山頂に響く嘆きの叫び
「ストップ、ワルター。そこで止まってくれ」
「はい?」
ワルターを制止し、それ以上進まないように指示を出す。
俺は姿勢を低くすると、慎重に数歩先の草むらを掻き分けた。
野生動物が踏み荒らしたにしては、不自然な痕跡がある。
......っと、あったあった、やっぱりな。
「見ろよ、ワルター」
「これって......ロープですか?」
足に引っ掛かる高さに、ピンと張ったロープが設置してある。
坑道の入り口がここから薄っすら見えるので、もしやと思ったが......。
ロープを視線で辿っていくと、木の陰に侵入者感知用の鳴子がぶら下がっている。
その他にも、数個の罠がカモフラージュされながら設置されている。
これだけ厳重な警戒ならば、恐らく間違いないだろう。
「うん、どうやらこっちが当たりみたいだな」
「凄いです、師匠! あ、でも......師匠が敵のボスがここに居ると予想した理由、まだ聞いていませんでしたよね?」
「ああ、そうだったな」
ワルターに俺の真後ろを同じ足運びで歩くように頼み、ロープを
続けて移動して後ろに付いたワルターは、俺の上着の裾をギュッと掴んだ。
うん、そういう所作はワザと――じゃなく、天然だろうな......。
「敵のリーダーの頭が切れるって話はしたよな?」
「はい。そこまではお嬢様と一致した見解でしたよね?」
「そうだな。で、ヘルシャは各所に指示を出しやすい中央付近に居ると予想したんだろう。でも、俺は――」
話しつつ、大量の罠に掛からないように慎重に進んで行く。
結構いやらしい配置をしている......トラバサミや落とし穴がメインなので、特に足元には注意が必要だ。
その内の幾つかには、小型のモンスターや動物が掛かったままになっているものもある。
ちゃんと処理しろよな......。
「――山賊のリーダーをやるような品性のヤツは、もっと臆病で卑怯だと踏んだ訳だ。それで、最も街から遠く逃げやすいここだと予想したってことになる。って、これだけ自慢気に話をしておいて、もし中に誰も居なかったら笑えないが」
「いえ、これだけ過剰な量の罠ですから......ボクは師匠の言う通りだと思いますよ」
「だといいけどな――と、ようやく着いたな......」
100メートルそこそこの距離を進むのに、軽く五分以上は掛かってしまった。
木材で組まれた坑道の入り口の奥は非常に暗い。
俺が入り口に罠は無さそうだと告げると、ワルターが先に入ろうとするが――
「待った」
「え? またですか?」
「そこの岩壁、色に違和感が......」
「あ、本当ですね。時代劇のセットみたいな色です」
「ちょっと動かして――あ」
俺が軽く触れると、岩に見えたそれはただの灰色に塗られた布で......。
重しの石を除け、ぺらぺらと揺れる布を
確かに遠くから見ると分からないが、子供騙しのような入り口の隠し方だった。
それとも、侵入者がここまで来たとしても正規の坑道の入り口に意識が向くから、これで充分という意図なんだろうか?
