幕間 姉妹の会話と美人の先輩
桔音が去った後、クレア・ルマールは迅速に行動を開始していた。
元々、彼女はオルバ公爵が排除された場合の準備を着々と進めていた故に、行動はかなり速かった。
彼女は、桔音の思っていた通り、住民票からアークス家を廃棄して、子供のニコ、父親のヒグルド、そして妻のエリーを、ゴブリンキングに殺されたものとして死亡扱いにした。
本来、ゴブリンキングの襲来は予期していなかった出来事ではあるが、好都合ということで利用させて貰う。無ければ無いで別の死亡理由を作っていたが、都合が良かったのだ。
そうでなくとも、オルバ公爵の後始末には色々と面倒事が多かったのだ。これから、敷かれた悪政の改善や、情報操作、兵士達への伝達等々、様々な後始末がある。とても彼女一人ではこなせない仕事量だ。
だが、彼女とて一人でオルバ公爵を葬ろうと考えていた訳ではない。彼女の画策していた事には、ちゃんと仲間がいる。オルバ公爵が居て、困る人間が彼女の仲間なのだ。
つまり、街の管理の『前任者』。元は、れっきとした規則正しい善政を敷いていた中級貴族にして、クレア・ルマールの『恋人』。
元々、オルバ公爵がこの街にやって来る以前は、前任者として中級貴族『ティネリア家』の当主、『イスタ・ティネリア』という男が街の管理をしていた。彼は住民の事を考え、住みやすい街を作るべく誠心誠意粉骨砕身していた男で、住民にも、騎士達にも好かれる、所謂良い貴族だった。
そして、その恋人として彼を支えていたのが、クレア。元々は彼の秘書であった彼女は、彼の事が好きだった。優しく、誰かの為に行動出来る彼の事を、心の底から愛していた。
だからこそ、オルバ公爵がやって来た時は、不満しか抱けなかった。
上級貴族だからというだけで、中級貴族のイスタが半ば強制的に街の管理職から外されたのだ。しかも、オルバ公爵は悪政を強いる、悪徳貴族。苛立ちで周囲に当たり、騎士達を自身の欲の為に動かす。
そんなトップに下の者は付いて行くだろうか? いや、行かない。クレアはオルバ公爵よりも、イスタの方が断然管理職に相応しいと思っていた。
故に、オルバ公爵を排除することを決めた。イスタがまた管理職に戻れるように。
管理職というものは、誰でもがなれるわけではない。それなりに経験があって、地位的にも上の人間がなれる職業だ。故に、オルバ公爵が消えれば、その後釜に起用されるのは前任者であるイスタ。一度その地位から外されたとしても、彼は仕事が出来なくなった訳ではないのだから、そうなるのは当然のことだ。
だが、クレアやイスタ、そして兵士達がオルバ公爵を殺す、もしくは街から追い出すというのは、イスタと関わりがある者である以上、少し都合が悪い。自分達が殺したとバレれば、復帰は勿論、最悪殺人の罪で拘束され、死刑にあう可能性もある。
彼女達には、自分達とは何の関係もない『第三者』の協力者が必要だった。
クレアは、彼の事を妹からの手紙で知っていた。優しく、面白く、気の良い人物であると思っていた。ニコの為といはいえ、都庁モドキへと侵入してきたのは驚愕だったが、こうなっては利用するしかないと思った。例え彼が善人だとしても、恨まれたとしても、クレアは恋人の為、そして自分の為に彼を利用する事を決めた。
結果、オルバ公爵は死んだ。死体すら残さずに死んだ。
そしてクレアは、人間の中の悪意を押し固めて一個の人間を作った様な存在を垣間見た。死神の様な得体の知れない化け物を見た。オルバ公爵よりも不味い物に関わった気がした。
「......いえ、考えないようにしましょう。もう会う事もないでしょうし......」
クレアは顔を振って桔音の事を頭から消した。考えないようにすることにした。
