117.No Reason
ソードランテのスラムへと入ったエルフたちは、それぞれの家族単位で家を割り当てられた。数日のうちに、レニたちの判断や本人たちの希望によって仕事が割り振られる予定になっている。
エルフに対しては、人間たちはおっかなびっくりといった雰囲気だったが、獣人たちは“いるのは知っているけど見たことがない”という者ばかりだったせいか、誰もが新たな移住者たちに興味津々だった。
ザンガーは、プーセやシクと共に大きめの平屋を割り当てられ、エルフたちのまとめ役となるようにレニから正式に依頼を受けた。
その依頼は、レニの仕事場に呼ばれたザンガーたちが、お茶を飲みながら今後について打ち合わせをしている時に初めて話された。
「魔法をウチたち獣人にも教えて欲しいんです」
「魔法を?」
「そうです。人間の中には魔法を使える人がいて、エルフさんたちはもっと上手に魔法が使えると聞きました」
ザンガーは、目を閉じてしばらく考えてから、レニを真っ直ぐに見た。
「......魔法を覚えて、どうするつもりだい?」
「この町のみんなを守る力にしたいです」
即答したレニの顔に迷いは見えない。
「ふふっ......ああ、わかった、わかった」
吹き出したザンガーは、傍らにいたプーセに顔を向けた。
「プーセ、あんたと何人か、力仕事が出来ない女衆で魔法を教えなさいな」
「わかりました」
そのやりとりに「やった」と小躍りしているレニに、ザンガーは厳しい視線を向ける。
「でもね、羊さん。あたしも長く生きているけれど、獣人が魔法を使えるなんて聞いたこともないんだよ。教えたところでできるかどうか、わからないんだよ? 無駄な努力になるかもしれない。それでも、やるのかい?」
「もちろん」
大きく頷いたレニは、近くにいたヘレンの手を握った。
「一二三さんに出会ってから、ヘレンと二人で色々教えてもらって、勉強して、今はなんとか町をやっていけてます。でも、まだウチたちと仲の悪い人間も獣人も多いし、お母さんたちも呼びたいけれど、まだ難しいと思っています」
でも、とレニは鼻息を荒くして続ける。
「この小さな町の中だけでも、獣人と人間が仲良く暮らしていける場所ができました。これからは、エルフさんたちも一緒です。その町を守るために何ができるのか......ウチはあんまり頭も良くないから、やってみないとわからないから、とにかくやってみるんです」
「今思えば、一二三にやらされた勉強とかも、役には立っているのよね」
照れくさそうにレニの手を握り返したヘレンは、宿に篭って他の獣人たちとみんなで勉強させられた時の事を思い出した。責任ある立場に祭り上げられた今、文字の読み書きやある程度の計算の知識は非常に重宝した。
スラム出身ではなく、一二三に購入される形でこの町へと入った獣人たちは、概ね読み書きが出来、レニなど一部の獣人は計算もできる。ある点では、人間中心の町よりも行政の処理能力は上になっていた。だが、比較対象を知らないレニたちは、それでも問題は多いと思っていた。
「できるかどうかは、やってみたらわかります」
ここには、レニが冷静に計算した内容も含まれている。
獣人の中には虐待の結果、まともに歩けない程の傷を負っている者も少なくない。彼らは町の発展に寄与できていないという点で忸怩たる思いを抱えていた。それはレニの事務仕事を手伝っている者や、動かずにすむような商店の店番などをしている者たちからの言葉を聞いて、レニの中でもどうして良いかわからずに悩んでいるところだった。
もし、獣人が魔法を使えるならば、治癒魔法で戦場の怪我人を癒し、遠距離攻撃で支援することもできるだろう。多少でも町を守る戦いに貢献できるという自信があれば、彼らの心を慰められるのではないか、とレニは思っている。
「羊さんは......いや、レニさんと呼ばなくちゃ、いけないね」
居住まいを正したザンガーは、レニに向かってしっかりと頭を下げた。
「住処を失ったあたしたちエルフに、居場所と役割をくださって、どうもありがとう。魔法以外でも、色々と役に立つから、よろしくお願いするよ」
レニの柔らかくて小さな手と握手をしたザンガーは、笑顔を見せながらも内心では不安が膨らんでいた。
(こんなに愛らしい小さな子に、一二三さんは何をやらせているのやら......。あの人は何を考えているのかわからないけれど、この子達は守ってあげたいねぇ......)
