レニとヘレンがすっぽりとかぶっているのは、オリガとカーシャがいつかの時に番兵の目を避けるために使っていたフード付きのマントだ。闇魔法収納に放り込んでいたので、周りが騒ぐのも面倒だと二人に渡して被らせた。
「では、次」
今、一二三たちが来ているのはソードランテへ入るための門、そこへ並ぶ人々の中に紛れている。
荒野に面した独立国である以上、ガチガチに防壁の中へ囲い込んだ、出入りの少ない街かと一二三は想像していたが、街の外に農地や狩猟場があり、一般人は普段から少なくない人数が出入りしているようだ。
とはいえ、人口が爆発的に増加しているフォカロルと比べるとかなり少ない。日常的に出入りしている者がほとんどで、検問をしている兵士と顔見知りである確率が非常に高いらしく、身分証のようなものを見せている者の方が少ない。
「次......お前か。通っていい」
「はい。いつもどうも」
といったように、どんどんと列は消化されていく。
「次は......見かけない顔だな。連れの二人も、被り物を取って顔を見せろ」
兵士に言われ、躊躇するレニたちのフードを一二三がさっさと引き下ろした。
「じ、獣人!?」
「狼狽えるな。俺の奴隷で危険は無い。驚くより他にやることがあるだろう」
「ああ、わ、わかった」
高圧的に言われ、兵士は思わず事務的に名前を確認し、記録していく。そこで、兵士は自分が何をしているのかに気づいたらしく、顔を赤くして一二三に質問を続けた。
「この街を出た記録はないようだが、どこから来た? 何が目的だ?」
「荒野の向こう、オーソングランデからだ。目的は、単なる物見遊山だよ」
「荒野を抜けてきたって? そこで獣人も捕まえたのか! 恐ろしく腕が立つか、運が良かったんだな」
ジロジロと自分たちを見てくる兵士に、レニは目を伏せてヘレンは拳を握りしめていたが、一言も発さずに耐えていた。
その様子を見て、一二三は少し二人を見直すことにした。
「俺の財産だ。あまりジロジロ見るな。それで、もう通ってもいいのか?」
「ああ、悪かった。この許可証を持っていけ。入場税は銀貨5枚だが......持っているか?」
疑わしげな視線を向けてきた兵士が肘をおいているデスクに、一二三は無造作に金貨を10枚ほど積み上げて見せた。
ソードランテとは違うデザインの金貨だが、大きさは一回り大きく、彫り込まれた肖像も細かく美しい。
息を呑んで金貨に釘付けになっている兵士に、やれやれ、と一二三は溜息を吐いた。
「こっちの国の金だが、金は金だ。釣りはいらんから、さっさと通せよ」
熊獣人のサルグは、虎の少年たちを伴って林の中にある自分たちの塒へと戻った。
少年たちは初めて知ったのだが、熊の獣人は群れは作らず、一人かせいぜい家族単位での生活が基本となるらしい。
同族同士の交流はあるものの、共に生活する事はほとんど無いという。
「その分、熊獣人は家族のつながりは大切にするんだ。何かあって早くに親が無くなった子供がいれば、他の大人が引き取って育てたりもするんだよ」
高い位置に生っていた木ノ実を引きちぎり、サルグは自分の娘であるオルラと、少年とその妹に平等に分けてあげた。
「あ、ありがとう......」
「名前を聞いておこう。折角の娘の命の恩人だからね」
「恩人なんて......俺はマルファス、妹はリーデル、です」
兄が名を名乗ると、妹はピョコンと頭を下げた。
サルグは優しく微笑むと、マルファスの頭に手を置いた。
「マルファス。無理して丁寧に話そうとする必要はないよ」
「でも、種族も違うのに助けてもらったし......」
「そうだな。マルファスもそうした。種族が違うのに、俺の娘を助けるために、命をかけて声を上げてくれただろう」
お互い様なんだ、とサルグは大きな手でマルファスの頭をぐしゃぐしゃと撫で回した。
「遠慮せずに食べてくれ。最近は人間を警戒してこのあたりに住んでいる獣人は少ないから、魚も果物もたくさん採れるんだ」
ニカッと笑って魚を差し出し、サルグ自身も大きな口を上げて50センチ以上はある魚をペロリと平らげた。
「人間がそんなに来てるの?」
リーデルが果物を齧りながら尋ねると、サルグは首を振った。
「残念ながら、な。つい昨日も、近くで過ごしていた豹の獣人が捕まったみたいだよ」
今朝から姿を見なかったので、サルグは知り合いの豹獣人の塒を訪ねたところ、近くで血の跡が見つかったという。
「結構強い奴だったんだが、大人数で武器を持って囲んでくる人間相手には、やはり厳しいものがある......」
「でも、サルグさんは人間相手に勝ったじゃないか!」
マルファスが叫ぶと、サルグは笑う。
「そうだな。俺は自分でもなかなか強いと思うぞ。でもな、やっぱり人数が多いというのは驚異なんだ。どんな大きな獣人でも、毒のある虫に大量にたかられたら負けるもんだ」
蜂や蟻に襲われた奴を見たことがあるならわかるだろう、と言われ、マルファスとリーデルは青い顔をしてうつむいた。
「お父さん、ごはんの時にそんな話しないでよ。ほら、二人共食欲なくなっちゃったじゃない」
