サブナクを含む十五名の騎士と、同様に護衛を連れたビロン伯爵を従えたイメラリアが国境が見える位置までたどり着いた時には、朝日がしっかりと視界を確保してくれていた。
街道から外れた茂みの中、爽やかに冷えた朝の空気を吸い込みながらも、イメラリアは不満顔である。
「どうしてこんなものを被らないといけないのですか」
草や葉を張り付けた布に包まれて、細い指でつまんで前を合わせているイメラリアは、同様の格好で隣にいるサブナクに非難の視線を向けた。
「我慢してください。これも相手から見つかりにくくするためです。それより、あれを見てください」
サブナクが指差した先では、国境の手前、オーソングランデ側の兵士詰所や宿舎周辺でで忙しそうに立ち回る兵士たちと、彼らに交じって何かの作業をしている市民の姿が見えた。
「何をやっているのでしょう?」
「おそらくは、こちら側の施設を接収し、大工なりに改装をさせているのでしょうな」
ビロンが冷静に答える。
ガラスの加工が未熟で、レンズというものが存在しない世界だが、簡素な筒で遠方を見やすくするやり方はある。ビロンが使っているのも、木製の単なる筒ではあったが、無いよりはましだった。
手渡された筒を覗き込んだイメラリアは、宿舎周辺にいる兵士たちの装備を確認し、魔法使いはいないようだと判断する。
「大した人数はいないようですね。兵士だけなら二十人くらいでしょうか」
「ええ、こちら側にいる分だけならそうですね」
両手を筒状にして覗き込んでいるサブナクは、問題は塀の向こうだと言った。
「ここから見える分には、変わった設備等は見えません。あるいは、これから作るのかもしれませんが。義兄......ビロン伯が言われるように改装をしているのであれば、何かしらの設備を運び込もうとしている可能性もありますね」
「建物を使う程の大規模な魔法装置だとすれば、大問題です。まだ解明できていない古代魔法の中には、大規模な殲滅魔法もあると聞きます。もし同様の物をホーラントが発見なり開発したとすれば......」
イメラリアは、じっと国境を凝視したまま考える。
こういう時、一二三ならどうするだろうか。
(正面から突撃されるような気もしますが......)
内心苦笑しながら、以前に言われた事を思い出す。
「サブナクさん、ビロン伯、協力して国境周辺を常時監視する体制を整えてください。何か動きがあればすぐに知らせるように。そして......」
指示するかどうか躊躇われたが、そうしなければならない、とわかっている以上、人を動かして結果を得るのも自らの仕事だとお腹に力を入れて、声を絞り出した。
「夜間、可能な限り国境へ近づいて偵察をさせてください。できれば、塀の向こうまで確認するように」
それは危険な任務であり、見つかれば命の保証はない。
それでも、国を危険に晒よりは良い。
そう思わなければ、やりきれない。
「陛下」
ビロンは、被っている布の隙間から白い歯を見せて笑った。
「そのご決断を無にしないために、兵たちは訓練しているのですよ」
「そうですよ。必要だとお考えであれば、どんどんやるべきです。ぼくも、そのご命令は当然の事だと思います。むしろ、ぼくが出すべき指示でした」
全てわれわれにお任せください、と両方から言われ、イメラリアは少しだけ心が軽くなった。
ゆっくりと後退し、サブナクとビロンはそれぞれの兵に指示を出す。
イメラリアは被っていた偽装のための布を取り、乗馬服に張り付いた草を払い落とした。
「ところで、このちょっと間抜......変わった格好は、どなたの考案ですか?」
布を兵士に返したイメラリアの質問に、兵士たちは顔を見合わせた。まさかイメラリアが知らないとは思わなかったらしい。
「あの......トオノ伯爵領からの兵士に教わりました。遠目から見えにくくすることで、ゆっくり監視できるようになるから、と」
「......そうですか」
想像以上に一二三の薫陶が行き届いていることに、喜んでいいのか恐怖するべきか迷いつつも、イメラリアはかなり冷静に思考できるようになっていた。
「興味がありますわね。一二三様の兵士から、他には何か教わりましたか?」
「はい。個人戦から集団戦闘、陣地攻めや、逆に防衛の方法も......」
女王から直接質問を受けた兵士は、ガチガチに緊張しながらも、懸命に訓練を思い出し、内容を羅列する。
その中で、イメラリアには気になることがあった。
「......その方法は、他の教導部隊からも各領地に指導がされているのでしょうか?」
「恐らくはその通りかと。教本のようなものもありましたので」
「なるほど。ありがとうございます」
「い、いえ! 恐縮であります!」
女王直々に礼を言われた兵士は、カクカクと強張った動きを仲間に笑われながら受け取った布を大事に抱えて後退した。
「ホーラント側も、同様のやり方を知っている可能性が高いということですね......」
やっかいな種を蒔いてくださったものです、とイメラリアは嘆息した。