一二三と対峙する羽目になった魔人族は、その身分に関わらず、一二三に近い場所にいた者から次々に惨殺されていく。
風切り音を伴って振るわれる短刀は、魔人族たちの喉や腿の動脈を切り、目に突き立てられ、心臓を抉る。
魔人族の町からエルフの集落がある方面へ向かい、点々とというには夥しい量の血痕が残る。
先頭を走る魔人族の兵士は、すでに三人にまで減らされている。
彼らは所属はバラバラで、仲間たちがやられている間になりふり構わず逃げ出したために、最後まで残っていた。
だが、一二三の追撃は彼らを見逃さない。
「あっ!」
誰かが短い悲鳴を上げて、前のめりに倒れた。
走っている勢いのまま、顔から地面に身体を投げ出した兵士は、首の後ろから短刀を生やしており、倒れた時にはすでに事切れていた。
駆け抜けつつ短刀を引き抜いて回収した一二三は、残った二人を視界に捉えつつ、短刀の刃に視線を流した。
「まあ、普通はそうだよな」
いくつかの小さな刃こぼれを見つけて、一二三は小さく呟く。
加護を受けたわけでもない短刀は、その切れ味を出すために刃は鋭い。その分脆いので、いくら柔らかな喉や眼球を多く狙ったとしても、何十人も殺せば刃も欠けて脂が付いて斬れなくなる。
「刺せば使えるだろうが......まあ、いいだろう」
闇魔法収納へ短刀を放り込み、素手になった一二三がさらに速度を上げる。
残った二人は、この先がエルフが結界を張っている場所だという事は知っていた。このまま行けば行き止まりになるという事を。
だが、左右バラバラに逃げたとして、自分の方に人間が来たらと思うと、二人はお互いを視線で牽制しながらも、ここまで真っ直ぐに走っているしかなかったというのが現状だった。
「はぁ、はぁ......あの人間、武器を捨てたようだぞ。もう手に何も持っていない」
チラリと背後を見た魔人族が言うと、もう一人も一瞬だけ後ろを向いて、一二三の姿を確認した。
「確かに......」
「あの武器が無ければ、二人がかりなら何とかなるんじゃないか?」
その提案に、走りながら兵士は考えた。
先ほどチラリと見た人間の姿は、冷静に考えてみれば自分たち職業軍人に比べれば体つきが一回りは小さい。
恐ろしいまでに切れる武器も放棄しているとするなら、どちらかが押さえつける事に成功すれば、それだけで勝ちは確定するだろう。
「......わかった。タイミングを合わせて止まろう。俺が奴を抑えるから、どうにか無力化してくれ」
体力が残っている今のうちに仕掛けよう、と兵士たちは直ぐに考えを実行する。
「いくぞ......今だ!」
振り向きざまに剣を抜いた兵士の横で、迎撃を提案した兵士は火球の魔法を放った。
飛び上がるようにして火球を避けた一二三は、そのまま呆然とする兵士二人の顔を両手でそれぞれ叩いた。
くぐもった音がして、二人の眼球が片目ずつ衝撃で破裂する。
「ぎゃああ!」
魔法を放った兵士は、さらに着地の瞬間に蹴りを受け、右足をざっくりと切り裂かれた。
辛うじて剣を離さずにこらえた兵士が、狭い視界のなかで必死に剣を振るう。
「おう、戦えるなら始めからそうすれば良かったのに」
縦横とくり返し振るわれる剣を左右に揺れるような動きで避けながら、一二三は少し嬉しそうに微笑んだ。
兵士は目の痛みはとりあえず無視することにして、今は眼前の危機への対処に集中していた。
走った疲れはあるものの、足腰はまだしっかりと踏ん張れる。硬い地面を蹴って、さらに力で圧倒しようと踏み出した。
その間、もう一人の兵士は足を引きずって痛みに呻きながら逃げ出したが、一二三はそちらには目もくれず、戦う意思と実力を示した兵士の前に立つ。
頭ひとつは背が高い魔人族兵士は、大上段に構えた剣を思い切り振り下ろし、避けられてもさらに横薙ぎに振り抜く。
それを姿勢を低くしてやりすごした一二三は、身体を起こしながら剣を持つ手の甲を追いかけるように叩いた。
「うぬっ?」
振り抜いた剣の速度を上げさせられ、剣を止め損ねた兵士の身体はぐるりと回る。
露わになった首筋を掴んだ一二三は、そのまま仰向けになるように引き倒した。
ちょうど石が埋まった場所に頭があるのを見てとった一二三は、魔人族の額を思い切り踏みつけて頭部を叩き割った。
脳漿を撒いた兵士は、数度の痙攣のあと、事切れた。
「さて、あと一人だが......ん?」
まだ生きているかな、と生き残りを探しに行こうとした一二三の耳に、馬の蹄が地面を叩く音が聞こえてきた。
「はあ、良かった。追いついた......」
馬に乗り慣れていないのか、疲れた顔をしたフェレスと、その腰にしがみついて馬に乗っていたのは、先ほど一二三に刀を突きつけられたニャールだった。
「ほら、降りるよ」
「お尻いたい~......」
文句たらたらで馬から降りたニャールに続き、フェレスも馬を降り、一二三に頭を下げた。
「隊長......ウェパル様からの伝言をお伝えに参りました」
ニャールが恐る恐る差し出した羊皮紙を受け取り、一二三はその場で中身を確認した。
そこには、ニャールやフェレスなどウェパルに一度敵対する形になった部下たちを殺さなかったことと、自分が王位に就くに際して協力をした事に対しての皮肉混じりの礼が書かれていた。
そして、その後に続く文章には、魔人族の領域からの退去を求める勧告が続いている。
「はっ。感謝状と退去勧告が一緒くたになってるな」
一二三が読み終わるのを、二人の少女は怯えながらもじっと待っていた。
書類を畳み、闇魔法収納へ放り込む。
魔法の発動の速さと珍しい闇属性に、少女たちが目を丸くしている。
「ウェパルの言い分はわかった。どうせ出て行くつもりだったからな、別に問題は無い」
一二三の台詞に、ニャールがわかりやすい安堵の表情を浮かべて、フェレスはまだ緊張した表情で一二三を見ていた。