「......行くか。こっちだろうしな、正解ルート」
「あ、師匠、ボクが先に。前衛なので、神官の師匠よりは何か起きても大丈夫です!」
「ありがとう。じゃあ、頼むわ」
念のためにワルターに『ガードアップ』と『レジストアップ』を使用。
穴は狭いので、一列で順番に這って進んで行く。
「ヒヒヒッ、単細胞のバカどもを上手く使ってやるだけでこの成果......全く、笑いが止まらんなぁ」
「「......」」
語るに落ちるとはこの事か。
積み上げた金貨を並べ、金勘定をしている男は俺達が背後に立っても気付く様子がない。
ランタンの光が照らす薄暗い坑道の一画。
やや据えた臭いが籠るその部屋には、強奪したらしい金品が積み上げられていた。
狭い上に寝床も無いので、どうやらここは財宝を保管する隠し部屋のようだ。
「あのー......これって、もう攻撃しても......?」
「!?」
男が俺達の声に振り向いた直後、拳を固めたワルターが懐に飛び込む。
痩せぎすの男は、その攻撃に吹っ飛んで壁に叩きつけられた。
faint! という表示が出て、ゲーム側から男が気絶したことを知らせてくる。
一撃か、あっけない。
しかし、綺麗な正拳突きだったな......スキルの補正だけでは、こうはなるまい。
「ワルターって、もしかして格闘技経験者なのか?」
「はい。空手の道場に少し......」
容姿は可憐でも、戦闘力は高いのか......俺、例の質問をして怒らせるのが怖くなってきたよ......。
その辺に落ちている布の切れ端やロープを使い、気絶した男をしっかりと拘束しておく。
これは、ワルターと二人で運ぶのは大変だな......いくらこの男が軽そうとはいえ、背は高い。
トビを連れてきて俺と二人で持たないとダメか。
荷台のようなものがあれば別だが。
「よし、一旦あっちと合流しよう。こっちにリーダー格が一人で居たってことは、向こうが大勢に囲まれている可能性もある」
「はい、師匠」
意識の無い男をその場に転がしたままにして、俺達は坑道の中央部へと足を向けた。
「何だこれ......」
それは異様な光景だった。
体つきのいい荒くれ者たちが、揃って平伏している。
対するは鞭を振りかざして凄むヘルシャ、隣でオロオロしているだけのトビ。
さん! 団長は俺達にきちんと稼ぎを分配して......」
こちらに気付いたヘルシャが視線を向ける。
「姐さん」て......荒くれ者達は怪我をしている者も居るが、恨みの篭った目をしている者は誰一人として居なかった。
......まさか、山賊達全員の心を掌握したってのか? この短時間で?
恐ろしい奴だな。一体どんな手を使ったんだ?
「えっと......まずは無事で何より。で、こっちでリーダーは捕まえたぞ。かなりの財宝が隠し部屋にあったから、ヘルシャの言う事に間違いはない。奴は一人だけ私腹を肥やしているぞ」
俺の言葉を聞いた山賊達が口々に
もはや収拾がつかなくなるかと思われたその時――
鞭を一閃、甲高い音を鳴らして地面を叩いたヘルシャが一喝して場を収めた。
それに留まらず、更には次々と指示を下していく。
「副団長!」
「へ、へい! 姐さん!」
「貴方が行って確かめて来なさい。ハインド、トビ!」
「あ、ああ。そいつに隠し部屋を見せるついでに一緒に行って、団長とやらをここに連れてくるよ」
「頼みますわね。ワルターはここに残りなさい」
その後、異様な統率力を発揮したヘルシャの手により一気に事態は進展。
部下達の前に引っ立てて来た団長に全てを吐かせ、ヘルシャに心酔してしまった副団長が自ら出頭すると宣言。
部下達もそれに続いた。
ちなみに当初、部下達の前で白を切る団長に対するヘルシャの責めは、それは苛烈なものだった......ヘルシャ以外の全員が顔を青ざめさせるほどに。
普通、本当に生爪を剝がそうとするか? これは全年齢対象のゲームなんだぞ?
どうにか止めることに成功したので、それは未遂で済んだが。
俺だって見たくないしな、そんなもの......。
ヘルシャの本気度を感じ取った団長は、慌てて全て吐くことにしたようだった。
ねられていた部下達は、どうやら強盗はしても殺しはしていなかったらしく......自首と合わせ、どうにか死罪だけは免れるだろうというのがヘルシャの予想。
駄目だった場合は、ヘルシャ自ら町長に対して助命嘆願を行うとまで約束した。
その言葉に泣くほど感激している山賊が居たのが何とも......。
そうして一段落ついたので、慌ただしく坑道内を動き回る山賊達を俺はトビと並んで眺めている。
「盗みを働いていた張本人達が、こうして返す為に財貨を運び出しているのはおかしな光景でござるな......拘束していないというのに誰も逃げないでござるし」
「ああ、そうな......ヘルシャの影響力――というか、支配力の賜物か。ちょっと開いた口が塞がらないが......ところでトビ。ワルターの件に関して、俺はお前に謝らにゃならんのだが」
「! もしかして、ハインド殿の勘が外れて女性でござったか!?」
「いや、嬉しそうな顔をしてるところ悪いんだが――実はまだ分かってなくてな」
「おう......」
「なので、もうワルターに直接聞こうかと思うんだが......」
そこで都合よく、ヘルシャとワルターが近くを通りかかる。
呼び止めようと一歩踏み出したところ......
