57.Bad Medicine 【変な奴、変な薬】
ミュンスターのホーラント側にある扉の向こうでは、まだ戦いの音が鳴り続けている。
聞こえてくる声は味方のものばかりで、威勢のいい声だけを聞けば優勢かも知れないと思えるのだが、敵は恐怖を感じず、切り刻まれても声ひとつ上げないのだ。
数で言えば味方の方が少なく、時折聞こえる悲鳴は間違いなく自軍からのものだ。
「くそっ、このままでは......」
うまく包囲できているはずだと考えていたスティフェルスは、想像以上に時間がかかっている事に歯噛みしていた。包囲側の人数が少なすぎたか、敵の戦闘能力を見誤ったか。
「仕方あるまい。援護をするぞ!」
「し、しかし隊長、街中へなだれ込まれては混戦になります!」
スティフェルスは反論した騎士を睨みつけた。
「門に縄をかけて、一人分の隙間だけ空くようにしろ! 縄に引っかかったものや、くぐり抜けてきた者を順番に槍で刺し殺せ!」
指示通りに動き始めた騎士たちに苛立ちながら、スティフェルスは槍を握る。剣の方が得意ではあるが、距離をとって数人で同時に攻撃するならこちらの方が良い。
ほどなく準備が完了し、一人の騎士がゆっくりと
スティフェルスは開口部の正面から少しだけ外れた位置にたち、いつでも槍を突き出せるように構えている。
少しだけ隙間が開いただけで、扉の向こうの狂騒がもれ聞こえ、濃厚な血の匂いが漂ってくる。
「もっと開け! 全員息を合わせて攻撃する!」
命令に従って見えてきたのは、無表情のままで扉を殴りつけているホーラント兵の姿だ。
「むん!」
力強く突き出された槍先は、ホーラント兵の首を正確に捉えた。
倒れる兵士の後ろには同じ無表情の兵が立っており、続いて突き出された騎士の槍に目を突かれて死ぬ。
そんな事をくり返し、悲鳴も恐怖も無い人形のような敵を一方的に殺戮していく。
腕にだるさを感じ始めた頃、ふとスティフェルスは味方の兵が上げる声が少なくなってきた事に気づいた。
ホーラント兵もかなり減っているはずだが、このままでは壊滅的な損耗を受けた愚将となってしまうという恐怖に、槍を振るう腕に力が入る。
その瞬間、幾重にもかけられた縄が、一気に断ち切られた。
「なにっ!」
信じられない光景に一瞬だけ気を取られ、次の瞬間には門が全開になり、ホーラントの兵が文字通りなだれ込んできた。
「た、退却!」
何人がスティフェルスの指示を聞いただろうか。
門に弾き飛ばされた者や、呆然としているうちにホーラント兵に殴り殺される者など、第二騎士隊は一瞬にして半分が敵兵の波に飲み込まれた。
部下たちが殺されるのに目もくれず、スティフェルスは槍を放り出して走る。
ホーラント兵は動きが鈍いので、グングン距離が離れるが、それでもスティフェルスは走った。
しかし、駆けた先に待っているのは、希望ではない。
「ベイレヴラは死んだ。第一騎士隊も全滅だ」
オーソングランデ軍とホーラント軍の戦いを、離れて見ていたホーラントの魔法使いに、ベイレヴラの監視のために別行動をしていた仲間が合流してきた。
「そうか。こっちはまあ順調だ。小細工をして兵士どもを削られていたから、魔法で援護してやったからな。手出しは禁じられていたが、これくらいはいいだろう」
いつまでたっても帰れないからな、とホーラントの魔法使いは同僚に笑った。
しかし、ベイレヴラと第一騎士隊の顛末を伝えてきた方の魔法使いは、青い顔をしている。
「......どうした?」
「ああ、第一騎士隊は、実質一人に全滅させられたんだが......」
「一人だと?」
改良された魔法具は、多少動きが緩慢になるデメリットがあるものの、それを補って余りある程に筋力が向上するのだ。腕に開きがあったにせよ、数人相手に一人で相手できるはずがない。
だが、青い顔をしている同僚は、嘘を言っているようには見えない。
「会話はなんとか聞き取れた。そいつはあの細剣の英雄だ」
「馬鹿な! 奴の領地は反対側だぞ?」
「間違いない。以前聞いた情報と特徴が合致する。戦闘力も情報通り、いや、俺の目にはそれ以上に映った。騎士隊長を傷一つ負わずに殺しやがったんだ」
話を聞いて、指の爪を噛みながら考える。
「魔法具の不良の可能性は?」
「無い。筋力の向上は明らかだった。それに......」
「それに?」
「王子も殺された。英雄の従者にな」
「......クソッ!」
王子を傀儡としてオーソングランデ中枢へ入り込む策は潰えた。
「あの男はこちらの戦場に向かって来ているはずだ。兵は捨てて退却すべきだと思うんだが」
すっかり腰が引けた様子の同僚に、首を振って拒否する。
「お前だけ戻って報告してくれ。こちらはまだ片付いていない」
「わかった。先に行かせてもらう。後でな」
同僚を見送り、再び戦場へ視線を戻す。
完全に開いた門から、ホーラント兵がゾロゾロと街へと入り込んで行く。
背後からオーソングランデ兵に切りつけられながらも、気にせず進む様は、何かの蜜に引き寄せられる虫の群れのようだ。
「第二騎士隊を全滅させるまでは攻撃しよう。これで第一、第二騎士隊が壊滅し、オーソングランデの戦力は急減する」
機を逃すまいと、視線はぐっと険しくなった。
