rinse off the sweat and changed into clean clothes before cooking. "Should I film the process of making the food first and then add the audio and video later?" First, I cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and marinated them in a mixture of soy sauce, sake, mirin, grated garlic, nutmeg, and seasoning liquid for about 30 minutes. While the chicken is marinating, I'll cook the rice and prepare the other side dishes. I'm not very good at rolling it neatly, so I'm a little embarrassed to film it. For the second dish, I'll make braised burdock root. By the time the two dishes were finished, the marinated chicken was also ready to be fried. It's essential to thoroughly remove any excess moisture from the chicken, but it's okay even if you don't wipe it with a paper towel. I didn't need to fry the chicken twice, so I took it out once it was fully cooked. After cooking it for about 3 minutes with residual heat, it was done. I filmed the process and added a voice-over and my 3D model in post-production. Before I knew it, it was already 10 pm while I was editing the video. Luckily, I finished editing and uploaded it. [Good evening, onii-chans and onee-chans! Today, I'm thinking of making a bento box for everyone!] [Let me introduce today's dishes: karaage, tamagoyaki, and braised burdock root!] [First, I'll cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and marinate it in the seasoning mixture listed in this caption for 30 minutes!] [While the chicken is marinating, I'll make the tamagoyaki. I like mine sweet, so I'll add a little sugar. But keep in mind that this is a matter of personal preference!] [When frying the egg, beginners might burn them on high heat, so I suggest using medium heat!] [Once bubbles appear, pop them and roll the egg quickly. You can repeat this process about three times.] [After rolling, slice it up and arrange it on the plate, and it's done!] [Next up is the braised burdock! Honestly, it's a bit of a hassle cutting the burdock into thin strips... But it's one of my favorites, so I usually make a large batch and freeze it for later use!] [Once the burdock root is sliced, soak it in water for a bit, and while that's happening, I'll finely chop the carrots. Then, I'll stir-fry everything with soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. And for some added heat, I'll throw in some chili pepper!] [Lastly, the main event: karaage! Coat the seasoned chicken in potato starch and fry it in oil. Be careful, though, as the oil can get very hot during cooking!] [When the chicken turns a nice golden color, let it rest for about 3 minutes to cool slightly, and then it's ready!] [Next is the bento!] [Pack the rice and side dishes like so... and we're done!] [Onii-chan, onee-chan, please enjoy your meal] [If this video receives positive feedback, I might make it into a series. So, if you enjoyed it, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel! Thank you!] --Yuru Kakizaki's POV-- "Oh, there's a new video." I received a notification from Yuka Shirahime's channel and took a break from work to watch it. "It's a cooking video this time, huh? Wait, cooking?!" VTubers are virtual beings, and corporate VTubers rarely shoot hand cams and the like. I guess it's because she's an indie that she can do this, huh? In the video, Yuka Shirahime is happily making karaage. Just imagining that cute boy enjoying the food makes me feel like I could eat three bowls of rice. It's strange; I know I couldn't actually eat that much. My heart skipped a beat. I usually try to maintain a cool and composed image, but while watching Yuka Shirahime, I feel like a young girl in love. --The Online Forum's Reaction-- [The Cutest Boyish Girl Ever] A Yuka Shirahime Thread (Surprisingly an Indie VTuber?) 1: Name: Anon Onii-chan This is a thread about Yuka Shirahime. It's okay to talk about collaborations and interactions with other VTubers in the future, but for now, please try to stay on topic. 2: Name: Anon Onii-chan 3: Name: Anon Onii-chan can't believe we've got a separate thread for her now. 4: Name: Anon Onii-chan did anyone else watch the latest video? 5: Name: Anon Onii-chan 6: Name: Anon Onii-chan I watched it too. Her arms are so slender and cute. 7: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>6 8: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>7 Seriously? Now I wanna eat Yuka-tan's food too... 9: Name: Anon Onee-chan Slender arms. She's so cute and huggable. I want to pet and spoil her. 10: Name: Anon Onii-chan 11: Name: Anon Onee-chan i wish yuka would make me a bento and maybe tell me "good job" and say she loves her onee-chan. 12: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>8 >>9 >>11 LOL, these desires are so honest 13: Name: Anon Onii-chan I can't wait for her live stream. I'll wait in my dreams till then! 14: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>13 Dude, how many days are you planning to sleep? Wake up.

34:コミケ3日目!(前編) 昨日は早めにホテルへ戻った僕たちは失った体力を取り戻すかのようにゆっくりと睡眠を取り、早めの時間に起きた。 前の2日間のように化粧を先に済ませた僕たちは現地へ向かった。 「優希くん、今日の衣装はかなり着やすくなってるから安心してね。」 「着やすい、ですか?」 「見たら分かると思うよ!」 僕は衣装を受け取り更衣室へと向かった。 更衣室へ行くと周りがざわつき始めた。 「来たぞ・・・」 「今日は何を着るんだ・・・?」 「オラワクワクすっぞぉ・・・・」 僕は気にせずに衣装を見る。 「ね、ねこさんパーカー・・・?」 そこにあったのは生地が薄めに作られた尻尾まで着けられたねこさんパーカーだった。 スカートの代わりに長めに作られており、そのまま着るだけになっている。 俗に言うパジャマのようになっていて確かに着やすい。 「待て考え直せ!結婚出来ないんだぞ!?」 「カワイイは正義だから大丈夫、それに今は結構緩いんだぜ・・・?」 「もうだめだ・・・」 何かまた周りが騒がしくなってきたけど今日はすぐ服を着れたのでそのまま荷物を持って集合場所へ向かう。 昨日と同じ場所だったので今日はすぐに2人が見つかった。 「ゆかちゃん今日も似合ってるねー!」 「うん、ねこさんもかわいいね。」 『ありがと!でもこれってコスプレでいいのかな?』 「可愛いからいいと思うけどなー」 「うん、ねこさんかわいいからオッケーだよ。」 「ちなみにこのパーカーモデリングするからどのみちコスプレだよ!」 『えっ?そうだったの!?』 「このパーカー地味にオリジナルなんだよ!」 「デザインは私と先輩でやったんだ。」 『凄く可愛い衣装ありがとうお姉ちゃん!』 「その一言だけで頑張った甲斐があったよ・・・!」 「私もモデリング頑張るからね!ね!」 『ゆらお姉ちゃんもありがとう!無理はしちゃだめだからね!』 「んー!やる気が漲ってきた!でも無理はしない、約束するよ!」 「話ばかりしててもあれだから、そろそろ会場にいこっか。」 コスプレ広場に入ると周りから声が沢山聴こえてきた。 「うわぁーかわいいねこさんがいる!」 「抱きしめたい可愛さだぁ・・・」 「白猫・・・」 「写真撮らせてもらお!」 「わぁーかわいい!」 「お、あの子可愛いな、撮らせてもらおうかな。」 「ふふ、行こっかゆら。」 この後滅茶苦茶撮影された。 ある程度撮影されたころに今日も華お姉ちゃんがやってきた。 「ゆかちゃんおはよー!今日も来ちゃった♪相変わらず可愛いねぇ!!!」 初めて会った時のあの感じは一体どこに行ってしまったんだろうこのお姉ちゃん。 『ありがとう、華お姉ちゃん!』 「ねぇ、今からお姉ちゃんと一緒にお昼寝しない?」 完全に錯乱してる。 「あなた、戻ってきなさい!」 「こんなにかわいいパジャマ着てるんだよ!お昼寝したいに決まってるじゃない!」 ゆらお姉ちゃんと薫お姉ちゃんが必死に華お姉ちゃんを止めてる。 「コスプレ!ここコスプレ広場!」 「わ、私ったらあんなはしたない事・・・」 「まぁ初見だとこうもなるかぁ」 「ご、ごめんね、びっくりさせちゃったよねゆかちゃん・・・」 「まぁまぁ、落ち着いたから良しとしよう、ね?」 「人とは間違えるものだよ。」 なんか悟りを開いてない?ゆらお姉ちゃん? 「ハーイ、オネエサンタチ、ワタシトシャシントッテモラエナイデスカ?」 「えっ?私もですか!?」 「ミンナデシャシンタノシイネ!」 近くにいたレイヤーさんが快く撮影してくれる事になった。 海外の人結構コミュ力高くてボクもびっくり。 「オォー!アリガトネ!ミンナトッテモキュートネ!」 もうノリで言っておこう、案外それで通じたりするものだよね! 「こ、濃い人たちだったね・・・」 「まさか私まで巻き込まれるとは・・・・」 『でもこうやって仲良く写真撮ったり出来るのは平和で良いことだよね!』 「確かに、そうだね。」 「日本人に生まれてよかったと思う瞬間の一つだよねー」 「ですね・・・」 そんな事を話していると薫お姉ちゃんが 華お姉ちゃんをお昼に誘った。 「ゆかちゃん、ゆらも大丈夫だよね?」 『うん!華お姉ちゃんと一緒にご飯楽しみ!』 「お、お言葉に甘えさせてもらいます・・・!」 そしてボク達はホテルに戻って着替える事になった。 そして僕はホテルに戻り素に戻って気が付いた。 いまいち実感が湧かないけど結構すごい事だよねこれ。

Ch 34 Having returned to the hotel early yesterday, we slept in to recover our lost energy and woke up early. After finishing our makeup, we headed off to the venue. "Yuki-kun, today's costume is much easier to wear, so don't worry," says Kaoru-san as she hands me the outfit. "Easier to wear?" "You'll see!" I take the costume and head to the dressing room. As I entered the dressing room, the atmosphere became tense. "He's here..." "What's he gonna wear today...?" "I'm so excited...." Ignoring the whispers, I check the costume. "A cat hoodie...?" What lays before me is a thin, tail-adorned cat hoodie. It's pretty long, so it can be worn as it is without a skirt. It's almost similar to pajamas, and just like Kaoru-san said, it's easy to wear. "Bro, wait! Think it over! You won't be able to get married!" "Cute is justice, it's okay. Besides, things are more relaxed these days...!" "I'm done for..." Once again, the room was abuzz. But because I could quickly get dressed today, I just picked up my belongings and headed to the meet-up place, switching personas on the way. Since the meeting point was the same as yesterday, I found them quickly. "That one looks great on you, too, Yuka-chan!" "Yeah, a cute kitty cat." [Thank you! But is this really a cosplay?] "It's fine. It's cute. That's what matters." "Yeah! You look cute as a cat, so it's fineee." "By the way, I'll incorporate that hoodie into your model, so it definitely counts as a cosplay!" suddenly adds Yura-oneechan. [Huh? Really?!] "That hoodie is actually an original!" "My senpai and I worked on the design." [Thank you for this super cute outfit, onee-chan!] "Just hearing that makes all the hard work worth it...!" "I'll also do my best rigging your model, okay!" [Thank you too, Yura-oneechan. But please don't overdo it!] "Mm! I'm getting pumped up! But I won't overdo it, promise!" "We've been talking for a while, but I say we head to the venue now," says Kaoru-san, so we make our way into the venue. We could hear voices from all around when we entered the cosplay area. "Waaah, there's a cute kitty!" "I want to hug such cuteness..." "A white cat..." "Can I take a photo?" "Ahh, so cute!" "Oh, she's cute. Maybe I should ask for her photo." "Haha, let's go, Yura." After that, we were swamped with photo requests. Around the time we had our photos taken, Hana-oneechan showed up. "Good morning, Yuka-chan! I came again todayYou're as cute as ever!!!" I wonder where the vibe I felt when I first met her went. [Thank you, Hana-oneechan!] "Hey, do you want to nap with me right now?" She's completely lost it. "Come back here!" "But she's wearing such cute pajamas! Can you really blame me for wanting to nap with her?!" Yura-oneechan and Kaoru-oneechan are desperately trying to stop Hana-oneechan. "This is the cosplay plaza! C. O. S. P. L. A. Y!" "I-I can't believe I did something so disgraceful..." "Well, that's what happens to first-timers." "I-I'm sorry, Yuka-chan... I surprised you, didn't I?" "Now, now. Let's just say it's okay now that she's calmed down, all right?" "People make mistakes." What's with the enlightened tone, Yura-oneechan? "Hi, ladies. Shashin okay?" "Huh? Me too?!" "Shashin with everyone is tanowshii!" A cosplayer nearby kindly agreed to take our photo. I was surprised by the foreigners' communication skills. "Oh! Arigatow! You're all very kawaii!" I'll go with the flow and repeat what they say; surprisingly, it gets through! "W-What intense people they were..." "I didn't expect to get dragged into it..." [But it's peaceful and nice to take photos together like this, don't you think?] "True." "It's one of those moments when I'm glad I was born Japanese." "Yeah..." While talking, Kaoru-oneechan says, "We were thinking of returning to the hotel soon as the heat is about to peak. Care to join us for lunch, Hana-san?" She invites Hana-oneechan to lunch. "It's fine with you too, right, Yuka-chan, Yura?" [Yeah! I'm looking forward to having lunch with Hana-oneechan!] "I-I'll take you up on your offer...!" And so, we decided to go back to the hotel and change. Back at the hotel, I changed into my regular clothes and realized. It hasn't completely dawned on me just yet, but this is quite an achievement, isn't it?

「あわわわわわわ・・・」 配信を終えた僕はモニターの前であわあわしていた。 「スパチャ70万円・・・」 その金額を見て呆然としていた。 「いやいやいや、おかしいでしょ!?」 「僕って個人勢だし!それに男だし! あれ?でも皆女の子って思ってるんだよね。」 「もしかして僕、結構やばい事やってる?」 「いやでも、それだとバ美肉してる人全員そうなっちゃうか・・・」 「気にしたらだめ? でもいつかはバラさないといけないよね・・・」 「どうしよう・・・」 僕は一人部屋で悩んでいた。 「ふふふ、優希くん相当テンパってたみたいで可愛かったな。」 今回の配信ではスパチャがメインとなっていて正直話の内容は少なくて告知配信の意味合いが強かった。 それでもあそこまでスパチャが投げられていたのは優希くんの持つ魅力に他ならない。 魅力が無ければ誰も投げないのが普通だからね。 「ただ、上限勢多くてびっくりしたなぁ・・・」 そう呟いた私は部屋を移動し由良の部屋に入った。 「由良ー」 「どしたのお姉ちゃん?」 「今日の配信で優希くんに上限投げたでしょ。」 「あーやっぱりお姉ちゃんにはバレてたかぁ。」 「それとね、来週優希くんとオフコラボの話したでしょ?」 「言ってたねーそれがどうかしたの?」 「私も顔出しして優希くんとオフコラボやるから、由良撮影お願いできない?」 「へぇ、場所は?」 「GloryCute名古屋支社。」 「んんんん?なんでそこに?」 「いやこれはね優希くんがゆかちゃんにトリップしてた時の話なんだけど・・・」 「IVの撮影前に優希くんに色々な衣装を着せようって話になってね。」 「衣装ならうちにいっぱいあるからって理由でそこで配信することになったんだよね。」 「優希くんそれ知ってるの?」 「内緒だよ?」 「鬼かお姉ちゃん!」 「優希くんも性別偽ってるわけじゃないけど隠してるじゃん!だからセーフだよ!」 「ぶっちゃけ誰も信じないよ、お姉ちゃん。」 「由良ありがと!」 「ある意味撮影者ポジションって得な気もするし・・・」 優希の知らない所で計画はどんどんと進んでいたのだった。 余談ではあるが、コミケ等で本人が売り子をしているため彼女のファンは柿崎ゆるの顔を知っている事が多いので顔出しに拒否感が無いらしい。 「私の知らない所でオフコラボ・・・」 浮雲ふわりの中の人である空木華、彼女は自室で少し悔しがっていた。 「うぅ、これは悔しいですねー」 ふわちゃん先越されたね... まだ機会はあるよ、がんばって! 「皆さん、ありがとうございますー、私が先にするつもりだったんですけどあちらが上手でしたー」 それにしてもゆかちゃんだっけ? そうだね、ゆかちゃんだよ あの子可愛いよね そらふわちゃんもハマるわけだ 「皆さんも可愛さ分かって貰えました? 配信した甲斐がありましたー」 それにしても配信を配信するとか斬新で笑えるね 人数の多さに困惑してるゆかちゃんかわいい ちなみに男の娘疑惑ってなんなの? Wiki見てくるといいよ詳細載ってる 「それでは私もそろそろ時間になったので配信を終了しようと思いますー」 もうそんな時間? 楽しい時間は過ぎるのが早いぜ... またくるよー 「皆さんありがとうございますー 今日も一日お疲れ様でしたー おつふわりんー」 ------配信は終了しました------ 【男の娘?】白姫ゆかについて語るスレ2【女の子?】 1:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん ここは白姫ゆかについて語るスレです。 白姫ゆか以外のVtuberについては むしろ私は男の娘である事を期待しています。 2:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 流石に配信後は勢いが凄いな 3:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん あわあわするゆかちゃんが可愛すぎて生きるのが辛い 4:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん スレ立てお疲れ様、今日も可愛いかったわねー 5:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 4 お前絶対上限ネキだろ 6:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 5 流石にバレたわね... さぁ2万投げたお兄ちゃんさんはどこかしら? 7:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 6 俺だけど上限投げれなかったから名乗るの死ぬほど恥ずかしいんだが 8:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 7 金額は関係無いわよ? ゆかちゃんを応援してるだけで私達は同じ仲間よ 9:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 8 俺も少しだけど投げさせてもらったよ 自分の推しに投げずにいられるかって話よ 10:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 9 今更恥ずかしくなってきたから... 11:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 10 よくある話だ、諦めろ.... 12:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん あんなのが名言認定されるなんて嫌よおおおお!!! 13:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 今来たけど早速賑わってて草生えた ちなみに俺石油王な。 呆然とするゆかちゃん最高だったあれ10万の価値はあるから上限解放はよ。 14:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 13 石油王スレ民かよwwww 15:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 流石に石油王がスレ民だなんて予想出来ないわよ!? 16:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 17:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん お前絶対Rinだろ 18:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 19:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん おかしいな俺あんたの事Rinとしか思えない 20:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん なんで即バレするの!? 20 喋り方というかコメントの時と同じ感じだったからな 22:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん そこまで深く考えてなかった... 23:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 22 それよりもさ、来週のゆるママオフコラボ ここで性別分かりそうな気がするんだけど 24:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 23 当たったらお前のコテ予言者に変更な 25:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 26:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 私は性別関係なく好きだけどね 27:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 結局のところ俺たちってゆかちゃんが好きなんだよな 28:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん ASMRも楽しみすぎるわ私 29:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 別バージョンも買うつもりなんだけどお前らはどうする? 30:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん そら両バージョン購入安定だろ 31:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 当然全買いね

"Awawawa..." I am freaking out in front of my monitor after finishing my stream. "Seven hundred thousand yen in Super Chats..." I'm stunned by the amount. "No, no, no, this doesn't make sense!" "I'm just a small streamer! And a guy, to boot! Wait, everyone thinks I'm a girl. Right." "Does that mean I'm doing something really bad?" "But then, all the other male VTubers who crossdress would be in the same boat..." "Should I even worry about this? But eventually, I'll have to come clean, won't I...?" "What should I do..." I was sitting alone in my room, pondering. "Fufufu, it was cute seeing Yuki-kun flustered like that." Other than the Super Chats being the main focus, there wasn't much content during the stream. It was mostly just an announcement stream. Even so, the fact that so many Super Chants were sent is a testament to Yuki-kun's charisma. If he didn't have any charm, nobody would have sent anything. "The number of people who sent maxed-out amounts is still surprising, though..." "Besides..." I say as I go to Yura's room. "Yuraaa." "What's up, onee-chan?" "You sent a max Super Chat in Yuki-kun's stream, didn't you?" "Oh. I knew you'd find out." "Remember how we discussed collaborating with Yuki-kun off-stream next week?" "Yup. What about it?" "I want to appear on camera during the collab with Yuki-kun. Can you film for us?" "Hmm, where's it going to be?" "GloryCute Nagoya branch." "H-H-H-H-Huh? Why there?" "Well, it's because of something that happened when Yuki-kun was cross-dressing as Yuka-chan..." "Then, the plan escalated to making him wear different costumes before the IV shoot." "And since they have a lot of costumes, we decided to do the stream there." "Does Yuki-kun know about this?" "It's a secret, okay?" "You're such a devil, onee-chan!" "Well, Yuki-kun isn't lying about his gender; he's just hiding it, so I think it's fine!" "Gonna be honest, onee-chan, no one's gonna believe that..." "Thanks, Yura!" "Being the camera person also has its perks..." The plan was moving forward, unbeknownst to Yuki. As a side note, because she has sold doujinshis at events like Comiket, many of Yuki's fans are familiar with Yuru Kakizaki's face, so she has no reservations about showing herself on camera. "An offline collaboration without me knowing..." Hana Utsurogi, the person behind the character Fuwari Ukigumo, is feeling a little regretful in her room. "Uuu, this is so frustrating..." they beat you to it, huh, fuwa-chan theres always next time. just keep going! "Thank you, guyssss. I wanted to go first, but my opponent was just too goooood." still, what was her name again? yuka-chan? yup, yuka-chan she's cute isnt she it's no wonder fuwa-chan likes her "You acknowledge her cuteness too? I'm glad I found her on stream with everyoneee." streaming a live stream is something new, it's a bit funny seeing yuka-chan panic at the sheer amount of people was adorable by the way, what did they mean about her speculations as a trap? Better check the wiki, it has all the details "Well then, it's almost time for me to end the streammmm." oh wow, is it that time already? Time flies when you're having fun... ill come again! "Thank you so much, everyoneee. Have a good rest of your dayyyy. Otsu-fuwarinnn." ===The live stream has ended.=== [A trap?] A Yuka Shirahime Thread [A real girl?] 1: Name: Anon Onee-chan This is a thread on Yuka Shirahime. If you are to mention other VTubers, only Fuwari Ukigumo's name is allowed. Personally, I'm hoping that she is one. 2: Name: Anon Onii-chan Her momentum gain post-stream is amazing. 3: Name: Anon Onii-chan the stream was mostly just an announcement, but yuka-chan being all flustered was too cute, it's hard to go on living 4: Name: Anon Onee-chan Thanks, OP. She was so cute, as usual. 5: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>4 You're definitely one of the max Super Chatters, aren't you 6: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>5 You're onto me, huh... Okay then, where's the guy who sent the 20k? 7: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>6 that would be me, although I couldn't send the max amount, so it's hella embarrassing to admit 8: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>7 The amount doesn't matter, you know? We're all in this together, supporting Yuka-chan 9: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>8 i sent a small amount too who can resist supporting their fave? 10: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>9 That would be embarrassing... 11: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>10 it happens often on the net, give it up... 12: Name: Anon Onee-chan I don't wanna be quoted on something like that!!!! 13: Name: Anon Onii-chan I just got here, but the thread is already so lively lol. By the way, I was the oil baron. Yuka-chan's dumbfounded expression was worth 100k, so I hope they remove the amount cap soon. 14: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>13 Hmm, so you're the oil baron, huh. 15: Name: Anon Onee-chan I never expected an oil baron to be a thread regular 16: Name: Anon Onee-chan 17: Name: Anon Onii-chan I bet you're Rin 18: Name: Anon Onee-chan 19: Name: Anon Onii-chan strange, I can only think of you as rin 20: Name: Anon Onee-chan How did you guys guess so easily?! >>20 It's because the way you talk and comment during the stream feels the same 22: Name: Anon Onee-chan I didn't even think about it that deeply... 23: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>22 anyway, what do you think about her offline collab with mama yuru next week? i feel like we might be able to tell her gender 24: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>23 If you're right, we'll change your username to Prophet 25: Name: Anon Onii-chan 26: Name: Anon Onee-chan i like her regardless of gender 27: Name: Anon Onii-chan at the end of the day, we just like Yuka-chan, regardless of whether shes a guy or a gal 28: Name: Anon Onee-chan I'm really looking forward to her ASMR too 29: Name: Anon Onii-chan I'm planning to buy both versions, what about you guys? 30: Name: Anon Onii-chan of course, buying both versions is the way to go 31: Name: Anon Onee-chan im buying all of them

学校では地味な格好をしているけど、歴としたモデル。 いつもモデルの仕事をする際は事務所から迎えがやってくる。 私はその1時間をここ、文芸部の部室で過ごしている。 そして、この学校においての文芸部とは実質的な帰宅部で、この部室を訪れる人はいない ーいや、いなかったと言うのが正しいかな 2ヶ月半ほど前までは。 2ヶ月半ほど前にはこの部室にはもう一人の生徒がいた。 そんな彼とは去年の春に出会った。 文芸部に入部した彼は律儀にも部活動に参加した。 といっても本を読むだけで先生も来なくて、ただの時間潰しをしていたっけ。 最初は真面目に本を読んでいたけど意気投合したわたしたちは趣味について語り合ったりしていた。 他に本を読む人もいなくて、どれだけ騒いでも怒られなかった。 楽しかった。 勉強にモデルの仕事、家でもやりたい事なんてやる時間もあまり無い。 普段鳴らない時間にわたしのスマホから通話を知らせる音が鳴り響いた。 「もしもし、遥です。」 『ごめんね遥ちゃん!今日急に今から出て来れないかって話になっちゃって迎えを寄越したから来てくれないかしら!』 電話の相手は事務所のマネージャーだった。 「はぁ、まぁいいですけど・・・平日はやりたい事もあるのでこれからはあまり無いようにしてくださいね?」 『本当にごめんなさいね!もう着くらしいからよろしく頼むわね!』 そして仕方なく校門まで行くといつもの迎えの人と違う人が迎えに来ていた。 「遥ちゃん急にごめんね?」 悪い人じゃないのは仕事を何度もしているので知っているけれど、若い人だといらぬ誤解を生みかねないからやめて欲しかった。 迎えに来てもらっている手前そんなことは言えないけど。 「いえ、大丈夫ですよ。」 わたしは少し微笑み車に乗る。 「それじゃあまずいつも通り家に行くからね。」 「すみません、お願いします。」 そしてその日以降、彼が部室に現れる事はなかった。 「はぁ、何があったんだろう、また一緒に話したいな。」 ------ 僕は先輩がカッコイイ男の人に迎えに来てもらっている所を見てしまった。 部活に行く前に裕翔に渡し忘れたものがあったから渡しに行こうとしたときにそれを見てしまい、僕は先輩に彼氏が居るんじゃないかと思った。 「あ、あのあの、あの人って一体・・・」 「んー?あれって一ノ瀬さんだよね?彼氏じゃないのかな?いつも部活後に迎えが来てるって私聞いたけど。 いいよねぇああいう彼氏、憧れるなぁー」 「か、彼氏ですか・・・やっぱそうなんだ・・・」 僕はあまりのショックにその場を走って立ち去ってしまった。 裕翔に物だけ渡して僕はすぐに家に帰り、枕を濡らした。 それから先輩を見ると寂しい気持ちになってしまいそうで部室には行かなくなってしまった。 それから2ヶ月半後に僕はVtuberを始める事になり、現在に至る。

I live a low-profile life at school, but I am a full-fledged model. Whenever I work as a model, the agency picks me up about an hour after my classes. So, I spend that hour here in the Literature Club room. And, in this school, the Literature Club is basically the go-home club, so no one comes to visit this room. Or rather, no one used to... At least about two and a half months ago. There used to be another student in this room. He and I met last spring. He joined the Literature Club and participated in club activities faithfully. But, since our club advisor never showed up, we just passed the time by reading books. At first, he read books seriously, but as we got to know each other, we talked about our hobbies and interests. Since no one else was reading books, we could make as much noise as we wanted without getting scolded. It was fun. Between studying, modeling work, and having no time to do what I wanted at home, it was my only source of emotional support. My phone rang with an incoming call from an uncharacteristic time. "Hello, this is Haruka." [Sorry, Haruka-chan! Something suddenly came up, and I won't be able to pick you up right now and asked someone else to do it in my stead. Could you go meet them?" The caller was my agency's manager. "I see. I don't mind, but... I have things I want to do on weekdays, so please try not to do this often." [I'm really sorry! They're almost there, so I trust you'll handle the rest!] Reluctantly, I walk to the school gate, where someone other than the usual driver has come to pick me up. "Sorry for the sudden change, Haruka-chan." I knew he wasn't a bad person since I've worked with the agency multiple times, but I didn't want any unnecessary misunderstandings, especially from a younger guy. But since he came to pick me up, I couldn't say anything. "No worries, it's okay." And I got in the car with a small smile. "Okay, let's go straight to your house as usual." "Sorry, and thank you." After that day, the boy never showed up in the Literature Club room again. "I wonder what happened. I want to talk with him again..." "Awawawawa..." I saw my senpai being picked up by a cool-looking guy. I had forgotten to give something to Yuuto before going to club activities, and when I went to give it to him, I saw them and thought my senpai might have a boyfriend. "Uh, um, that person, who is he..." "Hm? Isn't that Ichinose-san? Maybe that's her boyfriend? I heard he always picks her up after club activities. It's nice to have a boyfriend like him, huh? I'm jealous." "H-He's her boyfriend? I see, yeah... That would make sense..." I was so shocked that I ran away from there. I quickly gave Yuuto the thing he had forgotten and went straight home, crying myself to sleep. After that, I couldn't bring myself to go to the clubroom because seeing my senpai made me feel lonely. Two and a half months later, I started my journey as a VTuber, and here we are today.

28:閑話1(とある喫茶店の一日) 私はどこにでもいる社畜、珍しく盆休みが取れると聞いてウキウキしてたら取れたのは盆前休み。 いやね、休みあるだけでもマシなのはわかるんだ。 なんで盆前なのか理解に苦しむ。 普通な休ませ方はさせたくないとしか思えない。 まぁ、それは置いておいてそのお陰でお盆期間は休みになってしまう評判の喫茶店に行けるのでその点だけは感謝しておこうと思う。 そのお店は見た目は渋めの洋風建築で店内はどこか落ち着く木の香りが感じられる。 おそらく内装に木を使用しているのだろうか。 そして仄かな木の香りを瞬間的に楽しんだ後に私の鼻腔をくすぐるのはアロマのようなコーヒーの香り。 私はコーヒーに詳しくはないけれど、不思議と期待してしまう。 「いらっしゃいませ、お一人様でよろしいでしょうか?」 店内に入った私に声をかけてくれたのは見た目の可愛い、えっ?どっちなのこの子? 制服はどう見ても男だから男の子なのかな? 「えっ、えぇ、一人です。」 私は少し緊張したような声で返事をする。 「ではこちらの席へお座りください。」 そう言って男の子?の案内で席へ案内される私。 「ご注文が決まりましたらこちらのボタンを押してお呼びください。」 そう言って男の子?はお辞儀をするとカウンターの近くへ戻っていった。 「店員の時点でレベル高いとかやばいんだけど・・・」 私はそう呟きながらメニューを見る。 コーヒーは数種類の豆をブレンドしたオリジナルブレンドが一番人気のようだった。 私はランチタイムの前に来た事もあり、少しばかりお腹が減っていた。 するとメニューに私にぴったりのセットがあった。 「サンドウィッチとコーヒーのセット・・・+300円でスイーツ付き、か。」 サンドウィッチとコーヒーのセットで800円と少々強気な値段設定。 でもこのお店の評判を考えるとそれでも人気になるほどだろうから期待も一入と言うもの。 今日はこれを注文する事に私は決めた。 私はボタンを押し、店員の男の子を呼ぶ。 「お待たせしました、ご注文をどうぞ!」 「サンドウィッチとアイスコーヒーのセット、スイーツも付けて貰えるかしら。」 サンドウィッチはホットサンドと普通のサンドウィッチからお選び頂けますがどうされますか?」 なんと、ホットサンドが選べてしまうのか。 うん、ホットサンドにしよう。 「それじゃあホットサンドでお願い。」 次にスイーツですがこちらの5種類からお選びいただけますがどちらにされますか?」 そう言ってメニューを取り出し、私に差し出してきた。 クレームブリュレ ショートケーキ オーソドックスなラインナップで迷ってしまう。 一瞬考えた私は店員の男の子に聞いてみる事にした。 「どれも良さそうで迷っちゃうからおすすめとか、あるかしら?」 「僕のおすすめでいいんですか?」 「えぇ、大丈夫。」 「それだったらクレームブリュレでしょうか、バニラビーンズを使っているので香りも楽しめますし、クレームブリュレ独特の表面のパリッとしたカラメルが中と合わさって美味しいんですよ!」 おそらく脳内でクレームブリュレの事を思い出しているのだろう。 ぶっちゃけめっちゃ可愛い。 男の子にかける言葉ではないから黙っておくけど。 「ふふっ、じゃあそれにしようかしら。」 「クレームブリュレですね、かしこまりました! 飲み物はどのタイミングでお出ししましょうか?」 「うーん、ホットサンドと一緒に持ってきてもらえるかしら?」 「かしこまりました!それでは少々お待ちください!」 そう言ってとてとてと小走りでオーダーを伝えに行く男の子。 なんだあの可愛い生物は、本当に男か? 「お待たせしました、こちらホットサンドとアイスコーヒーになります。」 それから数分待つとホットサンドとアイスコーヒーが一緒に運ばれてきた。 「いただきます。」 相性の良い材料同士で不味いわけもなく私はぺろりと平らげてしまった。 そしてコーヒーを飲む事すら忘れていた私はスイーツを注文してからコーヒーを飲む。 「あっ、よくわからないけど美味しい。」 仄かな甘みとフルーティな香りと酸味のバランスが良く飲みやすい。 これは人気も出るな、と勝手に納得していると頼んでおいたスイーツがやってきた。 「こちらクレームブリュレになります。」 そう言って底の浅く広い器に入れられたクレームブリュレが出された。 表面のカラメルと中の濃厚なプリンの相性が最強で思わず私は顔を綻ばせてしまった。 楽しい時間とは一瞬で私はお会計をしてお店を出た。 「今の会社やめたらまた、来れるかなここに。」 私は現状を変えるのが恐ろしかったけど、少し勇気を貰った気がした。 「店長お疲れ様でしたー!」 「優希くん、お疲れ様。」 「えっと次のシフトがお盆明けでよかったんですよね?」 「大丈夫だよ、うちはお盆は休む事にしているから。 そういえば優希くんは東京に出かけるって言ってたよね?」 「そうですね!」 「顔から楽しみだって伝わってくるよ、楽しんでおいでね。 「お願いします!」 「ふふっ、何が食べたいかな?」 「さっきお客さん食べてて美味しそうだったからホットサンドが食べたいです!」 そして数分待つと店長が出来たよと声をかけてくれたので僕はそれを取りに行った。 「はい、今日はご褒美も兼ねてクレームブリュレもサービスだ。」 「てっ店長いいんですか!?」 「いつも頑張ってくれてるからね、またお盆明けよろしくね?」 そして裏にある飲食スペースで僕は賄いを食べる。 「んー♪おいひぃー♪」 僕は思わず笑顔になった。 最後にはお楽しみのクレームブリュレを食べると、僕の顔はふにゃっとしていた。 「ふぇ?あっ・・・お恥ずかしながら・・・」 「ふふっそんなとこも可愛いよ! それじゃあ私は今からシフトだから、お疲れ様優希くん!」 賄いも食べた僕は賄いに使ったお皿などを洗って帰宅した。

Ch 28 I, a typical corporate drone, was excited when I heard I could take a rare Obon holiday, only to find out it was a pre-Obon holiday. I get that having any time off at all is better than none. But I struggle to understand why it's pre-Obon. It feels like they just don't want to give us a normal break. Well, leaving that aside, thanks to this, I can visit a popular cafe usually closed during Obon, so I guess I should be grateful for that. The shop looks like a retro Western building, and the interior has a calming scent of new wood. They probably use wood in their interior design. After enjoying the faint scent of wood for a moment, my nostrils are tickled by the aroma of coffee. I'm not really knowledgeable about coffee, but I have high expectations for some reason. "Welcome. Are you dining alone?" The person who greets me as I enter the shop is a cute-looking... wait, which is it? The uniform definitely looks male, so is he a boy? "U-Uh, yes, I'm alone." I reply in a slightly nervous voice. "Then please have a seat here." The boy(?) shows me to a seat. "When you're ready to order, please press this button." With that, the boy(?) bows and returns to the counter. "The staff service alone is already at a high standard. Incredible..." I mutter as I browse the menu. Their original coffee blend, a mix of several types of beans, seems to be the most popular. As I came before lunchtime, I was a little hungry. Then I found the perfect set on the menu. "Sandwich and coffee set... with dessert for an additional 300 yen, huh?" The sandwich and coffee set costs 800 yen, a bold price setting. But considering the reputation of this cafe, it's probably still popular enough to warrant the price. I decided to order this today. I press the button and call over the male staff member. "Sorry for the wait. What will your order be?" "I'll take the sandwich and iced coffee set. Could I also get some dessert on the side?" For the sandwich, you can choose between a hot sandwich and a regular one. Which would you like?" Wow, I can choose a hot sandwich. Yeah, let's go with that one. "Then I'll have the hot sandwich, please." Next is the dessert. We have five options; which one would you like?" He pulls out the menu and presents it to me. Creme brulee Shortcake It's an orthodox lineup that makes it hard to choose. After a moment's thought, I decided to ask the waiter. "All of them look good, so it's hard to choose. Do you have any recommendations?" "Are you okay with my recommendation?" "Yes, that's fine." "In that case, how about the creme brulee? We use vanilla beans so you can enjoy the aroma, and its unique crispy caramel surface is delicious when combined with the inside!" replies the waiter enthusiastically. He must be recalling the creme brulee in his mind. To be frank, it's really cute. Although it's not something I would say to a boy, so I keep that comment to myself. "Haha, I suppose I'll go with that then." "You're going with the creme brulee, understood! When would you like your drink to be served?" "Hmm, could you bring it out with the hot sandwich?" "Understood! Please wait a moment!" With that, he hurries off to relay my order. What was that cute creature? Is he really a male? "Sorry for the wait; here's your hot sandwich and iced coffee." A few minutes later, the hot sandwich and iced coffee were served together. "Bon appetit." Given the well-matched ingredients, it was no surprise that I finished it easily. I had even forgotten to drink my coffee, so I drank it after ordering my dessert. "Ah, I don't understand how, but it tastes good." The faint sweetness, fruity aroma, and balanced acidity made it easy to drink. I figured this would be popular, and just as I convinced myself of this, the dessert I ordered arrived. "Here is your creme brulee." I was served a creme brulee in a shallow, wide dish. The compatibility of the caramel on top and the rich custard inside was unbeatable, and I found myself beaming without realizing it. Such joyful moments passed instantly, and I left the cafe after paying. "I wonder if I could come here again if I quit my current job." I was scared to change my current situation, but I felt like I had gained a bit of courage. "Boss, good work today!" "You too, Yuki-kun." "Um, so, my next shift will be right after Obon, is that okay?" "Absolutely. We're also taking a break for Obon, anyway. Speaking of which, you mentioned you're going to Tokyo, right?" "Yes, that's right!" "Your excitement is evident on your face. Have fun. "Yes, please!" "Haha, what would you like to eat?" "I saw a customer eating a hot sandwich earlier, and it looked delicious, so I'd like that!" After waiting a few minutes, the boss called me to pick up the finished sandwich. "Here you go, today's treat is a creme brulee on the house." "Huh? Boss, are you sure?!" "You're always working hard, so it's my way of saying thank you. I'm counting on you after Obon, okay?" Then, in the eating area at the back, I started to eat my meal. "Mmm! Sho good" I found myself breaking into a smile. After finishing the creme brulee, my face was relaxed and content. "Fweh? Ah... How shameless of me..." "Hehe, that's what makes you cute! Well, I'm about to start my shift, so good work today, Yuki-kun!" Having finished my meal, I washed the dishes I used and went home.

「ふぁ・・・ぁ」 昨日は訳もわからず気付いたら眠ってしまっていた。 今日も朝からバイトがあるので普段よりも早めに設定されていたアラームの音で目が覚めた。 「んー・・・」 僕は寝惚け眼をこすりながらスマホを手に取った。 「なにこれ。」 画面がピヨッターの通知で埋まっていた。 恐る恐る下へフリックしてみるとどんどん下へスクロールされていく。 フォローされました、と言う通知がもう数えきれないくらいにやってきていた。 「・・・いひゃい。」 僕は夢だと思いほっぺたを抓ってみたら普通に痛かった。 「夢じゃ、ないんだ・・・」 僕は意を決してピヨッターを開いてみた。 何故かフォロワーは1万人を超えていた。 それからバイトも終わり家に帰ってきた僕は考え事をしていた。 「企業案件を運良く貰ったのは覚えているんだけど詳細が夏休みにやるって事以外全く聞いた覚えがないなぁ・・・どうしよう。」 何か良い方法が無いか考えていると、メッセージが届いた。 件名:企業案件の詳細について 本文:昨日優希くんがゆかちゃんになったまま帰ったから覚えているか分からないから念の為に伝えておくね。 まず、やる事はGloryCuteさんの 動画の投稿は白姫ゆかのチャンネルに投稿することも条件だよ。 次に撮影日は8月の前半の予定で撮影日の1週間前には連絡するね。 それとこれはついでだけど、多分優希くんは今日の夜に1万人突破配信をすると思うんだけど、その時に今回の案件を発表してもいいよって事になったから、良かったら名前を出してあげてね。 それと来週オフコラボ、楽しみにしてるね? 薫さんがわざわざ纏めた内容をメールで送ってくれていた。 聞こうかなと思っていただけにとても有り難かった。 ただオフコラボは聞いてないよ、僕は一体何を口走ったの?薫さんとても綺麗だし、また会えるのは嬉しいけど。 それに収益化も気付いたら通ってた。 これで広告収入を得ることも出来る様になったし、スパチャも受け取れるようになった。 ただ僕は、何か上手く行き過ぎな気がしてきたけど、大丈夫かな。 『みんなこんばんは!白姫ゆかだよ!』 ヒャッハー!!新鮮なゆかちゃんだー! こんばんはー! 浮雲ふわり:ゆかちゃんこんばんはー こんふわりん! ゆかちゃん1万人突破おめでとー! 柿崎ゆる:ゆかちゃん1万人突破おめでとう! ゆかちゃんスゲェ! お姉さん悶絶ASMR切り抜きから来ました 色々な人がチャットで反応を示していた。 挨拶する人もいればチャンネル登録者数1万人突破を祝う内容だったり、可愛さにやられてIQが下がったような内容だったり皆思い思いにコメントしていた。 『うわぁー!今日はリス兄、リス姉がたくさんだね!それにふわりお姉ちゃんとゆるママも来てくれてありがとー! って今の視聴者数5000人!?こんなに来てくれて嬉しいな♪』 『念の為初めての人ははじめまして!ボクが白姫ゆかだよ!覚えていってくれると嬉しいな♪』 はぁーこの声なんだわ もうゆかちゃんしか勝たんのだが? こんな可愛い子がいたなんて俺は今まで何を ゆかちゃん可愛い!妹に欲しいー! 『早速ですが!今日はなんと!お知らせが4つあります!』 多くね? 気になるー 2つは予想ついたけど残りが分からん! 『まず2つ発表していくね!残りは最後に発表するからよかったら配信に付き合ってくれると嬉しいな!』 配信終わってもみてるからねー! 『まず1つ!これには言及してくれてるリス兄、リス姉がいたね! チャンネル登録者数1万人突破することが出来たよ! これは皆のおかげ、本当にありがとう!』 信じられるか?4日前に2000人突破したばかりなんだぜ? 個人...勢? 『そして次は収益化が通ったよ! この収益で得たお金は今後はゲームとかを購入したりする資金にさせてもらうから楽しみにしててね!』 収益化やったじゃん! 動画見まくってやるぜ! スパチャは? スパチャ設定触ってないなら設定からオンに出来る様になってるよ! スパチャしたい 『スパチャ?設定ってここかな?あっ多分これだ!』 おっ 俺が先だ! 負けるかよぉ〜! 柿崎ゆる ふーん、かわいいじゃん。 投げようと思った時にはもうわたしは既に投げ終えていたのだ! 普通っぽいアカウントがしれっと上限投げてるんだけどwww 3000円ネキが癒しすぎる 名無しネキもしかしてアンタ・・・ みんなやばいんだけど(震え声 それからドンドンとスパチャが投げられ、呆然としていた白姫ゆかが再起動した。 呆然としてるゆかちゃんも可愛い 皆落ち着けw ゆかちゃん言えてないw 『夢かな?そうだ夢だよこれ。』 そう言いながらほっぺを抓る。 ハァァァァァァァ!(ため息 こんなん可愛いに決まってるだろ 皆、俺先に逝ってるから。 わたしも行くから安心して 『えっと、皆本当にありがとう!』 とりあえず今日は何をやるの? ちくわ大明神 誰だちくわ大明神!? 『もうチャットが混沌を極めてるよ!?』 今日は祭りじゃー! ¥30000 花火が自らスパチャするのか・・・ 焼きそばの屋台です 美味しい焼きそば買って食べてください。 腹痛いwww 『どうしよう、収拾がつかないよぉ!』

"Fwah....ah." Yesterday, I fell asleep without even realizing it. I have part-time today, so I woke up earlier than usual to the sound of my alarm. "Mm..." I rub my sleepy eyes and pick up my phone. "What's this?" My screen is flooded with Tweeter notifications. I nervously flick down, and the notifications keep scrolling. Notifications stating, "XXX started following you!" arrived so abundantly that they were too many to count. "...Ow." I pinched my cheeks, thinking it was a dream, but it hurt like normal. "I'm not dreaming..." I take a deep breath and open Tweeter. For some reason, I have over 10,000 followers. After coming back home from part-time work, I did some brainstorming. "I remember accepting a corporate project, but I don't recall hearing any details other than we're doing it during summer break...what should I do?" As I was thinking about a solution, I received a message. Subject: Regarding the Corporate Project Details Message: Just in case you don't remember, you went home as Yuka-chan yesterday. Moving on, we'll be shooting an image video for GloryCute. This will also be uploaded on your Yuka Shirahime channel. The shooting date is scheduled for early August, and I'll contact you one week prior. Oh and, you're streaming tonight to celebrate reaching 10,000 subscribers, right? P.S. I'm looking forward to our offline collab next week. Kaoru-san kindly sent me all the details via email. I was considering asking her about it, so I was grateful. Except, I don't remember anything about an offline collaboration. Did I randomly blurt something out? Well, Kaoru-san is pretty, so I'd be happy to see her again... Also, I just realized my monetization application was approved. I can now earn ad revenue and receive Super Chats. Still, I can't shake the feeling that things are going too well... Is this okay? [Good evening, everyone! Yuka Shirahime's here!] wooooo! its our fresh yuka-chan!!! Good evening! Fuwari Ukigumo: Good evening, Yuka-channn Kon-fuwarin! Congrats on 10k, yuka-chan!!! Yuru Kakizaki: Congratulations on 10k subscribers, Yuka-chan! youre amazing, yuka-chan! I came from the onee-san heart attack ASMR clip. A variety of people showed their reactions in the chat. Some were greeting, others were congratulating the channel for reaching 10,000 subscribers, and there were those whose IQs dropped because of the cuteness. Everyone was commenting in their own way. [Wow! We have so many Lis-niis and Lis-nees today! Thank you for coming too, Fuwari-oneechan and Mama Yuru! 5000 viewers?! I'm happy to see so many of you here ] [To the first-time viewers, nice to meet you! My name's Yuka Shirahime! Remember that well, okay ] haaa cant get enough of that voice no one can beat yuka-chan now what have I been doing all this time, letting a cute girl like this escape my radar? You're so cute, Yuka-chan! Be my little sister!!! [Not to rush, but! I have four announcements for everyone today!] damn, that's a lot I'm curiousss i can guess two, but idk about the rest ahhh [I'll be announcing two of them right now! I'll announce the rest at the end, so I hope you stay tuned until then!] I'll still keep watching even after the stream ends! [First announcement! It looks like we already have Lis-niis and Lis-nees who guessed it! We hit 10,000 subscribers! It's all thanks to everyone's support. Thank you guys so much!] people would freak out if they knew she just hit 2k four days ago u sure,,, ur an indie? [The second announcement is that we're monetized now! I will use the money to buy games and stuff, so look forward to those!] youre even monetized now! Ive been watching ur vids like crazy! What about super chats? if you haven't tweaked the settings yet, you can turn it on from there! I wanna super chat! [Super Chat? Is this where the settings are? Oh, I think this is it!] o im first! I wont lose!!! Yuru Kakizaki Hmmm, you're cute. i already pressed send before i could even think about it! some ppl are also sending maxed-out super chats from their regular accounts xD Bless the 3k super chatter don't tell me the anon onee was... yall crazy tho... /shaking Super Chats kept rolling in one after another, and the stunned Yuka Shirahime finally snapped back to reality. a dazed yuka-chan is cute too calm down guys xd Youre not even saying it right yuka-chan XD [Is this a dream? It's got to be.] With that, she pinches her cheeks. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! /sigh Of course it just had to sound cute ill see you on the other side, guys Im coming with him, dw [Um, thank you so much, everyone! I really appreciate this!] so whats on the agenda for today? Almighty Chikuwa who is this almighty chikuwa?! [The chat has gotten so chaotic!] it's a festival today! Y=30,000 now fireworks are somehow sending super chats themselves... A Yakisoba Stall Please use this money to buy yourself some tasty yakisoba. my stomach hurts lolololol [Oh no, what to do, this has gotten quite out of handdd!]

