122.Tumbling Dice
「彼らは何を考えているのですか!」
珍しく、イメラリアはデスクを叩いた。
状況を伝えにきたサブナクも、口を引き結んでイメラリア同様に怒りの表情を見せている。
ホーラント王スプランゲル崩御の報が届くと同時に、アスピルクエタ伯爵が率いる貴族連合軍が、挙兵してホーラント方面へ向かったとの連絡が届いたのだ。
「ホーラントとの戦争は終わりました! 一二三様が我が国を狙って攻勢を進めていた王太子を倒した事で、終了したのです!」
乱暴に椅子へ腰を下ろし、紅茶を一口のみ、息を整えた。
「フォカロルへ留学生を送り、ホーラントへもフォカロルから教導兵が行っています。しかも相手国の国王が亡くなった直後......」
「大問題ですね」
「他人事のように言わないでください、サブナクさん」
もう、とイメラリアは手元の紙に向かい、インク壺にペン先をつけた。
「アスピルクエタ伯爵に同調した貴族は......八家もいるのですか......」
報告書にある参加貴族の名前と参戦兵数を見ながら、兵数を合計する。
実に五百名もの兵力を動員し、その十分の一程の“お付き”をゾロゾロと引き連れて国境へ向かったらしい。
頭痛を感じたイメラリアは眉間を押さえて、細い指で強く挟んだ。
「この人数、領地の兵士殆どを動員していませんか?」
「おそらくは。狙いは完全にホーラントの占領でしょう。
「以前の第二騎士隊の悪夢が、規模を拡大して再現されるかもしれませんね」
サブナクの予測に頷いて返したイメラリアは、コツコツとペン先を紙に当てる。黒いシミが、じわりと広がった。
「......違いますね。今回は一二三様がおられません」
「戦争が起きるのです。駆けつけて参戦されるのでは?」
「それを期待するほど、楽観的にはなれません。それに、あの方を頼る形で解決しても、また同じような事が起きるでしょう」
イメラリアの言葉に、サブナクは疑問を感じた。
「と、申されますと?」
「このリストに並ぶ名前に見覚えがありましたので、ずっと考えていたのですが、ようやく思い出せました」
書類から顔を上げたイメラリアの目は、悲しみを湛えていた。
「お母様の......以前の王妃派の方々です。お母様が亡くなられた後は、事あるごとにわたくしと一二三様に苦言を呈されておられましたね」
影響力と言われると、無きに等しいものでしたけれど、とイメラリアは溜息をついた。議場などで嫌味を言うのが関の山ではあるものの、その嫌味が地味にストレスだった。
「おそらくは」
ペンを置いたイメラリアは、天井を仰いだ。
「一二三様に対抗しようとしているのでしょう。武勲を上げれば発言力を取り戻せるとでも思っているのではありませんか? わたくしが一二三様を扱いきれていないことはわかっているでしょうから、その一二三様を上回る武功があれば、わたくしを押さえつけることもできるだろう、と」
そして、自分たちの傀儡になる人物をわたくしの王配に充てるといったところが狙いでしょう、とイメラリアは言う。
「何というか......失礼ながら、浅知恵としか言い様がありませんね」
呆れた、とサブナクが首を振った。
「その浅知恵が、他の貴族を刺激することもあるのです」
「......して、どのように処しましょう」
「只今を持って、アスピルクエタ伯爵と彼に同調し出兵した貴族たちの地位を剥奪いたします。その家族は全て拘禁してください。処遇は後ほど決定いたします。当主であるアスピルクエタ伯爵他、参加貴族の当主は全て我が国の公敵に指定します。全ての貴族家に対し、彼らを匿うことを禁じ、従わぬ者も罰すると通達を」
「はっ! 承知いたしました」
踵を鳴らし、姿勢を正したサブナクに、イメラリアはさらに言葉を続けた。
「サブナクさん、近衛を含め、造反者を追撃し、ホーラントへの被害を食い止める部隊の編成をお願いいたします。速度を重視し、道中領地を通る貴族からも人数を出してもらうようにお話いたしましょう」
「御意」
「そして、その追撃戦はわたくしが指揮を執ります」
「......はっ?」
サブナクの戸惑いも気にせず、イメラリアは立ち上がった。
「わたくしを女だと思って甘く見ているから、このような行動をする輩が現れるのです。わたくしにも戦えるということをお見せいたしましょう」
きっと見せつけたい相手は造反貴族では無いのだろう、とサブナクは内心でイメラリアの年相応の一面を見たような気がして、少しだけ和んだ。
が、そうも言っていられない。
