105.Crawling
細い、軽く下草を刈っただけの道を進むと、すぐに結界の場所に辿りついた。
「これが結界か」
道の上、少し背を丸めれば通れる程度に穴があいている。
一二三は結界に指先を触れさせたが、少しだけ痺れるような感覚がある以外は、ひんやりとしたプラスチックのような感触だった。
「殴ったら割れそうだが......まあ、それは後でいいか」
するりと穴を潜る。
一二三は腰の刀の位置を正すと、するすると急ぐわけでもなくゆっくりでもなく、歩みを進める。
森は結界を越えても続いているが、エルフの住む森に比べると、空気は澄んでいるように一二三には感じられた。当然だが、木々のどこにもエルフの死体はない。
「まっすぐ、行ってみるか」
道は遠く森の外へと続いている。
結界を越える前にザンガーやプーセに尋ねてみたが、魔人族がどのように生活しているのか、結界の向こうのどのあたりに住んでいるのかまでは、二人とも知らなかった。
一二三は“なんとなく”で道が続く先へ歩くことにした。道があるなら誰かが通っているだろう、くらいの気軽さだった。
そして1時間ほど歩いたところで、森というには木がまばらになり、遠い先も見えるようになる。森の切れ目は曖昧で、いつの間にか見通しが良くなっていた。
「街......か」
森が終わり、道が続く遠い先に石造りに見える灰色の塀が見える。
まだ、かなり距離があるせいか、人がいるかどうかまでは見えないが、一部塀が高くなっている場所がある。一二三は、そこに門か見張りための櫓か何かがあると考えた。
「とりあえずは、あそこに行って......」
言い差したところで、一二三は素早く身を翻し、地面を転がった。
そのすぐ脇を、一二三と同じくらいの体格の獣が通り抜ける。
「魔物か」
立ち上がった時、一二三の手には既に刀が抜身で握られている。
魔物と向き合う。
それはしなやかな肢体を持った、豹のような見た目の魔物だった。鋭い爪は隠すつもりも無いようで、力強く地面を握り締めている。
牙をむき出しに威嚇して見せる魔物を相手に、一二三は右足を出し、刀を相手に突きつけるように構えた。
「オーソングランデあたりの魔物よりは強そうだな」
先ほどの不意打ちは、かなり近くに来るまで一二三に気配を感じさせなかった。
もう少し速度が速ければ、初撃はダメージを受けていたかもしれない。
「豹か。獣人とは違うのだろうが、どうかな?」
誘うように刀の切っ先を揺らすと、魔物は苛立ったような唸り声を響かせる。
にらみ合いの最中、不意に一二三が上段に振り上げると、好機と思ったか、魔物は爪をむき出しに飛びかかって来た。
「おっ?」
それは一二三が想定したより速い。
的確に首を狙ってくる前足を、斜め前に進むことでやり過ごしつつ、柄頭を顎にぶち当てた。
「ギャンッ!」
たまらず悲鳴を上げた魔物は、円を描くように駆けて距離を取ろうとする。
だが、一二三はそれを予測して直線で迫る。
すぐ目の前まで迫ると、迎え撃つように大きな口を開く。
「逆に、それが弱点だ」
腰ごと押し込むように、魔物の喉に向かって刀を突き刺す。
刃を寝かせた突きは、僅かな抵抗を感じさせながらも延髄さえも貫通した。
「グゥ......」
刀身にしっかりと噛み付いて見せた魔物だったが、抵抗はそこまでだった。
額に足を当てて、刀を引き抜く。
血にまみれた刀に懐紙を当てて、一気に拭った。
鋭い牙でこすられた刀身だったが、すでに本来の輝きを取り戻している。
「なるほど。魔人族以外でも魔物も強いのか」
本来の目的以外でも、楽しめるかもしれない、と一二三は鼻から息を吐いた。
「それは、魔王が現れるという意味ですか?」
「市井の人々は、そのように噂をしておりますな」
イメラリアの質問に、宰相アドルは断言を避けた。
「......事実の確認は、できていないのでしょう? 何か問題でもあるのですか?」
