声を上げたのは昨日から蔵人と妙に縁のある、あの職員であった。
蔵人とそう変わらない背丈に細みの身体、白っぽいシャツに紺色のズボン、その顔に張りついてはがれない事務的な表情がなければ、どこにでもいそうな中年の職員だった。
そんな彼が、協会職員としての職務上否応なく火中の栗を拾わんと、二人の仲裁に入った。
ザウルを怒らせては逆上させては大問題だし、『白槍』の隊長とつながりのある妙な新人を放置しておいてもまずいとこの職員は判断し、意を決して行動にでたのだ。
見守るだけだった他の職員たちはこの職員に心の中で快哉を上げた。
口をはさんだことで、二人の視線にさらされた職員は冷や汗をかきながらも職務を実行する。
「ざ、ザウル様が必要なのはどの部位でしょうか?」
ザウルは興が冷めたとばかりにショートソードから手を離していた。
「......羽と嘴、瞳だ」
「クランドさんは何が必要で?」
なぜ俺が交渉に乗らねばならないという風な蔵人に耳に職員がささやく。
(ザウル様はドルガン議会議員のご子息でもあられます。面倒がお嫌ならば、交渉を受けるのも手かと)
蔵人は不服そうにしながらも答えた。
「肉と長尾羽を数枚」
職員はわざとらしく手を叩く。
「おお、それならばクランドさんがザウル様に羽と嘴、瞳を適正価格でお譲りになればいい」
職員の言葉は事の行く末を見つめる人たちの視線を蔵人に集めた。
「......それでいい。解体は協会でやってくれ」
蔵人のその一言に、いくつもの安堵のため息がこぼれた。
「よかろう、協会に免じてそれで許してやる」
ザウルもこれ以上、協会で騒ぎを起こすのはまずい。何より妹の婚礼祝いである、ケチがついても面白くないと考えていた。
蔵人は腕ほどもある長く美しい尾羽三本と全身の肉、ザウルから代金の一〇〇〇ロド(約十万円)を。
「クランドさん、協会に口座をつくりますか?」
の代金を蔵人に渡す前に職員がきいてきた。
「それはどこの街、国でも?」
「協会があるところならどこでも。協会内で両替もしてますよ」
「それなら、つくってくれ」
蔵人はドッグタグとついでにマクシームからもらった紙幣の束をそのまま渡した。
紙幣の束にぎょっとする職員だったが、なんとか平静を装ってドッグタグと紙幣を受け取ると、そのまま手続きに入った。
「口座に二万七〇〇〇ロド、確かにお預かりしました」
蔵人はドッグタグを受け取ると荷物背負い、麻の袋に入った肉と尾羽をもって、協会を出た。
そして出るや否やゲンナリした顔をした。
協会を出るまでの間、蔵人はザウルの嫌な視線を常に感じていたのだ。
蔵人はちょっとした開放感を感じていた。
蔵人はそのまま宿に直行し、部屋で荷物を下ろすと、まだ日のあるうちにベッドにもぐりこんだ。
明日の朝の暗い内に出発するつもりで今日のうちに部屋を引き払っておいたが、宿の主に話して予約に近い状態にしてもらった。白幻討伐の時期でもなければたいがい空いてるぜ、と開き直った返事があり蔵人は次来た時にこの宿があるのか少し心配になった。
日も昇らぬ薄暗い中、蔵人は寝ている客を起こさぬようひっそりと宿を出た。宿に他の客がいるかどうかはさておくとして。
外は昨日買っておいた麻のシャツと皮の上下にブーツを着ていても肌寒い。
さすがに日が昇る前というのは早かったのか、新しい依頼すら貼られていなかった。
蔵人は黄ばんだ塩漬けの依頼をジッとみて、一枚をはぎ取って、受付にもっていく。
「この依頼の納品はいつでもいいのか?」
眠そうな見知らぬ職員は目をシパシパさせて依頼書を見る。
「......一年とか半年とかでなければ、依頼を受けてから一カ月くらいであれば......ってこれ受けるんですか?」
頷いてドッグタグを取りだした蔵人を見て、職員は驚いた顔をする。
「いくらランクに関係ないフリーの依頼でも
数か月も依頼の受け手がいない塩漬け依頼の場合、依頼人の了承のもと、ランクフリーの依頼になることがあった。
「ルール上は問題ないはず」
「困ったなぁ......でも、まあ、いいか」
シフトの交代時間が迫っていた、眠たかった、職員が蔵人に依頼を受注させたのは最後にはそんな理由だった。
蔵人は塩漬けされた依頼をなんとか受けてから、村を出発した。
村をぐるりとまわり、村の背後にそびえたつアレルドゥリア山脈を見上げる。随分と長い間家を空けていた気がした。
アカリと雪白は上手くやっているだろうか。
蔵人は急に心配になり、足早にアレルドゥリア山脈の麓の森林帯に向かった。
その背を見なれぬ男たちが音もなく追いかけていった。
男たちはザウル子飼いのものたちで、多くはハンター崩れで、中にはハンターではないものまでいた。
アレルドゥリア山脈はハンターたちの中で、山脈の裾野に広がる『森林帯』、
その森林帯を抜けて、亜高山帯との境界に位置する野営地に蔵人がたどりついたのは日も暮れかかった頃のことであった。
大荷物をもっての移動は手ぶらでの移動と同じというわけにはいかなかった。それでも通常のハンターの移動とそれほどかわりないのだから、断じて遅いわけではない。現に密かに蔵人を追っていた男たちはかなり疲労していた。
その上、蔵人は森の中を口笛を吹きながら移動しているのである。
ハンターとしての常識のなさと、聞いたことのないメロディの口笛に蔵人の後を追う男たちは余計に神経を苛立たせ、野営地についたときには妙に目はギラつかせていた。
既に日は落ち、蔵人の具象化した火精のみが揺らめいていた。
蔵人はおもむろに火精を消した。
山は青い月明かりだけがわずかに照らす、闇に支配された。
