170.Black And Blue
魔人族によるフォカロル侵攻は、完全に足踏み状態だった。ウェパルが人員を分散させてヴィシー領の統治と運営に関して、本格的に手を付け始めると、ただでさえ不足気味な人員がさらに分散していく。
魔物が多い居住区で身を寄せ合って生きていた魔人族たちにとって、広い町々、しかも異民族が暮らす複数の町を運営するのは、不慣れを超えて未知の部分が大半だった。
「もっと準備してからにすれば良かった......」
ウェパルは、新たに拠点とした場所に執務室を用意し、そこで次々に指示を仰ぐ書類を決裁しながら、毎日頭を抱えていた。
ヴィシーの中で新たに居城としたのは、国内中心部にある一際大きな町にあった、元は中央委員会と呼ばれた為政者たちが使っていた宿を兼ねた建物だ。委員会のメンバーは、全て捕縛して死体を曝すことで、人間たちを押える道具として使った。
ウェパルの趣味ではなかったが、少ない人数で多数の人間を縛るには、力を見せつけて恐怖で縛り上げるのが一番手っ取り早いと判断した。強化兵や最初の魔人族侵攻でかなり兵数を削られていたヴィシーの各都市にとっては、少数でも魔人族の強さは充分に脅威だったので、その狙いは一応成功したと言って良い。
だが、デメリットもある。
平和的な主権移譲では無かったため、多くの町で為政者側の者たちが死ぬか逃げ出してしまった。魔人族におびえる民衆は扱いやすくなったが、町の運営に関しては下っ端しか町に残っておらず、手探りで都市運営を引き継がなくてはならなくなったのだ。
都市制圧の責任者に任じられた魔人族の中には、早々に横暴な振る舞いをして民衆を必要以上に怖がらせ、暴動が発生したり大規模な逃散を引き起こして、都市機能をマヒさせてしまった者もいる。
「せ、戦争どころじゃないじゃない」
「陛下ぁ、追加の書類です」
どちゃり、とウェパルの目の前へと一抱えはあろうかという書類を置いたのは、相棒であるフェレスと共に王の補佐官となったニャールだった。出世ではあるが、今の女王ウェパルの周辺はあまりに多忙で、喜ばしい地位とは言えない。
「失礼します」
「あ、フェレス」
「あ、じゃないでしょ。陛下の前で気を抜き過ぎよ......陛下、戦況の報告ですが」
「読んで。文字を見たくないわ」
目の前に追加された書類をうんざりした顔で見ていたウェパルは、フェレスに読み上げを頼んだ。
「え~っと......“損害軽微。なれど目標達成への道は遠く、敵の防備は強固”以上です」
「昨日と一緒じゃない」
「昨日は“損害無し”で始まりましたよ」
真顔でさらりと訂正したフェレスに、ウェパルは頭痛を覚えていた。つまるところ、ヴィシーと違ってホーラントやオーソングランデに対しては、攻めあぐねているばかりか、損害すら出ている、ということだ。
ヴィシーへ集団転移してきて最初に国境の町ローヌという場所を狙ったのだが、やたらと頑丈な塀が構築されていた上に、エルフによるものと思しき魔法障壁、さらには塀に作られていた謎の小さな穴から槍を撃ち出すという攻撃を受け、結構な損害を出している。
その後は慎重に攻略を続けているのだが、時間が経てば経つほど、塀は強固になっていき、攻撃も苛烈になってきている。完全に足踏み状態と言って良い。
「かと言って、今は援軍を送るような余裕は無いわよ......」
現場の指揮官ですら、兵数に余裕がない事を把握しているの。一方面の軍を任された矜持もあって、書面に援軍の要請は無い。
そういった事情も相まって、変化が無さ過ぎて、報告書に書くことも無くなってきているようだ。
「どうします?」
「......停戦したいのはやまやまなんだけどね」
今は、魔人族の中でも攻撃的な意見を持つものが主流派を占めている。ヴィシーの攻略で多少は収まるかと思っていたウェパルだったが、片腕を奪われて怒り狂っているバシムを初め、未だ戦争へと向かう動きは収まる様子が無い。
ウェパルとしては戦いを一旦収束させて、ソードランテとヴィシーという、新たに手に入れた領地の安定を目指したいところだった。時間はかかるが基盤を作り、人的資源を育てなければ、戦争に勝てない。勝てたとしても、統治ができない。
「破壊と戦争しか考えてない、あの大馬鹿と違って、私は将来のことまで考えないといけないのよ。それに、魔人族の馬鹿な女王なんて歴史に残されたくないわ」
「でも、このままだとこっちの数が減るだけでは?」
「すっごい魔法とか無いんですか? 敵の防壁を敗れるような」
フェレスの冷静な突っ込みに続けて、ニャールはむちゃくちゃな事を言ってくる。
参謀とかどこかに落ちてないかしら、と若干意識が現実から離れるのを何とか抑えつつ、先日から検討していた策について再度検討する。
「方法は考えているけど......失敗したら、間違いなく私は味方から殺されるわね」
不穏な言葉に、ニャールもフェレスも黙ってウェパルを見ていた。
「......人間に化けるのが得意なのがいたわよね。ちょっと前に人間の町から戻ってきたと思うけど、彼を呼んでもらえる?」
ほどなく、執務室へやってきた一人の魔人族に、ウェパルは急いで書き上げた書簡を渡した。
「難民を装ってローヌへ入り、この書面を密かに届けなさい。魔人族に雇われて持ってきた、商人だとでも名乗ってね」