「いいことを教えてやろう。もう、お前たちを閉じ込める結界は存在しない」
素直な性格なのだろう、ニャールは喜びを顔いっぱいに浮かべたが、フェレスはまだこわばった顔をしている。
「なぜ、それがわかるのですか?」
「エルフの村で聞いた。まともに考えたら、結界を維持する連中もつれて逃げただろうからな。......森から風が吹いてきている。すでに結界が機能していないんだろう」
「貴方は、エルフの仲間なのですか? エルフの手先だから、魔人族をこんなに殺して......」
フェレスの視線は、先ほど殺された魔人族の兵士を見ている。
「関係ないな。魔人族もエルフも獣人族も人間も、俺の敵になった奴は殺した。お前も、俺の前で武器を抜くか? 治癒以外の魔法が使えるなら、魔法で俺の命を狙うか?」
「......やめておきます。世界を敵に回しても笑っているような人と対峙したくはありません。ただ、ウェパル様を助けていただいた事には、お礼を申し上げます。ありがとうございました」
「お前も、あいつを迎え撃つ集団にいただろうが」
「標的は知らされていませんでした。あの時はなにもできませんでしたが、今後はしっかりとウェパル様にお仕えしていく所存です」
一度だけ頭を下げ、フェレスは一二三と視線を合わせた。
「私には治癒魔法しか能がありません。ですから、貴方と戦う事はできません。でも、仲間を助ける事はできます」
「なるほど、それは有能なことだ。頑張って、ウェパルを助けるといい」
「それが、私にはわからないのです。王を殺し、魔人族をこれだけ殺しておきながら、ウェパル様の栄達を手助けする理由はなんですか?」
疑問を口にしたフェレスは、よく見ると少しだけ震えている。
その後ろでは、ニャールが明らかに怯えた顔でフェレスの服を掴んでいた。
「調整だな」
「調整?」
「アガチオンと言ったか。あいつは強かった。部下が命を賭けるような策にも顔色一つ変えずに許可が出せる奴だった。あれが表に出てきたら、エルフも人間も獣人も一方的にやられただろうな。だが、仲間への気遣いをするウェパルなら、本人の戦闘力も含めて、今の人間なら数で、獣人連中なら手段の多さで、エルフは知らんけどな。獣人と組むのが一番バランスが良いんだが......とにかく、これで長く戦うための調整ができたわけだ」
大変だったなぁ、と遠い目をする一二三に、フェレスは違う理由で震え始めていた。
「長く戦う、とは? まさか......」
「戦える奴らで戦争をしてもらおうと思ってな。あまりに一方的に戦力が偏るといけない。どこかが全部を占領して終わり、じゃつまらない」
収納から取り出した刀を腰に差し、位置を調整する。
「魔人族は、結界が無くなったと知れば外へ出たいという欲望を押さえきれまいよ。人間は魔人族やエルフ、獣人族に対して本能的に拒否感や恐怖感があるようだし、獣人族は元々戦いが好きで、エルフと獣人の町がまだあるなら、その脆いつながりを保つために、対外的には戦って勝たねばならん」
お膳立てはできた、と一二三は満足げに頷いた。
「な、なぜそのようなことを......」
「うん? 理由は別にないぞ。ただ、そうなれば戦いが楽しくなるから、だな。誰もが戦う事に一生懸命になれば、結果としてこの世界も発展する。発展すれば戦いももっと激しくなる。良い感じだろう?」
一二三の答えに、フェレスはもう何も言えない。
「今後どこかで火種が弾ければ、そこからズルズルと戦いは広がるだろう。そうならなければ、そうなるように動くまでだ。というわけで、ここからは準備期間だ。いつまでかはわからないけどな」
ゴクリ、と音を立てて唾を飲んだフェレスは、あいさつもそこそこに、慌てて馬に乗り、ニャールを引き上げるようにして後ろに乗せると、城へと馬を走らせた。
「さて、俺も準備をしようかね」
フェレスが向かった先とは逆。エルフたちの居住地に向かって、一二三は歩き始めた。
Chapter 117: No Reason
Entering the slums of Swordland, the elves were each assigned a house for their families. It has been scheduled for them to be given a job according to Reni's group's decision as well as the wishes of the people themselves after a few days.
The humans harboured feelings of fearfulness towards the elves, but as they were simply existences "whom they know of but had never seen before" for the beastmen, everyone had a keen interest in the new immigrants.
Having been assigned a slightly larger one-story house together with Puuse and Shiku, Zanga officially accepted the role of being the mediator of the elves from Reni.
Zanga's group, who had been called to the workplace of Reni, was told about that role for the first time when they had a preparatory meeting about the future from now on while enjoying some tea.