もしかすると、縄が切れたのは魔法によるものではないか。と、かなり敵兵との距離が離れたところまできて、スティフェルスはようやく冷静に頭が回るようになってきた。
自分の周りには、既に10名程の隊員しか残っていない。いつかのリベザルの様子を彷彿とさせ、自分も失敗した者の側に回ってしまうのかと恐怖した。
「隊長、前方に何者かがおります!」
「なに?!」
不意に呼ばれ、いつの間にか自分が考え込んでいたことに気づいたスティフェルスが前方を見ると、どこかで見たような男が歩いていた。
するすると滑るように歩くその男は、黒目黒髪で、奇妙な服を着、左腰には細い剣を差している。
「奴は......!」
スティフェルスの思考が、一気に怒りに染まる。
ヒフミ・トオノ伯爵。
イメラリア王女の召喚魔法によって呼び出された異世界人で、王殺しの罪人でありながら貴族の地位を与えられ、ヴィシーとの戦いの結果として広大な領地を得る事となった、まるでおとぎ話の登場人物のような人物。
しかし、スティフェルスにとっては王城での影響力を競いあう目の上のコブにしか見えない。
「だが、この状況では致し方あるまい」
恥を忍んで助力を請うことに決めたスティフェルスは、奥歯を噛み締めて速度を緩めた。
「トオノ伯、こんな国の反対側までご苦労だな。想定以上に敵の数が多いので、手を貸してもらいたいのだが」
相手が元平民だと思うと、居丈高な態度が隠せなくなるスティフェルスだが、本人に自覚は無い。この言葉でも、恥を忍んで下手に出ているつもりだ。
同程度に居丈高な一二三の言葉に、スティフェルスは苛立ちが湧き上がるが、拳を握って自分を抑える。
そんなスティフェルスの目の前で、一二三はするりと刀を抜いた。
「報酬はお前の命でいい」
少しは抵抗しろよと言いながらの、最初の攻撃は顔に向かう突きだった。
辛うじて切っ先をかわしたスティフェルスに、周りにいた騎士たちが駆け寄り、一二三との間に割り込んで剣を構える。
「はっは! 騎士隊長というのは守られるものなのか!」
呵呵と笑いながら、突き出した刀を引き、さらに二つ三つと突きを重ねる。
一突きごとに一人を突き殺し、二人分の死体を作る。
「何をするか!」
ようやく体制が整ったスティフェルスが、剣を抜いて大喝するが、一二三を威圧することはできない。
「準備運動が不十分だから、ちゃんと生きてる奴を斬っておこうと思ってな」
「......狂人め」
「おう、そう思うならそのつもりで必死に戦えよ。狂人に言葉は通じないからな」
スティフェルスの前に立つ騎士は、文字通り盾となって、一二三の斬撃を胸に受けて鎧ごと心臓を断ち割られて死んだ。
どうと倒れる騎士を飛び越え、一二三の刀が唐竹割りに打ち下ろしてくる。
転がるように横に飛んだスティフェルスは、起きざまに剣を横に振って距離を取ろうとするが、その前に一二三が懐へ入り込んだ。
鎧の襟に柄を引っ掛けて引き倒す。
無様に転がされたスティフェルスは、土にまみれながら横へ転がった。
その間に別の騎士が斬りかかってくる。一二三は左手で相手の顎を掴み、親指でぐっと押して下の前歯を折った。
痛みとショックで一瞬動きが止まった騎士は、喉を貫かれて死んだ。
その間に、スティフェルスは起き上がって構え直している。
「部下の命を使って稼いだ時間だぞ? もっと有効に使えよ」
「貴様......」
切かかろうと隙を伺うスティフェルスの目の前に悠然と立つ一二三は、右手にもった刀は、構えもせずにだらりと提げ、左手は軽く前に出した奇妙な構えを取っている。
周りを取り囲む騎士たちも、攻撃のタイミングがつかめずにいる。
視線が、一二三の左手に集中していた。
指先はゆらゆらと揺れ、水中に漂う水草のように、決して早くはないが、予想できない動きを繰り返す。
一人の騎士が堪えきれずに打ちかかると、一二三の左手がムチのように動いてその顔を打った。
悶絶する騎士の目には指が入ったらしく涙を流し、鼻の骨が折られている。
痛みを訴える前に、痛みと涙で見えていない目をさくりと突き刺されて死ぬ。
「さあさあ、渾身の一撃を打ってこい。ひょっとしたら当たるかも知れんぞ?」
それでも、今目の前で見た仲間の死に様に、誰もが動けずにいた。
「ああそうか。これが怖いのかな? ならこうしようか」
鞘も掴まずに器用に右手だけで納刀すると、一二三は両手をブラブラさせて無手をアピールする。
その挑発に、最初に耐え切れなくなったのはスティフェルスだった。
力を込めた袈裟懸けの一撃は、他の騎士たちも驚く速度ではあったが、一二三にとってはそこまででもない。
振り下ろされる腕の下に入り込み、両肘の下から拳を当てる。
鈍い音がして、剣を落としたスティフェルスは、両肘から先をブラブラと揺らしながら膝をついた。
激痛と絶望に歪む顔面を一二三が掴む。そのまま頚椎を捻り折られ、スティフェルスは死んだ。
「言い忘れてたけどな。俺の本来の戦闘スタイルは無手なんだよ」
スティフェルスの死に、生き残った騎士たちは剣を捨てた。
「こ、降伏する」
「ま、待ってくれ! 俺たちはもう抵抗する意志は無い!」
「それがダメだと言ってるんだ」
一閃して首を飛ばし、一二三は苛立たしげに残った騎士を見た。
