123.Tragedy
戦いは奇襲から始まった。
「後方から襲撃!」
五百名の兵士が作る長い隊列の中央にいたアリッサは、幌付き馬車の中で脇差の手入れをしており、ちょうど仕上がったところだった。
声が聞こえた瞬間、アリッサは音も無く立ち上がり、後方へと視線を向ける。
「ミュカレさんは、ここにいて」
「わ、わかりました!」
一気に緊迫した空気に、戦闘慣れしていないミュカレは、身体を低くして馬車の奥へと入っていく。
同時に、アリッサは馬車を飛び出した。
「長官、こちらです!」
馬車と並走していた台車の兵士に声をかけられ、その後ろにひらりと飛び乗る。
「急いで!」
改良に改良を重ねたフォカロル領軍の台車は、一抱えはある大きな車輪と音を抑えるクッション材の採用など、当初とは見た目も性能も格段に上がっている。
一台に5人は楽に乗れる大きさになり、アリッサ一人ぐらい増えてもなんともない。
魔物の皮で作った緩衝材と車軸が擦れるシュルシュルという独特の音を立てて、台車が走る。
兵士たちは先ほどの声に素早く反応し、非戦闘員は隊列を外れて前に向かい、兵士たちは後方を向いて武器を構えていた。
「左右からの襲撃にも警戒して! 後方三分の一の人数で対応!」
大声で指示を出しているうちに、隊列後方へと到着する。
「人型の魔物?!」
台車を操る兵士の一人が叫んだ。
アリッサにも、その異様な姿は見えた。
両手足が普通の人間よりも異様に長く、全ての爪が鋭く、分厚い。
身長はゆうに三メートルはあり、辛うじて衣服が残った身体は、毛深く、筋量が増大して醜く膨れ上がっていた。
頭部だけは人間の面影を色濃く残しており、アリッサはその顔に見覚えがあった。
「あれは......たしか王城で......」
他でもない、騎士であったバールゼフォンを城内で挑発し、一二三が待つダンスホールまでおびき寄せたのがアリッサだった。
怒りに震える表情を、まだ憶えていた。
「バールゼフォン......人型の魔物って、あの人のことだったんだ」
待っている間は遭遇せず、撤退時に出会うという運の悪さに、アリッサは苦い顔をした。
現場を見回すと、何人かが負傷して血を流しており、いくつかの台車を横倒しにして壁を作り、バールゼフォンを狙って槍を撃ち込んでいた。
「僕が注意を引くから、怪我人を台車で隊列前方へ送って!」
叫びながら、台車からアリッサが弾かれたように飛び出す。
「長官、危険です!」
台車の影で投槍器を動かしていた兵士が止めようとするが、その手をすり抜けて走った。
「久しぶりだね!」
アリッサの声に、バールゼフォンは虚ろに見開かれた目を向けた。
そこに意志があるようにはとても見えず、アリッサの事もわかっていないようだ。
バールゼフォンは自分の半分以下の身長しかない相手が近づいて来るのを、ただ攻撃するために腕を振り上げる。
「特に反応なしかぁ。それなら」
長い腕が振り下ろされ、爪が顔を狙って迫るのを、脇差で辛うじて受け流す。ぐらりとバランスを崩してしまう程の衝撃を、前転して移動の力に使った。
それでも、無傷とは行かなかった、頬をざっくりと切られ、血が溢れる。
「ぐっ......」
見ていた兵士から悲痛な叫びが上がるが、反応する暇はない。
転がりながらバールゼフォンの足元に近づき、脇差を振るってふくらはぎを斬り裂いた。
叫び声を上げ、しゃがみこんだその背中に、二本、三本と槍が突き立つ。
「ぐぅぅうう......!」
「良しっ!」
足元をくぐり抜けたアリッサが追撃を入れようとした瞬間、信じられないものが見えた。
確かに筋肉を切り裂き、傷は足首の腱を傷つけたはずなのに、もう血が止まりかけ、傷は端からふさがりかかっている。
アリッサの動きが一瞬だけ、止まる。
その瞬間を狙い、バールゼフォンは自分に痛みをあたえる槍を抜き、無造作にアリッサに叩きつけた。
