彼女の第一歩
沈黙が続いていた。剣を収め、視線と視線が衝突する。
暗雲立ち込めるとばかりに雲に覆われた夜空の下、誰もいない真っ暗な空間の中で、私と父様は対峙していた。
勝負は着いた。
あとは、父様が私の実力を『騎士』の領域に達しているかどうかの話。私はそれを、父様が口を開くのを、待つだけのこと。
だが、父様は鋭い眼差し―――それこそ戦闘中と何ら変わりない程の眼光を持って、私を見ていた。その一本線の様に閉じられた口は、開く気配を見せない。
「っ......」
私は目を逸らさない。ここで逸らしたら、私は騎士になれないと思った。ここで臆すようであれば、騎士として戦う者には値しない。
「―――......コレは」
不意に、父様が言葉を発した。すると、同時に父様の瞳が翡翠色に煌めきを見せた。『先見の魔眼』が表面に浮き出て来ている証拠だ。私も表面に浮かびあがらせることは出来るけど、効果は発動しない。
私が、何が何でも見たかった景色が......父様の視界にある。少しだけ、羨ましくなった。
「この魔眼は、私達の家系に受け継がれてきた力。我々は常にこの魔眼と共にあったし、この魔眼と共に強くなってきた」
「......はい」
「だが、稀にいるのだ。お前のように魔眼が使えない者が......私は自分の娘がそうだと分かった時、酷く残念だった。しかし、それだけではない......騎士としての才能も無いなどと分かった時、私はこの騎士の血筋の終わりを見た気がした。それは......私にとって最も最悪な未来だった」
父様は、私に失望していたのと同時に、私達の血族の終わりを憂いていたのか。魔眼を使えなかったこと、騎士の才能が無いこと、この二つが父様を苦しめていた。
「だが......どうやら違ったようだ。お前には、ちゃんと戦える力があるのだな......今はそれが、一人の父親としてとても嬉しく思う」
「だが、結果は結果だ。見た所、お前はやはり騎士にはなれない」
「!?」
父様は、言った。私は騎士になれないと。
私は驚愕に目を見開き、何故なのかと父様を見た。すると、父様は魔眼を引っ込めて、言い辛そう......いや言いたくなさそうに言葉を紡ぎ始める。
「見た所、お前の剣は『剣武式』......だが、今の身体の柔軟さと剣を攻撃以外の回避に使う剣術は......『剣武式』というよりは『流鏡式』のそれだ。しかも、それを自覚出来ていないが故に、どちらの剣技にもなり得ていない全く別の剣術へと変化している。これは最早、格式高い騎士の剣技の範疇から大きく外れてしまっている」
「なっ......!」
「お前には、戦う力がある。だが、それは騎士のままではけして『伸びることはない』のだ」
それでは、それではどうすればいいというんだ。私は、生まれてからずっと、大きな騎士の背中を追い続けて来たというのに! たった一つのズレから全てが崩れ去っていたというのか!
私は、騎士には......なれないというのか......?
