審議による真偽
「それでは、ただいまより迷いの森の調査について審議を行います」
教会から派遣されてきた神官が中央に立つのを見届けると宰相が宣誓する。
その後ろにエリバン王国の王とイルクーツ王国のアリス王女の席が用意されており、それぞれの隣には宰相とアリシアが立っている。
そこから側面には爵位を持つ貴族と騎士が並んでおり、今回の審議が国の大事であることを印象付けた。
「本日、真実のオーブを操作するのは神殿から派遣されたヒューゴ司教殿です」
宰相の説明によりお辞儀をする。人の良さそうな初老の神官で、中立の立場からどのような問答に対しても真実のみを告げてくれる。
「では、最初の人間を入場させよ」
そう言うと兵士が2人動きだし大きな扉を開いた。
すると、あらかじめ外に待機していたのか鎧を身に着けた1人の兵士が入ってきた。
エリバン王国の新品の鎧が輝き、人相の悪い男が中央に立った。
「名前と身分をあかしてください」
ヒューゴ司教の言葉に人相の悪い男は頷くと。
「元Bランク冒険者で今はエリバン王国兵士のラッセルです」
「ええーーーっ!?」
「あ、アリス様っ!?」
ラッセルが名乗るとアリスが立ち上がり注目を集める。アリシアは慌ててそれを嗜めた。
「アリス王女。なにか?」
宰相が怪訝な目で見ると、
「い、いえ......。何でもありませんわ」
取り繕うような笑顔を見せた。そんなアリスを横目に見つつ宰相はラッセルのことを皆に紹介し始めた。
「えー、このラッセルですが、先日行われた迷いの森の調査において素晴らしき功績を挙げたため、この度兵士に登用しました」
その紹介に貴族と騎士が拍手で称える。功績を持つ者には敬意を払う。そうでなければ自分が功績を挙げた時に周囲から認めてもらえなくなるからだ。
「ですが、この兵士登用は現時点で仮の扱いとなっています。それというのも、調査隊の報告で幾つか信じがたい話があったからです」
既に城中に広まっている噂だ。皆ラッセルに注目すると......。
「それでは兵士ラッセル。そなたの口から迷いの森の調査報告をもう一度、簡潔に話してくれないか?」
宰相が促すと同時に、ヒューゴ司教がオーブに手をかざす。周囲の人間は完全に口を噤む。なぜなら真実のオーブが作動している間は全ての発言が真偽の対象になるからだ。
「はい。俺たち冒険者は国からの依頼を受け迷いの森の調査のため森の深くまで入りました。道中、森の浅い部分では見かけない強さのモンスターと遭遇。それぞれのグループで討伐しつつ進みました。そして待機予定の場所でキャンプをしていたところ、ある存在が現れました」
「そのある存在とは何かね?」
「アークデーモンです」
宰相の質問にラッセルは答えた。
周囲でざわめきが起こる。貴族や騎士は真実のオーブへと視線を動かす。
「嘘は言っておりませんな」
ヒューゴ司教の言葉で緊張感が高まる。
今の問答で、少なくとも迷いの森の奥にアークデーモンがいたことが皆にわかった。
「それで、アークデーモンと言葉を交わしたと報告にはあるが、アークデーモンはなんと言ったのだ?」
「はい。奴は言いました『今回の迷いの森の異変は全て自分が仕組んだものだ』と」
その答えにもオーブは真実と判定を下した。
「つまり、アークデーモンの狙いはこの国だったと?」
それは完全に寝耳に水の話だ。自分たちが平和だと思っていた日常の裏でデーモンが国家転覆の謀略を練っていたのだ。平静でいられる者は少ない。
「し、しかしっ! そのアークデーモンはどうなったのだ!?」
その場のプレッシャーに耐えかねたのか、本来質問をする筈であった宰相を差し置いて貴族の1人が声を荒げた。
ラッセルは戸惑いながらも答えるべきか悩み宰相を見る。
すると宰相は不満そうな表情をしながらも頷いた。
「アークデーモンは討伐しました。やったのは俺たち冒険者です」
「......し、真実です」
「「「「「おおおおおおおおおおおーーーーーーー!!!」」」」」
ヒューゴ司教の震えた声とは裏腹にエリバン王国の重鎮たちは笑顔を見せる。
アークデーモンといえば目撃されれば災害級の被害をもたらすSランクモンスターだからだ。
それを討伐したという話が真実だったので頼もしいと感じたようだ。
「そっ、そうすると、お前はデーモンキラーになったのだな?」
興奮気味に貴族がまくしたてる。
「いえ、俺は――」
ラッセルがその質問に答えようとしたところで。
「兵士ラッセル。質問は以上だ」
宰相の一言が遮った。
「えっ? もうおしまいですか?」
怪訝な顔をするアリス王女。彼女はその質問の答えを知りたかった。
「現時点でアークデーモンが存在し討伐がされたという真実が明らかになりました。後の審議が押しているので無駄な質問は省きましょう」
その言葉でアリス王女は宰相の考えを見抜く。
アークデーモンを討伐したのは目の前のラッセルではない。もしその人物の名を知れると自国に勧誘される可能性を考えたのだ。
(でもその人物が多分あいつよね? ラッセルが外れだったけどまだ可能性はあるわ)
「それでは次の人間を入れてもよろしいですかな?」
自分が宰相の思惑に気付いた素振りを見せない方が良い。
「ええ、宜しくお願いしますわ」
アリス王女はチャンスを伺うことにするとそう答えた。
Chapter title: Truth by Deliberation
[Then, we will now discuss about the investigation of the Lost Forest.] 
The Prime Minister swore an oath as he watched the priest dispatched by the church stand in the center of the room.
