121.99 Problems
「お帰りなさいませ」
「ああ、久しぶりだな」
頭を下げたカイムに、一二三は左手をひらひら揺らして応えた。
その左手が薄い革手袋に包まれている事に気づいたカイムだったが、気づかぬふりをした。
一二三の部屋を訪ねたパリュが、頼まれて革手袋を左手分だけ買ってきたのはカイムも知っていたが、パリュが理由を聞かされていないのに、自分が踏み込んで聞く理由は無いと考えたのだ。
「お食事をご用意いたしましょうか?」
「外で適当に食ってくるから、気にしなくていい。帰ったら、今までの話を聞こう」
「そうだ。お前も一緒に行こう。まだ昼は食べてないだろう?」
多くの職員に見送られ、一二三はカイムを連れてブラブラと館を出た。
「どっかいい店を知っているか?」
「いえ。いつもは自室か館の食堂を利用いたしますので」
真新しい道着で、まだ硬さが気になるらしく、一二三は歩きながら懐に手を突っ込んで脇のあたりをしきりに動かしている。
商店が建ち並ぶエリアに来ると、一二三に多くの民衆の注目が集まる。
「領主様! おかえりなさい!」
「いつもありがとうございます! また寄ってください!」
商店から声をかけてくるのは、多くが中年の商店主たちだった。貴族としては異例なほど、一二三は街に出かけて主に食べ物を買い、珍しい道具などがあれば気まぐれに購入したりするので、フォカロルの商店主たちは皆が領主の顔を知っている。
中には、直接一二三の前に出てくる物もいた。フォカロルに学びに来ている学生たちだ。
「伯爵様。よろければお話を聞かせていただければ......」
先頭に立っていた、まだ十代も半ばに見える少女が、胸に抱えていた書類を一二三に見せてきた。
そこには、いつか一二三がカイムたちにやらせた計算問題が書き写されている。それを見て、一二三は吹き出しそうになった。
「ふはっ、この問題ずっと使ってるのか。......っと、計算だったな」
そこに記載されたのは円柱や四角錐などの体積を求める計算問題だった。
当然ながら高校を卒業寸前だった一二三にとっては鼻歌交じりで解ける。
筆記具として利用されている、布で包んだ木炭を受け取り、一二三はさらさらと計算方法を書き込んだ。
「これで解けるだろ」
「あ、ありがとうございます!」
頬を染めた少女が頭を下げると、その後ろから同じ年頃の男子学生がずいっと前に出た。
その表情は、少女とは違い、どこか憮然としている。
「伯爵様。質問ですが」
「ちょっと......」
女子学生が止めようとするが、男子学生は無視して一二三に視線を合わせた。
「トオノ様は今でこそ伯爵の地位にあられ、多くの武勲をお持ちですが、元は平民であったと聞いております」
出し抜けに身分の話を始めた事に、一二三はニヤニヤと笑いを浮かべ、その斜め後ろに控えているカイムは無表情のまま目を光らせた。
「それで?」
「僕の家は古来より多くの偉人を輩出してきた伝統ある伯爵家です。今は父の言いつけにより、フォカロルで学んでおりますが......一体、これらの計算がどのように役に立つのでしょうか? 正直に申しまして、僕には何の意味があるのかわかりません」
フン、と鼻を鳴らした学生は、言ってやったと得意満面だが、後ろにいる女子学生はすっかり青くなってしまっている。
さらに、その女子学生を差して続ける。
「彼女も僕の家よりは格下ではありますが、子爵家の立派な令嬢です。このようなくだらない計算よりも、もっと学ぶべきことがあるべきです!」
攻め時だと思ったのか、先ほどよりも強い調子で続けた学生の言葉を、一二三は一言も発さずに全て聞いた。
聞いたうえで、笑みを崩さずに返す。
「無駄だと思うなら、やめればいいだろ」
必死で必要性を説いてくると構えていた学生は、目と口を開いて呆けた顔を見せた。
女子学生も驚きの表情だ。
「別にこっちは強要してない。何をするべきかなんざ、自分で判断しろよ」
「で、ではこの学問は無駄だとお認めになるのですか!?」
「お前にとっては無駄かもな」
一二三の返答に、勝ったと言いたげな顔を見せた学生だったが、次の言葉に再び呆然とする。
「何しろ、勉強した意味が解ってないどころか、使い方を考えようともしてないもんな。点数が欲しいだけなら別のところに行けばいいだろ。馬鹿に教えても時間と紙の無駄だしな」
「は、伯爵家の正当な後継である僕を侮辱するのですか!」
「俺は本当の事しか言ってない」
それに、と一二三は続けた。
「お前の家がどうとか、こいつの家がどうとか、何のまじないだ? 俺とお前が戦って、お前の親父が伯爵だったら、俺の刀はお前に刺さらないのか? なんなら、今から試してやってもいいが」
腰の刀に手をかけたところで、男子学生は脱兎の如く逃げ出した。
