「平和が怖い」
「何を言っているんですか、あなた」
サブナクのデスクに紅茶を置きながら、シビュラは呆れた声で言う。
「一二三さんが王都を離れて何日経ったかな。聞けば荒野に入ったそうじゃないか。この国にあの人が居ないと思うと、トラブルの心配が無いのはいいけれど、国外で何をやっているかと考えると不安になる」
紅茶に口をつけながら遠い目をするサブナク。
「そんな事より、書類が溜まっていますよ。早く目を通してしまってください。ヴァイヤーさんが新婚旅行から帰って来る前に片付けないと、隊長交代になりますよ?」
「......どうしてぼくより先にヴァイヤーが休みを取れるのかな」
「あなたが求婚するのが遅かったからです」
バッサリと切って捨てられたサブナクは、渋々書類に視線を落とした。
シビュラを相手に口で勝てた試しがないのだ。
「それに、いい加減親衛騎士隊長としての自覚を持ってください。騎士食堂で食事をしたり、街の飲み屋に出かけるのは控えてください」
「ま、待ってくれ! 仲間たちとの触れ合いや、市井の人々との交流は重要な役割で......」
「あなたが他の貴族たちとの交流をきちんとこなしてくれるなら、こんな事言いたくありませんけどね。せめて5日に1度くらいはパーティーなりお茶会なりに参加してください。このままだと、私たちの子供が貴族社会に入りづらくなります」
でもなあ、と渋るサブナクを、シビュラがキッと睨みつけた。
「あなたは多分、トオノ伯のように自由を気取りたいんでしょうけれど、そうしたいなら周りに有無を言わせない程の実力と実績を見せてください」
目の前に書類を積み上げ、サブナクは悲鳴をあげた。
「余裕ぶって紅茶を飲んでらっしゃいますけれど、この書類は午前中に片付けないと、午後からは女王陛下のお供をされる予定でしょう? あなたのサインはあなたにしかできないんですから、夢を見てないでさっさとやってください」
「はぁ......わかりました」
溜息をついてサラサラと書類にペンを走らせながら、サブナクはまた一二三の事に思考が逸れた。
(荒野でもソードランテでも、あの人が怪我をする事はないだろうし、あの人に絡んで命を落とすのも、まあ自業自得といえばそれまでだ)
処理済みのトレーに書類を放り込み、次の書類を掴む。
(問題は、あの人に“付いて行く”事を選ぶ人が出た場合だよなぁ。ぼくやミダスさんみたいにそれなりに距離を置いていても巻き込まれてエライ目にあったんだ。もし彼のすぐ近くで共に戦うなんて選択をしたら......)
サブナクの脳裏にオリガの顔が浮かぶ。
あんな子が増えたら大変だ、と身震いして、書類にサインを書き付けた。
ソードランテの金貨を手に入れた一二三は、道々で出ている屋台で適当に買い食いしながら道を歩いていた。
レニやヘレンにも本人たちが気になる食べ物を適当に買い与え、三人並んで肉や魚の串焼き、パンや切り売りの果物を食べつつ宿を目指す。
「人間って、食べ物を色々といじくるのが好きなのね」
串に刺さった肉から上がる湯気を見ながら、ヘレンが関心したような呆れたような声を出した。
「すごいよね。こんなのどうやって作るんだろう。ふわふわで美味しい!」
蒸しパンを大事に少しずつちぎって食べているレニは、ちぎる時の感触が楽しいらしい。
「美味い食い物は元気が出るしな。それに人間は飽きっぽいんだ。同じ物ばかりを食べ続けるのに耐えられない」
「確かに、こんな色々な美味しいものがあったら、ずっと果物だけとかは嫌になるかも」
ヘレンは串焼きの肉を噛み締めて、じわりと広がる肉汁に思わず顔をほころばせる。
レニは蒸しパンの最後の一口を名残惜しそうに見つめてから、えいっと口に入れていた。
「ここだな」
辿り着いた建物は、4階建ての立派な建物で、出入り口は両開きの頑丈なドアが付いている。
白い壁は綺麗に洗っているらしく、古さは見えるが外観から清潔感があった。
大きな建物を呆然と見上げる獣人娘たちを気にもせず、一二三はさっさと扉を開いて中に踏み込んで行った。
「いらっしゃいませ」
痩せた男が白いシャツとスラックスという姿で一二三に頭を下げた。
きっちり測ったように45度。顔を上げてスマイルを見せる。
「ご宿泊ですか?」
「ああ、三人だ。一人部屋と二人部屋を一つずつ」
「かしこまりました。こちらへ記帳を......」
一二三に遅れて宿に入って来た二人の獣人を見て、男の言葉が止まり、スマイルが凍った。
「あの......そちらの獣人はどちらへ......」
「あっちは二人部屋。俺が一人部屋だ」
「そ、そうではなくてですね、獣人を宿に泊まらせるというのはあまり聞いたことがありませんので......」
ふーん、とつまらなそうに一二三が男を見た。
「街にも獣人の奴隷を連れている奴が居たが、アイツ等が宿を使うときはどうするんだ?」
「通常は、裏の馬小屋か倉庫にでも入れておくように言われますので......」
一二三が振り向くと、レニは倉庫の意味がわからないらしく、ヘレンは馬と一緒なんて、と頬をふくらませていた。
