オーソングランデを早朝に出発し、オリガは馬車に大量のお土産を積んで、尚且つ大急ぎでフォカロル目指して疾走していた。
「それで、何か御用ですか?」
「と、とにかく馬車をお止めいただけませんか!」
街道をひた走る馬車に並走するのは、馬を駆る騎士ミダスだった。
イメラリアの命令を受け、十名の騎士を選抜した彼は、騎馬にて王都を発し、翌日には投宿した小さな町を出たばかりのオリガに追いつく事ができた。
「私は夫の元へ一刻も早く帰らねばなりません。妻としての勤めを果たすのに、一秒でも時間を無駄にはできません」
馭者席に身を乗り出したオリガは、ミダスの必死の呼びかけにも淡白な反応だ。
「では、そのままお聞きください」
いくら平民といえど、今は伯爵夫人であるオリガに対し、そう強くは出られない。
まともに会話の場を設けるのは早々に諦め、馬を操り並走しながらの会話を続ける。
「ホーラントの王が崩御され、その報を聞いた我が国の一部の貴族が、軍を率いてホーラント方面へ向かいました」
「そうですか。しかしこちらは反対側でしょう? ヴィシー側にも動きがあると言うのですか?」
違います、とミダスは首を振る。
「今回の件、全てフォカロルに関連して女王陛下がご懸念されている点が三つあります」
「私どもの領地に?」
ガラガラと響く馬車の車輪の音の中で、オリガの声は不思議と良く通る。
「お伺いしましょう」
それでも、オリガは馬車を止める素振りも見せない。
ミダスはこれはこれでフォカロルへ到着するか、王都方面へ向かっていると思われるネルガルとの合流が早まるから良い、と無理やり自分を納得させ、馬を気遣いながらも並走を続ける。
「一つは、フォカロルへ留学中のネルガル様の事です。フォカロル領内はともかく、こちらへ向かう途中で造反貴族の手の者が狙う可能性があります。二つ目は、現在ホーラント内に駐留し、戦術指導を行っているフォカロル領兵の存在です。彼らは今、危機的状況にあると言って良いでしょう」
「三つ目はなんでしょうか」
「貴女です、伯爵夫人」
揺れる馬上で、ミダスはうまくバランスを取る。
「トオノ伯の実力は知れ渡っておりますが、伯爵の介入は極力避けたいはずです。女王陛下の予測では、ホーラントを狙う貴族たちは、伯爵以上の戦果を上げることで女王陛下に対して実力を見せ、発言力を増すことを狙っているはずですから」
「馬鹿なことを。陛下は一二三様の戦果を見て重用しているとでも?」
「彼らからは、そのように見えたのでしょう」
呆れた、とオリガは吐き捨てた。
「フォカロルの繁栄も、陛下に対する発言力の強さも、全て一二三様だからこそであって、余人が同じような事をしたところで、何の意味が有りましょう」
「私もそう思いますし、女王陛下も今回の件は反逆行為として規定し、相応の処罰を与える事になっています。ただ、それでもホーラントの王位継承者がオーソングランデ内で害される事は何としても避けねばなりません」
同じ部隊か別働隊になるかはわからないが、オリガの護衛とネルガルを無事にホーラントへと送る事が、今回のミダスの任務だった。予定としてはオリガを無事に領地へ送り、ネルガルと合流して一度王都へと同行し、王都からはさらに多くの騎士や兵士によって護衛を行う。
「事情はわかりました。ですが、私に護衛は必要ありません」
「しかし......万一、伯爵夫人に何かあれば、トオノ伯爵が......」
「もし私が殺されたとして、夫が復讐をするとでも?」
「そ、それは当然では......」
「ありえません」
ぐいっと口の端を上げて笑うオリガは、薄く開いた唇から怪しい笑い声を漏らす。
「なぜなら、それは一二三様にとっての“敵対”にならないからです。夫にとっての敵対行為は、自分に対して攻撃の意思を見せたか否か、であって、私などがどうなろうと意にも介さないでしょうね。もちろん、それだけ強い相手だと分かれば違いましょうけれど。少なくとも、人質にしたところで意味は無いでしょう」
ミダスは、絶句して手綱を握り締めた。
「それに、不愉快ですね」
ふん、と嘲るように息を吐く。
「私は一二三様から最初に戦いの手ほどきを受けたのですよ? そう簡単に人質になるものですか。もし万が一捕まったとしても、あの方以外の誰かに触れられるような事があれば、その前にどんな手を使ってでも自裁いたします」