「剣を取れ。俺の前で武器を持って構えたんだ。俺かお前らか、どちらかが死ぬまで終わると思うな」
第二騎士隊は残り5名。
「......なんて奴だ」
ホーラントの兵に紛れて街へ侵入し、脇道から一二三の戦闘を監察していた魔法使いは、自国の騎士たちを容赦なく斬り殺すという凶行に驚愕していた。
それに騎士たちを圧倒する戦闘力は、確かに同僚が怯えるのも仕方がないというレベルだった。
「あの男は、危険だ」
ホーラントの兵をぶつける事を考えたが、おそらく全く歯が立たないだろう。正面から切り刻まれている間に、後ろから追ってくるオーソングランデ兵に数を減らされるのがオチだ。
どちらかといえば研究の方が得意で実践は苦手だが、落ち着いてゆっくり詠唱すれば威力のある風の刃が打てる。
(あの男はここで消しておく。そうしなければ、いつか必ずホーラントに害となる)
そう思うと、詠唱が長く感じる。
目を閉じて詠唱に集中し、ようやく終わった時には、目の前に一二三が立っていた。
「その短剣......」
「お前、ホーラントの魔法使いだな。ストラスとかいうのと同じ剣だし」
この至近距離なら、と放たれた不可視の刃は、正確に一二三の顔に向かって飛んでいく。
「......いつも思うんだが」
首を振って風の刃をやり過ごした一二三は、顔色一つ変えずに話を続ける。
「タイミングや方向を教えるのはホーラントの魔法使いの決まりか何かか? せっかく便利な技なのに、実に勿体無い」
一二三が短剣を持った方の手首を掴んだ瞬間、言いようの無い痛みが走り、魔法使いは膝をついた。
一二三の人差し指の付け根の骨が、しっかりと手首のツボを押さえている。
「い、痛い......」
「質問がある」
顔を上げて疑問の声を上げた魔法使いに、容赦ないビンタが入る。
フードが外れて、20代半ばといった痩せた顔が露わになる。
「質問するのは俺だ。あの腑抜けになる薬と凶暴化する魔法具について、知っている限りの事を言え」
「......それは......」
一二三の踵が、思い切り魔法使いの足の小指を踏み抜く。
声も出せない程の痛みに、涙を浮かべる魔法使いに、表情を変えずに同じ質問をする。
「ま......魔法薬は、水でも酒でも、少量を混ぜたものを飲ませれば効果が出る。多少身体能力が上がるが感情と痛覚が無くなり、最初に指示を出した者の言う事を盲目的に聞くようになる。魔法具は、痛覚を無くして筋力を上げるが、凶暴化する欠点がある......」
「欠点は克服しただろう。さらに改良されたものがあるはずだ」
一二三からさらに踏み込んだ事を聞かれ、魔法使いは苦虫を噛み潰した顔をする。
「魔法薬は、調整ができなかった......。今この街に侵入してきている連中も、俺の言うことは聞いても、簡単な指示しか聞かない。魔法具は、理性を押さえて登録した人物の傀儡にするところまで成功している......」
さらに聞くと、アロセールの兵に使っていた時は、効果が薄かったのが、現在の人形のような人間を作るところまでは改良できたが、それが限界だったという。
魔法使いの話を聞いた一二三は、何かを考えついたらしく。二ターっと笑って魔法使いを見た。
「いいことを思いついた。最後に教えろ。お前らの国の首都の名前と、そこまでの距離だ」
「な、なんでそんな事を......ぎゃあっ!」
今度は股間を蹴り上げられ、丸くなって震える魔法使いに、一二三は容赦なく「吐け」と言った。
「首都はアドラメルク。ここからなら馬で3日程だ!」
痛みに耐えながら、逆に怒りがこみ上げてきたのか、魔法使いは叫ぶように言った。
「わかった。じゃあな」
懐紙で刀を拭ったところで、一二三は失敗したと苦い顔をした。
「魔法具が魔物にも効くかどうか、確認しておくべきだったな」
Chapter 57: Bad Medicine
On the other side of Munster's gate facing towards Horant's side, the sounds of battle are still reverberating.
With nothing but the allies's voices being audible, you might think they are superior if you only listen to the high-spirited voices, but the enemies, not feeling any fear, don't raise their voices even if they are chopped up.
If you go by the numbers, the allies are fewer. Sometimes screams, doubtlessly belonging to their own troops, can be heard as well.
"Shit, as it is now..." (Stiffels)