「ご命令、承知いたしました」
恭しく書簡を受け取り、さっそく出発するという男が執務室を後にした。
「......あとは、人間の為政者が、一二三みたいなのばっかりじゃないことを祈るばかりだわ」
一二三が王都に滞在し、騎士たちへ訓練をつけるようになってから二ヶ月が経過した。身体がしっかりとできていた、騎士隊の中でも特に優秀な人員ばかりが選定されていたこともあり、一二三としてはまずまず悪くないペースで指導が進んでいると思っていた。
王城には住まず、十五分ほど歩く距離にある中古の屋敷を購入し、数名の使用人を入れてオリガと暮らしている。
朝早くから自分の柔軟と黙想を行い、軽く走って王城へ向かう。午前中いっぱいを指導に使い、午後からはオリガと訓練をするか、適当に魔物を狩ってギルドに売るという穏やかな生活をしていた。
「身体は動かしておられるようですが、以前を知る者としては、なんだか引退した兵士のような生活に感じますね」
と、城内で顔を合わせたイメラリアに言われたが、実際に家督を譲って隠居しているわけなので、一二三としてはこれ以上仕事やら付き合いやら、面倒を増やすつもりは毛頭なかった。
オリガも忙しい領地運営から解放され、一二三のために家事を行い、共に訓練し、狩りに出るという生活にこれ以上ないほど満足しており、時折登城してイメラリアと対面している間も、ずっと笑顔で通しているほどだった。
国境では戦争中であるが、一二三はそれに関わろうとすることも無く「もう子供じゃないんだから、アリッサにやらせておけ」と素っ気ない。
イメラリアをはじめ、サブナクや監視の騎士など、一二三の周囲にいる人々は、いつ魔人族との戦いに飛び出していくのか、と戦々恐々としていたのだが。
「ご主人様。ご報告です」
「ああ、ヴィーネか」
昼食を終えた頃、陽の当たるリビングで刀に油を塗っている一二三の所へ、片耳兎のヴィーネが駆け寄ってきた。数日ごとに王都の館にいる一二三を訪ねては、フォカロルからの報告を持ってきていた。数日滞在し、またフォカロルへ戻る、という行動を繰り返している。
数名の兵士を護衛に連れて、台車でひたすら往復しているらしい。一二三の館には泊まるが、フォカロルには一泊もしないことがあるほど、とんぼ返りをしている、と護衛の兵士がこぼしていたことがある。
刀を戻し、渡された書類に目を通しながら、一二三は何かを考えているような表情で、紅茶に口をつけた。
報告では、魔人族の動きや遠野伯爵領内の経済的な動き、主な事件などが記載されており、ヴィーネが留守にしている数日分、日付ごとに数枚ずつ束ねられていた。
「大量の兵士が短期間で、か」
流入してくる難民からの情報で、ヴィシーという国はもはや完全に魔人族に乗っ取られているとみて間違いない、とカイムが記録していた。さらに、魔人族から接触があったという。
書類と共に封筒に放り込まれていた書簡は、オーソングランデとホーラントの国主当てにと届けられたものだという。王城へ送るかどうかは、一二三に任せるとアリッサの字で書かれていた。
「判断を丸投げするなよ」
封筒から取り出し、日差しが入る窓に向かって透かして見る。
封書は「魔人族から渡された」というヴィシー難民の商人から届けられたという。商人そのものが怪しかったのだが、適当な理由を思いつけなかったアリッサが「なんとなく」という理由だけで捕縛しようとしたため、兵士たちが困惑して初動が遅れたこともあり、件の商人には逃げられてしまったらしい。
まだまだ、アリッサが領主としてしっかり振る舞えるようになるには時間がかかりそうだ。
「ウェパルも、急にフィールドが広がって混乱しているようだな」
封書と、フォカロルからの報告書もまとめてヴィーネに返す。
「オリガと一緒にこれをイメラリアに届けてくれ。ついでにプーセと話でもしてくると良い」
「はい。ありがとうございます」
夕食の仕込みをしているだろう、と一二三に言われ、ヴィーネは書類を胸に抱えて厨房へと駆けていく。
ぴょこぴょこと片方だけの長い耳を揺らしながら走るヴィーネの後ろ姿は、奴隷であった以前よりもずっと身体がしっかりしている。フォカロルと王都との往復を続けている間に、人間の町にも慣れてきたらしい。
同時に、王都とフォカロルの間にある町や、警備をしている兵たちも次第に獣人族やエルフに慣れてきた。食事や感情なども自分たちと変わらないということが、浸透してきたと言っていいかもしれない。
今では、エルフのプーセがイメラリアと共に度々公式の場に登場する。最初にプーセの相談役就任の発表があった際は、王城前の広場ではそれなりに懸念の声もあったようだが。
「......それにしても、死神」
「お呼びですかね?」
「お前、ウェパルに何かしたな?」
一二三が目の前にあるローテーブルから視線を逸らさないまま、背後に現れた死神に静かに声をかけた。
ヘラヘラと張り付いた笑いを浮かべ、見えていないのを承知で死神は肩をすくめた。
「まあ、いいだろう。......ところで、聞きたいことがあったんだが」
「私ごときでお答えできるものであれば」
大仰に、貴族のようにひらりと右手を添えて首を垂れる。
