12話:変な馬達と密猟者*6
天馬の苦しそうな嘶きが響く。それに、下卑た笑い声や怒号が続く。
それから、肉を切る音も。血が噴き出る音も。天馬が暴れる音がずっと聞こえている。
......あんまりにもあんまりな光景を前に、僕は、動けなかった。
指の先が冷たい。凍ってしまったように動かない。凄惨な光景を見ながら、何も......何も、できない。
飛び散る血飛沫の赤が、厭に目に焼き付く。天馬の嘶きが、ずっと耳に木霊する。それから、天馬の翼を生きたままに切り落とす、残忍な人達の声が......のこぎりのような刃物のぎらつく様子が......そして切り落とされた翼が落ちる重い音が......何もかもが、僕の体を縛り上げていくようだった。
「とっ捕まりそうになった時にはどうしようかと思ったけどな。結果だけ見りゃあ、今日も上々だ」
「2頭分、2対の翼!羽もきっちり残ったままだ!高く売れるだろうな!」
笑い合う密猟者達と、嘶く天馬達。
彼らを眺めながら、しばらく、その場に居ただろうか。密猟者達の手は遂に、天馬のもう片方の翼を切り落としにかかっている。
天馬はぐったりとしながらも、それでも懸命に藻掻いていた。けれど、片方しかない翼じゃ、飛んで逃げることもできない。
僕を乗せた天馬が、身を屈めてから僕を振り落とした。
僕は地面にころりと転がって、特に怪我も無かった。つまり、その程度の優しい落とし方だったっていうことだ。
どうしたんだろう、と僕が考えるより先に、僕を乗せてここまで来た天馬は、真っ直ぐ歩いていった。
駄目だよ、と、言うこともできなかった。咄嗟に声なんて出てこなくて、ただ、息が漏れただけ。中途半端に伸ばした手は馬の尻尾にも届かない。
天馬は真っ直ぐ、真っ直ぐ、他の天馬の翼が切り落とされている方に向かって行くのだ。
......ここでやっと、僕は考える。『どうしてだろう』と。
どうしてわざわざ、自分を傷つける人達の所へ行く?どうして僕をここに振り落としていった?
どうして、僕をここへ連れてきた?
考えるまでもない。
天馬が僕をここに連れてきたのは、僕に助けを求めたからだ。
歩いて行った天馬は、密猟者達にすぐ見つかった。密猟者達はこれを喜んで、早速、天馬を捕まえにかかる。
天馬はひらひらと飛び回っていたけれど、逃げ去ってしまおうとはしない。翼を切られた仲間を気にしながら、密猟者達の意識を引き付けようとするかのように。
......天馬が追いかけられているのを見て、僕は......鞄を探る。
取り出すのは画材一式。鉛筆と絵の具と筆と、スケッチブック。それから、瓶に詰めてきた水。
僕は茂みの中で息を潜めながら、早速、スケッチブックに鉛筆を走らせ始めた。
描いていくのは、長いロープ。長いロープが密猟者達を縛り上げている様子。
天馬の羽だって治せた。一角獣の角だって治せた。そして、彼らの傷に包帯を巻いたことはある。......なら、密猟者に縄を巻いてやることだって、できるだろう。
遠くから見て描く人間の姿は、まあ、雑だ。でもこれでいい。馬だって割と雑でもなんとかなった。今は一秒だって惜しい。抜ける手は全部抜いてやる。
......そうこうしている間に、密猟者がついに、天馬を捕まえた。
僕を乗せてここまでやってきた天馬は地面に引きずり降ろされて、押さえつけられる。
そして、天馬の翼に、のこぎりのような刃物があてられて......動き出した。
嫌な音。嫌な悲鳴。嫌な笑い声。
そういう音は全部、何も聞かないようにした。耳から入ってくる情報は全部排除して、ただ、目に見えるものを観察しては描き続けた。
天馬が暴れる。血が飛び散る。暴れる天馬の背中に向けて、のこぎりが振り下ろされる。天馬が無意味に傷つく。
......そういう光景を、見て、見てしまいながらも、それでも心は動かさないようにして、手だけを動かして......。
僕は、描き続けた。描くことを、やめなかった。
そうして、密猟者に捕まった天馬達、3頭の翼が全部切り落とされてしまった頃。
......ようやく、僕の絵が完成した。
「なっ」
密猟者達が、転ぶ。
急に体を縛り上げられて、手も足も動かせなくなって、その場に転ぶ。
転ばなかった奴らも他の密猟者と繋がったロープで縛り上げられているんだから、当然、引きずられて転ぶ。
「何が起きた!?こりゃ一体なんだ!?」
「くそ、おい、どうなってる!誰かさっさとロープを解け!」
密猟者達が騒ぎ始めたのを見て、僕はさっと動いた。
今度は、体がちゃんと動いた。走って、走って......傷ついた天馬達の傍へ、行くことができた。
僕が近づくと、天馬達は僕を安心させるように尻尾を振ってみせた。ひひん、という鳴き声が弱弱しくて、泣きそうになる。
「もう大丈夫だよ。帰ろう。歩ける?」
僕は天馬達に声をかけると、天馬達が立ち上がるのを見守った。天馬達は気丈にも、ちゃんと立ち上がってくれた。
「ごめんね、治療は少し離れてからにしよう」
