150.Come Out And Play
「一体何が起きている! タンニーンはどうした!」
馬車から前方の混乱を確認したクゼムは、周囲の兵たちに叫ぶ。
だが、隊列中腹で安全をむさぼっていた者たちには、急激な前線の変化を知るすべは無い。
ここでクゼムが自ら指示を出して状況の確認と報告をさせていれば、あるいはもっと違った結果になったかも知れない。だが、そのためには確認役の兵が“度を越して”優秀である必要があっただろう。
何しろ、前線での混乱を説明出来るものなど、クゼム側には誰もいなかったのだから。
前線へと押し出されていた不死兵を運ぶ馬車の周囲にいた兵士も、逃げることを選択する前に一二三たちによって殺害されていく。
不死兵のほとんどを失い、残りもオリガたちが処理をしている。
猛然とクゼムの軍の中央に突っ込み、押しに押していく一二三を、兵士たちの半分は止めにかかり、残り半分は逃げていく。
逃げ出した者たちは、運悪くオリガたちがいる方へと向かった者を除いて、近くの町に逃げ込み身を隠すなり、その町を仕切る貴族の軍に投降するなどして命は長らえた。
地獄を見たのは、一二三の前に立ちはだかることを選択した兵士たちだ。
「止めろ! あいつを止めろ!」
「魔法兵を呼べ!」
部隊長が叫ぶ間にも、部下たちは損耗を続けていく。
鋭い切っ先が兜で守られていない目や喉を的確に突き刺し、脳や動脈を破壊していく。
マ・カルメらの指導を受けた者たちは、その中でも多少は良い動きができているようだ。
左右から殴りつけるように飛んでくるホーラント兵たちが投げた剣を一二三がしゃがんで躱している隙に、三人の兵士が肉薄する。
上段からの振り下ろしと横なぎに腰と足を狙う三本の剣。しかも三方向から。
「ほう?」
感心するような声を出しながら、一二三は腰を狙って斬ってきた兵士の腕をつかみ、勢いよくぐるりと身体の向きを変えた。
一二三の回転に巻き込まれるようにしてたたらを踏んだ兵士は、味方の斬撃の前に飛び出す恰好になった。
「待っ......!」
重い大剣の振り下ろしを頭に受けた兵士は昏倒する。
敵と入れ替わりになって斬撃を避けた一二三は、その勢いで振り向きざまに残り二人を斬り伏せた。
三体重なった死体、一番下になった兵士に息があることに気付いた一二三は、その目の前に立つ。
「お前らの首魁はどこだ?」
「......もっと後方、だと、思う......」
「そいつの名は?」
「......タンニーン......」
息も絶え絶えに答えた兵士に、さくりと止めを刺した。
三人同時の攻撃を苦も無く処理した一二三を見て、周囲にいた兵士たちは距離を円を描くように距離を取っている。
「......あれか?」
有象無象を無視し、敵軍の先に見える馬車を確認する。
物資を運ぶ輜重隊を組織するフォカロルのやり方が浸透したオーソングランデと違い、ホーラントは未だに自分の荷物は自分で運ぶという方式をとっているため、馬車があるとかなり目立つ。
「そぅら! 道を開けろ!」
明らかに馬車を目指して走り始めた一二三の前から、兵士たちが怯えて後退する。
だが、遅い。
背を向けた兵士が、首の後ろを突き刺され、喉から飛び出した切っ先を驚愕の表情で見つめる。
「逃げる時間はくれてやったろ? それはもう終わったんだ。頑張って戦うか、頑張って逃げろよ。単に背を向けて走ったら、そりゃ死ぬに決まってるだろ」
刀をずるりと引き抜き、懐紙で拭う。
まき散らされた紙がひらひらと舞う中、残った兵士たちはもはや戦う気力を失い、じわじわと後退していく。
クゼムが状況を把握したのは、一二三の顔を見た時だった。
馬車のドアがはじけ飛ぶように内側に蹴り破られ、中に一二三が乗り込んで来たとき、クゼムの顔は驚きで顎が外れんばかりに口を開いた悲惨な表情を見せた。
「お、お前は......」
はなんだ? 大切に箱詰めして運んできたプレゼントにしては、壊れやすすぎておもちゃとしては失格だぞ」
腰の刀をトントンと叩きながら、クゼムを睨みつける。
「大量にいればいけるとでも? 数がいる怖さというのはな、手数が増えて対応の選択肢が増えることを指すんだよ。順番にやってくる連中がいくら集まったところで、何の意味も無い」
俺はな、と一二三は刀を抜き、クゼムの目の前に突き付ける。
「人形劇が見たいんじゃないんだ。言ったはずだ。“人が沢山死ぬ戦争をやろう”と」
じわじわと近づく切っ先から目を離せず、クゼムはガタガタと震えだした。
「だ、誰かいないか......!」
震える声は、小さくて、騒がしい馬車の外まで届いたとは思えない。
それに、今は馬車の周りにはオリガたち三人がいる。
近づくどころか、離れていても飛んでくる魔法と手裏剣に、全員が馬車から離れはじめているのだ。
「せっかく、お前のところまで行って忠告も指導もしたのに、この体たらく。俺はこの憤りをどう解消したらいいのかね」
