一二三がホーラントへ侵入したという知らせが、王ではなくヴェルドレの元へもたらされたのは、ユーグがそうなるように城内で工作をしていたからであった。だが、そのことをヴェルドレは知らない。
「国内に入り込まれただと?」
「どうやら、我が国の国境警備隊は壊滅したようですな」
ヴェルドレと共に報告を聞いたユーグは、溜息をついた。
「だが、10人程度の少人数ならば、王都へたどり着く前に叩き潰す事は容易だろう」
そんなヴェルドレの言葉に、報告に来た兵が恐る恐る発言する。
「それが......すでに二つの街を突破しており、数日中には王都へ到達するものと見られます......」
おもむろに立ち上がったヴェルドレは、手にしていた陶器の杯を床に叩きつけた。
「なぜそれを先に言わぬか!」
すっかり萎縮してしまった兵は、跪いたまま震えている。
「落ち着いてください、ヴェルドレ様。......これは良い機会かもしれません」
「どういう意味だ」
兵士を下がらせたユーグは、余人に聞かれぬように声を潜めた。
「こういう筋書きを描くのです」
そっとヴェルドレの耳に届けられた策は、彼にとって好ましい、華々しく名誉に満ちた戴冠への筋道だった。
にやりと笑ったヴェルドレだが、ふと疑問を感じた。
「しかし、王の周りには近衛の兵が警備についている。俺には借り物の兵士かおらぬ。まずその策を進めるのに駒がおらぬではないか」
「ご冗談を。最強の私兵を
「......あれを使うのか」
「丁度良い機会です。国民に新たな王が持つ力を示してみせましょう」
ヴェルドレは逡巡した。
ユーグが言うヴェルドレの私兵というのは、兵士とは名ばかりの実験体たちの事だが、制御できる状態にはあるものの、移植や投薬などの実験を繰り返されたその見た目は“なんとか人の形を保っている”という程度で、とてもじゃないが人前に並べられる容姿ではない。
「ご心配には及びません。戦闘は城内だけに限定し、国民の前に並べる時は全身鎧ですっぽりと包んでおきましょう」
「うむ......」
「そのあたりも含めて、手配はお任せ下さい」
優雅に頭を下げたユーグに、ヴェルドレはしばらく考えたが、他に良い策は浮かばなかった。
「よかろう、ユーグの案を採用する」
「お任せください」
顔を上げたユーグは、口ひげを引き上げて笑った。
謁見の間には、静寂が横たわっている。
玉座の横に立つ王女の前には、第三騎士隊長のロトマゴと宰相アドルが跪き、部屋の両脇では警備の騎士たちがズラリと並んでいる。彼らは一様に沈痛の面持ちであるが、王女以外が表情を曇らせているのは、王子を悼んでではなく、この事実を知った王女の心境を慮ってのことである。
純粋に王子の死を悼む者は、この場ではイメラリアの他にいない。
「......弟は、やはり一二三様に殺されたのですか......」
「いえ......トオノ伯の従者であるオリガという者が王子を弑したと報告を受けております」
イメラリアの疑念を否定したのは、ロトマゴだった。
遅れて報告を受けた彼は、アドルの制止を無視して王女への報告を強行した。アドルは仕方なく同席し、イメラリアのフォローをすることにしたのだ。
「オリガさんが......」
イメラリアは、あまり話したことは無いが、いつも一二三の側にいる印象がある、同年代ながら可愛らしい顔に強い意志を秘めた目をした女性の顔を思い出した。
その時の状況を報告したロトマゴの言葉に、イメラリアは力が抜けそうになる足を必死で伸ばて立ち続けた。
弟がやってきた事はなんだったのだろうか。周りに踊らされて物見遊山で戦場へ向かったかと思えば、戦線には出ずにまだ子供のくせに女性をはべらせて遊びほうけていたとは。
イメラリアには、どうしてもオリガを恨むような気持ちは持てなかった。
状況を聞けば聞くほど、弟に王の器があるようには聞こえず、自業自得としか思えなかったからだ。
しかし、王族が自分ひとりになってしまったこと。守るために努力していたのに、あっさりと弟を失ってしまったことで、目の前が暗くなっていく。
王族としての責任感だけが、イメラリアを辛うじて立たせている。
「......他に、現場を見た者はいますか?」
「は。私へ報告した騎士以外では、本日帰着した第二騎士隊の者がおります」
ロトマゴは、イメラリアの許しを得て、待たせていた騎士を謁見の間へと入れた。
すっと背筋を伸ばし、兜を脇に抱えて入ってきたのはヴァイヤーだった。
ロトマゴとアドルのやや後ろに立ち止まり、音もなく膝をついて頭を垂れた。
「直言を許します。貴方が見たことを全てここで話してください」
「はっ!」
全員によく聞こえるように立ち上がることを許され、ヴァイヤーは王女に目を合わせないように注意しながら、第二騎士隊と第一騎士隊、そして一二三とビロンがどのような状況にあり、結果としてどうなったかを詳細に説明した。
謁見の間にいた全員が、誰ひとり声を出すことなく報告に聞き入っていた。
一二三の容赦ない王子派殲滅もさることながら、ヴィシーが行っていた人体実験まがいの兵強化には、イメラリアも言葉がない。
さらに、救助した元ホーラント兵たちを伴い、フォカロル領軍の一部が帰還途中であり、現在は王都の兵舎を借りて一時休息をとっているとヴァイヤーは報告した。
