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手の脅威 さて、リーシェちゃんが仲間になってから多分三日ぐらい? 僕達は自分達の研磨を中心に依頼を受けていた。冒険者登録をしたリーシェちゃんもすぐにFランクに上がることが出来、雑魚魔獣を中心に魔獣討伐依頼を受けたりもするようになった。 正直な所、今の僕達のパーティはフィニアちゃんを主力におおよそEランクの魔獣なら倒せるレベルだと思う。 まぁ戦うのはフィニアちゃんだけなんだけど、森の中で出会った大きな狼も一撃だったことを考えれば、フィニアちゃんの戦闘能力はずば抜けているんじゃないだろうか? 魔力だけならリーシェちゃんのお父さん並だし。 そんな僕達の今のステータスはこんな感じだ。 名前:薙刀桔音 性別:男 Lv10(↑4UP) 筋力:40 体力:180 耐性:350 敏捷:210 魔力:100 称号:『異世界人』 スキル:『痛覚無効Lv2』『不気味体質』『異世界言語翻訳』『ステータス鑑定』『不屈』『威圧』『臨死体験』 名前:フィニア 性別:女 Lv21(↑5UP) 筋力:320 体力:820 耐性:150 敏捷:740 魔力:6000 称号:『片想いの妖精』 スキル:『光魔法Lv4』『魔力回復Lv4』『治癒魔法Lv3』『火魔法Lv5』『身体強化Lv2』 PTメンバー:◎薙刀桔音(人間)、ルル(獣人)、トリシェ(人間) 名前:トリシェ・ルミエイラ 性別:女 Lv25(↑2UP) 筋力:450 体力:600 耐性:90 敏捷:580 魔力:130 称号:『冒険者』『魔眼保有者』 スキル:『剣術Lv2』『先見の魔眼Lv0』『身体強化Lv2』『俊足』 固有スキル:『先見の魔眼』 PTメンバー:◎薙刀桔音(人間)、フィニア(妖精)、ルル(獣人) と、こんな感じ。フィニアちゃんの伸び様が本当に異常だけど、僕の耐性も結構伸びて来てる。ちなみにルルちゃんはまだ戦うことが怖いみたいで、レベルは上がっていない。何も出来ていないと思ったのか、最近は僕の身の回りのお世話をし始めた。小剣の素振りは渡した日から毎日やっているようだけど、やっぱり戦闘をするにはもう少し勇気が必要らしい。 でも、リーシェちゃんが仲間になってから、彼女に素振りの指導してもらっているらしく、その太刀筋が鋭くなっている様だ。レベルが上がらなくても伸ばせるものはあるらしい。 「おはようミアちゃん」 「おはようございます、きつね様」 そんなこんなで、僕達は今ギルドへやってきていた。とりあえず、グランディール王国の話を聞く限り、奴隷の扱いが此処よりも酷いとのことで、ルルちゃんが魔獣を倒せる様になったら出発しようと思っている。 ちなみに、お手伝い系の依頼は続けている。僕は一人じゃ魔獣討伐の依頼を受けられないからね、リーシェちゃんとフィニアちゃんが魔獣討伐依頼を受けている間は、ルルちゃんとお手伝い系の依頼を受けているわけだ。 そのおかげか、国の人達が僕達に親しくしてくれる。やっぱり人々と依頼を通して触れ合っていれば自然と仲良くなれるみたいだ。ちょっと前に受けたペット捜索依頼のミリアちゃんとは、会うたびに世間話をしたりもする。 「今日はどのような御用件ですか?」 「例によって依頼だよ、今日はフィニアちゃんとリーシェちゃんが一緒だから、魔獣討伐依頼を受けようと思って」 僕とルルちゃんはHランクだけど、実はFランクの冒険者が一緒なら魔獣討伐依頼を受けることが出来る。まぁFランクの冒険者の人数を越えるHランク冒険者は連れていけないのだが。僕達の場合は、Fランクが二人、Hランクが二人だ、丁度連れていく事が出来る。 「そうですか......ところで、先日ヴァイス騎士団長と事を構えたと聞きましたが......なにをしたんですか?」 「娘さんを僕に下さい的なことを言ったら怒られた」 「ふざけ半分で言うことじゃないですね......」 どうやら三日経った今、騎士団長と僕の一件は国中に広まっているらしい。ミアちゃんもジト眼で見てくる。美人はジト眼でも似合うから得だよねぇ、僕がやったら地獄の底みたいな眼で見るなって言われたことがある。 「え、でも娘さんくれたよ?」 「嘘っ!?」 リーシェちゃんを指して言うと、ミアちゃんは驚愕の表情で素の反応をした。彼女は結構こういう素の表情を見せてくれるから中々面白い。 「まぁ、仲間としてだけど」 「あぁ......そうですか」 ほっとした様子で少し上がった腰を戻したミアちゃん。これはアレかな? 僕に恋人的な存在が出来たと焦った反応? もしかしてミアちゃん僕に気があったりする? そうだったらこんな美人に好かれる僕って本当に勝ち組なんじゃない? まぁそんな訳ないけど。正直、僕が彼女に好かれるような要素は一つも無いしね。考えても見ろよ、初対面で巨乳発言した男だぞ僕は。挙句の果てに揉ませてとも言ったんだぜ? 夢見すぎだね。涙が出てきた。 「きつねさーん! この依頼受けたい!」 「どれどれ? あっは、やっぱ読めねぇ」 「どれだ? えーっと......え、ちょっとこれは......」 「何? 何なのリーシェちゃん、どんな依頼なの?」 「あ、ああ......森の中に生息する『 暴喰蜘蛛 確かに今のフィニアちゃんなら倒せるであろう、僕らにとって因縁の相手だけど、正直あの森に入るのは気が引ける。 あの森には――――『赤い夜』がいる。 しかも、今考えればあの怪物と出会ったのはこの国に近い場所だった。あれから一週間以上経っているからいなくなっていてもおかしくはないけれど、まだあの辺をうろうろしている可能性もある。 調べた限りじゃ、『赤い夜』は敵対した相手を骨も残さず喰らい尽くすという話だし、左眼だけ取られた僕は若干例外な感じはするけど、強い事には変わりない......ぶっちゃけ会いたくはない。僕の唯一のトラウマだよアレ。 「ねぇフィニアちゃん―――」 「これ受けまーす!」 「はい、受注しました」 「.........」 考えている内にフィニアちゃんが勝手に依頼を受けていた。待って、少し考えれば分かるじゃん、あの怪物いるかもしれないんだよ? 分かる? 今度は左眼じゃ済まないかもしれないんだよ? その辺ちょっと話し合おうか。 「大丈夫だよきつねさん!」 「きつねさんは私が護るから!」 ―――そんな笑顔で言うことじゃない、けど、そう言われたら僕が臆病者みたいじゃないか。 全く、仕方ないな......分かった分かった、行けばいいんだろう? あの怪物に遭わないことを願いながら、とりあえずはこの向日葵みたいな笑顔を信じてみるとしよう。 「......分かったよ、でも蜘蛛以外は戦わないからね」 「うん!」 「それじゃミアちゃん、行ってきます」 「......気を付けてくださいね」 ミアちゃんも怪物の話をしたからか少し不安そうだ、そりゃそうだろう、僕も怪物に再会したら怖い。 でも......フィニアちゃんは強い、今はそれを信じよう。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 依頼を受けて、そのまま森へと向かった僕達。『赤い夜』は夜行性、まだ空が明るい内に依頼をこなしたい。達成期日は二週間、まだまだ時間はあるけど正直何度も森に入るのは遠慮したい。今日中になんとか出来れば良いけど。 「なぁきつね、なんでお前武器を持って来ていないんだ?」 「ルルちゃんにあげたんだ、僕は武器を使えないからね」 「武器も持たずにこの森に入ったのか......まぁこのパーティのリーダーはお前だから、強く言うつもりはないが......武器は持った方が良いと思う」 「だよねー......えーと」 リーシェちゃんの言うことは御尤も。武器も持たずに魔獣と戦うのは馬鹿げている。僕の耐性能力値が高いとはいえ、恐らく筋力300以上の攻撃は防げないだろう。つまりFランク以上の冒険者の攻撃は防げないのだ。勿論、魔獣だって雑魚しか相手に出来ない。 ちなみに雑魚魔獣はランクが付かない。正真正銘、雑魚だ。強いて言うのなら、Hランク魔獣、僕と同じだね。 「これでいいや」 僕はその辺に落ちていた木の棒を拾って軽く振る。軽いし、消耗品だから失っても悲しくない。僕の筋力じゃ本格的な武器なんて使いこなせないし、これ以上伸びるわけでもないからね。 「......まぁいい」 まだ何か言いたげだったけど、これ以上何か言っても無駄だと思ったんだろう。リーシェちゃんは口を閉ざした。 「きつね様......あ、あれ」 「ん、ルルちゃんなに―――ああ......久しぶりだね」 ルルちゃんの言葉で前を見ると、そこにはかつて僕の命を脅かした......また僕の力を見出させてくれた相手がいた。 ―――蜂 十数体もの人間の頭サイズの蜂がそこにいた。お尻には弾丸のように射出出来る小さな針が、振動するようの動く羽が煩く羽音を立てている。 でも、不思議と初見の時より怖くない。一度破ったからか、それとも自分が強くなったからか、それは分からない。 「どうする、きつね......あの蜂の針には麻痺毒があるが」 「うんまぁ知ってる。でも大丈夫だよ、蜘蛛以外は無視していくから」 「どうやって......」 蜂達には感謝している部分もあるけれど、それでも今回の目的はあくまで蜘蛛、僕達が出会って狩り損ねたあの大蜘蛛だ。 『不気味体質』を発動する。すると蜂達は脱兎のごとく僕達の前から猛スピードで消えて行った。威嚇というわけではないけど、このスキルはやっぱり便利だね。弱い奴はこれで逃げてくれるから。 僕としては進んで戦いたい訳じゃないから、逃げてくれるのなら追い掛けない。 「父様の時も思ったが、お前何をしたんだ?」 「ちょっと威圧しただけだよ」 僕のこのスキルはプレッシャーじゃなくて、ある意味相手の精神に干渉するスキルだから周囲から見たら何をしているのか分からない。『威圧』なら周囲にプレッシャーを振りまくスキルだから分かりやすいけどね。そういう意味でも便利だな。 そう言って、僕達は更に奥へと進む。 「きつねさんきつねさん! 手!」 「何言ってんの?」 少し進んだ所で、フィニアちゃんが興奮した様子で何かを指差していた。その指の先は地面を指しており、見てみるとそこには見覚えのある魔獣がいた。 見た目は右手だが、手首のあたりまでで、そこには人間の口が付いていた。以前森を抜ける時にも見たモンスターである。確か名前は、『喰らい手』、前会った時は戦わずにスルーした相手だけど、スライム的なモンスターだろうと思っている。 そう思っていると、 「く、喰らい手......!? なぜこんな魔獣が......!?」 リーシェちゃんの反応はそうでなかった。まるでこの世の最後を見た様な表情、どうしたんだろうと思う。ステータスを見る限り筋力以外はオール1という最弱のステータスだし、スキルだって特筆して特別なものはない。恐れるには値しないと思うんだけど。 「き、きつね......そいつには一切触れるな、けして敵対してはいけない!」 「え? どうして?」 の超危険魔獣だ!」 「っ!?」 そう聞いて、僕はその手から一歩下がる。まさかそんなに危険な魔獣だなんて思わない、だってこいつはそんな特別なステータスをもっていないんだから。どういうことだ? 「どういうこと? リーシェちゃん......」 「奴の名前は『喰らい手』、魔獣にして魔王と同等の危険度を持つ化け物だ。単体ではそんなに危険ではないが、恐ろしいのはその数だ」 「数?」 「奴らはこの世界全域に渡って生息している魔獣で、確認されているだけでもおおよそ60億もの個体が存在しているんだ」 60億!? 元の世界の人類と同じ数じゃないか、まさかそんなに大量に手が存在しているだなんて......! 「奴らは全ての個体が何か思念のようなもので繋がっているらしくて、1体を殺せば全ての個体が殺しにくるんだ。つまり、1体見つけたらそれは60億の脅威と立ち向かっていると見て良い......!」 おいおい嘘だろ......今目の前にいるこの手の怪物が、60億もの数になって襲い掛かってくるだなんて、ぞっとしないな。確かに魔王だろうとそれだけの数がいれば脅威になるってわけか。 「まぁ攻撃しない限りは人は襲わない、遭遇したら絶対に攻撃しないで素通りするんだ」 「分かった......」 「魔獣や魔族ですら恐れる魔獣だ、その性質故に最も弱く、最も強い魔獣だと言われている」 あっぶねー、最初会った時素通りして良かった。あの時攻撃してたら僕達あそこで死んでたね。スケール大きすぎだろ手なのに、手なのに! とはいえ、それだけ数がいれば探せばすぐ見つかると思うんだけど、この1体以外には見当たらないな。 「そんなにいるなら喰らい手って探せばもっといそうなものだけど......」 「ああ、奴らは基本的に地中にいるらしいからな、地上に出ているのは60億の中でも数万体ほどだ」 「ああ、そうなんだ」 地中にいるって事は、1体殺した瞬間周囲の地面から喰らい手が大量に現れてもおかしくないって事か......怖いな、その光景。でもそれが分かっているって事は一回それをやった奴がいるって事だよね、その時はどうなったんだろう? 「ねぇリーシェちゃん」 「喰らい手を殺した時の話ってないの?」 「ああ......過去一番大きな話だと、シュヴァリエ帝国の話だな......喰らい手を駆逐しようとして、60億もの喰らい手に壊滅させられた国だ......」 うわぁ......ご愁傷さまだね、その国。 なるほど、それ以降喰らい手には逆らわない敵対しない干渉しないってことになっている訳か、その気になったら喰らい手達この世界制服出来るんじゃない? まぁその辺温厚な魔獣ってだけで嬉しい事実だけど。 「......行ったね、手」 「行ったね! 手!」 前と同じ感想を言葉にして、過ぎ去って行った脅威を前にほっと息を吐いた。ルルちゃんなんて青褪めた表情をしていたから、二度と会わないことを願うよ。 リーシェちゃんの話が本当ならあの喰らい手には敵う奴がいないってことだからね。魔王ですら勝てないんだから。 「最強だね、喰らい手......」 「ああ......噂だと何処かに喰らい手に敵対して生き延びた二人組がいるとかなんとかだが......まぁただの噂だろう」 「なにその怪物二人組」 火の無い所に煙は立たない、もしかしたらそんな二人がいるのかもしれないね。もしいたら会ってみたいものだよ。人間ならね。 僕達はそんな会話をしながら、蜘蛛を探しに再度動きだした。

Threat of hand Well then, perhaps three days has passed since Rishe-chan became our comrade? We took the most suited request to polish our respective field of expertise. Rishe-chan who just recently registered as an adventurer was also immediately able to advances to F rank, so we were intending to take a subjugation request of some small fry magical beast. To be honest, with Finia-chan as the main force of our party, I think we should be able to take down an E rank magical beast. Well, the one who'll fight it is Finia-chan, though, considering the fact that she could instant kill the wolf shaped magical beast we encountered inside the forest, isn't Finia-chan battle ability is quite outstanding? Magical power-wise, hers is equaling Rishe-chan's father, after all. And so, our current statuses are something like these. Name : Naginata Kitsune Gender : Male Lv. 10 (| UP 4) Strength : 40 Stamina : 180 Resistance : 350 Agility : 210 Magic Power : 100 Title :{Other worlder} Skill : {Pain Nullification Lv.2} {Eerie Constitution} {Other World Language} {Status Appraisal} {Persistence} {Overpower} {Other worlder} {Near Death Experience} Name : Finia Gender : Female Lv. 21 (| UP 5) Strength : 320 Stamina : 820 Resistance : 150 Agility : 740 Magic Power : 6000 Title :{Fairy of Unrequited Love} Skill : {Light Magic Lv.4} {Magic Recovery LV.4} {Recovery Magic Lv.3} {Fire Magic Lv.5} {Body Reinforcement Lv.2} PT Member : Naginata Kitsune (Human), Lulu (Beastman), Trisha (Human) Name : Trisha Rumiela Gender : Female Lv. 25 (| UP 2) Strength : 450 Stamina : 600 Resistance : 90 Agility : 580 Magic Power : 130 Title :{Adventurer} {Demon Eye Holder} Skill : {Sword Art Lv.2} {Demon Eye of Foresight Lv.1} {Body Reinforcement Lv.2} {Swift} Innate skill : {Demon Eye of Foresight} PT Member : Naginata Kitsune (Human), Finia (Fairy), Lulu (Beastman) Something like those. Finia-chan's statuses growth is indeed abnormal, but my resistance is also considerably increased. By the way, since seems like Lulu-chan is still scared to fight, her level hasn't increased. Whether does she thought she hadn't done anything, recently she started to take care of my belonging. But, ever since Rishe-chan became our comrade, seems like Lulu-chan receives a guidance about how to swing the sword from her, and make her swordsmanship become sharper. Even if her level doesn't increased, seems like there's still some improvement at her. "Good morning, Mia-chan." "Good morning, Kitsune-sama." After this and that, right now we come to the guild. First of all, after we heard that seems like the treatment of slave at Grandile Kingdom is way harsher than here, I thought about letting Lulu-chan to fight magical beast. By the way, I keep doing the chores request. Since if I do it by myself I won't be able to defeat the magical beast, after all, so I asked Rishe-chan and Finia-chan to undertake the subjugation request, when I and Lulu-chan take the chores request. Because of that, people of this country are quite close to us. As expected, if we take a request which require us to make a contact with people, seems like we'll naturally be on good terms with them. I even would always have a little chat with Milia-chan, who put up the pet search request, whenever we met at the town. "Today, what kind of business do you have here?" "Same as usual, but since right now we're together with Finia-chan and Rishe-chan, I'm intending to take a subjugation request." I and Lulu-chan are H rank, but since we're together with F rank adventurers so we're able to take a subjugation request. Well, the majority of F rank adventurer won't bother to take along some H rank adventurer, though. As for us, we have two F rank, and two H rank, and so we're able to take it. "I see... by the way, I hear that you had some skirmish with Vaiz the knight leader some days ago, but... what did you do?" "He just mad because I said something along please give your daughter to me." "That wasn't something funny even as a joke, after all...." After three day passed, seems like the matter about me and the knight leader has spread through the whole country. Even Mia-chan is also staring fixedly at me. To be stared by a beauty, since it's suits her so it's quite a pleasant thing, isn't it? If I was the one who did it then I'm sure they would say don't look at me with that hell-like eyes of yours, or so. "Eh, but I got his daughter, you know?" "No way!?" When I point at Rishe-chan, Mia-chan plainly reacts with a surprised expression. To see her makes such plain expression, it's quite amusing. "Well, as a comrade, though." "Ah... I see." With a relieved expression, Mia-chan returns to her usual posture. It's that, right? She was flustered because I have a girlfriend like existence, wasn't she? Could it be Mia-chan has something at me? If that's really the case, to be liked by such beauty, aren't I seems like a real winner here? Well, there's no way it would be true, isn't it? To be honest, I don't even have a single part of me which would make her fell for me, after all. Just look at the reality, I was the man who addressed her as booby at our first encounter, you know? I even asked her to let me to fondle them, you know? So that is just a dream beyond dream. My eyes are sweating. "Kitsune-san! I want to take this request!" "Which one? Ah, as I thought I can't read it." "Which one? Umm... eh, wait, this is...." "What? What's up Rishe-chan, what kind of request is it?" "Ah, umm... a subjugation of an{Arachne} which lives inside the forest." Arachne... that spider, huh! Indeed, the current Finia-chan should be able to defeat it, isn't she? For us it's something akin to our destined enemy, but to be honest I'm a bit reluctant to enter that forest. Inside that forest... {Red Night} was there. Moreover, if I think about it, our encounter with it was quite close to this country. Since it has been over a week already since that day so it won't be strange for it to has disappeared, but there's a possibility that it's still loitering around there. Upon investigation, I heard that{Red Night} would devour the one it encountered without even left a single bone of it, I was the exception to be left after just taking my left eye, but the fact that I was dying wasn't changed... to be frank I don't want to meet it. It becomes my one and only trauma. "Say, Finia-chan--" "We'll take it!" "Yes, I've confirmed it." "...." When I was thinking about it, Finia-chan arbitrarily took the request. Wait, you should be able to understand it by thinking about it a little, perhaps that monster is still there, you know? Do you know? Perhaps the next time it won't be settled by just my right eye you know? How about we discus about it more. "No problem, Kitsune-san!" "Since I'll protect Kitsune-san, after all." --don't say that with that kind of smile, but, if she says so then don't I look like a coward, here? Good grief, it can't be helped... got it, got it, I just need to go there, right? While wishing to not encounter that monster, for now let's believe her sunflower-like smile. "...I get it, but we won't fight other than the spider, you hear?" "Yup!" "Well then, Mia-chan, we're going." "...please be careful." Since I had told Mia-chan about that monster, she seems a bit worried, that's a matter of course, right? Even I'm also scared to meet that monster again, after all. But... Finia-chan is strong, right now let's just believe in it. * * * Taking the request, we immediately go to the forest. {Red Night} is a nocturnal, so I want to undertake this request when the sky is still bright. The time limit is two weeks, we still have very much time but to be honest I want to restrain myself from entering the forest too often. I hope we could finish it today, though. "Say Kitsune, why do you not bring any weapon?" "I gave it to Lulu-chan, since I can't use it, after all." "To enter this forest without any weapon... well, since you're the leader of this party so I don't have any intention to ordering you or anything, but... I think it would be better if you bring some weapon." "You're right... hmm." What Rishe-chan said is completely right. I might indeed look like a fool to intend fighting a magical beast without any weapon. Even if my resistance status is high, perhaps it won't be able to withstand an attack from an existence with over 300 strength, isn't it? So that means, I can't withstand an attack from any adventurers above F rank. Of course, I also can't fight other than small fry magical beasts, either. By the way, small fry magical beast don't have a rank. A genuine, small fry. If it's according its power, then it's H rank magical beast, same as me. "I'm good with it." Picking a fallen tree stick around there, I lightly swing it. It's light, and since it's a disposable item so I won't be troubled even if I lost it. With my strength I won't be able to use a real weapon, and it also has no sign will increased either, after all. "...well, whatever." She seems like still has something to says, but perhaps she thought that even if she says anything further it would be in vain, so Rishe-chan keeps her mouth shut. "Kitsune-sama... th, that." "Hmm, what's up Lulu-chan-- ah... it's been a long time, isn't it." When I turn my eyes according to Lulu-chan's words, the one there is the existence which once threatened my life... it was also the existence which pulled out my power. --bee. Around ten human's head-sized bees are there. At its bottom, there's a little needle which could be shot like a bullet, and its vibrating wings are emitting a very noisy sounds. But, surprisingly I'm not scared like how I was. Whether it because I had defeated it once, or perhaps because I've grown stronger, I don't know. "What should we do, Kitsune... there's a paralysis poison at that bee's needles." "Yup, well I know it. But no problem, since we'll ignore all magical beasts other than the spider, after all." "How...." I have my share of thanks to those bees, but even so, in the end today's objective is the spider. That's why, I'll have them disappear for now. I activate my {Eerie Constitution} . And then those bees immediately disappeared from our field of view with a great speed. This skill doesn't means for intimidating, but this skill sure is convenient. Since with this all weaklings are running away, after all. Personally I have no intention to fight them, so I won't chase them if they run away. "I've been curious about it ever since the case with my father, but, what did you do?" "I just overpowered them a bit." This skill of mine isn't giving pressure to my opponent, since it's just intervening with my opponent's mind so my surrounding won't know what I have done. Since{Overpower} is a skill which gives pressure to its surrounding, it's easy to understand. In that sense this skill sure is convenient. Saying so, we advance to the deeper part of the forest. "Kitsune-san! Kitsune-san! Hand!" "What do you mean?" When we're walking through the forest, Finia-chan is excitedly pointing out her finger to something. Her finger is pointed to the ground, when I look at it, the one there is a certain magical beast I recognized. Its appearance is just a right hand, but there's a human mouth attached at it till around its wrist. It was the monster we encountered when we came out from the forest. If I remember it correctly, its name is {Eater hand} , we ignored it when we encountered it before, though, since I thought it was just a slime-like monster. When I thought so, "E, eater hand...!? Why such magical beast is...!?" Rishe-chan's reaction said that that isn't the case. Her expression is as if she sees the end of the world, what's up? Or so I thought. Upon checking its status, it has the weakest status with all 1 point other than its strength, it even has no special looking skill either. I thought there's nothing worth to be feared about, though. "Ki, Kitsune... don't ever touch it, perish the thought of fighting it." "Eh? Why?" "It's-- a very dangerous magical beast of S rank (. . . .)!" "!?" When I hear that, I take a step back from that hand. I never thought it would be such a dangerous magical beast, since it has no special looking skill, after all. What it means? "What do you mean? Rishe-chan...." "Its name is {Eater hand} , as a magical beast, it's a dangerous monster with threat equaling demon lord. Individually it isn't that dangerous, but the terrifying part of it is its number." "Number?" "It's a magical beast which live through this whole world, the confirmed one are counted to be around six billions." Six billions!? Isn't that equivalent with all mankind at my former world, I never thought that there's such large quantity of hand existed...! "Since seems like all of their thought are somewhat connected to each other, so if you killed even one of it, all of its specimen will come to kill you. So that means, when you find one of it, just think you're facing a six billions worth of threat of it...!" Oioioi, you're joking, right?... The hand monster before us, to attack us with six billions number is, it's shuddering, isn't it. Indeed, even for the demon lord, to fight against such number sure is a threat, isn't it? "Well, it won't attack the one who don't attack it, so when you encounter it you should just go pass by without attacking it." "Got it...." "It's a magical beast with threat equaling the demonkin, even if individually it's called to be the weakest, but going by its nature, it's called to be the strongest magical beast." How dangerous~, thanks god I ignored it when I encountered it before. If we attacked it then we would be had dead there, weren't we? Even though you're just a hand, your scale is damned too big, aren't you? Even though you're just a hand! Be that as it may, I thought with that number we should be able to easily find it when we search for it, but I don't see other than this one hand. "With that number, I thought that we should be able to see more of this eater hand, but...." "Ah, seems like they're basically live underground, after all, the one on the surface would be just around ten thousands among its six billions." "Ah, I see." To live underground, that means when we kill one of it, it won't be strange that a large amount of eater hand would immediately appeared from the ground, huh... how scary, that spectacle. But to be able to know that, that means there should be someone who had done it before, wasn't it? Just what happened at that time? "Say Rishe-chan." "Did there someone who ever killed an eater hand?" "Ah... in the past it become one of the greatest tale, the tale about the Chevalier Kingdom... when they subjugated some eater hands, that kingdom was annihilated by six billions eater hands...." Uwaah.... My condolences, to that country. I see, so from thereon it was decided that one shouldn't intervene or hold hostility to any eater hand, huh, if they feel like it then don't eater hands should be able to conquer the world? Well, the fact that they're just such passive magical beasts is the sole pleasant fact, though. "...way to go, hand." "Way to go! Hand!" Saying the same impression as before, we exhaled for passing by the threat before us. Since Lulu-chan has a pale expression, I hope we won't encounter any if it ever again. If what Rishe-chan said is true then there's no existence that could defeat that eater hand, isn't it. Since even demon lord can't defeat it, after all. "It sure is the strongest, isn't it, this eater hand...." "Yes... there's a rumor that there was a pair who survived after fighting those eater hands... well, perhaps that's just a rumor, though." "What's up with that monster like pair." There's no smoke without fire, perhaps that pair is really exist. If that's really the case then I really want to meet them. If they're human, that's it. While chatting like that, we start searching for the whereabouts of the spider again.

Dランク上位の魔獣であるところの、ゴブリンキングが何故今こうして現れたのか、それには桔音も無関係ではない理由がある。 元々、グランディール王国付近のこの場所で、ゴブリン達と獣系の魔獣達は縄張り争いをしていた。普通のゴブリン達と剛拳猿がちょくちょく衝突し、牽制し合う様なことは今までも多くあり、二つの勢力の動きは拮抗していた。 そして、その各陣営のトップに立っていたのが、ゴブリンキングと 互いにDランクの実力を持った者同士であり、お互いの勢力の歯止め役にもなっている存在だった。今まで大きな戦争にならなかったのは、この二体のリーダーが『自分が倒れたら縄張りを取られる』と理解していたからである。 難しいことを考えることは出来ないが、それでも二体共が多少人間と同じ知能を持っていた故に、この均衡は保たれていたのだ。 故に、ゴブリンキングはここぞとばかりに立ちあがった。強敵のいなくなった今こそ、ゴブリン側の勝機だとその腰を上げたのだ。 ゴブリンキングの咆哮と共に、ゴブリン達は動きだす。士気は最高潮、勝機は見えた、今こそ立ち上がるべき時、縄張りをここで取る、自分達こそが支配者なのだと。 進軍し、遭遇した獣の魔獣は全て蹂躙しろ。勝者の雄叫びを上げろ。 今、自分達の侵攻を止められる存在は――――いない! そして、彼らが攻め込んできたその先に、人間の住まう街があった。無論、ゴブリンキングはそれも理解している。冒険者達が強い事も分かっている。 だがそれでも、士気も最高潮に上昇し、獣の魔獣達を追い詰めた今、人間達相手にも戦えると思った。故に、その足は止めない。 「イゲ......! 邪魔ズルヤヅハ......殺ゼ!!!」 剛拳猿亜種とは違って拙くも言語を話せるゴブリンキングの声は、多少離れていても冒険者達に聞こえた。大きく、汚い声、それでも大きな迫力の籠った圧倒的強者の威圧感が、ビリビリと肌を震わせる。 ―――逃げたい、まだ間に合う。 そんな気持ちが、冒険者達や騎士達にはあった。でも、逃げられない。 騎士になる者は、護るべき民の為に剣を振るう誇り高き戦士を目指し、冒険者になる者は、己の可能性を探求する何者にも縛られない自由の英雄に焦がれる。己の中にある憧れと、プライドが、逃走を許さない。逃げたくとも、 「......ははっ......オイ、どうするよお前ら......おっそろしい数だぜありゃあ」 冒険者の一人が、そう漏らした。笑ってはいるものの、その言葉は震え、その冒険者の恐怖を感じさせる。 だが、それはその場に居る全員がそうだった。だから誰もそれを指摘しなかった。剣を抜いているが、それが木の棒に見えるほどに、頼りない。自分の研鑽してきた過去すらも、目の前の巨大な怪物の足下にも及ばないと思ってしまう。 自分が信じられない。それが、何より悔しい。 「......だな、でもまぁ......俺は戦う! 例え此処であのデカブツに踏み潰されて、死んじまうとしても!」 一人、赤い短髪の若い冒険者が前に出た。 彼は、最近Fランクになったばかりの新人冒険者だった。持っている武器は新しく、まだ魔獣の一匹だって斬ったことがない様なへっぴり腰。足が震え、魔獣達へと向かって進む足取りは不安定だ。明らかに、戦える様な状態ではなかった。 蛮勇、無茶無謀、無理、彼を見た全員がそう思った。 「待て! お前に何が出来る! 無茶だ!」 「そうだ! 逃げたって誰も責めないんだぞ! しかもお前新人だろ! 無理に戦うことはねぇ!」 彼を止める声はあれど、彼を追い駆ける者はいなかった。恐怖で、足が動かないのだ。 「―――新人? 無茶? だからどうした......!」 だが、彼は振り返り、剣を天高く掲げた。新品の剣は陽の光を反射して輝き、背後の魔獣達に集まっていた視線がその剣に集まる。 彼は叫んだ。心の底から叫んだ。 「俺は......小せぇ頃、一人の冒険者に命を救われた! その冒険者は、弱ぇし、Fランクの大して名前も知らない男だったけど、俺に背中を向けて、魔獣に立ち向かって行った!! 俺はその背中に憧れた!! 名前も知らねぇガキの為に、命を張ってくれたあの背中を! 俺は心底かっけぇって思った!! あの時から俺は、あの背中に追い付きたくて此処まで生きてきたんだ!!」 彼はけして、自棄になった訳ではない。目の前の魔獣達に絶望した訳でもない。ただ、昔から自分の前にあった大きな背中に追い付きたくて、それを信じる自分を裏切らない様に、心の中に決めた一本の芯を折らない様に、その剣を抜いたのだ。 「前には大量の魔獣、そんで......俺の背中には護らねぇと死んじまう命がある......なら戦うしかねぇだろ! 俺は! あの背中に恥じねぇ冒険者になりてぇ――――いや、今ここで......なるんだッッ!!」 そう大声で言うと、彼は肩で息をして、踵を返す。そしてまた魔獣達に向かって歩き出す。今度はその足取りにふらつきはなかった。大声で叫んで、恐怖もどこかへ消し飛んだらしい。 蛮勇と言われても、勝てなくても、此処で死ぬんだとしても、逃げたらあの時の背中を裏切ることになる。一人でも救う、一人でも護る、自分の命が尽きるその時まで、戦い抜くのだ。 「......待てよ、新人」 「......なんだよ」 そこに、その叫びを聞いていた冒険者の一人が追い付いてきた。スキンヘッドの、少し肌の焼けた男だった。 「さっきの啖呵......痺れたぜ。そうだよな......俺達は冒険者なんだよな......目が覚めたぜ」 「新人に此処まで言われて動かねぇなんて......先輩として顔が立たねぇだろ? 俺も戦うぜ!」 彼もまた、剣を抜いた。 「ハハハハッ! 威勢の良い若者は嫌いじゃない......私もどうかしていたようだ......私も覚悟を決めたぞ」 「ああ、思いだした思いだした......俺、実はゴブリンキングに両親を殺されたんだった! 仇討だぜ!」 「嘘付け、お前の両親昨日話したぞ! くだらねぇ嘘ぶっこきやがって......全く」 「アタシ、ゴブリンって生理的に受け付けないんだよね。顔不細工だし」 続々と冒険者と騎士達が前に出る。一人、また一人と、覚悟を決めて各々武器を構えて魔獣達へと向かって行く。 「私は......あの......その............はい、行きます」 「諦めんなよ嬢ちゃん!? 死ぬかもしれねーんだ、言いたいことは言っとけよ?」 「は、はい......じゃあ......あの豚みたいな汚物顔、風船みたいに破裂させちゃいます!」 「思ったより口悪い!?」 その顔付きに、迷いはない。新人冒険者の青年を筆頭に、恐怖を振り払い前に進む冒険者と騎士達。 もう衝突まで数分もない。だがそれでも、彼らは己の心の中に焦がれた最強の騎士と自由の英雄を目指して、剣を構えた。 「ほら新人、後ろの連中になんか一言言ってやれ」 「え!? あー......分かったよ......そんじゃ―――皆! あのデカブツに、目に物見せてやろうぜ!!」 冒険者達の咆哮が、魔獣達へと向かって放たれる。目の前にはおよそ三百の大群、迎え撃つはたった五十程の騎士と冒険者達。 戦力差は圧倒的。敵の強さも凄まじい。だが、一歩も引くことを考えていない彼らは、間違いなく強いと言って良いだろう。 かつて、伝説とまで言われた初代勇者がこう言った。 ――――どれほど弱い人間だって、護るものがあるのなら――――最強だ。 人間と魔獣の闘争が、始まろうとしていた。 「何言ってるの? きつね君?」 「いや、なんでもない。さっさと行こうか」 宿の外へ出ると、街の皆は既に家の中に引き籠っていて、賑やかな街並みは既に閑散としていた。多分ゴブリンキングの襲撃の件で皆避難しているんだろうけど、この状態だと凄い寂しいんだけど。 現在、皆でオルバ公爵のいる大きな建物へ向かっている。誰もいないから瘴気ボールでお手玉している。三つは出来ないから、二つで。まぁ実際は投げてる様に見えるように動かしているだけなんだけどね。手で触れる分ドリブルよりやりやすい。 レイラちゃんには瘴気で周囲の気配索敵をやってもらってる。あのレイスとかいう殺人鬼に出くわしたくないし、なにより誰かに見つかるのも少し避けたいからね。 「だがきつね、オルバ公爵の建物に忍び込むわけだが、具体的な策はあるのか?」 「ないよ。でも、ニコちゃんパパを助け出した後のことを考えておかないと駄目だよね。オルバ公爵の弱みというか、そんな感じのものを掴んだりとかしないとなぁ......というか、オルバ公爵を暗殺しても良い気がする。瘴気を使えば簡単じゃない? ちょっと隙間があれば密室でも侵入可能だし、後はナイフにでも変えて喉元かっ切れば殺せるし」 「分かってたけどお前結構えげつないと思う」 「生で食べようとするレイラちゃんよりマシだと思う」 とはいえ、実際オルバ公爵を暗殺すれば指示を出す者はいなくなるわけだし、その後始末で僕らのことは有耶無耶になる気がする。 とはいえ、一番良いのはオルバ公爵の税率の高さとかそういう弱みを手に入れることだけど、その提出先ってどう考えてもグランディール王国の王家だよね。折角あのアホみたいな国から出たのに、一日も経たない内に戻るとか面倒臭い上に、王家に会うとかだるすぎる。 だから弱みを握るとかよりも暗殺してニコちゃんパパ連れたまま逃亡すれば良い気がする。 「やっぱりぶっ殺そうぜ、ほらオルバ公爵とか名前からして癇に障るじゃない?」 「お前の人殺しの動機って軽過ぎないか?」 「あのねリーシェちゃん、人を殺すのに理由なんていらないんだよ。だって、人を殺すのはいけないことなんだから」 「え?」 「人を殺すのはいけないこと、なら人殺しの理由なんてどんなに大層な理由でも結局否定されるんだよ? だったら大したことない理由でも結局否定されるんだからさ、人を殺すのに理由なんていらなくない?」 僕的にはレイスみたいな殺人鬼が何の理由もなく人を殺すなんて酷い、とか言われるのはおかしいと思うんだよね。だったら理由があれば人を殺しても良いってことになるよね。 でも、結局理由があってもそれを否定して責め立てるんだ。だったら理由なんてどっかから取り付けた様な適当な奴で良いんだよ、適当な奴で。 結局、人を殺すのに理由自体必要ないんだからさ。 「お、ここかな?」 「そうだね♪ 中に......十数人くらい人がいるみたいだよ!」 「そっか......ニコちゃんパパは何処かな?」 「んー............地下の方に地面に座ってる人がいるけど......この人かな?」 レイラちゃんの瘴気で空間把握する力って便利だよねぇ......建物の構造とか簡単に分かるじゃん。僕ももう少し瘴気の量が増えれば出来るだろうけど、つくづく便利だなぁこのスキルは。 「じゃ、行こうか......ニコちゃん、怖い?」 「.........怖くないかもしれなくもない」 僕の手を繋いで隣を歩くニコちゃんにそう問いかけると、意外にもニコちゃんは怖くないらしい。遠回しな嘘を吐いたね今回は。あっさり看破されたのが悔しかったのか、ニコちゃんは唇を尖らせて不満顔だ。まぁ、怖くないのならそれで良い。 僕は子供って無邪気で嫌いなんだけど、ニコちゃんみたいな子供は嫌いじゃない。

The sudden emergence of the top D rank demonic beast, Goblin king, actually there was a reason why Kitsune wasn't completely unrelated to it. Originally, goblins and beasts-type demonic beast were constantly having turf wars over the area close Grandile Kingdom. There had been many cases where normal goblins clashed against crazy monkeys, as if keeping each other in check, as both power competed against each other. And the ones stood at the pinnacle of the respective sides were the Goblin King and the Mutated Crazy Monkey. Possessed similarly D-rank prowess, their existences influenced each other. The reason why there hadn't been any huge war up until now was because these two leaders understood that "Should they fall, their territory would be taken". They couldn't think of difficult things, but as both possessed about the same level intelligent as human, the equilibrium was maintained. Therefore, the goblin king decided to emerge then and there. With its strongest rival disappeared, the time for the goblin's group to prevail had finally come. Along with the goblin king's roar, the goblins began to move. Their morale was at its peak, victory was within their reach, now was the time make a move, now was the time to take over the territory, they were the true ruler there. They slaughtered all the beast-type demonic beasts they encountered in their march. And then they let out roars of victory. Right now, those who could stop their advance-- there was none! And then, at the end of where they were advancing to, there was a town where people were living at. Of course, Goblin King also understood that. It also understood that the adventurers were powerful. However, now that their morale had rose to its peak after cornering the beast-type demonic beast group, they thought that they could win even against human now. Therefore, their legs were still marching forward. "Gho...! Thoze who sdand aganinzt uz... gill 'em all!!!" When the Goblin King uttered so, its voice could even be heard by the adventurers who were quite far away. A loud and messy voice, however with great vigor and powerful intimidating air of an overwhelmingly powerful existence contained within, it made their skins shivered. --I want to run away, it's still possible now. Such thoughts crossed each adventurer and knight's mind. However, they couldn't run away. Those who were knights were aspiring to become proud warriors who wielded their swords for the people they ought to protect, and those who were adventurers were yearning for becoming heroes whose freedom couldn't be bound by anything by pursuing their respective potentials. The pride and yearning within didn't allow them to run away. Even when they wanted to run away, the didn't want to. "... hahaha ... oy, what should we do, guys? We've got quite a frightening amount of demonic beast to handle here." One of the adventurers said so. Although they were laughing, it was easy to tell the fear they were feeling from their shaking voice. However, it was the same for everyone gathered there. That was why no one pointed it out. They were holding their sword, but it looked so unreliable as though it was a wooden stick instead. Even those who had trained for their whole life, they couldn't imagine that they'd stand a chance against the enormous monster before them. They couldn't believe it. And more than anything, that was very mortifying. "... yeah, but... I'll fight! Even if I'd be trampled and die here by that monster!" A single young adventurer with red short hair took a step forward. He was a newbie adventurer who just recently got to F rank. The weapon he possessed was new, it was still prim and shiny as though it hadn't been used to kill any demonic beast. His feet were shaking, and his footstep toward the monsters was unstable. Clearly, he wasn't in the suitable state to fight. Foolhardy, reckless, impossible, everyone who saw him thought so. "Wait! What can someone like you do?! You're just being reckless there!" "He's right! No one will blame you for running away, you know?! Moreover, you are a newbie, aren't you?! There's no need for you to push yourself to participate in this fight!" They were trying to stop him, but none was chasing after him. Because fear had already petrified their feet. "--Newbie? Reckless? So what?!" But, he turned around and raised his sword high. The brand new sword shone as it reflected the sunlight, and the gazes of the marching demonic beasts behind him gathered in that sword. And shouted so. He shouted from the bottom of his heart. "I... when I was still a kid, I'd my life saved by a single adventurer! That man was a weak F rank adventures whose name no one knew of, and yet he still turned his back to me and went against the demonic beast! I admired that back of his!! The back of a man who put his life on the line to save a brat he didn't even know! I thought it was very cool from the bottom of my heart! Since that day, I've been crawling forward to be the man I'm now by pursuing that back!" He didn't give in to despair. He wasn't in despair facing the horde of demonic beasts in front of him. He simply wanted to chase after the huge back, as if not to betray his conviction in doing so, as if to make sure his spirit wouldn't collapse, he drew his sword. "There's a large amount of demonic beasts in front of me, and then... on my back there are many lives that'd disappear if I don't do anything here.... Then the only choice is to fight, isn't it?! I! I don't want to be an adventurer who'll put shame on his ba--No, right here, right now... I'm gonna be like him!!" Uttering so in loud voice, he took a deep breath and turned his back on them. And then he began heading toward the demonic beasts again. However there was no wavering in his steps this time. After shouting it out loud, the fear seemed to have disappeared somewhere. Even if they called him reckless, even if he had no chance of winning, even if he'd die here, if he ran away here he'd betray that back at that time. Even if he was all alone, he'd save them, he'd protect them, until the end of his life, he'd fight to the bitter end. "... Wait, newbie." "...what is it now?" There, one of the adventurers who listened to his shout chased after him. It was a slightly tanned man with skinhead. "Those caustic words of yours... it gave me goosebumps, you see... you're right, we're adventurer, after all... you've opened up my eyes there." "To have a newbie told me such a thing... I'd lose my face as a senior, you see? I will fight too!" He also pulled his sword. "Ha ha ha ha! I do not dislike high-spirited young men... I was also like that back then, after all... I've steeled myself too." "Ah, now I've remembered it... actually, my parents were killed by the Goblin King! It's time to avenge them!" "You liar, didn't you meet with your parents just yesterday? Spouting such a ridiculous lie... geez." "Actually I can't stand goblin physiologically, they're very ugly, after all." Adventurers and knights come forward one after another. First one, and then another one, steeling themselves they drew their weapons and headed towards the demonic beasts. "I am... that... umm... yes, I will go." "Don't give up missy! You may die, you know? So just let out whatever in your mind." "Y, yes... then ... that pig-like filthy face, it looks like a balloon and so disgusting!" "Your words are unexpectedly nastier than I expected?!" There was no hesitation in their face. With the newbie adventurer at the lead, after shaking of their fears, the knights and adventurers were also stepping forward. There was only a few minutes before the clash. But still, with the yearning to become the strongest knights and free heroes burning in their heart, they held their weapon. "Now newbie, how about giving one or two words to the bunch behind?" "Eh!? Um, got it... then-everyone! Let's show that huge monster who the boss is!" Their yells reverberated towards the demonic beasts. The enemy was a horde of about three hundreds, while they had only around fifty people combined of knights and adventurers. The strength difference was overwhelming. The enemy's strength was also tremendous. However, they who hold no thought such as taking even a single step back, it wouldn't be wrong to call them strong. Long ago, the legendary first generation hero once said: ------ No matter how weak someone is, when they have something to protect ------ they'll be the strongest. The clash between humans and demonic beasts was about to begin. "What are you talking about, Kitsune-kun? "No, nothing. Let's get going then." When we head out of the hotel, everyone in the town has unexpectedly shut themselves in their house, and the bustling townscape is unusually quiet. Maybe everyone has evacuated because of the Goblin King's raid, but somehow this situation feels awfully lonely, though. Currently, with everyone, I'm heading toward a large building where Duke Orba is. There is no one around so I decide to do miasma ball juggling. I still can't do three, so only two this time. Well, I'm actually just moving them around to make look as if I'm throwing them, though. It's easier to do than the dribbling with hand training. I've asked Leila-chan to scout the surrounding area using her miasma. I don't want to come across another murderer like that Reis guy, after all, and above all, I want to minimize the chance of us being found out by anyone. "Say, Kitsune, we've decided to sneak into Duke Orba's house but, what's the specific plan?" "There's none, but I do think we should prepare one for after rescuing Nico-chan's dad. I think it'd be great if we could find Duke Orba's weakness or something like that... or rather, assassinating Duke Orba doesn't sound bad either. Wouldn't it be easily done using the miasma? As long as there's a gap no matter how small it's, it's possible to infiltrate even into a secret room, after all. As for the rest, I could just turn it into a knife and cut his throat to finish him off, or something." "I understand your reasoning, but I think you're unexpectedly quite nasty, huh." "I think I'm still way better than Leila-chan who eats raw flesh, though." Nevertheless, if we do assassinate Duke Orba, they'd lose their leader, and I also feel that the case cornering us will fade along with time. Nonetheless, the best outcome would be to obtain Duke Orba's weakness such as the document of how high the tax rate he imposes, but the next step after that, all I can think of is submitting those documents to the royal family, right? Even though I just left that ridiculous country here, not just it'd be bothersome to return there just the day after, I also have no inclination to meet the royal families. That's why I feel that rather looking for his weakness, it'd be way better to just assassinate Duke Orba and then escape along with Nico-chan's Dad. "As expected, let's just kill him. You see, don't you think that his name, Duke Orba, is kinda irritating?" "Isn't your motive for murder a bit too light?" "You see, Rishe-chan, you don't exactly need a reason to kill someone, because killing in itself is a bad thing to do, after all." "Huh?" "You aren't allowed to kill people, that means no matter how fancy your reason is, it'd ultimately be denied, you know? And since even such a trivial reason in the end would also be denied either way, doesn't that just means that reason for killing is of no necessary?" As far as I'm concerned, I do feel it strange whenever I hear people saying that that murderer Reis is cruel for killing people for no reason. If that's the case, doesn't that also mean that you can kill people as long as you have a reason? However, even if there is a reason, in the end it'd be denied and you're still guilty. Then, won't it be fine just come up with whatever random reason you can? Just randomly. After all, you don't need a reason to kill. "Oh, is it the place?" "That's right, inside... there seems to be more than a dozen of people, you see?!" "I see... then where's Nico-chan's Dad?" "Hm... There is someone in the basement sitting on the ground, but... Is that him?" Leila-chan's scouting ability using her miasma sure is convenient, isn't it? Seems like she can even easily grasp the structure of the building and so on. I think I can do it as well if I increase the amount of my miasma a bit more, but what a useful skill to have it is, huh. "Well then, let's go ... Nico-chan, are you scared?" "....I don't think I'm not not that scared." When I ask Nico-chan, who's walking next to me while holding my hand, she seems to be surprisingly not scared. The time she uses such an indirect lie, huh. Perhaps dissatisfied that I see through her lie right away, she makes a disgruntled face and pouts her mouth. Well, all in all, it's good that she's not scared. I don't like simple-minded children, but I don't dislike children like Nico-chan.

近づく異世界人 翌朝、僕達は食事を終えて再出発の準備を奴隷商人達が整えている間に一ヵ所に集合することにした。 どうせ交代するのなら、と僕達後衛側が前衛へと移動すると、そこには燃え尽た焚き火で炭になった木材を手で握りつぶし、粉にする遊びをしているレイラちゃんと、青褪めた表情で震えながら体育座りをしている女冒険者Bがいた。 なんとなく予想は付くけれど、僕は状況を理解するべく周囲を見渡してみる。すると、すぐに原因が見つかった。 レイラちゃんの後ろの地面が赤黒く染まっている。そしてあの男Jと女冒険者Aの姿が見えないことから、多分レイラちゃんが食べたんだろう。そして女冒険者Bはそれを見た、かな? とりあえず不憫だから僕は女冒険者Bの下へ歩み寄り、話し掛ける。 「えーと、大丈夫?」 「ヒッ......! いや、いやいやいやいや......ごめんなさい......ごめんなさい...許して、食べないで......死ぬのは嫌......いやいやいや......!」 「あ、きつね君! おはよっ」 すると、僕に気が付いたレイラちゃんがにこやかに笑い掛けて来た。まるで人間みたいだ。 そして近づいてきたレイラちゃんは僕の目の前に座っている女冒険者Bを見ると、ああ、と思い出したかのような表情で苦笑した。 「いやぁ、昨晩きつね君の所に行く途中で二人程食べちゃって......それを見られちゃったらしいんだよー......それで仕方なく話を誤魔化す為に一晩中お話してたんだけど、こんなになっちゃった......うふふっ♪」 「笑い事じゃねぇよ」 ということは仲間......想い人を食われる様を見た挙句、その喰った本人と一晩中一緒にいたってことか。精神がガリガリと削られる思いだったろうなぁ、何時自分が喰われるのかと思いながら、数時間ずっと話し掛けてくるレイラちゃんの相手をしていたんだから。 この調子じゃあと二日レイラちゃんの傍にいさせるのは少し可哀想かな? 「えーと......もしもし?」 「ひぃぃぃぃっ!!」 「.........このまま『不気味体質』発動したらどうなるかな......?」 「君の悪態も久々だねフィニアちゃん」 なんというか、相当レイラちゃんがトラウマと化したようで、彼女は最早冒険者としてやっていけるかも定かではない程に憔悴してしまっている。この分じゃあ護衛依頼も無理かなぁ。 そりゃそうか、仲間を全員失って、尚且つ殺した張本人の居るパーティと一緒に依頼なんて出来る筈ないよね。まして、今の彼女はこの中で唯一知己の人間が居ないんだから。 「ふー......仕方ない、今日はレイラちゃんと僕、フィニアちゃんで前衛をしよう。リーシェちゃん、悪いんだけどこの子も入れてもっかい後衛やってくれる?」 「出来ればまぁ......励ましてあげて頂戴。ルルちゃんも、お願い出来る?」 「はい、分かりました」 リーダー気取っていたあの男Jがいなくなってしまったから、必然的にパーティのリーダーである僕が指示を出すことになる。 そして僕は考えた結果、レイラちゃんとこの女冒険者Bを引き離すことにする。リーシェちゃんを一時的に後衛パーティのリーダーにして、ルルちゃんをその補佐の立ち位置に。おそらく女冒険者Bは役に立たないだろうから、後衛は二人だけになるだろう。 でも、フィニアちゃんを荷馬車の中間に配置しておけばすぐに救援に向かわせられる。レイラちゃんは僕がいればふらふらと何処かへ行ったりしないだろうし、何かあれば彼女に対処して貰おう。 「それじゃ、そういうことで......二日目、頑張ろうか」 僕の言葉に、全員が頷いた。女冒険者Bを除いて。 「うふふうふふふ......二人っきりだね、きつね君♡」 「あーはいはい、そうだね」 「きつね君って華奢だけどやっぱり男の子なんだね、印象よりもがっしりしてるっ♪」 レイラちゃんはさっきからずっと僕の方に首を動かして話し掛けてくる。全部スルーしているのだけど、正直良い匂いがするし身体は柔らかいし可愛いし本当なんなんだこの子。後ろからちょいちょい胸の谷間が見えてるしさぁ。 御者の男も猫みたいに擦り寄るレイラちゃんの黒いワンピースの裾から伸びる生足にちらちらと眼を奪われている。 怪物だと分かっているから良いけれど、そうじゃなくただの人間の女の子で普通の感性を持っていたとしたら、きっと彼女は多くの異性にモテただろうね。 本当、凄く残念な美少女だなぁ。 「ん......レイラちゃん、あっちの方向......何か見える?」 「うん? んー......ああ、魔獣がいるね......それもこっちに近づいて来てる」 僕は最近得た『直感』のスキルでなんとなく嫌な気配を感じ取った方向を指差し、レイラちゃんに何かいないか聞いてみると、やはり魔獣が近づいて来ていることが分かった。 彼女は魔族だから、気配察知能力も人間以上だ。しかもそれがスキルではない所がまた化け物染みている。人間もスキルでない第六感的な能力を持っているけれど、やはり魔族には劣るんだろう。 「何体?」 「そうだね......3体くらいかなぁ」 「はぁ......」 僕の『直感』はそれほどの脅威ではないと告げているけれど、魔獣に襲われるという危険が迫っている事には変わりない。すぐに手を打たないとね。 「フィニアちゃーん!」 「ん! なーに? きつねさん! そこの発情魔に何かされた......あー! なんできつねさんの前に座ってるの!!」 荷馬車の中間地点で全体を警戒していたフィニアちゃんを呼ぶ。すると、彼女はすぐに飛んできてくれた。すぐにレイラちゃんを疑う辺りやっぱり仲良くは出来ないらしい。 「うん、ちょっとあっちの方から魔獣が3体来てるみたい。お願い出来る?」 「いいけど......う~......」 「あー......レイラちゃん、君も行って」 フィニアちゃんは頼みを承諾した物の、やっぱり僕に寄り掛かって座るレイラちゃんが気になるようだ。 だから僕はレイラちゃんにも出るように言う。すると、彼女はくるっと振り向いて悪戯を思いついた様な笑みを浮かべた。 「じゃあ、ちゅーだね♡」 「うーわ凄いめんどくさい......」 レイラちゃんは自分が僕の仲間では無いことを理解出来ている。だから、僕の指示に従う理由はないし、対価を求める権利があることも理解出来ている。 故に、性質が悪い。彼女は僕からの頼みに対して何か報酬を要求出来るんだ。今言ったように、キスを求める事も出来る。しかも僕の頼みが大事な要求であればあるほど好都合だ。 今ここでレイラちゃんを出さなかったら、フィニアちゃんは気が気でないだろう。僕としてもそんな心境のフィニアちゃんを行かせたくはない。 かといってレイラちゃんを動かすには約束のキスをしてあげないといけない。一日1回、何とも面倒な約束をしてしまったものだな。 「......分かったよ」 「わーい♡ えへへ、それじゃあ......ちゅー♡」 「むむむむむ......!」 フィニアちゃんが凄く恨みがましい視線で見てくるけれど、レイラちゃんは構わず眼を閉じて唇を差し出してくる。 そういえば僕からキスするのって初めてじゃない? ちょっと緊張してくるなぁ。怪物だけど可愛い顔してるし、そう思うのも仕方ないよね。 「はぁ.........ん」 「んっ♪ はぁぁあ......♡ やっぱりきつね君最高......! じゃあ頑張って来るね! いこっ、フィニア!」 「きやすく呼ばないで!」 手早くキスを終えて、立ち上がったレイラちゃんはやる気満々、満ち満ちた活力を見せながらフィニアちゃんと魔獣に向かって駆け出して行った。 そしてフィニアちゃんはやっぱりキスを見せられて不愉快なのか、少し怒った様子で一緒に飛んで行った。 そして、すぐ近くまで魔獣がやって来ていたのか、フィニアちゃん達が出て行ってからすぐ、鶏の首を締めた様な呻き声が聞こえてきた。きっと瞬殺だったんだろうなぁ、フィニアちゃんの八つ当たりとレイラちゃんの漲る活力のぶつけどころに選ばれた魔獣に、少しだけ同情してしまった。 「冒険者の兄さん......」 「うん?」 すると、隣に座っていた御者の商人さんが話し掛けて来た。 「アンタぁ......随分とモテるんですねぇ......」 「......出来れば代わって欲しいけどね......」 「............頑張ってくだせぇ」 「ありがとう」 少し羨ましそうに僕を見た御者の彼だけど、僕が遠い眼をして返したら、何かを察したのか短く僕を応援してくれた。 久々に人の優しさを感じた気がした。 ―――その頃、グランディール王国では。 勇者、 教えられたことはスポンジのように吸収し、指摘された所はすぐに直して改善する。彼は勇者として、また戦うものとして、天賦の才能を持っていた。 勇者として召喚された時、彼は自身の身体能力が上がっているのをすぐに理解した。 元の世界では運動能力に優れてはいたが、流石に人の域を超えてはいなかった。にも拘らず、この世界に来てから彼は異常な程身体能力が向上していたのだ。走れば馬よりも速く駆け抜け、軽く跳べば数mも高く跳び上がることが出来、殴れば大岩すらも一撃で粉々に出来る。それほどの力を手に入れていた。 基礎スペックが常人の何倍も上になっていたのだ。そこに王国の騎士達による指導が入れば、彼が瞬く間に強くなって行くのも当然だった。 桔音が彼のステータスを覗いたとしたら、こんな風に出るだろう。 ◇ステータス◇ 性別:男 Lv57 筋力:8340 体力:9010 耐性:300 敏捷:6560 魔力:2400 称号:『勇者』 スキル:『剣術Lv6』『身体強化Lv4』『俊足』『威圧』『魔力操作Lv3』『天賦の才』 固有スキル:『希望の光』 PTメンバー:セシル(人間) ◇ 彼はこの世界へと召喚されて一週間と少し、桔音と比較するのもおこがましいほどに強くなっていた。その強さ、冒険者ランクにしておおよそAランク相当。このグランディール王国の中でも、屈指の実力者に名を連ねるほどだ。 しかもその正義感溢れる好青年な面もあって、城の中でも気兼ねなく話しかけられ、多くの人に親しまれている。 称号だけの勇者ではなく、本当の意味で彼は『勇者』だと認められていた。 「『赤い夜』?」 「はい......Sランクに、つまりは魔王に尤も近いAランク魔族の名前です」 「ふーん......そいつがどうかしたのか?」 そんな勇者、芹沢凪は今、自分のサポート役としていつも傍にいる巫女、セシルと話していた。 話題は、『赤い夜』......つまりレイラ・ヴァーミリオンについてだ。 勿論彼らは『赤い夜』の正体を知らないし、ましてSランク魔族になったことなど知りもしない。 「実はこのグランディール王国には隣国にミニエラという国があるんですが」 「一週間ほど前、ミニエラ付近の森に『赤い夜』が出たという情報が入ったんです」 「......それで?」 「幸い、今の所なんの動きもないらしいのですけど......一週間も経てばグランディール王国に近づいて来ていてもおかしくはない、と私は考えています」 セシルの言葉に、凪は思案する。 彼はこの一週間ちょいの間で、最も長く一緒にいたのがセシルであることを自信を持って言える。故に、彼は彼女の事を一番信用しているし、一番信頼している。 勇者としての訓練を終えるまで、幾ら長引こうとも嫌な顔一つせずに待っているし、終わればタオルを持ってきて甲斐甲斐しく世話を焼いてくれる。なにかと異世界での行動で困ることがあれば助けてくれるし、王様と話す時も緊張する凪に寄り添って支えてくれる。 そんな風に健気に尽くしてくれるセシルは、今の凪にとって信頼出来るパートナーになっていた。恋愛的な意味では無い、あくまで桔音とフィニアのような支え合う関係だ。 そんなセシルが言うのだ、恐らく勇者である自分でも容易に倒せる相手ではないことは、少し考えれば分かった。 「それで......その『赤い夜』ってのはどんな魔族なんだ?」 「良くは分かりません......が、夜行性で赤い瞳をしています。身体はどす黒い瘴気で隠されていて、未だ真の姿を見た者はいません......ただ、出会った者は全て殺されていて、規格外に強いらしいです......」 凪はそれを聞いて、正体不明の魔族に少しだけ恐怖心を抱きながら、興味が湧いた。武者震いとでも言うのだろうか、身体がぶるりと震え、戦ってみたいと思った。その魔族に勝つ事が出来れば、自分はもっと強くなれると思った。 「......セシル、大丈夫だよ」 「......何がですか?」 「その『赤い夜』が来ても、この国は俺が護る! 俺は勇者だ、信じろよ」 凪は歯を見せて笑う。セシルの艶のある黒髪を撫でながら、彼は力強い言葉でそう言った。 セシルは不思議と、その言葉に大きな安心感を貰えた気がした。そして、自分に向けられた笑顔に少しだけ頬を紅潮させる。 「......わ、私は......ナギ様のこと、信じてますよ」 セシルの小さくか細い言葉に、凪ははにかむ。 そしてセシルはそんな凪の笑顔と頭を撫でられることで顔を真っ赤にして、俯いた。勇気を振り絞って出した言葉もさらりと受け流されてしまい、やられっぱなしだ。 でも、セシルは思う。 優しくて、強くて、ちょっと鈍感だけど、皆の期待を背負って前に立とうとするこの人だから、付いていこうと思えるのだろう、と。 グランディール王国、勇者を召喚し、魔王討伐に力を込めている軍事大国。その中で、勇者は自信を支える巫女と絆を深める。 だが、勇者にとっても大きな存在となる人物......同じ異世界人である薙刀桔音は、話の『赤い夜』を連れて......すぐそこまで迫っていた。

The Approaching Otherworlder The next morning, after we finished our breakfast, we gather at the place where the slave traders are gathered in preparation to continue the journey. Anyhow, since we're going to swap our post then, or so I thought, so we the rear guard team go to the front guard place, and the one there is Leila-chan who is playing by crushing the lumbers that were used as bonfire and have turned into charcoal with her hand, and woman B who is sitting in shiver while hugging her knees with a pale expression. It's something I somewhat have predicted, but I still look at the surrounding to grasp the situation. And then, I immediately find the reason. The ground behind Leila-chan is dyed in dark red. And, from the fact that I don't see man J and woman A, perhaps they were eaten by Leila-chan, weren't they? And then woman B accidentally saw that scene, or something along that line, right? First of all, since she's too pitiful so I come to where the woman B is, and calling out to her. "Umm, are you okay?" "Hii...! No, no no no no.... I'm sorry... I'm sorry... please, please don't eat me... I don't want to die... no, no...!" "Ah, Kitsune-kun! Morning!" And then, noticing my appearance, Leila-chan greets me while smiling. As if a human. And when Leila-chan who is approaching me sees the sitting woman B before me, she floats a face that say she just remembered about something. "Umm, last night, I ate both of them before I went to your place, Kitsune-kun... and seems like she saw it, you see~... so, to gloss that scene over, I had a chat with her all night long, but she somehow became like this... ufufu." "That isn't a laughing matter, dammit." That means... after seeing her comrades, her beloved one got eaten, she sat all night long together with the one who ate them, huh. Her spirit surely was shaved off and crumbled, wasn't it? While thinking about when she might get herself eaten, she had to accompanied Leila-chan who was always came talking to her all night long, after all. At that state, it may be a bit too pitiful to let her at the same group as Leila-chan again today, right? "Umm... hello?" "Hiiiii!!" "...what would happen if I use 'Eerie Constitution' at her right now, I wonder...." "It's been a while since the last time I heard your abusive words, isn't it, Finia-chan?" How should I put it, since it seems like Leila-chan has carved quite a deep trauma upon her, I doubt she'd be able to live as an adventurer any longer. At this state, seems like it's even impossible for her to continue this guarding request. Well, that's a matter of course, losing all of her comrades, moreover to be at the same group with the one who killed them, there's no way she'd be able to do her job properly, right? Moreover, right now, she has no even an acquaintance at this place. "Hmm... it can't be helped then, today I'll take Leila-chan and Finia-chan to guard the front side. Rishe-chan, sorry but could you please guard the rear side again together with this girl?" "If possible... well, please try to encourage her. Lulu-chan, too, could I ask you to do it?" "Yes, understood." Since man J who is supposedly act as the leader has gone, inevitably, I, as the party leader, must take the command rein over. And after I think about it, I decided to separate Leila-chan and woman B. Appointing Rishe-chan as the temporary party leader, I place Lulu-chan there, too. Since it seems like woman B won't be any help, so perhaps the rear guard would be only these two, though. However, if I put Finia-chan at the center of the wagon, then she'd be able to immediately back them up when needed. As for Leila-chan, as long as I'm there, I doubt she'd go anywhere, and if there's something appears then I'd simply ask her to handle it. "Well then, since it has been decided... for the second day, let's do our best." At my word, everyone nod their heads. Except woman B. "Ufufufu... we're alone together, Kitsune-kun." "Ah, yes yes, you're right." "You look frail but as expected you sure are still a young male, right? You're tougher than you look." From a moment ago, Leila-chan is always shifting her neck to face me and comes talking to me. I ignored all of it, but this girl sure is cute, she has a nice scent, and her body is also soft. I can even occasionally see her cleavage from behind. And the coachman man is also stealing glances at Leila-chan bare legs; that are stretching out from her black dress; like a cat. Since this girl is only wearing a short black dress, her shoulders are exposed, and her bare legs that are stretching out from her cuff are also fascinating. Her collarbone and nape are plain visible, I can even somewhat see her chest, since black sandals are wrapping around her bare feet, so she sure looks like has an excessively high exposure rate. I'm good since I know that she's a demon, but to anyone that don't know about it and think her as a mere normal girl, I'm sure she's very popular among numerous male. Honestly, what a deplorable cutie. "Hmm... Leila-chan, that direction... can you see something there?" "Hmm? Hmm... ah, there are several magical beasts there... moreover they are coming this way." I point at a direction where my new skill 'Intuition' somewhat feels a bad presence from there, and when I ask Leila-chan about it, I understand that magical beasts are approaching, just as I expected. Since she's a demon, her presence perception is beyond human capability. Moreover, since that isn't a skill, it shows just how unworldly she is. There are people who has a sixth sense-like ability that isn't a part of skill, but as expected it's inferior to demons', right? "How many of it?" "Let's see... around three, I think." "Haa...." My 'intuition' tells me that it isn't that much of a threat, but it doesn't change the fact that there's a danger of the approaching magical beasts' attack. We have to handle it quickly. "Finia-chan!" "Yes! What's it? Kitsune-san! Does that lustful demon do something to you? ... Ah! Why are you sitting before Kitsune-san!!" I call Finia-chan who is watching out both sides at the center point. In doing so, Finia-chan immediately flies toward me. Looking at the fact that she immediately suspects Leila-chan, it seems like they can't get along well as expected. "Yes, seems like there are three magical beasts coming from that direction. Can I ask you to handle it?" "I don't mind, but... u~...." "Ah...Leila-chan, you also go there." Finia-chan readily accepts my request, but she is surely uneasy about Leila-chan who sits and leaning on me. That's why I ask Leila-chan to also go with Finia-chan. In doing so, she immediately turn her face at me and a floats a mischief smile. "Then, kiss me." "Uwah, how bothersome...." Leila-chan is fully aware that she isn't a part of my party. That's why, she has no reason to obey my order, and she also aware that she has the right to ask for compensation in return. Moreover, her nature is the worst. She has the right to ask me something as compensation for obeying my order. Like what she just said, she's even able to ask for a kiss. Furthermore, I feel like the more important my order is, the more higher she'd ask me in return. If I don't send Leila-chan out right now, I'm sure that Finia-chan won't be at peace, right? As far as I'm concerned, I don't want to send out Finia-chan at that kind of mental state, though. Be that as it may, to move Leila-chan, I have to give her the promised kiss. Once a day, what a troublesome promise I made back then. "...got it." "Yaaay. Ehehe, then... chu..." "Mumumumu...!" Finia-chan is looking with a very resentful gaze, but Leila-chan is ignoring it and presenting me her lips while closing her eyes. Come to think of it, isn't it the first time that I become the one kissing? "Haa....n." "N... haaa... as I thought, you sure are the best, Kitsune-kun...! Well then, I'll do my best! Let's go, Finia!" "Don't call me like we're friends!" Finishing the kiss quickly, Leila-chan stands up fully motivated, and then runs toward the approaching magical beasts alongside with Finia-chan while showing an intense energy. And then, perhaps Finia-chan is really unhappy about seeing we did a kiss, she flies there with a somewhat angry expression. And then, perhaps those magical beasts have come quite close to us, so soon after Finia-chana and Leila-chan left, I can hear an intense groan, as if a chicken that got its neck tied. I'm sure it's an instant kill, isn't it? I bear quite a sympathy toward any magical beast that receive the crash of Finia-chan's outburst of anger and Leila-chan's intense energy. "Adventurer bro...." "Hmm?" And then, the coachman next to me comes to talk at me. "You are... quite popular, aren't you...?" "...if possible, I want someone to take my place, though...." "...please do your best." "Thank you." At first the coachman man is looking at me with a somewhat envious expression, but when I answer him with distant eyes, perhaps he presumes something and gets sympathy on me, he shortly cheering on me. I feel like I finally feel someone's kindness after a long time. --around the same time, at Grandile kingdom. The hero, Serizawa Nagi steadily increased his strength. He absorbed everything they taught him as if a sponge, and he'd immediately corrected and improving any mistakes they pointed out. He, as a hero, possessed a natural gift in accordance to his duty to fight. The moment he was summoned as hero, he realized that his physical ability was increased. He already had an excellent physical ability at his former world, but as expected it wasn't something that surpassed humanity level. Nevertheless, ever since he came to this world, his physical had abnormally increased. He could run faster than a galloping horse, his light jump could easily surpass several meters height, he even could shatter a large rock into pieces with only one punch. That was just how much strength he got. His initial spec was several times higher than normal. With the guidance of the kingdom's knight, it was a matter of course that he had become far more stronger. If we used Naginata Kitsune's skill to peek at his status, then it should be around like this. *Status* Gender : Male Lv. 57 Strength : 8340 Stamina : 9010 Resistance : 300 Agility : 6560 Magic Power : 2400 Title :{Hero} Skill : {Sword Art Lv.6} {Body Reinforcement Lv.4} {Swift} {Overpower} {Magic Manipulation Lv.3} {Natural Gift} Innate skill : {Ray of Hope} PT Member : Cecil (Human) * Just around a week ever since he was summoned to this world, he had become absurdly stronger compared to Kitsune. That strength, in adventurer term, it would be approximately about A rank. Even inside this Grandile Kingdom, his strength had been known as the top class across the country. Moreover, as a young man with handsome face and overflowing sense of justice, he had become intimate and could talk freely with numerous people even inside the castle. Not just hero in tittle, he had been recognized as a 'hero' in its truest meaning. "'Red Night'?" "Yes... the name of an A rank demon that is the closest one to reaches the S rank, demon lord, domain." "Hmm... what to do with it?" And that hero, Serizawa Nagi, was currently chatting with Cecil who was always at his side to support him. The topic was, "Red Night"... that means, about Leila Vermilion. Of course, they didn't know about the real identity of the "Red Night", nor the fact that she had become an S rank demon. "You see, at the neighboring area of Grandile kingdom, there is country named Miniera." "There was an information that said that around one week ago "Red Night" appeared at a forest close to Miniera." "...then?" "Luckily, it seems like it doesn't make any movement since then, but... with one week time has passed, it won't be weird if it's suddenly appeared at Grandile kingdom's dominion, or so the possibility I thought." At Cecil's words, Nagi thought about it. He was sure that around this past one week, the one he spent his time the most with would be none other than Cecil. Therefore, she was the one he trusted the most, the one he depended upon the most. Till his training as hero finished, no matter how long it was prolonged, she would surely wait for him, and would presented him towel every times the training finished. If he had any troubles about this other world then she'd surely help him, even when he was nervous in the audience before the king, she was there to soothe him. Such mindful and devoted Cecil, for the current Nagi, she had become a partner he could trust the most. Not in romantic way, to the utmost, it was akin to Kitsune and Finia's supporting each other relation. And such Cecil said that, perhaps even for a hero like him, it wasn't something he could easily defeat, he could easily understand that. "And then... what kind of demon is this 'Red Night'?" "I do not particularly know about it myself, but... it is nocturnal and has red eyes. Its body is concealed by a darkish miasma, and no one ever saw its real body... however, it could kill anything it encountered, so there is a high possibility that it is out of normally strong...." Heard that, while slightly feared about that unknown demon, Nagi was slightly interested in it. Perhaps that could be said as trembling in excitement, his body is trembling, and he thought that he wanted to try fight it. If he could defeat that demon then he thought that he could become even more stronger. "...Cecil, don't worry?" "...about what?" "Even if that 'Red Night' appeared, I'll definitely protect this country! I'm a hero, believe in me." Nagi lightly smiling. While caressing Cecil's charming hair, he reassuringly said so. Cecil strangely felt as if she received a great sense of security from that word. And then, her cheeks slightly blushing from the smile he floated at her. "...I, I... belive in you, Nagi-sama." At Cecil's fragile words, Nagi was shy. And then, Cecil's face blushed more and she hung her head because of Nagi's smile and him caressing her head. However, Cecil thought. It was because he was kind, strong, although a bit thickheaded, but he would always advancing forward while shouldering everyone's expectation, that she wanted to accompany him. Grandile kingdom, it was a military country that had summoned the hero and put its most strength to subjugate the demon lord. Inside that country, the hero had deepened his bond with the miko who was always together with him. However, a person who would become a great existence for the hero... the similar otherworlder, Naginata Kitsune, was taking along the just mentioned "Red Night"... and had approached him till a very close distance.

天然少女 夜が明けて、一人目を覚ました僕は身体を起こした。僕は基本的に朝に強い、眼を覚ましてすぐにクリアな頭で物事が考えられる。いつまでも寝ていると母親らしい人から殴ったり蹴ったりされたからね、彼女よりも早く自分で起きないといけなかったんだよ。 横を見ると、枕の隣で大の字になって寝ているフィニアちゃん、反対側に丸くなって寝ているルルちゃんがいた。今思ったけどルルちゃん逃げ放題だったなこれ。なのに逃げなかったって事は、そういう風に言い聞かせられてきたからなのかな? 奴隷根性が染みついてるねぇ......まぁいるなら良いけど。 二人を起こさないようにベッドから降りて、一つ伸びをする。パキパキと小気味良い音が体内に響いて、固まった筋肉が解れるのを感じた。それから多少ラジオ体操的な運動をすれば、完全に頭も身体も眼を覚ましたようだ。 「さて......」 見てみるとフィニアちゃんだけだったベッドの上に、ルルちゃんみたいな可愛い子がいるというのは少し新鮮だ。滅茶苦茶長い髪の毛がシーツの上に広がっている。 「耳とか尻尾とか......どんな感覚なんだろう? いつか聞いてみようかな、出来れば触らせてもらおう」 そう呟いて、二人を起こす為に歩み寄る。フィニアちゃんは指先でつっついてやればいつも起きる。その際変な寝言っぽい台詞を吐くけど、それが面白いので止められない。 「フィニアちゃーん」 「な、なにをする......! やめろォ! やめるんだッ......! はっ、おはようきつねさん!」 今日はなんだか緊迫感溢れる台詞だったね。どんな夢見てんだか知らないけど、フィニアちゃんほんと個性的だよねぇ。 さて、ルルちゃんも起こさないと。 そう思って、ルルちゃんに近づいた。すると、僕の影が彼女の顔に掛かった瞬間怯えるように飛び起きた。自分の身体を護るように抱きしめて、僕の方を震えながら見上げてくる。 なんか凄い悪いことした気分......あの奴隷商、なにしたんだよ。 「あー......おはよう、ルルちゃん。良く眠れた?」 「ご、ごめんなさい......次は早く起きます......叩かないでください」 「あはは、フィニアちゃんこの子凄いめんどくさい」 「奴隷のプロだね!」 「どんなプロだよそれ......まぁなんだ、僕は叩いたりしないし、起こすまで寝てていいからそんな怯えないで欲しいな」 多分ずっと気を張ってたんだろうね。奴隷商人達ってなんで奴隷をちゃんと養わないんだろう? そうしたほうが商品価値も上がって売りやすくなるんじゃないのかな。上下関係をはっきりさせたかったのかな、まぁどうでもいいや。 「さ、ルルちゃん起きれる?」 「はい......」 そう言うとルルちゃんはすぐに起き上がった。そういえば学ラン貸したままだったな、今日はルルちゃんの服を買いに行こう。その後はギルド行って、お手伝い系の依頼かな。ルルちゃんにも僕達の生活に慣れて貰わないといけないし、彼女のレベルも上げないとね。 「まぁ、まずは朝ご飯だね。行くよ、二人とも」 「うん!」 「......はい」 ルルちゃんが手を握ったり開いたりしているのが見えた。表情も何処か暗い。どうしたんだろうと思って少し考えてみた。 えーと、昨日は......あ、そういうことか。 「ほら、行くよルルちゃん」 「! ......はい!」 ルルちゃんに手を差し伸べてやる。そうすると、思っていた通り無表情に、けど嬉しそうな雰囲気で僕の手を取った。 昨日は何処へ行くにもルルちゃんの手を引いてたからね、実は手を握られるのが嬉しかったのかな? 奴隷になる子ってそういう経験あまりなさそうだもんね。こんな僕で良ければ幾らでも繋いであげるよ。寧ろこっちから繋いで欲しいよね。 あれ? もしかして僕女の子と手を繋いだのってこれが初めて? うわ、緊張しちゃうな! 思わず興奮してきた! 「なんでもないよ、うん、やましいことなんて考えてないからね」 今はルルちゃんの純粋な視線がとても心に刺さる。 階段を降りて行くと、食事の準備をしているエイラさんがいた。準備と言っても旦那さんの作った料理をテーブルに運ぶだけだけどね。 「おはようございます、エイラさん」 「おっはよー! 今日も良い朝だね!」 「ああ、ご飯出来てるよ」 この宿の朝ご飯はいつもパンとサラダ、あとスープだ。なんでも、朝弱い人が食べに来ないことが多いから朝は食材の出費を抑えているらしい。 おっと、子供が出来たらちゃんと挨拶出来る子に育てないとね! 僕は至極真面目な青少年だから! 「ルルちゃん、挨拶出来る?」 「......おはよう、ございます」 「良く出来ました」 「はい、おはよう」 少し困った様な表情を浮かべたけど、ルルちゃんはちゃんと挨拶した。偉いぞ、僕がルルちゃん位の年齢なら絶対挨拶なんかしなかったけど。 とはいえ、子供が出来たら褒めてあげるのが親心だもんね。親じゃないけど。とりあえず、テレビで幸せそうな家族がやってたのを真似してルルちゃんの頭を撫でてあげた。犬だからか、ルルちゃんは頭を撫でられるのが好きみたいだ。 「この子、名前はなんていうんだい?」 「ルルちゃん」 「ルルちゃんっていうのかい、可愛い名前だね」 「でしょ? もっと褒めて良いよ」 「なんでアンタが誇らしげなんだ......」 そんな軽口を叩きながら、テーブルに着く。勿論ルルちゃんを座らせてからだ。そうしないと奴隷根性の染みついたこの子は僕と同じテーブルに座らなそうだし。 いただきますと言ってから食べ始める。昨日言ったからか、やっぱり僕が食べ始めないと食べようとしなかったけど、頷いてやると自分の前に置かれた料理を食べ始めた。フィニアちゃんにパンを千切ってあげながら、僕も手早く料理を食べ終えた。 「今日は何処へ行くの? きつねさん!」 「うん、ルルちゃんの服を買ってから......ギルドに行こうかなって」 「確かにずっときつねさんの服じゃ嫌だもんね!」 「うん、確かにそうなんだけど......なんか傷付く」 「あはっ☆」 時々フィニアちゃんは僕のことが嫌いなんじゃないかって思うほど辛辣な言葉を吐く。悪意が感じられないから全然怒れないんだけど、こう......胸にグサッとくるものがある。ルルちゃんが真似したらどうするんだ、この子の純粋な眼差しで罵倒された日には、興奮しちゃうだろ。間違えた、立ち直れないだろ。 「きつね......?」 「ん? ああ、そういえば僕の名前言ってなかったね。僕のことはきつねって呼んでね」 「きつね......様」 「うん、まぁ好きに呼ぶと良いよ」 さて、見た所ルルちゃんも食べ終わったみたいだし、そろそろ行こうかな。服買いに。ていうか服って何処で買うんだろう? 武器屋で売ってるかな? 売ってないよね流石に。 「ねぇエイラさん、ルルちゃんの服を買いたいんだけど......何処で売ってるかな?」 「服? 私の小さい頃の服なら余ってるからやろうか?」 「え、本当? じゃあ欲しいな」 やった、服代浮いた。 エイラさんが持ってきたのは緑色中心の服で、ルルちゃんにピッタリのサイズだった。試しに着せてみると、明るい茶髪が良く映える。適度におしゃれだし、ルルちゃんの素材が良いからとても可愛い。 素直にそう褒めたら、くすぐったそうにしてた。 「それじゃあ服も手に入ったことだし、ギルドに行こうか」 服を着たルルちゃんから学ランを受け取って、着る。うん、やっぱり学ランが一番しっくりくる。ステータス的に防具とかいらないしね、あって困る物でもないんだろうけど。 そう思いながら宿を出た。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 宿から少し歩いて、ルルちゃんをギルドの前まで連れて来た。説明していないけど、ルルちゃんは此処が何処だかちゃんと分かってるみたいだ、多分僕とは違ってギルドの看板の文字が読めるんだろう。 あ、そういえば僕って結構嫌われ者だから突っ掛かって来る人もいるんだよなぁ。ルルちゃんに被害が行かないようにちゃんと事前に言っておかないと。 「この中には僕より強い人達がいっぱいいる。話しかけてくることもあると思う、そういうときは強気で行かないと駄目だよ? 手をあげてきたら取り敢えず股間を全力で叩くんだ、分かった?」 「はい」 うん、これで大丈夫だろう。 ギルドの扉を開けて、足を踏み入れる。ルルちゃんの手を引いて中に入ると、冒険者達の視線が自然と僕の方へと向けられた。気にせず受付に向かう。 すると、一人の男が立ち塞がってきた。フィニアちゃんがルルちゃんの肩に乗り移ったが、僕は立ち塞がってきた男を見上げた。 見覚えのある顔だ。 「やぁ、この前の言いがかり君じゃないか」 「きつね......前にお前に言われたことを考えて、改めて言おう」 「お前は、冒険者失格だ......かな?」 見下すように言ってくるのは、この前僕に冒険者失格だと言ってきたEランク冒険者の青年。あの時は言い包めたけど、やっぱり納得出来なかったんだろうね。ここはまた言い負かしますか。 と、あれ? 「む......なんだ君は、此処は子供の来る所じゃないぞ?」 何故かルルちゃんが前に出た。どうしたの? なんかいやな予感がするんだけど? え、どうしたの? 「う、うるさい、このたまなし野郎」 ギルド内に、静寂が訪れた。 冒険者達も、受付嬢も、目の前の青年も、ルルちゃんの言葉に唖然となっている。これはどういうことだろうか? ルルちゃんいきなりどうしたの? 確かに強気で行けとは言ったけど、そういうこと? 「な、何を言うんだ! 失礼だぞ!」 青年が我に返り、ルルちゃんの言葉に遅れながら憤慨した。すると、ルルちゃんはキッと目尻を吊り上げると、更にその口を開く。 「し、喋らないでっ! く、臭いっ......!」 「ぐはっ......!?」 ルルちゃん、一体君に何があったんだ。たった数秒でそんなに人の心を抉れるようになったの? 僕が言った強気っていうのはアレだよ、暴言とかをサラッと受け流せるようになるってことで......あ、ルルちゃんの肩に乗ってるフィニアちゃんがにやにや笑ってる。 お 前 の 仕 業 か ! 「君......僕にそんな事を言うなど......良いと思っているのか......!」 青年は嫌な汗を拭く為に手を顔にやる。すると、ルルちゃんは何を思ったか小さな拳を振り上げて、 「え、えいっ!」 青年の股間を思いっきり殴った。 「おごっ......おっ! ......おっ......!!」 青年は倒れた。それはもう勢いよく直立のまま倒れた。白眼を向いて股間を抑えている。 痛そう......下腹部がきゅってなったよ、きゅって。周りの冒険者達も股間を抑えて俯いてんじゃん。君達はあの痛みを知らないのか、僕だって小学生の頃クラスの女の子に蹴られた時死ぬかと思ったんだぞ! 「きつね様......や、やりました」 何をだよ。 確かにやっちゃったね。やるじゃなくて殺るだったけど。ルルちゃんの肩の上で笑い転げているフィニアちゃんに心底恐怖を感じたよ。無邪気って怖い。 「う、うん......よくやったね」 青年には悪いけど、ルルちゃんに悪気はないんだ。ちょっと純粋で天然なんだ、だから僕の言ったことを真に受けちゃったんだ。これは不幸な事故だったんだよ、うん、悲しい事故だった。許してちょうだい。 倒れた青年の横を通り過ぎて、僕はミアちゃんの下へとやってきた。ミアちゃんはルルちゃんを見ると、営業スマイルで対応してきた。 「こんにちはきつね様、そちらの子は奴隷ですか?」 「うん、ルルちゃんっていうんだ。可愛いでしょ?」 なんだか不服そうだけど、まぁいいや。依頼を受けよう、フィニアちゃんがタイミング良く依頼書を持ってきた。内容は薬草の採集、国の外へ出る依頼だ。外だから魔獣が出てくる危険性もあるけど、森に近づくことはないし、フィニアちゃんもいるから大丈夫かな? 達成期限は一週間で、ノルマもそれほど高くない。ついでにルルちゃんのレベルアップも出来るかな? トドメだけ刺してもレベルは上がるしね。 「じゃあこれ、受けます」 「はい、期限は一週間後ですね......っと、それでは頑張ってください」 「うん、それじゃ!」 「いってきまーす!」 ルルちゃんの手を引いて、ギルドを出る。忙しくなってきた。 こらルルちゃん、幾ら地面に倒れてるからって人を踏んづけちゃ駄目だよ。

An airheaded girl. Dawn break, wake up by myself, I raise my body up. I'm originally a morning person, so just after waking up, my head would be immediately cleared and could be used to think about anything already. Since if I slept too long, I'll got a hit or kick from a mother like person, so I should wake up by myself before she did. When I look at my surrounding, there is Finia-chan who is sleeping likeDa character next to the pillow, and on the opposite side there is Lulu-chan who is sleeping while curling up. I just aware of it but wasn't Lulu-chan should be able to easily ran away like this? But since she didn't run away then that means, was it because she had been instructed this way? The servile character sure deeply attached right... well it's good that she's still here though. Descending the bed so that won't wake those two up, I do some stretching. Delightful *Pakipaki* sounds are resounded inside my body, I can feel my stiff muscles are loosening. After that, after I did a radio calisthenics-like exercise, my head, body and also eyes are completely awaken. "Well then...." When I looked at it, usually there would be only Finia-chan on the bed but, to see a cute girl like Lulu-chan there is sure refreshing. Her overly long hair is spread at the bed sheet. "Ear or tail... just how it felt? Should I try to ask for it some days, if possible I want to touch it." While saying that, I moved to wake them up. Finia-chan was always would be awaked by just poking her with my fingertip. At that time she would say some strange sleep-talking lines but, since that is amusing so I won't stop it. "Finia-chan." "Wh, what are you doing...! Stop it! Stop...! Ha, good morning Kitsune-san!" This time she said a somehow strained line huh. I don't know what she was dreaming about but, that is sure Finia-chan-like though. Then, I should wake Lulu-chan up too. When I think about that, I approach Lulu-chan. Then, when my shadow is covering her face, she abruptly jump at her feet as if frightened. Tightly embracing her body as if to protect it, and then raise her eyes to look at me while trembling. I feel like just done something very bad... that slave merchant, just what he had done? "Ah... good morning, Lulu-chan. Did you sleep properly?" "I, I am sorry... I'm going to wake up early next time... please don't hit me." "Ahaha, Finia-chan, this child is sure bothersome." "She is a pro slave right!" "What kind of pro is that... well, what is it, I'm not going to hit you, I don't mind if you overslept and woke up late so don't be so frightened like that." Perhaps she was always bracing herself right? Why did those slave traders didn't raise their slaves properly? Isn't by doing so their commodity's value would be raised and easier to sell, right? Did they put the hierarchical that strictly? Well, ah whatever. "Then Lulu-chan, can you get up?" "Yes...." After said that, Lulu-chan immediately get up. Come to think of it, she's still wearing my school uniform right? Let's go to buy a cloth for Lulu-chan today. Went to the guild after that, perhaps should I take a chore request? Since I also need to make Lulu-chan to get used to our livelihood after all, I also should increase her level. "Well, firstly is breakfast right? Let's go, both of you." "Yeah!" "...Yes." I can see Lulu-chan open up her arm as if to grasp something. She also looked somewhat gloomy. I think 'What's the matter?' and try to think about it a bit. Hmm, yesterday... ah, I see. "Come on, let's go Lulu-chan." "!...Yes!" I stretch my hand toward Lulu-chan. And then, she is still expressionless as usual but, she grab my hand with a very delighted ambiance. It's because yesterday I always hold her hand wherever we go after all, is she perhaps really happy to holding hands? It's because as a child who become a slave, such experience is unlikely to happen after all. If you're fine with me then I'll hold your hand no matter how many times it is. Or rather, I'm the one who want to hold your hand. Hmm? Could it be, is it my first time holding hand with a girl? Wow, I become nervous! I inevitably excited! "No problem, yup, I'm not thinking about anything fishy after all." Just now, Lulu-chan's pure gaze is piercing my heart. When we descending the stair, Ayla-san who is preparing the meal, said that. Even if I say preparing, she is just carrying the food which have been cooked by her husband to the table though. "Good morning, Ayla-san." "Morning! Today is also a good morning right!" "Yes, the breakfast is ready." This inn's breakfast is always contained by bread and salad, and also soup. That is, since there are many people who are weak at morning, it seems that is to suppress breakfast's ingredients expenses. Oops, since I've got a child, I must raise her into a child who's able to properly greet people! Since I'm a very diligent youth after all! "Lulu-chan, can you do a greeting?" "...Good, morning." "You did it well." "Yes, good morning." She looked somewhat embarrassed but, Lulu-chan was properly greet her. Admirable, when I was at Lulu-chan's age, I absolutely never do any greeting though. Nonetheless, when a child was able to do something, praising them is parental affection right? I'm not her parent though. For now, I try to imitate what a happy looking family at some TV show do and gently caress Lulu-chan's head. Is it perhaps because she's a dog, Lulu-chan seems very happy when her head is being petted. "This child, what's her name?" "Lulu-chan." "Lulu-chan right, what a cute name." "Right? It's okay to praise more you know." "Why are you the one who's boasting...." While joking like that, we finally arrived at our table. Of course I ask Lulu-chan to sit there. Otherwise with her servile character, she won't ever sit at the table as mine after all. We start eating after said itadakimasu. Is it because I've said that yesterday, as expected she won't eat before I start to eat mine but, with a nod she start to eat the food which are placed before her. Even while tearing off some bread for Finia-chan, I nimbly finished my meal. "Today, are we going to go somewhere? Kitsune-san!" "Yes, after bought a clothes for Lulu-chan...I intended to go to the guild." "Always wearing Kitsune's cloth is indeed unpleasant after all, right?" "Yes, that's indeed right but... somehow that hurt me." "Ahaha." Sometimes Finia-chan would say something harsh to the point I thought that is she perhaps hate me or something. Since I can't feel any malice from it so I can't get angry but, like... it's just as if there is something piercing my heart. What if Lulu-chan is imitating your behavior? At the time I was scorned by her pure gazes, I might got excited you know. Ah I make a mistake, I might won't be able to recover you know. "Kitsune....?" "Hmm? Ah, come to think of it, I haven't said my name right? My name is Kitsune." "Kitsune... sama." "Yes, well, you could just call me whatever you want." Well then, seems like Lulu-chan also has finished her meal, perhaps we should get going soon right? To buy a cloth. Or rather, where do I buy a cloth? Is weapon shop selling it? As expected they won't selling it right. "Say, Ayla-san, I want to buy a cloth for Lulu-chan but... where is it sold at?" "Cloth? Since I still have my cloth at the time I was still a kid, do you want it?" "Eh, really? Then, with a pleasure." Hooray, we get a cloth. The cloth which Ayla-san bought is a green colored cloth, the size is perfectly match for Lulu-chan. When I ask her to try putting it on, her light brown hair is looked pretty. It is moderately fashionable, and Lulu-chan herself is originally very cute. When I honestly praise her like that, she looked somewhat embarrassed. "Well then, since we have obtained the cloth, let's go to the guild." Receiving my school uniform back from Lulu-chan who has wear a proper cloth, I put it on. Yup, as I thought my school uniform is the most fitting. Since status wise I don't need anything like armor after all, but wearing it isn't something bothering though. While thinking about that, we left the inn. * * * After walked for a while from the inn, I brought along Lulu-chan till guild's entrance. I haven't explained it but, it seems Lulu-chan is properly understand what kind of place it is, perhaps unlike me, she is able to read the guild's signboard. Ah, come to think of it, since I'm quite a hated person so there are people who might charge toward us. I should tell her beforehand so that she won't become a victim here. "Here, there are many people who are stronger than me. I also think that there would be someone who would come to talk to you, at that time you should stay strong no matter what happen. If there's someone who lay a hand on you, at once hit his groin as hard as you can, understand?" "Yes." Yup, with this there should be no problem right. Opening the guild's door, I step my leg forward. I enter it while leading Lulu-chan by hand, adventurers' gazes are naturally turned toward me. I keep walking toward receptionist without minding about it. And then, there's a sole man who's standing in my way. Finia-chan is transferring to Lulu-chan's shoulder, and I look up at the man who stand in my way. A face which I remember. "Yo, aren't you the one who falsely accused me some time ago." "Kitsune... about the thing I've said to you before, I'll say it again." "You are, a failure as an adventurer... right?" The one who come as if to despise me is, a young E rank adventurer who previously said that I was a failure as an adventurer. At that time I've nicely wheedled him but, as expected he couldn't consent with that right. Here, should I confute him again. Wha, huh? "Hmm... what's up with you, this isn't a place for a kid you know?" Somehow Lulu-chan is taking a step ahead. What's the matter? Somehow I feel a bad premonition about it though. Eh, what's the matter? "Sh, shut up, you ball-less bastard." Inside the guild, silence is spreaded. The adventurers, receptionist girls, also the youth in front of me, everyone are dumbfounded by Lulu-chan's words. What's the meaning of this? What happen to Lulu-chan so suddenly? Indeed I've said to stay strong but, is it like that? "Wha, what did you say! That's rude you know!" The youth is back to his sense, while being delayed by Lulu-chan's word, he shout. And then, Lulu-chan is raising the corner of her eyes, and open her mouth up again. "Shut up, don't talk to me! Guh, it stinks....!" "Guha...!?" Lulu-chan, just what happen to you? With just several seconds to be able to gouge a person's heart up? The thing I said about stay strong is that, to forthrightly ward off when someone said some thoughtless remark.... Ah, Finia-chan who is at Lulu-chan's shoulder is smirking. So it's your evil deed huh! "You... to say something like that to me... do you think you could just slip by like that...!" The youth is wiping the unpleasant sweat at his face with his hand. And then, as if she has thought about something, Lulu-chan is raising her small fist overhead. "E, ei!" And then hit that youth groin with all her strength. "Ugh....u! .....u.....!!" The youth is collapsed. That is, he vigorously collapsed vertically while standing. With a white eyes, he hold his groin. Seems like hurt... my abdomen is stinging, sting. Even the surrounding adventurers are also hung their head while holding their groin. Do you not understand that pain? Even me, at my grade school time, when I was kicked by a girl from my class, I thought that I would die you know! "Kitsune-sama... I, I did it." What just you did? You're indeed did it. Not did it but hit it though. I feel fear from the depth of my heart toward Finia-chan who is laughing at Lulu-chan's shoulder. Innocent is sure frightening. "Y, yes... you did well." I feel bad to that youth but, Lulu-chan didn't has any ill intent. She is just pure and a bit airhead, that's why she take what I said seriously. This is a misfortune accident, yup, a sad accident. So please let it off. Passing through the youth who is collapsed, we finally arrived at Mia-chan's place. When Mia-chan see Lulu-chan, she talks to me with her business smile. "Good morning Kitsune-sama, does the child there is a slave?" "Yes, her name is Lulu-chan. She's cute right?" She looked somewhat dissatisfied but, well whatever. Taking a request, Finia-chan is bringing a request at a nice timing. The content is to gather medical herbs, a request which located at outside the country. Since it is at outside, there's a possibility that a magical beast may appeared but, since we have no intention to come near the forest, and Finia-chan is also with us so there should be no problem right? The time limit is one week, and the quota isn't that much. Perhaps, should we use this chance to raise Lulu-chan's level up? Since her level would be still increased even if we just let her to do the finishing blow after all. "Then, we'll take this." "Yes, the time limit is one week right... okay, then please do your best." "Kay, well then!" "We're going!" Holding Lulu-chan's hand, we left the guild. Seems like we would get busy. Hey Lulu-chan, no matter even if that person is collapsed on the floor, you shouldn't tread on him you know.

受付嬢は何処に行っても同じ 桔音がグランディール王国に到着した時、勇者である凪は自分の召喚主であり、自分の所属するところの王様と向かい合っていた。玉座の間であるのにこの場には凪と王様、そして巫女であるセシルの三人しかいなかった。 この世界に来てから、凪は凄く強くなった。それこそ、この国ではもう誰も太刀打ち出来ない程に強くなった。ステータスだけなら追随出来る者も多くいるのだが、勇者である彼はそれを覆すだけの力を持っている。 やってきて一週間と少しでこれほど強くなったという事実は驚愕に値し、またそれだけの資質を持っていたということにも民衆の期待と信頼を受けることになった。 だからこそ、頃合いなのだ。 「そろそろ、魔王討伐の為の旅に出ても良いかと思ってな」 「ん、なるほど......確かにずっとこの国で引き籠ってても仕方ないしな、分かったよ王様」 「うむ、旅にはセシルを含めて数名御供を付けよう。勇者殿には戦いの技術しか学ばせておらなんだから、旅をする知識はないであろうし、そういった面で補助役が必要だろう?」 「ああ、ありがとう。確かに必要だな」 そう、そろそろ勇者として魔王討伐に出発しても良い頃だった。準備を整え、仲間と共にこの国を出る。魔王や魔族達の住まう暗黒大陸に行かねばならない。それが彼の役目で、それが彼の唯一元の世界へ帰る手段だ。 だが、彼はそんなことは考えていない。元の世界に帰るだとか、役目だとか、そういうことは考えていないのだ。 あくまで、自分には困っている人を救う力があって、魔王によって苦しんでいる人々を救ってあげられるから救いたい、そう思っての行動だ。 「出発は明日だ、今日は旅の支度を整えると良い。セシル、勇者殿を手伝ってやってくれ」 「分かりました」 「話は以上だ、勇者殿......改めてよろしく頼む」 「......ああ......全力を尽くすよ」 王様が頭を下げ、凪がそれに胸を張って応えたことで話が終わり、和やかな雰囲気が場に漂う。顔をあげた王様と凪の目が合い、噴き出すように笑った。 ◇ ◇ ◇ グランディール王国へ到着した僕達は、奴隷商人達に依頼書へサインして貰った。ミアちゃんに言われたからね、サインして貰わないと報酬が貰えないって。 そして、この国のギルドへ向かうべく護衛してきた奴隷商人達と別れて、今はギルドへ向かっているところだ。ちなみに女冒険者Bも一緒だ。 ルルちゃんと手を繋いで、賑やかな街並みの中進む。リーシェちゃんやレイラちゃんは堂々と歩いているけれど、僕としてはルルちゃんを見てくる周囲の視線が酷くうっとおしい。 ミニエラでは無かったけど、やっぱりこの国では奴隷はあまり良い思いはしないみたいだ。首輪を外せば奴隷には見えないんだろうけど、ルルちゃんは首輪を大事にしてるみたいだから外せないんだよねぇ。 「なんか見られてるね! きつねさん有名なのかな?」 「いやいや、見られてるのはルルちゃんだよ。僕達はそう思ってないけど、この子は体面上奴隷だからねー......」 「なるほど、燃やす?」 「待って、そこに至るの早い」 フィニアちゃんは何でもかんでも燃やしたいのか、それとも気に入らないものは燃やす主義なのか、結構何でもかんでも燃やそうとする。まぁ僕としてはゴーサインを出してあげたいのは山々なんだけど、ここでそんなことしたら余計に視線が痛くなるから止めて欲しい。 「それにしても......何処を見ても戦闘職ばっかだねぇ。マッチョに女剣士、騎士もいるし......戦闘狂にとっての桃源郷とは良く言ったもんだ」 「言いだしたのきつねさんだけどね」 「そうだっけ? 流石だね僕」 「自画自賛にも程があるね! 流石きつねさん器が小さい!」 「あ、この程度の自画自賛も認めてくれないんだ?」 フィニアちゃんの悪態フィニア節が復活している。レイラちゃんとの険悪な関係も一旦は落ちついたみたいだし、少しはいつも通りに戻ったかな。 と、ギルドどこだろう。一応此処に居たらしいレイラちゃんに案内を頼んでるけど、大丈夫かな。正直めちゃくちゃ不安なんだけど。 「此処だよ」 「あ、うん」 と思ってたらちゃんと着いた。ミニエラのギルドとは違って二回りくらい大きい。でも看板に書いてある文字は変わらず『冒険者ギルド』だし、ここで合ってるんだろう。 レイラちゃんが褒めて褒めてと見てくるので、とりあえず人差し指を口に突っ込んでおいた。上機嫌に舐めてくるけど、噛み千切られそうで怖いから数秒で指を引いた。 そう言って、僕はギルドの扉を開く。 中に入ると、ミニエラと同じ様に中にいた冒険者達の視線が僕の方へと向いた。ミニエラの時とは比べ物にならない品定めの目線が突き刺さる。正直、それしか脳がないのかこいつらはと思っちゃった。 「ちょ、ちょっとだけこの視線はキツイな」 「そう怯えないでリーシェちゃん、別に取って食われたりしないって」 「でもなぁ......此処に居るのは全員がミニエラでトップクラスになれる実力者達だぞ? 寧ろお前のように堂々としているHランクの方がおかしいだろう」 「なら見てみなよ、あそこに居る女の人」 リーシェちゃんがどうにも怯え腰だから、僕は中にいた受付嬢の女の人を指差して、リーシェちゃんの視線をその女の人に向ける。 指を向けられた女性も気が付いたのが疑問の表情で僕達を見ていた。 「ミアちゃんより胸がないだろ?」 ギルドの空気がピシリと固まった。 後で知ったことなんだけど、どうやらギルドの受付嬢が座っている場所は彼女達の立ち場で決まっているらしい。 ミアちゃんが座っていたのは受付嬢達の中央、つまりギルドの扉から真っすぐ進んだ先の席だ。そこは一番人気の受付嬢、つまりエース受付嬢を置くらしく、ミアちゃんはミニエラギルドで一番人気の受付嬢だった訳だ。 そして今回僕が指差したのもミアちゃんと同じ場所、扉から真っすぐ進んだ先のエース席に座っている子だ。 つまり、このグランディールギルドで最も人気のある受付嬢ってわけで、僕はその子に対して胸が小さいと言い放った。 ギルドの空気が固まるのも、納得の事態だったらしい。まぁ、後で知ったことだから今更仕方ないんだけどね。 「......あれ? 何この空気?」 「馬鹿! きつね、女性に対して胸が小さいとか言うな!」 「いやぁ......ほら、リーシェちゃんの気を紛らわせようとね?」 静まりかえったギルドの空気の中、僕が薄ら笑いを浮かべながらきょろきょろしていたら、リーシェちゃんが耳打ちで注意してきた。 ああ成程、そういうことか。でもさ、ミアちゃんよりも小さいのは見れば分かるし、別に貧乳って訳でもないんだから良いじゃん。 「ぷはっ......ぷっ、ふふふふふ......! きつねさん、良くやったね......!」 すると、僕の肩でお腹を抑えて笑っているフィニアちゃんが僕を褒めてくれた。やっぱり僕は間違っていなかった。 「とりあえず受付済ませようよー、私飽きてきちゃった......ふあ......」 すると、今は通常時のレイラちゃんが欠伸をしながらそう言ってきた。まぁ護衛依頼の間、仮眠ばかりで十分に寝れていない3日間だったわけだし、寝不足でも仕方ないか。 というわけで、僕は静まり返った空気の中ニコニコと営業スマイルを浮かべる受付嬢の前にやってきた。さっきの指差した子だ。 「あのー護衛依頼の達成手続きを」 「いやあの、依頼の達成手続きを」 「達成てつ」 駄目だ、なんでか話を聞いてくれない。文字にして三文字しか答えてくれない。なんだろう、ミアちゃんの目が笑っていない笑顔に似てるけど、この子の場合全然怖くない。つまりは怒ってないのか。もしかして苛々してるのかな? 上司にセクハラされたとか? 「フィニアちゃん、なんか苛々してるみたいなんだけど......なんでか分かる?」 「きつねさん、女の子にはデリケートな部分があるんだよ! 触れちゃダメ!」 「あ、うん......ごめん」 「きっと生理だよ」 そんな話をしていたら、いきなり目の前にいた受付嬢の子が立ちあがった。俯いて顔が見えないけど、肩が震えている。 あ、フィニアちゃんが生理って言っちゃったから恥ずかしいんだ。しまったなーフィニアちゃんそういうとこ無頓着だから。 「フィニアちゃん、例えそうだとしても生理とか言っちゃ駄目だよ......」 「あ」 「ごめんね、悪気はないんだ許してあげて」 「お前にキレてんだよぉぉぉぉおおおお!!!!!」 「ぶふっ!?」 僕が謝ったら、いきなり視界が回った。痛みはないけど顔面に走る殴られた感触と、床に倒れた感触が状況を理解させてくれた。 どうやら僕は殴られたらしい。倒れたまま上を見ると、カウンターを飛び越えて僕の下へ来ようとする受付嬢の彼女を、リーシェちゃんや周囲にいた冒険者が羽交い締めにしているのが見えた。 上体を起こす。 「......やんちゃな子だなぁ」 座っているから分からなかったけど、受付嬢の子は凄く小柄だった。おそらくルルちゃんよりも背が低い。ミアちゃんよりも胸は小さいけど、それでも巨乳だ。 所謂、巨乳ロリな受付嬢の子だった。しかもとんだおてんば娘らしく、キレて殴って来るとは中々楽しい子だ。 「きつね君きつね君」 「何かなレイラちゃん......」 「きつね君って人を怒らせるの上手いねっ♪」 「いやぁ話してると勝手に怒らせちゃうみたいなんだよねぇ」 「どうみても悪意満々だったけどね♡ そんなきつね君も好きぃ♡」 レイラちゃんは尻もちを着いた状態の僕の隣にしゃがんで話し掛けて来た。僕には全く非はないと思うんだけど、なぜか皆怒るんだよねぇ。飛んだ災難だよ。 そう言ったら、レイラちゃんはにへらっと笑いながら抱き付いてきた。面倒臭いので立ち上がってレイラちゃんを引き剥がす。 「落ち付け! 落ち付けってルーナちゃん! 確かにちょっとアレだったけど悪気はねぇって!」 「そうだよ! ルーナちゃん可愛いよ! 大丈夫! 全然負けてないって!」 「そうだ! きつねはいつもあんな感じなんだ! 許してやってくれ!」 「ふー!! ふー!!」 冒険者の男2人とリーシェちゃんの3人掛かりでルーナと呼ばれた受付嬢の子を止めている中、僕は彼女の下へと歩み寄っていく。怒らせたのなら謝らないといけないからね。 僕はルーナちゃんの前に立つ。すると、ルーナちゃんは怒りの表情はそのままに身体を動かすのを一旦止めた。話を聞く気はあるってことだろう。止めていた冒険者達もそれを見て羽交い締めにしていた拘束を解く。 「どうどう落ちついて、フィニアちゃんにも悪気はなかったんだよ、許してあげて」 「げぶっ!」 え、フィニアちゃんじゃなくて僕なの? 彼女のアッパー気味の拳に顎を打ちあげられ、あまりの威力に身体が空中に浮いているのが分かった時、僕はそう思った。痛みはないけど、視界がぐらついた。 とりあえず視界がぐらつくけど意識ははっきりしていたから、落ちていく体勢を整え、両足で着地した。 「......えーと、ああ僕か......そっかそっか僕か......」 「私はあんなでかいだけの女に負けてないし!」 「ミアちゃんのこと?」 「そうよ! あんな奴に私は負けてないもん!」 どうやらこの子、ミアちゃんにライバル意識があるらしい。ギルドの受付嬢同士、競い合う何かがあるのかな? 受け付けた冒険者の数とか、人気とか......まぁそれはどうでもいいけれど、取り敢えず一つ言っておこう。 「いやいや、どう見てもミアちゃんの方が美人で巨乳だろ」 瞬間、小さな拳が視界を埋め尽くし、僕の意識はそこで途絶えた。

Anywhere, Receptionists Are All The Same. The moment Kitsune arrived at Grandile Kingdom, the hero, Nagi, was standing before the one who ordered the summoning of him into this world, the king of this country. Even though they were at the throne room, there was no other person than the king; the hero, Nagi; and the Miko, Cecil. Compared to the moment when he was first summoned to this world, Nagi had become far stronger. So strong to the point there was no one who could match him at this country. Statuses-wise, there were several people who were comparable to him, but as a hero, he had an ability to overwhelm all of them. With the fact of his capability of becoming such strong in just a week time, combined with his nature, he received trust and hope from the citizens. That was why, right now was the suitable time. "Don't you think, it's almost the time you need to begin your journey to subjugate the demon lord." "Hmm, I see... indeed, I can't stay inside this country for a too prolonged time, after all... got it, your highness." "Good... including Cecil, take some people as your companions. Hero-dono, you've only been learning about the way to fight, and I think you aren't too knowledgeable about Journeying, so I think having them would make this journey a bit easier for you, right?" "Ah, thank you. Seems like I do need it" Right, it was almost the time the hero departed on his journey to subjugate the demon lord. Putting the preparation in order, then left this country along with his companions. He had to go the Dark Continent where demons and demon lord resided. That was his duty, that was the way to return to his former world. However, he never thought it such. He never thought it as his duty nor his way to return to his former world. He did it simply because he thought that he had the ability to save people, there were many people who were suffering because of the demon lord, that was why he wanted to save them. "The departure is tomorrow, today, you shall make your preparation for this journey. Cecil, assist Hero-dono." "Understood." "That's all I have to say, Hero-dono... I'll say it once again, please save this world." "...yes... I'll save it with all I have." The king bowed his head, Nagi answered him with while puffing out his chest, with that the conversation ended and silence submerged in that room. Rising his face, the King met his eyes with Nagi's, and then he floated a smile. * * * Arriving at Grandile Kingdom, we asked the slave merchant to sign our request application. Mia-chan said it after all, that if they didn't sign it then we won't be able to receive the reward. After that, separating ourselves from the slave traders, we go toward this country's guild. By the way, woman B is together with us. Holding hand with Lulu-chan, I walk through this lively street. Rishe-chan and Leila-chan are boldly walking, but as far as I'm concerned, I feel that the gazes that are sent toward Lulu-chan are very irritating. It didn't happen at Miniera, but seems like slaves really aren't well received in this country. If I take her choker off then she won't look like a slave, but since it seems like very precious to Lulu-chan so I can't take it off, though. "Somehow, I feel like we're being stared at a lot! Could it be you're famous even here, Kitsune-san?!" "No no no, the one being stared at is Lulu-chan, you know? We don't think her as such, but appearance-wise, Lulu-chan is a slave, after all...." "I see, should I burn them?" "Wait, it's still too early to take that conclusion." Finia-chan wants to burn anything, or perhaps she only wants to burn anything she displeased with, either way she's simply going to burn anything, though. Well, I do feel like I want to give her green light, but if she does it here then it would only increase the gazes further so I hope she doesn't do it, though. "Nonetheless... no matter where I look, warmongers are everywhere, huh. There's even a macho female knight, after all... the epitome of the Eden of warmongers sure suits it well." "The one that named it as such was you, though, Kitsune-san." "Is that so? As expected of me." "There's a limit of self-praise, you know?! As expected of Kitsune-san, so intolerant!" "Ah, you even won't let self-praise at this level, huh." Finia-chan's like abusive language has revived. Her bad relation with Leila-chan seems like has considerably calmed down, so perhaps that's why she has slightly returned to her usual self, I think. Oops, where's the guild, I wonder? I asked Leila-chan to guide us there since it seems like she used to live here, but will it be alright, I wonder? Honestly speaking, I'm very anxious, though. "Here we are." "Ah, yes." When I think about it, seems like we properly arrive there. It's about twice as large as Miniera's guild. But, since the letter at the signboard is the usual 'Adventurer Guild' character, so I think it's really here, right? Leila-chan is looking at me with eyes asking for praise, so I thrust my index finger to her mouth. She happily licks it, but since she might accidentally bites it off so I pull my finger back after several seconds. Saying so, I open the guild's door. When we enter it, similarly like at Miniera's guild, all the gazes of adventurers are all gathered at us. I feel that the assessment gazes here are comparably higher than at Miniera. Honestly speaking, I thought that they were nothing but muscle-head, though. "Th, these gazes are a bit too heavy, I think." "You don't need to be so frightened like that, Rishe-chan. It isn't like they're going to catch and bite you, you know?" "But... everyone here are all considered as top class at Miniera, you know? Or rather, it's way more strange for an H rank like you to boldly walk under these gazes." "Then, try to look there, at that girl." Rishe-chan is seemingly very frightened, so I point my finger at one of the receptionist girl, and then Rishe-chan shifts her gaze toward that girl. Noticing that I'm pointing at her, the receptionist girl is looking at us with a dubious expression. "Her chest isn't nearly as big as Mia-chan's, right?" The air inside the guild is suddenly frozen. This is something I will know later, but it seems like the seating order of the receptionist are decided by their position. Mia-chan's seat was at the center point of the receptionist's seat, that means a seat straight through the entrance. That's the seat of the most popular receptionist, the so called Ace receptionist, that means, Mia-chan is the most popular receptionist at Miniera's guild. And then, the one I'm currently pointing at is the girl that sits at the same seat as Mia-chan, Ace seat that is located straight through entrance. That means, the most popular receptionist at this Grandile's guild, and I also say that her chest is small. So it should be a matter of course if the air is frozen. Well, that's something I'll know later so there's nothing I can do about it right now, though. "...hmm? What's up with this atmosphere?" "Idiot! Kitsune, you must not say something like her chest is small toward a girl!" "Well... look, it was to restore your spirit, you know?" Inside the frozen air, I float my usual faint smile and looking at my surroundings, and then Rishe-chan whispers and warn me as such. Ah, I see, so that's the case. But, you see, it's as clear as day that her chest is smaller than Mia-chan's, and I also didn't say that her chest is small either, so it should be fine, right? "Pfft... fufufufu...! Kitsune-san, good job...!" And then, Finia-chan who is laughing while holding her stomach at my shoulder praises me. As I thought, I did nothing wrong. "For now, let's go to the receptionist immediately~, I'm getting tired... fua...." Then, the normal Leila-chan says so while yawning. Well, along the guarding request, we didn't get decent sleep for three days, so it can't be helped if she lacks of sleep. And so, inside this frozen air, I walk toward the receptionist girl that is floating business smile. The girl I pointed at before. "Umm, please process the completion of the guarding request." "No, um, please process the completion of the request." "Completion procedure" Not good, somehow my words won't go through. And she even only answered with not more than four characters. What happens, I wonder? She floats a smile but her eyes aren't smiling, similarly like the one Mia-chan once did, but this girl isn't scary at all. That means, perhaps she isn't angry. Could it be, is she irritated, I wonder? Or perhaps, did she get harassed by her superior, I wonder? "Finia-chan, somehow she seems like is irritated, but... do you know why?" "Kitsune-san, girls have subtle parts on them, you know! And those are something you must not ever touch!" "Ah, umm... sorry." "I'm sure she is in her period!" When we're chatting about it, the receptionist before me suddenly rises from her seat. She is hanging her head so I can't see her face, but her shoulders are quivering. Ah, she must be shy because just now Finia-chan said that she's in her period. How troublesome, Finia-chan is pretty careless in those parts, after all. "Finia-chan, even if that's really the case, you shouldn't say it lout that she's in her period, you know...." "Ah." "Sorry, Missy, she meant no ill intent, so please forgive her." "I'M MAD AT YOOUUUUU!!!!" "Bufu!?" When I'm apologizing, my field of vision suddenly takes a turn. I don't feel any pain, but from the sensation of hitting floor and the sensation of lying on the floor, I can somehow grasp the situation. Seems like I just got hit. Still lying on the floor, I look up, I can see the receptionist girl jumps over the counter and coming my way, and then Rishe-chan and some other adventurers try to stop her. I sit upright. "...what a brute girl." Since she was always sitting so I didn't realize it, but this receptionist girl is very petite. Perhaps, even a bit shorter than Lulu-chan. Her chest is small compared to Mia-chan's, but for her build, it is considerably big. The so called big-boobed loli. Moreover she's seemingly quite a wild one, to hit when she's angry, what an interesting girl. "Kitsune-kun, Kitsune-kun." "What's up, Leila-chan?' "You sure are skilled at offending people, right, Kitsune-kun?" "No no, she was just arbitrarily angry when I talked to her, you know?" "No matter how you look at it, it's all bad mouth, though. But I also love such Kitsune-kun." Leila-chan chan squats and then talks to me who am sitting on the floor. I think I've never did anything wrong, but everyone were somehow angry at me. What a stray disaster. Saying so, Leila-chan hugs me while smiling. That's troublesome, so I stand up and shake Leila-chan off. "Calm down! Calm down, Runa-chan! He sure is a bit that, but he has no ill intent!" "He's right! You're cute, Runa-chan! Don't worry! You aren't inferior at all!" "That's right! Kitsune is always like that! So please forgive him!" "Fu-! Fu-!" Two male adventurers and Rishe-chan, when the three of them are trying to stop the receptionist named Runa, I walk toward her. If we make someone angry, we have to apologize, after all. I stand before Runa-chan. And then, Runa-chan immediately stops her struggle, but her face still looks as angry as it is. Seems like she's going to listen to what I'm going to say, right? Noticing that, the adventurers that are restraining her are unfastening their constraint. "Please calm yourself down, Finia-chan really had no ill intent, you know? So please forgive her." "Gebu!" Eh, not Finia-chan but me? Her uppercut punch hits my jaw, and when my body is sent flying from the force, I think so. For now, my field of vision is unsteady, but since my thought is still plain clear, so I calmly correct my posture, and then landing with both of my legs. "...um, at me, huh... I see, at me, huh...." "I won't lose to such big only woman!" "Do you mean, Mia-chan?" "That's right! There's no way I would lose to such person!" Seems like this girl takes Mia-chan as her rival. As a fellow receptionist, is there any kind of competition, I wonder? Like, how many adventurers that take request through her, or perhaps popularity... well, I don't particularly care about such a thing, but at least there's something I need to tell her. "No no, no matter how you look at it, Mia-chan is way more beautiful and her boobs are also way bigger, right?" At that moment, a small fist appears at my field of view, and my consciousness faded there.

地面が赤黒かった。 視界がぼやけて、足が棒の様だった。 身体が動かず、今まで体験した事のない様な何も無い感覚。 口から何か出た。身体の中から軋む様な音がした。 間違いなく、否定する余地無く、考えるまでもなく、決定的に、限界だった。 目の前で佇む白い少女、名前はステータスを見る限りステラ。彼女との戦いは、完全に一方的な勝負だった。最初の攻防で、僕は彼女との間にあった圧倒的速度の差によって、攻撃を掠らせることも出来ずにやられた。彼女にとって、僕の攻撃は見てから対応してもなんら支障無く対応出来る様な、取るに足りないものだったんだ。 でも、立ちあがった僕に対して、彼女は無表情のまま僕を叩く。いつしか槍すら引っ込めて、僕の身体をその拳で叩き続けた。 彼女の白いドレスは、僕の返り血で所々赤く染まり、彼女の拳もまた血で濡れていた。 それでも僕が倒れなかったのは、痛みがないこともあったけど、なにより負けるのが嫌だったからだ。勇者に負け、フィニアちゃんとルルちゃんを奪われ、そして今度はこの白い少女に負け、レイラちゃんまでもを失うのが不愉快だったからだ。 「......分かりませんね、何故そうまでして後ろの魔族を護るのですか?」 「......ごぶっ......さて、なんで......だったかな......」 話し掛けてくる彼女は、不思議そうに首を傾げている。僕はもうなんだか思考が纏まらなくなってるけど、そうだな......なんで倒れないのか......確かに限界ギリギリだし、これ以上何か出来るわけでもない。 勇者と戦った時も、レイラちゃんと戦った時も、そうだった。勝てない、僕はこの世界に来てからずっと、負けてばかりだ。そしてその度に大切なものを失ってる。 レイラちゃんと戦って、左眼を失った。 勇者と戦って、大事な絆を奪われた。 あの巫女にしおりちゃんとの絆であるお面も奪われて、僕にあと何が残ってる? 弱くて脆くて負けてばかりの情けない僕自身と、リーシェちゃんとレイラちゃんの二人だけ。 僕は何回失うんだ。何回負けて、何回こうして奪われるんだ。 この世界は僕に優しくない、元の世界もそうだったけれど、なんで僕がこんな目に遭ってるんだ。理不尽、不愉快、気に入らない。 「僕は、もう奪われたくない、だけだ......」 「奪う、ですか?」 「フィニアちゃんも......ルル、ちゃんも......僕が、必死に......生きて、手に入れた絆だった......それを奪われた......もうこれ以上、奪わせない......!」 だから、例えレイラちゃんでも、僕の手の中にある物がするりと離れて行くのは許さない。だから僕はこうして立ってるんだ。もうこれ以上、奪われない様に、失わない様に、僕は負けたくない。 それが例え女々しくても、情けなくても、みっともなくても、みじめでも、格好悪くても、僕を舐めないで欲しい。しつこく、しぶとく、うっとおしいくらいに喰らい付いてやる。 「例え殺されたって......僕は負けるわけにはいかないんだよ......」 もうこれ以上失わない......これ以上僕の大事なものは、奪わせない―――!! 瞬間、心臓が一際大きく――――鼓動した。 咄嗟に胸を抑えた。 そして更なる変化が僕を襲う。血液が沸騰する様に熱くなり、加速するのが分かった。そして途端に、真っ暗だった視界が広がった。一つ一つの物が鮮明に映る。身体の軋む音が、止まった。棒の様だった足の震えは止まり、苦しかった呼吸が一気に楽になる。 『臨死体験』が発動したのかと思ったけれど、怪我が何一つ治っていないのを見れば、違うのが分かる。 じゃあなんだ? 何が起こっている? 「―――!」 すると、目の前の白い少女が初めて無表情に変化を見せた。と言っても、少しだけ眼を見開いただけだけれど。 どういうことか分からないけれど、身体が動く、身体の軋みもない、ならまだやれる。 ここまでずっと放さなかったレイラちゃんの黒いナイフを握り締め、鮮明になった視界の中で白い彼女を捉える。ナイフを突き付けると、彼女は見開いた目を元に戻し、無表情に戻った。 「何が起こったのか分かりませんが......今の貴方はとても―――綺麗ですね」 そう言った彼女の手に、バチバチと音を立てて青白い槍が生まれる。レイラちゃんですら脅威に怯えた、あの破壊の槍。神を殺す為の、灼熱の稲妻。 でも、何故だか今は全く......怖くない。 「口説くならもっと感情を込めて言って欲しいね」 「そんなつもりはありませんが、覚えておきましょう」 僕に起こった変化はなんなのかは分からないけれど、今は不思議と......負ける気がしない。 ◇ ◇ ◇ ここで、この世界における『固有スキル』という この『固有スキル』というものは、普通に持っている通常のスキルとは違ってかなり強力な力だ。 リーシェの様に魔眼系のスキルであったり、勇者の様に唯一無二のその者だけのスキルであったりして、この力にもかなり種類や差がある。 そして、称号に関係して先天的に備わっていたり、血筋が関係して先天的に備わっていたりと、基本的に『固有スキル』とは、先天的に備わっている天才の力なのだ。 だが極稀に、後天的に『固有スキル』が覚醒する事例もある。 元々、『固有スキル』は誰もが持っている力で、誰もが覚醒出来るわけではない力だ。 それは例えば、長年必死に努力した結果だったり、なにか強い衝撃を受けた拍子にだったり、各々理由は様々だが、共通しているのは何かその人にとって大きな―――それこそ今までの自分から生まれ変わるほどの何かがあって覚醒しているということ。 そしてその力は先天的なものにも匹敵し、歴史に残る数々の英雄を生み出してきた。 ある者は一国の王となり、後世に残る国を創り上げた。 ある者は多くの人間達を絶望へと陥れた悪龍に立ち向かい、世界を救った。 そしてある者は、愛する者を護る為に一国全てを敵に回し、その力を向けた。 そして更に、数々の英雄達はその力を振るってきた訳だが、その恐ろしさは『通常スキルの上位』だという所にある。 今回の勇者の持つ『希望の光』が分かりやすい例だが、この『固有スキル』というものは全て通常スキルの上位に位置する力であり、どのようなスキルであっても通常スキルである限りは『固有スキル』の齎す影響を覆すことは出来ないのだ。 故に、これを持つ者と持たざる者では、絶対的な格差が生まれる。幾ら剣術や身体能力で勝っていようが、『固有スキル』の有無で勝敗が覆されることだってある。 ―――では、ここで桔音に起こった変化についてだ。 彼は、奪われたくないという気持ちが大きくなり、負けたくないという決意が強くなったことで、自身の肉体の損傷を越えて、瀕死の状態でありながらその精神と感覚が限界を超えたのだ。 研ぎ澄まされた精神は気絶という無意識の領域を越えて、存在の、魂の奥へと到達する―――! その結果、彼の感覚は身体の痛みがないことを良いことに、人間が常に自身に課している脳のリミッターを強引に解放する。 だが、痛みのない桔音にとっては関係無い。動かせるのなら、生き延びられるのなら、後のことはどうでも良かったのだ。そう、使徒という脅威に対峙した桔音にあったのは――― ―――『全て奪わせない』という、決死の覚悟。 その覚悟は、彼に大きな変化を齎した。そう、それこそが『固有スキル』の覚醒。使徒が感じ取ったのは、その覚醒による強大な気配と、桔音が抱いた純粋な覚悟と想い。純粋なその気持ちは、彼女にとってとても尊い物に見えたのだ。 そして、桔音はまだその覚醒に気が付いていないが、無意識にその力の片鱗を発揮しようとしていた。 桔音が固有スキルに覚醒し、そして戦闘続行の意思を見せた時から......つまり使徒、ステラが稲妻の槍を再度生み出して戦闘を再開させた時からだ。 彼女の攻撃、無論本気で殺そうと迫る攻撃を、桔音は『全て躱していた』 ステラは距離を取って、そう呟く。 桔音はまるで、自分の動きを先読みしているかのように正確無比に槍を躱すのだ。そう、それこそレイラが反応出来なかった、あの 桔音はそう呟いて、笑う。 「今なら......どんな攻撃だって躱せそうだ」 どれ程の破壊力でも、どれほどの速度でも、躱せる気がした。肉体が限界を超えて、崩壊していくのを感じるけれど、それでも桔音は動く。感覚が、肉体の許容量を超えて、もっと、もっと動けと脳の電気信号を伝って火花を散らす。 鮮明な視界はやがて色を失くし、音を失くし、あらゆるものが輪郭だけの線画の様に見えた。真っ白な背景に、黒い線で描かれた様な視界になり、余計な情報が一切入って来ない。 明らかに危険な領域、命を燃やして桔音はそこに立っていた。 「......何故貴方はそこまで足掻くのでしょうか。何故そこの魔族を庇うのでしょうか。そんなにそこの魔族が大事なのでしょうか?」 だからステラは問いかける。何故そこまでするのかと、改めて思う。 魔族は人間の敵で、人間の桔音がそこまで命を賭ける理由はない筈だ。なのに桔音は自身の命を燃やして使徒である自分に立ち向かってくる。 彼をそこまでさせる価値が、そこの魔族にあるのか。彼がそこまでする理由とはなんだ。 だが、問いかけても桔音の耳は既に聴覚機能を遮断してしまっている。生きているのが、おかしい位の状態。これ以上動けば、桔音は本当に死んでしまうだろう。 何故か『臨死体験』が発動しないのだ。おそらくは覚醒した『固有スキル』のせいなのだろうが、その事実は今の桔音にとって致命的だった。 「聞く耳持たず、ですか......」 「きつね君!」 「む......」 とそこで、ステラと桔音の間に、先程まで自身の心の変化に戸惑い、動けずにいたレイラが介入してきた。ふらふらと身体が揺れる桔音の前に立ち、ステラから彼を護る様に立ち塞がる。 「これ以上......きつね君を傷付けないで」 「......それは、貴方が彼を狙っているからですか? それとも彼が貴方の獲物だからですか?」 涙を滲ませながら、ステラを睨むレイラ。桔音がレイラを護ろうとするのも分からなかったステラだが、レイラが桔音を護ろうとする姿も理解出来なかった。何故敵対すべき関係である彼らがそうするのか、全く理解出来なかった。 だからその理由をレイラに問うた。彼女はその問いに答える。 「分かんない! でも......きつね君が傷付くのを見てると......胸の中がぐちゃぐちゃして......なんかいやなの!! だからきつね君をこれ以上傷付けないで......!」 答えは、分からないだった。彼女自身も分からないのだ、自分が何故桔音に傷付いて欲しくないのか、何故自分が桔音を護ろうとしているのか、さっぱり分からない。 でも嫌なものは嫌。実に、自分勝手で我儘で、彼女らしい答えではあった。 「......理解出来ません......が、貴女と彼の間に敵対の意思が無いことは分かりました」 「良いでしょう、人間と魔族でありながら共に居ようとする貴女方の想いは純粋で、浄化する必要性を感じません。私は勇者を追い掛けなければなりませんし、この場は退きましょう」 感化されたわけではない、理解した訳でもない、ただ人間と魔族という関係でありながら共に居るという、二人の想いが本物である事は分かった。 或いは可能性を感じたのかもしれない、『浄化しなくてもいい魔族』が存在する可能性を。 「無駄な怪我を負わせてしまったこと、謝罪しましょう。申し訳ありませんでした」 「え? あ......うん」 ステラが頭を下げたことで、レイラは呆気に取られる。 だが背後の桔音の身体が前のめりに揺れ、レイラの背中に倒れてきた故に、慌てて彼の身体を支えた。見れば、瞳は開いているけれど、意識は無い様だった。 「きつね君......きつね君しっかりして―――ッ!」 桔音を支えながら地面に寝かせて、レイラは必死に呼びかける。すると、固有スキルが解除されたのか入れ替わる様に『臨死体験』が発動した。 ステラの攻撃力の倍の耐性を手に入れ、その傷が凄まじい勢いで治癒していく。レイラの時よりも凄まじい耐性値を手に入れた桔音の身体は、ものの十数秒で全ての傷を完治させ、桔音の命の鼓動を繋ぎとめた。 「......はぁ......良かったぁ......」 心底ほっとしたように胸を撫で下ろすレイラ。 そんな彼女を見て、ステラは地面に倒れたままの桔音に歩み寄り、隣にしゃがみ込んだ。そして、桔音の顔を覗きこみ、露草色の瞳で桔音の左眼を見た。 「......この左眼は、治らないのですね」 「あ......うん、そうみたい......」 「そうですか......分かりました。それでは私が治しましょう」 「え? 出来るの?」 「無駄な負傷を負わせてしまった謝罪と、お詫びです。よろしいですか?」 ステラの言葉にレイラは少し考えた後、治るなら良いよね、と結論を出し、彼女のその言葉に対して一つ、頷いた。

The ground is dark red. My field of vision is blurry, my legs are limp. My body is unable to move, something I've never experienced thus far. Something is flowing out of my mouth. I feel like I can hear a creaking-like sound from the inside of my body. Surely, without a doubt, absolutely, I'm at my limit. There's a pure white girl before me, from what I saw when I checked her status, her name is Stella. My fight against her was, an overwhelming one sided fight. Ever since the first clash, given her overwhelming speed, I was beaten into pulp without even able to land even a single attack on her. For her, my attacks were nothing but worthless efforts without any needs for her to mind about it. However, to the kept on standing me, she still expressionlessly fought me. Without I noticed it, her lance was nowhere to be found, and she only attacked me with her fists. Her white dress is dyes red with my blood, as well as her fists. Nevertheless, the reason I haven't collapsed is because I can't feel any pain, and more importantly, I definitely don't want to lose. Losing to the hero, I lost Finia and Lulu-chan, and now thinking that I'll lose Leila-chan if I lose to this white dressed girl, I really don't like the idea. "...I really can't understand, why do you go that far to protect that demon behind you?" "...*cough*... well, why... I wonder...??" She asks so while inclining her head in wonder. I do feel like my mind is almost blank, but, really... why haven't I collapsed, I wonder?... I'm sure I'm already at my limit, I don't feel like I can do anything further. When I fight the hero, as well as when I fight Leila-chan, it was also like this. I couldn't win, ever since I came to this world, I experienced nothing but lose. Moreover, I always loss something importang for me because of it. At my fight against Leila-chan, I lost my left eye. At my fight against the hero, I lost my cherished bond. Even the mask, which was my only bond left with Shiori-chan, was snatched away by that miko, just what will be left for me later? For the weak, frail, and keep losing me, now I only have Rishe-chan and Leila-chan. How many have I lost? How many times have I to lose, how many times have I to have my precious ones to be snatched away this way? This world is surely unkind to me, my former world was just like so as well, just why I must always suffer like this? Outrageous, irritating, I hate it. "I just, don't want to, loss anything, again..." "Loss anything?" "Finia-chan... Lulu-chan... the bonds I desperately created... that finally I got... it was snatched away... that's why, I won't let anyone snatch anything from me... ever again!" That's why, even if it's Leila-chan, I won't let anything within my grasp to slip away from me. That's why I keep on standing like this. So that I won't ever lose again, so that nothing will be snatched away again, I don't want to lose. No matter how effeminate, pathetic, disgraceful, miserable, and unsighty I become, I want to make everyone to not looking down on me. Or else I'll Insistently, tenaciously, or even irritatingly keep on biting on you. "Even if you kill me here... I can't afford to lose here...." I don't want to loss anything again... I won't let anything precious to me, to get snatched away ever again!! Suddenly, my heart geartly and violently... punds. I immediately hold my chest. Then, my body is suddenly attacked by an even greater change. I can feel my blood is accelerating and hot as if boiling. Suddenly my pitch black vision brightens. One by one, everything looks so vivid. The creaking sounds from my body is, stopped. My legs are stopped trembling, and suddenly I can breath so smoothly again. At first I think 'Near-death experience' is activated, by since none of my wounds is healed, so I understand that that isn't the case. Then what? What is happening? "...!" Then, for the first time, the white girl before me shows some changes in her expressionless face. Nevertheless, it's only her eyes that very slightly widen, though. I don't know what is happening here, but my body can move again, my body isn't creaking again, that means I can still keep going. Grasping tightly the miasma knife from Leila-chan, I focus my vision solely on the white girl. When I thrust the knife forward, her slightly widened eyes are returning to its expressionless state. "I don't understand what happened to you, but... just now, you look very... pretty." Saying so, along with pricking sounds, a pale lance appears at her hand. Destroyer lance that even makes Leila-chan frightened. Weapon for the sake of slaying god, scorching heat lance. And yet, somehow, right now... I'm not scared at all. "If you want to hit on me then please do it with emotions in it." "I have no such intention, but I'll keep that in mind." I don't know what's the true nature of the changes that happened at my body, but mysteriously... I don't feel like losing right now. * * * Here, let's do some explanation regarding 'innate skill' that exists in this world. This innate skill was, compared with the common ones, it was a fairly more powerful kinds of skill. Like, Trisha's demon eye, as well as the skill that were solely possessed by the hero, there were some types of innate skill. There were ones that were acquired through acquiring a certain title, or ones that were inherited through bloodline, but fundamentally, innate skill was a gift that was gifted to those who were gifted. However, there were rare cases where ones obtained innate skill through sheer luck. Naturally, everyone possessed innate skill, it was just not just everyone could awaken it. Training hard for a long time periods, receiving a sudden great shock, there were many causes of it, but there was something in common out of it, that was, one ought to face some life-changing great experience, that was when one could awaken one's innate skill. Those skills were possessed innately, and numerous braves, who were recorded in history, were born upon awakening it. One was a hotheaded king, he brought his country upon its prosperity. One fought against a raging dragon that endanger humanity, he saved the world. And then, there was one who turned the whole country into his enemy to protect his precious ones, he faced them with this power. Furthermore, there were numerous braves who brandished this power, and their powers were 'way above the common skills'. The current hero possessed 'Ray of hope' whose effect was pretty easy to understand, since these 'innate skill' were all clearly more powerful than common skills, no matter what kind of common skill it was, it wouldn't be able to overthrow the effect of an 'innate skill'. That was why, there was an overwhelming gap between the one who possessed it and the one who didn't posses it. No matter how large the disparity between their phisycal ability or their sword skills were, the victory and defeat might be decided simply by the existence of 'innate skill'. --then, here's the talk about the changes that happened at Kitsune's body. With his strong will of not wanting to lose, and his strong feeling of not wanting to loss anything again, he surpassed the injuries on his body, surpassed his sense limit even though he was already on the verge of death state. His sharpened mind unconsciously surpassed the unconscious domain, and reached the center of his very being, his soul... And the result, not just he couldn't feel any pain on his body, the limiter that was constantly placed by the mind was forcefully released. His muscles might torn apart simply by moving it, his mind was so worn out to the point he might be collapsed anytime. However, for Kitsune who couldn't feel any pain, those things were irrelevant. As long as he could move, as long as he could stay alive, he didn't care about what might happen later. Right, for Kitsune who was confronting the threat called as apostle... ...he undertook it with the resolution to put his life on the line because 'he didn't want to loss anything'. Right, that was the awakening of his 'innate skill'. The one that the apostle sensed was, the great presence upon its awakening, and the pure resolution and feeling that were hold by Kitsune. In her eyes, those pure emotions were very noble. And then, Kitsune hadn't realized its awakening yet, but he had subconsciously exihibited a portion of its effect. After awakening his innate skill, Kitsune showed his will to continue the fight... then the apostle, Stella, brandished his lance and confronted him once again. All of her attacks, either it was the one to press or even the one to seriously kill him, Kitsune 'evaded all of it'. Stella took some distances, and mumbled so. Kitsune precisely evaded all of her attacks as if he could forsee it. Right, even that comet-like attack which Leila couldn't react to at all. Murmuring so, he smiled. "Right now... I feel like I can dodge any kinds of attack." No matter how powerful it was, no matter how fast it was, it was as if he could dodge all of it. He could feel that his body had far surpassed its limit and about to collapse, nevertheless, he kept on moving. His sense surpassed what his body capable of doing, but his mind kept on sending signal to his body to keep and keep moving. Before long his vivid vision lost its colors, and his ear couldn't hear anything, all he saw was nothing but a mere silhouette. His field of visio was, as if a paint with white background and white line in the center of it, he filtered all the unnecessary informations. That was clearly a dangerous domain, but Kitsune with his faint life was standing there. "...why do you struggle that far? Why do you protect that demon? Is that demon really that important to you?" That was why Stella asked so. Why did he go that far? She asked so once again. Human was demon's enemy, there should be no reson for a human like him to put his life on the line like that. And yet Kitsune still confronted her, an apostle, even while burning his own life in exchange. Was there something in that demon that was worth to struggle that far? What was the reason for him to go that far? However, even if she asked so, Kitsune's ears couldn't hear anything already. He was at the state where it was even strange for him to still alive. If he moved any further, perhaps Kitsune would really die. Somehow 'Near-death experience' wasn't activated. Perhaps it was because of the effect of his just awakened innate skill, but for the current Kitsune, that fact was severly dangerous. "You couldn't hear me, huh...." "Kitsune-kun!" "Hmm...." There, the one that never moved at all up until now, Leila, suddenly interfered and stood between Stella and Kitsune. Her body was shaking and unsteadily standing before Kitsune as if protecting him from Stella. "Don't... hurt him any further." "...is that because you're also targeting him? Or is it because he is your prey?" With tears streaming down, Leila glared at Stella. Stella couldn't understand why Kitsune protected Leila, and this time she also couldn't understand why Leila protected Kitsune. Why those two, who were supposed to be hostile to each other, were doing so, she couldn't understand it at all. That was why she asked Leila what her reason was. And Leila answered her question as such. "I don't know! But... when I see Kitsune-kun being hurt... it feels as if my chest is torn apart... somehow I just don't like it! That's why don't hurt him any further!" The answer was, she didn't know it. Even she herself didn't know, why she didn't want to see Kitsune being hurt, why she wanted to protect him, she didn't know why at all. But she didn't like something she dislike. Simply hers-like selfish and egoistic answer. "...I don't understand... but, I do understand that you two hold no hostility to each other at all." "Very well, given your pure emotions to be together even even though one is human and one is demon, it appears I don't see the need to purify both of you. I have to chase after the hero after all, I guess the sooner I leave this place the better." Hearing Leila's answer, Stella decided to back off. She wasn't influenced by it, nor had she understood it, it just she had understood that their feelings to be together were genuine despite the fact one was human and one was demon. Or perhaps she saw some kind of possibility from them, the possibility that perhaps there were demons that were 'okay to not be purified'. "Let me apologize for giving such unnecessary injuries. I'm very sory." "Eh? Ah... um." Toward Stella who bowed her head, Leila was dumbfounded. However, Kitsune, who was behind Leila, was collapsing forward and collapsed on her back. Leila flusteredly held his body. Looking closely, his eyes were still opened, but he was already unconscious. "Kitsune-kun... Kitsune-kun, hang in there!" While holding and laying Kitsune on the ground, Leila desperately calling out to him. And then, perhaps the effect of his innate skill had worn off, 'Near-death experience' activated. Receiving resistance stat equaling double of Stella's offensive abilily, his injuries were very quickly healed. Kitsune's body that received resistance stat that was way higher that the time with Leila, all of his injuries were all healed in around ten seconds of time, and Kitsune's life had also gone steady again. "...haa... thanks god...." Leila let out a relief as if she was relieved from the bottom from her heart. Looking at such her, Stella walked toward the lying down Kitsune, and crouched down beside him. And then, she peered into Kitsune's face, and looked at his left eyes with the azure eyes of hers. "...his left eye, looks like it isn't healed as well, right?" "Ah.... Um, seems like so...." "I see... very well. Then, let me heal it." "Eh? You can do it?" "Take it as an apology for giving such unnecessary injuries. May I?" Hearing what Stella said, Leila thought about it for a bit, and after arriving at a conclusion that it was all good if she really could do it, she nodded to her once.

