片耳兎の女獣人から聞いた方角へ進むこと五日。
獣人たちの住むエリアを抜けて更に三日、木々の間を抜けて歩き続けていると、周囲はいよいよ樹海の様相を帯びてきた。時々木に登っては方向を確認する。
「このあたりからか......」
一二三は辺りに立ち並ぶ木々の種類が変わった事に気づいた。
森の雰囲気も、明るくからりとした乾いた空気から、葉が多く茂り薄暗い、じめじめと湿り気を帯びた空気へと変わる。遠くまで見通せていた澄んだ空気も、いつの間にか霞がかったものへと変わっていた。
木々の表面にも苔があるものが多くなり、ひび割れた表皮から別の草が生えているものもある。
「......寝心地は悪そうだな」
森の中を進む間、夜は木の枝に登って寝転がっていた一二三は、苔が付くのは嫌だな、と緊張感の無い感想を抱いていた。
さらに一晩を過ごし、朝早くから森の奥を目指していた一二三の視界に、奇妙なコブがある大木が映った。
そっと近づいてみると、大木の根元近く、幹に背中をあずけるようにすわる格好の、等身大の木彫りの人形が置かれている。
あちこち苔むした人形を掴んだが、しっかり幹にくっついており、軽く引っ張った程度ではびくともしない。まるで、肥大した幹の一部を削り出して作った仏像のようだ。
「それにしても、精巧な作りだ」
瞳を閉じた細面の人形は、深いシワが刻まれた顔をした老人ではあったが、若い頃はさぞや女性に人気があったであろう美形だった。そして、一二三がこの人形に注目した理由は、その耳にある。
「エルフか。いや、エルフの木彫り像か」
尖った耳は人の2倍以上の大きさがあり、後ろに向かって細長く伸びている。
美形であることも相まって、どこかで聞いたような、エルフの特徴そのままだ。
「しかし、木彫りの彫刻とは......ファンタジーの住人としては渋い趣味をしている」
明らかに木製だと解る質感と苔さえなければ、誰かが眠っていると言われても信じてしまいそうな精緻な仕事ぶりに、芸術に大して興味の無い一二三も、しばらく眺めているほどだった。
そこへ、風を切る音と共に飛来したのは、一筋の矢であった。
するりと身体を横へずらした一二三の脇を通り過ぎた矢は、湿った地面に突き立ち、小さな土埃を巻き上げた。
「まずは声をかけろよ。失礼な奴だな」
「チッ!」
まったく動じていない一二三の様子に舌打ちした何者かが、樹上からさらに矢を射掛けてくる。
二射、三射と文字通り矢継ぎ早の攻撃も、最初の攻撃で敵の居場所が分かってしまった以上、当たるはずもない。
スイスイと避け、木の陰に隠れて息を潜めてしまえば終わりだ。
「出てこい! 人間が我らの森へ踏み入った事、後悔させてやる!」
どうやら、敵は狙撃手としては失格なほどに頭に血が登りやすいタイプらしい。
一二三は相手の雑なやり方に苛立って、木陰から手首だけで十字手裏剣を飛ばした。
「あっ?!」
肩に傷を負った狙撃手は、たまらず木から落下した。
湿った土と積み重なった葉の上に、ぐしゃりと音を立てて倒れ込む。
一二三が駆け寄った時、敵はナイフを取り出して応戦する構えを取ろうとしたが、一二三が抜いた刀の切っ先が、吸い込まれるように喉元に当てられる方がずっと早かった。
「うぐ......」
薄暗い森の中でも妖しい光を放つ刀を間近で見た敵は、視線を刃に奪われたまま、息を飲んだ。
一二三より少しだけ背が高く、スラリと細い四肢ではあるが、決して弱々しくはない。少し癖のある長い金髪を後ろに流して縛った髪型のエルフは、切れ長の目をした見目の良い中性的な顔立ちだった。
そして、あの人形と同じような、特徴的な長い耳。
「お前......エルフか」
遠慮なくジロジロと見てくる一二三に、エルフは不快そうな顔で唾を吐く。
「それがどうした。エルフの森へ無断で侵入した人間が、このまま無事でいられると思うなよ」
「無断がダメなら、出入り口の門でも作って呼び出し用の鈴でも置いておけよ」
茶化すような言葉に、エルフの表情は益々険しくなる。
「まあ、お前の言葉でここがエルフの居場所だというのはわかった」
「貴様、我らエルフに何の用だ?」
「エルフは見に来ただけだな。生活の場が見られれば尚良いが、目的地はもっと奥だな」
「貴様、魔人族の所へ行くつもりか!」
驚きに目を見開いたエルフは、声を荒げた。
「そうだな。その魔人族とやらを街で一人見かけたからな。どうせなら、その親玉のツラでも拝んでおこうかと思ってな」
地獄だとかなんとか言われたから、ちょっと見に来たという一二三に、呆れたとエルフは言う。
「魔人族どもは今は我々エルフの秘術によって、奥地にて封印している。僅かなほころびから、弱い者は溢れ出すことがあるが......」
