21.Shining Star 【救助とレクチャー】
「夜間の戦闘は、とにかく相手に見つからない事が重要だ」
屋根の上から、兵士たちが撤収していくのを見守った一二三は、行動開始前にオリガとカーシャに向かって言った。
心もとない月明かりにを背にした一二三の表情は、オリガ達からは見えない。
「自分に光が当たらない位置を意識しろ。気配を消せ。そして音を立てずに殺せ。刃物が金属に当たらないように、相手に叫ぶ余裕を与えないように。死体が音を立てて倒れないように」
歩いている人間を自分の方へ引き込むときの動きや、刃物の使い方を説明しながら、一二三は腰に刀を差した。
「口を塞ぐときはしっかり手のひらを使うこと。指や腕は噛み付かれる。鼻も塞ぐようにしろよ。人は鼻からでも悲鳴をあげられる」
突然息ができなくなる、それだけでも充分混乱させられると一二三は言った。
「それじゃ、行くぞ」
「あの......どうやって降りるのですか?」
ここは二階建ての建物の屋根の上。オリガは暗い路面を覗き込んで怯えていた。
「これくらいの高さ、飛び降りられないか?」
「......この高さはちょっと......」
「アタシも、無理かなぁ......」
「仕方ない。受け止めてやるから順番に降りてこい」
返事も聞かず、一二三は闇の中にひらりと降りていった。
「降りてこいって......」
「......よし。カーシャ、私が先に行くわね」
恐る恐る下を覗き込み、一二三の位置を確認したオリガは、ぐっと息を止めて屋根の先へと飛び出した。
見送ったカーシャの耳に、下から小さな悲鳴が聞こえたが、無事に受け止めてもらえたようだ。
「オリガは軽いからいいんだろけど」
そう思うと、この程度で怯んでいるわけにもいかないと、カーシャは覚悟を決めた。
「ご主人、信じてるよ」
とうとうカーシャも、逃げ腰気味ながらも飛び降りた。
落ちてきたカーシャを、上手く横抱きに受け止めた一二三は、勢いを殺して隣に立たせた。
「怪我はないな?」
「う、うん......ありがとう、ご主人」
怖かったせいか抱きとめられたせいなのか、カーシャは自分の鼓動が早くなるのを感じたが、余計なことは考えないようにしようと、素早く装備を確認した。
その間にも、一二三から素早く指示が出る。
「ここから先は声を出すな。まだ余裕があるが、少し行けば追いつくだろう。足音は立てないように気をつけろ。剣は抜いておけ」
さらに、カーシャは一二三が収納から取り出した布を腰に巻いて、鎧の金属音を抑えるように言われた。
「あの、ご主人様、私は......」
「オリガは念のため手裏剣をいつでも投げられるように。道中に敵がいれば俺が手本として殺すが、アリッサを救出する時にはしっかり働いてもらうからな」
カーシャは、手のひらから伝わる一二三の体温が暖かい事に、何故か違和感を感じていた。そんな風に受け止めてしまうことを、申し訳ないと思ってもいるが、扱いの良さに対する感謝よりも、人を殺す事に対する技術と態度への恐怖の方が、まだ強い。
月明かりも届かない、建物の影を選んで進み、ほんの数分。一二三は不意に立ち止まり、後ろの二人に振り向いた。
目の前にある朽ちかけた廃屋を差し、小さな声でつぶやく。
「この建物にいるようだな。中に5人、建物周りを二人が回っているな」
一二三は、ここで手本を見せるから見ているように言うと、オリガ達から少しだけ離れて、暗闇に溶け込むように気配を消した。
すぐそこにいるはずなのに、オリガもカーシャにも、一二三が闇の中に消えていなくなってしまったように見えた。
建物の影から、二人組の男がやってくる。廃墟の外側を回る見張りだ。
特に会話もなく歩いてくる二人が一二三の前を通り過ぎた瞬間、一人目の顔面に手を当てて、音もなく自分がいる闇の中に引き寄せた。
驚きと息苦しさに身体を硬直させたが、直後には鎌で喉を裂かれて絶命した。
「よし、こっちへ来い」
一二三の声が二人を呼ぶ。
音を立てないようにそっと声の方へ近づくと、廃墟の壁に耳を当てて、中の様子を伺う一二三の姿がうっすらと見えてくる。
