140.Nuclear Family
復讐戦は静かに幕を開ける。
アリッサと共にホーラントへ潜入したフォカロル兵の人数は十一名。アリッサに二人、残りも三人ずつに分かれて潜入及び破壊工作を行う。
砦のオーソングランデ側から、仲間の助けを借りてロープをかけてよじ登る。途中、マ・カルメたちの死体を吊り下げていたロープの切れ端と、それを切断した手裏剣が壁に刺さっているのを見つけたアリッサは、しばらく考えてから手裏剣を五枚、壁から引き抜いて懐に入れた。
「ここからは別行動」
「了解いたしました。ご武運を」
アリッサの合図で、兵たちは音もなく砦から縄を下ろして降りていく。
時折聞こえる小さな音から、うまくホーラント側の巡回を倒したことがわかる程度だ。
「行くよ」
「はっ」
アリッサは、砦の下を確認すると、するりと飛び降りた。
草の生えた地面にコロリと転がりながら着地すると、腕に抱えていたリュックを背負い、素早く脇差を抜く。
同行の兵たちも同じように動き、それぞれ火付けのための道具を持っていた。
アリッサが周囲を確認すると、先に降りた兵たちが始末したと思しきホーラント兵が二人、近くに倒れているのが見えた。それ以外、周囲には敵の気配はない。
先行した兵たちはもう、昼のうちに設定しておいた目的の場所に向かっていると判断したアリッサは、自分たちが担当する予定の建物を探す。
そろそろと移動しながら、目的の建物へと向かう。
明かりは点けない。お互いの身体に触れてはぐれないようにしながら、月明かりだけを頼りに歩く。
「......着いた」
アリッサの目の前にあるのは、夜の闇の中でも存在感を持った、四階建てと思しき大きな建物だった。
急ごしらえらしく窓も少なくシンプルな形をしているが、通常人が出入りするための扉とは別に、数メートルの高さがある巨大な門があった。
日中のうちに、密かに砦屋上からこの建物の大きさと異様な雰囲気を放つ大門が気になっていたアリッサは、何か重要な物......というよりは、ホーラントの巨人兵そのものか、それに関する何かがここにあるのだと確信していた。
まだ巨人兵がいるのであれば、奇襲で処理しておきたかったし、何か弱点がわかる資料があれば良いとアリッサは思っている。
建物の外周を、二人のホーラント兵が魔道具と思しき灯りを持ち、並んで歩いている。
「僕が始末する」
返事を待たず、するすると進みだしたアリッサは、兵たちの後ろから近づき、左手で一人の口をふさぎながら、右手に持った脇差をもう一人の首筋に後ろから突き立てた。
突然口を塞がれた兵士が混乱して持っていた灯りを落とすと、血を流して倒れている同僚が浮かび上がり、声にならない悲鳴を上げている間に、喉を切り裂かれた。
アリッサは一二三の真似をして懐紙で脇差を拭うと落ちている魔道具を拾い、しばらく見まわしていたが、援護に来た仲間に渡した。
「ごめん、消し方がわかんない」
「ぅえっ......?」
急に魔道具を渡された兵士は、光を放つ道具をくるくる回してみたが、結局スイッチの場所はわからなかったので、さっさと埋めてしまうことにした。
土をかぶせ、光が漏れなくなったのを確認すると、アリッサたちは小さくため息をついた。
建物を周回し、立ち入りできそうな木の窓を見つけると、脇差をひっかけてゆっくり開く。
中は真っ暗だったが、人はいないと判断したアリッサたちは、周りを警戒しながら、順番に建物へと入っていった。
アリッサは全く気付かなかったが、そこまでの動きを、一二三は隣にある兵舎の屋上から見下ろしていた。
「まあ、妥当な判断かもな」
アリッサの姿を確認した時点で、兵舎屋上に来ていた敵兵士たちはすべて殺害している。
フォカロルの潜入組の中には兵舎を担当したグループもいるが、1階から侵入したばかりで、中の調査をしながら移動しているようで、まだまだ屋上まではたどり着きそうもない。
「そんじゃ、保護者としてはしっかり観察してやるとするか」
建物の端まで行き、アリッサが潜入した建物に向かって猛然と走る。