「同じ闇の魔法でも、俺のように物だけ動かせる奴と生き物も通せる奴がいるんだな」
「魔法は使う方の観念や知識が大きく影響しますから。属性が同じでも、効果などは人によって変わりますよ」
「なるほどな。概念、か」
闇の力を使えばこうなる、というイメージがどの程度明確にできるかどうか、と言うのが大きくかかわってくる、と死神は補足として説明した。一二三が開いた穴に生き物が入れられないのは、一二三がそうなるのが普通、と考えているか、以前にそういう創作物でも読んだから、という可能性が高いらしい。
とすると、こと闇魔法に関していえば、ウェパルの方がイメージ力は高いのかもしれない。
皮手袋に包まれた左手を見る。戦いの場で、大して魔法に頼るつもりは無いが、この魔力がなければ、この手は失われていただろう。実際にはもう無いのだが、擬似的にでも使えるのは助かる。
する、と手袋を外す。
「おお、闇の魔力が凝縮されているようですね。しかも素晴らしい安定性を保っている。闇魔法で作られた擬似生物などよりも、遥かに確かな物質化を成し遂げていますね」
感服いたしました、と死神が空虚な褒め言葉を並べる。
それを聞きながら、一二三はそっと立ち上がった。
「魔法生物か。お前は違うのか」
「私は闇の魔力......神力と言っても良いですね。元々は人間ですが、何万年も前に生物を辞めてしまいましたから、端的に私の存在を語るとすれば、闇の力そのものでしょう」
死、とそれをもたらす超現実的な存在を信じる者がいることで、死神はその存在する力を得ている。理不尽で夜を呪うような死が量産されることで、より強い力を得られるのだ。
「丁寧な説明ありがとよ。理解ができた」
死神の前にたち、左手の眺めながら一二三が礼を言うと、死神もにっこりと笑う。
「それはようございました。......えっ?」
「元人間で、その基本構造から離れることはできなかったみたいだな。頭蓋骨の形は普通の人間と同じだ」
一二三の黒い左手が、死神の顔面を掴んだ。その速さに避けることができず、親指と薬指がしっかりとこめかみを押えていた。
「な、何をするのですか......」
「役目が終わった道具は、始末するに限る。それに、お前みたいなジョーカーは誰かに使われると迷惑だからな」
「始末って、そんなこと......」
「できるんだろう? 魔法は概念なのだから」
ずぶ、と一二三の指が死神の頭に食い込む。力で埋まったのではない。真っ黒な指が触れている個所から死神の身体を吸収しているのだ。
自分の身体が減っていく感触に、死神は初めて表情を崩して慌てだした。
「そんな馬鹿な!」
「自己申告しただろう。お前は闇の魔力そのものだ、と。魔力なら、魔法と同様に吸収できる」
断言した。それが自身のイメージを補足すると信じて。
「や、やめてくださいよ......私は貴方に力を与え、他にも色々協力したじゃないですか......」
無視して、一二三は手のひらをべったりと死神の額に当て、すでに頭部の半分は吸収し終えている。
目玉も消えているが、死神はそれでも口を開いている。
「私が消えれば、貴方の魂もどこへ行くかわかりませんよ? 地獄どころか、無限の闇を彷徨うことになるかも! 私という案内役がいれば......」
「五月蠅い」
一気に腰のあたりまで手を押し付け、一気に身体を削りとる。
「俺は、死んだ後の事なんぞどうでも良い。生きている間にどれだけ殺し、どのように殺されるかだけしか興味が無い。それに、そろそろお前ごときに利用されているのも飽きた」
残った死神の両手両足が攻撃を加えようと動き始めたが、平手でぶっ叩くように動いた一二三の左手で、あっさりと消された。
念入りに、欠片も残さぬように。
「......ふむ。確かに魔力が補充できたような感触がある。最期に役に立ったか。良かったな」
ソファに戻り、鈴を鳴らす。
リビングへ急ぎやってきた侍女に、新しい紅茶を頼んだ。
Chapter 170: Black And Blue
The demons' invasion into Fokalore came to a complete standstill. Once Vepar began to genuinely work on the administration and government of Vichy's territory by dispatching personnel all across the country, her subordinates, which were lacking in numbers even under normal circumstances, were scattered even further.
For the demons, who originally survived in a region with many monsters, managing vast cities and moreover several cities where different races live went beyond being unfamiliar with it, going straight into the realm of the unknown.
