227話 男子の見栄と劣等感
「あの......さっきはおかげで助かった。ありがとう......」
「その......い、色々とすまなかった......」
沼にハマってから氷漬けの刑という、割とハードな試練を乗り切ったゴハンゴットさんとヒロキさんの二人は殊勝にも頭を下げて来た。
これには俺も予想外で罪悪感を覚えてしまった。
あれだけの所業を受けながら、素直に謝れる度量には感心だ。
「俺達は君の言葉をまったく信じなかった......もっと慎重に行くべきだった。ごめんよ」
「トワさんと仲良さそうなのが気に入らなくて......キツイ当たりをしてしまった事を謝る......」
不快じゃなかった、と言えば嘘になる。
この人達とPTを組んでからずっといい気分ではなかったし、チクチクと口撃されるのが嫌だった。だからこそ過激なウイルスのフレンドリーファイア実験に一切の躊躇がなかったし、腹いせ半分で行ったとも自覚していた。
「許して欲しい」
「どうか、この通りだ」
そんなに真っ向から謝られると、さすがに良心が痛みだす......。
だって俺は二人が身動きも取れず、ジッと佇んでいる様を観察しながら、それぞれの
その間、彼らは彼らなりに今回の件を反省していたわけだ。
せめてワクチンとか生み出せたらいいなぁと思うべきだったかも。
あ、ちなみに凍結状態が解除されたのはおよそ3分後とけっこうな長さだったのでそこは満面の笑み。
「えーっと......急にパーティーに入って来たのは、俺の方ですし......それに俺の攻撃が貴方達を巻き込んでしまって......」
なんて言えばいいのだろうか。
二人は酷くうなだれていて、すごく後悔しているようだった。
「あの、こちらも信用してもらう努力を
ちょっと角は立ったろうけど、ブルーホワイトたんを早くに呼んで力を誇示して俺の発言力を強める、などの手段はあった。ポーションの事だって実際に作るところを実演して信頼を勝ち取るって方法もあった。
どれも行えるような空気じゃなかったし、俺自身そういう気分になれなかったっていうのは言い訳で、もっと自分から彼らに理解してもらえるような言動と流れを作るべきだったのかもと反省する。
「こちらこそ、ごめんなさい」
クラン・クランの世界は
「いい子すぎるだろぉぉ......」
「噂通りだったってわけか......」
うん?
何やらヒソヒソと呟いた彼らだが、よく聞き取れなかった。
しかもこちらが謝って一件落着かと思えば、余計に彼らは苦渋の表情を浮かばせ、追い詰められるように瞳すらも潤ませていた。
やばい......何を間違えたんだ。
追いこむつもりなんてこれっぽちもなかったのに......ど、どうしよう。
助けを求むようにトワさんを見れば、彼女は何故か『うんうん』と訳知り顔で満足そうに何度も頷いていた。
何が起こっている......そして更なる混乱の極みを引き起こしたのは、俺達の会話を黙って見ていた
「戦闘では驚く事がいっぱいで、何もできずにごめんなさい!」
と、土下座をかましてきた。
それになぜかトワさんがプッと吹き出したので、俺はさすがに笑っちゃダメだろうとツッコミを入れようとするが......トワさんが悪い意味で人を笑うなんて事をするはずがない。
となると、ますます混乱の極みだ。
「タロくん、ちゃん? 君だって俺らとそんなレベルは変わらないのに......」
「圧倒的だったよなぁ......」
そう言ってゴハンゴットさんやヒロキさんの二人は、感慨深げに俺の戦闘を思い返しているようだった。
「いえ、俺だけの力ではないです。トワさんの援護やブルーホワイトたんがいなければ、あんなに上手くいきませんでしたし」
互いの謝罪会は終わり、俺達は平穏にイグニトールの首都を目指していた。
森に潜んでいた敵
それとキノコが生えた場所もしっかりと記録してくれたようで、俺は彼女が持ち帰ってくれたデータもまとめ済みだ。
やっぱり『彩菌に飢える天動球』によって
などが上昇するようだ。
地面や木にキノコが生えているケースが多かったものの、中には
もしくは物体、物質には感染しない?