Stiffels, thinking that they should have successfully surrounded them, was grinding his teeth as it took longer than he expected. Was the number of people doing the encirclement lacking? Or did he misread the enemy's combat prowess?
"It can't be helped. We will support them!" (Stiffels)
"B-But captain, if they surge into the city, it will become a chaotic battle!" (Knight)
Stiffels glared at the objecting knight.
"Affix a rope to the gate! Make sure to open it so that only one person fits through! Those entangled by the rope and those who got through will be stabbed to death with spears in turns!" (Stiffels)
While getting irritated at the knights, who began to move as they were ordered, Stiffels grasped his spear. The way of the sword is his forte, but the spear is better if you want to simultaneously attack several people from a distance.
Before long the preparations have been completed. A single knight slowly removes the secured bolt.
Stiffels stands at a place a little bit away from the aperture in the front. He is prepared to thrust out the spear at any time.
With only opening the crack a tiny bit, he can hear the leaking mania on the other side of the gate. The thick, pungent stench of blood drifts to him.
"Open it more! Everybody, match your breaths and attack!" (Stiffels)
Obeying the order, they confront the approaching enemies. It's the figures of Horant's soldiers beating on the door while being expressionless.
"Oof!"
The forcefully thrust spearhead accurately seized the neck of a soldier from Horant.
In the back of the fallen soldier another likewise expressionless soldier stands. Next, his eyes are stabbed by a knight's spear and the soldier passes away.
Repeating these actions, the enemies, people who aren't scared or don't scream, are one-sidedly slaughtered.
Around the time he began to feel his arms getting heavy, Stiffels suddenly noticed that the voices, raised by his allied soldiers, had decreased.
Although the soldiers from Horant should also have been decreased by quite a bit, his arms, wielding the spear, were filled with strength due to the dread that he would become a foolish commander who received a devastating defeat.
In that moment, the rope, which had been damaged repeatedly, was severed in one go.