「ああ、こりゃすまん」
娘に叱られる大きな熊男の様子に、マルファスはつい笑ってしまった。
「ご、ごめんなさい」
「いや、そうやって笑ってる方がずっといい。特に男はな、余裕が無いとき程笑って見せるもんだぞ」
「何を偉そうに言ってるのよ」
和やかな雰囲気の中で食事は進み、リーデルがオルラに連れられて眠りに就いた。
火を起こし、パチパチと爆ぜる火を見つめながら、男と少年は静かに話し合っていた。
「実は、君にお願いしたいことがある」
少し離れた寝床にいるオルラたちの話し声が聞こえなくなった所を見計らって、サルグは静かに言った。
「お願い?」
「ああ、君たちにはオルラと共にもっと荒野の中央部に行ってもらいたい。人間や危険な獣人がいる地域を抜けて、兎獣人なんかの無害な連中の所へ」
「サルグさんは、どうするんですか?」
「人間の国へ行く」
即答したサルグに、マルファスは息を飲んだ。
「この辺りに長く住んでいるとわかるんだ。連れて行かれる獣人が減らない異常さに。あいつら人間は獣人を奴隷にしているらしい。繋がれている獣人を何度も見たから、それは間違いないだろう」
だが、それにしてもさらわれる獣人が多過ぎるのではないか、といつからかサルグは疑問を抱いていたという。
「意を決して、人間のいる辺りを隠れて見に行ったよ」
真剣な目で語るサルグの言葉が止まり、ひと呼吸の間。
マルファスは息を飲んだ。
「人間が作っている畑の近くに、獣人の死体が重ねて打ち捨てられていたよ。大量に、それこそ小さな山がいくつも。あれは墓場なんてものじゃない。文字通り捨てられていただけだ」
サルグの目の奥に、怒りの炎が灯る。
「どれもこれも新しい死体だった。兎や羊、虎や熊の死体もあったよ。......皮が剥がれたものも多かった」
「そんな......」
「他の獣人だからと言っても、あんな目にあっているのを見たら我慢できなかった。近いうちに、人間の国に入り込んで、できるだけの獣人を開放してやりたいと思っている。だから......」
「無茶だよ! 人間がたくさんいる所になんて行ったら、殺されちゃうよ!」
「落ち着くんだ、娘達が起きてしまう」
ハッとして声を押さえたマルファスが、それでも小さな声でサルグを止めようとするが、笑って受け流されてしまう。
「子供だと思っていたけれど、娘ももう自分が食べる物くらいは採れるようになったのを見たんだ。今日のことは偶然危ない目にあったけれど、荒野の中心部ならそこまで危ない目には合わないだろう」
娘は、ああ見えて結構力が強いんだ、とサルグは笑った。
「マルファス。君は優しい虎の男だから、良かったら彼女と共に行ってくれないか。妹さんとも気が合うようだ。......他の獣人たちも、あんなふうに種族を気にせず語り合えるようになればいいんだが」
サルグは、もしかしたら自分が開放した獣人たちなら仲良くしてくれるかもしれないな、と呟いた。
夢みたいな信じられない話だけれど、良かったら、協力して欲しい、とサルグは頭を下げた。
「俺も一緒に行きます」
「それは駄目だ。マルファスは若いからまだまだやるべき事がある。メスを見つけて子供を作れ。父親になって子供を守れ......俺のようには、なっちゃいけない」
それは、マルファスが初めて見る大人の涙だった。
こんなに強い人でも泣く時があるのか、としばらく呆然としていたが、マルファスはサルグの申し出を受けることにした。
「......わかりました。でも、二つお願いがあります」
「わかった。聞こう」
焚き火が小さく音を立てた。灰が空を舞い、マルファスの足元へ落ちる。
「オルラには、サルグさんから理由を説明してください。嘘や誤魔化しではなく、本当の事を」
「それは......」
「俺は、気づかないうちに人間に親を殺されました。何も知らないうちに、俺たちは親を失いました。多分、俺たちがその場に居ても親は殺されたでしょう。他にもたくさんの大人がいましたけれど、誰も生きていませんでしたから」
真っ直ぐにサルグを見る。
「知らないうちに親が死んでいるのは辛いです。せめて彼女には心の準備をさせてください。そして、その心配を杞憂にするために、必ず戻ってきてください。それまで、少し離れた場所には行きますが、そこで待っています」
お互いの目を見て、お互いの意思を感じ取る。
サルグはフッと笑うと、焚き火に小枝を放り込んだ。
「参った。どうやらマルファスの方がずっと大人のようだ。わかった。娘には明日、俺から話をしよう。そして、必ず生きて帰ってくると約束しよう」
だから、とサルグは再び頭を下げた。
「娘を、頼む」
門を抜けたレニとヘレンが見たのは、多くの人々が行き交う街のメイン通りだった。
街の出入り口からまっすぐ城へと続く通りは幅が広く道の左右には様々な店が軒を連ねている。
「うわぁ......」
「......うわぁ」
二人共同じような声を上げたが、レニは立派な建物や商品が並ぶ街の様子に感動しており、ヘレンはたくさんの人間がいることに違和感を覚えてつい口を出た言葉だった。
