13話:変な馬達と密猟者*7
目が覚めたらベッドの上だった。
しばらく、なんでここに居るのかとか、ベッドに入る前の記憶は何だったかとか、ぼんやり思い出して......それから、ベッドの側の窓から馬が覗いているのを見て、色々と思い出した。
慌てて起き上がってベッドから出て、窓に近寄る。すると馬が何頭も何頭も、窓の近くに群れてるのが見えた。
そして、その先頭に居るのは......密猟者に酷いことをされた3頭だ。羽と鬣の色を覚えてるから、多分、間違いないと思う。
「大丈夫だった?」
窓を開けて手を伸ばすと、馬は僕の手に擦り寄ってきた。その背中では翼がぱたぱた動いている。怪我にはちゃんと包帯が巻いてあって、包帯には血が滲んでいるわけでもないから......多分、傷は良くなってきてるんだろう。
「......よかった」
僕はほっとして、それから、ほっとした途端に体の力が抜けた。
床にへたり込んでそこで初めて、そういえば体に力が入らないな、ということに気づく。
......あれ?僕、どれぐらい寝てたんだろうか。
壁を伝いながら部屋を出て、家を出てみたら、そこにレッドガルドさんが居た。レッドガルドさんは僕を見てすぐ、とても心配そうな顔をする。
「お、おい。お前、大丈夫なのか」
「うん。なんとか」
体に力が入らないような、妙なかんじはあるけれど......逆に言えば、それだけだ。体に力が入らないとは言っても、動けない程じゃない。
「僕を運んでくれたのはレッドガルドさん?」
「あ、ああ......すまん。ペガサス達に任せておいたら泉で寝かせようとし始めたからさ」
それは......運んでもらえてよかった。泉で寝てたら多分僕、風邪を引いていると思う。
「よかった。ありがとう。ところで、密猟者の人達は?」
「あいつらなら護送済みだ。町のムショにぶち込んである」
あ、そうなんだ。よかった。まだあの人達が森に居るんだとしたら、馬が心配だったから。
「......ただなあ」
けれど、レッドガルドさんは渋い顔をした。
「あいつらの罪状は今のところ、『立ち入りを禁止した森への侵入』なんだよ」
「......密猟、じゃなくて?」
「ああ。残念ながら、密猟をやってる現場を見たわけでもねえし、あいつら、どこで知恵つけてきやがったのか、『自分達は密猟なんてしていない、ただ森に入っただけだ』と抜かしやがる。ペガサスの羽もユニコーンの角も、まだ取ってなかったんだろうな。見つからなかったから罪に問えねえ」
......そうか。現行犯で彼らを見つけたのは僕と天馬達だけで、レッドガルドさんが見たのは多分、元気になった天馬3頭と、そこに向かい合う密猟者達、そして特に意味もなく倒れる僕、だったんだもんな。翼はどこかに隠すか捨てるかしてしまえば、本当に......『密猟なんてしていません』が通ってしまう。
そう考えると......僕が何もせずに倒れたことが悔やまれる。うん。
「ま、よかったよ。とりあえずペガサスもお前も無事でさ」
「うん。ありがとう」
とりあえず僕が倒れた後の顛末が分かってよかった。......結果を聞く限り、決して良い状況ではないけど。
「全く、本当にビビったぜ。俺より先にお前が密猟者を見つけてて、しかもその密猟者に襲われるところで......しかも、そのままお前、ぶっ倒れて3日も動かねえし」
......あれ?
3、日......?
