131.Somewhere I Belong
昼下がりの街道を、豪華な馬車を中心にした軍の隊列が進む。
述べ二百名を越える集団は、オーソングランデ女王イメラリアが率いる反乱貴族討伐軍だ。
「女王陛下。ビロン伯爵からの伝令と接触いたしました」
「では、直接お会いします。こちらへ。進行を止める必要はありません」
先頭にいた一人の騎士が、イメラリアが乗る馬車の隣にまで騎乗のまま下がってきた。
イメラリアは乗馬のためのパンツルックに長靴という姿だったが、出発一日目になれない遠征で尻が痛くなったのに耐え切れず、二日目以降はたっぷりのクッションを敷いて馬車の中で大人しくしていた。
服を変えないのは、何かあればすぐに騎乗できるとの意気込みを表していたのだが、側仕えの面々としては、荒事は騎士に任せて大人しくしていて欲しいというのが本心だった。
ほどなく、ビロン伯爵からの伝令と称した青年が、騎士と共に馬を並べてやって来た。
「えっと......お、お初にお目にかかり、光栄です、女王陛下。馬上からのご挨拶、失礼いたします」
「構いません。わざわざ歩みを止めるには、少し人が多すぎますから。それよりも、ビロン伯爵は何と?」
本来であれば、一兵卒に過ぎない伝令が、女王と直接言葉を交わす事はあまり無い。だが、イメラリアにとって今は準戦時という認識であり、一二三から以前に言われた、“自分で情報を吟味しろ”との言葉を実践するため、極力当事者から話を聞くことを基本としていた。
それが城内に勤める者たちからの好感をいや増しているのだが、必死になっているイメラリアには、そこまで汲み取る事は難しい。
「ビロン伯爵からは、陛下に現状の全てをお伝えするように、と」
「聞きましょう。あ、サブナクさんにも聞いてもらいましょう。誰か呼んできてくださいませんか」
隊列前方で指揮をしていたサブナクがやってくると、改めてイメラリアは伝令の青年に話を促した。
そこで、伝令はアスピルクエタ伯爵以下造反貴族の捕縛、ホーラント国境でのマ・カルメ達フォカロル教導部隊の戦いとホーラント側の攻撃について、仔細に説明した。
すでに何度か話している内容だったので、語り口は慣れた調子ではあったが、マ・カルメのくだりでは、まだ涙が溢れそうになる。
「......これは、大問題ではないでしょうか」
サブナクが青い顔をしてイメラリアに視線を向けると、彼女はしっかりと伝令の顔を見据えたまま頷いた。
「状況は、わかりました。貴方は、これからビロン伯爵のところへ戻るのですか?」
「いえ......。私は、マ・カルメ殿との約束があります。伯爵様の許可もいただいておりますので、このままフォカロルへ向かいます」
「そうですか」
しっかりとした言葉で答えた伝令に、イメラリアは優しく微笑む。
「その情報をトオノ伯が知った場合の事を考えれば、わたくしは為政者としては問題を抑えるために、貴方の足止めをするべきかもしれません」
「そ、それは......」
困る、と伝令は言おうとしたが、女王に言われればどうしようもない。
「ですが、貴方が貴方とその方の約束を果たす事を止めるなど、わたくし自身が許せそうにありません。サブナクさん」
「はっ!」
「彼に護衛を二人ほどつけて差し上げてください。路銀も多少は」
「そ、そこまでは! これは私の個人的な約束に過ぎませんので!」
慌てる伝令に、イメラリアはピシャリと言い渡す。
「では、これはわたくしが個人的に良いと思ってやることです。それに、伝言相手のアリッサさんは、わたくしの個人的な知り合いと言っても良い相手です。それを断るのですか?」
「う......ありがたく、お受けいたします」
よろしい、と頷いたイメラリアに馬上で一礼した伝令は、やってきた二人の騎士と共に後方へと向かっていった。
「......イメラリア様」
「身勝手な事をいたしました」