しかし戦闘中に敵の槍が氷化して鋭さを増した、という現象も目撃したので、天動球の中に入った彩菌の原液に触れれば物体にすら感染しうる、という可能性も捨てがたい。
いくつかの推測は立てられるが、やっぱりまだまだ実験不足だ。
「あのー少し気になったのですが、タロちゃんくんって......」
おっと、いけないいけない。
彼らと会話の放棄をしないと決めたばかりなのに、錬金術が絡むとついついコミュニケーションが上の空になってしまう。
きっと会話の流れ的に、戦術の話についてだろうか。
『錬金術についての質問ならば、いくらでも受け付けますよ』と、社交的な笑顔を添えるのも忘れない。
「『白銀の天使』様って呼ばれてません?」
「うぇっ!?」
なんという、奇襲攻撃。
まさに予想だにしない質問に、俺の心臓は飛び出しそうになってしまう。
「はくぎん......」
確かに周囲からそう呼ばれることは多々あったけれど......もしかしてけっこうな
そうなると、今後はかなり警戒していかないとならない。
知名度が上がれば上がるほど、クラン・クランというゲームは他
俺の独白を聞きつけ、ゴハンゴッドさんやヒロキさん達も興味深そうにこちらに視線を集中させてくる。
「やっぱり、そうだよな」
「噂通りの見た目だし......」
そ、そんな、熱狂的なファン!?
いや、今はそこに驚くよりも知名度の方を警戒すべきだ。俺という存在が
というかここでハイソウデス、なんて答えたらトワさんに何て思われるか不安すぎる。『白銀の天使』とか中二病すぎないか? ドン引かれたりしないだろうか。
どう答えるのがベストなんだ、男訊太郎!
彼らの視線から逃れるように、自分の視線を横に流す。
舌よ回れ。つっかえるな。平静を装うんだ。
最適解を導け!
チラリと
「......そっ、く......俺は......」
そっくりさんです。なんて言い訳は通用するだろうか?
いやいや、そもそもトワさんの前で下手な嘘はつきたくない。
でも『俺は白銀の天使です』だなんて言い切って、トワさんに『プププ、ウケる』なんて笑われたりしないだろうか。
そんなんされたらもう終わりやん。
そもそも自分で『天使』とか言っちゃう男子なんておかし過ぎやしないだろうか。
があの伊達メガネをキラリと光らせ、『俺は天使だぜ』なんて言い出した日には、俺は爆笑するだろうしこいつ頭でも打ったのかと疑いたくなる。
......ぐぅぅぅう。
自身が羞恥に悶え苦しむ未来を想像し、激しい葛藤が俺の脳内で繰り広げられる。
言うべきか、嘘をつくべきか。
「そっ......いや......でも、俺は......」
どう答えるべきか、悩みに悩んでいるうちにイグニトール王国の首都『雷炎を仰ぐ都イグニストラ』の城門前まで到着してしまった。
そして兵の詰め所から、わらわらとNPC兵士たちが集まりだす。
その数は軽く20人を超えているようだ。
「えっ、何が起きてる? 白銀の天使さま、俺らはどうすればいいんだ」
「俺達、何かしたのか!? 白銀の天使さまは何か知ってる!?」
「敵!? みんな警戒態勢を取れ! 白銀の天使さまも頼む!」
ええい、いちいち白銀って言わないで欲しい。
まだ俺は断言してないのに......トワさんの目が気になって仕方ない。
とにもかくにも、異常とも言えるNPC兵たちの対応に『白銀の天使疑惑』の話題が転化したのは僥倖だ。だけれどみんなが警戒するように、俺も同じくNPC兵たちを睨む。
だって城門の前には俺達以外にも何人かの
これは何事かと思わざるを得ない。
警戒を密にする俺達に対し、NPC兵たちは素早い身のこなしで綺麗に整列していく。
そして一番先頭に立つ兵士長らしき人が高らかに宣言した。
「「「タロ姫さまに感謝を!」」」
え、あ......?
これはいったいどういう......?
