「......どうしましたか、そのお顔は」
兵が天幕の外から発したサブナクの到着を告げる言葉が、妙に困惑気味だった理由を、イメラリアは入ってきたサブナクの顔を見て理解した。両頬を真っ赤に腫らしている。
これが攻撃を受けている最中であれば、敵の侵入を許したと勘違いしたかもしれない。
「ひや、これは......」
「オリガさんに怒られたんだよ」
「口は災いの元ってやつだ」
言いよどむサブナクの後ろから、アリッサと一二三が顔を見せた。
「来られていたのですか」
オリガは兵たちに休息を取らせるために隊と一緒にいるという。
「ずいぶんと早かったですね」
天幕内に用意された簡易のテーブルセットに促し、イメラリアは侍女に紅茶を淹れるようにと伝える。
「元々はイメラリアに土産を持ってくるつもりで王都に向かってたんだがな。ビロンの伝令からフォカロルの兵士がやられたって話を聞いたわけだ」
土産は王都に置いてきたから後で見に行くと良い、と一二三は笑っているが、イメラリアには土産が何かよりも気になることがある。
「......ホーラントへ、報復をなさるおつもりですか?」
頬を流れる汗を拭うこともせず、イメラリアは上目使いで見上げるようにして一二三を見る。
真剣に答えを待つイメラリアと笑顔のままで視線を受け止める一二三を、アリッサは黙って待っている。
「あぢっ。く、口の中の傷にしみるぅ......あっ」
運ばれてきた紅茶に口をつけ、涙目でつぶやいたサブナクは、全員の視線を集めていることに気づいた。
「はぁ......サブナクさん、後で連絡をいたしますから、今は治療を受けてきてください」
すごすごと出ていくサブナクを見送り、一二三はニヤニヤと笑う。
「相変わらず、面白い奴だな。あれは多分、一生女に振り回されるぞ」
「そういえば、ビロン伯爵に嫁がれた彼の姉も......いえ、今はそんな話は良いのです。一二三様、わたくしは今しばらく様子を見てから、国境までの支配地は取り戻し、ネルガル殿との協議を進める予定です」
「邪魔するな、と言いたいのか?」
威圧する視線が向けられ、イメラリアはつい喉を鳴らしてしまったものの、視線だけは外さない。
「......その通りです。ここはわたくしの指揮する戦場です」
「ふふ......あっはっは!」
こらえきれずに笑いだした一二三は、隣に座っているアリッサの頭をポンポンと叩いた。
「アリッサ。女王陛下はこのように仰せだがね。お前はどうするよ」
「むむむ......」
腕を組み、それらしく悩んで見せてはいるものの、アリッサの身長の低さと口の端に付いた焼き菓子の欠片が、緊張感をゼロにしている。
「どういうことでしょうか?」
「ああ。今回の件はアリッサに任せた。俺は、そうだな、保護者ってところだな。後ろから見ててやるだけだ。予定としては、な」
「では......」
「決めた!」
イメラリアが何か言いかけたところで、アリッサが声を上げる。
「お姫様! 僕と競争しよう!」
「きょ、競争? それとわたくしはお姫様ではなくて......」
「とりあえず、国境を取り戻すまでどっちが先にできるか! でどうかな?」
勝手に話を進めるアリッサに、イメラリアは視線で一二三に助けを求めるが、彼はニヤニヤと笑っていた。
「俺は手を出さないと言っただろう? お前らで話し合えよ」
「ぐ......アリッサさん! わたくしの話を聞きなさい!」
首をかしげるアリッサに、イメラリアは精一杯視線で圧力をかける。
「競争など、できるわけがないでしょう」
「えっ? じゃあ、僕たちだけでやるけど」
「許可できません」
すっぱりと断言したものの、アリッサは理解できない様子。
「......? 僕たちだけでやるから、別に手伝いとかはいらないよ?」
「一二三様、何とかしてください」
威圧も威厳も通じないアリッサに、イメラリアはいよいよ涙目になって一二三に助けを求めた。
「僕は明日の朝、陽が昇る前に出るよ。今ならまだ、マ・カルメさんたちを助けられるかもしれない。お姫様、これは僕の復讐だから、止めないでね」
「復讐......一二三様、貴方は......」
愕然としているイメラリアに、一二三は自慢げに鼻を鳴らした。
「ちゃんと成長しているだろう?」
「なんということを......」
眉間を押さえたイメラリアは、呻きながらも最善手は何かを考える。
アリッサ率いるフォカロル領軍を止めるのは難しいだろう。手を出さないといいながら、実質は一二三が後押しをしているのは明白だ。論理的にも物理的にも阻止できそうにない。
では、どうするか。
このままアリッサが出て行って何かしらの戦果をあげたとして、それに乗っかる形で停戦交渉を進めるという手もある。
だが、とイメラリアは薄目をあけて一二三の顔を見た。
「......わかりました。ではアリッサさん。明日の早朝にわたくしも兵を率いて国境の奪還に加わります」
「あれ、お姫様も?」
「女王様です!」
つい声を荒げた事とその内容に赤面しながら、こほん、と咳払いをして、イメラリアは立ち上がる。
一二三がそれを見て笑い転げているのをなるべく視界に入れないようにしつつ、イメラリアはアリッサの顔をまじまじと見つめた。
