綺麗な銀の月
さてさて、白髪ロングの大人びた美人さんを誘拐気味に連れて来たわけだけど、レイラちゃん達は僕が人を連れて来てもなんら驚く様子は無く、荷馬車に適当に積んでおいても、放置する方向の様だった。まぁ、ニコちゃんを連れて来た例もあったし、特に興味もなかったんだろう。
そしてそのまま、リーシェちゃんの作った料理を食べて、休憩を取る。相変わらずリーシェちゃんの料理は中々にクオリティが高い。うん、美味しい。あ、ちなみに今食べてるの缶詰とパン。
一応リーシェちゃんの作った料理もある。野菜スープだけど、おかずとしては一級品の料理だった。まぁ多少味は薄かったけれど、移動時用の必要最低限の食料で作ったものだから、そこは仕方がないよね。作って貰った手前、文句は言えない。
「リーシェちゃんって騎士の訓練に没頭してた脳筋女だったのに、良く料理出来たね。練習してたの?」
「お前今さらっと私のこと貶しただろ? もう一回言ってみろ、お前を料理してやる」
「あはは、僕は人生の中で他人に悪口を言ったことが無いことで有名なんだよ? そんなわけないじゃないか」
「......まぁいい、私は大人だから流してやる。......私は最初騎士に志望することを反対されたのを押し切って見習いになったからな......その内父様も騎士を目指すことを認めてはくれたものの、半ば家出をしてしまっていたからな......自炊する必要があったんだ。だからエイラさんに教えて貰って覚えた」
大人って、僕より一個年下の癖に良く言うよ。まぁ、僕もある程度自炊出来るし、そういう理由があったんだったら納得出来るか。リーシェちゃんも意外に女子力高いよねぇ。
「うん、ごちそうさま......やる事もないし、しばらくは休憩してよっか」
「ああ、そうだな......どうやらレイラも、退屈だったのか寝たようだしな」
「......うん、本当にマイペースだねこの子」
リーシェちゃんの言う方向へと視線を向けると、荷馬車の中でニコちゃんと一緒にお昼寝を始めたレイラちゃんの姿があった。余程退屈だったんだろうなぁ......まぁ確かに面白い物は無いけどさ。
ちなみに、連れて来た白髪ロングの美人さんは二人からちょっと離れた所に寝かせてある。こんな時の為に寝袋買っといて良かったよ。僕の場合、瘴気布団が出来ちゃったからさ。
「ところで、きつね君......行き先はルークスハイド王国だそうだが、そこへ行ってどうするつもりなんだい?」
すると、文中では初めてヒグルドさんが僕達の会話に入ってきた。伸ばしっ放しだった髭や髪の毛は、今はちゃんと手入れされて、中々清涼感のあるダンディーなおじさまになっていた。ニコちゃんがあれだけの素材を持っているから、ヒグルドさんもそれなりだと思っていたけど、結構イケメン。
というか、アレかな? 貴族は良い物食べて暮らしてるから皆イケメンだったりする? あ、オルバ公爵はそうでも無かったな、訂正訂正。
「一応しばらく滞在して力を付けるつもりだよ。レベルアップして、実力を底上げする」
「ふむ......それからは?」
「勇者気取り君をぶっ殺しに行くんだ! あ、ついでに腹黒巫女も、土下座で泣きながら謝らせた後、奴隷商に売り飛ばして僕が購入して隷属の首輪付けて一生犬の様に僕の椅子役でもやって貰おうかなという勢いでお仕置きしようと思ってるんだ!」
「結構具体的にお仕置きの内容決まってるな......」
まぁどうでもいいけど、フィニアちゃん達を迎えに行かないとね。そのついでに勇者気取り君達と一緒に遊んであげるだけだし。まぁあの腹黒巫女は許さないけどね。決闘とか言って口出ししてきたし、意味不明な言動でお面持って行ったし、ルルちゃん達を脅してたし、マジ許すまじだよね。
土下座させたあと頭踏んでやるくらいやってやりたいよね。顔面殴打は二、三発じゃ収まらないよこの恨み。
「まぁどちらにせよ、レベルアップを図るのが当面の目標だよ」
「なるほどな......私に何か力になれることがあれば言ってくれ、命を救われた恩があるからな」
「いやまぁ特にないね」
あ、なんかちょっと落ち込んじゃった。言いたい事をばっさり言っちゃうのが僕の性分だからさ、その辺は仕方ないと思って欲しいなぁ。まぁ若干やり過ぎ感があるけど、その辺は仕方ない! 言いたいこと言って、後々後悔しないようにしないとね!
