騎士団長
「勇者?」
「ああ、どうやら最近の魔獣達の活動が活発になってるらしくてな。その原因が魔王の復活にあるらしい......そこでグランディール王国のお偉いさんが勇者を召喚したんだとよ」
翌朝、首輪を付けたルルちゃんとフィニアちゃんを起こして朝食を食べていると、なんだか人々の様子がおかしいと思った。ざわついている感じがして。
その後ギルドにやってきたら、僕が最初にギルドに入った時に絡んできた大柄の男の人が話しかけて来た。ルルちゃんがまた
男の人も中々青褪めた表情をしていたけど、流石に何もしていない人に金的は辛いよね。
それで、時間に追われている訳でもないからちょっとした雑談をすることになった。そしてギルド備え付けのテーブルに座って、教えられたのは勇者のことだった。
「へぇ......勇者に魔王とは......これまたテンプレな」
「まぁ魔王は脅威だけど、勇者が召喚されたなら大丈夫だとは思うぜ」
「ふーん、所で僕おじさんの名前知らないんだけど」
「勇者よりも俺の名前かよ......俺はグリムだ、Fランク冒険者のな」
正直な所、僕は魔王や勇者がどうのこうのという話に興味はない。まぁ元の世界に帰る手かがりを持っているのなら別だけど、魔王とか絶対強いじゃん、怖いからまず会いたくない。最悪戦闘にならないならいいけど。
それにしても、このおじさんはグリムって名前なのか、知らなかったなぁ。でもこういう風に情報収集が出来るなら冒険者と色々会話してみるのも手かな。
「きつねさん! 依頼はー?」
「うーん、そうだね。外に出る系の奴お願い」
「うん! ルルちゃん選びに行こっ!」
「あ、はい!」
あの後、結局フィニアちゃんはFランクに合格して帰ってきた。ルルちゃんはまだHランクのままだけど、魔獣討伐依頼の受けられるフィニアちゃんが仲間にいるというのは少しだけ前進した気分。
それに、首輪をして家族としての絆を深めたおかげか、ルルちゃんとフィニアちゃんも中々打ち解けて来たみたいだ。妖精様って呼び方はフィニアちゃんが許さなかったからフィニア様で落ち付いたけど。
「あの子達はお前のパーティか?」
「うん、僕の家族だよ」
「でもあの子の首のは奴隷の......いや、なんでもねぇ」
グリムさんはルルちゃんの首輪を見て怪訝な顔をしたけれど、家族だと言ったからか途中で言葉を引っ込めた。年を取るとやっぱり会話の空気というものを読めるらしい。それ以上言ってたらルルちゃんの金的喰らわせるとこだったよ。
「それにしても、勇者って何処から来てるのかな?」
「ん、なんでも異世界からやって来てるらしいぜ? この世界にも過去召喚された勇者が持ち込んだ技術や品物も多いしな」
異世界? 勇者は異世界から召喚されている?
「ちょっと、その辺詳しく」
「え? あ、ああ......確か最初に勇者が召喚されたのは300年前だったか、最初の勇者は女だったらしいぜ」
「ふむ」
「んで、その時現れた魔王を倒す為に女勇者は聖剣シュバルツレイドを手にし、瞬く間に強くなったんだと。それで魔王を倒し、元居た場所へと帰ったらしい。あー名前は確か......カンナ・タカヤギ、だったかな? 大層な美貌を持っていたらしいぜ?」
たかやぎ、かんな......間違いなく日本の和名。300年前っていうと江戸時代の人か......本を読み漁っていた時期に読んだ歴史書ではその時代、女の人が戦ったって記述はあまりない......なのに勇者として戦えたってことは、何かしらの特別な強化があったと見て良いだろう。
けどここで重要なのは、勇者は魔王を倒した後『帰った』ってところ。異世界から来た勇者は元の世界に帰った、帰る方法は『ある』?
