50話 傭兵たちの舞踏会
静寂の中、姉から差し伸ばされた手を見つめる。
この手を取るか、否か。
そんな選択を考えている場合ではない。
せっかくの妖精の舞踏会だというのに、会場は静まり返っているし、一緒に来た
おまけに両肩と頭に乗っかっていた妖精さんたちは、三匹とも俺の背中に隠れている始末。
これは、まずい。
妖精さんたちが、ますます人間を怖がってしまう。
この場をどうにかできるのは、どう考えても俺しかいない。
うっ。
めようとしたが、緊張のせいか舌が上手く回らず、言葉がつっかえてしまった。
「み?」
そんな俺に、姉は優しく聞き返してきた。
その表情は数瞬前とは打って変わって、朗らかだ。
一体、さきほどまでの不気味な能面顔はどこへなりを潜めたのか、とツッコミたくなるぐらいだ。とにかく、そんないつも通りの姉の態度に後押しされ、俺がこの場で言いたいことを胸の内で反芻する。
よし、大丈夫。
あとは伝えるだけ。
俺はすぅーーっと息を吸い込み、姉を見つめながら正直な気持ちをぶつけた。
「......っみ、みんな仲良くー!」
俺の大声に、姉はキョトンした表情になる。
周囲も釣られて、おお? っと、どよめきの声をあげる。
......そんな、みんなに威嚇する必要ないから」
俺の遅まきながらのツッコミに、
周りの傭兵達も、『え......』とか『姉?』、『妹ってことか?』と固まる。
「いや、でもな太郎。ここにいる奴らの中には太郎を利用しようとする輩がいるかもしれない」
そんな周囲を完全にスルーする姉は
そんな二人の影から、ボクはボクは? と何だか捨てられた子犬のような眼差しでグレン君が何かを訴えてきているが、今はキミに構っている暇はないんだ。ごめん。
「私の可愛い太郎が、今は更に可愛くなっているのだ。オカマとミナちゃんなら、まぁ許容の範囲だが、見る限り高校生以上に値する男児が、太郎のようなキャラに近づくなんて......そんな太郎の傍にいる輩を信用しろと?」
姉の言い分に、所々で『うんうん...』『確かに』とか、『奴らはロリコンだな』とか小さな賛同の声がポツポツとあがる。
俺はそれに溜息をつく。
「姉、ユウとコウは俺のリアルを知ってるよ」
その言葉に、姉はようやくピンときたようだ。
ユウとコウは俺の学校の同級生だということに。
「し、しかしだな......そんな二人組より、わたしが太郎をエスコートした方が安全だぞ」
はいはい、その気持ちは嬉しいし、是非そうしてほしいし、むしろ強い
その申し出を受ける前に、姉には言ってもらわねばならない事がある。
「姉、そこはもちろん。姉にお願いしたいけど、まず先にさ」
姉が淀みない動きでクルリと会場の奥へ身体を向け、何事もなかったかのように歩み出そうとした。
俺はそんな姉の背中に一言放つ。
「ユウとコウに謝って?」
「あ、う......」
ピクリと動きを止めた狩人のシン。
なんとなく、決まりが悪いのはわかる。
あれだけ大きな啖呵を切って、俺の同級生をいびった後なのだ。
も大事な友達だし、そんな二人と姉との間で変な距離が空いてしまうのは寂しい。
俺の再三のお願いに、姉はぎぎぎぎっと音が立ちそうなほど、ギクシャクした動きでこちらに向き直った。
「は......う、ぁ............ハィ......」
小さな声だけど、了承の返事が返ってきたことに俺はホッと安堵する。
そして、姉が俺の隣に立つと親友二人の目を真っすぐ見据えた。
「い、いつも、太郎がお世話になっている。わたしは太郎の姉だ。さきほどはその......」
だが、途中から視線はあさっての方向に泳ぎ始めた。
そんな姉は苦虫をつぶしたような表情になり、素早く腰を深く折って、頭をひょいっと下げた。
「ご......ごめんなさい」
姉と共に俺も頭を下げる。
「俺ももっと、早く言うべきだった」
実姉が『首狩る酔狂共』の団長だということを。
は、深く深く肩をなでおろした。
「はぁーー......シンさんに目をつけられた時はどうなる事かと......今後のクラン・クラン生活終わったと思ったよ」
「早い話が、無抵抗を貫き通すしかなかった......」
もここまでビクつくことはなかっただろう。本当に悪い事をした。
俺は謝罪も込めて、二人に両手を広げ引き寄せるように抱く。
「ごめんな」
今の俺じゃ腰あたりにしがみつくような形になってしまうが、精一杯、友を安心させようと努力を試みる。謝辞の意も含めて。
「タロ、それはさすがに......」
「お、おうっ、」
何を驚いているんだ。
こんなの悪絡みで学校ではしょっちゅうしてるじゃないか。
肩を組むようなものだろ。
二人を見上げると、彼らは落ち付かない様子で俺を見ている。
そんな二人の態度を見て、安心させようとしていた俺が逆に不安に駆られた。
俺は......見た目が変わっても、変わらないものもあるって事を証明したくて、半ば照れる二人に無理矢理くっつく。
すると二人は互いに顔を見合わせ、呆れたように眉尻を下げた。
のっそりと持ち上がっていた不安はどこかへ消え失せた。
やはり俺達の友情は永遠不滅。