「これは領主様への侮辱と言って差し支えないでしょう。在籍は直ぐにわかりますので、後ほど処罰を」
「いらん、いらん。まだガキだ。これで逆恨みして俺の命を狙うなり、伯爵だかの親父に泣きついて兵の百人でも連れて来てくれるなら、その方が楽しいからな」
主従のやりとりを聞いていた女子学生は、青い顔でふらつきながらも頭を下げた。
「も、申し訳ありませんでした、伯爵様」
「お前も、今の勉強に疑問があるか?」
疲れた顔をして、男子学生が去っていった先を見遣ってから、首を振る。
「領地の運営も軍の運用も、数字で管理できる事はここで学びました。私はどこかの貴族へ嫁ぐ事になるのでしょうけれど、少なくともそこで領民たちの暮らしを見て取る程度の事はできるようになりたいと思っております」
一二三は、その答えに頷くと、まあ頑張って“強い領地”を作ってくれ、と肩に右手を置いて励ますと、カイムを連れて去っていった。
強い領地というのは、文字通り経済的に安定しており、強い兵を持つことなのだろう、とカイムは思ったが、頬を染めて一二三を見送る女子学生には、何も伝えずに一二三に続いた。
ソードランテの町では、すっかり勢力図が書き変わってしまっていた。
数からして圧倒的劣勢だった獣人族と人間が暮らす元スラムだが、エルフたちが加わる事で人数も増え、街はすっかり建物が整えられてスラムの面影はほとんど残っていない。
さらに、レニが提案した“獣人族に魔法を”というアイデアも、希望者を集めた講習が始まって一週間ほど過ぎた時点で、ようやく進展を見せた。
簡素な杖を持ち、その先端にある魔力操作を補助するための安い濁った水晶から、小さな水流が出た。
ほんの拳一つ分程度の量ではあったが、壁に立てかけた板がたわむ程度には勢いがあった。
「すごい! 獣人でも魔法が使えるのね!」
杖を抱えてはしゃいでいるのは、片耳を失った兎獣人の女性だ。
一二三に買われ、勉強を叩き込まれて以来、ずっと街の中で経理関係の仕事をやっていたが、魔法講習の話を聞いて興味本位で参加していた。
ところが、戦闘に役立てたい一心で、青筋を立てながら歯茎から血を流さんばかりに牙を噛み締めて集中している男たちよりも早く、彼女が魔法の発動に成功した。
周りの獣人たちは、驚くやら嫉妬するやら表情は様々であったが、獣人が魔法を使える事が立証された瞬間に立会ったことで、より一層集中し始めた。
「おやおや、もう成功したのかい」
杖を握り締めた獣人たちを見守るように座っていたザンガーは、ひゃっひゃっと笑った
指導を行っていたプーセも、笑顔を見せている。
「杖の補助は必要ですが、これほど早く発動できるとは思いませんでした。魔法の適正によっては、もっと強い威力の魔法も使えるかもしれません」
そんな話が聞こえているのかいないのか、男達に混じって必死で杖を握り締めている少女がいる。
羊獣人のレニだった。
「うぅ~......火ぃ、火よでろ~......」
「水か風にしたら?」
「駄目なの! 火が出したいの!」
ヘレンの言葉に、目も向けずに返事をすると、再び精神集中に励む。
「真面目なのはいいんだけれど......さすがに、勉強できるからって魔法が使えるわけじゃないんだね」
こういったじっと集中する作業が苦手なヘレンは、早々に諦めていた。
水の他に風も出せるようになった自分と同じ兎獣人の女性を見ると、自分にもできそうな気はするが、数日いくらやっても何にも起きないと、流石に心が折れる。
溜息を吐いた。
すると、レニがくるりと振り向いて、ヘレンに笑いかける。
「......何を考えているかわかるけど、魔法が使えたら便利だけれど、それができるからえらいってわけじゃないよね。両方使えたら便利だし、魔法が得意な人と罠とか作るのが得意な人、直接戦うのが得意な人、色々いないといけないんだよ」
「うん。わかってる」
再び、ぐぎぎぎ、と歯を食いしばって出るかどうかわからない魔法のための集中に戻ったレニの後ろ姿を見て、ヘレンは先ほどとは違う溜息をついた。
「大変だ! れ、レニさんは!?」
講習を行っていた広場に、ゲングが土埃を巻き上げて駆け込んできた。
「ウチはここです。ゲングさん、どうしました?」
「人間が、人間に追われて逃げ込んできました!」
「......どういうこと?」
ヘレンが耳を垂らして首を傾げた。
「ああ、こりゃすいやせん。どうにも慌てちまって......つまり、街の人間たちが他の人間たちに攻撃されたらしくて、一部がスラムに入れて欲しいと騒いでいるんです」
レニとヘレンは顔を見合わせた。
「身内でやりあってるのかい? 人間ってのは、戦うのが好きなんだねぇ」
「とにかく、街の入口へ行きます」
「アタシも、連れて行っておくれよ、レニさん」
ザンガーに呼び止められたレニは、困った顔をした。