投槍器用に先端を尖らせただけの、刃が無い槍だった事は幸運だった。
殴られた肩は鎖骨を折られ、脇差で庇おうとした右腕も巻き込まれて前腕を叩きおられた。
何とか脇差は左手に持ち替えたものの、衝撃で倒れこんでしまったアリッサは、立ち上がるのも難しい程のダメージを受けている。
「長官! 全員、あるだけの槍をぶち込め! 長官を助けるぞ!」
「応!」
三名の兵士が命懸けでバールゼフォンの前に飛び込み、追いかけるようにして後方部隊が一斉に槍を打ち掛け、中には手で投げつけている者もいる。
槍がアリッサに当たらないよう三人の兵士は彼女に覆い被さり、どんどんと打ち込まれる槍の雨の中、時折鎧に当たる槍に肝を冷やしながらも、ただただアリッサを守ることだけを考えていた。
腕を振るい、槍を叩き落としていたバールゼフォンも、流石にその量に捌ききれなくなると、いくつかの槍を身体に生やしたまま、街道の外へと逃げ去っていった。
兵士の誰もがそれを追いかけようとはせず、一斉にアリッサへと駆け寄る。
「長官! ご無事ですか!」
「うぅ......」
大粒の汗を流し、呻くアリッサはそれでも目を開けて周囲を見回す。
いくつもの顔が自分を心配そうに覗き込んでいる。
身体を張って守ってくれた兵士たちも、二人が膝をついて土まみれになった顔をぬぐいもせずに、アリッサの首を支え、担架に乗せるための態勢をとっている。
残り一人は、アリッサの足元で仰向け寝かされて、ピクリとも動かない。
アリッサが動かない一人を呆然と見つめているのに気づいた兵士たちは、固く目を閉じた。
「長官......」
「あいつは、魔物が振り回した槍に当たって......」
絞り出すような声で、兵士たちが状況を報告する。
「......そんな......」
これが、フォカロル領軍が一二三の指導により発足してからの、戦闘による初の死者となる。
訓練中の事故や、軍とは無関係な病死や罹災はあり、兵との死別は初めてではなかったが、戦闘で、しかも目の前で自分を守る為に命を投げ出したということに、アリッサは傷の痛みも忘れる程に心がかき乱された。
「あ、あああ......」
「アリッサ様!」
狂乱に陥りかけたところで、兵士たちをかき分けてミュカレがアリッサの前に滑り込んできた。
汚れるのも構わず、横になっているアリッサの前に膝をつき、切れた頬に清潔な布をあてる。
明らかな腕の骨折に一瞬だけ驚いた顔を見せ、直ぐに周囲の状態を見てとったミュカレは、腕になるべく触れないように注意しながら、そっとアリッサを抱きしめた。
「まずは、お怪我を治しましょう。それが守られた者の仕事です」
そのまま気を失ったアリッサを、ミュカレの指示で兵士たちが担架に載せ、馬車へと運んでいった。
「遺体も余裕のある馬車か台車へ」
アリッサに何かあった場合の取り決めとして、指揮はミュカレへと移る。
「近くの町に寄りますか? 戻った方が町は近いのですが」
運ばれていくアリッサへ視線を向けながら、小隊を纏める兵士が発した質問に、ミュカレは目を瞑って考えた。
「......予定通りにフォカロルへ向かいましょう。領主様にお願いして、魔法薬で治療をしていただいた方が確実です」
なるほど、と頷いた兵士が見たミュカレの表情は、まるで鬼神のそれであった。
アリッサを抱きしめた時に顔から胸にかけて血まみれになり、心配と怒りのあまり、人が殺せそうな程に厳しい目つきになっている。
「全速力でフォカロルへ戻ります。長官と遺体を含めて三十名で台車を使って全速で移動します。休憩をしなければ一日でたどり着けるはずです」
編成の為に兵士たちが離れていく中、布に包まれて担架に乗せられる兵士に向かい、ミュカレは頭を下げた。
担架の周りにいた兵士たちも、直立不動でその死を悼む。
「ありがとうございます。貴方の命懸けの行動により、私の、そしてみんなにとって大切な人は助かりました。貴方が守った人は、必ずフォカロルへお送りしますから、どうか見守ってください」