「その女勇者を含め、過去4人の勇者が召喚されてるが......その中でも様々なものを持ち込んだ勇者がいたらしくてな、俺一押しはやっぱり『スカート』だな! あれは女の色気をぐっと高めたね!」
グリムさんが何か言ってるけど、僕としては帰る方法があるって分かったことが一番の知らせだ。勇者限定の帰還方法かもしれないけれど、前例があるのならそれはかなりの手掛かりになる。
「こう、すらっと伸びた足が眩しくてなぁ......! 下着がちらっと見えた時はもう最高だな!」
「馬鹿だね、見えちゃったら意味ないんだよ! スカートがほんの僅かな揺らぎで見せる、見えるか見えないかのギリギリの境界線にこそエロを感じるんだよ! 見えそう......でも見えない! でも見えないからこそ男の妄想を誘うんだ! スカートの中にある光景は妄想の中にこそ理想の光景として確立してるんだ! パンツが見えてしまったら、駄目なんだ!!」
「お、おう......すまねぇ......悪かったよ」
全く、チラリズムがどういうものなのか全く分かっていないよこの人。そもそも、スカートの部分だけに注目するのは間違ってる。チラリズムとは、本人が見られてしまったかもしれないと羞恥に頬を紅潮させる表情や、隠そうとする仕草にも価値があるんだ。
「で、勇者についてもう少し知っていることないかな?」
「あ、ああ......勇者は60年周期で魔王が復活する事から、同じく60年周期で召喚されてる。今は丁度5回目のその時だからな、さっきも言った通り勇者が召喚されたんだ。魔王を確実に殺す方法は......まだ分かってないらしい」
「魔王っていうのはどんな姿をしてるの?」
「いや、魔王の姿は勇者とそのパーティ以外は見ていないらしい。そもそも魔王まで辿り着くにはAランク以上の実力が必要だからな......」
なるほど、ってことは魔王は人間みたいな容姿をしていない可能性があるな。復活出来るということは、やっぱり別の肉体を用意しているとか、魂だけ別の場所に保管してあるとか、そういった細工がしてあるわけだからね。脆弱な人間よりも魔獣の様な強い肉体の方が都合が良いだろうし。
まぁ魔獣の要素を押し固めて人型を取るってのも魔王っぽいけど。
「で、今回召喚された勇者の国......どこだっけ?」
「さっきも言ったが、グランディール王国だ。戦争の多い武力国家だな、弱肉強食の国とも言われてる。腕を上げたい冒険者とかに人気だな、まぁあそこの冒険者は最低でもDランク以上の猛者たちばかりだ、軽い気持ちで行けば痛い目見るぞ」
「ふーん、興味あるね」
勇者、おそらくは異世界の人間。僕と同じ世界から来たのか、それともまた違う世界から来たのかは分からないけれど、これは大きな手掛かりを手に入れた。目的はどうあれ、そのグランディール王国には一度行ってみた方が良いと思う。
「きつねさーん!」
「ん、依頼が決まったのかな?」
「おいきつね......まさかお前行く気か? 弱肉強食の国に......」
グリムさんは案外僕のことを心配してくれているみたいだ。こういうお人好しな人は、嫌いじゃない。
「さぁてね、でもまぁ......その勇者には会ってみたくなったよ。それじゃ」
僕はそう言って、依頼書の掲示板の前で僕を呼ぶフィニアちゃん達の下へと歩み寄っていった。
◇ ◇ ◇
さて、今日もHランクのお手伝い依頼を幾つかこなして、多少レベルも上がった所で宿へと帰ってきた。最近ではレベルも余り上がらない、まだレベルも10台だというのに何故こうも上がりにくくなってきたのだろう。僕としては心底納得いかない。
ちなみにルルちゃんはまだ戦闘に参加出来ていない。小剣を構えるまでは出来たのだが、やっぱり生き物を殺すのはまだ抵抗があるようだ。
「すいません......」
「いやいや、無理にやらせようとは思わないよ。ちょっとずつ頑張ってくれれば」
「はい......」
しょぼんと肩を落とすルルちゃんの頭をぽんぽんと撫でながら、僕達は宿へと入る。晩御飯の時間まではまだあるし、しばらくは部屋の中で大人しくしていよう。あといずれグランディール王国に行くって二人にも言っておかないとね。
「―――もう良い、貴様は家の恥晒しだ。我が子故に多少は目を伏せて来たが......これ以上は付き合ってられん」
「そ、そんな......! 待って下さい! 私は......!」
「一週間だ」
「一週間、最後のチャンスをやろう。それまでに見習いを脱せないのならば......貴様はもう私の娘ではない」
リーシェちゃんがなにやらダンディーなオジサマと揉めていた。揉んでるんじゃないよ、揉めてるんだよ。
話の内容から、多分あのオジサマはリーシェちゃんのお父さん。腰に下げた剣とリーシェちゃんの騎士見習いという要素を組み合わせると、やはりあの人も騎士なんだろう。それも、凄腕だ。佇まいからしてそれっぽい風格と威厳がある。
「......ステータス」
ひっそりとオジサマのステータスを覗いてみた。
◇ステータス◇
名前:ヴァイス・ルミエイラ
性別:男 Lv89
筋力:6250
体力:5400
耐性:250
敏捷:4560
魔力:1200
称号:『騎士団長』『魔眼保有者』
スキル:『剣術Lv7』『身体強化Lv5』『神速』『威圧』『魔力操作Lv3』『先見の魔眼Lv5』
固有スキル:『先見の魔眼』
◇
凄まじいな。レベルの高さは言うまでも無いけれど、そのステータスの高さは尋常じゃない。
「ねぇきつねさん......アレ何? 揉め事?」
「揉み事だったら混ぜて欲しいけどねー」
「でもリーシェちゃん凄く必死な表情だけど」
「だねー、でも家族の内輪揉めだからねぇ......僕達の入れる世界ではないんだよ」
ルルちゃんが僕の手を握る力を強くした。
「......入れない、けど」
家族同士の話に、他人は介入出来ない。うん、僕の元居た世界ではそれが常識だった。現に、暴力を振るっていた僕の母親らしき人を止めようとした人はいなかった。
でも、ここは僕の元居た世界じゃない。そんな常識は此処でもあるのかもしれないけれど、僕の知ったことじゃない。それに、