"It would have been better if we had done this after more preparations..." (Vepar)
Vepar had prepared an office at her new residence. While approving one document after the other asking for instructions, she was at her wits' end everyday.
Her new castle in Vichy was in a remarkably huge city located in the central area of Vichy and is a building that also served as inn used by the politicians formerly referred to as central committee. All of the committee members had been caught and publicly executed as an example to suppress the humans.
It wasn't Vepar's personal taste to do so, but to hold down the great numbers of humans with their few numbers, she decided that it would be the easiest way to rule them with fear by demonstrating their power. Since the strength of the demons, albeit being only few, was plenty of a threat for all the cities of Vichy, which had lost quite a lot soldiers against the reinforced soldiers and the first demon invasion, one might say that she more or less succeeded in her objective.
But, there were also demerits to it.
Because sovereignty wasn't transferred peacefully, the peers of the committee members in many cities died or ran away. The populace that is scared of the demons had become easy to deal with, but the cities' administrations had lost most of its staff with only the underlings remaining, forcing the demons to take over the city management, using trial and error methods.
Among the demons, who were appointed as the ones in charge for the cities' control, there were also some who quickly managed to paralyze their city's functions by making the population more afraid than necessary through their tyrannical behavior, causing large-scale migrations and riots.
"I-I don't have any time for war right now." (Vepar)
"Majestyyy, here are some additional documents." (Nyarl)
The one who placed a huge pile of documents in of front of Vepar's eyes with a thump was Nyarl who had become an aide of the king together with her partner Pheres. She managed to get ahead in her career, but with the surroundings of the current queen Vepar being too pressured with work, you can't really describe her position as a fortunate one.
