手掛かりを掴むための一歩
「さて、それじゃ行こうか。グランディール王国」
僕達は依頼を受けた後、リーシェちゃんやレイラちゃんの知識を頼りに旅支度を整えた。サバイバルや野宿の知識は一通り本と実際の経験で大体分かるから良い、寧ろその日の内に国外の雑魚相手にルルちゃんと僕のレベルを上げたり、夜に発情して襲い掛かってきたレイラちゃんを宥めたりと、主に旅支度よりもそっち方面に体力を使った。
どうやら成長したルルちゃんは、見た目以上に精神的にも成長したらしく、幼女時期の頃はあまり磨いた小剣術を使えずにいたのだが、見違えるように戦えるようになっていた。まだ手元や足裁きを見れば戦いに不安感を抱いているのは分かるのだが、それでも戦えるようになっただけでも十分に収穫だった。
そんな僕達のステータスは今、こんな感じだ。
名前:薙刀桔音
性別:男 Lv16(↑6UP)
筋力:40
体力:380
耐性:550
敏捷:410
魔力:200
称号:『異世界人』『魔族を魅了した者』
スキル:『痛覚無効Lv2』『直感Lv2(NEW!)』『不気味体質』『異世界言語翻訳』『ステータス鑑定』『不屈』『威圧』『臨死体験』
固有スキル:???
PTメンバー:フィニア(妖精)、ルル(獣人)、トリシェ(人間)、レイラ(魔族)
名前:ルル・ソレイユ
性別:女 Lv13(↑5UP)
筋力:650
体力:500
耐性:100:STOP!
敏捷:510
魔力:230
称号:『奴隷』
スキル:『小剣術Lv3(↑2UP)』
PTメンバー:◎薙刀桔音、フィニア(妖精)、トリシェ(人間)、レイラ(魔族)
僕は相変わらず耐性が上がり、他は敏捷以外あまり伸びは良くない。極端な形といえばそれはそうだが、防御特化というのも悪くない。
大してルルちゃんは第二次性徴も迎えたことで随分と数値が伸びた。元々、身体が大きくなったことでレベルの変動はなくともステータスが大きく向上したルルちゃん、そこにレベルアップも加えれば中々に大きく数値が伸びていた。小剣術も使いこなせるようになったからか、レベル3へと上がっている。今までは身体を動かせなかっただけで、元々はそれ位の技術はあったということだろう。
また、新しい発見として他人のステータスの限界値が分かるらしい事が分かった。耐性値の横にSTOPと出ている故に、きっとルルちゃんの耐性は100で限界値なのだろう。此処は僕の勝ちだな、レイラちゃんが800ちょいだからもう少ししたら抜ける。1000越えたら耐性だけならトップクラスだろ、なんせSランクでも500前後が限界らしいしね。
そんな訳で、僕達はミニエラを出る為に商人達が用意した荷馬車の下へと集っていた。振り返れば、そこには今まで世話になったミニエラの光景がある。少しだけ物寂しい気もする。
すると、フィニアちゃんが僕の頬に手を当てて、向日葵のように笑いかけてきた。
「うん、分かってるよ」
大丈夫、生きていればいつだって戻って来れる。今はひたすらに、前を向いて進まないとね。そして荷馬車の中を覗けば、リーシェちゃんやルルちゃんが優しげな瞳で僕を見ていて、レイラちゃんがにへら、と気の抜けた笑みを浮かべながらハートマークの浮かんだ赤い瞳で僕を見ていた。発情してやがる。
「いこっ、きつねさん!」
「はいはい」
僕は荷馬車に乗る。そこには僕のパーティー以外にも3人の冒険者が乗っていた。どうやらその3人は一つのパーティーでまとまったチームらしい。女の子2人と男が1人、ぱっと見僕と同じか少し上といった年齢の男だけど、女の子2人がその男に惚れている、といった感じに見える。
女の子達が男の両腕にそれぞれ腕を組んで、視線でお互い牽制し合っているようだ。そして、男と僕の眼があった。
僕を値踏みする様な視線。少し不愉快ではあったけれど、特に気にする事も無く僕は視線を切った。レイラちゃんの方が正直不愉快だし、この程度の視線なら元の世界でもよく浴びてたよ。
僕はそう考えながら、ルルちゃんの隣に座った。
「挨拶もなしとは流石はHランクだなァオイ」