エルフが語る内容によれば、エルフの森に押し囲まれる形で、結界を張っているエルフによって魔人族は出入りを制限されているという。以前にドワーフのトルンが言っていた“人間と敵対する魔人族”というのは、結界の影響を受けにくい、魔力の弱い者が森を抜けた結果、人間の街に近づいた者たちのようだ。
一二三が殺したゼブルは、その中でもうまく人間の中に入り込めた部類なのだろう。
「なんだってそんな面倒なことをしている?」
まるで世界を守るために封印を施したかのようなエルフに、一二三は首をかしげた。
「簡単な事だ」
エルフは吐き捨てるように語る。
「魔人族は、元はと言えばエルフから別れた種族だ。あのような半端者どもを自由にさせるなど、我々エルフの恥だ」
「半端者とまで言う割には、滅ぼすこともせずに封印するだけで済ませているな」
そう言えば、ゼブルも耳が長かった、と一二三は思い出しながら疑問を口にした。
視線を逸らしてしまったエルフの様子を見て、おそらく純粋な戦闘となれば、エルフは魔人族を滅ぼす程の力は持っていないのだろう。
「そんなこと、人間には関係ない! それよりも、この先はエルフ以外は立ち入り禁止だ!」
「俺より背が高いくせに、子供のようなことを言う奴だ」
「子供と言うな!」
刃を当てられているのを忘れたのか、靴底を当てるように蹴ってくるのを、一二三は後ろへ一歩下がってかわした。
距離が開いたのを見て、エルフは今度こそナイフを抜き、逆手に持って構えた。手裏剣が突き刺さった左肩が痛むのだろう、顔をしかめて左手は拳を握りしめている。
「今度は、負けない!」
「戦いに“今度”がある時点で、甘いんだけどなぁ。......良かったな、援軍が来てくれたぞ」
一二三が肩をすくめたところで、森の奥から数名のエルフが現れた。
「シク、人間相手に何をやっている!」
先頭を進んでいた男のエルフが、引き絞った弓を一二三に向けたまま、ナイフを構えているエルフを怒鳴りつけた。
「で、でも......」
「お前ができるというから、魔法もろくに使えない子供のお前に見回りをやらせてやったというのに......」
シクと呼ばれたエルフは、叱られた子供そのままの表情で肩を落とした。後続の女性エルフが、シクに触れて治癒魔法を唱え始めた。
「子供だと?」
一二三の疑問に、怒鳴っていたエルフが苦々しげな表情で一二三に向き直った。
「ついてきてもらおう。我らエルフの指導者であるザンガー様から、人間が森に来ているから連れてくるようにと言われている。妙な真似をするなよ。本来なら我らエルフの森に人間が入るなど許されないからな」
至近距離で矢を向けられているというのに、一二三は特に構える事なく、刀をだらりと下げて目の前の矢とエルフを見ている。
「客人を迎える態度じゃないな」
「子供を相手に多少戦えたからと言って調子に......ああ!?」
一二三が左手を振ると、手裏剣が弓の弦を切る。
弾けるように暴れた弦が、弓を持つエルフの腕に傷をつけ、矢はポトリと落ちた。
「お前らの態度が気に入らない。だから、ついて行かない」
「人間風情が、ザンガー様の呼び出しを無視するといのか!」
腕から血を流しながら、先ほどと同様に怒声をあげるエルフを見て、一二三は笑った。
「まず、そいつを知らん。知らん奴に従うもなにもないだろうが」
モノの道理を考えろ、と笑う一二三。
「そうだな、どうせなら力づくでやってみたらどうだ?」
「言ったな。人間風情が、エルフに勝てると思うか!」
魔法で傷を癒したエルフが、腰のナイフを抜いた。
だが、最初に飛んできたのは風の魔法だ。
「それは、見たことがある」
一二三は、飛来した風の刃を大胆にも平手で横から叩いた。
パン、と弾けるような音がして、風の刃は散らされてしまう。
「な、なんて事を......」
後衛から魔法を放ったエルフは、驚愕を顔に浮かべている。
「ふむ。治療の魔法でもそうだが、お前らは杖無しで魔法が使えるんだな」
そう言えば、魔人族を名乗った奴も杖を使っていなかったな、と一二三は思い出した。
ふむふむ、と考えている一二三に、エルフたちの魔法が容赦なく襲いかかる。
炎の魔法を使わないあたりは、森の木々に気を遣っているのだろう。
風の刃や石礫が飛来するなかを、くるくると踊るようにすり抜けていく。
エルフが突き出したナイフを、一二三は指先で摘むと、くるりと手首を返してナイフを奪い取った。
そして、そのナイフを投擲する。
今まさに魔法を放とうとしたエルフの左目に、深々とナイフが刺さった。
絶命したエルフが倒れる瞬間には、ナイフを奪われたエルフも刀の一撃で死んだ。
「あと四人」
ふと見ると、シクは驚きと怯えで腰を抜かして後ずさっていた。
「なんだ、さっきまでの威勢はどこへ行った?」
「ひぃ......」
一二三と目線が合うと、シクは短い悲鳴を上げた。
「ま、待って!」
涙をいっぱいに浮かべたシクをかばうように、治療魔法を使っていた女性エルフが両手をいっぱいに広げて立ちはだかった。