「そうか、そうか」
刀を引き、鞘へ納めた。
それを見たクゼムは、ようやく息ができたとでもいうように、肩を上下させて荒い息をついた。
だが、それも一瞬のことだった。
柄を離した右手で、クゼムの喉を掴む。
親指と人差し指で頸動脈を圧迫され、クゼムは抵抗する間もなくあっさりと気を失ってしまった。
クゼムを馬車の床に転がし、馬車を出る。
そこにはいくつもの死体があり、血の匂いがした。
「お疲れ様です。一二三様」
すっと近づいてきたのはオリガだった。
「今からホーラント首都に行く。この馬車を使って行くから......」
「お供致します」
間髪入れずにオリガが答えると、一二三は「まあ、いいか」と呟いて許可した。
「あの、私もついていきます!」
必死で食いついてきたのだろう。ぜえぜえと息を切らしていたヴィーネも、同行を決めた。
「じゃあ、僕も」
「お前はダメ」
「なんで?!」
アリッサも同行を希望したが、あっさりと却下。
「これはお前とイメラリアの課題だろうが。俺は先に城に行くから、さっさと兵士のところに戻って指揮をしろ」
「え~......」
不貞腐れるアリッサを置いて、馬車をオリガとヴィーネに任せ、まだ状況がつかめずに右往左往しながら残っている兵士たちの前に立つ。
「さあ、お前らのトップは捕まえたぞ。頑張って取り戻せよ」
刀を抜いた一二三に、ホーラント兵たちはざわめく。状況がわかっていないので、目の前の男が敵であることは理解できても、少数で乗り込んできて、さらに自分たち多数に向かって来ようとしているのが理解できないのだ。
「た、叩き潰せ! クゼム閣下をお救いするのだ!」
部隊長か誰かだろう声がすると、一二三は笑った。
「そう、それでいい......。オリガ! 馬車でついてこい!」
叫ぶや否や、一二三は破裂するような音を立てて飛び出した。
真正面にいた兵士は突きを喉にもろに受け、一瞬で死ぬ。
すかさず側面から繰り出された槍を、一二三は腰を捻って鞘で受け流し、両腕を斬り落とす。
言葉にならない悲鳴を上げた兵士は、口に刀を突っ込まれて絶命した。
「ヴィーネさん。馭者をお願いしますね」
「はい。わかりました」
ヴィーネが手綱を握り、一二三の後ろから追うように馬を進め始めると、オリガは馬車の屋根へと上り、仁王立ち。
「この馬車には貴方方の上司がいますよ。巻き込まれて死んでも良ければ、攻撃してきなさい」
シャリ、と音を立てて開かれた鉄扇で口元を隠しながら、静かに笑う。
「もっとも、そんな元気があるならば、今も前で戦っている主人の方に行った方が“楽しめます”よ?」
話している間に、馬車ににじり寄っていた兵士の首が落ちた。
オリガの右手から、魔法媒体用のナイフが除いている。
「そうそう。折角ですから、魔法が得意なホーラントの方々に発表させていただきますね」
硬質な音色を響かせて、鉄扇を閉じる。
「私の魔法は、ナイフを向けなくても自在に飛ばせるのですよ」
何人かの耳に風切り音が届き、次の瞬間には首筋に血があふれ、ずるりと頭部を落とした。
サブナクの指示により、網と死体が粗方撤去されたのだが、その時点で一二三たちの姿は遠く先へと消えていた。
「思っていた以上に、ペースが速い......」
ネルガルは、クゼム側から逃げてくる兵士たちを保護するように命じ、同時に一二三が切り開いた場所から強引に突破することを宣言すると、大声でクゼム側に呼びかけを行いつつ、馬を進めた。
サブナクが伝えてきたイメラリアの案に乗ったネルガルは、一二三が進んで行ったと思しき場所を見る。
先ほど撤去された場所以上に死体が転がり、街道の外へ逃げた兵士が数名、おびえた表情で様子を窺っている。
「合流しなさい! あなたは私の敵ではなく、ホーラントの兵でしょう! こちらに来て、本来の役目を果たしなさい!」
不死兵だけで無く、一般の兵たちの死体も夥しい。
視界に映るだけでも五十は死んでいる。
「ひどいな......」
果たしてここまでする必要があったのか、とネルガルには一二三に対する疑問が生じるが、今はそれについて頭を使っている余裕は無い。
死体を脇へどけつつ、大軍が進む。
先頭集団はホーラント兵たちだが、すぐ後ろにはオーソングランデの兵たちが、イメラリアに率いられて追随している。
網と死体をある程度片付けたところで、アリッサが徒歩でぶらぶらと戻ってきた。
「あれ? アリッサさん?」
馬上から声をかけたネルガルに、アリッサは手を振って応えた。
「自分の仕事をしろって、戻されちゃった。今からどうするの?」
網片付けたんだね、とのんきに話しているが、アリッサも一二三と共に敵陣に躍り込んだ一人だ。返り血を大量に浴びているし、纏う空気には口調の軽さに似合わない重たい物が感じられる。
「このまま一二三さんが開けた穴を突っ切って、首都まで戻ります。協力してもらえますか?」
