桔音達が勇者と遭遇し、そして戦い、敗北して、今までに築いてきた絆を引き裂かれてしまう二日前、別の場所で一つの変化が起こっていた。
ソレは己が身に秘めた強大な力を持って人間の住まう大陸へと足を踏み入れ、何人たりともその歩みを止めることは許さないとばかりに、威風堂々と、そして余裕綽々と歩を進めていた。
立ちはだかる魔獣や自然の脅威をものともせず、その身に秘めた力を振るって歩を阻もうとするものは全て薙ぎ払う。
輝く白い光は青白い彗星の様な軌跡を描き、その美しさに似付かぬ絶大な破壊の奔流を生じさせる。
それに飲み込まれた魔獣は死んだと認識する前に死に絶え、それの生み出す余波に触れたものは例え木々や岩石であろうが砕け、吹き飛んで行く。
一歩、また一歩、『白』は歩みを止めずに人の領域にその足を踏み出し進む。
やがてソレはその領域を統治する人間と出会う。そして、初めてソレは自身の意思で歩みを止めた。
人間はソレと会話し、何故此処に来たのか、何が目的なのかを問うたが、ソレはその問いに答える様子はなく、その人間を見極める様にじっと見据えた。数分の間ずっとソレは人間を見据えて動かず、そしてしばらくそのままでいた後、何かを理解したのかその力で人間を殺すことなく、ソレは人間の横を通り過ぎて行った。
ソレは更に歩を進めていく。向かう先の目的はない、ただただ真っすぐに歩いている様だった。
そして、ソレはしばらく歩き続き、森の中でまた別の人間に出会った。数人の男達だった。
彼らは所謂山賊を生業とする人間で、『白』が近づいて来た時、彼らはその輝かしさに魅せられた。自然と身体が動き、膝を地面に付いて祈る様に手を合わせた。勝手に溢れ出る涙と同時に、心が洗われる様な感覚に陥った。
だが、ソレはそんな彼らの様子を前に出会った人間と同じように、じっと見つめた。見定める様に、見極める様に、彼らの心の内を覗くようにじっと見つめ続けた。
結果、違ったのは跪いて祈る様にしていた男達の首から上が消滅したこと。
『白』の放った彗星の軌跡は、男達の命を容易に刈り取る。気がついた時には男達は死んでいた。まさしく光の瞬いた瞬間の出来事。まばたきをした瞬間、瞳を開けられずに死んでしまう程の速度。
頭を失った男達の身体は『白』の前に音を立てて倒れ落ちる。その姿はまるで、神に頭を垂れる罪人の様で、輝かしい『白』は懺悔を聞きいれる神の様な神々しさを持っていた。
だが、けしてソレは神などではない。
「―――浄化しました」
『白』は男達の屍に目もくれず、また歩を進め出す。呟いた言葉は誰の耳にも入らず、森の中に木霊して消えた。
そして、それから勇者と桔音が出会い、戦った二日後のその時まで、『白』は淀みなく歩を進めた。
ソレを見た人間は後のこう語る。
―――あれは人の皮を被った化け物だった。白い彗星が空気を一閃した瞬間に、多くの人間が死んだ。
けしてこの化け物の歩みを阻害してはならない。この化け物に関わってはならない。運が良ければ生き延びるだろう、だが運が悪ければ死んだことも理解出来ぬままにその命は消え失せる。
命が惜しければ白い怪物には気をつけろ。
光の猛威はいつ襲ってくるか分からない―――
そして『白』は一つの領地へと辿り着く。
その国は、名前を―――グランディール王国といった。
◇ ◇ ◇
「さて、と......取り敢えずは壊れたギルドの壁を直さないとね、勇者気取りは何処かへ行っちゃったし」
一時的にルルちゃんとフィニアちゃんを奪われ、打倒勇者気取り達を決めた僕達は、差し当たって殴り飛ばされて結果的に壊してしまったギルドの壁を修復することにした。勇者気取りがやったことだけど、当人が何処かへ行ったのだから当事者の僕達が責任を取らないといけないよね。
「えー、あれやったの私達じゃないよ? やらなくてもいいじゃん」
「まぁそうなんだけどね......これだけの騒動を起こしたんだ、誰かが責任を取らないといけないんだよ。今回はそれが、僕達だったって話だ」
ぶーたれるレイラちゃんにそう言いながら、僕はギルドへと戻る。壊れた壁に空いた大穴から中に入ると、そこには少し不満そうに表情を
