145.Lionsong
当初の計画としてイメラリアは幌なしの馬車の上でネルガルと共に先頭にいると主張したが、護衛の関係上、それだけはビロンやサブナクに猛反対を受け、しぶしぶ諦めた。
最終的には、イメラリアとネルガルはフォカロルが持ってきた物資運搬用大型台車に座席を取り付け、護衛と共に搭乗することとなった。大型でも速度があり、護衛もしやすいとの理由だ。
先頭はヴァイヤーが率いる騎士隊が務め、その後ろにイメラリアとサブナクを含む護衛騎士隊、そしてフォカロル兵が続き、さらにビロン伯爵の私兵を含むオーソングランデ王国軍本体が続く。
フォカロル兵はアリッサが率い、オリガは獣人たちを連れてイメラリアと共に台車の上にいた。
「現状報告を」
「はい。国境のホーラント側には依然として相手方兵士が複数居るようですが、人数は五十に満たない数のようです」
サブナクが淀みなく答えると、イメラリアは鷹揚にうなずいた。
「では当初の作戦通りに。オリガさん、お願いしますね」
「承知いたしました」
オリガ鉄線を抱えたまま微笑む。
「では、進軍開始」
「進め!」
イメラリアの命令を受け、サブナクが声を張り上げると、先に見えるヴぁイヤーが手を挙げて応え、大軍はゆっくりと進み出す。
国境の前までやってきた、自軍の二十倍以上の人数をようする軍を確認し、ホーラント兵が浮足立たないはずがなかった。
彼らは国境警備兵である以上、進軍してくる敵国の兵に対応するのが義務ではあったが、世の中には不可能なことがある、と責任者は口には出さずとも考えていた。
「全員で足止めをする。伝令はすぐに首都へ連絡を。“オーソングランデが大軍を以て国境に攻めてきた”とな。寝ている奴も叩き起こせ。総力で当たらなければ踏みつぶされて終わりだぞ!」
そう指示を出し名がら、総力でも踏みつぶされるだろうが、と粛々と進んでくるオーソングランデ軍をにらみつけた。
ふいに、彼の耳に声が届く。
『この声が聞こえていますか?』
「......なんだ?」
周囲を見回すと、他の兵たちにも声が聞こえたらしく、全員がきょろきょろと首を回している。
『わたくしの名はイメラリア・トリエ・オーソングランデ。オーソングランデの女王です。魔法によって貴方たち国境のホーラント兵すべてに呼びかけています』
それはオリガの魔法だった。
風魔法により音声を増幅し、且つ指向性を持たせる。音波について一二三の指導を受けたオリガにのみ可能な魔法だった。
「魔法で声を飛ばすだと? そんな馬鹿な......」
狼狽える兵士たちに、さらに呼びかけは続く。
『残念ながらそちらの声を拾うことはできませんので、一方的に宣言させていただきます。今、こちらにはホーラントの次期王ネルガル様がおられます。目の良い方ならば、見えるかと思いますが』
イメラリアの正面にいた騎士たちが左右に分かれると、台車の上にいるイメラリアと、その隣に座るネルガルが見える。
ホーラント警備兵の中にネルガルの顔を知っている者が数名いたこともあり、およそ間違いないのではないか、と口々に話している。
『わたくしたちはホーラントに攻め込むために来たのではありません。ネルガル様を無事に首都までお送りするために参りました。ですが』
再び、騎士たちがイメラリアの前に立ちはだかり、武器を抜いた。
騎士の武器は本来槍や剣なのだが、それ以外に鎖鎌を振り回したり、刀のような物を持っている者もいる。
『もし邪魔をするというのであれば、相応の覚悟をしてくださいませ』
女王の宣言は終わり、軍は再びゆっくりと進み始める。
もはや、ホーラント国境警備兵たちに戦う意思は存在しなかった。
「一千人超の兵数だと? 何かの間違いではないのか!」
国境から必死の思いで情報を持ってきた伝令は、報告を終えた途端にクゼムから怒鳴り声を浴びせられることとなった。
「で、ですが実際に大軍が国境まで迫っているのをこの目で確認いたしました!」
疑われるのは心外とばかりに、伝令も声を張り上げる。
「そのような大軍で我が国に入ってくるとは......」
「だから言っただろ?」
相変わらずクゼムの執務室に入り浸っていた一二三が笑う。
