敵の大将と思しき人物が落馬し、周囲の兵たちも我先にとホーラント方面から撤退していくのを確認すると、マ・カルメはたっぷりと息を吸い込んで、ため息をついた。
「はぁあ。やぁっと終わったか」
伝令も同じように肩の力を抜きながら、周りの兵士たちも安堵の表情を見せていることに気付いた。
彼らも、戦場に多少慣れているというだけで、戦いが怖いことには変わりないのだ。
「一時間、ここにとどまって警戒を行うから、各自交代で休息をとれ。一時間経ったらホーラントに入って状況を報告するぞ」
言うが早いか、マ・カルメは地面に横になった。
「あぁ、疲れた。領主様がいないところで戦争なんて、怖くてやってらんねぇな」
へらへらと笑ったマ・カルメの横に、伝令も腰を下ろした。
「トオノ伯爵様は、それほどお強いのですか?」
「強いとか、そんな段階じゃねぇよ。あの人は一人で一つの軍隊と同じさ。もし敵側にあの人の顔が見えたら、何もかも放って逃げるのが正解だと思うぜ」
つくづく、国軍からの異動要請に応じて正解だった、とマ・カルメは語る。
「そんなに......」
「対ヴィシーの戦闘はお前も聞いたことあるだろ? そりゃ、多少は誇張されて伝わってる部分もあるだろうが、基本的には事実だ」
でもな、とマ・カルメは身体を起こしてあぐらをかくと、腰の鎖鎌を叩いて大笑いした。
「ホーラントに来る途中に寄った王都の酒場で、黒髪の麗しい騎士様の物語を詩人が弾き語りしてるのを聞いた時には、笑いがこらえられなかったぜ!」
ポン、と伝令の肩に手を置いたマ・カルメは、やれやれと首を横に振った。
「本当の殺し合いなんて、そんなきれいなもんじゃあないのにな」
なにも答えを返せなかった伝令を放って、マ・カルメは周囲の隊員たちに声をかけ、怪我人がいないことを確認する。
そうするうちに一時間が経ち、マ・カルメたちはさっさとホーラント国境を超える。
「やれやれ、数日休ませてもらったら、一度フォカロルに戻ろうや。そろそろアリッサ長官の顔も見たいよな」
マ・カルメと隊員たちが、最後まで見届けると言ってついてきた伝令を伴い、国境を越えた。
そこに待っていたのは、完全武装をしたホーラントの歩兵たちと、ホーラント自慢の魔法兵たちだ。
訓練用にマ・カルメたちが持ち込んだ数台の投槍器が、明らかにこちらを狙っているのを見て、マ・カルメは目を細めた。
「......とりあえず聞くが、何のつもりだ、これは?」
見れば、投槍器についている兵士たちは、マ・カルメたちが指導していた兵士たちで、マ・カルメとは視線を合わせようとせず、おどおどとした様子を見せている。
対して、魔法兵たちはいつでも魔法が放てるよう、殺気立った様子で短剣を構えていた。
「いやはや、ご苦労だった」
一人の中年が、でっぷりと太った腹を抱えて、歩兵と魔法兵の間から進み出る。
「この投槍器の威力は素晴らしいもののようだ。まさか、たった十名であれほどの大軍を崩壊せしめるとはな......。ありがたい武器をもらったものだ」
「なんか勘違いをしているようだが、それは俺たち教導部隊が指導のために持ち込んだもので、置いて帰るつもりはないぞ。ほしけりゃ、自分で作ればいいだろうが」
「勘違いしているのは貴様らの方だ」
わざとらしい咳払いをした中年は、腕を腰の後ろに回し、胸を張ったつもりだろうが、どうみても腹を突き出したようにしか見えない姿勢でマ・カルメたちを見回した。
「オーソングランデの兵が、我がホーラントへ攻めてきたのだ。使えるものを使うのは当然であり、それを使って自衛するのも当然のことであろう? これも
ふふん、と見下すような目線に、マ・カルメは苛立ちを覚えながらも、冷静に周囲を見回す。
「私はこの国、ホーラントの宰相を務めるクゼムだ。覚えておく必要は無いがな」
文字通り半包囲状態であることを確認し、ちらりと後ろに視線を向けるが、オーソングランデ側の兵士たちはこちらが見える程近くにはいない。だが、邪魔になるホーラント兵もいない。投槍器や魔法の誤射を恐れて、完全な包囲はしていないようだ。
