18
「さあ、次はどいつだ?」
獰猛な笑みを見せるジェックスに尻込みしてしまう騎士達。
その様子を見たジェックスは、ここが攻め時と判断して声を張り上げる。
「野郎共! 敵が怯んでいる今がチャンスだ!」
二人の戦いに見入っていた餓狼の牙たちもジェックスの言葉に雄叫びを上げて騎士達へと果敢に攻める。
隊長が騎士達を鼓舞するが先程の光景を目に焼き付けてしまった騎士達の動きは鈍い。それに加えて士気が向上し勢いに乗っている餓狼の牙たちに騎士達は次々と倒れていくのであった。
「ここまでか......」
「お前が大将か」
「......首を刎ねるがいい」
「俺達は殺しはしない。だが、その身に刻め。俺達という存在を!!!」
ジェックスの一撃で意識を刈り取られてしまい隊長は地に倒れる。残っていた騎士達も、やがて全員が倒される。
騒がしかった森の中に静寂が訪れる。餓狼の牙は自分達の痕跡を消して、立ち去ろうかとした時バルバロトが行く手を塞いだ。
ジェックスが放った突風で吹き飛ばされたバルバロトは満身創痍となっていた。しかし、騎士としての務めを果たす為にボロボロの身体でありながら、餓狼の牙の行く手を阻んだのだ。
「逃がしはしない......」
「まだ動けるのか......」
「騎士としての誇りがある。ここから先へは行かせんぞ」
「ふ......大した奴だよ。お前は。出来る事なら違う場所で違う形で会いたかった」
皮肉な笑みを浮かべるジェックスは立ち塞がるバルバロトに剣先を向ける。
「お前の誇りも思いもへし折ってやるよ」
「そう簡単に折れると思うなよ!」
バルバロトとジェックスの最後の戦いが始まった。満身創痍で疲弊しているバルバロトは圧倒的に不利な状態であろうとジェックスに喰らいついている。
対するジェックスは無傷ではあるが、バルバロトとの死闘に加えて騎士達を相手にしたから体力は少ない。しかし、バルバロトほどではない。この戦いにジェックスが負ける要素は何一つないのだ。
しばらくの間、戦いは続いたがやはりバルバロトは限界が来ていたのか剣を落として片膝を地面に着けた。
びっしょりと汗を流しながら、荒い呼吸を繰り返している。
「よくここまで戦ったもんだ。だが、その身体じゃもう無理だろう」
無情にも片膝を地面に着けているバルバロトの首に剣を添えるジェックス。それでもバルバロトは諦めていないのか、鋭い眼光でジェックスを睨み付ける。
「ハッ。まだ、そんな目が出来るとはな。でもな、これが現実だ。周りを見てみろ。お前以外の騎士は倒れ、助けてくれる仲間もいない。
この状況でまだお前は戦うと言うのか?」
「ふ......分かりきっている事を聞くな」
「そうか......そうだな。バルバロト・ドグラム。貴殿は良き騎士だった」
ジェックスはバルバロトを賞賛するに相応しい相手だと認める。そして、同時に脅威な相手だと判断して剣を振り上げる。
(ああ......レオルド様。剣の稽古に行けない事をお許しください)
バルバロトは最後にレオルドへの謝罪をすると、意識を失ってしまった。
完全に意識を失い倒れたバルバロトを一瞥したジェックスは部下達を引き連れて森を抜けた。
森を抜けた餓狼の牙は騎士達を壊滅させた事を笑いながら語り合っていた。本来ならば格上の相手で実力では確実に劣っていた相手に完勝を果たしたのだから、その喜びは計りようがない。
だが、やはり一番大きな勝因はジェックスがバルバロトに勝利した事だろう。
あの一戦は餓狼の牙と騎士達の士気を大きく左右する戦いだった。故にあの一戦で勝っていたのがバルバロトなら結果は変わっていたかもしれない。
かもしれないと言うだけで既に結末は変わらない。騎士達は敗北し、餓狼の牙が勝利したと言う事実は覆る事はない。
先頭を歩いているジェックスに少女が歩み寄る。ジェックスは歩み寄ってくる少女には目もくれず真っ直ぐ歩き続ける。
「ねえ、どうして腕を折るだけにしたの? あの人、治ったらまた来るよ?」
「......あれ程の男から剣を奪うのは忍びないからな」
「でも、魔剣の能力がなかったら危なかったんだよ!? もし、また戦う事になったら――」
「ずるい......ずるいよ、ジェックスは」
頭に置かれた手に優しく触れる少女は、何も言えなくなってしまった。
餓狼の牙は拠点である洞窟に帰ってきた。入り口をカモフラージュで隠しているので、騎士達にも見つかっていない。
しかし、今回の件で移動を考えなければならないとジェックスは提案する。
「今回は騎士達を倒せたが、恐らく次は人数を増やしてくるはずだ。それに今回のような奇襲も通用しないと考えた方がいい。
だから、一先ずは身を隠す。だが、俺達は討伐された訳じゃないから当分は国も俺たちを警戒するだろうよ。しばらくの間、耐えてくれ」
悲痛な表情を浮かべて頭を下げるジェックスに部下達は笑って答えた。
「はは。何言ってんだよ。耐えるのは俺達得意って知ってるだろ」
「だな。長い間耐えてきたんだ。今更、どうってことないさ」
「久しぶりに故郷に顔を出すのもいいかもな」
「いいな。休暇ってことでありだな」
「お前ら......暗い話はなしだ。時がくれば、また召集をかける。その時まで誰も欠けるんじゃないぞ。勿論、俺達の信条も忘れるな」
こうして餓狼の牙はしばらくの間活動を休止する事になる。国も活動を休止した餓狼の牙を捜索するも見つからず、餓狼の牙を一旦放置する事に決めた。
「ジェックス。これからどうするの?」
「しばらくはあそこで過ごすさ」
「ん。じゃあ、久しぶりにチビ達と遊べるね」
「ああ。そんじゃ、行くか」
「うん!」
Ch 18
"Now, who's next?"
The knights shy away from Jex, who shows a ferocious smile.