「わかった」
一二三の言葉に、ホッと息をついた男は、にこやかな笑みを取り戻して一二三にペンを差し出そうとしたが、その前に一二三がカウンターに金貨を積み上げた。
「この宿で一番高い部屋にあいつらを入れろ。俺はその隣だ」
笑顔のまま痙攣したように口の端をピクピクと動かす男からペンを取った一二三は、宿帳にしっかりと“オーソングランデ伯爵”と肩書きまで書いてペンを返した。
「どうした、さっさと部屋に案内しろよ。高級宿なんだろう?」
男は一二三が書いた伯爵という言葉に一瞬だけ目を見開いて、観念したように肩を落としてか細い声で「こちらへどうぞ」と部屋へと案内した。
「食事は一番高いコースを食堂で摂るぞ。もちろん三人分だ」
と一二三に付け加えられ、男は泣きそうな顔を見せ、一二三はニヤリと笑った。
しばらく塀の周囲を調べていると、一部崩れた箇所を見つけた。以前にサルグが偶然見つけた破損箇所だ。高い草に覆われて見えにくいせいか、サルグがくぐれる程の穴があいているが、長い間放置されている。
ひとしきり辺りを見回して誰も見ていないのを確認してから、サルグは大きな身体を精一杯縮めて穴をくぐる。
分厚い壁の中を進み、土と石にまみれて顔を出した場所は、朽ちた家が並ぶ、放置されたような地区だった。
穴を抜け、油断なく周囲を見回しながら崩れかけた家の影に隠れる。
「ここは一体......」
穴を抜けたのは初めてで、もちろん人間の街に入るのも初めてだったサルグは、土地勘が全くない。そっと耳をそばだてて、人の話し声がうっすら聞こえる方へと近づいて行く。
できるだけ音を立てないように歩き、声の主を見るために、物陰からこっそり覗き込む。
そこには、羊や犬など種族がバラバラな獣人の集団が輪になって会話しているのが見えた。
「これはひどいな......」
暗い顔を付き合わせて、他愛もない会話をポツポツと続けている獣人たちの中で、怪我をしていない者は一人もいなかった。
腕や足が無い者、片目が無い者、背骨がいびつに曲がってしまった者などが、汚れ切った布を身体に巻きつけて座っている。
その中に人間がいないことを確認したサルグは、意を決して彼らの前に姿を見せた。
「少し、話を聞きたいんだが」
「うん? なんだ、見かけない顔だな......」
「荒野から来たんだ。向こうの壁に穴があいていて、そこから入った」
サルグが指差した方向を見て、返事をした犬獣人が鼻で笑う。
「はん、あの崩れた場所から、わざわざ入ってきたのか。ご苦労なこった」
「熊の兄さん、こんなスラムの掃き溜めに何の用だい?」
羊の老婆が顔をクシャりと歪めて笑う。
「いや......。なぜ、あそこに出られる穴があるのに君たちはここに残っているんだ? 荒野へ戻ることができるのに」
サルグが問うと、スラムの獣人たちは顔を見合わせ、どっと笑い声が上がった。
「お前みたいな能天気な奴ばっかりだったら、スラムももう少し平和だろうな」
「なに?」
犬獣人の言葉にぴくりと耳を動かしたサルグに、怒るなよ、と犬獣人が笑う。
「俺たちの姿を見てみろよ。こんな状態で荒野に出たって狩りもできずに飢え死にするだけだ。逆に他の獣人に嬲られて死ぬのがオチだな」
「街の中にいれば、人間のおこぼれもあるからねぇ。生きていくだけなら、こっちの方が楽なのさ」
ケラケラと笑う羊の老人は、欠けた歯を見せていた。
「なんと......」
捕まっている獣人を助けるつもりでいたサルグは、いきなり突きつけられた想定外の現実に、言葉を失ってしまった。
「大方、人間に捕まった獣人を助けようなんて考えてここに入ったんだろう?」
「なぜ、そう思う?」
「たまにいるんだよ、そういう正義感で突っ走る奴が」
「そうそう、そして人間に歯向かってアッサリ死んじまう。関わりあいになった獣人も巻き込まれて処分されるんだから、迷惑極まりないぜ」
「そういう事だ」
片腕で器用にバランスを取りながら、犬獣人が立ち上がってサルグの前に立った。
頭一つどころか1m以上の身長差があるが、犬獣人の目は完全にサルグを軽く見ている。
「人間相手に暴れるのは勝手だが、他所でやってくれ。はっきり行って、お前みたいのが一番迷惑なんだよ」
サルグは反論できなかった。
「なんで別の部屋なのよ」
「一人じゃないと寝られん。同室にする意味もないだろう」
そう言うと、一二三は獣人娘たちを部屋に放り込み、自分はさっさと隣の部屋に入っていった。ドアが閉まり、鍵のかかる音もした。
「ヘレン、見て見て!」
プリプリと怒っているヘレンを尻目に、レニは柔らかなベッドでゴロゴロ転がっていた。
「気持ちいいねぇ。人間はこんな寝床で寝ているんだね」
レニはふにゃっとした顔をして、枕に顔をうずめている。
それを見ていたヘレンも、我慢できずにベッドに飛び込んだ。
「ほんとだ、柔らかい」
ヘレンとレニは、部屋に入る前に暖かいお湯で身体を洗い、着ているものも一二三が宿の従業員に用意させた真新しいワンピースに変わっていた。
初めてお湯で洗って髪も綺麗に
