虚偽の報告と再会
「それでは次の人間入ってまいれ」
宰相の言葉に扉が開き、男が入ってくる。
両側を兵士に固められ逃げ出せないようにしっかりと腕を掴まれていた。
男が証言席に立つ。
「ではまず名前と身分をあかしてください」
ヒューゴ司教は先程と同じ質問をした。
「エリバン王国兵士長クズミゴだ」
「虚偽の判定がでております」
焦りの声を浮かべるクズミゴだが、
「クズミゴは現在、王国法違反により身分を剥奪されております。なので兵士長という名乗りが抵触したのかと」
宰相の説明により魔導具の故障ではないことが全員に伝わった。
「それではクズミゴよ。この場で貴様の言い分をもう一度聞こう。冤罪だという主張をしてみるがいい」
調査から戻っていらい、クズミゴは何度も自分の正当性を主張してみせた。
これまでは結果ありきの判決を優先したのだが、もし彼が国家を思っての行動だったのなら情状酌量の余地はあるだろう。
王国は本人から真実を聞き出した上で罪状を決めるつもりだった。
「俺......、いえ私は迷いの森の調査を国から命じられ任務にあたりました。そこでは使えない冒険者共が多数おり、私はその面倒役として調査に同行することになったのです。やつらは碌に動くことも出来ず、私は襲い来るモンスターを前に必死に指示をだしました。そのお蔭で調査隊は被害をだすことなく奥地まで入ることができたのです」
宰相や王は表情をピクリとも変化させなかった。これまでの調査報告をあらかじめ聞いているからその反応は冷めたものだった。
だが、クズミゴは言っている間に自分に酔ったのか、
「ですが、奥地で私たちはアークデーモンに遭遇しました。奴は『異変を起こしたのは全て自分だ』と告げると我々を殺そうと襲い掛かってきたのです。そこで私は『俺が引き受けるから誰か王国へ知らせてくれ』と言ったところ『我々では信用がありません。ここは引き受けますので先に行ってください』と言い出したのです。私はそれを聞き涙を流しながらその場を後にしました。そして命からがら迷いの森を抜けるとアークデーモンの出現を報告したのです」
熱弁を振るい、涙を流すクズミゴ。
演技だとしたら臭すぎるし、真に迫っていた。
この訴えを聞いた何人かはクズミゴを感心したような目で見ていたのだが......。
「......全部嘘ですな」
ヒューゴ司教の判定により周囲の視線はしらけたものへと変わる。
誰もがクズミゴを、屑やゴミをみるような目で見ていた。
「情状酌量の余地があるなら一兵卒からやり直させる罰もあったのですが......流石にこれは......」
自己の為の行動で愛国心を一切持ち合わせていないクズミゴに宰相は戸惑いを覚える。
「王よ、いかがなさいますかな?」
クズミゴが王国にとって害でしかなかった。ここにはイルクーツ王国の王女もゲストできているのだ。甘い判定をすると外交で付け入られることになる。
エリバン国王は眉をよせ、しばらく悩む様子を見せると口を開いた。
「判決。クズミゴは死刑に処す」
「なっ............!」
それは最も重い罰だった。
だが、神殿から司教まで呼んだ上で嘘をつらねたのだ。仕方ない話である。
項垂れるクズミゴ。身体を震わせながら何やらぶつぶつ呟き始めた。
周囲の人間たちはそんなクズミゴを冷めた目で見ている。
今回の処罰は戒めだ。敵前逃亡をして国益を妨げた者には厳罰が下る。
同じような目にあいたくなければ考え、国益にそう行動をしろという。
「ではクズミゴを連れていけ。次の人間を呼ぶことにしよう」
扉が開き、兵士がクズミゴを退場させようと近づくのだが............。
「な、何故俺がこんな目に......。これもそれもすべては............エルトのせいだ」
「えっ?」
その名前にアリシアが反応する。
「ちょ、ちょっと待ってください!」
アリシアは焦りを浮かべると前にでた。
「あなた今なんと言ったの?」
アリシアはクズミゴに質問をすると本人へと近寄って行く。
周囲の人間は止めようか悩むのだが、その真剣な様子に行動が遅れた。
「なんだおまえ?」
突然質問をしてきたアリシアにクズミゴは吐き捨てるように言った。
「私はアリシア。エルトの幼馴染みよ。エルトがこの国にいると占いで知ったからここに来たの。お願いです。知っていることがあるのなら教えてください」
頭を下げるアリシア。
「なるほど......エルトの......ね」
そのせいでアリシアにはクズミゴの表情が見えなかった。
クズミゴは醜悪な笑みを浮かべる。そして信じられない程の素早い動きを見せると......。
「きゃっ!?」
「動くなっ! この女がどうなってもいいのかっ!」
アリシアを羽交い絞めすると兵士の腰から抜いたショートソードを首に突き付けた。
「アリシアっ!」
アリス王女が叫び声を上げる。
「クズミゴよ! 乱心したかっ!」
宰相が大声で怒鳴りつける。
「馬鹿めっ! どちらにしろ死刑なら怖いものなんぞあるものかっ! お前ら下がれっ! こいつは他国の貴族だろうがっ! 国際問題になるぞっ!」
「ううっ......」
力強く締め付けられたせいで苦しそうな声を上げるアリシア。
