112.Livin’ La Vida Loca
ウェパルたちが城門へ辿り着いた時には、すでに一二三の姿は城の中へと消えた後だった。それだけ、一二三の心が戦いに高揚しており、その遊戯の時間は短いものだったという事がわかる。
「うぇ、おえええ......」
「ちょ......えろろろ......」
ウェパルについてきた治癒魔法使いの少女が、いきなり目にした惨状に思い切り吐瀉し、すぐ横にいたもう一人の少女も、もらった。
やれやれ、と肩をすくめたウェパルは、冷静な目で城門周辺を見回す。
誰ひとり、無事な者は存在しない。
男も女も関係なく、年齢も関係なく、全ての者に等しく死が訪れていた。
「派手にやってくれたわね」
「隊長、あの人間は中へ入っていったのでしょうか。王がいる、城内へ」
「でしょうね」
吐いてはいないものの、青い顔をした部下の言葉に、ウェパルはため息混じりに答えた。
「何しろ、王を倒して私を新たな魔人族の王に据えるらしいからね」
「......正気ですか?」
「私に言わないでよ」
腕を組み、ウェパルは口をへの字に曲げる。
「でも、あの目は本気だったわ。どういう思考をしているのかわからないけれど、王を殺すなんてとんでもない事を、実現できる目標として捉えている表情よ、あれは」
問題があるとすれば、とウェパルが城を見上げると、周りにいた部下たちも、未だにえづいている二人を除いて、同じように王の私室あたりを見上げた。
「あの王に、人間が勝てるかどうか、よね」
ウェパルの言葉に、全員が頷いた。
魔人族の兵士たちは知っている。若く、少年にしか見えない王が、なぜ王として君臨し続けているのかを。
「げぇっ、うえっ」
「ぺっぺっ、なんか口の中が気持ち悪い。うがいしたいね、うがい」
重苦しいはずの空気は、少女たちのせいでいまいち締まらなかった。
フォカロルの軍が、多くの人々の歓声を浴びながら町の大門から列を成して出て行く。
揃いの戦闘服を身に纏い、槍や剣、中には鎖鎌などの武器を手にした兵士たちの顔は、緊張混じりの笑顔だった。
その数は五百名。これでも、トオノ伯爵領で正規兵として勤務する者たちの半数以下でしかない。金食い虫の常備軍をこれだけの規模で運用できるだけの財政基盤を持っているのは、各国の王都以外ではこの伯爵領のみであろう。
「魔物なんて、全滅させてくれよ!」
「ちゃんと帰ってきてね!」
黄色い声援も野太い叱咤も入り混じり、まるで音の波が押し寄せてくるようだった。
町の外に出た兵士たちは慣れた動きで整列し、街道沿いにズラリと顔を並べて正面にいる人物に視線を向けた。
「それじゃ、出発するよ!」
「応!」
先頭に進む幌のない露天の馬車の上から、アリッサが小さな身体を精一杯伸ばして叫ぶと、大勢の声が重なって返って来た。
ゆるゆると進み始めた馬車にはアリッサの他に補佐としてミュカレが同乗し、その後ろから、物資を運ぶ輜重部隊の馬車を挟み、兵士たちが進む。
「とりあえずは、ヴィシー方面へ進むって事で良かったよね」
「ええ、すでに馭者には指示を出しております。アリッサ様はゆっくり座っていていただいて大丈夫ですよ」
カップに入れたお茶を差し出しながら、ミュカレは微笑んだ。
「ありがとう」
微笑み返したアリッサの顔を見て、ミュカレは鼻の奥がツンとなるのを必死で抑え、傍らに置いていた書類を手にした。
「このまま、ヴィシー方面へ進みながら順次魔物を掃討して行きます。基本的には街道及びその周辺の安全確保が主目的となりますが......最終的には、ヴィシーへの圧力を強め、暴発すれば開戦。しなければ駐留部隊を置いて国境警備の名目で人の出入りを制限すること。これが、領主様の指示の全てです」
「具体的な事が何にも書かれてないよね」
口を尖らせ、アリッサは腰の後ろに提げている脇差の位置を調整した。馬車の振動が響いて、座りが悪い。
「これも、アリッサ様と私に課せられた“宿題”ですわ。ですが、二人で力を合わせればこの程度の作戦、造作もなく熟せることでしょう」
「うん、頼りにしてるね。ミュカレさん」
辛うじてポーカーフェイスを保つミュカレの内心を悶絶させる、明るい笑顔を見せたアリッサだったが、並び歩く兵士たちへ視線を向けると、真剣な眼差しに変わった。
フォカロルに人が集まるに連れ、警備や治安維持のために多くの人数が必要になっていく。仕事を求めてやってくる人々もそれだけ多くいたので、人員補充に関しては特に問題は発生しなかった。
