174.If U Can’T Dance
魔人族とのやり取りは、誰もが考えているよりスムースに進んだ。ウェパルを始め、魔人族側に対外的な交渉や根回しなどを経験した者が皆無だったため、オーソングランデ側からの提案を、ほぼそのまま受け入れる形になったのだ。
「獣人族と一緒に、王都に先乗りしなくてよかったの?」
ローヌの国境で、魔人族の来訪を待つアリッサは、傍らに立つエルフの指導者であるザンガーに尋ねた。
「あっちに着いたら、会合やら打ち合わせやらで、じっくり魔人族の顔を拝む機会も無さそうだしねぇ。大丈夫、魔人族の女王だって、ここで暴れるほどお馬鹿じゃあないだろうさ」
ひっひ、と笑い、ザンガーは安心おし、とアリッサに答えた。
「獣人族のお嬢ちゃんたちは、あたしよりよっぽど賢いかも知れないねぇ。あたしらみたいに恨み辛みやら無くて、町を取られたってのにサッパリしたもんだ。大したもんさね」
アリッサには、レニが何を考えて首都へ先行したのかが今一つ理解できていなかった。考える時間もあまり無かったのだが。
「あっ、来た」
街道を、ゆっくりとこちらへ向かってくる一段の姿が見えた。
青い肌をした馬に乗る、灰色の肌をした人々。
それらに守られるようにいくつかの馬車が連なり、ガタガタと大きな音を響かせていた。
「やっと着いたわね」
「陛下、お尻が痛いです」
「私が言わずにいたことをこの子は......」
馬車に並走している兵士から国境が見えてきたという報告を受けたウェパルが嘆息していると、向かいに座っているニャールが不満を述べた。
ヴィシー中央部からの移動は、馬車に慣れていないウェパルにとっては苦痛以外の何物でもなかった。書類仕事でもやっておくかと思ったが、五分ともたずに酔ってしまったので早々に放り出し、尾てい骨に響く不快な振動に耐え続けていたのだ。
「会談が終わったら、馬車の乗り心地について研究するように指示を出しますか」
「そんな余裕はありませんよ。ただでさえ税の回収を始めとした統治にすら人員を欠く状態ですし」
ニャールの隣に座るフェレスが、書類を捌きながら冷静に意見する。
「良く酔わないわね」
「慣れました」
のんきな会話で痛みを忘れる努力をしていると、馬車が止まり、再び護衛の兵士が馬を寄せてきた。
「陛下。人間たちが町の入口で待ち構えております」
「わかった。降りるわよ、二人とも」
兵士たちが周囲を固める中、ゆっくりと馬車を降りる。ステップは用意されているが、急場拵えのシンプルなものだ。
ステップの板面を踏み、馬車の外の空気を吸い込むと、先ほどまでの鬱屈した気分が多少は晴れた気がした。
馬車が向いている方向を見ると、五十メートルほど先に、数名の人間たちが立っている。
「......女性の比率が多いわね」
「私達も同じでしょう。早く降りてください。後が支えています」
「もう少し、女王を敬いなさいよ」
フェレスとニャールを従え、町の方へと進み始めると、向こうからも歩み出てくる。双方の護衛たちに緊張が走り、空気が冷えてきた。人間側にエルフが数名混じっているのがわかり、魔人族は緊張の中に不穏な空気が混ざる。
適度に距離を開けて、双方が立ち止まり、人間側から一人の女性が歩み出た。
「魔人族の女王、ウェパル様ですね。オーソングランデ国王、イメラリア・トリエ・オーソングランデ様の命により、お迎えに参上いたしました。フィリニオン・アマゼロトと申します」
会談に参加することになったもう一つの国、ホーラントからも世話役を委任されていると説明し、フィリニオンは一礼した。
「それはご苦労様。魔人族を統べる王、ウェパルよ。貴国でのことはお任せしますから、よろしくね」
「安んじて、お任せください。では、改めて今後のスケジュールについてご説明させていただきたいと思います。どうぞ、町の中へご案内いたします。ご同行の方々は、先に宿へご案内させましょう」
「ありがとう。......その前に、一つ聞いておきたいのだけれど」
言い終わる前に、ウェパルの視線がエルフのザンガーへと向いていたので、誰もがその質問に予想がついた。
フィリニオンが答える前に、ザンガーが進み出る。
「エルフの代表、ザンガーだよ。あたしらもこの町の客人なのさ。あんたたち魔人族が人間の王に会うということだから、ついでにあたしも挨拶に行こうと思ってね」
「人間と組む、ということね?」
「ちょっと違うねぇ。あたしたちは、保護してもらったのさ。魔人族に勝てないから、助けてくれ、ってね」
「ふん......」
ウェパルとしても、ここで騒動を起こすつもりは無いが、エルフというイレギュラーな存在を無視するわけにもいかない。卑下したような物言いだが、人の町へ入っているエルフの総数がわからない以上、無視できる勢力だと切り捨てることはできない。
「お姉さんが、女王様?」
ザンガーとの睨み合いに、横から割り込んできた少女。突然の事にウェパルが目を見開いていると、フィリニオンがそっと説明を加えた。
「この国境を含む領地を治める領主、トオノ伯爵です」