「この建物、中は部屋に分かれていない倉庫のような状態だな。アリッサは向こう側の壁だ。柱にでも縛り付けられているのか、壁に押さえつけられているのかわからんが、まだ息はあるようだ」
アリッサの前に3人、右から回り込んだ場所の出入り口の内側に二人いるようだ。
一二三は、二人に出入口の内側にいる二人を誘い出して素早く殺し、中に踏み込んで他の三人の注意を引くように支持する。
「俺は、別の場所から入る」
「別の場所? 他に入口があるのですか?」
建物は随分草臥れた様子だが、木戸が朽ちて穴が空いた窓も、人が入るには小さい。
「心配しなくていい。中には明かりがあるだろうから、踏み込んだ瞬間に見え難くなるだろうから、気をつけろよ。突入のタイミングは任せる」
一二三は再び気配を消して、その場を離れた。
ドアの前に来たオリガとカーシャは、顔を見合わせて頷いた。
小さな声で詠唱したオリガは、最小限に抑えた風の刃でドアのヒンジを壊した。
すっかり老朽化していたヒンジは、いとも簡単に切断され、ドアはゆっくりと外側に向かって倒れた。
室内の光が、四角く夜道を照らす。
「......ここも限界か」
何の警戒もせずに顔を出した男の首に、カーシャが思い切り剣を振り下ろすと、兜をつけたままの頭が、コロコロと路上を転がっていった。
「敵か!」
もう一人の見張りが剣を抜きながらそっと外の様子を伺うと、目の前にカーシャの姿を見つけ、驚きながらも距離を詰めてきた。
だが、ふくらはぎにオリガの手裏剣がめり込み、激痛で転んでしまい、そのままカーシャに斬り殺された。
男たちの死体を飛び越え、オリガとカーシャが室内へ飛び込むと、そこには壁に手を釘で打ち付けられたアリッサと、その目の前で彼女に剣を突きつけた男が見えた。
残り二人の男は、その二人の前で剣を構えている。兵長らしい男はいないようだ。
アリッサは、痛みに耐えながらも見た事がある二人が飛び込んできた事に驚いた。
「君たちはあの時の貴族の従者さん!」
「従者じゃないんだけどね」
「助けに来ましたよ」
そうは言うものの、室内を見回したオリガは内心焦っていた。一二三は別から侵入するとは言っていたが、他に入り込めそうな場所はなく、石造りの壁がぐるりと取り囲んでいる。
「殺せ」
昼間の兵士と同様、感情の起伏が見られない会話をすると、剣を構えた二人がにじり寄ってくる。
この距離の近さだと魔法を使う余裕はない。手裏剣での牽制を考えていたオリガに、カーシャが声をかけた。
「アタシが二人共押さえるから、その間に......」
親友がやってくれるというなら、それを信じようと魔法杖を握りしめた。
しかし、決意は悲鳴で中断される。
「きゃっ!」
可愛らしい悲鳴はアリッサ。もう一つの悲鳴はアリッサに剣を突きつけていた男だ。
突然アリッサの顔の横から突き出された刀が、目の前にいる男の胸に突き立ったのだ。
刺された男も驚いたが、アリッサもびっくりしている。
それを見ていたオリガとカーシャは、逆にホッとしていた。誰がやったか、直ぐにわかるから。
突き出された刀が引き抜かれ、驚きの表情のまま死んだ男が倒れた。
さらに数回の擦過音がして、アリッサを拘束していた壁に亀裂が入り、あっという間に脆くも崩れ落ちた。釣られて倒れそうになるアリッサを、後ろから一二三が抱きとめた。
「よう、朝といい今といい、運が悪いなお前は」
もう力が入らないのか、ぐったりと手足を放り出したまま、涙目で一二三を見上げるアリッサは、痛みにこらえながら、腫らした顔でぎこちない笑みを見せた。
一二三の無茶苦茶な侵入方法に、残された二人の男は呆然としている。
それを見逃さず、カーシャは立て続けに背中を斬りつけて殺す。両方共、即死だった。
馬車の天井、幌になっている部分をぼんやりと見つめながら、アリッサは助かった事よりもこれからの不安に泣きそうだった。
(もう、兵士には戻れないんだろうなぁ......。それよりも、また動けるようになるのかなぁ......手も足も、全然動かせる気がしないよ。痛いなぁ。助けてもらった時は嬉しかったけど、これから僕、どうなるんだろう?)