まぁギルドを破壊した上に負けた僕達を歓迎するかどうかで言えば、あまり歓迎したい存在ではないだろう。
少し申し訳ない気分になるけれど、何もかも勇者気取りと腹黒巫女が悪い。僕は一切悪くない。だから堂々としていればいいんだ。だって僕は悪くないんだから。
「ごめんね、不本意だけど壁は責任持って直すよ」
こう言ったけれど、元々はあの勇者気取りがやらかしたことだから僕を責めるのは止めて欲しいんだけどなぁ。
そう思いながら、僕は壊れた壁の破片を掻き集める。リーシェちゃんも手伝ってくれた。レイラちゃんはどうやら手伝ってはくれないらしい。まぁ彼女は掃除とか細かい作業は苦手っぽいし、何より我儘で自分勝手だから仕方ない。元々彼女は僕に勝手に付いてきただけだし、期待するのもなんだろう。
「......手伝うぜ、兄ちゃん」
「え?」
すると、ギルドの中にいた冒険者達が次々と歩み寄ってきて、一緒に壁の破片を広い集め始めた。どういうことなのかは分からない、けれど疑問の表情を浮かべた僕に対して、彼らは歯を見せて笑顔を見せた。
困惑する僕とリーシェちゃん、手が止まってしまっていると、後ろから肩を叩かれた。振り向くとそこには、ルーナちゃんが立っていた。
「ルーナちゃん......?」
「教えてあげる......この国は確かに弱肉強食の国と言われてる、でもね......彼らには彼らの誇りと戦いにおける礼儀があるの」
「......」
「さっきの戦いを見ていたこの場の冒険者達は、あの戦いに対して怒りを覚えてるのよ」
ルーナちゃんは言った。
この国に置いて、強さは力だけのことじゃない。冒険者になって強くなろうと日々切磋琢磨している彼らは、その自身の強さと、戦いに身を置いてきたこれまでの自分に絶対の自信と誇りを持っている。
だからこそ、彼らは戦いを神聖なものとして捉えている。
己の鍛え上げた全てを賭けて、
力と力が火花を散らし、
血湧き肉躍る戦いの中で、
また成長する自身に歓喜する。
また一つ、まだ先へ、可能性は己が瞳に見えている。そしてそれが開花した時、戦う者として最高の快感が待っている。
故に、彼らは自身の可能性を開花させてくれた最高の強敵に感謝を忘れない。限界を越えて衝突し、心身を削って勝ち取った勝利には、相手への賞賛があってこその価値があるんだ。
「だから、私達はさっきの戦いを認めない。あれはただの蹂躙で、略奪で、私達の夢と誇りを穢す戦いだから」
「......僕はあの戦いを承諾した覚えはないんだけどなぁ」
「分かってるわよ。だから余計にムカつくのよ、自分よりも弱い相手を一方的に痛めつけることは戦い以前の問題。だから一度やられても向かって行ったアンタは結構皆の心を動かしたってわけ」
なるほど、それはなんだか嬉しいことだね。巫女があんなんだからこの国の住人全員あんなんなのかと思ってたけど、どうやら違ったみたいだ。
流石は冒険者―――戦いに対する覚悟と意思が違う。どうやら国民までもが腐ってる訳じゃなさそうだね。
「おら、サボってねぇでお前も手伝えよ」
欠片を集める数人の冒険者の内の一人が僕を呼ぶ。ルーナちゃんの言葉を聞いていたのか、歯を見せて快活に笑っている。
「あはは、うんごめん」
僕はその笑みを見て、一つ謝りながらまた扉の修復に取りかかるべく学ランを脱ぎさった。
......こらレイラちゃん、学ラン持ってくんじゃない。
数時間後、なんとかギルドの壁を修復し終えた時、僕らは冒険者達に大いに歓迎された。なんでも冒険者の中に『鑑定』のスキルを持った人物がいたらしく、勇者のステータスと僕のステータスをこっそり覗いていたらしい。
圧倒的格差があったにも拘らず、強者に喰らい付いて見せた僕の姿は、正直感動したと言われた。
「ッハハハ! お前きつねっていうのか! 変な名前だなァオイ!」
「まぁ一般的ではないけどね」
悪い気分ではない、でも乗れる気分じゃないなぁ。
―――隣に、フィニアちゃんがいない。
壁の修理をしている間は作業に集中していたからまだ良かったけど、こうして何もしないで休める時間っていうのは、色々考えてしまう。