「一二三さんから話を聞いたことがあるよ。水の魔法を使うんでしょ?」
「そ、そうだけど。一二三を知っているのね......トオノ?」
首をかしげるウェパルに、アリッサが元気よく挨拶する。
「一二三・トオノの娘で、アリッサ・トオノだよ」
「娘ぇ!?」
「と、とにかく中へどうぞ。色々と我が国の状況について予めご説明しておく部分もあるかと思いますので......」
声を上げたウェパルに反応し、周囲の兵士たちが武器に手をかけようとしたのを見て、フィリニオンが素早くアリッサの前に出た。
同様に、魔人族側からも一人が進み出る。
「陛下の秘書官を務めております、フェレスです」
もちろん、秘書官というのは今回のために作ったポストである。
「私と陛下。それと数名の兵士を同行させていただきます。ニャール、兵士たちを連れて宿舎へ」
「はぁい」
何とも段取りの悪いスタートながら、何とか血を見ることなく、最初の接触が始まった。
この後、ローヌにて一日を休養に当て、フォカロルにて王都から派遣された護衛の騎士と合流。そこから王都まで、約二週間の行程となる。
レニを連れて、一二三は王都をブラブラと歩いていた。
指導をしていた騎士たちが一人残らずフォカロルへ向かったため、一二三は一旦指導役をお役御免となった。魔人族やエルフを迎えるにあたってのアドバイザーを依頼されたが、二言、三言伝えただけで、出仕は断っている。
代わりに、アリッサ他フォカロルの人員に関する打ち合わせで、連日オリガが登城している。
「規模がスラムとは全然違う。ソードランテの街中だって、人も店もずっと少ないです」
「当たり前だ」
一二三とレニが並び、後ろにヘレンとゲングが続く。
もはや繁華街で知らぬ者がいない一二三はただでさえ目立つ。それに加えて獣人族がいるのだ。誰もが彼らが歩くのを目で追い、誰かが声をかけて何事かを聞いてくれないものか、期待していた。
「ローヌの町も、ごちゃっとしてましたけど、活気がありましたよ。屋台のおじさんも、獣人のウチに優しくしてくれました」
「あれはパリュやらアリッサがやったことだ。俺は知らん」
楽しそうに話すレニと、真顔で歩く一二三を後ろから観察しながら、ゲングはそっとヘレンに顔を寄せた。
「ひょっとして、と考えたこともありやしたが、やっぱりレニさんは一二三さんのことを......」
「お父さんか何かだと思ってるみたいよ。オスとしてはどうかなぁ。まだそんな歳じゃないし」
「そうですか......」
ヘレンにしてみれば、もうここまでくれば自分たちの集落どころか、獣人族全体の将来が、この後の事で決まる緊張で頭が一杯だった。勢力としては依然としてまとまりが無い獣人族は、数が圧倒的に少ないエルフや魔人族に比較しても不利だと思える。
もし、何かの拍子でレニと一二三がくっついてくれるなら、それも有りかもしれないとすら考えていた。友人としては、絶対に薦めたくない話だが。
「ゲングさんはどう思ってるの?」
「何がです?」
「獣人族の未来について、よ。戦うって別れた連中はさておいても、人間に、魔人族に、エルフに、一二三に、振り回されてばっかりだわ」
一二三が人間枠と別にされたことに、不思議とゲングは違和感を覚えなかった。
「さぁて。あっしはそういうのはとんと苦手でしてね。レニさんについて行けば、楽しくなりそうってだけでやすよ」
「何それ。獣人族の男としては、無責任じゃない?」
ヘレンの不機嫌な返答に、ゲングは鋭い爪で耳の裏を掻いた。一二三の屋敷にある広い風呂でたっぷりと石鹸を使って洗ったので、ごわごわとしたワイルドな毛並みだったのが、今やふかふかになっている。それが妙にくすぐったい。
「確かにそうかもしれやせんね。でもねヘレンさん。もう世の中の動きが種族だとか町だとか、そんな範囲の話じゃなくなってるんですよ。あっしの手......いやいや、頭が届く範囲じゃありやせんぜ」
途中の屋台で手に入れた焼肉の串を一気に口に放り込み、牙の間から串を引き抜く。
「うめぇ! ......一二三さんみてぇに、一人の力で何でもまるごとひっくり返せるってんなら別ですがね」
自分一人がどう思うとかは関係ない、だからレニは“みんながどう思っているか”を知るために、一二三のところに来たのだろう、とゲングは言う。
「それがどうして一二三のところって結論になるのよ」
「簡単ですよ」
もう一本、肉串にかじりつく。
「あの人が、一番たくさんの種族や階級の人と話してるでしょ? 一番偉い人たちと、そこで生活してる人たちを知ってるってことでさぁ」
レニが望んだのは、魔人族よりも先に女王と会う事だった。
順番にことが運ぶのはイメラリアにとっても都合が良かったので、要望はすぐに受け入れられた。
レニが獣人族代表としてイメラリアと語り、ヘレンが補佐、ゲングは一応護衛という事になっている。
一二三は単なる道案内だった。
イメラリアに命じられたのだろう。サブナクが王城前の広場で一二三たちを待っていた。
