桔音達のやってきたこの街には、グランディール王国の城の様に、ギルドの様な大きな建物がある。
その中では、街のトップに立って住民の意見や不満の対応、また税金の徴収などの政策をする人物が傲慢不遜な態度で座っていた。
目の前にある書類を数枚手に取ると、鼻で笑ってそれを破り去る。破り去られたそれは、街に住む住人からの意見書だったが、彼はさして興味もないとばかりに一蹴したのだ。
その後ろに控えて立っていた女性が、それを少し残念そうに拾い上げる。
「オルバ領長......よろしいのですか?」
そして、それに対してその男に問いを入れる。街の住民達の意見を無視して、都合の良い様に政策を行うなど、決して許されるようなことではない。
だが、男はフンと鼻を鳴らすと、それに答える。
「良い、税金が払えぬ有象無象に付き合ってやるほど私も暇じゃないんだ。それに、この街はグランディール王国の庇護下......あの武力によって護られている以上、それに対しての対価を払うのは当然だろう?」
「全く......私も長年この地位で働いているが、税金が少々高いことくらいで喚き立てる輩など放っておけば良いのだ。払えぬ者は処罰する、当然の摂理であろう......一々私の手を煩わせるな」
そう呟きながら、彼は傍に置いてあったグラスを取り、一気に酒を煽る。
「不味い、こうも毎日毎日不平不満が募ると折角の酒も不味くなる......いっそ不満を申し立てる者は排除するか......?」
そう言いながら、半ば本気にしそうなトーンで青筋を立てる。
「それで、あの没落貴族のクソガキはどうなった?」
「......目下捜索中です」
「なに? 全くいつまでやってんだよ、クソガキ一匹捕まえる位ササッとやれよ使えねぇな」
別件の話題を出すオルバと呼ばれた男、対して秘書の立ち位置なのか女性はそう答えた。すると、男は女性に対して舌打ちをする。見れば分かるほどに不機嫌の様だ。口調も乱暴になっている。
女性はそれでも怖がる様子でもなく、事務的に続けた。
「ですが、ヒグルド元伯爵の身柄は取り押さえた様です」
「ほぉ? で、そいつはなんて言ってんだ? 勿論尋問に掛けてんだろうな?」
「......いえ、今は牢へ幽閉しております。オルバ領長の指示を仰ごうと思った次第です」
目的の人物が一人捕まったことで、多少機嫌が直った男。だが、自分の予想とは違って、まだその人物に対してなにもされていないことを知ると、途端に目を細めてまた舌打ちした。
頭をガシガシと掻いて、不満を吐き出すように大きく息を吐く。そしてそのまま立ち上がり、女性の胸ぐらを掴んだ。乱暴に引き寄せて、乱雑な言葉で言う。
「良いからそいつを拷問にでも掛けてクソガキの居場所を吐かせろ! 最悪死んだって構わねぇよ、こっちはそこのクソガキが手に入ればそれで良いんだ!!」
唾を飛ばしてそう言われた女性は、少しだけ息を飲むと、短く分かりましたと答えた。男の手が胸ぐらから離れる。女性は一つ咳をした。
女性は頭を下げ、部屋を出て行った。
残された男は苛々が収まらないようで、その辺の椅子を蹴り倒すと、荒い呼吸で肩を上下させていた。
「あ ゙ぁああ! どいつもこいつもつっかえねぇな......さっさとクソガキ捕まえて来いっての!」
男は大きく息を吐く。日々のストレスで胃に穴が開きそうだと思いながら、テーブルの上にあった酒瓶を手に取り、グラスに入れずに直接口を付けた。ぐいっと煽ると、酒臭い息を吐きながらドンッとテーブルに酒瓶を戻す。
「マジィ......クソが......!」
男は苛立ちを隠そうともせず、そうぼやいた。
◇ ◇ ◇
僕達はそれから行動を開始した。
僕とニコちゃんの集める情報は、この街の政策とそれに対する街の人間の感想。まずはここのトップがどういう人間なのかを知る必要がある。まぁ善人ならばそれはそれでやりやすいし、悪人なら容赦なくやれるだろうから、人柄はどうでもいいんだけどね。
税金を徴収する人物として、あまりにも所業が目に余るようなら、ニコちゃんのお父さんを取り返してやりたい。
力づくでも勿論構わないっちゃ構わないんだけど、レイラちゃんの正体がバレる可能性もあるし、そうなると僕のこれからの行動にも障害が出てくる。あまり好ましい展開ではないんだよね。
「どこいくの......」
「人の居る所だよ」
隣を歩くニコちゃんの手は、僕が握っている。こうしないと逃げる気がするし、年齢は聞いていないけど、恐らくは幼児程の年齢なんだ、逃げても碌な目に遭わない。それならしっかり見ておかないとね、父親探しもこの子の為なんだから。
「ニコちゃんのお父さんがどういう状況なのか、僕達には全く分からないからね......それを知る為にも色々と情報を集めないといけないんだよ」
「......良く分からない」
「そりゃそうか......まぁ、お父さんに会いに行く為に必要なことだって知っておけばいいよ」
そんな会話をしながら、また歩く。辿り着いたのは店の立ち並ぶ街路、人が多く行き交い、喧騒が居心地良い雰囲気を生み出している。