その結果誰かが傷付いたりしたとしても、それは僕のせいじゃない。傷付いた方が悪い。だって、僕がそうだったもん。
「まぁ、それならそれでいいんだが。何か困ったことがあればいつでも言ってくれ、力になる」
「あ、うん。じゃあその時は頼るよ」
「ニコもレイラに懐いているしな」
「そうなんだよねぇ......不思議だ」
三人で、荷馬車で添い寝しているレイラちゃんとニコちゃんを見て、苦笑する。見た目で言えば、お姉さんと小さい妹ととも取れる光景ではあるけれど、レイラちゃんの性格からすればどっちも子供だ。身体の大きな子供と、小さな子供みたいな感じだね。
「んっ......くぅぅ......っ......っはぁ!」
そんなことを考えていると、レイラちゃん達を見る視界の端で、さっき拾ってきた少女が起き上がった。大きく口を開いて、長々と欠伸をすると、軽快に身体を起こし、ガシガシと頭を掻きながら胡坐を掻いた。
なんだかそれだけで男勝りな性格なんだなぁということが分かる。寝癖なのかボサボサになった白い髪を手で軽く梳かすと、周囲の状況を確認し始めた。そして、寝ぼけた様な瞳が、つらつらと移動し、僕と眼があった。
そして、しばらくじっと見つめ合っていると、だんだん彼女の目に意識がはっきり覚醒してくる。
「えっ!? お前誰だよ!? てか、ここどこ?」
予想通り、男勝りな性格をしているらしい。口調も女の子らしいというよりは、姉御肌だ。
「えーと、僕はきつね。君があっちの方に倒れてたから運んできたんだ」
「え? ......あー、あーあー! はいはい! そういうことね、りょーかいりょーかい、謎は全て解けた」
「高校生探偵みたいに言わないでくれない?」
「いやぁ......まぁ倒れてた所を助けてくれたのはありがたいんだけど......アタシ、木に寄っ掛かって寝てただけなんだよねー......あははっ、悪い悪い、勘違いさせちゃったかー」
すると、彼女は快活に笑ってそう言った。こんな魔獣の出る可能性もある林の中で寝るとは、随分と肝が据わっているらしい。でも、勘違いさせたことや、運んでくれたことに対するお礼や謝罪があるということは、この少女中々人当たりも良さそうだ。同性に好かれるタイプの人間だね。
そう思っていると、彼女はニッと笑って荷馬車から下り、地面に足を付けた。すらりと長い足は長ズボンに包まれており、白い髪は寝癖が所々あるものの、お尻のあたりまでと長い。
そして何より特徴的なのは、月の様な輝きを持った、銀色の瞳。更に言えば、左眼の瞳孔に『☆』のマークが浮かんで見えた。
吸い込まれそうな月の魅力を放つ瞳は、快活な太陽の様な笑顔とは裏腹に、平静を保った水面の様な落ち着きを感じさせる。
「ふーん......そうなんだ。まぁ勘違いしたとはいえ、何かの縁って事で......野菜スープ、どう?」
「お、悪いねぇ、それじゃあありがたくいただくよ。アンタ達、良い人だね」
「僕は真面目で優しい青少年で通ってるからね、困った時はお互い様だよ」
彼女は僕の正面に座って、リーシェちゃんから野菜スープの入った器と木のスプーンを受け取りながら、快活に笑う。
そして、スープに口を付けようとして、ふと気が付いた様に顔を上げる。
「悪い悪い、自己紹介が先だったな。アタシはフロリア・アルファルド、結構可愛い名前だろ?」
「うん、これほど性格と名前が正反対な人は近年稀に見たよ」
「ッハハハ! アタシもそう思うよ、まぁアタシには似合わない名前だよ。もっと似合う奴が他に居るってね。それじゃ、いただきます」
名前にこだわりは無いのか、あまり気にせずスープを口にするフロリアちゃん。ちなみに歳は幾つなんだろう? 女性に歳を聞くのは失礼に値するみたいだけど、フロリアちゃんは笑って流してくれそうな気がする。
「フロリアちゃんは幾つなの?」
「んあ? ああ、確か19だったかな?」
「へぇ、結構大人びて見えるね」
「んー、まぁ色々と旅ん中で経験してきたからな。それなりに護身術とかも使えるし......美味いな、これ」
どうやら僕より一つ年上らしい。それにしても、白髪の人って結構多いんだね。今会っただけでもレイラちゃんに、使徒ちゃんに、フロリアちゃんの三人もいる。あまり珍しくないのかな? 黒髪も僕の他には覚醒前のレイラちゃん位しか見てないし。あ、ちなみに勇者気取りは髪若干明るい茶色に染めてた。心底どうでもいいけどね。