―――子供が親から捨てられる苦しみを、僕は知っている。
「それだけは、見逃せない」
一歩、止まっていた足を前へと進めた。その足音に、素敵なオジサマが此方を見る。けどすぐに視線をリーシェちゃんに戻した。
気に入らないな。
「なっ!?」
『不気味体質』を発動すれば、ほらこっちを向いた。彼はAランクの化け物級の実力者で、確かに強いんだろう。でも、あの日の赤い瞳は、もっと怖かった。それを思えば、なんてことはない。
「初めまして、リーシェちゃんのお父様?」
僕は薄ら笑いを浮かべながら、挨拶をする。
「.........何だお前、死神でも喰らったのか?」
重い口調でそう言った。
Knight Leader
"Hero?"
"Yes, seems like recently magical beasts' activities are become livelier. And the reason is seems like because of the revival of the demon lord... and so, Grandile nation's higher-ups are summoning a hero."
The next morning, when we ate our breakfast after I wake Lulu-chan who is using the choker and Finia-chan up, I thought that somehow people's atmospheres are strange. It feels like they become more noisy.
After that we went to the guild, and then there the person who had a quarrel with me at my very first time came to the guild was coming to us. But he was stopped and flustered when Lulu-chan is suddenly takes a step forward and preparing to unleash her secret move "Golden Breaker".
The man becomes very pale, but as expected to suddenly receive ball crusher out of the blue sure is painful right.
And then, since it isn't like we're being chased by time or anything so I decided to have a chat with him. After that we moved to a table which were provided by the guild, and the thing he tells me is about the hero.
"Ah... hero and demon lord... such a template."
"Well, demon lord sure is a threat, but since the hero is already been summoned so everything should be okay."
"Hmm, by the way, I don't uncle's name though."
"Rather than the hero, you're more interested at my name huh... I am Grimm, F rank adventurer."
To be honest, I have no interest to such stories like hero or demon lord. Well, that would be a different story if it may become a hint for my way to return to my former world though, but demon lord must be very strong right, since that is scary so I don't want to encounter it. But if at my very worst luck I have to fight it then it can't be helped though.
Nevertheless, this uncle's name is Grimm huh, I didn't know. But sine I can gather information like this then perhaps it won't be bad for me to try conversing with other adventurers more.
"Kitsune-san! How about the request?"
"Hmm, let's see. The one that doesn't require us to go outside country please."
"Yes! Let's go to choose it, Lulu-chan!"
"Ah, yes!"
After that, in the end Finia-chan returned after she passed to F rank. Lulu-chan is still H rank, but I feel like we make a little progress by having Finia-chan who is able to take a subjugation request as our comrade.
