「で、これが奴らを討伐したことで得た懸賞金だ。しかし本当に良いのかい? 苦労したのは君達だから、ウチの方は3:7で妥当じゃないかって意見が大多数なんだが」
PKの懸賞金というのは、重ねた罪の量......今回の場合だと戦闘不能にしたプレイヤーの数による『犯罪度』というものと連動して上下する。
その数値は倒した相手のレベルがPKよりも低いほど上昇量が高かったりと色々な条件があるのだが......結論から言うと、『夜陰の牙』を倒して得たGは総額約1000万G。
随分と多くのプレイヤーを倒してきたものだ。
最近のPKの平均的な懸賞金は10万Gとのことで、奴らはおよそ倍ということになる。
更に言うとPKのデスペナルティは通常のプレイヤーより大きかったりと、PKが増え過ぎないようにゲーム側でバランスを取っていたりもする。
今はその懸賞金の分配について、ミツヨシさんとユーミルが話し合っている最中だ。
「それは違うな! 臨時とはいえ、これから同盟を組む相手に遠慮はいらん! 確かに一人辺りの負担はこちらの方が多かったが、最終的な動員人数を考えれば5:5で妥当だろう!」
「おお......言っちゃ悪いけど、おじさんユーミルちゃんはそういう計算を出来ない子かと思ってたよ。ごめんな」
「――と、ハインドが言っていた!」
「あ、あら?」
ユーミルのずれた言葉にミツヨシさんが綺麗にズッコケて見せる。
何だろう、リアクションが一昔どころか二昔前だ......見た目は若くても、やっぱりオジサンなんだな。
その外観は、一言で表すなら「武家屋敷」である。
彼等は土地を買ってわざわざ建物を自作したそうだ。
そういうことが出来ること自体は知っていたが、本当にやる人達が居るとは思わなかった。
普通は俺達のように出来上がっているものを購入するか、借りるだけだ。
今も、これまた一から作製したという畳の上に座って話をしている。
ここは応接室なのだそうだ。
こちらのメンバーはユーミルと俺だけ、向こうもギルドの幹部だという三人だけの話し合いだ。
「――ブフッ! アッハッハッハッハ! いやー、やっぱりあんたら面白いわ!」
狐面の下から明るい笑い声が聞こえてくる。
この女性は『カナリスの町』でこちらに手を振っていた巫女服の人だ。
ギルドでは回復系のメンバーを束ねる、俺と同じ支援型の神官だそうな。
名前は『キツネ』さん......というそのまんま過ぎる名前だが、そうらしいのだから仕方ない。
「それにしても勇者ちゃん、噂に違わぬ美人さん! ちょっとスクショ撮って良い? ね? ね?」
「別に構わんぞ? どんと来い!」
「やめろキツネ、失礼だろ! 初対面だぞ!」
向こうの最後の一人はノトス側の別動隊を率いていた青年である。
キツネさんを咎めた彼は、ユーミルの方をチラチラと見ては頬を赤らめている。
「ユッキーこそ何を緊張してんの? いいじゃん別にぃ、堅いって」
俺の発言に彼......まだ名を訊いていなかった鹿角兜の青年は目を見開いた。
次いで笑顔に――ってこの反応、どこかで見たような。
「そうなんだよ! 分かってるねキミ! そもそも通名ってどうなのよ? 本人が名乗った説も無くはないけど、大抵は江戸時代の劇やら講談から発したものが大多数だろう? 特に鹿介とか北条早雲とか聞くとモニョるのは俺だけ? 俺は山中幸盛・伊勢盛時って呼んでやりたいんだよ何故か! 別名や通名もそれはそれで悪くないと思うんだけど、本人の生き様に深く共感したい場合はやっぱり本来の名前で呼ぶ方が良いと思うんだよ! 君はどう思う!?」
あー......セレーネさんに会った時と似たパターンだけど、それよりも遥かに面倒くさいやつだこれ。
歴史オタク――いや、違うな。何故だかそこはかとなく「にわか臭」がするのは気のせいだろうか?
