城を脱出したバールゼフォンは、騎士隊の寮に駆け込み、自室から保管していた金と予備の剣を掴むと、そのまま街の外へと出ていった。
門番には「急ぎの任務である」とだけ伝え、伝令のために用意されている馬を借り受けて街道を駆けて行った。
追っ手である騎士が番兵からその事実を確認したのは、実に三時間以上後の事で、もはや急いで追うにもどこへ向かったかもわからない状態だった。
だが、追われている側であるバールゼフォンは、血濡れの刀を提げた一二三が今にも背後から飛びかかってくるような恐怖感に急かされ、馬を潰す勢いで街道を駆けて行った。向かうのはヴィシーだ。フォカロルを抜ける必要があるが、ヴィシーに入ってしまえば、混乱の渦中にある都市国家群の中であれば、所属不明の人間も隠れやすいだろう。
途中の村や小さな街で食料を買い入れ、少人数の旅人や商人を脅すか殺すかして、金や衣服を手に入れた。
「もはや、騎士を名乗れる状態ではないな」
抵抗した商人を斬って捨てたとき、バールゼフォンは自嘲気味に笑う。
死体の懐を漁っている自分の姿を思うと、泣きたくなるほど情けない気持ちになるが、全てを捨てた以上は、復讐を終えるまではどんなことをしてでも生き抜く決意はできている。
小さな村の廃屋や野宿をくり返しながら、極力節約をしながらヴィシーを目指す。入国の際に門番に金を握らせる必要があるだろうし、それ以外でいくらでも金が入用になる可能性はある。今は贅沢を言っていられる状況ではないし、本当に良い宿は逆に監視が厳しい。
うっかり顔見知りの貴族と鉢合わせでもしたらと思うと、とてもじゃないが大きな街やホテルに長時間滞在する気にはなれない。
魔物に遭遇する可能性もあるが、街道から少しだけ離れて街道沿いに進むようにする。巡回の兵にも警戒すべきだと思ったからだ。
だが、そのせいで面倒な相手と鉢合わせすることになった。
「......何者だ?」
「それはこちらの台詞です。随分と荒れた格好をしていますが、その剣は中々良い物のようですね。どこからか盗んできたのですか」
街道が遠くに見える、森に近い場所でバールゼフォンの目の前に現れたのは、数名の兵を連れたオリガだった。
「この剣は自前だ。そういうお前らも、大分くたびれた格好をしているな。野盗の類には見えないが......」
剣の柄に手をかけて、バールゼフォンは距離を取る。
ローブを着たオリガの姿を見て、魔法使いの可能性を考えたからだ。杖を持っていない事が気になるが、雰囲気に危険なものを感じたバールゼフォンの判断は的確だった。
「まだ何も見ていないようですね......見逃して差し上げますから、どこへなりと消えなさい」
「見る、とは?」
「貴方には関係の無いことです。ひ......上司から与えられた任務を邪魔するのであれば、命の保証はできませんよ?」
話しながら、バールゼフォンは違和感を感じた。オリガがしきりに背後を気にしているように見えたのだ。
「任務だと? どこかの兵を連れているようだが、お前自身は騎士にも兵にも見えないな」
「余計な詮索は無用です。私は急いで戻らなければならない予感がするのです。消えないのであれば、消すまでですが......」
突然、オリガの背後から草を踏み付ける音が聞こえてくる。
「オリガ様、魔物がそちらに向かいました!」
大声で注意を促す声が聞こえ、オリガはすばやくその場から離れた。
結果として、飛び出してきた魔物はバールゼフォンの目の前に飛び出す格好になった。
「なんなんだ、こいつは......」
ビリビリと肌に響くほどの大きさで吠えたのは、鋭い牙をむき出しにした虎のような魔物だったが、その体長は通常の魔物よりもふた回りは大きい。
太い前足には鋭い爪が見える。軽く触れただけでも皮も肉も簡単に裂けるだろう。
魔物を追って来たのだろう何かの道具を抱えた兵士が、魔物が飛び出した森から出てきた。よく見ると、魔物の背中に短い槍のような物が二本ほど突き立っている。
「オリガ様、申し訳ありません。急に目を覚まして拘束が間に合いませんでした」
