四十話 ※一章時点の人物紹介有り
「————本当に良かったんですか。褒賞が王都に送り届ける、なんて事だけで」
バキバキに折れてしまっていた両腕は既にアバルドの能力によって完治。
シヴァの魔力欠乏も時間を経た事で幾分か楽になったのか、既にむくりと起き上がっており、俺とシヴァ、そしてフィオレとビエラは腰を据えて言葉を交わしていた。
「別に、これといって欲しいなんてものはありませんので」
それに、恐れ多くてとてもとても。
みたいな雰囲気を醸し出しながら俺はそう言って、いつの間にやら合流していた貴族のひとり——ビエラ・アイルバークに向けて言葉を投げかけていた。
もし、私達がまともに〝ジャバウォック〟と相対していたならば、死者が出ていた可能性は十二分にある。だからこそ、動機や過程はどうあれ、礼がしたいと。
そう言ってビエラは俺とシヴァに欲しい物はあるかと再三に渡って尋ね掛けていたのだ。
物欲ってもんがねえのかよとシヴァが呆れる。
そんな彼の手には既に一枚の封書が存在していた。
「立入禁止区域——ノースエンド領への紹介状。流石は〝戦姫〟と言ったところか。まさか本当に書いてくれるとは思わなかったぜ」
噂だけだが、いち村人でしかなかった俺ですら知っている場所。
立入禁止区域——ノースエンド領。
別名、死者の街。
そこは、此処〝ミナウラ〟より更に悪評高い王国内ただ一つの立入禁止区域であった。
「......まぁ、強くなれる機会を得られるのなら俺も是非とも欲しいところなんだけども......」
————ただ。
「今はまだ、向かうだけの
「あん?」
それは、俺だけが知るたった一つの決め事。
体の良い言い訳作りでしかないけれど、これでも俺は無茶をする時はそれに則って行動をしてきた。
どんな小さな事でも良い。
ただ、強くなりたいという理由ひとつだけで無謀を敢行する気は現時点ではまだ、無いというだけの話。
とどのつまり、俺という人間はやはりどこまでも『星斬りの剣士』に憧れてしまっている人間。
だから、なぞろうとする。
真似ようとする。辿ろうとする。
誰かとの約束の為に剣を振るっていたあの男の生を。故に、大小かかわらず、無茶を押し通すのなら、真っ当な理由を求めてしまう。
誰かしらの為に、という理由を。
「決め事だよ。俺なりの、ね。......俺の剣ってやつは、そういうもんだから」
あの男の剣は。
俺が憧れた剣ってやつは、そういうものだと思うから。
「......成る程。それがあんたの矜恃ってんなら、無理強いは出来ねえなあ」
「そういう事。......それに、幼馴染みをかれこれ十日近く王都に待たせてるからさ、これ以上遅れようものなら多分俺、殺されちゃう」
「く、はは、ははははは!!! そういやそんな事も言ってたっけか? まぁ、約束破ってんなら早いところ謝罪に向かわねえといけないわな」
腹を抱えてシヴァは大爆笑。
フィオレはフィオレで、思考回路あんなにぶっ飛んでる癖に幼馴染みには弱いんだ......! などと好き勝手言って笑いを必死に噛み殺して堪えていた。
......この場において俺の味方は、無表情を貫くビエラと事なかれ主義のアバルドだけである。
「だが、そういう事なら此処でお別れって事になるな」
偶々、目的地が重なっただけという間柄。
元より〝ミナウラ〟で共に行動する事すらも想定外の出来事であった。だから、これから先も共に行動をする、だなんて気は毛頭なかったとはいえ、いざ別れるとなると少しだけ名残惜しい————気はしなかった。
......散々好き勝手笑いやがって。
「一人で倒したわけでもねえし、〝
〝魔法〟は効かないわ、近接攻撃も出来ないわ。そういう特性を持った魔物が存在するという情報を己の目で確かめられただけでも僥倖過ぎると。嘲りの消えた屈託のない笑みを向けながらシヴァが言う。
「今度会った時は......そうだな、また、こういうデカブツでも倒しに行けるといいな」
「それなら、次はもう一回り大きい魔物を見つけなきゃだね」
「はっ、そりゃいい!! なら次の次くれえは星でも斬らねえとだなあ!!」
「......だーめだこの二人。やっぱり頭が根本からおかしいよ」
冗談まじりに言葉を交わす俺とシヴァの様子を眺めていたフィオレは心底呆れ返っていた。
やがて静まる笑い声。
「————ま、ぁ。結局オレには最後までよく分からなかったが......成せると良いな。その『星斬り』ってやつを、よ」
それがいつになるかは分からないけど、きっと、必ず。