自分よりも幼く純朴に見える顔をして、今まで一二三と共に行動し、どれほどの人を殺めてきたのだろうか、想像もつかないが、一人や二人ではないだろうとイメラリアは想像している。
「競争ではなく、協力いたしましょう。その方が救出にしてもうまく行くでしょうから」
「そうだね。ありがとう」
どうしてこの人は、こんな状況で笑っていられるのだろうか、とイメラリアは聞いてみたくなったが、そこに必ず一二三の名前が出てくるだろうことを予想して、やめておくことにした。
「では、具体的な方法を話し合いましょう。誰か、ビロン伯爵とサブナクさんを呼んでください」
そうして、“一二三に頼らずに国境を奪還する方法”について、イメラリアとアリッサを中心とした会議は、遅くまで続けられた。
「つまり、魔人族だけの力では、あの一二三さんを倒すのはとても難しいでしょう、と私は言いたいわけです。貴方方魔人族は、それはそれは魔法が得意でしょうし、身体能力も獣人族並みに優れてもいる」
ですが、と死神は笑いながら続ける。
「数が少ない。そして世界を知らない。閉じ込められてから世代も移り、外から戻ってくる者も限定的な情報しか持たない。それで、多くの種族を全て敵にして戦えますか?」
ガランとした謁見の間で、一人考えに耽っていたウェパルの前に突然現れたかと思えば、挨拶もそこそこに延々と話続ける死神に対し、玉座に座り話を聞いているウェパルは、目を閉じたままだった。
ウェパルの様子を気にすることもなく、死神の口からは言葉が溢れ続ける。
「ですから、荒野の勢力を潰していくのではなく、吸収していくのです。大きな勢力となれば、一二三さんも無視できず、簡単に魔人族や獣人族を潰すこともできません。ただし、獣人族やエルフに対しては支配という形で吸収すべきでしょうね。対等な付き合いをしてしまっては、どこかの勢力が犠牲になるような作戦はできません。あの一二三さん相手なのですから、一種族くらいは捨て駒にする必要はあるでしょうね」
ここまでの話で、死神はソードランテのレニに対して敵対するように話をした事は伏せている。泥沼の戦いになるには、どちらも同様に準備をした状態でぶつかり合ってもらうのが良いと考えたのだ。
「......長々とお話してくださったけれど、結局は私たちに荒野を征服しろって話でしょ」
ため息混じりのウェパルの言葉を聞いて、死神はうんうんと嬉しそうに頷く。
「お話が早くて助かります」
「一二三という男が脅威だというのはわかるわ。私自身も目の前で見てよく知ってる。けれど、わざわざ私たちが犠牲を覚悟してまで彼の前に立つ必要も無いでしょう? 荒野を手に入れるのは規定路線よ。そうしなければ魔人族の鬱屈を晴らす事は不可能でしょうからね。その準備も調査も始めてるし」
だから、とウェパルは足を組み直し、死神を睨む。
「貴方は単に危険を犯せと言っているだけにしか聞こえないのよ。荒野を手に入れたからと言って、人間と対立する必要を感じないわ。人間がもっと少なくて弱ければ考えたわ。でも、とんでもない手札が向こうにあって、そうでなくても数の上ではこちらの方がとても少ないのでしょう?」
「人間たちは、国同士で争っていますよ?」
「共通の敵があらわれたとき、それらが協力体制をとる可能性もあるわ。むしろ、自分たちだけで喧嘩をしているところに横入りされるんだもの。“人間同士”で別種族に対抗するという言葉の方が、余程士気が上がるでしょうね」
数は脅威で、しかも自分たち魔人族は永く閉じ込められていた事もあって情報が少ない。それをウェパルは良く理解していた。
「この前出会った片耳兎の子の方が、余程私たちより世の中を知っているわ。獣人族ながら人を知りエルフを知る。この前の事で魔人族についても多少は理解をしたでしょう。対して、私を含めた多くの魔人族が他種族を知らない。エルフについては憎悪に基づく伝承があり、獣人族に対しては格下として見ている。人間に至っては、私すら一人しか見てないもの」
正直に言えば怖い、とウェパルは語る。
「では、人間と事を構えるつもりは無い、と?」
いかにも残念そうに、大げさな身振りで首を振った死神に、ウェパルはにやりと笑った。
「いいえ。条件さえ揃えば、貴方が言う通りにしなくもないわよ」
「条件......とは?」
「貴方、自分が神だと名乗るなら、それだけ力があるのでしょう?」
ウェパルの質問に、死神は片目を見開いた。
「まあ、一応は闇属性に精通し、死に関する力を持つ神ではありますよ」
厳密に言えば、この世界の神ではありませんが、と聞こえないようにこぼす。
「条件は二つ。私たちと敵対する勢力についての情報。それと......」
ウェパルの細い人差し指が、死神に向けられた。
「貴方の力を私に貸しなさい。何かを頼むなら、何かを寄越すのが取引というものよ」
死神は一瞬呆気にとられて、口をパクパクさせていたが、咳払いをして髪を整えると、慇懃に頭を下げた。
「よろこんでご提供させていただきましょう」
日の出を待たずして、二つの軍が国境へと迫る。