まぁそれは置いとくとしても、なんでこんなところで寝てたんだろう? 気にならないといえば嘘になるけど、あまり踏み行っちゃいけない領分ってのもあるよね。
「フロリアちゃんは何処に行く予定なの?」
「あー......悪い、そのちゃんっての止めてくれない? なんかむず痒い」
「そう? じゃあロリ姐さんで」
「なんか悪意を感じるなぁオイ......それなら姐さんで統一してくれよ」
ということで、呼び方が姐さんになった。
「とりあえず、アタシは今妹探しの旅の途中なんだよ。普段は一緒に旅してんだけど、時々方向音痴なのかふらっとどっか行くんだよ」
「へぇ、妹かぁ......どんな子なの? もしかしたら見たことあるかもしれないよ?」
「んーとな......髪は黒髪で―――」
「あ、ごめん見たことないや」
「最後まで言わせろよ!?」
黒髪の時点で見たことないよ。誰だよソレ。というか黒髪の人居るんだちゃんと。ちょっと安心しちゃったよ。僕一人黒髪でアウェーだったからさぁ、なんだか居心地悪いじゃない?
まぁ、黒髪の女の子といえば僕好みだ。やっぱり僕としては慣れ親しんだ黒髪の方が好きだったりする。
「はぁ......どうも調子の狂う奴だなお前......まぁいいか、一応名前だけ教えとくよ。『クロエ・アルファルド』。黒髪をこう......肩よりちょい長めに伸ばした位にして、黒服でマフラー着けてる。ああ、あと眼が綺麗だ」
「ふーん、可愛い?」
「アタシの妹だぞ? 世界一可愛いに決まってるだろ」
「断然探す気になったよ。会ったらとりあえずお茶に誘うね」
「まずアタシに教えろよ!? 何口説こうとしてんだ!」
まぁ冗談だけどね、うん冗談冗談。でも、確かに姐さんはスタイルも良いし、おっぱいだってレイラちゃんに負けないくらい大きい。美人だから、妹さんもさぞ可愛いんじゃないかな? ソレに黒髪って話だし、中々会ってみたいじゃないか。
「そんじゃ、アタシはこの先の街へ行くつもりだからさ......まぁ妹を見かけたら次会った時にでも教えてよ。スープ、ごちそうさん。美味かったよ」
すると、話が一段落した所で姐さんが立ちあがる。荷馬車の中に置いてあった姐さんの荷物を背負って、そのまま去るつもりらしい。
でも、偶然にも姐さんの向かう方向は僕達と同じだった。どうやら、姐さんも僕達と同じ街へ向かうらしい。となれば、ここで別れなくても街まで送って行けばいい。その方がよっぽど効率的だ。
「姐さん、僕達もこの先の街に行くつもりなんだよ。良かったら乗ってかない?」
「え? あ、そうなの? んーと......じゃ、よろしく頼むよ。スープも美味かったしね」
「だってさリーシェちゃん」
「む......これはこの先の料理も気合が入るな」
そう言いながら、僕とリーシェちゃんは大方の道具を片付けて、荷馬車に乗せた。料理道具位しか出してないし、片付けは比較的早く終わる。
「それじゃ、ヒグルドさん。また御者よろしくね」
「ああ、任せてくれ」
「世話になるよ」
そう言って、僕とリーシェちゃんに続き、姐さんが荷馬車に乗る。そして、御者台にはヒグルドさんが座った。出発の準備は整った。
さて、次の街へ急ごう。
Beautiful Silver Moon
Now then, like a kidnapper, I've brought a mature beautiful woman with long white hair, but Leila and the others doesn't seem at all surprised upon seeming me taking along someone with me, and even when I load the woman into the carriage, they seem don't seem to be concerned about it. Well, there's also the case when I brought Nico-chan with me, so most likely they don't particularly mind about something like this anymore.
