108.Purple Haze
「このまま、閉ざされた世界で滅びて行くなんて未来より、戦いのなかで魔人族の将来を勝ち取る努力をする方が、ずっと健全だと思わないか?」
アガチオンは玉座ではなく、一二三と向かい合って座れる応接セットがある別室を選んだ。
一二三は家臣どころか魔人族ですらないという理由で、玉座から見下ろして話すことをアガチオンが良しとしなかった事もあるが、多くの家臣たちの前で話すべきでない内容もあるという理由もある。
そして、第一声からフェゴールが勢いよく立ち上がる程の爆弾発言だった。
「お、王よ! それは......」
「いいから落ち着けフェゴール。お客様の前だぞ?」
爽やかな笑顔を振りまいたアガチオンは、足を組んで天井を見上げた。
「結局、箱庭の中で鬱憤を溜めている状態が正常であるはずが無いんだよ。諦めて朽ちていくのはあまりにも寂しいから、何かやってみて上手くいくなら上々、失敗したら魔人族はお仕舞い。それでいいと僕は思うんだ」
座り直したアガチオンは、カップのコーヒーをy一気に半分程飲み込んだ。
「ふぅ。人間さん、君は何という名前だい?」
一二三も、本日二杯目に口をつけている。
「人間の国で、一応貴族にはなった。だが、この世界を見て回っているところだ」
「良いね。とても羨ましいし、とても素敵な話だ」
近くにいた侍女に、お菓子を持ってくるように言うと、アガチオンは一二三に微笑む。
「僕は直接には見たことがないけれど、人間やエルフの他にも、ドワーフや獣人なんてのもいるんだろう? 一二三は会ったことがあるかい?」
「会った。ここに来る前に獣人の何人かと会ったし、その前に知り合った連中の中にドワーフもいるし、エルフもいる」
「あら、エルフにも会ったことがあるのね......言われて見れば、エルフのいる所を通って来たのはずだから、当然よね」
当然のように一二三の隣に座っているウェパル。
人間の国ならば家臣としてありえない状況だが、アガチオンは気にしないらしい。
「エルフは、どんな感じだった? やっぱり、魔人族を憎んでいたかい?」
興奮気味なアガチオンに対して、一二三は真顔のまま話した。
「お前ら魔人族が解放される事を恐れている感じだったな。なんというか“世界の敵”扱いってやつだ」
「なんと! 我らが一体何をしたというのか!」
アガチオンは無言で頷くだけだったが、フェゴールが憤慨していた。
彼らの話によると、魔人族はエルフや人間と対立状態だった時期が長く続き、最終的に魔人族がエルフに押し込まれる形でこの地に封印されたという。
それも数世代前の話なので、魔人族としては身に覚えのない過去の影響で不当に閉じ込められているという鬱憤が溜まり、逆に封印している側のエルフは“正義の行い”として結界の維持を受け継いで来たようだ。
「やはり、エルフだけは何としても倒さねば! 王よ、ここは一二三殿の協力を仰ぎ、我らが復讐を果たすべきではないでしょうか!」
熱く吠えるフェゴールに、ウェパルはうんざりという顔をしている。
そして、アガチオンも乗り気で無いという様子だ。
「ん~......一二三、君はどう思う?」
立ち上がったフェゴールを見て、口をもにょもにょと動かしながら考えたアガチオンの問いに、一二三は微笑んだ。
「戦うのは良い事だ。敵がはっきりしているのも、その先に希望を見ているのも健全だと思う。でもなぁ......」
「なにか、気になることがあるの? エルフがものすごく強い、とか?」
ウェパルが初めて真剣な目をする。普段はフラフラしている彼女だが、多くの兵士の命を預かる立場でもある。無為に部下を危険に晒すつもりも無い。
「エルフは何人か殺したが、別にそこまで強くもない。魔人族がでかい剣を振り回して魔物と戦うのを見たが、俺の知る限りでは魔人族の方が戦闘力では上だろうな」
個人個人の能力は知らん、と一二三はばっさり話題を変えた。
「結界は、しばらくしたら弱くなるか消えるかするんじゃないか?」
「おや、どうしてそう思う?」
アガチオンが身を乗り出してきた。
「エルフは大半が森から出て行くだろうな。行き先は知らんが、あの森に居たら悲惨な死に方をすると知った。もう、あいつらにとって森は恐怖の対象にしかならんだろう」