山中鹿介は自筆でそう書いた書状が残っていたと記憶しているが。
アレだ。絶対に真田信繁を幸村って呼ぶと突っかかって来るタイプだ、この人。
「何というマシンガントーク。話の半分も頭に入ってこなかったぞ? 私は」
「うへぇ、ユッキー面倒くさいモードに入っちゃった。ごめんね? 本体君、勇者ちゃん」
「あ、いえ、大丈夫です。えーと......歴史ってのは後から後から新事実が出てくる上に解釈も人それぞれだと思うので、俺は各人が好きに呼んで構わないと思います。ただ、鹿介でなく幸盛って呼ぶのも通っぽくて格好いいとは――」
「だろう! そうだろう!? ほら、聞いたかキツネ! 分かる奴には分かるんだよ!」
機嫌を損ねないようにと保険で入れた「通っぽい」という表現に過剰反応するユキモリさん。
そしてそれをキツネさんに嬉しそうに話している。
しかし、うーん......うん、深く突っ込むのはよそう!
きっと良い結果は生むまい。
黙って話を聞いていると、そこでようやくしっかりとした自己紹介が彼の方から為された。
プレイヤーネームは『ユキモリ』、ギルドの前衛メンバーを束ねているとのこと。
重戦士の防御型でギルドのメイン盾、ただし「魔法は勘弁な!」だそうだ。
俺達の会話を見守っていたミツヨシさんが、うんうんと頷いてから口を開く。
「やっぱハインド君は同年代の子と比べて大人だねぇ。中にオッサン入ってない?」
「何ですかそれ......入ってませんよ」
「こいつは昔からこうだぞ。だから学校の先生なんかにも受けがいい」
「あー、なんか分かる。本体君って、こうクラス委員長とかに推薦したい感じっしょ?」
「何の話だキツネ? 今の話からどうしてそう繋がる?」
一人だけ理解を共有できていないユキモリさんの方を見て、キツネさんが黙り込む。
面の下でどんな表情をしているんだろうな......恐らく、呆れ顔だと思うのだが。
何にせよ俺は委員長なんて絶対にやらないけどな、二度と。
前に推薦されて学級委員長をやらされた時、面倒事を山のように押し付けられて酷い目に会ったことがある。
しかもその時の担任が若い新任の女性教諭だったんだよな......中学1年の時だ。
「ククッ、渋ーい顔になってるぞハインド君。よほど委員長という役職に嫌な思い出があるらしい」
「放っておいてください」
それにしても、ちょっと意外だったな。
ミツヨシさんが作ったギルドの幹部なんだし、もっと落ち着いた感じの人がやっていると思ったんだけど。
ギルドメンバーの年齢こそ老若男女バラバラだった気がするけど、この二人は普通に若い。
そんな簡単な顔合わせが済んだところで、俺達はミツヨシさんからいくつかのありがたい提案を受けた。
「――本当に宜しいんですか? 滞在中はここの施設を自由にお借りしても」
「いいとも。人に聞かれたくない相談事なら町の宿屋を使う手もあるけど、一緒にイベントをやるのに一々行ったり来たりするのは不便だろう? 部屋を一室用意するから、そこを自由に使ってくれ」
恐縮する俺に対して、ユーミルの態度は単純明快である。
「ありがたい! 感謝する!」
「うーん、気持ちの良いお返事。本体君、勇者ちゃん女の子にモテるでしょう? 特に年下の子に」
問いかけるキツネさんの目は、面越しでも好奇心に満ち溢れているのが伝わってくる。
何となくだが、話している内にこの女性の性格も掴めてきた。
「合ってますけど。そういうキツネさんは話し好きですか? 本当に楽しそうに話しますよね。見ていて気持ちがいいです」
「お喋りでうるさいってよく言われるけどね! 鬱陶しかったら遠慮なくツッコミ入れて? それでしばらくは大人しくなるから!」
しばらくってことは少ししたら戻るのか......まあ、明るい性格の人なのは間違いないな。
そんなわけで、俺達は案内すると言うキツネさんに連れられて応接室を後にした。
場所は変わり、案内された十二畳ほどの部屋にて。
滞在中はここで相談事やログイン・ログアウトを行って良いとのこと。
ここもやはり和風であり、先程までシエスタちゃんが「たたみー」と口にしながらその辺に寝転がって寛いでいた。
今は時間が時間だけに、ほとんど全員がログアウト。
どうにか一晩で、イベント海域に近いここまで来られて良かった......。
「ではハインド殿! 早速約束の確認をば!」
「分かった分かった。急いでも結果は変わらんから、落ち着け」
この場に残っているのは俺とトビだけだ。
目的は例のブツが設計図にあるかどうか。
インベントリから裁縫セットを取り出し、設計図一覧が書かれた紙をめくっていく。
「ま行だな。えー......マント、マスク、マットって、中は五十音順じゃないのか? 順番がバラバラだ。み行がミリタリーポーチ、ミリタリージャケット、ミリタリーシャツ、ミリタリーカーゴパンツ、ミリタリーキャップ......」
「謎のミリタリー推し!? 銃なんて無いのに! そんなの健治しか喜ばないでござるよ! 次、次!」
火薬はあるのだし、もしかしたら銃器も作れたりするのだろうか?