「はあ!? それでは、ハインドが居なかったらトラップに引っ掛かって逃げられていたではありませんか! 全くだらしない......だから他の使用人に馬鹿にされるのですわよ。何かにつけて
「でもでも、師匠は本当に凄いんですよ! ボク、何だか執事修行もやる気が出てきました! 今後は気持ちを入れ替えて、師匠みたいになれるよう頑張ります!」
「へえ......少しはマシな顔ができるようになったみたいですわね。またハインドに借りが出来てしまったみたいだけれど」
致命的な一言が俺達の――特にトビの
男らしくない......男らしくない......つまり、ワルターは......。
「アイエエエ!? オトコノコ!? オトコノコナンデ!?」
「ひぃっ!? どうしたんですかトビさん!? た、確かにボクは男の子ですけど......」
「アバーッ!?」
「二人とも、こちらに居ましたの? 探してしまいましたわ」
「あ、ああ。それよりトビが......」
俺は気の毒で、それ以上トビを見ていることができない。
気が付くと、ヘルシャに事実の念押しのような話をしてしまっていた。
「ほ、ほら、ワルターって女顔じゃんか? だから――」
「? でも、しっかりと執事服を着てますわよ? それを見れば男だと分かるでしょう?」
「そ、ソウダネー。ソノトウリダネー......って、分かるか! 無理だよ! 見た目で判断しろってんなら、ありゃ完全に反則だろ! ふざけんな!」
「くくっ、ははは......ひゃはははははははははは! イーッヒッヒッヒッヒッヒッヒッヒ!」
「と、トビ!? トビが壊れた!? しっかりしろぉ! だ、誰か! メディック、メディーーーーーーーーック!!」
「何が起きているのかさっぱり理解できませんけれど......衛生兵は貴方では? ハインド」
Chapter 35 - The Scream Of Grief That Resounded Throughout The Summit.
[Walter, stop. Stop right there.]  (Hind)
[Yes?]  (Walter)
I restrained Walter and gave him the order to not go any further.
I lowered my posture and carefully pushed aside the grass a couple steps in front of us.
There were traces that were too unnatural to have been done by some wild animal.
...Oh, there it is, I knew it.
[Walter, look.]  (Hind)
[Is this...a rope?]  (Walter)
At a height where our feet would get caught, a rope was firmly straightened.
The entrance of the tunnel could be slightly seen from here and when I thought that perhaps it could be that...
When I followed the rope with my line of sight, I saw a wooden clapper secretly dangling that would notify them if there were intruders.
Other than that, there were several traps installed that were camouflaged.
If the precautions are this rigorous, there's probably no doubt about it.
[Yup, seems like this was the right choice.]  (Hind)
[Master, you are amazing! Ah, however...I believe you haven't told me the reason you thought that the leader would be here right?]  (Walter)
[Oh, you are right.]  (Hind)
While requesting Walter walk right behind me following my steps, I stepped across the rope.
Following that, Walter, who was walking behind me tightly held onto the hem of my tunic.
Yup, these gestures of his are not really...on purpose, he's just a natural airhead...
[I did say that their leader was quick witted right?]  (Hind)
[Yes. Your thoughts did coincide with ojou-sama's in that regard right?]  (Walter)
[That's right. So, Herscha calmly pointed at various places around the middle and expected him to be around those parts. However, I-]  (Hind)
While talking, I proceeded very carefully while not triggering any of the large quantity of traps.
They are set up in quite the unpleasant way...they are mainly made of bear traps and pitfalls so I have to be especially careful of where I walk.
Before long, we even saw some small monsters and animals that had gotten caught in them.
You should properly dispose of them...
[-I just judged that the type of person that would become a bandit leader would be far more cowardly. That's why I deduced that he would be here since it's easier to run away from the town from this place.
[No, seeing how there are this many traps here...I believe it's like master has said.]  (Walter)
[That would certainly be nice...oh, we have finally arrived...]  (Hind)
Even though we had only advanced about 100 meters, it had easily taken more than 5 minutes.
The entrance to the tunnel was made of wood and the interior was unusually dark.
When I told him that it was improbable that there would a trap placed at the entrance, Walter tried to enter first but...