「問題ありません。餌を見定めたようですから、このまま放置します」
オリガが言う餌は、自分のことを指していると気づいたバールゼフォンは、素早く剣を抜いて構えた。
唸り声をあげる魔物から、視線を外すことはできない。
「お前らの獲物だろう。責任を持って片付けろよ」
「獲物? まあ、そう思うならそれでも構いません。頑張って私たちが離れる時間を稼いでください。それでは」
追って来られては迷惑ですから、とオリガは一枚の手裏剣を放つ。
「うっ?」
膝に傷を受けたバールゼフォンは、辛うじて転倒は免れた。
「では、さようなら」
兵を引き連れて去っていくオリガは、街道ではなく森へ消えていった。
後を追うため、痛みを堪えて踏み出したのだが、魔物は弱った獲物を捉えようと前足を叩きつけてくる。
辛うじて剣をつかって流したが、足に力が入って更に出血は増える。
「クソがぁあああ!」
絶叫が森に響いたが、その声は誰にも届くことはなかった。
「あんまり平和になるのも困るんですよ、死神としてはね」
「静かにしていろ。集中できん」
死神の言葉を、うるさいと言って聞き流した宰相アドルは、手を止める事なく次の棚へと移動する。
戴冠式が終わってからも、アドルは資料室へ閉じ篭って送還魔法の資料を探す作業は続けていた。
戦争は一旦終結したとはいえ、最大の問題である“一二三”は結果として無傷に終わったどころか、その領地は、勢力として一国に匹敵するまでに成長しつつある。
今後の事を思えば、ただでさえ人数が減った騎士隊を始めとした戦力強化のために、フォカロルへ人員を送る事も、処分した貴族が多かったために滞りが見え始めた文官たちの作業に対して、効率化を図るために研修を受けさせるのも反対ではない。
むしろ、その内容自体にはアドル自身も一定以上の評価をしているので、むしろ推進派と言っていい。
だが、だからといって、いつまでも一二三の存在がこの世界に在って良いとは思っていなかった。
「敵がいなければ敵を作るような男だ。いずれ、この国や女王陛下にとって害となることは間違いない」
そう考えたアドルは、引き続き対策を準備するために、失われた魔法についての資料収集に勤しんでいた。
「もうちょっと、誰かがあの人を焚きつけてくれたらいいんですけどねぇ」
「もう充分すぎるほど死者は出ているはずだ。あんな戦争が何度も起きれば、この世界が滅びる」
縦に無造作に重ねられた薄い石版を、割らないように慎重に、上から取り上げては目を通していく。
「おやおや。あの人が元いた世界では、何千人も何万人も死んだりという事もあるんですがね」
「......それで、どうやって社会が保てるんだ」
思わず手を止めたアドルは、首だけで浮かぶ死神を見た。
以前は顔だけだったのが、今では完全に頭部が復活している。
「大元の人口が違いますよ。何十億人もいるんですから。寿命だって100歳まで生きる人も珍しくはありません」
「億......想像もつかんな。まあいい、その素晴らしい世界とやらに帰れるように頑張っているんだ。少しは黙っていろ」
「わかりましたよ」
煙が散るように掻き消えた死神に、アドルは溜息を一つ吐いて作業を続けた。
重なった石版を全て確認し終え、目的の物が見つからなかった事に落胆する。
石版を撤去したその奥に、布に包まれてひっそりと立てかけられた物がある。手に取ると、それもまた記録のため石版だった。
誰かが隠すように置いたのだろうが、そのまま放置されてしまったのだろう。布ははがしているうちにボロボロに崩れてしまう。
「これは......!」
送還魔法とは違うが、これは使えるかもしれない、とアドルは上着を脱いで丁寧に石版を包むと、資料室を後にした。
一二三帰還の翌日、実家へと向かう準備をしていたフィリニオンは、一二三に呼び出され、何故か文官奴隷たちのための会議室へと来ていた。
「失礼します」
ノックをして部屋に入ると、正面には一二三とアリッサがいた。
他にも文官奴隷の5人や、ヴァイヤーの姿も見える。
「私が一番遅かったようですね。お待たせしてすみません」
謝りつつ、自然な流れでヴァイヤーの隣に座る。誰かがクスリと笑ったが、気にしない。
