163.Fragile
魔人族たちの敗残兵をやり過ごし、ゲングとマルファスは魔人族たちに追いつかないように距離を取って荒野を進む。いずれは別の方向へと逸れていくのではないかと考えていたゲングだったが、いつまでたっても、同じ道を進んでいる。
「どういうこった? ひょっとしてあいつら、スラムに向かってるんじゃないか......」
とても今から戦闘を行おうという雰囲気ではないが、人間に敗北したからと狙いをスラムにいる獣人へと変更した可能性が無くも無い。
「ゲングさん......」
不安げに見てくるマルファスを見て、ゲングは予定していたルートを変更し、極力森の中を進むことにする。
他の獣人に襲われる可能性は怖いが、逃げるだけなら何とかなるだろう。
「森へ入るぞ。キツイだろうが、急いでレニさんに知らせなくちゃいかん」
「わかった」
少しだけ魔人族たちの集団へ近づき、確かにソードランテ方面を目指していることを確認し、二人はそっと道を外れて森へと入って行った。
魔人族たちからは見えないと判断できるまで奥に入ると、早足で進む。
「今の人間たちの町には、一二三さんがいる。俺たちがついて行って見たとおり、あの人は移動も速いし、戦いの場に出て行くのに躊躇しない。魔人族が攻めてきたと見れば、さっさと撃退して見せるだろうさ......ひょっとすると、あの魔人族たちは一二三さんに撃退されたのかもな」
ゲングの話を聞いていたマルファスは、黙り込んでいた。
さすが狼の獣人というべき足の速いゲングに、マルファスも何とかついて行く。その中で、ゲングの予想を聞いてからたっぷり十分ほど、走りながら考え込んでいたマルファスが口を開いた。
「魔人族は、まだ人間と戦うつもりかな」
「何を考えてるかと思ったら......さぁな。今回の件で懲りたかも知れないし、準備ができたらまた攻めていくかもな。あるいは......」
ゲングの予想で一番最悪なのは、獣人族を配下に従えて、人間と比べて足りない“人数”を補うことを考える可能性だ。もしさっき見た魔人族の兵たちの行き先が、予想通りソードランテであり、そこへ攻め込むことを考えているのであれば、その狙いは町でありそこにいる人員だろう。
「いかんせん、俺はそこまで頭が回らねぇ。考えるのは人に任せるしかねぇから、できるだけ戦える準備をやっておくに越したことはねぇ」
「レニさんたちは、誰とも戦うつもりはないのかな」
マルファスの言葉に、ゲングは鼻を鳴らした。
「俺が知るわけがねぇ......と言いたいところだが、確実な事は一つだけある」
ゲングが立ち止まり、マルファスの顔を見る。
「レニさんは、感情で仲間を危険にさらすような選択はしない。どうしても守らなければならん物があるか、間違いなく勝てるか。どちらかでなければ、無茶な戦いに仲間を巻き込んだりはしねぇだろうよ」
ゲングが奴隷になった時に、集落のリーダーは戦うことを判断した。結果として仲間の半数が無惨に殺され、残った者は一人残らず奴隷にされ、知っているだけでも、奴隷になった仲間のさらに半数もすでに死んでいる。
もし、自分たちのリーダーがレニのように判断できるものであれば、少なくとも一度退いて立て直す事を考えたかもしれない。
いや、単に強いだけでリーダーを決めるような、野蛮な集団ではなく、リーダーとしての素養を判断して決める理性的な集団であれば......。
なまじレニのやり方を知ってしまってから、ゲングの頭の中で幾度となく浮かんでは、今さら考えても仕方がない事、と記憶の奥に押し込んでいた思いだ。
「とにかく今は、急いでスラムへ戻って......隠れろ!」
マルファスが背負っている荷物を掴み、無理やり木の後ろへ引き込む。
伏せているように言うと、ゲングはそっと木陰から前を確認した。何人かの人影が動いたように見えたのだ。
「この辺にいるのがどの獣人かわからねぇが、穏やかな連中であることを祈るぜ......」
じっと見ていること数秒。遠くの茂みの上に兎の耳が見えた時、ゲングは一安心した。兎獣人であればいきなり襲ってくることは無いだろう。人間であれば、荒野エリアにある森へ入るのに、戦闘力のない兎獣人を連れてくることは考えにくいというのもある。
「立て、マルファス。兎さんだ」