苦笑いを浮かべたイメラリアに、サブナクは頭を垂れた。
「いえ。陛下のお心遣いに、感服いたしました」
「ありがとうございます。それでは、少し相談に乗っていただけますか?」
「ぼくの浅知恵でお役に立てるのであれば」
サブナクは、貴族を相手にするよりもずっと胃もたれしそうな未来図に、ため息を殺して再び頭を下げた。
「こんな真似をして! ホーラントを滅ぼすつもりか!」
謁見の間に於いて、玉座の横に涼しい顔をして立っている宰相クゼムに向かって、元大臣を含め城内の上位者達がそれぞれ紅潮した顔で抗議を叫ぶ。
すでに城内の兵士たちの掌握は済ませているクゼムにとって、役を追われた要人たちは、貴族と言っても何らの脅威も感じない。
「おやおや、私はホーラントに敵国が攻めて来たのを追い返した、言わば戦功を上げた忠臣なんですがね」
「ふざけるな! ネルガル様ご不在の間に、国政を壟断するような貴様のどこが忠臣だ!」
「おや、自画自賛が過ぎましたかな。しかしながら、陛下の国葬で忙しいこの時期に、わざわざつまらない抗議のためにお集まりになられたので?」
お役御免になったとはいえ、暇なことですな、とクゼムは吐き捨て、同じく壇上にいた一人の兵士に、何かを指示する。
「言うに事欠いて暇だと? 陛下がお隠れあそばされた事に対し、貴様のように毛ほども哀悼の意を見せず、ただ自らのために権力を振りかざして遊んでいるような奴に、言われたくはない!」
第一、とさらに大臣たちから声が上がる。
男の部下を殺したと聞いたぞ! たった一人相手でも城への侵入を許し、本来の王太子まで殺されたというのに......。間違い無く報復がある! 一体どうするつもりだ!」
この言葉を聞いた瞬間、余裕の笑みを浮かべていたクゼムが、急に眉間にしわを寄せて怒りの表情を見せた。
「それが!」
クゼムが指差したのは、一二三の報復について言及した男だ。
「その負け犬根性が駄目だというのだ! あの敗戦のあと、この国にはフォカロルの軍人が我が物顔で居座って、いつの間にか我が軍よりも上位のような振る舞いをしている! これが正常な国の在り方であると言えるか!」
「だ、だがそれがこの国のためだと、前王は......」
「国というのは、ただ存在すれば良いというものではない。その国その国民が自らの力で立ち、守るものだ。他国の技術をそのまま模倣したところで、その国家の存在意義はどこにある?」
語る間に落ち着きを取り戻したクゼムは、次第に穏やかだが卑下するような口調に変わる。
「しかし、現に正面から戦うには相手が......」
「私が、何ら準備をしていないとでも?」
そして、謁見の間に僅かな振動が響き始める。
「なんだ、この音は?」
「ようやく来たようだな。......さて、皆様」
次第に大きくなる振動を感じながら、クゼムは両手を広げた。
「先ほどの話に戻りますがね、この国らしい戦い方といえば、何かはご存知でしょう?」
「ま、魔法や魔道具の事か?」
「正解です! さらに言えば魔法薬なども、我々の専売特許だ」
振動はさらに大きくなる。
「実を言うと、あの戦いの時点で我が国の防衛力は充分な基礎ができていた。混乱の中で研究成果を失い、実験体も失ったが、資料は残っていたのだよ」
後方から顔を出したのは、魔道具と魔法薬で身体を改造され、身長が五メートルを越えるほど巨大化した身体を持つ兵士だった。
専用の分厚い鎧を着、太い指で長大な槍を掴んでいる。
この場所で一二三に殺されたヴェルドレと酷似しているが、その目は真っ白に濁っているものの、クゼムの指示を大人しく聞いている。
そんな巨大な兵士が、五体、足音を響かせて入って来た。
「な、なんだこれは......」
「亡き王太子の遺産ですな。ようやく実用化にこぎつけたのですが......」
ぎらり、と見下ろすクゼムの瞳が怪しく光った。