目標までの距離は約十メートル。世界記録よりもさらに遠い。助走距離も短い。
屋上の縁を踏みつけ、風をかき分けて飛び上がる。
夜の冷えた空気が顔に当たる。
袴が音を立ててはためき、空気をはらんでブレーキをかけた。
「うぉおっ?」
想定外に距離が稼げず、失速した一二三は鎖鎌を取り出し、鎌の方を投げる。
乾いた音を立てて、目標の屋上に鎌が突き刺さり、鎖をつかんだまま三階部分の壁に足をついて音を殺す。
「ふぅ......ちょっと無理があったか」
鎖をよじ登り、屋上へ立つ。
「ただ待ってるのも暇だな......」
腕を組んで考えていた一二三だったが、ほどなく素手のままぶらぶらと三階へ降りて行った。
防御陣地を敷いた場所から一旦ミュンスターまで戻っていたイメラリアは、夕食を済ませた後も、ビロンが用意した部屋に籠り、ひたすら思考に没頭していた。
「失敗は失敗です。反省はしますけれど、引きずっていてはいつまでも進歩がありませんわ」
インクを付けたペンを、何の気なしに走らせる。
“防衛”“夜襲”“救出失敗”“巨大な敵”
整理していくと、フォカロルの教導隊と国境警備にあたっていた兵たち以外には大きな損害は出ておらず、一時的に失っていた国境周辺の土地も奪還できた。
予定通りに進んでいれば、今頃はアリッサたちがホーラントへ潜入し、調査と破壊工作に着手しているだろう。
そう思うと、イメラリアの中に仄かな焦りが生まれる。
「わたくしだって、わたくしだって......」
つぶやいてから、大きく深呼吸をして落ち着きを取り戻す。
“反省”“ホーラント”“ネルガル”“停戦”
長く陰鬱な説教を思い出しながら、つらつらと単語をかき続ける。
“できること”“できないこと”
「わたくしには、戦に出る才能はなさそうですわね......」
もはやそれは認めざるを得ない。
防衛に関してはサブナク主導で危なげなく成功し、朝の戦闘では活躍の場など見出せなかった。
「できること、できること......」
女王としての役目は忘れていない。ホーラントだけにかまけて他を疎かにはしないようにしなければならない。
だが、ここでホーラントとの決着を一二三やアリッサだけに任せてしまえば、いよいよ対ホーラントも対ヴィシーもフォカロル領の影響下を抜けられなくなるだろう。
「ですが、決着をつけるとなると、武力が必要になりますわね」
今のところは、サブナク率いるオーソングランデ王国軍と、協力してくれているビロン伯爵軍がいる。
だが、一国とまともに事を構えることを考えるのであれば、足りない。戦闘に関する技術的に言えば、フォカロル領兵を抜いてしまえばホーラント側に軍配が上がる、とイメラリアは把握していた。
「決戦、決着、交渉、停戦......」
決定的な戦力が無い以上、停戦のためには一二三を頼らざるを得ないのだろうか、と単語を声に出して書付けながら、ふと違和感に気付いた。
“決戦”と“決着”の間に×をつける。
ペン立てにそっとペンを戻したイメラリアは、青い瞳でじっと×印を見つめる。
「できること......これなら!」
椅子を倒さんばかりの勢いで立ち上がったイメラリアが、誰かいないかと声をかけると、そっとドアが開いた。
「お呼びでしょうか、陛下」
「......シビュラさん、まだ居られたんですか......」
恭しく使用人服のスカートをつまんで会釈をするシビュラを見て、イメラリアはへなへなと椅子に座りなおした。
「従軍しておりました使用人の一人が熱を出したようですので、お手伝いをさせていただいております」
しれっと言われた内容には半信半疑ながらも、性格はさておいても信頼はできるだろうと考えたイメラリアは、手元の紙にさらさらと書き込むと、サインを入れて封蝋を落とし、外した指輪を押し付けた。
「これを王都のヴァイヤーさんに届けてください。できるだけ急いで」
イメラリアが差し出した書簡を受け取ったシビュラは、ハンカチで丁寧に包むと、胸にそっと抱え持った。
「畏まりました。私が自分でお届けいたしましょう。丁度馬車もありますし、充分休ませることができましたから」
