22.Another One Bites The Dust 【新しい仲間と簡単な因果応報】
一二三からの誘いに、アリッサは首を縦に降った。
「僕にはもう両親もいないし、国境警備が長くて、特に知り合いもいないんだ。だから、一二三さんに付いてく。復讐もしたいと思うけど、それよりも、恩返しをしたいよ」
「国境では急にみんなが殺されたり、兵長たちには殴られたり無理やり走らされたりして、ついさっきまでは、何がどうなってるのか訳がわからなくて、体中が痛くて、もうどこがどう痛いのかも分からないくらい痛くて、このまま死んじゃうんだと思ってた......」
うまく思考がまとまらないのか、アリッサはところどころつまりながらも語り、それを一二三たちは黙って聞いていた。
「でも、一二三さん達が助けてくれて、痛いのも全部直してくれて......。でも、僕にはお礼になるだけのお金も何もないから、だから、一二三さん達の奴隷にしてもらって、役にたてたらと思って......」
奴隷という言葉が出て、オリガが思わず笑みをこぼした。
「アリッサ。私もカーシャも、一二三様の奴隷なんですよ?」
「えっ? そんないい装備着てるし、貴族の一二三さんと親しそうに話してるし、従者とか、その......愛人とかだと......思ってた」
「まあ確かに、アタシたちが奴隷だって事を忘れそうなくらい、いい待遇してくれるよ。でも従者か、悪くないかもね」
「愛人なんて、そんな......」
カーシャとオリガでは、食いつくポイントが違うらしい。一二三は冷静に反応を見ながら、収納から干し肉とパンを取り出して、齧っていた。
「ご主人、アリッサが自分の人生を決めようとしてるのに......」
「腹が減ったんだよ。気にするな」
水も飲まずにバクバクと食べながら、ふと思いついたように一二三が言った。
「奴隷奴隷って言ってるけどな、オリガ達は王都に戻ったら解放するぞ?」
「え、なんで?」
「ご、ご主人様?! 私たちに何かご不満があられるのですか? 改善しますので、どうか......」
カーシャはきょとんとしているが、オリガは一二三にすがりついてきた。
「何を驚いてるんだ。ベイレヴラを捕まえて、お前らが奴隷になった原因の事件が解決したら、別に奴隷のままでいる必要はないだろう?」
オーソングランデの法律がどうなっているかは知らないが、いわれのない罪で罰を受けているなら、冤罪が証明されたなら罰は無くなって当然だろう。
「でも、ご主人があたし達を買うのに払ったお金が戻ってくるかどうかわからないんじゃない?」
「別にいいさ。金が惜しいわけでもない。この世界の常識とかについて教えてくれる奴が欲しかったのと、旅をするのに一人だと不便だと思ったからだし。二人を選んだのも、まあ見た目が良かったのもあるが、能力的にも俺についてこれそうだったからだな」
言ってしまってから、残りの干し肉を口に放り込む。
「でもな、さっきも言ったが、解放はこの件が終わって王都に戻ってからだ。それまでに、自由になってからどうするか、考えておけばいい」
「あの......僕はどうしたらいいんでしょう?」
「そうだな。別に奴隷はいらん」
「そうですか......僕みたいにチビで弱いのは使えないよね......」
うつむいてしまったアリッサを、オリガは不安そうに見ているが、主人の前で勝手はできないと黙っていた。
「俺はまだ、ここではなんちゃって貴族の根無し草だからな。そんなにたくさん奴隷を抱えてもしょうがない。だが、自分の意思でついてくるならそれでもいい」
ばっと顔を上げたアリッサに、さらに一二三は続ける。
「ただし、俺にはある目標がある。というより、この世界の連中の戦い方を見て、決めたことがある」
「決めたこと?」
「内容はまだ言わないが、お前たちが今まで見たよりもたくさんの血が流れる。ついてくるなら沢山殺す必要があるし、殺される可能性ももちろんある」
アリッサは、一二三が戦う姿を見たは国境での一度だけだが、他のオリガとカーシャの二人の表情と、小さく聞こえた「あれ以上?」という言葉から、相当な修羅場だという事は理解できた。
「でも、僕はそんなに強くないから......」
自信なく言うアリッサに、一二三はニヤリと笑った。
「戦う術は教えてやろう。それに、戦うだけが仕事じゃない。必要なのは、覚悟だけだ」
そして、返答はすぐじゃなくて良いと一二三は言った。
それよりも、これからの行動についてだ。
アリッサから、この街の代表の館を聞き出してから、腰へ刀を帯びた。
「アリッサはここにいろ。オリガとカーシャはここで警戒な。敵が来たら、殺せ」
「わかりました」
