四十六話
そこは、王都の離れに位置する開けた場所。
周囲にひと気はなく、耳を澄まさずとも葉擦れの音が
「どう? 良い場所でしょ?」
リレアが言う。
「ここはね、私のとっておきなの。私、あんまり人に鍛錬してる姿とか見られたくないから」
だから、この場所は時間を掛けて探したのよと彼女が言う。
「そういえば、キミは〝ミナウラ〟に行ってたんだっけ。すっかり聞き忘れてたけど、どうだった? 〝戦姫〟ビエラ・アイルバークは」
ここであえて尋ねるという事はつまり、ビエラの為人について聞きたいわけではないのだろう。
聞きたい事柄は、強さについて。
「あれ、もしかして会わなかったの?」
「話しはしたよ。だけど、俺と一緒に戦ったのはビエラ・アイルバークの姉のフィオレ・アイルバークと、シヴァって剣士とだけ」
「へええ。シヴァって剣士は知らないけれど、あの〝屍姫〟と、ねえ」
シヴァも言っていたが、フィオレは〝屍姫〟の名で通っているのだろう。
リレアの口から当然のように出てきたその発言からそう判断。
「得られたものはあった?」
「それはもう、沢山」
「己の未熟さに気付けた、とか?」
「それ、前も聞いたわよ」
「そうだっけ?」
「そ。前というより、何かを成すたびにいつも言ってるわね。得られたものは己の未熟さに気付けた事だってね」
でも、事実それが真実なのだから否定は出来ない。出来るのは、笑って誤魔化す事くらい。
機能性だけを重視した無骨な剣が創造され、俺の右手にそれは収まった。
今回の立ち合いにおいて、原則魔法は禁止。
ただ、俺の場合は得物を帯剣していない為、この一度限り、魔法は許される。
身体からこれでもかと立ち上らせる警戒心と圧を前にして、リレアはそれを待っていたと言わんばかりに、獰猛に笑む。
しかし、表情とは裏腹に纏う気配は抜き身の刃のように冷ややか。故に、彼女が熱に浮かされた様子は感じられなかった。
油断してると早合点をして挑めば、間違いなくその瞬間に全てが終わる。そんな予感が脳裏を過ぎる。
「さ、て。準備は良いかしら?」
丁寧にそう、訊いてくれる。
最早殺気でしかない闘気を容赦なく発している彼女の姿を前にして、何を今更。なんて言葉が浮かび上がったけれど、それをのみ込んで俺は少し離れた場所で待機するソフィアの姿を横目で確認した後、小さく首肯した。
「そ。なら————始めるわね」
直後、死神もかくやという殺気が俺という人間全てを刺し貫いた。
しかし、それに構う事なく、躊躇う事なく、俺は力強く踏み込んで行く。それが始動の合図。
直後、ぶわりと吹き荒んだ風が俺を覆い尽くした。
視覚が捉えていたリレアの姿は、その現象と連動して忽然と掻き消える。残ったのは踏み足の接地による擦り音。
————神経を研ぎ澄ませろ。
肌で感じる風は何処から生まれている。聴覚は、戦闘勘は。それらをコンマ以下の時間で踏まえ、答えを出す。
恐らくは、背後————ッ!!
「あ、は、ッ」
躊躇なく振り抜いたソレは、今にも俺を斬り裂かんと振るわれていた凶刃を薙ぎ払う。
しかし、合わさった硬質な一撃に目もくれず、お互いの剣がどちらともなく弾かれるや否や、負けじとお互いに迫らせる剣。
それは怒涛の連撃となって放たれ、篠突く雨の如く降り注ぐ。最小限の身動きで身を翻し、躱そうと試みるも避け切れず、赤い線が幾つか頰に生まれ走る。
ぷくりと赤い液体が浮かび上がった。
更に踏み込んで距離を作らせまいと肉薄するリレアの行為を先読みし、既に手にする剣は上段に掲げてある。
————圧し潰せ。
防がれる予感を度外視し、そのまま剣を振るって直線的過ぎる一撃を放つ。
やがて剣越しに伝わる硬質な感触。
カタカタカタカタ、と刃同士が合わさり、震える音が一際大きく響き渡った。
しかし、その均衡は長くは続かない。
「ふっ、とべ————ッ!!!」
勝負を急いだなリレアと胸中にて嘲りながら気合一閃。
ミシリ、と悲鳴の音を立ててしまう程に力強く剣の柄を握り締め、身体ごと押し潰さんと力を前へと撃ち放つ。
だが、
しかし、関係がない。気にするな。虚勢だ。
そう言い聞かせるも、突として剣から伝わる抵抗感がふっ、と消え失せる。
剣はお互いに合わさったまま。なのに、どうしてと疑問符を浮かべるも刹那。答えにたどり着く。
グダグダと悩んでいる暇は何処にもないのだと判断をして。
「ほ、ら——!! 次行くわよッ!!!」
そのまま「攻撃するぞ」と丁寧に宣言されながら放たれる攻撃が俺に向かって獰猛に牙を剥く。
だから、避けろ。避けろ。避けろ。
ひっきりなしに己へ言い聞かせ、横へと強引に身体を投げ出す。程なくすぐ側を通過する銀色に煌く刃。
————ギリギリ、過ぎる......!!