女王イメラリアの指示により、一時的に立ち入りを制限された王城前の広場は閑散としている。広場中央に新しく作られた二メートル超の台座と、その上に魔法的な封印を施されて曝されている『魔人の首』と称されるバールゼフォンの生きた頭部には、魔人族の目に入ると問題になるということで、布を掛けられて縄で縛り上げられ、傍目には補修を待つ街灯のようだ。
「ここまで来ればいいだろう」
「一二三さんは、陛下にお会いになられないのですか?」
「あいつに用事は無い」
素っ気ない態度に、サブナクはつい顔に不満が出てしまう。彼は次期王の父親が一二三だと知っている数少ない人間だった。自らも、同時期に父親になるであろうことを妻から聞かされている。
自分が聞いた時は、妻シビュラに殴って止められるまで駆けまわって踊るほど喜んだのに、目の前の男はどうだろう。
「......正直言って、今回の件でぼくは多少なり貴方を見損ないました。責任を取れとは言いませんが、せめて一言......うっ!」
「馬鹿か、お前は」
一二三に首を掴まれ、サブナクは自分より背の低い一二三に引きずられるように前に出た。
「あれが望んだ状況を、お前らがぶち壊すつもりか?」
「で、ですけど......」
四本の指がしっかりと頸椎を押え、親指が頸動脈にめり込む。
「発覚して、馬鹿な貴族が俺の所に押し寄せてくる状況を作りたいのか? ようやく生まれる二人目の王族を、寄ってたかって傀儡にしようとする連中を生み、それらが死んでいく状況を作るつもりか?」
突き放すように手を離した一二三は、むせるサブナクを睨みつけた。
「俺はあいつの考えが面白いと思ったから、一度だけ協力した。それだけだ」
去っていく一二三を涙目で見送ったサブナクは、手の甲で乱暴に涙を拭った。
「あー......情けないところをお見せしました。どうぞ、イメラリア陛下がお待ちです」
「ありがとう」
先導するというサブナクに礼を言い、レニは一瞬だけ一二三の背中を見てから歩き出す。
一二三が怒ったところを見て固まっていたヘレンたちが慌てて追いかける。
「ねえ、レニ。一二三が居なくて大丈夫なの?」
「うーん......正直に言えば、ウチとしては逆にありがたい、かな?」
一二三さんには内緒だよ、とレニが小声で笑った。
「なんでよ。一二三と知り合いなら、人間の女王だって悪いようには......」
「ヘレン。それじゃダメだよ」
ぶんぶんと首を振る。揺れるくせっ毛から、石鹸の匂いが広がった。
「ウチたち獣人族が、自分の足で立って生活しなくちゃ......。ウチは、一二三さんや他の人間たちと友達でいたいけれど、奴隷にはなりたくないよ」
そうならないために、怖くて仕方ないけれど、今から偉い人と話さなくちゃ、獣人族が獣人族として生きる道を探さなくちゃ、とレニは震える声を押し殺して呟いた。
振り向いた顔は、いつもの緩い笑顔ではない。青ざめて、固く引きつっていた。
とっさに、ヘレンがレニの手を握る。小さなペンだこのある細い指先まで、緊張で冷え切っていた。
「ちゃんとついて行くから......ううん、一緒に頑張るから」
「うん、ありがとう。ヘレン」
そう言って笑ったレニの顔に、ヘレンは少しだけ安心できた。
Chapter 174: If U Can'T Dance
The exchange with the demons proceeded smoother than everyone had expected. Because there were no people experienced with things like laying the groundwork and foreign diplomacy on the demon's side, not to mention Vepar, it took the shape of them accepting almost all of Orsongrande's proposals without demanding any changes.
"Was it a good idea for you to not go ahead to the capital together with the beastmen?" (Alyssa)
Alyssa, who waits for the visit of the demons at Rhone's national border, asked Zanga, the leader of the elves, who stood next to her.
"It's unlikely that I would have a chance to carefully look at the faces of the demons due to meetings, briefings and such, if I had gone over there. Don't worry, even the demons' queen is probably not that much of a fool to go on a rampage here." (Zanga)