味方だと思っていた人たちに殺されかけて、他国の貴族と従者に助けられて、自分が今からどうなっていくのか、アリッサには想像もつかなかった。というより、このまま動けなくなってしまうなら......最悪の状況も覚悟しないといけないと思う。
「入るぞ」
不意に声がかけられ、返事も待たずに馬車の中に乗り込んでくる人影が二人。一二三とオリガだ。
カーシャは、酷く傷つけられたアリッサを見ているのが辛いからと、馬車の外で見張りをしている。
「一二三さん......」
「少しじっとして、動くなよ」
アリッサの横に座り込んだ一二三は、彼女の身体のあちこちを、服の上からそっと触れていった。
時々、触れられた場所が痛む。
その行為に、いやらしい感じはせず、真剣な表情の一二三に見とれてしまっている自分に気づいたアリッサが目線を外すと、そこにも自分と同じような顔で一二三を見つめるオリガの姿があった。
ああ、この人はそうなんだと、アリッサが思っていると、一二三の手が離れた。
「肋骨が何本か折れてるな。あとは両手の怪我の他に、右腕と両足も骨にヒビが入ってる」
ごくごく冷静に告げられる状況に、アリッサは諦めがついた。
「一二三さん、お願いですから、僕を殺してくれませんか......」
「なんでそんな話になるんだ?」
首をかしげる一二三に、オリガがそっと触れながら告げた。
「これほどの怪我となると、高位の治癒魔法使いか、高級な回復薬をいくつも使わないといけません。いずれにしても、金貨が数十枚は必要でしょう」
「そうです。僕にそんなお金は払えません。こんな状態だともうどんな仕事もできませんから......弱って誰かに迷惑をかけたりするよりも、ひと思いに殺してください。一二三さんになら、僕......」
声が聞こえているのだろう、外からカーシャの嗚咽が聞こえる。オリガも涙をこぼしていた。
沈んだ空気が馬車の中を支配するが、それすらも一二三には関係ない。
「それなら、問題ないぞ」
「回復薬なら、王都を出る前に大量に買い込んできたからな。気にせず使える」
収納から、ガラス製の瓶を次々に取り出して床に並べていく。
一本買うのにベテランの冒険者でも躊躇するような高級回復薬が、まるで安物のように適当に置かれてく様は、その価値を知る者には気が遠くなりそうな光景だ。
「ご、ご主人様、どうしてそんなに」
「回復薬があるんだって?!」
カーシャも馬車の中に飛び込んできた。
「カーシャ、少し静かにしろ。で、これは飲むものなのか? 傷にかけるものなのか? まだ試してないから、使い方も効き目もわからん」
「どちらでも大丈夫です、ご主人様。外の傷には振りかけて、内蔵や骨の傷には飲むと効果があります」
「そ、そんな高い薬使われても、僕にはお金が......」
「大丈夫よ、アリッサ。ご主人様はお金持ちだから」
そのお金の出処については、アリッサの精神衛生上、言わずに置いたオリガだった。
無理やり口に流し込まれ、手足に振りかけられ、毛布ごとびしょびしょになったアリッサは、すっかり傷も塞がった。
「こんな即効性があるのか。高いだけの事はあるな」
「あ、ありがとうございます......」
文字通り、湯水のように回復薬を使われ、どうしていいかわからないアリッサは、とにかくお礼だけはなんとか言えた。
「アリッサ、早速で悪いが今からの事についてだ」
「あ、はい......」
それでもいいと、アリッサは一二三の言葉を待った。
「こいつらと一緒に、復讐したいと思うか?」
問う一二三の隣に、笑顔のオリガがいる。
Chapter 21: Shining Star
"As for battle during the night, generally speaking it is important that you are not discovered by your opponent."  (Hifumi)
Atop the roof while watching the retreating soldiers, Hifumi explained to Origa and Kasha before starting to act.magic
In the moonlight, Origa's group could vaguely see the stature of Hifumi but not his facial expression.