「それで、一二三様とフォカロル領軍本隊はどうしたのです」
「トオノ伯と一部の兵が先行してホーラント領へ侵入し、敵国境警備兵を完全に壊滅せしめて敵国王都へと向かわれました。本隊は半日の間を開けてトオノ伯を追っています」
ヴァイヤーの言葉に、イメラリアは頭を抱えた。
「まだヴィシーとの和平会談もできていないというのに......。止めても無駄なのでしょうけれど」
それにしても、とイメラリアは目の前に立つヴァイヤーを見た。
「貴方は第二騎士隊所属の騎士ですね。弟を支援する立場だと思ったのですが、なぜ第三騎士隊長のロトマゴの元へ?」
「はっ。私は一人の騎士であります。隊長の方針に従うのみですので、私自身は派閥や政治的な取引などとは距離を置きたいと考えております。ですが、今回の失態により第二騎士隊は数名の生き残りのみとなりました。事ここに至っては拠り所もありませんでしたので、第三騎士隊長へ身の振り方をご相談に伺いました」
そこで詳しい状況を掴んだロトマゴは、第二騎士隊の身を預かる事を了承し、イメラリアへの報告を行うように命じたらしい。
「なるほど......。わかりました。現時点で第一・第二騎士隊は解散し、第三騎士隊をオーソングランデ唯一の騎士隊とします。隊長は引き続きロトマゴへ任せます」
良いですね、と問うたイメラリアに、ロトマゴは口を開いた。
「畏れながら......騎士隊を統合される事も、私には過分な地位とは思いますが、統合した騎士隊の隊長を務めさせていただく事にも異論はございません」
ですが、とロトマゴは顔を上げた。
「国内の中心兵力がイメラリア様以外の者に集中するのは好ましくありません。近衛のみは騎士隊とは別の組織とし、イメラリア様のみに指揮権があるという形がよろしいかと愚考いたします」
ロトマゴの提言に、宰相も賛同の言葉を述べた。
黙っていれば、国内の軍部最高の地位に就けただろうに、と周りの騎士たちは顔を見合わせたが。
「わかりました。ロトマゴの良識と判断を多いに評価します。それで、新設する近衛騎士隊には......誰か推挙したい者はおりますか?」
「はっ。歳は若いですが、現実的な判断力を持った騎士として、サブナクを推します。そしてその補佐として副隊長にはここにいるヴァイヤーを」
ロトマゴの言葉に、再び跪いていたヴァイヤーが思わず顔を上げた。推挙の話は初耳だった。
「理由を聞きましょう」
「サブナクはトオノ伯との面識があり、伯の影響を良い形で受けております。何事にも柔軟に対応できることでしょう。伯からも領地運営に助力を求められる程度には組織管理能力もあります。経験は不足していますが、まず問題はないでしょう」
そこまで言ってから、ロトマゴはちらりとヴァイヤーを見遣る。
「このヴァイヤーも、騎士隊壊滅の状況にありながらもうまく兵をまとめて生還しました。実戦も経験しましたし、機転も効くようです。トオノ伯との関係を保つだけの能力もあるようです。所属していた隊を理由に手放すのは惜しい人材かと。それに、新たな発見によってこの国の兵を強くする提案を私に持ってきました」
イメラリアが興味を持ったことに、ロトマゴは内心安堵していた。
周りの国との戦線はこれから拡大している可能性が高い。国防の為の提案に敏感になってもらわなければ困るのだ。
「はい。これは、トオノ伯の指導によって行われていたフォカロル領兵たちの訓練なのですが......」
ロトマゴとヴァイヤーからの案と、近衛騎士隊の新設は即日承認された。
サブナクがミュンスターから戻るまではヴァイヤーが近衛隊長代理となる。
騎士隊からの除名すら覚悟していたヴァイヤーは、突然の要職への配置に緊張していたが、使者からの書面一枚でいきなり近衛隊長に任命されたサブナクはそれ以上に混乱し、ビロンを通して渡された書面を読んで声にならない叫びを上げた。何かの悪質ないたずらかとまで疑い、しばらく自室から出てこなかったという。
「お、魔法使い発見」
ホーラントの街道を意気揚々と進んでいた一二三は、目の前から近づいてくる集団の中に、ローブ姿の人物が数人紛れているのを見つけてほくそ笑む。
集団は剣を持つ兵士を含む30名程の軍隊で、魔法使いと思しき格好の者は5名ほど。適当な隊列の中程に固まっている。
そこへ無防備に近づいてくる一二三の姿に、戦闘にいた兵士が止まるように言った。
だが、一二三は無視する。
オリガたちは少し離れた後方で待機しながら、周囲に伏兵などがいないか警戒している。これも一二三の指導によるものだ。
「お前、魔法使いだろう? 王都の施設の事で、ちょっと聞きたいことがあるんだが」
いきなり目の前に来た男に、魔法使いたちは不機嫌な顔を向けた。
「貴様! 俺たちはユーグ様直属の命を受けた特務隊だぞ!」
無視された兵は一二三を威嚇するように、ぐいと迫った。
目の前にきた兵の顔面に、一二三の左手がピシャリと打ち当てられる。
周りの誰にも見えなかったが、人差し指がしっかり目にあたるえげつない攻撃だ。
突然の痛みに顔を押さえてうずくまった兵を放って、一二三は魔法使いたちに向き直った。
「魔法具の研究と保管をしている施設が城の近くにあるんだろう? 場所を教えてくれ」