頭の中の冷静な部分では一二三に助けを求める考えもあったが、それが正解だとは、どうしても思えなかった。
「......どうしましょうか?」
「そこまで考えてませんでしたけど......話しかけるのはダメですか?」
プーセが悩む姿を見て、片耳兎のヴィーネが素直に答えた。
長い日数をかけて荒野を抜けてきた彼女たちは、ようやく見えてきた人間たちの町へ続く街道の入り口を前に、どう接触するかを迷っていた。
彼女たちにはわからなかったが、ちょうどフォカロルとアロセールの中間地点あたりに位置する街道途中にある小さな町のすぐ近くだった。
「あっしらは獣人族ですからねぇ。顔を出したとたん、攻撃されてもおかしくありやせんぜ」
「笑ってる場合じゃないよ」
いや参った、と頭をかいているゲングに、マルファスは首を横に振る。
「プーセさん。とにかく話をしに行きましょう。ここで色々考えても仕方ありません」
「......そうですね。わかりました」
恋する乙女は強いですね、とからかいつつ、プーセはゲングたちにいざとなったらプーセとヴィーネが魔法でけん制してから、さっさと逃げましょうと伝えた。
「わかりやした。なぁに、レニさんがいつも言ってるように、とにかく話をしてみましょうや」
「じゅ、獣人族!?」
「それに......あれは人族じゃない、エルフか? 初めて見た!」
突然現れた獣人族とエルフのグループに、警備をしていた兵士たちは浮足立った。
本来であれば急いで応援を呼ばなければならないところだが、あまりに予想外の状況にそれすらも忘れてしまった兵士たちは、どんどん近づいてくる獣人たちをじっと見ているしかできなかった。
「あの......よろしいですか?」
話しかけたのはプーセだ。
耳以外の容姿は一番人間に近いということで、最初に彼女が話すことになった。
「は、はい!」
近くでみると、エルフ独特の整った容姿に、話しかけられた兵士も思わず上ずった声で返事をする。
「私たちは荒野の向こうにある町から来ました。何分、こちらへ来たのは初めてなもので、教えていただきたいのですが」
恐る恐る、自分より背の高い兵士に上目使いで話しかけるプーセは、初対面であればどこか可憐なお嬢様にも見えたかもしれない。
「ええっと......」
兵士はドキドキと鼓動を早めつつも、プーセの後ろで待っている獣人たちを見る。
犬の獣人はいかにも強そうで怖いが、他はなぜか片耳しかない兎の獣人女性と、虎獣人とはいえ、子供にしか見えない。
「彼らは私の連れです。ある人に会うために旅をしているのです」
「ある人、とは?」
もしご存じであれば助かるのですが、と前置きをする。
「一二三さんという人です。黒い髪の、ちょっと変わった」
何が変わっているかは言わない。
「ひふみ? ひふみ......あぁ!」
声をあげ、隣の同僚を見ると、同じように目を真ん丸に見開いている。
「りょ、領主様じゃないか!?」
「間違いない......どうしよう......と、とにかく詰所に来てもらって」
「馬鹿野郎!」
彼らが使っている詰所は、男所帯の多くがそうであるように、掃除が行き届いているとはお世辞にも言えず、来客など全く想定していない。不審な人物を連れて話を聞くための小さなテーブルとイスがある程度だ。
怒鳴り声をあげた兵士は、へらへらとした笑顔でプーセに「少々お待ちを」と伝え、同僚の腕を引っ張って少し離れた場所に移動する。
「なんでダメなんだよ」
「よく考えろ。あんな上玉なんだ。ひょっとしたら領主様が荒野で見つけてきたコレかもしれん」
「えっ」
言いながら小指を立てて見せた兵士に、同僚の顔が青ざめた。
「それをあんな狭苦しい詰所に入れたなんて、領主様に知れてみろ。文字通り首だけにされるぞ」
「じゃ、じゃあどうしたら......」
「とにかく待ってもらえ。急いで隊長に知らせてくるから」
と、言うなり全力疾走で責任者に報告を届けると、聞かされた方も思わず立ち上がり、少なくとも自分の立場ではどうにもできない。というより、そんな判断をしたくもない。
「急いでフォカロルへ護送......いや、丁寧に、気を使って丁寧に、細心の注意を払ってお送りするのだ!」
その命令は、もはや悲鳴に近かった。
盗賊を殺しながら、一二三はふと考えた。
「大規模な戦争ってのは、この世界ではほとんどやってないんじゃないか?」
「ぎゃあああ......は、離せぇ!」
足元で、手首を極められてうつ伏せになっている盗賊の声が聞こえる。
「大規模というと、どの程度でしょう?」
オリガは、鉄扇で別の盗賊の首を叩き折りながら、一二三に笑顔を向けた。
「そうだな。例えば十万とか二十万とかの軍勢どうしがぶつかるような。何万人も殺されるような戦闘だな」
一二三が振り向いたはずみで肩の関節が外れた盗賊は、大きな悲鳴を上げたところで首を踏み折られた。
「それは無いかと。オーソングランデの全兵力を集めても、五万いかないでしょうから」
「そうか。大体の戦闘は平地でぶつかり合うという形だったな。運用を考えても、その辺が限界か」
