宰相アドルから渡された石版に書かれている文字は、古くはあるものの、王族としての教育を受けたイメラリアにはある程度は読むことができた。
「これは......」
そこに記された内容は、明らかに送還のための術式ではない。読み終わったイメラリアは、その最後に記載された言葉に、動揺を隠せなかった。
「封印、術式......」
実力のある魔法使いが使えば、強力な魔法使いや強大な魔物でも封印できるだろう、と記されている。それだけ強力な封印を施すための魔法であり、これが必要になる日が来ないことを祈る、という言葉で終わっている。
「アドルさん、どういう事ですか。これは送還術式ではありません。オリガさんとのお話では、送還魔法を探しているとおっしゃっていましたね?」
「左様です。ですが、未だその魔法は見つかっておりません」
「では、この封印魔法の石版をわたくしに見せたのは......。一体、何を考えているのです」
イメラリアは睨むようにアドルを見ると、口を真一文字に引き締めた。
「......全ては、この国オーソングランデの為でございます」
「一応、あなたの考えを伺いましょう」
「ありがとうございます」
膝を付き、顔を伏せたままの姿勢でアドルは語る。
「今現在、我が国の状況は安定しております。順調と言っても問題ない状態でしょう。女王陛下が即位され、経済も安定し、人心も落ち着いている、と私は見ております。これも原因さえ考えなければ、トオノ伯の力に因るところ大でありましょう」
ここまでの話には、イメラリアも素直に同意した。一二三の存在に関わらずヴィシーからの干渉はあったわけで、他国との衝突が完全にオーソングランデ優位にまとまったのは国として非常に大きいメリットだった。
「ですが、これからの国にとってトオノ伯は重荷になりましょう。彼はこの国にとっての英雄となりましたが、このまま彼の領地が増えて行けば、遠からず国とフォカロルの立場は逆転するでしょう。いえ、既に技術や民からの信頼の面で言えば、フォカロルの評価は王都を超えていると言っても良いでしょう」
「だからと言って、一二三様を排除する理由には......」
「女王陛下」
無礼を承知で、アドルは顔を上げてイメラリアの言葉を遮った。
「全てはトオノ伯を中心に動いております。信じられない話ですが、フォカロルの商工業の基礎もトオノ伯の意見を土台にしているとの事。彼の能力は戦う事のみではありません」
「......少し、考えさせてください。わたくしは、この国の行く末に対する責任を自分が負っている事は重々承知しています。ですが、すぐに貴方のお話を了承するには、まだパジョーさんの、彼女の身に起きたことを自分の中で整理できているわけではないのです」
目を伏せたイメラリアは、息を整えるようにゆっくりと溜息をついた。
「あれは完全にわたくしの失策でした。一二三様の戦力を過小評価し、その知恵がどのように働くのかを見くびっていたのです。彼女の命を奪ったのは、他ならぬわたくしなのです」
「陛下。私を含め全ての家臣は陛下のお心のままにお仕えしております。どうか騎士パジョーへ懺悔を言葉をお使いくださいますな。彼女は陛下のために考え、行動いたしました」
イメラリアは辛うじて涙を押しとどめ、封印魔法については預かることとして、アドルとの面会を打ち切った。
退室の際、アドルが最後に言った「彼を殺す必要が無く、英雄のままで退場いただくための事です。どうか、良くお考え下さい」という言葉が、頭に焼きついていた。
一二三がスラムに現れたのは、獣人奴隷を買い込んでから数日後の事だった。レニもヘレンも連れず、犬獣人のゲングのみを案内に連れている。
「以前聞いた場所で合っていれば、ここから先へ向かうとスラムと呼ばれる場所になるはずでやす」
ゲングが差した方向は、細い裏路地が続き、ゴミや建物の残骸が積み上がったうらぶれた雰囲気の通りだった。
「以前もこんな感じの場所に来たな。それじゃ、行くぞ」
「お待ちくだせえ! いきなり人間が入っていったら、どんな目にあうか......」
引きとめようとするゲングを無視して、一二三はずんずんとスラムの中へと入っていく。
説得を諦めて、ゲングも急いで一二三の後ろをついて行った。
細い通りを抜けると、崩れた建物が目立つものの、それなりに建物が並ぶ住宅エリアにたどり着く。いくつかの建物から誰かが住んでいる気配を感じ、さらに視線が向けられているのを察した一二三は、腰に差した刀の柄を指でトントンと叩きながら、あてもなく歩く。
「どいつもこいつも、建物の中からこっちを窺うだけで出てこないな」
「警戒しているんでしょうな。人間が獣人を捕まえに来るのも珍しくないでしょうし」
だが、たった一人の人間が獣人一人を連れただけという一二三たちは、相手しやすいと思ったのだろう、複数の獣人が現れて一二三を囲むまでに、大した時間はかからなかった。
豹や熊など、様々な獣人が徒党を組んでいる様子は、一二三から見たら動物園のようで微笑ましい。
「人間が一人で何をしに来たか知らねぇが、金を置いていけば悪いようにはしねぇ」
片腕を無くした豹の獣人が、凄んでるんだか説得しているんだか微妙な態度で一二三に顔を近づける、が。
