イメラリアは届けられた報告書を読み終えると、力なく椅子へと腰を下ろした。
「い、イメラリア様?!」
側に控えていた侍女が慌てて駆け寄るのを、軽く手を上げて制した。
「大丈夫です。少し疲れただけですから」
弱々しく微笑むと、宰相を呼ぶようにと命じ、再び報告書を読み直した。
「国と貴族領で条約を結ぶなんて......。これでは我が国をないがしろにしているようなもの。本来ならば懲罰対象ではあるのでしょうけれど......」
凡そ一般の人々にしてみれば、敵を倒して尚且つ魔法具が安くなり流通も増えるようになる。何がいけないのか理解されない可能性が高い、とイメラリアは踏んだ。
宰相にも報告が行っていたのだろう。想定よりも早く、執務室のドアがノックされた。
「入りなさい」
「ご命令により、参上いたしました」
「聞いていると思いますが、ホーラントの件です」
イメラリアの許可を得て立ったままの姿勢を許された宰相アドルは、報告は私にも届いております、と語った。
イメラリアは頷く。
「トオノ伯を処罰するべきかとも考えましたが、現実的には不可能でしょう。無理にやろうとしても、オーソングランデ対フォカロルに......いえ、実際には一二三様へつく貴族も少なくないでしょう。旧ヴィシー領は全てフォカロルに組み込まれている状況ですし」
「イメラリア様のお考えに、私も賛同する者でございます」
「では、静観するのが良い、と?」
「私は、これは良い機会なのではないかと考えておりました」
良い機会? とイメラリアが問うと、アドルは僭越ながらと断りを入れた。
「折角ですから、トオノ伯の戦果を祝い、同時にイメラリア様の即位式を執り行うのです。トオノ伯が近くにいる状況であれば、反対派の貴族たちもおいそれとは手出しができますまい」
この提案を、最初は良い考えだと承服しようとしたイメラリアだが、よくよく一二三の性格を考えると、危惧すべき点があることに気づいた。
「これは、あの方が最も嫌う”利用する”ことにはなりませんか?」
「事前の説明と了解が必要でしょうな。トオノ伯が喜ぶ物も用意しておけば、なお良いでしょう」
胸を張って答えるアドルに、イメラリアは眉を潜めた。
「一体何を考えているのです? わたくしはもう、浅慮で誰かを失うような事はしたくないのですが......」
「ご安心を。トオノ伯に対しては正当な依頼としてご相談をすればよろしいかと愚考いたします。要するに、自身のあずかり知らぬ所で利用される事が不愉快なのであって、真正面から誠意を以て依頼をすれば良いのです」
丁度、国軍の兵に対する指導の依頼もせねばなりませんから、とアドルは言った。
「敵対するつもりで考えると、なるほど恐ろしい相手ですが、頼む相手とすれば、これ以上頼りになる方もおりますまい」
アドルの言葉を受け、イメラリアは目を閉じて考えた。
「......わかりました。宰相の案を採用いたします。ただし、一二三様への依頼はわたくしから直接お話いたします。騎士隊に、一二三様が王都へ入られたらこちらへお呼びするようにと伝えてください」
深く頭を垂れたアドルは、瞳を潤ませていた。
「そして、イメラリア様の王位継承につきまして、心からお祝い申し上げます」
声が震えている事にイメラリアも気づき、ふっと、微笑む。
「何かと心配をかけましたね。どうか、これからもわたくしを支えてくださいね」
ホーラントでのアレコレを手早く片付けた一二三は、スプランゲルから譲ってもらった馬を駆って、既にホーラントとオーソングランデの国境まで戻ってきていた。
フォカロルへ戻る領軍には“適当に観光でもしながら帰ってくればいい”と言い残して。
当初は街道を気ままに駆け抜けていたのだが、オーソングランデへ近づくにつれて街道を移動する人の数が増えて来て、仕方なく舗装されていない街道脇を走る羽目になった。
「何があった?」
街道を進む人の流れは、そのほとんどが一二三同様オーソングランデ方面を目指しており、荷車や馬車を使い、家族総出で移動している者が多く見える。何かの商品を積載した馬車に乗った、商人らしい者もチラホラ見かけるが。
「なあ、随分と街道が混んでいるが、何があったんだ?」
目線の高さが近いという理由だけで、近くを通った馬車に乗った商人に声をかけた。
「ああ、ホーラントのお城で何か大変な戦いがあって、たくさん兵が死んだという話が聞こえて来たんですよ。聞けば、オーソングランデには誰でも受け入れてくれる豊かな領地があるらしいので、皆さんそこを目指しているのでしょう」
声をかけた商人は、人が多く移動しているのに着いて行って、道々で民衆に食料や日用品を売っているのだという。
「私はホーラント国内を移動して商品を売っていますので、丁度いい商機が来た、というやつです」