"Be aware of the location where the light won't shine on you. Erase your presence. And then, without making a sound, kill. Take care that you don't hit on metal with the hamono. Don't give your opponent the chance to yell. Make sure the corpse drops silently." (Hifumi)
Hifumi explained the necessary movement to draw a walking person towards your own direction and also how to use the hamono while affixing the katana to his waist.
"Properly use the palm at the time of covering their mouth. Fingers and the arm can be bitten. Shut their nose since people can still scream through their nose." (Hifumi)
Suddenly being unable to breathe, only that is already plenty to cause chaos, Hifumi said.
"Well then, let's go!" (Hifumi)
"Ano ... how do you plan to get down?" (Origa)
Origa was scared as she peered down on the dark road surface.
"At only such a height, you jump down, no?" (Hifumi)
"... This height is a bit ..." (Origa)
"Me too, it's impossible, I think ..." (Kasha)
"Guess it can't be helped. I will catch you, so jump down in order." (Hifumi)
Without waiting for an answer, Hifumi nimbly descended into the darkness.
"Come down ..." (Hifumi)
"... Alright, Kasha I will go first." (Origa)
Timidly peering down while confirming Hifumi's location, Origa held her breath and jumped off the roof.
After seeing her off, Kasha's ears caught a small shriek from below which confirmed that she had likely been caught safely.
"Since Origa is light, it's fine, but ..." (Kasha)
Thinking of it that way, it was foolish to falter for such a reason, thus Kasha resolved herself.
"Master, I believe in you." (Kasha)
Though it looked like she was preparing to run away, Kasha finally jumped down as well.
Hifumi skillfully caught the falling Kasha sideways and used the adjourning wall to kill the momentum.
"You aren't injured, right?" (Hifumi)
"U, un ... thank you, master." (Kasha)
Kasha felt like her own heart beat had increased. Trying to not ponder about unnecessary matters, she quickly checked her equipment.
Likewise in the meanwhile, Hifumi gave sharp instructions.
"Do not speak from here on out. We still have some time left, with a little walking we should easily catch up. Pay attention to not make any obvious footsteps. Take out your swords." (Hifumi)
Furthermore Hifumi told Kasha to wrap her body in a cloth he had taken out from his storage in order suppress the metallic clanking of her armor.
"Ano, master, I am ..." (Origa)
"Origa, be ready to throw your shurikens at any time. If enemies turn up along the way, use my way of killing as a model. We will have to work hard in order to rescue Alyssa on time." (Hifumi)
For ending up reacting in such a way, she likewise felt like apologizing. She was grateful how well he treated her. Yet, the skills and attitude he used in order to kill people still struck fear into her.
It was only a few minutes of moving forward along the shadows of the buildings without being hit by moonlight when Hifumi suddenly stopped and turned to the two in his back.
Entering the decaying deserted house in front of them, he murmured in a small voice.
"This seems to be the right building. There are 5 people inside and two people are patrolling the vicinity of this building." (Hifumi)
After telling them that they should observe his way of killing, which he would display here, he merely separated from Origa's group slightly before he melt into the darkness visibly erasing his presence.
Although he had to be close by, Origa and Kasha lost sight of him after he vanished into the darkness.
From the shadow of the building two men approached.
Without having any kind of conversation, the two passed the spot where Hifumi had been before. In an instant an arm was wrapped around the lower face of one, drawing him soundlessly into the darkness.