鋭い呼気を吐き出しながら、リレアを見遣る。
すると暇など与えないとばかりに、再び銀の軌跡を俺の眼前で描き、一瞬遅れて風を斬り裂く音が届く。今度は、リレアが上段。
そしてどこまでも傲岸に放たれるは————先程の俺と全く同じ挙動で繰り出す一撃。
受け流せるものなら受け流してみろ。
真似出来るものなら真似をしてみろ。
悪鬼を想起させる鈍い光纏う瞳で好戦的に俺を射抜きながら、勢いよく上段から頭蓋目掛けて渾身の一撃が放たれる。
「こ、の......」
純粋な剣の技量のみでいえばリレアは俺の数段上の境地に位置している。
故に恐らく、先程の真似をしようとしたところで彼女は彼女なりに対策をしているだろうし、そもそも、同じ芸当が出来るとは思わない。
耳を劈く金属音は辺りにびりびりと木霊した。
「あ、ハ、はははっ」
戦闘音に混ざる哄笑。
お互いを襲う衝撃に、お互いが僅かに身体をもっていかれてしまい、後退。
なれど、開いた距離はすぐさま俺とリレアが大きく踏み込んだ事でゼロへと移り変わる。
そして何度目か分からない繰り出される一撃に対し、視認に先んじて身を捻り——回避。
しかし、いくら待てどやって来ない斬り裂いたという感触。眼前に散ったのは鮮紅色の液体ではなく、見飽きた赤い閃光——火花である。
そう判断したのは俺だけではなかったのか、どちらともなく仕切り直しと言わんばかりに飛び退いた。
気付けば、まだ数合だというのにひゅーひゅーと喘鳴のような音が口から漏れ出ていた。
「......流石に一筋縄じゃいかない、ね」
苦笑い。
額にぽつぽつと脂汗を浮かべながら俺は言葉を並べ立てる。
「そりゃそうでしょう? 私が一体、何年剣を振るってきたと思ってるのよ。......だけど、やっぱりキミの成長速度は異常過ぎるわね」
「......ま、嫉妬してもこればっかりは仕方がないし、良い剣の相手が出来たと思って思い切り楽しませて貰うだけだけど」
そう言って、きひ、と女性らしくない笑みを浮かべ、リレアは腰に下げていた
————双剣使い。
リレアが扱う剣は俺が扱っている剣より刃先が短く、リーチの長さよりも扱いやすさを重視した造りとなっている。
右と左。
リレアの両の手に剣が収まる。
その泰然とした立ち姿に隙なんてものはある筈もなく、彼女の身体から発せられる威圧感は数段上昇。
からあまり双剣で戦う事を好まないリレアであるのに、あえてソレを選んだという事は本当に手加減をする気はないらしい。
「さ————、溜まってた分、いつもの倍楽しませて貰うわよ? ......ふ、ふふふ、あはははは」
右、左に奇妙なステップを踏みながら大きく轟き始める笑い声。まさしくそれは狂笑。
楽しくて仕方がないとばかりに喉を震わせ、身体を揺らし、大気に声を響かせる。
やがて、笑い声がピタリと止み————それと同時、土塊が二方向から宙に舞う。
それが再開の合図。
Chapter 46
It was an open space located in a remote part of the capital.
There wasn't a single soul around, yet the sound of leaves rustling in the wind alone was enough to fill the place with deafening noise.
"It's a nice place, isn't it?"
Said Lilea as she led us into this place after we stopped by the guild and submitted our completion of the request.
"This place, you see, it's my own secret place. I don't really want people to see me training or anything."
That's why she spent so much time looking for a place just like this, she added.
"Now that I remember it, you went to the infamous Minaura, didn't you? How was it? How was the 'Warrior Princess,' Viera Islebark?"
The fact that you asked about Viera right here and now suggests that you really don't want to hear anything about her personality.
What you want to hear about is her strength.
"Oh, you didn't meet her?"
"We talked. But the only people I fought with were her older sister, Fiole Islebark, and a swordsman named Siva."
"Hmm~ I haven't heard of a swordsman named Siva, but the 'Corpse Princess,' huh?"
As Siva also said, Fiole is known as the 'Corpse Princess.'
To which that very name came out of Lilea's mouth as if it were a matter of fact.
"Were you able to learn anything from that place?"
"A lot."
"Like realizing my own inexperience, or something?"
"I've already heard that before."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. Every time you accomplish something, it's you gaining the realization of how inexperienced you still are that I always hear."
I couldn't deny it because it was really the truth.
A sword then rested in my right hand.
According to Sofia's rules, we both can't use magic in this duel.
However, since my weapon requires my own magic itself, this would be the only exception throughout our match.
In the presence of the alertness and pressure rising from her body, Lilea smiled ferociously, as if she had been waiting for it.