突然すぎるNPC兵たちの発言に俺は困惑するばかりだ。
二十数人以上のNPC兵たちが、ザッと跪いて道を作ったのには壮観だったけれど......いつまでも彼らを地面に着かせているわけにもいかないし......俺も立ちつくしている場合じゃないので、どういう事か尋ねてみる。
「あの、姫ってどういう事ですか?」
「イグニトール女王陛下が救国の英雄タロ様を、陛下自らの妹
「さらには女王陛下と義姉妹の約定をおかわしになるとか!? 喜ばしいお話が流れ、民の心は喜びに満ちております!」
「タロくんってお姫さまだったの!?」
妙に喰い気味に俺へと問い掛けるトワさん。彼女の目が『白銀の天使疑惑』が出ていた時よりも数段キラキラと輝いている。その期待に満ちた眼差しで見つめられてしまっては、男として頷かざるを得なくなってしまった。
苦笑いを浮かべ、苦し紛れの逃げ道に飛び付く他ない。
「ひ、姫です」
なんだかひどい墓穴を掘った気分だ。
やんわりとピースなんかして、ひきつった笑顔で『姫です』なんて言う日が来るとは......夢にも思わなかったです。
そんな俺の心情なんか知る由もなく、『すごいな、姫様だったのか』『NPCの国から姫認定って事件じゃないか!?』『一体どんな隠しルートのクエストをクリアすれば姫なんてなれるんだ!?』と男性陣は驚きつつも称賛してくれた。
そうポジティブに考えよう。
これで『白銀の天使』がどうのって話題は乗り切れたわけだし。逃げ道を選んだ、見栄を張ったとも取れるこの行動だったが、本命のトワさんに至っては純粋に『すごい』と褒めてくれたのでこれにて一件落着。
正直なところ天使も姫も俺の中じゃ、そう変わりはないのだけれど......トワさんの中では何かしらの価値基準があるのかもしれない。
とにかく俺の心の安寧は保たれたわけで、トワさんには頼りになる男だってアピールもできたと思う。上出来じゃないか。
ちらりと男性陣を盗み見る。
俺が男として勝負できる点は少ない。なにせ顔と身長はこの通り、男らしさを競い合えるレベルではない。
しかし男といえば権力・経済力・学力の三高がまずものを言うんだったよな。
俺は鼻高々に『雷炎を仰ぐ都イグニストラ』へ、ビップ待遇で入城だ。
さぁトワさん、エスコートは俺に任せてく――――
230 227 Stories Boys Look Good And Feel Inferior
"Um... thanks to you earlier. Thanks........."
"Um... I'm sorry for everything..."
After falling for the swamp, Mr. Gohangott and Mr. Hiroki, who survived a hard trial, including an ice-soaked sentence, have also bowed their heads to a special victory.
I felt unexpected and guilty about this, too.
I'm impressed with the amount of work I can honestly apologize for with all that work.
"We didn't believe your words at all... we should have gone more cautiously. I'm sorry."
"I don't like how you seem to get along with Mr. Twa... and apologize for the tightness..."
It wasn't uncomfortable, it would be a lie.
I haven't felt good since putting together PT with these people, and I didn't like getting a tick and a mouth shot. That's why I had no hesitation whatsoever in the Friendly Fire experiment with the radical virus, and I was aware I'd gone with the belly half.
"I want you to forgive me"
"Please, you're right."
When you apologize so head-on, your conscience just hurts......
Because while observing that the two of them were unable to move and were sitting in a jittery, I was just wondering if the effect time would change due to the resistance of each mercenary (player), what would happen if I had an additional different virus, whether it would cause complications, etc., etc., and I was just distracted by the possibility of colored bacteria.
In the meantime, they were reflecting on the matter.
Maybe I should have at least been able to produce a vaccine or something.
Oh, and by the way, it was about three minutes later and it was such a cool length that there was a full laugh.
"Er... it was me who suddenly came into the party... and my attack got you involved..."
What can I say?
They were horribly nagging and seemed so sorry.
"Well, I failed in my efforts to get people to trust me... and I've easily abandoned my dialogue with you..."
The corners would have stood a bit, but there were other means, such as calling the Blue White Tan early and exaggerating my power to strengthen my voice. There were ways to win trust by demonstrating where the potion was actually made.
It wasn't the kind of air I could do any of it, and it's an excuse that I didn't feel that way myself, reflecting that maybe I should have created words, deeds and streams that would have made them understand more from me.
"Hi, sorry"
The Clan Clan world is full of mercenary (player) VS mercenary (player) fights. Since deception and usurpation are everyday tea events, it's normal to think that you can't trust the words of a pompous mercenary.