なんでもない事のように頷いて、再びてくてくと歩いて後方へと向かうアリッサに、ネルガルは慌てて声をかけた。
「一二三さんは、どうされたのですか?」
「首都に行くって言ってた」
さらりと答えて、再び歩き始めたアリッサを見送りながら、ネルガルはとにかく急がなくては、と焦燥に駆られた。
「あの方は何を考えておられるのですか......」
頭を抱えたイメラリアは、脱力のあまり椅子から落ちかけて、隣にいたプーセに支えられていた。
クゼムの用意した軍は、タンニーンの不在とクゼムの誘拐による指導者喪失、不死兵の壊滅を含む一二三から受けた損害によって、もはや組織としての体裁が保てる状態になく、ネルガルが想像した以上に簡単に恭順させることに成功した。
休むことなく街道をひた走り、首都の入口も半ば強引に突破したホーラント・オーソングランデ連合軍は、城を前にして広場を利用した陣を構えていた。
いや、陣を構えるということにして、一度停止せざるを得なかった。
「た、助けてくれぇ!」
大通りへ続く広場に面したバルコニー。そこに、縛り上げられたクゼムが縄一本で吊り下げられていた。
「誰か! 誰かぁ!」
あまりにも悲惨な光景を見せられて、思わずネルガルが停止命令を出したところで、バルコニーから一二三がひょっこりと顔を出した。
その隣には、ガアプの姿が見える。
「やっと来たか」
一二三の声は良く通る。ネルガルやイメラリアの耳にも届いた。
「イメラリア、アリッサ! さっきはこの阿呆が残念兵器でガッカリさせてくれたからな。代わりにお遊びを用意した。命はかかっているが、楽しむと良い」
それだけ言うと、さっさと引っ込んでしまった。
残ったガアプが一二三に何か言っているようだが、下から見ているイメラリアたちにまでは聞こえない。
「えーと......というわけで、みなさん、頑張ってクゼム閣下をお救いください」
メモを読みながらのガアプの声は、本来ならば聞こえないはずなのだが、イメラリアやネルガル達には良く聞こえていた。
「これは......オリガさんの魔法ですわね」
イメラリアがこぼしたのを聞いたサブナクが、城のあちこちを見回すが、オリガの姿は見当たらない。
ガアプの説明が続く。
「城内の非戦闘員は全て退出させましたので、ご安心ください。その代り、多くの罠と不死兵が立ちはだかります。制限は日暮れまで。日が沈むと同時に、クゼム閣下をぶら下げているロープは切ります。また、町の中に不死兵を放ちますので、頑張って攻略してください......これでいいのかな」
最後のつぶやきまで聞こえてきたところで、魔法が止められたらしく、ガアプの声はそれ以上届くことは無かった。
そして、正面の門がゆっくりと開くと、三十人ほどの兵士たちが逃げるように飛び出してくる。
彼らはネルガルと仲間の兵たちの姿を見つけると、ネルガルの前に滑り込むようにして平伏した。
「ね、ネルガル様! お許しを! 城が、城がっ......!」
困り顔でなだめているネルガルを見てから、再び視線をあげたサブナクが呟く。
「囚われてるのが美少女じゃなくて中年男性だと、やる気が起きないものなんですね。いやあ、世の中の英雄物語がどうしてお姫様を助ける話なのか、良くわかります」
そのとぼけた物言いに、イメラリアは立ち上がって乗馬用の鞭で太ももを引っ叩いた。
Chapter 150: Come Out And Play
"What the hell is happening? What happened to Tannin!?" (Kuzemu)
Kuzemu, who confirmed the disorder at the front from his carriage, shouts at the surrounding soldiers.
However, those, who indulged in the safety of being in the centre of the ranks, had no means to know about the sudden changes at the front line.
If Kuzemu himself ordered them to check the situation and report to him at this point, the outcome might have been quite different. However, it was likely necessary for the soldier with the duty of checking to be "exceedingly" excellent for that to happen.