訓練と勉強を繰り返した精鋭たちは、それぞれの得意分野に割り振られていく。
魔物との戦いや、街中での事件などで時折命を落とす者が出たものの、然程影響なくフォカロル領軍は巨大化していった。
そして、いつかの戦闘以来、久しぶりの軍事行動である。相変わらず活用されている台車には、プルフラスが自ら会心の出来だと語った新型の投槍機が据え付けられている。
「......誰も、死んで欲しくは無いんだ。知っている人が死んじゃうのは悲しいから。仕方ないと思って押さえ込むことはできるけれど、それでも」
アリッサの視線が、ミュカレへと向いた。
「一二三さんが何を目指しているか、初めて聞いた時はどう思った?」
「......正直、とてもとても迷惑な話だと思いました。訓練と称して仔馬の尻を叩いて走らせるような、無茶な真似だと思いますけれど」
「あはっ、その例えは面白いね」
吹き出したアリッサは、腰の後ろから脇差を鞘ごと外して、目の前で抜いた。
「一二三さんって、暇があると自分の刀をじっと見てるんだよ。知ってた?」
手首を返し、キラリと光を反射する。
「前にね、どうしてそんなに刀をじっと見つめるのか聞いたことがあるんだ」
それは、一二三が日課の稽古を終え、黙想を終えて刀を手入れをしている時だった。オリガも交えて三人で食事をしようと思ったアリッサが、一二三の自室に入ったとき、室内にあるのは耳が痛くなるほどの沈黙の中に佇む、刀と男だった。
「自分が死ぬ時の事を想像しているんだって」
思わず声のトーンを上げて聞き返してしまったミュカレは、顔を赤らめた。
「僕も、最初に聞いたときは同じように聞き返したよ」
楽しそうにアリッサは笑った。
ひとしきり、ケラケラと笑ったアリッサは、目の端に浮かんだ涙を指で拭った。
「前に話したっけ、僕がヴィシーの兵士だったとき、酷い目にあって死んじゃうような目に遭ったこと」
「ええ、覚えています」
「あの時は、死ぬのがすごい怖かった。やりたかったこともあったし、美味しいものも楽しいことも、この痛いのが終わったら、全部全部お終いなんだって思った」
馬車が小石に乗り上げ、大きく揺れる。
少しだけバランスを崩したミュカレと対照的に、アリッサは軽く腰を浮かせて衝撃を逃がした。
「でも、今は一二三さんに聞いた通りに、いつ死んでも悔いが無いように懸命に生きてるよ。もちろん死にたくないし、一二三さんについて行くことを決めた時には、そこまで考えてなかったけれど」
脇差の鞘を、優しく撫でる。
一二三のものと同様に、黒塗りに仕上げられた鞘は、敢えて光沢を消した暗闇を思わせる黒だった。
「きっとね。いつ死んでも良いように、頑張って生きる事が大事だって、一二三さんはみんなに伝えたいんだと思うんだ。言葉のまんま“殺し合い”をするんだけれど、それが一番わかりやすいから、みんなと殺し合いをしようって、そういう事だと思ってる。......ミュカレさんが言う通り、はた迷惑だと思うけどね」
ミュカレは、はにかむアリッサの目の奥に見える怪しげな光が、一二三に似たものだと気づいた。
「......では、私も後悔しない生き方をしましょう。誰に対しても胸を張って生きていけるように努力をしましょう」
「ね。このおかしな人生も、きっと楽しいよ」
後ろからついてきている兵士たちには、女性二人が和やかに話しているようにしか見えなかったが、古参の数名だけが、頼もしくも恐ろしい、どこかで知っている空気を感じていた。
一二三は全身あちこちに切り傷や火傷を負い、両腕にも両足にも、青痣をいくつも作っていた。
それでも、前髪や切っ先から血を滴らせる刀を右手に提げて歩く姿は堂々としており、オリガやウェパルが見たならば美しいと表現したかもしれない。
袴はあちこちに穴が空き、右肩や脇腹も地肌が覗いている。
「無人......いや、隠れているだけか」
誘うように開かれた扉から城内へと入り込んだ一二三は、何人かの視線を感じながら進む。
それら視線の主は、攻撃してくる様子は無いものの敵意はたっぷりと含んでいる。外で殺された連中の同僚でもあるのだろう。
「なにを大人しく見ているんだか。俺を殺したいなら、そうするべきだろうに」
「兵たちを挑発するのはやめてもらおう」
暗い廊下の先から姿を表したのはフェゴールだった。
昼間に見たようなスマイルは消え失せ、真剣に一二三の挙動を見逃すまいとする視線が突き刺さる。
「お前か。昼に見たアガチオンとやらが、随分と手荒な迎えを寄越してくれたからな。礼を言いたいんだが」