「私たちの負けです! どうか、若い者は見逃していただけませんか......」
答えながら、一二三は突然走り出した。
女エルフの横を通り抜け、シクの横を走り抜け、さらに後ろにいた男女二人のエルフへ肉迫する。
一二三に対して魔法で遠距離から狙撃しようとしていた二人は、急に目の前に迫った一二三に驚くばかりで何も出来ない。
それを、一二三は逆袈裟に振り抜いた刀でまとめて両断した。
「攻撃をしないなら、殺さずにおいてもいい。だが......」
振り向いた一二三は、唖然としている生き残りのエルフを見た。
「敵対するなら殺す」
その言葉に、シクは泡を吹かんばかりに身体を震わせて驚愕している。
一二三は、溜息をついてシクに年齢を訪ねたが、シクは怯えるばかりで答えられない。
代わりに、女性エルフが16歳だと答えた。
「この子は、親無し子で、私が面倒を見ている子で......。この子が貴方を攻撃したのでしょう。私も謝ります。どうか、ご容赦ください」
「なら、親代わりとして俺の頼みを聞いてもらおうか」
一二三の言葉に、女性のエルフは息を飲んだ。若い男が女に求める事と言えば、大体想像がつく。だが、抵抗する力も無い。
「わ、わかりました......」
「じゃあ、道案内を頼む」
懐紙で拭った刀を納めた一二三は、袴の土を払った。
「魔人族の場所へ行く道だ。ほれ、さっさと行くぞ」
「は、はい!」
女性エルフは、未だ呆然としているシクに肩を貸してなんとか立ち上がらせると、仲間たちの死体を泣く泣く打ち捨てたまま、一二三の前を歩き出した。
「私たちにとって、この森は恵みを与えてくれる場所であり、最期を迎えるための墓でもあるのです」
森を傷つける事を大変な禁忌とする理由を、プーセと名乗った女性エルフが語る。
「森を傷つける事は即ちエルフとしての生き方を傷つける事である、と私たちは小さい頃から教えられて成長して行きます。親がいないこの子でも、例外ではありません」
とうとう気を失ってしまったシクを、プーセは背中に背負って歩いている。
シクは幼い頃に両親を亡くし、以来祖父に育てられていたが、その祖父も先日亡くなったという。
「まあ、恵みというのはわかるが、墓というのはどういう意味だ?」
「この森で育ったエルフは、ある程度の老齢になると、身体が硬直し始めるのです。そうしたら、自分で決めた木に寄り添い、そのまま木と同化して最期を迎えます」
だから、この森はエルフにとって墓でもあるのです、とプーセは言う。
「......さっき、よくできた木彫りの人形のような爺さんのエルフを見たが」
「それは多分、老いたエルフのなれの果てでしょう」
「わからんな。なんで生き物が木に変わる?」
「それは、私にもわかりません。昔からそうでした、としか」
しかも、エルフは100歳前後から身体の植物化が始まり、1年ほどで動けなくなり、それから半年程度で完全に木と一体化するのだという。一二三が持っていた長寿のイメージとは違っていた。
成長は早く、12歳程度で大人の身長にまで背が伸びるが、身体能力的には劣るのだという。
見た目以上にかけ離れた謎の生態に首をひねっている一二三に、今度は私からいいですか、とプーセが遠慮がちに尋ねた。
「どうして、魔人族のところへ?」
「強いらしいからな。それ以上の目的もある」
何か違うことを考えながらの適当な答えだというのは、聞いたプーセにもわかったが、それ以上は聞かなかった。
この時、一二三の頭の中には先ほど見た樹木と融合した老人エルフの姿が浮かんでいた。
「決めた。先にお前たちの集落に寄ることにしよう」
「な、何が目的ですか?」
「今の話が何かひっかかる。エルフの偉いのがいるんだろう? そいつに聞いておきたいことができた」
いくらなんでも、木に同化するのはおかしい、と一二三は考えていた。
ファンタジーな世界とはいえ、心にひっかかる、納得できないことには何か答えが欲しい。
「まだ時間はあるからな。寄り道くらい問題ない。というわけで、行き先変更だ」
プーセには、それを断ることができなかった。
Five days passed with him proceeding in the direction, he was told by the one-eared rabbitwoman.
It took him further three days to leave the area, where the beastmen live. Once he came out from between the trees, the surroundings took the appearance of being a broad expense of various woodland. He occasionally climbed a tree to check his bearing.