「騎士の誰かに頼んでもよろしいのですよ?」
いいえ、とシビュラは首を振る。
「陛下が悩み抜いて決められた内容ですもの。これくらいは何ともありません」
にっこりとほほ笑むシビュラに対して、イメラリアは顔をひきつらせた。
「なぜ......わたくしが悩んでいたと知っているのですか?」
「ほんの一時間ほど前から、少しめまいがいたしまして、このお部屋のドアにもたれかかって休ませていただいておりました。たまたまドアに耳をつけておりましたので、陛下の独り言を聞くとはなしに聞いてしまいまして」
視線だけ横に流して悪びれることなく話すシビュラに、イメラリアはもはや怒る気力も持ち合わせていなかった。
「もういいですから、くれぐれもお願いしますね」
「安んじてお任せくださいませ」
仰々しい礼を見せたシビュラが出ていくと、イメラリアは先ほどまで肩ひじ張って対策を考えていた疲れがどっと押し寄せてくるのを感じ、早々に着替えてベッドに入り込んだ。
「ほえ~......」
王都の入口、手続きが終わった馬車が町の中へと進んでいくと、一番栄えている通りを王城へ向かって突き抜けるように通りが続く。
様々な商店に色とりどりの商品が並び、石造りの三階建てや四階建てが軒を連ねている通りを見て、プーセは思わず声をあげた。
「ここがオーソングランデの首都です。特に決まった名前はありません。元々この町だけがオーソングランデと呼ばれていたそうです」
馬車の中で書類を整理していたパリュが説明するのを、獣人たちは興味深く聞きながら、道々に売られている、特に食べ物に興味深々という様子だった。
「それで、どこに向かうのですか?」
「まずは王城を訪ねましょう。領主様は特に決まった滞在先はお決めになられてません。城内で寝泊まりすることもあれば、気まぐれに街中の宿に泊まったりされるので......」
パリュは、貴族の中で一番連絡が取りにくい方だと思いますよ、と力なく笑うと、ヴィーネも同意すると言って微笑んだ。スラムの中でも、寝床にいたりいなかったり、眠る時間もバラバラで、会いたくても中々顔を見る機会すら作るのが難しかったらしい。
「でも、お城といったら王様がいるんでしょう? そんなところに、私たちが入れるんですか?」
「どうでしょう。少なくとも、領主様がどこにおられるかのヒントはあるんじゃないかと。そういえば私も、王城に泊まったことがあるんですよ......ひたすら勉強してましたけど」
「お城って、アレの事?」
マルファスが指差した先は、確かにオーソングランデが誇る王城であった。
いくつもの尖塔がそびえる王城は、荘厳な雰囲気を以て進行方向に見えていた。
「ええ、あれですね」
「はぁ~......こりゃあすごい、あんなデカい建物初めて見やしたぜ」
ゲングがペロリと鼻をなめてうんうんと首を振っている。
ほどなくして王城前に馬車はたどり着く。
護衛として台車に乗った兵士がついて来ていることもあり、パリュがトオノ伯爵領文官だという話はすんなり伝わり、当番していた騎士の中にパリュの顔を覚えていた者もいて、滞りなく手続きは進む、かに見えた。
「じゅ、獣人族か......」
トオノ伯爵のところの話なら、と呼び出されたのはミダスだった。
ネルガル護送の任務を終え、二日間の休暇を家族サービスに費やしたミダスは、休日明けにこれか、と暗澹たる気持ちで頭を抱えた。
こういう事もあるのだから、王都に屋敷を持っておいてくれればいいのにと内心愚痴りながら、目立っても良いことは無いと判断し、一度王城へ受け入れ、宰相と相談することにする。
磨き抜かれた床や精緻な彫刻を施された天井など、見慣れない室内をキョロキョロと見まわして歩く獣人族を見ながら、パリュは自分が奴隷として連れてこられた時も、あんな感じだったと思い出していた。カイムはどうだったかは思い出せないが、他のみんなも同じだったと思う。
「ミダス様。今、トオノ伯爵様はどちらに?」
「......ホーラントへフォカロルから兵を送っただろう? それに追従というか、先行というか......まあ、ホーラントへ向かったのは間違いない」