「いや、勘違いはしているだろうが。俺たちはホーラントに攻めてきた連中を水際で食い止めた。お前も知っているだろう。もう迎撃態勢をとる必要も無い」
マ・カルメの言葉に、投槍器に取り付いている歩兵たちはクゼムに視線を向けた。
だが、クゼムは鼻で笑った。
「侵略なら、今現在も行われている。我が国の主権を無視してオーソングランデの兵士が我が物顔でホーラント王都を闊歩し、あまつさえホーラント兵をまるで部下のように扱っている。そして」
クゼムは、マ・カルメの足元を指差した。
「今もまた、我が国にオーソングランデの兵が不躾にも足を踏み入れているではないか」
「待て!」
薄笑いを浮かべるクゼムに、一人の大柄な中年男が兵士たちをかき分けて声をかけた。
高い地位にあるであろうことが、金糸がちりばめられた豪奢な服装からも見て取れる。立派な口ひげを蓄えた強面が、怒りをあらわにして怒鳴っている。
「これはどういうことか、クゼム殿! 王の許可なく兵を動かし、あまつさえ協力者であるフォカロルの兵を脅すなど......」
「王が不在であるからこそ、宰相として私が国のためにこうして動いておるのです」
「兵を動かす権限は、軍務大臣であるわしだぞ!」
「軍務大臣は“時の王が指名する”とされております。宰相である私と違い、前王スプランゲル様が亡くなられた今、貴方の肩書は無役です」
「では、後継者として指名されているネルガル様のご指示があるまでは......」
愕然として、言葉が続かない元軍務大臣に、クゼムが言葉をつないだ。
「そうです。ネルガル様がお戻りになられ、ご指示があるまでは、私が代理を務めることになっております」
「そういう法なのです」
クゼルが大臣と言い合いをしている間、マ・カルメは伝令の男に小声で話しかけた。
「合図をしたら、馬に飛び乗って急いで国境を越えてビロン伯爵に状況を伝えろ。国境の兵士にのんびり話している暇はないだろうから、無視して街道を突っ走れ」
「余計なことは考えるな。お前は、伝令としての自分の仕事を全うすることだけを考えろ」
伝令の反論を許さず、びしりと伝えてしまうと、マ・カルメは他の隊員たちに目配せをした。
隊員たちは、笑って頷く。
「ちゃんと俺たちの活躍を伝えてくれよ」
「アリッサ長官に、勇敢さを褒めてもらわないとな」
口々に言う言葉に、悲壮感は無い。
「聞いたな? お前は俺たちの格好よさを伝える大切な伝令でもあるんだ。ビロン伯爵の許可が取れたら、フォカロルへ行ってくれ。アリッサ長官に「あなたの部下は最高だ」と言ってくれたら、それでいい」
行け、と尻を蹴飛ばされた伝令は、泣きながら馬に飛び乗る。
「逃がすな!」
「止せ! 大問題になるぞ!」
動きに気付いたクゼムが声を荒げ、大臣はさらに大きな声を出した。
戸惑う兵たちの中から、槍が一本だけ発射され、いくつかの魔法が飛ぶ。
「おらぁ!」
一筋の槍は伝令の背中を狙っていたのだが、マ・カルメの振るう鎌に叩き落された。
とっさにフォカロル兵たちが台車を蹴倒して壁にして、魔法を防ぐ。
「ぐぁっ」
それでも、防ぎきれずに二人が風魔法で引き裂かれ、血を噴いて倒れた。
さらに、火球で燃えた台車から離れた一人が、石つぶてで頭を撃たれて昏倒する。
「さあさあ、遠慮なくかかって来い! 領主様ほどじゃあねぇが、俺だって格好よく戦えるところを見せてやろうじゃあねぇか! アリッサ長官の前なら最高だったけどな、ここが戦場ってんなら、仕方ねぇ!」
鎖鎌を構え、分銅を回しながら啖呵を切ったマ・カルメは、多勢に無勢をまるで知らぬかのように笑って見せた。
「いやいや、一二三さん。これは、ちょっと......」
口をパクパクと動かし、声にならない恨み言を語り続けるバールゼフォンの生首を見せられたアリッサは、うぇ、と呟いてから、一二三の提案を止める言葉を探していた。