エルフが樹木へと変質して死んでいく事と、その原因と思われる森の特性について、一二三は包み隠さず語った。その際、エルフの解剖をした話をすると、フェゴールもアガチオンもグレーの顔を青ざめていたが、ウェパルだけは興味深く聞いていた。
「なるほどね......いつの間にか、敵はいなくなっていた、というわけかぁ。拳を振り下ろすどころか、振りかぶる以前に目標がいなくなるかもしれない、ってことか」
ソファーをゴロゴロと転がりながら、アガチオンは呻く。
「あ~参った! 何とかして戦いになれば、魔人族のストレスも一時的に発散できて、結束も固まると思ったのになぁ」
「戦いたいなら、やればいいだろうが」
「......どういう意味かな?」
クッションを抱えてうつぶせになっていたアガチオンが、片目で一二三に視線を向けた。
「簡単だ。エルフ以外を狙えばいい。他にもいる、とお前自身が言ったじゃないか。獣人もドワーフも、人間もいる。何も、エルフだけが他種族じゃないだろ」
「に、人間との戦いを人間がすすめるというのか......」
「驚くことじゃないだろう」
口の端を釣り上げた一二三。
「人間同士、しょっちゅうやりあってるぞ? ただ、それだと戦いの内容も決まりきった形になってしまって、成長しないからな」
一二三は立ち上がり、フェゴールの肩を叩いた。
「どうせ暴れるなら、もっと広い世界に出る事を考えろよ。魔人族の名を知らしめるなら、エルフ相手じゃなくて、この世界中を対象にするくらいで丁度いい」
「ふむ......」
「どうせ嫌われてるなら、誰に遠慮することもないだろう。エルフの居留地に住めないなら、ここに残るかさらに遠くに
一二三は刀を腰に差し、袴に指を当てて折り目を整えた。
「どこへ行くんだい?」
アガチオンの問いかけに、ドアを開けながら振り向いた一二三が答えた。
「お前らの答え次第で、協力するかどうかを決める。しばらく街をぶらつくつもりだから、決まったらまた呼べばいい」
「あっ、じゃあ私が街を案内してあげる!」
出ていった一二三を追って、ウェパルが素早く立ち上がって駆け出した。
「王様、失礼しま~す!」
「ああ、魔人族の街も楽しめる事を教えてくれたまえ」
小さな音を立てて扉が閉まる。
立っていたフェゴールは、アガチオンに向かって跪いた。
「王よ、あの者を連れてきたことは、軽率であったやもしれません」
「いや、やはり外の者の話を聞けたのは良かった。よく見つけてきてくれた」
アガチオンが大仰に頷くと、フェゴールは身体をすくませて恐縮の意を述べた。
「エルフの土地は危険か。しかし、結界が無くなるのが本当だとすると......あまり、のんびり考えている時間は残されていないようだな。どうやら、大きな決断を下さねばならないようだな、フェゴール」
「王は偉大であり、その決定には全ての魔人族が従うでしょう」
全くの澄んだ瞳で答えたフェゴールに、アガチオンは天を仰いだ。
「プレッシャーかけてるだけじゃないか、それ」
まあいい、と溜息をついたアガチオンは、フェゴールにも聞こえないほどに小さな声で、自分の考えを口に出してみた。
「人間や獣人との戦い、か。どうせなら、たった一人が相手でも景気良く勝利から始めたいものだ」
オリガに半死半生の怪我を終わされ、強化された魔物を命からがら倒したバールゼフォン。
魔物に埋め込まれていた魔法具を取り外し、意を決して自らの胸部に押し付けたところから、長く気を失っていた。
「......うぅ......」
眩しい。
うっすらと目を開いた時、最初にそう呟いたつもりだったが、バールゼフォンの口から出たのは、言葉ではなくうめき声だけだった。
自分が、どこでどのような状態にいるのか判らない。
思考が混乱する中で、ようやく視界がはっきりしてきた。
息を吐きながら、のっそりと身体を起こす。
どうやら周囲を木々に囲まれているようだ。
青い葉が茂った枝からこぼれた日差しが、バールゼフォンを目覚めさせたらしい。
「......?」
気を失うまでの事を懸命に思い出す。
身体中が傷だらけだったはずなのに、どこも痛みを感じない。
視界が不自然に高いことに気づき、バールゼフォンは恐る恐る、自分の身体を見下ろした。
思わず、うめき声が漏れた。