「わたくしの軍服というものはありませんから、そうですね......乗馬服で良いでしょう。馬上から指揮をすることができますし。用意ができましたら、隊列を組んで出発いたします」
完全にやる気のイメラリアを止める事ができず、サブナクは大慌てで精鋭を選んで護衛隊を編成する羽目になった。
「......そういえば」
イメラリアが何かを思い出し、ポツリとつぶやいた。
「スプランゲル王の後継者とされるネルガルさんが、フォカロルへ留学中でしたわね......」
かなり重要なことを思い出し、イメラリアは退室しようとしていたサブナクを呼び止めた。
「他の貴族たちが、ネルガルさんの所在や立場について知っている可能性はありますか?」
「そうですね......特に秘匿しているわけではありませんから、例えばフォカロルに身内が留学なり出向なりしている貴族であれば、知っているかもしれません」
その言葉に、イメラリアは先ほど見ていた造反者リストに目を落とした。
「......もしわたくしが事を起こすのであれば、ホーラントを取りまとめる旗頭になりそうな人物は最低でも足止めをしようと考えます」
頷くサブナクに、顔を上げたイメラリアが続ける。
「それに、一二三様に対しても、何かしらの足止めをするでしょう。それも、直接本人を相手にするのが無理であれば、近しい誰かを利用して......」
ほんの数秒間、思考を巡らせたイメラリアは、机の上にあるリストを叩いた。
「ミダスさんに連絡してください。彼に十名程の騎士だけの騎馬部隊を率い、すぐにフォカロル方面へ向かうようにと。途中でオリガさんと合流できれば、彼女の護衛もお願いします。ミダスさんであれば、一二三様ともオリガさんとも面識がありますし、柔軟な対応ができる騎士だと聞いておりますから、適任でしょう」
「了解いたしました」
とはいえ、二人共オリガが誘拐や殺害されるとは本気で思っていなかった。ただ、あまり刺激したくない部分をむやみに触られる事が心配だったのだ。
ホーラント王スプランゲルの最期は、誰にも看取られることのない、しかし穏やかなものだった。
夕食の際に、フォカロルへ留学中のネルガルから届いたオーソングランデ産のワインを愉しみ、赤ら顔で寝室へと入っていくのを侍従たちが見送った。
すでに老齢であったスプランゲルは、気分次第では寵姫と共に眠る事もしばしばあったが、基本的には一人でゆっくりと眠る事を好んだ。
この日も、数名いる寵姫の誰にも声はかからず、一人眠りについた。
そして、二度と目覚める事はなかった。
翌朝、王を起こしに来た侍女の悲鳴から、騒ぎは瞬く間に広まる。
タイミングが悪かったのは、城内にこれといった有力者がおらず、後継であるネルガルも不在。しかも、侍女の叫び声の中を出入りしている民間の商人が聞いてしまった。
王の死は止める者がいないままに城下に広がり、出入りする商人からあっという間に国外へと広まった。
国政に携わる者たちは主導権を握る為に城内での工作に血眼になり、民間に流れる王の崩御の噂は、誰にも止められる事なく、事実として流出した。
当然、オーソングランデから潜入していた者たちから、情報は流れる。
そして、誰もが何もできない状態でいるところへ、オーソングランデが出兵したとの情報が城へと届いた。
「さて、貴兄らをここへ呼んだのは、他でもない。貴兄らの故国から我が国に兵が向かっているという話があった。その事について、だ」
主がいない王城で、政務大臣という地位にあるというスプランゲルと同年代の老人が、呼び出した相手に向かってゆっくりと話し始めた。
「我が国は貴国との......貴兄らの主君との不幸な衝突を経て、平和的で進歩的な交流が叶ったと私は考えておる」
殊更に一二三とその所領たるフォカロルとの近しい関係を強調するあまり、牽制を狙ったような言い回しになっているが、本人は気づいていない。
それだけ、余裕がない。
「大臣様のおっしゃるとおりですな」
対して、答えを返したのはホーラントに派遣された教導隊の隊長を任されたマ・カルメという妙な名前の男だった。一二三からカルメが名字かと聞かれ、家名などない平民で、どっちも名前だと答え、すぐに名前を覚えられたという。
兵士としては軽装で、革の胸当てだけを付け、城に入る時に預かられてしまったが、いつもは腰に大ぶりのナイフと鎖鎌をジャラジャラとぶら下げている。
無精ひげが目立つ、粗野なイメージの風貌だが、何かと周囲をよく観察していて行動の選択も早いので、誰かの指導をするのも少数の部隊を率いるのもソツなくこなす。
