心臓が、大きく鼓動した。
血液の流れが加速し、命の鼓動が生まれて初めてかもしれない程に、猛々しく、そして生を感じさせる様に、ドクンと血液を生み出す。
苦しいと思った。胸が破裂しそうな痛みがあった。でも、それ以上に、全身を駆け巡る快感があった。
これは、成長する気持ち良さだ。
「ステータス」
猿を倒し、ふらふらする身体を地面に倒して、大の字に寝っ転がりながら、僕は僕のステータスを覗く。
◇ステータス◇
名前:薙刀桔音
性別:男 Lv20(↑19UP)
筋力:400:STOP!
体力:2500
耐性:3450
敏捷:2620
魔力:1220
強く、なれる。そう確信した。筋力が上がった。『STOP!』が付いたけれど、それでも上がった。僕がレベル1で、あの猿がレベル54だった故に、獲得出来た経験値はかなり大きかったんだと思う。19もの大幅なレベルアップは、僕のステータスを凡人の領域から突出させた。
耐性の値は3000を越えた。これならば、Eランクの魔獣の攻撃で死ぬことはまずないだろう。それほどまでに、堅くなったと言える。事実、そのステータスの効果がもう現れているのだ。
猿に殴られて揺れていた意識がもう回復している。自然治癒能力が大きく向上している証拠だ。
「よっと......んー............よし、大丈夫かな? 魔眼の方は......」
立ち上がり、身体を動かして行動に支障がないことを確認し、ついでに魔眼を発動させてみようとする。
「......無理か、耐性の治癒能力とは全く別の制限ってことかな」
おそらく、この力は固有スキルという強大な能力であるが故に、肉体の回復や疲労の回復といったことで発動が可能になる訳じゃない。限界まで発動した場合、それなりのインターバルが必要になるんだと思う。感覚的には、もうしばらくは発動出来そうにない。
でも、瘴気の新たな使い方―――というより、瘴気の増やし方を知れたことは大きな収穫だったね。ステータスの向上と同じくらいに重大な進歩だ。なにより、僕の攻撃手段が増えた訳だしね。筋力も上がったから、もう少し大きな武器を形成しても扱えると思うし。
「じゃ、帰ろうかな......猿一匹倒したし、もう動きたくない」
この場にフィニアちゃんがいれば、無邪気に悪意のない悪口を吐いたんだろうけど、一人でこんな独り言を言っていると、中々に物寂しいものがある。
なんて、少し感傷に浸ってみたりして。
「取り戻すさ、僕だけの無邪気な減らず口と、向日葵みたいな笑顔、それに......僕の家族も」
空に手を伸ばし、拳を握る。悲しくは無い、だってこの手の中に、大事なものは全部ある。何も失ってなんかいないんだから。
僕はそう言って、そのまま街へとその足を引き返した。
◇ ◇ ◇
一方その頃、勇者一行は桔音達とはまた別の街へと辿り着いていた。馬車を馬屋へと預けて、宿を取って休んでいる所だ。
部屋割としては、凪とセシルとジークが同じ部屋。そしてフィニアとルルとシルフィが同じ部屋だ。凪としては、男子と女子で別れるためにも、セシルにはフィニア達と同じ部屋に行って欲しいと進言したのだが、セシルは勇者と共にあるのが自分の仕事だということで、退かなかった。
ちなみにジークはそれに対して頭が固い女だと、人知れず呟いた。
現在、フィニアとルルはシルフィと同じ部屋で三人、ベッドで休息を取っていた。眠っている訳ではないが、横になっている。馬車の中では中々気を張り詰めていた故に、精神的疲労もかなり溜まっていたのだろう。
「大丈夫? ルルちゃん......」
「大丈夫です......少し疲れただけですから」
「......そっか、あまり根を詰めちゃだめだよ? 少し肩の力を抜いていこ? ね!」
「......はい、ありがとうございます」
未だ、精神的にはまだ十二歳程の年齢なのだ、如何に強くなろうと決意したとはいえ、肉体や精神はそれに付いてこれない。人間、そういきなりは変われないのだ。
とはいえ、例えそうだとしても、フィニアから見ればルルは少し生き急いでいるようにも見えた。
まるで、今すぐに強くなろうとしているような、そんな危うさを感じる。
だが、フィニアはそんなルルに対してそれくらいしか言えなかった。肩の力を抜いて、もう少しゆっくりと進むべきだと。急ぎ過ぎても良いことは何も無いのだから。
「それで? これから貴方達は何をするつもりなの?」
「......わた、私達は魔王討伐の為に作られた勇者のパーティ......だから、これから魔王討伐までの間は、経験を積んで、魔王を討伐出来るように最大限力を付ける......です」
魔法使いシルフィは、フィニアの問いにそう答えた。魔王を討伐しようにも、魔王討伐までには数々の魔獣や魔族を相手に戦い抜かねばならない。となれば、今のAランク程度の実力では話にならない。
まずは十分な力を付ける必要がある。その為、手っ取り早く分かりやすい力として、武器や防具を強い物にする。
その為、今勇者一行はルークスハイド王国とは逆方向へ進んだ先にある、『工業大国 ジグヴェリア』へと向かうことになっている。ちなみにこの指針はセシルの考えだ。