「いいえ、何も問題はありません」
この場にいるもう一人が、口を開いた。封印魔法研究の手伝いのために登城しているオリガだ。
彼女はここ数日の間、王都へ宿を取って滞在している。
随行の兵士は5名のみで、全て女性である。伯爵の妻としては異常な程に薄い警備態勢だ。しかし、一二三に恨みを持つ弱小貴族が雇ったゴロツキを瞬殺し、さらにその弱小貴族も一晩で潰されるという事件があり、それ以外でも基本的に他の貴族との交流は控えるようにしていたため、不気味に感じた王都の貴族たちはオリガに近寄らない。
逆に、今や商工業において最先端となったフォカロルの領主代理であることから、商人や職人などが、勉強や挨拶のために引切り無しに訪れる。
それら平民たちに、オリガは分け隔てなく接し、時には貴重な技術についても惜しみなく伝えることすらしてみせた。
「やはり、英雄の妻は只者ではない」
という評判が、貴族と平民ではその意味する方向性は違うものの、大きく広がるのに時間はかからなかった。
そういった話は当然、イメラリアの耳にも入っている。だが、その話題に触れることはしない。
「問題が無いとおっしゃるには、何か理由がお有りでしょう。教えていただけますか?」
「陛下、私ごときにそのような言い方は不要です。私の夫は陛下の臣なれば、その妻である私も陛下のために尽くす者ですから」
スラスラと口上を述べたオリガに、“心にもないことを”とイメラリアは鼻白んだが、それを顔に出さないようにするくらいはできるようになった。
「わたくしは一二三様には一定の敬意を表す者です。その配偶者である貴女に対しても、当然そうあるべきだと考えております。それで、質問には答えていただけますか」
「その夫が今、強化された魔物の背後にいる者について調べております。それに、それぞれの国や地域において、私たちトオノ伯爵領軍は戦闘技術の伝授を惜しまないつもりです」
「その戦闘技術を伝える事も、一二三様のお考えからですか?」
「他国にまで......それは、場合によっては利敵行為にもなるのでは......」
オリガが素晴らしい事のように語る内容に、アドルは遠慮がちに不安を述べた。
それに対するオリガの答えは、微笑みから始まる。
「他国......ヴィシーやホーラントが私どもから技術を学び、仮にそれを私どもに向けてきたところで、充分に対処可能です」
「し、しかしフォカロル以外が狙われた場合は......」
アドルが重ねて懸念事項を口にすると、オリガの笑は深まる。
「心配ありません、宰相閣下」
その口調は、自信に満ち満ちている。
「その場合でも、“充分に抵抗できる”くらいのお手伝いはさせていただきます」
勝てるとは言わない。
フォカロルが押さえるとも言わない。
ただ“戦える”ことを保証する。
「......では、各領地で対応することにいたしましょう。状況を見て、随時国から戦力を派遣します」
「その際は、トオノ伯爵領も全力でご協力いたします」
イメラリアとオリガは、お互いの顔を見合わせて微笑む。
「では、魔法の研究の続きをいたしましょう」
「ええ、そうですね」
揃って立ち上がった二人は、ヒールの音を響かせながら資料室へと向かった。
一人残されたアドルは、無言で溜息をついた。
街と思しき場所へゆっくりと近づいた一二三は、その近くで戦闘が行われているのに気づいた。
その様子が見える距離まで近づき、木陰に陣取る。
「魔人族、か」
塀を背にして、30名程の魔人族たちが同程度の数で迫る狼型の魔物たち相手に奮闘している。
一際背の高い魔人族が、身長と同じくらいに長い長剣を担いだまま、先頭を切って魔物の群れへと飛び込む。
走る勢いそのままに、担いだ長剣を振るって独楽のように周りながら、魔物たちをズタズタに引き裂いた。
そこに、他の魔人族たちから炎や雷の魔法攻撃が加わると、押し包まんばかりだった狼の魔物たちは、あっという間に数を減らし、半分以上が殺されたところで逃散した。