「息が臭い」
一二三は前蹴りで豹獣人を蹴り飛ばした。
反応する間も無く放物線を描いて飛んでいった豹獣人は、ボロ家の突き破った。
壁がクッションになったのか、気絶は免れたようで、腹を押さえてよろよろと立ち上がった。
「てめぇ!」
「ま、待ってくれ!」
激昂する熊獣人の前に、ゲングが飛び出した。
「この人は俺たち獣人にとって希望になる人なんだ! 話だけでも聞いてくれ!」
「希望だと?」
「俺の服を見てもわかるだろう! 人間の奴隷になった奴が、こんな良い服着れるかよ!」
「なんで人間の味方なんてするんだよ!」
ゲングとスラムの獣人たちがお互いに言い争うのを無視して、一二三は蹴り飛ばした豹獣人に近づいた。
「まだやるか? やるなら殺す」
「......降参する。命は惜しい」
うなだれる豹を放って、一二三は振り返った。
「こいつは降参するそうだ。他に俺とやりあいたい奴はいるか?」
豹の獣人はスラムの仲間内では強いまとめ役のような存在だったようで、一二三の呼びかけに答える者はいなかった。
とても残念そうに溜息をついた一二三は、適当な瓦礫に座った。
「このスラムの獣人をここに集めて来い」
「い、一体何を考えている?」
豹獣人の疑問に、一二三は指先を向けて答えた。
「このスラムにお前らの街を作る」
一二三の言葉を聞いた獣人たちは、口を開けて唖然としていた。
ゲングだけは笑顔のまま、周りを見回した。
「何度聞いても、面白い夢だなぁ。俺も一発、やってやるぜ」
一二三がスラムに出かけている間、レニとヘレンの他、残された獣人たちは宿にて留守番だった。
とはいえ、のんきに過ごしていたわけではない。
「こ、こんな目にあうとは......」
貸切にした食堂の一角、テーブルに突っ伏したのはヘレンだ。
彼女の前には上質な紙で作られたテキストがあり、並べて置かれた羊皮紙には汚い字が並んでいる。
ヘレンの隣では、レニが懸命にペンを握って勉強していた。
「レニ、何一生懸命やってるのよ。あの人間が言ってたじゃない、人間だって勉強してない奴はいっぱいいるって」
「でも、一二三さんは勉強しないと王様になれないって......」
「......本気で言ってるの?」
「うん」
呆れたという顔を見せたヘレンを、レニはまっすぐ見つめる。
「なんていうのかな......人間はまだ少し怖いけど、いろんな仕事とか作ったりとか考えたりとか、こういうのは荒野には無かったよね。この勉強っていうのも、知らないことがたくさん書いてあって、解らなかったことがどんどん解るようになって」
レニはペンを置いて、ヘレンの手を掴んだ。
「面白いと思わない? それで一二三さん、まず獣人族の街を作れって言ってたよ。街だよ? 人間の街みたいに色んなお店があって、色々な種族の獣人たちが、好きなことや得意な事で働くの」
「そりゃね、そうなったら楽しそうだけどさ......」
ヘレンがテキストに目を落とすと、公用語の文字と単語がズラリと並んでいる。読み方だけは何とか覚えたものの、単語がかけるかというとまだまだ難しい。
一二三は数日で大体の文章が読み書きできたと言っていたが、ヘレンは疑っている。
「街ができたら、ヘレンは何がやりたい? お店とか? お野菜を作るっていうのも面白そうだよね」
「王様になっても、店で物売ったり野菜作ったりするの?」
「二人共、人間の街には慣れていないのね。王様は兵士や騎士より偉い人で、彼らに指示を出して国を動かすのが仕事なのよ。とてもじゃないけれど、お店なんてやってる時間はないんじゃないかしら?」
少しタレ目の兎獣人は、レニたちに優しく微笑む。
「この歳になって、まさか人間に勉強をさせられるとは思ってなかったけれどね。将来の事を想像したり、夢があるのっていいわね。捕まって奴隷にされて、もう10年以上経ったけれど、こんなふうに何がやりたい、とか何をしよう、とか考えるのは初めてよ」
彼女の言葉を聞いて、レニは気づいた事があった。
「そっか。ヘレン、ウチたちは荒野にいる時は、ご飯を集める事と今の安全ばかり考えていたけれど、一二三さんと話しているうちに、いつの間にか将来の話をしていたんだね」
ヘレンも目を見開いていた。
「確かに、何かにビクビクするだけだったのが、レニと話すことも増えたね。ご飯の話やお店で売っていた道具の話とか......」
「このまま獣人の街ができて、みんなを呼べたら凄い事になるよ!」
よし、頑張るぞ、と鼻息荒くペンを握り直したレニに付き合って、ヘレンも頑張ろう、と心の中で呟いた。
「あの人間、文字を覚えたら後は何かの勉強をするって言ってなかったっけ?」
ヘレンがポツリと疑問を口にした。
「ん~とね」
レニが天井を見上げて思い出した事を言う。
「確か、接客のノウハウ? とかどうとか」
「わかんない」
顔を見合わせる二人を見つめながら、片耳の兎獣人は根拠なく、新しいご主人様の事を信じてみようという気持ちになっていた。たった数日の付き合いだが、レニたちの様子を見ている限りは、良い主人のようだから。
ある日を境に、ソードランテの職人たちの元へ奇妙な依頼が届くようになった。