オリガの返事を聞いて、一二三は馬車を降りた。
背筋を伸ばしながら、月を見上げる。
雲はまだ厚く、月明かりは少ない。
血の流れる夜は、まだ続く。
具体的には語らなかったが、一二三はこの世界について一つの結論を出しており、それに酷く不満だった。
それは、この世界の誰もが“殺されるかもしれない緊張感”に乏しいということだ。
オーソングランデと獣人族との戦いを聞いた時もそうだが、この世界での戦は精々一二三が考える小競り合い程度らしい。もちろん人は死ぬだろうが、戦争というには少ない。
個人間の戦いはもっと酷い。
魔物が強いエリアはそうでもないのかもしれないが、人同士の戦いでも“武器を抜いてよーいドン”のスポーツのような戦い方しか知らない。ちょっと工夫している奴がいる程度で、それも誤魔化しの技術であって戦う技術ではなかった。
この世界へ来て、人を殺すことができて、しばらくは満足感があった一二三。しかし、どうものんびりとしたこの世界の人々に鬱憤はまた溜まっていた。
強い奴がいない。命を削って必死に自分が生きるための工夫を凝らす奴がいない。せっかく夜なべして開発した闇魔法を使う機会すらない。誰も彼もが必死で頭を捻って、戦える奴は武器を取り、国ごと命を削り取るような戦いが無い。
平和を求めるならそれでもいいのかもしれない。
だが、敵はいるのだ。
どうして誰も懸命になって相手を殺そうとしないのか。
(これじゃ、日本と変わらない)
不満をあらわに歩いてると、アリッサから聞いた街の代表の館へ着いた。
街の代表はオティスという中年の男で、この街ができた時の立役者となった商人の子孫だという。三階建ての石造りの建物は、この世界にしてはお金がある方なのか、ガラスを使った窓がいくつかある。
(居るな)
昼間に見た、アリッサ曰く兵長らしい男の気配は建物の中にある。報告でもしに来たのか、少なくとも今はどうでもいいと思った。この状況に至っては、この街で情報収集は難しい。であれば、やり方はもっとシンプルでいい。
ふと敷地へ入る門の前を見ると、露骨に気の抜けた二人の兵が立っていて、剣を腰に提げたままでいる。
それを見た一二三は、やっぱりとため息をついた。一度気になってしまうと、どうしてもそこに目が行ってしまう。
最初は話しかけようかと思った一二三だが、やめた。門番というのは最初に異常に気づき、全ての対応の起点になる重要な立ち位置だと一二三は考えている。侯爵邸の時は楽でいいと思ったが、今の心理状況では苛立ちの感情しか湧かない。
無言でさっさと近づいてくる一二三の姿を見つけた兵士たちだが、腰の武器が抜かれていない事を見て、緊張を解いた。その事も、一二三は気に入らない。
「はい減点」
一二三が柄に手をかけた瞬間、門番たちは再度緊張を見せたが、立て続けに喉を斬られて、声を上げることもできずに死んだ。
施錠されてもいない門から入り込むと、真正面に館の大きな扉が見える。敷地内には見張りなどはいないようで、室内には10人程度の気配しかない。
念のためじっくりと観察してみたが、罠の類も無いようだ。
右手に刀を掴んだまま、堂々と正面のドアを開けた。
ドアを開けると、使用人らしい線の細い若い男と目があった。
「えっ? あの......」
「侵入者だよ」
声をかけながら、反応されるより速く後ろに回り込んだ一二三は、首を軽く締めながら足を払い、正面にあっる階段の影へ男を引き込んだ。
「俺の質問に答えろ。小さな声でな。妙な動きをしたらすぐ殺して他の奴に聞く」
首に回した腕から、震えながら頷いたのがわかる。
「兵長とオティスはどこにいる?」
「今は二人共、に、二階の執務室に......」
執務室の場所を聞き出してから、ついでにベイレヴラという男を知っているかと聞いてみた。
「そ、それは......」
男の反応がおかしいと感じた一二三は、刀を滑らせて男の胸を薄く切って、脅した。
「つぅ......や、やめて......」
「止めてほしいなら、話すんだ」
「ベイレヴラという男は、以前にこの屋敷に逗留していました」
意外なところでヒントを見つけた一二三は、今までの苛立ちを少しだけ落ち着けて、続きを促した。
この男は、街の予算関係の管理をしている文官らしい。
ベイレブラは何度か訪れたことがあり、最近では今日の朝の事らしい。
(ひょっとすると、アリッサが声を聞いた男がベイレヴラだったのかもな)
さっさと逃げているかと思ったら、こいつものんびりしているらしい。
ベイレヴラは宿泊せず、朝早くに来てオティスと何か話をした後、すぐに出ていったらしい。
これ以上の情報な出てこないようなので、首を絞めて気絶させた。
さっさと殺してしまおうと思ったが、そうもいかないらしい。