09:Vr怖い/偶然中の偶然 今僕は猛烈に後悔している。 今日のお昼に裕翔とゲームを見に行ってバイ◯シリーズの最新作のVRゲームをやる事にした。 HMD 『おぉー、凄いリアリティがあるねこれ!』 最初の僕は普通に楽しんでいた。 映像がかなりハイクオリティで見ていて飽きない。 まだゾンビも出てこないから余計にこの世界を堪能していた。 『地面の土や砂の表現細かいなぁ・・・』 VRゲームの中でもかなりの本気で作られた今作はなんとVRグローブにも対応し、研究に研究を重ねて物を掴んだ感触を味わえるようになっているらしい。 流石に足までは対応出来る技術はまだ無いらしくこれからに期待していきたい。 それでもこの銃の感触、本物では無いと分かっていても映像では自分は銃を持っている。 ワクワク感が疼いて仕方がない。 『おぉ!凄いねこれ!!!ボク銃持ってるよ!!!感触まである!やば!!!!ただ軽いからリアリティが少ないのがネックかな?』 そして運命の瞬間が訪れた。 主人公が怪しげな路地に入るとそこにはゾンビがいた。 リアルな内臓が見えるだけでなく、筋肉が脈うつ表現などもしっかりされている。 そして何より、声がおぞましい。 VRということは音声はバイノーラル録音されたかのような立体音響なのである。 そして僕はホラゲは好きでも、グロは嫌い。 つまり・・・ 『ふわああああああああああああ!!!!!!やだやだやだ気持ち悪い!!!!こっちこないで!!!!!死んで!!!!なんで!?当てたじゃん!!!!!いっぱい当てたじゃん!!!!』 実際はパニックで殆ど当たっていないだけだったのだけど。 『いやこないで、いやああああああああああ音が!!!!ぐちゃって!!!こない!!!で!!!!ああああ!!!!弾切れ!?いややるのか!!!!おら!おら!おら!おらぁ!!!!!!!なんでしなないの!!!!金属だよ!!!来るなっていってるじゃん!!』 仕方ないよね、グロいの嫌いだもん。 弾切れ起こしてパニックが加速した僕は銃自体で殴り始めた。 でも無慈悲にも敵は倒れない。 『あっ・・・』 敵が僕の目の前に来た。 『ぁぁぁぁぁぁっぁぁぁ○○のバカああああああああああ!!!!!!!!!』 僕は思わずこれを強く勧めた裕翔を罵りながら死んだ。 勿論編集でピー音を入れた。 ゲームオーバーの画面が表示された僕はずーっと立ち尽くしていた。 半分意識がない状態が数十秒続いて漸く僕は気付いた。 『・・・ぁ、いきてる。』 手が震えていた。 ゾンビがあそこまでグロいと思わなかった僕は思わず涙を流していた。 『怖かった・・・何がホラゲは大丈夫♪だよぉ、死ぬほど怖かったよぉ・・・』 そしてそれと同時に怒りがふつふつと湧き上がってきた。 『絶対に倒す、ボクを怖がらせた事後悔させてやる!!!!!』 それからというもの僕は敵が現れては 気付けば3時間プレイしていてもういい時間になっていたのでプレイをやめ、収録も終了した。 「今日はもうご飯作る気力無いから簡単なものでいいや・・・」 精神ダメージがでかすぎた僕は炊いてあったご飯と冷凍してあったおかずを食べることにした。 サクッと食べたら少し動画の編集をはじめた。 そろそろお風呂に入ろうかなと思ったタイミングで好きなVtuberが久しぶりにこの時間に配信をやっていたので見ながらお風呂にでも入る事にしよう。 ------浮雲ふわりの配信------ 画面には白と青を基調とした和服のような衣装を身に纏った人がいた。 この人こそいまなんじと言われる大型Vtuber事務所の7期生の中どころかいまなんじ屈指の人気を誇る浮雲ふわりである。 今日は雑談配信をしているようで、いつもの挨拶から配信が始まろうとしていた。 「はーいみなさんこんふわりん。」 まってた 今日妙に機嫌よくない? 確かに、ふわちゃんいい事あったの? 「あーわかっちゃいますかー?」 声のトーンが高いからよく分かるね 最初はちょっとした違和感だったけど 俺分からんかったんだけど・・・ それで何があったの? 「えへへー実はですねー今日凄く可愛い子を見つけてしまいましてー。」 ふわちゃんロリとショタ本当好きだからなぁ どんな子だったん? ロリは至高だもんな 争いはよくない、どちらもいいものだぞ 「そうですよー争いはダメですよー。」 うぐ、悪かった 私も悪かったわね・・・ 仲直りできてえらいぞ 「それでその子なんですけどー、私好みの背格好でー、声まで可愛くてーちょっと男の子っぽさもあってーそんな子をぎゅっとできたんですよねぇー、と言っても転びかけてるのを助けただけですよー?」 ヤバイ、結果的に相手助けてるとは言え性別が性別なら通報されてるぞこの人 男の娘?ボーイッシュ系? 私、気になります! 「どっちか分からなかったのが本音ですねー次あったら抱きしめたいですねぇ・・・」 男の娘と言えば男の娘疑惑出てる新人Vtuberいたな、個人勢の まじで? えっ?いいのか普通こういう配信で他Vtuberの名前出すのってマナー違反じゃないのか? 「構わないから詳細はよ」 ふわちゃーん!!!!キャラ付け崩壊してる!!! それ以上はまずいですよ! えぇ...(困惑)まぁいいか、白姫ゆかっていう新人Vtuberだな 「白姫ゆか・・・っと」 早速検索始めて草 「え?かなりモデルのクオリティ高くないですか?」 これかなりクオリティ高いな 個人でこれはやべぇいくらかかってんだ あれ?この絵柄どこかで見たような 「絵師は柿崎ゆる・・・えっあの柿崎先生?」 あぁ!!!柿崎先生か! 絵柄はいいけど最近パッとしなかったから勝負に出たのか? 「へぇー結構いい感じなんですねぇー」 『この動画を見てくれているお兄ちゃん、お姉ちゃん初めまして!ボクは白姫ゆか、今日からVtuberとして活動していくことにしました!』 あらかわいい いい声してるじゃん チャンネル登録して来ようかな 私もしようかな 「えっ」 なになにどしたん? ん?どうかした? 「嘘っ、そんなことあり得る?」 ????? というかふわちゃんからまた素のふわちゃんになってて草 「えーと・・・多分だけど、この娘、さっき言ってた性別不明の子?・・・声が似てるような・・・ちょっと作ってる?けど多分・・・同一人物・・・?」 は? そんな漫画や小説じゃあるまいし マジなら笑う 「ねぇ、初配信のアーカイブとかこのまま見てもいい?」 私は一向にかまわん! ふわちゃんが謎の能力発揮してて草 それから約1時間あるアーカイブに料理動画を見終わった浮雲ふわりは確信に至った。 「みんな、私は断言するよこの子絶対私が今日会った子だよ、特に料理動画の腕は完全に一致してた。 というかあの子あの見た目で17歳はやばいでしょ・・・」 事実は小説よりも奇なりってか 俺も見たいぜ... 「こほんっ」 おっと? あっ(察し 時間だな(確信 「急に取り乱してごめんねー今日は雑談枠とか言っておきながらーこんなことになって本当にごめんねー」 また次もあるしええんや 素のふわちゃんあんま見れないし楽しかったやで 「今日はもうこんな時間になっちゃったけど次はーこの子とのコラボ目指して動いていくからよろしくねー。」 完全にロックオンしてて草 合法ロリorショタと知ったふわちゃんの行動力えぐくて草 「それじゃおつふわりんー!」 おつふわりん おつふわりーん!!! ------この放送は終了しました------ 浮雲ふわりの配信がきっかけで白姫ゆかのチャンネル登録者数は1000人を大きく超える事になるのだが、それを知るのは明日の朝になってからだった。

Ch 9 Right now, I'm feeling intense regret. Earlier this noon, Yuuto and I browsed for games at a shop and bought the latest VR game from the R* franchise. I put on my HMD (head-mounted display) and started recording a video while I played the game. [Ohh, this feels pretty realistic!] At first, I was still enjoying myself. The game has high-quality graphics that keeps me engaged. The zombies haven't shown up yet, so I can fully immerse myself in the virtual world. [The ground textures look so realistic...] This latest game is made with serious attention to detail in VR, and apparently, it even supports VR gloves that let you feel like you're actually holding objects. They haven't quite figured out how to make your feet feel anything yet, but it's something to look forward to. Still, I feel a gun in my hand, even when I'm not really holding one in real life. I'm oozing with excitement. [Woah, this is so cool! I'm holding a gun!!! It even feels like I'm holding a gun!!! Woahhh!!! Though it does feel a little light, so the realistic factor isn't quite there yet.] And then the moment of destiny arrived. When my character entered a suspicious alley, there was a zombie there. Not only could you see realistic internal organs, but the muscle pulsations were also well recreated. Above all, the voice is repulsive. Since it's VR, the sound is recorded in binaural stereo, giving it a 3D effect. I like horror games, but I hate gore. In other words... [Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! Ewewewewew, gross! Don't come over here!!! Die!!! Why?! I already shot you! I shot you so many times!!!] In reality, I'm panicking so hard I can barely land a hit on the enemy. [No, don't come near me! Ahhhhhhhhh! The sound!!! Something just went squish! Don't come! Please!!!! Ahh!!! Out of ammo?! How can this be?! Take that! That! That, that, and that!!! Why won't you die?! It's metal, you know?! Didn't I tell you not to come this way?!] It's useless. I hate gore. As I experience a panic-induced ammo shortage, I start whacking my enemy with the gun itself. But mercilessly, the enemy won't die. [Ah...] The enemy comes right in front of me. [aaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I HATE YOU, ***!!!!!] I died while cursing Yuuto, who strongly recommended this game. Of course, his name will be bleeped out in post-production. The Game Over screen appeared, and I stood there frozen for a while. I was in a semi-conscious state for several seconds before finally coming to my senses again. [...Ah, I'm alive.] My hands are trembling. I never thought the zombie would be that gruesome; I found myself shedding genuine tears. ["I'm good with horror games" my butt... that was so scary...] At the same time, I felt anger rising from within me. [I'll definitely beat them. I'll make them regret scaring me like that!!!] From then on, I HS'd (headshot) every enemy that appeared. Before I knew it, I had been playing for three hours, and it was already late, so I decided to stop playing and recording. "I don't have the energy to cook tonight, so I'll just make something easy..." The mental damage was too much for me, so I settled for rice and some frozen side dishes. After quickly eating, I started editing my video. I was about to take a bath when I noticed that my favorite VTuber was streaming late at night for the first time in a while, so I decided to watch it in the tub. --Fuwari Ukigumo's Live Stream-- On the screen is a person dressed in a white and blue traditional Japanese outfit. This person is none other than Fuwari Ukigumo, one of the most popular members of the large VTuber agency Imananji's 7th wave. It seems like she's doing a zatsudan stream today, and the stream starts with her usual greetings. "Kon-fuwarin, everyone!" ive been waiting you seem to be in a good mood today Yeah, Fuwa-chan, did something good happen? "Ohhh, you can telllll?~" your voice is so high, so I can tell it felt a little off at first i couldn't even tell... So, what happened? "Hehehe, well, actually, I found a reaaaally cute person todayyy." you really like your lolis and shotas, huh, fuwa-chan What kind of person were they? loli is the best Fighting is bad, they're both good "Yeahhh, you shouldn't fighttt." oops, sorry about that. im sorry too... Good of you to make up "So, there's this kid, righttt? And they're like, sooo my typeee. Good-looking, cute voice, and a liiiittle bit boyish, toooo. And then, I got to huuuug them, but only because they tripped and were about to falll..." yikes, saving the person aside, if she were the opposite sex, she'd be in big trouble are they an effeminate guy or just boyish? im curious! "I honestly couldn't telllll. But if I see them again, I wanna give them a biiiiig ol' hug..." speaking of effeminate men, wasn't there a new VTuber who's suspected of being one? an indie, if i recall for real? huh? are you sure? but isnt it against VTuber etiquette to name-drop other streamers during your own stream? "I don't care, just spill the tea already." fuwa-chan!!! youre breaking character!!! you shouldn't go any further than this! eh.. (confused) oh well. i think the VTuber's name was Yuka Shirahime or something "Yuka Shirahime... let me look that up real quick." anddd shes already looking it up lol "Huh? Isn't her model pretty high-quality?" dis some high-quality stuff indeed pretty amazing for an indie. i wonder how much she spent on it huh? haven't I seen this art style somewhere before? "The artist is Yuru Kakizaki... Wait, you mean the Kakizaki-sensei?" ah!!! it's Kakizaki-sensei! their art style is good, but they haven't been doing much lately. did they step up their game? "Ohhh, it looks pretty gooood." [Hey there, onii-chans and onee-chans watching this video for the first time! My name is Yuka Shirahime, and I've decided to become a VTuber starting today!] aw how cute she has a nice voice mb I should subscribe to her channel maybe I should too "Eh-" whats wrong hm? did smth happen? "Huh? Is that even possible?" ????????? fuwa-chan's back to her unfiltered self again lmao "Umm... this is just a guess, but that kid I said was genderless earlier? ...Her voice sounds similar... Is she faking it a bit? Maybe... they're the same person...?" ha? this isn't a fictional world would be funny if it were true "Hey, do you guys mind if I watch her archived debut stream right now?" i don't mind! fuwa-chan's showing off some mysterious power, lol After finishing the one-hour-long archived stream and the cooking videos, Fuwari Ukigumo was convinced. "Guys, I'm telling you, she's definitely the same person I met today. Especially her arms in her cooking videos match perfectly. In fact, that girl looks way too young for her age...Seriously? 17? " truth is stranger than fiction, eh I wanna see too... "Ahem." oh? ah... (sensed it it's time (for sure "I'm sorry for suddenly getting carried awaaay. I know this was supposed to be a zatsu streammm... I'm sorry it turned out like thisss." theres always next time so dw its not everyday we get to see no-filter fuwa-chan, so it was fun "It's getting late, but I'll work towards a collab with this Yuka, so stay tunedddd." she's locked on her lol fuwa-chan's drive is amazing when she finds out someone is a legal loli or shota lol "Well then, otsu-fuwarinnn!" otsu-fuwarin otsu-fuwarinnnn!!! ===The live stream has ended.=== As a result of Fuwari Ukigumo's live stream, Yuka Shirahime's subscriber count exceeded 1000, but she didn't find out until the following day.

12:2000人突破記念配信(前編) ホラゲ実況を投稿した次の日に自分のチャンネルを見ていたら知らない間に登録者が2000人を突破していた。 「まさか僕がこんなに早くチャンネル登録者増やせるなんて思ってもみなかったなぁ・・・」 結構な時間をかけて1000人行って細々と収益化出来ればいいな、と考えていたので余計に嬉しい。 Yotubeにおいて収益化のラインと言われているのが チャンネル登録者1000人以上 動画の過去12ヶ月の総再生時間5000時間以上 チャンネル登録者1000人は既に達成しているのと、僕の動画の総再生時間もおそらく5000時間は突破していると思う。 何故かバイ◯の動画が既に10000再生を達成していたので余計に早く到達していそうと思った訳なんだけど。 料理動画や自己紹介動画もバイ◯動画並の再生数を出しており 昔は18歳以上しか収益化出来なかったのだけど、子どもがYotuberをしていてその収益を親が全額懐に入れていた、という事件が多発したため、16歳以上に登録者の幅を広めたのだとか。 16歳というのは日本で言う中学校を卒業しているラインになるので一部では社会人として活動し始める年齢でもあるからだそうだ。 それ以下の場合はどうしても親のアカウントで投稿したりする事になってしまうらしい。 そしてそんな僕も収益化の為に審査をしてもらう事に。 審査には最近は時間が掛からなくなってきたようで、早ければ3日、遅くとも1週間で返事が返ってくるそうだ。 早めに申請しておくほうが無難だと思うのですぐに申請を出した。 そして水曜日になり、僕は予定していた配信をチャンネル登録者2000人突破記念配信に変更し、配信を始めることにした。 『皆こんばんは!白姫ゆかだよ!』 待ってた あぁ、長かった もはや生きがい 柿崎ゆる:こんばんは、待ってたよ 浮雲ふわり:こんばんはー ふわちゃん!? えっ?ふわちゃんいるの!? 『ふぇ!?ふ、ふわりさん!?』 Yotubeではなりすまし出来ないから本物なんだよなぁ 柿崎ゆる:ふーん・・・ ゆるママ拗ねてる? 浮雲ふわり:ふわちゃんかふわりお姉ちゃんって呼んでくれたら大丈夫ですよー これは・・・ライバルの登場ですねぇ はぁー心臓に悪いわね 『えっと、ふわりお姉ちゃんで大丈夫かな?』 てぇてぇの威力に耐えきれなかったんだな 柿崎ゆる:初めてお姉ちゃん呼びされたなら仕方ない、私もこうなった ゆるママ・・・ ふわちゃんもだけどゆるママもゆるママだよ 柿崎ゆる:あなたキャラ崩壊してるよ? ゆるママあんたの言えることじゃないwww ゆるママのクールなイメージはどこに? 個人勢ではかなりの勢いよね そりゃこのてぇてぇモデルと声なんだから当たり前だよなぁ 料理動画で引き込まれたタチです私 手作りご飯食べたいなぁ 柿崎ゆる:わたしもたべたい 唐突に一致すなwww 唐突なシンクロに草 『料理は・・・あれそういえばゆるママとはリアルで会う事になるし、ふわりお姉ちゃんもボクの近くに住んでるんだったっけ?』 柿崎ゆる:場所も材料も報酬の提供も辞さない 浮雲ふわり:近くに住んでると思うと急に地元への愛が深まってきましたねー というかふわちゃんとゆかちゃん近くに住んでるとかマ? オフコラボとかあったら最高なのになぁ 流石に企業勢だときつくないか? 浮雲ふわり:実はー許可出たんですよー というかゆかちゃんの許可取ってなくて草 確かにふわちゃんが先導してるの草 『えっ?ボクがふわりお姉ちゃんとオフコラボ・・・?いやいやいやそんな迷惑になるだけだよ!?』 浮雲ふわり:迷惑なんてないですよーこちらからの一方的なお誘いですしー 柿崎ゆる:今ほど自分がVtuberじゃない事を後悔した事は無いよ・・・ ゆるママがVデビューと聞いて ゆるママが娘を作って娘になるって!? 最早意味不明で草 『その前にまずは普通のコラボの方がいいと思うんだけど、だめ、かな?』 ふわちゃんいまのおねだりでも死ぬのか 柿崎ゆる: 流れ弾で死ぬのかよwww 浮雲ふわり:はっ!? 浮雲ふわり:な、なんだったら今からでも大丈夫です! 語尾忘れてるんだよなぁ・・・ 『えぇ!?皆がいいならいいですけど・・・』 新しいてぇてぇが見れるならOKと言うしか 私は一向に構わん! 柿崎ゆる:うぅ・・・私も入りたい・・・ 俺もいいぞ 『ゆるママは、また今度ね?』 柿崎ゆる:えっしてくれるの? やさしい 天使か? 優しすぎて涙が出てきた ぺろっ!これは・・・ゆかゆる! ゆかゆる、そういうのもあるのか 新しい世界が見えた気分だぜ 『実は今日は見てくれてる人と一緒にヒゲオカートをやっていこうと思ってたんだ!』 うっわ俺最近売っちゃったよ 柿崎ゆる:わたしもってた!!!! 浮雲ふわり:もう起動しましたー 『でもその前に何個かましゅまろを食べていこうと思うよ!』 ましゅまろきたー! 僕のを読んでくれー 私のを読むのは確定よ!!! 『まず1個目!』 「ゆかちゃんの配信を見てる人に名前とか付けないんですか?」 でもあれやるのって企業勢が多くない? そうだなーあんまり個人では見ないな でもそういうのあると盛り上がるのは確か 『という事でボクが皆を呼ぶ時の名前の募集だよ!』 ゆかちゃん親衛隊 ゆかリスト 他にも思いついたけど流石に自粛する 『皆ありがと!この中だとゆかリスト、白姫士、ゆか民のどれかかなぁ?』 わたしもそう思う でも騎士ってイメージ無いよなぁ 見守るって意味では騎士もあってるのでは? こういうの決めるのって難しいよな 柿崎ゆる:これは迷うね 浮雲ふわり:私のところはふわ民って言ってるからそういうのでもいいと思うかな? 経験者いるのは助かる 『うぅ、難しいね。』 よく考えないとね そうなると姫士とかもありでは? 無限ループなんだよなぁ 逆に考えたら初見入り辛くならないか? 確かに、盲点だった 俺も入ったところでそういう人達が盛り上がってたらちょっと入りづらいな いい案が浮かんだリス兄、リス姉ってどうよ リスナーのお兄ちゃん、お姉ちゃんを略したわけかありだな 柿崎ゆる:いいと思う 浮雲ふわり:初見も入りやすくて良さそうですねー 『よし!それじゃあ決まりだね!リスにぃとリスねぇだね!』 俺本名リスに変えようかな 『本名は流石に変えないで!?』 『それじゃ次いくよ!』 「ホラゲ実況とても可愛くて最高でした、VR以外のホラゲもああいった反応になるんですか?」 ホラゲ実況まじ捗る 悲鳴最高 泣き声なんてやばかったわ 柿崎ゆる:あの場にいたら抱きしめてあげられたのにお姉ちゃんいなくてごめんね 浮雲ふわり:私なら住んでるところさえ分かればいつでも抱きしめてあげられますよー? リア凸どんだけしたいんだこのロリコンww もうだめだ、早くなんとかしないと 『いや、流石のボクも抱きしめられるのは恥ずかしいっていうか・・・』 かわいい 抱きしめたいぞ、白姫ゆか! ぎゅっとしてあげたい なんで俺画面の奥に行けないんだろう 柿崎ゆる:モニター邪魔だなぁ 浮雲ふわり:モニターが邪魔ですねー あんたら実は仲いいだろ 『とりあえずましゅまろへの返事だけど、多分今のところはバイ◯VRだけだと思うよ!』 『そうなの!ボクはグロだけはだめなんだよね・・・でも頑張って収録はしたから動画の方も引き続きよろしくね♪』 毎日見る 毎日じゃ足りん毎秒見る それただのF5連打じゃ? 柿崎ゆる:楽しみに待ってるね 浮雲ふわり:時間がいくらあっても足りませんねぇー 『正直リスにぃ、リスねぇもそろそろヒゲオカートやりたいよね?』 いつでもいける 柿崎ゆる:準備はオッケー 浮雲ふわり:もう結構待ってるよーデスコも準備出来ましたよー デスコ...? まさかコラボ? 『それじゃあましゅまろはこの辺でプチ大会の開催といこっか! 総合1位取った人は好きな台詞読んであげるよ!』 まじ? 本気を出す時が来たようだな 柿崎ゆる:全員なぎ倒す 浮雲ふわり:リスナー達と鍛えた腕前舐めないでもらいたいわね 何この二人怖い 『あっ!でもえっちなのはだめだよ!』 ラジャー! 柿崎ゆる:えっちなのはだめだと思います 浮雲ふわり:いいか、ロリにエロは似合わない 地味に紳士で草 淑女の間違いでは? 『それじゃ、ふわりお姉ちゃんも準備が出来たみたいだから入ってきてもらおっか!』 そして、唐突なコラボが始まった。

Ch 12 I checked my channel the day after posting the horror game playthrough and realized I had reached over 2000 subscribers. "To think I'd gain subscribers so quickly..." I thought I'd slowly reach 1000 subscribers and monetize my channel, but this is even better. The monetization requirements on Yotube are: At least 1000 subscribers, and... A total of 5000 hours of watch time in the past 12 months. I've surpassed the 1000 subscribers mark, and I think I'm hitting the 5000-hour mark. Oddly enough, the R* playthrough video already has 10,000 views, so I'm getting close to my goal. My cooking and introduction videos have as many views as the horror game playthrough, so I might be able to get approved for monetization if I apply. If I recall, only people over 18 could monetize their channels in the past. But after incidents of parents pocketing their children's Yotube earnings, they lowered the age requirement to 16. 16 is the age when Japanese kids finish middle school and start working part-time jobs, so it makes sense. Anywhere below that age, you would have to upload your content using your parents' or guardians' account. Thus, I decided to apply for monetization. I heard it doesn't take long nowadays. Getting approved can take as little as three days or up to a week. It's better to apply sooner than later too, so I did the necessary preparations. When Wednesday came, I changed my scheduled stream to a celebratory one for crossing 2000 subscribers, then I went live. [Good evening, everyone! Yuka Shirahime's here!] ive been waiting aah, that felt so long This is practically my will to live now Yuru Kakizaki: Good evening; I've been waiting. Fuwari Ukigumo: Good eveee fuwa-chan?! huh? fuwa-chan's here?! [Fweh?! F-Fuwari-san?!] She must be the real deal since you can't commit identity fraud on Yotube Yuru Kakizaki: Hmm... is mama yuru sulking? Fuwari Ukigumo: Feel free to call me Fuwa-chan or Fuwari-oneechan. Either is fineee~ I sense the appearance of a rival sheesh my heart cant take this [Um, Fuwari-oneechan, is that right?] she couldn't resist the tee-tee power Yuru Kakizaki: It's understandable since this is her first time being called onee-chan. It happened to me too. mama yuru... fuwa-chan is fuwa-chan, but so is mama yuru Yuru Kakizaki: Well, someone's character is falling apart. youre one to talk, mama yuru lololol Where'd your cool facade go, mama yuru? It's quite impressive for an indie, too with that cute model and voice, it's only natural I'm one of those who got drawn in by your cooking videos i wanna eat your cooking Yuru Kakizaki: Me too. dont just come to an agreement all of a sudden XD Im cracking up at this sudden sync [Cooking... Oh, come to think of it, I'm going to meet Mama Yuru in real life. Do you also happen to live near me, Fuwari-oneechan?] Yuru Kakizaki: I'm willing to provide the location, ingredients, and rewards. Fuwari Ukigumo: Thinking we live close to each other is making me suddenly love my hometown moreee wait, is it true that fuwa-chan and yuka-chan live close to each other? if only they could do an offline collab... It might be tough with corporate talents, huh? Fuwari Ukigumo: Ohh, I actually got permission for that alreadyyy Did she even bother to ask for yuka-chan's permission xD now that you mention it, fuwa-chan took the lead herself lol [Huh? Me and Fuwari-oneechan? An offline collab...? No no no, I would only bother you!] Fuwari Ukigumo: It's not a botherrrrr, it's a one-sided invitation from me, after alllll Yuru Kakizaki: I've never regretted not being a VTuber as much as I do now... when I heard mama yuru was gonna have her v-debut does that mean she'll create her own child and become that child herself?! Nothing's making sense so early in the stream lmao [But before that, I think starting with a normal collaboration is better... No?] did that begging also kill fuwa-chan? Yuru Kakizaki: did she die from a stray bullet XD Fuwari Ukigumo: Ah! Fuwari Ukigumo: In that case, we can do it right now! she's forgetting a few extra letters... [Eh?! If everyone's okay with it, I'm fine too...] I always say yes to new tee-tee material no objections! Yuru Kakizaki: Oof... I want to join too... im fine with it too [Maybe next time, Mama Yuru, okay?] Yuru Kakizaki: Huh? You'll do it for me? so sweet are you an angel or what youre so sweet i started tearing up now this... is YukaYuru! YukaYuru...that exists, huh feels like I'm seeing a whole new world bro [Actually, I was planning to play Mustache-o Kart with the chat today!] craap i sold mine just recently Yuru Kakizaki: I have a copy!!!!! Fuwari Ukigumo: I already booted up mineee [But before that, I'm going to read a few marshmallows first!] Marshmallows! read mine pleaseeee I just know youll read mine!!! [First one!] "Aren't you going to give your viewers a name, Yuka-chan?" but mostly big companies do that, right? Yeah, I don't see many indies doing that but it does feel more immersive when we have a name [There you have it, everyone! I'm looking for name ideas to call you!] Yuka-chan Elite Guards Yukalists I thought of some others, but i think ill hold back [Thank you, everyone! I wonder which I should pick from Yukalists, Shirahime Knights, or Yukamins?] i was thinking of the same thing but it doesn't really have the image of a knight Watching over could still fit the knight image though, right? It's tough to decide on stuff like this Yuru Kakizaki: This is a tough one. Fuwari Ukigumo: I call mine Fuwamins, so maybe that could work too? Its helpful to have someone with experience [Hm... This is tough.] you gotta think abt it hard then shouldn't hime knights solve that problem? This could become an infinite loop. On the other hand, wouldn't it be harder for new people to join? That's definitely a blind spot. yeah, I experienced that in a different stream once, and everyone was in their own world, it was hard to join in I've got a good idea, how about Lis-nii and Lis-nee? It's a shortened version of listener and onii-chan or onee-chan huh Yuru Kakizaki: I think that's a good one. Fuwari Ukigumo: It's easy for newcomers to join, and it sounds good toooo [Okay, it's settled then! We're going with Lis-nii and Lis-nee!] maybe I should change my real name to Lis [Please don't actually try to change your real names to that!] [Anyway, onto the next question!] "The horror game video was both cute and amazing! Do you get that kind of reaction for horror games that aren't VR?" horror game playthroughs are seriously great the screams were the best the cry was something else too Yuru Kakizaki: If I had been there, I would have hugged you. Sorry your onee-chan wasn't there. Fuwari Ukigumo: If I know where you live, I can give you a hug aaaaanytime you want, you knowww? seriously, just how bad does this lolicon want to meet yuka in real life lmfaoo its no use, we have to do something about this and fast [No, um, I'd feel embarrassed if I was hugged, so...] kawaii i want to embrace you, Yuka Shirahime! i wanna hug you Why cant I go across this screen dammit Yuru Kakizaki: If only this monitor wasn't in the way. Fuwari Ukigumo: If only this monitor wasn't in the way, indeeeed you two would make good friends, seriously [Going back to the marshmallow, I think it's just with R* VR for now.] [Yeah! I can't handle gore...but I did my best during the recording, so please continue to support the series! ] Ill watch it every day I watch it every day, no, every second aren't you just gonna spam f5? Yuru Kakizaki: I'm looking forward to it! Fuwari Ukigumo: No matter how much time we have, it's never enoughhhh [Well then, Lis-niis and Lis-nees, you want to play Mustache-o Kart, too, right?] im ready anytime Yuru Kakizaki: I'm good to go. Fuwari Ukigumo: I've been waiting sinceee. My Disco is also readyyy disco...? Wait, is this a collab? [Okay, let's end the marshmallows for today and have a mini-tournament next! I'll say any line the Top 1 wants me to!] for real? time to get my game face on Yuru Kakizaki: I'll take down everyone. Fuwari Ukigumo: Don't underestimate my skill after I've trained with my listenersss What's with these two, they're scary. [Oh! No requests for naughty lines, okay!] roger! Yuru Kakizaki: I don't think anything too lewd is appropriate. Fuwari Ukigumo: Listen, obscene things don't suit lolis. theyre surprisingly gentlemanly lol you sure you don't mean ladylike? [Okay then, Fuwari-oneechan is ready to join, so let's bring her in for the collab!] And thus, a sudden collaboration began.

キャラクター紹介 姫村優希 本作の主人公、身長150cmという低身長が悩み 顔立ちは整っていて同じクラスの女子ですら女の子と見間違えるほど。 普段の服装は男の子っぽい服装を選んでいるつもりが 髪色のベースは白でグラデーションで薄いピンクの入ったハーフアップで 瞳の色は薄めのピンク 姫村優希の友人で、優希が小学生からの付き合い。 陸上部に所属していて成績も良いため女子からの人気も厚い。 小さな頃から運動が得意で優希が困っている時に良く力を貸してあげていた。 優希が信頼している人間の一人。 で優希の事を女の子だと勘違いしたまま白姫ゆかを完成させる。 絵の実力は確かで、安定して仕事はあったものの大きく名を挙げる機会に恵まれなかったため、優希からの依頼をチャンスと捉えて費用を安くしてでも契約を取った。 大手Vtuber事務所いまなんじの7期生。 ゲームが事務所の中でもかなり上手い。 語尾を伸ばして天然を演じている。 かわいい子を見るとテンションが爆上がりして放送がカオスになるそうな。 優希を女装させたい欲があるけれど隠している。 今の狙いは文化祭でのコスプレ喫茶。 優希×裕翔で妄想していたが、ゆるゆかの尊さに目覚めてしまい、ゆるの姿を大まかに聞いたらイメージでゆる×ゆかで1冊書き上げるつもりらしい。 それなりに人気のあるサークル主だとか、そうでないとか。 本編では名前のみ登場 中二病な名前からは想像もつかない物腰の丁寧な 大手Vtuber事務所Vライブの一期生兼Vライブのまとめ役。 普段の枠では雑学の解説を行ったり、リスナーの悩み相談に乗ったりしている。 元メンタリストという説もある。

Yuki Himemura's VTuber persona. Mama (Artist): Yuru Kakizaki The protagonist of this series. Bothered by his meager height of 150cm. Has a face pretty enough to be mistaken for a female student at school. Picks out masculine clothes, but he's still often mistaken for a tomboy. Hair color: White with light pink graduation from the bottom half. Eye color: Light pink A friend of Yuki Himemura who has known him since elementary school. A member of the track and field club and also good at academics, he's popular among the girls. He's always been physically apt and has often helped Yuki in times of need. One of the people Yuki trusts. Created and designed Yuka Shirahime, all the while thinking Yuki was a girl. Her skills as an artist are definite, and she has a stable job. But since she wasn't blessed with the opportunity to make a name for herself, she took Yuki's commission as her chance and signed a contract with him, even if it meant decreasing her prices. A seventh-gen talent of the major VTuber agency Imananji Good at games, even when compared to other talents in the agency. Acts like a natural airhead who deliberately prolongs her sentence-enders. Her streams have the potential to become chaotic when she sees cute girls and swoons for them. A female classmate of Yuki with a secret desire to make him wear girl clothes. Her goal is the cultural festival's cosplay cafe. Was awakened to the preciousness of YuruYuka and decided to write a Yuru x Yuka book based on a rough description of Yuru's appearance. Allegedly the leader of some popular circle. Only appears by name in the main story. Has a polite demeanor that you would never guess from his chuunibyou-like name. A first-gen talent and peacemaker of V Live, another major VTuber agency. In his regular streams, he provides explanations of random facts and offers advice to his troubled listeners. There's a theory going on about how he's a former mentalist.

17:大変身! 「んー絶対に似合うと思うのよ私、ここなら色々な会社から貰った試供品の化粧品があるから色々試せるのよ、だからどう?やってみない?」 スタッフのお姉さんが絶対似合うからと念押ししながら僕を説得してくる。 「えー、えっと流石にお化粧は・・・」 僕は流石にそこまではと思い断ろうとすると 「キミの着てみたい衣装とかも着せてあげるから!ねっ!可愛い服着て一緒に来てた女の人喜ばせてあげよっ!」 「僕なんかがそんな服着ても喜ばないと思うんですけど・・・」 「何を言ってるの!喜ばないならこんなところまで来て服のデザイン出して採寸までやってなんて面倒な事やらないよ!」 「そうですかね・・・」 「じゃあわかった!もしお化粧と衣装用意したの着てくれてそれの評判が悪かったら私が無理矢理着せたって言うから!キミみたいな可愛い子がそんな格好なんて私が許せないの!」 何が一体この人をここまで駆り立てるのか僕には分からないけれど、一度くらいならいいかな?コスプレの予行演習とでも思っておこうかな? 「うー、分かりました! やりますよ!やってやりますよ!!! その代わり滅茶苦茶可愛くしてくださいよ!」 「その言葉が聞きたかった! お任せあれ!!」 今スタッフさんの手により化粧が施されようとしていたのだけどスタッフさんに一つ質問された。 「何かこの子みたいになりたいっていう希望とかは無いかな?」 「それだったらえーっと、あった、この画像の子みたいにしてもらえませんか?」 僕は白姫ゆかの全体像をスタッフさんに見せた。 「ふむふむ、ちょっと待っててねー今必要そうなもの取ってくるよ。」 するとものの3分ほどで戻ってきた。 「よし、それじゃあ始めるよ。」 「んーおかしいわねぇ、あの子の採寸まだ終わらないのかしら。」 「先輩、妙に長くないですか?」 「んーこんな事滅多に無いんだけどねぇ。 私少し様子見てくるから、そっちの書類とかの確認頼むわね?」 「分かりました。」 オネエさんが隣の部屋に入ろうとすると中から声が聴こえてきた。 「(あら、お化粧してるじゃない、まさか服を着せる気なのかしら。)」 これは面白い事になりそうだと思った彼女はもう一度部屋に戻り終わるのを待つ事にした。 「戻ったわー」 「早かったですね先輩。」 「時間はかかりそうだったけど問題は無さそうだったわ。」 「ほっ、ならよかったです。」 「それにしても薫ちゃん、あんな子と何処で知り合ったのよ?」 「実は直接会うのは私も初めてで・・・」 「あの子は私にVtuberとしての姿のデザインをお願いしてきたんです。 「それでなんであの子の衣装を作ることになったのよ?」 「配信やってる時にコミケに出展はしないのか?って視聴者に言われて、今回は間に合わなかったから、と言っていてこれはリアルで会うチャンスじゃ無いか!?ってなった訳なんですよ。」 「ちょっと待って薫ちゃん、あなたあの子狙ってるの?流石にショタっ子はだめよ法律的にNGよ?」 「あの子今17歳ですよ?来年には完全に合法ですよ?」 「嘘でしょ?あれで17歳!?」 「まぁ驚きますよね、私もそうでした。」 「ますますあの逸材欲しいわね・・・」 スタッフのお姉さんがそう言うと次に衣装を渡してきた。 「さぁさぁ!これに着替えてね!私一回部屋出てるから着れたら教えてね!」 僕は渡された衣装を持ちながら、お姉さんが部屋を出るのを眺めていた。 「これを、着るんだよね・・・」 渡されたのは黒い光沢のある靴に白いニーソックス、黒をベースにした不思議の国のア◯スのア◯スのような服、黒い大きめなリボン。 とりあえず着てみると思ったよりも着やすい設計になっていたおかげでささっと着ることが出来た。 「これで良し、とリボンだけは分からないからお願いしなきゃだめかな?」 外にいるお姉さんに声をかけてみてもお姉さんからの返事がなく、いない事に気が付いた。 「どうしよう、待ってた方がいいのかな。」 と考えていると 「ごめんね、お待たせ!最後に必要な物があったから取りに行ってたのよ!」 「よーし終わった終わった! まだ自分の姿見てないでしょ? 見てみたくない?」 「えっと、ちょっと気になります・・・」 彼女が部屋にあった姿見を僕の前に持ってくるとそこには美少女がいた。 「いやー我ながらいい仕事をしてしまった・・・」 「これが、僕?」 僕は姿見に映る姿に困惑を隠しきれなかった。 身体を少し動かしてみたり、表情を変えてみたりしても目の前の美少女の動きは僕と同じ。 スタッフさんが何かを思いついたようで部屋に置いてある少し大きめなテディベアを持ってくる。 「これ抱いてみてもらえる?」 言われた通りテディベアを抱いてみるとそこにはテディベアを持つ白姫ゆかとしか思えない美少女が存在していた。 「僕、かわいい・・・」 「えぇそうよ!キミの持ち味の可愛さを前面に持ってきた衣装よ!似合わない訳がないのよ!さぁ行くよ!二人の度肝を抜いてあげましょ!」 それでもいざ薫さん達が待つ部屋の前に行くと緊張で頭が一杯になる。 「大丈夫?流石に緊張する?」 「緊張で足が震えてきました・・・」 「それならその女の子になりきっちゃうといいよ、演技をするの。」 「なりきる、僕が白姫ゆかに・・・」 僕は目を瞑り、思考を切り替える。 僕は白姫ゆか、僕はボクに、優希から白姫ゆかに。 ボクは、白姫ゆか。 出来る、行こう。 『今のボクは白姫ゆか、もう大丈夫だよお姉ちゃん。』 「くっ!(ガリッ ふぅ・・・よし行こっか?」 『お姉ちゃん、お待たせ♪』 「ふぇ!?」 「あら?」 二人は声を上げながらこちらへ振り向く。 『どう、かな?似合ってる?変じゃないかな?』 二人とも悶絶してしまった。 「化ける化けるとは思っていたけどこれは想定外よぉ・・・」 「なんでこんなに可愛いんですか!!!」 『えへへ、可愛いなんて薫お姉ちゃんありがとう!』 「えへへへへ、どういたしましてぇ。」 「薫ちゃん戻ってきて!?」 「ぁぅ、危なかった・・・先輩ありがとうございます。」 「それにしても、いやー元が男とは思えないほどに完璧ね、もはや生まれる性別を間違えたとしか思えないわ。」 「これが天使かぁ・・・」 「薫ちゃん?本当に大丈夫?」 『えっと、そんなに見つめられると流石のボクも恥ずかしい、な。』 ずっと見られていた優希くんは恥ずかしそうにしながらテディベアで顔を隠し始めた。 「なんでいちいち挙動がこんなに可愛いのぉぉぉぉぉぉぉ!?」 「もはや狙ってやってないかしらこの子ォ!?」 「へへへ、マネージャー、どうです?破壊力抜群でしょう?」 「アナタ、なんてものを生み出したのよ! モデルになってもらいたくてアタシのうずうずが収まらないのよ!?」 「いやー絶対化けると思って全力出しちゃいました・・・」 実際化けに化けたので彼女の狙いは大成功だったのだけど。 「ねぇちょっと優希ちゃん!話があるんだけどいいかしら!?」 『お姉ちゃん、今のボクは白姫ゆか、だからゆかって呼んで欲しいな。』 「くっ、ゆかちゃんね分かったわ!」 『それで話って何かな?お姉ちゃん。』 「モデル、本気で受けてもらえないかしら。」 『うーん、これって企業案件って事でいいのかな?』 『でもボク、まだそういう経験ないけどいいのかな?』 「服を着て写真撮らせて貰えたらそれでいいのよアタシは!」 『でもボクはVtuberでもあるからやるのなら動画とかも作らないとダメじゃないかな?』 の撮影もやりましょう!それをゆかちゃんのチャンネル限定で公開してもいいって事にしましょう!」 『そ、そこまで言うならいいよ、ボクがどれくらい力になれるかわからないけど、やってみるね!』 「やったわあああああああ!」 「今日は時間もいい時間になってしまった事だし、もうすぐゆかちゃんは夏休みよね?撮影は夏休みに入ってからでどうかしら?」 「なら決定ね!報酬として今回の衣装に関するお金は全てこちらで受け持つわ!」 「えっ先輩、いいんですか?」 「問題は無いわ!むしろ着てウチを宣伝して頂戴!」 「ゆかちゃんにもそうね、1ヶ月の動画の再生回数の2倍の金額を支払うって事でどうかしら?」 「モデルは高くても数万円っていうのが現状だからね、広告もしてくれてって事ならそこそこは出せるわ、もちろん会社のSNSでもその動画のURLは拡散するからそこそこの金額にはなるはずよ。」 「それに待ってる間にゆかちゃんのYotubeのチャンネル見てきたけど既に1万人行ってるじゃない?凄いお宝発掘した気分よアタシは。」 1万人突破? どういう事?

Ch 17 "Hmm, I really think it'll suit you. We have various cosmetics samples from different companies here, so you can try them out. How about it? Won't you give them a try?" The staff lady persuaded me while emphasizing that the clothes and makeup would look good on me. "Uh, umm, maybe makeup is a little too much..." I tried to refuse, but then she said... "We'll let you try on clothes you want to wear too! Come on, wear some cute clothes and make the lady you came with happy!" "I don't think wearing something like that would make her happy..." "What are you saying? She wouldn't come all the way here to have your costume designed and measured if she didn't want you to wear them!" "Is that so..." "I know! If you wear the makeup and clothes I chose and they don't look good, I'll take responsibility and say I forced you to wear them! I won't let a cute guy like you wear something that doesn't suit you!" I don't know what drives this person to such extremes, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to try it out once, right? Maybe I should think of it as a rehearsal for cosplay, too. "Uuu, okay! I'll do it! I'll give it a try!!! In return, please make me look super cute!" "That's what I wanted to hear! Leave it to me!!!" As the staff lady was about to apply makeup on me, she asked me a question. "Do you have any preferences on how you want to look?" "In that case, um, can you make me look like this girl in this picture?" I show the staff lady a picture of Yuka Shirahime. "Hmm, I see. Just wait for a second; I'll go get what I need." After about three minutes, she came back. "All right, let's get started." "Hmm, something's strange. Are they not done taking his measurements yet?" "Senpai, aren't they taking unusually long?" "Mm-hm, this doesn't happen often. Could you go through the paperwork while I check on them?" "Sure." As the man was about to enter the adjacent room, he heard a voice coming from inside. "(Oh, he's got makeup on. Could it be that he's planning to try on some clothes?)" Thinking that this could be interesting, he returned to the room and waited for them to finish. "I'm back." "That was quick, senpai." "They might take a little more time, but everything seems fine." "Phew, that's a relief." "By the way, how did you meet that boy, Kaoru-chan?" "The truth is, this is also our first time meeting in person..." "He asked me to design his VTuber model and generously paid me a whopping 500,000 yen." "So, why did you end up making his outfit?" "He was asked if he would exhibit at Comiket during his live stream, but he said he won't be able to make it. So I thought, this is my chance to meet him in person." "Hold on, Kaoru-chan, are you interested in that boy? It's illegal to have feelings for a shota, you know?" "Senpai, he's 17 years old. He'll be completely legal next year." "Are you kidding me? That boy is 17?!" "It's surprising, right? I was shocked too." "I want that talented kid even more now..." "Anddd, we're done!" says the staff lady as she hands me the dress next. "Okay, change into this! I'm gonna step out for a bit. Let me know when you're done!" "O-Okay!" I reply, holding the outfit she gave me and watching as she leaves the room. "I'm wearing this, huh..." She gave me shiny black shoes, white knee-high socks, a black dress that resembled A**ce from A**ce in Wonderland, and a big black ribbon. To my surprise, the outfit was designed to be easy to wear, and I quickly changed into it. "All right, everything's good. I don't know how to attach this ribbon, though. Should I ask her for help?" I called out to the staff lady who was outside, but I didn't get a response and realized she wasn't there. "What should I do? Should I wait for her?" As I was pondering... "Sorry for the wait! I had to go get something I forgot!" she says before putting a wig on me. "That's it, we're done! You haven't seen what you look like, right? Do you want to take a look?" "Well, I'm a bit curious..." And there I was, a beautiful girl staring back at me. "Wow, I must say, I did a great job..." says the staff lady said with a satisfied expression. "Is this... me?" I couldn't hide my confusion at the reflection in the mirror. I moved my body and changed my expression, but the girl in the mirror moved in the exact same way as me. "Oh, I have an idea!" the staff lady suddenly says, grabbing a slightly oversized teddy bear from the room. "Could you hold this for me?" I did as I was told and hugged the teddy bear. And there she was again, a pretty girl looking just like Yuka Shirahime. "I look...cute..." "Yes, you do! You have a cute charm, and the outfit emphasizes that! There's no way it won't suit you. Now, let's go and surprise those two!" When we were about to go to the room where Kaoru-san and the man were waiting, I became nervous, and my head was filled with thoughts. "Are you okay? Do you feel nervous?" "I'm so nervous that my legs are shaking..." "In that case, why don't you try to become the character you're cosplaying? You can act the part." "Becoming her... Becoming Yuka Shirahime..." I close my eyes and switch personas. I am Yuka Shirahime. From Yuki to Yuka. I am... Yuka Shirahime. I can do this. Let's go. [I'm Yuka Shirahime now. Don't worry, onee-chan.] "Kuh! (flinch) Fuu...Shall we go?" [Sorry for the wait, onee-chan] "Fweh?!" "Oh?" The two turn around, surprised. [Um, what do you think? Does it suit me? Do I look weird?] Both of them passed out. "I knew he'd transform, but this is too unexpected..." "How come he's so cute?!" [Ehehe, thank you for calling me cute, Kaoru-oneechan!] "Ehehehe, you're welcomeee." "Kaoru-chan, return to your senses!" "Ack, that was close... thank you, senpai." "Still, I can't believe it's so perfect that you wouldn't even think he was a boy. It's as if he was born in the wrong gender." "So this is what an angel looks like..." "Kaoru-chan, are you sure you're okay?" [Um, if you keep staring at me like that, I'll start to feel shy...] Yuki-kun says so as he hides his face behind the teddy bear. "Why is every little thing you do soooooooo cute?!" "Were you aiming for this from the very beginning, sweetie?!" "Hehehe, what do you think, manager? His destructive power is off the roof, isn't it?" the staff member asks Senpai. "What have you created?! I'm tingling with excitement over here just from wanting to make him our model!" "Well, I thought it would be a success, so I gave it my all..." And she really did make Yuki-kun transform. "Hey, Yuki-chan, can I talk to you for a second?" [Onee-chan, I'm Yuka Shirahime right now, so please call me Yuka.] "Kuh, okay, Yuka-chan!" [What would you like to talk about, onee-chan?] "Can you model for us?" [Hmm, is this a corporate project?] [But I've never done something like that before. Is it okay?] "Just let us dress you up and take pictures, and that'll be enough!" [But I'm also a VTuber, so if we're going to do this, can we shoot videos too?] "In that case, let's also do an image video shoot! We'll make it exclusive to your channel and upload it there!" [I-If you insist, I'll do it. I don't know how much help I can be, but I'll give it a try!] "Yesssssssssssssssssssss!" "Today has gotten pretty late, but Yuka-chan's summer vacation is coming up soon, right? How about we do the shoot then?" "Okay, it's decided! As compensation, I'll take care of all the fees for this outfit. Is that okay with you?" "Huh? Are you sure, senpai?" "No problem, honey! In fact, wear it and promote our company!" "For Yuka-chan, how about we pay you twice the amount of your monthly video views?" "Models only make a few tens of thousands of yen at most, so if you're also advertising for us, we can afford to pay a good amount. Of course, we'll also promote the video on our company's social media accounts, so it should generate a decent amount of revenue." "Also, while we were waiting, I checked out your Yotube channel, and it already has over 10,000 subscribers! I feel like I've discovered a treasure here." Over 10,000 subscribers? When did that happen?