「ザンガーさん、戦いになるかもしれないので......」
「それなら、余計にアタシたちが役に立つよ」
立ち上がったザンガーを支えるように立つプーセも、集まってきたエルフたちも、しっかりと頷いた。
「ここはもう、アタシたちの居場所でもあるのさ。だから、この街を守る手伝いなら、是非やらせてもらいたいんだけれどね」
「エルフさんたち......」
ザンガーの言葉を聞き、ゲングはポロポロと涙を流し、鼻を啜っている。
しばらく悩んでいたレニだったが、顔を上げてザンガーを見る。
「お願いします、ザンガーさん。ウチたちと一緒に、この街を守りましょう」
差し出された小さな手を、しわくちゃの手で握り、ザンガーは頷いた。
「まあ、エルフの魔法をしっかり見てもらういい機会さね」
「二人分、適当に持ってきてくれ。あ、奥の個室使わせてもらうから」
ふらりと入ってきた一二三を見て、なんとか冷静を保ちながら個室へ案内した店員は、全速力で厨房へと飛んでいった。
一二三の言う二人前は四人前に等しい。そうでなくても、伯爵である領主に提供する料理なのだから、万が一にも不味いものを出すわけにも行かない。厨房に状況を事細かに伝えた店員は、ほっと一息ついたところで、今日の売上を想像して口の端が自然と上がった。
カイムを連れた一二三は、向かい合ってテーブルに座る。
上も下も無い。まるで友人のように向かい合う。
「......何か、お話があるのですか?」
「そう構えなくていい。なんとなく、思いついたことがあるだけだ」
まずは食おう、と言い、一二三は運ばれてきた野菜がゴロゴロ入ったスープを右手に持ったスプーンで食べる。
甘い人参とホクホクとしたじゃがいもが美味しい、さらっとした舌触りの黄味がかったポタージュスープだ。
「ここは結構うまいし、個室もあるからゆっくり食えるんだ。文官同士で食べに来るのにも良いと思うぞ」
「なるほど」
食べながら、材料や調理法はどうなのかという方向にカイムの思考がそれかけたとき、一二三が口を開いた。
「カイム。しばらくしてオリガとアリッサが戻ったら、また王都へ行く。その間の事は頼む」
目的は聞かない。
それでいい、と一二三もカイムも思っている。
「それと、前にも言ったが、もうすぐ大きな戦いが始まる。いや、そうなるようにしたいと思っている」
カイムは、無言で頷いた。
「もう少し準備をしたいんだが、人間同士のことだからな。どこでどう転ぶかわからん。俺が留守の間にここが戦場になる可能性もある」
一二三の言葉に、カイムは表情を変えない。
「カイムは、どこが動くと思う?」
「アリッサ様の動きがヴィシーを刺激したのは間違いありません。おそらくは、ヴィシーの内輪もめが飛び火するかと」
一二三は楽しそうに頷いた。
「俺は、獣人族と魔人族と、それぞれちょっと遊んで来たからな。どっちかが、もしくは両方が、こっちに遊びに来てくれると期待しているんだ」
それから、一時間ほどかけてゆっくりと食事をしながら、カイムは一二三不在の間の状況を伝え、一二三はポツポツと思いついたように政策についての話をした。
そして、二人の予想とは違い、最初に動きがあったのはホーラントだった。
一二三とカイムの会食が行われた一週間後、ホーラントの王スプランゲルが崩御したという連絡があった。
さらに数日を待たずして、オーソングランデの一部貴族が集結し、イメラリアの承認を得ること無く、ホーラントへと侵攻を開始したのだ。
Chapter 121: 99 Problems
"Please, welcome home." (Caim)
"Yea, it's been a while." (Hifumi)
Hifumi answered Caim's greeting by waving his left hand.
Caim noticed that Hifumi's left hand had been wrapped up in thin leather gloves, but he pretended to not have done so.
Caim knew that it was Paryu who bought the leather gloves for a part of Hifumi's left hand as he requested from her after she visited his room, but while he hasn't heard the reason from Paryu, he believed that there was no reason for him to ask himself.
"Shall I prepare your meal?" (Caim)