「ホーラントってのは、どこにあるんですかい?」
ぐいっと首を伸ばして話しかけてきたゲングに、ミダスは一瞬ひるんだが、咳払いをしてごまかした。
「なんというか、そうだな......フォカロルからここまでと同じくらい、反対側に向かったところにある、別の国だな」
「ははぁ~。そんな遠くまで一二三さんはお出かけなんですなぁ」
「じゃ、じゃあそこまで行けば、ご主人様に会えるんですか?」
「ご、ご主人様?」
今度はヴィーネが身を乗り出してきて、ミダスはパリュに視線で助けを求めた。
「トオノ伯爵の事です。どうやら、荒野の向こうにある人間の町で彼女たちを“購入”したり仲間にしたり、色々とされていたようで......」
「ああ、なるほど......」
突っ込んで聞いたら長くなるんだろう、と思ったミダスは、ヴィーネに対して首を横に振る。
「おそらくはそうだろうが、今は危険だ。だから、城内で大人しく......」
なるべく面倒事を起こすまいと画策したミダスだったが、一人の騎士が声をかけてきて徒労に終わることになった。
「やあ、パリュさんじゃないですか! お久しぶりです!」
「ヴァイヤーさん。お元気でしたか?」
「ええ、おかげさまで。フォカロルでは色々と教えていただきまして、ありがとうございました! お連れは......これは凄い、獣人族の方ですか......ひょっとしてこちらは、エルフの方ですか! 相変わらず、フォカロルではなんでも有りですね!」
楽しそうに話すヴァイヤーに、顔見知りのパリュも色々と話が盛り上がる。ヴァイヤーがフォカロル滞在中に何度か話したこともあり、妻であるフィリニオンと共に、戸籍などの住民管理についてのレクチャーを受けたこともある。
「それで、わざわざ王城まで足を運ばれたということは、何かあったのですか?」
「こちらの方々が領主様......トオノ伯爵様にお会いしたいとのご希望でしたので」
「それなら丁度良かった! 私たちも今からホーラント方面へ出発する予定だったのです。今度は一千人態勢ですから、数名増えたところで問題ありませんよ」
ヴァイヤーが安請け合いをすると、獣人たちは顔を見合わせて喜んだ。トントン拍子で一二三の元へ近づいているのだ。
「ばっ......!」
これに慌てたのはミダスだった。
ヴァイヤーの腕を引っ張って距離を取ると、聞こえないように声を落とす。
「ど、どうしたんですかミダスさん」
「なんでホーラントに行く必要があるんだ? しかも千人も兵士を連れて」
「陛下からのご命令です。大急ぎで人数を揃えて、ネルガル様を連れてミュンスターへ来るように、と」
目を見開いてしばらく呆然としていたミダスは、気を持ち直して質問する。
「まてまて、フォカロル領軍もビロン領軍もいるだろう。なんで追加が必要なんだ」
「知りませんよ。陛下の命令書には、そこまで書かれていませんでしたし。それに、命令書はサブナク隊長の奥様が直々にお持ちになられた程の重要書類でしたから、私としても疑問を差し挟む余地はありませんよ」
ネルガルからの書面をシビュラに強奪されたことは、名誉のために伏せておくことにしたヴァイヤー。
「ぐぐ......わかった。その方が私としても楽でいいかもしれん。トオノ伯に会いに来たのなら、早々に目的を果たしてもらった方が良いだろう。ヴァイヤー、任せてもいいか?」
「承知いたしました。あとですね、私からもお願いがございまして......」
「嫌な予感しかしないぞ、おい......」
ヴァイヤーはミダスの手を取って無理やり握手をすると、深々と頭を下げた。
「今回の出兵で近衛の副隊長以上が全員留守になりますので、城内の指揮をお願いします」
「勘弁してくれ......」
ホーラントの騒動が終わったら、長い休暇を申請して、子供たちを連れて遊びに行こうと固く誓ったミダスだった。
Chapter 140: Nuclear Family
The revenge match silently opens its curtains.