死ぬ前から持っていたしおりちゃんからのプレゼント―――僕の宝物であるお面も、ずっと隣にいて笑顔を浮かべていたフィニアちゃんも、今は僕の手からするりと抜け落ちてしまった様にその存在感を消失させてしまっている。
胸にぽっかり穴が開いた様な感覚。これが何かを失う感覚か、初めて思い知ったけど......好きになれそうもない感覚だね。
「で、お前さん......これからどうすんだ?」
今、僕の隣でそう話し掛けてくるのは、Dランクの中堅冒険者。名前はグルトさん、ステータス的には中々才能に恵まれた人だ。
薄ら笑いを浮かべてはいるものの、やっぱり何処か落ち込んだ雰囲気が伝わったのか、さっきから明るく話しかけてくれている。ありがたいけれど、やっぱりしばらくは気落ちしそうだ。
「そうだね......どっちにしろ、僕はこの国じゃちょっとレベルが合わないからね......とりあえず今よりも強くなれる国へ行こうと思う」
グランディール王国じゃレベルが高すぎて僕は付いていけないんだ。だから、もっと僕のレベルに合った国へと行って訓練する必要がある。レイラちゃんやフィニアちゃんみたいに叩けば叩くだけ伸びる様な成長力は持っていないし、剣を扱うだけの筋力もないんだから。
となれば、僕が取るべき戦闘方法は一つだけだ。
「なるほどな......じゃあ良い所があるぜ」
「良い所?」
すると、グルトさんが僕にそう言ってきた。
「ああ、ルークスハイド王国って国なんだが......全ての国を含めて、最も統制の取れた王政が敷かれた王国でな。軍事国家で有名なこのグランディール王国だが......過去歴史上でルークスハイド王国に侵略しようとした回数は12回、そしてその全てで失敗してるんだよ」
「へぇ......」
「別に向こうの戦力がこっちより大きい訳じゃない、寧ろ向こうの軍事レベルは低いと言える。でも、ルークスハイド王国でトップに君臨する王は偉い頭が良いんだよ。何度も何度もこっちの裏を掻いて何が何だか分からない内に負けに追い込まれる」
ルークスハイド王国というのは、どうやら数多く存在する国の中でも知略戦略に長けた国らしい。
それは軍事的な戦略についても同じようで、高い軍事レベルを誇るグランディール王国であっても落とせないとなれば、相当のカリスマ性を持った切れ者と、その切れ者を信じて動く優秀な兵士がいるみたいだね。
「正面から戦えって当時は憤慨してたんだけどなぁ......あんまりにも歯が立たな過ぎて逆に負けを認めるしかなくてよ。今は戦線協定を結んで友好関係を保ってる」
「ふーん......相当頭が良かったんだね、その王様」
「まぁな。今はどうやら娘の王女に王権を譲って引退したらしいんだが......その王女がな、その王様が認めた稀代の天才らしい。血は争えねぇな」
「それで? 僕に丁度良いって言うのは?」
「ああ、ルークスハイド王国は戦いに対してそこまで積極的ではないけど、あそこの冒険者ギルドはSランクを過去2人も輩出したからな、新人教育にも力を入れてるって聞いてるし、お前さんには丁度良いんじゃないか?」
なるほど、確かに丁度良さそうだ。まぁ強くなれるとしたら選んでいる暇はないけどね。
「きつね、レイラが変になったんだが」
「うふふうふふふふ......きつね君の匂いに包まれてるよぉ......♡ うふ、うふふふ......♪ あはぁ......頭とろけそぉ......きゅんきゅんするぅ......♡」
「ぶち壊しだよレイラちゃん」
ようやくこれからの方針が決まって決意を固くしたっていうのに、なんでこうも空気をぶち壊すかなぁこの子は。しかも、修理するために脱いだ学ラン着たまんまだし......修理している間ずっと学ラン着てたのかよ。丈の短いワンピースだから裸学ランに見えるのが少し憎たらしい。
「......はぁ、返しなさい」
「ああんっ......!」
腰砕けになって涎を垂らすレイラちゃんから学ランを剥ぎ取って着る。残念そうな声を上げるレイラちゃんだけど、修理中もずっと楽しんでいたんだからそろそろいい加減にしなさい。勝手に発情するんじゃないよ。
「全く......調子狂うなぁ」
溜め息を吐いて、そう呟いた。
瞬間のことだった――――
『ッ!!?』
強大な威圧感に襲われた――――!!
