......そう。
「いやあ、ひっでえ雨だな!急に降ってきた」
今日は、異世界に来て初めての雨の日だ。
そういえば、この世界に来て初めての雨の日だな。今までずっと晴れてたから、雨がすごく新鮮に感じる。
......異世界って本当に不思議な生き物が居るんだなあ、と思わされる。いや、あれが生き物なのかは分からないけれど。
凄まじい音。木の板で葺いた屋根が割れて砕ける。梁が折れて、柱も倒れた。
天馬達が翼を広げて、家の前に立ちはだかる。一角獣はさらにその前で姿勢を低くして、角を構える攻撃の姿勢だ。
僕らへ近づいてきたフードの人は、そう言ってにやりと笑う。......嫌な笑顔だ。元の世界で何度も見たことがある。すごく、厭な顔だ。
馬に囲まれたままじゃあ恰好が付かないな、と思いながら、それでも僕はそう言ってみた。『用があっても無くてもさっさと帰ってくれ』という意思は隠さずに。
「馬、か。ふふ、ペガサスやユニコーンを馬呼ばわりとは、中々面白い。......だが、そうだな。『今は』ペガサスにもユニコーンにも用は無い。無論、頂けるものがあるなら頂きたいが......」
「......居ませんよ」
「ははは。見え透いた嘘を吐かれても困る。ここに奴が来ていることは分かっているのだ」
なんだ、と思うより先に、体が締め付けられた。僕を締め付けているのは、いつの間にか僕の足元へ現れていた、水の大蛇の尻尾だ。
天馬が慌ててばさばさ翼をはためかせたり、一角獣が水の大蛇を突いたりするけれど、水でできた体はどんな攻撃も受け付けないらしい。僕ももがいてみたけれど、するり、と手が水の中に入り込んでしまうばかりで、ちっとも抵抗できやしない。なのに、僕を締め付ける力は強まる一方だった。
声と一緒に、息が漏れた。肺を肋骨ごと圧迫されて、体から空気が抜けていく。
......このまま絞め殺されるのか、と思った瞬間、僕を締め付ける力が弱まった。
急に肺に空気が入ってきて、咳き込む。へんなとこに水が入った。
「可哀相にな。どうやらお前はレッドガルドに信用されていないらしい。奴が手の内を明かしていたなら、そんな嘘は吐かなかっただろうに」
フードの人はそう言って、それから水の大蛇に何かを指示した。
途端、僕の体は高く持ち上げられてしまう。天馬達がばたばた飛んできては僕を助けようとしてくれるけれど、不思議な大蛇の尻尾は相変わらず、僕を掴んだままだった。
「信用されていない相手を気遣ってやる必要はないだろう?さあ、言え。奴はどこに居る?」
「......ふむ。なら今度は内側から責めるか」
すると、僕を締め上げている蛇の尻尾がするり、と口元まで伸びてきた。
僕の嫌な予感は的中して、水でできた蛇の尻尾は僕の口の中へ入り込もうとする。いや、これ駄目なやつだ。溺死する。溺死するやつ。
でもどうしようもないから、なんとか蛇の尻尾から逃れるべく首を振って足掻いていたのだけれど......。
「おい!てめえら何してる!」
......ああ、うん。来ちゃったらしい。
「そいつを離しな。俺が目的なんだろ?ああ?」
レッドガルドさんが出てきた途端、蛇の尻尾は僕の口を狙わなくなった。気が逸れた、らしい。
助かったけれど、助かったと喜ぶ気にはなれない。どう考えても、これ、まずい状況だ。
「ようやくお出ましか」
レッドガルドさんは玄関から出てきて、真っ直ぐ僕らの方へ歩いてくる。これ、来ない方がいいんじゃないのかな......。
「......ああ。恩人だ」
「そうか。なら今ここで、このガキを絞め殺してみたら面白いかな?」
「おい!」
「......やめとけ。そいつに手ェ出してみろ。俺も怒るが、ペガサスもユニコーンも......この森の精霊だって、黙っちゃいねえぞ。多分な」
「はっ。精霊、か。もう少し上手い文句を言ってほしかったものだな。だが......ペガサスやユニコーンが黙っていない、というのは確かなようだ。ならば、無用な争いはこちらとしてもしたくないな」
フードの人はそう言って嫌な笑顔を浮かべて......言った。
ぽちゃん、と音がして、泉はその水底に真っ赤な宝石を4粒ほど、沈めることになる。
「おら。連れていきたきゃ連れていけ。ただしそっちのガキは離していけよ?」
「話が早くて助かるよ。無能君」
僕にも、縄が掛けられ始めた。
「ふっ。このガキに手を出すとペガサスやユニコーンが黙っていない、のだったな?......つまりこのガキは、いい餌になるということではないか。当然、そんな貴重な餌を我々が見逃す訳がないだろう?」
僕もレッドガルドさんも縛り上げられた後、水の大蛇が僕とレッドガルドさんを咥えた。
「てめぇ......!」
そして僕らは、水の大蛇に呑み込まれて......意識を失った。
Yeah, well, I guess so.