周囲の傭兵たちは『現実で姉妹?』『でも、あの見た目じゃ......』『異母姉妹とか?』『バカッそんなこと詮索するな』『命がなくなるぞ』『おい、あいつらあんな美少女に』『あんな羨ましいことを』『許すまじ!』と、勝手な発言をコソコソとし出しているが、そこは放っておこう。
外野なんて、どうでもいい。
「太郎、セクシャルガードは設定してないのか?」
なぜか不機嫌そうな姉の声が、俺達の友情に水を差す。
「フレンドには設定してないけど?」
その発言に何故かどよめき、『聞いたか今の!』『イエスロリータ! ゴータッチ!』『そんなことしたら、
「今すぐ、セクシャルガードを私以外、全カットにしなさい」
有無を言わさぬ顔で姉は詰め寄ってきたが、俺はプイっとそっぽを向く。
そんなやり取りを間近で見ていたジョージが、なぜか吹きだした。
明るい空気に釣られて、周囲もこの騒動が一件落着したと判断したようで、止まった時が動き出したかのようにガヤガヤと各々の会話を再開し始める。
「姉御も妹さんには敵わないと」
「こりゃあ、傑作だなぁ?」
姉の傭兵団員、トムとジェリーさんがいじる。
「「弟だ!(ですから!)」」
俺と姉のツッコミがハモる頃には、会場の賑わいはすっかり元に戻っていた。
◇
いつの間にか会場にはブズーキ(ギター)やフルート、アイリッシュハープが奏でるケルト音楽が流れていた。その陽気な曲調に身を委ね、傭兵たちの手には飲みモノや食べ物が行ったり来たりしている。
俺もそんな雰囲気にのまれて、文字通り
「太郎、そんなにヒラヒラと舞っていたら、いろいろと危ないだろ」
ミソラさんからもらったドレスの特殊能力、重力を六分の一にするという効果がどうしても俺を浮かしてしまう。気になりはする。特に足のスースー具合がとても。
「シンちゃんったらぁん、過保護ちゃんねぇん? 女性は魅せてなんぼのものでしょう?」
ただ今は、ミナの
金髪和装少女最高。気分も高揚。
「お前に太郎の様子を見ておいてくれと頼んだが、わたしの可愛い太郎をお前の価値観に染め上げろとは一言も言っていない」
どうやら姉はここ数日ジョージと連絡を取り、俺の周辺を警護させていたようだった。
姉とジョージがフレンドだったことも驚きだが、姉が想像以上に俺の身の周りに気を配っていた事に感謝半分、呆れ半分だ。
「しかし、本当にお美しい
「どうしても目がいっちまうもんなぁ」
「まさか、『首狩る酔狂共』がこんな見目麗しい子と縁をもっているとは」
「フンッ。まったく、あきれるほどの過保護だな」
その中には、やはりと言うべきだろうか。
会話に唐突に割り込んで嫌味を呟いたのは『一匹狼』のヴォルフだった。
灰髪の少年と目が合った俺は、軽く睨む。
「ガハハッ。役立たずのミナが一緒じゃあ、過保護になるしかねえな」
相変わらず挑発的で感じの悪い長身男、ヴァイキンもいる。
彼らの発言に、姉の周りにいた各々の
特に敵意をあらわにしたのは、黒服スーツに身を包んだベンテンスさんだった。山のような大男が、怒気をはらんだ視線をヴォルフに送る。
だが、彼は興味のない獲物は無視といったような
、『黄昏時の酒喰らい』と先の『戦争』で勝利を得たからといって坊や達は調子に乗りすぎだな」
へぇ、ベンテンスさん達は『一匹狼』に負けたのか。
「『狩り尽くす酔狂共』と戦争をして、
「所詮はファーストアタック不可システムを悪用してる、ズル賢い卑怯な小僧どもだ。シンさん相手にするな」
なるほど。
この姉を相手にしたら、失うモノの方が多そうだけど。
それだけ自信があるってことかな。
「それよりも、タロさんは錬金術スキルを取得していると?」
も何か錬金術と関わりが?」
おっと、それが本命だったか。
俺の周りで、きゃっきゃと会場に置いてあったお菓子を頬張る妖精たち。
この子達をさっきから気になってはいたのだろうが、なかなか姉を前にこの手の話題を振りづらかったのだろう。
「フンッ......錬金術みたいな
それに賛同するヴァイキン。
そんな彼らの態度に堪忍袋の緒が切れたのか、オールバックを両手でなでつけたベンテンスさんが、二人の前にズイッと出た。
「お前らはいちいち話の腰を折るな。やるのか? あん? こっちはお前らにやられた卑劣な手段の一つ一つを忘れてねぇからな」
背を丸くかがめ、顔をくっつけそうな距離でベンテンスさんはヴォルフに
「フンッ。弱者など、いちいち覚えてられないな」
その反応にベンテンスさんが怒りをあらわにし、手を出そうかと拳を振り上げた瞬間。
姉が流麗な声がその場を制す。
「どのみち、太郎が引きつれている小人に関する情報を聞き出す対価が、無償というわけではあるまいな?」
そんな風に姉が俺を庇う姿を見て、ヴォルフがせせら笑う。
「フンッ。戦闘狂は強欲でもあるようだな」
「口を慎め、狼もどき。この場でお前をキルしてやってもいいんだぞ」
姉が高圧的にヴォルフを睨みつけるが、その視線を遮らせるように長身のヴァイキンが間に入る。
「フンッ狩人さんよぉ、せっかくの舞踏会を自慢の剣技で台無しにする気か?」
そう言って、得意顔で
の存在にも怯えることなく、剣の柄に手をかける。