正式名称『ジグヴェリア共和国』という国は、グランディール王国やルークスハイド王国と違って、王ではなく、国民全員が国を所有している、王のいない民主主義の国だ。といっても、その土地は狭く、国というよりは街と言った方がしっくり来る大きさだ。
また、この国は工業都市でもあり、魔法具職人や武器職人といった職業の人間やドワーフといった種族が多く住んでいる。
そしてその物作りの技術の高さは、世界各国で、ここで作られる武器や魔法具が証明している。名声は轟き、『ジグヴェリアの技術は世界一』と各国が認めている。故に、此処で作られた武器は多くの冒険者や騎士達に愛用される。
過去この国の歴史上では、聖剣を作りあげた伝説の武器職人も存在し、今でも『
勇者の装備を整えるには、絶好の場所だろう。
「ふーん......そう、分かった」
フィニアはただ、そう頷いた。シルフィはそんなフィニアの態度に少し肩を落とす。最初にあった拒絶するような感覚は無くなったとはいえ、それでもフィニア達と勇者達の間には大きな溝が出来ているようだ。
―――失敗した。
私はグランディール王国で生まれた巫女、勇者の為に働き、身も心も捧げる役目を担った存在。でも今は違う。私は私の意思で、ナギ様に付いていこう、尽くしていこうと決意しています。
彼は、召喚された時から勇者としての片鱗を見せていました。唐突な召喚、にも拘らず冷静に状況を理解しようと行動していました。
そしてそれから一週間程で勇者に違わぬ実力を身に付け、今もメキメキとその力を伸ばしています。その伸びしろは全く見えず、やはり天賦の才を持った御方だと改めて確信出来ました。
故に、私はナギ様を密かに好きになってしまったようです。そういった経験は皆無でしたので、少し戸惑ってはいますが、今は魔王討伐に動き、勇者と巫女という関係である身......恋愛に現を抜かすわけにはいかないのです。でも、魔王を倒したその時には.........。
とはいえ、私達は魔王を討伐するために行動している身。故に、私はあの不気味な少年を敵に回してしまったことを失敗したと思っています。
魔王は圧倒的な破壊の象徴―――その力とプライドの高い魔族達を平伏させる
を奪ってしまった。あの死神の逆鱗に、触れてしまった。あの時、私は私に言葉を投げかけてくるあの少年の眼から視線を逸らせなかった。
枯れ草色の右の瞳と、赤黒く穴の空いた空虚な左眼、眼球は一つしかなかったのに、あの時私は全身を全方向から全て見透かされているような感覚に陥った。
―――全力で逃げるんだね、僕はお前を追いかけて追いかけて追いかけて追いかけて、最後は僕にしたことを後悔する位に叩きのめしてあげる。その綺麗なお顔を涙と鼻水で歪ませて、足腰立たない位の恐怖を与えて、子供みたいに失禁させて、最後は地面に頭を擦りつけながら必死に僕に許しを請わせてやる。
あの言葉が、私の心に楔を打ち込んだ。一字一句、あの時の恐怖ですら、鮮明に思い出せる。
だから失敗した。あの少年に手を出すべきではなかった。ナギ様が殴った時、止めるべきだった。下手すれば、あの日あの時......ナギ様も心を折られていたかもしれないのだから。
「きつね......確かHランクの冒険者でしたか......どうすれば人間があの様に変われるのでしょうか......」
を取り出す。私の結界術で衝撃やダメージから護る様にしているので、魔王や魔族と対峙しない限りは壊れる可能性はないでしょう。
これはあの妖精にとって、そしてあの少年にとって、大事な想いの品なのでしょう......でも私にはこのお面が、あの少年と私を繋ぐ鎖に見える。今すぐにでも壊してしまいたいと考えてしまいます。
これが私の手にある内に壊れた場合、今度こそ私やナギ様はあの死神に心を折られてしまいます。いかにナギ様が勇者であっても、アレはそういった肩書を無視して『人間』としてのナギ様を壊すでしょう。
だから壊してはいけない。この鎖は絶対に壊してはいけない。
負けてはならない。私はまず、あの少年に立ち向かえる強さを手に入れなければならないのでしょう。勇者の巫女として、そしてナギ様のパートナーとして。
あの妖精も、獣人も、あらゆる全てを利用する。
それが、それだけが、勇者の為に、巫女である私が出来ること―――しなければならない役目なのだから。
My heart, is beating violently.
It accelerates my blood flow, perhaps this is the most ferocious beating I've ever experienced in my life, and then as if probing my body, the blood flows with each beat.
I do think it's painful. The pain is as if my heart is about to explode. However, more than that, there's a certain sensation enveloping my whole body.
