3話:生きた石膏像*2
奴隷。そう。奴隷だ。
なんで奴隷か、っていうと、フェイが『トウゴが1日1回忘れずに封印具の魔石の付け替えなんてできるとは思えねえ!大体、トウゴは生活能力が無さすぎる!ほっといたら死ぬぞこいつ!』と主張したからだ。
魔石の交換についてはまだしも、別に、ほっといたら死ぬなんてそんなことはない、と言おうと思ったのだけれど、『魔力切れ』で気絶したことが何度もあるという話が出たら、僕が反論できる雰囲気ではなくなってしまった。
それから、僕が森に住むなら、誰か僕の世話をする人が身近にいた方がいいだろう、ということになったのだ。主に、寝食の世話という点で。
......それで、さっきの話。『奴隷を買う』という話になってしまったのだ。
この世界には奴隷制度があるらしい。犯罪者や、貧民、借金で首が回らなくなった人、それから、戦争で負けた敵国の人?そういう人達が奴隷、になる、んだそうだ。
......なんというか、結構抵抗がある。だって、奴隷だよ。奴隷。ちょっといくらなんでも......元の世界の感覚が強くて、すごく抵抗を感じる。
「そっか。お前の世界には奴隷っていなかったのか」
やっぱりこういうところ、異世界なんだなあ、と思う。僕の知っている常識とは全然違うものが常識だったりするわけだし価値観も当然、違うんだ。
フェイもいい人だけれど、こういう時、ちょっとだけ距離を感じないでもない。
......けれど。
「......あれ?じゃあ、食うに困った奴とかどうしてたんだ?まさか全員、道端で物乞いってんでもねえよな?」
フェイがそんなことを言い始めるので、僕はちょっと、『あれ?』という感覚になる。
「ええと......働けない人とか、失業した人とかは、行政がお金出してた」
とりあえず、フェイに僕の世界の話を少しする。生活保護とか、文化的な生活とか。うん。そこらへんの話。
「成程なぁ......ええと、つまりそれって、結局は金持ってる奴が金持ってない奴を助ける仕組みってことか?」
「うーん......大体、そう」
雑にまとめられてしまったけれど、多分、大体はそれで合ってる。大体は。
「なら奴隷制度と大して変わらなくねえか?むしろ、ちゃんと雇用の場があるだけいいだろ、こっちの方が」
......うん?
「確かに奴隷になったら仕事は選べねえよ。けれど、とりあえず、絶対に寝食は確保できるし、職も手に入るだろ?ある程度金が溜まったら身分を買い戻して自由になることもできる。悪くねえだろ?な?」
なんだか......なんだか、僕が思ってた『奴隷』と、何かが違う、気がする。
「......奴隷って、その、何でも言うこと聞かされる、とか、酷いことされる、とか、そういうのじゃないの?」
念のため、聞いてみた。この世界の『奴隷』は僕の世界の『奴隷』のイメージと、何か違くないですか、と。
そうしたら、フェイは唸って......答えた。
「いや......無いとは言わねえよ。そういう扱いされることもまあある。犯罪奴隷だとその割合はどうしても多い。けど、少なくとも、金が無くて奴隷になった奴を酷い目に遭わせるのは違法だ」
え、法整備されてるの?何か、僕の予想を大きく超えてきた。なんだろう、なんだか、この世界はやっぱり不思議なところだ。
「ええと......違法なのに、そういう待遇、あるの?」
「そりゃ、目が届かねえところでならやる奴は居るだろ。こればっかりは中々取り締まれねえしな。うん......お前の世界ではそういうの、無かったのか?」
「あった」
言われてみれば確かに、違法行為を繰り返す人、というのは僕の世界にも居る。ほら、労働基準法とか、よく破られてるわけだし。
......そうか。この世界の奴隷、って、案外普通のことなのか。ちょっと何だか違和感があるけれど、言われてみれば納得がいく。
そうして僕らは、町中に着いた。
「......人がたくさん居る」
「あっ、もしかしてトウゴお前、町に来るの初めてか!?」
この世界に来て初めて、町に来た。
町は......木と石で作られた家が多い印象。まあ、森が近くにあるくらいだから、木材はそれなりに採れるってことだ。当然か。けれど、日本家屋みたいな造りじゃないから、異国情緒がある。
壁は大体、漆喰で塗ってある。けれど、真っ白じゃなくて、色が付いているのがお洒落だ。シックなグレーだったり、淡いピンクベージュだったり。シャンパンゴールドっぽい色の壁もある。
ということは、漆喰に混ぜる色の材料があるってことだよね。......少し気になる。
それから、窓。窓はガラス窓もあるけれど、民家だと木の鎧戸も多い。どうやらガラスはちょっと高級品らしい。
通りの舗装は石畳。暗い色の石が落ち着いた印象だけれど、その暗い石の石畳の中、いくつかの石は真っ白だ。それがアクセントになっていて、中々いい。
その石畳の上を、子供達が駆けている。広場には噴水があって、子供達や色々な人達の憩いの場になっているらしい。
......物珍しい。
そうか。異世界の町って、こんなかんじなんだ。
「そうか、お前、町は初めてかあ......ならもっと楽しめるように計画立てとくんだったなあ。失敗した」
フェイが僕を見て、如何にも『失敗した』というような顔をしている。それがなんとなくおかしい。
「別にいいよ。そんなことしなくても......」
「でも異世界人だぜ?異世界人に町を案内するんだぜ?絶対楽しいじゃねえか」
あ、楽しめるように、って、僕が、じゃなくて、フェイが、っていうことか。