アリッサ率いるフォカロル領軍が予備部隊を残して百名。イメラリアとサブナクが指揮するオーソングランデ王国軍も同数の百名。
「作戦らしい作戦は無く、遠距離から投槍器で集中攻撃。その後に突撃して国境奪還......ですか。こう言ってはなんですが、ひねりもなにもありませんね」
「まあ、混成軍隊で細かい取り決めをしてもコントロールできんだろ。それくらい適当で丁度いい」
二つの軍が進む後ろを、一二三とオリガはそれぞれ馬に乗ってついて行く。一二三は完全にやじうまであり、オリガは一二三が行くからついて行く。
「......そろそろ、ですね」
軍の進行がゆるくなり、遠方に国境が見えてきた。
先頭集団はすでに投槍器の準備を始めている。さすがにフォカロル領兵の方が手際が良い。
「じゃあ、この国の戦いを見せてもらおうかね」
「あ、紅茶を水筒に入れてきました。カイムさんの焼き菓子も持ってきたんですよ」
木製のカップに注がれた、まだ湯気を立てている紅茶を受け取り、一二三は焼き菓子を口に放り込んだ。たてがみにこぼれた欠片を手で払うと、馬がくすぐったそうに首を振る。
「お、始まったな」
紅茶を口に含んだあたりで、前線で展開していた兵たちが、アリッサやイメラリアの声に合わせて射撃を開始した。
そして、同時にアリッサが十名程の騎兵を率いて、大きく迂回しながら国境へと側面から迫る。
突然の攻撃に浮き足立っているホーラント兵たちは全く対応できず、ようやく槍が収まった所で横から襲いかかるアリッサたちにいいようになぎ倒されていった。
イメラリアも同じように突撃をしようとしたようだが、さすがにサブナクが必死で止めているのが後方から見ている一二三に見えた。
「ここまではうまくできているな。さて、ホーラントはこのまま潰されて終わりとなると、つまらんが......うん?」
遠目に何かを見つけた一二三の口が、三日月のように曲がる。
オリガは一二三の嬉しそうな顔を見ながら、返されたカップでこっそりと自分も紅茶を飲んでいた。
「......意外と脆いね。もう一回......あ、あれって......」
敵陣向かって右から左へと突き抜けつつ、身体を低くして脇差で器用に敵の首筋を裂いていく形で五人のホーラント兵を始末したアリッサは、距離を取って敵陣に向き直りつつ、味方に損害が出ていない事を確認した。
ちなみに、他の兵士ではそこまで器用な真似はできないので、大剣を振り回しながら敵陣突破をしてきている。
国境の砦、その屋上から何かが降ろされ、ぶら下げられているのを見つけたアリッサは、敵がまだ混乱しているのを確認し、屋上を注視した。
「そんな......」
ホーラント側がまるで何かの印のようにぶら下げて見せたのは、首に縄をかけられた十体の死体。
一つとして五体満足なものは無く、手足のどれかが欠損していたり、中には頭部が割れてしまっているものもある。だが、アリッサはそんなことはどうでもよかった。
「マ・カルメさん......」
「な、なんてことをしやがる!」
絶句するアリッサの周りで、フォカロル兵たちも死体を見上げて歯を剥いて怒りを露わにしている。
「と、とにかくなんとか......」
混乱するアリッサが、視線を敵陣に戻した瞬間だった。
地響きとともに影が差し、雲が出てきたかと思ったアリッサが見上げると、そこにいたのは身長5メートルはあろうかという巨人。
「なっ......」
周りにいる兵士ごと、アリッサは巨人の腕のひと振りで弾かれるように馬上から叩き落とされた。
土煙を上げて転がるアリッサは、素早く態勢を立て直し、立ち上がった。
「あれ?」
だが、身体がいうことを聞かず、尻餅をついてしまう。
簡素な鎧で身体は無事ではあるが、右足が完全に折れていることが見ただけでも判るくらいに曲がっていた。
周りでは兵士たちがうめき声を上げていて、五人ほど無事だった兵士たちが立ち上がり、アリッサを守るように巨人の前に立ち塞がった。
「い、いやだ......嫌だ! みんな逃げて!」
アリッサの声をかき消すような轟音を上げて、巨人が唸り声を上げて背中に背負っていた長大な槍を手に掴んだ。
"... What happened, with that face?" (Imeraria)
A soldier announced the arrival of Sabnak who entered from outside, but Imeraria understood the reason for the soldier looking strangely baffled after seeing Sabnak who came in. Both his cheeks are swelling in bright red.
If they were in the middle of receiving an attack, she might have misunderstood this as sign that they permitted an enemy invasion.
"Nyo, thiw is..." (Sabnak)