もう一度、ありがとうという言葉をミュカレが紡いだとき、彼女の耳に誰かが嗚咽を漏らすのが聞こえた。
「......それで?」
領主館、戻ってきたアリッサは治療室で手当を受け、そのまま館内の自室へと寝かされている。
そして今、執務室にいる一二三の目の前には、小隊長ランクの兵士数名とミュカレが並び立ち、腰を九十度曲げて頭を下げている。
一二三の質問に答えたのは、ミュカレだった。
「人型の魔物を撃退した後、アリッサ長官を連れて急ぎ戻って参りました次第です。損耗を出した上、戦果も無い無能の勝手なお願いであることは重々承知の上でお願いいたします。どうか、領主様がお持ちの魔法薬でアリッサ長官の傷を癒していただけませんでしょうか」
お願いします、と兵士たちもミュカレの言葉に続けて声を揃えた。
ふぅ、と一二三はため息をついた。
「俺は別に、損耗だとか誰かの戦果とかは気にもしていない。アリッサも、本人が希望するなら薬をやるのは別に構わん」
「ありがとうございます」
「だが、その前に一つ聞きたい」
頭を上げたミュカレたちは、一二三が笑っている事に気づいた。
一二三は手袋に覆われた左手で、兵士を指差す。
「その人型の魔物とやらは、強かったか?」
ミュカレは戦闘を見ていないので、兵士の一人が答える。
「強かったです。槍で殴られた長官が一撃であれほどの重症を負ったことも、その前の攻撃を、あの器用な長官が受け流しきれませんでした。また、槍が刺さっても斬りつけても、傷が見る間に治っていくのを確認しています」
真剣な眼差しで話す兵士を、一二三は微笑みのままでジッと見ている。
「傷が治るのか。切り傷はどうなった? 肉が盛り上がって塞がるのか、傷の端から塞がるのか、治り方も色々あるだろう。それに、治る速度はどうだった?」
興奮気味に聞いてくる一二三に、兵士はできるだけ細かく説明する。
それを、一二三は異様な程の上機嫌で聞いていた。
「領主様。どうか我々に再戦の、復讐の機会を!」
熱い気合の入った兵士の懇願を、一二三はバッサリと断る。
「今のアリッサが一方的にやられるような相手だろう? ホーラントのゴタゴタより、そっちが余程面白いじゃないか。魔人族連中もまだまだこっちまでは来れないだろうからな。そいつは、俺がもらう。第一、お前たちに対処できるのか?」
「う......よろしく、お願いいたします」
正直に言えば確実に仕留められるかは自信が無かった兵士は、大人しく引き下がった。悔しさで握り締めた拳は、血が滲むほどに力が入っている。
「そう嘆くなよ。そいつは多分、新しく魔人族に誕生した魔王が放った魔物だ。他にも魔王の手下は来るだろうから、そん時に腹いっぱい仕返ししてやればいい」
信じていないミュカレは苦い顔をしていたが、一二三の狙いを知っているので黙っていた。ただ、ここでそれを言い出すか、という気持ちではあった。
「ああ、荒野にいるときに魔人族の様子もちょいと覗いてきたんだが、新しい魔王が誕生していたんだ。いずれ魔人族との戦いが始まるから、そこで腹いっぱい、アリッサなり死んだ奴なりの復讐をするといい。それまで、しっかり戦えるように鍛えておけ」
「はっ! その時には是非、我々にも敵を屠る機会をお願いいたします!」
揃って頭を下げ、兵士たちが出て行ったが、ミュカレだけは部屋に残った。
「......嘘ですよね?」
「新しい魔王が誕生したのは本当だぞ? 魔物との関係は、知らん」
「呆れた......魔人族が攻勢に出る可能性があるなんて、大問題じゃないですか、そんな簡単に......」
「いいんだよ、こういうのは単純に考えて」
立ち上がった一二三は、刀を腰に差した。
「敵が来るから殺す。負けたら死ぬ。ある程度調整はしてきたから、死ぬ気で頑張れば負けることは無いだろう」