16:衣装の採寸をしよう! 配信も終わり、お風呂に入ってゆっくりしていると、一通のメールが届いた。 件名:コスプレ衣装の件について 本文:前言っていたコスプレの衣装についてだけど、衣装を作ってくれるメーカーさんが優希くんの採寸をしたいらしくて優希くんが大丈夫だったらお願いしたいんだけど大丈夫かな? 採寸の対応してくれるのは、東京、横浜、名古屋、京都、大阪、福岡なら確実なんだけど。 もちろん無理強いはしないから暇だったら次の土日にお願いしたいな。 もし近くに住んでるんだったら迎えに行けるんだけど、どこの地方なら行けるか教えて貰えないかな? 僕が今住んでいるのは名古屋なので、名古屋なら行けると薫さんに返信をした。 そう言われると僕も薫さんがどの辺に住んでるのか全く知らなかったな。 「あっ、もう返信来た。」 私は優希くんの配信後に作業に戻っていて仕事のイラストの仕上げをしていた。 「名古屋なら行けるんだ、って名古屋!?」 何を隠そう私の今住んでいる場所も名古屋なのだ。 「もう、運命としか思えないよぉぉぉ!」 もう仕事に手も付けられない状態に戻ってしまった私は大急ぎで返信をした。 僕がパジャマに着替えているとまた薫さんから返信が来た。 件名:Re:Re:コスプレ衣装の件について 本文:こんな偶然ってあるんだね、実は私も名古屋なんだ。 私も土日に衣装データの納品をしないといけないからよかったら一緒に向かわないかな? 薫さんもなんと名古屋住みだったらしく、お迎えまでしてくれると言う。 なんだか悪い気がするので移動は自分ですると伝えるとまたすぐに返事が来た。 件名:Re:Re:Re:Re:コスプレ衣装の件について 優希くんを無事に説き伏せる事が出来た私の気分はもう最高潮だった。 あとは約束の日まで待つだけ。 その前に残っている仕事を全力で片付け、その日が来るのを楽しみにしていた。 僕の着ている服の写真を送り、銀時計の前でぼーっと立っていると 「もしかして優希くん、ですか?」 そう僕を呼ぶ声が聴こえたので声の方へ顔を向けると 「えっ、えっとそう、です。」 「無事に会えて良かった。 車駐車場に停めてるからいこっか?」 「は、はい。」 流されるままに僕は車に乗った。 「えっと、一応車の中で申し訳ないんだけど私が柿崎ゆること、遊佐薫です、優希くんよろしくね?」 「は、はひっ!こちらこそ!姫村優希です、よろしくお願いしましゅ!」 あっ、思いっきり舌を噛んでしまった、物凄く恥ずかしい。 「っ!(なんでこんなに可愛いかなぁもう!?)」 「ご、ごめんなさい、舌噛んじゃいました・・・」 「大丈夫、初対面だと緊張するよね?」 「こんな歳になって恥ずかしいですけど・・・」 優しく諭してくれたおかげか緊張も少し落ち着いてきた。 「ちょっと落ち着きました、ありがとうございます!」 「うん、それはよかった。」 それから10分ほど車に揺られていると大きなビルに到着した。 「ここが優希くんが着るコスプレというよりも衣装を作ってくれるメーカーさん、GloryCuteさんだよ。」 「僕女性服は流石に分からないですね・・・」 「あははっ、普通はそうだよね。 それじゃあ駐車場に車停めさせてもらおっか。」 「こんにちは、私今日の15時から面会の予定を入れさせてもらっている遊佐薫と言います。」 受付の人の問いにしっかりと対応する姿は社会人なんだな、と実感する。 「遊佐様ですね、はい、確認の方取れましたのでご案内させていただきますね。」 「ありがとうございます、じゃ優希くんいこっか。」 受付の女性が僕達を先導しエレベーターで上の階に上がると部屋に通された。 「こちらでしばらくお待ちください、もう少ししたら担当の者が来ますので。」 「ありがとうございます!」 そこから10分ほど待つとすらっとした背格好の男の人が入ってきた。 「あらー薫ちゃん久しぶりじゃなーい!」 その男の人はオネエさんだった。 「それでその子が言ってた子かしら?」 「そうなんです!可愛くないですか!」 「ふーむ、ふむ・・・」 オネエさんが僕をじーっと見つめてくる。 「アナタ、本当に性別偽ってないのよね?」 生物学的にも男ですよ、一応。」 「信じられないわ・・・アナタモデルに興味ないかしら?」 「ちょっと先輩!」 薫さんがオネエさんにツッコミを入れた。 「あら、ごめんなさいね、アタシってば素材のいい子見つけるとついスカウトしちゃうクセがあって・・・」 「まぁ、気持ちは分からないでもないですけど。」 薫さんまで何を言っているんだろう? 「まぁいいわ、とりあえずウチのスタッフがそろそろ準備出来ると思うから隣の部屋にアナタは移動してもらえるかしら?えーっと名前は・・・」 「優希ちゃんね、可愛い名前じゃない。」 これはお礼でいいのかな?褒められたんだよ、ね? 「それじゃ優希ちゃん、ここでスタッフの言うことに従ってくれたら直ぐに終わるからね。」 そして僕はスタッフさんのいる部屋へと入った。 「あら、キミが今回の採寸の子ね?パパっとやっちゃうからこっちにおいで!」 スタッフのお姉さんの手際はよく直ぐに採寸は終了した。 「ねぇ、キミ本当に男の子だったんだね・・・お化粧とか興味ない?可愛い服もここなら一杯あるよ!?」 ------遊佐薫視点------ 「ねぇ、薫ちゃん。」 「先輩どうかしましたか?」 「あの子、マジでウチのモデルになってくれないかしら・・・」 「流石に女の子の格好させて雑誌に載るのは嫌がるんじゃないですかね?」 「あの子が可愛い服着たとこ見てみたいわぁ・・・」 遠い目をしながら彼はそう呟いた。

Ch 16 After finishing the stream and taking a relaxing bath, I received an email. Subject: Regarding the Cosplay Costume About the cosplay costume I mentioned... The company that makes the costumes wants to take your measurements, so I was wondering if you're okay with that? They said they could take the measurements in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, or Fukuoka. Of course, I won't force you to do anything, but if you're free, could we do it next weekend? If you live nearby, I can pick you up, but could you let me know which area you live in? I replied to Kaoru-san that I live in Nagoya and can go there. Come to think of it, I have no idea where she lives. "Ah, I got a reply already." I was working on finishing my commissions after Yuki's stream. "He said he can go to Nagoya? Wait, Nagoya?!" To tell you the truth, I currently live in Nagoya. "Ahh, this feels like destinyyy!" I couldn't concentrate on my work anymore and hurriedly replied to his message. As I was changing into my pajamas, I received another reply from Kaoru-san. Subject: Re: Re: Regarding the Cosplay Costume What a coincidence; I'm also in Nagoya. I have to deliver the costume details on the weekend, so why don't we go together? It turned out that Kaoru-san also lived in Nagoya, and she even offered to pick me up. I felt bad about it, so I told her I could make my way there. She quickly replied again. Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Regarding the Cosplay Costume I was on top of the world after successfully convincing Yuki-kun. Now all that's left is to wait for the promised day. I'll work hard to finish any remaining work and look forward to that day. After sending a photo of my clothes and standing absentmindedly in front of a Silver Clock... "Excuse me, are you Yuki-kun?" I turn my face towards the voice and see a beautiful woman with dark-ish milk tea beige long hair. "U-Um, yes." "I'm glad we were able to meet safely. Shall we go? My car's in the parking lot." "Y-Yes." Swept by the flow of events, I got into Kaoru-san's car. "So, um, sorry we're doing this inside the car, but once again, I'm Kaoru Yusa, also known as Yuru Kakizaki online. It's nice to finally meet you, Yuki-kun." "Y-Yes! Likewise! I'm Yuki Himemura. Naish to meet you too!" Ah, I accidentally bit my tongue while talking. How embarrassing. "! (Seriously, why is he so cute?!) "I-I'm sorry, I bit my tongue..." "It's okay. It's normal to be nervous when meeting someone for the first time, right?" "It's still a little embarrassing. I'm already this old..." Thanks to her kind words, I started to calm down a bit. "I'm feeling a little calmer now. Thank you!" "Yeah, that's good." After about 10 minutes in the car, we arrived at a large building. "This is GloryCute, the clothing brand that will make your costumes, Yuki-kun." "I don't really know much about women's clothing..." "Hahaha, that's normal. Okay. Let me just park the car in the parking lot over there." "Hello. Yes, my name is Kaoru Yusa, and I have an appointment at 3 pm today." Her ability to respond confidently to the receptionist made me realize she's a full-fledged member of society. "Ms. Kaoru Yusa, yes? Okay, I've confirmed your appointment. Allow me to show you the way." "Thank you. Let's go, Yuki-kun." The receptionist led us to the meeting room on the upper floor. "Please wait here. The person in charge will be with you shortly." "Thank you!" After about ten minutes, an elegant-looking tall man enters the room. "OMG, Kaoru-chan, it's been a whileee!" The man gave off an effeminate vibe. "So, is this the person you were talking about?" "Yes! Isn't he cute?" "Hmm... I see..." The person stares at me. "Boy, you're really not pretending to be a different gender, are you?" Biologically, I'm a male." "I can't believe this... Would you be interested in modeling?" "Senpai!" Kaoru-san interrupts. "Oopsie, sorry about that. I have a habit of scouting people with potential..." "Well, it's not that I don't understand how you feel." What did Kaoru-san's words mean, I wonder. "Aaanyway, our staff is ready, so we need you to move to the next room. What's your name again?" "Yuki-chan, huh? That's a cute name." "T-Thank you?" I reply, unsure if I should thank him for the compliment. "Well then, Yuki-chan, please follow the staff's instructions, and it'll be over quick." And so, I enter the room with the staff. "Oh, you're the client who has come to get their measurements taken? Come this way, and we'll wrap this up in a jiffy, okay?" The staff member quickly finished taking my measurements. "Hey, you're a boy, right? Are you interested in makeup, perhaps? We have plenty of cute clothes too!" --Yuru Kakizaki's POV-- "Hey, Kaoru-chan." "What is it, senpai?" "That boy, I wonder if he would become our model...?" "I don't think he would want to wear girl's clothes and appear in a magazine." "I really want to see him wearing cute clothes, though..." He murmurs with a distant look in his eyes.

07:初配信!(後編)★ 『ええええええええええ!?』 ボクは思わず大きな声をあげて驚いてしまった。 危うく素の声が出そうになって危なかった。 悲鳴助かる 悲鳴まで可愛い コミケ行かなきゃ(使命感) 柿崎ゆる:無理強いはしないから後でゆっくり考えてくれたら大丈夫だよ ゆるママやさしい さっきまで酷かった人とは思えなくて草 『でも凄く有難い話だから超前向きに考えておくね!』 リアルに来てくれるなら絶対に行く 休み取れるかな... 休み取れないって言われたら会社退職も辞さない所存 一人人生かけてて草 『もし行くことになってもお兄ちゃんやお姉ちゃん達は無茶しちゃだめだよ?』 でも行きたいから多少は無茶する 私は参戦予定だからいけそう 『えっと急な出来事でびっくりしちゃったけど最後に言っていたアンケートのお知らせだよ!』 気になってた 『これはズバリ!ボクに実況して欲しいゲームややってみて欲しい事、料理動画だったら作って欲しいものの募集だよ!』 あれだよねYotubeの権利の範囲内ならなんでも良いって事だよね まじかよ神か? WeeFitRing...(ぼそっ 悪魔がおるぞ 『もちろんYotubeの権利内でお願いするよ!ある程度応えていこうと思ってるから気軽にボクのピヨッターに設置してあるリクエストBOXにどしどしリクエスト出してね!』 何送ろうかな ホラゲとかやってもらいたい あえての恋愛ADVとかどうよ 恋愛ADVは視聴者側がダレると思うからなぁ これはフラグ 見せてもらおうじゃないか 驚いているところを想像したら萌えた ふへへ、最恐ゲームプレイさせてやるぜ・・・ いじめたら可哀想だろ!いい加減n、でも見たいな 『それじゃ時間ももう少ししかないから最後に一つ!何かボクがこの場でリクエストに応えるよ!言って欲しい台詞や歌って見てほしい曲1曲だけやってあげるよ!』 まじ? 何言ってもらおう 柿崎ゆる:な、なんでもいいの? ゆるママwww コスプレして 柿崎ゆる:ゆるお姉ちゃん大好きって言って ゆるママとオフコラボ ゆるママに新衣装おねだりして 柿崎ゆる:えっ 初配信で新衣装要求は流石に草 新衣装wwwww まぁそういう反応になるわなwww スナイパーってこんなとこにもおんのな 『んっ、じゃあ一応言うよ?』 『ゆるお姉ちゃん、お姉ちゃんが似合うと思う服、ボク着てみたいな?』 柿崎ゆる:あ、あう... 耐えろ まだいける わたしおさいふにてがでそうになった 『だめ・・・かな?』 柿崎ゆる: スパチャどこで出来る? スパチャさせて 『えへへ、なんてね?次お洋服頼む時は収益化されてお金が貯まってからゆるママにお願いする形になると思うな!』 柿崎ゆる:待ってて、1日で仕上げる。 1日は流石にやばいって 3Dモデルどうすんのよ モデリングも無料じゃないんだよなぁ 『えぇ!?ゆるママ無理強いみたいな事はしたくないから大丈夫だよ!?』 柿崎ゆる:大丈夫、モデリングは任せて。 違う、そうじゃないwwww もっと声聴いていたい 次配信いつ? 柿崎ゆる:さっきのコミケの事忘れないでね? 『今日は皆来てくれてありがと♪ まぁちょっと予想外な事も・・・あったけど 次の配信は3日後の予定だよ!19時くらいから1時間か2時間くらいやるからよろしくね!』 3日後なら耐えれる ああああああああああ!!!!俺夜勤!!! 柿崎ゆる:絶対見る ゆるママもう洗脳されてしまったようだな 俺らもだろ? 『それじゃ、お兄ちゃん、お姉ちゃん、おやすみなさい♪』 まだいかないで よく寝るんだよ 柿崎ゆる:お疲れさま 次も見るよー! ------放送は終了しました------ 僕は配信を切り息を吐いた。 「思ってたより疲れたけど、楽しかったな。」 自分の発言に対して色々なコメントが寄せられる その光景が楽しかった。 「あっそういえばゆる先生がコミケがどうのって言ってたっけ。」 その瞬間ピロン、とメッセージが僕のスマホに届いた音がした。 件名:コミケについて 本文:さっき言っていたコミケについてだけど、私達のサークルの売り子として来てくれるならっていう条件でなら一緒に参加する人がいいよって言ってたんだけど、どうかな? ただ一応コスプレしてもらう必要があるんだけど... 一応壁サークルだから忙しいかもしれないから最終的な判断はお任せするよ? 「こ、コスプレ!?」 「う、うーん・・・でも・・・衣装なんて僕持ってないんだよね・・・。」 件名:Re:コミケについて とても有難い話なんですけど僕あの男ですし、コスプレなんてしたことないですし、コスプレの衣装も無いので厳しいと思います・・・。 これで返信しよう。 流石に全部お世話になる訳にもいかないしね。 そして返信をしてから数分後、通話がきた。 「えっとゆる先生?どうしたんですか?」 「コスプレ衣装、用意する。 「え、いいんですか・・・?」 「きっとコスプレして販売すれば白姫ゆかの名前ももっと売れるはず。」 「大丈夫だから安心していいと思うよ?キミ、本当に可愛いから自信を持って。」 「それと新衣装、コスプレで発表にしようか。」 「えぇ!?」 「その後に3Dモデルにしてあげる。」 「でもお金なんて無いですよ・・・?」 「代わりに白姫ゆかで本を描かせて。」 「そんなの許可なんて必要無いですよね?デザインはゆる先生なんですし!」 「一応二次創作になるから公式からOKが出てるかどうかってのは結構重要なんだよ?」 「そういうものなんですね・・・。」 「そういう事だからどうかな?悪い条件じゃないと思うんだけど。」 「それじゃあお願いします!」 「うん、分かった!出発日が決まったら教えるからその時はよろしくね!ちなみに名前ってなんて呼べばいいかな?ずっとゆかちゃんだったりキミっていうのは失礼かな?って思うんだけど。」 「えっと、姫村優希です。」 「ふふふ、可愛いキミにぴったりの名前だね、優希くん?」 女の人に下の名前で呼ばれるのは初めてで思わず照れてしまった。 強がっちゃったけどそれも仕方ない、僕男の子だもん。 「私の名前も言っておくね、遊佐薫、略してゆるって訳だね。」 「薫さん、ですね!」 「お姉ちゃんって言ってもいいんだよ?」 「いやいやいやそれは・・・」 「ふふっ冗談。」 「やめてくださいよ・・・」 ここでゆかの声で本名をお姉ちゃん呼びしたらどうなるのか。 ちょっとした仕返しくらいいいよね? 「まぁそういうわけで多分現地で集合する事になると思うから泊まる場所は自分でどうにかしてね!」 「うん、分かったよ!薫お姉ちゃん♪」 「ふぁぁぁぁぁぁ!!!!!!!」 もの凄い音が聴こえたと思ったら次は扉が開くような音が聴こえてきた。 『え?ちょっとお姉ちゃん!?大丈夫!?これ通話中?えっと誰か分かんないけど一回切りますね!後でお姉ちゃんに連絡させますから!』 や、やりすぎちゃった? --------ネット民の反応-------- [最カワボクっ娘]白姫ゆかについて語るスレ[まさかの個人勢?] 115:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 今回の配信見た兄、姉達集まれー 116:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 呼んだか? 117:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 118:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 俺見れなかったんだけど今回の配信どうだった? 119:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん ゆるママがやばかった 120:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 121:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん ワンチャンコミケ参戦だってよ 122:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 121 えっ?Vtuberなのにリアルに参戦するの? 123:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん まぁ言うて個人勢だし出来る事なんだろうな 124:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん これで中身も美少女だったら最高だよな 125:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん あれ?あの配信で違和感感じてたの私だけ? ゆかちゃん好きな人に彼氏いるって言ってたんだけど 126:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 125 いやでもあの声でボイチェン使ってる男はあり得ないだろ常識的に考えて 127:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 128:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん いや無いだろwwwww でもあったらそれはそれでありじゃね? リアル男の娘Vtuberとかそうそういないぞ 129:名前:名無しのお姉ちゃん 128 130:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん 男の娘だからボク呼びって可能性もあるよなとか 131:名前:名無しのお兄ちゃん まぁ、そのうちわかるだろ? ネット民の予測はかなりいい線行っていたのだが ------ゆら視点------ 私の名前は遊佐由良、柿崎ゆること遊佐薫の妹である。 そんなある日お姉ちゃんの部屋からもの凄い声が聴こえてきて何事かと思って入ったらお姉ちゃんが茹で蛸のように真っ赤になって鼻血をだして倒れていた。 通話をしていたようだったので相手に通話を切る旨を伝えてお姉ちゃんを介抱する。 「ごめんね、ゆら。」 「一体何があったの?」 「えっとさっきコミケの事聞いたよね?」 「うん、ゆかちゃんの中の子が参戦するんでしょ?」 「その話してたら可愛くてちょっといじるような事言っちゃったんだよね。」 「うん、それが関係してるの?」 「今後の為にもお互いに本名名乗ってね。」 「ほうほう、それであの子の名前は?」 「姫村優希くんだって。」 「名前まで可愛いとか反則か?」 「うん、まぁそれでね、いじった仕返しに薫お姉ちゃんって言われて死にそうになった。」 「だってあんなに可愛いんだよ!!! 「いやまぁ気持ちは分かるけどね?」 「毎回鼻血出す訳にはいかないでしょ」 「耐性、配信で付けれるといいね?」 「が、頑張る・・・」 あえて言おうと思う。 うちのお姉ちゃんも可愛い。

Ch 7 [Huuuuuuuuuuuh?!] I unconsciously let out a huge exclamation of surprise. I almost let my real voice slip out; that was a close call. scream tskr even her scream's cute i NEED to go to comiket (sense of duty) Yuru Kakizaki: Don't worry, I won't force you into anything. Take your time to think about it later, it's all good. mama yuru is so kind i can't believe she was so intense just a little while ago, lol [But I'm grateful for this amazing opportunity. I'll definitely think about it!] if youre showing up in person, im totally going to comiket i hope I can file a leave from work... if they reject my leave letter, ill quit my job, no joke lol someone's really putting their life on the line for this [Oh, and if I do end up going, don't force yourselves, okay?] well I wanna go so i might push myself a little bit im going to the frontlines of the battlefield so i should be fine [Okay, um, the sudden turn of events caught me off guard a little, but I want to talk about the survey I mentioned!] im curious [Here's the deal! I'm taking requests for games you want me to play, things you want me to try, or even dishes you want me to cook!] as long as it's within Yotube's guidelines, anything goes, right? Seriously? You must be god... WeeFitRing...(whisper polis there's a demon here [Of course, I'll only do those within Yotube's guidelines. I plan on responding to as many as possible, so feel free to drop your requests in the request box on Tweeter!] wonder what should I request... i wanna see you play a horror game maybe a dating sim? but I guess dating sims might be too boring for viewers... I sense a flag here show us what you've got i swooned just imagining you getting scared hehe, imma make you play the scariest horror game... hey, don't bully her! ...though I kinda wanna see that myself [All right, we only have a little time left, so one last announcement! I'll fulfill one request for a catchphrase or sing one song right now!] Seriously? hmm, what should I make her say Yuru Kakizaki: A-Anything? Are you sure? mama yuru lololol please cosplay Yuru Kakizaki: Say I love you Yuru onee-chan. please do an offline collab with mama yuru pls beg mama Yuru for a new outfit Yuru Kakizaki: Huh- Imagine asking for a new outfit on the debut stream new outfit lmfaooo not surprised she'd react that way www I guess snipers have this side to them too [Hmm, I guess I can try saying it?] [Yuru onee-chan, I want to wear new clothes you think would look good on me.] Yuru Kakizaki: A-Ah... endure it i can still keep going i almost reached for my wallet [Is that...a no?] Yuru Kakizaki: where can I superchat you? lemme superchat pls [Ehehe, just kidding! Next time I commission a new outfit, I'll wait until I have enough money from monetizing before asking Mama Yuru.] Yuru Kakizaki: Wait, give me a day. a day is crazy what abt the 3d model tho the rigging doesn't come for free, true [Huh?! I don't want to force you, Mama Yuru! It's fine! Really!] Yuru Kakizaki: It's okay. Don't worry about the rigging. no, that's not the point here lol lemme hear your voice more when's your next stream? Yuru Kakizaki: Don't forget what I told you about Comiket, okay? [Thanks for coming to my stream today, everyone There were...a few unexpected things...But! My next stream is scheduled in three days! It'll probably be for an hour or two long, starting at 7 pm. I hope to see you there!] ah, enduring for 3 days is ezpz nooooooooooo!!! i'm on night shift that day!!! Yuru Kakizaki: I'll definitely watch. looks like mama yuru's been brainwashed doesn't that also apply to us? [Well then, onii-chans and onee-chans, good night] Don't go yet :< sweet dreams Yuru Kakizaki: Thanks for the stream. I'll watch your next one too! ===The live stream has ended.=== I let out a sigh and turned off my stream. "It was more tiring than I thought, but it was fun." Various comments flooded in response to my statements. I enjoyed the lively atmosphere. "Oh, that reminds me, Yuru-sensei mentioned Comiket." Just then, my phone pinged with a message. Subject: About Comiket Message: About what I mentioned about Comiket, the other people in the circle with me said that you can join us as our booth assistant. What do you think? However, there's a catch: you have to cosplay. We're a busy circle that deals with doujinshis, so I leave the final decision to you. "C-Cosplay?!" "B-But...I don't have any costumes or anything like that..." Subject: Re: About Comiket Message: Thank you very much for your offer! However, I'm a guy and have never cosplayed before, nor do I have any costumes. So, I'm afraid it might be difficult... I think this is a good enough reply. I can't be indebted to Yuru-sensei all the time. A few minutes after hitting send, Yuru-sensei called me. "Hello, Yuru-sensei? What's up?" "I'll get you a costume and do your makeup. Will you come now?" "A-Are you sure...?" "Absolutely. I bet your cosplay will make Yuka Shirahime's name even more popular." "You're more than good enough. You're cute, so have confidence." "Also, let's announce the new outfit through cosplay." "What?!" "I'll make it into a 3D model later." "But I don't have any money..." "In exchange, let me draw a doujin of Yuka Shirahime." "You don't need permission for that, right? You're the one who made her, sensei!" "Well, technically, it's a derivative work, so getting approval from the official source is important." "I see..." "So, what do you think? I don't think it's a bad deal." "Okay, I'll go for it!" "Got it! I'll let you know when we leave, so be ready! By the way, what should I call you? Should I keep calling you Yuka-chan, or is that too rude? What's your name again?" "Um, it's Yuki Himemura." "Hehe, it's a cute name that suits you perfectly, Yuki-kun." It's the first time a girl called me by my given name like that, so I can't help but feel embarrassed. I have to act tough; I'm a guy, after all. "I'll tell you my name too--it's Kaoru Yusa. That's where I got Yuru." "Kaoru-san then!" "You can call me onee-chan, you know?" "Oh, no, that's, um..." "Haha, just kidding." "Please give me a break..." I suddenly thought to myself, what if I call her by her real name and add onee-chan using Yuka's voice? Just as a teeny-tiny payback. "Well, anyway, I think we'll probably meet up at the location, so you'll have to find a place to stay on your own." "Okay! Thanks, Kaoru onee-chan" "Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" I heard a loud noise, like something had fallen hard, and then the sound of a door opening. "What happened, onee-chan? Are you okay?! Oh, is this call still on? Sorry, I don't know who's on the line, but I'll hang up now. Onee-chan will contact you again later!" D-Did I overdo it? --The Netizens' Reaction-- [The Cutest Boyish Girl Ever] A Yuka Shirahime Thread (Surprisingly an Indie VTuber?) 115: Name: Anon Onii-chan Gather 'round, brethren who watched today's stream. 116: Name: Anon Onii-chan you called? 117: Name: Anon Onee-chan 118: Name: Anon Onii-chan I missed the stream, how was it? 119: Name: Anon Onii-chan mama yuru was wack 120: Name: Anon Onii-chan 121: Name: Anon Onii-chan there's a chance that yuka's going to comiket 122: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>121 Huh? A VTuber actually attending in person? 123: Name: Anon Onii-chan well, she's technically an indie, so it's something she can do 124: Name: Anon Onii-chan If she turns out to be a beauty IRL, that would be the perfect package. 125: Name: Anon Onee-chan Wait, was it just me who felt something was off during the stream? Yuka-chan said her crush got a boyfriend, but I was confused if it was a guy or a girl. 126: Name: Anon Onii-chan >>125 but if you think about it for once, a guy using a voice changer to sound like that is impossible 127: Name: Anon Onee-chan 128: Name: Anon Onii-chan yeah no lmaoo but if she really is, it's plausible there aren't many real-life effeminate male vtubers 129: Name: Anon Onee-chan >>128 130: Name: Anon Onii-chan And if it's a guy, calling herself "boku" is all the more possible. 131: Name: Anon Onii-chan well, we'll find out eventually The netizens' predictions were pretty spot on, but it remains to be seen how many people will realize Yuki's true identity on the day of the event. --Yura's POV-- My name is Yura Yusa, the younger sister of Kaoru Yusa, who goes by the name Yuru Kakizaki online. One day, I heard a loud noise coming from my sister's room. When I went in to check, I found her collapsed on the floor, face beet-red and bleeding from her nose. It seemed like she was on a call, so I told the other person we had to end the conversation to take care of my sister. "Sorry, Yura." "What happened?" "Well, you heard me talking about Comiket earlier, right?" "Yeah, the one where the person behind Yuka-chan is going to attend." "While we were talking, he said something cute to tease me." "Okay. And how's that related?" "We told each other's real names for future reference." "I see. So what's his name?" "Yuki Himemura." "Even the name is cute. Isn't that cheating?" "Yeah, well, in retaliation for what I said, he called me Kaoru onee-chan, and I almost died." "But he's just so cute, can you really blame me?!" "I understand your feelings." "But you can't keep having nosebleeds like this." "I hope you can build up some resistance through the streams." "I'll try my best..." I dare say it. My sister is also cute.

04:日常は動画のネタの宝庫 「ん・・・ふぁぁぁ・・・」 朝になり僕は自然と目が覚めた。 目覚まし無しで起きれたのは久々かもしれない。 「思ったより寝てたなぁ・・・」 昨日寝た時間から考えるとかなり長い時間寝ていたようだった。 そして何か違和感を感じ布団をめくる。 「うわ、寝汗でびっしょりだお風呂入ろうっと。」 僕は喉がからっからだったので、お水を飲んでからお風呂に入った。 「ふぅ、さっぱりした。」 お風呂から出た僕は学校へ行く準備を終えたので簡単な朝ご飯を作る。 今日は食パンにベーコンと目玉焼きを乗せたものにした。 食パンのふわふわな食感を楽しみたいのでトーストは表面が軽く温まる程度にして、トーストした食パンの上に焼いたベーコンを乗せ、更に上に目玉焼きを乗せ塩胡椒をかけたら完成。 シンプルだけど美味しく、作る時間も短くて満足感も得られるので僕はよくこれを食べるんだ。 フォークとナイフを使うと食べやすいよ。 さくっとご飯を食べ終わったらバスが来る時間になるまでテレビやスマホを見ながら過ごすのが好きでよくぼーっとスマホやテレビを見ている。 この数十分の余裕が妙に幸せに感じるのが不思議。 そしていつものようにピヨッターを開くと妙に通知が溜まっていた。 「あれ?何かあったっけ?」 すると僕の日常アカウントではなくVtuber、白姫ゆかのアカウントに通知が来ていた。 「動画の反応とか・・・かな?」 そして通知欄を見ると数百人の人からのフォロー通知が出てきた。 「うえぇ!?」 僕は、Vtuberは企業勢でも無ければ最初は人なんてそんなに集まらないって聞いていたから、ここまで一気に人が増えるとは思っていなかった。 おそらくゆる先生の絵柄の効果もあってこれだけ伸びたんだと思う。 宣伝効果はバッチリだったみたい。 早めに動画を上げないといけないね! 応援のメッセージなども届いていたので全てに返信をする事にした。 でも数が増えたら対応しきれなくなるから、こういう事が出来るのも最初だけなのかもしれないと思うと、少し寂しいね。 出来る限り応援してくれている人には応えていきたいな。 返信などを返していると気付けば学校へ行く時間になってしまった。 学校へ着いた僕は教室へ入り、裕翔やクラスの女子達と挨拶を交わす。 Vtuberやってる事が知られてから妙に女子受けが良くなった気がするのは間違いでは無さそうだ。 授業は真面目に受けて大事なポイントはしっかりとメモを取る。 あまり復習に時間は割きたくないので授業でちゃんと覚えていくよ。 そしてお昼休みになってお昼を裕翔と一緒に食堂で食べる事になったので食堂へ向かった。 「そういえばさ優希、昨日チャンネル開設したんだろ?」 「そうだね!開設してすぐ寝ちゃったんだけどね・・・」 「優希は昔から寝るの早いよな・・・」 「起きていられないものは仕方なくない?」 じとーとした目で見られたけれど眠いものは仕方ないよね。 思わず片言になってしまったけどそれは僕には禁句ってものだよ。 「お、おう悪い。」 「まぁ、僕も薄々これ以上成長しないと思ってるんだけどさ・・・」 「まぁ、優希の親父さんとお袋さん見たら仕方ないと思うわある意味一番男として受け継ぎたくない場所を綺麗に受け継いでるもんな・・・」 「確かにうちのお父さん年からしたら死ぬほど若く見られるし、お母さんは綺麗だよ?」 「なんでお父さんの身長とお母さん譲りの髪質に肌、整った顔立ち全部継承するかなぁ!!!」 「身長が全てを壊してるよな。」 「どこ行ってもショタ扱い下手すると女の子扱いだよ!」 「メリットとかあるのか?」 「えっと・・・スイーツ食べに行っても違和感が無い事・・・かな?」 「もはや女子じゃん。」 「僕は男だって!」 「知ってる知ってる。」 「食堂着いたぞー優希。」 「むぅ・・・」 「まぁそう拗ねなさんな、優希は何食べる?」 「何食べよう、食堂で食べるの久しぶりかも。」 「普段優希自分で弁当作ってくるもんな。」 「昨日は流石に早く寝過ぎちゃったからね。」 「今思ったんだけどさ、弁当作る動画とかどうなんだ?」 「えっ?ちょっとニッチすぎない?」 「締めにさお兄ちゃんとかお姉ちゃん召し上がれとか言っといたら破壊力ヤバそうなんだけど。」 「うーんまぁ確かに色々試してみるのはありなのかな?」 「機材的には行けるのか?」 「一応僕のスマホ画質いいやつだから問題はないかな?」 「だったら試しにやってみたらどうだ?優希の作る弁当毎回美味しそうだったし、意外と需要ありそうだけどな。」 「実質的な初投稿がそんな動画だったら皆びっくりするだろ。」 「うーん確かに。」 「おっと順番回ってきたな、俺は今日は牛丼の気分だし牛丼セットにしよう。」 「じゃあ僕は唐揚げ丼セットにしよっと。」 僕ら二人は食券を持って食堂のおばちゃんのところへ向かう。 「「お願いしまーす」」 「はーい、牛丼セットと唐揚げ丼セットねーすぐ出来るから待っててねー。」 そして1分程度で両方とも出てくる。 流石高校の食堂、ある程度作り置きしてあるとは言え速度が半端じゃない。 「よしじゃああそこに座るか。」 唐揚げ丼は甘辛たれがかかっていてご飯との相性が最高だった。 セットにはミニサラダとお味噌汁が付いているので、栄養バランスも悪くないよ。 そして10分ほど時間が経つ頃には二つのセットの中身はからっぽになっていた。 「「ご馳走さまでした。」」 「じゃあ教室戻るか。」 その後お昼の授業はお腹が膨れて死ぬほど眠かったのは言うまでもなかった。

Ch 4 "Mm... Ahh..." As morning arrived, I woke up naturally without needing an alarm clock. It's been a while since I woke up on my own like this. "I must've slept longer than I thought..." Judging from the time I went to bed last night, I must've slept for a long while. Then, I felt a strange sensation and lifted the covers. "Yikes, I'm drenched in sweat. I need to take a shower." My throat was parched, so I drank some water before heading to the bath. "Ah, that feels refreshing." After getting out of the bath, I got ready for school and made a simple breakfast. Today, I decided to have bacon and eggs on toast. I lightly toasted the bread to keep its fluffy texture. Then, I placed the cooked bacon on top of the toast and added a fried egg. Finally, I sprinkled some salt and pepper on top, and it was complete. It's a simple yet delicious breakfast that doesn't take long to make and leaves me feeling full. I often eat this dish and find it easy to eat with a fork and knife. Once I finished eating, I had some free time before the bus arrived. I usually spend this time watching TV or looking at my phone, zoning out. It's strange how these spare moments feel so blissful. As usual, I opened Tweeter and, to my surprise, noticed a flood of notifications. "Hmm, did something happen?" I don't know why, but the notifications are for the VTuber Yuka Shirahime's account, not my personal one. "Maybe it's about the reactions to my video or something?" I check the notifications and see several hundred people have started following me. "What the...?" I can't believe it. I heard it was difficult for VTubers to gain a large following, especially without corporate backing. Perhaps this was due to the popularity of Yura-sensei's art. The advertising effect was undoubtedly working wonders. I need to upload a new video soon! I responded to all the messages of support that came in. However, I worry that I won't be able to keep up with the growing number of followers in the future. It's a bit sad that these early moments when I can reply to everyone may not last. Still, I want to respond to as many people supporting me as possible. Before I knew it, it was time to go, so I made my way to the bus stop and took the bus headed for my school. Upon arriving at school, I entered the classroom and exchanged greetings with Yuuto and the girls. Ever since it became known that I was a VTuber, I've been receiving more attention from the girls. During class, I focused seriously and took thorough notes on the important points. I don't want to spend too much time reviewing, so I make sure to remember everything in class. At lunchtime, Yuuto and I decided to eat together in the cafeteria. "By the way, Yuki, didn't you start your channel yesterday?" "Yeah! I did, but I fell asleep right after..." "You've always been quick to fall asleep." "Well, I can't help not being able to stay awake." He gives me a stare, but there's no helping it when you're sleepy, is there? I unconsciously stumble over my words. It's a touchy subject for me. "O-Oh, right. Sorry." "Well, I also feel like I won't grow any taller than this, honestly..." "Seeing your parents, it's not surprising. In a sense, it's like you inherited the least desirable traits as a guy..." "For real. My dad looks so young for his age, and my mom is pretty." "Why did I have to inherit my Dad's height and my Mom's hair type, flawless skin, and facial features?!" "Your height ruins everything, huh." "No matter where I go, people treat me like a shota, or worse, a girl!" "Is there any benefit to that?" "Well...It feels normal to eat desserts with girls...I guess?" "You're practically a girl then." "I'm a guy, I swear!" "I know, I know," repeats Yuuto while laughing. "We here at the cafeteria, Yuki." "Ugh..." "Hey, stop sulking. What do you wanna eat?" "I don't know, it's been a while since I ate in the cafeteria." "You usually make your own bento, after all." "I went to bed too early last night, so I didn't have time to make one." "I just thought of something. How about making a video of you making a bento?" "Huh? Isn't that a bit too niche?" "As a closing remark, you could say to your viewers, 'eat up, onii-chan and onee-chan!' That might have a potentially destructive impact, don't you think?" "Hmm, well, experimenting with different ideas could be worth considering, I guess." "Technically speaking, do you have the equipment for it?" "My phone has a good camera, so there shouldn't be any issues." "In that case, why not give it a try? Your bento always looks delicious, so there might be more demand than expected." "I bet people would be surprised if that's your first upload after your introduction video." "Hmm, true." "Oh, it's our turn now. I'm in the mood for beef bowl, so I'll have the beef bowl set." "Then I'll go for the karaage set." The two of us head to the cafeteria's counter with our meal tickets. "PLEASE, AND THANK YOU." "A beef bowl set and fried chicken bowl set, got it. They'll be ready in no time, so please wait here." Within a minute or so, both sets are ready. The efficiency of high school cafeterias is impressive, even though some dishes are pre-made. "Okay, let's sit over there." The karaage bowl is topped with a sweet and savory sauce that complements the rice perfectly. The set also comes with a mini salad and miso soup, making it a well-balanced meal. After about 10 minutes, both sets are empty. "THANK YOU FOR THE MEAL." "Shall we head back to the classroom?" The rest of my afternoon classes were spent in a sleepy daze, as my full stomach made me feel incredibly drowsy.

35:コミケ3日目(後編) 「あっ優希くん来た来た。」 僕が準備を済ませホテルのロビーへ降りると薫さんと由良さんが既に待っていた。 「あっ、もしかしてもう全員揃っちゃいましたか?」 「空木さんもうすぐ準備出来るって言ってたからまだ大丈夫だよ。」 「よかった・・・まだお化粧落とすの慣れなくて・・・」 目の周りとかを気にしながらやっているとどうしても慣れていないせいで化粧が残っている事が多いのでどうしても時間がかかっちゃうんだ。 「しっかり落とさないと肌に悪いから仕方ないよ。」 「私も最初の頃はよくお姉ちゃんに注意されたっけ・・・」 「いつの話してるの、今じゃ由良の方が化粧上手なのに。」 「やっぱり最初はそんなもんなんですねぇ・・・」 「特に優希くんは男の子だし仕方ないよ。」 「ま、まぁ普通はしないからね・・・芸能人は結構する人いるけど。」 そんなメイク談義をしていると華さんがホテルの入り口に到着したと連絡が入った。 「ん、到着したみたいだね。 それじゃ早いけどコミケの打ち上げといこっか。」 「はい!」 「私も食べるぞー!」 そしてホテルを出ると華さんが周囲を確認しているのを見つけた。 「あっ、よかった、一瞬間違えたかと思いました!」 「合ってますよ、それじゃどこ行きましょうか。」 そして薫さんと華さんが目を見合わせると頷きこう言った。 「えっ?僕ですか?」 「そうそう、今日の主役は優希くんだから!」 「私も優希くんの好きなところでいいと思うよー」 体力をみんな失っているからある程度ガッツリしたものがいいんじゃないかな、と僕は思ったけど暑さでバテてる可能性もあるからあっさり系もいいのかな、と迷い始める。 「うーん、がっつり?あっさり?どっちが良いんだろう・・・」 僕は思わず口に出して呟いていた。 「優希くん、私たち体調は普通だからがっつりも大丈夫だよ。」 「ずっとあそこに居たわけじゃないから気にしないで大丈夫!」 「私も現地行ってそのまま帰ってをやっただけなので問題無いですよ。」 「それだったら焼肉とかどうですか?打ち上げと言えば!って感じでいいと思うんですけど・・・」 「おぉ、いいね!私は賛成だよ!」 「いいと思う!」 「私も問題無しです!」 という訳で焼肉に行く事になった。 「そういえば少し遠いですけどうちの事務所のメンバーでオフコラボとか東京でやる時によく行く美味しい焼肉屋さんあるんですけどそこに行きませんか?」 「(少し値段は張りますけど凄く美味しいですよ、ここ。)」 「(これくらいなら問題無いですね、ここにしましょうか。)」 彼女達の声は優希には届いていなかった。 値段を見て僕は目を見開いた、何5000円って!? 何を使ってるのここのお肉!? 流石にここまでの高級ランチは僕初めてだよ!? 「えっ?5000円?」 「あーちょっと高いけど大丈夫、お腹いっぱいになるし、滅茶苦茶美味しいから!」 「いや、この値段のランチは初めてでちょっと困惑しちゃって・・・」 「い、いいんですかね・・・?」 この金額は流石に申し訳ない気持ちになってしまう。 でも出てきたお肉を見て美味しそうという気持ちが強くなった。 和牛の色々な部位が少量ずつ入ったこのセットは種類が多いので結構なボリュームがある。 確かにお腹いっぱいになりそう。 初めての高級焼肉にワクワクしながらお肉を焼き、焼き上がるのを待つ。 じゅうじゅうといい音を立てて焼き上がったお肉をタレにつけて食べる。 僕は頬を綻ばせながら感想を口にした。 「(もしかして薫さん、この姿を見せてくれるために・・・?)」 そっと目を薫に向けた華を見て薫は頷いた。 「(こんなの死ぬほど尊いに決まってるじゃないですか!!!本当にありがとう薫さん!)」 「なにこれ美味しい・・・・あっちの高級焼肉にも引けを取らないよ・・・」 「ですよね!私もそう思ったんですよ!あっちだと一人1万円付近の美味しさなんですよここ!」 「確かに美味しいね・・・」 そんな話をしながらも目線は全員優希の方を向いていた。 「もぐもぐ・・・ん〜♪美味しいですね!」 「紹介した甲斐があったね、気に入ってもらえてよかった。」 その後沢山ご飯を食べた全員はホテルへ戻って寝転がる羽目になったとか。 「おはようございます。」 わたしは昨日撮影の予定があったけれど、一緒に撮影予定の子が急に交通事故に遭い来れなくなってしまったらしい。 幸い大怪我まではいかなかったらしいけれど大事をとって1週間は休む事になったそうだ。 「あっ、遙さんおはようございます。」 「結局撮影の方はどうなりそうですか?」 東京本社にある事務所へ入ったわたしは今回の撮影を担当している人に予定を聞く事にした。 「それが、代役が見つからないそうで、こちらも焦っている状況なんですよね。」 「遙さんがこっちにいれるのは最大でいつまででしたっけ?」 「登校日があるのであと3日が限度ですね。」 「分かりました、マネージャーさんとも連絡を取ってどうにかするので連絡が入るまでの間は自由にしてもらって大丈夫です!」 「分かりました、何かあったら連絡してください。」 わたしは事務所を出てホテルへ戻った。 何もやる必要のない休み、久々だから楽しまないと! 「うーん、困ったわねぇ。」 彼は遙のマネージャー。 優希にIVの撮影を依頼した人物でもある。 彼はマネージャーとはいうものの遙が所属している事務所の統括マネージャー兼glory cuteの副社長も務めている。 そんな彼が困っている内容は先ほど電話によって伝えられた遙と一緒に撮影する予定だった女の子が事故にあったために休まざるを得なくなったことだった。 遙が東京で待機できる時間にも限りがあるため代役をなんとしても早く探す必要性があったのだ。 「姉妹コーデ、似た雰囲気を持つ子じゃないといけないのが難しいわね・・・せめて髪型の近い子なら・・・」 ただし問題はお盆の時期に動けてなおかつ東京にいる事が条件になると言うことだろうか。 「東京にいて髪型が近い・・・ん?」 「いるじゃない!適役が! 帰ってしまう前に連絡しないといけないわね!」 彼はとある人物へ電話をかけ始めた。

Ch 35 "Ah, Yuki-kun's here." After getting ready and going down to the hotel lobby, Kaoru-san and Yura-san were already waiting. "Ah, is everyone already here?" "Utsurogi-san said she'll be ready soon, so we're fine." "That's a relief... I'm not used to removing makeup yet, so..." As I'm not used to it, it often takes a lot of time because I end up leaving some makeup on, especially around my eyes. "It's bad for your skin if you don't thoroughly remove it, so it can't be helped." "Onee-chan often scolded me when I first started..." "What are you talking about? You're better at makeup than me now, Yura." "I guess everyone's like that at the beginning..." "Besides, you're a guy, Yuki-kun, so we don't blame you." "W-Well, I usually don't put on makeup, that's for sure... Although I hear many entertainers do it." While discussing makeup, we received a message that Hana-san has arrived at the hotel entrance. "Oh, looks like she's here. All right, let's start our Comiket after-party even though it's still early." "Yeah!" "I'm gonna eat lots!" When we left the hotel, we spotted Hana-san checking the surroundings. "Ah, thank goodness. I thought I made a mistake for a moment!" "You're at the right place. So, where shall we go?" As Kaoru-san and Hana-san make eye contact, they nod and say," Do you want to eat anything in particular, Yuki-kun? Anything at all!" "Eh? Me?" "Yes, yes, you're today's star, Yuki-kun!" "I don't mind eating wherever Yuki-kun likes." I thought that since everyone was tired, something hearty would be good, but considering the heat, something light might also be good, so I feel torn. "Uhm, hearty? Light? Which one would be better..." I inadvertently thought out loud. "Yuki-kun, we're all fine, so even something hearty is okay." "We weren't at the plaza the whole time. Don't worry. We're fine!" "I only went to the venue and returned straight away, so there's no problem." "In that case, how about yakiniku? It has that after-party feel, so... I think it would be nice..." "Oh, that sounds good! I agree!" "I think that's a great idea!" "I have no problem with that!" Thus, we decided to go for yakiniku. "Speaking of which, there's a delicious yakiniku restaurant that members from my agency often go to when we have off-collabs in Tokyo. It's a bit far, but how about going there?" suggests Hana-san and shows Kaoru-san the price on her phone screen. "(It's a bit pricey, but it's really delicious here.)" "(This much isn't a problem, let's go here.)" Their voices didn't reach Yuki. Looking at the price, my eyes popped out. FIVE THOUSAND YEN?! What kind of meat do they use here?! I've never had such an expensive lunch before! "Five... Five thousand yen?" "Ah, it's a bit expensive, but it's okay. It'll fill you up, and it's incredibly delicious!" "No, it's just... I'm a little taken aback... This is my first time seeing such expensive lunch..." "A-Are you sure...?" The price really makes me feel guilty. But the sight of the meat coming out stirs a stronger feeling of anticipation for its deliciousness. This set contains various parts of Wagyu beef in small amounts, and it's quite voluminous due to the variety. It's definitely enough to fill the stomach. Excited about my first experience with high-end grilled meat, I grill the beef and wait for it to be done. The meat sizzles appealingly; once cooked, I dip it in the sauce and eat it. Grinning from ear to ear, I share my thoughts. "(Could it be that Kaoru-san did all this just to show me this...?)" Glancing subtly at Kaoru-san, I see her nod at Hana-san. "(This precious scene is worth dying for! Thank you so much, Kaoru-san!)" "This is so good... it's just as good as the high-end yakiniku over there..." "Right? I thought so too! This place is as good as those that cost around 10,000 yen per head!" "It certainly is delicious..." While having such a conversation, everyone's gaze is on Yuki. "Munch munch... Mm! This is delicious!" "I'm glad you liked it. It was worth introducing this restaurant." After that, everyone who ate a lot had to lie down back at the hotel. "Good morning." I had a shoot scheduled for yesterday, but the girl I was supposed to shoot with got into a sudden traffic accident and apparently couldn't make it. Fortunately, she didn't seem to have been seriously injured but decided to take a week off just in case. "Ah, good morning, Haruka-san." "What's going to happen with the photoshoot?" I entered the Tokyo office and asked the person in charge of this shoot. "That's the thing, we can't find a substitute, so we're in a bit of a rush." "When's the latest you can stay here, Haruka-san?" "School's coming up, so I have about three more days." "Got it, I'll contact the manager and figure something out. You're free to do whatever you want until I get in touch!" "Understood. Please contact me if anything comes up." I leave the office and return to the hotel. A holiday with nothing to do is rare; I have to savor it! "Hmm, this is a pickle..." Speaking is Haruka's manager. He's also the person who requested Yuki for the IV shoot. Although he's called a manager, he also serves as the general manager of the agency Haruka belongs to and GloryCute's vice president. He's troubled because the model, scheduled to shoot with Haruka, had an accident and, as informed over the phone, was forced to take a break. There's a limit to how long Haruka can stay in Tokyo, so there's a pressing need to find a substitute as soon as possible. "It's difficult to find a girl with a similar atmosphere for a sibling-themed shoot... But if they share a similar hairstyle, we can make do somehow..." However, the problem is that she has to be able to work during the Obon period and is in Tokyo. "In Tokyo and with a similar hairstyle... huh?" "There is one! I've found our perfect candidate! I have to contact her before she leaves!" He began to call a certain person.