「3日」
「そう。3日だ!......お前、一体何をやったんだ?俺がここに来る度にお前、姿勢1つも変わってなくってさ。死んでるのかと思ったぜ、ほんと......」
う、うわ......それは怖い。
僕って3日、意識不明だったってこと?外傷は無いのに?それは......それは怖い。すごく怖い。なんだそれ。どういう状態だったんだろう。
「何かでかい魔法でも使ったか?知り合いの魔法使いがでけえ奴ぶちかました時もあんなかんじだったけど」
「......多分それです」
多分、一度に2頭の馬を描いて治したのが効いたんだな。1頭ずつなら6時間くらいの気絶で済むのに、それが、3日......。
「お前、ほんと気を付けろよな?なんつうか、魔法に不慣れなかんじがしてさあ......見てて不安だぜ」
「う、うん......それは、ごめんなさい」
そりゃ、不慣れだよ。魔法って何?っていう状態なんだから。
うん、でも......とりあえず、今後は気を付けよう。下手に馬を描くと、3日寝続けることになるらしい。
「......ところで、密猟者のことなんだけれど」
「おう。どうした?」
「なんとか、密猟の罪で裁くことってできないの?例えば......僕が証言するとかじゃ、駄目なんだろうか」
「そりゃありがてえが......お前、どうやって何を証言するんだ?」
レッドガルドさんは首を傾げて、言った。
「現状、傷ついたペガサスもユニコーンも居ないからな」
......あっ。
そ、そっか......そうだった......僕が証拠をわざわざ消しちゃったんだ。傷ついた馬が居ないから、馬を傷つけた罪なんて立証できない。そういうことだ。
「まあ......だから、お前の気持ちは嬉しいけれど、それは難しいな。お前が証言できるのは『密猟者がペガサスを追いかけているところを見た』ってところだろうし、そこについては証拠がない訳だし」
そうか......。僕、失敗したな。
馬を治したことで、レッドガルドさんの邪魔をしてしまった。馬の為にもよくないことだった、かもしれない。
「......ま、そうしょんぼりするなよ!な!密猟者共はまあ、これから何とかするとして......ほら、ペガサスは助かった!ペガサスは喜んでる!その証拠に、こんなにお前に懐いてる!こいつらだって感謝してるんだろ。お前の家の窓に張り付いて離れなかったし」
レッドガルドさんの言葉を証明するみたいに、馬が僕に擦り寄ってきた。ついでに羽でふわふわくすぐられる。くすぐったい。
「ほらほら。とりあえず何か食っとけ。水くらいは飲ませたけどさ。それでも3日、何も食ってないんだぞ、お前」
......そう言われると、お腹が空いてきた、気がする。うん。お腹が空いた。
馬達も僕に『食べろ』とでも言うかのように、果物を持ってくる。一番面白かったのは、一角獣が角の先に桃を刺して持ってきた奴。そっか。君はそうやって物を運ぶんだね。うん。
......自分があんまりうまくやれなかったことに少し落ち込んだけれど、でも、落ち込んでいてもしょうがない。とりあえず今は、食べ物を食べて、元気になることにした。
「やっぱり美味いなあ、ここの果物。なんでこんなに甘いんだ?」
泉の周りの果樹から果物をもいで食べているレッドガルドさんに『日本の果物ですから』と言う訳にもいかず、適当に誤魔化しながら相槌を打つ。この世界の果物がどんなものかは分からないけれど、品種改良された果物はそりゃあ美味しいに決まってるよ。
「......あ、そうだ。トウゴ。さっき言い忘れたが、密猟者をどうにかする方法、無い訳じゃあねえんだ」
急に変わった話にびっくりしながら、その内容にもびっくりする。だってさっき、『立ち入りを禁止した森への侵入』の罪に問うしかないって言ってなかったっけ?
「獲ってたことは証明できねえ。けれど、売り捌いてたことなら、証明できるかもしれねえんだ。......もし、連中が闇市にペガサスの羽やユニコーンの角を流した取引の証拠が残ってれば、それで連中を叩ける!」
ああ、そうか。密猟者達は、馬の角や羽を獲って、それを売ってたんだ。そして、売ってたことを証明できれば、そっちから密猟の罪を炙り出せる、ってことか。
「大丈夫だ。絶対にやってやるよ。レッドガルド家の名に懸けて、このフェイ・ブラード・レッドガルドが、この森の平和を絶対に守ってやる!な?」
レッドガルドさんはそう言って、僕や馬達を安心させるように明るく笑った。
「......ってことで、そろそろ俺は行くぜ」
それからレッドガルドさんは立ち上がった。彼も忙しいんだろう。なのに多分、僕を心配してこんな森の奥まで来てくれてたんだな。......悪い事をしてしまった。
「町に戻って、密猟者共のアジトを聞き出して、そこを家探ししてやる。そんで、証文の1枚でも出てくりゃあ十分だからな!」
でも、レッドガルドさんはそう言うと、疲れも見せない様子で笑ってくれた。
......のだけれど、僕はその時、ふと、全然別のことを思い出していた。
記憶を手繰れば、確かポケットに入れたような、というくらいの記憶は残っていた。だからポケットを探ってみると......そこには、ここ3日ずっと入りっぱなしだったらしい紙切れが、確かに入っていたのだ。
「これ、読める?」
畳まれたそれを広げてレッドガルドさんに渡すと、彼はそれを読んで......そして、変な顔をした。
「......探す前に探し物が見つかっちまった」
「これ、証文だ。ペガサスの羽とユニコーンの角を取引した、証拠なんだよ」
......そっか。うん。なら、よかった。
「いや、なんでお前、こんなもん持ってるんだ?密猟者達の近くとかで拾ったのか?」
「ううん。鳥に貰った」
「鳥、って......お前、本当に、変なやつだな......」
うん、僕じゃなくて、あの鳥が変なやつなんだよ。
それから、レッドガルドさんは証文を持って帰っていった。
......詳しく聞けなかったけれど、多分、彼が僕を助けてくれたんだろうな。また今度、ちゃんとお礼をしたい。
そう思ってぼんやりしていたら、いつの間にかいつもの巨大な鳥が来て、水浴びを始めた。ここしばらく僕が居なかったからか、僕を見て首を傾げている。
鳥を見て、僕もつい、そう言ってしまった。うん。この鳥、やっぱり相当変なやつだ。
Volume 1 - Ch 13
I woke up and found myself in bed.