「加勢するぜぇ、シンさん」
『一匹狼』に恨みのあるベンテンスさんまでもが、姉に続いて臨戦態勢に入ろうとしていた。
その動きに反応して、周囲で一連の流れを見守っていたミナやジョージ、
目は口よりも語るとはよく言ったものだ。彼の俺を見る瞳は『使えない錬金術を持つ奴は、そうやって大勢に守られていないと何もできない』と語りかけてくる。
その侮辱に満ちた表情が悔しくて、俺は思わず全員の前に出た。
「みなさん、待ってください。姉も」
いちいち喧嘩を売ってくる『一匹狼』に姉が制裁を加えるのは簡単だ。
だが、今後もそういった輩が出るたびに、俺はゲーム内での姉の威光を
そんなのは、俺の男としてのプライドが許さない。
「みなさん、素材の『うまのふん』はご存知ですか?」
今まで口数の少なかった俺が、急に問い掛けたかと思いきや、飛び出したワードは何の役にも立たないと思われているであろうゴミ素材、『うまのふん』。
いきなり、何を言い出すのか? と、周囲には疑問の渦が立ちこめるが、掴みはOKだろう。
「『うまのふん』なんて、そんな用途不明な素材、拾っても捨てるだけですよね?」
『あぁ』とか『おう』とか『うん』などと、妙に歯切れの悪い返答をする、みなさん。
それが妥当な反応だな。
だが、俺はアイテムストレージから、おもちゃのマジカルステッキ的な小さな筒を取り出す。
錬金術スキルを駆使して『うまのふん』×3を上位変換し、失敗で『黒い塊』ができあがる。さらにそこから『調教術』で『黒い塊』の火耐性を強化。
そして、スペシャルで熱きふんとなった『黒い塊』と『紅蓮石』、『結晶花』を合成して創り上げた、俺の唯一の攻撃用アイテム『狙い打ち花火(小)』だ。
「この筒は、元は『うまのふん』でできています」
俺は子供が使うようなおもちゃの棒を、みんなに見えるように真上に向けて掲げる。
「ただのオモチャの棒だな」
「チッチチキ。錬金術か何かなのか?」
達が十分に注目するのを待ってから、俺は何の予告もいれずに『狙い打ち花火(小)』を使用。
すると、筒からシュドンっと小さな火花が飛び出たかと思ったら、天高く煌びやかな花火がドンッと鳴り咲いた。
その音に、一様の驚きを見せ、身構えるみなさん。
花火の色あいはキラキラと緑や赤が交り合っており、昼の青空にも負けじとその存在を主張し、たいへん美しい光を散りばめていた。
「花火か?」
「あれ、攻撃用のアイテムじゃないかしら?」
「舞踏会の始まりの合図とか?」
「というか、あれをまさか錬金術で?」
「ほんとに『うまのふん』が、あんなアイテムに?」
「聞いたことないぜ......」
妖精たちが、綺麗な花火を見てキャッキャっとさわぐ。
に身体を支えられていた。
というのも、花火の威力で地面に押しつけられそうになったのをなんとか踏ん張ったのはいいものの、その勢いを抑えきることができず、後方にたたらを踏んでいたところを
真上に打ち上げていてよかった。
下手に人に向けて、水平方向に花火を使用していたら、ミソラさんからもらったドレスの特殊能力のおかげで、身体が異様に軽くなっている俺はどこかに吹き飛んでいただろう。
周囲が花火に目を奪われているうちに、俺は無様な姿を晒すまいと、目だけで
「『うまのふん』でも、このように煌びやかなアイテムに変貌を遂げるのです」
大衆に演説するように、俺は両手を振り上げた。
「変化するのはモノに限らず、人も同じです。
先ほどまで険呑な態度だった、ベンテンスさんとヴォルフ達に挑発的な笑みを浮かべる。
ミナが役立たずという認識、錬金術が使えないという常識、その全ても変化しうるという可能性があるとほのめかす。
おれは『一匹狼』の団長を凝視する。
「どこのだれが、『うまのふん』のようだとあえて口にはしませんが、せっかくの笑顔あふれる場なのです。みなさんこれを機に親睦を深めあいましょう」
まわりは騒然となるなか、俺は姉にドヤっと笑顔を作る。
姉もフフフッと満足そうに微笑んでくれた。
「おっとっと、これは驚かされたぜ......やはりシンさんの
ベンテンスさんが、感慨深げに狩人のシンと俺を見て呟く。
その顔にはさっきまでの憤りは消えうせ、どこか感服した様子だった。
冷静になってくれて、妖精たちも怯えずに済むのは嬉しい事だ。
姉と俺の声が重なる。
がクスクスと笑い、呼応するかのように回りも、俺達を仲の良い姉妹でも見るように、口元をニヤ付かせながら生ぬるい視線を送ってきた。
「ご冗談を。仲の良い姉妹ですな」
誰かの言葉が、会場に響き渡ったのだった。
それから、すっかり大人しくなった『一匹狼』を俺達は無視して、歓談を交わしていた。
あっさり引き下がった彼らに警戒心を解いたつもりはないが、俺も俺で、少しは錬金術が日の目を見ることができたかなと満足している。
:『妖精の舞踏会』が始まりました:
ログが流れた。
と、同時に30人前後の
たちの間を悠々と歩む人物は、豪奢なマントをはおり、これまた優雅な礼装に身を包んだ、おじ様だった。
歳の頃は四十代前半ではあるが、衰えを感じさせない