「立ち止まるな。さっさと行くぞ」
一二三が歩き出したのを慌てて追いかける二人は、彼の両脇に並んだ。
「どこへ行くの?」
「この国の金が無い。俺の持ち物を売って金を作る」
「お金ですか。人間はお金で物と交換するんですよね」
「変な話よね。食べられないし服にもならない物と交換なんて。損するじゃない」
口々に話しかける獣人娘たちを放って一二三はずんずんと歩いていく。
一二三の格好は相変わらず濃紺の道着と黒袴だったので、街の人々は奇異の目で見ているが、それ以上に彼が連れている獣人にも視線が集まる。
獣人奴隷は珍しくないが、鎖にもつながず連れ歩き、しかも血色の良さから金をかけて養っているのだと思われているようだ。
「......獣人が、結構たくさんいるんだね」
「みんな鎖でつながれてるし、怪我してる人も多いけどね......」
ヘレンは、次第に周りを見たく無くなってきた。
中年の男に怒鳴られ、殴りつけられる犬獣人の少年。貴族の護衛の道具として引き回される熊獣人の男。檻に入れられ、見世物のようにさらされた、値札がついた兎獣人の女。
それらを見ていくうちに、ヘレンはいたたまれない気持ちになった。何か一つ間違えば、自分もああなるのだ。
「レニ、やっぱり帰ろう」
「ダメだよ」
レニはしっかりと周りを見ながら言った。
「ヘレン。やっぱり人間はすごいと思う。力とか足の速さとか、獣人は確かに人間より上かもしれないけれど......こんなにたくさんの家を作って、いろんな物を取って、作って、食べてる」
レニはヘレンを見た。
ヘレンには、どこか別人のように見えた彼女の顔は、緊張と驚きでガチガチになっていた。
「嫌なものも見えるけど、ちゃんと見て、できることをしようよ。人間がどんどん増えたら、ウチたちはいつかどこにもいられなくなっちゃうよ」
「レニ......」
ヘレンがレニから逃げるように視線を離すと、檻にいる自分と同じ兎獣人と目が合った。
虚ろに見開かれた瞳からは、何の感情も見いだせない。
まだ、助けて、と声を上げてくれた方が良かったかもしれないと思うほど、ヘレンは胸が痛んだ。
「何か、できること......それで、あの人たちが助けられるのかな」
「わからない」
レニは言う。
「でも、増やさないことはできると思いたいよね」
そんな会話を聞きながら、一二三は自分の計画を頭の中で練り直していた。整理し直した計画を確認し、気づかれないように視線を二人の獣人に向け、ひっそりと笑った。
15分ほど歩くと、一二三は番兵に聞いた道具屋へと入った。
「これを買い取ってくれ」
店に入るなり一直線にカウンターに座る店主らしき親爺の所へ向かい、取り出した魔法具を置く。
一瞬面食らった店主だが、そこは慣れたもので、どこかの金に困った貴族の坊主かと道具を手にする。
「こりゃなんだ? 魔法具のようだが......」
「照明だ。ほら」
一二三が魔法具の一部に手をかざすと、ほのかに光り始めた。
「こ、こりゃ驚いた! 灯りの魔法具なんて早々手に入らないぞ! お前さん、こんなものどこで」
「グダグダ抜かさず買い取れ。他に持っていくぞ?」
店主は店の奥から袋を持ってきて、カウンターに金貨を積み上げた。
「金貨10枚でどうだ?」
「これで、街の宿にどれくらい泊まれるんだ?」
一二三の質問に、なんでそんなことを、と思った店主だったが、へそを曲げられて他に持ち込まれても困る。他国との交流がほとんど無いソードランテでは、たとえ中古でも魔法具は高級品だ。
「銀貨5枚で一泊素泊まりがこの変の相場だ。城に近い高級宿は銀貨20枚はする」
「高い方で」
「単純に50泊できるな」
「いいだろう」
一二三はカウンターの上の金貨を掴むと、懐に入れる振りをして闇魔法に収納する。
「で、その高い宿ってのはどこにある?」
What Reni and Helen snugly put on their heads were the hoods, attached to the mantles, which were used many times by Origa and Kasha to avoid the eyes of guards. Given that he had thrown those into the darkness storage, he passed those to the troublesome two, who would also make a racket in the surroundings, and had them wear those.
"Well then, next."
Currently, for the sake of entering the gate into Swordland, where Hifumi's group has arrived at, they have slipped among the people lining up to enter there.