"I'd like you to teach magic to us beastmen as well." (Reni)
"Magic, you say?" (Zanga)
"Yes. There are people among the humans who can use magic. I heard that elf-san's group is able to use magic even more skilfully." (Reni)
After pondering for a while while having her eyes closed, Zanga looked directly into the eyes of Reni.
"... What do you plan to do by learning magic?" (Zanga)
"I want us to have the power to protect everyone in this city." (Reni)
No hesitation can be seen in Reni's expression as she gives that immediate reply.
"Fufu... okay, I got it, I got it." (Zanga)
Bursting into laughter, Zanga faced Puuse who was sitting next to her.
"Puuse, teach them magic together with the women who can't do manual labour." (Zanga)
"Understood." (Puuse)
Zanga turns a strict look at Reni who is jumping for joy with a [Hooray]  due to that exchange.
"But, you know, sheep-san. I have been living for a long time, but I never heard something like a beastman being able to use magic. You don't know whether you will be able to learn it or not, do you? It might become a fruitless effort. Do you still want to do it even then?" (Zanga)
"Of course." (Reni)
Nodding strongly, Reni grabbed the hand of Helen who was close-by.
"After meeting with Hifumi-san, the two of use have been taught many various things, studied and are now able to live in the city somehow. However, there are still many beastmen and humans who are on bad terms with us. Although I want to invite our mothers as well, I think that it's still difficult to do so." (Reni)
"But", Reni continues while breathing roughly through her nose.
"Even if it's only in this small city, we were able to create a place where beastmen and humans can live together peacefully. From now on it will be together with elf-san's group as well. Am I able to do anything to protect this city... since I won't know if I don't attempt as I'm not overly smart either, I will give it at least a try." (Reni)
"Now that I remember, even the stuff like studying, Hifumi made us do, has its use, right?" (Helen)
Helen, who squeezed back the hand of Reni while looking embarrassed, recalled the time when she could study with they other beastmen and everyone while being confined in the inn. Now that she has risen to a position with responsibility the reading and writing of characters as well as the partial knowledge about calculation was a very priceless treasure.