「だからこそ、うちの大将......トオノ伯爵様は俺たちをここへ派遣したんでしょうな。......で、それがどうかしましたか?」
真正面から問われ、大臣は奥歯を噛み締めた。
ここで選択を間違えば、教導隊がそのまま侵略部隊になりかねない。
「しょ、正直に言おう。貴兄らの国から送られてくる兵士たちを説得し、戦闘を回避することに強力して欲しい」
「はぁ。説得ですか......」
短く刈り込んだ髪をぐしぐしと掻き、マ・カルメは唸った。
「そいつぁ、オーソングランデ国境のビロン伯爵がされるでしょうよ。どう考えても姫様の、おっと、女王陛下のお考えでの行動ではないでしょうからね」
マ・カルメの言葉に、大臣は安堵の表情を見せた。
だが、マ・カルメは続ける。
「まあ、無駄でしょうがね。うちの大将みたいに派手な戦果でも上げない限り、単なる馬鹿扱いですから。無理矢理にでも押し通って、一定の戦果を上げるまでは引くに引けないでしょうな」
何か、勝機があってのことでしょうから、それの結果が出るまでは諦めることは無いでしょう、とマ・カルメは続けた。
「それでは......では、貴兄らは......」
怯えたような顔をする大臣に、マ・カルメは顎をザラリと撫でて笑った。
「説得なんぞはできませんが、俺たちは戦う事はできますんでね」
懐から一枚の羊皮紙を取り出したマ・カルメは、右手でつまむようにぶら下げて見せた。
「ビロン伯爵から救援要請が来ておりますんでね。“ビロン伯爵領、ひいてはオーソングランデに不利益をもたらさんとする輩に対応するため、助力を乞う”と来ましたわ。わはは、こういう言い回しをされると、俺たちは断れませんわな」
いやぁ、参った参ったと笑う。
「それにですな」
笑顔ではあるものの、その目は鋭く光を放った。
「俺たちが頑張ってホーラントの兵を訓練したのは、こんな名誉欲なんぞに目が眩んだ阿呆どもとくだらん戦闘をするためじゃないんだよ」
クソが、と吐き捨てると、元の笑顔に戻った。
「国境あたりの場所をお借りしますんでね、あんたがたは俺たちがやられた時の為に準備でもしておいてくださいな。まあ、そうならないように努力はしますがね」
久々の実戦で腕が鳴りますわ、と高笑いをあげて出ていったマ・カルメを、大臣は呆然と見ているだけだった。
「ほう、あの爺さんが死んだのか」
「正式な報告は来ておりませんが、おそらくは間違いないでしょう。続報をただ待つわけにはまいりませんので、一度帰郷したいと思いました次第で......」
スプランゲルの死の知らせを受けたネルガルは、真っ先に一二三がいる領主館を訪ねた。
急ぎ帰国したいのはやまやまだが、国策として留学している以上、当地の代表者に断りなく土地を出るわけにも行かない。
「幸い、ホーラントから連れてきている護衛たちもおり、馬や馬車もあります。まずは急ぎ戻ってみようかと考えております」
本来であれば、王を継ぐ立場であるネルガルは、オーソングランデのいち貴族に過ぎない一二三よりも上位者のはずであるが、互の態度は全く逆転している。
一二三一人にこてんぱんにやられたという恐怖もあったが、フォカロルで学び取ることができた内容に心服したため、という一面もある。
「ご迷惑をお掛けしないように努力いたしますが、ここで学んだ事を生かし、ホーラントを良い方向へ導くことができれば、と」
一通りの挨拶を済ませたネルガルは「またお会いしましょう」と挨拶をして、フォカロルを出て行った。
「真面目な奴だな。別に気にせず帰れば良いのに」
自分の影響力をいまいち正確に把握していない一二三は、ソファの背もたれに身体を預けて、腕を思い切り上に上げて背筋を伸ばした。
「んん~......ヴィシー側も動かないからな。これは騒ぎが起きるまでしばらく待たされるかもな」
焼き菓子を紅茶で流し込み、一二三はあくびを隠そうともしなかった。
「平和だなぁ、つまらん。かと言って、俺から動いてもしょうがないんだよな......ちょっとプルフラスの工房にでも行ってみるか」
身体を動かさないと落ち着かないな、と散歩がてらの武器開発に勤しむことにした一二三は、刀を腰にぶち込み、悠々と出て行った。
だが、その夕方にはフォカロル中が騒がしくなる事になる。
アリッサが、負傷した状態で領主館へ運び込まれたのだ。
Chapter 122: Tumbling Dice
"What are they thinking!?" (Imeraria)
Totally unusual of her, Imeraria hit the desk.