On top of being an independent nation, which faced the wastelands, the chattering was cut off within the protective walls. Hifumi wondered whether it was a city with little traffic, but there are places for hunting and farming other than the city. Apparently the number of common people coming and going isn't usually this small.
Be that as it may, if you compare it to Fokalore, which has had a tremendous increase in population, it's insignificant. With it mostly being people entering and leaving everyday, the probability of them being acquaintances of the guards doing the inspections seems to be extremely high. There's only few people showing something like identification papers.
"Next... you? You may pass."
"Yes. Thanks as always."
Due to them saying such, the queue is rapidly shrinking.
"Next is... a face I haven't seen yet. Also, your two companions, remove your headgear and show your faces."
As he was told by the soldier, Hifumi quickly pulled down the hoods of the hesitating Reni and Helen.
"This..., beastmen!?"
"Don't get flustered. My slaves are no danger. There's likely something else you have to do rather than being surprised." (Hifumi)
"Ah, u-understood."
Being told that high-handedly, the solder reflexively confirms the name in a businesslike manner and records it down. Thereupon, apparently realizing what he has been doing, the soldier's face became bright red and he continued to question Hifumi.
"As there doesn't seem to be a record of you leaving this city, where did you come from? What's your objective?"
"It's because I'm from Orsongrande, on the other side of the wastelands. My objective is to merely go on a pleasure trip." (Hifumi)
"You say, you came out of the wastelands? Didn't you get caught by beastmen over there!? You are amazingly talented or had great luck."
Due to the soldier looking at them with a scrutinizing look, Reni cast down her eyes and Helen clenched her fists, but they endured it without leaking a single word.
Seeing their state, Hifumi decided to have a slight better opinion of those two.