ヒュンと矢が蔵人にいる場所に突き立つ。
蔵人に動きはなかった。
しばらくして、火精を明かりにゾロゾロと男たちが野営地に姿を見せた。
文字通り、ボロボロと、光に照らされた影が崩れるように消えていった。
「まあ、落ちつけ。どの道、こんな夜に動いたら命がいくつあっても足りねぇよ。それは奴も同じさ」
男は舌打ちを一つしてから、ようやく今日の追跡を諦めた。
気にいらない新人が蜘蛛に食われてることを期待して。
何も蔵人とて常識のなさゆえ口笛を吹いていたのではない。
雪白とのつなぎをとっていたのである。
人間の何十倍も優れた五感をもつ雪白はすでに蔵人を補足し、その意図を察知していた。
尾行に気づいていた蔵人が影で身代わりをつくった後、一人と一匹は合流して明かりのない道を雪白の五感を頼りに進んだ。雪白は人間には見えない
そうして普段の倍の時間をかけて、ようやく亜高山帯を突破する。
その頃にはもう空が白み始めていた。
洞窟に戻るとアカリはすでに起きていた。
キョロキョロしているところをみると、雪白を探しているのかもしれない。
アカリは見慣れない格好した蔵人に一拍遅れて気づくと、ペコリと一つ頭を下げた。
蔵人はアカリの近くまで斜面を登ると、おはようと一息ついて転がっている石に腰かけた。
「用務員さんも、おはようございます。お疲れですね」
「ああ、これお土産。ああ、あと、協会に蔵人で登録したから、これからはそっちで呼んでくれ。幸い、こっちでも違和感ない名前なようでな」
そういって背中から降ろした大荷物からごそごそと尾羽を取り出して、渡す。
「蔵人、さんですか。わかりました。それにしても、綺麗な青ですねぇ、
「知ってんだな、さすが先輩ハンター」
「や、やめてくださいよ。私も手にとって見たのは初めてですよ。飛んでいるのは何度か見たことありますけど」
ふと背後に視線を感じて振り向くと、不機嫌そうな顔をした雪白が尻尾をタシーン、タシーンとさせ、そっぽを向いてお座りしていた。
「雪白にもちゃんとあるから、そう怒るな」
そういって紺碧の長い尾羽を雪白の頭に乗せた。
......これだけか?そう言いたげな雪白の目がどんどんと不機嫌になっていく。
「じょ、冗談だ」
をいくつかのブロックに分けたものを取り出す。
雪白は差しだされた肉をクンクンと嗅いでから、頭の上の羽などお構いなしに、一つ目のブロックにかぶりついた。
若干とけてはいるものの凍ったままの肉を食べられるのだからさすがは魔獣といったところか、それとも人の食べる
「ん、ああ、トラボック狩りしてたときに襲われてな。運よく、返り討ちにできた。そういえばトラボックをのぞけば、ハンターになって初めての獲物がこれだな」
アカリは頬をピクリとひきつらせる。
「初めての獲物が
「ここにいるときは雪白がいたからな。そういえば一人でマトモに狩ったのもこれが初めてか。そう考えると何やら感慨深いものが......」
蔵人は自分の分の尾羽を昇りつつある太陽にかざして見つめた。
混じりけのない青が太陽に照らされて、輝いた。
「他の羽は売ったんですか?服装も変わってるようですし、随分荷物ありますし」
アカリの言葉に蔵人は大儀そうな顔をして尾羽から目を外す。
「いや、これまためんどくさい奴がいてな――」
そういって、蔵人は山を降りたあとの顛末を語りだした。
蔵人の話すその背後で雪白が、濃厚さはないけどこの淡白でコリコリした感じがくせになるわ、とでもいい出しかねないほど満足げな表情でいそいそと二つ目の肉にかぶりついていた。
The person from yesterday who has a strange relations.h.i.+p with Kurando was the one who had raised their voice.
The staff member's and Kurando's height isn't much different. But, their body is thin and lanky. The staff member has on a white s.h.i.+rt and navy blue trousers. Their stern businessman like facial expression doesn't change despite having the appearance of an ordinary middle age staff member one could find anywhere. (T/N: gender not stated, yet)
This man, regardless of whether or not he wants to, his duty at the hunter a.s.sociation is to address the conflict and mediate a solution between the two.
It is a big problem that Zauru (zauru) is going into a mad frenzy. The commanding officer {white spear (Bai Qiang )}  had left the newcomer (Kurando) in his care. And thus, the staff member had prepared himself to intervene.