「何しろ順応する適当な素体が足りませんでね。軍団というにはまだ数が足りんのです」
クゼムは、元大臣たちを取り囲んだ改造強化兵たちに命令を下す。
「殺さず、逃げられないように手足を折って研究所へお連れしろ」
「や、やめ......」
巨大な手は大の大人の身体を片手で悠々と掴むと、小枝をへし折るように簡単にその手足を捻り折っていく。
悲鳴が響く中、クゼムは一人、ほくそ笑んだ。
「さて、細剣の騎士とやらの武器が、我が改造兵に通じるかな?」
数体の改造兵で囲めば、嬲り殺しにできるだろう、と笑う。そうすれば、大手を振って報復としてオーソングランデを攻める事ができる。
ホーラントの技術でそこまで達成してこそ国は蘇るのだ、とクゼムは固く信じていた。
地方の混乱は地方のものとして、オーソングランデ王都は活況の最中にあった。
軍が動いた事は知れ渡っていたが、それについて悲観的な雰囲気は無く、どちらかといえば王城からまとまった資金が市場に流入したという受け止め方をされており、目ざとい商人などは追加の兵糧の依頼が来るのではないかと期待し、人々は新たな武勇伝を今か今かと待ち構えていた。
そんな中に一二三が女性二人を連れて王都へ訪れたのだから、民衆の耳目は自然と集中する。
とはいえ、今更そんな視線を気にするような三人でも無かった。
町の入口で兵士に馬を預けると、徒歩でブラブラと街を散策する。一二三の右手には、バールゼフォンの首を包んだ“お土産”が提げられている。
「腹が減ったな。確かうまい定食屋があったな。ここに来て最初に食った店が」
「『踊るクルード亭』ですね。こちらです、一二三様」
「王都も賑やかだよね」
迷いそう、とアリッサは一二三の道着の右袖をつかみ、左腕にはオリガが絡みついている。
変わった服ではあるが華美ではなく、気楽に街を歩き回る姿を王都でも見せているので、街の人々もあまり緊張せずに見守っている。
緊張しているのは、たまたま見かけた警ら中の兵士たちだ。慌てて王城や騎士団詰所へ知らせに走る者、それとなく追いかけてトラブルに備える者。中には一二三が街中で刺客十人を惨殺した時に後片付けをさせられた兵士もおり、あれはもう嫌だと顔色を悪くしていた。
食事を済ませ、店を冷やかしながら街を歩く。
王都の繁華街にはオリガの顔も売れているため、あちこちから声がかかるのを適当にあしらいながら城へと向かう。
「......それで、本日はどのようなご用件で?」
「イメラリアに土産でもやろうかと思って、な」
「陛下は今、ホーラント方面で発生した造反貴族の鎮圧のため、自ら軍を率いて戦いに赴かれております」
留守役を任されている宰相アドルが疲れきった顔で出迎える。
「ふぅん。じゃあ、ちょっとバルコニー借りるわ」
「え?」
「失礼しますね」
「いいのかな......」
勝手知ったるという様子で城内を歩き回る一二三を、アドルは慌てて追いかけた。
スイスイと廊下を進む間、文官や侍女たちが廊下の脇に寄り、会釈をする。
「これはトオノ伯! ご無沙汰しております!」
「また是非、妙技をお見せください!」
と、騎士たちに至っては顔を上気させて声をかけてくる。
一二三は軽い調子で挨拶を交わし、ずんずんと進む。
「あ、トオノ伯爵! また色々教えてくださ......ひぇ!?」
女性騎士が声をかけた時は、一二三の背後から射殺すようなオリガの視線が向けられるのだが。
十分弱歩くと、城の前の広場に向けて作られた大きなバルコニーにたどり着く。
ここはイメラリアが戴冠の際に民衆に向けて語りかけた場所であり、何かの告知があれば広場や街の入口への掲示以外に、ここで大臣なり宰相から発表される事は珍しくない。
逆に言えば、そう言った発表がある以外は、あまり人が立ち寄らない場所でもある。
「と、トオノ伯、一体何をする気ですか?」