"What!" (Stiffels)
Being preoccupied with the unbelievable sight for just an instant, the gate opened fully in the next second. Horant's soldiers literally came flooding in.
"R-Retreat!" (Stiffels)
How many have been able to hear Stiffel's order?
Some were sent flying by the gate opening abruptly and some were beaten to death by the soldiers from Horant while being overcome with surprise. In an instant half of the Second Knight Order was swallowed by a wave of enemies.
Without even giving the dying of his subordinates a single glance, Stiffels threw away his spear and ran.
Because the movements of the soldiers from Horant were sluggish, he steadily gained distance. Even so, Stiffels kept running.
However, what awaits him at the place ahead isn't hope.
"Beirevra died. The First Knight Order is also completely destroyed." (Magician A)
As the magician from Horant left the watching of the battle between Horant's and Orsongrande's armies, he was joined by a companion who acted separately in order to monitor Beirevra.
"I see. This side is well... doing fine. Since they used petty tricks and the number of soldiers whittled, I supported them with magic. Although I was forbidden to interfere, I guess this much will be okay." (Magician B)
"Because else I won't be able to return to Horant no matter how much time passes", the magician from Horant laughed towards his colleague.
However, the magician, who came reporting the circumstances of Beirevra and the First Knight Order, has a pale face.
"... What happened?" (Magician B)
"Ah, the First Knight Order was in fact annihilated by a single person, but..." (Magician A)
"A single person, you say?" (Magician B)
Although the improved magic tool has the demerit of causing the movement to become somewhat slow, to compensate for this, the physical strength has been raised to the extent that it is too much.
But, his colleague, expressing a pale face, doesn't look as if he is telling a lie.
"I somehow managed to follow the conversation. That person is the Hero of the Slender Sword." (Magician A)
"Impossible! Isn't that guy's territory on the opposite side!?" (Magician B)
"I have no doubt. His features match the information I heard before. Even the information about his combat strength, no, what was reflected in my eyes was above that. He killed the Knight Captain without receiving a single injury." (Magician A)
Listening to the story, he bites the nails of his fingers while thinking.
"Is there a possibility for the magic tool to malfunction?" (Magician B)
"There isn't. The rise of the physical strength was obvious. Besides..." (Magician A)
"Besides?" (Magician B)
"Even the prince was killed by the hero's attendant." (Magician A)
"... Damn it!" (Magician B)
The plan of penetrating Orsongrande's center with the prince as puppet fell apart.
"That man should be on the way headed towards the battleground here. I think we should withdraw giving up on the soldiers." (Magician A)
He shakes his head in denial towards his colleague, who showed signs of completely getting cold feet.
"Only you will return to report. This place hasn't settled yet." (Magician B)
"Understood. I will go ahead. See you later." (Magician A)
Having seen his colleague off, he once again turns his look towards the battlefield.
Horant's soldiers are successively entering the city through the completely opened gate.
Even while being slashed by Orsongrande's soldiers from the rear, they advance without minding it, just like a swarm of insects being drawn to some nectar.
"Let's attack until the complete destruction of the Second Knight Order. With that the First and the Second Knight Orders will be annihilated, drastically decreasing the war potential of Orsongrande." (Magician B)
"Let's not miss the opportunity", his gaze got considerably severe.
Arriving at a place where the distance to the enemy was quite big, Stiffels reached the point of thinking about the situation calmly at last.
In his vicinity there aren't more than around 10 order members left. Somehow it closely resembles the situation of Ribezal. He was scared whether he has ended up turning into someone surrounded by failure as well.
"Captain, there is someone in front of us!" (Knight)
"What?!" (Stiffels)
Being suddenly called, Stiffels, noticing himself brooding over things before he became aware of it, looked ahead. There was a man, he had seen somewhere, walking towards them.
That man, walking as if swiftly sliding, with his dark pupils and hair and donning strange clothes is wearing a thin sword at the left side of his waist.
"That guy is... !" (Stiffels)
Stiffels' thinking is straight away dyed in rage.
Earl Hifumi Tohno.
A other-world person called by Princess Imeraria's summoning magic. Being appointed to the rank of noble with territory while being a criminal who slew the king. He obtained a vast territory as result of his battle with Vichy. A person as if being entirely a character out of  a fairy-tale.
However, Stiffels can't see him as anything but a thorn in his side in the competition over the influence within the royal castle.