"Since I'm going to eat something suitable outside, don't care about it. Let's hear the current matters once I return." (Hifumi)
"Ah, right. Let's have you come with me. You haven't eaten lunch yet, have you?" (Hifumi)
Being seen off by many staff members, Hifumi left the mansion to stroll around while taking Caim along.
"Do you know some good restaurant?" (Hifumi)
"No. I'm always using my own room or the dining hall of the mansion." (Caim)
Hifumi, who seems to be bothered by the yet stiff brand new dougi, walks while constantly shifting the area around his armpit by thrusting his hand into his pocket.
Once they arrive at an area where shops are lining up, the attention of many people gathers on Hifumi.
"Lord-sama! Welcome home!"
"Thank you as usual! Please drop by any time!"
The ones who called out to him from the shops were many middle-aged shopkeepers. Since Hifumi buys mainly food after departing to the city and occasionally purchases unusual dougi's and such on a whim, unlike normal nobles, all of the storekeepers of Fokalore know the face of their feudal lord.
There were also some among them who appeared personally in front of Hifumi. It's the students who have come to Fokalore in order to study.
"Earl-sama, if you don't mind reading something we stumbled upon..."
Standing at the front, the little girl, who looks to still be in the middle of her teens, showed the documents, she held at her breast, to Hifumi.
Those were the transcriptions of the numerical calculations Hifumi had Caim's group do some time ago. Seeing those, Hifumi almost burst into laughter.
"Fuha, have you always used these problems? ... ah, it was calculations." (Hifumi)
What was described there were numerical calculations asking for the volume of things like cylinders and quadrangular pyramids.
Naturally, Hifumi, who was just about to graduate from high school, can solve those while humming a tune.
Receiving a charcoal wrapped in a cloth, which is used as writing tool, Hifumi fluently filled out the calculation methods.