22:僕だって男なんだけど・・・ 「んー!」 僕は朝目が覚めて伸びをしていた。 朝起きてすぐにする伸びは身体がスッキリとしてとても心地いいんだ。 シャワーを浴びて朝ご飯を食べ、テレビをぼーっと眺めているとバスの時間が近付いてきていたので家を出て学校へ向かう。 「みんなおはよー」 僕は教室へ入るといつもの様にクラスメイトに挨拶をする。 「あっ姫くんだーおはよー」 「昨日見たよーなんかやばかったねー」 「ふっふっふ実は私もスパチャを投げたのだよ・・・」 いつも僕に構ってくれるクラスメイトの女子達が話しかけてきてくれた。 「あっ、三人ともおはよう! というかもしかして斜め前子って・・・」 「あっ気付いた?私だよ私!」 それは僕の斜め前に座っている 「ねぇねぇ、聞きたかったんだけどゆるママとリアルで会ったの?」 「うん、土曜日に会ったよ。」 「そういえばゆる先生がどんな人か教えて欲しいって言ってたね。」 「そうそう!出来れば教えてくれないかな!」 僕は薫さんの特徴を教えた。 「ふむふむ、ネットの情報と大きく変わってないからいけそうだねぇ、姫くんありがと!」 「(うぇひひ、今年の夏コミまで時間無いから急ピッチで描きあげないと・・・)」 まさか自分とゆるママをネタに本を描かれるとは思ってもいなかった優希はそのまま自分の席につき授業を受けていると、気付けばお昼休みになっていた。 「裕翔ーお昼今日どこで食べる?」 「んー今日はパンとか買ってきてるからここで食うかな。」 優希が昼休みになったから弁当を持って俺の席に来た。 今日はパンを買ってきているからここで一緒に食べる事にした。 「おっけー!じゃ僕もここで食べるよー」 普通に考えてスパチャで数十万はヤバイ。 「うん、僕もそう思ってるし、終わった後男バレしなかった事に罪悪感感じるしで・・・」 「(まぁぶっちゃけ男って言われても違和感しかないんだよなぁ優希って。)」 「なにか言った?」 「いや、なんでもないぞ?」 「そっか。」 そう言うと優希はもぐもぐと弁当を食べ始めた。 「んー♪やっぱりお弁当には唐揚げだよねぇ!」 (俺みたいに長い付き合いだったり知り合いじゃなかったら、皆優希の事女の子だって思うんだろうなぁ。) 可愛い顔の友人を見つめ、学校にいる間くらいは守ってやろうと再び決心した。 「そう言えばさ優希。」 「今週末から夏休みだろ?今週の日曜日にオフコラボとか言ってたけど遠出するのか?」 「いやしないよーゆる先生実は名古屋に住んでるらしくてさ。」 「マジかよ、偶然ってあるもんなんだな。」 「僕もびっくりだよ!」 「それでコラボで何やるんだ?」 「あれっ?」 「やばい、何も聞いてない いやでも薄らと私に任せてって言ってたような・・・記憶がおぼろげで・・・」 「一昨日会ったばっかりなんだろ!? なんで忘れてるんだ!?」 「えーっとね、あまり言いたくなかったんだけど・・・なんか女装させられてからの記憶が曖昧で気付いたら女装したまま家に帰ってきててなんか企業案件まで貰うしでもうわけ分かんなくて・・・」 「ん???いや、色々おかしいだろ!?」 そんな話をしていたらいつも優希に話かけている女子のうちの一人 「ねぇ優希くん!女装したって本当!?」 一応配慮してか小声で言ってくれる辺り優しい子のようだ。 「う、うん・・・恥ずかしいからあまり言わないで・・・」 「お願い!!!!写真あるなら見せて!!!何でもするから!!!」 「そういうことは言っちゃダメだよ!?」 「はっ!?ご、ごめん、動揺してた・・・」 「それで写真だったっけ・・・はい!ちょっとだけだからね!」 「うん!ありがとう!」 優希はそう言うと自分のスマホを彼女に渡した。 困惑しているようだ。 「なぁ、優希俺にも見せてくれよ。」 「うぅ・・・どうせ見せる羽目になるしいいよ!!」 香月さんからスマホを受け取り、俺はその画面に映る画像を見た。 誰だこの美少女。 「お、おい優希。」 「ど、どうしたの?何か変だった?」 「裕翔!?僕だって生物学上は男なんだけど!?」 「裕翔ォォォォォォォォ!?」 「はっ!? ねぇ優希くん! これからもこういう服興味あったら私に言ってね! お化粧のやり方だって教えてあげるから!」 優希が困惑しているようだ、ぶっちゃけ男じゃなかったら俺はときめいていたかもしれない。 「僕男だからお化粧に興味なんて持たないよ!?」 「まぁまぁ、最初は皆そう言うんだよ?」 「待って!?僕を変な道に落とそうとしないで!?」 じりじりと優希に近付いていく香月に、じりじりと後ろへ逃げていく優希。 「ふぅ、びっくりさせないでよぉ!」 悪戯成功!と言いたげな顔をした彼女が笑っている。 気持ちは分かるぞ、香月。 「でも、お化粧配信するときとかに自分で出来ると便利だよ?」 「ぐっ・・・それを言われると否定出来ない・・・」 「ゆるママが自分で可愛く出来たら褒めてくれるかもしれないよ?」 「うっ・・・でもそういう関係じゃないから!どうせ僕みたいな男、男って見てもらえてないと思うし・・・」 「自信持って大丈夫だよ!優希くんには優希くんの良さがあるんだから!」 「そうかな・・・?」 「化粧については気分が向いたらでいいから考えておいて!じゃ私はまたあっちに行くから!」 「う、うん、わかったよ。」 おい、押し切られてないか優希。

Ch 22 "Mmh!" I awoke in the morning and stretched my body. My body is refreshed by the immediate stretch after rising. After taking a shower and having breakfast, I lazily watched TV until it was time for the bus to arrive. I then left my house and made my way to school. "Morning, guys." As I entered the classroom, I greeted my classmates as usual. "Hey, Hime-kun! Morning!" "I watched your stream yesterday. It was pretty crazy, huh?" "Hehehe, I actually sent you a Super Chat..." My female classmates, who keep me company, start talking to me. "Ah, good morning to you three! Wait, don't tell me, you were Meiko Naname..." "You noticed? Yup, that was me!" It was Shino Hanazono-san, who was in the seat diagonal to me. "Hey, hey, I've been meaning to ask you, did you really meet Mama Yuru in person?" "Yeah, I met her last Saturday." "Oh yeah, you asked me to tell you what Yuru-sensei looked like, right?" "Mm-hm! Can you tell me about her?" I told her about Kaoru-san's features. "I see, I see. It's not much different from what I found online, so it should be fine. Thanks, Hime-kun!" "(Heehee, I need to hurry up and finish my book before this year's summer Comiket...)" Yuki had no idea he and Mama Yuru would be the subject of someone's book, and he just sat at his desk and paid attention to his classes until it was lunchtime. "Yuutooo, where are you gonna eat lunch today?" "Hmm, I brought some bread and other stuff, so I'll just eat here." During lunch break, Yuki brought his bento and came to my seat. I bought bread today, so we decided to eat our lunch together in class. "Okay! I'll eat here too." Several tens of thousands of yen in Super Chats is pretty insane if you think about it. "Yeah, I think so too. And I feel guilty that I didn't reveal that I was a guy after it ended..." "(Honestly, calling you a 'guy' just feels weird to me.)" "Did you say something?" "No, nothing." "I see." Then Yuki starts eating his bento. "Mmm As expected, karaage is the best for bento!" (I bet if someone didn't know him well or wasn't friends with him, they would think Yuki is a girl.) I looked at my cute friend and decided to protect him while we're at school. "Hey, speaking of which, Yuki." "Summer break starts this weekend, right? You mentioned something about an offline collaboration on Sunday. Are you guys going on a trip?" "No, we're not. Actually, Yuru-sensei lives in Nagoya." "Seriously? What a coincidence." "I was surprised too!" "So what are you guys doing in that collab?" "Huh?" "Oh no, I didn't ask about that... But I vaguely remember her telling me to leave it to her...my memory is fuzzy..." "Didn't you just meet two days ago?! How can you forget already?!" "Um, I didn't really want to say this, but...my memories are hazy after they made me crossdress, and I ended up going home in the dress. Then I got a project proposal, and I got so confused..." "Huh??? Aren't there a lot of weird things with what you just said?!" As we talked, one of the girls who always talks to Yuki, Miyuki Kozuki, came over. "Hey, Yuki-kun! Did you really crossdress?!" She whispered it so softly, she seemed like a nice girl. "Y-Yeah...it's embarrassing, so please don't tell anyone..." "Please! If you have any pictures, show me! I'll do anything for it!!!" "Don't say that!" "Wha! S-Sorry, I was shaken up..." "You were asking for pictures, right? ...Here you go, just for a little bit, okay?" "Yeah! Thanks!" Yuki hands his phone over to Kozuki. She looks confused. "Hey, Yuki, show it to me too." "Uuu...fine, since I'm already showing it..." Kozuki-san hands the phone to me, and I see a picture reflected on the screen. Who is this pretty girl? "H-Hey, Yuki." "W-What? Is something weird?" "Yuuto?! I mean, biologically speaking, I'm still a guy!" "Yuuutooooooooo!!!" "Ah! Hey, Yuki-kun! If you're interested in more clothes like this, tell me! I'll even teach you how to apply makeup!" Yuki looks confused. Honestly, if he wasn't a guy, I might have felt my heart skip a beat. "I'm a guy, so I'm not interested in makeup at all!" "Now, now, everyone says that at first, Yuki-kun." "Wait! Don't try to lead me down a strange path!" With every inch Kozuki takes toward Yuki, Yuki similarly takes an inch back. "Phew, please don't scare me like that!" She laughs and makes a face as if she has succeeded in teasing Yuki. I understand that feeling, Kozuki. "But it's convenient to be able to do your own makeup for when you go live, right?" "Ugh...I can't deny that..." "Mama Yuru might even compliment you for being able to make yourself look adorable." "Uuu...Hey, that doesn't really matter, does it?! Besides, people don't even consider a guy like me an actual guy..." "Have confidence! You have your own good qualities, Yuki!" "Really...?" "Give the makeup idea some thought when you feel like it! Anyway, I'm going back to my seat!" "O-Okay, got it." Hey, wasn't Yuki being pushed around back there?

フェリーチェたちと別れ、教えられた方向に歩いていくと、暫くして高い壁が見えてきた。 一度、人気のない路地に入り (やっぱりこの魔法は便利だね。取り合えず壁の上まで跳ぶか) 勢いをつけて跳ぶと、あっという間に壁の上についた。 念のために辺りを探るが特に引っ掛かるものもなかったので、一気に跳び上がって龍の姿に変化した。 (この姿は久しぶりたな。最近はずっと人間の姿だったから。よし!さっさと終わらせて帰ろう。お父様はともかく、お母様たちも心配するだろうし。アンジェラのこともあるから、フェリを手伝いたいし) この時フィアフルは、自分の変化にまだ気付いていなかった。 自然にクロードを父と、サマンサを母と呼びフェリーチェ以外の者たちを気にかけていることが、以前のフィアフルでは考えられない事を。 少しずつ、フィアフルの何かが変わっている事を。 いくつかの町や村を飛び越えて行くと、大きな壁がまた見えて来た。 (あれが国境の町の壁か......ということはあの先の森かな?) スピードを落として、森のなかを探りながら移動すると、いくつかの禍々しい魔力を感知した。 その魔力に向かって行くと、獣の咆哮がいくつかと人の声が聞こえてきた。 (あれは......冒険者かな?魔物は......ゴブリンにオーガ、オークの群れか......あの程度なら手を出さなくていいか。アレを探さないと......え~と......あそこか!) アルは空中で人型に戻り、目標に向けて降りていった。 「「「「ギャギャ」」」」 「「「「ブヒィー」」」」 「「「グガァー」」」 「クソッ何だこの数は!だいたい何でオークがゴブリンたちと一緒にいるんだ!」 「バカ野郎!喋ってないで倒せ!」 「おい!そっちに行ったぞ!」 「こっちにメイジがいる!魔法が来るぞ!」 (あれ~?確かここら辺だったような) フィアフルがどこに降りたのかというと、冒険者の後ろをウロチョロしていた。 「防御するから下がりなさいよ!邪魔!」 「ちょっと!喧嘩なら後でしなさいよ!」 「応援が来るまで持ちこたえろ!」 (あ!あったあった。やっぱりあの魔道具だったか......本当、あいつら潰したいな......取り合えず魔力の供給を止めないと......魔石壊をせばいいんだよね) 「ちょっと!あれワイバーンじゃない!?」 「嘘だろ!?まだ増えるのかよ!」 「ねぇ!一旦、引いた方がいいよ!」 「バカ野郎!この数の魔物を町に連れて行く気か!」 「じゃあどうするのよ!」 ――バキッ (よし!壊れた......これはフェリが作ったアイテムリングに入れておこう。次、探さなきゃね) フィアフルはアイテムボックスのスキルを持っていないので、フェリーチェが指輪に時空間魔法を付与して、アイテムボックスと同じ効果を持つ魔道具を作っていた。 ちなみに、フェリーチェとフィアフルはこの魔道具の価値を正確には分かっていない。 何故なら、まだ誰にも見せていないから......見せるのを忘れていたとも言うが。 「なぁ......ゴブリンたちの動きがおかしくないか?」 「本当だ。何か......戸惑ってる?」 アルが上に跳んで龍の姿に戻り次に行こうとすると、目の前にワイバーンの群れが飛んでいた。 (またこいつらか......邪魔だな......灰にするのは駄目だから...... 『風の刃』 その威力は云わずもがな、群は一瞬で切り刻まれ下に落ちた死骸で山が作られた。 「キャー!何なのいったい!」 「ワイバーンの群れが急に!」 「誰がやったんだ!?」 「俺じゃないぞ!」 「私でもないわよ!」 「おい!オークたちが逃げて行くぞ!」 (あ~スッキリした!次はあっちだね) フィアフルはもう1つの魔力反応がある方に向かった。 魔力は先程より大きく、また誰かが戦闘しているようだ。 (あれは......アースドラゴンだね。あんなのまで呼び寄せるのか。魔道具は......ん~此処からじゃ良く見えないな。ちょっと近付くか) フィアフルが少し高度を下げると、声が聞こえてきた。 「グルルルァー!」 「そっち回れ!油断するな!」 「隊長!あんまり前に出ないで下さい!」 「隊長!俺たち諜報部隊ですよね!何でアースドラゴンと戦闘してんすか!」 「俺が知るか!動きを止めるな!狙われるぞ!」 「隊長!!さがって下さい!!俺が行きます!!」 「やめろバカ!隙を見て逃げるぞ!」 フィアフルは下の戦闘を見ながら考えていた。 (あれって......ん~魔道具だけ回収してもいいけど、彼等じゃアースドラゴンは無理かな?彼等が死んだらフェリが悲しむし......面倒だけどしょうがないか) を解き、魔力を少し解放する。 その魔力に気付いたのか、アースドラゴンとその相手をしていた者たちが、上を見上げる。 そこに見えた姿は。 「う、そだろ......ブラックドラゴン」 「アースドラゴンだけでも無理なのに」 「隊長!直ぐに逃げましょう」 「ここは俺が!!」 「駄目だ!全員、助からないと意味がない!あいつに顔向け出来ないだろ!」 「「隊長!」」 「隊長!!」 彼等が改めて生還を決意した時、ついにフィアフルが降り立った......アースドラゴンの上に。 ――ドカッーン! 「グルァ――――!」 「な!?......どうなってるんだ。お前たち下がれ!」 フィアフルが、アースドラゴンから降りると人型になり、戦闘態勢をとっている者たちに近付いた。 「止まれ!何者だ!」 「随分な挨拶だね。助けたのに」 「助けた?何故俺たちを」 「君たちが死んだら......フェリが悲しむからさ」 「フェリ?......フェリーチェか!まさかあんたは」 「こうやって会うのは初めてだね......チェイス」 「あんたが、フィアフルなのか」 そう、アースドラゴンと戦っていたのはフェリーチェと共に獣人を解放し、フェリーチェが逃げる切っ掛けを作ったトラスト王国諜報部隊隊長チェイスと副隊長バルド、隊員のライルとロイだった。 フィアフルとチェイスが無言で向き合っていると、ロイが話しかけた。 「あの隊長、そちらの方はお知り合いですか?さっきまでブラックドラゴンでしたよね」 「あ~......この人はあの子、フェリーチェの保護者みたいなもんだ」 「始めまして、僕はフィアフル宜しく」 「私はロイです」 「俺はライルだ」 「俺はバルドだ!!」 互いに自己紹介はしたが、フィアフルのことを知っているチェイス以外からしたら、ドラゴンから人になった得たいの知れない相手なので、まだ警戒していた。 「なあ、あんたはドラゴンなのか?人間なのか?」 「ライル、失礼ですよ」 「けどよ~あの子の保護者を名乗るならちゃんと確認しないと、心配じゃないか」 「それは......そうですが、聞き方というものがあるでしょう」 「2人とも何を言っているのだ!!隊長を見れば分かるだろう!!害になる者ならあんなに落ち着いているわけがないではないか!!」 「「あっ」」 「バルド......声を抑えろと何度言えば......ライル、ロイそれとバルド、フィアフルは大丈夫だ。ちゃんとあの子を守ってくれてるし、実力は俺たちより遥かに上だ」 「フェリーチェは僕にとって唯一だ。だから、あの子に害なすものを許すつもりはないよ」 一瞬、フィアフルから濃厚な殺気が漏れ直ぐにかき消えたが、それだけでもチェイスたちが畏怖を感じるには十分だった。 「あぁ......ごめんごめん、またやっちゃったよ。さっきの質問だけど、僕はドラゴンでも人間でもないよ。僕は黒龍だからね」 「「は?..................ハァ―――!?」」 「なんと!!黒龍をこの眼で見ることが出来るとは!!」 「いやいやいやいや!何喜んでんすかバルド!......副隊長!そこは驚くとこでしょ!」 「ライル、副隊長に失礼ですよ。この脳き――この副隊長にそれを求めても無駄ですよ」 「いや......お前の方が失礼だろうが、ロイ」 「チェイスって、苦労してるんだね」 「やめてくれ......目から汗が......」 「ところで隊長!!あのアースドラゴンはどうしますか!!」 「「「あ!」」」 バルドに言われ全員の視線が、横たわるアースドラゴンに集まった。 「あれはフィアフルが倒したんだから、あんたがもらってくれ」 「え?別にいらないけど......メイソンとブレイクにあげようかな」 フィアフルがそう言って、アイテムリングをしている左手で触れると、アースドラゴンがその場から消えた。 「「「は?」」」 その現象に唖然としつつチェイスがアルに尋ねた。 「フィアフルはアイテムボックス持ちか?」 「持ってないよ。フェリが作ってくれた、このアイテムリングに入れたんだ」 フィアフルが左手をあげて指輪を見せた。 「「「アイテムリング?」」」 「そう、この指輪には時空間魔法が付与されていて、アイテムボックスと同じ効果があるんだ」 アイテムリングの説明をされて、バルド以外が言葉を失ったが、チェイスが正気に戻り部下に指示を出した。 「3人とも今見た事、聞いた事は忘れろ!誰にも言うな......仲間でもだ!これは命令だ!」 「「ハッ!」」 「了解しました!!」 「よし!......フィアフル、そのアイテムリングは人に知られないようにしないと危険だぞ」 「まず俺の知るかぎり、そのアイテムリングのような魔道具は伝説級か神話級の代物だ。それを持ってるだけで狙われるし、簡単に作れるやつがいれば争奪戦になる。そもそも材料は何なんだ?」 「え~と......僕の鱗が生え替わる時期でさ、フェリが‘もったいないから再利用できないかなぁ’って言ったから‘じゃあ魔道具作ってみる?’って話になって付与の仕方は分かってたから、メイソン......友人のドワーフに鱗の加工を教えてもらって......まぁ1時間もしないで、できたんだ......けど......ハハッ」 フィアフルは作った経緯を説明しているうちに、‘もしかしなくて、もまたやっちゃった?’と思い、笑って誤魔化したがチェイスは諦めた眼で質問を続けた。 「.........そのドワーフは、それを見て何も言わなかったのか?」 「それが......見せようと思ってはいたけど忘れ、忙しくて、急に調査する事になったし」 ((((今、忘れてたって言いかけた)))) フィアフルの誤魔化せてない言い訳を聞きながら、チェイスは新たにできた疑問を尋ねた。 「調査?あんた冒険者なのか?」 「冒険者じゃないよ。個人的に気になることがあったから、自分からやるとギルドマスターに言ったんだ。君たちも魔物の異常を調査しに来たんだろ?」 「まぁな。国境だから調査するのは当たり前だ。一応、‘冒険者’として来ている。それで、気になる事って何だ?」 「チェイスはあの家にあった魔道具を覚えているかい?」 チェイスはフィアフルに言われたことを反復しながら、徐々に顔を強張らせた。 「まさか......アレなのか?あの子を......フェリーチェを使って実験しようとしてた魔道具なのか?」 「そうだよ......ちょっと待ってて」 そう言ってフィアフルは少し離れた藪の中に入って行った。 「隊長、魔道具とは‘魔物を呼び寄せる’効果を持つ物でしたよね」 「それなら確かに今の状況にピッタリだな」 「あぁ......バルド、念のため周囲を警戒しておいてくれ」 「ハッ!!」 その時、フィアフルが手に何か持ちなから戻ってきた。 「お待たせ。これがその魔道具だよ」 「これが......見た目、ただのランプだな」 「魔石を壊したから効果はないけど、良かったら持っていくかい?」 「いいのか?」 「僕はさっき1つ見つけたからね」 「助かる。そっちも魔物が集まってたか?」 チェイスに聞かれ、思い出しながら話した。 「魔物は......ゴブリンとオーガとオークの群れがいたよ。冒険者が何人か戦闘してたかな?それから、ワイバーンの群れが後から来てたね」 フィアフルの言葉にチェイスたちは驚き、焦った。 「それで!冒険者は無事だったのか!?」 「さぁ?ワイバーンの群は僕が片付けたし、あの程度なら大丈夫でしょ?」 「あの程度!?ワイバーンは倒したのに何で助けないんだよ!」 「何でって......興味ないからだよ」 「興味ない!?俺たちは助けたじゃないか!」 「それはフェリが悲しむからだよ」 「隊長!早く救援に行きましょう!」 ロイに言われ、救援に行こうとしたらバルドが止めた。 「待って下さい隊長!!誰か近付いて来ます!!」 「何!?」 バルドの視線の先をを見ていると、足音が近付いてきて、相手の顔が見えてきた。

After splitting from Felice and others and walking towards the direction I was pointed to, I saw a high wall after a while. I enter an unpopulated alley, disappear with{Stealth} , jump on the nearby roof and start running along the roof towards the wall. (This magic is convenient as expected. Let's jump on the wall first) When I acquire momentum and jump, I get on the wall in no time. I felt the area just in case, but because I didn't find anything strange, I jumped up and transformed into the dragon form. (It has been a while since I was in this form. I have been recently only in the human form. Alright! Let's finish quickly and return. Otousama aside, Okaasama and others will be worried too. There's also the thing with Angela, I want to help Feli) At this time, Fearfal still has not realized his change yet. That he calls Claude father and Samantha mother and that he's now concerned about others, he wouldn't even imagine in the past. Something was changing within Fearfal little by little. After flying over several towns and villages, he saw a big wall again. (That is the wall of the border town, huh...... that means, the forest from before?) After lowering his speed and moving through the forest while feeling around, he sensed several ominous magical powers. Moving towards such magical powers, he heard the roars of monsters and voices of people. (That's...... adventurers? Monsters are...... a swarm of goblins, ogres, and orcs...... they should be fine without me landing a hand. I have to search for that...... err~...... there!) Al returned to the human form in the air and descended towards the target. [[[[Gyagya] ] ] ] [[[[Buhii-] ] ] ] [[[Gugaa-] ] ] [s.h.i.+t, the h.e.l.l is with those numbers! In the first place, why are orcs together with goblins!] [You idiot! Don't talk and defeat them!] [Oy! They are over there as well!] [They have a mage there! Incoming magic!] (Huh~? I'm certain it should be around here) As for where Al descended, he was now loitering behind the adventurers. [I will defend you so withdraw! You are in the way!] [Hey! Leave the quarreling for later!] [Hold on until the support comes!] (Ah! There it is, there it is. It was that magic tool as I thought...... seriously, I want to smash those guys...... I have to stop the supply of magical power first...... destroying the magic stone should be fine, right?) [Hey! Aren't those wyverns!?] [You are kidding me, right!? They are still increasing!] [Say! Wouldn't it be better to withdraw!] [Idiot! Do you intend to drag the monsters of such number to the town!] [Then, what are we supposed to do!] ----Baki (Alright! It's broken...... let's put it in the item ring Feli made for me. I have to look for others) Fearfal doesn't have the item box skill, so Felice sealed a s.p.a.ce-time magic in a ring and created a magic tool with the same effect as the item box. By the way, Felice and Fearfal don't clearly understand the value of this magic tool. Because they haven't shown it to anyone yet...... it can be said that they forgot to show it. [Say...... aren't the movements of the goblins weird?] [You're right. Somehow...... they are confused?] When Al jumped into the sky and transformed into the dragon form, planning to search for another magic tool, a flock of wyverns was flying in front of him. (These guys again...... they are a hindrance...... since turning them into ashes is no good......{Wind Cutter} ) Al fired several blades of wind. Its power goes without saying, the flock got instantly chopped up and created a mountain of corpses. [Kyaa-! What was that!] [The flock of wyverns suddenly!] [Who did that!?] [It wasn't me!] [It wasn't me as well!] [Oy! The orcs are escaping!] (Ah~ that felt good! Next one is that way) Fearfal moved towards another magical power reaction. The magical power was greater than a while ago, someone was fighting again. (That is...... Earth Dragon. So they can summon even such thing? The magic tool is...... n~ I can't see well from here. Let's approach a bit more) When Fearfal lowered his alt.i.tude a bit more, he heard voices. [Gurururua-!] [Turn that way! Don't be careless!] [Captain! Please don't stay forward that much!] [Captain! We are an operative unit, aren't we! Why are we battling an Earth Dragon!] [As if I know! Don't stop moving! You will be targeted!] [Captain!! Please stand back!! I will go!!] [Stop it, you fool! Look for a chance and escape!] Fearfal was in thoughts while watching the battle below. (That is...... n~ just collecting the magic tools would be fine, but an Earth Dragon would be probably impossible for them, right? Feli would be sad if they died...... it's troublesome, but it can't be helped) Fearfal released{Stealth} while swooping down and released a bit of his magical power. Noticing that magical power, Earth Dragon who was keeping the people company looked up. What it saw there was. [Y, you must be kidding me, right...... a Black Dragon] [Even though the Earth Dragon alone is unreasonable] [Captain! Let's retreat immediately] [There, I will!!] [No! There would be no meaning if everyone doesn't escape! I wouldn't be able to show my face in front of that guy, would I!] [[Captain!] ] [Captain!!] When they made a new determination, Fearfal finally descended...... on top of the Earth Dragon. ----Doka-n! [Guruah--------!] [Wha!? ...... What is going on? You guys, stand back!] Fearfal got down from the Earth Dragon, changed into the human form and approached the people who were ready for battle. [Stop! Who are you!] [That's quite the greeting. Even though I saved you] [Saved? Why did you?] [If you guys died...... Feli would be sad after all] [Feli? ...... Felice! Then, you are] [It's our first time meeting like this...... Chase] [So you are Fearfal?] That's right, the people who were fighting the Earth Dragon were the Beastmen who escaped together with Felice, the people whom she saved, the Trust Kingdom's operative unit Captain Chase, the Vice-Captain Bard and the team members Lyle and Roy. While silence presided between Fearfal and Chase, Roy spoke up. [Umm Captain, are you acquaintances with that person? He was a Black Dragon just a little while ago, wasn't he?] [Ah~...... this person is that child's, Felice's guardian] [How do you do, I'm Fearfal. Best regards] [I'm Roy] [I'm Lyle] [I'm Bard!!] They have mutually introduced, but everyone except Chase didn't know about Fearfal, so they still were vigilant against the unknown person that was a Black Dragon just a while ago. [Say, are you a dragon? A human?] [Lyle, that's rude] [But, you know~ I have to properly confirm if he proclaims to be that child's guardian, I will be worried otherwise] [That is...... true, but there's a better way to ask, isn't there?] [What are you saying you two!! You can understand by looking at Captain!! He wouldn't be so calm if the person before him was harmful!!] [[Ah] ] [Bard...... how many times do I have to ask you to lower your voice...... Lyle, Roy, and Bard. Fearfal is all right. He's properly protecting that child, his ability is also way above ours] [Felice is the one and only for me. That's why I don't have any intention of forgiving anyone who harms her] Fearfal's bloodthirst appeared for a moment and instantly disappeared, but that was enough for Chase and others to feel fear. [Ahh...... sorry, sorry, I did it again. To your question, I'm not a dragon nor human. I'm Kokuryuu] [[Ha?.................. Haa------!?] ] [What!! To be able to see Kokuryuu with my own eyes!!] [No, no, no, no! What are you happy about, Bard! ...... Vice-Captain! You should be surprised there, right!] [Lyle, you were rude to your Vice-Captain. Demanding that from this no-brain----this Vice-Captain would be futile] [No...... you were far ruder, Roy] [Chase, you have it hard, don't you?] [Stop please...... the sweat from my eyes is......] [By the way, Captain!! What to do with that Earth Dragon!!] [[[Ah!] ] ] When Bard said so, everyone's eyes turned towards the fallen Earth Dragon. [Take it, since it's something you have defeated] [Eh? I don't really want it, but...... I could give it to Meison and Blake] Saying such, Fearfal touched the item ring on his left hand and the Earth Dragon disappeared. [[[Ha?] ] ] Chase who was dumbfounded asked Al. [Fearfal possesses an item box?] [I don't have it. I put it in this item ring Feli made for me] Fearfal extended his left hand and showed the ring. [[[Item ring?] ] ] [Right, this ring was bestowed with s.p.a.ce-time magic, it has the same effect as an item box] When Al explained about the ring, everyone except Bard was at loss of words, but Chase who regained his senses gave instructions to his subordinates. [You three, forget what you heard and saw! Don't talk about it with anyone...... even among yourselves! That is an order!] [[Ha!] ] [Understood!!] [Alright! ..... Fearfal, make sure not to show that item ring to anyone, it would be dangerous] [First of all, from what I know, this item ring like magic tools are Legend or even Mythical cla.s.s items. Those who have it will be targeted and if there's someone who can make it, there would a great compet.i.tion. In the first place, what materials is it made from?] [Umm~...... it was time for my scales to change, so Feli said "it's wasteful not to recycle it" then "should I try making a magic tool out of it then?" since she learned how to do bestowal and Meison...... our dwarf friend taught her how to process the scales...... well, it didn't take her more than an hour though...... haha] While explaining, Fearfal thought "did we perhaps do it again?" and tried to dodge the question by laughing. Chase asked with tiredness in his eyes. [......... That dwarf, he didn't say anything after taking a look at that?] [That's...... I thought of showing it to him, but I forg- it got busy and then I got sent on an investigation all of sudden] ((((He was just about to say that he forgot)))) Chase asked a new question to Fearfal who wasn't able to deceive them. [Investigation? You are an adventurer?] [I'm not. There was something I was personally curious about, so I told Guild Master that I will do it myself. You guys are investigating the monster abnormality, right?] [Yeah. It's on the national border so an investigation is only natural. We are more or less "adventurers" after all. So, what were you curious about?] [Chase, do you remember that magic tool in that house?] The face of Chase who repeated Fearfal's gradually stiffened. [Surely not...... that thing? On that child...... the magic tool they experimented on Felice?] [That's right...... wait a moment] Saying such, Fearfal entered a slightly remote thicket. [Captain, that magic tool had an effect of "summoning monsters" right?] [If that's the case, it precisely fits the situation] [Yeah...... Bard, take care of the surroundings just in case] [Ha!!] At that time, Fearfal returned with something in his hands. [Sorry to keep you waiting. This is that very magic tool] [This is...... it looks like a simple lamp at first glance] [I broke the magic stone so it isn't working now, would you like to take it?] [Is that fine?] [I found another one a little while ago] [Thanks. Did that summon the monsters as well?] Chase asked and Fearfal spoke while trying to recall. [The monsters were...... a group of goblins, ogres, and orcs. Several adventurers were fighting them? Later, a flock of wyverns appeared] Chase was startled by Fearfal's words and panicked. [So! Were the adventurers safe!?] [Who knows? I cleaned up the wyverns, they should be fine?] [Should be fine!? Why didn't you help even though you defeated the wyverns!] [Why, you ask...... I was not interested] [Not interested!? Didn't you save us!] [That's because Feli would be sad otherwise] [Captain! Let's go help them quickly!] Roy said such, but Bard has stopped him. [Wait a moment, Captain!! Someone is approaching!!] [What!?] Footsteps approached from the place pointed out by Bard and the opponents showed their face.

魔術師――私はフードを脱いでチェイスとカルロスに笑いかけた。 「ふ~何とか上手く行きましたね!」 すると、チェイスは呆れた目で私を見て疲れたように溜め息を吐いた。 「お前は......はぁ~」 そんなチェイスの肩を叩きながらカルロスは笑うのを我慢していた。 「ククッ......あぁ、上手く行ったな」 私が2人の態度を不思議に思い首を傾げていると、ライルがチェイスに詰め寄って来た。 「隊長!カルロスさんも!ちゃんと説明してくださいよ!いきなり目の前に現れて、4人を救援要請に行かせたり、かと思えばまた消えて、“これから何があっても冷静を装って合わせろ”とか念話してくるし、ガイスたちが裏切ったのは分かりましたが、いったい何がどうなっているんですか!?」 「おっ、落ち着けよライル」 チェイスはライルを落ち着かせようとしたが、更ににロイが微笑みを浮かべながら近付いて来た。 「そうですよ、ライル。隊長たちはちゃんと納得のいく説明をしてくれますよ。例えば......こんな小さく愛らしい子どもに、こんな危険な事をさせた理由ですとか......ねぇ隊長」 ――ゾクッ その微笑みを向けられていないのに、私の背筋に悪寒が走った。 (ヒィッ!目が全く笑ってないよぉ......チェイスは......あっ、微妙に震えてる......ロイさんは子どもが好きなのかな?私の心配してるし......それにしても、獣人って美形が多いのかなぁ) ライルは短髪で爽やかなスポーツ選手って感じのリアンと同じ狼で、ロイは肩までの髪を後ろでひとつに結んでる美人で、チェイスと同じく狐。イーサンは黒豹でカルロスは白虎、レオーネは獅子だった。 (それにしても、モフモフしてて気持ちよさそうだなぁ~触りたいけどダメだよねぇ) とりとめのないことを考えていると、チェイスが声をかけてきた。 「お~い、ちょっといいか?」 「どうしたの?」 私がテクテク歩いていくとロイが膝を折って頭を下げた。 「改めて、私はロイと申します。この度はご協力ありがとうございました」 「あっ、頭を上げてください!」 私がオロオロしているとライルまで頭を下げてきた。 「俺からも礼を言わせてくれ......ありがとう」 「あのっ、本当にいいですから」 どうしていいか分からず困っていると、カルロスが助けに入った。 「おいおい、それくらいにしとけよ。嬢ちゃんが困ってるぞ」 取り合えず今までの経緯を話すことになり、私とチェイスの交渉から隠し部屋の探索、皆の治療の話と内通者の疑惑の件まで話した。 「なんと言うか......」 「随分と規格外ですね、それからどうしたんですか?」 「それはこいつに聞いてくれ。俺たちは、こいつの言う通り動いただけだしな」 チェイスがそう言うと2人の視線は私に向いた。 時間は少し遡る―― 「皆さん集まってください」 そう声をかけると獣人たちが集まってきた。 「もし救援要請に行った5人が内通者と繋がっていた場合......最悪、救援が来ない可能性が高いです」 ――ザワァ 周りの獣人たちに動揺が走ったが、チェイスたちは同意した。 「確かに......奴等の立場なら要請に行ったフリをして時間を稼ぎ、理由を作って救援は来ないことにするな......どうだ?カルロス」 「あぁ恐らくそうなる......なぁ嬢ちゃん、何か考えがあるのか?」 「はい......でも、成功させるためには此処にいる皆さんと、外にいる6人の協力が必要です」 「言ってくれ!僕は全員で国に帰りたい......その為なら何でも協力する!」 「レオーネ様......分かりました」 私が周りを見回すと、皆が頷いたので作戦を話した。 「まず、当初の計画通り私とチェイスが合流地点に向かいます。出来れば途中で広く安全な場所を確保したいです。合流してから戦力を何名か残し、他は救援要請に行って貰います。一度この部屋に戻り全員で安全な場所に転移した後、先に要請に行った5人が戻ったのを確認してから、私とチェイスがもう一度合流地点に向かい、彼等から内通者の情報を聞き出します......どうですか?」 「確かにいい作戦だが、問題があるぞ嬢ちゃん」 「分かっています......情報を聞くために、他の事は救援要請に行った5人が戻る前にやらなくてはいけません......時間との勝負です......だから、チェイス」 「あぁ急ごう......レオーネ様、皆も不安なのは分かるがチャンスは今だけだ......俺たちに任せてくれないか?」 皆は私たちを見つめた後、力強く頷いてくれた。 そしてレオーネが言った。 「2人とも宜しく頼む」 「ハッ!」 その時、チェイスの服を引っ張りウィルが声をかけてきた。 「おとうさん、いっちゃうの?」 チェイスは膝を折ってウィルの頭を撫でた。 「あぁ、必ず戻る......皆で国に帰ろうな」 「うん!おとうさんも、おねえちゃんもきをつけてね」 「......おう」 「ありがとう、ウィル君」 (お姉ちゃんだって!ウィル君可愛いなぁ~モフモフしたいなぁ~この件が落ち着いたら頼んで――) 私が考えてる事を遮るようにチェイスが声をかけてきた。 チェイスの方に見てみると、呆れたような目で見ていた。 (まさか......考えてる事バレてる!?) 「そっ、そうだね!じゃあ行こう...... {チェイス、5人はまだ離れた場所にいて移動してないから今のうちに急ごう} {分かった!ほら、しっかり掴まれ} そう言ってチェイスがしゃがんだのでおぶさった。 無事に屋敷を出ることが出来たので、チェイスに聞いてみた。 {ねぇもしかして、森に入るの?} {あぁ、森と言っても‘魔の森’の手前だから比較的安全だ} {あっ!チェイス止まって!} チェイスは直ぐに止まって周りを警戒した。 {どうした?何かいるのか?気配はないが......} {ごめん、違うの......ちょっとあっちに行ってくれる?} 私がそう言いながら左を指差すとチェイスは移動してくれた。 少し進むと、そこには小さな池を中心に少し拓けた場所があった。 {ここ、皆の避難場所にどうかな} {そうだな......水があるし、周りも見やすい......だがその分こちらも丸見えだな......} {それなら、私が結界張るよ。それと {あれか......なら大丈夫だな。決まりだ!移動するぞ} 避難場所も決まったので、合流地点に向かい走り出した。 しばらくして、獣人たちが見えてきたので念のため「心眼」で確認したが、この中には彼等の仲間はいないようだった。 {いたな......魔法を解いてくれ} {分かった......解除} 「皆、待たせたな!」 チェイスが声をかけると全員が驚いた。 「隊長!?」 「え?いつの間に」 騒いでいると大きな声で誰かが怒鳴った。 「静まれ!!隊長が話せんだろうが!!」 (声が大きいよ!耳が......) その声に皆が耳を押さえていた。 「お前が静かにしろ!バルド!」 「ハッ!!申し訳ありますん!!」 (わぁ~話聞いてないや......こういう人を脳筋っていうのかな) 「はぁ~......何でお前が副隊長なんだろうな」 「お褒めにあずかり光栄です!!」 「褒めてねぇよ......」 チェイスが疲れたように呟いた。 私はというと、チェイスの言葉を反復していた。 (副隊長って誰が?まさか......この脳き――この人が?) 「......え!?」 (この人が副隊長!?普通、隊長をサポートするんだから冷静な人がなるんじゃ......どう見ても特効隊長っぽいのに) 私は思わず声を出してしまい、皆が私に気付いた。 「あの......隊長」 「あぁ、紹介しとく......こいつは話してた協力者だ」 チェイスが私を降ろしたので、フードを取り頭を下げた。 「初めまして!宜しくお願いします」 反応がないので不思議に思い顔を上げると、全員が目を見開き固まっていた。 私はチェイスを見てコテンと首を傾けた。 「「「「「「...............」」」」」」 何とも微妙な空気を無視して、チェイスが指示を出した。 「あー時間が無いから今から言うことに反論も質問も無しだ、よく聞け!救援要請に行ったガイスたちに裏切りの疑いがある......そこで、ライルとロイを残して他の者は直ぐに救援要請に向かってくれ!」 「「「「「「なっ!?」」」」」」 「たっ、隊長!」 「質問は無しだ!時間がない、急げ!奴等と鉢合わせしないよう別ルートで行くんだ!」 「「「「ハッ!」」」」 4人は慌てて用意して駆け出した。 「ライルとロイは残って、奴等が気付かないようフォローしてくれ」 「「ハッ!」」 「よし!俺たちは一度戻る」 「「はぁ?」」 チェイスが私を見てきたので、チェイスの服を掴んだ。 「ぬぉ!?いきなりだな、驚かせんなよ嬢ちゃん」 どうやら、ちょうどカルロスの前に転移したみたいだ。 「で?どうだったんだチェイス」 「指示は出した......後は全員で脱出して奴等を待つ」 カルロス、イーサン、リアンの目がギラギラしている。 「それじゃあ行きましょう。皆さん手を繋いで輪になって下さい」 指示に従い輪になったが、不安そうに互いを見ていた。 「心配ないです。一瞬ですから......恐ければ目を閉じてて下さい」 私がそう言うと、チェイス以外が目を閉じた。 そうチェイス以外、全員が。 「カルロス、イーサン、リアン......お前ら護衛だろ?」 私たちは避難場所に転移した。 「皆さん、目を開けて下さい」 恐る恐る目を開けた先に見えたのは、外の景色だった。 「本当に外に出れたのか」 「そうですよ、レオーネ様」 皆が興奮を押さえきれないようだった。 を使い周りから見えないようにした。 「おい皆、嬉しいのは分かるが声を落としてくれ」 チェイスが注意すると皆が従った。 彼等の位置を確認したが、まだ動いていなかったので、今の自分たちが周りに見えなくなってる事を説明して少し休むことにした。 子どもたちは寝息をたて、大人も座り体を休めている。 を確認していた。 そこに、チェイスが近付いてきた。 「動きはあるか?」 「まだ動いてないよ」 「なら少し横になれ......地図出してくれれば俺たちが見ているから」 「でも......」 休むよう言われ、渋っているとチェイスが私を持ち上げ歩きだした。 「いいから......地図出せって」 私はチェイスの前に地図を出した。 「これってお前が意識が無くても消えないよな?」 「うん。そう設定すればね」 「じゃあしてくれ」 「セレーナ、こいつも一緒に休ませてくれ」 「えぇもちろんよ......さぁウィルの隣に、頭はこっちの膝に乗せてね」 チェイスにセレーナの膝に寝かされ戸惑っていると、セレーナが頭を優しく撫でてくれて、次第に私の意識は遠退いて行った。 「寝たか?」 「えぇ......まだこんなに小さいのに......少しでも休んでね」 セレーナの顔は慈愛に満ちていたが、声はどこか悲しげだった。 「......頼んだぞセレーナ」 しばらくして、 「おい......起きてくれ」 目を開けるとチェイスが覗き込んでいた。 私は体を起こし尋ねた。 「動いたの?」 「あぁ......行けるか?」 「大丈夫。セレーナさんありがとうございました」 「いいのよ......2人とも気をつけてね」 私たちはレオーネ様たちの元に向かい、これからやる事の打ち合わせを行い、森の入口に2人で転移して、私だけ

The magician----I take off the hood and smile at Chase and Carlos. [Fu~ it somewhat went smoothly, didn't it!] Then, Chase looks at me with tired eyes and sighs. [You...... haa~] Carlos clapped on his shoulder while holding back his laughter. [Kuku...... yeah, it went smoothly] When I tilt my head to the side, finding the two's behavior strange, Lyle comes and approaches Chase. [Captain! Carlos-san too! Please, properly explain this! Suddenly appearing in front of us, letting the five go to request for the aid, disappearing again, telling us through telepathy "no matter what happens now, pretend to be calm and composed," I understood that Gais and others had betrayed us, but just what is going on!?] [C, calm down, Lyle] Chase tried to calm down Lyle, but then Roy approached with a smile on his face. [That's right, Lyle. Captain and co. will give a proper, convincing explanation. For example...... for example, the reason for making this little, adorable child doing something so dangerous...... right, Captain?] ----Zoku Chills ran through my back even though that smile was directed towards me. (Hii! His eyes are not smiling at all...... Chase is...... ah, he's subtly trembling...... is Roy-san fond of children? He's worried about me...... nevertheless, there are many good-looking people among the beastmen, aren't there?) Lyle has a short hair and a refres.h.i.+ng, athletic feeling, he's a wolf person just like Liam. Roy is a pretty person with a shoulder-length hair tied behind, he's a fox person like Chase. Ethan is a black panther, Carlos a white tiger. Leone is a lion. (Still, they look so mofumofuably pleasant~ I wonder if it's no good to touch them) While thinking about such things, Chase spoke to me. [O~i, may I a bit?] [What's the matter?] As I trotted over, Roy dropped on his knee and bowed his head. [Once again, I'm Roy. Thank you very much for your cooperation during this matter] [Ah, please raise your head!] When I was feeling fl.u.s.tered, Lyle came and lowered his head too. [I also want to express my grat.i.tude...... thank you] [Umm, it's really alright] When I was troubled, not knowing what to do, Carlos came to the rescue. [Oi, oi, leave it at that. Jouchan is troubled, you know?] First of all, we spoke about Chase's and my negotiations, the search for the hidden room, about everyone's medical treatment and about the doubts of a traitor. [What to say......] [That's quite extraordinary, so what happened next?] [Ask that this fellow. We have moved as this fellow said, after all] When Chase says so, the two turned their gazes towards me. Let's go back in time a little---- [Everyone, please gather up for a little] When I say so, the beastmen gather around me. [In case the five who went to request aid are connected to the traitor...... at worst, it's likely that the aid won't come] ----Zawaa Unrest ran through the beastmen, but Chase and Carlos agreed. [Certainly...... if I were in their position, I would pretend to go for the help and make up excuses that the aid can't come...... what do you think? Carlos] [Yeah, it will be probably like that...... say, Jouchan. Do you have any ideas?] [Yes...... but, in order to succeed, cooperation of everyone here and the six people outside is necessary] [Say it! I want to return back with everyone...... for that reason, I will cooperate with anything!] [Leone-sama...... alright] When I looked around, everyone was nodding, so I explained the plan. [First, as planned at first, Chase and I will go towards the meeting place. If possible, I would like to secure a safe, s.p.a.cious place on the way. After joining up, we will leave behind few people while the others will go request for aid. Then, after returning to this room and transferring everyone to the safe place, and after confirming whether the five who went to ask for the aid returned, Chase and I will go towards the meeting place once again, and obtain information regarding the traitor from them...... how about it?] [It certainly is a good plan, but there's a problem, Jouchan] [I know...... in order to hear the information, we have to do it before the relief aid the five went to get arrives...... it's a game against time...... therefore, Chase] [Yeah, let's hurry...... Leone-sama, everyone, I understand your anxiety, but this is the only chance we have...... won't you entrust this to us?] Everyone powerfully nodded while looking at us. Then, Leone-sama said. [Thank you both] [Ha!] At that time, Will pulled on Chase's clothes and called out to him. [Otousan, are you going?] Chase got on his knees and patted Will's head. [Yeah, I will definitely return...... let's return to our country with everyone] [Un! Otousan, Oneechan too, be careful, okay?] [...... Ou] [Thank you, Will-kun] (He said Oneechan! Will-kun is so cute~ I want to mofumofu him~ I should ask him when this matter ends----) Chase spoke to me, interrupting my thoughts. When I looked at Chase, he was looking at me with a tired expression. (No way...... were my thoughts exposed!?) [R, right! Then, let's go......{Stealth} ......{Transfer} ] {Chase, the five are still slightly far away and they are not moving, let's hurry up without a delay} {Alright! Here, hold on tightly} Saying such, Chase crouched and piggybacked me. Because we have safely left the mansion, I tried asking Chase. {Say, are we perhaps entering the forest?} {Yeah, although I say forest, this is not the "Magic Forest," so it's relatively safe} {Ah! Chase, stop!} Chase immediately stopped and cautiously looked around. {What's wrong? Is there something around? I don't feel any signs, though......} {Sorry, that's not it...... can you go over there for a bit?} After I point with my left hand while saying, Chase moves there. When we advance a little, there was an open s.p.a.ce location with a little pond. {How about making this place the evacuation site?} {Let's see...... there's water and the surroundings are easy to see...... but, that being the case, they would be in a plain sight} {In that case, I will use my barrier. Furthermore, they won't be visible if I use[Stealth] } {That, huh...... it should be fine then. Okay! Let's move them here} Because we have decided on the evacuation site, we began running towards the meeting place. After a short while, we have seen beastmen, so I used[The Mind's Eye] to confirm just in case, but only Chase's comrades were among them. {There they are...... undo the magic} {Alright...... dispel} [Everyone, sorry for making you wait!] When Chase calls out to them, everyone gets surprised. [Captain!?] [Eh? Since when?] Someone shouted in a loud voice during the ruckus. [Be quiet!! Captain isn't able to speak!!] (So loud! My ears......) I covered my ears to keep the voice down. [You be quiet! Bard!] [Ha!! I'm sorry!!] (Haa~ He's not listening...... is this person a musclehead?) [Haa~...... I wonder why you are the vice captain] [I'm honored to receive your praise!!] [I wasn't praising you......] Chase muttered exhaustedly. As for me, I repeated Chase's words. (Who is the vice captain? Surely not...... is it this muscle----this person?) [...... Eh!?] (This person is the vice captain!? Normally, it's a person who supports the captain, so wouldn't a composed...... he has the captain effect no matter how I look) Because I unconsciously ended up shouting, everyone noticed me. [Umm...... Captain] [Yeah, let me introduce you...... this is the cooperator I have talked about] Because Chase lowered me down, I took off my hood and bowed my head. [How do you do! Please treat me well] I raise my head because there was no reaction. Everyone was looking at me with their eyes wide open. I tilted my head and looked at Chase. [[[[[[...............] ] ] ] ] ] Chase ignored the subtle mood and gave instructions. [Ah~ There's no time, so I will have yo do as instructed without asking any questions, listen well! I have a suspicion that Gais and others who went to request aid betrayed us...... therefore, Lyle and Roy will stay behind while others will immediately go to request aid!] [[[[[[Wha!?] ] ] ] ] ] [Cap, Captain!] [No questions! There's no time, so hurry up! Take a different route, so you don't b.u.mp into those guys!] [[[[Ha!] ] ] ] The four people prepare in panic and start running. [Roy and Lyle stay behind, follow us, so those guys won't notice you] [[Ha!] ] [Yos.h.!.+ We will temporarily return] [[Haa?] ] Because Chase looked at me, I grasped his clothes. [Nuo!? That was so sudden, don't surprise me like that, Jouchan] It appears we have transferred right in front of Carlos. [So? How did it go, Chase?] [I gave out the orders...... all that's left is for everyone to escape and wait for those guys] Carlos's, Ethan's, and Liam's eyes were glittering. [Well then, let's go. Everyone, please join your hands and form a circle] A circle was formed as instructed, but everyone looked uneasy. [Don't worry. It will be over in an instant...... if you are scared, close your eyes] When I say so, everyone but Chase closed their eyes. Right, everyone except Chase. [Carlos, Ethan, Liam...... you are guards, aren't you?] We have transferred to the evacuation site. [Everyone, please open your eyes] What everyone saw after opening their eyes was a different scenery. [Have we really go outside?] [That's right, Leone-sama] It appears everyone can't contain their excitement. I immediately form a[Barrier] and used[Stealth] , so they would be invisible to the surroundings. [Oi everyone, I understand that you are happy, but lower your voices] Everyone abided by Chase's caution. I have confirmed the target's situation, but because they weren't moving yet, I explained to everyone that they can't be seen from the surroundings and decided to rest for a while. The children fell asleep and adults rested their bodies while sitting. I confirmed using[Search] again. There, Chase approached. [Is there movement?] [They are not moving yet] [Then, lie down for a bit...... if you take out the map, we will watch it] [But......] Because I was reluctant when Chase told me to rest, he lifted me up and started walking. [I'm telling you it's fine...... take out the map] I took out the map in front of Chase. [Will it stay even if you are not conscious?] [Un. If set like that] [Then, do it] [Selena, let this fellow rest with you] [Yeah, of course...... come next to Will, your head here, place it on my lap] While bewildered about my current situation on Selena's lap, she gently stroked my hair, gradually making me lose my consciousness. [Is she asleep?] [Yeah...... even though she's still so little...... rest even if for a bit, okay?] Selena's face was full of affection, but her voice was somewhat sorrowful. [...... I'm leaving her to you, Selena] After a short while, [Oi...... wake up please] When I open my eyes, Chase was looking at me. I raised my body and asked. [Did they move?] [Yeah...... can you go?] [I'm fine. Selena-san, thank you very much] [Don't worry about it...... you two, be careful, okay?] We have gone to Leone-sama and others, told them what's going to happen from now on, I transferred the two of us to the forest's entrance, casted[Stealth] just on myself, and run towards the meeting place.