"Around here...?" (Hifumi)
Hifumi noticed that the trees in the surroundings had changed.
The atmosphere of the forest has changed as well, from a dry atmosphere filled with brightness and clarity to a damp and humid atmosphere, which is gloomy due to the overgrowing number of leaves. Also, the clear air, which allowed one to see into the distance without obstruction, transformed into something that appeared to be misty, before he noticed it.
The number of trees having moss on their surface has become big and there are even those, growing different weeds from within their cracked rinds.
"... This appears to be inferior in sleeping comfort." (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who laid down after climbing on a tree's branch to take a break from advancing through the forest at night, harboured thoughts like
In the sight of Hifumi, who headed deeper into the forest from early in the morning after spending one more night, a strange swelling, located on a tree, was reflected.
Once he tries to get close quietly, he discovers a life-sized wooden doll having been placed in a sitting posture, as if entrusting its back to the trunk, close to the base of the tree.
He grabbed the doll, which was covered in moss all over, but as it has been firmly stuck to the trunk, it's not moving even an inch at the level of just pulling it lightly. It's completely like a Buddha statue, which was created by cutting it out of one part of a large trunk.
"All things considered, it's quite the elaborate craft." (Hifumi)
The slender-faced doll with its closed eyes was an elder having an expression with deep wrinkles engraved, however he had a beautiful form, which definitely would have peeked the interest of women in his person during his youth. And, the reason why Hifumi paid attention to this doll is its ears.
"Elf? No, the wood carving of an elf, huh?" (Hifumi)
The pointed ears have a size, which is more than twice that of humans. They are extending longly and narrowly while growing towards the back.