「いいか、貴様ら。俺がここから離れるまで動くんじゃないぞ。ついてくるようならこの娘を殺す」
目を血走らせたクズミゴ。だれが見ても危うい状態だとわかる。
「くっくっく、まさかお前がエルトの関係者とはなぁ。これで俺を陥れたあいつに復讐ができるわ」
嗜虐的な笑みを浮かべるクズミゴにアリシアは涙を浮かべる。だが、次の瞬間......。
「呼ばれたから入室してみたが、これは一体どういう状況だ?」
「嘘......本当に......生きて......」
アリシアは状況を忘れると扉の前に立つ人物を見る。
「ほ、本当にエルト......なの?」
喉が掠れて聞き取り辛い声をアリシアは出す。だが、その声を聞いたエルトは......。
「ああ、俺だよ。久しぶりだなアリシア」
様々な感情が詰まった声を出すのだった。
Chapter title: False report and Reunion
[Then let the next person enter.] 
At the Prime Minister's words, the door opened and a man walked in.
On both of his sides were guarded by soldiers, who held his arms tightly to prevent him from escaping.
The man stood on the witness stand.
[Please tell us your name and identity first.] 
Bishop Hugo asked the same question as before.
[I'm Kuzmigo, Chief of Staff of the Kingdom of Erivan.] 
[A false judgment has been made.] 
Kuzmigo's voice was filled with impatience.
[Kuzmigo is currently deprived of his identity due to a violation of kingdom law. Therefore, I'm afraid that the name "Chief Soldier" conflicts with it.] 
The Prime Minister's explanation informed everyone that it was not a malfunction of the magic tool.
[Then, Kuzmigo, let's hear your side of the story again here. You can try to argue that you were falsely accused] 
Since his return from the investigation, Kuzmigo had repeatedly tried to justify his actions.
So far, he had given priority to the verdict, but if he had acted out of concern for his country, there would be extenuating circumstances.
The kingdom was going to decide on the charges after getting the truth out of him.
[I...... was assigned by the government to investigate the Lost Forest. There were a lot of useless adventurers there, and I was assigned to accompany them on a survey to take care of them. They couldn't move as much as they should have, and I had to frantically give them orders in front of the attacking monsters. Thanks to them, the survey team was able to enter the depths without causing any damage.] 
The Prime Minister and the King did not change their expressions. They had heard the report of the investigation beforehand, so their reaction was cold.
But Kuzmigo was full of himself as he said.