......うん。彼のこういうところ、好きだよ。
それから少し歩いて、町の外れの方に来た。そこにあったのは古びた大きな建物。壁の漆喰が剥げて、所々、石や煉瓦が見えている。
どうやらここが、奴隷を売っている場所、らしい。
店に入ってすぐ、フェイが店の人と話し始めた。僕は置いてけぼりだったけれど、『今日はうちの従業員じゃなくてこいつの世話係を見繕いに来た』ってフェイが言って僕の方を見たので、店の人も僕の方を見た。
なんとなく、へこ、と頭を下げておく。こういう時、ちょっと落ち着かない。
それからフェイと店の人はちょっと話して......そこで、フェイが何か、にやりと笑って店の人に耳打ちした。
......何だろう。
そしていよいよ、奴隷を見せてもらうことになった。
「よーし。どうだ、トウゴ。気になるお姉さんは居るか?」
僕の前に、奴隷の人達が居る。
......変なかんじだ。何と言っても、ここの奴隷の人達は......とても、積極的だ。
「あら、可愛い坊やだわ!ねえ、私にしとかない?料理も掃除もできるわよ」
「だったらそっちの年増より私にしときなよ、『お兄さん』?な、悪い事は言わないからさ」
「すごい!綺麗な男の子ね!私、あなたに買われたい!ね、私にして!いっぱいイイコトしてあげるから!」
......うん。
困った。
僕の目の前では、大勢の女の人がにこにこ笑顔でいるのだ。それも、ちょっと、その、際どいことも言いながら。ちなみに恰好も結構際どい。あの、これ、どうしたらいいの......?
「よし、トウゴ。誰にする?誰が好みだ?」
そしてフェイはにやにやしながらそう尋ねてくるのだけれど......これ、絶対に揶揄ってるんだろうなあ。にやにやしてるし。目の前の女の人達、どう見ても家政婦さんというよりは、なんか、違うかんじだし。
......なので、ちゃんと自分の意見は言おう。
「あの、こういう女の人は、ちょっと落ち着かないから......やだ」
僕としては、一緒に居て落ち着かない相手は、ちょっと。
「えっ!?お前、大丈夫か!?」
だから、何が?
「いや......おい、トウゴ。お前、生活の世話してもらう奴隷を探しに来たんだぞ?その奴隷とは一緒に生活することになるんだぞ?」
「一緒に居るなら綺麗なお姉ちゃんの方がいいだろ!?世話してもらうんなら朝から夜まで全部できた方がいいだろ!?」
「うーん......?」
「大体お前、森の奥に1人だぞ?身分があるでもないし、しがらみの欠片もねえんだから、こういう奴隷買ったって文句言われねえって!」
「やだ。落ち着かない」
見解の相違。
一緒に生活するなら猶更、一緒に居て落ち着かない人は嫌です。
......とりあえず、他の奴隷も見せてもらうことにした。
でも、気難しそうなおじさんはちょっと遠慮したい。如何にも厳しそうなおばさんも遠慮したい。なんだか色っぽいお姉さんは落ち着かないから遠慮したいし、なんだか色っぽいお兄さんもやっぱり遠慮したい。
......何人か、この人ならいいかな、と思う人も居るんだけれど、なんだろう、いまひとつピンとこない。
うーん......奴隷を選べ、なんて言われても、勝手が分からないからしょうがないのかもしれないけれど......。
結局、奴隷を連れてきてもらうよりも、僕が見て回った方が早い、ということで、奴隷の待機場所へ連れてきてもらった。
ちょっと大きな窓がある部屋、みたいなものが沢山続いていて、そこに奴隷の人達が1人ずつ、或いは複数人で入っている。
部屋のドアの所にはその奴隷の説明なんかがちょっと書いてあるらしい。僕は読めないけれど、フェイが読んでくれた。家事が得意です、とか、魔法が使えます、とか。そういうことが書いてあるらしい。
どうやら奴隷は、いくつかにカテゴライズされているらしかった。『家事が得意です』『戦闘もできます』『農夫向き』とか。ある程度はカテゴリごとに分けてあって、1つの並びに大体同じような能力の奴隷が並んでいる。
......あと、その、さっきフェイが頼んで連れてきてもらっていた女の人達みたいな人ばっかりの並びもあった。そこは気まずかったからすぐ通り過ぎる。
そうして店の奥へ奥へ進んでいくと......鉄格子がある箇所があった。
......何だろう。僕が想像していた『奴隷を売る店』のイメージにすごく近い。
「おい、トウゴ。そっちから先は犯罪奴隷の売り場だぞ」
あ、そうなんだ。そっか。犯罪奴隷......。
うん。
フェイには止められたけれど、とりあえず、念のため、見に行ってみる。だって今までのところ、全員なんとなくピンとこない。だったら、全部見て回ってから納得して決めたい。
ただ......『犯罪奴隷』っていうのは、予想以上だった。
ガシャン、と音がする。鉄格子が鳴る音だ。
そして、鉄格子を鳴らしたのは、如何にも『悪い人です』という見た目のお兄さん。
「よお、そこのガキ。てめえ貴族のガキか?」
「違います」
「そうかよ。金持ってねえなら用はねえ」
そして如何にも『悪い人です』という見た目のお兄さんは、また鉄格子の奥の方へ行ってしまった。......ちょっとびっくりした。
「おい、トウゴ。こっちは......」
「ちょっとびっくりしたけれど、ちゃんと全員見たい」
フェイがもう一回止めたけれど、僕はこっちもちゃんと見たい。