一二三は本気で礼を言うつもりだったのだが、フェゴールは皮肉だと受け取った。
「......心にも無い事を。王が呼んでいる。ついてくるように」
「お前は、参加しないのか?」
こんなに楽しく盛り上がっている夜なのに、つまらないだろう、と一二三は笑った。
「余裕だな、人間。だがそれも、王の御前に立つまでの話だ」
背を向けて歩き出したフェゴールを斬るかどうか迷ったが、一二三はこのままの方が楽しそうだ、と思った。ウェパルが本気で王の座を忌避した場合、フェゴールを代わりに王の座に据える事も考える必要があるかもしれない。
硬質な音を響かせ、石造りの床を踏みしめながらあるくフェゴールの心境は、その表情からは読み取ることはできない。
その内心は複雑だった。
王の強さへの絶対の信頼があり、さらには罠も用意している。
人間の強さはある程度知っているフェゴールにとって、王が出るまでもないというのが正直な感想ではある。
だが、城門前で見せた一二三の強さは、フェゴールが知る人間のそれは逸脱していた。
(なんとしても、彼の武器だけは奪わなくては)
それが、王の望みであれば命などいつでも投げ出す。
だが、王の期待に応えられずに終わるわけにはいかない。
一二三がしっかりとついてきている事は足音でわかる。
そう長くない通路を抜け、フェゴールは目的の場所へ辿り着いた。
3階部分まで吹き抜けとなったホールには円筒形の室内のあちらこちらに魔法の光が灯され、揺れる光が幻想的な空間を演出していた。
「おう、これは広いな」
一二三の感想が聞こえたが、フェゴールは言葉を返す事はしなかった。
それよりも仕掛けが無事に動くかどうかがフェゴールには気になる。そして、ホールの奥、壇上にて玉座に収まっているアガチオンの姿も。
「よく来たね、一二三」
まだおはようには早いかな、とアガチオンは笑みを浮かべたが、昼間のように立ち上がることはしない。
君臨していることを示すかのように、肘をついて一二三を見下ろしている。
「ああ、おかげで楽しい時間を過ごすことができた。礼を言おう」
「それは良かった。それを聞けば、彼らも浮かばれるよ」
語りあいながら、一二三が自然と歩を進める。
フェゴールの隣を通り過ぎた。
そこで何か仕掛けてくるかと考えていた一二三だが、視線以外になにも向けてこないフェゴールに拍子抜けして、目の前のアガチオンに集中する。
「昔から」
一二三がホール中央に差し掛かったとき、アガチオンが何かを語り始めた。
「そう、我々の数代前の者たちが、国とも呼べない集落を作り、この不毛の土地で懸命に生きていた頃から、魔人族は武器や道具を使うようになったそうだ。それまでは、強力な魔法と身体能力で充分に他種族を圧倒できたし、実際にエルフにしてやられるまでの長い期間、それで充分だった」
「なるほどな。随分前に魔人族は武器を使わないと聞いて、ここで実物を見て勘違いだと思っていたが、そういうことか」
立ち止まった一二三は、手に提げ持ったままの刀を揺らした。
「でもね。魔人族の特性が魔法に特化している事には変わりない。たまにベレトのような肉体派が出てくるけれど、生まれ持った特性に支えられた強力な魔法は、他の種族では真似出来ない、僕たちだけの力だよ」
アガチオンが立ち上がり、両手を広げた。
魔法を放つつもりかと一二三が見据えるが、その兆候は見えない。
「人間のように。そう、君のように強力な武器があれば、充分に戦えるだろうね。でも、それに頼らず僕たちは自分たちの力だけで戦う事ができる。それだけ強力な魔法を、僕たちは使えるんだ。例えば、フェゴールのような強力な結界魔法とか、ね」
攻撃魔法が飛んで来ると予想していた一二三は、その言葉でフェゴールの方を見た。
フェゴールは両手をだらりと下げ、ただ立っているだけであった。
だが、一二三は自分の周囲の空気が変わった事に気づいた。
「この感覚は......」
次第に、周囲を丸く囲む、薄ぼんやりとした膜が見えてきた。
「フェゴールの結界魔法は、エルフが僕たちを閉じ込めている結界と同様かそれ以上の強さだよ。最も、あれほど広範囲にはできないけれどね」
「恐縮です」
頭を下げたフェゴールに、鷹揚に手を振って応えたアガチオン。そして、結界に閉じ込められた一二三を見てほくそ笑む。
「どうやら、その武器には強い能力が付与されているようだ。しかし、どんなに鋭い刃も、相手に届かなければ意味が無い」
アガチオンの合図で、フェゴールはもう一つ張っていた結界を消した。