"But, there probably isn't any other way in this situation." (Stiffels)
Stiffels, deciding that he would request assistance abiding his shame, thoroughly chewed his back teeth and eased up on the speed.
"Earl Tohno, thanks for taking the trouble to come to the opposite side of this country. Given that the number of enemies is far beyond the assumptions, I'd like you to lend us a hand." (Stiffels)
Thinking that the other side is originally a commoner, Stiffels can't conceal his arrogant attitude, but he himself isn't aware of that. Even with these words he has intended to behave modestly bearing the embarrassment.
Stiffels seethes in irritation due to Hifumi's likewise arrogant words, but clenching his fist he restrains himself.
Hifumi drew his katana with a smooth, unhindered motion in front of such Stiffels.
"Your life will be fine as reward." (Hifumi)
While being told to resist a bit, the first attack was a thrust towards the face.
Due to Stiffels barely dodging the katana's point, the knights in the vicinity rushed over and thrust themselves between Hifumi and Stiffels with their swords set up.
"Ha ha! Are you a person to be protected because you are a Knight Captain?" (Hifumi)
While ridiculing him with the sound of laughter, he pulls back the thrust katana and furthermore launches another two thrusts.
Stabbing a person to death with each thrust, he creates two corpses.
"What are you doing!?" (Stiffels)
Stiffels, finally having recovered his stance, shouts in a thundering voice and draws his sword, but he isn't able to daunt Hifumi.
"Since I have done insufficient warming up, I have felt like killing those guys who have properly survived." (Hifumi)
"... You lunatic." (Stiffels)
"Okay, if you think like that, fight desperately with that belief, since you won't understand the words of a lunatic." (Hifumi)
The knight standing in front of Stiffels literally shields him. Hifumi's slashing attack, that he received at the chest, cut open the heart including the armor and he died.
Jumping over the knight who falls with a crashing sound, Hifumi's katana swings down as if chopping bamboo bare-handed.
Stiffels, jumping sideways rolling over, swung his sword horizontally in the act of getting up trying to get some distance, but before he could do that, Hifumi stepped into this bosom.
Hooking the katana's hilt he pulls down the armor's neck.
Stiffels, being thrown down awkwardly, rolled to the side while being smeared with dirt.
In the meanwhile another knight came assaulting with his sword. Hifumi grabbed the opponent's chin with his left hand, applied firm pressure with his thumb and broke the lower part of the front teeth.
The knight, who stopped for a moment due to the pain and shock, had his throat pierced and died.
During that time Stiffels has managed to get up and has fixed his stance.
"You are using the lives of your subordinates to buy yourself time? Use them more efficiently." (Hifumi)
"You bastard..." (Stiffels)
Hifumi, standing with an air of composure in front of Stiffels and telling him with earnest concern at this opportunity, held the katana in his right hand and loosely lowered it without even taking a stance. He is taking a strange stance by lightly putting out his left hand in front.
Even the knights surrounding him can't grasp the timing to attack.
Their gazes concentrated on Hifumi's left hand.
His fingers sway from side to side, not fast in the least, like a water plant drifting underwater. He keeps repeating the unpredictable motion.
When a single knight, unable to bear it, started to strike at him, Hifumi's left hand hit his face moving like a whip.
The knight, who has fainted in agony, has Hifumi's fingers penetrate his eyes at the lacrimal-glands and break his nose.
Before he can feel the pain, the thrust fingers gouge out the blinded eyes including tears and pain and the knight dies.
"Come on, attack me with your strongest blow. You don't know, maybe you might even hit me?" (Hifumi)
However, having seen their companion's death in front of their eyes just now, no one was able to move.
"Ah, I see. This is frightening, isn't it? Then let's do it like this, huh?" (Hifumi)
Hifumi skilfully returns his katana to its scabbard with only his right hand without even holding the scabbard itself. Hifumi appeals with both his hands dangling around while unarmed.
It was Stiffels who lost his cool first as he couldn't bear that provocation.
He put his strength into the diagonally, from the shoulder swung, sword. It was at a speed that surprised the other knights, but for Hifumi it wasn't anything special.
Stepping in underneath the arms that were about to be swung downward, he hit him with his fist below both elbows.
Stiffels, who dropped the sword with a dull sound, dropped to his knees while his arms dangled at the tip of both shoulders.
Hifumi clutches the Stiffels' face that is distorted by pain and despair. Twisting and breaking the cervical vertebrae as it is, Stiffels died.