"He was scolded by Origa." (Hifumi)
"The cause of his misfortune lies with his own mouth." (Alyssa)
Alyssa and Hifumi showed their faces from behind Sabnak who faltered to talk about it.
"Was she able to get here?"
Origa is together with the troops so that she can take a rest together with the soldiers.
"You were quite fast." (Imeraria)
Urging them to a simple table set which was prepared inside the tent, Imeraria orders the maid to brew some black tea.
"To begin with we were heading to the capital with the intention of bringing you a souvenir, Imeraria. But, we heard the story about soldiers of Fokalore having been done in from Biron's messenger." (Hifumi)
"It's alright to go see the souvenir later since it arrived in the capital", Hifumi smiles, but there's something that worries Imeraria more than what the souvenir is about.
"... Do you intend to take revenge against Horant?" (Imeraria)
Without wiping away the sweat which is streaming down her cheeks, Imeraria watches Hifumi making sure to look up at him with upturned eyes.
Alyssa waits silently for Hifumi who accepts her gaze with a smile as Imeraria is seriously waiting for a reply.
"Ah, ouwch, t-therz's a wuund in my mouwh... ah." (Sabnak)
Tasting the black tea which was poured in, Sabnak, who muttered that with teary eyes, realized that the looks of everyone are focussed on him.magic
"Haa... Sabnak-san, since you have to communicate later on, please go now to receive medical treatment." (Imeraria)
Seeing off Sabnak who leaves in low spirits, Hifumi grins broadly.
"As usual he is an amusing guy. That man will probably be manipulated by women for the rest of his life." (Hifumi)
"Which reminds me, even his elder sister who was married to Earl Biron... no, for now such talk is sufficient. Hifumi-sama, after I go to check the situation for a bit now, I plan to advance negotiations with Nelgal-dono once we have recovered the occupied ground up to the national border." (Imeraria)
"Don't become a hindrance, is what you want to say?" (Hifumi)
Having a daunting gaze turned at her, Imeraria just doesn't avert her gaze although she ended up unintentionally making a sound with her throat.