That's, the sensation of growth.
"Status."
After defeating the monkey, my staggering body falls to the ground, while lying down, I look at my own status.
*Status*
Name                        : Naginata Kitsune
Gender                     : Male Lv. 20 (| UP19)
Strength                   : 400:STOP!
Stamina                    : 2500
Resistance               : 3450
Agility                       : 2620
Magic Power          : 1220
I was level 1, whereas the monkey was level 54, so I think the experience points I acquired was quite plenty. After leaping directly to level 20, my status is already beyond normal human realm.
My resistance has finally surpassed 3000. With this at the very least I'm sure I won't die from E rank demonic beasts' attack. You can say that's just how though I've become. Actually, my status has already shown its effects.
My shaken mind; from getting blown away by the monkey; is already recovered. And how my self-healing ability greatly increased is also one of the proof.
"Ompf... hmm... okay, I think I'm fine already. As for my demon eye...."
Standing up, I stretch my body and find that it's already fine, then I decide to try activating my demon eye again.
"...not yet, huh. That means its recovery is on different domain than my self-recovery from resistance stat, huh."
Perhaps, because this is a powerful ability and is classified as innate ability, it isn't necessarily possible to be activated just because my body has already recovered from the fatigue. Should I use it to its very limit, I think I need a certain interval before I can use it again. That means, I won't be able to use it again for the time being.
However, a new way to use the miasma-- or rather, a way to increase my miasma, knowing it is already a big discovery in itself. As far as I'm concerned, this discovery is as important as my leveling up. After all, with this my means of attacking increased by one. And since my strength rose, I think I now should be able to wield larger weapons.
"Well then, let's go home... I've defeated one monkey after all, and I also don't want to move my body again for the time being."