魔人族の男たちは無理に追うことをせず、素早く被害状況を確認すると、周囲を警戒しつつ街の方へと向かって歩いて行く。
一二三がその向かう方角を見ると、出入り口と思しきドアが、塀の一部にあるのがわかった。
腕を組み、考える。
「戦闘力は高いな。ここで声をかけるか、街中を見てからにする、か」
このまま街に入ったところで、戦える奴をしらみつぶしに探すのは骨が折れそうだ、と一二三は苦い顔をした。
「ここは普通に強い奴を聞いて......ん?」
不穏な空気に気づいた一二三は、素早く鎖鎌を取り出した。
先ほど魔人族に撃退された狼の魔物たちが、今度は一二三をターゲットにしたらしい。
10頭程の群れが、一二三を取り囲む。
「なるほど。ここら辺の魔物は、気配を隠すのがうまいらしい」
こういう魔物としのぎを削っているというのなら、魔人族の戦闘力も平均して高いのかもしれない、と一二三はのんきに考えながら、鎖鎌の分銅を振り回した。
「ブフッ!?」
突然鼻先を鉄の分銅で殴られた魔物は、血を撒いて悶絶している。
攻撃を受けた仲間を飛び越えるようにして、数頭が一度に一二三を襲った。
左手に握った鎌を、そのうち一頭の顔面に叩きつける。
眼球を貫き、脳を破壊した鎌は、そのまま頭蓋骨に引っかかる。
そのまま振り回した一二三は、鎌を投げて死体ごと別の一頭に叩きつけ、代わりに引き寄せた分銅を、さらにもう一頭に投げつけた。
一度に三頭を殺した一二三は、素手のまま走り、最初に鼻を殴りつけた魔物の首を踏み折って殺す。
「......よし」
手応えを感じた一二三は、腰の刀に手を触れることなく、木を背にして立った。
先ほどの豹型の魔物に比べると、弱い。
「さあ、か弱い動物を殺すのは趣味じゃないが......」
残った六頭を見ると、まだ戦う気でいるようだ。素手になった事で、驚異度は下がったと判断したのかもしれない。
「遊びたいなら、付き合ってやろう」
右手を前に半身に構えた一二三に、六頭は一斉に飛びかかる。
口を開いて噛みつきに来た一頭の前足を掴んで他の魔物にぶつける。
膝を引っかきに来たのを、素早く足を引いてかわし、足元に突出してきたところで喉を蹴り飛ばした。
そのまま木の周りをぐるりと回った一二三は、飛んできた魔物の首をつかみ、木の幹に叩きつけた。
ぐしゃり、と頭蓋が潰れる音がして、手を離すと血で一文字を描いて、地面へと落ちる。
別の一頭が噛み付いてくるが、一二三が人差し指と中指を伸ばし、下顎に引っ掛ける。
ガクン、と自分が飛びかかる勢いで顎が外れ、そのまま首を捻って折る。
最後の一頭は、一二三の背後から首を狙って牙を向いた。
それを一二三は自分から後ろに下がって背中を当て、バランスを崩して地面に倒れたところで、心臓の辺りを殴りつける。
血を吐いて、魔物は動かなくなった。
「ふぅ......」
一二三は、乱れた道着を正しながら、息を吐いた。
「......それで、戦いを見学した感想は?」
振り返り、一本の大木に向かって一二三が言葉を投げる。
「気づかれたか。人間というのは、聞いたよりも高い能力があるのだな......」
魔人族らしい、耳の長い男が大木の影から姿を見せた。
「で、お前も俺と遊びたいのか?」
「好戦的だな。だが、今はやめておこう」
そうか、つまらん、と一二三が呟くと、魔人族の男は一二三に提案を持ちかけた。
「人間、お前は私たちの国で働く気は無いか?」
「......は?」
Chapter 105: Crawling
Advancing through the path which had only the small, simple undergrowth trimmed, he arrived at the barrier's location right away.