鉄格子の奥に居る人達は、爛々と目を輝かせる怖い見た目の人だったり、ずっと寝ていたり、はたまたぶつぶつ何か呟きながら壁に向かって頭突きしていたり。......うん、確かに生活の世話をしてもらうには、絶対に不向きだ。ついでに、落ち着かない。さっきの女の人達とはまた違う意味で落ち着かない。
中には、鉄格子の隙間から物を投げてくる人も居た。割れたガラス瓶の残骸とか、あんまり投げないでほしい。怪我をしそうだ。まあ、フェイの召喚獣達が守ってくれるから無事だけれど......。
それでも僕は、その鉄格子の並びを見ていた。見て、沢山の怖い人を見て、見て、見て......そして。
鉄格子の一番奥に、僕は見つけてしまったのだ。
......鋭い眼光。はっきりと通った鼻筋。鍛え上げられた体。『ほっといたら伸びました』というような髪や髭。如何にも『戦士』というような風貌のその人は......僕に、思い出させたのだ。
美術室に置いてあった石膏像を。
ヘラクレス像、っていうらしい、それを。
「あの人にする」
僕は、この人に決めた。
だって、この人、描きたい。
Volume 2 - Ch 3
Slaves. Yes. A slave.
Why a slave, you may ask, because Fay says, "I don't believe that Tougo can remember to change the sealing tool's magic stone once a day! Tougo is too incapable of living! If he is left alone, he will die!" And He insisted.
Regarding the exchange of magic stones, I was going to tell him that it was not true that I would die if I was left alone, but when he mentioned that I had fainted many times due to "magic power depletion," I was no longer in any capacity to argue with him.
Then everyone decided that if I was going to live in the forest, it would be better if I had someone close by to take care of me. Mainly in terms of managing my food and shelter.
...That brings me back to my earlier point. We were talking about "buying a slave".
It seems there is slavery in this world. Criminals, the poor, people in debt, and people from enemy countries who have lost a war? These people become slaves.
...However, I have quite a bit of resistance. Because there is slavery, there are slaves. No matter how accepted... I have a strong attachment to the morals of my original world, and I feel a lot of resistance.
"I see. In your world, there were no slaves." (Fay)
After all, this place is a different world, I think. Their common sense is something that is completely different from what I grew up with, and naturally, our morals are also different.
Fay is a good person, but at times like this, I can't help but feel a little distant from him.
...But.
"... Huh? What does your world do with the people who were hungry? Don't tell me they were all begging on the street?" (Fay)
When Fay started to say that, I felt a bit like, "What?"
"Umm... the government paid for those who couldn't work or were unemployed." (Tougo)
Anyway, I tell Fay a little bit about my world, about welfare, culture, and so on. Yeah. I told him a little about my world.