The other staff members that are watching this unfold felt relieved as they didn't have to be the one to stop them.
The staff member made his voice heard and places himself in between the two. Although, it is his obligation that didn't stop the staff member from breaking out into a cold sweat.
[Za, Zauru-sama which parts are necessary?]  (staff member)
Zauru somewhat calms down and he removes his hand away from the short-sword.
[......the feathers, the beak, and eyes.]  (Zauru)
[Kurando-san, which parts do you need?]  (staff member)
As the staff member mutters this to Kurando's ear, Kurando questions why must he negotiation.
(Zauru-sama is the son of a member of the Dorugan parliament. This situation is problematic. Is negotiating in Kurando's best interest?)
Although feeling dissatisfied Kurando answers.
[The meat and several long feathers.]  (Kurando)
The staff member forcibly brings his hands together (clap hands together).
[Hey, Kurando-san, please sell Zauru the feathers, the beak, and the eyes for a good price.]  (staff member)
After the staff member said this the people who are present move their line-of-sight to Kurando. Their gaze gathered to him.
[......fine, but dismantle it at the a.s.sociation.]  (Kurando)
Kurando merely say a few words. How many times had he sighed during this exchange?
[Understood, as you wish it will be dismantled at the a.s.sociation.]  (staff member)
Zauru says nothing more. It is unwise to cause anymore disturbance at the a.s.sociation. Above all, he wants a congratulatory gift for his younger sister's wedding. And, Zauru didn't want it to be just any cheap gift.
Along with all the meat, Kurando will receive the 3 long feathers that are about arms length. Zauru will pay Kurando 1,000 Rodo (about 100,000 Yen).
[Kurando-san, have you setup an account at the a.s.sociation?]  (staff member)
Before handing over the payment for the Azure Eagle the staff member ask Kurando this question.
[Which town, or countries can it be used in?]  (Kurando)
[It can be accessed anywhere there is a hunter a.s.sociation branch. The a.s.sociation also provides a currency exchange service.]  (staff member)
[If that is the case, I would like to make one.]  (Kurando)
Kurando pa.s.ses over his dog tag and the money that Makus.h.i.+mu (makushi-mu) had given him.
