ダメ男の代わりに姫救出
ココを散歩させてると、街の外れで騒ぎに遭遇した。
たくさんの街の住人がひとかたまりになって、誰かを取り囲んでいる。
「それで逃げてきたのか」
「見捨ててきたとか言わないよな」
「そんな男だったなんて――見損なったぞ」
みんなが口々に、真ん中に取り囲んでる誰かを責めたてていた。
どうしたんだろう、とココのリードを握り締めて、騒ぎの中心に向かっていく。
「ねーねー、なにがあったの?」
外周に立っている青年に向かって、子供モードで質問する。
青年が答えた。
「こいつがとんでもない事したんだ」
「こいつ? とんでもない事?」
囲まれてる人を見た。
見た事のある顔だ、たしか......アドリアーノ。
宮廷魔術師で村に凱旋した、魔法を二十個使える男だ。
その男が地面に直で正座させられている。
「姫様が乗ってる馬車が盗賊に襲われたのに遭遇したのに、それを助けないで、あろう事か逃げてきたんだよ」
「......」
おれは言葉を失って、所在なさげのアドリアーノを見た。
おいおい、おまえ宮廷魔術師じゃなかったのかよ。二十個も魔法使えるんじゃなかったのかよ。
あんなに女に囲まれてちやほやしてたのに......。
「本当、見損なったわ!」
「最低よ、あなた!」
アドリアーノを囲んでいる人間の中には、あの日彼をちやほやしてる女の姿もあった。女達は冷たい目でアドリアーノを見下している。
「待ってくれ、ちがうんだ、それには原因があるんだ」
「原因ってなに?」
おれは子供モードのまま聞いた。
それが火をつけた。
「そうだそうだ、原因ってなんだ」
「姫様――主君が襲われてるのを見捨てて自分だけ逃げてくる原因を聞かせてもらおうか」
「そ、それは――そう、みんなに知らせようとしたんだ。王女殿下の身が危ないのと、ここにも盗賊が襲ってくるかもしれないのと」
「へー、でもお兄ちゃん。お兄ちゃんは宮廷魔術師で、たくさんの魔法が使えて強いんだよね。だったらお兄ちゃんがその場で倒せばよかったんじゃないの?」
「そうだそうだ!」
「なんで倒さなかった!」
「そ、それは......」
アドリアーノは答えられなかった。正座したまま、ますます肩をちぢこませた。
街の住人のさげすむ視線を一身に浴びて、今にも死にそうな顔をしてる。
不倫が発覚した好感度ナンバーワンアイドル、それと同じ無様さを感じた。
おれはその場からそっと離れた。
そのまま街の外に出た。
「どこに行くんですかぁ?」
一緒に連れてきたココが聞いてきた。
「お姫様を助けてくる」
「えええええ?」
「盗賊に襲われたんなら、そのままにしておく訳にはいかないだろ。というか――」
ちらっと背後を見た。街の人達はまだアドリアーノを責めてる。
責め続けてるけど、誰も助けに行くと言い出さない。
「でもわかるんですかぁ? その、お姫様のいるところ」
「何とかする――サーチサム」
人捜し用の魔法があったから、とりあえず使った。
探す相手がお姫様って条件をつけると、地面に一本の線が浮かび上がった。
3D映像のような赤い線が長く伸びて行く。
魔法の効果を考えれば、この先にいるはずだ。
「よし、行くぞ」
ココを連れて、伸びて行った線を追っかけていった。
街の外の街道に延びてった線だけど、途中から脇道にそれていった。
やがて山の中に入り、洞窟の中に伸びて行った。
洞窟の横には馬車がうち捨てられている。
魔法の追跡と物的証拠、間違いなくここだな。
ココを見た。ここまで一緒についてきた彼女の犬耳がピタッと後ろにつく。
顔もそうだけど、なんかに怯えてる感じだ。
「どうした」
「なんか怖いですぅ。盗賊、ですよねぇ?」
「ああ、そう聞いたな」
「盗賊って......怖いですぅ」
なるほど、盗賊って存在に怯えてるのか。
その話わからなくはない。
「安心しろ、おれがついてる」
ココははっとして、それからポッ、と顔を赤くした。
おずおず頷くココ。とりあえず恐怖は取り除けたみたいだ。