ゲングが素早く下ろした荷物を抱え直し、マルファスも伏せて崩れた荷物をまとめなおしていると、兎耳が近づいてきた。
ガサガサと乱暴に草をかき分けてでてきた顔は、ヘレンだった。数名の獣人を連れて、ゲングの前へ早足で近づいてくる。
「......ゲングさん?」
「ヘレンさん?! なんでこんなところに!」
「こっちのセリフよ。一二三に会いに行ったんじゃなかったの? 迷った?」
ヘレンの冗談に、ゲングは声をあげて笑ったが、マルファスは暗い顔だった。
「人数も減ってるし......本当にどうしたのよ」
話すと長くなりやすが、とゲングはなるべく簡単に、ヴィーネとプーセがそれぞれ人間の国に残ることになったこと、マルファスと一二三の関係について説明した。
ヘレンはそれを聞いて「プーセさんもね......」と不思議そうにしている。プーセ本人があくまでヴィーネの付き添いのつもりでいたのを知っているので、まさか残留するとは思っていなかったのだろう。
「わたしは食料探しと周囲の確認で巡回してたんだけど、丁度よかった」
「それがね......」
ヘレンは自分の長い耳を指でしごきながら、言い辛そうに口をもごもごさせてから、伝えないといけないよね、と口を開いた。
「魔人族が攻めてきたから、全員でスラムを放棄して森に入ったんだよね。で、この先で簡易の集落を作ったってところ」
ゲングは、ヘレンが言った内容を理解するまで、少し時間がかかった。まさかさっきまで考えていた撤退を、レニが実行済みだとは、予想もしていなかったからだ。
「で、ちょっと問題が起きてるんだよね......」
「やっぱり森での生活に戻りたくないって話ですかい?」
ゲングの質問に、ヘレンは首を横に振る。
ゆらゆらと揺れる耳も、心なしか萎れて見えた。
「レニの意見に沿って森で騒動をやり過ごすのを受け入れたグループと、反撃に出てスラムを取り戻そうってグループに分かれちゃってね」
この時、マルファスは一つの決意をしていたのだが、この場にいた誰もがそれに気付くことは無かった。
王都へ向かう一二三の旅には、オリガの努力の甲斐あって、随行は妻であるオリガのみだった。
もとより護衛なぞ必要ないのは誰もがわかっていることであり、収納魔法が使えるのも多くの者が知っていた。
なので、二人がそれぞれの馬に乗って、馬車も無く町を出ていくのを不思議に思っている者はいない。
特に告知もしていなかった旅立ちは、館でカイムやヴィーネ、アリッサの見送りがあるのみで、街の人々は軽装の二人を見て、散歩にでも行くのかと見送る。
当然、フォカロルの町を出る際に止められるようなことも無く、兵士たちの視線を浴びながら、領主夫婦はゆらゆらと馬に乗って門を抜けて行った。
「行ってらっしゃいませ!」
「お気をつけて!」
兵士たちの声に、一二三はひらひらと左手を振って応え、オリガもそっと手を振った。
薄曇りの街道をのんびりと進む二頭の馬。
フォカロル周辺の街道を行く兵士はもちろん、商人たちも一二三の顔を憶えているので、顔を見れば会釈をし、あいさつをしてくる。他の貴族のように気難しいというわけではない、という話が浸透しているせいだろう。
この世界に呼び出されてしばらく経ったが、結局、一二三は身分制度というものをくだらないものと評価して変える気は無い。金は無いと困る。戦争には金がかかることを知っているし、金があれば損得で納得させたうえで人を動かすことができる。
その身分を手に入れた初代であれば、それはその人の価値を示すものとして良いだろうとは思う。だが、相続によって引き継いだ身分はと言えば、精一杯好意的に評価して、“社会構造を混乱させないための仕組み”以上の価値はない。
だからこそ、アリッサがちゃんと受け止めた以上、自分が伯爵という身分を放り捨てることに戸惑いは無い。
便利ではあったが、変に人を使う立場になってしまうと、自分のところまで争いが回って来ないような気がして、もどかしい気持ちがあった。
立場があると、恨みや妬みがあっても近づくことができない。敵に身をさらす機会が減ると、それだけ殺し合いのチャンスは無くなるのではないか? ひょっとすると、自分が領主館で寝泊まりしている間に、相手が貴族だからと復讐を諦めた何者かがいたのではないか?