「キヒッ!」 衝突は、一瞬だった。そして、彼我の実力差は初撃ではっきり出た。 自身に向かって全速力で迫ったレイスに対し、レイラは軽くハエを払うかのように手を振ってレイスの顔面に張り手を当てたのだ。その威力は、並の冒険者の拳よりも重く、鋭い。 突撃の勢いと、壁にぶつかった様な衝撃に一瞬意識が遠のいたレイス。ハッと気付いた時には己の身体が宙を舞っていた。直ぐに体勢を立て直して着地する、が、身体がふらついて膝を付いてしまった。 Sランクの犯罪者とSランクの魔族。同じSランクであろうが、『犯罪者』と『魔族』というのは格が違い過ぎる。犯罪者であろうが、所詮は 「―――ッハァ......! なんだお前、女のビンタにしちゃ威力高過ぎじゃねぇか......?」 「うふふうふふふ♪ きつね君はこの程度なら平気で耐えるよ♡」 「マジか......あいつ、マジで化けモンかよ......キヒッ......クハハハハ......!! 面白れぇ、心底殺したくなるぜ......!」 「分かるよ、その気持ち♪ きつね君は面白いし、可愛いし、格好良いし、美味しいもん♡ だから好きなの♪」 レイスはこの時、自分の死を覚悟していた。 相手の実力が分からない程落ちぶれたつもりはない。目の前に居るこの ―――このでけぇ壁をぶっ壊したら、この腹は膨れるか? 「殺してみれば、分かんだろォ! クハハハッ!!」 だから笑った―――死んだとしたら、その時はその時だ。 殺して殺して殺して殺して殺して、何度も何度も、心臓を潰して、肺に風穴を開けて、肝臓を切り裂いて、腸を引き摺り出して、目玉を刳り抜いて、脳を潰して、筋肉を引き千切って、骨を圧し折って、四肢を捥いで、残虐の限りを尽くして人間という人間を殺し抜いて生きてきたのだ。 今更、この快感は止められない。 レイスは地面を蹴った。剣を煌めかせ、己の限界を越えようと、必死でもがく。殺せないのなら、殺せるまで成長すれば良い。この一秒の中で成長すればいい、限界など幾らでも、越えれば良い。 「っ!?」 先程の初撃は、間違いなくレイスの全速力だった。 しかし、この二撃目は、初撃を上回る速度でレイラに肉薄してみせた。限界を越えたのだ。その狂気が、その貪欲な殺人欲が、快楽を貪る殺人鬼の本能が、彼を更なる高みへ手を掛けさせた。 その予想外の速度に驚愕し、レイラは迫りくる剣を、咄嗟に瘴気を固形化させて止めた。 ―――その位置は、レイラの首寸前。 瘴気で止めなかった場合、レイスの剣はレイラの首を刎ねていただろう。一瞬遅れて、若干レイラの白髪が数本切れた。 「キャヒヒッ! あと一歩だったなぁ......!」 血走った眼を見開いて、瘴気で止められた刃を尚たたっ斬ろうと押し付けるレイスは、狂ったように笑った。理性はあるようだが、明らかに今のレイスが出せる力を大きく越えている。レイラもまた、眼を丸くしていた。 「......うふっ♪ うふふうふふふふ♪ あはぁ......♡ いいよいいよぉ♡ ぞっくぞくする!」 レイラは自分の身体を抱き締めるようにして、だらしなく笑った。赤い瞳が、爛々と煌めいている。狂気が、彼女の表情に滲み出る。そう、『赤い夜』としての狂気が。 そして次の瞬間、レイラの身体から真っ黒な瘴気が勢いよく噴き出る。まるで噴火の様に、猛々しく、死の猛威を体現する。 「貴方は不味そう♪ 不味そうだけど―――私が残さずちゃあんと食べてあげる♡」 二人の狂気が、ぶつかり合って火花を散らす。 「クハハハッ! あの眼の色が違ェガキ! アイツ一体何なんだァ!? アイツ自体もそうだが、こんな化けモン侍らせてやがるとか、マジで頭イカれてんじゃねぇの!!」 「うふふうふふふ♪ 殺させないよ、きつね君は私の♪ だって私はきつね君が大好きだもん♡」 互いに地面を蹴って、レイスの上段から振り下ろされた刃と、レイラの瘴気で作った黒いナイフが金属音を鳴らす。剣戟の音が二度、三度と繰り返される。一瞬の内に、何度も衝突する。 一見すれば互角、だがその実レイラのナイフは幾度もレイスの身体を傷付け、レイスの剣は全て防がれている。 「ッチィ......キヒヒッ!」 剣戟の音が止まり、二人の間に距離が開く。 レイラの両手には黒いナイフが一本ずつ握られ、くるくるとジャグリングの様に弄んでいる。 対して、レイスの剣は所々欠けていた。武器にも大きな性能の差があることは明白だ。 「まだ届かねぇのかよ......クハッ! 面白ェ......!」 だが、レイスはまだ諦めない。いや、此処に来てまだ戦闘を楽しんでいた。 寧ろ、レイラの底の見えない実力に、一周回って恐怖心がなくなったのかもしれない。 「ほらほら、もうちょっと楽しませて?」 レイラは相も変わらず笑ってそう言う。レイスは冷や汗を一筋流しながらも、また地面を蹴った。 一方その頃、ゴブリンキングとの戦いは熾烈を極めていた。予想していた通り、冒険者達は劣勢。未だ一人も死んではおらず、その経験と知恵を用いてゴブリンや剛拳猿を倒していたものの、やはり数の差は覆らない。 少しずつ、じりじりと冒険者達が押されていた。 「くっ......切りがねぇ......!!」 「余所見しない! はぁぁぁ!!」 「グルァアアア!!」 あの先導を切った新人冒険者に襲い掛かる狼を、女冒険者が切り払う。戦闘が始まってから背中を護り合う戦いで、誰も死んでいない現状が維持出来ているのだ。 「悪い! おおおおお!!!」 「ブガァァァァァ!!」 剣を振るう冒険者達にも、けして少なくない疲労が見える。倒した魔獣の数も、まだ五十やそこら。まだまだ勢いが止まらない魔獣達を全て倒したとしても、最後の最後にはゴブリンキングが待ち構えている。 状況は、最悪だった。 別に臆した訳ではないが、それでも決定的な何かがない以上、このままでは全滅は免れない。冒険者達の内心には、少しづつ焦燥感が募っている。 それでも、希望が無いわけではない。グランディール王国から実力ある冒険者達が応援に来てさえくれれば、この状況は一気に覆すことが出来る。 しかし、本国から此処まで、どんなに急いだとしてもおよそ五時間は掛かる。戦いを始めてからまだ一時間も経っていないのだ、それは希望とは到底言えないもの。 それでも、それしか希望がない以上、彼らに出来るのは精一杯戦う事くらいだ。街を防衛しなければならないという意思が、彼らを支えていた。 「ッ!? 皆下がれェェェ!!」 そこで、冒険者の一人が叫んだ。瞬間、その場の全員が魔獣達の変化に気付く。 ―――後方にいた筈のゴブリンキングが、前に出て来ていた。 そして冒険者達が後退しようとした瞬間、ゴブリンキングの持っていた棍棒が、地面を抉る様に冒険者達を蹴散らした。 「ガッ......!!?」 「あぁ......ッ!!」 「ゴフッ......!!」 比較的前に居た数名が棍棒の攻撃に吹き飛ばされ、後方へと転がった。 まるで、塵の様に吹き飛ばされる様子を見て、全員がゴブリンキングの格の高さを思い知る。今の自分達では勝てないことを思い知る。 その光景に、募った焦燥感が爆発したのか、一人の冒険者が自棄になって、ゴブリンキングに向かって駆けだした。止める声が出るが、聞こえていないらしく、その冒険者は止まらない。 「フン......」 ゴブリンキングが鼻で笑う声と共に、 「――――!!」 その冒険者が、振り下ろされた棍棒に潰され......死んだ。 「な......!」 誰もが絶句した様子の中、誰かの呻きが聞こえた。 そして、棍棒をゆっくり持ち上げたゴブリンキングは、冒険者達を見下すように視線を向けると、その大きな口を開いた。 「邪魔ダ......キザマラ程度、相手ニモナラン......」 ゴブリンキングがそう言うと、絶句していた冒険者達に、他の魔獣達が一斉に襲い掛かる。ゴブリンキングに気を取られて硬直していた冒険者達は、一瞬反応が遅れた。 だが、戦闘の中ではその一瞬が命取り。狼に腕を噛み千切られ、ゴブリンに棍棒で殴られ、冒険者達の戦力が大幅に削られていく。保たれていた均衡が、一つの罅から崩壊していく。 一方その頃、領主の部屋では、散乱した書類と荒らされた部屋の中央。一人の少年と中年の貴族が向かい合っていた。少年の背後には剣を提げた少女もいる。 少年は薄ら笑いを浮かべ、少女は静かに展開を見守るスタンスなのか、背後に立っていた。対して、貴族の男は少年に対して出来得る限り距離を取っている様だった。 もっと言えば、貴族の男の表情も、何処か怯える様なものに変わっている。 原因としては、少年のスキル『不気味体質』が原因なのだろうが、それでなくとも彼は少年に怯えている様だった。 「あはは、そんなに怯えないでくれよ。僕はただのHランク冒険者だぜ?」 少年の言葉に、貴族の男は歯噛みする。 「えーと......オルバ公爵だっけ? 僕は貴族の偉さとか、格の大きさとか、良く分からないからさ......無礼は許してね?」 「............貴様......何故あのガキに味方する......!」 「僕子供好きなんだよ。ほら、僕って保父さんに向いてるじゃない?」 「知っとけよ、相手の事くらい。あんな殺人鬼差し向けてくるくらいなんだからさ」 少年は飄々と、何が目的なのかも分からない様な口調で、まるでちょっと遊びに来たかの様な態度だ。本当に何をしに来たのかと、貴族の男は冷や汗を流す。 すると、少年は一歩ずつ貴族の男へと近づいてくる。その手に黒いナイフを生み出して、じりじりと近づいてくる。それに応じて、貴族の男の中の恐怖心が大きくなる。 「......く、来るな!」 「いやいや、公爵なんて大層な名前を持ってる人にこんな所で会うなんて幸運なわけだし、ゆっくりお話ししようよ」 「ッ......!」 「あはは、そう緊張しなくてもいいんだぜ? 僕は巷じゃフレンドリーな少年で通ってるんだよ、きっと仲良くなれるさ」 少年の言葉に、静観する少女は内心で思った。呼吸する様に嘘を吐くな、と。 「ほら、公爵の好きな色って何? え? 僕? 僕は......赤い色以外ならなんでも好きかな?」 そう言って、少年は黒いナイフを貴族の男に突き立てた。

"Kihi!" The clash lasted for but a moment. In that short moment, the difference between their prowess could already clearly be seen. In response to Reis charging at full speed, Leila simply waved her hand lightly as if brushing off a fly, and slapped his face. Its force was heavier and sharper than the average adventurer's fist. Due to his charging momentum combined with the impact as though bumping onto a wall, Reis lost his consciousness for a moment. When he came to, his body was already flying in the air. He soon rearranged his stance and landed, but as his body suddenly lost strength, he fell to his knee. S-ranked criminal and S-ranked demon. Although both were similarly S-ranked, the difference between "criminal" and "demon" was simply too huge. Even if they were criminals, in the end they were merely people who took pleasure in killing others-- reaching out toward world destruction level monster was simply as though reaching out to heaven itself. "-haa...! The hell with you, for a mere woman's slap, wasn't that unusually too powerful?" "Ufufufufu Kitsune-kun could easily withstand something on this level, though." "For real?... so that guy really is a monster, huh... Kihi...Kuhahaha!! Interesting, now I'm wanting to kill him more and more...!" "I understand that feeling Kitsune-kun is indeed interesting, cute, cool, and above all tasty, after all" That moment, Reis resolved himself for his death. He wasn't so incompetent to be unable to perceive how powerful his opponent was. Instinctively, he understood that the woman in front of him, Leila, possessed much more overwhelming prowess than him. --if I destroy this huge wall, will I be able to cut her abdomen? "I'll confirm that when I kill her! Kuhaha!" So he laughed-- should he die, then that was that. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, over and over again, crush the heart, cut open the lungs, cut off the liver, pull out the intestines, gouge out the eyeballs, smash the brain, tear off every muscle, pulverize the bones, dismember the limbs, he was someone who'd been living through cruelly murdering others as such. And at that moment, such feeling was flooding within him. Reis kicked the ground. Brandishing his sword, he charged forward in full strength with the intention of surpassing his own limit. If he couldn't kill her now, he simply needed to grow enough until he could kill her. He simply needed to grow this very moment, he simply needed to surpass his limit however many it was. "!?" At the first charge, that was without a doubt his full power. However, during this second charge, he was charging at Leila in even faster speed than the first one. He was surpassing his limit. The madness, the greed of murder, the instinct of a pleasure-seeking murderer, they propelled him to a higher height. Surprised by his unexpected speed, Leila solidified the miasma at once and blocked the looming sword. --it was just a breath away from Leila's neck. Should she don't manage to stop it, the sword would've cut her neck. Due to a few moments late, some of Leila's white hair was cut. "Gyahihi! Just a bit more...!" Reis bloodshot eyes were wide open, he madly laughed as he pressed forward his sword that was blocked by the miasma. He seemed to be still sane, but the power he was currently exerting was without a doubt much stronger than before. Leila also similarly got her eyes wide open. "...Ufu Ufufufufufu Ahn... feels so good, it makes my heart throb fast!" While hugging her own body, Leila slovenly laughed. Her red eyes were ablaze. Madness was oozing out of her face. That's right, the madness of "Red Night". The next moment, jet black miasma were vigorously exuding from Leila's body. As if it were an eruption, the embodiment of ferocious menace of death itself. "You seem to taste disgusting very disgusting, but-- I'll still eat you without leaving anything behind." Both of their madness collided and created sparks. "Kuhahaha! The color of your eyes have changed! Just what the hell is that guy? The guy was a monster himself, but to also have this kind monster around, has he gone crazy?!" "Ufufufufufu I won't let you kill him, Kitsune-kun is mine Because I love Kitsune-kun very much, after all." Kicking the ground at the same time, Reis' sword that was swung from above was faced with Leila's miasma-made black knife and made a metallic sound. The sound of weapons hitting each other resounded for the second, third time, and so on. In an instant, they clashed over and over again. At a glance they were equal, but in actuality Leila's knife had left injuries on Reis' body several times, while she managed to block all of his attack. "Tch... Kihihi!" The sound of sword collisions ceased, and both of them took some distances. Leila held a black knife in her respective hands, she played with them as if she was doing juggling. On the other hand, Reis' sword was chipped here and there. It was obvious that there was also a big difference in their weapons. "Still not enough, huh ... Kuha! Interesting...!" However, Reis hadn't given up just yet. No, he still wanted to enjoy fighting. Rather, against someone whose prowess limit was unknown, perhaps he might be able to eventually overcome fear itself. "Come on, entertain me a little more." Smiling as usual, Leila said so. Even with cold sweat pouring down, Reis charged forward once again. Meanwhile, the battle against the Goblin King was very intense. And as expected, the adventurers were the ones in disadvantage. Although none of them had died yet, through their experience and wisdom after defeating several Goblins and Crazy Monkeys, they had deemed that overturning such differences in number was nigh impossible. Little by little, the adventurers were pushed backward. "Kuh... there's no end to it...!!" "Stay focused! Haaa!" "Gruaaa!" When the newbie leader pushed a wolf demonic beast away, the female adventurer finished it off. They'd been protecting each other's back, thus they could still maintain the state where none died. "Watch out! Uooh!!!" "Bugaaaa!!" Fatigue could start be seen from the other adventurers as well. The number of demonic beast killed was still around fifty. Even if they somehow managed to kill the seemingly never-ending horde of demonic beast until the very last one, there was still the Goblin King awaiting them. The tide was totally against them. It wasn't like they were scared stiff as before, but given the fact that they still had no conclusive solution, it was impossible to avoid annihilation. A sense of impatience was accumulating little by little within the adventurers' minds. However, it wasn't like there was completely no hope for them. When the powerful adventurers from Grandile Kingdom came to their aid, they'd be able to reverse the tide at once. However, no matter how fast they marched, at best they'd still need five hours to arrive there from Grandile Kingdom. And as it hadn't even been an hour since the battle begun, that hope could be said to be outside their reach. Still, since that was their sole hope, all they could do was fight with all of their might. They were clinging onto their wish to protect the town. "!? Everyone! Watch out!" Then one of the adventurers shouted. That instant, everyone there noticed the change around the demonic beasts. --The goblin king that was supposed to be waiting on the rear, was emerging forward. Then, when the adventurers tried to retreat, the goblin king smashed the ground using its club and blew them away. "Ga...!!?" "Aah...!!!!" "Gofu...!!" Several adventurers who were relatively in front were blown away by that attack and rolled backwards. Looking at them getting blown away as if garbage, everyone realized the difference between their prowess and the Goblin King's. They realized that with their current prowess, they had no hope of defeating it. Looking at that scene, perhaps unable to hold the impatience, one of the adventurers gave in to despair and charged straight to the Goblin King. Someone tried to stop him, but seeming unable to hear it, the adventurer didn't stop his stride. "Hmph..." Along with the Goblin King's scornful laugh, "---!!" The adventurer was squashed by the swung club... and died. "Wha...!" As all of them were lost of words, the voice of someone gasping could clearly be heard. Lifting the club leisurely, the Goblin King looked down on the adventurers, and opened its mouth. "How annoying... a fly like that, shouldn't stand before me...." When the Goblin King said so, the other demonic beasts attacked the lost of words adventurers at once. The adventurers, who were startled after being distracted by the goblin king, were slightly late to respond. However, in battle a moment of negligence meant death. Getting their arms bitten off by the wolfs, getting beaten by the goblins' clubs, the adventurer group's strength was greatly shaved off. The maintained equilibrium crumbled due to a single crack. Around the same time, on the other side, inside the devastated lord's room where documents were scattered about, a youth and a middle-aged nobleman were facing each other. Behind the youth there was a girl who was wielding a sword. While the youth was faintly smiling, perhaps quietly observing the situation, the girl was quietly standing behind him. On the other hand, the noble man seemed to be trying to distance himself away as far as possible from the youth. As additional notes, the noble man showed an expression as though he was terrified. One of the reasons was probably due to the youth's skill "Eerie Constitution", but even without it, he was still terrified of the youth. "Ahaha, there's no need to be that scared, you know? After all, I'm just an H rank adventurer, you see?" Toward the youth's words, the noble man ground his teeth. "Umm... Duke Orba, was it? I don't really understand things about the splendor of nobles, the height of their status, and so on, so do excuse me for my rudeness, alright?" "....you bastard... why are you helping that brat?!" "Well, actually I like children a lot, you see? Just look, don't I look totally like a caretaker?" "Please do care, moreover now that I'm talking to you. Since you cared enough to even sent that kind of murderer to me, after all." When the youth whistled, it was hard to tell what reason he came for, rather, he acted as though he came there just to play. With cold sweat pouring on his back, the noble man also pondered what reason the youth came there for. Then, the youth slowly approached the noble man step by step. With a black knife in hand, he leisurely approached him. In response, the fear within the noble man grew even further. "...S, stay away!" "Please don't be like that, I'm very fortunate to meet someone with a grand name such as duke in a place like this, so let's have some friendly chat, alright?" "Kh....!" "Ahaha, you don't have to be that nervous, you know? Since people even say that I'm such a friendly youngster, I'm sure we'll get along just fine." Hearing the youth's words, the girl who was standing quietly behind him inwardly thought 'Stop lying as though you're breathing'. "Come on, what's your favorite color, Duke? Eh? Mine? Let's see... I think I like every color, except red, that is." Having said that, the youth thrust the black knife into the noble man.

妖精と魔族 一時的に、恐らく世界最強の防御力を手に入れた僕と、世界最強の感染力を持ったレイラちゃん、対峙した僕らの間には異なる空気が火花を散らし、一方は相手を手に入れようと、一方は相手を引き剥がそうと画策している。 正直なところ、今の僕達の相性は抜群に良いとも言えるし、抜群に悪いとも言えた。 何故なら、彼女の攻撃は全て僕には通用せず、僕の攻撃は全て彼女に通用しないからだ。お互いの攻撃がお互いにとって脅威でなくなった今、この勝負は終わりの見えない千日手の状態にもつれ込んだことになる。 それでも、彼女は僕の全てが欲しいし、僕は彼女の存在を遠ざけたい。 この二つの反発する思いは、やはり何処かで妥協点を見つけなければならない。実力が拮抗している今、通用するお互いの武器は......『言葉』だ。 「レイラちゃん」 「うふふっ、なぁに?」 「僕とお話しようぜ」 「また? うふふ、でも良いよ♪ 私の攻撃が通用しない今、それ位しか出来ないもんね♡」 僕の提案を、彼女は素直に受け入れた。どうやら先程までとは違って、僕のことが大好きで、発情した様子ではあるものの、冷静な思考を手に入れているらしい。素晴らしく厄介な相手になっている。彼女の精神状態が少しづつ、Sランクのそれへと成長している、それも急速に。きっと僕の存在が彼女の精神に良い影響を与えたんだろう。僕にとっては悪影響だけど。 もやもやと動く漆黒の瘴気を操って、彼女は器用にも黒いベンチを作りあげた。どうやらあの瘴気、様々な物体に変化させることが出来るらしい。しおりちゃんの顔もきっとあの瘴気を顔に張り付けてたんだろう。となると、色も変化出来るってことか。変幻自在だな、羨ましい。 「ほらほら、きつね君も座って座って♪」 「......じゃあ失礼するよ」 ベンチの中心に座るレイラちゃんが、自分の隣をぽんぽんと叩く。さっきも僕の隣に座って来たし、きっと僕が何処に座ろうとひっついてくるだろう。だから僕はもう諦めて彼女の隣に腰を下ろした。 すると、嬉しそうに彼女は僕に密着してくる。予想通り僕の匂いを嗅ぐように顔を腕に擦りつけて来て、手を取って舐め始めた。話をするって言ってんだろこの子は。 「止めなさい」 「あぁ......」 手を引いて舐めさせないようにすると、途端に眉を切なそうにハの字にし、心底残念そうな声をあげた。そんなことをする為に座ったんじゃないんだよ、一回お話って単語を調べてこい。 「ねぇレイラちゃん、僕はそろそろ帰って寝たいんだよね」 「あ♡ じゃあ続きはきつね君の部屋でする?」 「付いてくるつもりかよ」 「一緒にいれば良いってきつね君言ったもん♪」 くそ、気絶する前に言ったことが全部裏目に出ている。そう言えば好きなだけ舐めてればいいとかも言ったっけ......これは不味いな。形勢は完全に僕が不利だ。言質を取られている。話し合いに持ち込んだのは良いものの、このままじゃ僕の言葉を盾にずっとくっついてきそうだなぁ。困った困った。 「......そういえばレイラちゃん。もう一回言うけど、僕を食べないで欲しいって要求は通る?」 「んー......好きな時に好きなだけ舐めさせてくれるなら、良いよ?」 「え、良いの?」 予想外! 要求が通っただと!? いやでも待て、好きな時好きなだけ舐めさせるってなんだ。でも拒否したらそれこそ取った言質を使ってきそうだなぁ。というかそれって僕とずっと一緒にいるって事でしょ? それはちょっと嫌だなぁ、それにこの子魔族じゃん。 それに、常時発情してるこの子のことだ、四六時中舐め続けるに決まってる。好きな時ってつまり一日中ってことだし、フィニアちゃん達もいるんだからずっと構ってやることなんて出来ない。それに周囲の人達にどう説明すれば良いんだ、自分の身体を舐めさせてる男と恍惚と舐めてる女、何プレイだよ。 でもその要求を通さない限り、この子は引かないだろう。 となると、はぁ......説明が面倒になりそうだ。 「分かった......でも好きな時にってのは諦めて頂戴。僕にだって生活がある、君にばかり構ってはいられないんだ」 「えー、やだよ。私だけを見てよ、私は貴方が大好きなんだからいいでしょ?」 「お前すげぇ自分勝手だな、逆に尊敬するよ」 「えへへー♪ やった」 「褒めてない、皮肉位分かってくれない?」 「何それ、美味しそうな名前だね!」 皮と肉か、確かに美味しそう―――そうじゃねぇよ! 「あー......それじゃ止めて欲しいって言った時に止めてくれれば後は好きにして良いから」 「んー..................分かった♪ じゃあ一日1回ちゅーしてちゅー♡ そしたらそうしてあげるぅ♡」 「お前凄まじく厚かましいな」 ちゅーって、そういえばこの子僕のファーストキス奪ったよな。強引だったよなぁ、思いだしたら苛々してきた。 あれ? でもキス出来ず天寿を全うする人もいるし、恵まれてるのかな。いやでも相手は美少女とはいえ怪物だし、バイオハザードの感染源みたいなものだよ? 病原菌を好き好んで吸い込む様なものか、やっぱり損だな。 うーん......恍惚とした発情顔で僕を見上げるレイラちゃんの顔は、それはもうエロエロで思わず見惚れちゃうような魅力があるけれど、それでも彼女は魔族で、僕は人間。 そして僕の身体を文字通り食べたい欲求を持っていて、僕は食べられたくないと思っている、それだけで寧ろ怖いよ。彼女がどれ程魅力的な表情を見せたとしても。 でも、これが僕が『赤い夜』を前に生き延びるための唯一の道ならば、 「......分かった、交渉成立だ」 良いだろう、進んでやる。僕は死ぬわけにはいかないんだ、生きられるなら進んでやるよ。 例えその道が、真っ赤に染まった『死』と、常に隣り合わせの薄氷の道だとしても。 「でもレイラちゃん、フィニアちゃん達を傷付けるようなら僕は君を許さない。どんな手を使ってでも殺してやる」 「あははっ♪ いいよいいよぉ......♡ その眼、ぞくぞくするぅ......♡ やっぱりきつね君さいっこう......! 好き、大好き、好き好き、超愛してるよぉ......えへへ、ねぇねぇちゅーしてちゅー♡」 「駄目、今日は昼の勝負でもう1回したでしょ。我慢しなさい」 「えー......だってもう私限界だよぉ......お腹の下辺りがきゅんきゅん疼いて仕方ないんだもん......ちゅー、して? じゃないと食べちゃうよ......♡」 こいつ、約束護れないタイプの人間だ。何ガチで発情してんのこの子、最早愛とか恋とか超越して依存だろこれ。 でも、食べられるのは嫌なので、昼間のはノーカンにしてキスしてやった。ほっぺたに。口と口とは言ってない、そのまま悶え死んでくれれば僕的には万々歳だな。 「さて、僕はそろそろ帰るね」 「ああんっ......待ってよぉ......腰が抜けちゃったぁ......♡ うふ、うふふ......きつね君大好きぃ......! 絶頂だよ......っ......♡♡♡」 「もう色々飛び越えて気持ち悪いよこの子」 僕はとりあえずレイラちゃんを無視して帰ることにした。良かった死なずに済んで。フィニアちゃんとの約束はちゃんと守れそうだ。 後ろで嬌声をあげているレイラちゃんだけど、これからどうしようかなぁ。多分史上初じゃないかな、Sランク魔族を連れてる冒険者って。『赤い夜』が特殊なのかもしれないけど。 「きつねくぅん♡」 「うわっ......」 自分が動けないからって瘴気の上に乗って飛んでくるとか卑怯だ。どんどん反則染みてくるなこの子。 あーあ、本当......生きるのってしんどいなぁ......この世界は。 そんなことを思いながら、僕は宿へと歩を進めた。 ◇ ◇ ◇ きつねさんが出て行ってからしばらくして、疲れた様子のきつねさんはふらふらと帰ってきた。 すぐに飛んで近づいたけど、きつねさんはなにも言わず、すぐにルルちゃんを避けるようにベッドに飛び込んで、死んだように眠っちゃった。 びっくりしたけど、きつねさんが無事に帰って来たことが嬉しかった。心配でずっと部屋を飛び出したかったけど、きつねさんが帰るって言ったから信じて待ってた。 だから、きつねさんが帰ってきた瞬間に全身の力が抜けちゃった。 でも、 開いた扉から、黒い瘴気と一緒に、あの赤い瞳の化け物が入ってきた瞬間、私の身体は信じられない位に速く動いていた。 私も自負する小さな身体を魔力が包み込んで、部屋を満たした。赤い瞳の怪物は、同じ位赤く染まった頬を吊り上げて、おぞましく笑った。 眠っているきつねさんを起こしてしまうことも厭わず、魔法の呪文を叫ぶ。手に集まった魔力が白く、小さな炎を生みだす。一つだけでは無く、十数個もの白い炎を、そしてそれらは目の前の怪物の周囲を浮遊する黒い瘴気とぶつかって、相殺される。 白と黒の光が部屋を乱反射して、部屋の中に混沌とした空間を作りあげた。 「あはっ、虫の癖に凄い凄い♡ もしかして貴女、思想種ね!」 虫、彼女は私をそう呼んだ。私の眼が大きく見開かれ、驚愕に言葉を失う。まさかまさか、そう思って彼女を見ると、黒い瘴気と白い炎の隙間から顔が見えた。 白い髪、上気した顔、怪しい光を宿した赤い瞳、でも見間違うことはない。その顔は、貴女は、レイラ・ヴァーミリオン。きつねさんに嫌らしい眼を向けてた発情猫! 貴女が『赤い夜』! 「きつね君、本当におもしろぉい♪ 珍しい思想種まで連れてるなんて......♡ どれだけ私を興奮させれば気が済むのぉ......うふ、うふふふ♡」 白い炎と瘴気の衝突が終わり、部屋に元の薄暗い光が戻る。危険な相手、きつねさんの左眼を、私の力不足で奪わせてしまった相手。私が、倒さないといけないきつねさんの敵。 きっときつねさんは彼女から逃げて来たんだ。そして部屋まで命からがら逃げて来て、力尽きて眠ってしまった。だったら、私が護らないと。私はその為に強くなったんだから! 「でもだーめ♡ きつね君に貴女を傷付けちゃダメって言われちゃったから......私は貴女と戦わない」 「っ!? きつねさんが......?」 「そう、本当はきつね君を食べる為に呼び出したんだけど......惚れさせられちゃった♡ だから話し合いで食べない代わりに一緒に居させてもらうことにしたの♪」 両手を頬に当てて、恥ずかしいとばかりにそう言う怪物。人間みたいなことを言うこの怪物が、私には凄く気味が悪く思えた。 本当にきつねさんがこの怪物の言う通り一緒にいることを認めたっていうの? だってだって、この怪物はきつねさんの左眼を奪ったんだよ? なのに良いの? 「信じてくれないのは仕方ないよねー、でも本当のこと♡ だって私はきつね君のことが大好きだもん!」 「うるさい! 私の方が大好きだもん!」 「あはっ♪ 虫が何を言っても無駄だよ、貴女はきつね君の眼球の味を知ってる? きつね君の血の味を知ってる? きつね君とちゅーする時の快感を知ってる? 知らないよね? 私だけだもん! 貴女と私じゃきつね君への好きが違うの♡」 この子何言ってるのか分かんない。きつねさんの眼球の味を知る代わりにきつねさんからの好感度を著しく下げてることに気が付いてないの? ちゅーだって無理矢理奪ったくせに。頭がおかしいよ。絶対きつねさんも同じこと思ったと思う。 「......もう良いから出てって、此処は私ときつねさんとルルちゃんの部屋なの、貴女の入るスペースはないのっ!」 魔族なら魔族らしく森へ帰ればいい。発情した顔を見るだけで不愉快だよ。 すると、彼女は勝ち誇った様な笑みを浮かべて、予想外に素直に部屋を出て行った。何この気持ち、物凄く苛々する。あの勝ち誇った顔を殴ってやりたい。多分きつねさんも同じ気持ちだと思う。絶対そうだよ。 扉が閉まって、部屋の中には私ときつねさん、そしてルルちゃんが残される。ふと、急な脱力感と疲労感に襲われて、私はふらふらとベッドの上に降り立つ。きつねさんと隣で眠るルルちゃんの顔を見て、大きく息を吐いた。 そして、ルルちゃんの隣に寝転がってシーツに身体を埋めた。 「......何が何だか分からない」 呟いて、眼を閉じる。睡眠が必要ない妖精の私だけど、なんだか眠たくなった。きつねさんが帰ってきた安心感と『赤い夜』が去った脱力感がきっと眠気を誘ったんだろう。 深呼吸して、意識を深く沈めていく。そしてもう少しで眠りの世界へと入っていく―――― 瞬間、 私の隣で、変化が起こった。 眼を開けて、視界に飛び込んできたのは―――真っ白な光だった。

Fairy and Demon. For temporary, I who perhaps currently have the strongest defensive ability in the world, and Leila-chan who has the strongest infection ability in the world, there's a spark of a different atmosphere that are clashed between us, one side wants to hold the other, where the other side wants to escape from the other one. To be honest, right now, it could be said that we have a great affinity, but it also could be said that we have a bad affinity. That's because, all of her attacks couldn't hurt me at all, and all of my attacks couldn't reach her at all. Since right now all of our attacks couldn't be considered as a threat for both of us, this battle reaches a deadlock state where I can't see where the end point is. Even so, she wants my every things, and I want to stay away from her. With such reversed intention, as expected I have to find a compromise for it by all means. Right now, at a state where we have an equal strength, the only weapon we can use to win is... 'word'. "Leila-chan." "Ufufu, what's it?" "Let's have a chat." "Again? Ufufu, but I don't mind. Since right now my attack couldn't hurt you, so there's nothing we can do but it, right? " At my suggestion, she obediently accepts it. Seems like different from before, she loves me so much, she still has that lustful expression, but she's still able to think logically. She has become a splendidly bothersome person. Her mental state is gradually growth into one of an S rank, moreover at a rapid pace. I'm sure that my very existence has become a great influence for her mental growth, right? For me that is a bad influence, though. Manipulating the misty and swaying jet-black miasma around her, she skillfully produces a black bench using it. Seems like that miasma can be transformed into various objects. Even I'm sure that she imitates shiori-chan's face by putting that miasma at her face, doesn't she? That means, its color could also be changed, huh. So she can transform into anything, huh, how envious. "Come on, Kitsune-kun, hurry up and sit here." "...then, excuse me." Leila-chan who sits at the middle of the bench is patting the space next to her. Previously she came and sat next to me so I'm sure no matter where I sit she would come and cling to me again, right? That's why I just give up and obediently sit next to her. In doing so, she clings at me with a very happy expression. And just as I expected, she rubs her face against my arm and also sniffs my smell, and then, she takes and starts licking my arm. Didn't just now we said to have a chat? "Please stop it." "Ah...." When I take my hand away and told her to stop licking it, she let out a very disappointed voice with her eyebrows makes a ha ( / \ ) character. We don't sit here to do such a thing, you know? Please go and check what 'chat' means. "Say, Leila-chan, I want to go home soon, you see." "Ah, then, are we going to continue it at your room?" "You're intending to follow me, huh." "You were the one that said that I can be together with you, after all." Dammit, the thing I said back then, when I almost collapsed, is backfiring me now. Come to think of it, I think I said something along 'you can lick me as much as you want', didn't I?.... isn't that bad? The conditions completely put me at disadvantage. I need to do something about those promises. Seems like it's a great thing that I proposed to have a chat, at this rate she might keep following me anywhere using these promises as premises. How troublesome. "...come to think of it, Leila-chan. I'll say it once again, but, could you please stop trying to eat me?" "Hmm~... if you let me lick you anytime and as much as I pleased then, I'm fine with it." "Eh, really?" How unexpected! She accept my request, she said!? But, wait, what the hell is licking anytime and as much as she pleased? But, if I don't take it here, I feel like she would keep pestering me using my own words as premise. Or rather, isn't that means she'd be always together with me, right? I'm a bit reluctant of it, moreover she is a demon, after all. Beside, we're talking about this lustful girl, you know? I'm pretty sure she'd keep on licking me day and night. Anytime means that there would be a time when there is someone around, since I also have Finia-chan and the other so I can't keep on only looking after her, after all. Moreover, how should I explain it to people around us? A man who let his body got licked and a woman who got in ecstasy upon licking it, what kind of thing, is that? But, unless I accept her request, I doubt she'd ever back off. That means, haa... it'd be very troublesome to explain it. "Got it... but please let the anytime off. I have my own life, after all, so I can't keep on accompanying you anytime." "Eh~, no way. You must keep on looking at me only, since I really love you so that's okay, right?" "You sure are very self-centered, aren't you? In a sense I respect you." "Ehehe~, yay." "I'm not praising you, don't you even know sarcasm(Pi Rou )?" "What is that? It sounds very tasty!" Skin(Pi ) and meat(Rou ), huh, that's indeed sounds tasty-- that's not it! "Hmm... if you stop when I ask you to, then the rest is up to you, how about it?" "Hmm~... okay. Then give me a kiss once a day. If you take it then we get a deal here." "You sure are a shameless person, aren't you?" Kiss, huh, come to think of it, she took away my first kiss, didn't she? She forcefully did it, though, just remembering it makes me irritated. But, wait, I heard there were people who passed their lifetime without ever had a kiss even once, so, perhaps I'm quite lucky here, aren't I? But, wait, even though she's a cutie, she's still a monster, after all, someone akin to the source of a biohazard, you know? With the possibility that I might accidentally inhale her virus, as I thought it is a loss. Yup... Leila-chan's face that is looking up at me with such lustful expression sure is erotic, to the point of fascinating, nonetheless she's a demon, and I'm a human. Also, she has a desire to literally eat me, where I don't want to be eaten by her, that's the scariest part. No matter how fascinating the expression she has. However, if this is the only means I have to survive before {Red Night} , "...got it, with this the negotiation is completed." Fine then, just bring it on. I can't afford to die here, so if it's a mean on surviving then I'll thread on it no matter what. Even if that route is dyed in red by 'death', even if that route is eternally accompanied by danger. "But, Leila-chan, if you by any chance hurt Finia-chan and the other, I won't ever forgive you. I'll definitely kill you by any means necessary." "Ahaha, how beautiful... that eyes of yours, it makes me thrilled... you sure are the best, Kitsune-kun...! I really, really, really, really love you... ehehe, come on, kiss me, kiss me." "No, we've done it once at our match today, didn't we? Please be patient." "Eh~... I'm already at my limit, you know... somewhere around below my stomach feels itchy so it can't be helped... kiss me, please? Or else, I'll eat you, you know..." This girl, she's the type of person who won't ever keep their promise. She thinks nothing but her own lust, she's at the point where greatly apart from like nor love. But, since I don't want to get eaten, disregarding our kiss at this afternoon, I kiss her again. At her cheek. I never said to kiss lips to lips, if only she'd die in agony as it is then that would be a very pleasing thing for me. "Well then, I'm going home now." "Aahn... please wait... my body won't move... ufufu... I love you, Kitsune-kun...! You sure are the best...." "In many way, this girl sure is creepy." I decide to ignore Leila-chan and immediately go home. Thanks god it ended without I have to die. Seems like I'd be able to fulfill my promise with Finia-chan. Leila-chan is still trying to stand at my rear with a flirtatious voice, but, what should I do from now on? Perhaps it'd be recorded at my track record, as an adventurer who take along an S rank demon. Perhaps {Red Night} is a special one, though. "Kitsune-kun." "Uwah...." Just because you can't stand on your feet, you shouldn't just sit atop your flying miasma, that is unfair, you know? This girl sure is gradually increasing her unfairness. Ah, really... it sure is hard just to keep on living...in this world. While thinking about such a thing, I keep on walking toward the inn. * * * Not too long after Kitsune-san left, he staggeringly returned with a somewhat exhausted expression. I immediately fled and approached him but Kitsune-san immediately went to the bed, while carefully not to wake Lulu-chan up, without saying any single word and immediately went asleep as if a dead man. I was somewhat surprised, but I was really happy that Kitsune-san safely retuned. I was always wanted to jump out from this room to where Kitsune-san was but, since Kitsune-san said that he'd return so I put my trust in him and waiting here. That was why, the instant Kitsune-san returned, my body lost its strength. However, The moment that red eyed monster entered the room from the opened door, along with the dark miasma, my body was moving at an unbelievable speed. I covered my whole body with my prided magical energy, and light the room. The red eyed monster was, having similarly red cheeks, eerily laughing. Without concerning that I might wake Kitsune-san up, I shouted my magic's chant. The magical energy that gathered at my palm transformed into a little white fire. Not just one, there were several dozens of it, and then those fire clashed with the dark miasma around the monster before me, and counterbalancing each other. White and dark light were diffusing inside the room, and the space inside the room was disordered. "Ahaha, for a bug, you sure are amazing. Could it be, you're an idea type?!" Bug, she called me as such. My eyes were opened wide in surprise at such surprising word. White hair, flushing face, red eyes that contained an eerie light, but there was no doubt about it. That face was, she was, Leila Vermilion. The lustful cat that was always looking at Kitsune-san with her filthy eyes! So she was {Red Night} ! "Kitsune-kun sure is interesting! To even have the rare idea type... just how much he would excite me till he pleased... ufufu, ufufufu." The collision between the dark miasma and the white fire was over, the room returned into just a mere dim room. A dangerous enemy, the one that took Kitsune-san's left eye away because of my lack of power. Kitsune-san's enemy that I have to avenge no matter what. I was sure that Kitsune-san was running away from her. And then, barely escaping from her alive till this room, he immediately went asleep. If that was the case, I had to protect him. That was the very reason I pursued after power, after all! "But, I can't. Kitsune-kun said that I must not hurt you, after all... so I won't fight you." "!? Kitsune-san said so....?" "Yes, actually I called him to eat him, but... I fell in love with him. That's why, after we had discussed it, in exchange for me to don't eat him, he let me to be together with him." Putting both of her hand at her cheeks, this monster acted as if in shame. This monster said such humanism word, but as far as I was concerned, I thought it as creepy. Did Kitsune-san really accept this monster to live together with him as per she just said? After all, this monster was the very one that snatched away Kitsune-san's left eye, you know? But, he accepted it? "It can't be helped if you don't believe me, but it's true. Because, I really love Kitsune-kun, after all." "Shut up! I love Kitsune-san more!" "Ahaha, no matter what a bug like you say, it's useless, do you know the taste of Kitsune-kun's eyeball? Do you know the taste of Kitsune-kun's blood? Do you know the pleasure from kissing Kitsune-kun? You must be don't know, right? Only I who know it! The degree of our love for Kitsune-kun are greatly different." I didn't know what she was talking about. In exchange for knowing the taste of his eyeball, did she not aware about how bad Kitsune-san's impression toward her? Even the kiss, it was a forceful one. "...I got it, so just go away quickly, this room is just for Kitsune-san, me and Lulu-chan, there's no room for you!" As a demon you should just quietly returned to the forest just as what usually demon did. And then, floating a triumphant smile, unexpectedly she obediently left the room. What was up with this feeling, it was really irritating. I really wanted to hit that triumphant face of hers. Perhaps Kitsune-san also had the same feeling. I was sure of it. Closing the door, the one remained inside the room was me, Kitsune-san, and Lulu-chan. Suddenly, I was attacked by a great tired feeling, so I unsteadily went toward the bed. Looking at Lulu-chan's face who was lying beside Kitsune-san, I made a great exhale. And then, I lied down next to Lulu-chan and covered my body with the sheet. "...I don't understand what happened at all." Muttering so, I closed my eyes. As a fairy, I didn't need to sleep, but somehow I got sleepy. The sense of security of having Kitsune-san returned, and the exhaustion for chasing away {Red Night} , I was pretty sure those were the source of my drowsiness. Taking a deep breath, my consciousness started sinking deeply. And then, just a bit more and I'd arrive at dreamland-- And that instant, Next to me, something happened. Opened my eyes wide, and the one that appeared at my field of vision was-- a white light.

空が見えた。 さっきまではギルドの光景があった筈なのに、今は何故か青い空が僕の視界を埋め尽くしていた。なんだ? 何が起こった? ―――白がいた。 正確には、レイラちゃんとは違った純粋無垢で陽の光で輝いてみえる白髪に、白い肌、そして白いドレスを着た少女がいた。露草色の瞳は空を映したようで、でも感情が籠っていなかった。 そして次に、直した筈のギルドが無くなってた。正確に言うなら、地面から2m程までは壁が少し残っていたけれど、そこから上は屋根も壁も、何もかもが吹き飛んでいた。 地面にはリーシェちゃんや数名の冒険者達、受付嬢の子達が倒れていた。死んではいないようだけど、皆気絶している。 「あ、きつね君は大丈夫だったんだ?」 「レイラ、ちゃん......」 ただ一人、レイラちゃんだけは近くに立って白い少女を見ていた。いやそんな生温いものじゃない、レイラちゃんの表情は横から見ても分かる、警戒を剥き出しにした表情で彼女の睨んでいる。僕と訓練場で戦った時も一度あんな顔を見せたっけ。 Sランクの圧倒的実力を持つ彼女が、強敵を目にした様な顔をしていた。 「レイラちゃん......あの子、なに?」 「分からないよ、魔族じゃないのは確かだけど......人間とも違う匂いがする」 レイラちゃんの答えを聞いて、僕も立ちあがって白い少女を見据えた。少女はじっとこちらを見ている。嫌な眼だな、僕達を見ているのに、僕達を見ていない。まるで心の中を覗きこまれる様な眼だ。 勇者と会って、打倒勇者を決めたのにすぐこれか......なんでレイラちゃんといいこんな化け物ばっか僕の前に現れるんだ。 「えーと......君は誰?」 「......驚いています」 「は?」 「一撃で全員浄化するつもりでしたが......存外、お強い様ですね」 何言ってんのこの子。無表情のままに驚いていると言われても全然信憑性がない。浄化ってなんだ、殺すもしくは気絶させるつもりだったって事か? お強いって言われても強いのはレイラちゃんだけで、僕が気絶してないのは耐性と『痛覚無効』のおかげだと思う。 とりあえず、レイラちゃん同様話が通用しないらしいので、ステータスを覗いてみる。 ◇ステータス◇ 名前:ステラ 性別:女 筋力:28740 体力:39500 敏捷:26800 魔力:52600 【称号】 ◇ スキルと固有スキルは何故か何かに阻まれた様に見れなかったけど......ステータスだけでもレイラちゃんを大きく上回っている。正真正銘の規格外、勝ち目のない相手だ。 そして何より気になるのが―――『使徒』って称号。レイラちゃんが人間とは違う匂いがするって言ったのはこの称号のせいだと思う。僕でも分かる、この子は人間の域を超えてしまっている。 「ん......今何かされましたね」 気付かれた!? ステータスを覗いてバレたことなんて一度もない、レイラちゃんですら気がつかなかった筈なのに......この子、本格的にヤバい。 「貴方と......貴女、一撃で倒せなかったのは貴方方が初めてです」 「うふふ、私を死ぬかもしれないって思わせたのも貴方が初めてだよ♡」 「そうですか」 レイラちゃんも通常通りに話してはいるけど、その頬に冷や汗が伝っている。かなり余裕がない状態なのは確かだ。この場を生き残るにはどうすればいい、僕は護らないといけない約束があるんだ、死ぬわけにはいかない。 そもそも、彼女はなんで僕達を襲う? もっと言えば殺す気があってやってるのか? 「君、何が目的?」 まずは、そこを聞いてみないと分からない。 「目的......世界の浄化です」 「浄化?」 「現在、この世界は不安定に揺らいでいます。原因は異世界からやってきた存在を招き入れたことによる空間の歪み―――私はそれを正します」 やべ、ソレって僕と勇者気取りのせいじゃん。逃げられる気がしない。 空間の揺らぎとやらがこの先どうなるのか僕には全く想像が付かないけれど、この少女がもしも言葉通りそれを正そうしているとすれば、僕と勇者気取りは狙われているのかもしれない。 「......具体的に、どうやって?」 「さしあたり原因である勇者を浄化します」 「浄化ってのは......殺すってこと?」 「魂を肉体から解き放つだけです」 「いやそれ殺すってことじゃん」 どうやら僕が異世界人ってことはバレてないようだけど、勇者は確実に異世界人だとバレている訳だから普通に狙われている。 フィニアちゃんとあの勇者気取りしか僕が異世界人であることを知らないから、口を滑らせなければ僕を狙ってくることはないだろうけれど......どちらにせよこの場に居る全員をのした訳だから狙われてようがいまいが大して差はない、か。 「それで......君はこれからどうするんだ?」 「この国で勇者が召喚されたと聞きました。どうやら入れ違いになったようですが......追いかけようと思っています」 「へぇじゃあ早く行きなよ、今ならすぐ追いつけるし君なら普通に殺せるよ」 勇者を追う、なら早く行って欲しい。 正直、彼女に暴れられたら普通に死んでしまう。レイラちゃんですら歯が立ちそうにないんだからね。 でも、そう簡単には行かなかった。彼女は『使徒』なのだ。 「ですが......そこの貴女は、人間ではありませんね」 「魔族、ですね―――まずは先に貴女を浄化します」 『魔族』を見逃す、筈がなかった。つまり、レイラちゃんが狙われた。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 白い少女、桔音がステータスを見て確認した名前はステラ、彼女はレイラを見てその手を前に突き出した。それはまさしく魔法を発動させる前のフィニアの様で、桔音は何か飛んでくるのかと身構えた。 だが、突き出された手からは何も飛んで来ない。 その代わり、 白い雷がバチバチと大きな音を立てて収束されていき、大きな青白い雷の槍と化した。 それは空気にバチッと摩擦音を響かせ、圧倒的な力を感じさせる威圧感を持っていた。良く見ればその槍の近くの空気が少し歪んで見えた。恐らくは凄まじい魔力故に周囲の光の屈折度が複雑に変化しているんだろう。 「私達は世界の揺らぎを正し、神を殺す事を目的にしています。これはその為の私の武器、神を葬る槍。故に――『 ステラはそう言って、青白い稲妻で出来た槍をレイラに向けた。 「私達、ってことは君みたいなのが他にもいるって事か」 「そうですね、私よりも強い方もいます......まぁ、一撃の破壊力に関しては―――私が一番だと自負していますが」 「ッ......んなっ!?」 くるくると槍を回転させ、そして彼女は言葉を言い終えると同時に稲妻を下から上へと振りあげる様に振るった。ガリガリと地面を削り、同時に稲妻がその身に宿した灼熱で地面を溶かす。 何の抵抗も無く地面を抉り、空高く振り上げられた稲妻の槍は、その彗星の様な軌跡から巨大な雷を打ち放つ。 青白い雷はレイラへと迫り、雷の超高速でレイラの顔の横を通り抜ける。 そして光線の様に通り過ぎた雷は、下から上へと放たれた故に、空へと向かって彗星の軌跡を残す。雲を蹴散らし、一瞬空を青白い光で染め上げた。 「.........!」 その威力は凄まじかったけれど、桔音にとって一番驚愕だったのはもっと別のこと。 自分がこの世で出会った最悪の脅威、その張本人である『赤い夜』......レイラ・ヴァーミリオンが、 ―――一瞬も反応出来なかったこと。 稲妻が通り過ぎ、空を青白く照らし、元の青々とした空が戻ってきて、そこで初めてレイラは我に返る。遅れて彼女の頬に、稲妻が通り過ぎて出来た時に掠ったのか、線のような傷が入り、ぷつっと血が出た。 「なに、それ......」 「今のはわざと外しました......次は当てます」 茫然と呟くレイラの言葉は無視して、ステラは淡々とそう言った。次は当てる―――つまり次は殺すと。 言葉に感情は籠っておらず、瞳も無感情だった故に、その言葉は余計に背筋を冷やす。まるで後数mm動かせば心臓に突き刺さる、という所までナイフを突き刺されている気分だった。 心身は拘束されていないのに、生殺与奪権が握られている。 レイラは初めて死の恐怖を体感した。 強ければ強い者に興味を持ち、そして欲望が開放してきたレイラだったが、今は違う。 「あ......う.........」 「もう一度言いますね......次は当てます」 言葉の出ないレイラに、ステラは一歩、歩を進めた。 怖いのはその力ではない、殺気もなく、感情も無く、理由もなく、ただ命を奪おうとする機械の様な彼女自身が怖かったのだ。 そして、また一歩と近づいてくるステラに、レイラは後ずさる。 「勇者を追わなくてはならないので、手早く済ませますね」 すると、ステラはまた槍をくるりと回し、今度は更に大きな雷を発生させる。槍は目に見えて分かるほどに膨れ上がり、ステラはその槍を構え、レイラをその露草色の何も映っていない瞳で見た。 そして、その槍を振りかぶり、投げようとした―――ところで、その動きが止まった。 レイラは死ぬと思いながら、眼を瞑っていたが、飛んでくる筈の攻撃が来ないことを怪訝に思い、ゆっくりと眼を開けた。 すると、ステラの視線が自分に向いていないことに気が付く。その視線が向く先は、自分の横。レイラはその視線の先を追って、見た。 「貴方、何かしましたね」 ステラがそう言った相手、それはレイラの横に立ち、薄ら笑いを浮かべながらステラを見ていた。 「きつね、くん......」 「はぁ......どうしてこうも世界は僕に優しくないんだろうなぁ」 薙刀桔音、彼はレイラが恐怖した相手を前に、そんな呑気なことを言った。 何をしたのかは簡単だ。『不気味体質』を発動させ、ステラの意識を桔音に向けさせることで攻撃を止めただけだ。 「......あのさ、僕はレイラちゃんの事をうっとおしいと思ってるし、相手するのも疲れるし、正直どっちかというと嫌いなんだけどさ」 桔音はレイラの前に出て、言う。ステラは雷を抑えて、その言葉を聞いている。どうやら、桔音を殺すつもりはないらしく、また桔音が何をしたのかも気になったようだ。 「フィニアちゃんにルルちゃんまで取られて、結構頭に来てるんだよ。今の僕にはレイラちゃんの存在だってある意味精神的な支えになってるんだ」 「......きつね君......」 「奪おうって言うなら、君は僕の敵だ」 胸にぽっかり空いてしまった穴は、桔音の心を苦しめる。その苦しみは、もしかしたら桔音を潰しかねない絶望だ。 それでも桔音が潰れないでいられるのは、奪われた絆がまだ生きているという希望と、傍で支えてくれるリーシェや変わらず自分勝手に振る舞うレイラがいるからだ。 故に、レイラを殺されるのはフィニア達を奪われたばかりの桔音にとって、酷く不愉快だった。だから桔音は対峙する、抵抗する。圧倒的な力の差があろうが、そんなことは大したことじゃないと吐き捨てる。 ステラを見据え、レイラの前に立った桔音は薄ら笑いを浮かべながら、不敵に言い放つ。 「―――神殺しがどうした、僕は妄想の中で24回世界を滅ぼした男だぞ」

I'm looking up to the sky. Even though I was supposed to be inside the guild up till just a moment ago, somehow right now my field of vision is filled by the blue sky. Why? What happened? In instance I straighten up my body, and turn my gaze from the sky to the ground. And then, I can see... --something white there. To be more precise, there's a girl, who in contrast to Leila-chan, has shining white hair, white skin, and wears a white dress, that as if made of light. Her azure eyes are as if reflecting the sky, but there's no emotion within. Moreover, the supposed to be just been repaired guild's disappeared. More precisely, there's still two-meters-high wall remains, but anything above it, either it roof nor wall, everything's been blown away. Rishe-chan, the adventurers, and the receptionists, everyone is lying on the ground. Seems like they aren't dead, but they're all fainted. "Ah, Kitsune-kun, are you okay?" "Leila-chan...." Except one, Leila-chan, she's staring at the standing white girl. No, she isn't simply staring at her, I can understand it simply by looking at her face, vigilance can be clearly seen there. When we were fighting at the guild's ground, she showed such expression once, after all. She, who has an overwhelming prwess of S rank, is showing an expression as if facing a formidable enemy. "Leila-chan... who is that girl?" "I don't know, I'm sure that she isn't demon, but... I feel like she isn't human either." After listening to her answer, I also focus my gaze on that girl. The girl is staring fixedly on us. What an unpleasant eyes, they are looking at us, but they aren't looking at us at all. These eyes are as if peeking at inside our hearts. After meeting that hero, I've decided to knock him down, but, the next one in line is this, huh... firstly Leila-chan, now this girl, why must these monsters always appear before me one after another? "Umm... who are you?" "...I'm surprised." "Hm?" "Even though I intended to purifiy you all in an attack... you two are unexpectedly pretty strong, aren't you?" Moreover, what's that purify supposed to mean? To kill? Or perhaps to make us all fainted? And even if she says we're strong, the strong one is only Leila-chan here, I think the reason I'm not fainted is thanks to 'Pain nullification' skill. Well, for now, since I feel like she's at least as strong as Leila-chan, let's peek at her status first. *Status* Name : Stella Gender : Female Strength : 28740 Stamina : 39500 Agility : 26800 Magic Power : 52600 Title :{Apostle} * I can't see her skill and innate skill as if I'm obstructed by something, but... even simply by status, hers has surpassed Leila-chan's by far. The genuine another level existence, someone I can't see any chance of defeating. And then, the one that makes me most curious is... her 'Apostle' title. Leila-chan said that her smell is different that human, perhaps it's because of this title. Even I can uncderstand it, this girl is someone that has surpassed human limit by far. "Hmm... you just did something, didn't you?" She noticed it!? I've never been found out when I peeked at someone's tatus even once up until now, even Leila-chan seems like has never noticed it... this girl is really dangerous. "You, and... you. You both are the first that I can't defeat in one attack." "Ufufu, you're also the first that give me the feeling that I might die, you know?" "Is that so." Leila-chan is speaking just as she usualy does, but cold sweat is dripping on her face. I can clearly see that this isn't a good situation. What should I do to survive this predicament? I have promises I must fulfill, I can't afford to die here. Or rather, why did she attack us in the first place? Moreover, was she intending to kill us? "What's your purpose?" Firstly, I must ask it first or else I won't understand anything. "Purpose... to purify the world." "Purify?" "Currently, this world's stability is wavering. The cause is the space distortion when summoning someone from another world. I come to correct it." Shit, doesn't that mean it's because of me and that fake hero? I don't feel like I'll be able to run away. I don't know and I can't even imagine what she would do to this so called space distortion, but if what she says about correcting it is true, then there's a high possibility that her targets would be me and that fake hero. "...specifically speaking, how are you going do it?" "By purifying the cause of this instability, the hero." "By purifying... do you mean kill?" "I will only separate his soul from his body." "That's exactly what I meant by killing!" Seems like she hasn't noticed that I'm also an otherworlder, but since the hero is clearly from another world so he's clearly been targeted by her. Aside from Finia-chan and that fake hero, no one know that I'm an otherworlder, so as long as they don't say a word about it, she won't be targeting me, but... either way, since she only knocked everyone here down, that means her purification target is solely the hero, huh. "Then... what are you going to do?" "I heard that the hero was summoned by this country. But since it seems like we've passed each others... so I think I'm going to chase after him." "Hee, then just chase him immediately, if you go now, I'm sure you'd be able to catch up to him very soon, and with your prowess, you'd be able to kill him pretty easily." Chasing after the hero, then just do it quickly. Honestly speaking, if she decides to act here, everyone would definitely get killed. Even Leila-chan is seemingly unable to match her after all. But, the world isn't that nice. She's 'Apostle', after all. "However... you there, you aren't human, are you?" "Demon, right? I'll purify you first." She won't overlook 'demon'. That means, she'd be targeting Leila-chan. * * * The white girl, whose name, according to what Kitsune saw when he peeked her status, was Stella, staring at Leila, she pointed her hand forward. That stance was similar with Finia's when she was going to unleash her magic, Kitsune immediately put himself on guard just in case something flew out from her. However, there was nothing flew out of that pointed hand, Instead, Along with thunderous sound of colliding lightning, a large pale lightning lance appeared there. Along with sounds of fractive lightning, it gave a pressure of an overwhelming power. Looking closely, it could be seen that the air around the lance was a bit distorted. Seems like it was made by mixing a tremendous amont of magical energy and light around her. "I'm going to correct the world's instability, and our goal is to slay the god. This is my weapon to achieve tha goal, God annihiliting lance. It's also called as 'God slaying lightning (Blue End)'." Saying so, Stella pointed the pale lighning toward Leila. "We, does that mean there's still other people than you?" "You're right, there are even who are stronger me... but, well, one attack destructive power-wise, I can say that I'm the strongest." "...wha!?" Rotating the lance, together with her finishing her words, lightning was surging upward. Together with sounds of rumbling ground, the lightning was melting the ground with the radating heat from it. The ground melted without any resistance, the lance, that was raised overhead, unleashed a comet-like giant lightning. The pale lightning approached Leila, and passed by a slight away from her face in light speed. The passing by beam-like lightning, suddenly flew upward leaving traces as if a comet that was returning to the sky. Scattering the clouds, in an instant the sky was dyed by pale light. "...!" That destructive power was surrely dreadful, however the thing that surprised Kitsune more was something else entirely. The strongest threat he ever faced thus far, 'Red Night', Leila Vermilion was... ...unable to react to it at all. After the lightning passed by her, dyed the sky in pale light, and finally the sky returned to its blue color... there Leila finally came to her sense. Perhaps the lightning grazed her face a little, there was a line of cut appeared with blood bleeding there. "What, is that...." "Just now I missed it on purpose... the next one, I'll surely make it hit." Ignoring Leila's bumbfounded murmur, Stella flatly said so. Next one will hit... that meant, she'd kill her with the next attack. Without any emotion in her words nor eyes, these words were unnecessarily very chill giving. It was just as a knife that was stabbed at one's chest, and just by moving it by several millimeters, it would immediately pierce the heart. There was nothing retraining her body and mind, but Leila was unable to move under that life and death threat. For the first time, Leila exprerinced the threat of death. Leila, always had a great interest and uncontrollable desire at powerful existence, however this time she was deffierent. Right now, she was simply scared at the girl before her. "A... u...." "Let me tell you once again... the next one, I'll surely make it hit." Toward Leila who was unable to say even a word, Stella took a step forward. The thing Leila feared wasn't her prowess. Without any thrist of blood, emotion, nor reason, as if a machine that was made to kill, Stella herself was what frightened her the most. And then, noticing that Stella took one step forward, Leila took one step backward. "I have to chase after the hero, so I'll finish it as quickly as possibile." Then, Stella rotated the lance again, however this time she generated a larger amount of lightning. Large enough to the point the lance couldn't be seen clearly. Readying that lance, Stella looked at Leila with her blank azure eyes. And then, when she brandished that lance and about to threw it... there, her movement stopped. Thinking that she might die, Leila closed her eyes tightly, but while wondering why she didn't feel the supposed to be coming attack, she slowly opened her eyes. Then, she noticed that Stella's gaze wasn't pointed at her. Stella's gaze was pointed at, someone beside her. When she turned her gaze at her side following that direction, she saw it. "You, you did something, didn't you?" The one Stella called out to was, someone who was standing beside her, and staring at Stella with his usual faint smile. "Kitsune, kun...." "Haa... just why is this world never nice to me even once, I wonder." Naginata Kitsune, before the threat that even Leila feared, he carefreely said so. What did he do? The answer was simple. He simply activated 'Eerie Constitution', averted Stella's consciousned toward him and stopped her attack. "...you see, I do think Leila-chan is annoying, accompanying her is also very tiring, if I should put it in word, then I'd say that I hate her." Saying so, Kitsune stepped forward and stood before Leila. Stella stopped her lightning, and listnened to his words. Seems like, she had no intention to kill Kitsune, also, she was curious about what Kitsune would do. "I just lost Finia-chan and Lulu-chan, right now I'm quite depressed you know? That's why, right now, it could be said that even Leila-chan's existence is kind of mental support for me." "...Kitsune-kun...." "That's why, if you want to take her away from me, then you'e my enemy." Kiusune's soul was suffering by the gaping hole at his heart. That anguish was, perhaps the despair that might even capable of crushing him. Nevertheless, the reason why Kitsune hadn't been crush by it was, because there was still a hope for that stolen bonds to be kept alive, also Rishe; who always supported him; and Leila; who always acted as she pleased; who were always by his side. That was why, to let Leila got killed, for Kitsune who just lost Finia and Lulu, that was a very unpleasant idea. That was why, Kitsune stepped up, and resisted. In spite of the heaven-and-earth disparity between their prowesses, he disregarded all of it. Staring at Stella, Kitsune who was standing in front of Leila, along with his usual faint smile, fearlessly said. "...what's up, god-slayer? Here, I'm the man that, in his mind, has destroyed this world no less than 24 times already, you know?"

幕間 動きだす世界 ―――此処は、ミニエラとは違う国。戦争によって巨大になり、今現在でも魔獣や魔族との抗争、他国との探り合い等々の問題を抱えた、所謂武力による政治国家を続けている国だ。 名前を『グランディール』といい、国のトップには王族の他に、神官や巫女、騎士団長といった各方面で最も実力のある者が発言権を持っている。 そんなグランディール国では今、一つの情報に頭を悩ませていた。武力抗争を得意とする軍事国家で、その情報はとてつもなく重大な問題として圧し掛かっている。 ―――『魔王』の復活 魔王という存在は、この世界においても全世界に知れ渡っている。冒険者ギルドでも恐れられている だが、この『魔王』は歴史上召喚された『勇者』によって打倒されている。『魔王』の脅威は『勇者』によって消し去られたと、最初は皆が思った。 しかし違う、『魔王』は完全には殺せなかった。『魔王』が倒されたほんの60年後、また別の『魔王』が現れたのだ。伝承では、『魔王』を倒した『勇者』はその役目を終えて召喚された場所へ帰ったことになっている。新たな『魔王』を倒すことができる『勇者』はもういない。 ならばどうするのか? 答えは簡単、人間側も新たな『勇者』を召喚するのだ。人間側と魔族側の抗争は、こうして『魔王』と『勇者』の戦いが勃発し、勝利を手にする事で長い年月続いている。 今のところは人間側が勝利し続け、平穏を手にしているが、この均衡はいつ破れてもおかしくはない。 「しかし......勇者召喚以外に方法はない......!」 重苦しい雰囲気の中長く大きなテーブルを囲んで会議をしているこの場は、グランディール国の意思決定を行う国内会議の場だ。 『魔王』復活の報を聞いて、彼らはどのように対策を練るかを考えているのだ。しかし、最強の『魔王』に対峙出来るものがこの世界に何人いるかも分からない。やはり、『勇者』を召喚するしかないと結論は出ていた。 「......そうだな、神官シオン、そして巫女セシルよ......勇者召喚の儀を取り行う。すぐに準備に取り掛かれ」 「既に準備は整っております」 「命令を頂ければ......いつでも出来ますよ~」 「すまないな......シオン」 「いえ、これも国のためなれば......」 国王の命令に、シオンと呼ばれた神官と、セシルと呼ばれた巫女は了承の意を返した。そして、このグランディール国で『勇者召喚の儀式』が取り行われることとなった。異議を申し立てる者はおらず、『勇者』に頼らねばならない自分達の弱さに歯噛みするのだった。 かくして勇者は召喚される。 城の地下に作られた儀式の祭壇のある神聖な空間で、国の抱える魔法使い達が辛苦の表情で魔力を巫女へと注ぎ続けており、祭壇の中心でその膨大な魔力を収束し、呪文を唱える巫女がいる。 神官はその傍で己が命の炎を燃やして、時空の壁に穴を開け、強引に抉じ開ける。本来ならば時空間魔法に適性のある者がやるこの役目、だが今代のグランディールにその適性者はいなかった。故に、神官一人の『命』を代償にそれを代替する。 つまり、勇者召喚とはそれほどまでに危険で強力な魔法儀式だということだ。 「ぐぅ......あ、ああああああ!!」 「行きます......召喚!!」 身体に走る激痛と、それに反して身体から命が抜け落ちて行く感覚を感じながら、必死に精神を繋いで時空の穴を更に抉じ開ける神官。叫び声は、彼の最期の咆哮だった。 巫女はそんな彼の尽力を無駄にしない為に、召喚の魔法で次代の勇者の下へとその『糸』を繋ぐ。そして、時空の壁の向こう側で『彼』を見つけた。 あとは、引っ張り上げるだけ―――!! 「っああああああああ!!!」 全身全霊を振り絞って、セシルと呼ばれた巫女の少女は自分と勇者を繋ぐ糸を手繰り寄せる。 この糸の先に、勇者がいる。この世界を救う、勇者が。 そして、時空の穴が砕けて閉じる。それと同時、この世界に一つのイレギュラーが出現した。 祭壇に広がる白く、神々しい光の奔流、 その中から、一人の男が姿を見せる。 「っ......なんだ、此処......?」 男の服装はこの場に置いて浮いていた。服装はブレザーの制服、見たことも無い材質の服、この場にいる全ての人間が勇者召喚の儀が成功したことを悟った。 そして、セシルは神官シオンの下へと歩み寄り、既に『息絶えている』彼の身体を抱きしめた。成功したぞと、貴方のおかげで無事に勇者が召喚されたぞと、労う様に。そのせいか、死んでいる彼の表情は何処か、嬉しそうに微笑んでいた。 そして、そのまま数秒抱きしめて、セシルは騎士団長にシオンの遺体を任せる。 まだ彼女にはやるべきことがあった。 「初めまして勇者様、私はグランディール王国の巫女......セシル・ディミエッタと申します。どうか、私達を御救い下さい......!」 勇者の導き手、それもまた巫女の役目。その身を全て勇者へと差し出し、その力を全て勇者と世界の為に捧げるのが、彼女の役目、巫女の役目。 「え、と......とりあえず、この場の説明をしてくれると助かる......」 まずは、この状況を理解出来ず困惑している勇者に、自身の役割とこの状況について説明するのが先決だろう。 一方、その頃。 魔族達の住まう暗黒大陸では、復活した魔王が臣下達の前で圧倒的な威圧感と共に王座へと座っていた。 この世界では、大きく分けて3つの大陸がある。人間達や獣人のような亜人達が住まう大陸、魔族達が住まう人間が暮らすには厳しい環境の暗黒大陸、そして自然種の妖精や神獣達の住まう、人間や魔族達も知らない海の向こうにある新大陸の3つ。 ここはその内の一つ、魔族達の住まう暗黒大陸だ。魔王の拠点とも言えるこの場所、魔王はひっそりと但しその存在感は強固なものとして、そこにいた。 「宵も深まる今この時に、粛々と世界は変化を遂げている。私が今日、この場において復活を遂げた様に、人間という種族も同様にこの長き60年の間で進化を遂げた筈だ。そして歴史は繰り返す、新たな勇者が私を殺しに来るだろう」 「......はい」 魔王の言葉に相槌を返すのは、臣下の中でも最も強く、魔王のいない60年の間魔族達を導き、支配者として君臨していた存在。今この時を持って、彼の役割は魔王を支える右腕となること。 「だが、過去はあくまでも過去だ。此度のこの時代、私が勇者に敗北するようなことになるのならば、それこそ歴史の焼き直しにすぎない。勇者に勝利し、私はその先の未来を手中に収める」 魔王はその拳を天に掲げ、世界をその手に収めるかのごとく握り締める。その姿は、あらゆる魔族に見惚れる程のカリスマと、その言葉を現実にするのではないかという夢をみさせる。 拳を上げる、ただそれだけで私に付いて来いと言わんばかりの圧倒的な気配。その場にいた全ての魔族が自然とその膝を付いていた。 「今この時、私は宣言しよう。この時代、勇者を打ち倒し―――世界を手にする! 従う者は付いて来い、気に入らない者は全て掛かって来い! 私はその全てを圧倒的な暴力によって魅了してみせよう!」 魔王は高らかに、声を張り上げて宣言した。その体内に秘められた膨大な魔力がこの場を埋め尽くし、広がる大地を揺らす。 逆らおうと思う者など、ただ一人としていなかった。 「勇者に絶対の信頼を置いて胡坐を掻いている人間どもに、目に物を見せる!」 魔王はそう言い、空高く振り上げた拳を開き、人差し指で空を指す。その瞳は遠く、世界を見ていた。その魔力は、世界を相手にしようと退くことはない。 ―――行くぞ、世界を引っ繰り返す その言葉を疑う者は、この場にはいなかった。 かくして、長い長い歴史上幾度となく行われてきた、魔王と勇者の衝突の役者が揃った。 それは人間と魔族の戦争が始まることを指している。武力と武力のぶつかり合い、勝った方は遠慮なく侵略し、負けた方は全てを剥奪される。血で血を洗う様な、無残で悲惨で残酷な戦いの幕が、近い未来に迫っていた。 だが、そんな世界の中に現れた この世界で勇者と魔王以外に、世界を相手にしようと力を伸ばしている少年がいることは、まだ誰も気が付いていない。のらりくらり、薄ら笑いを浮かべたその少年が、この抗争の中で何かを引き起こすのか、それはまだ誰にも分からない。 それこそ、少年をこの世界へ投じた張本人―――全知全能の神であっても

Interlude - Movement of the world. -Here is, a different country than Miniera. With an enormous war happen here and there, even with the threat of magical beasts and demons, having many problems with the surrounding countries, it is a country which is referred as a military nation. The name is "Grandile", at this nation aside than the King as the leader, there are also priest, miko and also knight leader, they are the most prominent person at their own fields across this nation. At this Grandile nation, currently there is a certain information which is racking this nation leader's brains. As a nation which is excel at military affairs, that information become a very serious problem. -the revival of the "Demon Lord". An existence called demon lord is, at this world it is an existence which is well-known around the world. Even compared to the dreadful disaster class (A rank) demons, it's still further higher, it's a world destruction class (S rank) demon. With a power which is even called to be able to bring this world to its end, with just a swing from that power he undoubtedly would be able to alter the terrain. But, this "Demon Lord" was defeated by the historical summoned "Hero". The threat called "Demon Lord" was already erased by the "Hero", that was what people thought. But the reality is different, the "Demon Lord" wasn't completely killed. Just around sixty years after the defeat of the "Demon Lord", a new "Demon Lord" appeared. According to the legend, the "Hero", after finishing his duty to defeat the "Demon Lord" he returned to his former world. So there's already no "Hero" who is able to defeat the "Demon Lord" anymore. If that's the case then what should they do? The answer is easy, they just need to summon a new "Hero". And with that, at the dispute between humankind and demonkin, the battle between "Hero" and "Demon Lord" occurred, and every sides are always hoping that they would become the winner. Currently humankind always become the winner, they were able to obtain peace, but that peace, wouldn't be strange to be destroyed soon. "But... there's no other way than Hero summoning...!" With a heavy atmosphere, people are sitting surrounding a long and big table, it is a place where Grandile nation performing an internal meeting to make a decision. The leaders who hold the right govern the nation, the king, priest, miko and the knight leader are discussing with a heavy expression. After they heard the report about the revival of the "Demon Lord", they are currently discussing about a way to measure the situation. However, they didn't know whether is there any existence in this world who is able to stand against that strongest "Demon Lord" or not. And as expected, they concluded that there's no other way but to summon a "Hero". "...you are right, priest shion, also miko Cecil... you should carry out the hero summoning ritual. Begin the preparation immediately." "The preparations are already arranged." "As long as we receive the order... we could carry it out anytime~" "I'm sorry... Shion." "No, if it is for this country's sake...." With the order from the king, the priest who is called Shion, and the miko who is called Cecil, are answering in acknowledgement. And then, at this Grandile nation, "Hero Summoning Ritual" is decided to be performed. While putting on anyone who declaring their objection, they could only grind their teeth at their own weakness and could only rely on the "Hero". And thus they are summoning a hero. At a sacred place with an altar which is located at the castle's basement, the magicians who are employed by the country are pouring their magical energy toward the miko with a heavy expression, at the center of the altar where that enormous magical energy are gathered, there is a miko who is chanting a certain spell. The priest is standing at her side, burning her life force and making a hole at space-time wall, forcefully open it up. Originally that role is supposed to be performed by a magician who has an aptitude with space-time magic, but currently there is no one who has that aptitude at Grandile nation. Therefore, the priest is acting at the substitute and compensating that aptitude with her "Life Force". That means, hero summoning is such a dangerous ritual and also need an enormous amount of magical energy. "Guh... a, aaaaa!!" "I am going... summon!!!" With pain spreading at her whole body, moreover while feeling the sensation where her soul is forcibly coming out from her body, the priest is frantically connecting the space-time hole. That scream was, her last voices. To not make that sacrificial for naught, the miko is connecting a "String" of summoning magic to the place where the new hero is belong at. And then, she finally able to find "Him" at the opposite side of the wall. Lastly, she just need to pull it up--!! "Aaaaaaa!!" Mustering all her strength, the miko who is called as Cecil is pulling the string which is connecting her and the hero. At the end of that string, hero is there. The one who would rescue this world, the hero. And then, the space-time hole is collapsing. Simultaneously, another irregular arrives at this world. At the altar, a torrent of divine light is spreading. Inside it, they can see a figure of a man there. "... what is, here...?" That man's attires are completely different from the people's there. His attire is a blazer uniform, a clothes which is using a material that they have never see, everyone there are realizing that the hero summoning ritual is a success. And then, Cecil moves toward the priest who is called as Shion, and suddenly hug that "Not breathing" body. This success, thanks to you we are able to successfully summon the hero, thank you. There, the expression of the deceased person is somehow, delightfully smiling. And then, after hugging her for several seconds like that, Cecil entrusts Shion's corpse to the Knight leader. She still has something she must do. "Nice to meet you Hero-sama, I am the miko of Grandile nation... my name is Cecil Dimietta. Sincerely, please save us...!" Guiding the hero, that is also miko's duty. Presenting her whole body to the hero, presenting her whole strength for the hero and for the world, that is her duty, miko's duty. "Ah, umm... first of all, I'll be glad if you could explain what happens here to me...." First, to make the bewildered hero to understand the state of affairs here, she decided to explain their duty and also the state of affairs at this world. On the other side, at the same time. At the Dark Continent where demons reside in, the revived demon lord is sitting at the throne with an overwhelming intimidating aura in front of his retainers. This world is divided into three big continents. A continent where humankind and demi-humankind reside in, then the Dark Continent where demons reside in which is hard for human to reside in, and then a place where natural fairies and divine beasts reside in, the third, new continent overseas which is unknown among humankind and demonkin. There are many different countries at the continent, but the race-wise it is divided to these three. Here is one of those continent, the Dark Continent where demonkin reside in. A place that could be said as Demon Lord's base, the Demon Lord is quietly and rightfully sit there with a powerful presence. "Right now when the night is deepening, we would change this quiet world. Today, similarly like my revival here, a race called human must be also finally making a move after this long sixty years. And then, repeating the history, there should be a new hero who would come to kill me." "...yes." The one who answering the Demon Lord's word is, the strongest one even among his retainers, the one who guided the demonkin at that sixty years of disappearance of the Demon Lord, an existence who is capable to become a leader. Right now, the role he carries out is to support the Demon Lord as his right hand. "However, in the end a past is nothing but a past. Right now, at this era, if I am able to defeat the hero, that way we would be able to overthrow the history. After defeating the hero, I'm going to grab the future beyond that." The Demon Lord is floating his fist to the sky, the hand which would able to grasp the world. That figure is, very charismatic that even fascinated every demons there, they are seeing a dream when that words come into reality. Raising his fist, with just that, it's as if he is saying 'follow me' with his overwhelming presence. Every demons there are spontaneously kneeling at their knee. "Right now, I am declaring it. At this era, I'm going to defeat the hero--I'm going to take the world! The one who want to abide me then follow me, the one who doesn't like it then bring it on! I'm going to show you how fascinating when I grab all of it with my overwhelming power!" The Demon Lord declared that with a loud and sound voice. The enormous magical energy which are hidden inside his body are filling that place, spreading and shaking the ground. Someone with a thought to oppose him, there's not even one of them. "To the human who just sit and entrust everything to the hero, we should show them who we are!" The Demon Lord said that, at his fist which is raised high overhead, he points his index finger to the sky. His eyes are looking at a faraway world. His magical energy is, doesn't has any intention to take a single step back even against the world. -Let's go, let's overturn the world. Someone who doubt that words, there's none of them there. Thus, the long history is finally moving, the actors of the clash between the hero and the demon lord have presented. That would become the beginning of the war between humankind and demonkin. A clash between military might and military might, the winner would be able to take everything as they pleased, the loser would lost everything. Like washing blood with a blood, the curtain of a cruel disastrous and harsh war is opened soon. However, at this world there's another existence than those two (Demon Lord and Hero), a true irregular who is entirely irrelevant with that war. Another existence aside than the Hero and the Demon Lord, the existence of a youth who would gain a power which is able to face against the world, there's still no one realizing him yet. The youth who is lazy and always floating a faint smile, whether he would pull something at that dispute, there's is still no one know it yet. That is even, the ringleader who threw that youth to this world-- even the almighty God.

騎士団長 「勇者?」 「ああ、どうやら最近の魔獣達の活動が活発になってるらしくてな。その原因が魔王の復活にあるらしい......そこでグランディール王国のお偉いさんが勇者を召喚したんだとよ」 翌朝、首輪を付けたルルちゃんとフィニアちゃんを起こして朝食を食べていると、なんだか人々の様子がおかしいと思った。ざわついている感じがして。 その後ギルドにやってきたら、僕が最初にギルドに入った時に絡んできた大柄の男の人が話しかけて来た。ルルちゃんがまた 男の人も中々青褪めた表情をしていたけど、流石に何もしていない人に金的は辛いよね。 それで、時間に追われている訳でもないからちょっとした雑談をすることになった。そしてギルド備え付けのテーブルに座って、教えられたのは勇者のことだった。 「へぇ......勇者に魔王とは......これまたテンプレな」 「まぁ魔王は脅威だけど、勇者が召喚されたなら大丈夫だとは思うぜ」 「ふーん、所で僕おじさんの名前知らないんだけど」 「勇者よりも俺の名前かよ......俺はグリムだ、Fランク冒険者のな」 正直な所、僕は魔王や勇者がどうのこうのという話に興味はない。まぁ元の世界に帰る手かがりを持っているのなら別だけど、魔王とか絶対強いじゃん、怖いからまず会いたくない。最悪戦闘にならないならいいけど。 それにしても、このおじさんはグリムって名前なのか、知らなかったなぁ。でもこういう風に情報収集が出来るなら冒険者と色々会話してみるのも手かな。 「きつねさん! 依頼はー?」 「うーん、そうだね。外に出る系の奴お願い」 「うん! ルルちゃん選びに行こっ!」 「あ、はい!」 あの後、結局フィニアちゃんはFランクに合格して帰ってきた。ルルちゃんはまだHランクのままだけど、魔獣討伐依頼の受けられるフィニアちゃんが仲間にいるというのは少しだけ前進した気分。 それに、首輪をして家族としての絆を深めたおかげか、ルルちゃんとフィニアちゃんも中々打ち解けて来たみたいだ。妖精様って呼び方はフィニアちゃんが許さなかったからフィニア様で落ち付いたけど。 「あの子達はお前のパーティか?」 「うん、僕の家族だよ」 「でもあの子の首のは奴隷の......いや、なんでもねぇ」 グリムさんはルルちゃんの首輪を見て怪訝な顔をしたけれど、家族だと言ったからか途中で言葉を引っ込めた。年を取るとやっぱり会話の空気というものを読めるらしい。それ以上言ってたらルルちゃんの金的喰らわせるとこだったよ。 「それにしても、勇者って何処から来てるのかな?」 「ん、なんでも異世界からやって来てるらしいぜ? この世界にも過去召喚された勇者が持ち込んだ技術や品物も多いしな」 異世界? 勇者は異世界から召喚されている? 「ちょっと、その辺詳しく」 「え? あ、ああ......確か最初に勇者が召喚されたのは300年前だったか、最初の勇者は女だったらしいぜ」 「ふむ」 「んで、その時現れた魔王を倒す為に女勇者は聖剣シュバルツレイドを手にし、瞬く間に強くなったんだと。それで魔王を倒し、元居た場所へと帰ったらしい。あー名前は確か......カンナ・タカヤギ、だったかな? 大層な美貌を持っていたらしいぜ?」 たかやぎ、かんな......間違いなく日本の和名。300年前っていうと江戸時代の人か......本を読み漁っていた時期に読んだ歴史書ではその時代、女の人が戦ったって記述はあまりない......なのに勇者として戦えたってことは、何かしらの特別な強化があったと見て良いだろう。 けどここで重要なのは、勇者は魔王を倒した後『帰った』ってところ。異世界から来た勇者は元の世界に帰った、帰る方法は『ある』? 「その女勇者を含め、過去4人の勇者が召喚されてるが......その中でも様々なものを持ち込んだ勇者がいたらしくてな、俺一押しはやっぱり『スカート』だな! あれは女の色気をぐっと高めたね!」 グリムさんが何か言ってるけど、僕としては帰る方法があるって分かったことが一番の知らせだ。勇者限定の帰還方法かもしれないけれど、前例があるのならそれはかなりの手掛かりになる。 「こう、すらっと伸びた足が眩しくてなぁ......! 下着がちらっと見えた時はもう最高だな!」 「馬鹿だね、見えちゃったら意味ないんだよ! スカートがほんの僅かな揺らぎで見せる、見えるか見えないかのギリギリの境界線にこそエロを感じるんだよ! 見えそう......でも見えない! でも見えないからこそ男の妄想を誘うんだ! スカートの中にある光景は妄想の中にこそ理想の光景として確立してるんだ! パンツが見えてしまったら、駄目なんだ!!」 「お、おう......すまねぇ......悪かったよ」 全く、チラリズムがどういうものなのか全く分かっていないよこの人。そもそも、スカートの部分だけに注目するのは間違ってる。チラリズムとは、本人が見られてしまったかもしれないと羞恥に頬を紅潮させる表情や、隠そうとする仕草にも価値があるんだ。 「で、勇者についてもう少し知っていることないかな?」 「あ、ああ......勇者は60年周期で魔王が復活する事から、同じく60年周期で召喚されてる。今は丁度5回目のその時だからな、さっきも言った通り勇者が召喚されたんだ。魔王を確実に殺す方法は......まだ分かってないらしい」 「魔王っていうのはどんな姿をしてるの?」 「いや、魔王の姿は勇者とそのパーティ以外は見ていないらしい。そもそも魔王まで辿り着くにはAランク以上の実力が必要だからな......」 なるほど、ってことは魔王は人間みたいな容姿をしていない可能性があるな。復活出来るということは、やっぱり別の肉体を用意しているとか、魂だけ別の場所に保管してあるとか、そういった細工がしてあるわけだからね。脆弱な人間よりも魔獣の様な強い肉体の方が都合が良いだろうし。 まぁ魔獣の要素を押し固めて人型を取るってのも魔王っぽいけど。 「で、今回召喚された勇者の国......どこだっけ?」 「さっきも言ったが、グランディール王国だ。戦争の多い武力国家だな、弱肉強食の国とも言われてる。腕を上げたい冒険者とかに人気だな、まぁあそこの冒険者は最低でもDランク以上の猛者たちばかりだ、軽い気持ちで行けば痛い目見るぞ」 「ふーん、興味あるね」 勇者、おそらくは異世界の人間。僕と同じ世界から来たのか、それともまた違う世界から来たのかは分からないけれど、これは大きな手掛かりを手に入れた。目的はどうあれ、そのグランディール王国には一度行ってみた方が良いと思う。 「きつねさーん!」 「ん、依頼が決まったのかな?」 「おいきつね......まさかお前行く気か? 弱肉強食の国に......」 グリムさんは案外僕のことを心配してくれているみたいだ。こういうお人好しな人は、嫌いじゃない。 「さぁてね、でもまぁ......その勇者には会ってみたくなったよ。それじゃ」 僕はそう言って、依頼書の掲示板の前で僕を呼ぶフィニアちゃん達の下へと歩み寄っていった。 ◇ ◇ ◇ さて、今日もHランクのお手伝い依頼を幾つかこなして、多少レベルも上がった所で宿へと帰ってきた。最近ではレベルも余り上がらない、まだレベルも10台だというのに何故こうも上がりにくくなってきたのだろう。僕としては心底納得いかない。 ちなみにルルちゃんはまだ戦闘に参加出来ていない。小剣を構えるまでは出来たのだが、やっぱり生き物を殺すのはまだ抵抗があるようだ。 「すいません......」 「いやいや、無理にやらせようとは思わないよ。ちょっとずつ頑張ってくれれば」 「はい......」 しょぼんと肩を落とすルルちゃんの頭をぽんぽんと撫でながら、僕達は宿へと入る。晩御飯の時間まではまだあるし、しばらくは部屋の中で大人しくしていよう。あといずれグランディール王国に行くって二人にも言っておかないとね。 「―――もう良い、貴様は家の恥晒しだ。我が子故に多少は目を伏せて来たが......これ以上は付き合ってられん」 「そ、そんな......! 待って下さい! 私は......!」 「一週間だ」 「一週間、最後のチャンスをやろう。それまでに見習いを脱せないのならば......貴様はもう私の娘ではない」 リーシェちゃんがなにやらダンディーなオジサマと揉めていた。揉んでるんじゃないよ、揉めてるんだよ。 話の内容から、多分あのオジサマはリーシェちゃんのお父さん。腰に下げた剣とリーシェちゃんの騎士見習いという要素を組み合わせると、やはりあの人も騎士なんだろう。それも、凄腕だ。佇まいからしてそれっぽい風格と威厳がある。 「......ステータス」 ひっそりとオジサマのステータスを覗いてみた。 ◇ステータス◇ 名前:ヴァイス・ルミエイラ 性別:男 Lv89 筋力:6250 体力:5400 耐性:250 敏捷:4560 魔力:1200 称号:『騎士団長』『魔眼保有者』 スキル:『剣術Lv7』『身体強化Lv5』『神速』『威圧』『魔力操作Lv3』『先見の魔眼Lv5』 固有スキル:『先見の魔眼』 ◇ 凄まじいな。レベルの高さは言うまでも無いけれど、そのステータスの高さは尋常じゃない。 「ねぇきつねさん......アレ何? 揉め事?」 「揉み事だったら混ぜて欲しいけどねー」 「でもリーシェちゃん凄く必死な表情だけど」 「だねー、でも家族の内輪揉めだからねぇ......僕達の入れる世界ではないんだよ」 ルルちゃんが僕の手を握る力を強くした。 「......入れない、けど」 家族同士の話に、他人は介入出来ない。うん、僕の元居た世界ではそれが常識だった。現に、暴力を振るっていた僕の母親らしき人を止めようとした人はいなかった。 でも、ここは僕の元居た世界じゃない。そんな常識は此処でもあるのかもしれないけれど、僕の知ったことじゃない。それに、 ―――子供が親から捨てられる苦しみを、僕は知っている。 「それだけは、見逃せない」 一歩、止まっていた足を前へと進めた。その足音に、素敵なオジサマが此方を見る。けどすぐに視線をリーシェちゃんに戻した。 気に入らないな。 「なっ!?」 『不気味体質』を発動すれば、ほらこっちを向いた。彼はAランクの化け物級の実力者で、確かに強いんだろう。でも、あの日の赤い瞳は、もっと怖かった。それを思えば、なんてことはない。 「初めまして、リーシェちゃんのお父様?」 僕は薄ら笑いを浮かべながら、挨拶をする。 「.........何だお前、死神でも喰らったのか?」 重い口調でそう言った。

Knight Leader "Hero?" "Yes, seems like recently magical beasts' activities are become livelier. And the reason is seems like because of the revival of the demon lord... and so, Grandile nation's higher-ups are summoning a hero." The next morning, when we ate our breakfast after I wake Lulu-chan who is using the choker and Finia-chan up, I thought that somehow people's atmospheres are strange. It feels like they become more noisy. After that we went to the guild, and then there the person who had a quarrel with me at my very first time came to the guild was coming to us. But he was stopped and flustered when Lulu-chan is suddenly takes a step forward and preparing to unleash her secret move "Golden Breaker". The man becomes very pale, but as expected to suddenly receive ball crusher out of the blue sure is painful right. And then, since it isn't like we're being chased by time or anything so I decided to have a chat with him. After that we moved to a table which were provided by the guild, and the thing he tells me is about the hero. "Ah... hero and demon lord... such a template." "Well, demon lord sure is a threat, but since the hero is already been summoned so everything should be okay." "Hmm, by the way, I don't uncle's name though." "Rather than the hero, you're more interested at my name huh... I am Grimm, F rank adventurer." To be honest, I have no interest to such stories like hero or demon lord. Well, that would be a different story if it may become a hint for my way to return to my former world though, but demon lord must be very strong right, since that is scary so I don't want to encounter it. But if at my very worst luck I have to fight it then it can't be helped though. Nevertheless, this uncle's name is Grimm huh, I didn't know. But sine I can gather information like this then perhaps it won't be bad for me to try conversing with other adventurers more. "Kitsune-san! How about the request?" "Hmm, let's see. The one that doesn't require us to go outside country please." "Yes! Let's go to choose it, Lulu-chan!" "Ah, yes!" After that, in the end Finia-chan returned after she passed to F rank. Lulu-chan is still H rank, but I feel like we make a little progress by having Finia-chan who is able to take a subjugation request as our comrade. Moreover, perhaps thanks to putting the choker as family sign which deepened our bonds, seems like Lulu-chan and Finia-chan also have quite opened their heart to each other. Since calling her by Fairy-sama wasn't permitted by Finia-chan, so she decided to call her by Finia-sama. "Are those kids your party members?" "Yes, they're my families." "But the choker at her neck is slave... no, forget it." Grimm-san is looking dubiously when he saw the choker which is used by Lulu-chan, but perhaps since I've said that they're my families so he retract his words midway. As an elder, as expected he is able to read the conversation's mood. If he says anything further then perhaps he would receive Lulu-chan's ball crusher. "Nevertheless, where does that Hero come from?" "Hmm, seems like they come from some another world, perhaps? Since the previous heroes who had been summoned to this world were also carrying many new techniques and articles after all." Other world? The heroes were summoned from another world? "Wait, please tell me the detail about it." "Eh? Ah, hmm... if I remember it correctly, the first hero was summoned around 300 years ago, and seems like the first hero was a woman." "Then." "Then, to defeat the demon lord which appeared at that time, that female hero received the holy sword schwaltzreid, and she also became very strong in a blink of eye. And then, after defeating the demon lord, seems like she returned to her former world. Ah, if I remember it correctly, her name was... Kanna Takayagi, perhaps? And seems like she had a very beautiful face you know?" Takayagi, Kanna... without a doubt it is a japanese name. 300 years ago then that means she was a person from Edo Period huh... at my former world, I had read numerous historical books about that period, but there was almost no transcription about a woman who participate at war... and yet for her to fought as a hero, that means she might got something like special blessing or the like right. But the most important part is, about the hero who had "returned" after she defeated the demon lord. The other worlded hero was returned to her former world, so that means "there is" a way to return? "Including that female hero, there were four heroes who had been summoned, but... seems like at that times each of those heroes were brought along various things, personally, I think the best of it is of course the 'Skirt'! It's raising woman's charm drastically!" Seems like Grimm-san is saying something, but for me the most important part is about the existence of a way to return. It might be limited to only for heroes, but as long as it may become a precedence then it might become a considerably good clue. "Like that, the extended slender legs are so dazzling...! And the time when we can see her panty sure is the best!" "You fool, if the panty could be seen then it was pointless! We might be able to see the panty when the skirt is swayed even by just a bit, the boundary between whether it could be seen or not, that is the most erotic part! We can see it... but we can't! But exactly because we can't see it, it would tempts our delusion! The spectacle inside the skirt, and by our delusion we would be able to establish the most ideal spectacle of it! If we can see the panty, then that would be pointless!" "O, oh... sorry... my bad." Good grief, this person sure doesn't understand the art of a brief glimpse. Or rather, focusing only at the skirt is a big mistake. The art of a brief glimpse is, the important part are her blushing face when the person herself perhaps accidentally showing her panty, also her act to try hiding it again. To be in high spirit for just seeing a panty, are you a kid... wait, don't get me wrong. It isn't like I'm interested in panties or something. Since I'm a righteous youth after all. "Then, do you know anything more about heroes?" "Ah, hmmm.... Since demon lord's cycle of revival are repeated once each sixty years, so the hero also summoned accordingly. This time is the fifth time, and like I've said, the hero have been summoned. A way to completely kill the demon lord is... seems like still unknown." "Do you know the appearance of demon lord?" "No, seems like there's no one who had saw its appearance aside from heroes and their parties. Or rather, the struggle for just to reach demon lord's place is only possible for A rank adventurers or above after all...." I see, so that means there's a possibility the demon lord might doesn't have a humanoid appearance. To be able to revive, as expected whether it was done by preparing a new flesh, or by storing only its soul somewhere, such tricks were possible after all. Rather than a fragile human, having a strong magical beast's flesh is far more convenient after all. But well, having a humanoid form which is composed by magical beast's flesh is also demon lord-like though. "Then, the country where the hero was summoned...where is it?" "I've said it though, it's Grandile kingdom. A military country which has numerous wars, it's also referred as a kingdom of survival of the fittest. It's a popular place for adventurers who want to polish their skills, well, the adventurers there are men of valor with at lowest are D rank adventurer, so if you take it poorly there then you'll sure receive a painful experience." "Hmm, I'm quite interested by it." Hero, most likely an other worlder. I don't know whether he came from a same world with me, or perhaps from a different world, but it's a big clue which I get. With such purpose, I think it would be better for me to visit that Grandile kingdom at least once. "Kitsune-san!" "Yes, have you decided the request?" "Oi Kitsune... don't tell me you're going to go there? To the kingdom of survival of the fittest..." Seems like Grimm-san is unexpectedly worried about me. Such a kindhearted person, I don't hate it. "Well then, but well... I think I want to meet that hero. Bye." Saying that, I walk toward Finia-chan and Lulu-chan at guild request board. * * * Well then, today we also undertake some odd jobs requests, after we somewhat increase our level, we returned to the inn. Recently my level was hardly increased, even though my level is still at Lv. 10, but somehow I feel like it become quite hard to increase. Personally I can't comprehend it from the bottom of my heart. By the way Lulu-chan is still unable to participate at battle yet. She had been prepared to use the short sword, but as I thought she still seems hesitate to kill a living being. "I'm sorry...." "No no, you don't need to force yourself to suddenly do it. It's good as long as you keep going at it little by little." "Yes...." While patting the dejected Lulu-chan who dropped her shoulders, we entered to the inn. There's still time till dinner time, let's just quietly pass the time at our room for now. And I also should tell them about my intention to visit Grandile Kingdom after all. When we passed the entrance and walking toward the stair, I realized that the atmosphere inside the inn is somewhat strange. We naturally stopped our leg. "--enough, you're a disgrace for family. It's hard for me to cast my own child away, but... I can't go along with you any further." "No, no way...! Please wait! I..." "One week." "One week, it's your last chance. If by that time you're still unable to cast your apprentice status away... you're not my daughter anymore." Seems like Rishe-chan is quarrelling* with that dandy uncle. Not arguing**, but quarreling. Since I didn't hear the conversation, perhaps that uncle is Rishe-chan's father. Considering the sword at his waist also a word about Rishe-chan's status as a knight apprentice, as I thought that man perhaps is also a knight. Moreover, a remarkable one. Just by his appearance alone gives such dignity impression. "...status." I quietly peek at that uncle's status. *Status* Name : Vaiz Rumiela Gender : Male Lv. 89 Strength : 6250 Stamina : 5400 Resistance : 250 Agility : 4560 Magical energy : 1200 Title :{Knight Leader} {Demon Eye Holder} Skill : {Fencing Lv.7} {Body Strengthening Lv.5} {Swift} Innate skill :{Demon eye of foresight } * Amazing. I didn't say about his level, but that statuses values sure are abnormal. I had met the man with level 47 who was wooing Mia-chan, but he can't even comparable to this uncle who has almost double of his statuses. Moreover to has{Knight Leader} tittle, ha must be very strong-- perhaps, he might even comparable with an A rank adventurer. "Say, Kitsune-san... what is that? A quarrel*?" "If they're contenting*** then I hope they would let me join in." "But Rishe-chan looks like very desperate though." "You're right, but since that is a family affair... that isn't a place where we could step in." Lulu-chan strengthens her grasp at my hand. "...can't step in, but." At a family affairs, outsiders shouldn't intervene. Yup, at my former world that was the common sense. Or rather, there was no one who was able to stop my mother like existence who would easily exert for violence. But, here isn't my former world. Such common sense perhaps also exist at this world, but that isn't something I know about. Moreover... --the pain for being casted away by their own parents, I know it. "That sole one is, I won't overlook it." One step, my stopped legs are advancing forward. At that footsteps, that cool uncle is looking at me. But immediately returned to Rishe-chan. I can't stomach it. "Wha!?" When I activate my {Eerie constitution} , he turn his face to me. He is someone who has power equaling the monsters of A rank adventurers, he must be very strong. But, that red pupil at that night, was far more dreadful. Compared to that, he isn't something scary at all. "Nice to meet you, Rishe-chan's esteemed father?" While faintly smiling, I greet him. Accordingly, Rishe-chan's father extends his hand to the sword at his waist, and gazing sharply at me in belligerence. "...what's up with you, do you want to meet Grim reaper?" And said that with a serious tone.

桔音達のやってきたこの街には、グランディール王国の城の様に、ギルドの様な大きな建物がある。 その中では、街のトップに立って住民の意見や不満の対応、また税金の徴収などの政策をする人物が傲慢不遜な態度で座っていた。 目の前にある書類を数枚手に取ると、鼻で笑ってそれを破り去る。破り去られたそれは、街に住む住人からの意見書だったが、彼はさして興味もないとばかりに一蹴したのだ。 その後ろに控えて立っていた女性が、それを少し残念そうに拾い上げる。 「オルバ領長......よろしいのですか?」 そして、それに対してその男に問いを入れる。街の住民達の意見を無視して、都合の良い様に政策を行うなど、決して許されるようなことではない。 だが、男はフンと鼻を鳴らすと、それに答える。 「良い、税金が払えぬ有象無象に付き合ってやるほど私も暇じゃないんだ。それに、この街はグランディール王国の庇護下......あの武力によって護られている以上、それに対しての対価を払うのは当然だろう?」 「全く......私も長年この地位で働いているが、税金が少々高いことくらいで喚き立てる輩など放っておけば良いのだ。払えぬ者は処罰する、当然の摂理であろう......一々私の手を煩わせるな」 そう呟きながら、彼は傍に置いてあったグラスを取り、一気に酒を煽る。 「不味い、こうも毎日毎日不平不満が募ると折角の酒も不味くなる......いっそ不満を申し立てる者は排除するか......?」 そう言いながら、半ば本気にしそうなトーンで青筋を立てる。 「それで、あの没落貴族のクソガキはどうなった?」 「......目下捜索中です」 「なに? 全くいつまでやってんだよ、クソガキ一匹捕まえる位ササッとやれよ使えねぇな」 別件の話題を出すオルバと呼ばれた男、対して秘書の立ち位置なのか女性はそう答えた。すると、男は女性に対して舌打ちをする。見れば分かるほどに不機嫌の様だ。口調も乱暴になっている。 女性はそれでも怖がる様子でもなく、事務的に続けた。 「ですが、ヒグルド元伯爵の身柄は取り押さえた様です」 「ほぉ? で、そいつはなんて言ってんだ? 勿論尋問に掛けてんだろうな?」 「......いえ、今は牢へ幽閉しております。オルバ領長の指示を仰ごうと思った次第です」 目的の人物が一人捕まったことで、多少機嫌が直った男。だが、自分の予想とは違って、まだその人物に対してなにもされていないことを知ると、途端に目を細めてまた舌打ちした。 頭をガシガシと掻いて、不満を吐き出すように大きく息を吐く。そしてそのまま立ち上がり、女性の胸ぐらを掴んだ。乱暴に引き寄せて、乱雑な言葉で言う。 「良いからそいつを拷問にでも掛けてクソガキの居場所を吐かせろ! 最悪死んだって構わねぇよ、こっちはそこのクソガキが手に入ればそれで良いんだ!!」 唾を飛ばしてそう言われた女性は、少しだけ息を飲むと、短く分かりましたと答えた。男の手が胸ぐらから離れる。女性は一つ咳をした。 女性は頭を下げ、部屋を出て行った。 残された男は苛々が収まらないようで、その辺の椅子を蹴り倒すと、荒い呼吸で肩を上下させていた。 「あ ゙ぁああ! どいつもこいつもつっかえねぇな......さっさとクソガキ捕まえて来いっての!」 男は大きく息を吐く。日々のストレスで胃に穴が開きそうだと思いながら、テーブルの上にあった酒瓶を手に取り、グラスに入れずに直接口を付けた。ぐいっと煽ると、酒臭い息を吐きながらドンッとテーブルに酒瓶を戻す。 「マジィ......クソが......!」 男は苛立ちを隠そうともせず、そうぼやいた。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 僕達はそれから行動を開始した。 僕とニコちゃんの集める情報は、この街の政策とそれに対する街の人間の感想。まずはここのトップがどういう人間なのかを知る必要がある。まぁ善人ならばそれはそれでやりやすいし、悪人なら容赦なくやれるだろうから、人柄はどうでもいいんだけどね。 税金を徴収する人物として、あまりにも所業が目に余るようなら、ニコちゃんのお父さんを取り返してやりたい。 力づくでも勿論構わないっちゃ構わないんだけど、レイラちゃんの正体がバレる可能性もあるし、そうなると僕のこれからの行動にも障害が出てくる。あまり好ましい展開ではないんだよね。 「どこいくの......」 「人の居る所だよ」 隣を歩くニコちゃんの手は、僕が握っている。こうしないと逃げる気がするし、年齢は聞いていないけど、恐らくは幼児程の年齢なんだ、逃げても碌な目に遭わない。それならしっかり見ておかないとね、父親探しもこの子の為なんだから。 「ニコちゃんのお父さんがどういう状況なのか、僕達には全く分からないからね......それを知る為にも色々と情報を集めないといけないんだよ」 「......良く分からない」 「そりゃそうか......まぁ、お父さんに会いに行く為に必要なことだって知っておけばいいよ」 そんな会話をしながら、また歩く。辿り着いたのは店の立ち並ぶ街路、人が多く行き交い、喧騒が居心地良い雰囲気を生み出している。 この中で、一番情報を持っていそうなのはどんな人間だろうか。武器屋のおじさん、食事処の店員、店を利用するお客達、冒険者、そして騎士達......まぁこの街の政策を良く知ってる人間と言えば、騎士だろう。この街のトップの人間がどんな人格者なのかも、騎士は良く知ってるだろう。 でも、騎士は排除だ。ニコちゃんがいる以上、騎士にこの子を見られるのは少し避けた方が良い。お父さんが生きてるかどうかも怪しい所だからね、見つかってニコちゃんが捜索対象みたいな扱いになっていた場合、最悪僕も目を付けられる気がする。止めておこう。 「......」 ニコちゃんは何も言わない。まぁ幼児に何を期待しても無駄なんだけどさ。 「とりあえず手当たり次第かなぁ」 「そこの黒い服の男」 「うん? 呼んだ?」 すると、後ろから呼ばれた。これで僕じゃなかったらどうしよう、この可能性に気が付いたから今更振り返るのが怖いんだけど。でもまぁ振り返るよ。どっちにしたって返事しちゃったんだし。 そう思いながら振り返ってみると、そこにはなんか逞しい身体つきの男性がいた。背が高いから見下ろされている感じだ。 「何か用かな?」 「その子供はお前の家族か?」 「僕の可愛い妹に何か用?」 どうやら目当てはニコちゃんらしい。確かにニコちゃんは可愛いし、嘘も吐けるお利口さんだけど、流石にゴリゴリのガテン系の男が狙うのはちょっと犯罪臭がするよ? やめといた方がいいと思うなぁ、とっさに妹って嘘吐いたけど、疑う様な眼差しが痛い。 「本当だよ、ね?」 「......うん」 さすが嘘吐き娘、見事に嘘吐いたな。出来ればお兄ちゃんと言ってくれれば完璧だったけど。言ってくれないかなぁ、言って欲しいなぁ、今度言って貰おう。 「ロドリゲスミンミン」 「ドグリゲスミンミン」 「嘘吐くにしてももっとマシな名前は無かったのか?」 ああ、やっぱり駄目だったか。流石にこの名前は嘘だって分かるかぁ、頭悪そうな顔だったからイケるかと思ったんだけど、やっぱり無理があったようだ。 でもまぁ貫き通すことにした。 「失礼な、これが本名だよ。親から貰った大事な名前なんだ......馬鹿にするな!」 そう言うと、男は少し申し訳なさそうな顔をしながら口を閉じる。 「.........わ、悪かった......えーと、それでだロドリゲスミンミンと言ったな」 「誰それ」 「やっぱり嘘じゃないか!!」 「あ、ごめんごめんマカリドームペロペロだよ、うん」 「一文字しか合ってねぇよ!」 あれ? ギギブラロニコニコだっけ? まぁどうでもいいや、嘘だってバレちゃったし、貫き通す意味もない。 でもまぁニコちゃんが目当てだったら困るよなぁ......どうしようかなぁ。 取り敢えず目の前のこの男の目的を聞こう。上手く行けば情報が手に入るかもしれない。 「それで、何か用?」 「......子供を一人、探している。ブロンド髪の幼い子供だ......丁度、その子と同じくらいの年齢だ」 「何故?」 「それは言えない」 つまりは合法って訳じゃないってことか。非合法、あまり他に知られたくはない行動ってことだ。十中八九、この男は騎士かこの街の政策に関わる人間か、その配下の人間。もしくは......『貴族』か。 「貴方は何者かな?」 「......俺はグレオス家の者だ」 「へぇ......」 知らない。何だその家、知ってるだろう? みたいな顔しないでくれないかな。多分そこそこ有名な貴族なんだろうけど、知らないからその凄さが分からない。ニコちゃんも幼いから絶対分かってないよ、首傾げちゃってるじゃん。 何コレ? 僕が悪いの? 反応薄かったからかこの人微妙な顔しちゃってるし、なんだか悪いことしちゃったかな。 「でもまぁ、僕らは関係無いよ。だってこの子は僕の妹だから」 「......まぁ良い、他にそういう子を見たら教えてくれ」 男の人は、案外あっさり引き下がってくれた。 いや、多分彼はニコちゃんが『そう』だと感じていて、一旦退いたんだと思う。多分ニコちゃんを見た瞬間に分かった筈だ、だから僕に話しかけてきたのは、ニコちゃんがニコちゃんである事の確認ではなく、『僕』がどういう人間なのかの確認なんだと思う。 ニコちゃんを取り戻すに当たって、僕が手強い相手ならそれなりに策を練る必要があるし、僕がニコちゃんとその父親にどんな関係を持っているのかも調べる必要がある。 今の会話で向こうが手に入れた情報を想定すると、まず『僕』がニコちゃんを妹と言って庇ったことから、ニコちゃんを素直に引き渡すつもりはないということや、ニコちゃんが僕の嘘に合わせたことからそれなりに信用されている可能性があること、そして僕の実力もある程度見定められたか、ってところかな。 どちらにせよ、近い内にあの男の人の上司にそれが伝わり、最終的にはこの街のトップに知られるんじゃないかな。 まぁあの人がこの街のトップの配下なのかどうかも分からないから、もしも敵対している組織や家だとしても、結局は誰か偉い奴が何かしらの行動に出るだろう。 「そうなったら......そうなったか、手掛かりなしの僕からすれば向こうから来てくれるのは都合が良いじゃないか」 「?」 「ああ、気にしなくても良いよ。ある意味手掛かりを手に入れた様なものだから」 手掛かりを得た、とは少し違うけれど、取っ掛かりが出来たのは十分な収穫だ。政策云々の情報は全く得られていないけれど、あの男とそのバックに僕らを知られたんだ。糸の様な細さだけど、何かが繋がったんだ。十分だろう。 でも、僕の言葉に対して小さく返事をしたニコちゃんの表情は、何処か浮かなかった。

At the town where Kitsune and the other were currently at, akin to the castle at Grandile Kingdom, there was a large guild-like building standing there. Inside it, the top brass; who was supposed to deal with citizens' opinions and dissatisfaction, as well as the one in charge of the tax; was overbearingly sitting there. When he picked up several documents before him, he laughed scornfully and tore them apart. The documents that were just torn apart were opinions from the citizens, however he tore them regardless. The woman who was standing behind him, she took the torn up sheets with slight pity. "Lord Orba... will this be alright?" And then, she asked his opinion regarding the matter. Ignoring the citizens' opinions and putting up convenient policies, that was by no means allowed. However, the man answered her along with a snort. "It's fine, I'm not that free to be bothered by those riffraff who couldn't afford to pay tax. Moreover, this town is under Grandile Kingdom patronage... for being protected by those strength, it's a matter of course that they ought to pay some compensation in exchange, right?" "Good grief... I've been doing this job for several years already, you can just ignore those who bawl out simply because the tax is slightly higher. Those who couldn't pay are to be punished, that's a matter of course, isn't it? So stop troubling me with such trifling matter anymore." Saying so, he picked up the glass next to him, and gulped down all the sake in one go. However, in doing so, he showed a dissatisfied face and let out a sigh. "Terrible, after dealing with those complaints day after day, even a precious alcohol will taste terrible... should I consider disposing of those who plead their dissatisfaction, I wonder?" He mumbled so with half-serious tone. "Then, how's the situation with the brat from that fallen noble?" "...at present, it's still under investigation." "What? Just how long will it take? It's just capturing a single brat so just finish it swiftly, how useless." Toward the matter that was asked by the man named Orba, the seemingly to be secretary woman answered so. And then, the man snorted at the woman. It was clear that he was displeased by her answer. Even his tone became cruder. However, without any slight sign of fear, the woman kept standing there in business like form. "However, it appears that we have apprehended ex-earl higurd." "Oh, then, what did he say? Of course you've done some interrogation to him, haven't you?" "...not yet, currently he's imprisoned in the jail. We thought about seeking for Lord Orba's order first for further conduct." Having captured one of his target, the man's mood recovered a bit. However, contrary to his expectation, hearing that nothing had been done to that person, he squinted his eyes and snorted once again. While briskly scratching his own head, he let out a large sigh as if to let out his dissatisfaction. And then, the man stood up and grabbed the woman by the collar. He roughly pulled her and violently said so. "Just go fvking torture him or whatever to make him spills where that damn brat is! It doesn't matter even if that man die, as long as we can get that brat, everything is fine!!" The woman who was told so along with some soaring spits, she slightly gasped for a moment and shortly replied 'certainly' to him. The woman bowed her head and left the room. The left alone man, seemingly couldn't handle the irritation, he kicked the chair next to him, his breathing was rough, and his shoulders were violently shaking up and down. "Aaargh!! They are all so useless... just catch than damn brat already!" The man took a deep breath. While thinking that the stress might end up putting hole on his stomach, he took the alcohol bottle on the table, and directly gulped down the alcohol within. After gulping down everything inside the bottle, while letting out reeks-of-alcohol breath, he violently put down the bottle back on the table. "Really... damn it all...!!" Without hiding his irritation, he shouted so. * * * After that, we began to move. For me and Niko-chan, our information gathering method is by asking the citizens' impression about the policy that is imposed at this town. We have to make sure what kind of person the one who's responsible of this town first. Well, if he is a good person then it will be easy in its own way, and if he's a bad prson then we can act mercilessly as well, so I think his personality doesn't really matter though. The person who's in charge of tax collection here, if by any chance his conduct is intolerably excessive, then I want to get back Niko-chan's father. Prowess-wise, there shouldn't be any trouble here, but there's a possibility that Leila-chan's identity may be discovered, if by any chance that happens, it'll become a great obstacle on my journey from now on. That isn't a very likable scenario, after all. "Where are we going to?" "Somewhere with a lot of people." I'm holding Niko-chan's hand, who is walking next to me. If I don't do it, I have a feeling that she will run away, I haven't asked how old she is, but most likely she's still at child age, so even if she does run away, there's nothing good from it. If that's the case then I'd better take a good watch at her, right? We're looking for his father is also for her sake after all. "We don't know a thing about what's happening to your father after all, so to understanding that, we have to gather information regarding it first." "...I don't understand." "I see... well, you can just take it as a step to meet your father." While chatting like that, we keep walking. The place we arrived at is a road with numerous store standing in a row, numerous people come and go, a boisterous yet comfortable place. Here, who is the one who know the most about this town, I wonder? The uncle from weapon shop? The shop assistant from the diner? The visitors who are visiting those stores? Adventurers? Or perhaps knights? Well, speaking of people who know well about the policy at this town, then it's most likely the knights. What kind of person the top brass here, I'm sure they pretty much know. But, knights are no-go. I'm together with Niko-chan, so it's better to avoid them as much as possible. It's still uncertain whether her father is still alive or not, and if by any chance they discover Niko-chan and turn her as their investigation target, at worst case scenery I have a feeling that they'll put an eye on me as well. Let's avoid that from happening. "...." Niko-chan doesn't say a word. Well, expecting something from a child is a waste of time, after all. "First is searching randomly, huh." "Hey, the man with black clothes over there." "Huh? Are you calling me?" And then, there's someone calling from behind. What should I do if it isn't meant for me, I wonder? Now that I realize it, I'm kinda scared to turn back. But well, there's no turning back here. Either way, I replied just now after all. Thinking so, I turn back. In doing so, I can see a man with somewhat burly body standing there. He's taller than me so it feels as if he's looking down on me. "Do you need something?" "That child, is she your family?" "Do you need something with my cute little sister?" Seems like he's after Niko-chan. Niko-chan sure is cute, she's obedient and also tend to tell lies, but for such gori-like man to after her, I do think that's a crime, you know? I think it's better to stop him so I involuntarily lie by saying that she's my little sister but, seems like he's doubting me. "I'm not lying, right?" "...yeah." As expected of the liar girl, she can splendidly lie like nothing. It's just, if you call me by 'onii-chan', then that'd be perfect, though. Will she call me as such, I wonder? I hope she will. Let's ask her sometime later. "Rodriguez Minmin." "Dogriguez Minmin." "Even if you want to lie, can't you put out a slightly more proper name?" Ah, as I thought that's not good enough, huh. As expected, it's easy to tell that such name is a lie, he looks like a muscle-head so I thought I'd work, but as expected that's still not good enough, huh. However, let's just stick with it for a bit more. "How rude, that's her real name, you know? That's a precious name from our parents, don't you dare to make fun of it!" When I say so, the man makes a slightly apologetic face and says so. "...I, I'm sorry... umm, then, you're Rodriguez Minmin, right?" "Who's that?" "See! It's a lie afterall!" "Ah, my bad, it's actually Makaridom Peropero, yup." "That's not even a name!" Huh? Gigibraro Nikoniko, was it? Well, whatever, he's already discovered the lie, so there's no meaning to keep sticking with it. But, if Niko-chan is marked then it'll surely be troublesome... what should I do, I wonder? Well, for now let's ask what his goal is first. If I can play it properly then I may be able to get some information from him. "Then, do you need something?" "...I'm looking for a certain child. A child with blond hair... and, it just happens that she's around her age." "Why?" "I can't tell you that." That means it isn't a legal matter, huh. Illegal, that means this matter shouldn't be let known to others. Most likely, this man is a knight, or perhaps the subordinate from the one who's managing the policy of this town. Perhaps... 'Noble', huh. "Who are you?" "...I'm someone from Grace house." "Oh...." Never heard of it. What's with that house, can you stop showing 'you know it, don't you?'-face, please? Perhaps it's a somewhat influential house around here, but I don't even know who they are, so there's no way I'd understand how amazing they are. Niko-chan is still a child, so I'm sure she doesn't understand it as well and is tilting her head. What's it? Am I at fault here? Perhaps it's because how light our response is, the man shows a somewhat doubtful expression, did I perhaps do something bad, I wonder? "But well, that has nothing to do with us. This child is my little sister, after all." "...well, fine, if you ever find someone similar to her then please report it to me." The man unexpectedly withdraw there quite easily. No, perhaps it's exactly because he thinks that Niko-chan is the 'right' one, he withdraw there. Perhaps he realized it the moment he noticed Niko-chan, that's why he called out to me, it wasn't meant to ascertain whether Niko-chan is actually Niko-chan, but to ascertain what kind of person 'I' am, or so I think. When they come to take Niko-chan, if by any chance I'm a though opponent then they could make some preparations first after all, they might even investigate what kind of relation I have with Niko-chan and her father. From the conversation just now, they information he got should be that, firstly, 'I' covered her by claiming to be her brother, I don't have intention to obediently hand over Niko-chan, the possibility of trust from the fact that Niko-chan matched up to my lie, and then what extent of prowess I have, something like that, I think. Either way, that man will surely report it to his superior soon, and eventually it will reach the top bass' ear, huh. Well, whether that person is actually the top brass or not is still uncertain though, there's a possibility that he's someone from hostile organization or house, but in the end some influential person is surely doing something in the dark. "If that's the case... then it's like that huh, for me who don't have any lead whatsoever here, them coming my way theirselves sure is a big help." "?" "Ah, don't mind it. You can say that we've found our lead here after all." Finding a lead, well that isn't exactly the case, but it's quite a bountiful harvest we got ourselves here. I haven't gotten any information regarding the policy and whatsoever, but that man and also the mastermind are aware of us. It's surely thread-like thin, but it's definitely connected to something. That's more than enough. However, Niko-chan, who quietly responds to my word, her expression is somewhat gloomy.

少し探してみた結果、レイラちゃんはギルドにいた。 どうやら朝早くから此処にいたらしく、テーブルの上に身体を倒れさせて項垂れている。長い白髪も一部テーブルに広がって、雰囲気もなんとなく力ない。具合でも悪いのかな? でもあの子人間じゃないし、病気の魔族だし、病気に罹らないだろうあの子は。純粋に気分でも悪いのかな? 「レイラちゃん?」 「あぅっ!? き、きつね君......」 「何してるの? 昨日もいきなりどっか行っちゃったし」 「う、うん......あの時ちょーっと食べちゃいそうになったから他の人を」 なんだ全く、まぁ食べられそうになっててそれを受け入れようとしてたとか怖すぎだよ。密かに命の危機か。 でもまぁ、大事なくて良かった。いや大事ではあったけど、リーシェちゃんもレイラちゃんも無事、僕もある意味レベルアップ出来たから悪いことばかりじゃない。 でもさ、ギルドっていっても崩壊したままなんだけど。 今はテーブルと椅子、依頼書掲示板とかが置かれて、受付嬢達が簡易テーブルで受付をしている。多分立て直しまでは少し掛かるだろうけれど、なんか凄い質素になったな。青空教室ならぬ、青空ギルドになってしまっている。 大体使徒ちゃんのせいだけど、あの時は何が何だか分からない内に全員気絶していたから、起きたらこうなってたって感覚なんだろうなぁ。それに、自分達の利用するギルドを破壊されたからか、それとも護れなかったからか、冒険者達の表情もどこか浮かない。 「ルーナちゃん」 「......ああ......あんたか」 受付にいたルーナちゃんもそれは同じで、やっぱり自分がエースを張っていたギルドが崩壊した事が悲しいらしい。セクハラ発言をした僕が目の前にいるのに、昨日までの元気の良い彼女の面影はどこにもなかった。 まぁそれもそうだろう。仕事場とは言っても、あれほど冒険者達との絆も深く、騒々しくも楽しい場所だったのだから。壊されて良い思いをする筈がない。 「大丈夫?」 「大丈夫、って言いたいところだけど、ちょっときついかな......此処は私にとって大事な場所だったから」 ああ、やっぱりか。ふーむ、でもこのままじゃ不味いよねぇ、冒険者たちなんて働く気が失せてるし、受付嬢達なんて営業スマイルすら浮かべられない程に憂いた表情をしている。 どうにかして活気を取り戻さないと。グランディール王国の冒険者達は僕が勇者にやられた時、僕の力になってくれたし、なんとかしてあげたいなぁ。 「......」 「......どうしたのよ?」 ―――よし。 「ねぇルーナちゃん、ルークスハイド王国に行きたいんだけど、地図とかないかな?」 「え? ああ......それならほら、これあげるわ」 「おお、ありがとう!」 ルーナちゃんに聞いて、次のルークスハイド王国への行き先を知ろうとしたら、思いがけずルーナちゃんが地図をくれた。そこにはグランディール王国からルークスハイド王国までの安全なルートが書いてある。途中幾つか村や街を経由するけれど、ミニエラからグランディールほど近くないようで、結構日数が掛かるらしい。 まして、徒歩だともっと掛かるだろうね。まぁ、それはそれで良いか......どうやら ルーナちゃんの差し出す地図を受け取って、ポケットに入れる。これでなんとか道は分かったし、後は......上手くやるだけだね。 「―――それにしても、すっきりしたねぇ此処も!」 冒険者達にも聞こえる声で、そう言った。 「は?」 「いやいや、折角直したからちょっと残念だったけど、まぁ此処まで壊れると逆にすっきりするよね! 正直大きすぎだと思ってたし、臭いし、受付嬢の質は低いし、壊れて正解だったんじゃない?」 「なっ......あんた! 喧嘩売ってんの!?」 「だってそうだろう? 君みたいなちいさい少女の癖に巨乳とか、ミアちゃんの方が断然良かったし? ギルドを壊されて意気消沈しちゃってる君達なんて、所詮その程度だろう? あはは、流石は軍事国家だよね! 戦いは強くても精神は弱っちぃんだね!」 僕の言葉に、目の前のルーナちゃんが肩を振るわせて怒りの形相を露わにする。周囲の冒険者達もちゃんと聞こえたらしく、僕に敵意の視線を送って立ち上がる。 リーシェちゃんとレイラちゃんはなんだか分からないと言った顔をしているけれど、放っておいても良い。 「あの勇者といい、巫女といい、この国はどうやらくっだらねーカスしかいないらしい。ギルド壊されても仕方なかったんじゃない? まぁ、どっちにせよ、この程度で落ち込んで何もしない奴らしかいないんだし、遅かれ早かれこうなってたよ」 言いたい放題言ってしまえ。此処にいる奴ら全員、怒りたければ怒れば良い、こんなことを言われても仕方ないくらい、今の君達はカスばっかなんだから。 だって、大事な大事なギルドを破壊されても、落ち込むばかりで何もしないんだろう? そんなに落ち込んでいたいんなら、永遠に落ち込んでろ。 「黙れ!! あんたなんかに何が分かるっての!?」 ルーナちゃんが、吠えた。 「此処にいる奴らは全員、自分の命を賭けて此処で働いてたのよ! ギルドはね、仕事を貰う場じゃない! 命を賭けて働いて、無事に帰って来る場所なの! 帰って来てくれる場所なの! だから、この場所は皆の家なんだ! だからこの場にいる全員が家族なんだ! 家族が死ねば皆で悲しんで、家族が成功すれば皆で祝って、そうやって皆で作ってきた......自分を隠さず曝け出しても、認め合って過ごすことが出来る場所なんだ!! 何も知らないあんたに、そんなこと言われたくない!! 家を壊されて悲しくない奴なんて、この場にいる筈がないでしょ!!?」 家族、だから悲しむ。ギルドとは家なんだ、ギルドとは家族なんだ、だから一人が悲しめば、皆で励まし、一人が笑えば、皆で笑う。そういう絆を紡いで作りあげてきた大切な場所なんだ。 だから、こうして皆沈んで、落ち込んで、怒る。 でも、僕はそれを聞いてもなんとも思わない。結局、君達は家族だなんだと言っても、何もしないじゃないか。皆で落ち込んで、それで何になるんだ? 皆で励ましあって、ギルドが元に戻るのか? ギルドが破壊されたら、その絆ってのは無くなってしまうのか? だとしたら―――とんだ絆もあったものだね。 「僕に分かる筈がないだろう。僕が来たのはつい一昨日のことなんだし、家族だなんだと言っても結局は赤の他人じゃないか。なのに皆で傷を舐め合って、絆だなんだと言ってお互いを慰めあってるだけだろう? だって、ギルドが無くなった途端にお前ら落ち込んでるだけじゃないか。仕事もしない、励ましの言葉の一つも出ない、なのにそれを指摘されたら怒る。逆ギレも良い所だよ」 「今は皆そんな余裕ないのよ!! あんたみたいにへらへら笑ってられる人間には分からないでしょうけどね、私達が流した涙は、いつかきっと皆を支える糧になる! 一人、また一人って立ち上がることが出来る!! そう信じてやってきたんだから!!」 ルーナちゃんは吠える。まるで巨大な龍の咆哮の様に強い力が内包された言葉を、僕に向かって、そして沈んでいる冒険者達に向かって、投げかける。 そしてそれは、その言葉通りに冒険者達の心を震わせた。 「そうだ......俺達はそうやってこのギルドを作ってきた......大好きな場所だった......同じ冒険者同士馬鹿やって、ルーナの嬢ちゃん達にちょっかい出して、叱られて、命を預けられる仲間がいて......帰ってきたらおかえりって言ってくれる馬鹿達が居るんだ......俺はそんなギルドが好きなんだ!」 「ああ......俺もだ! ルーナちゃんの言う通りだ、俺も此処が大好きだ!!」 俺も、俺もと、冒険者達の瞳に力が戻る。ルーナちゃんの言葉に賛同する様に冒険者達は立ち上がり、彼らはギルドを想う心を胸に、僕に敵意を向けた。 家族、良く言ったもので、確かに彼らの絆は家族と同じくらい、固く、強いものだった。 「だったらさっさと動けばいいじゃん。結局、綺麗事言っても君達はその程度だ」 「っ!!」 「ぐっ......!」 ルーナちゃんの拳が、僕の頬に突き刺さる。 耐性値が上がったおかげか、全然痛くない上に身体も吹っ飛ばない。精々多少上体が揺れた位だった。それ以前に、『先見の魔眼』のおかげで殴られることは分かっていた。まぁ使わなくても彼女が殴って来ることは分かったけどね。 それでも、彼女の小さな拳は凄く痛かった。痛くないけど、痛かった。 「......私達の絆を馬鹿にするな......! 出てって......これ以上あんたを見てると、殺したくなる......!」 ルーナちゃんはそう言った。 僕はそれを聞いて、彼女に背を向ける。扉はもうないけれど、ギルドの扉があった所から僕はそこを離れた。後ろからリーシェちゃんとレイラちゃんが付いてくる。 敵意の籠った視線が背中に突き刺さるのが分かるけれど、振り向かない。結局、立ち上がれるかどうかは彼女達次第なんだから、僕はその切っ掛けで良い。どうせこの国から出て行くつもりだったからね。 「......いいのか? きつね、あんなこと言って」 「良いんだよ。とっととこんな国からおさらばしよう」 僕はリーシェちゃんの問いに、そう返した。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 桔音達が去った後、ルーナは肩で息をしながらも自分の気持ちを落ちつけていた。 言われたい放題言われて、言い返したけれど結局その程度だと吐き捨てられた。殺したくなるほどに怒りの感情が溢れ出たけれど、なんとか自分を抑制する事が出来た。 「......大丈夫か、ルーナちゃん」 「......大丈夫よ、大丈夫に、決まってるわ」 テーブルに手を付いて俯くルーナに、冒険者の一人が心配気に声を掛けたが、ルーナは気丈にそう返した。 ここでへこんでいたら、先程まで桔音が言っていたことと同じだ。桔音を見返してやる為には、ここで落ち込んでいられない。ギルドが破壊されて辛いのは皆同じ、ならば家族と言いきったその絆は、きっと自分に応えてくれる筈だ。 ルーナの言葉に、冒険者達の視線が彼女に向かう。 「私は......このギルドが好き......だからお願い、依頼するわ。ギルドを建て直す人手が欲しいの! 報酬は......そんなにお金を用意出来ないけど......それでも!」 「―――報酬は、ルーナちゃん達受付嬢の笑顔、だ」 「え?」 お金はいらない。そんなものよりも、家族が笑顔でいてくれることが最高の報酬だ。冒険者は命を賭けて戦うけれど、家族の為に汗を流す仕事だって、それと同じくらい大切な仕事なのだと思う。 だから、冒険者達にはルーナの依頼に対して、受けないという選択肢は最初からなかった。 家を立て直すのだ、力は幾らでも貸そう。 「笑ってくれよルーナちゃん! アンタはウチのエース受付嬢だろ?」 不敵に笑ってそう言う冒険者の一人、彼は奇しくも落ち込む桔音に話し掛けてきた冒険者であった。 ルーナは冒険者達も自分と同じ気持ちなのだと知って、途端に心が温かくなる。嬉しい、素直にそう思った。 だからルーナはいつものように、自信満々、私が一番だと言わんばかりの元気溌剌で可愛らしい笑顔を浮かべて、こう言った。 「ありがとう、皆!」 桔音の言葉を切っ掛けに、このギルドは立ち上がる。もう一度進みだした。

After looking for Leila-chan for a while, we finally find her at the guild. Seems like she has been here since early in the morning, she lays her body atop the table with her head hung down. Her long hair's spreded atop the table, she's also seemingly pretty feeble. Is she sick or something? But, she isn't a human, or rather she's demonic virus itself, so there's no way for her to catch some disease, does she? Is she just feeling unwell or something, I wonder? "Leila-chan?" "Au! Ki, Kitsune-kun...." "What are you doing? Even last night, you suddenly went somewhere like that." "Um, umm... back then I suddenly felt like eating something, so...." What's wrong with her? Well, given the fact that I might get eaten back then, moreover I even personally accepted it, that's very scary. I was secretly in danger, huh. But well, fortunately it wasn't because of something important. Well, that sure was important in its own way, but Rishe-chan and Leila-chan were safe, and I even kinda leveled up in some ways, so that event didn't only bring about bad things, did it? But well, you see, even if I say guild, it's still in its wrecked state, though. Right now there's only tables and chairs, and some kind of temporary quest board, the receptionists are accepting requests at some simple tables. Perhaps, it'd take quite a while before everything is reorganized, but the current scene somehow looks very simplisitic. The guild's turned into something similar like an open-air class under the blue sky. This was all apostle-chan's fault, but since everyone was unanimously fainted back then without knowing what happened, when they woke up it turned into like this, huh. "Runa-chan." "...ah... it's you, huh." Runa-chan who is at the reception table is also the same, as expected, seems like she's sad that the guild; where she acts as the ace receptionist at; was destroyed. Even though I; the very person who sexually harassed her; am right in front of her eyes, her lively expression she showed yesterday is nowhere to be seen. Well, that's a matter of course, huh. Even if it's just a work place, it was the place where the adventurers deepened their bonds, and was a noisy yet fun place, after all. There's no way for them to feel fine after having it in such a wreck. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine, or so I want to say, but as expected it's a bit hard... for me this is a precious place, after all." Ah, as thought, huh. Hmm, but well, it looks bad if it's left as it is, doesn't it? Even the adventurers don't seems to be so inclined to work, were the receptionists are sad-looking and showing nothing but business smiles. I have to somehow liven them up again. When I just got beaten by the hero, Grandile Kingdom's adventurers helped me out, after all, so I have to do something here. "...." "...what's the matter?" ...okay. "Say, Runa-chan, I'm intending to go to Rookshade kingdom but, is there map or something?" "Eh? Umm... if that's the case, here, you can have it." "Oh, thank you!" When I ask Runa-chan about Rookshade kingdom; which I'm going to go to; she unexpectedly gives me a map. There's a safe route from Grandile Kingdom to Rookshade Kingdom printed there. There are villages and towns along the way, but it's considerably farther than Miniera to Grandile Kingdom, so it looks like it's going to be quite a long trip. Not to mention if we go there by foot. Well, it's fine in it's own way, I think... from what I can see, it looks like if we walk by around half a day, we'll be able to reach the next town. Receiving the map; that's presented by Runa-chan; I put it into my pocket. With this we should have somewhat known the way, the rest is... depending on how well we through it. "...nevertheless, this place sure has become quite refreshing, hasn't it?!" I say so, loud enough to be heard by the adventurers. "Ha?" "Wait, wait, you see, I do feel bad for the guild to be broken just after we especially repaired it, but to be such a wreck, on the contrary, in a way it does feel refreshing, doesn't it?! Honestly speaking, I do think this guild was oversized and also stinky, even the receptionist were of low level, so don't you think it actually deserves to be destroyed?" "Wha... you! Are you picking a fight?!" "Well, just look, even though you're such a little girl like and yet you've got such huge boobs? Mia-chan is definitely way better. Moreover you all; who get depressed simply by having your guild destroyed; in the end you're only amount that much, aren't you? Ahaha, as expected of a military country! Even if you're strong in fights, your mental is very weak!" At my word, Runa-chan; who's before me; her shoulders are trembling and she reveals an angry expression. Seems like the surrounding adventurers can also clearly hear all of it, and are staring dagger at me. Rishe-chan and Leila-chan are showing expressions that of a wonder, but they aren't saying anything. "Firstly the hero, and then that miko, seems like there's nothing but lowly scum in this country, huh. So it can't be helped if the guild was destroyed, right? Well, either way, simply having the guild destroyed, there's none but those who are feeling down and doing nothing, so I thought sooner or later something like this might happen." Let's just say anything as I pleased. Everyone here, just be angry if you want to, right now you're all nothing but sore losers who won't do anything even after I say that much. After all, even if your precious guild was destroyed, if you do nothing but feeling down, nothing would happen, right? If you want to be feeling down that much, then just sit there and feeling down for eternity. "Shut up!! As if you could understand it!!" Lulu-chan, shouts so. "Everyone here, they've been working and putting their life on the line here! You know, guild isn't just a place to take requets! This is the place where they return to after risking their life in their works! That's why, this is everyone's home! That's why, everyone here is family! If the family members dies everyone would be sad, if the family members succes everyone would congratulate them, that's how things work here... even if they don't know everything about the others, this is the place where they could spend time together! You who don't know anything, you have no right to say such a thing! Someone who isn't sad after losing his home, as if there'd be one here!!" Family, that's why they're sad. Guild is their home, guild is their family, that's if one is sad, everyone would be sad, if one is laughing, everyone would be laughing. This is the place that has forged such bond. That's why everyone is sad, feeling down, and angry. But, even after being told so, I still don't feel anything. In the end, even when they say they're family, they still are doing nothing, aren't they? By feeling down together, what will it bring about? By encouraging each other, will the guild be repaired? The guild was destroyed, but does that mean the bond's destroyed as well? If that's really the case... what a frail bond. "As if I'd understand. I just came here several days ago, you say family or whatnot but in the end you're just stranger to other, aren't you? And yet here you're doing nothing but licking each other's wounds and consoling each other because of that so called bond of yours, aren't you? After all, simply by losing the guild, all you do is nothing but feeling down, right? No one is working, no words of encouragement, and yet you get angry when I point it out. I should be the one who's angry here." "We have no time for such a thing! A person who's always foolishly laughing like you wouldn't ever understand it, the tears we shed will definitely become our support later someday! One after another, we'll definitely be able to stand straight up again! That's what we believe!" Runa-chan shouts so. These words posses a powerful energy as if a roar from a giant dragon, it's pointed at me, then reverberate toward the feeling down adventurers. And then, their hearts are shaken by those words. "That's right... that was exactly how we built this guild... this is our cherished place... fooling around with other adventurers, making a pass at li'l Miss Runa-chan and the other receptionists, getting scolded, entrusting our lives to our comrades... and the fools who'd welcome us when we return... I love such a guild!" "Yeah... me, too! What Runa-chan says are right, I also love this place!" Me too, me too, and so on, energy is returning to their eyes. As if agreeing to Runa-chan's words, the adventurers are standing up, and staring dagger at me, while holding their feelings toward the guild inside their heart. Family, well said, their bonds are surely as strong and as solid as family. "Then just move your ass already. In the end, is spouting such flowery words all you could do?" "!!" "Gu...!" Runa-chan grips her palm tight, and then launches it to my face. Perhaps it's thanks to my high resistance stat, not just it doesn't hurt, I also don't get blown away. It only makes me somewhat shaken. Also, thanks to "Demon-eye of foresight", I already knew that she'd hit me. Well, even without using it, I already knew that she'd definitely hit me, though. Nevertheless, her little fist sure is very painful. It doesn't hurt, but it's painful. "...don't you ever make fun of our bond...! Go away... if I see any longer, I might end up killing you...!" Runa-chan says so. Hearing that, I turn my back on her. There's already no door, but I leave through the location where the door used to be. Rishe-chan and Leila-chan are following behind me. I'm fully aware of the sharp gazes at my back, but I don't turn back. In the end, whether they'd be able to stand up again is simply depending on them, after all, all I need to do is to lit it up. Also, I've intended to leave this country, after all. "...are you sure, Kitsune? Saying something like that." "It's fine. Let's leave this country immediately." I answer so to Rishe-chan's inquiry. * * * After Kitsune and co. left, even while heavily breathing, Runa calmed herself down. Being told something as he pleased, she rebuked, but then she was told that in the end they were only amount that much. Anger was overflowing her to the point she wanted to kill him, but she was able to somehow restrain herself. "...are you okay, Runa-chan?" "...I'm fine, of course, I'm fine." Toward Runa who hung her head and placed her hand atop the table, one of the adventurers called out to her, but Runa firmly answered so. If she felt down here, it'd be just like what Kitsune just said. To triumph over Kitsune, she mustn't feel down here. Everyone was similarly sad because of the guild was destroyed, then with the bond that the refered it as family, they'd definitely meet her feeling expectation. Toward Runa's word, the adventurers'gazes were all gathered on her. "I... love this guild... that's why, please, I'll put up a request. Please help me rebuild the guild! As for the reward... currently I don't have that much of money, but... nonetheless!" "...the reward is, yours and the other receptionists' smiles." "Eh?" Runa raisd her head. And then, she could see adventurers; who were floating wide smile; were looking at her. They didn't need money. Rather than such a thing, the smiles of the family members were the best reward possible. Adventurers were usually working while putting their lifes on the line, but for the sake of their family, even such sweat work was as important. That was why, the option to refuse Runa's request was nonexistent from the very beginning. To rebuild their home, they'd lend however much power they had. That was why everyone was smiling, everything wasn't over yet. So that everyone could smile again, so that they could stay be family from there on, they'd restart it again there. "Please smile, Runa-chan! You're our ace, aren't you?" One of the adventurer said so while boldly smiling, he was also the adventurer who once called out to the depressed Kitsune. Understanding that all the adventurers were feeling the same as her, her heart felt warmer. That was why, she returned to her usual confidence self, she floated a lively yet cute smile that said she was the best, and said. "Thank you, everyone!" With Kitsune's word as the trigger, this guild was standing up, and starting to move on again.