「それと道案内の恩!! あれ、いつか返してやる予定だから、これから先無茶すんのも勝手だが、くたばんじゃねえぞ」
思わず笑いを噛み殺す。
彼なりに俺の身を案じてくれているのだろう。
心配だと言葉にこそしなかったけれど、戦闘中の援護といい、ぞんざいな口調ではあるが世話焼きな性格をしている事は明らかであった。
「じゃ、腕も治して貰った事だし、そろそろ王都に連れて行って貰うとするかなあ」
ぐるんぐるんと両腕を回し、元気ですアピールをしながら俺は、褒賞をくれるのなら使役する魔物に乗せて王都に連れて言ってくれと言うや否やフィオレが用意してくれていた魔物の下へと歩み寄る。
「背に跨がれば、王都に連れて行くよう既に命令してあるからユリウス君はしがみ付いて置くだけで大丈夫だよ」
今までずっとフィオレの後ろに乗っていた為、一向に魔物の背に乗る気配のなかった彼女を不思議そうに見詰める俺をみて、フィオレはそう言えばそうだったねと、そう説明してくれていた。
「それと、最後にもう一度聞いておくけど〝ジャバウォック〟の屍骸は本当に要らないの? 冗談抜きで、何処かに売り飛ばせば村一つくらい買えちゃうよ?」
「......要らないで納得出来ないのであれば、それはあの時助けてくれたお礼、って事で駄目ですかね」
フィオレはあからさまに俺のその発言に対してドン引きしていたけれど、本当に心の底からその事についてはどうでも良かった。
俺の熱の向かいどころは星を斬る事。
『星斬り』の熱を知ってしまったが最後、如何に眩い黄金だろうが、馳走だろうが、異性だろうが、何もかもの優先順位が二の次になってしまう。......実際、俺がそうであった。
故に、一片とて疑う余地なく俺の中で既に完結してしまっているのだ。
「魔法?」
「そ。魔法の言葉。王都に勤めるえらーいとある騎士さんが二つ返事で言う事を聞いてくれちゃう魔法の言葉。これから王都に向かうなら、そこでどうせ厄介ごとに首突っ込むんでしょ?」
だったら、ユリウス君には必要不可欠だと思うけどなあ? と、流し目で面白おかしそうにフィオレが言葉を並び立てる。
「......どうだろ」
「いやいや、キミは突っ込むよ。わたしが断言してあげよう。キミは間違いなくそれが強くなる機会であると判断したならば関わろうとするからね、絶対に」
その強くなって星を斬りたいという渇望は、最早増殖し、拡大するだけの癌細胞のようなもの。
だから、今更自制出来るようなものでもないでしょとフィオレは自身の言葉を認めようとしない俺へ、キミはそういう人間だと言い放っていた。
「だから、覚えておいて。王家直属の騎士団。それに属する副団長。名を————ゼノア・アルメリダ。あの子はわたしの名前を出せば絶対に言うこと聞いてくれるから。だから困ったことがあればあの子に便宜を図って貰うといいよ。『フィオレ・アイルバークに便宜を図って貰えって言われた』それが魔法の言葉」
「......分かった。覚えておく」
「うん。素直でよろしい。お姉さん、素直な子は嫌いじゃないよ」
そう言って、彼女は満足げに笑った。
それから数時間後。
フィオレの使役する魔物の背に乗り、王都へと向かった俺は王都の入り口のすぐ側で降ろして貰い、徒歩で王都へ向かう最中。
「おー。やっと来たわね遅刻魔」
がしり、と唐突に俺の肩が何者かに掴まれる。
俺の背後に誰かいるような気はしてたけど、まさかそれが知り合いであるとは夢にも思わなかった。
怖くてとてもじゃないが振り向けないけれど、この声は恐らくリレアだろう。
やがて、肩を掴む手の握力は次第に増加。
心なし、ミシリと音が鳴っているような気もする。......中々に痛い。
「ソフィアちゃんは頭からツノ生やして、首をながーくして待ってるわよ」
何その化け物。
と、思ったけど、鼓膜を揺らす声音から察するにそんな冗談は一ミリも通じない気がした。
だから俺は下手に会話するのではなく、口は災いの元としてダンマリを決め込む事にする。
村に戻ると親父からぶん殴られそうな気しかしなくて選択肢から無条件で外していたけれど、これならいっそ、親父にぶん殴られるとしても体調不良だなんだかんだと口裏を合わせて貰うべきだったかなと心の底から後悔した。
Chapter 40
"--You said you just wanted us to give you a ride to the capital, but is that reward really enough?"