それはホールの天井を支えていた結界で、通常は天井裏で固定されている石材の集合体だった。
固定具はあらかじめ外され、フェゴールの結界で支えられていた石材は、重力に引かれて同時に崩れ始める。
当然、その様子を真下で見上げていた一二三に向かって、大きな石材が次々と落下していく。
轟音と砂埃、砕けた石を撒き散らしながら、筒状の結界の中に瓦礫が積み上がっていく。
「無力だよねぇ、人間は」
アガチオンの笑い声は、最後のひとかけらが落ちるまで、激しく鳴り響く騒音と混じり合って響いていた。
Chapter 112: Livin' La Vida Loca
The time Vepar's group arrived at the gate was when Hifumi's figure had already vanished into the castle. Hifumi's spirit was simply uplifted by the battling. He knows that the time for that game was short.
"Ueeh, oeeh, oeeh..."
"Cho...erororo..."
The healing magician girl who followed Vepar, vomited with all her strength abruptly once she saw the terrible scene and one of the girls, who was right next to her, joined in.
Vepar, who shrugged her shoulders while saying "Good grief", calmly surveys the gate's vicinity.
Not a single living person is around.
Without regards to whether man or woman and their age, all of them were equally visited by death.
"He went at it quite flashily." (Vepar)
"Captain, did that human go inside? To where the king is, inside the castle?"
"I guess so." (Vepar)
Vepar answered the question of her subordinate, who had a pale face although she hasn't thrown up, with a sigh mixed in.
"Anyway, he seems to plan on installing me as new demon king once he brings down the current king." (Vepar)
"... Is he sane?"
"Don't ask me." (Vepar)
Folding her arms, Vepar twists her mouth in the shape of he.
"However, his eyes were serious. I don't know what he is thinking, but that was the expression of someone who has seized the outrageous act of killing the king as realizable target." (Vepar)
"If there's a problem", Vepar raised her eyes at the castle and even her subordinates, except the two who were still vomiting, likewise looked up at the area around the king's private chamber.
"It's whether the human can win against that king, right?" (Vepar)
Everyone nodded at Vepar's words.