歯がゆさを感じながらも、仕事として受けてしまったことを後悔しながら、一二三は階段を登っていった。
執務室の前に立った一二三は、ためらいなくドアを開いて踏み込んだ。
室内にいたのは二人。昼に会った兵長と、この街の代表オティスだろう中年の男だ。
「お前は」
言いながら剣を抜いた兵長は、ノシノシと一二三に近づいてくる。
「お前はいらん......」
身体が当たるほど近づきながら、一二三は兵長の足の甲を踏みつけ、剣を振られる前に兵長を突き倒した。弾みで、踏まれた足の足首が折れる。
ところが、痛みを感じていないのか、もぞもぞとぎこちなく立ち上がろうとするので、胸を踏みつけて刀を首に刺して止めを差した。
「さて、オティスと言ったな。聞きたいことがある」
表情一つ変えずに人を殺した一二三に対し、オティスはデスクから立ち上がる暇さえ与えられず、顔を青ざめて震えていた。
「こ、この街でワシにこんな真似をして、ただで済むと......」
「そういう話はいらない」
刀が振り抜かれ、オティスの両腕に赤い線が引かれる。
「ひぃっ!?」
「時間が惜しい。そろそろ眠いからさっさと終わらせたいんだ。ほんの数人殺す程度だと、もうテンションも上がらない」
面倒な仕事を受けてしまったと、ブツブツ言っている一二三。
「な、何が聞きたいんだ?」
「いくつかある。ベイレヴラは何者で、どこへ行ったのか、何をやっているのか。この街の兵の様子がおかしい理由もだ。さっき殺した奴も感情の起伏が乏しくて痛覚も鈍かった。一体あいつらに何をした?」
「べ、ベイレヴラはヴィシー中央から送られてきた工作員だ。どこでどうしているかは知らない......」
「今朝会っただろう? 何を話した。どんな任務を負っている?」
刀をチラチラと見ながらオティスが話した内容を、一二三は頭の中で整理していた。
ベイレヴラはいわゆる都市国家をまとめる中央から派遣されたエージェントで、主にオーソングランデからの情報を集めているとオティスは聞いていたらしい。オーソングランデ内での活動内容は聞かされていないようだ。
兵たちに関しては、中央から送られた新開発の魔法具の実験らしい。これもベイレヴラが運んできた物で、身体強化の効果があるとされ、兵士たちに配布されたらしい。
「で、感情が抜けるのは、その副作用か何かか?」
「ワシにもわからん。中央に説明を求めたが、“経過を観察しろ”としか連絡が無い。職務に支障はないんだが......」
「アリッサは魔法具をつけていなかったが?」
オティスが受けた説明だと、若すぎると強化に身体が耐えられないという事だ。
「とりあえず、今聞きたいのはこれくらいだな」
「今だと? また来るつもりか!?」
「いや、お前が来るんだよ」
首筋を刀の峰で痛打され、オティスはあっさり意識を手放した。
元より監視の薄い屋敷を出て、夜道を馬車まで戻ってきた一二三は、気絶したオティスをオリガたちに預けて縛らせ、自分は宿の中へ入って行った。
向かう先は、宿の親爺がいる部屋だ。
ドアを開けて一二三が侵入したのに気づかない親爺は、ベッドでのんきに鼾をかいて寝ていた。
刀を抜いた一二三は、眠る親爺の心臓を一突きし、血振りをして納刀。
何も言わずに部屋を出た。
「何かあられましたか?」
オリガの問いに短く答えると、一二三は街を出てフォカロルへ向かうと告げると、自分の馬に飛び乗った。
「ご主人、戻るのかい?」
「そいつの話だと、ベイレヴラはヴィシー中央からの指示で動いている工作員らしいぞ。今の状態で国同士の話に関わると面倒だから、調査はパジョーたちに任せる。それとアリッサ」
「は、はい!」
「今言った通り、俺たちは一度オーソングランデへ行く。それからの事はその時決めればいいが、本当についてくるつもりか?」
街だけでは無く、国を捨てる事になると一二三が告げるが、アリッサは真剣な顔で頷いた。
「構わない。そうなる事は覚悟の上だから」
「そうか。好きにするといい」
「よろしくお願いしますね、アリッサ」
「あのご主人についていくのは大変だよ? 頑張らないとね」
奴隷達と仲良く話しながら、自分が馭者をすると言って移動するアリッサに背を向けて、道を進む一二三の表情は誰にも見られていないが、笑っていた。
(これでいい。これでアリッサも俺の戦い方を吸収できるようなら、この国で、この世界で、もっと“戦いの空気”を広める事もできるだろう)
オリガとカーシャは元々ある程度の経験もあったせいか、教えられた事を上手くやれていると一二三は評価している。これは単なる実験ではあったが、もう少し馴染めば、対人戦ではこの世界でかなり強い部類に入れるだろう。