作れたとしても、威力が矢や魔法と大差なかったりのゲームが多いわけだが。
「ミリタリーの後はミニなんちゃら系が続くな。飛ばすぞ」
「水着来い......水着来い......」
トビが祈るように手を組んで顔の前に掲げる。
そんなに? そんなに水着姿を見たいのか?
「煩悩駄々漏れだな――あっ」
俺から設計図を奪い取ると、トビは食い入るようにそれを見つめた。
暫くして無言でそっと設計図を俺に返すと、膝を着いて高く両手を掲げて静止。
「うおおおおおっ!」
それはさながら、終了間際に逆転ゴールを決めたスポーツ選手のような喜びようだった。
あるのかよ、水着......。
[So, these are the rewards for dealing with those guys. But are you really fine with this? Since you guys were the ones that had to go through a hard time, the majority of us were thinking that we would be fine with a 3:7 split.] (Mitsuyoshi)
The reward for dealing with PKs depends on the number of their crimes...in this case, it depends on the {Degree of Crime}  that the players we defeated had done.
It depends on factors like for example, the lower the lv of the opponents they kill they higher the reward is, among various factors...in conclusion, the total sum we got for defeating {Night's Edge}  was of 10 million G.
Seems like they have killed quite a few players.
Since the average gold that PKs give these days is 100k G, these guys are worth many times that amount.
Furthermore, the death penalty PKs get is much harsher than that of normal players, the game balance takes measures so that the number of PKs doesn't increase too much.
In regards to the distribution of the reward this time, Mitsuyoshi-san and Yumir are currently discussing it.
[That's not the case! Even though it's temporary, I don't want our alliance to show restraints among each other! It's true that our responsibilities were bigger in a sense, but if you think about number of people that participated in the end, a 5:5 split is a valid assessment!] (Yumir)
[Ooh...I apologize for saying this but, this old man didn't think Yumir-chan would be able to do those kinds of calculations. I'm sorry.] (Mitsuyoshi)
[-Or so, that's Hind said!] (Yumir)
[Ah, eh?] (Mitsuyoshi)
Because those words slipped from Yumir's mouth, Mitsuyoshi-san ended up making quite the idiotic face.
I wonder why, his reactions seem to be quite old fashioned, maybe by a couple generations at that...even though he looks quite young, I guess he's really an old man.
If we talk about its exterior, you could call it a [Samurai Residence]  from a single glance.
Seems like on top of buying the plot of land, they made the building themselves.
I knew that such a thing was possible to begin with but...I never thought someone would actually do it.
Usually, people would buy something that was already constructed like we did or they would rent a place.
Even now, we are sitting on top of tatami mats that were made from scratch while discussing.
Seems like this is the drawing room.
From our side it's only me and Yumir, from their side it's the three members that act as the leaders of the guild.
[Bufuh! Ahahahahaha!! You guys are really interesting!] 
We could hear laughing coming from behind the fox mask.
This woman is the one that waved at us while wearing Miko garments back in {Town of Canaris} .
Within the guild, she's the one that leads the healing type division, it seems like she's a support type Shinto Priest like me.