そう考えると、せっかくの異世界でとても勿体ないことをしていたような気がする。
「余計な事を考えずに、ひたすら殺して回っても良かったのかも知れないな」
だが、結局それでは草刈りをして回る様な、虚しい単純作業の繰り返しになりかねない。オリガと出会い、この国の戦いを知った時の恐怖は今でも憶えている。
『ひょっとして、この世界にいるのは碌に戦えない奴ばかりじゃないのか?』
騎士を殺し、王を殺し、冒険者を殺して魔物を殺した。
どれもこれも、戦いとも言えないような物だった。
あとでオリガに聞いたが、ギルドで真っ二つにした冒険者は、それなりに強い部類だったらしい。アロセールで殺した冒険者も、あのエリアではトップランクだったというし、やはり戦いを広めていく方針はあっていたはずだ、と自分の考えを確かめた。
「そうすると、イメラリアと魔人族がどうするつもりかによって、そろそろ計画の最終段階か」
なんとなく呟いただけの言葉だったが、オリガは肩を震わせ、手綱を握りしめた。
「一二三様......」
いつも通りの調子で聞き返した一二三に、オリガは微笑みを作った。
「急ぐ旅ではありませんから、途中にある温泉が有名な村など寄っていきませんか? きっとおいしい物もありますよ」
「ああ、いいな。ゆっくりした方が色々動きも出てくるだろうから、そうしよう。というより、王都までの道についてはオリガに任せる。行きたいところに寄ってくれ」
急に重大な任務を任され、オリガは目を丸くして固まった。
「どうも、今までの移動は戦場を求めて右往左往して落ち着かなかったからな。折角だから、適当に観光なりうまいものでも食べながら行こう。オリガも忙しかっただろうし、たまにはいいだろう。次にこういう機会があるかどうかわからないからな」
「は、はい」
頭の中で、王都までの街道沿いや少し外れた場所で、名物や観光名所がどこにあるのかを懸命に思い出しながら、オリガはいつしか涙を零していた。
一二三の優しさが、オリガに対する侘びであることに気付いてしまったからだ。
彼の狙いは、平和とは程遠いところにある。現に今までは任務や戦闘で休む間もなく動き続けていて、最終的な一二三の狙いの中にも、平穏という文字は見当たらない。
それを受け入れ、それでも彼の傍にいることを決めた以上、その事に文句を言うつもりは微塵も無い。無いのだが、それでもその計画に巻き込むことを、一二三がオリガに対して多少なり負い目を感じているのではないだろうか。
少し前を行く、一二三の背中はいつもと変わらない。
奴隷として購入された日。ヴィシー相手に暴れまわった時。ホーラントでの戦闘でも、領地を得て領主として活動をしているときでも、その背中は迷いなくまっすぐに進む。
「あなた」
馬を寄せ、オリガは隣に並んだ一二三の、手袋に包まれた左手にそっと手を重ねた。
その薄い魔物の皮を通した向こう側が、どうなっているのかを、いつかの寝物語にオリガは聞いていた。
一二三もいつかは死ぬ。それは彼自身もそう言っていたし、彼が怪我をする場面も見た。現に、手袋の中身は肉体ではない。
「今日中に着ける町で、面白い料理があると聞きました。おそらくあなたが一度も寄られたことの無い町ですけれど、お肉で野菜を豪快に巻いて、特別な香草を使って焼き上げるそうです。あなたもきっと気に入ると思いますよ」
「それはいいな。話を聞いただけで腹が減ってきた。今日の宿はその町にしよう」
「ええ、そういたしましょう」
自分はずるい女だから、この機会で誰よりも、誰にも追いつけないくらい、一二三という人の事を知って、自分の事をもっと知ってもらおう。そして、一二三にわかってもらうのだ。彼が何を考えて、何をやろうとも、ずっと隣に寄り添う存在がいるのだ、と。
本当の意味で伴侶として認めてもらい、もっと正直な彼の言葉を聞くために。
いつか来る、終わりの前に。
Chapter 163: Fragile
Letting the remnants of the defeated demon army pass, Gengu and Malfas traverse the wastelands while keeping a distance so that they don't catch up with them. Gengu wondered whether they will deviate towards another direction sooner or later, but, no matter how much time passes, they follow the same path.