しっかりと鍛え上げ、引き締まった体躯だったはずが、筋肉質ではあるが身体全体がふた回り以上は巨大化している。全身にうっすらと毛が生え、着ていた服もボロボロに破れていた。
混乱しながら、手足を順に見る。
腕も足も、丸太のように太くなり、岩のようにガチガチの筋肉で覆われていた。爪は分厚く、かつ鋭く伸びて小さなナイフが並んでいるようだ。
「ま、魔物なのか?!」
突然聞こえてきた声に振り向くと、鎧を着た剣士らしい男が二人と、魔法使いらしいローブの女が一人、バールゼフォンを見て驚いた顔をしていた。
「あんなやつ、見たことないよ!?」
二歩、三歩と後ずさりながら、魔法使いが二人の男に逃げよう、と話している。
「いや、新種ならギルドに売れば金になる。人型なのは厄介だが、一体ならばなんとかなる」
一人の剣士が剣を抜くと、もう一人も黙って同じように武器を構えた。
「もう! ちゃんと守ってよ!?」
悪態をつきながら杖を構えた女を置いて、剣士二人がジリジリとバールゼフォンとの距離を詰めてくる。
冒険者たちが話しているあいだ、バールゼフォンは犬歯が伸びて上手く閉じることができない口から、熱い吐息と呻きを漏らしながら、冷静に目の前の人間たちを観察していた。
頭が働かない。ただただ、暴力的な衝動が脳裏を支配している。
「へっ、怖がっているみたいだな。人間を見るのは初めてか?」
一人の剣士がヘラヘラと笑いながら近づいてくる。
バールゼフォンは、鋭く伸びた爪を震わせた。
(殺したい)
はっきりと、聞いたことがあるような声が頭に響いた。
その瞬間、バールゼフォンは自分の身体が何かに操られているような気がして、ふと気づくと、剣士の一人が喉から血を吹き出しながらのたうち回っていた。
「マーデン! クソッ!」
もう一人の剣士が、剣を振り上げて襲ってくる。
「ガァッ!」
まるでケモノのような声を上げ、バールゼフォンの腕が伸びる。
鋭い爪が、剣が振り下ろされるよりも早く、剣士の眼球を貫いた。
衝撃と傷みに、声もあげられずに剣を取り落とした剣士は、さらに爪で首をかき切られてあっさりと殺された。
魔法の詠唱も忘れ、女は杖を抱きしめて震えていた。
彼女にとって幸運だったのは、バールゼフォンを攻撃しなかった事と、バールゼフォン自身が自らの行動に戸惑って、血まみれの両手を見つめて立ち尽くしていた事だった。
そろそろとその場を離れた女は、仲間の死で混乱する心を抱えたまま、必死で逃げた。
命からがら町へ戻った女がギルドへ報告して以降、オーソングランデとヴィシーの周辺で時折“凶悪な人型の魔物”が見かけられ、多くの被害を出していく。
被害者の多くが冒険者だったこともあり、オーソングランデのヴィシー方面にある数箇所のギルドは、とうとうフォカロルへ応援を求める事になった。
「やれやれ、老骨に苦労を押し付けおって」
アロセールから馬車を使い、ようやくフォカロルへと到着したアロセールのギルド長レシは、長く座ったせいかピリピリと痛む腰をさすった。
「しかし、フォカロルへ来たのは数年ぶりじゃが、随分と変わったもんだのう」
若い頃、冒険者として国境を超えてフォカロルへ来たことが数回あった彼は、当時とは全く違う、”王都よりも都会”とまで評されるフォカロルの発展ぶりに驚いていた。
道は広く整備され、中央に敷設されたレールを、猛スピードで台車が駆け抜けていく。
歩いている人数も多く、年齢の割には元気だと自負しているレシでも、人ごみに酔ってしまうほどだ。
時折休憩を挟みながら、ようやく辿り着いた領主館の前で、レシはしばらく立ち止まっていた。
「さて、どうするかのう......」
以前、アロセールのギルドを訪れた少女は、自らを軍務長官と名乗ったことを思い出した。
自分の数分の一の年齢しかない女の子に、荒事の要請をするのは気が引ける。
だが、ギルドとして決定したことである。
「もし、わしはアロセールのギルドで責任者をしておりますレシというのじゃが、軍務長官殿とお会いできるじゃろうか」
「ああ、それなら中に入って受付に聞いてみてください」
館の出入り口脇にいる兵士は、いつもの事だというように室内を指差した。
言われるままに中に入ると、そこはフォカロルの住人たちに対して、バタバタと忙しそうに対応している職員たちの姿があった。