「あんな木偶の坊が出てきたところで、恐れて攻めてこないなんて考えるのがおかしいんだ」
「対策といいますと?」
一二三から話を聞くために足しげくここへ訪れていたガアプの質問に、一二三は首を横に振る。
「それを聞いたら面白くないだろ? 単純に敵の前に出したら負けるかも知れないなら、出し方を考えろよ」
そのやり取りも、クゼムを苛立たせる。
敵であるはずの一二三に、頭を下げて教えを乞う姿を目の前で延々とやられているのだ。
状況が分かっていない伝令も、クゼムが見る見る不機嫌になっているのはわかる。
「さあ、本番だぞ!」
一二三がひょいと立ち上がると、室内全員の視線が集まる。
「思ったよりも早かったが、俺の予想が合っていればイメラリアたちはまっすぐここを目指してくるだろうな。あいつが目的の為に下げる頭を持っているなら、フォカロルの助けを借りて一気呵成にここを目指す」
俺がやったように、と一二三はクゼムに向けてにっこりと笑った。
「で、では、貴殿が出ればその進軍は止まるのではないか? 友好な......そう、今こうして友好な関係を築きつつあるのだから......」
「なにをトチ狂った事を言ってやがる。言っただろう。戦争をやれ、と」
クゼムの前に進みながら、一二三は刀を抜く。
あまりにも自然なその動きに、切っ先がクゼムの左目に突きつけられるまで、周囲にいた人物は全く反応できなかった。
「やる気が無いなら、ここで死ね。あのガアプの方がまだ見込みが......」
「わかった! わかったから武器をおさめてくれ!」
クゼムが悲鳴のような声をあげると、刀はすうっと離れ、滝のような汗を流したクゼムは喘ぐように呼吸を繰り返した。
「ガアプ! 城の防衛は貴様に任せる!」
乱暴な指示を出したクゼムは、ヨロヨロと立ち上がると、執務室を後にした。
それに誰も追随する者は居らず、息巻くガアプはクゼムの様子など知らぬ顔をして、迎撃の準備の為に、一二三に一礼して出て行った。
「なあ」
取り残された伝令に、一二三が声をかけた。
「ここは首都だろう? かき集めれば兵なんざ大量にいると思ったんだが、妙に少ないように見える。何かあったか?」
以前に単身乗り込み、スプランゲルと対峙するまでは、城の外にも兵士たちがかなりいた印象を持っていた一二三は、昼間に城の中を勝手に歩き回って疑問を感じていた。
「はあ。以前は徴兵によって民衆から大量に兵士を集めておりましたが、前王によって著兵が廃止されましたので、以前の三分の一もおりません」
給料などの待遇が見直されたため、以前から残っている者が多いとは言うが、激減と言っていい人数差である。スプランゲルはフォカロルの兵たちを見て「有象無象が大量に居ても役に立たない」と考えたらしく、フォカロルから教導部隊が派遣されてくるにあたり、人数を激減させて予算の使い道を装備や待遇に回すようにしたのだそうだ。
「なるほどな。で、今この首都を防衛するのに兵数はどれくらいいる?」
「はっきりとはわかりませんが、三千はいるかと」
「ふぅん」
防衛側が三倍とすると、中々厳しいだろうとは思うが、それだけイメラリアがどう戦うかが気になる一二三は、にやにやとした笑いが抑えられない。
伝令が気味悪がって逃げるようにドアを開けたその背中に、一二三が声をかけた。
「ああそうだ。あんまり内情をペラペラ喋るもんじゃないぞ」
失敗を指摘された恥ずかしさと、「聞いたのはそっちだろう」という怒りで顔を真っ赤にした伝令は、何も言わずに出ていった。
「......まあ、数日は先か」
つぶやいた一二三は、応接のソファにごろりと横になる。
「アリッサはどう出るかな? うずうずしてくるが、我慢、我慢」
そう言えばオリガを置いて来たな、と今更に思いだしたが、別に心配しないといけないような奴でも無いか、と目を閉じた。
波が割れるようにホーラント国境警備兵たちが左右にわかれ、中央をヴァイヤーたちが堂々と進む。
敵の間を進むのはやはりそれなりの緊張感があるらしく、騎士たちはその後ろから来る護衛も含めて、一様にこわばった顔をしていた。
