城内勤務のエリートとはいえ、侍女の仕事は朝が早い。
自分が担当している貴族によっては朝食を職場で摂る場合もあるし、朝必ず用意しておかねばならないこだわりの飲み物があったりとそれぞれに忙しく準備をしている。
彼女たちの寮では陽が昇る前に朝食を摂っている者も多く、明け方には出勤する侍女たちで混雑している。
サブナク付きとなっているシビュラに関して言えば、どちらかというとゆっくり出勤しても大丈夫な方だったりする。
サブナクは一人で地方勤務をしていた経験が長いので、お茶を入れたりちょっとした掃除くらいは片手間に自分でさっさと片付けてしまうし、貴族のわりに人を使う事に慣れていないせいか、シビュラに対してアレコレと指示を出すことも少ない。
それどころか、朝から執務室に居なかったりする。今日のように。
「では、はじめましょう」
自然と掃除が基本的な仕事になるので、シビュラは毎日決まった清掃を繰り返していた。城内のあらゆる場所よりもこの部屋が綺麗だという自負心もある。
「......気になりますね」
そんな彼女だが、今日は朝から室内のある場所が気になって仕方がなかった。
昨日、サブナクが突然現れた食器棚の辺りだ。
どうやって室内へ入ったのかについてははぐらかされてしまったが、この食器棚辺りに何か秘密があるらしい事は彼女にもわかる。
一度気になると掃除も手につかず、一時間ほど経っても視線がつい棚へ向かってしまう。
「ちょっとだけ、調べてみましょう」
そして、食器棚のすぐ脇の壁をグッと押したら、開いた。
「これは......」
鎧を付けた騎士がようやく入れる程度の入口だが、小柄なシビュラには充分な大きさだ。覗き込むと、薄暗くはあるが通路が続いているのが見える。
彼女も知っている侍女や下男が利用する通路よりも薄暗く、全体的に狭い印象がある。途中にポツリ、ポツリと棚のような物が設置されている。
恐る恐る廊下に踏み込むと、扉は自然と閉じた。
慌てて壁に触れると、先ほど同様に開いてくれたので、シビュラは息を吐いた。
(こんな通路があったとは、知りませんでした)
使用人用の通路はあくまで廊下を駆け回る姿を見られない為と、食べ物などを急いで運ぶ近道としての物であって、直接部屋には繋がっていない。
食堂方面でもっと近道ができれば、サブナクへの食事の準備もしやすくなるのでは、と感覚で裏通路を進む。
「動くな」
シビュラは不意に声をかけられ、飛び上がるほど驚いた。
「大声を出さず、ゆっくりこっちに顔を向けろ」
指示通りに時間をかけて振り向くと、どこかで見た事がある人物が、細い剣を抜いてシビュラに向けていた。
「名前と所属を言え」
「......シビュラ・ヴィンジャーです。お城で働く侍女です」
生まれて初めて武器を向けられ、平静を装いつつも声は震えている。
「貴方は、トオノ伯爵様ですね......?」
シビュラが尋ねると、一二三は刀を下ろした。
「そうだ。お前は確か、サブナク付きのメイドだったな。なぜここにいる」
武器は下ろされても、一二三の視線は相変わらずシビュラの隙を伺うような鋭いものだ。
しばらく迷ったが、サブナクと執務室で話しているところも見ているので、素直に興味本位でサブナクが出入りしている場所を調べたら入れた事を伝える。
「あいつは......」
機密というのをわかっていない、とプリプリ怒る一二三を見て、これが城内で恐れられている人物か、と改めてシビュラはさりげなく観察する。
どこの国の衣装かわからない衣装に、他では見たことがない黒髪に黒目。見た目は自分と変わらない位若く見えるものの、父親よりもずっと濃くて重たい雰囲気もある。
「とにかく、ここを早く出ることだ。侵入者と間違えられたら、殺されても文句は言えんぞ」
「ころ......城内ですよ......?」
思わず声を上げたシビュラに、妙なものを見る目を向ける一二三。
「場所は関係ない。物でも人でも信念でもなんでもいい。何かを守ろうと思うなら、ためらわずに邪魔者は始末する。それを恐れてむざむざ不利益を被る奴は......阿呆だな」
それと、サブナクには情報の重要性についてミッチリ教える事があるから、夜は執務室で待っているように伝えろといい、一二三は薄暗い通路の向こうへ消えていった。
ヴィシーからの使者が訪れたのは、一二三がまだ裏通路に篭って城内構造の確認をしている時だった。