「ああ、せっかくの土産だから、他の連中にも知らせておこうかと思って、な」
バールゼフォンの首の包を乱暴に剥ぎ取る。
「う、うわわっ?」
驚いたアドルが尻餅を付いているのを放って、一二三はバルコニーの手すりに飛び乗り、大音声で呼びかけた。
対象は、街を警らする兵士や騎士たちだ。
「王都を守る騎士と兵士! あと戦いたい奴がいれば、そいつも聞け!」
頭を掴み、高々と掲げた生首を見て、悲鳴を上げる人もいる。
声をかけられた兵士たちはバルコニーを見上げ、見覚えのある黒髪の男に視線を集中させた。
「こいつは荒野の土産だ! 見ろ! 首だけになってもまだ生きている! これが人間の新しい敵、“魔人族”だ!」
ざわざわと人々が顔を見合わせて口々に魔人族という言葉について意見を交わしている。
多くの民衆は首をかしげているが、騎士のほとんどと、兵士の多くは眉を顰めた。魔人族の存在そのものが、あまり一般的ではないらしい。
その反応の薄さに少しがっかりしながら、一二三は言葉を続ける。
「荒野で大人しくしていた魔人族だが、新たな魔王の誕生と共に組織化されている! こんな化物が徒党を組んで攻めてくるのも、時間の問題かもしれないな!」
首の正体が魔人族ではないことを知っているアリッサも、一二三の目的を知らされているので黙っている。
オリガに至っては、朗々と語る一二三に鼻息を荒くしながら釘付けになっていた。
バルコニーで最も取り乱しているのは、間違い無く宰相だろう。
「トオノ伯、その話は一体......」
「だから!」
大声でアドルの声をかき消した一二三は、首を振りながら嗤う。
「この街を、国を守りたいと思うなら、必死で強くなれ!」
「応!」という声があちこちから届く。
大仰に頷いた一二三がバルコニーから飛び降りると、アドルが恐る恐るバールゼフォンの首を指差した。
「そ、その魔人族の首というのは......」
「これか?」
くるりと回してアドルに向けると、バールゼフォンが苦しげに口を開いた。
「うわっ......うん?」
「見覚えがあるだろう? この城で騒動を起こした阿呆の顔だ」
「で、では魔人族が攻めてくるというのは、嘘なのですか?」
オリガに首を渡し、再び丁寧に包装されるのを見ながら、一二三は刀の柄を叩いた。
「魔人族の王が新しくなって、閉じ込められていた場所から解き放たれたのは本当だぞ。まあ、攻めてくるかはそいつら次第だな」
「その、あまり民を不安にさせるようなことは控えていただければ......」
一二三がグリッと左目を見開き、アドルの右目を覗き込む。息がかかるほどの距離にある黒い瞳から、アドルは視線を外せない。
小さい声でオリガが「羨ましい」と呟いたのを、アリッサは聞き流した。
「それじゃあ駄目なんだ。誰がいつ攻めてきても良いように鍛えて覚悟をしておけ、と俺は俺のところの兵士連中には言っている。これからは、敵が見えてから「さあ戦いの準備をしよう」なんて間抜けじゃあついて行けないような戦いが始まるんだよ」
顔を話した一二三は、アドルに生首はイメラリアに土産として渡すように言うと、バルコニーから城内へ戻ろうとする。
その背中に、アドルは腰を抜かしたままで声をかけた。
「こ、これからどこへ向かうのですか?」
一二三は、チラリとアリッサを見る。
ジッと見上げているアリッサと視線が合うと、一二三はフフッと笑いをこぼした。
「箱入り娘がどれくらい成長したか、見に行ってみようかね」
良い敵がいるなら横取りするかも知れんが、と袴についた埃をバシっと左手で払い、一二三は王城を後にした。
Chapter 131: Somewhere I Belong
Early afternoon on the highway, ranks of troops are advancing with a luxurious carriage in their midst.