Zanga laughed with a "Hihi," and answered Alyssa to give her a peace of mind.
"The ojou-chans of the beastmen might be a lot smarter than I am. They don't have pent-up resentments like us, and they didn't feel down even though they had their city taken away. They are quite good." (Zanga)
Alyssa couldn't quite understand what Reni was thinking to go ahead to the capital. She didn't have much time to ponder about it either though.
"Ah, they are here." (Alyssa)
A group slowly approaching their location along the highway had become visible.
It's horse-mounted people who had gray hair and blue skin.
Obviously being protected by them, several carriages advanced in a row while causing loud clattering sounds.
"We finally arrived, eh?" (Vepar)
"Your Majesty, my butt hurts." (Nyarl)
"That's nothing you have to point out..." (Pheres)
Once Vepar, who received a report of the border having come in sight from a soldier riding alongside the carriage, sighed, Nyarl, who was sitting opposite of her, expressed her discontent.
The travel from Vichy's central area had been nothing but painful for Vepar who isn't used to carriages. She wondered whether she would be able to do some paperwork in advance, but since she ended up sick within 5 minutes after the journey started, she gave up on that idea early on, and continued to bear the unpleasant vibrations affecting her tailbone.
"Once the conference is over with, I guess I will give orders to research about padding for carriages." (Vepar)
"You won't have any time for something like that. Even under normal circumstances we are in a situation where we are lacking personnel to even govern our new territories, let alone collecting the taxes." (Pheres)
Pheres, who sits next to Nyarl, calmly comments while sorting documents.
"How nice for you to not having gotten sick." (Vepar)
"I grew accustomed to it." (Pheres)
When Vepar was putting great effort into forgetting the pain through a light chat, the carriage stopped and one of the escorting soldiers once again approached on his horse.
"Your Majesty. Humans are awaiting us at the city's entrance."