そしたら視線を切られたのが不満だったのか突っ掛かって来る冒険者の男、心なしか視線でいがみ合ってた女の子2人も僕を睨んでいる。あんな何処にでもいる様な女の子達でも、きっと冒険者としてはEランクを越える実力の持ち主なんだろう。怖い怖い。
「ごめんね、挨拶が必要な相手とは思わなかったよ」
でも僕にとっては関係無い。不愉快な視線に臆するほど臆病者になったつもりもなければ、この程度じゃ臆する程怖くもなんともない。
「ほぉ、口先だけは威勢が良いな、雑魚の癖に」
「あはは、強がるなよ、弱く見えるぜ?」
「チッ......折角俺様が先輩への礼儀を教えてやろうってのに、生意気じゃねぇか」
「本当に強い奴ってのは弱い奴に対して礼儀を教えるなんてしないぜ? 本当に強い奴は行動で格の差を分からせるさ」
そう、かつて僕の左目を奪ったレイラちゃんのように、かつて対峙しただけで実力差がはっきり分からされたあのオジサマのように、君みたいに自分の格下を見下して悦に浸ってる奴ほど、大したことはないんだよ。
つまり、
「格下の僕にそうやって絡んでくる時点で、そこが知れてるぜ?」
君達はその時点で大したことないって事だ。
「......何それ、バッカみたい。もう良いよジル、弱いのが吠えてるだけでしょ」
「そうそう、こんな奴に構うことねぇって」
すると、男の両隣に座る女の子二人がそう言った。彼女達の名前は分からないけれど、男の名前はジルというらしい。別に名前を知りたい訳でもないので、ステータスを見たりはしなかった。良いよ別に、男Jと女A、Bで。興味もないし。
ただ男の方はよっぽどの女好きなのか、二人も侍らせておいてレイラちゃんに興味があるようだ。白髪赤眼の美少女で丈の短い黒いワンピース、寝っ転がっている故に、裾から伸びる白く長い艶やかな脚はさぞかし眼を奪うことだろう。それに彼女はそれなりに胸も大きいしね。更に言えば、常時発情した様子なんだ、襲いたくなるのも分かるよ。
良いよ別に、襲っても。なんなら貰ってくれても良いしね。明日の朝、彼の姿があれば良いけど......。
「まぁ良い、どうせグランディール王国までは一緒なんだ......仲良くしようや」
「それは同感だね、表面上くらいは仲良くしようじゃないか」
彼はレイラちゃんの太ももを舐めるように見つつ、僕にそう言った。
食べる気満々だな。そんなことを考えながら、僕は薄ら笑いを浮かべてそう返した。さて、出発だ。
◇ ◇ ◇
今回僕達が受けた依頼の依頼主は、何の因果か『クロモリ商会』という商会に属しているらしい、あの奴隷商人だった。
あのってどれだ、と思うかもしれないので説明すると、ルルちゃんを商品として売っていて、僕にフィニアちゃんを売ってお金にしてみてはどうだと言ってきたあの奴隷商人だ。
彼は僕を見た瞬間に怯えた様な顔を浮かべたけれど、よろしくと挨拶したらよろしくお願いしますと慌ただしく返して来た。どうやらあの時の『不気味体質』が随分と精神にトラウマを残したようだ。
とはいえ、僕達を乗せた荷馬車はグランディール王国に向かうべく進む。
「とりあえず、護衛依頼は俺らの方がよく知ってる。此処では俺の指示に従って貰うぞ......お互い、死ぬのは嫌だろ?」
「そりゃそうだ。良いよ、護衛依頼には一日の長がある君に従うよ」
走る荷馬車の中で男は出発前の態度を一変させ、真剣な表情で自分に従うように言ってきた。やはり腐っても格上の冒険者、生死が関わって来るとしっかり切替えが出来るらしい。こういう所を見れば従っても良いと思えるね、経験者は語るって奴だ。
「経験は俺達の方が上、とはいえ人数はお前らの方が上だ。無論実力で負ける気はしねぇけど、人数は均等に分けた方がいいだろ」
「なるほど、つまり僕らから一人そっち側に行くって事だね」
「話が分かるな、とりあえず......リーダーであるお前は駄目だ、頭が抜ければチームがバラバラになる事もあるからな......かつ、即興でも俺らの実力に合わせられる奴が良い」
あ、駄目だコイツ。何が経験者は語る、だ。この口振りからして自分達の所にレイラちゃんを引きこもうとしているだけじゃないか。Cランクの冒険者で知られるレイラちゃんならその条件に合うからねぇ。