The demon soldiers know why he continues to reign as king although he looks like nothing more but a young boy.
"Gee, ueeh"
"*spits out* Somehow I have a disgusting feeling within my mouth. I want to rinse it out."
The mood, which should be gloomy, didn't become too tense thanks to the girls.
While Fokalore's army is showered with cheers by a crowd of people, they form lines by the city's large front gate and leave.
The expressions of the soldiers, who are donning battle gear on their bodies and held weapons such as swords, spears and some of them even kusarigama's, were smiling faces tinged with nervousness.
They number 500. But even then it's no more than less half of the soldiers serving as regulars in the Tohno feudal army. Only this earldom possesses the financial leeway to uphold such a large-scaled standing army, which is a money sink, with the exception of each nation's capital.
"Please annihilate the monsters and their-likes!"
"Come back properly!"
Even bold scolding was mixed into the high-pitched encouragements. It was completely like being overwhelmed by waves of sounds.
The soldiers, who left the city, formed lines with accustomed movements, matched their faces alongside the highway and looked at the person in the front.
"Well then, move out!" (Alyssa)
"""Yes!"""
Advancing at the lead, from atop an open-air carriage with no canopy, Alyssa stretches her small body as best she can while shouting and received a reply with many voices overlapping.
Beside Alyssa Miyukare is riding with her on the carriage, which began to advance slowly, as her advisor. The soldiers start to move and in their backs the carriages of the supply unit, carrying goods, follow.
"For the time being it would be good to head in the direction of Vichy, right?" (Alyssa)
"Yes, I already gave the coachman the order. It's alright for you to comfortably sit down, Alyssa-sama." (Miyukare)
Miyukare smiled while holding out a cup filled with tea to her.
"Thank you." (Alyssa)
Seeing the face of Alyssa, who returned a smile, Miyukare frantically suppressed the thump within her nose and grabbed the documents placed nearby.
"While marching towards Vichy like this we will clean up the monsters. Basically the main purpose is to secure the safety of the highway and its surroundings, but... in the end by emphasizing the pressure onto Vichy, a war will break out if the situation explodes. If it doesn't, we will restrict the entry and leaving at the border in the name of security measures at the garrisoned forces. Those are all Lord-sama' orders." (Miyukare)
"There's nothing specific written, right?" (Alyssa)
While pouting, Alyssa adjusted the position of the short sword which is hanging at the back of her hips. With the carriage's vibrations making a stir, it's difficult to sit.
"This is also the "homework" assigned to you and me, Alyssa-sama. But, if we work together, an operation of such level can be completed without difficulty." (Miyukare)
"Yea, I count on you, Miyukare-san." (Alyssa)
Miyukare, who barely manages to keep up a poker face, faints within her mind. Alyssa showed her a bright smile, but once she turned her sight towards the walking lines of soldiers, her look became serious.
As people are gathering in Fokalore, a great number of people is necessary for security and maintenance of public order. Given that there are that many people who have turned up looking for work, there was no particular problem in regards to replenishment of personnel.
The elites, who repeatedly practised and studied, have been assigned to their respective fields of expertise.
Although it happened that sometimes some lost their lives due to incidents in the city and the battles with monsters, there was no substantial influence due to that and the Fokalore feudal army became huge.
And, after several battles, it's a military operation after a long time. On the platform wagons, which are being used as usual, Prulfras has installed a new type of spear throwers he himself named to be of satisfactory quality.
"... No one wants to die. It's sad for people you know to pass away after all. But even so, it's possible to restrain that way of thinking by accepting that it's inevitable." (Miyukare)
Alyssa's look faced towards Miyukare.
"What is Hifumi-san aiming for? What did you think when you heard it for the first time?" (Alyssa)
"... Honestly, I thought it to be a simply troublesome matter. I considered it an absurd action like running to beat a horse in the name of practise." (Miyukare)
"Ahaha, that example is funny." (Alyssa)
The laughing Alyssa unfastened the scabbard with the short sword from behind her hips and drew it out in front of her eyes.