「そうですね。兵をきちんと組織化して役割を決めて運用するという方法が、一二三様のご提案より前にはありませんでしたから。せいぜい、魔法使いか歩兵かの区別程度でした」
「ふぅん」
一二三は次の盗賊が振り下ろした剣を避け、軽く拳を当てて鼻を折る。
「ぶぎゃっ!」
鼻を押さえるために持ち上げた左手は、一二三に掴まれて手首を捻り折られた。
「それでか」
「何がです?」
オリガの風魔法が、逃げようとした盗賊の首を後ろから切断する。
「ヴィシーとの戦闘の時も、他での模擬戦をやっても、何のためらいもなく敵地に飛び込む奴が多かったからな」
自分が今やっていることを完全に棚に上げた発言に、オリガはクスリと笑った。
「誰もが一二三様のようにお強ければ良いのでしょうけれど......。私も以前はそうでしたが、誰も彼もが、腕っぷしと武器の強さが一番大事だという考えですから」
ですが、これからは変わります、とオリガはもう一人を風魔法で殺した。
その間に、一二三も二人の盗賊の首を折る。
「戦争に道具が持ち込まれました。魔法もただ攻撃するだけではなく、魔道具が使われ、魔法薬も。罠が一般的になり、防衛も兵が出て行って戦うのではなくなります。それはそれは多くの方法があり、攻める側も守る側も、たくさん考える必要が出てきましたね」
外にいた盗賊が全員死に、二人がそろって盗賊が隠れ家にしている洞窟の前に立つと、オリガは鉄扇を腰に提げ、魔法で中にいる人物を探す。
「こんどのホーラントでの戦闘で、それが見られるならいいんだが」
「少なくとも、アリッサはしっかりとやってくれますよ」
「問題はホーラントと、イメラリアか」
中の調査を終えたオリガは、再び鉄扇を手にする。
「イメラリア様にはサブナクさんが付いて行っているようですし、ホーラントも一二三様の兵士がしっかり指導したでしょう。それに、ホーラントには魔法や魔道具もありますから。......中には十六人います。うち三人は動いていませんし、女性のようですね。まだ息はあるようです」
その女性たちがなぜ盗賊のいる洞窟にいるのかは、お互いにわかりきっているため言及しなかった。
「特に変わった物の感触はありません」
「じゃあ、入るか。女は任せた」
「わかりました」
刀は腰に差したまま、無手でぐんぐん入っていく一二三の後ろを、オリガは鉄扇を構えたままついていく。
「もし」
一二三がぽつりとつぶやくのを、オリガは聞き逃さない。
「もし、世界が一斉に戦いに巻き込まれたとしたら」
「地理的に王都が主戦場になるかもな。人間対亜人ということになれば、そうだな......一番可能性が高いのは、俺の領地か」
一人の盗賊の両目を、出会い頭に両手の親指で潰した一二三は、そのまま固い岩壁に後頭部を叩きつけて殺した。
「魔人族は俺を殺しに来る。うまく事が運べば、イメラリアもそうするだろう。獣人はどうだろうな。あまり関わろうとしないかもな。俺が囲まれた状態になれば、ヴィシーあたりもまた攻めてくるかもな」
「それはそれは、楽しい未来図ですね」
死体を通路の隅に蹴とばした一二三は、それにしても、と呟く。
「領軍はまだ到着しないのか」
「彼らも一二三様の兵です。きっとすぐに追いつきますよ」
二日後、フォカロル領兵が軍の進行速度としては異常な速さで追いついたのだが、その頃には、町の周囲にいた盗賊や凶悪な魔物は綺麗に片づけられていた。
At the time Imeraria, who was accompanied by fifteen knights including Sabnak and the same number of guards led by Earl Biron, arrived at a spot from where the border could be seen, the morning sun already guaranteed a clear visibility.
Even while inhaling the fresh, chilly morning air within the thickets off the highway, Imeraria dons an expression of dissatisfaction.
"Why would it be wrong if I didn't wear this thing?" (Imeraria)
Wrapped up in a cloth that had grass and leaves attached to it, Imeraria, who is facing the front while pinching the cloth with her thin fingers, turned a criticizing look towards Sabnak who is next to her in the same attire.