The staff member is startled to see the bundle of banknotes, but somehow they were able to stay calm. They accept the dog tag and the bundle of banknotes. And just like that things proceeded.
[The current balance in your account is 27,000 Rodo.]  (staff member)
His dog tag is returned. Kurando gathers his baggage and puts away the long feathers & meat. He exits the a.s.sociation building.
Kurando left the building with a wearily expression on his face.
While Kurando was still inside the building, he felt the unpleasant gaze that Zaura had been given him the entire time they were there.
After leaving Kurando feels slightly relieved.
Kurando returns to the inn without taking any detours. He puts down his baggage and crawls into bed despite the sun still being up.
He plans to depart tomorrow morning despite leaving the room mostly vacant today. It was a short stay as it wasn't too long ago that he received this reserved room. After the white phantom subjugation incident, Kurando had felt somewhat anxious about coming to this inn.
The sun had not fully risen as inside the inn was still dim. So to not wake the other guest Kurando quietly left the inn. Kurando wondered if there are any other guest aside from him that are leaving the inn around this time.
Although Kurando had brought a linen s.h.i.+rt & leather boots, he still feels cold.
As it was too early in the day there were no new requests posted.
Kurando stares at the unaccepted request. He tears off one sheet and brings it to the reception counter.
[Can this request be turned-in at anytime?]  (Kurando)
The unfamiliar staff member who appears sleepy reads
[......hmm, 1 year, or half a year ago, after accepting this request you will have approximately 1 month to turn-it-in...... are you taking that request?]  (unfamiliar staff member)
Kurando nods and then hands over his dog tag. The staff member who is watching him has a surprised expression.
[Free request may not have a rank requirement, but you're still currently a Ruterera (10th star).]  (unfamiliar staff member )
If several months pa.s.s without a posted request being accepted, with the client's permission it can be changes to a free request.
[It shouldn't be against the rule.]  (Kurando)
[It is embarra.s.sing...... but, well, alright.]  (unfamiliar staff member)
It is about time for the s.h.i.+ft of the sleepy staff member to end. The request Kurando chosen is processed and then he is brief about that particular request.
After taking the request Kurando departs from the village.
Behind the villages is the Arerudouria (arerudouria) mountain range. Kurando looks up towards the mountain. Having been gone for quite some time, he felt homesick.
He wonders how Yukis.h.i.+ro and Akari are fairing.
Kurando stops thinking about it and head toward the forest at the base of Arerudouria mountain.
A group of men chased after the person that they had became familiar with.
Among the numerous wannabe hunters that are Zauru's protege, one of them isn't a hunter.
The hunters divide the Arerudouria mountain range into 3 areas. Around the foot of the mountain is the {forest zone (Sen Lin Dai )} . Next is the {subalpine zone (Ya Gao Shan Dai )} ; this is where the giant th.o.r.n.y spider, Atorabas.h.i.+ku (atorabashiku) resides. And, lastly the 3rd and final area is the {alpine zone (Gao Shan Dai )} ; this is where the white phantom is said to reside.
It was sun down by the time Kurando exited the forest zone and reached the campsite in the subalpine region.
The men chasing after Kurando are considerable tired. Despite Kurando carrying more baggage than them, they couldn't keep up with him. However, it was like their mobility was any different from ordinary hunters.
While Kurando made his way through the forest he had been whistling.
Kurando defied the common sense of hunters. The unfamiliar tone that he was whistling got on the men's nerves. They are irritated. By the time they reached the campsite, they were all glaring.
The sun had set and the fire spirits Kurando used had decreased.
/>Kurando gradually erased the fire spirits.
Only the moon's faint blue light can be seen on the mountain. This place had become the domain of the dark.
An arrow flies toward Kurando's location.
Kurando didn't move.
Shortly after the group of men when to examine the campground with the light from fire spirits.
The light illuminating the shadow literally causes it to fall apart. The shadow vanished.
[Now, now, calm down. It doesn't matter how many lives you may have as it is dangerous to move around in the dark. That also applies to that guy.]  (??? B)
One of the men clicks their tongue. Today they will give up the pursuit.
They can only wish that the newcomer will become spider feed.
Why didn't Kurando call for Yukis.h.i.+ro by whistling?
Because, he didn't want to expose his connection to Yukis.h.i.+ro.