"Got it. We're getting off, you two." (Vepar)
While the soldiers secured the vicinity, they slowly got off the carriage. A step had been provided, but it was of a simple ad-hoc make.
Once she sucked in the air outside the carriage after stepping on the footboard, she felt like her gloomy mood until just now cleared up a bit.
Looking in the direction where the carriage is facing, she discovers several humans standing around 50 meters ahead.
"...The ratio of women is high, isn't it?" (Vepar)
"It's the same on our side, no? Please get off quickly. My back hurts." (Nyarl)
"Show a bit more respect to the queen." (Pheres)
Once Vepar starts walking towards the city while accompanied by Pheres and Nyarl, the other side walks in their direction, too. Tension ran through the guards on both sides and the atmosphere became chilly. Realizing that there are several elves mixed in with the humans, a threatening air blends into the demons' tension.
Keeping a moderate distance, both sides came to a halt and a single woman walked forward on the humans' side.
"Queen of the demons, Vepar-sama, correct? By the decree of Orsongrande's queen, Imeraria Torie Orsongrande-sama, I came to welcome you. Phyrinion Amazelot is my name."
Phyrinion explained that she had also been charged with the duty of mediator by Horant, the other country that would participate in the conference, and bowed.
"I appreciate your efforts. I'm Vepar, the queen ruling the demons. Since I will leave matters in the hands of your country, please take care of me." (Vepar)
"Please leave it to us and be at ease. Well then, I'd like to formally give you an explanation about the schedule from now on. Please follow, I will guide you into the city. We will lead your retinue to an inn first." (Phyrinion)
"Thanks...But before that I'd like to ask one thing." (Vepar)
Since Vepar's eyes focused on Zanga before even finishing to speak, everyone could guess her next question.
Zanga steps forward before Phyrinion could answer.
"I'm the elves' representative, Zanga. We are guests in this city, too. Since I've heard that you demons would meet the humans' rulers, I wanted to use the occasion to give you my greetings." (Zanga)
"That means you joined up with the humans?" (Vepar)
"It's slightly different. We received their protection. We asked them for help because we can't win against you demons." (Zanga)
"Humph..." (Vepar)
Even Vepar has no intention to start a quarrel here, but it's not like she can ignore the irregular existences called elves either.
"That onee-san is the queen?" (Alyssa)
A young girl wedged herself in-between the standoff of Zanga and Vepar from the side. As Vepar widened here eyes due to the sudden intrusion, Phyrinion gently added another explanation.
"It's Countess Tohno, the feudal lord governing the territory containing this national border." (Phyrinion)
"I've heard about you from Hifumi-san. You use water magic, don't you?" (Alyssa)
"T-That's right, but you know Hifumi...Tohno?" (Vepar)
Alyssa cheerfully greets Vepar who tilts her head to the side in confusion.
"I'm Alyssa Tohno, the daughter of Hifumi Tohno." (Alyssa)
"Daaaughter!?" (Vepar)
"A-Anyway, please come inside. I believe there might be various parts I should first explain about the situation in our country." (Phyrinion)
Seeing the surrounding soldiers being about to put their hands on the weapons because of Vepar raising her voice, Phyrinion quickly stepped in front of Alyssa.
At the same time one of the demons steps forward, too.
"I'm serving as Her Majesty's secretary, the name's Pheres."
Of course secretary is a post the created for the sake of this time's occasion.
"Her Majesty, me and several soldiers will accompany you. Nyarl, lead the other soldiers to the lodging house." (Pheres)
"Yeees~." (Nyarl)
Even though it was a very difficult start, the first contact was established somehow without any blood being spilled.
After this they will take a rest for one day in Rhone, then join up with the guarding knights dispatched from the capital in Fokalore, and lastly make the journey to the capital over the period of roughly two weeks.
Taking Reni along, Hifumi strolled through the capital.
Because all the knight, who he had trained, headed to Fokalore, Hifumi had been temporarily relieved from his coaching duty. He had been requested to act as advisor at the time of welcoming the elves and demons, but he has refused to attend with no more than three words.