"Good boy, you're too much..."
"You mean it was as rumored..."
Yeah?
They whined hissopotamus somehow, but I couldn't hear them very well.
Besides, I thought this one was apologetic and settled for one thing, extra they had a bitter look on their face and even moistened their eyes so that they could be cornered.
Shit... what did I do wrong?
I didn't even know I was going to chase him... duh, what am I going to do?
Seeing Mr. Twa as he asked for help, she nodded satisfactorily on her face, knowing that, for some reason, she was' yeah '.
What is happening... and what caused the extreme of further confusion was the magician (caster), Sizcamasillo, who watched our conversation in silence.
"There are so many surprises in battle, I'm sorry I couldn't do anything!
And I've been tearing the dugout.
Plus, for some reason, Twa blew it out, so I just try to put a scratch that I shouldn't laugh... but there's no way Twa would laugh at people in a bad way.
When it comes to it, it's an increasingly confusing extreme.
"Talo, honey? Even you're not that different from us..."
"It was overwhelming..."
That being said, Mr. Gohangott and Mr. Hiroki both seemed emotionally reminiscent of my battle.
"No, it's not just my power. Without Mr. Twa's backup and Blue White Tan, we wouldn't have been so good."
Each other's apology was over, and we were peacefully aiming for Ignitol's capital.
Enemy mercenaries (players) lurking in the woods are all ice pickled, as expected. Blue White Tan handled such a pathetic enemy, so safety on the road is assured. Kill-dropped loot and money (eso) were pretty good too.
And the mushrooms seemed to keep a good record of where they grew up, and I've compiled the data she brought back.
After all, when messing with the [fertility] and [adaptability] of colored bacteria (viruses) by "Heavenly Dynamic Balls Hungry for Colored Bacteria," [fertility] against trees if you raise a number such as [tree value].
and so on seems to rise.
Although there were many cases of mushrooms growing on the ground and in the trees, some of them were bred in the mercenaries (players) themselves, because the Blue White Tan seemed to have seen them.
Or not infected with objects, substances?
But we also witnessed the phenomenon of enemy spears icing and increasing sharpness during battle, so it's hard to discard the possibility that you can even infect an object if you touch the raw liquid of colored bacteria in the sphere.
I can make some assumptions, but I still don't have enough experiments.
"Uh, I was just wondering, Taro..."
Whoa, you shouldn't.
I've just decided not to give up conversation with them, but when alchemy is involved, communication sticks up in the sky.
Must be about the flow of the conversation, about the tactics?
"If you have any questions about alchemy, I'll take whatever you want," he said, adding a social smile.
"Didn't they call you" Angel of Silver "?
"Huh!?
What an ambush attack.
My heart is about to pop out to a question I'm not exactly expecting.
"Hakugan......"
Sure, there were a lot of times they called me that from around... but could it be a name known to such a mercenary (player)...
In that case, we will have to be quite vigilant in the future.
The higher the visibility, the higher the element of clan clan that other mercenaries (players) can see.
Listen to my monologue, and Mr. Gohangod and Mr. Hiroki will focus their gaze on this one with interest.
"I knew you would."
"It looks like a rumor..."
Oh, such, fanatical fans!?
No, we should be more alert to visibility now than surprised there. Is it rumored that I am a mercenary (player)... that this is increasingly a mercenary (player) relationship to be cautious?
Or High Soudes here, I'm too worried about what Mr. Twa would think if I answered what he said. "Silver Angel" or something. Too sick? Don't they pull it off?
How best to answer, Taro Man!
Flush your gaze sideways so you can escape their gaze.
Tongue. Turn around. Don't hang on. You're gonna pretend to be calm.
Lead the best solution!
Chirali and Akane... If you steal Mr. Twa, you're still looking at me with interest.
"... Damn, damn... I..."
You look just like me. What an excuse would work?
No, no, I don't want to lie badly in front of Mr. Twa in the first place.
But don't you run out of "I'm an angel of silver," and Mr. Twa laughs at me for "Pupp, Uke"?
If they do that, it won't be over.
Wouldn't it be too easy for a boy to say 'angel' himself in the first place?