Kurando had noticed that Yukis.h.i.+ro's five sense already far outstrips his human senses.
When Kurando had noticed that he was being followed, he prepared a shadow subst.i.tute in advance. Normally on this dark trail, one person and one animal would be lead forward by relying on Yukis.h.i.+ro's five senses. As Yukis.h.i.+ro is able to sense what a human cannot; it can see the webs of an Atorabas.h.i.+ku and avoid it. Kurando must pa.s.s through this area without Yukis.h.i.+ro's a.s.sistance.
It took him twice as long to get past the subalpine zone than usual.
Before long the sky began to brighten up.
Akari had already awoken by the time he reached the cave.
Kurando restly looks around. Perhaps, he is searching for Yukis.h.i.+ro.
She wasn't use to see Kurando around; therefore, Akari slightly paused before greeting him.
Kurando goes up the slope towards Akari. He finds a rock to sit down on to catch his breath.
[Janitor-san, good morning. How are you?]  (Akari)
[Ah, is there a souvenir? Umm, ah, now that you've registered at the a.s.sociation, I don't mind if you ask me to join your party. I'm glad and all but, it does make me feel uncomfortable addressing you so formal.]  (Akari)
Kurando puts down his baggage. He retrieves the tailretrieves the tail feathers and hands it to Akari. (T/N: is that a marriage proposal, Harvestmoon reference)
[Is it alright to call you, Kurando-san? Okay. It sure is a beautiful blue, yes. Are these from a Sunibariooru (Azure Eagle)?]  (Akari)
[So you already knew, as expected of a senior hunter.]  (Kurando)
[P-please stop kidding around. Although I've spotted them flying in the air a few times, this is the first time I've seen one of their feathers up close.]  (Akari)
Kurando felt something staring at him from behind. He turns around. Kurando sees Yukis.h.i.+ro pouting. It is sitting with its back facing Kurando. Its tail is silent.
[Yukis.h.i.+ro, there is no need to pout; I also have something for you.]  (Kurando)
Kurando placed the long-azure blue feather on top of Yukis.h.i.+ro's head.
......is that all? Yukis.h.i.+ro's eyes soon expressed its displeasure.
[Its a joke.]  (Kurando)
Kurando quickly brings out the meat of the Azure Eagle that had been divided into blocks.
Yukis.h.i.+ro begins to sniff the meat that was presented to it. It didn't particularly care for the head and the wing. Yukis.h.i.+ro bites into its first block of meat.
As expected from a magical beast. It can eat frozen meat similar to how a human can eat freshly sliced salmon, perhaps.
[Umm, ah, it had attacked me after I had finished hunting Torabokku(s). Fortunately, I killed it before it could kill me. Why must newcomers hunt Torabokku(s)?]  (Kurando)
Akari's cheeks became stiff.
[Your first real hunt was a Suibariooru; it might be fate. With that kind of skill there is no way you're at the level of a rookie hunter.]  (Akari)
[From here on this will be Yukis.h.i.+ro's treasure. Now that I think about it this is the first time that I have fought alone. If I think about it, it's fairly touching......]  (Kurando)
Kurando held the feather, that he kept for himself, up towards the sky and stares at it.
The sun s.h.i.+nes on the pure blue feather and it s.h.i.+mmers.
[Did you sell the other feathers? It could be made into clothes. Hmm, there sure are a lot of baggage.]  (Akari)
Kurando is troubled by what Akari had said. He looks away from the feather.
[Nope, there was a troublesome guy----]  (Kurando)
Afterwards, Kurando informs them of the events that occurred after he descended down the mountain.
As Kurando talks, in the background Yukis.h.i.+ro has a satisfied expression cheerfully as it bites into its second block of meat. Although the flavor isn't rich, the texture is light and crunchy.
Because Janitor-san Is Not a Hero
用務員さんは勇者じゃありませんので
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/because-janitor-san-is-not-a-hero/
Action Adventure Fantasy School Life Supernatural Tragedy
Academy Adapted to Manga Betrayal Contracts Cunning Protagonist Goddesses Gods Hard-Working Protagonist Heroes Magic Male Protagonist Monsters Multiple Transported Individuals R-15 Summoning Magic Transported to Another World Underestimated Protagonist Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4202cb/
棚花尋平