After that, I eat the food that Rishe-chan has prepared, and take a break. As usual, Rishe-chan's cooking is of quite a high quality. Yes, it's delicious. Oh, by the way, what we are having are canned food and bread.
Also, there's a dish made by Rishe-chan. It's a vegetable soup, but as a side dish, it's first-class. Well, the flavor is quite on the light side, but given the fact that it was made with bare minimum ingredients as we're currently in the middle of a journey, it can't be helped. She made it for us, so I'm in no place to complain about it.
"Rishe-chan, even though you're just a muscle-brained girl who does nothing but knight training, you sure know how to cook. Did you practice it back home?"
"You just casually made fun of me just now, didn't you? Come on, say it again, I'll cook you for sure."
"Ahaha, I'm famous for never making fun of another in my whole life, you know? As if I'd ever make fun of you."
"... Well, fine, I'm an adult, so I'll just let it slide... at first, my wish to become a knight was opposed by my father, so I decided to become a knight apprentice in resistance... Along the way, before my father approved of my wish to become a knight, I ran away from home, after all... that way, I had to cook for myself. And so, I asked Eira-san to teach me how to cook."
Adult she says, what a word even though she's a year younger than me. Well, I can also cook to a certain extent, but now that I know she has such a reason, it's understandable. Rishe-chan unexpectedly has quite a high girl-power, huh.
"Thanks for the food... there doesn't seem to be anything to do, so let's take a break for a while."
"Yeah, let's do... it looks like Leila was bored, too, and has fallen asleep."
"... Yeah, really, what a free-spirited girl she is."
When I turn towarad where Rishe-chan is pointing at, I can see the figure of Leila-chan who's taking a nap with Nico-chan in the carriage. She must have been very bored... but well, it's true that there's nothing interesting around here, though.
By the way, the long white-haired beautiful woman I brought here is lying down a bit away from them. It's a good thing that we bought a sleeping bag for just such an occasion. I'm fine, though, because I can create a futon from the miasma.
"By the way, Kitsune-kun... we're heading to Rookshade Kingdom, I get that, but what's your plan there?"
Then, for the first time, Higurd-san joins our conversation. His beard and hair, which had been left grown unattended, are now well groomed, and he has turned into a good-looking refreshing dandy uncle. Since Nico-chan is so much of a raw gem, I had expected Higurd-san to be quite good-looking himself, but for sure he's pretty good-looking.
Or rather, it's that right? Nobles are all good-looking because they eat only good food, or something? Ah, Duke Orba didn't seem to be the case, huh, correction correction.
"For the time being, I'm intending to stay there for a while to improve my strength. I'm going to level up and improve my prowess."
"Hmm... and after that?"
"I'm going to beat the fake hero to death! Oh, while I'm at it, I'm thinking of punishing that black-hearted miko as well, after making her cry and apologize on her knees, I'd sell her to a slave trader, buy her myself right after, and put a slave collar on her, so that I can have her be my chair for the rest of her life, like a dog!"
"Quite a specific punishment, you've got there...."