申し訳ないとは思いつつ、レシは一人に声をかけた。
しばらく待つように言われ、五分ほどで案内されたのは、二階の一室だった。
「お待たせして申し訳ありません」
室内で待つこと数十秒。レシの目の前にあらわれたのは、一人の男性だった。
「トオノ伯爵領にて文官として働いております、カイムと申します。軍務長官は外出中ですので、私が代わりにご用件をお聞きします」
静かな声で話し、会釈をしてはいるものの、その表情は感情が抜け落ちて、マスクでもつけているかのように無表情だ。
「アロセールのギルド長、レシと申します。この度は、突然の訪問で申し訳ない」
「それで、フォカロルまでお越しになられた理由とは?」
レシと向かい合って座ったカイムは、最初から本題に入った。
「以前、軍務長官殿にご訪問いただきましてな。その際に話をさせていただいた中で、人型の魔物についての事もあったのじゃが、ここ数日は冒険者を中心に被害が出ておりますので、何卒お力添えをいただければ、と思って参上いたしました次第で」
「人型の魔物ですか。なるほど......」
「退治に動きたいのはやまやまなのですが、件の魔物は非常に強く、恥ずかしながら今の冒険者では対応ができておりませぬ」
語る間、真顔で真っ直ぐに見つめてくるカイムの視線に戸惑いつつも、レシは魔物からの被害について全てを包み隠さず話した。
「状況はわかりました」
「では......」
「商隊や重要人物の移動には、更に多くの護衛をつけましょう。その分、フォカロルからも兵士を派遣して、街道での護衛任務に付けましょう」
しかし、カイムは魔物そのものへの対応には言及しない。
「で、ですがそのまま放置しては更に被害が......」
「我が主であるトオノ伯爵は、自らや自らのものを良いように利用される事を、殊の他嫌われます。問題を解決するためのお手伝いはいたしましょう。ですが、ギルドへの協力という形で兵を出すわけには参りません」
言い切ったカイムの顔は、何の感情も浮かべていない。
次の言葉を探しているレシに、カイムがさらに続けた。
「......ですが、ギルドとは無関係に、我々が独自の判断で動く事はできます」
「し、失礼ですが、その方が危険ではないかと思うのじゃが......」
ヴィシーとの国境に近いエリアである事を踏まえ、レシは軍が行動すると、いらぬ刺激をしてしまうのではにないか、と懸念をつたえた。
「あくまで周辺ギルドの要請と伝えれば良いのではないかと思うのじゃが......」
だが、カイムの返答はレシにとっては理解の範疇を超えていた。
「敵軍を牽制しつつ凶悪な魔物に対する二正面作戦。良い訓練になりそうです」
「そ、それではまた争いが起きてしまうやも......」
「戦争になるのであればそれでも問題はありません。むしろ、我が主はそれをこそ望んでおります。そして当然、我々はそれに従うものです。強力な魔物、結構な事です。戦争になる、それも結構です」
レシは目の前の男が怖くなってきた。
あの時、一二三が現れて冒険者たちを次々と葬った時と同じだ。
「ありがとうございます」
突然頭を下げたカイムに、レシは意味がわからなかった。
「あなたが持ち込んだ情報により、我々はさらなる戦いに向かうことができます。そして、さらなる成長をして、領主の帰りを待つことができるでしょう」
レシは、もはや何も話せなかった。
Chapter 108: Purple Haze
"Don't you think that it's far more sound to put in great effort and gain a future for the demons on the battlefield rather than a destiny of perishing in a closed world like this?" (Agathion)
Agathion chose a separate room with a lounge suit, and not the throne room, making it possible for him to sit opposite of Hifumi.