国境へ近づくほど人口密度が上がるので、商売は順調なのだろう。ホクホク顔で答えてくれた。
商人へ金貨を一枚投げて、一二三は更に先を目指した。
さらに二時間程街道を進み、国境まで間も無くという所で、やたらと渋滞している場所がある。
馬車や荷車は舗装の外では進めなくなる危険があるので、全員が仕方ないという顔で進むのを待っているようだ。
「お、これは?」
ほんのわずかだが、前方から血の匂いが漂ってきた。
思わず、一二三の口角が上がる。
街道の外を急いで進みながら、腰に差した刀の位置を調整する。
ほどなく、渋滞の原因が見えてきた。
「並べ! 順番にだぞ!」
ホーラントの一般兵の装備をした男が、がなり声を上げている。
他に数名が並び、一人一人に尋問だか検問だかをしているらしい。
馬上のまま近づいた一二三の前にも、一人の兵士が立ちはだかった。
「妙な格好をしているな。ここを通る理由を言え」
「その前に聞くが、俺が先日ここを通過した時にはお前らみたいのはいなかったが、一体何をやっている?」
舌打ちをして、兵士は剣を抜いた。
周囲にいた一般人たちからざわめきが起き、距離を取る者もいる。
「つべこべ言わずに質問に答えろ!」
叫ぶ兵士を無視して、先頭集団のやり取りを見ていた一二三は、そこで民衆から金を受け取っているのを見つけた。
「通行料......か」
「そうだ! ここを通るなら銀貨一枚を払っていけ!」
もはや包み隠そうともしない兵士の言葉に、一二三は一人の子連れの女性を指差した。
「なぁ、あんた。ちょっと聞くが」
「この国では馬鹿な兵士に施しをする制度でもあるのか?」
「えっ? あの、その......」
兵士と一二三を交互に見ながら、女性はどう言っていいかと迷っている。兵士も怖いが、一二三の目も怖いらしい。
「お前は! 俺を馬鹿にしているのか!」
激昂して左足を踏み出し、剣を振り上げたところで、兵士の動きはピタリと止まった。
左手で逆手に抜いた刀が、兵士の左目を貫いている。
「言ったろう? 馬鹿な兵士、と」
人の話はよく聞け、と言いながら、血振りで抜き取った眼球を飛ばす。
絶命した兵士が倒れると同時に、周囲から悲鳴が上がった。
一二三が一喝すると、逃げ出そうとした民衆も足を止めた。
そこへ、他の兵士たちも駆け寄ってきた。誰もが同じ様な見たことのある革鎧を着ていることから、全員がホーラントの兵士らしい事がわかる。
うち一人が進み出て、倒れた兵士を見やった。
「......これは一体どういう事だ?」
「剣を抜いて斬りかかってきたから殺した」
刀は、抜いたままで右手に提げている。
「改めて聞くが、何をやっている? 見たところ、金を取って通すか追い返すかの二択のようだが」
「王や領主の許可を得ない勝手な移動は禁じられている! 許可を得て費用を払ったものだけが通れるのだ!」
威圧するように胸を張り、馬上の一二三を見据える兵士は、さりげなく腰の剣に手をかけている。
一二三は、不安げに見ている民衆たちをぐるりと見渡した。
「そんな書類を提出している奴なんかいないようだが? 要するに袖の下を渡すかどうかって話だろう? もっと堂々としろよ」
ふっと鼻で笑った一二三は、さらに続ける。
「で、こいつらはさておいても、俺からも金を取ろうってのか?」
「ちっ。貴様の目的と名前を言え! 金額次第で通してやる」
ホーラント国民であるならば、国のために働いている我々に報謝するのは当然であろうと続けた兵士の言葉を聞いて、一二三は我慢できずに高笑いしてしまった。
「あっはっはっは! 残念だが、俺はホーラント国民じゃあない」
懐から取り出したのは、イメラリアの署名が入った通行許可証だ。
「俺はオーソングランデの貴族だよ。領地に帰るから、さっさと道を開けろ」
その書類をマジマジと見ていた兵士は、怒りか焦りか、震えながら道を開けた。
丁度兵士たちに囲まれるような位置に来たところで、馬を止めた一二三は街道にいた民衆たちへ視線を向けた。
「ああ、そういえば俺も一領主なんだわ。フォカロルという街を中心にしたトオノ領というところなんだが......」
トオノ領フォカロルという名前を聞いた民衆たちが、にわかにザワつき始めた。商人の話が本当なら、彼らが目指しているのはそこなのだ。
「そこに来るなら、歓迎しよう。オーソングランデ所属の貴族、ヒフミ・トオノ伯爵として、希望者の通行を許可する。もちろん、無料でな」
突然勝手なことを言い出した一二三に、民衆は喜びの声を上げそうになったが、先に声を上げたのは兵士の方だった。
「ふざけるな! 外国の貴族が何を勝手なことを!」
「だが、お前はどこの貴族ともどこの領主とも言わなかっただろ?」
完全な屁理屈だが、目的が挑発なら逆に丁度いい、と一二三は笑っている。