The group, which expressly exceeds a number of 200, is the punitive force against the rebelling nobles led by Orsongrande's queen, Imeraria.
"Your Majesty, we got in touch with a messenger from Earl Biron."
"Well, then let's meet directly with them. Over here. There's no necessity to stop the advance." (Imeraria)
A single knight, who was in the vanguard, withdrew with his horse until he was next to the carriage with Imeraria on board.
Imeraria had an appearance of wearing long boots with trousers for the sake of riding a horse, but unable to endure her sore butt on an unfamiliar expedition on the first day of departure, she obediently remained in the carriage, which has plenty of cushions laid out, from the second day onwards.
Not changing her clothes showed her enthusiasm of being able to mount a horse right away if something happens, but the true feelings of all her maids was for her to stay docile and leave the fighting scene to the knights.
Before long the young man, who named himself as messenger from Earl Biron, turned up an lined up his horse alongside the knight.
"Err... i-it's a great honour- to meet you, Your Majesty. E-Excuse my rudeness of addressing your from atop a horse."
"It doesn't matter. We are a bit too many people to especially stop the advance. Rather than that, what about Earl Biron?" (Imeraria)
As a messenger is originally nothing more than a single common soldier, it doesn't happen often for them to directly exchange words with a queen. However as the current time is regarded as war time by Imeraria, she handled it in the basic way of listening to the information from the related parties to the best of her abilities in order to implement the phrase
That has increased the favourable impressions of her by those working in the castle, but for the desperate Imeraria it's difficult to take matters that far into consideration.
"I have been told by Earl Biron to report the entirety of the current situation to you, Your Majesty."
"Let's hear it. Ah, let's have Sabnak-san listen as well. Won't someone please go call him?" (Imeraria)
Once Sabnak, who was commanding the ranks at the front, arrived, Imeraria urged the young male messenger to talk once again.
Accordingly the messenger explained the details regarding the arrest of the rebelling nobles under Earl Aspilketa as well as the attack of Horant's side and the resulting battle against Ma Carme's instruction unit from Fokalore at Horant's national border.
Since those were details he had already explained several times, his way of reciting had a practised tune, but he still spills tears at the passages about Ma Carme.
"... This, won't it turn into a big problem?" (Sabnak)
Once Sabnak turned his look at Imeraria with a pale face, she nodded while firmly staring at the face of the messenger.
"I understood the situation. Will you return to Earl Biron's place after this?" (Imeraria)
"No... I have a promise with Ma Carme-dono. As I already got Earl-sama's permission as well, I will head towards Fokalore as it is."
"Really?" (Imeraria)
Imeraria smiles gently at the messenger who answered with determined words.
"If I consider the situation of Earl Tohno getting to know such information, it might be that I should confine you for the sake of avoiding problems as stateswoman." (Imeraria)
"T-That will..."
"Be troublesome", the messenger tried to say, but there's no way to say such a thing to the queen.
"However, I won't be able to forgive myself for something like preventing you from accomplishing the promise between you and that person. Sabnak-san." (Imeraria)
"Ha!" (Sabnak)
"Please give him two guards that will escort him. And also a little bit for his travelling expenses." (Imeraria)
"T-This much! This is too excessive as it's my own personal promise!"
Imeraria flatly tells the panicking messenger,
"Then this is something I consider as my private good deed. Besides, the receiver of the verbal message, Alyssa-san, can be called my personal acquaintance. Will you still decline it?" (Imeraria)
"Uuh... I shall accept it thankfully."
The messenger, who bowed towards Imeraria as she nodded with an "Alright", while on horse, headed towards the rear with two knights, who turned up, in tow.
"... Imeraria-sama." (Sabnak)
"I did something selfish." (Imeraria)
Sabnak bowed his head towards Imeraria who was showing a bitter smile.