Well, such a think actually doesn't really matter, all I want is to go get Finia-chan and Lulu-chan back. While I'm at it, though, I'll play together with the fake hero and his friends for a bit. Well, I'm not going to forgive that black-hearted miko, though. She blabbered about that duel or something, she acted in such a dubious way, and above all, she threatened Lulu-chan and Finia-chan, she's simply unforgivable.
The least I could do is to make her get down on her knees and step on her head. A couple of punches to the face alone won't be enough to settle down this grudge.
"Well, in any case, our short-term goal is to level up."
"I see... If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know, I owe you my life, after all."
"No, well, nothing comes to mind really."
Ah, he looks a little depressed now. It's in my nature to say what I want to say, so I hope you don't blame me for that. I do think that's a bit over the top, but you can't blame me for that! You have to say what you want to say, so that you won't regret it later!
If someone gets hurt as a result, it's not my fault. The one who gets hurt is the one at fault. Because, that's the case for me.
"Well, that's all well and good in itself. But if you ever have any problems, feel free to tell me about it, I'll help you."
"Ah, yes. I'll rely on you then."
"Nico also seems to have grown attached to Leila, after all."
"She sure does... miraculously."
The three of us laugh bitterly at Leila-chan and Nico-chan, who are sleeping together in the charriage. Appearance-wise, they may look like a big sister and a little sister, but personality-wise, they are both children. They seem more like a big child and a small child.
"Hm... kuuh... n... haa!"
As I'm thinking about this, out of the corner of my sight as I'm looking at Leila-chan and Nico-chan, the girl I previously picked up seems to be waking up. After opening her mouth wide and letting out a long yawn, she casually raises her body, and sits cross-legged while scratching her head.
That alone tells me that she has a tomboyish personality. She lightly combs her ruffled white bed-hair with her hand, and begins to check her surroundings. And then, her seemingly half-awake eyes moves in a daze, before meeting my gaze.
And then, as we stare at each other for a while, consciousness gradually returns into her eyes.
"Eh?! Who the hell are you?! Or rather, where am I?"
As expected, she seems to have a tomboy personality. Rather than girlish, her voice is also more of big sister-ish.
"Umm, I'm Kitsune. I found you lying over there, so I brought you here."
"Huh? ... Ah, aahh! Yes, yes! So that's the case, I see, I see, all the mysteries are solved."
"Can you not phrase it like a high school detective?"
"But still... Well, I'm grateful for you saving me as I was unconscious, but... I was actually only sleeping against a tree... Ahaha, sorry, sorry, looks like I gave you the wrong impression."
Then she smiles cheerfuly and says so. To sleep in the forest where there is a possibility of demonic beasts appearing, it seems that she has quite a lot of guts. However, the fact that she still shows her gratitude and apology for both misleading me and having me carried here means that this girl seems to be quite good-natured. She's the type of person who is popular with the same sex.
As I think that, she grins before getting off the carriage, and puts her feet on the ground. Her long, slender legs are wrapped in long pants, and her white hair is long, down to her hips, despite having several bed hair in some places.
The most distinctive feature is her silver eyes, which have a moon like glow. In addition, a {}  symbol can be seen etched in the pupil of her left eye.
Her eyes that emit the charm of the moon, contrary to her sun-like cheerful smile, she gives off a calm air like a still water surface.
"Hmm... let's see. Even if it's only a misunderstanding, it's still a fate that we meet each other... want some vegetable soup?"
"Oh, thanks, I'll gratefully impose on you then. You're good people."
"I carry myself as an honest and kind boy, after all, so I like to help people in trouble."
She sits in front of me, smiling cheerfully as she accepts a bowl of vegetable soup and a wooden spoon from Rishe-chan.
Then, as she's about to sip the soup, she looks up as if she suddenly realizes something.
"Sorry, Sorry, I guess I should introduce myself first. I'm Floria Alphard, that's a pretty cute name, isn't it?"
"Yes, it's rare to see someone with such a polar opposite personality and name nowadays."