In any case, there wasn't anyone at Kuzemu's side who was able to explain the chaos at the front line.
Even the soldier, who was in the vicinity of the carriage transporting the immortal soldiers that were deployed to the front, has been killed by Hifumi's party before being allowed to choose the option of running away.
With the majority of immortal soldiers lost, the rest is handled by Origa and the other girls.
Half of the soldiers engages Hifumi, who applies pressure on them by attacking after plunging deeply into the centre of Kuzemu's army, to finish him off while the other half escapes.
Excluding those who unluckily headed in the direction of Origa's group, the escapees hid themselves by taking refuge in a nearby cities and prolonged their lives by surrendering to the troops of the nobles governing those cities.
The ones who saw hell were the soldiers who chose to stand in Hifumi's way.
"Stop him! Stop that guy!"
"Call the magic soldiers!"
Even during the commanding officers' yells, the losses amongst their subordinates continued to spread.
Precisely stabbing eyes and throats, which aren't protected by the helmets, with the sharp point of the katana, the brains and arteries are destroyed.
Among them, a small number of those, who received Ma Calme's unit's teaching, are apparently able to move properly.
Three soldiers use the opportunity to close in on Hifumi when he squats down to avoid swords thrown by soldiers from Horant who have jumped up to strike from left and right.
Two swords aim at his feet and waist by sweeping sideways and one sword is swung downwards from an overhead stance. Moreover they are approaching from three different directions.
"Hou?" (Hifumi)
While releasing a voice similar to admiration, Hifumi grabbed the arm of the soldier, who came to attack his waist, and changed the location of the soldier by vigorously turning his own body around.
The soldier, who stumbled a step or two forward due to being dragged into Hifumi's rotation, suddenly appeared in front of the slashing attack of his ally.