天馬達はひひんと鳴いて、弱弱しく、それでもしっかり歩き出した。......これなら大丈夫、かな。大怪我だけれど、とりあえず、ここを離れた方がいい。申し訳ないけれど、天馬には少し無理してもらって、移動してもらおう。
「おい、てめえ!一体何のつもりだ!」
「この縄はてめえの仕業か!?おい!」
密猟者達は明らかに僕に向けて怒声を発している。でも、僕はそれを全部無視して、天馬達と一緒に元来た道を引き返した。
できれば家まで戻ってから治療にしたかったのだけれど、天馬の体力が持たなさそうだった。
最初に捕まっていたらしい天馬は、その体に何か所も何か所も傷があった。......嫌な想像だけれど、もしかしたら、この天馬は悲鳴で他の天馬をおびき寄せるために甚振られていたのかもしれない。
「......ここで治すね」
これ以上、天馬に無理はさせられない。後ろを振り返ると、もう密猟者達は見えなかった。
......なら、大丈夫かな。僕はこの場で馬を描くことにした。
傷には包帯。翼があった位置にはちゃんとした翼。
ここ一週間、何回も描いてきたものだ。大丈夫。慣れてる。
「......もう少しだから」
天馬を励ましながら、筆を動かす。ここ一週間の成果は確実に出ていて、馬一頭を描くのに、30分くらいで済んだ。
最低限の線と着色で天馬を描き上げて......まずは1頭。天馬の絵がふるふる震えて、きゅ、と縮まって、天馬に向かって飛んでいって......天馬には包帯と翼がくっついていた。
その途端、体の中から何かがごっそり抜けていくような感覚があったけれど、それは我慢。
「次、いくね」
それから僕は、次の天馬を描き始めて......ふと、思った。
多分、僕、これを描き上げたら気絶するな、と。
少し、迷った。
天馬は3頭。けれど多分、僕の気絶までの限界は2頭だ。ここ一週間、ずっとそんなかんじだった。
......どうしよう。ここで気絶してしまうと、こう、相当に厄介だと思う。密猟者が追ってくるかはさておき、何もない森の中で気絶するっていうのは......単純に、他の獣に狙われたら死ぬし。
そして、天馬は2頭とも、酷い怪我だ。僕が途中で気絶すると、1頭の治療はまた後で、ということになってしまう。それはよくない。
僕が気絶するまでに治療できるのは、あと1頭。そして、天馬はあと2頭。
......なら、やってみるしかない。
僕は、画用紙に2頭の天馬を同時に描いていく。あと1頭描いたら気絶しそうなら、気絶するまでに同時に2頭、仕上げてしまえばいいじゃないか、という発想で。
......描いた後で気絶したって、多分、天馬が運んでくれるよ。多分。
そもそも僕の気絶より先に、一度に2頭分の絵を描いて、ちゃんと治療が行われるのだろうか?
それは心配だったけれど、しょうがない。もし治療が不完全になってしまったら、帰った後でもう一度描き直そう。
......1頭目よりは丁寧に描いた。心持ち、だけれど。
そして......多分、その甲斐はあったんだ。
僕が2頭の天馬を同時に描いた途端、絵がいつものようにふるふる震えはじめた。
「......やったあ」
僕の目の前で、天馬3頭がそれぞれに、翼をぱたぱた動かしながら尻尾を振った。
天馬達が無事に治ったのを見届けて、僕は意識が遠のいていくのを感じる。
ただ、今までとは少し違う。なんだか、体の中から何かが抜けていくだけじゃなくて......冷たいものが注ぎ込まれている、ような。
ぎゅ、と、胸のあたりが苦しくなる。息ができない。
吸い込もうとした息が、胸の奥へ入っていかないようなかんじがする。そうこうしている間にも、どんどん、体からは何かが抜けていって、体はどんどん冷たくなっていって......。
......しかも。
「よお、坊主。さっきは随分とやってくれたじゃねえか」
密猟者達が、追い付いてきた。
縛り上げたのに、とか、ロープより檻の方がよかったかな、とか、色々思うけれど、考えは纏まらない。けれど、そうこうしている間にも密猟者達は僕らへ近づいてきた。
「......ん?なんだ?こりゃあ随分と......ペガサスが懐いてるみてえだな」
動けなくなった僕の前に、天馬達が立ちはだかる。密猟者達から僕を守ろうとするみたいに、翼を広げて。
駄目だよ、と言いたいのに、声が出ない。何やってるんだよ、早く逃げろよ、と言ってやりたいけれど、ペガサス達は動こうとしない。
「よく見りゃ、中々小綺麗なガキだな」
「もしかして魔獣使いの類か?それとも......まあいいか」
密猟者達は、天馬の翼越しに僕を見て、にやりと笑った。
「高く売れそうだ」
「てめえら何してやがる!」
けれど、僕へ伸ばされた手は僕へも天馬へも届くことが無くて、その代わり、遠くから聞き覚えのある声が聞こえてきて......。
......そして僕はやっぱり、気絶した。まあ、しょうがないね。
Volume 1 - Ch 12
The pained neighing of the Pegasi echoes. It is followed by a bellowing laugh and angry shouts.