"... It's as you say. This place is a battlefield under my command." (Imeraria)
"Fufu... ahahaha!" (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who burst into laughter unable to stand it any longer, tapped the head of Alyssa who is sitting next to him.
"Alyssa, Her Majesty the Queen has made a statement like this. But, what will you do?" (Alyssa)
"Mmmmmh..." (Alyssa)
Although she looks like she is troubled by that while folding her arms, the low height of Alyssa and the pieces of baked sweets clinging to her mouth cause the feeling of tension to be zero.
"What's this about?" (Imeraria)
"Ah, I entrusted this time's case to Alyssa. I'm acting as, let's see, guardian. I will simply watch from behind. As planned, that is." (Hifumi)
"Then..." (Imeraria)
"I decided!" (Alyssa)
At the moment Imeraria started to say something, Alyssa raised her voice.
"Princess-sama. Let's compete." (Alyssa)
"C-Compete? And, I'm not a princess-sama..." (Imeraria)
"For starters it will be about who will be able to retake the border first! So, how about it?" (Alyssa)
Due to Alyssa selfishly advancing the conversation, Imeraria asked for help from Hifumi with her eyes, but he grinned broadly.
"I told you that I won't get involved, right? Discuss it among each other." (Hifumi)
"Gu... Alyssa-san! Listen to my part of the story!" (Imeraria)
With Alyssa tilting her head to the side, Imeraria applies pressure into her gaze to her best ability.
"There's no way that we will be able to have something like a competition." (Imeraria)
"Eh? Then we will just do it with the two of us." (Alyssa)
"I can't allow that." (Imeraria)
Although Imeraria declared it without hesitation, Alyssa looks like she's unable to comprehend.
"...? Since we will just do it with the two of us, we won't receive any particular help or such?" (Alyssa)
"Hifumi-sama, please ((do something about this)) one way or the other." (Imeraria)
As Alyssa didn't understand coercion or dignity, Imeraria requested help from Hifumi after becoming more and more teary eyed.
"I will depart tomorrow morning before the sun rises. If it's now, I might be able to still save Ma Calme's unit. Princess-sama, as that's my revenge, don't stop me." (Alyssa)
"Revenge... Hifumi-sama, you are..." (Imeraria)
Hifumi proudly snorted at Imeraria who is shocked.
"She has grown up properly, right?" (Hifumi)
"How to call it...?" (Imeraria)
Imeraria, who curbed her brows, ponders about the best move even while groaning.
It's probably difficult to stop Fokalore's feudal army led by Alyssa. Even while he says that he won't get involved, it's clear that the one essentially pushing her is Hifumi. It doesn't look like I will be able to prevent it physically or logically.
Then, what shall I do about it?
There's also the option of advancing the ceasefire negotiations in the style of getting on with Alyssa raising some military gains after leaving.
, Imeraria looked at Hifumi's face with half-open eyes.
"... Got it. Then, Alyssa, I will join the retake of the border by leading my soldiers tomorrow early in the morning." (Imeraria)
"Huh? Princess-sama as well?" (Alyssa)
"It's queen-sama!" (Imeraria)
While being embarrassed by the matter of having raised her voice against her better judgement, Imeraria clears her throat with a "ahem" and stands up.
Imeraria took a hard and long look at Alyssa's face while making sure to not put Hifumi, who is rolling about in laughter after seeing that, in her field of vision as much as possible.
It's a face that's more childish and naive than mine. Until now she has acted together with Hifumi. I can't even imagine just how many people she murdered, but it's likely not one or two
"Let's not have a competition but a cooperation. That way even the rescue might go smoothly." (Imeraria)
"That's true. Thank you." (Alyssa)
Imeraria wanted to ask that, but expecting that Hifumi's name will appear there without fail, she decided to drop the matter.
"Then, let's talk about the concrete method. Someone, please call Earl Biron and Sabnak-san." (Imeraria)
Thus the meeting, where Imeraria and Alyssa played a central part, regarding "the method to retake the border without relying on Hifumi" continued until very late.