ココを連れて洞窟の中に入った。「フィラメント」で明かりをつけて、道なりに進んでいく。
ふと、話し声が聞こえてきたから、ココに「しー」ってジェスチャーして、立ち止まって聞き耳を立てた。
「そなたら、わらわを誰だと心得る。サボイア王国第一王女、王位継承権第七位のルビー・サボイアなるぞ!」
「知ってる知ってる、今一人だけいるお姫様だよな」
「そんな有名人しらないわけないだろ?」
「おれよ、何回もあんたの事をみてるんだ。あんたがした講演を何回もみてるんだぜえ?」
お姫様らしきものと、盗賊らしきものの声が聞こえた。
「ならばわらわを早く解放するのじゃ。いまならまだ何事もなかった事にしてやらんでもないぞ」
「こんなこと言ってるけど、どうするよ」
「当然だ、せっかくお姫様に来てもらったんだ、ちゃんとおつとめを果たしてもらわねえとな。ケケケ」
盗賊の一人がそういうと、全員がいやらしく笑い出した。
「おつとめじゃと? こんなところでわらわがしなければならないつとめなどあるものか」
いや、あるんだなそれが。
正確にはおつとめって言うより、お約束だが。
「へっへっへ、あるんだな、これが」
「そうそう、お姫様にしかできないことが」
「な、なんじゃ。なぜズボンを脱ぐのじゃ」
......やっぱりそれか。
いやまあ、当たり前だけどな。
盗賊がお姫様を捕まえて、それでそういう発想がないなんてホモの集団でもない限りはあり得ない。
だから、この流れは正しい。
「やめるのじゃ、わらわに近づく――ふれるな!」
お姫様が叫んだ。声が震えている。
「このあま、大人しくしろ!」
「きゃ!」
小さい悲鳴が聞こえて、それから静かになった。
......たすけるか。
「あれれれー、ここどこだろー」
子供モードになって、そこに踏み込んだ。
会話で聞こえてきた通りの現場だった。
姫のルビーが壁際で拘束されてて、何人かの気の早い盗賊が既にズボンを脱いで、ルビーに群がっている。そのルビーのドレスも体ごとまさぐられ、あられもない姿になっている。
襲われてる時に頭を打ったのか、意識をなくして、ぐったりしている。
おれは盗賊の数を数えた。
全部で八人。そんなに多くはない。
「なんだお前は――ってガキか」
一瞬警戒した盗賊はおれの姿を見てあきらかに油断した。
まあ、こっちは見た目九歳の子供、当たり前だな。
「おいガキ、ここはガキがくるところじゃねえ。ケガしねえうちにとっととー」
その盗賊がこっちに向かってきた、手を伸ばして肩をつかもうとした。
「ブレイズニードル」
魔法を詠唱。空中に炎の針が生成され、男を貫く。
四方八方から飛んできた針に全身を貫かれ、男は体を内部から焼かれ、そのまま崩れ落ちた。
「なっ――」
残った七人の盗賊が顔色を変えた。何人か反応の早いのは既に武器を構えている。
「てめえ! 何者だ!」
「なのるほどの者じゃないよー」
そう言いながら、七人のいる場所を確認して、魔法を唱えた。
二回目のブレイズニードル。人数分の炎の針が盗賊達をおそう。
六人は針に貫かれ、崩れ落ちた。
一人が武器を振って針をほとんどはじくが、一本だけはじききれず、腹に深く突き刺さった。
一本だけだが、充分に致命傷だ。
「ルシオ・マルティン。ただの転生者だ」
男は理解不能って顔をした。
おれは「ブラックホール」を唱えた。せめて一瞬のうちに、と思った。
当たりを見回す、盗賊は全て片付けた。あとは姫様を連れ出すだけだが。
「......これはこれはやっかいだな」
気を失って、あられもない格好になってるルビーを見て、おれはちょっとだけ困ったのだった。
Chapter 23: Saving the Princess Instead of the Useless Man
When I was having a walk with Coco, I encountered a commotion on the town's outskirts.