When Jex sees this, he decides it's time to attack and raises his voice.
"Bastards! This is your chance now, when the enemy is scared!
The Hungry Wolf Fangs, who had been watching the two fight, also shouted at Jex's words and boldly attacked the knights.
The captain inspires the knights, but their movements are sluggish because of the scene they just witnessed. In addition to this, the knights were falling one after another to the hungry wolf fangs that were gaining momentum and improving morale.
"This is it. ......
"You're the  cpitan ?"
". ...... Take his head off.
"We're not going to kill you. , but you must know who you are. We are who we are!"
The captain falls to the ground as his consciousness is reaped by Jex's blow. The remaining knights are soon all defeated as well.
Silence falls over the noisy forest. The Fang of the Hungry Wolf had covered their tracks and were about to leave when Barbaroth blocked their way.
Barbaroth was blown away by a gust of wind that Jex had unleashed, leaving him with wounds all over his body. However, in order to fulfill his duty as a knight, he blocked the way of the hungry wolf's fangs despite his battered body.
"I won't let you escape. ......"
"Can you still move? ......"
"I'm proud to be a knight. You can't go any further from here."
"You're a great guy, ....... You are. I wish we could have met in a different place, anda different way."
A sarcastic smile appeared on Jex's face as he pointed his sword at the standing Barbaroth.
"I'm going to break your pride and your heart."
"Don't think you can  kill me that easily!
The final battle between Barbaroth and Jex began. Barbaroto, exhausted and with wounds all over his body, is biting at Jex even though he is at an overwhelming disadvantage.
Jex, on the other hand, was unharmed, but his strength was low because he had fought to the death with Barbaroth and had also taken on the knights. However, he is not as strong as Barbaroth. There was nothing for Jex to lose in this battle.
The fight went on for a while, but Barbaroto had reached his limit, and he dropped his sword and dropped to one knee on the ground.
He was drenched in sweat and breathing hard.
"You've fought your way to this point. But your body can't take it anymore.
Jex puts his sword to Barbaroto's neck, who is mercilessly on one knee on the ground. Even so, Barbaroto does not give up and glares at Jex with a sharp eye.