突然割り込んできた声に動きを止めて、そちらを向くと50代くらいの男が微笑みながら立っていた。 後ろには数人の兵士もいて、アダムとディラン、ミゲルとネイサンが反応した。 「報告されてしまいますね兄さん」 「呼び出されるな」 「しょうがないですよ。アルとフェリは、また連れてきましょう」 4人はすでに落ち着きを取り戻したが、ゲロスは睨み付けていた。 「なんだお前は!邪魔をするな!」 「失礼、私は王都警備隊2番隊隊長のライゼンです。不審者が子どもを誘拐しようとしていると、通報があり来ました」 「誘拐だと!?誘拐ではない!ただ野球の才能がある子どもを引き取ろうとしていただけだ。言いがかりも甚だしい!」 「成る程、それがあなたの言い分ですね。あなた方はどうですか?」 ライゼンは表情を変えることなくゲロスの話を聞き、今度はこちらに質問した。 代表してミゲルが答えた。 「彼の言う‘才能ある子ども’はここにいる私の弟です。彼がいきなり‘この子を渡せ’と言って来たので、当然断りましたが‘金を出すから渡せ’と言われました。それも断り、諦めるよう説得しましたが、今度は私の妹と友人の妹まで連れて行こうとされ、今に至ります」 「双方、見解が違うようですね。では、周りの方に聞いてみましょう。君たちは周辺の聞き取りを、私は......薬店の方、話を聞かせてもらえますか?」 ライゼンの指示で兵士は動きだし、ライゼンはルーカスとクレアに尋ねた。 「始めから見ていましたが、この子の言う通りです」 「そっちのゲロスは嘘つきよ!」 「そうですか、では部下が戻るまでしばしお待ちください」 暫くすると兵士が戻って来てライゼンに報告していた。 「待たせました。詳しく話が聞きたいので一緒に来てもらいます。......ゲロスと連れ2名を連行しろ」 「「「「ハッ!」」」」 「何をする!?濡れ衣だぞ!放せ!」 「「旦那様!」」 ライゼンの指示でゲロスたちは兵士に連行されて行き、それを見送ってからライゼンがこちらを向いて表情を和らげた。 「災難でしたね。残念ですが今日は戻られた方がよろしいかと」 「分かっている。世話をかけたなライゼン」 「いいえ、‘家’まで送ります。ご友人たちもご一緒にどうぞ」 「私たちは自分で戻りますので、お気遣いなく」 「あなた方の保護者も待っておられますので、ご一緒に。分かっていると思いますが、拒否権はありませんよ」 ライゼンの言葉に断れないと思いつつも、ミゲルは悪あがきをするが、通じなかった。 ルーカスとクレアに別れを告げて、馬車に乗り‘家’へと送られる事になった。 もちろん‘家’と言うのは王宮の事で、着くなりライゼンと別れエヴァンの私室に案内されたが、エヴァンとルイス、クロードの他に見慣れぬ人がいた。 「ずいぶん早い帰りだったな。もっとゆっくりしてくると思ってたぞ」 「もう知っているのでしょう?父上」 「人が悪いです」 「詳しくは知らんさ。何か問題が起きたと聞いただけだ。グレース、楽しかったか?」 「はい!でも......最後のは怖かったです」 「そうか、さぁお父様の所においで」 エヴァンが膝に乗せるとグレースは安心したように笑った。 それを見ながら男がしみじみ言った。 「やはり女の子は違うな。うちは男ばかりだから、この年頃はこんなことさせてくれんぞ。クロード、お前も分かるだろう?」 「残念だが私には娘がいるからな。フェリ、アルもおいで」 私とアルは一度顔を見合わせてから、クロードに向かい駆けた。 クロードは私たちを膝に乗せ、男を見た。 「はぁ!?いつ産んだんだ!何も聞いてないぞ!」 「産んでない。養子だからな」 「養子......お前がか!?」 男が驚いて叫ぶと、ルイスが口をはさんだ。 「いい加減、自己紹介してはどうですか?アルベルトとフェリーチェは知らないのですから」 「そうだな。俺はトラスト王国国王レグルスだ!」 「アルベルトです」 「フェリーチェです」 (国王ってことはレオーネ様のお父さんか......元気かなぁ?) 私がレオーネのことを考えてると、アダムがレグルスに話しかけた。 「それにしても、到着は明日じゃありませんでしたか?」 「そのつもりだったんだが、途中で魔物に追いかけられて逃げているうちに思ったより早く着いたんだよ」 「魔物ですか?レグルス様の事ですから倒したのでしょう?」 「まぁな。だが、数が多くて参った!こうなりゃさっさと王都に入ろうと急いだんだが、目前でブラックタイガーが出たからさすがに焦った。俺や兵士だけなら問題ないがメイドもいたからな」 「では逃げたんですか?」 「それが、どうするか迷ってたらいきなり奴の頭が弾けたんだよ」 「弾けた!?」 「俺たちもビックリして誰かいないか探したんだが、見つかったのはコレだった」 そう言いながらレグルスが懐から出した物は、とても見覚えがある物だった。 「そ、それは......」 「そう、野球ボールだ!どうやらコレが当たって弾けたらしい」 「ぐ、偶然そこに落ちていただけでは?」 「兄上の言う通りですよ!野球ボールで弾けるなんて!」 「だがな、拾った時は血が着いてたし当たるのを見た者もいてな」 「「そ、そうですか」」 「しかし、不思議なんだよな。いったい何処から飛んで来たんだろうな」 アダムとディランは力なく笑い、ミゲルとネイサンは目を泳がせ、私とアルはわたわたしていた。 もちろん、そんな挙動不審な行動を見逃す筈はなく、クロードにしっかり追求された。 「それは知っている者に聞いた方がいいだろう。なぁ......お前たち」 「「「「「「はい」」」」」」 ガックリと項垂れ、代表でミゲルが話した。 グレースはよく分かっていないみたいなので、不思議そうにしていたが。 ことの経緯を話すと、事情を知らないレグルス以外には‘アルならしょうがない’と苦笑され、レグルスは‘凄いんだな!’と感心しただけだったが、ゲロスの話になると空気が重くなってきた。 「金を出すから渡せ......か、ふざけた奴だ。アダム、そいつらは何処にいるんだ?」 「ライゼンが部下に命じて牢に入ってます」 「そうか......すまんが急用が出来た」 「待ちなさい。行かせませんよ!」 「エヴァンは接待があるだろう。ところで私も急用が出来たので失礼する」 「貴方もダメですよ!」 「じゃあ俺も急用が出来た」 「「お前は関係ないだろ!」」 「じゃあ......って、貴方ももちろんダメです!」 エヴァンとクロードが部屋から出ようとするが、ルイスに止められているのを見てレグルスも楽しそうに参加していた。 そのやり取りを見ているとアルが話しかけてきた。 「フェリ、小腹すいちゃった。何かない?」 「え~と、ちょっと待って......ん~っと、スイートポテトとクッキーとプリン......フライドポテトもあるよ」 「クッキーとフライドポテト食べたい」 「は~い」 アイテムボックスから要望の物を取り出すと、さっそく食べ始めた。 それを見たミゲルとネイサンが加わり、涎を垂らしそうなアダムが加わり、最後にはディランとグレースを手招きで呼んで、おやつを食べながら大人たちのやり取りを観戦していた。 「何だコレ!美味すーぎる......この塩加減がいいな」 「兄上、クッキーも美味しいですよ」 「甘いな2人とも。ポテトとクッキーは交互に食べるんだ」 「そうなのかミゲル!?」 「さっそく試してみましょう」 「本当に美味しいです。シェフが作られたんですか?」 「いいえ、これはフェリが作ったんですよ」 「本当ですかネイサン!?フェリーチェはすごいのね!」 「そんなことないですよ~」 「アル、何言ってるか分かんないよ」 「美味しいけど、飲み物が欲しいかも」 「え~?......しょうがないなぁ何がいいの?」 「‘ソーダ’だね。はい、どうぞ」 アルにお願いされてアイテムボックスから出したのは私が作ったソーダだ。 魔法さまさまである。 初めて飲んだ時は、吹き出して近付かなかったが、私が平然と飲んでいるのを見て、少しずつ飲んでいるうちに慣れたのか普通に飲めるようになっていた。 「あぁ~!何か癖になるよね~」 「フェリ、私にももらえるか?」 「私もお願いするよ」 ミゲルとネイサンにも渡すと、アダムたちも興味津々に見てきたので渡してみた。 飲む前に注意しようとすると、アルに止められミゲルとネイサンもニヤニヤしていた。 それに気付かず3人は、水を飲むように1口飲んだ。 「「「ブッ!ゴホッゴホッ!」」」 「うわっ!何してるんですか!」 「だってお前たちがゴクゴク飲んでるから!」 「私たちは慣れてるんですよ」 「す、すいません。しかし、これは」 「ディラン様大丈夫ですか?まぁ私たちも最初、同じ事したんですけどね」 そうなのだ、私が飲む前に言おうとするとアルが止めて、2人に一気に飲むよう言ってしまった。 そんなことをすれば当然ああなる。 「ネイサン、余計なこと言わなくていい!」 「セコイぞミゲル!人のこと言えないじゃないか!」 「一緒にするな!私たちはアルに騙されたんだ!」 「だって、僕だけ吹き出すのは不公平じゃないか。何事も体験するのはいいことだよ!」 「‘いいこと言いました’みたいな顔をしているが、それなら何で父上と母上にはしなかったんだ?」 「ライリーとオリビアたち使用人にはしてましたよね?アルならやりそうなのに」 「何か本能が‘やったら最後......’って言ってた!」 「「「「あぁ......確かに」」」」 (納得するんだ......でも分かる気はするかな。想像しただけで震えそう) 騒がしい男たちをよそに、女の子のグレースは顔を真っ赤にさせていた。 「うっ、ごめんなさい。恥ずかしいです」 「大丈夫ですよグレース様。今度はゆっくり少しずつ飲んでみてください」 「はい、コクッ......コクッ......おいしい」 「本当か?グレース」 「はい、アダムお兄様。シュワシュワしてて甘味もあるのでおいしいです」 グレースの言葉を聞いて、アダムとディランが今度はゆっくり飲むと、少し間をあけて‘美味しい’と言ってくれたのだが、視線を感じそちらを見ると大人たちがこっちを見ていた。 何故かルイスが張り付けたような笑顔で近付いて来て、正直怖い。 「貴方たち、何をしているんですか?」 それは静かで、普段通りの声だったが有無を言わせぬプレッシャーを感じてアダムが答えた。 「あっ......おやつです」 「今、私たちが何の話をしていたか分かりますね?」 「......はい」 (真剣な話をしてる時に、当事者たちが呑気におやつ食べてたら怒るよね!) 「ルイスさん!私がっ」 「フェリは悪くないよ!僕が小腹が空いたって言ったから!」 「アルベルトとフェリーチェは悪くありませんよ。もちろんグレースも。こういった場合は年長者の責任です。そうですね、アダム、ミゲル、ディラン、ネイサン」 「「「「はい」」」」 (年長者ってアルもだよ!) (むしろ僕が最年長!) 「だいたい、今何時だと思っているんですか?後、2、3時間で昼食ですよ」 「「「「はい......はい?」」」」 「食べ盛りの貴方たちはともかく、フェリーチェとグレースのことも考えなさい」 「「「「はぁ......アルベルトは?」」」」 「アルベルトはいいんです」 ((いいんだ!まぁそうだけど)) 「貴方たちが食べた量は、おやつの域を超えてます。食事前にそんなに食べてはいけません!昼食が食べられなくなりますよ!貴方たちはお兄さんなんだから、しっかりしなさい!ー」 「「「「はい!お母さん!......あっ」」」」 「...............」 悪気は無かった。 4人に悪気は無かったのだ。 しかし、思わず口に出てしまった言葉で事件は起きた。 「ブッハハハ!お母さんって......ブックク......確かにっ......ククッ、よかったなルイス!俺も前から思ってたんだよお母さん!ププッ」 エヴァンが笑いだしたした瞬間、クロードとレグルスが素早く離れた。 ルイスがゆっくりエヴァンの方へ振り向く。 「.........あ ゙ぁ?」 「ヒィッ、冗談だ!落ち着け、落ち着くんだルイス!俺が悪かった!つい、本音が!」 地を這う低い声で睨み付けられ、何処かで聞いたような台詞が出て来た。 「冗談と本音......ですか。言いたい事はそれだけですか?......歯食い縛りなさい!」 「ギャー!!」 その後、暫くエヴァンの悲鳴が響き渡るが誰も見に来る事もなく、私たちも動かず大人しく見守っていた。 その日の教訓は、 1つ、おやつは適量食べる 1つ、ルイスに‘お母さん’は禁句 1つ、王様よりもルイスが強い(あらゆる意味で) けして、忘れてはならない。 それから、改めて確信したことがあった。 ((アダムは完全に父親に似てる)) アダムは悲鳴をあげるエヴァンを見て笑いを堪えているが、それを横目で見ながら‘笑ってる場合か?お前は明日は我が身だぞ。というか、祭りで同じ目にあっただろ’と他の年長組の少年3人が呆れていることに気付くことは無かった。

The suddenly interrupted voice ceased the motions, and when turning towards it, there was a smiling man in his fifties. There were several soldiers behind him, Adam, Dylan, Miguel, and Nathan reacted. [Let's report, Niisan] [They were called, huh] [Can't be helped. Let's bring Al and Feli along again] The four already regained composure, but Geros said while glaring. [Who the h.e.l.l are you! Don't disturb us!] [Excuse me, I'm Captain of the 2nd unit of the Royal Capital guards, Raizen. There has been a report that a suspicious individual is attempting to abduct a child] [Abduct!? This is not an abduction! I was just taking in a child with a talent for baseball. Stop those false accusations!] [I see, that is your side of the story. How about you?] Raizen heard Geros' story without a change in his expression and addressed us next. Miguel answered as the representative. [The "child with talent" he is talking about is my little brother here. He suddenly said "hand over that child" so we naturally declined, and he replied with "I will pay so hand him over". We declined that too and tried to persuade him to give up, but next, he said he's taking my little sister and her best friend too] [Both sides seem to have different stories, I see. Then, let's ask the people around. Let's hear what the people around have to say, I will...... the drugstore people, may I hear you out?] The soldiers started moving on Raizen's orders while he inquired Lucas and Clare. [I was watching from the beginning and it's as this child said] [That Geros is a liar!] [Is that so, then, wait a moment until my subordinates come back please] A short time later, the soldiers returned and reported to Raizen. [I kept you waiting. I would like to hear the story in full, so I will have you come with us...... take Geros and the two accompanying him] [[[[Ha!] ] ] ] [What are you doing!? It's a false charge! Release me!] [[Dannasama!] ] Geros was dragged away by the soldiers on Raizen's orders and Raizen who saw them off turned towards us with a softened expression. [That was a misfortune, wasn't it? It's unfortunate but it would be better to return for today] [We know. We have been in your care, Raizen] [No, I will send you "home." Your friends should join us too] [We will return by ourselves, you don't have to mind us] [Your guardian is waiting for you, so let's go together. I think you understand, but you have no right of veto] Not thinking about refusing Raizen's words, Miguel didn't put up a vain struggle. Saying goodbye to Lucas and Clare, we got on a carriage and were escorted "home." Of course, "home" was the royal palace, we have parted with Raizen who escorted us and were guided to Evan's office, but there was another person besides Evan, Lewis, and Claude. [You have returned quite early. I thought you could have taken it more slowly] [You already know, right? Father] [How detestable] [I don't know in detail. I just heard that something happened. Grace, did you have fun?] [Yes! But...... the last bit was scary] [I see, come to Otousama] When Evan put Grace on his lap, she smiled in relief. The man said heartily after seeing that. [As expected, girls are different. Our house is full of men, so I can't do anything at such age. Claude, you understand me, right? ] [Unfortunately for you, I do have a daughter. Feli, Al come here] Al and I exchanged glances and trotted over to Claude. Claude placed us on his lap and looked at the man. [Haa!? When were they conceived! I didn't hear anything!] [We didn't conceive them. They are adopted] [Adopted...... you did!?] When the man shouted in surprise, Lewis interrupted. [When are you going to introduce yourself? Albert and Felice don't know you after all] [Right. I'm King of the Trust Kingdom, Regulus!] [I'm Albert] [I'm Felice] (King means he's Leone-sama's father, right...... I wonder if he's doing well?) While I was thinking about Leone, Adam spoke to Regulus. [Anyhow, weren't you supposed to arrive tomorrow?] [That was the intention, but we were chased by monsters on the way and arrived earlier because all the escaping] [Monsters, is it? You are Regulus-sama, so you must have defeated them, right?] [Oh well. There were just too many! I thought to quickly enter the royal capital since it turned out like that, but a Black Tiger appeared right before my eyes, so even I started to panic a bit. If it were only me and the soldiers it would be fine, but there were maids as well] [Then, did you run away?] [That's, while I was hesitating, that fellow's head suddenly burst open] [Burst open!?] [We were startled too and were searching whether there was someone around, but we found only this] What Regulus retrieved from his pocket while talking was something I was very familiar with. [T, that's......] [Right, a baseball! It appears its head was. .h.i.t by this and burst open] [W, wasn't it lying there just by a coincidence?] [It's as Elder brother says! To burst open because of a baseball!] [But you see, it was covered in blood when I picked it up, so I must be right] [[I, is that so?] ] [However, it's a mystery. Just where did it come flying from?] Adam and Dylan feebly laughed, Miguel and Nathan avoided eye contact, Al and I were panicking. Of course, without overlooking such suspicious behavior, we were firmly pursued by Claude. [You would be better off asking the person in question. Right...... you guys] [[[[[[Yes] ] ] ] ] ] Hanging our heads, Miguel spoke as our representative. Grace did not seem to understand it well so she was looking in wonder. When talking about the details, everyone besides Regulus who didn't know wryly smiled "It can't be helped since it's Al," and Regulus himself "That's impressive!" exclaimed in admiration, but the mood became heavy when talking about Geros. [I will give you money so hand him over...... huh, what a ridiculous fellow. Adam, where are those guys now?] [Raizen ordered his subordinates to lock them up in a jail] [I see...... sorry, but an urgent business came up] [Wait. I won't let you go!] [Evan, you have the reception to take care of. Incidentally, I also have an urgent business that came up, so I will excuse myself] [You can't go too!] [Then, I also have an urgent business] [[You are unrelated, aren't you!] ] [Then...... hey, you can't naturally go too!] Regulus who saw Evan and Claude trying to leave the room but being stopped by Lewis happily partic.i.p.ated too. Al who saw that exchange asked. [Feli, I'm hungry. Do you have something?] [Umm~ wait a moment...... n~ sweet potatoes, cookies, pudding...... I also have French fries] [I want to eat cookies and French fries] [Alright~] I retrieved the requested things from the item box and we began eating right away. Miguel and Nathan who saw that joined in, the drooling Adam joined in as well, and lastly, I beckoned Dylan and Grace to join us too. We watched the exchange of adults while eating snacks. [What's this! It's too delicious...... this seasoning is so nice] [Elder brother, the cookies are tasty as well] [It's delicious you two. Potatoes and cookies can be eaten alternately] [Is that so, Miguel!?] [Let's try it right away] [It's really tasty. Was this made by chef?] [No, this was made by Feli] [Is that the truth, Nathan!? Felice is incredible!] [That's not true~] [Al, we can't understand what you are saying] [It's delicious, but I would like something to drink] [Eh~? ...... Can't be helped, what would you like?] [Soda then? Here you go] What Al requested and I retrieved from my item box was a soda I made. With the grace of magic. When he drank it first, he spat it out and didn't approach it again, but after seeing me calmly drink it, he got used to it little by little and he can normally drink it now. [Ahh~! This could become a habit~] [Feli, can I have some too?] [Me too please] When I gave it to Miguel and Nathan, Adam and others were looking with great interest, so I handed them the soda too. When I was about to caution them before they drank, I was stopped by Al while Miguel and Nathan were grinning. The three who didn't notice that drank it as if it was water. [[[Buh! Cough, cough!] ] ] [Uwa! What are you doing!] [But, you guys were chugging it!] [We are used to it] [I, I'm sorry. However, this is] [Dylan-sama, are you okay? Well, we did the same thing in the beginning] That's right, when I tried to caution them before drinking, I was stopped by Al and the two drank it in one gulp. It would naturally turn out like that if you do such a thing. [Nathan, you didn't need to say something so unnecessary!] [That's petty, Miguel! Why don't you inform others!] [Don't lump me with you! We were deceived by Al!] [I mean, it would be unfair if I was the only one who spat it out. Whatever you say, experiencing it personally is the best!] [You are making "I said something good" face, but if that's the case, why didn't you do it to Father and Mother?] [You did it to Riley, Olivia and other servants, didn't you? I thought Al would do it] [Somehow, the instincts told me...... "it will be the last time if you do it"!] [[[[Yeah...... certainly] ] ] ] (I can understand that...... but he thought of doing it. I tremble just imagining it) At the boisterous state of the boys, the girl Grace said with her face dyed bright red. [Ugh, I'm sorry. So embarrasing] [It's all right, Grace-sama. This time, try sipping little by little] [Yes, sip..... sip...... tasty] [Really? Grace] [Yes, Adam Oniisama. It's bubbly and also have sweetness to it, it's delicious] Hearing Grace's words, Adam and Dylan slowly sipped the soda. They opened their eyes and said "It's good," but feeling gazes on us, we turned around and saw the adults watching us. For some reason, Lewis approached us with a smile, it was frankly frightening. [You guys, what are you doing?] Adam who felt the pressure of the quiet and yet unusually distant voice replied. [Ah...... we are eating snacks] [Do you know what we were talking about just now?] [...... Yes] (He would get angry when having a serious talk and the people in question were eating snacks, won't he!) [Lewis-san! I-] [Feli is not at fault! It's only because I was feeling a bit hungry!] [Albert and Felice are not at fault. Of course, Grace isn't as well. In cases like these, the elders are responsible. Isn't that right, Adam, Miguel, Dylan, Nathan] [[[[Yes] ] ] ] (Al is an elder too!) (Rather, I'm the eldest!) [In the first place, what time do you think it is? It's time for lunch in 2-3 hours, you know?] [[[[Yes...... yes?] ] ] ] [You who have the appet.i.tes of growing children aside, how about considering Felice and Grace too?] [[[[Haa...... how about Albert?] ] ] ] [Albert is good] ((He's good! Well, that's true but)) [The amount you have eaten exceeds the snack limit. You must not eat that much before the lunch! You won't be able to eat the lunch! You guys are the older brothers, get your grip together!] [[[[Yes! Okaasan! ...... Ah] ] ] ] [...............] There was no ill will. The four didn't have any ill will. However, but an accident happened with the words that unconsciously left from their mouths. [Buhahaha! Okaasan...... bukkuku...... indeed...... kuku, aren't you glad, Lewis! I have thought of you as Okaasan before too! Pupu] The moment Evan burst into laughter, Claude and Regulus swiftly distanced themselves from him. Lewis slowly turned towards Evan. [......... Haa?] [Hii, I was just joking! Calm down, calm down Lewis! It was my fault! What I really think unconsciously left my mouth!] While glaring, I line I heard somewhere before came out with a creepy low voice. [Joke and what you really think...... is it? Is that all you wanted to say? ...... Grit your teeth!] [Gyaah!!] After that, Evan's screams resounded for a while, but no one came to see what's happening while we were obedientely watching without moving. That day's lesson is, Item, Eat only optimal dose of snacks Item, calling Lewis "Okaasan" is a taboo Item, Lewis is more powerful than King (in every way) We must never forget this. Then, we had been convinced all over again. ((Adam completely resembles his father)) Adam was struggling hard not to laugh at the screaming Evan, but he didn't notice the sickened gazes of the three elder boys which were saying "Is it time to laugh? You are gonna get it tomorrow, you know? Rather, didn't we suffer the same thing at the festival?"

アンジェラの治療は無事に終わったが、念のため定期的に私とクロードさんで確認する事にして、周りにも知られないようにする事になった。 各々、仕事に戻るために今回はお開きになりオースティンたちと戻る事にした。 「じゃあ帰るか。フィアフルたちはこれから何か予定があるか?」 「特に無いけど......フェリは何かある?」 「私はウィル君に手紙を出したいんだけど、何処に頼めばいいのかな?」 「手紙か......案内してもいいが、ウィル君て誰なんだ?」 「はい。私を助けてくれたチェイスの息子さんで、手紙を書く約束をしてたんです。チェイスとは念話で話したんですけど、ウィル君には念話が出来るのは秘密にするよう言われているので手紙を書いたんです」 事情を話すと、オースティンがポカ~ンと私を見ていた。 また、仕事に戻るために部屋を出て行こうとしていたエヴァンたちまで私を見て唖然としたり、頭を横に振ったりと色んな反応をしていた。 「えっと......皆さんどうしたんですか?」 私が尋ねると、クロードが無言でソファーに座り直し口を開いた。 「取り合えず全員、座ってくれ」 全員、無言のままソファーに座り直すとクロードが尋ねてきた。 「さてフェリーチェ、いくつか質問してもいいか?」 「はい!......何でしょうか?」 「君は念話が使えるのか?」 「はい」 「チェイスとは何者なんだ?」 「チェイスはトラスト王国の人で、誘拐された人たちの救出に来ていたんです。彼は人間に変化してベイリー家に潜入していました。私がいた地下室に食事を運んでいて、その時にスキルで彼の正体が分かったんです。チェイスはそれに気付き、私のスキルで誘拐され人たちがいる隠し部屋を見つける代わりに、私の脱走に力を貸す契約をしたんです」 「よく、その男を信用できたな。君は仮にもベイリー家の娘だ。普通はその年で考えられないかも知れないが、君なら彼等から自分がどう思われるか予想はできただろう?」 「はい......恨み、憎しみの対象になる......正直、いざとなれば魔法で直ぐ逃げられるように考えてました。でも......彼は、‘誓約魔法’を使うと言ってくれたんです」 「「誓約魔法!?」」 私の発言に声をあげ驚いたのは、ブレイクとブライドの獣人2人だった。 そして、獣人族代表のブライドが唖然としながら口を開いた。 「誓約魔法など......獣人は本当に信用している相手にしか絶対にやらないものだ。内容を聞いても?」 「はい。大まかに言うと、チェイスとチェイスの仲間が私に危害を加えない限り、救出に力を貸すというものです。違反したら‘もっとも大切なものを失う’という条件でした」 「もっとも大切なもの......短期間でそれほど信用できたのか?」 「あの時点ではお互いしていなかったと思います。ただ、私も彼等も時間がなかったから......」 「時間?」 「私がチェイスと話した3日後に、ベイリー家の当主が戻ってくる事になってました。当主が戻れば、誘拐された獣人は奴隷として売られるか、殺されるかでした。私はっ......」 私はあの時の事を思いだし、言葉に詰まるとアルが手を握ってくれたので、深呼吸して続きを話た。 「私は、ベイリー家が新しく開発した魔道具の実験のために‘魔の森’に行く事になっていたので」 魔道具の話をすると、ドワーフ族代表のドルキが興味深そう聞いてきた。 「新しい魔道具か......どんな効果があるんじゃ?」 「魔物を呼び寄せる魔道具です」 「バカな!?そんな物を作っておったのか!」 ドルキとブライドが驚く中、それまで話を聞いていたエルフ族代表のアネモネの声が静かに響いた。 「ドルキ、ブライドよ、確かにそんな魔道具が作られていたのなら問題だ......だが、それだけではない」 「どういう事だ?」 ブライドが尋ねると、アネモネは哀しげに私を見て言った。 「先ほどフェリーチェは、魔道具の実験があり自分には時間がなかったと言った。2人とも分からんか?」 「「まさかっ!?」」 「魔道具は魔力を流して発動させる。フェリーチェを実験に連れて行くという事はそういう事だろう」 「その魔道具は魔物を呼び寄せるんだろ?自分の娘にそんな事!」 「そうじゃ!そんな事をすれば確実に死んでしまうわい!」 信じられないというように声を荒げる2人を見ながら、私はアネモネの言葉を肯定した。 「いいえ、アネモネさんの言う通りです。あの人たちにとって私は‘娘’では無く‘禁忌の子’でしたから......死んだ方がいいとも言われましたし」 「「フェリーチェ......」」 言葉を無くす2人をよそに、クロードが冷静に聞いてきた。 「しかしドルキの言う通り、そんな事をすれば死んでいるはず......フィアフルが助けたのか?」 「僕は助けてないよ。その時はまだベイリー家の屋敷に囚われていたからね」 「ではどうやって」 「フェリは転移魔法を使ったんだ」 「......今度は転移魔法か」 クロードに呆れたように見られたが、気にしないようにした。 「ギリギリで転移したので、あの人たちは私が死んだと思っているでしょうし、魔道具も持ち出せました!」 「その後、フェリに僕の鎖を外してもらって2人で帝国を出たんだ。それと、魔道具の研究室は僕が破壊しておいたよ」 「......その持ち出した魔道具は?」 「私のアイテムボックスに入れてあります」 「......そうか......アイテムボックスか......」 話していくにつれ、クロードに覇気が無くなっていく。 「ちなみにその魔道具を見せてもらえるか?今後の対策のために解析しておきたい。もちろん悪用はしないと誓うし、関わらせる者も選ぶ」 クロードの提案に少し考えたが、どちらにしろ私に出来る事は限られるし、専門家に任せた方がいいと思い預ける事にした。 「分かりました。......これです」 魔道具を受け取ると、クロードはドルキに声をかけた。 「ドルキ、魔道具に詳しくて口が固い者を手配してくれ。こちらからも何人か出す」 「任せてくれ」 「それとフェリーチェ、念話では何を話したんだ?」 「無事に共和国についた事とかですね。エヴァンさんたちについては詳しくは話してませんよ。住むことが決まればまた連絡するよう言われてます」 「あと、黒龍の僕が一緒にいる事は僕の判断で話しているよ」 「そんな事まで話していいのか?探るのが目的ならどうするのだ」 アルの言葉にクロードがそう言うが、アルは否定した。 「君の懸念は分かるよ。一応、僕もフェリも国に関する事は話さないと決めているし、チェイスは単純にフェリを心配しているだけだしね」 「何故分かるんだ?」 「フェリは彼に――彼等にとって恩人だし、自分の子どもより幼い女の子だからね。フェリは念話する約束を忘れて、昨日連絡したんだ。僕も最初は心配だったから、こっそり割り込んで聞いていたけど、彼は開口一番‘今の今まで何してたんだ!’って怒鳴ってたよ。その声を聞いて、フェリを心配して僕を怒ったオースティンたちを思いだしたんだ」 アルは穏やかな瞳でオースティンたちを見ていた。 「それに、チェイスは脱出した後、私の事は公言せず、‘通りすがりの魔術師’が協力した事にしようって皆に言ってくれました」 クロードは何か考えているようで黙り込んでしまった。 その時、エヴァンがニヤニヤしながら私に聞いてきた。 「なあなあフェリーチェ、ウィル君は‘友達’なのか?それとも......‘未来の恋人’か?」 「ちょっ、バカ!エヴァン、黙りなさい!」 ルイスが慌ててエヴァンを諌め、他の人たちが逃げ腰になる中、‘なに言ってんだこの人’と思いながらも答えようとすると、私の隣から地を這うような低い声が聞こえて部屋の空気が凍った。 「はぁ?......何言ってんのエヴァン......‘友達’だよ。‘友達’以外ないから......そうたよねフェリ」 アルがニッコリ笑いながら聞いてきたが、目が怖くて何度も頷きながら答えた。 「そうだよね!エヴァン......分かった?」 アルに聞かれたエヴァンは、壊れた玩具のように首を縦にふり続けた。

Angela's treatment safely finished, but we have decided that Claude-san and I will regularly check, and that we won't let the surroundings know. Everyone split up in order to return to their work and we have decided to return with Austin and others. [Then, shall we go back? Do you have any plans from now on, Fearfal and Felice?] [Not really, but...... Do you have something, Feli?] [I would like to write a letter for Will-kun, but where could I do that?] [A letter, huh...... I could guide you, but who is this Will-kun?] [Yes. He's the son of Chase who has helped me, I have promised to write him letters. I talk with Chase through telepathy, but he told me to keep it secret from Will-kun that I can use it, so I'm going to write letters] When I explained, Austin looked at me Poka~n with his mouth wide open. Also, Evan and co. who were about to leave the room to return to their work stopped in tracks and looked at me dumbfoundedly, there were various reactions going around. [Umm...... everyone, what's the matter?] When I asked, Claude silently reseated on the sofa and started talking. [First of all, everyone please sit down] Everyone sat down in the silence and Claude inquired from me. [Now then Felice, may I ask a few questions?] [Yes! ...... What is it?] [You are able to use telepathy?] [Yes] [Who is this Chase?] [Chase is a person from the Trust Kingdom and he came to the rescue the abducted people. He has transformed into a human and infiltrated the Bailey House. He carried food to the bas.e.m.e.nt where I was locked and I have learned of his true ident.i.ty with my skill that time. Chase has noticed that and made a contract with me to help me escape in return for using my skill to find the abducted people] [How could you trust that man? Even if it sounds like a joke, you are the daughter of the Bailey House. Normally, it might not be possible at your age, but you must have understood how those people would feel about you, right?] [Yes...... resentment, I could become a target of their hatred...... honestly, I thought of immediately escaping with magic if needed. But...... he said that he will use 'Oath Magic'] [[Oath Magic!?] ] The two people who raised their voices to my words were Blake and Braid. And, the Beastmen representative Braid opened his mouth in amazement. [To use Oath Magic...... it's something Beastmen won't use unless they completely trust the other party. May I ask the contents?] [Yes. Roughly speaking, Chase and his companions wouldn't hurt me and we would a.s.sist each other to escape. There was a condition that the violator would 'lose the most important to him/her'] [The most important...... you could trust them that much in such short period of time?] [I think that were had a mutual interest at that point. But, because both them and I had no time......] [Time?] [The head of the Bailey House would return three days after I've talked with Chase. Once the head of the family returned, the Beastmen would be sold as slaves or killed. As for me......] I got lost for words after recalling that time, so Al grasped my hands and I was able to continue after taking a deep breath. [In order to experiment with a newly developed magic tool, I was to go to the 'Magic Forest'] While talking about the magic tool, the Dwarven representative Doruki asked with great interest. [A new magic tool, huh...... what effect did it have?] [It was a magic tool for summoning monsters] [Impossible!? They made something like that!] While Doruki and Braid were shocked, a light voice of the Elven representative Anemos who was quiet until now resounded. [Doruki, Braid, it would certainly be troublesome if such magic tool was developed...... but, that's not all there's to it] [What do you mean?] When Braid asked, Anemone looked at me sadly. [Just a little while ago, Felice said that she didn't have much time because of the magic tool experiment. Do you two not understand?] [[Surely not!?] ] [Magic tools are activated by pouring magical power into them. If they brought Felice for the experiment, it means just that] [That magic tool summons monsters, right? To do such thing to his own daughter!] [That's right! If she were to do that, she would certainly die!] While the two raised their voices in disbelief, I have affirmed Anemone' words. [No, it's like Anemone-san said. That's because to those people, I wasn't that person's 'daughter' but 'Taboo Child'...... I was told it would be better if I died] [[Felice......] ] While the two were lost for words, Claude calmly asked. [However, just like Doruki said, you would die if you were to do something like that...... did you save her, Fearfal?] [I haven't saved her. I was still prisoner at the Bailey house at that time] [Then, how?] [Feli used transfer magic] [...... A transfer magic this time, huh] Claude looked exhausted, but I decided not to mind it. [I have transferred at the last moment, so those people think that I have died. I also got hold of the magic tool!] [After that, Feli undid my chains and we left the Empire together. Also, I have destroyed the magic tool laboratory] [...... That magic tool you took?] [It's in my item box] [...... I see...... in your item box, huh......] Claude looses his spirit as we keep talking. [By the way, can you show us that magic tool? I would like to a.n.a.lyze it for countermeasures. Of course, I swear not to misuse it, I will also choose the involved people] I thought about Claude's proposal for a bit, but anyhow, the things I can do are limited, I decided that it would be better to entrust it to a specialist. [Alright...... this is it] When he received the magic tool, Claude called to Doruki. [Doruki, please arrange people with tight mouths to examine this magic tool. I will also send some people of ours] [Leave it to me] [Also Felice, what were you talking about through the telepathy?] [That we have safely arrived in the Republic. I haven't talked about Evan-san and others in detail. We have decided to get in touch again when the place of our stay has been decided] [Also, I have judged it safe to tell him that I'm Kokuryuu] [Was it fine to speak that much? What will you do if he has a different motive?] Claude said such words, but Al has denied them. [I understand your worry. Just in case, we decided not to talk about things concerning the country and Chase is simply worried about Feli] [How can you tell?] [To him----to them, Feli is their benefactor, a girl younger than their children. Feli forgot about her promise of telepathy so she contacted them yesterday. I was also worried at first, but I secretly cut in, but his opening lines were 'What were you doing until now!' Hearing that voice, I recalled the time when Austin and Angela got angry at me because they were worried about Feli] Al looked at Austin and Angela with gentle eyes. [In addition, after escaping, Chase and everyone decided that a 'pa.s.sing by magician' have saved them] As if thinking about something, Claude has fallen into silence. At that time, Evan looked at me while grinning. [Say, say Felice, is Will-kun a 'friend'? Or perhaps...... a 'future lover'?] [Oy, stupid! Evan, be quiet!] Lewis remonstrated Evan in panic, and other people looked at him with 'what is he saying, this person' eyes. Then, a low voice beside me resounded around the room and the atmosphere froze. [Haa? ...... What are you saying, Evan...... he's a 'friend.' What else would he be...... isn't that right, Feli?] Al asked while smiling at me, but his eyes were scary so I ended up nodding many times over while answering. [Isn't that right! Evan...... do you understand?] When asked by Al, Evan kept on nodding his head like a broken doll.

俺はオースティン。 ディアネス共和国の現国王エヴァンの弟で、S級冒険者だ。 俺には、アンジェラという美しく優しい妻がいるが、俺と結婚した事で辛い思いをさせていた。 彼女は一般人の冒険者で、王族の俺と結婚した事に対しての妬みや恨みの対象にされていた。 一番ひどかったのは、授かった子を失った事だろう。 そんな事があっても、彼女は俺の側にいてくれた。 彼女は俺との子どもを諦めず、自ら動いて方法を探してた。 その姿を見て、兄上たちや周りの仲間も協力してくれたが、見つける事はできなかった。 もちろん、彼女が諦めない限り俺も諦めるつもりは無いがな! そんな時、俺たちには奇跡のような出会いがあった。 黒龍のフィアフルと、彼が守っているフェリーチェだ。 フェリーチェは、その類稀な魔法でアンジェラを治療したんだ! そのお陰で、俺たちは新しい命を授かった。 皆も喜んでくれて、2人を守るために力を尽くしてくれた。 まさか、他者に興味が無い黒龍のフィアフルが、あそこまで力を貸してくれるとは思ってもみなかったから、正直フェリーチェのためだと思っていた。 だが、それだけじゃ無かったのを知ったのは出産の時だった。 その日は、いつも通り眠りに就いた夜だった。 俺は職業柄、深く眠らないからアンジェラが呼ぶ小さな声で目が覚めた。 何かあったのかとアンジェラを見ると、微かに震えていて、俺は起き上がりシーツに手を突い時、シーツが濡れているのに気付いてしまった。 唖然とアンジェラを見ると、震えたまま泣くのを我慢して俺を見つめていた。 その顔を見て俺は思った。 ‘ここで動揺してどうする!俺が支えなければ!’と。 だから俺は彼女に優しく声をかけた。 「大丈夫だアンジェラ、全て任せてくれ。気付いてやれなくてすまなかった。動くのが大変で間に合わなかったんだな......トイレ」 その時の彼女の顔と言葉は、一生忘れなれないだろう。 「何バカ言ってるのよ!破水したの!出てくるのよバカ!一瞬でも期待したのがバカだったわ!やっぱり兄弟なのね!アホ面してないで、さっさと誰か呼んで来なさいよ!!生まれるって言ってるでしょ!!」 「.........うま......うま?......あ......姉上ーーーー!!」 俺は急いで姉上の元に走った。 ノックもせずに寝室に飛び込んだ俺に、冷たい視線を浴びせながら、使用人にテキパキ指示を出す姿を見ていると、クロードに肩を優しく叩かれた。 「気にするなオースティン。出産の時の男なんてこんなもんだ」 その時のクロードは哀愁が漂っていた。 そんな騒ぎが起これば、隣の部屋にいるフィアフルとフェリーチェも起きてしまうわけで、部屋の前で待っていた。 男は部屋に入れず、ひたすら生まれるのを待っていた。 時間は過ぎ夜が明ける頃、その産声は聞こえた。 直ぐにはドアは開かれず、ソワソワしていると赤子を抱えた姉上が出てきた。 「おめでとうオースティン。貴方たちの......息子よ」 俺は、息子を受け取る事ができずにいた。 「あ......っアンジェラは!?」 「大丈夫!母子ともに健康よ」 その言葉を聞いて、ようやく息子を抱いたが、俺はその顔を見る事ができなかった。 「ほらオースティン!いつまで泣いてるの?......アンジェラがっ......まっ......待ってるわよ!」 「......っはい......ありがとうございますっ......姉上」 小さな息子と共にアンジェラの元へ行くと、疲れた顔をしながらも、穏やかに微笑んでいた。 「オースティン」 「ありがとうアンジェラ。本当にありがとう」 それから、アンジェラを休ませて目覚めた後は仲間や友人、家族が息子に会いに来てくれた。 その中でも、一番来ていたのがフィアフルだった。 不思議に思い、思い切って聞いてみると彼は答えてくれた。 そう言ったフィアフルの顔は穏やかで、どこか寂しい笑顔だった。 彼の話を聞いてから考えてる事をアンジェラに相談すると、彼女も同じ事を考えていたらしく賛成してくれたので、俺たちは息子に会いに来たフィアフルに頼み事をした。 「息子の名付け親になってくれないか?」 「え?......僕が?」 「是非、お願いしますフィアフル様」 「......うん」 フィアフルは泣きそうな顔で引き受けてくれた。 それから数日、うんうん唸る彼を微笑ましく見守りながら待っていると、緊張した面持ちでフェリーチェと手を繋いだままやってきた。 フィアフルは、息子の手を優しく握りながらその名を呼んだ。 「君の名前は―――――――だよ」 その時、息子がフィアフルの手を握り締めながら笑った。 片手をフェリーチェと繋ぎ、もう片方は息子が握っているから、彼は頬を流れるものを拭う事ができなかった。 後日、王族が生まれた時に受ける鑑定で‘龍神の加護’がついていたのには驚いたが、それは些細な事だ。 今の俺にとって大事な事は、息子の成長と次の出産の時に、アンジェラを怒らせないようにする事だからな!