そしてさらに、魔法が使えず、力も決して強くないアリッサも、武術や戦術によって人並み以上に戦える事が証明できれば、その驚異が広まっていけば、この世界の戦いも変わっていくだろう。
個人・集団・国や街、互いに手段を選ばない、本当の命の奪い合いが始まるのだ。
その為には、ある程度の地位はあった方がいいかも知れないと、一二三は考えるようになった。多くの人を動かせる地位はすなわち、大きな戦いを起こせる地位なのだから。
(準騎士爵の地位、なんとなく受け取っただけだったが、せっかくだから利用させてもらおう。イメラリア、お前は勇者を召喚したつもりだったな。なら勇者になってやろう。この世界で勇名を轟かせる勇者にな。そしてその結果、どれだけこの世界で血が流れるか、よく見ているといい)
乱戦・混戦の興奮、夜襲の緊張感、必死に対応し、力及ばず殺される人々......。イメージだけでも、一二三の胸を熱くする。
(動かないカカシを斬ってもつまらんのだ。人が活きているから殺したいんだ)
Chapter 22: Another One Bites The Dust
Alyssa nodded towards Hifumi's invitation.
"My parents are no longer alive, and having been in the border security for so long, I don't really have any acquaintances either. So I'll come along with you guys. I'd like to exact revenge, but above that, I'd like to repay this debt", Alyssa said, whilst looking Hifumi in the eye.
"Suddenly, everyone at the border were killed, the Corporals were beaten, and I was forcibly made to run away. Until just now, I didn't even know what was going on, and was hurting so much all over my body that I didn't even know where it was the most painful. I really thought I was going to die."
She couldn't skillfully transmit her thoughts and kept talking, even though her explanations were all over the place, while Hifumi and the rest listened quietly.
"But then you came along and saved me, and even cured all of my pain... However, except my thanks, I don't have any money or anything else to offer. Therefore, I'll become your slave. I won't complain even if you boil me."
When the word slave was mentioned, Origa unintentionally let out a smile.
"Alyssa, both me and Kasha are Hifumi's slaves, you know?"
"Eh? With your fine equipment, and how you're talking familiarly with Hifumi, I thought you were his attendants, or perhaps... his lovers..."
"Well, it's true that we've been given so good treatment we've almost forgotten we're slaves in the first place. But attendants, huh? That doesn't sound so bad."
"Lover... that's kind of..."