"What's this about? Are those guys possibly heading towards the slums...?" (Gengu)
They don't have an aura as if they are about to head into battle from now on, however it's not entirely impossible that they changed their target to the beastmen living in the slums after having lost to the humans.
"Gengu-san..." (Malfas)
Looking at Malfas who watches him uneasily, Gengu decides to change their planned route towards advancing through the forests as much as possible.
I'm afraid of the possibility of being attacked by other beastmen, but if it's just running away, we will manage somehow.
"We will enter the forest. It might get difficult, but we haven't any other choice but to hurry in order to inform Reni." (Gengu)
"Got it." (Malfas)
Closing in on the demon group a bit, he confirmed that they are definitely heading in the direction of Swordland. The two of them got off the path quietly and went into the forest.
Once they have entered a depth where Gengu judges that they aren't visible by the demons, they advance at a quick pace.
"Hifumi is currently in the human cities. As you could see from him following us, that person travels quickly as well. He won't hesitate to go towards a battlefield. If he sees the demons coming to attack, he will likely repel them quickly... maybe those demons were actually repelled by Hifumi." (Gengu)
Listening to Gengu's talk, Malfas fell into silence.
Malfas somehow manages to accompany Gengu who is fast on his feet as should be expected of a wolf beastman. After listening to Gengu's predictions, Malfas, who pondered about it while running to an extent that it's more than enough, opened his mouth as he is following Gengu,
"Do the demons still intend to fight against the humans?" (Malfas)
"If I ponder about what they are planning... I've no idea. They might have learned their lesson this time. Likewise they might attack once again after having finished their preparations. Or..." (Gengu)
If the destination of the of the demon soldiers we saw just now is Swordland as expected, and if they are planning to attack that place, their target will likely be the beastmen living in that city.
"Unfortunately my head can't process things so far ahead. Since I've always left the thinking part to others, there's no other option but to spend our time on preparing as much as possible so that we are able to fight." (Gengu)
"Reni-san and the others don't have any intention to fight with anyone, I think?" (Malfas)
Gengu snorted due to Malfas' remark.
"There are parts where I want to say... 'not like I would know', but there's one thing that's definite." (Gengu)
Gengu stops and looks at Malfas' face.
"Reni-san won't emotionally choose an option that seems like it'll expose her comrades to danger. If there's nothing she has to protect by all means or no way to definitely win, she won't drag her comrades into an unreasonable battle, I'm sure." (Gengu)
At the time when Gengu became a slave, the leader of the village had decided to fight. As a result of that, half of his friends had been pointlessly killed and the remaining survivors had all been turned into slaves. Though he had just recently heard of it, but half of his friends that had been turned into slaves have already died.
If their leader was someone capable of making decisions like Reni, he might have at least considered to retreat temporarily to reorganize.
No, if we had been a group that decided its leader by judging their accomplishments and not just a savage group that settles on a leader simply going by their strength...
After half-heartedly getting to know Reni's methods, this popped up in Gengu's head many times, but, as it's something that can't be helped even if he broods over it now after such long time, he pushed back those thoughts inside his memories.
"Anyway, for now we have to hurry to return to the slums... Hide!" (Gengu)
He grabs the luggage Malfas is carrying and forcibly pulls it behind a tree.