"It's solved with this, right?" (Hifumi)
"T-Thank you very much!"
Once the blushing girl bowed, the male student with the same age readily came out in front from behind.
Differing from the girl, his expression is somewhat disappointed.
"Earl-sama, I have a question."
"Just a moment..."
The female student tries to stop him, but ignoring her, the male student met Hifumi's look.
"Tohno-sama, you have now the status of Earl and possess many deeds of arms, but I have heard that you have originally been a commoner."
Hifumi shows a smirk due to the matter of him having suddenly started to talk about social status. Caim, who is restraining himself diagonally behind him, kept a watchful eye on the situation expressionlessly.
"So?" (Hifumi)
"My family is an Earl household which has the tradition of great men appearing one after the other since times immemorial. I have now come to study in Fokalore following the order of my father, but... how the hell are these calculations useful in any way? Speaking honestly, I don't understand what meaning they have."
The student, who snorted with a "hmph", was smug about having finished saying what he wanted to say, but the female student behind him has ended up becoming completely pale.
That female student continues to get even further pale.
"Her home is of a lower rank than mine, but she is an elegant lady of a Viscount household. There are other things than these worthless calculations we should learn!"
Did he believe that it was time to attack? Hifumi listened to all of the statements of the student, who continued in a far more coercing manner than before, without saying a single word.
Once he heard them, he returns, without his smile crumbling,
"If you believe it to be pointless, it's fine for you to stop, isn't it?" (Hifumi)
The student, who prepared to advocate the necessities frantically, opened his mouth and eyes and showed a blank expression.
The female student has a face full of surprise as well.
"We aren't particularly forcing you to come here. You have to decide by yourself what you should do." (Hifumi)
"S-So, are you then admitting that this studying is useless?"
"It might be pointless for you." (Hifumi)
The student looked like he wanted to give his outweighing opinion due to Hifumi's reply, but he was dumbfounded by the following words,
"In any case, let alone not understanding the significance of what you learned, the problem lies within you not wanting to think about how to use it. It's fine for you to go to somewhere else if all that you are wishing for are good marks. Even if you learn something stupid, it will just be a waste of time and paper." (Hifumi)
"Are you insulting me who is the legitimate heir of an Earl household?"
"I haven't told you anything but the truth." (Hifumi)
"Besides", Hifumi continued.
"What kind of charm does your household or her household hold? If you and me fought, do you think that my katana won't pierce you if your father's an Earl? If you like, we can test it right here and now though." (Hifumi)
At the time he placed his hand on the katana at his waist, the male student ran away as fast as he could.
"This might be called an insult to the feudal lord. Since I will know him right away from the enrolment list, I will punish him later on." (Caim)
"No, not necessary. He is still a brat. If he brings along 100 soldiers after whining to his Earl father to aim for my life due to an unjustified resentment with this, I will be able to enjoy it." (Hifumi)
The female student, who listened to the exchange between lord and retainer, bowed her head while staggering with a pale face.
"I-I'm very sorry, Earl-sama."
"Do you also have doubts about the current study contents?" (Hifumi)
After making a worn-out face and looking in the direction where the male student left, she shakes her head.
"I learned in this place the ability to control the territory's administration as well as the army's operation with numerical figures. I will likely be married to some noble, but I believe that I want at least to be able to grasp the circumstances of the residents living there."
Once he heard that answer, Hifumi placed his right hand on her shoulder, encouraged her with "well, please do your best at creating a "powerful territory"" and left while taking Caim along.
Powerful territory means literally a stable economy and possessing strong soldiers, I guess
The power chart in Swordland ended up getting completely rewritten.
Humans and beastmen, who were in an overwhelmingly inferior position due to their numbers, lived in the original slums, but with the addition of the elves, their numbers have increased and there's almost no trace left of a slum once they put the buildings of the city completely in order.
Furthermore, even the idea of "magic by beastmen" proposed by Reni, at last showed progress at the time one week had elapsed after having gathered candidates and started training.
Holding a plain wand, a small water current appeared from the cheap, impure crystal, which served as support to manipulate the mana at the wand's tip.