それに、よく見ればチラチラと未だ寝っ転がってるレイラちゃんに視線が行っている。その真剣な表情、きっとたくさん練習したんだろうなぁ。都合よく女の子を取り入れる為の、涙ぐましい努力だね。
「じゃレイラちゃん、行って」
「えー」
微かにガッツポーズをする男、見えてるから、それ見えてるから。
とはいえ、彼女が欲しければ幾らでも持ってって欲しい。出来れば惚れさせてやってよ、そしたら僕のストーカーから晴れて君のストーカーに転身だ、そうすればホラ、皆幸せ。
「やだよ、私きつね君と一緒がいい」
「僕は君と別が良い」
「ちょっと頭どうかしてるよね」
レイラちゃんは今日も絶好調らしい。どんだけ自分の都合良く考えればそういう発想に至れるのかちょっと良く分からないよね。
「いーからあっち行って! きつねさんには私が付いてるんだから!」
「あはっ♪ 虫が何を言っても聞こえないなぁ♡」
「レイラちゃん、虫って言うなって言ったでしょ?」
「でも虫って言ったらきつね君が殺しに来てくれるんでしょ? ......それって最高だよぉ......♡」
もうやだこの子......そう思ってリーシェちゃんに視線を送ると、溜め息を吐いて視線をレイラちゃんに送った。
「レイラ、私が言うのもなんだが......チームである以上は協調性を持った方が良いと思う。きつねの言葉に従ったらどうだ?」
「うふふうふふふ......貴女の言葉に従うつもりはないけど、良いよ♪ 向こうに行ってあげる♡ だって私はきつね君が大好きだもん!」
リーシェちゃんが言ったからというわけではないだろうけど、レイラちゃんは満足したとばかりにそれを承諾した。どうやら僕に構って貰いたかっただけらしい。傍迷惑な。
というか気に入ったのかな、『だって私はきつね君が大好きだもん』ってフレーズ。ここぞとばかりに出してきたし、多分気に入ったんだろうなぁ。
とはいえ、レイラちゃんが向こうに加わることになったことで、向こうの男の気分は良さそうだ。早速レイラちゃんによろしく頼む、って手を差し出したけど、レイラちゃんはよろしくねーっとだけ言ってその手を取ろうとはしなかった。
そんな反応に彼は少し引き攣った笑みを浮かべたけれど、どうにか取り繕って好感を持たれるように振る舞う。前途多難だな、この男。最悪差し出した手が喰われる可能性もあったよ。
「ん、んん ゙っ......まぁなんだ、これで人数分けはいいとして......俺達は馬車の前方を護衛する、お前らは後方を警戒してくれ。グランディールまでは3日程掛かるし、日替わりで交代しよう。そっちも経験を積んでおいて損はないだろう?」
「それじゃ、善は急げだ。それぞれ位置に付こう」
「一つだけ、言っておくよ」
方針が決まったことで、早々に武器を持ち、自分達の配置へと向かおうとする男、女2人もそれに従うように顔を引き締めて立ち上がった。
でも、僕はそんな男に対して一つだけ言っておくことがある。これは君達が護衛依頼において先輩であるように、僕もまた一つの先輩であるからこその忠告だ。
「レイラちゃんには気を付けてね、特に............『夜』は」
「あ? どういうことだよ......」
「まぁ、夜になったら赤色には気を付けてね。最悪、死ぬ可能性もあるから」
首を傾げる男を余所に、僕もまた配置へと移動するべく立ち上がる。リーシェちゃんやルルちゃんもそれに続き、移動を開始する。
全部言ってやる義務はない、そんな義理はないし、僕がそうしたいとも思ってないしね。
今のアドバイスはただ、経験者として護衛任務での指揮を取ってくれたことに対するお礼みたいなものだ。
出来れば死なず、レイラちゃんを持ってってくれ。ほんの少し可能性だけど、期待してるよ。頑張ってね。
そんなやりとりを終えて、僕達はグランディール王国に向けて歩を進め始める。
―――だがこの時、僕は知る由もなかった、
グランディール王国へ行くというこの選択が、僕にとって『死よりも苦しい絶望』へと続いているということを。
First Step to Reach For A Clue
"Well then, let's go, to Grandile Kingdom."