I'm Austin. The younger brother of the current King of the Dianes Republic Evan and S-cla.s.s adventurer. I have a beautiful and gentle wife called Angela, but marrying me has brought her only hards.h.i.+ps. She's was an ordinary adventurer and marrying me, the royalty, has made her a target of jealousy and resentment. The most terrible thing that happened is surely the child we lost. Even after such thing happened, she stayed by my side. Without giving up on bearing my child, she looked for a method all by herself. Seeing her like that, Elder brother and others cooperated with us, but we weren't able to find any. Of course, as long as she doesn't give up, I didn't intend to give up the hope too! At such time, we had a miraculous encounter. It was the Kokuryuu Fearfal and Felice whom he protected. Felice has treated Angela with the unparalleled magic of hers! Thanks to that, we were blessed with a new life. Everyone was happy and the two exerted themselves in order to protect it. I never thought that Kokuryuu Fearfal who has no interest in others would a.s.sist us to such extent, but frankly, I think it's only thanks to Felice. But, it was at the time of delivery that I realized it wasn't just that. That day, I was sleeping as usual. Due to the nature of my job, I', unable to sleep deeply, so I was awoken by Angela's light calling voice. When I looked at Angela whether something happened, she was faintly trembling and when I placed my hand on the sheets in order to get up, I noticed that the sheets were wet. When I looked at Angela in puzzlement, she was still trembling and doing her best not to cry while staring at me. Looking at such face, I thought. "What good losing composure here will bring! I have to support her!" That's why I gently called to her. [Everything's fine Angela, leave it to me. I'm sorry I didn't notice before. It must be difficult to get up in time for...... restroom] The words she said and face she was making at that time, I won't ever forget. [What a stupid thing are you saying! My water broke! It's coming out, you idiot! I was stupid for having expectations just for a second! You are siblings after all! Wipe that idiotic look off of your face and quickly call someone!! I'm telling you that it's being born!!] [......... Born...... born?...... Ah...... Elder sister----!!] I hurriedly ran towards Elder sister's place. When I looked at her who was giving instructions to the servants while pouring cold gazes on me who entered without knocking, Claude gently clapped on my shoulder. [Don't mind it, Austin. Men are like this during childbirth] Claude said with a grief of that time. Because of such ruckus, Fearfal and Felice who were sleeping in the neighboring rooms woke up too and we waited in front of the room. Men couldn't enter the room and just had to earnestly wait for the birth. When the time pa.s.sed and it the dawn broke, I heard a baby's first cry. The door immediately opened and while feeling restless, Elder sister carrying a baby in her arms walked out. [Congratulations, Austin. It's your...... son] I asked without being able to receive my son. [A...... Angela is!??] [All right! Both mother and child are healthy] Hearing such words, I finally received my son, but I wasn't able to see his face. [Come on, Austin! How long are you going to cry? ...... Angela is...... wa...... waiting for you!] [...... Yes...... thank you very much...... Elder sister] When I entered the room together with my tiny son, she was gently smiling even though she looked exhausted. [Austin] [Thank you, Angela. Thank you very much] After that, after Angela rested and woke up, our companions, friends, and family came to meet our son. Among them, the one who came first was Fearfal. While finding it curious, after making up my mind and asked, he answered. Fearfal's smile when he said that was gentle and somehow lonely. When I consulted with Angela about what I came up with after hearing Fearfal's story, it seems she was thinking the same thing, so we made a request to Fearfal who came to see our son. [Will you become our son's G.o.dparent?] [Eh? ...... Me?] [By all means, Fearfal-sama] [...... Un] Fearfal replied with a face that was about to burst into tears. A few days later, while watching over the groaning him with a smile and waiting, he arrived with a nervous expression while holding hands with Felice. Fearfal gently took my son's hand and called his name. [Your name is --------------] At that time, my son laughed while tightly grasping Fearfal's hand. He was holding Felice with one hand and my son was grasping his other hand, so he wasn't able to wipe that which flowed down his cheek. In the future, when we came to receive the birth appraisal the royalty undergoes when born, I was surprised by the "Dragon G.o.d's Divine Protection" he had, but it was a trivial thing. What is currently important to me is my son's growth and making sure not to anger Angela during the next childbirth!

(あれ?私、何してたんだっけ......パレード見てたらサイクロプスとかワイバーンが襲ってきて......そうだ、お母様たちがいなくなって探してたんだ。それから......お母様とアンジェラさんが泣いてて......何で泣いてたんだっけ?......あぁ......お兄様たちが......治さなきゃ......誰?誰がこんな......何か耳障りな声が聞こえる......あいつかな?) (......なら......ころさないと) (でも......目的を聞き出さないと) (どうして?おにいさまたちに、けがさせたのに) (お兄様たちは助けられた) (でも......いたかった......おかあさまもないてた......ゆるすの?) (許さない) (ゆるさない) (喪いたくない) フェリーチェの頭が、感情がスーと冷えていく。 フェリーチェは男に向かって歩き出した。 引き止める声が聞こえ、目を見開くレグルスを視界のすみに捉えたが、私は歩みを止めなかった。 「あ ゙あ ゙ーーーい ゙た ゙い ゙!た ゙す ゙け ゙でーーー!」 「うるさいですね。あなたは誰で目的は何ですか?」 「ギィヤーーーーー!」 「答えなさい」 フェリーチェが手を振ると男が動きを止め立ち上がり、唖然としたまま呟いた。 「痛みが無くなりましたぁ。あなたが助けてくれたんですかぁ?ありがとうございますぅ。わたしはぁゼロ、殺し屋でぇす。」 痛みが無くなり喜んだゼロがフェリーチェに近付き手を握った瞬間、スキルを発動する。 「あれぇ?力がぬけますぅ~」 フェリーチェはゼロが逃げられないようにギリギリまでHPとMPを吸収する。 「たくさん苦しんで下さい」 「え?」 フェリーチェはその後、あらゆる魔法を使い骨を粉々に砕いては治し、何ヵ所も貫いては治し、切り刻んでは治して何度も何度も繰り返していたが、最初は叫んで助けを求めていたゼロの反応が無くなっていた。 そして、フェリーチェも動けなくなっていた。 「フェリ、終わりだよ」 (まだだよ......まだまだ、くるしめないといけないの) 「もう、いいんだ」 (ころさなきゃ......また、うばわれる......じゃましないで) 「奪われないよう皆で考えよう。だから、もう終わろう。お母様たちも心配してるよ」 (おかあさま......うん......) 「......アル?何で大きくなってるの?私......何して......」 「大丈夫、全部終わったよ。家に戻ろう?」 アルベルトはフェリーチェが眠りにつくと、抱き上げて黙って見守っていた者たちの元に連れていった。 「フェリーチェは大丈夫なのか?」 「大丈夫だよオースティン。眠ってるだけだから」 「アル、フェリはいったいどうしたの?」 「お母様、話は戻ってからだよ。エヴァンたちもお父様とファウスト家にいるから、急いで戻ろう」 「アイツはどうする?」 「僕が連れていくよ。しばらく眠らせておく」 「おい、俺たちも行くぞ。その男、気になるからな」 レグルスとケイレブも行く事になった。 「みんな輪になって、転移するから」 アルベルトに言われた通り輪になると、直ぐに転移した。 ――シュン 転移先はファウスト家の応接室で、クロードが待っていた。 ちょうどその時、ミゲルとネイサンが目を覚ました。 「うっ......私は......あっ、ネイサン!?ネイサンはっ!」 「落ち着けミゲル」 「父上!ネイサンが!」 「兄上......私は大丈夫です」 「ネイサン......どうなってる?」 「あなたたちは助かったのよ。アンジェラとケイレブ......フェリーチェが助けてくれたの」 「「母上......アンジェラさん、ケイレブさんありがとうございました。」」 「いいえ、わたしはフェリーチェが来るまでもたせていただけですから」 「同じく。その子がいなければどうにも出来なかった」 2人がフェリーチェの方を見るが、眠ったままだった。 「フェリは......寝ているのか?」 「何があったんですか?」 その疑問に答えられる者はおらず、沈黙が続いたがアルベルトが静かに口を開いた。 「取り合えず、エヴァンたちと待っててもらえないかな?さっきのことを話す前に、確認したい事があるんだ」 「分かった。皆、行くぞ」 戸惑いながらもクロードに促され移動した。 2人だけになった部屋でアルベルトはフェリーチェを起こした。 「フェリ......起きて、フェリーチェ」 「うっ......アル?......っお兄様たちは?」 「大丈夫。皆、助かったよ。ここはファウスト家だ。眠る前のこと覚えてる?」 「何となく......何か、頭の中で声がして......あれは......私?」 「やっぱりか。たぶんそれは、しいて言うなら『4歳のフェリーチェ』かな?」 「え?......どういうこと?」 「これはあくまで推測だけと、フェリは前世の『小夜』としての記憶と知識があって、今は『小夜』が前面に出てるけど、ちゃんと『4歳のフェリーチェ』の意識もあるよね?」 「うん。時々、引っ張られてるっていうか......子どもみたいに甘えたり、拗ねたりしちゃうの。分かってても止められない感じかな」 「それだよ。普段は『小夜』がある程度『4歳のフェリーチェ』を制御......抑制してる状態だけど、今回は『4歳のフェリーチェ』の‘奪われたくない’って感情に『小夜』も同調したから」 「抑制できずに、ああなったって事?」 「『小夜』は前世の幸せな記憶があるけど、『4歳のフェリーチェ』には今がやっと感じられる幸せだからね。言い方は悪いけど、その差が歪みになってるんだ」 「失いこと、奪われることへの畏れの強さか......どうしよう?皆、変に思ったよね」 「この際だから、話した方がいいかもしれない。今後も同じことが無いとも限らないし、事情を知ってる僕が一緒にいる時か分からないからね」 「......分かった」 アルベルトとフェリーチェはエヴァンたちの元へ向かった。 部屋にはエヴァンたち王族と、オースティンのパーティー、ファウスト家、3種族代表、レグルスとケイレブが待っていた。 まずはクロードが口を開いた。 「それで何があった?」 「まずは、私から話すわ」 そう言ってサマンサは避難してからの事を話し出した。 話を聞き終えたクロードは怒りを感じながらも、どこかホッとしたように見えた。 「しかし、何故レグルスたはちはあそこにいたんだ?」 「暇だったから散歩してたんだよ」 「邪悪な魔力を感じました。近くにサマンサ様たちの魔力があったので急いで駆け付けたんです」 「しかし、あのゼロとかいう男、いきなり苦しみ出したんだ」 「それは僕のせいだよ。あいつが召喚したサイクロプスを強制的に返したから」 「お前、そんな事も出来るのか!?」 「魔力のゴリ押しだけどね。後処理を話し合ってる時に、フェリの魔力が変質したからオースティンと転移したんだ」 アルベルトの言葉にクロードが反応した。 「魔力が変質?何があった」 「それはわたしも感じました。ミゲルとネイサンの治療をした後に」 「その事について説明する前に、言わないといけない事があるんだ。お父様は薄々感ずいてるみたいだけどフェリは......転生者だ」 「「「「転生者!?」」」」 フェリーチェが転生者という事に、驚く者と納得する者、様々だった。 「私は......前世の記憶があります。前世は『小夜』という名前で、日本という国に生まれました。孤児院に捨てらたけど、院長先生夫婦に大事にしてもらって兄弟もいて幸せでした。でも、18歳の時に通り魔に刺されて死にました。意識が戻ったら、あの地下室だったので驚きました」 フェリーチェが話し終わると、エヴァンが何か思い出しながら口を開いた。 「なぁ......ニホンって言ったよな?」 「あぁ~......うちのじいさんは転移者なんだが、確かニホンから来たって言ってたんだよ。なぁアネモスじぃ」 「確かそうだったと思うよ。と言うことは同郷なのかな?」 「不思議な縁があるもんだな」 「それで?それだけじゃないだろう?」 呑気な2人を無視してクロードが先を促した。 「うん。これから話す事は、フェリーチェの中に『小夜』の意識と『4歳のフェリーチェ』の意識があるという前提の話しになる」 「分かった」 アルベルトの言葉に全員が頷いたので、2つの意識の歪みについて話した。 話し終り、うつむくフェリーチェに声をかけたのはミゲルとネイサンだった。 「フェリ、助けてくれてありがとう。それから、そんな思いをさせてすまなかった」 「フェリ、本当にありがとう。妹にそんな思いをさせるなんて情けないです。苦手とか言ってないで接近戦の訓練をしなくてはいけないね」 「そうだな。あれくらいの攻撃、避けて反撃できないとな」 「ミゲルお兄様、ネイサンお兄様」 「頼もしいわね。ねぇフェリ、感情を抑制する必要はないわ。記憶があっても今の貴女は子どもなの。甘えたり、拗ねたり、我が儘を言ってもいいのよ」 「お母様」 「そうだな。子どもにされて嫌な事はないさ。ミゲルやネイサンなんか、甘えたで我が儘だったぞ。当然、やり過ぎれは怒ったがな。フェリもやり過ぎた時は、同じように怒るから安心しろ」 「「ちょっ、父上!?」」 「お父様......うん、ありがとう」 フェリーチェが笑うと、見守っていた者たちもホッとしていた。 穏やかな空気が流れるなか、空気を読まない人間は何処にでもいるもので、此処も例外ではなかった。 「ところで、さっきから気になってたんだけど、フェリーチェと一緒に来たあんたは誰なんだ?アルベルトはどこに行ったんだ?」 「......兄上......空気読んで下さいよ。話の流れで分かるでしょう!」 「わたしも分かりましたよお兄様」 「我が息子ながら情けない」 「あ~......フォロー出来ない。話さなかったのは俺だけど」 「それじゃあ、改めて」 アルベルトが変化して、子どもの姿になりにっこり笑いながら言った。 「僕がアルベルトだよ。本当は人間じゃなくて黒龍なんだ!よろしくね、アダム!」 「「黒龍!?」」 アルベルトの正体を知って驚くディランとグレース。 しかし、アダムはアダムだった。 「アルベルト!?......小さくなったり、大きくなったり......器用だな!」 「「「そこじゃねぇ!」」」 アダムのズレた感想にミゲルとネイサンとディランがツッコムと笑いが広がった。 その中で1人の男が内心、冷や汗をかいていた。 (あぁ~聞かなくて良かった。まさかあれがアルベルトだったとは。兄弟かと思ったぜ) そして、その男を冷やかに見ている騎士が1人。 (野生の勘はするどいのに、どっか抜けてるんだよな)

(Huh? What I was doing again...... I was watching a parade when Cyclops and wyvern attacked...... that's right, I was looking for Okaasama and others who have vanished. After that...... Okaasama and Angela-san were crying...... why were they crying again? ...... Ahh...... my Oniisamas have been...... I have to heal them...... who? Who did such...... I hear some rough voice though...... is it him?) (...... Then...... must kill him) (But...... we have to get the information out of him) (Why? Even though he hurt Oniisamas) (Oniisamas were already saved) (But...... it hurt...... Okaasama was crying too...... are you going to forgive him?) (I won't) (He's unforgivable) (I don't want to hurt anymore) In Felice's head, her emotions keep getting cold. Felice started walking towards the man. I heard the voice of Regulus who was trying to stop me with his eyes wide open in the corner of my eyes, but I didn't stop walking. [Ah, agh---Id hurds! Sabe mee---!] [How noisy. Who are you wand what is your purpose?] [Giyaah-----!] [Answer me] When Felice waved her hand, the man stopped moving and stood up, he then murmured in dumbfounded. [The pain is gonee. Were you the one who saved mee? Thank you very muchh. I'm Zero, an a.s.sa.s.sinn] Zero who got delighted the moment the pain was gone approached Felice, but she activated a skill the moment he grasped her hand. [Huhh? My strength is escapingg~] Felice absorbed Zero's HP and HP to the limit so he wouldn't escape. [Please, suffer a lot] [Eh?] After that, Felice crushed every bone in his body with magic and healed him back, she pierced several parts and healed them, cut him all over again and healed repeatedly, but the movements of Zero who was crying for help at the beginning stopped. And then, Felice stopped moving as well. [Feli, it's over] (Not yet...... it's not over yet, I have to make him suffer) [It's fine already] (I have to kill him...... I will be robbed again...... don't get in my way) [Let's think together with everyone so you won't get robbed again. That's why let's end it here. Okaasama and others are worried about you] (Okaasama...... un......) [...... Al? Why did you become big? I...... what was I......] [It's fine, everything is over now. Let's return home?] Once Fearfal made Felice fall asleep, he lifted her up in his arms and took her to others who were watching in silence. [Is Felice all right?] [She's fine, Austin. She's just sleeping] [Al, just what has happened with Feli?] [Okaasama, let's talk after we return. Evan and Otousama are at the Faust House, so let's hurry home] [What about that guy?] [I will take him. I will make him sleep for a while] [Oy, we are going too. I'm curious about that man] Regulus and Caleb decided to go too. [Everyone form a circle, I will transfer us] When everyone formed a circle, they immediately transferred. ----Shun When they transferred into the Faust House's guest room, Claude was already waiting there. Just at that moment, Miguel and Nathan woke up. [Ugh...... I...... ah, Nathan!? What about Nathan!] [Calm down, Miguel] [Father! Nathan has-!] [Elder brother...... I'm all right] [Nathan...... what's going on?] [You were saved. Angela and Caleb...... Felice saved you] [[Mother...... Angela-san, Caleb-san, thank you very much] ] [No, I have just held on until Felice came] [Same here. We wouldn't be able to do anything if not for that child] The two looked towards Felice, but she was sleeping. [Feli is...... sleeping, right?] [What happened?] There's wasn't anyone who could answer that question, so Fearfal quietly spoke up, breaking the silence. [For now, could you wait with Evan and others? Before talking about what happened, there's something I would like to confirm] [Alright. Everyone, let's go] Although still confused, Claude urged others to go. When there were only two of them in the room left, Fearfal woke up Felice. [Feli...... wake up, Felice] [Ung..... Al? ...... Oniisamas and others are?] [They are fine. Everyone was saved. This is the Faust House. Do you remember what happened before you fell asleep?] [Somehow...... something was in my head...... that was...... me?] [As I thought. That's probably if I have to say the{four years old Felice} ?] [Eh? ...... What do you mean?] [This is just my guess, however, Feli has the memories and knowledge of{Sayo} from your previous life, and that{Sayo} is currently in the front, but you properly have a consciousness of the{four years old Felice} too, don't you?] [Un. At times, it pulls on me or rather...... wants to be spoiled like a child, wants to sulk. I can't stop it even though I understand, it has such feeling] [That's it. Normally,{Sayo} controls the{four years old Felice} to some extent...... although controlling it, but this time,{Sayo} agreed with the emotions of "I don't want to be robbed" of the{four years old Felice} ] [You mean I couldn't suppress it?] [{Sayo} has memories of happiness from the previous life, but the{four years old Felice} finally experienced happiness. Although the way of saying it is bad, the difference between them got warped] [The power of not wanting to lose, not wanting to be robbed, huh...... what to do? Everybody thought of me strangely, didn't they?] [Since this is a chance, it might be better to talk about it with them. We don't know whether something like this will happen again and we don't know whether I who knows the situation will be with you at that time.] [...... Alright] Fearfal and Felice returned to where Evan and others were. The royalty, Austin's party, the three representatives, Regulus and Caleb were waiting in the room. Claude spoke up first. [So, what happened?] [I will talk first] Saying such, Samantha talked about the evacuation. Claude who felt anger while listening to the story seemed somewhat relieved. [However, why were you there, Regulus?] [I was bored so I was taking a walk] [I have felt a wicked magical power. I also felt Samantha-sama's magical power nearby, so we rushed over there] [However, that man Zero, he suddenly started suffering] [That's was my doing. I have forcibly returned the Cyclops he summoned] [You can do even something like that!?] [With a forceful push of my magical power. While dealing with the aftermath, Feli's magical power changed so I transferred with Austin] Claude reacted to Fearfal's words. [Magical power changed? What happened] [I have felt it as well. During Miguel's and Nathan's treatment] [Before we begin explaining, there's something we have to say. It seemed that Otousama has already felt it, but Feli is...... a reincarnated person] [[[[Reincarnated!?] ] ] ] There were those who were surprised, those who were understanding about Felice being a reincarnated person. [I...... have memories of my previous life. In my previous life, I was called{Sayo} and I was born in a country called j.a.pan. I was abandoned in an orphanage, but the director couple treated me with affection and I had many siblings, I was happy. But, when I was eighteen, I was stabbed to death by a random attacker. When I regained my consciousness, I was already in that bas.e.m.e.nt] When Felice finished speaking, Evan opened his mouth as if recalling something. [Hey...... you have said j.a.pan, right?] [Ahh~...... our grandfather was a reincarnated person as well, but I'm certain I heard he came from j.a.pan. Isn't that so, Anemos Jii?] [I think you are right. So that means, you are from the same country?] [What a strange fated relations.h.i.+p] [And so? I don't think that was all, right?] Ignoring the two, Claude urged to continue. [Un. What I wanted to say is that inside Felice, there's the consciousness of{Sayo} and the consciousness of the{four years old Felice} as well] [I understand] Everyone nodded to Fearfal's words, so he talked about the warping of the two consciousnesses. When he finished talking, Miguel and Nathan called out to Felice who hung her head down. [Feli, thank you for saving us. Also, I'm sorry for causing you such thoughts] [Feli, thank you very much. I'm pathetic for making my little sister to have such thoughts. I will stop saying that I'm no good at close combat and practice] [That's right. An attack of such extent, we must be able to counterattack it] [Miguel Oniisama, Nathan Oniisama] [How reliable. Look Feli, there's no need to restrain your feelings. Even if you have your memories, right now, you are a child. It's fine to behave like a spoiled child, to sulk, being selfish] [Okaasama] [That's right. There's nothing disagreeable about being a child. Miguel and Nathan were spoilt and selfish too. Of course, I got angry when they went too far. When Feli goes too far, I will get angry in the same way, so be at ease] [[Wha, Father!?] ] [Otousama...... un, thank you] When Felice laughed, the people who were watching her felt relieved. Among the warm flowing mood, there were people who couldn't read the situation anywhere, so this also wasn't an exception. [By the way, it has been on my mind since a while ago, but this person who came together with Felice, who are you? Where did Albert go?] [...... Elder brother...... please read the mood. You would have understood from the flow of the conversation, right!] [I also understood, Oniisama] [I'm ashamed of our son] [Ah~...... I can't follow-up. I was the one who didn't tell them though] [Then, once again] Fearfal transformed into a child and said while cheerfully smiling. [I'm Albert. I'm not a human, but Kokuryuu! Best regards, Adam!] [[Kokuryuu!?] ] Dylan and Grace were surprised by Albert's real ident.i.ty. However, Adam was Adam. [Albert!? ...... You can turn small, you can turn big...... you are really dexterous!] [[[That's not the point!] ] ] Miguel, Nathan, and Dylan tsukkomi'd Adam's wrong impression and laughter spread around. Among that, one man has inwardly broken out in a cold sweat. (Ahh~ I'm glad I didn't ask. To think he was Albert. I thought they were siblings) Regulus And, one knight who was coldly looking at the man. (Although his wild intuition is so sharp, he must be missing something somewhere) Caleb

私は魔物に食べられた......訳ではなく前に行った池の場所に転移してから魔力の供給を止め、魔道具はアイテムボックスにしまった。 隷属の首輪をしているのに自由にできているのは、 は空間を隔てているので隷属の首輪は効かなかった。 私は約束を果たすため、再び転移した。 ――シュン {来たか待ちわびたぞ。一体何を......} 不自然に止まった言葉に、私はドラゴンを見上げた。 {?......あの、鎖と隷属の首輪を破壊しますね} そう伝えて私は魔力を高め、破壊して効果を無効にするイメージを固め魔力を放出した。 ――バキッ!ガシャン! 私とドラゴンの枷は破壊され、自由になった。 しかしドラゴンは動かず無言で私を見ていたが、顔を私に近づけ目を細めた。 {何故......お前まで枷をされていたのだ?昨日はしていなかったではないか} ドラゴンの静かな問いかけに、私は枷をつけられてから見た家族の光景、父親に言われたことを思い返し我慢していたものが溢れ出した。 「っ......うわ~ん!......ヒック......グスッわ~ん!」 {おい!?何故泣くのだ!」 「わっ......私だってっヒック......こんな...... グスッ......」 {何を言いたいのだ!?しょうがない記憶を見るぞ......これは......人間とは何と愚かなのだ} ドラゴンが泣き続ける私を見て目を閉じると、その体が光に包まれた。 そして、私は誰かに抱き上げられた。 「ふぇっ......」 私が抱き上げた者を見ると、襟足だけ伸ばした綺麗な黒髪、切れ長の琥珀の瞳をした美形の男が困ったように笑っていた。 男は私を抱き締め背中を擦りながら、優しく話し出した。 「泣きたいだけ泣くといい......我慢し過ぎだ。君はまだ子どもで守られるべき者......僕も転生者と言うだけで頼ってしまいすまなかったな。捉えられた獣人を助け......そのまま去ることも出来たのに、危険な魔道具を調べるために戻るとは......よく頑張ったな。僕はそのお陰で君に会えた......君がいてくれて良かったよ......ありがとう」 私は男――ドラゴンの首に手を回し再び泣き出したが、次第に意識が遠退いた。 眠りについたのを見届けたドラゴンは琥珀の瞳を剣呑に光らせた。 数時間後、目覚めた私の目に映ったのは木だった。 (あれ?木が見える......私どうしたんだっけ......それにしても暖かいな) 私は起きようとしたが、何故か出来なくて慌てていると、笑い声が聞こえた。 (え?起きれない......金縛り!?) 「クスッ......起きたのかい?」 声の方へ向くと昨日の美形がこちらを見て微笑んでいた。 私が心臓がドキドキして顔を赤らめると、今度は心配そうに覗き込んできた。 「顔が赤いね......熱でもある?」 「だっ、だだ、大丈夫です!」 「そう?」 そう言って嬉しそうに笑ったのを見て、またドキドキした。 (も~!何でドキドキするのぉ!静まれ~) 「あの!ドラゴンさんなんですよね?」 「あぁ自己紹介をしなくてはいけないね。僕は黒龍のフィアフルだよ」 「私は......」 (名前......まだ考えて無かったな......もう小夜でいいかなぁ) 「名がないなら僕が名付けてもいいかい?」 「嫌かな?」 「いえ!......嬉しいです」 私が顔を赤らめ答えると、フィアフルは頭を撫でてくれた。 「そうか!君の名前は......フェリーチェだ」 「フェリーチェ......フフっ」 私は嬉しくて自然と笑っていた。 それを見たフィアフルは私を抱き締めた。 「そうフェリーチェだ!普段はフェリと呼ぶことにしよう。僕の事も好きに呼んでくれ」 「えっと......じゃあアルって呼んでいいですか」 「アルか......いいね!これから宜しく!」 「はい!......ってこれから!?」 どうやらアルは私に着いて来るつもりのようだ。 「そう......ダメかい?」 アルが切なそうに私を見てきたので、否定した。 「ダメじゃないです!びっくりしただけで......ところで、アル......どうやって此処まで来たんですか?もしかして......」 私が不安げに質問すると、アルは微笑みながら答えた。 「安心して......あの屋敷の人間には手は出してないよ。あの魔道具を研究していた部屋だけ粉々にしてきた」 「そうなんですか?どうして......」 「あの屋敷の人間に手を出せばフェリは気にするだろ?魔道具にしても同じ......あんな奴等のために苦しむフェリを見たくないからね」 (多分、私の顔は真っ赤だろな......恥ずかしい) 「今度フェリを苦しめたら只ではすまさないけど」 恥ずかしがってた私には続いたアルの言葉は聞こえて無かった。 「ところで、これから何処に行くつもりなんだい?」 「ディアネス共和国に行くつもりです」 「ふ~ん......ねぇ敬語じゃなくていいよ」 「......うん!アルはドラゴンの時と、しゃべり方が違うね」 私はずっと思っていたことを聞いてみた。 アルは頬を指で掻きながら、バツが悪そうに答えた。 「ああやって話した方が威厳あるからね」 「......そうなんだ」 何とも言えない理由に苦笑していると、アルが出発を促した。 「そろそろ出発しよう。歩きじゃきついだろ?飛んでもいいけど、見立つし......街道に出て馬車が通りかかるのを待つのはどうかな?」 「アル、此処ってどの辺りなの?」 「ここは帝国の外で、ちょうど共和国に向かう街道の近くだよ。フェリが使ってた魔法を真似して門を抜けてきた」 サラッと笑顔で言ったことに驚いた。 「見ただけで真似出来るの!?アル凄いね!」 「そうかな?伊達に長生きしてないからね。何年か人間の国でも生活した事あるから、安心してよ!魔法も得意だしね!」 アルは得意気に胸を張り、嬉しそうに答えた。 「長生きってどれくらい?」 「う~ん確か......1000年は生きてるかな」 「1000年......」 私が唖然としていると、アルが頭を撫で聞いてきた。 「フェリはどんな生き物が好きだい?」 「生き物?......モフモフした生き物が好き!」 私の答えにアルはにっこりと笑った。 「......好きなの?」 「うん!大好き!」 私が大好きと言うと、アルは笑みを深め今度は抱き締めてきた。 「アル!?どうしたの?」 アルはそう言うと、私を放し少し離れた所に移動した。 「アル?」 アルは答えず集中しているようだったので、静に見守った。 すると、アルの体が光だした。 (眩しい!......何が起きてるの?) 光が収まりアルの方を見ると、そこには黒い毛並みの大きな狼が座っていた。 「狼......アルなの?」 {そうだよフェリ} 狼の姿のアルが近付いてきて私の頬を舐めた。 {フェリ乗って。馬車に会うまでこれで移動しよう} 私がアルの背に乗り、その毛並みを味わっているとアルが笑いながら注意してきた。 {クスクス......フェリ楽しそうだけど、しっかり掴まるんだよ} 「はぁ~い!」 私がぎゅっと抱き付くとアルは地を蹴り走り出し、 暫く走るとアルがスピードを緩め、歩きに切り替えた。 {フェリ、左を見てごらん街道が見えるだろ?この道を行けば共和国だよ。流石にまだ距離があるから馬車がなければ、このまま向かおう} 「でも、アルが疲れちゃうよ」 {僕は大丈夫さ!ドラゴンだから、これくらいじゃ疲れないよ} 「うん......途中で休憩しようね」 {ありがとうフェリ} 私たちは街道に出て、他愛ない話をしながら道の端を歩いていた。 途中で休憩をしつつ、アルの毛皮に埋もれて昼寝をしたり食事をしたり、夜は人型のアルに抱き締められながら眠り少しずつ移動していた。 ちなみに食事は、私が非常食を取り出して食べようとしたら、人型に戻ったアルが止めて、‘此処にいて’と言うといなくなったが、暫くして沢山の果物と熊みたいな魔物を狩って戻ってきた。 魔物はアルが解体し毛皮など売れる物や、食べ切れなかった肉と果物はアイテムボックスに納してある。 そんな穏やかで楽しい日々を過ごし3日がたった頃、変化が起きた。 {フェリ、一度降りて。何か近付いてきた} にも反応があったので私はアルに従い降りた。 アルが直ぐに人型に戻り私と手を繋いだ。 少しして、馬車2台が近付いてきた。 「どうやら行商人みたいだね。僕が話すからフェリは話さないようにね」 私は久しぶりの対面に緊張して、アルの手をぎゅっと握った。 アルは握り返して笑いかけた。 そうこうしているうちに先頭の馬車が止まり、恰幅のいいおじさんが、ニコニコと話しかけて来た。 「こんにちは、こんな所でどうされました」 「こんにちは、実は妹と旅の途中なのですが、荷物を持ち逃げされてしまって、歩いて共和国を目指していたんですよ」 おじさんが私を見てきたので、頭を下げた。 それを見ておじさんは申し訳なさそうに話し出す。 「それは大変でしたね......乗せてあげたいのですが、この通り商品がありますし、後ろの馬車も一杯でして......申し訳ない」 「いいえ!気にしないで下さい。ゆっくり進みますので、心遣いありがとうございます」 アルが笑顔でお礼を言うと、おじさんは一度頭を下げ、出発した。 馬車が見えなくなった所でアルに話しかけた。 「ねぇアル......後ろの馬車って荷物じゃなくて人だったよね?」 そう、私の『「探索」《サーチ》には人の反応が出ていたのだ。 「そうだね。御忍びかな?今日は念のためにこのまま進もうか」 「疲れたら言うんだよ。あのスキル、今は停止してるんだから」 アルに手を引かれ歩き出した。 あのスキルと言うのは、ユニークスキル しかし、自動で補充するのでMPなど訓練して増やす事が出来ないとアルに言われ、詳しくスキルを見ると、自動補充は任意で切り替える事が出来たので、今は停止している。 MPは使いきるのを繰り返す事で、少しずつ最大量が増えるらしい。 この数日は、アルに習いながら魔力操作を重点的に練習していたお陰で、私のMPは1100になったがHPは相変わらずなので体力はない。 私の歩調に合わせゆっくり進んでいると、争う様な声が聞こえて来た。 に敵対反応が出てる......中心にいるのあのおじさんの馬車だよ!?」 「盗賊かな......まったく人間というのは」 アルは琥珀の瞳を剣呑に光らせ吐き捨てるように言った。 私がビクッと反応すると、アルは慌てて私を抱き締めた。 「ごめんねフェリ、怖かったね」 いつものアルに安心して首に手を回し抱きついた。 「......大丈夫だよ......アル、あのおじさんたち助けたい」 「はぁ~フェリならそう言うと思ったよ。僕が背負うから動かないでね」 「ありがとうアル!」 アルは私を背負うと、かなりのスピードで走り出した。 直ぐに盗賊らしき人間が見えてきた。 盗賊たちは馬車を取り囲み襲っていたが、革の鎧を着た素手の男と、斧を持った小柄な男、弓を持った男に、鉄の鎧を着た剣を持った男の4人で防戦していた。 「これはまた、彼等は強いね......けど馬車を守りながらあの人数の相手は大変かな」 「アル......」 「大丈夫だよフェリ、ちゃんと助けるさ......跳ぶよ、掴まって!」 アルは高く跳んで一気に盗賊を飛び越えて馬車の側に着地して、驚く4人に笑いかけた。 「やぁこんにちは。助太刀するよ」 「「「「はぁ!?」」」」

I was eaten by the monsters...... or not. I have transferred to the pond I went to before, stopped the supply of magical power, and stored the magic tool in my item box. The reason I can act freely in spite of the slave collar is thanks to the[s.p.a.ce-time Barrier] . [s.p.a.ce-time Barrier] separates s.p.a.ce, so the slave collar is ineffective. In order to fulfill my promise, I transferred again. ----Shun {You came. I was tired of waiting. Just what have you......} I looked up at the dragon who unnaturally stopped its words. {? ...... Umm, I will remove the slave collar, okay?} Saying such, I raised my magical power and released it while imagining a destructive effect. ----Baki! Gashan! I destroyed the dragon's shackles, and it became free. However, the dragon silently looking at me without moving, it narrowed its eyes and brought its face close to me. {Why...... are you in shackles as well? You didn't have them yesterday} When the dragon quietly asked, I looked at the shackles which reminded me of the scene of my family, I recalled the cold words of my father and my tears overflowed. [...... Uwa~n! ...... hiku...... gusuwa~n!] {Oi!? Why are you crying!} [I...... I too hiku...... something like that...... gusu......] {What do you want to say!? It can't be helped, I will look at your memories...... this is...... how foolish humans can be} As I kept crying and the dragon was looking at, it closed its eyes, its body got wrapped in light. And then, I was lifted up by someone. [Fue......] Looking at the person who picked me up, I saw a handsome man with black hair reaching up to the nape of his neck and long-slitted amber eyes, smiling at me worriedly. The man has begun to speak while hugging me and gently rubbing my back. [It's fine to cry if you want to...... you endure too much. You are still a child who should be protected...... I'm also sorry for relying on you just because you are a reincarnated person...... you endured well. Thanks to that, I was able to meet you...... I'm glad to have met you...... thank you] I have burst into tears again after hearing the man's----dragon's words, but my consciousness slowly faded away. When the dragon confirmed that I fell asleep, his amber eyes glittered with danger. A few hours later, what I saw when I awakened was a tree. (Huh? I see a tree...... what happened to me again...... nevertheless, it's so warm) When I tried to get up and panicked because I couldn't, I heard laughter. (Eh? I can't get up...... am I tied up!?) [Kusu...... are you awake?] When I turn towards the voice, the handsome from yesterday was looking at me and smiling. When my heart started throbbing and my face reddened, he looked at me worriedly. [Your face is red...... do you have a fever?] [I, I'm, I'm fine!] [Is that so?] He happily smiled again when I answered, my heart throbbed again. (Seriously~! Why are you throbbing! Calm down~) [Umm! You are Dragon-san, right?] [Yeah, I didn't introduce myself, did I? I'm the Black Dragon, Fearfal] [I'm......] (Name...... I haven't thought up of one yet...... would Sayo be fine?) [If you don't have a name, may I name you?] [Would you dislike that?] [No! ...... I'm happy] When I answered with a blush, Fearfal stroked my head. [I see! Your name is...... Felice1] [Felice...... fufu] I was so happy I spontaneously laughed. Fearfal who saw that hugged me. [Right, you are Felice! I will usually call you Feli. Please, call me as you wish] [Umm...... then, may I call you Al?] [Al, huh...... sounds good! Let's get along from now on!] [Yes! ...... tte, from now on!?] Al apparently intends to tag along with me. [I...... can't?] Al asked while looking really hurt, so I denied. [It's not like you can't! I was just surprised...... by the way, Al...... how did you come all the way here? Have you perhaps......] When I uneasily ask, Al answered with a smile. [Don't worry...... I have not raised my hand against the people of that mansion. I have just shattered the room where the magic tool was researched into pieces] [Is that so? Why......] [Feli would feel uneasy if I raised my hand against the people of that mansion, right? It's same with the magic tool...... I didn't want to see Feli suffering because of those people] (My face is most likely bright red...... how embarra.s.sing) [I won't let them off that easily if they make Feli suffer again, though] I was so embarra.s.sed I didn't hear Al's next words. [By the way, where do you plan to go now?] [I intend to go to the Dianes Republic] [Fu~n...... hey, you don't have to use honorifics] [...... Un! Al's way of speaking is different when not in a dragon form, huh] I asked what was on my mind all this time. Al awkwardly answers while scratching his cheek. [Talking like that makes me appear dignified, after all] [...... Is that so] When I wryly smile at the strange reason, Al urged for a departure. [We should depart soon. Walking would be difficult, right? We could fly, but we might be seen...... how about waiting at the highway for a carriage to pa.s.s by?] [Al, where is this place?] [This is outside of the Empire, near the highway leading to the Republic. I imitated the magic Feli used and came here] I was astonished by his smooth smiling face. [You can imitate it just by looking!? Al is amazing, huh!] [You think so? I haven't lived long for nothing. I have lived who knows how many years in the human country, so don't worry! Magic is also my strong point!] Al puffed out his chest with pride and answered boastfully. [How much is long?] [U~n if I'm not mistaken...... for about 1000 years?] [1000 years......] While feeling dumbfounded, Al asked while gently patting my head. [What kind of creatures do you like, Feli?] [Creatures? ...... I like mofumofuable creatures!] When I answered, Al laughed. [...... You like them?] [Un! I love them] When I said I love them, Al's smile deepened, and he hugged me. [Al!? What's wrong?] When Al said such, he moved us to a slightly remote place. [Al?] As Al seemed to be concentrating on something, I watched quietly. And then, Al's body s.h.i.+ned. (So dazzling! ...... What's happening?) When I looked at Al when the light settled, a large, black wolf was sitting there instead. [Wolf...... is that Al?] {That's right, Feli} Al in the wolf form approached me and licked my cheek. {Get on, Feli. Let's move like this until we encounter a carriage} When I get on Al's back and experience his fur, he cautioned me while laughing. {Kusukusu...... you seem to be having fun Feli, but hold on tightly, okay?} [Yee~s!] I tightly cling on Al and he kicks the ground and starts running. A short while later, Al reduced the speed to a walking pace. {Feli, you can see the highway on your right side, right? If we take that road, we will reach the Republic. It's still quite far away, so let's continue like this since we don't have a carriage} [But, Al will get tired] {I will be fine! I'm a dragon, so I won't be tired by something like this} [Un...... let's take a break on the way, okay?] {Thank you, Feli} We got on the highway and walked on the edge of the road while having a silly talk. On the way, we took a break. I took a nap while buried in Al's fur, we had a meal, and at night I fell asleep while hugged by Al in the human form. Then, we moved little by little. By the way, when I took out the emergency rations, Al who returned to the human form told me 'stay here' and left, but after a short while, he returned many fruits and a bear type monster. The monster was dismantled by Al, the fur and anything that can be sold, and a more than we can eat amount of meat was stored in the item box. After spending three calm, pleasant days, there was a change. {Feli, get off at once. Something is approaching} Indeed, I had a reaction on the[Search] , so I abided by Al's words and got off. Al immediately returned to the human form and grabbed my hand. After a little while, two carriages approached. [They appear to be peddlers. I will talk to them, so Feli be sure not to talk, okay?] I was tense about a first meeting after a long time and tightly grasped Al's hand. Al grasped me back and smiled. In the meanwhile, the carriage in the front stopped, an uncle with a good physique spoke while grinning. [h.e.l.lo, what are you doing in a place like this?] [h.e.l.lo, actually, I'm traveling with my little sister, but our baggage was stolen, so we were walking to the Republic] Ojisan looked at me, so I lowered my head. Ojisan who saw that spoke apologetically. [That must have been difficult...... I would like to give you a ride, but as you can see my carriage is full of merchandise, and the carriage in the back is full as well...... I'm really sorry] [No! Please, don't mind us. We will slowly proceed, I'm thankful for your thoughtfullness] When Al thanked Ojisan, Ojisan lowered his head once again and departed. When the carriage wasn't visible anymore, I spoke to Al. [Say Al...... the carriage in the back wasn't full of baggage, but full of people, wasn't it?] Right, several responses of people appeared on my{[Search] . [That's right. Traveling incognito? Let's advance today just in case] [Tell me if you are tired. That skill, it's currently suspended, after all] I joined hands with Al and walked. By that skill, he means the unique skill[Life Absorption] . The skill which is able to automatically use the saved up HP and MP. However, Al told me that I couldn't raise my MP with training because it's getting supplemented automatically, and because I can switch off the automatical supplementation, the skill is currently suspended. MP appears to be increased little by little by repeated use. In these few days, thanks to Al's magical power manipulation practice, my MP became 1100, but my HP is the same as before. While slowly advancing according to my pace, I heard a dispute-like voice. [Al, there are hostile reactions on my{Search} ...... that carriage Ojisan is in the middle!?] [Bandits, huh...... seriously, that's why humans are] Al's amber eyes flashed with danger as he spat out. When I reacted to it in a startle, Al held me up. [I'm sorry Feli, that must have been scary] I got my hands around Al's neck and clung to him as usual. [...... I'm fine...... Al, I want to save that Ojisan] [Haa~ I thought you would say that. Please don't move from my back] [Thank you, Al!] Al gets me on his back and starts running at a very high speed. Bandit-like men were soon in sight. The bandits surrounded the carriage, but a bare-handed man wearing a leather armor, a man of a small build holding an axe, a man with a bow, and a man wearing a metal armor and sword were putting up a defense. [Well look at that, they are strong, aren't they...... but, they won't be able to protect the carriage against those numbers] [Al......] [It will be all right Feli, I will help them...... we are going to jump, hold tightly!] Al jumped high over the bandits, landed at the side of the carriage, and laughed at the surprised four people. [Yo, h.e.l.lo there. Let me a.s.sist you] [[[[Haa!?] ] ] ]

俺はブレイク、狼の獣人だ。 A級冒険者でもある。 今日はパーティーの仲間とファウスト家に来ていた。 フェリーチェが6歳になり、『鑑定』も終わったので来週から本格的な修行に入る事になっている。 だからその前に、どの程度の動きができるか見る事になっていた。 数値だけでは分からんからな。 そして現在、俺たちは困っていた。 フェリーチェよ何故だ......何故100メートルも走らないのにバテる? それは、ジャンプしているのか? 背伸びじゃないよな? 子ども用の木剣を5回振っただけで、何故プルプルしている? アルベルトよ、見えない速度で走るな。 どこまで跳ぶつもりなんだ?見えなくなったぞ。 どうやったら、腕を振った風圧で木剣が木っ端微塵になるんだ? 両極端だなお前たち。 他のメンバーに目を向けると‘どうしよう’という顔をしていた。 フェリーチェは体力と筋力......いや、まずは体力を集中してやろう。 アルベルトは手加減なんだが、皆で悩んでいるとフェリーチェが腕輪を差し出してきた。 「あのね、これは装着した人の力を制御できる魔道具なの。何割で制御するかは設定できるよ」 また、とんでもない物を作ったな。 他のメンバーを横目で見ると、遠い目をしているルイスとメイソン......諦めてるな。 満足そうに頷いているクロード......安定の魔術バカ(親バカ)か。 ‘スゲェな!’と言っているオースティン......器がでかいのか、何も考えていないのか......分からん。 取り合えず、50%にしてみた。 結果は、さっきと変わらなかった。 次に、30%......10%......0.5%......まだか? そして、0.00001%でようやく許容範囲になった。 「何か動きづらいね。これくらいが普通なの?」 「俺が冒険者になった時はそれくらいだったぜ?」 アルベルトの質問に答えたのはオースティンだった。 人族の彼が言うなら大丈夫だろう。 例え、走る時に残像が見えても、5メートル近く跳んでいても、木剣が10回振って半分になっていても、きっと普通なんだな。 アルベルトの方は解決したから、フェリーチェの訓練内容を考えないと。 最初はひたすら走らせるしかないか?と考えていたら、今度はアルベルトがある提案をしてきた。 信じられない俺たちに、自信満々に笑ったアルベルトが変化した。 フワフワの耳と尻尾を持った獣人に。 そして、フェリーチェの前で尻尾を振ると、走り出した。 「......っつ、待って~!触らせて~!」 「捕まえたらね~」 突如、2人の追いかけっこが始まった。 フェリーチェ、さっきより速いし100メートルはとっくに過ぎているぞ! そんなに好きなのか......モフモフが。 俺は採用しようと思ったが、他のメンバーに胸焼けがすると言われたので、他を考えようと思う。 オースティンだけは、微笑ましそうに見ていたんだがな。 その後、力尽きたフェリーチェが倒れて眠ったので、解散になった。 さぁ、しっかりフェリーチェを鍛えて、アルベルトを‘普通の人間’にしないとな。

I'm Blake, a Wolf Beastmen. An A-cla.s.s adventurer. I have come to the Faust House with the members of my party today. Felice has become six and her{Appraisal} has finished too, so she will start the real training next week. That's why, we decided to take a look how much she can move before that. We won't know just from the numbers after all. And currently, we are troubled. Felice why...... why are you exhausted after running for 100 meters? Are you jumping? You are not tiptoeing, are you? Why are you all jiggly from just swinging a child's wooden sword? Albert, don't run at invisible speed. How high do you intend to jump? We can't see you anymore. How can a wooden sword break into splinters just by the wind pressure of a hand swing? You guys are both extreme. When I looked at the other members, they were making "What to do" faces. For Felice, it's stamina and physical strength...... no, we should focus on her stamina first. As for Albert, it's holding back but while everyone was troubled about that, Felice presented a bracelet. [You see, this is a magic tool that controls the power of the person who wields it. You can set the percentages of control] She created something outrageous again. When I looked at the other members, they were looking somewhere far away while Lewis and Meison...... they resigned themselves. Claude who is nodding in satisfaction...... he's a magic fool (parent fool), huh. Austin who is saying "That's incredible!"...... I don't know whether his capacity is large or if he's not thinking anything...... I don't know. We tried setting it to 50% first. The result wasn't different from before. Next, 30%...... 10%...... 0,5%...... still not enough? His power finally became at a toleratable level on 0,00001%. [It's somehow difficult to move. Is this normal?] [I was like that too when I became adventurer, you know?] Austin answered Albert's question. If he, a human, says so, then everything's fine. For example, seeing afterimages while running, nearly flying five meters up, halving the wooden sword after ten swings, it's surely normal. Since Albert's case has been settled, we have to come up with the contents of Felice's training. Is there no choice but to earnestly run at first? While thinking such, Albert had a certain suggestion this time. The full of confidence Albert transformed before us who couldn't believe. Into a Beastman with fluffy ears and tail. And then, he wagged his tail in front of Felice and started running. [...... Uh, wait~! Let me touch you~!] [Only if you can catch me~] All of sudden, the two suddenly started chasing each other. Felice, you are faster than before and already surpa.s.sed 100 meters! So you love it that much...... mofumofu. I thought of agreeing with that method, but I was told off by other members, so I think we will search for something else. Only Austin was looking at them with a heartwarming smile. After that, Felice used all of her strength and fell asleep, so we dispersed. Now then, we have to properly forge Felice and make Albert into a "normal human."