If Finia-chan were here, I'm sure she'd innocently shower me with maliceless insults, but now that I'm monologuing by myself like this, I'm kind of lonely.
Seems like I'm slightly too immersed with my sentiment.
"Let's take them back, that ball of insult solely dedicated for me, that sunflower-like smile, also... my family."
I stretch my hand to the sky, and clench it tight. I'm not sad, because all of my precious things are on my hand. I've lost nothing.
Saying so to myself, I move my legs and head to the town.
* * *
Around the same time, at another location, the hero party had arrived at a certain town different from where Kitsune and the other were. After entrusting the carriage to the stable and reserving lodgings, it was around the time they took rest.
For the room assignment, Nagi, Cecil, and Jik were together in one room, where Finia, Lulu, and Silphy were in another one. For Nagi, he preferred for males and females to have separate rooms and proposed that Cecil, Finia, and the others to be together, however Cecil said that being together with the hero was her duty, so he compromised.
By the way, seeing that, Jik thought her as a very obstinate woman.
Currently, Finia, Lulu, and Silphy were in their room and were resting on the bed. They weren't sleeping, they were only lying down. Inside the carriage, their minds were pretty strained, that was why mental-wise they were pretty worn out.
"Are you okay, Lulu-chan?"
"I'm fine... I'm just slightly tired."
"...I see, you mustn't force yourself, okay? Want to relax a bit?"
"...yes, thank you very much."
Mental-wise, she was still a twelve-year old child, even if she had determination to get stronger, her body and mind wouldn't necessarily follow suit that easily. Human wouldn't change so abruptly.
However, even if that was indeed the case, as far as Finia was concerned, Lulu was slightly forcing herself.
Finia felt as though Lulu was hurrying to get stronger as fast as possible.
However, toward such Lulu, Finia could only tell her such. Relax a bit, advance slightly more slowly. Because advancing recklessly never led to something good, after all.
"By the way, what are you guys going to do from now on?"
"...w, we are hero party that was formed to subjugate the demon lord. That's why, before subjugating the demon lord, we're going to accumulate experience and building up strength to the limit so that we can subjugate the demon lord...."
To Finia's inquiry, Silphy the magician answered as such. To subjugate the demon lord they had to fight the demonic beasts and demons along the way as well. That means, at their current ability were around that of A ranks, they held no chance at all.
First thing first, they had to build up suitable power. For that sake, the fastest and easiest way was to have powerful weapons and armors.
Hence, the current destination of the hero party was "Industrial country Jigveria" which was on the opposite side of Rookshide kingdom. By the way, Cecil was the one who called it as such.
Its official name was "Repulic Jigveria", different from Grandile kingdom and Rookshide kingdom, it was a democratic kingdom with no king, and the whole citizens were the state.
However, the territory was quite small, with its size, rather than a country it was more close to a town. Thus, this country was also called industrial town, numerous human and dwarves with magic tool craftsman and weapon craftsman as profession resided there.
Also, their abilities were second to none in the world, weapons and magic tools produced there were all certificated. Their fame resounded around the world, each nation recognized that "Jigveria's manufacture art was world best". Thus, weapons produced there were favorite for numerous adventurers as well as knights.
In this country's past history, there once existed a legendary weapon craftsman who created a holy sword, even now there were "Brave series", "Phantom series", and many other weapon series created by famous weapon craftsman.
To prepare for Hero's equipment, this was surely the best location.
"Hmm... I see, got it."
Finia only nodded and responded so. Seeing Finia's response, Silphy slightly dropped her shoulders. Even if she no longer completely rejected them as she did at first, seems like there was still a huge gap between Finia and co. and Hero and co.
--what a blunder.
I was a miko that was born at Grandile Kingdom, working for the hero was my duty, and offering him my body and soul was also part of it. However, this time was different, I was following Nagi on my own volition, and I was also determined to devote my all to him.