「ヘレン、寝ちゃダメだよ。ご飯の時間がすぐだって、一二三さん言ってたよ?」
「う~......」
「えいっ!」
「きゃっ!?」
掛け布団をいきなり剥ぎ取られ、ヘレンは思わず膝を抱えて小さくなった。
「ほら、一二三さんの部屋に行こうよ」
「わかったわよ。もう、似合わない真似して、どうしたのよ」
「なんだかワクワクしてきちゃって。人間の食べ物も楽しみだし」
軽い足取りで先に部屋を出て行くレニを見て、ヘレンは肩をすくめた。
生まれた時から一緒だった幼馴染が、こんなに楽しそうにしている姿は初めて見る。荒野の林の中で音に怯えて過ごしている時とは、表情も行動も変わって見えた。
「本当にもう、ここは人間の街だっていうのに......」
そうは言いつつも、ヘレンも自分も状況を楽しんでいる事を自覚しつつあった。
「人間のご飯ね。屋台? のお肉は美味しかったし、お魚も美味しかったなぁ」
お腹から可愛らしい音がして、顔を真っ赤にしたヘレンは、レニを追いかけて行った。
廊下に出ると、既に一二三も出てきていた。
三人揃って食堂へ姿を現すと、従業員が慌てた様子で近づいてきた。
「お部屋に食事をお運びすることもできますので、ゆっくりとおくつろぎいただいて......」
「いや、部屋に食べ物の匂いをつけたくない。ここでいい。色々食ってみたいから、種類を多めに適当に見繕って出してくれ」
一二三は、料理代とは別だと言いつつ金貨を握らせた。
従業員は手の中に光るコインの色を見て驚き、ヘラヘラと笑ってテーブルへと案内した。
「別に、わたしたちは部屋でもいいんだけど......」
「どんなご飯かな? 楽しみだね、ヘレン」
ヘレンの小声の主張は、レニの声でかき消された。
まあいいか、とヘレンは諦め、大人しく食事を待つことにする。
食堂にいる他の客からの奇異の視線が集中するが、昼間に街中でずっと視線を浴びていたレニもヘレンも、然程気にしていない。
一二三は他人の視線を“殺意や敵意が無ければ”元から気にする性格ではない。
「屋台の食い物もいいが、こういうところで食べる物には盛り付けや彩りなんかの見た目も気を使ったりする」
「なんで? 美味しければいいじゃない」
「そういう“余計なこと”を楽しむのも、人間だからだな」
しきりに首をかしげるヘレンと、感心するレニ。
そこへウェイターが最初の料理を運んできた。
「わぁ......」
皿に盛られて湯気をあげているのは、鳥肉の蒸し料理だった。
一二三がフォークとナイフの使い方を簡単に説明すると、二人はもどかしい手つきで肉をほぐして口へ運ぶ。
「お肉ってこんなに柔らかいのもあるんだ」
「柔らかくなるように料理するんだ。そのまま焼いてもこうなるわけじゃない」
一二三も次々に肉を頬張りながら、適当な説明をする。
和気あいあいと食事をする人間と獣人の様子に、周りの客たちも次第に気にしなくなってきた。
最初は獣人が入って来たことで、匂いやマナーで文句をつけようとしていた客もいたが、湯を使って身奇麗にしている二人が楽しそうに食事をしているのを見て、声をかけづらくなったらしい。
女性客の中には、微笑ましい光景だと感じた者も居て、次々に運ばれてくる料理に目を輝かせている獣人娘たちを笑顔で見ている。
そんな周りの様子に気づいたレニが戸惑った様子を見せると、一二三は食事の手を止めた。
「気づいたか?」
「あ、はい」
「これが人間の愉快なところのひとつだ。対象が同じでも状況で対応が変わる」
一二三はフォークを肉に突き立てた。
「殺す対象と愛でる対象が同じでも、自分自身はちっとも不思議に思わない。複雑なようで単純だな」
「なんだか訳がわからない。何が言いたいの?」
ヘレンが口を尖らせ、耳を振る。
「そういう“人間”を見るのが楽しいと思えるなら、これからお前らと一緒に面白い事をしようかと思ったんだよ」
「面白い事、ですか?」
サラダに入っていたきゅうりのような細長い野菜をコリコリ齧りながら、レニは興味深いと言った。
「ああ、面白いぞ。俺の出身国ではごく一般的な遊びだ」
遊びと聞いて、ヘレンも興味がわいたらしい。
「遊びなの?」
「ああ、楽しい遊びだ。国盗りという名前のな」
"Peace is scary." (Sabnak)
"Dear, what are you saying?" (Shibyura)
While placing black tea on Sabnak's desk, Shibyura says in a fed up voice.
"How many days passed since Hifumi-san left the capital? Doesn't it seem like he entered the wastelands, as far as I've heard? Though it's great to not have to worry about troubles, if I think about that person not being in this country, I become uneasy wondering what he's doing outside the country." (Sabnak)