With the reasoning that Hifumi isn't even a demon, let alone a retainer, there are matters which Agathion deemed acceptable to discuss while sitting on the throne, but there are also matters which shouldn't be talked about in front of many retainers.
And, his first statement was a bombshell announcement at the level of making Phegor jump up vigorously.
"K-King! That is..." (Phegor)
"Calm down and listen up, Phegor. Aren't you in front of a guest?" (Agathion)
Beaming with a refreshing smile, Agathion crossed his legs and raised his eyes to the ceiling.
"After all, the state of resentment accumulating in this miniature garden can't be expected to be normal. Since it's too lonely for us to give up and rot away, it would be best if it goes smoothly after trying to do something about it, otherwise it'll be the end of the demon race. And I think that's fine." (Agathion)
Correcting his posture, Agathion suddenly gulped down around half of the coffee in the cup.
"Pheew. Human-san, what is your name?" (Agathion)
Hifumi is drinking his second cup today as well.
"More or less I became a noble in a human country. However, I'm in the process of touring this world." (Hifumi)
"That's great. I'm very envious. It's a very fantastic story." (Agathion)
Once he tells the maid, who was nearby, to bring some sweets, Agathion smiles at Hifumi.
"Although I've never seen them personally, there are dwarves and beastmen in addition to humans and elves as well, aren't there? Did you happen to meet them, Hifumi?" (Agathion)
"I did. I met with many beastmen before coming here. There are dwarves amongst the bunch I got to know before that. There are the elves, too." (Hifumi)
"Oh, you encountered the elves as well... but that's only natural since you should have passed through the place of the elves if I go by what you've said." (Agathion)
Vepar is sitting next to Hifumi as if it was the usual.
Though it's an impossible situation for a retainer if it was a human country, Agathion doesn't seem to mind it.
"What were your impressions of the elves? They hate the demons after all, don't they?" (Agathion)
Hifumi addressed Agathion, who is somewhat excited, with a serious look.
"I had the impression that they feared the release of you demons. Somehow they treat you as "enemy of the world."" (Hifumi)
"What! Just what the heck did we do!?" (Phegor)
Agathion only nodded in silence, but Phegor got indignant.
According to their story, the time where the demons confronted the humans and elves continued for a long time and finally the demons were sealed in this place after being pushed into it by the elves.
Since that's a story from several generations ago, the demons were amassing resentment for being imprisoned undeservedly as result of a past they have no knowledge of. On the other hand, the elves's side, which is the one doing the sealing, was able to succeed in maintaining the barrier as "act of justice."
"After all, just the elves have to be defeated by any means necessary! King, shouldn't we accomplish our revenge by seeking Hifumi-dono's cooperation here?" (Phegor)
Vepar makes a face as if being fed up with it due to Phegor roaring intensely.
And, Agathion also has a look of not being too enthusiastic about it.
"Mmh~ ... What do you think, Hifumi?" (Agathion)
Watching Phegor who stood up, Hifumi smiled due to the question of Agathion who pondered while moving his mouth with a *monyo monyo*.
"Fighting is a good thing. Even if you clearly know your enemy, I believe it to be proper to also regard your further ambitions. But you know..." (Hifumi)
"Is there something bothering you? Are the elves incredibly powerful or such?" (Vepar)
For the first time Vepar has a seriousness reflected in her eyes. Usually she is absentminded, but she is also in a position of having to look after the lives of many soldiers. Even she has no intention to expose her subordinates to danger pointlessly.