Both of my arms, which had been broken to pieces, had already been completely healed by Abald's ability.
Siva somewhat regained his magic power back, alleviating him from his depletion of magic.
"There is nothing in particular that I want, so I would gladly say that ride alone is enough for me."
Besides, I was already intimidated.
I said in a hesitant tone, not being aware that one of the nobles-- Viera Islebark had joined us before I knew it.
No matter what our motives were, if we really faced the Jabberwock upon Viera's arrival, it was more than probable that there would've been actual casualties, deaths to be specific.
Hence the reason why she's so adamant about repeatedly asking us for things we wanted.
Siva astonishedly said, asking me if I didn't have any greed inside of me.
There was a sealed letter resting in his hands, and it was the reward he had been hoping for.
"--A letter of authorization to the off-limits North End territory, huh? I never thought they'd actually write you one."
I was only a mere villager, but even I knew about that place.
The restricted area-- North End territory.
Better known as the Town of the Dead.
It was the only restricted area in the kingdom, even more notorious than Minaura, the town I was currently at.
"...Well, if there's an opportunity for me to get stronger, I'd really love to test my chances against it, really..."
--It's just that...
"I don't really have a reason for going there just yet... So as much as I'm jealous now, I'm not going."
"Huh?"
It was the only decision that only I knew.
I was aware that it was just an excuse, but I'd always acted accordingly when I'd done something reckless.
No matter how small the thing, nor how trivial the reason was.
I wasn't willing to be reckless just because I wanted to be strong.
After all, I was a person who had always admired the 'Star-Slaying Swordsman' to no end.
Thus, why I imitated his whole being.
I tried to trace and follow his very example.
It was the life of the man who wielded his sword for the sake of a promise to someone else.
A reason for the sake of someone else, that is.
"It's something I deeply decided on my own, you know...? That's what my sword is telling me..."
That swordsman's sword.
I believe that's the kind of sword I longed for.
"...I see. If that's what you've determined to do, I can't really force you to do anything."
"That's about what I meant... Besides, I've already had my childhood friend waiting in the capital for almost ten days now. If I delay any longer, she'll probably kill me."
"Ku-- HAHAHAHAHA!!! Now that I remember it, you mentioned that before! Well, if you've already broken your promise, I guess you'll have to head over there to apologize to her as soon as possible."
Siva laughed hysterically, clutching his stomach.
Fiole was just being herself, but even under the habit of being so out of touch with her own process, she apparently had a weak spot for childhood friends...
...The only people who were on my side in this very situation were Viera, who maintained her blank expression, and Abald, who was rather detached.
"But if that's the case, I guess this is where we part ways."
We just happened to be going to the same place.
It was an unexpected event for us to be working together in Minaura, and it felt as if it were just a matter of course.
...We laughed and did as we pleased.
"I didn't beat the Jabberwock all by myself, so I won't go around boasting about this incident. What I would say is that... this has been a great experience."
Knowing that such a thing exists alone is already valuable information he could keep in mind for his future endeavors, Siva said with a carefree smile.
"The next time we meet... Let's see... I hope we can take down and defeat such a monstrosity together again."
"We'll have to find a bigger monster next time, then."
"Heh-- Let's do just that!!! I'm going to slay a star or two right after that, then!!!"