"Wai....!"
Receiving the heavy long sword on his head, the soldier faints.
Hifumi, who evaded the slash by switching with his enemy, cut down the remaining two while in the process of turning around due to the momentum of that.
Noticing that the soldier, who was at the very bottom of the three piled-up bodies, is still breathing, Hifumi stands in front of his eyes.
"Where's your guys' ringleader?" (Hifumi)
"... Further behind, is, I think..."
"What his name?" (Hifumi)
"... Tannin..."
Hifumi delivered the final blow to the soldier, who answered while gasping, with a *pierce*.
Watching Hifumi who easily dealt with the simultaneous attack by three soldiers, the surrounding soldiers take a distance and form a circle around him.
"... Over there, huh?" (Hifumi)
Ignoring the mob, he confirms the carriage visible ahead of the enemy army.
Different from Orsongrande that absorbed Fokalore's way of organizing a military supply unit to transport goods, something like a carriage stands out on Horant's side as they are still using the system of everyone carrying their own supplies.
"Move it! Clear the way!" (Hifumi)
The soldiers retreat in fright from in front of Hifumi who began to run towards the distinct carriage.
However, they are too slow.
A soldier, who turned his back on him, stares with an expression of surprise due to the katana's point protruding out from his throat after it has been stabbed into the back of his neck.
"Did you think that you would have the time to retreat? The time for that has already passed. Do your best while fighting or strive to escape. If you retreat while simply showing your back, that will settle your death, won't it?" (Hifumi)
Hifumi pulls out his katana with a short *slurp* and wipes it with a paper.
While the paper, which was tossed away, dances in the wind, the remaining soldiers have already lost the willpower to fight and are gradually backing away.
The moment when Kuzemu grasped the state of affairs was the time when he saw Hifumi's face.
When Hifumi entered the carriage by smashing the carriage's door with a kick as if bursting it open, Kuzemu's face was about to have its jaw dislocated due to surprise and he wore a miserable expression with his mouth open.
"Y-You are..." (Kuzemu)
"Let me ask one thing? What are those puppets? They disqualify as toys as they break far too easily for a present which was carried after carefully packing it into a box." (Hifumi)
While tapping the katana at his waist, he glares at Kuzemu.
"You thought it will go well if there's a large amount of them? Having the scariness of numbers on your side means an increase in the number of moves and choices of possible reactions. Even if you had gathered countless of those dolls that turn up one after the other, there wouldn't be any kind of meaning to it."
"You know, I", Hifumi draws his katana and thrusts it in front of Kuzemu's eyes.
"don't want to see a puppet show. I'm sure I told you.
Unable to take his eyes off the gradually approaching tip of the katana, Kuzemu started to quiver.
"I-Isn't there anyone...?" (Kuzemu)
It doesn't seem likely that his small, trembling voice reached the noisy outside of the carriage.
Besides, currently there are the three members of Origa's group around the carriage.
Far from getting close, everyone has started to back off from the carriage due to the shuriken and spells which are hurled at them even as they leave.
"Even though I gave you teaching advices after expressly coming to your place, you are in this situation. I wonder how I'm supposed to release this seething anger?" (Hifumi)
"Really? I see." (Hifumi)
He withdrew the katana and sheathed it into its scabbard.
Seeing that, Kuzemu took deep breaths making his shoulders go up and down as if he was finally able to breathe.
However, it was also a momentary relief.
He seizes Kuzemu's throat with the right hand that separated from the hilt.
With his carotid artery being pressured by Hifumi's thumb and index finger, Kuzemu ended up fainting quickly after a short interval of struggling.
Throwing down Kuzemu on the ground of the carriage, Hifumi leaves.
Countless corpses are piled up outside and the stench of blood drifted about.
"Thanks for your hard work, Hifumi-sama." (Origa)
The one who approached him directly was Origa.
"I will go to Horant's capital next. Since I will be using this carriage to go there..." (Hifumi)
"I shall accompany you." (Origa)
When Origa replied in a flash, Hifumi gave his permission by muttering [Well, it's fine I guess] .