"Excuse me." (Pheres)
"Ah, Pheres." (Nyarl)
"Don't "Ah" me, okay? You are losing focus too much in front of Her Majesty...here's a report of the war's progress." (Pheres)
"Read it out loud. I don't want to look at any more characters." (Vepar)
Looking at the document that was added in front of her with a fed-up expression, Vepar ordered Pheres to read it.
"Uuummm..."Losses, insignificant. But, achieving our goals is still far off. The enemy's defense is strong." That's all." (Pheres)
"Isn't that the same as yesterday?" (Vepar)
"Yesterday began with "Losses, none," though." (Pheres)
Vepar felt a headache coming up upon Pheres correcting her smoothly with a serious look. 'In short, that means not only are they at a loss how to continue against Orsongrande and Horant in contrast to Vichy, but they are even suffering losses.
The group that got transferred to Vichy at first aimed for a border city called Rhone, but on top of an excessively firm wall having been built there, it had a magic barrier that appeared to be cast by the elves, and the demons received spear-shooting attacks through small, mysterious holes that had been prepared in the wall, causing considerable losses among them.
After that they have been continuing their approach cautiously, but the more time passed, the stronger the wall became and the attacks became more severe as well. At this point in time it has developed into a complete standstill.
"Having said that, right now we don't have any leeway to send reinforcements..."
Even the commanding officers on-site understand that we don't have any surplus in the numbers of our soldiers. On the other hand, they also have their pride in having been entrusted with the war's aspects, thus not appealing for reinforcements in the letters.
Coupled with those circumstances, they apparently ceased writing about things in their reports as the situation keeps staying the same.
"What's wrong?"
"... It's just that I really want to tie a ceasefire."
Right now the demons, who hold an aggressive stance, represent the majority. Vepar had hoped that they might settle down after the occupation of Vichy, but beginning with Bashim, who is raging after having one of his arms taken away from him, there's no indication that he movement towards war is lessening yet.
It will take time, but unless we build a foundation and foster manpower, we won't be able to win in a war. And even if we were to win, we won't be able to rule those new areas.
"In contrast to those utter fools, who don't think of anything but battles and destruction, I have to also consider the future. Besides, I don't want to go down in history as foolish demon queen." (Vepar)
"But, at this rate our numbers will only keep decreasing, won't they?"
"Isn't there something like a reaaally amazing magic? Allowing us to destroy the enemy's defense wall or such."
Continuing after Pheres' calm retort, Nyarl bubbles about something ridiculous.
While managing to hold back her consciousness separating from reality to some extent as she wonders,
"I have come up with a method, but...if it fails, I will definitely get killed by the other demons." (Vepar)
Due to her turbulent words, Pheres and Nyarl stayed silent and looked at Vepar.
"... There was a guy good at transforming into a human, wasn't there? I believe he returned from a human city a little while ago. Can I have you summon him?" (Vepar)
Vepar handed a hurriedly written document to the demon who arrived in her office shortly thereafter.
"Enter Rhone disguised as refugee and secretly deliver this letter. You can claim to be a merchant who brought it with him after being employed by the demons to do so." (Vepar)
"I shall do as you order."
Respectfully receiving the letter, the man says that he will depart at once and leaves the office.
"... All that's left is to only pray that there aren't just people like Hifumi among the human rulers." (Vepar)
Two months had passed since Hifumi started to train the knights while staying in the capital. It looked like the knight's bodies had toughened up a bit. Only the most excelled among the knight order were chosen. As for Hifumi, he thought that the training is proceeding at an adequately reasonable pace.
Not wanting to live in the royal castle, Hifumi had purchased an old mansion located around 15 minutes away. He's living there with Origa and several servants.
Early in the mornings he meditates to relax his body, then he heads to the castle while jogging. All of his morning is used for training. After that, in the afternoon, he enjoys a slow life of training with Origa or hunting monsters on a whim to sell their materials to the guild.