Ever since the moment he was summoned here, he already showed signs befitting those of heroes. Even though he was abruptly summoned here, he was capable of calmly assessing the circumstance. Moreover, even after we explained to him how dangerous his duty to subjugate the demon lord was, he still accepted it with eyes full of confiction, even now I still remembered those eyes. At that moment, Nagi-sama's appearance was brimming with the dignity befitting those of heroes.
And then, a week after the summoning ritual, he already acquired prowess befitting of a hero, and even now it was still rapidly rising. I couldn't see the limit of his growth, and that fact gave me conviction that he was indeed someone who was blessed with natural gift.
Thus, I secretly came to liking Nagi-sama. I have no prior such experience, so I was slightly bewildered, but right now we were in the middle of demon lord subjugation journey, such relation between hero and miko, namely love, we couldn't afford to waste time with such matter. However, after we subjugated the demon lord....
However, we were currently in the middle of journey to subjugate the demon lord. Thus, I did think it was a blunder to turn that eerie youth into our enemy.
Demon lord was the symbol of overwhelming destruction, it was an absolute ruler who possessed overwheling power as well as charm (charisma) that made those prideful demons to prostate themselves before it.
Without knowing that, I snatched that idea-type fairy (Finia) away, and ultimately warranted that shinigami's wrath. At that time, I couldn't avert my eyes when he was saying talking to me.
Hay-colored right eye, and dark red hollow left eye, even though he only had one eye left, at that time I felt as thought I was being stared from every direction.
'Just do your best to run away, since I'll keep on chase, chase, and chase after you, and finally, I'll beat you enough to make you regret what you've done. I'll definitely give you enough fear that will make that pretty face of yours covered by tears and snots, that will make your legs limp and unable to stand up, and finally, it will force you to rub that head of yours on the ground in desperate of asking for my forgiveness.'
Those words pierced deep in my heart. Unbearable, the dread at that moment, I even could still vividly remember it.
That was why, it was a blunder. I shouldn't have laid a hand on that youth. When Nagi-sama attacked him, I should've stopped him. If we were unlucky, at that day, at that moment, there was a possibility that Nagi-sama's mind might break, after all.
"Kitsune... if my memory serves right, he was an H rank adventurer, wasn't he? ... How come someone turns into like that, I wonder...."
Murmuring so, I took out the snatched mask (Finia's life) from my pocket. I'd put barriers that absorbed chock and damage on it, so as long as we weren't up against demon lord or demons, there should be no chance of it breaking.
For that fairy, and also for that youth, it was something that was very important... however, as far as I was concerned, this mask was a chain that tied me to that youth. I honestly wanted to break it as soon as possible.
Should this mask were to break while it was on me, I was sure the moment we meet that Shinigami again, not just Nagi-sama's, I was sure it'd break my mind as well. Even if Nagi-sama was a hero, it'd disregard such a thing and break the 'human' Nagi-sama.
That was why I couldn't afford to break this mask. I absolutely mustn't break this chain.
I couldn't afford to lose. For the first step, I believed I should obtain power enough to oppose that youth. As the hero's miko, as well as Nagi-sama's partner.
That fairy, as well as that beastman, I'd have to utilize everything I had.
That was, for the hero's sake, the extent of what I had to do as his miko, that was a duty I had to fulfill no matter what.
I Kinda Came to Another World, but Where’s the Way Home?
【書籍化】異世界来ちゃったけど帰り道何処？
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-kinda-came-to-another-world-but-wheres-the-way-home/
Action Adventure Comedy Drama Fantasy Harem Shounen Slice of Life
Apathetic Protagonist Bullying Calm Protagonist Demi-Humans Demon Lord Demons Dense Protagonist Fairies Game Elements Ghosts Heterochromia Knights Level System Male Protagonist Murders Naive Protagonist R-15 Royalty R*pe S*aves Sword And Magic Transported to Another World Weak Protagonist Yandere
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2650bx/
こいし