「呼んだ奴は全員揃ったな」
一二三が話し始めると、全員の視線が集中する。
「とりあえず、ヴァイヤーとフィリニオンは、もう出て行くんだったな」
「はい。フィリニオンの領地に寄ってから、王都へ戻る予定です。明日には出発をと考えております」
「そうか。それじゃ、フィリニオンにこれを渡しておく」
カイムが一二三から書簡を受け取り、フィリニオンに手渡す。
書簡を開くと、そこにはイメラリアの自筆での依頼が書かれていた。一二三の許可があることを前提として、フィリニオンを王城の文官へ登用し、その指導役として就任させる事が書かれていた。
抜擢と言っていいレベルの人事だが、フィリニオンは困惑していた。
「あの......私はもうすぐ結婚するのですが......」
隣を見ると、ヴァイヤーは何故かニコニコと笑っている。
「それは知ってるが、それが何か関係あるのか?」
「別に今すぐ城に来てやれとは書かれてないだろ。結婚してから仕事に就いても文句は言われないだろうよ」
「し、しかし家を守る立場である妻が働くというのは......」
子供ができるかもしれませんし、と言ってから、フィリニオンは赤面して顔を伏せた。
「カイム、オーソングランデの法では既婚者の女は働いたらいけないのか?」
「そういう法はありません。街でもご婦人がたは元気に働いておられます」
ほらな、と一二三はフィリニオンを向いた。
「ヴァイヤーと一緒に城で働けばいいだろ。それより、フォカロルでやっている事を文武ともにあっちで広めてくれ。ホーラントにも伝えたつもりだが、聞かれたら答えていいし」
「はぁ......」
それでいいのか、と思ったフィリニオンだが、この領地とこの領主に普通を求めてはいけないことは滞在の間にわかっていたので、言わないでおく。
「フィリニオン。まだしばらくは共に城で働こう。まだ現役を退くには早いし、女王陛下のお役に立てる折角の機会だから」
「そうね......わかりました。このお話、お受けします」
立ち上がって頭を下げたフィリニオンに、何人かが拍手を送った。
「それと、今までフォカロルで働いた分の給料と退職金を出さないとな」
デュエルガルが一二三に指示を受けて、布の袋に詰まった金貨をフィリニオンとヴァイヤーの前に置いた。
大の大人が抱え上げるのに苦労する量が入っている。
フィリニオンが恐る恐る開くと、銀貨も銅貨も無い、全て金貨が詰まっていた。
「こんなに?! ちょっとした屋敷が買えるくらいはありますよ?」
袋の中身は金貨1000枚。王都の兵士の月給が金貨1枚、騎士の月給で金貨5枚~20枚程度なので、その額の大きさにフィリニオンは不安になった。
「結婚祝いも兼ねてるからな。頑張って人口を増やして、国を豊かにしてくれ」
フィリニオンと共に、ヴァイヤーも慌てて立ち上がり、一二三に頭を下げた。
カイムたち文官奴隷は理解していることだが、今のフォカロル領の財政ではこの程度の金額は造作も無く出せる。
フィリニオンとヴァイヤーへの用は済んだから、と二人は先に退出した。
残ったのは、純粋なフォカロルの中心メンバーのみだ。
「それじゃ、本題と行こうかね」
まずはこれだ、と一二三は文官奴隷達に新たな書類を渡した。
「これは......」
受け取ったカイムが、珍しく言葉につまる。
彼から回された書面をみて、文官たちは次々に驚いた表情へと変わった。
「開放礼状? 私たち、奴隷じゃなくなるんですか?」
最年少のパリュの質問に、一二三は頷いた。
「領地も安定したし、もう買い入れた金額以上の回収はできたからな。それに、これから先の俺のやる事に、付いてくるかどうかを自分の意思で決めてもらうために必要なことだからな。イメラリアに書かせた」
相手が女王になっても変わらない扱いをする一二三に、流石と思う者もどうかと思う者もいる。
「僕は一二三さんにずっと付いて行くと決めてるから、後はみんながどうするかを決めてもらうんだって」
「私は残るわ」
アリッサの言葉を聞いて即決したミュカレ。
「落ち着け、馬鹿たれ」