ギルド内へ帰った後、依頼の報酬も貰ったからそのまま宿へと帰ることにした僕達。取った報酬は僕とリーシェちゃんとで二分することになり、それぞれが元の部屋へと戻ってきた。 ちなみにレイラちゃんのことはもう考えていない、フィニアちゃんのことを虫呼ばわりしたのは許せなかったけれど、いつまでも細かいことを気にする性質でもないしね。フィニアちゃんのことをちゃんと名前で呼ぶようになったらまた仲良くするよ。 で、現在は夜。もう少しすれば大抵の人が寝静まり始める時間帯。 ベッドに寝転がり、ルルちゃんとフィニアちゃんが楽しそうに話しているのを傍目に、今日あったことと今後のことを考えていた。 これからを考えて、正直な所レイラちゃんがグランディール王国出身というのなら、あの実力だし案内してくれると嬉しいんだけど......あんなことがあった後だし、あまり気は進まない。 とはいえ、フィニアちゃんやリーシェちゃんもいるんだし、どうしても欲しいって訳じゃないからいいんだけどね。 「きつね様......」 「ん、どうしたのルルちゃん?」 「なんかね、ルルちゃん身体の節々が痛いんだって......大丈夫かなぁ?」 「え?」 急な話、だが確かにルルちゃんの様子が変だ。苦悶の表情を浮かべ、床に蹲りながら身体を抱き締めるように抑えている。声を出すのも苦しそうだ......まさか何かの病気、とか? なんにせよ、このまま床に寝かせておくのは忍びない。ルルちゃんを抱え上げ、ベッドへ寝かせる。苦しそうだけど、今はもう何処の店も閉店している時間帯......当然医者ももう営業していない。現代と違ってコンビニのような24時間営業の店は全く存在しないのが、この異世界だ。 今日の所は大人しく寝かせておくしかない、か。苦しそうなルルちゃんを見るのは忍びないけど、仕方ない。 「くぅ......う......!」 痛みを堪える声は痛々しく、可哀想ではあるけど、どうしても耐えられないというのならフィニアちゃんの治癒魔法を試してみよう。 「ルルちゃん......今日は大人しく寝てるんだよ?」 「うう......はい......っ......!」 頭を撫でて、そっと掛け布団を掛けてあげた。看病をするにも、僕は看病された事も無ければしたこともない。お母さんらしい人は僕に看病させてくれなかったし、僕が病気に罹った時も放置だったからね。 だから僕はルルちゃんをどう看病していいか分からない。リーシェちゃんを頼るのもいいだろうけど、彼女は寝るのが早いからもう寝てるだろうし、後片付けで忙しいエイラさんを頼るのも気が引ける。心苦しいけど、今日は頑張ってもらおう。 「きつねさん、ルルちゃん大丈夫かな......」 「......分からない、明日医者に見せに行こう。重い病気とかじゃなきゃいいけど......」 フィニアちゃんも心配そうにルルちゃんを見ている。そして、苦しそうな表情のルルちゃんの顔の横へと降りたって、彼女の頬に小さな手を当てた。そしてそのまま頬と頬を合わせる。心なしか、ルルちゃんの表情が若干和らいだ様に見えた。 錯覚だろうけど、フィニアちゃんが傍にいることで彼女の苦しみが和らいでくれるのなら、そうしていて欲しいな。 「フィニアちゃん、今日はそのまま一緒に寝てあげて」 「うん......分かった」 フィニアちゃんは一つ頷くと、ルルちゃんの横で同じ毛布を被った。僕は椅子で寝よう。ベッドで寝て窮屈な思いをさせるのはなんだからね。座って寝るのなんて日常茶飯事だったよ。元の世界じゃ僕の寝床は椅子を並べて座布団を敷いた簡易布団だったからね。 「ん......?」 僕は部屋に三つある椅子を並べて、その上に寝転がろうとした......ところで違和感を感じた。 今はルルちゃんもフィニアちゃんも起こしたくはない。でも逃げられそうにはない、か......仕方ない。 僕は意を決して扉に近づく。そして、ゆっくりと扉を開けた。 「―――っ......!」 しかし、そこには誰もいなかった。気付けば危険な気配も消えている。 首を傾げながら、扉を閉めようとして......気が付いた。扉の前に手紙らしき物が落ちていることに。拾い上げてみると、右下の方に何やら差し出し人の名前が書かれている。読めないけど。 扉を閉め、封を開けた。中には手紙が入っており、そこにはまた何か用件が書かれていた。読めないけど。 読めない以上、この手紙がどんな要求なのか、どんな内容なのか、全く分からないのだけど、断片的に読み取ってみる。といっても、読みとれたのは単語一つ、『冒険者ギルド』って単語だけだ。看板と同じ文字が書いてあった。 ということは、この手紙の差出人は......レイラちゃん、か? リーシェちゃんがこんなことをする意味はないし、冒険者繋がりで知り合った人といえばミアちゃん、青髪の受付嬢、グリムさん、おまけでジェノとかいうミアちゃんに言い寄っていたおじさんくらいだ。どの人も、僕に手紙を寄越す理由が無い。 そもそも、手紙なんてまどろっこしいことをしないでノックすればいいし、そうでなくともこの時間帯、エイラさんが通すとは思えない。 「............来いって事かな、ギルドまで」 今の時間、ギルドは営業していない。使えるのは常時開放しているあの訓練場くらいだ。故に、そこへ来いという招待状って訳だ。 まぁ推測でしかないし、もしかしたら謝罪の文章なのかもしれないけど、行って確かめる事くらいは、しても良いだろう。 「......フィニアちゃん」 「ん? ......どうしたの? きつねさん」 「ルルちゃんを看てて頂戴。出来れば今日は寝ないで欲しい」 「良いけど......何処か行くの? 私も......」 「いや、大丈夫だよ......そうだね、空が白んできても帰って来なかったらギルドに行くんだ」 もしかしたら、もしかするかもしれないからね。帰って来るつもりではあるけれど、もしかしたらの可能性は考えておくべきだろう。 心配そうに僕を見るフィニアちゃんの頭を人差し指で撫でて、頭に掛けていたお面をルルちゃんの枕元へ置いた。もしかしたらの可能性が当たっていたら、お面を危険に晒すわけにはいかない。 行かないって選択肢もあるけど、そうすると今度は直接この宿へ乗り込んでくる気がする。扉の向こうにあったあの危険の気配は、きっとそういうことじゃないかと思うんだよね。 「じゃ、ちょっと出てくる。ルルちゃんをお願いね」 「......うん、ちゃんと帰ってきてね」 「あはは、僕のしぶとさは知ってるでしょ? 赤い夜から生き延びた男だぜ? ―――きっと帰って来るよ」 そう言って、僕は部屋を出て行った。 そして宿を出て、もう人の姿の見えない街路を歩く。電気の無いこの異世界では、外に漏れ出るほどの灯りはない。精々火を使った灯りで部屋を照らす程度だ。だから、外は夜になれば薄暗い道になる。 昼間の賑やかさは何処へ行ったのかと思わせるほど、薄暗く、不気味な道。僕の今の気分も関わっているんだろうけど、それでもやっぱり......嫌な空気だ。 「......何も無いと良いけど」 あの手紙は読めなかったから、ギルドに行って誰もいなければそれはそれでいい。もしもフィニアちゃんに読ませて呼び出しの手紙だったら、きっとフィニアちゃんは自分も行くと言って聞かなかっただろうし、危険には晒せない。 「......着いちゃった」 そして、少し歩いた所でギルドへ辿り着いた。普段の冒険者達の喧騒は聞こえてこず、ただの巨大で重々しい空気の建物が、そこにあった。 少しだけ思案して、思いっきり息を吐く。悩んでいても仕方が無い。大体そんなに確証のある話じゃない、気楽に行くとしよう。 そう思いながら、僕はギルドの裏へと回る。 でも、祈りとは別に、胸を圧迫する様な嫌な感覚が剥がれない。腹の中で渦巻く様な気持ち悪い予感が大きくなっていく。 そして、訓練場の入り口へと立って、視線を訓練場の中心に向ける。そこには、黒髪の少女がいた。後ろ姿はレイラちゃんと少し違う気がしたけど、僕を呼び出す黒髪の少女、といえばレイラちゃんしかいない。 僕は少しだけ近づいて、声を掛けた。 「レイラちゃん......?」 すると、少女の肩がぴくりと動く。そして......ゆっくりと振り返った。 流れる黒髪、 亜麻色の瞳、 人懐っこい笑顔、 その少女が僕の方を向いて、笑顔を向けてくる。なのに、反対に僕の眼は大きく見開かれた。何故なら、少女は此処にいる筈の無い人間だったから。けして、こんな所にいてはいけない存在、 だって、そんな筈は、嘘だ、なんで、君が此処にいる......!? 「し、おりちゃん......?」 少女が―――篠崎しおりが、向日葵の様な笑顔を浮かべて、いつも通り僕に挨拶をしてきた。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 私はレイラ・ヴァーミリオン、グランディール王国からやってきた、Cランクの冒険者。自分で言うのもなんだけど、私は強い、すっごく強い。おまけに可愛い。周囲にいた男たちは皆私に擦り寄ってきて口々に言う、可愛い、髪が綺麗、凄い、もう聞き飽きる位に私を皆が褒めた。 勿論私に嫌なことを言ってくる子もいたけどね。調子に乗るなってね。でもそういう人達は総じてちょっと捻ってあげれば黙った。強い者が優先される国だったから、かなりやりやすかったのもあったけどね。 私は強い人が好き、面白い人が好き、私の興味に、期待に、応えてくれる人が好き。 これまた自分で言うのもなんだけど、私は人より欲深い。食欲や睡眠欲、独占欲みたいなものから、それこそ性的欲求まで、あらゆる面で欲深い。欲しいものは何をしてでも手に入れたいし、やりたいことは誰が否定してもやりたい。唯我独尊、なんて言葉をグランディール王国で誰かが私に言ったけど、まさしくその通り、私は私を楽しませる為に世界があると思ってる。 だってそうでしょう? 私は『そういう風にしか』生きられないんだもの。 だから、私はグランディール王国で強い人と戦った。戦って戦って戦って、殺して殺して殺し続けた。魔獣も魔族も、関係無く殺した。そうしている内に私は考えるようになった、この国はつまらないって。 だから私はミニエラに行く事にした。あそこにはAランク相当の騎士団長がいるからね。それにグランディールからミニエラまでは私の足で3日と掛からない。Cランクといっても私の実力はもっと上だ、全速力なら雑魚の眼にも止まらない位速く動ける自信がある。 そして、私はグランディールを出てずっと走り続けた。方向だけ示して貰えば一直線に走るだけで良いから、流石に迷わない。方向音痴な私だけど、真っすぐ走れば良いのなら迷い様がないもん。 そしてミニエラの近くにある森に辿り着いて、迷った。実を言えば、私は普通の人間とは少し違った秘密がある。昼間は何ら問題なく過ごせるのだけど、夜になると劇的に変化するのだ、精神的に。 ただでさえ大きなあらゆる欲求、もっといえば食欲と性欲が大きく増大する。一度発散すればしばらくは夜でも何とかなるけれど、その日は私も苛々と不満で色々溜まっていたようで、 ―――暴走してしまった。 森の中で暴れ回り、魔獣を殺し、生のまま食べる。食欲の増大と暴走時の精神状態がそうさせるのだ。そして食べている時、私の身体には振るえるほどの快感が発生する。 喉を通り物が胃に落ちていく感覚と、肉を噛み千切り骨を噛み砕く感覚が全身にぞくぞくと快感を齎してくれるのだ。 そうしている途中で、出会った。 ―――狐のお面を付け、 彼らは私に気が付かなかった。後ろにいたし、戦闘に関しては素人なのかもしれない。というのもまぁ、理性が戻ってから思ったことだけれど。 その時の私は、増大された欲求に従って彼を襲った。人間の肉は、魔獣や魔族とは比べ物にならない程に美味だから、襲わない理由は無かった。 味がなく、肉の少ない虫は食べても仕方ないので本能に従って最初に叩いて、早々に彼を襲った。彼は私を見て怯え、逃げた。当然の反応だ。でも折角の餌を前に逃げすわけにはいかない。当然追う。 面白い、と思った。興味を引いた。 だから、欠片程に蘇った理性を働かせて私は彼を追い詰める。簡単には殺さず、まだ何かするのかもしれないという期待を持ちながら、追い詰める。 そしたらなんと、彼は私に、『暴走時の私』に微かとはいえ傷を負わせたのだ。たまたま、偶然、本当に偶然だったけど、彼の持っていたナイフが私の二の腕を掠った。少しだけ、血が出る。どくどくと、心臓が高鳴る.........! ―――すっごく、興奮する!! 気が付けばかなり手加減無く私は彼を蹴りあげていた。血が沸騰するくらいに熱くなって、堪え切れない程に欲望が膨れ上がった! 身体の内側にある何かが締め付けられるほどに苦しくなって、下腹部がきゅんきゅんと疼いた。 身体の熱がそのまま吐息を熱くして、立っていられない程身体が疼く。口は自然とにへら、とだらしなく開いて、口端から涎が溢れ出る。 火が噴きそうなほど顔が赤くなっているのが分かる、世界が赤く染まっていく。 ああ......駄目だ、これは駄目だ............駄目になるくらい――― ―――最高に、気持ちいい.........快ッ感......! 打ち上げた彼が、落ちてくる。微かな意識の中で、彼が私を見た。彼が、私を見ていた! それだけで私の身体に電撃が走る。今までにない快感が私の身体を襲った。 全身が喜んでる! 血が沸騰しそう! でも、気持ちいい......! 絶頂、だ......!! ぐしゃ、という音と共に彼が地面に落ちた。動かない所を見ると、死んだかと思ったけど、まだ生きている。あの高さから落ちてまだ死なないなんて、つくづく予想を越えてくれる。 私はその時に思った、これが恋焦がれる感情だと。私はこの彼に恋をしたのだと思った。 「綺麗な瞳......! 好き、大好き、好きだよ、愛してる、凄く凄く愛してる、だから頂戴? その綺麗な眼を、私に頂戴? いいでしょ? いいよね? こんなにも好きなんだから、いいよね? あはっ☆」 自分の口がそう言葉を紡いだ瞬間、きっと私の精神は正常に戻ってた。でも関係無い、暴走してなくてももう私は止められない。 熱い息を吐きながら、私は彼の瞳にぐちゅり、と指を突き立てた。柔らかくて、熱い感触が指から伝わってくる。すぐにぶちゅっと眼球が潰れた。 血がいっぱい噴き出て、私の顔に掛かる。でも汚いなんて思わない、貴方の命を感じられて、また身体を包みこむ様な快感に包まれる。 彼の身体がびくんと震えて、反応する。まさかこれでもまだ死なないだなんて、今度こそ本当に驚きだった。 そして彼の眼球をずるりと引き出して......じっくりと味わう。血を舐め取って、眼球を飴玉の様に口の中で転がす。すると、さっきよりもずっとずっと強い快感が私の身体に走った。 「んんんんんッッッ......!!」 身体を抱き締めて、必死に快感を堪える。やばい、顔が歪んでいるのが分かる、きっと私今すっごくだらしない顔をしてる。涎が垂れて、彼の眼球の無くなった眼の穴に落ちた。それだけでまた快感が走る。 それに、眼球が舌の上を転がる度にびくびくと下腹部が疼く。きゅんきゅんしちゃうよ、もっと、もっともっと! 「んへぇ......あは、あはは、うふふふふふ......!」 駄目、これ以上貴方を食べてたら、私が駄目になっちゃう。快感の虜になっちゃう。眼球だけでこれだけ美味しいんだもの、それに、まだ彼は弱い、一般人の欠片程も強くない。過去最弱の人間。もっともっと強くなった時、また食べに行こう。 腰が砕けて、上手く歩けない。ふらふらと、私はその場を去る。口の中で眼球を転がしながら、涎を地面に染み込ませながら、私はミニエラへと向かう。うふ、うふふ、大好き、私の初恋の人、大好き、好きだよ、うふふふ。 それから一週間、私は森の中で快感に悶えながら、口の中から眼球が消えるまで彷徨い続けた。そして、通常通り動けるようになった頃、私は左眼にぽっかり赤黒い穴を開けた少年と、再会した。 そういえば、名前を聞いてなかったね。えーと、確かあの虫が貴方をこう呼んでたっけ。 「もしかして貴方はきつねさんだね! 初めまして!」 きつねさん、そう呼ばれてたよね? また会えて嬉しいよ、私にあそこまでやられて尚、そんな薄ら笑いを浮かべられるなんて、また予想を越えられちゃった。うふふ、嬉しいな、嬉しいな、こんなに面白い人、初めてだよ。 それに、凄く美味しそうな匂いがする。あれからずっと強くなったんだね、貴方の匂いだけでもう胸がきゅんきゅんして、下腹部がじゅんと疼く。顔に出ないようにするの、すっごく大変だけど頑張るよ、貴方にも私を知って欲しいもの。私の味を知って欲しいもの。 逃がさないからね、私の大好きな人。一生愛して、美味しく食べてあげる。嬉しいよね? だって私が貴方の事をこんなにも好きなんだもん。 きつねさん......ううん、虫と同じ呼び方なんて駄目だね。きつね君、大好きだよ。

After dividing the reward into two for me and Rishe-chan, we return to our respective room. By the way, I already give no damn about Leila-chan, I can't forgive her for calling Finia-chan as bug, but worrying about such a thing too much isn't that good for health. If she wants to properly call Finia-chan by her name then we could reconcile again. Then, right now it's night already. Just a while more is the time when the majority of people start to sleep. Lying on the bed, looking at Finia-chan and Lulu-chan who are chatting enjoyably, I start thinking about what have happened and what to do from now on. Thinking about what would we do form now on, to be honest, if Leila-chan is really a native from Grandile Kingdom, I'll be glad to have her guides us there, but.... Having such a thing happened, I lost my interest to ask her. Nonetheless, there're Finia-chan and Rishe-chan after all, so it isn't like I want to ask her by all mean or anything, though. "Kitsune-sama...." "Hmm, what's up Lulu-chan?" "You see, Lulu-chan said her joints are aching... is she alright?" "Eh?" That's a sudden, but Lulu-chan's state is indeed kinda strange. Floating an anguished expression, she sits on the floor while hugging her own body. It seems it's hard for her to even says a word... could it be that's some kind of illness? In any case, I can't just let her lying on the floor as it is. Lifting Lulu-chan with both of my hands, I lay her down on the bed. She looks in a great pain, but right now almost all shop are closed already.... Of course doctor also not the exception. Different than my former world, there's no shop that opens 24/7 like convenience store, this damn different world. For today we have no choice but to just let her quietly lying down on the bed, shit. It hurts me to see Lulu-chan in anguish, but it can't be helped. "Kuu....u....!" Her voice when she endures the pain sounds so painful, she looks very pitiful, but when she really can't endure it anymore then let's try utilizing Finia-chan's recovery magic. "Lulu-chan.... Sorry but for today, I could only let you quietly sleep here." "Uu...yes.....!" Patting her head, I gently cover her with blanket. Even if I want to nurse her, I have no experience ever nursed nor being nursed by someone. My mother-like existence never nursed me, even when I was sick she would just leave me alone, after all. That's why I don't know how to nurse Lulu-chan. Perhaps I could ask Rishe-chan for help, but she was a fast sleeper so perhaps she's already sleeping, it also would be hard to ask Ayla-san who is busy tidying the hall. I'm sure it's painful, but for today I could only ask her to endure it. "Kitsune-san, is Lulu-chan alright?" "...I don't know, let's take her to a doctor tomorrow. I hope it isn't a serious illness, though...." Finia-chan also worriedly looking at Lulu-chan. And then, looking at Lulu-chan who is lying with painful expression, she puts her tiny hands at Lulu-chan's cheek. And then she touch her face with hers. Somehow, Lulu-chan's expression looks a bit softened. It might be just a slight, but if her anguish would be lessened by having Finia-chan besides her, I want Finia-chan to stay together with her. "Finia-chan, for today please sleep together with her like that." "Yes... I got it." Finia-chan nods once, and wraps at the same blanket with Lulu-chans. Let's sleep at the chair. Since if I sleep at the bed then it would be very cramped, after all. Sleeping at chair was already a daily occurrence for me. At my former world, my bed was simply a line up of some chairs with zabuton atop it after all. "Hmm...?" When I line up the three chairs inside the room and trying to lie down there.... I suddenly feel an uneasy feeling. I don't want to wake Finia-chan nor Lulu-chan up. But it seems like it won't go away anytime soon, shit... it can't be helped. Resolving myself, I approach the door. And then, I slowly open the door. "--...!" But there's no one there. Without I noticed it the dangerous presence has also disappeared. When I incline my head and intending to close the door... I notice something. That there's a letter-like thing dropped before the door. When I pick it up, it seems like the sender's name was written at the lower right area of the letter. I can't read it, though. Closing the door, I open the seal. There's a letter inside it, and there's also something written there. I can't read it, though. Since I can't read it, what kind of demand and what's the matter written there, I don't understand any of it, but there's something I'm able to read at it. Even if I say so, the only word I can read is, "adventurer guild", that one and only word. Since it's a same character with the one at the signboard, after all. So that means, the sender of this letter is... Leila-chan? Since there's no means for Rishe-chan doing something like this after all, and the people related to guild that I know are Mia-chan, the blue haired receptionist girl, grim-san, and also that one who once wooed Mia-chan. Any of them, has no reason to sends a letter to me. To begin with, rather than using a dull way like leaving a letter, she could just knocked the door after all, even if that isn't the case, at this period of time, I can't think that Ayla-san was the one who sent it. "...perhaps it's something like 'come' or so, right? To the guild." At this hours, the guild is already out of business. The only one still open is that training ground that is open 24/7. Therefore, it's an invitation to come there. Well that's what I got from my conjecture, but perhaps it's a letter of apologize, though, but going there just to ascertain it is, alright, isn't it? "...Finia-chan." "Hmm? ...What's up, Kitsune-san?" "Please take care of Lulu-chan. If possible, I want you to don't sleep tonight." "That's fine, but... are you going somewhere? Then I'll also...." "No, I'm alright... let's see, if I don't return even after the sky is brightening, please go to the guild." Perhaps, something perhaps might happens, after all. I'm indeed intending to return, but I can't just ignore such probability, right? Gently caressing Finia-chan's head, who is looking at me worriedly, with my index finger, I put off and leave my fox mask beside Lulu-chan's pillow. If that 'perhaps' thing really happens, I shouldn't expose it to danger, after all. I have the option to not going there, but if I do that, I feel like at the next time she might directly rush at this inn, after all. The dangerous presence that I felt outside the door before, I think it sure wasn't something like that, right? "Well then, I'm going for a bit. I'll leave Lulu-chan to you, okay?" "...yes, you must properly return, okay?" "Ahaha, you understand my sturdiness already, don't you? I'm the one who once survived from that 'red night', you know? --So I'll surely return." Saying so, I leave the room. And then I leave the inn, when I walk at the street I can't see any other figure aside than me. At this world that has no electricity, the outside sure is very dark that even might make me leak. At most, there's only light come from fire that are used to bright up their house. That's why, when the night come, outside become a very dim street. A dim and eerie street that even makes me wonder just where does the liveliness at day goes to. Perhaps it might also affect my current mood, but nevertheless, as I thought.... It's an unpleasant air. ".... I hope there's nothing, though." Since I can't read that letter, if there was no one at the guild when I arrived there, there was also good in a sense. If I let Finia-chan to read the letter, I'm sure she would persist to come along with me, but I shouldn't expose her to danger. "...I've arrived." And then, after I walked for a while I finally arrived at the guild. There's no usual hustle from adventurers, there's just a great building with a grave atmosphere, then I enter it. I resolve myself for a bit, and breathing out as far as I can. There's no use to keep worrying about it. Or rather, I have no concrete proof about it, so let's just take it easy. While thinking so, I walk toward the underground guild area. While hoping that there's no one there, while praying that there's no danger there, I continuously take a single step. But, on the contrary with my wish, I can't dispel the unpleasant feeling that is pressing my chest. A bad premonition is greatly rumbling inside my stomach like a whirl. And then, when I arrive at the entrance of the training ground, my sight focused at the center of it. At that place, a black haired girl is there. The appearance is somewhat different from Leila-chan, but a black haired girl that might summon me, there's none other than Leila-chan. I approach her a bit, and call her. "Leila-chan...?" When I do so, the girl's shoulders twitched. And then... she slowly turning back. Long black hair, Flaxen eyes, Amiable smile, That girl faces toward me, and smiling at me. But, on the contrary my eyes are widely open. That's because, that girl is a not supposed to be here person, after all. That means, she isn't an existence that should be here, After all, such a thing is, no way, why, why are you here...!? "Shi, ori-chan....?" That girl is-- Shinozaki Shiori is, floating a sunflower-like smile, and greets me the way she always did. * * * My name is Leila Vermilion, I came from Grandile Kingdom, a C rank adventurer. It wasn't something supposed to be said by myself, but I was strong, very strong. Moreover I was cute. Every men around me were saying so, cute, my hair was pretty, amazing, everyone would praised me that even made me bored to hearing it again and again. Of course there were also someone who tried to do something bad at me. 'Don't get too cocky' or so they said. But such people were generally would shut up immediately after I screwed them a bit. Since that was a country that prioritizing the strong, my live was quite an easy one, though. I liked a strong person, I liked an interesting person, I liked the person that could fulfilled my interest and expectation. It also wasn't something supposed to be said myself, but I was much greedier than average person. Whether it appetite or sleep craving, I want to monopolize all of it, even my sexual desire, I was greedy at everything. If I wanted something then I would do anything to obtain it, if I wanted to do something then I would do it no matter if anyone objected me. Self-conceit, someone gave me such word at Grandile Kingdom, but that was precisely right, I thought this world existed solely to entertain me. After all, that was indeed the case, right? Since I couldn't live aside 'that way', after all. That was why, I fought against many strong persons at Grandile Kingdom. Fight fight fight and fight, killing killing killing and keep killing. Whether it magical beast or demon, I unanimously killed them. After doing that for some time, there was a thought crossed at my mind, that this country is boring. Everyone were weak, after all, when I screwed them for a bit they would immediately gave up, and hung their heads on me. That was so boring, entertain me more, you could do that much, didn't you? Hang on a bit more, do something more, telling a not interesting praise was, I didn't need it. That's why I decided to left Grandile Kingdom. Since I heard there was a knight leader equaling an A rank adventurer, after all. Moreover going from Grandile till Miniera won't even took three days with my legs. Even if I was just a C rank, my prowess was far above it, after all, if I went on my full speed I was sure I'd be able to ran at a speed that won't be able to be followed by weaklings' eyes. And then, I kept running ever since I left Grandile Kingdom. As long as I know the direction I'd just need to run at a straight line, so of course I won't ever lost. Even if I had no sense of direction, if I just need to run straight directly then I won't ever lost, after all. And then when I arrived at a forest near Miniera, I was lost. To tell you the truth, I had a slight different kind of secret from any other human. At day I could pass it without any problem, but at night there would be a great transformation at me, mentally. My desires would increased further, if I should say it, my appetite and sexual desire would greatly increased. When I vented it out once then I should be able to endured it for some following night, but at the day where my dissatisfaction and irritation were piled up, --my desire would go rampaging. Rampaging inside the forest, I killing any magical beasts I met and ate it raw. That was the extent of my appetite when it went rampage. And then when I ate, there would be a pleasure outbreak than even would made my body trembling. The feeling of the food when it slid at my throat, the sensation of biting its meat and crushing its bones would brought a great pleasure to my whole body. And then, on the way, I met him. --a man that attached a fox mask, and taking along a fairy (bug). They didn't notice me. I was at their rear, and perhaps they were just amateurs at fighting. Thinking so, I thought that was because my conscious had returned a bit, though. At that time, I attacked him because of my rampaging appetite. Since human flesh was, way tastier than magical beast or demon's flesh, so I didn't have any reason to not attacking him. Bug had a scarce meat and it was also bland so I instinctively knocked it down first, and then immediately attacked him. Seeing me he was scared and ran away. That was a natural reaction. But since there was already a prey before me so I couldn't just let it went away, wasn't it? So of course I chased him. In doing so, suddenly fear disappeared from his expression. Furthermore, he gave "fear" to the me at my rampaging time. And then at that time, my conscious slightly returned. Interesting, or so I thought. I was interested at him. That was why, operating the fragment of my consciousness I cornered him. I won't killed him quickly, while expecting he might doing something again, I kept cornering him. And then, surprisingly, he gave "the me at my rampaging time" an injury, even if it was just a slight one. By chance, coincidence, that's was really just a coincidence but his knife indeed grazed my upper arm. Just a bit, my blood shed. Pounding, my heart was throbbing faster....! --I was very, excited!! Without I noticed it I kicked him without holding back. Getting my body hot till my blood might boiling, my desire increased to the point I couldn't endure it anymore! There was something that pressed and strained me inside, my abdomen was throbbing strongly. My hot body made my breath hot too, my body was throbbing to the point I almost couldn't even stood properly. My mouth was naturally smiling, slovenly opened, droll was overflowing from the depth of my mouth. I was aware that my face was so red to the point I might even breathed out fire, my worlds was dyed in red. Aah... no good, this is no good..... I might become hopeless.... --it was a very, good feeling.... A great pleasure...! He who was kicked was, falling down. With his faint consciousness, he looked at me. He was, looking at me! With just that there was a blitz ran through my whole body. A pleasure I never felt before was attacking my body. My whole body was delighted! My blood was boiling! But, it felt good...! I couldn't hold it anymore...! *gusha*, he fallen to the ground with such sound. Looking at him who wasn't moved, I thought he was dead, but he was still alive. To not die even after fallen from such height, he completely surpassed my expectation. At that time I thought that that was what the so called love. I thought I fallen in love with him. I approached him, I looked at his face. Unexpectedly it was a cute face. Such part was also matched my preference, even if that wasn't the case, the me at that time would surely saw it as a very lovely face. And then, not just fallen in love with him... I thought I wanted to eat him. This was love, the like feeling, the reason I ate you was, because I loved you, you know? "What a pretty eyes...! I Like it, I love it, I very like it, I very love it, that's why give it to me. That pretty eyes of yours, gave it to me. No problem, right? Since I love it that much, after all. So no problem, right? Aha." At the time such words came out form my mouth, I was sure my consciousness had returned to normal. But that was irrelevant, even if I wasn't at my rampaging time anymore, I couldn't stop myself. Exhaling a hot breath, I pointed my hand at his eyes, and then thrust it with my finger. Its soft and hot sensation spread from my finger. The eyeball immediately crushed. Bloods were sprouting out, and spurted at my face. But I didn't think it as a stain, I could feel your soul, my body was wrapped by a great pleasure again. His body was twitching a bit, he reacted. Unexpectedly, to even hadn't dead even at that state, that was very surprising. And then I pulled out his eye... then I carefully tasted it. Licking the blood, it felt like there's candy rolling from my tongue till my stomach. And then, a much stronger pleasure than before was spreading at my whole body. "Hnnnnnn....!!" Hugging my own body, I desperately endured that pleasure. No good, I aware that my face was slanted, I was sure I made a very slovenly expression. My droll was dripping, it dripped into his eyes that eyeball had disappeared. With just that, pleasure ran through my whole body. Moreover, his eyeball was throbbing when it rolled at my tongue. I wanted to throb more, more, give me more! "Nhehe... aha, ahaha, ufufufufu....!" No good, if I ate you again, I'd became hopeless. I'll became a victim of pleasure. Since only his eyeball was already this tasty, after all, moreover, he was still weak, he was not even stronger than a normal person. The weakest human. When you became far more stronger, I'll came and eat you again. Lost my strength, I couldn't walk properly. Unsteadily, I left that place. While rolling around the eyeball inside my mouth, while letting my droll soaking the ground, I walked toward Miniera. Ufu, ufufu, I loved him, he was my first love, I loved him, I very loved him, ufufufu. And then one week after that, inside the forest while still in anguish of pleasure, ever since the eyeball still at my mouth till it had disappeared I was still lost. And then, then I just randomly walked as usual, I met again with the youth that had a gaping dark red hole at this left eye. Come to think of it, I hadn't asked his name, huh. Umm, if I remembered it correctly, at that time that bug called you as such, right? "Could it be you're Kitsune-san! Nice to meet you!" Kitsune-san, you were called so, right? I was really glad to met you again, even after got beating by me that much, to floated such faint smile, he surpassed my expectation again. Ufufufu, I was happy, I was happy, such an interesting person, it was my first time met one. Moreover, I sensed a very tasty fragrant from him. He must had become much stronger than at that time, right? With just your fragrant, my body was pounding already, and my stomach was throbbing. To made it as if we never met before, that was very hard but I did my best, since I wanted you to also know me, after all. Since I wanted you to also tasted me, after all. I won't ever let him away, after all, the person I liked. My first love, I wanted to eat him at his full delicacy. You were also happy, weren't you? Since I loved you that much, after all. Kitsune-san... hmm, I mustn't called you the same way that bug did. Kitsune-kun, I love you.

怒り、そして 「つまり、きつね先輩は元の世界に帰る方法を探しているってことか」 「そういうことだよ」 その後、しばらく待っていたらギルドの扉を勇者君が開けて入ってきた。その際、中に居た冒険者達が全員眼を剥いて武器に手を掛けたのは、かなり印象深い。僕も別の意味で殴ってやろうかと思ったもん、勇者君の後から入ってきた巫女姿の美少女を見た瞬間ね。 で、今はその美少女が勇者の分のギルド登録をしているので、その間に話をしようということになった。 それで現在、僕の状況を説明して、帰る方法を探している旨を伝えた訳だ。 「それで、同じ境遇の君がこっちに来た時のこととか、帰る手段のヒントとかないかなぁって思って」 「んー......俺がこっちに来た時は一瞬だったからなぁ......下校中に光に包まれて、気が付いたらこっちに来てたんだ。ああ、そういえば俺を召喚するために人一人の命を代償にしたって聞いたな......」 「人、一人分の命?」 ってことは元の世界に戻る為にも人一人分の命を代償にしないといけないのかな? だとしたら面倒だなぁ、その辺の人を生贄にしないといけなくなる。 それに気がついたらこっち来てた、なんて全然参考にならないじゃないか。もっとなんか情報はないのか、役に立たないな。 「......他には何かないかな?」 「ん......んー......悪いけど、これ以上は役に立てそうもない。俺はこっちに来てからずっと訓練続きだったから、そういった事も調べてないし」 仕方ない訳あるか、つまりは本格的に役立たずじゃないかこの勇者。なんの手掛かりも持っていないって事が分かっただけだ、この国に来た意味が全くないじゃないか。 でも、勇者は何も知らなかったみたいだけど、彼を召喚する術を持っていた王家の人間はちょっと怪しいな。まず異世界の存在をどうやって知ったのか、異世界とこの世界を繋ぐ方法をどうやって見つけたのか、色々と気になる所が多い。 もしかしたら、あのデカイ城の中にそういった事が記載されている書物があるかもしれないな。となると城へと忍びこまないといけなくなるけれど......門番もいるし、ちょっと難しそうだな。 「こっちからも質問して良いか?」 「きつね先輩は今まで何をしてたんだ? 俺みたいに召喚された訳じゃないんだろ?」 そうだね、君みたいに召喚されてぬくぬくと優遇された覚えはないね。 「僕は魔獣の蔓延る森の中で目が覚めたから、生き延びるのに必死だったよ」 「スペックは元の一般男子高校生のままだし、武器もないから何度も死に掛けたよ......白熊サイズの狼は出るし、巨大な蜘蛛は出るし、挙句の果てには『赤い夜』に襲われるし......この待遇の差はずるいと思うなぁ」 ジトッとした眼で勇者を睨むと、言葉を呑んだ勇者は少し居心地悪そうに視線を逸らした。正直、自分と違い過ぎる境遇に罪悪感を感じたんだろう。この勇者はどうやら正義感が強いようだから、きっとそう感じると思ったよ。 それに、どうやら君と僕とじゃ初期スペック自体が違うみたいだ。ステータスを見てみれば分かる。 ◇ステータス◇ 名前:芹沢凪 性別:男 Lv60 筋力:8740 体力:9500 耐性:310:STOP! 敏捷:6800 魔力:2600 称号:『勇者』 スキル:『剣術Lv6』『身体強化Lv4』『俊足』『威圧』『魔力操作Lv3』『天賦の才』『直感Lv2』『不屈』 固有スキル:『希望の光』 PTメンバー:セシル(人間) ◇ 化け物かこいつ。Aランクにも届く実力じゃないか。しかもリーシェちゃんのオジサマよりもレベルは下なのに、ステータスはオジサマを大きく上回っている。耐性は僕の方が上だけど、攻撃力高すぎでちょっと腹立つな。 「で、でも......『赤い夜』ってAランクの魔族だろ? 良く生き延びられたな、きつね先輩」 「うんまぁ......色々あってね......左眼は喰われたけど、なんとかなった」 実は今僕のストーカーになってるとは言えないよねぇ。でも、この勇者はレイラちゃんがAランクどころか、Sランクの手の付けられない化け物になっていることは知らないんだよね。僕達はその話はしてないし、今の所僕達以外は皆Aランク魔族だと思ってる訳だ。まぁこれは言うべきことでもないし、黙っておこう。 そう思っていたら、僕の言葉を聞いた勇者は興味が湧いた様に聞いてくる。 「ってことは......見たのか? 『赤い夜』の姿......」 「見たよ。黒い瘴気で覆われてたけど、その瘴気の中で赤い瞳だけが見えた、理性はあるけど、話は通じないね」 「け、結構詳しいんだな」 「色々あったんだよ」 断言出来るね、僕ほど彼女について詳しい人間はいないよ。 「ナギ様、終わりました」 「あ、セシル。ありがとう」 「いえ、どうぞ......これがナギ様のギルドカードです」 すると、そこに巫女服の美少女が近づいてきた。勇者君と一緒に来たし、さっき見たステータスのPTメンバーにあったセシルって子なんだろう。 「きつねさん、話終わった?」 「ん、フィニアちゃん。ごめんね、まだ終わってないや」 「そっか、長いね!」 すると、またもお面に入って貰ったフィニアちゃんが待ち切れず出てきた。まぁもう良いか、フィニアちゃんを隠しておく理由はないし、窮屈だろうから出てても良いだろう。 そう思って、フィニアちゃんをお面から出してテーブルに座らせた。 「きつね先輩......その子は?」 「うん、僕の仲間の妖精、フィニアちゃんだよ」 「まさか......思想種ですか?」 勇者君がフィニアちゃんを見て眼を丸くしているから、紹介してあげた訳だけど、隣に居た巫女ちゃんはもっと驚いた様な表情でそう問いかけてきた。勿論周囲にバレたら大騒ぎだから小声だったけど。 まぁお面から出てきたし、そう思うのも仕方がないか。ていうかバレバレだよね。 「......まぁ、そういうことになるね」 「そんな......凄い......!」 肯定すると、彼女は更に眼を丸くして口を手で抑えた。やっぱり思想種というのは珍しいんだろう。フィニアちゃんもそう言っていたし、出会えたこと事態がラッキーらしいからね。 すると、話に付いていけない勇者君が口を開いた。 「えーと......セシル、思想種って何だ?」 「あ、と......簡単に言うと、妖精には大きく分けて自然種と思想種の2種類存在するのですが、思想種はこの世界でも数十体しか確認出来ていない非常に珍しい種類の妖精なのです」 「なるほど......で、この子がそうだと?」 「はい......思想種は思いの籠った品から生まれるので、きっとその方のお面がそうなんでしょう」 勇者君と巫女ちゃんの視線が僕のお面に向かう。こっち見るな、欲しいと言ってもあげないからね。これは僕の宝物なんだから。 というか、そこの巫女ちゃんのフィニアちゃんを物欲しそうに見る視線は気に入らないな。それに、勇者の手前だからかもしれないけど、僕を......というか勇者以外の冒険者達を見る目がちょっと格下を見る目をしている。 上手く隠しているつもりかもしれないけど、意外と分かるぜ? 僕はそういう目を良く知ってるからね。 「へぇ......自然種と思想種は何か違うのか?」 「ええ、思想種は自然種よりも大きな力を持ってます。現存する思想種は全てAランク魔族に匹敵する力を持ってますから」 「ってことは......この子も?」 「今はどうか分かりませんが、将来確実にそうなるでしょうね......でも妖精はどちらも温厚な種族ですから、敵対する理由はないですよ」 なんだか二人だけの空間になってるな。僕空気じゃない? ちょっと不愉快だぞこれ、爆発しないかなぁどっちも。 フィニアちゃんも同じ考えの様で、凄く嫌なものを見た様な顔を僕に向けてきた。僕も同じ気持ちだよ、と頷いてあげた。僕とフィニアちゃんの間に何か固い絆が生まれた気がした。 「どうしました?」 すると、今度は勇者の視線がギルドの入り口に向かった。どうやら誰かが入って来たらしい。自然と僕の視線もそちらへと向かう。 そこには吊り眼で豚を見る様な眼をした女の冒険者と、その女の持つ鎖に引かれて入って来る男の奴隷がいた。首にはルルちゃんと同じ『隷属の首輪』があり、鎖が繋がれている。 奴隷の男の身体は打撲痕が多く存在し、虐待を受けているのは見て分かる。勇者の表情が少し歪んだ。 「......セシル、あれは?」 「奴隷ですね、それがどうかしましたか?」 「あれはこの国では普通の光景なのか?」 「えと......なにかおかしいところでも......?」 その会話を聞いて、僕と勇者の間には同じ考えが浮かんだだろう。奴隷は虐げられるのが当然、というこの国の腐った考えに対する嫌悪だ。 でもまぁ、それは仕方のないことだよ。弱い者が虐げられるのは、仕方ないことだぜ勇者君。僕がそうだったんだから。 「......」 どうやら納得出来ないようだね、勇者君は。とんだ正義感の持ち主だ。今ここであの男の奴隷を助けた所で、全ての奴隷が救われる訳じゃない。目の前の者しか救おうとしないのであれば、それは正義じゃなくて自己満足だ。 「......なぁ、きつね先輩」 「なんだい?」 「きつね先輩も......あれは普通だと思うのか?」 「......僕は―――」 その問いに対して、僕は自分なりの解釈を言おうとした。だけど、それは最後まで言えなかった。 「きつね様」 「......ルルちゃん、リーシェちゃんにレイラちゃんも」 先程の女冒険者の後から、ルルちゃん達が入ってきたからだ。多分依頼を受けようと思ったんだろうけれど、今ここで 刹那、 「きつねさん!!」 フィニアちゃんのそんな声が聞こえた。でも、僕はそれに対して答えることが出来なかった。 何故なら、僕はその声が聞こえた時既に、ギルドの壁を破壊して、外へと吹き飛ばされていたからだ。 「がっ......ぐ......がふっ......!?」 地面をバウンドする様に転がって、ガリガリと削る様な音を立てながら静止する。くらくらとする意識をなんとか立て直しながら、僕はギルドの方を見た。 そこには、怒りの形相で拳を振り抜いた状態の、勇者がいた。 そして理解する。僕は彼に殴り飛ばされたのだと。 「......勇者君」 理由は分かる、僕が『奴隷』を連れていたからだ。家族として一緒にいると約束したとはいえ、そんな約束は傍から見れば分からないに決まっている。まして、『隷属の首輪』を付けているんだ。そんな言い訳、通らない。 とりあえず、立ちあがる。すると、立ちあがった僕に向かって、彼は一歩一歩近づいて来ようとし始めた。かなり距離が離れているとはいえ、逃げられる気がしない。 「―――あんたには......違うと言って欲しかった......でも、あんたも一緒なんだな、さっきの冒険者と」 彼は僕を睨みつけながら、そう言ってくる。 「セシルが平気な顔していたから、この国の常識なんだ、仕方ない......と思った。でも、でもだ......あんたは違うだろ!!」 僕の目の前までやってきた彼は、僕の胸ぐらを掴んでそう叫んだ。 「なんであんたはあんなことが出来るんだ!!」 奴隷、日本で生まれた僕達にとっては想像もつかない存在。でも、目の当たりにすれば直ぐに分かる。あれは僕達にとって存在させてはいけないものだ、人が人を虐げるなど、あってはならないことなのだから。 だから、この勇者君は異世界人でありながらそれを堂々とやっている僕が、許せない。 「この世界じゃ、奴隷なんて常識なんだよ......僕には奴隷が必要だった、だから買った......お前みたいに誰でもぬるま湯に浸かれると思うなよ、 でもだからこそ、僕はそう言った。許せないっていうんだったら、それこそ僕の台詞だ。ルルちゃんは奴隷だけど、家族だ。勝手な思い込みで僕の家族を侮辱するなよ。 それに、君みたいに回りの人間が全員優しくしてくれる奴が、どれだけ恵まれてるかも理解出来てない奴に、そんなことを言われる筋合いはない。 「......そうかよ、分かった。良く分かった......あんたは俺とはもう違ってる人間なんだな」 「そうだね、君みたいな死んだこともない奴と一緒にしないで欲しいね」 勇者はもう、僕を同じ異世界の人間とは思っていないだろう。奴隷を連れている時点でそうだろうけれど、奴隷を買う精神を持った人間を、彼はきっと許さない。 ルルちゃんを家族だと説明するのは簡単だけど、首輪がある時点で彼はそれを信じない。どう足掻いても彼を説得するのは不可能だ。 「......あんな小さな女の子だぞ......お前みたいな奴の傍に置いておくのは許せない」 何を言っているんだこいつは。 「セシル」 「......なんですか?」 すると、いつのまにか傍にさっきの巫女ちゃんがいた。勇者は僕の胸ぐらを放して、視線は僕に向けたまま彼女に話し掛ける。 「この国では、強い奴が正しい......だよな?」 「......ええ、そうですね」 「......なら、今ここで俺がこいつを倒したら......俺が正しいんだよな?」 「そういうことになりますね......敗者の全ては、勝者に決定権があります」 「そうか、ありがとう」 彼はそう言って、意識を僕の方へと向ける。 「聞いたな? 俺はここであんたに決闘を申し込む」 彼はいきなり、僕に決闘を申し込んできた。何を言っているのか分からないけれど、そんなの受ける理由はない。 それに、戦ったとしても僕に勝ち目も無ければ得もない。なんでそんなことをしなくちゃいけないんだ。 そう考えていたら、勇者は次に信じられないことを言い放った。 決闘で彼が僕から奪おうとしているのは――――ルルちゃんだった。

Anger, And then... "That means, you're currently searching for a way to return to our former world, right, Kitsune-senpai?" "That's right." After that, after waiting for a while, opening the guild's door, the hero arrived here. In doing so, the adventurers inside the guild were all surprised and put their hands on their respective weapons, that was quite a memorable moment there. In a certain sense, even I also got an intense urge to hit his face after all, the moment I saw the beautiful miko who appeared after him, that's it. Then, since that beauty is currently registering themselves as adventurers, so it's decided that I'll have a chat with the hero at this moment. And then, right now, after explaining my circumstance, I successfully tell him that currently I'm searching for a way to return to our former world. "So, like the moment when you were summoned here, I was wondering whether you know anything about a way to return, or I so thought." "Hmm... the moment I was summoned here, it happened very sudden after all... when I was coming home from school, I was wrapped in light, and before I noticed it I was already here. Ah, come to think of it, I've heard that to summon here, seems like they had to sacrifice one person's life..." "One, person's life?" Does that means, to return to our world, I also have to sacrifice one person's life, I wonder? If that's really the case, how troublesome, that means I'd have to sacrifice someone around me, right? Does he really have no proper information, I wonder? How useless. "...is there anything else you know?" "Hmm... hmm... sorry but, I don't think I have any other useful information. Ever since I came here, I did nothing but practice after all, and I've never investigated about this matter either." It can't be helped my ass, isn't that means that this hero is plainly and genuinely useless? I've fully understood that he doesn't hold any clue at all, my efforts coming here are all in vain. However, even though this hero seems like doesn't know anything, the royal family who know the summoned ritual smell pretty fishy. First, how did they know about the existence of another world, then how did they find a way to connect this world to that another world, there are many things that bother me. Could it be, perhaps inside that giant castle, there're books that recorded about such stuff? That means I have to stealthily infiltrate the castle, but... there're gatekeepers after all, so I think achieving that would be pretty hard. "May I also ask you about something?" "What have you been doing up until now, Kitsune-senpai? Unlike me, you weren't summoned here, were you?" That's right, I have no recollection ever being summoned here, being warmly welcomed and living comfortably like you, after all. "Since I was awaken inside a forest full of magical beast, I desperately tried to stay alive, you see." "My initial spec was exactly just as a normal high school boys were, and since I had no weapon so I was almost died many times, you know? ... I've met a boar sized wolf, giant spider, and lastly I've even got attacked by 'Red Night'... I honestly feel that this difference in treatment is too unfair." When I sternly staring at the hero, out of words, the hero makes a face as if feeling bad about it. Honestly speaking, I think he feels a great sense of guilt about the great difference of our circumstances. Seems like this hero holds quite a sense of justice after all, that's why I think that he'd surely feel so. Moreover, seems like his and my initial specs are also distant apart. I can easily understand it by looking at his status. *Status* Name : Serizawa Nagi Gender : Male Lv. 60 Strength : 8740 Stamina : 9500 Resistance : 310:STOP! Agility : 6800 Magic Power : 2600 Title :{Hero} Skill : {Sword Art Lv.6} {Body Reinforcement Lv.4} {Swift} {Overpower} {Magic Manipulation Lv.3} {Natural Gift} {Intuition Lv.2} {Fortitude} Innate skill : {Ray of Hope} PT Member : Cecil (Human) * Is he a monster or something, I wonder? Doesn't it means that his ability is even comparable to an A rank? Moreover, despite his level is lower than that esteemed uncle's, but his statuses are by far surpassed esteemed uncle's. Resistance-wise mine is still higher, but it's a bit irritating that his offensive power is damn too high. Well, status-wise, Leila-chan's is still higher, though. "B, but... 'Red Night' is A rank demon, right? I'm surprised you could survive from it, Kitsune-senpai." "Hmm, well... many things happened, you see... my left eye was eaten, but I was somehow left alive." I can't tell him that she has actually become my stalker, right? But, I'm sure this hero doesn't know that not a mere A rank anymore, she has evolved into an unreachable monster of S rank, doesn't he? Well, we never said a word about it, so right now everyone other than I and my comrades are all thinking that she's still an A rank demon. Well, I have no obligation to tell him about this, so let's just keep quiet about it for now. Or so I thought, but, hearing my words, seems like it lit the hero's curiousness. "That means... did you see it? 'Red Night''s appearance...?" "I saw it. It was covered by dark miasma, but I can see red eyes inside that dark miasma. It has consciousness, but words wouldn't reach it, though." "Y, you seem quite knowledgeable about it." "Many things happened, you see." I can confidently say it, that in this world, there's no human that know her better than me. "Nagi-sama, it's finished." "Ah, Cecil. Thank you." "Not at all, please accept it... this is your guild card, Nagi-sama." And, the cutie who wears miko clothes comes approaching us. Well, she came together with hero-kun, so she must be the Cecil that I just as saw in his status as his party member, right? Why must always the hero who is blessed by such devoted cutie? Please exchange her with Leila-chan. "Kitsune-san, is the talk over?" "Hmm, Finia-chan, sorry, it isn't over yet." "I see, pretty long isn't it!?" There, Finia-chan who I asked to hide inside the mask again, comes out because she gets tired of waiting. Well, it's fine already huh, there's already no reason to hide Finia-chan further either after all, and since it's cramped there so it should be fine to let her comes out, right. Thinking so, coming out from the mask, Finia-chan sits on the table. "Kitsune-senpai... who is that girl?" "Hmm, my companion, Fairy, Finia-chan." "Could it be... an idea kind?" Hero-kun is surprised upon seeing Finia-chan, so I introduce her to him, but the miko beside him floats a more surprised face and asks so. Of course, it would make an uproar if it is exposed to the surroundings, so she asks it in low tone, though. Well, she comes out from the mask after all, it can't be helped if she thinks so. Or rather, that's very obvious, isn't it? "...well, something like that." "That's... amazing...!" When I answer so, she opens her eyes wide and hold her mouth with her hand. As I though, seems like idea kind sure is rare, huh. Finia-chan also said so, and being able to meet one could already be considered as lucky after all. And then, doesn't grasp the situation, hero-kun opens his mouth. "Umm... Cecil, what is idea kind?" "Ah, umm... to put it simply, fairy are generally divided into nature kind and idea kind, and idea kind is a very rare kind that are only several dozens of it exist in this world." "I see... so, this girl also one if it?" "Yes... idea kinds were born through an article that hold a deep feeling in it, I'm sure that's also the case with that mask." Hero-kun and Cecil-chan's gazes are sent toward my mask. Don't look at it, I won't give it to you even if you want it, after all. Because this is my treasure, after all. Or rather, I don't like how that miko-chan looking at Finia-chan with such greedy gazes. Perhaps she think that she's skillfully hidden it, but surprisingly I can see it, you know? Because I'm used to such gazes, after all. "Hee... is there any difference between nature kind and idea kind?" "There is. Idea kinds possess much more power than nature kind. Because all idea kind possess prowess comparable to an A rank demon, after all." "That means... this girl also the same?" "Currently, I'm not sure about it, but I believe that she surely will be in the future... however, either way fairy is a gentle race, so I believe there should be no reason to make a war against them, right?" Somehow they've entered their own world. Aren't I just an air here? That's a bit unpleasant, could they just explode themselves, I wonder? Seems like Finia-chan also thinks so, she shows me a face as of looking at something very unpleasant. I also think so, that's what I tell her with my nod. I feel like there's some kind of bond that born between I and Finia-chan. "What's the matter?" And then, this time hero's gaze is facing at the guild's entrance. Seems like there's someone entered here. I spontaneously turn my gaze there. The one there is a female adventurer with slanted eyes as if looking at a pig, and a male slave who is pulled by that woman. At his neck, there's a 'slavery choker' similarly like the one Lulu-chan wears, but with chain on it. There are many beating scars on that male slave's body, it's easy to tell that he's received many abusement in a glance. Hero's face is slightly distorted. "...Cecil, what is that?" "That's a slave, what's the matter about it?" "Is that a natural spectacle in this country?" "Umm... is there anything strange from it...?" Listening to that conversation, perhaps I and hero hold a similar thought. Disgust toward a thought that oppressing slaves is a matter of course at this country. But, well, but that's something we couldn't do anything about. The weak to be oppressed is, something we couldn't do anything about, hero-kun. Because I was also the same, after all. "...." Seems like he couldn't consent with it, hero-kun. What a sense of justice he holds there. However, even if he saves that male slave right here right now, it doesn't necessarily means he would save all slaves around. If you do nothing but saving the one before you, then that isn't justice, but simply self-satisfaction. "...say, Kitsune-senpai." "What is it?" "Kitsune-senpai, do you... also consider that as normal?" "...I--" Toward that question, I intend to give him my own thought about the matter. However, I can't say it to the end. "Kitsune-sama." "...Lulu-chan, Rishe-chan and Leila-chan, too." From the rear of that female adventurer, Lulu-chan and co. appear there. Perhaps, they thought about taking a request, but, for my slave (Lulu-chan) to appears here is... a lethal fact. Suddenly, "Kitsune-san!!" I can hear Finia-chan shouting my name, and yet, I can't answer her. That's because, the moment I hear her voice, I already am blown away to the outside through guild's wall, after all. "Ga... gu... gafu...!?" Bouncing and rolling on the ground, I can hear sounds as if my bones and skins are cracking. While somehow rearranging my dizzy mind, I look toward the guild. The one there, the hero, who is in a stance of swinging his fist in anger. And then, I've fully grasp the situation. That I just got hit and blown away by him. "...hero-kun." I understand the reason, that's because I have a 'slave'. Even if I say that she's together with me as my family, it's a matter of course that no one could know it just by looking. Because, she wears 'slavery chocker' after all. Such excuse, of course they won't believe it. At once, I stand up. And then, toward the just standing me, he starts walking and approaching step by step. Despite we're quite a distant apart, I don't feel like I'll be able to run away. "--you... I wished you were different... however, you're just the same, as the adventurer before." He says so while glaring at me. "Cecil floated a calm face about it, so I thought that that was a common sense at this world, that was why it couldn't be helped... or so I thought. However, however... you're different, aren't you?!!" Arriving before me, he shouts so while grabbing my collar. "How could you do such a thing?!!" Slavery, that's a hard to imagine existence for us who were born in japan. However, when you see one before your own eyes, you'd be able to understand it at that instant. For us, that's something that shouldn't be allowed to exist, people oppressing other, that's something you must never do after all. That's why, for me who brazenly do it(slavery) exactly before his own eyes, he couldn't forgive me. "At this world, slavery is already a common sense, you know? ... I needed a slave, that was why I bought one... don't think I'm the same as you who is soaked by everyone's affection, you damned hero." That's why, I say so. Can't be forgiven? That should my word. Lulu-chan is indeed a slave, but she's my family. Don't just arbitrarily insult my family based on your selfish prejudice. Also, for someone who are blessed with everyone's affections, and don't understand just how blessed you are, you have no right no say so. "...I see, got it. I fully understand it... you're different than me." "That's right, please don't lump me together someone who've never experienced death even once like you." Perhaps the hero doesn't think me as similar other worlder as he is anymore, right? It's a matter of course for someone who's possessing slave, but for someone's who's willing to buy a slave, he also couldn't forgive them. It's easy to explain that Lulu-chan is my family, but looking at the fact that she wears that collar, I'm sure he won't believe it. No matter how I explain it to him, I'm sure it's impossible to convince him. "...such a small girl... I can't let her to be together with the like of you." What the hell is he talking about? "Cecil." "...What's the matter?" And then, before I noticed it, the miko is already beside him. The hero let off my colar, and talk to her while still facing at me. "At this country, the strong is the right one... right?" "...yes, that's right." "...then, if I defeat him here... I'm the right one, right?" "That's how it would be... the victor, shall have the rights over all the loser's belonging." "I see, thank you." Saying so, he sifts his consciousness toward me. "Do you hear that? I challenge you to a duel with me, right here right now." Suddenly, he challenge me on a duel. I don't know what he's talking about, but I have no reason to accept it. Moreover, even if I accept it, I don't see any chance for me to win. So, why must I accept it? Thinking so, the hero suddenly says something unbelievable The one he wants to take away from me in this duel is... Lulu-chan.

許されない奴隷の欲張り もうやってきて一週間になる国、ミニエラの入り口を潜って外に出た。ルルちゃんは外に出ることに少し不安を覚えた表情を浮かべていたけれど、手を引いたらゆっくりとだけど入り口を潜って付いて来てくれた。 僕の受けた依頼内容に記された薬草というのは、この国の周囲に群生している『ヒラシナ草』、その依頼量は50本だ。期日の一週間というのは、おそらくかなり多く見積もっているのだろう。 依頼人からすれば、Hランクの依頼が冒険者にあまり受けられないことなど既に周知の事実、寧ろ僕みたいなHランクの冒険者はSランクの冒険者と同じくらいに珍しいからね。 故に、一週間という長い期日を与え、Gランク以上の冒険者達に片手間でやって貰うことを期待する。もしも受注されなかった場合は、自分達で行くしかないのだろうけど。やって貰えるのならそれに越したことはないってことか。 まぁこの国には僕がいるからね。都合よく雑用に走ってくれる 「えーと、この辺だっけ?」 「うん! ヒラシナ草の群生地帯だね! 前にも来たし、間違いないよ!」 この一週間で僕がこなした依頼数は全部で17件。その中で国外へ出て薬草や資材を調達する依頼は5件、その中に今回と同じヒラシナ草の採集依頼は2件あった。その際、ヒラシナ草が群生しているこの場所を見つけたんだよね。 いっぱい生えている代わりに、魔獣も多く出没するのが難点だけど、フィニアちゃんの魔法は便利だ。まぁそのせいでリーシェちゃんと訓練に出た時武器の存在を忘れちゃったんだけどさ。 「じゃあルルちゃん」 「はい」 「これと同じ薬草を50本、集めてくれる?」 僕の隣でヒラシナ草を見ているルルちゃんに、一本ヒラシナ草を取って見せながらそう言った。 彼女はどうも奴隷根性の染みついた所が多い。それを考えると、彼女は命令がないと不安になる子なのかもしれないという可能性が出てくる。 であれば、多少は頼み事をする方が良いかなと思うんだよね。 「分かりました」 すると、ルルちゃんは頼んだ通りヒラシナ草を採取し始めた。その場にしゃがんでぶちぶちと手際良く採取していく。この分なら一時間も掛からず集まるだろう。 それが終わったら、雑魚魔獣と戦ってレベルを上げるかな。そういえば彼女の衰弱はどうなったんだろう? 今日は昨日と違って元気そうだけど。 ステータス、ステータスっと。 ◇ステータス◇ 名前:ルル・ソレイユ 性別:女 Lv1 筋力:150 体力:100 耐性:50 魔力:100 称号:『奴隷』 スキル:なし 固有スキル:??? PTメンバー:◎薙刀桔音、フィニア(妖精) ◇ おや? 昨日今日で衰弱が消えている。随分と回復が早いなぁ、これも獣人の特性なのかな? ステータスには映らない能力っていうのも、あるのかもしれないなぁ。称号っていうのも何なのか気になるし、表記が謎のままの固有スキルも気になる。まだまだ、僕達には秘められた可能性がある気がする。 「フィニアちゃん」 「うん!」 だからまぁ、それはいつかきっと僕達の力になってくれる筈だ。今はとりあえず、出来ることをしよう。 目の前に、猪型の魔獣が3体現れた。彼らは狼達と同じ雑魚だ、今の僕のステータスなら彼らの攻撃程度、全然効かない。 猪突猛進という言葉になるほどの突進力には眼を見張るものがあるけど、その威力は大したことないからね。どうやらあの猪達は大きさの割に質量はそれほどでもないようだ。 「!?」 「大丈夫だよ、ルルちゃん。君はそのまま薬草を取ってて頂戴、彼らは僕達がなんとかするからさ」 丁度良い、ここらで一回ルルちゃんに見せておこうか。自分の主人がどれほどの存在なのか。この猪達、一瞬で叩きのめしてやろうじゃないか。 「掛かっておいで、子豚ちゃん達」 フィニアちゃんが! ◇ ◇ ◇ きつね様達に連れられて、 今日は朝目覚めた時から、失敗したと思った。主人よりも後に起きるだなんて、奴隷としてあり得ない失態。寝起きだというのに一瞬で眠気は覚めて、顔が青褪めるのを感じながら謝った。 結果としてきつね様は私を許してくれたけど、挽回しないとと思った。 朝食を食べて、きつね様が泊まっている宿の女将が私に服を与えてくれた。緑色で動きやすく、何より綺麗な布で作られていて、私が着た事も無い可愛い服。奴隷がこんな服を着ても良いのかと思ったけど、きつね様が可愛いと褒めてくれたので、恥ずかしかったけどありがたく受け取らせてもらった。 それから、きつね様が冒険者であることを知った。冒険者ギルドに連れて来られて、入る前に注意をいただいた。 話しかけられたら強気で、手を上げてきたら股間を殴る。心にしっかりと刻みつけた。 中に入ると、きつね様に大きな男の人が話し掛けて来た。妖精様が私の肩に乗り移ってきて、凄く緊張したけれど、妖精様は私に助言を下さった。 『ルルちゃんルルちゃん、今こそ強気で行くところだよ! あの男の人の前に出て、私が言ったことを繰り返すんだ!』 妖精様は私に挽回の機会を下さるようだった。ギルドの前で言われたことを思い出し、確かにここで頑張らないと駄目だと思った。 『う、うるさい、このたまなし野郎』 意味は分からなかったけど、妖精様は良い感じと褒めてくださったので、きっとこれで良いのだろう。 『し、喋らないでっ! く、臭いっ......!』 そう言ったら男の人はショックを受けた様に頭を抱えた。なんだか悪い気がしてきたけれど、妖精様がよくやったと褒めてくれたので、きっとこれで良いのだろうと思う。 そうしたら、男の人が手を上げて顔を拭った。 『手を上げて』、顔を拭った。 私はハッときつね様に言われたことを思い出す。手を上げてきたら股間を殴れ。それを実践しなければ。 私は拳を作って、男の人の股間を殴った。ぐしゃっと拳にへんな感覚が伝わって来たけど、私の心の中には達成感で満たされていた。やった、きつね様の命令通りにやれた。これで朝の失態を挽回出来た! そう思った。 『きつね様......や、やりました』 そう言ったら、きつね様は私を褒めてくれた。この調子できつね様の役に立てば、きっともっと褒めてくれる。何故かはまだ分からないけど、きつね様は そして今に至る。草原に連れて来られた私は、きつね様の命令通り薬草を採取している。でも、その手は止まっていた。 何故なら、目の前の光景が信じられなかったからだ。 「フィニアちゃん! 早くやって! 死ぬ! 僕死んじゃうから!」 「任せて! まとめて吹き飛ばすから!」 「それ僕も死ぬんじゃない!?」 きつね様は3体の猪型魔獣を相手に悠々と挑んで行った。その姿はまるでおとぎ話の勇者様のようで、カッコいいと思った。 けれど、おとぎ話の様にはいかず、きつね様は今その魔獣3体に押し潰されている。一斉に突進してきた魔獣達に押し倒されたのだ。怪我はないようだけれど、噛みついてくる猪達を抑えながら必死にもがいている。 大丈夫なのかと内心穏やかでは無かったけれど、妖精様が両手を前に出したかと思うと、魔獣達は一瞬で吹き飛ばされていた。 見ればその身体には神々しく光る光の矢が眉間に突き刺さっており、見ただけで魔獣達が息絶えているのが分かった。恐らくは魔法、でも3体同時に、しかも凄まじい命中率、妖精様の魔法の腕が高いことが窺えた。 「ふぅー......いやぁ楽勝だったね」 「きつねさん何かしたっけ?」 「したよ、3体もの魔獣の突進を抑え込み、フィニアちゃんの攻撃する隙を見事に作って見せたじゃないか」 「物は言い様だね! さすがきつねさん、口だけは達者!」 「的確に人の心を抉る君には負けるよ」 きつね様と妖精様は良く喧嘩している。でも仲が悪いのかと思ったら、食事の時はきつね様が妖精様に食事を分けていたり、きつね様が妖精様を見る眼がとても優しかったり、妖精様がきつね様に向ける笑顔がとても純粋だったり、正直良く分からない。 でも、二人のいる光景は、いいなぁって思う。 「あ......取らないと......」 ハッと気付いて、薬草を取る作業に戻る。ちゃんと作業しないときつね様に怒られるかもしれない。きつね様は優しいけれど、怒らないわけじゃない。奴隷商のあの男と話している時のきつね様は、何か怒っている様だったから。 「ルルちゃん取れた?」 きつね様が覗きこむように問いかけてくる。まだ目標量には届いていない、怒られるかもしれないと思いながら、自然と俯きつつ答える。 「ま、まだ......取れてません」 「そう、ゆっくりでいいからね?」 「は、はい」 きつね様はそう言って、私の頭を撫でた。優しく髪を梳く手が温かくて気持ちいい。昨日気が付いたけれど、私は頭を撫でられるのに弱いみたい。気持ちよくてついつい無意識に頭を手に擦りつけてしまう。 「それじゃ、僕達は魔獣達を近寄らせないから取れたら言ってね」 「ふぁい......」 きつね様の手が離れて行く。温かい手の感触が離れるのを感じて、ハッとなる。返事も何処か気の抜けたような返事になってしまった。気を引き締めないといけない。 それから、しばらく私は戦うきつね様達の後ろで薬草を取り続けた。気が付けば言われていた50本を超えて、100は越える本数の薬草を取ってしまっていたけれど、振り返ればもう10体目になる魔獣と戦っていたきつね様がいた。表情は余裕そうだけれど、変わらずのしかかられている。 取り終えたことを伝えると、妖精様がきつね様の上に乗っていた魔獣を吹き飛ばし、私の下へときつね様達は戻ってきた。 「うん、取りすぎちゃったみたいだねぇ」 「ごめんなさい......」 「いやいや、多い分には良いと思う。良く頑張ったね」 「凄いぞルルちゃん! 私なんか5本くらいで飽きちゃう気がする!」 「フィニアちゃんはもっと頑張れば良いと思うな僕」 きつね様も妖精様も私をまた褒めてくれた。こうして褒められていると嬉しいけれど、怒られないというのは少しだけ不安になって来る。 それに、二人がまた言い合っているのを見て、私もあんな風に仲良くなれるのだろうかと欲が出てしまう。奴隷がそんな事を想ってしまうのは、酷い欲張りだ。 「さ、それじゃあルルちゃん、今度は戦ってみようか」 「えっ......」 すると、きつね様が私にそう言った。戦う? 魔獣と? 確かに私は奴隷で、命令には何でも言うことを聞かないといけない......けれど、魔獣となんて戦えば死んでしまう。戦ったことなんて一度も無いのだから。 「い、いや......」 だから、私は奴隷らしからぬ返答を返した、命令を拒否してしまった。こんどこそ怒られると思った。命令の聞けない奴隷は要らないと言われると思った。 「え?」 「ん? 何を不思議そうな顔をしてるんだいルルちゃん。最初に言っただろう、嫌なことはしなくても良いって」 私の考えに反して、きつね様は私を怒らずそう言った。確かに最初にそう言われたけれど、本当に命令に背いても良いだなんて思わない。だって、それはまるで奴隷じゃなくて、家族や友人の様な扱いではないか。私が望む様な、夢のような展開ではないか。欲張りを許されるようなものではないか。 そんなの絶対、許されない。 「そんなの......そんなの駄目です......!」 だから、私は自然と......そう言ってしまった。

Unallowed slave's greed. It's one week already since we arrived at this country, Miniera, and now we're passing through its entrance gate to go outside. Lulu-chan looks somewhat restless to go outside, but being led by hand by me, even if slowly, she is following me passing through the gate. The medicinal herb which is our objective at this request, if I remember it correctly it is "Hirashina Grass" which grow around this country, the minimum quota is fifty. With one week time limit, perhaps that is supposed to be quite an amount. For the client, the fact that an H rank requests isn't too popular among the adventurers is already become a well-known fact, or rather an H rank adventurer like me is approximately as rare as an S rank adventurer after all. Therefore, by giving one week time limit, they hoped that a G rank adventurers or above would take this request at their spare times. If there's none who take their request, they have no choice but to do it by themselves though. So that means there's nothing better than when there's someone who would take it huh. Well, I'm here at this country after all. The Naginata Kitsune (H rank adventurer) who always enthusiastically take an odd job request. The Me who have 100% request completion rate! "Hmm, it's around here right?" "Yes! Here is Hirashina grass' growing area! Since we've came here before, there's no doubt about it!" The amount of the request which I've took at this one week is 17 requests. Among it, there were five request to collect some medicinal herbs, and among it there were two request to collect Hirashina grass similar like this time. At that time, we stumbled upon this place where Hirashina grass are growing in mass after all. In exchange that there are many of it growing here, the bad side is the fact that there are many magical beasts appeared here, but Finia-chan's magic sure is handy. Well, because of that at the time we trained with Rishe-chan, I forgot about the existence called weapon though. "Well then, Lulu-chan." "Yes." "Fifty medicinal herbs like this one, can you help me to collect it?" To Lulu-chan who is also looking for the Hirashina grass next to me, I said that to her while showing one of the Hirashina grass which I pick. The servile character is sure stuck deep inside her. Considering that, there is a possibility that she is a child who would go anxiety if she doesn't get any order. If that's the case, I think asking a favor to her would be better here. "I understand." And then, Lulu-chan starts to collect Hirashina herbs as per my request. Squatting there, she skillfully collect it. At this rate, we would be able to fulfill the quota at one hour. When we finish it, should we go leveling by hunting some small fry magical beasts? Come to think of it, what happen with her weakened state? Today she looks somewhat lively different than yesterday but. Status, status. *Status* Name : Lulu Soleil Gender : Female Lv. 1 Strength : 150 Stamina : 100 Resistance : 50 Magic Power : 100 Title :{Slave} Skill : None Innate skill : ??? PT Member : Naginata Kitsune, Finia (Fairy) * Oh? The weakened state from yesterday has disappeared. The recovery is quite fast isn't it, is it also demi-human's trait? An ability which isn't reflected on status, perhaps something like that is also exist huh? I'm somewhat interested about her title, and I also interested with her innate skill which is still enigmatically written. Not yet, I have a hunch that there's a potential which still hidden from us. "Finia-chan." "Yes!" Therefore, well, it should be something that would be very useful to us someday. For now, let's just do what we can. Before us, there are three wild boar shaped magical beasts appear. They are similarly small fry like those wolfs, with my current status, an attack around their level won't affect me at all. It may looks reckless, since their charge attack looks somewhat frightening, but that level of attack isn't a big deal after all. Seems like those wild boars, compared to their size, their strength aren't that great. "!?" "No problem, Lulu-chan. You should just collect the medicinal herbs like that, since we'll do something about them after all." What a good timing, let's show it here to Lulu-chan. Just how great her master is. Those wild boars, let's beat them up in an instant. "Bring it on, you little piglet." By Finia-chan! * * * Being led by Kitsune-sama, I (Lulu) was brought to a grassland outside the country to collect the medicinal herbs which is stated at the request. Even since I wake up late this morning, I thought that I was a failure as a slave. To wake up later than my master is, as a slave that is an unforgivable mistake. At the time I wake myself up, my drowsiness was disappeared in an instant, and then I apologized while I could felt that my face was growing pale. In the end I was forgiven by Kitsune-sama, but I thought I should recover it. After we ate breakfast, Kitsune-sama gave me an old clothes from the inn's landlady. With a green color and easy to move, and above all it was produced from a fine cloth, a cute clothes which I never wear even once. I thought as a slave, was it okay to wear such a clothes, but since Kitsune-sama praised me by said that I was cute, that was embarrassing but I gratefully received it. After that, I was aware that Kitsune-sama is an adventurer. Being brought along to the adventurer guild, I got a caution before we entered it. I should stayed strong when someone was calling to me, and when there was someone who raised a hand, I should hit his groin. I firmly craved that into my heart. When we entered it, like Kitsune-sama said, there was a big man came calling to us. Fairy-sama was transferring to my shoulder, I was very nervous, but Fairy-sama gave me an advice. "Lulu-chan, Lulu-chan, now is the time you should act strong! Step to in front of that man, and then repeat what I'm going to say!" Fairy-sama was giving me a chance to recover my mistake. I also remembered what Kitsune-sama told me in front of the guild, I indeed thought that I had no choice but to tried my best there. I stepped forward between Kitsune-sama and that man, strongly stared to that man. And then, Fairy-sama whispered to my ear. After I heard it, I repeated it. "Sh, shut up, you ball-less bastard." I didn't know what that means, but since Fairy-sama praised me that I had did it well, so with this it should be good right. "Shut up, don't talk to me! Guh, it stinks....!" When I said that, the man was standing still as if shocked. I felt as if just did something bad, but since Fairy-sama praised me that I had did it well, so I thought with this it should be good right. After that, the man was raising his hand and wiped his face. "Raising his hand" and wiped his face. I suddenly remembered the order which had been said by Kitsune-sama. When there was someone who raised his hand then hit his groin. I should put that on practice. I formed a fist, and then punched the man's groin. There was a strange squish sensation at my fist, but my heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment. I did it, I did it as per Kitsune-sama's order. With this I was able to recover my mistake this morning! So I thought. "Kitsune-sama... I, I did it." When I said that, Kitsune-sama praised me. If I could be any help for Kitsune-sama like this, I will surely receive more praise. I didn't know the reason yet, but somehow Kitsune-sama was very kind to his slave (me). With this pace, perhaps I won't be thrown away. And then right now. I, who was brought along to this grassland, am collecting the medicinal herbs as per Kitsune-sama's order. But, my hands is halted. That's because, the spectacle before me is unbelievable. "Finia-chan! Do it quickly! Die! I'm going to die!" "Leave it to me! I'm going to blow it off altogether after all." "Isn't that means I'm going to die too!?" Kitsune-sama was calmly challenging the three wild boar shaped magical beasts. His figure was as if a hero from fairy-tale, I thought that he was cool. But, distant apart from fairy-tale, Kitsune-sama is currently being squashed by those three magical beasts. Being squashed by the three magical beasts which are charging at him at once. He seems like doesn't has any injury, but Kitsune-sama is frantically struggling while suppressing the upcoming bites from those wild boars. I nervously thought whether is he alright, but as soon as Fairy-sama put both of her hand in front of her, the magical beasts are blown away in an instant. At a glance, at their bodies there are a shining divine light which are stuck at their forehead, just by looking at it I can understand that those magical beasts have died. Perhaps magic, but three at once, moreover with a terrific accuracy, there's no doubt that Fairy-sama's magic skill is high. "Fuu... well, that was an easy victory right?" "Did Kitsune-san do something just now?" "I did, since I held their charge, there was perfect chance for Finia-chan to attack wasn't it." "You sure are a smooth talker right! As expected from Kitsune-san, only your mouth sure is exceptional." "I'm still nothing compared to you who's able to precisely pierce through someone's heart." Kitsune-sama and Fairy-sama are quarrelling. But I don't think they are on bad terms, at meal time Kitsune-sama would always splits a part from his meal for Fairy-sama, the way Kitsune-sama looking at Fairy-sama is very gentle, and the smile Fairy-sama make toward Kitsune-sama is very pure, honestly I can't understand it. But, looking at their spectacle, I think that I'm a bit envious of it. "Ah... I must collect it...." Suddenly realized it, I start to collect the medicinal herbs again. Kitsune-sama sure is gentle but, it doesn't mean that he won't get angry. At the time he was talking with that slave merchant man, he seemed like angry about something after all. "Lulu-chan, have you collected it?" Kitsune-sama asks it while looking at me. I haven't reach the quota yet, while thinking that perhaps he would get angry at me, I spontaneously hung my head when answering. "Not, yet... I haven't collected it yet." "I see, it's okay to do it slowly." "Wh, yes." Kitsune-sama said that, and caress my head. His hand which gently caress my head is warm and felt good. I've noticed it yesterday, but it seems like got my head caressed is my weakness. Feeling good from it, I unconsciously rub my head to his hand. "Well then, since we're going to dispose any magical beasts which are trying to come near here, so when you've collected it please call to us." "Hes...." Kitsune-sama withdraw his hand. Feeling that that warm hand's sensation is going away, I was taken aback. My answer also somehow felt as if I said it absentmindedly. I must focusing my mind. After that, for a little a while I was collecting the medicinal herbs while Kitusne-sam and Fairy-sama were fighting against the magical beast. Without me noticed it, I have surpassed the quota already, I unintentionally collected it over 100 pieces, but when I turn my head there is Kitsune-sama who is fighting his tenth magical beast. His appearance looks somewhat calm, but that is always soon changed. When I said that I have collected it, Fairy-sama is blowing away the magical beast which is pressing over Kitsune-sama, and then they come to my place. "Yup, seems like you've collected it too much right?" "I'm sorry...." "No no, I think the more the better. You did it well." "You sure are amazing Lulu-chan! Even I'm certain that I would get tired after I collected five of it!" "I think it would be better for Finia-chan to try a bit harder though." Kitsune-sama and Fairy-sama are praising me. I'm happy to be praised like it, but I feel a bit uneasy by the fact that they were never angry at me. Moreover, looking at them who are quarrelling again, I think whether will I be able to getting along well with them like that. For a slave to think about such a thing, that is an awful greed. "Okay, well then Lulu-chan, for now let's see how you fight." "Eh...." And then, Kitsune-sama said that to me. Fight? Against a magical beast? I'm indeed a slave, I have to follow his order.... "N, no...." Therefore, I reply it with a slave-like answer, and refuse his order. I think that without a doubt he would be angry. Perhaps he will say that he doesn't need a slave which doesn't listen to his order. "Eh?" "Hmm? Why do you make such a confused face, Lulu-chan? I've said it at the very beginning right? That you don't need to do something you don't want to." Contrary to what I thought, Kitsune-sama said that to me without any trace of angry at all. He has indeed said that, I never thought that it was really okay to disobey his order. After all, isn't that means I'm being treat not as if I'm a slave, but as if a family or friend right. Isn't it the development which I desired, this dream-like development. Isn't that as if I'm allowed to be greedy. Such a thing is absolutely, unforgivable. "Such a thing... such a thing is no good...." Therefore, I naturally... said that.

綺麗な銀の月 さてさて、白髪ロングの大人びた美人さんを誘拐気味に連れて来たわけだけど、レイラちゃん達は僕が人を連れて来てもなんら驚く様子は無く、荷馬車に適当に積んでおいても、放置する方向の様だった。まぁ、ニコちゃんを連れて来た例もあったし、特に興味もなかったんだろう。 そしてそのまま、リーシェちゃんの作った料理を食べて、休憩を取る。相変わらずリーシェちゃんの料理は中々にクオリティが高い。うん、美味しい。あ、ちなみに今食べてるの缶詰とパン。 一応リーシェちゃんの作った料理もある。野菜スープだけど、おかずとしては一級品の料理だった。まぁ多少味は薄かったけれど、移動時用の必要最低限の食料で作ったものだから、そこは仕方がないよね。作って貰った手前、文句は言えない。 「リーシェちゃんって騎士の訓練に没頭してた脳筋女だったのに、良く料理出来たね。練習してたの?」 「お前今さらっと私のこと貶しただろ? もう一回言ってみろ、お前を料理してやる」 「あはは、僕は人生の中で他人に悪口を言ったことが無いことで有名なんだよ? そんなわけないじゃないか」 「......まぁいい、私は大人だから流してやる。......私は最初騎士に志望することを反対されたのを押し切って見習いになったからな......その内父様も騎士を目指すことを認めてはくれたものの、半ば家出をしてしまっていたからな......自炊する必要があったんだ。だからエイラさんに教えて貰って覚えた」 大人って、僕より一個年下の癖に良く言うよ。まぁ、僕もある程度自炊出来るし、そういう理由があったんだったら納得出来るか。リーシェちゃんも意外に女子力高いよねぇ。 「うん、ごちそうさま......やる事もないし、しばらくは休憩してよっか」 「ああ、そうだな......どうやらレイラも、退屈だったのか寝たようだしな」 「......うん、本当にマイペースだねこの子」 リーシェちゃんの言う方向へと視線を向けると、荷馬車の中でニコちゃんと一緒にお昼寝を始めたレイラちゃんの姿があった。余程退屈だったんだろうなぁ......まぁ確かに面白い物は無いけどさ。 ちなみに、連れて来た白髪ロングの美人さんは二人からちょっと離れた所に寝かせてある。こんな時の為に寝袋買っといて良かったよ。僕の場合、瘴気布団が出来ちゃったからさ。 「ところで、きつね君......行き先はルークスハイド王国だそうだが、そこへ行ってどうするつもりなんだい?」 すると、文中では初めてヒグルドさんが僕達の会話に入ってきた。伸ばしっ放しだった髭や髪の毛は、今はちゃんと手入れされて、中々清涼感のあるダンディーなおじさまになっていた。ニコちゃんがあれだけの素材を持っているから、ヒグルドさんもそれなりだと思っていたけど、結構イケメン。 というか、アレかな? 貴族は良い物食べて暮らしてるから皆イケメンだったりする? あ、オルバ公爵はそうでも無かったな、訂正訂正。 「一応しばらく滞在して力を付けるつもりだよ。レベルアップして、実力を底上げする」 「ふむ......それからは?」 「勇者気取り君をぶっ殺しに行くんだ! あ、ついでに腹黒巫女も、土下座で泣きながら謝らせた後、奴隷商に売り飛ばして僕が購入して隷属の首輪付けて一生犬の様に僕の椅子役でもやって貰おうかなという勢いでお仕置きしようと思ってるんだ!」 「結構具体的にお仕置きの内容決まってるな......」 まぁどうでもいいけど、フィニアちゃん達を迎えに行かないとね。そのついでに勇者気取り君達と一緒に遊んであげるだけだし。まぁあの腹黒巫女は許さないけどね。決闘とか言って口出ししてきたし、意味不明な言動でお面持って行ったし、ルルちゃん達を脅してたし、マジ許すまじだよね。 土下座させたあと頭踏んでやるくらいやってやりたいよね。顔面殴打は二、三発じゃ収まらないよこの恨み。 「まぁどちらにせよ、レベルアップを図るのが当面の目標だよ」 「なるほどな......私に何か力になれることがあれば言ってくれ、命を救われた恩があるからな」 「いやまぁ特にないね」 あ、なんかちょっと落ち込んじゃった。言いたい事をばっさり言っちゃうのが僕の性分だからさ、その辺は仕方ないと思って欲しいなぁ。まぁ若干やり過ぎ感があるけど、その辺は仕方ない! 言いたいこと言って、後々後悔しないようにしないとね! その結果誰かが傷付いたりしたとしても、それは僕のせいじゃない。傷付いた方が悪い。だって、僕がそうだったもん。 「まぁ、それならそれでいいんだが。何か困ったことがあればいつでも言ってくれ、力になる」 「あ、うん。じゃあその時は頼るよ」 「ニコもレイラに懐いているしな」 「そうなんだよねぇ......不思議だ」 三人で、荷馬車で添い寝しているレイラちゃんとニコちゃんを見て、苦笑する。見た目で言えば、お姉さんと小さい妹ととも取れる光景ではあるけれど、レイラちゃんの性格からすればどっちも子供だ。身体の大きな子供と、小さな子供みたいな感じだね。 「んっ......くぅぅ......っ......っはぁ!」 そんなことを考えていると、レイラちゃん達を見る視界の端で、さっき拾ってきた少女が起き上がった。大きく口を開いて、長々と欠伸をすると、軽快に身体を起こし、ガシガシと頭を掻きながら胡坐を掻いた。 なんだかそれだけで男勝りな性格なんだなぁということが分かる。寝癖なのかボサボサになった白い髪を手で軽く梳かすと、周囲の状況を確認し始めた。そして、寝ぼけた様な瞳が、つらつらと移動し、僕と眼があった。 そして、しばらくじっと見つめ合っていると、だんだん彼女の目に意識がはっきり覚醒してくる。 「えっ!? お前誰だよ!? てか、ここどこ?」 予想通り、男勝りな性格をしているらしい。口調も女の子らしいというよりは、姉御肌だ。 「えーと、僕はきつね。君があっちの方に倒れてたから運んできたんだ」 「え? ......あー、あーあー! はいはい! そういうことね、りょーかいりょーかい、謎は全て解けた」 「高校生探偵みたいに言わないでくれない?」 「いやぁ......まぁ倒れてた所を助けてくれたのはありがたいんだけど......アタシ、木に寄っ掛かって寝てただけなんだよねー......あははっ、悪い悪い、勘違いさせちゃったかー」 すると、彼女は快活に笑ってそう言った。こんな魔獣の出る可能性もある林の中で寝るとは、随分と肝が据わっているらしい。でも、勘違いさせたことや、運んでくれたことに対するお礼や謝罪があるということは、この少女中々人当たりも良さそうだ。同性に好かれるタイプの人間だね。 そう思っていると、彼女はニッと笑って荷馬車から下り、地面に足を付けた。すらりと長い足は長ズボンに包まれており、白い髪は寝癖が所々あるものの、お尻のあたりまでと長い。 そして何より特徴的なのは、月の様な輝きを持った、銀色の瞳。更に言えば、左眼の瞳孔に『☆』のマークが浮かんで見えた。 吸い込まれそうな月の魅力を放つ瞳は、快活な太陽の様な笑顔とは裏腹に、平静を保った水面の様な落ち着きを感じさせる。 「ふーん......そうなんだ。まぁ勘違いしたとはいえ、何かの縁って事で......野菜スープ、どう?」 「お、悪いねぇ、それじゃあありがたくいただくよ。アンタ達、良い人だね」 「僕は真面目で優しい青少年で通ってるからね、困った時はお互い様だよ」 彼女は僕の正面に座って、リーシェちゃんから野菜スープの入った器と木のスプーンを受け取りながら、快活に笑う。 そして、スープに口を付けようとして、ふと気が付いた様に顔を上げる。 「悪い悪い、自己紹介が先だったな。アタシはフロリア・アルファルド、結構可愛い名前だろ?」 「うん、これほど性格と名前が正反対な人は近年稀に見たよ」 「ッハハハ! アタシもそう思うよ、まぁアタシには似合わない名前だよ。もっと似合う奴が他に居るってね。それじゃ、いただきます」 名前にこだわりは無いのか、あまり気にせずスープを口にするフロリアちゃん。ちなみに歳は幾つなんだろう? 女性に歳を聞くのは失礼に値するみたいだけど、フロリアちゃんは笑って流してくれそうな気がする。 「フロリアちゃんは幾つなの?」 「んあ? ああ、確か19だったかな?」 「へぇ、結構大人びて見えるね」 「んー、まぁ色々と旅ん中で経験してきたからな。それなりに護身術とかも使えるし......美味いな、これ」 どうやら僕より一つ年上らしい。それにしても、白髪の人って結構多いんだね。今会っただけでもレイラちゃんに、使徒ちゃんに、フロリアちゃんの三人もいる。あまり珍しくないのかな? 黒髪も僕の他には覚醒前のレイラちゃん位しか見てないし。あ、ちなみに勇者気取りは髪若干明るい茶色に染めてた。心底どうでもいいけどね。 まぁそれは置いとくとしても、なんでこんなところで寝てたんだろう? 気にならないといえば嘘になるけど、あまり踏み行っちゃいけない領分ってのもあるよね。 「フロリアちゃんは何処に行く予定なの?」 「あー......悪い、そのちゃんっての止めてくれない? なんかむず痒い」 「そう? じゃあロリ姐さんで」 「なんか悪意を感じるなぁオイ......それなら姐さんで統一してくれよ」 ということで、呼び方が姐さんになった。 「とりあえず、アタシは今妹探しの旅の途中なんだよ。普段は一緒に旅してんだけど、時々方向音痴なのかふらっとどっか行くんだよ」 「へぇ、妹かぁ......どんな子なの? もしかしたら見たことあるかもしれないよ?」 「んーとな......髪は黒髪で―――」 「あ、ごめん見たことないや」 「最後まで言わせろよ!?」 黒髪の時点で見たことないよ。誰だよソレ。というか黒髪の人居るんだちゃんと。ちょっと安心しちゃったよ。僕一人黒髪でアウェーだったからさぁ、なんだか居心地悪いじゃない? まぁ、黒髪の女の子といえば僕好みだ。やっぱり僕としては慣れ親しんだ黒髪の方が好きだったりする。 「はぁ......どうも調子の狂う奴だなお前......まぁいいか、一応名前だけ教えとくよ。『クロエ・アルファルド』。黒髪をこう......肩よりちょい長めに伸ばした位にして、黒服でマフラー着けてる。ああ、あと眼が綺麗だ」 「ふーん、可愛い?」 「アタシの妹だぞ? 世界一可愛いに決まってるだろ」 「断然探す気になったよ。会ったらとりあえずお茶に誘うね」 「まずアタシに教えろよ!? 何口説こうとしてんだ!」 まぁ冗談だけどね、うん冗談冗談。でも、確かに姐さんはスタイルも良いし、おっぱいだってレイラちゃんに負けないくらい大きい。美人だから、妹さんもさぞ可愛いんじゃないかな? ソレに黒髪って話だし、中々会ってみたいじゃないか。 「そんじゃ、アタシはこの先の街へ行くつもりだからさ......まぁ妹を見かけたら次会った時にでも教えてよ。スープ、ごちそうさん。美味かったよ」 すると、話が一段落した所で姐さんが立ちあがる。荷馬車の中に置いてあった姐さんの荷物を背負って、そのまま去るつもりらしい。 でも、偶然にも姐さんの向かう方向は僕達と同じだった。どうやら、姐さんも僕達と同じ街へ向かうらしい。となれば、ここで別れなくても街まで送って行けばいい。その方がよっぽど効率的だ。 「姐さん、僕達もこの先の街に行くつもりなんだよ。良かったら乗ってかない?」 「え? あ、そうなの? んーと......じゃ、よろしく頼むよ。スープも美味かったしね」 「だってさリーシェちゃん」 「む......これはこの先の料理も気合が入るな」 そう言いながら、僕とリーシェちゃんは大方の道具を片付けて、荷馬車に乗せた。料理道具位しか出してないし、片付けは比較的早く終わる。 「それじゃ、ヒグルドさん。また御者よろしくね」 「ああ、任せてくれ」 「世話になるよ」 そう言って、僕とリーシェちゃんに続き、姐さんが荷馬車に乗る。そして、御者台にはヒグルドさんが座った。出発の準備は整った。 さて、次の街へ急ごう。

Beautiful Silver Moon Now then, like a kidnapper, I've brought a mature beautiful woman with long white hair, but Leila and the others doesn't seem at all surprised upon seeming me taking along someone with me, and even when I load the woman into the carriage, they seem don't seem to be concerned about it. Well, there's also the case when I brought Nico-chan with me, so most likely they don't particularly mind about something like this anymore. After that, I eat the food that Rishe-chan has prepared, and take a break. As usual, Rishe-chan's cooking is of quite a high quality. Yes, it's delicious. Oh, by the way, what we are having are canned food and bread. Also, there's a dish made by Rishe-chan. It's a vegetable soup, but as a side dish, it's first-class. Well, the flavor is quite on the light side, but given the fact that it was made with bare minimum ingredients as we're currently in the middle of a journey, it can't be helped. She made it for us, so I'm in no place to complain about it. "Rishe-chan, even though you're just a muscle-brained girl who does nothing but knight training, you sure know how to cook. Did you practice it back home?" "You just casually made fun of me just now, didn't you? Come on, say it again, I'll cook you for sure." "Ahaha, I'm famous for never making fun of another in my whole life, you know? As if I'd ever make fun of you." "... Well, fine, I'm an adult, so I'll just let it slide... at first, my wish to become a knight was opposed by my father, so I decided to become a knight apprentice in resistance... Along the way, before my father approved of my wish to become a knight, I ran away from home, after all... that way, I had to cook for myself. And so, I asked Eira-san to teach me how to cook." Adult she says, what a word even though she's a year younger than me. Well, I can also cook to a certain extent, but now that I know she has such a reason, it's understandable. Rishe-chan unexpectedly has quite a high girl-power, huh. "Thanks for the food... there doesn't seem to be anything to do, so let's take a break for a while." "Yeah, let's do... it looks like Leila was bored, too, and has fallen asleep." "... Yeah, really, what a free-spirited girl she is." When I turn towarad where Rishe-chan is pointing at, I can see the figure of Leila-chan who's taking a nap with Nico-chan in the carriage. She must have been very bored... but well, it's true that there's nothing interesting around here, though. By the way, the long white-haired beautiful woman I brought here is lying down a bit away from them. It's a good thing that we bought a sleeping bag for just such an occasion. I'm fine, though, because I can create a futon from the miasma. "By the way, Kitsune-kun... we're heading to Rookshade Kingdom, I get that, but what's your plan there?" Then, for the first time, Higurd-san joins our conversation. His beard and hair, which had been left grown unattended, are now well groomed, and he has turned into a good-looking refreshing dandy uncle. Since Nico-chan is so much of a raw gem, I had expected Higurd-san to be quite good-looking himself, but for sure he's pretty good-looking. Or rather, it's that right? Nobles are all good-looking because they eat only good food, or something? Ah, Duke Orba didn't seem to be the case, huh, correction correction. "For the time being, I'm intending to stay there for a while to improve my strength. I'm going to level up and improve my prowess." "Hmm... and after that?" "I'm going to beat the fake hero to death! Oh, while I'm at it, I'm thinking of punishing that black-hearted miko as well, after making her cry and apologize on her knees, I'd sell her to a slave trader, buy her myself right after, and put a slave collar on her, so that I can have her be my chair for the rest of her life, like a dog!" "Quite a specific punishment, you've got there...." Well, such a think actually doesn't really matter, all I want is to go get Finia-chan and Lulu-chan back. While I'm at it, though, I'll play together with the fake hero and his friends for a bit. Well, I'm not going to forgive that black-hearted miko, though. She blabbered about that duel or something, she acted in such a dubious way, and above all, she threatened Lulu-chan and Finia-chan, she's simply unforgivable. The least I could do is to make her get down on her knees and step on her head. A couple of punches to the face alone won't be enough to settle down this grudge. "Well, in any case, our short-term goal is to level up." "I see... If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know, I owe you my life, after all." "No, well, nothing comes to mind really." Ah, he looks a little depressed now. It's in my nature to say what I want to say, so I hope you don't blame me for that. I do think that's a bit over the top, but you can't blame me for that! You have to say what you want to say, so that you won't regret it later! If someone gets hurt as a result, it's not my fault. The one who gets hurt is the one at fault. Because, that's the case for me. "Well, that's all well and good in itself. But if you ever have any problems, feel free to tell me about it, I'll help you." "Ah, yes. I'll rely on you then." "Nico also seems to have grown attached to Leila, after all." "She sure does... miraculously." The three of us laugh bitterly at Leila-chan and Nico-chan, who are sleeping together in the charriage. Appearance-wise, they may look like a big sister and a little sister, but personality-wise, they are both children. They seem more like a big child and a small child. "Hm... kuuh... n... haa!" As I'm thinking about this, out of the corner of my sight as I'm looking at Leila-chan and Nico-chan, the girl I previously picked up seems to be waking up. After opening her mouth wide and letting out a long yawn, she casually raises her body, and sits cross-legged while scratching her head. That alone tells me that she has a tomboyish personality. She lightly combs her ruffled white bed-hair with her hand, and begins to check her surroundings. And then, her seemingly half-awake eyes moves in a daze, before meeting my gaze. And then, as we stare at each other for a while, consciousness gradually returns into her eyes. "Eh?! Who the hell are you?! Or rather, where am I?" As expected, she seems to have a tomboy personality. Rather than girlish, her voice is also more of big sister-ish. "Umm, I'm Kitsune. I found you lying over there, so I brought you here." "Huh? ... Ah, aahh! Yes, yes! So that's the case, I see, I see, all the mysteries are solved." "Can you not phrase it like a high school detective?" "But still... Well, I'm grateful for you saving me as I was unconscious, but... I was actually only sleeping against a tree... Ahaha, sorry, sorry, looks like I gave you the wrong impression." Then she smiles cheerfuly and says so. To sleep in the forest where there is a possibility of demonic beasts appearing, it seems that she has quite a lot of guts. However, the fact that she still shows her gratitude and apology for both misleading me and having me carried here means that this girl seems to be quite good-natured. She's the type of person who is popular with the same sex. As I think that, she grins before getting off the carriage, and puts her feet on the ground. Her long, slender legs are wrapped in long pants, and her white hair is long, down to her hips, despite having several bed hair in some places. The most distinctive feature is her silver eyes, which have a moon like glow. In addition, a {} symbol can be seen etched in the pupil of her left eye. Her eyes that emit the charm of the moon, contrary to her sun-like cheerful smile, she gives off a calm air like a still water surface. "Hmm... let's see. Even if it's only a misunderstanding, it's still a fate that we meet each other... want some vegetable soup?" "Oh, thanks, I'll gratefully impose on you then. You're good people." "I carry myself as an honest and kind boy, after all, so I like to help people in trouble." She sits in front of me, smiling cheerfully as she accepts a bowl of vegetable soup and a wooden spoon from Rishe-chan. Then, as she's about to sip the soup, she looks up as if she suddenly realizes something. "Sorry, Sorry, I guess I should introduce myself first. I'm Floria Alphard, that's a pretty cute name, isn't it?" "Yes, it's rare to see someone with such a polar opposite personality and name nowadays." "Hahahaha! I agree with you, well, it's a name that's unsuitable for me. I'm sure there's someone out there that would fit this name better. Well then, let's dig in." Perhaps feeling nothing particular about her own name, without minding much about it, Floria-chan sips her soup. By the way, I wonder how old is she? I heard that it's rude to ask a woman about her age, but I have a feeling that Floria-chan will just laugh it off. "How old are you, Floria-chan?" "Hmm? Umm, I'm about 19, I think?" "Oh, you look quite like a mature person, though." "Hmm, well, I think it's because I've gained a lot of experience as I travel to various places. I can also do some stuff like self-defense techniques or something... It's tasty." Apparently, she's one year older than me. Nevertheless, there sure are quite a few people with white hair. Including Floria-chan who I just met, there are Leila-chan and Apostle-chan which makes three people. I wonder if it isn't that unusual? The only other person with black hair besides me that I've seen is Leila-chan before her awakening. Ah, by the way the fake hero's hair was more or less light brown. Something that I don't really care about. Well, leaving that aside, I wonder why she slept in a place like this? I'd be lying if I say I'm not interested, but there are some territories you shouldn't tread on so carelessly. "Where do you plan to go, Floria-chan?" "Oh... sorry, but can you stop with that chan thing? It feels kind of itchy." "Is that so? Then Big sis Lori." "Oi, I feel some kind of malicious spirit there... Then at least simplify it into Big sis." Thus, I get to call her Big sis. "At any rate, I'm in the middle of a journey to find my sister. We're usually traveling together, but sometimes she suddenly goes off somewhere due to her poor sense of direction." "Oh, little sister, huh... What's she like? Maybe I've seen her before, you know?" "Mmm, let's see... her hair is black...." "Oh, sorry, I've never seen her before." "At least let me finish my explanation first!" The fact that she has black hair alone means I've never seen her. Who the heck is that? Or rather, there's actually someone with black hair, huh. I'm a bit relieved now. I've been the only one with black hair, so I feel being away here, and that's somewhat uncomfortable, you know? Well, speaking of black-haired girls, they are my favorite. As expected, I prefer black hair that I'm more accustomed to. "Haa... quite a peculiar personality you've got there... but well, whatever, I'll at least tell you her name just in case. Kuroe Alphard. Her black hair is around... there, a bit past her shoulder long, she wears black outfit and scarf. Oh, also her eyes are pretty." "Hmm, is she cute?" "She's my sister you know? So of course she's the prettiest girl in the world." "I'll be sure to look for her. When I find her, I'll ask her to have some tea first." "Tell me first! Why are you trying to hit on her?!" Well, I'm just kidding, though, yup, joking joking. But it's true that Big sis has a good figure, and her boobs are as big as Leila-chan's. She's such a beautiful woman, so her sister must be cute as well, right? Moreover, it's said that she has black hair, so of course I want to meet all the more. "Well then, I'm heading to the town down the road, so... Well, if you meet my sister, let me know the next time we meet. Thanks for the soup. It was very good." Then, when the conversation is over, Big sis stands up. Carrying her luggage that was left in the carriage, she seems to be intending to depart right away. However, by chance, she is heading in the same direction as us. It seems that she is heading to the same town as us. In this case, we don't have to part here, as we could just head to the city together. It's much more efficient that way. "Big sis, we are also heading to the town ahead, you know? Would you like a ride?" "Huh? Oh, really? Then... please take care of me. And the soup was good, after all." "You hear that, Rishe-chan?" "Mmm... This makes me want to put more effort in our future dishes." Saying so, Rishe-chan and I tidy up the utensils and put them on the carriage. We only put out the cooking utensils, and the cleanup is relatively quick. "Well then, Higurd-san. I'll leave the coachman to you again." "Yeah, leave it to me." "Much obliged." Saying so, I and Rishe, followed by Big sis, get on the carriage. And then, Higurd-san sits on the coachman seat. The preparation to depart is now complete. Well then, let's rush toward the next town.

―――分かりません。 「レイラちゃんの存在だってある意味精神的な支えになってるんだ」 何故貴方はそんな眼をしているのでしょうか? 何故魔族を庇うのでしょうか? 人間なのに、弱くて脆くて、私には到底及ばない人間なのに、どうして歯向かうのでしょうか? どうして逃げないのでしょうか? どうしてそんな、意思の籠った瞳をしているのでしょうか? 分かりません。 「奪おうって言うなら―――」 私には全く、分かりません。 「―――君は僕の敵だ」 分かりません。私には全く、分かりません。 元々、彼女―――ステラには、桔音を殺すつもりはなかった。 彼女は人間の住まうこの大陸へと足を踏み入れてから、世界の揺らぎの原因である勇者を浄化するべく動いてきた。歩き続け、前に立ち塞がるものは魔獣であろうと、自然障害であろうと、全てその圧倒的な力で命を奪ってきた。 彼女は『浄化』という言葉を、人間と魔族にのみ使う。魔獣は人間達に害為す存在ではあるが、そこに知能はない。彼らは生存競争の中で、己の本能に従い、精一杯生きようとしているだけなのだ。 それでも彼女は彼らをなんの躊躇いも無く殺す。生存競争の中で生きる彼らには、同じく弱肉強食という自然の摂理を持って対応しているのだ。 ―――自分の方が強い、だから弱い魔獣の命を奪った。 ただそれだけのことなのだ。 では逆に、彼女にとって『浄化』するべき対象である人間や魔族達は、手当たり次第に殺しているのか、と言われればそうでもない。 彼女は出会った人間の心を見極め、善意を持った良心的な人間に対してはその力を振るわない。『浄化』とは、悪意に染まった人間や、罪を犯した人間の心をその力を持って浄化し、肉体から純粋な魂だけを開放することなのだ。 故に、彼女は悪意を持って行動する人間を『浄化』する。 人攫い、強姦魔、山賊、殺人者、泥棒、復讐、そういった悪意のある罪を犯す人間を『浄化』する。 何故なら『悪意』とは、神が創りだした尤も最悪な感情だからだ。神を殺す、それを目標に掲げている彼女にとって、それは見逃せないのだ。 故に、彼女がギルドに辿り着いた時、冒険者達が勇者に対して浮かべていた怒りと、桔音の形容し難い復讐心を感じ取り、彼女は動いた。 ギルドをその力で持って吹き飛ばし、その感情を収めようとしたのだ。怒りを覚えるのは生物の正しい感情故に、殺しはしなかったが、意識を奪う程度のことはするつもりであった。 だが、そこで立ちあがった二人。 人間である桔音はともかく、魔族であるレイラには情けを掛けるつもりは毛頭ない。彼らは悪で、何の罪もない者を意味もなく殺す。『使徒』である彼女が、見逃す筈もなかった。 最初の一撃は、レイラではなく寧ろ桔音に対しての警告のつもりだった。 圧倒的な力を目の前にした時、生物は本能的に逃走を選ぶ。 レイラの実力が自分に届き得る物だと判断したステラは、周囲への被害を考えて戦いながら国の外へとレイラを誘導し、何の罪もない人々への被害は最小限に収めるつもりだった。 だからこそ、尤も近くにいる人間である桔音に逃走して貰おうと、まずは警告で彼我の差を見せつけたのだ。 「神殺しがどうした、僕は妄想の中で24回世界を滅ぼした男だぞ」 彼は逃げなかった。寧ろ逆―――レイラを護る様に、自分の前に立ち塞がったのだ。 彼女にはソレの意味が分からなかった。魔族を人間が庇う意味が分からなかった。命を投げ捨てる様な行動の、動機が理解出来なかった。 「......その行動の意味は分かりかねますが......魔族を庇おうと言うのなら、貴方も同じです。魔族もろとも、浄化しましょう」 「あはは、掛かって来いよ白髪ドレスちゃん......逃げるなら今の内だぜ?」 だが、理解する必要はない。敵である魔族を護ろうと言うのならば、それは十分浄化の対象になる。ステラはその手に持った稲妻の槍を構え、バチバチと弾ける様な音を響かせた。 ◇ 「......レイラちゃん、悪いんだけど瘴気でナイフか何か作ってくれない?」 「え......あ、うん」 迷いはなく、目の前で武器を構えるステラを前に、桔音はまず武器を入手することにする。幸い、レイラは瘴気で武器を作れる。桔音は、少し黒ずんでいるけれど、しっかりとナイフへ変貌した瘴気の武器を受け取り、ステラに向かって一歩踏み出す。 勇ましい桔音とは対照的に、レイラは最初の一撃以降放心状態だった。ステラへの恐怖と、戦ったら死ぬという確信があった。 「きつね君! 駄目だよ、死んじゃうよ!」 自分を護る為に、桔音がステラへ向かって行くのを止めるべくそう言った。逃げるべきだと思った。 正直、レイラは自分が桔音にとってうっとおしい存在だということを理解している。我儘で、自分勝手で、桔音のことも考えずに自分優先で行動する自分が、桔音に好かれていないことも分かっている。でも彼女にとってそれは何も問題ではなかった。心も痛まないし、桔音に好かれたいとも思っていないからだ。 自分が好きならそれで良い、桔音は美味しいし、面白いし、一緒にいて楽しいから付いて来ている。ただそれだけのことなのだ。 彼女は桔音に恋をしているというが、結局の所それは間違いなのだ。 彼女は桔音が美味しくて面白いから惹かれているだけ、お菓子をくれるおじさんに子供が寄って来る様なものなのだ。そうでなければ、桔音に嫌われている事を享受出来る筈もないのだから。 だから、桔音に言った言葉は桔音を心配して言った言葉ではない。無謀だと思ったからそう言ったのだ。 桔音は薄ら笑いを浮かべながら振り向き、レイラにそう言った。 あまりにはっきりと、自信に満ちた様な声音でそう言う桔音に、レイラは思わず息を飲んだ。 何故そんなことを言えるのか、何故逃げないのか、それは分からなかったけれど、レイラはそう言う桔音の表情に思わず、見惚れてしまった。 「そこに居て―――君は僕が護るよ」 いつもの薄ら笑いではなく、優しげに微笑んでそう言った桔音に、レイラは胸の高鳴りを覚えた。 心臓が大きく鼓動し、体内の血液が一気に熱くなった気がした。ドキドキと留まることを知らない心臓の鼓動と、何か込み上げてくるような感情が膨れ上がる。 顔が熱い、無意識に熱い溜め息が出た。 自分で自分の事が分からない。夜でもないのに発情してしまったのだろうか? でも、彼女にははっきり分かる、今までの発情していた時と――――何かが違っていることが。 桔音を見ると、きゅうっと胸が締めあげられる様な感覚に囚われる。下唇を噛んで、眉が切なげにハの字につりあがる。膨れ上がり、どうにも出来ない大きな感情に、何故かじんわりと涙が溢れた。 切なくて、苦しくて、でも嫌じゃなくて、ぐちゃぐちゃした感情が胸の中で大きくなって、堪え切れない気持ちの昂りがあった。 「きつね......君......」 名前を呼び、また心臓が大きく鼓動した。 「はぅ......なに、これ......知らない......こんなの知らないよぉ......!」 ステラへと一歩ずつ近づき、逆にレイラから一歩ずつ離れて行く桔音。その後ろ姿を見るだけで、レイラはぽろぽろと涙を溢しながら胸を抑えた。 そのまま地面にへたり込み、桔音の背中に手を伸ばす。届かないその手は、空を掴んでは虚しく動く。 「きつね君......行かないでぇ......!」 レイラはそう溢して、小さな子供の様に嗚咽を漏らした。 「......貴方は私に勝てると思っているのですか?」 「勝てる勝てないじゃないんだよ......ここでお前に立ち向かうか、向かわないかだ」 ステラと対峙し、瘴気のナイフを構えた桔音は薄ら笑いを浮かべながらそう言う。ステラはそれに対しても無表情で、瞳にもなんの感情の起伏も感じられなかった。 「そんなにあの魔族が大事なのですか?」 「大事じゃないよ、正直死んでくれるなら直ぐにでも死んでほしいくらいだ......でも―――」 そこで一旦言葉を区切り、桔音は続ける。 「―――それは今じゃない」 「......分かりません」 「分からなくても良いよ。あの子は僕のストーカーだ、被害届を出した覚えはまだないよ」 「言ってる意味は分かりませんが......庇おうと言うのなら、貴方も浄化します」 会話は終わりだ、とばかりに桔音とステラはお互い構えた。彼我の差は歴然、桔音が勝つ可能性は一片たりとも存在しないだろう。 でも、ここで立ち向かわなかったらレイラが死ぬ。そうなった時、果たして桔音は喜んだだろうか? 普段からあれだけ心の中でも侮蔑の言葉を吐き続けてきたのだ、喜ぶ筈だ。桔音も最初は、そう思った。 だからこれはちょっとした気まぐれだ。レイラが死ぬのを想像して、自分は全く喜びを感じなかった。それがどういうことだろうと、結局の所今の桔音はレイラが死ぬのを良しとしないらしい。 ならば桔音は思う。自分の気持ちを信じて行動すれば良い。今までもそうしてきたのだから。 「はぁっ!!」 『不気味体質』に『威圧』を発動し、『不屈』でステータスを向上させ、自分の出せる最高速度でステラに突撃する。ステラは唐突にやってきた威圧感と心の内から生まれた恐怖心に身体を硬直させ、桔音に懐に入ることを許す。 だが、あくまでも桔音はHランク。怪物クラスのステラは彼が懐に入って来ようが、対応するのは十分以上に時間があった。 瘴気のナイフがステラの腹部へと向かうが、それをひらりと躱すステラ。そして隙だらけの桔音の腹へ、逆に蹴りを入れる。メキメキと沈む彼女の足が、桔音の内臓を圧迫する。 「ごふっ......! まだ―――まだ!」 だが桔音は入れられた蹴りのダメージを一身に受けながら彼女の足を抱える様に捉えた。痛みを無効に出来る桔音だからこそ、怯まずに出来る捨て身の戦術。無表情のままだが、ステラはその行動に驚きつつ、次の行動に移っていた。 「ぐっ―――!」 こうも間合いが近いと槍が上手く振るえない故に、彼女は地面に付いている足で跳び、そのまま桔音の頭へと踵落としを叩き込む。肉を叩く音が響き、桔音はその威力に地面へと頭から倒れた。 だが、まだ意識はある。ナイフもまだ放していない。桔音は地面に顔を打ちつけながらも、そのナイフでステラの足を斬りつける。 「!」 「っ......!」 だが、ソレに気が付いたステラは、さながら後出しジャンケンの様に足を引き、躱した。 桔音の速度では、ステラにとって見てから動きだしても十分間に合う速度なのだ。攻撃が当たることはないと、確信していた。 「貴方は私には敵いません。貴方の動きは遅すぎます」 「う、るさいな......! そんなことは僕が一番分かってるよ......!」 倒れた桔音を、見下ろしながらそう言ったステラだが、桔音は全身に力を込めてなんとか立ちあがる。 地面に顔を打ち付けたから、鼻血は出ているし、痣も出来ている。最初に蹴られた腹なんて、腹筋が大きなダメージを受けているだろうし、内臓にも大きな負荷が掛かっていることだろう。それでも彼は立ちあがる。痛みがないから、なんとか立ちあがる。 「それでも、僕はやりたいようにやるだけだ」 桔音の言葉に、ステラは再度その拳を振りかぶった。

--I don't understand. "It could be said that even Leila-chan's existence is kind of mental support for me." Why are you looking at me with such eyes? Why are you covering up for a demon? Even though you're human, weak, fragile, and stand no chance against me, why are you still opposing me? Why aren't you running away? Why, why are you glaring at me with such serious eyes? I don't understand. "If you want to take her away--" I don't understand, at all. "--then you're my enemy." I don't understand. I can't understand it, in the slightest. Initially, she-- Stella, had no intention to kill Kitsune. Ever since she step into the continent where human resided in, she moved with the sole intention to purify the hero, who was the cause of the world's instability. Step by step, anything that dared to step into her path, either it magical beast, or even the nature itself, she'd blast off all of it with only a single swing of her overwhelming power. Her 'purification' word, was applied to human and demon alike. Magical beasts were existence that tend to harm human, however they had no intelligence. They simply followed what their instinct told them in desperate to stay alive. Thus, they that didn't bear any ill intention, as far as Stella concerned, they weren't one of her purification target. Or rather, it could be said that they were better existence than human and demon. Nevertheless, she still unhesistantly killed them. To them that acted simply in struggle to stay alive, she simply acted according to the law of the jungle that they hold alike. --she was stronger, that was why she killed the one who was weaker than her. That was all. Then, contravesely speaking, would she indiscriminately kill any human and demon who were practically her 'purificacation' targets? The answer was no. She'd probe the mind of any human she met, and she wouldn't brandish her power to any upright human who hold virtuous mind. 'Purification' was, brandishing her power to separate and release the pure soul from the human who was tainted by ill will, and the body that had commited sin. Therefore, she'd 'purify' any human who act harboring ill will. Kidnaper, rapist, bandit, murderer, thief, vengeance, she'd 'purify' any human who commited any sin as such. It was because, 'evil' was the worst emotion that was created by God. Slaying God, for her who hold such a goal, she couldn't overlook that. That was why, the moment she arrived at the guild, the moment she perceived the anger that the adventurers hold toward the hero, as well as Kitsune's undescribable desire for revenge toward him, she moved. She blown off the guild with her power to subside those emotions. Wrath was one of the righteous feelings for any living being, that was why she didn't kill them, and intended to only make them fall unconscious. However, there were two person who she couldn't overlook. Naginata Kitsune (human) and Leila (demon), she wasn't intending to simply stop after putting them into unconsciousness. Leaving aside Kitsune who was human, she had no slightest intention to show any mercy to Leila who was demon. Demons were evil, they killed innocent people with no reason. And as an 'Apostle', she obviously had no intention to overlook her. The first attack, it wasn't done with intention to warn Leila, but Kitsune instead. Facing an overwhelming power, any living being would naturaly follow their instint and run away. After estimating how powerful Leila was, while making sure about their surroundings' safety, she intended to lead her to the outside of the country to minimize the possibily of warping the innocent people into their fight. That was why, she intended to make the closest human there, Kitsune, to run away, by showing just how distant apart their powers were. "What's up, god-slayer? Here, I'm the man that, in his mind, has destroyed this world no less than 24 times already, you know?" He didn't run away. On the contrary-- as if protecting Leila, he stood before her. She couldn't understand that. She couldn't understand why a human would protect a demon. She couldn't understand his reason that led him to act even as if with conviction to throw his life away. "...I don't understand what you're doing... but, if you insist on protecting that demon then, along with that demon, I'll purify you." "Ahaha, bring it on white-dress-chan... by the way if you want to run away, now is your only chance, you know?" However, she didn't need to understand it. If he kept on insisting to protect a demon, then that was an enough reason for her to purify him as well. Stella brandished the lighning lance in her hand, and cracking sounds were resounding from it. * "...Leila-chan, sorry but, could you please make a knife or something with that miasma of yours?" "Eh... ah, yes." Without any hesistation, before Stella who was brandishing her weapon, Kitsune decided to look for some weapon first. Luckily, Leila could create weapons with her miasma. Kitsune was a bit hesistant, but he hardened his heart and received the knife which was made of miasma, and then took a step forward toward Stella. In contrast of Kitsune's gallant figure, Leila was still absentminded ever since Stella's first attack. The causes were the fear toward Stella, and her believe that she'd definitely die if she fight her. "Kitsune-kun! Stop, or else you'll die, you know?!" She shouted so to stop Kitsune, who was intending to fight Stella in order to protect her. She thought that he'd better just to run away. Actually, Leila herself realized that she was an irritating existence for Kitsune. She realized that she was selfish, wilful, always acted according on her own interest without any regard of Kitsune himself, and never did anything good for him. However, as far as she was concerned, she didn't see anything wrong with that. It was because she didn't feel any guilt in doing so, as well as she didn't feel any need to be liked by him. She only needed to do anything as she pleased, Kitsune was tasty, interesting, and together with him was fun after all, that was why she followed him. That was all. Her falling in love in Kitsune, in the end that was only her misunderstanding. She was simply attracted to him because she thought he was tasty and interesting, something like a child who was attracted to an old man who gave her candy. Or else, there was no way she'd let herself to be hated by Kitsune, after all. That was why, the word she said to Kitsune wasn't word of worry. She said it simply because she thought that he was being reckless there. Kitsune turned his face while floating a faint smile, and said so to Leila. To his word that was very clear, and his tone that was as if filled with confidence, Leila spontaneously catched her breath. How could he say so? Why did he not run away? She didn't understand any of that, but looking at Kitsune's face when he said so, Leila was involuntarily fascinated by it. "Just stay put there.... I'll definitely protect you, after all." To Kitsune who floated a gentle smile, not his usual faint smile, when saying so, Leila could feel her heart was throbbing violently. Her heart was throbbing violently, she could feel her body getting hotter because of the rushing blood in her body. Her heartbeat refused to calming down, she could feel that something was welling up within her. Her face was hot, she uncounsciously let out hot breath. She didn't understand what happened to herself. It wasn't night yet, but, had she turned on or something? However, there was something she perfectly understood, compared to anytime she turned on thus far, this time there was something different. Whenever she looked at Kitsune, she could feel as if her heart was somewhat tightened. Biting her lower lip, her eyebrows were forming (/\) shape as if in pain. It was painful, suffocating, and yet not unpleasant, the jumbled emotions were swelling up within her heart, and she could feel that there was a certain unbearable feeling. "Kitsune...kun...." Calling his name, her heart reacted violentlt once again. "Hau... what, is it... don't know... I don't know what it is...!" Kitsune took one step toward Stella, and contravesely, he took one step away from Leila. Simply looking at his leaving back, Leila held her her chest while tears overflowing her face. Sitting down on the ground, she reached her hand out toward Kitsune. Her hand was reached out in vain, it couldn't reach Kitsune, and could only reach at the air. "Kitsune-kun... don't go...!" Leila shouted so, while weeping as if a child. "...do you really think you can defeat me?" "It isn't about winnin or losing... it's simply about facing you, or not facing you." Facing against Stella, Kitsune who wielded the misma knife said so to her while floating a faint smile. Stella was stay expressionless, there was no slightest change nor emotions in her eyes. "Is that demon really that important to you?" "Not in the slightest, honestly speaking, if I must say, I hope she'd die as soon as possible... however...." Pausing his word there, Kitsune continued. "...now isn't the time yet." "...I don't understand." "You don't need to understand. She's my stalker, and I don't feel like I've sent any indicement about her yet." "I don't understand what you're talking about, but... if you insist on protecting her then I'll purify you as well." The conversation was over, as if saying so, both Kitsune and Stella brandished their respective weapon. The disparity between them was very distinct, Kitsune's chance of winning was even less than one percent. However, if he didn't stand up here then Leila'd definitely die. If that happened, would Kitsune be happy? For him who normally could only unceasingly find contempt about her, without a doubt he'd be happy. At first, he thought so. That was why perhaps this time he was out of his mind. When he imagined the moment of Leila's death, somehow he couldn't feel any joy in it. Just what was the meaning of it? In the end, it seemed like the current Kitsune couldn't let Leila die. Then, Kitsune thought, he should just act and believe to what his feeling told him to. Because that was what he always did thus far, after all. "Haa!!" Activating 'Eerie Constitution' and 'Overpower', then increasing his status with 'Persistence', he charged toward Stella with his maximum speed. Stella got her body stiffened up after sensing the sudden intimidating air and the fear that was born in her heart, and involuntary let Kitsune closed up the distance between them. However, to the bitter end Kitsune was only H rank. For a monter level like her, with the time he needed to reach her, it was more tha enough for her to cope up with him. The miasma sword was sliced toward her abdomen, but she nimbly dodged it. Then, toward the full of openings Kitsune, she let out a kick at him instead. Her leg that perfectly landed on him put a great amount of pressure on his internal organs. "Gofu...! No... not yet!" However, while receiving the damage from her kick, Kitsune seized her leg. He was able to nullify any pain, that was why he could fearlessly undertake such life-staking tactic. Stella was still expressionless as usual, but in spite of her surprise in his act, she immediately took another action. "Gu--!" In such short distance she couldn't properly swing her lance, that was why she swung her other leg and threw an ax kick toward Kitsune's head as it is. Along with the sound of crushed flesh, Kitsune collapsed to the ground head first from the impact. However, he was still conscious. He also still held the knife in his hand. Even while getting his face trashed to the ground, Kitsune swung the knife at Stella's legs. "!" "...!" However, noticing that, as if waiting for his attack, Stella pulled her legs and dodged it. With Kitsune's speed, for Stella, the interval between his first notions to the moment it almost touched her, it was more than enough time for her to take an action for it. She had convinced that there was no way for his attack to land on her. "It's impossible for you to defeat me. Your movements are too slow." "Shut up...! I understand that more than anyone else..." Stella said so while overlooking the collapsed Kitsune, but Kitsune mustered up all of strength to his whole body and somehow managed to stand up. His face was knocked to the ground so his nose was bleeding, and his face was also bruised. Even his kicked abdomen, his muscle and innards had definitely received some severe injuries. And yet he still stood up. He didn't feel any pain, that was why he was somehow able to stand up. "Even so, I'll keep on doing what I want to do." At Kitsune's word, Stella brandished her fists once again.

一難去ってまた一難 「......ふぅ、一休み......と」 は洞穴を見つけた。中を探索してみたが、魔獣はおらず、また住みついている様な形跡もなかった。空もどっぷり暗くなっている故に、おそらく魔獣に襲われる事に関しては中々安心出来るのではないだろうか。 桔音は洞穴の壁に寄りかかりながら嘆息する。なんだかんだで今日はずっと歩きっぱなしの一日だった、こうして休息をとれるというのは大分気を落ち付かせることが出来た。 「......異世界、か......なんで僕がこの世界に来たのか未だに不明だけど、まぁ良くある話か」 どう考えても良くある話ではないが、桔音は考えても分からないことは考えても仕方が無い、と結論付けて思考を停止させた。 そして次にありがちな特典的な力がないかと思い至る。普通こういう展開には転生した、もしくはトリップした者になにかしらのチートないしちょっとした力が備わっているのが定番。もしかしたら、桔音にもそういった力があるのかもしれないと思ったのだ。 「一番メジャーな力としては......ステータス確認だよねー」 なにげなしに呟いた言葉。だが、その言葉を言い終わった瞬間に変化が起こった。桔音の頭の中に、やけに鮮明なパソコンの画面の様なものが浮かんだのだ。 「!」 性別:男 Lv1 筋力:10 体力:30 耐性:100 敏捷:10 魔力:20 称号:『異世界人』 スキル:『痛覚耐性Lv8』『不気味体質』『異世界言語翻訳』『ステータス鑑定』 固有スキル:??? PTメンバー:フィニア(妖精) 「......これまた定番な」 元の世界で呼んだ一般的で健全なライトノベルで登場する転生者達が通常装備で持っていそうなステータス確認の力。桔音もまた、例に漏れずその力を付与されていたらしい。 桔音としてはこのファンタジーな世界で自分もファンタジーな存在になっていたことに若干の興奮と落胆を覚えた。とりあえず、このステータス確認能力のおかげで知り得たことは、桔音に一つの幸福と一つの不幸を与えた。 幸福だったのは、『異世界言語翻訳』というスキルがあったこと。これは恐らく、この異世界に存在する人との会話を翻訳してくれるスキルとみていいだろう。これがあるのならこの先人に会ったとしても大丈夫そうだ。 不幸だったのは、ステータスの低さと武器になりそうなものが何一つ備わっていないことだ。これでは自分で身体測定出来る人物なだけだ。何の意味も無い。 名前:フィニア 性別:女 Lv1 筋力:120 体力:500 耐性:120 敏捷:150 魔力:1500 称号:『片想いの妖精』 フィニアのステータスは全てにおいて桔音を上回っていた。しかも魔力の高さが尋常でない。頼もしいとはいえ、若干負けた気がして少しだけ複雑な気分になった。こうしてみると、フィニアの腕力はどうやら通常の男子高校生である桔音の12倍はあるようなので、後々基準にする為に幾つか実験をさせてもらうとしよう、と桔音は考えをまとめた。 「さて......今日は寝ようかな......疲れたし」 (あー......これ死んだ時に似てる、成程確かに眠る様なものだったなぁ......)

Chapter 6: It's Been One Thing After Another "... Whew, time for a break..." Walking along the riverbank, Kitsune spotted a cave. He searched inside, but there were no Magical Beasts, or any signs that this was something's dwelling. As the sky had become completely black, a place like this would be quite reassuring against other beast attacks. Kitsune propped himself against the wall, and sighed. He had spent the entire day walking or running, and having a place to rest was a considerable load off of his mental fatigue. "... Another world, is it... It's still quite a mystery as to why I ended up here, but I guess it's not that rare of a tale." No matter how you look at it, it wasn't that common, but Kitsune had concluded that thinking hard about it wouldn't get anywhere, so he shifted his thought process. He began pondering whether he had been granted any special powers. Normally, in developments where someone is reincarnated, or trips into another world, getting cheat-like powers is standard. He started to wonder whether or not he had something like that. "The most common one is... being able to check my Status, right?" He had thrown the words out quite casually. But a change came about the moment he finished his line. Within Kitsune's head, an overly vivid computer-screen-like display surfaced. "!" Gender: Male Lv1 Strength: 10 Stamina: 30 Resilience: 100 Dexterity: 10 Magic: 20 Title:{Otherworlder} Skill:{Pain Resistance Lv8} {Eerie Constitution} {World Language Translator} {Status Discernment} Innate Skill: ??? PT Member: Finia(Fairy) "... Quite standard, yet again." In the standard and wholesome Light Novels he had read in his previous world, those reincarnators were usually able to check their equipment and statuses. It appears that Kitsune was no exception, as he was bequeathed with that power as well. Seeing that it wasn't just the world, but him himself that had become a fantasy, Kitsune was filled with a slight feeling of excitement and dejection. For now, from his status discernment ability, Kitsune received a bit of happiness, and a bit of despair. The happiness was that he had the {World Language Translator} Skill. It was likely a Skill that would allow him to converse with the people that lived in this strange world. And as long as he had it, he should be able to talk with those of his own world just fine as well. His despair came from the fact that there wasn't a single thing he could use as a weapon in his entire Status. Like this, he was only able to see his personal specs. There was no meaning to it. Name: Finia Gender: Female Lv1 Strength: 120 Stamina: 500 Resilience: 120 Dexterity: 150 Magic: 1500 Title:{Fairy of Unrequited Love} Every Single one of Finia's Stats exceeded his. But her Magic Stat definitely wasn't normal. Even if she looked reliable, he experienced a feeling of loss, and some other complicated emotions. Looking at it, it seems Finia's Strength was 12 times the amount of a normal high school boy, so Kitsune thought about conducting a few experiments to use as a standard of measurement later. "Now then... I guess I'll sleep... I am tired." (Ah... this feels like when I died. I see, so it really is something like sleep...)