"No. Your Majesty's consideration was admirable." (Sabnak)
"Thank you very much. Can you give me a bit advice then?" (Imeraria)
"If my shallow thinking will be of use to you." (Sabnak)
Sabnak bowed his head once again while holding his breath as result of his future prospect that looks like it will be lying much more heavy on his stomach than any association with nobles.
"Doing such a thing! Do you plan to ruin Horant!?"
Facing Prime Minister Kuzemu who is standing next to the throne in the audience hall with a nonchalant expression, each of the higher ranking people of the castle, including the former ministers, yell their objections with flushed faces.
For Kuzemu, who has already finished the seizure of the castle's soldiers, the important people, who were driven out of their posts, don't feel like any threat although they are nobles.
"Oh dear, I'm a loyal retainer who, so to speak, showed distinguished war service by turning away the enemy nation that came attacking Horant." (Kuzemu)
"Don't screw around! How is a bastard like you, who monopolizes the national politics during the absence of Nelgal-sama, a loyal retainer!"
"Oh, did I praise myself too much, I wonder? Nevertheless, did you gather here to expressly state your trivial protests at this time where we are busy with the state funeral of His Majesty?" (Kuzemu)
"You certainly have free time now that you were relieved from your posts", Kuzemu spits out and gives some order to a soldier who was on the same platform.
"Free time you say, that's a nasty way to phrase it! I don't want to be told that by a fucker, who is messing around by wielding his authority merely for his own sake without even showing a shred of condolences towards His Majesty having passed away, like you bastard!"
"In the first place", another minister raises his voice.
"I heard you killed the subordinates of t-h-a-t man! Him having invaded the castle just by himself, even the proper crown prince was killed... There will be retribution without a doubt! What the hell are you planning to do about that!?"
The instant he heard those words, Kuzemu, who floated a carefree smile, suddenly furrowed his brows and showed an expression of rage.
"That's it!" (Kuzemu)
The one Kuzemu pointed at was the man who referred to Hifumi's revenge.
"Such loser mentality is no good! After that defeat, Fokalore's soldiers have remained in this country while acting as if they own the place and have behaved as if they are more superior than our troops before we realized! Do you want to tell me that this is the way it ought to be in a normal country!?" (Kuzemu)
"B-But, as that was for the sake of this country, the late king has..."
"It isn't all fine to just exist because it's a country. This country and its people have to stand with their own power and also protect themselves. Where's the meaning in the state's existence even if we copied the technology of another country?" (Kuzemu)
Kuzemu, who regained his composure while talking, changes his tone as if humiliating himself quietly.
"However, for actually fighting him from the front, the opponent is..."
"Do you think that I haven't prepared nothing whatsoever?" (Kuzemu)
And a slight vibration begins to resound during the audience.
"What's this sound?"
"It looks like they finally arrived. ... Well then, everyone." (Kuzemu)
While feeling the vibrations which have gradually become larger, Kuzemu spread both his hands.
"Returning to the previous conversation, I wonder if you will understand anything if I am to speak about this country's fitting way of fighting?" (Kuzemu)
"T-The matter of magic and magic tools?"
"Correct! If you take it even further, there are things like magic potions. That's our speciality." (Kuzemu)
The vibrations have become even bigger.
"As a matter of fact, our country's defence capability had built plenty of foundation at the time of that battle. Losing the research results in the chaos, even the experimental subjects were lost, but the data was left behind." (Kuzemu)
The ones who turned up from behind were subjects which were restructured with magic tools and potions. They were soldiers possessing bodies which were changed into gigantic builds with heights surpassing five meters.
Wearing exclusive thick armours, they are grasping very long spears with their fat fingers.
They are resembling Veldore who was killed by Hifumi at this location, but although their eyes are clouded with a pure white, they are obediently listening to Kuzemu's orders.
Such huge soldiers came entering while making a stir with their footsteps, their whole bodies.
"W-What on earth is this...?"