The beastmen, who flowed into this city from being purchased by Hifumi and who haven't originally lived in the slums, are generally able to read and write while a part of the beastmen like Reni is also able to calculate. At certain points their administrative throughput became even better than the city centred around the humans. However, not knowing of someone to compare with, Reni's group believed that there are still many problems.
"We will know whether it's possible or not once we try it." (Reni)
Reni has included that detail in her calm calculations as well.
As result of abuse among beastmen, there are even quite a few injured people who can't properly walk. They harboured emotions of shame for not being able to contribute to the growth of the city. Hearing the words from those, who are helping with Reni's official work, and those, who are doing things like tending to stores where they can work without having to move around, it was a worrisome aspect for Reni in particular as she didn't know what would be good to do about it.
If beastmen are able to use magic, it will probably become possible for them to play a support role with long-distance attacks and healing the injured on the battlefield with healing magic. If they gain a little confidence by being able to contribute to the city by fighting to protect it, won't that calm their hearts?
"Sheep-san... no, it's wrong if I don't call you Reni-san." (Zanga)
Fixing her seating posture, Zanga bowed fully while facing Reni.
"Thank you very much for giving us elves, who lost their home, roles and a place to stay at. Please take care of us as we will be useful for various things besides magic." (Zanga)
Zanga, who shook Reni's small and soft hand, got anxious in her mind while showing a smile.
(What has Hifumi-san done to such a charming, little child... I don't understand what that man is thinking, but I want to protect these children...)
The demons, who ended up confronting Hifumi, have been slaughtered one after the other starting from those, who were close to Hifumi, regardless of their status.
The dagger, which is wielded along a sound of cutting wind, slashes through the demons' throats and thigh arteries, pierces their eyes and gouges out their hearts.
A vast amount of bloodstains remain here and there on the way towards the elven village from the demons' city.
The demon soldiers, who are running away in the lead, have already diminished to only three people.
With them being split apart from their own groups, they remained to the bitter end in order to escape without minding their own appearances while their comrades were done in.
However, they haven't failed to notice Hifumi's pursuit.
"Ah!"
Someone fell by pitching forward while voicing a short scream.
The soldier, who crashed into the ground starting with his face due to the momentum of running, has the dagger sticking out from the back of his head. At the time of falling he had already died.
Recovering the dagger by pulling it out while running past, Hifumi examined the blade of the dagger while keeping the remaining two in his field of vision.
"Well, I guess that's normal." (Hifumi)
Discovering several small nicks in the blade, Hifumi grumbles quietly.
The dagger, which hasn't received a divine protection, has a sharp blade to bring out its cutting ability. Given that this part is brittle, the clinging grease will kill its edge and the blade will be damaged as well if one kills several tens of people, even if he mostly aimed at the soft throats and eyeballs.
"I guess it's still usable for piercing, but... oh well, it will probably be fine." (Hifumi)
Tossing the dagger into his darkness storage, Hifumi, who became unarmed, raised his speed even more.
The remaining two knew that beyond this point the elven barrier would stretch out. If they went in that direction, it would turn into a dead end for them.
However, the current situation was that they couldn't do anything but run away straight ahead until here. Even while checking each other with a look, they wondered whether the human would come their way if they escaped by dispersing left and right.
"Haa, haa... It looks like that human threw away his weapon. He isn't holding anything in his hands anymore."
Once one of the demons said so after having looked behind with a glance, the other also turned back for just an instant and confirmed Hifumi's state.
"You are right..."
"Won't the two of us be able to somehow manage if that weapon is gone?"
The other soldier thought about that suggestion while running.
The figure of the human, I had seen with a glance before, has a small size compared to career soldiers like us if I think about it calmly.
If he has decided to abandon even his weapon which is able to cut to a terrifying degree and if it's successful for either of us to pin him down, the victory will be likely decided with only that much.
"... Got it. Let's stop while matching our timing. Please dispose of him somehow after I have restrained that guy."
"Let's start right away as long as we have stamina remaining", the soldiers implement their idea immediately.
"Let's go... now!"
The soldier next to him drew his sword while turning around while the soldier, who made the suggestion to intercept, released a fireball.