「だからトリシェ、お前は『冒険者』になれ」
父様の言葉が、私の心にすとんと収まった気がした。
「え......?」
「お前は冒険者になることでもっと伸びる......! だから、お前は冒険者となって強くなれ!」
「で、でも! 私は誰かを護る騎士の姿に憧れて......!」
「異な事を言うな......誰かを護るのに、騎士である必要はないだろう?」
確かに、そうだ。騎士でなくとも、人を護る力があるのならそれを振るってはいけないことにはならない。冒険者とて、人々の為に働く職業だ。そこは騎士とは変わらない。自由でいるか、誇りを貫くか、その違いでしかない。
「あの男、なんといったか」
「きつね......そう名乗っていました」
「きつね......あの男はきっとこの先ずっと高い領域へと昇り詰めるだろうな」
「え?」
「あの男、剣や拳といった武の力とは全く違う......何かを持っているように見えた......トリシェ、しばしあの男に付いていってみてはどうだ? きっと、騎士であれば見れない光景が......それこそ、この魔眼ですら見ることが適わない光景が見られるやもしれんぞ?」
父様は、そう言って笑った。きつねとはあんなに険悪な雰囲気を醸し出していたのに、何故そんなきつねを認めた様な言葉を言うのだろうか? 父様は、あの男に何を見たのだろう。
私は、それがとても気になった。父様がきつねの中に見たもの、そして、この先きつねが見せてくれるという魔眼でも見通せない光景が。
見てみたくなった。
「私は、その光景が見たくなりました」
「ハハハッ、そうかそうか......」
「私は冒険者になります。そしていつか―――」
言葉を切った私の方へ、父様は視線を向けた。怪訝な表情で綺麗なブルーの瞳が私を映す。
私は騎士団長の父様に向けて、ずっと追いかけて来た背中に向かって、憧れていた存在に向かって、
「―――必ず、その背中を越えて見せます」
そう言ってやった。
父様は、好戦的な表情で大胆不敵に笑って見せた。
◇ ◇ ◇
翌朝、僕の部屋にリーシェちゃんがやってきた。騎士然としていた防具は付けておらず、腰に下げた剣はそのままだったけどなんだか昨日とは顔付きが違う気がした。整形した? いやいや、そんな訳ないか。
フィニアちゃんもルルちゃんもまだ眠っていて、起こす前にドアがノックされたからこの部屋の中で目を覚ましているのは僕とリーシェちゃんのみだ。
なにやら話があるということで、昨日頑張ったからもしかして告白なんじゃないかとドキドキしながら、僕はリーシェちゃんを向かい合う。
「まずはきつね......ありがとう、私の為に色々と世話を掛けた」
「ああ、うん。まぁ多少疲れたけど命を救ってくれた恩もあったし、気にしなくて良いよ」
どうやら違ったらしい。やっぱり人間そう簡単にモテたりしないか。まぁ、良いけどね、リーシェちゃんは恋愛とかそういうのあまりイメージ浮かばないし。でもアレだよね、リーシェちゃんみたいな子は女の子扱いされると弱そうだよね。ちょっと人見知りな所ある訳だし。
「それで、だな......」
お? これは来たか? 目を逸らしながら、言いにくそうに挙動不審になっているリーシェちゃん、これはまさしく告白前の姿じゃないか? 期待しても良いかな? いいよね! さぁどんと来い!
「きつね、私を冒険者の仲間に入れてくれないか?」
「いいよ! .........ん?」
「そうか......良かった、それじゃあこれからよろしくな!」
告白じゃなかったみたいだ。思わず返事しちゃったけど、まぁいいかな。リーシェちゃんが騎士になれなかった場合は仲間に誘うつもりだったし、手間が省けて良いじゃないか。
「で、リーシェちゃん。ということは騎士になれなかったってこと?」
「ちょっと違うが......父様には認めて貰えた、その上で冒険者になると決めたんだ」
「ちょっと何言ってるか分かんないや」
分かんない、けど、リーシェちゃんがそれでいいなら僕は何も言うことはない。結局、全部丸く収まったって事で、めでたしめでたしだ。
さて、それじゃあまぁフィニアちゃんとルルちゃんを起こそうかな。
「起きて、フィニアちゃん」
「お前は......まさか、死んだ筈の兄さん......生きていたのか......! はっ、おはようきつねさん! リーシェちゃんもいるね! おはよっ!」
「ああ、おはよう」
今日はどうやら生き別れの兄さんが敵だった設定の夢を見ていたらしい。毎晩毎晩別の夢を見ているようだけど、よくもまぁこうもレパートリーが続くものだね、ある意味感心するよ。
次いでルルちゃんを揺すって起こす。彼女はフィニアちゃんと違って素直に起きてくれるから楽でいい。
「ルルちゃん」
「んぅ......おはようございます、きつね様」
眠気眼を擦りながら、しかし意識ははっきりしているようで、しっかり挨拶をするルルちゃん。まだそんなに時間は経っていないけど大分僕との生活に慣れたようだ。お互いが歩み寄った結果とも言えるけど、最低でも僕がルルちゃんを虐げないことは信頼してくれたようだ。良かった良かった。
すると、そんなルルちゃんを見ながらリーシェちゃんが話しかけて来た。
「昨日も気になっていたが......きつね、お前奴隷を買ったのか?」
奴隷が付けている『隷属の首輪』を見ての発言だろうし、彼女は僕とルルちゃんの間にあったことを知らないからそう言うのは仕方ない。
でも、仲間になるなら言っておかないとね。
「うん、でも今はもう僕の家族だ。奴隷と呼ぶことは、リーシェちゃんでも許さない」
「......そうか、悪かった。この国では隠れて奴隷を虐げる者もいるからな......家族として共にいるのなら良いんだ、私もそういうのは好まないからな」
「ルルちゃんは良い子だよ。仲良くしてくれると嬉しいな」
「勿論だ、元は騎士を目指していたんだ、子供を虐げるなんて塵も考えたことはない」
うん、リーシェちゃんとルルちゃんもこの分ならすぐに仲良くなれるだろう。それに、女の子同士だし通じる者もあるだろうし。あれ? フィニアちゃんは妖精だけど、このパーティって男僕だけじゃない? うわ、そう考えたら僕って結構勝ち組なんじゃないかと思えて来た!