"In other words, with the power of just the demons it might be very difficult to defeat that Hifumi-san, is what I wanted to say. You demons are quite strong at magic. Even your physical strength is excelling to the level of beastmen."
"However", the shinigami continues while smiling.
"Your numbers are low. And you aren't acquainted with the world. The world has changed since you have been locked up. Even those, who have returned from outside, didn't possess anything but limited information. So, you want to wage war by making all of the many races into your enemies?"
If you consider how he suddenly appeared in front of Vepar, who was absorbed in thoughts by herself in the deserted audience hall, the shinigami continued to talk endlessly after giving a hurried greeting. Vepar, who listened to his talk while sitting on the throne, had her eyes closed.
Without minding the state of Vepar, words continue to overflow from within the shinigami's mouth.
"Therefore, you can't just crush the wasteland's powers but you have to absorb them. If it turns into a large power, Hifumi-san won't be able to ignore it either. He will be unable to simply crush the demons and beastmen. However, you should absorb the beastmen and elves in the shape of ruling them. If you ended up associating with them on equal terms, you wouldn't be able to create strategies like sacrificing some of your power. Since that Hifumi-san will be your opponent, it will likely be necessary to make some of the races into sacrificial pawns."
In the explanation up to this point, the shinigami has avoided talking about being hostile towards Reni of Swordland. He thought it to be fine for both sides to clash with each other in a state of being equally prepared as it will become a muddy battle then.
"... You gave me a long explanation, but in the end you are telling us to conquer the wastelands, aren't you?" (Vepar)
Listening to Vepar's remark which is mixed with sighs, the shinigami happily nods with an "Uh huh."
"It's a big help for the talking to be quick."
"I know about the threat of the man called Hifumi. I remember him well after seeing him in front of myself. However, is it even necessary for us to stand in front of him going as far as especially resolving ourselves for sacrifices? Obtaining the wastelands is a pre-scripted route. If we don't do that, it will likely be impossible to dispel the demons' depression. The investigations and preparations for that have already begun." (Vepar)
"Therefore", Vepar fixes her crossed legs and glares at the shinigami.
"I can't hear anything from you but telling us to merely plunge into danger. While it may be true that we will obtain the wastelands, I don't feel any necessity to confront the humans. I would think ((it to be different)) if the humans were a lot weaker and less. However, the other side has an outrageous ace. And even without that, our side has far too few numbers against their superiority in numbers, right?" (Vepar)
"The humans are fighting amongst fellow countries?"
"It's also possible that they will set up a collaboration at the time when a common enemy appears. Rather, they will jump the queue at that time to just fight with us. The words of opposing another race as "mankind" will probably raise their morale quite a bit." (Vepar)
There's the threat of numbers and moreover there's little information as us demons were locked in for a long time
"The one-eared rabbit child I met some time ago understands the world far better than us. She knows of elves and humans even while being a beastman. She probably understood more or less about the demons in the recent events as well. In contrast to that, many of the demons, including me, don't know about other races. There are legends based on the hate towards the elves. Beastmen are seen as low ranked ((existences)). As for humans, even I don't have seen more than one." (Vepar)
"If I'm honest, I'm scared", Vepar says.
"Then you don't have any intention to take an aggressive stance towards humans, you say?"
Vepar broadly grinned at the shinigami who shook his head in an exaggerated manner while looking really disappointed.
"No, once all the conditions are met, I will do as you say." (Vepar)
"Conditions... you say?"
"If you call yourself my god, you have according power for that, right?" (Vepar)
The shinigami opened one of his eyes widely due to Vepar's question.
"Well, I'm pretty much well versed in dark magic. I'm a god who holds power related to death."
"Strictly speaking, I'm not a god of this world", he spills so that it can't be heard.
"There are two conditions. Intelligence about the powers who are hostile towards us. And..." (Vepar)
Vepar's slender index finger pointed at the shinigami.
"Lend your power to me. If you ask for something, you have to hand over something. That's called a deal." (Vepar)
The shinigami was taken aback for an instant. His mouth flapped open and closed, but once he arranged his hair and cleared his throat, he bowed courteously.
"Let me offer it to you with pleasure."
Without waiting for sunrise, the two armies approach the border.