「わ、わかりました。それで、ホーラントへ派遣されている部隊のことですが......」
「それも心配無用です」
鉄扇を撫で、オリガはさらりと答えた。
「彼らも私ほどではありませんが、一二三様の指導をしっかりと受けています。きちんと敵を殲滅するでしょう」
少し休みますから、ついてくるなら好きにしてください、と言って馬車の中に引っ込んでしまったオリガに、ミダスは声をかける間もなかった。
「その“敵”というのは、一体どちらを指すのか......」
独り言のようにつぶやいた言葉は、蹄と車輪の音にかき消された。
フォカロル領軍教導部隊長マ・カルメは、十名の隊員たちと共に国境のオーソングランデ側に陣を敷いていた。国境の通路となる砦からは、両国の兵たちは一時的に退避している。
オーソングランデ兵は全員が近くにある兵舎で待機しており、ホーラント兵は敵軍が侵入してきた場合に備えて慌ただしく準備をしていた。
マ・カルメたちが展開しているのは五台の投槍器のみ。
そして、全員が鎖鎌や日本刀風の片刃剣を装備し、簡素な鎧を着込んでいる。
そこへ、一人の伝令が馬を走らせて駆け込んで来た。
「フォカロルの方々、ビロン伯爵様からの書状をお持ちいたしました! 責任者はどちらですか?」
「俺だ」
マ・カルメは馬を降りた伝令の前にひょいと出てきて、三つ折にされた羊皮紙を受け取った。
左手で器用に開いて、右手は腰の鎖鎌に触れさせたままでいる。
そのことで、伝令はすでにマ・カルメたちが臨戦態勢であることを知り、舌を巻いた。まだ敵が見えていない時点で武装するのはフォカロル領軍くらいで、しかも伝令に対してまで警戒を怠らない者が、オーソングランデのみならず、他の軍でもどれほど存在するだろうか。
自分が疑われているというのに、伝令は目の前にいる無精ひげを生やした男に感心していた。
「なるほど」
たたみ直した紙を、マ・カルメは自分の懐にいれた。
「この手紙はもらっておくよ。一応は、俺たちを守る為に必要だからな」
ニカッと笑ったマ・カルメの前歯は一本足りない。
「どうやらビロン様は自分のところの軍でひと
「ええ。貴殿らの部隊は少数ということもあり、五百を相手するのは難しいだろうと......」
「それは、やめとこうや」
「は?」
ダメダメ、と手を振って、マ・カルメは口を尖らせた。
「寄せ集めでも五百が相手だと、ビロン様の兵力を全部かき集めても同数以下だろ?」
伝令は、頷いて肯定した。
「だったら、まともにぶつかっても酷い損耗を出すのがオチだろ。五百相手に五千で戦うなら別だけどよ」
「しかし、貴殿らはたった十一名でしょう?」
「俺たちはまともに正面から戦うなんざしねぇよ? 部下がやられたら、俺も仲間もみんなアリッサ長官に怒られちまうよ」
人差し指を立て、マ・カルメは一つお願いがあるんだが、と切り出した。
「ひとつ提案があるんだわ。ビロン様の兵士をなるべく減らさず、俺たちも損害を出さずに、敵をやっつけるのに、協力をお願いしたい」
「では、伯爵様へお伝えいたしましょう」
伝令が素早く筆記具を取り出したのをみて、マ・カルメは作戦を完結に説明した。
「うまくいけば、損害は最小で済む。ちょいと相手の人数が多いから手伝いを頼みたいんだわ」
「了解いたしました。ビロン伯爵へは私が直接お伝えしましょう」
がっしりと左手で握手を交わし、マ・カルメはまた歯抜けの顔で笑った。
「これでうまくやってフォカロルに帰ったら、アリッサ長官に褒めてもらえるぜ!」
こういう男がそこまで入れあげるような美女なのか、と伝令は見たこともないアリッサという女性の姿を想像していた。
もちろん、実物とはまったく違う、大人の女性を思い描いていたのだが。
「うわっ!?」
オリガの乗る馬車、その馬にいきなり矢が打ち込まれ、馭者をやっていたフォカロル領軍の女性兵士は驚いて声を上げた。
あまりの痛みにいなないて倒れこんだ馬に引っ張られ、併走していた馬も転ぶ。
必然的に馬車もバランスを崩し、兵士は路上へ放り出された。
肩を強打しながらも、うんざりするほど訓練させられた受身をとり、致命傷は避ける。それでも、右腕は骨折したらしく激しく傷んだ。
しかし、それよりも先にやらねばならぬことがある。
「て、敵襲! オリガ様、ご無事ですか!」
「大丈夫か!? 全員、馬車の周囲を囲め!」
ミダスは馬から飛び降り、剣を抜いた。
