男二人の休暇
「兵士に就任してから最初の休暇をまさかお前と過ごすことになるとは思わなかったぞ」
隣を歩くラッセルさんは手で口元を覆うと大きな欠伸をしてみせた。
昨日は夜番で城の警備をしていたらしく、俺が訪ねた時には兵士の食堂で朝食を摂っている最中だったのだ。
「お前だって王都を歩くのなら俺みたいな強面よりもセレナや幼馴染みの方が良かったんじゃねえのか?」
先日の審議を受けた際にラッセルさんは俺とアリシアの再会を見ている。
セレナとアリシア、そして俺の関係が気になるのかややからかいを浮かべて聞いてきた。
「今日は二人で買い物に出かけていますよ。それで俺だけ一人になってしまったんです」
「なんだそりゃ、つまり俺はお前の暇つぶしの相手ってわけだな」
「いえ、買い物をしたかったのは本当なので」
不快にさせてしまったかと思い、手を振って否定する。
昨日、俺は空いている時間を有効に使う為、一度迷いの森に戻ろうと思っていた。
目的はセレナのエルフの森への里帰りと、邪神の城で色々補充をすることだ。
俺がその話を三人に聞かせると、アリシアとセレナは「準備が必要」と言い出した。
そして「こういう買い物は女同士の方がいいから」と言われたので遠慮した次第である。
資金に関してもアークデーモンとクズミゴハイデーモンを倒した賞金が俺とセレナに振り込まれているので、これまで手が届かなかったような魔導具や魔法具も余裕で買うことができる。
そんなわけで、仕事で何度も王都を訪れていて、かつ俺と面識があるラッセルさんに案内を申し出たのだ。
「まあ、俺もアークデーモン討伐の報酬の他に兵士長としての契約金ももらって懐が暖かいからな。パーッと使いたいと思ってたから丁度いいさ」
ラッセルさんは俺の申し出にたいし、特に気にするなと軽く手を振ると笑顔を向けるのだった。
「そういえば、お前。今回のでなにやら凄い称号を貰うらしいな」
道すがらラッセルさんはふと思い出したかのように呟いた。
「知ってるんですか?」
確か、緘口令がしかれているとアリスが言っていたはず。俺はラッセルさんがどこまで把握しているのか気になった。
「そりゃあな、俺は比較的お前と接していた方だったからな。名前は伏せられていたが気付くさ」
よくよく考えればあの場には大勢の人間がいた。それを完全に口止めするのは不可能だったのだろう。
城内に関しては話が伝わっていると思った方が良いだろう。
「それで、怒らせると問題だから粗相をしないようにと言われてたんだよな。もしかすると、敬語にしたほうが良いか?」
ふと思いついたように言うラッセルさんに。
「今更やめてください。俺にとってはラッセルさんは冒険者の先輩なんですから。気まずいどころじゃないですよ」
顔は怖いが俺はこの人を尊敬している。だからこそ敬語なんて使われた日には距離をとられたようで寂しく感じるだろう。
「ま、エルトにそう言われちゃ仕方ねえな」
「わっ!」
そう言うと俺の頭に手を伸ばすと、グシャグシャにしてきた。
「それで、エルトよ。どこに案内すればいいんだ? お前の武器はそんじょそこらで買える代物じゃないだろう?」
俺が現在身に着けているのは邪神の城から回収した物が殆どだ。
邪神が身に着けていたマントや錫杖、指輪に王冠などは何となく装備する気が起きないが、業物の名剣を持っているのでそれより劣る武器は必要ない。
「俺が案内して欲しいのはアーティファクトを扱っている店ですよ」
なので、俺は目的地をラッセルさんに伝えるのだった。
Chapter title: A day off for two men
[I didn't think I'd be spending my first day off as a soldier with you.] 
Russell-san, who was walking next to me, covered his mouth with his hand and let out a big sigh.