中央委員会からの使者を名乗る男は、10名程の随行員をつれて王都を訪れており、事前の約束も何もない無礼な訪問ではあるものの、とりあえずは宰相が面会をする事になった。
場所は城内にある応接の為の一室で、宰相の後ろには二人の騎士が付き、使者にも随行員から二人の兵士が付き従っている。
「お初にお目にかかります。ヴィシー中央委員会より派遣されました、ロシーと申します。この度オーソングランデ王に御即位なされると伺いまして、ヴィシーを代表いたしまして、急ぎお祝いをと思いまして」
気持ち程度ではございますが、と伝えつつ渡された目録には、ヴィシー産の織物や工芸品に加え、ホーラント製と思しき魔法具の名前も記載されている。
そこに気づいた宰相は、目の前の使者はオーソングランデとホーラント間のいざこざが既にほぼ終了している事に気づいていないのではないかと見た。
「これはありがとうございます。ところで、戴冠式に関してはさほど大きく宣伝したわけではありませんが、ヴィシー中央委員会はよほど良い耳をお持ちのようですな」
宰相アドルの言葉に、貼り付いたような笑顔を崩さないロシーは、いやいやと首を振った。
「偶然、商談も兼ねてとある貴国の貴族様の元を伺う機会がございましてね。入国してすぐに戴冠の事を知りましてからは、慌てて本国と連絡を取りました次第です。私程度の物が使者というのも心苦しいのですが、何より、祝い事への使いは早い方が良いだろうとのことでして」
「それはそれは、ご足労をおかけいたしましたな。部屋を用意させますゆえ、戴冠式まではごゆっくりおくつろぎください」
「では、お言葉に甘えさせていただきます。それで、新たな女王陛下への謁見は叶いますでしょうか。よろしければ、中央委員会からのご相談ごとをお伝えさせていただきたいのですが......」
来たか、とアドルは思った。できればヴィシーの狙いを知るまではイメラリアと接触させるのは避けたかった。
「王女は、戴冠の準備でご多忙です。式典が終わりましたら、多少は時間が取れるかも知れませんが、今の時点ではなんとも......」
「そうですか。残念ですな」
「よろしければ、ご用向きをお伺いしておきましょう」
アドルの質問に、少し考え込む姿勢を見せたが、ロシーはすぐに頷いて見せた。
「左様ですな。宰相閣下に先にご相談させていただければ、女王陛下の前で緊張しながらお伝えするよりも良いかもしれません」
そこまで言うと、ロシーは座り直して周りを見回し、声を押さえて話し始めた。
「先の不幸な衝突について、正式にヴィシーより講和の申し入れをさせていただきたいのです。そこで可能であれば、中央委員会としては貴国と中央委員会で和平条約を締結したいと考えております......」
口元には笑みを浮かべたままながら、ロシーの目は鋭く宰相を見ている。
「もちろん、私どもは敗北した側です。賠償についても可能な限りお支払いさせていただきますし、魔法具などの商品流通についても、貴国商人の都合に合わせてご相談させていただく用意があります」
敗北という言葉に、ロシーが連れている護衛がぴくりと反応したが、宰相はあえて無視する。重要なのはそこではない。
まずここで、オーソングランデがホーラントとの直接通商を開始する事は掴んでいないらしい事がはっきりした。そして、中央委員会の狙いも。
「お申し出はわかりました。私どもの方で調整をいたしまして、会談の機会をご用意いたしましょう。具体的な内容については、その際に」
「おお、ありがとうございます。どうか、陛下へよろしくお伝えくださいませ」
何度も頭を下げながら、ロシーが退室していく。
それを見送った宰相は、新たにいれさせた紅茶の香りをゆっくり胸に吸い込んだ。
「ずいぶん追い詰められた感じだな」
「トオノ伯......」
ロシーたちが出ていったドアとは別方向、出入り口などないはずの方向から一二三がやって来て、アドルの前に座った。
アドルは驚いたが、どうやってとは聞かない。今までの一二三や死神の行動を見たことで、常識を当てはめる相手を選ぶようになっていたからだ。
「追い詰められた......それはそうでしょう。ヴィシーがトオノ伯から受けたダメージはまだ回復できておりませんでしょうし、国内が分裂している状況ですから」