鍛冶や木工などの工業分野の職人から、パン職人などの料理人、果ては宿の従業員などのサービス業従事者まで様々だ。
報酬も良かったので、多くのものが指定された宿へと向かう。
そこでズラリと並んだ獣人たちに怯むものの、しっかりと「お願いします」と丁寧な挨拶を受けて、素直に話を聞いてくれるうえに、大したことの無い技術でも目を輝かせて熱心に学び取ろうとするので、いつの間にか職人達も気をよくしていった。
次第に学ぶ内容によってグループが別れ、専門的なところへと踏み込んでいく。
元々奴隷として街中には相当数の獣人がおり、中には主人の代わりに買い物をしている獣人も居たせいか、貴族以外の平民たちにとっては獣人の存在そのものを忌避する感情は薄い。一二三が宿の食堂で実験して確認した感情的な部分は、平民に限って言えばだが、問題が無かった。
同時に、大工たちには別の仕事も依頼されていた。
スラムの大規模改修工事だ。
大工たちが舌を巻く程しっかりした図面が行き届き、古い建物が順序良く解体され、獣人たちの住まいから始まり、商店として使う建物、作業小屋、さらに鍛冶場や浴場までもが建設されていく。
材料となる木材は、外から獣人たちが次々と運んで来るので、作業は滞る事なく急ピッチで進められていった。
大工作業に参加する獣人も現れ、力のあるものや軽業が得意な者が中心となって、人間では数人がかりとなる作業も、獣人が加わるだけでどんどん捗るので、大工の中には街中での仕事も手伝ってもらいたいと言い出す者が出てきた。
瓦礫と古家に占領されていたスラムは、次第にスラムとは呼べない新たな街となっていく。
資金を出している人物は、打ち合わせに時々現れるだけで、金の出処など不明な部分が多くはあったが、金払いの良さと出資者の奴隷たちだという獣人たちの想定外の付き合いやすさに、そこを追求してくる者もいなかった。
やがて、ノウハウを得て開業する獣人が出始め、いよいよスラムは健全な街としての機能が出来上がっていく。
「ひゃ~......なんかすごい状況でやすね」
「スラムの影も形もねぇな」
犬獣人のゲングと片腕の豹獣人は、先に商店エリアが造成された街に近い場所を歩いていた。
「人間の知恵というのはすごいもんだな。何も考えずに使っていた建物が、あんなに色々と考えて作られていたとは、思いもよらなかった」
力が強いから、と人間の事をよく知らないままだったから、俺たち獣人はいいようにやられてきたのか、と豹獣人は自虐の言葉を吐いた。
「それに、一二三さんに買われるまでは、他の種族同士や、まして人間とこんなふうに協力して作業をするとは思いもしやせんでしたよ」
「そうだな......だが、一つ気になることがある」
真剣な目をした豹の獣人は、残った腕で顎を撫でた。
「人間の中でも、兵士やら騎士やらは俺たちみたいな獣人を捕まえに来るもんじゃないのか? 普通の人間はさておき、兵士の5~6人は来てもおかしくないんだが......」
豹獣人の気がかりは現実に起きていることだった。
日が暮れて、大工たちもスラムから帰って行った頃、数名の兵士たちがスラムへと入り込んで来た。
綺麗な建物が並ぶスラムの様子に驚いている彼らの前に、一人の青年が立つ。
いつもの胴着に黒袴、腰には刀を差した一二三だ。
「お前は......獣人では無いな。ここで何をしている?」
一人の兵士が誰何すると、一二三は細い剣をスラリと抜いた。
剣は片刃で反りがあり、人を惹きつけるような美しい刃紋が蒼く月明かりを反射している。
「何かと言われれば......お前らのような侵入者を待っていた、というのが一番正しいかもな。毎晩毎晩、ご苦労なことだ」
「調査に行った者が帰ってこないのは......全員、剣を構えろ!」
クックッと笑う青年に、兵士たちは異様な雰囲気を感じながら、剣を抜いた。
「抜いたな。それでいい」
一二三は今夜も楽しめそうだ、と金はかかったが優秀な釣り餌になった獣人の街に感謝した。
The characters, written on the lithograph handed over by Prime Minister Adol, although old, were something Imeraria, who received education as royalty, was able to read to some extent.
"This is..." (Imeraria)
The details, which were written down there, evidently isn't a spell formula for the sake of sending back. Having finished to read it, Imeraria wasn't able to conceal her unrest due to the words mentioned at its end.
"Sealing spell formula..." (Imeraria)