"It's the inheritance of the late crown prince. We finally manage to make them useful, but..." (Kuzemu)
The eyes of Kuzemu, who looks down on them with a glare, shone dangerously.
"At any rate, they still haven't adapted properly as elementary subjects. Their numbers are also too lacking to call them an army corps." (Kuzemu)
Kuzemu orders the restructured, enhanced soldiers, who surrounded the former ministers.
"Break their limbs so that they can't escape while not killing them and take them to the research institute." (Kuzemu)
"S-Stop..."
The huge hands easily seize grown men with one hand and break their limbs by twisting them completely as if they are breaking twigs.
Only Kuzemu chuckled among the reverberating screams.
"Well then, I wonder if the weapons of the Knight of the Slender Sword or whatever will be understood by our restructured soldiers?" (Kuzemu)
When that happens, we will be able to brazenly attack Orsongrande in retaliation.
By achieving this much with Horant's technology, the country will certainly be restored
As the provinces disorder was a matter of the central government, Orsongrande's capital was at a height of activity.
The fact that the army made a move was well-known, but there's no pessimistic atmosphere regarding that. If anything, it is taken as funds, which were gathered by the royal castle, flowing into the market and sharp-sighted merchants were wondering whether additional supply request would come in anticipation. The people were eagerly waiting for new tales of heroic deeds.
After Hifumi arrived at the capital in such circumstances with the two women in tow, the attention of the populace naturally focusses on them.
Be that as it may, the three people weren't ones to mind such stares this late in the game.
Once they entrusted the horses to the soldiers at the city's entrance, they leisurely stroll the city on foot. The
"I got hungry. If I remember correctly, there was a good set meal restaurant. It's the shop where I ate first after coming here." (Hifumi)
"It's the {Dancing Cludo Pavillion} , right? This way, Hifumi-sama." (Origa)
"The capital's lively as well, isn't it?" (Alyssa)
"I will get lost", Alyssa grabs the right sleeve of Hifumi's dougi and Origa twines her arms around his left arm.
Although he wears unusual clothes, they aren't gaudy. Since he is showing himself in the capital by walking in the city care-freely, the city's people watch them without too much nervousness.
The nervous ones are the soldiers among the patrols which they saw occasionally. Those hurrying to notify the office of the knight order and the royal castle in panic and those chasing after them indirectly in preparation for troubles. Among them there's also a soldier, who was made to clean up at the time when ten assassins were slaughtered by Hifumi down-town. That person was already in denial and had a poor complexion.
Having finished their meal, they walk through the city while browsing the shops.
Because Origa's face is popular in the capital's shopping district, they head towards the castle while suitably dealing with the overlapping voices from all over.
"... So, what's your business today?" (Adol)
"I thought that I should give a present to Imeraria." (Hifumi)
"Aiming to suppress the rebelling nobles who headed towards Horant, Her Majesty is currently proceeding towards battle while leading the troops herself." (Adol)
Prime Minister Adol, who has been entrusted with the role of house-sitting, greets them with an exhausted expression.
"Hmmm. Then I will borrow the balcony for a bit." (Hifumi)
"Huh?" (Adol)
"Excuse me."
"I wonder whether it's alright..."
Adol hurriedly chased after Hifumi who walks through the castle in a manner of being familiar with it.
While he advances through the hallways unhindered, the civil officials and maids step to the side of the hallways and bow.
"This is Earl Tohno! Please excuse me for not contacting you for a while!"
"Please show us your wonderful skill once again by all means!"
Arriving at the knights, they call out to him with flushed faces.
Hifumi exchanges greetings in a light manner and advances rapidly.
"Ah, Earl Tohno! Teach me various things once again, plea... Hiie!?"
At the moment a female knight called out to him, Origa's look, which is similar to being shot to death, is turned at her from Hifumi's back.
Once they walked for a little less than 10 minutes, they arrived at the large balcony which was constructed towards the plaza in front of the castle.