灰色の瞳、髪、髭を持ち、角ばった体格からこの男性が武人だと想像できる。だが、手には剣ではなく杖が握られていて、儀礼用の大剣を腰に帯びている。
杖を地面にカツカツと鳴らしながら、近づいてくるオジ様の頭の上には冠が乗っていた。
一同が、ドっと沸く。
「あれ、王様じゃね?」
「王だ」
「ミケランジェロの王だな......」
よく見れば、オジサマの隣りにはテアリー公の姿も見受けられる。
どよめく観衆の中、スッと右手をあげる灰髪の王様。
の名は、灰王カグヤ・モーフィアス」
そんなに大声を出したわけでもないのに、王の名乗りは頭に直接響くようによく通った。みんなも同じようで、王が発言中は終始静寂を守っている。
情報が重要視されるクラン・クラン、それも一級
だが、何故か王は上を見上げ、何が気になったのか雲ひとつない空を凝視し出した。
そこで王は低い声で
「......ほう。珍妙な客人も参られたか」
そのまま晴天を見上げる灰王。
「はて、招待状を送った覚えなどないが......どれ、
達4人と王の傍らにいたローブの老人がサッと宙空へとその身を躍らせた。
空飛ぶ兵士たちに、俺達は目から鱗である。
さらに彼らは各々が手にした杖から、爆炎や氷塊、竜巻、稲妻を何もない空へと放出し始める。
異なる属性の魔法を連続で放つ、その凄まじい魔力を目の当たりにした俺たち
そんな特大魔法は、なぜか見えない障壁にでもぶつかったかのように歪みながら消失していく。だが、空模様が不自然に揺れている。
まるで青い空が水面となり、石を落とされたように波打っている。
あの揺らめきはどこかで――――。
そうか、あの空間の歪みの正体はミソラの森の空だ!
宝石を生む森
であるなら、ミソラさんが攻撃を受けている可能性が高い。そこまで予想できたと同時に、俺はミソラさんの安否が気になった。NPCといえどお世話になったミソラさんに危害を加える王に対し、憤りも覚えた。
だが、灰王は上空の嵐のような魔法攻撃など意に介さず、不意に俺達への語らいを再会した。
「宴とはすなわち、至極の馳走を食し、美酒を片手に武勇伝に酔いしれることを指すのか。それとも傾城の美姫の膝元でしばしの安寧を夢見、踊り明かすのか」
に見惚れている傭兵たちへと、王が問い掛けた。
「傭兵諸君に問おう!」
視線が集まったところで灰王、カグヤ・モーフィアスは挑戦的に口角を釣り上げる。
けな傭兵は、果たして戦えるのだろうか。雇う価値はあるのだろうか、と」
そして腰にさげていた儀礼用に装飾された大剣を、厳かに鞘から抜き放つ。
その堂々たる所作は、一つ一つに隙がなく、まさに王そのもの。
彼はおもむろに、その切っ先を青い鎧に身を包んだ
より鎧の色が薄かったのか。
馬車でのジョージやミナの指摘を思いだす。
は王城の最奥、謁見の間から出る事はない......そして、此度の宴が終わり、貴君ら傭兵達が城の中枢区域に土足で踏み入るのであれば......」
王が言葉を一端区切ると同時に、見習い
たちの動きに満足したかのように、鷹揚に頷く灰王。
「いわば、傭兵の諸君からしたら、高難易度のダンジョンそのものになるかのぉ」
この場にいる誰もが気付く。
これは、特権階級の者に与えられた限定クエスト。
「何が言いたいかと申せば、聡明な諸君は既に理解したと見受けられる」
王と見習い
「すなわち、ミケランジェロの王はここに」
ミケランジェロの王を殺して、誰がその玉座につくのか。
ダンジョン攻略をする必要もなく、王の周りを警護するは見習い
そう、今が千載一遇のチャンス。
「......人間の力、
灰王モーフィアスはフッとせせら笑い、瞳を閉じた。
「人間50年とはよく言ったものだ......下天の中であがき続けた人の可能性は、悠久の時の中でどれほど育まれたのか。その答えを余の前で示してみせよ」
そして王は、俺に微笑みかける。
「妖精殿、我らが奪われる時代は終わった。たとえ、如何なる蛮族が襲い来ようとも我らは断じて屈せず、我らが友と手を取り合い、守り抜く。そして、余にはそれを誓約できるほどの力がある事を、ここに証明してみせようぞ」
どうやら俺ではなく、俺の周りを飛びまわる妖精に語りかけていたようだ。
「余のミケランジェロは、浅き生しか歩んでおらぬ人間如きが統治できる程甘くはない」
王は剣を、灰色の石畳にジャリンと突き刺した。
を突破し、ここまで辿り着いてみせよ雑兵共が。
それまで、この地に刺した剣を握るに値しない。
下等な存在どもに備える必要などないのだ。
王の意志はひしひしと俺達に伝わってきた。
側も背中や周囲から、闘志が膨れ上がっていくのを感じる。
誰が、この胸の高鳴りを抑えられるだろうか。
男なら、傭兵なら。
この傲岸不遜な王に挑むまでのこと。
「さぁ、もはや語る言葉は無し。そなたらにとって、
この時のために、薄青き鎧をまとった兵士たちは、俺達をぐるりと囲んでいたのか。
「うわあああっ」
「うおぉおおおお!」
50 50 Stories The Mercenaries' Ball
In silence, he stares at his hand stretched out by his sister.