「動力も無くて動き続けるんだ。順番待ちの暇つぶしに見ているにはちょうどいいと思うだろ?」
「思わないよ! みんな怖がって来なくなっちゃうと思うよ?」
領主館の前で、生首を前に話あっている二人には色々な意味で近づきにくい状態だった。一つはその得体の知れない魔物のような生首の存在と、領主というこの土地での最高位にある人物、そして、アリッサが一二三の腕にしがみついているという姿勢も。
「それを了承するのは、オリガさんくらいだよ」
「そうか。なら仕方ないな」
首から下は死体として魔法収納ができたものの、どうやら首はまだ“生き物”扱いらしく収納できなかったので、一二三は頭をつかんでむき出しのままぶら下げてきたのだが、議論が終わるとアリッサは職員に頼んでさっさと布に包んでしまった。
たまたまやり取りを見ていた受付担当職員は、あとでアリッサにお礼を言わなくては、と固く誓った。
「とにかく、これで魔物退治も終わりだな。帰っても大した動きは無かったようだし、また待ちぼうけか」
「いいじゃない。一二三さんは働きすぎなんだから、少しゆっくりするくらいで丁度いいんだよ。この前、町で新しいお菓子のお店が......」
言いかけて、何かに気付いたアリッサは、抱きしめるようにつかんでいた一二三の腕から離れると、一メートルほどの距離をとった。
同時に、知っている気配に一二三が顔を街の方へ向けると、轟音をあげて領主館に突っ込んでくる馬車がいる。
「ああ、オリガ、か」
「一二三様!」
「お、帰って来たか。思ったより遅かったな」
領主館の前に砂煙を上げて止まった馬車から、オリガは一切の躊躇なく一二三の胸へとダイレクトに飛び込んだ。
勢いを殺しながら、くるりと回って受け止めた一二三は、オリガの熱い抱擁を気にしたようすもなく、汗だくで馬を走らせて追いかけてきたミダスに視線を向けた。
「おう、久しぶり」
「お、お久しぶりです。トオノ伯爵」
上位貴族の前では必ずそうするように、ミダスは馬を下りてしっかりと頭を下げて挨拶をした。肩が上下しているのは、どうしようもない。
「なんだ、オリガの護衛をしたのか?」
「そんなもの必要な......いえ、それもありますが、ネルガル様をお迎えする任務も仰せつかっております」
「ああ、そう」
適当な返事をする一二三に、オリガは身体ごと一二三に張り付いたまま、次々に王都で一二三がいない生活がいかに色あせて寂しいものだったかと語り、見事に聞き流されていた。
「それで、一二三様にお使いいただこうと思いまして、美しい陶器のお皿やお椀を買い求めたのですが、道中の馬鹿どもに割られてしましまして、一枚だけしか残りませんでした......」
メソメソと一二三の道着に顔をうずめたオリガは、さりげなく匂いを確認し、一二三に見えないようにギラリとアリッサを見た。
「アリッサ、後でお話があります。私のお部屋で、ゆっくり語り合う必要がありそうですね」
「はぃ......」
女どうしの会話が進む間、ミダスは一二三に尋ねたいことがある、と話を切り出した。
「我が国の一部の貴族が、ホーラントへの侵攻を企てたことはご存知ですか?」
「ふぅん。初めて知った」
「左様でしたか。実は、トオノ伯に対抗して、王が斃れたホーラントへ攻め込み、戦果を上げようとしているようで......」
「なんだそりゃ」
「それで、俺の真似をした阿呆がいるから、俺に責任をとれ、と」
「めめ、滅相も無い! 女王陛下はこの件に関して、トオノ伯に一切の援助を乞うことを良しとされておりません。全ては女王陛下の差配によって解決すると明言されております」
「当然だな。見た目だけ真似する奴がいたとして、いちいち構ってられるか。それより、その戦いの規模はどの程度だ?」
「おそらくは、ビロン伯爵を含めた国内の女王派貴族と騎士隊によってほどなく終息するかと。問題は、ホーラント側に被害が及んだ場合ですが......」
横で話を聞いていたアリッサが、慌てて一二三の腕をつかんだ。