If a magician with ability uses it, they will likely be able to seal even mighty monsters and powerful wizards, is what is written there. We pray that the day, where it will be necessary to use a spell to perform such a strong seal, won't come, are the words finishing the record.
"Adol-san, what's this about? This isn't a return spell formula. You said, during the talk with Origa-san, that you have been searching for a return spell, haven't you?" (Imeraria)
"Indeed. But I still haven't found that spell yet." (Adol)
"Then showing me this sealing magic lithograph... what the heck are you planning?" (Imeraria)
Once Imeraria looks at Adol as if examining him carefully, his lips stiffened into a thin line.
"... Everything is for the sake of this country, Orsongrande." (Adol)
"For the time being I shall hear out your opinion." (Imeraria)
"Thank you very much." (Adol)
Bent on his knees, Adol talks with a stance of having his head lowered.
"At this moment our country's situation is stable. I guess it's in a state with no issues, you might even say it's doing well. You, Your Majesty, were enthroned, the economy has stabilized and even the populace has calmed down, that's what I'm observing. As long as you don't think about the cause for this either, a large part of it will be on account of Earl Tohno." (Adol)
Even Imeraria frankly consented to the story this far. As there was interference from Vichy regardless of Hifumi's existence, it was an exceedingly great merit for the country that the conflicts with the other countries settled with Orsongrande's complete predominance.
"However, for the future country Earl Tohno will change into a huge burden. He became a hero for this country, but if his territory continues to grow, the positions of the country and Fokalore will likely reverse in the near future. No, if you talk about the aspect of the trust by his people and the engineering, you could already say that Fokalore's evaluation has surpassed the capital's." (Adol)
"While that may be true, as reason for rejecting Hifumi-sama..." (Imeraria)
"Your Majesty, the Queen." (Adol)
With the knowledge of his impoliteness, Adol lifted his head and interrupted Imeraria.