As his body went stiff due to the surprise and suffocation, a sickle immediately slit his throat quietly ending his life.
"Alright, come here." (Hifumi)
Hifumi's voice called the two.
Taking care to not make any sound as they approached in the direction of the faint voice, the figure of Hifumi, who was pressing his ears against the wall of the abandoned building in order to to check the state inside, dimly appeared before them.
"The interior of this building isn't divided into rooms similar to a warehouse, that's the current state. Alyssa is on the other side of the wall. I don't know whether she is bound to a pillar or pinned to the wall, but it appears that she is still breathing." (Hifumi)
Apparently three people were in front of Alyssa and the other two were located inside around the entrance on the right side.
Origa's group would lure out the two at the entrance to kill them swiftly while Hifumi would raid the interior to attract the attention of the other three in order to support them.
"I will enter from a different location." (Hifumi)
"Another location? There is another entrance?" (Origa)
As the building was in quite a worn out state, the wooden doors covering the windows were rotten and had holes a small person might fit through, too.
"You don't have to worry. Since there will be some light, it will become difficult to see for a moment after stepping inside. Be careful of that. I leave the timing of the break in to you." (Hifumi)
Hifumi erased his presence once again and left the place.
Coming in front of the door, Origa and Kasha glanced at each other exchanging a short nod.
Origa chanted a spell with a small voice. The hinge of the door was broken with the minimum force of wind blades required.
As the hinge had become thoroughly worn out, it was very easily disconnected. The door slowly began to fall towards the outside.
The light from inside shone in a rectangle onto the street.
"... This place is at its limit too, huh?"
Without any kind of vigilance the head of a man peeked out. Kasha swung down her sword with all her might. The head was severed as it is alongside the helmet tumbling down on the street with a *koro koro*.
"An enemy!"
The other guard drew his sword while quietly checking the outside. Discovering Kasha right in front of him, he closed the distance even though he was surprised.
However, Origa's shuriken dug into his calf causing him to fall down in pain. Kasha slew him where he fell.
Jumping over the corpses of the men, Origa and Kasha rushed inside. There they saw a man thrusting his sword in front of Alyssa whose hands were pinned to the wall with nails.
The remaining two men raised their swords in preparation in front of the two.
Although Alyssa was bearing the pain, she was surprised by seeing the two charging inside.
"You are the attendants of that noble from that time!" (Guard C)
"Though we aren't attendants." (Kasha)
"We came to rescue her." (Origa)
Although she said so, Origa, who surveyed the inside of the room, was panicking within her mind.
"Kill them." (Guard C)
Just like with the soldiers during the day, without showing their wavering emotions, the two prepared their swords while sidling up.
At such short distance there was certainly no chance to use magic.
"Since I will be holding both of them back, you can use the time to ..." (Origa)
Believing in the ability of her close friends, she tightly grasped the magic wand.
However, her determination was interrupted by a scream.
"Kyaa!" (Alyssa)
The other scream came from the man threatening Alyssa with his blade.
All of the sudden a katana passed by from the side of Alyssa's face, piercing through the chest of the man before her eyes.
Not only was the person stabbed surprised, but even Alyssa got startled.
In contrast, Origa and Kasha who were watching that scene, were relieved since they understood right away who had done this.
As the stabbing katana was extracted, the man collapsed dead with an astonished expression.
Furthermore after a few scraping sounds, a crack appeared on the wall surrounding Alyssa before it became brittle and crumbled down in the blink of an eye.
"It seems you are quite unlucky, be it this morning or now." (Hifumi)
Having already lost all her strength, Alyssa was listlessly hanging from complete exhaustion. With teary eyes she looked up to Hifumi while bearing the pain. And even though her face was swollen she showed a clumsy smile.
Due to Hifumi's absurd way of intrusion, the remaining two men were in a dumbfounded state.
Not missing this chance, Kasha killed them slashing their backs in succession.
While vacantly staring at the canopy part covering the roof of the carriage, Alyssa was weeping due to being rescued from this crisis and the anxiety of the future yet to come.