「とりあえず......オルバ公爵は失踪したことにして......後釜としてイスタを要求しましょう。兵士達には......適当に誤魔化しておきましょう。あの公爵のやることですから、急に姿を消したとしても不思議ではないでしょう......ゴブリンキングを恐れて、というのもあり得そうですね。不謹慎かもしれませんが、ゴブリンキングの襲来は中々都合が良いです」
クレアは淡々と部屋を片付けながら、思考する。オルバ公爵の血や散らかった書類などをテキパキと片付ける様は、中々手慣れていた。秘書としてはかなり有能なようだ。
「......あとは、それとは別に......妹にも手紙を送っておきますか......主にあの子の人を見る目について一言言っておかないと」
そしてそこで思い出した様に部屋を出る。見られてもおかしくない程度には部屋も片付いた故に、次にやることを思い出したのだ。
やって来たのは、自分の部屋だ。そこには棺桶が置いてあり、中にはニコの母親の遺体が入っていた。首の傷は縫合され、血液で汚れた部分も綺麗にしてある。肌は生気が抜け落ち、真っ白だが、眠っている様に綺麗な遺体だった。
ニコの母親や使用人たちをレイスが殺したと聞いて、クレアは急いで遺体回収に向かったのだ。残念ながら使用人たちの遺体は証拠隠滅として、兵士達が既に燃やしてしまっていたのだが、妻の遺体だけはどうにか回収出来た。
クレアは、愛する者を失う事の悲しみを想像出来なかった。だから、エリーの遺体を丁寧に埋葬しようと考えた。それが、せめてもの罪滅ぼしだと思ったからだ。
「......ごめんなさい......でも、貴方の命を奪ってしまったことは忘れません。必ず、この街を住みやすい素晴らしい街にします。そして、貴方の夫と、その子供には手を出させません」
勝手な言い分だと思っている。命を奪っておきながら、そんなことを言われても仕方のないことだろう。それでも、そうするしか出来ないのも事実だ。クレアは、悔やんでも悔やみきれない様な表情で、棺桶の蓋を閉じた。
―――とある姉妹の手紙のやり取り
妹、ミシェルへ
この前、貴方の言っていたきつねという冒険者に出会いました。
正直、貴方の言っていたような人間ではないと思います。アレには得体の知れない不気味な何かを感じました。
貴方は彼を見て何故あの様な感想が抱けるのでしょうか? 全く分かりません。悪いことは言いません、彼とはもう関わらない方が良いです。彼がまたミニエラへとやってくることがあれば、出来るだけ距離を置きなさい。先輩という方にもそう言っておいた方が良いですよ。
それと、近況報告ですが、最近ではゴブリンキングが襲来してきました。どうやら冒険者達によって退けられたようですが、魔王が復活したせいでしょうか......魔獣達が活発化している様にも思います。貴方もどうか気を付けて下さいね。
クレア・ルマールより
お姉ちゃんへ
手紙ありがとう!
でもあの人はそんなに悪い人じゃないと思うよ! 確かにちょっと変態で薄気味悪い所はあるけれど、とても楽しくて面白い人だったし......それにHランク冒険者なんだから、そんなに怖くもないでしょ? お姉ちゃんも人を見る目が無いと思う! それに、ミア先輩はあの人を弟みたいに可愛がってたからそんなこと言えないよ。
次会った時は確認してお姉ちゃんに教えてあげるよ。楽しみにしててね。
それとゴブリンキングが来たって書いてあったけれど、大丈夫だった? お姉ちゃん怪我はしてない? 心配です。
ミニエラには騎士団長さんや頼れる冒険者さん達が居るから大丈夫! それに、あまり魔獣達も強くないしね。
あ、でも最近というか......あの人がミニエラにいた頃だけど、『赤い夜』が現れたって話が出たなぁ......調査隊が調べたら、それらしい形跡はあったけどもう近くにはいないって。これも魔王復活のせいなのかな? こんな所にAランクの魔族が現れるなんて思わなかったよー。
でも、私は元気でやってるから大丈夫! 心配しないでね!
それより、あの恋人さんとはどうなの? 上手くやってる? 結婚する時はちゃんと呼んでね!