Even Sabnak, who came to tell her the news, shows an enraged expression while pursing his lips just like Imeraria.
At the same time as the the information about the death of Suprangel, Horant's king, reached them, they got a message that an alliance of nobles led by Earl Aspilketa
"The war with Horant was over! It was finished with Hifumi-sama defeating the crown prince who started an offensive against our country!" (Imeraria)
Sitting down on her chair violently, she calmed her breath while sipping some black tea.
"They have sent exchange students to Fokalore and there are also soldiers who have gone to Horant from Fokalore to instruct over there. Moreover, right after the king of an allied country passed away..." (Imeraria)
"It's a big problem." (Sabnak)
"Please don't talk as if it's someone else's problem, Sabnak-san." (Imeraria)
"Good grief", Imeraria faces a paper close at hand and dibbled the pen in the inkwell.
"The households supporting Earl Aspilketa... there's even eight houses involved...?" (Imeraria)
While looking at the report listing the names of the participating nobles and the amount of soldiers they provided, she adds up the total number of soldiers.
Actually mobilizing military forces of around 500, they have apparently departed towards the border in groups by each group taking a 10th of the total amount as "escorts."
Feeling a headache, Imeraria placed her slender finger strongly on her brow and curbed it.
"Haven't they mobilized almost all of their territorial soldiers with these numbers?" (Imeraria)
"I fear that it's likely so. Their aim is probably to completely take over Horant. I guess brother-in-law is... no, Earl Biron will confine them, but... likely they will cut their way through due to the numerical difference." (Sabnak)
"The nightmare of the former Second Knight Order might be re-enacted on a larger scale." (Sabnak)
Imeraria, who returned a nod towards Sabnak's prediction, drums on the paper with the pen nib. A black stain spread slowly.
"... It's different. This time Hifumi-sama won't be there." (Imeraria)
"A war will occur. Won't he come running to participate in it?" (Sabnak)
"Expecting that to some degree, we can't get too optimistic. Besides, even if it's settled by relying on that gentleman, something similar will probably occur again." (Imeraria)
Sabnak felt a doubt due to Imeraria's words.
"So, you are saying?" (Sabnak)
Since I had a memory about the names lined up in this list, I pondered about it for the whole time, but finally I recalled it." (Imeraria)
The eyes of Imeraria, who lifted her face from the document, were filled with sadness.
"They are all members of mother's... the previous queen's faction. After mother had died, they offered candid advice to me and Hifumi-sama at every opportunity." (Imeraria)
Although the most they could do was spouting sarcastic remarks in the assembly hall, that sarcasm was plainly stressful.
"Perhaps," (Imeraria)
Putting down the pen, Imeraria looked up to the ceiling.
"They are trying to oppose Hfumi-sama. Aren't they believing that they can regain their influence if they raise deeds of arms? Since they likely know that I won't stop treating Hifumi-sama the way I do, they think that they will be able to suppress me if they achieve deeds of arms exceeding those of Hifumi-sama." (Imeraria)
"And they are probably planning to assign a puppet of theirs as my prince consort", Imeraria says.
"What to say...? With all due respect, I can't call that anything but shallow thinking." (Sabnak)magic
"I'm shocked", Sabnak shook his head.
"That shallow thinking is something that will incite the other nobles as well." (Imeraria)
"... Thus, how will you deal with it?" (Sabnak)
"Right now I'm revoking the status of Earl Aspilketa and the nobles who dispatched their troops together with him as support. Please arrest all of their family members. I will decide their fate later on. Designate Earl Aspilketa, who is the household's head, and all the other family heads of the participating nobles as our country's public enemy. Notify all noble households that those, who don't abide to the prohibition of sheltering them, will be punished." (Imeraria)
"Ha! At your command!" (Sabnak)
Imeraria continued to speak to Sabnak who straightened himself with his heels clinking together.
"Sabnak-san, I want you to form a unit including the royal guards to pursuit the rebels and restrain the damage to Horant. Put emphasize on speed. I will convey to the nobles, who are along your way, that I want them to dispatch soldiers." (Imeraria)
"At your will." (Sabnak)
"And, I will take command in this pursuit battle." (Imeraria)
"... Ha?" (Sabnak)
Not minding Sabnak's bewilderment, Imeraria stood up.