カラカラと笑いながら、アリッサを見てくると言い、一二三も出て行く。
一人残されたミュカレは、首をかしげていた。
「何かひっかかるわね......」
違和感を感じていたミュカレだったが、ここで考え事をしていられる程暇ではなかった。
大人数がこれから帰還するうえ、初の戦死者を出したのだ。軍務担当の文官として、忙殺される未来しか見えない。
「みんなに手伝ってもらおう」
アリッサが心配ではあったが、悔しいとは思いつつも一二三に任せる事にして、ミュカレは足早に他の文官たちの所へと向かった。
一二三が部屋に入ると、ベッドで横になっているアリッサは、顔に包帯を巻かれた状態で視線を向けて来た。
固定されて肩を動かせないので、目だけを何とか動かしている。
「あ、一二三さん......。恥ずかしいなぁ、こんな格好で」
力無く笑うアリッサに、一二三は気にするなと言いながら適当な椅子を持ってきて、ベッドの横に座った。
「もっとボロボロになったところも見たんだ。今更だろう」
「もう......あの時とは色々違うのに......」
無事な左手で、毛布を顔まで引き上げたアリッサに、一二三はいつもの調子で話しかけた。
「人型の魔物とやりあったそうだな。どうだった?」
「魔物......かなぁ? あれは多分、王城のダンスホールから逃げたあの騎士だと思うよ」
「どういうことだ?」
アリッサの説明を聞いて、一二三は考え込んだ。
「まあ、どうでもいいか。人型なら魔王の手下って事に信ぴょう性があるからな。王都やら騎士やらの目に触れそうなら、顔を潰すなり焼くなりしておけばいい。......おっと、さっさと済ませておくか」
「きゃっ」
突然、かぶっていた毛布を引き剥がされ、アリッサの包帯を巻かれた姿が露わになった。
細くしなやかで鍛えられた小柄な身体は、今は薬と消毒薬替わりのアルコールが塗りたくられ、下半身に薄いズボンを一枚履いただけの姿だった。
「ちょ、ちょっと......」
「じっとしてろ。初めてじゃないんだから」
闇魔法収納から魔法薬を取り出した一二三は、蓋を取りながらアリッサの身体をさっと確認した。
「傷は肩と腕、あとは頬だな。他には無いか?」
「......うん、大丈夫」
一二三はアリッサの右腕と肩から胸までを覆った包帯と固定具を外し、起伏の少ないつるりとした上半身に、無造作に魔法薬をかけた。
冷たさに一瞬身体をこわばらせたアリッサだったが、傷が治って痛みが収まっていくと、次第に力が抜けていく。
「ねぇ、一二三さん......」
「なんだ?」
「僕を守る為に、兵士さんが一人、死んじゃったよ......」
「ああ、そうだな」
七割程を使い、身体の傷が癒えた事を確認した一二三は、顔の包帯に手をかけた。
「一二三さんに付いてきて、なんだかんだで長官なんてなったけど、こんなことじゃ、駄目だよね......」
「いや別に」
残った魔法薬をアリッサの頬にそっと流し落とす。
「駄目とか良いなんてのは、お前が自分で決めろよ。指揮官なんて、味方の損耗より敵の損耗が多ければ良しとする奴なんて沢山いるだろ」
顔の傷もすっかり治ったことを確認するように、一二三の右手がアリッサの頬を撫で、頭の上にぽんと置かれた。
「お前がいないと困る。好きなようにやっていいから、あの暑苦しい連中を適当にまとめておいてくれ」
じわりと涙を浮かべ、頭に乗せられた右手に、アリッサは自分の両手を乗せた。
ぬくもりが伝わってくると、余計に悲しさが胸にこみ上げてくる。
涙が溢れだし、顔をくしゃくしゃにして、アリッサは一二三の腹に顔を押し付ける。治ったばかりの腕でしっかりと背中に手を回して、力いっぱい抱きしめた。
くぐもった泣き声は、アリッサが泣き疲れて眠るまで、部屋の中に響いていた。
Chapter 123: Tragedy
The battle began with a surprise attack.