Take this hand, or no.
Not if you're thinking about making that choice.
Even though it is a fairy ball, the venue is quiet, and she is bullish with the appearance of her sister until Yuki (Yuki), Shaking Night (Koya) and Mina, who came with her.
Besides the fairies that were on both shoulders and heads, all three of them hiding on my back at the end.
This is bad.
The fairies are getting more and more scared of humans.
I'm the only one who can handle this place, no matter what you think.
Ugh.
I tried to make my sister laugh, but because of the nervousness, my tongue didn't turn well, and the words caught on.
"Mi?"
My sister listened back to me gently.
That look changed from a few moments ago, and it's flamboyant.
I just want to know where the creepy Nobu face has lurked. Anyway, I'm pushed back by that usual sister attitude, and I rebel in my chest about what I want to say on this occasion.
All right, it's okay.
All you have to do is tell him.
I suddenly breathed in, staring at my sister and hitting my honest feelings.
"... Ami, we're all close!
To my loud voice, my sister gets a kyotong look.
They caught the perimeter, too, oh? All the while, I give you a whispering voice.
"Sister (...)... because you don't need to intimidate everyone"
To my belated scratch, Shaking Night (Koya) and Yuki look back at me and my sister with just alternating eyes.
The mercenaries around you, too, say, 'Uh...' or 'Sister?', 'you mean my sister?' and solidify.
"No, but Taro. Some of the guys here may be trying to use Taro."
My sister, who passes through such a perimeter completely, will say why.
From those two shadows, what about me? And Glenn is complaining about something with a somewhat abandoned puppy look, but I don't have time for you right now. Sorry.
"My sweet Taro is even cuter now. If you're Okama and Mina, well acceptable, but as far as I can tell, I can't believe a boy who deserves more than a high school student approaches a character like Taro... asking me to trust a guy beside Taro like that?
In my sister's words, small endorsements like 'Yeah...' 'Sure' and 'They're Loricons' are raised in various places.
I sigh on it.
"Sister, Yu and Koo know my real life."
To that word, my sister seems to have finally pinned.
That Yu and Koo are classmates at my school.
"But... it's safer for me to escort Taro than a pair like that."
Yes, yes, I'm happy with that feeling, and I sure hope so, and if you're rather the leader of a strong mercenary regiment (clan), this is as much as I'd like you to do.
Before accepting the offer, there is something I must ask my sister to say.
"Sister, there of course. I'd like to ask my sister, but first."
My sister turned her body behind the venue with a motion that did not precipitate her and tried to walk out as if nothing had happened.
I release a word on my sister's back like that.
"Apologize to Yu and Koo?
"Ah, uh..."
Singh the hunter who stopped picking and moving.
Somehow, I know it's undecided.
After all those big cuts and snoring at my classmates.
But Evening Fai (Yuki) and Shaking Night (Koya) are important friends, and I miss the weird distance between them and my sister.
To my repeated favors, my sister turned to me in such a giddy motion that she seemed to make too much noise.
"Ha... uhh... hi..."
It's a small voice, but I'm relieved that the acknowledgment came back.
And I looked straight into the eyes of my two best friends as my sister stood next to me.
"Yes, always, Taro takes care of you. I am Taro's sister. Earlier that..."
But halfway through, his gaze began to swim in the direction of the day after tomorrow.
Such a sister looked like she had crushed a bitter bug, quickly broke her hips deep and lowered her head slightly.
"Oh... sorry"
With my sister I bow my head too.
"I should have said it sooner too."
That my real sister is the captain of "The Neck Hunting Drunk Co".
After receiving my clarification, Yuki and Koya grazed their shoulders deep and deep.
"Ha-ha-ha... I wondered what would happen when Mr. Singh laid eyes on me... and I thought my future Clan Clan life was over."
"An early story had to penetrate the irresistible..."
Had it not been for the weird pranks, Evening Fai (Yuki) and Shaking Night (Koya) would not have freaked out so far. I did something really bad.
I also apologize and hold my hands wide open to the two of you.
"Sorry."
I get stuck around my hips right now, but I try my best to reassure my friends. Including an acknowledgement.
"Tallo, that's just..."
"Ooh, ooh,"
What are you surprised about?
You do it all the time in school because of this evil entanglement.
It's like putting your shoulders together.
Looking up at the two of them, they're looking at me like I'm not falling.
Seeing those two attitudes, I was trying to reassure them, and I was driven by anxiety the other way around.
I... I want to prove that some things don't change even if they look different, and I can't help but stick to two people who can illuminate half the time.
Then they looked at each other and lowered their brow butts as if they were frightened.
The anxiety that was slowly lifting could disappear somewhere.
After all, our friendship is immortal.
The mercenaries around them say, "Sisters in reality? '' But not in that look... '' Like half-sisters? '' Don't pry like that, '' You're gonna lose your life, '' Hey, to those beautiful girls, '' Do that envy, '' Forgive me, seriously! 'And I'm putting out my unsolicited remarks as a piece of shit, but let's leave it there.
