94話 愛ゆえに(2)
滅びと再生の錬金術士、リッチー・デイモンド。
彼の話が始まって、3分が過ぎようとしていた。
「――死体は凍らせれば問題ないッ。
神殿内にこだますリッチー・デイモンドの声は、先程よりも憂いを帯び、湿っていた。
「そう、ワタシはッッ。まず、十分な研究
「なるほどです」
デイモンドさんが、成し遂げようとしている事を考えれば、それにも頷けた。彼が目指す境地に辿り着くには膨大な時間が必要だろう。それに、いくら優秀な錬金術士でも老いには勝てない。
「アンデッドを従える能力ですか?」
ただ、彼の話に耳を傾けるだけでなく、合いの手をさりげなく差しこんでいくのも忘れない。
「いかにもッッ。だが、問題もあった、とだけツィートしておこう」
だけ、とは言いつつもデイモンドさんはガンガン喋っていく人物だった。
リッチーと融合できても元々が人間だったため、アンデッドを操る能力は非常に弱まっていたそうだ。そこで彼は、『復讐人』で名高い『闇月の騎士』契約に目を付けたらしい。
『闇月の騎士』とは、
そもそも、何故そんな集団をつくったかというと、精霊リーンは騎士ルナスという人間の男と恋に落ちたそうだ。当時、精霊と人間といえば、相容れない存在として争い続けていた。そんな人間の騎士ルナスが精霊と契りを結んだ事が発覚し、人族に咎められ処刑されてしまったのだ。精霊リーンは愛するルナスのため、人間への個人的な復讐の手駒として、『闇月の騎士』を造りだしたようだ。
また、『闇月の騎士』創造には『精霊リーン』が
これに異を唱えたのが、月と星々の精霊リーンの同族である『月精霊ウルド』で、リーンの乱心を静めるために奔走したのはまた別の話らしい。
とにかく、この『闇月の騎士』という『復讐』と『隷属』という特性を自身のアンデッド使役能力に織り交ぜ、錬金術を駆使し、活用することを模索したのがデイモンドさんだ。
実際にあったのは、竜の力を増すと言われる『竜鳴石』などではなかった。
彼ら巨人族の故郷、
月光を浴びるとその身が強化され、人ならざる力を発揮する『闇月の騎士』たち。それと比べ、デイモンドさんが生み出したのは、月光を浴びている時だけ、魂と屍の定着が安定し、生き返る事を許される存在。しかも生前の知能が著しく下がり、記憶さえ失われるというデバフ付き。
デイモンドさんは自分の力不足だと言っているが、リーンは死者を復活させアンデッドとして使役することはできなかった。
神をも畏れぬ、この世の摂理を見事に壊した偉業を成し遂げた事は間違いないだろう。
「偉業ですよ」
そう呟かずにはいられない。
巨人たちの気持ちを考えると、決して褒められた行為じゃない。
むしろ巨人たちを滅ぼし、復讐という名の飴をチラつかせて魂レベルで自由を拘束し、使役しているなんて悪行以外の何物でもない。
だが、一人の錬金術士として言わせてもらうと......彼が歩んだ未知の踏破は、生半可なものではない。
「キミこそッッ、キミのおかげだ」
しかし、逆に褒められたのは俺の方だった。
「まさかッッまさかッッ! 太陽の光が彼らの
デイモンドさんは、『閃光石』で巨人達の意識が一時的に戻った事もしっかりと把握しているようだった。
「でも、やっぱりデイモンドさんは凄い錬金術士ですね」
彼がやってきたことは本当に凄い。
こうも簡単に、その内容をペラペラと喋っていいのだろうか? と疑問を抱きかねないのも、また事実だった。
どうも、のせやすいし。
もしかして、バカなのではないだろうか?