"This is the barrier, huh?" (Hifumi)
Above the path, there is a hole to the degree of him being able to pass if he cowers a bit.
Hifumi touched the barrier with a finger, but except a feeling similar to going a bit numb, it had a sensation like plastic which got cooled down.
"It looks like it would break if I hit it, but... well, I leave that for later." (Hifumi)
He passes through the hole speedily and without delay.
Once Hifumi adjusts the place of the katana on his waist, he walks ahead, not slowly but neither hurried.
The forest continues even when he goes through the barrier, however compared to the forest where the elves live, Hifumi felt that the air has obviously become clear. Though it's natural, but there are no elven corpses on any of the trees.
"Shall I try going straightforward?" (Hifumi)
The path continues towards outside the forest in a distance.
He tried asking Zanga and Puuse before passing through the barrier, but the two didn't know how the demons live their lives or what's life like on the other side of the barrier.
Hifumi decided to walk ahead by following the path "for some reason or another."
And after he walked for around an hour, the trees became too sparse to call it a forest and he became able to see far ahead. The forest's parts became vague and before him realizing it the visibility improved.
"A city... huh?" (Hifumi)
With the forest ending, grey walls, appearing to be made out of stone, can be seen far ahead after following the path.
Is it because there's still quite a distance? It's yet not clear whether there are people or not, but there's a place where a part of the wall is heightened. Hifumi judged that it might be something like a watchtower for the sake of guarding or a gate.
"For the time being I will go there..." (Hifumi)
Just in the midst of saying that, Hifumi swiftly dodged and rolled on the ground.
Right next to his side, a beast with the same physique as Hifumi cuts through.
"A monster, eh?" (Hifumi)
At the moment he got up, Hifumi is already grasping the unsheathed katana in his hand.
The monster and him face each other.
It was a monster with an appearance similar to a leopard possessing a flexible body. Without any intention to hide its sharp claws, it is tightly and powerfully grasping the ground.
Due to the opponent being a monster which displays its intimidation by snarling, Hifumi stepped forward with his right foot and took a stance as if thrusting the katana at his opponent.
"It seems to be stronger than the monsters around Orsongrande." (Hifumi)
Hifumi wasn't able to sense its presence until it came quite close for its surprise attack just now.
If its speed had been a bit higher, he might have received damage from its first attack.
"Leopard, eh? It might be different from beastmen, but I wonder how?" (Hifumi)
Once he swings the point of the katana as if luring it, the monster makes a growl as if it was irritated.
In the middle of their confrontation, when Hifumi suddenly raised the katana in an overhead position, the monster, judging it as opportunity, leapt on him with its blank claws.
"Oh?" (Hifumi)
It was faster than Hifumi had expected.
While letting the forepaw, which was precisely aimed at his neck, go past by advancing forward diagonally, he hit its jaw with the pommel.
"Gyan!"
The monster, which whined as it was unable to endure, tries to take a distance by dashing in a circle.
However, Hifumi has predicted that and presses forwards in a straight line.
When he gets right in front of it, it opens its large snout in order to attack him.
"Conversely, that is your weak point." (Hifumi)
He thrusts the katana towards the throat of the monster while pushing the pommel with his waist.
The thrust, which put the blade sideways, pierced even the medulla oblongata while experiencing only little resistance.
"Guu..."
The monster tried to strongly snap at the katana's blade, but that was the extent of its opposition.
Pressing his foot against its forehead, Hifumi pulls out the katana.
Placing a paper on the blood-smeared katana, he wipes it clean in one go.
The blade had rubbed against the sharp fangs, but it has already regained its original radiance.
"I see. Even if you put the demons aside, the monsters are strong as well, eh?" (Hifumi)
I might be able to enjoy myself with something else besides my original objective
"Does that mean that it's possible for a demon king to appear?" (Imeraria)
"There are such rumours among the people on the streets." (Adol)
Prime Minister Adol avoided the affirmation of Imeraria's question.