For example, on the day that Shaky Night glowed those Dada glasses and said, "I'm an angel," I'm going to burst into laughter and I want to wonder if he hit me in the head.
... Guuuuuuu.
Imagine a future in which I am bored and tormented by shame, and a fierce grid is played out in my brain.
Should I tell you, or should I lie?
"Damn... no... but I..."
I arrived in front of the castle gate of Ignistra, the capital of the kingdom of Ignitol, "Thunderflame-looking capital", while worried about how to answer.
Strawberries and NPC soldiers gather from the barracks of the soldiers.
That number seems to be slightly over 20.
"What's going on? Silver angel, what can we do?"
"We did something!? Silver angels know what you are!?
"Enemy!? Everybody stay alert! Silver angels, please!
Yeah, I hope you don't call me silver either.
I haven't assured you yet... I can't help but worry about Mr. Twa's eyes.
Nonetheless, it is a shame that the topic of 'Silver Angel Doubt' has shifted to the response of NPC soldiers, arguably an anomaly. But just as we're all on guard, I look out for the NPC soldiers as well.
Because there are some mercenaries (players) besides us in front of the castle gate, but somehow we were the only ones gathering NPC soldiers.
I have to wonder what this is all about.
The NPC soldiers align themselves beautifully against us to keep our guard tight.
And the most leading soldier-like man pronounced it exalted.
"" "Thank you Princess Taro!
Huh...?
What the hell is this...?
Too suddenly I'm just confused by what the NPC soldiers are saying.
More than two dozen NPC soldiers were spectacular enough to kneel down and make their way... but I can't keep them on the ground forever... and I'm not standing up either, so I'll ask them what they mean.
"Um, what do you mean, princess?
"Queen Ignitore asked Her Majesty to treat the hero of the Redemption, Taro, like His Majesty's own sister, you... the people are so well served"
"Or even freak out the promise of Her Majesty the Queen and her sister-in-law!? Pleasant stories flow and the hearts of the people are filled with joy!
"Was Taro a princess?!?
Ask me strangely, Mr. Twa. Her eyes sparkle a few steps more than when The Silver Angel Suspect was out. When I was stared at with that anticipating look, I had to nod as a man.
There is no other way to laugh bitterly and jump to the escape path of misery.
"Hi, it's the princess."
I feel like I dug some terrible graves.
I didn't even dream that the day would come when I'd do a piece or two and say 'I'm a princess' with a tight smile on my face...
There's no reason to know my mood like that, 'Wow, you were a princess' and 'Certification of a princess from the NPC country is a case!?' "What the hell kind of hidden route quest can I complete to be a princess!? 'The men praised me with surprise.
Yes, let's think positively.
How did "Silver Angel" survive the conversation? I chose the escape route, it was this behavior that I could take even if it was glorious, but I settled on this because it praised me as purely 'amazing' to the fateful Mr. Twa.
To be honest, angels and princesses aren't that different in me... but maybe there's some kind of value standard in Mr. Twa.
Anyway, my peace of mind was preserved, and I think even Mr. Twa could have appealed to the man I could count on. Isn't that great?
Steal a glimpse of the men.
There are few things I can compete for as a man. Anyway, face and height are not the right level to compete for masculinity.
But when it comes to men, the three highs of power, economics, and academia are the first ones to say it.
I went to Ignistra, the thunderous capital, and entered the castle with a bip treatment.
Come on, Mr. Twa, I'll take care of the escort.
I Became a Beautiful Girl, but I’m still an MMO Junkie
美少女になったけど、ネトゲ廃人やってます。
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-became-a-beautiful-girl-but-im-still-an-mmo-junkie/
Adventure Comedy Fantasy Gender Bender Mystery Psychological Shoujo Ai
Accelerated Growth Adapted to Manga Age Regression Alchemy Appearance Changes Appearance Different from Actual Age Beautiful Female Lead Chuunibyou Curious Protagonist Cute Protagonist Demi-Humans Disabilities Doting Older Siblings Fairies Famous Protagonist Fast Learner Friendship Loli Male to Female Misunderstandings MMORPG Multiple POV Mysterious Illness Older Love Interests Overprotective Siblings Past Plays a Big Role Past Trauma Pill Concocting Popular Love Interests Race Change Sword And Magic Virtual Reality Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n0170db/
星屑ぽんぽん