一二三はミュカレにそう言うと、椅子に背を預け、まずは話を聞け、と続けた。
「まず、ここを出て行くにしてもそれなりの金額の退職金は出してやるから、商売なりなんなりすればいい。今から話す内容を知ったからと言って口止めもしない。話したければそうすればいい」
敵に回るなら対処するまでだし、と言われれば、誰もが黙っている事を選ぶのは自然な事だった。
「俺はこれから、しばらくの間獣人族の連中と遊んでくる。その先にある騎士の国とやらも見てくるつもりだ」
見てくるだけじゃ済まないだろうというのは、全員の一致する見解であったが、もちろん誰も何も言わない。
「その間に、この領地の強化を続けて貰う。俺の狙い通りに行けば、まずは獣人連中との戦いが始まるし、場合によっては騎士の国ともやりあう事になる。その時に、ヴィシーも再び敵になる可能性もあるからな。イメラリア次第だが、オーソングランデ王国軍も敵対する可能性も無いわけじゃない」
要するに、国の立て直しに集中したいホーラント以外、周りが全部敵になるかもしれないという宣言だ。
まだ騒動を起こすつもり満々の一二三に、アリッサとカイム以外の全員がうんざりした顔をしている。
「私はやっぱりこの職場に残るわ。戦争が起きるかもしれないのはどこでも一緒だし、どうせなら一番強い人の近くが安全よ。それに、私は軍務長官から離れる気はないもの」
ミュカレはアリッサへのウインクも交えて宣言した。
「俺も残る。今更別の仕事をしようとは思わねぇな。やっと商工関係も軌道に乗ってきたところだ。こんな楽しい仕事も無いと思うぜ」
「わたしも残ります。今まででも奴隷の扱いではありませんでしたし、この街に愛着もあります」
デュエルガル、ブロクラと続けて残留を選んだ。
パリュも、しばらくは考え込んでいたが、他の女性陣が残ることを選んだのを見て決心したらしい。
「私も、このまま働かせてください。他のところに行っても何かできるとは思えません。ここで皆さんと仕事をしたいです」
そして、最後まで沈黙を保っていたカイムへと視線が集まる。
「実は、私はいくつかの貴族家から引き合いが来ております」
「そうか。まあそうだろうな」
パリュはカイムにも残ってもらいたいのだろう。不安そうな目をしている。
カイムの優秀さは、出入りする人々から領の内外を問わず広がっており、もし奴隷身分でなければ更に多くのスカウトが集中していただろう。
彼が懐から取り出したいくつかの手紙は、その誘いの手紙だろう。それをカイムはためらいも無く破り捨てた。
「私は、領主様の言われる発展と破壊についてずっと考えておりました。人が豊かになることと戦の規模とレベルが高まる事の相乗効果というものを」
一二三に向かって一礼する。
「やはり、領主様はこの世界へと呼び出された英雄なのでしょう。私は血塗られていても発展する世界というものを見たいと思いました。困難の先にこそ、素晴らしい世界があるのだと信じています。苦労をして手に入れなければ、それは幻に過ぎないとも。どうか、これからもお仕えさせていただきたく存じます」
「わかった。これからも頼む」
「では、また領地を留守にされる前に、代官を選定してください。この際、お飾りでも構いませんので」
「ああ、それな」
アリッサは危惧していた話題が出たことに、肩を震わせた。
「誰かと結婚して、嫁さんに任せる事にする。前々から後継がどうとか、お前もうるさかったしな」
「貴族にとって、血統の継続は重要な責務です」
「ということだし、誰か俺と結婚するか?」
軽く言われた言葉に、カイム以外のその場にいた全員が「オリガが戻るまで待ってくれ」と叫んでいた。
Balzephon, who escaped the castle, rushed into the dormitory of the knight order, grabbed his spare sword and money, he had been safekeeping, from his own room and left towards outside the city.