「全員剣を抜け! こいつは貴族を語る犯罪者だ!」
その言葉で、この場にいた兵士全員が剣を抜いた。
「抜いたな?」
ぐるりと見回して、兵士全員が剣を構えるのを見届けた一二三は、一言、呟いた。
すぐさま馬上から飛び上がり、一人の兵士を頭から両断する。
立ち上がりながらも逆八相に刀を摺りあげて一人を斬る。
二人が倒れて空いた包囲網から、馬を逃がしてやった。
「ほら、抜いたなら斬れ。武器を取ったなら殺せ」
「ぐぐぐ......かかれ!」
顔を真っ赤にした兵士は、自分も含めて全員で同時に斬りかかることを選んだが、結果は惨憺たるものだった。
首を落とされる者、腹を割られて呆然と自分の内蔵が流れ出す様を見ている者、手足を失って悶絶している者......。
最後に残った兵士は、もはや破れかぶれで斬りかかってきたが、剣の腹を左手で叩き落されて剣を取り落とし、一二三がくるりと一回転させた刀で右手を二股に斬り割られた。
「あぐぅ......」
腕から夥しい量の血を流しながら膝をついた兵士は、間も無く失血で死ぬだろう。
一部始終を見ていた民衆たちは、すっかり一二三に対して怯えの表情を向けている。
懐紙で拭った刀を鞘へと納めたところで、腕を斬られた兵士が死んだ。
「何日か遅れて俺のところの領兵が来るから、気が向いたら話しかけてみるといい。こいつらよりはちゃんと対応するだろうさ。多分な」
馬が戻ってきたのを見つけた一二三は、嬉しそうに馬に駆け寄って撫でてやり、ひらりと飛び乗ると、さっさと行ってしまった。
金を払わずに済んだ民衆は、何が起きたのか理解できないまま、気を取りなおして歩みを進めて行く。
「どこに行っても、仕事に追われるのは宿命なのか......」
こんなことなら、もう少し義兄の所でゆっくりしていれば良かった、と王城内に新たに与えられた執務室でサブナクは嘆いていた。
サブナクが王都へ戻ると同時に、イメラリアの戴冠に先駆けて近衛騎士隊の創設が正式に執り行われた。隊長をサブナク、副隊長をヴァイヤーとし、第二騎士隊と第三騎士隊から数名ずつが選出された。
残った騎士たちは全てまとめて、単に騎士隊と呼ばれる組織へと再編成された。騎士隊長として元第三騎士隊長のロトマゴ、副隊長にはミダスを含め三名が任命された。
両騎士隊に上下関係は無く、近衛騎士隊は城内及び王族の護衛を主任務とし、騎士隊は兵を率いての治安維持や軍事活動を行う。
慌ただしく叙任が行われ、イメラリア自ら手渡された新しい隊服に身を包んだサブナク。彼が与えられた最初の仕事は、来る戴冠式の警備計画の立案と訓練という、おお仕事であった。
「なんでこんなに仕事が多いんだ」
自分の代わりにフィリニオンがフォカロル領へと派遣されて、内心ホッとしていたのだが、これなら引き受けていた方がマシだったかもしれないとさえ思う。
何しろ、編成されたばかりの出来立て部隊なので、連携どころか隊員どうしの顔合わせがようやく終わった程度なのだ。いくら護衛対象がイメラリア一人とはいえ、この広い王城とその周辺が対象では、頭を捻って考えた計画も、穴があるような気がしてならない。
「失礼します」
執務室へ入って来たのは、新たにサブナク付きとなった侍女だった。
「近衛騎士隊副隊長のヴァイヤー様より、書簡が届いております」
渡された書簡は羊皮紙を丸めた物で、丁寧に蝋で封印されている。
「なんだってこんな大仰な......」
蝋を剥がして中身を読み進めているうちに、サブナクは涙が溢れてきた。
ヴァイヤーからの手紙には、イメラリアからの指示でフォカロル領で一二三を待つ間に、他領からも兵を鍛えたり文官を育てたりという依頼が殺到している事。旧ヴィシー領もフォカロル同様の政治体制に移行しつつあることが分かりやうすく書かれ、最後に、“フィリニオンさんと婚約しました”と上司であるサブナクへの報告が書かれていた。
「なんだよそれ。ぼくは振り回されて忙しくて、女性と食事すらままならないというのに......」
「隊長様」
「その呼び方おかしくない? で、何かな?」
ハンカチで目を抑えながら尋ねると、侍女は無表情のまま言う。
「よろしければ、夕食をご一緒しますか?」
「......同情ならやめてくれないか」
「いいえ」
侍女はとんでもない、と首を振った。
サブナクは泣いた。
Once Imeraria finished reading the delivered report, she sat down on a nearby chair.
"I-Imeraria-sama!?" (Maid)
She raised her hand to rein in the maid who rushed over from the side, she was standing at the ready, in a panic.