"Please endure it. These are for the sake of making it difficult for our opponents to find us. Rather than that, please look at that." (Sabnak)
Ahead, where Sabnak pointed at, there were soldiers walking around busily in the vicinity of Orsongrande's military station and barracks in front of the border and there were also citizens, who were carrying out some task while mingling with the soldiers, visible there.
"I wonder what they are doing?" (Imeraria)
"I fear that it's likely that after confiscating the facilities on our side, they are having carpenters and such remodel them." (Biron)
Biron answers calmly.
It's a world where such things such as lenses don't exist as the civilization is inexperienced in processing glass, but there's the method of easily looking at a distant place with a plain pipe. Even the one Biron is using was a plain pipe made out of wood, however it was still better than having nothing.
Imeraria, who peered into the pipe she was handed, confirms the equipment of the soldiers located in the area of the barracks and judges that there aren't any magicians.
"It doesn't seem like they are boasting a considerable amount of people. If it's just the soldiers, there's around 20 of them, isn't there?" (Imeraria)
"Yes, that's right if you just count those on this side ((of the border))." (Sabnak)
Sabnak, who is peering through both his hands which he has arranged in a tubular shape, said "the problem are the soldiers on the other side."
"The parts which can be seen from here; they don't seem to be unusual devices. Possibly they might construct them from now on though. If they are remodelling like mentioned by Brother-in-law... Earl Biron, there's also the possibility of them bringing in some devices." (Sabnak)
"If it's a large-scale magic device to the degree of using an entire building, it will become a big problem. Among the ancient magic, which hasn't been classified yet, there are also spells for large-scaled annihilation, I've heard. If Horant has discovered and developed something identical..." (Biron)
Imeraria ponders while fixedly staring at the border.