オリガの随伴兵は五名の女性で、オリガの馬車の馭者をしていた兵士を除いた全員、後続の馬車に乗っていたのだが、辛うじて追突は免れた。
全員が、素早く降車し、横転した馬車に駆け寄りながら剣を抜いている。
「オリガ様! あっ!?」
さらに一筋の矢が飛来し、一人の兵士が着る鎧をかすめた。
金属の甲高い音がして、全員に緊張が走る。
「ちょっと、やりすぎてしまったかなぁ?」
死んじまったら楽しめねぇ、と言う男の声がして、街道脇の茂みからゾロゾロと鎧を着た男たちが現れた。
その先頭には、ニタニタと笑う薄汚れた革鎧の小男が立っていた。
「貴様は、アスピルクエタ伯爵の手の者か?」
ミダスが誰何するが、小男は無視してフォカロルの女性兵たちを見回した。
「へぇ......女の兵士ばかりとは、こりゃ珍しいなぁ。貴族の奥様が死んでても、お楽しみは残ってるな」
舐めまわすような視線を感じ、女性兵たちはゾワリと背筋を冷たいものが走るのを感じた。
「おおっと、動くなよぉ? まだ矢はあるんだ。下手に動いたら、そいつから......」
「貴方が、この薄汚い男たちの頭ですか」
小男の言葉を遮ったのは、馬車から出てきたオリガだった。
荷物がクッションになり、大した怪我はしていない。
「オリガ様!」
「へへぇ、あんたがそうか。思ってたより若いんだなぁ」
「答えなさい。貴方がこれをしでかした元凶ですね?」
オリガは、矢を受けて倒れ、すでに死んでいる馬を指差した。
「では、死になさい」
オリガが右腕を小男に差し向けると、かすかな風切り音がして、その短い首に一筋の赤い線が引かれた。
「うぇ?」
「そのまま聞きなさい」
ゆっくりと小男に近づきながら、オリガは暗く濁った視線を向けた。
「貴方の罪は二つ。一つは、私が一二三様に使っていただく為に三日かけて厳選した陶器の食器を割ったこと。これだけでも万死に値しますが、さらにもう一つ。夫に会うために家路を急いでいる妻の足止めをしたこと。いかなる理由があろうとも、これを許すわけにはいきません」
シャキ、と音を立て、閉じたままの鉄扇を小男の目の前に突きつける。
「あまりの大罪。もはや一秒でも早く逝くべきでしょう」
鉄扇が小男の額を小突くと、首が綺麗に胴と切り離され、丸い頭がコロコロと街道を転がった。
首の無い身体は、短い足で立ったままになっている。
「あの世で反省しなさい」
呆然と見ていたミダスが、慌てて周囲を見回した。
「矢が来るぞ! 全員......」
「心配いりません」
オリガが開いた鉄扇で口元を隠しながら言う。
「風魔法で周囲を確認しましたが、茂みに隠れているものはいません。出てきている十六人が全てです」
言われた内容よりも、それを知ることができる魔法がある事にミダスは息を飲んだ。
以前に一二三からヒントをもらってオリガが開発したエコーロケーションだが、すでにその精度は多少の障害物をものともしない。
兎角、そのことが判ればミダスたち騎士隊も、フォカロルの兵たちも遠慮する事は無い。
「全員、捕縛し......」
「処分しなさい」
オリガの一声で、女性兵士たちが走り出した。
自分たちよりも数が少なく、しかも女性ということで、動揺していた襲撃者たちも薄笑いで対応しようと武器を持ったが、それが失敗だった。
草を刈るような音を立てて、オリガの鉄扇が一人の喉をざっくりと抉り取る。
さらにオリガの魔法で一人が死に、兵士たちも次々に、しかも確実に息の根を止めていく。
「ふ、副隊長、我々は......」
警備対象だと認識していた女性陣が繰り広げるあまりの光景に、騎士の一人がミダスに視線を送った。
「仕方ない。一人だけでも捕らえて尋問する。急げ、皆殺しにされてしまうぞ」
ものの数分で戦闘は終了し、襲撃者は結局、一人残らず惨殺されてしまった。
「さて、馬車は一台ここに捨てていきましょう。残り一台で帰りを急ぎますよ」
最後の一人が事切れたのを確認したオリガの言葉に、兵士たちはさっと武器の血を拭い、壊れた馬車から荷物を移す作業に入った。
「......副隊長、我々は何をすれば......」
ミダスは、ため息をついた。
「引きつづき伯爵夫人に同行し、フォカロルでネルガル様と合流する」
他に何ができる、とミダスは馬に乗った。
そろそろ、フォカロル兵たちも準備が終わりそうなのだ。
「一枚は無事でしたか!」
お土産の陶器に無傷の物を見つけたオリガは、丁寧に箱に戻し、大切に胸に抱きしめた。