"An attack from behind!"
It was just at the moment when Alyssa, who was in the centre of the long file created by 500 soldiers, finished the maintenance of her wakizashi in the canopied carriage.
The instant she heard the voice, Alyssa stood up soundlessly and turned her look towards the rear.
"Miyukare-san, stay here." (Alyssa)
"G-Got it!" (Miyukare)
Being inexperienced with battle, Miyukare steps into the carriage while lowering her body in this suddenly strained atmosphere.
At the same time, Alyssa jumped off the carriage.
"Director, it's this way!"
Being called out by a soldier on the platform wagon which was travelling parallel to the carriage, she nimbly jumps onto the rear side of the wagon.
"Hurry!" (Alyssa)
The platform wagon of Fokalore's feudal army, which had experienced one improvement after the other, adopts things like cushion materials to suppress the sounds of the many large wheels rising its appearance and performance remarkably.
Becoming as big to let easily 5 people board one wagon, there's no problem even with Alyssa herself joining.
The platform wagon advances as it makes an unique sound of *shuru shuru* due to the axles and cushioning, made out of monster hides, rubbing against each other.
Responding swiftly to the previous voice, the soldiers went ahead by separating from the ranks of the non-combatants and prepared their weapons while facing towards the rear.
"Be cautious of attacks coming from left or right! One third of our numbers will deal with the rear!" (Alyssa)
While giving orders in a loud voice, they arrive at the end of the file.
"A human-shaped monster!?"
One of the soldiers steering the platform wagon screamed.
Alyssa also saw that bizarre figure.
Both its arms and legs are oddly longer than those of a normal human. All of its nails are sharp and thick.
It easily possesses a height of three meters. Its body, which had barely any clothes remaining, was hairy and had an amount of ugly, swelled-up and enlarged muscles.
Only its head had a face strongly tending towards that of a human. Alyssa had memories about that face.
"That is... if I remember correctly, in the capital..." (Alyssa)
It was no one else but the knight Balzephon which Alyssa had provoked in the castle and lured to the dance hall where Hifumi was waiting.
She still recalled his expression of trembling in rage.
"The human-shaped monster... Balzephon, it was him." (Alyssa)
Alyssa had a bitter expression due to their misfortune of not encountering it while waiting but coming across it while withdrawing.
Once she surveyed the site, she saw several soldiers being injured and shedding blood. Creating a wall by toppling over a few wagons, they shot spears at Balzephon.
"Send the injured to the ranks in front after I attract its attention!" (Alyssa)
Alyssa jumps out using a wagon as foothold while shouting.
"That's dangerous, director!"
The soldier, who operated a spear thrower in the shadow a wagon, tried to stop her, but she quickly slipped through his hands.
"It's been a while!" (Alyssa)
Balzephon shifted his focus and opened his hollow eyes widely due to Alyssa's voice.
It totally doesn't look like there's consciousness dwelling in them. It seems like he doesn't even recognise Alyssa.
Towards an opponent that has merely half the size of himself, Balzephon simply raises his arms overhead to attack.
"Without any particular reaction, eh? In that case." (Alyssa)
As he swings down his long arms she barely wards off the long nails aiming at her face with her wakizashi. She used the impact on the level of destroying her balance violently towards the momentum of moving forward with a somersault.magic
And yet she didn't come out of it unhurt. Her cheek was cut deeply and blood was pouring out.
"Gu..."
A heartbreaking cry is raised by the soldier who saw that, but she has no leeway to react to that.
Closing in underfoot of Balzephon while rolling forward, she swung her wakizashi and cut open a calf.
Two, three spears pierce into his back as he squats down while raising a scream.
"Guuuuu...!"
"Alright!" (Alyssa)
The moment Alyssa, who passed through underfoot, tried to pursue him, she saw something unbelievable.
Although she should have definitely cut up the muscles and caused an injury to the tendon of his ankle, he has already stopped bleeding and the wound is on the verge of being completely closed.
Alyssa movements stop albeit only for an instant.
Aiming for that moment, Balzephon drew out a spear, which caused pain to him, and casually threw it at Alyssa.