「ホーラントには、マ・カルメさんたちがいるはずだよ!」
どうしよう、と一二三を見上げるアリッサの額に、一二三は手袋をした左手で軽くでこぴんを当てた。
「俺に聞く必要なんかあるか。お前が敵だと思うなら、お前の意志で殺せよ」
「そうですよ、アリッサ」
オリガは先ほどまでの威嚇するような視線はどこへやら、一二三の胸に手を置いたまま、まるで聖母のような慈しむ微笑みをアリッサへ向けた。
「貴女の敵は貴女が決めるのです。そして、敵と決めたなら躊躇なく殺すことです。それが私たちのやり方でしょう?」
アリッサは、一二三とオリガを交互に見てから、ぺこり、と頭を下げて走って行った。
あまり戦場を広げて欲しくはないミダスは、苦々しい思いでそれを見ていたが、目の前の重大事を解決する方が先だった。
「我々はネルガル様を護衛して無事にホーラントまで送り届けるのが任務なのです。ネルガル様にお会いしたいのですが」
「ん? 途中で会わなかったのか?」
一二三の口から、ネルガルがすでにフォカロルを発っていることを知り、ミダスはかつてないほどに焦りを覚えた。
「しかし、途中の町では一定以上のランクの宿は全て確認したのですが......」
「おそらく、それが原因でしょう」
ミダスの言葉に応えたのは、馬車の音を聞いて領主館から出てきたカイムだった。
「お帰りなさいませ、領主様、奥様」
「カイムさん、馬車にみなさんへのお土産がありますから、札がついている通りに配っていただけますか?」
「お気遣い、ありがとうございます」
「待ってください、それが原因とは、一体?」
カイムは居住まいを正し、能面のような顔でミダスを見た。
「ネルガル様は、質素な生活をお好みで、贅沢をするよりも勉学のための資料を購入することに予算を割いていらっしゃいました。当地での滞在も、謝礼を考えなければならない領主館は避け、町の下宿を選ばれるほどに」
「では......」
「おそらくは、道中も護衛の皆様と共に安い宿をお選びになられたでしょう。もしミダス様が、貴族の方々や豪商が選ぶような宿のみをご確認されていたとすれば、そこで行き違いになったとしても、不思議ではありません」
失敗した、とミダスは頭を殴られたような衝撃を覚えていた。
周囲にいる騎士たちも落ち着きを失い、顔を見合わせている。
「幸い、ネルガル様が出発されてからさほどの日数は経っておりません。ネルガル様は乗馬を得意とされておりませんから、馬車を伴わず、騎馬のみで追えば、まだ十分に王都前でも追いつけるでしょう」
混乱していたミダスは、カイムの言葉にハッと顔を上げると、カイムに礼を言い、一二三に頭を下げ、慌てて馬に乗って部下の騎士たちと共に去って行った。
一二三は、ミダスが走っていくのを見届けると、ふむ、と考え込んだ。
「何か気になることでもありましたか、あなた?」
「ホーラントな。爺さんが死んで面倒事が起きているだけだと思っていたが、これは......」
にやりと笑う一二三の顔を見上げて、オリガはうっとりとした表情を浮かべる。
「殺し合いの匂いがするな」
それも、大量の血が流れる騒動の匂いがする、と一二三はこのまま魔人族が動き出すのを待つよりも、そっちを引っ掻き回した方が楽しそうだと考えていた。
「ちょうど、イメラリアに持っていくのに良い土産物があるからな。久しぶりに王都に顔を出してみるか」
その言葉に、カイムは一礼し、オリガは今度こそ行動を共にする事を固く決意した。
Once he confirmed the soldiers in the surroundings scrambling to retreat from the direction of Horant with the person appearing to be the general of the enemy having fallen off the horse, Ma Carme took a deep breath and sighed.