Moreover, perhaps thanks to putting the choker as family sign which deepened our bonds, seems like Lulu-chan and Finia-chan also have quite opened their heart to each other. Since calling her by Fairy-sama wasn't permitted by Finia-chan, so she decided to call her by Finia-sama.
"Are those kids your party members?"
"Yes, they're my families."
"But the choker at her neck is slave... no, forget it."
Grimm-san is looking dubiously when he saw the choker which is used by Lulu-chan, but perhaps since I've said that they're my families so he retract his words midway. As an elder, as expected he is able to read the conversation's mood. If he says anything further then perhaps he would receive Lulu-chan's ball crusher.
"Nevertheless, where does that Hero come from?"
"Hmm, seems like they come from some another world, perhaps? Since the previous heroes who had been summoned to this world were also carrying many new techniques and articles after all."
Other world? The heroes were summoned from another world?
"Wait, please tell me the detail about it."
"Eh? Ah, hmm... if I remember it correctly, the first hero was summoned around 300 years ago, and seems like the first hero was a woman."
"Then."
"Then, to defeat the demon lord which appeared at that time, that female hero received the holy sword schwaltzreid, and she also became very strong in a blink of eye. And then, after defeating the demon lord, seems like she returned to her former world. Ah, if I remember it correctly, her name was... Kanna Takayagi, perhaps? And seems like she had a very beautiful face you know?"
Takayagi, Kanna... without a doubt it is a japanese name. 300 years ago then that means she was a person from Edo Period huh... at my former world, I had read numerous historical books about that period, but there was almost no transcription about a woman who participate at war... and yet for her to fought as a hero, that means she might got something like special blessing or the like right.
But the most important part is, about the hero who had "returned" after she defeated the demon lord. The other worlded hero was returned to her former world, so that means "there is" a way to return?
"Including that female hero, there were four heroes who had been summoned, but... seems like at that times each of those heroes were brought along various things, personally, I think the best of it is of course the 'Skirt'! It's raising woman's charm drastically!"
Seems like Grimm-san is saying something, but for me the most important part is about the existence of a way to return. It might be limited to only for heroes, but as long as it may become a precedence then it might become a considerably good clue.
"Like that, the extended slender legs are so dazzling...! And the time when we can see her panty sure is the best!"
"You fool, if the panty could be seen then it was pointless! We might be able to see the panty when the skirt is swayed even by just a bit, the boundary between whether it could be seen or not, that is the most erotic part! We can see it... but we can't! But exactly because we can't see it, it would tempts our delusion! The spectacle inside the skirt, and by our delusion we would be able to establish the most ideal spectacle of it! If we can see the panty, then that would be pointless!"
"O, oh... sorry... my bad."
Good grief, this person sure doesn't understand the art of a brief glimpse. Or rather, focusing only at the skirt is a big mistake. The art of a brief glimpse is, the important part are her blushing face when the person herself perhaps accidentally showing her panty, also her act to try hiding it again. To be in high spirit for just seeing a panty, are you a kid... wait, don't get me wrong. It isn't like I'm interested in panties or something. Since I'm a righteous youth after all.
"Then, do you know anything more about heroes?"
"Ah, hmmm.... Since demon lord's cycle of revival are repeated once each sixty years, so the hero also summoned accordingly. This time is the fifth time, and like I've said, the hero have been summoned. A way to completely kill the demon lord is... seems like still unknown."
"Do you know the appearance of demon lord?"
"No, seems like there's no one who had saw its appearance aside from heroes and their parties. Or rather, the struggle for just to reach demon lord's place is only possible for A rank adventurers or above after all...."
I see, so that means there's a possibility the demon lord might doesn't have a humanoid appearance. To be able to revive, as expected whether it was done by preparing a new flesh, or by storing only its soul somewhere, such tricks were possible after all. Rather than a fragile human, having a strong magical beast's flesh is far more convenient after all.
But well, having a humanoid form which is composed by magical beast's flesh is also demon lord-like though.
"Then, the country where the hero was summoned...where is it?"
"I've said it though, it's Grandile kingdom. A military country which has numerous wars, it's also referred as a kingdom of survival of the fittest. It's a popular place for adventurers who want to polish their skills, well, the adventurers there are men of valor with at lowest are D rank adventurer, so if you take it poorly there then you'll sure receive a painful experience."
"Hmm, I'm quite interested by it."