「そこで、独立したピュルサンを潰すのに、オーソングランデとつながって国家としての正当性と、あわよくば後ろ盾にしたいってところか。それに......」
「何かお気づきですか?」
ニヤッと笑った一二三は、ここから先は近衛騎士隊の仕事だな、とだけ言って、立ち上がった。
宰相は、確認しておくべきだと思った事を口にする。
「トオノ伯は現在のヴィシーをどう思われますか?」
「どうでもいい。中央委員会にもピュルサンにも肩入れするつもりはない。......まあ、もっと頑張ってやりあってくれたらいいさ」
「......トオノ伯にお願いがあるのですが」
一二三は答えず、立ったままでアドルの顔を見る。
「イメラリア様とヴィシーの使者の会談に、同席いただけませんか?」
一瞬キョトンとした顔を見せた一二三が、次の瞬間には楽しそうに笑っていた。
「いいね。面白い」
馬を乗り継いでヴァイヤーたちフォカロル出向部隊が王都へ帰りついたのは、戴冠式予定日の二日前。かなりギリギリだった。
「只今戻りました」
帰着の報告に来たヴァイヤーを、机に向かっていたサブナクは隈が浮かぶ顔で見上げた。
「あ、ああ......ヴァイヤーか。お疲れさん」
「だ、大丈夫ですか?」
「ああ、ちょっと色々と準備が忙しくてね......。今からヴァイヤーにも参加してもらうから、とりあえずこれに目を通して、連れて帰ってきた連中も含めて警備に参加するように」
取りまとめた書類を渡すと、サブナクはヴァイヤーを促して応接へと座った。素早くシビュラが紅茶を用意する。
「それで、フォカロルまで行って何か収穫はあったかい? ......嫁を見つけた以外で」
「止めてくださいよ。アマゼロト子爵の許可は得られましたが、今度は婿入りの話になっているので、まだまだ結婚は先の話でして......」
「うん。そんなに嬉しそうに話されると正直傷つくから、この話題は今度にしよう」
「......なんとかしようと思えばすぐに何とかなるのに」
涙目のサブナクにシビュラがポツリと呟く。
「いいから、呼ぶまで離れててくれる?」
「あの......」
「ああ、彼女の事は気にしなくていいから」
「はぁ」
妙な空気を持った主従の姿に首をかしげつつも、ヴァイヤーは叩き込まれてきた鎖鎌と手裏剣について口頭で報告し、用意しておいた報告書をサブナクへ手渡した。
「トオノ伯が考案された武器だと伺いましたが、殺害せずに捕縛する事や、距離がある相手へダメージを与えるという点でも正式装備として検討する価値はあるかと」
「だが、実戦ではまだ一二三さんしか使った事がないんだから、少なくとも、ヴァイヤーたちが他の隊員へ指導できる程度には習熟する必要があるんじゃないか?」
「指導については、トオノ伯より最終的な許可がいただければ、フォカロルから指導の人員を派遣していただく準備まではできています」
「随分と準備のいいことだね」
「カイム殿にご協力いただけました」
「彼か......なら納得だな」
サブナクにしてもヴァイヤーにしても、結局一度もカイムが相好を崩すような場面を見ることがなかった、とお互いに鉄面皮の異名を持つ文官奴隷を思い出した。
「それなら、丁度一二三さんは城内......のどこかにいるだろうから、探して許可をもらうといい。すでに他の隊員は一二三さんから指導を受けているし、引き続き誰かに教えてもらう必要もありそうだったからね」
それに、と新たな書類をテーブルに置いて、サブナクは苦笑いを浮かべた。
「その“鎖鎌”の有用性が試せるかもしれないな。明日にでも」
書類には“ネズミ捕り指南”というタイトルが付いている。
「一二三さんが書いた計画書だよ。明日の午前中、イメラリア様がヴィシーからの使者にお会いになる。そこに一二三さんも同席するそうだが......ヴィシーからの随行員の動きが怪しい、と一二三さんは睨んでいる」
サブナクの話を聞きながら、ヴァイヤーは書類を読みすすめて行く。裏通路の件は初めて目にするが、それを利用した監視を実戦で試すという事らしい。
「今から一二三さんを探して直接打ち合わせをしてくれ。ヴァイヤーをこの作戦の責任者にする」
Although those working within the castle are elites, the work of the maids starts early in the morning.