Simply reporting [It's an emergency mission]  to the gatekeeper, he borrowed a horse, which has been prepared for messengers, and galloped away on the highway.
The knight, chasing him, confirmed that fact from the guard. But he was in a situation, where he already didn't know how he should chase him, since it was more than 3 hours after the incident.
But Balzephon, being on the chased side, is rushing due to his feeling of dread of Hifumi swooping down on him from behind while holding the blood-soaked katana any time now. He advanced on the highway with a force, which is wasting the horse. He is heading towards Vichy. There is the necessity to pass through Fokalore, but once he enters Vichy and once he is within the cluster of city-states, which are engulfed in a maelstrom of chaos, it will likely be simple to hide as person of unknown affiliation.
Purchasing food in small cities and villages along the way, he obtained money and clothes by threatening a small number of travellers and merchants with killing them.
"I'm already in a state that makes me being called knight impossible." (Balzephon)
At the time he killed and discarded a merchant, who resisted, Balzephon laughed with a sentiment of self-deprecation.
Once he thinks about his own figure scavenging the pockets of the corpse, it turns into a miserable feeling to the degree that he wants to cry, but above throwing everything away, he has made his decision to survive no matter what he has to do until he accomplishes his revenge.
While repeatedly sleeping outdoors or in deserted houses of small villages, he heads for Vichy economising to the best of his ability. 'It's probably necessary to bribe the gatekeepers with money at the time of entering Vichy. Besides that, there's also the possibility of money becoming quite necessary. Currently isn't the time to talk about luxuries. On the contrary, really decent inns are strict on inspections.'
If I consider that I might even inadvertently bump into noble acquaintance, it's absolutely no good to have the intention to stay for a long period in hotels and large cities.
I might encounter monsters, but I will try to proceed by travelling along the highway being only slightly separated from the highway.
However, thanks to that he ran into a troublesome opponent.
"... Who's there?" (Balzephon)
"That's my line. You have quite the wild appearance, but that case is a wonderfully nice item. Where did you steal it from?" (Origa)
It was Origa, leading several soldiers, who appeared in front of Balzephon in a place close to the forest, only visible as distant place from the highway.
"This sword is my own. Even if I tell you that, it hasn't the shape of being worn-out considerably. You don't look like some kind of bandits, but..." (Balzephon)
Putting his hand on the sword's hilt, Balzephon takes distance.
Watching Origa's figure, which was clad in a robe, he considered the possibility of a magician. He feels uneasy about her not holding a wand, but Balzephon's judgement, sensing that she was someone with a dangerous aura, was accurate.
"You apparently still haven't seen anything... Since I will offer you to overlook us, get lost." (Origa)
"Seen?" (Balzephon)
"It's something unrelated to you. If you obstruct the mission we received from Hi... our boss, I won't be able to guarantee your life, okay?" (Origa)
Balzephon felt a sense of discomfort during their talk. He saw that Origa has been constantly worrying about the area behind her.
"Mission, it is? Although you seem to be leading soldiers from somewhere, you yourself don't look like a soldier or knight." (Balzephon)
"It's pointless to pry too much. I have a premonition, that it's no good, if I don't hasten my return. If you don't disappear, I will go even as far as erasing you, but..." (Origa)
Suddenly a sound of grass being trampled down can be heard from behind Origa.
"Origa-sama, the monster is headed towards this place!"
Hearing a loud voice calling for her attention, Origa left the spot promptly.
As result it turned into a situation of the monster, which jumped out, to appear in front of Balzephon.
"Wh-What? This fellow is..." (Balzephon)
Howling with a volume to level of causing the skin to prickle like an electric shock, it was a monster similar to a tiger baring its sharp fangs, but its length was two sizes bigger than that of a normal monster.
You can see sharp claws on its thick forepaw. Even if only touched lightly, skin and flesh would be totally torn off.
The soldier, who held some tool and was likely chased by the monster, came out of the forest, where the monster jumped out from. If you look closely, the monster's back has been stabbed by around 2 things similar to short spears.
"I'm sorry, Origa-sama. It suddenly woke up and the restraints weren't in time."