After telling Malfas to conceal himself, Gengu silently checked their front from within the shade of the tree. It looked as if several figures of people moved about.
"I don't know what kind of beastmen live around here, but I pray that they are a gentle lot..." (Gengu)
He watches fixedly for several seconds. Gengu felt relieved when he saw the ears of a rabbit atop a distant thicket.
"Stand up, Malfas. It's a rabbit-san." (Gengu)
Gengu quickly picked up his dropped luggage and, once Malfas had also fixed all the luggage that had been thrown into disarray due to him lying down, they approached the rabbit ears.
The face that appeared after roughly pushing its way through the grass with a rustling was that of Helen. Leading several beastmen, she draws nears to in front of Gengu at a fast pace.
"... Gengu-san?" (Helen)
"Helen-san!? What are you doing in this place!?" (Gengu)
"That's my line. Haven't you gone to meet Hifumi-san? Did you get lost?" (Helen)
Gengu burst out in laughter due to Helen's joke, but Malfas had a bitter expression.
"Your numbers have decreased as well... What did actually happen?" (Helen)
"It's a long story ~ssu", Gengu explained as simple as possible that Viine and Puuse remained in the human country and about Malfas' relationship with Hifumi.
Hearing that, Helen looks curious and says [Puuse-san, too, eh...?]  Since Helen knows that Puuse herself only went there with the intention of accompanying Viine, she never expected her to actually stay behind, too.
"I just went on patrol to check the surrounding area and to search for food, but you are just right in time." (Helen)
"That is, you know..." (Helen)
After Helen mumbled under hear breath as if it was difficult to say while fiddling with one of her long ears with her fingers, she said "I have to tell you, don't I?" and continued,
"Since the demons came to attack us, we abandoned the slums with everyone and entered the forest. And so we built a simple village ahead of here." (Helen)
It took a bit time until Gengu understood what Helen had told him. That's because he didn't actually expect Reni to completely realize the evacuation he had pondered about until some time ago.
"So, a little problem has cropped up..." (Helen)magic
"It's about them not wanting to return to the forest after all, isn't it?" (Gengu)
Helen shakes her head at Gengu's question.
Even her ears that are slowly shaking looked somewhat dejected.
"We ended up splitting into a group, which accepted Reni's opinion of letting the strife go past inside the forest, and one that wants to take back the slums by mounting a counter-attack." (Helen)
At that moment Malfas came to one decision, but none of those present noticed that.
On the travel of Hifumi towards the capital, his only attendant was his wife, Origa, which was also a result of her great efforts towards that effect.
Everyone knows that there was no need for an escort to begin with, and many people were also aware that Hifumi could use storage magic.
Therefore there wasn't a single person that considered it odd for the two of them mounting a horse each and leaving the city without using a carriage.
The setting-off that hadn't been particularly announced was only seen off by Caim, Viine and Alyssa at the mansion. The citizens, seeing the two of them wearing lightweight equipment, let them pass by while probably thinking that they were just going for a walk.
Of course they weren't stopped at the time they left the city of Fokalore. While being warmly showered with the looks of the soldiers, the feudal lord couple passed through the gate while slowly swaying on their horses.
"Have a good trip!"
"Please take care!"
Hifumi replied to the voices of the soldiers with a light wave of his left hand and even Origa quietly waved her hands.
Two horses leisurely advanced on the highway below a slightly cloudy sky.
Since the merchants and, of course, the soldiers patrolling the highway in the vicinity of Fokalore know Hifumi's face, they greet him or salute to him upon sight. That's probably because the story that he isn't as moody as other nobles has sunk into the people's mind.
It will be troublesome if there's no money. And I know that war costs money. If there's money, people can operate based on their grasp of gains and losses.
If it's the first generation that obtained that social status, it's probably fine as it shows the value of that person
That's why I have no hesitation to abandon my social status of Earl, seeing that Alyssa accepted it reliably.
Although it was out of convenience, I feel like conflict won't come around to my place, if I end up in a strange position that employs others. It was an irritating feeling.