But despite her expression, the air that surrounded her was as cold as ice, making the heat of the moment dissipate in the air.
Such a premonition came to my mind that if I got even a little bit careless and charged at her head-on too soon, I'll lose at that very moment.
"Now, then. Are you ready?"
She asked me courteously.
I just swallowed the words that came to mind and looked at Sofia with a glance, who was waiting a short distance away, and gave her a small nod.
"--Let's begin, then."
Not long after, a bloodlust, befitting of a reaper, pierced through my entirety.
But without hesitation and care in the world, I forcefully stepped in, as it was the cue to start.
And as soon as I did, a gust of wind swept over me.
Lilea's image, locked in my eyes, suddenly vanished.
--Sharpen your senses.
Where does the skin that I feel on my skin come from?
The attack will probably come from-- behind!!!
"Aha--!"
I swung as I turned around without hesitation and intercepted a deadly blade that was about to slice me open.
Neither of our swords was dazzled by the hard exchange of blows.
It was released in a series of raging blows, pouring down like a torrent of rain.
Red lines appearing on my cheeks started to drip.
My sword was already up above, anticipating Lilea's downward swing, who was trying to close in to prevent me from creating distance.
--Crush her.
Disregarding the prospect of being blocked, she committed to swinging her sword in my direction.
Soon, a hard feeling struck my sword.
Our swords long collided against each other, and the vibration from the clash echoed throughout the place.
Neither of us wanted to be overpowered, however, the standstill didn't last long.
"Fly-- away--!!!"
Lilea sneered to me, telling me to pick up the pace, and then proceeded to flash her spirit by retaliating.
She gripped the hilt of her sword with such force so much so that it screeched, and came to me by launching her body forward in hopes of winning the exchange by force.
But--
But it doesn't matter, it's a complete bluff, so don't let it get to you.
I told myself as the resistance from the sword suddenly disappeared.
But before I pondered about the mystery behind what happened, I found out the answer myself.
But I decided at this moment that this was no time to fret.
"Come on--!!! Here I come!!!"
And right after she parried my previous blow, she immediately swung her sword in a backhanded manner.
So dodge. Dodge it. Dodge it. Dodge it.
I told myself over and over again, and even forcefully, I was able to throw myself sideways to the ground.
--What a close call...!!!
I look at Lilea with a sharp gasp.
With no time to spare, a silver trail was drawn in front of my eyes once again, and after a moment's delay, the sound of the wind cutting through the air reached me.
Exact same blow, behavior, hell, even the arrogance that I showed earlier.
If you can parry it just like I did, be my guest.
If you can imitate it just like I did, don't hold back.
Her eyes, filled with a dull glow reminiscent of a monster's, belligerently shot at me.
"You..."
In terms of pure swordsmanship alone, Lilea was indefinitely a few steps ahead of me.
So even if I tried to imitate one of the things she did earlier, she would probably have her own countermeasures in place.
An enormous impact came soon after, and an ear-splitting metallic sound resonated throughout the place.
"Aha-- Hahaha..."
Amidst the battle noises, a burst of rather loud laughter rang out.
The impact caused both of us to fall back, slightly dragging our bodies along the way.
However, the distance that had already opened up was soon reduced to none as Lilea and I took a giant leap forward.
For what seemed to be the thousandth time, Lilea skillfully twisted and turned to avoid my attacks before she could even see them.
What scattered in front of my eyes wasn't a crimson-colored liquid, but a red flash of sparks, all the result of the clashing of both our swords.
And apparently, I wasn't the only one who felt this way, with a mirror spawning in front of me as the two of us jumped back to retreat at the same time.
The next thing I realized was the wheezing sound escaping from my mouth.
"...This really won't end that easily, is it?"
I forced a smile.
With a bead of sweat on my forehead, I put together a string of words.
"Of course not. For how many years do you think I've been wielding a sword? ...But, you've been really improving at an abnormal pace, if I say so myself."
"...I can't help but be jealous, but I'm just going to enjoy this to the fullest, thinking that I've found a good training partner."
Saying so with an unladylike smile, Lilea then drew the other sword from her waist and proceeded to drop its sheath to the ground again.
--She's a dual wielder.
The sword that Lilea wields has a shorter edge than my sword, and it was built for ease of use rather than length of reach.
One to the right and another one to the left.
Both her swords settled in her hands.
There wasn't any room for her calm and composed demeanor like the one she wore earlier, but what I felt was an extreme sense of intimidation emanating from her body that was heightened by several more notches.
Although Lilea doesn't like to fight with both her swords, given how she gets intoxicated in many ways, the fact that she dared to do so suggested that she really didn't intend to go easy on her opponent.
"Given that I'm always obliged to hold back, I'm going to have twice as much fun as usual now-- okay? ...Fu-- Fufufu... AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Loud laughter began to roar as she took strange steps from her right to left.
Her throat trembled and her body shook with joy, her voice now reverberating in the atmosphere.
Eventually, the laughter died with a snap-- and at the same time, clods of earth flew into the air from two different directions.
That was the cue to resume the fight.
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