Avoiding the fireball by jumping, Hifumi hit each of the two's faces, who are dumbfounded, with both hands.
Making a muffled sound, one each of both's eyeballs rupture due to the impact.
"Gyaaa!"
The soldier, who cast the magic, moreover received a kick at the moment of landing and his right leg was roughly torn to pieces.
The soldier, who barely resisted by not releasing his sword, desperately swings his sword within his narrow field of vision.
"Okay, it would have been great if you had done so from the beginning if you are able to fight." (Hifumi)
While avoiding the sword, which is repeatedly swung vertically and horizontally, with movements similar to swaying left and right, Hifumi smiled slightly delightfully.
Deciding to ignore the pain of his eye for the time being, the soldier focussed on dealing with the danger currently in front of his eye.
Although he is tired from having run, he still plants his legs and loins firmly. Kicking off the hard ground, he stepped forward to overpower Hifumi with strength.
During that time the other soldier ran away while moaning in pain and limping, but without turning his eyes that way, Hifumi stands in front of the soldier who displayed his ability and intent to fight.
The demon soldier, who is one head taller, swings down the sword he held over his head with all his might and moreover wields it sideways even when his previous strike has been avoided.
Letting that slash go past by lowering his stance, Hifumi chased the hand holding the sword while straightening his body and struck it.
"Unu?"
With the brandished sword's speed being raised, the body of the soldier, who missed his chance to stop the sword, makes a full turn.
Grabbing the exposed back of his neck, Hifumi pulled him with the soldier being in a state of looking up.
Hifumi, who just saw that the soldier's head was at a place littered with stones, trampled down on the demon's forehead with all his strength and smashed his head.
Scattering grey matter, the soldier died after several convulsions.
"Well then, there's one left, but... mm?" (Hifumi)
The ears of Hifumi, who tried to go searching for the survivor while wondering whether he is still alive, heard the sound of a horse's hooves hitting the ground.
"Haa, that was nice. They caught up..." (Hifumi)
It was Pheres, who had a worn-out expression, and the one who was riding while clinging to her hips was Nyal who had the katana thrust in front of her eyes before by Hifumi.
"Hey, get off." (Pheres)
"My butt hurts~..." (Njal)
Continuing after Nyal who descended from the horse while complaining incessantly, Pheres got off the horse as well and bowed her head towards Hifumi.
"We came to deliver a message from Captain... Vepar-sama." (Pheres)
Receiving the parchment timidly held out by Njal, Hifumi checked its contents on the spot.
It contained thanks mixed with sarcasm for the matter of him having cooperated at the time of her ascension to the throne and for the situation where she was going to be killed by her subordinates who had temporarily become hostile towards Vepar, like Pheres and Njal.
And it continues with her recommendation for him to depart from the demons' territory in the following sentence.
"*Sigh* A thank-you-letter and a recommendation for departure has been lumped together." (Hifumi)
The two girls waited patiently even while being scared until Hifumi finished reading.magic
Folding the document, he tosses it into his darkness storage.
The girls stare in wonder due to the rare darkness attribute and his speed in invoking the spell.
"I understood Vepar's point. Since I planned to leave anyway, there's no particular problem with that." (Hifumi)
Nyal showed an easily understandable expression of relief due to Hifumi's words while Pheres assessed Hifumi with a yet still tense expression.
"Let me tell you something nice. The barrier imprisoning you lot doesn't exist anymore." (Hifumi)
As she has a honest nature, Njal floats an expression full of joy, but Pheres' is still stiff.
"Why do you know that?" (Pheres)
"I heard it in the elven village. If you ponder about it normally, it's probably because they have escaped while taking the lot, who maintains the barrier, along... The wind is blowing from the forest. The barrier likely doesn't function anymore." (Hifumi)
"Are you a friend of the elves? Because you are a pawn of the elves, you have killed this many demons..." (Pheres)
Pheres gaze is restinng on the demon soldier who had been killed before.
"I have nothing to do with them. Demons, elves, beastmen and humans, if they become my enemies, they will be killed. You too, will you also draw your weapons in front of me? Will you aim for my life with magic if you are able to use magic besides healing magic?" (Hifumi)
"... I will pass on that. I don't want to square off against a person who seems to be laughing even while making an enemy out of the world. However, I will express my gratitude for the matter of you having rescued Vepar-sama. Thank you very much." (Pheres)
"You were also in the group who ambushed her though." (Hifumi)
"I wasn't aware that she was the target. Although I was unable to do anything at that time, I have the intention to properly serve Vepar-sama from now on." (Pheres)
Bowing once, Pheres matched her sight with Hifumi's.