It was good luck for her that the spear had no blade and was only sharpened at its tip to be used by the spear throwers.
Having the collarbone of the hit shoulder broken, even her right arm, which she tried to protect with the wakizashi, got dragged into it and the forearm was fractured by the strike.
Although she somehow managed to switch the wakizashi into her left hand, Alyssa, who ended up collapsing due to the impact, has received damage at the level of making it difficult for her to stand up.
"Director! Everyone, shower it with all the spears we got! We will save the director!"
"""Yea!"""
Three soldiers risk their lives by leaping in front of Balzephon and at the same time the rear unit makes sure to pursuit by firing the spears simultaneously. There are also some among them who throw the spears with their own hands.
Covering Alyssa so that the spears won't hit her, the three soldiers thought of only protecting Alyssa even while they were scared to death by occasional spears hitting their armours within this rain of spears that was falling down steadily.
Even Balzephon, who knocked down spears while displaying his own ability, was naturally unable to handle such an amount and took flight away from the highway with several spears pierced into his body.
None of the soldiers try to chase him and they all rush over to Alyssa at once.
"Director! Are you alright!?"
"Uuh..." (Alyssa)
Sweating profoundly, the groaning Alyssa opens her eyes and surveys the vicinity.
Countless soldiers are peering worriedly at her face.
Even the soldiers, who risked their bodies to protect her, two of them get down on their knees getting ready to place her on a stretcher by supporting Alyssa's neck without even wiping their faces which were smeared with dirt.
The remaining soldier is laying at Alyssa's feet while facing upwards without moving with a twitch.
The soldiers, who noticed Alyssa staring dumbfoundedly at the unmoving man, strongly closed their eyes.
"Director..."
"That guy, at the time the monster swung its spear..."
The soldiers report the circumstances with squeezed-out voices.
"... Such a..." (Alyssa)
He has become the first casualty in combat after establishing the Fokalore feudal army trained by Hifumi.
There were also accidents during training and deaths from diseases and afflictions unrelated to the military. It wasn't the first time they bereaved a soldier, but the matter of him abandoning his life in order to protect her, even more so in front of her, in combat, stirred up Alyssa's heart to the extent of making her forget the pain of her own injuries.
"A-Aaaaaa..." (Alyssa)
"Alyssa-sama!" (Miyukare)
At the time she fell into a frenzy, Miyukare, who made her way through the soldiers, slid in front of Alyssa.
Without minding getting dirty, she kneels down in front of the lying Alyssa and applies a clean cloth on Alyssa's cut cheek.
Showing surprise only for an instant due to the obviously fractured arm, Miyukare, who immediately assessed the situation of the surroundings, gently hugged Alyssa while being cautious of not touching her arm as much as possible.
"Let's get your injuries healed first. That's the job of the person who was protected." (Miyukare)
The soldiers placed Alyssa, who lost consciousness just like that, on a stretcher and carried her to the carriage upon Miyukare's orders.
"Carry the corpse to a carriage or wagon that has space left, too." (Miyukare)
As they agreed upon the case something happened to Alyssa, the command is transferred to Miyukare.
"Are we close to a nearby city? There's a city close-by in the direction we returned from though."
While pointing her look at Alyssa, who's being carried, Miyukare thought about the question posed by a soldier leading a platoon with closed eyes.
"... Let's head towards Fokalore as planned. I'm certain she will get treated with magic potions if I request it from Lord-sama." (Miyukare)
The expression of Miyukare, who saw the soldier nod while saying "I see", was completely like that of a fierce god.
Becoming bloodstained from her face to her chest at the time she hugged Alyssa, she is overwhelmed by anxiety as well as rage and dons a harsh gaze at the level of being able to kill people with it.
"You will return to Fokalore at full speed. You will move at maximum speed using a platform wagon with 30 people on it, including the director and the corpse. You should arrive within once day if you don't rest." (Miyukare)
While separating from the soldiers in order to organise things, Miyukare bowed her head facing the soldier who was placed on a stretcher with a cloth covering him.
Even the soldiers, who were in the vicinity of the stretcher, mourn over his death while standing at attention.