Her name is {Kitsune-san} ...it's such an easy to guess name that I can't even comment on it.
[That being said, Yuusha-chan, your beauty lives up to your reputation! Is it fine if I take some screenshots? Is it OK? Is it?] (Kitsune)
[I don't really mind? Go ahead!] (Yumir)
[Stop it Kitsune, that's rude! It's your first time meeting each other!] 
The last member of their side is that young man that was leading their detached force coming from the Notos side.
While reprimanding Kitsune-san, he was taking glances at Yumir and his cheeks were reddening.
[Yukki, why are you getting nervous? Isn't it fine? You are just too tense.] (Kitsune)
After I said such a statement...the young man with the horned helmet, whose name I haven't heard yet, opened his eyes wide.
Then he smiled...wait, this reaction, where have I seen it before.
[That's right! You sure know your stuff! What's wrong with it being a common name? It's not like there are no stories where he called himself with those names, but most stage plays and storytellers during the Edo period called him Yukimori right? Besides, am I the only one that feels weird when I hear the names Shikanosuke or Hojo Soun? I just want to call him Yamanaka Yukimori* Ise Seiji for some reason! The nicknames or other names he's called by are not really bad, but I think it's best to call him by his original name if we consider his way of living! You think so too right!?] (Yukki)
Ah...it's like that time with Selene-san but this guy is more of a pain in the ass than her.
History otaku...no, this is something else. For some reason, I believe this person has [a different scent] ?
I remember that the person itself left letters behind where he called himself Yamanaka Shikanosuke.
It's like that. This person is definitely the type that would lunge at you if you were to call Sanada Yukimura, Yukimori.
[What incessant talking. Half of what he said didn't even register in my brain you know?] (Yumir)
[Uheh, Yukki entered his pain in the ass mode. Sorry about this. True Self and Yuusha-chan.] (Kitsune)
[Oh, no worries, it's fine. Eh...history can be interpreted in different ways as new information comes out, so I think it's fine for each person to call him in the way they like the most. It's just that, instead of calling him Shikanosuke, I believe that Yukimori sounds way cooler-] (Hind)
[Right!? You think so too!? Look, listen to what he said Kitsune! There are people out there that understand!] (Yukki)
Yukimori-san overreacted in an exaggerated manner when I reassured him as to not dampen his mood.
Then he talked to Kitsune-san while looking really happy.
However, huh...yup, he's really into it as expected!
I think this is going to go well.
After I listened to them talking while staying silent, he eventually proceeded to introduce himself properly.
His player name was{Yukimori} , he's the one that leads the guild's vanguards.
He's a defensive type, Heavy warrior and the main shield of the guild, however [Just don't make me take magical hits!]  or so he says.
Mitsuyoshi-san, who had been looking at us talking, opened his mouth after he kept nodding.
[As I thought, Hind-kun is more mature than people his own age. Is there an old man inside you?] (Mitsuyoshi)
[What do you even mean by that...there's nothing like that.] (Hind)
[This guy has always been like this. That's why, he also has a good reputation among the teachers at school.] (Yumir)
[Ah, I can somehow see that. True Self gives this vibe that would make you want to suggest him as class president.] (Kitsune)
[What are you talking about, Kitsune? How did you arrive at that conclusion from the current conversation?] (Yukki)
Turning towards Yukimori-san, who was the only person that was unable to understand, Kitsune-san just stared at him in silence.
I wonder what expression she has under that mask...most likely, she's probably looking quite dumbfounded.
Anyway, I definitely won't become the class president, never again.
The last time they recommended me for the position, I was forced to do a ton of troublesome things and it was quite a painful experience.
Furthermore, our homeroom teacher at the time was a newly appointed female teacher...it was in my first year of middle school.
[Kukuh, you are frowning, Hind-kun. Seems like the position of class president is bringing back bad memories.] (Mitsuyoshi)
[Leave me alone.] (Hind)
Now that I think about it, this is quite unexpected.
Since we were talking about the leaders of the guild that Mitsuyoshi-san made, I definitely thought they were going to be people that gave the sensation of being calm and collected.