Sabnak has a distant look while tasting the black tea.
"Rather than such things, gather the documents. Please hurry up and check them. If you don't finish before Vaiya-san returns from his honeymoon, won't it result in a change of captain?" (Shibyura)
"... Why is Vaiya able to take a holiday before me, I wonder?" (Sabnak)
"It's because you were too slow with your marriage proposal, dear." (Shibyura)
Sabnak, who gave up to dismiss it resolutely, reluctantly cast his sight on the documents.
Him being able to win against Shibyura in an argument has never happened.
"Besides, get a grip and please have self-awareness as Royal Knight Commander. Please abstain from hitting the city's bars after eating at the knight's dining hall." (Shibyura)
"P-Please wait! I have to stay in touch with my comrades and the mingling with the townspeople is an important duty..." (Sabnak)
"If you properly interact with the other nobles, I won't have to talk about such things though. At least participate a tea party or banquet once every 5 days, please. If it goes on as it is now, it will become difficult for our children to enter the noble's society." (Shibyura)
"But, you know", Sabnak faltered, but Shibyura glared at him sternly.
"Dear, you probably want to experience freedom similar to Earl Tohno, but if you want to do so, please show achievements and a level of ability, which can't be called ambiguous by your surroundings." (Shibyura)
Piling up the documents in front of him, Sabnak grumbled.
"Although you are behaving like you have spare-time and are nonchalantly drinking black tea, don't you have to straighten up these documents throughout the morning since it is scheduled for you to act as Her Majesty's, the Queen's, attendant in the afternoon? Please get it done quickly without dreaming around because no one but you is able to put your signature on them." (Shibyura)
"Haa... understood." (Sabnak)
Sighing while running his pen across the documents in a fluent motion, Sabnak thoughts got lost in Hifumi's situation once again.