It seems like the words in her sentence that Kasha and Origa reacted on were different. Hifumi retrieved some dried meat and bread from his storage to snack on, while calmly observing the spectacle.
"Master, even though Alyssa is currently deciding what to do with her life..."
"Don't mind me, I was just hungry."
Vigorously eating his food, Hifumi suddenly came to think of something.
"You're saying slaves, but once we return to the capital, I'll let you free, you know?"
"Eh? Why?"
"Ma-Master!? Are you dissatisfied with us in any way? We'll better, so please..."
Kasha looked gave Hifumi a blank look, while Origa started clinging to him.
"After catching Beirevra, and resolving the conflict that lead to you becoming slaves, you don't need to be slaves anymore, right?"
Without knowing how the laws in Orsongrande works, it should still be a matter of course that in case you're being punished for something you didn't do, and show proof of your innocence, your punishment should be removed.
"But Master bought us, and we don't even know if that money will be repaid."
"I don't particularly mind. Money isn't all that valuable. Buying slaves was because it's both what the person teaching me this world's general knowledge wanted me to to do, as well as me thinking it'd be inconvenient to travel alone. As for choosing you two specifically... Well, besides your looks being fairly good, as far as I'm concerned, you also also had some ability."
Saying that, Hifumi threw the remaining dried meat into his mouth.
"But as I said earlier as well, I'm letting you free when this matter is over and we return to the capital. Until then, it'd be good if you can think about what you want to do after that."
"Excuse me... I wonder what I should do now?"
"Right. I don't really need any slaves."
"I see... A small and weak person like me don't have any uses..."
Seeing Alyssa getting downcast, Origa looked a little anxious. But being in front of her Master, she couldn't really do anything on her own accord, and therefore decided to keep silent.
"I'm currently just a wandering fake noble, so there's no point in having a lot of slaves. Still, you're free to follow us of your own volition."
Alyssa quickly raised her head, while Hifumi continued.
"However, I have an objective. Or rather, after seeing how people in this world fight, I've made up my mind on something."magic
"Made up your mind on what?"
"I won't tell you the specifics, but like you've seen until now, there will be a lot of bloodshed. If you're coming along, a lot of killing will be necessary, and there's always the risk of getting killed yourself."
Alyssa only saw Hifumi fight once, by the border. But looking at Origa and Kasha's facial expressions, she faintly whispered "more than that?", and subsequently got an understanding on what considerable carnage may look like.
"But, I'm not strong like that..."
Alyssa said without self-confidence, to which Hifumi grinned broadly and let out a laugh.
"I'll teach you some fighting techniques. Besides, just fighting isn't what matters. What really matters is your resolve."
It's not something you need to answer to anytime soon, he also added.
More importantly, what actions should be taken now?
Having Alyssa tell them the location of the town representative's mansion, Hifumi strapped his sword to his waist.
"Alyssa will wait here, while Origa and Kasha keep guard. If enemies appears, kill them."
"Understood."
Hearing Origa's answer, Hifumi got off the carriage.
Stretching his back, he looked up at the moon.
It was still cloudy outside, scarce with moonlight.
The night flowing with blood had yet to conclude.
Hifumi didn't specifically talk about it, but he had come to a conclusion about something he was very dissatisfied with.
It was the fact that no one in this world had any tension regarding the possibility of being killed at any time.
It was the same when he heard about the fight between Orsongrande and the Beastmen tribe. It seemed like the wars of this world was more on the level of skirmishes. Of course some people died, but real wars rarely happened.
Struggles between individuals were much fiercer.
In areas with strong demons that might not be the case, but the fights between humans that looked more like some kind of sports event, was all that Hifumi currently knew about. The degree of people doing a bit of scheming is more an art of deception, rather than the art of war.
Coming to this world, being able to kill people, Hifumi felt satisfied for a while. However, he soon started building up resentment towards the people in this world, with their carefree disposition.
There are no strong people here. No people frantically scheming for their lives. No opportunity to use the dark magic painstakingly developed through the nights. Wars where people are desperately racking their brains, where the warriors were hoarding weapons, and where each country respectively were fighting frenetically to ensure their survival... none of these existed either.
Maybe that's good if you're striving for peace.