"Umm, I will follow you as well!" (Viine)
She probably hung on frantically. Viine, who was gasping for breath, decided to follow them, too.
"Then me as well." (Alyssa)
"You are not allowed." (Hifumi)
"Why!?" (Alyssa)
Alyssa had hoped to accompany them , but was quickly rejected.
"This is your's and Imeraria's assignment, isn't it? Since we will go to the castle in advance, quickly return to your soldiers and command them." (Hifumi)
"Eh~..." (Alyssa)
Leaving Alyssa who has become sullen, he entrusts the carriage to Origa and Viine and stands in front of the remaining soldiers while they are moving about in confusion due to still being unable to grasp the situation.
"Alright, I caught your guys' leader. Do your best to get him back." (Hifumi)
The soldiers are astir due to Hifumi who drew his katana. Since they aren't aware of the situation, they can't understand him boarding the carriage with a few and moreover having them approach him with a great number even if they understand that the man in front of them is their enemy.
"B-Beat them up! We have to rescue His Excellency Kuzemu!"
Hifumi smiled once someone who might be a commanding officer raised his voice.
"Yes, it will be fine like that... Origa! Follow with the carriage!" (Hifumi)
No sooner than shouting that, Hifumi caused a sound similar to an explosion.
The soldier, who was right in front of him, received a thrust to his throat and died in an instant.
Hifumi wards off a spear, which was unleashed from his side without a moment's delay, with the scabbard by twisting his waist and cuts off both of the the soldier's arms letting them fall.
The soldier, who screamed something inarticulate, died by having the katana stabbed into his mouth.
"Viine-san, please be the driver." (Origa)
"Yes, understood." (Viine)
As Viine grasps the reins and begins to spur on the horse in order to chase after Hifumi's back, Origa climbs the roof of the carriage and makes a daunting pose.
"Your gentlemen' superior is on this carriage. Attack it if you don't mind dying after getting involved." (Origa)
While concealing her mouth with the iron-ribbed fan which was opened with an unfolding sound, she smiles gently.
by heading towards my husband who is currently fighting in front?" (Origa)
During the time she was talking, the head of a soldier, who sidled up to the carriage, dropped to the ground.
It had been removed by the knife, which serves her as medium for magic, in Origa's right hand.
"That's right. It's been long-awaited thus I shall announce it to you all from Horant who are strong at magic." (Origa)
She closes the iron-ribbed fan making a hard clanking resound.
"My magic can be released freely even without me pointing the knife at my target." (Origa)
A wind-cutting sound reached the ears of some soldiers and in the next instant blood overflew from their napes and their heads fell.
Thanks to Sabnak's orders, the nets and corpses were mostly removed, but at that time the figures of Hifumi's group had already vanished far ahead.
"Their pace is faster than expected..." (Nelgal)
Once Nelgal ordered to shelter the soldiers who escaped from Kuzemu's side while at the same time announcing to forcibly break through the spot where Hifumi cut through, he advanced his horse while calling out to Kuzemu's side in a loud voice.
Nelgal, who joined in on Imeraria's plan he was told about by Sabnak, looks at the location where Hifumi apparently went ahead to.
There are far more corpses scattered around there than at the place which was cleaned just now. Several soldiers, who escaped away from the highway, are observing the situation with frightened expressions.
"Join us! You aren't my enemies. You are soldiers of Horant! Accomplish your original duty by coming to our side!" (Nelgal)
It's not just corpses of immortal soldiers but also a large number of corpses of common soldiers.
50 have died according to what's just reflected in his line of sight.
"How awful..." (Nelgal)
Nelgal harbours such doubt towards Hifumi, but currently he hasn't the leeway to use his head to think about this.
While moving the corpses to the sides, the large army advances.
The leading group consists of soldiers from Horant, but right behind them the soldiers of Orsongrande are following while being led by Imeraria.
At the moment when the nets and corpses were cleared away to a certain extent, Alyssa came back with heavy feet.