"It looks like you are still moving your body, but as person, who knows the you from before, I somehow feel like you are currently living the life of a retired soldier." (Imeraria)
He was told by Imeraria whom he met inside the castle, but since it's a fact that he has actually retired after passing on his peerage to Alyssa, Hifumi didn't have the slightest interest or intention to increase the troublesome burdens such as work or socializing any further.
After being released from the hectic territory administration, Origa is fully satisfied with taking care of the housework for Hifumi as well as training and going hunting together with him. Even during the times when she occasionally ran into Imeraria while inside the castle, she always kept smiling.
The national border is enveloped in a war, but Hifumi bluntly declared, "Alyssa is no little child anymore, so I will leave it to her", without trying to get involved any further.
Beginning with Imeraria, the people around Hifumi, such as Sabnak and the knights on surveillance duty, were full of worry wondering when Hifumi would rush out to battle against the demons.
"Master, here's your regular report." (Viine)
"Ah, Viine, huh? (Hifumi)
The one-eared rabbit woman ran up to Hifumi who was oiling his katana in the living room while being bathed by sunlight after lunch had come to an end. Visiting Hifumi every few days in his mansion in the capital, she brought back information from Fokalore, stayed for a few days and then returned to Fokalore again. That was her usual routine.
It seems she's earnestly coming and going in a platform wagon while being accompanied by several soldiers. She stays at Hifumi's mansion, but as for Fokalore, she make a round trip going even as far as not staying there overnight, according to the guards' grumblings.
While putting his katana away and scanning through the documents he was handed, Hifumi tasted the black tea with an expression as if he was pondering about something.
The movements of the demons, the economic developments in Tohno Earldom and major events have been recorded in the report. Several sheets depicting each day during Viine's absence were tied up into a bundle.
"A large number of soldier in a short time, eh?" (Hifumi)
"According to the information from the refugees flowing into Orsongrande, there's no mistake that the country called Vichy has already fallen into the hands of the demons," Caim had noted down. "Moreover, there had been a contact towards our side from the demons."
In a note put into the envelope together with the official documents to be delivered to the rulers of Horant and Orsongrande Alyssa wrote, "I leave it to you to you whether to pass it on the royal castle."
"Don't push the decision on me." (Hifumi)
Taking the official document out of its envelope, he heads to a window, holds it up against the light and looks at it.
It's said that the sealed letter arrived through a merchant, who escaped from Vichy, together with the words "I was given that by the demons." The merchant himself was suspicious, but as result of Alyssa, who couldn't come up with a proper reason, trying to arrest him with just a vague reasoning, the soldiers were bewildered and thus started to act belatedly, resulting in the merchant in question managing to run away.
It looks like it will still take quite some time for Alyssa to act like a proper feudal lord.
"Vepar also appears to be confused by the battlefield suddenly expanding." (Hifumi)
He returns the sealed document and the report from Fokalore to Viine.
"Please deliver this to Imeraria together with Origa. While you are at it, you might as well go talk with Puuse." (Hifumi)
"Yes. Thank you very much." (Viine)
Being told by Hifumi, "She's probably in the middle of preparing dinner", Viine runs into the kitchen while holding the documents at her chest.
Viine's appearance from behind as she runs while her one long ear jolts up and down is a lot more confident than before when she was still a slave. While continuing to make round trips between the capital and Fokalore, she has apparently gotten used to human cities.
At the same time, the cities in-between the capital and Fokalore as well as the soldiers acting as guards were gradually growing accustomed to beastmen and elves. That might be boosted by the fact that they are no different to humans in what they eat and how they feel slowly becoming well-known.
Nowadays Puuse often appears at official occasions together with Imeraria. At first, when Puuse's inauguration as Imeraria's advisor was announced, there were apparently a considerable number of people voicing their concerns on the square in front of the royal castle though.
"... At any rate, shinigami." (Hifumi)
"You have called for me?"
"You did something to Vepar, didn't you?" (Hifumi)
While not averting his eyes from the low table in front of him, Hifumi quietly called out to the shinigami who appeared behind him.
Releasing an insincere, frivolous smile, the shinigami shrugged its shoulders, well-aware that it won't be seen by Hifumi.
"Fair enough. ...By the way, there's something I want to know." (Hifumi)
"If it's something the likes of me is capable of answering."
It bows its head accompanied by a nimble movement of its right hand, just like the polite bow of a noble, in an exaggerated manner.