For a while, I try to remember why I was here, what I could remember before I went to bed... and then I saw a horse peeking out of the window on the side of the bed and remembered various things.
I got up and got out of bed in a hurry and approached the window. Then I saw horses, many, many horses, herded near the window.
And at the head of the pack are the three horses that were badly hurt by the poachers. I remember the color of their feathers and manes, so I'm quite sure.
"Are they okay?" (Tougo)
When I opened the window and reached out, the horse snuggled up to my hand. Wings flutter on its back. The wound is properly bandaged, and the bandage isn't bleeding, so maybe the wound is getting better.
"...that's good." (Tougo)
I was relieved, and then, as soon as I was relieved, my body relaxed.
The first time I slumped to the floor, I realized that I had no strength in my body.
...Now, how long have I been asleep? The first thing that comes to my mind is the fact that my body is not strong enough.
I left the room while moving against the wall, and when I left the house, Redgarde was there. As soon as Redgarde sees me, he looks very worried.
"Oh, hey, you're up. Are you okay?" (Fay)
"Yeah, I'm fine. Somehow." (Tougo)
I have a strange feeling that I can't get any strength into my body... and to put it simply, that's all. Even if I say that my body doesn't have strength, it's not so much that I can't move.
"Was it Redgarde who carried me?" (Tougo)
"Oh, yeah... sorry. I left you in the hands of the Pegasi and the others and they started trying to lay you near the spring to sleep." (Fay)
That's good that you carried me... I think I would have caught a cold if I had slept in the spring.
"I'm glad. Thank you. By the way, what about the poachers?" (Tougo)
"Those guys have already been taken away. They're in the town's jail." (Fay)
Oh, I see. That's good. I was worried about my horse if those guys were still in the forest.
"...however." (Fay)
However, Redgard made a sour face.
"The charges against them so far are 'intruding into the Forbidden Forest'." (Fay)
"...not poaching?" (Tougo)
"Yeah. Unfortunately, I didn't witness any poaching going on, and I don't know how to disprove they weren't poaching and that they were just entering the forest. They didn't take the Pegasus feathers or unicorn horns yet. We couldn't find them, so we can't charge them with the crime." (Fay)
...Of course. The Pegasi and I were the only ones who caught them red-handed, and what Redgarde saw was probably three energetic Pegasi, the poachers facing us, and me fainting for no particular reason. They could say I'm exhausted. If they hid the wings somewhere or throw them away... The "We were not poaching" phrase will pass.
When I think about it... it makes me regret that I fainted without doing anything.
"Well, I'm still glad. At any rate, Pegasus and you are both safe." (Fay)
"Yes, thank you." (Tougo)
For the time being, I'm glad I found out what happened after I collapsed. ...As far as the result of the situation is concerned, it is not good.
"I was really scared. You found the poacher before I did, and you were about to be attacked by them... and then you just collapsed and haven't moved for three days." (Fay)
...huh?
Three days...?
"Three days?" (Tougo)
"Yes, three days! What the hell did you do to be left in that state...? Every time I come here, you haven't moved an inch. I thought you were dead..." (Fay)
Ugh...that's scary.
I was unconscious for three days. With no external injuries? That's scary... That's very scary. What is that? What kind of condition was I in?
"Did you use some kind of powerful magic? I knew a magician who experienced something like that when he knocked a big enemy." (Fay)
"...maybe that's it." (Tougo)
Maybe it happened because I drew two horses to heal them simultaneously. After all, one horse at a time would have knocked me out for about six hours... but this was three days.
"You have to be really careful, alright? Somehow, I feel like you're not familiar with magic... You made me worry after finding you." (Fay)
"Umm, yeah... I'm sorry about that." (Tougo)
Well, it's unfamiliar. What is magic? Is it a state of being?
Yeah... So, for now, I'll be careful. It seems that if I forcefully draw a horse, I will sleep for three days.
"...By the way, about the poachers." (Tougo)
"Oh. What is it?" (Fay)
"Can't you somehow bring them to justice for poaching? For example... can't I testify?" (Tougo)
"Well, I appreciate that very much... How and what are you going to testify about?" (Fay)
Redgarde tilted his head and said,
"Currently, there are no injured Pegasi or unicorns." (Fay)
...Ah.