"Hifumi-san, you know, stares at his katana when he got free time. Did you know?" (Alyssa)
Turning over her wrists, light is reflected in a momentary flash.
"Previously I asked him why he is staring that fixedly at his katana." (Alyssa)
It was at the time Hifumi was maintaining the katana after meditating and finishing his daily practise. Alyssa planned to have her meal together with the three of them, Origa included, but at the moment she entered Hifumi's room, there was a man and his katana standing in the room shrouded in a silence that was painful.
"I have imagined the time of my death, he said." (Alyssa)
Unintentionally raising the tone of her voice, Miyukare blushed.
"I also asked the same thing when I heard it for the first time." (Alyssa)
Alyssa laughed delightfully.
Alyssa, who giggled for a while, wiped her tears with a finger.
"I told you before, I experienced something cruel at the time I was a soldier of Vichy to the degree of wanting to die." (Alyssa)
"Yes, I remember." (Miyukare)
"At that time I was terribly afraid of dying. There were also things I wanted to do and delicious things I wanted to enjoy. I thought that all of it would come to an end once this pain ended." (Alyssa)
The carriage sways grandly as it runs over a pebble.
In contrast to Miyukare whose balance crumbled a bit, Alyssa lightly half-rose to her feet and cushioned the impact.
"But now I'm living earnestly without regrets until the time I die, as I was told by Hifumi-san. Of course I don't want to die. At the time I decided to follow Hifumi-san, I didn't think that far ahead though." (Alyssa)
She gently strokes the scabbard of the short sword.
The scabbard which had been polished to the degree of blackening just like Hifumi's, had a blackness making somebody believe that its darkness erased the lustre purposely.
as is, but since it's the easiest thing to understand, let's simply kill each other. I think that's how it is. ... It's a nuisance to others though, as you say, Miyukare, I guess." (Alyssa)
Miyukare noticed that the questionable light visible within Alyssa's resembled that of Hifumi.
"... Then I shall lead my life without regrets as well. I will put in great efforts to live while upholding my pride towards whoever it is." (Miyukare)
"Right? Even this odd life will undoubtedly be enjoyable." (Alyssa)
For the soldiers following in the back it didn't appear as anything but two women calmly chatting, but only the veterans reliably felt the somehow frightening mood they already experienced before.
Hifumi had cuts and burns all over his body. Both his arms and legs were plastered with bruises as well.
And yet, he daringly walked forwards holding the katana with his right hand while the point of the katana and his fore-bangs were dripping with blood. If Origa or Vepar saw that, they might have judged it as lovely appearance.
With his hakama having holes all over, his skin is showing at his sides and the right shoulder.
"No one's here... no, they are only hiding, huh?" (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who openly entered the castle through the door as if luring them, proceeds onwards while feeling the looks of several people.
Although the owners of those looks aren't attacking, they are filled with plenty of hostility. They are probably comrades of the lot I killed outside.
"Why are you looking at me quietly? If you want to kill me, you should do so, right?" (Hifumi)
"I'd like you to stop provoking the soldiers." (Phegor)
It was Phegor who made an appearance in the dark hallway ahead.
The smile he showed during daytime has vanished. His look is piercing in order to not oversee even one of Hifumi's moves.
"You, eh? Agathion, whom I've seen during the day, sent quite the violent greeting. I'd like to thank you for that." (Hifumi)
Hifumi planned to thank for that honestly, but Phegor took it as sarcasm.
"... Such an insincere remark. You have been invited by the king. Follow me." (Phegor)
"Are you going to participate as well?" (Hifumi)
"Although the night has been filled with such amusements, isn't that boring?" Hifumi laughed.
"You are quite calm, human. But, even that will only last until you stand in front of the king." (Phegor)
In case Vepar really shirked away from the king's seat, it might be necessary to place Phegor on the king's throne instead.
The mental state of Phegor, who walks while stepping firmly on the stone floor with a hard sound resounding, can't be read from his expression.
His innermost thinking was complicated.
He has absolute trust in the strength of the king. Moreover he has prepared a trap.
For Phegor, who knows the human's strength to some degree, the appearance of the king is unnecessary. That's what his honest impression is.