The number of soldiers from Fokalore who invaded Horant together with Alyssa is 11. They split up in groups of two with Alyssa and the rest in 3 men cells and are going to carry out infiltration and subversive activities.
They climb the wall on the side of the fortress on Orsongrande's side using a rope with the help of their colleagues. Alyssa, who discovered the cut end of the ropes, which suspended the corpses of Ma Calme and the others, and the shuriken, which severed those very ropes, sticking in the wall, pulled out five shuriken from the wall after pondering for a bit and put them into her pocket.
"From here on we will act separately." (Alyssa)
"As you command. Good fortunes of war."
Upon Alyssa's signal, the soldiers soundlessly drop ropes from the fortress and climb down.
From the small sounds audible at times, one can approximately realize about them skilfully killing the patrols from Horant's side.
"Go." (Alyssa)
"Ha."
Once Alyssa confirmed the bottom of the fortress, she jumped down speedily and without delay.
She lands while rolling over nimbly on the ground, where grass was growing, carries the rucksack, she was holding in her hands, on her back and swiftly draws the wakizashi.
Her accompanying soldiers moved in the same way. Each of them held tools for committing arson.
Once Alyssa checked the surroundings, she saw two of Horant's soldiers, who were apparently dealt with by the soldiers who descended first, having collapsed nearby. Except those, there's no enemy presence in the vicinity.
Alyssa, who concluded that the soldiers, who went first, were already heading towards their target locations which were set during the day, searches for the building they are in charge of.
They head towards the target building while moving quietly.
They don't turn on a light. While making sure to not get lost by staying in touch with each other, they walk while relying on just the moonlight.
"...We are here." (Alyssa)
What was in front of Alyssa's eyes was a large building appearing to have four stories which had an imposing presence within the darkness of the night.
The seemingly hastily made windows had a slightly simple form, but apart from the door for people coming and going normally, there was a huge gate which had a height of several meters.
Being bothered by the large front gate, that released a strange aura, and the size of this building, she secretly observed from atop the fortress' rooftop during the day, Alyssa believed that something important... or rather, Horant's giant soldiers themselves or something related to them was hidden in this place.
If there were still giant soldiers, she wanted to dispose of them with a surprise attack.
Two soldiers of Horant, who are holding lights which seem to be magic tools, are walking side-by-side on the outer circumference of the building.
"I will get rid of them." (Alyssa)
Alyssa, who went ahead swiftly without waiting for a reply, closed in from behind the soldiers and stabbed the wakizashi, she held in her right hand, into the nape of the neck of one soldier from behind while blocking the mouth of the other one with her left hand.
Once the soldier dropped the light, he held, while being confused due to suddenly having his mouth blocked, he had his throat cut open while screaming soundlessly as he realizes his colleague collapsing while shedding blood.
Imitating Hifumi, Alyssa wiped her wakizashi with a paper and picked up the fallen magic tool. As she looked around for a little while, she handed the magic tool over to a colleague who came as support.
"I'm sorry, I don't know how to turn it off." (Alyssa)
"Ueeh...?"
The soldier, who was suddenly given the magic tool, turned around the illuminated tool, but since he didn't find the place of the switch in the end, he decided to swiftly cover it up.
Once they confirmed that no light was leaking out after covering it with soil, Alyssa's group breathed a small sigh.
Circling the building and finding a window that looks like it allows entering, she hooks the wakizashi into it and opens it slowly.
The inside was pitch dark, but Alyssa and the other two, who judged that there are no people inside, entered the building one after the other while watching the surroundings.
Alyssa didn't notice it at all, however Hifumi overlooked their movements up to there from the rooftop of the barracks which were next to that building.
"Well, it might be a valid decision." (Hifumi)
At the point in time he confirmed Alyssa's figure, he had killed all of the soldiers of Horant who had come to the barracks' rooftop.
There's also a group responsible for the barracks among the infiltration unit from Fokalore, but as they just trespassed from the first floor, they are apparently moving while investigating the interior and are very unlikely to reach the rooftop for much more time to come.
"Well then, shall I try to observe them properly as their guardian?" (Hifumi)
Heading to the edge of the building, he runs fiercely towards the building Alyssa invaded.