"Haaa. It's fiiiinally over." (Ma)
While the messenger let the tension escape from his shoulders in the same way, he noticed that the soldiers around them also showed expressions of relief.
Just because they are more or less accustomed to the battlefield, it doesn't change the fact that they are afraid of fighting as well.
"Since we will stay here for one hour and stand on guard, each of you, take some rest in turns. Once one hour has passed, we will enter Horant and give our report." (Ma)
No sooner than he had said that, Ma Carme lied down on the ground.
"Ah, I'm worn-out. I dun' wanna do somethin' as scary as war in a place where Lord-sama ain't present." (Ma)
The messenger also said down next to Ma Carme who laughed frivolously.
"Is Earl Tohno-sama that powerful?"
"It ain't at the level of bein' powerful or such. That man is the same as a military force. If ya see that man on the enemy's side, I believe it will be the correct choice to leave alone anything and everything to run away." (Ma)
"It would be completely proper to apply for a transfer request at the national army", Ma Carme mentions.
"That much..."
"Ya probably also heard about the battle against Vichy, didn't you? There are likely some parts that were somewhat exaggerated in the circulated rumours, but basically they are true." (Ma)
"But", once Ma Carme rose his body and sat cross-legged, he hit the kusarigama at his waist and burst into laughter.
"At the time I heard a bard singing a tale of a beautiful black-haired knight-sama in a bar of the capital, which I visited en route towards Horant, I couldn't resist laughing." (Ma)
Ma Carme, who placed his hand on the messenger's shoulder with a *pon*, shook his head in disbelief.
"The real killing of other people ain't somethin' that pretty." (Ma)
Leaving the messenger, who couldn't return any answer, alone, Ma Carme calls out to his soldiers in the surroundings and confirms that there are no injured.
Once an hour passes while doing that, Ma Carme and the others quickly cross Horant's national border.
"Good grief, if I'm allowed to take a few days off, I will temporarily return to Fokalore. I wanna see Director Alyssa's face soon." (Ma)
Accompanied by the messenger, who followed them while making sure to be the last one, Ma Carme and his soldiers passed through the border.
The ones who waited there are completely armed infantrymen of Horant and Horant's prided magic soldiers.
Seeing several spear throwers, which were brought in by Ma Carme's group for training purposes, obviously aiming at them, Ma Carme squinted.
"... Let me ask for the time being, but what's the purpose of these?" (Ma)
Once seen, the soldiers, who manned the spear throwers, show a cowering appearance without matching Ma Carme's line of sight as they are all soldiers who were trained by Ma Carme's unit.
In contrast to that the magic soldiers prepared their daggers in a state of frenzy in order to release magic at any time.
"Oh my, thanks for your troubles."
A single, corpulent middle-aged man steps forth from in-between the infantrymen and the magic soldiers while holding his sides with laughter.
"It looks like the strength of those spear throwers is magnificent. By no means, to have that kind of a large army cave in with just 10 soldiers... We appreciate having received such weapon."
"It seems you are misunderstanding something, but as those are tools we brought along for the sake of our teaching unit, we have no intention to go home while leaving them here. If you want them, it will be just fine if you make them yourself, won't it?" (Ma)
"The ones misunderstanding are you bastards."
The middle-aged man, who cleared his throat unnaturally, puts his arms behind his back with an intention to throw out his chest, however Ma Carme's group's sight it can't be seen as anything but him pushing out his belly no matter how they looked at it.
"Orsongrande's soldiers came to attack our Horant. As it's only natural to use what's usable, it's just a matter of course to use these here for self-defence, isn't it? Let's call this an emulation of a battlefield, shall we?"
Even while feeling irritated due to the gaze as if looking down on them with a "Fufu", Ma Carme calmly surveys the vicinity.
"I'm called Kuzemu and am serving as prime minister of this country, Horant. It's unnecessary for you to remember it though." (Kuzemu)
Affirming that they are literally in a situation of being partially surrounded, he turns a fleeting glance towards his back, but there are no soldiers of Orsongrande who are looking this way. However, there are no soldiers from Horant that will become a nuisance either. It seems they haven't surrounded them completely out of fear of accidentally shooting each other with magic or the spear throwers.