But there are threats.
Why are no one earnestly trying to kill their enemies?
Like this, it's no different from Japan.
While expressing his displeasure, he arrived at the town representative's mansion.
A building three stories tall made out of stone, adorned with several windows made out of glass, in this world, was something showing that you have money.
He's here.
According to what Alyssa saw during the day, a man seeming like a Colonel was also present in the building. Wonder if she come here to report before? Whichever the case, it was no longer of any interest. In the town's current circumstances, gathering information became a difficult task. Therefore, the best way to do it was in a much simpler fashion.
By the entrance, two haggard soldiers were conspicuously standing guard, with swords handing from their waists.
Once you've seen them, your eyes will unconditionally be drawn there.
He first thought he could talk to them, but quickly gave up on the idea. The guards would realize something was amiss right from the start as they're most likely dealing with everything with the mindset of a being gate guardians. The other time with the Marquis' residence was fine, but regarding these guards' current mentality, Hifumi only felt irritation come gushing forth.
He wordlessly walked closer to the guards, which they quickly discovered. But seeing that he didn't draw his weapon, they relaxed. That too, made Hifumi displeased.
"Okay, that's minus points."
The moment Hifumi put his hand on the hilt of his katana, the guards tensed up again. But he slashed their throats in succession, and they died without being able to raise their voices.
Slipping in through the unlocked gate, there was a huge door straight ahead. There were no guards in the garden, but inside the house were the presence of ten or so people.
Hifumi carefully observed for a while, but it didn't look like it was a trap.
Gripping the katana in his right hand, he boldly opened the front door.
Opening the door, he met eyes with a young, slender male servant.
"Eh, who are..."
"I'm an intruder."
Saying that, rather than waiting for an answer, Hifumi swiftly emerged behind the servant. After putting him in a choke hold and tripping him, Hifumi dragged him into the shadows of the staircase close by.
"Answer my questions in a low voice. If you do any strange movements, I'll kill you and find someone else to ask."
With an arm around his neck, the servant trembled while nodding.
"Where are Ortis and the Corporal?"
"R-right now, they are in the office on the s-second floor..."
After pressing him for information of where the office was located, Hifumi had the servant tell him if he knew about a man named Beirevra.
"T-that's..."
Hifumi felt that the response was weird, so he threatened him by sliding the blade over his chest, lightly cutting it.
"Uu... p-please stop..."
"If you want me to stop, speak."
"The man called Beirevra previously stayed here in this mansion."
Finding a clue like this from an unexpected source, Hifumi's irritation calmed down somewhat, urging the man to continue.
It seems that the servant was working with matters regarding the town's budget management.
As for Beirevra, he had apparently been coming here several times. The most recent visit seems to have been this morning.
Perhaps the voice Alyssa heard back then was him.
Hifumi had previously thought that Beirevra would make a quick escape, but it seems like he's taking his sweet time.
Not having stayed over during the night, Beirevra had apparently come early in the morning, and left right after talking to Ortis about something.
As it didn't seem like he'd get any more information out of this, Hifumi strangled the guy, making him fall unconscious.
He first had thoughts of killing him, but it didn't seem appropriate.
While feeling irritated, and regretting having accepted this task, Hifumi climbed up the stairs.
Without hesitating, Hifumi opened the door to the office and stepped inside.
There were two persons inside the room. The Corporal he met during the day, and a middle aged man. Presumably Ortis.
"It's you."
The Corporal uttered while brandishing his sword, stepping towards Hifumi with heavy steps.
"I have no need for you..."
When he came into striking distance, Hifumi trampled down on the top of his foot, and thrust him down on the ground before crushing his ankle.
While the Corporal was clumsily trying to stand up, Hifumi stepped down on his chest and pierced his neck with the katana, delivering the finishing blow.
"Well then. Ortis, I presume? I've got a couple of questions for you."
Facing Hifumi who just killed a man without a changing of expression, Ortis face turned pale, and he shakily stood up from the table.
"I-if you think you can behave like this to me, don't think you can get awa..."
"I don't need you to tell me that."
Swinging the blade, a red line appeared on both of Ortis' arms.
"Hiiii!?"