Fokalore's feudal army led by Alyssa left a reserve unit of 100 soldiers behind. Orsongrande's royal army led by Imeraria and Sabnak did the same.
"There's no strategy-like strategy. They will do a concentrated attack with spear throwers from long distance. After that they will retake the border by charging... is it? I'm describing it like that, but it's nothing sophisticated or anything like that." (Origa)
"Well, even if they decide upon finer details with mixed military forces, they won't be able to control those, right? Around this much is suitable and just right." (Hifumi)
Hifumi and Origa follow on their respective horses behind the two advancing armies. Hifumi is completely a curious onlooker. Origa follows because Hifumi is going.
"... It's soon, isn't it?" (Origa)
The armies' advance slowed down and the the border became visible in the distance.
The leading group has already begun to set up the spear throwers. As expected of Fokalore's feudal army, they are quite dexterous.
"Well, then let's have them show us this country's battle." (Hifumi)
"Ah, I put black tea into a canteen. I brought along Caim-san's baked sweets as well." (Origa)
Receiving the black tea which was still steaming after it was poured into a wooden cup, Hifumi tossed the baked sweets into his mouth. Once he brushes away the crumbles, which fell into the horse's mane, with his hand, the horse shakes its head seeming to be ticklish.
"Oh, it started." (Hifumi)
The soldiers, which spread out at the front-line at the moment he had black tea in his mouth, began the firing after matching it with the voices of Imeraria and Alyssa.
And, at the same time, Alyssa, leading around 10 cavalry units, approaches the flank of the border while taking a large detour.
Horant's soldiers, which became restless due to the sudden attack, aren't able to cope with it at all. They were mowed down nicely by Alyssa's group which swooped down on the side where the spear rain calmed down.
It looked like Imeraria attempted to do a similar attack as well, but being frantically stopped by Sabnak as expected, Hifumi saw her observing from the rear.
"It has gone smoothly up to this point. Well, it will be boring if it finishes with Horant being crushed like that, but... hmm?" (Hifumi)
The mouth of Hifumi, who discovered something in the far distance, curves like a crescent moon.
While watching Hifumi's happy face, Origa secretly drank her own black tea in the cup returned by him.
"... They are surprisingly brittle. Once more... Ah, that's..."
While breaking through without further ado after heading towards the enemy line, Alyssa, who lowered her body and got rid of five soldiers of Horant by tearing the enemy's neck skilfully with her wakizashi, faced about towards the enemy line, which has taken some distance, and confirmed that there were no casualties among her allies.
By the way, since the other soldiers are unable to act this skilfully, they are breaking through the enemy lines while wielding long swords.
Discovering that something was lowered from the rooftop of the border fortress while being suspended,  Alyssa affirmed that the enemy was still in chaos and gazed steadily at the rooftop.
"Such a..." (Alyssa)
What was shown to be hanging completely like some flag by Horant's side are the corpses of ten people which had a rope around their necks.
Without a single one of them being in a flawless state, they lacked some of their limbs and some among them had their heads smashed in. However, Alyssa didn't care about such a thing at all.
"Ma Calme-san..."
"Holy shit, what have they done!"
Even the soldiers of Fokalore, who are around the speechless Alyssa, are revealing their anger by baring their teeth while looking up to the corpses.
"A-Anyway, somehow..."
It was the moment when the confused Alyssa returned her sight to the enemy line.
What was there once Alyssa, who wondered whether some cloud appeared after manifesting alongside an earth tremor, raised her eyes was a giant which might be five meters in height.
"Wh-..." (Alyssa)
Together with the soldiers around her, Alyssa was knocked off the horse visibly being flicked off by the swing of the giant's arm.
Alyssa, who rolls over while raising a cloud of dust, stood up and quickly fixed her stance.
"Huh?" (Alyssa)
However, with her body not listening to her, she falls on her backside.
Her body is alright in the simple armour, but her right foot was bent to an extent that makes it easy to grasp that it's completely broken just by looking.
The soldiers in the surroundings raised groans. Five soldiers, who were fine, got up and stood in front of the giant to protect Alyssa.
"N-No... no! Everyone, run away!" (Alyssa)
Raising a roaring sound that seems to drown out Alyssa's voice, the giant grabbed the very long spear, which he carried on his back, with his hand.
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