I may not be able to return to being a soldier anymore, I think ... Leaving that aside, I think it has come to the point where I might not be able to move anymore ... I am not certain that I can move my legs and hands at all. It is painful. At the time I was rescued I was happy, but what shall I do from here on out?
The people she considered to be her allies tried to kill her, just to be rescued by a noble and his attendants from another country. Alyssa wasn't able to imagine how she should proceed from now on.
"I am coming in." (Hifumi)
Suddenly she heard such a voice, and without waiting for her reply either the figures of two people could be seen entering the carriage.
Kasha, for whom it was painful to see the horribly wounded Alyssa, remained outside the carriage to stand on guard.
"Hifumi-san ..." (Alyssa)
"Stay still and don't move." (Hifumi)
Sitting down besides Alyssa, Hifumi gently touched all over her body atop her clothes.
Sometimes the places he touched caused her pain.
She didn't feel repulsed by his action. Becoming aware of the serious expression Hifumi displayed while examining her, she removed her gaze from him to the figure of Origa who just like Hifumi watched her with a similar expression.
, Alyssa thought and concluded to leave everything in Hifumi's hands.
"I am not sure how many ribs are broken. Besides the injuries on both hands, the bones of the right arm and both feet are fissured." (Hifumi)
Upon being told about the situation with extreme serenity, Alyssa accepted her fate.
"Hifumi-san, I have a request. Could you please kill me ... ?" (Alyssa)
"How did it come to such talk?" (Hifumi)
Hifumi was tilting his head in confusion. Origa softly touched him while informing him.
"When it comes to such a degree of injuries, you have to receive healing from a high ranking healer or use a great number of high grade restorative medicine. Either way dozens of gold coins are required." (Origa)
"That's true. I can't pay such amount of money. Since I can't already do any kind of work in this condition ... and because I don't want to cause trouble for someone with my impairment. Please resolve yourself to kill me. If it is Hifumi-san, I ..." (Alyssa)
Apparently her voice was quite audible as Kasha could be heard sobbing outside.
Though the mood of the carriage's interior was dominated by depression, Hifumi looked as if it had nothing to do with him.
"If that's the case, there is no problem." (Hifumi) (ED:
"As for restorative medicine, I bought a massive amount of them before leaving the capital. You don't have to worry about using them." (Hifumi)
From his storage he took out bottles made out of glass one after the other and lined them up on the floor.
Although a veteran adventurer would be hesitant to buy even one bottle of such high grade restorative medicine, the situation now made it seem as if it was a completely cheap article. Someone who was aware of their value would likely lose consciousness upon seeing such a spectacle.
"M-Master, why do you have so many?" (Origa)
"There is restorative medicine?!" (Kasha)
Kasha had jumped into the carriage, too.
"Kasha, be a bit more quiet. So, do you drink this? Or do you apply it on the wounds? Since I haven't tried them yet, I don't know how to use them nor how effective they are." (Hifumi)
"Both methods are fine, Master. For external wounds you sprinkle it on top and for the inner bone fractures you drink it in order for it to be effective." (Origa)
"U-using such expensive medicine, I don't have money for that ..." (Alyssa)
"It's alright, Alyssa. Master is a rich person." (Origa)
In order to clear Alyssa's mind from concerning with monetary issue, Origa told her to let it go.
Forcibly pouring it into her mouth and sprinkling it over her hands and feet, the blanket became soaked, but all of Alyssa's wounds were healed.
"It has such an immediate effect, huh? If only it wasn't this expensive." (Hifumi)
"Th-Thank you very much ..." (Alyssa)
They had used the restorative medicine literally like water. Alyssa who didn't understand why it was fine to do so, still managed to express her gratitude somehow.
"For now it might be difficult for Alyssa but from here on out it is work" (Hifumi)
"Ah, yes ..." (Alyssa)
Even so, that was fine. Alyssa waited for Hifumi's words.
"Do you want to get your revenge alongside these fellows?" (Hifumi)
Next to the smiling Origa, Hifumi asked.
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