This is the place where Imeraria addressed the populace at the time of her coronation. It's not rare for the prime minister and the ministers to publicize something here, with the exception of the notice boards at the city's entrance and the plaza, if there's something to announce.
If you put it the other way, it's also a place where not many people stop by unless there's such announcement.
"E-Earl Tohno, what the heck are you intending to do?" (Adol)
"Ah, it's a valuable present, therefore I wondered whether I should inform other people as well." (Hifumi)
He roughly tears off the wrapping of Balzephon's head.
"U-Uwawa?" (Adol)
Ignoring the surprised Adol who has fallen on his backside, Hifumi jumped upon the railing of the balcony and called out in a very loud voice.
His targets are the soldiers and knights patrolling the city.
"Soldiers and knights who are protecting the capital! If there are fellows who want to fight, listen as well!" (Hifumi)
There are people who scream as they see the freshly severed head, which was held up very high, while holding their heads.
The called-out soldiers look up at the balcony and concentrated their gazes on the black-haired man whom they remember.
"This guy is the wasteland's souvenir! Look! He is still alive even though he is no more than a head! This is the humans' new enemy, a
The people look at each other while talking noisily and exchange their opinions regarding the word demon severally.
Most of the population is puzzled, but the majority of the knights and many soldiers knitted their brows.
While feeling slightly disappointed about the shallowness of their reaction, Hifumi continues his words.
"The demons obediently stayed in the wastelands, but they have organized themselves alongside the birth of a new demon king! Even such monsters coming to attack after gathering might be only a matter of time!" (Hifumi)
Even though Alyssa knows about the true identity of the head not being a demon, she stays silent as she knows Hifumi's aim.
As for Origa, she was unable to take her eyes off Hifumi, who is talking sonorously, while wildly breathing through her nose.
The one who is shaken up the most on the balcony is without a doubt the prime minister.
"Earl Tohno, that story, just what the..." (Adol)
"Therefore!" (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who drowned out Adol's voice with his loud voice, smiles while shaking his head.
"If you believe that you want to protect your country and this city, struggle desperately to become stronger!" (Hifumi)
[Yea!] , such voices reach him from all around.
Once Hifumi, who nodded in an exaggerated manner, jumped off the balcony, Adol timidly pointed at Balzephon's head.
"T-That demon head, that is to say..." (Adol)
"This, eh?" (Hifumi)
Once it faced Adol after turning it around, Balzephon opened his mouth in agony.
"Uwaah... eh?" (Adol)
"I guess you remember him. It's the face of the idiot who caused a rebellion in this castle." (Hifumi)
"T-Then it's a lie that the demons will come to attack?" (Adol)
Giving the head to Origa, Hifumi tapped the hilt of his katana while watching her carefully wrapping it up once again.
"It's the truth that the demons were released from the place, where they were imprisoned, and that there's a new demon king. Well, whether they will come attacking depends on them." (Hifumi)
"That is, if possible, I'd like you to refrain from making the people too anxious..." (Adol)
Hifumi suddenly opens his left eye widely and stares into Adol's right eye. Adol can't avert his sight from the black pupil which is at a distance of a breath's range.
Alyssa ignored Origa's small-voiced muttering of [How enviable] .
is what I'm telling the bunch of soldiers at my place. From now on they will begin to fight without following such stupidity as [Now, let's get ready for combat]  after the enemy is visible." (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who talked with dignity, tells Adol to pass the freshly severed head as present to Imeraria and tries to return into the castle from the balcony.
Adol called out to him from behind while being unable to stand up due to fear.
"W-Where are you heading from here on?" (Adol)
Hifumi looks fleetingly at Alyssa.
When he met the sight of Alyssa, who is looking up to him fixedly, Hifumi spilled a laughter with a "Fufufu."
"Let's go and see how much the sheltered girl has grown, shall we?" (Hifumi)
"I don't know if might snatch them away if there's a nice enemy though", brushing off the dust on his hakama with a smack of his left hand, Hifumi left the royal castle.
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