Coupled with having a beautiful shape, they are a characteristic of elves, he heard from somewhere.
"However, a wood-craft sculpture... that's a refined pastime for dwellers of a fantasy." (Hifumi)
Without clearing the moss he understands the feel of the material to be obviously wood. The minute way of crafting makes one believe that someone is sleeping. Even for Hifumi, who has no deeper interest in art, it was to a level of making him gaze at it for a while.
What came flying alongside a sound of fast movement was a long arrow.
The arrow, which passed the flank of Hifumi who moved his body sideways in a smooth, unhindered motion, pierced into the damp ground and blew up a small cloud of dust.
"At least greet me first. You are quite the rude fellow." (Hifumi)
"Tsk!"
Someone clicked their tongue due to Hifumi's state of not being perturbed in the least, but they shoot another arrow from up in the trees.
Even as he is attacked by a literally rapid firing of 2-3 shot arrows, seeing that he grasped the enemy's location with the first assault, those couldn't hit either.
Smoothly avoiding the arrows, it ends once he hides behind a tree and holds his breath.
"Come out! For a human to intrude our forest, you will regret that!"
The enemy disqualifies himself as sniper as it seems that they are the type, who lets their blood easily rush to their head.
Getting annoyed with the opponent's crude way of doing things, Hifumi launched a cross shuriken using only his wrist from within the tree's shade.
"Ah!?"
The sniper, who sustained a wound on their shoulder, fell from the tree unable to endure.
He drops with a crushing sound on top of the leaves, which accumulated on the moist soil.
At the time Hifumi rushed over, the enemy took out a knife and tried to take a fighting stance, but the point of the katana, which Hifumi drew, was by far faster and it was pressed against the throat as if being sucked in.
"Uguu..."
The enemy, who looked at the nearby katana shedding an ominous light within the dim forest, gulped with their sight being drawn onto the blade.
Being slightly taller than Hifumi, the enemy has long, slender and well-proportined limbs, though they aren't frail by no means. The elf, with a hair style of slightly quirky, long blonde hair being tied and flowing down the back, had androgynous features having good looks and almond eyes.
And, just like that doll, the elf has the characteristic long ears.
"You are... an elf?" (Hifumi)
Due to Hifumi scrutinizing them without reservation, the elf spits out, with a displease expression,
"What about it? As human, who intruded into the elves' forest without permission, do you think you will be safe as it is?"
"If entry isn't allowed, build a gate at the entrance and set up a door bell." (Hifumi)
The elf's expression turns increasingly grim due to the belittling words.
"Oh well, with your words I understood that this place is the elves' home." (Hifumi)
"Bastard, what business do you have with us elves?"
"I only came to see elves. If I can observe the place where you live, that will be even better, but my destination is further inside." (Hifumi)
"Do you intend to go to the demon races' place, bastard?"
The elf, who opened his eyes in surprise, raised his voice.
"That's right. I ran into one of the demon race or whatever in the city. Thus I thought I might as well pay my respects to his boss." (Hifumi)
Due to Hifumi saying that he wants go for a visit since he was told it was something like hell, the shocked elf says,
"The demon race has been currently sealed deeper inside due to our, the elves', secret art. Since it's coming apart a bit, the weaklings are pouring out, but..."
If it's according to the details mentioned by the elf, the demon race is restricted in their coming and going because of the barrier, which has a shape of enclosing and sealing them in the elven forest, being deployed by the elves. Previously the dwarf Thorn has called them "the demon race, which is hostile to humans." As result of those, having weak magic power, leaving the forest as they hate suffering the effects of the barrier, there are some, who got close to human cities.
Zebul, who was killed by Hifumi, likely was the type, who was able to blend in between people without being discovered.
"Why are you doing something this troublesome?" (Hifumi)
Hifumi tilted his head to the side due to the elf completely acting as if they were applying the seal to protect the world.
"That's simple."
The elf says as if spitting out.
"The demon race is a race that originally separated from the elves. Something like allowing such blockheads to be free would be the disgrace of us elves."
"Even if you are going as far as calling them blockheads, you are just sealing them without even destroying them." (Hifumi)
Which reminds me, Zebul's ears were long too
the elves likely don't have the strength to destroy the demon race, if it's in genuine combat.