"There's no problem. Because it seems to have grasped its fodder, we can leave it as is." (Origa)
Balzephon, realizing that he was designated as the fodder, Origa was talking about, quickly drew his sword and fixed his stance.
As the monster raises a growl, he is unable to let his view wander.
"This is likely your prey. Take responsibility and dispose it." (Balzephon)
"Prey? Well, I don't mind if you think of it like that. Please do your best to gain time so that we can get away. Well then." (Origa)
"Since it will be a bother, if you come chasing", Origa threw a shuriken.
"Uh?"
Balzephon, who received a wound on his knee, barely avoided falling down.
"Then, good bye." (Origa)
Origa, leaving while taking the soldiers along, vanished towards the forest and not the highway.
For the sake of pursuit, he stepped forward bearing the pain, but once the monster realizes that its prey was impaired, it struck with its forepaw.
He managed to just ward it off by using his sword, however his feet had no strength and moreover his bleeding increased.
"Fuuuuuuuuuck!" (Balzephon)
The scream resounded in the forest, but his voice didn't reach anyone.
"If it's too peaceful, it will be troublesome, too. For a shinigami, that is." (Shinigami)
"Be quiet. I can't concentrate." (Adol)
Prime Minister Adol, who ignore the death god's words by tell them to be quiet, moves to the next shelf without stopping his hands.
Ever since the coronation ceremony ended, Adol continued with his search of magic documents about sending back home secluding himself in the reference room.
Although the war ended for now, the result was the biggest problem, 'Hifumi', not only ending it unhurt, but his territory continuing to grow as far that you can even compare its power with a whole country.
If I consider the situation from here on, even with the matter of sending personnel to Fokalore for the sake of strengthening our war potential for starters, the number of knights in the order has already decreased. Concerning the work of the civil officials, whose stagnation is apparent because many nobles were disposed of, I can't even oppose receiving training to make them more efficient.
Rather, since the contents themselves are above the evaluated standard of Adol himself, you can instead call it a furtherance school.
However, while that may be true, I don't want to believe that it is fine for Hifumi's existence to be in this world indefinitely.
"He is a man that creates enemies if there aren't any. Anyway, I have no doubt that he will become a harm for this country and Her Majesty the Queen." (Adol)
Adol, believing in that, worked hard at collecting documents about lost magic in order to prepare countermeasures after that.
"A bit longer, though it would be great, if someone stirred him up." (Shinigami)
"There should have already been more than enough casualties. If such war happens often, this world will perish." (Adol)
He scans the thin lithographs, which were arbitrarily and carelessly piled up, picking up one after the other carefully, so as not to break them, from the top.
"Oh my! In the world, he came from, many thousands and who-knows-how-many ten thousands people have also died." (Shinigami)
"... How can society be sustained with that?" (Adol)
Adol, who unintentionally stopped his hands, looked at the floating shinigami, which only had its head.
Previously it was only a face, but now it has completely restored its head.
"The population's origins are varying a lot. There are also several billion people. It even isn't unusual for people to survive up to 100 years in age." (Shinigami)
"Billions... I can't even imagine. Well fine, I'm doing my best to return him to this wonderful world or whatever. Shut up a bit." (Adol)
"Understood." (Shinigami)
Adol heaved a single sight towards the shinigami, who disappeared as if smoke dispersing, and continued his work.
Finishing to check all of the piled up lithographs, he is dejected as he didn't find the thing he's aiming for.
In the interior, where the lithographs were drawn from, there's something, that leaned against the wall and was inconspicuously wrapped up in a cloth. Once he took it into his hands, even that was once again a lithograph for record keeping.
Someone likely put it there in order to hide it, but probably ended up neglecting it. The cloth crumbles as he is tearing it off.
"This is... !" (Adol)
'It's different from Return magic, but maybe I can use this', Adol took off his outer garment, carefully covered the lithograph with it and left the reference room.
The next day after Hifumi's return, Phyrinion, who was prepared to head towards her family's home, for some reason came to the conference room of the civil official slaves after being summoned by Hifumi.
"Excuse me." (Phyrinion)
When she entered the room after knocking, Hifumi and Alyssa were in front of her.
She can also see the figure of Vaiya and in addition the 5 civil official slaves.