However, the strength of Hifumi, shown in front of the castle's gate, deviated from the strength Phegor knew of humans.
(If I don't steal that weapon by all means necessary...)
If that's the king's wish, he will throw down his life at any time.
However, I cannot afford to not live up to the king's expectations.
He properly knows from the footsteps that Hifumi is following him.
Coming out from the not-so-long hallway, Phegor arrived at the targeted place.
Magic lights are shining all over in the cylindrical room which became a hall with up to 3 floors. The swaying lights produced a fairytale-like atmosphere.
"Yea, this is wide." (Hifumi)
He heard Hifumi's impression, but Phegor didn't return any words.
Rather than that, Phegor is worried whether the device will work as intended or not. And, inside the hall, there was also the figure of Agathion who was seated on the throne placed on a platform.
"You did well to come here, Hifumi." (Agathion)
"It's still too early for good morning, I guess" Agathion showed a smile, but he doesn't stand up like he did during the day.
He looks down on Hifumi while leaning on his elbow as if showing that he is the one ruling.
"Yea, thanks to you I was able to spend my time enjoyably. Let me thank you for that." (Hifumi)
"That's great. If I hear that, they float up in my mind as well." (Agathion)
While talking with each other, Hifumi naturally steps forward.
He passed Phegor's side.
Hifumi wondered whether something would start there, but being disappointed by Phegor as he turns nothing but his look at him, he concentrates on Agathion who is in front of him.
"Since long ago." (Agathion)
At the time Hifumi came close to the centre of the hall, Agathion began to talk about something.
"Right, a number of our people of a previous generation created a village you can't even call a nation. After the time they eagerly strived to survive in this barren area, the demons reached the point of using tools and weapons. Until then they we were yet another race that had overwhelmingly powerful magic and physical abilities. In fact that was sufficient for a long time until we were outwitted by the elves." (Agathion)
"I see. Hearing that the demons from long ago didn't use weapons, I thought it was a misunderstanding seeing the actual situation here, but now I got it." (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who stopped, shook the katana he held in his hand.
"But you know, it doesn't change the fact that the demon's strength lies in magic. Sometimes those endowed with muscle strength, like Beleth, appear as well, but the powerful magic, we were supported with as special trait since our birth, can't be copied by other races. It's our power." (Agathion)
Standing up, Agathion spread both his hands.
Hifumi looks at him wondering whether he intends to release magic, however he can's see any sign of that.
"Like humans. Right, just like you. If we have powerful weapons, we will be able to fight properly. However, without relying on that, we are able to fight with just our strength. We are able to use such a powerful magic after all. For example, strong barrier magic like Phegor." (Agathion)
Hifumi, who expected offensive spells to be hurled at him, looked in the direction of Phegor at those words.
Phegor was simply standing there with both his arms loosely dangling.
However, Hifumi noticed that the sky in his own surrounding had changed.
"This sensation is..." (Hifumi)
He saw a faint membrane gradually surrounding the vicinity.
"Phegor's barrier magic is the same as what the elves are using to imprison us or even stronger. Originally he isn't able to extend it to such a degree though." (Agathion)
"I'm grateful." (Phegor)
Agathion replied with a generous waving of his hand towards Phegor who bowed his head. And he chuckles as he watches Hifumi who was locked up by the barrier.
"It somehow seems that this weapon was endowed with powerful abilities. However, no matter how sharp it might be, it's meaningless if it isn't able to reach its opponent." (Agathion)
At Agathion's sign Phegor erased another deployed barrier.
It was the assembly of stones which are usually holding the ceiling with a barrier supporting the hall's ceiling.
Removing the fixing installations in advance, the stones, which were supported by Phegor's barrier, begin to crumble while being pulled by gravity.magic
Naturally large stones are falling one after the other onto Hifumi who looked up at its state from directly below.
While the broken stones are scattering with a thunderous roar and a cloud of dust, the debris is piling up within the cylindrical barrier.
"Powerless, isn't he? That human." (Agathion)
Agathion's laughter mixed with the violently reverberating sound until the last piece fell.
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