時間が少し遡る。 突如、召喚陣から現れたサイクロプスを見てクロードが指示を出した。 「ライリー、オリビア!全員避難させろ!ミゲルとネイサンは魔法で援護だ!」 クロードはそう言うと馬車に向かい走り出したが、その時にはワイバーンも強襲していて、兵士たちがパニックになりかけていた。 オースティンたちが、サイクロプスに構えるのを見てアンジェラが思わず名前を呟いた。 「オースティン......」 「アンジェラさん......ミゲルお兄様、サイクロプスって強いの?」 「強いが、オースティン様たちなら大丈夫だ。しかし、陛下たちを護りながらとなると」 「ここでは全力で戦えません。正直、厳しいですよ」 「ネイサン!」 「すいません......しかし」 「いいのよミゲル。わたしも冒険者だもの、分かってるわ」 「ともかく、急いで避難しましょう。オリビアは先導をライリーは殿を頼むわ」 サマンサが避難を促すと、アルが馬車の方に歩き出した。 「アル!何してるの!?」 「ごめんねお母様、僕は避難しない」 「アル......戦うの?」 「大丈夫だよフェリ。戦いにもならないから」 「アルベルトっ......オースティンを......皆を、どうか!」 「アンジェラ、大丈夫だから君は自分と子どもの そう言ってアルは地を蹴り跳び上がった。 「アル......皆、早く避難しましょう!」 オリビアに先導され避難していると、道の角を曲がった瞬間、私とオリビアとライリー以外の人間が消えた。 ミゲルに抱えられていた私は放り出され、ギリギリでライリーに助けられた。 「え!?ありがとうライリー!止まってオリビア!お母様たちが消えたわ!」 「なっ!?どういうことですか!」 「分からないの!角を曲がったらいきなり、ライリーも見たでしょ?」 「はい、確かに見ました!恐らく何らかの魔法かと」 「一瞬、魔力を感じたの......もしかして、転移?とにかく 消えたサマンサたちを探している一方、サマンサたちは草原に来ていた。 「ここはいったい......皆、いる?」 「フェリとライリーとオリビアがいません」 「フェリは私が抱えていたはずですが」 「お義姉様、どうやらわたしたちだけ転移されたようです」 「転移?いったい誰が?」 「皆様、冷静でいらっしゃるぅ。もっと取り乱す事を期待していたんですけどねぇ」 「「何者だ!」」 いきなり聞こえた声に反応して、ミゲルとネイサンが2人を庇うように前に出た。 声をかけてきたのはフードを目深に被った者だった。 声からして男だろう。 「何者かと聞いている」 「目的はなんですか?」 「せっかちですねぇ。ワタシはゼロと申しますぅ。世界一の一流の殺し屋でぇ、目的はぁ王族をぉ滅ぼすことでぇ~す」 「殺し屋......王族を滅ぼすだと!」 「手始めにぃ王都にいるのを殺してぇ、終わってからぁ他を殺しにいきますぅ~」 「あの召喚陣は貴方の仕業ですか!?」 「正解でぇ~す。ご褒美にぃ貴方からぁ......殺しちゃいますねぇ」 ゼロがそう言った瞬間、ネイサンが吹き飛ばされた。 「ネイサン!?」 間近に聞こえた声を認識する前に、ミゲルの体も吹き飛ばされネイサンの近くで動かなくなった。 2人とも腹に穴が開き、血だまりが広がっていく。 「ミゲル......ネイサン......嫌ーーー!!」 「大丈夫ですよぉ。直ぐに同じとこにぃ行けますからねぇ」 「お義姉様!!」 恐慌状態になったサマンサめがけてゼロが腕を突きだす前にアンジェラが出ると2人の魔道具が発動し、結界が張られた。 ゼロが弾かれ距離を取ると、アンジェラはサマンサの手を引きミゲルとネイサンの元に向かった。 「お義姉様!2人ともまだ息があります!治癒を!」 「でも......でも、こんな傷っ!」 「あの子がいます!!生きてさえいれば助けられます!お義姉様!」 「あぁ......そうよっ......あの子がっ」 サマンサは自分の頬を叩くと、しっかり2人を見つめてアンジェラと共に治療を開始しした。 ゼロは再度攻撃するが、結界に阻まれ届かない。 「結界ですかぁ?頑丈ですねぇ。でも、魔力が切れればおしまいですよぉ」 そう言って、ゼロは攻撃し続けた。 そして、徐々に結界にヒビが入りついに砕けた。 ゼロが腕を振り上げるが、サマンサとアンジェラは動くことが出来なかった。 (クロード!) (オースティン!) 2人は死を覚悟するが、衝撃は訪れず代わりに聞こえたのは頼もしい男の声だった。 「随分、舐めたまねしてくれるじゃねぇか......このクソ野郎が!!」 ――バキィ!! ゼロは攻撃され吹き飛ぶ。 サマンサとアンジェラが目を開けるとそこには、トラスト王国国王レグルスと騎士の格好をしたケイレブが立っていた。 「「レグルス様!?ケイレブ!」」 「おう、大丈夫......じゃないな。ケイレブ、手伝え!」 レグルスに従い、ケイレブが治療に加わった。 「お久しぶりです。サマンサ様、アンジェラ」 「ケイレブ、治癒も出来たの?」 「オレは陛下の護衛隊長ですから。あの人、しょっちゅう怪我するので」 「ケイレブ、治せなくていいの。生きてさえいれば、あの子が助けてくれるから!お願いっ!」 ミゲルとネイサンの状態を確認して、レグルスは抑えきれない怒気を纏いゼロに近付く。 「いつまで寝たふりをしているつもりだ?」 「あれぇ分かりましたぁ?」 「そのフザケた喋りを止めろ!」 「嫌ですぅ~」 レグルスが攻撃をしかけ、ゼロとの戦闘が開始したが、直ぐに異変が起きた。 突然ゼロが苦しみだしたのだ。 「ギャーーー!!いたい、いたい、い ゙だい ゙ーーー!!」 「何だ......いったい何が?」 ゼロに視線が集まっていると、サマンサの目の前に転移する者がいた。 ――シュン 現れたのはフェリーチェとライリーとオリビアだった。 「お母様!無事ですか!?」 「フェリ......フェリーチェ!お願い......ミゲルとネイサンを助けて!」 「「ミゲル様!ネイサン様!」」 魔法が発動し、光が収まると穴も塞がり血色も戻ったミゲルとネイサンがいた。 サマンサは2人にすがり付き涙を流し、アンジェラもサマンサの背を撫でながら泣いていた。 ケイレブは目を見開き凝視していた。 「ミゲル!ネイサン!......良かったっ......うぅっ」 「これが、カルロスたちを治した魔法か」 「っ本当に......良かったっ......フェリーチェ......フェリーチェ?」 アンジェラが声をかけるが、フェリーチェの纏う魔力に戸惑った。 いつも暖かく穏やかでキラキラしていた魔力が、冷たくドス黒い魔力に変わっていた。 何よりも、フェリーチェの瞳は暗く濁り何も映してはいなかった。

The time goes back a little. All of sudden, Cyclops appeared from within a summoning formation and Claude who saw that started giving out instructions. [Riley, Olivia! Evacuate everyone! Miguel and Nathan back them up with magic!] Claude said such and started running towards a carriage, but at that moment, a wyvern appeared as well and the soldiers started panicking. Angela inadvertently muttered Austin's name as she watched him taking a stance against the Cyclops. [Austin......] [Angela-san...... Miguel Oniisama, are Cyclops strong?] [They are, but Austin-sama and others will be all right. However, the royal family's protection is concerning] [They can't fight with their everything in here. To be frank, it's too harsh] [Nathan!] [I'm sorry...... however] [It's fine, Miguel. I'm also an adventurer, I understand] [Anyhow, let's hurry. Olivia take the lead, Riley I leave the rear to you] When Samantha urged the evacuation, Al started moving on the opposite side of the carriage. [Al! What are you doing!?] [I'm sorry Okaasama, I won't be evacuating] [Al...... are you going to fight?] [It will be fine, Feli. It won't even become a fight] [Albert...... Austin....... everyone, please!] [Angela, it will be fine so you think about you and the child] Saying such, Al kicked the ground and jumped up. [Al...... Everyone, quickly evacuate!] When Olivia took the lead to evacuate, the moment we made a turn, everyone except me, Olivia and Riley vanished. I was dropped from Miguel's arms and Riley just barely caught me. [Eh!? Thank you, Riley! Olivia, stop! Okaasama and others vanished!] [Wha!? What's going on!] [I don't know! It was the moment we took a turn, Riley you saw it too, right?] [Yes, I certainly saw it! It's probably some kind of magic] [I felt magical power for a moment...... perhaps, a transfer? Anyhow, I will look around with{Search} !] While searching for Samantha and others, they, on the other hand, appeared on a gra.s.s-covered plain. [Just where is this...... is everyone here?] [Feli, Riley, and Olivia aren't present] [I was holding Feli in my arms, but] [Sister-in-law-sama, it seems we were only transferred] [Transfer? Just who would?] [Everyone seems calm. I was hoping for more confusion though] [[Who is it!] ] Reacting to the sudden voice, Miguel and Nathan stepped forward protecting the others. The person who spoke up was a person with a hood on. It's a man judging by the voice. [I'm asking you who you are] [What is your purpose?] [Impatient, aren't you? I'm calledd Zero. I'm world's best first-cla.s.s a.s.sa.s.sinn and my purpose iss ruining thee royalty, you see~] [a.s.sa.s.sin...... ruining the royalty, you say!] [Starting by killing those in the capital, I'm going to kill the others next~] [That summoning formation was your doing!?] [Correct~ As a reward, I will...... kill youu, okayy?] The moment Zero said such, Nathan got blown away. [Nathan!?] Before he could call out, Miguel's body was blown away close to Nathan, his movements completely still. The two each have a hole in their stomach and are lying in a pool of blood. [Miguel...... Nathan...... No---!!] [Everything is alrightt. I will immediately send you to the same place after all, okayy?] [Sister-in-law-sama!!] Angela appeared before Samantha who entered a state of panic before Zero's hand could reach her and she activated a magic tool, spreading a barrier around them, ultimately repelling Zero's away. When Zero got repelled, Angela took Samantha's hand and dragged her over to Miguel and Nathan. [Sister-in-law-sama! The two are still breathing! They need healing!] [But...... but, such wounds!] [There is that child!! She will save them as long as they are alive! Sister-in-law-sama!] [Yeah...... right...... that child is] Samantha hit her cheeks and while fixing her eyes on the two, she started healing them together with Angela. Zero attacked again, but he couldn't reach through the barrier. [A barrier, is itt? How st.u.r.dyy it is. But, that will be it once it runs out of magical power, you knoww?] Saying such, Zero kept on attacking. And then, the barrier started gradually cracking. Zero swung his arm, but Samantha and Angela weren't able to move. (Claude!) (Austin!) The two prepared for death, but they heard a reliable voice instead of the impact. [You are taking us quite lightly, aren't you...... you f.u.c.ker!!] ----Bakii!! Zero was blown away by an attack. When Angela and Samantha opened their eyes, who stood in front of them was the Trust Kingdom's King Regulus and Caleb who was dressed in knight get-up. [[Regulus-sama!? Caleb!] ] [Ou, you are...... not fine. Caleb, help them out!] In accordance with Regulus' orders, Caleb helped with the treatment. [It has been a while. Samantha-sama, Angela] [Caleb, you are able of healing as well?] [I'm His Majesty's captain guard after all. That person is constantly hurt after all] [Caleb, you don't have to heal them. As long as they live, that child will save them! Please!] Confirming Miguel's and Nathan's state, Regulus approached Zero with an uncontainable wrath. [How long are you going to pretend to be asleep?] [Huhh, you kneww?] [Stop with that ridiculous way of talking!] [Don't wanna~] Regulus started attacking and Zero started counterattacking, but soon, an unusual phenomenon happened. Zero suddenly started suffering. [Gyaah---!! It hurts, it hurts, it wuurts---!!] [What...... just what is-?] While Zero attracted everyone's gazes, people appeared in front of Samantha. ----Shun It was Felice, Riley, and Olivia who appeared. [Okaasama! Are you safe!?] [Feli...... Felice! Please...... please save Miguel and Nathan!] [[Miguel-sama! Nathan-sama!] ] Activating the magic, the hole in Miguel's and Nathan's stomachs closed up and their complexions returned back to normal when the light settled. Samantha shed tears while clinging to the two and Angela gently patted Samantha's back while crying. Caleb's was staring with his eyes wide open. [Miguel! Nathan! ...... I'm glad...... uuu] [This is the magic that healed Carlos and others, huh] [Really...... I'm really glad...... Felice...... Felice?] Angela called out to her but she was bewildered by the magical power Felice was wrapped in. Her usual magical power is warm, gentle and glittery, but it was a cold and dark magical power instead. And above all else, Felice's became dark and cloudy, not reflecting anything.

パーティーの翌日、私たち4人は庶民の服を着て街を歩いていた。 「お店もたくさんだし、人もいっぱいいるね」 「フェリ、はぐれるから手を繋ぐよ」 「うん!」 「フェリ、私とも繋いでおこうか」 「はい、ミゲルお兄様」 「アルは私と繋いでおきましょう」 「分かったよ、ネイサン兄様」 私たちは周りをキョロキョロ見ながら、ある場所に向かっていた。 目的地に近付くと、見知った人たちが見知らぬ姿で待っていた。 髪や瞳の色を変えて変装しているらしい。 「あ!お~い、こっちだ~!」 「兄上......姿は見えてるんですから叫ばなくても」 「待ち合わせのときは、こう言わないといけないんだぞ」 「そうなんですか?アダムお兄様は物知りです」 「グレース、兄上の言ってることを信じてはいけないよ。大半は兄上だけの常識だからね」 「そうですよグレース様。アダム様の常識は世界の常識ではありません」 「ミゲル!どういう意味だ!」 「アダム様、ディラン様、グレース様、おはようございます」 「さらっと流した!?......おはよう!」 「おはようございます。今日は宜しくお願いします」 「おはようございます。わたしは街は初めてなんです。宜しくお願いします」 今日は、昨日のパーティーで話してた通り王子様たちと祭を見て回る事になっている。 アダムも王妃様からの指導を受けた事で、お許しが出て着いてくる事になったのだが、さすがに子どもだけでは危険だと、離れたところに私服の護衛がいた。 「よし!そろったことだし偽名を考えよう!」 「偽名?......まぁ私たちはともかくアダム様たちはその方がいいでしょうね」 「何故ですか?ミゲル様」 「それはなグレース......その方が‘お忍び’っぽくて面白いからだ!」 自信満々に言い切ったアダムを尊敬の目で見るグレースの横でディランが溜め息をつき、ミゲルが頭を押さえて呆れるように言った。 「アホか......グレース様、偽名を使うのは身を守るためですよ。王子や王女が祭に来ていると知られれば騒ぎになりますし、よからぬ事を考える者もいますから」 「ミゲルの言う通りだよ。私たちは王族だからね。自覚を持って身を守らなければいけないよ」 「はい、ディランお兄様」 「そうですよ。自覚を持たなければいけません。ねぇ......一番持たないといけないアダム様」 「お、俺だって分かってたぞ!今のは、ワザとだからな!」 「............」 無言でアダムを見つめるミゲルに、しだいに目が泳ぎ出すアダム、何かを考えているグレースとそれを見守る私たち。 沈黙を破ったのはグレースだった。 「決めました!アダムお兄様はアー君で、ディランお兄様はディー君、私はグレーです!」 「アー君」 「ディー君」 グレースが考えた偽名に言葉をなくし、唖然としている2人にグレースが不安そうに聞いた。 「ダメですか?」 「「............大丈夫、それにしよう」」 少しの沈黙の間に‘安直過ぎるし恥ずかしい!けど、可愛い妹を無下にもできない!恥ずかしいのが何だ!’という葛藤があったとか無かったとか。 私たち4人はというとグレースの手前、笑うのを必死に堪えていた。 「そ、それではっ......決まった事ですし......プッ......出発しましょう」 「兄上っ......ククッ」 「グレース......グレーもっ......フフッ......やっぱり2人の子どもだね」 「どっちかって言うとアンドリアかな......ププッ アダムとディランが、恨めしそうにこちらを見ていたが気付かないふりをして歩き出した。 途中で見知った人たちもいたが、今の私とアルでは話しかけられなかったので残念だった。 しばらくブラブラしながら屋台で買い食いしたりしていると、前世で見たことがある物を見つけて近付いた。 「ねぇミゲルお兄様、あれは何してるの?」 「あれは、あの真ん中にある赤い的を殴って、殴った威力を競う物だ」 そう、私が見つけたのはパンチングマシンだった。 (やっぱり、私の他にも転生者か転移者がいるよね) 「どうやら上位3名は商品が出るみたいだな!私もやってみたいぞ!」 「兄う、兄さんがやるなら私もやろうかな。グレーはどれか欲しいものがあるかい?」 「いいのですか!?......では、ラビの縫いぐるみが欲しいです!」 ラビとは兎に似た魔物で、可愛いが肉食で凶暴だ。 「兄に任せろ!」 商品の中に私も欲しい物があったので、2人の兄を交互に見ると苦笑して謝られた。 「フェリ、私もネイサンも腕力がないんだよ」 「ごめんね。取ってあげたいけど」 「大丈夫だよ」 (確かに腕力なさそうだもんね) 内心、失礼な事を考えながら未練がましく商品を見ていると、アルがにこにこ笑いながら言った。 「じゃあ僕がやるよ!あれを壊せばいいんでしょう?」 「「ダメだ!」」 「アル、壊しちゃダメだよ。それに、手加減できないでしょう?」 「そうだけど......あれ?あの2人って......お~い!」 そう言って走り出し見つけた2人に話しかけると、こちらに連れてきた。 「あ!ベルナルドさんとカルロッタさん、こんにちは」 「「こんにちは、フェリーチェ」」 挨拶をすると、抱き締められた。 あるが見つけた2人は私が奴隷から解放したベルナルドとカルロッタだったのだ。 この2人とルーカスとクレアは私と会う度に抱き締めてくれる。 最初は戸惑ったけど、今では私から抱き付く事もあるくらいだ。 ミゲルたちは初対面だったので、お互い挨拶をしてから、アルが2人に頼み事をした。 「2人は腕力があるでしょう?フェリが欲しい物があるんだ。僕がやると破壊すから」 「恥ずかしながら私たちは腕力に自信がないので、お願い出来ませんか?」 「お願いします。ほら、フェリも」 「お願いします!」 「それなら喜んでやらせてもらうさ」 「しっかりやりな、あんた!」 急なお願いを笑顔で承けてくれたベルナルドと、アダムとディランはさっそくマシンに近付いた。 ちみに今までの記録は、1位が156点で2位が132点だ。 男性の平均が75点だから、高い方だろう。 アダムの番になりマシンの前に立ち構えると、ブツブツ言い出した。 「いつもいつも人をアホ呼ばわりしやがって......ミゲルの腹黒陰険嫌味野郎~!」 ――ドカッ! 「おっと、記録が出ました!点数は......162点!暫定1位です!あと、叫ばなくてもいいですよ~」 「見たか!思った通りスッキリしたぜ!」 「聞いてない!」 ルンルン気分で戻ってきたアダムに誰も声をかけることが出来なかった。 何故なら、ドス黒いオーラを纏う男が薄笑いをうかべていたからだ。 「ん?どうしたんだ?」 「ちょっとお話ししましょうか......アー君」 「ヒィッ!待て待て、さっきのは冗談だ!つい本音が出たんだ!」 「ほぅ......」 「おいっ、何だその手は!引っ張るなよ!ちょっ......待って......助けて―――」 アダムはミゲルにズルズルと連れて行かれた。 それを、疲れたように見ていたディランがマシンの前に立ち構えた。 「冗談と言った後に本音が出た......か、バカだバカだと思っていましたが......いい加減、成長しなさ~い!」 「いいパンチです!点数は......161点!残念ながら暫定2位です!繰り返しますが、叫ぶ必要はありませ~ん!」 「1点......チッ」 残念ながらアダムに負けたが、スッキリしたのか爽やかな笑顔で戻って来た。 「スッキリしましたか?ディー君」 「えぇ、負けたのは残念でしたがストレス解消にはいいですね。ネイサンもやってみては?」 「特に今のところストレスはないので、大丈夫ですよ」 「ありがとうグレー」 「舌打ちした」 「ん?何か言ったかい?」 「「何も言ってません!」」 ディランに聞かれ、逆らってはいけないという本能にしたがい、頭を横に振りながら否定した。 成り行きを、笑いながら見ていたカルロッタが、話しかけてきた。 「ククッ......面白いねあんたたち。ほら、次はベルナルドだよ」 ベルナルドの方を向くと、ちょうど構えたところだった。 「いつも飲みに誘ってくれるのに、断っちまってすまねぇな。飲みには行きたいんだ、でも......飲んで帰るとアイツが怖いんだよ~!」 ――ドゴッ! 「お~っと!すごい音がしました!点数は......204点......204点です!ブッチギリの1位です!だから、叫ば......もういいです」 進行役が点数を伝えると、一気に騒がしくなった。 しかし、私たちは騒ぐ事もなく突っ立っていた。 理由は、戻ってきたベルナルドを引きずりながら、どこかに連れて行ったカルロッタの行動で察してほしい。 数分後、疲れた顔のアダムと少しボロボロになったベルナルドが戻り、グレースはラビの縫いぐるみを、私はウルフの縫いぐるみ、アルがスライムの縫いぐるみをもらった。 「僕まで良かったの?」 「当たり前だ。それより......何でスライムなんだ?男ならドラゴンだろ?」 「それは偏見ですよ兄さん」 「何か、この触り心地がクセになった。プヨプヨのツルツル」 (((て言うか本人が龍だからな))) どうやらアダムたちは、アルが龍だとはまだ聞いてないようだった。 ベルナルドたちに改めてお礼を言って、移動すると人が集まって騒いでいたので近付いたら、何と野球をしていて驚いた。 「え!?あれって野球?」 「知っているのかフェリーチェ。あれは初代国王が始めたスポーツというものだ」 (いや、これはもう決まりだよね。初代国王は転生者か転移者だ) 「どうやら子どもは誰でも参加できるみたいですね。アルベルトもやってみますか?」 「僕?......やってもいいの?」 ディランに言われ、アルはミゲルとネイサンを見上げた。 「まぁ、野球なら大丈夫だろう。でも、気を付けるんだぞ」 ミゲルからもお許しが出たので、アルは受け付けに走って行った。 後に私たちは、呑気に見送ったことを後悔する事になるなど知るよしもなかった。

The next day after the party, four of us were walking in commoner clothes around the town. [There are many shops and a lot of people too] [Feli, you will get lost so let's hold hands] [Un!] [Feli, will you hold hands with me too?] [Yes, Miguel Oniisama] [Al, let's hold hands] [Alright, Nathan Oniisama] While looking around the surroundings, we went towards a certain place. When we arrived at the place of destination, people I'm familiar with yet with unfamiliar appearances were waiting for us. They seem to have changed their hair and eye color. [Ah! Oy~ over here~!] [Elder brother...... they see you, so stop shouting] [You are supposed to say that while waiting at a prearranged place and time, you know?] [Is that so? Adam Oniisama is well-informed] [Grace, you must not believe what Elder brother says. Majority of it is Elder brother's common sense after all] [That's right, Grace-sama. Adam-sama's common sense is not this world's common sense] [Miguel! What do you mean!] [Adam-sama, Dylan-sama, Grace-sama, good morning] [You smoothly washed it off!?...... Morning!] [Good morning. Let's get along today] [Good morning. It's my first time in the town today. I will be in your care] Today, just like we talked at yesterday's party, we are going to look around the festival with the royal children. Adam has received guidance from Queen, so it has been arranged that he won't do anything stupid, but as expected, it would be dangerous for the children to go alone, so there are guards in disguise in a distance. [Alright! We have gathered, so let's think up our aliases!] [Aliases? ...... Well, us aside, it would be better for Adam-sama and others] [Why is that? Miguel-sama] [That you see, Grace...... that way, it would feel more "incognito" -ish and more amusing!] Dylan let out a sigh seeing Grace looking with admiration in her eyes at the fully confident Adam. Miguel held his head and said exhaustedly. [Are you stupid...... Grace-sama, making an alias is in order to protect yourself. It would cause a ruckus if a prince or a princess comes to the festival unannounced and there are also people with ill will] [It's as Miguel says. We are the royalty after all. We must protect ourselves with self-awareness] [Yes, Dylan Oniisama] [That's right. You have to be self-aware. Right...... Adam-sama who should be the most self-aware] [I, I know that too! I did it on purpose just now!] [............] Miguel who stared at Adam in silence, Adam whose eyes were swimming all around, Grace who was pondering about something and the rest of us who were watching over them. It was Grace who broke the silence. [I have decided! Adam Oniisama will be A-kun, Dylan-sama will be D-kun, and I will be Gray!] [A-kun] [D-kun] The two lost words at the aliases Grace thought up and Grace asked anxiously while looking at the dumbfounded two. [Is that no good?] [[............ It's fine, let's go with that] ] During the silence, I thought I heard their inner struggle "It's too cheap and embarra.s.sing! But, I can't flatly refuse our cute little sister! It's embarra.s.sing but!" that went something like that. The four of us were desperately trying not to laugh in front of Grace. [W, well then...... you have decided...... puh...... let's depart] [Elder brother...... kuku] [Grace...... Gray too...... fufu...... after all, she's a child of those two] [If I had to choose, it would be Andria...... pupu] Adam and Dylan were bitterly looking at us, but we walked off pretending that we didn't notice. On the way, there were people I recognized, but the current Al and I can't speak to them, so I found it regrettable. After going around and buying stuff from the stalls, I found something I recognized from my previous life and approached. [Say, Miguel Oniisama, what are they doing?] [That is, they are hitting the red mark in the center to compare the power of the hits] Right, what I found was a punching machine. (As I thought, there are others like me who reincarnated or transferred) [Apparently, the top three receive a prize! I want to give it a try too!] [Elde- if Niisan wants to do it, then I will give it a try as well. Gray, is there something you'd like?] [Is that fine!?...... Then, I would like the Rabi plush toy!] Rabi is a monster similar to a bunny, it's cute but carnivorous and brutal. [Leave it to your brother!] There was something I wanted among the prizes as well, so when I looked at my two older brothers, they apologized with wry smiles. [Feli, Nathan and I have no physical strenght] [Sorry. Even though I want to get it for you] [It's fine] (Indeed, they don't look strong) While thinking something rude in my mind and regretfully looking at the prizes, Al said while smiling. [Then, I will do it! All I have to do is to destroy that thing, right?] [[No!] ] [Al, you must not destroy it. Besides, you are unable to go easy, right?] [That's right but...... huh? Those two...... oy~!] Saying such, he broke into a run and brought over two people. [Ah! Bernardo-san and Carlotta-san, h.e.l.lo] [[h.e.l.lo, Felice] ] When I greeted them, I was embraced tightly. The two people Al found was Bernardo and Carlotta whom I released from being slaves. These two, Lucas and Clare hug me every time we meet. I was perplexed at first, but I now embrace them by myself too. It was their first meeting with Miguel and others, so after introducing them, Al asked the two a favor. [You two, you are strong, right? There's something Feli wants. I can't do it because I would destroy it] [While it's embarra.s.sing, we are not confident in our strength, could we ask you to do it?] [Please. Look, you too Feli] [Please!] [If that's the case, then I will happily oblige] [Do it properly, Dear!] Bernardo who accepted the abrupt request with a smile promptly approached the machine together with Adam and Dylan. Up until now, the record of number one is at 156 and the number two at 132. Because the average of men is 75, it surely is high. When it became Adam's turn, he stood in front of the machine and started grumbling. [People are calling me idiot day and night...... Miguel, that mean, treacherous, disagreeable fellow~!] ----Doka! [Uh-oh, the results are in! The score is...... 162! It's temporary first place! Also, you didn't have to shout~] [See that! I feel refreshed more than I thought!] [I didn't ask!] n.o.body was able to call out to Adam who returned in a euphoric mood. Because a smile floated on a man clad in dark aura. [N? What's the matter?] [Shall we talk for a bit...... A-kun] [Hii! Wait, wait, it was just a joke! My real opinion unintentionally came out!] [Hou......] [Oy, what's with that hand! Don't pull! Hey...... wait...... save me------] Adam was dragged away by Miguel. As if tired of that, Dylan took a stance. [After a joke, his real opinion came out...... huh, idiot, I thought he was an idiot but...... when will he finally grow up~!] [A good punch! The score is...... 161! I'm sorry to say, but it's temporary second place! You may try again, but there's no need to shout~!] [1 point...... tch] He, unfortunately, lost to Adam, but whether he was feeling refreshed, his smile returned. [Feeling refreshed? D-kun] [Yeah, it's regrettable that I lost, but it was a good stress relief. Why don't you try it too, Nathan?] [I'm not particularly stressed at the moment, so I'm fine] [Thank you, Gray] [You smacked your lips] [N? Did you say something?] [[I didn't say anything!] ] Inquired by Dylan, I couldn't go against my instincts, so I denied while shaking my head. Carlotta who saw the course of events addressed us while laughing. [Kuku...... you guys are funny. Look, it's Bernardo's turn next] When I looked at Bernardo, he was just taking a stance. [Although you always invite me to drink, I have to always refuse. I want to go drinking, but...... when I return after drinking, she's too scary~!] ----Dogo! [O~h! What an incredible sound! The score is...... 204...... it's 204 points! It's the first place by a large margin! Also, the shouting...... I don't care already] When the score is announced, it became noisy. However, we stood straight without making any noise. The result for that, is as you guessed, Bernardo was dragged away somewhere by Carlotta when he returned. A few minutes later, Adam with a tired face and slightly crumbling Bernardo returned, Grace received Rabi plush toy, I got a wolf, and Al got a slime. [Is it fine for me to receive one as well?] [Naturally. Rather than that...... why a slime? You should get a dragon if you are a man, right?] [That's a prejudice, Niisan] [Somehow, this sensation might become a habit. It's jelly-like and slick] (((Rather, the person himself is Ryuu))) It appears that Adam and others didn't hear about Al being Ryuu yet. I gave my thanks to Bernardo and Carlotta once again and we heard many people making a noise while going around, when we approached, they were unexpectedly playing baseball. [Eh!? Is that a baseball?] [You know it, Felice? That's a sport the Founder King started] (Yeah, it's settled. The Founder King was either a reincarnated or transferred person) [Children are apparently able to partic.i.p.ate as well. Do you want to give it a try, Albert?] [Me? ...... May I?] Being told so by Dylan, Al looked up at Miguel and Nathan. [Well, it would be probably alright if it's baseball. But, you have to be careful] Because he received permission from Miguel, Al ran off. We did not know that we would regret that decision later.

この世界で初めてベットで休んだ次の日、窓から射し込む朝日で目を覚ました。 (やっぱりベットで寝るといいなぁ......ちょっと固いけど......それにしても暖かい) なかなかベットから出れずにいたが、お腹も空いてきたので起きるために目を開けると、何故かアルがいた。 「.........おはようアル......何でいるの?」 「おはようフェリ......寂しくて来ちゃった」 「そうなんだ......取り合えずごはん作るね」 にっこり笑いながら答えるアルに、朝から怒る気力もなく食事を作るために1階に降りた。 朝食はシンプルにパンとサラダ、コーンスープを作った。 (たまごが欲しいな......後、お米ないのかな?ロバートさんに聞いてみよう) 私が黙々と食べていると、アルが伺うように見ていた。 「フェリ、どうしたの?さっきの事、怒ってる?」 「え?......違うよアル、今朝のはびっくりしただけだから......私、低血圧だから朝はこんな感じなの、怒ってるわけじゃないよ」 私の言葉に、不思議そうにしながら聞いてきた。 「あれ?今まではそんな事、無かったよね?」 「旅してるときは、もう少し日が登ってから起きてたから」 「そうなんだ。ところで......低血圧って何?」 アルは低血圧を知らないようで、聞いてきた。 (もしかして、この世界には無い概念なのかな......それともまだ解明されてないのかも......動脈とか言っても分かんないよね......簡単に説明しよう) 「えっと、低血圧って言うのはね.........簡単に言うと普通の人より、朝起きられなかったり、手足が冷えたり、集中出来なかったりとか他にもあるけど、私はそんな感じかな。特に朝はぼ~としちゃうよ」 「へぇ~詳しいんだね」 アルが感心したように言ってきた。 「これくらいの知識は前世じゃ殆どの人が知ってたよ。それに私......医者になりたかったから」 「医者?それってどんな人なの?」 (まさかとは思ってたけど医者もいないのね。まぁ魔法があるし不思議じゃないか) 「前世の世界には私の知る限り魔法は無くて、その代わり科学が発展していたの。その科学で作った薬や道具を使って怪我をしたり病気になった人を治してたんだよ。その治してた人たちを医者って言うんだ」 「科学......聞いたことないな」 「科学の事は私も説明出来ないかなぁ......でも、魔法を使うときの事象はイメージしやすいんだよね。威力も変わるし」 「威力は込める魔力で決まるよね?」 「私も最初に魔法の練習した時はそう思ってたんだけど、実験してみたら違ったんだ。ん~例えば火はどうして燃えると思う?」 「火?......そういうものだからじゃないの」 「そうだなぁ......確かアレがあったよね」 私は、火が燃える仕組みを説明するためにあるものをアイテムボックスから取り出しテーブルに置いた。 「フェリ、ローソクなんてどうするの?」 「見ててアル、まずローソクに火をつけて......よし、このローソクの回りには目には見えないけど酸素と言うものが漂ってるの」 「酸素?」 「私たちが息をして、取り込んでるものだよ。酸素が無いと少なくても人間は生きられない......火はね酸素を消費しながら燃えてるの。酸素が無くなれば消えてしまうわ......見てて」 私はそう言うと、使っていたコップでローソクを閉じ込めた。 すると次第に火が弱くなり、最後には消えてしまった。 「これってつまりコップの回りに酸素が無くなったんだね」 「うん!私は魔法で火を出す時に、火をイメージするんじゃなくて、自分の魔力を火種にして酸素の変わりに大気中の魔素を消費して燃やすイメージをしたの。そしたら込める魔力は同じなのに威力がかなり違って驚いたわ」 「......フェリ、それが本当なら科学の事は誰にも話さない方がいい......僕は長く生きてるけどそんな事、知らなかったよ。科学が広まれば必ず悪用する者が出てくるし、フェリが狙われる......危険だ」 アルが真剣な顔で言ってきたので、私も真剣に答えた。 「うん......絶対言わないよ」 すると、アルは表情を緩め優しく言った。 「もちろん僕には何でも話してね。フェリの事は何だって知りたいから」 「.........うん!」 アルの言葉が嬉しくて元気に返事をした時、玄関をノックする音か聞こえた。 2人で玄関を見ていると、声が聞こえた。 「お~いフィアフル、フェリーチェ起きてるか?朝早くに悪いが話がある」 私たちは顔を見合せ、玄関に向かいアルがドアを開いた。 そこには思ってたとおりオースティンが立っていて、隣にはアンジェラもいた。 「おはようオースティン、アンジェラ話ってなんだい?」 アルが聞いたが、2人はある一点を見たまま動かなかった。 「お~い2人ともどうしたの?」 アルがオースティンの顔の前で手を振っていると、その手を掴みオースティンが怒鳴った。 「フィアフル!お前、子どもがいるのに女を連れ込むなんてなに考えてんだ!!」 「「え?......女?」」 「惚けんな!そこにいる女だ!」 そう言ってオースティンは私を指差した。 私を......... 「「あっ!?」」 そう、私は朝食を作るために変化していたのだが、アルと話しているうちにすっかり忘れていた。 私は慌てて誤解を解くために、オースティンに話しかけた。 「違うんですオースティンさん!」 「あんたは黙っててくれ......説明しろフィアフル!」 誤解を解こうとするが、オースティンは聞く耳を持たず2人でどうしょうか迷っていると、アンジェラが止めてくれた。 「待ってオースティン誤解してるわ」 「何が誤解なんだ!」 「もぉ~落ち着いて!......貴女、フェリーチェでしょう?」 「......はぁ!?」 アンジェラが確信してるように私を見て、オースティンは驚いきアルの手を離して私を見た。 「はいフェリーチェです。おはようございますオースティンさん、アンジェラさん」 「おはようございますフェリーチェ、フィアフル様」 「......おはよう......頼むから説明してくれ」 私たちは頷き2人を中に招いた。 席に座ると少し落ち着いたのか、オースティンが改めて聞いてきた。 「さっきはすまなかったフィアフル」 「気にしないで......フェリの事、心配してくれたんでしょう?」 「あぁ......本当にフェリーチェなのか?4歳じゃ......」 「4歳ですよ。食事を作るために変化してたんです。子どもの体じゃ届かなくて」 「変化って......まぁ今はいい。実は2人に頼みがあってな......今から王宮に来て欲しいんだ」 オースティンの頼みに驚いていると、アルが理由を聞いた。 「急だね......何かあったのかい?」 「いや、2人の事は口で説明するより直接会って貰った方が、話が進むと思ってな。もちろん、ある程度はルイスたちが話すだろうが」 「会って話さないと分からない事もあるでしょうし、お願いできませんか?」 「誰と会うの?」 「宰相と各種族代表だ」 オースティンが答えると、アルは私を見てきた。 「僕は行ってもいいけど、フェリはどう思う?」 「......私も賛成かな。直接話さないで誤解されたり、変に警戒されるのも嫌だし」 「というわけで、行かせて貰うよ。直ぐ行くのかい?」 「2人が良ければな」 「じゃあ行こうか」 王宮に行く事が決まり家を出る時、オースティンが私を振り返り、何かを企む様に笑いながら言った。 「フェリーチェ、出来ればそのままで来れるか?」 「出来るけど......何で?」 「俺たちだけ、驚かされるのは不公平だからな!」 オースティンの子どもの様な答えにアンジェラがクスクス笑い、私たちは呆れてなにも言えなかった。 しかし、確かに面白そうなのでそのまま家を出た。 一応、私たちはマントを着てフードを被り顔を隠して移動した。

The next day after resting in a bed in this world for the first time, I woke with the rising of the morning sun. (As I thought, sleeping in bed is nice...... it's slightly hard though...... nevertheless, it's warm) I somehow couldn't get out of the bed, but when I get up for the sake of my empty stomach, Al was for some reason here. [......... Morning, Al...... Why are you here?] [Good morning, Feli...... I got lonely] [So it was like that...... I will make breakfast, okay?] After answering Al with a smile, with no morning willpower, I descended to the first floor to make the breakfast. I made a simple bread, salad, and corn soup. (I'd like some eggs...... also, I wonder if they have rice here? Let's ask Robert-san) While silently eating, Al looked at me questioningly. [Feli, what's wrong? Are you angry about a little while ago?] [Eh? ...... That's not it, Al. I was just surprised...... I have a low blood pressure, so I'm like this in the mornings] After hearing my words, he looked at me strangely. [Huh? There wasn't anything like that until now, right?] [Because I was waking up later when we were traveling] [Is that so? By the way...... what is low blood pressure?] Al who didn't know about low blood pressure asked. (Is this perhaps nonexistent concept in this world...... or it might not have been clarified just yet...... he wouldn't know about arteries too, right...... let's explain it simply) [Umm, low blood pressure is......... to put it simply, it means not being able to get up the mornings, limbs growing cold, and losing concentration, I'm like that. Especially in the mornings, I just feel absentminded] [Hee~ you know a lot] Al told me in admiration. [Almost everyone in my previous life knew this much. Besides I...... I wanted to become a doctor] [Doctor? What kind of person is that?] (I didn't think it would be possible, but he doesn't even know about doctors, huh. Well, there's magic, so it's not strange?) [As far as I know, there was no magic in my previous world, so science was developed instead. People's injuries and illnesses were treated with medicines and tools made with science. The people who were healing others were called doctors] [Science...... never heard of it] [I don't think I can explain science either...... but, it's easy to imagine the phenomenon when using magic, right? The power will also change] [The power is decided by the included output of magical power, right?] [I also thought such while practicing magic for the first time, but it was different when putting it into practice. N~ for example, why does fire burn?] [Fire? ...... Because it's the way it is] [Let's see...... I certainly put it in there] In order to explain the structure of fire to Al, I retrieved something from my item box and placed in on the table. [Feli, what are you going to do with a candle?] [Take a look Al. First I will ignite the candle...... alright, it isn't visible, but there's something called oxygen floating around the candle] [Oxygen?] [We are breathing and taking it in. Without oxygen, humans can't keep on living...... fire you see, it's burning while consuming that very oxygen. The fire will get extinguished if there's no oxygen...... look at this] While saying such, I lock the candle in the cup I was using. Then, the fire gradually grew weaker and finally gone out. [In other words, you mean that the oxygen in the cup has disappeared, right?] [Un! When started a fire with my magic, I wasn't imagining the fire itself, but I was imagining using my magical power as live coals to ignite the oxygen in the atmosphere instead. When I did that with the same amount of magical power, I was startled by the difference of the intensity of the fire] [...... Feli, if that's really true, it would be better not to talk about science to anyone...... I have lived for a very long time, but I wasn't aware of it. If science spreads, there would be those who would misuse it, and they will target you...... it's dangerous] Al was making a serious expression, so I gave him a serious answer. [Un...... I won't tell anybody] Then, Al's expression became lax and he said gently. [Of course, talk about anything with me. I want to know everything about Feli after all] [......... Un!] When answering happily to Al's words, I heard knocking on the door. When the two of us looked towards the entrance, we heard a voice. [O~y, Fearfal, is Felice awake? I'm sorry to disturb you right in the morning, but there's something to discuss] Exchanging glances, Al went towards the entrance and opened the door. As I thought, it was Austin and next to him stood Angela. [Good morning Austin, Angela. What do you want to talk about?] Al has asked, but the two didn't move while looking at a certain place. [O~y, what's up with you two?] When Al waved his hand in front of Austin's eyes, Austin grabbed his hand and shouted. [Fearfal! You are with a child, so what were you thinking by bringing a woman over!!] [[Eh? ...... Woman?] ] [Stop playing dumb! The woman over there!] Saying such, Austin pointed at me. Me......... [[Ah!?] ] Right, I have transformed in order to make breakfast, but I have completely forgotten while speaking with Al. I spoke to Austin in a panic to remove the misunderstanding. [That's a misunderstanding, Austin-san!] [You be quiet...... Fearfal, explain!] I tried to clear up the misunderstanding, but when Austin pressed for answers while not listening, Angela stopped him. [Wait Austin, you are misunderstanding] [What am I misunderstanding!] [Mou~ calm down! ...... You, you are Felice-chan, aren't you?] [...... Haa!?] When Angela said confidently while looking at me, Austin separated his hand from Al and observed me. [Yes, I'm Felice. Good morning Austin-san, Angela-san] [Good morning Felice-chan, Fearfal-sama] [...... I beg of you...... please explain] I nodded and invited the two inside. Having calmed down after taking a seat, Austin asked again. [I'm sorry about that, Fearfal] [Don't worry about it...... you were worried about Feli, right?] [Yeah...... are you really Felice? Weren't you four......] [I'm four. I have transformed in order to make breakfast. I can't reach in the body of a child] [Transform, you say...... well, that's good for now. In fact, I have a request for the two of you...... I would like you to go to the royal palace with us now] While surprised by Austin's request, Al asked about the reason. [It's urgent, huh...... did something happen?] [No, instead of listening to our explanation, they want to see you two directly. Of course, Lewis and others explained about you two to some degree] [There will be a lot of things in unknown without meeting you, could we ask you to go?] [Whom are we meeting?] [The Prime Minister and the representatives of the races] When Austin answered, Al looked at me. [That's fine with me, but what about Feli?] [...... I also agree. There might be misunderstandings if we don't speak directly, I would also dislike to be looked at with caution] [That being the case, we will go. Are we going immediately?] [If that's okay with you two] [Then, shall we go?] When we decided to go to the royal palace and were about to leave the house, Austin looked at me and said with laughter as if plotting something. [Felice, if possible, could you go like that?] [I can but...... why?] [That's because it's unfair to surprise only us!] Angela giggled at Austin's childish words, and we weren't able to say anything. However, it certainly seems fun, so I left the house just as I am. Just in case, we moved while wearing mantles and hiding our faces under a hood.

ルイスの怒りが収まる頃に、昼食の報せが来て皆で食事をした。 午後からはパレードがあるので、エヴァンたちは準備のために別れ、残ったレグルスから話がしたいから時間をとって欲しいと言われたので、私とアルは彼の部屋に向かった。 部屋に入ってすぐにレグルスに頭を下げられた。 「あの......レグルス様?」 「フェリーチェ、息子と同胞を助けてくれたこと感謝する」 「感謝なんて......私も助けてもらいましたし」 「いいや、チェイスやカルロスが言っていた。‘自分たちは治療や脱出、裏切り者の特定から救出部隊との合流まで助けてもらったのに、自分たちがしたことは屋敷の外に出しただけ。しかも、殆どあの子の力で......自分たちが情けない’とな」 「あれは......自己満足なんです。元凶は私の......‘父’ですから」 私が苦笑しながら言うと、アルがぎゅっと手を握ってくれた。 レグルスは私たちを穏やかな顔で見ていた。 「それは君には関係ない事だ。それに、君の‘父’はクロードだ」 「っはい......ありがとうございます」 「それにしても惜しいな」 急に明るい声でそんな事を言ったので、理由を聞いてみた。 「何がですか?」 「フェリーチェのような賢く他者を思いやれる娘はそういないから、息子の嫁にと思っていたんだが」 「え!?」 「嫁.........はぁ ゙?」 レグルスの発言に驚く私の隣から、怒気が上がり出した。 「嫁にと思っていたが......先約があるようだから、一先ず諦めよう。だが、油断していると横から拐わせてもらうぞ」 「油断なんてしないし......渡さないよ。それより先約って何?フェリ、相手がいるの?」 「はぁ?おい......アルベルト」 「いるわけないよ!私まだ4歳だよ!」 「フェリーチェ、貴族は大抵幼い時から婚約者がいるぞ」 「婚約者......いったい誰?ちょっとお父様に詳しく聞かないと!行くよフェリ!」 「ちょっとアル!引っ張らないでよ!すいませんレグルス様、失礼します!」 興奮したアルに引っ張られて部屋を退出したので、レグルスの様子に気付けなかった。 レグルスは冷や汗をかきながら思っていた。 (あいつらの言ってたのは本当だったのか。ここまで自覚が無いとは......すまんクロード) レグルスが内心クロードに謝っていると、ドアがノックされてローブの男が入って来た。 「こんなとこに突っ立って、どうしたんですか?陛下」 「あぁ、ケイレブ......いや......なぁ、帰ったら駄目だよな?」 「当たり前ですよ。いきなりどうされたんですか?そういえば先程、可愛らしいお子さんがこの部屋から慌てて出てきましたが......まさか」 「まさかって何だ!何もしてない!」 「その慌てよう......怪しいですね」 「俺は無実だ!」 さて、レグルスが追い詰められている頃、クロードも追い詰められていた。 「ど、どうしたんだアル」 「どうしたもこうしたも、フェリに婚約者がいるって本当なの?」 「婚約者?何の事だ」 「レグルスがフェリを嫁にするって言ったけど、先約があるから一先ず諦めるって言ったんだ!」 (アル、微妙に違うよ!その言い方だと) 「何だと!?あいつ幼女趣味だったのか!」 (やっぱり~!誤解を解かなきゃ) 「違うよお父様!レグルス様は息子の嫁にって言ったんだよ」 「そうなのか?アル、紛らわしい言い方するんじゃない」 「そんなのどうでもいいよ!婚約者はいるの?いないの?」 「どうでもよくはないでしょ!?誤解されたら可哀想だよ!」 「フェリはちょっと黙っててよ。で、どうなの?」 アルは私の口を押さえて、再度クロードに問いかけた。 「婚約者がいるにはいるが」 「ん!?んんん?」 「へぇ~......誰?」 「誰って、アルベルトだ。アルベルト・ファウスト」 「「???」」 一瞬、何を言われているのか分からなくて、2人でポカ~ンとしていると、クロードが笑いながら言った。 「僕?......ならいいや」 「いや、良くないよ!」 「何で?僕だといけないの?嫌なの?」 アルがジト目で見てくるので、慌てて理由を言った。 「嫌とかじゃなくて......だってアルには番がいるじゃない」 「番?まぁ昔は必死に探してたけど、今はそうでもないよ」 「何で?」 「だって、フェリがいるからね。僕はフェリとずっと一緒にいたいし、フェリが誰かと番になるのも嫌だ。だから、婚約者が僕でうれしいよ」 「アル......うん、私もうれしい」 2人でにこにこしているのを見ながら、クロードが胸を押さえていたのでミゲルが声をかけた。 「父上、大丈夫ですか?」 「大丈夫だ。ただの胸焼けだからな」 「甘ったるいですからね。しかし、あの2人」 「あれで無自覚なんですよね?指摘しないのですか?」 「今、周りが何を言っても無駄だぞネイサン。言っても冗談としか受け取らないからな」 「「あぁ、確かに」」 「しかし、婚約者の件は自覚してから伝えるつもりだったんだがな。レグルスめ私のたの......役目を奪った罰は受けさせる」 「父上......今、楽しみって言おうとしましたね」 「何のことだ?」 ミゲルとネイサンが呆れていると、パレードの準備が出来たと報せが来たので移動した。 パレードは始めに警護以外の兵士が部隊ごとに行進して、次に3種族代表が馬車で移動し、最後に王族が馬車で移動して、王宮から出発して決められたルートを一周して王宮に戻ってくる予定だ。 サマンサも王族だが、嫁いだ身なのでパレードには参加せず見学だ。 オースティンも王家を出ているため、護衛としてルイスたちとパーティーで参加していた。 見学する場所は王宮近くに確保していたので、サマンサとアンジェラに合流してそこからパレードを見ていた。 「エヴァンさん、ああしてると王様に見えるよね」 「いや、王様だからな」 私の感想に、ミゲルがツッコム。 「アンドリアもお淑やかでお嬢様みたいだ」 「王妃様だからね」 アルの感想にネイサンがツッコム。 「アダムさんは大人しく出来たんだね。あの笑顔、王子様みたい」 ミゲルがアダムには‘一応’をつけた。 「ディランとグレースは......いつも通りだね」 「あの、2人は日頃から王子様と王女様だから」 「「誰に似たんだろう?」」 「誰って......陛下......は無いな」 「王妃様......でも無いですね」 ディランとグレースの事で4人が唸っていると、サマンサが答えてくれた。 「ディランは私たちの一番上の兄に似ているわ。グレースはおばあ様かしら」 「「「「へぇ~」」」」 パレードはどんどん進み、王宮に帰ってきた。 兵士と種族代表が通り過ぎ、王族が入ろうとしたとき、門が閉じられ馬車の前の地面が光だした。 「何だあれは!?馬車を下がらせろ!」 「陛下たちを守れ!」 「市民を避難させろ!」 護衛兵士とオースティンたちが、馬車の前に出て構える。 クロードが光の正体を呟いた。 「あれは、召喚陣だ」 「召喚陣?」 「誰かが何かを召喚しようとしている!」 光が収まり現れたのは、8メートル近くあるサイクロプスが3体だった。 それを見たオースティンが叫んだ。 「サイクロプスだと!?すぐに陛下たちを避難させろ!」 「我々が食い止めます!急ぎなさい!」 護衛がエヴァンたちを馬車から降ろそうとすると、空から奇襲された。 「グワッ!?クソッ、ワイバーンだ!」 「いけません!陛下、馬車の中へ!」 逃げることも出来ず兵士たちがパニックになりかけ、オースティンたちも焦りが出ていた。 「オースティン、どうするんじゃ」 「このままでは、危険だぞ」 「ここでは全力で戦えませんね」 「俺とメイソンでサイクロプスを、ルイスとブレイクでワイバーンを殺るぞ!街の被害は最小限に!」 「「おう!」」 「分かりました!」 「待てお前たち!無茶をするな!」 戦闘を開始しようとすると、エヴァンが叫んだ。 「陛下!」 「オースティン!お前は父親になるんだぞ!」 「兄上......」 オースティンが一瞬ためらうが、何かを決意したように剣を構えた。 それを見てエヴァンが馬車から乗り出そうとすると、それを遮るようにエヴァンの前に小さな影が降り立った。 「アルベルト!?」 アルは驚くエヴァンに向けてニヤリと笑った。 「貸しだよエヴァン...... 『闇霧』 アルは馬車から降りて、サイクロプスに向かい歩き出す。 オースティンたちは入れ替わるように馬車の周りをかためた。 「今日は嬉しい事があったから、苦しめずに殺してあげるよ。あぁでも、君たちを帰してみるのもいいかな。知ってるかい?召喚者以外が召喚されたものを無理矢理帰すと召喚者は痛みを感じるんだ。召喚に使った魔力が大きければ大きいほど痛みは酷くなる。君たちを帰した痛みはどれ程だろうね」 サイクロプスが腕を振り上げる。 「安心して、君たちに痛みは無いよ。......『強制送還』」 再び召喚陣が光だし、サイクロプスが消えた。 「さて、後は......またアレか。切り刻むとまた怒られそうだし、う~ん...... 今度はワイバーンがボトボト落ちてきた。 アルはヒョイヒョイ裂けながらオースティンたちに近付いた。 「終わったよ~怪我は無い?」 「あぁ大丈夫だ。本当にありがとうアルベルト」 「いいよエヴァン。それより周りへの説明を考えてね」 「説明か?国民や兵士にか?」 「それもだけど、アダムたちにだよ」 「ん?アダムたち?」 エヴァンが馬車を見ると、口を開いたまま固まる3人がいた。