The were a lot of town people making a crowd, and was surrounding someone.
[And you ran away with that] 
[You're not saying that left her alone right] 
[To think that he's a man like that--you've disappointed me] 
Everyone was surrounding someone and accusing him with words.
I wonder what happened, I gripped Coco's leash, and went to the middle of the commotion.
[Ne?ne?, what happened?] 
Towards the young man in the back line, I asked in child-mode. Coco who was not used to me being on child-mode was surprised, but I ignored that for the mean time.
The young man answered.
[This guy did an outrageous thing] 
[This guy? an outrageous thing?] 
I looked at the person being surrounded.
It was a face I had seen before, if I'm correct......it's Adriano.
A court magician who had a triumph return to his village, a man who can use 20 kinds of magic.
That man was made to do seiza on the ground.
[You saw that the carriage that Hime-sama was riding on was being attacked by bandits, but instead of saving her, you ran away] 
[......] 
I lost my words, and looked at Adriano who lost himself.
Oi oi, weren't you a court magician. Weren't you able to use 20 kinds of magic.
You were being pampered by women like that.........
[Really, you've disappointed us!] 
[You're the worst, you!] 
Within the people who surrounded Adriano, there were also the appearance of the women that pampered him that day. The women were looking down at Adriano with cold eyes.
[Please wait, that's not true, there was a proper reason] 
[What is the reason?] 
I asked while still in child-mode.
And that started the fire.
[That's right that's right, what was the reason] 
[Hime-sama--leaving your lord behind and running away alone, let me hear the reason for that] 
[T-That is--right, I wanted to let everyone know. That Oujo-denka is in danger, and the bandits might also attack here] 
[He?, but Onii-chan. Onii-chan is a court magician, and can use a lot of magic right. Couldn't Onii-chan just defeated them on the spot?] 
[That's right, that's right!] 
[Why did you not defeat them!] 
[T-That is......] 
Adriano couldn't answer. While in seiza, he made his shoulders smaller and smaller.
Being bathed in the town people's sight, he was making a face that looks he'd die anytime.
Just like the rating of a number one idol who was found out with infidelity, it felt as miserable as that.
I left that place quietly.
And went directly towards outside of the town.
[Where we going desu ka??] 
Coco who I took with me asked.
[I'm going to go save the princess] 
[Ehhhhhhh?] 
[If she was attacked by bandits, there's no way she couldn't be left like that. I mean--] 
I looked behind with a glance. The town people were still accusing Adriano.
They were continuing to accuse him, but no one was saying of saving her.
[But do you know desu ka?? That, princess's place right now] 
[I'll do something about it--Search Some] 
It was a magic used for finding people, so I used it for the mean time.
After I put on the conditions the person I am searching for is a princess, a single line emerged from the ground.
A red line just like a 3D image stretched very long.
Thinking of the effects of the magic, she should be ahead of this.
[Yosh, let's go] 
I took Coco with me, and went after the line that had stretched.
The line was stretching towards the road outside of the town, but it changed ways in the middle to the side road.
Finally entering in the mountain, it stretched into a cave.
A carriage was abandoned beside the cave.
Tracing with magic and physical evidence, no doubt that it's here.
I looked at Coco. She who had followed me up to here had her dog ears *Pita* towards her back.
It was also on her face, she was somehow frightened.
[What happened] 
[I'm scared desu?. They're bandits, right??] 
[Yeah, that's what I've heard] 
[Bandits, they're......scary?!] 
I see, she's frightened to the bandits' existence huh.
It's not like I don't understand that.
[Don't worry, I'm with you] 
Coco was astonished, and *Po* blushes her face.
Coco timidly nodded. For the meantime, it looks like she's not frightened anymore.
I took Coco with me and entered the cave. Using [Filament]  to make light, and moved through the path.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of people talking, so I made the *Shi?* gesture to Coco, stopped our feet and hear what they're talking about.
[You, who do you think I am. The first princess of Savoya Kingdom, I am the Ruby Savoya seventh to the king's throne!] 