"They are my assets. Don't stare at them too much. So, is it already fine to pass as well?" (Hifumi)
"Ah, sorry. Carry this permit. The admission tax is 5 silver coins, but... do you have those?"
On the desk the soldier, who was facing him with a doubtful look, has been placing his elbow, Hifumi casually piled up around 10 gold cons.
The design of the gold coins is different from the one in Swordland, but their size is one size larger. Even the portrait, which had been thoroughly engraved into it, is detailed and beautiful.
Hifumi sighed with a "Good grief", as the soldier had his breath taken away and was unable to take his eyes off the gold coins.
"It's the money of the country over there, but money is money. Because I don't need any attraction, hurry up and let us through." (Hifumi)
The bearman Salgu returned to their nesting place within the woods being accompanied by the tigerboy's group.
It was the first time the boy's group learned of it, but bear beastmen don't form packs. Apparently they are basically living by themselves or, at most, with their families.
Although there is mingling with their fellow members of the same race, they are told that it almost never happens for them to live together.
"Accordingly, the bear beastmen cherish their family ties. If a child loses its parents prematurely due to something happening, the other adults will look after it and raise it as well." (Salgu)
Tearing off a fruit, that was growing at a high place, Salgu equally split it with Olra, who is his daughter, and the boy and his younger sister.
"T-Thank you..."
"Let's hear your name. You are the lifesaver of my precious daughter after all." (Salgu)
"Something like benefactor... I'm Malfas
Once her elder brother gave her name, the younger sister quickly, in a bouncing way, bowed her head.
Salgu smiled gently and placed his paw on the head of Malfas.
"Malfas, there's no necessity to force yourself to talk politely." (Salgu)
"But, you saved us, although we are even from a different race..." (Malfas)
"Let me see. Malfas did the same as well. In order to save my daughter, albeit her being of a different race, you put your life at risk and raised your voice." (Salgu)
"We are of equal status in this regard", Salgu's large paw stroke Malfas' head roughing his hair up.
"Please eat without restraint. Since there are recently few beastman living in this area due to being cautious of humans, lots of fish and fruits can be gathered." (Salgu)
Presenting a fish while smiling broadly, Salgu himself made short work of the fish, who is more than 50 centimetres long, with his large jaw.
"Are there this many humans coming?" (Riedel)
When Riedel asked while chewing on the fruit, Salgu shook his head.
"I'm sorry to say. Even just yesterday, it looks like they caught a leopard beastman, who lived nearby." (Salgu)
Since he didn't see his figure since morning, he visited the nesting place of a leopard beastman acquaintance and discovered traces of blood close-by, he says.
"He was quite the strong fellow, but against human opponents, who surround one with large numbers holding weapons, it's a harsh situation after all..." (Salgu)
"However, didn't you win against human opponents, Salgu-san!?" (Malfas)
As Malfas shouts, Salgu laughs.
"That's right. I believe myself to be quite strong. But you know, likewise it's a miracle because the large number of people. No matter how big a beastman might be, they will be defeated, if they get swarmed by large quantities of poisonous insects." (Salgu)
"You will likely understand once you saw a guy, who was attacked by bees and ants", being told that, Malfas and Riedel cast their eyes down with pale faces.
"Papa, don't talk about such things during lunch. Look, haven't the two of them lost their appetite because of this?" (Olra)
"Ah, sorry for that." (Salgu)
Due to the appearance of the huge bearman being scolded by his daughter, Malfas just ended up laughing.
"E-Excuse me." (Malfas)
"No, it's always better to laugh like that. Especially a man has to show laughter at a time, he has no leeway." (Salgu)
"What kind of self-important thing are you saying?" (Olra)
Proceeding with the meal in this gentle mood, Riedel was taken by Olra and fell asleep.
Lighting a fire, the man and the boy quietly talked with each other while watching the fire burst open with crackling sounds.
"As a matter of fact, there's something I want to request of you." (Salgu)
Choosing a place, where their talking voice couldn't be heard by Olra's group, whose bed was slightly further away, Salgu quietly said,
"Request?" (Malfas)
"Yes, I want you guys to go even further into the centre of the wastelands together with Olra. Leaving the area, where there are humans and dangerous beastmen, to a place of harmless folks like rabbit beastmen or something like that." (Salgu)
"What will you do, Salgu-san?" (Malfas)
"I will go to the human country." (Salgu)
Malfas gasped due to Salgu's immediate reply.