"I have no other talent but healing magic. Thus I'm unable to fight with you. However, I'm capable of saving my comrades." (Pheres)
"I see, that's something valuable. Go for it, it will be fine if you help Vepar." (Hifumi)
"There's something I don't understand. What's your reason for assisting the rise of Vepar-sama while having killed the king and this many demons?" (Pheres)
Voicing out her question, Pheres looks at him properly and trembles only a bit.
In her back Njal clutched Pheres clothes with an obviously frightened expression.
"It's tuning." (Hifumi)
"Tuning?" (Pheres)
"The one called Agathion? That guy was strong. He was a fellow who was able to give permission to a plan, which put the life of his subordinate at risk, without a single change in his expression. If that person appeared on the world's stage, he would probably finish off the elves, beastmen and humans one-sidedly. But, if it's Vepar, who considers her comrades, including her own strength as well, it will become the best balance if she forms an alliance with the beastmen considering the number if it's the humans, the size of the group if it's the beastmen lot and the wisdom of the elves, but... anyway, I was able to tune things for the sake of a long battle with this." (Hifumi)
"It was difficult, you know", with Hifumi looking in the far distance, Pheres began to tremble for a different reason.
"Long battle, you say? You don't mean..." (Pheres)
"I thought that I'd like you to go to war with the guys who are able to fight. It's no good if the fighting strength is too overwhelmingly biased. It will somehow finish with all of it being occupied and that's boring." (Hifumi)
He places the katana, he took out from his storage, at his waist and adjusts its position.
"The demons won't be able to suppress their desire of wanting to leave once they learn that the barrier vanished. Humans seem to instinctively have feelings of fear and rejection towards demons, elves and beastmen. Beastmen like to fight to begin with. If there are still cities of elves and beastmen, they have to fight the foreign enemies and win to keep that fragile relationship." (Hifumi)
"I was able to prepare the stage", Hifumi nodded in satisfaction.
"W-Why are you doing such thing...?" (Pheres)
"Hmm? I have no particular reason. However, it's because I will be able to enjoy the battles if it turns out like this. If everyone is fighting for dear life, this world will develop as result, too. If it develops, the battles will become even fiercer. That feels pleasant, right?" (Hifumi)
Pheres can't say anything anymore due to Hifumi's reply.
"If someone somewhere pulls the trigger hereafter, the battles will probably spread slowly from there. I have moved in order for it to turn out like this. That means, from here on it's the preparatory phase. I don't know how long it will last though." (Hifumi)
Swallowing her saliva with a gulping sound, Pheres bid farewell in a hurry, mounted the horse in panic, pulled up Njal placing her in the back and galloped towards the castle.
"Well then, let's get ready myself as well, I guess?" (Hifumi)
He headed in the opposite direction of Pheres. Facing the residence of the elves, Hifumi set out.
Summoned Slaughterer
呼び出された殺戮者
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/summoned-slaughterer/
Action Adventure Fantasy Martial Arts Mature Psychological Romance Shounen
Adapted to Manga Aristocracy Arrogant Characters Average-looking Protagonist Beastkin Beautiful Female Lead Betrayal Calm Protagonist Clever Protagonist Cunning Protagonist Dark Demi-Humans Demons Determined Protagonist Different Social Status Dwarfs Elemental Magic Elves Enemies Become Allies Enemies Become Lovers Evil Protagonist Fantasy Creatures Fantasy World Fearless Protagonist God-human Relationship Gods Kingdom Building Kingdoms Knights Love Interest Falls in Love First Magic Beasts Magical Space Male Protagonist Marriage Monsters Nobles Obsessive Love Overpowered Protagonist Politics Power Struggle Protagonist Strong from the Start R-15 Royalty Ruthless Protagonist Samurai Schemes And Conspiracies S*aves Strong Love Interests Strong to Stronger Summoning Magic Sword And Magic Sword Wielder Transported to Another World Underestimated Protagonist Unique Weapon User Unique Weapons Wars Yandere
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4399ci/
井戸正善／ido