「きつねさん! 今日は何をするの?」
フィニアちゃんがそう聞いてくる。うん、仲間も増えたし、元の世界に戻る為の手掛かりもある。今日からはその手掛かりを追う為の準備を始めようと思う。
勇者
得体の知れない、異世界の住人にして魔王を討伐しようと召喚された存在。そして、元の世界に帰る可能性を秘めた異世界人。調べる必要がある。
「その前に、リーシェちゃんが僕達の仲間になったから、紹介だけしておくよ」
「え! そうなの?」
「騎士様になれなかったんです、か?」
僕の言葉に、フィニアちゃん達が反応する。僕達の視線はリーシェちゃんに注がれ、リーシェちゃんはその視線を受けながらふと笑みを浮かべた。
「ああ、改めて自己紹介させてもらう。トリシェ・ルミエイラだ、好きに呼んでくれて構わない。よろしく頼む」
最初に会った時のような自己紹介をするリーシェちゃん。まるでこれが最初の自己紹介のようにも思える。
いや、実際これが最初なんだ。彼女は騎士を追い続けた自分を捨てて、新たな自分へと生まれ変わったんだ。だから、これが生まれ変わった彼女の最初の自己紹介。
「最強妖精フィニアちゃんだよ! よろしくね!」
「えと、ルル・ソレイユです。よろしくお願いします」
「僕はきつねだよ、歓迎するぜ、リーシェちゃん」
僕達はそれに笑みを浮かべながら返す。こうして、僕達に新たな仲間が出来た。
Her First Step
The silence is continued. Sheating our swords, our gazes are overlapping.
Under the night sky which covered by the dark cloud, inside a dark place without anyone other than us, I and my father are standing facing each other.
The battle is over.
The rest is, whether my father deem my power is suitable as a 'Knight' or not. I'm just, waiting for my father, to open his mouth about it.
But, my father is gazing sharply, similarly like when he was fighting, at me. His mouth which closed and make a solid line, showing no sign of opening.
"...."
I don't avert my eyes. If I avert my eyes here, I think that I won't be able to become a knight. If I'm hesitated here, I won't worth to fight as a knight.
"--...this is..."
Suddenly, my father says a word. And then, simultaneously my father's eyes are glittering with green jade light. That is the proof that "Demon eye of foresight" is appeared to the surface. I'm also able to make it appears at my eyes, but I can't activate its effect.
The scenery, which I wanted to see by all means... is existed at my father's field of vision. Just a bit, I'm envious at him.
"This demon eye is, an ability which is inherited at our family lineage. We're always together with this demon eye, we become stronger together with it."
"...yes."
"However, there were a rare case. Someone who was unable to use this demon eye similarly like you.... When I realized that she is my own daughter, I was greatly disappointed. But, not just that... I felt that I could see this knight lineage was coming to its end. That was... the worst possible future for me."
My father is, simultaneously when he says his disappointment about me, does he feel hard to sever our blood relation. About the fact that I can't use the demon eye, about the fact that I don't have any talent to become a knight, my father is tormented by both of it.
"However... it seems like I was wrong. You, have a proper ability to fight... right now, I think that as a father that is a very rejoicing thing."
"However, the outcome is still the outcome. From what I could see, as I thought you can't become a knight."
"!?"
My father is, said that. I can't become a knight.