「ああ、一二三様。オリガがもうすぐ参ります」
うっとりとした表情は、先ほど無残な首無し死体を作り出した女性とは思えないほど、艶っぽく見える。
Departing Orsongrande early in the morning, Origa dashed towards Fokalore at high speed even while having large quantities of souvenirs loaded into the carriage.
"So, what's your business?" (Origa)
"C-Can't you at least stop the carriage!?"
The one galloping next to the carriage on his horse was Knight Midas.
Receiving Imeraria's order, he, who chose ten knights, was able to catch up with Origa the next day, just when she was about to leave a small town where she lodged at, by racing from the capital on horse.
"I have to return to the side of my husband right away. I can't waste even a second pointlessly to accomplish my duty as his wife." (Origa)
Origa, who bent herself forward in the coachman seat, indifferently reacts to Midas' desperate appeal.
"Well, then please listen just like this." (Midas)
No matter how much she might have been a commoner, he can't behave too obstinately towards Origa who is now a countess.*
Quickly abandoning the hope of establishing a proper place for a conversation, he continues the talk while controlling his horse.
"Horant's king has died. Hearing that news, a part of our country's nobles headed in the direction of Horant while leading their armies." (Midas)
"Is that so? However, Horant is on the opposite side, isn't it? Are you saying that there's movement on Vichy's side as well?" (Imeraria)
"It's something else", Midas shakes his head.
"In the current situation there are three worrisome points in total related to Fokalore for Her Majesty, the Queen." (Midas)
"To our territory?" (Origa)
Origa's voice carries strangely well among the sounds of the carriage's wheels rattling across the highway.
"Let's hear them." (Origa)
Even so, Origa doesn't show any inclination to stop the carriage.