いや、もちろん錬金術士として優秀なのだろうけど、なんていうか性格的に、どこか肝心な部分が破綻している気がする。
もしかすると、弟弟子であるノア・ワールドがニューエイジ・サンジェルマンの後継となった原因は、こういう所が起因しているのかもしれない。
「自らの探求心と貪欲な願いを成就せんがために走り続けッ、どんな概念も根底から覆すッッ。ワタシたちはッッ、そんな存在だろうッ?」
だけど、錬金術士としての見解は恐ろしいまでに純粋だとも思う。
「......キミもいずれッ、探し求めるだろうよ」
静かに。
厳かに。
アンデッドになり果てた先達の錬金術士は言う。
「幾千、幾万、幾億の時をさまよっても、夢が朽ツィる場所は――まだ、遥か遠い」
......俺の『どうして、こんな事をしたのか?』という質問に、彼は最初に言った。
リッチー・デイモンドには愛した女性がいた。
彼女は巨人と人間の
そんな彼女がある日、急死した。
「この想いがなくなることはないッッ」
「思考を、夢想を、思いを、現実にするのが、ワタシたち錬金術士だッ」
問題は自分だ。だから、リッチーと同化するに至ったデイモンドさん。
「私は死する運命に抗う事を、不完全なりともだが、実現はできた」
彼女の流れる血の半分は巨人種である。ならば種族的に良い実験材料になるであろう巨人族の死体を、魂を大量に手元に置く必要がある。
「この先ッッ、彼女を完全に蘇らす事も不可能ではないのだ」
材料は手に入れた。
あとは実験を繰り返し、完璧なる彼女の復活を試みていくのみ。
自分のように骨と化し、味覚や触覚のない姿ではなく。生前と全く同じ状態の肉体と、精神、記憶、性格で、彼女を蘇生させる。それが、デイモンドさんの目指す場所。
「......もう一度、彼女の豪快な笑顔が見たくてたまらないのだッッ」
最愛の女性のために、一種族まるごとを滅亡させ。
実験台とするためだけに、無慈悲にも巨人達の魂を騙し、肉体ごと誓約によって縛り続けている。
れた、この薄暗い地下都市ヨールンで生きる錬金術士リッチー・デイモンド。
「愛ゆえに......」
狂っているとしか言いようがない。
「こんな木偶の坊では、まだまだ完成には遠いのだッッ」
だが、彼の生き方を否定できない自分がいて、迎合しかねない部分があることを認めざるをえない。
妙に惹きつけられるのだ。
「これが、ワタシの歩む錬金道だッッ。少しは参考になったかい?」
白き神殿に何体もの巨人の骸を従えた、リッチーは無情に
一瞬だけ、俺には彼がひどくかっこよく映った。
「......とても、とても。参考になりました」
細かい錬金術の技術を聞き出すことはできなかった。
だけど、リッチー・デイモンドからは何か大切な気概を学べたような気がする。
俺の心からの返事を聞いた彼は『ンー! ンンーッ!』と何度も頷き、カラカラケタケタと笑う。
そして、ゆっくりとこちらに近付いてきた。
背後に巨神と見紛う程の威圧的な巨人の王を追従させながら。
デイモンドさんは『もう話す事は何もない』とでも言うかのように、その進みは滑らかだった。
もちろん、俺達の緊張が一気に高まった。
そして、俺の口から出た言葉はPTメンバーに『
「......き、記念撮影をさせてください!」
『古びたカメラ』を片手にそう申し出たのだ。
驚異的かつ超絶した存在を相手に、何を言い出しているんだと思わなくもないけど、戦ったら勝敗は目に見えているのだ。
だからこそ、残された手段は対話しかない。
それにリッチー・デイモンドは敵かもしれないけど、俺からしたら遥かな高みを歩んでいる錬金術士であることは間違いない。
キルされる前に、記念撮影はぜひしておきたいというのも本心だ。
写真から......奴の情報を少しでも手に入れておきたいし。
「なつかしいッッ。ワタシもそのオモチャでよく色をッッ、魂をッ撮っていたッッ」
案の定、彼は俺の錬金キットを見知っていたようだ。
こちらの意図はバレているようだ。
「それに、本心からこのワタシ、不
またもや、俺をべた褒めし始める。
これにはミナやアンノウンさん、リリィさんだけでなく俺も困惑してしまう。
「うーんッッッ! やはり、ワタシはキミを気に入ったッッ」
「キミは、ワタシの弟子になるべきだッッ。とだけ、ツィートしておこうッ」
リッチー・デイモンドの窪んだ眼孔、頭蓋から揺らぐ二つの暗く青い炎が俺をジッと見つめている。
:リッチー・デイモンドと子弟契約を結びますか?:
混乱のなか、そんなアシストログと選択ログが目の前に浮かび――
俺は唾をゴクリと飲み込んだ。
95 94 Stories For Love (2)
Richie Damond, Alchemist of Doom and Regeneration.
His story had begun and three minutes were about to pass.
"- There's no problem if you freeze the body. Don't worry about being greedy in time."