"I killed several elves, but they weren't that particularly strong either. I saw the battle with the monsters and the demon wielding a large sword, thus as far as I know the demons are superior in regards to fighting strength, I guess." (Hifumi)
"I don't know your individual abilities though", Hifumi changed the topic completely.
"Won't the barrier vanish or become weaker in a while?" (Hifumi)
"Oh? Why do you think so?" (Agathion)
Agathion bent himself forward.
"The majority of elves will leave the forest. I don't know about their destination, but they became aware of meeting tragic deaths if they stayed in that forest. For them the forest is nothing more but a target of fear, I suppose." (Hifumi)
Hifumi talked about the forests' characteristic of being the cause of the elves dying by changing into arbour without concealing anything. Once he mentioned that he dissected elves in the process, Phegor's and Agathion's grey faces became pale, though Vepar listened closely.
"I see... our enemies will be gone before we realize it, is what you mean, eh? Far from swinging our fists at them, our targets might be gone before we can even clutch them, right?" (Agathion)
While rolling about on the sofa, Agathion groans.
"Ah~ I give up! I thought we would be able to solidify the unity of the demons one way or the other by having them vent their stress if it's a battle." (Agathion)
"If you want to fight, it's fine to do so though." (Hifumi)
"... What do you mean?" (Agathion)
Agathion was laying face-down while clinging on the cushion, but he turned one eye towards Hifumi.
"That's simple. It's fine if you aim for someone else than the elves. There are others as well, you said so yourself, didn't you? There are dwarves, beastmen and humans as well. Aren't there other races, not just the elves?" (Hifumi)
"D-Does a human propose to fight with humans...?" (Agathion)
"I don't think that something to be surprised about." (Hifumi)
Hifumi lifted the edges of his mouth.
"Humans are constantly fighting amongst each other, aren't they? However, as the details of the battles had a fixed style, they haven't grown up." (Hifumi)
Hifumi stood up and clapped Agathion's shoulder.
"If you are going to rampage anyway, think about doing it on a larger stage. If you want to make the name of the demons known, it's just right to at least target the whole world and not only the elves." (Hifumi)
"Hmm..." (Agathion)
"If you are going to be hated anyway, you don't have to hold back against anyone, right? If you are unable to live in the elven concession, you have only two choices: remain here or search for a dwelling in a distant place." (Hifumi)
Placing the katana at his waist, Hifumi put his finger on his hakama and fixed a crease.
"Where are you going?" (Agathion)
Hifumi, who turned around while opening the door answered Agathion's question,
"Depending on your guys' answer, I will decide whether I will cooperate with you or not. I plan to stroll around the city for a while, therefore it's alright if you call me again once you came to a conclusion." (Hifumi)
"Ah, then let me guide you through the city!" (Vepar)
Chasing Hifumi who left the room, Vepar swiftly stood up and ran off.
"King-sama, please excuse me~" (Vepar)
"Yea, teach him about the things which can be enjoyed in the demons' city." (Agathion)
The door is closed with a small sound.
The standing Phegor faced Agathion and kneeled.
"My king, it was obviously careless of me to have brought that person along." (Phegor)
"No, it was good that I heard the stories from an outsider after all. You did well to find him." (Agathion)
Once Agathion made an exaggerated nod, Phegor stated his feelings of being sorry while unable to move his body.
"The elves' place is dangerous, huh? If we assume that it's really true that the barrier will vanish... it doesn't look like we have overly much time left to care-freely ponder about things. It appears I have to make a large decision, Phegor." (Agathion)
"Oh king, you are great. All of the demons will follow that decision." (Phegor)
Agathion looked up to the sky due to Phegor who answered with completely clear eyes.magic
"Aren't you just putting me under pressure with that?" (Agathion)
Agathion, who sighed "Well, it's fine", expressed his own thought in a small voice that couldn't be heard by Phegor.
"Fighting with humans and beastmen, eh? Anyway, even if it's only a single opponent, it's something I want to begin with a proper victory." (Agathion)
Having suffered a close to a half dead injury by Origa, Balzephon defeated the strengthened monster while barely escaping alive.
Dismantling the magic tool which was embedded in the monster, he lost consciousness for a long time after forcing it into his own chest resolutely.