There are also cases of taking breakfast to the workplace of the nobles, they have been assigned to. Each of them is busy preparing as there are those, who will always complain about drinks in the morning, if it hasn't been prepared.
There are also many people, who are taking breakfast to their masters before the sun has risen in the dormitory of the girls. Dawn is crowded with maids reporting for work.
If you talk about Shibyura, who is assigned to Sabnak, you might say that she will be alright, if she takes it slow going to work.
Given that Sabnak has a long history of working in the provinces by himself, he will at least do basic cleaning and prepare tea in his spare time to get it done quickly. Having led a life of not being accustomed to take a person in his service like other nobles, Sabnak even rarely tells Shibyura to do this or that.
On the contrary, he isn't in the office since morning. Today's the same.
"Well, then let's start." (Shibyura)
Since basic work like cleaning has become her second nature, Shibyura repeated a fixed cleaning routine every day. She also has pride in tidying up all places, even dim rooms, within the castle.
"... It bothers me." (Shibyura)
Even such girl couldn't help to be worried about a place in the room since today morning.
Yesterday Sabnak suddenly appeared next to the cupboard.
He ended up dodging how he got into the room, but she knows that there is some secret concerning this cupboard.
Being bothered by it once, her hands have stopped cleaning and she has turned her view to the shelves standing like that for around an hour.
"Let's try examine it just a little bit." (Shibyura)
And once she firmly pushed the wall right next to the cupboard, it opened.
"This is..." (Shibyura)
It's an entrance where a knight wearing his armour barely fits through, but for the petite Shibyura it has plenty of size. As she peeks inside, she can see a dim passageway continuing onwards.
It's even gloomier than the passageways used by the servants and maids, which Shibyura knows about as well. All over it gives an impression of being narrow. Standing alone midway, something like shelves has been installed.
Once she timidly stepped into the passageway, the door closed automatically.
As she touched the wall in panic, it opened just same as before. Shibyura took a breath.
(I wasn't aware that there was such passageway.)
The passageways used by the servants are, to the bitter end, for the sake of running through the hallways without being seen and also served as a short-cut to carry stuff like food hurriedly. They aren't directly connected to a room.
If it's possible to take an even better short-cut to the dining hall, it will become even easier to prepare the meals for Sabnak
"Don't move."
Shibyura was surprised to the degree of jumping up when she was suddenly called.
"Don't shout. Slowly turn your face in my direction."
Once she finished turning her face as ordered, she saw a person, she had already seen somewhere, pointing a thin blade towards her.
"Tell me your name and affiliation." (Hifumi)
"... I'm Shibyura Winger. I'm working as maid in the castle." (Shibyura)
Having a weapon pointed at her for the first time in her life, her voice has been trembling even though she pretends to be calm.
"You appear to be Earl Tohno, right... ?" (Shibyura)
As Shibyura asked him that, Hifumi lowered his katana.
"That's right. If I'm not wrong you were Sabnak's maid. Why are you here?" (Hifumi)
Even though he has lowered his weapon, Hifumi's look is sharp as usual as if seeking for gaps in Shibyura defence.
Although she hesitated for a moment, she honestly tells him that she was investigating the place of Sabnak's coming and going out of curiosity, because he has also seen the place where she has been talking with Sabnak in the office.
"That guy is..." (Hifumi)
"It's not like it's highly classified information", seeing Hifumi being in a huff, Shibyura casually observes him anew, wondering
I don't know to which country his clothing belongs and he has black pupils and black hair, I hadn't seen anywhere else. Although his appearance looks to be young, no different from me, he also has continuously an even stronger, oppressive aura than father.
"Anyway, leave from here right away. If you were mistaken for an invader, you wouldn't be even able to complain about getting killed." (Hifumi)
"Kil... This is within the castle... ?" (Shibyura)
Hifumi shifts his attention towards Shibyura, who raised her voice unintentionally, as if seeing something strange.
"The place is irrelevant. Things, people, faith, all of it is fine. If you consider protecting something, you will have to get rid of hindrances without hesitation. Those, who are deceived by handicaps and helplessly fear that, are... idiots." (Hifumi)
"And, since I will properly teach Sabnak about the importance of information, it's fine for you to tell him to wait in his office at night", Hifumi vanished to the other side of the gloomy passageway.
At the time Hifumi was still secluding himself in the hidden pathways to confirm the structure within the castle, a messenger from Vichy arrived.