「実際にやってみると、これほど大胆な方法もありませんね」
ネルガルの呟きに、イメラリアは反応しない。
不思議に思って視線を向けると、真顔でガチガチに緊張しているのが見えた。
ネルガルは兵たちの間に台車が入っていくと、すっと立ち上がる。
「私はこの国、ホーラントの王になるネルガルだ。オーソングランデへの攻撃などと、どこの愚か者が考えたかわからんが、幸運にもオーソングランデ女王、イメラリア陛下のお力添えを得られた。今ここで私の話が聞こえている者は、君たちの同僚、国民に伝えるのだ!」
突然の演説にイメラリアは一瞬だけ驚いた顔を見せたが、その狙いを知ってすぐに真顔に戻して見せた。
ネルガルの護衛たちも驚いているあたり、予定外の行動だというのがわかる。サブナクもびっくりした顔を見せており、そのまま目を見開いていた。
イメラリアは、サブナクには腹芸は無理なのだと悟る。
「オーソングランデは強い!」
ネルガルは大声で断言した。
「君たちもフォカロルから派遣された教導部隊の技術を知っているだろう! 聞けば、失われたはずの魔道具を使った巨人兵も倒されたそうではないか! では、どうやって君たちはオーソングランデに対抗するつもりか!」
ホーラント兵士たちは唖然としながらも、不満が次第に顔に出てくる。
彼らとて、オーソングランデの兵が強いことは知っているのだ。魔法とは違う方面で進んだ技術を目の当たりにしたことも、簡単に王城に侵入されたことも、誰一人知らぬ者はない。
声にこそ出さないが、不満は共通している。今更それを蒸し返して、自らの兵を貶めてどうするのか、と。
「ではどうするか」
ネルガルは笑みを浮かべる。
「仲間になれば良い。前王スプランゲルが考えたように、オーソングランデと共にあれば、その技術も私たちを殺す物から私たちを守るものになる。今、君たちを危地へと押しやったのは何者か! それに従う理由があるのか? そうでなければ、今君たちがやるべきは、私たちと共に倒すことではないか。その愚か者を!」
兵士たちの受けた驚きは波のように広がり、次第にネルガルを讃える声となる。
ゆったりと周囲を見回したネルガルは、座りながら「勝手をいたしました」とイメラリアに詫びる。
「いいえ。良いお言葉でした。今のお話の通り、“お味方であられるうちは”我がオーソングランデはホーラントの良い隣人として在りましょう」
「......ありがたいお心遣い。肝に銘じておきましょう」
「では、サブナクさん。進みましょう。まだ先は長いのです」
軍は進む。
ホーラントの警備兵も半数以上がその進軍に従った。
(順調ですね。......フォカロル軍がこちらにある以上、一二三様自身が立ちはだかることは無いでしょうが、敵はどう出るでしょう。途上か、あるいは首都で待ち構えているのでしょうか)
ちらり、とイメラリアは斜め後ろに座るオリガを盗み見た。
イメラリアは、ホーラントとの問題が片付けば、一二三に対する封印術式について本格的に準備を進めるつもりでいる。
(そのために、オリガさん。申し訳ないとは思いますけれど、貴女を最大限に利用させていただきます)
イメラリア自身も、周囲の者も気づくことは無かった。誰もが一二三を抑えることを考えはしても、殺すことを考えていないことに。
それがイメラリアを含むこの世界の者たちの甘さと言えばそれだけだが、自身の中にある一二三に対する感情が“憎しみ”ではない何かへと変質していることに、まだイメラリアは気づいていなかった。
Chapter 145: Lionsong
As first part of the plan Imeraria emphasized her staying in the vanguard together with Nelgal in an open-topped carriage, but receiving vehement opposition from Biron and Sabnak based on the concerns of her guarding, she reluctantly gave up on that.