"I know since I've been living in this area for a long time. The abnormality, which doesn't abate, of beastmen being taken along. It seems those humans turn the beastmen into slaves. Since I saw beastmen, who were tied together, many times, there's likely no doubt about that." (Salgu)
"However, aren't too many beastmen being kidnapped?" is the question that pestered Salgu since some time.
"Resolving myself, I went and hid myself to see the area, where the humans are." (Salgu)
For the interval of a person's breath, the words of Salgu, who talks with seriousness in his eyes, cease.
Malfas gulped.
"Close to the fields made by the humans, the corpses of beastmen were thrown away in a pile. It was a large quantity, to the extent of forming a small mountain. That's not a graveyard or anything like that. They have been literally thrown away." (Salgu)
Within Salgu's eyes flames of rage are burning.
"Each and every of the corpses were new. There were also corpses of rabbits, sheep, tigers and bears. ... Many of them had their fur torn off as well." (Salgu)
"Such a..." (Malfas)
"Although one might say it's other beastmen, I wouldn't be able to endure it, if I saw them suffering such a fate. Before long I have been considering to free as many beastmen as possible by going to the human country. Therefore..." (Salgu)
"That's too rash! If you went to such a place filled with great numbers of humans, you will be killed!" (Malfas)
"Calm down, you will wake up the girls." (Salgu)
Malfas restrained his voice quickly, but even so continues to stop Salgu with a small voice, but Salgu ends up warding it off by laughter.
"I thought she is a child, but you saw that my daughter also has already reached the point of being at least able to harvest things to eat by herself. Though she experienced something dangerous by chance today, she likely won't encounter dangerous looks to that extent, if it's in the central part of the wastelands." (Salgu)
"My daughter, despite looking like that, her strength is fairly powerful", Salgu laughed.
"Malfas. You are a kind tigerman, therefore, won't you go together with her, if it's fine with you? It looks like she gets along with your younger sister-san as well. ... Even other beastmen, if she reaches the point of being able to talk together with them without minding their races, it will be fine." (Salgu)
"By some chance, if it's the beastmen I freed myself, she might get along with them", Salgu muttered.
"It's an unbelievable story similar to a dream, but if you like, I want you cooperate with me", Salgu bowed.
"I will go with you as well." (Malfas)
"That's not allowed. There are still some things you should do since you are young, Malfas. Finding a girl and making children. Become a father and protect your children... you can't become like me." (Salgu)
That was the first time Malfas saw the tears of an adult.
is what he was dumbfounded about for a short while, but Malfas decided to accept Salgu's request.
"... Understood. But I have two requests." (Malfas)
"Got it. Let's hear them." (Salgu)
The open fire made a small sound. The ashes, fluttering in the air, drop under the feet of Malfas.
"Please explain your reason to Olra, Salgu-san. Without lies and deceptions, just the truth of the matter." (Malfas)
"That is..." (Salgu)
"My parents were killed by a human without me noticing. Before I realized anything, we had lost our parents. Probably, even if we had been at that place, our parents would have been killed. Besides, there were a lot of adults there as well, but none of them survived." (Malfas)
He looks directly at Salgu.
"Your parents dying, before you realized it, is painful. Please, at least, have her brace for it. And, in order to transform her worries into pointless anxiety, please come back without fail. Until then we will go to a place, which is slightly away, but we will wait there for you." (Malfas)
Looking into each other's eyes, they sense each other's intention.
Salgu laughed with a "Pfft" and tossed a twig into the open fire.
"I give up. it appears that you have been an adult all along, Malfas. Understood. I will tell my daughter tomorrow. And I will promise her to survive and come back without fail." (Salgu)
"Therefore", Salgu bowed once more.
"I leave my daughter to you." (Salgu)
What Reni and Helen saw after passing through the gate was the main road of the city with many people going back and forth.
The road, which continues from the entrance of the city straight to the castle, has various kinds of shops lined up left and right of the broad path.
"Uwaa..."
"... Uwaa."