この中で、一番情報を持っていそうなのはどんな人間だろうか。武器屋のおじさん、食事処の店員、店を利用するお客達、冒険者、そして騎士達......まぁこの街の政策を良く知ってる人間と言えば、騎士だろう。この街のトップの人間がどんな人格者なのかも、騎士は良く知ってるだろう。
でも、騎士は排除だ。ニコちゃんがいる以上、騎士にこの子を見られるのは少し避けた方が良い。お父さんが生きてるかどうかも怪しい所だからね、見つかってニコちゃんが捜索対象みたいな扱いになっていた場合、最悪僕も目を付けられる気がする。止めておこう。
「......」
ニコちゃんは何も言わない。まぁ幼児に何を期待しても無駄なんだけどさ。
「とりあえず手当たり次第かなぁ」
「そこの黒い服の男」
「うん? 呼んだ?」
すると、後ろから呼ばれた。これで僕じゃなかったらどうしよう、この可能性に気が付いたから今更振り返るのが怖いんだけど。でもまぁ振り返るよ。どっちにしたって返事しちゃったんだし。
そう思いながら振り返ってみると、そこにはなんか逞しい身体つきの男性がいた。背が高いから見下ろされている感じだ。
「何か用かな?」
「その子供はお前の家族か?」
「僕の可愛い妹に何か用?」
どうやら目当てはニコちゃんらしい。確かにニコちゃんは可愛いし、嘘も吐けるお利口さんだけど、流石にゴリゴリのガテン系の男が狙うのはちょっと犯罪臭がするよ? やめといた方がいいと思うなぁ、とっさに妹って嘘吐いたけど、疑う様な眼差しが痛い。
「本当だよ、ね?」
「......うん」
さすが嘘吐き娘、見事に嘘吐いたな。出来ればお兄ちゃんと言ってくれれば完璧だったけど。言ってくれないかなぁ、言って欲しいなぁ、今度言って貰おう。
「ロドリゲスミンミン」
「ドグリゲスミンミン」
「嘘吐くにしてももっとマシな名前は無かったのか?」
ああ、やっぱり駄目だったか。流石にこの名前は嘘だって分かるかぁ、頭悪そうな顔だったからイケるかと思ったんだけど、やっぱり無理があったようだ。
でもまぁ貫き通すことにした。
「失礼な、これが本名だよ。親から貰った大事な名前なんだ......馬鹿にするな!」
そう言うと、男は少し申し訳なさそうな顔をしながら口を閉じる。
「.........わ、悪かった......えーと、それでだロドリゲスミンミンと言ったな」
「誰それ」
「やっぱり嘘じゃないか!!」
「あ、ごめんごめんマカリドームペロペロだよ、うん」
「一文字しか合ってねぇよ!」
あれ? ギギブラロニコニコだっけ? まぁどうでもいいや、嘘だってバレちゃったし、貫き通す意味もない。
でもまぁニコちゃんが目当てだったら困るよなぁ......どうしようかなぁ。
取り敢えず目の前のこの男の目的を聞こう。上手く行けば情報が手に入るかもしれない。
「それで、何か用?」
「......子供を一人、探している。ブロンド髪の幼い子供だ......丁度、その子と同じくらいの年齢だ」
「何故?」
「それは言えない」
つまりは合法って訳じゃないってことか。非合法、あまり他に知られたくはない行動ってことだ。十中八九、この男は騎士かこの街の政策に関わる人間か、その配下の人間。もしくは......『貴族』か。
「貴方は何者かな?」
「......俺はグレオス家の者だ」
「へぇ......」
知らない。何だその家、知ってるだろう? みたいな顔しないでくれないかな。多分そこそこ有名な貴族なんだろうけど、知らないからその凄さが分からない。ニコちゃんも幼いから絶対分かってないよ、首傾げちゃってるじゃん。
何コレ? 僕が悪いの? 反応薄かったからかこの人微妙な顔しちゃってるし、なんだか悪いことしちゃったかな。
「でもまぁ、僕らは関係無いよ。だってこの子は僕の妹だから」
「......まぁ良い、他にそういう子を見たら教えてくれ」
男の人は、案外あっさり引き下がってくれた。
いや、多分彼はニコちゃんが『そう』だと感じていて、一旦退いたんだと思う。多分ニコちゃんを見た瞬間に分かった筈だ、だから僕に話しかけてきたのは、ニコちゃんがニコちゃんである事の確認ではなく、『僕』がどういう人間なのかの確認なんだと思う。
ニコちゃんを取り戻すに当たって、僕が手強い相手ならそれなりに策を練る必要があるし、僕がニコちゃんとその父親にどんな関係を持っているのかも調べる必要がある。
今の会話で向こうが手に入れた情報を想定すると、まず『僕』がニコちゃんを妹と言って庇ったことから、ニコちゃんを素直に引き渡すつもりはないということや、ニコちゃんが僕の嘘に合わせたことからそれなりに信用されている可能性があること、そして僕の実力もある程度見定められたか、ってところかな。
どちらにせよ、近い内にあの男の人の上司にそれが伝わり、最終的にはこの街のトップに知られるんじゃないかな。
まぁあの人がこの街のトップの配下なのかどうかも分からないから、もしも敵対している組織や家だとしても、結局は誰か偉い奴が何かしらの行動に出るだろう。
「そうなったら......そうなったか、手掛かりなしの僕からすれば向こうから来てくれるのは都合が良いじゃないか」