[Wait.]  (Hind)
[Eh? Again?]  (Walter)
[That rock on the wall, its color feels out of place...]  (Hind)
[Ah, you are right. It feels like the color something in a set for a historical play would have.]  (Walter)
[Let's move it a bit...ah.]  (Hind)
When I lightly touched it, what looked like a rock, was just a piece of cloth painted grey...
Protected by the heavy rocks around it, when I tore off the thin waving cloth, the entrance of a hole appeared.
It's true that you wouldn't notice when you are far away, but it was a childish way to hide the entrance.
Or, did they think that this was enough since the intruders would think that this was just a normal entrance to a tunnel?
[...Shall we go? It's probably this way, the correct route]  (Hind)
[Yes, master, I'll go first. Since I'm a vanguard, I'll be better off if something happens compared to master who is a Shinto priest.]  (Walter)
[Thanks. In that case, I'm counting on you.]  (Hind)
Just in case, I used [Guard Up]  and [Resist up]  on Walter.
The hole was narrow, so we proceeded by crawling one after the other.
[Hihihi, I was able to get these results by using those simple minded fools well...jeez, I can't stop laughing.] 
[[...] ] 
I guess this is what they call to let your secrets slip when you are chatting.
Piles of gold were lined up, the man counting the gold didn't notice us standing behind him.
A lantern dimly lit this part of the tunnel.
The money and goods that they pillaged were filling this slightly stinky room.
Since it was very cramped, there were no beds, seems like this was a secret room to store their treasure.
[Eh...is it OK if I just attack him...?]  (Walter)
[!?] 
Just when the man turned around from hearing our voices, Walter's fist plunged into the man's chest.
The skinny man was blown away and slammed against the wall.
The message [Fainted]  was displayed and the game notified us that the man had lost consciousness.
With just one blow...that was so disappointing.
However, that was quite the beautiful thrust...it probably wouldn't be like that with just the skill correction.
[Walter, do you have martial arts experience by any chance?]  (Hind)
[Yes. I've done a bit of karate...]  (Walter)
Even if his appearance is lovely, his fighting prowess is high, huh...I, I've become a bit scared of angering him with my questions...
We used pieces of cloth and ropes in the vicinity and tightly bound the unconscious man.
This is going to be a bit hard for both of us to carry...even if this man is light, he's quite tall.
I guess it'd be impossible unless I call Tobi and carry this guy along with him.
It would be another story if there was something to carry him though.
[Alright, let's reunite with them on their end. If their leader is alone here, there's a possibility that they have been surrounded by a big crowd over there.]  (Hind)
[Yes, master.]  (Walter)
Leaving the unconscious man there, we headed towards the center of the tunnels.
[What's this...?]  (Hind)
This is quite the...odd sight.
The rowdy men with well built bodies were all prostrated.
In front of them was Herscha threatening them with her raised whip and next to her was Tobi, who just looked confused.
[H-however, Ane-san! Our leader is properly dividing the earnings with us...] 
Herscha turned to look at us when she noticed we were there.
[Ane-san]  you say...there are some of them that are injured, but there was no one that looked like they resented her at all.
Don't tell me...was she able to grasp the hearts of the bandits? In this short amount of time?
She's quite terrifying. What did she really do?
[Eh...first off, I'm glad that you are fine. And, we were able to catch the leader on our end. There was a fair amount of treasure in a hidden room so I believe it's just as Herscha has said. He was increasing his own profit.]  (Hind)
After they heard my words, the bandits started to shout.
Just when I thought it was going to get out of control-
Her whip flashed and along with the high pitched noise of it striking the ground, Herscha shouted.
Without stopping there, she started to give instructions.
[Vice-leader!]  (Herscha)
[Y-Yes! Ane-san!] 
[Go and check it. Hind, Tobi!]  (Herscha)
[O-Oh. We'll go along with him to show him the hidden room and bring their leader while we're at it.]  (Hind)
[I'm counting on you. Walter, you stay here.]  (Herscha)
After that, the situation progressed in one go with Herscha's unusual leadership skills.
We brought the leader in front of all his subordinates and he spilled everything, the vice-leader declared that he would turn himself in from admiration for Herscha.
The rest of the subordinates followed after him.