I don't care about the field.
"Taro, you didn't set up a sexual guard?
For some reason, our grumpy sister's voice waters down our friendship.
"I didn't set it up for a friend, though?
And for some reason, he said, "Did you hear that? '" Jesus, Lolita! Go Touch!' 'If you do that, you'll be killed' 'But you were just watching. That hunter Singh was bowing his head, "his sister's strongest theory," and some others, the tension began to soar.
"Cut all sexual guards but me now"
My sister stuffed me with a face that didn't say yes or no, but I turned to her.
George, who watched such an exchange up close, blew it out for some reason.
Caught in bright air, the surrounding area also seems to have decided that this commotion has settled one case, and begins to resume each conversation with Gayagaya as if it had moved when it stopped.
"Your sister needs to be better than your sister."
"Oh, this is a masterpiece, huh?
My sister's mercenary regiment members, Tom and Mr. Jerry, tease.
"" It's my brother! (So!
By the time my sister and I got hammered, the venue was completely back to normal.
--------
Soon the venue was filled with celtic music played by buzooki (guitar), flute and Irish harp. Give yourself up to that cheerful tune, and the mercenaries have drinks and food coming and going in their hands.
I was in such an atmosphere, literally fluffy (...) and bickering at the bottom of the venue.
"Taro, if you were so hilarious, you'd be in a lot of danger"
The special ability of the dress Mr. Misora gave me, the effect of making gravity a sixth, really floats me. It bothers me. Especially since my foot is in very good shape.
"Sinn, you're overprotective, aren't you? Woman is charming, isn't it?
Right now, I just don't think it's a bad idea to enjoy this ball with Mina in a set of two.
Blonde japanese girl is the best. I feel exhilarated, too.
"I asked you to keep an eye on Taro, but I didn't say a word about dyeing my sweet Taro into your values"
Apparently, my sister had been in touch with George over the past few days, letting him guard my neighborhood.
I'm also surprised that my sister and George were friends, but I appreciate my sister being more attentive around me than I could ever imagine. Half the time, half the time.
But you're a really beautiful sister.
"I can't help but notice my eyes."
"I didn't know" Neck Hunting Madness "was related to such a beautiful child."
"Humph. Damn, that's overprotective enough."
Among them, should I still say?
It was Wolf the 'lone wolf' who abruptly interrupted the conversation and whined about his disgust.
I got eyes on a grey-haired boy, and I stare lightly.
"Gahaha. Useless Mina's with us. Then we'll have to over-protect."
As provocative and unpleasant as ever, there is also a long-length man, Vikin.
Each mercenary regiment (clan) that was around their sister flaunts their statements.
Particularly hostile was Mr. Bentens, dressed in a black suit. A big man like a mountain sends his angry gaze to Wolfe.
However, his uninteresting prey is such a body as ignoring it, and he keeps staring at his sister.
"Chitchitchy. Mercenaries (clans)," Drinking at dusk "and winning the" war "earlier, the boys are getting too well."
Heh, did Mr. Bentens and the others lose to the 'lone wolves'?
"I want to go to war with the" Hunting Out Madness "and put a foil on it, but it's a cheap provocation."
"All I'm saying is that you're abusing the first-attack unattackable system, you cheating smart cowards. Mr. Singh, don't deal with him."
I see.
If I deal with this sister, there seems to be more stuff to lose.
I guess that means I'm so confident.
"More than that, Mr. Taro said he was acquiring alchemy skills?
"When it comes to it, does the dwarf (...) who is drawn also have any involvement with alchemy?
Whoa, was that fate?
Around me, the fairies cheek on the sweets that were properly placed in the venue.
I know I've been worried about these kids for a while now, but I guess I had a hard time waving this hand topic in front of my sister.
"Humph... to unusable (...) skills like alchemy, impossible"
Vikin agrees with that.
Mr. Bentens, with his all-back on his hands, zoomed out before the two of them, wondering if he had broken his mind about their attitude like that.
"You guys don't break your hips whichever way you talk. You're gonna do it? We haven't forgotten each and every one of the mean things you guys did to us."
Mr. Bentens is giving Wolfe an eye (cancer) at a distance where he is going to round his back and stick his face together. The opposing Wolf had a cool grin on his mouth.
"Hum. I can't remember the weak."
The moment Mr. Bentens revealed his anger at the reaction and shook up his fist to get his hands on it.
My sister's streamlined voice controls the spot.
"Which is the price of getting information about the dwarf that Taro is attracted to, not free of charge?
Wolf giggles when he sees his sister shelter me that way.
"Humph. Fighting fanatics seem to be greedy too."
"Watch your mouth, wolf. I can kill you in this place."
My sister stares at Wolfe high pressure, but a long Vikin goes in between to block that gaze.
"Mr. Hunter, are you willing to ruin the ball with your bragging sword moves?
With that said, the vice president of "The Lonely Wolf", who turns a chilling eye to the Divine Soldiers (Deus) with a good face.
My sister lays her hands on the pattern of the sword without being frightened by the presence of the Divine Soldier (Deus).
"I'm going to join you, Mr. Singh."
Even Mr. Bentens, who has a grudge against "The Lonely Wolf," was about to enter a state of battle following his sister.
In response to that motion, Mina and George watching a series of flows around me, Yuki and Koya softly solidify around me. Oh, Glenn, you too.