Will I arrive in Fokalore like this? That's fine since it will speed up my linking up with Nelgal who is supposed to be heading in the direction of the capital
"First point is about Nelgal-sama who is studying abroad in Fokalore. Leaving aside within the territory of Fokalore, there is the possibility of the subordinates of the rebellious nobles aiming for him while he's on the way towards our direction. Second, there are the soldiers of Fokalore who are currently stationed in Horant to carry out tactics teaching. It might be fine to say that they are currently in a critical situation." (Midas)
"What's the third point?" (Origa)
"It's you, Countess." (Midas)
Midas skilfully keeps his balance on the shaking horse back.
"As the ability of Count Tohno is well-known, they should want to avoid the intervention of the Count as much as possible. According to the prediction of Her Majesty, the Queen, the nobles, who are aiming at Horant, should be targeting to increase their influence by showing their competency to Her Majesty through achieving higher military gains than the Count." (Midas)
"What a foolish notion. Did her Majesty actually bestow the title after having seen Hifumi-sama's military gains?" (Origa)
"From their viewpoint it might have looked like that." (Midas)
"How disgusting", Origa spat out.
"The prosperity of Fokalore as well as his strong influence on her Majesty, all of it is because it's Hifumi-sama doing it. I wonder what kind of meaning it would have even if other people did the same." (Midas)
"I believe so as well. Ruling this time's matter as treasonous act, Her Majesty will be able to punish them at a suitable time. But, even so we have to avoid at all costs to injure the heir of Horant's throne within Orsongrande." (Origa) Reading this chapter anywhere but at Infinite Novel Translations means it has been stolen
This time Midas' mission was to send Nelgal safely off to Horant and to escort Origa although he didn't know whether to do that in one unit or to split up.
"I have understood the state of affairs. However, it's not necessary for you to escort me." (Origa)
"But... if something happens to you, Countess, in the worst case, Count Tohno will..." (Midas)
"If I were to be killed, will my husband actually take revenge?" (Origa)
"T-That's only natural..." (Midas)
"It won't happen." (Origa)
Suddenly opening her mouth, Origa leaks an ominous laughter from her lightly opened lips.
"If you want to know why, it's because that wouldn't be a "hostility" towards Hifumi-sama. Whether my husband would regard an intentional attack against me as hostile act towards himself, is it? He likely doesn't worry in his mind what will happen to someone like me. Of course, it will be different if he realizes that it's a powerful opponent. But at the very least, there's no meaning even if they used me as hostage." (Origa)
Midas grasped the reins while being speechless.
"Besides, it would be unpleasant, you know." (Origa)
"Humph", she breathes out as if ridiculing him.
"Didn't I receive training in the basics of fighting from Hifumi-sama at the beginning? Do you think that I will be taken hostage that easily? Even in the unlikely event that I'm caught, I will deal with it myself using all means possible before anyone can touch me except that man." (Origa)
"G-Got it. And, about the unit dispatched to Horant..." (Midas)
"It's pointless to worry about them, too." (Origa)
Gently stroking her iron-ribbed fan, Origa answered without hesitation.
"Although it's not to the extent as with me, they have also properly received Hifumi-sama's coaching. They will neatly eliminate the enemy." (Origa)
Midas even had no time to call out to her as Origa withdrew inside the carriage after saying "Please do as you like if you wish to accompany me since I will take a break for a bit now."
"Just how the hell will they identify those "enemies"...?" (Midas)
The words, he muttered similar to a monologue, were drowned out by sounds of the wheels and hooves.
The commanding training officer of the Fokalore feudal army Ma Carme took up position at the national border on Orsongrande's side with ten team members. The soldiers of both countries have taken temporary shelter at the fortress' which are the passage of the border.
All of the soldiers of Orsongrande are on standby in the barracks nearby. Horant's soldiers were busy preparing for the attack of the enemy army.
What Ma Carme's group has deployed are five spear throwers.
And all of them have kusarigama and Japanese-styled single-edged swords equipped and are wearing plain armours. Support the translator by reading this chapter at Infinite Novel Translations!
At that place a single messenger came rushing in on his horse.
"Gentlemen of Fokalore, I hold a letter from Count Biron-sama. Where's the one in charge?"