In the end it was decided that seats would be installed on the large platform wagon for transporting goods brought along by Fokalore and Imeraria and Nelgal would board that wagon together with their guards. The reason is that it's easy to guard and that it has speed albeit being large.
The knight unit led by Vaiya will serve as vanguard. Behind them will be the guarding knight unit including Imeraria and Sabnak. And after them it continues with Fokalore's soldiers and then the main forces of Orsongrande's royal army including the feudal army of Earl Biron.
Fokalore's soldiers will be led by Alyssa. Origa will take along the beastmen and stay on the platform wagon together with Imeraria.
"Report the current state." (Imeraria)
"Yes. it seems there are still several parties of soldiers remaining on Horant's side of the national border, but it looks like their numbers don't exceed 50." (Sabnak)
Once Sabnak answered fluently, Imeraria nodded lordly.
"Well then, following the first part of the plan, Origa-san, please go ahead." (Imeraria)
"Understood." (Origa)
Origa held an iron wire while smiling.
"Then, commence the march." (Imeraria)
"Advance!" (Sabnak)
Following Imeraria's order, Sabnak raises his voice and Vaiya, who is visible at the head, raises one hand in response. The large army starts to go forward slowly.
Horant's soldiers, who confirmed the army possessing more than 20 times their own force's numbers after they arrived in front of the border, were in a state of agitation.
Above them being border guards, they had the duty to deal with the soldiers of the enemy nation who advanced up to the border, but the person in charge thought
. Wake up those sleeping as well. It will end with us being crushed underfoot if we can't muster all our strength!"
While giving such directions, he silently glared at the advancing army of Orsongrande and thought
Suddenly a voice reached his ears.
{Can you hear this voice?} 
"... What?"
Once he looks around, it seems that the other soldiers have heard that voice as well. All of them are turning around their heads while looking at the surroundings restlessly.
{My name is Imeraria Torie Orsongrande. I'm the queen of Orsongrande. I'm calling out to you, all of Horant's soldiers at the border, with magic.}  (Imeraria)
That was Origa's spell.
She amplifies the voice with wind magic and yet makes it sustain a directionality. It was a spell possible to only Origa who received Hifumi's guidance regarding sound waves.
"Her voice is delivered by magic, she says? Such a stupid..."
As the soldiers get flustered, the calling out to them continues further.
{Since I'm unfortunately unable to pick up your voices, I will make an one-sided announcement. Currently the next king of Horant, Nelgal-sama, is with us. I believe you can see him him if your eyes are good enough.}  (Imeraria)
Once the knights, who were in front of Imeraria, part to the left and right, Imeraria, who is on top of a platform wagon, and Nelgal, who is sitting next to her, are visible.
As there are also several people among Horant's guards who know Nelgal's face, several of them state "There's no mistake about it."
{We don't have come to invade Horant. We came for the sake of delivering Nelgal-sama safely to the capital. But.}  (Imeraria)
The knights once again blocked the way in front of Imeraria and drew their weapons.
The knights' weapons are originally spears and swords, but in addition there are also those who are wielding kusarigama's and swords similar to katana's.
{If you become an obstacle, please resolve yourselves suitably.}  (Imeraria)
As the queen's proclamation finishes, the army begins to advance slowly once again.
The border guards of Horant had already no intention to fight.magic
"The number of soldiers is more than 1000, you say? Haven't you made some kind of mistake?" (Kuzemu)
The messenger, who brought the information from the border with a feeling of desperation, was shouted at with an angry voice by Kuzemu just as he finished his report.
"H-However, I did confirm with these eyes that a large army has actually drawn near the national border!"