I wonder what Hifumi would do in such situation?
(I have a feeling that he would attack them from the front...)
While smiling wryly within her mind, she remembers something she was told before.
"Sabnak-san, Earl Biron, please set up a system of continuous observation of the vicinity of the border by cooperating with each other. Inform me at once if there are any changes. And..." (Imeraria)magic
She hesitated whether to give them the order or not, however, since she understood that she had to do so, she squeezed out her voice by putting strength into her stomach ((persuading herself)) that it was her task to obtain results by moving people.
"Please carry out reconnaissance by closing in on the border as far as possible during the night. If possible, confirm even the soldiers on the other side ((of the border))." (Imeraria)
This being a dangerous mission, their lives won't be guaranteed if they are found.
Even so, it's still better than putting the country at risk.
It will be unbearable if I don't think about it in such way.
"Your Majesty." (Biron)
Biron smiled while showing his white teeth through a gap in the cloth covering him.
"The soldiers have been training for the sake of not bringing your determination to naught." (Biron)
"That's right. If you think that it's necessary, you should do it steadily. Even I believe that that order is to be expected. Rather, it was an order that should be given by me." (Sabnak)
"Please leave everything to us", being told that from both sides, Imeraria's heart became lighter albeit only a bit.
Retreating slowly, Sabnak and Biron issue instructions to their respective soldiers.
Taking off the cloth used for camouflage that covered her, Imeraria brushed off the grasses which clung to her riding habit.
"By the way, this slightly, well... unique attire is whose idea?" (Imeraria)
The soldiers exchanged glances due to the question of Imeraria who returned the cloth to a soldier. They apparently didn't want to believe that Imeraria isn't aware at all.
"Umm... it was taught to us by the soldiers from Earl Tohno's territory. Since it's easy to observe while being difficult to be spotted from a distance, they said."
"... Is that so?" (Imeraria)
Even while wavering whether she should be scared or delighted due to Hifumi's education being thorough beyond her imagination, Imeraria had reached the point of being able to consider it quite calmly.
"Now I'm curious. Were you taught something else by Hifumi-sama's soldiers?" (Imeraria)
"Yes. From individual to group combat, attacking an encampment and in reverse, the methods of defending one, also..."
The soldier, who received a direct question from his queen, eagerly recalls the training and lists its contents even while being stiff due to nervousness.
Among those there was something that bothers Imeraria.
"... Have those methods been taught in each territory by other instruction units?" (Imeraria)
"It's likely just as you said? There existed something like a textbook."
"I see. Thank you." (Imeraria)
"N-No! I'm sorry!"
The soldier, who was thanked personally by the queen, retreated holding the cloth, he received, dearly while being ridiculed by his comrades for his stiff, overly ceremonious movements.
"That means that it's very likely for Horant's side to also know the same methods..." (Imeraria)
"Troublesome seeds have been sown", Imeraria grieved.
There was also the notion of asking Hifumi for help in the composed part of her mind, but she wasn't able to consider that as being correct no matter what.
"... What shall we do?" (Puuse)
"I didn't consider it this far ahead, but... is it pointless to start a conversation?" (Viine)
Seeing the figure of the worried Puuse, the one-eared rabbit, Viine, answered frankly.
The girls, who left the wastelands after experiencing a number of long days, hesitated how to get in contact in front of the entrance to the highway leading to the city of humans that could be seen at last.
The girls didn't know, but they were right next to a small town located en route the highway and positioned around the half point between Fokalore and Arosel.
"It's because we are of the beastmen race. Just showing our faces, it wouldn't be odd for us getting attacked either ~ssu." (Gengu)
"This isn't a situation to laugh about." (Malfas)
Due to Gengu scratching his head while say "Well, I give up", Malfas shakes his head.
"Puuse-san, let's go to have a talk at least. Even if we consider various things in this place, it won't change anything." (Viine)
"... That's so, isn't it? Got it." (Puuse)
While teasing her with a "Maidens in love are powerful", Puuse told Gengu and the others to run away immediately since she herself and Viine will restraint ((the attackers)) with magic if push comes to shove.