それじゃ、また。
ミシェル・ルマールより
「......あの子は......本当に大丈夫なんでしょうか......でも......こんなにあの少年のことを良い人だと思っているあの子が、あの少年の危険性を思い知った時......きっと悲しむでしょうね......優しい子ですから」
手紙を読んだクレアは、溜め息を吐きながら天井を仰ぐ。妹のことも大事に思っている彼女は、あまり良くないことばかり付き纏ってくるなぁ、と考えながら少しナイーブになる。
でも、手紙に綴られた妹の文字に、少しだけ元気を貰えた。相変わらず少し汚い字に、くすっと笑みが漏れる。
「それにしても......こちらはゴブリンキングで驚愕したというのに......あの子は『赤い夜』ですか......全く、危険な世の中になってきましたね......やはり魔王の影響なのでしょうか......」
人間同士の関係でもまいるというのに、魔王や魔族達のことまで降りかかって来ると、流石にめげる。クレアはどうやら貧乏くじを引いた様だ。一番はやはりあの少年なのだろうが、流石に疲れることばかりだ。
「でも、弱音ばかりは吐いてられませんね......もう少しですから、頑張るとしましょう」
両頬をパチンと叩いて、気合を入れる。クレアは気を取り直して、また仕事に戻った。
「あら? 何を見ているのですか? ミシェル」
「あ、ミア先輩! えへへ、姉からの手紙です。どうやらきつね様に会ったらしいですよ?」
その頃、クレアの妹、名前はミシェル・ルマールも、クレアの手紙を読んでいた。ミニエラの冒険者ギルドで、話しかけてきたミアに対して、手紙を見せながら笑顔を浮かべる。
その笑顔にミアは、この子はお姉さんが好きなんだな、と思った。そして、およそ一週間ほど会っていない桔音の話題に、平静を装いながら聞く。
「! そ、そうですか......それで、彼はどうでしたか?」
「あ、気になるんですね?」
「そういう訳ではないですが......一応知り合いですし」
「先輩が一番きつね様と関係が深かったですからねー」
「だからそういう訳ではないと......!」
ミアはこと桔音のことに対しては弱い。想い人という訳でもない故に、少しばかり会話のイニシアチブを握れないのだ。
「えーと......なんでもお姉ちゃんはきつね様のことを危険な人間だと思ってるみたいです」
「? どういうことでしょうか?」
「良く分からないんですけど、また会うようなら気をつけなさいとの事です」
「......はぁ......一体何をやらかしたんだか......あの子は」
ミシェルの言葉に、ミアは頭を抱えながら溜め息を吐いた。桔音の顔を想い浮かべながら、今度は何をやらかしたのかと想像し、碌な事をしてないんだろうなぁと考える。とはいえ、元気そうで良かったと、少しだけ微笑んだ。
すると、それを見たミシェルが良い物を見たとばかりに笑みを浮かべる。
「うふふ、ミア先輩お母さんみたいですねぇ」
「なっ......私、そんなに老けて見えます?」
「母性を感じるって意味ですよー、だから前にもまして異性に絡まれるようになったじゃないですか」
「む......確かにちょっと話しかけられる回数は増えましたが......偶然じゃないですか?」
「男性は母性溢れる女性を好むものです! ミア先輩は美人でしたけど、以前は取っ付きにくい雰囲気でしたから。最近は表情が柔らかくなって話しかけやすいんじゃないですか?」
ミシェルの言葉に、ミアは唇を尖らせて眉を潜めた。母性と言われても良く分からないし、今までと何か変わった訳でもない。対応だってそんなに変えたつもりは無いのだ。
表情が柔らかくなったと言われても、自覚はないのだから良く分からない。
「知りません。ほら、そろそろ仕事に戻りますよ」
「はーい」
これ以上は分が悪くなりそうだと思い、ミアは話を切り上げ仕事に戻る。ミシェルも素直に従って返事を返した。
久々に桔音の話が聞けたからか、その日のミアは普段より笑顔が多かったという。
Intermission - The conversation of the sisters and The beautiful senior
After Kitsune's departure, Claire Lemar began to act quickly.
As she had long made steady preparations for the day she eliminated Duke Orba, her immediate actions were swift.
She removed the Arcs family from the residence register, just as Kitsune had expected, she treated the child Nico, the father Higurd, and the mother Ellie as had been killed by the Goblin King.
Although the Goblin King's attack was originally an unexpected incident, she decided to take advantage of it as a matter of convenience. If it didn't happen, she'd have to make up another reason for their death, but now it was more convenient.
Otherwise, there would be a lot of trouble in dealing with Duke Orba. From then on, correcting the corrupt government, manipulating information, communicating to the knights, there was still a load of matter to deal with. So many that she alone couldn't handle them all.
However, she had never planned to deal with Duke Orba by her lonesome. She had comrades in her endeavor. The people who would be in trouble should Duke Orba be alive were her comrades.
In other words, the 'predecessor' of the town administrator. He was a middle-class nobleman who had a well-regulated good government, and also Claire Lemar's "lover".
Originally, before Duke Orba came to the town, the predecessor, the head of a mid-ranking noble "Tineria house", a man named "Ista Tineria" was in charge of managing the city. He properly thought about the townsfolk, and did his best to create a town where everyone could live comfortably at, loved by both the townsfolk and the knights, simply put he was a good noble.
And the one who supported him as his lover was Claire. She was originally his secretary, and fell in love with him. From the bottom of her heart, she loved how kind he was, and how he sincerely worked for everyone.