(Be it the wastelands or even Swordland, that person likely won't receive an injury. Even picking a fight with that person and losing one's life due to that can be simply called reaping what you sow. That's all there is to it.)
Tossing a document into the "Processed" tray, he grabs the next document.
(The problem is the case, where people, who choose to "accompany" that person, appear. If their situation resembled Midas-san and me, they would have a hard time by getting dragged into things, even if they stayed at distance. If they chose something like fighting besides him, then...)
Origa's face surfaces within Sabnak's mind.
It would be a disaster, if the number of such children increased
Hifumi, who got his hands on gold coins of Swordland, walked along the road while irresponsibly spending his money on sweets at the stalls lining up along the way.
Buying suitable foodstuff, they took fancy in, as gift for Reni and Helen, the three side-by-side aim towards the inn while eating pieces of fruits, bread and grilled fish and meat skewers.
"Say, humans like to tamper with various kinds of food, right?" (Helen)
While watching the steam rising from the meat stuck on the skewer, Helen spoke as if being astonished and interested.
"It's amazing, right!? I wonder how they create such things. It's delicious and fluffy!" (Reni)
Reni, who is eating steamed buns by carefully tearing it off bit by bit, seems to enjoy the sensation at the moment of ripping it off.
"Tasty food will cheer you up. Besides, humans are fickle. They aren't able to stand eating the same thing all the time." (Hifumi)
"Certainly, if there were such various, delicious things, I might get fed up with just the same fruit the whole time too."
Chewing the meat on the skewer thoroughly, Helen's face reflexively breaks into a broad smile due to the meat juices spreading and seeping in.
After Reni looked as if regretting the last bite of her steamed bun, she was able to toss it into her mouth with a "There you go!"
"It's this place." (Hifumi)
The building, they arrived at, is an imposing 4-storey building with a firm double door as entrance.
The white wall seems to have been washed clean. By its appearance it had a feel of cleanliness although its old age is visible.
Without any intention the beastgirls look up at the large building in blank amazement. Hifumi quickly opened the door and stepped inside.
"Welcome."
A skinny man in white shirt and slacks bowed towards Hifumi.
It's a 45deg bow as if it had accurately been measured. Lifting his face, he shows a smile.
"Are you staying over?"
"Yes, there's three of us. One single room and a double room." (Hifumi)
"Certainly! The registry is this way..."
Seeing the two beastmen entering the inn a little after Hifumi, the man stopped his words and his smile froze.
"Say... the beastmen over there belong to...?"
"They get the double room. The single room is for me." (Hifumi)
"T-That can't be right, can it? I've never heard of beastmen staying at an inn before..."
"Humph", Hifumi looked at the man disinterestedly.
"As there were fellows leading beastmen slaves around in the city as well, what do they do at the time of using an inn?" (Hifumi)
"Normally the slaves are told to get into the storage or stable in the back..."
Once Hifumi turned around Helen's cheek was puffed up due to be told something like staying together with the horses and Reni didn't seem to understand the meaning of storage.
"Understood." (Hifumi)
The man, who took a breath out of relief due to Hifumi's words, regained his smile and tried to hand a pen to Hifumi but before he could do that, Hifumi stacked up gold coins on the counter.magic
"Give those two the most expensive room of this inn. And the one next door to me." (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who took the pen from the man, whose mouth twitched as if cramping while keeping up the smile, returned the pen after going as far even properly writing the title "Earl of Orsongrande" in the registry.
"What's wrong? Hurry up and guide us to our rooms. It's a high-class inn, right?" (Hifumi)
Opening his eyes widely only for an instant due to the word "Earl" written by Hifumi, the man dropped his shoulders as if he had given up and guided them to their rooms saying [Please follow me this way]  with a feeble voice.
"As meal we will have the most expensive course in the dining room. Three shares, of course." (Hifumi)
The man had an expression as if close to crying due to Hifumi adding one thing after the other. Hifumi laughed while smiling broadly.
Once he checks the surroundings of the wall for a short while, he discovered a partly crumbled part. Salgu found that part previously by coincidence. It may be because it is difficult to spot as it is hidden by tall weeds. Although there's a hole to the degree that Salgu can pass through it, the place has been neglected for quite some time.
After confirming that no one is visible in the vicinity for some time, Salgu goes through the narrow hole using his utmost effort for his large body.
Advancing through the interior of the thick wall, the place, he turned up, being smeared in soil and stones, was a section, obviously abandoned, with decaying houses lining up.