"Understood ~ssu. Say, let's try having a talk with them at least just like always said by Reni-san." (Gengu)
"B-Beastmen!?"
"Moreover, that's not a human but an elf? It's the first time I've seen one!"
The guarding soldiers became agitated due to the group of beastmen and elves appearing all of a sudden.
Originally it's a situation where they should call for reinforcements in a hurry, but the soldiers, who ended up forgetting even that due to the overly unexpected circumstances, didn't do anything but staring at the beastmen who were steadily getting closer.
"Umm... is it alright?" (Puuse)
The one who addressed them is Puuse.
It was decided for her to talk first as her appearance, except the ears, is the closest to humans.
"Y-Yes!"
The soldier, who was addressed, gives an answer with an unintentionally excited voice due to her well-featured appearance unique to elves once he sees her from close-by.
"We came from a city that is located on the other side of the wastelands. As it's the first time for us to have come here after all, I'd like you to instruct us." (Puuse)
Puuse, who timidly talks to the soldier, who is taller than her, with upturned eyes, might be regarded as cute ojou-sama from somewhere if met for the first time.
"Umm..."
Even while the soldier's heartbeat accelerates with a throbbing sound, he looks at the beastmen waiting behind Puuse.
The dog beastman is scary as he seems to be really strong, but the others are a rabbitwoman, who has no more than one ear for some reason, and a tiger beastman, though that one can't be seen as anything but a child.
"They are my companions. We are travelling in order to meet a certain person." (Puuse)
"A certain person, you say?"
"It will be a help if you know him", she says as preface.
"It's a man called Hifumi-san. He has black hair and is a bit unusual." (Puuse)
She doesn't mention what's unusual.
"Hifumi? Hifumi... aah!"
Once he looks at his colleague next to him after raising his voice, that one's eyes are likewise opened widely and form a perfect circle.
"I-Isn't that Lord-sama!?"
"There's no mistake... what to do... a-anyway, have them come to the guard office."
"Moron!"
The guard office, they are using, isn't prepared for something like visitors at all as you can't say that they are attentive to cleaning by any standard, just like it's the case with many all-male households. To a certain extent there is a small table and chairs for the sake of listening to the story of the suspicious people they brought in.
The soldier, who raised an angry voice, tells Puuse [Please wait for a minute]  with a frivolous smile and moves to a slightly separate place while pulling an arm of his colleague.
"Why is it no good?"
"Think properly. There's such a pretty woman. Perhaps Lord-sama might have found her in the wastelands."
"Huh?"
Due to the soldiers rising his pinky while saying that, the face of his colleague became pale.
"Try imagining Lord-sama ((finding out)) us having her enter such cramped guard office. We will be literally changed into being just heads."
"T-Then, what shall we do...?"
"At any rate, have them wait. I will hurry to notify the captain."
Saying that, he dashes away with all his strength and once the soldier delivers the report to the person in charge, even the person, who was informed, stands up unintentionally and isn't able to do anything, at least in his own position. Or rather, he doesn't want to make such decision either.
"Escort them to Fokalore swiftly... no, politely, pay attention to being courteous, escort them while paying meticulous attention!"
His order was already close to being a scream.
Hifumi suddenly pondered while killing the bandits.
"A large-scaled war; practically there hasn't been one in this world, has there?" (Hifumi)
"Gyaaaa... r-release me!"
The voice of a bandit, who is lying face down while his wrists are immobilized under Hifumi's feet, is audible.
"Talking about large-scale, I wonder what's the extent?" (Origa)
While hitting the head of another bandit with her iron-ribbed fan, Origa turned a smile towards Hifumi.
"Let's see. For example military forces of 100.000 or 200.000 clashing against each other. It's a battle where several 10.000 of people will be killed." (Hifumi)
The bandit, whose shoulder joints were disconnected by the momentum of Hifumi turning around, had his neck stepped on and broken at the time he raised a loud scream.