"Since I'm not taken seriously considering that I'm a woman, fellows, who do things like that pop up. Let me show them that I'm able to fight as well." (Imeraria)
Sabnak had a hunch in his mind when he looked at that aspect appropriate of Imeraria's age and calmed down albeit only a bit.
Though, it's not like he can voice it out either.
"Since there's nothing like a military uniform for me, let's see... it will be alright with a riding habit. I will be able to give out commands from atop a horse. We will depart together with the troops once the preparations are in order." (Imeraria)
Unable to stop the completely motivated Imeraria, Sabnak ended up with quickly organizing guard unit by choosing the elites.
"... Which reminds me..." (Imeraria)
"I have remembered something", Imeraria muttered a few words.
"Nelgal-san, who is supposed to be the successor of King Suprangel, is studying abroad in Fokalore..." (Imeraria)
Recalling something quite important, Imeraria stopped Sabnak who was about to leave the room.
"Is it possible that the other nobles are aware of Nelgal-san's whereabouts and situation?" (Imeraria)
"Let's see... as we haven't particularly hidden the facts, they might know about it if there are for example nobles who have their relatives study in Fokalore." (Sabnak)
Upon those words Imeraria lowered her eyes on the list of rebels she had checked previously.
"... I think we have to at least confine those who look like they could become leaders to gather Horant if I cause a disturbance." (Imeraria)
Due to Sabnak agreeing, Imeraria raised her face and continued,
"Besides, regarding Hifumi-sama, I guess we will keep him away some way or another. Even so, if it proves impossible to deal with the person himself directly, we will use someone close to him..." (Imeraria)
Imeraria, who came up with those thoughts in a mere few seconds, hit the list laying on the desk.
"Please contact Midas-san. Tell him to immediately head towards Fokalore while leading a mounted unit of 10 knights. If he's able to join up with Origa-san on the way, have him act as her escort, please. If it's Midas-san, he is acquainted with Hifumi-sama as well as Origa-san. As I have heard that he is a knight who is able to deal with them flexibly, he is suitable for the task, I think." (Imeraria)
"Understood." (Sabnak)
Be that as it may, neither of them really considered that Origa would actually get kidnapped or killed. However they were worried about recklessly stirring up matters at parts they didn't want to get overly much provoked.
The last moments of the King of Horant, Suprangel, were gentle although no one took care of him.
Enjoying a wine produced in Orsongrande, which arrived from Nelgal who is studying in Fokalore, during his dinner, he was seen off by the chamberlains as he entered his bedroom with a red face.
Suprangel, who was already at an advanced age, often slept together with one of his favourite mistresses depending on the mood of the moment, but he basically liked to go sleep at ease by himself.
On this day he also fell asleep alone without calling out to one of his several favourite mistresses.
And, he never woke up again.
The next morning an uproar spread in the blinking of an eye due to the scream of the maid who came to wake the king up.
What made the timing bad was the absence of the heir, Nelgal, and for there being no influential person within the castle at that time either. Moreover, the civilian merchants, who were coming and going, heard the maid's scream inside.
Spreading the news of the king's death to the vicinity of the castle without there being anyone stopping it, the coming and going merchants spread it outside the country in a flash.
Going into a frenzy to manoeuvre within the castle to seize the initiative, the people, who engage in the national politics, circulated the rumour of the king's death to the civilians as truth without being stopped by anyone.
Naturally the news are circulated by those who infiltrated from Orsongrande.
And, in that situation where no one can do anything, the information of Orsongrande dispatching its troops reached the castle.
"Well then, there's no one else but those of you I called here. There are talks that soldiers are heading to our country from your own country. It's about that."
In the royal castle, which misses its lord, an old man, who hails from the same generation as Suprangel and who possesses the position of Minister of Government Affairs, began to speak slowly while facing the other party he had called.
"I have thought that our country realised a peaceful, progressive exchange after experiencing a disastrous clash with your country... with you guys' lord."
Deliberately stressing the close relationship with Hifumi and Fokalore, which is his territory, it turns into a wording aiming to restraint them, but the people themselves haven't noticed.
They don't have that much leeway.
"It's just as you say, Minister-sama."
In response, a man with the strange name Ma Kalme, who was entrusted with the task of being the captain of the instruction unit which was dispatched to Horant, gave an answer. Being asked whether his family name is Kalme by Hifumi, as commoner, who has no family name, he answered that both of them are his name and that name was memorable right away.