The distance to his target is around 10 meters. It's further away than the world record. The distance for the approach run is short as well.
Stepping down on the rim of the rooftop, he jumps up while cutting through the wind.
The chilly air of the night hits his face.
The hakama made a fluttering sound, got filled with air and served as break.
"Uoooh?" (Hifumi)
Outside his assumption, Hifumi, who suddenly lost momentum unable to gain distance, takes out the kusarigama and throws the side with the sickle.
With a dry sound the sickle stabs onto the target rooftop. While grasping the chain, he kills the sound by pressing his feet against the wall part of the third floor.
"Phew... that was a bit unreasonable, huh?" (Hifumi)
Scaling the chain, he heads towards the rooftop.
"The boredom of simply waiting..." (Hifumi)
Hifumi was pondering while folding his arms, but before long he descended to the third floor leisurely while while being unarmed.
Imeraria, who temporarily returned to Munster from the location where they set up the defence encampment, immersed herself in her thoughts while secluding herself in the room prepared by Earl Biron even after she finished dinner.
"A failure is a failure. I will reflect on it, but there won't be any progress even if I drag it out forever." (Imeraria)
A pen stained with ink is made to travel across a paper casually
"Defense", "Night Attack", "Rescue Failure" and "Giant Enemy."
Once she sorted it out, they were even able to recover the area around the border, which was lost temporarily, without having large losses except the soldiers, who served as border security, and the instruction unit from Fokalore.magic
If it proceeds as planned, Alyssa's group has infiltrated Horant around this time and they have probably started to work on their subversive activities and investigation.
Once she considers it like this, a faint impatience is born within Imeraria.
"Even I, even I..." (Imeraria)
After murmuring that, she recovers her serenity once she takes a deep breath.
"Reflection", "Horant", "Nelgal" and "Ceasefire."
While recalling the long, gloomy sermon, she continues to write down words attentively.
"Possible things" and "Impossible things."
"I don't seem to have the ability to depart for battle..." (Imeraria)
She already has no choice but to acknowledge that.
Regarding the defence, it was a success and safe with Sabnak's leadership. I wasn't able to find  a place where I could play an active role at the battle in the morning.
"Things I'm capable of, things I'm capable of..." (Imeraria)
I haven't forgotten my duty as queen. It's wrong if I don't make sure to not neglect other things by single-mindedly concentrating on just Horant.
However, if I just end up leaving the conclusion with Horant here to Alyssa and Hifumi, it will likely become more and more impossible for Horant and Vichy to escape being influenced by Fokalore's territory.
"But, when it comes to settling a battle, military force becomes indispensable." (Imeraria)
At the present there is Orsongrande's royal army led by Sabnak and the feudal army of Earl Biron who is cooperating with us.
However, if one considers the matter of directly taking an aggressive stance against a whole country, that's insufficient. Practically spoken in regards to the battle, Horant's side will be declared the winner if they end up overtaking Fokalore's territorial soldiers
"Decisive battle, conclusion, negotiations, ceasefire..." (Imeraria)
"Seeing that there's no deciding war potential, we are compelled to rely on Hifumi for the sake of a ceasefire, I guess?" While writing down the words she leaked with her voice, she suddenly realized a sense of discomfort.
There's a X between "Decisive battle" and "Conclusion."
Imeraria, who gently returned the pen to its holder, stares fixedly at the X mark with her blue eyes.
"Things I can do... if it's this!" (Imeraria)
As Imeraria stood up with a force about to knock over the chair and once she called out whether there's anyone around, the door opened quietly.
"You have called, Your Majesty?" (Shibyura)
"... Shibyura-san, you were still here...?" (Imeraria)
Watching Shibyura curtsying while respectfully pinching the skirt of her servant's attire, Imeraria once again weakly slumped down on the chair.
"Since one of the servants, who joined the campaign, developed a fever, I have offered my help." (Shibyura)
Imeraria, who considered that she's probably trustable if you put aside her character even while being half in doubt of the details Shibyura told nonchalantly, smoothly filled out a paper at hand, signed it, applied sealing wax and pressed the ring, she took off, onto the wax.