「な、何者だお前は......」
横暴もいいところの一二三の行動に面食らった魔法使いは、辛うじてそれだけ言葉にできた。
「ああ、自己紹介がまだだったな」
悪い悪い、と一二三は笑った。
「オーソングランデの伯爵、一二三だ」
で、場所は?
慌てて武器を取り出した兵士たちに、一二三は口を曲げて不満を漏らした。
「なんだよ。平和的に話しかけたのに、この扱いは」
見れば、魔法使いたちも短剣を握って何かの詠唱を始めている。
顔を抑えていた兵も立ち上がり、左目を真っ赤にして怒りの表情で剣を抜いた。
ぐるりと取り囲まれた状況を一瞥して確認した一二三は、いきなり大きく一歩踏み込んだ。
「ぐえっ」
一人の魔法使いの腹を前蹴りで吹っ飛ばし、集団から一人だけを離脱させた。
二度ほどバウンドした魔法使いは、そのままぐったりと倒れている。
「あいつだけ残しておけばいいや」
言いながら、一二三は収納から三節棍を取り出した。
「な、なめるなぁ!」
最初の男が迫るのを、軽く体を揺らして避けたところで、魔法使いたちから火と風の魔法が飛んできた。
中々連携が取れているようで、剣を持った兵たちはうまく射線から外れている。
「ほいっと」
一二三は斬りかかってきた男が距離を取ろうとするのを、首を掴んでくるりと位置を入れ替えた。
風の刃で傷つけられ、火だるまになった男はしばらく転がっていたが、すぐに動かなくなった。
タンパク質が焦げる悪臭に顔をしかめる一二三に、次々と襲いかかってくる兵たち。
前衛を入れ替えつつ攻撃してくる様は中々堂にいったものだが、ある欠点があるのを一二三は見抜いていた。
下がろうとする者に着いて行くように接近し、棍の先で喉をついて殺す。
そのままの勢いで隊列に紛れ込むと、一瞬で兵たちは混乱した。
「動かない的を相手に練習したようだな。生き物と木偶は違うぞ」
一定の感覚で隊列を入れ替え、相手の疲労をさそうのは集団戦や護衛対象がいる相手なら有効かもしれないが、相手が少人数で、しかも動き回るならその限りではない。
すっかり隊列に入り込まれ、剣を振るに振れない団子状態になった集団の中で、一二三はいつの間にか邪魔な三節棍を仕舞い、右手に寸鉄を握っていた。
「長剣振り回しているくせに、密着しすぎだぞ~」
こめかみや脳天、眼球に次々と寸鉄を突きたてていく。
量産される死体や重傷者たち。
「たまにはこういう乱戦もたのしいなぁ」
寸鉄を仕舞い、この世界で作ってはいたものの使わなかった小太刀を逆手に持ち、朗らかに笑う。
すれ違いざまに頚動脈を撫で切って、血しぶきをくぐって別の相手の方に突き立てる。
さらに左手で次の敵の首を掴み、引き寄せつつ脇の下の鎧が無い部分に刃を滑らせる。
鮮血舞う街道から、数人の敵がひっそりと離脱しようとするのを一二三は見逃さない。
離脱者の一人が、転がっている魔法使いを回収しようとしたところで、その首筋に鉄の
「そいつには用がある。持っていくのは遠慮してもらおう」
一二三がそう言った時には、すでにホーラント兵は半数以上が倒れている。
そこで逃げようとしている者がいることに他のホーラント兵も気づき、全員が状況が分からずに散り散りに一二三から離れた。
離脱者の一人が舌打ちする。
「お前ら、最初から戦う気がなかったな。俺の顔も知っているような反応だったし」
一二三の指摘に、うめき声が上がる。
「図星か。お前らにもちょっとお話を聞かせてもらう必要がありそうだなぁ」
くるりと小太刀を回して順手に持ち替え、半身の構えで切っ先を突き出す。左手には、まだ礫があり、指先で弄んでいる。
「さあ、逃げおおせるか試してみるか? 勝てるかどうか試してみるか?」
それ以外の選択は許さない、と一二三は小太刀を揺らした。
The information that Hifumi invaded Horant has been brought not to the king but to Veldore. For that to happen, Yugu manoeuvred within the castle. But that's something Veldore doesn't know.
"They stepped into our country, you say?" (Yugu)
"It looks like he annihilated our border guards." (Messenger)
Yugu, who listened to the report along Veldore, sighed.
"However, if it's a small group of 10 people, it will be simple to crush them before they manage to reach the capital." (Veldore)
Hearing the words of Veldore, the soldier, who came to report, timidly remarked,
"That is... they have already broken through two cities. They are believed to arrive at the capital within a few days..." (Messenger)