"... Isn't it possible to verify the truth? Or are there some problems?" (Imeraria)
"No, there are no problems." (Origa)
The other person who is present at this place opened her mouth. Origa was visiting the castle for the sake of helping in the research of the sealing magic.
For the period of several days in this place, she has taken and been staying at an inn in the capital.
All of her just 5 attending soldiers are women. The security measures are strangely weak-levelled for the wife of an Earl. Though there is the incident of her instantly killing the thugs who were hired by young nobles who have grudges against Hifumi and moreover her crushing those young nobles in one night, she made sure to abstain from interacting with other nobles. And the capital's nobles, who felt her to be eerie, don't approach Origa either.
On the other hand, since she is the feudal lord's representative of Fokalore, which was at the forefront in regards to industry and commerce, merchants and craftsmen come visiting her without interruption for the sake of greetings and studying.
Without discrimination, Origa dealt with those commoners and at times she even taught them valuable techniques for free.
"The hero's wife isn't an ordinary person after all."
is her reputation, but although nobles and commoners mean that in different ways, it didn't take long for it to spread widely.
Of course such talks have reached Imeraria's ears as well. However she doesn't touch that topic.
"You saying that there are no problems must mean that there's some reason. Could you please elaborate?" (Imeraria)
"Your Majesty, that way of talking to me is unnecessary. If my husband is Your Majesty's retainer, then I, who am his wife, shall serve Your Majesty as well." (Origa)
Due to Origa making that statement smoothly, Imeraria was disappointed that "she doesn't really mean it", but she was at least able to make sure that this wasn't revealed on her face.
"I'm someone showing proper respect towards Hifumi-sama. I believe it should be the same towards you who is his spouse. So, would you mind answering my question?" (Imeraria)
"My husband is currently investigating the person who is behind those strengthened monsters. In addition, our Earl Tohno feudal army intends to give instructions in combat techniques to each nation and area without sparing any efforts." (Origa)
"Is the idea of teaching those combat techniques originating from Hifumi-sama?" (Imeraria)
"Even to foreign countries... that will also depend on whether it will become act which serves the interests of the enemy..." (Adol)
Adol shyly expressed his worries towards the details Origa talked about as if they were something wonderful.
Origa's reply which confronts those worries begins with a smile.
"Foreign countries... Vichy and Horant are learning techniques from us. Even if they turned against us, for argument's sake, it's very possible to deal with them." (Origa)
"H-However, in case they aimed at another place than Fokalore..." (Adol)
Once Adol mentions the matter he fears once more, Origa's laughing intensifies.
"Do not worry, Your Excellency, the Prime Minister." (Origa)
Her tone is filled with confidence to the brim.
"Even in such case we will have the privilege of helping out with at least "sufficient resistance."" (Origa)
She doesn't talk about winning.
Neither does she say that Fokalore will suppress them.
She just guarantees "to resist" them.
"... Then, let's deal with it in each territory. Watching the state of affairs, we will dispatch war potential from the country at any time." (Imeraria)
"At the time of doing that, the Tohno Earldom will also cooperate with you at full power." (Origa)
Imeraria and Origa smile while looking at each others faces.
"So, let's continue the magic research." (Imeraria)
"Yes, let's do that." (Origa)
Standing up together, the two headed towards the reference room while the sounds of their heels resounded.
Having been left alone, Adol sighed into the silence.
Hifumi, who slowly approached the place which appeared to be a city, noticed a battle raging in its vicinity.
Getting close to a distance so that he can watch the situation, he takes up position in the shade of a tree.
"Demons, eh?" (Hifumi)
Against the backdrop of the wall, around 30 demons are struggling against the same number of wolf-type monsters.
A remarkably tall demon shouldered a big long sword of approximately the same length as himself and dove into the pack of monsters leading the charge.
While rotating like a spinning top and brandishing his shouldered long sword with the momentum of dashing, he tore the monsters into shreds.