"Ah, I forgot to mention it. My original combat style is bare-handed." (Hifumi)
With Stiffels' death, the surviving knights discarded their swords.
"W-We surrender." (Knight)
"P-Please wait! We don't have any intention to oppose you anymore!" (Knight)
"I have told you that this isn't allowed." (Hifumi)
Sending the head flying in a flash, Hifumi looked at the remaining knights vexedly.
"Pick up your sword. Prepare yourself while holding a weapon in front of me. I don't plan to end this until either you or me dies." (Hifumi)
There are 5 knights of the Second Knight Order remaining.
"... What a guy." (Magician B)
Intruding into the city by blending amongst the soldiers from Horant, the magician observed the battle from a side alley. He was shocked by the brutality of mercilessly killing the knights of one's own country.
Besides, the fighting strength, that overwhelmed the knights, was certainly at a level where it couldn't even be helped if his colleague got scared.
"That man is dangerous." (Magician B)
If I consider the situation of him crashing into Horant's soldiers, most likely they won't be able to deal with him at all, I guess. While being chopped up from the front, their numbers will decrease due to Orsongrande's soldiers pursuing from the back.
My strong point is in the direction of researching and I'm weak at the implementation, but if I slowly cast with a calm mind, I will be able to release powerful wind blades.
(I will have that man disappear here. If I don't do this, he will without doubt harm Horant one day.)
Thinking about this, he feels that the casting time is long.
He closed his eyes to focus on the casting. When he finished at last, Hifumi stood in front of him.
"That dagger..." (Hifumi)
"You are a magician from Horant. It's the same sword as that man called Strauss owned." (Hifumi)
If it's at this distance, the released, invisible blades will accurately fly into Hifumi's face.
"... I'm always prepared for it though." (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who let the wind blades go past by shaking his head, continues his talking without even changing his expression.
"Is the timing and direction taught to Horant's magicians a custom or something? Although it is a rare, convenient technique, you are truly unworthy of it." (Hifumi)
In an instant Hifumi seized the wrist holding the dagger. Before the first sense of pain occurred itself, the magician fell to his knees.
The bone of Hifumi's index finger's root firmly pins down the acupuncture point of the wrist.
"I-It is painful..." (Magician B)
"I have a question." (Hifumi)
The magician is slapped in the face without mercy as he lifted his head raising his voice in doubt.
As the hood comes off, a mid-20's, skinny face is revealed.
"The one asking the questions is me. Tell me as much as you know about that magic tool, which makes those cowards ferocious, and the drug." (Hifumi)
"... This is..." (Magician B)
Hifumi's heel treads on the little toe of the magician's foot with full power.
As the pain is to a degree that he can't even leak a voice, Hifumi asks the same question to the magician, who is shedding tears, without changing his facial expression.
"Th... The magic potion, if you drink some of it mixed with small amounts of water and alcohol, it will show its effect. More or less the physical ability will rise and the sensation of pain will vanish. It has reached the point where they will blindly listen to the words of the one who gave them their orders first. Although the feeling of pain is lost and the physical strength goes up, there is a flaw that makes them brutal..." (Magician B)
"You probably brought the weak point under control. It should be something that was improved even further." (Hifumi)
Hearing about things that got even more to the core of the matter from Hifumi, the magician makes a sour face as if having eaten a bitter bug.
"We weren't able to adjust the magic potion... Even the lot, currently invading this city, doesn't listen to anything but simple instructions even if it is me telling them otherwise. As for the magic tool, we have been successful up to the point of changing the target into the puppet of the registered person by suppressing the target's reasoning..." (Magician B)
Asking further on, at the time it was used on the soldiers from Arosel, the effect was small, but they were currently able to improve it up to the point of subduing people like dolls. He was told that this was the limit.
Hifumi, listening to the explanation of the magician, came up with something. He looked at the magician and laughed with a sinister smile.
"I got a nice idea. Lastly, tell me, the name of your country's metropolis' and the distance to them." (Hifumi)
"W-Why do you want to know such a thi... gyaaa!" (Magician B)
Kicking the nether region this time, Hifumi relentlessly said [Spit it out]  to the magician shivering and curling up.
"The closest metropolis is Adolamelk
While enduring the pain, was he filled with rage in reverse? The magician told him while shouting.
"Understood. See ya." (Hifumi)
Hifumi made a bitter face due to the failure while he wiped the katana with a paper.
"I should have confirmed whether the magic tool will make monsters listen as well or not."
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