I've often said that my eyes speak more than my mouth. His eyes looking at me say, 'A guy with an alchemy he can't use can't do anything without being protected by a lot of people that way'.
I regretted that insult-filled look and I accidentally stepped out in front of everyone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, wait. And my sister."
It's easy for my sister to impose sanctions on 'lone wolves' who sell fights anyway.
However, whenever such students come out in the future, I don't intend to play with my sister's glory in the game on Kasasa.
That's not my pride as a man.
"Ladies and gentlemen, do you know the 'Uma Hum' of the material?
The garbage material, 'Um Phew', which I've been so sparsely talked about, that I suddenly wondered if I'd asked, and the word that popped up would seem to be of no use.
Suddenly, what do you come up with? And, a vortex of doubt stands around, but the grasp would be OK.
"'Uma Fun' is such an unknown material, you just throw it away even if you pick it up, right?
'Ah', 'ooh', 'yeah', etc. and a strangely poorly toothed response, folks.
That's a reasonable reaction.
But I take the toy's magically sticky little cylinder out of the item storage.
Use your alchemy skills to top convert the "Uma Hum" x3, and fail to create a "Black Chunk". Further from there, "Tutorial Art" enhances the fire resistance of "Black Chunks".
And my only offensive item, Sniping Fireworks (Small), was created by combining a special, hot fuzzy "Black Lump" with "Red Lotus Stone" and "Crystal Flowers".
"This cylinder was originally made of" Uma Fun ""
I put a toy stick like the one my kids use straight up so everyone can see it.
"You're just a toy stick."
"Chitch chickens. Is that alchemy or something?
Wait for the mercenaries to pay enough attention, and then I use "Shooting Fireworks (Small)" without any warning.
Then, when I wondered if a shuddering little spark had popped out of the cylinder, the heavenly high and brilliant fireworks pounded and bloomed.
To the sound of it, everyone who shows a uniform surprise and sets themselves up.
The colors of the fireworks intersected sparkle with greenery and red, claiming the defeat and its presence in the blue skies of day, scattering much beautiful light.
"Fireworks?
"Is that an offensive item?
"Like the signal at the beginning of the ball?
"Or did you put that in alchemy?
"Really, 'Uma Hum' is on such an item?
"Never heard of it..."
The fairies look at the beautiful fireworks and snap.
As for me, I was supported at night.
Because, although it was good that I managed to get pushed to the ground by the power of the fireworks, I couldn't contain the momentum, and the shaking night (or so) was taking me where I was stepping backwards.
I'm glad I was launching straight up.
If I had poorly pointed at people and used fireworks in the horizontal direction, I would have blown somewhere with my body unusually light, thanks to the special ability of the dress Mr. Misora gave me.
While my surroundings were blinded by the fireworks, I quickly thanked them for shaking the night with my eyes alone and corrected my posture.
"This is how you transform into a brilliant item, even in" Uma Fun. "
I waved my hands up to speak to the masses.
"It's not just things that change, people are the same. Even if we are now (...) friends with the dog monkeys (...), all of which could be patterns while we can have a better relationship?
It was a risky attitude until earlier, with a provocative grin on Mr. Bentens and the Wolves.
The perception that Mina is useless, the common sense that alchemy cannot be used, and the possibility that all of that can change.
I gaze at the leader of The Lonely Wolf.
"I wouldn't dare say that anybody from anywhere looks like 'Uma Hum', but it's a place full of smiles because of it. Ladies and gentlemen, let's take this opportunity to deepen our rapport."
I make my sister smile when things get noisy around me.
My sister also smiled at me with satisfaction.
"Oops, this surprised me...... I'm still Mr. Singh's sister (...)"
Mr. Bentens looks and squeals at the hunter Singh and me emotionally.
Until just now the anger disappeared on that face, and it seemed to impress me somewhere.
I'm glad you're calm and the fairies don't have to be scared.
My sister and I have an overlapping voice.
Besides, Yuki and Yuki laughed at the couscous and turned around, sending a raw gaze as they niggered at our mouths so that they could see us as good sisters.
"Just kidding. You're a good sister."
Someone's words echoed the venue.
Then, we ignored the "lone wolf", which had grown up completely, and we were having a chat.
I don't mean to have relieved them of their alarm when they pulled back lightly, but I'm satisfied that I, too, have been able to see the day with a little alchemy.
: 'Fairy Ball' has begun:
The log flowed.
and at the same time opened the door to the royal castle, which was guarded by around 30 Divine Soldiers (Deus).
The man walking leisurely between the Left and Right Divine Soldiers (Deus) wore a luxurious cloak, which was also dressed in graceful courtesy, his uncle.
I was in my early forties when I was old, but I have a tough face that doesn't make me feel faded.
I can imagine this man being a samurai from his horny physique with gray eyes, hair and beard. But there is a wand, not a sword, in his hand, with a great sword for liturgy on his waist.
The crown was on the head of the approaching Oj as he snapped his wand to the ground.
Mercenaries (players) in the venue boil down.
"That's the king, isn't it?
"The King."
"You're the king of Michelangelo..."
If you look closely, you can also see Lord Theary next to Odysama.
In a constant audience, a grey-haired king softly raises his right hand.
"The name of Yu is Kaguya Morpheus, the Ash King"
Even though he didn't shout so loud, the king's name went through well as it sounded directly to his head. The same is true of everyone, who keeps silence all the time while the king is speaking.