"I'm alright. I only felt a bit tired." (Imeraria)
With a frail smile she ordered the prime minister to be summoned and read over the report once again.
"Something like forming a treaty between a nation and noble's territory... This is something like slighting our country. Originally this would probably make him a target of disciplinary actions, but..." (Imeraria)
If I consider the citizens as a whole, for them it will mean the opportunity to obtain cheap magic tools on top of him having defeated the enemy nation. It's very likely they won't comprehend what's wrong with that
Faster than she expected, there was knocking on the door to her office.
"Enter." (Imeraria)
"As you have ordered, I have come." (Adol)
"Though I think you've heard about it, it's about Horant's matter." (Imeraria)
Prime Minister Adol, having obtained Imeraria's permission to stand at ease, told her that the report has reached him as well.
Imeraria nods.
"I also considered whether we should punish Earl Tohno, but realistically it's probably impossible. Assuming we do something reckless, Fokalore might oppose Orsongrande... no, there might also be a not so small number of nobles supporting Hifumi-sama. The situation is that all the former Vichy territories have been annexed by Fokalore." (Imeraria)
"I'm also agreeing with Imeraria-sama's view." (Adol)
"Then, it's fine to carefully watch the situation?" (Imeraria)
"I considered whether this isn't a good opportunity." (Adol)
As Imeraria asked "Good opportunity?", Adol excused himself for being presumptuous.
"It's the long-awaited chance to hold Imeraria-sama's coronation ceremony while at the same time celebrating Earl Tohno's military gains. The opposing nobles won't be able to meddle at a moment's notice, if Earl Tohno is close by." (Adol)
Imeraria decided to agree with this suggestion of the prime minister as good idea, but once she carefully considered Hifumi's character, she noticed a point that should cause apprehensions.