"Well, I guess it's a misunderstanding. We held back the lot, who came attacking Horant, at the border. You probably know that as well. There's no need to take a stance of intercepting anymore either." (Ma)
The infantry soldiers, who were manning the spear throwers, turned their looks at Kuzemu due to Ma Carme's words.
But, Kuzemu laughed scornfully.
"If it's about an invasion, it has happened already. Ignoring the sovereignty of our country, soldiers of Orsongrande have thrown their weights around in Horant's capital while looking as if they owned the place and in addition treated our soldiers completely like their subordinates. And." (Kuzemu)
Kuzemu pointed below Ma Carme's feet.
"Aren't even now soldiers of Orsongrande rudely setting their feet on the soil of our country?" (Kuzemu)
"Wait!" (Ma)
Due to Kuzemu floating a faint smile, one largely built middle-aged man called out while pushing his way through the soldiers.
He has likely a high status, but that can also be perceived from his luxurious attire, which had golden threads inlays. The scary face, which harboured an imposing moustache, exposes his anger as he yells.
"What's this about, Kuzemu-dono!? Moving the soldiers without the permission of the king and moreover threatening the soldiers of Fokalore, who are cooperating with us..."
"The king is absent, therefore I have moved them like this on behalf of our country as prime minister." (Kuzemu)
"The authority to move the soldiers lies with me, the Minister of Military and Naval Affairs!"
"The Minister of Military and Naval Affairs is appointed for the "time when a king's designated." Differing from me who is the prime minister, your title holds no meaning now that the previous king, Suprangel, has passed away." (Kuzemu)
"Then, until there's an order from Nelgal-sama, who is nominated as his successor..."
Due to the former Minister of Military and Naval Affairs being unable to continue his words as he is shocked, Kuzemu finished them for him.
"That's right. Until there's an order from Nelgal-sama who is on his way back, I will work as his representative." (Kuzemu)
"That's how the law is." (Kuzemu)
During the time Kuzemu quarrelled with the minister, Ma Carme addressed the messenger in a whisper.
"Once I give you the signal, jump on your horse, pass the border and inform Earl Biron about the state of affairs. Since you likely won't have the spare time to care-freely chat with the border guards, dash along the highway while ignoring them." (Ma)
"Don't say anything unnecessary. Only think about accomplishing your job as messenger." (Ma)
Once he told him sternly without allowing any opposition from the messenger, Ma Carme made an eye signal to the other unit members.
The soldiers nod while smiling.
"Convey our great efforts properly."
"You have to praise our bravery in front of Director Alyssa."
There's no tragic feeling in the words spoken by several.
"Did you hear? You are also an important messenger who will report our virtuous appearance. Once you got Earl Biron's permission, go to Fokalore. And once you told [Your subordinates are the best]  to Director Alyssa, it will be fine." (Ma)
The messenger, who was kicked in the butt with a "go", jumps on his horse while crying.
"Don't let him get away!" (Kuzemu)
"Stop him! It will become a big problem!"
Noticing the movements, Kuzemu raised his voice and the minister spoke up even louder.
Only one spear is shot from among the bewildered soldiers and a few spells come flying.
"Oraa!" (Ma)
The single spear was aimed at the back of the messenger, but it dropped down after being hit by the sickle swung by Ma Carme.
Fokalore's soldiers kicked over the the platform wagon at once turning it into a wall to protect them against the spells.
"Guaah"
Even so, two soldiers, who couldn't get behind the protection in time, were cut by wind magic and collapsed while spouting blood.
Moreover, one person, who got away from the wagon which was burned by a fireball, faints being hit by a pellet against his head.
"Come on, attack us without holding back! It ain't to the degree of Lord-sama, even I will show you how stylishly I can fight! It would be the best if it were in front of Director Alyssa but as this place is a battlefield, it can't be helped!" (Ma)
Ma Carme, who spoke sharply while rotating the weight after setting up the kusarigama, laughed as if completely not noticing them being outnumbered.