When Lewis' anger settled, we were notified of lunch and we ate together. There's a parade in the afternoon, we parted with Evan and others because they had to prepare, and Regulus who remained behind asked for our time because he wanted to talk about something, so we went together with Al to his room. As soon as we entered the room, Regulus lowered his head. [Umm...... Regulus-sama?] [Felice, I thank you for saving my son and brethren] [Thanks you say...... I got helped too] [No, Chase and Carlos said, "Even though she healed us, helped us escape, helped us consider a traitor and helped us until we joined up with the rescue unit, on the contrary, we only helped her get out of the mansion. Moreover, most of it was done by her power...... we are pathetic"] [That was...... for my self-satisfaction. The main culprit was my...... "Father" after all] When I said so with a wry smile, Al tightly grasped my hand. Regulus looked at us with a gentle face. [That is unrelated to you. Besides, your "Father" is Claude] [Yes...... thank you very much] [Nevertheless, how regrettable] He suddenly said such with a cheerful voice, so I asked. [What is?] [I don't have a bright daughter like Felice who is considerate of others, so I thought I could have you as a bride for my son but] [Eh!?] [Bride......... Haa?] Anger was rising next to the surprised me. [I thought you could be his bride but...... but it appears that you have a prior engagement, so I will give up for now. But, if you are negligent, I will take her from the side] [I'm not negligent...... I won't hand her over. Rather than that, who is the prior engagement? Feli, do you have a partner?] [Haa? Oy...... Albert] [There's no way there's one! I'm still only four, you know!] [Felice, most of the n.o.bility get engaged at young age] [Fiancee...... just who is? I have to ask Otousama properly! Let's go, Feli!] [Wait, Al! Don't pull on me! I'm sorry, Regulus-sama. Excuse us!] I was dragged away from the room by the agitated Al, so I didn't notice Regulus' state. Regulus thought with a cold sweat. (So it's true what those guys said? To have no self-awareness to this degree...... I'm sorry, Claude) While Regulus was apologizing to Claude in his mind, there was knocking on the door and a robed man entered inside. [Standing here in one place, what's the matter? Your Majesty] [Ahh, Caleb...... no...... say, do we have to return?] [Naturally. What is it, all of sudden? That reminds me, lovely children left this room in a hurry just a moment ago...... surely not] [What's with that surely not! I didn't do anything!] [That panic...... how suspicious] [I'm innocent!] While Regulus was cornered, Claude was cornered as well. [W, what's the matter, Al?] [Is it really true that Feli has a fiancee?] [Fiancee? What are you talking about?] [Regulus said he wanted to take Feli as a bride, but he gave up for now because she has a prior engagement!] (Al, it's slightly different! The way you said it) [What!? That guy had a taste for little girls!] (As I thought~! I have to resolve the misunderstanding) [That's not true, Otousama! Regulus-sama was talking about me being a bride for his son] [Is that so? Al, don't speak in such misleading manner] [That's doesn't matter! Does she have a fiancee? Or not?] [Of course it does matter!? He would be pitiful if misunderstood!] [Feli, you be quiet for a bit. So, how is it?] Al held down my mouth and asked Claude again. [She has a fiancee but] [N!? Nnn?] [Hee~...... Who is it?] [Who you ask, it's you, Albert. Albert Faust] [[???] ] Not knowing what to say for a moment with our mouths wide open, Claude said while laughing at the two of us. [Me? ...... Then it's fine] [No, it's not fine!] [Why? Am I no good? Do you dislike it?] Al stared at me so I hurriedly said the reason. [It's not like I dislike it...... I mean, doesn't Al have a mate?] [Mate? Well, I was desperately searching for her in the past, but it's not like that nowadays] [Why?] [Because I have Feli. I want to be with Feli forever and I would dislike if Feli became someone else's mate. That's why I'm happy being your fiancee] [Al...... un, I'm happy as well] While the two of us were smiling, Claude held his chest so Miguel called out to him. [Father, are you all right?] [I'm alright. Just a little heartburn] [It is too sweet after all. However, those two] [That is unawareness, right? Are you not going to point it out?] [It would be futile no matter what the surroundings say, Nathan. Even if we say it, he will receive it just as a joke] [[Ah, certainly] ] [However, I planned to tell him about the matter of engagement once he was self-aware of it. That Regulus, he stole my enjoy-...... duty, he needs punishment] [Father...... right now, you were about to say enjoyment, didn't you?] [What are you talking about?] While Miguel and Nathan were amazed, we got a word that the preparations for the parade are ready, so we moved. Firstly, every soldier unit with the exception of bodyguards paraded, followed by carriages of the three representatives, with the royal carriage last. The plan is to depart from the palace on a decided route and return back. Samantha is royalty too, but she doesn't partic.i.p.ate in it and just observes because she is married. Because Austin is also royalty, he partic.i.p.ated with his party as guards together with Lewis. The observation place was close to the royal palace, so we joined with Samantha and Angela and watched the parade from there. [Evan-san looking like that looks like a king, doesn't he?] [No, he's a king, okay?] Miguel tsukkomi'd my impression. [Andria also looks like a graceful lady] [She's the queen after all] Nathan tsukkomi'd Al's impression. [Adam-san is behaving himself, isn't he? His smile looks like that of a prince] Miguel attached "more or less" to Adam [Dylan and Grace are...... as usual, aren't they?] [Those two normally act as Oujisama and Ojousama after all] [[Whom do they take after, I wonder?] ] [Who you ask...... His Majesty...... not possible] [Her Majesty...... doesn't seem like it] While the four of us were groaning about Dylan and Grace, Samantha answered. [Dylan resembles our eldest brother the most. In Grace's case, it would be Obaasama?] [[[[Hee~] ] ] ] The parade steadily advanced and returned to the palace. When the soldiers, representatives of the three races and royalty pa.s.s through, the gate closed and the ground before the carriages started glowing. [What is that!? Get off the carriages!] [Protect His Majesty!] [Evacuate the citizens!] The bodyguards and Austin's party took stances before the carriages. Claude muttered the ident.i.ty of the light. [That's a summoning formation] [Summoning formation?] [Someone is trying to summon something!] Once the light settled, what appeared were three Cyclopses with close to eight meters height. Austin who saw that shouted. [Cyclops!? Immediately evacuate His Majesty and others!] [We will hold them back! Hurry up!] When the guards helped Evan and others from the carriage, a surprise attack from the sky. [Guhaa!? s.h.i.+t, it's a wyvern!] [Not good! Your Majesty, in the carriage!] Without being able to escape, the soldiers started panicking and Austin and others were fl.u.s.tered too. [Austin, what are we doing?] [The situation is dangerous] [We can't fight with our all in here] [Meison and I will take the Cyclops, Lewis and Blake the wyvern! Keep the damage to the town at minimum!] [[Ou!] ] [Understood!] [Wait you guys! Don't do anything ras.h.!.+] Evan shouted as they were about to start the battle. [Your Majesty!] [Austin! You are going to become father!] [Elder brother......] Austin hesitated for a moment, but as if making a decision, he took a stance with his sword. When Evan who saw that was about to get out of the carriage, a little shadow descended before him. [Albert!?] Al grinned and laughed at the surprised Evan. [I'm returning the favor, Evan......{Dark Mist} ] The surroundings got wrapped in a dark mist and nothing could be seen from outside the mist. Al got from the carriage and walked towards the Cyclops. Austin and others were stiffened around the carriage. [Today, I had a happy occasion, so I will kill you without pain. Ahh, but sending you guys back might be good too. Did you know? When summoned beings are forcibly returned by anyone aside from the summoner, the summoner will feel pain. The larger the magical power used during the summoning, the larger the pain. I wonder how much pain will return to you guys?] One of the Cyclops raised its hand overhead. [Don't worry, you guys won't feel any pain......{Forced Repatriation} ] A summoning formation appeared again and the Cyclops disappeared. [Now then, the rest...... that thing again, huh. If I chop it up, I will get scolded again, hrmm...... {Deadly Posion} ] This time, the wyvern fell in drops. While nimbly avoiding the drops, Al approached Austin and others. [It's finished~ any injuries?] [Yeah, we are fine. Really, thank you, Albert] [It's fine, Evan. Rather than that, think of an explanation for the people around] [An explanation? To the citizens or soldiers?] [That too, but to Adam and others] [N? Adam and others?] When Evan looked into the carriage, he saw three frozen people with their mouths wide open.

私たちは、アンジェラの治療をするため一度エヴァンの私室に戻る事にした。 戻る時も変化した状態で移動し、部屋に入ると元に戻った。 「あの、できればアンジェラさんには横になってもらいたいんですけど」 「それなら俺のベットを使ってくれ」 私が尋ねると、エヴァンが寝室に案内してアンジェラに横になるよう促したが、クロードに止められた。 「アンジェラ、俺ので悪いが使ってくれ」 「いいえ、ありがとうございますお義兄様」 「待て、アンジェラ」 「何だよクロード」 「はい......えっと、ありがとうございます?」 クロードはベットを魔法で綺麗にして、アンジェラを促した。 クロードは、それを気にする事なく私を見てきた。 「フェリーチェ、さっそく始めてくれ」 「......はい。アンジェラさん、始めるので気を楽にしてくださいね」 アンジェラの体の力が抜けたのを見て、まずは「心眼」を使い状態の確認をする事にした。 (状態を確認しないと......「心眼」......!?) 「何......これっ」 「心眼」を使い見たものに驚愕し、思わず声に出してしまい、アンジェラが不安そうに私を見ていた。 オースティンも慌てたように聞いてきた。 「どうした!何かあったのか?やっぱり無理なのか?」 私は、それに答えられず無言で患部を見ていた。 (酷すぎる......子宮がボロボロ......何でこんな事が出来るの?赤ちゃんだっていたのに!) 私が歯を食い縛っていると、アルが頭に手を乗せてきた。 「フェリーチェ......今はアンジェラの事だけ考えて」 「......はい......ごめんなさい、オースティンさんアンジェラさん、大丈夫ですから。......ふぅ~」 アルに言われ、一度息を吐き出し気を引き締めて集中する。 (健康な状態の子宮をイメージ......魔素を集めて) 私はアンジェラの腹部に手をかざして、魔素を集めだした。 そんな時、アルがすかさずフォローしてくれる。 「アンジェラ、大丈夫だからリラックスするんだ。オースティン、アンジェラの手を握ってあげて」 「あぁ!アンジェラ......」 「オースティン、大丈夫よ。ありがとう」 アンジェラが安心したように笑っているので、私は更に集中しイメージを固めると魔法を行使した。 「いきます。 その瞬間、アンジェラを中心に暖かな光が波紋のように部屋に広がり始めた。 光に驚いたオースティンは、アンジェラに状態を尋ねた。 「アンジェラ、痛みはないか?」 「えぇ、全くないわ。それどころか、とても暖かい」 感覚的に3分位たってから光がおさまり治療が終わったので、「心眼」で確認する。 (あっ!......良かった......成功した!) 治った子宮を見て、無意識に涙が流れた。 それを見て、オースティンが心配そうに声をかけた。 「フェリーチェ!?どうした?まさか......」 「いえ......グスッ......大丈夫です!治りました!」 私は涙を拭き、オースティンに答えると、オースティンとアンジェラが目を見開き固まってしまった。 アルは直ぐに自分でも確認して、クロードにも確認するように言った。 「うん......大丈夫。ちゃんと治っているよ。クロードも確認するといい」 「......あぁ......アンジェラ、少しいいか?」 「はい、大丈夫です」 「では、見せてもらう」 クロードは暫く黙り込んだが、やはり目を見開き固まった。 「まさか本当に......アンジェラ、何か体に違和感などは無いのか?」 「はい、大丈夫です。むしろ、体が軽い位で」 アンジェラの答えに、アネモネもベットに近付いて来て自分も見せて欲しいと言ってきた。 「すまないが、私にも見せてもらえるかい」 「はい」 「フム......ほぉ......これは......確かに治っているね」 「本当ですか!?アンジェラ......」 「っえぇ......オースティン」 オースティンとアンジェラは静かに涙を流しながら抱き合い、周りの人たちも暖かな目で見守っていた。 そんな中、私はアルに抱き締められ頭を撫でられていた。 {アル......私ね......一瞬だけ見えたの......アンジェラさんに向けられた負の感情が......あの色......あの色はクリスティーナの色と同じだった} {フェリ、頑張ったね......前回の犯人は裁いたみたいだし、何か起こると思うかい?} {分からない......でも、アンジェラさんが治ったって知ったら、また誰かが何かしてくるかも......同じ事が起こるかもしれないと思うと......} {今度は皆、油断しないさ。それに、今は僕とフェリもいるしね} 念話で会話していると、落ち着いたのかオースティンたちが声をかけてきた。 「フェリーチェ、アンジェラを治してくれて本当にありがとう!」 「我々からも感謝する。オースティンたちはあの日以来ずっと自分を責めてきた。私の弟と義妹を救ってくれて感謝する」 そう言って、全員が頭を下げたので私はかなり慌てた。 「あのっ!頭を上げてください!私がやりたくてした事なので!むしろ私の魔法を信用してくれてありがとうございました」 私が頭を下げると、何処からともなく笑いが広がり穏やかな時間が流れていた。

We have decided to move to Evan's private room in order to treat Angela. When returning, I moved while transformed and I returned back after entering the room. [Umm, I would like Angela-san to lie down if possible] [In that case, use my bed] When I asked, Evan guided us to the bedroom and urged Angela to lie down, but was stopped by Claude. [Angela, it's mine but please use it] [No, thank you very much, Brother-in-law-sama] [Wait, Angela] [What is it, Claude?] [Yes...... erm, thank you very much?] Claude made the bed clean with magic and urged Angela. Claude looked at me while not paying attention to that. [Felice, please start at once] [...... Yes. Angela-san, I will begin, so please make yourself relaxed] I saw Angela's body relaxing and decided to confirm the status of her body with[The Mind's Eye] first. (I have to confirm the state......[The Mind's Eye] ......!?) [What...... is this] I got startled when I used[The Mind's Eye] and unconsciously let out a voice, so Angela looked at me worriedly. Austin also looked at me in panic. [What's wrong! Did something happen? Is it impossible after all?] I couldn't answer while looking at the affected part. (This is too cruel...... the womb is tattered...... how can anyone do this? Even though a child was there!) When I grit my teeth, Al placed his hand on my head. [Felice...... think just about Angela for now] [...... Yes...... I'm sorry, Austin-san, Angela-san, it will be fine so....... fuu~] As Al told me, I took a deep breath and concentrated. (An image of a healthy womb...... collect the magic element) I held my hands over Angela's belly and gathered the magic element. At such time, Al promptly followed up. [Angela, everything is fine, so try and relax. Austin, hold Angela's hand] [Yeah! Angela......] [Austin, I'm fine. Thank you] Angela was smiling in relief, so I concentrated on the image even further and used the gathered magic. [Here I go.{Restoration} ] At that moment, a warm light spread from Angela's center around the room. Austin who was startled by the light asked Angela about her state. [Angela, are you in pain?] [No, not at all. Far from that, it's very warm] The light has settled about three minutes later and the treatment finished, so I confirmed with[The Mind's Eye] . (Ah! ...... I'm glad...... it's a success!) I looked at the healed womb and my tears unconsciously flowed out. Austin who saw that looked at me worriedly. [Felice!? What's wrong? Perhaps......] [No...... sniff...... it's all right! It's healed!] When I wiped my tears and answered Austin, he and Angela opened their eyes wide and stiffened. Al immediately checked himself and Claude confirmed it too. [Un...... it's done. It's properly healed. Claude should confirm it too] [...... Yeah...... Angela, may I?] [Yes, go ahead] [Then, I will have a look] Claude sunk into silence for a while, but he opened his eyes wide and stiffened. [To think that it's really...... Angela, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere in your body?] [No, I feel fine. Rather, my body feels light] As Angela answered, Anemos approached the bed, saying that he wants to take a look as well. [Sorry, but can you let me see as well?] [Yes] [Hmm...... hoo...... this is...... certainly healed, isn't it?] [Is that true!? Angela......] [Yeah...... Austin] Austin and Angela embraced each other in silence while shedding tears for a while and the people around watched over them with warm gazes. Amidst that, I was hugged and my head was patted by Al. {Al...... I...... I saw it for a moment...... the negative emotions ran towards Angela-san...... that color...... that color was the same as Christina's color} {Feli, you have done your best, didn't you...... she must have recalled the last criminal, do you think something will happen?} {I don't know...... but, now that Angela-san is treated, someone may come again...... I think that the same thing may happen again......} {Everyone won't be careless this time. Besides, there's Feli and me this time} While conversing via telepathy, Austin and others who have calmed down called out to me. [Felice, thank you very, very much for healing Angela!] [I'm thanking you as well. Austin and Angela were blaming themselves since that day. Thank you for saving my Little Brother and Sister-in-law] Saying such, everyone lowered their heads, making me quite panicked. [Umm! Please raise your heads! I only did what I wanted to do! Rather, I would like to thank you for trusting in my magic] When I lowered my head, laughter spread from everywhere and a gentle, calm time pa.s.sed.

私たちが向かってる途中で、先に救援要請に行った5人が合流したみたいだ。 {チェイス、戻ったみたい} {分かった} チェイスの雰囲気が張り詰めてきて、思わすチェイスの服を掴んでる手に力が入った。 {大丈夫だ......上手く行く} 話してるうちに獣人たちが見えてきたので、チェイスは残していたライルとロイに念話で指示を出した。 {ライル、ロイ、聞こえるな......今から何が起きても冷静に対処して俺たちに合わせろ......いいな!} {りょ、了解です}{了解しました} {......チェイス......そろそろ行くよ} {分かった......お前は予定通り動いてくれ} 私は転移でカルロスさんたちの元に戻っりガイスたちの事を伝えた。 相手の人数が多いのでカルロスとイーサン、リアンも行くことになっている。 守る人がいなくなるが 「そうか......行くぞイーサン、リアン」 「「ハッ!」」 私たちが行くのをレオーネが止めた。 「待ってくれ!僕も連れて行って欲しい」 「危険です!レオーネ様」 「分かっている......でも、どうしても自分の目で確認したいんだ......頼む」 カルロスは厳しい視線をレオーネに向けたが、レオーネは真剣な目でカルロスを見返し引かなかった。 「......分かりました。但し、俺たちの指示には必ず従って下さい。よろしいですね」 「もちろんだ......ありがとう」 話がついたので、チェイスたちの近くに転移したら、ちょうどガイスがチェイスに斬りかかるところだった。 カルロスがガイスの相手をしている間にイーサンとリアンが他の4人を倒していた。 (王子の護衛なだけあって強いなぁ) ガイスは、他に監禁されている獣人を盾にしようとしていたが、念話は ちょうどライルとロイがレオーネ様の元に来たので、私はガイスの前に立つことにした。 念話が届かない事でガイスに焦りが見えたので、王子や家族を盾にする事は出来ないと追い込む事にした。 しかし、レオーネが表れてなおガイスはしゃべろうとせず、チェイスたちは尋問するためにレオーネを戻した。 {おい、お前も戻ってろ} チェイスから指示がきたが、私は少し考えチェイスとカルロスを手招きした。 2人は直ぐに近付きしゃがんでくれたので、私の考えを伝えた。 2人は頷いた。 {さっきも言いましたが、時間はかけられません。朝になり食事を運んでくればバレます} {そりゃそうだが......どうするんだ嬢ちゃん} {{スキル?}} {チェイスは知ってる......体験してるよ、地下室で} {?.........っあれか!} {どういう事だチェイス} {あぁ、こいつを持ち上げた時いきなり力が抜けたんだ......後でステータス確認したらHPとMPが減っていそうだな。} {なっ、本当なのか!?} {とにかく、私に合わせてね!余裕の態度で宜しくね!} そう言って私はガイスたちに近づいた。 (今からガイスたちに使うのは、ユニークスキル 私は迷いを降りきるように、ガイスへ話しかけた。 (まずは、ガイスを気絶させる......他の4人なら口を割るだろうから) 私はガイスの額に手を当て、スキルを発動しギリギリまで吸収した。 ガイスが気絶すると、死んだと思ったのか4人がしゃべりだした。 後は2人に任せ私は少し離れた場所に移動し、先程言われた事を思い返した。 (私には便利なスキルだけど、向こうにとったら恐いよね......生命を吸いとられるんだから......チェイスたちもきっと......) 私は涙が出そうになったので、うつむき唇を噛み締めたが、それをチェイスとカルロスが見ていたのに気付かなかった。 どうやら、黒幕などの話を聞けたようなので4人もガイスと同じように気絶させた。 これで起きても、抵抗する力は出せないはずだ。 ライルとロイがこれまでの経緯を聞いてきて、チェイスが話し、私にも振って来たので、大まかに話した。 話終えると、ライルとロイがこちらを見た。 「それにしても、その歳であれだけの魔法が使えるなんてな」 「そうですね。ガイスたちを気絶させたのはスキルだと聞いたのですが、どういったスキル何ですか?」 私はロイの質問に答えを詰まらせた。 「あのっあれは......」 (どうしよう......答えた方がいいのかな) その時、大きな手に頭を優しく撫でられ上を見上げると、優しく笑うチェイスがいて私は目を見開いた。 「ロイ、他人のスキルを詮索するのはルール違反だぞ」 「チェイスの言う通りだロイ。嬢ちゃんのおかげで情報が聞き出せた......それでいいだろ?」 2人の言葉に、また涙が出そうになりうつむいた。 (2人ともスキルのこと知ってるのに......) 「隊長、カルロスさん......そうですね......すいませんでした」 そう言ってロイは私に頭を下げたので、気にしてないと伝えた。 「―――長!!――した!!」 「ん?」 私がキョロキョロしていると、チェイスが深い溜め息を吐いた。 「はぁ~何であいつは......頭が痛ぇ」 他の3人もやれやれといった感じで頭を横に振っていた。 彼等には、誰なのか分かっているみたいだ。 段々と近付きはっきり聞こえるようになると、私も内心呆れてしまった。 「隊長!!ただいま戻りました!!」 そう、バルドたちが戻ってきたのだ。

It appears that the five who went to request the aid have returned while we were on the way. {Chase, it looks like they have returned} {Understood} The atmosphere around Chase got heavier, so I unconsciously increased strength in the hand that was grabbing Chase's clothes. {It's okay...... it will go smoothly} While talking the beastmen came into sight, so Chase gave instructions to Lyle and Roy who stayed behind. {Lyle, Roy, hear me out...... no matter what happens from now on, pretend to stay calm and composed and follow up after us...... alright!?} {Ro, roger}{Understood} {...... Chase...... it's time to go} {Alright...... you move as according to the plan, okay?} I transferred back to Carlos-san and others and told them about Gais. Because the number of the opponents is large, Carlos-san, Ethan, and Liam are needed too. There won't be anyone to protect the people left, but the[Barrier] is set up and if something really does happen, we will be contacted via telepathy and[Transfer] back. [I see...... let's go Ethan, Liam] [[Ha!] ] Before we could leave, Leone-sama stopped us. [Wait! I want you to take me with you as well] [It's dangerous! Leone-sama] [I understand that...... but, I want to confirm it with my own eyes...... please] Carlos looked at Leone-sama with a strict gaze, but Leone-sama returned a serious gaze without pulling back. [...... I understand. However, please follow our instructions at any time. Is that agreeable?] [Of course...... thank you] Because they have come to an agreement, I transferred us near to Chase and others, and Gais just about to swing his sword at Chase. While Carlos was keeping Gais company, Ethan and Liam defeated the other four. (The Prince's guards are really strong, huh) Gais tried using the other beastmen in confinement as a s.h.i.+eld, but his telepathy didn't go through the[s.p.a.ce-time Barrier] . Because Lyle and Roy came to Leone-sama's side, I decided to stand in front of Gais. Because I saw panic when Gais' telepathy didn't connect, I have a.s.sumed it wouldn't be possible for him to use the Prince and the families as his s.h.i.+eld. However, as Gais wouldn't talk even as Leone-sama appeared, Chase and co. decided to send Leone-sama back, so they could interrogate them. {Oi, you return as well} Chase gave instructions, but after thinking it over for a while, I beckoned Chase and Carlos over. Because the two immediately approached and crouched down, I conveyed my thoughts. The two nodded. {I also said it before, but we don't have time. When it becomes morning, and they bring in the food, we will be exposed} {That's right, but...... what do you want to do, Jouchan} {{SKill?}} {Chase knows it...... you have personally experienced it, in the bas.e.m.e.nt} {?......... That thing!} {What is it about, Chase?} {Yeah, when I lifted up this fellow, I suddenly grew weak...... I later confirmed my status. My HP and MP decreased} {Wha, is that the truth!?} {Anyhow, please follow up after me! Keep the calm att.i.tudes, okay!} Saying such, I approached Gais and others. (What I'm going to use on Gais, and others now is the[Life Absorption] ...... truthfully, I didn't want to use this in front of Chase and others) I spoke to Gais without hesitating. (First, I will have Gais faint...... the other four should confess) I reached my hand towards Gais' forehead and activated the absorption to the very limit. When Gais fainted, the four thought he died and started talking. After that, I left it to the two, transferred to a place further away and thought again about what they said. (It's a convenient skill to me, but it would be scary for the other party, wouldn't it...... because it sucks the life...... Chase and others surely......) Because I was about to cry, I bit my lip, but I didn't realize that Chase and Carlos saw that. Apparently, they heard from the four about the mastermind, so I made them faint just like Gais. Even if they wake up, they shouldn't have any strength for resistance. Lyle and Roy asked about the happenings until now, so Chase talked, and I joined him. After the talk had finished, Lyle and Roy looked at me. [At any rate, to be able to use magic like that at that age] [That's right. I heard it was a skill that made Gais and others faint, but what skill was that?] I clogged to answer Roy's question. [Umm, that was......] (What to do...... would it be better if I answered?) At that time, a big hand gently stroked my head, and I opened my eyes wide at Chase who was smiling. [Roy, prying into other's skills is against the rules, you know?] [It's as Chase says, Roy. We were able to obtain information thanks to Jouchan...... that's enough, right?] I hung my head down again because tears were about to fall because of the two's words. (Even though both of them know about the skill......) [Captain, Carlos-san...... you're right...... I'm sorry about that] Saying such, Roy lowered his head, so I told him not to mind it. [------tain!!----ned!!] [N?] When I looked around restlessly, Chase sighed deeply. [Haa~ Why is that guy...... my head hurts] The other three shook their heads with a good grief feeling. It appears they know who that is. When the voice approaches and becomes clear, I also got exhausted within my heart. [Captain!! We have just returned!!] Right, Bard and co. have returned.

私がレベッカさんを治療してから、半年がたった。 チェイスたちはあれから直ぐに国に戻り、ディアネス共和国とトラスト王国が協力して、帝国に目を光らせているが、ブータンを捕らえてから目立った動きはないようだ。 ベルナルドたちも国民になる事が認められ、仕事をしながら順調に暮らし、帝国の情報も提供してくれていた。 治療所にも新しい治癒師が派遣され、通常の料金で治療が受けられるようになった。 今回の件で教会と‘いい取引が出来た’とルイスが言っていた。 それと残念ながら、治療しようと思っていた冒険者は帰って来なかったので、会うことは出来なかったが、いずれ機会があると思うので冒険者ギルドには、流民の‘サヨ’と‘アル’として顔を出し‘旅をする’と言って別れを済ませていた。 私とアルは当初の予定通り、アンジェラたちから教養や礼儀作法、貴族について学びながら過ごしていた。 「あ~疲れた~礼儀作法は難しいよ。フェリもそうでしょう?」 「私はそうでもないよ。どっちかっていうと歴史とか経済とか苦手かな。数学とかは前世の方が進んでたから楽勝だしね」 「え~ズルいよ。ねぇ今日はこれからどうする?」 「取り合えず体力づくりの散歩かな」 午前中は勉強をしたので、午後から敷地内を散歩することにして、お喋りしながら歩いていた。 「今日もいい天気だね」 {今日も‘お客さん’が来てるね} 「本当だね。毎日、散歩日和で嬉しいよ」 {本当、毎日あきないよね} 「お父様たちもゆっくり出来たらいいのにね」 {お父様に連絡しておくね} 「最近、忙しくしてるから心配だよね。今日も家に僕たちだけしかいないから寂しいよ」 {取り合えず、どっちが目的か探ろうか} {了解} 最近、ファウスト家を見張る者がいた。 観察していると、どうやら目的は2つあるようで、1つはアンジェラさん、もう1つはファウスト家の養子、つまり私たちだ。 前者は、‘アンジェラの体が完治した’という噂が流れたから頻繁に見に来ていて、これは今のところ放置している。 後者は、‘あのファウスト家が幼い2人の養子をとった’という噂が流れてから来るようになった者たちだ。 2人だけでの散歩は、目的を知るための囮であるが一番は体力づくりなので、それはあくまでついでだ。 今回はどうやら前者だったみたいで私たちが移動してもついてくることはなかった。 夕食を食べて、クロードの執務室に集まり今日のことを報告した。 「そうか、今日はアンジェラだったか。オースティン、そろそろ正式にアンジェラの懐妊の発表しようと思うんだが」 「分かった。しかし、どこで発表するんだ?」 「今度エヴァンの生誕祭があるから、そのパーティーでやろうと思ってる」 「アンジェラには伝えておく。ギャレットの方は?」 「ギャレットの方はパーティー内でそれとなく話して反応を見よう......それと、誕生祝いは喜ぶだろうが、あまり羽目を外さないようになしなさい。アル、フェリ」 「「何で分かったの!?」」 「何でって、そりゃお前たちの顔が何かやらかしそうにしてたからだろ。まぁ兄上は喜ぶだろうがな」 「今回は、2人のお披露目もかねているからな。サマンサから離れないように」 私とアルは夜な夜な、エヴァンのプレゼントについて話し合い準備を進めていた。 何をするかはまだ内緒にしているが、クロードたちは生暖かく見守りつつ、やり過ぎないかを心配していた。 しかし、誕生祭の前にファウスト家に嵐が近付いていた。 誕生祭の1週間前、1台の馬車が屋敷の前に停まり玄関を開けて2人の少年が入ってきた。 「ただいま戻りました」 「久しぶりの我が家だな」 「お帰りなさいませミゲル様、ネイサン様」 「久しぶりだなヘンリー、父上と母上に挨拶をしたいのだがどこにいらっしゃる?」 「クロード様は城に、サマンサ様は庭においでです」 「分かった。行くぞネイサン」 「はい、兄上」 2人が庭に向かうと、楽しそうな話し声が聞こえてきた。 「誰か来てるのか?」 「アンジェラさんと、子どもの声......でしょうか?」 さらに近づくと、会話がはっきり聞こえてきた。 「2人とも危ない事はしないでね」 「大丈夫だよ。それよりこれ見て!誕生プレゼントにするやつなんだ」 「まぁ、綺麗ですね。2人で考えたの?」 「はい!......やり過ぎにならないかな?」 「大丈夫よ!こんなに綺麗なんだから。何か言われたらお母様が相手になるわ」 「ありがとう。お母様」 「お父様ってお母様に弱いもんね。ところで、さっきからこっちを見て固まってる人たちは?」 「「「え?」」」 アルに言われ、視線の先を見ると2人の少年が立っていた。 「あら、お帰りなさい。2人とも、前にいるのが長男のミゲルで後ろにいるのが、次男のネイサンよ。あなたたちの兄にあるわ」 「久しぶりですね。ミゲル、ネイサン元気にしてましたか?」 「「お久しぶりです。アンジェラさん」」 「初めまして、フェリーチェです」 「初めまして、アルベルトだよ」 「「お、お、お兄様!?」」 にっこり元気よく挨拶すると、2人の叫びこだました。 どういうことかと詰め寄る2人をサマンサがなだめて、談話室に移動して事情を軽く説明した。 「事情は分かりました。まずは、アンジェラさんおめでとうございます」 「おめでとうございます」 「ありがとう」 「フェリーチェ、アルベルト、私はミゲルだ。よろしく」 「私は、ネイサンです。よろしく」 2人はアンジェラと私たちに挨拶したあと、サマンサを見て言った。 「それにしても人が悪いですね。何故、今まで教えてくれなかったんですか?」 「兄上のいう通りですよ。手紙で教えてくれても良かったでしょう?」 「あら?寮に入ってからろくに手紙もくれず、長期の休みにも帰らず、学校のイベントに行っても構ってくれないのは誰だったかしら?」 「うっ......それは、いろいろ忙しくてですね」 「兄上も私も生徒会役員なので、仕事が」 「あらあらあら、お兄様たちが役員だった時も忙しくしていたけれど、此処まではなかったのに......あの人たちが優秀だったのかしら?それとも、あなたたちが無能なのかしら?どう思います、アンジェラ」 「お義姉様、ミゲルもネイサンも優秀ですもの。きっと何か理由があるのよね?」 アンジェラが2人を見ると、気まずそうに目がキョロキョロしだして、それを見たサマンサが更に追い詰める。 「そうよね......でも、せっかく可愛い弟と妹が出来たのに、帰れないなんて。アルもフェリもお兄様たちに会えないわね」 「え~学校の話とかいろいろ聞きたかったのに」 「しょうがないよフェリ、お兄様たちは優秀だから忙しいんだよ。我慢しなきゃ」 「でも......お兄様が出来て嬉かったのに」 不満げにしながら、シュンとした私たちをサマンサが慰めるように撫でる。 「大丈夫よ。少なくとも今日みたいに1年に1回は帰って来るもの」 「「1回......1回かぁ」」 ジ~っ自分たちを見る幼児の視線に耐えかねたのか、先にミゲルが降参した。 「分かった、分かりました!これからは手紙も書くし、休みも帰るようにします」 「でも、忙しいのでしょう?」 「忙しいですよ。おもに、あのアホのせいで」 「兄上......殿下に向かって不敬ですよ。あの方はただ、いつまでも心が5才児なだけです」 「いやいや、お前の方が酷いだろ......まぁその通りだが」 どうやらネイサンはかなりの毒舌のようだ。 「私も兄上も帰りたいのですが、その度にあの方が問題を起こして、尻拭いが大変なんですよ」 「さすがに、陛下の誕生祭に出ないわけにはいかないから、やっと帰れたんです」 「あら、そうだったの。ごめんなさいね、そうとは知らずに。それにしてもあの子はしょうがないわね。お兄様もクロードを振り回しては、私たちの邪魔をしていたわ。2人とも、大丈夫よ。お母様がお話してみるわね」 そのときのサマンサは慈愛に満ちた顔をしていたが、何故だろう体が震えてしまった。 その後、クロードが帰ってきて改めて私たちの事や、今までの事を話した。 私の素性やアルの招待を聞いても‘そんなことは関係ない、アルは弟でフェリは妹だ’と言ってくれた。 その日は、学校の事や殿下が起こした騒動を聞いて過ごした。 寝る前に2人が言った。 「絶対にあいつに2人だけで近付くな」 「必ず厄介ごとに巻き込まれるよ」 真剣に言うので取り合えず返事はしたが、かなり興味があったので、それが顔に出ていたのだろう。 クロードが頭を押さえ溜め息をついていた。

Half a year pa.s.sed since I treated Rebecca-san. Chase and others immediately returned to their country after that, the Dianes Republic and the Trust Kingdom are cooperating and keeping a watchful eye on the Empire, but there has been no noticeable movements after catching Bhutan. Bernardo and others were recognized as citizens, they are living while working, and they also offered information on the Empire. New healers were dispatched to the clinic and they began charging normal fees for the treatment. In this case with the church, "we were able to make a good deal" is what Lewis said. And I'm afraid to say that I wasn't able to meet the adventurer I was supposed to heal after his return, thinking that an opportunity might arrive one day, the wanderers "Sayo" and "Al" showed at the Adventurer's Guild and bid farewell after saying that they are leaving to "travel." Al and I were receiving education, etiquette, and lessons concerning the n.o.bility as originally planned from Angela and others. [Ah~ I'm tired~ etiquette is too hard. Do you think so too, Feli?] [I don't think so. If I had to choose, I'm not very good at history or economics. Mathematics in my previous world was advanced, so it's an easy victory for me] [Eh~ that's not fair. Say, what are you going to do today?] [I was thinking of taking a stamina cultivating stroll first] I've studied in the morning so I decided to take a stroll on the premises in the afternoon. [Today's a fine weather as well, isn't it?] (Feli) {"Visitors" will come today as well, won't they?} [You're right. I'm glad that every day is ideal for a walk] (Al) {Really, they try every day, don't they?} [Even if it's alright for Otousama and others to take it slow too] (Feli) {I will contact Otousama, okay?} [They have been recently very busy, so I can't help but worry. There's no one else but us in the house today, so I feel lonely] (Al) {First of all, shall we find out their purpose?} {Roger} Recently, there have been people watching the Faust House. After observing them, they seemed to have two objectives. First one is Angela-san. The second one is the Faust House's adopted children, in others words, us. For the former, "Angela's body has completely recovered" such rumor has been going around, so they frequently come to see. This has been left as is for the time being. As for the latter, rumors that "The Faust House took in two young children" have spread around. The stroll of only us two is to act as a bait to find out their purpose, but increasing the stamina is actually first and foremost. This time, they were apparently "the former" so we decided to let them tag along with us. After eating the dinner, we gathered in Claude's office and reported on today. [I see, it was Angela today. Austin, I think it's about the time to announce Angela's pregnancy but] [I understand. However, where do we announce it?] [It will be Evan's birth festival soon, so I thought to do it at that party] [I will inform Angela. How about Garrett's side?] [I will talk indirectly with Garrett during the party...... also, the birthday celebration is a merry occasion, be sure not to cut too loose. Al, Feli] [[How did you know!?] ] [Why you ask, that's because your faces looked like you were planning something. Well, Elder brother would be pleased though] [This occasion will also serve as your debut. Do not separate from Samantha] Al and I discussed regarding Evan's present night after night. What we are planning is still a secret, but Claude and others were warmly watching over us while worrying that we would overdo it. However, before the birth festival, a storm approached the Faust House. One week before the birth festival, one carriage stopped at the entrance of the mansion, and two boys entered. [We have returned] [It's our home after a long time] [Welcome back, Miguel-sama, Nathan-sama] [It's been a while, Henry. We would like to greet Father and Mother but where they might be?] [Claude-sama is at the castle, Samantha-sama is in the garden] [Alright. Let's go, Nathan] [Yes, Elder brother] When the two people went to the garden, they heard happy voices. [Is someone visiting?] [Angela-san's and children's voices...... is it?] When they approached even more, they heard the conversation clearly. [You two, don't do anything dangerous, okay?] [It will be fine. Rather than that, look! This fellow will be the birthday present] [My, how pretty. Did you two come up with it?] [Yes! ...... Did we perhaps go too far?] [It's fine! It's so pretty after all. If someone says something, Okaasama will fight them] [Thank you. Okaasama] [Otousama is weak against Okaasama after all. By the way, the people who have been watching us since a while ago while frozen in place are?] [[[Eh?] ] ] When told so by Al and looked, I saw two boys staying in place. [Oh my, welcome home. You two, the one in front of the eldest son Miguel and behind him is the second son Nathan. They are your older brothers] [Long time no see. Miguel, Nathan. Were you well?] [[Long time no see. Angela-san] ] [Nice to meet you, I'm Felice] [How do you do, I'm Albert] [[O, O, Oniisama!?] ] When we greeted the two cheerfully, their shouts echoed around. Pressing Samantha for an explanation while drawing near, we moved to the lounge and lightly explained the situation. [I understand the situation. First of all, congratulations, Angela-san] [Congratulations] [Thank you] [Felice, Albert, I'm Miguel. Let's get along] [I'm Nathan. Best regards] After the two greeted Angela and us, they looked at Samantha and spoke. [At any rate, that was cruel of you. Why didn't you inform us before?] [It's as Elder brother said. Wouldn't it be all right to tell us in a letter?] [Oh my? Who was it that didn't write letters after entering the dormitory, did not return during the long holidays and didn't even invite us to the school events?] [Ugh...... that's, we were quite busy] [Both Elder brother and I are in the student council, so the work is] [My, my, my, when Oniisama and others were in the student council they certainly were busy, however, it wasn't to this degree...... were they just too excellent? Or are you guys perhaps incompetent? What do you think, Angela] [Sister-in-law-sama, both Miguel and Nathan are also excellent. There is surely some reason, right?] When Angela looked at the two, their eyes awkwardly and restlessly looked around and Samantha who saw that pressed them even further. [You are right...... but, even though they gained precious and adorable little brother and little sister, to not be able to return. Al and Feli won't be able to see their Oniisamas too, huh] [Eh~ even though I wanted to hear many school stories] [It can't be helped Feli, Oniisamas are excellent so they are busy. You have to endure] [But...... even though I was so happy I made older brothers] While discontented, Samantha patted us who were feeling down to comfort us. [It's fine. You will be able to see them at least once a year like today] [[Once...... a year] ] Miguel who couldn't win against our childish gazes anymore surrendered first. [I got it, I understand! I will write letters from now on and I will also make sure to return on holidays] [But, you are busy, right?] [We are. Mainly because of that fool] [Elder brother...... that's disrespectful to His Highness. That gentleman just has the mind of a five years old child forever] [Nono, what you said is even more terrible...... well, you are right though] Nathan apparently has quite a wicked tongue. [Both Elder brother and I wanted to return, but that person would cause a problem each time and we would have a difficult time cleaning up after him] [As expected, it wouldn't be possible for him to miss His Majesty's birth festival, so we were able to finally return] [Oh my, was that so? I'm sorry, I wasn't aware. Nevertheless, there's no helping that child. It's okay, you two. Okaasama will do something about it] At that time, Samantha was making a face full of affection but I wonder why did my body tremble? After that, Claude returned and talked about us and what happened until now again. Even after hearing about my origins and Al's ident.i.ty, "that doesn't matter, Al is our little brother and Feli is our little sister" they said. That day, we spent time hearing about the school and the problems His Highness caused. The two said such before going to sleep. [Be sure to never approach him, you two] [You will surely get dragged into something troublesome] They were serious so I replied, but I was quite interested and wonder whether it showed on my face. Claude sighed while putting his hand on top of my head.

こんにちは、私はネイサンです。 私には3歳上の兄がいます。 小さい頃から尊敬していて、大好きです。 従兄弟で親友のディランには、重度のブラコンだと言われた事もあります。 しかし、表には出しません。 兄の弱味には、なりたくないですからね。 そんな兄を困らせるアダムの事は、好きになれません。 直ぐにでも、引き離したいくらいです。 でも、何だかんだ楽しそうな兄を見ると、まぁしょうがないから、たまに嫌がらせをする事で許してやってます。 そんな僕の考えが、新しい弟アルベルトと妹フェリーチェを迎えてから少しずつ変わっていきました。 その日は休日だったので、約束通り帰ってきたのですが、あるモノを見て家族会議が開かれたんです。 参加者は、父クロードと兄ミゲルと弟アルベルトと妹フェリーチェ、そして私の5人でしだ。 「それで?どうする?」 「はっきり伝えた方がいいと思いますよ?」 「誰が伝えるんですか?兄上」 「僕はフェリがいいと思うよ」 「何で!?」 「だってフェリが原因じゃん」 「アルだってそうでしょ!」 「2人とも、止めなさい」 「「だってお父様!」」 「2人とも悪くないよ。あれは本人の責任だよ」 「ネイサンの言う事にも一理あるな」 「では、父上が伝えてくださいよ。一番適任ですよね」 「兄上に1票」 「僕も~」 「私も!」 「それは......嫌だ!」 「「「「嫌って......」」」」 結局その日は結論がでなかった。 この問題を放置すれば、取り返しのつかない事になるため、何か解決方法を考えなければ。 時間は無情にも過ぎていき、学校の寮に戻る日が来てしまった。 ついでに、アダムとディランも迎えに来てしまった。 しかしこの日、ファウスト家が抱えていた問題が解決され、私の考えが大きく変わる切っ掛けになる事が起きた。 「お~い!ミゲル~、ネイサ~ン、迎えに来たぞ~!」 「兄上......煩い!」 「本当に煩い。いったい何歳児だ?」 「兄上、仮にも王子に失礼ですよ。きっと心は永遠の5歳児なんですよね」 「「いや......だから、ネイサンお兄様の方が失礼だよ」」 いつものやり取りをしていると、母上が見送りに来てくれた。 「皆、仲良しね。気を付けて行くのよ?」 「「「はい」」」 「心配症だな~叔母う......え?」 「どうしたのアダム?」 ジッと母上を見ていたアダムが、ボンッと手を叩いて朗らかに言いました。 「何か前と違うと思ってたら、叔母上ちょっと太ったんじゃないか?顔に丸みがあるし、顎も二重になりかけてるし、体もふっくらしてきてるな!服がキツそうだ。どうせ甘い物を食べ過ぎたんだろ?程々にしないとオークみたいになるぜ?」 あぁ神よ、私は今日ほどあなたに感謝した日はありません。 今、私たちが抱えていた問題が解決しました。 きっと母上は、1人の生け贄を糧にダイエットに励んでくれるでしょう。 しょうがないから、あの人にも心から感謝してあげます。 「どうか安らかに成仏してください」 「......勝手に......殺......す......な......ガクッ」 「兄上!?......遊んでないで、早く起きてくださいよ」 「お前の勇姿は忘れないぞアダム」 「ありがとうございました」 「ねぇ、‘ガクッ’って自分で言ったよ!‘ガクッ’って!」 「アル、そこは触れないであげるのがルールなの」 そして今日も、平和な1日が終わった。

h.e.l.lo, I'm Nathan. I have an older brother of three years. I have respected him since young, I love him very much. My cousin and best friend Dylan has told me that I have a severe brother complex. However, I won't show that in the public. I don't want to become Elder brother's weakness after all. I can't come to like Adam who makes my brother troubled like that. I don't like him enough to make me want to pull them apart them immediately. But, I think that there's nothing to be done when I look at my Elder brother having fun, so I occasionally permit it and tease Adam. Such thoughts of mine have changed little by little after meeting my new little brother Albert and little sister Felice. Elder brother and I had a day off that day, so we returned as promised, but then we saw a certain thing and a family council was held. The partic.i.p.ants were my father Claude, elder brother Miguel, little brother Albert and little sister Felice, and I. The five of us. [So? What are we going to do?] [I think it would be better to tell her clearly?] [Who is going to tell her? Elder brother] [I think Feli should do it] [Why!?] [I mean, Feli is the cause] [Al is at fault too!] [You two, stop it] [[But, Otousama!] ] [It's not your fault, you two. It's a responsibility of the person herself] [Nathan has a point] [Well then, Father you say it. You are the most qualified] [I agree with Elder brother] [Me too~] [Me too!] [That's...... no way!] [[[[He hates it......] ] ] ] In the end, we didn't come to a conclusion that day. If this problem is left as is, it will become something that can't be undone, so we have to think of a solution. The time heartlessly pa.s.sed and the day we had to return to the academy came. On the occasion, Adam and Dylan came to pick us up. However that day, the Faust House had a big unsolved problem and a chance for me to greatly change my way of thinking arose. [O~y! Miguel~ Natha~n, we came to pick you up~!] [Elder brother...... too loud!] [You are seriously too loud. Just how old are you?] [Elder brother, even as a joke, he's a prince, so you can't be so rude. His mind is surely five years old eternally] [[No...... Nathan Oniisama is way ruder] ] While having the usual exchange, Mother came to send us off. [Everyone gets along so well. Be careful on your way, okay?] [[[Yes] ] ] [You are such worrywrat~ Oba...... eh?] [What's the matter, Adam?] Adam who fixedly stared at Mother clapped his hands and said cheerfully. [I thought you looked a bit different from usual, but Obasama, didn't you become fatter a little? Your face is round, you now have two chins, your body looks plump too! Your clothes seem tight. You must have eaten too many sweets, right? If you don't eat moderately, you will start resembling an Orc, you know?] Ahh G.o.d, there is no day where I'm grateful to you more than today. You have now resolved the problem we couldn't settle. I'm sure that with this one sacrifice, Mother will strive for a diet. It can't be helped, so I thanked that person from the bottom of my heart. [Please enter the Nirvana peacefully] [......Don't send me...... on...... yo...... ur...... gulp] [Elder brother!? ...... Stop playing around and quickly wake up please] [I won't ever forget your gallant figure, Adam] [Thank you very much] [Hey, he said "gaku" himself] [Al, that is a rule you must not touch] And today ended peacefully as well.