"He was there, but he had already left, just before the rain gets stronger. He seems quite busy." (Tougo)
And... it was a huge serpent, made of water.
My first thought was that it was beautiful.
...It makes me think that there are really strange creatures in the otherworld. Well, I don't know if they are living creatures or not.
A terrible noise. The roof, made of wooden shingles, cracked and shattered. Beams snapped and pillars collapsed.
The Pegasi spread their wings and stood in front of the house. The unicorns lower their head in front of them, their horns poised in an attack position.
The hooded person who approached us said with a grin... a disturbing grin. I've seen it many times in my original world. It's a very disgusting expression.
I thought it would look dangerous if I was surrounded by the horses, but I still said that. I don't hide the meaning of "Whether you have a business or not, please go back quickly."
"Horses, huh? It's interesting that you call Pegasi and Unicorns horses. ...but yes, they are. I have no use for Pegasus or unicorns 'right now'. Of course, if there is something I can have, I would take it......."
"...he's not here." (Tougo)
"Ha-ha-ha. I don't care for your transparent lies. We know he's here." (Man)
However, before I could think, my body was squeezed. The thing that was tightening around me was the tail of the water serpent that had appeared at my feet before I knew it.
The Pegasi flapped their wings in a panic and the unicorns poked at the water serpent, but it seemed that its body made of water would not accept any attack. I tried to struggle, but my hands just slipped into the water and I could not resist at all. But the force that was squeezing me was getting stronger and stronger.
My breath escaped from my voice. My lungs were compressed against my ribs, and the air was escaping from my body.
... The moment I thought I was going to be strangled to death, the force that was squeezing me weakened.
Suddenly, air entered my lungs and I coughed. Water got into the wrong place.
"Poor thing. Apparently, Redgarde doesn't trust you. If he'd known what he was up to, he wouldn't have lied to you." (Man)
The hooded man said so and then instructed the water serpent to do something.
Instantly, my body is lifted high. The tail of the mysterious serpent was still holding on to me, even though the Pegasi were flying around trying to help me.
"You don't need to worry about someone who doesn't trust you, do you? Come on, tell me. Where is he?" (Man)
"... Hmm. Then, should I drag it from inside you?" (Man)
The tail of the snake that was constricting me reached up to my mouth.
My bad premonition came true, and the tail made of water tried to enter my mouth. No, this is a horrible situation. I will drown.
But there was nothing I could do, so I shook my head and struggled to escape the snake's tail...
"Hey! What are you doing!" (Fay)
...Oh, yeah. It seems that he has come.
"Let him go. I'm your target, right? What?" (Fay)
As soon as Redgarde came out, the snake's tail stopped aiming at my mouth. It seemed to have been distracted.
I was saved, but I was not in a situation to rejoice. I was in a bad situation, no matter how I look at it.
"Finally, you're here." (Man)
Redgarde came out of the front door and walked straight toward us. I wonder if it's better for him not to come here...
"...Oh. He is my benefactor." (Fay)
"I see. Well then, would it be fun to strangle the kid right here and now?" (Man)
"Hey!" (Fay)
"...Don't do it... You mess with that guy you'll get me angry. The Pegasi and unicorns too, and... probably the spirits of this forest won't be silent either." (Fay)
"Hmm. Spirits, huh? I wish you could have said something better. But... it is certain that the Pegasi and Unicorns will not be calm. In that case, I wouldn't like to start any unnecessary fight." (Man)
The hooded man said with a nasty smile on his face...
With a plop, the four bright red jewels sink to the bottom of the water.
"Done. You can take me with you if you want. But leave that kid alone, will you?" (Fay)
"It's helpful are quick on the uptake. Mr. Incompetent." (Man)
Another rope was wrapped around me.
"Huh. If we mess with this kid, The Pegasi and Unicorns won't shut up, right? ...In other words, this kid a good bait. Naturally, we won't let such a precious bait go. It doesn't make any sense otherwise, does it?" (Man)
After both Redgarde and I were tied up, the water serpent took me and Redgarde into its mouth.
"You......!" (Fay)
Then we were swallowed by the water serpent... and I fainted.
The Picture Perfect Mochi I Drew Tastes Good
今日も絵に描いた餅が美味い
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-picture-perfect-mochi-i-drew-tastes-good/
Adventure Fantasy Shounen Slice of Life Supernatural
Adapted to Manga Artists Caring Protagonist Fantasy World Friendship Loner Protagonist Male Protagonist Mythical Beasts Naive Protagonist R-15 Selfless Protagonist Spirits Stubborn Protagonist Transmigration Transported to Another World Weak Protagonist
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7921gj/
もちもち物質