"I'm not sure I understand. ...Well, does that mean that in a way, it's a system where those with money help those without?" (Fay)
"Hmm... yes, something like that." (Tougo)
It's a rough summary, but maybe that's mostly it. Mostly.
"If that's the case, it's not much different from slavery, is it? It's rather good that there is a proper place of employment, isn't it?" (Fay)
...huh?
"It's true that if you become a slave, you can't choose your job. But at any rate, you will definitely be able to sleep, eat, and get a job, won't you? And when you accumulate some money, you can buy your status back and be free. It's not that bad, right? Right?" (Fay)
I feel... that something is different from the "slave" that I thought of.
"...slaves aren't, you know, being forced to do whatever others say, or being treated badly, or something like that?" (Tougo)
Just in case, I asked. Isn't there some kind of difference between the "slave" in this world and the connotation of "slave" in my world?
Fay snorted and answered.
"No... I can't say there isn't. There are times when they are treated that way. It's just that when you're a criminal slave, the percentage of that happening is inevitably higher. But at the very least it is illegal to mistreat those who are enslaved because they have no money." (Fay)
Oh, there's a law against it? Something has gone way beyond my expectations. I don't know, this world is a strange place after all.
"Um... is there such a treatment when it's illegal?" (Tougo)
"I'm sure there are some people who do it out of sight, out of mind. The only thing is, it's hard to crack down on this kind of thing. Yeah... Is there no such a thing in your world?" (Fay)
"There are." (Tougo)
It is true that there are people in my world who repeatedly commit illegal acts. I know, labor laws are often broken.
...I see. Slavery in this world is more relatable than I thought. It feels a little strange, but it makes sense now that we talked about it.
Then we got to town.
"...there are a lot of people here." (Tougo)
"Ah, Tougo, isn't this your first time coming to town!?" (Fay)
It was the first time I had been in a town since I came to this world.
The town is made up of many houses made of wood and stone. Well, there is a forest nearby, so there is a good amount of wood available. Naturally so. However, they are not built like Japanese houses, so there is an exotic atmosphere.
The walls are usually plastered. However, they are not pure white, but rather colored, which is fashionable. Some walls are chic gray, some are light pink beige, and some are champagne gold.
So that means there are colored materials to mix with the plaster. I'm a little curious...
Then the windows. There are some with glass windows, but in most private houses there are many with wooden shutters. Apparently, glass is a bit of a luxury item.
The street is paved with cobblestones. The dark-colored stones give a subdued impression, but among the dark stones, some are pure white. The white accents are quite nice.
Children were running on the cobblestones. There is a fountain in the plaza, which seems to be a place of relaxation for children and various other people.
...how unusual.
I see. The town in the other world is like this.
"Is that right? Is this your first time in town? ...Then I should have planned to make it more enjoyable. I failed." (Fay)
Fay looked at me and made a face as if he had "failed". It's kind of funny.
"It doesn't matter. You don't have to do that..." (Tougo)
"But you're from another world, aren't you? I have to show people from another world around town, right? It's definitely better when it is fun, right?" (Fay)
Oh, so that we can enjoy it, well, not me, but Fay.
...Yeah, I like that about him.
We walked a little further and came to the outskirts of town. There I found a big old building. The plaster on the walls was peeling away, revealing stone and brick in places.
Apparently, this was the place where slaves were sold.
As soon as we entered the store, Fay started talking with the shopkeeper. I was left out of the conversation, but Fay looked at me and said, "I'm here today to find a caretaker for him, not one of our employees," to which the shopkeeper looked at me.
I bowed my head. I felt a little uncomfortable at moments like this.
Then Fay and the store clerk talked for a bit... at which point, Fay grinned and whispered into the store clerk's ear.
...What is it?
And finally, I was asked to see the slaves.
"All right. What do you think, Tougo? Is there a girl you're interested in?" (Fay)
There are slaves in front of me.
...It feels strange. After all, the slaves here seem... very aggressive.
"Oh, my sweet boy! Hey, why don't you let me be the one you choose? I can cook and clean." (Slave)
"Well, why don't you just pick me over that old lady over there, 'big brother'? I'm not going to say anything bad about you." (Slave)
"Oh, my gosh! You're a beautiful boy! I want you to buy me! Pick me! I'll do all kinds of fun things for you!" (Slave)
...yes.
I'm in trouble.
I'm looking at a lot of women smiling at me. And they are saying some rather, you know, questionable things. By the way, their clothes are also quite revealing. What should I do with this...?
"Okay, Tougo. Who do you want? Who among them caught your eye?" (Fay)
And Fay asks me that with a smirk. ...I'm sure he's making fun of me. He's grinning. No matter how I look at the women in front of me, they don't look like housekeepers, somehow they're different.