Behind them were the seats of the King of Erivan and Princess Alice of Ilkut, with the Prime Minister and Alicia standing next to each of them.
From there, the nobles and knights with titles were lined up on the sides, giving the impression that this discussion was an important one for the country.
[Today, the one who will operate the Orb of Truth is Bishop Hugo, dispatched from the Temple.] 
I bowed as the Prime Minister explained. He is an elderly priest who seems to be a good person and will tell you the truth about any questions you may have from a neutral standpoint.
[Then let the first person enter.] 
With that, two soldiers moved in and opened the large door.
Then a soldier wearing armor, probably waiting outside beforehand, walked in.
The brand new armor of the Kingdom of Erivan shone, and a man with a bad appearance stood in the center.
[Please reveal your name and identity.] 
The man nodded in response to Bishop Hugo's words.
[I'm Russell, a former B-rank adventurer who is now a soldier in the Kingdom of Erivan.] 
[Eeh---!?] 
[Oh, Alice!?] 
When Russell said his name, Alice stood up and drew attention to him. Alicia hurriedly refrained from doing so.
[Princess Alice. What is it?] 
The Prime Minister looked at her suspiciously.
[N, no..... It's nothing.] 
She gave a mending smile. While looking at Alice, the Prime Minister began to introduce Russell to everyone.
[Well, Russell has been promoted to a soldier for his outstanding performance in the recent survey of the Lost Forest.] 
The nobles and knights applaud the introduction. They pay respect to those who have achievements. Otherwise, they will not be recognized by the people around them when they make their own achievements.
[However, this appointment is provisional at this time, because there have been some unbelievable stories in the survey team's report.] 
It was a rumor that had already spread throughout the castle. Everyone's attention is focused on Russell.....
[Well then, soldier Russell. Will you please repeat your report on the investigation of the Lost Forest and speak briefly?] 
As soon as the Prime Minister urges him to do so, Bishop Hugo holds up his hand to the orb. The people around him keep their mouths completely shut. This is because while the Orb of Truth is in operation, all statements are subject to truth or falsehood.
[Yes, sir. We adventurers have been commissioned by the government to go deep into the forest to investigate the Lost Forest. Along the way, we encountered monsters of a strength not seen in the shallow parts of the forest. Each group proceeded to defeat them. As we were camping at the place where we were supposed to wait, a certain being appeared.] 
[What was this being?] 
[An arc demon.] 
Russel answered the Prime Minister's question.
A murmur went up in the room. The nobles and knights moved their gaze to the Orb of Truth.
[He's not lying.] 
Bishop Hugo's words increase the tension.
The question and answer now let everyone know that there was at least an Arc Demon in the depths of the Lost Forest.
[So, the report says that you exchanged words with the Arc Demon, what did it say?] 
[Yes. He said "I'm the one who caused all the strange things that happened in the Lost Forest"] 
The orb judged the answer to be true as well.
[So you're saying that the arc-demon's goal was this country?] 
That's completely unbelievable. We thought our daily lives were peaceful, but behind the scenes, demons were plotting to overthrow the nation. There were few who could remain calm.
[B, but! What happened to the arc demon!?] 
Perhaps unable to withstand the pressure of the situation, one of the nobles shouted out, leaving out the Prime Minister who was originally supposed to ask the question.
Russell looked at the Prime Minister, confused and wondering if he should answer.
The Prime Minister then nodded with a dissatisfied look on his face.
[The arc demon has been defeated. It was us adventurers who did it.] 
[....I, it's true.] 
[[[[[Ooooooooooooooooooh-----!!!!] ] ] ] ] 
Despite Bishop Hugo's trembling voice, the nobles of the Erivan Kingdom smile.
The Arc Demon is an S-rank monster that can cause disaster-level damage if it is seen.
They seemed to feel relieved because the story was true.
[So, so you've become a Demon Killer, huh?] 
The nobleman exclaimed excitedly.
[No, I--] 
Russell was just about to answer the question.
[Soldier Russell. No more questions.] 
The Prime Minister's words interrupted him.
[Eh? Are you finished?] 
Princess Alice looked at him suspiciously. She wanted to know the answer to that question.
[At this point, the truth has come to light that the Arc Demon exists and has been defeated. Let's skip the useless questions as we are pressed for discussion later.] 
With those words, Princess Alice saw through the Prime Minister's thoughts.
It wasn't Russell in front of him who had defeated the Arc Demon. He thought about the possibility of being recruited into her country if the name of that person became known.
(But that person was probably that guy, right? Russell was an outsider, but it was still a possibility.)
[Then may I bring in the next person?] 
It is better to pretend that I am not aware of the Prime Minister's intentions.
[Yes, please do.] 
Princess Alice replied, deciding to take her chance.
I, the Sacrifice, Somehow Killed the Evil God (WN)
【書籍化】生贄になった俺が、なぜか邪神を滅ぼしてしまった件【コミカライズ】
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-the-sacrifice-somehow-killed-the-evil-god/
Action Adventure Fantasy Harem Romance Shounen
Adapted to Manga Charming Protagonist Childhood Friends Dense Protagonist Depictions of Cruelty Different Social Status Dragons Elves Evil Gods Eye Powers Fantasy Creatures Fantasy World Fast Learner Game Elements Gods Hard-Working Protagonist Hated Protagonist Healers Kind Love Interests Lack of Common Sense Level System Love Interest Falls in Love First Lucky Protagonist Magic Magic Formations Male Protagonist Monsters Multiple POV Nobles Overpowered Protagonist Polygamy Popular Love Interests R-15 Royalty Spirit Users Spirits Strong Love Interests Strong to Stronger Sudden Strength Gain Sword And Magic Sword Wielder Underestimated Protagonist Unique Weapon User Unique Weapons Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7677gq/
まるせい