Even if there's resentment and jealousy, those won't be able to approach me as long as I have a certain social standing. If the opportunities to expose myself to enemies decreases, won't the chances to kill others vanish in accordance? Aren't there possibly some people who gave up on their revenge because their opponent is a noble while I was staying in the feudal lord's mansion?
If I consider it like that, I feel like it's something far too wasteful after finally having come to a different world.
"It would probably be great if I could simple-mindedly kill without having to ponder about unnecessary things." (Hifumi)
However, in the end it's quite likely for that to become a repetitive, empty and simple work just like spending time on mowing grass. Even now I remember the dismay at the time I learned of the battles of this country after meeting Origa.
{Are there by chance only people who can't fight decently in this world?} 
I killed knights, kings, adventurers and monsters.
All of them were people where you couldn't even call it a fight.
I asked Origa afterwards, but it seems that the adventurer I cut into two halves in the guild belonged to a reasonably strong category. Even the adventurer I killed in Arosel was called the top adventurer in that area. I should enforce my plan to spread fighting after all
"Once I do so, it will soon enter the final stages of the plan depending on what Imeraria and the demons are planning to do, won't it?" (Hifumi)
Those were words he had only murmured for some reason or another, but Origa tightly grasped the reins with her shoulders trembling.
"Hifumi-sama..." (Origa)
Origa produced a smile due to Hifumi answering her in his usual way.
"Can we drop by a village famous for its hot baths along the way since we are in no hurry? I'm certain that they will have delicious food as well." (Origa)
"Yeah, that's a nice idea. Let's do that since various developments will likely become apparent by moving slowly. Or rather, I will leave the path to the royal capital to you, Origa. Please make a short visit at any place you want to go to." (Hifumi)
Suddenly being assigned an important task, Origa stiffened while staring in wonder.
"Really, my travels until now weren't calm and went this way and that way in my pursuit of the battlefield. Since it's a long-awaited occasion, let's proceed while eating delicious stuff and enjoying some proper sightseeing. You were busy as well, Origa, weren't you? I think this way of handling things is fine once in a while. After all I don't know whether there will be such opportunity after this." (Hifumi)
"Y-Yes." (Origa)
Origa spilled tears before realizing it while eagerly recalling inside her head where there are sightseeing spots and famous local products along the highway towards the capital and at places slightly away from it.
Hifumi's kindness ended up being perceived as apology towards her by Origa.
His objective is peace down a long, long road. In reality he continues to move without the time to rest due to battles and duties. In the end the word
Having accepted that, and on top of that, having decided to stay at his side despite that, she hasn't the slightest intention to complain about it. And although that's the case, doesn't Hifumi still feel a slight indebtedness towards Origa for having involved her in his plans?
The back of Hifumi, who is slightly ahead, is no different from usual.
On the day I was bought as slave, at the time when he rampaged around with Vichy as opponent, in the battle with Horant and even at the time he spent actively as feudal lord after obtaining territory; his back always advances straight ahead without any hesitation.
"Dear." (Origa)
Bringing her horse close, Origa lined up next to him and gently placed her hand on the left hand of Hifumi that was covered by a glove.
Origa heard how the other side of that thin monster skin became as it is now during a pillow talk the other day.
Hifumi will die sooner or later, too. He himself said so as well. There were also situations where he got injured. In reality, the contents of that glove aren't flesh anymore.
"I heard that there's interesting food in the city we will reach by the end of the day. Very likely it's a city you never visited even once, but apparently the vegetables are heartily enveloped by meat and then grilled while using special herbs. I believe that it will suit your taste, dear." (Origa)
"That sounds great. I got hungry by just hearing you talk about it. Let's lodge in that city today." (Hifumi)
"Yes, let's do that." (Origa)
Because I'm a sly woman, I will learn about the person called Hifumi and have him learn about me to the extent that no one will be able to catch up. And I will have Hifumi understand as well: No matter what he does or what he plans to do, there's someone that will always stay close to him.
I will have him accept me as spouse in the truest meaning, in order to hear the words of his heart.
It will happen in time, before the end.
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