[But in the backcountry, we encountered an arc-demon. He told us that he was the one who had caused all the trouble, and he attacked us, trying to kill us. So I said, "I'll take care of it, because someone should inform the kingdom," and they said, "We don't have any credibility. I'll take care of this, so please go ahead". Hearing this, I left the place with tears streaming down my face. Then I barely escaped with my life through the lost forest and reported the appearance of the Ark Demon.] 
Kuzmigo made a passionate speech and shed tears.
If it was an act, it stunk too much, and it was true.
Some of the people who heard this plea looked at Kuzmigo with admiration.......
[...You're lying about the whole thing.] 
Bishop Hugo's sentence turned the eyes of the people around him to a blank stare.
Everyone looked at Kuzmigo as if they were looking at scraps or garbage.
[If there were extenuating circumstances, the punishment could have been to make him start over from a single soldier....... What a shame......] 
The Prime Minister was perplexed by Kuzmigo's self-serving behavior and lack of any sense of patriotism.
[What's the vertict, my king?] 
Kuzmigo was in danger. The princess of the Kingdom of Ilkut was also a guest here. If he were to be lenient in his judgment, he would be taken advantage of by diplomacy.
The king's brow furrowed, and after a moment's pondering, he opened his mouth.
[The verdict. Kuzmigo shall be put to death.] 
[Wh.....!?] 
That was the heaviest punishment.
But he had called the bishop from the temple and lied to him. There was no way around it.
Kuzmigo sagged. His body trembled and he began to mumble something.
The people around him looked at Kuzmigo coldly.
The punishment this time is a warning. Those who hinder the interests of the country by fleeing before the enemy will be severely punished.
If they don't want a similar situation to happen to them, they must think and act in the best interest of the country.
[Then take Kuzmigo with you. I'll call for the next one] 
The door opened and a soldier approached to dismiss Kuzmigo.............
[Hey, why am I in this mess.... This is all..... because of Elt.] 
[Eh!?] 
Alicia reacts to that name.
[Wa, wait a second!] 
Alicia stepped forward with a hint of impatience.
[What did you just say?] 
Alicia asked Kuzmigo a question and approached him.
The people around her wondered if they should stop her, but her seriousness delayed their action.
[What the hell is it?] 
Kuzmigo said to Alicia, who had suddenly asked him a question.
[I'm Alicia. I'm Elt's childhood friend. I came here because I knew from fortune telling that Elt was in this country. Please. If you know something, please tell me.] 
Alicia bowed her head.
[I see..... Elt's....] 
Because of this, Alicia could not see Kuzmigo's expression.
Kuzmigo smiled an ugly smile. And when he shows incredibly quick movements.......
[Kyaaa!?] 
[Don't move! I don't care what happens to this woman!] 
He strangled Alicia and pulled the shortsword from the soldier's waist and held it to her neck.
[Alicia!] 
Princess Alice cried out.
[Kuzmigo! You're out of your mind!] 
The Prime Minister shouted at him.
[You fool! Either way, you have nothing to fear from the death penalty! Get back, all of you! She's a nobleman from another country! This is an international problem!] 
[Uuuu....] 
Alicia makes a painful sound due to the forceful squeeze on her neck.
[All right, you guys. Don't move until I'm out of here. If you try to follow me, I'll kill this girl.] 
Kuzmigo's eyes were bloodshot. Anyone could see that she was in a dangerous situation.
[Kukuku, I didn't know you were related to Elt. Now I can get revenge on the guy who did this to me.] 
Alicia tears up as Kuzmigo smiles lecherously at her. But the next moment.......
[I was called in, so I came in. What the hell is going on here?] 
[It's a lie..... You're really..... alive...] 
Alicia forgot about the situation and looked at the person standing in front of the door.
[Are you really.... Elt?] 
Alicia's voice is hard to hear because her throat is scratchy. However, Elt heard her voice and.......
[Yeah, it's me. Long time no see, Alicia.] 
He let out a voice filled with a variety of emotions.
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