更なる誤解
「ここが城の客室か......思っているよりも地味で狭いんだな」
調査を終えた俺たちは城下町に到着すると報酬を受け取った。
参加した大半の冒険者たちはそこで仕事完了となり、それぞれの街へと戻って行った。
だが、俺とセレナ。それにラッセルさんは未だに解放されることなくこうして城まで連れてこられている。
「ここは兵士たちが泊る詰め所らしいわよ」
セレナの言葉に納得する。
置かれているのは古びたベッドが1つに机とクローゼットがあるだけ。城に勤めている兵士が仮眠するための場所と考えれば十分だろう。
「それにしても、ここであと数日過ごすのか。早く街に帰りたいよな」
「仕方ないわよ。流石にアークデーモンを討伐した人間だもんね、色々聞きたいようなこといってたし」
現在は調査結果を取りまとめているらしく、俺たちにできることはない。
俺とセレナとラッセルさん。それにクズミゴに関しては真実を判断する魔導具を使って色々質問をしたいと騎士からお願いをされていた。
「せめて城下町を観光できたら良かったんだけどな......」
現在の待機状態にも依頼料が発生しているので、こうして待機しているのも仕事の内なのだ。
「まあいいじゃない。クズミゴに比べたらまだ良い待遇なんだからさ」
確かにその通りかもしれない。待機している間は食事も出るし、こうしてベッドでゆっくり休むことができるのだ。
クズミゴは虚偽の報告と敵前逃亡の疑いの為、現在は牢へと入れられているのだ。
完全に本人の自業自得なので同情すらわいてこない。
「城下町の観光はこの一件が片付いたらゆっくりしましょう」
セレナはベッドから身体を起こすと笑顔でそう言ってくる。そして......。
「どうした?」
ぼーっと惚けるように俺に視線を向けて顔を赤くすると......。
「その、調査の時に言ったじゃない?」
「うん、何だっけ?」
しどろもどろになりながらもセレナは目をちらりと俺に向けると。
「調査が終わったら......イチャイチャしたい......って」
その仕草に心臓が揺れ動く。流石に城の中では不味くないだろうか?
そんな俺の考えとは裏腹に、セレナは俺に近づくと抱き着いてきた。
「えへへへへ、このぐらいならいいわよね?」
セレナは見ているこっちが恥ずかしくなるぐらい顔を真っ赤にすると、幸せそうな表情を浮かべもたれかかってくるのだった。
「アリス様。話聞いてますか?」
城に戻ってきてからというものアリス様の様子がおかしい。
先日の泉での水浴びだが、騎士を引き連れて戻ったところ「特に何もなかった」と答えられたのだ。
「調査結果の報告待ちについてですよ」
なんでも今回の調査で重大な問題があったらしく、現在エリバン王国では会議が開かれているらしい。
私たちは来賓部屋で待機させられ、後日報告をまとめられたものを知らせてもらうことになっている。
「ああ、そのことか」
心ここにあらずといったアリス様の様子に私はたまりかねると......。
「あの、アリス様。やはり泉で何かあったんじゃ?」
意を決して聞いてみた。すると......。
「実は、この国の冒険者と思しき男と戦ったのよ」
「そ、それは大事なのではないですか?」
仮にもこの国の冒険者が王女の水浴びを覗いたうえで戦いを挑んだ。不敬罪に問われるべき事件だ。
「いえ、お互いの勘違いがあったからそのことは別に気にしてないのよ。だからあなたたちが戻ってきたときも咄嗟に嘘をついたわけだし」
それは賢明な判断だろう。もしその場をうちの国の騎士が目撃していたら国家間問題になってしまっていた。
「それで様子がおかしかったのですか?」
私はようやく納得した。
「それにしてもアリス様と斬り合って無事だなんて凄い男もいるんですね」
アリス様の実力については道中で見ているので知っている。
休憩の時に騎士たちと訓練をしていたけど、騎士よりも強かった。
護衛する対象が一番強いという訳の分からなさに苦笑いが浮かんだものだ。
そんなアリス様と斬り結んだということは相手は相当の手練れなのだろう......。
「アリス様?」
ところが、アリス様は不機嫌な表情を浮かべていた。
「それがさ、私じゃ相手にならなかったのよ」
不満そうにクッションを抱きしめて顔を出すアリス様。他の人たちがいるときには見せない子供じみた仕草だ。
「えっ? アリス様が負けたのですか?」
信じられずについつい率直に聞いてしまうとアリス様は私を睨みつけてくる。
「そうよっ! 本当に圧倒的で勝負にならなかったんだから! わかるアリシア? 剣を重ねるごとに防御が追い付かなくなって、それでも相手は全力じゃ無かったのよ!」
興奮気味な様子。それはどちらかというと憎い相手というよりは憧れにも似た様子を思わせた。
どうやらアリス様の様子がおかしいのは、自分を倒した相手のことを考えていたからのようだ。
「ねえアリシア。誰か心当たりないかなぁ?」
アリス様がこの様子だったのでエリバン王国とのやり取りは私が話を聞いていた。
私はそんな中で耳にした名前を思い出す。
「今回の調査で全体のリーダーを引き受けた冒険者が兵士に登用されるらしいですね。確か名前は......ラッセルとか」
「それだわっ! あれだけ強かったんだもの、エリバン王国も彼の実力をみて国に取り込もうと考えたんでしょうね」
そうかもしれない。冒険者から王国兵士に登用されるのは結構な出世コースなはず。滅多に起こりえないことを起こしたのだから、その人物こそアリス様を倒した冒険者で間違いないだろう。
「確か、数日後にそのラッセルを含む数名が真実のオーブを使って質疑を受けるようですね」
私は自分が聞いた情報をアリス様へと渡すと......。
「私、その質疑に参加させてもらえないかちょっと交渉してくるわっ!」
アリス様は勢いよく部屋を出て行った。
「はぁ......エルト。いつになったら会えるのかなぁ」
気になる相手ができたようなアリス様を見送ると、私は生き別れの幼馴染みの姿を想いうかべるのだった。
Chapter title: More Misunderstandings
[So this is the castle's guest room.... It's more humble and cramped than I thought.] 