Escaping from the hole, he conceals himself in the shadow of a collapsed house while warily surveying his surroundings.
"What the hell is this place...?" (Salgu)
Of course Salgu, for whom it also was the first time to enter a human city only after he left the hole, isn't familiar with the locality at all. Pricking up his ears quietly, he hears faint talking voices of people drifting his way.
Walking while making sure to not make any sounds as much as possible, he secretly peers out from his cover in order to see the voices' owners.
There he saw a group circle of scattered races like sheep and dogs conversing.
"That is cruel..." (Salgu)
Among the beastmen continuing to hold pieces of silly conversations while facing each other gloomily, there wasn't a single person having no injuries.
Those without a leg or arm, those with only one eye, those, whose spine ended up crooked and twisted, and similar are sitting in a circle with filthy clothes twined around their bodies.
Salgu, who confirmed that there wasn't any human among them, resolved himself to appear in front of them.
"There's a little something I want to talk about." (Salgu)
"Yea? What is it? It's a face I don't know..."
"I came from the wastelands. The other side of the wall has a hole. I entered from there." (Salgu)
Looking at the direction Salgu points at, the dog beastman, who answered him, laughs scornfully.
"Hah, you expressly entered through that broken place? You went through troubles."
"Bear-niisan, what kind of business do you have in this garbage dump of a slum?"
The old sheep woman's face contorts into a twisted smile.
"No... Why are all of you remaining here although there's a hole from where you can leave over there? You should be able to go back to the wastelands." (Salgu)
Upon Salgu's question the beastmen of the slum exchanged glances and suddenly broke into laughter.
"If there only were optimistic guys like you here, the slums would likely be a little more peaceful as well."
"What?"
Due to Salgu moving his ears with a twitch upon the dog beastman's statement, the dog beastman laughs and tells him "Don't get angry".
"Try looking at our appearances. If we left towards the wasteland in such state, we would only starve due to being unable to even hunt. On the contrary, it will result in us dying while being persecuted by other beastmen."
"If we stay in the city, there will also be the leftovers of the humans. If it's only about staying alive, this side is comfortable."
The aged sheep beastwoman, who laughs with a giggle, showed her chipped teeth.
"What a..." (Salgu)
Salgu, who was here with the plan to rescue the beastmen, who have been caught, ended up lacking the words due to the not-foreseen reality, which was thrust at him all of a sudden.
"Did you possibly enter here planning something like saving the beastmen, who were caught by humans?"
"Why do you think so?" (Salgu)
"Occasionally there are those. Fellows, who dash ahead with such sense of justice."
"That's right, and they quickly pass away after a counter-attack by the humans. Since even the beastmen, who have something to do with it, are disposed of for being involved in it, it's extremely annoying."
"That's how it is."
While skilfully keeping balance with one arm, the dog beastman got up and stood in front of Salgu.
The difference in height, far from being one head, is more than 1 m, but the dog beastman's eyes are easily capturing all of Salgu.
"It's your own business if you want to struggle against human opponents, but please do it elsewhere. I will tell you clearly, people like you are the most annoying ones."
Salgu wasn't able to object.
"Why are we in a different room?"
"I can't sleep if I'm not by myself. There's no meaning in staying in the same room either, I think." (Hifumi)
Once he said so, Hifumi threw the beastgirls into their room and quickly entered his own room next door. Closing the door, the sound of the lock could be heard as well.
"Helen, look, look!" (Reni)
As Helen, who is getting angry in a huff, took a sidelong glance, Reni was rolling around all over the soft bed.
"That feels great~. Humans are sleeping in such beds." (Reni)
Reni is stuffing her face in the pillow with a limp expression.
Even Helen, seeing that, leaped onto the bed unable to endure.
"It's really soft." (Helen)
Before entering the room, Reni and Helen washed their bodies in a mildly hot bath and changed into the brand new one-pieces, which were prepared by the the inn's employee and which is the same attire Hifumi is wearing as well.
For the first time they did such things like washing in a hot bath and neatly combing their hair. Helen, who crawled into the futon with a heated-up body, loosened her tension of being in a human city and began to doze off.
"Helen, it's no good to go sleep. Soon it will be time to eat. Hifumi-san said so, didn't he?" (Reni)
"Uh~" (Helen)
"Ei!" (Reni)
"Kyaa!?" (Helen)
Abruptly tearing off the bed cover, Helen instinctively shrunk down into a ball holding her knees.