幕間 姉妹の会話と美人の先輩 桔音が去った後、クレア・ルマールは迅速に行動を開始していた。 元々、彼女はオルバ公爵が排除された場合の準備を着々と進めていた故に、行動はかなり速かった。 彼女は、桔音の思っていた通り、住民票からアークス家を廃棄して、子供のニコ、父親のヒグルド、そして妻のエリーを、ゴブリンキングに殺されたものとして死亡扱いにした。 本来、ゴブリンキングの襲来は予期していなかった出来事ではあるが、好都合ということで利用させて貰う。無ければ無いで別の死亡理由を作っていたが、都合が良かったのだ。 そうでなくとも、オルバ公爵の後始末には色々と面倒事が多かったのだ。これから、敷かれた悪政の改善や、情報操作、兵士達への伝達等々、様々な後始末がある。とても彼女一人ではこなせない仕事量だ。 だが、彼女とて一人でオルバ公爵を葬ろうと考えていた訳ではない。彼女の画策していた事には、ちゃんと仲間がいる。オルバ公爵が居て、困る人間が彼女の仲間なのだ。 つまり、街の管理の『前任者』。元は、れっきとした規則正しい善政を敷いていた中級貴族にして、クレア・ルマールの『恋人』。 元々、オルバ公爵がこの街にやって来る以前は、前任者として中級貴族『ティネリア家』の当主、『イスタ・ティネリア』という男が街の管理をしていた。彼は住民の事を考え、住みやすい街を作るべく誠心誠意粉骨砕身していた男で、住民にも、騎士達にも好かれる、所謂良い貴族だった。 そして、その恋人として彼を支えていたのが、クレア。元々は彼の秘書であった彼女は、彼の事が好きだった。優しく、誰かの為に行動出来る彼の事を、心の底から愛していた。 だからこそ、オルバ公爵がやって来た時は、不満しか抱けなかった。 上級貴族だからというだけで、中級貴族のイスタが半ば強制的に街の管理職から外されたのだ。しかも、オルバ公爵は悪政を強いる、悪徳貴族。苛立ちで周囲に当たり、騎士達を自身の欲の為に動かす。 そんなトップに下の者は付いて行くだろうか? いや、行かない。クレアはオルバ公爵よりも、イスタの方が断然管理職に相応しいと思っていた。 故に、オルバ公爵を排除することを決めた。イスタがまた管理職に戻れるように。 管理職というものは、誰でもがなれるわけではない。それなりに経験があって、地位的にも上の人間がなれる職業だ。故に、オルバ公爵が消えれば、その後釜に起用されるのは前任者であるイスタ。一度その地位から外されたとしても、彼は仕事が出来なくなった訳ではないのだから、そうなるのは当然のことだ。 だが、クレアやイスタ、そして兵士達がオルバ公爵を殺す、もしくは街から追い出すというのは、イスタと関わりがある者である以上、少し都合が悪い。自分達が殺したとバレれば、復帰は勿論、最悪殺人の罪で拘束され、死刑にあう可能性もある。 彼女達には、自分達とは何の関係もない『第三者』の協力者が必要だった。 クレアは、彼の事を妹からの手紙で知っていた。優しく、面白く、気の良い人物であると思っていた。ニコの為といはいえ、都庁モドキへと侵入してきたのは驚愕だったが、こうなっては利用するしかないと思った。例え彼が善人だとしても、恨まれたとしても、クレアは恋人の為、そして自分の為に彼を利用する事を決めた。 結果、オルバ公爵は死んだ。死体すら残さずに死んだ。 そしてクレアは、人間の中の悪意を押し固めて一個の人間を作った様な存在を垣間見た。死神の様な得体の知れない化け物を見た。オルバ公爵よりも不味い物に関わった気がした。 「......いえ、考えないようにしましょう。もう会う事もないでしょうし......」 クレアは顔を振って桔音の事を頭から消した。考えないようにすることにした。 「とりあえず......オルバ公爵は失踪したことにして......後釜としてイスタを要求しましょう。兵士達には......適当に誤魔化しておきましょう。あの公爵のやることですから、急に姿を消したとしても不思議ではないでしょう......ゴブリンキングを恐れて、というのもあり得そうですね。不謹慎かもしれませんが、ゴブリンキングの襲来は中々都合が良いです」 クレアは淡々と部屋を片付けながら、思考する。オルバ公爵の血や散らかった書類などをテキパキと片付ける様は、中々手慣れていた。秘書としてはかなり有能なようだ。 「......あとは、それとは別に......妹にも手紙を送っておきますか......主にあの子の人を見る目について一言言っておかないと」 そしてそこで思い出した様に部屋を出る。見られてもおかしくない程度には部屋も片付いた故に、次にやることを思い出したのだ。 やって来たのは、自分の部屋だ。そこには棺桶が置いてあり、中にはニコの母親の遺体が入っていた。首の傷は縫合され、血液で汚れた部分も綺麗にしてある。肌は生気が抜け落ち、真っ白だが、眠っている様に綺麗な遺体だった。 ニコの母親や使用人たちをレイスが殺したと聞いて、クレアは急いで遺体回収に向かったのだ。残念ながら使用人たちの遺体は証拠隠滅として、兵士達が既に燃やしてしまっていたのだが、妻の遺体だけはどうにか回収出来た。 クレアは、愛する者を失う事の悲しみを想像出来なかった。だから、エリーの遺体を丁寧に埋葬しようと考えた。それが、せめてもの罪滅ぼしだと思ったからだ。 「......ごめんなさい......でも、貴方の命を奪ってしまったことは忘れません。必ず、この街を住みやすい素晴らしい街にします。そして、貴方の夫と、その子供には手を出させません」 勝手な言い分だと思っている。命を奪っておきながら、そんなことを言われても仕方のないことだろう。それでも、そうするしか出来ないのも事実だ。クレアは、悔やんでも悔やみきれない様な表情で、棺桶の蓋を閉じた。 ―――とある姉妹の手紙のやり取り 妹、ミシェルへ この前、貴方の言っていたきつねという冒険者に出会いました。 正直、貴方の言っていたような人間ではないと思います。アレには得体の知れない不気味な何かを感じました。 貴方は彼を見て何故あの様な感想が抱けるのでしょうか? 全く分かりません。悪いことは言いません、彼とはもう関わらない方が良いです。彼がまたミニエラへとやってくることがあれば、出来るだけ距離を置きなさい。先輩という方にもそう言っておいた方が良いですよ。 それと、近況報告ですが、最近ではゴブリンキングが襲来してきました。どうやら冒険者達によって退けられたようですが、魔王が復活したせいでしょうか......魔獣達が活発化している様にも思います。貴方もどうか気を付けて下さいね。 クレア・ルマールより お姉ちゃんへ 手紙ありがとう! でもあの人はそんなに悪い人じゃないと思うよ! 確かにちょっと変態で薄気味悪い所はあるけれど、とても楽しくて面白い人だったし......それにHランク冒険者なんだから、そんなに怖くもないでしょ? お姉ちゃんも人を見る目が無いと思う! それに、ミア先輩はあの人を弟みたいに可愛がってたからそんなこと言えないよ。 次会った時は確認してお姉ちゃんに教えてあげるよ。楽しみにしててね。 それとゴブリンキングが来たって書いてあったけれど、大丈夫だった? お姉ちゃん怪我はしてない? 心配です。 ミニエラには騎士団長さんや頼れる冒険者さん達が居るから大丈夫! それに、あまり魔獣達も強くないしね。 あ、でも最近というか......あの人がミニエラにいた頃だけど、『赤い夜』が現れたって話が出たなぁ......調査隊が調べたら、それらしい形跡はあったけどもう近くにはいないって。これも魔王復活のせいなのかな? こんな所にAランクの魔族が現れるなんて思わなかったよー。 でも、私は元気でやってるから大丈夫! 心配しないでね! それより、あの恋人さんとはどうなの? 上手くやってる? 結婚する時はちゃんと呼んでね! それじゃ、また。 ミシェル・ルマールより 「......あの子は......本当に大丈夫なんでしょうか......でも......こんなにあの少年のことを良い人だと思っているあの子が、あの少年の危険性を思い知った時......きっと悲しむでしょうね......優しい子ですから」 手紙を読んだクレアは、溜め息を吐きながら天井を仰ぐ。妹のことも大事に思っている彼女は、あまり良くないことばかり付き纏ってくるなぁ、と考えながら少しナイーブになる。 でも、手紙に綴られた妹の文字に、少しだけ元気を貰えた。相変わらず少し汚い字に、くすっと笑みが漏れる。 「それにしても......こちらはゴブリンキングで驚愕したというのに......あの子は『赤い夜』ですか......全く、危険な世の中になってきましたね......やはり魔王の影響なのでしょうか......」 人間同士の関係でもまいるというのに、魔王や魔族達のことまで降りかかって来ると、流石にめげる。クレアはどうやら貧乏くじを引いた様だ。一番はやはりあの少年なのだろうが、流石に疲れることばかりだ。 「でも、弱音ばかりは吐いてられませんね......もう少しですから、頑張るとしましょう」 両頬をパチンと叩いて、気合を入れる。クレアは気を取り直して、また仕事に戻った。 「あら? 何を見ているのですか? ミシェル」 「あ、ミア先輩! えへへ、姉からの手紙です。どうやらきつね様に会ったらしいですよ?」 その頃、クレアの妹、名前はミシェル・ルマールも、クレアの手紙を読んでいた。ミニエラの冒険者ギルドで、話しかけてきたミアに対して、手紙を見せながら笑顔を浮かべる。 その笑顔にミアは、この子はお姉さんが好きなんだな、と思った。そして、およそ一週間ほど会っていない桔音の話題に、平静を装いながら聞く。 「! そ、そうですか......それで、彼はどうでしたか?」 「あ、気になるんですね?」 「そういう訳ではないですが......一応知り合いですし」 「先輩が一番きつね様と関係が深かったですからねー」 「だからそういう訳ではないと......!」 ミアはこと桔音のことに対しては弱い。想い人という訳でもない故に、少しばかり会話のイニシアチブを握れないのだ。 「えーと......なんでもお姉ちゃんはきつね様のことを危険な人間だと思ってるみたいです」 「? どういうことでしょうか?」 「良く分からないんですけど、また会うようなら気をつけなさいとの事です」 「......はぁ......一体何をやらかしたんだか......あの子は」 ミシェルの言葉に、ミアは頭を抱えながら溜め息を吐いた。桔音の顔を想い浮かべながら、今度は何をやらかしたのかと想像し、碌な事をしてないんだろうなぁと考える。とはいえ、元気そうで良かったと、少しだけ微笑んだ。 すると、それを見たミシェルが良い物を見たとばかりに笑みを浮かべる。 「うふふ、ミア先輩お母さんみたいですねぇ」 「なっ......私、そんなに老けて見えます?」 「母性を感じるって意味ですよー、だから前にもまして異性に絡まれるようになったじゃないですか」 「む......確かにちょっと話しかけられる回数は増えましたが......偶然じゃないですか?」 「男性は母性溢れる女性を好むものです! ミア先輩は美人でしたけど、以前は取っ付きにくい雰囲気でしたから。最近は表情が柔らかくなって話しかけやすいんじゃないですか?」 ミシェルの言葉に、ミアは唇を尖らせて眉を潜めた。母性と言われても良く分からないし、今までと何か変わった訳でもない。対応だってそんなに変えたつもりは無いのだ。 表情が柔らかくなったと言われても、自覚はないのだから良く分からない。 「知りません。ほら、そろそろ仕事に戻りますよ」 「はーい」 これ以上は分が悪くなりそうだと思い、ミアは話を切り上げ仕事に戻る。ミシェルも素直に従って返事を返した。 久々に桔音の話が聞けたからか、その日のミアは普段より笑顔が多かったという。

Intermission - The conversation of the sisters and The beautiful senior After Kitsune's departure, Claire Lemar began to act quickly. As she had long made steady preparations for the day she eliminated Duke Orba, her immediate actions were swift. She removed the Arcs family from the residence register, just as Kitsune had expected, she treated the child Nico, the father Higurd, and the mother Ellie as had been killed by the Goblin King. Although the Goblin King's attack was originally an unexpected incident, she decided to take advantage of it as a matter of convenience. If it didn't happen, she'd have to make up another reason for their death, but now it was more convenient. Otherwise, there would be a lot of trouble in dealing with Duke Orba. From then on, correcting the corrupt government, manipulating information, communicating to the knights, there was still a load of matter to deal with. So many that she alone couldn't handle them all. However, she had never planned to deal with Duke Orba by her lonesome. She had comrades in her endeavor. The people who would be in trouble should Duke Orba be alive were her comrades. In other words, the 'predecessor' of the town administrator. He was a middle-class nobleman who had a well-regulated good government, and also Claire Lemar's "lover". Originally, before Duke Orba came to the town, the predecessor, the head of a mid-ranking noble "Tineria house", a man named "Ista Tineria" was in charge of managing the city. He properly thought about the townsfolk, and did his best to create a town where everyone could live comfortably at, loved by both the townsfolk and the knights, simply put he was a good noble. And the one who supported him as his lover was Claire. She was originally his secretary, and fell in love with him. From the bottom of her heart, she loved how kind he was, and how he sincerely worked for everyone. That's why, when Duke Orba came, she felt nothing but dissatisfaction. He forcefully removed Ista, a middle-ranked noble, from the town's administrative position simply because he was an upper-ranked noble. Moreover, Duke Orba was an evil noble who imposed misgovernment. When he was irritated by something, he often moved the knights for his own convenience. Would she like to work under someone like that? No, she wouldn't. Claire thought that Ista was definitely more suitable for the position than Duke Orba. Hence, she decided to get rid of Duke Orba. So that Ista could take his seat back. Not everyone could take on the administrator position. It was a seat for someone with a certain amount of experience and suitable rank. Therefore, if Duke Orba disappeared, it would be his predecessor, Ista, who would be appointed to take his place. Even if he was once removed from this seat, it wasn't like he'd lost his ability to do the job, so it was natural for him to take this seat back. But for Claire, Ista, or the knights to either kill Duke Orba or drive him out of town was a bit inconvenient as they were related to Ista. If they were found out that they had killed him, let alone taking their seats back, in the worst case there was possibility of being arrested and given death penalty for murder. They needed cooperation of a "third party" who wasn't connected to them. Claire had heard of him from the letters from her sister. She thought that he was a gentle, funny, and good nature person. It might have been for Nico's sake, but when she noticed him infiltrating the Government office, while she was surprised, she couldn't help but to think about utilizing the ensuing situation. Even if he was a good person, even if he came to resent her, Claire decided to utilize him for the sake of her lover and herself. As a result, Duke Orba died. He died without even leaving a body behind. And then Claire caught a glimpse of a being that seemed to be the personification created of human malice. She felt as though looking at a god of death-like peculiar monster. She felt as though she had involved herself with something more dangerous than Duke Orba. ".... No, let's stop thinking about it. We won't be seeing each either again, anyway...." Claire shook her head and shove Kitsune out of her mind. She'd decided not to think about it any longer. "For the time being.... Now that we've dealt with Duke Orba... I'll demand to have Ista to take his place. As for the knights.... I'll just feed them suitable lies later. It's that Duke we're talking about, so it wouldn't be surprising for him to suddenly disappear.... fleeing out of fear of the Goblin King also doesn't sound half bad. It may be inappropriate, but the Goblin King's attack sure is convenient." Claire thought as she tidied up the room nonchalantly. The way she quickly cleaned up Duke Orba's blood and the scattered documents, she seemed to be used to it. She seemed to be quite an excellent secretary. "... Next is, it isn't really necessary, but... I suppose I'll send some letters to my sister... mainly about her ability to judge people, I'll be sure to give her an earful." And then, as though she just recalled something, she left the room. After tidying up the room enough that nothing seemed out of place, she recalled what to do next. The next thing she did was to head to her own room. There was a coffin inside with Nico's mother's remains in it. The wounds on the neck were stitched up and the blood-stain was cleaned up. The skin was drained of vitality, pure white, the remains looked as though a sleeping beauty. When she heard that Nico's mother and their servants were killed by Reis, Claire immediately rushed to retrieve the remains. Unfortunately, when she arrived there, the servants' remains were in the middle of being cremated by the knights to erase the evidence, and only the mother's remains that were still intact. Claire couldn't imagine the grief of losing a loved one. That's why she thought about giving Ellie's remains a proper burial. She thought it as her way of atonement to them. ".... I'm sorry... but I'll never forget your sacrifice. I will be sure to make this town a great place to live. And I won't let anything happen to your husband and your daughter." She did think that it was selfish of her. As some lives were sacrificed in her cause, it was inevitable for others to think as such. However, it was true that that was the only choice. She showed no regret on her face, as she mourned and closed the lid of the coffin. --An exchange of letters between two sisters Dear sister, Michelle Some time ago, I met the adventurer you mentioned, Kitsune. To be honest, I think he's different from the way you described him. I felt something peculiar and eerie about him. How could you have such an impression of him? I can't relate at all. I won't blame you, but I do think it'd be better for you to not involve yourself with him ever again. If he ever comes to Miniera again, be sure to stay as far away from him as possible. You should also tell your senior about it. Also, it may be a sudden report, but just a while ago the Goblin King attacked the town. It seems that the adventurers had somehow dealt with it, but is it perhaps connected to the revival of the Demon lord? I think the demonic beasts would be getting more active from here on. So please be careful. From Claire Lemar Dear Big Sister Thanks for the letter! But I do think that he's not a bad person! Sure, he was a bit perverted and eerie at times, but he was still very funny and interesting.... Also, he's an H-ranked adventurer, so there's nothing to be scared of him, right? I think you're the one who is bad at judging people, big sis! Besides, senior Mia treated him like a little brother, so I can't bring myself to say that. Next time I see him, I'll check it out and let you know. Look forward to it, okay? Also, you said that the Goblin King attacked, are you okay? Are you hurt, big sis? I'm worried. In Miniera, we have the Knight Commander and other reliable adventurers, so don't worry! Besides, the demonic beasts aren't that strong either, after all. Ah, but recently, or more like... when he was still in Miniera, there was a rumor about the appearance of "red night".... When the investigation team was dispatched, they found matching traces of it, but she also added that it was no longer around. I wonder if it's also connected to the revival of the Demon Lord? I'd have never expected for an A-ranked demon to show up in a place like this. But, I'm doing fine here, nothing to worry about! So don't worry! More importantly, how are things going with your boyfriend? Are you doing well? Be sure to contact me when you get married, alright?! See you again then. From Michelle Lemar "... that girl... is she really alright? But still, for her who believes him to be a good person, the moment she realizes how dangerous he is... I'm sure she'd be sad.... She is such a kind girl, after all." After reading the letter, Claire let out a sigh and looked up at the ceiling. As someone who loved her sister, she hoped she would stay as innocent as she was, and not to get hurt by the harsh reality that would greet her. However, looking at the letter from her sister, she felt cheered up a bit. She couldn't help but smile at the still slightly messed handwriting. "But still... here we have Goblin King, and there they have 'Red Night', huh... good graciousness, what a dangerous world it has become.... As expected, is this the effect of Demon Lord revival...." Human relationships alone were already bothersome, so if the Demon Lord and the demons decided to mix in, as expected that would mean chaos. Claire felt as though she was on the short end of the stick. One of the main causes was as expected that boy, but in the end everything was exhausting for her. "But now isn't the time to just whine about.... We're almost there, so let's do our best." She clapped both of her cheeks to get herself fired up. Claire pulled herself together and went back to work. "Oh my? What are you looking at, Michelle?" "Oh, Mia-senpai! Ehehe, a letter from my sister. Apparently she met with Kitsune-sama, you know?" At the time, Claire's little sister, whose name is Michelle Lemar, was reading Claire's letter. She smiled at Mia, who spoke to her in the Adventurer's Guild in Miniera, while showing her the letter. The smile on her face made Mia think that this girl must like her big sister a lot. Then, she solemnly listened to the topic of Kitsune, whom she hadn't seen for about a week or so. "! Is, is that so? ... So, how was he?" "Oh, you're curious?" "Not really, but I do know him and all, after all..." "You're the one with the closest relationship with Kitsune, after all. Right, senpai?" "Like I'm telling you, that's not it....!" Mia had a soft side for Kitsune. While they might not be lovers, she couldn't run the conversation she just started. "Umm... it feels like she's telling me that Kitsune-sama is a dangerous person." "What does that mean?" "I'm not sure, but she told me to be careful if I see him again." "...Haaa ....What in the world has he done this time... that boy?" At Michelle's words, Mia let out a sigh while holding her head. Thinking of Kitsune's face, she imagined what manners he had screwed up this time, and thought that most likely it wasn't an improper thing. However, she smiled for a little bit, glad to hear that he seemed to be fine. Seeing that, Michelle smiled as though she just saw something good. "You're just like his mother, Mia-senpai." "Wha... do I look so old?" "I mean I sense motherhood from you, isn't that why men tend to approach you and ask to fondle them?" "Hmm... It's true that the number of times I've been spoken to has increased a bit, but... isn't that just a coincidence?" "Men love a woman overflowing with motherhood! Mia-senpai, you're without a doubt a beautiful woman, but you used to be giving off an unapproachable aura, after all. Haven't you noticed that your expression has softened recently and you've also become easier to talk to?" At Michelle's words, Mia's lips twitched and her brow furrowed. She didn't know this so-called motherhood, and she didn't feel that anything about her had changed, either. She also felt that she interacted the same way she always did. Even when she was told that her expression had softened, she wasn't aware of that, so didn't know. "I don't know. Come on, it's about time to get back to work." "Okay." She felt that she'd only be on the receiving end, so Mia decided to end the conversation and got back to work. Michelle also answered in agreement. Perhaps because she'd heard something about Kitsune after a long while, that day Mia showed more smiles than she usually did.

赤い瞳の狂った思考 護衛依頼初日。 話し合いの結果前衛を任されてきつね君達と別れて馬車の前に移動した後、私は御者の席に座って前を見ていた。きつね君がいなくてちょっとつまんない。 隣には馬車を引く馬を操る多分今回の依頼人の人間、そしてその向こう側には女の冒険者が座ってた。きつね君曰く、女冒険者A。 御者台は荷物の入る場所が近く、背もたれにする事が出来て、その中とは窓を開ければ繋がっているような構造になっている。窓は依頼人の後ろに付いていて、内側に引いて開けるタイプみたい。 今はその窓が開いていて、中にいる男の冒険者が顔を出している。御者台にスペースがないから仕方なくこうしているみたい。 「なぁレイラさん、アンタなんであのHランクに付いてんだ?」 で、さっきからずっと私に話しかけてくる。やれ好きなものはなんだとか、やれ今まで誰かと付き合ったことはあるかとか、グランディールにいた男とおんなじ眼をしてる。だからきつね君が好きだとか、付き合ったことはないとか、特に興味もなく正直に答えてあげた。 そしたら、この質問。私がきつね君を好きだって言ったからだろうけど、この人ちょっとしつこい。食べても良いかなぁ......でもそうするときっときつね君に迷惑が掛かるもんね、我慢するよ、私はきつね君が大好きだから! 「なんで?」 「アイツはHランクで、大した事のない雑魚だ......Cランクのアンタが付く理由がないだろ」 「あはっ♪ 見る目がないね、大した事のない雑魚っていうなら貴方もそうだよ?」 「......まぁアンタからしたら俺もそうなんだろうが......アイツが特別何かに秀でているようには見えねぇな」 どうやらこの人間は私ときつね君の仲に嫉妬しているみたいだ。狙ってるのは私かな? そう思って彼を見てみる。不味そうな肉だなぁ......匂いも汗臭いだけで全然美味しそうじゃない。どこにでもいそうな人間、残念だけど私のお眼鏡には適わなかったみたいだね、興味ないや。やっぱりきつね君が一番好き♡ 「分からないなら分からないままで良いよ、きつね君の良い所は私が知ってればそれで良いの♪」 「......妬けるねぇ」 きつね君の良い所は私だけが知っていればそれで良い。彼は私だけのものなんだから。他は私の餌でいい、きつね君に擦り寄る人間も私の餌、全部食べてしまえば皆同じだもんね。きつね君以上に美味しい餌はないだろうけど♪ そしたら私の背後でなんだか思案顔の人間がじろじろと見てくる。確かに私は可愛いし、スタイルだって悪くはないと思うけど、じろじろ見てくるのはあまり好きじゃないなぁ。 「こっち見ないで?」 「む......すまん」 そう指摘したら眉間にしわを寄せて不機嫌そうに顔を窓から引っ込めた。 すると、今度は依頼人の反対に座る女が私を睨んでくる。そんな敵意に満ちた眼で見られたら食べたくなっちゃうじゃない♡ 止めてよ、我慢してるんだから♪ 「なぁに?」 「ふん、貴女よりも私の方がジルを好きなんだから......」 「ジルって今の男? へぇ......貴女はあの男が好きなんだねぇ......私には分からないなぁ、あの男の魅力が」 「はっ、Cランクって言ってもその程度ね、人を愛する事も知らないお子様じゃない」 お子様、お子様ねぇ......この女に何を言われようと何も気にならないんだけど、人を愛することも知らないなんて、そんなことはない。私はきつね君が大好きだもん。好きで好きでたまらないんだもん♡ きつね君の言葉なら、どんな暴言だって愛してあげられるよ♡ 「な、何笑ってんのよ」 「なんでもないよー、うふふふふ......♡」 なんだかきつね君に会いたくなっちゃった♪ きつね君を想うだけでこんなに楽しいなんて、うふふ♪ やっぱり人を愛する気持ちって凄く面白いなぁ、身体がうずうずしてわくわくして、もうたまんない♡ 後できつね君の所に行こっ♪ きつね君、きつね君、うふふふ、顔を思い浮かべるだけでお腹の下辺りがじゅんとして、きゅんきゅんしちゃう......♡ 凄い、やっぱり凄いよきつね君......! 「そろそろ日も落ちてきます、野営の準備をしましょう」 依頼人の人間がそう言って、馬車を止めた。見れば確かに日も落ちて来てる。私は夜目が利くから全然問題ないけど、人間ってやっぱり不便だなぁ。 でも、これできつね君に会いに行けると思えば、気分も高揚してくるから不思議。うふふ、恋愛って楽しいな♪ 日が沈んで、野営の準備も終わった頃、私は早速きつね君の所へ行こうとした。女冒険者Bの方が火魔法を使えるみたいで、焚き火もすぐに準備出来たし、食事は携帯食料を摘まみながらお腹を膨らませれば良いから、準備にそう時間は掛からないもんね。 そのままその場を離れようとしたら、あの男冒険者が私の手を掴んで止めて来た。触らないで欲しい、そう思って私は手を引いて離れた。 「ちょっと待ってくれレイラさん、明日からのことに付いて話をしておきたいんだ」 「えー、やだよ。私はきつね君の所に行きたい」 明日からの事なんてどうでも良いじゃん。どうせ大したことないのばっかなんだし、そんなに気を張らなくても死なないよ。 そんなどうでもいいことよりも私はきつね君の所へ行きたいの。 「そう言わず、ほらこれでも飲んで」 男が差しだしてきたのは、コップに入ったミルク? 焚き火で温めてあるみたいだけど、そのミルクからは変な匂いがした。多分、薬が入ってる。人間には分からないくらい微かな匂いだけど、病を操る私だからかな? なんとなく分かった。 そのまま視線を男の眼に向けたら、男の眼からは私を舐めまわす様な意思が感じられた。気持ち悪いとかは思わなかったよ? だってそれは私がきつね君に向ける気持ちと同じだもん。 でもごめんね、私は貴方の気持ちには応えられないの。だって私はきつね君が大好きだもん。 「いらなーい、じゃあね♡」 だから私はそう言ってその場を離れようとした。 でも、 「チッ......良いから来いよ!」 「えっ?」 男は私の手を掴んで、引っ張ってきた。急なことに私の身体は引かれるままに体勢を崩して、地面に倒れる。そして間髪入れずに男が私の上に覆いかぶさってきた。私がきつね君にした様な体勢だね。 「......なぁに?」 「ハッ、もう良い。アンタはCランクの冒険者だろうが、結局は女だ......一緒に楽しいことしようぜ? こんな稼業にいるんだ、生きてるうちに好きなことやっときてぇだろ?」 楽しいこと? 何をするつもりなんだろう? きつね君にしてるみたいに私を食べたり舐めたりしたいってこと? えー、それはやだなぁ。 「はっ、見た目よりもでけぇな」 すると、男は私のおっぱいを掴んでそう言った。そういえばきつね君もおっぱいが好きとか言ってたっけ、正直重くて邪魔なだけなんだけど......なんでこんなのが好きなのかな? 人間の考える事はよく分からないなぁ。 でもまぁあまり良い気分じゃない。私の身体は私のもの、好きにしていいのはきつね君だけなんだから。 「邪魔だよ、どいて?」 「澄ました様な顔しやがって、どくわけねぇだろ」 「んむっ......?」 すると、男は私の口に指を突っ込んできた。舌を弄ぶように指を動かしてくる。何が楽しいのかは分からないけど、私の舌が触れている指の感触を感じて、やっぱりそうだと思う。 やっぱり貴方、 「まっずい」 「っがああああ!?」 ブチブチと口に入ってきた指を噛み千切った。うん、血も不味い。 すると叫び声をあげて男は私の上から転がりながらどいた。噛み千切った人差し指と中指を咀嚼しながら、私は上体を起こす。ぐちゃぐちゃになった肉を飲み込むと、いつも通り喉を通る感覚が気持ち良かった。 でも、足りない。こんなんじゃ全然足りない。今までずっと満足してた快感だけど、きつね君の眼球を食べた時の快感はもっと凄かった。動けない位に身体が反応して、あと一歩で私の精神がぶっ壊れちゃうくらいに強い快感だった。 だからね、もう貴方のじゃ満足出来ないの。 「ああああ......!! な、何しやがるぁああ!!」 「うふ、うふふふ......不味い、不味いなぁ......すっかり舌が肥えちゃった......♡ もうきつね君じゃないと満足出来ない身体になっちゃった......♡」 「ああ ゙っ!?」 「でもこのままきつね君に会ったらきっと約束破っちゃう......だから大丈夫だよ、不味いけど残さず食べてあげる♪ 嬉しいよね? だって貴方は私が好きなんだもんね? 良いよ、しよう? 楽しいこといっぱい♪」 そう言って、悶え苦しむ男の腕を掴んで肩の部分から引き千切る。血が吹き出て私の身体を濡らすけど、気にならない。千切った腕に噛みついて、肉を引き千切り、骨を噛み砕き、纏めて飲み込む。身体がびくびくと反応するけど、足りない、全然足りないよ......♪ 「ぎっ......ああ、あああああ ゙あ ゙!!」 「ジル!?」 と、そこへ女冒険者Aがやってきた。さっき私のことを睨んでた子だね。もう一人は荷馬車の側面の警備に向かったから居ないようだけど、男が血塗れで倒れているのを見た彼女は、私に向かって怒りの形相で剣を抜いた。 あはっ♪ 貴方も加わりたいんだね? いいよいいよ、一緒に気持ちいいことをしよう? 楽しいことをしよう? 大丈夫、きっと貴方も不味いんだろうけど、ちゃんと残さず食べてあげる♡ そして私はその後、呻き声を上げる彼女と男の首を噛み千切って殺した後、ちゃんと残さず喰らい尽くした。楽しい時間はすぐに過ぎ去るもので、気が付けば食べ終えていたって感覚だった。 全然満足出来ない。でもきつね君に会っても理性を保てる位には欲求が収まったかも。あはっ♪ 良かったね、男冒険者の人、大好きな私の役に立てたよ? 嬉しいよね? 貴方は私が好きなんだもんね? 良かったね良かったね♪ 「うふふ、うふふふ......♡ きつね君の所に行こう♪」 私は瘴気で身体に付いた血を落とし、綺麗になった所できつね君に会いに行くべくるんるんと後衛に向かった。 そして、その後私はきつね君に抱き着いて舐めたりちゅーしたりしたけれど、それ以上は何もしなかった。きつね君と一緒にいた時間は多分ほんの少しだけだと思う。 私もびっくりするくらいの事実だけど、きつね君と居る時間を1回我慢出来る位面白い物も見つけたし、良いと思う。 思想種の妖精、フィニア。 最初からずっときつね君に擦り寄るだけの虫だと思ってたけれど、存外中々面白い存在だった。 思想種ってだけじゃ興味は湧かない。でもフィニアは違う、彼女はきつね君を好きだ。それも私と同じ位好きだ。そして私以上にきつね君に大切にされてる。 だから妬けちゃう以上に、興味が湧いた。きつね君の回りには面白い物がいっぱい♪ 楽しくて楽しくて仕方ないなぁ♪ これからもっと楽しい事が待ってる予感がする! やっぱりきつね君、好き、大好き、愛してるよぉ......♡ これからもずっと一緒だからね。 だからねきつね君、これから先ずっとずぅっと......楽しいこと、いっぱいしよう♡

The Crazy Thought of The Red Eyes The first day of guarding request. After we discussed about it, it was decided that I would be transferred to the front side apart from Kitsune-kun and co., I sat on the coachman seat and looking forward. It was boring since Kitsune-kun wasn't around. Next to me was the person; who perhaps was our current client; who was controlling the horses that were pulling the wagon, and on the other side sat a female adventurer. According to Kitsune-kun, she was woman A. Coachman seat was close to the luggage room, and we also could use it as a leaning space, if we opened the window who was located there, then these space would be connected. The window was located behind the client, seems like it was the pulled inside type one. And currently, the window was opened, and the man; who was inside the luggage room; was popping out his face from it. Since there was no second space at the coachman seat so it couldn't be helped to be turned out into like this. "Say, Leila-san, why are you together with that H rank?" And, from a moment ago he was always calling out and talked to me. Like, what was the thing I like, did I ever have a lover; with similar eyes like the men at Grandile kingdom. That was why I answered with, I love Kitsune-kun, I hadn't ever dated anyone; it was truly a bother to answer him since I honestly didn't care about it at all. And then, he asked that question. Perhaps it was because I said that I loved Kitsune-kun, but this man was a bit too persistent. Was it okay to eat him, I wonder... but, if I did that, I was sure it would trouble Kitsune-kun, so I had to bear with it, because I loved Kitsune-kun so much, after all! "Why?" "He's an H rank, nothing but a trifling small fry... so there's no reason for a C rank like you to be together with him, right?" "Ahaha, your eyes sure are blind, you're also included in that trifling small fry, you know?" "...well, in your eyes that may be the case, but... I honestly can't see anything amazing from him, though." Seems like this person was jealous of my relation with Kitsune-kun. The target perhaps would be me, right? When I thought so and looked at him, his meat looked very unappetizing... he was also filled with sweaty smell, completely unappetizing at all. A type of person you could find anywhere, it was such a shame but he didn't match my qualification, I wasn't interested at all. As I though, Kitsune-kun was the one I loved the most. "If you don't understand it then just so be it, as long as I understand Kitsune-kun's splendor, that's already good enough." "...how enviable." Even if I was the only one who understood Kitsune-kun's splendor, that was good enough. Because he was none other than mine, after all. The other should just became my prey, if I ate them all, everyone were all the same, after all. But perhaps there would be no prey that was more delicious than Kitsune-kun, though. And then, the man became somewhat pensive and was scrutinizingly staring at me from my rear. I sure was a cutie, I also thought that my style wasn't that bad, but I didn't particularly like to be scruntinizingly stared at. "Could you please stop staring at me?" "Ah... sorry." When I said so, he furrowed his eyebrows and sullenly drawn her face back from the window. In doing so, this time, the woman who sat next to the client was glaring at me. If you looked at me with such eyes, it made me want to eat you, you know? Please stop it, since here I had been enduring myself, after all. "What is it?" "Hn, I love Jill way more than you do, so...." "By Jill, do you mean that man just now? Hee... so you like that man, huh... I sure don't understand it, that man's interesting part." "Ha, even if you're a C rank, to don't understand it, aren't you just a child who don't understand anything about loving someone?" Child, child, huh... I didn't particularly care about what this woman said about me, but calling me didn't understand anything about loving someone, that wasn't the case at all. Because I love Kitsune-kun so much, after all. I love love love him very much, after all. If it was Kitsune-kun's words, then no matter what kind of abusive words it would be, I would gladly accept it with love. "Wh, why are you laughing?" "It's nothing, ufufufu...." Somehow I really wanted to meet Kitsune-kun. To be this happy by just thinking about Kitsune-kun, ufufufu, as I thought, the feeling of loving someone sure was interesting. My body was trembling in ecstasy, I couldn't hold it any longer. After this, let's go to where Kitsune-kun was. Kitsune-kun, Kitsune-kun, ufufufu, just remembering his face made the place around below my stomach got itchy... amazing, Kitsune-kun sure was amazing! "The day would end soon, so let's start the camping preparation." Saying so, the client person stopped the wagon. If we looked at it, the day was surely about the ended. I had a good night vision so there would be no problem for me, but, becoming human sure was inconvenient, wasn't it? But, remembering that with this I would be able to meet Kitsune-kun, it was a mystery that my mood was sky rocketed. Ufufu, romance sure was fun. Seems like woman B was capable of using fire magic, so the bonfire preparation was also quickly done, the meals were the packed preserved food that was mainly good enough to fill our stomach so it didn't take that much time to be prepared. When I was going to leave that place, the man grabbed my hand and stopped me. I didn't want him to touch me, so I pulled my hand away from him. "Please wait a bit, Leila-san, I want to talk about our plan tomorrow." "Eh~, no way. I want to go to Kitsune-kun's place." Plan about tomorrow, like I cared about it. In the end, it would surely be about nothing but trifling and foolish thing, after all, I wouldn't die even if I didn't know about it. Rather than such trivial thing, I wanted to meet Kitsune-kun. "Please don't say that, here, drink this." The one that man presented at me was, a cup of milk, I think. It seemed like had been warmed up using the bonfire, but there was a strange smell from that milk. Perhaps, he had put a kind of drugs there. It was a very faint smell that perhaps wouldn't be noticed by human, but perhaps since I was someone who could manipulate disease, I somehow noticed it. When I looked at that man, I felt a strong intention akin to licking my whole body at that man's gaze. But I wasn't disgusted by it, you know? Because that was the same feeling I had toward Kitsune-kun, after all. But, sorry, I couldn't answer your feeling. Because, I loved Kitsune-kun so much, after all. "I don't need it, bye~." That was why I said so and left that place. However, "Tch... I tell you so, so just come here already!" "Eh?" Then man grabbed my hand and then pulled me. It was so sudden; being pulled; my body lost its balance and fallen to the ground. And then, then man immediately went atop me in a flash. A similar posture like how I did Kitsune-kun. "...what do you want?" "*sigh*, well, whatever. No matter even if you're a C rank adventurer, in the end, woman is still a woman... let's do something fun together. There is this kind of business, when you're alive, you'd prefer to do anything as you pleased, right?" Fun thing? What was he intending to do, I wonder? Was he going to lick and eat me similarly like how I wanted to do Kitsune-kun? Eh~, I really didn't want that. "Ooh, it's bigger that it looks." And then, the man said so while seizing my boobs. Come to think of it, Kitsune-kun also said that he liked boobs, didn't he? Honestly speaking, it was heavy and nothing but a hindrance, though... why did they like it, I wonder? I really didn't understand human's thought. But, well, it didn't particularly feel good. My body was my own, and the only person I'd let to do anything he pleased with it was none other than Kitsune-kun, after all. "You're in my way, go away." "Making such strong face, you have no experience at this kind of thing, right?" "Nmu...?" And then, then man thrust his fingers inside my mouth. He moved his fingers as if playing with my tongue. I didn't know what was so fun about it, but feeling the sensation of his fingers that were touching my tongue, just as I thought, or so I thought. As I thought, you were, "Disgusting." "Gaaaa!?" Yup, even the blood was disgusting. And then, the screaming man was rolling and went away from me. While chewing his index and middle fingers, I sat straight up. Gulping down the minced fingers, it felt good as usual when it slid pass my throat. But, not enough. This wasn't enough at all. It had the usual pleasant feeling I felt thus far, but the feeling when I ate Kitsune-kun was way more intense. Too intense that even made my body couldn't move, and just a bit more it even almost broke my soul apart. That was why, you wouldn't be able to satisfy me. "Aaaa...!! Wh, what are you doing?!" "Ufufu, ufufufu... disgusting, very disgusting... it doesn't appetizing at all... my body already couldn't be satisfied by other than Kitsune-kun's...." "Haa?!" "But if I go and meet Kitsune-kun as it is, I may break my promise... that's why, don't worry, you sure taste disgusting but I'll make sure to don't leave even a shred of you. You must be happy, right? Because you love me, after all, right? Fine then, let's do it, many interesting things." Saying so, I grabbed the; suffering in agony; man's arm, and tore it off from its shoulder. The blood was sprouting out and soaked my body, but I didn't mind it. I bit the torn off arm, chewed the meat, crunched the bone, and then gulped it down altogether. It gave some chills to my body, but not enough, not enough at all.... "Gi..aa, aaaaaa!!" "Jill?!" And then, woman A appeared there. The one who glared at me before. The other one was guarding at the flank side so she wasn't here, and when the woman looked at the bloodstained man, she drawn out her sword and pointed it at me with an angry expression. Aha, so you also wanted to join us, right? Fine, come on, let's do something good together. Let's do something fun together. Don't worry, I was sure you'd also taste disgusting, but I'd properly eat you without leaving anything. And then, after killing and tearing off the screaming woman and man's necks, I properly ate them without leaving anything behind. Fun time sure passed quickly, before I noticed it I'd eaten them all. Ahaha, good for you, the male adventurer, you were any use for your beloved me, you know? You must be happy about it, right? You loved me, after all, right? Good for you, good for you. "Ufufu, ufufufu... well then, let's go and meet Kitsune-kun." Using my miasma, I cleaned the blood that was sticking at my body, and after I made sure that my body was clean, I went toward the rear side; where Kitsune-kun was; while skipping. After that, I hugged, licked, and kissed Kitsune-kun, but I didn't do anything further. I thought that the time I together with Kitsune-kun was a short one. That was a very surprising act even for me, but since I'd found something interesting that could make me endured myself from meeting Kitsune-kun, so I thought it was a good thing. The idea type fairy, Finia. At first I only thought her as nothing but bug that was always flying around Kitsune-kun, but unexpectedly she was quite an interesting person. Just for being an idea type wouldn't take my interest. But Finia was different, she loved Kitsune-kun. She loved Kitsune-kun equally like how I loved him. Also, she cherished Kitsune-kun more than I did him. That was why, not just I was jealous of her, I was also interested in her. There were many interesting things around Kitsune-kun. It sure was very fun. I felt like there would be many more interesting thing happened in the future! As I thought, I loved, really really loved Kitsune-kun... we were going to be always together from now on, after all. That was why, Kitsune-kun, from now on... let's do many fun things together.

虫 何が起こったのか、にわかには信じられなかった。 私達が森の出口で出会ったのは、レイラ・ヴァーミリオンって名前の女の子。見た目年齢ではきつねさんと同じ位、身長は小柄で、見た目は可愛いなと思った、見た目はねっ。 その子はランクCのとんでもなく強いらしい冒険者だった。レベルが上がってからなんとなくそういう気配が分かるようになってきたからすぐに分かった、この子は強いって。きっとCランクでは収まらない位ずっと強いって思った。 だからこそ、ヘンだと思った。Cランクになるまでにきっと何千何百の魔獣や魔族との戦いを経ている筈なのに、腰に提げている二本のナイフは新品のように使われた跡が全くなかったから。新品を買った後だっていう可能性もあるんだろうけど、防具も新品だったもん。取り敢えず一式全部買い揃えましたって印象だった。 だから、私にはきつねさんに擦り寄るこの子が凄く怪しく映った。何かヘンな事を考えているんじゃないか? きつねさんに何かしようとしているんじゃないか? って思ってた。ハニートラップか! 色仕掛けで何をするつもりだっ、とね! 現にきつねさんは胸を押し付けられて簡単に、ころっと、容易に騙されてた。薄ら笑いがにやにやした笑いに変わってたもん。なんだかすっごくもやもやした! 歩いてたらきつねさんの腕に絡みついてたから叩いてやった、しつこく離れなかったけどきつねさんの方から離れてくれた、やっぱり一緒にいる時間が長い私の方が大事なんだよ、それにきつねさんの肩に座れるのは私だけだもんね! 特等席だもん。 ギルドに着いたら、彼女の目的がきつねさんだってことが分かった。なんでもきつねさんの存在の希少性が他国にまで伝わってたらしい。名前が他国にまで広がっているのは流石きつねさんだと思ったけど、彼女のきつねさんを見る目が凄く気持ち悪かった。人間が人間を見る目じゃないと思った。 ―――まるで、獣が餌を見る様な、格下を見る目。 怪しい光を宿した瞳が、凄く気持ち悪い。きっと彼女は戦いが好き、命の削り合いが好きなんじゃないかと思う。わざわざ強者の多いグランディール王国からきつねさんに会いに来るくらいだもん。 だから私は彼女ときつねさんが戦うのを避けようとした、話をなあなあにして誤魔化すのはきつねさんの得意技だから、そうしようと思った。 でも彼女は話を聞かなかった。知らない内に勝負することが決まってた。皆なんで気が付かないの? 彼女が心に秘めてる危険な気配に。 『フィニアちゃんはルルちゃんと居てよ、ささっと終わらせてくるから』 きつねさんはそう言ってあの子の所へ向かった。ルルちゃんの肩に私を置いて、背中を向けて去っていくきつねさん、なんだかすごく嫌な予感がした。 「フィニア様......?」 「うーん......」 「どうしたフィニア、らしくないじゃないか」 ルルちゃんとリーシェちゃんが私にそう言ってくる、でもそれに対応するような余裕はなかった。腕を組んでうんうん唸る私を心配そうに見ている二人だけど、ルルちゃんはともかくリーシェちゃんはそこまで心配している様子はない。ちょっときつねさんの実力を過信してるんじゃないのかなって思う。 そういえばリーシェちゃんってきつねさんが戦っている所見たことないんじゃなかったっけ? 「......うん、やっぱり私見に行ってくる!」 きつねさんが心配だから、私は羽をはばたかせて浮遊し、ルルちゃんの肩から飛び立つ。ギルドの裏手にある訓練場まで、私は飛んで向かった。すると、ルルちゃんが後ろから付いてくるのが分かった。あの子もやっぱりきつねさんが心配だったのかな? 家族として少し嬉しい。 でも、そんな束の間の喜びはすぐに消し飛んだ。 何故なら、 「んむっ!?」 きつねさんを押し倒したあの女が、きつねさんにちゅーしてたから。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 「っぷはっ......」 初めてのキスは、女の子の味がしました。ばい、きつね。 なんて事を思いながら、僕は僕の唇から顔をあげた彼女の顔を見上げつつ、口を拭う。さっきまで僕の身体を縛っていた謎の悪寒は消えているけど、相変わらず僕の身体の上に跨っているレイラちゃんは、頬を紅潮させ、妖艶に吊り上がった口元に指を当てている。瞳には怪しい光が宿っていて、心なしがハートマークが幻視出来た。 というかなんだ、何が起こった。少し遡って思い出してみよう。 レイラちゃんと出会った、ギルドまで案内した、勝負する事になった、勝負した、負けた、キスされた、はいおかしい。最後とその一個前がどうやっても繋がらない。熱い溜め息を吐くレイラちゃんはそれはもう色っぽくて発情してんじゃないかと思わせる雰囲気をしているけど、今はどうしてそうなったかだ。 「えーと、レイラちゃん?」 「うふ、うふふふふ......」 「駄目だこいつ、聞いてねぇ」 話し掛けても怪しく笑うだけの彼女、正直、めっちゃ怖いです。 すると、 「きつねさんから離れてっ!!」 フィニアちゃんの声が、レイラちゃんの身体の向こう側から聞こえた。レイラちゃんで見えないけど、きっとそこにいるんだろう。その声音は、ぞっとするくらい怒気が混ざっていた。肌がビリビリと振るえる程の圧力がある。 「あはっ、貴女はきつね君にくっついてた虫ね」 「うるさい、良いからきつねさんから離れて発情猫」 なんだか、穏やかじゃない雰囲気だな。フィニアちゃんの言葉遣いや雰囲気も普段と違う、普段僕に対する悪口には悪意が全く感じられないのに、今のフィニアちゃんの言葉には節々から棘が感じられる。怒りと苛立ちの含まれた、文字通りの悪口、暴言。 対してレイラちゃんもフィニアちゃんに対して虫と言った。思い返せば彼女は出会ってからずっとフィニアちゃんに対してなんの反応も見せなかった。フィニアちゃんが彼女の手を叩いている時も、無視してた。 今思い返せば、アレはフィニアちゃんを眼中に入れてなかったってことだったのか。 とはいえこの空気は不味い、此処は僕が取り持たないと。 「レイラちゃん、どうして僕にキスしたの?」 「うふ、うふふふ......私どうしても駄目なんだぁ、興味深い人を前にすると我慢出来なくて......今までは一緒にいた仲間が止めてくれてたんだけど......今回は駄目だったの」 「いや、意味分かんない」 「あ、安心してね、今の私のファーストキスだよ?」 「全然安心出来ねぇ!」 密かに、あ、嬉しいと思ってしまった自分がいる。だって、女の子がファーストキスを僕にくれたというんだからそりゃ嬉しいですよ、若干強引だったけど、女の子にもそういう強引さがあっても良いと思う! 寧ろ美少女に強く迫られたら嬉しくない男はいないでしょ。 でも、これ以上は駄目だね。なによりフィニアちゃんが悲しむし、僕は大してレイラちゃんが好きだという訳でもないしね。 「私、興味が湧いた人を目の前にすると身体が熱くなって、思わず襲っちゃいたい気持ちになるの......きつね君は私の好みに凄く合ってるんだよ? それに、Hランクなのに私の攻撃を受けて最後まで意識があるし、弱そうなのにそうじゃない所が......もうたまらない......!」 レイラちゃんは自分の身体を抱き締めるように、何かを堪えるようにそう言う。弱そうなのにそうじゃない......これがあの有名なギャップ萌えか、いやいやそうじゃない。 ということはこういうことなのかな? レイラちゃんにとって僕はタイプの容姿をしてて、ギャップ萌えがあって、興味が湧いたから、思わず発情しちゃいましたってこと? あはは、フィニアちゃん結構的を得てるね、確かに発情猫だよこの子。 「そんな事どうでもいいよ......離れないんだったらもういい、動かないでね......今すぐに燃やしてやるっ!」 「あはっ♡ まぁ貴女が来たから興が冷めたし、離れてあげる」 「......フィニアちゃん、僕は大丈夫だから。そんなに怒らないで」 レイラちゃんが身体の上からどいてくれたことで、フィニアちゃんの怒った顔が見えた。僕は上半身を起こしてフィニアちゃんにそう言う。フィニアちゃんには怒った顔はして欲しくない、いつもみたいな笑顔で傍にいて欲しいなぁ。 すると、フィニアちゃんは猛スピードで僕のお腹に飛び込んできた。 「きつねさーん!!」 「げふっ......!」 痛みが無くて良かった、お腹に突撃してきたフィニアちゃんの一撃に、身体の中にあった空気が強制的に口から漏れ出た。苦笑しながら、僕の身体に顔を埋めるフィニアちゃんを片手で抱きしめた。小さいから潰さないように優しくね。 「なんだか妬けちゃうなぁ、ねぇきつね君、この後二人で何か美味しい物でも食べに行かない? 虫はおいてってさ」 レイラちゃんが僕にそう言ってくる。多分彼女の気持ちは恋じゃない、友愛でもなければ、好意ですらない。ただ、興味に惹かれる猫みたいなものだ、新鮮な物が嬉しい、珍しい物に興味がある、そういったただの好奇心みたいな感情なんだと思う。 でも、たとえ彼女のコレが恋愛感情だったとしても、僕は多分同じ様に返したと思う。 「ごめんね、フィニアちゃんを虫呼ばわりするお前と食べるご飯なんて、不味過ぎて食べられない、それと――――発情するなら余所でやれよ」 僕の言葉に、彼女はきょとんとした表情を浮かべた。キツイ言い方かもしれないけど、僕の本心だ。 フィニアちゃんを虫なんて呼ぶ奴は許さない。例えリーシェちゃんやルルちゃんでも、どんなに絶世の美少女や美女であっても、どんなに権力をもった王様や騎士団長でも、或いは勇者や神様であっても、僕が許さない。 それはしおりちゃんの想いに対する侮辱で、フィニアちゃんに対する侮辱だ。 「勝負は着いた、僕は帰るよ。フィニアちゃんを虫と呼ばなくなってから出直して来い」 僕は最後にそう言って、その場を去る。ルルちゃんが隠れて此方を見ているのに気が付いて、眉間に集中した力を抜いた。気持ちを落ち着かせて、表情をいつもの薄ら笑いに戻す。ルルちゃんを怖がらせるのは忍びないからね。 ルルちゃんは僕が薄ら笑いを浮かべると、多少ほっとしたようだった。僕は彼女の頭を撫でて、一緒にギルドの中へと戻る。去り際にちらっとレイラちゃんを見たら、俯いて立ち尽くしているのが見えた。でもちっとも罪悪感を抱かないまま、僕は彼女への視線を切った。

Bug What happened, it was so sudden so I couldn't believe it myself. The one we encountered at the entrance of the forest was, a girl named Leila Vermilion. From her appearance, it seems like she was at the same age as Kitsune, her height was also approximately same as him, and I also thought that her appearance was cute, her appearance. It seems like that girl was an outrageously powerful C rank adventurer. Since my level had increased I was somehow able to understand such presence so I immediately understood it, that that girl was strong. She was very strong to the point she won't stopped at just C rank, or so I thought. That was why, I thought it was strange. That was because to become a C rank adventurer, she was supposed to has fought against hundreds or thousands magical beasts thus far, but both of sword at her waist seem like brand new and had no traces to ever been used even once. There was the possibility that she just purchased a new pair, but even her armor was a brand new, after all. That's why I got an impression that it was just as if she just purchased all of it. That was why, I totally suspected that girl who was always trying to cling to Kitsune-san. Was she thinking about something strange about Kitsune-san? Or did she intending to do something to Kitsune-san? Or so I thought. Was that a honey trap! What was she intending to do by seduce him that much! Actually, to got her breast pressed against him, I could see that he was easily and quickly fell for it. His faint smile was unusually grinning, after all. He looked somewhat excited! When we were walking, I clapped her hand since she kept clinging at Kitsune-san, she was obstinately won't to let him go but Kitsune-san separated himself from her himself, as expected, I who had spent much more time with him was much more important than her, moreover the one who was allowed to sit at Kitsune-san's shoulder is none other than me, after all! That was my special seat, after all. When we entered the guild, I finally understood that her objective was Kitsune-san. Seems like the rumor about Kitsune-san's existence had been spread till foreign country. To got his name spread till the Kingdom was as expected of Kitsune-san, or so I thought, but the way she looked at Kitsune-san was very disgusting. I thought that wasn't the way a human looking at other human. --that was as if, a beast that looking at its prey, a looking down gaze. The ominous light at her eyes was very disgusting. I was sure she was very like to fight, to the point I thought that she might even like to do a life and death battle. There was no way such very powerful person from Grandile Kingdom would specially came here just to meet Kitsune-san, after all. That was why I tried to avoid having her fought against Kitsune-san, glossing over a subject was Kitsune-san's special ability, so I thought to try utilizing it too. But she won't listen to what I said. Without I noticed it, it was already decided that they would had a duel. Why did no one realized it? The dangerous presence deep inside her. "Finia-chan, I want you to wait here together with Lulu-chan, since I'll finish it quickly, after all" Saying so, Kitsune-san went toward where that girl was. Putting me at Lulu-chan's shoulder, he immediately turned his back at us, but when I looked at his back, I somewhat felt a very bad premonition from it. "Finia-sama...?" "Hmm...?" "What's up Finia, you don't seems like your usual self." Lulu-chan and Rishe-chan say that to me, but I have no time to answer their query. Folding my arm and nodding, both of them are looking at me with a somewhat worried expression, but leaving aside Lulu-chan, Rishe-chan seems like she doesn't worried that much. Perhaps, does she trust Kitsune-san's ability or something? Come to think of it, Rishe-chan hasn't ever watched Kitsune-san fought, doesn't she? "...yes, as I thought I'll go and take a look at it myself!" Worried about Kitsune-san, I flap my wings and floating, and then fly from Lulu-chan's shoulder. I fly toward the training ground underground the guild. In doing so, I can understand that Lulu-chan comes following me from behind. Does that girl perhaps worried about Kitsune-san, too? As a family, I'm a bit happy about it. But, that happy moment is immediately blown away. That's because... "Umu!?" That girl who is pushing down Kitsune-san is, kissing Kitsune-san, after all. * * * "Ppuhaa..." My first kiss, I finally tasted a girl's flavor. Yaay, Kitsune. While thinking about what just happened, I look at that girl's face that is separating from my lips, and then I wipe my own mouth. The mysterious chill that binding me just now has disappeared, but Leial-chan who is still sit atop me is, with her face blushing, she bewitchingly puts her finger at her lips. There's an ominous light dwells at her eyes and somehow I feel like I can see a heart mark at it. Or rather, what, what just happened? Let's try rewind the time and recollect what have happened. I met Leila-chan, then guiding her till the guild, then deciding to have a duel, then I took the duel, then I lose, and then she kissed me, yup it was strange. No matter how I think about it, the last one is irrelevant to anything before it. Looking at Leila-chan who is passionately sighing, she looks very erotic, and it's just as if she's at sexual excitement or something, but right now isn't the time to pondering about such a thing. "Umm, Leila-chan?" "Ufu, ufufufu....." "No good, she doesn't listening at all." Looking at her who just dubiously laughing when I addressed her, to be honest, I'm very scared. And then, "Go away from Kitsune-san!!" That's Finia-chan voice, I feel like hear it from the rear side of Leila-chan. I can't see her because of Leila-chan, but I'm sure she is there. Her tone is, filled with anger that even makes me shudder. There's a strong pressure comes from her body. "Ahaha, you're the bug that was always clinging to Kitsune-kun, right?" "Shut up, just quickly go away from Kitsune-san, you lustful cat." Somewhat, that isn't a peaceful ambiance, isn't it? Finia-chan's wording and ambiance are different from usual, when she always bad mouthing me, I can't feel any ill will from it but right now I can feel a clear prickle from Finia-chan's word. Filled with anger and irritation, the literal bad mouth, abusive remark. In the contrary, Leial-chan also referred Finia-chan as bug. Come to think of it, ever since we met this girl, she never gave any reaction to Finia-chan, at all. Even when Finia-chan clapped her hand, she ignored her. If I rethink about it, she did that because she was disregarding Finia-chan, huh. Nonetheless, this situation is bad, I must act as the mediator here. "Leila-chan, why did you kissed me?" "Ufu, ufufufu.... For me that was a very hopeless thing, before the man I was very interested at, I couldn't hold it anymore... thus far, my comrade would always stopped me, but... this time it was hopeless." "Wait, I don't understand it, at all." "Ah, please be at ease, that was my first kiss, you know?" "It doesn't make me at ease at all!!" Secretly, ah, I slightly feel happy about it. Because, having a girl gives her first kiss for me, of course that would make me happy, she might be a bit too pushy, but I think that a girl that has such pushy side at her also not that bad! Or rather, there's no men who isn't happy to be strongly pushed by a beauty, right? But, anything more than it is off limit. Above all, it makes Finia-chan sad, after all, also, it isn't like I'm in love with Leila-chan or anything. "I, my body would become hot whenever I have the person I interested at before me, and it would make me instinctively want to attack him... Kitsune-kun, you are totally my preference, you know? Moreover, even though you were an H rank, you were still conscious to the bitter end even though you had received many of my attacks, the way you look weak but that isn't the case... it's so irresistible...!" Hugging her own body, Leila-chan says so while as if enduring something. Look weak but that isn't the case... this is that famous gap moe, huh, no no, that's not it. Or rather, is that really the case? Because for her, I matched her preference, had a gap moe, and interesting, so she unintentionally got excited at me? Ahaha, seems like Finia-chan's remark was quite right, she indeed a lustful cat, after all. "I have no damn care about such a thing... if you don't want to move then, okay, just don't move from there.... Since I'll burn you immediately!" "Ahaha, since you have come here my interest has diminished, I'll move away from him." "...Finia-chan, I'm alright, so, please don't be that mad." When Leila-chan moves away from atop me, I finally able to see Finia-chan's angry face. And then I say so to calm her down. I don't want to see Finia-chan's angry face, I want her to keep smiling as usual. And then, Finia-chan flies toward my stomach with a great speed. "Kitsune-san!" "Gefu...!" Thank's god I can't feel any pain, receiving an attack-like hug form Finia-chan, the air inside me forced out from my mouth. While wryly smiling, I hug Finia-chan who is burying her face at my body with one hand. She's small so I hug her gently so that I won't crush her. "I somehow got jealous you know, Kitsune-kun, just the two of us, how about we go and grab some food together? Leaving that bug aside." Leila-chan says so to me. Perhaps her feeling isn't a love, it also isn't a friendship, I can't feel any good will from it. It's just, as if a cat that finds something interesting, happy to find something new, interested at something unusual, curiosity, something along those lines, or so I thought. However, even if that feeling of hers is a love, perhaps I'll similarly turn it down. "Ah, sorry, eating together with you who called Finia-chan as bug is, would be too unappetizing and I won't be able to bring myself to eat anything, also-- if you want to vent out your lust then just do it out there." At my word, her face floats a blank expression. That's perhaps a bit harsh, but that's my true feeling. Calling Finia-chan as bug is, I won't forgive her. Even if the one saying it is Rishe-chan nor Lulu-chan, even if she's a peerless beauty, even if he's a king nor a knight leader that hold such great authority, or perhaps even the hero nor god itself, I won't forgive any of them. Insulting Finia-chan is, similarly means as if insulting Shiori-chan. "The duel has been over so I'm going home. If you are still calling Finia-chan as bug then don't ever come near me again." Saying that, I leave that place. I finally notice Lulu-chan who is hiding and looking this way, I release the power and strain at my eyebrows. Calming down my emotion, return to my usual faintly smiling expression. I can't bring myself to scare Lulu-chan, after all. Looking at my usual faint smile, Lulu-chan looks somewhat relieved. I pat her head, and return to the guild area together. Before I leave that place, I take a glance at Leila-chan and I can see her standing still there while looking downward to the ground. But, without harboring any guilty feeling, I turn my line of sight away from her.

家族 「そんなの......そんなの駄目です......!」 唐突に、ルルちゃんがそう叫んだ。叫んだというには、些か声は小さく、迫力も無かったけれど、僕にはそう思えるほどルルちゃんから切実な何かを感じた。 購入してから、ずっと何か思いつめた様にしていたルルちゃん。それでも少しづつ仲良くなっていければいいなと思っていたけれど、どうやら僕の思惑は失敗したらしい。 「......それは、何が駄目なのかな?」 エイラさんから貰った服をぎゅっと握りしめて、肩を振るわせるルルちゃん。 君は何を想い、何を抱えてるんだ。僕はなるべく君を奴隷として扱いたくはないんだけど、それは君にとって良いことではないの? すると、ルルちゃんはあの青年に暴言を吐き捨てた時なんか足下にも及ばないくらい、怒りの感情を剥き出しにした表情で僕を見上げて来た。一瞬、気圧された様に僕は一歩、足を下げてしまった。『赤い夜』に出会って、何も怖くないと思っていた僕が、ほんの12歳程の少女に気圧されてしまった。 「きつね様は......優しすぎますっ!!」 「え......」 「なんで叱らないんですか......! 奴隷は主人よりも下の、家畜みたいに虐げられる存在です......手を握って貰うことや、頭を撫でてくれるなんてこと......そんなの悪い夢です! 本当なら暴言を吐かれて、主人に触ることすら罪になる筈です......! 普通奴隷が主人よりも眠っていたら叱られないといけないんです! 食事だって本当は与えられなくてもおかしくないんです......! 服だってあのボロ布のままでもおかしくないんです!」 優しくされるのは、おかしい。 それは奴隷にとって当たり前の常識で、叶う筈の無い夢、欲望。この世に生まれた瞬間にあるべき幸せで、奴隷になった時に失ったもの。 ルルちゃんは見た目通り、まだ幼くて純粋な子供だ。それでも、そのことだけはしっかりと心に刻み込まれている。自分は優しくされてはいけない存在だと、虐げられない人生はもう送れないのだと。 なのに、僕はその常識を悉く外れる行動を取っていたってわけか。 「それだけじゃないです......! 主人に絶対服従が当然の奴隷......なのになぜ私に命令して下さらないんですか! なぜ強制してくれないんですか......! やれと言われればなんでもします......攻撃の的にだってなります、不満をぶつける相手にだってなります、経験はないですけど......夜伽の相手にだってなります......! なのに、何故きつね様は言ってくれないんですか......! 命令に背いた私を......何故許してくれるんですか......!!」 それは、精一杯の感情だった。 ルルちゃんみたいに、幼い頃から奴隷として生きてきた子は、きっと虐げられない生活が怖いんだ。ずっと虐げられる人生を約束された奴隷、二度と優しくされることはあり得ないと決まっている奴隷。 なのに、昨日から僕は手を繋いで、頭を撫でて、褒めて、優しくして、あり得ないと思っていたことを連続してやっていたわけだ。 ルルちゃんにとって、それはあり得ない。あり得ないから怖い。不安になるんだね。 虐げられないことが、怖いだなんて......なんだかとっても可哀想だ。 「......ルルちゃん」 「っ......そうですよ......こんな風に反抗的な奴隷は虐げるんです......叩いて下さい、暴言を吐き捨ててください......それが私の生きる意味です......」 叩いて欲しい、暴言を吐いて欲しい、そんな気持ちの伝わる言葉。僕の呼び掛けに、肩を震わせて、眼を逸らしながら言うルルちゃんの姿は、酷く痛々しい。 「僕は君を叩かない、暴言も吐かない、虐げない。性欲の捌け口にもしない、命令も強制しないし、君を虐げる事は何一つしない。僕が君にしてあげるのは、手を繋いだり、頭を撫でたり、褒めたり、ご飯を一緒にとったり、一緒に寝たり、君に優しくすることだけだ」 「っ......まだ分からないんですか!? 私は奴隷です!!」 「君は奴隷だ、でも僕の仲間で、家族だ」 「なっ......」 そう、君は僕の奴隷だ。でも、僕の仲間で、友達で、家族だ。それが僕の君に対する扱いで、優しくする理由。 女の子を虐げるような趣味は、僕にはないからね。 「な......んで......」 「いいかいルルちゃん、君は僕の奴隷。でも、僕に買われたからには僕の意向に従って貰う」 「......」 「君は奴隷だ。でもね、君は優しくされてもいいんだよ。君が奴隷になった経緯は聞かないし、今まで優しくしてくれた人はいなかったかもしれない。でもこれからは違う、これからは僕が君に優しくするし、君を虐げる人は僕が許さない。」 虐められていた僕に優しくしてくれたしおりちゃんのように、今度は僕がルルちゃんに優しくする。僕は虐められる痛みを知っている、でも優しくされる喜びも知っている。 だからルルちゃん、君の常識は僕が打ち壊す。君の心は僕のものだ、僕が勝手に救わせてもらう。 「君は僕の家族だ、それじゃ駄目かな?」 「な、んですか......それ......だから首輪を付けなかったんですか?」 「家族に首輪を付ける人はいないだろう」 「だから......私に優しくするんですか?」 ルルちゃんは俯いて、ふるふると身体を震わせている。怒っちゃったかな? 奴隷としてそれは容認出来ない、みたいな? まぁどちらにせよ、僕が主人だから譲るつもりは一切ないけどね。 「......じゃあ」 「じゃあ......私の髪、切って下さい。伸びすぎてるので」 「家族......なんですよね......我儘、聞いて下さい」 ルルちゃんは少し不安げな上目遣いでそう言ってきた。家族だから、我儘位言うだろう。なるほど、奴隷としての常識を捨てようとしてるのか、僕の言ったことを実践するために。 僕は髪を切るなんて経験ないけど、ルルちゃんが歩み寄ろうとしているのなら......僕も頑張ろう。 「うん、いいよ。宿に戻ったら、綺麗に切り揃えてあげる」 「......ありがとう、ございます」 そう言ったルルちゃんの表情には、少しだけ嬉々とした感情が浮かんでいるのが分かった。 「良かったねー、きつねさん」 「所で私がずっと空気だったんだけど、私も我儘聞いて欲しいなぁ!」 「うん、ごめん、フィニアちゃん。謝るから、忘れてたわけじゃないんだって、本当ごめん、許して、そんな怖い顔しないで」 ルルちゃんとの絆が深まったのは良いけれど、このフィニアちゃんの怒りをどう収めようか。魔力が迸ってる、不機嫌時のミアちゃんみたいな笑顔だよ。目が笑ってない。怖いって、ごめんって。 「......ふふっ」 あ、ルルちゃん笑った。 フィニアちゃんの怒りをなんとか収めて、ギルドへ戻ってきた。暴走するフィニアちゃんの魔法攻撃をルルちゃん抱えて避けるのはかなり大変だった。何体か流れ弾で魔獣倒してたし。 まぁなんとかボロボロになりながらもルルちゃんの取った薬草を持ってギルドへと戻ってきたわけだ。ミアちゃんがボロボロの僕を見てぎょっとしていたけど、いつも通り薄ら笑いで受付まで来ると、彼女もいつも通り営業スマイルを浮かべてくれた。 「またやけにボロボロですね、また強い魔獣にでも遭遇したんですか?」 『赤い夜』の件もあるから笑えないな。とはいえ、僕はそれに苦笑で返した。 「ルルちゃん」 ルルちゃんの方を向いて言うと、素直に持っていた薬草をカウンターに置いた。ルルちゃんの身長は低いから、カウンターに頭が出る程度だ。だから薬草が見えなかったのだろう、ミアちゃんは今納得したように僕達の受けた依頼の依頼書を取り出してきた。 「依頼達成ですね。一週間も期限があるのですからもう少しゆっくりやっても良かったのでは?」 「うん、まぁそうなんだけど......収穫はあったからいいかなって」 ルルちゃんの頭を撫でながらそう言う。気持ちよさそうに眼を細める彼女の表情は昨日よりも何処か愛くるしく見える。遠慮なく甘えてる感じがするからかな? ミアちゃんにもそれが伝わったようで、微笑ましい物をみたようにクスッと笑った。美人が笑うとやっぱり絵になるね。 すると、ミアちゃんは依頼の達成処理を手早く済ませて、報酬をくれた。今回の報酬は銀貨1枚、まぁ得たものでいえば金貨3枚分のものが手に入ったからいいとしよう。 「きつね様」 「何かなミアちゃん」 「そろそろきつね様もランクアップの訓練を受けてみてはどうですか?」 ランクアップ......か。 いずれ周囲からこういう話を持ちかけられることもあるだろうとは思っていたけど、ミアちゃんが持ちかけてくるとは思わなかったぜ。 でも、僕は今の所Hランクから上に上がるつもりはない。というか、上がれる気がしない。だって腕力40だぜ? しかもこれ限界値だぜ? 無理に決まってんじゃん、奴隷だけどルルちゃんにだって負ける自信あるよ僕。だってこの子の方が腕力高いもん。しかも無自覚に 「あ、でも代わりにフィニアちゃん達を冒険者登録出来る?」 今思い付いたけれど、フィニアちゃんなら確実にもっと上のランクを取れる。ルルちゃんだって素質は良いし、獣人の性能ならもっと上のランクを取れる筈だ。冒険者登録した時はお金が無かったから僕しか登録しなかったけど、今ならフィニアちゃん達も登録出来る。 ランクを上げるのは別に僕じゃなくてもいいじゃないか。フィニアちゃんとルルちゃんが組んで魔獣討伐依頼を受ければレベルも上がるし、お金も稼げる。一石二鳥じゃないか。 「言っただろうフィニアちゃん、君にはとにかく強くなってほしい。それで、僕を護ってくれ」 「......うん! 分かった!」 「......それでは、フィニア様と......ルル、様ですか? の冒険者登録を行いますね」 「うん、よろしく」 少しづつ、強くなってる。レベルだって上がってる。もう少ししたら、時期を見て元の世界へ帰る方法を探そう。それで、しおりちゃんとの約束を果たすんだ。 でも、その時になったら......フィニアちゃんやルルちゃんは、どうすればいいんだろう――― 登録を終えて、僕とルルちゃんは宿に戻ってきた。フィニアちゃんは登録が終わった後、都合よく開かれていた訓練に参加してくるそうだ。まぁフィニアちゃんの実力なら余裕でFランクを取って来るだろう。ルルちゃんはまだレベル1で、戦闘経験も未熟なのでとりあえずは登録だけということになった。 「さて、ルルちゃん」 「君は冒険者になったわけで、これから魔獣とも戦って欲しい」 「家族とか言った手前言い辛いけど、最初は僕やフィニアちゃんが付いているから大丈夫、怪我一つさせないことを約束するよ」 ルルちゃんは......というか普通の人は魔獣を恐れる。戦う術を持っていないからやり合えば死ぬことが分かっているからだ。 でも、僕と一緒にいるっていうことは何かと戦うことになるってことだ。やっぱりそれなりに戦える力が必要だと思う。 「分かりました」 「うん、そこで......君にはこれをあげる」 「小剣、ですか?」 「うん、武器屋の人曰く女の人でも扱えるらしいから、多分ルルちゃんでも扱えるよ」 僕より腕力あるし。 「で、でも......これはきつね様の武器じゃ......」 「僕は正直扱える気がしないし、攻撃力でいうならルルちゃんが持ってた方が良い」 「うん。あ、そうだ髪切らないとね! ちょっと 「あ、はい」 約束を思い出して、小剣を貸して貰う。椅子に座って貰って、ルルちゃんの後ろに立った。座ると地面に付く位長い髪の毛、ボサボサだけど触れてみればまださらさらとした感触があって心地良い。 小剣を立てて、肩甲骨の辺りで切り揃えて行く。散髪の経験はないから、丁寧に、慎重に切っていった。そして、前髪など細かい所まで全部切り終えた時、ルルちゃんは見違えるように可愛くなった。 ボサボサだった髪はある程度整って、獣人の回復力から活力が少し戻った身体と合わされば、純粋清楚といった雰囲気のある少女になっていた。また、購入した時は活力の無かった瞳も大分生気を取り戻しており、綺麗な服も相まって奴隷とは思えないほどだ。 「うんうん、こんなもんかな。はい、ありがとう」 ルルちゃんに小剣を返し、切り落とした髪の毛を纏めてゴミ箱に捨てる。すると、ゴミ箱の中にある物を見つけた。奴隷商から譲り受けた、『隷属の首輪』だ。あの後、宿に帰って来た時に捨てたんだったか。 「あ、うん『隷属の首輪』だね。大丈夫、付けたりしないから」 「......いえ、付けてください」 え、何? ルルちゃんそんな趣味があったの? と思ったけど違うみたい。真剣なまなざしをしている。ふざける雰囲気じゃなかった。 「......どうして、かな?」 「きつね様は家族だと言ってくれました......それは嬉しいです、でも......私はあくまで奴隷です。それを忘れてはいけません......だから、もしも私を家族だと言ってくれるのなら......その首輪を付けてください」 「......奴隷としてじゃなく、家族の証としてこの首輪を付けて欲しいってこと?」 「......きつね様が嫌なら別に構いません......でも、私はそうしてほしいです」 奴隷、という立場はやはりそう簡単に捨てられる様な鎖ではないってことか。家族だと言い張っても、奴隷は奴隷、ステータスの称号にもあるように、その事実は変わらない。 ならば、奴隷という立場を忘れないことで、家族になろうということか。その為の首輪、その為の約束。ルルちゃんが僕と家族になるための首輪。 「......なら、その我儘を聞いてあげる」 この首輪は付けるだけで主従の契約が結ばれる。でも、主人が命令として言葉にしない限り『命令』にはならない。それに、こんな首輪程度で崩れるような関係が、家族といえるわけがないよね。 僕はルルちゃんに首輪を付けてあげた。そして、改めて命令を下す。 「ルルちゃん、君は僕の家族だ。嫌だと思ったら僕の命令を聞かなくても良い。出来ないことは教えるし、出来ないことをさせるつもりも無い。これは命令だよ」 「―――はい、きつね様」

Family "Such a thing... such a thing is no good-desu...!" Abruptly, Lulu-chan shouts like that. As a shout, her voices is somewhat small, and there's no force on it, but for me, when I think about such a thing I can feel a somewhat seriousness from Lulu-chan. Even since I bought her, I already know that Lulu-chan was thinking about something. Even so, I thought that it would be good as long as we were able to getting along little by little, but it seems like my calculation is a failure. "...that, what is no good?" Grasping tightly the clothes she received from Ayla-san, Lulu-chan's shoulders are trembling. What are you feeling, what are you shouldering? As much as possible I don't want to treat you as a slave though, is that something bad for you? And then, Lulu-chan is looking at me with a somewhat angry expression similar like at the time she was shouting a reckless remark toward that youth. Suddenly, as if being overpowered, I unconsciously take a single step behind. The Me, who After my encounter with {Red Night} I think that there's nothing that would be able to frighten me, I'm being overpowered by a mere twelve years old girl. "Kitsune-sama is... too kind-desu!!!" "Eh...." "Why did you never scold me...! Slaves are a livestock-like existence which exist to be persecuted by their master-desu... to get my hand being held, to get head my head being petted... those are an evil dream-desu! Normally we should receive many abusive words, and just by touching their master it would be referred as a crime-desu...! Normally, if a slave was waking up later than their master, they should be scolded-desu! Even the food, actually it wouldn't be strange for a slave to not receive it-desu...! Even the clothes, it won't be strange for a slave to use that ragged cloth-desu!" Treating her kindly is, strange. That is indeed an obvious common sense for a slave, a dream which supposed to be never come true, desire. A happiness which she got when she was born to this world, and lost at the time she became a slave. Lulu-chan is, as per her appearance, still an immature and pure kid. Nevertheless, that sole thing is tightly carved at her heart. She is an existence that shouldn't receive any kindness, and couldn't be separated from persecuted life. However, seems like my actions were entirely outside that common sense. "Not just that-desu...! Absolute obedience to their master is a matter of course for a slave... but why did you never gave me any order...!? If you said to do it then I'll do anything... I even would become your attack target, I even would become the target to vent up your displeasure, I have no experience... but I even would become your night attendant...! However, why did Kitsune-sama never say it...! To me who disobeyed your order... why did you forgive me...!!" That was, her whole feeling. Similar like Lulu-chan, another childs who also become slave since they were still a kid, they must be scared to live a life without being persecuted. A slave that destined to live a persecuted life, they believed that receiving a kindness for the second time is something impossible. However, since yesterday she was holding hands with me, got her head being petted, praised, treated kindly, that something which she thought to be impossible were happened to her consecutively. For Lulu-chan, that was something impossible. Since that was impossible so it was scary. And made her uneasy. To think that not being persecuted is, scary... somehow she is so pitiable. "...Lulu-chan." "...That's right... you should oppress a defiant slave like me... please hit me, please abuse me... that is my existence's value-desu...." She want to be hit, she want to be abused, her words were containing those feelings. When she said that to me, her shoulders were trembling and she also averting her eyes, that kind of appearance of Lulu-chan is, terribly painful to look at. "I won't hit you, I also won't abuse you, and I won't persecuting you either. I also won't vent my sexual desire to you, I won't force an order to you, and I won't do anything like oppressing you. The things I'm going to do to you are, holding your hand, petting your head, praising you, eating our meal together, sleeping together, I'm only going to treat you kindly." "...do you still not understand it!? I'm a slave-desu!!" "You're indeed a slave, but you're also my comrade, my family." "Wha...." Right, you're indeed my slave. However, you're also my comrade, my friend, my family. That is the reason why I treat you kindly. And I have no such a hobby like persecuting a girl after all. "...why...." "Listen properly, Lulu-chan, you're my slave. But, since I've bought you so you should follow my idealism." "...." "You're indeed a slave. But, it's okay for you to be treated kindly. I won't ask the reason you become a slave either, and perhaps the peoples who treat you kindly thus far were already gone. But from here on is different, from here on I'll treat you kindly, I also won't forgive anyone who persecuting you." Similar like Shiori-chan who treated the persecuted me kindly, now is my turn to treat Lulu-chan kindly. I know the pain for being persecuted, and I also know the happiness for being treated kindly. That's why, Lulu-chan, I'm going to destroy that common sense of yours. Your heart is mine, I'll selfishly save you. "You're my family, is that no good?" "What,... is... that... that's why you didn't attach the choker?" "There's no one who would attach a choker to their family right?" "That's why... you treat me kindly?" Lulu-chan hang her head, her body is trembling. Is she angry? As a slave that's something she can't accept, perhaps? Well, either way, since I'm the master so I absolutely have no intention to backing off here though. "...then." "Then... my hair, please cut it. Since it's already too long." "We're... family, right?... so please, listen to my selfishness." Lulu-chan said that with a bit uneasy and upturn eyes. Since we're a family, at least they could say their selfishness. I see, does she knew my intention to overthrow her slavish common sense, and she's trying to implement what I just said to her. I have no experience to cut someone's hair, but since Lulu-chan is trying to compromise... I should try my best too. "Okay, fine by me. When we return to the inn, I'll cut your hair nicely." "...Thank you, very much." Lulu-chan's expression when she said that is, I can see a glimpse of happy emotion there. Just a bit, I have a hunch that her and our bonds are tightening. "That's good right~, Kitsune-san." "By the way just now I've been always become a background though, I also want you to listen to my selfishness!" "Yes, sorry, Finia-chan. I'm very sorry, I'm not forgetting about you, I'm really sorry, please forgive me, please don't look at me with that scary face." I'm glad that my bond with Lulu-chan is tightening, but what should I do to extinguish the anger of Finia-chan. Her magical energy is surging out, her smile is similar like Mia-chan's' when she was in bad mood. Her eyes aren't smiling at all. It's scary, I'm sorry. "...fufu." Ah, Lulu-chan is laughing. After I was able to somehow extinguishing Finia-chan's anger, we returned to the guild. The magic attacks from the rampaging Finia-chan, who fired it while avoiding to entangling Lulu-chan in it, were indeed quite a disaster. Some of the stray bullets were killing some magical beasts after all. Well, even while I'm become tattered, we somehow returned to the guild while bringing the medicinal herbs which had been collected by Lulu-chan. Mia-chan was startled when she saw my tattered shape, but when I arrived at her desk with my usual faint smile, she also float her usual business smile. "You are awfully tattered again right, did you encounter a powerful magical beast again?" Since there's also the case about "Red Night", I can't laugh here. Nonetheless, I reply her with a bitter smile. "Lulu-chan." When I turn my face toward Lulu-chan, she obediently put the medicinal herbs at the counter. Since Lulu-chan's stature is small, the counter is similarly height as her head. That's why perhaps she can't see the medicinal herbs, Mia-chan is currently taking out the application request in order to assenting the request which we took. "The request has been achieved right. With one week time limit, wouldn't it be good to take it with more ease?" "Umm, well, that's indeed right... since we have a week time limit so perhaps that should be okay." I said that while caressing Lulu-chan's head. Her pleased expression -since she is feeling good and closing her eyes- is somehow lovelier than yesterday. Is it because she feels that she doesn't need to be reserved to be spoiled? Because that's also transmitted to Mia-chan, she unintentionally smiling as if watching something charming. As expected, a smiling beautiful girl is sure would be a good picture right. After that, Mia-chan nimbly finish the request achievement process, and give me the reward. Today's reward is one silver coin, well, talking about reward, since I get a part of three gold coins so let's call it a good reward. "Kitsune-sama." "What's up, Mia-chan." "What would Kitsune-sama think about taking a rank up test?" Rank up... huh. I've thought that there would be someone who would talk and suggest me about it, but I never thought that Mia-chan would be the one who suggesting me. But, right now I have no intention to raise my rank up from H rank. Or rather, I feel like I won't be able to. After all, my strength is just 40 you know? Moreover that is my limit you know? Of course that would be impossible, even if she's a slave, I'm fully confident that I even would lose against Lulu-chan. Her strength is higher than mine after all. Moreover, she unconsciously learned ball crusher, I absolutely don't want to fight against her. "Ah, but in exchange can Finia-chan and Lulu-chan also register as an adventurer?" I just aware of it, but if it's Finia-chan then she must be able to take a higher rank. Even Lulu-chan's quality isn't half bad, with her demi-human's ability she should be able to take a higher rank. At the time I registered, I only registered myself since I didn't have the money, but right now I can also register Finia-chan and Lulu-chan. Isn't it fine even if the one whose rank is up isn't me? Together with Finia-chan and Lulu-chan, we should be able to take a subjugation request, with that our levels would be raised, and our income would be increased too. Isn't it like killing two birds with one stone. "I've said it right, Finia-chan, at any case I want you to become stronger. So that, you can protect me." "...Yes! Got it!" "...well then, Finia-sama and... Lulu, right? I'm going to carry out the adventurer registration procedure." "Yup, by all means." Little by little, we become stronger. We must increase our level. For a bit longer, the time for me to search for a way to return to my former world would be arrived. After that, I would be able to fulfill my promise with Shiori-chan. But, when that time arrived... what should I do with Finia-chan and Lulu-chan-- Finished the registration, I and Lulu-chan returned to the inn. After she finished the registration, seems like Finia-chan is currently taking the promotion test. Well, with Finia-chan's ability, at least she should be able to easily get to F rank right. Since Lulu-chan is still at Lv. 1, and she also have no experience in battle, so for now she only take the registration. "Well then, Lulu-chan." "Since you've become an adventurer, for now on I want you to fight against magical beast." "It's a bit hard to say since I've said that we're a family, but for a starter since I and Finia-chan would be together with you so there won't be any problem, I promise you that I won't let anything to injury you." Lulu-chan is... or rather, a normal person would be in fear against magical beast. Because they didn't have to power to fight it so they're aware that they would die if they fight against it. But, to be together with me then it's already decided that they have no other choice than to fight together with me. As I thought, a considerable power sure is necessary. "I understand." "Yup, and so... I'll give you this." "Small sword, right?" "Yes, according to the person from the weapon shop, seems like even a girl would be able to use it, so perhaps Lulu-chan would be able to use it too." She has a higher strength than mine after all. "B, but... this is Kitsune-sama's weapon...." "To tell you the truth, I think I can't use it, strength-wise it would be better if Lulu-chan is the one who use it." "Yup. Ah, we must cut your hair right! May I borrow that (small sword) for a bit?" "Ah, yes." Remembering about the promise, I borrowed the small sword. Then I stood behind Lulu-chan who was sitting at the chair. Her hair was so long to the point it would reach the floor when she sat, it was unkempt but when I touch it, it was still pleasantly felt silky. Raising the small sword, I start to cut her hair around her shoulder. Since I have no experience at hair-cutting, I cut it carefully and cautiously. And then, when I finished cutting her bangs and also some detail parts, Lulu-chan is becoming way cuter beyond recognition. Her unkempt hair is somewhat put in order, with her demi-human's resilience, and with her vitality which gradually recovered, she's showing a genuine neat girl ambiance. Since her vitality is greatly recovered compared at the time I bought her, coupled with her wearing a cute clothes, there won't be anyone who would think that she's actually a slave. "Yup yup, something like it perhaps. Here, thanks." Returning Lulu-chan's small sword, I collect the cut hair and put it to the trash bin. After that, I discovered something inside the trash bin. The thing I received from the slave merchant, {Slave Choker} . At that time, did I throw it to the trash bin when we returned to the inn? "Ah, yeah {Slave Choker} right. No problem, I won't attach it to you after all." "...no, please attach it." Eh, what? Does Lulu-chan has that kind of fetish? Or so I thought but it seems like that isn't the case. She is looking seriously at me. It isn't a joking atmosphere. "...why?" "Kitsune-sama said that we're a family... I'm really happy to hear that-desu, but... in the end I'm a slave-desu. I shouldn't forget that... that is why, if Kitsune-sama really think me as a family... please attach that choker to me." "...not as a slave, but you want me to attach this choker as a sign that you're my family?" "...if Kitsune-sama do not want to do it then I also will not object it... but, I want it-desu." Slave, seems like such standpoint isn't something that easy to be casted away, huh. Even if they're called as a family, a slave is a slave, like the title at her status, that fact hasn't changed. If that's the case, without forgetting her position as a slave, she become my family, right. The choker for that reason, the promise for that reason. The choker to make Lulu-chan my Family. "...if that's the case, I'll follow that selfishness." With just attaching this choker, the slave-master contract would be established. But, as long as the master doesn't say a word of order, then it won't become an{order} . Moreover, a bond which would be crumbled by a mere choker, there's no way they could call themselves as a family right. I attach the choker to Lulu-chan. And then, I revise my order to her. "Lulu-chan, you're my family. If you think that you don't want to do it then it's okay to disobey my oder. If there's something you're unable to, I'll teach you, I don't have any intention to ask for something you can't do either. This is an order." "--yes, Kitsune-sama."

これは、彼が意識を失った瞬間のことだ。ゴブリンキングが棍棒を振りかぶった時、ゴブリンキングは気が付かなかった。いや、身体が大きく、またその肥えて膨らんだ大きなお腹を持っているこの魔獣だからこそ気が付かなかったのだろう。 ―――その足下にいる、小さな怪物に。 それは、小さな手だった。大人の男性の様にゴツゴツとした手であり、その手は手首の辺りから先はない。ただ、その手首の部分は人間の口になっていた。人間の様な唇があり、開けば歯も、舌もある。どういう体構造をしているのかは分からないが、ただ手の姿をした、小さな怪物だった。 その怪物の名前は、『喰らい手』。 世界中に全分布で数え切れないほど存在しており、確認されているだけでもその数およそ―――『60億』。その大部分が地中に潜んでおり、地上に出ているのはほんの一部だけ。 だが、そのほんの一部と絶対に事を構えてはいけない。それは、人間、魔族、魔獣、魔王や勇者であっても、共通の認識であった。 何故なら、その約60億いる喰らい手の全てが、念話の様に感覚的な物を共有しているからだ。そして、彼らはとても仲間意識が高い。たったの1体でも攻撃されれば、攻撃してきた対象を60億の喰らい手が攻撃対象として襲ってくる。 そう、『60億』もの『喰らい手』が、『全員』で襲い掛かってくるのだ。 それは、全世界を震撼させる恐怖の王、魔王ですらも恐れる事態。かつて一国をも潰してみせた史上最悪の脅威なのだ。 ゴブリンキングはその脅威を前に、一線を―――踏み越えた。 「ウゴッ......! ガァアア......!! ハ、ハナゼ!! グルナァァァアアア!!!」 その巨大な身体に次から次へと喰らい付く喰らい手。どんどんその数を増やし、ゴブリンキングの体表が一切見えない程に、無数の喰らい手がその名の通りゴブリンキングを喰らっていた。 肉を噛み千切る音、骨を噛み砕く音、そしてその猛威はゴブリンキングの周囲にいたゴブリンや、ゴブリンナイト達にも襲い掛かる。叫び声が響き渡り、阿鼻叫喚の光景が繰り広げられる。 そんなゲップをしたかと思えば、その身体の色を肌色に戻した喰らい手達は、その姿をまた地面の中へと消したのだった。 残されたのは、ゴブリンキング達の喰い散らかされた後の肉片と、何も手を付けられていない冒険者達の死体。生き残ったのは、気を失った若き新人冒険者の青年一人だけだった。 「誰だ貴様......まさか、例の侵入者か?」 「やぁオルバ公爵、殺しに来たぜ」 さて、部屋に入ったらそこに、初対面のオルバ公爵が居た。 容姿としては、中年の疲れた様な顔に、良い物を食べて居るのが分かるほど太った腹、お世辞にもカッコいいとは言えない容姿をしている。 言ってみれば、悪徳貴族の定番みたいな容姿をしていた。これで実力高い魔法使いというのだから世も末だよね。そういえば僕の耐性ステータスって魔法にも効くのかな? 魔法耐性的な言葉もあるけど、僕の耐性が物理のみだったらちょっと困るなぁ。 「......レイスはどうした?」 「会ってないよ? 二手に分かれたから僕じゃない方とやり合ってるんじゃない? もしかしたら死んでるかもしれないけど」 「......ふん、役立たずが」 「あはは! 聞いたリーシェちゃん? 役立たずが役立たずって......ぷっ......あはははははッ! 爆笑物だね!」 「お前、本当に良い性格してるな」 だって、役に立たない男が殺人鬼に向かって役立たずとか、凄い笑える。本当に定番というか、テンプレな悪徳貴族の鏡だよこの人。 すると、彼は机の上に置いてあった短剣を取ろうとした。とりあえず瘴気を鋭く尖らせて、短剣に伸びたその手を貫いて妨害。 公爵の体勢が崩れ、その放たれた雷の槍は僕に当たる訳ではなかったけれど、展開した瘴気の壁にぶつかり、消えた。 魔法耐性があるのか分からない以上、当たるわけにはいかない。下手すれば大ダメージを喰らう可能性もあるんだから。それにしても瘴気でガード出来て良かった......内心ちょっとドキドキしてたりして。でもまぁ、表情には出さない。ポーカーフェイスポーカーフェイスっと。 「あはは、どうやら公爵の魔法は僕には通用しないみたいだね」 そこで、僕は『不気味体質』を発動させた。 「ひっ......! あ、ああ、あああああ......!!? く、来るな!!」 「あはは、そんなに怯えないでくれよ。僕はただのHランク冒険者だぜ?」 どうやらステータスが上がったからか、効果は抜群らしい。急に怯えた様な表情で僕から距離を取り始めた。魔法も効かなかった事もあるのかな? とにかく公爵は歯噛みしながら、気丈にも僕を睨みつける。 「えーと......オルバ公爵だっけ? 僕は貴族の偉さとか、格の大きさとか、良く分からないからさ......無礼は許してね?」 「............貴様......何故あのガキに味方する......!」 「僕子供好きなんだよ。ほら、僕って保父さんに向いてるじゃない?」 「知らないが......」 「知っとけよ、相手の事くらい。あんな殺人鬼差し向けてくるくらいなんだからさ」 飄々と答えた。まぁ本当は子供嫌いだけどね、ニコちゃんは除くけど。 僕の将来の夢は世界征服とかどうかなぁと今考えてみた。やる気は起きないけどね。面倒事は嫌いなんだ。 面倒といえば、体力の無駄遣いって言うけど、だったら何をすれば無駄遣いにならないのかって話になるよね。夢を叶えるとかそれ自体体力使うし、寧ろ生きてるだけで体力使うよね。 だったら、妄想してだらだらしているのって、寧ろ体力の有効活用とも言えるんじゃない? おっと、脱線しちゃった。とりあえず、殺さないと。そう考えて、僕はオルバ公爵に一歩近づいた。手を後ろに隠して、瘴気でナイフを作る。 「......く、来るな!」 「いやいや、公爵なんて大層な名前を持ってる人にこんな所で会うなんて幸運なわけだし、ゆっくりお話ししようよ」 「あはは、そう緊張しなくてもいいんだぜ? 僕は巷じゃフレンドリーな少年で通ってるんだよ、きっと仲良くなれるさ」 なるべく刺激しない様に、僕はオルバ公爵に近づく。仲良くしよう、自分で思うにそんなフレンドリーな笑顔を浮かべていると思う。これならきっと向こうも油断してくれる筈だ。そこそこ楽に殺せるんじゃないかな? そう思いつつ、僕はオルバ公爵の目の前に足を踏み込む。そして彼の顔を覗きこむ様に見上げた。笑顔笑顔っと。 「ほら、公爵の好きな色って何? え? 僕? 僕は......赤い色以外ならなんでも好きかな?」 「あ、ごめんごめん。心臓に刺したかったんだけど、焦っちゃったのかな? 外しちゃった......あれ、抜けない......」 叫び声をあげる公爵に、僕は笑って謝る。そしてナイフを引き抜こうとしたら、何かに引っ掛かってるのか抜けない。どうやら公爵の筋肉と脂肪が締まってナイフを留めているらしい。 「んー......あ、こうすればいいのか。えい」 あれ? スキル解除して再構成すればよかったんじゃない? 公爵には悪いことしちゃったかな? 反省反省、この失敗はちゃんと心に留めておこう。あと数分位は忘れない。 「さて......思わぬところで部分的に瘴気変換が出来る事が分かっちゃったわけだけど......どうやって殺そうかなぁ? リーシェちゃん良い案ある?」 「人殺しの方法を私に聞くな......それに、私はまだ人を殺す覚悟を持てそうにない」 「それもそっかぁ......元々は騎士志望だもんね、ごめんごめん。ていうか、それじゃ僕を止めたりしないの?」 「殺すのはどうかと思うが......その男の自業自得だとは思うからな」 リーシェちゃんはどうやら人を殺すのは無理そうだ。まぁ、進んで人を殺したいと思う人も珍しいか、レイラちゃんとずっと一緒だったし、最近じゃレイスと会ったばかりだから、ちょっとその辺感覚が麻痺してたのかな? まぁいいや、僕としては今更人を殺すのも魔獣を殺すのも一緒だし。 「公爵、痛い? ごめんね、そろそろ殺すから」 「ひっ......! 止めろ......死にたくない......!」 蹲って痛みに悶える公爵の前に、しゃがんでそう言うと、公爵は顔をぐしゃぐしゃにして死にたくないと言ってきた。こういう時、主人公とか勇者ならなんて言うかな? そう言って助けを求めた人々に、お前は何をした? とか? 正直、そんなこと言うなら助けを求める人々をお前はちゃんと助けて来たんだろうな? って思う。違うよね、助けられたんだったら悪役を殺しになんてこないし。 まぁどうしても助けられない状況だったとか事情はあるんだろうけど、殺しに来た時点で悪役と一緒だよね。とはいえ、僕は正義感とか持ち合わせてないし、自己満足で殺すから悪役でも良いんだけどね。 「死にたくないぃ......! 助けてくれ......!」 「あ、うん。ごめんね、それは選択肢に入ってないや」 そう言って、僕は今度こそ殺す為に、公爵の首にナイフを突き立てた。 ナイフを引き抜くと、勢いよく血が噴き出した。手で押さえるも、ぶしゅぶしゅとその勢いは止まらない。叫び声をあげるも声にならない様子の公爵、身体が痙攣していた。 「それじゃ公爵、これから公爵の命は僕が有効活用するから安心して死んでいいよ!」 僕は優しいからね、何の役にも立てずに死ぬのは公爵も嫌だろうし、せめて僕の役に立てる道を用意してあげた。うんうん、これなら公爵も安心して死ねるだろう。 「うん、これで良しっと......クレアちゃん終わったよ?」 立ち上がり、僕は扉の近くに佇んで青褪めた顔をしているクレアちゃんに、笑顔でそう言った。

No, I guess It didn't notice, because it was a monster with a big body and a bulging belly. There's a little monster underneath it. It was a small hand. A rugged hand that has its wrist part as a mouth. This monster's name was [Consuming Hand] There are 60 billion of these beings identified worldwide. This is an agreement between every human, demon, demonic beast, demon king, and even hero. The reason was once you attack one of those hands, all the other 60 billion hands will hunt you down without fail. Indeed, all 60 billion of them. It was the worst threat that can destroy the whole kingdom. And this Goblin King is going to step on this threat unaware. [Uggg! Guaaaaa! re.... release me!! Don't come here !!!] The gigantic body of the Goblin King was covered by the [Consuming Hand] from head to toe. The sound of chewing meat and crunching bones rang out throughout the forest. After such a burp sound, every [Consuming Hand] revert to its original color and return to the ground. All that was left was a piece of shredded meat and the adventurer's corpse who have not been touched by anything. [Who the hell are you ..... Don't tell me.] [Yo, Duke Orba, I'm here to kill you] After we enter the room, we meet the Duke for the very first time. As for his appearance, he is just a worn-out middle-aged man who has a bulging stomach as his signature. I can't find any part that worth seeing at all. There are magic-resistant, but if my endurance only works on physical attack, then It would be quite troublesome. [......What happens to Reis?] [I haven't seen him you know? We split up here, so he should be fighting somewhere. Maybe he's dead already.] [Hmp.... This useless shi*] [What's that? Ahahahaha Did you hear that Rishe-chan that's laughable.] [You have quite a great personality here.] It's very laughable don't you think so, an incompetent man uses a useless murderer. he's a very classic corrupted aristocrat to the core. Then he picks a short sword on his table up. My miasma knife extends its reach and pierces the hand that just pick up a short sword. The Duke collapse from his position and the lightning that was release hit my miasma shield disappeared. In the position that I didn't know if magic-resistance exists or not, I can't afford to get hit like that. [Well, It seems your magic doesn't work on me.] Then, I activated the "Eerie Constitution." [Hiiiii ! no... Don't come here!!] [HAHAHA Don't be so scared. I'm just a little H rank. you know?] Wow, It looks like the effect gets higher according to my status. He crawls away from me with a frightening face. I wonder, If the magic doesn't work like this, so he grits his teeth and glare at me. [Duke Orba right? Excuse me, but I don't understand the greatness of the nobility or how great your court rank at all.] [You basta*d .... Why...Why did you protect that girl?] [I'm quite fond of kids. Hora.. You don't see it in me right?] [As if I know...] [Of course, you should know. I'm here to kill you after all] Maa... I'm just saying something nonsense again. I'm not really like kids except Nico-chan anyway I thought that my future dream was to conquer the world. I should do something productive instead of deluding myself like this. Oh, I got derailed somehow. For now, I have to kill him first. Then, a miasma knife appears in my hand. [D... Don't come here!!!] [non-non To meet a big wig like a duke like this is quite a fortune for me, so should we slowly talk about this here?] [Ahaha, Don't be so nervous. I'm just a friendly boy in the street, so I'm sure we'll get along.] I'm slowly walking toward him with a knife in hand. In order to not scare him off I think I'm showing him my smiling face. He'll let down his guard for sure. I step to the front of Duke Orba since I think killing him should be quite easy. I looked up to see his face and keep smiling. [Hey, What's your favorite color? Pardon me? Me? I like anything other than the red color.] [Ah, sorry soooo sorry. I want to aim at your heart but I missed. I wonder if I got impatient? My bad] I apologize to the screaming Duke. I want to pull out a knife but It stuck somehow. [Nnn? Ah, I have to do it like this right? Ei!!] Are? It's good that I canceled the erosion skill right? Ahhh!! I have to keep this in mind, so I don't make this mistake ever again. [Well ... Unexpectedly, I found out that I can partially convert miasma. How do we kill them? Rishe-chan, do you have any good ideas?] [Don't ask me how to kill someone ... and I still don't have a resolve to kill anyone yet.] [Is that so? Sorry sorry. I mean, you don't want to stop me?] [No matter what I think. He just reaps what he sows, isn't it?] It seems Rishi-chan can't kill people yet. Well, to meet someone who wants to kill people is rare after all. I'm always with Leila-chan and meet with Reis too. I wonder If my sense of life turns weird somehow? Well.... At this point, killing him or killing a monster is just the same. [Duke? Pain? Sorry, I'll kill you soon] [Hiiiii !! Don't come here... I don't want to die !!!!!] The Duke writhe in pain and said something like this. I wonder what will a protagonist or a hero say to him. What will you do to the people who asked for help by saying so? To be honest, if someone says that to you, you'll help them? I think it is a no. I wouldn't come to kill the bad guy in the first place if that was the case. When you come to kill, you're already a villain. But I don't have a sense of justice in the first place, and I'm a good villain because I kill to satisfy myself. At the very least, killing the Duke would save Nico-chan and his father. [I don't want to die. Help me !!!] [Ummm... Sorry, that's not an option.] That said, I trust a knife in the Duke's neck this time. I pulled out a knife and blood gushed out. Even if you try to suppress the wound, It's useless. [Well then, Duke, Your life is now in a good hand, so you can die with peace of mind.] Since I'm kind, and I don't want the Duke to die for nothing. [Yeah, this is good.... Clair-chan It already ends.] Standing up, I see Clair-chan with a pale face and said so with a smile.

貴族の役割は、政治的な面での取り組みをし、一般庶民がその貴族の領地内で、平和かつ秩序ある生活を送れるように取り計らうこと。その他にも、自身の家で行っているなにかしらの経営や、軍事の取り締まり等々を行うのだ。 とどのつまり、貴族と庶民というのは、庶民が生活出来るように秩序を敷く者と、貴族が秩序を敷く為に税を納め働く者、という御恩と奉公の関係にある。 お金を納め、秩序通りに働く。働ける環境を整え、秩序を作る。そういう役割分担の出来た関係なのだ。 そしてその環境の土台となっているが故に、貴族には裕福な暮らしとある種の権力が与えられている。それは秩序を乱す者を排除する権利だったり、罪を犯した者を裁く権利だったり、地球で言うところの著作権や徴税する権利だったり様々だ。 だが、それでもその権限にも限度がある。 例えば、そういった権限を悪用した過度な徴税や、自分にとって都合の悪い 自分の感情のみで権力を振るう貴族程、秩序を乱す存在はいないだろう。土台が崩れればその上に立つ者は呆気なく崩壊するものだ。完全に、その行為は罪に値する。 問題なのは、罪を裁く側である筈の貴族が、罪を犯すということ。地球風に言うのなら、犯罪者を捕らえる立ち場である筈の警察が、犯罪者となるということ。 罪を裁く者が罪を犯した場合、それを裁く者は誰なのか? 貴族よりも上の存在は、唯一無二、『王家の人間』だ。 だが、貴族という存在はかなり多い。王族もそれを一つ一つ対処するにはそれこそ、莫大な費用と世界中を監視出来る程の広い視野が必要になって来る。 結論を言えば、貴族が罪を犯した場合、その罪を揉み消し闇に葬られることはそう珍しくないのだ。 貴族同士の小競り合い、潰し合い、牽制のし合いは庶民の知らない水面下で毎日のように行われている。その領地内で尤も位の高い貴族が、欲に駆られた俗物であればあるほど、秩序は乱れる。土台は崩壊し、その上に立つ庶民は生活する事が出来なくなる。 御恩と奉公で成り立っている秩序と平和は、貴族の行動の一つで直ぐに瓦解していくということだ。 そして、まさに今桔音のいる街、グランディール王国の庇護下にあるこの街、『アネクス』もその危機に瀕していると言って良い。 桔音とニコが集めた情報と、レイラが瘴気を使って集めた情報を見れば、そうとしか言いようがなかった。 まず、この街で領主をやっている貴族は、『オルバ・フォンネス公爵』。 フォンネス家という上級貴族であり、元々はグランディール王国に存在していた貴族だったのだが、軍事の領分でそこそこ力のある家に生まれ、戦争や侵略の際には数多く国に貢献してきた人物だ。 だが、とある戦争の際にちょっとした失敗を犯し、その償いとして王族からこの街へと異動を命令された。それからずっとこの街の領主として君臨しているのだ。 ちなみに貴族の位は地球同様、位の高い方から、 気に入らないと思った者を捕らえたり、反抗的な貴族の家を没落させたり、やりたい放題だ。しかも、それは巧妙に揉み消されている。王族が気付かないように行っている辺り、周到なようだが。 「聞いたところ、街の人達はオルバ公爵について良い思いは持っていないらしいんだよね」 「ふむ......」 「それに、明らかにニコちゃんを探していた男の件もあるし、ニコちゃんの家は多分税金未納だけが原因で没落させられた訳じゃないと思うんだ」 そういった情報を基に考えて見て、桔音はニコの家が崩壊したのはもっと別の理由があるんじゃないかと考えていた。 表向きは税金未納ということで捕獲しようと騎士達が動いていた訳だが、それならばニコの父親が捕まった段階で話は付く筈だ。にも拘らず、ニコという幼女までも捕獲しようと騎士達がまだ動いている。あの貴族の家の使用人であると名乗った男も、同様に。 「そっちの収穫は?」 桔音はレイラ達の集めてきた情報を求める。 すると、リーシェが何かを言う前にレイラが身体を乗り出した。 「うん♪ ちゃんと集めて来たよ! なんでも、騎士達はなんでそこの子を捕らえるのかの目的を知らないみたい。幼い子を追い掛け回すのは気が引ける、とか言ってたし......多分そのオルバとかいう人間とそれに近い貴族達位しか知らないんじゃないかなぁ?」 「ふーん......となると、ますます税金未納の線は薄くなるね。黙っておく必要はない筈だし」 「それと、その子のお父さんは捕まったみたいだけど、まだ生きてるようだよ♪ その子の居場所を吐かせようと尋問や拷問に掛けてるって言ってたしね♪」 なるほど、と桔音は頷く。 気になっていたニコの父親の生死も確認出来たことで、少しだけニコの表情にも明るい色が戻ってきたようだった。 だが、レイラの話を聞く限り尋問拷問に掛けているということは、父親には本当になんの用もなかったことになる。拷問ともなれば多少身体を痛めつけるのだろうし、最悪腕の一本や二本持っていかれていてもおかしくはない。 そうしてまで聞きだしたいことといえば、やはりニコの居場所なのだろう。何処に隠したのか、もしくは何処の誰に預けたのか、セオリー通りに行くのならニコの家と交流があった家は調べられていると見て間違いない筈だ。 「これはニコちゃんの家が貴族だっていうのもあながち外れてないかもね......」 「きつね君きつね君♪」 「ん、何?」 「私情報集めて来たよ? 褒めて褒めてっ♡」 思考を広げる桔音を余所に、レイラはむふーっと鼻息を出し、自信満々な表情でそう言った。心なしか少しだけ顔を桔音に寄せている。 桔音はそれを見て、呆れた様な眼をレイラを向けた。だが、それでも情報を集めて来てくれたことに対してなんのお礼もないのもなんだと思い、溜め息を吐きつつ、突き出された頭を撫でる。 「はいはい、ありがとうレイラちゃん」 「うふふ、うふふふ♡」 白い髪をくしゃくしゃと乱す、かなり雑な撫で方ではあったが、それでもレイラは満足そうな表情でだらしなくふにゃりと表情を綻ばせた。まるで懐いた猫の様だ。 そして、レイラはもっと褒めてとばかりに、頭を撫でる手に自分から頭を擦りつける。桔音はマーキングの様だと感想を抱いた。 そうしている内に、上機嫌になったレイラを一瞥しながらリーシェが口を開いた。 話を進めようという意味も含んでの言葉だ。桔音もそれを分かって、レイラの対応に止まっていた思考を再度働かせる。 「そうだね......幸いにしてニコちゃんの身柄はこっちにあるんだ。それに、僕達は冒険者だし、向こうからすれば力づくで排除しても問題ない立ち場の人間......そして僕の顔は向こうに知れた訳だ―――なら、何もしなくても向こうから何かしらの刺客が来る可能性が高い」 「......ああ」 「それをなんとかして、返り討ちにする。殺さず、撤退させるのが最良の対処だね」 情報は集めたものの、ここから何か出来るわけでもない。ならば、向こうから出て来てくれるのを待った方が無難かつベストだ。 そしてその刺客が好戦的なものであろうが、交渉的なものであろうが、返り討ちにして撤退させることが出来れば、それは確実に上に伝達される。 そうなった場合、最初の刺客と同等の刺客を用意するのは馬鹿のやることだ。件のオルバ公爵が同じ失敗をする程の馬鹿であるのなら別だが。 十中八九、そのオルバ公爵に近い地位の高い人材が出てくるか......もしくは用心棒を務める様な実力者が出てくるだろう。桔音達にとって最高なのは、オルバ公爵が出てくることだが。 「だから、まずはその最初の刺客を退ける為に......僕はまず出来るだけレベルアップに専念するよ。この左眼を取り戻してから向上した能力値とか手に入れたスキルも、まだ良く理解出来ていないからね。それに、リーシェちゃんやレイラちゃんが常に一緒にいるわけでもない以上、僕が一人でいる時に襲い掛かってくることもあり得るし、少しでも戦える力を増やしておくに越したことは無い」 「......なるほど、じゃあ私達はどうすればいいんだ? きつねがそうなると当分この街に留まるんだろう?」 「うん、リーシェちゃんにはギルドへ行って依頼を受けて来て欲しいんだ。この街にもギルドはあるようだから。と言っても、依頼の受注くらいでその他素材の売却とかは出来ないみたいだけど」 桔音はそう言って、リーシェにも指示を出す。 ギルドで依頼を受け、それを達成する事で次の街で使えるお金を少しでも増やしておこうという考えだ。 「ふむ......そうだな、分かった」 リーシェが頷くと、今度はレイラの方へと視線を落とす。いつの間にか腰のあたりに抱き付いているレイラは今にも眠ってしまいそうなほど気持ち良さそうに目を細めていた。 「レイラちゃんには、ニコちゃんと一緒に居て欲しいんだ」 「僕とリーシェちゃんはしばらく修行と依頼で出るから、レイラちゃんはニコちゃんを護衛してて欲しいんだよ。お願い出来ないかな?」 「んー......良いよっ♪ 修行から帰ってきたらまた膝枕してね?」 「......はいはい、分かった分かった。それじゃよろしく頼むよ」 桔音はレイラのおねだりにまた苦笑する。なんだかあの膝枕以降レイラのひっつき度が急上昇している気がする。 桔音も、レイラが自分に恋愛感情を抱いていることを知っているが故に無為にはしないが、その感情がどういうモノなのかを知らないまま放置しておくのも駄目なんだろうなぁと考えている。 いずれ、それをレイラが知る時が来る。その時は、きっと自分とレイラは今の様な仲の良い関係で居られるかどうか、分からなかった。 「じゃあ、それで行こう。いつ刺客が来るか分からないし、来るのかも分からない、いつも通りに無理に気負わず行こうよ」 だが、今はニコのことだ。 桔音はそう思考を切り替えて、そう言った。

Nobles' duties were to meddle with politics so that the commoners who resided inside their territory could lead a peaceful life. Furthermore, they also had to manage the matters inside their family, as well as the military affairs and so on in their respective territory. Which meant, between nobles and commoners, the nobles ought to create regulations where the commoners could life peacefully, the commoners ought to work to pay the tax so that those regulations could be implemented, it was such harmonious public duties they had. To save up money, they worked according to the regulations. To make an environment where they could work, regulations were created. It was such role-sharing they had. Thus, as the foundation of such environment, nobles were granted with affluent wealth as well as authority. They were the authority to remove anything that disturbed the regulations, the authority to judge those who committed crime, the authority to collect tax as well as things like, in earth term, copyrights, and so on. However, be that as it may, there was limit to such authority. For example, abusing their authority to excessively collect taxes, framing and punishing any inconvenient people to them. Most likely there was no nobles who would exercise their authority following their sentiment to the point of throwing the regulations out of order. If the foundations were to collapse, anything above it would surely immediately follow suit as well, after all. They were fully aware of that. The problem was, the nobles, who were supposed to hold the authority to judge crimes, committed crimes themselves. If we put in on earth terms, it would be like, the police, who was supposed to be those who arrested the criminals, became the criminals themselves. If the one who judge crimes were to commit crime themselves, who would judge them instead? The only one who stood above the nobles were, none other than, "Royal families". However, existence known as nobles were very numerous. Thus, to judge as well as monitor every one of them all around their whole territories would cost the royalty an enormous amount of resource. Thus, if nobles were to commit crimes, it wasn't something strange for those crimes to be cleaned up and buried in the dark. Skirmish among nobles, crushing each other, constraining each other, such things happened everytime and everywhere in the dark unknown to the commoner. The nobles who were seated on the highest seat in their respective territory, if they were to succumb to greed and worldly desire, they might even temper with the regulation itself. With the foundation collapsed, the commoner who lived above that regulation were unable to conduct their daily activity peacefully. Regulation and peace; which were constructed by duties and role-sharing; collapsed one after another because of the nobles' deeds. And it was exactly such danger that was lurking within Anex, a town under Grandile kingdom patronage, which Kitsune and co. were currently at. From the information Kitsune and Niko gathered, as well as the information Leila gathered using her miasma, that was just how the situation there expressed. First, the noble who reigned as the feudal lord there was Duke Orba Fonnesse. Fonnesse house was a high rank noble, it used to be a noble house at Grandile Kingdom, and as it had a fairly powerful military power, it also greatly contributed during war and invasion period. However, upon making a blunder during a certain war, the royalty ordered it to be transferred into this town as punishment. And so it reigned as the feudal lord there from there on. By the way, the noble ranks were pretty similar like the one on earth, those were Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. Capturing people he deemed to be displeasing, crushing opposing noble houses, pretty much anything he pleased. Moreover, he slyly covered such deeds. So that the royalty didn't notice it, he did everything very meticulously, however... "From what I heard, seems like the townfolks here aren't particularly fond of Duke Orba." "Hmm...." "Also, there's also the case about that man who was looking for Niko-chan, so most likely Niko-chan's house wasn't ruined simply because of the tax, or so I think." With that information as the basis, Kitsune thought that perhaps Niko's house wasn't ruined because of tax, but for a completely different reason. The knights were looking for them with the guise of tax overdue, however if that was really the case, it should've been settled the moment they captured Niko's father. Nevertheless, the knights were even looking for the young girl named Niko. Just like that man who said working for a certain noble house. "Anything on your end?" Kitsune asked Leila and Trisha about any information they got. And then, before Trisha could say even a word, Leila suddenly leaned her body forward first. "Yes, we got properly some! Unexpectedly, seems like even the knights; who are looking for that kid; don't know they reason behind it. Some even said how embarrassing it was to look around for a single kid, or something.... So perhaps only that Orba guy and nobles close to him who know about it." "Hmm... which means, tax overdue becomes more and more unlikely the real reason, huh. Because, if it's only because of tax overdue, there shouldn't be any reason to hide it, after all." "Also, seems like this girl's father has been captured already, but seems like he's still alive. I even heard that he was tortured to spill where this child is." I see, Kitsune nodded in mutter. After pretty much confirming that her father was still alive, Niko's expression became slightly more cheerful. However, from Leila's words, if he was tortured in interrogation, Kitsune wondered whether he was really alright or not. Speaking of torture, it was usually in form of body torments, so in the worst case scenario, it wouldn't be strange even if he lost on or two limbs. As for why he was tortured in the first place, as expected it was to know where Niko was. Where did he hide her, or perhaps to whom he entrusted her with, if they put that into consideration, without a doubt they most likely had done some investigation about any house that had connection with Niko's house. "With this, it's almost for certain that Niko-chan's house was a noble house, huh...." "Kitsune-kun, Kitsune-kun." "Hmm, what is it?" "I've gathered the information, you know? Praise me, praise me." Toward Kitsune who was deep in thought, Leila said so excitedly; brimming with confidence at that; at him. She even slightly closed in her face toward his. Upon seeing that, he looked at Leila with astounded eyes. However, he also thought that it might be not too good to not give her any reward for gathering the information so, even while sighing, he extended his hand and caressed her head. "Okay okay, thank you, Leila-chan." "Ufufu, ufufufu." Making her white hair disheveled, it was quite a crude caressing, but nevertheless, Leila herself was brimming with satisfied and slovenly expression. As if a cat that was being hugged. And then, wanting him to do it more, Leila rubbed her head against the hand that was caressing it. Kitsune felt as though she was trying to leave marking on herself. And then, Trisha asked so while glancing at the happy looking Leila. Those words contained meaning to continue the discussion. Upon understanding that, Kitsune continued the thought that once stopped due to dealing with Leila. "Let's see... fortunately Niko-chan herself is with us. Moreover, we're adventurers, after all, so in their eyes, there won't be any problem to remove us using force... moreover they've already known my face, so even with us doing nothing, most likely they'll be the one coming at us with some sort of plan." "...yeah." "We'll somehow deal with it and turn the table on them when that happens. I think it'd be best if we could make them reat without killing any." While ignoring Leila who was hugging him like a spoiled child, Kitsune discussed so with Trisha. Even if they had gathered such information, it wasn't like they could do something themselves. Thus, waiting for the other side to come to them themselves was the best option here. If they managed to deal with the assassins who came, either it with force or negotiation, it would surely be conveyed to their superior. If that were to happened, sending another assassins with the same level as the first would be an idiotic move. It'd be a completely different story if Duke Orba were actually such idiotic guy who would do such a mistake, though. Most likely, it'd be either talented people close to Duke Orba, or some powerful mercenaries hired by him. The best possible outcome for Kitsune and co. was the person, Duke Orba, to come out himself, though. "And so, to deal with those first wave of assassins... we should level ourself up as much as we can first. Ever since I got my left eye back, I haven't perfectly grasp my current status, as well as the new skills I acquired, after all. Moreover, since I won't always be together with you or Leila-chan, there's a possibility that they'd attack me when I'm alone, so I think it won't be bad to improve my prowess a bit." "...I see, then what should we do? If you're going to do that, that means we're going to stay in this town for a while more, aren't we?" "Yeah, Rishe-chan, if possible I want you to take some quests from the guild in the time being. Seems like there's guild in this town as well, after all. However, seems like we can take quests just fine, but we can't sell raw materials there, though." After telling her his intention, Kitsune gave her some instruction as well. By taking quest there, they could raise the funds that'd be used at the next town even for a bit, or so he intended. "Hmm... you're right, got it." After receiving Trisha's assent, this time Kitsune turned to Leila. Before he noticed it, Leila who and was hugging him around his waist ever since, was closing her eyes with a very happy expression, as though she might fell asleep at any given moment. "As for you, Leila-chan, I want you to stay with Niko-chan." "I and Rishe-chan are going to train and taking quest for a while, so I want you to guard Niko-chan in the time being, Leila-chan. Can I ask you to do that?" "Umm... fine, but give me another lap pillow after you finish training, okay?" "...okay okay, you get it, you get it. Then, I'll leave Niko-chan to you." It felt as though after receiving that lap pillow back then, Leila became more and more clingy to him. Kitsune himself was aware that Leila held affection toward him, so he didn't stay idle about it, but since he still didn't know to what extent her affection was, he thought that perhaps he shouldn't just leave her be. Anyhow, there would come the day Leila understood that feeling. At that moment, he couldn't be sure whether they could stay as close as they were or not. "Well then, let's get going. We don't know when or where those assassins will come, we also don't know whether they'll really come or not, so let's just do everything as how we usually do without concerning ourselves with such matter too much." However, currently Niko was their main priority. Shifting gear, Kitsune said so.

つまり、良くも悪くもレベルの上げ方は様々であり、また上がる能力値も偏るのだ。 そんな中、全体的なステータスを向上させることが出来るレベルの上げ方がある。 それが、『戦闘によるレベル上げ』だ。 魔獣や魔族、人間等、あらゆる生物との命を賭けた戦いを経てレベルを上げた場合、その生物にとって適性の高い能力値を中心に、全体ステータスが大きく上昇する。時には筋力を、時には魔力を、時には耐性を、適性に沿ってだが、それでも全体ステータスが他のレベルの上げ方と比べて桁違いに上昇するのだ。 もっと言えば、レベルを上げる為に掛かる時間もぐっと短い。命を賭けるという高いリスクの代わりに、その分得られる経験値も高いのだ。 それが分かってからというもの、人間という種族は古来より、自分たちよりも強力で、強い種族である魔獣や魔族達に対抗するべく、必死にレベルを上げる為戦ってきた。 最初は集団で魔獣を倒し、レベルを上げ、策を弄する様になり、武器という概念を生み出し、そしてスキルや魔法といった新たな力に気が付いて、いつしか人間は魔獣達や魔族達と同等に戦える程の強さを手に入れた。 すると、強くなった人間達は生き延びるためにレベルを上げるのではなく、より強くなるためにレベルを上げるようになった。 生きようと必死でやってきた戦いには、自分を磨くことの楽しさを見出し、好んで戦うようにもなった。 そうして出来上がったのか今の世の中。冒険者という職も、騎士という職も、根源的には好戦的になった人間達の作りあげた『戦う為の職業』だ。 無論、戦わねば魔獣や魔族達に殺されてしまうという理由もあるが、強くなった故の余裕が人間達に戦う事を楽しいと思わせてしまったのだろう。 とはいえ、それは悪いことではない。戦い、己を磨くことに喜びを感じるのもいいだろう、誰かがそうすることで得する人間もいれば、迫りくる危機にも対処出来るのだから。 さておき、そういった強さをシンプルに表せるのが『レベル』という訳だ。才能や素質でステータスの上昇率は各々格差が出てしまうが、今ではレベルの数値はそっくりそのまま戦ってきた時間を示す。 ―――では、それが急に1へと戻ってしまった者はどうなるのか? ステータスはそのままに、レベルだけが1に戻ってしまった場合、その者は一体どうなってしまっているのか? 桔音は、それを考えていた。 「うーん......」 自分のステータスを閲覧しながら、桔音はレイラとリーシェを連れて舗装された道を歩いていた。 グランディール王国を飛び出して、近くにある次の街へと向かう最中だ。ルークスハイド王国へと向かう為にはそれなりの準備と足が必要だ。グランディール王国で準備を整えられなかった故に、次の街で色々と準備を整えようと考えているのだ。 名前:薙刀桔音 性別:男 Lv1 筋力:40 体力:1050 耐性:1420 敏捷:1000 魔力:950 『初心渡り』 ◇ レベル1となった今、このステータスが初期ステータスになるというのだろうかと考えているのだ。 桔音がこの世界にやってきた一番最初の初期ステータスは、耐性以外全て2桁という凄惨なものだった。 だが、レベルを上げたことで筋力は元の世界の4倍にも上昇し、他のステータスだって元の世界であれば人外認定をされそうな勢いにまで成長した。今のステータスならば弱い部類の魔獣を一人で倒す事も出来るだろう。 であれば、レベル1となってしまったこのステータス。筋力や魔力以外は4桁という、恐らく過去類を見ない最強のレベル1となってしまったであろうこの初期ステータス。最初の例を鑑みれば、筋力は今の4倍に成長する余地が生まれたということにならないだろうか? 確認するにはまず早々にレベルを上げる必要があるが、魔獣は周囲に見当たらない。舗装された道故に、魔獣もあまり近寄って来ないようだ。 「なにブツブツ言ってるの? きつね君」 「んー......まぁいいか。なんでもないよ、レイラちゃん......なんかこうしてのんびりとした時間を過ごすのは久しぶりな気がして」 「まぁレイラと会って、護衛依頼をこなして、勇者と戦って、謎の襲撃に遭った......かなり連続して色々と騒動に巻き込まれてたからな......確かにちょっと久しぶりの平和な時間な気がするな」 思い返せば腹立たしいこともあるけれど、少しばかり慌ただしい日々を送っていた故に、こうしてゆっくりと時間が流れて行くというのを感じるのが、かなり久々なように思えた桔音。 リーシェも、流れ行く雲や、肌を吹き抜ける風を感じる余裕などなかったように思えて、少し可笑しかった。 「ふーん......確かにそうかもね♪ きつね君と一緒だと退屈しないから良いんだけどねっ♡」 レイラはそう言って桔音に抱きつこうとして、出来なかった。少し焦った様にわたわたと手を振った後、また歩き出した。少しだけ肩を落としているのを怪訝に思う桔音だが、レイラが抱き付いて来ないなら来ないで自分にとって良いことだし、放っておこう、と考え視線を切った。 「うぅ......」 若干頬を赤く染めながら桔音の斜め半歩後ろを歩くレイラ。 まだ自分の心の変化に戸惑っているようで、会話程度なら通常通りに出来るのだが、触れ合おうとすると躊躇ってしまうようになっていた。今までの自分がどうやって桔音と触れ合っていたのか、今の彼女にとっては最大の謎である。 (私どうやってきつね君と触れ合ってたっけ? ちょっと前の私案外凄い子だったよ......) そんなことを思いながら、レイラは桔音の横顔を見る。左側から見ているからか、取り戻した赤い瞳が見えた。自分と同じ色の、赤い瞳。 (......そういえばきつね君の左眼って私の身体で出来てるんだよね......色もお揃いだし......な、なんかドキドキしてきた......ッッ......むずむずするぅ......!) くねくねと自分の身体を抱きしめながら身体を揺するレイラ。もう治っているが、自分のお腹の肉を使って作りあげた眼球が、今桔音の眼になっていると考えると、なんとなく込み上げてくるものがあった。嬉しいのか、それとも恥ずかしいのかは分からないが、じれったい様な感覚が彼女の心を掻き回していた。 「あ、そうだレイラちゃん」 「ひゃい!?」 「どうしたの?」 「な、なんでもないっ......なぁに?」 そんな心境で、桔音に話しかけられたことで、慌てた様な変な声を上げてしまった。首を傾げる桔音に、レイラは両手をぶんぶんと振ってなんでもないと誤魔化した。 「あ、うん。瘴気の使い方なんだけど......索敵と物質化以外で何かないかなーって思って」 「え? んーと......どうだろう? 私もまだ分かんないや、使える様になったのきつね君に会ってからだし......出来るかなーって思ったことをやってるだけだから」 「へぇ......そうなんだ」 瘴気を操って出来ること。そう問われて少し考えたが、結局レイラは何も思い付かなかった。 元々彼女が『瘴気操作』を会得したのは、桔音とギルド裏の訓練場で戦った時だ。欲求が満たされ、瘴気によって身体が完全に魔族と化したあの夜からなのだ。 彼女もこのスキルで出来る事をまだ全て把握している訳ではないのだ。故に、これから経験を積んでいかねばならないだろう。 「あ、でも感染出来るよ♡」 「はーい」 索敵、物質化、そして桔音以外の人間を『赤い夜』へと感染させ、変貌させることが出来るこの瘴気を操る力。 そして桔音は気付く、今はその力を自分も持っていることを。つまり、桔音もその気になれば『赤い夜』量産が可能ということだ。便利ではあるけれど恐ろしい力を手に入れてしまったと思った。とりあえずこの先物質化による武器化にしか使わないことにしようと心に決めた。 「きつね、まさかレイラの力を使える様になったのか?」 「うん、まぁレイラちゃんほど上手くは使えないけど」 「というか、それってどういう力なんだ? 魔法なのか? 見たことない力だが......」 「え?」 桔音の言葉に、リーシェは足を止めた。 「固有スキル......魔族?」 「......え?」 「あ......きつね君! もしかしてこの子私の正体知らないんじゃないの?」 固有スキルと魔族というワードに唖然としているらしく、桔音も首を傾げたが、レイラはその理由にすぐ気が付いた。そして、桔音に耳打ちでそれを伝える。 桔音も耳打ちされて初めて理解した。 ―――そういえばリーシェちゃんにレイラちゃんのこと言ってないや。 レイラ・ヴァーミリオン。桔音にとっては因縁の敵であり、Sランク魔族の『赤い夜』だった。しかし、リーシェにとっては今までずっと、Cランクの冒険者だったのだ。 「......どう説明したものかな」 桔音は頬を掻きながら、そう呟いた。

That meant, for better or worse, there were various way to rise one's level, and the increase of the status value would be greatly depending on it. And among all, there was a way to increase the whole status in a level up. That was, "Leveling up through battle". Magical beast, demon, and human, should one leveled up through battle against other living being; depending on one's aptitude; one's whole status values would greatly increase. Sometime it was the strength, sometime it was the magic power, sometime it was the resistance, depending on one's aptitude, this stat would increase way greater compared to the other stats. Also, it took only short amount of time to level up this way. In exchange of risking one's life, one would receive tremendous amount of experience points. Understanding that, from ancient times, human rose and desperately fought to level up so that they could face the threat of magical beasts and demons; who were more powerful than them. In the beginning they'd form a group to hunt magical beasts to rise their level, utilizing plans and tactics, manufacturing weapons, and then realizing new power such as skills and magics, before one knew, human had already acquired power enough to stand against magical beasts and demons. Thus, those human who had become powerful, they didn't keep on leveling up stay alive, but kept on leveling up to become stronger. When they were struggling to stay alive, they found honing one's self as something enjoyable, so they decided to keep on fighting. And so, the society turned the way right now. Either it adventurer or knight, fundamentally they were "Occupation to fight" that were founded by those who'd come to love to fight. Of course, there was a possibility that they might die when they fought against magical beasts or demons, but the composure that; came from how powerful they had become; gave them the chance to find battle as something enjoyable. Nonetheless, that wasn't something bad. It was okay to find honing one's self through battle as something fun, as long as there were capable people around, they'd be able to deal with any impending crisis, after all. Leaving that aside, the simple representation of one's self's power was through "Level". The extent of the rise of status values were variant depending on one's talent and aptitude, but those status values were the exact representation of one's capability when fighting. ...then, how about someone who suddenly returned to level 1? When one's status values stayed as it was, but the level returned to level 1, what happened to that person? Kitsune was, currently pondering about it. "Hmm...." While inspecting his own status, Kitsune was walking on a road together with Leila and Trisha. Leaving Grandile Kingdom, they were in the middle of going to the next town. They needed some preparations and also transportation to go to Rookshade Kingdom. They couldn't make any preparations at Grandile Kingdom, so they decided to prepare it at the next town. Name : Naginata Kitsune Gender : Male Lv. 1 Strength : 40 Stamina : 1050 Resistance : 1420 Agility : 1000 Magic Power : 950 Innate skill : {Demon eye of foresight} {Miasma Manipulation} {Re: Origin} * After returning to level 1, he was pondering whether the current status became his initial status or not. Kitsune's initial status when he first came to this world was, except for his resistance, everything else was ghastly only on two digits values. However, through leveling up he obtained strength four times he had in his former world, even his other status also had increased to the point he could be refered as superhuman in his former world. With his current status, perhaps he'd even be able to defeat small fry magical beasts by himself. However, this status had turned into his level 1 status. Aside from his strength and magic power, everything was on four digits value, perhaps this initial status was enough to make him the strongest level 1 ever. Compared to his former initial status, perhaps it could be said that his strength had been reborn with four times power? If he wanted to ascertain it, he needed to level up as soon as possible, but he couldn't see any magical beast around. They were walking on a paved road, so magical beasts rarely appeared there. "What are you mumbling about, Kitsune-kun?" "Mmm... well, whatever. It's nothing, Leila-chan... it's just, I'm just thinking it's been a while since the last time we had some leisure times like this." "Well, encountering Leila, participating in a guarding request, fighting the hero, and then that mysterious attack... we sure have been rolled up into such events one after another, huh... I also do feel it's been quite a while since we had such peaceful time like this." Having been experiencing many irritating moments and eventful time these past few day, to be able to easely feel the flowing time like this, Kitsune did think that it really had been quite a while. Even Trisha, thinking back that she had never have such times to watch the moving clouds or sensing the blowing wind to her skin, she found it a bit funny. "Hmm... perhaps you're right~, together with Kitsune-kun is fun because you won't ever get bored, after all." Saying so, Leila intended to hug Kitsune but, she couldn't. After slightly flusteredly waving her hands, she started walking again. Looking at Leila who slightly dropped her shoulders, Kitsune felt dubious, but she wasn't coming to hug him was something good for him, he decided to just leave her be and turned his gaze from her. "Uu...." With her face slightly red, Leila walked diagonally half-step behind Kitsune. Seemingly still bewildered with the change of her heart, she could still hold conversation with him as usual, but when it came to make a contact with him, she ended up hesitating. How did she touch Kitsune up until now? For the current her, that was her biggest mystery. 'How did I touch Kitsune-kun before, I wonder? The past me was unexpectedly quite an amazing girl, huh....' Thinking so, Leila took a glance at Kitsune's face. She was looking from his left side, so she could see his just got fixed red left eye. Red eye, similarly like hers. '...come to think of it, Kitsune-kun's left eye was made with my flesh, wasn't it? ... even the color is matching with mine... s, somehow it makes my heart throbbing faster... it's unbearable...!' Leila held and shook her swaying body. It had recovered, but thinking that Kitsune's left eye was made from the flesh of her own abdomen, she felt somewhat nauseated. She didn't know whether she was happy of shy, but her heart was stirred up by a revolving feeling. "Ah right, Leila-chan." "Hyai!?" "What's the matter?" "No, it's nothing... what is it?" Toward Kitsune who inclined his head, Leila brushed it off by waving her hands and told him that there was nothing wrong. "Ah, okay. Well, it's about way to manipulate the miasma... I'm just wondering is there any other use than using it so detect enemies or materializing it?" "Eh? Umm... is there, I wonder? I haven't fully understood it myself, here you even have been able to use it as well... I simply do anything that comes up to my mind, after all." "Hee... I see." A way to manipulate the miasma. Being asked so, Leila thought of it a bit, but in the end she couldn't come up with anything. In the first place, the first time she understood "Miasma Manipulation" was when she battled Kitsune at the guild's underground training ground. Having her desire been satisfied, that was the moment when her body completely turned into that of demon. So even she still hadn't perfectly grasped what this skill was capable of. That was why, there was no other way but to experience it first hand. "Ah, but we can infect other with it." "Ye~s." Detection, materialization, infecting other human into becoming "Red Night", and transformation, that was all the currently known use of this skill. And then, Kitsune realized, that currently he also possessed that very skill. That meant, it was possible for him to mass produce "Red Night" if he felt like it. He thought that he had obtained a convenient yet terrifying skill. He quietly decided that he'd only use it to make him some weapons. "Kitsune, could it be now you're able to use the same skill as Leila?" "Yup, well, I couldn't use it as good as Leila-chan, though." "Or rather, what kind of power is that? Is that a magic? I haven't seen anything like that...." "Eh?" Toward Kitsune's word, Trisha stopped her legs. Noticing that, Kitsune and Leila also stopped, and looked at her. Her eyes were wide open, and blinked two or three times. "Innate skill? ... demon?" "...eh?" "Ah... Kitsune-kun! Could it be she doesn't know who I am, yet?" Seeing that innate skill and demon words were news to Trisha, Kitsune also inclined his head in wonder, but Leila immediately realized the reason why. And then, she immediately whispered it to Kitsune. After hearing her whisper, he finally understood it. ...come to think of it, I haven't told Rishe-chan about Leila-chan, have I? Leila Vermillion, she was an S rank demon "Red Night" and was also Kitsune's fated enemy. "...how should I explain it, I wonder?" While scratching his cheek, Kitsune mumbled so.

桔音の怒り 「しおりちゃん......なんでここに......?」 いや、違う。この子はしおりちゃんじゃない。容姿はしおりちゃんそのものだけれど、どちらかと言えばフィニアちゃんをそのまま大きくしたような感じだ。 フィニアちゃんはしおりちゃんそっくりな顔をしているけれど、その実かなり違いがあったりする。 目の前にいるこの子はフィニアちゃんの顔で、しおりちゃんの様なロングヘアーだ。つまり確実に言える、彼女は篠崎しおりではないということを。 「君......誰?」 しおりちゃんの顔で、僕の前に姿を現すなんて、随分と舐めた真似をしてくれる。誰だろうが、何故こんなことをしているのかを問い詰めないといけないだろう。 すると、彼女は向日葵の様な笑顔を消して、今度は怪しく笑みを浮かべた。その笑みは絶対にしおりちゃんが浮かべそうにない笑顔。僕はそれを見て、眉を潜めた。気味が悪い。 きつね君、彼女は僕のことをそう呼んだ。この世界に来て、僕のことをそう呼ぶのは彼女ただ一人、 ―――レイラ・ヴァーミリオン 僕は距離をある程度取っていたのだけど、更に距離を取った。おぞましい気配が僕の背筋に悪寒を走らせる。なんだこの気配は、なんだこの存在は......! 今、僕の目の前にいるのは............なんだ......!? 「うふふ、うふ、うふふふ......ああ、もう駄目......やっぱり我慢出来ない......!」 ブツブツとつぶやきながら、彼女は自分の身体を抱き締めてくねくねと動く。しおりちゃんの顔でそんなことしないで欲しいんだけど。正直、そんな事を気にしている余裕はない。死体の山や轢殺された猫の死体を見せられるより、よっぽどおぞましく思えた。 すると、彼女の周囲に『真っ黒な瘴気』が立ち込めていく。これは、一度見たことがある。僕がこの世界で最も恐怖したあの怪物の......! でも、嘘だ、違う、そんな、馬鹿な、なんで......!! ―――なんで『赤い夜』が此処にいるんだよ! 「うふふふ、やぁっと本当の意味で会えたね♡ きつね君......♪」 彼女の髪が、白く染まっていく。そして瞳は煌々と輝く赤色に、口元には八重歯というよりも肉を噛み千切る為にある様な鋭い牙が現れる。紅潮した頬と熱い吐息、そして赤い瞳の中心にはなんだかハートマークが幻視出来、怪しい光を宿している。顔がしおりちゃんのものであるだけに、僕の胸の中をざわつかせる。 どす黒い感情が僕の中に渦巻いた。この感情が何か、僕は知っている。これは、怒りだ。人間の七つの大罪の一つ、憤怒の感情。 「今日の勝負で言われたことを考えたんだぁ......なんであんなことを言って来たのかなぁって! でね、私の顔よりもあの虫の顔の方が好きだったんだって思ったの! だから変えたよ、私の顔を、あの虫の顔に! これで私を好きになってくれるでしょ? だって私は貴方が好きだもん!」 また、虫と言った。フィニアちゃんを虫と言った。僕の中の怒りが、更に大きく膨れ上がる。この怪物に対する恐怖は、もう僕の中には残っていない。 「それにきつね君と一緒にいた汚い犬と雌豚も、きつね君が一緒にいるような子達じゃないよ! 全然美味しそうじゃないし、全然心がときめかない! やっぱりきつね君は私を好きになるべきなんだよ! ね? 分かるでしょ? 貴方のことが好きなのは私だよ? 貴方のことは眼球の味まで知ってる、私以上に貴方のことを知ってる人がいると思う?」 目の前の怪物が、何か言っている。でも、僕の中にある怒りがそれをノイズとして掻き消した。 もう良い。 何を言っていようが関係ない。こいつは殺す、殺さないと駄目だ、僕の精神衛生上―――有害でしかない!! この女は敵だ。しおりちゃんの顔をしていようと、彼女を侮辱する行為は僕が許さない。それに、ルルちゃんを汚い犬? リーシェちゃんを雌豚? 何処まで僕の怒りを買えば気が済むんだお前は? ぺらぺらと見当違いなことを言うその口、開くなよ。 「黙れ......!!」 自然と、怒りに反して薄ら笑いが浮かぶ。『不気味体質』が、発動した。 目の前の彼女の眼が、驚愕に見開かれ、そしていやらしくにやぁっと笑う。しおりちゃんの顔で、そんな顔を作るな。不愉快でしかない......今すぐその顔を止めろ......!! 「心苦しいけれど―――僕は君を殺すよ」 薄ら笑いを浮かべ、彼女に指を指してそう言った。格下とか、格上とか、そんなの関係無い。どれほど僕と彼女の間に断崖絶壁の様な格差があったとしても、僕は彼女を許さない。 あの不愉快な笑顔が消えるまで、この拳が壊れようとも、殴り続ける。例え僕が死んでも、この女だけは許しちゃいけない。 「あはっ☆ きつね君も私の味を知りたくなったんだ? いいよいいよ、教えてあげる♡ その代わり、きつね君の身体を私に頂戴? いいよね? だって私は貴方が好きなんだから、良いよね? 良いでしょ? 美味しくてあまーい快感を、私にちょーだい♪」 知るか、この色情魔。前にも言ったよね。 「発情するなら余所でやれ」 ◇ ◇ ◇ 桔音とレイラの戦いは、通算で三度目。過去二回の対決において、薙刀桔音は彼女に敗北している。それも、どちらも彼女の気まぐれ次第で命を落としていた形で。 差は歴然。なのになぜ桔音という少年はレイラ、言ってしまえばAランク魔族と評される怪物に向かっていくのか? それは単純明快、薙刀桔音は篠崎しおりを唯一無二の親友だと考えているからだ。 だから、最も大事で、最も失いたくなくて、最も侮辱されたくない存在。 事実、自分の命を賭けてまで―――護ろうとした存在だ。 故に、レイラが彼女の顔を偽り、自分の前に現れ、尚且つ自分の為に彼女の顔を利用したということが許せなかった。加えて、フィニアを虫と呼ばれたこと、ルルを汚い犬と呼ばれたこと、リーシェを雌豚と呼ばれたこと、全てが彼の逆鱗に触れた。 フィニアはこの世界で唯一最初から桔音を護ってきた最も信頼しているパートナーで、ルルは小汚い檻の中から引っ張り上げた、けれど確かに家族としての絆を持った少女で、リーシェは自分の命を救ってくれて、尚且つ今は自分の仲間として頼れる存在だ。それを、纏めて侮辱された。 桔音が怒りを覚えない、筈がない。 だから向かっていく。何度も何度も、その拳を振りかぶり、怪物へと叩きこむ。その胸に宿った怒りを、発散するように。 「ごっ......がふっ......!」 「アハッ☆」 だが、現実は非情だ。桔音の拳は一切届かない。逆に、桔音の身体には何発もの攻撃が入っていた。レイラは腰に下げたナイフを抜かず、昼間と同じように拳で桔音の相手をしていた。だが、その速度は昼間以上、最早桔音が躱したりガード出来るような攻撃では無い。 現に、桔音の身体はボロボロだった。痛みはない、しかしその身体は既に満身創痍だ、彼女の一撃一撃が、既に致命傷になり得る攻撃なのだから。 この場で桔音が立っていられるのは、痛みがないことと、高い防御力のおかげだった。『不気味体質』によって彼女の心に強制的に植え付けられた恐怖が、殴ろうとする彼女の拳の速度を緩め、そして高い防御力がその威力を更に半減させているのだ。 「どぉしたのー? きつね君、もう限界?」 痛みがないのに、足は命令を聞いてくれない。足を払われて、桔音は簡単に地面に倒れた。そして払った本人であるレイラは、倒れた桔音の前に座り、ニコニコと笑ってそう言ってくる。白い髪を揺らし、赤い瞳が爛々と輝き、篠崎しおりの顔で笑う。 満身創痍な桔音ではあるが、内心に燃え盛る怒りは、更に猛り狂う。腕を立て、力を込めて身体を浮かす。立ち上がるべく膝を立てたが、 その背中をレイラが踏みつけた。ぐしゃっと桔音の身体が地面に踏みつぶされる。腕に力を入れても、背中を踏みつける足が身体を抑えて立ち上がるのを許さない。 「ほらほら、全然力入れてないよ? 足を乗せてるだけだよ?」 確かに、彼女の足から乗せられる力は微量だ。全快時の桔音なら普通に立ち上がることが可能だっただろう。 だが、今の桔音にとっては背に乗る足の重さだけで、動きを封じられてしまう。痛みはないのに、身体が悲鳴をあげているのだ。 「ぐっ......ぅぐぁあああ!!」 でも、桔音は立ち上がる。腕に渾身の力を込めて、怒りをエネルギーに変換し、歯を食いしばって、立ち上がるだけに全ての力を使う。レイラの足を跳ねのけ、ふらふらになりながらも、立った。 足ががくがくと震えているのを、叩いて止める。『不気味体質』がまだ発動しているということは、桔音の精神はまだ折れていないということだ。 「あははっ! 立った立った、凄い! 凄いよきつね君! やっぱり貴方は凄い!」 敵が立ったというのに、嬉しそうにはしゃぐレイラを見ると、きつねの心に更なる怒りが込み上げてくる。 自然と、薄ら笑いが浮かんだ。こんなに痛めつけられておいて、まだ笑える。 桔音は自分を奮い立たせ、そして不敵な笑みを浮かべたまま正面を見据える。はしゃぐ怪物は、そんな桔音を見て更に不愉快な笑みを浮かべる。 「それで、どうするの? ここから何かするの?」 「......ああ、そうだね......とりあえず、その不愉快な顔を殴る......!」 「ふーん......じゃあ良いよ! 大好きなきつね君の為に、殴られてあげる! ほら!」 すると、彼女は顔面を殴りやすいように桔音に突き出してきた。桔音も、その行動には少し意表を衝かれた顔を浮かべたが、だがやらせてくれるのなら是非も無い。 元より余裕のない身なんだ、桔音は拳を握り、ふらふらと振りかぶる。 「うふっ、きつね君に殴って貰える......うふふ......!」 レイラが何か言っているが、桔音は構わず拳に力を込めて、今にも倒れそうな身体を支えた。 「っああ ゙......! はぁ......はぁ......! っあ、あああああああああ ゙あ ゙!!」 振りかぶった拳を、振り抜いた。 だが、桔音は振り抜いた瞬間に悟った。この拳は、砕けると。 ブチブチと、腕の筋が切れる音がした。ゴキゴキと、何かが砕ける音がした。神経が擦り切れ、血管が破裂する。そして、拳がレイラの頬に当たった瞬間、拳が砕け、その瞬間右腕が終わった。 桔音の血を頬に塗った程度で、なんのダメージも無いレイラ。右腕は、だらんと力なくぶら下がるだけの、肉塊になった。 大してレイラはぺろりと頬についた桔音の血を舐めて、恍惚の笑みを浮かべる。ぞくぞくと身体に走る快感に酔いしれているようだった。 「な......」 「うふ、うふふふ......きつね君、私を傷付けないようにしてくれたんだ? あはっ、嬉しいな、嬉しいな、ぞくぞくしちゃう......!」 桔音は右腕の感覚が全くないことを理解し、眉を潜める。だが、それでもまだ諦めない。右が終わったのなら、左を使えばいい。 だが、今度は振りかぶることすら出来ず、左腕も落ちた。両腕の重みがダイレクトに身体の負荷になり、上半身が前屈みになる。だが、倒れないように足に力を入れて、桔音は倒れない。 「あれあれ? きつね君限界? 両腕が上がらないの? 可哀想に......」 「っ......!」 桔音の腕がだらんとぶら下がる様子を見て、レイラは近づいてきた。攻撃されるとも思っていない。やられるとも思っていない。そもそも、敵とすら思われていない。桔音はそれを理解し、歯噛みする。 そして、桔音の目の前までやってきたレイラは、桔音の両手を持ち上げた。そして、血塗れの腕をさながらアイスを舐めるかのように舐め始めた。 「止めろ......!」 「美味しい、美味しいよぉ♡ ......あはぁ、脳味噌までとろけそう......!!」 両腕の感覚がないとはいえ、自分の身体が敵に舐めまわされているというのは屈辱だった。しかも、篠崎しおりの顔が惚けた表情でそうしているのだ、彼女を知っている桔音からすれば、すぐに止めて欲しかった。しおりがそうしている姿が、耐えられない。 「あん♪」 桔音は足を動かし、レイラから離れることで腕を放させる。唾液塗れの腕は感覚がないから良いが、それでも目の前の敵が今の桔音にとって天敵であることは、自明の理。 薄ら笑いを潜め、苦々しい表情になる桔音。足の震えが更に大きくなってくる。立っていられるのも、もう長くないだろう。 「きつね君、もう立ってるのも限界でしょ? うふふ、倒れたら私の勝ちだね......そうしたら、今度はちゃんと愛して愛して愛して愛して愛しまくって食べてあげる♡ 指先からぜーんぶ私のモノだからね?」 だが、倒れたら死ぬ。どうすればいい、どうすれば生きられる。どうすれば眼の前の敵に一発入れられる。桔音は思考する、考えて考えて、必死に打開策を練る。 レイラは桔音が倒れるのを待っている。手を出すでもなく、ただただ、待っている。じわじわと、自分で敗北を認めさせるように、なぶり殺しにしている。 ―――だからこそ付け入る隙がある......! 桔音は振るえる足を抑えて、まだ生きる意思を失ってはいなかった。

Kitsune's rage. "Shiori-chan... why are you here...?" No. That girl isn't Shiori-chan. She indeed has the exact appearance of Shiori-chan but if I should say it, it feels like she's a bigger version of Finia-chan. Finia-chan indeed had a similar appearance as Shiori-chan, but in fact there were also some differences at them. First, their eyes color were different. Shiori-chan had clear blue eyes where Finia-chan had flaxen eyes. Also, Shiori-chan's long black hair was let loose as it is, where Finia-chan's hair was tied into two. The girl before me has Finia-chan's face with Shiori-chan's hair style. That means, I can clearly say that she isn't Shinozaki Shiori. "You... who are you?" To dare showing herself before me with Shiori-chan's appearance, what a cocky fellow. Just who the hell is she? I can't not ask her why she did such a thing, don't I? And then, erasing her sunflower-like smile, this time she floats an ominous smile. That smile is something that Shiori-chan won't ever float at her face. Seeing that, my eyebrows lowered. She gives me creeps. Kitsune-kun, she called me so. Ever since I came to this world, the one who would call me so was none other than her. --Leila Vermilion. I'm at a bit distance from her, but I take some distances more. Her eerie presence give me chills run through my spine. What's up with this presence, what's up with this existence...! Right now, the one before me... what's it...?! "Ufufu, ufufufu... aah, no good.... As I thought, I can't hold it anymore....!" Muttering so, she hugs her own body and wriggling. I want her to don't do such a thing with Shiori-chan's face, though. To be honest, I have no time to worrying about such a thing. Rather than seeing a mountain of corpses or a cat killed by accident, I think she's way more eerie. And then, there're 'black miasma' spreading around her. That thing, I've seen it once. That is, similar like at the time I met the most fearsome existence ,for me, at this world....! But, no way, you're joking, right? that's, impossible, why....!! --why is "Red Night" here! "Ufufufu, we finally meet again in the truest meaning, don't we... Kitsune-kun?" Her hair color is, changed and dyed in white. And then her eyes are brightly shining red, and then at her mouth, rather than high canine, the one there are seemingly very sharp fangs that are usually used to tears off meat. With blushing cheeks and hot breath, and somehow I feel like I can somehow see heart marks at the center of her eyes that exude an ominous light. A Dark emotion is swirling inside me. This emotion, I somehow remember it. This is, wrath. One of the seven deadly sins, the emotion of anger. "I've been pondering about what you said after our duel today, you see... like, why did you say such a thing?! And then, I thought perhaps you prefer that bug's face rather than mine! That's why I changed it, my face, into that bug's face! With this you would fall in love with me, don't you? Because I really love you, after all!" Again, she says bug. She calls Finia-chan as bug. The anger inside me is, blazing stronger. My fear toward this monster is, it has totally disappeared from me. "Moreover those filthy dog and pig that together with you, they weren't suitable to be together with you! They didn't look tasty at all, they didn't throb my heart at all! As I thought, you're supposed to fall in love with me! Right? You understand it, don't you? The one that really love you ,Kitsune-kun, is none other than me, you know?! I even know the taste of your eyeball, do you think there's someone who know you more than me?" The monster before me is, blabbering about something. But, the anger inside me has erased it like some kind of noise. Enough. I don't care about what it would blabber again. I'll kill it, I'll absolutely kill it. Inside my mind-- there's nothing but anger!! This woman is my enemy. Not just using Shiori-chan's face, I can't forgive her for insulting them. "Shut up...!!" Without I notice it, contrary to my anger, I float a faint smile at my face. The "Eerie Constitution" is, activated. The eyes of the girl before me are, opened wide in surprise, and then she lasciviously smiles. With Shiori-chan's face, don't make such a face. It disgusts me... I'll stop that face of yours immediately.....!! "It's hard for me, but.... I'll kill you." Floating a faint smile, I say so while pointing my finger at her. Low ranker? High ranker? I don't care about such a thing. No matter how distant apart our prowess are, I won't forgive her. Till that disgusting smile vanish, even if my fist broken, I'll keep attacking her. Even if I die, I won't ever forgive this woman. "Ahaha, Kitsune-kun want to know my taste? It's okay, I'll let you taste me, in exchange, please give me your body? It's fine, right? Because I really love you, after all, so it's okay right? There's no problem, right? That sweeeet taste of yours, give it to me." Like hell I'll give my body to her, this lustful demon. I've said it before, didn't I? "If you want to vent up your lust then do it out there." * * * That was, the third battle for Kitsune against Leila. At the first two battles, Naginata Kitsune lost against her. Moreover, at both of those battles he might lost his life depending on her whim. Their differences were too evident. However, why Kitsune lad would fight Leila, who could be said as a monster that was classified as an A rank magical beast, again? The answer was simple and clear, that was because Naginata Kitsune was only thinking about his one and only close friend, Shinozaki Shiori. She was the most important existence for him, the existence that he didn't want to ever lost and the existence that he won't ever let anyone to insult at. A proofed fact, she was the existence that he would absolutely protects-- even by putting his own life on the line. Moreover, Leila changed her face into hers, then she appeared before him, and she even used that face for his sake, he couldn't forgive her for those acts. Moreover, for calling Finia as bug, calling Lulu as filthy dog, for calling Rishe as pig, all of it were roused his anger more. Finia was his most trusted partner that always protected him ever since he came to this world, Lulu was indeed pulled out from a filthy cage, but she was a girl that was referred by him as his family, Rishe was his benefactor, moreover right now she was one of his comrades. Kitsune couldn't hold his anger, there was no way he could. That was why he fought her. Over and over again, brandishing his fists, he attacked the monster. As if to letting out the anger inside his heart. "Uoo... guh....!" "Ahaha" However, reality was a cruel one. None of Kitsune's fists reached her. On the other hand, there were, god only know, how much attack landed at Kitsune's body. Without using the knife at her back, Leila played with Kitsune bare handedly similarly like at their duel at daytime before. However, her speed was faster than at daytime, her attacks weren't something that could be dodged by Kitsune anymore. Right now, Kitsune's body was tattered. He didn't feel any pain, but there were wounds all around his whole body, because each of her attacks was an attack that would inflicts a lethal injury, after all. The reason why Kitsune was still able to stand up there was solely because he couldn't feel any pain and his high resistance. The fear that was forcefully planted inside her mind by "Eerie Constitution" was, lessening the speed of her attack, moreover his high resistance halved the power of her attack. "What's up~? Kitsune-kun, at your limit already?" He couldn't feel any pain, but his legs won't listened to what he ordered it to. Getting his legs kicked aside, Kitsune easily fallen to the ground. And then, the culprit that kicked his feet, Leila, squatted before the fallen Kitsune, grinning and said so. Kitsune had wounds at all around his whole body, but the blaze of anger inside his heart was, raging powerfully. Raising his arm, he put strength into it to elevate his own body. And then he raised his kneel to stand up, but... Leila treaded him on his back. And then Kitsune's body was trampled down and fallen to the ground. He put strength into his arms, but the leg above his back won't let him to stand up. "Come on, I'm not pushing it at all, you know? I only put one of my leg above you, you know?" Indeed, she almost put no strength at her leg. At his best condition he should be able to easily stand up. However, with just the weight of her leg above him, the current Kitsune couldn't even move an inch. He didn't feel any pain, but his body was screaming. "Hu... uguhaaaa!!" However, Kitsune stood up. Putting all his might into his arms, conversing his anger into power, gritting his teeth, he used up all of his strength just to stand up. Brushing of Leila's leg, even by staggering, he stood up. Even if his legs were shaking, he hit it to stop the shake. Because "Eerie Constitution" was still activated, that meant Kitsune's mind hadn't collapsed. "Ahaha! You stand up again, amazing! You're amazing, Kitsune-kun! As I thought you're amazing!" Even though her opponent just stood up, looking at Leila who was so delighted by that, the anger inside Kitsune was raging more violently. Without he noticed it, he floated a faint smile. Even after receiving that much attacks, he was still smiling. Kitsune cheered up himself, and then gazed forward while still floating a daring smile. The delighted monster was, looking at such Kitsune she floated a more eerie smile. "And then, what are you going to do? Are you going to do something?" "...ah, let's see... for now, I'll just hit that disgusting face of yours...." "Hmm... then, fine by me! For the sake of my beloved Kitsune-kun, I'll let you hit me! Here!" And then, she stuck out her face so that it would be easier for Kitsune to hit it. Kitsune too, he floated a surprised expression for an instant at her act, but if she expressly let herself to got hit by him then there was no reason to held back. To begin with, he already had no spare energy anymore, Kitsune clenched his fist, and unsteadily brandished it. "Ufufu, I'll get a hit form Kitsune-kun... Ufufu....!" Leila said something but, Kitsune didn't pay any mind into it and solely focused into putting his strength into his fist. "Aaa....! Haa.... Haa.....! Aa, aaaaaaaa!!" He swung his brandished fist. However, at the time he swung it he noticed something. That his fist, would broken. *buchi buchi*, there were sounds where the muscle of his arm snapped. *Goki goki*, there were a sound as if there was something broken. His nerves were worn out, his veins were rupturing. And then, at the moment his fist landed at Leila's face, his fist broken, at that very moment his right arm was over. With just having Kitsune's blood plastered at her face, Leila received no damage. His right arm, became nothing but just a loosely and feebly swayed lump of meat. On the contrary, Leila licked his blood at her own cheek, and the she floated an ecstasy expression. As if she was intoxicated by the pleasure that was spreading through her whole body. "Wha...." "Ufufu, ufufufu... Kitsune-kun, you hit me while making sure that it won't hurt me, right? Ahaha, I'm very happy, I'm really happy, you know, it even makes me shiver...!" Understanding that he was completely unable to feel the sensation of his right arm, Kitsune covered his eyebrows. However, he was still not gave up. If his right arm was impossible then he just need to use his left arm. However, right now, without he could even brandished it, his left arm also fallen. The weight from both of his arms became a direct burden for his body and made his upper body slouched forward. However, he put strength into his legs so that he won't collapsed, Kitsune didn't collapsed. "Hmm? Kitsune-kun, at your limit already? You can't move both of your arms? So pitiful..." "....!" Looking at Kitsune's arms that loosely swayed, Leila came approaching him. She had no intention to attack him. She had no intention to kill him. To begin with, she didn't consider him as an enemy. Understand that, Kitsune grinded his teeth. And then, Leila who came till before Kitsune, she raised both of Kitsune's arms. And then, she started licking his blood stained arms as if licking an ice cream. "Stop it....!" "So tasty, it's so tasty ....ahaha, I feel like my mind is melting...!!" Even if he couldn't feel the sensation from both of his arms, but having his body got licked by his enemy was a great humiliation for him. Moreover, she did that with Shinozaki Shiori's face, for Kitsune, who knew what kind of person she was, he wanted to stop it immediately. Looking at Shiori's appearance doing such a thing, it was unbearable for him. "Ahn." Kitsune moved her legs, took a distance from Leila and got his arms released. It was a relief that he couldn't feel that sensation of his saliva covered arms, but the fact the enemy before him was already became his natural enemy was, it became his self-evident truth. Concealing his faint smile, Kitsune floated a disgusted expression. His legs were shaking violently. To just stood up, perhaps he couldn't endured it anytime longer. "Kitsune-kun, you're almost unable to even stand up, don't you? Ufufu, if you collapsed then it would be my win, right? ... don't worry, this time I'll eat you with full of love, from your finger tip till your whole body, everything are mine, aren't it?" However, if he collapsed here then he would die. What should he do? What should he do to survive here? What should he do to bring down the enemy before him with one shot? Kitsune was pondering, thinking and thinking, he desperately thought about a plan to overcome this situation. Leila was waiting for Kitsune to collapse. --that's why it would become a great chance.....! Kitsune pinned his shaking legs, and his thought about dying there was, disappeared.