It was only an amount of around a single fist, but it had a force at the level of bending a board which leaned against a wall.
"Amazing! Even beastmen are able to use magic!"
The one frolicking around while holding a wand is the rabbitwoman who lost one ear.
Since she was purchased by Hifumi and had studies driven into her, she always carried out jobs related to accounting in the city, but after hearing about the magic training course, she participated out of interest.
Even so, she succeeded at invoking magic faster than the men who are chewing their fangs in a manner of causing bleeding from their gums while their veins are popping up in their desire to be useful in battle.
The surrounding beastmen had various expressions such as surprise and jealousy, but as they witnessed the moment of establishing proof that beastmen can use magic, they started to concentrate even deeper.
"Oh my, you succeeded at it already?" (Zanga)
Zanga, who sat so that she could watch the beastmen grasping their wands tightly, laughed with a "Hya Hya."
Even Puuse, who is coaching them, shows a smile.
"The support of a wand is necessary, however I didn't consider them to be able invoking it this fast. Those suitable for magic might be able to use spells with a lot more power." (Puuse)
Unknown whether she has heard that chat or not, there's a little girl grasping her wand desperately while being blended into the group of rough men.
It was the sheepgirl Reni.
"Uu~... Fiiiire, fire, appear~" (Reni)
"How about using water or wind?" (Helen)
"That's no good! I want to produce fire!" (Reni)
Once she answers to Helen's remark without facing her, she once again strives to focus her mind.
"It's fine to be diligent, but... as expected, it doesn't mean that you can use magic just because you are able to study it." (Helen)
Helen, who is weak at such patient tasks requiring concentration, gave up rather quickly.
When she looks at the woman, who's a rabbit just like her and is able to produce water and also wind, even she has a feeling that she will be able to do it if she tries, but as nothing happened even after trying for several days, he motivation is gone after all.
She sighed.
Just then Reni turns around by spinning and smiles at Helen.
"... I know what you are thinking about, but although it will be convenient if we can use magic, it's not like it will be remarkable just because we are able to do so, right? It will be convenient if both can be used. It's indispensable to have various people like those who are strong in magic, those who are strong at making traps and those who are strong at fighting directly." (Reni)
"Yea, I understand." (Helen)
Watching the the back of Reni who once again concentrated on the spell unbeknownst whether it will come out while clenching her teeth with a "Gugigi", Helen sighed in different manner from before.
"It's a disaster! R-Reni-san is!?" (Gengu)
Gengu came rushing in, while raising a cloud of dust, at the plaza where they carried out the training course.
"I'm here. Gengu-san, what happened?" (Reni)
"Humans came to take refugee while being chased by humans!" (Gengu)
"... What's this about?" (Helen)
Helen was puzzled with her ears dangling down.
"Ah, sorry 'bout this. I ended up panicking somewhat... in short, it seems like the city's humans are under attack by other humans. A part of them is making a fuss that they wish to enter the slums." (Gengu)
Reni and Helen looked at each others faces.
"Is it a quarrel between those of the same race? The ones called humans are fond of fighting after all." (Zanga)
"Anyway, I will go to the entrance of the city." (Reni)
"Take us along as well, Reni-san." (Zanga)
Reni, who was stopped by Zanga, had a troubled expression.
"Zanga-san, since it might turn into a battle..." (Reni)
"If that happens, we will be even more useful." (Zanga)
Puuse, who stood up in order to prop up the getting-up Zanga, and the gathered elves nodded firmly.
"This is already our home as well. Therefore, if we can help protecting this city, I'd like you to let us do so by all means." (Zanga)
"Elf-san's..." (Gengu)
Hearing Zanga's words, Gengu sniffles while shedding big drops of tears.
Although Reni hesitated for a little while, she looks at Zanga by lifting her face.
"Please help us, Zanga-san. Let's protect this city together." (Reni)
Zanga nodded while clasping the small, held-out hand with her wrinkled hand.