Veldore, standing up suddenly, threw the porcelain sake cup in his hand on the floor.
"Why weren't we informed of this before?" (Veldore)
The soldier, who had completely shrunk away, knelt while trembling.
"Please calm down, Veldore-sama. ... This might be a good opportunity." (Yugu)
"What do you mean?" (Veldore)
Yugu had the soldier withdraw and lowered his voice so that others wouldn't be able to hear it.
"I will propose a plot like this." (Yugu)
Quietly whispering the plan into Veldore's ears. It was a method to spectacularly and honorably rise to the crown in a way desirable for Veldore.
Although Veldore was laughing and grinning broadly, he felt a sudden doubt.
"However, the king's surrounding is guarded by the soldiers of the Imperial Guard. They don't smell like soldiers I could entice to my side. Won't it be impossible to advance the plan without having such pawns to begin with?" (Veldore)
"You are jesting. I have prepared the strongest private army *** You think they aren't?" (Yugu)
"... You want to use that, huh?" (Veldore)
"It's just the right opportunity. Let's show the people the strength of their new king." (Yugu)
Veldore hesitated.
The private army of Veldore, that Yugu refers to, are soldiers in name only as they are experimental bodies, but although they are in a condition possible to be controlled, they repeatedly went through experiments of implantation, medication and such. You absolutely can't show their faces and figures in public as their appearance can be called nothing more but "something vaguely human-like."
"There's no necessity to be worried. The combat will be limited to within the castle only. At the time they are shown to the public, their whole body will be entirely covered in armor." (Yugu)
"Uh huh..." (Veldore)
"Please leave the arrangements to me, even including that area." (Yugu)
Velodore thought for a moment as Yugu made an elegant bow, but no other good plan came to mind.
"Very well, we will adopt Yugu's plan." (Veldore)
"Please leave it to me." (Yugu)
Yugu, who raised his face, laughed while twirling his mustache.
Silence is spreading during the audience.