Oh, I see... that's right... I deliberately erased the evidence. Since there is no wounded horse, you can't prove the crime of injuring a horse. That's how it is.
"Well... that's why I'm grateful for your feelings, but it's difficult. The only thing you can testify is 'I saw a poacher chasing the Pegasi', but there's no evidence for that." (Fay)
Well... I screwed up, didn't I?
I interfered with Redgarde by healing the horses. It might not have been good for the horse either way
"...Well, don't be so glum! The poachers, well, we've taken care of them for now. ...but look, the Pegasi are saved! The Pegasi are happy! I'm sure they're grateful too. And look at the proof of how much they adore you! They stuck to your window and wouldn't leave." (Fay)
As if to prove Redgarde's point, the horses rubbed up against me. And they tickled me with their feathers. I was very ticklish.
"Well, come with me. For now, you should eat something. I was able to give you some water. But you haven't eaten anything for three days." (Fay)
...Having heard that I feel like I'm feeling hungry. Yes. I am hungry.
The horses also brought me fruit, as if to say, "Eat." The cutest one was a unicorn who brought me a peach on the end of his horn. I see. So that's how you carry things. Of course.
... I was a little depressed that I didn't do so well, but there was no use in being depressed. For now, I decided to eat some food to cheer myself up.
"The fruit here is so good, well, I knew it would be good. Why is it so sweet, though?" (Fay)
I couldn't say to Redgarde, who was picking fruit from the trees around the fountain and eating it, "Those are Japanese fruits," so I made small talk with him while trying to hide the fact. I don't know what kind of fruits this world has to offer, but I'm sure that the fruits that have been bred by modern Earthlings are delicious.
"...Oh, that's right. Tougo. I forgot to mention earlier that there are ways to deal with poachers." (Fay)
While I was surprised by the sudden change of subject, I was also surprised by the content. After all, didn't you just say that you had no choice but to charge them with "trespassing in the forbidden forest"?
"We can't prove that we caught them in the act. But if they plan to sell them, we might be able to prove that they were guilty. If there is evidence of transactions in which they sold Pegasus feathers and unicorn horns on the black market, we can use that to bring justice upon them!" (Fay)
Oh, yeah. The poachers were catching horse horns and feathers and selling them. And if we can prove they were selling them, we can find them guilty of poaching.
"We'll be fine. I'll do it. I, Fay Bullard Redgarde, vow to protect the peace of this forest in the name of the Redgarde family! I promise!" (Fay)
Redgarde said and smiled brightly to reassure me and the horses.
"...So, I have to get going now." (Fay)
Then Redgarde stood up. He must be busy too. However, he was probably worried about me and came to the depths of the forest. ...I feel horrible to put him through that.
"I'm going to go back to town, find out where the poachers are lurking, and search their homes. If I can find even a single proof, a contract, that's good enough for me!" (Fay)
But when Redgarde said this, he smiled at me without showing any signs of fatigue.
I was looking at him... Then I suddenly remembered something else.
Combing through my memory, I remember that I put something like that in my bag. That's why I searched my bag... and there was indeed a piece of paper that had been in there for the past three days.
"Can you read this?" (Tougo)
I unfolded it and handed it to Redgarde, who read it... and he made a confused expression.
"...I found what I was looking for before I even looked for it." (Fay)
"Here, it's a contract. It's proof that they traded unicorn horns and Pegasus feathers." (Fay)
...I see. That's good. Great even.
"No, why do you have all this stuff? Did you pick it up near poachers or something?" (Fay)
"No. I got it from a bird." (Tougo)
"A bird... you really are a mysterious person..." (Fay)
No, I'm not the mysterious one, the bird is the mysterious one.
After that, Redgarde took the contract and left.
...I couldn't ask him in detail, but I'm sure he helped me. Once again, I would like to thank him properly.
While I was thinking this in a daze, the usual giant bird came and started to bathe. I guess it was because I hadn't been around for a while, and it was tilting its head at me.
I couldn't help but say that when I saw the bird. Truly. This bird is a very mysterious one.
The Picture Perfect Mochi I Drew Tastes Good
今日も絵に描いた餅が美味い
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-picture-perfect-mochi-i-drew-tastes-good/
Adventure Fantasy Shounen Slice of Life Supernatural
Adapted to Manga Artists Caring Protagonist Fantasy World Friendship Loner Protagonist Male Protagonist Mythical Beasts Naive Protagonist R-15 Selfless Protagonist Spirits Stubborn Protagonist Transmigration Transported to Another World Weak Protagonist
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7921gj/
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