「?」
「ああ、気にしなくても良いよ。ある意味手掛かりを手に入れた様なものだから」
手掛かりを得た、とは少し違うけれど、取っ掛かりが出来たのは十分な収穫だ。政策云々の情報は全く得られていないけれど、あの男とそのバックに僕らを知られたんだ。糸の様な細さだけど、何かが繋がったんだ。十分だろう。
でも、僕の言葉に対して小さく返事をしたニコちゃんの表情は、何処か浮かなかった。
At the town where Kitsune and the other were currently at, akin to the castle at Grandile Kingdom, there was a large guild-like building standing there.
Inside it, the top brass; who was supposed to deal with citizens' opinions and dissatisfaction, as well as the one in charge of the tax; was overbearingly sitting there.
When he picked up several documents before him, he laughed scornfully and tore them apart. The documents that were just torn apart were opinions from the citizens, however he tore them regardless.
The woman who was standing behind him, she took the torn up sheets with slight pity.
"Lord Orba... will this be alright?"
And then, she asked his opinion regarding the matter. Ignoring the citizens' opinions and putting up convenient policies, that was by no means allowed.
However, the man answered her along with a snort.
"It's fine, I'm not that free to be bothered by those riffraff who couldn't afford to pay tax. Moreover, this town is under Grandile Kingdom patronage... for being protected by those strength, it's a matter of course that they ought to pay some compensation in exchange, right?"
"Good grief... I've been doing this job for several years already, you can just ignore those who bawl out simply because the tax is slightly higher. Those who couldn't pay are to be punished, that's a matter of course, isn't it? So stop troubling me with such trifling matter anymore."
Saying so, he picked up the glass next to him, and gulped down all the sake in one go. However, in doing so, he showed a dissatisfied face and let out a sigh.
"Terrible, after dealing with those complaints day after day, even a precious alcohol will taste terrible... should I consider disposing of those who plead their dissatisfaction, I wonder?"
He mumbled so with half-serious tone.
"Then, how's the situation with the brat from that fallen noble?"
"...at present, it's still under investigation."