"... Uuh..." (Balzephon)
How dazzling.
He intended to mutter that at the beginning when he opened his eyes faintly, but what came out from Balzephon's mouth weren't words but only groans.
He doesn't know in what kind of state he is.
While his mind was confused, his sight finally became clear.
He rises his body sluggishly while exhaling.
Apparently I'm surrounded by trees.
The sunlight, which spilled through the branches with their thickly grown green leaves, seems to have woken up Balzephon.
"...?" (Balzephon)
He eagerly recalls the situation until the point he lost consciousness.
Although he should be covered in wounds all over his body, he doesn't feel any pain.
Realizing that his field of vision is unnaturally high, Balzephon timidly looked down at his body.
He unintentionally leaked a moan.
Having trained properly, he should have a firm physique, but on top of his body being covered in muscles all over he has changed into a giant. Hair grew thinly on his whole body and his clothes were tattered and torn.
While being confused, he looks at his limbs one after the other.
His feet and arms have become as thick as logs and were wrapped in muscles which were as hard as rock. His nails are massive and sharp, matching small knives.
"A-A monster?"
Once he turns around due to the voice he heard all of a sudden, there were two men, who appear to be swordsmen wearing armour, and a robed woman, who seems to be a magician. They looked at Balzephon with surprised faces.
"Have you ever seen such a monster!?"
While retreating 2-3 steps, the magician tells the two men to escape.
"No, it will be lucrative if we can sell it to the guild as it is a new species. A human type is troublesome, but we will be able to manage one way or the other if it's only one."
Once one of the swordsmen drew his sword, the other became silent and prepared his weapon likewise.
"Geeze! Protect me properly, will you!?"
As the woman set up her wand while cursing, the two swordsmen are slowly closing the distance to Balzephon.
In the time the adventurers talked amongst each other, Balzephon calmly observed the humans in front of him while leaking a groan and hot long breath since he wasn't able to properly close his mouth due to the grown canines.
His brain doesn't work. His mind is simply dominated by a violent urge.
"Hee, it looks to be afraid. Is it the first time it saw humans?"
One of the swordsmen laughs foolishly while closing in.
Balzephon shook his sharp, grown nails.
(I want to kill.)
A voice as if he had clearly heard that reverberated in his mind.
At that moment Balzephon had a feeling as if his body was controlled by something. When he suddenly noticed that, one swordsman sprouted blood from his throat while writhing.
"Maden! Fuck!"
The other swordsman comes attacking with his sword raised overhead.
"Gaah!"
Raising his voice completely like a beast, Balzephon's arm stretches out.
The sharp nail was faster than the sword which came swinging down. The swordman's eyeball was pierced.
The swordsman, who dropped his sword without even raising his voice due to the pain and impact, had his head cut by the nails even more and was killed quickly.
Forgetting even her spell chanting, the woman closely hugged her wand and trembled.
What was fortunate for her was that Balzephon didn't attack. Balzephon himself was bewildered by his own actions. Staring at his bloodstained hands, he stood stock still.
The woman, who left the scene slowly, desperately ran away while carrying the deaths of her companions in her confused mind.
Afterwards the woman, who returned to the city while barely escaping alive, reported to the guild. Catching sight of the "fiendish human type monster" which sometimes appears in Orsongrande and the vicinity of Vichy, it causes many victims.
As many of the victims were adventurers, several guilds, which are located in the Vichy direction of Orsongrande, finally requested support from Fokalore.
"Good grief, they are forcing troubles onto an old man." (Reshi)
Arosel's guildmaster, Reshi, who arrived in Fokalore at last by using a carriage from Arosel, rubbed his waist which had a tingling pain because of the long sitting in the carriage.
"It's been several years since I came to Fokalore, but it changed quite a bit." (Reshi)
He, who came several times to Fokalore, which was past the national border, as adventurer in his early days, was surprised by the rate of growth of Fokalore which has been evaluated as "more of a city than the capital" and was completely different from the past.
Establishing wide roads and laying out rails in the middle of them, rail wagons blaze through at great speeds.