"Everything is moving with Earl Tohno at the core. Although it's an unbelievable story, I'm told that the basis of Fokalore's commerce and industry has been handled with Earl Tohno's views as foundation. His ability isn't only that of doing battle." (Adol)
"... Please, let me think about it for a bit. I'm deeply aware that I'm bearing the responsibility for this country's fate. But, as for immediately accepting your arguments, it's not like I have been able put my feelings about what happened to Pajou's body in order yet." (Imeraria)
Imeraria, who had cast down her eyes, slowly sighed as if adjusting her breathing.
"That was completely my error. Underestimating Hifumi-sama's combat prowess, I belittled his intelligence. The one who stole her life was no one else but me." (Imeraria)
"Your Majesty. Including me, all of your retainers are serving to follow Your Majesty's heart's desires. Please, don't use words of repentance towards Knight Pajou. She acted on behalf of Your Majesty." (Adol)
Barely keeping back her tears, Imeraria decided to look after the sealing spell and closed the meeting with Adol.
On the verge of leaving the room, Adol said at the last moment [This is something for the sake of having him leave as hero without needing to kill him. Please, think well about it] . Those words were burned into her mind.
It was several days after he bought the beastmen slaves when Hifumi appeared at the slums. Without taking Reni and Helen along, he has only brought the dogman, Gengu, for guidance with him.
"If it's at the location I was told about before, the place called slums should be ahead from here." (Gengu)
The direction indicated by Gengu, was a path with a shabby atmosphere having accumulated remains of buildings and trash continuing into a narrow back alley.
"I previously came to a place with such feeling as well. Well then, let's go." (Hifumi)
"Please wait! If a human suddenly entered there, what kind of experience will they..." (Gengu)
Ignoring Gengu, who tries to stop him, Hifumi quickly enters the slums' interior.
Giving up his persuasion, Gengo followed Hifumi's back in a hurry, too.
Once they exit the narrow alley, they arrive at a residential area with buildings lining up, although the collapsed buildings are standing out. Sensing signs of someone living there from several buildings, Hifumi, who guessed that they were turning their sights this way, aimlessly walks around while tapping the hilt of the katana, worn at his waist, with his finger.
"Every last of them doesn't come out and merely peeks this way from within the buildings." (Hifumi)
"They are probably cautious. It's likely not unusual for humans to come here to catch beastmen." (Gengu)
"But, it's just one human with only a single beastmen", Hifumi says. Probably thinking that they would be easy opponents, it didn't take much time for several beastmen to appear and surround Hifumi.
By the looks they have assembled a clique of various tribes such as leopards and bears. From Hifumi's point of view, it's pleasing with a zoo-like feel.
"I dun' know why ya came here by yerself, human, but we ain't do anythin' bad ta ya, if ya leave yer cash and go."
A leopard beastman, who lost one arm, brings its face close to Hifumi with a questionable attitude making it uncertain whether they are threatening or persuading him.
"Your breath stinks." (Hifumi)
Hifumi sent the leopard beastman flying with a frontal kick.
The leopard beastman, who flew drawing a parabola without time to react, broke through a tattered house.
Did the wall act as cushion? Apparently avoiding to faint, the beastman unsteadily stood up and and grasped its belly.
"Bastard!"
"P-Please wait!" (Gengu)magic
Gengu rushed out in front of an enraged bear beastman.
"This person is someone, who will become a hope for us beastmen! Please listen to him even if it's only for the story." (Gengu)
"Hope, you say?"
"You will likely understand once you look at my clothes. Those, who became slaves of humans, won't be able to wear such nice clothes, will they!?" (Gengu)
"Why are you doing something like being an ally of a human!?"
Disregarding the mutual dispute between Gengu and the slums' beastmen, Hifumi approached the leopard beastmen, he sent flying.
"Do you still want to continue? If you do, I will kill you." (Hifumi)
"... I give up. Life is precious."
Leaving alone the leopard, who was hanging his head, Hifumi turned around.
"It looks like this guy has given up. Is there anyone else, who wants to pick a fight with me?" (Hifumi)
As it seemed that the leopard beastman was an existence similar to a powerful troubleshooter among the beastmen of the slums, there wasn't anyone answering Hifumi's call.