By the way, in the beginning, the leader tried to feign innocence in front of all his subordinates and the punishment Herscha tried to give him for that was quite severe...other than Herscha, the faces of the rest turned pale.
Normally, would you peel someone's fingernails off? This is a game targeted for all ages you know?
We were able to stop her somehow, so that ended up in just a failed attempt.
Even I wouldn't want to see something like that...
Feeling Herscha's level of commitment, the leader panicked and started to tell us everything.
Excluding the skinny leader, it seems like the rest of the subordinates didn't commit any murders even though they had robbed...since they are going to turn themselves in, Herscha predicted that they would be able to escape the death penalty.
In the case that it would be impossible, Herscha promised them that she would request the mayor to spare them herself.
Hearing those words, there were some bandits that were extremely moved and even cried...
Since they had already surrendered, I stood next to Tobi and just looked at the bandits running around the place.
[It's quite the strange sight to see the perpetrators of the stealing transporting the goods to return them...even though we haven't restrained anyone, no one is trying to run away.]  (Tobi)
[Yeah, you are right...it's the result of Herscha's influence...or rather, her controlling power. Though it's kinda shocking...by the way, Tobi. Regarding Walter, there's something I have to apologize about.]  (Hind)
[!! Don't tell me that your intuition was off and she was a girl!?]  (Tobi)
[No, I'm sorry to say this when you are looking that happy but...I still don't know.]  (Hind)
[Oh...]  (Tobi)
[So, I thought that it was about to ask Walter directly...]  (Hind)
Just in time, Herscha and Walter were passing by close to us.
Just when I took a step forward to tell them to stop...
[Hah!? So you mean that if Hind wasn't there, you would have gotten caught in the traps and he'd have ran away!? Jeez, you are so careless...that's why the rest of the servants make fun of you. Don't you find it vexing when they tell you that you are not manly?]  (Herscha)
[But but, master is really amazing! I've somehow become really motivated to do my butler training! From now on, I'll switch gears and work hard to become like master!]  (Walter)
[Heh...seems like you have started to be able to make a good face. Though it seems like I'm in debt with Hind again.]  (Herscha)
A certain lethal word reached our...especially Tobi's earlobes.
Not manly...not manly...which means that Walter is...
[Aieeeee!? A guy!? Why is he a guy!?]  (Tobi)
[Hieee!? What's wrong Tobi-san!? It's true that I'm a guy though...]  (Walter)
[Abah!?]  (Tobi)
[You were here? I was looking for you.]  (Herscha)
[Y-Yeah. More importantly, Tobi...]  (Hind)
I felt miserable and couldn't bear to look at Tobi anymore.
Before I realized it, I asked Herscha as if to remind us of the truth.
[L-Look, Walter is very feminine, right? That's why-]  (Hind)
[?? However, He's wearing a butler uniform properly though? You'd know that he's a guy just from seeing that right?]  (Herscha)
[R-Right. You are completely right...wait, like hell I would! That's impossible! Telling me to judge from his appearance alone, that's completely foul play! Don't screw with me!]  (Hind)
[Kukuku, hahaha...hyahahahahaha! Ihihihihihihi!]  (Tobi)
[T-Tobi!? Tobi broke!? Hang in there! S-Someone! Medic, mediiiiiiiiiiiiiic!!]  (Hind)
[I have no idea what's going on here but...aren't you the medic, Hind?]  (Herscha)
VRMMO no Shien Shokunin ～Top Player no Shikakenin～
ＶＲＭＭＯの支援職人　～トッププレイヤーの仕掛人～
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/vrmmo-no-shien-shokunin-%ef%bd%9etop-player-no-shikakenin%ef%bd%9e/
Action Adventure Comedy Fantasy Harem Slice of Life
Adventurers Beautiful Female Lead Blacksmith Brother Complex Calm Protagonist Childhood Friends Clan Building Cooking Crafting Curious Protagonist Dense Protagonist Elemental Magic Fantasy Creatures Game Ranking System Gamers Hard-Working Protagonist Healers Level System Love Interest Falls in Love First Love Rivals Male Protagonist Misunderstandings MMORPG Ninjas Possessive Characters Priests Siblings Siblings Not Related by Blood Sword And Magic Virtual Reality Younger Love Interests Younger Sisters
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4014ds/
二階堂風都