...So let me tell him my opinion.
"Well, I don't like these women because they... make me feel uncomfortable." (Tougo)
As far as I'm concerned, I'm not comfortable with someone I'm not comfortable with.
"Eh! Are you sure!?" (Fay)
What is wrong?
"No. ...Hey, Tougo. You came here looking for a slave to take care of your living, right? You're going to live with that slave, okay?" (Fay)
"If they are going to be with you, you'd rather it be with a beautiful girl! If they are going to take care of you, they better be able to do everything, from morning till night!" (Fay)
"Hmm...?" (Tougo)
"You're all alone in the depths of the forest, you know? You don't have any social status, and you don't have any ties, so nobody will complain about you buying a slave like them!" (Fay)
"No. I don't feel comfortable." (Tougo)
A difference of opinion.
If we are going to live together, I don't want to be with someone I don't feel comfortable with.
... At any rate, I decided to ask him to show me the other slaves.
But I'd like to refrain from a grumpy uncle. I also don't want to be with a strict-looking auntie. I would like to refrain from the sexy older lady because I feel uncomfortable, and I would also like to refrain from an older brother who looks kind of sexy.
...There are some people who think that this person would be good, but I don't think so.
Hmm... even if I was told to choose a slave, it might be useless because I don't know who to choose...
In the end, I decided that it would be faster for me to look around than to have the slaves brought to me, so I asked them to bring me to the slave waiting area.
There were many rooms with large windows, and the slaves were in them one by one or in groups.
On the door of each room, there are descriptions of the slaves. I can't read it, but Fay read it to me. It says that they are good at housework, or that they can use magic or something like that. It seems that such things are written.
Apparently, the slaves were categorized into several groups. They are "good at housework," "good at fighting," "good at farming," and so on. The slaves are divided into categories to some extent, and there is a line of slaves of similar abilities in one line.
...There was also a line of people who looked like the women Fay had asked to be brought to me earlier. I felt awkward there, so I walked right past them.
Then, when I went deeper and deeper into the store, there was a place with iron bars.
...I wondered what it was, it was very close to the image I had imagined of a store that sold slaves.
"Hey, Tougo. From there onwards is the criminal slave area." (Fay)
Oh, I see. Criminal slaves...
Yeah.
Fay stopped me, but I'm going to go take a look anyway, just to be sure. Because so far, I'm not sure about all of them. If that's the case, I'd like to look around at all of them and then make a decision after I'm satisfied.
However... a "criminal slave" was more than I expected.
The sound of clanging. It was the sound of the iron bars clanging.
And the one who rang the bars was a man with the appearance of a "bad guy".
"Hey, you little brat. Are you a nobleman's kid?" (Man)
"No, mister." (Tougo)
"I see. If you don't have money, I have no use for you." (Man)
And then, the man who looked like a "bad guy" went away behind the bars again. I was a little surprised.
"Hey, Tougo. That guy..." (Fay)
"I was a little surprised, but I really want to see everyone." (Tougo)
Fay stopped me one more time, but I really want to see this one too.
The people behind the bars could be scary-looking people with glowing eyes, or they could be sleeping all the time, or they could be head-butting against the wall while muttering something. They are definitely not the best people to take care of your daily life. And by the way, I don't feel comfortable. They are uncomfortable in a different way than the women earlier.
Some people even threw things through the cracks in the iron bars. Please don't throw the remains of broken glass bottles too much. I think I'm going to get hurt. Well, Fay's summoned beasts will protect me, so I'm safe, but...
Still, I was looking at the row of iron bars. Looking, watching a lot of scary people, looking, watching... and then.
At the far end of the bars, I found it.
...Sharp eyes, a straight nasal bridge, a well-trained body, hair, and beard that makes you say, "I just left it alone, and it grew". The man with the appearance of a "warrior" reminded me of the image of the plaster statue in the art room.
A plaster statue in the art room.
It was a statue of Hercules.
"I choose that person." (Tougo)
I decided on this person.
Because I wanted to paint him.
The Picture Perfect Mochi I Drew Tastes Good
今日も絵に描いた餅が美味い
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-picture-perfect-mochi-i-drew-tastes-good/
Adventure Fantasy Shounen Slice of Life Supernatural
Adapted to Manga Artists Caring Protagonist Fantasy World Friendship Loner Protagonist Male Protagonist Mythical Beasts Naive Protagonist R-15 Selfless Protagonist Spirits Stubborn Protagonist Transmigration Transported to Another World Weak Protagonist
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7921gj/
もちもち物質