"Such things got nothing to do with humans! Leaving that aside, it's forbidden for anyone but elves to enter past here."
"Though you are taller than me, you are a guy spouting childish things." (Hifumi)
"Don't call me childish!"
The kick in order to hit with the shoe sole was avoided by Hifumi stepping back.
Seeing that a distance opened up, the elf draws the knife this time and took a stance by holding it in a backhand grip. Probably due to the pain of a shuriken being stuck in the elf's left shoulder, he clenches his left fist while frowning.
"This time I won't lose!"
"Saying "this time" at the moment of fighting is overly optimistic, but... aren't you glad? Reinforcements came." (Hifumi)
Even as Hifumi shrugged his shoulders, several elves appeared from within the forest's depth.
"Shiku, what are you doing with a human?"
The male elf, who was in the lead, turned his bow, which was drawn to the limit, towards Hifumi and shouted at the elf, who has prepared his knife, in that state.
"B-But..." (Shiku)
"Since you told me you would be able to do it, I let you, a child who can't use anything but weak magic, go on patrol and yet..."
The elf called Shiku dropped his shoulders with an expression like a scolded child. The following female elf began to cast healing magic touching Shiku.
"Child, you say?" (Hifumi)
Due to Hifumi's question, the elf, who yelled, faced Hifumi with a loathsome expression.
"Follow us. We have been told by Zanga-sama, who is the leader of us elves, to bring you human along since you have entered the forest. Don't do anything strange. Usually we elves don't tolerate something like a human entering the elven forest."
Despite having arrows pointed at him at point-blank range, Hifumi is looking at the elves and arrows in front of him while holding the katana loosely without taking a particular stance.
"That's not the attitude you welcome a guest with." (Hifumi)
"Don't get full of yourself just because you were more or less able to fight with a child as opponent... ah!?"
Once Hifumi waves his left hand, the bowstring is cut by a shuriken.
The bowstring, which reeled violently due to being snapped, injured the arm of the elf holding the bow and let the arrow drop with a *plop*
"I don't like your guys' attitude. That's why I won't accompany you." (Hifumi)
"The likes of a human wants to ignore the summoning of Zanga-sama!?"
Hifumi laughed as he watched the elf raise an angry voice just like before while shedding blood from his arm.
"First, I don't know that guy. There's no point in obeying an unknown guy, right?" (Hifumi)
"Think about the truth of the matter", Hifumi laughs.
"Ah right, then you might as well try with force, how about that?" (Hifumi)
"I told you. Do you believe the likes of a human can win against elves!?"
The elf, who healed his wound with magic, drew the knife at his waist.
However, what came flying first is wind magic.
"That's something I've already seen." (Hifumi)
Hifumi boldly hit the approaching wind blade from the side with his palm.
Making a sound of *pan* as if being repelled, the wind blade scatters.
"W-What have you..."
The elf, who released magic from the rear, floats an expression of shock.
"I see. You guys are even able to use healing magic without requiring a wand." (Hifumi)
Come to think of it, the guy, who called himself one of the demon race, didn't use a wand either
, he is mercilessly attacked by the elves' spells.
Not using fire magic in the vicinity is probably because they are paying attention to the forest's trees.
He slips through the fired wind blades and pellets as if whirling around in a dance.
Once Hifumi got hold of the knife, which was thrust out by the elf, with his fingers, he turned over his wrist abruptly and stole the knife.
And then he threw that knife.
The knife deeply penetrated into the left eye of an elf, who just now was about to fire a spell.
The instant the dead elf collapsed, the elf, who had his knife stolen, died with a single slice of the katana as well.
"4 left." (Hifumi)
Once he sees the sudden turn of events, Shiku drew back while being unable to stand up due to surprise and fright.
"What's up? Where did your vigour from a while go?" (Hifumi)
"Hii..."
Once Shiku met Hifumi's gaze, he gave a short scream.
"W-Wait!"
In order to cover for Shiku, who had a tear-filled expression, the female elf, who previously used healing magic, stood in the way spreading bot her arms.