"Hey, let's go to Hifumi-san's room." (Reni)
"I got it. Jeez, what's with your unusual behaviour?" (Helen)
"I have become somewhat excited. I'm also looking forward to the humans' food." (Reni)
Watching Reni, who leaves the room ahead with a nimble stride, Helen shrugged her shoulders.
Although they are childhood friends, who were together from the time they were born, it's the first time she sees her state being so delightful. She displayed different behaviours and expressions than in the period, they have passed being scared of sounds in the woods of the wastelands.
"Really now, although I've even told you that this is a human city..." (Helen)
Even while saying so, Helen was aware that she was enjoying the situation herself as well.
"Human cooking, eh? The stall's ? meat was delicious. The fish was delicious as well." (Helen)
Helen, whose faced turned bright red due to the sound coming from her stomach, chased after Reni.
At the time she entered the hallway, Hifumi had already entered it, too.
When the three showed up at the dining room together, an employee approached in a flustered state.
"Since it's possible to carry the meal to your rooms, you will be able to slowly and comfortably..."
"No, I don't want the smell of food to stick around in the room. Here's fine. As I want to eat various things, serve us appropriately large portions of different kinds at your own discretion." (Hifumi)
Hifumi slipped a gold coin into the employee's hand while saying that it's additional to the meal expenses.
The employee, being surprised by seeing a glittering coin within his hands, laughed foolishly and lead them to a table.
"It's no particular problem for us to eat in the room though..." (Helen)
"I wonder what kind of food it will be? I'm looking forward to it, Helen." (Reni)
Helen's whispered opinion was drowned out by Reni's voice.
"Well, whatever", Helen gives up and decides to obediently wait for the meal.
Although the looks of the other customers, being at the dining room, gather on them, Helen and Reni, who were showered with gazes all over the town during the day, don't particularly mind it either.
Hifumi has a character to not care about other people's looks "if there's no killing intent and hostility" emanating from them.
"The food from stalls is nice as well, but at such place they also pay attention to the appearance of colouring and arrangement of the things to eat." (Hifumi)
"Why? Isn't it fine, if it's tasty?"
"Humans also enjoy such "pointless things.""
Helen is repeatedly puzzled and Reni feels admiration.
Then the waiter came carrying the first dish.
"Waah..."
Steam is rising from the served dish. It was steamed chicken meat.
Once Hifumi briefly explains the way to use fork and knife, the two, feeling irritated, break the meat into small pieces with their hands and stuff it into their mouths.
"There's is such tender meat as well."
"It's the cooking which makes it tender. There's no way it will become like this, even if you roast it as it is." (Hifumi)
While Hifumi also fills his mouth with one piece of meat after the other, he gives a proper explanation.
Due to the appearance of a human and beastmen peacefully eating their meal, the surrounding customers also gradually lost interest.
There was even a customer, who wanted to complain about manner and smell at the time when they came entering in the beginning, but seeing the two, who have a neat appearance having taken a bath, eating the food with delight, it apparently became difficult for them to raise their voice.
There are even some among the female customers, who feel that it is a pleasant scene. They are watching the smiling faces of the beastgirls, who are able to eat the dishes, which are brought one after the other, with sparkling eyes.
Once Reni, who noticed the state of such surrounding, showed a bewildered look, Hifumi stopped his hands.
"Did you realize?" (Hifumi)
"Ah, yes." (Reni)
"This is the sole pleasant aspect of humans. Their treatment will change with the circumstances, even if the target is the same." (Hifumi)
Hifumi stabbed the meat with his fork.
"Even killing targets and targets of admiration are the same. I, myself, don't believe it to be strange at all. It's a simplicity that appears to be complicated." (Hifumi)
"That's somehow incomprehensible. What do you want to say?" (Helen)
Helen pouts and shakes her ears.
"If you consider it fun to watch such "humans", I wonder whether you want to do interesting stuff together with me from now on." (Hifumi)
"Interesting stuff?" (Reni)
While biting in a crisp, long and narrow vegetable, similar to cucumber, which was put into the salad, Reni showed great curiosity.
"Yea, it will be interesting. In the country, I come from, it's a very popular game." (Hifumi)
Hearing of a game, Helen apparently got curious as well.
"The game is?" (Helen)
"Ah, it's an enjoyable game. It's name is Take the nation." (Hifumi)
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