Then, the sound of cutting flesh, blood spurting out and the horses' rampage can be heard all the way through.
I couldn't move... the scene was very overwhelming.
The tips of my fingers are cold. I can't move as if I'm frozen. ...I can't do anything while looking at the gruesome scene.
The red of the splattered blood is unpleasantly burned into my eyes. The neighing of the Pegasus lingers in my ears. Then I hear the voices of the brutal people who cut off Pegasus's wings while it was alive... The gleam of saw-like blades and the heavy thud of the clipped wings falling ...everything has sealed my actions.
"I was wondering what I was going to do when I almost got caught, but if you just look at the results, it's another good harvest." (Poacher)
"Two horses, two pairs of wings, and the wings are still intact! I'm sure we'll get a good price for them!" (Poacher)
The poachers laughed at each other with the horses' neighing.
I wonder if I stayed there for a while, looking at them. The poachers' hands finally cut off the other wing of the horse.
The Pegasi were limp, but still trying their best to scratch the ground. But with only one wing, it couldn't even fly away.
The Pegasus I was riding bent over and shook me off.
I rolled on the ground but was not particularly hurt. In other words, it was a gentle ejection.
Before I could wonder what was wrong, the Pegasus, who had carried me all the way here, was walking straight ahead.
I couldn't even say, a word. I couldn't speak as quickly as I wanted, and my breath just leaked out. My half-extended hand couldn't even reach the horse's tail.
The Pegasus is going straight ahead, straight towards the other Pegasus whose wings had been clipped off.
...Here, at last, I think. The first thing that comes to my mind is why.
Why go all the way to the people who hurt you? Why did they shake me down here?
Why did they bring me here?
I don't even have to think about it.
The Pegasus brought me here because he wanted my help.
The Pegasus walked away and was immediately spotted by the poachers. The poachers were delighted and immediately set about catching him.
The Pegasus was darting about, but they were not about to run away. It was as if they were trying to attract the poachers' attention while being concerned about their friends whose wings had been clipped.
Seeing the Pegasus being chased, I rummaged through my bag.
I take out a set of art supplies. Pencils, paints, brushes, and a sketchbook. And a bottle of water.
I quickly begin to run my pencil through my sketchbook, hiding in the bushes to catch my breath.
I drew a long rope. A long rope tying up poachers.
I could heal the wings of a horse. Even the horns of unicorns could be healed. And I even bandage their wounds. If I wished... I could even wrap a rope around a poacher.
The human figure, as seen from afar, is, well, messy. But that's OK. Even a horse could be affected even if it was rather crude. Now, I don't want to spare even a second. I'm going to pull out all the stops I can.
...In the meantime, the poachers finally caught the Pegasus.
The horse, which had come all the way here with me on it, was dragged down to the ground and held down.
Then, a saw-like blade was placed on the horse's wings... and began to move.
A horrible sound. Heart-wrenching screams. Disgusting laughter.
I tried not to hear any of those sounds. I eliminated all information coming in through my ears and just continued to observe and draw what I could see.
The Pegasus goes berserk. Blood splatters. A saw is swung down toward the Pegasus' back. A meaningless injury.
I watch and observe such scenes, but still, I steadied--froze my heart, and only moved my hand...
I kept on drawing. I never stopped drawing.
The poachers caught the Pegasus, and when all three pairs of wings had been clipped off.
...finally, my drawing was completed.
"Nuh?!" (Poachers)
The poachers fell down.
Suddenly, their bodies are tied up and they fall to the ground, unable to move their hands or feet.
Those who didn't fall were tied up with ropes connected to other poachers, so naturally, they were dragged along and fell down.