Richie Damond's voice, clinging to the temple, was more worrying and damp than earlier.
"Yes, the eagle is uh-huh. First, in order to produce sufficient research (sei) fruit, we concluded (tsi) that there was not enough time in the flesh to remain human (human). Therefore, to prevent the aging of my flesh... I tried to merge with Rich (Tsi), King of the Undead, who is said to be as immortal as possible, and also to have intelligence in human form."
"I see."
Given what Mr. Damon was trying to accomplish, he nodded at it as well. It will take a tremendous amount of time to reach the frontiers he aspires to. Besides, no good alchemist can beat old age.
"Is it the ability to follow the undead?
I just don't forget to listen to him, but to give him a subtle hand.
"Whatever. But let's just tweet that there was a problem."
Only, that said, Mr. Damon was a gun-talking person.
He said his ability to manipulate the undead was very weak because he was originally human even if he could fuse with Richie. So he apparently glanced at the famous "Knight of the Dark Moon" contract in "The Avenger".
"The Knight of the Dark Moon" refers to the people who made the covenant with the Spirit Lean of the Moon and the Stars, which binds the fairies of the Night (Gun Knight). They seem to be a group that forced certain servants into Spirit Lean instead of being applied the power to form revenge.
In the first place, why did you create such a group, Spirit Leanne said she fell in love with a human man named Knight Lunas. At the time, when it came to spirits and humans, they continued to contend as incompatible beings. It was discovered that such a human knight, Lunas, had made a covenant with the Spirit, and the people blamed him and executed him. For his beloved Lunas, Spirit Lene seems to have created The Knight of the Dark Moon as a personal vengeance pawn against man.
It also appears that the creation of the "Knight of the Dark Moon" was informed that the "Spirit Lean" formed a covenant with the help of the "Dark Spirit Dakness", which unifies the Dark Fairy (Shadow).
Different to this was the "Moon Spirit Wold," a compatriot of Lene, the Spirit of the Moon and the Stars, who ran off to quiet Lene's distractions, it seems, yet another story.
Anyway, it was Mr. Damon who weaved this characteristic of "Revenge" and "Slavery" called "The Knight of the Dark Moon" into his undead service abilities, exploring the use and utilization of alchemy.
In fact, it wasn't 'dragon ringing stone' or anything else that was said to increase the power of dragons.
It was a great supreme demonic stone (artifact) and a hallucinating ball of illusion stars sealed with more pure magic than the moonstone (Lewis) found in their giant hometown, Fantasma.
When the moonlight shines, its body is strengthened and the Knights of the Dark Moon show their unusual power. In contrast, what Mr. Damon has created is a presence in which the soul and the corpse are stabilized and allowed to come back to life only when they are in moonlight. Plus, it comes with a debuff that your lifetime intelligence is significantly reduced and even your memory is lost.
Mr. Damon says he lacks his strength, but Leanne could not revive the dead and serve as an undead.
You will surely have accomplished a great deed that did not fear God, but brilliantly destroyed the management of this world.
"It's a feat."
I can't help but whine like that.
Given the feelings of the giants, it's never a praised act.
Rather, it is nothing but evil to destroy the giants, to flicker candy in the name of vengeance, to bind freedom at the soul level, and to be in service.
But let me say as one alchemist... the unknown tread he has taken is not a half-breed one.
"You're the one. Thanks to you."
But on the contrary, it was me who was praised.
"No way. No way! I didn't know the sunlight could bring back memories because of their knowledge! Apparently, the eagle was too trapped in the moonlight enhancement. Huh! Thank you for this new discovery."
Mr. Damon also seemed to have a good grasp that the Titans' consciousness had temporarily returned with "Flash Stone".
"But Mr. Damon is a great alchemist, after all."
What he has done is really amazing.
Is it easy to talk about the contents of this? And it was also true that you might have doubts.
Thanks, it's easy to put on.
Could it be stupid?
No, of course you're good as an alchemist, but somehow, personally, I feel like some key part is broke.
Maybe this is the reason why his apprentice, Noah World, succeeded New Age Saint-Germain.
"Keep running to not accomplish your own quest and greedy desires, and overturn any concepts from the ground up. The eagles are like that, right?
But I also think my view as an alchemist is pure by the horror.
"... you'll be searching again soon."
Quiet.
Strictly.
Says the alchemist earlier who ended up undead.
"Thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of millions of hours wander, but the place where dreams decay - still, far away"
... My 'How did you do this?' To the question, 'he said first.
Richie Damond had a woman she loved.
She said she was a mixed species (half) of giants and humans.
One day she died suddenly.
"You'll never lose this thought."
"It's the eagles, the alchemists who make their dreams, their thoughts, their reality."
The problem is with me. So, Mr. Damon, who has come to assimilate with Richie.
"I am incomplete in my fight against the fate of death, but I have been able to make it happen."
Half of her flowing blood is of the giant race. We need to keep a large number of souls on hand with the bodies of giants that would then be a racially good experimental material.
"It's not impossible to revive her completely."
I got the ingredients.
All you have to do is repeat the experiment and try her resurrection to perfection.
Turn into bones, like yourself, not a tasteless or tactile appearance. Resurrect her with flesh in exactly the same condition as she was born, with spirit, memory and character. That's where Mr. Damon aspires.
"... again, I can't wait to see her luxurious smile."
Destroy a whole race for your beloved woman.
Only to serve as an experimental bench, he mercilessly deceives the souls of the giants and continues to bind them by pledge from flesh to flesh.
Richie Damond, an alchemist who lives in this bleak underground city of Yorn, painted with artificial moonlight, is the only one.
"Because of love..."
All I can say is it's crazy.
"In a wooden puppet like this, it's still far from complete."
But I have to admit that I have an undeniable self in his way of life, and there's a part of me that could meet him.
It's strangely attractive.
"This is the Alchemy Road where the eagles walk. Was that a little helpful?
Richie ruthlessly followed the remains of many giants to the White Temple.
Only for a moment, he looked terribly cool to me.
"... very, very. Helpful."
I could not hear the art of fine alchemy.
But I feel like I've learned something important from Richie Damon.
Heard my heartfelt reply. He said, 'Nh! Nghhh!' he nodded again and again, laughing with a ragged clatter.
And he slowly approached us.
While following the king of such an intimidating giant as to dispute with a giant god behind his back.
Mr. Damon said, "There's nothing more to talk about," but the process was smooth.
Of course, our tensions have increased all at once.
And the words that come out of my mouth do not encourage PT members to shift to defensive postures, nor do they call for the first must-win to set up an ambush.
"... Kim, let me do a commemorative shoot!
That's what I offered "Old Camera" with one hand.
I don't have to wonder what you're talking about against a phenomenal and transcendent existence, but when you fight, victory and defeat are visible.
That is why the only means left are dialogue.
Besides, Richie Damon may be the enemy, but from me, he's definitely an alchemist walking far from it.
I also really want to keep my commemorative photography before I get killed.
From the photo... I've got a little information on him.
"Sounds familiar. The eagles used to color and shoot their souls with their toys."
He seemed to know my alchemy kit.
It looks like this one's intentions are clear.
"And from the bottom of my heart, this eagle, the indestructible (metsu) wi alchemist Richie! Damon, Dodd! I respect the eyesight, hum. Good wih! Reasonable (sai) action that matches my desire with reason, really good wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Once again, you start praising me.
This puzzles me as well as Mina and Announ and Lily.
"Mm-hmm! After all, the eagle liked you."
"You should be an apprentice to the eagle. Only, let's tweet."
Richie Damon's pungent eye hole, two dark, blue flames swinging from her skull, is staring at me zippily.
: Do you have a pediatric contract with Richie Damond?
In the midst of the confusion, such an assist log and a selection log come to mind -
I swallowed my spit.
I Became a Beautiful Girl, but I’m still an MMO Junkie
美少女になったけど、ネトゲ廃人やってます。
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-became-a-beautiful-girl-but-im-still-an-mmo-junkie/
Adventure Comedy Fantasy Gender Bender Mystery Psychological Shoujo Ai
Accelerated Growth Adapted to Manga Age Regression Alchemy Appearance Changes Appearance Different from Actual Age Beautiful Female Lead Chuunibyou Curious Protagonist Cute Protagonist Demi-Humans Disabilities Doting Older Siblings Fairies Famous Protagonist Fast Learner Friendship Loli Male to Female Misunderstandings MMORPG Multiple POV Mysterious Illness Older Love Interests Overprotective Siblings Past Plays a Big Role Past Trauma Pill Concocting Popular Love Interests Race Change Sword And Magic Virtual Reality Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n0170db/
星屑ぽんぽん