"No, no, Hifumi-san. That is, a bit..." (Alyssa)
Alyssa, who looked at the freshly severed head of Balzephon which continues to spill soundless grudges while flapping its mouth open and shut, searched for words to prevent Hifumi's suggestion after murmuring an "Ueeh."
"It continues to move even without any motive power. I think it's just right for watching it while wasting time waiting on one's turn, isn't it?" (Hifumi)
"I don't think so! Don't you think that everyone will end up not approaching this place out of fear?" (Alyssa)
The two people, who are talking in front of the freshly severed head at the entrance of the lord's mansion, were unapproachable in various meanings. One of those is the existence of that suspicious, monster-like freshly severed head, second is the person, who is the top-ranking man in this region hailed as feudal lord, and lastly the posture of Alyssa clinging to an arm of Hifumi.
"Only Origa-san would accept that." (Alyssa)
"I see. Then it can't be helped." (Hifumi)
Since he was apparently unable to store the head away as it was still treated as "living thing" albeit being able to toss the corpse from below the head into the magic storage, Hifumi had grabbed the head and was carrying it around in the open as is. But Alyssa, who closed the argument, called for a staff member and quickly wrapped the head in a cloth.
The staff member in charge of the reception, who accidentally saw their exchange, fiercely vowed to thank Alyssa afterwards.
"Anyway, with this the monster subjugation has finished, too. It looks like there were no significant movements even after coming back. I have to wait around again, huh?" (Hifumi)
"Isn't that fine? Hifumi-san, you are working too much, thus it's just right for you to rest a bit at least. Lately there are new sweets stores in the city..." (Alyssa)
Alyssa, who noticed something just when she was about to continue her words, separates from Hifumi's arm, which she had seized as if embracing it, and took a distance of around one meter.
At the same time, when Hifumi turns his face in the direction of the city due to a presence he knows, a carriage plunges towards the lord's mansion raising a thunderous roar.
"Ah, Origa, eh?" (Hifumi)
"Hifumi-sama!" (Origa)
"Oh, you came back? You took more time than expected." (Hifumi)
After the carriage stopped in front of the lord's mansion while raising a cloud of dust, Origa directly leaped into Hifumi's chest without any hesitation.
Hifumi, who caught her and turned around while killing the momentum, turned his gaze towards Midas, who chased after her while making his horse gallop until it was drenched in sweat, without minding the enthusiastic embrace of Origa.
"Oh, it's been a while." (Hifumi)
"I-It has been a while, Earl Tohno." (Midas)
Obviously doing that always in front of a higher-ranking noble, Midas dismounted his horse and gave his greeting with a proper bow. It can't be helped that his shoulders are heaving up and down.
"What, did you act as Origa's escort?" (Hifumi)
"Such things are necessary... no, there's that as well, but I have been appointed to the task of receiving Nelgal-sama as well." (Midas)
"Ah, yea." (Hifumi)
As Hifumi gave a vague  answer, he splendidly ignored Origa who was talking about her loneliness and how dull her life without Hifumi in the capital was one after the other while clinging to Hifumi's body.
"And, considering that it could be used by you, Hifumi-sama, I bought beautiful porcelain plates and bowls, but as they were broken by idiots along the way, there is no more than only one piece remaining..." (Origa)
Burying her face in Hifumi's dougi while sobbing uncontrollably, Origa confirmed his smell in a casual manner and glared at Alyssa in a way that it couldn't be seen by Hifumi.
"Alyssa, we will have a chat later. It looks like it's necessary for us to slowly talk with each other in my room." (Origa)
"Ye-Yes..." (Alyssa)
During the time the chat between the women unfolded, Midas started to talk with Hifumi about something he wanted to ask.