After accepting the request, we arranged our preparation for this journey according to Rishe-chan and Leila-chan's knowledge. The general knowledge about survival and sleeping outdoor were could be learned by reading books or practical experience so I somewhat understood it, or rather, that day I and Lulu-chan raised our levels by fighting against small fries at the outside of the country, and after that I calmed down the lustful Leila-chan who assaulted me at night, that part took the most of my stamina today rather than the preparation itself.
Seems like the just grown Lulu-chan has mentally grown more than her appearance, when she was still at her little girl state, she could already handle the short sword quite refinedly, but it has increased beyond recognition. I still can see her uneasiness at her movement, but with just having her able to fight is considerably as a good result already.
And right now our statuses are something like these.
Name                        : Naginata Kitsune
Gender                     : Male Lv. 16 (| UP 6)
Strength                   : 40
Stamina                    : 380
Resistance               : 550
Agility                       : 410
Magic Power          : 200
Title                           :{Other worlder} {The one who fascinates demon} 
Skill                            : {Pain Nullification Lv.2} {Intuition Lv.2(NEW)}   {Eerie Constitution}  {Other World Language}  {Status Appraisal}  {Persistence}  {Overpower}  {Other worlder}  {Near Death Experience} 
Innate skill              : ???
PT Member             : Finia (Fairy), Lulu (Beas-kin), Trisha (Human), Leila (Demon)
Name                        : Lulu Soleil
Gender                     : Female Lv. 13 (| UP 5)
Strength                   : 650
Stamina                    : 500
Resistance               : 100:STOP!
Agility                       : 510
Magic Power          : 230
Title                           :{Slave} 
Skill                            :{Short Sword-Arts Lv.3 (| UP 2)} 
PT Member             : Naginata Kitsune, Finia (Fairy), Trisha (Human), Leila (Demon)
As usual, my resistance increased the most, and aside from my agility all my status didn't increased that much. It could be said as an extreme state, but specializing in defense isn't a bad thing.
On the contrary, after experiencing her secondary growth, her statuses considerably increased. In the first place, since her body has grown, even without any change at her level, her statuses would still greatly increased, so combined with level up, it increased even further.
Also, I got a new discovery that seems like I can see other people's status limit values. Since there's a 'STOP!' word beside Lulu-chan's resistance value, so I'm sure her resistance limit is 100, right? This part is my win, Leila-chan's is around 800 so I'd be able to surpass it soon enough. When it surpass 1000, my resistance would become top class, right? Even for S rank adventurers, their resistance limit are around 500, after all.
Leaving that aside, we are currently gathering inside the merchant's wagon to leave Miniera. When I turn around, I can see Miniera that has been taking care of us thus far. I feel a bit lonely because of it.
And then, Finia-chan puts her hand at my cheek, and float a sunflower-like smile.
"Yes, I understand it."
And then, when I peek to inside the wagon, Rishe-chan and Lulu-chan are looking at me with gentle eyes, and Leila-chan is smilling and looking at me with eyes that are floating heart marks. She's in heat.
"Let's go, Kitsune-san."
"Yes, yes."
I get on the wagon. Other than my party members, there are also three other adventurers. Seems like they're in a same party. Two women and one man, at a glance, the man is bit older than me, where the women are fall in love with him, or so how I take it.