"It's me." (Ma)
Suddenly appearing in front of the messenger who dismounted from his horse, Ma Carme accepted the threefold parchment.
Opening it skilfully with his left hand, his right hand remained on the kusarigama at his waist.
As the Fokalore feudal army is already armed at a point of time where the enemy still isn't visible and moreover with the person receiving the letter not being negligent in his caution even towards a messenger, there are likely no other troops like that in not only Orsongrande but the other countries as well.
Even though he was suspicious of him, the messenger admired the man with his sloppily grown beard in front of him.
"I see." (Ma)
Ma Carme put the re-folded paper in his pocket.
"I have received this letter. Pretty much it seems like we are required for the sake of protection." (Ma)
The front teeth of Ma Carme, who smiled broadly, are lacking.
"It looks like Biron-sama intends to fight a battle with his own troops." (Ma)
"Yes. There's also the matter of your unit having too few numbers. It will likely be difficult with the opponent having 500 soldiers..."
"Let's stop that." (Ma)
"Ha?"
"No, no", waving his hands, Ma Carme pouted.
"As the other party has put together 500 soldiers, Biron-sama's military forces will be below that even if he scrapes up all of them, right?" (Ma)
The messenger confirmed it with a nod.
"Therefore, the end result will likely turn into an unreasonable loss if we met them from the front. Though it would be different if you fought 500 opponents with 5.000." (Ma)
"However, you are just 11, aren't you?"
"It ain't like we will fight fairly from the front, you know? If my subordinates were done in, me, my friends and everyone would get scolded by Military Director Alyssa." (Ma)
Raising his index finger, Ma Carme began to talk that he has one request.
"I have one proposal. I'd like to request your cooperation in finishing off the enemy without us suffering any losses and without decreasing Biron-sama's troops as much as possible." (Ma)
"Well, then let me inform Count-sama about this."
Watching the messenger swiftly taking out writing materials, Ma Carme explained the whole strategy to him.
"If it turns out well, it will finish with the least losses. Since the number of opponents is a bit much, I'd like to ask for your assistance." (Ma)
"Understood. I will directly inform Count Biron of this."
Firmly shaking their left hands with each other, Ma Carme smiled again with his teeth-less face.
"If we return to Fokalore after being successful with this, I will be able to get praised by Director Alyssa!" (Ma)
The messenger imagined the appearance of the woman called Alyssa whom he hasn't seen yet.
Of course it was totally different from reality as he imagined an adult woman.
"Uwaah!?"
With an arrow suddenly stuck in the horse who pulled the carriage with Origa on board, the female soldier of the Fokalore feudal army, who served as coachman, raised her voice in surprise.
Being dragged in by the horse which fell while neighing due to the excessive pain, the horse, which ran next to it, falls down as well.
Inevitably the balance of the carriage falls apart, too, and the soldier was thrown out on the road.
Although receiving a blow to her shoulder, she used ukemi, which she had been forced to train until getting fed up with it, and avoided a fatal wound. Even so she felt intense pain as she apparently fractured her right arm.
However, even apart from that, there's something she has to do first.
"E-Enemy attack! Origa-sama, are you alright!?"
"Are you safe!? All hands, surround the carriage!" (Midas)
Jumping off the horse, Midas drew his sword.
Origa's attendants are five female soldiers. Everyone, except the soldier who acted as coachman of Origa's carriage, was staying on the following carriage and barely escaped from a rear-end collision.
Everyone disembarks quickly and rushes to the toppled-over carriage while drawing their swords.
"Origa-sama! Ah!?"
Another arrow came flying and grazed the armour worn by a soldier.
Causing a high-pitched metallic sound, it raises the tension of everyone.
"Don't you think you have gone a bit too far?"
"It will be more fun if they die", a male voice said. Men, who wore armours appeared in groups from the thickets at the road's sides. Translated by Infinite Novel Translations!
At their lead was a small man who wore a slightly dirty leather armour and grinned broadly.
"You bastards are the subordinates of Count Aspilketa, eh?"
Midas asked for their identity, but ignoring him, the small man surveyed the female soldiers of Fokalore.