In exchange, Origa goes every day to the castle for preparatory meetings in regards to Fokalore's personnel besides Alyssa.
"The scale is completely different from the slums. Even in Swordland there have always been few people and stores." (Reni)
"That's only natural." (Hifumi)
With Reni walking next to Hifumi, Helen and Gengu follow behind.
Hifumi, who's no longer a stranger in the shopping district, stands out even under normal circumstances. In addition to this, beastmen are with him. As everyone chased them with their eyes as they walked, they expected that someone might call out to them or ask what was going on.
"Even Rhone has increasingly become a jumble, but it had liveliness. The stall owners treated us beastmen kindly, too." (Reni)
"That's Paryu's and Alyssa's work. I don't know anything 'bout it." (Hifumi)
While observing Reni, who talks happily, and Hifumi, who walks with a serious face, from behind, Gengu quietly brought his face close to Helen's.
"I thought that it might be the case by chance, but as expected, Reni-san...about Hifumi-san..." (Gengu)
"It looks like she considers him as father figure or something like that. As male; I really wonder about that. She's still not at that age." (Helen)
"Is that so...?" (Gengu)
In case of Helen; if compared to until now, her head was already full with worries about the future developments of the whole beastman race, let alone their own village. The beastmen, who still aren't unified as power, can be considered to be at a disadvantage in comparison to the elves and demons with their overwhelmingly low numbers.
She even thought that there might be a possibility if Reni and Hifumi become intimate due to some kind of chance. It's a story that she absolutely doesn't want to encourage for the sake of the beastmen though.
"Gengu-san, what are your thoughts?" (Helen)
"About what?" (Gengu)
"In regards to the beastmen's future. Even setting aside the group that split off, saying that they will fight, we are only manipulated by the humans, by the demons, by the elves and by Hifumi." (Helen)
Gengu didn't consider it strange and out of place that she had mentioned Hifumi separate to the humans.
"I wonder. I'm quite bad at these kind of things. I only believe that it seems likely to be fun if I follow Reni-san ~ssu." (Gengu)
"What's with that? Isn't that irresponsible for a male beastman?" (Helen)
Due to Helen's displeased reply, Gengu scratched the back of his ear with his sharp claws.
"Certainly, you might be right there. But you know, Helen, the developments on this world have already exceeded the scope of cities or races. It ain't a scope that's in the reach of my hands...no, my intellect ~ssu." (Gengu)
He throws a whole grilled meat skewer, which he obtained at a stall along the way, into his mouth, and then pulls out the empty skewer out from in-between his fangs.
"Deliciooous! ...If it's someone like Hifumi-san, who can completely upset whatever he likes with his own power, it's a different matter though." (Gengu)
"Because it's irrelevant what she thinks about it herself, Reni-san probably came to Hifumi's place in order to learn
"Then why did she conclude that it has to be Hifumi's place?" (Helen)
"That's easy." (Gengu)
He sinks his fangs into yet another meat skewer.
"That man has talked with the most races and people of different social ranks, right? It means he knows the most important people and those who live under them." (Gengu)
What Reni desired was to meet the queen before the demons do.
Because proceeding in order was also rather convenient for Imeraria, Reni's request had been granted right away.
It's been decided that Reni will talk with Imeraria as the representative of the beastmen, Helen will act as her assistant, and Gengu will serve as their guard for the time being.
Hifumi was merely their guide.
Probably having been ordered by Imeraria to do so, Sabnak waited for Hifumi and the others at the plaza in front of the royal castle.
The plaza, which had been temporarily restricted from entering due to Queen Imeraria's order, looks deserted. As it will turn into a problem, if the demons catch sight of Balzephon's living head, which has been announced as {Demon's Head}  after sealing it magically and exposing it on top of a more than two meters high pedestal, which had been newly built in the center of the plaza, the head has been covered with a cloth and tied with a rope, making it seem like a street light waiting for repair in the eyes of an outsider.
"I guess me coming with you until here will be enough." (Hifumi)
"Hifumi-san, you're not going to meet Her Majesty?" (Sabnak)
"I have no business with her." (Hifumi)
Dissatisfaction unintentionally appears on Sabnak's face due to Hifumi's cold attitude. He was one of the few people knowing that Hifumi is the father of the next king. He himself had been informed by his wife that he will probably become a father around the same time.