強くなるということは ニコちゃんのお父さんに、僕の考えている今後の事を伝えると、娘と一緒に居られるのならと快く承諾してくれた。そうでなくとも、自分の事を助けてくれた恩人の決めた事なら文句はないとのこと。 なんだか、この世界で久しぶりに普通な人に会った気がする。今まで出会った良い大人って、ミニエラで会った宿のエイラさんくらいじゃない? あの人は良い人だったよね、ルルちゃんにも優しくしてくれたし、服もくれたし、気前の良いおばさんって感じの、人当たりの良い人だった。 ああそれと、ニコちゃんのお父さんの名前がようやく分かった。ヒグルドさんっていうらしい、爵位を聞いてみた所、元伯爵だった。上からも下からも三番目の地位、正直微妙だった。でも、皆が聞き覚えがある爵位では第一位だと思う。まぁ個人的にそう思っただけだけど。 で、ジャック君だけど、彼は僕の言葉に感銘を受けたらしく、尊敬の眼差しで僕の事を見てくる。新人特有の、世間の汚さを知らないキラキラした視線がうざい。だから言ったんだよ、どうなっても知らないからねって。凄く面倒臭いことになっちゃったじゃん。 それで、とてもだるいことに、僕に付いて行きたいらしい。僕はHランク冒険者だっていうのに、Fランクの分際で僕に付いて来たいとか、ふざけてるよね。あれ? 逆だったっけ? まぁどっちでもいいけど。 「君と僕じゃパーティを組んでも意味がない上に、相性が悪い。それに、僕に付いてくるって事は、少なくとも魔王級の化け物達と戦うことになるんだ......はっきり言おうか、足手纏いだ」 「............っ!?」 だから、僕はジャック君の要望を却下。僕の言ったことは、紛れもなく僕の本音だ。 最低でも、この先あの勇者気取りとは敵対するだろうし、異世界人を殺すと言っていた使徒ちゃんも、いずれは僕に辿り着く。そうなれば、あの子とそのバックにある組織が僕を殺しにくる。もっと言えば、勇者と戦って勝ったとして、魔王に眼を付けられる可能性も無きにしも非ずだ。 僕の進む先には、怪物が多過ぎる。ただの冒険者であるジャック君には、かなり荷が重過ぎる。 だからこそ、素で強いレイラちゃんやフィニアちゃん、伸び代のあるルルちゃん、そして可能性が未知数のリーシェちゃんをパーティにしているんだ。僕も耐性で言えば勇者と同等にまで成長したし、新人の彼は幾らなんでもスタートが遅すぎる。 「君は君で信頼出来る仲間を探すんだ」 「......でも、俺はきつねさんのこと......すげぇでっけぇって思ったんす......俺も、きつねさんみたいになりたいって......!」 「僕なんかに憧れちゃ駄目だよ......言っておくけど、僕はHランクの冒険者で、全力で戦った所で他のどんな冒険者にだって勝つ事は出来ない。多分、君と戦っても勝つ事は出来ない」 なんたって、僕の攻撃力は冒険者の中でも最弱だからね。耐性で言えばAランククラスだから、負ける事もないだろうけれど、勝つ事も出来ない。 だから、僕に憧れるのは間違っている。冒険者として、失敗だ。 「僕の事を大きい人だと思ってくれるのは嬉しいけれど、僕は君を連れていけない。君がなんと言おうと、駄目だ、勝手に付いてくるのも駄目だ」 「......そう、すか......分かりました......でも、簡単には諦められないっす」 「......へぇ」 「だから、俺がこの先ずっと強くなって、きつねさんの仲間として認めてくれるくらい強くなったその時は......俺を仲間にしてくれますか?」 諦めの悪い子だなぁジャック君。でも、そういうところは嫌いじゃない。僕としては、正義感溢れる勇者みたいな天才チート野郎と違って、こういう凡人が泥だらけになりながら、格好悪く努力でのし上がって来るような奴の方が、断然好ましい。 まぁ努力に勝る才能なしとも言うし、それくらいなら認めても良いかな。まぁ、才能以上の努力なんて、結局は才能無くしてはあり得ないんだけどね。 「じゃそれで、精々頑張ると良いよ。のんびりしてたら置いてくからね」 「ッ! は、はい!」 よし、とりあえずジャック君には今後会わない様にしよう。仲間だ努力だ言ったけれど、結局面倒だし、昨日の大泣きされて精神的に疲れたことは忘れてないからね。見かけたら見なかったふりして逃げよう。強くなったかどうかなんて、遠目でも『ステータス鑑定』で見れるし。 「それじゃ、ジャック君。頑張ってね」 「はい......きつねさん、ありがとうございました」 話も着いた所で、ジャック君退室。頭を下げる彼に、僕はひらひらと手を振って見送った。 そして、入れ替わるようにレイラちゃんとリーシェちゃんが入ってきた。荷物も持っている様だし、どうやら出発の準備は整っているらしい。 「じゃ、そろそろ出発しようか。ニコちゃんはまだ寝てるけど......ヒグルドさんが抱っこして運べば良いでしょ」 「レイラちゃん、リーシェちゃん、人数が増えたから食料を補充して、馬車を取りに行くよ。早々にこんな街からおさらばしよう」 「ああ、分かった」 僕の指示に皆が頷いた所で、ようやくこの街を去ることが出来る。元々はちょっと立ち寄って、すぐに出る予定だったんだけどなぁ。随分と時間を喰ったものだ。 でもまぁ、得るものも多かったってことで、再出発には大分良い感じの空気だと思う。 そして、僕達はこの街を発つ為に、宿を出た。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 一方その頃。勇者達もまた、各々で朝を迎えていた。 現在勇者一行の中で起きているのは、勇者とジークだ。彼らは出発してから毎朝、試合形式で朝の訓練をしている。基礎は十分備わっている勇者としては、実戦経験を積まなければならない以上、殺意を持って相手をしてくれるジークとの朝練は、かなりの経験値になっていた。 そのおかげもあって、鍛えられた高い基礎能力と、実践形式で積まれた柔軟な思考とが合わさって、勇者凪は、数日ながらに凄まじい成長を遂げていた。 視線だけではなく、感覚と気配で相手の動きを感じ取り、一手先二手先を読む。時には牽制とフェイクを交えて、自身の本命の一撃を隠す事を覚えた。 勿論、基礎ステータスも大幅に向上し、魔獣との戦闘も難なくこなせるようになっており、魔王や魔族についての知識も、巫女のセシルから学んでいる。 「はぁ......はぁ......!」 「っ......ふぅ......大分、お前さんも強くなったなぁ......そろそろ俺もやべぇかもな」 「っははは......いやいや、まだまだ敵いそうにない......っよ!」 大の字になって倒れていた凪は、ジークの言葉にそう言い返して、上体を起こした。汗を拭って、剣を鞘に納める。乱れた呼吸を整えながら、悔し半分尊敬半分の苦笑を漏らした。 そして呼吸が整った所で、凪は視線をジークから別の方へと移した。 「次、行くよ!」 「はい!」 そこには、自分たちよりも早く起きて訓練を始めていた、ルルとフィニアがいる。どれほど長い間訓練していたのか分からないが、ルルは汗だくで、動くたびに珠の様な汗が地面に落ちている。獣人故なのか、体力が多いようで、凪達が起きて来てからずっと動きっぱなしだ。 フィニアの魔法を躱し、光魔法で作られた魔力玉を剣で斬るという訓練だ。フィニアは攻撃に、相手を吹っ飛ばす光の下級魔法を使用しており、ルルが斬る的は、光るだけの魔力玉、攻撃力は一切ない。 だが、攻撃の光魔法と的の光魔法は、見た目では見分けが付かない。しかも数が多い上に、攻撃の速度も速い。一瞬で的か攻撃かを判断し、正確に的だけを斬る眼が必要になる。 だが、ルルは地面を蹴り続ける。迫りくる光弾を一瞬で判断、躱し、斬り、そして体力の続く限りそれを繰り返す。その動きは、勇者である凪から見ても、ジークから見ても、華麗で、凄まじい気迫を感じた。 しかも、恐ろしいのはその伸び代が見えないところだ。剣を振るう度に、無駄が消え、洗練されていくような感覚を覚える。 おそらく、凪と一騎打ちで勝負すれば凪が勝つだろうが、それでもかなり互角の勝負を繰り広げるだろう。それほどまでに、彼女の強くなりたいという想いの強さと、溢れる才能は凄まじい。 「......凄いなあの子......」 「ああ、ありゃお前さんとは違う意味で、天才だろうな......だが、ちょいと無茶し過ぎな気もする......身体壊さねぇと良いんだが」 「......そうだな」 それからセシルとシルフィが起きてくるまでの一時間、ルルとフィニアの特訓は続いた。 そして、現在の彼らのステータスはこうだ。 名前:芹沢凪 性別:男 Lv72(↑12UP) 筋力:12030 体力:13400 耐性:310:STOP! 敏捷:13800 魔力:6780 【称号】 『魔力操作Lv3』 『天賦の才』 名前:ルル・ソレイユ 性別:女 Lv47(↑34UP) 筋力:6890 体力:10340 耐性:100:STOP! 敏捷:7950 魔力:5670 名前:フィニア 性別:女 Lv57(↑30UP) 筋力:5640 体力:7890 耐性:300:STOP! 敏捷:8020 魔力:19800 彼らは、そして彼女らは、桔音の予想以上のスピードで強くなっていた。 今や、あのルルでさえ勇者に匹敵する実力を手にしている。現在はそれほどステータスは伸びず、レベルもそう上がらなくなってきているが、それでもステータスに限界は来ていない。もっと、もっと強くなりたいという想いだけで、彼女達はここまでのし上がってきたのだ。 フィニアも、ルルも、強くなっている。それこそ、二人で組めば下級魔族ぐらい容易に打倒する事が出来る。 「大丈夫? ルルちゃん」 「はっ......! はぁっ......! だ......大丈夫、です......!」 疲労したルルを、フィニアは心配する。魔力回復のスキルが高いフィニアは、魔法を使い続けても、ある程度時間が経てば回復する。それほど動いてはいない故に、体力はそう消費していない。動きっぱなしのルルよりは、それほど疲労していないのだ。 「あまり無理しちゃ駄目だよ......きつねさんが心配するよ?」 「っ......はい......でも、もっと強くならないと......きつね様に、もう......あんな顔させたくないんです......!」 「......ルルちゃん、今のルルちゃんを見たら、それこそきつねさんは悲しい顔をすると思うよ?」 「......すいません、ちょっと顔を洗ってきます......」 だが、ルルは少しだけ変わった。自分に、勇者に付いていけと言ったあの時の桔音の顔が忘れられなくて、それを振り払うように、ひたすらに力を求めるようになった。フィニアも、ルルが倒れない様に訓練も多少手を抜いているが、それでもフィニアの見ていない所で一人、自主練をしているようでもあった。 今のルルは、フィニアから見ても......少し危うかった。

The Meaning of Being Strong When I shared my thought about out future plan to Nico-chan's father, he readily agreed, as long as he could be with his daughter. Even if he didn't, he had no objection about the decision made by the benefactor who saved him. Somehow, I feel like I've met a normal person for the first time in a long time in this world. I think the only good adult I've ever met is Eira-san from the inn at Miniera, right? She sure was a nice person, she was nice to Lulu-chan, she gave us her clothes, she was a truly sociable and generous auntie. Oh, and I've finally found out Nico-chan's father's name. His name seems to be Higurd-san, and from what I heard, he's a former count. This peerage is ranked third both from the top and the bottom, honestly speaking, that's quite an awkward rank. However, among the peerage everyone is familiar with, I think it's actually ranked first. Well, that's just my personal opinion, though. And then, speaking of Jack-kun, he seems to have been impressed by my words and is now looking at me with gaze full of respect. Such glittering gaze from a noob who know nothing of the dirtiness of the world is honestly annoying. This is why I said, don't blame me for what's going to happen later. What a huge pain in the ass he has become. Then, like a total drag, he said that he wanted to follow me. I'm an H-ranked adventurer, and now a mere F-ranked adventurer actually wants to follow me? What a joke. Huh? It's the other way around? Well, it doesn't matter either way. "Not only is it meaningless for you to join my party, we also have bad compatibility. Besides, if you follow me, that means you'll be fighting monsters of at least Demon King level... well, to put it bluntly, you'll only drag us down." "...!?" So, I reject Jack-kun's request. What I tell him is unmistakably my true intentions. At the very least, before long I'll have another showdown with that fake hero, and there also Apostle-chan, who said that she'd kill otherworlder, who will definitely appear in front of me again. At that time, I'm sure she and the organization behind her will come to kill me. Not to mention, after I fight and beat the fake hero, it's not impossible that I'd appear in the Demon King's radar. There are too many monsters in my path ahead. Such opponents are surely too much for a mere adventurer like Jack-kun. That's why, I've chosen Leila-chan and Finia-chan, who are obviously powerful, Lulu-chan, who has a lot of room to grow, and Rishe-chan, who has unknown potential, as my party members. Speaking of resistance, I've also grown sturdy enough to face the fake hero, so for a newbie like him, no matter how you think about it his starting line is just too far behind. "You should just look for comrades you can put your trust in." "... But, I honestly think that you are amazingly amazing, Kitsune-san... I want to be like you, too...!" "You better not admire me... let me tell you, I'm just an H-ranked adventurer, you know? No matter how much I struggle, I won't be able to beat any other adventurer. Probably, even against you, I wouldn't be able to win." After all, my attack power is the weakest among all adventurers. Speaking of resistance, I should be at A-rank, so I don't think I'd lose either, though. Even if I use my miasma to attack, the current me is still unable to do complex control of it. Even if I can surround someone with knives from every direction like the case with Reis, I'm unable to move all of them at once, after all. That's why, it's not right to admire me. As an adventurer, I'm a total failure. "I'm glad you think of me as someone amazing, but I can't take you with me. No matter what you say, I can't, and you can't arbitrarily follow me, either." "... I, see... understood... However, I'm not going to give up that easily." "... Heh." "So, someday, when I'd become much stronger, strong enough for you to recognize me to be your comrade... would you let me join your party, Kitsune-san?" What a persistent guy you are, Jack-kun. But I don't dislike someone like that. For me, compared to a cheat genius Hero overflowing with sense of justice, I much prefer such an ordinary person who rises to the top through mud and dogged hard work. Well, they say there is no better talent than hard work, I don't mind giving him that much. Speaking of hard work over talent, in the end it's impossible for such people to be talentless, though. "Well, in that case, be sure to do your very best. If you slack even a bit, I'll leave you behind, after all." "! Y, yes!" Very well, anyways let's make sure that I won't meet Jack-kun every again. He says that he'll do his best to be my comrade, but in the end he's a pain in the ass, I haven't forgotten how mentally exhausted I was when he bawled so hard yesterday, after all. If I happen to see him in the future, I'll be sure to pretend I don't see him and run away. As for whether he's truly become stronger or not at that time, I can easily check it from a distance with the status appraisal, after all. "Well then, Jack-kun. Good luck." "Yes... Thank you, Kitsune-san." With our conversation over, Jack-kun leaves the room. When he who bows his head to me, and I wave my hand back to him and see him off. And then, as though taking his place, Leila-chan and Rishe-chan walk in. They seem to have the luggage with them, so most likely the preparation to set out is already complete. "Then, I guess it's about time to get going. Nico-san seems to be still sleeping, but... we can leave her for you to carry, can't we, Higurd-san?" "Leila-chan, Rishe-chan, we now have more people, so we need to replenish more food before getting to the carriage. Let's get out of this town as soon as possible." "Yeah, got it." Once everyone nods in agreement with my instructions, we can finally leave this town. Originally, we were supposed to stop here only for a short while and then leave right away, after all. It sure took us quite a long time here. But, well, we did obtain a lot out of it, so I think the situation is pretty good for a restart. And then, we leave the inn to leave the town. * * * Meanwhile, on the other side. The hero party was also greeting their morning. Among the hero party, the ones who were awake were the Hero and Jik. Every morning ever since their departure, they had been doing morning training in the form of bouts. For the hero who'd most of his foundations done and needed to accumulate practical experience, his morning training against Jik whose attacks were imbued with killing intent had given him a good amount of experience. It was partly thanks to that, but with his tempered originally outstanding basic ability, combined with the flexible thinking that was accumulated through practical training, Hero Nagi had grown tremendously over the past few days. Not just through his gaze, he now could perceive his opponent's movements through sensation and presence, to read a move or two ahead. He also learned how to hide his actual attack by mixing it with diversion and fakes at times. Of course, his basic stats had also improved significantly, he was now capable of fighting and defeating demonic beasts without much difficulty, and he had also learned knowledge about Demon King and demons from Miko Cecil. "Haa... haa...!" "... fuu ... you, have gotten pretty strong, aren't you? ... at this rate you might surpass me in no time at all." "Hahaha... No way, I still can't see myself defeating you at all...!" Nagi, who was lying sprawled on the ground, said so in response to Jik's words, and then sit up. Wiping away the sweat, he then sheathed his sword. While calming his ragged breath, he showed bitter smile of half frustration and half respect. Then, once he had had his breathing in order, Nagi shifted his gaze from Jik to somewhere else. "Next one, let's go!" "Yes!" There were Lulu and Finia, who were up even earlier than them and had started training. He didn't know how long they'd been training, but Lulu was dripping with sweat, and every time she moved, beads of sweat fell to the ground. It was unknown whether it was because she was a beastman or something else, but she seemed to possess a lot of stamina, she'd been moving around ever since Nagi and Jik woke up. It was a training where she dodged Finia's magic and slashed magic balls made of light magic with her sword. Finia employed a low level light magic in her attacks which only capable of blowing off Lulu, and the targets Lulu slashed at were nothing more than glowing magic balls, with no offensive power whatsoever. However, appearance wise it was hard to distinguish the attack light magic and the target light magic from each other. Moreover, not only were they numerous, their attack speed was also fast. So it was necessary to possess an ability to determine whether it was a target or an attack in an instant and then accurately slashed only the target. However, Lulu kept on moving around. She perceived each and every looming ball of light in and instant, dodged or slashed, and then kept on repeating that as long as her stamina still let her to. Be it in Hero Nagi's or from Jik's perspective, her movement was both beautiful and full of overwhelming spirit. What's more, the most frightening part was that they couldn't see the limit of her potentials. With each swing of her sword, it felt as though her movement was being polished by whittling down any excessive part. Perhaps if she were to fight one on one against Nagi, Nagi would win, but it would still be a pretty close match. That showed just how strong her desire to become strong was, and how tremendous her overflowing talent was. "... That girl is awesome..." "Yeah, in a different sense than you, she's without a doubt a genius... but I think she's pushing herself too hard there... I just hope she doesn't hurt herself." "... you're right." After that, Lulu and Finia's training continued for an hour until Cecil and Silphy woke up. And here was their current status. Name : Serizawa Nagi Gender : Male Lv. 72(|12UP) Strength : 12030 Stamina : 13400 Resistance : 310:STOP! Agility : 13800 Magic Power : 6780 Title :{Hero} Skill :{Sword Art Lv.7} {Body Strenghtening Lv.6} {Swift} {Intimidation} {Magic Control Lv.3} {Natural Gift} {Intuition Lv.4} {Fortitude} {Mind's Eye Lv.3} {Concealment Lv.3} {Enemy Search Lv.3} {All Seeing Lv.3} Unique skill :{Ray of Hope} Name : Lulu Soleil Gender : Female Lv. 47(|34UP) Strength : 6890 Stamina : 10340 Resistance : 100:STOP! Agility : 7950 Magic Power : 5670 Name : Finia Gender : Female Lv. 57(|30UP) Strength : 5640 Stamina : 7890 Resistance : 300:STOP! Agility : 8020 Magic Power : 19800 Those guys, and those girls, were getting stronger at a faster rate than Kitsune had expected. Right now, even that Lulu had obtained prowess which rivaled even that of the Hero. Currently both of their statuses and levels weren't growing as fast as before, however they had yet to reach the limit of their stats. With only sheer desire to get stronger, they'd dragged themselves to their current selves. Both Finia and Lulu were getting stronger. Moreover, if they worked together, it was possible for them to easily defeat low class demon. "Are you alright, Lulu-chan?" "Haa...! Haa...! I'm, fine... desu!" Finia was worried about the exhausted Lulu. As Finia possessed magic recovery skill, even if she kept on firing magic, she could easily recover after a while. And since she didn't move that much, her stamina was barely exhausted. She wasn't so much tired as Lulu, who was constantly moving around. "You mustn't push yourself too hard... Kitsune-san will be worried about you, you know?" "... Yes... but, I have to get stronger... I, don't want to... see Kitsune-sama looks like that ever again-desu!" "... Lulu-chan, if Kitsune-san were to see you as you're right now, I'm sure he'll be sad, you know?" "... I'm sorry, I'm going to wash my face for a bit...." However, Lulu had slightly changed. She was unable to forget Kitsune's face when she was taken by the Hero, so as though to shake off that memory, she had been pursuing nothing but strength. To make sure that Lulu didn't fall apart, Finia had more or less held herself back during their training, however, Lulu still often had secret training by herself behind Finia's back. The current Lulu, even from Finia's perspective... she was in a very precarious state.

ルルの気持ち さて、宿に戻ってきたわけだけど、エイラさんは僕が連れて来たルルちゃんを見ても何も言わなかった。ただ少し僕に対して失望した様な表情を浮かべていたけど、やっぱりこの世界の人から見ても奴隷というのはあまり受け入れ難い存在なのだろう。 とはいえ、僕の借りている部屋を使う分にはルルちゃんの分の宿泊費を払わなくても良いというのはラッキーだね。食費は出さないと駄目だったけど。 階段を上って、僕の部屋に辿り着く。ドアを開けてルルちゃんを中へと迎え入れた。さっきから何も喋らず大人しく僕に付いてくるけど、なんだか素直というより怯えている様な感じがする。なんでだろう? まぁ奴隷としては僕が主人となる訳だし、普通の人よりは幾分虐げられる可能性も無くはない、怖がるのも当然なのかな? 「さて、ルルちゃん。これから君は僕の奴隷となるわけだけど」 「まずは守って欲しい約束があるんだ」 そう、僕は奴隷を買うに当たって心に決めていたルールがある。それは、奴隷として過ごさなくても良いということだ。嫌なことは嫌だと言って欲しいし、食べる物も寝る場所も、僕と同じ生活基準で過ごして欲しい。あくまでも、そういう名目だというだけなんだから。 それに、僕としても幼い子供にありがちな暴行や夜伽を命じるつもりはない。これから一緒に暮らすんだし、嫌われたくはないからね。 「約束......」 「そう、君は僕の命令に従わなくても良い。基本的に言うことは聞いて欲しいけど、ルルちゃんが嫌だと思ったことはしなくてもいい、出来ないことは教えるし、出来ないことをさせるつもりも無い」 「......え......?」 不安げな表情で見てくるルルちゃん。なんだか無口な子だなぁ、眼に活力が無いのもあって死にそうな顔してる。髪もただ伸ばしただけで無造作な感じだし、肌も悪い意味で白いし、肉が付いている様には見えないほど細い。比喩じゃなくても死ぬんじゃないのこの子? とはいえ、ルールは守って貰わないと。 「いい?」 「......はい、ご主人様」 「その呼び方はメイド服を着てから言え」 「ご......ごめん、なさい......」 「あ、ごめん、そういうつもりじゃないんだよ、でもほらご主人様ってメイドさんの呼び方っていうか、そこは譲れないっていうか、ルルちゃんの属性ってメイドというよりは犬耳っ娘だからさ。いや確かに犬耳に加えてメイド服を着た幼女っていうのも凄くポイント高いとは思うんだけど、今は学ランだし―――いや、これはこれで良いのか......? 図らずも萌え袖な訳だし、ぶかぶかな服を着てる幼女っていうのも一部の大きなお友達からすれば可愛いんじゃ......?」 「きつねさん! 話が外れてるよ! 気持ち悪い人になってるよ!」 おっと、萌えについての考察は幾つになっても楽しいから仕方ないよねぇ。昔図書館に通ってた頃なんて、誰かが置いて行った萌え漫画とかエロい小説とかあったから性知識には事欠かなかったしね。 でもルルちゃん物凄い困惑した表情してるからやめときます。フィニアちゃんにも注意を頂いたことだし。 「とにかく、ルルちゃんはこれから僕と一緒に暮らして、たまにお話の相手をしてくれれば十分だから」 「......分かりました」 「うん、とりあえずはご飯を食べようか、そろそろ晩御飯だし。おいで、ルルちゃん」 話は終わったので、晩御飯を食べる為にルルちゃんの手を引く。なんでこの子は言葉の直前に少し間を置くかな......まぁ一緒に過ごす内に少しづつ心を開いてくれれば良いけどね。フィニアちゃんもいることだし、少しづつ頑張っていこう。 階段を下りると、食事の匂いがした。エイラさんの旦那さんが板前らしく、男一人で食事を作っているらしい。 「ありがとうエイラさん」 「まさかアンタが奴隷を買うとは思わなかったよ」 「必要だったからね、悪い様にはしないよ」 「当然だよ、その子を虐げるようなら......知り合いだろうと関係無い、騎士に突き出してやるからね」 やっぱりエイラさんは優しい人だ。今日初めて会ったルルちゃんを、此処まで思ってくれるなんて優しくないと出来ない。この宿を選んで良かったな。リーシェちゃんといい、エイラさんといい、良い人ばかりだ。 それはさておき、今日のご飯は野菜スープにパンと魔獣肉のハンバーグ的なもの。もう一週間も経てば魔獣肉にも慣れた。手を合わせて、小さくいただきますと言ってからスープに手を付ける。うん、美味い。 「どうしたの? おなか減ってないの?」 「.........いや」 見ればルルちゃんが全く料理に手を付けていない。嫌いなのかと思えばじっと見ているからそう言う訳でもないのだろう。チラチラと僕の様子を窺っている。 もしかして、僕が食べ終わるのを待ってるのかな? それとも僕が許可しないと食べない? 何処まで奴隷根性だこの子は。 「!」 そう言うと、若干躊躇したがハンバーグに齧り付いた。美味しそうに頬張っているし、口元には特製ソースを付けている。よっぽど食事が久々だったのか、それともちゃんとした料理が久々だったのかは分からないけど、美味しそうに食べているのを見ているのは和むね。和む和む。 「けほっ......けほけほっ......!」 と思ったらルルちゃんむせた。多分いきなりしっかりした料理を食べたから胃がびっくりしたのかな? 「あわてて食べなくてもいっぱいあるから大丈夫だよ」 「.........ふもふも......」 僕の言葉に頷いて、ゆっくり食べるようになった。うんうん、なんだか子供が出来た気分だね、犬耳生えてるけど。 でもまぁ、食事に関しては僕達人間と同じもので大丈夫だってことが分かったし、良いとしよう。何より可愛いしね。これからいろいろ考えないとねぇ、ルルちゃんの服とか痩せ細った身体も少しづつ肉を付けて行かないと。あとは......戦う力も付けさせないとね。僕と一緒にいるってことは、それだけ強い相手と対峙することになる可能性があるって事だし。 試しに、今のルルちゃんのステータスを見てみようかな。 ◇ステータス◇ 名前:ルル・ソレイユ 性別:女 Lv1 《衰弱》 筋力:80/150 体力:40/100 耐性:10/50 魔力:100 称号:『奴隷』 スキル:なし 固有スキル:??? PTメンバー:◎薙刀桔音、フィニア(妖精) ◇ どうやらスキルは持っていないようだけど、衰弱してて全ステータスが基礎能力よりずっと低下しているみたいだ。というか《衰弱》も状態異常に入るんだね。 でも、それよりびっくりしたのは基礎能力の高さだ。獣人族だからか、今は衰弱しているけど万全の状態なら僕よりもステータスが高い。レベル1の状態で此処までのステータスを持っているというのは、良い買い物だったのかもしれない。 いやでも耐性は僕の方が上だね。レベル1の時僕100だったし。いや別にレベル1の子供に負けてるからって悔しい訳じゃないよ、うん。だって僕は耐性さえ上がれば別に良いし? 攻撃力なんか欲しくないし? 全然悔しくなんてない。 「けぷっ......」 「美味しかった?」 ルルちゃんが食べ終えたのを見て、テーブルに備え付けの布巾で口を拭ってやる。くすぐったそうにしているけど、ご飯を食べたからか死んだようだった表情も心なしか活力を取り戻した様にも見える。 「よし、それじゃあ今日は部屋に戻ってゆっくりしようか。ルルちゃんには休息が必要だ」 「......はい、ありがとうございます」 「きつねさん! 私もお肉食べたいなぁ!」 「そう思って一欠片残しておいたよ。ほら」 「わーい! むぐむぐ......」 最近フィニアちゃんはご飯を食べる僕を見て羨ましそうにする事が多かったから、試しに分け与えてみた際、美味しそうに食べるので、いつもこうして食事を分けてあげている。サイズが小さいから一欠片で済むし、燃費が良いね。 食べ終わった皿を返却口に戻して、階段を上がる。ルルちゃんの手を引くと、素直に登って来る。 「さ、入って」 ルルちゃんを部屋に入れながら、明日からどうするかを考える僕だった。でもまぁフィニアちゃんもルルちゃんを悪く思っている訳ではないようだし、ルルちゃんも困惑しているみたいだけどなんとかやっていけそうだ。 「さて......今日は疲れたね」 「そうだね! 訓練してギルド行ってルルちゃんを買いに行ったからね!」 「というわけで僕はもう寝ます」 「早いよ!? ご飯を食べてすぐに寝ると太っちゃうんだからね!」 「おやすみ」 「あっは、聞いちゃいないね!」 ルルちゃんが手持無沙汰にしているから、おいでと言うと近づいてきた。何か怒られるのかと思っているのか、俯いているのでその頭を優しく撫でてあげた。びっくりしたように肩を震わせたけど、しばらく撫でてあげると気持ちよさそうに眼を細めるので、微笑ましい。 その後、本当に眠くなってきたからフィニアちゃんとルルちゃんを両脇に寝かせて小の字になって寝た。僕は小柄だし、フィニアちゃんはミニサイズだし、ルルちゃんも子供だから小の字にはなっていなかったけどね。 まぁとりあえず、おやすみなさい。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 時刻は深夜。 主人達はすっかり寝静っている中、主人の寝ているベッドで同じ様に横になっている私は目を覚ましていた。気付かれないように起き上がり、獣人特有の夜眼を生かして主人を見下ろす。 「......なんで、この人は......」 疑問だった。 私はたった数時間前まで奴隷商の営む店の中で、檻に入れられていた。奴隷として商品にされていた。ボロボロの汚い服を着せられて、出される食べ物もパンと味の薄い野菜スープ位。気が付けば腕や脚は痩せ細って、毎日空腹と孤独に苦しむ生活を送っていた。 だが、今日その生活に変化が訪れた。自分を買う人間がいたのだ。 その人間は、檻の中から自分を引っ張り出してくれた。でも、同じ奴隷として売られていた大人の人は言う、『買われたところで、碌な生活は出来ない』と。奴隷は本来主人に使われる存在、虐げられることが当たり前の存在。だから私もそれを覚悟していた。 だから、主人を見た時の感想はこうだ。 『ああ、これが私を虐げる人なんだ』 奴隷は買われた場合、『隷属の首輪』を付けられる。それを付けられた場合、奴隷は主人に逆らうことを全面的に禁止される。反抗すれば首輪が締まるのだ。だから、主人がその首輪を奴隷商から渡されている時、やっぱりかと思った。 だが、私はここからずっと困惑することになった。 目の前で眠っている主人は、首輪を付けるどころか自分に着ていた服を着せてきた。首輪を付けるかと思えばそんな素振りも見せない。名前を聞かれて答えたら、良い名前だと褒められた。 そして一番驚いたのは、手を繋がれたことだ。普通、奴隷に触れる主人はあまりいない。酷い主人だと新しい武器の試し切りの為に奴隷を買うこともあると聞いていたので、優しく手を引かれたことは私にとって困惑するような現実だった。 そして、その主人の住んでいる宿に連れて来られたかと思えば、更に驚きの言葉を言ってきた。 一瞬、聞き違えたのかと思った。命令を聞かなくても良い、なんて言葉を奴隷に言うとは思わなかったからだ。ならば何故自分は買われたのだろう、命令されなければ自分に存在する価値が無いではないかと思った。 でも、それが命令ならばと思って了承し、『ご主人様』と呼んだら怒られた。メイドがどうのとか犬耳っ娘がどうのと言っていて、私には良く分からなかったが、主人が怒るのならば呼ばないようにしようと心に決めた。主人の怒りを買えばどんな目に遭わされるか分からない。 その後、主人は更に驚く様な行動を取った。食事を取ろうと言ってまた主人に手を引かれて階段を下りた。テーブルに着くと、主人と私の前に同じ食事が置かれた。この時点で私は困惑する。 どうして主人と同じ食事が私にも与えられるんだろう。どうして主人と同じテーブルに座らされているのだろう。そう思った。 でも、私は奴隷。主人よりも先に食事を食べるなんて許されない。目の前の食事はとても美味しそうな匂いを放っていて、空腹感を誘うけれど、我慢した。我慢は得意だ、毎日毎日、そうやって生きて来たんだから。 でも、主人はそんな私にそう言った。食べても良いと言った。どうしてこの人は奴隷の私にこんなに優しくするんだろうと思ったけど、既に空腹の限界だった私は気が付けば食事に手を伸ばしていた。 口に広がる料理の味と、もう何時だったか分からない程久々に感じる満たされる感覚に私はもう死んでも良いと思った。勢いが余ってむせてしまったが、主人は微笑みながら私の口元を拭いてくれた。落ち付いて食べろと言われて、そこからゆっくり食べたが、主人はあの奴隷商人の人の様に途中で食事を奪い取ったりしなかった。 食べ終わって、美味しかったかと聞かれて、私はハッとなって美味しかったと答えてお礼を言った。私は奴隷なんだから、分を弁えないといけない。こうして優しくしてくれてはいるが、もう夜だ。もしかしたら夜伽を命じられるかもしれない。そういう経験はないけれど、奴隷として買われたのならばそれに応えないとならない。 内心少し怖かったけれど、主人に手を引かれて階段を上り、部屋に戻った。 いつ命じられるのかとそわそわしていたら、主人は私を呼んだ。ついに来たかと思って俯いていたら、頭を撫でられた。どういうことか分からなくて、困惑していたけど、優しい手付きが気持ちよくてしばらく撫でられるがままになっていた。 それから主人は私を自分の隣に寝かせると、何もしないまま眠ってしまって、今に至る。 「なんで......」 首輪も付けず、こうして無防備に眠っている主人。今ならば主人を殺す事も出来るし、逃げることだって出来る。首輪が付いていない以上、私と主人の間に強制力のある主従契約はないのだから。 なのに、なんでこの人はこうして無防備に寝ているのだろう。それが全く分からない。 私は扉を見て、逃げようかと思った。 だから 「おやすみなさい......」 私はこの主人に付き従うのも、いいのではないかと思った。

Lulu's Feeling Well then, I've returned to the inn but, Ayla-san didn't say anything when she saw me brought Lulu along. She was just looking at me with a slightly disappointed face but, as I thought, from this world's residents' perspective, seems like slave was an existence which a bit hard to accept. Nonetheless, I'm lucky since a part of my rented room could also be used for Lulu's lodging without paying any extra fee but, unfortunately that was excluding food. Climbed up the stair, we finally arrived at my room. I opened the door and urged Lulu-chan to enter it. Since just now she was just obediently following me without saying anything but, rather than obedient it felt as if she was frightened. Why? Well, since as a slave I was her master, and the majority of people were probably normally persecuting them, so it won't be strange for her to be frightened right? "Then, Lulu-chan. From now on you are becoming my slave but." "Firstly, there's a promise I want you to keep." Right, there was something I've decided when I bought Lulu-chan as my slave. That was, she didn't need to act like a slave. If there's something she dislike, I want her to say it, whether about food, or staying place. I want her to live at similar livelihood like me. At least, that is what I want to say to appeal her. Also, I don't even have any intention to assault nor ask for night service from a child like her. Since we are going to live together, I don't want her to dislike me after all. "Promise...." "Yes, it's okay for you to disobey my order. Well, basically I still want you to listen to what I say but, you don't need to do it if you think you don't want to, if there's something you're unable to, I'll teach you, I don't have any intention to ask for something you can't do either." "... Eh...?" Lulu-chan looks very restless. Somehow she looks like a taciturn kid right? With her eyes which lack any vitality, her pale face looks like a dead person. Her hair seems like just grow long naturally, her skin is also white at bad meaning, her body is so thin as if she has no weight. Not a metaphor but isn't this child literally going to dead? Nevertheless, I have to protect Lulu-chan. "Understand?" "...Yes, Mester." "Please use that way of calling after you put on a maid outfit." "I am... very, sorry...." "Ah, sorry, that isn't what I mean, but look! Master is a maid way of calling or rather, that is something I won't yield or rather, since Lulu-chan's property rather than a maid is a dog eared girl after all. No, a dog eared girl who wear a maid outfit would indeed make a very high point but, right now you are wearing my school uniform... no, isn't it good in its own way...? The sleeves are unexpectedly too long for you, a little girl who wear a baggy cloth is also cute...?" "Kitsune-san! The conversation goes astray! You turn into a disgusting person!" Oops, since enquiring about moe is something enjoyable no matter how many times you do it so it can't be helped right? Sometimes ago, when I visited a library, there was someone who put a moe manga and erotic novel, so my knowledge about that field wouldn't be lacking after all. But since Lulu-chan looks very bewildered, let's stop it. I even received a caution from Finia-chan after all. "Anyway, from now on Lulu-chan is going to live together with me, it's good as long as you could become my chatting partner sometimes." "...I understand." "Good, then how about we go fetch some food now, it's almost dinner time after all. Let's go, Lulu-chan." Since our chat have finished, I lead Lulu-chan by hand to get our dinner. Why did this girl always had a brief pause before she said anything...? Well, it would be good if at the time we live together she would open up her heart little by little. Finia-chan is also together with us, let's do our best little by little. When we descend the stair, we are welcomed by food's fragrance, it seems Ayla-san's husband is a chef, and it seems he cooks the food by himself. "Thanks Ayla-san." "I never thought that you would bought a slave you know?" "Well, it is necessary after all, I won't do anything bad." "That is a matter of course, if you persecute this child... even if we're acquaintance, I'm still going to hand you over to the knight after all." As I thought, Ayla-san is a good person. Even to Lulu-chan who she just met today, she still kindly thought of her to this point. I'm really lucky renting a room at this inn. Rishe-chan, and also Ayla-san, they're all good peoples. Aside from that, today's dinner is vegetable soup with bread and a magical beast's meat hamburger-like thing. Since a week is already elapsed, I'm already used to magical beast's meat. After joining my hands and saying Ittadakimasu softly, I started with the soup. Yup, delicious. "What's up? Are you not hungry?" "...no." When I glance at her, she hasn't even touched the food. I think perhaps she dislike it but, since she always staring at it so it seems that isn't the case. She always glances a peek at my state. Could it be, she was waiting for me to finish my meal? Or perhaps she won't eat unless I give her permission? Just how far this child would act like a slave. "!" After I said that, with somehow hesitant, she bite the hamburger. Since she is stuffing her mouth while looks like it's very delicious, there is sauce sticking at her lips. I don't know whether because it has been a while since her last meal, or perhaps it had been a while since her last proper meal but, I feel calm looking at her who eat it very delightfully. Calm, calm. "Cough... cough...!" When I think so, Lulu-chan is choked. Does her body perhaps is surprised to suddenly receiving a strong food? "Since there's still many of it, you don't need to eat it in hurry you know." "...munch munch...." Nodding to my word, she eats it slowly. Yup yup, it felt as if I have a child, she has dog ear though. But well, I could understand that it's okay for her to eat similar food like human do, so it's good. And above all she is cute after all. I should think about various thing from now on, like Lulu-chan's clothes, and I also should supplying meat to her thin body little by little. And also... whether I could add her as my fighting force or not. Since to be together with me, than means she also would confront the same opponent with me after all. Let's check it out, let's check how Lulu-chan's statuses right now. *Status* Name : Lulu Soleil Gender : Female Lv. 1<<Wakened>> Strength : 80/150 Stamina : 40/100 Resistance : 10/50 Magic Power : 100 Title :{Slave} Skill : None Inherent skill : ??? PT Member : Naginata Kitsune, Finia (Fairy) * It seems like she doesn't have any skill but, it seems weakened is causing her whole statuses are decreased lower from her initial status. Or rather, it seems<<Wakened>> is also categorized as abnormal status right. But, the more surprising is her high initial statuses. Whether it is because she is a demi-human, right now she is at weakened state but at her perfect state, her status would be higher than mine. To has this high status with just at level 1, perhaps she was a good bought. But wait, my resistance is higher than hers. Even at level 1, my resistance was 100 after all. No, it isn't like I'm vexed to lose to a level 1 child you know, right. Since I would be glad as long as I could increase my resistance after all. It isn't like I want offensive power after all. So I'm not vexed at all. "Hmm...." "Was it delicious?" Looking at Lulu-chan who just finished her meal, I wipe her mouth with the dish-cloth which is provided at the table. She looks tickled but, whether it is because she has ate, her dead looking expression is somehow looks like regaining its vitality. "Okay, now then let's return and relaxing at our room at ease. Since Lulu-chan needs much rest after all." "...Yes, thank you very much." "Kitsune-san! I also want to eat meat!" "So I thought, so I've left a portion of it. Look." "Hooray! Munchmunch...." Since recently Finia-chan was looked like very envious to me whenever I eat my meal, I tried to give her a try, and since she was looked very delighted, I always split a part of my meal like this. Since the size is small compared to human portion, so her fuel consumption is good. After finished eating it, I returned the plate and then ascending the stair. Being led by hand, Lulu-chan obediently ascend it. "Then, come in." While leading Lulu-chan to enter the room, I'm pondering about what should I do from tomorrow onward. But well, since Finia-chan also don't think about Lulu-chan badly either, and Lulu-chan even while looks like bewildered but somehow she seems like would still life through. "Then... today is sure tiring right?" "You're right! Since we have practiced, visiting guild, and also bought Lulu-chan after all, right!" "And that's why, now I'm going to sleep." "Too early!? You will grow fat if you immediately sleep after you ate you know!?" "Good night." "Ah, you aren't listening to me!" Since I'm lying down while holding Lulu-chan's hand, our body is close. I think perhaps she is angry and hung her head down so I gently caress her head. Her shoulder is jolted in surprise but, after caressed her hair for a while, while looked very pleased she closed her eyes, so charming. After that, since I become really sleepy, I lied down with Finia-chan and Lulu-chan at my both side, somehow we become similar like Xiao character. But since I have a small build, Finia-chan is a mini size, and Lulu-chan is still a child so we couldn't perfectly resemble Xiao character though. Well, more importantly, good night. * * * Late at night. I am woke up while lying down at the same bed where master is quietly sleeping at. I get up without being noticed, and with demi-human's characteristic night eyes, I could clearly see master. "...why, this person...." It is so doubtful. Just a few hours ago, I was put inside a cage in a slave shop. As a slave I was a commerce commodity. Wore a tattered and dirty cloth, and the given food were at most bread and lightly seasoned soup. Without I notice it, my arms and legs were becoming very thin, and I live my daily life while being accompanied by loneliness and hunger. But, today my livelihood was changed. Because there was someone who bought me. And that someone, pulled me out from that cage. But, an adult who similarly a slave like me said it when I was bought,"Even if you're bought, you won't live a satisfactory life." A slave was originally an existence which was used by their master, an existence which obviously being persecuted. That was why I had prepared myself. That was why, this was my thought when I saw my master. "Ah, so this is the person who will persecute me." When a slave was bought, a "Slavery Choker" would be attached to them. When it was attached to them, the slave would be completely unable to disobey their master. If they disobey their master, the choker would be tightened. That was why, when my master was receiving that choker from the slave merchant, 'as I thought' or so I thought. But, from thereon I was always bewildered. My master who is sleeping before me, not just didn't attach the choker, he even gave me the cloth which he wore. I couldn't see any sign that he would attach that choker. When he heard my name, he praised me by said that it was a good name. And the most surprising thing was, he hold my hand. Normally, there was almost no master who would touch their slave. I even had heard that there was a time when a cruel master bought a slave just to testing out his new weapon, being kindly led by hand, that was very bewildering reality. Then, when I noticed that I was led to the inn he was lodging in, he said a more surprising words. For a moment, I thought that I misheard it. It's okay to disobey an order, as a slave I never thought that I would hear such a word. Then why did he bought me? Wasn't my existence's worth was only to obey his every order? Or so I thought. But, I accepted it as I consider it as an order, he was angry when I called him 'Master'. He said something about maid and dog eared, I didn't understand it but, if my master was angry then at my heart I decided to not calling him as such. I didn't what would happen if I provoked his anger. There, I thought that I should just calling him by his name and attaching sama but, I realized that I hadn't hear master's name yet. That way I had no way to calling him. But since I thought that asking his name would be impolite, I immediately went taciturn. After that, master took a more surprising act. To fetching up dinner, he led me by hand again and descending the stair. When we arrived at the table, there were a similar food being put before me and master. I was bewildered by that. Why did master gave me similar food like his? Why did I sat at the same table as my master? So I thought. But, I was a slave. I wasn't allowed to eat before master finished his meal. Since the food before me was emitting a very delicious fragrance, and I was also tempted by my hunger but, I endure it. Enduring was my speciality, since day by day, I live my daily life like that after all. But, master was said that to me. He said that it was okay to eat. I thought that why did this person was very kind to a slave like me but, since my endurance was already at its limit, without I noticed it, I had reached out to my food. Food's flavor which spread inside my mouth, this satisfying feeling which I didn't even remember how long since the last time I tasted it, I thought I had no regret to die there. Since I vigorously eat it I was choked but, master wiped my mouth while smiling. After being told to eat it calmly, thence I ate it slowly but, master was different from that slave merchant man who would snatch my food midway. After finished our dinner, I was asked whether it was delicious or not, after said it was delicious, I said my gratitude. Since I was a slave, I shouldn't forget my place. He had been treating me so kindly like that but, night had descended. Perhaps he might order me to do a night service. I had no experience at those field but, as a slave who had been bought, I should fulfill his order. Internally I was quite frightened but, I was led by hand by master and returned to the room. When I was restless about when he might order it, my master was calling out to me. And when I casted my eyes down and thought that it was the time, my head was caressed. I couldn't understand what happened, I was bewildered but, since his hand was gentle and that felt good, after being caressed for a while I closed my eyes. After that master was lying down next to me, and before long he slept without doing anything. "Why...." With the choker which didn't attached, and my master who defenselessly sleep like that. Now I would be able to kill my master, and I would be able to run away. Since as long as the choker isn't attached, there is no master and servant contract between me and master. But, why does this person sleep so defenselessly like this? I couldn't understand that at all. Looking at the door, I think to run away. But, looking to my sleeping master, I erase that thought. Even if I run away here, I have no means to live after that. Moreover, why did this person treat me so kindly? Did he treat a slave like his family? I want to know that. That is why. "Good night....." Perhaps, it won't be bad for me to follow this master, so I thought.

到着 護衛依頼二日目、この日は初日とは違って多くの魔獣が姿を現した。 森とは違って、岩山の多い岩石地帯を通る故に、虫系ではなく猿や狼等の動物系の魔獣が多く、その危険度もグランディールに近づいたからか多少上がり、そのほとんどがEランク魔獣。 とはいえ、レイラちゃんとフィニアちゃんの強さはやっぱり異常で、現れる魔獣が悉く爆散したり肉片になったりと、快進撃を繰り返している。後衛のリーシェちゃんやルルちゃんも同じく、後方から現れる魔獣に対しては上手く対応しており、荷馬車が魔獣の妨害で止まることはなかった。 まぁレイラちゃんは気まぐれに動いたり動かなかったりするんだけど、元々フィニアちゃんだけで事足りる魔獣達だから問題ない。 今はレイラちゃんを御者のおじさんを挟んだ向こう側に座らせて、フィニアちゃんは僕の肩の上だ。中間地点に置いておかなくてもフィニアちゃんの飛行速度ならすぐに後方へと移動出来ると、僕の傍に来たんだ。 「グランディールまではあとどれくらいかな?」 「そうですねぇ......明日の昼頃には付くと思います」 御者のおじさんに聞いてみれば、グランディール王国まではもうすぐそこまで来ているとのこと。 魔獣の数も多かった時よりは減ったし、そろそろと着くだろう。フィニアちゃんも楽しみなのかぷらぷらと足を揺らして鼻歌を歌っている。 「勇者って、どんな人なんだろうねぇ」 「うん! 楽しみ!」 勇者、僕と同じ異世界からやってきた人間。 もしも勇者でないと元の世界に帰れない、としたら......どうしようかな。諦めるつもりはないけれど、手掛かりが無くなってしまう。 そこだけが不安で、そこだけが重要だ。僕はそれを確かめに行くんだから。 と、そこにレイラちゃんが話し掛けて来た。今日はもうキスしたから頼んでもやらないよ。一日1回って約束だからね。 「きつね君は、グランディール王国に行って何をするの?」 そう聞いてくるレイラちゃん。ああ、そういえば勇者がいるって言ったけど何をするのかは言ってなかったっけ。まぁ言う必要もないんだけど、別に隠す様な事でもないか。 勇者とか本当ムカつくからね、そんな立場で召喚されて、色々優遇されてんだろうなぁ。可愛い子に甲斐甲斐しく世話を焼いて貰ったり、信頼出来る仲間がいたりとかさ。僕なんか最初に遭ったの白熊レベルの狼だぜ? この差はなんだ。 「皆に信頼されて、強くて、格好良くて、かわいい女の子にもモテて、美味しい物食べて暮らしてる幸せ者と、少しお友達になりに行くだけだよ」 だから僕はレイラちゃんの問いにそう返した。 「へぇ~、うふふっ強くてカッコよくてかわいい女の子にモテるって、きつね君みたいっ♪」 「その根拠は?」 「きつね君は弱いけど何処か強いし、カッコいいし、私みたいな可愛い女の子にも好かれてるでしょ? ほらっ、きつね君でしょ♪」 「うわぁ......僕をカッコイイと言ってくれる君の言葉を否定しようとは思わないけれど、自分で自分を可愛いとか言うのって......ちょっと引くよ?」 僕は僕をカッコいいとは思ってない、でも僕をカッコイイと思うのはレイラちゃんの勝手だから良いさ。でも自分を可愛いとか言うのはどれだけ自分に自信があるんだと思うよ、正直引くぜ。 でも確かに可愛いからなんか何も言えないな。そういう強かさは僕的に買いだけどね。 「まぁ、ちょっとした旅行だと思ってくれて良いよ」 「ふーん......そっか♪ まぁきつね君が行くなら私も行くし、それでいいや♡」 レイラちゃんってこの性格のまま人間だったら恋愛で三角関係になっても圧倒的な勝利を収める気がする。これだけダイレクトにアタック出来る上に直接告白する度胸もあるしね、なんで『赤い夜』になっちゃったんだろう、凄く残念だ。 とはいえ、グランディール王国に着いたらルルちゃんには気を付けておかないといけないね。聞いた限りじゃあそこは奴隷に対する扱いが酷いみたいだし、勇者は違うかもしれないけど、ルルちゃんが歩いているだけで色々言ってくる奴がいると思う。 そういう奴はちょっと気を付けないとね。 「ん、そろそろ野営の準備に取り掛かりやしょう......日が暮れ始めました」 護衛依頼二日目、この日もなんの危険も無く過ぎ去って行った。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 翌日、護衛依頼三日目の朝。僕達はまた出発前に一度集まった。 女冒険者Bはレイラちゃんを見ると怯えた表情を浮かべたけれど、どうにか理性を取り戻したらしい。リーシェちゃん曰く、ルルちゃんが彼女の股間を殴ったらしい。すると、悶絶して気絶した女冒険者Bは、次目を覚ました時ある程度理性を取り戻していたとのこと。 ルルちゃん、君は男女関係無く股間を強打するんだね。ちょっと教育間違えたかな。 さて、それにしてもさっきから嫌な予感がしている。『直感』のスキルが僕の脳内に危険の警鐘を鳴り響かせているんだ。 岩石地帯を越えて、しばらく進んだ所。岩山もなく、ただの平野となっている場所だけれど、なんだか嫌な気配がする。流石にレイラちゃんよりは小さな気配だけど、僕達の行く先を遮る可能性のある魔獣、か? 「......ん! これは美味しい奴だ!」 すると、ぼーっとしていたレイラちゃんがいきなり眼を煌めかせた。何をするのかと思えば涎を垂らして行く先を眺めている。今にも飛び出しそうにうずうずしているのが分かる。 すると、少しづつ地面が揺れ始めた。地鳴りの音が響き渡り、荷馬車が一旦進行を止めた。そしてその揺れはどんどん大きくなって行く。 「っ......前か!」 「きつね!」 「きつね様!」 僕が魔獣の位置を前だと確信した時、リーシェちゃんとルルちゃんがやってくる。その後ろには女冒険者Bも連れて来ている。どうやら危険を察知して援助にやってきてくれたらしい。既に三人とも武器を構えて、魔獣にそなえている。 そして、更に揺れは大きくなり、一際大きな地鳴りの音が轟いた後、 一瞬の沈黙が訪れた。 「―――来るよ!」 僕が『直感』に従ってそう言った瞬間、全員が身構えると同時に――― ―――地面が爆発した。 地面を盛り上げて地中から飛び出してきたのは、巨大なミミズ。荷馬車の数倍もの大きさ、全長およそ7mほどはあるんじゃないかと思う程に大きい。見上げなければ頭が見えない程に巨大で、強いと思った。 頭には眼は無く、丸い巨大な口が開いており、その中には何本もの鋭い牙がうじゃうじゃと生えているのが見える。ミミズ、という印象を持ったけれど、此方の言い方では少し違うのかもしれない。 ワーム、そう言った方が正しい見た目をしていた。 「ステータス......」 ◇ステータス◇ 名前: 土竜蚯蚓 筋力:2500 体力:5000 耐性:250 敏捷:7800 魔力:0 ◇ 推定ランクにしてDランクの魔獣の中では中堅レベル。予想する限り敏捷性だけなら一つ上のCランクにも届くだろう。これで筋力がもっと上ならば魔族ともやりあえるのかもしれない。 「ブロークンワーム......!? なんでこんな化け物が......!」 女冒険者Bがそう言って驚愕している。多分こんな所にDランクの魔獣が現れるなんて思っていなかったんだろう。僕だってそうだ。 でも、 普通の森で、『赤い夜』が出てくることもある。この程度、驚くには値しない。僕達の進む道を遮ってくるのなら、ただただ打ち破って進むだけだ。その為の力を、僕達は持っている。 「フィニアちゃんとレイラちゃん中心に攻撃、ルルちゃんとリーシェちゃんは隙を見て援護、そこの人は......」 「っ......」 「戦えないなら下がってて、やれるんだったら荷馬車と依頼人を護って」 僕の視線に少し身体を硬直させた女冒険者B、僕はすぐに視線を切って最低限の指示を出した。レイラちゃんとのトラウマが彼女を戦わせられないというのなら正直下がってて欲しい。 依頼人を殺されると困るので、僕は荷馬車の前に立ってワームが来ないように『不気味体質』を発動させた。逃げてくれるのならそれでいいのだけど、どうやらこのミミズは逃げてくれないらしい。 このスキル、僕への印象を恐怖に変えてるはずだからこっちにミミズを来させることはないだろうけど、なんか違う気がする......っと集中しないと。 すると、レイラちゃんが猛スピードで突撃し、その背後からフィニアちゃんが火魔法で攻撃する。先んじて炎の槍がミミズに当たり、肉を焼きながら削ぎ落した。そしてミミズがその痛みに叫び声を上げる間もなく、レイラちゃんが瘴気でミミズを持ちあげた。 何をするのかと思ったら、大量の瘴気が一瞬で形を成し、巨大なギロチンを作りあげる。 「ちょっきんっ♡」 レイラちゃんはギロチンの上に乗って笑顔を浮かべると、小さくそう言って刃を落とす。 ズドン、と大きな音を立ててギロチンの刃はミミズの身体を途中で斬り落とす。 今度こそ叫び声を上げるミミズ、すると奴はその大きな口から何か液体を吐き出してきた。その液体の向かう先にいるのは、リーシェちゃんとルルちゃん、でも彼女達はその液体を躱してミミズに近づく。 そして抜いた剣でもって蚯蚓の身体を切りつける。途中で身体が切られたことで起き上がれなくなったのか、芋虫の様に這って動くミミズは、更に切られたことでその身体を乱暴に動かした。 身体を転がして切りつけてきたリーシェちゃんを喰らおうと追い掛けるミミズ、でもその動きはフィニアちゃんが食い止める。火魔法を使ってミミズの前を炎で遮り、リーシェちゃんの逃げる時間を稼ぐ。 熱を感知したミミズはすぐにその身体を引いて炎を避ける。Sランクの魔族であるレイラちゃんと戦えば圧倒的な戦力差がある、ミミズはそれを本能で察知したのだろう。 奴は自分が出て来た地面の穴から逃げようとした。 「させない!」 でも、レイラちゃんではなくフィニアちゃんがそれを許さなかった。以前蜘蛛にやった様に、炎の竜巻を背負って、ミミズの正面から突撃する。あたかも炎のドリルのように進み、空気を焼く音と空気との摩擦音が轟音となって鳴り響く。 そしてミミズの口から入った炎の竜巻は、フィニアちゃんが通り過ぎた所からギャリギャリと削る様な音を立てて肉を焼きながら削ぎ落す。まるで炎の回転刃のようだ。 フィニアちゃんが炎の竜巻をミミズの中に置いてきたかのように、体内から飛び出してくる。 後に残ったのは、良い感じに焼かれたミミズの肉の肉片と、焼け焦げる様な匂い、そして炎で熱せられた空気の熱だけだ。 「あーんっ......んー♡ 焼いた肉も美味しっ♡」 レイラちゃんはフィニアちゃんが焼いた肉を拾って食べて恍惚とした表情を浮かべている。というかあの子の瘴気って何か物体に出来るとは分かっていたけど、あんな巨大なギロチンにも出来るんだ......ずるくない? それでアレを吸ったりしたら感染するんでしょ? ウイルスなんだし......やっぱりSランクか。 「......強すぎる......」 「ん、そうだねー......連携というよりは個人個人が隙を見て攻撃したような感じだけど......下手な連携させるよりも思い思いにやらせた方が強いからね」 「でもっ......あの白髪女は化け物よ!? 人間を殺して食べるなんて......!」 女冒険者Bは、この戦いを見てあり得ない物を見た様な顔をする。そして僕の言葉にレイラちゃんをディスって来た。うんうん、その言葉は分かるよ。僕もそう思うもん。 君はなにも間違ってない。彼女は化け物で、人殺しで、僕のストーカーです。 「うん、僕も.........彼女はどうにかしてほしいよ......!」 「......アンタもその......苦労してんのね」 なんだか思い出したら泣けて来た。肩を落として切実にそう言ったら、女冒険者Bは凄く気まずそうな表情で僕を励ましてきた。 本当になんで僕なんだ、いつもいつもそうやって僕ばっか嫌な目に遭う。僕が何をしたっていうんだ。 でもまぁ今更か。 「ってことで、ミミズ退治も終わったし......進もうか」 ミミズの肉片をレイラちゃんが瘴気に乗せてどかし、荷馬車が再度進みだす。奴隷商人もミミズには驚いたようだが、僕達の強さも分かって大分安心出来たらしい。大分精神に余裕が生まれたようだ。 そして、それからしばらく荷馬車は走り続け、昼を少し過ぎた頃、僕達はとうとうグランディール王国へと辿り着く事が出来た。

Arrival The second day of guarding request, different from the first day, today there were many magical beasts appeared. Not a forest, we were passing through a rocky mountain with so many rocky area, the magical beasts that appeared there weren't insect type, but a numerous monkey-type and wolf-type magical beasts, the danger was gradually increasing the closer we got to Grandile Kingdom, mostly of it were E rank magical beasts. Nonetheless, Leila-chan and Finia-chan's ability were just as expected abnormal, shattering entirely any appeared magical beasts into pieces of meat, we could keep on steadily advancing. Rishe-chan and Lulu-chan as the rear guard also the same, having able to properly handle any appearing magical beasts at the rear side, the wagon didn't need to stop because of the attacks of magical beasts. Well, Leila-chan was moving and not moving according to her own whim, but since Finia-chan alone was practically sufficient enough to handle the appearing magical beasts, so there was no problem. Currently, Leila-chan is sitting across the coachman uncle, and Finia-chan is sitting atop my shoulder. Even if she isn't stationed at the center point, with her flying speed, Finia-chan could immediately move to the rear side, so she decides to come to my side. "How long till we arrive at Grandile Kingdom?" "Let's see... I think we would be able to arrive there around tomorrow noon." When I ask the coachman uncle, he says that we are already traveled far enough that we almost arrive at Grandile Kingdom. The number of the appearing magical beasts is also has considerably decreased, so we should be arriving there soon, right? "That hero, what kind of person is he, I wonder?" "Yup! Looking forward to it!" Hero, a person that similarly come from another world as me. There's a possibility that he may come from a completely different world that mine, but if I may hope then I think it would be good if he come from the same world as mine.... Perhaps, if you aren't a hero then you wouldn't be able to return to your former world, if that's the case... what should I do, I wonder? I have no intention of giving up, but I'd loss my clue that way. That sole part is uncertain, that sole part is important. I come here to ascertain it, after all. Today we have kissed, so even if you ask for it, I won't do it, you know? The promise was once a day, after all. "Why do you come to Grandile Kingdom, Kitsune-kun?" Leila-chan asks so. Ah, come to think of it, I've said that there's a hero there but I haven't told them what I'm going to do, didn't I? Well, it isn't something I have to tell her, but it also isn't something I need to conceal. Hero sure is irritating, right? Having summoned at such status, he must be has received many good treatment, right? Like, getting supported by a cute girl, having trusted comrades, and so on. When I first come to this world, I was welcomed by a bear-size wolf, you know? The hell with that difference? "I only come to slightly befriend a lucky person who is trusted by his comrades, strong, cool, popular among cute girls, and eat many delicious food, you see." So I answer Leila-chan as such. "He~, cool and popular among cute girls, just like you, Kitsune-kun." "The basis?" "You are weak but somehow are strong, you are cool, you are even loved by a cute girl like me, right? See, it's just like you, Kitsune-kun." "Uwaa... I have no intention on denying your word about calling me cool, but to call yourself cute is... a bit draw me aback, you know?" I never thought myself as someone cool, and it's completely up to her to think me as cool or anything, so I don't particularly mind about it. But, to call herself cute, just how narcissistic she could be? It honestly draws me aback. But, since she sure is cute so I can't deny it, though. As far as I'm concerned, I like such stubbornness, though. "Well, just think it as a trifle trip is good enough." "Hmm... I see, well, no matter where you go, Kitsune-kun, I'll go along with you, so it's fine." With such personality, if Leila-chan is just a normal human, even if she comes to a love triangle, I feel like she'd definitely win with an overwhelming victory. With a capability of doing such direct attacks and direct confession, why did she turn into 'Red Night', I wonder? What an utter shame. From what I've heard, seems like slave treatment there was pretty bad, after all. Perhaps the hero is different, but I feel like just having Lulu-chan around would lead people say many things about us. We have to be careful toward such people. "Hmm, let's start the camping preparation immediately... the day is starting to sink." The second day of guarding request, this day also passed without any significant danger. * * * The next day, the third day of guarding request, morning, we are gathered before continuing our journey again. Woman B floated a scared expression the moment she saw Leila-chan, but seems like she had somehow regained her sense. According to Rishe-chan, seems like Lulu-chan hit her crotch. In doing so, woman B fainted in agony, and the moment she woke up, she had somewhat regained her sense. Lulu-chan, you hit people's crotch without gender discrimination, huh. Did I perhaps have made a bit mistake at raising you, I wonder? Well, nevertheless, I feel a bad premonition ever since a moment ago. 'Intuition' skill is ringing a bell of danger inside my head. It isn't a rocky mountain but just a normal plain, but I feel a bad premonition form it. As expected its presence is paler compared to Leila-chan, but perhaps it's a magical beast with enough power to interrupt our journey, huh. "...Hm! This one seems delicious!" And then, the dazing Leila-chan suddenly opens her eyes wide. When I look at her while thinking what she's going to do, she's drooling while staring at a faraway place. I can see that she's eager to moves anytime. Seems like it's true that there's a magical beast approaching. There, the ground is gradually shaking. The sound of rumbling ground is echoing, and the wagons are stopped at once. And then, the shake is gradually grow stronger. "...in front, huh!" "Kitsune!" "Kitsune-sama!" The moment I ascertain that the location of this magical beast is at front, Rishe-chan and Lulu-chan come. Woman B is following behind them. Seems like she comes to help us after sensing the danger. The three of them have already wield their own weapons, and preparing to fight the magical beats. And then, the shake grow even stronger, and after a considerably loud sound of rumbling ground echoed, There's a slight silence. "--it's coming!" The moment I say so according to my 'intuition', the moment everyone put theirselves on guard-- --the ground explodes. The one appears from the exploding ground is, a giant earthworm. Several times larger than the wagon, very big that I think the length is about seven meters. Large enough to make me unable to see its head even when I look up at it, I think it's strong. There're no eyes at its head, and when it open its wide round mouth, I can see some dozens of sharp fang are appearing inside it. Earthworm, it has such impression, but with such features I think that name is a bit wrong. Worm, seems like that name is a bit more appropriate. "Status...." *Status* Name : Broken Worm Race : Earthworm-type magical beast Strength : 2500 Stamina : 5000 Resistance : 250 Agility : 7800 Magic Power : 0 * An upper class among D rank magical beasts. Agility-wise, it's comparable to C rank, I think. If it has more strength, perhaps it would even be capable on fighting against demon. "Broken worm...?! Why such monster is...!" Woman B says so in surprise. Perhaps she never thought that a D rank magical beast would appears here, right? Even I also thought so. However, There was the case when 'Red Night' once appeared inside a normal forest. So, with merely at such level, it won't surprise me at all. If it tries to block our way, then we'll simply crush and pass through it. The power to do that, we possess it. "Finia-chan and Leila-chan act as the main force, Lulu-chan and Rishe-chan support them when you see any opening, and the person there...." "!...." "If you have no intention on fighting then step back, if you want to do something then protect the wagons." Woman B is slightly stiffened at my gaze, I avert my gaze away from her after I gave her the minimum instruction. If the trauma given by Leila-chan makes her unable to fight then I honestly want her to stay away. Since it would be bad if the client get killed, so I stand before the wagon and activate "Eerie Constitution" toward the worm so that it won't come this way. If it runs away here then that's good in itself, but seems like this earthworm isn't running away. This skill, since it's supposed to turns the impression of me into that kind of fear, the earthworm doesn't come my way, but I feel like there's something different here... oops, focus, focus. And then, Leila-chan charges at a high speed, and Finia-chan shoots a fire magic from her rear. The shot fire lance hits the earthworm, it's weakening it while burning its flesh. And then, without giving a time to let the earthworm let out a scream, Leila-chan charges toward the earthworm while holding her miasma. When I'm pondering what she's going to do, the massive amount miasma is taking a form, and makes a giant guillotine. "Chokkin." Leila-chan puts the guillotine up high while smiling and then drops it while quietly says so. *Doom*, with such loud sound, the edge of the guillotine slice the earthworm's body in half. This time the earthworm lets out a shriek, and then it spits out some liquids from its gigantic mouth. The one at the end of the projecting liquid is Lulu-chan and Rishe-chan, but, avoiding that liquid, they approach the earthworm. And then, wielding their respective weapons, they slash at the earthworm. Perhaps since it has been cut into half, it can't raise its body, the earthworm that is crawling like hornworm, moves its body more violently after got cut again. The just got cut earthworm rolls its body and then chases after Rishe-chan to eat her, but its movement is stopped by Finia-chan. Blocking its path using fire magic, she gives Rishe-chan times to run away. Fighting against Leila-chan who is an S rank demon, there's an overwhelming difference in power between them, perhaps the earthworm sense it instinctively. It tries to run away toward the hole where it appeared from. "I won't let you!" However, not Leila-chan, Finia-chan is the one that doesn't allow it. Similarly like when we subjugated the spider before, along with tornado of fire, she attacks the earthworm directly. Advancing like a fire drill, a sound of air being burnt, and a fricative sound of the air, are thunderously reverberating. And then, the tornado of fire that flows in through its mouth is making shaving sounds while burning its flesh wherever Finia-chan flies to. As if a rotating blade of fire. As if leaving the tornado of fire inside the earthworm's body, Finia-chan flies out from it. The one remaining is, the meat of the earthworm that has been nicely roasted, a burnt smell, and heat from the burnt air. "Ahn... hm~, roasted meat also look appetizing." Or rather, I already aware that her miasma could be turned into an object, but it even able to be turned into a guillotine, too, huh... isn't that a bit too unfair? Also, if we inhale it then we'll get infected, right? It's virus, after all... as expected of an S rank, huh. "...too strong...." "Hm, you're right~... rather than a cooperation, it looks like they were simply attacking it the time they saw an opening, but... rather than a poor cooperation, attacking at their own pace is way more stronger, after all." "But... that white haired woman sure is a monster!? To kill and eat human is....!" Woman B floats a face that says impossible after seeing that battle. And then, she says so about Leila-chan at my word. You aren't wrong at all, she's a demon, a murderer, and also my stalker. "Yup, I also... hope I can do something about her, you know...." "...you also, um... have it rough, huh." Remembering it makes me want to cry. Dropping my shoulder, I sincerely say so, and woman B cheers me while floating a very awkward expression. Like really, why always me? Why must I always be the one who go through such unpleasant thing? What kind of sin I've made before that make me deserve to experience all of it. But, well, it's already too late, I think. "With that, the subjugation of that earthworm has over, so... let's continue." Removing the flesh of the earthworm using Leila-chan's miasma, the wagons start moving again. The slave trades seems like were surprised by the appearance of the earthworm, but seems like they've become considerable in relief after knowing our prowess. Seems like some sense of relief has born inside their mind. And then, after that the wagons advancing again for a while, and slightly past noon, we finally arrive at Grandile Kingdom.

妖精との邂逅 森の中は空気も澄んでおり、気温も温暖で、探索するのに特筆して障害になるものは無かった。そんな環境下で、 まず桔音が最初に取った行動は、人間の最低限度の生活に必要な衣食住を確保すること。中でも、最優先で必要なのは食料の確保。 ここで幸いだったのは、桔音が図書館にて小学校の間の6年間読み漁った本の中に、食べられる植物などについて記載されたものがあったことだ。桔音はその知識をフル稼働させ、自身の足下に数多く群生している植物達を見ながら食べられる植物を探した。 「......? おかしいなぁ、普通こんなに自然に囲まれてれば食べられる植物の一つや二つ、あってもおかしくない筈なんだけど......」 呟く桔音。 不可解だったのは、彼が見渡した限り自身の知り得る植物が一つも無かったことだ。それこそ、何処にでもある様な雑草の一つですら見当たらない。寧ろ、見た事のない植物『しか』なかったのだ。 妙な違和感を感じて少しだけ思考を働かせてみるが、それで何かが分かる訳でもない。桔音は不明な事柄は置いておくことにした。 「んー......」 こうなっては衣食住の内、食料に関しては多少のリスクを背負って安全そうな物から自分の身体で試してみるしかないだろう。だがそんなリスクを早々に試す程の勇気も無いので、桔音は夜になる前に寝床に出来る場所を探すことにした。 「洞窟......は物語で言えば定番だけど、熊的な獣が既に寝床にしている可能性もあり得るから......不用意に近づくのは非常識だね」 過去に読んだ本の知識を思い出すように、言葉に出して再確認する。最も良い場所の条件としては、水辺で、身を隠す事が出来、尚且つ雨風を防げるといったところだろう。食料が無くとも、幾多の生物は生存の為に水を必要としている。この場所が桔音の知らぬ土地、国、或いは世界だったとしても、それは変わらない筈だ。 故に、湖にしろ、池にしろ、川にしろ、なにかしらの水辺はある筈なのだ。桔音はまず、その水辺を探して回ることにした。 ◇ 大分歩いた。方角は太陽の位置と、自分の身体から出る影の方向を利用して把握した。とりあえず僕が最初に向かったのは、南。理由は特にない、なんとなく南って文字と水って文字のイメージカラーが似てたからだね。うん、『なんとなく』......僕の虐められていた理由とおんなじ、僕みたいな思春期の青少年としてはこれ以上なく相応しい理由だよ。 水源を見つける為の知識としては、まず木と土を見ること。 木は地面から水を吸い上げて生きている、 次に土、これも木と似た理由だ。水は水源から地上へ流れ出る以前に地中を流れるもの。水源に近ければ近いほど、その周辺の地面の持つ水分量は多くなり、触れれば分かるほど水の含有量の多い地質へと変化する、と。 うん、まぁ当然の知識だよね。本で読んだだけとはいえ、少し考えれば本を読んで無くとも思い当たることか。 「でも、流石の僕でもおかしいと思うなぁ......食用植物も見当たらなければ雑草すら見た事のない物ばかりだし、しかも日本にこんな森林がある筈が無い。なにより僕は死んだ筈なんだ」 死んだ僕がこうして生きている事も不可解だし、負った筈の怪我も綺麗さっぱり無くなってる。ありえないことが、ありえない形で起こっている。まさか、まさかの可能性だけど、出来れば考えたくも無い可能性だけど、 ここは、元居た世界ではない―――? 「......異世界転生、あはは、どんな展開だよばっかじゃねーの?」 あはは、ないない。ありえないありえない、そんな展開が許されるのはフィクションの世界だけだ、もしくは中二病の妄想か。とりあえずは別の国に何らかの形で放り出されたってことで、納得しておこう。 「.........ってマジかよ」 ついさっき納得したのに、一瞬でぶっ壊されたぜこの可能性。振り向いたらそこには獣がいた。いや獣っつーか、化け物だけどねこれは。 見た目は黒い毛並みの狼っぽいけれど、そのサイズは白熊レベル。血走った真っ赤な瞳に、唸り声を上げている口から見える鋭く大きな牙、そして何より普通の生物ではありえないことに―――口から炎を溢れだしていた。 「あはは、異世界決定だね」 だけど、驚くほどじゃあない。こんなの普段やってた妄想の中でいつも普通に活躍してたじゃないか。まぁ、本当に目の前に登場するとは思わなかったけどさ。 だとしても、異世界かぁ......認めざるを得ないよね。こんな状況、ここまで揃った異世界の要素、否定出来ない。 『グルルルル.........!』 とはいえ、当面の目標としてはまずこの状況を打破しなければならないよね。取り敢えず武器としてナイフがあるのは多少心の支えになるけど、でもこんな玩具みたいなものであの怪物を倒せる気がしない。というか詰んでるでしょこれ、四足歩行の時点で機動力は高そうだし、あの巨体だ......パワーも相当だろう。一撃貰っただけで死ねる気がするよ。 「よし、逃げよう。死にたくはないからね」 踵を返し、早々に走りだす。 『ガァア!!』 いやぁ、背後から地面を蹴る音が聞こえたよ。こりゃ完全に追って来てるぜこん畜生め。しかも、確実に距離を詰められてる。元々運動は得意じゃない、現役で人間以上のスペックを持った獣にかけっこで勝てる筈も無い。 「っ!」 真横を黒い影が物凄い速度で通り抜け、目の前にあの獣が回り込んでいた。これはいよいよ不味い。こんな時物語であれば―――勇者とか、ライバルとか、伝説の冒険者とかが助けに来たり、主人公の潜在能力が覚醒したりとかするんだろうけれど、無理だな。 これ現実、ノンフィクション。ご都合主義なんてそうそう都合良く起こらないよ。 「しおりちゃん......」 でも、約束した......帰ったら、遊園地デートに行くって。だから死ねないね、少なくとも死ぬなんて一度で十分だ。 ナイフ一本、戦闘経験無し、心許無いけど、 ―――抗ってみようか、僕は1%でも可能性がある限り諦めない! みたいなこと言ってみたりして。 「掛かって来いよ、獣野郎」 頑張ってみよう......約束一つ守れない男には、なりたくはないからね。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 桔音と獣、動き出しが早かったのはやはり獣の方だった。その四本の脚は軽快に地面を蹴り、桔音の目の前に迫った。爪を振りかざし、桔音の首目掛けて横薙ぎに振り抜く。 だが、桔音は何とかその攻撃に付いて行き、爪をナイフで受け止めた。 「うっ......ぐぅ......っ!?」 しかし、その振り抜かれた腕は受け止めきれない威力だった。ナイフを持った桔音ごと吹き飛ばす。桔音の足は地面を離れ、身体は横へと吹き飛ぶ。そして、近くにあった木に叩きつけられる。 「ぅぐっ......痛ぅ~......なんて力だよこの獣は」 見れば、ナイフは根元から真っ二つに折れていた。唯一の武器が早々に破壊されてしまった。最早、抵抗の術は一切無くなった。 桔音はそう言いながら、叩きつけられた木に寄り掛かりながらずりずりとしゃがみ込む。ナイフで防御したが、こうされれば防御にもなっていない。木に叩きつけられ、背中からミシミシと嫌な音が聞こえていた。運動もしていない一介の男子高校生が、何度もこんな攻撃を喰らって無事でいられる筈が無い。 漫画やアニメの主人公達はどんな身体してんの? 桔音はそんな感想を抱きながら、獣を見る。 「全く......僕は痛みには強いけど、かといってダメージには許容量ってものがね......」 『ガアアアアアアアアアアアア!!!!』 「っ......!」 桔音は軽口を叩くが、獣の咆哮の衝撃によって言葉を呑んだ。ほんの僅かな可能性に賭けて抵抗してみたは良いものの、やはり勝てないものは勝てなかった。一撃ですら防ぐこともままならない。脆弱な人間がこんな化け物に勝てる筈も無かったのだ。 「でも......っ......! まだ、諦めるわけにはいかないね......!」 桔音は、ふらふらの足に力を込めて立ち上がる。ナイフの柄を放して、手ぶらになる。こうなればヤケだった、最後の最後まで奇跡が起こるのを期待して、諦めないで最期を迎えよう。それが一番、賢明だ。 「殺せるもんなら、殺してみろよ」 最後まで、威勢だけはいい桔音。獣はそんな桔音にゆっくりと歩み寄り、桔音の目の前に来ると、その大きな爪を振り上げる。桔音は眼を閉じない、眼を逸らさずに、最後まで生きることを諦めなかった。 『ガアアアアアアアアア!!!』 と、その時だった。 桔音と獣の間で、何が光った。両者の視界を真っ白な光で埋め尽くし、そこへ振り下ろされた獣の腕が弾き飛ばされる。 『ギャアア!!?』 桔音は獣の姿が見えなくなると、大きく息を吐きながら再度地面に尻もちをつく。最早立ち上がる力は残されていなかった。 「......で、この光は何かな......敵だったら不味いけど......」 桔音は頭上で光り輝く何かを見つめながら呆然とそう呟く。そして、その光は桔音の目の前まで下りてくると、 「やっほー!」 ぽんっ! と弾けて、中から幼い声と共に人形サイズの人間が現れた。 長い黒髪に、亜麻色の瞳、薄水色の布を巻いた様な服装、そしてなによりその小さな背中には半透明の羽が生えていた。 妖精、というしか表現しようのない存在。見た目は小さい篠崎しおりそのひとだった。 唖然とする桔音に対して、その妖精は何の警戒も無く近づいてくる。そして、くるりと空中で回ると、にぱっと純粋な笑顔を浮かべた。 「初めまして、こんにちわ! 貴方の名前は?」 桔音の満身創痍な状態を見てそんな挨拶を言う妖精は、間違いなく場違いで、空気が読めていない。桔音はそんな妖精を見て、正確には篠崎しおりの容姿をした妖精を見て、眼を見開いていた。 「んー? あれー? どうしたの? 私何かヘンなことしたかなぁ?」 「あ.........いや、そういう訳じゃないんだけど」 「そうなの? ならいいや!」 いいんだ、と桔音は思った。どうやらこの妖精は興味の矛先がころころ変わるようだ。とりあえず、名前を聞かれているので桔音は自分の名前を答えることにした。妖精が出てくるなんて、異世界感満載だなぁと思いつつ口を開く。 「僕の名前は 「面白い名前だね! きつねさん、だね! よろしく!」 妖精はそう言って、またにぱっと純粋な笑みを浮かべた。

Chapter 3: An Encounter with a Fairy Inside of the forest, the air was clear nicely warm. When Kitsune tried scouting the area, there wasn't anything that could really be considered an obstacle. In an environment like that, Kitsune held the knife in one hand as he started the first day of his survival life. The first action he took was to take care of the necessities to sustain a human lifestyle. The highest priority was placed on securing food. To his luck, in one of the books he had read in his 6th year of elementary school, was a list of various edible plant life. Kitsune began using that info to its fullest, and he carefully perused the various plants growing at his feet as he proceeded forward. "...? This is strange. After going this far in a place surrounded by nature, it's strange to have not found one or two edible plants by now..." He whispered to himself. Even more baffling, was that from what he could see, there wasn't a single plant he was familiar with. There weren't even any of those weeds that could be found any and everywhere. It's more like there was only vegetation he had never seen before. With an unpleasant premonition, he tried working his brain out a bit, but still he didn't figure anything out. Thus, he decided to put those unproductive thoughts aside. "Hmm..." Of the necessities of life, it seems that food would have to be gained through trial and error of whatever looked safe. But, he didn't have the courage to test them, so until night fell, Kitsune continued to search for a place he could find shelter. "A cave... is standard in the realm of stories, but there's the possibility a bear or lion has already made a home there, so... approaching them carelessly would be foolish." To remember the information from some old book, he repeated the contents to himself and reaffirmed it. The places that would make for the best shelter would be by the waterside, with elements to let him hide himself, and furnishings to protect from the wind and rain. Even if there was no food, various lifeforms depend on water to live. Even if this was a place, land, country, or world unknown to Kitsune, that shouldn't change. Therefore, there should be some source of water nearby, some lake, pond, or river, and Kitsune made searching for it his first course of action. * I walked a considerable distance. I kept my direction with the light of the sun and the shadow below my feet. Anyways, the first direction I headed was south. There wasn't really any reason, I just kinda thought the word south carried a bit of a watery impression. Yep, kinda... The same reason I was bullied, a reason appropriate for a pubescent young man like me. When finding water, I think the first thing you have to do is look at the trees and soil. The trees live by taking water from the earth. The closer they are to water, the amount of water they take in changes in regards to their proximity to a water source. Next, the earth is observed for similar reasons. Before overflowing, water travels through the ground. The closer one is to a water source, the higher the moisture level of the dirt in the area, and you should be able to tell, to some extent, by touch, or by observing growths related to moisture levels. Apparently. Yeah, that sounds a tad bit obvious. Even if I read it in a book, it's something I would have probably thought up even without the book. "But even I'm finding this strange... I don't see any plants I recall as edible, and even the weeds are ones I've never seen before. What's more, Japan shouldn't have an expanse of forest like this. Most importantly, I should be dead." The fact that I'm alive is baffling in itself, and the wounds I have received have vanished with not a trace left behind. Something impossible is happening to me in an impossible fashion. Could it be, that there's a slight possibility that a possibility that I don't want to think about is... This isn't the world I lived in...? "... Otherworldly reincarnation? Ahaha, what sort of story development is that? How idiotic." Ahaha, nope, not happening. Impossible, no chance. That stuff's only permissible in cheap fiction. Or in Chuuni fantasies. Let's just say that I was transported to some other country in some shape or form. "... For reals?" I had just reached satisfaction with an answer, but that possibility was destroyed in an instant. When I turned around, there was a single beast. No, more than a beast, that's a monster, isn't it? Its appearance was that of a black haired, wolf-like creature, but its size was polar bear level. It had blood-shot red eyes, and I saw sleek fangs in its growling mouth, and most importantly, something impossible for a normal lifeform... there's fire overflowing from its throat. "Ahaha, yep. It's another world." But this isn't something to be startled about. It's nothing different from the normal imaginative delusions I occasionally daydream, and I do fine in those. Well, never thought it'd actually happen though. Even so, another world... I guess I'll have to accept it. This situation, and all the other otherworldly-ish factors. I can't deny them. {Grrrrrrr......!} Even if I say that, the first thing I'll have to do is get out of this situation, right? As a weapon, I have the knife which is more or less just mental support. I don't get the feeling this toy would be able to take down that monster. This is too short, isn't it? The moment I get within four paces of it, it'll have moved, and that large frame... I'll bet it has quite a bit of power. I get the feeling that one hit from it will kill me. "Okay, let's run. I don't really want to die." I turn and immediately start running. {GYAU!!} Wow, I heard the sound of it kicking off the ground behind me. God dammit, he's totally following me, isn't he. What's more, he's definitely closing the distance. I'm not that athletic to begin with, and there's no way I can beat a high spec beast meant to have abilities exceeding humanity. "!" A black shadow passes by me at a frightening pace, as that beast circles in front of me. This is quite bad. At this time, in a story... a Hero, or a Rival, or some legendary adventurer would come help, or the protagonist would awaken some latent ability, but that's impossible. Reality is non-fiction. Such optimistic situations don't come about that easily. "Shiori-chan..." But I promised... when I return, we're going on an amusement park date. So I won't die, or at the very least, one death is more than enough. One knife. No fighting experience. No will to fight. But... ... I guess I'll give it a shot. As long as there's the slightest chance of victory, I won't give up! I could say something cool like that. "Come at me, damn beast." I'll give it a go... I don't want to become a man who can't fulfill a single promise. * * * Kitsune and the monster. Of the two, the monster definitely had the faster movements. Its four legs nimbly kicked the ground, as it drew near the boy. It brandished its claws and swiped at Kitsune's neck. But Kitsune was somehow able to keep up with that move, and block the claws with his knife. "Uu... gu...!?" However, his arm didn't have the strength to contain the impact. Kitsune was sent flying, knife and all. His legs left the ground as he flew sideways. He collided with a nearby tree. "Gu... Owow... just how much power does that thing have?" The knife had cleanly snapped in two from the hilt. His only weapon was immediately destroyed. He no longer had any means of opposition. Kitsune talked to himself as he leaned against the tree he had forcefully become acquainted with, and squatted. He had used the knife to defend, but it didn't really do anything. His back had made some ominous sounds upon colliding, and a single high-school student who didn't even lift wouldn't be able to stand any more attacks like that. Just what sort of bodies do those manga and anime protagonists have? Kitsune pondered this as he looked at the beast. "Good grief... I may be strong against pain, but there should be a limit to the amount of damage he deals out..." {GRAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!} "..." Kitsune tried to crack jokes to put himself at ease, but the monster's roar make him swallow his words. He thought he would rely on the slight chance of victory, but impossible things remain impossible. He couldn't even ward off the first attack. There was no way a frail human would be able to beat a monster like this. "But still......! I can't really... give up yet...!" He stood up on his unstable legs. He dropped the knife's hilt and raised his hands. This was merely desperation. He expected a miracle to come in the very end and tried to go on without giving up. But that was the best decision he could make. "If you think you can kill me, just try it." To the end, only his aura of authority was top notch. The beast leisurely walked up to him and lifted its large claws. Kitsune didn't close his eyes and didn't look away. He didn't give up on life. {GRAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!} It was at that moment. In front of Kitsune and the monster, something flashed. Both of their visions were clouded by pure white light, and the beast's lowering arm was shot down. {GYAAH!!?} As the beast disappeared from view, Kitsune let out a sigh of relief, as his behind dropped to the ground. He no longer had the power to stand. "... And what was that light? ... I would be screwed if it were an enemy..." Kitsune stared at a glimmering object in the sky overhead, as he muttered it in a daze. The glowing object lowered itself all the way to his eye level. "Yo!" It burst, and from within, the doll-sized form of a human accompanied by a child's voice emerged. Long black hair and flaxen eyes. Sea-blue garments, and on its small back were a pair of half-transparent wings. Fairy, was the only word that could be used to describe it. Its appearance was like that of a small Shinozaki Shiori. Kitsune was dumb-founded, but the fairy continued to approach without a hint of wariness. And after circling in the air a few times, she let out a pure smile. "Hello, how do you do!? What's your name?" The fairy continued on despite his injuries. It was definitely out of place, and the fairy continued to fail to read the mood. Kitsune stared at the fairy, or more specifically, at its nostalgic form. He opened his eyes wide. "Hmm? Huh? What's wrong? Did I say something strange?" "Ah... no, that's not it, but..." "Really? Good!" It doesn't really matter, I guess, thought Kitsune. It seems that the fairy had a short attention span. For now, since his name was asked, he decided to answer. A fairy appeared. Could this get any more otherworldly? He thought as he opened his mouth. "My name is Naginata Kitsune... it would be nice if you called me Kitsune-san." "Interesting name! Kitsune-san, right! Nice ta meetcha!" The fairy spoke before letting off a pure smile once more.

僕とリーシェちゃんは無事に階段を見つけて、上に登っていた。どうやらこの都庁モドキは三階建ての様で、二階に上がっても大して人の気配を感じない。一階層位なら僕も瘴気で空間把握出来る様だから、現在二階だけ瘴気を撒き散らして空間把握をしているけれど、兵士が数名いる程度。 まぁこの中にレイスとかいたら面倒だけど、どの気配も動きまわっていることからオルバ公爵はいないと予想。 あ、ちなみに階段を探して一階を歩いている時に気付いたんだよね、瘴気で一階層位なら空間把握出来るなって。まぁレイラちゃんの瘴気が既に一階から地下へ散乱していたから、あまり効果はなかったけど。 どうやら瘴気同士が同じ場所を空間把握しようとすると、その索敵効果が格段に落ちるみたいだ。 自身が操作している瘴気と、していない瘴気がぶつかった結果なのか、それとも空間を瘴気が埋め尽くしているから、後から発動した僕の瘴気がその空間を『空間』として認識出来なかったのか、はたまたレイラちゃんの方が瘴気の支配力が高いからなのか、その辺は不明だけど。 どちらにせよ、二階は正常に空間把握が出来ることから、レイラちゃんの瘴気は一階から地下に向かって展開されているらしい。 「なぁきつね、お前の左眼は右眼と違ってレイラの様に赤いんだが......何か変化があるのか?」 「んー......まぁレイラちゃんの瞳と同じものだと思うから、この赤い眼に何かしら特殊な力はないし、視界も普通だよ」 「......そうなのか、視界が赤かったりしないんだな」 「リーシェちゃん的には赤い瞳って珍しい?」 「いや、確かに珍しいがいないこともない......だが、あの謎の襲撃の一件の後でなくとも......無かった物が再生するのは珍しいだろう」 確かにそうかもしれない。フィニアちゃんの治癒魔法でも欠損は治らなかったし、リーシェちゃんの言葉からして、この世界でも欠損を治す事の出来る魔法やアイテムはそうないのかな? 治癒系の固有スキルならあり得るかもしれないけど、固有スキル自体持ってる人は少ないもんね。 いいなぁ固有スキル。便利だよなぁ固有スキル。僕も欲しいなぁ固有スキル。 あ、僕もう持ってた。三つもあるじゃん、滅茶苦茶希少じゃん僕。 「リーシェちゃんはどう? 戦闘の調子は」 を三体倒した。支障無く戦えた......私も少しづつ強くなってると思う」 「へぇ......良かったね、リーシェちゃん」 凄くすっきりした様な表情を浮かべるリーシェちゃんに、僕もなんだか嬉しくなる。仲間が強くなれば僕の生存確率も高くなるし、フィニアちゃん達を取り戻すのも幾らか楽になるもんね。 とりあえず、ステータスを確認。 名前:トリシェ・ルミエイラ 性別:女 Lv32 筋力:1670 体力:1890 耐性:100:STOP! 敏捷:1780 魔力:500 『剣術Lv4(↑1UP)』 『先見の魔眼Lv0』 これは、確かにステータスが上がってる。前回はレベル27だったのに、たった5レベル上がっただけでこのステータスの上昇......やっぱりステータスやスキルには精神が大きく関わってくるみたいだ。リーシェちゃんの場合、今まで獲得出来た経験値を不安定な精神状態が上手くステータスに変換出来なかったんだと思う。 でも、今のリーシェちゃんはかなり安定した精神状態だし、強くなろうという強い向上心がある。本来獲得出来る筈の経験値とステータスが、本来の形で反映されてる。 ちなみには僕はどうだろう? 名前:薙刀桔音 性別:男 Lv1 筋力:400 体力:2500 耐性:3450 敏捷:2620 魔力:1220 「あれ?」 おかしい、また僕のレベルが1に戻ってる。それに、筋力の『STOP!』が消えてる、これは一体どういうことだ? いや限界値に到達したからこれ以上上がるとは思ってなかったし、消えたなら消えたで良いことなんだろうけど、なにが起こったんだ? ステータスがそのままなのは良いし、瘴気ボールや瘴気の空間把握、それにレイスとやり合った時もナイフを何十本か作ったし、此処に来るまでもお手玉やってたから『瘴気操作』のレベルが上がったことは凄く嬉しいんだけど......ちょっと不気味だなぁ、『不気味体質』だけに。 「どうしたんだ?」 「......そうか」 まぁステータスはそのままだし、なんの支障もないから良いか。放っておいても。 それにしても、いつの間にかリーシェちゃんの攻撃なら生身で防げるようになったんだなぁ僕。まぁ攻撃力で言えば、やっぱり凄い弱いんだけどね。筋力がこれじゃ幾ら速くて堅くても、魔獣なんてこれっぽっちも倒せない。とはいえ、死なないようになっただけ良いかな。 と、そんなことを考えている内に三階へ上がる階段を見つけた。瘴気の空間把握で階段の位置は把握していたし、兵士にも会わずに済んだから、やっぱり便利だなぁこのスキル。 「行こっか、多分この上にオルバ公爵いるよ。いや根拠はないけど」 「まぁ『瘴気操作』が使える以上きつねに付いて行くのが最善だから、行くさ」 階段を上る僕の後ろを、なにやらブツブツ言いながら付いてくるリーシェちゃん。この子結構脳筋っぽいかなぁと思ってたけど、意外に合理的な考え方するんだねぇ。 さり気なく『瘴気操作』のスキルを受け入れてるし、結構図太い精神してるのかな? でも人見知りっていうか、視線に弱かったんだよね。繊細なのか図太いのか、どっちなんだ。 「―――お待ちしておりました」 すると、階段を上る途中、上から透き通るような女性の声が聞こえた。 視線を上げると、そこには階段の下からでも背が高いと分かる女性がいた。手足が長く、ギルドの受付嬢にも似た制服を綺麗に着こなした美人だ。ミニエラにも居た青髪の受付嬢と同じで、長い青髪を持ち、冷たい瞳をしている。 一見するとオルバ公爵の関係者―――もっと言えば秘書みたいな女性にも見えるけれど、それなら今の言葉はおかしい。お待ちしておりました、じゃなくてお帰り下さい、じゃないのかな? 「......待った?」 「リーシェちゃん、今のちょっとデートみたいじゃない? 待ち合わせ的な」 「思考停止して現実逃避に走るなよ」 分からなくなったからちょっと茶化しただけなのに。 「それで? 君は?」 「オルバ公爵の秘書......と考えて貰って構いません」 「ふーん......それで、待ってたっていうのは?」 「......貴方に、オルバ公爵をこの街から排除していただきたいのです」 排除、この街からということは、文字通り街の外へと追いやるか......それとも殺すか、ということになるのかな。追い出すのは面倒だし、殺す方が手っ取り早いな、最初に言った殺害プラン実行フラグかな? 「......どういうことか、説明して貰えるんだよね?」 さて、どういうことなのか、オルバ公爵は何をどうしたら排除して貰いたくなるようなことになるんだろう。小説であるような乱暴な暴力貴族だったり、悪徳商法に手を出した闇貴族だったり、それともただ単に生理的に無理とかそういうこと? 僕としては三番目の理由だったら重くなくていいなぁ。 そう思っていると、彼女は此処で待っていた理由を語り始めた。 ◇ ◇ ◇ ――――街の外、戦闘を繰り広げていたその場所は、風の音が吹き荒ぶ静けさがあった。 Dランク上位の、魔族の領域に半分足を踏み入れている強者。その手に持っている巨大な棍棒にはべっとりと赤い色がこびり付いており、その足下には、大量の狼や猿、ゴブリン達の亡骸に加え、勇敢に立ち向かい、剣を振るっていた冒険者の無残な遺体があった。 あの時、前に出てきたゴブリンキングの棍棒は、一人の冒険者を圧死させてから、次々とその場にあった命を奪い去っていった。冒険者も、獣系の魔獣も、時には仲間である筈のゴブリンですらも、邪魔だと判断した者は全て潰して行った。 それは、残虐の光景で、勇気と信念だけでは覆せない地獄。おそらく、九分九厘こうなる筈だった光景が、その可能性の通り実現されていた。 「―――っはぁ......! はぁっ......! クソ......よくも、よくも......!!」 残っているのは、あの最初に剣を抜いた勇気ある新人冒険者。己の心の内にあった背中を、ひたすらに、我武者羅に、夢中で追い掛けてきた青年と、ゴブリンキング、そして数体のゴブリンやゴブリンナイトだけ。 彼以外の冒険者は、皆死んでいった。彼を護って、死んでいった。 ―――......お前が、俺にとっての......『冒険者』だったからだ。 ―――私も焼きが回ったかねぇ......アンタに賭けてみたくなったんだよ。 ―――未来の芽は......摘ませる訳にはいかない......君は可能性だ。 ―――生きろ......そんで、俺の命を持ってけ......! それが、お前の力になる......! ―――さっきの啖呵......足を震わせて、生まれたての小鹿みたいでした......格好良かったですよ。 彼を護った冒険者達は、そんなことを言って、死んだ。 きっと、戦えば自分よりもずっと強い冒険者達が、自分なんかを護る為にその命を使ってくれた。自分の可能性を信じて、自分の未来に賭けて、その命を自分が生きる道を繋げるために使ってくれた。 なのに、彼は今......たった一人だ。 「......なんでこんな俺の為に......!」 ゴブリンキングも、ゴブリンナイトもゴブリンも、満身創痍の彼の命を奪って、今度は街へと乗り込むだろう。 彼には、ここから生き延びる手段が見つからない。新品の剣も、少し前に折れた。体力も気力も尽きた。残ったのは、戦うことを決めたあの時の自分への後悔と、そしてまだ先があった筈の、冒険者達の命を散らせてしまったことへの無念。 故に、彼は気力は尽きても、最後まで戦うつもりであった。 折れた剣を構え、歯を食いしばって逃げそうになる足を抑える。心の中で、逃げろ、逃げても責める者はいない、と甘い考えが浮かぶ。 誰かに言っている訳ではない。自分の中で逃げろと囁く自分自身に反論していた。 ゴブリンキングは、そんな彼を見下して、一歩、また一歩を近づいてくる。棍棒を振りかぶり、彼がその棍棒の届く範囲に入るまで、そのゾウの何倍も太い足を進めてくる。 「―――俺は............冒険者に......なりたかったんだ......!!」 涙がこぼれた。そして、ゴブリンキングの棍棒の影が、彼の身体に掛かる。 彼の意識があったのは、それまで。涙でぼやけた視界と、すぅっと白く染まっていく意識の中、彼が最後に見たのは、肌色の、 ―――手の様な影だった。

I and Rishe-chan safely find the stairs and then head up to the second floor. It appears that this building has three floors, and when we arrive at the second floor, I don't feel any presence nearby. If it's only one floor, I can pretty much detect it using my miasma, and now that I'm spreading my miasma through the second floor, I can tell that the soldiers there only amount to several people. Well, if by chance Reis is somewhere inside this building, he'll surely be a huge pain, and given the fact that these presences are busily moving around, most likely Duke Orba isn't among them. Ah, by the way, I first thought that I might be able to detect if it was just a single floor was when we were looking for the stairs leading to the second floor before. Well, since Leila-chan already spread her miasma on the first floor through the basement, mine wasn't that effective, though. It seems that if there are two different miasma similarly spread in a same location, their detection ability will fall considerably. Either it because the miasma clash against each other, or because the air become too packed with miasma, or because I spread mine later that my miasma can't properly grasp its surroundings, or simply because Leila-chan's miasma control is way better than mine, I don't know which one is the real reason, though. In any case, given the fact that I can properly detect my surrounding in the second floor, most likely Leila-chan only spread her miasma in the first floor and the basement. "Say, Kitsune, unlike your right eye, your left eye is red just like Leila's, so... does that bring any difference?" "Hmm... I think it's merely like Leila-chan's eyes, this red eye doesn't have any special ability or anything either, and the sight is also normal." "... I see, so your sight doesn't turn red, huh." "Rishe-chan, are red eyes that unusual?" "No, they're certainly not unusual, but... leaving that mysterious attacker aside, isn't restoring something that's already lost not usual?" That may be true. Even Finia-chan's recovery magic couldn't restore lost parts, and from Riche-chan's words, could there be no magic or item that can restore lost parts even in this world? Perhaps it may be possible with recovery-type innate skill, but innate skill possessor is already rare in itself. How nice, innate skills. Innate skills sure are convenient, aren't they? I want innate skills too. Ah, actually I've already got them. Three of them, no less, aren't I like SSR here? "How about you, Rishe-chan? Have you gotten accustomed to battle?" "Well, today I defeated three Crazy Monkeys. I was able to fight without any problems... so I think little by little I'm getting stronger." "Hee... good for you, Rishe-chan." Seeing Rishe-chan looking so refreshed, I'm also somewhat happy for her. The stronger my comrades, the higher my chance of survival, and taking back Finia-chan and Lulu-chan will also become considerably easier. For now, let's check her status first. Name : Trisha Rumiela Gender : Female Lv. 32 Strength : 1670 Stamina : 1890 Resistance : 100:STOP! Agility : 1780 Magic Power : 500 Skill : {Sword Art Lv.4(| 1 UP)} {Demon Eye of Foresight Lv.0} {Body Reinforcement Lv.4(| 2 UP)} {Swift} {Intuition Lv.2(NEW)} {Mikiri LV.3 (NEW)} Innate skill : {Demon Eye of Foresight} Her status has certainly went up. She was level 27 before, and for her status to rise this much simply from leveling by 5... as expected, it seems that mental state greatly affects status and skills, huh. And in Rishe-chan's case, because of her unstable mind, I think the experience she had accumulated previously wasn't converted to her status properly. But now that Rishe-chan is in a fairly stable mental state and also has a strong will to become stronger, all of the unconverted experience is converted to the amount it's supposed to be. By the way, how about me? Name : Naginata Kitsune Gender : Male Lv.1 Strength : 400 Stamina : 2500 Resistance : 3450 Agility : 2620 Magic Power : 1220 "Huh?" How strange, my level is regressed to one. Moreover, the "STOP" next to strength has also disappeared, just what's the meaning of it? Well, I don't think that the status that has reached its limit will ever rise any further, so now that my strength limit has somehow disappeared, that's good in itself, but... just what happened? My status also stays as it was, and thanks to the miasma-ball juggling, detecting my surroundings using miasma, not to mention deploying tens of knives when facing Reis, I sure am happy that my{Miasma Manipulation} has risen by one level, but... all in all the situation is kinda eerie, like{Eerie Constitution} . "What's up?" "...is that so?" Well, my status stays as it was and there also seems to be no setback either, so whatever. Let's just think about it again later. Nevertheless, it seems that before I noticed it I've already become capable of withstanding Rishe-chan's normal attack barehanded, huh. Well, speaking of attack power, I'm simply and utterly weak, though. With such strength, no matter how fast and how hard I attack, I can't imagine myself defeating even a single demonic beast. However, it's still good that with this now I'm slightly further away from death. And while thinking about such a think, we find the stairs leading to the third floor. Using the miasma, I can easily find where the stairs is, not to mention that I can also easily move while avoiding the soldiers, this skill sure is convenient, huh. "Let's head up, Duke Orba is most likely somewhere above, not that I have any basis, though." "Well, since you're the one possessing {Miasma Manipulation} , it's only natural for me to follow your lead, let's go." When I start walking up the stairs, even while mumbling something, Rishe-chan is still properly following me. I thought this girl leaned more toward muscle-brain type, but her thought is unexpectedly rational, huh. She also easily accepted the fact that I'm capable of using {Miasma Manipulation} , could it be she actually has a firm mind? But she's that shy, or rather weak to gazes. Delicate or firm, which one is she actually? "--I've been waiting for you." Then, on the way up the stairs, I can hear a faint voice of a woman from above. When I look up, there's a woman whom I can tell even from below that she's pretty tall. She's a beautiful woman with long legs and is also beautifully dressed in a similar uniform like that of guild receptionist. She possess long blue hair, similar like the blue haired receptionist in Miniera, and cold eyes. From a glance, she looks like someone connected to Duke Orba, precisely speaking someone like his secretary, so I find what she said just now to be strange. Rather than "I've been waiting for you", shouldn't it be "Please go back"? "...been waiting?" "Rishe-chan, didn't that sound like a couple going on a date? Like, when they meet up?" "Geez, please don't run away from reality." I'm only intending to tease her a bit if she doesn't know about it, though. "Then? Who are you?" "Duke Orba's secretary... I don't mind if you think of me as such." "Hmm... So, what do you mean by waiting for us?" "...I wish to ask you to get rid of the Duke Orba from this town." Get rid of him from this town, does that means to literally drive him out of the town... or to kill him? Driving him out seems to be a pain, while killing him seems to be way easier, is this the so called flag of assassination plan? "...of course you'll explain what that means, right?" Well then, what does that mean? Why does she have to ask me to get rid of Duke Orba? Is it something like those things in those novels? Like because he's a tyrannical noble, or because he's an evil noble who partakes in corrupt business, or perhaps because she's simply unable to stand him any longer? As far as I'm concerned, I prefer the third reason as it's the lightest of all. When I think as such, she begins to explain the reason she's waiting here. * * * ------Outside of the town, at the location where the battle was taking place, it was so quiet that you could even hear the sound of blowing wind. A powerful top D rank existence that was half-step away from Demon level. The huge club in its hand was dyed in sticky red, and under its legs, along with a huge number of wolves, monkeys and goblins' corpses, the remains of adventurers, who bravely confronted and wielded their swords against it, were lying around. At that time, not long after the first adventurer who rushed toward the Goblin King and was crushed under its club, life ceased one after another there. Either it adventurers, beasts type demonic beasts, and sometimes even its fellow goblins, the Goblin King crushed everything it deemed hindering its path. That was a very atrocious spectacle, a hell that couldn't be overturned simply with courage and conviction alone. Probably, as this was the most probable outcome from the beginning, in the end this spectacle unfolded as expected. "--- haa...! Haa ...! Damn it... how dare you, how dare you... !!" The ones remained there were the brave adventurer who first wielded his sword, the youth who had been earnestly and frantically chasing after that back from his childhood, the Goblin King, and several goblins and goblin knights. Except him, all of the adventurers had died. They died protecting him. --because for me, you are the real "adventurer". --looks like I've been affected by you too, huh... I've come to want to bet everything on you. -- I mustn't let future sapling be plucked so early... you still have bright future waiting for you. -- Survive ... then, carry my life along with you...! That will surely make you stronger! -- Those words from before... when I'd got my legs trembling as though a newborn fawn... they were so cool. While protecting him, the adventurers died leaving those words. Should they fight, those adventurers would surely be way stronger than him, and yet they used their lives to protect him and died there. They believed in his potential, bet on his future, and used their lives to connect his path to his future. However, right there, right now, he was... all alone. "....Why, for someone like me...!" The Goblin king, goblin knights, and goblins, after taking his life they'd surely breach into the town next. He couldn't find a way to survive this situation. Even his brand new sword had snapped quite a while ago. His stamina had also reached its limit. The ones remained were regret of oneself who decided to participate in this battle and regret of having wasted the lives of the adventurers who could've survived this battle. Therefore, even if he had to burn his own life, he'd fight to the bitter end. Holding his broken sword, he clenched his teeth and steadied his trembling feet. Within his heart, he could hear sweet words such as "Run, none will blame you even if you run away here". He wasn't talking to anyone. He was simply rebutting the whisper within his heart to run away. Looking down on him, the Goblin King approached him step by step. Brandishing its club, until the youth was within its club reach, its huge legs kept on moving forward. "--I... want to be... an adventurer!!" He couldn't hold his tears any longer. And then, the shadow of the Goblin King's club finally reached upon his body. That was the last moment he could maintain his consciousness. Within his sight that was blurred by tears, with his consciousness turning white, the last thing he saw was a flesh-colored, --hand-like shadow.

邂逅 目が覚めて、最初に感じたのは腰の辺りに感じる掛け布団越しの人一人分の重みと、朝のひんやりした空気によってやけに冷たくなった左手の濡れた感触。 寝っ転がったまま顔の前に左手を持ってくると、涎でべったべたになった左手が視界に入ってきた。ぽたぽたと僕の顔に涎が垂れて来た。思わず溜め息が出る。 上体を起こすと、やはりというかなんというか、僕の腰のあたりに顔を埋めているレイラちゃんがいた。 顔は上気して赤く、火照った身体は赤みを帯びていて汗だくだ。そしてなにより惚けた様な表情、赤い瞳は虚ろで若干白目を剥いていて、にへらっと開いた口からは赤い舌がだらしなく出て来ている。びくびくと痙攣したように悶える彼女を見ると、事後かこれはと思ってしまう。 「あへぇ......えへへへ......しゅごぉい......♡ しゅごいよぉきつねくん......わた、私、ぶっ壊れちゃうかと思ったぁ......うふふ、うふふふふ......♡」 「そのままぶっ壊れればよかったのに」 「あんっ♡」 レイラちゃんの力なく倒れた身体の下から足を引き抜いて、ベッドから立ち上がる。その際レイラちゃんの身体が僕の身体分の落差でベッドへと落ち、嬌声をあげたけど無視する。どうせすぐ復活するだろう。 部屋を見渡してみると、僕とレイラちゃん以外は皆まだ眠っている。僕は朝は早い方だけど、昨日の気絶という名の睡眠によっていつもより早く起きてしまったらしい。空もまだ青白く、時間としては早朝4時30分くらいかな? 「さて......どうするかなぁ......っくぅ~......っはぁ」 起こすのも忍びないので、身体をぐいっと伸ばしながらそう呟く。 そしてふと、この宿にはお風呂があることを思い出した。そして、自分が昨日入っていないことも。 「お風呂、入ろうかな」 今の時間でも入れるのかは分からないけれど、どうせ暇なんだし確認しに行くだけ行けばいいか。入れれば尚良いし、入れなくてもまぁ眠気覚まし位にはなるだろう。寝起きでお風呂に入るのってなんか不健康とか聞いたけど、まぁこれまで入って来なかったんだし、良いでしょ別に。 「あ、私も行く♪」 「復活早いよ、もう少し寝てろよ」 「やー♪ きつね君が一晩中寝かせてくれないから汗だくだしねっ」 「寝かせてくれなかったじゃなくて、徹夜で舐めてたでしょ。少なくとも僕は寝てた」 何を戯けたことをほざいてんだこの発情魔は。 って言っても、どうせ来るなって言っても付いてくるし、魔族でも女の子だから汗臭いままは生理的に嫌だろう。 浴場は男女別だろうし、別に良いか、それくらい。 「はぁ......まぁいいや、お風呂行こう」 「きつね君とお風呂っ♪」 僕とレイラちゃんはお風呂場へと向かう為に、部屋を出た。 何処にあるのかも分からないから、とりあえずうろうろと廊下を歩く。ミニエラの所よりも広いな、やっぱり国土の違いか? 領地が広いのかもしれないね、軍事国家らしいし。 「何?」 「勇者って強いのかなぁ? 私よりも」 「さぁねぇ......まぁ魔王を倒す力を持ってるみたいだし、レイラちゃんでもやられちゃうかもねぇ」 寧ろやられてしまえ。 まぁまだ勇者が来てから一ヵ月も経っていないんだし、まだまだ強い訳では無いんじゃないかな。僕も一週間じゃそんなに強くなれてない訳だし、よっぽど初期スペックが高くない限りはまだまだ弱いと思う。 きっと今の段階じゃレイラちゃんの方が上なんじゃない? 「......あ、ここだね」 そんなことを話している内に、お風呂場を見つけた。やっぱり男女別だ、お風呂場が男女別であることにこれほど感謝したことないよ僕。 どうやらお風呂は常時開放らしい、今も入れるみたいだ。ラッキーだね。 「さて、それじゃレイラちゃんは女湯ね。僕は男湯行く」 「えー、私きつね君と入りたーい、この時間だし誰もいないよ?」 「駄目だよ、問題になるし」 「何が問題なのっ!?」 「モラル!」 ルールは守るよ僕、確かにレイラちゃんみたいな容姿だけは美少女な子とお風呂に入れるっていうのは魅力的ではあるけど、ルールは守ろうよ。真面目で青少年なことに定評がある僕だ、そこはきっちりしてるんだよ。 まぁ正直なところレイラちゃんと入りたくないだけだけどね。 「ほら、大人しくそっちに入って」 「むぅ......分かったよ」 渋々、レイラちゃんは女湯の暖簾を潜って姿を消した。僕もそれに続くように男湯の暖簾を潜る。 脱衣所は案外広く、見る限り誰もいない。服も置いてないから誰もいないんだろう。とりあえず手近な所に服を脱いで、脱衣所から浴場へと入る。 すると、中は結構広かった。シャワーはないけれど、身体を洗うスペースにも水路があって、そこにお湯が流れている。備え付けの桶もあるし、石鹸で頭と体を洗ったら、水路のお湯をすくって流すんだろう。 湯船と同じお湯だから泡とか湯船に入るんじゃないかと思ったけど、どうやら用水路的な洗浄効果を持つ魔導具で、湯船と身体を洗う水路の水質は随時洗浄されているみたいだ。凄いなファンタジー。 「取り敢えず身体洗おう」 僕は身体を洗うスペースにある椅子に座って、備え付きの石鹸で身体を洗う。一週間以上お風呂に入っていなかったからか、皮脂と汗でギトギトになった髪や身体を洗うのには2度3度繰り返し洗う必要があったけど、流し終わった後は凄くさっぱりした。 『きつね君いるー?』 「......」 すると、壁を隔てた向こう側の女風呂からレイラちゃんの声がした。まぁ壁の上の部分は繋がっているから声が聞こえるのもおかしくはないか。 ついでに言えば向こうの浴場もレイラちゃんしかいないんだろう。とりあえず無視しよう。 『なんだ、居るなら返事してよー』 「......何故分かった」 『あはっ♪ 私の瘴気は広げた場所の状況がある程度感知出来るんだよー』 「何その索敵能力」 見れば湯気に混ざって黒い瘴気が見えた。あれで僕が居るのを感知したんだろう。 『......視覚能力がないのが残念だけどねー......』 「心底残念そうに言うな」 視覚能力備わってたら完璧覗き能力じゃないか。 「......はぁ~......」 取り敢えずレイラちゃんは無視して湯船に浸かる。日々の疲れが染み出る様な感覚に、思わず気の抜けた声が出た。 口までお湯に使って、ぶくぶくと息を吐く。少しマナーが悪いだろうけど、僕一人だけだしいいよね。 『きーつーねーくーん?』 レイラちゃんの声をBGMにして、癒しの時間を楽しもう。まるでごちゃごちゃした日常から切り離された様な感覚は、偉く気持ちいい。 「どうしたのきつね君、眠いの?」 「............何故此処に居る」 いつの間にか隣にレイラちゃんがいた。無駄に高い身体能力で壁を越えて来たんだろうけど、本当止めて欲しい。 分かってるのかな、相手してて一番疲れるの君なんだぜレイラちゃん。やっと見つけた僕の癒し時間を邪魔しないで欲しい。 「あはっ♪ 二人っきりだねぇ......♡」 「......珍しく発情してないんだね」 「一晩中きつね君を堪能したからね♡ 今は我慢してあげる♪」 所謂賢者タイムか。一晩中僕の左手を舐めていたから欲求が満たされてる訳か、まぁどうせしばらくしたらすぐに発情するんだろうけど。このお風呂に入ってる間だけは大人しくしてて欲しいもんだ。 「......そうだね」 僕はレイラちゃんの肢体が隣にあるにも拘らず、一度たりとも見ようとは思わなかった。多分怪物云々じゃなく、ただ単に久々のお風呂を堪能したかったからだろう。 それからしばらく、僕とレイラちゃんは無言で湯船に浸かっていた。 あーあ、なんだか無性にルルちゃんをもふもふしたい気分だ。 ◇ 部屋に戻ると、フィニアちゃん以外は全員眼を覚ましていた。外に出る準備も整えているようで、ルルちゃんは上着の袖に腕を通してる所で、リーシェちゃんは下ろした髪を括ってお団子を作っていた。 二人とも僕に気が付いたようで、苦笑した様にはにかんだ。 「お風呂に行っていたんだな、きつね」 「うん、ただいま」 短く挨拶して、僕は未だに寝ているフィニアちゃんに近づく。 そしてお腹をくりくりと指先でくすぐりながら、声を掛ける。フィニアちゃんも起こさないとね。 「フィニアちゃん、起きて」 「俺は......誰だ......誰なんだァ!! はっ......おはよ!きつねさん!」 「うん、おはよう」 今日は記憶喪失の男の話かな? 毎度毎度変な夢を見るね、フィニアちゃんも。 とはいえ、これで全員起きた訳だ。早速勇者に会いに行こうかな。いつ彼がこの国を出るかも分からないし、早めに会いに行かないとね。 「さて......それじゃあ僕とフィニアちゃんは城へ行くよ。リーシェちゃん達は好きに遊んでて頂戴。まぁ依頼を受けたいならギルドに行っても良いし」 「ああ、分かってるよ」 「それじゃフィニアちゃん......行こうか」 「うん! 勇者狩りだね!」 「待って、狩らない。会いに行くだけだから」 フィニアちゃんも気合十分みたいだ。結構なことだけど、本当に狩らないよね? 止めてよほんと、そういうの洒落にならないんだから。 とまぁ、そんな不安を抱きつつ、僕達は動きだす。目的は勇者、異世界からの来訪者に会いに。 学ランの前を止めて、フィニアちゃんを肩に乗せる。そして狐のお面を頭に掛けて、いつも通りの状態になった所で、僕は再度扉を開き、部屋を出た。 さて、勇者に会いに行こう。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 芹沢凪は、朝起きてからなんだか妙な感覚に苛まれていた。 胸がざわつく様な、けれど嫌な予感というよりは何かが起こる予兆のような感覚。この世界に来てから、彼には多い頻度でそういう感覚に陥る時があった。訓練で戦う時など、特に集中している時なんかはまるで未来予知の様に、次何が起こるのかを察知出来た。 何かが起こると。 一歩づつ、なにかが自分に迫って来ている様な感覚。 「......夢でもあったな」 そして、眠っている間に見た夢もまた、今の感覚に似た夢だった。内容はこんな感じだ。 真っ暗な空間の中、ひたひたと背後から近寄って来る足音が聞こえて、振り返って見てみるとそこには、誰もいない。訝しげに思ったその瞬間、自分の首に人間の手が添えられた。しかも肉の付いていない骨の手だ。 そして、首を動かして背後を見ると、そこには人ではなく死神がいた。人間の骨に真っ黒い衣服、そして右の目玉だけがぎょろりと自分を見ていた。 凪は背筋に走る悪寒と恐怖心に、目が覚めた。 「......なんだったんだ......あの右眼だけの死神......?」 そう呟いて、未だに胸の中でざわつく感覚を拭えずにいた。 とりあえず気分を変えようと、凪は部屋のカーテンを開き、窓を開けて朝の空気を大きく吸い込む。少しだけ、気分が落ち付いた気がした。 「ん?」 ふと、凪は窓から下を見た。 彼とセシルの部屋は、城の比較的高い場所にある。故に、窓から下を見れば国を一望出来るのだが、そこからは城の入り口の門も見える。凪が注目したのはそこだ。 背筋に、夢で体感した悪寒が走った。 視線の先には、真っ黒い衣服を着て、左眼を包帯で覆った少年がいた。門の入り口に向かって足を進め、その表情には薄ら笑いが浮かんでいた。 そして、凪には彼の衣服に見覚えがあった。いや、見覚えどころではない、学生だった彼にとって最も近しい衣服だ。 「学ラン......!? まさか、俺と同じ......!」 学ラン。ブレザー制服だった凪ではあるが、同じ制服のソレは当然知っている。異世界に来て一切見なくなった制服姿の人間、それが此処に来て自分の前に現れたのだ。彼の表情は、驚愕に眼を見開いていた。 そして、それを理解すると慌てて部屋を飛び出す。 学ラン姿の少年、自分と同じ異世界の人間かもしれないという考えが、彼を突き動かした。 「はぁっ......はぁっ......はぁっ......!」 周囲の人間からすれば圧倒的に速く廊下を駆け抜ける凪、だが本人からすればもっと速く! と逸る気持ちを抑えきれずにいる。階段を駆け下りて、玄関まで全力で走っていく。 そして正面玄関へ続く大きな扉を開いて、外へと飛び出した。 バランスが崩れて前のめりにつんのめったが、無理矢理体勢を整えて入り口の門を見た。そこには門番の兵士と口論している学ランの少年が確かにいた。 近くに来て確信する。 「やっぱり学ランだ......!」 また地面を蹴った。そして、すぐ門まで辿り着き、よっぽど逸る気持ちを抑えきれなかったのか、門番の兵士を押し退けて学ランの少年の前に出た。 がむしゃらに走ってきたからか、荒い呼吸に胸が苦しくなって、膝に手を付き息を整える。顔が下を向き、地面に汗がぽたぽたと落ちた。 「―――勇者、であってる?」 頭上から浴びせかけられるその声は、凪を勇者だと確信しているような声音だった。 凪は顔を上げて、学ランの少年の顔を見る。目の前にいたのは、薄ら笑いを浮かべた左目の無い学ラン姿の少年。 凪は堪らず笑って返す。 「はぁ......はぁ.........ああ―――俺が勇者だ!」 薙刀桔音と芹沢凪。 正反対の境遇で異世界へやってきた二人の

Encounter When I wake up, the very first thing I feel is a weight of someone around my waist, and my wet left arm that feels cold the moment morning wind touches it. Still laying down, when I turn my face toward my left arm, I can see my left arm that has become sticky because of the sticking drool around it. When I swing my left arm to shake off the drool, some of it splatters at my face. I unintentionally let out a sigh. When I sit straight, exactly just as I thought, around my waist, there's Leila-chan who is burying her face on it. Her face is bright red and her flushed body is covered by sweats. Moreover, her expression has gone blank, her red eyes are blankly wide open, and her red tongue is slovenly sticking out from her opened mouth. When I see her convulsing in agony, this is the result huh, or so I thought. "Ahee... ehehehe... amazing... you were very amazing, Kitsene-kun... I, I, I thought I was going to break... ufufu, ufufufu...." "It would be the best if you just go break yourself as it is, though." "Ahn." Pulling out my legs that are under the feebly laying Leila-chan, I get off the bed and stand up. In doing so, Leila-chan's body crumbled to the bed, she lets out some flirtatious voices but I decided to ignore her. I'm sure she'll recover soon, after all. When I look around, seems like everyone other than I and Leila-chan are still sleeping. I usually woke up pretty early, but since yesterday I'd slept when I was fainted, seems like I wake up earlier than usual. Even the sky is still dim, clock-wise, perhaps it's around 4:30 AM. "Well then... what should I do, I wonder... kuu~... haa." I've woke up already so it can't be helped, I stretch my body while murmuring so. And suddenly, I remember that there's bath in this inn. Also, the fact that I haven't entered it yesterday. "Bath, shall I take one, I wonder." I don't know whether we are allowed to enter it at this kind of time, but since like this I have nothing to do after all, so I think it won't be hurts to go there and ascertain it. It would be good if I can enter it, and even if I can't, well, at least I can use it to keep myself awake. I've heard that taking a bath right after woke up was bad for health, but since I've never enter it even once thus far, well, it shouldn't be that bad, I think. "Ah, I'm going as well." "Your recovery is too fast, just laying down for a bit longer." "Ya~, since you won't let me to rest all night long, my body is dripping with sweat." "Not not letting you to rest, but you just licked me all night long, didn't you? At least, I was sleeping this whole time." What kind of joke is this lustful demon says. Nevertheless, even if I tell her to stay here, I'm sure she'll still follow me there. Even if she's a demon, as a girl, seems like she still dislike to be reeks of sweat, doesn't she? Men and women bath are separated, after all, so there should be no problem, right? "Haa... fine, let's go to the bath then." "Yaay, Taking bath with Kitsune-kun." Going to the bathroom, I and Leila-chan leave the room. Since I don't know where the bathroom is, so for now I'll just wander around the hallway. It's wider than the one at Miniera, as expected, the difference of the countries, I think? Perhaps the territory is also vast, right? It's a military country, after all. "What is it?" "Is hero strong? Even stronger than me?" "Who knows... well, since it seems like he has the prowess to slay the demon lord, so perhaps he may even be able to defeat you, Leila-chan." Or rather, just kill her already. Well, it hasn't even been one month ever since the hero came to this world, after all, so perhaps he still isn't that strong, right? Even at my first week here, I hadn't become any much stronger, after all. As long as he doesn't have an absurdly high initial specs, I think right now he's still considerably weak. Currently, I'm sure Leila-chan is still way stronger than him, right? "... ah, seems like it's here." While chatting about that, I finally find the bathroom. As I thought, men and women are separated, I think I've never felt this happy to know the fact that the men and women's bath are separated. Seems like the bath is open 24/7, we can even enter it right now. How lucky. "Well then, Leila-chan, you go to be women's bath. I'll go to the men's bath." "Eh~, I want to enter it together with you, Kitsune-kun. Around this time, there should be no one around, after all, right?" "No means no, that would lead to trouble, after all." "What kind of trouble is there?!" "Moral trouble!" I'll abide the rule, sure, taking bath together with a cutie like Leila-chan is a fascinating temptation, but I'll still abiding the rule. As an earnest and proper man, I'll strictly follow the rule. Well, to be honest, I simply don't want to enter it together with Leila-chan, though. "Come on, just obediently enter there." "Muu... got it." Reluctantly, Leila-chan enters the women's bath. Confirming that, I enter the men's bath. The dressing room is unexpectedly spacious, and it seems like there's no one here when I look around. There's no clothes put there so there should be no one there, right? When I enter it, the room is pretty vast. There's no shower but there's a place with waterway to wash our body. There're even buckets provided by the inn, after using soap onto our body and hair, we can rinse it off with the water from the waterway. Since it uses the same water as the bathtub, so I think that there might be some foams there, but, it seems like, using a magic tool with purification effect, they keep the water at the bathtub and the one that is used to wash our body to be still in clean condition and ready to use anytime. Amazing, as expected of fantasy world. "For now, let's wash my body first." Sitting on the stool at the area to wash our body, I wash my body with the soap that has been provided there. Perhaps since I haven't taken any bath for more than a week, with the oil and dust that have been accumulated at my sticky hair and body, I feel like I need to wash it two or three times over, but once I'm done on it, my body feels very refreshed. 'Kitsune-kun, are you there~?' "....." And then, I can hear Leila-chan's voice that come from the women's area that is separated by a wall from men's area. Well, since the part above the wall is connected, so it isn't strange that I can hear it, huh. Perhaps, there's only Leila-chan at the other side, right? For now, let's just ignore her. 'what, if you're there then you should just answer me." "... how could you know?" 'Aha, if I spread my miasma, I can sense the area around me to a certain extent." "What's up with that enemy detection ability." When I look closely, I can surely see black miasma blended in the steam. She sensed my presence here with it, huh. '...the backward is it has no vision ability though~....' "Don't say it as if that's really something disappointing." If it has vision ability, wouldn't it become the ultimate peeping skill? "...ha~...." For now, I'll just ignore Leila-chan and enter the bathtub. Feeling the sensation that my accumulated fatigue is being washed off, I unintentionally let out a sigh. I think that's quite a bit bad manner, but here I'm all alone after all, so it's fine, right? 'Kit~su~ne~ku~n?' With Leila-chan's voices as the BGM, I enjoy this soothing time. The time I hardly could get in my broken daily live, it feels very great. "What's up, Kitsune-kun, are you sleepy?" "...why are you here?" Before I noticed it, Leila-chan is suddenly at my side already. I think she jumped across the wall using her absurdly high physical ability, but I really hope her to don't ever do it, though. Do you realize it, I wonder? The one that tired me to most were you, Leila-chan. So please don't disturb my hard to get soothing time. "Aha, we're all alone together...." "...seems like you're unusually not in heat, aren't you?" "I've enjoyed you all night long after all, so for now I'll endure myself." The so called refractory time, huh. After licking my left arm all night long, for the time being her desire has been satisfied, huh. Well, anyhow, I'm sure she'll return to her lustful self in no time, after all. I hope she'll stay docile around this bathing time, though. "...you're right." Even though Leila-chan is right next to me, there's no slight thought to take a peek at her. Perhaps it isn't because she's a monster, but because my body wants to fully enjoy this rare relaxing time, right? After that, I and Leila-chan continue to stay inside the bathtub for a little longer in silence. Ah, somehow, I feel like I really want to pet Lulu-chan. * When we return to our room, Rishe-chan and Lulu-chan are already awake. Seemingly preparing for today's plan, Lulu-chan is sticking her hand into her tunic's sleeve, and Rishe-chan is tying up Lulu-chan's hair into round. When both of them notice my presence, they bashfully float strained smiles. "So you just took a bath, Kitsune." "Yes, I'm back." Greeting them briefly, I approach Finia-chan who's still asleep. And then, I call out to her while poking her stomach with my finger. Finia-chan won't wake up unless I do so, after all. "Finia-chan, wake up." "I... who... who am I?! Ha!... morning! Kitsune-san!" "Yo, morning." Today's story is about a man who lost his memories, huh. Finia-chan, you sure got numerous strange dreams every night, huh. Nevertheless, with this everyone is awake. Should I go meet the hero immediately, I wonder? I don't know when he would leave this country after all, so I better go and meet him as soon as possible. "Well then... I and Finia-chan will go to the castle. The rest of you can just play around as much as you want. Well, if you want to take a request, then you can also go to the guild, though." "Got it." "Fine then, Finia-chan... shall we get going?" "Yes! Hero hunting, right!?" "Wait, not hunting, but meeting him." Finia-chan is also seemingly full of spirit. Just to make sure, she won't really hunt him, right? I really hope she won't do it, that's won't be funny even as a joke, after all. But, well, taking along such anxiety, we start moving. The goal is to meet the person who came from another world, the hero, Wearing my gakuran again, placing Finia-chan at my shoulder, and finally placing the fox mask at my head. After I've got into my usual state, I open the door again, and leave the room. Well then, let's meet the hero. * * * Ever since he woke up, Serizawa Nagi was attacked by a somewhat strange feeling. His heart wouldn't calm down, but, rather than a bad premonition, it was more like an omen that there was something coming up. Ever since he came to this world, there were times when he felt such feeling. When he was practicing, especially when he was fully concentrating, he could somewhat sense what would happen next. He didn't possess {Intuition} skill, but seems like his sixth sense was also strengthened because of the summoning effect. There was something coming. Slowly, he felt that there was something approaching him. "...I've also felt it even in my dream." And then, at the dream he just had in his sleep, he even felt a similar feeling like the one he was currently facing. The subjects were pretty much something like this. Inside a pitch black space, he could hear footsteps that were steadily approaching him from his rear, but when he turned around, there was no one there. And the moment he was bewildered, his neck was strangle by a hand. Moreover, a bone only hand without any flesh. And then, when he turned his neck and looking at his rear, the one he saw there wasn't a human, but a shinigami. Human's skeleton that wore pitch black clothes, and then, its right eye was glaring at him. Nagi felt a very intense chills and fear at his spine, and immediately woke up. "...wh, what was that... that one-eyed shinigami...." Murmuring so, he tried to wipe off the uneasy feeling in his heart. Intending to change a pace, Nagi opened the curtain of his room, after that he opened the window and deeply inhaled the morning breeze. Just a bit, his feeling had calmed down. "Hmm?" And then, he looked down through the window. Nagi and Cecil's room was located at a comparatively high place. Therefore, he could see the whole town if he looked down through the window, and he also could see the castle's entrance from there. And Nagi noticed something there. At his back, chills ran through it similarly like the one he felt in his dream. At the end of his sight, there was a youth who wore a pitch black clothes, with his left eye covered in bandages. Walking toward castle's entrance while floating faint smile at his face. And then, looking at that clothes, that was something he knew about. No, rather than knew, as a student, that was a very familiar clothes for him. "Gakuran...!? Could it be, he's similar like me...!" Gakuran. Nagi's uniform was a blazer, but since it was similarly a uniform so he obviously knew about it. Ever since he came to this world, Nagi never saw anyone who wore a school uniform, but that youth suddenly appeared there right before his eyes. Nagi's expression was, full in surprise with eyes opened wide. And then, comprehending that, he hurriedly left the room. The youth who wore gakuran, Nagi was excited by the thought that that youth might be someone that also came from similar world as he was. "Haa... haa... haa...!" From the onlookers view, Nagi was running through the hallway with an outstanding speed, however Nagi himself had a strong urge to move any second faster! Running down the stairs, he ran toward the entrance with all his might. And then, opening the giant gate, he rushed out the gate. His balance was crumbled and almost fell upfront, but he forcefully readjusted his posture and looked at the entrance's gate. The one there was gatekeeper knights who were quarreling with the youth who wore gakuran. When he looked there closely to ascertain it... "As I thought, a gakuran...!" And then, Nagi dashed out again toward the entrance, perhaps he couldn't control his excitement, he hurriedly ran there and stopped right before the youth who was being restrained by the gatekeepers. Because he recklessly ran there, his breathing was rough and his chest was painful, he place his hands on his knees and then readjusting his breathing. Facing downward, sweats were dripping down from his face. "--Are you, perhaps the hero?" That voices that came from above his head, were words as if ascertaining whether Nagi was the hero or not. Nagi raised his face, and looked at the youth. The one before him was a youth wearing gakuran who floated a fainted smile and had lost his left eye. Nagi answered him while unable to endure his smile. "Haa... haa... yes... I'm the hero!" Naginata Kitsune and Serizawa Nagi. The two other worlder (irregular) who came to another world at a completely different circumstances, they finally met each other.