Hero, most likely an other worlder. I don't know whether he came from a same world with me, or perhaps from a different world, but it's a big clue which I get. With such purpose, I think it would be better for me to visit that Grandile kingdom at least once.
"Kitsune-san!"
"Yes, have you decided the request?"
"Oi Kitsune... don't tell me you're going to go there? To the kingdom of survival of the fittest..."
Seems like Grimm-san is unexpectedly worried about me. Such a kindhearted person, I don't hate it.
"Well then, but well... I think I want to meet that hero. Bye."
Saying that, I walk toward Finia-chan and Lulu-chan at guild request board.
* * *
Well then, today we also undertake some odd jobs requests, after we somewhat increase our level, we returned to the inn. Recently my level was hardly increased, even though my level is still at Lv. 10, but somehow I feel like it become quite hard to increase. Personally I can't comprehend it from the bottom of my heart.
By the way Lulu-chan is still unable to participate at battle yet. She had been prepared to use the short sword, but as I thought she still seems hesitate to kill a living being.
"I'm sorry...."
"No no, you don't need to force yourself to suddenly do it. It's good as long as you keep going at it little by little."
"Yes...."
While patting the dejected Lulu-chan who dropped her shoulders, we entered to the inn. There's still time till dinner time, let's just quietly pass the time at our room for now. And I also should tell them about my intention to visit Grandile Kingdom after all. When we passed the entrance and walking toward the stair, I realized that the atmosphere inside the inn is somewhat strange. We naturally stopped our leg.
"--enough, you're a disgrace for family. It's hard for me to cast my own child away, but... I can't go along with you any further."
"No, no way...! Please wait! I..."
"One week."
"One week, it's your last chance. If by that time you're still unable to cast your apprentice status away... you're not my daughter anymore."
Seems like Rishe-chan is quarrelling* with that dandy uncle. Not arguing**, but quarreling.
Since I didn't hear the conversation, perhaps that uncle is Rishe-chan's father. Considering the sword at his waist also a word about Rishe-chan's status as a knight apprentice, as I thought that man perhaps is also a knight. Moreover, a remarkable one. Just by his appearance alone gives such dignity impression.
"...status."
I quietly peek at that uncle's status.
*Status*
Name                    : Vaiz Rumiela
Gender                 : Male Lv. 89
Strength               : 6250
Stamina                : 5400
Resistance           : 250
Agility                   : 4560
Magical energy  : 1200
Title                       :{Knight Leader}  {Demon Eye Holder} 
Skill                       : {Fencing Lv.7} {Body Strengthening Lv.5} {Swift} 
Innate skill          :{Demon eye of foresight } 
*
Amazing. I didn't say about his level, but that statuses values sure are abnormal. I had met the man with level 47 who was wooing Mia-chan, but he can't even comparable to this uncle who has almost double of his statuses. Moreover to has{Knight Leader} tittle, ha must be very strong-- perhaps, he might even comparable with an A rank adventurer.
"Say, Kitsune-san... what is that? A quarrel*?"
"If they're contenting*** then I hope they would let me join in."
"But Rishe-chan looks like very desperate though."
"You're right, but since that is a family affair... that isn't a place where we could step in."
Lulu-chan strengthens her grasp at my hand.
"...can't step in, but."
At a family affairs, outsiders shouldn't intervene. Yup, at my former world that was the common sense. Or rather, there was no one who was able to stop my mother like existence who would easily exert for violence.
But, here isn't my former world. Such common sense perhaps also exist at this world, but that isn't something I know about. Moreover...
--the pain for being casted away by their own parents, I know it.
"That sole one is, I won't overlook it."
One step, my stopped legs are advancing forward. At that footsteps, that cool uncle is looking at me. But immediately returned to Rishe-chan.
I can't stomach it.
"Wha!?"
When I activate my {Eerie constitution} , he turn his face to me. He is someone who has power equaling the monsters of A rank adventurers, he must be very strong. But, that red pupil at that night, was far more dreadful. Compared to that, he isn't something scary at all.
"Nice to meet you, Rishe-chan's esteemed father?"
While faintly smiling, I greet him. Accordingly, Rishe-chan's father extends his hand to the sword at his waist, and gazing sharply at me in belligerence.
"...what's up with you, do you want to meet Grim reaper?"
And said that with a serious tone.
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