"Won't this turn into a situation of "being used" which he hates the most?" (Imeraria)
"It's probably necessary to explain it in advance and get his consent. If we also prepare something to please Earl Tohno, it will be even better." (Adol)
Due to Adol answering pridefully, Imeraria lowered her eyebrows.
"What in the world are you planning? I already don't want to lose anyone else thanks to thoughtlessness, however..." (Imeraria)
"You may be relieved. In my humble opinion it will be alright as long as we discuss about a proper request for Earl Tohno. To put it simple, he will participate by himself without knowing that he is being used in a disagreeable way. It will be fine if we just directly request it from him sincerely." (Adol)
"Because it's just at the right time where we are also asking him to coach the soldiers of the national army", Adol said.
"If you consider him with the intention to become hostile against him, he is indeed a terrifying opponent, but if you rely on him as an ally, there won't be anyone more reliable either." (Adol)
Imeraria closed her eyes to think about Adol's words.
"... Understood. We will use your plan, prime minister. However, I will be the one to directly talk with Hifumi-sama about the request. Please tell the knight order to invite Hifumi to this place once he enters the capital." (Imeraria)
Adol, who hang his head deeply, got teary eyes.
"And, I congratulate Imeraria-sama from the bottom of my heart for the succession of the throne." (Adol)
Even though Imeraria realises his trembling voice, she shows a whiff of a smile.
"In one way or another it caused you to worry, eh? Please support me from now on as well, okay?" (Imeraria)
Hifumi, who swiftly finished up this and that in Horant, mounted the horse, he had Suprangel concede to him, and already came back as far as the national border of Orsongrande to Horant.
He left the territorial army heading towards Fokalore with the words "It's fine if you return while also properly doing some sightseeing."
At first he freely travelled on the highway, but as the amount of people moving on the highway increased the closer he got to Orsongrande, he reluctantly got stuck with travelling besides the highway where it wasn't paved.
"What happened?" (Hifumi)
Almost the entire flow of people advancing on the highway is heading in the direction of Orsongrande, just like Hifumi. Using carriages and wagons, there are many people moving together with their entire families visible. Sporadically he catches sight of merchant-like people who embarked on carriages loaded with some goods.
"Say, the highway is awfully crowded. Did something happen?" (Hifumi)magic
He called out to a merchant riding on a carriage close-by with the only reason for his choice being the proximity in the height of his view.
"Ah, there is some very grave battle going on in the royal castle of Horant. I heard many soldiers have died. Since there seems to be a rich territory accepting anyone in Orsongrande, everyone is aiming to go there." (Merchant)
Hifumi arrives at the called-out merchant even though there are many people moving around them. He is selling food and daily necessities to the masses along the road.
"Given that I'm selling my goods by moving within Horant, the right business opportunity popped up. That's the kind of guy I am." (Merchant)
As the density of people increases the closer it is to the border, it might be profitable for business.
Throwing a gold coin to the merchant, Hifumi headed on.
Advancing on the highway for another two hours, there is an excessive congestion of carriages right before the border.
Because there is the danger of losing carriages or wagons if proceeding off the pavement, everyone is waiting to go ahead with a resigned expression.
"Oh, this is?" (Hifumi)
Albeit a small amount, the scent of blood came drifting from further ahead.
Instinctively the corners of Hifumi's mouth rise.
While advancing in a hurry offside the highway, he adjusts the location of his katana hanging at his waist.
Soon the source of the congestion came in sight.
"Line up! Stand in a row!"
A man, wearing the equipment of a common soldier from Horant, is raising his voice quite loudly.
Several other people are lined up. It seems he is doing an inspection or interrogation of them one by one.
A single soldier blocked the way of Hifumi approaching on top of the horse.
"Don't you have a strange appearance. Tell me your reason for coming here." (Soldier)
"Before that, listen, when I passed through here a few days ago a lot like you wasn't here, but what the hell are you doing?" (Hifumi)
Clicking his tongue, the soldier drew his sword.
It causes a commotion among the commoners, who were in the vicinity. Some also take a distance.
"Answer the question without nitpicking!" (Soldier)
Ignoring the yelling soldier, Hifumi watched the exchange of the group at the front. He discovered the soldier receiving money from the people there.