There are also many people walking. Even Reshi, who is proud about his vigour in relation to his age, is feeling sick by the crowd of people.
While taking a rest sometimes, Reshi stopped for a bit in front of the feudal lord's mansion he finally reached.
"Well then, what to do...?" (Reshi)
He remembered that the girl, who previously visited Arosel's guild, called herself military director.
He has felt awkward to request a fight from a girl who has no more than a fraction of his age.
However, it was something they decided as guild.
"If I name myself Reshi who is the one in charge of Arosel's guild, will I be able to meet with Military Director-dono." (Reshi)
"Yea, if that's the case, please try asking at the reception after entering inside."
A soldier, who is at the side of the mansion's entrance, pointed inside as if it was something usual.
Once he entered inside as he was told, he saw the figures of staff members who are noisily and busily dealing with the inhabitants of Fokalore.
, Reshi called out to one of them.
Being told to wait for a moment, he was led to a room on the second floor after around 5 minutes.
"Thank you very much for waiting."
He waited in the room for several seconds. Then a single man appeared in front of Reshi.
"I'm called Caim and I'm working as civil official in Earldom Tohno. Since the Military Director is out of office currently, I shall listen to your business in her stead." (Caim)
Talking in a calm voice, his expression lacks any emotions as he makes his greetings. He is expressionless as if he had a mask on his face.
"I'm called Reshi, the guildmaster of Arosel's guild. Please let me excuse myself at this occasion for suddenly visiting." (Reshi)
"So, what's your reason for deciding to come to Fokalore?" (Caim)
Caim, who sat across of Reshi, got straight to the point from the start.
"I was previously visited by the Military Director. There was mention about the human type monster in our conversation at that time, but since the victims are centred around adventurers in the last few days, I came immediately visiting thinking that I might ask you kindly for assistance." (Reshi)
"A human type monster? I see..." (Caim)
"I really want to move towards its extermination, but this monsters is extremely powerful. While it's disgraceful, there are currently no adventurers who can deal with it." (Reshi)
Even while being bewildered by Caim's looking directly at him with a serious look during his statement, Reshi explained everything about the damage caused by the monster without hiding anything.
"I grasped the situation." (Caim)
"Then..." (Reshi)
"Let's attach a large number of guards to merchant groups and the travelling of important people. By dispatching soldiers from Fokalore as well, we shall increase the guard duty on the highway." (Caim)
However, Caim doesn't mention the coping with the monster itself at all.
"B-But, if we leave it alone as is, the damage will further..." (Reshi)
"Our Lord, Earl Tohno exceedingly hates himself and his own things being used in a beneficial way. Let us help in order to solve the problem. However, we won't do it in the shape of sending soldiers to cooperate with the guild." (Caim)
No emotions are shown on Caim's face who stated that.
As Reshi is looking for his next words, Caim continued further,
"... But, if it's unrelated to the guild, we will be able to move upon our own judgement." (Caim)
"E-Excuse me, but I wonder if this method doesn't have dangerous aspects..." (Reshi)
Based on the incidents occurring in an area close to the national border of Vichy, Reshi conveyed his worries that if they mobilized their troops, it might end up triggering an unwanted stimulus.
"I wonder if it isn't fine if we simply convey the request to the guilds in the surroundings, but..." (Reshi)
However, Caim's answer surpassed the category of Reshi's understanding.
"While keeping the enemy army in check, we will deal with the fiendish monster. It's a two-fronts strategy. It should become a good exercise." (Caim)
"I-In that case, a conflict will occur once again and also..." (Reshi)
"There's no problem even if it turns into a war. Rather, our Lord wishes for that. And, naturally we abide to his wishes. A vicious monster is a wonderful thing. If it turns into a war, it will be even more wonderful." (Caim)
Reshi became afraid of the man in front of him.
This time is similar to the time when Hifumi showed up and sent one adventurer after the other into their oblivion.
"Thank you." (Caim)
Due to Caim bowing abruptly, Reshi didn't get the meaning.
"Because of the information you brought, we will be able to head into even more battles. And we will be able to wait for our feudal lord's return while growing even further." (Caim)
Reshi wasn't able to say anything else anymore.
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