"Thank you very much. Because of you risking your life, a precious person for me and everyone was saved. Please watch over us as we will definitely deliver the person you protected with your life to Fokalore." (Miyukare)
At the time Miyukare voiced out words of thankfulness once again, she could hear sobs leaking from someone with her ears.
"... So?" (Hifumi)
Alyssa, who returned to the feudal lord's mansion, receives treatment in the medical room and is put to sleep within her own room in the building.
And currently, in front of Hifumi, who is in his office, several soldiers with the rank of platoon leader and Miyukare are standing in a line. They are bowing their backs with an angle of 90deg.
It was Miyukare who answered Hifumi's question.
"After repelling the human-shaped monster, we took Director Alyssa and hurried to return as fast as possible. Please take properly into account that it was the selfish wish of an incompetent person who has no military gains after we suffered losses. Could you please heal the wounds of Director Alyssa with the magic potions you possess, Lord-sama?" (Miyukare)
"Please", the soldiers matched up their voices following up on Miyukare's words.
Hifumi sighed with a "fuu."
"I don't particularly care about someone's military gains or whether there were any losses. I don't mind in any way to apply the magic potion if it's Alyssa's own wish." (Hifumi)
"Thank you very much." (Miyukare)
"However, before that I'd like to ask you one thing." (Hifumi)
Miyukare and the soldiers, who raised their heads, noticed Hifumi smiling.
A soldier points at Hifumi's left hand which was covered by a glove.
"Was that human-shaped monster or whatever strong?" (Hifumi)
One of the soldiers answers as Miyukare hasn't seen the battle.
"It was strong. It caused such a serious injury with one blow of a spear at the director and it warded off the previous attack of that skilled director, too. Also, we confirmed that its injuries quickly healed even when it was cut and pierced by spears."
Hifumi is staring at the soldier, who talks with a serious look, while smiling.
"Its wounds were healed? How about the cuts? Were those closed up by bulging flesh? Or was it closed up from the wound's edges? There are likely various manners of recovery. Besides, how about the healing speed?" (Hifumi)
The soldier explains as many details as he can to Hifumi who is asking in a somewhat excited manner.
Hifumi listened to that with a strange degree of good mood.
"Lord-sama, please give us the chance to have our revenge with a rematch!"
Hifumi flatly declines the petition of the soldier who was filled with intense fighting spirit.
"It's an opponent that has done in the current Alyssa one-sidedly, right? Isn't that one far more interesting than the troubles in Horant? There's probably still quite some time left until the demon bunch gets here. I will take care of that fellow. In the first place, can you guys deal with it anyway?" (Hifumi)
"Uuh... Please take care of it."
The soldier, who hadn't the confidence to bring it down definitely if speaking honestly, withdrew obediently. The fist, he tightly grasped in frustration, is filled with a strength to cause blood oozing out.
"Don't be so discouraged. That guy is probably a monster released by the newly crowned demon king. Since there will likely come other underlings of the demon king, it will be fine for you to get your revenge to your heart's content at that time." (Hifumi)
Miyukare, who doesn't believe in that, made a bitter face, but she remained silent as knows Hifumi's aim.
"Ah, I went to check out the state of the demons for a bit at the time when I was in the wastelands, but a new demon king was born. Since the battle with the demons will start sooner or later, you will be able to fully enjoy your revenge for Alyssa and the guy who died. Train in order to be properly ready for the battle until then." (Hifumi)
"Ha! At that time, please give us the chance to slaughter the enemies by all means!"
After bowing all together, the soldiers left. Only Miyukare remained in the room.
"... It's a lie, isn't it?" (Miyukare)
"The birth of a new demon king is the truth though? I don't know whether it's related to the monster." (Hifumi)
"I'm shocked... isn't something like the possibility of the demons starting an offensive a big problem? So easily..." (Miyukare)
"It's fine. Such people think simply." (Hifumi)
Standing up, Hifumi affixed the katana to his waist.
"Since the enemy will come, we are going to kill them. We will die if we lose. Since I have adjusted it to some degree, we likely won't be defeated if we go at it with the intention to die." (Hifumi)
While laughing loudly, Hifumi tells her that he is going to see Alyssa and also leaves.