"Hahahaha! I agree with you, well, it's a name that's unsuitable for me. I'm sure there's someone out there that would fit this name better. Well then, let's dig in."
Perhaps feeling nothing particular about her own name, without minding much about it, Floria-chan sips her soup. By the way, I wonder how old is she? I heard that it's rude to ask a woman about her age, but I have a feeling that Floria-chan will just laugh it off.
"How old are you, Floria-chan?"
"Hmm? Umm, I'm about 19, I think?"
"Oh, you look quite like a mature person, though."
"Hmm, well, I think it's because I've gained a lot of experience as I travel to various places. I can also do some stuff like self-defense techniques or something... It's tasty."
Apparently, she's one year older than me. Nevertheless, there sure are quite a few people with white hair. Including Floria-chan who I just met, there are Leila-chan and Apostle-chan which makes three people. I wonder if it isn't that unusual? The only other person with black hair besides me that I've seen is Leila-chan before her awakening. Ah, by the way the fake hero's hair was more or less light brown. Something that I don't really care about.
Well, leaving that aside, I wonder why she slept in a place like this? I'd be lying if I say I'm not interested, but there are some territories you shouldn't tread on so carelessly.
"Where do you plan to go, Floria-chan?"
"Oh... sorry, but can you stop with that chan thing? It feels kind of itchy."
"Is that so? Then Big sis Lori."
"Oi, I feel some kind of malicious spirit there... Then at least simplify it into Big sis."
Thus, I get to call her Big sis.
"At any rate, I'm in the middle of a journey to find my sister. We're usually traveling together, but sometimes she suddenly goes off somewhere due to her poor sense of direction."
"Oh, little sister, huh... What's she like? Maybe I've seen her before, you know?"
"Mmm, let's see... her hair is black...."
"Oh, sorry, I've never seen her before."
"At least let me finish my explanation first!"
The fact that she has black hair alone means I've never seen her. Who the heck is that? Or rather, there's actually someone with black hair, huh. I'm a bit relieved now. I've been the only one with black hair, so I feel being away here, and that's somewhat uncomfortable, you know?
Well, speaking of black-haired girls, they are my favorite. As expected, I prefer black hair that I'm more accustomed to.
"Haa... quite a peculiar personality you've got there... but well, whatever, I'll at least tell you her name just in case. Kuroe Alphard. Her black hair is around... there, a bit past her shoulder long, she wears black outfit and scarf. Oh, also her eyes are pretty."
"Hmm, is she cute?"
"She's my sister you know? So of course she's the prettiest girl in the world."
"I'll be sure to look for her. When I find her, I'll ask her to have some tea first."
"Tell me first! Why are you trying to hit on her?!"
Well, I'm just kidding, though, yup, joking joking. But it's true that Big sis has a good figure, and her boobs are as big as Leila-chan's. She's such a beautiful woman, so her sister must be cute as well, right? Moreover, it's said that she has black hair, so of course I want to meet all the more.
"Well then, I'm heading to the town down the road, so... Well, if you meet my sister, let me know the next time we meet. Thanks for the soup. It was very good."
Then, when the conversation is over, Big sis stands up. Carrying her luggage that was left in the carriage, she seems to be intending to depart right away.
However, by chance, she is heading in the same direction as us. It seems that she is heading to the same town as us. In this case, we don't have to part here, as we could just head to the city together. It's much more efficient that way.
"Big sis, we are also heading to the town ahead, you know? Would you like a ride?"
"Huh? Oh, really? Then... please take care of me. And the soup was good, after all."
"You hear that, Rishe-chan?"
"Mmm... This makes me want to put more effort in our future dishes."
Saying so, Rishe-chan and I tidy up the utensils and put them on the carriage. We only put out the cooking utensils, and the cleanup is relatively quick.
"Well then, Higurd-san. I'll leave the coachman to you again."
"Yeah, leave it to me."
"Much obliged."
Saying so, I and Rishe, followed by Big sis, get on the carriage. And then, Higurd-san sits on the coachman seat. The preparation to depart is now complete.
Well then, let's rush toward the next town.
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