"...You're really hopeless. I knew there was something fundamentally wrong with your head the moment I met you."
Fiole, who was watching me and Siva jokingly throw words at each other, was truly dumbfounded.
And eventually, the laughter died down.
"--Well, I didn't really understand it until the end, but I hope you really become one. You know, a 'Star-Slayer?'"
I don't know when that will be, but it will, I promise.
"And I owe you for showing me the way here! I'm going to pay you back someday-- you can go your merry way from now on, but you better not get killed."
I choked back a laugh.
I guess he was concerned about my safety in his own way.
The first time I saw him, he was a little out of place, but he was clearly a caring person, even if his tone was a little rough.
"My arms have already been healed and all, so I guess it's about time I have them take me to the capital now."
As I described my preferred reward, Fiole then immediately prepared the monster that I would use:
"I've already ordered this monster to take you to the capital once you get on her back, so all you have to do is hang on and you'll be fine."
Seeing me constantly stare at the monster curiously as she sat behind Fiole's back, she filled me in on the details, explaining the things that I should know.
"And I'm going to ask you again one last time, but are you sure you don't want the Jabberwock's corpse? You could literally buy a whole village if you sold it somewhere... I'm not kidding."
"...If I can't convince you that I really don't need it, then I guess it could serve as my thanks for saving my life at that time."
Fiole was obviously taken aback by my comment, but I really didn't care about the corpse, nor its worth, deep down in my heart.
The only thing I was passionate about was slaying the stars.
Once I was driven by the heat of my longing, no matter how dazzling the gold, the feast, or the opposite sex was in front of me, everything became secondary in my priorities.
I had my resolve completely firm in my mind without a shred of doubt.
" A magic phrase?"
"Yes, a magic phrase, one that makes a certain knight in the capital will listen to you with a smile on his face. You're going to the capital, so you're bound to get into a lot of trouble after all."
And if that's the case, you'd really need it. Right, Julius-kun? Said Fiole looking at me amused with her gleaming eyes.
"...I wonder about that."
"No, no, no, you're going to need it, I assure you. You would definitely seek to get involved with this person had you decided that it was an opportunity to get stronger, absolutely."
The desire to be strong and slay the stars is like a cancerous cell that can only multiply and expand.
Fiore was telling me that I was the kind of person who wouldn't admit to my own words, that it wasn't something I could bring myself to control now.
"So remember this. She's the vice commander of the knights under the direct control of the royal family, and her name is Zenoa Almerida. If you mention my name, she will definitely listen to you. Had you been involved with any trouble, ask her to help you out. Just say:{ Fiole Islebark requested that I get assistance from you. } "
"...Okay, I'll make sure to remember that."
"What an obedient boy. Big sis here likes obedient boys."
Saying so, she smiled with satisfaction.
A few hours of traveling to the capital later.
Riding on the back of Fiole's monster, it dropped me off right at the entrance and left me with no choice but to continue to go by foot.
"Oh~ You're here at last, you tardy devil."
With a jerk, I suddenly found myself gripped by someone on my shoulder.
I had a feeling that there was someone behind me, but I never dreamed that it was someone I knew.
I was too scared to turn around, but the voice I heard was most likely Lilea's.
And soon, the grip of the hand on my shoulder gradually increased.
What I heard after was a heartless, mish-mash of sounds coming from it... It hurt quite badly.
"Sofia-chan already grew out horns with her hair at feet's length waiting for you!"
What kind of monster is that?
I thought to myself, but judging from the voice that was currently shaking my eardrums, I had the feeling that she wouldn't get the joke and all.
So I decided to keep my mouth shut and not engage in conversation.
I had unconditionally dismissed going home to the village as an option, given how my father would beat me up if I did, but I regretted not even trying to lie about not feeling well even with the risk of him still beating me up from the bottom of my heart.
Star-Slaying Swordsman
星斬りの剣士
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/star-slaying-swordsman/
Action Fantasy Martial Arts Mature Psychological Shounen
Adapted to Manga Dark Fantasy World Male Protagonist Mature Protagonist Medieval Philosophical Romantic Subplot Sudden Strength Gain Sword And Magic Sword Wielder Transplanted Memories
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7336gg/
アルト／遥月