"There wasn't such thing? Even if you assemble all military forces of Orsongrande, it likely won't go past 50.000." (Origa)
"I see. The general battle was in the form of the troops clashing with each other on a plain. Even if you consider the practical use, that is the limit, huh?" (Hifumi)
"That's right. There's the method of managing it by deciding the soldier's roles and and organization accurately, but that didn't exist before your esteemed suggestion, Hifumi-sama. At most they classified ((the troops)) by magicians or infantry." (Origa)
"Hmmm." (Hifumi)
Avoiding the sword swung down by the next bandit, Hifumi hits them lightly with his fist and breaks their nose.
"Bugyaa!"
The left hand, which the bandit raised to hold his nose, was caught by Hifumi, its wrist was twisted and then broken.
"That's all? (Hifumi)
"What is?" (Origa)
Origa's wind magic severs the head of a bandit, who tried to escape, from behind.
"Even at the time of the war with Vichy and when we did sham battles with others, there were many fellows who would leap into enemy territory without any kind of hesitation."
Origa slipped a chuckle due to his statement which was completely blind to his own shortcomings in the situation he was currently in.
"It will be fine if everyone is as strong as you, Hifumi-sama, but... I was also like that before, but everyone has the opinion that the power of their physical strength and weapons is the most important." (Origa)
"However, this will change in the future", Origa killed yet another with wind magic.
During that time Hifumi broke the necks of two bandits.
"Tools will be introduced by wars. Even magic won't be simply for attacking but will be used for magic tools and magic potions, too. Traps will become popular, defences will also vanish since the soldiers will go out to fight. There's many, many ways. For the attacking side as well as the defending side the necessity to consider it plentifully will appear." (Hifumi)
With all the bandits besides them dead, the two are standing together in front of the cave which has been made into their hiding place by the bandits. Origa affixes her iron-ribbed fan to her waist and searches the inside for people with magic.
"It's fine if we can observe that in the battle with the current Horant."
"At least Alyssa will do it properly."
"The problems are Horant and Imeraria, huh?"
Origa, who finished the investigation of the interior, takes the iron-ribbed fan into her hand once again.
"It seems Imeraria-sama is accompanied by Sabnak-san. Horant was also sufficiently trained by your soldiers, Hifumi-sama. Besides, Horant also has magic and magic tools. ... There's 16 people inside. Three among them can't move. They appear to be women. They still seem to be breathing." (Origa)
She didn't say anything further as both of them understand why those women are within a cave where there's bandits.
"There's isn't any particular sensation of something unusual." (Origa)
"Then, shall we go? I leave the women to you." (Hifumi)
"Understood." (Origa)
Origa follows behind Hifumi, who steadily enters unarmed with his katana affixed to his waist, while preparing her iron-ribbed fan.
"If." (Hifumi)
Origa doesn't fail to hear Hifumi muttering a single word.
"If the world was involved by fighting all at once." (Hifumi)
"Geographically the capital might turn into the main battlefield. If it turns into a war of humans versus demi-humans, let's see... the place with the highest probability ((to become the main battlefield)) is my territory, huh?" (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who crushed both eyes of a bandit with the thumbs of both his hands in passing, killed him by slapping the bandit's back of the head against the wall of rock just like that.
"The demons will come to kill me. If she proceeds matters cleverly, Imeraria will likely do that as well. I wonder how about the beastmen. They might try to not get involved overly much. If I'm in a state of being surrounded, even Vichy's neighbourhood might come attacking again." (Hifumi)
"My goodness, that's an enjoyable future outlook." (Origa)
Hifumi, who kicked away the corpse into a corner of the passage, mutters "Be that as it may."
"The feudal army still hasn't arrived?" (Hifumi)
"They are also your soldiers, Hifumi-sama. Undoubtedly they will catch up right away." (Origa)
Two days later Fokalore's territorial soldiers caught up with an abnormal quickness for the marching speed of an army, but at that time the bandits and ferocious monsters, which were in the vicinity of the city, had been completely disposed of.
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