In front of the princess, who is standing next to the throne, the Third Knight Unit's Captain Lotomago and Prime Minister Adol are kneeling. On both sides of the room guards are lined up in a row. Their faces are uniformly grave. Everyone's facial expression except that of the princess is clouded. They aren't mourning for the prince. That is in consideration of the princess who knew about the death of her brother.
There is no one but Imeraria who genuinely mourns over the death of the prince.
"... My brother has been killed by Hifumi after all...?" (Imeraria)
"No... we have received the report that the prince was killed by someone called Origa who is Earl Tohno's attendant." (Lotomago)
It was Lotomago denying Imeraria's suspicion.
He, who belatedly received the report, forced the information upon the princess disregarding Adol's protests. Adol, standing reluctantly next to him, tried to do a follow-up for Imeraria.
"Origa-san is..." (Adol)
Imeraria recalled her giving off the impression of always wanting to be at Hifumi's side and that she was a woman with a lovely face and eyes concealing a strong ambition while being of the same age as her, although she didn't talk much with her.
Imeraria, who was about to lose her strength due to Lotomago's words recounting the circumstances at that time, frantically strengthened her legs to keep standing.
What came over my younger brother. I wonder if he went to the battlefield thinking of it as going on a pleasure jaunt as he has been manipulated by his surroundings. Although still a child who had yet to go to the front, he became engrossed in fooling around and being waited upon by women.
No matter what, Imeraria didn't bear any grudge against Origa.
Once she heard the circumstances and learned about the extent, it was obvious that her younger brother didn't have the qualifications to be the king. She couldn't consider it anything but him reaping what he sowed.
However, in the end he was the last other remaining royalty. Despite great efforts put into protecting him, she ended up losing her young brother easily and lost hope herself too.
Imeraria is barely standing due to nothing but her responsibility as royalty.
"... Is there anyone else who saw the actual scene?" (Imeraria)
"Ha! Except the knight who reported it to me, there is someone from the Second Knight Order, who returned today." (Lotomago)
Lotomago, obtaining Imeraria's permission, had the waiting knight enter the audience room.
It was Vaiya, who came entering while holding his helmet under his arm and straightening his back quickly.
Coming to a stop slightly behind Lotomago and Adol, he quietly fell to his knees and bowed his head.
"I give you permission to speak freely. Please tell us everything you observed." (Imeraria)
"Ha!" (Vaiya)
Having been permitted to stand up so that everyone could hear him clearly, Vaiya explained in detail what happened for the situation to progress towards such an outcome and the kind of situation the Second Knight Order, First Knight Order, Hifumi and Biron had been in, while cautious of making eye contact with the princess.
Everyone who was at the audience, listened attentively to the report without interrupting.
Even more than the merciless annihilation of the prince faction by Hifumi, Imeraria was lost for words at the enhancement of the live-experiment imitation-soldiers performed by Vichy.
Furthermore Vaiya reported that a part of the Fokalore feudal army, en route to return, is accompanied by the rescued former soldier of Horant and that they are currently taking a rest in borrowed barracks of the capital.
"And, what's the matter with Hifumi-sama and the main force of the Fokalore feudal army?" (Imeraria)
"Earl Tohno and a part of the soldiers have gone ahead to invade the territory of Horant. Having completely annihilated the enemy's border guards, they are headed for the capital of the enemy nation. The main force is following Earl Tohno with a delay of half a day." (Vaiya)
Imeraria was at her wits' end due to Vaiya's words.
"Even though we didn't even hold peace talks with Vichy yet... Though it is probably futile to try stopping him as well." (Imeraria)
"At any rate", Imeraria looked at Vaiya standing in front of her.
"You are a knight belonging to the Second Knight Order, right? I thought your standpoint was to support my younger brother. Why are you on the side of the Third Knight Order's Captain Lotomago?" (Imeraria)
"Ha! I'm just a single knight. Since I only followed my captain's policy, I think I want to keep a distance from things like political deals and factions myself. However, due to the failure this time there are only a few survivors of the Second Knight Order. Because it reached a situation about which nothing can be done and as we didn't have any authority, I consulted with the Third Knight Order's captain about our future course." (Vaiya)
Lotomago, who fully grasped the circumstances, agreed to look after the Second Knight Order and apparently ordered him to report that to Imeraria.