"Huh? Alyssa-san?" (Nelgal)
Alyssa replied to Nelgal, who called out to her from atop his horse, by waving her hand.
"Being told to do my job, I ended up returning. What should I do from now on?" (Alyssa)
"You were able to dispose of the nets, weren't you?" She mentions care-freely, but Alyssa is also someone who rushed into the enemy's camp alongside Hifumi. She is covered by a large amount of blood spurts. Nelgal can feel something heavy hanging in the air around her that doesn't suit the lightness of her tone.
"We will pass through the hole opened by Hifumi-san. We will even recover the capital. Can you help us with that?" (Nelgal)
Nelgal called out to Alyssa, who heads to the rear while trudging once again after nodding as if it's a trifling matter, in a panic.
"What will Hifumi-san do?" (Nelgal)
"I will go to the capital, he said." (Alyssa)
While seeing off Alyssa who begins to walk again after answering without hesitation, Nelgal was spurred on by the uneasiness
"What is that gentleman planning...?" (Imeraria)
The greatly perplexed Imeraria was caught by Puuse, who was next to her, after she slid off the chair due to an excessive drain of strength.
The army, which was prepared by Kuzemu, lost its leaders thanks to Tannin's absences and Kuzemu's abduction. Because of the losses they suffered from Hifumi including the annihilation of the immortal soldiers, the matter of having them join was more successful and simple than expected by Nelgal as they had already diverted from maintaining a structure as organization.
Running swiftly along the highway without taking a break, the allied forces of Horant and Orsongrande, which forcibly broke through the capital's gates and the centre, set up camp making use of the plaza in front of the castle.
No, deciding to set up camp, they couldn't avoid stopping for a moment to do so.
"P-Please save meee!"
The tied-up Kuzemu was suspended from the balcony, which faced the plaza that continued into the main street, with a single long rope.
"Someone! Anyoneee!" (Kuzemu)
At the moment when Nelgal reflexively gave the order to stop after being shown the far too pitiful view, Hifumi suddenly showed up on the balcony.
Gaap is visible next to him.
"You finally came?" (Hifumi)
Hifumi's voice carried well. It reached even Nelgal's and Imeraria's ears.
"Imeraria, Alyssa! Some time ago you were let down by the disappointing weapons of this fool. Instead of those, I prepared a game. Although you will be betting your lives, it's fine to have some fun." (Hifumi)
Once he said that much, he quickly withdrew.
It seems like the remaining Gaap has been told something by Hifumi, but it's not audible for Imeraria's group who is watching from below.
"Umm... that means, everyone, please do your best to rescue His Excellency Kuzemu." (Gaap)
Originally the voice of Gaap while reading from a memo shouldn't be audible, but Imeraria, Nelgal and the others could hear it well.
"This is... Origa-san's magic, isn't it?" (Imeraria)
Sabnak heard what Imeraria grumbled, but when he looked all over the castle, he didn't find Origa.
Gaap's explanation continued.
"Please feel relieved as we made all non-combatants leave the castle. Instead, many traps and immortal soldiers will stand in your way. The time limit is until sunset. At the same time as the sun goes down, the rope, which holds His Excellency Kuzemu, will be severed. Also, given that we have released immortal soldiers inside the city, please do your best to capture them... I guess it's fine with this." (Gaap)
At the moment the last murmuring could be heard, the spell was apparently cancelled. Gaap's voice didn't reach them any longer.
And, once the front gate slowly opened, around thirty soldiers rushed out as if escaping.
Once they discovered the figures of their colleagues and Nelgal, they prostrated themselves by sliding in front of Nelgal.
"N-Nelgal-sama! Please forgive us! The castle has, the castle has...!"
After looking at Nelgal who is soothing them with a troubled expression, Sabnak, who once again lifted his gaze, mutters,
"If the one who has been captured is a middle-aged man and not a beautiful girl, that's a person who won't trigger any motivation. Well, I understand plentifully why the world's hero stories tell about saving princesses." (Sabnak)
Due to his objection by playing a fool, Imeraria stood up and spanked his butt with a whip used for horse riding.
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