As he was delighted to the degree of dancing and running around until he was stopped by a good whacking of his wife Shibyura when he heard the auspicious news, he wonders how it's for the man in front of his eyes
"...To be honest, I somewhat misjudged you in this matter. I won't tell you to take responsibility, but at least a few wor...ugh!" (Sabnak)
"You, are you an idiot?" (Hifumi)
Having his neck grabbed by Hifumi, Sabnak was pulled forward by Hifumi, who's shorter than himself.
"Do you guys intend to wreck the situation which that person desired?" (Hifumi)
"B-But..." (Sabnak)
Tightly grasping the neck's spine with four fingers, he sinks his thumb into Sabnak's carotid artery.
"Do you want to create a situation where stupid nobles will march on my place after it came to light? Do you plan to produce a group that gangs up on the finally born second royal member trying to use them as puppet, causing that person to lose spirit due to them?" (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who removed his hand by thrusting him away, glared at the choking Sabnak.magic
"Because I considered her idea to be interesting, I cooperated with her only once. That's all there is to it." (Hifumi)
Seeing off the leaving Hifumi with teary eyes, Sabnak roughly wiped away his tears with the back of his hand.
"Ah...I ended up showing you something pathetic. Please follow me. Her Majesty is awaiting you." (Sabnak)
"Thank you." (Reni)
Thanking Sabnak, who said that he will guide them, Reni looks for just an instant at Hifumi's back and then starts walking.
Helen and Gengu, who froze when they saw Hifumi getting angry, chase after her in a hurry.
"Hey, Reni. Will it be alright without Hifumi being present?" (Helen)
"Hmm...honestly spoken, it's actually better for us, I think?" (Reni)
"Keep it a secret from Hifumi-san," Reni whispered and then laughed.
"Why!? We are acquaintances of Hifumi, so even the human queen won't do anything bad..." (Helen)
"Helen, that's no good." (Reni)
Reni shakes her head. The scent of soap spread from her swaying, frizzy hair.
"Unless us beastmen live while standing on our own feet...I want to be friends with Hifumi-san and the other humans, but I don't want it to result in slavery." (Reni)
"In order for that to not happen, we have to talk with the high-ranking people from now on and the beastmen have to search for a path of survival as beastmen, even though it can't be helped that it's scary," Reni muttered with a trembling, subdued voice.
Her face, which looked back at Helen, doesn't have its usual, gentle smile. It was pale and stiff.
At once Helen grasps Reni's hand. Even her thin fingers with their tiny calluses had become completely cold out of nervousness.
"I will accompany you all the way, so...err no, I will do my best together with you." (Helen)
"Oki, thanks, Helen." (Reni)
Helen was able to feel slightly relieved due to Reni smiling while saying that.
Summoned Slaughterer
呼び出された殺戮者
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/summoned-slaughterer/
Action Adventure Fantasy Martial Arts Mature Psychological Romance Shounen
Adapted to Manga Aristocracy Arrogant Characters Average-looking Protagonist Beastkin Beautiful Female Lead Betrayal Calm Protagonist Clever Protagonist Cunning Protagonist Dark Demi-Humans Demons Determined Protagonist Different Social Status Dwarfs Elemental Magic Elves Enemies Become Allies Enemies Become Lovers Evil Protagonist Fantasy Creatures Fantasy World Fearless Protagonist God-human Relationship Gods Kingdom Building Kingdoms Knights Love Interest Falls in Love First Magic Beasts Magical Space Male Protagonist Marriage Monsters Nobles Obsessive Love Overpowered Protagonist Politics Power Struggle Protagonist Strong from the Start R-15 Royalty Ruthless Protagonist Samurai Schemes And Conspiracies S*aves Strong Love Interests Strong to Stronger Summoning Magic Sword And Magic Sword Wielder Transported to Another World Underestimated Protagonist Unique Weapon User Unique Weapons Wars Yandere
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4399ci/
井戸正善／ido