"What the hell is going on? What the hell is this?" (Poachers)
"Damn, hey, what's going on! Somebody, get the rope untied now!" (Poachers)
I moved quickly when I saw the poachers starting to make noise.
This time, my body moved properly. I ran, and ran, to get to the wounded Pegasi.
As I approached, the horses wagged their tails to reassure me. I was about to cry when I heard a weak whinnying.
"It's okay now. Let's go home. Can you walk?" (Tougo)
I called out to the horses and watched as they stood up. They stood up fine. The Pegasi were brave enough to stand up straight.
"I'm sorry, I'll do the treatment a little later." (Tougo)
The Pegasus cried out, weak and faint, but still walked steadily. ...Are they really alright? It's a serious injury, but for now, it's better to leave this place. I'm sorry, but I'll have the Pegasi push themselves a little more and move.
"Hey, you! What the hell do you think you're doing!" (Poacher)
"Did you do this to me? Hey!" (Poacher)
The poachers were clearly shouting at me. But I ignored them all and headed back the way we had come with Pegasi.
If possible, I wanted to go back to the house for treatment, but it looked like Pegasi would not be able to keep up their strength.
The Pegasus, who seems to have been caught first, had several wounds on their body. ...Horrible thoughts weaved in my mind, but maybe this Pegasus was tortured to lure the other Pegasi with their scream.
"...I'll heal you here." (Tougo)
I can't let the Pegasus force themselves anymore. Looking back, I could no longer see the poachers.
...Then, I'll be all right. I decided to paint the horse right here.
The wounds were bandaged. Proper wings where the wings used to be.
I've painted this many times over the past week. I'm fine. I'm used to it.
"...almost done."  (Tougo)
I encouraged the Pegasus as I moved my brush. The past week had definitely paid off, and it only took me about 30 minutes to paint one horse.
I painted up the Pegasus with the minimum lines and colored one horse at first. The drawing of the Pegasus trembled, swayed, squeezed, and flew toward the Pegasus, and the bandages and wings were attached to the Pegasus.
As soon as I did, I felt like something was leaking out of my body, but I put up with it.
"Next one, let's go." (Tougo)
Then I started to draw the next Pegasus, and suddenly I thought.
I'm probably going to pass out when I finish this one.
I was a little lost.
There are three Pegasi. But maybe my limit is two horses before I pass out. It has been like that for the past week.
...What should I do? I think it would be very tricky if I were to faint here. Aside from the poachers chasing us, fainting in the middle of an empty forest is simply courting death.
However, both Pegasi are badly wounded. If I faint in the middle of the forest, one of them will still have to be treated later. That's not good.
I would only be able to treat one more animal before I passed out, but there are two more Pegasi.
...then I have no choice but to try.
I draw two Pegasus on the drawing paper at the same time. If I was afraid I would pass out after drawing one more horse, I thought, "Why not finish two horses at the same time before I pass out?"
...Even if I faint after drawing them, the horses will probably carry me away. Maybe.
In the first place, would I be able to draw two horses at once and have them healed before I fainted?
I was worried about that, but it couldn't be helped. If the treatment was incomplete, I would have to redo the drawing after I returned home.
...I drew more carefully than the first one. More, thoughtful and precise.
And... maybe it was worth it.
As soon as I drew the two horses at the same time, the picture began to shake and tremble as usual.
"...I did it!" (Tougo)
In front of my eyes, each of the three Pegasi wagged their tails while flapping their wings.
Seeing Pegasi recover safely, I feel my consciousness fading away.
But it's a little different than before. Somehow, something is not just coming out of my body... it's like the cold is entering my body.
Gah! And the area around my chest feels painful. I cannot breathe.
The breath I'm trying to take doesn't go deep into my chest. While I was suffering from that, something was slowly coming out of my body, and my body was getting colder and colder...
...and moreover.
"Hey, boy. You did all that, didn't you?" (Poacher)
The poachers have caught up with us.
I think about a lot of things, like how I tied him up, or how a cage would have been better than a rope, but I can't think of anything. But even as we were doing so, the poachers were getting closer to us.
"...hmmm? What is it? It looks like the Pegasi are very fond of you." (Poacher)
In front of me who can't move, the Pegasi stand in their way. Spreading their wings trying to protect me from poachers.
I wanted to say no, but I couldn't speak. I wanted to say, "What are you doing, get out of here," but I couldn't move.
"Looking closely, you're a beautiful little kid." (Poacher)
"Maybe it's some kind of magic beast tamer? Or... well, whatever." (Poacher)
The poachers looked at me through the wings of their horses and chuckled.
"It looks like you will sell well." (Poacher)
"What the hell are you doing!" (Voice)
But the hand that was extended to me never reached me or the Pegasi. Instead, I heard a familiar voice in the distance...
...and then I passed out. Well, it can't be helped.
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/
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