"Toll... eh?" (Hifumi)
"That's right! You have to pay one silver coin if you want to pass here!" (Soldier)
Due to the soldier's words, who doesn't even try to hide it anymore, Hifumi pointed at a single woman with her children.
"Hey, you. Listen to me for just a minute." (Hifumi)
"Is there a system of giving charity to dumb soldiers in this country?" (Hifumi)
"Eh? Umm, that..." (Woman)
While alternating her look between the soldier and Hifumi, the woman is puzzled what kind of answer would be good. The soldier is scary, but it seems Hifumi's eyes are scary as well.
"You! Are you taking me for a fool!?" (Soldier)
Taking a step forward with his left foot in rage, he raised his sword overhead, but the soldier's movement suddenly stopped.
The katana, drawn and held with the left hand in a backhand grip, is piercing the soldier's left eye.
"Didn't I tell you? A dumb soldier." (Hifumi)
While saying "You should listen more closely to what people tell you", the eyeball flies off due to Hifumi pulling out the katana and shaking the blood off it.
At the same time as the dead soldier fell, screams rose from the surroundings.
Due to Hifumi's roar, the people, who tried to escape, stopped their feet as well.
The other soldiers came rushing over as well. From the fact that all of them are wearing a similar-looking leather armour, Hifumi understands that apparently are soldiers of Horant.
A single one among them stepped forward and looked at the collapsed soldier.
"... What the heck is this about?" (Soldier)
"I killed him because he came slashing at me with his drawn sword." (Hifumi)
He is holding the drawn katana in his right hand.
"I will ask once again, what are you doing? Though, judging by appearance, it seems there are two choices to pay money to pass through or otherwise be sent away." (Hifumi)
"We are prohibiting the travel that hasn't been approved by either the king or a feudal lord. Only those paying the price to obtain permission can go on!" (Soldier)
Throwing out his chest as if trying to daunt him, the soldier stares at Hifumi atop his horse. In a casual manner he puts his hand on the sword at his waist.
Hifumi surveyed the uneasy looking commoners in a circle.
"However, doesn't it seem like there isn't any guy handing over such official papers? In short, I wonder if it's a story of giving a bribe? Do it more boldly." (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who laughed scornfully without warning, continues further on,
"So, even setting those guys aside, are you going to take money from me as well?" (Hifumi)
"Tsk. Bastard, tell me your name and aim! Whether you pass through depends on the amount of money." (Soldier)
"If you are a citizen of Horant, it is only natural to repay us for working for the sake of the country." Continuing to listen to the words of the soldier, Hifumi ended up being unable to contain a loud laughter.
"Ahahahaha! What bad luck! I'm not a citizen of Horant." (Hifumi)
He took out the traffic permit signed by Imeraria from his pocket.
"I'm a noble of Orsongrande. Since I want to return to my territory, hurry up and open the way." (Hifumi)
The soldier, who took a long hard look at the document, opened the path while shivering in anger or fluster.
Just as he reached a position, where he was surrounded by the soldier, Hifumi stopped his horse and turned his sight towards the people, who were on the highway.
"Ah, which reminds me, I'm one of the feudal lords as well. The place is known as Tohno territory which has the city Fokalore as its core, but..." (Hifumi)
The people, who heard the name Fokalore of the Tohno territory, began to suddenly get noisy. If the story of the merchant was true, they were headed towards that place.
"If you are going there, you will be welcome. As Earl Hifumi Tohno, a noble affiliated with Orsongrande, I'm approving your passage as applicants. Of course, free of charge." (Hifumi)
The people almost raised their voices in joy due to Hifumi, who unexpectedly proposed this matter on his own accord, however a soldier was the first to raise his voice.
"Don't screw around! What are you pulling here as noble of a foreign country!?" (Soldier)
"However, didn't you say any noble and any feudal lord before?" (Hifumi)
Though it is completely a sophism, it will be perfectly fitting if the goal is to provoke them
"All of you, draw your swords! This guy is a criminal who only calls himself a noble!" (Soldier)
Upon those words every soldier present drew their sword.
"You drew them, eh?" (Hifumi)
Looking around by turning in a circle, Hifumi made sure that all soldiers set up their swords and muttered a single question.
Promptly jumping off the horse, he bisects a single soldier without hesitation.