"Hoo... there's only female soldiers, that's unusual. Even if the noble's wife dies, there will still be amusement left."
Sensing gazes as if being licked all over, the female soldiers felt a chill run down their spines with a shiver.
"Uh-oh, don't move. There's still arrows left. If you make unnecessary movements, that person..."
"Are you the leader of those filthy men?" (Origa)
The one who obstructed the words of the small man was Origa who came out from the carriage.
As the luggage has become a cushioning, she hasn't suffered any major injuries.
"Origa-sama!"
"Hehee, that's you, eh? You are younger than I expected."
"Answer me. Are you the ringleader of this mess?" (Origa)
Origa pointed at the horse which has already died after receiving an arrow and collapsing.
"Then, die." (Origa)
Once Origa points her right arm towards the small man, a faint sound of wind comes forth and his short neck had a red line drawn on it.
"Ue?"
"Listen just like this." (Origa)
While slowly approaching the small man, Origa faced him with a dark and muddy look.
"Your crimes are two. First, you broke the porcelain tableware which took me three days to carefully select for the sake of having Hifumi-sama use it. Even only that deserves certain death, but moreover you hindered a wife who is hurrying on the road home to meet with her husband. Even if you might have any kind of reason, it's impossible for me to pardon this." (Origa)
With a sharp sound, she thrusts her still closed iron-ribbed fan in front of the small man's eyes.
"It's a far too heavy crime. You should die right away." (Origa)
Once she poked the small man's forehead with her iron-ribbed fan, the head was cleanly detached from the torso and the round head rolled lightly on the road.
The headless body continues to stand on its short legs.
"Repent in the other world." (Origa)
Midas, who watched her dumbfoundedly, surveyed the surroundings in panic.
"The arrows will come! All members..." (Midas)
"There's no need to worry." (Origa)
Origa says while concealing her mouth with the opened fan.
"I checked the surroundings with wind magic, but there's no one hidden in the thickets. The 16 men, who have come out, are all of them." (Origa)
Rather than the mentioned details, Midas gulped due to the fact of there being magic which is able to grasp that.
It's the echolocation which Origa developed after receiving a hint from Hifumi previously, but its accuracy is already ignoring some obstacles.
Once they comprehend the situation somehow or other, Midas' knight unit and the soldiers of Fokalore don't hold back.
"All hands, arrest them..." (Midas)
"Dispose of them." (Origa)
The female soldiers started to run upon Origa's voice.
The disturbed assailants held their weapons and tried to deal with them with a faint smile as the number of enemies was less than them and they were even women, but that was a mistake.
With a sound as if cutting grass, Origa's iron-ribbed fan gouges out the throat of one of them.
One more dies due to Origa's magic and the soldiers also reliably kill them one after the other.
"V-Vice-captain, we..."
Due to the overwhelming scenery unfolded by the female group, whom they regarded as their target of protection, one of the knights sent his look at Midas.
"It can't be helped. Even if it's only one, arrest them for interrogation. Hurry or they will end up annihilated." (Midas)
Finishing the battle within a few minutes, the assailants were completely slaughtered in the end.
"Well then, let's abandon one carriage here. We will hurry our return with the remaining one." (Origa)
Due to the words of Origa who made sure that the last one was dead, the soldiers quickly wiped the blood off their weapons and began the transfer of the luggage from the broken carriage.
"... Vice-Captain, if what we do..."
Midas sighed.
"We will continue accompanying the countess and join up with Nelgal-sama in Fokalore." (Midas)
"What else can we do anyway?" Midas mounted his horse.
It looks like the soldiers of Fokalore will finish their preparations soon.
"One piece was safe!?" (Origa)
Origa, who discovered an undamaged item amongst the porcelain souvenirs, put it carefully back into its box and embraced it in her chest with great care.
"Ah, Hifumi-sama. Origa will be very soon at your side." (Origa)
The entranced expression looks dreamy to a degree that one wouldn't think of her as the woman who created a tragic, headless corpse not long ago.
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