With the other demons adding fire and lightning spells, the monsters, who were just overwhelmed by the pressure, fled in all direction once their numbers decreased to less than half in the blink of an eye.
Without recklessly chasing, the male demons quickly confirm the damage and walk towards the direction of the city while being vigilant of the surroundings.
Once Hifumi looked in the direction of their heading, he discovered a door, which appeared to be the entrance, at one part of the wall.
He ponders while having folded his arms.
"Their fighting strength is high? Shall I call out to them from here? Or shall I do so after taking a look at the city?" (Hifumi)
Even if I entered the city just like that, it will require much effort to search fellows, who are capable in fighting, one by one
"Hearing that there are several strong guys here... mm?" (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who noticed the threatening air, swiftly took out his kusarigama.
The wolf monsters, which were earlier repelled by the demons, have apparently switched their target to Hifumi next.
A pack of around 10 of them surrounds Hifumi.
"I see. The monsters in this neighbourhood are skilled at erasing their presences." (Hifumi)
If it means that they can ruthlessly compete with such monsters, the average fighting strength of demons might be high
"Bufu!?"
The monster which had suddenly the tip of its nozzle hit by the iron counterweight, faints in agony while sprouting blood.
Making sure to jump over their comrade which had suffered the attack, several monsters assaulted Hifumi all at once.
The sickle, grasped in his left hand, strikes the face of one of the monsters among them.
Going through its eyeball, the sickle which destroyed the brain gets stuck in the skull.
Wielding it as is, Hifumi struck another monster with the corpse by throwing the sickle. In exchange he reeled in the counterweight and threw it at yet another monster.
Hifumi, who had killed 3 monsters in one swoop, advances unarmed and kills the monster, whose nose had been bashed in the beginning, by stepping on its head.
"... Alright." (Hifumi)
Feeling the feedback, Hifumi stood against the back of a tree without touching the katana at his waist.
Compared to the leopard monster from a while ago, they are weak.
"Hurry up, it's not my hobby to kill frail animals, but..." (Hifumi)
Once he looks at the remaining six monsters, it seems that they still have the will to fight. They might have judged that the level of threat fell with him having become unarmed.
"I will entertain you if you want to play." (Hifumi)
The six monsters simultaneously leap at Hifumi, who put up his right hand in front at half length.
Grabbing the forepaw of one of the monsters which came biting at him with its snout open, he throws it at another monster.
Dodging by swiftly drawing back his foot from one which came to claw at his knee, it came into a conspicuous spot under his feet and he kicked its throat.
Being surrounded by trees in a circle, Hifumi seized the neck of a monster which came jumping at him and slapped it into the trunk of a tree.
With a wet sound of the skull being crushed, it makes a beeline of blood once Hifumi removes his hand while dropping to the ground.
Another monster comes snapping at him, but straightening the middle finger and the index finger, Hifumi hooks its lower jaw with them.
Having its jaw dislocated by the force of its own leap with a *wobble*, it cocks its head in puzzlement and fold just like that.
The last monster aimed its fangs at his neck from behind Hifumi.
Hitting the back of Hifumi who had willingly stepped back, its balance crumbled and it dropped to the ground. At that moment Hifumi struck the area around its heart.
Coughing up blood, the monster ceased moving.
"Phew..." (Hifumi)
While correcting his dishevelled dougi, Hifumi breathed out.
"... So, what's your impression after observing the battle?" (Hifumi)
Turning around, Hifumi throws those words at a large tree.
"I was noticed, huh? You have a higher ability than I heard of those called humans..."
A man with long ears, who seems to be a demon, appeared from the shadows of the large tree.
"So, do you want to play with me as well?" (Hifumi)
"You are quite belligerent. However, I will pass on that for now."
When Hifumi muttered "Is that so? How boring", the male demon offered a suggestion to Hifumi.
"Human, you don't have any inclination to work for our country, do you?"
"... Ha?" (Hifumi)
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