I open my eyes wide in shock, looking at my father as if asking why?. And then, my father canceling his demon eye, and seems difficult to say it... and then ha starts talking as if it is something he doesn't want to say.
"From what I could see, your sword technique is {Sword art style} ... however, the technique you just used, aside from your body movement and attacking style is... rather  than {Sword art style} it was closer to {Flowing mirror style} . Moreover, seems like you weren't aware of it, but that was a variation style which different from these three style. That was already, greatly strayed from any sword style category which used by any knight with high status."
"Wha...!"
"You're, have the ability to fight. But, it{won't grow} if you keep becoming a knight."
Then, then what should I do. I, even though from the moment I was born, I was always chasing the back of a great knight! Is it all going to crumbled just because of a single deviation!
Is that means, I won't be able... to become a knight...?
"That's why, Trisha, you should become an{adventurer} ."
I feel like, My father words are, reverberating inside my mind.
"Eh...?"
"Your sword style would grow if you become an adventurer... that's why, you should become a strong adventurer."
"B, but! I'm longing for a figure of a knight who protecting someone...!"
"Don't say something strange.... If you want to protect someone, that doesn't necessarily means you must become a knight, right?"
That is indeed, right. Adventurer is, a job which work for people's sake. That isn't different from knight. Having much freedom, having less pride, these are the only difference.
"That man, what is he called as?"
"Kitsune... he is called as such."
"Kitsune... than man surely would keep ascending to a more higher place."
"Eh?"
"That man, I could see that he has something... a completely different ability than sword or martial arts...Trisha, how about you try following that man for a while? I'm sure, you'll be able to see scenery which won't be able to seen as a knight... that is, perhaps a scenery which even demon eye is unable to see, you know?"
My father is, says so while laughing. Even though Kitsune was always emitting such perilous aura, why does my father says something as if he is recognizing him? My father, what did he see at that man.
I'm, very curious about it. The scenery which Kitsune currently see, and the scenery which he's going to see, my father said that it's a scenery which even would be impossible to be seen using demon eye.
I want to see it.
"I, want to see that scenery."
"Hahaha, I see, I see...."
"I'm going to become an adventurer. And then someday...."
To me who is stopping my words, my father is looking at me. He is dubiously looking at me with his clear blue eyes.
I'm facing my father who is a knight leader, facing the back which was always I chase, facing the one I admire,
"--without fail, I will surpass that back of yours."
And say so.
My father is, dauntlessly smiling with belligerent expression.
* * *
The next morning, Rishe-chan come to my room. Without using her knight armor, her sword is still hung at her waist but I feel that her face is somehow different from yesterday. Did she take a surgery? No no, that's no way possible.
Finia-chan and Lulu-chan are still sleeping, before I wake them up, ever since my room's door was knocked those who are awake inside my room are none other than me and Rishe-chan.
Seems like she has something to say to me, since I had did my best yesterday could it be she is going to confessing or so I thought with my heart pounding hardly, and so I face Rishe-chan.
"Firstly, Kitsune... thank you, you've did so many things for my sake."
"Ah, yes. Well, it was somewhat tiring but I had a debt to you for saving my life after all, so you don't have to mind about it."
Seems like isn't about it. As I thought human aren't that easily become popular, huh. Well, that's also fine though, since I also can't imagine such view that Rishe-chan fall in love at me after all. Nevertheless, a girl like Rishe-chan seems like weak to be treat as a girl, right. She also has a little shy part at her, after all.
"And then, umm..."
Oh? Is it finally it? Averting her eyes, Rishe-chan is acting suspiciously as if she want to say something embarrassing, isn't it without a doubt the appearance of someone who is going to confessing? Is it okay if I have a high expectation here? It's okay right! Come on, come and say it!
"Kitsune, would you put me into your adventurer comrade?"
"Okay! ....hmm?"
"I see... thank you, then from now on, please take care of me!"
Seems like it wasn't a confession. I spontaneously answer it, but well isn't that fine. I was also intending to take her as my comrade if she was unable to become a knight, after all, isn't it good that I don't need to ask her myself. Or rather, I'm curious about what happened with her trial's result.
"Then, Rishe-chan. Does that means you were unable to become a knight?"
"That isn't quite right... in order to make my father recognizes me, I decided to become an adventurer."