While standing up, he wards off another's sword to the side and slices him with a reverse hassou stance.
As the encirclement was broken by two soldiers having collapsed, he let the horse get away.
"Hey, if you draw, you have to slash. If you hold your weapons, you have to kill." (Hifumi)
"Gugugu... get him!" (Soldier)
The soldier, with a deep red face, chose to have them, including himself as well, slash at Hifumi at the same time, but the outcome was something tragic.
Some have their heads sent flying, some are dumbfounded at having their bellies sliced and are staring at the sight of their own organs spilling out and some have fainted in agony due to losing their limbs...
The last remaining soldier came assaulting with his sword in total desperation, however having him drop the sword by striking its middle part with the left hand, Hifumi makes a full revolution holding the katana and cuts off the lower part of the soldier's right arm.
"Aguu..." (Soldier)
While shedding large quantities of blood from his arms, the fallen soldier before long dies of blood loss.
The people, who saw the entire spectacle unfold, are looking at Hifumi with completely frightened facial expressions.
At the time he put his katana back into its scabbard after wiping it with a paper, the soldier, who had his arm loped off, died.
"Because my area's territorial soldiers will come here a few days later, it's fine for you talk to them if you feel like it. Rather than those fellows, they will treat you properly, probably." (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who found the horse that had come back, ran up to the horse in joy and gently brushed it. Once he nimbly mounted it, he quickly went his way.
While the people, ending up not having to pay any money, don't comprehend what has just happened, they pull themselves together and continue walking.
"Am I fated to be chased by work no matter where I go... ?" (Sabnak)
If it was to be like this, it would have been alright to rest at the place of brother-in-law for a bit longer
At the same time as Sabnak returned to the capital, an official ceremony was held for the first founding of the Royal Knight Order due to Imeraria's coronation. The captain was Sabnak and the vice-captain was Vaiya. Several people were chosen from each, the Second and Third Knight Order.
Consolidating all the remaining knights, those were reshuffled into an organisation that was merely called knight order. The former captain of the Third Knight Order, Lotomago, was appointed as its captain and there were three vice-captains including Midas.
There is no hierarchical relationship between the two knight orders. The main duty of the Royal Knight Order is the protection of the royalty as well as the castle. The knight order leads the army to maintain the public order and for military activities.
Having been appointed in a hurry, Sabnak was dressed in the new order's uniform that was handed to him by Imeraria herself. The first assigned task for him is to draft and practise the security protocol of the coming coronation ceremony. It was major task.
"Why is there so much work?" (Sabnak)
Having dispatched Phyrinion to the Fokalore territory as my replacement, I feel relieved in my heart, but being responsible for that side might have been better if it's like this
At any rate, since it is a fresh unit that has been formed just recently, let alone cooperation, the order's members just finished meeting their comrades. No matter how much Imeraria is the only protection subject, I can't help but feel there will security holes in this wide royal castle and its surroundings even if I wrack my brain devising a plan.
"Excuse me." (Maid)
The one to enter the office was the new maid, who was assigned to Sabnak.
"A letter has arrived from Royal Knight Order Vice-Captain Vaiya." (Maid)
The given letter was a rolled up parchment having a thorough wax seal.
"What!? Such exaggeration..." (Sabnak)
While tearing off the wax and reading the contents, Sabnak spilled tears.
The letter from Vaiya states that while waiting for Hifumi in Fokalore following Imeraria's instruction, there are requests from other fiefs flooding in to train their soldiers and educate their civil officials. He lightly and in a comprehensible way writes that even the former Vichy territories are in the process of switching over to the same political system as Fokalore. At the end he wrote to report about the "Engagement to Phyrinion-san" to report about it to his superior officer, Sabnak.
"What the hell is this? Though I'm not able to enjoy food and women as I'm busily running about..." (Sabnak)
"Captain-sama." (Maid)
"Isn't this way of calling me weird? So, what is it?" (Sabnak)
As he asks while holding a handkerchief to his eyes, the maid says expressionlessly,
"If you like, you can join me for dinner?" (Maid)
"... Won't you stop it, if it's out of pity?" (Sabnak)
"No, it isn't." (Maid)
, he shook his head.
Sabnak cried.
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