"What? Just how long will it take? It's just capturing a single brat so just finish it swiftly, how useless."
Toward the matter that was asked by the man named Orba, the seemingly to be secretary woman answered so. And then, the man snorted at the woman. It was clear that he was displeased by her answer. Even his tone became cruder.
However, without any slight sign of fear, the woman kept standing there in business like form.
"However, it appears that we have apprehended ex-earl higurd."
"Oh, then, what did he say? Of course you've done some interrogation to him, haven't you?"
"...not yet, currently he's imprisoned in the jail. We thought about seeking for Lord Orba's order first for further conduct."
Having captured one of his target, the man's mood recovered a bit. However, contrary to his expectation, hearing that nothing had been done to that person, he squinted his eyes and snorted once again.
While briskly scratching his own head, he let out a large sigh as if to let out his dissatisfaction. And then, the man stood up and grabbed the woman by the collar. He roughly pulled her and violently said so.
"Just go fvking torture him or whatever to make him spills where that damn brat is! It doesn't matter even if that man die, as long as we can get that brat, everything is fine!!"
The woman who was told so along with some soaring spits, she slightly gasped for a moment and shortly replied 'certainly' to him.
The woman bowed her head and left the room.
The left alone man, seemingly couldn't handle the irritation, he kicked the chair next to him, his breathing was rough, and his shoulders were violently shaking up and down.
"Aaargh!! They are all so useless... just catch than damn brat already!"
The man took a deep breath. While thinking that the stress might end up putting hole on his stomach, he took the alcohol bottle on the table, and directly gulped down the alcohol within. After gulping down everything inside the bottle, while letting out reeks-of-alcohol breath, he violently put down the bottle back on the table.
"Really... damn it all...!!"
Without hiding his irritation, he shouted so.
* * *
After that, we began to move.
For me and Niko-chan, our information gathering method is by asking the citizens' impression about the policy that is imposed at this town. We have to make sure what kind of person the one who's responsible of this town first. Well, if he is a good person then it will be easy in its own way, and if he's a bad prson then we can act mercilessly as well, so I think his personality doesn't really matter though.
The person who's in charge of tax collection here, if by any chance his conduct is intolerably excessive, then I want to get back Niko-chan's father.
Prowess-wise, there shouldn't be any trouble here, but there's a possibility that Leila-chan's identity may be discovered, if by any chance that happens, it'll become a great obstacle on my journey from now on. That isn't a very likable scenario, after all.
"Where are we going to?"
"Somewhere with a lot of people."
I'm holding Niko-chan's hand, who is walking next to me. If I don't do it, I have a feeling that she will run away, I haven't asked how old she is, but most likely she's still at child age, so even if she does run away, there's nothing good from it. If that's the case then I'd better take a good watch at her, right? We're looking for his father is also for her sake after all.
"We don't know a thing about what's happening to your father after all, so to understanding that, we have to gather information regarding it first."
"...I don't understand."
"I see... well, you can just take it as a step to meet your father."
While chatting like that, we keep walking. The place we arrived at is a road with numerous store standing in a row, numerous people come and go, a boisterous yet comfortable place.
Here, who is the one who know the most about this town, I wonder? The uncle from weapon shop? The shop assistant from the diner? The visitors who are visiting those stores? Adventurers? Or perhaps knights? Well, speaking of people who know well about the policy at this town, then it's most likely the knights. What kind of person the top brass here, I'm sure they pretty much know.
But, knights are no-go. I'm together with Niko-chan, so it's better to avoid them as much as possible. It's still uncertain whether her father is still alive or not, and if by any chance they discover Niko-chan and turn her as their investigation target, at worst case scenery I have a feeling that they'll put an eye on me as well. Let's avoid that from happening.
"...."
Niko-chan doesn't say a word. Well, expecting something from a child is a waste of time, after all.
"First is searching randomly, huh."
"Hey, the man with black clothes over there."
"Huh? Are you calling me?"
And then, there's someone calling from behind. What should I do if it isn't meant for me, I wonder? Now that I realize it, I'm kinda scared to turn back. But well, there's no turning back here. Either way, I replied just now after all.
Thinking so, I turn back. In doing so, I can see a man with somewhat burly body standing there. He's taller than me so it feels as if he's looking down on me.