"I see... Understood. From this point on the Second Knight Order is dissolved. The Third Knight Order will be treated as Orsongrande's sole knight order. I will entrust the continued captaincy to Lotomago." (Imeraria)
Lotomago opened his mouth due to Imeraria asking him whether that's fine.
"With all due respect... I won't object either and will gladly accept serving as captain of the unified knight order, however I think that you are too generous to grant me this post, especially in regards to consolidating the knight orders." (Lotomago)
"However", Lotomago lifted his head.
"It's undesirable for anyone but Imeraria-sama to consolidate the core of the national military forces. Supposing that the imperial guard is the only other organisation besides the knight order, I wonder, in my humble opinion, whether it would be fine for it to take the shape of Imeraria-sama being in command." (Lotomago)
The prime minister also expressed his approval towards Lotomago's recommendation.
If Lotomago had stayed silent, he would have ascended to the highest position concerning the national military affairs
"Understood. I highly appreciate the good sense and judgement of Lotomago. And for the newly organised Imperial Knight Order... do you want to nominate anyone?" (Imeraria)
"Ha! Although he is young, he is a knight possessing pragmatic judgement. I nominate Sabnak. And as his advisor and vice-captain, Vaiya over here." (Lotomago)
Due to Lotomago's words, Vaiya, who had knelt down again, spontaneously raised his head. It was the first time he had heard about being recommended.
"Let me ask for the reason." (Imeraria)
"Sabnak is an acquaintance of Earl Tohno. He has been influenced by the Earl in a good way. Either way, I think that he is also able to handle things flexibly. He even has such degree of managerial ability that he had been requested by the Earl to aid in the administration of the territory. He has insufficient experience, but that's no problem to begin with." (Lotomago)
After having said this much, Lotomago looks at Vaiya with a fleeting glance.
"Even Vaiya here gathered the already scattered soldiers and returned alive while his knight order was devastated. He also experienced actual combat and seems to be quick-witted. It looks like he even has the ability to only keep a supportive relation with Earl Tohno. Isn't he a capable and valuable person that parted with the knight order, he belonged to, for a reason? He brought to me suggestions how to increase the strength of this country's soldiers thanks to new discoveries." (Lotomago)
Lotomago was relieved within his mind because of Imeraria having an interest in the matter.
It's very likely that the fronts in the vicinity of the country will spread from here on out. I would have been troubled, if she wasn't sensitive to suggestions affecting the national defense.
"Yes. It's about the training of the Fokalore territorial soldiers carried out according to Earl Tohno's guidance..." (Lotomago)
The establishment of the new Imperial Knight Order, following the idea of Lotomago and Vaiya, was acknowledged on the same day.
Vaiya would become the acting captain of the Imperial Knight Order until Sabnak returned from Munster.
Vaiya, who was even ready to be expelled from the knight order, became nervous due to being suddenly appointed an important post, but Sabnak, abruptly learning of his appointment as captain of the Imperial Knight Order from an official document delivered by a messenger, was even more confused. Reading the document, that was handed to him through Biron, he raised a silent scream. Even going as far as to suspect it being a vicious prank, he didn't come out from his own room for a while.
"Oh, magicians discovered." (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who was advancing on Horant's highway in high spirits, chuckles as he has discovered several people wearing robes mixed among the group approaching from the front.
Within the group, being a military unit of around 30 members, including the soldiers holding swords, there are 5 people having the suitable appearance of magicians. They are properly assembled in the middle of the soldiers' ranks.
Due to the defenselessly approaching Hifumi, the soldiers, being combat-ready, told him to stop.
But Hifumi ignores that.
While Origa's group was on standby slightly separated at the rear, they were checking whether there was something like an ambush lying in wait in the vicinity. Even this was because of Hifumi's order.
"You are magicians, I guess? There just a few things I want to ask about the institutions of the capital." (Hifumi)
The magicians faced the man, who suddenly appeared in front of them, with sullen faces.
"You bastard! We are a special unit directly under the command of Yugu-sama!" (Soldier A)
The ignored soldier suddenly and forcefully drew near to threaten Hifumi.
Hifumi's left hand hit the face of the soldier, who came in front of him, with a slap.
Although no one in the surrounding saw it, it was a dirty strike fully hitting an eye with the index finger.
Leaving the soldier who crouched down and held his face due to the sudden pain, Hifumi turned to the magicians.