Several days before Kitsune encountered, fought, and then lost against the hero, and got his built up bond teared apart, there was a certain thing that happened at a certain place.
That was the appearance of an existence with mighty prowess at the continent where human resided in. With imposing air, it calmly walked without anyone capable of hindering it.
On its path, it would mow down any appearing magical beasts with one swing of its hidden mighty prowess.
That glittering white light would draw a line of trace as if a pale comet, and one swing of its beautiful light would produce a torrent of tremendous destructive power.
Any magical beasts that was swallowed by it was dead before they even noticed of their own death, and anything around it, either it was trees or rocks, everything would be obliterated into nothingness by the shockwave.
One step, and another step, 'white' kept stepping its legs forward toward human's territory without stopping.
Before long it met the person that resided in that territory. And then, it finally decided to stop its legs with its own will.
The person asked it some question, like, why did it come there, what was its objective, or so, but without answering any of those questions, it simple kept on staring at that person as if to see through that person. After staring at that person for quite a while without moving, then, as if it had understood something, without using its prowess to kill that person, it simply walked and passed through that person.
Then it started walking again. Without any clear objective of where it would go next, it simply kept walking forward.
And then, after walking for quite a while, it encountered another people inside the forest. It was several of men.
They were people with occupation the so called bandit, and the moment 'white' approached them, they were enchanted by its beauty. They spontaneously moved their bodies, they kneeled on the ground and put their hands together as if praying. Along with tears that overflowed on its own accord, they felt as if their souls were being purified.
However, similarly like the previous person it met, it simply was staring at them. As if ascertaining of something, as if seeing through something, it kept on staring at them as if to peek at their souls.
The result, those several people who were kneeling on the ground, got their heads chopped off of their bodies.
With one swing of its light, it easily mowed down all of their lifes. Without they even noticed it, they were already dead. It literaly happened at light speed. A speed that could kill the moment they blinked their eyes without letting it to open again.
Their bodies that had lost its heads were collapsing on the ground before 'white'. That spectacle was as if, criminals that repented their sins before the god, and the shining 'white' was so divine as if a god that listened to their confession.
However, in the end it wasn't a god.
"--purified."
Without bating an eye towara those corpses, 'white' started walking again. The murmured word wasn't heard by anyone, but it was echoing inside the forest.
And then, in several days until the time Kitsune's encounter and fight againts the hero, 'white' kept on walking without stopping.
Any people that saw it would say as such.
--that was monster in human disguise. The moment it swing it prowess, numerous people died.
In the end, no one dared to obstruct this monster's path. No one dared to associate with this monster. If they were lucky they would stay alive, if they were unlucky then they would die without they even noticed it.
As long as they still valued their life, anyone would be careful with that monster.
No one knew when that dangerous light might strike--
And then, 'white' finally arrived at a certain territory. It arrived at a territory where numerous people resided in, a territory that was also refered as a country.
And that country's name was-- Grandile Kingdom.
* * *
"Well then... for now we have to do something with the broken wall huh, that fake hero has gone somewhere, after all."
After letting Lulu-chan and Finia-chan to temporarily accompanying the fake hero's party, I decide to repair the broken wall which was destroyed when I was blown away before. That fake hero was the one that destroyed it, but since he has disappeared somewhere so we have no choice but to take the responsibility ourselves.
"Eh~, we aren't the one that destroyed it, though? So we have no responsibility to do so, right?"
"Well, that sure is so, but... we've caused that much of ruskuss, so someone must take the responsibility, you see. And this time, we're the one that should take it."
Saying so to the reluctant Leila-chan, we return to the guild. When we re-enter the guild through the large hole on the broken wall, we can see that the adventurers have a displeasured expression and are knitting their brows. Runa-chan and the other receptionist are also similarly frowning while staring at us.