使徒Vs勇者 「アンタ......誰だ......!?」 勇者が、そう言った。 目の前に佇む、自然災害と同等な程と言うべき、圧倒的な力を持った白い少女に対して、誰もが沈黙を禁じ得なかった中で、震える唇を動かし、掠れるような声で絞り出した言葉。 彼の喉はその一言を紡ぎだすだけで、一気にカラカラに枯れてしまった。二の句を紡ぐことが出来ない。いや、寧ろ言葉を紡ぎ出す事が出来た時点で褒められるべきだろう。 それほどまでに、目の前の白い少女は神々しく、そして圧倒的だった。 何が圧倒的か、それは『実力』ではない。そんなものは相対しただけでは把握出来はしない。では『威圧感』? それでも違う。いや、それもそうだが、凪達が一目で理解したのは、圧倒的なまでの『存在』の差だ。『格』と言っても良い。格が違う。 「そうですね......自己紹介が遅れました。俗世間のことにはあまり詳しくないもので」 すると、精神的にも追い詰められている凪達に対して、そんなことは意にも介さず淡々とした口調でそう言う白い少女。 彼女は若干姿勢を正し、露草色の瞳で凪達を見据えると、その口を開く。そして、無表情のまま己の自己紹介を始めた。 「私の名前は、ステラ......序列第二位『使徒』、ステラと申します。どうぞ、お見知りおきを」 彼女は己の名前を、ステラと言った。そして、序列二位だと言った。それが、なんの序列であるのかは分からないが、自分自身の事を『使徒』と呼んだ。 それは彼女よりも上の存在がいるという事実と、彼女が人間の領域から逸脱している事を、凪達に嫌でも理解させる。 「......こういう時、自己紹介には自己紹介を返すものではないのですか? 私の思い違いでしょうか......」 「っ......あ、ああ......俺は、勇者の芹沢凪だ」 「セリザワ・ナギ......なるほど、では勇者セリザワ......これから貴方を浄化します」 凪の名前を聞いて、ステラは改めて青白い稲妻の槍を構えた。その圧倒的な力の奔流を感じさせる雷の塊に、凪達は息を飲みながらも咄嗟に武器を構えた。 そして、ステラが動きだす前に凪は口を開く。目の前の少女は何者なのか、そして何が目的で自分達に対峙しているのか、浄化とはなんなのか、それを知らないままに戦うことは出来ない。何故なら、相手が自分よりも圧倒的に強い上に、理由次第では戦わなくとも済む可能性があるからだ。 桔音の時は碌に話を聞かずに拳を振るったというのに、凪も多少は状況を把握する事を学んだようだった。 「じ、浄化って......どういうことだよ」 「ああ......そういえば、同じことをあの少年にも聞かれましたね」 「......少年?」 凪は、会話を続けて時間を稼ぐ。時間が出来れば、それだけこの状況を打破する策を考えられるからだ。自分はあまり知略を練るのが得意ではない。だから、セシルやジーク達がこの状況を打破出来る策を考える時間を作る。これは、凪がグランディール王国を出た後に、セシルに言われたことだ。 もしも、自分達よりも強い相手に出くわした時は、そうして欲しいと。 それを実行すると、功を為したのかステラは会話に乗ってきた。 「ええ、此処に来る前に......グランディール王国という所に寄った時、片目がない少年に出会いまして」 「っ! ま、まさか......きつね先輩、か?」 「名前は聞いていませんが......一緒に居た魔族が『きつね君』、と呼んでいたので、おそらくは貴方の考えている通りの少年だと思います」 目の前の少女と、桔音も出会っていることを知って、凪は目を丸くする。いや、凪だけではない。セシルも、そしてフィニアとルルも、驚愕の事実に目を見開いている。 あの『最弱の冒険者』である桔音が、自分達が束になっても敵わないであろう相手と、会っている。そこに何があったのか、気になるのは当然のことだった。 「戦った、のか?」 「はい」 「きつねさんはっ......きつねさんは無事なの!?」 「貴女は......思想種の妖精、ですね......ええ、取り敢えずは生きている筈です」 フィニアが前に出て、青褪めた表情で桔音の安否を聞くと、ステラは無表情のままそう答える。そしてその答えに、フィニアはほっと安堵の息を吐いた。ルルも、ホッと胸をなでおろしている。 だが、凪は別のことを考えていた。勿論、桔音が死んでいないことを残念に思った訳ではない。目の前の少女と戦って、桔音が生き延びられたという事実に驚愕しているのだ。 おそらく元の世界に居た頃の自分でも、桔音と戦って負ける気がしないというのに、何故桔音は彼女を相手にどうやって生き延びられたのか、それが全く分からない。 「話を戻しましょう......異世界からの来訪者がこの世界へやって来た事で、この世界に空間の歪みが出来てしまったので、私はその原因である異世界人を浄化しに来ました。簡単に言えば、貴方をこの世界から排除し、この世界の均衡を取り戻します」 そして、驚愕している凪に、ステラは更に驚愕の事実を突き付ける。 つまり、彼女はこう言っているのだ。『異世界人である勇者を、殺しに来た』と。 「意味が、分からない......! 俺は魔王を倒して、人々を救いたいだけだ!」 「そんなことはどうでもいいのです。私の立場から言わせて貰えば、貴方の存在自体がこの世界にとって害悪です。それに、一目見た時から感じていたのですが......貴方、本当に『勇者』ですか?」 「っ!? な、何が言いたい......!」 凪は動揺した。この世界にとって自分が害悪だと言われたことに対してではない。お前は本当に『勇者』なのか? という問いに対してだ。 何故ならそれは、桔音にも言われたことだったから。 ―――お前の、何処が『勇者』なんだ? ―――貴方、本当に『勇者』ですか? 同じ異世界人である桔音と、圧倒的な格の差を感じさせるステラ、別々の人間から、同じことを言われた。勇者として、切実に人を救いたいと思っている自分が、何故勇者ではないと言われるのか、それが一番凪の心を揺らした。 「いえ......貴方の他にも、過去に召喚された勇者と何度か対面したことがあるのですが......彼らと貴方とは、大きく違う様な気がします。もっと、根本的な本質が」 「本、質......?」 「そうですね......私が過去に出会った勇者達は、『人を救おう』とはしていませんでした。でも、貴方は違います。貴方は、『人を救おう』としている......簡潔に言えば、そうですね......『善い人間になろうとしている』、といった所でしょうか」 人を救うのが勇者。凪はそう思っていたが、それは違うのか? ステラが過去に出会った勇者達と、今の自分とでは、何が違うというのか。凪には分からない、その答えが分からなかった。 ステラは言った。お前は勇者ではなく、勇者になろうとしている人間だと。ならば、勇者とは何だ? 勇者というのは、一体何を持って勇者というのだろうか? 凪には分からない。 ただの高校生で、ちょっと力を得て、勇者だと言われ、周囲の期待に応えようと勇者になろうと決意しただけのちっぽけな少年に、分かる筈もない。 勇者とは、そんなに簡単な存在ではないのだから。 「まぁ、そんなことはどうでもいいです。私は異世界人である貴方を、浄化するだけです」 揺れる凪に対して、ステラはくるりと青白い稲妻の槍を回す。話は終わりだとばかりに、ステラはその口を閉ざした。 そしてステラの青白い稲妻が空気に摩擦音を響かせ、甲高い音を立てて一瞬、膨張した。するとその先端から、彗星の様な光が一閃、放たれた。光の速度で放たれたその閃光の一撃が、未だに精神的に揺れていた凪に向かって迫る。 「ナギ様!」 「ッ!?」 だがナギに当たる寸前で、その彗星の一撃が何かに阻まれた。それは、セシルの展開した結界。 しかし、即席の結界だった故か、もしくはステラの一撃の破壊力が圧倒的過ぎたのか、もしくはその両方の理由で結界が砕けた。 とはいえ、どうやら結界はステラの一撃を防ぐことは出来ずとも、逸らすことは出来たようで、凪の心臓を狙った軌道は逸れて、凪の左肩を撃ち抜いた。 「あぐっ......ッ......!?」 「......大人しくして、今治すから」 茫然としていて躱せなかった凪は、肩を抑えて膝を地面に着く。 そこへ、フィニアが近づき、治癒魔法を発動した。勇者に心を許している訳ではないが、戦闘では協力すると言ったし、例え桔音から自分を引き離した原因であろうとも、目の前で人が死ぬのを見過ごせるほど、フィニアは冷酷にはなれない。 そしてフィニアの治癒魔法は、直ぐに凪の肩の傷を塞ぐ。完全に治ったわけではないが、それでも痛みが引き、多少動かせる程度には治った。 「......軽い一撃とはいえ、凌ぐとは思いませんでした」 「そいつは、どうも......」 「それでは次は、少し本気で行きます。何かするのであれば、どうぞ」 舐められている、そう思った。凪は勇者云々を考える前に、命の危機に対して思考を切り替える。買い換えたばかりの剣を抜き、直ぐに『希望の光』を展開した。まずは、あの稲妻の槍をどうにかしなければならないと考えたからだ。 しかし、『希望の光』が発動したにもかかわらず、稲妻の槍は消えなかった。 「なっ......その槍......スキルじゃ、ないのか?」 「んっ......どうやら、此方の力を制限する力みたいですね......私の槍が消えていないことを不思議に思っている様ですが......コレは『力』ではありません、こういう『武器』です」 そうでなくとも、ステラのステータスは凪のそれを大きく上回っている。スキルを封じた所で、意味は無い。 「それに、これは神を葬る為の武器......『 「それでは、世界の均衡を保つために......」 凪だけではない。セシルも、ジークも、シルフィも、一応フィニアとルルも、戦う準備は出来ている。 対峙するのは、白い使徒。 ステラはくるりと青白い稲妻を回して、静かに告げる。 「貴方を―――浄化します」

Apostle vs. Hero [You... Who are you...?!] The Hero said so. While everyone else couldn't help but keep their mouth shut in the face of the white girl standing in front of them wielding overwhelming power that could be said to be equivalent to a natural disaster, he moved his trembling lips and squeezed out these words in a hoarse voice. His throat wound up withering dry at once just from putting together those few words. He couldn't put together a second line. No, if anything, perhaps he should be praised for being able to put together those words. That was just how divine and overwhelming the white girl in front of them was. As for what was overwhelming, it wasn't her{prowess} . Such a thing wasn't something that could be grasped simply by standing face to face. Then{intimidating air} ? That was not it, either. No, that was partly true, but what Nagi and the others understood at a glance was the overwhelming difference in{existence} . You could call it{rank} . Her rank was simply in another league. [You are right... I'm late to introduce myself. As I'm not very well versed in worldly matters.] Then, the white girl said so to Nagi and the others, who were cornered mentally as well, in a nonchalant tone of voice, not caring about such things. She straightened her posture slightly, stared fixedly at Nagi and the others with her dayflower-colored eyes, and opened her mouth. And then, still showing no expression on her face, she began to introduce herself. [My name is Stella... A second-rank{Apostle} Stella. Pleased to make your acquaintance.] She told them her name was Stella. She also said that she was second in the ranking order. It was unknown what kind of rank it was, but she called herself an{apostle} . It made Nagi and the others understand, even if they didn't want to, the fact that there were beings above her and that she had deviated from the realm of humanity. [... In these situations, aren't you supposed to introduce yourself back when someone introduces themselves to you? Or I wonder if it's just my misconception....] [!... Y, yeah... I'm Serizawa Nagi, the Hero.] [Serizawa Nagi... I see, well then, Hero Serizawa... I shall hereby purify you.] Upon hearing Nagi's name, Stella once again held up her pale lightning spear. Even as they caught their breath at that mass of lightning, from which they could sense a torrent of overwhelming power, Nagi and the others quickly held up their weapons. And then, before Stella could make a move, Nagi opened his mouth. They couldn't fight without knowing who the girl in front of them was, what her purpose was in confronting them and what this purification was. After all, as the other party was overwhelmingly stronger than him, depending on the reason, there was a possibility that they would be able to settle it even without having to engage in a battle. Even though during the case with Kitsune, he swung his fist at him without properly listening to what he had to say, Nagi seemed to have learned to grasp the situation to some extent. [P, purify... Just what do you mean by that?] [Ah... Come to think of it, that boy asked me the same thing.] [... Boy?] Nagi bought time by prolonging the conversation. After all, the more time they had, the more they could think of a way out of this situation. He wasn't very good at exercising ingenuity. That was why he would buy time for Cecil, Sieg, and the others to think of a way out of this situation. This was what Cecil told Nagi after they left the Grandile Kingdom. If we run into an opponent stronger than us, please do so, she said. As he put it into practice, perhaps it worked, Stella came on board with the conversation. [Yes, before I came here... When I dropped by the place called Grandile Kingdom, I met a boy with one eye missing.] [! D, don't tell me... Was it, Kitsune-senpai?] [I didn't ask his name, but... The demon he was with called him{Kitsune-kun} , so I think he's probably the boy you're thinking of.] Nagi's eyes were wide open upon knowing that Kitsune had also met the girl in front of them. No, it wasn't just Nagi. Cecil, as well as Finia and Lulu, had their eyes wide open at the astonishing revelation. That{weakest adventurer} , Kitsune, had met the opponent that they would not be able to match even if they were to work together. It was only natural that they would be curious about what happened there. [Did you, fight?] [Yes.] [Kitsune-san is... Is Kitsune-san safe?!] [You're... An idea-type fairy, I believe? ... Yes, he should be alive for the time being.] When Finia stepped forward and asked Kitsune's safety with a pale expression, Stella replied, still with a blank expression on her face. And then, upon hearing that answer, Finia breathed a sigh of relief. Lulu, too, was relieved. However, Nagi had other things running on his mind. Of course, it wasn't that he felt disappointed that Kitsune wasn't dead. He simply was astonished at the fact that Kitsune had survived the fight against the girl in front of them. Even though he didn't feel like losing, even if the he from back when he was in his former world were to fight against Kitsune, he just couldn't understand why and how Kitsune was able to survive against her. [Let's get back to the matter at hand... The arrival of visitors from another world to this world has ended up creating a spatial distortion in this world, and I am here to purify the cause of that distortion, the otherworldly people. Simply put, I am here to remove you from this world and restore the equilibrium of this world.] Then, to the astonished Nagi, Stella confronted him with an even more astonishing fact. In other words, she was saying: {I've come here to kill the Hero, who is an otherworldly person} . [I don't get, what you mean by that...! I just want to defeat the demon lord and save the people!] [I couldn't care less about such a thing. If I have to put it from my point of view, your very existence is harmful to this world. Besides, I have felt it from when I took a look at you for the first time, but... You, are you really a{Hero} ?] [!?! W, what do you want to say...!] Nagi was shaken. Not for being told that he was harmful to this world. But for being asked: Are you really a{Hero} ? Because that was what Kitsune had told him too. --Which part of you is that of a{Hero} ? --You, are you really a{Hero} ? He was told the same thing by two different people, Kitsune, who was similarly an otherworldly person, and Stella, who made him feel an overwhelming difference in rank. Why he was told that he was no Hero, even though he earnestly wished to save people as a Hero, that was what shook Nagi's heart the most. [No... Other than you, I have also faced several Heroes who have been summoned in the past, but... I feel that there is a large difference between you and them. Like, in your fundamental nature.] [Na, ture...?] [Let me see... The Heroes I have met in the past didn't{try to save people} . However, you are different. You are{trying to save people} ... Simply put, yes... You are{trying to be a good person} , I should say.] The one who saved people was a Hero. That was what Nagi thought, but was it mistaken? What was the difference between the Heroes Stella had met in the past and the current one, him? Nagi didn't know, he didn't know the answer to that question. Stella said. You were not a Hero, you were a man trying to become a Hero. Then what was a Hero? What was it that made a Hero a Hero? Nagi didn't understand. There was no way that a tiny boy, just a high school student who gained a little bit of power, was told he was a Hero, and decided to be a Hero to live up to the expectations of those around him, could possibly understand. Because a Hero wasn't such an easy existence to be. [Well, such a thing doesn't really matter. I am only here to purify you, an otherworldly person.] Facing the shaken Nagi, Stella spun around the pale lightning spear. As if stating that the conversation was over, Stella closed her mouth. And then, the moment Stella's pale lightning gave rise to a frictional sound in the air and made a high-pitched sound, it expanded. Then a flash of light like a comet was shot out from its tip. That flash strike, fired at the speed of light, loomed toward Nagi, who was still mentally shaken. [Nagi-sama!] [!?] But just as it was about to hit Nagi, the comet strike was blocked by something. It was a barrier that Cecil had deployed. However, the barrier was shattered, either because it was an improvised barrier, or the destructive power of Stella's strike was simply too overwhelming, or both. Nevertheless, although it failed to block Stella's strike, the barrier seemed to succeed in deflecting it, and the trajectory aimed at Nagi's heart was diverted and shot through Nagi's left shoulder. [Aghh... !... !?] [... Be quiet, I'll heal you now.] Stunned and unable to evade it, Nagi fell on his knees to the ground, holding down his shoulder. There, Finia approached him and activated her healing magic. It wasn't that she had relaxed her guard around the Hero, but she had said she would cooperate with them in battle, and Finia was not so coldhearted as to let someone die in front of her eyes, even if it was the cause that pulled her part from Kitsune. And then, Finia's healing magic immediately closed up the wound on Nagi's shoulder. Although not completely healed, the pain receded and it had recovered to the extent that it could be moved somewhat. [... It might be a light blow, but I never expected you would be able to survive it.] [Why, thank you....] [Then next time I will go at you a little more seriously. If you want to do something, go ahead.] Pulled out his newly purchased sword, he immediately deployed the{Ray of Hope} . That was because he thought first of all, he had to do something about that lightning spear. However, in spite of the fact that the{Ray of Hope} had been activated, the lightning spear did not disappear. [Wha... That spear... Is it, not a skill?] [Hmm... It seems to be a power that restricts the power of this side, is it not? ... You seem to be in a wonder as to why my spear hasn't disappeared, but... This is not a{power} , it is a{weapon} of this kind.] Even if that wasn't the case, Stella's status far exceeded that of Nagi. So even if he were to seal her skills, it held no meaning. [Besides, this is a weapon for burying God... {God-Slaying Lightning} . You will not be able to suppress it with ordinary power.] [Well then, in order to maintain the equilibrium of the world....] It was not just Nagi. Cecil, Sieg, Sylphy, and more or less, Finia and Lulu were also getting ready to fight. Facing them was the white apostle. Stella spun around the pale lightning and quietly announced. [I shall -- purify you.]

奴隷の少女 ルル しばらく待っていると、ミアちゃんが小さな小袋を持って部屋に戻ってきた。多分あの袋の中にお金が入っているんだと思う。 とはいえ、こんなに簡単に情報提供でお金が貰えるなら、嘘の情報でもお金が貰えるんじゃないかな? そう思ってミアちゃんに聞いてみたけど、どうやら嘘発見器的な魔導具があると教えてもらった。浮気話に使えそうだな、泥沼だね。まぁ些か高価な代物らしいし、誰でもほいほいと使える魔導具でもないみたいけど。 つまり、その魔導具を持っているギルドにとって齎される情報は簡単に仕分けられる訳だ。嘘か、真かを。 「それでは、こちらが買い取り金になります。情報は以上ですか?」 「うん。確かに受け取ったよ」 「とりあえず、ギルド長に報告した後、早急に捜索隊を編成して『赤い夜』が未だ森の中にいるかどうかを確認することになると思います。情報提供、ありがとうございます」 ミアちゃんがそう頭を下げて、扉を開けた。出ろという意味なのだろう。僕もフィニアちゃんを肩に乗せて、立ち上がる。お金も手に入れたことだし、フィニアちゃんに言った通り奴隷を買おう。出来れば女の子が良いけど、この世界の常識について良く知ってることが大前提だね。それなら男でもいい。 とはいえ、僕はこの世界において奴隷が認められているのかどうかも知らない。どうなんだろう、奴隷を使役することは犯罪的なものにならないと良いんだけど......。ミアちゃんに聞いてみよう。 「ねぇミアちゃん」 「なんでしょう」 「この国は奴隷って認められてるの?」 「そうですね......認められてはいませんが、禁止されてもいません。奴隷を使役する事は構わないのですが、主人は奴隷の最低限の生活を保障しなければなりません。仮に奴隷を虐げる扱いをした場合、この国では騎士による処罰が下されることになってます」 どうやらこの国では奴隷を買っても大丈夫そうだ。僕としても人を虐げるのは気が乗らないし、僕は子供にだって負ける自信があるからね。攻撃力的な意味で。 とはいえ、この国ではってことは他の国では奴隷を虐げることもあり得るんだろうなぁ。うーんどうも気乗りしない。 まぁしばらくこの国から出て行くつもりはないけど、出て行くことになったらそれなりに覚悟しておこう。僕は弱いからね、権力者とか格上の冒険者に眼を付けられたら堪ったもんじゃない。 「きつね様は奴隷を購入するおつもりで?」 「うん、宿で料理を作って貰ってるんだけどお金が掛かるからね。それなら食事を作れる人がいた方が安く付くじゃない? 作ってもらおうと思って」 「きつね様は作られないんですか?」 「作れるけど......ほら、依頼から帰ってきたら疲れてるから作る気になれないんだよねー」 ミアちゃんがなんだか訝しげな表情で見てくるから適当にごまかした。しおりちゃんからは呼吸する様に嘘を吐くね、と評価された僕だ。魔導具を使っていない限りは嘘だとバレることはないんだぜ。 というか、ミアちゃんの表情がなんだか神妙なんだけど......魔導具使ってないよね? 大丈夫だよね? 来た道を戻って、カウンターから元の賑やかな広間に戻ってきた。冒険者達が怪しげに僕達の方を見てるけど、君達の考えてるようなことは何も無いからね。しつこいと炭にするぞ、フィニアちゃんが。許さないぞ、フィニアちゃんが! 「それじゃ、僕は行くよ。今日は依頼を受けている暇はなさそうだから」 「はい、それではまたのご利用をお待ちしております」 「またねミアちゃん! もう怒らないでね!」 「怒ってません」 フィニアちゃん、余計なことを言うな。ミアちゃんの眼がまた笑っていないじゃないか。蒸し返すことないだろう、全く。 ああ、ちなみにだけど、『赤い夜』については捜索隊が発見出来なくとも、他の場所へ移動したということで、情報代の返却を求められることはないらしい。そこはちゃんと聞いておいた。 でもまぁもう用事は済んだので、退散退散っと。 ギルドから出て、僕達はまず奴隷商の下へと向かった。この前擦れ違った奴隷運び的な強面の男の向かって行った先、うろうろと探してみたらあった。奴隷を運んでいた台車が表に置いてある。奴隷は認められてもいないって言ってたからきっと表通りにはないんだろう。 試しに建物の裏に入ってみたらなんだかそれっぽい店を発見。隠すのは良いんだけど裏に回ったら簡単に見つかるって、隠せてるとは言えないんじゃないのかなぁと思うんだけど。 でも、僕にとってはありがたかったから良いとしよう。一見さんお断りじゃなきゃいいけど。 「失礼しまーす」 「おや、いらっしゃいませ。どのような御用件で?」 中に入ってみると、僕の元居た世界でいうホテルのロビーをカウンターのみにしたみたいな空間が広がっていた。奴隷の姿は人っ子一人見えない。まぁ入ってきたのが騎士様だったりするとことだしね。流石にその辺はしっかりしてるか。 「奴隷を買いたいんだけど、いいかな?」 「ええ、勿論でございます! どのような奴隷をお求めですか? 性奴隷? それとも労働奴隷? それとも戦奴隷でしょうか?」 うわ、見るからに怪しそうな男だな。客だと知ってすぐに顔色変えた。怖いねー、裏組織っぽくて。まぁフィニアちゃんをじっと見てるのは気に入らないけど、今は客と店員の立場だから、流しておこう。 「とりあえず容姿は問わないから五体満足ですぐに動ける奴隷が欲しい。予算は金貨1枚まで出せる」 「なるほど......そうなりますと、そうですね......実物を見て貰った方が早いでしょう、奥へどうぞ?」 カウンターの端の扉を開けて、奥へと誘ってくる。ミアちゃんの時とは大違いの胡散臭さだな。まぁ良いけど。 誘われるままにカウンターの中へ入り、その奥へと案内される。なんだか薄暗い通路だけど、少し歩けばすぐに明るく広い空間に出た。そこをどう表現すれば良いだろうか、まるでそこは元の世界で言うところの――― ―――ペットショップのようだった ガラスの概念がないのか、動物を入れるケージの様なものが整理整頓されたように並べられ、中には申し訳程度にボロボロの布で作られた服を着た奴隷達が、暗い表情で入っていた。 綺麗に並べられた奴隷たち、その手足には枷が嵌められ、身動きすら許して貰えないようだ。奴隷の内容は様々、筋肉の引き締まった力のありそうな男の人間、ミアちゃん以上に胸が大きくてスタイルの良い美しい女の人間、まだ幼くとも将来が期待出来る美少女や美少年、また人間以外にも猫耳や犬耳の生えた獣人や使役出来るよう調教された下級魔獣等々幅広く取り扱っているらしい。 反吐が出るな、ここは。 「どの奴隷も主人に従順に生きるよう言い聞かせて調教を施しておりますので、購入してすぐに命令に従いますよ」 「但し、それだけに少々高額となっております......金貨1枚では少し......」 足下見るなぁこの人。商売人といえば当然なんだろうけど、やっぱり少しでもお金を絞り取りたいんだろうね。でもまぁ予算はある、とりあえず向こうが考えている金額を聞くかな。話はそこからだ。 「幾らくらい?」 「そうですね......金貨、3枚ほどかと」 「そう......」 見事にこっちの予算当てたぜこの人。流石は商人、素人の僕とは年季が違うね。とはいえ、金貨3枚なら払っても問題ない。ここは全額払うつもりで行きますか。下手に値引き交渉しても僕の口八丁手八丁じゃ太刀打ち出来ないだろうし。 「じゃ金貨3枚であそこの巨乳美女」 「彼女ほどになると人気ですので金貨10枚は......」 「......じゃ金貨3枚であそこの筋肉マッチョ」 「彼は貴重な労働力となりますので金貨8枚は......」 「......じゃ金貨3枚であそこの将来有望そうな美少女」 「将来有望なので金貨7枚は......」 どないせぇっちゅうねん。売る気ないなこの人、少なくとも人間売る気ないな。となると獣人の子か......とはいえ獣人だと生活していくのに人間と勝手が違う気がするしなぁ......気難しそうだし。 すると、奴隷商の男はにんまりと笑いながら僕にこう言った。 「お金にお困りなようならば、一つどうでしょう。そちらの妖精をお売りになられては?」 「は?」 「いやはや、最近では妖精を愛玩種として扱うお客様が多くなっておりまして、金貨20枚で買い取らせていただきますが、どうでしょうか?」 この男、何言ってるんだろう。馬鹿なのかな? ―――フィニアちゃんを売るだと? 「あまり調子に乗るなよ」 良く分かった、この男は僕の敵だ。 「っ......!?」 スキル『不気味体質』が発動するのを感じる。でも構わない、この男は敵だ。本当なら此処で消し飛ばしてやっても良い、フィニアちゃんが。 でも、僕はあくまで奴隷を買いに来た客だ。目立った行動を取るのは控えたい。だから殺しはしない。 「ぁ......っ......か......!?」 「そこの獣人の女の子、金貨3枚で売ってくれるよね?」 「.........!......!」 僕は獣人だろうと動けて話せるのなら良いと判断した。それに、こんな所に長居もしたくない。 僕がそう言うと、奴隷商の男は声にならない悲鳴を上げながらこくこくと全力で頷いた。どうやらレベルが上がったことで『不気味体質』の効果も上がったらしい。『威圧』を発動したら失神くらいはさせられそうなほど、顔が青褪めている。良い気味だ。 「じゃ、それでよろしく」 「はぁっ......! はぁっ......!」 スキルを解除して、さっきのカウンターに一人で戻る。フィニアちゃんが凄く不機嫌な顔になって、魔力が眼に見えるほど迸っている。これほど怒っているフィニアちゃんは初めて見る。 でも、良く耐えてくれた。此処で問題を起こすのは困るもんね。 「ありがとうフィニアちゃん、耐えてくれて」 「ううん......でも、あの人嫌い。きつねさんは私を売ったりしないよね?」 「しないよ、フィニアちゃんは僕のたった一人のパートナーだからね」 フィニアちゃんが向日葵の様な笑顔を浮かべるから、僕はこうしていられるんだ。僕はその笑顔が、大好きだからね。 その後、桔音は無事怯える奴隷商から獣人の少女を買い取った。形式的なものなのか、奴隷用の契約首輪を渡された。なんでも『隷属の首輪』という魔導具で、この首輪を付けることで主従の契約が為されるらしい。首輪を嵌めた奴隷は付けてくれた主人に攻撃することや命令に背くことは出来なくなるようだ。 桔音としては、貰ってはおいたが付けさせるつもりはない。奴隷といっても、奴隷の様に扱うつもりはないのだ。 「......さて、まずはこれを着てね」 桔音は店を出て、買い取った少女に自分の学ランを着せた。ボロ布姿は見ていてあまり良い気分じゃなかったからだ。桔音はしゃがんでいそいそと着せてあげる。 あの時は何も考えずそこにいた少女を指差して買ったけれど、改めて見てみると少女は中々整った容姿をしていた。 明るい茶色の太ももまで伸びた長い髪、頭には犬の様な耳が生えており、髪を掻き分けて犬の尻尾が生えている。瞳は活力の感じられない死んだような瞳だが、翡翠色の綺麗な瞳だった。年齢は恐らく12歳程、身長も奴隷として最低限の食事だったのか、年の割に小さいように思える。身体も酷く華奢だ。 「.........?」 学ランを着せられた少女は困惑したように桔音を見上げるが、やはりその瞳の活力は無かった。だが、桔音が手を引くと素直に付いてくるのでとりあえずは宿へ向かう桔音。1人分宿代増えるのかなぁなんて考えていた。 「あ、そうだ......君、名前は?」 「............ルル・ソレイユ」 「ルルちゃんか、呼びやすくていいね」 桔音はそれ以上は何も言わなかった。詳しいことは宿で全て話せばいい。今はただ、ルルと名乗った少女の手を引いて、宿まで連れて行く。 だが、桔音はまだ知らなかった。この少女を買ったことが、この先桔音が絶望することにつながることを......。

Lulu the slave girl. After waited for a while, Mia-chan was returned to the room while brought a small pouch. I think perhaps the money was inserted inside that pouch. Nonetheless, if you could get a considerable amount of money with just by offering an information like this, didn't that means you may still be able to get money even with a false information? I asked Mia-chan about it but, she said that there was a magic tool to detect lies. It seems it was used to detect any false information. Well, since that was something considerably expensive, so it seems that wasn't a magic tool which used everywhere. That means, the guild which has this magic tool was able to easily classify any information. Whether it was true, or false. "Then, this is the purchasing money. Is that all the information you have?" "Yes. I certainly accept it." "For now, I'm going to report it to the guild leader, we are going to immediately send an intelligence unit to confirm whether "Red Night" was still inside the forest or not. Thank you for offering us the information." Mia-chan then bowed her head, and opened the door. Maybe that means I should leave right. I with Finia-chan at my shoulder, stood up. Since I have received the money, let's buy a slave like what I have said to Finia-chan. If possible I want it's to be a girl but, as long as it understood the common sense of this world, If that the case, a man is also okay. Nonetheless, I don't know whether slavery is accepted at this world or not. What should I do, I know that enslavement isn't a crime but.... Let's try to ask Mia-chan. "Say, Mia-chan." "What is it?' "Does this country is approving enslavement?" "Let's see... it didn't approved but, it didn't prohibited either. You are permitted to employ a slave but, the master must provide the minimum living necessity for the slave. When you treat your slave harshly, you might receive a punishment from the knight of this country." It seems we are allowed to buy a slave in this country. I also don't have any intention to oppress someone either, since I'm confidence that I may lose to even a kid after all. Attack power wise. Nonetheless, different with this country, there may be a country which prosecute slave. Well, I'll think about that later. Well, I don't have intention to leave this country soon anyway, when I leave this country, let's just prepare it that time. Since I'm weak after all, I might just stood still if I was glared by an influential people or a high leveled adventurers after all. "Do Kitsune-sama are going to buy a slave?" "Yes, I could buy a food at the inn but it would cost quite a sum after all. If that's the case, doesn't it would be cheaper to just hire someone who able to cook? So I thought to buy one." "Do Kitsune-sama couldn't cook?' "I can but... ah that, since I would be exhausted when I returned after finished a quest, I won't feel like make it myself right?" Since Mia-chan somehow look at me dubiously, I adequately swindle her. Since I was used to trick Shiori-chan by told her a lie, so I was quite fond to it. Since there was already no magic tool around, my lie won't be exposed. Or rather, Mia-chan's expression is somehow meek but... she didn't use the magic tool right? It's alright, right? Returning through the entrance, we returned to the usual lively hall through the counter. The adventurers are somehow gazing dubiously to us but, it is nothing like you're thinking you know. If you're too obstinate you might turn into charcoal you know, by Finia-chan. You won't be forgiven you know, by Finia-chan! "Then, I'm leaving. It seems I won't have any time to take a request today." "Yes, then I'll wait for your next visit again." "See you later Mia-chan! Please don't get angry again!" "I am not angry." Finia-chan, don't say some unnecessary thing. Didn't Mia-chan's eyes aren't smiling at all again. Don't summon it back, good grief. Ah, by the way, regarding "Right Night", since the search party couldn't find it at the discovery place, so they tried to search at another place, and it seems they didn't demand for the information reward. That is what I heard. But well, since my business is finished here, let's disperse, disperse. After left the guild, firstly we went to search for a slave dealer's shop. We go to the place where we encountered a fierce-looked man who carried a slave some time ago, and after we aimlessly searched for it around there, we finally found it. There was the cart which used to carrying the slave outside a certain building. Since this country wasn't approving enslavement, so that's why they won't open the shop at the main street right. When I tried to check at the background area somehow I found a slave shop-like building. It seems like being hidden but, we could easily find it if we turn to the back area, I think you couldn't say that it was hidden right? But, I'm grateful to that. I hope I won't become its first costumer though. "Excuse me." "Oh, welcome. What kind of business do you have here?" When I tried to enter and checked the surroundings, there was a lobby-like wide room with a counter, like at a hotel at my original world. I couldn't see any slave there. Well, since the one who come here were at least a knight-sama level after all. As expected they sure thoughtful with that. "I want to buy a slave but, may I?" "Yes, of course! What kind of slave you wish for? Sex slave? Labor slave? Or perhaps battle slave?" Uwah, he is obviously a suspicious man. His expression immediately changed when he know that I'm a customer. How scary, very underground organization-like. Well, I don't like with how he is always staring at Finia-cha but, since our current position are merchant and customer, let's let him be. "Well, I won't inquire the appearance, I just want a slave which healthy physically and able to work immediately. My budget is around one gold coin." "I see... if that's the case, let's see... it would be faster by seeing the slave directly right, please come inside?" Opening the counter's door, he invite me toward the inside. It looked very shady, different than with Mia-chan. Well, whatever though. I walk through the counter as per his invitation, and I was being lead to the inner part. How should I say it, at my original world-- -it feels like a pet shop. Is there no concept of glass? There are some animal's cage-ish thing which are neatly arranged, the slave who are confined inside are wearing a miserably tattered cloth, their expression are looked so gloomy. The slaves who line up neatly, they have shackles at their arms and legs, it seems so that they won't make any havoc. There are various slaves here, a male human with a strong looking tight muscle, a beautiful female human with a good figure and even a bigger boobs than Mia-chan, boys and girls youngster with a promising future, there are also some other than human, like cat eared and dog eared beastman, a trained low class magical beast etc. it seems there are many kind of it. I'm feel like vomiting, here. "Since every slaves here had been properly trained to be obedient to their master, so after you buy them, they would immediately obey you." "But, for such a trained slave... one gold coin is a bit...." This man sure underhand. For a merchant that is something natural but, as expected even if just a bit he want to squeeze out every possible sum right. But well I have the budget, for now let's try to ask about how much money he want. The negotiation start from there. "Approximately how much is it?" "Let's see... Perhaps, around three gold coins." "Oh...." He splendidly guessed my budget, this man. As expected from a merchant, his experience is by far different than an amateur like me. Nonetheless, I don't mind to pay it if it's just at three gold coins. Did here supposed to pay it at full? Even if I try my poor price negotiation, my eloquence won't stand a chance against him. "Then I'll buy that big boobs beautiful woman at three gold coins." "Since slave like her is popular so it is around ten gold coins...." "...Then I'll buy that macho muscle at three gold coins." "Since he is a valuable manpower so it is around eight gold coins...." "...Then I'll buy that young girl with promising future at three gold coins." "Since she has promising future so she is at around seven gold coins...." What's the meaning of it. This man didn't has any intention to sell them at all, at least he didn't have intention to sell a human. If that's the case then the beastman girl huh... nonetheless beatman's livelihood are similar like human but, it seems their treatment are greatly different... how complicated. Thereupon, the slave merchant man is asking me with a complacent smile. "If you are troubled with the money, then how about it? Why don't you sell that fairy over there?" "Wha?" "Oh dear, these days, since there were many customers who fond with fairies, I would buy it at twenty gold coins, how is it?" This man, what is he talking about? Is he an idiot? --Selling Finia-chan you say? "Don't get too cocky." I've greatly understand it, this man is my enemy. "...!?" I can feel that {Eerie Constitution} skill is activated. But I don't mind, this man is an enemy. I don't mind to blow away this place, by Finia-chan. But, in the end I'm just a customer who come here to buy a slave. I want to refrain from any conspicuous act. So that I won't kill him. "A.... ka...!?" "That beastman girl, I could buy her at three gold coins right?" "...! ...!" I judge that it doesn't matter even if she is a beastman. Moreover, I don't want to overstay at this kind of place. When I said that, the slave merchant man was shrieking without any voice and vigorously nodded. It seems since my level had raised, the effect of {Eerie Constitution} is also increased. When {Coercion} was activated, his face was become very pale and looked like he may fainted any moment. What a good sensation. "Then, please." "Haa...! Haa...!" After canceling the skill, I returned to the counter just now by myself. Finia-chan is looked very mad, to the point I could clearly see magic is gushing out from her body. It is the first time Finia-chan is angry like this. But, she excellently endure it. Since it would be bad if we make a ruckus here. "Thanks Finia-chan, to endure it." "Yes... but, I hate that kind of people. Kitsune-san won't sell me right?" "I won't, since Finia-chan is my one and only partner after all." Since Finia-chan is floating a sunflower-like smile, I could calmed down myself like this. Because I love that smile. After that, Kitsune was safely buy the beastman girl slave from the frightened slave merchant man. Whether it was a custom, the man hand over a contract choker to Kitsune. With a magic tool named {Slavery Choker} , it seems by attaching that choker, the master and servant relation would be established. It seems it was intended so that the slave who use the choker can't attack the master who attach it. As for Kitsune, he take the choker but, he has no intention to attach it. Even if she's a slave, he didn't has any intention to treat her like one. "...Then, wear it first." After they left left the store, Kitsune give the school uniform which he wear to the girl who he just bought. Since looking at her wearing a tattered cloth isn't very pleasant after all. Kitsune was crouching and carefully give the cloth. Previously, he was just buy that girl without any thought but, when looked closely, that girl was quite well-featured. A light brown hair which extend to her buttock, a dog like ear at her head, and also a tail which covered by hair. Her eyes were lack of energy and looked like a dead eyes but, it were a jade like beautiful eyes. Her ages perhaps around twelve years old, her height, whether she was given a minimum food since she was a slave, I think she is quite small for her ages. Her body was looked very frail. "...?" Being given the school uniform, the girl was gazing at Kitsune with bewilderment but, as expected there was no energy at her eyes. But, since she obediently follow him when he lead her by hands, for now Kitsune was going to return to the inn. He thought that he may need to rent one more private room. "Ah, that's right... you, what's your name?" "...Lulu Soleil." (ruru*soreiyu) "Lulu-chan right, it's good and easy to call." Kitsune didn't say anything further. The difficult thing, they should just discuss everything of it at the inn. Now he was just walking while holding a hand with a girl named Lulu, leading her toward the inn. But, Kitsune was didn't know it yet. That by buying that girl, it would lead him into his despair at the future....

静かだった。 空は暗く、周囲には誰もいない。薄暗いギルドの裏で、薙刀桔音が瀕死の状態で倒れ伏し、その隣でレイラ・ヴァーミリオンがそれを見下ろしていた。 レイラの表情は恍惚としていて、両手を顔に当てて涎を溢しながら瞳にハートマークを浮かべている。頬を紅潮し、せつなそうなに眉がハの字を描く。おそらくその表情を見れば全ての男が思うだろう、発情していると。そして多くの男が次にこう思う、襲いたいと。それほどまでに艶やかで、妖艶な姿をしていた。 だが、それは彼女のことを全く知らない人間の考えだ。彼女は今やSランクの怪物、全世界を赤く染め上げることが出来る力を持った正真正銘の化け物だ。 『赤い夜』、 レイラは倒れ伏す桔音を見て、自分の周囲に纏わり付く様に浮かんでいる黒い瘴気を操る。すると、彼女の顔が篠崎しおり......ひいてはフィニアの顔から元のレイラ・ヴァーミリオンの顔へと戻った。髪は白髪になったままで、恍惚とした表情はそのままではあるが、これが本当の『赤い夜』の姿だ。 「うふ、うふふふ......そっかぁ♡ やぁっときつね君も私に全てを委ねてくれるんだぁ......♪」 彼女が思い出すのは、桔音が意識を失う直前に言った言葉。 『レイラちゃん......僕と一緒にいれば良いよ......好きなだけ舐めてればいいよ......もうどうでもいいや』 全てを諦めて、レイラへの敗北を認めた言葉。どう足掻いてもこれ以上何も出来ない、助けも期待出来ない、生き延びるには絶望的な状況、そしてもう意識を保っていられない瀕死の状態で、桔音はもう自分の命を諦めた。 そんな中で捻りだしたのが、そんな言葉だ。実質上の敗北宣言。レイラはそれをあたかも愛の告白かのように喜んだ。桔音が自分自身に全てを委ねてくれたのだと、そう思った。喜色満面な笑顔を浮かべて、これ以上の幸福はないと思う程に。 「うふふ、それじゃあ私が精一杯愛して愛して愛して愛しまくって食べてあげる♡」 そしてレイラはその場に四つん這いになって、桔音の上に被さる。まるで昼間に勝負した時の決着の光景、レイラが桔音を押し倒した様な光景が再現されていた。 あの時は桔音にキスをしたレイラ、だが今回は違う。正真正銘、正体を明かした彼女は......化け物として桔音を肉片の一つも残さず喰らうだろう。 レイラは桔音の頬を撫でながら、深く深く愛しているかのように、まるで愛しい恋人にするように、意識の無い桔音の唇を奪う。桔音の血塗れの口内を彼女の舌が蹂躙し、数秒の間ずっと二人の間からいやらしい水音が響いていた。 そして息継ぎの為に顔を離すレイラ、二人の口と口を若干赤く染まった唾液が糸を引いて繋いでいた。 そしてキスをしたことで更に熱い息を吐き、びくびくと身体を震わせるレイラ。そして今度は桔音の学ランの前を開け、丁寧に脱がして行く。そして、下に着ていたTシャツも脱がし、彼の上半身が裸になった。 すると、レイラ自身も瘴気で作りあげた漆黒のワンピースを瘴気に戻し、上半身の肌を空気に晒した。下半身は白い下着で覆われているが、熱く火照った身体は白い肌に反して赤みが差しており、上気したような表情も相まってとても妖艶だ。 彼女はそのまま桔音の胸板の上に自分の身体を重ねて、桔音の心臓の鼓動を聞く。血液を失って若干下がった彼の体温はレイラの柔肌に染み入り、逆に彼女の身体を更に熱くした。 「えへへぇ......きつね君を感じるよぉ♡ 前よりずぅっと美味しい......全然飽きない......はむ......ちゅ......」 桔音の胸の中心から首筋を舐め上げ、じっくりと桔音を味わうレイラ。そして桔音の身体から上半身を離し、彼の腰の上に座って見下ろした。自分の指をぺろりと舐めて、桔音曰く不愉快な笑みを浮かべた。 「それじゃあ......何処から食べようかなぁ......やっぱり眼? それとも耳? 腕や足も魅力的♡ でもまぁ取り敢えず......最初は貴方の すると、その唾液や桔音の血で濡れた手をつつつ、と桔音の胸をなぞる様にして心臓の鼓動で動く胸の上に置いた。そして、爪を立てるように力を込め、肉を引き裂く―――― 「っ!?」 ―――瞬間にレイラは桔音の上から飛び退いた。 その赤い瞳は限界まで見開かれ、困惑の表情を浮かべている。先程まで熱く燃え滾っていた血液の沸騰も静まり、赤く染まった顔も冷や汗を掻いて白い肌に戻っていた。 何があったのか、レイラにも分からなかった。ただ、レイラの魔族としての本能が告げていたのだ、 恐怖の警鐘を。 意識の無い、動く筈の無い桔音を見て、レイラは何が起こったのか理解しようと頭を働かせる。惚けた思考は一気に冷めていた。 すると、桔音の身体が微かに動いた。 驚愕するレイラ、何故なら桔音はもう限界だった筈だからだ。肉体はもう極限まで破壊され、動かすことすら困難だった筈だ。 「なんで......起き上がれるの......!?」 今まで彼はレイラの予想を何度も越えて来たが、これは幾らなんでも予想外過ぎた。 「.........」 だがレイラには分かる、『不気味体質』が発動している。現に桔音に恐怖を感じているのだから。でも、これは先程までとは桁が違う。先程までは逆に興奮するほどに思っていたのに、今は本当に恐怖心しか抱けない。 なんだこれは? 「きつね君......貴方は一体............何をしたの......!?」 レイラはそう言って、桔音を睨みつけた。 スキルとは、ステータスを確認する力を持ってしてもその効果を保有者に明確に示すことはない。特に、『不気味体質』や『威圧』といったパッシブスキルはそうだ。名前から効果を察する事が出来るスキルも多いが、『不気味体質』は当初、桔音もどういうスキルか分からなかった程だ。いや、現時点でも桔音はこのスキルの効果を理解出来ていない。 『不気味体質』とは、相手の自分への印象を恐怖へと変換するスキルではない――――『最も恐怖する対象を桔音に変換する』スキルだ。 それを理解出来ていなかった故に、桔音はこのスキルを使いこなせていなかった。 スキルは精神に密接に関係している故に、保有者が弱気でいれば『威圧』の効果も半減するし、桔音の精神が相手に臆していたら『不気味体質』は発動しないといった面がある。 つまり桔音が自分への印象を恐怖へと変換するスキルだと間違えた解釈をしていた故に、『不気味体質』はその程度の効果しか発動してくれなかったのだ。本来であれば精神的に優位であれば、例えSランクの化け物であろうと逃げ出したくなる程の恐怖を与えるのがこのスキルだ。 それを、桔音の本能は理解していた。スキルの保有者は本来、自分の持ち得るスキルの効果を無意識の領域で知っている。それを理性が理解しなくともそれなりの効果を発揮してくれるが、理性が理解した瞬間倍以上の効果を発揮するのだ。 だが、レイラによってその理性を意識と共に失った桔音の精神は、100%本能と無意識で占められる。 つまり意識を失った状態で発動した『不気味体質』は、本来の効果を存分に発揮する―――! 「きつね君......でもなんで動けるの......?」 自分もスキルを持っている故に、今自分が抱いている恐怖が桔音の持つスキルの本来の効果であることを理解するのは容易だった。 しかし、それだけでは彼が身体を動かせる理由にはならない。『不気味体質』が発動するのはまぁあり得ない話ではない。無意識下ではまだレイラへの敗北を認めていなかったとすれば説明は付く。 ならば何故? 何故動ける? その理由は、奇しくもレイラ自身の起こした行動にあった。 桔音が一番最初に『赤い夜』と出会い、左眼を失った後の話だ。桔音はその時Aランクだった『赤い夜』との戦いを経て、実はあるスキルを手に入れていた。 ―――『臨死体験』 このスキルは、桔音が一度死を経験し二度目の死を体感したことで得た、この世界でも桔音だけが保有する超希少スキルだ。 その発動条件は、瀕死の状態に陥ること。つまりは死に瀕する状態でない限り発動しないのだ。 そしてその効果は、保有者を死なせない様にするスキル。保有者が死なないように、保有者を殺そうとする脅威から身を護る為に、ステータスにある変化を齎す。 「............成程、そういうことか」 そこで、桔音は意識を取り戻した。レイラを襲っていた恐怖心が和らぐ、『不気味体質』の効果が理性の復活によって半減したのだ。 「.........きつね君」 「ステータス......」 桔音の名前を呼ぶレイラを無視して、桔音は自分のステータスを見る。 ◇ステータス◇ 名前:薙刀桔音 性別:男 Lv10 筋力:40 体力:180 耐性:50400/350 敏捷:210 魔力:100 発動スキル:『臨死体験』 称号:『異世界人』 スキル:『痛覚無効Lv4(↑2UP)』『不気味体質』『異世界言語翻訳』『ステータス鑑定』『不屈』『威圧』『臨死体験』 固有スキル:??? PTメンバー:フィニア(妖精)、ルル(獣人)、トリシェ(人間) 見ての通り、耐性能力値が異常な程上昇していた。元々の能力値が350であるのに、今の数値はずっと上を行っている。耐性だけで言えば、今の桔音はSランクにも匹敵する―――!! 「なるほど、これは良い拾いモノ......君に会ったのも悪いことばかりじゃなかったみたいだ」 桔音のふらつく身体が見る見るうちに活力を取り戻して行く。桔音は薄ら笑いを浮かべて、終わった筈の腕を動かし、レイラに向かって人差し指を向けた。桔音の身体は完全に治癒していた。 「変な話だね、君に殺され掛けて手に入れたスキルで、君に殺され掛けてるこの状況を救われるなんて」 『臨死体験』。その効果は、相手の殺傷能力の倍の防御能力を手に入れること。この場合、『赤い夜』の攻撃力の軸である筋力数値25200の倍の50400の耐性数値を手に入れることになるのだ。 そして、この耐性というステータスには防御力という意味の他に、自己治癒能力も含まれる。つまり、今の桔音は一時的にSランク以上の防御力や自己治癒能力を手にしているのだ。 そう、それこそ......世界を崩壊させる攻撃を防ぎ、数秒で完全回復出来る力を。 「君の力を借りている様な気もして悪い気もするけど......そんなの関係無いね! 僕の力は僕の力だばーか!」 そして一時的とはいえレイラを凌ぐ力を手に入れた桔音は凄く強気だった。それはもう強気だった。口端を吊り上げて、くつくつと喉を鳴らして笑う。 「て、僕上半身裸じゃん......なんか濡れてるし......全く」 桔音はそう呟きながら落ちていたTシャツと学ランを着直した。そして、レイラの方を向いて言う。 「で? 随分と大人しいじゃない、僕のことが大好きなんじゃなかったの?」 「......あはっ......ごめんねきつね君......なんか私きつね君のこと好きじゃなかったみたい......ただ美味しい君が好きだったみたいだよ」 「やっと気が付いたか、君の言ってることは何もかもそういうことだ。恋に恋して、好意を勘違いして、好きでも無い奴を好きだとかほざいて、滑稽な程発情して、馬鹿らしいほど狂った愛を囁いて、今こうして間違いに気が付いた。Sランクの怪物も大したことないね、ただ発情してた馬鹿だ」 桔音の『不気味体質』の本質を見たレイラは、状況は理解出来ないままただ一つ、桔音への好意が恋愛でないことを理解した。何故なら、あの恐怖を味わった今、自分は桔音への好意の一切を失っていたからだ。 桔音の言葉を聞いて、その通りだと思った。ついさっきまでの自分は馬鹿だった。恋を見誤った、ただの馬鹿だった。 桔音は俯いたレイラを見て嘆息する。ようやくこの怪物を引き剥がせそうだと思った。事実、彼女はもう自分のことが好きではないし、今の自分は彼女がなにをしようとその全てを防ぎ切ることが出来る。形勢逆転の状態だ。 しかし、 「うふ、うふふ......でも、でもでも、私気付いちゃった♪」 「え?」 「今度こそ私、きつね君のことが好きになっちゃった♡ こんなに面白い人初めてっ! 此処まで私の予想を裏切るなんて、興奮しちゃう......!」 先程までは餌に群がる動物と同じ心境だった、でも今は桔音を餌としても人としても好意を抱いている。予想を超え、限界を超え、そしてSランクである自分をただの馬鹿と吐き捨てて見せた桔音が、どうしようもなく愛おしく思えたのだ。 今なら桔音を食べられなくても構わないと思えるほどだ。 「いやいや待てよ、違うだろ。そこは諦めて森へ帰れよ」 「うふふ、うふふふふ......でもきつね君言ったよ? 僕と一緒にいれば良いよって言ったよ? 言ったよね? 言ったもん、言った筈、言ったでしょ? 嘘吐いたの? 違うよね? だって私は貴方が大好きだもん!」 桔音は思った。やっちまったと。 「これからずぅっと一緒、ずっとずっと一緒♪ 今度こそ私の好きを全身で感じさせてあげる♡ 私の味を教えてあげる♡ だから私に貴方の全部を頂戴?」 また頬を紅潮させ、熱い吐息を漏らし、赤い瞳にハートマークを浮かべて、ぞくぞくと震える身体を抱きしめながら、『赤い夜』―――レイラ・ヴァーミリオンはそう言った。

It was quiet. The sky was dark, there was no one around. At the dim underground guild, Naginata Kitsune collapsed in dying state, and Leila Vermilion was overlooking him from the side. Having an ecstasy expression, Leila put both of her hands at her face while spilling out droll and having heart marks at her eyes. Her cheeks were blushing, as if in a great pain, her eyebrows drawn a ha (ha) character. Perhaps, any men that saw that expression of her would though as such, 'she's in lustful state'. And then, the majority of those men would think as such, 'I want to assault her'. That was just how glamorous and fascinating the appearance she had. However, that was the thought of those who didn't anything know about her. Right now she was an S rank monster, a genuine monster that could dye the whole world in red. {Red Night} , demon that manipulating Miasma (Virus), that was her true identity. Leila was looking at the collapsed Kitsune, then she manipulated the miasma around her as if to coiling it around her. And then, her face that was one of Shinozaki Shiori... the face that once similar like Finia's, returned into that of Leila Vermilion's face. With her hair still white colored and making an ecstasy expression, that was the true appearance of the{Red Night} . "Ufu, ufufufu... I see, kyaa, Kitune-kun have entrusted his everything to me..." The one she recalled was, Kitsune's word at the brink of him lost his consciousness. "Leila-chan... it's okay if you want to live together with me... it's okay if you want to lick me as much as you want... I don't care about it anymore." Giving up every things, that was the word of him admitting his defeat against Leila. No matter how much he struggled, there was nothing he could do anymore, he also couldn't expect for a reinforcement, it was a hopeless situation to survive, moreover at dying state and barely able to hold his consciousness, Kitsune already gave his life up. The only thing he could spit at such state was, such word. A genuine defeat declaration. Leila took it as a love confession and was delighted. That Kitsune was entrusting his everything to her, or so she thought. She floated a smile of joy, a great joy as if there was nothing more pleasurable than it. "Ufufu, well then, I'll do my best to eat you with full full full full of love." And then Leila did an all four atop the collapsed Kitsune. Similarly like at the conclusion time of their battle at the day, it was a redo of the state where Leila was pushing down Kitsune. At that time Leila was only kissed Kitsune, but right now was different. The genuine and real her was... a monster that would eat Kitsune without leaving any piece of him. While caressing Kitsune's cheek, as if caressing her most beloved one, as if caressing her beloved lover, Leila kissed the collapsed Kitsune. Kitsune's bloodstained mouth was violated by her tongue, and after several second in doing so, an obscene sound of water resounded among them. And then Leila separated her face from kitsune's to took a breath, and there was a somewhat reddened saliva that stretched out and connected from their mouths. And then, because she just had a kiss, Leila's body was quivering and she breathed out a more intense breath. After that, she turned her attention into his gakuran and carefully took it off. After that, after got his T shirt been taken off too, his upper half was in nude. And then, returning her miasma made dress she wore into miasma again, she also had her upper half in nude. Her lower part was covered by a white underwear, her white skin blushed in red because of how high her ecstasy was, moreover with her lustful expression, it made her very fascinating. She put her own body atop Kitsune's chest, and then she listened to Kitsune's heartbeat. Because he'd lost so much blood, his body temperature was dropping, but when she felt his body temperature with her own body, it made her body hotter. "Ehehe... I can feel you, Kitsune-kun. You become way more tastier than before... I can't get bored of you at all... *hmm*... *Chiyuu*...." Licking Kitsune from his chest till his nape, Leila thoroughly tasted Kitsune. And then, separating herself from Kitsune's upper half, she sit atop him and overlooking him from there. Getting his own finger got licked, Kitsune floated a somewhat unpleasant smile. "Well then... which part should I start with, I wonder?... as I thought, his eye? Or perhaps ear? His legs are also attractive, but, well, for now... for starter how about I take you heart first?" And then, putting away her blood stained hand from Kitsune's saliva stained hand, she traced her finger at Kitsne's chest and put it atop his beating heart. And then, when she put strength into her nail to tore off his flesh-- "!?" --at that instant Leila jumped away from atop Kitsune. Her red eyes were opened wide to its limit and she made a bewildered expression. Getting her till not too long ago hot and burning blood calmed down, her blushed red face was returning to its white state with cold sweat is flowing at it. What happened? Even Leila didn't know it. It was just, Leila's instinct as a demon told her such, A warn of fear. Looking at Kitsune that lost conscious and supposed to not moving again, Leila racked her head to thought about what happened. But her bewildered thought stopped in an instant. And then, Kitsune's body slightly moved. Leila was surprised, that was because Kitsune should be at his limit already. His body was broken to its utmost limit, he should be unable to even just moving his body. However, starting by that slight movement, his body started moving. Rubbing the ground, setting up his feet, slowly, he raised his body up, and finally stood up. At such impossible spectacle, Leila couldn't understand it. "Why... are you standing up...!?" Thus far he had exceeded her expectation many times already, but this time it was way too unthinkable. "....." Kitsune hung his head so she couldn't peek at his face. However, Leila understood it, that "Eerie Constitution" was activated. That was because she felt fear at Kitsune, after all. But, the extent was greatly different with the fear thus far. She was full in lust just a moment ago, but right now she could only feel fear. What on earth is this? "Kitsune-kun... you... what did you do...!?" Leila said so, while glaring at Kitsune. Skill was, even when you had the ability to identify it, it didn't necessarily mean you'd be able to activate the skill at its full potential. Especially, passive skills such as "Eerie Constitution" and "Overpower". There were many skills that its effect could be understood just by its name, but "Eerie Constitution" wasn't the case, to the point even Kitsune couldn't understand the true nature of this skill. No, even right now he still didn't understand the effect of this skill. "Eerie Constitution" was, not a skill that transformed the impression of you in your opponent mind into that of fear-- but a skill that "transformed you into the most fearsome existence". Not just he didn't aware of that, Kitsune even couldn't handle this skill properly. Not just the skill was related to his state of mind, if the holder was weak then the effect of "Overpower" would be halved, there was also the case where "Eerie Constitution" won't be activated when Kitsune was hesitated toward his opponent. That meant, not just he thought that it was a skill that transform the impression of his into that of fear, he even couldn't properly activated "Eerie Constitution" up to that effect. In truth, as long as he was stronger mentally, even if it was an S rank monster, with this skill he should be able to give them a fear that even would made them wanted to run away. But, Kitsune just instinctively aware of it. As the owner of the skill, he subconsciously aware about the effect of the skill he possessed. That was the reason why he was still able to take out some effect out of it even without aware of its true nature, but if he fully aware of it, he would be able to exhibit a far greater effect than currently. However, since his reasoning and awareness was blown away altogether by Leila, he unconsciously moved 100% out of instinct. That meant, the "Eerie Constitution" that was activated at his unconscious state, it could exhibit its effect to its fullest--! "Kitsune-kun... but, why are you moving...?" Leila noticed that Kitsune was unconscious. Not just it was one of his skill, it also could be easily understood that the fear that embraced her right now was because of the effect of his skill. However, that much won't became a reason why he was moving. The unconscious activation of "Eerie Constitution" wasn't something impossible. It could be understood if he didn't admit his defeat against Leila at the brink of his collapse. Then, why? Why did he move? The reason was, it was strangely enough because of her own action. Kitsune's first encounter with {Red Night} , something that happened after he lost his left eye. After his fight against the A rank {Red Night} , actually he obtained a certain skill. A sole skill that never exhibited its effect nor ever been activated by him. --"Near Death Experience". This skill, Kitsune had died once, and he obtained this skill at his second dying experience, a very rare skill that at this world he was the only one that possessed it. The condition of its activation was, when he fell into a verge of death state. That meant it won't activated unless he was at an almost dying state. And then its effect was, it was a skill to prevent its owner from dying. So that the owner won't die, to defend its owner from any threat that might killed him, it made a certain change at its owner's status. "...I see, so that was the case." There, Kitsune regain his consciousness. The fear that attacked Leila was lessening, "Eerie Constitution" effect was halved because of he regained his awareness. However, the "Near-death Experience" was still in effect. Kitsune was finally able to fully understand the true nature of this skill. "...Kitsune-kun." "Status...." Ignoring Leila that was calling his name, Kitsune checked his own status. *Status* Name : Naginata Kitsune Gender : Male Lv. 10 Strength : 40 Stamina : 180 Resistance : 50400/350 Agility : 210 Magic Power : 100 Activated Skill : {Near Death Experience} Title :{Other worlder} Skill : {Pain Nullification Lv.4 (|2UP)} Innate skill : ??? PT Member : Finia (Fairy), Lulu (Beastman), Trisha (Human) As you could see, the resistance status increased abnormally. Even when it was originally only just 350, it became the highest value he ever saw thus far. Resistance-wise, the current Kitsune was equaling an S rank--!! "I see, this is a good gem I got back then... seems like there's not only bad things that happened whenever I met you." Inside Kitsune's staggering body, energy started flowing. Kitsune floated a faint smile, moving his supposed to break arm, and point his index finger toward Leila. Kitsune's body had completely recovered. "What a strange thing, by the skill that I obtained from almost dying by you, I was rescued from the situation where I was almost got killed by you." "Near-death experience". Its effect was, to change its owner resistance status into the double of his opponent's attack power. This time, {Red Night} 's strength that became her main offensive power was at 25200, that was why in exchange he got 50400 status in his resistance status. And then, that resistance status, not just increasing his defense ability, it also had an effect to increase self-recovery. That meant, the current Kitsune had a defensive and recovery ability that of an S rank. Right, that was... an ability that was able to defend against an attack that could destroy the world, and could recover himself into his fullest state just within several seconds. "It's quite unpleasant since it feels as if I'm borrowing your strength, but... I don't care about it! My power is my power, after all!" And then, even if it was just for temporary, Kitsune was very confident because he had obtained a power that could defend against Leila's attacks. He became very strong. The tips of his mouth raised and lightly smiling. "Wait, aren't I half naked... I even somewhat wet... good grief." Muttering so, he put the dropped T-shirt and gakuran on again. And then, he looked toward Leila. "Then? Aren't you become quite docile there? Didn't you love me very much?" "....aha... sorry, Kitsune-kun... seems like I didn't love you... I only interested in you as something tasty, that's all." "You finally understood it, huh. What you said just now was totally right. Fell love in love, misunderstood it, saying you loved someone that you didn't even love, unnaturally in lust, muttering such screwed yet idiotic love, you finally understood just how strayed you was. Even as an S rank monster, you weren't something that much, you were nothing but an idiot in lust, after all." Leila that had faced the true face of Kitsune's "Eerie Constitution" was, still unable to fully understand anything except one thing, that was that her interest toward Kitsune wasn't love. That was because, the instant she tasted that fear, she lost all of her interest toward Kitsune, after all. Listening to Kitsune's words, she thought that he was right. Till just a moment ago she was an idiot. Just an idiot that misunderstood about love. Kitsune sighed when he looked at Leila that hung her head down. He thought that he finally would be able to separate himself from this monster. In reality, she didn't fall in love in him anymore, after all, and the current him also would be able to defend any of her attacks. The situation was reserved. However, "Ufu, ufufufu... but, but but, I realized it." "Eh?" "This time, I really fall in love with you, Kitsune-kun. It's my first time meeting someone as interesting as you! To never betraying my expectation this much, it makes me turned on....!" Up until now she was just like a beast that was aiming at its prey, but right now she was aiming at him not just as a prey but also as a man. Exceeding her expectation, exceeding his limit, and then showing her ;an S rank existence; that she was nothing but a fool, she couldn't hold herself back to not falling in love with Kitsune. She loved him so much to the point it would be okay even if she didn't eat him. "No no, wait, that's not the right way, isn't it? Here, you're supposed to just give up, right?" "Ufufu, ufufufufu... but you said it, right, Kitsune-kun? You said it, I'm sure you said it, you definitely said it, didn't you? Were you lying? You weren't, right? Because I really love you, after all!" Kitsune recalled it. That he did say that. "From here on, we'd always and always together. This time I'd definitely make you realize just how big my love is. I'll let you taste me. That's why, give me your every things." Her cheeks are blushing again, breathing out an intense breath, having heart marks floated at her eyes, while hugging her quivering body, {Red Night} -- Leila Vermilion said so.

あの、青い長髪の背の高い女性秘書は、僕達をオルバ公爵のいる部屋へと案内する間に、色々と事情を説明してくれるらしい。オルバ公爵がどういう人間なのか、そしてどうしてニコちゃんを狙うのか、ついでその目的等々全部だ。 彼女が僕達の前を歩き、その後ろを僕もリーシェちゃんも付いて行く。一定の速度で、且つ僕達の歩く速度に合わせている所を見ると、彼女のサポートに関する能力は相当高いんじゃないだろうか。人間観察能力も秀でているように思える。 そんな彼女の話は、まず自己紹介から始まった。 「まず私の名前は、クレア・ルマールといいます。オルバ公爵の秘書になったのは大体2年前です」 「あ、うん。僕の名前は――」 「存じ上げています。Hランク冒険者、きつね様」 「知ってるの?」 「ミニエラにいる妹の手紙で良く書かれていましたので」 妹がいる、ということは、ミアちゃんの隣に座っていたあの青髪の受付嬢だろう。青い髪が似ているなぁと思っていたけれど、親族だったのか。というか、どんな風に話が伝わってるんだろう。ミアちゃんのおっぱい揉もうとしたし、色々やったからなぁ......悪評で伝わっていないと良いけど。 そんな考えが表情から伝わったのか、クレアちゃんがクスッと笑った。 「妹の手紙では面白い冒険者がいるということばかりですよ。貴方が現れてからギルドの雰囲気が変わったとか、先輩が良く笑うようになったとか、そんなことが書かれていました。一度、会ってみたいと思っていたんですよ」 「そうなんだ......でも僕妹さんの名前知らないんだけど......」 「そうなんですか? ......まぁその話は置いておきましょう」 一度会ってみたいと思っていたってなんか出会い系っぽいけど、そんなことを言われるとちょっと嬉しかったりする。足取りも気持ち軽くなっちゃうよ。 リーシェちゃんに蹴られた。嫉妬かな? あ、違うな、これは真面目に話をしろっていう眼だ。 「......オルバ公爵は、元々グランディール王国内で軍事に関わる地位に就いていました。ですが、大きな侵略作戦で失敗し、その責任を取る為にその地位を剥奪されました。そして、本国からこの街の管理職を押し付けられ、不本意ながらにこの街の領主になりました」 「公爵って一番高い位だよね? 拒否する事は出来なかったの?」 「爵位と官職は別物ですので、公爵であろうと官職の地位で上に立つ者として、責任から逃げることは出来なかったんです」 なるほど、そういうことか。爵位の高い貴族だとしても、その地位と軍事における地位は比例しないのか。 「ですが、オルバ公爵はかなり自尊心の高い方......本国を追い出されて辺境の街の管理職など、認めたくなかったのでしょう。時間が経つに連れて態度が高圧化し、周囲のものに当たる様になりました。時には暴力を振るい、酒に溺れる事も多々ありました」 「あはは、リストラされた夫みたい」 「りす......? まぁ、そういう訳で、彼は領主ではあるのですが、仕事を私や下の者に任せて権力を振りかざしています。正直、私も含めて兵士達や街の人々も付いていけないと思っているんです」 だからオルバ公爵を排除しろってことなのかな。 それでも、僕みたいなHランク冒険者に頼らなくてはならない理由がある。 なら、きっと話はこれで終わりじゃないんだろう。 それに、ニコちゃんを狙う理由も明らかになっていないし、兵士達を仲間に引き入れられない理由も、別にあると思う。今の話だけじゃ、この現状の説明は付かない。 「ええ......貴方方が保護している少女、ニコ・アークスをオルバ公爵が狙っている理由が、現状を複雑にしている原因です。勇者が召喚されたのはご存知でしょうか?」 「うん、良く知ってる」 あったこともあるし、痛い目に遭わされたからね。今その名前が出た瞬間僕の瞳がジト眼になったよ、ていうか、あいつまた僕の邪魔するのかよ。居ても居なくても迷惑とか筋金入りだな。 「本来、勇者が召喚される際には時空間魔法を用いるのですが、今代の勇者召喚にはその時空間魔法の使い手が居なかったんです。元々、適性のある人間が希少な魔法ですから」 「ふーん......じゃあどうやって召喚したの?」 「グランディール王国王家には、代々『神官』という役職があります。時空間魔法の使い手がなれる役職なのですが......適性のある人材が居ない場合は、魔法使いの家柄の優秀な人材をその役職に置きます。そして、勇者召喚の時は『禁術』と呼ばれる魔法で時空間魔法の代替をするんです」 『禁術』、ねぇ......明らかにリスクの高そうな代物っぽいけど、今回の勇者召喚じゃソレが使われたってことだよね。 「その魔法は、使用者の命と引き換えに発動します。故に、今代の『神官』は勇者召喚と同時に亡くなって居るんです」 「来て早々人殺しとは流石勇者モドキ、やることが違うね」 「ですが、『神官』が亡くなって......本国では新たな『神官』を用意しなくてはならなくなったんです」 なんだか読めてきたぞ。『神官』が死んで、代わりが必要になったってことは分かったし、時空間魔法の適性のある人材が居ないということも分かった。 「オルバ公爵は貴族ですが、それと同じで高い実力を持つ魔法使いでもあります。だからこそ、この『神官』の後継者の話に飛び付きました。貴方の保護している少女の家、アークス家も同じく魔法使いの家系、その御息女を新たな『神官』候補として本国に献上することで、オルバ公爵はグランディール王国へと返り咲こうとしているのです」 「軍事官職に就けずとも、神官の指導役として返り咲く事が出来れば、以前の威光を取り戻すことが出来るって訳か」 「ええ......もっと言えばニコ・アークスは未だ4歳。その年齢から魔法使いとして英才教育を施す事が出来れば、才能がなくとも成人する頃には並の魔法使いにも劣らぬ実力を手に入れることが出来る筈......そう考えたのでしょう。幼い頃に魔力を操ることが出来れば、その魔力量も大きく伸ばす事が出来ますから」 なんだ、元を糺せば全部あの勇者気取りが悪いってことか。オルバ公爵も、地位を取り戻す為にニコちゃんを利用しようってのは少し不愉快ではあるけど、世の中にある理不尽は大体勇者気取りが悪い。うん、きっとそうだ。 とはいえ、この話を聞く限りじゃますますニコちゃんは渡せないな。オルバ公爵にも少しお灸を据える必要があるみたいだ。このままニコちゃんを引渡したりしたら、ニコちゃんのこの先の人生オルバ公爵に食い潰されてしまう。 多分、父親は殺されるだろうし、母親が生きているのか知らないけど、親と会う事も出来なくなると思う。それはいただけない。 「なるほどね、兵士達が反旗を翻さないのは、オルバ公爵が返り咲いた後のおこぼれを貰えるからかな?」 「はい、オルバ公爵が兵士達にそれをほのめかすような発言をしていました」 「そこで、僕達って訳か。ニコちゃんを保護した冒険者で、かつオルバ公爵に与していない、持って来いの立ち位置だね」 「オルバ公爵を殺していただいても、街から追い出していただいても構いません。後始末は私が全責任を負いますので、どうかお願い出来ないでしょうか?」 つまりこれって使徒ちゃんの時と同じで、勇者気取りの後始末ってこと? うわぁ、そう考えると途端に面倒臭くなってきた。 でも、このままじゃニコちゃんが楽しい子供時代を送れなくなるなぁ......僕の子供時代は全然楽しくなかったけどね。 あのレイスを相手にするのも面倒だし、正直やらなくてもいいことだけど......まぁミニエラでも懇意にしてくれた青髪の受付嬢のお姉さんと、ニコちゃんに免じて、オルバ公爵を殺すか。話によると魔法使いらしいけど、Hランクと分かってて僕に頼むんだから、僕でも出来るんだろう。 「いいよ、オルバ公爵をぶっ殺せばいいんでしょ? やるやる、僕にやらせてよ、こんなの朝飯前だよ!」 「そんなにやる気満々で言うことではないと思うんですが......やってくれるなら構いません」 「リーシェちゃん、話聞いてた? ちょっとオルバ公爵ぶっ殺しに行くよ?」 「......ああ、聞いてたよ。ただなんでそんなに笑顔で言うのかちょっと分からないな」 そして、僕達がオルバ公爵を殺すことを決めた所で、丁度クレアちゃんの足が大きな扉の前で止まった。どうやら、オルバ公爵のいる部屋に辿り着いたらしい。 「オルバ公爵はこの中に居ます......どうか、よろしくお願いします」 「うんうん任せておいて、僕は子供好きだから、子供の未来とその可能性を護ってあげないとね!」 なんて、思ってもないことを言ってみたりして。 子供時代に虐待を受けていた子供は、大人になってから自分の子供に虐待をするっていうけれど、僕の場合はどうなんだろう? 逆に、虐待してくる人から離れて行っちゃったからなぁ。 「じゃ行こうか、ちなみにこの中に殺人鬼とかいる?」 「いません」 「それは良かった」 僕はそう言って、扉を開けて、中へと足を踏み入れた。 ◇ ◇ ◇ その頃、地下。レイラとレイスの勝負は、決着が付いていた。 ニコ達のいる部屋の前に、両手を後ろに回して少し前屈みに佇むレイラの足下に、レイスは倒れていた。彼の身体には無数の刀傷があり、二撃目で数本髪を切られたが、レイラの肌には一切傷がない。 そして、倒れた彼の頭を、レイラはその足で踏み付けていた。その表情はにんまりと満足気に笑っており、そしてレイスの意識は完全に途絶えている様だった。 元々彼が持っていた抜き身の剣も、レイラの瘴気のナイフの前に砕け折れ、倒れた彼の身体の下から赤い血が流れ出ている。まだ生きているようだが、その命も時間の問題だ。あと一撃でも入れば、レイスは死ぬだろう。 「うふふうふふふ♡ 頑張ったねぇ♪ んちゅ......ん♪ まっずい♡」 レイラは床を赤く染めるレイスの血を指で掬って舐めて、そう言う。 「んー、でもでもきつね君の半分の半分の半分の半分の半分の半分の半分の半分の半分の......ずぅっと半分位には美味しいかも? うふふうふふふ♪ あー楽しかった♡」 すると、レイラはレイスの頭から足を退けて、くるりと踵を返す。そして、そのまま扉を開けた。 「ニコ、終わったよー♪ さ、行こ♡」 「れぃら......!」 すると、中からニコが駆け寄ってきた。レイラの腰に抱き付いて、黒いワンピースを強く握りしめ、レイラのお腹にその顔を埋めた。 きょとんとした表情を浮かべるレイラだが、ニコが震えながら顔を埋めているのを見て、何が何だが分からないがとりあえず、 「うふふっ♪ どうしたのー?」 笑って抱きしめ返したのだった。

As the blue hair secretary guiding us to Duke orba room, she explains a lot of things to us, such as What kind of person Duke Orba is? Why he wants Nico-chan ,and Everythings. Me and Rishe-chan are walking behind the secretary and I couldn't help but notice that she always keep the same pace as us. This shows how good her observation skill is. Then she starts with an introduction. [My name is Clair Rumarl. I became Duke Orba secretary 2 years ago] [Ah, Umm My name is --] [H rank Adventurer, Kitsune-sama I presume ?] [So you already know ?] [My sister Miniera write about you a lot in a letter] Sister? ...... So It is the blue hair receptionist that sit next to Mia-chan huh? To think that they are relative. By the way I'm quite curious about what she wrote about me in the letter. Since I tease Mia-chan a lot It would be good if my charade didn't spread around here too As I thought about the past, Clair-chan let out a giggle. [My sister's letter is all about a certain adventurer About how he changes the Guild atmosphere or about how he made a lot of senior adventurer dumbfounded as well. It made me want to meet him at least once you know?] [Is that so? ..... But I don't even know your sister's name ] [Is that the case? Well ... I'll leave it at that] It's like meeting someone who wants to meet you, then you hear something like that, it makes me quite happy. Ack! Rishe-chan kick me! Are you jealous? But that's not it right? This is a serious talk after all. [Duke's Orba was originally a military personnel of Grandil Kingdom ,but he failed in the huge military operation. He was stripped of his position as a punishment, then he reluctantly came back to become a Lord in his hometown] [Duke is a highest position right? Didn't he have anything to say at all?] [Court rank and military position is a different matter after all. Whether you're a Duke or a high-ranking official, you can't escape your responsibility.] Oh, It like that huh... Even if it is a high nobility of the peerage, the Court rank and the military position is not proportional. I think the Grandil Kingdom has a very strict military rule; even Duke Orba cannot escape from it. [Because Duke Orba was quite prideful. He can't accept that he was driven out to take care of a frontier town like this. As time went on, his attitude starts to worsen until it reached this point. He starts to get violent after some times pass.] [Ahaha, He looks like a laid-off husband.] [re.. What? Well It's not that important. Because he's like that he leaves all his job to me and his subordinate, and let me have the authority for the most part To be honest, I don't think I can side with the soldiers or the people here.] So that's why you want me to eliminate the Duke. Still, what kind of reason make you have to rely on an H rank adventurer like me. I'm sure this isn't the end of the story. And I don't think there's any reason why they're targeting Nico, or why they're not relying on the soldiers. [Yes.... As to why Duke is targeting Nico Arcos, the girl you're protecting, was quite complicated. Do you know about the hero that was summoning recently?] [Yes, I know it well.] The moment that the name came out, I narrow my eyes. I mean that guys still want to be a nuisance even in this situation huh? Whether you're here or not, it's annoying like hell. [Originally, when the hero is summoned, we have to use space-time magic, but this time we did not use it. Since you can't find a person who has an aptitude for space-time magic that easily.] [hmmm... Then how did you summon it this time] [The royal family of the Grandel Kingdom has a position called Shinkan(Shinto-Priest) in every generation. It's a position for those who can use space-time magic. In case there is no one with the aptitude, they will have the strongest in the magician family take on that position. When they summon the hero this time, they use the forbidden magic instead of the space-time magic.] Forbidden magic right? ..... It quite obvious that It's a risky method but they still use it after all. [That magic will activate with the life of the caster in exchange. Therefore, the "Priest" of the present generation is dead at the same time as the Hero Summoning.] [To kill the person this early, as expected of the Hero Motoki.] [So when the "Priest" died. We had to prepare a new "Priest" right away.] It somehow comes to this situation. The "Priest" had died and that they needed a replacement, but there were no suitable person for the space-time magic. I don't know what kind of thing Space-Time Magic is, but if it's an alternative, I think they'll be using the people in The Magician's families.There is no proof, but I think Nico-chan should be the one they'll be using. [Duke Orba is not only an aristocrat, but he is also a great Wizard. That's why I skip to the story of the successor of this "Priest." The Arcos family, as well as Duke Orba is about to return to the Grandel Kingdom and presenting his daughter as a candidate for a new "Priest".] [If Nico-chan can be a "Priest", even if he can not take back a military position, he can at least regain his former prestige.] [Moreover, Nico Arcos is still four years old. If you can educate her as a magician early on, she will be able to acquire the ability that is no inferior to the ordinary magician. Is what I thought. If you can use magic at a young age, the magic power will be greatly increased as well.] What's that. To put it all together. The hero is in a wrong right? It is a little unpleasant to use Nico-chan to regain his status. All of this is unreasonable and Hero is very hateful in the first place. Un... It has to be like this for sure. That said, After listening to this story, There's no way for me to hand over Nico-chan. It seems like Duke Orba needs a little bit of roasting. Maybe her father was killed, and I don't know if her mother is still alive, but I don't think she'll be able to see her parents again. And that's not acceptable. [I see, The reason why the soldiers didn't turn against him is that they can get a benefit after the Duke of Orba returns right?] [Yes, Duke Orba had made such a remark to reassure the soldiers.] [So that's why you are relying on me huh? Since Duke Orba doesn't have any influence on the Adventurer, we are perfect for the job.] [Whether you kill him or drive him out of this country in fine with me, I will take full responsibility for the cleanup after that. Would It be possible for you to take on this job?] In other words, is this the same as Apostles, who have to clean up after the Hero. But I don't think Nico-chan will be able to have a happy childhood. It's not like I have an enjoyable childhood either way. Since the blue hair receptionist Onee-san has some ties with Miniera-chan, Should I just kill Duke Orba for Nico-chan after all? Though we talk a lot about the magician families, She asks the H rank Adventurer me. So I should be able to do it. [All right, I can just go and take care of Duke Orba, right? I'll do it, this will be a piece of cake.] [I don't think you'll be that eager to make a move. If you can do it, then there's no problem.] [Rishi-chan did you listen? We're going to blow him up, okay?] [Yeah, loud and clear. I just don't know why you're smiling so much right now.] After we decided to kill the Duke of Orba, Claire's feet just stopped in front of the big door. [Duke Orba is here in this room. Please take care.] [Yeah leave it to me, because I like children, I have to protect the future of this child and takes care of the threat!] What's that? I kinda blurt out something I didn't even think about. It is said that If you were abused as a child you are going to abuse your own child after you grew up. But what about me? On the contrary, I am dead from the abuse after all. [Well, let's go, by the way, Is there any murderer in that room?] [Th.. There's nothing like that!] [That's good then] After I said that, I opened the door and walked into the room. ---------- Around that time, in the basement. The fight between Leila and Reis settled. Reis lies under Laila's step with his hands tied to the back in front of Nico's room. She has a satisfying smile on her face, and the consciousness of the Reis seemed to be completely lost. The blade he originally has also shattered before Leila's misama knife, red blood is flowing out from under his fallen body. [Ufufu Ufufufu You did your best Unnn This is bad ] Leila is licking Reis' blood, which stains the floor red, on her finger. No matter what you do, even a mass murderer cannot cross the limit called a monster. Before Leila's overwhelming power, the killer fell. But you know? you know? Even the half of half of half of half of half of half of half of half of haaaaaalf of Kitsune-kun blood is Farrrrrr more delicious than you, you know? Ufufu Ufufufu Ahhh This is kinda enjoying . Leila then pulls her legs away from Reis' head and turns back her heels, and opens the doors just like that. [Nico, it's over- Let's go ] [Leyla !] Then, Nico came rushing up to Laila. Holding onto Leila's waist, she clutched the black one-piece tightly and buried her face in Leila's stomach. Laila has a blank expression when Nico is burying her face with a slight quiver. She looks at her face without understanding anything. [Ufufufu What's wrong?] Then she hugs her back and laughing without saying anything

冒険者ギルド 「とりあえず、僕達はギルドへ行こうと思うんだ」 リーシェの言葉に、 その言葉に、リーシェは少し思案顔を浮かべる。そして数秒の間をおいて、うんと頷いた。 「いいんじゃないか? 冒険者ギルドは戦闘以外にもお手伝い系の平和的な依頼もあるからな、生活費を稼ぐ位なら妥当だしな」 そう言って、彼女は桔音の案を肯定する。 例えば、A国にギルドの承認を持ちかけたとしよう。その際、国とギルドの公証人が様々な取り決めをする。ギルドの目的は『A国に新たな支部を作る』こと、しかしそれはただで許可するほど国というものは易しくない。 そこで、ギルドはこのような条件を出す。 各国様々な特徴を持っているが、この世界では戦争や魔獣といった危険は常識だ。故に、何処の国でも国が崩壊に陥る危険である強力な魔獣が襲って来た時に少しでも戦力が欲しいと思っている。そんな考えを持っている国々にとって、ギルドを置くだけで強力な人材が危機が迫った時いてくれるというのは、実に美味しい話だろう。 故に、冒険者という者は、『自由の人』という異名を持つ。 今の桔音にとっては、生活の繋ぎでしかない職業だが、冒険者に憧れる少年少女は少なくないのだ。 「そっか、それじゃあ僕達はそろそろ行くよ、ギルドにね」 桔音は、リーシェの肯定を受けて立ち上がる。フィニアも話が終わったことを察してゆっくりと羽を動かした。善は急げ、今日中に一定量の金額を用意して、宿を探さなければならないのだ、時間は一分一秒を無駄に出来ない。 「あ、待ってくれ」 だが、リーシェはそう言って桔音を止めた。 首だけ回して後ろを見る桔音。そんな桔音に、リーシェは銀色の硬貨を3枚差し出してきた。思わず首を傾げ、疑問の色を見せる桔音。 「ギルドの登録には銀貨が一枚必要なんだ、見た所一文無しのようだし、これは貸しておくよ」 「......じゃ、ありがたく借りさせていただくよ。お金が溜まったらきっと返しに来る」 「リーシェ! またね!」 日本人の謙虚さが頭によぎったが、ギルドに登録するにしても多少の袖の下が必要。桔音は若干苦笑しながら差し出された銀貨三枚を受け取り、ポケットに入れた。そして、必ず返すことを約束する。フィニアも同じ気持ちで笑顔で小さな手を振った。 リーシェはそんな桔音達に対して優しげな微笑みを浮かべながら、返す。 「ああ、基本的に私はこの宿に泊まっているからな、気長に待ってるよ」 そんな言葉を背に、桔音達は宿の出入り口から外へと繰り出した。異世界で最初に出会った優しい異世界人の彼女への感謝を忘れずに。 宿の外へ出て行く桔音を見送って、リーシェはふと嘆息する。そして、先程まで話していた桔音達のことを思い出す。 リーシェが国の入り口で倒れているのを見つけたのは、本当に偶然だった。知っての通り、彼女は騎士見習いであり、今は騎士になるべく毎日訓練を行っている。 だが、二年間もそうしていて全く成果が出ないこともあって、彼女は少し焦っていた。訓練時間だけでは足りない、朝も夜も訓練をして、誰よりも努力する必要があると考えていた。 故に、早朝、まだ誰も目覚めていない様な朝早くに身支度を整え、国の外へ出ることにしたのだ。この国は近くに魔獣の生息する森があり、そこから出て来た雑魚を練習相手にする訓練生は多い。リーシェ一人であっても数体程度なら負けることはない。今日はその雑魚を相手に早朝訓練をしようと思っていた。 そんな時だ、桔音に出会ったのは。服はボロボロで、左眼は抉り取られた様に無くなっている桔音を見た時、リーシェは気絶しそうになった。 彼女はまだ騎士では無い、故に実戦経験は皆無だ。人が死にそうになっている状態でいる光景など、見たことが無かった。今思い出しても、少し気分が悪くなる。あの左眼の傷が、あまりにも悲惨で、無残だったから。 だが、人を助ける騎士を目指すリーシェは、倒れそうになる足を支えて桔音を助けるべく傍にいた妖精に話しかけた。彼女はフィニアと名乗り、必死にリーシェに縋りついた。 『お願いっ! きつねさんをっ......きつねさんを助けて!!』 あの時のフィニアの眼には、桔音を助けてくれるのなら何だってする覚悟があった。自分の命でさえ投げだせる意志があった。リーシェは、その時思わずフィニアの瞳に見惚れた、その瞳に宿る強い意志は純粋で、何物にも代えがたい何かを感じたのだ。 結果的に、元々の意思とも相まってリーシェは桔音を助けた。自分の泊まっている宿へ連れ帰り、左眼の手当てと言ってその傷を包帯で覆い隠した。 「......きつね、か......不思議な奴だったな......でも、悪い気分じゃない」 リーシェは先程桔音に貸した銀貨を思い出す。この世界では金の貸し借りなど、本当に信頼する相手でないとしない。貸したら返って来ないことが常識のようなものだからだ。 「また会うのが楽しみだ」 リーシェはそう呟いて、自分の部屋へと戻って行った。 宿から出た桔音は、フィニアの案内を頼りにギルドへと向かっていた。 フィニアは一度見たからそうでもなさそうだが、桔音にとっては少し驚きだった。これほど賑やかな商店街はおそらく元の世界でもあまり見られないだろう。 「随分と賑やかだね」 「私もめちゃくちゃびっくりしたよ! うはっ、あの焼き鳥美味そう!」 「お金ないから駄目だよ」 歩きながら、人々の様子を見る桔音。途中でリーシェと同じように剣を携えた大柄の男性や冒険者然とした女性など、武器を持った人を良く見るが、ファンタジー世界なのであまり気にしない。きょろきょろと挙動不審でいると逆に目立ってしまうのだ。 そこからしばらく歩くと、一際大きな建物が見えて来た。フィニアが指差すのも同じ建物なので、恐らくその建物が『冒険者ギルド』なのだろう。看板らしき横板に何やらぐにゃぐにゃと文字が書いてあるが、読めなかった。『異世界言語翻訳』というスキルは会話でのみ作用するということか。 そんな感じで新たな発見をしつつ、桔音はその建物に近づき、中へと続く扉を押した。 「なんだお前、そんなひょろっちぃ身体で冒険者になるつもりか?」 中の冒険者はイメージ通りだった。好印象だった評価が一気に下がるのを感じた桔音である。 「ああうん、そのつもりで」 「ッハハハ! コイツはおもしれぇ、まぁ精々頑張れよ! 坊主!」 「って......ん? ああ、なるほどな......妖精が付いてんのか......へぇ......」 見るからに野蛮で、無精髭を生やした大柄の男はそう言った。おそらく桔音になにかしらの期待をしている訳ではない、きっと彼は依頼を受けるうちに桔音は冒険者を止めるだろうと思っている。冒険者に憧れて、挫折していく者も確かにいるのだ。 だが、フィニアを見るや否や納得した様な表情を浮かべた。妖精が珍しいのかは分からないが、桔音はそんな男の言葉を気にせずに受付に歩きだす。 「むぅ......なんなのあの人! 言いたい放題言って......」 「そう怒るなよフィニアちゃん、それにしても......妖精って珍しいのかな?」 「さぁ? でもリーシェはそんな反応しなかったよ?」 「......ふーん......」 そんな会話をしながら、桔音は受付に辿り着いた。受付には受付嬢というべきなのか、桔音よりも多少年上の女性が営業スマイルを浮かべながら座っていた。 「巨乳だ」 「巨乳だね!」 「いらっしゃいませ、お帰りはあちらです」 そう、彼女は巨乳だった。しかも、美人。金髪で巨乳で美人、なんというかとてもモテそうな容姿をしていた。 桔音はそんな彼女を見てド直球に感想を漏らしたのだが、どうやら気に障ったらしい。 「すいません、ギルドの新規登録に来たんですけど」 「無視ですか......では、こちらの記入をお願いします。代筆も出来ますが、いかがいたしますか?」 「かしこまりました、では名前―――変態で」 「待って」 どうやら受付嬢の女性は桔音の発言がよっぽど気に障ったらしく、最初の営業スマイルは既に何処かへ消え去っていた。読めないが登録書類に本当に書きこんでいる。桔音はペンを持つ彼女の手を掴み、止める。 「離していただけますでしょうか変態様......!」 「そっちこそちゃんと対応しようぜ、巨乳のお姉さん......!」 「......それで、名前はなんですか?」 「きつね様ですね......性別は―――男ですよね?」 「それ聞いちゃう? 女に見える?」 「万が一の可能性がありますので」 「男です」 そんな感じで、受付嬢が桔音の登録書類の空欄にさらさらと書き込んでいく。まぁ、聞いたところどうやら知られたくない事は書かなくてもいいらしいが。 そんな中、桔音と受付嬢の牽制のし合いを見ながら、フィニアは楽しそうににこにこと笑っていた。 そして、書類を全て書き終えた受付嬢はペンを置くと、桔音に視線を向けて引き攣った営業スマイルを送る。 「それでは、ギルドカードをお作り致しますので、その間ギルドについて説明させていただきます」 受付嬢がそう言うと、桔音は頷きながら頭を若干下げた。 「お願いします巨乳さん」 「その呼び方を慎んでいただけますか変態様」 「名前知らないので」 しつこく巨乳巨乳と煩い桔音を心底うざそうに見る受付嬢。おそらく桔音の印象は最悪だろう。 だが、これも仕事だと割り切りつつ、話を円滑に進める為に受付嬢は溜め息をつきながら名前を教えることにした。 「......ミア・ティグリスと申します、ティグリスとお呼びください」 「よろしく巨乳さん」 「仕舞いには引っ叩きますよ?」 物凄い怒気を放ちながら平手を用意するミアの表情が良い笑顔だったので、桔音は素直に頭を下げた。あの一撃を貰ったら普通に死にそうだと感想を抱いたのだ。 桔音が素直に謝ったことで幾分気が晴れたのか、ミアはギルドの説明に入る。幾つかの書類を手繰り寄せ、パラパラと捲りながら口を開いた。 「まず、ギルドと冒険者様方との仕事について御教えしますね。ご存じかも知れませんが、ギルドでは一般の方々からの依頼を受け、それを冒険者様方へと紹介することを仕事としています。そしてその依頼を冒険者様が受注、達成し、報酬を渡すという流れになっています」 「うん」 「我々ギルド側は依頼の紹介、管理を仕事とし、冒険者側は依頼を受注、達成することを仕事とするわけですね。ですが、依頼には当然危険なものも多く存在します」 「魔獣の討伐とかだね」 「その通りです。魔獣討伐の依頼に、実力の低い冒険者を派遣することは出来ません、失敗すればギルド側の過失になりますからね。故に、ギルドでは依頼を受ける基準として、冒険者の方々に階級制を用いています」 桔音はミアの説明に頷きながら聞いていたが、聞きなれない言葉が出て来た。 「階級制とは、冒険者様が受注する依頼に、その実力が伴っているかの基準となるものです。階級はS、A、B、C、D、E、F、G、Hの9段階であり、最低Fランク以上の冒険者とギルドが認めない限り、どんなに弱い魔獣であっても魔獣討伐系の依頼は受注出来ません」 「なるほど、ちなみに僕は?」 「新規登録の方は、どれほど強くてもHランクからのスタートとなります」 桔音はそれを聞いて、少し安心した。何故なら、Hランクでいる限りは魔獣討伐系の依頼に行かなくてもいいということなのだから。生活費を稼ぐためだけの冒険者なのだから、ランクは別に気にしなくても良い。 そんな桔音の様子にミアは怪訝な表情を浮かべたが、説明を続けた。 「これはFランクになってからでも良いのですが、魔獣にも同じ様にランクが付けられています。簡単な例としてゴブリンを挙げますが、ゴブリンはランクFと定められています。これは、Fランクの冒険者が数名いれば簡単に倒すことが出来るという意味です」 「そうなりますね。基本的に魔獣と同ランクの冒険者が数名で掛かれば倒せる、ということになります」 「しかし、それで討伐出来るのはDランクまでです。Cランクよりも上には魔獣だけでなく、魔族と呼ばれる『知能を持った』者がいます。そういった魔族達には同ランクの冒険者が数名いたとしても、敵わないでしょう」 魔族、また聞きなれない言葉が出て来た。桔音は魔獣よりも脅威だと言われて、眉を潜める。魔獣よりも上、ということは自分を襲ったあの大蜘蛛や大狼よりも強いということだ。 「......じゃあそういう奴らにはどう対抗するの?」 「基本的に、Cランクの討伐依頼にはBランク以上の冒険者が最低一人いる事が条件で受注出来るようになっています。Aランクの冒険者であれば、単独で任せても安心なのですが、そうなるとCランクの冒険者達が強くなれませんから」 「なるほどね......じゃあAランクの魔族っていうのはどうするの? Sランクの冒険者がうじゃうじゃいるって訳じゃないんでしょ?」 「そうですね、Aランクの魔族は天災と同じ脅威です。相手にする事の方が間違っています」 桔音は頷く。そして、気になっている瘴気の怪物のことを聞いてみることにした。 「ねぇミアさん」 「ティグリスとお呼びください」 「真っ黒な瘴気っぽいものを纏った魔族って知ってる?」 桔音がそれを口にした瞬間、ギルド内が静かになった。桔音はそれに気が付いて周囲を見渡すが、全員が桔音に視線を送っていた。それも、驚愕の表情で。 「どうしたの?」 「......『赤い夜』」 「え?」 「おそらくそれは、『赤い夜』と呼ばれるAランクの魔族です......瘴気に隠れて本当の姿を見た者はいませんが、瘴気の中から見える赤い瞳から、そう呼ばれています」 桔音はそれを聞いて、良く左眼だけで済んだな僕、と内心思っていた。 「何故『赤い夜』のことを?」 「んー、以前見かけたことがあって気になってたんだよ」 桔音がそう言うと、ギルド内に安堵の雰囲気が流れた。おそらく、『赤い夜』が出現したのではないかと思ったのだろう。実際に現れてないと思って、安心したのだ。 だが、人間は自分の都合の良い様に解釈したがる生き物だ。 故に、周囲の人間達が思っていることとは裏腹に、桔音の『以前』というのはほんの少し前のことで、すぐそばの森に現れたことはまだ誰も予想していなかった。 桔音がそれを言うのはもう少し後の話だ。 「なら良いですが......とにかく、その様にランクが定められている訳です」 「うん、分かった」 「また、他にも討伐した魔獣の部位や素材の売却もギルドで行っていますので、是非ご利用ください」 「それでは......こちらがきつね様のギルドカードになります」 丁度、他の役員が出来上がったギルドカードを持ってきたので、鉛色のカードが桔音に手渡された。そこには桔音の名前とランクが表記されている。 「それでは、登録料が銀貨一枚となっております」 「丁度、お預かりいたします。それでは、ご健闘のほどお祈りいたします」 ミアが深々と頭を下げ、対応終了を態度で示す。そんな彼女のある部分を見て、桔音はキリッと瞳を細めた。 「やっぱり、巨乳だな......!」 そう、それは頭を下げたことで机と身体で押し潰された、ミアの大きな胸だった。 ミアは青筋を立てながら、入り口を指して改めてそう言った。

[Adventurer's Guild] [anyway, we were thinking of joining the [Adventurer's Guild]] Hearing Rishe's word Kitsune replied that. Though after she listed to those words, Rishe's face looks worried. Then after a few second, she said "yes". [isn't it great? Since aside from fighting, there's also peaceful request like helping people-na, it's reasonable level for getting living expenses] Hearing that, she agreed to Kitsune's plan. But these advantages again, is varied and different based on the every country where the Guild is located. The reason is due to the give and take relationship. For example, Guild in country A, will make agreements based on the benefit of the country a. The most common ones would be that as long as the adventurer is registered to that country Guild, he/she must become the military asset of the country. And can be summoned for emergencies like Magic Beast subjugation/ bandit subjugation. This is because in country a there is the king who thinks about his kingdom subjects dearly. In short, the country recognize the Guild branch, and in exchange, the Guild cannot refuse if the country they are located in, gave a request when they're in crisis. Thus, the Guild requirement will also vary according to their location. And usually since there's many danger on every country, they would also like to put as much fighting strength as they can muster. Thus usually in these Guild there is a strong person who can take care of even powerful Magic Beast. And also, adventurer's have another name, and that is [free man]. Dead or alive, live for good, live for bad, to battle or to flee, it's their own risk and decision to make. That's why the romance, the drama. For Kitsune though, right now, it's a job to just get by in life. Though there's not few mans or womans who became an adventurer. [I see, then let's begin, joining the Guild] For Kitsune, he stood after getting an affirmation from Rishe. Finia that felt the conversation is over also starts to flap her wings. "Strike while the iron is hot", so within today, he needs to prepare some money and get a place to live in. He can't afford to waste any more time. [ah, wait a moment] Rishe stops him. Kitsune only looks back, and Rishe gave 3 silver coins to Kitsune. Unconsciously, Kitsune tilts his head and shows confusion. [to register with the Guild you need 1 silver coin, I think you look poor, so i'll lent it to you] [... Then let me borrow this with thanks, when I can gather enough money, i'll return it] Rishe! See you again!] A thought of Japanese modesty flashes in his mind, and to register to the Guild, there should be some undertakings. So with a bitter smile, Kitsune puts the 3 silver coins into his pouch. Then he promised, that he will definitely return it. Finia also has the same feeling and with her little hand she waved while smiling. While giving her gentle smile to Kitsune and Finia, Rishe returns back. [aa, i'm basically staying in this inn, I'll wait for them patiently.] [leaving those words, Kitsune left the door of the inn. He won't forget that his first encounter with a human being in this world is a very kind and generous girl. After seeing Kitsune goodbye from the inn, Rishe let out her breath, "fiuhh" and remembered her discussion with Kitsune and Finia. Rishe finding a person lying in front of miniera entrance is purely coincidence. As known, Rishe is an apprentice knight, and right now as much as possible she trained everyday. But, for her, the spent 2 years yield no results, it's making her impatient. Though she practice day and night, she thought that she lacks practice and it takes more effort for her than people around her. That's why, early in the morning, where nobody is awake yet, she wore her uniform neatly and left the city. In this city, the nearest forest has a habitat of magical beast, and after getting out of that forest, there's a lot of small fish that can be made training opponent. Though Rishe is alone, she won't lose to such low fries. She though to train with those today early morning. That is when she met Kitsune. His clothes were worn out, and when she saw Kitsune's hollowed left eye that looks like it was taken, it made Rishe felt fainting. She is not a knight yet, therefore she has absolutely no experience in real battle. Someone who are dying, or near death, she has never encountered such situation/person. If she remembers it now, she felt uneasy, the wound on his left eyes is too severe. It was supposed to be too much for her. But for Rishe who is aiming to become a knight for helping people, seeing the small fairy beside Kitsune, who kept on trying to help Kitsune with her healing magic even though she herself almost passed out, Rishe started to talk to the fairy... who introduced herself as Finia, and she kept on saying this to Rishe. [please!, Kitsune san... please help Kitsune!] Even in her logic, she have the intention to abandon them. For Rishe, without thinking at that time, she admired Finia's pupil, there's a strong will residing inside of her, and she felt that it's priceless compared to anything. As the result, her intention to abandon them caved, and she helped them instead. She brought them to her inn, and treated his left eye, and somehow managed to bandage the wounds. [he...Is... that Kitsune... a very strange person isn't he... but, I don't feel uncomfortable with him] Rishe remembered the silver coins that were lent to Kitsune. In this world, something like borrowing money is usually requested first by the borrower. Because if you just lend it, then it might be lost. These kinds of things are common sense. [until then, I will wait for the enjoyment to meet you again] Muttering that, Rishe returns to her room. Kitsune is going from the inn towards the Guild guided by Finia. Even if it's already afternoon, the path he took is still noisy from people's conversation. A lot of shops are entertaining their waiting customers, sounds of metal knocking from shops that are working on something, somebody chatted with friends, it's a lively sound that gave off a pleasant atmosphere. Finia doesn't feel that way when she looked at it the first time, but for Kitsune, he felt amazed by all of this. Perhaps, this kind of town shops is rarely seen in his own world. [it's extremely noisy, right!?] [yes, I'm also very surprised! Uwaaaa! That yakitori looks delicious!] [well it's useless if we don't have the money to buy it right?] Kitsune saw various conditions of people while he walks. Midway, he saw a group of males and a female adventurer that carry a sword like Rishe, Kitsune doesn't mind too much since it's a world with fantasy like setting where people commonly carry weapons. On the opposite walking here and there restlessly will only be considered suspicious behavior and only makes him stands out. After he walks from that place for a moment, there's a big conspicuous building. it's similar looking building that Finia pointed at earlier, so maybe that building is the [Adventurer's Guild] isn't it?. A horizontal thin metal signboard is written with flabby alphabets, so he can't read it. He realized that the {world language translator} skill is only usable in conversation and not in writings. With mixed feelings, he finds out new things, he opened the 2 adjoined doors from the middle. [what are you... such thin and weak looking body... wanna be an adventurer?] Kitsune does look like what the adventurer said. Kitsune's good impression of the place immediately fell. [ah yes I would like to] [hahahahaha!!! This guy is interesting! Well good luck! Boy!] [e..? Ah, I know! You have a fairy with you... hee...] The large build man who grew unshaven stubble and was obviously barbarous said so. Maybe, for them, they thought that Kitsune would give up upon taking jobs as adventurer. There were those adventurers who yearns for something, and fails. But, as soon as Finia is seen, the expression like consent is shown to my face. Whether a sprite is unusual or not it's not known, but without worrying about the guy's word too much, Kitsune begins to walk to the receptionist desk. [muuu... what is that person! Makes me wants to say things...!!!] [don't get too angry Finia chan.. And .. At any rate, is fairy a strange being?] [dunno, but Rishe didn't seem to mind, right?] [.. Hmmm ...] While chatting with Finia, Kitsune arrived at the reception. There's a slightly older looking lady at the counter wearing her business smile looking at Kitsune while he took a seat. it's a woman with a soft impression and blonde hair. But it can be seen that she wore the same uniform as other receptionist [big oppai] [yeay big oppai!] [welcome, the exit is that way] Yes, she had big breast, moreover a real beauty, with blond hair.. And big breasts, very mote (cute/popular disposition). For whatever she just said, she had a fashionable appearance. Kitsune saw the beauty in his eyes and unconsciously muttered those words, but it seems the lady is offended instead. [excuse me, I would like to register with the Guild] [i'm ignored... in any case, please fill in this form. On behalf of someone else is ok, is it fine for you?] [understood, your name is registered as ______ hentai] [wait] Somehow for this missy receptionist, Kitsune's words really touched a nerve in her, her earlier business smile is already gone somewhere. [could you please let go of my hand, hentai-sama...!] [same here, big oppai sister...!] [then... what is your name?] [it is Kitsune sama.... Gender-- man, right?] [why are you asking me for that? Do I look like a woman?] [there is some possibility, so just in case] [i am a man] While the missy receptionist is writing on the blank columns of Kitsune's registration form. He got a feeling that somehow they don't need to write the form is something he doesn't want to know. In the middle of it, while watching the receptionist and Kitsune restraining each other, Finia smiled and laughed happily. And then, the receptionist lady put her pen down after all the form is finished, and look at Kitsune with a smirk and pained business smile. [well then, now we will make the Guild Card, until it finished I will explain about the Guild] Hearing the receptionist lady, Kitsune nodded a bit. [please, big oppai-san] [could you please be careful with those way of calling, hentai-sama] [it's because I don't know your name] The receptionist lady looks sincerely annoyed with Kitsune that says oppai-oppai. Maybe to her the impression of Kitsune is the worst. But she thought that it's work, and for her work to go smoothly, the receptionist lady sighed while saying her name. [...Mia Tigris. You can call me Tigris] [nice to meet you big oppai-san] [do you want me to slap you to an end?] Mia, with a very angry look prepares her open hand while smiling, makes Kitsune bow his head deeply. He felt if he got even one slap, he could die. Maybe due to Kitsune's apology, Mia felt a bit better and she started explaining about the Guild. Some documents were taken by her, then she started speaking while opening the sheets with a fast and orderly manner. [first I will tell you about Guilds and adventurer. You may already know that Guild accept requests from ordinary peoples, and introduces the job to adventurers. Afterward, the adventurers will accept the order, complete it, and will be given compensation] [yes] [it's in short; we Guild side will introduce you the order, and be in charge for it, and you adventurer side will accept the order, and complete it. But of course, there is a dangerous one as well] [like magical beast subjugation or something like that, isn't it?] [indeed, for magical beast subjugation order, we can't dispatch adventurer with weak jitsuryoku, because if the adventurer fails the quest, it would be the Guilds mistake. So, as a standard for order differentiation at the Guild, we are using class system for each adventurer] Kutunse is nodding at Mia's explanation, and words that he never heard before [class system] appeared. With his question mark, the explanation continues. [the meaning of class system is basically standardization of each adventurers. Whether they have enough jitsuryoku to get the order. The class system has 9 rank, A/B/C/D/E/F/G/H and as far as F rank below adventurer that are recognized by the Guild, no matter how weak the magical beast, they can't get the job.] [ I understand.... By the way, how about me?] [for new registration, no matter your strength is, you have to start from H rank] Kitsune feels bit relieved hearing that. Because for H rank boundary, it is ok for them to not get order related to magical beast subjugation. It is just to earn money for life-adventurer be, so that, he doesn't need to thinking about rank. Mia's expression perplexed at seeing Kitsune's manner, and she continue her explanation. [this is applicable after you are at F rank, magical beast also same, they are divided by rank. For example, you are given goblin subjugation job to defeat. Goblins are settled as F rank. About that, it means that F rank group adventurers could beat them easily] [yes, like that. Principally, magical beast with same rank adventurers, they could beat them] [but, magical beast subjugation until d rank only. C rank above adventurers works not only for magical beast subjugation but also Mazoku (devil tribe) who had [intellectual]. Those Mazoku group are the opponent of their same level adventurers, right?] Mazoku, again another word I never heard I appeared.. Kitsune that heard there are scarier beings than Magical Beast, hides his worry. Stronger than Magical Beast, means stronger than the big spider and the big wolf that assaulted him. "...how are those kinds of requests dealt with then?" "Basically, for a C-rank subjugation request, at least one adventurer who is B-rank or above would be assigned and required to handle it. With an A-rank adventurer, we can be at ease even if they go alone, but then our C-rank adventurers would never have the chance to grow." "Makes sense... Then what about those so-called A-rank Mazoku? It's not like there's a swarm of S-rank adventurers to take care of it, right?" (Note: he's saying this because she was saying it should always be one rank higher) "Indeed, A-rank Mazoku are at the same threat level as a natural disaster. Trying to go against them would be a mistake." (T/N: huge thanks to Epithetic!!!) Kitsune nodded. And, he decided to ask about the Miasma monster that he thought about. [nee, Mia san] [please call me Tigris] [do you know of a Mazoku wrapped in very black Miasma?] [as soon as Kitsune asked, the Guild become silent. Kitsune realized that and observes the atmosphere, everyone is looking at Kitsune. Coming back to Mia that also gazed upon Kitsune, she gave off a shocked face. [what happened?] [Akai Yoru (Red Night)] [what?] [perhaps, what you are describing is ... (Red Night)... a rank A Mazoku... hidden inside Miasma, never shown the real body to another person, but you can see their red eyes in the Miasma, so it's called Red Night] Kitsune thought to hide his severe left eye injury when heard that. [why do you want to know about Red Night?] [nothing really, I just want to know because I heard about it before] After Kitsune said that, the atmosphere inside the Guild flowed again. Perhaps they thought that it's not about (Red Night) showing up. In fact, they felt relieved they didn't saw it themselves. But, human always felt alive when they feel safe... that's what they thought. And also, opposites of what the people around Kitsune thought, in fact he just experience it just now, besides the forest, no one can imagine that. After Kitsune told that, the explanation is only a little bit more. [ok then.... In any case, rank division can be informed as such] [yes, understood] [and another, about the magical beast subjugation and the materials, it can also be sold to the Guild, please utilize it] [very well, here is your Guild card, Kitsune san] Very nice timing, since the official Guild card is done, it was given to Kitsune. There it has his name and rank. [with this the registration fee becomes 1 silver coin] [I confirmed the money acceptance. I wish you good luck] Mia bows her head deeply as a sign that the conversation is over. While squinting his eyes Kitsune saw a certain parts of the lady. [it really is, a big breast huh.....!] Right, it's the big oppai that is on the table while Mia bows. [while standing at the blue line, Mia again showed the exit's.

達。リーシェを除いて、桔音とフィニアは自分達がどうやってレベル上げするのかを考えて、一つの答えを見つけた。フィニアはそのまま『炎魔法』や『光魔法』で魔獣を倒せばいい。桔音は『不気味体質』が発動しないように、流れ作業的な感覚で戦えば良い、と。 桔音は魔獣を敵だと認識すると『不気味体質』が発動してしまう。精神的に強くなった桔音は、常に精神的優位に立っていると言っても良い、故に敵はスキルの発動を察知すると逃げてしまう。 ならば、敵と思わなければいい。その辺の石ころ程度の認識にすればいい。そう結論付けたのだ。 かなり強引な理屈だが、そうでもしないと桔音はレベル上げどころか戦うことすら出来ないのだ。それに、桔音はそういう認識の強引な変化を一度体験している。虐めを日常として享受した時だ、そういう風に自分の精神を捻子曲げたのだ。だから、今回もそうした。それだけのこと。 「うん、上がった上がった」 結果、桔音は雑魚魔獣に逃げられることなく戦闘に持ち込む事が出来た。魔獣を敵と思わず、石ころの様に認識する。それを攻撃するだけ。 寧ろそうすることで、敵を挑発するよう結果にもなった。敵として見られていないということが、魔獣達の怒りを買ったのだ。 桔音達はそれを倒すことで、レベルを順調に上げていた。 「ステータス」 桔音は自分のステータスを確認する。 名前:薙刀桔音 性別:男 Lv6(↑2UP) 筋力:40 体力:100 耐性:220 敏捷:90 魔力:60 称号:『異世界人』 スキル:『痛覚無効Lv2(↑1UP)』『不気味体質』『異世界言語翻訳』『ステータス鑑定』『不屈』『威圧』『臨死体験』 やはり桔音は耐性の適性が高いようだ。たった2つレベルが上がっただけで適性のあるSランク冒険者のおおよそ半分程まで数値を向上させることが出来たのだから。 だがその半面、落ち込む事実もあった。 「でも筋力は上がらないか......」 桔音の筋力ステータスが上がらないのだ。おそらく、リーシェの言っていた限界値ということなのだろう。たったの40で筋力の成長限界とは、桔音もつくづく恵まれないらしい。攻撃力の限界がこんなにすぐに訪れるとは思わなかった。 「まぁいいか、攻撃力ならフィニアちゃんがいるし」 だが桔音は気にしない。自分にはけして必要ないステータスだ。 「きつねさーん!」 「私レベル上がった? 上がった?」 フィニアは先程から逐一こうして桔音の下へやってきてレベルを聞きに来る。彼女はステータスを見ることは出来ない故に、桔音に確認しに来るのだ。 「うんうん、えーと」 名前:フィニア 性別:女 Lv16(↑5UP) 筋力:350 体力:600 耐性:140 敏捷:500 魔力:5400 称号:『片想いの妖精』 スキル:『光魔法Lv3』『魔力回復Lv4』『治癒魔法Lv3』『火魔法Lv4』『身体強化Lv1』 PTメンバー:◎薙刀桔音 「うん、5つレベルが上がってる」 フィニアも順調にレベルを上げているようだ。だが、桔音はレベルが上がるごとにレベルが上がりにくくなっているのを感じた。おそらく必要経験値が高くなっているのだろう。 というより、桔音はフィニアのレベルがぐんぐん上がっていくことに少し劣等感を感じていた。なんだ、妖精はレベルが上がりやすいのか? ちくしょうめ、という感じだ。 「というかそろそろ疲れた、帰ろうよ」 桔音はそろそろ精神的に疲れてきたので、帰宅を進言。フィニアもそれを受け入れた。さっきからトドメはフィニアが刺しているものの、流石に小剣で肉を抉る感覚は慣れない。最初に死んだ時に、男子生徒の肉を切った感覚が蘇って来る。 「ところでリーシェちゃんは?」 「えーと......あそこで鹿みたいなのにマウント取られてるね!」 「なにやってんの!?」 桔音は急いで駆けつけて、リーシェの上にのしかかっていた鹿っぽい魔獣を蹴飛ばした。 「はぁ......はぁ......余計なことをするな、あれくらいやれた!」 「マウント取られてた奴が良く言えたね」 「うぐっ......」 「もしかしてリーシェちゃんって天然なのかな!」 リーシェは荒い息をしながら強気に発言したが、桔音とフィニアの言葉に打ちのめされ、がくーんと四つん這いになって落ち込んだ。どうやらステータスの割にリーシェは結構弱かったらしい。 「うぅ......能力値を見ればあの程度余裕の筈なんだが......敵を前にすると緊張してしまって......」 「あー......」 違った、精神的な原因があった。 「そろそろ僕達帰ろうと思うんだけど......リーシェちゃんも帰らない?」 「......分かった、私も帰る」 落ち込んだ様子のリーシェは暗い表情で立ち上がり、俯きながら国の入り口に向かって歩き出した。桔音もその後を追う。 あれだけ先輩風のような格上の態度を取っておいて、いざ蓋を開けてみればこの有り様。リーシェからすればかなり恥ずかしかったりするのだろう。だから桔音は敢えてそこに触れたりはしなかったのだった。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 入り口を潜って、この国......ミニエラに戻ってきた桔音達。結果的に桔音にとってはレベルを上げる収穫があったので、有意義な時間だったと思うことにした。 ただ、今回のことで桔音は戦う時相手を石ころの様に見る戦い方を会得したので、不要な怒りを買う戦いを強いられるのだが、おそらく人と戦うことになったら余計に怒らせる気がする。 「はぁ......きつね、お前これからどうするんだ? ヒルクライムベアーの件とか......」 「え? どうするって?」 「知らないのか? 冒険者ギルドでは魔獣の素材以外にも情報を買ってくれるんだ、Eランクのヒルクライムベアーが森から出て来ていたことは報告すればそこそこ高値で買い取ってくれると思うが......」 桔音は眼を丸くした。情報まで買ってくれるのか、あのギルドは、そう思った。ならばそれを利用しない手はない。是非是非利用させて貰おう。 「それってAランクの魔族を見つけた場合どれくらいお金貰えるかな?」 「嫌な例だな......そうだな......Aランクなら事前に対策もとれるしな、金貨3枚位は貰えるんじゃないか?」 「それって銀貨何枚分?」 「銀貨100枚で金貨1枚だから、300枚だな」 つまり、300万円。とんでもない高額の金が手に入るではないか。幸いなのか、桔音は1週間前に瘴気の怪物―――『赤い夜』を見ている。しかもすぐそこの森の中でだ。これをギルドに報告すれば金貨3枚貰えるのではないだろうか。 そしてそのお金さえあれば、自分の考えていたことも出来るのでは? そう考えた。 「ふーん......ありがとうリーシェちゃん、その情報売ってみるよ」 「あ、ああ......それじゃ私は先に宿に戻ってるよ」 「うん、行こうかフィニアちゃん」 桔音の様子が何処か変だなと訝しげなリーシェだが、気のせいかと思いつつ宿へと戻って行った。桔音達はギルドへ向かう。 「きつねさん、あの怪物のこと教えるの?」 「うん、この国にとっても有益な情報だし、僕も出来れば大金が欲しいんだ」 フィニアが笑顔を消して聞いてきたことに、桔音もまた真剣な面持ちで答えた。本当に出来ればでいいのだが、桔音にとっては大金が必要な物事があった。それに、出来る事ならあの怪物は早い内に何とかして貰いたかった。もしも次会った時は、左眼だけでは済まないだろう。 「まぁその前に元の世界に帰れればいいけど」 慣れた様に中に入る。すると、なにやらいつもと違ってなにやら静かだ。というより、皆何かに怯えたように肩を狭くして俯いている。騒がしいギルドにしては随分と暗い雰囲気となっていた。 桔音はそんな空気の中、首を傾げて歩きだす。すると、俯いていた全員が顔を上げて、桔音をあたかも救世主の様に見た。 「?」 桔音はミアに視線を向けないまま、冒険者達を見ながら話しかける。 「ねぇミアちゃん、なんかあったの? なんかやけに静かだけど......」 「なんでもありませんよ?」 桔音はミアの方を向く。すると、ミアは笑顔で桔音を見ていた。なんだか迫力がある。笑っているのに全然眼が笑っていない。桔音は察した、ミアちゃんの不機嫌が原因だこれ、と。 桔音はミアは不機嫌だと察したので、隣の受付嬢の方へと移動しようとした。すると、ミアを除く全員が青褪めた顔をした。青髪の受付嬢もこっちに来ないでと全力で訴えている。 「......はぁ......ミアちゃん、何怒ってるの?」 「怒ってません。別に何も無いです」 「怒ってんじゃん」 「怒ってません、それで何のご用ですか?」 「あ、うん。リーシェちゃんと訓練に行って―――!?」 「.........それで?」 リーシェの名前を出したとたんにミアのこめかみに青筋が立った。これ以上話したら殺される気がした。あのフィニアでさえ、桔音の学ランのポケットに逃げ込んでしまった。 冒険者達の中には失神している者まで出て来た。なんだこのプレッシャーは。 「う、うん......Eランクの魔獣が森から出て来てたから情報を買って貰おうと思って」 「............そうですか、分かりました」 ミアのプレッシャーが引いた。ほっと息を吐く桔音と冒険者達。 そしてほっとしたのもつかの間、冒険者達は桔音の言葉を思案し始めた。流石は冒険者、国の危機にはしっかり冷静に思考を働かせることが出来るらしい。桔音は内心感心した。 「あと、ミアちゃん......出来ればあまり人のいない所で話があるんだけど......」 「......なんですか?」 「魔獣の情報について......ちょっと此処では話しにくいんだ」 「そうですか......分かりました、それでは奥へどうぞ」 ミアの威圧感が無くなったので、桔音は話を進める。『赤い夜』についての話だ。 ミアがカウンターの中に桔音を入れて、奥へと案内する。ミアもおそらく、桔音のふざけていない瞳に何かを察したのだろう。こういったあまり公にするには複雑な話をする為に、用意されている部屋がある。そこへ桔音を通した。 カウンターの奥へ進んで、少し歩いたところに空き部屋があった。談話室の様な部屋になっており、話をするには最適の場だ。 「どうぞ、お座り下さい」 桔音はミアに言われた通り、テーブルを挟んで置かれた二つのソファーの片方へ座った。それを皮切りに、フィニアも学ランのポケットから顔を出す。 「さて......なんのお話でしょうか」 「うん、さっきEランクの魔獣が森の外に出たって言ったよね?」 「僕はこの国に来る時、森の中を通ったんだ」 「!」 ミアは驚いた様な表情を浮かべた、桔音は今軽く言ったが、あの森はHランクの冒険者が通り抜けられる様な簡単な場所ではない。数多くの魔獣が住まっており、その平均ランクでもEランクばかりだ。過去には、Dランクの魔獣トロールが出たこともある。例え同じDランクの冒険者であっても、単独で突破することは普通出来ないのだ。 そこを抜けて来た? 武器も無しに? そんな事が出来たのなら、それはとんでもない幸運の持ち主に他ならない。 だが、本題はそこではない。ミアは桔音に続きを促した。すると、桔音も頷いて続きを語る。 「僕は森の中で――――『赤い夜』に遭遇した」 「なっ......そんなっ!?」 そんな化け物が、この国のすぐそこにいるなどと、本当ならば危険な事実だ。もしも『赤い夜』が襲撃してくれば、一夜にしてこの国が崩壊するといっても過言ではない。 「本当ですか......!?」 「うん......僕は黒い瘴気を纏った赤い瞳の怪物と出会って、死にかけた。フィニアちゃんがいたから治癒魔法でなんとか生き延びたけど、この左眼を喰われた」 確かにこのギルドにやって来た時、桔音は『赤い夜』について聞いてきたし、左眼の包帯は痛々しいとも思ったが、まさか本当に『赤い夜』が近くへ来ている等、信じたくも無かった。 「なんで左眼だけを奪って殺さなかったのかは分からない......でも、このことは言っておくべきだと思ったんだ」 「......はぁ......一週間も経ってから言わないで欲しかったです......」 ミアは頭を抱える。一週間も前からAランクの怪物が潜んでいたというのだから、そうなるのは仕方が無いだろう。 今は桔音によってその情報が齎されたことを幸いとすることにした。 「情報提供ありがとうございます。その情報、ギルドで買い取らせていただきます」 「情報の有益さを考慮して......金貨3枚と銀貨10枚でどうでしょうか?」 「では、用意してまいりますので少々お待ち下さい」 ミアはそう言って、一旦部屋を出て行った。 「でもきつねさん、そんなにお金を手に入れてどうするの?」 フィニアがそんな桔音に問いかけた。

After that, Kitsune and co. was split into two teams. Excluding Rishe, when Kitsune and Finia was thinking about how do raise their level, they found a solution. Finia just need to use her {Fire Magic} and {Light Magic} to defeat any Magical beast as usual. As for Kitsune, without activating {Eeerie Constitution} , it was good as long as he was able to fight with his instinct against his opponent. When Kitsune consider the magical beast as an enemy, involuntarily his "eerie constitution" will be activated. For Kitsune who had become stronger mentally, you could say that he would always in the superior side mentally, therefore the enemy would always run away when he uses his skill. If that's the case, it's better if he didn't think them as an enemy. He just need to consider them as a mere pebbles that scattered around. That was conclusion he got. That was indeed quite a forced logic but, if Kitsune didn't do that, let alone level up, he won't even able to find an opponent to fight against. Besides, Kitsune had experienced an overbearing change from such logic himself. Like at the days he got bullied, he twist his spirit that way. Therefore, this time he was doing the same thing. That was all. "Yes, it raised.. it raised..." And the results, Kitsune was able to fought a small fry magical beast without make them ran away. When he was going to fight a magical beast, he would consider it as a mere pebble first, and then attacked it. Or rather by doing that, that would make as if he was provoking the opponent. Being seen as not his equal opponent, that make the magical beasts were mad. By subjugating them, kitsune and co. able to increase their level. "Status" Kitsune was checking his own status Name : Naginata Kitsune Gender : Man Lv6(|2UP) Strength : 40 Stamina : 100 Resilience : 220 Agility : 90 Magic : 60 Title :{Other Worlder} Skill :{Pain Resistance Lv2(|1UP)} {Eerie Constitution} {Otherworld Language Translator} {Status Appraisal} {Persistence} {Coercion} {Near Death Experience} As expected Kitsune's aptitude with resilience was seems high. Since just by leveled up by two, his resilience values rose to about half of an S rank adventurers. But on the other hand, there was also a harsh fact. "But my strength didn't increased huh...." Kitsune's strength status didn't increased. Maybe, it's the limit that Rishe had said. With just 40 strength growth limit, and Kitsune seems really wan't blessed. He didn't thought that he would met his attack power limit this soon. "Well whatever, since I have Finia for attack power" But Kitsune didn't care too much. For him that was just an insignificant status. "Kitsune-san!" "Did my level raised? Is it raised?" Finia from just now keep asking Kitsune about her level in detail. Since she can't see her own status, so she asked Kitsune to check it. "Yes yes, hmm" Name : Finia Gender : Woman Lv16(|5UP) Strength : 350 Stamina : 600 Persistance : 140 Dexterity : 500 Magic : 5400 Title : {Fairy of Unrequited Love} Skill :{Light Magic Lv3} {Mana Recovery Lv4} {Healing Magic Lv3} {Fire Magic Lv4} {Physical Reinforcement Lv1} PT Member : *Naginata Kitsune "Yes, It raised by five levels." Finia also seemed to leveled up nicely. But, Kitsune felt that the higher the level the harder to level up. Was that perhaps because the necessary experience became higher as well? Rather from that, the more Finia's level increased, he felt a bit inferior than her. What, did fairies could level up that easily? It felt like, "dammit". "Or rather, I'm getting tired, so let's just go home" When Kitsune was gradually tired mentally, he asked to go home. And Finia's agree with that. At the previous battle, Finia was the one who launch the finishing blow,as expected he hasn't used to pierce a body with a small sword yet. Like at the first time he dead, he remembered the feeling when he stab the body of his schoolmates. "By the way, Howe about Rishe-chan?" "Hmm... seems she was being mounted by deer like magical beast there right!" "What are you doing!" Kitsune came rushing there and kick the deer like magic beast away from Rishe. "Haa....haa..... don't do something unnecessary... I could manage something like that!" "For someone who was just being mounted, what a say." "Guh..." "Could it be Rishe-chan is an airhead?" Rishe confidently said it with rough breath but, knocked down by Kitsune's and Finia's word. And then fell to her hands and feet in depression. It seems Rishe's status ratio was rather weak. "Uu... with my statuses values I should be able to easily subjugate such a thing but.. but when the opponent was in front of me I become so tensed up..." "Ho.." I was wrong, it seems the reason was her mental. "We're intended to going home soon but... Does Rishe-chan isn't going back yet?" "... understood... i will go back as well" The felt down Rishe stood with a gloomy expression, and she walks toward the city entrance while hung her head. Kitsune follows after her. After put such a senior like attitude, and the result was like this. From Rishe's point of view that might be quite embarrassing right. That was why Kitusne purposely didn't touch that matter. * * * After passed the entrance, Kitsune and co. returner to Miniera country. According to the result, for Kitsune since he was able to raise his level up, he thought that it was a fruitful times. It's just, since at this battle the way Kitsune fought was by consider his opponent as a pebble, and that provoked the opponents further to fought but, perhaps if he fought against someone it may unnecessarily angered that person too. "Say... Kitsune, what are you going to do after this? Like the matter of mountain bear or something..." "Eh? What am I going to do?" "Don't you know? At the adventurer guild, aside raw materials from the magical beast they also bought some valuable information, for E rank like the mountain Bear, if you reported the information about its appearance outside the forest I think they may buy it for quite a high price...." Kitsune's eyes were wide opened. So they even bought information huh, that guild, I see. If that was the case than I should use it, I'll use it by all means. "Then, when you encountered an A rank magical beast, how much money you may got?" "What an unpleasant example huh... let's see... since an A rank magical beast need a prior countermeasure to fought against, so at least you may got three gold coins, perhaps?" "How much it equal in silver coins?" "Since one hundreds silver coins equal to one gold coin, then it should be three hundred silver coins." That means three millions rupi. Isn't that mean a gold coin is an outragous sum of money. What a luck, Kitsune has witnessed the appearance of the miasma monster {Red Night} a week ago. Moreover it was inside that forest. If he reported that to the guild, didn't he may able to get that three gold coins. Then with that amount of money, didn't I may be able to do what I had thought? And he thought like that. "Hmm... thanks Rishe-chan, I'll try to sell that information." "Ah, yes... then, I'm going to return to the inn first." "Yes, let's go, Finia-chan." Rishe thought that there was something strange with kitsune's state but, she kept walking toward the inn while thinking that it might just her imagination. As for Kitsune and Finia were went to the guild. "Kitsune-san, are you going to tell them about that monster?" "Yes, since for this country that was a valuable information, and I also want as much money as possible." When Finia asked that without smiling, Kitsune also answered that with a serious expression. It would be good if that was really possible but, Kitsune also needed a large amount of money. Moreover, he wanted them to do something about that monster as soon as possible. If he happens to encounter it again, perhaps that won't end with just his left eyes. "Well, it would be great if I could return to my former world before that happened." While thinking like that, Kitsune arrived at the guild entrance, and enter it like he used to be. After entered, he felt something different from the usual atmosphere. Or rather, they seemed shrunk their shoulder and hung their heads as if scared of something. For a usually noisy guild, that was quite a gloomy atmosphere there. Inside that atmosphere, Kitsune inclined his head. Then, all the adventurers who hung their heads, raised their face when they saw Kitsune as if he was a messiah. "?" Still without facing Mia directly, Kitsune asked her while still gazing at the adventurers. "Say Mia-chan, did something happened? Somehow it feels eerily quiet though...." "There was nothing happened though?" When Kitsune turned toward Mia, Mia was facing him while smiling. That has a considerable intensity. She was smiling but her eyes weren't similing at all. Kitsune thought, the reason for this atmosphere was perhaps because of Mia-chan's bad mood. Since he thought that Mia was quite in a bad mood, so he thought to move toward the receptionist girl next to her. When he did that, excluding Mia, all of their face were become pale. Even the blue haired receptionist girl was trying as hard as she could to convey to him to don't come to her way. "...Haa... Mia-chan, what happened?" "Nothing happened. There is no problem." "You seem angry though." "I am not angry, then, do you need something?" "Ah, umm, when I was training with Rishe-chan-!?" "....Then?" When Rishe's name was came out, suddenly there was a vein popped out at Mia's forehead. It felt as if he would be killed if he said more about her. Even that Finia, she was already took refuge insides Kituse's school uniform's pocket. It seems there were even some adventurers who collapsed. What's up with this pressure. "Uh, um... I think I want to sell the information about an E rank monster which come out from the forest." "...Is that so, I understand." When Mia's pressure lessened, Kitsune and the adventurers were exhaling in relief. Then, at that instant relief, the adventurers were considering about what Kitsune just said. As expected of adventurers, it seems they were still able to think calmly to facing the crisis that may come to this country. Kituse was admiring them inside his heart. "Then, Mia-chan... there's also something I wan't to tell you at a place with as few people as possible but...." "...what is that?" "About the information of a magical beast... it is something which quite hard to say it here." "Is that so... I understand, then please come to the inner room." Since Mia's intimidating aura was disappeared, Kitsune could continue the explanation. The explanation about {Red Night} . Mia lead Kitsune into the interior part of the counter. Perhaps, Mia thought that Kitsune wasn't joking when he said that he had something he want to tell at the place with few people. To tell a complicated information which shouldn't be easily leaked to the public, they had prepared a certain room. And Kitsune was lead to there. Inside the counter, there was a vacant room a bit distance away from there. That room seems like a longue, and it was very suited to tell the information. "Please sit there." Kitsune sat at the sofa across the table as per Mia asked. Then, Finia start to show her face from inside his pocket. "Then... What kind of information is it?" "Yes, I have said that there was an E rank magical beast which come out from the forest right?" "When I came to this country, I passed through that forest." "!" Mia looked very surprised, Kitsune was said it lightly but, that forest wasn't something that could be easily passed by a mere F rank adventurer. Not just that there were many magical beast that lived there, the majority of them were E rank monsters. There was even a rumour that a D rank monster Troll also appeared there. Even if he was an D rank adventurer, normally it was impossible to pass through the forest just by himself. And he passed through there? Without any weapon? If there was anyone who could do that, then he must be had an outrageous great luck. But, the main issue wasn't that. Mia asked Kitsune to continue the story. Then, Kitsune nodded and continued the story. "Inside the forest, I encountered with{Red Night} ." "Wha... that was!?" That monster, to be appeared near to this country, if that was true then that was a very dangerous fact. If {Red Night} was attacking, it wasn't exaggerating that if it might destroy this country overnight. "Was that true...!?" "Yes... I even almost dead when I encountered that monster with dark miasma and red eyes. I was somehow saved by Finia-chan's recovery magic but, my left eye was eaten." Indeed when he just came to this guild, when he heard about the {Red Night} , he seems pained from his bandaged left eye, to think that {Red Night} was appeared nearby, she didn't want to believed that. "I didn't know why it just ate my left eye and didn't kill me but... I thought that I must convey it." "...Haa... I hope you tell me this without waiting for one week to passed by...." Mia was holding her head. Since it was already a week since the appearance of that A rank monster, it can't be helped. But she was still quite grateful that Kitsune convey that information. "Thank you for your information offering. The guild will buy that information." "Considering the value of the information... how about three gold coins and ten silver coins?" "Then, since I'm going to prepare it, please wait a minutes." While saying that, Mia left the room. While sit and leaning to the sofa, Kitsune exhaling greatly. As per Rishe's advice, he could obtain a considerable amount of money. "But Kitsune-san, what are you going to do with that amount of money?" Finia asked that to Kitsune. Then, Kitsune answered it while floating a faint smile.