Both of them raised their voices similarly, but Reni was deeply moved by the state of the city with its imposing buildings and goods. For Helen it was words just leaving her mouth remembering he sense of discomfort due to there being a large number of humans.
"Don't stand still. Hurry up and move."
The two chase after Hifumi, who began to walk, in a panic. They lined up at both his sides.
"Where do we go?"
"We don't have any money of this country. We will make money by selling my own property." (Hifumi)
"Money, is it? Humans exchange items for money, right?"
"What a strange story, right? To exchange something you can't eat with items that aren't even clothes. Isn't that a loss?"
Hifumi, abandoning the beastgirls, who begin to chat severally, walks quickly.
Given that Hifumi's appearance was still, as ever, a dark blue dougi and a black hakama, the city's people look at him with strange eyes, but even above that, their looks gather on the beastmen, he leads.
Beastmen slaves aren't unusual, but walking without them having chains pinning them down as burden and moreover, because of their good complexion, the people are apparently considering him to raise them by expending money.
"... There are plenty of beastmen."
"All of them are bound by chains. There are many with injuries as well, but..."
Helen had gradually lost her will to look at the vicinity.
Being yelled at by a middle-aged man, a dogboy is beaten. A bearman, who is paraded about as guard tool of a noble. Stuffed into a cage, a rabbitwoman, with a price tag attached, was exposed as if it's some exhibition.
While watching those, a feeling of being unable to bear it formed in Helen. If she makes a single mistake, she will end up like that as well.
"Reni, let's go home after all." (Helen)
"That's no good." (Reni)
Reni said while properly looking at her surroundings.
"Helen. I believe humans are amazing after all. Beastmen might be certainly above humans in such things as strength or running speed, but... they are building this many houses and are taking, creating, eating so many various things." (Reni)
Reni looked at Helen.
To Helen, her face, which appeared to be that of someone else somehow, was shaking with tension and astonishment.
"Disgusting things can be seen as well, but if you observe it properly, there will be things we can do. If the humans increased rapidly, we would have no place to run someday." (Reni)
"Reni..." (Helen)
As Helen talks with a look similar to running away from Reni, her eyes met the rabbit beastman, who's the same as her, in the cage.
In the hollow, widely-opened eyes there isn't any trace of any kind of emotions.
She thinks it might have still been better if she had raised her voice with a "Help!", Helen felt sick at heart.
"Something, something we can do... and then we can save them, I hope."
"I don't understand."
Reni says.
"But, you want to believe that the things possible to do won't increase, right?"
While listening to such conversation, Hifumi revised his own plan within his head. Reviewing the adjusted, fixed plan, he turned his look at the two beastmen so that they wouldn't notice and laughed quietly.
After walking for around 15 minutes, Hifumi entered the second-hand shop, he heard about from the guard.
"Please buy this."
As soon as he enters the shop, he heads for the place of shopkeeper-like old man, sitting at the counter, in a straight line and places down a magic tool, he took out.
The shopkeeper was taken aback for a moment, however with that being something he got used to, he holds the tool wondering whether it's the boy of a noble, who was troubled by money, from somewhere.
"What's this? It looks like a magic tool, but..."
"It's lighting. Look." (Hifumi)
Once Hifumi held out his hand over a part of the magic tool, it began to give off a faint light.
"T-That's surprising! I won't get my hands on something like a light magic tool quickly! Hey, where did you get such thing?"
"Omit the yapping and buy it. Will you take others?" (Hifumi)
The shopkeeper, bringing a bag from the shop's back, piled up gold coins on the counter.
"How about 10 gold coins?"
"How long will I be able to stay in an inn of the city with this?" (Hifumi)
, but it will likewise be troublesome, if he gets and angry and takes it to someone else. In Swordland, that has almost no exchange with foreign countries, magic tools are high-class items, even if they are second-hand.
"The market price around here is 5 silver coins for staying overnight without meals. For a high-class inn, close to the castle, it will take 20 silver coins."magic
"Expensive." (Hifumi)
"You will be able to stay 50 nights in a simple inn."
"I guess that's fine." (Hifumi)
Hifumi seizes the gold coins on top of the counter and, pretending to stuff it into his wallet, he stores them away in his darkness storage.
"So, where are those expensive lodgings?" (Hifumi)
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