The man, calling himself an envoy of the central committee, has come to visit the royal capital leading around 10 attendants. Although it was a rude visit without even a previous arrangement, it was decided that he would be meeting the prime minister for the time being.
In the place being a room that is used as reception room within the castle, there are two knights standing in the back of the prime minister. Two soldiers, acting as attendants, are accompanying the envoy.
"It's the first time for us to meet each other. I'm called Roshi and was dispatched by Vichy's central committee. I've heard that new king will be enthroned in Orsongrande at this time. As representative of Vichy, I hurried to extend my congratulations." (Roshi)
He handed over a list, which is recording handicrafts and fabrics native to Vichy in addition to magic tools apparently made in Horant, while telling "Please take this as a little gift."
the envoy in front of me hasn't realized that the quarrel between Orsongrande and Horant has mostly been settled already, now has he?
"Thank you very much for this. By the way, it's not like we greatly advertised the coronation ceremony to that degree, but Vichy's central committee seems to possess quite good ears." (Adol)
Roshi's smile, that looked as if plastered onto him, wasn't disturbed by the words of Prime Minister Adol. He shook his head with a "No, no."
"Only by chance. We used the opportunity to ask a certain noble-sama of your country with whom we previously also had business discussions. Becoming aware of the matter with the coronation immediately after entering your country, I immediately got in contact with my own country in a hurry. I'm very sorry that the envoy is someone of my degree, but above all, I was told that it was likely quicker to use me for the celebration." (Roshi)
"Oh my goodness, you have experienced quite the troublesome journey. Please relax at ease until the coronation ceremony. We will prepare a room for you." (Adol)
"Then I will gladly take you up on your kind offer. And, is it possible to receive an audience with the new Majesty the Queen? If you don't mind it, I want to report all of this to the central committee, but..." (Roshi)
Adol thought. He wanted to avoid Imeraria getting in contact with him until he knows the objective of Vichy, if possible.
"The princess is busy with the preparations for the coronation ceremony. Once the ceremony finished, she might have a little bit time, but at this point in time, it's quite..." (Adol)
"That's right, isn't it. How regrettable." (Roshi)
"If it's alright with you, I will listen to the reason for your visit." (Adol)
Although he displayed a look of pondering over it for a bit due to Adol's question, Roshi easily gave a nod.
"That's right. If I'm able to discuss it with Your Excellency, the prime minister, in advance, it might be even better than conveying it while under stress of being in front of Her Majesty the Queen." (Roshi)
As he said this much, Roshi corrected his posture, surveyed his vicinity and began to speak in a lowered voice.
"Concerning the previous sorrowful quarrel, I want to officially propose peace from Vichy. Now, if that's possible, the central committee is considering to enter a peace treaty between your country and the central committee..." (Roshi)
While still floating a smile on his lips, Roshi's eyes are piercing the prime minister.
"Of course we are the defeated side. Even regarding the reparations, I have the privilege of offering as much as is possible. Also, regarding the flow of goods such as magic tools etc, I'm prepared to discuss how to suit the circumstances of your country's merchants." (Roshi)magic
Due to the word "defeated," the guards, which Roshi brought along, reacted with a twitch, but the prime minister purposely ignored that. They aren't important.
First off, with this it is clear that they apparently don't know that a direct trade between Orsongrande and Horant has begun. And even the central committee's aim has become evident.
"Your offer became clear. Let's prepare an opportunity for a conference once I've coordinated our side. On that occasion we will talk about the concrete details." (Adol)
"Oh, thank you very much. Please convey my best regards to Her Majesty." (Roshi)
Roshi exits the room while bowing many times over.
The prime minister, who saw him off, slowly inhaled the aroma of the newly, brewed tea into his nose.
"He gives off the feeling of being driven against the wall quite a bit." (Hifumi)
"Earl Tohno..." (Adol)
From a different direction of the door, Roshi's group left, in a direction where there shouldn't be anything like a door, Hifumi entered the room and sat across Adol.
Although Adol was surprised with how he hasn't heard him, it reached already the point of him choosing to whom to apply common sense after having seen the actions of the shinigami and Hifumi until now.
"Driven against the wall... that is probably so. Vichy still didn't recover from the damage it received by you, Earl Tohno. The situation is that their country has been split apart." (Adol)
"Accordingly, although the independent Pursang is being blockaded, if they are lawful state connected to Orsongrande as state, that place will yearn for support, if possible, huh? Besides..." (Hifumi)
"Have you realized something?" (Adol)
Hifumi, who laughed broadly, only said, "it's the job of the Royal Knight Order from here on", and stood up.