Well, not just destroyed the wall, I even lost the duel, so it can't be helped that we aren't too welcomed here.
I do feel sorry, but all of it was that fake hero and wicked miko's fault. I didn't do anything wrong. That's why I should just act boldly. I'm not at fault here, after all.
"Somehow, sorry. Don't worry, I'm reuctant but I'll take the responsibility and repair the wall."
So I say, since that hero was the one that perpetated everything in the first place, so I hope they would stop blaming me that much.
Thinking so, I start gathering the fragments of the broken wall. Rishe-chan is helping me out. Seems like Leila-chan is unwilling to help me. Well, she do look unfit to do chores and such trivial stuff, after all, moreover with her over selfish self that only does anything as she pleased, so it really can't be helped. And she's also following me on her whim in the first place, after all, so there no point on expecting something from her.
"...lemme help ya, lil bro."
"Eh?"
And then, the adventurers inside the guild are coming our way one after another, and start gathering the wall fragments together. I don't understand what happens here, when I look at them with question, they show me faint smile in return.
When I and Rishe-chan are bewildered and stop our hands, my shoulder is patted from behind. When I turn my face that way, Runa-chan is standing there.
"Runa-chan...?"
"Let me tell you... this country sure is referred as country with the law of the jungle, however... they have their own pride and manner in duel."
"...."
"These adventurers who saw the duel just now are, filled with anger regarding it."
Runa-chan says so.
In this country, strengths wasn't necessarily meant prowess only. For adventurers who always tempered themselves in order to become stronger, they held pride and confidence in their own strength and satisfaction in dueling each other.
That was why, the held duel as something sacred.
Putting everything they've tempered,
Clashing might with might,
In duel where their blood and flesh pound,
They felt joy in their futher growth.
Once again, not yet. They could see their own further possibilities. And if they were able to achieve that possibility, a great feeling of joy was awaiting them in each duel.
Moreover, they wouldn't ever forget each formidable opponents who unlocked their possibilities. Surpassing their own limits, sharpening their mind and body to gain victory, the admiration of the opponent, those were what make duel was worth doing.
"That's why, we won't accept a duel such as just now. That was nothing but bullying, plundering. A disgrace of our prided and aspired duel."
"... I have no recollection ever accepting that duel, though."
"I know it. That's why it was very irritating, one-sidedly trampling down someone who was weaker than him, it couldn't be called as duel at all. That's why everone were quite impressed by you, even though you lost that badly, you still had the courage to face him head on."
I see, I'm kinda happy to hear that. The miko was like that so I thought that everyone inside this country was also the same, but seems like I was mistaken.
As expected of adventurers-- their resolution and purpose regarding duel sure are something. Seems like the rot hasn't spreaded to the whole citizen.
"Hey, stop talking and move your hands again."
One of several adventurers who are helping me collecting the wall fragment is calling out to me. Perhaps they heard what Runa-chan just said, they show a bright smile on their face.
"Ahaha, sorry."
Seeing that smile, I apologize once and take off my gakuran before starting to continue repairing the wall again.
... hey there, Leila-chan, don't take my gakuran.
Several hours later, after we somehow finished repairing the wall, we're welcomed by numerous adventurers. It appears that someone among them has 'appraisal' skill, and seems like he once secretly peeked at my and the hero's statuses.
The told me that they were impressed that in spite of the overwhelming disparity, I kept on standing up and fought back.
"Hahaha! So your name is Kitsune? What a strange name!"
"Well at least it sure isn't usual."
It doesn't feel bad, but I feel like I'm not in the mood to get on board with them.
--Finia-chan, isn't by my side.
When I was reparing the wall I was focused on doing it, but at peaceful time like now when I don't have anything to do, I'll end up think about it.
My treasure, the mask from Shiori-chan that was always with me even before I dead, Finia-chan who was always smiling beside me, their presence have disappeared as if they've slipped out of my hand.
It feels as if there's a gaping hole on my chest. So this is the feeling of losing something, huh. It's my first time feeling such a thing, but, I don't think it's a feeling that I want to get used to.
"Then...what are you going to do from now on?"