"Well, it's a good chance to have you properly observe the elven magic." (Zanga)
"Please bring a suitable amount of food for two people. Ah, we'd like to use the private room inside." (Hifumi)
Seeing Hifumi who came entering unexpectedly, the clerk, who guided them to the private room while somehow keeping their calm, sprinted to the kitchen at full speed.
The share for two people mentioned by Hifumi will be similar to four portions. Even without that, since the cooking will be provided to the feudal lord who is an Earl, there's no way for them to serve something unbecoming by any chance. Once he took a breath in relief, the corners of the lips of the clerk, who reported the details of the situation to the kitchen, raised when he imagined today's sale.magic
Hifumi, who brought Caim along, sits at the opposite side of the table.
There's no superiority or inferiority. They are facing each other just like friends.
"... Is there something you want to talk about?" (Caim)
"It's fine for you to not worry about stuff like that. There's just something I came up with." (Hifumi)
"Let's eat first", saying that, Hifumi eats the served soup, which had vegetables all over in it, with the spoon held in his right hand.
It's a cream-coloured potage soup with a smooth food texture and the sweet carrots and soft potatoes are delicious.
"This place is fairly delicious. You can eat slowly since there are also private rooms. It think it's fine even if you come here to eat with your civil official colleagues." (Hifumi)
"Indeed." (Caim)
At the moment Caim's thoughts took the direction of how it was cooked and what ingredients were used while eating, Hifumi opened his mouth.
"Caim, once Origa and Alyssa have returned in a short while, I will go to the capital once again. I will leave matters to you during that time." (Hifumi)
He doesn't ask about the objective.
, both, Hifumi and Caim, judge.
"And, I told you before, but very soon a large battle will start. No, I plan on making sure that it happens." (Hifumi)
Caim nodded silently.
"I wanted to get ready for a bit longer, but this is about mankind. I don't know where and how I will fall over. There's also the possibility that this place will turn into a battlefield during my absence." (Hifumi)
Caim's expression doesn't change due to Hifumi's words.
"What place do you think will move, Caim?" (Hifumi)
"There's no mistake that Vichy had been stirred up by Alyssa-sama's moves. It's likely that the internal dissension of Vichy will cause a spark by spilling over." (Caim)
Hifumi nodded delightfully.
"I went to play a bit with the beastmen and demons. I'm expecting that one of them or both come this way to drop by." (Hifumi)
After that, Caim reported the state of affairs during his absence to Hifumi and Hifumi talked about political measures he thought of bit-by-bit while they slowly ate for around an hour.
And, different from both's forecast, the first change happened in Horant.
After one week of Hifumi and Caim dinning together, they received a message that the king of Horant, Suprangel, died.
Moreover, without waiting a few days, a part of Orsongrande's nobles gathered and started an invasion into Horant without obtaining approval from Imeraria.
Summoned Slaughterer
呼び出された殺戮者
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/summoned-slaughterer/
Action Adventure Fantasy Martial Arts Mature Psychological Romance Shounen
Adapted to Manga Aristocracy Arrogant Characters Average-looking Protagonist Beastkin Beautiful Female Lead Betrayal Calm Protagonist Clever Protagonist Cunning Protagonist Dark Demi-Humans Demons Determined Protagonist Different Social Status Dwarfs Elemental Magic Elves Enemies Become Allies Enemies Become Lovers Evil Protagonist Fantasy Creatures Fantasy World Fearless Protagonist God-human Relationship Gods Kingdom Building Kingdoms Knights Love Interest Falls in Love First Magic Beasts Magical Space Male Protagonist Marriage Monsters Nobles Obsessive Love Overpowered Protagonist Politics Power Struggle Protagonist Strong from the Start R-15 Royalty Ruthless Protagonist Samurai Schemes And Conspiracies S*aves Strong Love Interests Strong to Stronger Summoning Magic Sword And Magic Sword Wielder Transported to Another World Underestimated Protagonist Unique Weapon User Unique Weapons Wars Yandere
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4399ci/
井戸正善／ido