The Clan Clan, where information is important, is also where first-degree mercenaries (players) gather. Everyone was listening seriously to the king as he listened to every word.
But for some reason the king looked up and stared out into the cloudless sky at what bothered him.
Then the king lowered his voice.
"... well. Have you had any strange guests?"
Ash King looking up at sunny weather as it is.
"Well, I don't remember sending you an invitation... which is good for my compatriots (...). Deus, be your opponent."
Then four of the Divine Soldiers (Deus), with their sceptres, and the old man of Robe, who was beside the king, let him leap into the sky.
To the flying soldiers, we are scaled from our eyes.
Plus they start releasing blast flames, ice cubes, tornadoes, and lightning into the sky with nothing from the cane they each have in their hands.
We, the mercenaries (players), who have witnessed the tremendous magic of different attributes in a row, could only look at the sight.
Such oversized magic disappears distorted as if for some reason it had even hit an invisible barrier. But the sky is unnaturally shaking.
It is as if the blue sky has become the surface of the water and is waving like a stone has been dropped.
That swing is somewhere...
Right, the identity of that distortion of space is the sky in the Missora Forest!
The entrance to the gemstone-bearing forest (Kristiary) should also have been such a conjunctive magic.
If so, it is likely that Mr. Misora is under attack. At the same time, I was concerned about Mr. Misora's safety. I also remembered my outrage at the king who would do harm to Mr. Mithola, who took care of him so much even though he was NPC.
But the Ashes King inadvertently reunited his conversation with us, not through a magical attack like a storm in the air.
"By feast, do you mean eating the ultimate treat and getting drunk on martial arts tradition with one hand? Or do you dream and dance at the knees of the beautiful princess of the incline?"
The king inquired of the mercenaries who were in love with a series of magical soldiers (Deus) in the air.
"Ask mercenaries!
Where his gaze gathers, Ash King, Kaguya Morpheus, catches the corner of his mouth challengingly.
"Can a mercenary like that ever fight? Is it worth hiring?"
And the great sword decorated for the liturgy that had been offered on his hips is pulled out of his sheath strictly.
Its grand deeds, one by one, have no gaps, just the king himself.
Instead, he directed his cutting-edge toward the Divine Soldiers (Deus) dressed in blue armor.
So the color of the armor was lighter than the usual Divine Soldier (Deus)?
Reminds me of George and Mina's points in the carriage.
"Normally, Yu never leaves the deepest part of the Royal Castle... and if this feast is over and you mercenaries step into the central area of the castle with your earthly feet..."
At the same time that the king separated the words, the apprentice samurai (Deus) set up their weapons and shields in unison.
Ashes King snorts at eagles as if satisfied with the movement of the growing Divine Soldiers (Deus).
"So, from the mercenaries, would it be a highly challenging dungeon itself?"
Everyone on this spot realizes.
This is an exclusive quest given to the privileged.
"If you say what you want to say, you can see that you've already understood."
Confronting the King and the Apprentice Divine Soldier (Deus) are first-degree mercenaries (players) dressed in full armour.
"That is, the king of Michelangelo is here"
Kill the king of Michelangelo, and who shall take his throne?
Without the need for a dungeon attack, only Apprentice Divine Soldiers (Deus) guard around the King.
Yes, now is a thousand chances.
"... human power, sexuality, desire..."
Ash King Morpheus laughed furiously and closed his eyes.
"50 Years of Humanity is a well said thing... how much of the possibility of those who kept rising in the Lower Heaven grew up in a long time. Let me show you the answer in front of you."
And the king smiles at me.
"Fairy lord, our time to be taken is over. Whatever barbarians strike, we will not yield, but we will take hands with our friends and defend ourselves. And let me prove here that I have enough power to pledge it."
Apparently he was talking to fairies flying around me, not me.
"The rest of Michelangelo is not sweet enough to be ruled by human beings who only walk shallow raw."
The king stabbed his sword with Jarin on the gray cobblestone.
Break through the Apprenticeship Soldier (Deus) and get to this point.
Until then, I don't deserve to hold the sword I stabbed in this land.
There is no need to prepare for the inferior beings.
The king's will has been passed on to us.
And this (player) side also feels the fighting spirit swell from his back and surroundings.
Who will be able to suppress these chest highs?
If you're a man, if you're a mercenary.
Until I challenged this arrogant king.
"Come on, no more words to speak. Then let's start a true feast."
Were the soldiers wearing thin blue armor surrounding us for this time?
"Wow. Ahh."
"Whoa, whoa!
I Became a Beautiful Girl, but I’m still an MMO Junkie
美少女になったけど、ネトゲ廃人やってます。
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-became-a-beautiful-girl-but-im-still-an-mmo-junkie/
Adventure Comedy Fantasy Gender Bender Mystery Psychological Shoujo Ai
Accelerated Growth Adapted to Manga Age Regression Alchemy Appearance Changes Appearance Different from Actual Age Beautiful Female Lead Chuunibyou Curious Protagonist Cute Protagonist Demi-Humans Disabilities Doting Older Siblings Fairies Famous Protagonist Fast Learner Friendship Loli Male to Female Misunderstandings MMORPG Multiple POV Mysterious Illness Older Love Interests Overprotective Siblings Past Plays a Big Role Past Trauma Pill Concocting Popular Love Interests Race Change Sword And Magic Virtual Reality Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n0170db/
星屑ぽんぽん