[We know, we know, you're the only princess right now right] 
[There's no way we wouldn't know a person that famous right?] 
[You know, I've seen you a lot of times. I've seen the speeches you did a lot of times yo?] 
I heard a princess-like, and bandit-like voice.
[Then hurry up and release me jya. If it's right now, I can make it that this has never happened] 
[That, she said, what do you think] 
[Of course, it's the awaited time that a princess came, you should do your "work" properly. Kekeke] 
When one of the bandits said that, every one of them laughed nastily.
[Work you say? There's no work that I have to do in a place such like this] 
No, there's one you know.
Specifically it's not work, but a cliche though.
[Hehehe, there's one thing, you know] 
[Right, right, something that can only be done by a princess] 
[W-What is it. Why are you taking off your pants] 
......it's that after all huh.
But well, it's normal though.
Bandits kidnapping a princess, having an idea that is something like that, unless they're a group of homos, that's impossible.
That's why, the flow of things are correct.
[Stop it jya, don't come near--don't touch me!] 
The princess shouted. Her voice was trembling.
[You bitch, don't move!] 
[Kya!] 
I heard a small scream, and it became quiet.
......I'll go save her huh.
[Arerere?, I wonder where this is??] 
Being in child-mode, I entered there.
It was a scene that as I had heard.
The princes, Ruby, was being restrained on the wall, some of the bandits quick on their move had taken off their pants, and gathered towards Ruby. And Ruby herself had her dress disarrayed with her body, and had a messed up appearance.
Probably hit her head when she was attacked, she lost consciousness, and laid quietly.
I counted the numbers of the bandits.
There are eight of them. There weren't a lot of them.
[Who are you--hey, a brat huh] 
The bandit that was cautious for an instant put his guard down after looking at me.
Well, I look like a 9-year-old child, that's normal.
[Hey you, brat, this isn't a place brats like you come to. Before you get hurt, go--] 
That bandit walked toward me, reached out his hand as if to grab my shoulder.
[Blaze Needle] 
I chanted magic. Needles of flame appeared mid-air, and pierced through the man.
Pierced through by needles from all directions, the insides of the man were burned, and collapsed just like that.
[Na!--] 
The remaining seven bandits changed the colors of their faces. A few who reacted quickly were already making a stance with their weapons.
[You! Who are you!] 
[I'm nobody important?] 
While saying that, I confirmed the places of the seven, and chanted magic.
It was the second Blaze Needle. The needles of flame enough for them attacked the bandits.
Six of them were pierced through by the needle, and collapses.
One of them swung his weapon and blocked most of the needles, but unable to block only one needle, it pierced very deep to his stomach.
It was only one, but it was deadly enough.
[Lucio Martein. Just a normal reincarnated person] 
The man made face that couldn't understand.
I chanted [Black Hole] . At least in an instant, I thought.
I looked around, all of the bandits were taken care of. The only thing left is to bring back the princess, but.
[......this in itself, is troublesome] 
Lost her consciousness, looking at Ruby with her messed up look, I was a little troubled.
Manga wo Yomeru Ore ga Sekai Saikyou ~Yometachi to Sugosu Ki mama na Seikatsu~
マンガを読めるおれが世界最強～嫁達と過ごす気ままな生活
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/manga-wo-yomeru-ore-ga-sekai-saikyou-yometachi-to-sugosu-ki-mama-na-seikatsu/
Adventure Comedy Fantasy Harem Romance Shounen Slice of Life
Adapted to Manga Age Progression Arranged Marriage Beastkin Beautiful Female Lead Calm Protagonist Caring Protagonist Child Protagonist Clever Protagonist Demons Devoted Love Interests Doting Love Interests Early Romance Easy Going Life Genius Protagonist Kind Love Interests Loli Love Interest Falls in Love First Magic Male Protagonist Marriage of Convenience Nobles Overpowered Protagonist Playful Protagonist Polygamy Protagonist Strong from the Start Reincarnated in Another World Shota Skill Assimilation S*aves
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9488db/
三木なずな