桔音の尽力 さて、時間も経ち、早々に夜がやってきた。眠っていたリーシェちゃんはフィニアちゃんとルルちゃんに起こして貰い、僕はオジサマの到着を宿の食堂で待つ。 リーシェちゃんが眠っている間、僕はギルドへ行ったりお茶したり周辺の店を回ったり駄弁ったり色んな人に頭を下げたり昼寝したりしていた。うん、僕は凄く頑張った! 一人の女の子の為にこれだけ暗躍する青少年っていうのは、やっぱりモテるんじゃないかなぁって思うな、僕。 エイラさん達には頼みこんで宿の夕飯の時間を早めて貰い、本当ならまだ賑わいを見せている食堂は面白いほど静かになっている。エイラさん達の姿もない。正真正銘、この一階の空間は僕の貸し切り状態だ。 「きっつねさーん! リーシェちゃん起こしてきたよ!」 「......きつね、本当に大丈夫なのか? 私寝ていただけなんだけど......」 「さぁ? 多分なんとかなるよ、僕はそう信じてる」 「絶望的じゃないか!!」 リーシェちゃんが持っていた剣を床に落とし、悲壮感漂う表情で明後日の方向を見始めた。まぁオジサマもまだ来ていないし、落ち込むだけ落ち込んでおけばもう後は無い感じで、背水の陣的な効果が出るかもしれない。出ないかもしれないけど。 ルルちゃんとフィニアちゃんはもう流れに任せて展開を見守るスタンスのようで、エイラさんの旦那さんが作り置きしておいてくれた夕飯を隅の方で食し始めた。 すると、 「待たせたな、約束通り来たぞ」 「やぁオジサマ、見ての通り貸し切りだよ。まずは一杯お茶でもどう?」 オジサマがやってきた。腰には立派な剣を提げて、昨日見た時と同じ威厳と貫録ある佇まい。やっぱり何度見ても強者の風格が滲み出てる。怖い怖い。 「いらん、用件は一つだ。さっさと済ませろ」 「せっかちだなぁ......まぁいいや」 リーシェちゃんもオジサマの登場に気持ちを切り替えたのか、深呼吸を一つ入れて立ち上がる。たっぷり寝たからその面構えに体調不良等の異常は見当たらない。 「リーシェちゃんに聞いた限り、オジサマは騎士団長を務めているらしいね。そしてその家系も代々格式高い騎士の血筋、昔からオジサマの家系は名のある誇り高い騎士を輩出してきた由緒ある御家柄......あってる?」 「......ああ、そこまで聞いているのなら『先見の魔眼』についても知り得ているのだろう?」 「まぁね―――そこで、リーシェちゃんに聞く所によると彼女はそんな血筋に生まれたにも拘らず、2年も訓練を積んで騎士になれていない。才能が無いと言われている訳だ。だから、騎士団長としてはリーシェちゃんを家に抱えておけなくなった......それであってる?」 まずは此処を確認しておかなければならない。僕の知っていることは、あくまでリーシェちゃん側の意見でしかない。このオジサマからすればそれは間違っているのかもしれないし、あるいは何か別の、やむを得ない事情があるのかもしれない。それを、確認すべきだ。 「―――ああ、そうだな......正直な所、私から見てもトリシェは才能が無い。訓練で魔獣を相手にした時も、模擬戦で教導官を務めている騎士と勝負した時も、まるでなっていない動きで情けない姿を晒した......命の奪い合いでは無い勝負だというのにだ」 「初めは戦いを怖がっているのかと思った、騎士見習いとはいえ女だからな......だが、訓練に進んで励む様子からそうではないと分かった。では緊張しているのかと思った、しかし2年も訓練を積めばそれなりに慣れてくる筈だ......それも違った。トリシェは根本的な部分で、騎士の才能が欠如しているのだ!」 才能が無い、それは仕方のないことだ。人間、必ずしも欲しい才能がやりたいことと一致する訳ではない。だからこそ、人間は持ち得る才能を見出し、選択し、伸びるよう努力する。 でも、稀に特定の才能を持たないことを責められる場合がある。それが今のリーシェちゃんだ。現実的に見ればリーシェちゃんは何一つ悪いことをしていない、期待に応えられなかっただけだ。生まれた時に、この展開は定められていたってことか。 「私達は騎士として誇り高き一族の一人。であれば、トリシェも同様に騎士として剣を振るうべきなのだ」 リーシェちゃんが騎士になりたいと思っていない場合であれば、その決めつけに反論した所だけど、彼女自身が騎士になりたいと思っているのなら許容範囲かな? 「だが、トリシェはそれが出来ない。故に一族の恥だ、騎士になれない者など、我が一族には必要ない」 「長々と語ってくれてどうも。もういいよ」 「ふん、それで? トリシェはこの一晩で何が変わった? 騎士になれる実力を得たというのか?」 「それはまぁ自分で確かめると良い―――騎士には模擬戦があるらしいし、リーシェちゃんとオジサマ、一対一でやってみようよ」 何? とオジサマは眼を細めた。リーシェちゃんも僕の後ろで驚愕の表情を浮かべている。実力を測るのなら、一回戦ってみればいいじゃないか。それが騎士のやり方なんだろう? 格式高い騎士様の、正式な、やり方なんだろう? 「つべこべ言わず、やれよ。今更腰が引けたのか?」 そう言うと、オジサマは眉間にしわを寄せて剣を抜いた。その動作に乱れはなく、やはり騎士団長としての経験が垣間見えた。 対して、リーシェちゃんはあわあわと青褪めた表情で僕を見ている。剣を落としたまま、立ち尽くしているようだ。まぁ唐突にこんな話を持ちかけられたらそうなるか。 「リーシェちゃん」 「っ......き、きつね! 私は騎士見習いなんだぞ!? 父様に勝てる筈が無いだろう!」 「勝つ必要はないよ、騎士としてやっていける実力を認めてもらえればいいんだ」 「しかし!」 「良く聞いてリーシェちゃん」 これは、賭けだ。僕の予想が当たっているのなら、僕の推測が当たっているのなら、これで何とかなる筈だ。分の悪い賭けではあるけれど、元々可能性の皆無だった状態で見出したんだ、賭けられる物は可能性がある限り賭けてみよう。 1%でも可能性が残っている限り、僕は諦めない! なんて言ってみたりして。前も言ったっけ? 「――――」 「な、でも............分かった、やってみる」 リーシェちゃんも納得してくれたようだ。 「でもまぁ、此処でやるわけにはいかないよねぇ」 「「あ」」 宿の食堂、模擬戦をやるには迷惑過ぎる場所だね。 私の名前は、トリシェ・ルミエイラ。騎士見習いとして日々鍛錬を欠かさない17歳の女だ。 私は今、一週間前程に命を救った相手......きつねに言われた場所へとやってきている。冒険者ギルドの裏に設置された試合場、きつね曰く冒険者達が戯れに模擬戦をしたりする場所らしい。今ここにいるのは、私と......私の父様の二人だけ。 私は2年間、騎士見習いとして自分を磨いてきた。その日々に全力を注いできたと断言出来る。でも、私はまだ騎士になれていない。才能が無いと言われ、貶され、騎士の家系として生まれたことで生まれた期待も裏切った。 だから、私は父様に見捨てられようとしている。 実を言うと、先程きつねと話している父様の言葉は、私の心に突き刺さった。深く深く、楔を打ち込まれたような感覚だった。前も言われたことがある、一族の恥、欠陥品、失敗作、凡人、色々言われたことが。 ―――必要ない 要らない、とハッキリと言われたのは初めてだった。自覚はしていたが、改めて思い知った―――私は家族に必要とされて『いない』ことを。 だから、これが最後のチャンス。父様が我が子だからとくれた最後のチャンスなんだ。自然と、剣を握る手に力が入った。 「トリシェ」 「.........はい、父様」 「これが、最後の機会だ。今、ここで―――私に騎士としてのお前の力、見せてみろ」 父様はそう言って、剣を抜いた。何度見ても、綺麗な動作だ。あれに憧れて、私は騎士になりたいと思った。父の背中は遠く、巨大なものだったが、それでも私はその大きな背中を見つめて走ってきた。 ここでやらないで、どこでやるんだ。 「―――はい」 私も、剣を抜いた。 途端に父様の放つ威圧感が大きくなる。剣を抜き、切っ先を相手に向けあった瞬間......両者の間には親子の情も、友との絆も、愛で育んだ思い出も、一切無くなる。 そこにあるのは、騎士同士、自分自身に掲げた唯一無二の誇りのみ! 「魔眼は使わん...... 父様は私をトリシェではなく、『貴様』と呼んだ。これは私を騎士として戦う相手だと認めたということだ。 後は騎士の礼儀として、名乗りを上げれば試合開始だ―――! 「トリシェ・ルミエイラ―――行きます!」 空気が張り詰めた糸のようだった。緊張と、探り合い。切っ先が僅かに揺れ、足がほんの少し前に出る。 隙が無い......騎士団長、その地位に立つ者としてその佇まいは凄まじいの一言に尽きる。攻め込めない......! 「どうした? 来ないのか?」 父様の言葉に、焦った私は駆け出してしまった。失策、と悟った瞬間、此処で止まるのは愚策だと考え更に加速した。スキル『身体強化Lv2』と『俊足』を発動し、父様の間合いの一歩手前で―――もう一段階、加速する! 「はぁっ!!」 「遅いな」 上段から振り下ろした剣は斜めに構えられた父様の剣に受け流される。体勢が崩れ、隙だらけになる。そこへ、容赦なく父様の剣が横薙ぎに襲い掛かる。 「くっ......ッぁあ!!」 「なにっ......?」 私は振り下ろした剣を地面に突き立て、自分の身体を横へ倒す。横薙ぎに振られた剣は私の顔の前をギリギリで通り過ぎる。 「......なるほど、何故かは知らないが確かに動けるようになっているな......どんな手品だ?」 「さぁ......私は一晩、寝ていただけなので。強いて言うなら、睡眠を取りました」 「ふん......あの男か、態度も言動も飄々と......謎の多い男だ」 「そうですね、私もそう―――思います!」 今度は焦った訳でもなく、前へと足を踏み出す。先のスキルを使用して、同様に加速する。父様も私の動きを読んでいる、撹乱する様に左右に動いてみるが、父様の眼は魔眼を使わずとも私の姿を捉えていた。 ならば! 「見えている!」 下段から真上へ、半円を描くような軌跡を描いて振るわれる父様の剣。だが、私はそれをを斜め前へ出ることで躱す。そしてそのまま父様の横を通り抜け、すぐさま振り返る。後ろを取った! 「隙―――ありです!!」 「甘いな」 「なっ!?」 振り返り様、身体ごと回転させて剣を振るった。しかし、父様は既に私の方に身体を向けていた。切替が早すぎる! 「ガッ!?」 振り上げた剣を柔軟に鍛えた肩を使って背後へと回し、その柄頭で私の肘を正確に叩いた。腕が曲がり、振り抜いた剣の威力が逃げる。 不味いっ、剣の威力は死んでも身体は回転してしまっている、この威力は逃げられない―――! 「終わりだ」 回転した勢いで父様に背中を向けてしまった、その隙を見逃す父様では無い。静かに、背後から私の首へ冷たい刃が突き付けられた。敗北、それが完全な形でそこに在った。 敗北宣言をすると、父様は剣を引いて鞘へと収めた。その動作すら美しく、憧れた存在の大きさを突き付けられる。悔しいと思うと同時、やはり強い父様が誇らしく思えた。 「きつねさん、リーシェちゃんはどうなるかな?」 「十中八九負けるだろうねー、レベル的にも能力値的にも格の差が違うし」 「え? それじゃあどうするの?」 リーシェちゃん達が出てから、僕達は自分達の部屋で寛いでいた。僕もベッドに寝っ転がりながら鼻歌を歌っちゃったよ。ハハッ、何もしなくていいっていいね。 そんな時、フィニアちゃんが腕を組みながら聞いてきたので、普通に考えれば出る結論を伝えた。 「まぁ勝たずとも実力を示せればいいからねぇ、その条件なら......合格点を出す可能性はあるさ」 「どういうこと?」 「私も気になります」 フィニアちゃんの問いに、ルルちゃんも気になったのか近づいてきた。仕方ない、あの時この子達は眠っていたからね。ならば教えてあげよう、あの時リーシェちゃんと話していたことの内容を。 「あのね、リーシェちゃんは―――」 ◇ 「リーシェちゃん、もしかして騎士団の練習って型を中心としたようなものなの?」 「え、あ、ああ......そうだ。騎士はあらゆる国に存在するが、大まかに分けて三通りの形式がある」 聞くところによると、騎士には剣を扱うに当たって三種の形式があるらしい。 一つ目は、武器と己の肉体のみを使う攻撃の剣技―――剣武式 二つ目は、武器と魔法を組み合わせた防御の剣技―――水明式 三つ目は、武器で攻撃を受け流し、一瞬の隙を狙う返し技の剣技―――流鏡式 騎士達はこの三つの形式の内、自分にあった剣技を訓練段階で自覚し、伸ばす。早い者ならば大体半年程で騎士に上がることが出来るらしい。最初は基礎のみ三つとも習うので、追々得意な形式に別の形式を組み合わせてオリジナルの動きを考えたりする事も出来るとのこと。 リーシェちゃんは剣武式らしく、最初からずっとこの形式で努力してきたらしい。 「なんで剣武式?」 「私の家系は代々剣武式が多かったからな、父様もそうだったし、だから私も剣武式を伸ばそうと思ったんだ。魔眼が使えない以上、カウンターもあまり伸びそうもないし、魔法は魔力が少ないから使えない、必然的にそうなったって感じかな」 「ふーん......」 でもどうなんだろうね、剣武式って肉体重視の剣技なんだろう? なら女であるリーシェちゃんが鍛えた所で将来的に周囲との差が開いて行く気がするんだけど。ステータスの伸びもけして才能があるといるようなものじゃないんだし。 僕としては三つ目のカウンター形式、『流鏡式』を推したいなぁ。魔眼が無くても鍛えれば相手の動きを見切るくらい出来るだろうし。 「ところでリーシェちゃん、リーシェちゃんって一人で戦う時やりやすかったりしない?」 「え? うーん......確かに誰かと一緒にいる時よりは......そうかも?」 今のを聞いて、なんとなく分かった。 リーシェちゃんは人間関係的には多少人見知りな部分もあるが、その一面が最も出るのが剣を振るう時だってこと。大事なのは、二つの要素だ。 一つは、リーシェちゃんは自分の夢として騎士を目指していて、だから精一杯頑張ってきたって自覚。 そしてもう一つは、騎士の訓練として『形式的』な『型』の剣技を教えていることだ。 この二つがリーシェちゃんの動きを制限している最たる理由に他ならない。 な所がある。それはつまり人の視線を気にする性分だということだ。 戦闘時、誰かが傍にいると―――正確には人の視線があると、彼女はその視線を気にして思う様に動けなくなる。これだけでも彼女の実力が出せない理由の一つになるが、もう一つ。 形式的な剣技の『型』があること。リーシェちゃんは才能が無い、故に応用が利かない。おそらく2年間基本の技を練習してきたに違いないことだろう。 それが駄目だった。 『型』があるということは、決まった動作を行うということだ。リーシェちゃんはそれをかなり意識している。陰口や陰湿な悪事の中で、恐らく何度も言われたのだろうね、 これらを組み合わせると、彼女は視線を気にして思う様に動けず、また『型』が違うと指摘される過去のトラウマが剣技を繰り出させないのだ。 故に、一人でいる時は視線もトラウマも気にすることなく動く事が出来る。魔獣とも戦えるというわけだ。自覚は、無かっただろうけれど。 「よし、リーシェちゃん。作戦変更だ」 「試験の内容は僕がどうにかリーシェちゃんが上手くやれる形に持ち込む、あとは君がその試験で全力を出すだけで良い」 「その、試験内容って......」 「今は言わない、取り敢えず今は寝て身体を休めるんだ。起きた時、寝不足で動けないなんてことにならないようにね」 「......分かった、任せる」 「なら、それで行こう」 スキルを解いて、僕は薄ら笑いを浮かべた。 「―――だから、リーシェちゃんは一対一で周囲に視線が無ければ戦えるんだよ」 「へぇ~、でも相手がお父さんなら駄目なんじゃないの?」 フィニアちゃんの言うことは御尤も。一対一だとしても、相手が魔獣ではなく騎士団長だ。剣技についてはこれ以上なく知っている人物、これでは戦うこと自体無理なように思える。 「そこはまぁ、リーシェちゃん次第だよね」 「そこまで考えたのに大事な所は丸投げなんだね! 流石きつねさん抜かりない手抜きっぷりだよ!」 「まぁ、最後に少しだけアドバイスをしておいたけど......戦闘経験の薄い僕の言葉じゃ軽いだろうなぁ」 あの時、さっきオジサマと話して結論が出た後、リーシェちゃんに言った僕の言葉。 『相手は騎士団長じゃなく、普通の父親だと思って戦ってごらん』 リーシェちゃんはなんとなく頷いていたけど、実際動けるかどうかはリーシェちゃん次第だ。 「ふあ......眠い、今日は走りまわったし......疲れた」 「うん、ギルドの皆やエイラさん達、街の皆に頼んで、早めに帰ってもらったんだもんね! 起きてから試験の時まで、『リーシェちゃんに視線を感じさせないように』!」 全く、ただ働きも良い所だ。 でも、女の子の為にこれだけ働いたんだ―――少しはモテるかな? そう思いながら、僕の意識は睡魔に攫われていった。

Kitsune's efforts Well then, the time has elapsed, and it's almost evening soon. After asking Finia-chan and Lulu-chan to wake the sleeping Rishe-chan up, I'm currently waiting for uncle's arrival at inn's dining hall. While Rishe-chan was sleeping, I spent my time by going to the guild, eating at the neighboring stalls, bowing my head to various person, and took a nap. Yup, I was really doing my best there! A youth who would do that many acts secretly just for a single girl, as expected without a doubt he sure would be popular, right, or so I thought. I asked Ayla-san and the other to make my dinner meal a bit earlier than usual, and right now the usually crowded dining hall is amusingly quiet right now. Ayla-san and the other also aren't here. Without a doubt, this first floor is reserved only for me. "Kitsune-san! I've wake Rishe-chan up!" "...Kitsune, is it really gonna be okay? I was just sleeping, though...." "Who know? Perhaps it would work somehow or another, that is what I believe." "Isn't that mean it's hopeless!!" Rishe-chan drops her sword to the floor, and starts looking at a faraway place with a grim expression. Well, uncle is also hasn't arrived here yet, it indeed feels as if there won't be any tomorrow if we just left this desperate situation as it is, and it may lead us into a great pinch. Or probably not. Lulu-chan and Finia-chan are also just watching over and let everything to the flow of development, and start eating their dinners which have been prepared in advance by Ayla-san's husband. And then. "Sorry for the wait, I come as promised." "Hello esteemed uncle, as you can see we've reserved this place. How about having a cup of tea first?" Uncle finally come. Carrying a splendid sword at his waist, and with a similar dignified appearance as yesterday. As expected no matter how many times you look at them, a strong person's bearing sure is something. How scary. "I don't need it, my business here is only one. Let's finish it quickly." "How impatient... well, fine then." Perhaps Rishe-chan also has overcame her emotion at uncle's arrival, she stand up after took a deep breath. Since she has slept plentifully, I can't see any abnormality or bad feeling at her expression. Then I also slowly stand up, and stand facing uncle. "According to Rishe-chan, seems like esteemed uncle is serving as knight leader, right. Also, everyone at your family lineage were always became a strong knight from olden generations, even many of them become a great knight who were recorded at this country's histories... am I right?" "...yes, if you've heard that much then you must also already know about {Demon eye of foresight} , right?" "Demon eye... then, according to what I heard from Rishe-chan, she who was also born at that lineage, still unable to become a knight even after practicing for almost two years. She was even labeled as someone with no talent. That's why, as a knight leader you can't keep Rishe-chan at your family lineage... am I right?" I must confirm it first. If I remember it correctly, I only had heard about it from Rishe-chan. So if I could hear it from uncle then perhaps it may be wrong, perhaps there was another reason, perhaps it was an unavoidable circumstance. That is, I must confirm it. "...yes, you're right... to be frank, personally I also think that Trisha has no talent. Even when she practiced to fight against a magical beast, even when she had a mock battle with her instructor, she would always shows a miserable movement as if a total amateur... even though those weren't a life stacking battle." "At first I thought she was scared to fight, since even though she was a knight apprentice, she was a girl after all... but, by watching her endeavor at the next trainings I understood that that wasn't the case. Then, perhaps she was nervous, but by continuing practicing for two years she should be got used to it ... but that also wasn't the case. That means it's fundamentally because of Trisha herself, she has no talent to become a knight!" She has no talent, that is an inevitable matter. Human, aren't necessarily would always have the suitable talent at the things they want to do. That's why, human always preserve their best to discover and choose their talent. But, sometimes there were a times when you would be criticized because you don't have a certain talent. And that exactly what's currently happening to Rishe-chan. Realistically Rishe-chan hasn't done anything bad, she just wanted to live up to his expectation. Even since she was born, this development has bound to happen. "We're one of the great knight family lineage. That's why, Trisha must also wield her sword as a knight." Perhaps he thinks that Rishe-chan doesn't want to become a knight, I want to object at that matter which he arbitrarily decided by himself, but if we show him that she's really wants to become a knight then would he gives her a tolerance? "But, Trisha is unable to accomplish it. That's why she is family's disgrace, someone who's unable to become a knight, I don't need them at my family." "Thank you for explaining it detailedly. That's enough." "Hmm, then? What has changed from Trisha overnight? Does she acquired an ability that would lead her to become a knight?" "That is, well, perhaps you should ascertain it yourself... a mock battle isn't something new for a knight, right, so let's have an one on one mock battle, Rishe-chan against esteemed uncle." What? then uncle sharpen his eyes. Rishe-chan is also seems surprised behind me. If we want to measure her prowess, then isn't it would be easier to just do a match. Isn't that knight's way of doings? Isn't that great knight official's way of doing, right? "Without any complain, let's do it. Or perhaps do you get a cold feet here?" When I say so, uncle's eyebrows are wrinkling up and then he draws his sword. There are no unrest at his movement, as expected as a knight leader his experience must be abundant, right. On the contrary, Rishe-chan is looking at me flustered with a pale expression. Still dropping her sword, she's standing still there. Well, that is an obvious reaction if you suddenly receive such suggestion. "Rishe-chan." "...Ki, Kitsune! I'm a knight apprentice, you know! There's no way I'll be able to win against my father!" "You don't need to win, it's good as long as he would recognize you that you have a suitable ability as a knight." "But!" "Listen to me properly, Rishe-chan." This is, a gamble. If my expectation is right, if my conjecture is right, this should be work somehow or another. It's indeed a gamble with a high risk, but in the first place she was placed with a condition with almost no possibility to success, that's why as long as there's a possibility then it's best to just gamble on it. As long as we still have a chance even by just one percent, I won't give up! Or so I say. Didn't I also have said it before? "---" "Wha, but... got it, let's give it a try." Seems like Rishe-chan is also agree with it. "But, well, there's no way we would do it here, right." ""Ah."" Inn's dining hall, doing a mock battle here sure would be a great trouble right. My name is Trisha Rumiela. A seventeen years old girl who is every day practicing as a knight apprentice. Right now, I come to a place which the person who I'd helped a week ago, Kitsune, said. An underground arena at the adventurer guild, seems like this is the place where adventurers similarly like Kitsune-san do a mock battle. The one here are I... and my father, only both of us. I'd been practicing as a knight apprentice for almost two years already. I'd been doing my best every day. But, I'm still unable to become a knight. I even was told and mocked as someone with no talent, and as someone who was born at a knight family lineage, I also betrayed their expectation when I was born. That's why, I'm going toing to be abandoned by my father. To be honest, my father's word when he was talking with Kitsune just now, it was piercing through my heart. That was the feeling as if a very deep bond was severed. I've been called as family's disgrace, defective product, failed product, ordinary person, and so on before. But, the clearest one is. --unnecessary. Unnecessary, this is the first time I've been told such directly. I'm aware of it, but it make me realize it again-- that I'm {not} necessary for the family. That's why, this is my last chance. My father give me this last chance because I'm his child. Naturally, my hands which hold the sword is brimming with energy. "Trisha." "...Yes, honorable father." "This is, your last chance. Here, right now-- your ability as a knight, show it to me." When my father say that, he draws his sword. No matter how many times I see it, that is a beautiful movement. Admiring that, I thought that I wanted to become a knight. My father's back was a distant and huge one, but even so I was always running while staring at that big back. I must do it here, I will do it here. "...yes." I also, draw my sword. The intimidating aura from my father is very strong. At the time we draw our respective swords, and pointing it to our enemies.... The emotion that we're a family, bonds as a friends, and my admiration feeling, everything are gone. Those here are, a similarly knights, those who're prideful at their own prowess! "I won't use my demon eye... show you(..)r true ability, and come at me!" My father doesn't call me as Trisha, but {you} . Is that mean he recognized me as a knight opponent? Knight etiquette, we should start it by announcing our name first--! "Trisha Rumiela-- I'm coming!" Seems like the atmosphere here is strained. Mental strain, and probing each other. My hands are shaking a bit, my feet could only stepping ahead just by a little bit. I can't see any opening... knight leader, as the one who wield that title, his appearance is could only described as terrific. I can't attack him....! "What's up? You won't attack?" Activating {Body Reinforcement Lv.2} and {Swift} skills, I shorten my distance with my father till just one step short before him-- just a single step, accelerate! "Haaa!!" "Too slow." My sword which I swing downward from my overhead is parried by my father's sword which he placed it diagonally. My stance is crumbled, there are so many opening. And then, my father's sword is mercilessly rushing sideway toward me. "Ku...waaa!!" "What...?" The sword which I swing downward is stabbed at the ground, and my body is lying on the ground. The sword which swung sideway is passing barely right in front of my face. Looking the somewhat surprised father, I take some gap by rolling in the ground. Whether it was because I was a low ranker, my father isn't come at me. Well, because of that I'm able to reorganize my stance, though. "...I see, I don't know the reason but you indeed become able to move... what kind of magic did he use?" "Who know... I was, only sleeping overnight. Or more precisely, trying to sleep." "Hmm...that man, whether it his attitude or his speech and conducts are very transcendental... what a mysterious man." "You're right, I also... think so!" Now it isn't because I'm flustered, I step my feet forward. Reactivate my skill from earlier, and similarly accelerating. My father is predicting my movement, he seems like somewhat perturbed, but when my father's eyes are activating its demon eye, he could easily grasp my movement. Then!" "I can see it!" My father's sword is swung upward, drawing a semicircle traces. But, I evade it by slanting my body forward. And then, with that I'm able to pass through my father side, and then I immediately turn my body around. I get his back! "An ope--ning!!" "Not bad." "Wha!?" When I turn my body around, I swung my sword cylindrically similar like my movement. But, my father is suddenly has already looking my way. His switchover is too fast! "Gah!?" The raised overhead sword is swung to his backward using his flexibly and trained shoulder, its pommel is precisely knocking my elbow. My hand is warped, my power to swing my swing sword is gone. It's bad, even when I lost my strength to swing my sword, my body is turned around, I can't escape from him--! "It's the end." Vigorously rotating I show my back similarly like my father just did, and my father isn't someone who would let that opening away. Quietly, the cold sword is trusted right beside my neck from my back. My lose, a complete lose. When I declare my lost, my father is pulling his sword back at put it at its scabbard. Even that movement is very beautiful, realized me just how great the person who I admired is. I'm indeed feeling frustrated, but as I thought, I think I'm very proud for having such a strong father. "Kitsune-san, what would happen to Rishe-chan?" "Most certainly she would lose, right, whether it level wise or ability wise, their statuses values are too distant apart after all." "Eh? Then what should we do?" After Rishe-chan and his father left, we returned and relaxing in our room. I was also just humming while lying around at my bed after all. Hahaha, we didn't need to do anything. And then, Finia-chan came asking me while folding her hands, and so I told her the most natural and probable conclusion. "Well, even if she lose as long as she is able to show him her true ability then it's all good after all, with that condition... there's a possibility that he would give her a passing mark." "What do you mean?" "I'm curious, too." At Finia-chan's inquiring, seems like Lulu-chan is also curious about it since she is also drawing near me. It can't be helped, since at that time these children were sleeping, after all. Then let's tell them, about what I discussed with Rishe-chan at that time. "Listen, Rishe-chan is...." * "Rishe-chan, could it be your knight practices were focused on a certain pattern?" "Eh, hmm, well... let's see. Knights are existed at every kingdom, but roughly it was divided into three form." When I ask her about it, seems like there are three technique of how knight use their sword. First is, an offensive sword technique which is utilizing sword and their own body-- martial sword style. Second is, defensive sword techniques which is combining sword and magic-- shining water style. Third is, counterattack sword techniques which is parrying every attack with their sword, and aiming for an instant opening-- flowing mirror style. From that three styles, every knights are practicing the most suitable sword style for them. And seems like the fast one would be able to be promoted into a knight at around half year. At first they were practicing these three styles, and by gradually combining his specialty style with the other styles, seems like they would be able to make their own original sword style. Seems like Rishe-chan is using the martial sword style, and seems like she was always practicing it from the very beginning. "Why did you choose martial sword style?" "Because the majority of my lineage from olden generations were using it, even my father is also so, and so I thought that I should use it, too. Not just I was unable to use my demon eye, I also wasn't too skilled at countering, I can't use magic since my magical energy is too scarce, you could say that it was inevitable." "Hmm...." Then what should I do, isn't martial sword style is a techniques which is only utilizing sword and body? As a woman, even if Rishe-chan keep training I think her distance with her surroundings would keep widening, though. Even if her statuses are raised, that isn't necessarily means that she would become a talented one. Personally, from these three style I would prefer {Flowing mirror style} one. If you mastered it, even without demon eye, you would be able to more or less predict your opponent's movement, after all. "By the way, Rishe-chan, is it easier for you if you to fight by yourself?" "Eh? Well... indeed, compared with at the times I was together with someone... that is right, perhaps?" After I heard that, more or less now I understand it. Rishe-chan is also has a somewhat shy part of her at human relations, and that part is mostly appeared when she wield a sword. There are two important parts here. First is, her self-consciousness which make her always does her best to become a knight which is her dream. And the second one is, the existence of {pattern} and {form} of sword style at her knight practice. Without a doubt these two are the biggest reason which restrict Rishe-chan's movements. Like what she just said she also has a little shy (coward) part. That means it was her disposition which is too conscious at someone's gazes. At fighting time, when there were someone around her-- or more accurately when there was someone's gazes, she was too conscious about that gazes which made her unable to moves. That was one of the reason why she was unable to show her true ability, and the other one. The existence of {patter} of sword style. Rishe-chan has no talent, therefore she couldn't put it into practice. Perhaps she was always training those basic techniques at these two years, right. That was no good. The existence of {form} means you should do it according to the decided pattern. Rishe-chan was considerably conscious about it. At that badmouth and malicious deeds, perhaps she was being told "That's not it", "You're wrong", "You're mistaken", and so on numerous times already. That's why, Rishe-chan was unconsciously trying to do it according to the decided pattern as accurate as possible. And by combining both of it, she was conscious about someone's gaze and become unable to freely moves, she can't perform her sword art because of her past trauma which is always being told that her {form} was wrong again and again. That's why, when she was alone she was able to freely move because she didn't need to worry about her someone's gaze trauma. That was also the reason why she was able to fight against a magical beast. But it seems like she doesn't aware about it herself, though. "Okay, Rishe-chan. Change of strategy." "The objective is to somehow make Rishe-chan is able to freely move at your upcoming trial, the rest is you just need to do your best at that trial." "Umm, that trial is...." "I won't say it, yet. Anyway, for now you just need to lie your body down and rest. So that when you wake up, you won't be unable to move because lack of sleep." "...I got it, I'll leave it to you." "Then, let's do it." Canceling my skills, I float a faint smile. "--that's why, Rishe-chan should be able to fight on one-on-one battle if there's no one at her surroundings." "Ooh~, but since her opponent is her father, isn't that would be pointless?" What Finia-chan said is indeed right. Even if it is one-on-one battle, her opponent isn't a magical beast but a knight leader. An existence which is at the peak of sword art, I also thought that fighting against such an existence is impossible. "That is, well, it is depending on Rishe-chan herself, right?" "After planning that much, you just neglect her at the most important part, right! As expected from Kitsune-san's oversight cutting corners style!" "Well, at least I gave her a little advices, but... a word from someone with a scarce combat experience like me sure is light right." At that time, when I concluded what uncle had said, the words I said to Rishe-chan is... "When you fight him, just think that your opponent isn't a knight leader, but just an ordinary father." Rishe-chan was somehow nodding, but whether in the end she would be able to move or not was depending on Rishe-chan herself. "Fua... I'm sleepy, since today I've did so many things... I'm tired." "Yep, you asked everyone at the guild and Ayla-san and the other, also townsfolk to go home earlier than usual, right! {So that Rishe-chan doesn't feel any gazes} ever since she wake up till her trial, right!" Good grief, you even could say I've worked for free here. But, I've been working this hard for a single girl-- will I become a bit more popular? While thinking so, my conscious is abducted by drowsiness.

巫女と赤い夜の違い 目を覚まして、最初に目に入ったのはレイラちゃんの顔だった。しかも、凄く近い。というかどんどん近づいてくる。とりあえず不愉快だったから彼女の顔を掴んで押し返す。 「あはっ♪ 起きちゃった? うふふ、うふふふ......でもだぁめ♡ もうすぐ今日が終わっちゃうからぁ......ちゅー♡」 「んむっ......ぷはっ......成程、そういうことか......」 どうやら今日の分のキスを勝手にいただこうとしていたらしい。まぁ約束だから仕方ないか。 キスしたから良いだろうと思って上体を起こすと、レイラちゃんは僕の足の上に乗ったままどこうとはしない。所謂向かい合うように座る体勢、対面座位の体勢になっている。 「どいてよレイラちゃん」 「やー♡ 舐めさせてくれるなら良いよ?」 「......何処を?」 「うふふうふふふ......何処が良い?」 舌舐めずりしていやらしく、妖艶に笑うレイラちゃん。良く見れば赤い瞳にハートマークが浮かんで、頬も紅潮している。更に言えば涎も垂れて瘴気も漏れている。近いから熱い吐息がもろに当たる。 なんだこれ、起きたらいきなり発情度最高潮のレイラちゃんがいるとかどんな悪夢だ。 というか、此処何処だ? 僕が寝ていたのはどうやらベッドのようだけど、フィニアちゃん達は何処だ? レイラちゃんの言葉を汲み取ってみれば、今はどうやら夜なんだろうけれど、それ以外分からないな。情報が少ない。 「レイラちゃん、他の皆は?」 「お風呂♡」 「え、お風呂?」 まさかのお風呂。 実はこの世界に来てから、僕達はお風呂に入っていない。正直汗臭くて嫌ではあったんだけれど、貴族の金持ちとか富裕層しか入れないとエイラさんが言ってたから諦めたのに、お風呂があるだって? そしてフィニアちゃん達はお風呂に行ってるの? え、つまりリーシェちゃんとルルちゃんがお風呂に入ってるって事? 無論全裸だろうな? 「よし、レイラちゃんお風呂に行こう」 「え、一緒に入るってこと? うふ、うふふふ......♡ いいよいいよぉ......きつね君の身体隅々まで洗ってあげるぅ......舌で♡」 「馬鹿かお前は、女の子がお風呂に入ってるんだぞ、覗きに行くに決まってるじゃないか」 「あれ、なんかいつもと違う......」 威風堂々と浴場へと向かうべくレイラちゃんを押しのけ立ちあがる。 レイラちゃんがなんか珍しく引いている気がするけどそんなことは構っていられない。風呂、美少女ときたら覗きだろう、僕は小学三年生の時にクラスの男子達によって女子更衣室へ放り込まれた時からそういうのに抵抗ないからね。当時の女子全員からボッコボコにされたけど、思春期入ってから寧ろ故意に入って行くようになったよ僕。笑って謝ったら許してくれたし。 過去のいじめを糧に成長してるんだよ。そういう経験を全部自分の成長に変換して来たんだ! 「ほら行くよ、皆が上がって来る前に」 「えー......でもフィニア達がお風呂に行ったの結構前だよ?」 レイラちゃんのその言葉と同時、僕のいた部屋の扉が開いた。入って来たのは湯上りで髪を濡らしたリーシェちゃん達。どうやら上がってしまったらしい。僕は膝から崩れ落ち、その場に四つん這いになって絶望した。 何故僕は寝ていたんだ。チャンスはいくらでもあったのに!! 「どうしたんだきつね? そんな打ちひしがれた様な顔して」 「きつねさんきつねさん! 凄いよ! 広くてカポーンな熱いお湯がね!」 「ごめん、フィニアちゃん。なんとなく伝わるけど全然分からない」 「きつね様......大丈夫ですか?」 ルルちゃんが四つん這いに打ちひしがれている僕の横にしゃがんで心配そうに聞いてくる。ごめんね、心配してくれるのはあれだけど、覗けなかったのが悔しかっただけだから。罪悪感半端ないから。 「なるほど、あの時の子が怒っていたのはミアちゃんにだったのか」 「いやお前にだろ」 話を聞く限り、あの後僕はルーナ・セルヴァインとかいうロリ巨乳の右ストレートで気絶したらしい。痛みは無くても脳が揺れれば気絶しちゃうからね、仕方ない。 で、結局リーシェちゃんが依頼達成手続きを終えて、報酬を貰ったらしい。女冒険者Bは報酬の2割を渡したらすぐに何処かへ行ってしまったとのこと。まぁアレ以上レイラちゃんと一緒に居たくはないだろうから、当然か。 「そして、気絶したきつねを連れて宿を探したんだが......どこも空いてなくてな、結局此処の3人部屋を一室しか借りられなかった」 「お風呂は?」 「ああ、グランディールではお風呂は一般家庭にも浸透しているから、宿でも普通に備え付けてあるんだ」 なるほど......ん? ということはこの3人部屋で僕達一緒に寝るってこと? ベッドも3つ、となればフィニアちゃんは大丈夫としても最低2人は一緒のベッドで寝るってことだよね。 勿論レイラちゃんは1人で寝て貰おう、当然だよね、この子と一緒のベッドで寝るとか自殺行為だし。 「寝るのってどうなってるの?」 「ん、ああ......一応レイラは1人で寝て貰うとして......きつねはフィニアと一つのベッドを使ってくれ、ルルは私ともう一つのベッドを使えば良い。さ、流石に私ときつねが一緒のベッドなのは恥ずかしいからな......」 リーシェちゃんも同じ考えだったのかレイラちゃんは1人で寝て貰うとして、一番一緒にいる時間の長いフィニアちゃんを僕と同じベッドに寝て貰おうと考えているらしい。まぁそれが妥当だよね、フィニアちゃんのサイズなら問題ないし。 それにしてもリーシェちゃんって意外と乙女なんだね、僕と一緒に寝るのを想像したのか顔を若干赤くして頬を掻いてる。ちょっと可愛いと思った。 「そっか、まぁいいや」 「ごほんっ......それで、明日はどうするんだ?」 すると、寝床も決まった所で、明日の話になった。 勇者と会うのが一番の目的だから、まずはどうやって勇者に会うかだけど......これは少し考えがある。彼が日本人だとすれば、僕の名前を出して面会したいと申し出れば会ってくれるんじゃないだろうか。この世界に和名の人はいないからね。 だから、とりあえず明日は僕とフィニアちゃんで城へ行こうと思うんだけど、それ以外は特に何かする訳じゃないんだよねぇ。 「......とりあえずフィニアちゃんと一緒に僕は城へ行くよ。勇者に会うのが僕の目的だし。それ以外は特に予定もないし......うん、リーシェちゃん達は観光でもしててよ。ギルドで依頼を受けても良いし」 「城へか......まぁ面会出来るかは分からないが、やってみなければ分からないか......だが全員で行っても良いんじゃないのか?」 「あはは、勇者に会って用があるのは僕だけだし、いいよいいよ。あ、出来ればルルちゃんを色々と遊ばせてあげて欲しいな」 隣にいるルルちゃんの頭を撫でると、しっとりと濡れた明るい茶色の髪の感触が伝わってくる。ルルちゃんは気持ちよさそうに目を細めつつ、首を傾げた。僕の言った事の意味が分かっていないんだろう。 家族とはいえ、元は奴隷だ。それにまだ彼女は僕の元の世界じゃ遊び盛りの年齢なんだし、暇な時くらい好きに遊ばせてあげたい。良い機会だし、この際遊んで来て貰おうかな。 「明日はリーシェちゃんと一緒に好きに遊んでおいで」 「良いんですか?」 「うん良いよ、遠慮せずに楽しんでくると良いさ」 ルルちゃんは少し僕の事をじっと見つめると、ふと力を緩めた様に微笑んだ。 「えへへ......分かりました」 うんうん、素直でよろしい。今やルルちゃんだけだよ、こうしてやりとりしてて和む相手は。 悪態吐いてくるフィニアちゃんは和むというより楽しい子だし、リーシェちゃんはなんだか真面目な所あるし、レイラちゃんに至っては論外だ。ルルちゃんは僕の癒しだね、オアシスルルの名前をあげよう。 「きつねくーん私はー?」 「森へ帰れば良いんじゃない?」 「うふふうふふふ、きつね君が一緒なら良いけどねぇ♡」 「じゃあいいや、ルルちゃん達に付いててあげてよ。誰か絡んできたら護ってあげて............今晩、僕が寝てる間左手を好きなだけ舐める事を許してあげるから」 レイラちゃんにルルちゃんの護衛を頼もうとしたら、その御褒美を求める視線を送ってきたから、とりあえず今晩だけ寝ている間左手舐める権利をあげた。ホント現金な子だな、発情するんじゃない。 「やったぁ♪ うふふうふふふ......でもでも一晩中舐めてたら私ぶっ壊れちゃうかもぉ......えへへぇ......♡」 あーあ、明日朝起きたら手ベッタベタになってるなぁ、憂鬱だなぁ、寧ろぶっ壊れてればいいのに。そしたら袋に入れてどこか人のいない森とか山に捨てて来れるし。 まぁなんにしても、だ。ようやく勇者の居るグランディール王国に来れた。勇者は城にいるようだし、会えるかどうかはまだ分からないけど......少しだけ近づいた。手掛かりがあるなしに関わらず、同じ異世界人である勇者に会えれば、それだけで十分有益な情報を聞ける筈だ。こっちに来た時の状況とか、此処に来てからのこととかね。 どっちにしろ......明日だ。今日は明日に向けて身体を休めて、明日勇者に会いに行こう。 「じゃ、取り敢えずそんな感じで......今日は寝ようか」 「はーい」 「うん♪ 早く寝てねきつね君♡」 「分かった」 「分かりました」 僕の言葉に皆が頷き、おのおのがベッドに入る。レイラちゃんだけは僕のベッドの横で息を荒げて待機しているけれど、気にしないでおこう。せめて行き過ぎて僕を起こさないようにしてほしいなぁ。 勇者はもっと良い布団でかわいい女の子におやすみって言って貰ってるんだろうなぁ、畜生め。 「......おやすみ」 「おやすみっ♡」 君じゃなきゃ良い気分だったよ、レイラちゃん。 一方勇者。 凪は王様との話を終えて、一通り訓練メニューをこなした後、セシルと共に旅の支度を整えた。 とはいっても彼の場合必要なものは城の中に大体揃っていたので、買い出しも必要なく、ただ旅に必要な荷物をまとめるだけで良かった。また王様に頼まれたセシルが手伝ったことといっても、何がどれだけ必要なのか大体の目安を教えた位。 しかも高価な魔法具である『 こういう要素もあって、彼の荷造りはすぐに終わった。 それからは普通に自主訓練をして、汗を掻き、風呂に入った後すぐに夜が訪れた。実は芹沢凪、勇者である彼は驚くべきことに、 ―――巫女、セシルと同室である。 勇者に身も心も捧げ、サポートする役目であるセシルは部屋も同室で、何かあった時にすぐ力になれるようにしてあるのだ。 故に、凪は最初セシルの寝息の音にドギマギして眠れなかったりしたのだが、今はなんとか慣れて眠れているが、セシルの寝巻きは薄手の浴衣なのでかなりドキドキするのは変わらない。 しかも、凪はセシルよりも5分ほど早く起き、セシルには先に起きたら起こして欲しいと頼まれているので、必然的にセシルの寝顔を見ることになるのだが、セシルは結構寝返りを打つ方なので浴衣が肌蹴てその瑞々しく穢れの無い肌が露わになっていたりする。 毎朝凪は鼻血を出さないように鋼の精神力で欲情しないよう頑張っている。『これも勇者としての訓練なのか......!?』 とか見当違いの事を思っていたりもする。 そんな訳で、夜。 「ナギ様? どうかしましたか?」 「い、いや......なんでもない。早く寝よう」 「あ、はい......明日も早いですしね」 セシルは裸を見られてから二日ほど、勇者の傍にいながら顔を赤くして目を合わせずにいたのだが、今はどうにか立ち直って頑張っている。 しかし、なぜ寝巻きはこんなにも薄着なのに平気なんだと凪は思っている。女の考えは全然分からない。 「明日は出発前に冒険者ギルドへ行きましょう」 「冒険者ギルド?」 「はい、勇者というだけでは入国出来ない場所もありますので。幅広く入国出来る通行証になり得るギルドカードがあった方が何かと便利なんですよ」 「へぇ......この国にもギルドってあるのか?」 「勿論ありますよ。ギルドは世界各国に点在してますから」 冒険者ギルドと聞いて、凪は元の世界で友人に勧められたRPGゲームを思い出す。依頼を受注してくれる場所ということだけは分かっているが、まさか本物を見られるとは思っていなかったので、少し内心嬉しかったりする。 「そうかぁ......冒険者って強いのかな?」 「さぁ......でも今のナギ様よりも強い方もいますよ。Sランクの冒険者は1人で一国と同等の戦力を持っていますから、Aランク魔族を相手にしても単独で撃破出来ます」 「すっげぇ......その人達って魔王を倒す旅をしてたら会えるかな?」 「どうでしょうね......でも、強くなればきっと会えますよ」 凪は素直にSランクの冒険者に尊敬の念を抱いた。セシルが以前話した『赤い夜』もまたAランクの魔族、そして勇者である凪自身も勝つのは苦しいだろうと判断されているのだ。 それを撃破出来るという格上の存在、普通なら手の届かない高みの存在。でも凪はそんな存在に近づきたいと思った。 「楽しみだ」 「変わってますね、ナギ様は」 「ッハハハ! まぁそうかもな、でも魔王魔王じゃ疲れちゃうだろう? 折角の旅なんだ、楽しんでいこうぜ?」 「......本当、変わってますよ」 凪は子供の様な笑顔を浮かべ、それを見たセシルは思わずクスクスと笑ってしまった。 そして、そこからこの先の旅の内容に思いを馳せて、まだ見ぬ世界に興奮した様子で話す凪とそれを優しく微笑みながら聞くセシル。 遠足の前の子供とその母親の様な二人だが、そうして話している内に凪が眠ってしまった。興奮して話し疲れてしまったのだろう。そんな凪に、セシルはまだ優しくはにかむ。 そして、眠ってしまった凪に近づいて掛け布団をちゃんと掛けてやると、優しい眼差しで凪の頭を優しく撫でる。 「おやすみなさい、ナギ様」 そう言ったセシルの瞳は、少しだけ愛しいものを見る様な熱さを秘めており、その表情には少しだけ赤みが差していた。

The Difference Between Miko And Red Night. Opening my eyes, the first one appears at my sight is Leila-chan. Moreover, very close. Or rather, she's gradually getting closer. Since it's unpleasant so I hold and push her face away. "Aha, you're awake? Ufufu, ufufufu... but, that's not good, the day is almost over after all, so... *Kiss*." "Nmu... puha... I see, so that's the case, huh...." Seems like she just arbitrarily took today's kiss quota. Well, I've promised after all so it can't be helped. After kissing, I think she's satisfied already so I sit upright, but Leila-chan is still sitting atop my legs. The so called facing each other position. "Move aside, Leila-chan." "Ya~... only if you let me lick you." "...where?" "Ufufufu... which part should I lick, I wonder?" Lewdly licks her lips, Leila-chan fascinatingly smiles. Looking closely, her eyes are red and there are heart marks on it, her cheeks are also blushing. And If I should put it too, she's drooling, and her miasma is also leaking out. I can also feel her hot breath. What's up is it? To face the fully in heat Leila-chan, the moment I wake up, what kind of nightmare, is it? More importantly, where are we? The one I'm lying at is seemingly a bed, but, where are Finia-chan and the other? According to Leila-chan, seems like it's already around evening, but I know nothing but that. I'm lacking information. "Leila-chan, where are the other?" "Taking bath." "Eh, taking bath?" The unexpected bath. Actually, ever since I come to this world, I haven't taken any bath at all. Honestly speaking, I disliked how reek of sweat I become, but since Ayla-san said that bath were supposed to only be used by nobles and wealthy people so I've given up on it, but Leila-chan just said that there's bath here? And then, Finia-chan and the other are currently in it? Eh, that means, Rishe-chan and Lulu-chan are also there, right? Of course they're naked there, right? "Okay, Leila-chan, let's go to the bath!" "Eh, are we going to enter it together? Ufufu, ufufu... fine, let's go... I'll wash every nooks of your body, Kitsune-kun... with my tongue." "Are you an idiot? Girls are currently taking a bath, you know? It's a matter of course that we're going there to peek them!" "Huh? Somehow, you're different than usual...." After telling Leila-chan my majestic reason to go to the bath, I stand up and brush Leila-chan aside. I feel like Leila-chan is unusually drawn aback, but right now isn't the time to bother about it. Bath, and with girls using it, it's a matter of course we have to peek them, right? Ever since I was thrown into girls changing room at my third year of grade school, I just can't resist such temptation after all. At that time, I was beaten into pulp by all girls there, but since I was at my puberty, it made me want to enter it again. When I laughed it off and apologize, they would forgive me, after all. I've grown up using the bullying I received at my past as the fuel. "Come on, let's go, before they're finished." "Eh~... but Finia-chan and the other are already there since quite a time ago, you know?" Simultaneously with Leila-chan saying so, the door of the room is opened. The one entering is Rishe-chan and the other whose hairs are still wet after taking a bath. Seems like they've finished. I fall to my knee, and turn all fours there in despair. Why I was sleeping! Even though there was such a marvelous chance presented!! "What's up Kitsune? Making such gloomy face." "Kitsune-san, Kitsune-san! It was very amazing! It was very vast, and the water was hot!" "Sorry, Finia-chan. I feel like I understand what you mean, but I don't understand it at all." "Kitsune-sama... are you alright?" Lulu-chan is squatting beside me; who am in all fours in despair; and worriedly calling out to me. Sorry, for you to be worried at me, it feels a bit that, but since I'm just frustrated for unable to peek at you girls taking a bath, the feeling of guilt is too heavy. "I see, so at that time, that girl was mad at Mia-chan, huh." "No, it was at you, right?" According to them, seems like I was fainted after receiving that right straight punch from that big-boobed loli named Runa Sylphine. Even if I didn't feel any pain, if my mind was shaken then I'd naturally fainted, so it couldn't be helped. After receiving 20% of the reward, seems like woman B immediately went somewhere. Well, I'm sure she didn't want to be together with Leila-chan any longer, so that's a matter of course, huh. "And then, taking the fainted you along, we searched for an in... since most of it was booked already, so in the end we decided to rent one triple room here." "How about the bath?" "Ah, at Grandile Kingdom, since bath is installed even at common house, so for an inn to providing one is something usual." I see... hmm? That means, are we going to sleep together in this room? There are three beds, leaving Finia-chan aside, there should be two person who are sharing bed, right? Of course, we'll let Leila-chan sleep alone, that's a matter of course right? Sleeping together with her is nothing but suicide, after all. "How's the bedding order?" "Hmm, ah... just in case, we'll have Leila sleep by herself... then, Kitsune with Finia, and Lulu with me. As, as expected, for me to sleep together with you is embarrassing, after all...." Seemingly has a similar thought as mine, Rishe-chan decides to put Leila-chan to sleep alone, and Finia; who has been together with me for the longest time; sleep with me. Well, that's a sound decision, with her size, she won't take too much space of the bed, after all. However, Rishe-chan is unexpectedly quite a maiden herself, huh. Perhaps imagining sleeping together with me, she's scratching her somewhat blushing face. I think that's pretty cute. "I see, well, fine by me." "Ahem... so, what's our plan for tomorrow?" And then, since we've decided our bedding order, we discuss about tomorrow's plan. Since meeting the hero is my main objective going here, so thinking a way to meet him takes the priority, but... I have some thoughts in mind. If he's a Japanese, if I state my name when I ask permission to meet him, I think I'll be able to meet him, right? Since there's no other person with Japanese name at this world, after all. That's why, first of all, I'm planning to go to the castle with Finia-chan, but... I don't feel like have any other thing I want to do here, after all. "...I'm intending to go to the castle with Finia-chan. Meeting the hero is my objective, after all. And I don't have any other objective in my mind, so... yup, Rishe-chan, you can just sightseeing or anything as you like, taking a request in the guild is also fine." "To the castle, huh... I don't know whether you'll be able to meet him or not, but... we won't know it before we try it, huh... but, why don't we all go there together?" "Ahaha, the one who want to meet the hero is only me, after all, it's fine, it's fine. If possible, I want you to take Lulu-chan to some fun places, though." When I pat Lulu-chan's ;who sits beside me; head, I can feel the slightly wet sensation from her light brown hair. Lulu-chan is pleasantly squinting and tilting her head. I think she doesn't understand what I just said, right? Even if she's my family, she's formerly a slave. Moreover, at my former world, she's at her playing age, so I want to let her have fun as much as possible. It's a good opportunity, after all, should I go and play with her after meeting the hero, I wonder? "Tomorrow, play as much as you want with Rishe-chan." "Is that okay?" "Yup, no problem, just enjoy it without the need to reserve." Lulu-chan is fixedly staring at me for a while, before losing the strain at her face and gone smiling. "Ehehe... understood." Yup yup, it's good to be honest. Right now, Lulu-chan is the only one, who could soothe me down like this. Finia-chan with her abusive words, rather than soothing down, she's a fun one, after all, Rishe-chan is somewhat too earnest, and Leila-chan is out of question. Lulu-chan is my sole healer, I'll bestow her a title, Lulu the oasis. "Kitsune-kun~, how about me~?" "How about return to the forest?" "Ufufufufu, as long as I'm together with you, I don't mind going anywhere." "Fine, then, just go along with Rishe-chan and Lulu-chan. Protect them from anyone who try to entangle them... tonight, I'll let you lick my left arm as much as you pleased, after all." When I ask Leila-chan to become Lulu-chan's guard, she sends me a gaze that's asking for reward, so for now, I'll let her to lick my left arm tonight. What a shellfish girl, don't just arbitrarily go lustful. "Yaaay, ufufufu... but, but, if I lick you all night long, I think I might ended up broken... ehehehe...." Ah, the time I woke up tomorrow, I'll be all sticky huh, how depressing, or rather, it would be great if you could just break yourself, though. After that, I could simply put you inside some bag, and throw you away into a deserted forest or mountain, after all. Well, be that as it may, I finally have arrived at the grandile kingdom where the hero resides in. The hero is seemingly at the castle, but I don't know whether I'll be able to meet him or not, though.... Either way... it's all decided tomorrow. Today, I'll rest my body properly for tomorrow's sake, and tomorrow, I'll go and meet the hero. "Well then, I think it's something like that... for now, how about we go to bed?" "Yes!" "Yup, please sleep quickly, Kitsune-kun." "Got it." "Understood." At my word, everyone agrees and go into their respective beds. Leila-chan is standing while breathing roughly beside my bed, but let's don't bother with it. I hope she won't go too far till I woke up tomorrow. I'm sure the hero sleeps at a much better bed, and getting told 'good night' by a cute girl, right? Goddammit. "...good night." "Good night." If it's not you, I'm sure it would feel great, Leila-chan. On the other side, the hero. After his audience with the king, Nagi went to do his regular practice, and then arranging his preparation for the journey together with Cecil. Nonetheless, since most of the necessity was prepared by the castle already, he didn't need to go shopping, he just had to collect anything he might need on the journey. Even if Cecil was ordered to aid him, she only told him what and how many things everyone usually need. Moreover, he had received a magic tool, 'item pouch'. Even with size that could be carried by one hand, it was a convenient item with maximum capacity equal to its holder magic capacity, that's why his luggage wasn't that bulky. And like that, the preparation was quickly finished. After that he did some independent training, removing his sweat, and after taking a bath, night eventually came. Actually, at first, the hero, Serizawa Nagi was surprised, --by the miko, Cecil, who was in the same room as he was. Offering her body and soul to the hero, to do her role as his supporter, she was in the same room as he was, so that she could be any help the moment needed. That's why, at first Nagi was fluttered and unable to sleep because of her sleeping breath, but right now he had somewhat used to it and able to sleep. But since Cecil's nightwear was pretty thin, his heart was still pounding heavily though. Moreover, since Nagi was usually woke up five minutes earlier than her, and was asked to wake her up by then, he inevitably saw her sleeping face, and since Cecil was quite a wild sleeper, her yukata was usually ended up in messed up state and exposed her pure and vivacious skin. Each morning, Nagi tried his best to steel up his will and desire so that he wouldn't have a nosebleed. He even ended up had a wrong idea that 'Is this also a training to become a hero...?!'. With that being the case, night. "Nagi-sama, is there anything wrong?" "N, no... nothing. Let's sleep immediately." "Ah, yes... tomorrow we need to wake up early, after all, right?" Two days after her body was seen by the hero, whenever she met the hero, her face would be blushing and she would avert her eyes, but seems like currently she had tried her best and somehow overcome it. However, even though her nightwear was that thin, why did she was fine with it? Or so Nagi thought. Woman's thought sure was hard to understood. "Tomorrow, before we make our departure, let's go to adventurer guild first." "Adventurer guild?" "Yes, since there are countries that couldn't be entered just for being a hero, I think having adventurer card that could be used as universal entry pass would be convenient." "Hee... so there's a guild at this country?" "Of course, there is. Since there are guilds located at every countries, after all." Hearing about adventurer guild, Nagi recalled a RPG game that was recommended by his friend to him at his former world. He already knew that that was a place to accept and order request, but since he never thought that he would really see the real thing, he was slightly anticipating it. "I see... are adventurers strong?" "I don't know... but there are people who are stronger that the current you, Nagi-sama. Since an S rank adventurer has prowess equaling a country, they're capable to fight against an A rank demon by themselves." "Amazing... will I be able to meet them along the journey, I wonder?" "I'm not sure about it... but, if you're getting more and more stronger, I'm sure you will eventually meet them." 'Red Night', the demon Cecil mentioned some time ago was an A rank, and she judged that Nagi, the hero himself would have a hard time to defeat it. The one who could surely and easily defeat it was someone way stronger than him, an extent that normally couldn't be reached. However, Nagi thought that he wanted to chase after them. "I'm looking forward to it." "You sure are strange, Nagi-sama." "Ahaha! Well, perhaps can say that, but thinking about demon lord over and over again surely would tiring you, right? We're especially going to a journey, so let's enjoy it." "...really, you sure are strange." Nagi floated a childish smile, seeing that, Cecil unintentionally chuckled. And then, discussing about the journey they were about to had, Nagi talked excitedly about the world he hadn't seen, and Cecil floated a smile while listening to him. They looked like a parent and child before an excursion, but while they were chatting, Nagi fell asleep. Perhaps he was worn out after excitedly chatting with Cecil. And then, approaching the sleeping Nagi, Cecil placed the bed cover around Nagi properly, and after that she looked gently at him while gently caressing his head. "Good night, Nagi-sama." Cecil's eyes when saying so were filed with a warmness as if looking at an adorable thing, and her face was slightly blushing.

その夜、僕はゆっくりと眼を覚ました。見覚えのある天井を見ると、恐らくグランディールで取った宿の一室なんだろう。 首を動かして横を見ると、隣のベッドにリーシェちゃんが寝ていた。火を灯した照明がまだ明るく部屋を照らしているのを考えれば、多分まだ就寝する様な時間では無いんだろう。 僕は上体を起こそうとして―――出来なかった。 身体が動かない。そこで何があったのかを段々と思い出して、寝ぼけた頭は一気に覚醒した。 「っ!? レイラちゃん......!」 そうだ、あの後使徒っていう少女が来てレイラちゃんを殺そうとしてたんだ。 まさか、気絶したのか僕は。もしかしてもうレイラちゃんは......! 「呼んだ? きつね君」 「は......ぁ......レイラちゃん......」 「うん、レイラちゃんだよぉ♪ うふふうふふふ、眼が覚めた?」 「......はぁ......良かった、もしかしたらレイラちゃんが殺されたかと思った」 僕の呼び掛けに、レイラちゃんが顔を出した。どうやら部屋の中には居たようで、身体を起こせなかったから視界に入らなかったようだ。 すると、僕は少し安心したのか大きく息を吐いた。身体が動かないのは多分、戦いの中で無茶して身体を動かしたから、怪我以上に肉体への負荷が残ってるんだと思う。少し休めばまた動けるようになるだろう。 そう思いながら、レイラちゃんを見た。首を傾げるレイラちゃんだが、夜なのに発情してないとは珍しい。 とそこで、レイラちゃんが僕の顔に手を伸ばしてくるのが――― 実際にはレイラちゃんの手はまだ伸びて来ていない。なのに僕には次の瞬間レイラちゃんが僕の顔に手を伸ばしてくる光景が見えたのだ。 そして、その光景は現実となり、レイラちゃんの手が僕に伸びてきた。 「......左眼、見えてる?」 左眼が見えている。右眼を閉じても視界が黒く塗りつぶされていない。どういうことだ? 「うん、あの後あの白い子どっか行っちゃったんだけど......お詫びにってきつね君の左眼を治してくれたんだ」 「あの子が......でもどうやって?」 「えーと―――」 僕が左眼を治した経緯を聞くと、レイラちゃんは小難しそうな表情を浮かべながらも、その時の状況を説明してくれた。 「無駄な負傷を負わせてしまった謝罪と、お詫びです。よろしいですか?」 その言葉に頷いたレイラは、使徒であるステラの指示に従って桔音の左眼の修復を手伝うことになった。 ステラはどうやら無から何かを創り出すことは出来ないらしく、人間である桔音の眼球を作りだすにはそれなりの素材が必要らしい。といっても、ソレはモノでは無く、眼球のベースとなる情報と眼球分の人肉が必要なのだ。 さしあたり、彼女はレイラにこう言った。 「この少年と同年代の人間はいますか? 私や まず、人間の眼球を作りだすに当たって彼女はベースとなる情報を求めた。レイラは慌てて誰かいないかと頭を捻る。そこで浮かんだのは、偶然にもリーシェだった。 「この子! この子きつね君と同じくらいの歳だよ! 多分!」 倒れているリーシェを乱暴に抱えて連れてくると、ステラはリーシェの瞼を開いて左眼の眼球をじっと見つめて、何か構造を把握しようと情報収集していた。 そして、数分そうしていると、一つ息を吐いてリーシェの瞼を元に戻す。今度は桔音の左眼の部分に手を当てて、なにやら白い光を吹き掛けた。 「何をしたの?」 「傷口を消毒しただけです。この傷は大分時間が経ってますから、このまま修復した場合病気になってしまう可能性もありますので」 ステラの無表情で淡々とした説明に、レイラは良く分からないけどそうなんだろうと頷いた。 「後は眼球を作る為の人肉が必要なのですが......」 「あ、じゃあ私の肉を使ってよ......ッッ......痛ぅ......はい......」 ステラが眼球を作る為に必要な人肉を要求したのだが、レイラは自分の腹部の肉を引き千切ってステラに差し出した。肉の欠けた部分からは血が溢れ、レイラもその激痛に手で抑えていた。 確かに、レイラは『赤い夜』の 』展開」 祈る様な姿勢を取った彼女がそう言うと、白い光がドーム状に広がって、三人を包み込む。 「情報収束、肉体投影、適合処理、―――この者に聖なる癒しを与えたまえ」 そして一際輝かしい光を放ち、なにやら呪文を唱えたステラ。その手の向ける先は桔音の左眼であり、彼女の手と桔音の左眼の間でレイラの肉片が変貌していく。 その肉片は白くなり、球体状に形を変える。そして、眼球だと分かる程に変化した後、その一部が翡翠色の虹彩へと色を変え、内部構造をリーシェから採取した情報を基に組み上げていく。 光が収束し、その眼球はまるで生きているかのように生命の鼓動を感じさせた。 「―――接合」 ステラが短く唱えると、桔音の左眼の穴に創りだされた眼球がぴったり収まった。 そして、眼球がなかったことで若干瞼を開閉する筋力が衰えていたのだが、眼球が戻ってきたことによって『臨死体験』がその力を発揮する。疲労は残るが、その筋力は桔音のステータスに応じてその力を取り戻して行った。 そして、ステラの身体から光が消え、ドーム状に広がった光の空間も消えた。 「修復、完了......おそらくこれで大丈夫かと思います。少年が起きて、見えていないようであっても、無いよりは肉体のバランスや平衡感覚など、大分マシになると思います」 「うん......ありがとう」 「それでは、私は勇者を追うので......失礼します」 そして治療は完了し、桔音の左眼が完治したことでステラは直ぐにその場を後にした。レイラは桔音を抱きかかえ、ついでとばかりにリーシェも抱えて宿へと戻って行ったのだ。 「......なるほどね......なんとか生き延びたってことか」 話を聞いて、なんとか何も失わずに済んだことを理解する。なんとかなった、か。少し安心した。 て、あれ? リーシェちゃんの眼をベースにして、レイラちゃんの肉片を素材に、僕の左眼を作ったの? それってヤバいんじゃないの? 僕の左眼大丈夫? なんかブラックな化け物染みたモノになってないよね? そう思って、とりあえずステータスを覗いてみた。 ◇ステータス◇ 名前:薙刀桔音 性別:男 Lv1 筋力:40 体力:1050 耐性:1420 敏捷:1000 魔力:950 はいおかしい。色々変化してる。 まず最初に、称号の『魔族を魅了した者』が『魔族に愛された者』に変化してる。なんだこれ、レイラちゃんの匙加減じゃないか。好感度上がっちゃったのかな。 次に『痛覚無効』と『直感』のレベルが急上昇だよ。勇者と使徒との戦いでどんだけ経験値得たんだ僕は。ステータスもとうとう4桁突入だよ。 更に言えば予想通り『先見の魔眼』手に入れちゃってるよ! しかもレベル高い! そしてレイラちゃんの肉片使ったせいか『瘴気操作』に加えて瘴気関連のスキルまで習得しちゃってるじゃないか! そして3つ目の固有スキルが覚醒しちゃってるんだけど。『初心渡り』ってなんだ、全く想像付かないんだけど。使徒ちゃんとの戦いでぼんやりと凄い力を使った様な覚えはあるけれど、ぼんやりだから全然分からない。 でもまぁ、此処まで色々と変化がありましたけれど、僕にとって得なことばかりだからいいよ。 でもなんで僕のレベルが1に戻ってるんだ! ステータスは上がってるけどレベル1に戻るなんてどういうことだ? まさか使徒との戦いでかなり無茶したからレベル下がっちゃった? あの時は命燃やしてた気がするからなぁ......あり得る......まぁステータスが上がってるから良いとしよう。 「大幅レベルアップしたなぁ、僕も......まぁちょっと特異な方向へ行っちゃったみたいだけど......」 レイラちゃんが首を傾げているので、とりあえず『瘴気操作』というスキルを試してみることにした。手の平を出して、レイラちゃんの使っている瘴気をイメージしてみる。 すると、レイラちゃんより出せる瘴気がかなり少ないが、バスケットボール位の瘴気が出せた。とりあえずそれで、レイラちゃんに作ってもらったあのナイフと同じものを作ってみた。 「おお、武器代浮いた」 「あれ? きつね君それって私と同じ?」 「ああうん、レイラちゃんの肉片使ったから僕も多少瘴気が使えるようになったみたいだ」 「へぇ......うふふうふふふ......お揃い♪ 嬉しいな嬉しいなぁ♪ 胸がドキドキする......♡」 顔を赤くするレイラちゃん。発情しているようではないけれど、心底嬉しそうに顔を綻ばせる様子は、中々可愛らしかった。 瘴気を操作することで武器を作れるようになったし、壊れる心配もないし、壊れても再構成すれば何度でも使えるし、結構得したかもしれない。それに、レイラちゃんは僕の左眼の為に自分の身体を―――あ、そうだった。 「レイラちゃん」 「ん、なぁに?」 「僕の為に身体の一部を差し出してくれたんだよね? ありがとう」 お礼は言わないとね。幾ら僕のストーカーだからって、左眼を奪った張本人だからって、僕の為に自分の身体を差し出してくれたのだから。 僕が頭を下げてそう言うと、レイラちゃんは何も言わない。不思議に思って頭をあげると、そこには、 「え......な......そ、そんな......別に違うもん......お礼なんて......」 顔を真っ赤にして口に手をやるレイラちゃんがいた。 僕にお礼を言われたのが予想外だったのか、それともお礼を言われること自体慣れていないのか、それは分からないけれど、彼女はどうやら照れている様だった。こんな彼女はちょっと新鮮で面白い。 「う、うん......どういたしまして」 少ししどろもどろになりながらも、落ち着いた後レイラちゃんはそう言った。しおらしい彼女はどうも調子が狂うけれど、発情している状態の彼女とは違って微笑ましい物がある。 そんな彼女だったからだろうか、僕は自然と感謝の気持ちを抱くことが出来た。 「ああ、そういえば今日はまだキスしてなかったよね。お礼に2回してもいいよ?」 「え? 本当!?」 だからちょっとしたお礼を上げることにした。まぁ彼女にはこれが一番喜ばしいだろう。もう何度もキスされてるし、前々からキスで感染しないか不安だったけど瘴気に耐性も出来たみたいだし、これ位のご褒美があっても良い筈だ。 「それじゃあ早速♡ ちゅー♡」 「はいはい」 彼女が嬉しそうに唇を尖らせるので、僕も眼を閉じて構えた。 けれど、いつまで経っても彼女の唇は僕の唇には触れて来なかった。 怪訝に思い、僕は眼を開ける。すると、そこにレイラちゃんの姿は無かった。ただ、部屋の扉が開きっぱなしになっているのが見えた。

That night, I slowly open my eyes. When I see the familiar ceiling, perhaps I'm inside the inn we rented at Grandile Kingdom. When I turn my neck, I can see Rishe-chan sleeping on the neighboring bed. Considering the brightness of the fire that illuminates the room, it looks like now isn't the time where people usually go sleep yet. I try to straighten up my body, but... I can't. I can't move my body. There, I gradually recall what happened today, and my half asleep head immediately awaken right away. "!? Leila-chan...!" That's right, there was a girl who called herself as an apostle who was intending to kill Leila-chan. Did I fall unconscious? Could it be, Leila-chan's already...! "Are you calling me? Kitsune-kun." "Ha... Leila-chan...." "Yup, Leila-chan indeed, ufufufu, have you awoken?" "...haa... thanks god, I thought that perhaps you've been killed by her." When I call her name, Leila-chan suddenly shows herself up. Seems like she was inside the room, but since I couldn't move my body, I couldn't see that she was there. And then, perhaps I'm slightly relieved that makes me let out a sigh of relief. The reason I can't move my body is perhaps because I excessively moved my body when I fought Stella, which led to not only injured, my body was also overtaxed. Thinking so, I look at Leila-chan. Leila-chan inclines her head, however, it's surely night already but, it's sure rare for her to not in her horny state. There, I can 'see' Leila-chan extends her hand toward my face. Actually, currently Leila-chan hasn't extended her hand just yet. And yet, I can see the scene where she'll soon extends her hand toward my face. And then, that scene finally turns into reality, Leila-chan extends her hand toward me. "...my left eye, it can see?" My left eye can see. Even when I close my right eye, my field of vision isn't turner into black. Just what is it supposed to mean? "Umm, after that that white girl went somewhere, but... as an apology, she fixed your left eye." "She did? But how?" "Umm...." When I ask her about the detail regarding the restoation of my left eye, even while showing such a bothered face, Leila-chan still explains what happened back then to me. "Take it as an apology for giving such unnecessary injuries. May I?" When Leila nodded to her word, it'd been decided that the apostle, Stella, would help them to restore Kitsune's left eye. It appears that Stella couldn't make something out of nowhere, that was why she needed some materials to make an eyeball for Kitsune. Nevertheless, not the eye itself, she only needed some informations and some flesh as the base for the soon to be made eye. And so, she asked Leila who was beside her. "Is there anyone here who's around the same age with this boy? Since my or your (demon) eyes are different from human's, so I can't collect any informations about human's eye from either of it." Firstly, she sought for some informations regarding human's eye. Leila flusteredly pondered about whether was there any such a person or not. There, the one floated inside her head was unexpectedly Trisha. "This girl! This girl is about the same age as Kitsune-kun! Perhaps!" When Leila roughly held and brought Trishe to her, Stella opened Trisha's left eyelid and stared fixedly at the eyeball, as if understanding the structure and any informations about it. And then, after several seconds passed, she let out a sigh once and closed Trisha's eyelid back. This time she placed her hand atop Kitsune's hollow left eye and exerted out some light white upon it. "What are you doing?" "I'm just disinfecting his wound. This wound has existed for quite a while, so if I restored his eye as it is, there's a possibility that some kind of disease might arise from it later." At Stella's flat and plain explanation, Leila didn't particularly undertand what that meant but she nodded in thought that perhaps that was really the case otherwise. "Lastly, I need some flesh to make the eye, but...." "Ah, then just use my flesh... ah... it hurts... here it is...." When Stella said that she needed some flesh, Leila immediately torn off some flesh from her own abdomen, and presented it to her. Blood was flowing out from the wound, and Leila pinned down the pain with her hand. Surely, Leila's body had been turned into demon's body by the "Red Night"'s miasma (virus), but it was originally human's body, so there was no reason for it to be unable to be used as the material. "I'm starting-- {Sanctuary} expand." When she took a praying-like stance and said so, white light spreaded and wrapped the three of them. Leila was slightly feeling unwell, but she endured it. "Applying information, projecting body, checking compability,... bestow sacred healing upon this person." Thus, the light turned remarkably brighter, where Stella was reciting some kind of incantation. Stella moved her hand and placed Leila's flesh in Kitsune's left eye. The flesh was turning white, and the shape was turning globe. And then, when it'd turned into remarkably eye-like, a part of it turned into a jade green iris, since the base structure information was Trisha's eye. The light converged, and the eye, it pulsated as if finally coming to life. On the opposite side of the iris, optical nerve was growing and enxtending toward the inner part of Kitsune's eye. And then, responding to Stella's light, Kitsune's left inner eye was wriggling, the torn off optical nerve was remade anew and connected to the extending nerve from the eyeball. "...merging." When Stella shortly said so, the just made eyeball finally and pefectly rested still in Kitsune's left eye. And then, the muscles to open and close the eyelid had somewhat weakened even since the disappearance of the eyeball, however because of the reappearance of the eyeball, its power was restored by "Near-death experience". The fatigue was still there, but the strength had been restored according to Kitsune's status. The light disappeared from Stella's body, and the spreaded light also vanished. "Restoration, complete... with this I think he should be fine by now. When this boy awaken later, even if in the end this eye couldn't see, at least his proportion balance's become better than when he's without it, so I think it's still good for him." "Umm... thank you." "Well then, I have to chase after the hero, so... please excuse me." After finishing the tratment, and Kitsune's eye had been completely restored, Stella immediately left. Leila held Kitsune, as well as the lying down Trisha next to them, and returned to the inn. "...I see... that means we somehow survived through it huh." Listening to her, I more or less understand that this case ended without me losing anything. Somehow it was ended up fine, huh. I'm relieved a bit. Hmm, wait? My left eye was made using Rishe-chan's eye as the base, and Leila-chan's flesh as the material? Doesn't that sound a bit dangerous? Is my left eye going to be alright? It won't turn into some kind of dangerous monster, right? Thinking so, for now let's check my own status first. *Status* Name : Naginata Kitsune Gender : Male Lv. 1 Strength : 40 Stamina : 1050 Resistance : 1420 Agility : 1000 Magic Power : 950 Yup, it sure is strange. It's changed in a lot of ways. First, the {One who fascinates demon} title turned into {One who's loved by demon} . The hell is it? Does this title have something to do with Leila-chan? Did her affection points reach a higher level, I wonder? Next, {Pain Nullification) } {Intuition } have leveled up. Just how much experience points I got from fighting the hero and the apostle, I wonder? Even some my stats value have finally reached four digits number. Then, I obtained {Demon eye of foresight} ! Moreover its level is quite high! Also, perhaps thanks to Leila-chan's flesh, I even obtained miasma oriented skills along with {Miasma Manipulation} ! And then, my third innate skill is something that awakened at the previous battle, but... just what is this{Re: Origin} supposed to mean? I really can't imagine it at all. I do feel like I unconsciously got some crazy amount of power when I was fighting with apostle-chan, but exactly because it happened unconsciously so I don't understand it at all. But, well, there sure are changes here and there, but since all of it are good for me so it's fine and all, though. But, just why the hell my level's returned to level 1! My statuses increased by my level decreased, just what happened here? Could it be, because I overtaxed my body when I fought the apostle, my level got burnt out? I do feel like at that time I burned up my own life, after all... sounds plausible... but, my status are overall increasd so it's fine and all, though. "Looks like I leveled up quite a lot, huh... well, seems like I have treaded on a hell of peculiar route as well, though...." Leila-chan inclines her head in wonder, so I decide to try and check on {Miasma Manipulation} skill. Extending my hand, I imagine the miasma that's usually used by Leila-chan. And then, it's clearly fewer than Leila-chan's, but around a baskeball-big miasma appears at my hand. With that, I try to make a knife, similarly like the one I got from Leila-chan before. "Oh, it turns into weapon." "Hmm? Kitsune-kun, isn't that ability similar like mine?" "Ah, umm, thanks to your flesh that was made into my left eye, seems like I also can pretty much manipulate miasma now." "Hee... ufufufu... we're matching... how nice, how delightful, it makes my heart thumps faster...." Leila-chan's face blushes. It doesn't looks like she's in heat, and looking at her who is smiling expressing her happiness from the bottom of her heart, she looks somewhat adorable. With this now I can make my own weapon by transforming the miasma, and there's no need to worry about it to be broken, and even if it ends up broken, I can just make it again, quite a convenient skill. Also, to make my left eye, Leila-chan did... ah, that's right. "Leila-chan." "Hmm, what is it?" "You rendered a part of your body for my sake, didn't you? Thank you." I oviously have to thank her, right? Even if she's my damn stalker, even she was the very one who took my left eye, she still did render a part of her body for my sake, ater all. When I bow my head and say so, Leila-chan doesn't utter a word. When I curiously raise my head, there.... "Eh... ah... umm... that... that's not it... there's no need to...." I can see Leila-chan's face flushing red, and she covers her mouth with her hand when saying so. Perhaps she's never expected to receive a gratitude from me, or perhaps she simply isn't used to receive gratitudes, well I don't which one's the real case, but nonetheless, seems like she's embarrassed upon receiving it. This state of her is kinda fresh and amusing. "Umm... you are welcome." Even while slightly flustered, after calming herself down, Leila-chan says so. Looking at her to be so meek sure is kinda strange, but different from her horny state, I find it quite charming. But perhaps it's exactly because she's at this state that I can naturally express my gratitude to her. "Ah, come to think of it, today we haven't kissed yet, right? As my thanks, we can do it twice if you want to, how's it?" "Eh? Really!?" That's why I decide to give her a bit token of gratitude. Well, as far as she's concerned, perhaps this is the best token possible for her, though. We've kissed many times already, before I was kinda worried that I might be infected by the virus through the kiss, but now since it appears that I've obtained some resistance toward the virus, so even if I give this much of reward, it should be okay. "Then, without further ado, *chu~*" "'kay, 'kay." She delightfully protrudes her lips, so I close my eyes and prepare myself. However, no matter how long I wait, her lips's never landed on my lips. Puzzled, I open my eyes. And then, I can't see Leila-chan's presence anywhere, and I can only see the room's door that's somehow already opened wide.

これからのこと あの後、僕の言葉に項垂れた冒険者の青年を連れて、宿に戻った。一応色々と事の顛末を聞いて置こうと思ったからだ。なにはともあれ、ゴブリンキングは死んだようだし、街は無事に平穏を取り戻したわけだから、これ以上僕達が何かする必要はない。 あとやるべきことといえば、ニコちゃんとそのお父さんのことだ。 オルバ公爵が死んだとしても、没落させられたアークス家が元の貴族に戻るのは難しい。その辺はクレアちゃんも分かっている筈......となると、ここからニコちゃん達に何か被害が及ばない様にするには、ニコちゃんを捜索している兵士の撤退、それとこの街でニコちゃんとその父親が死んだことにするくらいか。 アークス家は魔法使いの家系らしいし、オルバ公爵が死んだとしても、王家から眼を付けられる可能性が無くなった訳じゃない。死んだことにしておく方が、何かとやりやすい。 そうなれば、現時点でニコちゃん達がこの街に居座るのはあまり得策じゃない。ここは僕達が別の場所へと連れ出せってことなんだろう。多少の相違はあれど、クレアちゃんもそう思っている筈だ。 「とりあえず、ニコちゃんとニコちゃんのお父さんは次の街に連れて行く。家名はある程度偽名にしないといけないけど、次の街はグランディール王国の庇護下ではないから、ニコちゃん達が居ても大丈夫だと思う」 「はーい♪ しばらく一緒だよー、ニコ?」 「......うん」 僕のステータスもこの街に来て大きく上昇したし、ある意味損得勘定で言えば、まぁプラスだと考えておこう。僕としても、ここにはちょっと居辛いし、グランディール王国に関係するところから直ぐにでも離れたい。このままここに居れば、勇者気取りの残した問題に何時巻き込まれるか分からないからね。 まぁそれはさておき、次の問題へ行こう。 さっきからずっと項垂れたままの新人冒険者の彼だ。ランクはFランクだということで、僕よりも上なんだけどさ......ちょっとアレだよね、新人なのに僕よりランク上なんだぜ。 「さて......まずは名前を教えて貰って良いかな?」 「............ジャック・イトナ」 「想像するに、ゴブリンキングに対して数十人で戦って、君しか生き残らなかった。そしてゴブリンキングを含めて、魔獣達も全部死んでいた......ってことだけど、合ってる?」 「......ああ、皆......俺を護って死んでいった。俺も死ぬはずだった......でも、なんでか俺は生き残っちまった......! 俺みたいな奴、死んだって良かったのに......!」 後悔と無念を表情に浮かべて、彼は拳を握りしめ、歯痒そうにそう言った。 なんか挫折を味わった主人公みたいな雰囲気を滲み出してるんだけど、何この空気。え? これ僕が慰めないといけない展開? 勘弁してほしい、僕そういうの苦手なんだよ......だって僕慰められる様な相手いなかったし、ていうかしおりちゃん以外友達いなかったんだからさ。 リーシェちゃんとレイラちゃんに視線を向けると、見事に裏切られた。リーシェちゃんはそういうの苦手そうだし、レイラちゃんは面倒臭がってるだけだろうな。 面倒臭いよもう......なんで僕がこんな主人公臭い男を慰めないといけないんだ。正直こんな辛気臭い部屋に居たくないんだけど、ていうか帰ってくれないかなぁ。 僕はリーシェちゃん達にだけ聞こえるようにそう言って、項垂れる青年に視線を向けた。肩を震わせて、涙を流している様だった。握り締めた拳は白くなって、食いしばった歯からは血が滲んでいる。どんだけだよ。 「......あー......ジャック君、死んでもいいとか言うなよ」 「君の為に死んでいった人達が、なんで君の為に命を張ったと思ってるんだい? 君にそれだけの価値があると思ったからだよ。それなのに、君が死んだらそれこそ犬死にじゃないか」 「っ......!」 反応あり、これはいけるか? 全部漫画の受け売りだけど、案外漫画も馬鹿に出来ないね! えーと、この後は確か......。 「君はこれから死んでいった冒険者達が託してくれた想いを、繋いでいかなくちゃいけない。それに、君はまだまだ冒険者として若い......可能性は星の数ほど広がっている。もっともっと強くなって、君を護って死んでいった冒険者達に......命を賭けた価値があったんだと思わせてあげなよ! それが、君が彼らに出来ることだと思うよ?」 うん、こんな感じだった筈だ。結構綺麗事言ったけど、結局は犬死になんだけどね。どうやらゴブリンキングは運良く死んだらしいし、そんなもんだろう。 とりあえず、彼が此処から去ってくれればそれで良い。いい加減面倒臭くなってきた。 「......そう、だな......ありがとう......俺間違ってたよ......俺はもっと、もっと......強くなって......あいつら全員、あっと驚かせてやる......!!」 「うんうん、その意気だよ」 「だから......今は、ちょっと泣かせてくれ......!!」 僕が引き攣った笑顔でそう言うと、決壊したダムの様にわんわん泣き始めた。 僕はリーシェちゃん達を連れて、部屋を出る。ニコちゃんパパは気を失ったままだからベッドに寝かせたままだけど、まぁしばらくは起きないでしょ。起きたとしても、空気を読んでくれる筈だ。父親だし、同じ男だし、慰めるにしろ寝たふりをするにしろ、その辺は大丈夫だと思う。 いや別に空気を読まなくてもいいんだけどね。 僕も、リーシェちゃんも、レイラちゃんも、ニコちゃんも、何も言わない。扉の前で立ち止まり、その奥から小さな泣き声が聞こえてくる。多分、僕達は別々の理由で黙っているのだと思う。 僕は、何だこの状況っていう考えから言葉が出ない。リーシェちゃんはなんだか青春だなぁ的な感じで感慨に浸ってる。レイラちゃんは多分状況が分かってない。ニコちゃんは皆が黙ってるから黙ってるんだと思う。 改めて思う。なんだこの状況は。 「......面倒臭いな、冒険者って」 「え!? いや、今の、良い感じの話だったじゃないか......?」 「いや......凄い面倒臭かったよアレ......まずね? 此処僕達の部屋じゃん! なんで僕達が空気呼んで外出てるの? 意味が分からないんだけど」 僕が文句を言ったら、リーシェちゃんがなんか引いた。僕がさっきまで慰めで吐いていた言葉が障子紙よりも薄っぺらかったことに今更気付いた様だ。うん、正直なのは君の良い所だけど、こういう時は悪い所でもあるよね。 まぁレイラちゃんとニコちゃんは干渉せずに流れを見守ってたけど、この場合はそれが正解だね。 「......これからどうしようか?」 「......そうだな......まぁ今日は時間も遅い......一晩休んでから明日この街を発ったらどうだ?」 「そうだねぇ、暗くなってきたし、それが妥当かな?」 ちなみに、もう日は沈んでいたりする。夕飯の時間だ。 今から次の街に出るのはかなり時間も遅い、リーシェちゃんの案で行こうかな。レイラちゃんは基本流れに任せるスタンスだし、基本僕とリーシェちゃんが方針を決めれば付いてくるからね。 「......でもまだ泣いてるよ?」 「......とりあえずもうしばらく待ってようか」 方針は決めたのだけど、彼が泣きやむまで部屋に入れない。 故にもうしばらく、廊下で待つ事になった。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 結局、泣き声が止んだ後に部屋に入ったら、彼は泣き疲れて寝ていた。シーツを涙で濡らして、ベッドに寝転んで寝息を立てていた。ちょっとイラッと来たけれど、僕としてもちょっと疲れていたから素直に休むことにした。 ベッドを使いたかったけど、彼をどかしてもシーツが濡れていたから使えなかったので、二人部屋のこの部屋は彼とニコちゃんのお父さんに使って貰うことにした。ちなみに、ニコちゃんはお父さんと一緒に寝て貰った。 で、結局僕用の一人部屋のベッドに、レイラちゃんとリーシェちゃんに寝て貰うことにした。詰めれば二人で寝る事も出来たからね。 え? 僕? 僕は瘴気で布団を作って寝たよ。ふかふかの感触を再現するのはかなり時間が掛かったけど、明け方辺りにようやく寝ることが出来た。そのせいで僕の睡眠時間はかなり削られたけどね。 で、現在は朝だ。 僕は寝た気がしないけど身体を起こし、軽く柔軟をする。パキパキと音が鳴った。 「寝てても瘴気を維持出来るんだなぁ......まぁ多少不安定になるみたいだけど」 僕は瘴気の布団を消して、一つ欠伸をする。さて、リーシェちゃんとレイラちゃんを起こそう。 「二人とも、起きて」 「んん......ああ、おはよう......悪いがあまり寝起きの顔を見ないでくれるか?」 「うふふっ♪ きつね君おはよっ!」 「うんおはよう。取り敢えず僕はニコちゃん達の様子を見てくるから、準備が出来たら荷物を持って来て」 二人とも朝は強い様で、軽く声を掛けたら起きてくれた。リーシェちゃんは女の子らしく、寝起きの顔を隠すが、レイラちゃんは隠さず笑顔だ。というか、髪長い癖に寝癖もないし、肌にへんな跡も付いていない。なんというか、素で美少女だと得だねぇ。 そう思いながら、僕はニコちゃん達の所へ向かうべく、部屋を出た。 ニコちゃん達の部屋に入ると、既にニコちゃんのお父さんと青年が眼を覚ましていた。というか、ニコちゃんのお父さんが青年に頭を下げている光景がそこにあった。ニコちゃんはまだベッドの上でおねむの様だけど、この状況はなんだろうか? 「......なにこれ?」 「あ、き、きつねさん! 助けて下さい!」 「え、君そんな口調で僕と話してたっけ? もっとタメ口だった気がするんだけど」 「それは後で説明しますから! 取り敢えずこの人どうにかしてください!」 なんだか知らないけど、ジャック君が僕に対して敬語を使っている。なんでだろう? 僕が慰めたからかな? あんな気持ちの籠っていない言葉で立ち直れたなら、まぁ結構なことだけど。 それはさておき、これはどういう状況だろうか? ニコちゃんのお父さんはなんでジャック君に頭を下げているんだ? 「状況説明してくれる?」 「いや......俺は知らないんですけど、娘を助けてくれてありがとうとか言ってて......」 つまり、起きた時に隣で寝ていたジャック君を、自分達を助けてくれた人だと勘違いした訳だ。まぁ僕が助けたんだとか、わざわざ訂正しようとは思わないけどさ。寧ろジャック君が助けたことにしてもいいんじゃない? でもまぁ、ニコちゃんがいずれ言っちゃうだろうし、今の内に誤解を解いておけば後々面倒じゃなくなるかな? 「えーと、ニコちゃんのお父さん?」 「む......君は......っ! 娘を預けた時の!」 「そうそう、で、彼はニコちゃんには何の関係もない人だよ」 「あ......そ、そうだったか......すまない、早とちりだった......とすると、君が?」 「そうそう、僕が華麗にスマートに超格好良くニコちゃんと貴方を助けたんだよ! オルバ公爵も黙らせたから、この街には住めないけど、もう追手や命を狙う者はいない。安心していいよ」 そう言うと、ニコちゃんのお父さんは心底安心した様で、力なくベッドに腰を落とした。まさかオルバ公爵まで黙らせたとは思わなかったんだろう。まぁ実際にはぶっ殺したんだけどね、黙るも何も、喋る口が無くなった訳だ。 まぁなんにせよ、これからの話をしないとね。ニコちゃん親子は中々面倒な立ち位置に収まっちゃったからさ。 「とりあえず、今後の話をしよう。ジャック君は帰って良いよ」 「俺の扱い、なんか酷くないすか......?」 そんなこと、僕の知ったことじゃない。

From now on After that, we returned to the inn along with the young adventurer who was in a daze at my words. It's because I thought I'd like to ask him about the details of what happened there. The only thing left to do is to take care of Nico-chan and her father. Even if Duke Orba is now dead, it will be difficult for the fallen Arcs house to return to its former noble status. I'm sure Claire-chan is aware of that as well.... in other word, the only way to avoid any harm to befall Nico-chan and her father from now on is first to withdraw the soldiers who are searching for her, and then make it as though she and her father have died in this town. Arcs house seems to be a magician family lineage, so even with Duke Orba death, that doesn't mean the possibility of them being targeted by the Royal Family is completely gone. So pretending to be dead is the most optimal solution for them. Now that it comes to that, staying in this town is no longer a good option for them. I guess that means we have to take them out of here to another place. That's more or less the gist of the idea, and I'm sure Claire-chan also thinks along those lines. "For the time being, I'm intending to take Nico-chan and her father to the next town. Just in case, they'll have to use a fake family name, but the next town isn't under the protection of the Grandile Kingdom, so I think it's safe for them to stay there." "Okay, looks like we'll be together for a while longer, right, Nico?" "...yes." After coming to this town, my stats have grown greatly, so speaking of gain or loss, so I think coming to this town is still a plus. As far as I'm concerned, staying here is suffering in itself, and I want to get away from anything related to Grandile Kingdom as soon as possible. Otherwise, I don't know when I'll get dragged into the troubles caused by that fake hero, after all. Well, leaving that aside, let's move on to the next problem. It's about the newbie adventurer who's been hanging his head up until now. He seems to be an F-ranked adventurer, which means his rank is higher than me, but... how should I put it, he's supposed to be a newbie, but his is already higher than mine. "Well then... first thing first, care to introduce yourself?" "... Jack Itona." "If I don't get it wrong, dozens adventurers fought against the Goblin King, but you're the sole survivor. And then, all of the demonic beasts were found dead, including the Goblin King... something like that, am I right?" "... yes, everyone, they all died protecting me. I should've died back then, too... but somehow I survived...! Someone like me, it would've been better if I just died there...!" With face filled of grief and regret, he clenches his fists and vexedly says so. He's exuding this air as though a protagonist who's suffering from a setback, but what's with this situation? Eh, is this where I'm supposed to console him? Give me a break, I'm not good at that kind of thing... I mean, I've never had anyone to console, after all. Or rather, I didn't have any friends except Shiori-chan. When I glance at Rishe-chan and Leila-chan, I'm wonderfully betrayed. Rishe-chan seems to be not very good at this kind of thing, as for Leila-chan, I'm sure she just finds it bothersome. How bothersome, geez... why do I have to console such a protagonist-like person? Honestly speaking, I don't want to be in such a depressing room, or rather, I wonder if I can just have him return to his place now. Saying so in the voice that only Rishe-chan and the others can hear, I turn my gaze to the gloomy young man. His shoulders are shaking, he seems to be crying. His tightly clenched fists are pale white, and blood can be seen flowing from his gritted teeth. Just how far down is he? ".... umm... Jack-kun, it's not good saying something like you'd rather die or the like, you know?" "Why do you think the people who died back there sacrificed their lives for you? It was because they thought you were worth it. So, if you choose to die, wouldn't you just make them all died in vain, don't you think so too?" "....!" There is a response, does that mean it's working? Those are words I read from manga, but it seems that you can't really look down on them, huh! Umm, I believe the next sentence is.... "From now on, you have to live and shoulder all of the wish those died adventurers entrusted to you. Moreover, you're still very young as an adventurer... your potentials are as numerous as the stars in the sky. You have to keep on getting stronger and make those adventurers who died protecting you think... it was totally worth sacrificing their lives for you! I think that's the best you can do for them, right?" Yup, it should be something along those lines. I somewhat sugarcoat it, but in the end they still died a dog death, though. Apparently, the Goblin King died due to a stroke of luck, so that's about it. For now, my top priority is to have him leave. It's getting very bothersome, after all. ".... you're, right... thank you... I was wrong... I'll become more... more and more stronger... and surprise all of them...!" "Yeah, yeah, that's the spirit." "So.... for now, let me cry for a bit!!" When I say so with cramped smile, he starts bawling like a broken dam. I leave the room with Rishe-chan and the others. Nico-chan's father is still unconscious, so I let him sleep in the bed, but he shouldn't be waking up for a while. Even if he does wake up, he should be able to read the mood. He's a father, he's also similarly a man, and whether he decides to console him or pretends to be asleep, I think either way is fine. Well, not that not reading the mood is wrong or anything, though. Neither I, Rishe-chan, Leila-chan, nor Nico-chan say anything. We're only standing in front of the door, while listening to the the faint cry from inside the room. Probably, though I think we're silent for different reasons. I'm speechless from the thought of what the hell is going on here. Rishe-chan is probably thinking 'what a youth life'. Leila-chan probably doesn't understand of the situation. And I think Nico-chan is silent because everyone else is silent. That makes me think again. What's with this situation? "... How bothersome, adventurers are." "What?! That, just now, didn't you manage to say those splendid words...?" "Nah... it's a total pain in the ass... first, this is our room! Why do we have to read the mood and leave? I just don't get it." When I complain so, Rishe-chan is somewhat taken aback. I'm sure by now she's noticed that the words I used to console him previously were actually shallower than a dry river. Well, frankness is indeed her good point, but it becomes her bad point at times like this. Well, Leila-chan and Nico-chan aren't interfering and are only watching the situations unfold, but in this case, that's the right thing to do. "... What do we do now?" "... Let's see... well, it's late today... so why don't we take some rest tonight and then leave the town tomorrow?" "You're right, it's already getting dark outside, so I suppose let's just do that." By the way, the sun is already setting. It's time for dinner. It's already quite late to leave for the next town, so let's go with Rishe-chan's plan. Leila-chan has a basic stance of following the others' decision, so it's normally Rishe-chan and I who decide on our plan. "... but he's still crying, you know?" "... For now, let's wait a while longer for." We've decided on our plan, but we can't enter the room until he stops crying. Hence, we have to wait in the hallway for a while longer. * * * In the end, when we entered the room after the crying stopped, we found him asleep, exhausted from crying. The sheets were soaked with tears, and he's lying on the bed quietly sleeping. I was a little irritated by it, but I' was also feeling a little tired, so I decided to just take some rest. I wanted to use the bed, but even if I moved him away, I still wouldn't be able to use it since the sheets were wet, so I decided to let him and Nico-chan's father used this double room. By the way, I let Nico-chan sleep with her father. So, in the end, I decided to have Leila-chan and Rishe-chan sleep on the bed in my own room. If they stick close to each other, they'd still fit on it, after all. Huh? Me? I made a futon from miasma and slept in it. It took me a long time to recreate the fluffy feeling, but I was finally able to sleep at dawn. Because of that I barely had any sleeping time at all, though. And now it's morning. I barely slept at all, but I still wake up and do some light stretching. I can hear a cracking sound. "So we can maintain the miasma even while sleeping, huh... Well, it seems to become a little unstable, though." I make the miasma futon disappears, and have a yawn. Now then, let's wake up Rishe-chan and Leila-chan. "Both of you, wake up." "Hmm... Oh, good morning... I'm sorry, but can you not look at my sleeping face too much?" "Ufufu, Kitsune-kun good morning!" "Good morning. For now, I'm going to check on Nico-chan and the others, so please bring the luggage once everything's ready." They both seem to be the types who are strong in the morning, the wake up when I lightly call out to them. Rishe-chan, like a girl, prefer to hide her sleeping face, but Leila-chan on the other hand doesn't hide hers and gives me smile. Or rather, she has such long hair, yet she doesn't have bed hair at all, and there's also no strange mark on her skin. How should I put it, I guess that's the advantage of being prime beautiful girl, huh. With such thoughts in mind, I leave the room and head to where Nico-chan and the others are. When I enter Nico-chan's room, I see that her father and the young man are already awake. Or rather, I see Nico-chan's father bowing to the young man. Nico-chan seems to be still asleep in the bed, but what's with this situation? "... What the heck?" "Oh, ki, Kitsune-san! Please help me!" "Huh, do you always talk to me like that? I feel like it was more casual, though." "I'll explain about it later! For now please do something about this person!" I don't know what's going on, but Jack is somehow using honorific when he's talking to me. I wonder why? Is it because I consoled him? If he could recover thanks to those empty words, then that's good and all, though. But leaving that aside, I wonder what's going on here? Why is Nico-chan's father bowing to Jack? "Can you explain what's going on?" "Well... I don't really understand myself, he said something about thanking me for saving her daughter...." In other words, he thinks Jack-kun, who was sleeping next to them when he woke up, was the one who saved them. I'm not going to correct him by telling him that I was the one who saved them, though. Or rather, won't it be better if I just leave him think that that's the case? But, well, Nico-chan will definitely tell him eventually, and if I clear up the misunderstanding now, it should be less troublesome later on, right? "Well, Nico-chan's father?" "Mu... you are..! The one I left my daughter to!" "Yeah, yeah, and he's actually got nothing to do with Nico-chan whatsoever." "Oh.... is, is that so? I'm sorry, I jumped to a wrong conclusion... that means, did you?" "That's right, I brilliantly, skillfully and coolly saved Nico-chan and you! I've also silenced Duke Orba, you can no longer live in this town, but there are no more pursuers or people who are after your life. So you can rest assured." When I say so, Nico-chan's father seems to feel relieved from the bottom of his heart and feebly sits down on the bed. I'm sure he'd never expect that I'd actually silence Duke Orba. Well, strictly speaking, I killed him, so let alone silencing him, he already has no mouth to say even a word, after all. Well, at any rate, we need to talk about the future. Nico-chan and her father now end up in a very awkward position, after all. "Anyway, let's talk about what to do from now on. Jack-kun, you can leave." "Aren't you treating me so horribly here....?" That's none of my business.

今の僕達はとりあえず次の街への足と荷物の準備が出来ている。明日にでも出発する事が可能だ。だからこそ、当面の問題を考えることが出来る。 「ミニエラでは、身寄りのない子供は騎士が保護し、然るべき手続きの後に何処かの施設へと預けられる。ある程度成長して働ける程に成長した時は、国が子供の身分を証明する手続きをし、一先ず働き先を見つけるまでは施設で預かるが、働き先を見つけた時は施設から出ることになるな。冒険者になる者もいれば、飲食店で給仕をする者、鍛冶屋に弟子入りする者もいる。まぁ働き先を見つけられずとも、成人すれば必ず施設を出て貰うんだけどな」 「へぇ、結構妥当な扱いなんだ」 ミニエラってあらゆる意味で温厚な国だよねぇ。まぁ成人したら施設を必ず出るって規則もあるみたいだけど、それだって無難な対応だ。成人した人間をいつまでも施設で預かってられないもんね。 施設から放り出した結果、そいつが死んだって仕方がない。この世界だって人が人に優しく出来る範囲にも限度があるんだから。 「じゃあこの街でもそうなるのかな?」 「いや、ここはミニエラの庇護下ではないからな。グランディール王国の対応が適用されるだろう」 「つまり?」 「弱肉強食、そういうことだよきつね君」 リーシェちゃんの表情には影が差し、言い辛そうな彼女に代わって、レイラちゃんがシンプルで分かりやすい答えをくれた。 つまり、この子供は騎士に預けた所でまともな対応はされないってことか。最悪処分される可能性もあるんだろう。 単純明快、あの腹黒巫女に勇者気取り君を思い出すね―――実に不愉快だ。 「じゃあこの子はどうするかな」 「私達は元々この街に寄っただけで、旅支度を整えたら明日にも出発する予定だったんだ......可哀想だが、やはりこの街のやり方で対応させるしかないんじゃないか?」 「あはは、結構残酷なことを言うね、リーシェちゃん。でもまぁ、理解出来なくはないよ」 「えーこの子捨てちゃうの? 連れていこーよ、勿体ないよ」 なんかリーシェちゃんと真面目に話しているのに、レイラちゃんのせいで全部台無しなんだけど。ちょっと大人しくなったと思ったらこれだ。大人しくなったとしても、レイラちゃんの自分勝手でマイペースな態度は変わらないようだ。 「レイラちゃん」 「ちょっと黙ってて」 「んんむッ!? ぷはっ......え? え? は......あ......ッッッ!? きゅ~......!」 なので、なんだか僕に触れようとするだけでドキドキしてしまうレイラちゃんにキスをお見舞い。約束だったし、二回やっても良いよって言った後も結局しなかったからね、この際一発かます位の心構えでやってみた。 唇を離すと、レイラちゃんは茫然とした表情を浮かべた後、見る見るうちに顔を林檎の様に真っ赤に染め、あわあわと目を回しながら、あまりの衝撃だったのか気を失って、ベッドに倒れ込んでしまった。 「きつね......その、なんだ......そういうことは人の目のない所でだな......」 「レイラちゃんがいると話が進まないんだよ。良くも悪くもこの子は自己中心的な子だから」 気絶して尚顔を真っ赤にしたままのレイラちゃんを見下ろしながら、彼女のふわふわとした白髪を梳くように頭を撫で、そう言った。 まぁ不本意だったけど、大分一緒に居たから分かる。彼女はトラブルメーカーで、ムードメーカーでもある。状況が悪化してても、自分を見失わずに我儘に振る舞う。だからフィニアちゃん達を失った今の僕も多少楽観的でいられるんだしね。 こういうところは彼女の美点だよ。時と場合によっては―――特に今みたいな真面目な話をしている時には邪魔なんだけどね。憎めない性格してるよこの子は。 「それで? きつねはこの子をどうするつもりなんだ? この街のやり方に任せるのか?」 「リーシェちゃん、この場合はね―――どのやり方に任せるかじゃない、どうしたいかで考えるんだよ」 「!」 薄ら笑いを浮かべながら立ちあがり、眠っている子供を見下ろす。 この街、というよりもグランディール王国という国はどうも、気に食わないことばかりだ。勇者気取りや腹黒巫女もそうだけれど、国を作る王族や権力者の敷いた常識と観念が特に気に食わない。 僕は弱い人間だから、弱肉強食の世界は生き辛くて敵わない。 「ステータス」 ◇ステータス◇ 名前:ニコ・アークス 性別:女 Lv1 筋力:10 体力:20 耐性:10 敏捷:10 魔力:10 なし 【スキル】 ◇ 予想通り、見た目通り、ステータスは貧弱。スキルもない。確実にこの世界において、強者の肉にされる弱者だ。 だからこそ、護る価値がある。僕と同じ、弱者として生まれたこの子だからこそ、護る価値がある。 「―――下剋上だよ」 弱者が強者に勝てないなんて理屈はない。国家権力や弱肉強食がなんだ、全部ひっくるめて相手してやるよ。 生き延びるためじゃない、僕がそうしたいからそうするんだ。 「お前の背中を支えることが、仲間としての私の役目だ」 リーシェちゃんがなんだか格好良い。男前って言うのかな、こういう子のこと。でも女の子だし、姉御肌? 勝気なのは、僕的に買いだよ。 まぁ、それは別としても、僕に付いて来てくれる人がいるっていうのは―――それはきっと喜ばしいことなんだろうと思う。 「ん......んぅ......はぁ.........ん?」 「む、起きたかレイラ」 目を覚まして、ふかふかのベッドに手を付き起き上がる。すると、そこは私達の借りた部屋だった。椅子に座った紅い髪の子が私を見て笑みを浮かべている。隣のベッドにはきつね君が押し付けられた子供が寝ていて、きつね君の姿は無かった。 まだ寝起きでぼんやりしている思考で、私が意識を失う前のことを思い出そうとする。 確か、きつね君と一緒に買い物してて......そこの子に宿まで案内して貰って......それで......あっ、そうだ私確かきつね君に――――ッッ! 「はわ......はわわわ......ど、どうしよう......」 そうだ、私きつね君とちゅーしちゃったんだ。それで顔が熱くなって、胸が限界までドキドキして、頭の中真っ白でわけわかんなくなって、そしたらいつの間にか意識を失ってた。 だって仕方ないよ、あんなの不意打ちだよ。ずるい、ずるいずるい! きつね君ずるい! こうなったらやり返してやる、なんだかきつね君に負けた気分だし。 私はきつね君よりも強いし、ああいうことは私の方からやりたい。今はその、なんだかドキドキして出来ないけど、きつね君にやられて私が受け身なのはなんか納得いかない! 「ちょっときつね君の部屋に行ってくる!」 「え? あ、レイラ!?」 紅い髪の子が引き止める声を無視して、私はきつね君の部屋へと向かった。二人部屋と一人部屋は階が違うから、階段を下りて一人部屋の階に足を踏み入れる。 そして、そのままきつね君の部屋へと向かって行き、扉を開けた。中は二人部屋と比べてそこまで広くない。でも一人で過ごすには十分なスペースだね。 中に入ると、きつね君はいつも着ている黒い服を脱いで、下に着ていた半袖の服とズボンのままベッドに座って瘴気を弄ってた。操作する練習だと思う。 「あ、レイラちゃん。どうしたの?」 私はきつね君に話しかけた。きつね君は私に気が付いて、視線をこっちに向けながらそう言った。 「............」 そういえば此処からどうしよう。何も考えてなかった。 仕返しをしようと思った訳だけど、ちゅーとか触れ合うのはやっぱり無理かも......考えるだけでドキドキする。恥ずかしいのかな......うん、恥ずかしいんだと思う。 もやもやする......あの白い子が来てからずっとだ。もやもやするもやもやする! こんな状態がいつまでも続くなんてやだ。きつね君と触れ合えないし、欲求不満が募るばっかりだもん。 「もやもやする! きつね君のせいで私はおかしくなったんだよ! 責任取って!」 そうだ、全部きつね君が悪い。きつね君に会ってから私はどこかおかしくなっちゃったんだ。きつね君が、私をおかしくしたんだ。だからきつね君が悪い、きつね君が美味し過ぎるのが悪い、可愛いのが悪い、面白いのが悪い、それに―――― 『―――君は、僕が護るよ』 ―――きつね君が、格好良いのが悪いんだ。どうして私の心を掻き乱すの? 私はきつね君に触れたいのに、出来なくされたんだ。 一体きつね君は私に何をしたの? 私が知らない間に何かしたんでしょ? 私がきつね君に触れようとすると出来なくなる様に、そんなに私に触れられたくなかったの? なんかちょっと胸がチクッとした。 「何言ってんのか分からないけど、つまりは欲求不満なの?」 「違っ......いや違わないけど......違うの!」 「あーはいはい、それで僕にどうしろと?」 なんだか投げやりなきつね君、どうしろって言われても......私はきつね君に何をして欲しいんだろう? ちゅー? それとも舐めさせて欲しい? どれも違う気がする。 「ん? レイラちゃん?」 「え、何?」 「胸の中がぐるぐるして、苦しいの......これ、なんとかしてよ......きつね君」 でも、私の口からは自然とそんな言葉が出た。きっと、きつね君なら何とかしてくれる。そう思えた。 だって、今までだってきつね君は色んな事をやってのけたもん。それに、こうなったのはきつね君のせいなんだから。なんとかすることだって出来る筈だもん。 「......レイラちゃんは、本当に僕のこと大好きだね」 「仕方ないなぁ......ほら、そんな所に立ってないでこっちおいで」 きつね君が私に手招きする。また大きく胸が高鳴った。 少し躊躇しながら、私はベッドに座るきつね君に歩み寄る。すると、きつね君は私の手を取って引っ張ってきた。その力に引き寄せられる様に、私はベッドの上に腰を落とし、更にきつね君の太ももの上にぽすんと頭を乗せた。 目を丸くしながら、見上げた先にはきつね君の薄ら笑いを浮かべた顔がある。膝枕をされていると理解した時、私は少しだけ顔が熱くなるのを感じた。 でも、 「今夜は特別にずっとこうしててあげるから、そのまま寝るんだね。一晩寝ればすっきりするよ」 「............うん」 ちょっとだけ、苦しかったもやもやが無くなった気がした。代わりに、なんだか身体の奥底からあったかい何かが、じんわりと胸の中に広がっていくのを感じる。 「―――おやすみレイラちゃん、中々素敵な告白だったぜ」 うとうとと眠気が襲って来て、意識が薄れて行く中......きつね君のそんな言葉が降って来たのを聞いた気がした。

Mostly, about the child that was pushed onto me. Currently we've pretty much finished all the preparations for the journey, and it's possible to immediately depart tomorrow. That's why, we're able to think about the problem we're currently facing. "At Miniera, orphan children will be taken care of by the guards, following the proper procedure, they'll be entrusted to a kind of facility somewhere. When they've grown enough to secure their own livelihood, the country will conduct social certification procedure to them. Before they find jobs, they'll be entrusted to the faicility, but after they find jobs, they'll be permitted to leave. Some may turn into adventurers, some into waitresses, and some into blacksmith apprentices. Well, even if they haven't gotten any job, if they've old enough, they'll still have to leave, though." "Hee, quite a proper treatment, indeed." Miniera sure is a gentle country in many ways. Well, seems like there's a regulation where they have to leave the facility when they've matured up, but that's still an acceptable treatment. The faculty won't be willing to keep on taking care of adults who aren't working after all. If they die because they're forced out of the facility, then that's an inevitable result. Even in this world, there's a limit of someone's kindness to other, after all. "Then, is that also the case in this town?" "Nope, this town isn't under Miniera after all. Most likely they adopt Grandile Kingdom's rule here." "Which means?" "The law of the jungle, something along that line, Kitsune-kun." Rishe-chan's face turns gloomy as if feeling hard to say it, and then Leila-chan answers me with such simple and easy to understand answer. That means, even if we take this child to the guards, most likely she won't receive proper treatments, huh. At worst, there's a possibility that she might be disposed of. Plain and simple, that reminds me of that wicked miko and fake hero... simply irritating. "Then, what should we do with her?" "We've planned to leave this town, and since we've also finished our preparation, we should be able to depart tomorrow... I do feel bad for her, but perhaps we should just follow this town's rule, I think." "Ahaha, what a cruel word you're saying there, Rishe-chan. But well, it isn't like I don't understand it, though." "Eh~ we're going to leave this child? That'd be a waste, let's just take her with us." Even though I and Rishe-chan are discussing quite seriously here, it's all ruined because of Leila-chan. Just when I thought she's turned somewhat meek, this happens, huh. She sure has turned somewhat meek, but her willful and doing-as-she-pleased traits are still there. "Leila-chan." "Please be quiet for a bit." "Nnmu?! Puha... eh? Eh? Haa...?! Kyuu~...!" So, I give Leila-chan; who once said that her heart'd throb when she's about to touch me; a kiss. I've promised after all, and even the other day in the end she didn't kiss me even once when I told her she could do it twice, so I decide to brace myself and try kissing her here. When I separate my lips, Leila-chan looks somewhat as if in a daze, her face turns red in an instant, then she lose consciousness while foaming; perhaps she loses consciousness because of the strong mental impact; and collapses onto the bed. "Kitsune... umm, what's it... if you want to do something like that, please do it when there's no one around...." "We can't continue the discussion if Leila-chan's around, for better or worse, she's a very selfish girl, after all." While looking down at Leila-chan's; who's fainted; red face, I caress her fluffy white hair as if combing it, and say so. Well, I'm very unwilling but, after being together with her for quite a while, I've pretty much understood her. She's definitely a troublemaker, but she's also our mood maker. No matter how deteroited the situation was, she wouldn't ever stray from her selfish way. That's why I can somewhat be optimistic even after losing Finia-chan and Lulu-chan. That's her virtue. It's just, depending on the situation... especially when we're discussing seriously like this, she's simply a nuisance though. Her character sure is an enigma. "So, what are you going to do with this child, Kitsune? Are you going to leave her to this town's way of doing?" "Rishe-chan, you see, it isn't about choosing a certain way of dealing, but about what we want to do with her." "!" With faint smile, I stand up and look down on the sleeping child. In this town, or rather in Grandile Kingdom, I've only been experiencing bad things. The fake hero and that wicked miko were also like that, the common sense and rules that were imposed by the royalties and nobles who built this country, I really hate them all. I'm weak after all, that's why I'm not suitable to life in a world with jungle rules. "Status." *Status* Name : Niko Arcs Gender : Female Lv. 1 Strength : 10 Stamina : 20 Resistance : 10 Agility : 10 Magic Power : 10 Title : None Skill : None * Just as I expected it to be, just as her appearance tells, her status is very meager. She even has no skill whatsoever. In this world, she's definitely a weakling who'll be bullied by the strong. That's why, she's worth of protecting. It's exactly because she was born weak; similarly like me; she's worth of protecting. "...it's junior-surpassing-senior time." There's no reason for the weak to be unable to defeat the strong. The hell is military-power, the hell is law-of-the-jungle, I'll tear both of them apart. It's not to survive, I'll do it because I want to. "As someone and comrade who's following your back, it's my duty." Rishe-chan somehow is very cool. So manly should I say, this girl is. But she's a girl so, big-sis, perhaps? Such unyielding spirit, as far as I'm concerned, I like it. Well, even if that isn't the case, if someone who's following you say so... I think it'll surely make you happy. "M... mm... haa... hmm?" "Oh, have you awoken, Leila?" Opening my eyes, I put my hands on the soft bed and get up. And then, I notice that I'm in the room we reserved. The red haired girl; who's sitting on the chair; is smiling while looking at me. At the neighboring bed, the child that was pushed onto Kitsune-kun is sleeping there, but I can't see Kitsune-kun around. With my indistinct mind after waking up, I try recalling what happened before I lost my consciousness. If my memory serve right, I went shopping with Kitsune-kun... then being led by the girl over there to the inn... then... ah, that's right, I was...! "Hawa... hawawawa... what, what should I do...." That's right, I was kissed by Kitsune-kun. After that my face got very hot, my heart was beating to its very limit, my head went blank, and then before I knew it I lost consciousness. But, there's nothing I could do about, that was a surprise attack. Sneaky, sneaky, sneaky! Kitsune-kun was very sneaky! If that's the case then I have to pay him back, somehow I feel like I lost to Kitsune-kun here, after all. I'm more powerful than Kitsune-kun, after all, and I want to be the one who do that sort of things. Currently, somehow my heart is pretty calm, but I just can't accept being this passive after getting done by Kitsune-kun! "I'm going to Kitsune-kun's room for a bit"! "Eh? Ah, Leila?!" Ignoring the red haired girl's voice, I go to Kitsune-kun's room. Double rooms and single rooms are on different floors, so I descend the stairs and head to the single room floor. And then, arriving in front of Kitsune-kun's room, I open the door. The room isn't as spacious as double room, but it's enough for a person to live in. When I enter the room, without the black clothes he usually wears, wearing only short sleeves shirt and trouser, Kitsune-kun is sitting on the bed while touching miasma. I think he's training to control it. "Ah, Leila-chan. What's the matter?" I call out to Kitsune-kun. Noticing me, Kitsune-kun turns toward me and says so. "...." Come to think of it, what should I do next, I wonder? I haven't thought about it. I've thought about paying him back but, things like kiss or touch may be a bit too much for me... even just thinking about it makes my heart beats faster. Will it be embarrassing, I wonder... yeah, I think it will surely be embarrassing. My heart feels so hazy... ever since we met that white girl, it's always like this. Hazy, so hazy! I don't want to stay in this state forever. I can't touch Kitsune-kun, and this frustration keeps on pilling up. "I'm feeling so hazy! Because of you I've turned strange, Kitsune-kun! Please take responsibility!" That's right, it's all Kitsune-kun's fault. Ever since I met Kitsune-kun, I was gradually turning strange. Kitsune-kun has turned me strange. That's why it's all Kitsune-kun's fault, it's his fault to be so tasty, it's his fault to be so adorable, it's his fault to be so interesting, also... "...I will protect you." ...it's, it's his fault to be so cool. Why is my heart so stirred up like this? Even though I want to touch Kitsune-kun, I can't because of it. Just what has Kitsune-kun done to me? Did he do something without I noticed it? Just like how I can't bear to get touched by Kitsune-kun, did he not want to get touched by me that much? Somehow, that pricks my heart a bit. "I don't know what you're talking about but, to put it simply, your desire isn't satisfied?" "... that's not incorrect, but... that's no it!" "Ah, okay okay, then, what should I do?" Somehow Kitsune-kun casually asks me what he should do, but... what I want Kitsune-kun to do, I wonder? Kiss? Or perhaps letting me taste him? I feel like it's none of them. "Hmm? Leila-chan?" "Eh, what?" "Inside my chest, it's whirling and painful... do something about it... Kitsune-kun." But, such words spontaneously leave my mouth. I'm sure, Kitsune-kun will be able to do something about it. Or so I feel. After all, thus far Kitsune-kun has succeeded on many things. Also, this is all his fault, after all. So he should be able to do something about it. "...Leila-chan, you really like me that much, huh." "It can't be helped... come on, don't just standing there, come in." Kitsune-kun urges me. My heart suddenly beats faster. While hesitating a bit, I walk to Kitsune-kun; who's sitting on the bed. And then, Kitsune-kun takes my hand and pulls me toward him. As if being drawn by that power, my body falls onto the bed, and my head lands on Kitsune's thigh. While staring in wonder, when I look up I can see Kitsune-kun with his faint smile. When I realize that he's giving me lap pillow, I feel like my face turns hot a bit. But, "Only tonight, I'll especially do this for you, just try to sleep like this. I'm sure you'll feel better after sleeping overnight." "...yes." Just a bit, I feel like the hazy feeling is lessening. And instead, from the depth of my body, somehow I feel like there's a warmth that is gradually spreading in my heart. "...good night, Leila-chan. That was quite a splendid confession, you know?" Being attacked by drowsiness, in my fading consciousness... I feel like I can hear Kitsune-kun saying so.

男 18歳 地球に住んでいたごく普通の虐められっ子だった高校三年生。生まれた時から親に捨てられ、愛情込めて育てられたのは物心付くまでの間、物心付いた頃からは世間体の為に一度は見捨てられた母親の下で暮らす。それからはずーっと虐められ、ついには精神が変化し、周囲の誰もが関わりたくないと思う程に不気味な人間性を確立させてしまった。 そして、篠崎しおりという少女と共に過ごすことで、少しその不気味さが緩和されたことにより、虐めが再開。溜まりに溜まった鬱憤が炸裂し、巻き込まれたしおりを護った結果、死亡。以後、神の様な存在によって異世界へと転生させられた。 基本的にオープンな変態で口が上手いので、人を言い包めたり、正論を振りかざして精神を折ったりする、ステータスは弱い部類なのでまともに戦えば普通に負ける。 この世界に来てから出会った妖精のフィニアとルルを勇者に奪われた故に、今は勇者を叩きのめそうと動いている。 名前:薙刀桔音 性別:男 Lv1 筋力:40 体力:1050 耐性:1420 敏捷:1000 魔力:950 『魔族に愛された者』 『魔眼保有者』 フィニア 女 0歳 桔音の持っていたお面から生まれた思想種の妖精。篠崎しおりの桔音への好意が元になって生まれているので、彼女も桔音を好いている。 無邪気で天真爛漫、また桔音の異世界での記憶を少し持っているので、口が多少上手い部分も見受けられる。普段は悪意のない悪口を桔音に浴びせるが、本当に悪意は無いので悪い気分にはならない。多少心にグサッと鋭く突き刺さる時がある。 思想種故に強力な力を持っており、特に『火魔法』が得意なようで、その威力はEランクの魔獣を一瞬で消し飛ばす程。魔力の保有量も凄まじく、まだまだ成長の余地がありそうだ。 彼女はお面から生まれたことにより、お面が破壊されると消滅してしまう。ソレを知っている巫女により、お面を奪われたことで、現在は勇者と共に行動している。また、勇者一行との仲は険悪な模様。桔音の下へと帰りたいと思っている。 名前:フィニア 筋力:790 体力:1400 耐性:300:STOP! 敏捷:1800 魔力:13900 ルル・ソレイユ 女 12歳 奴隷として桔音に買われた獣人の少女。犬耳と尻尾が生えており、見た目は年よりも幼い少女であったが、現在は獣人の特性により、レベルアップに応じて14歳程の少女にまで成長している。 当初は死んだような眼をしていたが、桔音の優しさに触れることで段々と元気を取り戻し、今では普通の少女と何ら変わりない元気で優しい少女になっている。明るい茶髪を背中やや下辺りまで伸ばし、緑色の瞳はやや垂れ目な癒し系美少女である。 現在はフィニア共々勇者によって桔音の下から引き離され、行動を共にしている。家族の絆として大切な宝物だった首輪を切り刻まれて、大きな悲しみにくれたが、桔音の必ず取り戻しに来るという言葉を信じ、立ち直る。 現在は桔音と再会した時の為に強くなろうと決心、固有スキルに目覚めたが、未だそれに気が付く素振りはない。 名前:ルル・ソレイユ 筋力:650 体力:500 敏捷:510 魔力:230 トリシェ・ルミエイラ 女 17歳 騎士見習いとして修行していた少女。訓練に出ようとしたところで瀕死の桔音を発見、保護する。以後、桔音の命の恩人として懇意になる。 だがそこで桔音が恩返しも含めて介入、新たな可能性を見出し、自分から冒険者への道へと進むことになり、桔音に付いて行くことになった。 現在は仲間として実力不足なことを憂いているが、これから強くなろうと決心。成長に期待。また、桔音の左眼が『先見の魔眼』になっていることはまだ知らない様子。 名前:トリシェ・ルミエイラ 筋力:670 敏捷:650 魔力:300 レイラ・ヴァーミリオン 女 17歳(肉体年齢) 元々は普通の人間として生まれた少女だが、7歳程の時に それから桔音と出会うまでの10年間は、Aランク魔族として生き、夜行性というのもあって出会った魔獣や人間を次々と喰らう怪物として過ごしてきた。 桔音と出会ってからは、その欲求を満たす存在の登場と、レイラ自身が『赤い夜』との適性が高かった事もあり、半魔族化した状態であった身体が完全に魔族化、瘴気を操る魔族として、その気になれば世界中の人間を『赤い夜』へと変貌させることが出来るSランク魔族へと進化した。 その際、不安定で欲望に従って動いていた精神も安定し、自分勝手でわがままではあるが、多少理性的になった。 現在は桔音を気にいって付き纏っているが、桔音への感情が食欲や性欲以外のものへと変化し、その変化に戸惑っている。 名前:レイラ・ヴァーミリオン 筋力:31200 体力:41400 耐性:1000 敏捷:27960 男 17歳 勇者としてグランディール王国へと召喚された少年。高校二年生で、爽やか系のイケメン。長身で手足も長いことから、異世界の服装でも難なく着こなしている。正義感の強い性格で、元の世界では良く困っている人を男女関係無く助けている。そのせいか男女問わずかなり慕われており、勇者として召喚されてからも城の人間達から慕われていた。 だが、元の世界での行いもあって、困っている人を見ると助けるという性分が発揮され、空回りする事も多い。 そのせいで、桔音と共に居た奴隷でありながら家族であるルルを勝手に困っている人認定、助けようとする。桔音をその実力を遺憾なく発揮して叩きのめし、何が何だか分からない内にルルを連れて行ってしまった。だがその際、桔音にトラウマを植え付けられ、桔音と関わり合いたくないという思いが生まれている。 一旦考えることを放棄していたが、仲間であるジークの忠告を聞いて、自分の行動やこれからのことを少し考え始めた様子。 性別:男 Lv60 筋力:8740 体力:9500 耐性:310:STOP! 敏捷:6800 魔力:2600 セシル・ディミエッタ 女 17歳 グランディール王国の巫女。勇者に身も心も捧げて力になることが使命であったが、彼女自身凪に若干好意を抱いているようで、その使命も悪く思っていないようだ。 幼い頃より巫女としての教育を受け、尚且つ国の汚点や悪人、奴隷等を見てきたことから、中々えげつないことでも平気で出来る精神をしている。勇者の為ならば、人を殺す位やってのけるだろう。 また、知略策略にも長けており、損得勘定が出来る子である。その結果、勇者のパーティに戦力として加えようと、桔音からどさくさ紛れにお面を強奪。フィニアを連れ去ってしまった。 結果、勇者同様桔音によってトラウマを植え付けられた。出来れば関わり合いたくないと考えている。 だが恋愛や異性との付き合いに疎い様で、そういった行為には純情で初心なようだ。入浴中の凪の下へと背中を流しに来るなど大胆な行動を見せるが、やはり裸を見られるといったことは恥ずかしいらしく、顔を真っ赤にして逃げた。 であるのにもかかわらず、薄着でいる、勇者と寝室を共にする、など無防備な所も多いので、やはり恋愛や異性との交流には疎いようだ。 名前:セシル・ディミエッタ 性別:女 Lv40 筋力:3740 体力:4500 耐性:120:STOP! 敏捷:3500 魔力:8900 ジーク・ガルファルド 男 28歳 グランディール王国でも随一の剣士。傭兵として幼少時代を過ごしたが、現在は国お抱えの用心棒の様な存在。実力は場内の全員が認めている。勇者とは多少話した程度の仲ではあるが、甘ちゃんのまだ青い少年だと考えている。 巫女のことは知略策略を働かせている所しか見たことがない故に、腹黒女と評しているが、実力は認めている。 シルフィ・スリードット 女 18歳 グランディール王国随一の魔法使い。研究者としても、魔法使いとしても優秀で、魔法使いの間でも若き天才魔法使いとして名が通っている。 勇者と共に行動するのは、他の国にある魔法資料の閲覧が出来そうだという理由であり、魔王討伐云々は正直あまり興味を持っていない。 だが、妖精を神聖視している彼女からすれば、巫女セシルのやったことは許せず、セシルへの評価が大きく下がった。 ステラ ステータスには『使徒』という称号を持つ謎の少女。人間の大陸へと踏み入れたと言っているので、恐らく他の大陸からやって来たものと思われる。 真っ白なドレスに真っ白な髪、所々に黒いフリルやヘッドドレスを付けているので、余計に白い髪や服、肌が際立っている。瞳は露草色で、分かりやすく言えば多少深みのあるブルー。 曰く、神を殺すことを目的としており、悪意といった神の創りだした浄化すべきものを浄化する事も彼女の使命の様なものらしい。 武器として、青白い稲妻の槍を使用するが、その威力はまさしく神殺しの名に劣らぬ者であり、彼女の他にも同様の存在がいることをほのめかしているが、その中でも破壊力に関しては随一を誇っているらしい。 名前:ステラ 筋力:28740 体力:39500 耐性:200:STOP! 敏捷:26800 魔力:52600

Naginata Kitsune - Male - 18 years old In his former world, he was a normal bullied kid, a third year of senior high school. Whene he was born, he was abandoned by his parents, he was raised with affection only until he had awareness, when he already had awareness, for appearance sake he lived with his mother; who once abandoned him; again. From then on, he was constantly bullied, that led to the deviation of his mind, and in the end established an eerie nature that made no one want to associate with him. And then, ever since he spent time together with the girl named Shinozaki Shiori, his eerie nature was slightly dissipating, and the bullying was started yet again. His accumulated anger bursted out, and in the result of protecting Shiori, he lost his life. Afterward, he was reincarnated to another world by a god-like existence. Fundamentally he was an open pervert with glib tongue, good at wheedling people and spouting some sounds argument to break their will, status-wise he was weak so if he was wrapped into an upfront fight, he'd naturally lose. After having Finia; who had been with him ever since he came to another world; and Lulu taken away by the hero, right now he was on a journey with the purpose to knock down the hero. Name : Naginata Kitsune Gender : Male Lv. 1 Strength : 40 Stamina : 1050 Resistance : 1420 Agility : 1000 Magic Power : 950 Title : {Other worlder} {One who's loved by demon} {Demon eye holder} Finia - Female - 0 years old She was an idea type fairy who was born from the mask that was owned by Kitsune. She was born from Shinozaki Shiori's good will toward Kitsune, so she similarly did as well. She was naive and innocent, she possessed a bit memories of Kitsune's former world, and she also had got quite a sharp tongue. She had no ill will, but she tended to bad mouthing Kitsune, and the fact that she really had no ill will made her hard to hate. There were also times where she spat some heart pearching words. Since she was an idea type fairy, she possessed quite a powerful magic, with her speciality was in "Fire Magic", the firepower was enough to instant skill E rank magical beasts. She possessed tremendous magical power, and it looked like she still possessed many spaces to grow. She was born from the mask, that was why if the mask was broken, then she'd end up disappearing. Aware of that, the miko snatched the mask from Kitsune, so currently she was journeying together with the hero. Also, she was on extreme term with the hero's party. She dearly wanted to return to Kitsune's side. Name : Finia Strength : 790 Stamina : 1400 Resistance : 300:STOP! Agility : 1800 Magic Power : 13900 Lulu Soleil - Female - 12 years old She was a beastman girl who was bought by Kitsune as his slave. She had dog tail and dog ears, appearance-wise she was a very young girl, but thanks to her beastman trait, after leveling up, her body had grown into that of 14 years old girl. At first she possessed dead-like eyes, but thanks to Kitsune's gentle treatments, she gradually regained her vitality, and currently she was a lively and kind girl, wasn't much different from another girl. She was a beautiful girl with light brown hair that extended to her back, and sooting emerald green eyes. After being separated from Kitsune, currently she was together with Finia accompanied the hero. Her precious collar that was the symbol or her bond with Kitsune was broken, she experienced quite a mental damage, but she endured it in believe that Kitsune would definitely come to take them back. Currently she had resolved to get stronger for the sake of reuniting with Kitsune again, she had awakened her innate skill but she hadn't realized it yet. Name : Lulu Soleil Strength : 650 Stamina : 500 Agility : 510 Magic Power : 230 Trisha Rumiela - Female - 17 years old She was a girl who trained to become a knight. When she was about to go to train, she found the on-the-verge-of-death Kitsune and saved him. Thus, she acquinted with him as his lifesaver. However, Kitsune repaided her favor and intervened there, he showed her a new possibility, that led her into becoming an adventurer, and in the end she decided to follow Kitsune. Currently she was in anguish because of her inadequacy, but she had resolved to get stronger from there on. She wanted to grow more. Also, she still didn't know that Kitsune's left eye possessed "Demon-eye of foresight". Name : Trisha Rumiela Strength : 670 Agility : 650 Magic Power : 300 Leila Vermilion - Female - 17 years old (body-wise) Initially she was a normal girl who was born human, but when she was seven year old, she was infected by a virus type A rank demon "Red Night", her body turned into that of demon, and her mind when she was still human was consumed. She lost all of her memories, and then her mind turned into that of "Red Night" as well. From there on ten years passed until she finally met Kitsune, she lived as an A rank demon, a nocturnal monster that would devour any human and magical beast she met alike. Ever since she met Kitsune, with the appearance of an existence who could satisfy her desire, and with her high aptitude with "Red Night" virus, she turned from a quasi demon into a full-fledged demon, and evolved into an S rank demon, as a demon who controlled virus, if she felt like it, she could transform all human around the world into "Red Night". From there on, her desire was still unstable but her mind had gone stable, she was egoist and willful, but she was still rational. Currently she was selfishly following Kitsune around, but after her desire for Kitsune turned into something else than a simply appetite and sexual desire, she was currently bewildered by that change. Name : Leila Vermilion Strength : 31200 Stamina : 41400 Resistance : 1000 Agility : 27960 Serizawa Nagi - Male - 17 years old He was a young man who was summoned to be a hero by Grandile Kingdom. Second-year of senior high school, and a refreshing-type of hottie. He had high stature and long limbs, he wore otherwolden garments yet still stylish. With strong sense of justice, he often helped people who were in trouble; without minding genders; in his former world. Perhaps it was thanks to that, he was quite adored by either male or female, and even as the summoned hero, he was also idolized by people in the castle. However, similarly like how he was in his former world, given his nature that tended to help anyone in need, there was also many fruitless effort. Because of that, he helped the slave who was also Kitsune's family, Lulu, whom he arbitrarily deemed as needing his help. He used his whole power to beat down Kitsune, and after this and that, he took Lulu along with him. However, because of that, he received trauma from Kitsune, and the feeling to not wanting to get entangled with him ever again was born. He once thought about just forgetting everything about it, but after receiving the advice from one of his comrade, Jik, he started to think about what he had done as well was what he was about to do. Gender : Male Lv. 60 Strength : 8740 Stamina : 9500 Resistance : 310:STOP! Agility : 6800 Magic Power : 2600 Cecil Dimietta - Female - 17 years old She was the miko of Grandile Kingdom. Devoting her mind and body to the hero was her duty, but since she herself did hold some good will toward Nagi, she didn't find that duty as something burdensome. She had received training to become a miko ever since she was still a kid, and after getting used to see not just country's darkside, evildoers, even slaves, she had got herself a kind of mind that won't waver even when she did some evil things. If it was for the sake of the hero, she might even kill someone. Moreover, she was excel at crafty scheming, she was someone who'd calculate the profit and loss befere acting. Because of that, to enhance the power of hero's party, she took advantage of the confusion to plunder Kitsune's mask. And then they got Finia thanks to that. In the end, similarly like the hero, she also received trauma from Kitsune. She thought that if possible, she didn't want to meet him ever again. However, she was still inexperienced in love and opposite sex, and her good will toward the hero was none other than her pure feeling. She did think coming to wash Nagi's back when he was taking a bath back then was quite a bold act, but as expected getting her naked body seen by him was very embarrassing, her face flushed bright red. And yet, she often wore some defenseless and light dress when she was together with Nagi in their bedroom. As expected, it appeared she was still inexperienced about love and opposite sex. Name : Cecil Dimietta Gender : Female Lv. 40 Strength : 3740 Stamina : 4500 Resistance : 120:STOP! Agility : 3500 Magic Power : 8900 Jik Garvard - Male - 28 yeard old The greatest swordman at Grandile Kingdom. He was once a mercenary who worked for money, but currenly he was working as a guard that served the country. His ability was recognized by everyone at the country. He had talked with the hero from time to time and quite on good terms with him, but he honestly thought that the hero was still too green. He regarded the miko as nothing but a sly and crafty schemer. He did think she was a wicked woman, but he still did recognize her ability. Silphy Zulidot - Female - 18 years old The greatest magician at the Grandile Kindom. She was talented either as researcher or as magician, she was refered as a genius magician in magic society. She acted together with the hero, but she actually wasn't particularly interested in subjugating the demon lord itself, she followed the hero simply because she was interested in magic research as well as the chance to explore another countries. However, if it came to Fairy, as far as she was concerned, she couldn't forgive what had been done by the miko, Cecil. Her evaluation about Cecil had dropped significantly. Stella She was a mysterious girl who possessed "Apostle" title. Having appeared at human's continent, there was a possibility that she came from another continent. She had white dress and white hair, with black frills here and there, it made her white dress, hair, and skin much more prominent. Her pupils were colored like Asiatic dayflower, to put it simply, they were dark blue. She said slaying god was her goal, and purifying any evil that were created by the god was also her duty. She used a pale lightning lance as her weapon, its power was tremendous, befitting its name as god slaying weapon, she also had hinted that there were still other people in her group, but destructive-power-wise, she boasted that she was the strongest amongst them. Name : Stella Strength : 28740 Stamina : 39500 Resistance : 200:STOP! Agility : 26800 Magic Power : 52600

「はぁ......はぁ......はぁ......!」 思わず、部屋から飛び出て来てしまった。 今日は色んな事が起こってて、心の中がぐちゃぐちゃだ。考えが纏まらなくて、身体が思うように動かなくて、やりたいことを躊躇してしまう。 あの勇者とかいう人間がフィニア達を連れて行ってしまった時、私は落ち込むきつね君を見て何も思わなかった。ああ、落ち込んでるなぁとしか思わなかった。だから何も言わなかったし、いつも通りに振る舞ってた。 それなのに、ちゅーしたり、舐めたり、そういう事がしたかった筈なのに、あの白いのと戦った時から身体の調子がおかしい。 きつね君に触れようとすると、なんだか躊躇してしまう。抱きつくなんて今まで簡単にやってた筈なのに、今ではどうやってたのか分からなくなっちゃった。 きつね君と話していると胸がドキドキする。夜でもないのに、顔が熱くなって、胸の奥がきゅうって締め付けられる様な感覚に苛まれる。私の身体、一体どうしちゃったんだろう? 少し怖い。 さっきだって、折角きつね君が2回もちゅーしていいって言ってくれたのに、眼を閉じたきつね君の顔に顔を近づけたら途端にドキドキが止まらなくなっちゃった。顔が熱くなって、ちゅーなんてしたらおかしくなりそうで、なんだかその場にじっとしていられなくなった。 だから逃げちゃった。ベッドから飛び退いて、扉を開けてそのまま廊下に飛び出してきた。 「うぅ......分かんない......」 頭の中がきつね君でいっぱい。私どうしちゃったのかな......? 結局、その夜私はきつね君の事でいっぱいになった思考と、もやもやしたような切ない感情を抑えきれず、一晩中外を走り回っては頭を抱えて過ごしていた。 そしてこの日は今まで生きてきた中で唯一、1秒だって欲情することはなかった。 僕はレイラちゃんが出て行った後、もう一度眠りにつき、翌朝の今、目を覚ました。 少し身体が重いけれど、今度はちゃんと上体を起こすことが出来、部屋を見渡すとリーシェちゃんの姿は何処にも無く、レイラちゃんも帰っていない様だった。 一応リーシェちゃんの武器や荷物は置いてあるから、多分お風呂とかに行ってるんだろうけど、レイラちゃんは何処行ったのか分からないや。 とりあえず、と思いながらベッドから降りた。 「ん、んー......! っはぁ......さて、と」 一つ伸びを入れて、身体の調子を確かめる。疲労感は残っているものの、これはしばらく休めば元に戻る筈だ。 腕も足もちゃんと動くし、使徒ちゃんの打撃でかなりダメージを受けていた内臓器官も、『臨死体験』のおかげでなんら支障無く動いてくれている。万全、ではないが、通常通りに行動することは出来るだろう。 『瘴気操作』でレイラちゃんと同様の瘴気を生み出し、ナイフを形成する。振るってみても崩れないし、切れ味もそこらの刀剣より良さそうだ。これは昨日も作ってみて分かる。イメージ通りに動いてくれるだけあって、中々使い勝手が良さそうだ。 次に瘴気を拡散させて部屋中に細かく散らしてみた。すると、眼を閉じていても部屋の中に何があるのか大体分かる。椅子やベッド、リーシェちゃんの武器、窓際に置かれた花瓶。 どういう色で、どういうデザインなのかは分からないけど、形だけは分かる。これが瘴気の索敵能力って訳か。レイラちゃんの言ってた通りだね。 「うん......レイラちゃんに聞けばもっと分かりそうだけど、かなり便利そうだ」 瘴気を消して、そう呟いた。 そして、今度は『先見の魔眼』を発動してみる。昨日はどうやら勝手に発動してしまったようだけど、意識したら発動を解除する事も出来た。 鏡を見てみたら発動時は翡翠色の虹彩になるんだけど、発動していない時はレイラちゃんと同じで赤い虹彩になる。どっちにしろ左眼を取り戻した僕は、発動してようがしてなかろうが、 うん、ちょっとカッコいいんじゃない? 中二病とか言われるけどさ、この世界には勇者気取り以外にそんなこと言う奴いないし、ぶっちゃけカッコいいと思うんだ僕。密かにレイラちゃんの赤い眼とかカッコいいなぁって思ってたんだよ僕。 「ふふふ、ビジュアル的に僕も成長したってことか」 そんなことを言いながら、僕は満足気に笑みを浮かべる。 「あ......きつね、おはよう」 「ん? リーシェちゃん、おはよう!」 すると、扉が開いて髪を濡らしたリーシェちゃんが帰ってきた。 でも、彼女の眼元はちょっと赤くなっていた。強く擦ったんだろうか? それとも、泣いていた......? 「......左眼、治ったんだな」 「うん、リーシェちゃんが気絶している間にちょっと色々あって」 「ああ......私が気絶している間に、な」 僕の言葉に、リーシェちゃんはなんだか自嘲気味にそう言った。 どうしたんだろうと思って首を傾げるけれど、リーシェちゃんはなんだか悲しげに俯くばかりだ。なんだなんだ? 元気ないなぁ、心配になるじゃないか。 「......なぁきつね、私は一体何のためにお前に付いて来たんだろうな」 「え?」 「お前に付いて来て、私は仲間の為に何が出来た......何も出来ていないじゃないか。フィニアとレイラが強いのは分かる......それでも、みすみすフィニアやルルを奪われて......お面だって取り戻すどころか動くことすら出来なかった。それなのに、いきなり何者かに襲撃されて気絶して......気が付いたらきつねとレイラがなんとかしていた............私は私が情けない!」 自分を責める様にそういうリーシェちゃん。そういえばこの子対して役に立ってないね。まぁソレを言うなら僕は戦闘に参加してないから、リーシェちゃんの方が護衛依頼中役に立ってたと思うんだけど。 でもなんだか彼女は自分の必要性に迷っているようだ。敵を目の前に、仲間と戦えないというのは、彼女にとってさぞ悔しいことなんだろう。 まぁ知ったことではないけど。 「確かに君は役に立たないし、実力だってフィニアちゃんやレイラちゃんに比べれば随分劣っているし、ルルちゃんみたいに家族ってわけでもない。正直な所居る意味はあんまりないよね」 「う......分かっていたがはっきり言われるとかなり来るな......」 「でもさ、リーシェちゃん。僕は必要不必要で仲間を選んでないんだよ」 ぶっちゃけ、僕はリーシェちゃんみたいに自分の実力がないからって悩む様な考え方はしていない。弱いなら弱いで良い、それでも生き延びるために食らいつくのが僕だ。 その為ならあの勇者気取りにだって歯向かうし、魔王だって丸腰で倒しに行こう。レイラちゃんを相手にするのだってやぶさかじゃないし、なんならあの使徒ちゃんに喧嘩を売るのだって容易い。 「君が仲間をどういうモノだと考えてるのか知ったこっちゃないけど、僕はリーシェちゃんを頼りにしてる。それじゃ駄目なの?」 だから、仲間は必要なのか必要じゃないのかなんて考える関係じゃないし、僕は強い弱いで仲間を切り捨てない。僕より弱い奴なんて、このパーティにはいないしね。 命を預けるに足る相手だと信頼しているから仲間なんだ。例え勇者気取り並の実力を持つリーシェちゃんと1週間一緒に仕事したそれほど強くないリーシェちゃんのどっちを取るかと言われれば、僕は後者を取る。 強いだけの奴なんて、僕はいらないんだよ。 「......ああ、分かった」 「まだ仲間になって一週間も経ってない。これから頑張れば良いんだよ、僕も、君も」 「そうだな......うん、頑張るよ」 苦笑気味に微笑みを見せるリーシェちゃん。励ましになればいいけれど、まぁリーシェちゃん次第だよね。 さて、それじゃそろそろ動きますか。まずはレイラちゃんを探しに行こうかな。 部屋を出て行くきつねの背中を見ながら、私も武器と荷物を持って部屋を出る。 彼の後ろを歩く私は、内心で彼に対する尊敬と感心を抱いていた。 私は元々、騎士としての可能性を見出せずにいて、父様にも騎士の皆にも見捨てられがちな状況だったのをきつねによって助けられた。まぁ助けられたというよりも、別の可能性を見出されたといった感じだったが、それでも私は感謝している。 2年間分からなかった、私が剣を振るえない理由をたった2時間程で見出してしまったその観察眼や、また格上に対して自分を押し通す胆力、勇者という権力的にも実力的にも格上である相手に対し、負けはしたものの精神的には押し勝っていた様だった。 彼の強さはその類い稀な精神力と、強敵に臆さない胆力にあるのだと思う。 今でこそフィニアやルルを取り戻す為に強くなることに貪欲さを見せているが、少し前までは強くなろうという意思は全くなかったのだ。 なのに、戦うことからは逃げていなかった。確かに彼は、父様の言う通り戦う術とは別の、何か違う強さを持っていると思う。 「ふんふんふーん......♪」 鼻歌を歌いながら前を歩くきつね。どうやら今日は機嫌が良いらしい。 彼と仲間になって短くも時間が経ったが、その短い時間の中でかなり濃い出来事が多くあった。レイラとの邂逅、勇者との戦い、そして謎の襲撃。 ―――その全てで、私は何の役にも立てていない。 レイラとは何があったのか、私自身何も知らないのだが、それでも勇者の時や謎の襲撃のときは、結果的にどちらもきつねが一番前に出て重傷を負った。 仲間なのに、私は強者を前にして臆してしまったんだ。実力だって、私の方がきつねよりも強い筈なのに。 「なぁきつね、これからどうするんだ?」 「ん? ああうん、とりあえずこの国を出るよ。どうやら僕にぴったりな国があるみたいだから」 「そうか......」 廊下を歩きながら、そんな会話を交わす。会話は続かず、結局また沈黙してしまった。 きつねは私に、必要不必要で仲間を選んでいないと言った。彼にとっては、強い仲間はそれほど必要じゃないらしい。背中を預けられる、信頼出来る者が仲間なんだと、そう言った。 そして、何の役にも立てなかった私を、頼りにしていると、それじゃ駄目なのかと、そう言ってくれた。 「......きつね」 「ん? どうしたのリーシェちゃん」 その言葉は、私の心に染み入った。 ならば、きつねが私を頼りにしてくれているというのならば、強くなろう。勇者にも立ち向かえるように、誰よりも強くなろう。 「私は強くなるよ、約束だ」 だから、きつねは見ていてくれ。私はきっとお前の期待に応えてみせる。騎士では無くなってしまったけれど、私は私の剣に誓うよ。 きっと、強くなってみせる。 「え、いきなり何? 怖いんだけど」 台無しだよ。お前はいつも締まらないなぁ......全く。

"Haa... haa... haa...." Spontaneously, I left the room. Many things happened today and my heart was in a mess. My mind was in disorder, my body wouldn't move as I wanted it to, and I ended up hesitant to do what I wanted to. When I saw Kitsune-kun depressed because Finia and Lulu were taken away by that so called hero or something, I didn't feel anything at all. Ah, he's depressed, that was all I thought. That was why I didn't say anything and behaved as I used to be. And yet, even though I wanted to kiss and taste Kitsune-kun, ever since the battle with that white person, my body had been acting strange. When I was about to touch Kitsune-kun, somehow I ended up hesitating. Even though I'd been able to hug him very easily up until now, this time I couldn't even think up a way to do it. When I talked with Kitsune-kun, my heart would beat faster and faster. Even though the night hadn't come yet, my face was burning, and I felt as if my heart was being tormented as if being pressed by something. My body, just what happened to it? I was a bit scared. Even before, even though Kitsune-kun had especially said that I could kiss him twice, when I closed up my face to his, my heart suddenly beat unbearably fast. My face turned hot, I felt I'd go crazy if I kiss him there, and somehow I couldn't bear to stay beside him any longer. That was why I ran away. Jumping out of the bed, I opened the door and immediately rushed out to the hallway. "Uu... I don't get it...." My mind was filled by Kitsune-kun. What's happening to me, I wonder? In the end, I passed the night by running around at my wits' end because of the thought of Kitsune and the unbearable murky and painful feeling I felt. And then that day, I couldn't feel an ounce of desire that have been accompanying me ever since I was born. When Leila-chan left, I fell asleep once again, and now, the next morning, I wake up. My body is a bit heavy, but this time I can move and straighten my body up, and when I turn around, I can see neither Rishe-chan nor Leila-chan in the room. Well, Rishe-chan's sword and luggages are still there, so perhaps she's taking a bath or something, but I just don't know where Leila-chan is. For now, I get off the bed while thinking so. "Mm, mm~...! Haa... well then...." After stretching my body, I check my current condition. The remaining fatigue, it should all dissappear if I rest for a bit more. My limbs are all movable, even my internals that received quite an injury from Apostle-chan's attack, thanks to "Near-death experience" I can somewhat move easily without it hindering me. I haven't perfectly healed yet but it should be enough to go through the usual daily activity. The real check is starting from here. Producing miasma with "Miasma manipulation" like Leila-chan usualy does, I mold it into a knife. It doesn't break when I try swinging it, and it looks sharper than the normal sword around. I realized it when I tried creating a knife yesterday. Since the miasma moves as I imagine it to, it's pretty easy to control. Next, I try to scatter the miasma around the room. Then, even when I close my eyes, I can somewhat understand what's there inside the room. Chair, bed, Rishe-chan's sword, as well as the vase beside the window. I don't know the color or the pattern on it, but I can understand its form. "Umm... if I ask Leila-chan I think I'll be able to understand it more, but this ability sure is convenint." Extinguishing the miasma, I mutter so. This time, I try to activate "Demon-eye of foresight". It seems like this ability arbitrarily activated yesterday, but when I'm conscious, it's possible for me to activate as well as deactivate it. Upon looking at the mirror, I can see that the iris will turn into jade green when the skill is activated, but when the skill isn't activated, the iris will be red similarly like Leila-chan's. Either way, after regaining my left eye, either it when I activate the demon eye or not, seems like it's already decided that I'd have odd eyes (heterochromia). Yup, don't I look a bit cool like this? I might be called as a chuunibyo or the like, but in this world there's no one who knows that term aside from the fake hero after all, so honestly speaking, I do think I look cool this way. I even secretly thought that Leila-chan's red eyes were cool. "Fufufu, that means even appearance-wise I've grown, huh." Saying so, I float a satisfied smile. "Ah... Kitsune, morning." "Hmm? Rishe-chan, morning!" Then, opening the door, Rishe-chan returns with her hair wet. However, her eyes are somewhat red. Did she rub it too strong? Or perhaps, did she cry? "...your left eye, looks like it's been healed." "Yeah, this and that happened when you were fainted, you see." "I see... when I was fainted, huh." When I say so, it feels as if Rishe-chan somewhat self-deprecates herself. I incline my head in wonder what happens to her, but Rishe-chan only sad-lookingly hang her head. What happens? She doesn't look well, doesn't it make me kinda worried. "...say, Kitsune, why did you take me along with you?" "Eh?" "Ever since you took me along, what have I done for our comrades? ... Weren't I unable to do anything at all? I fully understand that Finia and Leila are strong... but, Finia and Lulu were taken away before my own eyes, even the mask, not to mention taking it back, I couldn't even move at all. And yet, I was immediately fainted by that surprise attack... and when I woke up, you and Leila had somehow dealt with it... I sure am pathetic!" Come to think of it, she surely wasn't very helpful at all, huh. Well, if we go that way then since I never participated in any battle then, I think Rishe-chan was say more helpful in the previous guard request, though. And yet here it appears that she's doubting whether she's necessary for us or not. To be unable to fight the enemies before her for her comrades, perhaps that was very mortifying for her. Well, not that I care though. "Well, surely you weren't very helpful, even power-wise, yours is quite inferior than Finia-chan's and Leila-chan's, and unlike Lulu-chan, you aren't my family or anything. So honestly speaking, it doesn't look like there's any necessity for you to be with us." "Ugh... I've understood it but listening to you saying it so bluntly is still a bit...." "But you see, Rishe-chan, I'm not choosing my comrades based on necessity." Honestly speaking, the thought about worrying simply because you're weak, like how Rishe-chan does, has never crossed my mind. It's okay to be weak, however you ought to keep on struggling to stay alive. For that sake I'd even go up againtst the fake here, I'd even go subjugate the demon lord if I need to. I won't even hesitate to take care of Leila-chan, even fighting against that apostle-chan isn't something I'm afraid of. "I don't know your idea regarding comradery, but as far as I'm concerned, I want to rely on you. Is that not good enough?" That's why, I won't discard her simply because she's weak, comrade isn't about whether they're necessary or not, after all. In this party, there's no one who's weaker than me, after all. Comrade is someone you could entrust your life to. If I must choose between the Rishe-chan who possess prowess equaling that of the fake hero, or the Rishe-chan who isn't that strong but has spent a week working together with us, I'd choose the later. I don't need someone who posses only power. "...umm, got it." "It hasn't even been a week ever since we became comades. Let's do our best from now on." "You're right... yeah, let's do our best." Rishe-chan shows a somewhat strained smile. I hope that could encourage her, but well, it's all depending on Rishe-chan herself, though. Well then, it's about the time for us to move. Well, I think we need to search Leila-chan first, though. Looking at Kitsune's back that was leaving the room, I took my sword and my luggage and then left the room as well. Walking behind him, I held a strong respect and admiration toward him. Initially, I was in a dire situation where I couldn't see any possibility to be able to become a knight and was abandoned by my own father and everyone else, and at that time Kitsune saved me. Well, rather than saving me, it was more like he showed me another possibility, nonetheless I was grateful to him. The observation ability that could perceive the reason why I couldn't swing my sword in only two hours, something that I'd never realized in those two years of time, also the courage to stand against someone who's way stronger than him. He even could put mental pressure on the hero who was clreay way stronger than him. Those strength were originated from his exceptional emotional strength as well as the courage that won't falter even before an overwhelming enemy. Right now he was avaricely seeking any means possible to get stronger so that he could take Finia and Lulu back, but just a moment before, he didn't have any such a thought at all. He was exactly like what my father said, not fighting power, he possessed a different kind of power. "Hmmhmmhmm~...." Kitsune walked while humming. Seems like he was quite in a good mood. It hadn't been that long ever since I became his comrade, but in that short amount of time, quite a number of great affairs had happened. The encounter with Leila, the fight with the hero, and then that mysterious attack. --in all of it, I didn't do anything useful at all. I personally didn't know what happened in the case with Leila, but in the case with the hero and that mysterious attack, Kitsune was always the one who stood at the most front and received serious injuries in result. Even though we were comrades, I ended up hesitant when I stood up before the strong. Even though prowess-wise, I was supposed to be stronger than him. "Say Kitsune, what are we going to do from now on?" "Hmm? Ah, umm, well, for the time being, let's leave this country first. Seems like there's a country that's perfect for me." "I see...." While walking through the hallway, we exchange such conversation. Unable to continue the conversation, in the end we were being silent again. Kitsune said that he didn't choose comrade based on necessity. For him, it seems like he didn't particularly neeed some powerful comrades. He said that comrade was someone he could entrus his back to. Thus, even someone who couldn't fight like me, he said that he wanted to rely on me, and asked if that wasn't a good enough reason to be a comrade. "...Kitsune." "Hmm? What's up, Rishe-chan?" Those words, permeated my heart. If that's the case, if he said that he wanted to rely on me, then I had to be stronger. In order to face against the hero, I'd to be stronger than anyone. "I'll definitely become stronger, I promise you." Therefore, just watch me, Kitsune. I'd definitely live up to your expectation. I failed to be a knight, but I promised you in the name of my sword. Definitely, I'd be stronger. "Eh, what's into you so suddenly? It's kinda scary, though." Please don't spoil the mood like that. Why must you always did that... good grief.