"The institution in charge of researching magic tools is probably close to the castle, right? Tell me the location." (Hifumi)
"W-Who do you think are..." (Magician A)
The magician, taken aback by Hifumi's behavior of extreme high-handedness, was barely able to squeeze out those words.
"Ah, I didn't introduce myself yet." (Hifumi)
"Sorry, my bad", Hifumi sneered.
"I'm an Earl of Orsongrande, Hifumi." (Hifumi)
"So, the location is?" The soldiers curtly took a distance from Hifumi, who repeated his question.
As the soldiers took out their weapons in a hurry, Hifumi's mouth crooked and he leaked his dissatisfaction.
"What's this about! Although I started a peaceful conversation, I get this treatment." (Hifumi)
Once he looks, the magicians are grasping their daggers and have begun to chant something.
Even the soldier, who held his face, stood up and drew his sword with a furious expression having a deep red left eye.
Hifumi, confirming with a glance that he was surrounded in a circle, suddenly made a big step.
"Gue" (Magician)
Blowing one magician away with a front kick into his stomach, only one person was separated from the group.
The magician after bouncing two times, collapsed, becoming completely limp just like that.
"It's fine if only that guy remains." (Hifumi)
While saying that, Hifumi retrieved the sansetsukon from his storage.
"Don't make fun of us!" (Soldier A)
As Hifumi avoided the approaching soldier from the start with a light sway of his body, fire and wind spells came flying from the magicians.
With their way of having attained a considerable amount of cooperation, their attacks have been skillfully shot out-of-the-way of the soldiers holding swords.
"Heave ho." (Hifumi)
Hifumi, deciding to close the distance to the man who came assaulting with his sword, quickly seized his neck and switched places with him.
The man, wounded by wind blades and having his body covered in flames, rolled around for a moment, but then stopped moving almost immediately.
Frowning due to the stench of meat being burned, Hifumi is attacked by soldiers one after the other.
Though they were quite expert in their methods of attacking while shifting the vanguards, Hifumi saw through a certain flaw they had.
Getting close to the person trying to withdraw, he stabs the throat with the tip of his staff killing the soldier.
As that soldier was thrown into the ranks of the other soldiers due to the force, chaos spread for an instant.
"It looks like you practiced with opponents that aren't moving. Living things are different from wooden dolls." (Hifumi)
It might be valid if the opponent's goal is an escort target or group battle so that they can lure the opponent to exhaust themselves by switching their ranks in a fixed rotation, but it's different if the opponent is a small group and even more so if the opponent doesn't stop moving around.
As he completely stepped into their ranks, Hifumi, storing away the inconvenient sansetsukon before anyone noticed, gripped a suntetsu in his right hand while the group was bunched up together without being able to swing their swords.
"You are far too close to swing around long swords~" (Hifumi)
He is burying and stabbing the suntetsu successively into eyeballs, heads and temples of the foreheads.
It's a mass production of corpses and heavily wounded.
"Occasionally such melee is fun." (Hifumi)
Storing away the suntetsu, he laughs merrily holding the kodachi, which was something that wasn't produced and used in this world, in a reverse grip.
Gently cutting through the carotid artery just as he is passing by, he stabs a different opponent as he slips past the spray of blood.
Furthermore, grabbing the neck of the next enemy, he draws the soldier to himself while slippingthe blade into the armpit where there is no armor.
Hifumi doesn't miss several enemies trying to quietly break away after he plastered the highway with fresh blood.
As a single person of those withdrawing tried to retrieve the magician, who was lying down at the side, an iron pebble sank into the back of his neck.
"I have business with that guy. Restrain yourselves from taking him away." (Hifumi)
At the time Hifumi said that, more than half of the soldiers from Horant had fallen.
The other soldiers of Horant, noticing that there are people trying to get away, understood the state of affairs and scattered away from Hifumi.
A single person of those withdrawing clicks his tongue.
"You guys didn't have an interest in fighting from the start. You had a reaction as if you even knew my face." (Hifumi)
As Hifumi points that out, they raise a groan.
"Bullseye, huh? It looks like it's necessary to listen to your guy's story for a bit, riiight?" (Hifumi)
Changing the kodachi to an overhand grip by rotating it around, he holds out the blades point in a stance with one leg bent in front and the other extended behind. Still having a pebble in his left hand, he is playing around with it with his fingertips.
"Well then, do you want to attempt escaping? Or do you want to test whether you can win?" (Hifumi)
"I won't allow any choices besides those two", Hifumi said as he swung the kodachi.
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