Sighing due to being very disappointed, Hifumi sat down on a fitting debris.
"Have the beastmen of this slum gather here." (Hifumi)
"W-What the hell are you planning?"
Due to the leopard beastman's question, Hifumi pointed his finger and answered,
"We will build your guys' city in these slums." (Hifumi)
The beastmen, who heard Hifumi's words, opened their mouths dumbfoundedly.
Only Gengu surveyed the surroundings keeping up his smile.
"No matter how many times I hear it, it's an interesting dream. I want to do it in one shot, too." (Gengu)
During the time Hifumi has gone out to the slums, Reni, Helen and the other beastmen, who were left behind, stayed at the inn.
Be that as it may, that doesn't mean they spent their time care-freely.
"T-To suffer such a..." (Helen)
It is Helen prostrating herself at a table in corner of the dining room set as reserved.
In front of her is a book made out of fine quality paper. Next to it there is a messy handwriting lining up on a separate parchment.
Reni was earnestly grasping a pen and studying besides Helen.
"Reni, what are you doing as if your life depended on it? It's not what that human told you. Even among humans there are plenty, who don't study." (Helen)
"But, Hifumi-san said that I won't be able to start looking like a ruler, if I don't study..." (Reni)
"... Has he really said that?" (Helen)
"Yeah." (Reni)
Helen, who made an expression as if being astounded, stares directly at Reni.
"What to say... humans are still a bit scary, but doing various things such as tasks, writing and thinking, such things didn't exist in the wastelands, right? You can even say that about this studying. Writing down many things I don't know, it has reached the point that I'm steadily comprehending things I didn't understand." (Reni)
Reni put down the pen and grabbed Helen's hands.
"Don't you think it's interesting? And, Hifumi-san said that he will build the first city of the beastmen race. It will be a city, won't it? It will have various stores like the human city and beastmen of various tribes will work on things, they like and are strong at." (Reni)
"Well that's... if it's going to be like that, it will be fun, I guess, but..." (Helen)
When Helen casts down her eyes at the textbook, there are the official characters and vocabulary lined up in a row. Although she somehow memorized the way of reading those, it was still far too difficult for her to write words.
She was told that Hifumi was able to read and write the general sentences in a few days, but Helen is doubting that.
"What do you want to do once the city is built, Helen? Is it a store? It seems to be interesting, even if you say you will grow vegetables, right?" (Reni)
"Growing vegetables and selling them in a store, even if I become a ruler?" (Helen)
"Both of you aren't used to a human city. As a more important character than soldiers and knights, the king's job is to manage the country by giving out directions. Although it's not by all means, you won't have the time to run something like a store, will you?"
The rabbitwoman with the slightly drooping eyes smiles gently at Reni and Helen.
"Becoming this old, I certainly didn't think I would be allowed to study by a human. If I imagine future, it's nice to have a dream. 10 years already passed since I was caught and turned into a slave, but it's the first time I'm able to ponder what I want to do or what I will do like this."
Listening to her words, Reni noticed something.
"Is that so? Helen, at the time, when we were in the wastelands, we just thought about our immediate safety and the matters of being able to gather food, but we did have a conversation about our future unnoticed during our talks with Hifumi-san." (Reni)
Helen also opened her eyes widely.
"If I remember correctly, the things, I talked about with you, Reni, increased as well, though it was just me being afraid of something. Talks such as about food or tools to be sold at a store..." (Helen)
"If the beastmen city is built and if it's possible to invite everyone, it will become wonderful!" (Reni)
"Alright, I will do my best", Reni once again clasped the pen with a rough nasal breathing. Helen also followed up by muttering
"Didn't that human tell us to study something once we done with characters?" (Helen)
Helen voiced out her question in a murmur.
"Mmh~ that is." (Reni)
Reni looks up at the ceiling and recount what she remembered,
"If I'm not mistaken, it's the know-how of serving customers? Or something like that?" (Reni)
"I don't know." (Reni)
While watching the two looking at each other, the one-eared rabbitwoman had an unfounded feeling to try believing into her new master. Though they have been associating with him for only a few days, looking at the state of Helen and Reni, he appears to be a nice master.
On a certain day in the local area, a strange commission was delivered to the craftsmen of Swordland.