After completing our investigation, we arrived at the castle town and received our reward.
Most of the adventurers who had participated in the mission had completed their work and returned to their respective towns.
But Serena and I, as well as Russell-san, we still needed to the castle like this without being released.
[I heard that this is where the soldiers stay.] 
I'm convinced by Serena's words.
There is only an old bed, a desk and a closet in the room. It's enough to be a place for the soldiers who work at the castle to take a nap.
[Anyway, we need to spend a few more days here? I want to go back to the city soon.] 
[It can't be helped. You can't blame them. We are the ones who defeated the Arc Demon, and they said there are a lot of things they want to know.] 
They are currently compiling the results of their investigation and there is nothing we can do about it.
In addition, the knight asked me to use the magic tool to determine the truth and ask various questions about Kuzmigo.
[It would have been nice if we could have at least had a tour of the castle town.......] 
Since I am being paid a commission for my current wait, waiting like this is part of my job.
[It's okay. You're still being treated better than Kuzmigo] 
He might be right. While we were waiting, we would be fed and could rest in our bed.
Kuzmigo was currently in jail for false reports and for allegedly running away before the enemy.
I don't even feel sorry for him because he completely deserved it.
[We'll take our time to explore the castle town once this matter is settled.] 
Serena smiles at me as she pulls herself up from the bed. And.......
[What's up?] 
She looks at me as if she's in a daze, and her face turns red.......
[You know, when we did the survey?] 
[Yeah, what is it?] 
Sluggishly, Serena glanced at me with her eyes.
[When the investigation was over, you said you wanted to... make out with me....] 
My heart shook at the gesture. Wouldn't it be tasteless to do it in the castle?
In spite of my thoughts, Serena approached me and hugged me.
[Ehehehehehe, this much is okay, right?] 
Serena's face turned so red that it was embarrassing to watch, and she leaned back against me with a happy expression on her face.
[Alice-sama. Do you hear what I'm saying?] 
Ever since she came back to the castle, Alice-sama has been acting strange.
When she returned with the knight in tow, she was answered that there was nothing special about it.
[It's about waiting for the report of the investigation results.] 
It seems that there was a serious problem with this investigation, and a meeting is currently being held in the Erivan Kingdom.
We were put on standby in the guest room and were to be informed of the report at a later date.
[Oh, you mean that?] 
When I saw Alice's distracted look, I couldn't help but.......
[Um, Alice-sama. Did something happen at the springs?] 
I asked her. She replied....
[Actually, I fought a man who I thought was an adventurer from this country.] 
[I, isn't that important?] 
An adventurer of this country, even if he were to be called an adventurer, they peeped when the princess was bathing and then challenged her to a fight. This is an incident that should be charged with disrespect.
[No, it not a big deal because it was a mutual misunderstanding. That's why I lied to you on the spur of the moment when you came back.] 
That would have been a wise decision. If a knight from our country had witnessed the scene, it would have become a national problem.
[So that's why you were acting strangely?] 
I was finally convinced.
[Even so, to think that there are some amazing guys who can slash at Alice-sama.] 
I know about Alice-sama's abilities because I have seen her on the road.
She was training with the knights during the break, but she was stronger than them.
I chuckled at the incomprehensible fact that the target I was guarding was the strongest.
It seems that the other party is quite skillful to have slashed at Alice-sama.
[Alice-sama?] 
However, Alice-sama had a sullen expression on her face.
[And you know, I was no match for him.] 
Disgruntled, Alice sama hugged the cushion and made a face. It's a childish gesture that she doesn't show when other people are around.
[Eh? You lost, Alice-sama?] 
I couldn't believe it, so I asked her frankly, and she glared at me.
[That's right! It was really overwhelming and I had no way to win! And you know what, Alicia? The more swords I used, the harder it was for my defense to keep up, and he still wasn't at full strength!] 
She seemed to be excited. It was more of an admiration than hatred.
It seems that the reason why Alice is acting strangely is because she was thinking about the person who defeated her.
[Hey Alicia. Do you have any idea who it may be?] 
Since Alice was in this state, I listened to her talk about the exchange with the Erivan Kingdom.
I remembered a name I had heard in the course of all this.
[I heard that the adventurer who took on the role of the overall leader in this investigation will be promoted to a soldier. I believe his name is...... Russell.] 
[That's it! He was so strong, the Erivan Kingdom must have seen his ability and wanted to incorporate him into their country.] 
That may be so. It must be a pretty good career path to be promoted from an adventurer to a soldier in the kingdom. It's a rare occurrence, so I'm pretty sure that the adventurer who defeated Alice is the one who did it.
[As I recall, a few people, including Russell, are going to be questioned using the Orb of Truth in a few days.] 
I pass on the information I've heard to Alice....
[I'm going to see if I can negotiate a deal with them to let me participate in the questioning!] 
Alice walked out of the room with a bang.
[Haaa... Elt. I wonder when I'll see you again.] 
When I saw off Alice, who seemed to have found someone she was interested in, I thought of my childhood friend from whom I had been separated.
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