He was on night duty yesterday, guarding the castle, and was having breakfast in the soldiers' canteen when I visited.
[If you were going to walk around the capital, wouldn't you have preferred Serena or your childhood friend over a tough guy like me?] 
Russell-san saw the reunion between me and Alicia when we were having the discussion the other day.
He asked me with a slightly teasing look on his face, as if he was curious about the relationship between Serena, Alicia and me.
[They're both out shopping today. So I'm the only one left alone.] 
[What the hell, you mean I'm just here for you to pass the time?] 
[No, I really wanted to do some shopping.] 
Thinking that I had made him uncomfortable, I waved my hand in denial.
Yesterday, I decided to go back to the Lost Forest to make the most of my free time.
The purpose was to take Serena back to the Elven Forest and to replenish the supplies at the Evil God's castle.
When I told the three of them about it, Alicia and Serena said that they needed to prepare.
And since they said, "It's better for women to do this kind of shopping together," I refrained going with them.
As for the funds, the prize money for defeating the Arc Demon and Kuzmugo has been transferred to me and Serena, so we can afford to buy magic tools and magical equipment that we couldn't afford before.
That's why I offered Russell-san, who has visited the capital many times on business and knows me, to show me around.
[Maa, in addition to the reward for defeating the Arc Demon, I also received the contract money as a soldier commander, so my pockets are warm. I've been wanting to spend it all, so it's perfect.] 
Russell-san smiled at my offer, waving his hand lightly as if he didn't particularly care.
[Oh, by the way, you. I heard you're going to get some kind of great title this time.] 
On the way, Russell muttered, as if he suddenly remembered.
[Do you know about it?] 
I'm pretty sure Alice told me that it's been hushed up. I was wondering how much Russell knew about it.
[Well, I've been in relatively close contact with you, you know. They didn't tell me your name, but I would have noticed.] 
If you think about it, there were a lot of people there. It would have been impossible to keep it completely quiet.
It's probably best to assume that the word has gotten around in the castle.
[So, I was told not to be rough with you because it would be a problem if I offended you. Perhaps I should be more respectful?] 
To Russell-san, who suddenly said this.
[Please don't do that now. To me, Russell-san is a senior adventurer. It would be awkward.] 
His face was scary, but I respected him. This is the reason why I would feel lonely if he used honorifics, as if he was distancing himself from me.
[Maa, I can't help it if you say so.] 
[Ah!] 
He then reached out his hand to my head and crushed it.
[So, Elt. Where do you want me to take you? Your weapons aren't exactly something you can buy on the street, are they?] 
Most of what I'm wearing now is stuff I recovered from the Evil God's castle.
I don't feel like equipping the cloak, tin staff, ring and crown that the evil god wore for some reason, but I have the famous sword, so I don't need a weapon inferior to it.
[What I want you to show me is a store that deals with artifacts.] 
So I told Russell-san about my destination.
I, the Sacrifice, Somehow Killed the Evil God (WN)
【書籍化】生贄になった俺が、なぜか邪神を滅ぼしてしまった件【コミカライズ】
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-the-sacrifice-somehow-killed-the-evil-god/
Action Adventure Fantasy Harem Romance Shounen
Adapted to Manga Charming Protagonist Childhood Friends Dense Protagonist Depictions of Cruelty Different Social Status Dragons Elves Evil Gods Eye Powers Fantasy Creatures Fantasy World Fast Learner Game Elements Gods Hard-Working Protagonist Hated Protagonist Healers Kind Love Interests Lack of Common Sense Level System Love Interest Falls in Love First Lucky Protagonist Magic Magic Formations Male Protagonist Monsters Multiple POV Nobles Overpowered Protagonist Polygamy Popular Love Interests R-15 Royalty Spirit Users Spirits Strong Love Interests Strong to Stronger Sudden Strength Gain Sword And Magic Sword Wielder Underestimated Protagonist Unique Weapon User Unique Weapons Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7677gq/
まるせい