"I'm not quite understand what you're saying."
I don't understand, but, if Rishe-chan is good with it then I won't say anything either. In the end, since everything were settled peacefully, everyone lived happily ever after.
Well then, I think for now I should wake Finia-chan and Lulu-chan up.
"Wake up, Finia-chan."
"You 're... could it be, my supposed to dead elder brother... so you're alive...! Ha, good morning Kitunse-san! Rishe-chan is also here, huh! Good morning!"
"Ah, good morning."
Seem like her dream setting today is her long separated bother appeared again and become her enemy. Each night she sees different dream, but well since she could keep up with that original repertoire, in some sense I admire her.
And then I shake Lulu-chan to wake her up. She is easy since different from Finia-chan, she would properly wake up after all.
"Lulu-chan."
"Hmm... good morning, Kitsune-sama."
She is sleepily rubbing her eyes, but seems like she has properly conscious, since she properly greet me. It hasn't that long since she lives together with me, but it seems like she is considerably got used to my livelihood already. You could say that it's the result of us compromising each other, but it seems like at least she has believed me that I won't oppress her. Thanks god, thank god.
And then, while looking at such Lulu-chan, Rishe-chan come to talk at me.
"I've been wondering since yesterday, but... Kitsune, did you buy a slave?"
That is statement which come because she saw the "Slavery chocker" which usually attached to a slave, since she seems like doesn't know about my time with Lulu-chan so it can't be helped if she ask me about it.
But, if we're going to be comrades then then I must tell her about it.
"Yes, but now she's my family. Calling her a slave, I won't forgive it even if it's you."
"...I see, that's good then. At this country there were many people who oppressed their hidden slaves after all... it's good if you're living together as a family, since I also prefer that way, after all."
"Lulu-chan is a good child. I'll be glad if you're able to get along with her."
"Of course, I was originally someone who intended to become a knight, so I have no even a micro scale of thought to oppress her."
Yup, at this rate Rishe-chan and Lulu-chan would be able to get along, too. Moreover, since both of them are girls so they should be able to open up their heart easily. Hmm? Finia-chan is a fairy, but aren't I the only male at this party? Uwah, if I think about it, isn't it means I'm quite a winner here!
"Kitsune-san! What are we going to do today?"
Finial-chan ask me that. Yup, my comrade have increased, and I also had got a clue about a way to return to my former world. I think it would be better for me to start my preparation to follow that clue from now on.
Hero.
I don't know what kind of person he is, but he's an otherworlder who was summoned as the one who would subjugate the demon lord. And then, an otherworlder who has the possibility to return to his former world. There's a need to investigate him.
"Before that, since Rishe-chan has become our comrade, how about we introduce ourselves first?"
"Eh! Is that so?"
"Did you perhaps failed to become a knight?"
At my word, Finia-chan and Lulu-chan reacted. Our gazes are focused on Rishe-chan, Rishe-chan is smiling while receiving those gazes.
"Ah, let me introduce myself once again. I'm Trisha Rumiela, you could call me whatever you like. From now on, please take care of me."
Rishe-chan introduces herself similarly like when we first met. I feel as if this is our first self-introduction.
No, practically this is indeed our first. Casting away her past self who always running to become a knight, and reborn as someone new. That's why, this is the first self-introduction of her new self.
"I'm the strongest Fairy, Finia! Best regards!"
"Umm, my name is Lulu Soleil-desu. I'm looking forward to work together with you-desu."
"I'm Kitsune, I welcome you, Rishe-chan."
We're replying so while smiling. And like that, we get a new comrade. Trisha Rumiela-- a girl who was unable to become a knight.
I Kinda Came to Another World, but Where’s the Way Home?
【書籍化】異世界来ちゃったけど帰り道何処？
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-kinda-came-to-another-world-but-wheres-the-way-home/
Action Adventure Comedy Drama Fantasy Harem Shounen Slice of Life
Apathetic Protagonist Bullying Calm Protagonist Demi-Humans Demon Lord Demons Dense Protagonist Fairies Game Elements Ghosts Heterochromia Knights Level System Male Protagonist Murders Naive Protagonist R-15 Royalty R*pe S*aves Sword And Magic Transported to Another World Weak Protagonist Yandere
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2650bx/
こいし