The women are linking arm with him at his respective arms, where their gazes are seemingly keeping each other in check. And then, my and that man's gazes meet.
A gaze that is appraising me. It's a bit annoying, but since it isn't something I need to concern myself with, so I cut my gaze away from him. Leila-chan's gaze is honestly more annoying, after all, I'm already get used to a gaze of such level at my former world.
While thinking so, I sit next to Lulu-chan.
"Not even a greeting, huh, as expected from an H rank, right? Oi."
Then, perhaps he feels dissatisfied that I cut my gaze away, so the man is calling out to me, I feel like even the quarreling women are also glaring at me. Even if these women look like someone you could find anywhere, I'm sure as adventurers, their ability are at least E rank, right? How scary.
"Ah, sorry, it's just I didn't think that you were someone I need to greet, so."
But that has nothing to do with me. If you have no intention to become a coward who would cower before any annoying gaze, then there's no need to be scared of any gazes at this level.
"Hoo, your lip-service sure is amazing, right? For a mere small fry."
"Ahaha, please don't act strong like that, it only makes you look weak, you know?"
"Tch... even though this great me has kindly taught you about mannerism toward your senior, you sure are cheeky, aren't you?"
"A really strong person won't teach a mannerism toward a weakling, you know? A really strong person is, could be understood the difference in status just by their behavior, you know?"
Right, like Liela-chan who once snatched away my left eye, like that uncle whom I could understand the difference between our strength just by facing against him, so a person like him who is rejoicing by looking down to any person with lower rank than him is, not something considerable.
That means,
"From the fact that you take a quarrel with me, I can see your base, you know?"
This man isn't anything comparable to them.
"...the hell is that, how foolish. Just stop it already, Jill, a weakling is could only bark but no bite, right?"
"Yup, yup, there's no need to mind about such person."
Thereupon, both women who sit next to the man say so. I don't know their names, but seems like the man's name is Jill. It isn't like I want to know their name of anything, so I don't peek their statuses. The man J and the women A, B, are good enough. I have no interest in them, after all.
It's just, seems like the man is quite a womanizer, leaving the women next to him waiting, seems like he's more interested at Leila-chan. A white haired and red eyed cutie who wears a short black dress, and since she's laying down so I'm sure her white long and glamorous legs that stretched out from her cuff would surely entice any eyes, right? Her boobs are also considerably big, after all. Moreover, she's at such lustful state, so of course I understand why he wants to assault her.
Next morning, it would be good if his body was still remained, though....
"Well, fine, we're going to be together till Grandile kingdom, after all... let's get along well."
"I agree with that, at least on the surface, let's get along well."
He says so while keep on looking at Leila-chan's thighs as if licking it.
He's fully intending to eat her, huh. While thinking so, I answer so while floating my usual faint smile.
* * *
This time, our client is, I don't know what kind of fate it is, but seems like it's a company named "Dark forest company", that slave merchant.
Which one do you mean by 'that'? Perhaps there'd be someone who think so, so let me explain it, it's the merchant who sold Lulu-chan and also asked me to sell Finia-chan.
The moment he saw me, he floated a somewhat frightened face, but when I greeted him and said 'please take care of us', he hurriedly answered with 'please take care of us, too'. Seems like my "Eerie constitution" at that time had carved a bit trauma upon his soul.
Nonetheless, the wagon that we ride is keep on advancing toward Grandile kingdom.
"Well, we're more experienced at guarding request, so I'll have you abide my instruction... there's none of us who want to die, after all, right?"
"Well, that sure is right. Fine, I'll abide you since you have a slight superiority at this field."
Inside the advancing wagon, the man tells us to abide him with a serious expression, completely different from the first time we met. As expected, even if he's rotten, he's still an adventurer with higher rank than me, seems like he would completely changes when life is put on the line. Looking at that part of him, I feel like I don't mind on abiding him, the so called experienced person.
"Experience-wise we're better, but number-wise you're better. Of course, ability-wise I don't feel like losing, but having an equal member would be better, right?"