"It seems that I came last. I'm sorry for making you wait." (Phyrinion)
While apologizing, she sits down next to Vaiya with a natural flow. Although someone let a laugh slip out, she doesn't care.
"All of those called have gathered." (Hifumi)
Once Hifumi begins to speak, all views concentrate on him.
"First of all, Vaiya and Phyrinion will leave soon." (Hifumi)
"Yes. After dropping by in Phyrinion's territory, we plant to return to the capital. We plan to depart tomorrow." (Vaiya)
"I see. Well, then I will give this to Phyrinion." (Hifumi)
Caim, receiving a letter from Hifumi, hands it over to Phyrinion.
Once she opened the letter, a dispatch in Imeraria's handwriting was written there. As the condition was the permission from Hifumi, Phyrinion was appointed as civil official of the royal castle and it stated that she would inaugurated with a role of coaching.
At the level of human resources you can call it an exceptional promotion, but Phyrinion was baffled.
"Umm... I will marry very soon though..." (Phyrinion)
Looking to her side, Vaiya is smiling for some reason.
"I know that, but what does that have to do with anything?" (Hifumi)
"It's not particularly saying that you have to go to the castle at once, right? There likely won't be any complaints even if you take up your post after marrying." (Hifumi)
"H-However, for a wife, whose position is to protect the family, to work means..." (Phyrinion)
"I might give birth to a child", after saying this, Phyrinion covered her blushing face.
"Caim, is it not allowed for a married woman to work according to Orsongrande's laws?" (Hifumi)
"There isn't such a law. Even in cities, the madams are working full of spirit." (Caim)
"You see", Hifumi faced Phyrinion.
"I guess it's fine if you work in the castle together with Vaiya. Leaving that aside, please spread the literary and military, you have studied in Fokalore, over there as well. I plan to tell this to Horant as well, but I want you to reply to them if asked." (Hifumi)
"Haa..." (Phyrinion)
'Is it fine with that?' Phyrinion thought, but since she realized during her stay in the mansion of this territory's feudal lord that it was wrong to wish for something ordinary, she doesn't say anything.
"Phyrinion, let's work in the castle together for still a while. It's still too early for you to step down from active duty. It's a precious opportunity to be helpful for Her Majesty the Queen." (Vaiya)
"Oh well... understood. Let's accept this deal." (Phyrinion)
Some people applauded to Phyrinion, who stood up and bowed.
"And I have to give you the severance payment and salary for your work in Fokalore until now." (Hifumi)
Doelgar, receiving Hifumi's instruction, placed a cloth bag filled with gold coins in front of Phyrinion and Vaiya.
It has been filled with an amount that will even trouble a grown man to lift.
Once Phyrinion timidly opened it, all of it was filled with gold coins, without silver or copper coins being in sight.
"This much!? Isn't that enough to buy quite the mansion?" (Phyrinion)
Inside the bag there are 1000 gold coins. Since a capital's soldier's monthly salary is 1 gold coin and a knight's monthly salary is around 5~20 gold coins, Phyrinion was uneasy about the amount of money.
"It also serves as wedding gift. You did your best to increase the population and enrich the territory." (Hifumi)
Together with Phyrinion, Vaiya also stood up in a hurry and bowed towards Hifumi.
Although the civil official slaves around Caim are aware of it, for the current public funds of the Fokalore territory paying this kind of amount is no trouble at all.
Because the business with Phyrinion and Vaiya came to a close, the two of them left.
What remained are only the true core members of Fokalore's core.
"Well, let's get to the real issue at hand." (Hifumi)
"First is this", Hifumi handed the civil officials a new document.
"This is..." (Caim)
Caim received it, but was unusually lost for words.
Looking at the document, which was passed on from him, the expression of the civil officials changed to surprise one by one.
"Acknowledgement of Release? We won't be slaves anymore?" (Paryu)
Hifumi nodded to the question of the youngest, Paryu.
"The territory is stable as well. You were already able to amass more money than I paid for you. Besides, due to the things I will do from now on, it's essential for you to decide whether you want to follow me with your own resolve. It was written by Imeraria." (Hifumi)
Due to Hifumi's treatment of the other side, who just became queen, hasn't changed, there are some thinking "As expected." and some "Is something wrong?"