The members of the guild are women and men of different ages but...these two are quite young.
We finished our brief introductions and we then received various proposals from Mitsuyoshi-san that were actually good for us.
[...Is this really fine? For us to be able to freely use the facilities here during our stay.] (Hind)
[Sure thing. If there's something you don't want others to hear, you have the option to go to an inn in the village, but if we are going to work together during this event, isn't it inconvenient to have you travel back and forth? I'll prepare a room for you guys so feel free to use it.] (Mitsuyoshi)
While I was feeling apologetic, Yumir's attitude was quite plain and simple.
[That would be helpful! Thanks!] (Yumir)
[Yup, that's a nice reply. True Self, Yuusha-chan is quite popular among girls right? Especially those younger than her.] (Kitsune)
Kitsune-san's eyes, even while being hidden behind a mask, conveyed immense curiosity.
Somehow, I've been able to gauge the personality of this woman through our conversations.
[You are correct. Do you like gossiping, Kitsune-san? You sure sound like you are having fun while talking. It livens you up just seeing you have fun.] (Hind)
[Though I often get told that I'm too noisy because I talk too much! If it gets too irritating, feel free to just tell me OK? I'll stay quiet for a while if you do!] (Kitsune)
If she says for a while that would mean she would start talking again after a bit...well, there's no doubt that she's a person with a  cheerful personality.
That being said, we left the room while having Kitsune-san show us around the place.
We changed locations, and we were led to a room about 12 tatami mats in size.
During our stay, we could use this place to log in and log out.
It was a Japanese-style room as expected, until a while ago, Siesta-chan was lying down while saying [Tatami~] .
Now being the time it is, most of the members had already logged out.
We thankfully were somehow able to reach the ocean area where the event was going to be held in a single evening.
[That being the case, Hind-dono! We have to check on our promise!] (Tobi)
[Yeah yeah I know. Nothing will change even if you try to make me hurry up, calm down.] (Hind)
The only ones left here were Tobi and me.
His objective was if the aforementioned item's blueprint existed or not.
I took out my sewing set from within my inventory and I turned over the pages that listed the blueprints.
[It should be in "Ma". Eh...mantle, mask, mat, wait...isn't this thing in alphabetical order? The order is all over the place.
[Why are there so many military items!? Guns don't even exist here! Kenji would be the only one happy about that kind of thing! Next one, next!] (Tobi)
Gunpowder does seem to exist though, wonder if it would be possible to create small arms?
Even if you were able to, there are quite a few games where there's not much difference in power when compared to arrows or magic.
[After Military there's the "mini" type of items. I'm going to skip this part.] (Hind)
[Swimsuits come...swimsuits please...] (Tobi)
Tobi intertwined his hands in front of his face as if to pray.
That much? Is he that desperate to see swimsuits?
[Your worldly desires are leaking...ah.] (Hind)
Tobi snatched the blueprint from me and looked at it intensely.
After staying silent for a bit, he returned it to me, he fell to his knees and then threw both of his arms towards the ceiling and stood still.
[Uoooooooooooo!!!] (Tobi)
He looked delighted, it was just as if he was an athlete that just made a comeback and reached the goal in a race.
They really exist? Swimsuits...
VRMMO no Shien Shokunin ～Top Player no Shikakenin～
ＶＲＭＭＯの支援職人　～トッププレイヤーの仕掛人～
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/vrmmo-no-shien-shokunin-%ef%bd%9etop-player-no-shikakenin%ef%bd%9e/
Action Adventure Comedy Fantasy Harem Slice of Life
Adventurers Beautiful Female Lead Blacksmith Brother Complex Calm Protagonist Childhood Friends Clan Building Cooking Crafting Curious Protagonist Dense Protagonist Elemental Magic Fantasy Creatures Game Ranking System Gamers Hard-Working Protagonist Healers Level System Love Interest Falls in Love First Love Rivals Male Protagonist Misunderstandings MMORPG Ninjas Possessive Characters Priests Siblings Siblings Not Related by Blood Sword And Magic Virtual Reality Younger Love Interests Younger Sisters
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4014ds/
二階堂風都