Being left all alone, Miyukare tilted her head to the side.
"Somehow I feel uneasy..." (Miyukare)
Miyukare felt a sense of discomfort, but she didn't have the spare time to calmly think about it in this place.
On top of a large number of people returning soon, there was also the first battle casualty. She can't see anything but a future of being worked to death as civil official in charge of military affairs.
"Let's get everyone help out." (Miyukare)
She was worried about Alyssa, but deciding to leave it to Hifumi albeit feeling frustrated, Miyukare headed towards the other civil officials at a quick pace.
Alyssa, who was lying on the bed at the time when Hifumi entered her room, turned her look towards him with her face being wrapped up in bandages.
Given that she can't move her fixated shoulder, she can only move her eyes somewhat.
"Ah, Hifumi-san... it's disgraceful, this appearance." (Alyssa)
While saying "Don't worry about it" due to the feeble laughter of Alyssa, Hifumi brought a fitting chair close and sat down next to her bed.
"I saw you at the time you were far more tattered. It doesn't matter by now." (Hifumi)
"Good grief... it's different in various ways from that time..." (Alyssa)
Hifumi addressed Alyssa, who pulled up the blanket up to her face with her healthy left hand, in his usual manner.
"It seems you fought against a human-shaped monster. How was it?" (Hifumi)
"Monster... is it? That is probably that knight who escaped from the royal palace's dance hall, I think." (Alyssa)
"What's this about?" (Hifumi)
Hearing Alyssa explanation, Hifumi pondered about it.
"Well, it's fine either way, I guess? The matter of him being an underling of the demon king if he has a human shape has credibility. If he catches the eyes of the capital or the knights, it will be fine as long he makes them lose face or grills them. ... Oops, will you be able to get over it quickly?" (Hifumi)
"Kya." (Alyssa)
Having suddenly torn off the blanket, Alyssa's figure being wrapped up in bandages became exposed.
The slender, flexible, trained, small body had currently medicine and alcohol as disinfectant substitute applied to it and she was only wearing thin trousers on the lower party of her body.
"W-Wait a moment..." (Alyssa)
"Stay still. It's not the first time for you anyway." (Hifumi)
Taking out a magic potion from his darkness storage, Hifumi quickly checked Alyssa's body while removing the lid.
"The injuries are the shoulder and arm as well as the cheek. Is there anything else?" (Hifumi)
"... No, the rest's fine." (Alyssa)
Taking off the bandages and fixations which covered Alyssa's body from her right arm and shoulder up to her breasts, Hifumi casually applied the magic potion on her upper body half with its smooth and insufficient ups and downs.
Alyssa stiffened her body for an instant to due to the coldness, but once her wounds heal and her pain decreases, she gradually loses strength.
"Hey, Hifumi-san..." (Alyssa)
"What's up?" (Hifumi)
"A single soldier died in order to protect me..." (Alyssa)
"Yea, that's right." (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who confirmed her body to be healed after using around 70%, put his hand on the bandage on her face.
"Following you, Hifumi-san, I became a director one way or the other, but such a situation is, well, no good, right...?" (Alyssa)
"No, not particularly." (Hifumi)
He gently spills the remaining magic potion on Alyssa's cheek.
"You yourself decide whether something's fine or no good. Among commanders there's likely many who deem it acceptable if there are a lot more casualties among the enemy than among their allies." (Hifumi)
In order to check whether the injury on her cheek had fully healed, Hifumi stroke Alyssa's cheek with his right hand and placed it on top of her head with a *pon*
"I will be troubled if you aren't there. As it's fine to do it your way, please consolidate that passionate lot." (Hifumi)
Floating tears with a *sniff*, Alyssa held both her hands due to the right hand which was placed on her head.
Its heat is transmitted to her and an excessive grief fills her chest.
Alyssa pushes her face into Hifumi's belly as her tears begin to overflow and her expression crumples. Placing her arms, including the one which was healed just now, strongly around his back, she hugged him with all her might.
Her mumbled crying voice continued to resound in the room until Alyssa fell asleep after getting worn out from crying.
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