"I see, that means, we have to put one of our party member on your side, right?"
"You sure understand it fast, but... since you're the leader so you're a no go, a team without its head tends to scatters away, after all... and, it would be better if it's someone with ability that could keep up with ours."
Ah, he sure is hopeless. The hell with experienced person. With such long preface, all he wants is to pull Leila-chan into his side, right? Since the well known C rank adventurer, Leila-chan, would perfectly match that requirement, after all.
Moreover, when I look more closely at him, he's taking a peek at the laying down Leila-chan from time to time. That serious expression, I'm sure he has practiced it for long, right? What a touching effort with the sole purpose to gather girls around him.
"Then, Leila-chan, go there."
"Eh~"
The man quietly makes a triumphant pose, I see it, I see it, you know?
Nonetheless, if you really like her that much then please take her away from me, already. If possible, please make her fall for you, if you're able to do it then she'll turn from my stalker into yours, if you do that, then, you know, everyone would be happy.
"Don't want to, I want to be together with Kitsune-kun."
"I want to stay away from you, though."
"Your head has gone worse, isn't it?"
Seems like Leila-chan is also at her best form today. Considering just how self-centered she is, I don't know why but somehow that's the conclusion I get.
"Now just go there already! Since Kitsune-san has me with him already, after all."
"Ahaha, no matter what a bug says, I don't hear anything."
"Leila-chan, I told you to don't call her as bug, didn't I?"
"But, if I call her bug then Kitsune-kun will come and tried to kill me, right?... that would be the best...."
I'm enough with this girl already... thinking so, I send a glance at Rishe-chan, and then, letting out a sight, she sends a gaze toward Leila-chan.
"Leila, I don't think I have the right to say it, but... since you're together with us, I think it would be better to be a bit more cooperative, you know? How about starts with abiding Kitsune's word?"
"Ufufufu... I have no intention to abiding your word, but, fine, I'll go there. Because I love Kitsune-kun so much, after all!"
I don't think it is because Rishe-chan is the one who said it, but Leila-chan somehow consent with it with a somewhat satisfied expression. Seems like she simply wants to get my attention, huh. What a nuisance.
Or rather, does she take a liking into it, I wonder, the 'Because I love Kitsune-kun so much, after all' phrase. She always says it every crucial moments, so perhaps she really takes a liking into it, right?
Nonetheless, since Leila-chan goes to his side, the man's mood is sky rocketed. He immediately says 'best regard' while pulling out his hand to her, but Leila-chan only says 'best regard~' without taking his hand.
His smile is a bit cramped at her reaction, but seems like he's still able to properly maintain his good upfront. This man sure will has a hard time, right? There's also the worst possibility that she might eat your presented hand, you know?
"Ah, umm... what's it, ah right, with this our number has been equaled... we'll guard the front, and you take a vigilance at the rear. We'd need around three days to reach Grandile kingdom, so we'll exchange our place at times. You haven't had such experience, right?"
"Well then, let's move immediately. Go to your respective post."
"Ah wait, let me give you an advice first."
Since the plan has been decided, the man immediately takes his weapon and stands to go to his post with both of his women following in kind.
However, there's one thing I need to tell him first. Similarly like how he acted as a senior at this guarding request, so I also have to give him an advice as a senior at this field.
"Please be careful with Leila-chan, especially... at 'night'."
"Ha? What do you mean?"
"Well, anyway, at night be careful with anything red, kay? At the worst case, there's a possibility of dying, after all."
Looking at the man who inclines his head, I also take my equipment and stand up. Rishe-chan and Lulu-chan are also following in kinds, and start moving.
I have no reason to tell him everything, I have no obligation to do so, and I don't feel like I want to do it either.
My advice just now was just something akin to a thanks since he properly did his duty as a senior at guarding request.
If possible, please don't die, and take Leila-chan away from me. The chance is very slim, but I'm counting on you. Do your best.
Finishing our conversation, we start progressing toward Grandile kingdom.
--however, I never expected it.
That my choice to go to Grandile kingdom is, for me, will give me "A painful despair worse than death itself".
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