"Are you aware that a part of our country's nobles plot to invade Horant?" (Midas)
"Hmm. That's the first time I heard about it." (Hifumi)
"That's right, isn't it? As a matter of fact, in order to oppose you, Earl Tohno, they are trying to obtain war achievements by attacking Horant whose king died..." (Midas)
"What's that about?" (Hifumi)
"So you are saying that you want me to take responsibility since there are idiots who are mimicking me." (Hifumi)
"T-Th-That's out of the question! Her Majesty, the Queen, won't approve of any begging towards you, Earl Tohno, for assistance regarding this case. Her Majesty has declared that she will resolve everything on her own." (Midas)
"That's only natural. I can't be bothered about each and every fellow who copies me in appearance only, can I? Rather than that, what kind of scale will that battle have?" (Hifumi)
"It's very likely that it will be ended by the knight order and the nobles of the queen's faction, including Earl Biron, before long. The problem is the case if damages spread towards Horant, but..." (Midas)
Alyssa, who listened to the talk at his side, grabbed Hifumi's arm in panic.
"Ma Carme's unit should be in Horant!" (Alyssa)
Due to Alyssa's forehead looking up at Hifumi while asking "What shall I do?", Hifumi gave her a forehead flick with his left hand which was covered by a glove.
"Is there any need to ask me? If you consider them your enemies, then kill them out of your own will." (Hifumi)
"That's how it is, Alyssa." (Origa)
Far from the gaze similar to threatening her until just now, Origa turned towards Alyssa with an affectionate smile completely similar to the Virgin Mary while placing her hands on the chest of Hifumi.
"You decide your enemy. And once you decided your enemy, it's about killing them without hesitation. That's our way of doing things, right?" (Origa)
After looking alternatively at Hifumi and Origa, Alyssa quickly bowed and ran off.
Midas, who doesn't wish for the battlefield to spread too much, watched that with unpleasant memories, but he had another important matter to settle in front of him.
"Our task is to safely escort Nelgal-sama until Horant while guarding him. I'd like to meet with Nelgal-sama." (Midas)
"Mmh? Didn't you meet him along the road?" (Hifumi)
Hearing about Nelgal having already departed Fokalore from Hifumi's mouth, Midas felt an impatience to a degree he had never experienced.
"But, along the way we checked all the inns above a certain rank..." (Midas)
"That's very likely the reason." (Caim)
The one who replied towards Midas' statement was Caim who left the lord's mansion after hearing the sound of the carriage.magic
"Welcome back, Lord-sama, Madam." (Caim)
"Caim-san, since there are souvenirs for everyone in the carriage, could you distribute them according to the notes attached on them?" (Origa)
"Thank you very much for your concerns." (Caim)
"Please wait, "that's the reason", what the heck do you mean with that?" (Midas)
Correcting his posture, Caim looked at Midas with an expressionless white face.
"As Nelgal-sama prefers a simple lifestyle, he used part of his budget for buying materials for the sake of his studies rather than living in luxury. Even during his stay at this place he avoided the lord's mansion, which he couldn't consider as anything but a reward, and chose one of the city's lodgings." (Caim)
"Then..." (Midas)
"It's very likely that he chooses to stay in cheap inns together with all of his guards along the way as well. If you, Midas-sama, checked only the inns which would be selected by nobility and wealthy merchants, it wouldn't be a miracle even if you ended up missing each other." (Caim)
Midas felt a shock as if he was hit against his head.
Loosing their calmness, the knights in the surroundings exchange looks with each other as well.
"Luckily it's no more than a few days since Nelgal-sama departed. As Nelgal-sama isn't very proficient at riding a horse and since he hasn't taken a carriage along either, you can catch up with him even still quite a bit before the capital, if you chase after him on horse." (Caim)
Midas, who was in chaos, suddenly raised his head due to Caim's words and after thanking Caim and bowing towards Hifumi, he left together with his subordinate knights once they mounted their horses in a hurry.
Once he ascertains Midas galloping away, Hifumi pondered with a "Hmm."
"Is there something bothering you, dear?" (Origa)
"It's Horant. I thought that only troublesome things will happen after the old man died, but this is..." (Hifumi)
Observing the face of Hifumi who grins broadly, Origa displays an entranced expression.
"The smell of people killing each other is drifting about." (Hifumi)
, rather than waiting for the demons to make their move, Hifumi considered throwing the state over there into confusion while looking happy.
"I have just the right, great present to take to Imeraria. Let's try showing my face in the capital after quite a while, huh?" (Hifumi)
Due to those words Caim bowed and Origa was firmly determined to act together with him this time for sure.
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