That's why, when Duke Orba came, she felt nothing but dissatisfaction.
He forcefully removed Ista, a middle-ranked noble, from the town's administrative position simply because he was an upper-ranked noble. Moreover, Duke Orba was an evil noble who imposed misgovernment. When he was irritated by something, he often moved the knights for his own convenience.
Would she like to work under someone like that? No, she wouldn't. Claire thought that Ista was definitely more suitable for the position than Duke Orba.
Hence, she decided to get rid of Duke Orba. So that Ista could take his seat back.
Not everyone could take on the administrator position. It was a seat for someone with a certain amount of experience and suitable rank. Therefore, if Duke Orba disappeared, it would be his predecessor, Ista, who would be appointed to take his place. Even if he was once removed from this seat, it wasn't like he'd lost his ability to do the job, so it was natural for him to take this seat back.
But for Claire, Ista, or the knights to either kill Duke Orba or drive him out of town was a bit inconvenient as they were related to Ista. If they were found out that they had killed him, let alone taking their seats back, in the worst case there was possibility of being arrested and given death penalty for murder.
They needed cooperation of a "third party" who wasn't connected to them.
Claire had heard of him from the letters from her sister. She thought that he was a gentle, funny, and good nature person. It might have been for Nico's sake, but when she noticed him infiltrating the Government office, while she was surprised, she couldn't help but to think about utilizing the ensuing situation. Even if he was a good person, even if he came to resent her, Claire decided to utilize him for the sake of her lover and herself.
As a result, Duke Orba died. He died without even leaving a body behind.
And then Claire caught a glimpse of a being that seemed to be the personification created of human malice. She felt as though looking at a god of death-like peculiar monster. She felt as though she had involved herself with something more dangerous than Duke Orba.
".... No, let's stop thinking about it. We won't be seeing each either again, anyway...."
Claire shook her head and shove Kitsune out of her mind. She'd decided not to think about it any longer.
"For the time being.... Now that we've dealt with Duke Orba... I'll demand to have Ista to take his place. As for the knights.... I'll just feed them suitable lies later. It's that Duke we're talking about, so it wouldn't be surprising for him to suddenly disappear.... fleeing out of fear of the Goblin King also doesn't sound half bad. It may be inappropriate, but the Goblin King's attack sure is convenient."
Claire thought as she tidied up the room nonchalantly. The way she quickly cleaned up Duke Orba's blood and the scattered documents, she seemed to be used to it. She seemed to be quite an excellent secretary.
"... Next is, it isn't really necessary, but... I suppose I'll send some letters to my sister... mainly about her ability to judge people, I'll be sure to give her an earful."
And then, as though she just recalled something, she left the room. After tidying up the room enough that nothing seemed out of place, she recalled what to do next.
The next thing she did was to head to her own room. There was a coffin inside with Nico's mother's remains in it. The wounds on the neck were stitched up and the blood-stain was cleaned up. The skin was drained of vitality, pure white, the remains looked as though a sleeping beauty.
When she heard that Nico's mother and their servants were killed by Reis, Claire immediately rushed to retrieve the remains. Unfortunately, when she arrived there, the servants' remains were in the middle of being cremated by the knights to erase the evidence, and only the mother's remains that were still intact.
Claire couldn't imagine the grief of losing a loved one. That's why she thought about giving Ellie's remains a proper burial. She thought it as her way of atonement to them.
".... I'm sorry... but I'll never forget your sacrifice. I will be sure to make this town a great place to live. And I won't let anything happen to your husband and your daughter."
She did think that it was selfish of her. As some lives were sacrificed in her cause, it was inevitable for others to think as such. However, it was true that that was the only choice. She showed no regret on her face, as she mourned and closed the lid of the coffin.
--An exchange of letters between two sisters
Dear sister, Michelle
Some time ago, I met the adventurer you mentioned, Kitsune.
To be honest, I think he's different from the way you described him. I felt something peculiar and eerie about him.
How could you have such an impression of him? I can't relate at all. I won't blame you, but I do think it'd be better for you to not involve yourself with him ever again. If he ever comes to Miniera again, be sure to stay as far away from him as possible. You should also tell your senior about it.
Also, it may be a sudden report, but just a while ago the Goblin King attacked the town. It seems that the adventurers had somehow dealt with it, but is it perhaps connected to the revival of the Demon lord? I think the demonic beasts would be getting more active from here on. So please be careful.
From Claire Lemar
Dear Big Sister
Thanks for the letter!