Right now, the one who sits beside me and is calling out to me is a D rank adventurer. His name is Gurt-san, status-wise, he's quite a blessed person.
I always put my usual faint smile on, but as expected it seems like perhaps some depressed air is still leaking out of me, he keeps on cheerfully calling out to me. I sure am grateful, but as expected, seems like this feeling won't disappear anytime soon.
"Let's see... either way, my level is a bit too low to operate at this country, after all... so I think I'm going to go to a country that could make me stronger."
The level at this county is too high so I can't keep up with them. That's why, I need to go to a country with more suitable level for me. Unlike Finia-chan and Leila-chan, my prowess isn't as high that would let me easely charge to any fight, after all, and I also have no enough strength to hold a weapon.
That means, there's only one battle style I can tread on.
"I see... then, I think I know quite a good place for you."
"A good place?"
Then, Gurt-san says so to me.
"Yup, it's a country named Rukusuhaido kingdom... among all countries, it's the most well regulated country. Grandile kingdom is referred as war country, but... in history we had launched twelve invasion to Rukusuhaido kingdom, but we'd never succeded even once."
"Oh...."
"It wasn't like our country's war potential was weaker than theirs, it even could be said that theirs was actually the one that was weaker. However, the king of that country was just too intelligent. He outwited us over and over again that led to our lost."
Among all countries, it seems like Rukusuhaido kingdom is quite excel at tactics and strategies.
And it's including military tactics, to the point that even Grandile Kingdom that possess strong war potential to be unable to defeat them. That means that this intelligent person is quite a charismatic one, and the armies are also excellent and bear a deep trust in that person.
"Back in those waring days, we resented them very much, you see... but since we were unable to even close up the disparity between our war capabilities to the bitter end, in the end we were the one that declared our defeat. In this day we've made a treaty pact and on friendly term with them."
"Hmm... quite an intelegent one huh, that king."
"Well, yeah. Seems like nowdays he has retired and passed the throne down to his daughter, the princess, but... that princess, you see, it appears that she's a peerless geniuss who is even recognized by that king. Bloodline sure is frightening, huh."
"Then, what do you mean that this country is a good place for me?"
"Ah, the adventurers there aren't too inclined to duel, but in the past there were two S rank adventurers who emerged from there, you see. I even have heard that they put quite an effort to nurture the newcomers, so isn't that very suitable for your need?"
I see, it sure sounds pretty good. Well, since I want to become stronger as soon as possible then I have no time to be picky though. I have to take Finia-chan and Lulu-chan back as soon as possible after all, as long as I can become stronger then I won't say much about the way. Let's just check it out, this so called Rukusuhaido kingdom.
"Kitsune, Leila has turned strange."
"Ufufufufu... I'm wrapped by Kitsune's smell... ufufufu... ahaha... I feel like melting... my heart is pounding wildly...."
"You'll tear it apart, Leila-chan."
Even though I've finally made my decision about our future plan, just why must she's always so excel at ruining the mood. Moreover, she's still wearing my gakuran that I took off when I was repairing the wall... so you've been wearing it ever since I was repairing the wall, huh. She only wears a short dress inside so, the looks as if she's nude inside the gakuran is ironically alluring.
"...haa, return it."
"Ahn...!"
I take the gakuran off of the collapsing and drolling Leila-chan, and then wear it. Leila-chan lets out a very disappointed voice, but she's enjoyed it ever since I was repairing the wall so it should be the time for her to gets over it. Hey, don't just arbitrarily get horny as you pleased.
"Good grief... hold yourself a bit."
Letting out a sigh, I say so.
And exactly at that moment--
""!!?""
Attacked by a great wave of intimidating aura--!!
I Kinda Came to Another World, but Where’s the Way Home?
【書籍化】異世界来ちゃったけど帰り道何処？
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-kinda-came-to-another-world-but-wheres-the-way-home/
Action Adventure Comedy Drama Fantasy Harem Shounen Slice of Life
Apathetic Protagonist Bullying Calm Protagonist Demi-Humans Demon Lord Demons Dense Protagonist Fairies Game Elements Ghosts Heterochromia Knights Level System Male Protagonist Murders Naive Protagonist R-15 Royalty R*pe S*aves Sword And Magic Transported to Another World Weak Protagonist Yandere
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2650bx/
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