From the craftsmen in the industrial fields, such as carpenters and blacksmiths, to chefs, like bakers and such, and even those employed in the service sector, such as inn employees, it reached various people.
Given that it had also an excellent reward, many of them headed to the designated inn.
They flinched at the beastmen lining up in a row there, but receiving a properly polite [Please]  and seeing them enthusiastically trying to collect information with shining eyes, even if it wasn't about a significant craft, on top of them listening to their speeches honestly, the craftsmen even were in a good mood before realizing it.
Gradually splitting the groups by the learning content, they get into the core of the parts of their professions.
From the start there is a considerable number of beastmen slaves within the city. It may be because there were also beastmen doing the shopping for their masters among them, that for commoners, with the exception of nobles, there was a weak feeling of shirking away from the beastmen's existence in itself. The emotional part, which Hifumi confirmed by experimenting in the dining room of the inn, was no issue, but only if you restrict the talk to commoners.
At the same time the carpenters were requested to do a different job, too.
It's a large-scale repair operation of the slums.
Being attentive to the astonishing detailed blueprints, the carpenters skilfully dismantled the old buildings in order, starting with the dwellings of the beastmen, and constructed buildings, to be used as stores, manufacturing cabins and moreover even smithies and bathhouses.
Given that the beastmen carried in wood, which was used as material, from outside in succession, the work advanced at a quick pace without being delayed.
Beastmen, who participated in the carpentry work, appeared as well and those, who have strength, and those, who are specialized in acrobatics, played a central role in tasks, that would usually require the help of several humans. Since it was steadily making progress with just the beastmen joining in, some among the carpenters appeared, who proposed that they wanted help with the work down-town as well.
The slums, which were occupied by deserted houses and debris, has gradually turned into a new city that can't be called slums anymore.
The person, who has been providing the funds, had many obscure parts, such as the source of money, with him only appearing sometimes at briefing sessions. But due to the easiness beyond expectations to associate with the beastmen, who were said to be the investor's slaves, and the virtue of monetary payment, there wasn't anyone pursuing that point either.
Before long, beastmen, who have obtained the know-how in running businesses, have started to appear. At last the slums have finished the facilities to function as healthy city.
"Hyaa~ ... Somehow it's an amazing situation ~ssu." (Gengu)
"There ain't no appearance or shadow of slums either."
The dogman, Gengu, and the one-armed leopard beastman walked to a nearby place in the city, where the shop area was created earlier.
"The human's intelligence is somethin' terrific. Although we used the buildings without thinkin' anythin' 'bout it, it was unexpected for them to have been built with various ideas to that extent."
"Did we live by 'us beastmen are great' because we are strong and because we don' quite understand human matters?" The leopard beastman spit out self-depreciating words.
"Moreover, until we were bought by Hifumi-san, we didn't even consider to do such a cooperative work with comrades from other tribes and much less with humans ~ssu." (Gengu)
"That's right... However, there's a single matter I'm worried about."
The leopard beastman, having a serious look, stroke his chin with his remaining arm.
"Even among humans, aren't there those coming to catch beastmen like us such as soldiers and knights? Leaving aside the normal humans, it won't even be funny, if 5~6 soldiers come here, but..."
The leopard beastman's worry was something occurring in reality.
At the time the carpenters returned from the slums when the day came to an end, several soldiers came entering the slums.
A single youth stands in front of them, who have been surprised by the appearance of the slums lining up clean buildings.
With his usual black hakama on the dougi and the katana hanging on his hips, it's Hifumi.
"You are... not a beastman. What are you doing here?"
Once a single soldier asked for his identity, Hifumi smoothly drew the slender sword.
The sword has a curve with a single edge. The beautiful, as if charming people, hamon is reflecting the pale moonlight.
"If I were to say it one way or the other... I was waiting for intruders like you guys. This might be the most truthful answer. It's something I have put you through every and every night." (Hifumi)
"The people, who went to investigate and haven't come back, are... everyone, prepare your swords!"
While feeling a bizarre atmosphere due to the young man laughing with a "Kukuku", the soldiers drew their swords.
"You drew them. Then it's fine." (Hifumi)
It seems Hifumi will be able to enjoy this evening as well. He was thankful to the beastmen city, which became an excellent bait, though it cost money.
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