As if being vexed by getting doubted, the messenger raises his voice.
"With that kind of large army entering our country..." (Kuzemu)
"That's why I told you, didn't I?" (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who hung around Kuzemu's office as usual, laughs.
"It's odd to believe in them not coming to attack out of fear just because those useless things made their appearance." (Hifumi)
"Are you saying that there are countermeasures?" (Gaap)
Hifumi shakes his head towards the question of Gaap who visited this place frequently in order to listen to Hifumi.
"It won't be fun, if I told you that, right? If you might get defeated once you simply show yourself in front of the enemy, consider the way of showing yourself." (Hifumi)
Even that exchange makes Kuzemu irritated.
The state of them begging for instructions while bowing their heads towards Hifumi, who should be their enemy, is continuing endlessly in front of his eyes.
Even the messenger, who doesn't understand the circumstances, knows that Kuzemu has become displeased in the blink of an eye.
"Well then, it's the crucial moment!" (Hifumi)
When Hifumi stands up all of a sudden, the looks of everyone inside the room gather on him.
"It was faster than expected, but if it goes according to my prediction, Imeraria and the others are probably aiming to come here directly. If that woman possesses the intelligence to lower her head for the sake of her goal, she will head here in one stretch by getting Fokalore's help." (Hifumi)
"It's what I would have done", Hifumi grinned at Kuzemu.
"T-Then, won't their march stop once you come forth? Since we are currently in the process of building a friendship... right, a friendly relationship..."
"What madness are you talking about? I told you, didn't I? Go to war, I said." (Hifumi)
Hifumi draws his katana while stepping in front of Kuzemu.
Due to his far too natural motion, the people in the surroundings were completely unable to react until the katana's point was thrust before Kuzemu's left eye.
"If you don't have any intention to do so, you will die here. That Gaap still has promise, but..." (Hifumi)
"I got it! Please take away the weapon, I understood!" (Kuzemu)
Once Kuzemu raised his voice into something similar to a scream, he, who sweated like a waterfall, repeatedly breathed hard after the katana vanished.
"Gaap! I leave the defence of the castle to you bastard!" (Kuzemu)
Kuzemu, who issued reckless instructions, stood up while being unsteady on his feet and left the office.
Without there being anyone who follows him, Gaap, who got worked up, feigned ignorance at the state of Kuzemu, bowed towards Hifumi and left for the sake of preparing the interception.
"Hey." (Hifumi)
Hifumi called out to the messenger who was left behind.
"This place is the capital city, right? I thought that there will be a large number of soldiers and such if they are scraped up together, but it looks like there are strangely few. Did something happen?" (Hifumi)
Hifumi, who held the impression that there were also quite a few soldiers outside the castle after he marched in by himself previously and even squared off against Suprangel, felt like asking while selfishly walking around inside the castle during daytime.
"Well, previously a large amount of soldiers were assembled by conscripting from the common populace, but since mercenaries were abolished by the late king, there isn't even a third left in comparison to before."
One can say there are many people remaining from before since the treatment of things like salary got improved, however the difference in numbers can readily be called a sharp decrease. Seeing the soldiers of Fokalore, Suprangel apparently believed [It's useless even if there's a large number of riff-raff] . Around the time when the instruction unit arrived after being dispatched from Fokalore, he tried to circulate the planned budget into treatment and equipment by decreasing the numbers rapidly.
"I see. So around how many soldiers are currently available to defend this capital?" (Hifumi)
"I don't know the precise number, but it's around 3000, I guess?"
"Hmm." (Hifumi)
If the defending side has three times the numbers of the attacking side, it will likely be quite harsh
As the messenger was crept out, he opened the door to get away and that's when Hifumi called out to him from behind.
"Ah, that's right. Don't flap your mouth too much about the true state of affairs." (Hifumi)
The messenger, who had a bright red face out of embarrassment for having his blunder pointed out and anger showing [The one who asked was you, wasn't it?]  on his expression, left without saying a single word.