"Even though it's the same dark magic, I suppose there are people who can allow living creatures to pass through it and others, like me, who can only manipulate things." (Hifumi)
"Magic is largely influenced by knowledge and concrete visualisation. Even if it's the same attribute, the effect will change depending on its user."
"I see. Visualisation, huh?" (Hifumi)
"If you use dark magic, there will be a great difference in the outcome depending on whether one is capable of clearly imagining what form it should take," the shinigami explained in addition. For living creatures being unable to pass through the hole opened by Hifumi is very likely owed to him having read literary works in the past that doubted whether it would be normal for that to be possible.
Meaning, Vepar's imagination power might be quite high in regards to dark magic.
I have no intention to rely much on magic on the battlefield, but if this mana were to be gone, I would likely lose this hand. As a matter of fact it's not there anymore, but it's a big help that I can still use it as fake.
He smoothly removes the glove.
"Ooh, it looks like you have been condensing dark mana. Moreover, it's in a wonderfully stable state. Rather than something like the pseudo-living objects created with dark magic, you have accomplished a materialization that's by far more reliable."
"You have my admiration," the shinigami lines up empty words of praise.
While listening to that, Hifumi stood up quietly.
"A magical living object, huh? Are you any different?" (Hifumi)
"You might refer to me as dark mana...divine power. Originally I was a human, but after I stopped being a living creature tens of thousand years ago, you can regard me as power of darkness, if you try to directly define my existence."
As there are people believing in a surrealistic being that brings about death, the shinigami has obtained the power allowing it to exist. By causing a huge number of deaths full of outrageous curses towards the world, the shinigami is capable of obtaining even stronger powers.
"Thank you for the thorough explanation. It allowed me to understand things." (Hifumi)
As Hifumi thanks the shinigami while standing in front of it and staring at his left hand, the shinigami smiles broadly.
"That's wonderful then. ...Eh?"
"It appears that you weren't capable of escaping your basic structure as former human, doesn't it? The shape of your skull is the same as that of a normal human." (Hifumi)
Hifumi's dark left hand had seized the shinigami's face. Unable to dodge the attack due to its swiftness, Hifumi's thumb and ring finger tightly held onto the shinigami's temples.
"W-What are you doing...?"
"Only disposal awaits a tool that served its duty. Besides, it would be a nuisance if someone were to use a joker like you, don't you think?" (Hifumi)
"Disposal, you say. Something like that..."
"Is possible, right? After all magic depends on visualisation." (Hifumi)
Hifumi's pitch-black fingers completely penetrate into the shinigami's head. They are no filled with power. They are simply absorbing the shinigami's body through the places where they touch.
Due to the sensation of its own body diminishing, the shinigami started to panic with its calm expression falling apart for the first time.
"No way!"
"You said so yourself, didn't you? You are dark mana in itself. If it's mana, it can be absorbed just like a spell." (Hifumi)
He declared and placed his trust in the imagination that supplemented his belief.
"P-Please stop... I granted you power and cooperated with you in other matters as well, didn't I...?"
Ignoring the shinigami's words, Hifumi places his palm all over the shinigami's forehead, having already finished absorbing half of its head.
Its eyeballs have vanished as well, but despite that the shinigami opens its mouth,
"Don't you understand where your own soul will go once I vanish? Let alone hell, it might roam the infinite darkness! If there's a guide like me..."magic
"Shut up!" (Hifumi)
Pushing his hand down to around the area of the shinigami's waist in one go, Hifumi scrapes off its body in one breath.
"I don't give a damn what happens to me after my death. I have no interest in anything besides how many I kill and in what way I will be killed while I'm still alive. Besides, I have gotten gradually fed up with being used by you." (Hifumi)
The remaining hands and feet of the shinigami started to move, trying to launch an attack, but they were easily erased by relentless palm strikes delivered by Hifumi's left hand.
Thoroughly, in order to not leave behind even the slightest fragments.
"... Hmm. Certainly, it feels like I was able to replenish my mana. I guess it was useful at the very end. That's nice." (Hifumi)
He returns to the sofa and rings a bell.
Then he requested a new tea from the maid that quickly arrived in the living room.
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