"It's our defeat! Can't you please overlook the youth...?"
While answering, Hifumi suddenly started to run.
Passing the female elf sideways, passing Shiku sideways, he presses onto the two male elves, who stood further back.
The two, who had been sniping Hifumi with magic from afar, aren't able to do anything with Hifumi abruptly appearing in front of them.
Hifumi bisected them altogether with the katana, he swung in a reverse shoulder slash.
"If you don't attack, I won't kill you. But..." (Hifumi)
Hifumi, observed the surviving elves, which are dumbfounded.
"If you are hostile, I will cut you." (Hifumi)
Due to his words Shiku's body is trembling in fright with him only leaking foam from his mouth.
Sighing, Hifumi asked Shiku about his age, but being nothing but scared, Shiku is unable to answer.
Instead the elf woman replied that she's 16 years old.
"This child is an orphan and I'm taking care of him... This child attacked you, I suppose. I will apologize as well. Please, forgive him."
"If that's the case, will you listen to my request as his foster parent?" (Hifumi)
The elven woman gulped due to Hifumi's words. Speaking of something a young man could want from a woman, she can mostly imagine it. However, she has no strength to oppose him either.
"U-Understood..."
"Then I leave the guiding to you." (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who sheathed the katana he wiped with a paper, dusted off the dirt from his hakama.
"It's the way to the location of the demon race. If you got, get going quickly." (Hifumi)
"Y-Yes!"
Once the elf woman made Shiku, who is still in a daze, stand up by lending her shoulder, she tearfully abandoned her comrades' corpses as they are and walked in front of Hifumi.
"For us this forest is a place that gives us blessing. It's also a graveyard for the sake of welcoming us in our last moments."
The elf woman, who introduced herself as Puuse, explains the reason why it's a grave taboo to damage the forest.
"The act of damaging the forest is the same as damaging the way of life as elf, is what we are taught from childhood until becoming an adult. Even a child that has no parents is no exception." (Puuse)
Puuse is walking while carrying Shiku, who finally lost consciousness.
Losing both parents as child, Shiku was raised by his grandfather since then, but a few days ago that grandfather died as well.
"Well, I understand you calling it a blessing, but what do you mean by it being a graveyard?" (Hifumi)
"The bodies of the elves, who grew up in this forest, begin to petrify once they reach a certain age. If that happens, they snuggle up to a tree, they decided themselves, and accept their death by being assimilated with tree." (Puuse)
"That's why this forest is also called a graveyard by the elves", Puuse says.
"... Sometime ago I saw a finely-made wood-crafted doll of an elven elder." (Hifumi)
"Those were probably the remains of an aged elf." (Puuse)
"I don't know. Why do living creatures turn into wood?" (Hifumi)
"That's something I don't know either. It's been like this for a long time, is the only thing I know." (Puuse)
Moreover, with their bodies beginning to turn into plants around the age of 100, the elves will stop to move in about a year. After that they will be completely integrated into a tree in approximately half year. It was different to the image of longevity, Hifumi held.
As their growth is fast, they will grow taller until the height of an adult in around 12 years, though their physical ability falls behind.
As Hifumi is puzzled about this mysterious mode of life, which was very different from their appearances, Puuse shyly asked him "Is it fine for me to ask you this time?"
"Why are you heading to the demon race?" (Puuse)
"It's because they seem to be powerful. I have an objective beyond that as well." (Hifumi)
Even Puuse, who listened, understood that it was a non-committal reply while thinking about something else, but she didn't ask any further.
At this time the figure of the elven elder, whom he had seen being fused with the arbour, floated within Hifumi's mind.
"I decided. Let's go to your village first." (Hifumi)
"W-What's your goal?" (Puuse)
"Something from the story just now is on my mind. The important elf will be there, right? I found something I want to ask him." (Hifumi)
No matter how you look at it, being assimilated into a tree is weird
Even though it's a fantasy world, it's stuck in my mind. I want some answers until I can agree with it.
"I still have time. There's no problem to at least drop in on the way. For that reason, we will change our destination." (Hifumi)
Puuse wasn't able to decline that.
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