"Too bad we don't have time. I'm getting a bit tired, so I'd like to finish this. Just killing a few people, I can't feel the tension anymore."
Hifumi complained about the annoying job he got.
"W-what do you want to know?"
"There are a few things. Who is Beirevra, where did he go, and what is he doing? I also want to know why the town's soldiers are acting weird. The ones I killed earlier where lacking emotional ups and downs, and had a dull sense of pain. What was done to them?
"Be-Beirevra is a spy sent from the capital of Vichy. Where he is and what he's doing, I don't know..."
"You met him this morning, didn't you? What did you talk about? What has he been tasked with?"
Listening to what Ortis was saying while flicking with his katana, Hifumi was arranging the information in his head.
Apparently, Beirevra was an agent dispatched from the Capital of the so called city-state, and it seems like he mainly asked Ortis about the intelligence collected from Orsongrande. Though he was never told the contents concerning Orsongrande's internal activities.
As for the soldiers, it seems it was an experiment of a newly developed magic tool sent from the Capital.
"So, is the suppression of emotions a side effect from that?"
"I don't know either. I asked the Capital for an explanation, but 'watch over the process' is all they told me. It didn't hinder my work so..."
"Alyssa wasn't equipped with one of those magic tools?"
According to the information Ortis got, apparently they can't bear the body strengthening if they're too young.
"For now, that's all I wanted to ask."
"For now? Are you planning to come back!?"
"No, you're the one coming."
Hitting him hard on the back of his neck with the back of the katana, Ortis consciousness was let go.
Exiting the originally sparsely guarded mansion, Hifumi returned with a horse carriage. He entrusted Origa and the rest with tying up Ortis, while he himself entered the inn.
Ahead of him was the inn owner's room.
Opening the door, the old man was snoring in bed, not noticing Hifumi intruding.
Drawing his katana, he stabbed the sleeping old man in the heart, before flicking the blood off the blade and returning it to its sheath.
He then left the room without saying anything.
"Something you had forgotten?"
Answering Origa's question, Hifumi jumped up on his horse, announcing they were leaving the town, going towards Fukaroru.
"Master, are we returning?"
"According to what Ortis said, Beirevra is a spy from the Capital of Vichy. The current situation could affect negotiations between countries, but it's a bother, so I'll leave the investigation to Pajou and them. That aside, Alyssa."
"Y-yes!"
"Like I said earlier, we're returning to Orsongrande for now. As for what we're doing after that, we'll decide when the time arrives. Are you really planning on coming with us?"
Not just the town, but you'd be discarding even your country, he told her. But Alyssa just responded with a resolute nod.
"I don't mind. My resolution stretches beyond that."
"I see. Just do as you like."
"We'll be counting on you, Alyssa."
"Following this Master is difficult, you know? You have to work hard."
While Alyssa was getting along with the slaves, Hifumi said he'd drive, and turned his back to Alyssa, before jumping up the coachman seat. The wagon started to advance on the road, and Hifumi let out a smile, unbeknownst to the others.
This is good. If Alyssa also can learn my way of fighting, it should be possible to spread the spirit of war throughout the country. Throughout the world.
Maybe because Origa and Kasha originally had some previous experience, Hifumi thought that teaching them was going fairly well. This was just a simple experiment, but if they just got a bit more familiar with his teachings, they'd be able to enter the ranks of the quite strong people in this world.
Alyssa on the other hand couldn't use magic, and was by no means physically strong. But if he could prove that she could fight on an above average level due to martial arts and tactics, the way the world waged war was bound to experience change.
Whether it be individually, in group, town or country, without being able to choose the means themselves, their true struggle for life would begin.
For that purpose, having some kind of social status may be for the best, Hifumi thought. A status able to mobilize a lot of people. In other words, a status being able to start huge battles.
Since I somehow managed to get the rank of Patrician, let's finally put it to use. Imeraria, you planned to summon a hero, didn't you? Then I'll become your hero. A hero whose name resounds throughout the world. I'm really looking forward to what degree of bloodshed that will result in.
The excitement of strife, of battle. The tension of the night raids. Desperately fending for oneself, killing the ones failing to... Just imagining it, Hifumi got a warm feeling in his chest.
Cutting a motionless scarecrow would be boring. I want to kill because they're alive
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