"Please deliver this to Vaiya-san in the capital. As fast as possible." (Imeraria)
Shibyura, who received the letter held out by Imeraria, carefully wrapped it with a handkerchief and gently held it at her chest.
"As you wish. I shall deliver it by myself. There's just now a carriage available. They were able to rest plentifully." (Shibyura)
"Isn't it alright if you entrust it to some knight?" (Imeraria)
"No", Shibyura shakes her head.
"It's something with content that was able to remove Your Majesty's distress. This much is no trouble at all." (Shibyura)
Imeraria had a cramped expression in contrast to Shibyura who was smiling sweetly.
"Why... do you know that I was troubled?" (Imeraria)
"Since a mere hour ago I took a little rest by leaning on the door of this room due to feeling slightly dizzy. Because I accidentally pressed an ear against the door, I ended up listening to Your Majesty's talk once I heard Your Majesty's monologue." (Shibyura)
Due to Shibyura talking without being shy while only averting her gaze to the side, Imeraria didn't have the spare energy to get angry anymore either.
"It's already fine, thus I request it of you sincerely." (Imeraria)
"Please leave it to me while being at ease." (Shibyura)
Once Shibyura, who bowed in an exaggerated manner, left, Imeraria, who thought about the countermeasure of stretching her shoulders and elbows until some time ago, felt fatigue suddenly descending upon her and went to bed after changing her clothes quickly.
"Hoe~."
Once they proceed into the city through the entrance of the capital on the carriage which finished the formalities, the street continues as if breaking through towards the royal castle as the most flourishing street.
Watching the street where buildings, with three and four stories, made out of stone are put together in a row and where multicoloured goods are lined up at various stores, Puuse unintentionally raised her voice.
"This place is Orsongrande's capital city. It hasn't an especially set name. It seems only this city used to be called Orsongrande originally." (Paryu)
While the beastmen were intently listening to Paryu, who was sorting the documents inside the carriage, explaining, they looked like they had very deep interest in the things being sold along the road, especially the food.
"So, where are we heading to?"
"First we shall visit the royal castle. There isn't a rule, which was especially decided by Lord-sama, for places to stay at. There are cases where he stays in the castle and he also stays at down-town inns whimsically..." (Paryu)
"Paryu, I think that he is the most difficult to contact among the nobles", once laughing feebly, Viine smiled while agreeing as well. Even in the slums it was apparently difficult for her to create an opportunity to see his face readily even if she wanted to meet him as his sleeping hours were scattered and he often wasn't in his bed.
"However, there will be a ruler if we go to the castle, right? Will we be allowed to enter such place?"
"I wonder. Won't we at least get a hint where Lord-sama might be? Which reminds me, I also happened to lodge in the royal castle... I did nothing but studying though." (Paryu)
"The castle, is that?" (Malfas)
What Malfas pointed at ahead was definitely the royal castle Orsongrande was proud of.
The royal castle, where countless spires tower, was visible in the direction of their travel with its impressive presence.
"Yes, that's it." (Paryu)
"Haa~... this is amazing. It's the first I have seen such huge building." (Malfas)
Gengu shakes his head with an "uh huh" while licking his nose with his tongue.
Before long the carriage finally arrives in front of the royal castle.
A soldier, who boarded a platform wagon as guard, has come following as well. Smoothly conveying the story of Paryu being a civil official of Tohno Earldom, there were some among the knights, who were on duty, who remembered Paryu's face and saw to it that the formalities went ahead without delay.
"B-Beastmen, huh...?"
"In that case it's a story from Earl Tohno's place", Midas, who was called in, said.
Finishing the Nelgal escort mission, Midas, who spent time with his family during a two-days holiday, was at his wit's end with a gloomy feeling while thinking
While complaining in his heart that it would be fine if they place them in a mansion they maintain in the capital, he judges that it won't be good for them to stand out, accepts them into the royal castle for the moment and decides to consult with the prime minister.
While watching the beastmen who walk while looking around restlessly indoors as they aren't used to stuff like a ceiling, which had minute carvings added, and a floor which was completely polished, Paryu remembered that she had such emotions as well at the time she was brought along as slave. She can't remember how it was for Caim, but she believes that it was the same for everyone else.