"Since I have decided to always follow Hifumi-san, I want everyone to decide what they want to do in the future." (Alyssa)
"I will remain." (Miyukare)
It was a prompt decision by Miyukare after hearing Alyssa's words.
"Calm down, moron." (Hifumi)
As Hifumi said so, he entrusted his back to the chair and continued with "First listen to my story."
"To begin with, since you will be given an amount of money as severance payment within limitations even if you leave this place, it's fine to do business or whatever. I won't forbid you to speak about the details of my speech from here on just because you got to know them. It's alright even if you want to speak about it." (Hifumi)
"I will deal with you if you become an enemy", once he said that, it became a natural occurrence of everyone choosing to remain silent.
"After this I will go play with the lot of the beastman race. I also plan to go have a look at the Country of Knights, which is beyond." (Hifumi)
Everyone came to the matching opinion "It likely won't finish with you going to have a look", but of course no one says anything.
"During that time I want you to continue strengthening this territory. If it goes as I have planned, the fight with the beastman bunch will begin first. Depending on the situation, it might also become a fight with the Country of Knights. At that time there's also the possibility that Vichy will once again become our enemy. It's depending on Imeraria, but it's not said that it's impossible for Orsongrande's royal army to become hostile as well." (Hifumi)
In other words, except Horant, which wants to focus on the reorganization of the nation, all their surroundings might turn into enemies. That's his announcement.
Everyone except Alyssa and Caim, have fed up faces due to Hifumi brimming with the intention to cause turmoil again.
"I will remain on this post after all. The possibility of a war happening is the same anywhere. I might as well stay safe close to the strongest person. Besides, I don't have any intention to separate from the Military Director." (Miyukare)
Miyukare declared and threw even a wink towards Alyssa.
"I will stay as well. I don' feel like doing another job at this point. I finally arrived at a point where the commerce and industry relations are on track too. I also believe there's no such enjoyable work like this." (Doelgar)
"I shall remain, too. Until now we weren't even treated as slaves. I also fell in love with this city." (Brokkra)
Next Doelgar and Brokkra chose to stay.
Paryu pondered for a while, but seeing the others of the female camp choosing to stay, she apparently resolved herself.
"Please let me work just as before as well. I don't think I would be good at anything else, even if I went to another place. I want to work here together with everyone." (Paryu)
And at last the looks gathered on Caim, who maintained his silence so far.
"As a matter of fact, there have been inquiries by several noble households for me." (Caim)magic
"I see. Well, I guess so." (Paryu)
Paryu likely wanted Caim to stay behind as well. She's looking at him with eyes full of anxiety.
Caim's excellence has spread, regardless whether in or outside the territory by everybody coming and going. If he hadn't the social standing of a slave, there would have probably been even more scouts concentrating on him.
The several letters, he took out from his pocket, are likely invitation letters. Caim ripped those apart and threw them away without hesitation.
"I have always pondered about Lord-sama's talk regarding growth and destruction. The thing called synergy of promoting the level and scale of wars as well as people becoming wealthy." (Caim)
Facing Hifumi, he bowed.
"After all, Lord-sama is probably a hero (eiyuu) summoned to this world. I wanted to see the advanced world even if smeared with blood. I believe if it is to be a wonderful world, there will surely be difficulties ahead. If one doesn't get hold of it after going through hardships, that won't be anything more but an illusion either. Please, let me serve you from here on, too." (Caim)
"Understood. I will leave it to you from now on as well." (Hifumi)
"Then, please choose a governor before you leave the territory once again. It doesn't even matter, if it's only as decoration, now." (Caim)
"Ah, that, huh?" (Hifumi)
Alyssa's shoulders trembled due to a topic appearing, she was afraid of.
"I will marry someone and leave it to my wife. You guys were also nagging me about an heir for a long time now." (Hifumi)
"For a noble it is an important duty to continue the family line."
"Saying something like that, is there anyone who wants to marry me?" (Hifumi)
Due to the words he said lightly, everyone, who was in this place, except Caim, shouted [Please wait until Origa returns] .
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