"... Well, it's several days ahead ((of schedule))?" (Hifumi)
Muttering that, Hifumi threw himself on the reception sofa.
"I wonder how Alyssa will perform? I'm itching to do something, but I have to stay patient, must stay patient." (Hifumi)
"Come to think of it, I left Origa behind", he remembered this late in the game, but
After Horant's border guards divided to the left and right as if cleaved open by a wave, Vaiya's group boldly advanced through their middle.
Apparently feeling quite tense after all by going forward between the enemy, the knights had uniformly stiff expression and that also included the guards who came after them.
"It isn't such a bold move once you actually have a go at it either." (Nelgal)
Imeraria doesn't respond to Nelgal's mumbling.
Once she turned her look to him after considering it odd, what she could see was him being nervous with his teeth chattering while having a serious look.
When the platform wagon with Nelgal enters the space between the soldiers, he quickly stands up.
"I'm Nelgal who will become the king of this country, Horant. I don't know what kind of idiot considered something like attacking Orsongrande, but fortunately I acquired the help of Her Majesty, Imeraria, the queen of Orsongrande. Those, who are listening to what I'm saying now in this place, convey my words to the people and your colleagues!" (Nelgal)
Surprised showed on Imeraria's face for an instant due to the sudden speech, but her expression reverted to a serious one right away as she knows his aim.
It's easy to tell that it's an unexpected action going by Nelgal's guards being surprised as well. Sabnak being startled showed on his face and his eyes kept being widely open.
Imeraria realizes that it's impossible for Sabnak to express himself without words and gestures.
"Orsongrande is powerful!" (Nelgal)
Nelgal declared in a loud voice.
"All of you are probably aware of the skills of the instruction unit dispatched by Fokalore! If you ask, haven't they even defeated a giant soldier who used magic tools which were supposed to be lost technology!? How do you all intend to oppose such Orsongrande!?" (Nelgal)
Although the soldiers of Horant are dumbfounded, dissatisfaction gradually appears on their faces.
Even they know of the strength of Orsongrande's soldiers. There is no one who doesn't know about them having easily invaded the royal castle and all of them witnessed a skill that advanced in a different direction of magic.
Though they don't raise their voices, displeasure is commonly shared by them. Bringing it up again at this point in time, they wonder what to do after having their own army being looked down upon.
"So, what will you do?" (Nelgal)
Nelgal reveals a smile.
"It's fine for you to become our comrades. If it's together with Orsongrande, just as the late king Suprangel planned, those skills will prove successful to protect ourselves from those killing us. Who was it that that thrust you into a dangerous position now!? Besides, is there any reason to obey? If that's not the case, isn't overthrowing that someone together with us what you should do now? To bring down that fool!" (Nelgal)
The astonishment, felt by the soldiers, spreads just like a wave and gradually turns into voices praising Nelgal.
Nelgal, who surveyed the vicinity calmly, apologizes to Imeraria with a [Sorry for acting on my own]  while sitting down.
"No, it was a good speech. Just as you said now,
"... Thanks for your consideration. Let's leave a deep impression." (Nelgal)
"Well then, Sabnak-san, let's go ahead. The destination is still far away." (Imeraria)
The army advances.
More than half of Horant's guards followed their march.
(It's going well. ... Seeing that Fokalore's army is on our side, Hifumi-sama himself probably won't stand in our way, but I wonder when the enemy will show up. Along the route? Or will they lie in wait at the capital?)
Imeraria stole a fleeting glance at Origa who sits diagonally behind her.
Imeraria has the intention to genuinely hasten the preparations of the sealing magic formulae in regards to Hifumi once the problem with Horant is put in order.
(For that reason, although I feel sorry about it, Origa-san, I will make the best use out of you.)
There was something no one realised, even not Imeraria herself. Even though everyone pondered about restraining Hifumi, they don't consider killing him.
If you call this the naivety of the people of this world, including Imeraria, it ends here, but Imeraria still didn't realize about there being an emotion inside herself that has changed into something that is not "hate" towards Hifumi.
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