Only wearing a leather breastplate as light armour for a soldier, he ended up handing over his weapons at the time they entered the castle, but usually a large knife and a kusarigama are hanging at his waist while clinking.
Although his appearance gives a rustic impression with the conspicuous unshaven face, he handles leading a small unit flawlessly even if he is led by someone since he chooses his next action swiftly after properly observing his surroundings one way or the other.
"That's why our boss... Earl-Tohno-sama dispatched us to this place. ... So, what's wrong with that?" (Ma)
Being asked directly, the minister gritted his molars.
If he makes a mistake in his choice here, the instruction unit might change into an aggressive unit just like that.
"L-Let's talk honestly. I'd like to borrow your strength to avoid a battle by you persuading the soldiers who have been dispatched by your country."
"Haa. Persuade, you say..." (Ma)
Scratching his shortly cut hair while grumbling, Ma Kalme groaned.
"That lot will likely be held back by Earl Biron at Orsongrande's national border. No matter how I think about it, it's probably not an action intended by the princess, ooops, Her Majesty, the Queen." (Ma)
The minister showed a relieved expression due to Ma Kalme's words.
However, Ma Kalme keeps going.
"Well, it's probably pointless. As long as they don't raise flashy military gains like our boss, they will be treated as simple idiots. Forcing their way through, they probably won't pull back until they obtain a certain amount of military gains." (Ma)
"As there's likely some way for them to have a chance for winning, they won't give up until they can realize results with that", Ma Kalme continued.
"Well then... then, you guys..."
Ma Kalme laughed while stroking his chin roughly due to the minister having a frightened face.
"We won't be able to persuade them, but we are able to fight them." (Ma)
Ma Kalme, who took out a single parchment from his pocket, swung it around after picking it up with his right hand.
"A support demand has arrived from from Earl Biron stating "I request assistance in order to deal with the fellows who are trying to not only cause disadvantages to Biron Earldom but also to Orsongrande" came. Wahaha, if he phrases it like that, we won't be able to refuse." (Ma)
"Weelll, I give up, I give up", he laughed.
"In addition to that." (Ma)
Although he smiled, his eyes had a sharp glint.
"The soldiers of Horant who we did our best to train aren't for the sake of fighting such retarded battle with idiots, who got lost in greed and prestige." (Ma)
"Shit!", he spit out and his former smile returned.
"We will borrow a location close to the border. Please also get ready in case we get done in by the other group. Well, we will do our best so that it doesn't happen though." (Ma)
"I'm itching for a real battle as it's been a while", the minister just looked dumbfound at Ma Kalme who left while laughing loudly.
"Hoo, that old man died, huh?" (Hifumi)
"The official report hasn't arrived yet, but there's likely no mistake in that. Since there's no point in simply waiting for the follow-up report, I immediately wanted to return home once..." (Nelgal)
Nelgal, who received the notification of Suprangel's death, first visited the feudal lord's mansion where Hifumi is located.
He really wants to return to his own country in a hurry, but seeing that he is studying abroad upon a national policy, it won't do if he leaves the area without notifying the representative of this place either.
"Luckily there are also the guards I have brought along from Horant. And we have horses and a carriage, too. I'm pondering whether I should return quickly first." (Nelgal)
By all rights, Nelgal, who has the status of succeeding as king, should be someone above Hifumi, who is no more than single noble of Orsongrande, but the attitudes of both are completely reversed.
He was afraid that he would be beaten black and blue by Hifumi himself, but there's also a part of him that admired the material he was able to learn in Fokalore.
"I will do my utmost to not cause you any kind of troubles, but I will be able to lead Horant in a good direction with the things I studied here." (Nelgal)
Nelgal, who finished his brief farewell, said [Let's meet once again]  and left Fokalore.
"He is a diligent fellow. Although it's alright for him to return without minding me in particular." (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who doesn't quite grasp his own influence, entrusted his back to the sofa and raised his arm with all his might while straightening his back.
"Mmh~... Vichy's side hasn't moved. This might have to wait for a while until they cause an uproar." (Hifumi)
Washing down the baked sweets with black tea, Hifumi didn't hide his yawn.
"What a boring peacefulness. Having said that, it can't be helped even if I make a move...shall I try going to the workshop of Pruflas for a bit?" (Hifumi)
, Hifumi, who decided to work hard at weapon development and at the same time to take a stroll, knocked the katana at his waist and left leisurely.
However, on that evening it became noisy in Fokalore.
Alyssa was carried into the feudal lord's mansion while being wounded.
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