"Ha. I didn't know you could still see like that. But here's the thing. Look around you. You are the only knight who has survived , and you have no friends to help you.
Do you still want to fight in this situation?"
"Don't ask me  such thing ......."
"Well, ...... you're right. Barbaroth Dogram. You've been a good knight."
Jex finds Barbaroth to be a worthy opponent to admire. He also raises his sword, judging him to be a threatening opponent at the same time.
(Oh ...... Master Leoldo. Forgive me for not being able to go to sword practice.)
Barbaroto made one last apology to Leoldo and then lost consciousness.
After taking a glance at the completely unconscious and collapsed Barbaroto, Jex led his men through the forest.
As they passed through the forest, the hungry wolf fangs were laughing and talking about how they had destroyed the knights. The joy of the victory was immeasurable, as they had defeated a superior opponent who was certainly inferior to them in terms of strength.
However, the biggest reason for the victory was probably Jex's victory over Barbaroth.
That battle was a battle that greatly affected the morale of the Hungry Wolf Fang and the knights. If it had been Barbaroto who had won that battle , the outcome might have been different.
Just because you say it might have, it doesn't change the outcome. The fact that the knights were defeated and the hungry wolf's fangs were victorious will never be overturned.
A girl walks up to Jex, who is walking in the lead. The knights were defeated, and the fact that the Hungry Wolf Fang had won could not be overturned.
"Hey, why did you only break arm? He'll come back when he's better, okay?"
"...... I couldn't bear to take the sword from such a man.
"But if  he  didn't have the ability to use the magic sword,  you  would have been in danger! If we had to fight again--"
"It's not fair ......, Jex."
The girl who gently touched the hand on her head was unable to say anything.
The Hungry Wolf's Fang returned to the cave that was  their base. The entrance was hidden by camouflage, so the knights hadn't spotted them.
However, Jex suggested that they should think about moving this time.
"We were able to defeat the knights this time, but they will probably increase their numbers next time. The next time, they will probably be more numerous, and surprise attacks like this one will not work.
That's why we have to hide for now. But we haven't been defeated, so the country will be wary of us for the time being. Just bear with  it in mind for a while."
The subordinates laughed and replied to Jex who bowed his head with a sad expression on his face.
They laughed and said, "Haha. What are you talking about? You know we're good at enduring."
"Yes, we are. We've endured for a long time. It doesn't matter now."
"Maybe it's good to see your hometown for the first time in a while."
"Sounds good. It'll be like a vacation."
"No ...... gloomy talk, boys. When the time comes, I'll call you back. Until then, no one is left out. And of course, don't forget our creed."
This is how the Fang of the Hungry Wolf suspended its activities for a while. The government searched for the Fang of the Hungry Wolf, but could not find them, so they decided to leave them alone.
"Jex. What are you going to do now?"
"We're going to stay there for a while."
"Hmm. So you can play with the little guys for the first time in a while.
"Yeah. Let's go, then.'
"Yeah!"
Eroge Reincarnation, Struggle of a Golden Pig Aristocrat Against Fate
エロゲ転生　運命に抗う金豚貴族の奮闘記
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/eroge-reincarnation-struggle-of-a-golden-pig-aristocrat-against-fate/
Action Adventure Comedy Fantasy Harem Romance Shounen Slice of Life
Adapted to Manga Age Progression Aristocracy Beautiful Female Lead Broken Engagement Butlers Character Growth Complex Family Relationships Cowardly Protagonist Crafting Dense Protagonist Domestic Affairs Doting Parents Elemental Magic Emotionally Weak Protagonist Empires Fallen Nobility Fantasy Creatures Fantasy World Fat Protagonist Fat to Fit Galge Handsome Male Lead Hard-Working Protagonist Harsh Training Kingdom Building Kingdoms Knights Late Romance Lost Civilizations Loyal Subordinates Magic Magic Formations Maids Male Protagonist Management Manipulative Characters Marriage Misunderstandings Modern Knowledge Monsters Naive Protagonist Nobles Reincarnated in a Game World Royalty Sadistic Characters Sword And Magic Sword Wielder Time Skip Transmigration Underestimated Protagonist Weak to Strong Wizards
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4214gk/
名無しの権兵衛