But I do think that he's not a bad person! Sure, he was a bit perverted and eerie at times, but he was still very funny and interesting.... Also, he's an H-ranked adventurer, so there's nothing to be scared of him, right? I think you're the one who is bad at judging people, big sis! Besides, senior Mia treated him like a little brother, so I can't bring myself to say that.
Next time I see him, I'll check it out and let you know. Look forward to it, okay?
Also, you said that the Goblin King attacked, are you okay? Are you hurt, big sis? I'm worried.
In Miniera, we have the Knight Commander and other reliable adventurers, so don't worry! Besides, the demonic beasts aren't that strong either, after all.
Ah, but recently, or more like... when he was still in Miniera, there was a rumor about the appearance of "red night".... When the investigation team was dispatched, they found matching traces of it, but she also added that it was no longer around. I wonder if it's also connected to the revival of the Demon Lord? I'd have never expected for an A-ranked demon to show up in a place like this.
But, I'm doing fine here, nothing to worry about! So don't worry!
More importantly, how are things going with your boyfriend? Are you doing well? Be sure to contact me when you get married, alright?!
See you again then.
From Michelle Lemar
"... that girl... is she really alright? But still, for her who believes him to be a good person, the moment she realizes how dangerous he is... I'm sure she'd be sad.... She is such a kind girl, after all."
After reading the letter, Claire let out a sigh and looked up at the ceiling. As someone who loved her sister, she hoped she would stay as innocent as she was, and not to get hurt by the harsh reality that would greet her.
However, looking at the letter from her sister, she felt cheered up a bit. She couldn't help but smile at the still slightly messed handwriting.
"But still... here we have Goblin King, and there they have 'Red Night', huh... good graciousness, what a dangerous world it has become.... As expected, is this the effect of Demon Lord revival...."
Human relationships alone were already bothersome, so if the Demon Lord and the demons decided to mix in, as expected that would mean chaos. Claire felt as though she was on the short end of the stick. One of the main causes was as expected that boy, but in the end everything was exhausting for her.
"But now isn't the time to just whine about.... We're almost there, so let's do our best."
She clapped both of her cheeks to get herself fired up. Claire pulled herself together and went back to work.
"Oh my? What are you looking at, Michelle?"
"Oh, Mia-senpai! Ehehe, a letter from my sister. Apparently she met with Kitsune-sama, you know?"
At the time, Claire's little sister, whose name is Michelle Lemar, was reading Claire's letter. She smiled at Mia, who spoke to her in the Adventurer's Guild in Miniera, while showing her the letter.
The smile on her face made Mia think that this girl must like her big sister a lot. Then, she solemnly listened to the topic of Kitsune, whom she hadn't seen for about a week or so.
"! Is, is that so? ... So, how was he?"
"Oh, you're curious?"
"Not really, but I do know him and all, after all..."
"You're the one with the closest relationship with Kitsune, after all. Right, senpai?"
"Like I'm telling you, that's not it....!"
Mia had a soft side for Kitsune. While they might not be lovers, she couldn't run the conversation she just started.
"Umm... it feels like she's telling me that Kitsune-sama is a dangerous person."
"What does that mean?"
"I'm not sure, but she told me to be careful if I see him again."
"...Haaa ....What in the world has he done this time... that boy?"
At Michelle's words, Mia let out a sigh while holding her head. Thinking of Kitsune's face, she imagined what manners he had screwed up this time, and thought that most likely it wasn't an improper thing. However, she smiled for a little bit, glad to hear that he seemed to be fine.
Seeing that, Michelle smiled as though she just saw something good.
"You're just like his mother, Mia-senpai."
"Wha... do I look so old?"
"I mean I sense motherhood from you, isn't that why men tend to approach you and ask to fondle them?"
"Hmm... It's true that the number of times I've been spoken to has increased a bit, but... isn't that just a coincidence?"
"Men love a woman overflowing with motherhood! Mia-senpai, you're without a doubt a beautiful woman, but you used to be giving off an unapproachable aura, after all. Haven't you noticed that your expression has softened recently and you've also become easier to talk to?"
At Michelle's words, Mia's lips twitched and her brow furrowed. She didn't know this so-called motherhood, and she didn't feel that anything about her had changed, either. She also felt that she interacted the same way she always did.
Even when she was told that her expression had softened, she wasn't aware of that, so didn't know.
"I don't know. Come on, it's about time to get back to work."
"Okay."
She felt that she'd only be on the receiving end, so Mia decided to end the conversation and got back to work. Michelle also answered in agreement.
Perhaps because she'd heard something about Kitsune after a long while, that day Mia showed more smiles than she usually did.
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