The prime minister speaks as he though it's something he should confirm,
"What do you think about the current Vichy, Earl Tohno?" (Adol)
"I don't care. I have no intention to support either the central committee or Pursang. ... Well, it would be great, if they did their best in competing with each other even more." (Hifumi)
"... Though I have a request to you, Earl Tohno." (Adol)
Without answering, Hifumi stood and looked into Adol's face.
"Will you accept to be present at the conference between Vichy's envoy and Imeraria-sama?" (Adol)
Hifumi, who showed a blank expression for an instant, laughed as if enjoying it in the next instant.
"That's great. Sounds interesting." (Hifumi)
The unit of Vaiya's group that had been transferred to Fokalore, riding atop horses, arrived totally out-of-breath at the capital two days before the scheduled coronation ceremony. It was quite at the last moment.
"We have returned." (Vaiya)
Vaiya, who went to report of their return, looked at Sabnak sitting at his desk and showing the expression of a shadow.
"A-Ah... Vaiya, huh? Thanks for your work." (Sabnak)
"A-Are you alright?" (Vaiya)
"Yea, I've been slightly busy with various preparations... Since I want you to participate from now on as well, Vaiya, have a look at this for the time being. I will have you join in the guarding, including the guys you led back here." (Sabnak)
Once he gave him the compiled documents, Sabnak urged Vaiya to sit down at the reception. Shibyura quickly prepares black tea.
"So, have there been any results of you going as far as Fokalore? ... With the exception of you finding a wife, that is." (Sabnak)
"Please stop it. I obtained the permission from Viscount Amazelo, but since it has now become a talk of being adopted into their family, the marriage is still a long way off..." (Vaiya)
"Yea. Since you will honestly hurt my feelings, if you speak this joyfully, let's close this topic now." (Sabnak)
"... Though you will be able to manage one way or the other, if you consider doing something." (Shibyura)
Shibyura mutters a few words due to the teary-eyed Sabnak.
"Listen, will you leave until I call you?" (Sabnak)
"Umm..." (Vaiya)
"Ah, it's fine to not mind her." (Sabnak)
"Haa." (Vaiya)
Even while being puzzled due to the state of master and servant, which held a strange mood, Vaiya orally reported about the information of the shuriken and kusarigama, he had driven into him. He handed over a report to Sabnak he had prepared ahead of time.
"I heard these weapons were invented by Earl Tohno, but with the possibilities of capturing without killing and causing damage to an opponent on distance, I wonder whether there is value in considering these as official equipment, too." (Vaiya)
"However, since no one but Hifumi used this in combat so far, isn't there a necessity for at least your group, Vaiya, to be skilled enough to teach about those to the other members?" (Sabnak)
"Concerning the coaching, if we are able to obtain a final permission from Earl Tohno, it will be possible to even dispatch personnel for training from Fokalore." (Vaiya)
"You've prepared considerably well." (Sabnak)
"I was able to obtain Caim-dono's cooperation." (Vaiya)
"Him, eh? ... Then I can agree." (Sabnak)
Even for Sabnak and Vaiya, in the end they never seen a scene of Caim smiling broadly. They remembered the civil official slave, who holds an alias of arrogance for each of them.
"If that's the case, Hifumi-san is just now within the castle... since he might be anywhere, it's fine if you get permission to search for him. The other members are already getting coached by Hifumi-san. It's even probable that it's necessary for him to teach someone continuously." (Sabnak)
"Besides", Sabnak showed a bitter smile due to a new document on the table.
"We might be able to test the usefulness of this 'kusarigama.' Even as early as tomorrow." (Sabnak)
The document has a tile called "Instructions for a mousetrap."
"It's a plan written by Hifumi-san. Tomorrow morning Imeraria-sama will meet with the envoy from Vichy. I hear that Hifumi-san will be present there, but... the movements of Vichy's attendants are suspicious, going by Hifumi-san, who has been keeping an eye on them." (Sabnak)
While listening to Sabnak's talk, Vaiya goes ahead with reading the documents. It's the first time he has seen the matter about hidden pathways, but apparently those were used for monitoring and as a test for combat.
"Please get ready to personally search for Hifumi-san from now on. You will be the person in charge of this operation, Vaiya." (Sabnak)
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