"Midas-sama, where's Earl Tohno-sama currently?" (Paryu)
"... Soldiers were dispatched from Fokalore towards Horant, weren't they? Following them, or rather going ahead, or rather... well, there's no doubt that he headed towards Horant." (Midas)
"Horant you say, where is that?" (Gengu)
Due to Gengu addressing him while stretching his neck with a jerk, Midas flinched for an instant, but glossed it over by clearing his throat.
"How to explain it? Let's see... it's a different country which is located on the opposite side with approximately the same ((distance)) from Fokalore to here." (Midas)
"Hahaa~. Hifumi-san has gone on a trip to such distant place." (Gengu)
"Then, then if we go until there, I will be able to meet master?" (Viine)
"M-Master?" (Midas)
With Viine bending herself forward this time, Midas searched for assistance with a look towards Paryu.
"It's Earl Tohno. It looks like he made friends and "purchased" the girls in a human city located on the other side of the wastelands, apparently he did various things there..." (Paryu)
"Ah, I see..." (Midas)
, thinking that, Midas shakes his head towards Viine.
"Though it might be so, currently it's dangerous there. Therefore, ((stay)) obediently in the castle..." (Midas)
Midas manoeuvred so that they wouldn't cause trouble as much as possible, but that ended in vain when a single knight came calling out to them.
"Yoo, isn't that Paryu-san? It's been a while!" (Vaiya)
"Vaiya-san, are you doing well?" (Paryu)
"Yes, thanks to you. Thank you very much for letting me learn various things in Fokalore! Your companions are... this is amazing, they are beastmen...? By chance, is this person an elf!? As usual, you can find anything in Fokalore!" (Vaiya)
Due to Vaiya talking happily, his acquaintance, Paryu, gets excited chatting about various things as well. Having talked several times during Vaiya's stay in Fokalore, he received lectures regarding the population management such as family registers together with his wife Phyrinion.
"So, for you to deliberately show up at the royal castle means that something happened?" (Vaiya)
"These people harbour the wish of wanting to meet with Lord-sama... Earl Tohno-sama." (Paryu)
"If it's that, you are just right! We planned to depart in the direction of Horant from this time forward. This time it's a corps of 1000 soldiers, thus there's no problem even if it's increased by several people." (Vaiya)
Once Vaiya promised that without due consideration, the beastmen looked at each other delightfully. They are approaching Hifumi's location with large strides.
"Id...!" (Midas)
The one who was flustered by that was Midas.
Once they take some distance after Midas pulls Vaiya's arm, he lowers his voice so that it's not audible.
"W-What's wrong, Midas-san?" (Vaiya)
"Why is there a need for you to go to Horant? Moreover while taking along 1000 soldiers." (Midas)
"It's an order by Her Majesty. Come to Munster while bringing along Nelgal-sama after bolstering the numbers urgently, she said." (Vaiya)
Midas, who opened his eyes widely and was dumbfounded for a while, asks after recovering his mind,
"Wait, wait, Fokalore's feudal army and Biron's feudal army are there as well, aren't they? Why is it necessary to reinforce them?" (Midas)
"I don't know. That much wasn't mentioned in Her Majesty's decree. Besides, since the decree was an important document to the extent of it being personally kept by Captain Sabnak's wife, even I have no leeway to harbour doubts." (Vaiya)
Vaiya decided to conceal the matter of the letter from Nelgal being extorted by Shibyura on behalf of his honour.
"Guh guh... got it. That way it might be even easier than me ((going there)). It will be better if they accomplished their objective once they went to meet with Earl Tohno. Vaiya, may I leave it to you?" (Midas)
"Acknowledged. Also, there's a request from me as well..." (Vaiya)
"I have a bad premonition. Oy..." (Midas)
Once Vaiya shook Midas' hand after forcibly grasping it, he bowed very deeply.
"Since everyone below vice-captain of the royal guards will be absent with this time's dispatch, I leave the command inside the castle to you." (Vaiya)
"Please pardon me from that..." (Midas)
Once the dispute with Horant ends, I will apply for a long vacation and go out to play while taking along the children
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