"Do you need something?"
"That child, is she your family?"
"Do you need something with my cute little sister?"
Seems like he's after Niko-chan. Niko-chan sure is cute, she's obedient and also tend to tell lies, but for such gori-like man to after her, I do think that's a crime, you know? I think it's better to stop him so I involuntarily lie by saying that she's my little sister but, seems like he's doubting me.
"I'm not lying, right?"
"...yeah."
As expected of the liar girl, she can splendidly lie like nothing. It's just, if you call me by 'onii-chan', then that'd be perfect, though. Will she call me as such, I wonder? I hope she will. Let's ask her sometime later.
"Rodriguez Minmin."
"Dogriguez Minmin."
"Even if you want to lie, can't you put out a slightly more proper name?"
Ah, as I thought that's not good enough, huh. As expected, it's easy to tell that such name is a lie, he looks like a muscle-head so I thought I'd work, but as expected that's still not good enough, huh.
However, let's just stick with it for a bit more.
"How rude, that's her real name, you know? That's a precious name from our parents, don't you dare to make fun of it!"
When I say so, the man makes a slightly apologetic face and says so.
"...I, I'm sorry... umm, then, you're Rodriguez Minmin, right?"
"Who's that?"
"See! It's a lie afterall!"
"Ah, my bad, it's actually Makaridom Peropero, yup."
"That's not even a name!"
Huh? Gigibraro Nikoniko, was it? Well, whatever, he's already discovered the lie, so there's no meaning to keep sticking with it.
But, if Niko-chan is marked then it'll surely be troublesome... what should I do, I wonder?
Well, for now let's ask what his goal is first. If I can play it properly then I may be able to get some information from him.
"Then, do you need something?"
"...I'm looking for a certain child. A child with blond hair... and, it just happens that she's around her age."
"Why?"
"I can't tell you that."
That means it isn't a legal matter, huh. Illegal, that means this matter shouldn't be let known to others. Most likely, this man is a knight, or perhaps the subordinate from the one who's managing the policy of this town. Perhaps... 'Noble', huh.
"Who are you?"
"...I'm someone from Grace house."
"Oh...."
Never heard of it. What's with that house, can you stop showing 'you know it, don't you?'-face, please? Perhaps it's a somewhat influential house around here, but I don't even know who they are, so there's no way I'd understand how amazing they are. Niko-chan is still a child, so I'm sure she doesn't understand it as well and is tilting her head.
What's it? Am I at fault here? Perhaps it's because how light our response is, the man shows a somewhat doubtful expression, did I perhaps do something bad, I wonder?
"But well, that has nothing to do with us. This child is my little sister, after all."
"...well, fine, if you ever find someone similar to her then please report it to me."
The man unexpectedly withdraw there quite easily.
No, perhaps it's exactly because he thinks that Niko-chan is the 'right' one, he withdraw there. Perhaps he realized it the moment he noticed Niko-chan, that's why he called out to me, it wasn't meant to ascertain whether Niko-chan is actually Niko-chan, but to ascertain what kind of person 'I' am, or so I think.
When they come to take Niko-chan, if by any chance I'm a though opponent then they could make some preparations first after all, they might even investigate what kind of relation I have with Niko-chan and her father.
From the conversation just now, they information he got should be that, firstly, 'I' covered her by claiming to be her brother, I don't have intention to obediently hand over Niko-chan, the possibility of trust from the fact that Niko-chan matched up to my lie, and then what extent of prowess I have, something like that, I think.
Either way, that man will surely report it to his superior soon, and eventually it will reach the top bass' ear, huh.
Well, whether that person is actually the top brass or not is still uncertain though, there's a possibility that he's someone from hostile organization or house, but in the end some influential person is surely doing something in the dark.
"If that's the case... then it's like that huh, for me who don't have any lead whatsoever here, them coming my way theirselves sure is a big help."
"?"
"Ah, don't mind it. You can say that we've found our lead here after all."
Finding a lead, well that isn't exactly the case, but it's quite a bountiful harvest we got ourselves here. I haven't gotten any information regarding the policy and whatsoever, but that man and also the mastermind are aware of us. It's surely thread-like thin, but it's definitely connected to something. That's more than enough.
However, Niko-chan, who quietly responds to my word, her expression is somewhat gloomy.
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