桔音がギルドへ運び込まれた時、勇者の『希望の光』の効果範囲外へと出たのか、はたまた勇者が『希望の光』を解除したのか、桔音の『臨死体験』が発動した。 桔音を死なせまいと発動したそれは、桔音を死の寸前まで追い詰めた相手、勇者の筋力ステータスの倍の耐性を会得させる。そして勇者のステータスは総じてAランク相当、その倍ともなればレイラの時と同様にSランクの自己回復能力を手にする事になる。 レイラの時よりも酷い重傷ではあったが、数分で桔音の傷は全て完治した。肩の風穴は塞がり、腹を貫通した傷も塞がり、そして何度も殴られてぐしゃぐしゃになった顔や身体も元に戻った。 「あー死ぬかと思った」 桔音はそう言って身体を起こし、全回復した身体を動かす。 『臨死体験』というのは、発動した後は危険が去るまでその効果を持続させる。上がったステータスは、一時的に桔音本来のものとなるのだ。 そして効果を発動させたあと『臨死体験』は一度なりを潜め、危機が去った後再度ステータスを戻す為に発動する。 つまり発動と停止の間もずっと発動し続けている訳ではない。その間は機能していないのだ。 それが意味するのは、『臨死体験』は発動してしまえば戦闘が終わるまで――――『希望の光』の効果を受け付けないということだ。 「きつね君きつね君」 「なにかなレイラちゃん」 「これからどうするの?」 桔音は薄ら笑いを浮かべ、ギルドの入口へと歩き出す。レイラもその後ろを追うように小走りで付いて行く。 「あの巫女ちゃんの目的は、フィニアちゃんを奪うこと。フィニアちゃんを見た時から、あの子の眼はずっとフィニアちゃんをどう仲間にするかを画策していたからね。だから利用した、勇者がルルちゃんを助けるとか言った時に思い付いたんだろうね」 「そうなの?」 「ねぇレイラちゃん、この国に居たなら知ってるんじゃないの? この国であんな勝負が認められているのかな?」 桔音はギルドの入り口から外へと出て、ルルを連れて去ろうとしている勇者と 「ううん、聞いたことない」 「だろうね......あんな勝負が認められたら、この国は戦争どころか内乱で崩壊してる」 レイラの答えに、更に歩きだし、嘲笑して桔音はそう言った。 そう、この国では決闘なんて制度は―――『ない』。 勇者の強い物が全てという言葉に対して、セシルは肯定した。だがそれは強者がなんでも奪って良いという話ではないのだ。 強者であることで多少得することがあり、多くの名声を得られるというだけの話である。今回の勝負はあの巫女、セシルが作りあげた、 ――――決闘という名の、強奪の場だ。 桔音はそれを分かっていた。いや、正確には途中から気付いていた。だからこそ、最初は逃げようとした訳だが、そこから逃げ場を封じる様にセシルがあの光の輪を発動したのだ。 しかも予想外だったのは、勇者の『希望の光』だ。時間稼ぎをすればいずれ光の輪が解けると思っていたのだが、あのスキルのせいで時間稼ぎをする手段が全て封じられてしまったのだ。 故に負けてしまった。全てはあの巫女の掌の上だったのだ。 「気に入らないなぁ、やられっぱなしは趣味じゃない」 桔音はそう呟いて、立ちすくんでいたリーシェの隣に辿り着く。同時に、桔音のその言葉に反応して、去ろうとしていた勇者と巫女が驚愕の表情で振り向いた。連れていかれそうだったルルや、フィニアも同様に驚いている。 「な......あんた、なんで」 「ああ君はもういいよ、はっきり言って君は僕の敵じゃない」 「なっ......」 勇者が話し掛けてきたが、桔音はそれを一蹴してぶった切った。 既に桔音にとって彼は眼中どころか意識の中にすら入っていない。敵にするには考えも行動も意思も覚悟も足りていない。ちょっと力を持っただけの虫を気にするほど、桔音も暇じゃないのだ。 「いや、良くやったもんだと思ってね......従者失格と言ったけど取り消すよ。お前、結構強かじゃないか」 「......どうも」 「でもさ、勇者の従者って言うなら......やっぱり従者失格だね。まぁそこの勇者気取りの従者ならお似合いか」 桔音は薄ら笑いを浮かべながらそう言った。巫女の眉がぴくりと動いた。 「でもまぁ、まんまと君の掌の上で転がされたわけだし、負けは負けだ......ルルちゃんもフィニアちゃんも、奪って行くなら奪えば良い」 そして続けて言う。自分達が何をしたのか、自分達が誰を敵に回したのか、それを思い知らせてやる。そう思いながら、『不気味体質』を発動させて巫女に向かって歩き出す。 どうやら『希望の光』は発動していないらしい。まぁ『不気味体質』が発動しているのが分かるのは、桔音とその対象のみ、勇者はそれに気が付く事が出来ない以上『希望の光』で阻害する事は出来ない。 「でも、僕は君を許さない」 「っ......!?」 鼻と鼻が触れ合う程に顔を近づけた桔音は、薄ら笑いを浮かべたままセシルに言う。『不気味体質』が発動していることもあって、セシルは逃げ出したいほどの恐怖に囚われ、身体がすくんで動けなかった。 「全力で逃げるんだね、僕はお前を追いかけて追いかけて追いかけて追いかけて、最後は僕にしたことを後悔する位に叩きのめしてあげる。その綺麗なお顔を涙と鼻水で歪ませて、足腰立たない位の恐怖を与えて、子供みたいに失禁させて、最後は地面に頭を擦りつけながら必死に僕に許しを請わせてやる」 「な......あ......っ......!」 「おい、あんた!」 「何かな勇者気取り君?」 先程までは優勢だったのに、何故か桔音の言葉が二人を追い詰めていた。 しかし、勇者はその剣を抜いて桔音に切り掛かる。桔音はその速度を追えず、刀身なんて全く見えなかったけれど、 「ッ――――!?」 「残念、効かないよ。言っただろ、お前はもう僕の敵ですらない」 刃は鈍い音を立てて桔音の首に当たり、肉どころか皮膚すら切り裂けず止まった。 『臨死体験』で向上した耐性能力値は、Aランクの力ですら寄せ付けない。 「まぁ、これ位にしておくよ。これ以上やると、君達泣いちゃうでしょ?」 「ッ......!」 桔音は嘲笑しながらそう言って挑発し、セシルから二歩三歩と離れた。そして先程から言われっぱなしの二人は言い返せないストレスに歯噛みする。 だがもう桔音の視線は二人に向いていない。 「ルルちゃん、フィニアちゃん」 「きつねさん......」 「きつね様......」 どれだけ言おうが、負けは負け。どれだけ卑怯だったとしても、敗北した以上は何も言えないのだ。だからこそ、桔音はここで無様に足掻いたりしない。卑怯卑劣には全力を持ってして叩き伏せ、屈辱を味あわせてやる。 「ルルちゃんにはさっきも言ったね」 桔音は先程、ルルにも言ったことをもう一度、はっきりと言葉にする。取り返そうと思えば、今にでも取り戻せる。 しかし、今はそうしない。それは悪足掻きでしかないし、卑怯な勇者達と同じになってしまうから、そうしない。 あくまで正々堂々と、真正面から挑んで、取り戻す。 「待ってて......絶対に取り返すから」 だから今は少しだけ、待ってて欲しい。そういう思いを込めて、桔音はフィニア達にそう言った。 「うん......待ってる」 「はい......!」 フィニアとルルは、その思いを受け取ってそれを受け入れた。待っていれば必ず取り戻してくれると、そう約束してくれたのだから、信じて待つことにした。 桔音はルルとフィニアを抱きよせて、優しく抱きしめた。 また一つ、守らなければならない約束が増えた。 「良かったのー? きつね君」 「何が?」 「フィニア達を行かせて、まぁ私は別にどうでもいいけど」 すると、レイラちゃんがそう聞いてきた。まぁ、良くはないけれど、ちゃんと取り戻すって言ったからね。約束は守るよ。 あの二人は本当に腹立たしいことばっかして行ったけれど、絶対いつか復讐する。泣きながら僕に頭を下げさせて、ごめんなさいって言わせる。 その為にはもっと強くならないとね。手っ取り早く強くなる為には、強い相手と戦えば良いんだし、今日からレイラちゃん相手にちょっと殺し合いでもしようかな。 「ふーん......うふふっ♪ そっかぁ......うんうん、きつね君らしくて良いんじゃないかな♡」 「だが、どうやって取り戻すつもりだ? 巫女はともかく、勇者の方はとてつもなく強いぞ?」 確かにそうなんだよねぇ。耐性ステータスをいくら上げたとしても、負けないだけで勝つ事は出来ない。まぁあんだけメンタルが弱いようなら言葉で滅多打ちにして心を圧し折るのも一つの手ではあるけれど、どうせならやられた分やり返してやりたい。 となれば、筋力とかをあげるのが最も効率が良いんだけど......僕の筋力値は限界値に達してるからどうしようもないよね。ただそうなると、もっと都合のいい戦闘スタイルを身に付けるしかないか。 「うん、なんにせよ......レベルをあげることが優先だね」 「まぁそうだろうけど......」 「なんにせよ、この国に居る意味はもうないわけだ......とっととこんな国出て行って、何処か別の所へ行こうよ。ミニエラに帰るのも良いし、他の場所へ行くのも良いし......」 どちらにせよ、グランディール王国は正直もう居たくない。勇者召喚した国だし、奴隷にシビアな国だし、僕に優しくないし。 それに城に侵入するのもあまり好ましくない。下手したら投獄させられてしまう。行動が制限される可能性がある以上、この国で何か行動を起こすのは不味い。 それに―――僕の『直感』スキルが、この場に留まるべきではないと告げている。 「もしかしたら、勇者以上のヤバい奴が来るかもしれないし......ね」 僕のその呟きに、リーシェちゃんもレイラちゃんも首を傾げた。 その頃勇者達はというと、グランディール王国の入り口にいた。桔音から逃げる様にルルとフィニアを連れてあの場を去った二人だが、元々ギルドで一緒に旅をする仲間を待つ予定だったのを思い出し、入り口で待つことにしたのだ。 魔法使いのシルフィと剣士のジーク、旅する上で必ず力になってくれる二人だ。ギルドであんな騒ぎがあった後故に、後からやってきた二人なら誰かから話を聞いてきっと此処まで来るだろう。セシルはそう考えたのだ。 そして現在、セシルと勇者は桔音という存在の事を考えていた。 二人とも、決闘の結果勝ったというのに、全く嬉しくない心境だった。それどころか、桔音という存在を敵に回してしまったこと、これを悔いていた。無論ルルとフィニアを連れて来た事に対してではない、桔音が怖いと思ってしまったからこそ悔いているのだ。 出来ればもう二度と関わりたくない相手が、地の果てまで追い掛けてくる。それだけで顔が青褪めてしまう。それほどまでに、二人は桔音に恐怖を植え付けられたのだ。 「......セシル」 「とりあえず気にしても仕方ないし、今すぐ追ってくるって訳じゃないだろ? 俺達の役目は魔王の討伐、こんな所で躓いている訳にはいかないんじゃないか?」 「そう、ですね......」 勇者、凪は自分に言い聞かせるようにそう言って、無理矢理作った様な笑みを浮かべた。セシルも、励ましてくれているのだろうと思ってなんとか気を取り直す。 そして、セシルがなんとか笑みを作ると、凪も重くなった空気を変えようと声を張り上げた。 「よーし! それじゃあ取り敢えず、折角の旅なんだ楽しんでいこうぜ!」 「えっ......と......フィニア、だったっけ?」 「気易く名前を呼ばないでくれる?」 「そう怒らないでさ、仲良くしようぜ?」 「いや」 フィニアの全く心を開いてくれない態度に、凪は引き攣った笑みを浮かべる。完全に嫌われているということが分かった。これまでその正義感の強さと優しさ、そしてルックスもあってあまり人から嫌われる経験の少ない凪は、此処まであからさまな嫌悪に若干ショックを受ける。 だが、なんとか踏みとどまって今度はルルに視線を向ける。彼女は桔音との家族の絆である首輪に触れながら、会話には全く参加する気はなさそうだった。表情も何処か浮かない様子だ。 「えーと......ルルちゃん......だったか?」 「何処か怪我とかないか?」 「......大丈夫です」 会話のキャッチボールが成り立たないとはこのことだ。幾ら言葉を投げかけても、ルルは全て受け流してしまう。けして投げ返して来ないのがその証拠だ。 すると、凪はルルが首輪を弄っているのに気が付いた。 「それ、窮屈だろ? 取ってやるよ」 すると、凪はここぞとばかりに剣を抜いて、その鍛え上げられた太刀筋を惜しげなく披露し――― 「あ......あああ......!」 切れた首輪はルルの首から外れ、地面へと音を立てて落ちた。 ルルと桔音が、家族になる為に二人を繋いだ首輪。勿論そんな物がなくともルルと桔音は心で繋がっている、首輪が無くなった所で家族でなくなることはない。 ―――でも、ルルにとってはこの首輪が唯一の宝物だった。 それが今、非情な刃で斬り裂かれ、地面に落ちた。 「ルルちゃん!」 ルルは地面にしゃがみ込み、バラバラになった首輪を必死に元に戻そうと掻き集める。いつしかぽろぽろと涙が溢れ、どうしたってくっつかない首輪を何度も何度もくっつけようと手を動かす。 しかし、どうした所で首輪は元には戻らない。 ルルは涙を流す。首輪が壊れたことに対する悲しみにではない、桔音への罪の意識に涙を流す。彼と結んだ絆の証が壊されてしまった、申し訳なくて申し訳なくて、どうしていいか分からなかった。 「え、えっと......もしかして、首輪が好きだったのか? わ、悪い! 新しいのを―――」 「もういい」 見当違いのことを言う勇者に、涙を流すルルの前に浮遊するフィニアが怒りの形相で言葉を遮る。ルルに近づくなとばかりに、勇者とルルの間に入って睨みつけた。 「貴方はもう私達に構わないで......きつねさんが言うから一緒に行動するのは我慢する、でも貴方は私達に何もしないで」 「っ......はぁ......分かった、悪かったよ」 凪はフィニアの言葉に、今はもう何を言っても裏目に出るだけだと思い、素直に身を引いた。 どうやらフィニア達の自分への好感度はマイナスを振りきっているみたいだ、と考えながら、肩を落とした。

When Kitsune was brought into the guild, as if he was outside the area of effect of hero's "Ray of Hope", "Near-death experience" immediately activated. Then moment it was activated, to not let Kitsune died, he gained resistance stats equal to double of hero's -who cornered him to the brink of death- strength stats. And then, since hero's prowess was equal to that of an A rank adventurer, Kitsune received S rank self-recovery ability equaling to the time when he was attacked by Leila. He was at a state which was worse than the time with Leila, but just in several seconds, all of his unjuries were rocevered. The hole at his shoulder was closed, the pierced wound at his abdomen was closed, and then his whole body -that was attacked numerous time and ragged- was recovered. "Ah, I thought I were going to die." Saying so, Kitsune raised his body up, and moved his just recovered body. Once "Near-death experience" activated, this skill's effect would last till there was no danger to its wielder. The increased stats was temporarily turned into his true stats. After it activated its effect, it would soon deactivate itself, and the moment there was no danger to its wielder, it would activate itself again to return the stats to its original value. That meant, from the moment its effect surfaced till it disappeard, this skill didn't always activate, and would deactivate itself in between. That meant, till the end of this battle, its effect... wouldn't be nullified by "Ray of Hope". "Kitsune-kun, Kitsune-kun." "What's up, Leila-chan?" "What are going to do?" Floating his usual faint smile, Kitsune walked toward guild's entrance. Leila trotted behind him as if to chase after him. "That miko's intention was to, snatch Finia-chan away. Ever since the moment she saw Finia-chan, her eyes said that she was always thinking about how to take Finia-chan to their party, after all. That was why she utilized it, I'm sure she realized this chance the moment the hero told his intention to save Lulu-chan." "Is that so?" "Say, Leila-chan, since you come from this country, do you know anything about it? Is such duel really approved at this country?" Kitsune stepped outside through guild's entrance, and gazed and the hero and the miko who intended to leave while taking along Lulu. "Hmm, I've never heard of it." "Thought so... if such duel is approved, not by war, this country would have crumbled long ago because of civil war." Hearing Leila's answer, he walked again, and said so in scorn. That was right, there was... 'no'... such system for duel at that country. The hero's word about strength is everything, Cecil affirmed it. However, it didn't mean that the strong could take everything as they pleased. It meant, if you were strong enough, you would be able to more of less live prosperously and received great fame there. This time duel was that miko, Cecil's self-stated thing, --that so called duel was nothing but a cover, for her plundering scheme. Kitsune just realized it. No, more precisely, he realized it midway. That was why, at first he thought about running away, but as if to block his escaping path, Cecil activated that circle of light. Moreover, the most unexpected thing was, the hero's "Ray of Hope". If he could buy some times, that circle of light would surely disappear in a given amount of time, but because of that skill, he lost all means to buy time. That was why he lost. Everything was according to that miko's plan. "I don't like it, being schemed against isn't my style." Murmuring so, Kitsune arrived at the petrivied Rishe's side. Simulatenously, reacting to Kitsune's word, the intending to leave hero and miko were floating surprised expressions. Similarly Lulu, who was being led away, and Finia were surprised as well. The only one who knew about "Near-death Experience" was none other but Leila, so there was no helping it. "Wha... you, how...." "Ah, I'm done with you, I've fully understood that you aren't my enemy." "Wha...." The hero talked to him, but Kitsune interjected and ignored him. All of sudden, much less consideration, Kitsune didn't even give the hero any thought. The hero's thought, act, will, and resolution, were all insufficient to become Kitsune's enemy. And Kitsune himself, didn't have that much free time to waste to be bothered by a mere insect that had quite a bit of power. "Not at all, I just thought that you've done it pretty well... I take it back for calling you as a disgraceful follower. You, aren't you quite a crafty one?" "...thank you." "But, if you call yourself as hero's follower, then... as I thought you're still a disgraceful follower. Well, as a follower of that fake hero, you both are quite suited for each other, though." Kitunse said so while floating his usual faint smile. The miko's eyebrow twitched slightly. "But, well, even if all of this are all merely your scheme, a lose is still a lose... either it Lulu-chan or Finia-chan, if you want to take them then just take them with you." And then continued so. What did they just do, who was the one they just made an enemy of, he wanted to make them realized it. With such a thought, he walked and activated "Eerie Constitution" toward the miko. Seems like "Ray of Hope" wasn't activated. Well, the one who realized the activation of "Eerie Constitution" was, Kitsune and his target, and since the hero didn't notice it, that was why he didn't activate "Ray of Hope". "But, I won't ever forgive you." "....!?" Closing his face to hers till their noses almost connected, Kitsune said so while faintly smiling. Together with the fact that "Eerie Constitution" was activated, Cecil was seized with fear that even made her wants to run away, however her body was frozen and couldn't move even an inch. "Just do your best to run away, since I'll keep on chase, chase, and chase after you, and finally, I'll beat you enough to make you regret what you've done. I'll definitely give you enough fear that will make that pretty face of yours covered by tears and nasal mucus, that will make your legs limp and unable to stand up, and finally, it will force you to rub that head of yours on the ground in desperate for asking for my forgiveness." "Wha... a...!" "Oi, you!" "What is it, fake hero-kun?" Up until just a moment ago, they were the superior one, and yet, somehow Kitsune's word cornered them. However, the hero brandished his sword and swung it at Kitsune. Kitsune was unable to follow the hero's speed, he couldn't see the sword at all, "...!?" "Too bad, that won't be able to hurt me. Haven't I told you before? That you aren'y my enemy anymore." With a dull sound, the sword stopped at Kitsune's neck, much less flesh, it couldn't even cut his skin. Kitsune's increased stat under the effert of "Near-death Experience" was something that couldn't be compared to a stat that of an A rank. "Well, let's just leave it with this much. If I go any further, you both may cry, after all." "...!" Kitsune said so in scorn to provoke them, and took several steps away from Cecil. And then, both of them that couldn't say a word at his provocation, could only grind their teeth in distress. However, Kitsune's gaze was already turned away from them. "Lulu-chan, Finia-chan." "Kitsune-san...." "Kitsune-sama...." No matter how much words he said, a lose is still a lose. No matter how unfair it was, as the loser he couldn't do anything about it. That was why, Kitsune wouldn't disgracefully flounder them. By knocking them down at their own unfair game, that was the best way to humiliate them. "Lulu-chan, I've told you before, didn't I?" Kitsune was going to once again say the word that he said to Lulu just now, clearly. If he simply wanted to take them back, he could do it even now. However, he wouldn't do it now. That was the final struggle if he really didn't have any other choice, but since it would seem similar like what that cowardice hero did, Kitsune wouldn't do it. To the bitter end, fair and square, challenging face on, that's the right way to do it. "Just wait for me... since I'll definitely come and take you back." That's why, for just a bit, I want you to wait. "Yes... I'll be waiting for you." "Yes...!" Finia and Lulu, receiving his thought, they accepted it. If they waited for him, he would definitely come and take them back, he had promised so, that was why they decided to believe him. Kitsune hugged Finia and Lulu, gently hugged them. The promise he had to keep, increased by one. "Are you fine with it? Kitsune-kun?" "With what?" "Letting Finia-chan and Lulu-chan go, well, I don't particularly care about it, though." Well, there's no way I'm fine with it, but I've promised to take them back again later after all. I'll definitely keep this promise. Those two were really irritating, I'll definitely take my revenge at them. I'll make them bow their head in cry, and ask for my forgiveness. For that sake, I need to be stronger. And a way to become stronger in a short amount of time, is to fight against strong opponents... hmm, should I do some bloody spar with Leila-chan, I wonder? "Hmm... ufufu, I see... yup, yup, a way that's so like you, Kitsune-kun." "But, how are you intending to take them back? Leaving aside the miko, the hero is undoubtly powerful, you know?" That's surely right, right? No matter how high my resistance, even if I won't lose, there's no way for me to win either. Will, with such weak mentality, there's an option to crush him mentally, but in the end, I want to repay them back in full. That means, the best way is to rise my strength stat, but... sadly, since my strength stat has reached its limit already, there's nothing I can do about it though. With that only means, my only choice if to find a more convenient battle style for me, huh. "Well, anyhow... leveling up is the top priority." "Well, that is surely the case...." "Anyway, we have no reason to stay at this country any longer... let's leave this country immediately, and go to some other place. We can return to Miniera, and we can also try to go to other place...." Either way, I don't want to stay at this country any longer. It's the country that summoned the hero after all, it's a country that oppress slaves after all, it's a country that is harsh at me after all. Moreover, it's unlikely possible for me to infiltrate the castle. If I do it poorly, I might get imprisoned. Not just there's a possibility that this country may restrict our movement, it would be bad if something happen at this country. Moreover-- my "Instict" skill, have been telling me that I shouldn't stay at this country any longer. "Perhaps, something worse than the hero may come, after... all." At my murmur, Rishe-chan and Leila-chan incline their heads. At the same time, hero and co. were at the Grandile Kingdom's entrance. Hero and Cecil, as if to ran away from Kitsune, they immediately took Finia and Lulu to the country's entrance, however, recalling their other party members who they were supposed to meet at the guild, they decided to wait for them there. Magician Silphy and Swordman Jik, people who would undoubtly be helpful for their journey. After making such ruckuss at the guild, they were sure that if both them went to the guild later, both of them would definitely heard about what happened there from someone and then go to the country's entrance. Or so Cecil thought. And then, currently, Cecil and Hero were thinking about the existence named Kitsune. Even though both of them won the duel, they weren't happy at all. On the contrary, they were regretting the fact that they had made an enemy of the exinstence named Kitsune. Of course, it wasn't because they took away Finia and Lulu, they regretted it exactly because they thought that Kitsune himself was fightening. If possible, he was an existence they didn't want to meet again, however he'd said that he'd chase after them even to the end of the world. With only that fact had made their face pale. That was just the extent of how much fear Kitsune planted at them. "...Cecil." "For now, let's not let it bother us too much, it isn't like he'll chase after right away, after all, right? Our duty is to subjugate the demon lord, we couldn't just let something like it hinder us, right?" "You are, right...." Hero, Nagi, said so as if saying to himself, and then forcefuly floated a smile. Cecil also somehow pulled herself together as if got encouraged by his word. And then, when Cecil somehow floated a smile, Nagi shouted as if to blow away the heavy atmosphere. "Alright! Well then, for now, it's finally journeying time, let's enjoy it to the fullest!" "Eh... um... Finia, was it?" "Could you please don't call my name so casually?" "Please don't be angry like that, let's get along well together, okay?" "No way." At Finia's act that didn't open heart at him at all, Nagi floated a cramped smile. He understood that he was completely hated by her. With his sense of justice, prowess, kindness and appearance, Nagi, who was rarely hated by anyone thus far, receved quite a great shock by her blatant disgust. However, he somehow held it out and turned his gaze at Lulu this time. She -who was always touching the collar which was the sign of her familial bond with Kitsune- showed an expression as if she had no interest to join the conversation at all. She also looked somewhat gloomy. "Umm... Lulu-chan...was it?" "Are you injured somewhere?" "...I'm fine." That was the so called one sided conversation. No matter how much words he threw at her, Lulu'd simply ward all of it off. The proof was the fact that she didn't throw any word back at him. And then, he noticed that Lulu was always touching her collar. "That, it must be cramped, right? Let me remove it." Then, brandishing his sword -that was rarely out except at a crucial time- without any hesitation he showed his polished swordmanship-- "Ah... aaa...!" The cut off collar was sliding down from her neck, and dropped to the ground with a 'thud' sound. The collar, that tied her and Kitsune as a family. Of course, even without such a thing, their hearts were connected, and their familial bond wouldn't be cut off even if the collar did. --but, that collar was her sole treasured thing. And right now, it had been heartlessly cut off, and dropped to the ground. "Lulu-chan!" Lulu crouched on the ground, and desperately scraped up back the scattered collar. Without noticing that she was covered in tears, she moved her hand in try to attach each parts back into one. However, no matter what she did, somehow it wouldn't return like the one it back then. Lulu was shedding tears. It wasn't because she was sad since her collar was broken, but it was because the guilt she felt toward Kitsune. The sign of her bond with him was broken, she felt a very very guilty of it, and didn't know what to do. "Umm... could it be, you liked that collar? Wha, sorry! I'll buy--" "Just go away already." At the misunderstood hero, Finia floated in front of the crying Lulu and said so in anger. As if saying to not approach Lulu any longer, she glared at the hero while positioning herself between Lulu and him. "Just stop bothering us already... it's only because Kitsune-san told us to go with you that we endure it and do so. That's why you don't need to do anything with us." "...haa... got it, I'm sorry." At Finia's word, Nagi thought that no matter what he said, it would only bring the reverse effect, so he obediently pulling back. It seemed like Finia and Lulu saw them at negatives side, with such thought, he dropped his shoulders.

桔音 はHランク冒険者として依頼をこなす日々を送っていた。生活は半月程確保出来てはいるが、生活費は稼がねばならないし、リーシェに返す為のお金も出来るだけ早く確保したいところだ。 冒険者になるものは、基本的に憧れや夢といった大層素敵な理由で冒険者の道へと入っている。ただ単に稼ぎやすい職業というのもあって、金が欲しい連中もたまにいるが、どちらにせよ彼らは冒険者として大成したいと思っている。 彼らは冒険者として大成したい、となればより高いランクへと上がりたいという向上心が高いという訳だ。 なのに、 桔音という男は、Hランクの冒険者から抜け出そうという意思が感じられない。基本的に、魔獣討伐を任せられるFランクになるには元冒険者のギルド役員に認められることが原則だが、Hの次、Gランクに上がることは本当に簡単だ。Fランクに上がりたい意思表示をして、元冒険者役員の開いている訓練に参加するだけ。たったそれだけで一つランクを上げることができる。 にも拘らず、その訓練にも参加しようとしない桔音。常にHランクの大した事のない、普段誰一人としてやろうとしない依頼をこなし続けるだけの冒険者。最弱の冒険者。 故に、桔音はこの世界にやって来てから向けられていた奇異の視線に、より一層晒されるようになった。 何故上を目指さないのか、冒険者達ひいては受付嬢の面々全員が思っていた。 「は?」 先程も言った通り、冒険者は全員―――桔音を除いて全員が向上心猛々しく、自身の中にある だから、そんな誇りを持った冒険者からすれば、桔音という冒険者らしからぬ存在は酷く心をざわつかせた。苛々させてくれる存在だ。 「だから、お前みたいな奴が冒険者なんて認めない。これ以上冒険者を穢すようなら、今すぐ冒険者を止めろ」 だから、こうして桔音に突っ掛かって来る冒険者が出てくるのは、当然のことと言えた。 「君誰? 正直言って僕は君のことを知らないんだ、知りたいとも思わないけど」 今日、ギルドへやってきた桔音の前に一人の男が立ち塞がってきた。良く見る野暮で大柄な濃い男ではなく、その男は青年だった。おそらく、桔音よりも数年年上だろう風格と、桔音が見上げなければ視線を合わせられない高い身長、腰に下げた剣は素人目から見ても中々に迫力を放っていた。 一目で分かる、格上だと。 「だからこそ、貴様は冒険者失格だ! 冒険者とは自由の人、上を目指し、魔獣を狩り、何よりも強く気高い存在だ! 貴様の様な男が踏み荒らして良い道ではない!」 桔音はその言葉で理解する。 彼は冒険者に強い憧れを持っている男だと。だからこそ、自分の行動が許せないのだろうと。 「何か言ったか?」 「君と僕でどう違うっていうんだい?」 「なに?」 だからどうした。桔音は反論する。一日一日を生きる為残飯だろうがなんだろうが漁って喰らう。桔音は死ぬわけにはいかないのだ、篠崎しおりとの約束の為にも、それだけは絶対に譲れない。一宿一飯の恩義もまだ返せていないのに、つべこべ言っている余裕はない。 「君はどうやら冒険者に並々ならぬ思い入れがあるようだけど、ランクは幾つ? 僕は知っての通り、Hランクだ」 「......Eランクだ」 桔音の問いに、彼はそう答えた。Eランク、魔獣討伐の依頼をこなせるようになり、更にランクを一つ上げた者。当然、桔音よりも数段強い。 だが、桔音は臆さない。格上だろうと、自分の生き方だけは否定させない。 「Eランク、凄いね。でも、EランクとHランクにどう違いがあるっていうんだ? 住民のお手伝いと魔獣討伐の重要さに、どう違いがあるんだ?」 「なっ......!?」 「魔獣を討伐したいだけなら外行って好きなだけ狩って来いよ、気高くありたいのなら騎士でだってそうあれるよ、お前何のために依頼を受けてるんだ?」 桔音の精神は、あの瘴気の怪物に会ってから強くなった。死を経験して、何も怖い者などなくなった。故に、桔音が彼を自分の生きる道を邪魔する者、敵だと認識したその時点で、このスキルが発動する。 ―――『不気味体質』 桔音の目の前に立つ男は、桔音の雰囲気が変わったことを感じ取り、恐怖を感じた。一歩二歩と後ずさりし、その分だけ距離を取った。 「魔獣を討伐するのは人の為だろう? それは素晴らしいことで、とても尊い行動だと思うよ」 「そ、そうだ......! 冒険者はそういう存在だ!」 「じゃあ、人々の小さな悩み事はどうでもいいのかな? 来るかも分からない危機を君達が懸命に排除している間、僕は人々の小さな悩みを解決していたんだ。それは、全く、一切、何の意味も無い行動かな?」 「.........っ」 桔音の言葉に、雰囲気に、迫力に、男はなんの反論も出来なかった。ただ、桔音の放つプレッシャーに足を震わせ、関わり合いたくないと思わせる弱者の威圧に困惑していた。 「もしも、君がそう思っているんだとしたら」 「何を言って......」 「お前、冒険者失格だぜ?」 残飯を漁って何が悪い。住民を媚び諂って何が悪い。それで冒険者失格だというのなら、それこそおめでたい頭に呆れかえる馬鹿らしさだ。 弱い奴は死ぬ、簡単に死ぬ。だから必死に喰らい付いているのだ。 「っ......な......!」 男は桔音に言われたことに反論出来ない。何も言えない。ただ、冒険者失格だと思っていた相手に、冒険者失格だと突き付けられた事実にショックを受けていた。 冒険者は自由の人、気高く、強い存在、そう思っていた。いや、実際それは合っている。だが、彼は見失っていたのだ。何のために自由で、何から気高くあって、何のために強い存在なのかを。その意味を。 桔音の言う通りなのなら、強くなるのは何かを護る為、人を護る為、命を護る為だ。ただ強いだけの人間に、人は気高さなど見出せない。その強さを正しい方向へ向けられる者こそ気高いのだ。それを思い知らされた。 「じゃ、僕は仕事をするから。困っている人は見逃せないんだ、僕ってほら、清く正しい正義感溢れる青少年だからさ」 桔音はそう言って、薄ら笑いを浮かべながら男の横を通り抜けた。その際、茫然とする彼の肩をぽんと叩いたのだった。 男は、最後まで桔音に言い返す事が出来なかった。 ◇ 男の隣を通り過ぎた桔音は、茫然としている男を放置してミアの下へとやってきた。桔音は依頼を受ける際、ミアとその隣の青髪の受付嬢の下へ気まぐれに代わる代わる対応をお願いしている。今回はミアだったようだ。 「やぁミアちゃん、おはよう」 「おはようございます......あのきつね様、少し言い過ぎでは?」 「え、なんのこと? おはようと言っただけだけど」 「......そうですか......ところで、今日はフィニア様はいらっしゃらないんですか?」 知らぬ存ぜぬを通す桔音に、ミアは追及を諦めた。 そして桔音の右肩を見て、ミアはそう聞いた。いつも一緒にいるフィニアが桔音の傍にいないのだ。それはいつも見ている光景の一部が欠けた様なもの寂しさを感じさせている。 桔音はそんなミアに苦笑しながら答える。 「フィニアちゃんは今寝てるんだよねー」 「寝てる......?」 「うん、この中で」 そう言って、桔音はお面を指差した。実は眠ってしまうと結構朝が弱いフィニア、此処一週間は睡眠を必要としない故に夜更かししまくりだったのだが、昨晩は気まぐれにお面の中で眠った。故に、まだ眠っているというわけだ。 だが、それを聞いたミアは驚愕に瞳を目を見開いた。 「つまり......フィニア様は思想種......ということですか......?」 「あ」 桔音は思い出した。フィニアの妖精についての説明を。 沈黙する両者。冒険者達は先程桔音に言い負かされた男を気に掛けているのか、聞こえていなかったようだ。しかし、ミアとその隣に座っていた青髪の受付嬢はバッチリ聞いていたようだ。 「いや、違うよ。お面の中ってそういう意味じゃなくて、お面と僕の頭の間の空間で寝てるんだ」 「あ、ああそういうことですか......ですよね」 「......ほっ」 桔音はお面をコンコンと叩いてフィニアを起こす。そしてお面を外し、内側をミア達に見せないようにして、寝ぼけたフィニアがお面の内側から出て来たのを捕まえた。服の襟を摘まんで、ミア達に見せる。 すると、ミア達は安堵の息を吐いた。もしかしてとは思っていたが、やはり違ったようだ。 「フィニアちゃん、依頼受けるよ」 「ん~......五秒待ってね............んっ! おはようきつねさん! フィニアちゃんのお目覚めだよ!」 「うんおはよう。さ、今日も仕事しないとね」 「えー、でももう結構お金溜まったじゃん。私そろそろ身体を動かしたいな!」 「そう、僕はインドア派だからぶっちゃけ動きたくないな」 「インドアとか言ってるけど引きニート根性が染みついてるね! 本格的に駄目人間だよ!」 いつもの二人、ミアはそんな光景にふと笑った。この一週間、彼女は二人の言い合いを見慣れて来ている。一つの日常として享受している。ある意味一日の楽しみになっていると言っても良い。二人の掛け合いは見ていて面白いのだ。 「んー......じゃあどうする?」 「遊びに行こう! 今日は仕事を忘れて楽しもうよ!」 「あー......そうだね、息抜きも必要かな」 「うん!」 「じゃあリーシェちゃんでも誘って何処か美味しいものでも食べに行こうか」 「やった!」 桔音の言葉に、フィニアが喜ぶ。この一週間、リーシェと同じ宿に泊まっていながら桔音はリーシェに会っていない。朝早くにギルドを出て、かなり遅くに帰って来るからだ。朝食と夕食は食べているが、昼食は宿屋の女将にお願いして弁当を作って貰っている。 「うん、それじゃ今日は休むとしようか」 「賛成! たまには良い判断をするね! きつねさんも!」 「褒めてないよねそれ?」 桔音はフィニアの言動にツッコミを入れつつ、嬉しそうなフィニアの顔を見て苦笑する。なんだかんだ言って、桔音はフィニアの笑顔が好きなのだ。 「リーシェ......様ですか?」 とそこへミアが話に加わってきた。 「うん、僕のちょっとした恩人なんだ」 「名前からして女性のようですね」 「うん、僕と同年代位の女の子なんだ」 「......随分と親しげですね」 「妬いてません。仕事の邪魔ですので、依頼をお受けにならないようならお帰り下さい」 ミアは唐突に仕事モードに入って、桔音に事務的な反応を返す。なんというか、不機嫌な様子だ。 最近、あの言いよってきたジェノを桔音が追い払ってから、度々ミアは不機嫌になる。桔音はなんでミアがそんな態度になるのか全然理解出来ない。やったことと言えば目の前で巨乳と言い放ったり、ジェノに殴り飛ばされたり、胸を揉ませてと言ったり、碌でもないことばかりだ。余計分からなくなった。寧ろそんな自分になんとなく落ち込んだ。 とりあえず、その理由をフィニアに聞いてみる。 「フィニアちゃん、なんかミアちゃん怒ってる?」 「女の子には色々あるんだよ! 詮索しないであげて! きっと生理だから!」 「ばらしてんじゃん、盛大に乙女の秘密大暴露じゃん、もし本当だったらミアちゃん公開処刑しちゃってんじゃん」 「そういえばフィニアちゃんは生理とかあるの?」 「お、女の子になんてこと聞くの! 駄目だよきつねさん! でりかしーのない男の人はモテないんだよ!」 「僕もうフィニアちゃんが分からないよ」 フィニアに聞いても桔音は余計疲れるだけだと悟り、溜め息を吐いた。 とりあえず、今日は仕事は中止にすることにし、一旦宿に戻ってリーシェを遊びに誘うことにしたのだった。 「それじゃミアちゃん、また明日」 「じゃあね!」 「.........はい」 ミアは視線を寄越さないまま、桔音を見送った。ギルドから桔音の姿が消えたのを確認すると、仏頂面を浮かべる。 何故かは知らないが、胸がむかむかするのを感じるミア。それから今日一日、不機嫌オーラを放ったまま、やって来る冒険者達の相手をするのだった。

Ch 15 For about one week after that, Kitsune spent his every day handling requests as an H rank adventurer. Though he has already secured his daily needs for about half a month already, but it's necessary to earn the cost for their every day living and he wants to secure some money to return it to Rishe as soon as possible. For one to become an adventurer, he is basically on the path of the adventurer for very wonderful reasons(He yearns for it and it's his dream). The are also easy work too, but though there are people who just wants money, they also want to complete either way as an adventurer. They want to complete it as an adventurer, which means that they aspire to raise their ranks and complete more requests. but despite of that, A man known as Kitsune, doesn't have any intention of slipping out from H rank as an adventurer. In a standard way, though it's a principle of the guild that the guild's director which is a former adventurer has to acknowledge someone for them to raise their rank to F by subjugating monster, and for H rank adventurers, it's truly easy to become G rank. They just need to have the will to raise their rank to F and participate in the training that the former adventurer Director opened. A singe rank can only be raised by this. But even so, Kitsune didn't even try to participate in that training. There's no wonderful thing in staying as an H rank adventurer, and one would only need to continue on handling the requests that no one would take. The weakest adventurer of all. Therefore, Kitsune who came to this world received strange glances, and it became more obvious each day. Why isn't he aiming for something higher?, is what not only adventurers but also all of the receptionists in the adventurer guild thought of. [Wha?] As what has been said a while ago, All of the adventurers------excluding kitsune are working hard for their ambitions, as they wear the appearance of an adventurer that they aspire of, and they make an effort to exceed their yearning everyday. Is that their reason?, in which they draw out their idea of an adventurer as an important person who won't hand over their pride and confidence that they all want to be. Therefore, from the proud adventurers like that, they were angry towards Kitsune who's not like an adventurer. He is an existence that made them irritated. [That is why, we won't admit the likes of you to be an adventurer. If you plan on defiling the name of adventurers any further then stop being an adventurer this instant] That is why the adventurers who came out to Kitsune says so like it is only natural. [Who're you? I don't know you to tell you the truth, though I wasn't thinking of knowing you too] Today, there is a single man who is standing on the way of Kitsune who came to the guild. He's not a boorish big man but he is just a young man. Perhaps, he's several years older than kitsune with a distinctive character, and if Kitsune doesn't look up then he won't be able to match up with his eyes, while having a sword lowered in his waist which is obviously aiming at him in which he sensed it even with his untrained eyes. He understood with only a single glance, with his status of course. [That is why you are a failure as an adventurer! An adventurer is a person of freedom, who aspires for a higher place, hunts monsters, and is a sublime existence above all! It's not a road for a man like you can tread on!] Kitsune understood those words. He is an adventurer that has a strong yearning. That is why, he couldn't forgive he's own actions. [What did you say?] [What difference are you saying about me and you?] [What?] What about it. Kitsune rebutted so. He would look for food regardless of it being leftovers or anything for the purpose of living day by day. It would be bad for Kitsune to die, for the promise he made with Shinozaki Shiori too, and that is the only thing that he cannot surrender. He also hasn't returned the hospitality that he has accepted too so he has no room to complain. [Though you seem to have extraordinarily gave your whole mind in becoming an adventurer apparently, but how much is your rank? As what I know, it's H rank] [......E rank] With Kitsune's question, that person answered so. E Rank, he's able to take on requests to subjugate monsters and which means he's a person who has raised his rank once. Of course, he's stronger than Kitsune several times. However, Kitsune isn't bothered by it. In case of the standpoint, he couldn't deny his only way of living. [E rank, isn't that amazing. But, what is the difference with E rank and H rank? what is the difference of helping citizens and subjugating monsters?] [Wha......!?] [If you only love to hunt monsters then go outside and hunt them as much as you want, and if you want to become a sublime existence then you should have become a knight, so what is the reason for you to take on those requests?] He has already experienced death and that is why he has lost the feeling of getting scared by anything. Therefore, to him who is obstructing his way of living, and at the point where he recognized him as an enemy, this skill would be invoked. ------{Eerie Constitution} The man who stands in the presence of Kitsune, felt the change of atmosphere of Kitsune, and felt fear towards him. He shyly took two steps back to make a distance from him that much. [You subjugate monsters for the sake of the people right? that is a magnificent and honorable action is what I think too [Tha-, soThat's right......! An adventurer is an existence like that!] [Then, are the small worries of the people trivial to you? While all of you are risking your life in subjugating things I know not of, I have been solving the citizen's small worries. So are you telling me that those actions that I've been doing doesn't matter?] [.........] With Kitsune's words, The atmosphere became more heavy and no one could do a rebuttal. However, their feet trembled on the pressure that Kitsune is releasing, any they didn't want to be related to it because of the overpowering of Kitsune to them who were weak. [If in the case that you are thinking like that] [What are you saying......] [Aren't you the one who is a failure of being an adventurer?] What is wrong with looking for leftovers. What is wrong with getting along with the citizens. If everyone says that those actions make you a failure as an adventurer, then he would be amazed from the silly and absurd brain of those people. Weak people will die, they would easily die. That is why he desperately eats and lives. [......Wha......!] No man could say any objection to Kitsune. They couldn't say anything. However, to the people who thought that he's a failure in being an adventurer, they received the shock of them being a failure in being an adventurer. An adventurer is a man of freedom, sublime, and a strong existence, is what they thought. No, that fits it in fact. However, he has lost sight of something. To whose sake are they free, for whose sake are they sublime, and for whose sake do they become a strong existence. That is what he means. If Kitsune says so, then the purpose of becoming is for the sake of someone, for the sake of protecting people, and for the sake of protecting lives. People wouldn't see any sublimity from a person who is just strong. Only the people who use that strength in the correct way are the sublime ones. That is what he taught to them. [Then, Since I have more work to do. I won't overlook any troubled person, Since I'm, you know, a youth who is overflowing with justice] (TLN: And savageness.....cuz that was SAVAGE!) Kitsune who says so, passed over at the side of that guy while wearing a faint smile in his face. (TLN: AKA Troll face/Grin) Every guy couldn't answer back to Kitsune even at the last minute. * Kitsune who passed through the side of the man beside him, proceeded to Mia's direction while leaving that stupefied guy. When Kitsune receives requests, he would alternatively call upon Mia-chan or the blue haired girl beside her. This time seems to be Mia. [Hey Mia-chan, good morning] [A good morning to you too......Umm Kitsune-sama, haven't you overreacted for a bit?] [Eh, what do you mean? Though I only said good morning to you] [......I see......By the way, Is Finia-sama not with you?] Kitsune who's acting like he doesn't understand it is overlooked so Mia gave up pursuing the topic. And after looking at Kitsune's right shoulder, Mia asked as so. Finia who's always at the shoulder of Kitsune wasn't there. she felt lonely since a part of an everyday spectacle is missing. Kitsune smiled wryly as he answered Mia. [Finia-chan is still sleeping] [Sleeping......?] [Yes, inside this] While saying so, Kitsune pointed at his mask. Finia is considerably weak in the morning when actually sleeping, but though Finia stays up late with the reason of her not needing any sleep, she slept in the mask on a whim last night. Therefore, she's still asleep. However, Mia who has heard of that got surprised and opened her eyes widely. [In a word......Finia-sama is an idea type......is what you are saying......?] [Ah] Kitsune recalled it. The explanation of Finia on what her type is. Both of them became silent. Did the adventurers who were teaming up on Kitsune hear them, but they seem to have not heard it. However, Mia and the blue haired receptionist girl who was beside her have perfectly heard of it. [No, you're wrong. I didn't mean that she's sleeping inside the mask, since I meant that she's sleeping between the space of my head and this mask] [Ah, is that so......You're right] [......Hou] Kitsune knocks on the mask to wake up Finia. And when he took of the mask, while in the way of not showing the inside of the mas to Mia and the others, he took out the sleepy Finia from the inside of the mask. He picked her up with the collar of her clothes and showed her to Mia. Then, Mia vomited a sigh of relief. Though they thought if they were right, but it seems like they were wrong. [Finia-chan, we're receiving a request] [Nnn~......please wait for about 5 more seconds............HNM! Good morning Kitsune-sama!Finai-chan has awakened!] [Yeah good morning to you too. Then, I won't be working again for today] [Eeh, but didn't we have enough money collected already. I want to gradually move my body soon!] [Yes, but since I'm an indoor type then I really don't want to move] [Though you're saying you're an indoor type but it's more like you're a Hiki NEET! That's a full scale useless person you know!] The two of those, is the scene that Mia always sees while she laughs a bit. For this whole single week, she has become accustomed to the quarreling of these 2. You can also say that this is also an enjoying scene to her. aruYi Wei Yi Ri noLe shimininatsuteirutoYan tsutemoLiang i. The sight of these two's negotiation is also amusing. [Hm......then what shall we do?] [Let's go out and play! Let's enjoy this day while forgetting our work!] [Ah......that's right, a break is important too] [Yeah!] [Then let's also invite Rishe and go to someplace where delicious food is] [I did it!] With Kitsune's words, Finia is pleased. Within this week, Kitsune hasn't met Rishe even though they were staying in the same inn. Maybe it's because he would quickly go out of the inn in the morning and would come back late. Though he would eat breakfast and dinner, he would ask lunch from the landlady and a lunch box would be prepared for him. [Yeah, Then let's assume that this day is a rest day today] [Agreed! You could occasionally make a good decision! Kitsune-san too!] [That's not you praising me right?] While Kitsune was making a comeback with what Fina said, he made a wry smile while looking at the happy face of Finia. Even if they would say this and that, Kitsune liked the happy face of Finia. [Rishe......-sama huh?] Mia has joined the conversation. [Yep, she's my benefactor] [She seems to be a girl based on her name] [Yeah, she's a girl in the same age as me] [......You seem to be fairly intimate with her] [I.AM.NOT.JEALOUS. Since you're obstructing my work, please go home if you're not receiving a request] Mia suddenly turned into Work mode and she gave Kitsune a business like answer. What can be said about it, she seems to be in an ill mood. Recently, after he drove away Jeno who has been courting her, Mia frequently became ill humored. Kitsune couldn't understand why would Mia's attitude become like that. The oly thing that came to his mind is that he declared in her presence that she's has big breasts, got struck hard by Jeno, asked her to let him massage her breasts, but all he thought about are useless stuff. He didn't understand more and more. He got more depressed from it. For the time being, he asked Finia for the reason. [Finia-chan, it seems like Mia-chan is angry?] [There are various types of girls you know! Stop trying to investigate and stand up! It must be her menstruation!] [Don't reveal it, isn't that the grand secret of all women, if that's true then that would cause the public exclusion for Mia-chan] [Inidently does Finia-chan have that physiology too?] [Wha-, What are you trying to make a girl say! That's a bad thing to do Kitsune-san! A man who doesn't have any delicacy won't be popular you know!] [Even Finia-chan doesn't understand me] Kitsune realized that he would get more tired if he asks Finia-chan, so he vomited a sigh. For the time being, work shall be discontinued this day and they should return to the inn and invite Rishe to play. [I'll be going now Mia-chan, Let's meet up tomorrow too] [Good bye!] [.........Yes] Mia who hasn't sent a single glance, Kitsune has been seen off. When she has confirmed that Kitsune is gone from the guild, a sullen look has floated in her face. Though she doesn't understand why, she felt anger in her chest. After that, for the whole day, while shooting out an angry aura, she handled the adventurers that came for requests like that.

レイラ・ヴァーミリオン 「いやー、グランディール王国を出発して一週間前位にこの森に辿り着いたんだけど、迷って迷って! きつね君に会えて本当に良かったね!」 あれからこの元気な彼女、レイラ・ヴァーミリオンを連れてミニエラまで戻ってきた。 聞けば彼女は、ずっとあの森で迷子になっていたらしい。元々はパーティを組んでいた男の仲間が居たらしいのだが、はぐれた上に探しても見つからない、方向音痴な彼女は更に迷走し、一週間という長い時間を森の中で過ごし、今日ようやく僕達に会えたらしい。 冒険者のカードを見せてもらった所、確かに、 『レイラ・ヴァーミリオン 冒険者ランク:C』 と書いてあった。Cランクの冒険者だなんて凄まじい実力者、魔獣だけでは無く『知能を持った敵』である魔族と戦う第一線の冒険者だ。実際に会ってみるとその凄味が分かる、あっけらかんとした態度とフレンドリーな言動や行動とは別で、なんというか隙が無い。多分本気になれば一瞬で僕の首を刎ねることが出来るだろう。 「じゃあ私はこの国のギルドへ向かわないと! じゃあね!」 「ちょっと待って、そっちは国外だよ何処へ行く気だ」 「およ? アハハッ、ごめんごめん......ついでだからギルドまで連れてってくれない?」 ギルドへ行くと言いながら国外へ全力疾走しようとしたレイラちゃんを止めると、彼女は照れ臭そうに両手を合わせ、上目遣いとウインクをしながら僕に頼みこんできた。 全く、確かにレイラちゃんは可愛い。元の世界ならアイドルだって容易になれる程の可憐さを持っている。だからと言ってね、初めて会った怪しい人に付き合う程僕は酔狂な人間じゃないんだ。迷いたければ勝手に迷ってまた森にでも引き返してしまえ! 「お願い☆」 「仕方ないなぁ、こっちだよ」 僕の腕に抱き着くんじゃない。柔らかい胸が当たって気持ちいいじゃないか! 全く、今回だけだよ僕がこんな見知らぬ他人に親切にするのは。だからもっとひっ付け―――おっと違うよ、僕はそんな事は思ってない。おいおい、そんな眼で見るなよリーシェちゃん。 「きつね......お前って奴は......」 「違うよ? 困っている人には優しくするのが僕の人間性だし?」 「そうだな、胸を当ててくれる女の子には特にな」 「おっぱいって夢が詰まってるよね、大小問わず」 「開き直ったぞコイツ!?」 リーシェちゃんがブツブツ言うからもう開き直ってやる。おっぱいの嫌いな男なんていないんだよ、僕だって立派な男の子なんだぞ! 元の世界じゃこんな体験一回もしたことないんだからいいじゃないか! 「ぐぬぬ......きつねさんから離れてこの泥棒にゃんこ!」 「泥棒猫だよね?」 「きつね様......」 「え、何何?」 そうしていると何故か不機嫌になったフィニアちゃんがびしびしとレイラちゃんの手を叩き始め、ルルちゃんが反対側の手を握ってきた。何? 僕もついにあの伝説のモテ期来ちゃったのかな。でも一回死んで異世界に転生しないとモテ期来ないって相当だね、可哀想だなぁ僕。 とはいえ、内一人が人形サイズの妖精で、一人が小さな子供っていうのはちょっと酷いんじゃない? いや悪いって訳じゃないけどさ、もっとこう......年相応の、付きあっても犯罪にならない年齢の子をだね。 「あはっ、モテモテだねきつね君は!」 「原因は君だけどね」 「良いじゃない、そのおかげでおっぱいの感触を味わえたでしょ?」 「それは否定しない」 「きつね君は正直だねー」 むくれているフィニアちゃんやルルちゃんは放っておいて、リーシェちゃんの『不純異性交遊は許しません!』といった委員長的な視線が怖いからそろそろこの感触ともおさらばするとしようかな。 僕はレイラちゃんの腕からそっと抜け出し、フィニアちゃんを肩に乗せる。いつまでも人の手を叩いてるんじゃないよ、全く。しおりちゃんって意外と嫉妬深い性格だったのかな? 彼女から生まれたフィニアちゃんがこうだし。 でもルルちゃんがこんな反応をするとは思わなかった。やっぱり自分の家族を取られるのは嫌なのかもしれない。彼女の立ち場を考えて、そういう行動はなるべく控えようかな。 「ありゃ、残念」 「まぁさっきの様子を見れば眼を離せばすぐにあらぬ方向へと進む事は理解出来る。でも見ての通りフィニアちゃん達が不機嫌になるから手を繋ぐことで我慢してね」 「.........!」 僕がそう言って手を彼女に差し伸べると、彼女はきょとんとした表情で僕の手を見つめた。そして数秒僕の手をじっと見た後、少し顔を紅潮させて手を握ってきた。 なんだろう、さっきまで僕の腕に自分の胸を押しつけていた子なのに、僕手を繋ぐことに羞恥心を抱くのかな? んー良く分からない子だ。 の討伐依頼達成の手続きが必要だし、丁度良かったね。 扉を開けて、ギルド内へと入る。すると、僕達の方へと視線が集まり、次の瞬間、 ―――ギルド内の雰囲気が騒然となった。 唖然としている者もいれば、絶句している者もいる、此方を見る目は全員が全員驚愕の感情を浮かべている。 そしてその視線が見ているのは僕じゃなくて、僕の隣......レイラちゃんに向かっていた。 「あの黒髪に腰の双剣......まさかCランク冒険者のレイラ・ヴァーミリオン!?」 「嘘だろ......なんでそんな奴がここに......?」 「まさか......『赤い夜』の出現を聞いて......」 レイラ・ヴァーミリオン、Cランクの冒険者でありかつ美少女である彼女は、やはり有名人らしい。第一線級の冒険者というのは誰もが超の付く一流、しかも、聞けばあの戦闘狂にとっての桃源郷、グランディール王国からやってきたというではないか、その名は各国に広がっているのだろう。 とはいえ、確かに不思議だ。この国はEランク以上の冒険者がおらず、もっといえばEランク並の魔獣しか出ない極々平穏な国だ。 もしかしたら本当に『赤い夜』を狩りに......? でもCランクの冒険者である彼女がたった一人で格上のAランク魔族を狩れるとは思わない。なら何が目的で......? そういえば彼女は僕の名前を知っていたけど......何処で聞いたんだろう。 「きつね君、足が止まってるぞ? 受付に行かないのかな?」 「あ、うん」 当の本人にそう言われ、我に返った僕は言われた通りミアちゃんの元へと向かう。流石のミアちゃんでも、レイラちゃんの登場には驚いているようで、眼を丸くして此方を見ている。 「ミアちゃん、依頼達成手続きお願い」 「えっ、あ、はい!」 「討伐証拠部位はこれだ」 話しかけたら慌てて依頼書を取り出したミアちゃん。リーシェちゃんが蜘蛛の牙をカウンターに置き、ミアちゃんの事務処理の完了を待つ。 ミアちゃんは慌てながらも慣れた手付きで達成処理を終わらせて、報酬金を手渡してきた。 「確かにアラクネの牙ですね......では報酬の銀貨25枚となります」 「ありがとう」 「それで......そちらの方は、レイラ・ヴァーミリオン様でしょうか?」 「そだよー、初めまして受付さん。レイラ・ヴァーミリオン、この国に面白い冒険者が居るって聞いて来たんだ」 「え? 面白い、冒険者......?」 誰だろ、面白い冒険者って。漫才してくれる冒険者なんていたっけ? 僕の知っている限りじゃいないなぁ、あ、もしかしてちょっと前にミアちゃんに言い寄ってた自分を弁えてないおじさんかな? でもあの人はEランクだからレイラちゃんより下だよね。 じゃあ誰だろ? フィニアちゃん? 「うん、冒険者になってからずっとHランクで居続ける冒険者、『赤い夜』と遭遇して生き延びた冒険者、Aランク級の騎士団長に喧嘩を売った冒険者、依頼達成率100%の冒険者、色々聞いてるよー?」 誰だそいつ。ははっ、そんな奴居るわけないよ。僕はHランクで『赤い夜』と遭遇して生き延びたけど、あのオジサマに喧嘩売った覚えはないし、依頼達成率だって100%だけどフィニアちゃんの手柄みたいなものだしね。 「おい誰だよ、Cランクの冒険者に眼を付けられる様な馬鹿なことしたの。あははっ、傑作だね」 『............』 おいなんだよ、そんな呆れた様な眼で見るなよ。確かにちょっと失礼だったかもしれないけどさ、君たちだって僕のことHランクだからっていつも馬鹿にしてるじゃないか。結構傷付くんだぞアレ、そういうの棚上げっていうんだぞ、そんな眼をするなら謝れ、君達の普段の行いで傷付いた僕に謝れ! 『............はぁ』 おいおい溜め息吐くなよ、溜め息吐くと幸せが逃げるんだって聞いたことがある。しおりちゃんが言ってたから間違いないよ、あの子無駄な知識だけは結構持ってたから。 それにしても出てこないな、此処にはいないのかなレイラちゃんに眼を付けられた冒険者は。それにしても僕以外にも居たんだねぇHランク冒険者、他の冒険者にはあまり興味なかったから仕方ないか。 「残念、居ないみたいだね、それじゃあねレイラちゃん。僕達は帰るよ」 「あはは、何言ってるのきつね君! 君のことだよ」 「あはは、君こそ何言ってるんだいレイラちゃん。頭の方まで迷走したの?」 「そんな口利いてるとぶっとばすよー? 私のこわーい鉄拳が飛ぶよー?」 「受付さん、この子にどうやってギルドの説明をしたの? 場合によっては私受付さんを尊敬するよ?」 「すいません......きつね様はいつもこうなんです」 なんだか知らない内にミアちゃんとレイラちゃんの仲が良くなっている気がする。美人と美少女は一緒にすると絵になるね。 「きつね、レイラさんが言っている冒険者とは多分お前のことだと思うぞ」 「え......嘘でしょ? だって僕あのオジサマに喧嘩なんて売ってないよ?」 すると、リーシェちゃんが耳元でひそひそとレイラちゃんの言っていることを教えてくれた。耳に息が当たってくすぐったいな。 「多分......私との一件のことを指しているんだと思う......あの時のお前と父様はどう見ても対立しているようにしか見えなかったからな......」 「えー......どうすればいいかな、正直面倒なんだけど」 「素直に自分だと認めて用件を聞いたらどうだ?」 用件って......どう考えても面倒な用件じゃないか。Cランク冒険者が第一線を離れてHランクの僕の所に来るんだよ? しかも取って付けた様な要因を挙げて来たし、絶対私と戦えフラグだよ。いいのかい? 負けるぞ僕、2秒で負けるぞ? それでもいいのかい? 「きつねさんっ、ここは誤魔化すのが一番だよっ......話題を他に逸らすの!」 「なるほど、ナイスだフィニアちゃん......あー、レイラちゃん!」 「ん、なーに? きつね君! ようやく理解出来た?」 フィニアちゃんの助言通り、此処は話を逸らさせて貰う! 古今東西、恋愛話に興味を持たない女の子はいないだろう! だからここは――― 「僕と付き合ってください!」 こうだ! 周囲の皆が入って来た時以上の驚愕の表情を浮かべているけど知ったことじゃないね、僕は面倒事から眼を逸らす為に全力を注ぐよ! さぁどうだレイラちゃん、僕の告白を前に最初の用件話を続けられるかな? 「話が早いね! それじゃあ私と勝負しよう! ギルド裏の訓練場で待ってるよ!」 レイラちゃんはそう言って上機嫌にリーシェちゃん親子が勝負した訓練場へと駆けて行った。 「......」 そう来たかぁ......。

Leila Vermilion "Well, ever since I departed from Grandile Kingdom, I arrived at this forest around one week ago but somehow I was lost! It sure a great luck to be able to meet you, Kitsune-kun!" After that we returned to Miniera while bringing along this lively girl, Leila Vermilion. From what she have said, it seems she had been lost inside that forest all thus time. Originally she came here together with her male comrade that made a party with her, but when she lost sight of him, no matter how much she searched for him she was unable to found him, and she who had a poor sense of direction was lost further, and passed one whole week long roaming around this forest till she finally met us today. When she shown us her adventurer card, indeed 'Leila Vermilion - Adventurer Rank: C' Was written there. A C rank adventurer is a considerably powerful person, they are forefront adventurer who aren't just fighting magical beasts but also 'the enemy that possess intelligent' demons head on. For personally meet her I can understand her awesomeness, her indifferent way of speaking and her friendly conduct and behavior, how should I put it, she has no opening. Perhaps, if she is really wants to do it, she should be able to cut my head in an instant, doesn't she? "Then I'm going to go to the adventurer guild of this town! Later!" "Wait a minute, that way is to the outskirt area, where are going to?" "Oh? Ahaha, sorry, sorry... may I ask you to lead me till the guild as well?" After I stopped Leila-chan who was running toward the outskirt area even though she said she wanted to go to the adventurer guild, she embarrassedly joined both of her hands, and asked me so with upturned eyes and a wink. Good grief, Leila-chan is indeed cute. She possess a cuteness where she would surely popular as an idol at my former world. Nevertheless, I'm not such a whimsical person who would keep accompanying such suspicious person who I just met before. If you're really like to lost then just return to the forest and get lost again! "Please " "It can't be helped, isn't it? It's this way." Don't just arbitrarily hug my arm. Isn't it feel good where your soft boobs touching me! Good grief, only this time, I will be kind to such unknown stranger. That's why come clos-- oops, not it, I have no such a thought. Oioi, please don't look at me with that kind of eyes, Rishe-chan. "Kitsune... you...." "That's not it. Helping a troubled person is my nature, you know." "That's indeed right, especially a girl who would press her chest on you, right?" "Boobs are the embodiment of dream, after all, no matter its size is." "He has been corrupted!" Even if Rishe-chan murmured so, I'll keep tread this path. There's no men who hate boobs, after all, and I'm also a proper man, you see! Since at my former I have no such experience even once so what's so bad about it?! "Gununu... go away from Kitsune-san, you burglar cat!" "She's indeed a burglar cat, isn't she?" "Kitsune-sama...." "Eh, what?" After that, the somehow displeased Finia-chan is relentlessly clapping Leila-chan's hands, where Lulu-chan is grasping my other hand. What? Am I finally reached that legendary period? But, for me who died once and got reincarnated into this another world, not getting popular is the most natural route isn't it? I sure am pitiful, aren't I? Nevertheless, since what I got are a doll sized fairy and a little girl, isn't that a bit cruel? No, it isn't like I hate them or anything, it's just... age-wise, I want a girl with age where I won't be charged even if I date her, you see. "Ahaha, Kitsune-kun sure are popular!" "The cause is you, though." "It's not that bad, isn't it? Since because of that you can taste the sensation of boobs, right?" "I can't deny that." "Kitsune-kun sure are honest, aren't you~" Ignoring the sullen Finia-chan and Lulu-chan, but since Rishe-chan's gazes which says a committee chairman-like words "Illicit relationship is not allowed" is quite scary so perhaps it would be best to say good bye to this sensation soon, isn't it? I quietly slip out from Leial-chans arm, and let Finia-chan sit at my shoulder. Don't just keep clapping someone, good grief. Could it be, was Shiori-chan unexpectedly such an easy to jealous person? Since Finia-chan who was born from her is like this, after all. But I never thought Lulu-chan would reacted that way. Perhaps she didn't want to had her family got stolen by someone, right? or so I thought. Considering her place, perhaps she had restrained such conduct as much as possible thus far, right? "Aah, what a shame." "Well, looking at the situation just now, if I left it a little longer I thought it may lead to a bad direction immediately, after all. But, since as you can see Finia-chan and the others are in such bad moon so please bear with it by just holding hand." "....!" When I say so while extending my hand to her, she stares in wonder at my hand. And then, after she stares on it for several seconds, she grasp my hand while slightly blushing. What's up with her? Even though just now she deliberately pressed her chest on me, could it be she is embarrassed to holding hands with me? Hmm, what a hard to understand girl. And like that, I return to the guild while holding Leila-chan's hand. I also have to report the completion of the subjugation of the archne request, after all, so it's just like killing two bird with one stone, isn't it? Opening the door, we enter the guild. And then, all of the gazes are gathered at us, in the next instance --the atmosphere inside the guild suddenly become noisy. Speaking of the dumbfounded person, there are also adventurers who become speechless, all those discerning eyes which gathered here are all filled with a surprised expression. And then, the one who is being looked by those gaze isn't me, but the person beside me... Leila-chan. "That black hair and that pair of sword at her waist... could it be, she is the C rank adventurer, Leila Vermilion?!" "No way... why such a person comes here...?" "Could it be... she heard about the appearance of the{Red Night} here...." Leila Vermilion, a C rank adventurer, moreover a beauty, as expected it seems she is very popular. As a forefront adventurer she must be a very strong person, moreover, didn't she say that she came from that battle junkies eden, Grandile Kingdom? So perhaps it won't be strange that her name has spread through every country, isn't it? Nevertheless, it's indeed strange. There's no adventurers above E rank at this country, if I may add, this is a very peaceful country which no magical beast above E rank. But I can't thought that a sole C rank adventurers like her comes here to hunt an A class magical beast which has a higher rank than her. Then what's her objective...? Come to think of it, she knew my name, but... did we had met somewhere? "Kitsune-kun, your legs stopped, you know? Aren't you going to the receptionist desk?" "Ah, yes." Being told so, the just returned me immediately move to Mia-chan's place. As expected even Mia-chan is also surprised by the appearance of Leila-chan, she's gazing at us with round eyes. "Mia-chan, I come here to report the completion of the request." "Eh, ah yes!" "Here are the subjugation proofs." When I talk to her, Mia-chan flusteredly takes out the application request. After Rishe-chan places the fang of the spider at the counter, we wait till Mia-chan finishes the procedure. Even when she is flustered, Mia-chan swiftly finishes the completion request procedure which she had got used to do, and hands over the reward. "I presume these are indeed the fang of the archne... then, here's the reward, twenty five silver coins." "Thanks." "And then... the esteemed person there are, are you perhaps Leila Vermilion-sama?" "That's right~, nice to meet you, receptionist-san. Leila Vermilion, I came here because I heard that there was an interesting adventurer here, you see." "Eh? Interesting, adventurer...?" Just who is this interesting adventurer? Was there any adventurer who do a comedy show? As far as I know, I know none of them, could it be it was the man who wooed Mia-chan without looking at the mirror some days ago? But since that man was an E rank so he was lower than Leila-chan, right? Then just who is it? Finia-chan? "Yes, he is the adventurer who stays as a H rank adventurer ever since he became an adventurer, the adventurer who survived when he encountered {Red Night} , the adventurer who picked a fight with the A rank knight leader, the adventurer with 100% request completion rate, I'd heard many things about him, you see~." Who the hell is he? Hahaha, there's no way such person exist, right? I'm indeed an H rank adventurer and survived when I encountered {Red Night} , but I have no memory picking a fight with that uncle, and I indeed have 100% request completion rate but that's all like Finia-chan's achievement, after all. "Oioi, who is that idiot who did such idiotic acts which even piqued the interest of a C rank adventurer? Ahaha, what a masterpiece." ""....."" Oi, what's up with you guys? Please don't look at me with that astonished eyes of yours. That was indeed a bit rude, but didn't all of you always mocking me for always staying as an H rank adventurer? That was hurting me a bit, you know? I always got such treatment, you know? If you look at me with that kind of eyes then apologize, apologize to me who had been hurt by such act every day! ""....haa."" Oioi, don't sighing, I'd heard that when you sigh, your happiness would run away along with it, you know? Since the one who said it was Shiori-chan so there's no way it might be wrong, since if it's only about such trivial knowledge, she was quite knowledgeable, after all. Nevertheless, unexpectedly it seems there's also other H rank adventurer other than me, huh, since I have no much interest about another adventurers so it can't be helped if I don't know about it. "What a shame, it seems he isn't here, well then, see you later Leila-chan. We're returning now." "Ahaha, what are you talking about, Kitsune-kun! It's about you, you know." "Ahaha, back to you, what are you talking about, Leila-chan. Are you even lost in your head?" "If you say that again I'll hit you, you know~? My scary~ fist may fly, you know~?" "Receptionist-san, how the guild would explain about this man? Depending on your answer, I may respect you, you know? Receptionist-san." "I'm sorry... Kitsune-sama is always like this." Before I noticed it, it seems Mia-chan and Leila-chan are somehow on good terms. Seeing a beauty and a cutie together sure is a pleasant thing. "Kitsune, the adventurer who had been mentioned by Leila, I think, perhaps it's you, you know?" "Eh... you're kidding, right? Since I never picking a fight with uncle, after all." When I say so, Rishe-chan come close to my ear and whispers about what Leila-chan just said. It's so ticklish when her breathing touch my ear. "Perhaps... I think that's regarding the case with me... since the you at that time, no matter how you see it, it could only be seen as you confronting my father, after all...." "Eh... then what should I do, to be frank I think it would be very troublesome, though." "How about just obediently admit it, and then ask what her business is?" Business... no matter how I think about it, it must be a troublesome business, isn't it? A distant apart forefront C rank adventurer comes to an H rank adventurer like me, you know? Moreover, she came with such dubious reason, without a doubt it's a flag when she would ask to fight against me, you know? Is that really okay? I'll lose you know? I'll lost in two seconds, you know? Even so, is that really okay? "Kitsune-san, at a time like this, glossing it over is the best option... just change it to another subject!" "I see, nice advice, Finia-chan... umm~, Leila-chan!" "Yes, what~? Kitsune-kun! Are you finally understand it?" Taking Finia-chan's advice, let's change the subject here! No matter the time and place, there's no girl who hate love story, right?! That's why, right now-- "Please go out with me!" How's that! The surrounding peoples are showing a more surprised expression than at time we entered here, but I have no time to care about such a thing, to evade any troublesome thing, I'll pour all my might here! Good, how's that, Leila-chan, will you still be able to utter your business even after received my confession? "You sure understand it fast! Then, let's have a match! I'll wait you at the training ground, underground the guild." After saying so, Leila-chan start dashing toward the training ground where Rishe-chan once had a match against her father there. "...." It finally come to this, huh....

は、ミアとは比べ物にならない程正確に書かれた地図に沿って依頼人の自宅へと歩を進めていた。フィニアを肩に乗せ、賑やかな街並みがゆっくりと後ろへ流れて行く光景を見ながら、少し考え事をしている。 だがその思案顔に反して、右手に地図の描かれたメモを持っていながら、その左手は先程ジェノに殴られた頬を擦っていた。 「きつねさん、大丈夫?」 「んー、いや大丈夫じゃないね。ふらふらするよ」 「ギルドの中じゃ平気な顔してたのになぁ」 「いやいや、女の子の前だし格好付けたいじゃない?」 「殴り飛ばされた時点で格好も何も無いと思うけどね!」 実の所、先程殴られた際のダメージは深刻だった。歩く身体が知らず知らずの内にふらふらしている。耐性が高い桔音ではあるものの、流石にEランクの実力者の拳を受けて無傷とはいられなかったのだ。ギルド内ではやせ我慢でなんとか耐えたが、実は結構身体の節々が動かし辛かったりする。フィニアの治癒魔法を掛けて貰おうかと思ったが、『痛覚無効Lv1』が作用しているのか痛みはないのでそのままにすることにしたのだ。 そんな中、桔音が考えているのは通貨のことだ。 先程、ギルドでの登録の際銀貨1枚を払ったが、それは事前に値段を知っていたからスムーズに行ったのであって、桔音はまだ通貨の価値を知らない。この先買い物をする事もあるだろう、なるべく早く最低限の常識を知りたかった。 だが、常識的なことを聞くというのは少し気が引ける。知っていて当然のことを聞いてくる素性の知れない奴など、怪しまれて当然だ。ただでさえ、桔音は異世界の学ランを着ていて奇異な眼で見られているのだから。 「どうしようかなぁ......リーシェちゃんの所に行って教えてもらおうかな」 「何を?」 「ん、通貨の価値をね......でも結構お世話になったし、これ以上世話を掛けるのもなぁ......うん、いいやあとにしよう」 リーシェを頼ることも考えた桔音だったが、既に銀貨3枚分の借りがある。これ以上世話を掛けるのは気が引けた。とりあえず、まだ買い物が出来るほど散財出来るお金は持ち合わせていないので、それは後回しにすることにした。 そして、地図を見ながらしばらく歩いて行くと、依頼主の自宅へと辿り着いた。その自宅の前で掃除をしている少女がいたので、依頼主がいないかどうかを聞いてみることにする。 「すいません」 「はい?」 「ミリア・アイリーンさんの依頼でやってきたHランクの冒険者だけど......依頼主さんはいるかな?」 振りかえった少女は、美少女とまでは行かないが、可愛らしい顔立ちをしていた。明るい茶色の髪を太めの三つ網にして肩から前に出しており、しっかり者な雰囲気をしている。年齢は恐らく13歳程で、桔音よりも頭一つ程背は低かった。 彼女は桔音がHランクの冒険者であることを言うと、はたと気が付いたようにぺこりと頭を下げた。 「あ、す、すいません、わざわざ来ていただいてありがとうございます! 私が依頼人のミリア・アイリーンといいます!」 「え、と......君が依頼人?」 「はい! 今回はどうぞよろしくお願いします!」 桔音は少しびっくりしていた。依頼の内容と銀貨1枚という報酬から考えて、依頼人は一般人かつ成人している位の人かと予想していたが、予想に反して小さな依頼人だった。 それとも銀貨1枚というのはあまり高額ではないのかもしれない、と考えつつも、桔音はミリアに薄ら笑いを向ける。ミリアは桔音の薄ら笑いに若干怯えた風だったが、これでも桔音は微笑んでいるつもりである。 「えーと、僕の名前はきつねっていうんだ。きつねって呼んでね」 「うん......それで、依頼内容についてだけど......逃げ出したペットっていうのはどんな?」 「はい、立ち話もなんですので中へどうぞ!」 桔音は自己紹介して、依頼内容についての話に入ろうとする。すると、意外にもミリアは自宅の扉を開けて中へと入れてくれた。冒険者とはいったものの、そう簡単に家に入れても良いものなのだろうか? と心配になりながら、桔音は家の中へと入って行った。 依頼内容は至極シンプルだった。 リビングのテーブルについて始まったミリアの話によると、逃げたのはミニマムラビットという愛玩種の動物らしい。この動物は桔音のいた元の世界の兎とは違って、手の平に乗るほど小さい兎だ。分かりやすく言えば、ハムスター程の大きさである。 小さい故に踏みつぶしたりしたら危険だということで、ケージの中に入れて飼っていたらしいのだが、どうやらケージの鍵を閉め忘れていたらしく、少し眼を離している内にいなくなっていたとのこと。家の中は隅々まで探したが見つからず、おそらく外へ出て行ったのではないかと考えて、依頼を出したようだ。 ミリアの両親もミニマムラビットを溺愛していたらしく、懸命に探しまわったらしいのだが、彼らも仕事が忙しくあまり捜索に時間を割けないとのこと。ちなみに報酬は両親が出している。 「ふーん......ミニマムラビット......名前とかあるの?」 「あ、はい! ミミといいます!」 「可愛いね、それじゃあ探してみるよ。見つかると良いね」 「任せてミリアちゃん! この美少女妖精フィニアちゃんがいれば大丈夫だよ!」 桔音は説明を聞いて、立ち上がる。フィニアもやる気満々のようで、中々頼もしい。頭をぺこりと下げるミリアの頭をぽんぽんと叩いて、桔音はミリアの家を出た。 ミニマムラビット、見た目は小さい兎で、ミリアの飼っていた『ミミ』は真っ白な毛並みをしていたらしい。街に出れば街行く人の不注意で踏みつぶされている可能性もある。早々に見つける必要があった。 桔音はとりあえず、手当たり次第に探すのは効率が悪いと考え、策を練る。 「とりあえず、フィニアちゃんは小さいから狭い所を探して。僕は人のいる所を探すよ、元々飼われていたんだったら人懐っこい可能性があるからね。それに、兎は元々寂しがり屋でストレスを溜めこみやすい。そうなれば直ぐに死んでしまう可能性も十分あり得る......今この時点で『ミミ』が生きていない可能性も、覚悟しておいた方が良い」 「うん、分かった! 頑張って探すよ!」 「ああ......えーと......とりあえず夕方位になったら此処に集合ってことで」 びしっと敬礼をして返事をしたフィニアは、そのテンションのままひゅーんと飛んで行った。路地に入り、姿が見えなくなる。 それを見送った桔音も、行動を開始する。ミニマムラビット、初依頼の仕事がこんなに難易度高いとは思わなかった桔音であるが、それでも仕事はしっかりこなしたいなぁと思っている。 そして、その第一歩として踵を返し、足を前へと踏み出した、 その時、 全てが、 「―――ん?」 踏み出した足の下に、何か異物があった。柔らかい感触で、ぐにゅっと潰れた様な音。嫌な予感ががんがんと警鐘を鳴らしている。 そっと足を退けてみると、そこには、 「......まっしろな......毛?」 白い毛並みの兎が、潰れたように転がっていた。 「......いやいやいやいや......ないって、それはないって......わざとじゃないよ?」 だらだらと嫌な汗が頬を伝い落ちるのを感じながら、桔音はその場にしゃがみ、ミニマムラビット、『ミミ』を両手に乗せて持ち上げた。異物を感じて足を引いたせいか、完全に潰れて死んだわけではないが、桔音の足の圧力によっておそらく全身の骨が折れている。口からも血を吐いているし、ぴくぴくと身体を痙攣させている所を見ると、完全に瀕死の状態だった。 「やっべ、フィニアちゃん何処行ったかな......」 治癒魔法の使えるフィニアは不幸にもつい先ほど何処かへ飛んで行ってしまった。このままでは『ミミ』が死んでしまう。 「死んだら......とりあえず見つけた時にはこの状態でしたって言おう......フィニアちゃーん!」 桔音は最悪の事態を想定しながら、フィニアを探して駆け出したのだった。 その後、幸いなことにフィニアはすぐに見つかった。どうやら本当に狭い所があれば隅々まで探すつもりだったようで、フィニアが消えた路地を少し進んだ先にある排水溝の中にいた。 桔音が半殺しの目に遭わせた『ミミ』を見せると、すぐに治癒魔法を掛けてくれた。瀕死の状態のミミだったが、治癒魔法のおかげで傷は全て治りなんとか一命は取り留める事が出来たようだ。 「はぁ......とりあえず、見知らぬ誰かに罪を押し付ける破目にならなくて良かったよ」 「死んだ時の事までばっちり対策してるね! しかも人に擦り付けるつもりだったなんて最悪だね!」 「ぶっちゃけ見つけるより死んだことにした方が楽だよね」 「労働は生活の基本だよっ! きつねさん!」 「はいはい......まぁなんにせよ、これで依頼は達成だ」 桔音は自分の手の上で眠っている『ミミ』を見ながらそう言う。運が良かったというべきだろうか、ミミが丁度現れたのだから。まぁフィニアがいなかったら運が悪かったと言っていただろうが、これで何とか報酬を貰うことが出来そうだ。 桔音はフィニアを連れてミリアの家へと戻る。勿論ミミを連れてだ。ミリアの家から出てすぐだった故に、少し歩けばすぐに辿り着く。 「ミリアちゃーん、見つけたよー」 「えっ!? きつねさん、早くないですか!?」 「その辺うろちょろしてたから、捕まえて来た」 「そ、そうなん、ですか......あぁ......ミミ、良かったぁ......!」 ミリアの家の扉を無遠慮に開けてミリアを呼ぶと、驚いた様な顔で出て来た。だが、桔音の手の上にいるミミを見て、安心したのか自然と柔らかな笑顔を浮かべた。 桔音はミミを踏みつぶして殺し掛けたことは隠し通すことにした。というか、言える筈が無い。 依頼をこなして報酬を貰う為には、依頼主のサインを貰い、それをギルドの受付に持っていかなければならない。そうすることで、ギルドが依頼達成を受理、報酬を手渡すという手筈になっている。 桔音はそれを知らなかったが、ミリアがそれを教えてくれ、サインの書かれた紙をくれた。 「これをミアちゃんに出せば依頼達成ってことだね」 「はい、ミミを見つけてくれてありがとうございます! きつねさん!」 桔音はミリアの凄く純粋な笑顔と感謝の言葉にじくじくと胸を痛めた。一回ミミを殺し掛けたので、物凄い罪悪感に押し潰されそうだ。とはいえ、依頼はこれで達成した、報酬を手に入れて宿を探さなければならない。 「えーと......何か困ったことがあったら、いつでも頼ってくれていいからね」 そう言うことで、桔音は自分の中の罪悪感を幾分か払拭する。ミリアがまたキラキラした瞳で見上げてくるが、桔音はけして眼を合わせない。ええ、合わせるわけにはいかないのだ。 桔音はそう言って、そそくさとミリア宅を去った。 逃げるようにギルドへ戻ってきた桔音、ギルドへ入った時ミアと眼が合ったのだが、桔音はその隣の地図を書いてくれた受付嬢の所へ行った。ミアがあれ?といった表情で桔音を見たが、桔音は気が付かなかった。桔音は別にミアが好きだというわけではないし、受付するのなら誰でも良いのだ。今回はたまたま地図を書いてくれた受付嬢の所へ行っただけ。 だがそれでも、自分の所に来るのではないかと思っていたミアはなんとなく納得行かないといった心情だった。桔音は気が付いていないが、少し拗ねた様な顔をしている。 「え? あ......はい......?」 「どうしたの?」 「い、いえ......少々お待ち下さい」 隣の受付嬢もミアの方をちらっと見たが、桔音の言葉に慌てて受理処理を始めた。ミリアの依頼書に達成済みの印を付けて、サインの書かれた紙と一緒に指定の場所へと収納した。 桔音は報酬を用意する為にカウンターの奥へと姿を消した受付嬢を待つ間、ぼーっとしていたのだが、なにやら視線を感じてミアの方を見ると、じとっとした眼で桔音を睨むミアがいた。 「ん? どうしたのミアちゃん」 「別に何でもないです、変態様」 「あれれ? 僕の名前忘れちゃった? きつねだよ、きつねさんだよ?」 「知りません」 桔音の言葉にミアはつんとした態度をとってそっぽを向いた。桔音は首を傾げてミアを見ていたが、何故ミアがそんな態度を取るのか心当たりがあり過ぎたので下手に触れないようにすることにした。セクハラ発言をしてまた嫌われたら損だ。 嘆息してミアから視線を切った桔音。ミアがそっぽを向きながらちらちらと桔音を見ているが、桔音はもうミアを見ていなかった。それを見て、ミアはがっくりと肩を落とし、溜め息を吐いた。 周囲の冒険者達や受付嬢達はミアのそんな姿が珍しく、眼を丸くしていたが、それはミアの視線に気付かない桔音のように、ミアも気が付かなかったのだった。 「お、お待たせしました! こちら、報酬の銀貨1枚となります」 「うん、ありがとう! やったよフィニアちゃん、僕ちゃんとお金稼げた!」 「やったねきつねさん!」 戻ってきた受付嬢の子から銀貨1枚を手渡され、フィニアと共にはしゃぐ桔音。実の所、銀貨1枚というのは冒険者稼業でいえば大した額では無い。魔獣討伐の依頼をこなしているFランク以上の冒険者であれば、もっと稼いでいる。 そんな二人を見て、ミアの隣に座っていた青い髪の受付嬢は顔を紅潮させ、嬉しそうな表情で呟いた。 「か、可愛い......」 その言葉を聞いて、ミアはまた仏頂面を作った。 なにはともあれ、桔音はこうして冒険者として順調な滑り出しを切ったのだった。

Kitsune that left the Guild walks towards the job giver's house while referring to the map he got without comparing it to Mia's map. Finia sat on his shoulder. through a busy street with plenty of houses with a bit of an atmosphere, he contemplates about something. though contrary to a face that's supposed to contemplate, he's holding the map on his left hand, and strokes his right hand at his cheeks, the one Geno just hit. [Kitsune-san, are you ok?] [Well.. I'm not ok.. i got a headache] [even though you put a cool face in the guild huh...?] [no...no... because i want to pose in front of the ladies] [Even though in the end it didn't look cool at all and you even flew by that punch huh...] honestly, the damage he received is heavy, he looked wobbly when he walked. Kitsune's [Resilience] can receive pain. even though he receives an attack from a rank E Jitsuryoku owner, but he's not wounded. inside the guild earlier, somehow Kitsune can held himself, although in fact parts of his body is already active. maybe his [Pain nullification] is already active so he didn't felt any pain and just took the hit. At that time, what Kitsune was thinking about is money (T/L: who wouldn't) about the earlier, he paid 1 silver coin for registration in the guild, but that's because he already knew the price he needs to pay beforehand, everything runs smooth, but for other prices, Kitsune is not aware of it yet. Though he can try shopping later, but as best as he can, he would like to know the living costs. but, to ask common sense in this place will embarrass him. to ask things that you're supposed to know is suspicious. another thing, Kitsune is wearing a school uniform from another world which caused strange looks towards him. [what should i do huh.... should i come to Rishe's and ask to be taught...] [about what?] [well about money usage... but i've caused enough trouble already.. if i troubles her more than this.. ah better to do this later...] Kitsune thought to ask Rishe, but he already got 3 pc of silver coins. to ask more help from her would embarrass him.basically he just wanted money to shop, but since he don't have enough money, he dump the thought. and then, he looks at the map while walking, and reach the job issuer house. since there is a girl cleaning, Kitsune decided to ask about the job order. [Excuse me] [yes?] [I'm a Rank H adventurer that come for Ms. Miria Airin's job request.... is she around?] The girl turned around, and though she's not a beautiful girl, but she have a cute face. the girls seems to be cheery with a brown hair, with a three net braid, which is placed on her shoulder in the front with steady character. her age is probably 13 years old and around 1 head shorter than kitsune. the girl, realizing that Kitsune is a Rank H adventurer bows her head. [ah... so...sorry thanks for coming all this way! i'm the one issuing the job request. my name is Miria Airin] [Eh.. ehm... you're the one that requested this job?] [Yes! please lend me your support!] Kitsune is a bit surprised... if thought from the content of the job and 1 pc silver coin reward, Kitsune assumed that the job requester was an adult, but contrary to his assumption, it's just a little girl. Or is 1 pc of silver coin is not a big amount of money, that's what he thought, Kitsune then gave a thin smile to Miria. though Miria felt a shiver with his smile... [Ehm... my name is Kitsune. you can call me Kitsune ok] [Yes, then about the content of the job, what does it mean by run away pet?] [well, yes... since we're talking while standing, why don't we come in to the house first, please!] after the introduction, Kitsune immediately started discussing about the content of the job. but he was taken aback that Miria opened her door and took him inside. is being an adventurer gives you the right to enter someone Else house this easily?, is this allowed?... the content of the job turns out to be simple. Based on MIria's information, it's about a pet called Minimum Rabbit that runs away. Minimum Rabbit is like a pet class animal that you can keep. this rabbit is different with Kitsune's world rabbit, where this world rabbit can be placed on your palm... a very tiny rabbit... the size of a hamster would be more appropriate. with such small size, then it's dangerous if it were trampled upon. and seems that when it was fed, she forgot to lock the cage, and was gone by the time she realized it. her family searched the whole house but couldn't find it. there is a possibility that the rabbit has left the house. at least that's what they thought, so they issued a job request. Miria's parent also loved the rabbit so they looked everywhere, but due to their work, they can't spend so much time to look. in other words, it's the parent's that will pay the reward. [fu--n.... Minimum Rabbit... does she has a name?] [ah... yes! her name is Mimi!] [that's a nice name.... i'll try to look for her... hope we can find her fast] [Leave it to me, Miria chan! everything gonna be alright with this beautiful fairy, Finia!] Kitsune listed to the explanation, then stood. Finia also looked determined, and trustworthy looking. while patting Miria's head, Kitsune then left the house. Minimum Rabbit, if looked with just an eye, is a small rabbit, and the one raised by Miria is called [Mimi], it seems to be an albino kind. so if it made it out of the city, there's chance that it will be step upon by people walking by. it must be found soon. basically for Kitsune, he thought it's inefficient if the search is based on clues only. so he must have a plan. [ok, for now, since Finia chan is small, please try to find it in small spaces. i will look in places with peoples.. since there is some possibilities that it's tamed.and also, basically rabbits are stressful in a quiet environment. if it were like that there's a high chance it will die... even now, there's possibility that [Mimi] is already dead, so we have to be ready about it] [ok... understood! i will look for her!] [ah... and also,,, if it gets dark, let's gather somewhere] Finia nod fiercely, and then with a resolve, flew away. she entered a small street afterwards. Kitsune that sees her off starts his search. Minimum Rabbit... Kitsune didn't thought that his first job will be this hard, but even so he thought to keep on going. then, as the first step, he swings his feet forward. at that time, everything, [-----n?] under his feet... there's a strange object.. it felt squishy and in just a few millisecond, it was squished with a sound like "guuu~". slowly he removed his feet, and there it was.... [.... so white.... hair?] the cute pet rabbit, lies there... squished. [...no no no... no... it's not there just now... it's not there.... i didn't mean to....] While panicking and sweating on his cheek, Kitsune took the Minimum rabbit on his palm. is it because of his mistake that he didn't saw the foreign object and step on it?. Mimi is not fully squished and dead, but due to the pressure from Kitsune's leg, seems that the bone on it's body were broken. and from the mouth, blood was spilling, and if you see some parts were twitching... and the shaking body. it's fully in critical condition. [Damn it... where did Finia went...] Kitsune is out of luck, Finia that can use healing magic just flew off somewhere. if this continues [Mimi] can die. [If it dies.... we just say it's already dying when we found it ok..... Finia~~~chan!] Kitsune is in critical situation, he run to find Finia. After a short run to the last area he was with Finia, and walk forward a bit. he found her in the gutter. seeing Mimi who were half killed by Kitsune, Finia castes her Magic heal. even though Mimi was in critical condition, thanks to Finia's heal, it was completely healed and somehow return back to life. [ahhh.... in any case, thankfully nobody realized anything about earlier situation... thank god] [it was about to die, you have to do things rightly you know! and you want to blame other people, you're the worst!] [seems you're more glad about the dying thing than the founding thing huh] [working is the essence of life you know! kitsune san!] [welll... yea... what ever, job's done!] seeing Mimi fell asleep on his palm, Kitsune said that. Maybe it was luck for Kitsune that Mimi showed up on the right time. well.... if Finia is not around you can say he's unlucky, but even as such, now he can receive the reward. together with Finia, Kitsune returned back to Miria's house. of course Mimi was brought by him as well. although he just left Miria house a short while ago.... by that short while he's already struggling hard. [Miria chaa~n, we found her--] [Huh? Kitsune san, isn't this a bit too fast!?] [Because it she was playing around here, that i was able to catch it] [ah, re... really... really.... aaa... Mimi... thank goodness!!] The door of Miria's house is wide open when he called her, and her face looks surprised. but, when looking at Mimi in Kitsune's hand, she smiled gently spontaneously.. maybe she felt relieved. Kitsune had trampled Mimi and almost made her died... he hid that fact. in other words, no way he'll ever say that. To get the reward after finishing the job, the signature of the job giver must be obtained, and brought to the receptionist at the guild. afterwards he will get a "job complete" and the reward. Kitsune that doesn't understand that was explained by Miria, and given her signed sheet. [so if i give this to Mia chan then my job will be completed right?] [Yes, Thank you for finding Mimi! Kitsune san!] Seeing her innocent smile and gratitude, all that flows to his heart. and since he did nearly squashed Mimi, he felt sinful. but anyway, the job is finished, and after finding compensation, he must find a place to stay. [Ehmm.... if you have any trouble, whatever it is, you can ask me anytime] by saying that, Kitsune felt he 'shared' his sin. Miria's eyes is still shining, and Kitsune didn't look at her eyes. Well.. he just couldn't. after saying that, Kitsune rushed out of Miria's house. Kitsune was running away by coming back to the guild. he met Mia when he entered but he come to the receptionist that gave him the map. "Mia is over there right?", she said that after seeing Kitsune, and Kitsune didn't realize that. It's not that Kitsune didn't like Mia, but if it's just Receptionist, anyone will do for him. so this time he came back to the receptionist that gave him the map. but even so, Mia thought whether Kitsune will approach her desk and he felt that Kitsune didn't understand her. well.. He didn't understand it, and she puts an annoyed looks. [EH? ah... ok...] [Is there something wrong?] [N... No... please hold on a moment] the Receptionist takes a glance at Mia, and hurriedly process the reward after listening to Kitsune. Miria's job is finished... she stamp the documents, and put the paper with Miria signature into one folder. While Kitsune is processing his reward, and were waiting for the receptionist going inside, he was daydreaming, but somehow felt a stare. he looked at Mia .....Jiii~~~, there's Mia cold glance at Kitsune. [Nn? whats up Mia chan] [No, there is nothing at all, Hentai-Sama!] [eh eh? you forgot my name? it's Kitsune, Kitsune you know!!?] [Dunno] Listening to Kitsune, Mia put stuck up face and throw her face aside. Kitsune tilts his head confused at Mia's attitude, why is she doing that... it makes him think, and then he decided not to be hasty. maybe he somehow say or do "sexual harassment" again so he is hated again. Kitsune look away from Mia that looks like sighing. Mia looks outside while glancing at Kitsune, But Kitsune already looks away from her. looking at that, Mia felt disappointing and again took a deep breath (sighing "fuuu~~~"). this attitude makes the people around the guild, including the other receptionists looks at Mia because she rarely display this kind of attitude. they're looking while surprised though Mia didn't realized it as well. [Thank you for the wait! here is your reward, 1pc silver coin] [Yes, thank you! Yes Finia chan! i finally got some money for our livess!] [Yess Kitsune san!!] The lady receptionist that came back to her deck gave the silver coin to Kitsune and Finia that looks very excited. honestly 1 pc silver coin is not that big money for an adventurer's reward. if you can complete a magic beast subjugation job for rank F adventurer, the money they can get is a lot more. seeing those two, the blue haired receptionist that sits next to Mia blushed, and mumbled happily. [Cu...Cute....] Hearing that, again Mia's face became sour. Well at any rate, with this, Kitsune had a good start as an adventurer.

が眼を覚ました時、最初に視界に入って来たのは木目のある天井だった。左手で顔を撫でると、顔の左側には包帯が巻かれていた。誰かの手当てが施されたということだろう。 桔音は身体を起こし、周囲を確認する。どうやらベッドに寝かされていたようで、身体に掛かっていた毛布がぱさりと落ちた。構わず横を見ると、手を伸ばせば届く距離に木のテーブルがあり、その上に桔音の物であるお面と簡単な食事が置いてあった。桔音はとりあえずベッドから足を下ろし、お面を頭の横に来るように付け、立ち上がる。 「......ここは......」 どうやら此処は誰かの部屋の様だ。桔音以外には誰もいないが、待っていれば誰かが帰ってくるのだろう。 桔音はフィニアの姿を探す。お面を『ステータス鑑定』で見てみるが、どうやらお面の中にはいないようだった。桔音の予想ではおそらく、この部屋の主と共にいるのだろうが、いままで一緒に行動を共にしていた相手がいなくなるというのは、中々寂しいものがある。 すると、桔音の腹から空腹の音が鳴った。取り敢えず、この部屋から出るのは得策ではないと考え、桔音はテーブルの上に置かれた数個のパンと果物に手を付けることにした。 人の手によって加工された食料を食べるのは随分と久しぶりな気がして、少しだけ感傷的になった。だが、一口食べれば止まらない。どうやらかなり空腹だったようで、テーブルの上にあった食事は全て、ものの数分で桔音の腹に収まった。 「......ふぅ、お腹も膨れたし......とりあえず......二度寝しよう」 「......やぁフィニアちゃん、おはよう」 「うんおはよう! というか今はもうこんにちわの時間だけどね! ぐっどあふたぬーんだよ!」 「あはは......というか何処から入って来たの今?」 「扉から!」 桔音がベッドに腰掛けた途端に入ってきたフィニア。いつものような毒舌を吐きながら桔音の胸に飛び込んできた。桔音はフィニアの言葉を聞いて、部屋の唯一の出入り口である扉に視線を向けた。 そこには、緋色の髪を後頭部でお団子の様に纏めた少女がいた。年齢は桔音と同じ位、翠色の瞳が特徴的で、服の合い間から見える肌には包帯や軟膏が多く見られた。そしてなにより桔音の眼を惹いたのは、彼女が片手に携えている剣だ。 だが、まずはこの部屋の主であろう彼女のことを知らねばならないだろう。 桔音の言葉に、少女は苦笑気味にそう言った。桔音は元の世界では他人の悪意の多い環境で毎日を過ごしていた、またこの世界に来てからの生活もあって、他者の悪意に随分と敏感になっている。故に、彼女に悪意がないことを感じとり、少しだけ警戒心を和らげた。 「えーと、それで......君が僕を助けてくれたのかな?」 「あ、ああ......この国の入り口に倒れていて満身創痍なようだったからな、本当なら医者に見せてやりたい所なんだが、素性の知れない奴だったからな......それに怪我は左眼以外大したことはなさそうだったから、取り敢えず私の下宿している此処に運んだんだ」 「そう......ありがとう、左眼の手当ても君が?」 「ああ、勝手だが放っておくと傷口が悪化するからな」 「というか、国?」 「ん? ここはミニエラという名の国だよ」 桔音の問いに少女は淀みなく答えた。どうやらここは街ではなく国だったようだ、異世界故に、桔音とは国の人口数の常識が違うらしい。 とりあえず、桔音は色々世話になっていることに対して、再度礼と共に頭を下げた。 「えーと、ごめん君の名前は......」 「ああすまない、紹介が遅れたな......私の名前はトリシェ・ルミエイラだ。出来ればトリシェの方で呼んでくれ」 「うん、僕の名前は薙刀桔音......ああ、きつねでいいよ」 「うん? ナギナタ......が、名前じゃないのか?」 「いや、僕の場合は桔音が名前なんだ......そっか、こっちでは桔音・薙刀になるのかな?」 桔音はこっちの世界では元の世界と色々違う事がありそうだ、と思いながら名前を言い直す。すると、トリシェは成程と頷きながら笑みを浮かべる。そして、桔音に歩み寄って手を差し出した。 「まぁ悪い奴ではなさそうだな......それに、きつねが起きるまでにフィニアと少し話したが、話してて悪意は感じられなかった。とりあえず、よろしく頼む」 「......うん、よろしくね......えーと、リーシェちゃん」 「トリシェなんだけど......まぁ良い、好きに呼んでくれ」 桔音は差し出された手を握って、握手する。そしてフィニアもまた、繋がれた二人の手に両手をついて、にぱっと笑いながらそう言った。 桔音と命名リーシェは、そんなフィニアの純粋な笑顔を見て、お互い噴き出すように笑った。 「はぁ......それじゃ、とりあえず食事にしようか。先程フィニアと共に食料を買いに行ってたんだ」 「そうなの?」 「そうなの!」 桔音は腰掛けていたベッドから立ち上がり、リーシェについて部屋を出た。部屋を出ると、どうやらここは宿のようで、先程まで桔音がいた部屋の他にも幾つか部屋があった。 「この宿は客も調理場が使用出来るんだ、だから食料さえ用意すれば自分で好きに食事を作ることが出来る」 「へぇ......ってことはこの宿から料理を貰う事も出来るの?」 「ああ、お金を払えば朝昼晩と三食ちゃんと出てくる。まぁ指定時間内に食堂に来なければ食べられないんだけどな」 「その場合はお金の無駄使いって事になるね!」 リーシェの説明に桔音は頷き、フィニアはそんな感想を言った。 と、そこまで来て桔音は気が付いた。宿からはお金を払えば食事が出る、だが先程リーシェはフィニアと食料を買いに行っていたと言った。ということは、 「リーシェちゃん......料理出来るの?」 「む、失礼な......これでも料理は得意なんだ、友達にも店を出せるレベルだと言われたことがある」 「ああ、フィニアのもちゃんと作るから座って待っててくれ」 桔音とフィニアはリーシェに言われたとおりに空いているテーブルに腰掛けた。すると、リーシェは調理場の入口に歩いて行き、奥へと姿を消した。 桔音はそれを見送ると、少しだけ身体の力を抜いた。そしてテーブルの上に足を伸ばして座るフィニアに視線を向けながら、口を開いた。 「フィニアちゃん......僕、どれくらい寝てた?」 「うん? えーと、この国に着いたのは朝方だから......5時間位?」 「そっか......それじゃリーシェと一緒に買い物に出てたって言ってたけど......街......ああ国だっけ......の様子はどんな感じだった?」 桔音はフィニアからこの国についての情報を聞きだす。もとより、この国に来た目的は魔獣からの安全確保とこの世界についての情報収集だ。少しでも情報を集めなければ、元の世界に帰るなんて夢のまた夢、この世界で生活すること自体不可能だろう。 桔音は先程のリーシェとの会話の断片から、少しづつこの世界についての知識を収集していた。まずは名前、この世界では和名は珍しいようだ。リーシェの名前からして、片仮名の名前が常識的なのだろう。となれば、フィニアにフィニアと名付けたのは中々良い選択だったということになる。 『異世界人』というものは、自身の称号としてステータスに表示されるほどの『異様』な存在だ。ならば、これは隠しておいた方が良いだろう。少なくとも、この世界において異世界人という存在が認知されているかいないか、それがはっきりするまでは。 まして、桔音の服装は異世界の学ランだ。一文無し故にこの服装を変えるつもりはないが、それでもトリシェの女戦士の様な服装を鑑みれば、桔音の服装がこの場において珍しいことは容易に理解出来る。 「......とりあえず、此処で生活するには多少なりともお金が必要だ。早めに働き先を見つけないと」 「あ、じゃあ冒険者になってみようよ!」 「冒険者......?」 「うん、さっき買い物に行く途中で見つけたんだ! 冒険者ギルド! リーシェにも聞いて確認したから間違いないよ!」 冒険者ギルド。桔音はそれを聞いて、少し考える。 ギルドといえば、異世界の定番だ。依頼を受注し、魔獣を討伐したり、薬草を収集したりすることで依頼者から報酬金を貰う仕事。所謂何でも屋の様なものだ。 だが、それ故に危険が付き纏う。魔獣と戦うリスクは街に逃げて来た桔音からすればあまり背負いたくはないし、仮に平和的な依頼だけを受けたとしても、周囲に『魔獣を殺せる人間』がいるのはやはり怖い。 「でも......それしかない、かなぁ......」 リーシェの反応から、この世界においてもその人の『素性』というものはそれなりに重視されていることは分かる。ならば、客商売に就職するのはあまり出来そうにはないだろう。素性の知れない男を接客業に携えてくれる者など、そうはいない。 「フィニアちゃん」 「なにかな?」 「あれ、まだ有効かな? ......僕を護ってくれるってやつ」 「―――勿論だよ、きつねさんは私が護る」 「うん、それじゃああとでギルドに行こう。でもね、フィニアちゃん」 「ん?」 「僕も強くなるよ、誰にも殺されない程度には」 「......うん、一緒に頑張ろうね!」 桔音は決めた。多少のリスクは背負うことを。そうしないと、何もかも始まらない。 これから元の世界へ戻る為の手段を探すのだ。それはつまり、世界との戦いといっても良い。その過程で、魔獣や人と戦うことは避けられない筈だ。ならば、少しでも強くなる。桔音はそう決意した。 とそこへ、リーシェがやってきた。その手にはサラダとステーキが器用に持たれていた。見た目的には元の世界にあるものとあまり変わらないが、その内容は見たことのない食材が使われている。 「これ、何の肉?」 「ああ、これは国の近くに生息してる鳥型魔獣トリスの肉だ」 桔音は目の前に出たステーキが、今まで自分達の命を脅かす敵だった魔獣の肉だと知って、少し微妙な気分になった。食べてみて、また味が良いのが更に微妙な気分になる。 だが、となりでステーキをもぎゅもぎゅと頬張っているフィニアを見ると、それもまぁいいかと思えた。食事を必要としない妖精の彼女だが、それでもものを食べている子供を見ているようで、少し微笑ましい。 「うん、美味しいよ。リーシェちゃんって料理上手なんだねぇ」 「ありがとう、これだけは私も得意なんだ。まぁ、剣の腕はまだまだだけどな」 「剣......ってことはリーシェちゃんは冒険者?」 「ああいや、私はこの国の騎士団の見習いだ」 「騎士団?」 食事をしながら、リーシェが説明してくれる。 この街には冒険者ギルドの他に、騎士団と呼ばれる組織があるらしい。これは桔音の世界でいう所の警察の様なもので、この街を警邏したり、犯罪者を取り締まったりする組織だ。騎士団はある程度実力のある人間なら試験を受けられ、そして合格すればなる事が出来る。給金は手柄次第で増えるが、失態を犯さない限り一定金額は保障される職業である。 そして、リーシェの言う騎士団見習いというのは、騎士団に入る為の実力を付ける為に、実際に騎士団にいる騎士から手ほどきを受けている者のことだ。実力が付いてくれば、教導騎士から試験を受ける許可が貰える。 「リーシェちゃんは見習いになってどれくらいなの?」 「ああ......もう二年になるが、まだ実力が足りていないらしい」 「ぐさりと来る発言をするな......きつね」 「あ、これおいしい」 「露骨に話を逸らさないでくれ」 そんな話をしながら、桔音は食事を終えた。 「その挨拶はなんだ?」 「ん、いやまぁ僕のいた場所での食事作法だよ」 「なるほど......どういう意味があるんだ?」 「んー、食事を作ってくれた人や僕達の血肉になった命に対する感謝、だっけ?」 「......へぇ、見習いたい意識だな」 リーシェはそう言いながら食器を片づける。また調理場に持っていき、しばらくして洗い終えたのか戻ってきた。 「それで......きつねはこれからどうするんだ?」 リーシェが口を開いて始めたのは、これからの話だった。

When kitsune's awoken, his first view was a wooden roof. After a while, he touched his face with his left hand, and found some bandages on his face. Seems that somebody has nursed him, isn't it!? Kitsune raise his body and take a look around him. It seems that somehow he ended up on a bed, and his blanket fell slowly. Glancing to his left, there's a wooden desk that can be reached just by stretching his hand. On the desk his mask is laid, and some simple food is served. He hastily stood up from the bed, and wore his mask. [.... Where is this?...] No matter what, this place seems to be somebody's room. Though there's nobody here aside from kitsune now, if he waited around there might be someone coming back. Kitsune tries to find finia, by wearing the mask, he saw [status judgement], and somehow after checking, finia is not there. In his assumption, maybe she is with the person staying in this room. Feeling the partner that walks with him all this time suddenly disappear makes him felt very very lonely. After a while, his stomach starts to grumble. Even so, he thought, that getting out of this room is not the best choice for him, then kitsune took on his hand some bread and fruits from the table. He's aware that he kept eating the food in his hand, he felt some sentimental feelings about it, at first it's just a bite but afterwards he can't stop eating. No matter what he's really hungry since he ate all the food on the table. [...Fuu, my stomach is bigger now.... So sleepy... let's get some more sleep] [.... Oo, good morning finia-chan] [yes, good morning! In other words its guu~dafteeeernoon!!] [hahaha.... By the way, how did you get in?] [from the door!] Kitsune sit back on the bed as finia arrives. And as usual finia throws some rude remarks straight to kitsune. While kitsune gazed on the only entrance - exit in the room while listening to finia. On the door there's a female with a scarlet hair, with dango like hair. She looked like kitsune's age, her eyes are green which makes her different from most other people, and on her skin in the middle of the clothes, there's bandages and ointment, lots of it. But aside from that, the sword on the female is what amazed kitsune. It is a {one hand slayer} sword. First things first, he need to know about the girl in this room. On kitsune's word, the girl started to smile bitterly. In his own world, kitsune gave of an unpleasant feelings which more of a malice to people around him, he pass his days like that, and even after coming to this world, he is unsure whether he will experience such life again, he's feeling sensitive that he would make such atmosphere. But after seeing her, he felt the girl doesn't seem to feel like that, so his wariness eases up a little bit. [e-too, then, you are the one that helped me?] [a,aa... since you collapsed with body full of injuries in from of the city gates-na, I wanted to show the wounds to a doctor but... I don't understand how it could have happened... beside, your left eyes wound seemed not so severe, so I brought you to my room here] [i see.... Thank you. Then you are also the one that healed my left eye?] [yes, if left alone, the wounds will get worse-na] [here, is a country?] [nn? This is miniera country] The lady answered kitsune question without hesitation. Seems this place is a country, not a city... since this is a different world, for kitsune it seems that the common sense of population of a country is different. Anyhow, since he has troubled the girl too much, again he bowed his head and said his thanks. [ee~to, your name is?] [ah forgive me... its a bit of a late introduction-na.. My name is trishe rumiela. But you can call me trishe] [un, mine is naginata kitsune... ah, you can call me kitsune] [un, the name is not "naginata"?] [no, in my place, its called "kitsune"... I see, here it would be kitsune naginata instead] Kitsune re-said his name while thinking that this world and his world has some differences. Seems that trishe understood it and offers her hand. Then, kitsune started to approach and also give hand for hand shake. [well, seems you are not an evil person-na.... And again, while waiting for you to regain consciousness, I talked with finia, and seems there is no bad intention from you. So nice to meet you ne] [un, ah nice to meet you too... ee-to, rishe-chan] [my name is trishe... but never mind, call me as you like] Kitsune shakes her hand then finia sits on both their palm, while smiling. Kitsune and rishe, laughed together after seeing finia innocent smile. [well then, let's just have some meal for now. I already went shopping with finia earlier] [that so?] [yes that so!] Kitsune who's sitting on the bed immediately raise his body, and rishe came out of the room. After coming out of the room, it seems this room is used for travelers. Aside from the room kitsune was in, there's several other similar looking room. And if they go down from the end of the corridor, they arrived in a void. There's several table lined, and it seemed to be a canteen/tavern. The canteen, itself links with the receptions, and there's a lady that looks like a [japanese restaurant mistress] stood there. [in this inn, the guest can use the kitchen, so when you want to, you can cook your own favorite food] [hee... in other words, you can also ask for food from this inn?] [ah, if we pay, we can get 3x meal per day, morning, noon, and dinner. Well, even so, you still have to come on the set time of the day-na] [well if so then, the money is wasted then (t/n : useless basically)] Kitsune nodded on the explanation by rishe, and finia seems to emit a feeling of understanding as well. And, up to there kitsune realized... food can be served by the inn if you pay, but earlier rishe and finia mentioned they went out to buy groceries. In other words... [rishe-chan can cook?] [hemm... how rude... even though like this, i'm a good cook, my friends even told me I can even opened up a shop at my cooking level] [aa, I will make some for finia as well, please sit and wait ok] Kitsune and finia both sat on an empty table as rishe said. Then rishe went into the kitchen and disappears. After kitsune saw that rishe went into the kitchen, he relax his body and, finia that are stretching her legs while sitting on top of the table gazed around and yawned. [finia-chan... how long was i... asleep?] [ee? Umm, we've been in this country since morning, so... around 5 hour?] [i see.. Then, you said you went out shopping with rishe.. In town... ah no... this country... what do you think about this country?] Kitsune listen to the information about this country from finia. Since the beginning, their plan coming to this country was to find safety from magic beasts and to gather information about this world. If it's not possible to collect information about this country for even a tiny bit, then the dream to return to the previous world is just a dream, and they won't be able to survive in this world right? Kitsune who's listening from bits of rishe's chat, slowly starts to understand about this world. First is name, which is family name is not common in this world. So names with katakana is common sense (t/n note : not sure about this one). If it's finia the nits called finia (t/n: seems the author is trying to express naming by katakana to be the norm here). In any case, in this country kitsune will not introduce himself with family name. Like finia what called him [kitsune], then he would introduce himself as such. And keep his coming in from another world as a secret. Listening to kitsune's talk, finia who are bonded with him, nodded without asking the reason. [Isekai/ other world], as a name that was given by himself alone is a strange enough] has been shown by status. It's better to keep it hidden for now. At least until he can understand the people that's living in this world. In addition to that, the clothes kitsune wore is a high school uniform. Since he's poor he has no intention to replace his clothing. But even so, by seeing trishe's uniform that looks like a female soldier, kitsune's clothes is weird in this world. That is easy enough to understand. [at the very least, to survive in this world. No matter how little, money is needed. I have to get some work soon] [a, ok then let's try to be an adventurer!] [adventurer?] [yes, when I was shopping I saw! Its [adventurer's guild]! I asked rishe as well, there's no doubt about it!] Adventurer's guild. Kitsune listen and think about it. Guild is a standard in fantasy world. Accepting request to defeat magic beast, or gathering medicinal herbs, then receiving monetary compensation for it. It's basically a good place. However, danger constantly follows this. For kitsune whose run to the town was to escape from fighting magic beast, this is the least he of what he wanted to do, and, even only temporarily, wanted to live in peace. [People that kills magic beast] is of course scary to their surrounding. [but we can't just do that...] From rishe's reaction, even in this world, [such people] can be understood that they have some weights. By that, the chance of being hired by service industry is non existent. Nobody will entertain someone with unclear pasts, no one. That's why adventurer job where there is no past will be asked and getting compensation for it, is the best place for kitsune to get some living cost with his current condition. [finia chan] [yes, what is it?] [is it still valid? The promise that you will protect me?] [........... Of course, I will protect you kitsune san] [ok then, let's join the guild. But, finia chan] [nn?] [i will also become strong... at least strong enough to not get killed by someone else] (t/n: is it someone else? Or something else as in magic beast? Dunno but the translation said someone else) [..... Yes, let's fight together!] Kitsune decided, he will take a small chance. Otherwise he won't start anything at all. Starting now, he will find a way to return to his world. In other words, even fighting this world will be fine. On the plate rishe brought, there's salad and steak, appearance wise, it's not so different with his world, but there's also something else that he never seen before. [this, what kind of meat is this?] [ah, this is torisu meat. Its a magical beast bird class that lives in a nearby area] The steak served in front of him, is known as the meat of the magic beast that endangers him and his partner. He tried eating it and more or less the good taste makes him feels complicated But when he saw finia chan next to him exerting a mogyu mogyu expression with a meat in her mouth, he thought ..... Never mind.... [un, this is tasty. Rise chan is good at cooking] [thanks, but this is all I can cook, well... if its sword related then its still nothing] [sword.... in other words, Rise Chan is an adventurer?] [ah no, i'm an apprentice [Knight Group] of this country] [Knight Group?] Rishe explained to him while eating. Seems that in this town aside from [adventurer's guild], there is also an organization called [knight's group]. In kitsune world, this is known as police, they're an organization that patrols the city, and do crime control. [Knight group] is people that took the test to see their ability. And if they pass, they can become knights. The salary also increases according to their ability, as long as they don't do violation, the income is guaranteed. Then, what rishe said as apprentice knight, to have jitsuryoku to become a knight, in reality is a guidebook obtained from knights in the [knight group]. To get this jitsuryoku, you have to get an approval to take the test from the knights academy. [rishe chan, how long have you been an apprentice knight?] [ah, around 2 year, but... seems that my jitsuryoku is still lacking] [don't say things that hurts... kitsune] [a, this is tasty!] [don't change the subject!] While chatting like that kitsune finishes his meal. [what does that means?] [emm, well.. Its an expression for food in my hometown] [i see, what is the meaning of it?] [ehm, it's an expression of gratitude for families or friends that gave the food required to live, something like that?] [... He, it's a followable common sense -na] While talking like that, rishe gathers the plates and utensils. Carried it to the kitchen to wash it then came back. [now.... What will kitsune do?] With rishe's word, all the tale of kitsune will be started.

桔音と凪の違い 「それで、きつね達はこれからどうするんだ?」 自己紹介も終わった所で、リーシェちゃんの言葉からそんな話題になった。ベッドに腰掛けたルルちゃんの膝の上にフィニアちゃんが座り、リーシェちゃんと僕は備え付けの椅子を使って向かい合っている。 僕は背もたれの方を向いた状態でさながら対面座位のように座って、背もたれに頬杖をついた。 「リーシェちゃん、勇者が召喚されたって知ってる?」 「ん、ああ......騎士達の中でも有名だからな」 「勇者! 何それすっごいカッコイイじゃん!」 「あ、フィニアちゃん達はまだ知らなかったっけ」 そういえばグリムさんの話を聞いている時、フィニアちゃん達は依頼選びに精を出していたからね、勇者の話は知らなかったっけ。 「どうやら魔王が復活したらしくてね、勇者が召喚されたんだって。グランディール王国だったかな? で、ちょっと興味が湧いたからそこへ行ってみようかなぁって思ってる」 「うーん......グランディール王国か......確かに行くのはそう難しくないが、あそこは弱肉強食の国なんだ、冒険者としてあそこに入るのは余程強くないと淘汰されるんだぞ?」 「それは分かってるさ。僕はあそこにいる勇者について興味が湧いただけだよ、戦うとかそういうことは考えてないし」 ぶっちゃけ怖いもん。何が楽しくて弱肉強食のバトルジャンキーばかりいる国へ行きたいと思うんだよ。よくもまぁ生物を傷つけるだけの技術を高めようと思ったね、しかも弱かったら同種の人間であっても淘汰するって......ただのいじめっ子の発想だよ。弱い方が悪い、とか絶対言うよ、勇者も良い迷惑だよそんな国に召喚されるとか。 僕なら絶対怒るね、あ、いややっぱ殺されるから黙ってます。 「それならいいんだが......」 「だから今日からしばらく依頼をこなしてお金を貯めて、ある程度戦えるようになったらこの国を出ようと思うんだ」 「別の国へ行くの? 楽しみが増えたね! どんな奴でもこのフィニアちゃんが消し炭にしてあげるよ!」 「うん、ありがとう。でも時と場合を選んでね?」 手当たり次第に燃やされたら堪ったもんじゃないからね。正直、フィニアちゃんならやりかねないから怖い。周囲から敵意の眼差しで見られることは確実だよ。その内背後から刺されるね、僕が。何もしてないのにザクッとやられるね、僕が! 「まぁなんにせよ、結局はいつも通りってことだよ......さしあたって、リーシェちゃんの冒険者登録でもしに行こうか」 そういえば国を出るって事はミアちゃん達ともお別れか、中学高校と上がっていく中で別れていく人もいたけど、それを寂しいと思ったことは一度も無かったなぁ。そう考えると、なんか新鮮な気分だ。 「じゃ、行こうか」 僕のそんな呼び掛けで、僕達は動き始めた。 ―――一方その頃。勇者を召喚した国、グランディール王国。 召喚された勇者は、名前を『 高身長で、おそらく180cmは優に越えている。だがガリガリな細身や筋骨隆々というわけではなく、引き締まった筋肉と整った姿勢、所謂細マッチョというべき体格をしている。手足も長く、整った顔立ちをしている故か、勇者という称号もあって、かなりの美青年に見えた。 彼は召喚された時、学校帰りだったので制服のブレザーやズボンを着ており、急に光に包まれたかと思えば目の前に巫女服の少女がいた、という認識だった。 そして、現れた巫女の少女はセシルと名乗り、凪に対して助けを求めて来た。正義感の強かった彼は、それを聞いて取り敢えず説明を求めたのだった。 「はぁっ!!」 「ぐぁ......!?」 「それまで! 勝者、ナギ!」 そして、召喚からおおよそ二日。召喚後、魔王を倒して欲しいがために勇者として召喚したという説明を受けた凪は、冷静な思考で精神を落ち付かせることが出来た。 そして、魔王を倒せば元の世界に戻れること、そして目の前の巫女達は困っていること、自分にはそれを解決出来る力が秘められていること、それだけ分かれば十分。凪は持ち前の正義感から、勇者の責務を背負うことを受け入れたのだ。 それから、凪はグランディール王国による訓練に参加する。元々、元の世界では剣道や合気道など、様々な武道を習っており、全国大会でも度々優勝や上位入賞と名を残してきた実力を持っていた彼は、すぐに訓練でメキメキと強くなった。 教えられたことをスポンジのように吸収し、繰り返し練習する事で自分のものにする。また勇者として召喚された際に、彼の身体は元の世界の数倍の身体能力にまで強化されたらしく、訓練初日にして並の兵士では太刀打ち出来ない程に強くなった。 「はぁ......はぁ......ふー......」 「ナギ様、どうぞ」 「あ、ああ......ありがとうセシルさん」 今も模擬戦にて勝利を収めた所だ。歩み寄ってきたセシルは微笑みを浮かべながら凪に汗拭き用の布を渡した。凪もそれを受け取って礼を言いながら汗を拭った。 凪はこの目の前にいるセシルという少女の立場を教えられている。巫女の彼女は、勇者として召喚された自分に身も心も捧げなければならないということを。 やるつもりはないが、自分がその気になれば、夜伽だろうが身代わりだろうがなんでもやるだろう。凪はそれを彼女の瞳に宿る覚悟から、一目で理解していた。 「私の事はセシルと呼び捨てで構いません」 「それを言うなら俺だって様付けはいらないんだけど......」 「ナギ様は勇者様です、敬意を払わなければなりません」 「そんなもんかなぁ......」 実を言うと、彼はセシルのことをあまり親しく思っていない。まだ出会って二日で、彼女のことを良く知らないというのもあるけれど、やはり勇者に身も心も捧げなければならないという役目からか、壁を感じるのだ。 「それにしても、大分お強くなられましたね。もう一般兵では相手になりません」 「いや、俺もまだまだだよ......フィジカル任せで剣術とは言い難いし」 「ふぃ、ふぃじかる?」 「あ、ああ......身体能力のことだ」 「なるほど......ナギ様は向上心がお強いんですね」 くすくすと笑うセシルは、凪から見ても可愛らしい少女だ。巫女服と黒髪がマッチしていて、とても清純な少女に見える。元の世界でならさぞかし異性にモテただろうなと思う程だ。 「それにしても、魔王っていうのはどれくらい強いんだ? いまいちピンと来なくて......」 凪はここで、話を変えてみた。まだ異世界に来たばかりで、この世界のことを良く知らないのだ。自分がどれくらい強くて、魔獣や魔族はどれほど強いのか、まだ城の外へ出たことが無い彼は知らない。 セシルはその問いに対して、笑みを潜めながら思案する。そして、少し迷った風に答えた。 「魔王は......とても強いです。おそらく、この国の兵士が全員で戦ったとしても勝てないでしょう。騎士団長や魔法騎士達、それに実力ある冒険者達であれば配下の魔族達を打倒することは可能でしょうが、魔王には届きません」 「そ、そんなに強いのか......」 「ええ、ですからナギ様にはもっと強くなって欲しいのです。勇者は、この世界の希望ですから」 そう言って笑うセシルの言葉は、切実な思いが込められていた。凪は、世界の希望と言われても良く分からないし、いきなりそんな立場になったことにも困惑している。 この世界の名のある実力者達がこぞって勝てない怪物、魔王。それを倒せと言われても正直無理だと言って逃げたくなるのが本音だ。 でも、 「まぁ、頑張るよ」 こうして、勇者とはいえ何処の誰とも知れない自分に助けを求めてくる程、切羽詰まった少女の願いくらいは、叶えてあげたいと思う凪だった。 強くなろう、いや―――強くならなければならない。 世界を救える力なんて言われても、そんなものが自分にあるのかは分からない。でも、可能性があるのなら、力になれるのなら、精一杯頑張ろうと思った。 「これ、ありがとう」 汗を拭いた布をセシルに渡して、また模擬剣を振るう。気合十分、今ある時間を、精一杯使って強くなる。そんな気迫が感じられる表情と、一振りごとに鋭くなっていく姿は、まさしく勇者。 周囲にいた兵士達は、素振りをする彼の姿を見て希望の光が大きくなるのを感じた。 これが勇者 人々の希望となり、導く者 悪を断ち、世界を救う希望の光 魔王の手は、すぐそこまで迫っている。今この時にも魔獣や魔族によって命を落としている人がいる。凪はそれを頭に入れながら、ひたすら剣を振るう。教えられたことを実践し、自分のものにする。 その日の訓練を終えた時、凪は100人の一般兵と一人ずつ模擬戦をし、勝利を収めた。 グランディール王国の巫女セシル・ディミエッタは、勇者の世話をしていた。訓練疲弊した様子の凪に肩を貸し、彼に与えられた部屋へと連れてきたのだ。荒い息を吐く凪の汗をタオルで拭き、水を飲ませる。どうやら自分の限界を超えて剣を振り続けていたらしい。手もボロボロで、汗も尋常ではないほどに溢れている。 「はぁっ......はぁっ......疲れた......!」 「ナギ様、もう少し自分のお身体を大事になさってください」 「っははは......はぁ......はぁ......夢中だったからさ......はぁ......はぁ......ふぅ......」 心配そうに注意してくるセシルにそう言いながら、少しづつ息を整える凪。そして、完全に呼吸を整えると、途端に汗が気持ち悪くなってきた。 「汗、気持ち悪いな......」 「浴槽の準備が整っていますが、入られますか?」 「ありがとう、じゃあ入ろうかな」 凪はセシルに案内されて、大浴場へと連れて来られた。男湯と女湯で別れているのは異世界でも同じらしいと思いながら、男湯の方へと入る。ちなみに、彼は桔音とは違って異世界の文字も読めるようで、男湯の文字もしっかり読めている。ただステータスを見るスキルは持っていないようだ。 服を脱ぐスペースは広く、誰もいない様子だった。凪はゆっくり風呂に入りたい気分だったから誰もいないなら丁度良いか、と思いながら服を脱ぐ。 「しょっ、と......ん?」 「......えーと、なんで此処にいるんだ? セシルさん」 「お、お背中を......お流ししようと」 上の服を脱いで、セシルがいることに気が付いた凪。てっきり女湯に入るか、部屋へ戻っていると思っていから驚いた。 上半身が裸になった凪を目の前にしているから、顔を真っ赤にしたセシルは目線をあちらこちらへと向けて挙動不審になっている。ちらちらと凪の身体を見ているが、バレバレだ。 だが、出会ってからずっと落ちついた雰囲気の少女だった故に、こうして慌てるセシルの様子は、なんだか新鮮だった。 「あー......いや、別に良いよそこまでしなくても......」 「い、いえ......しょ、それも......私の仕事でしゅので......!」 「顔真っ赤だけど......あと噛んでるし」 見た目の清純さは内面もそうだったようで、異性の裸は上半身だけでも恥ずかしい様だ。真っ赤な顔を俯かせ、噛んだことにも恥ずかしさを感じている様子だ。 しかし、引く気はないようで、一向に出ていこうとはしない。凪も汗だくのままいるのは気が引けたので、折れることにした。 「......分かった、それじゃあ後ろを向いててくれる?」 くるっと後ろを向いたセシルを確認して、凪は手早く下も脱ぐ。そして腰に布を巻いて大事な部分を隠した。 「もういいよ」 「はい......にゅっ!?」 くらくらとなる視界を首を振って抑え、視線を斜め下に移動させる。 「それじゃあ先に入ってるから......無理なようなら別に無理しなくても良いから、むしろそうしてくれ」 凪は苦笑して浴場へと入って行った。ほっと安堵の息を吐くセシル。まだ顔が熱いが、それでも初めて見た異性の肉体には興味津津の様子だ。 巫女服を脱いで、下に来ていた白く薄手の セシルは扉を開けて、凪が入っている湯船へと近づくと、つるっと足を滑らせた。その結果、湯船へと頭から飛び込む形になり、大きな水音を立ててお湯の中へと沈んで行った。 「あぶぶぶぶぶぶ!?」 「セシルさん!?」 凪は慌ててお湯の中に沈んだセシルを抱え上げた。ぷはっと顔を上げたセシルは多少咳き込みながらも怪我はない様子だ。 凪はそれを見て溜め息を吐きつつ、安心した。したが、そこで彼の思考はストップした。 「けほっけほっ......す、すいません......ありがとうございます」 セシルは何も言わない凪を怪訝に思い、その視線の先を追った。すると、その視線は自分の身体に向けられており、下に視線を移すと、白い肌襦袢が濡れて、 下には下着を付けているセシルだが、上は何もつけていない。濡れた結果、胸はその膨らみから先端の赤い突起まで全てが丸見えだった。 「きゃあっ!?」 「はっ......ご、ごめん!」 咄嗟に胸を両手で隠す。凪は我に返って目を逸らした。 セシルは凪に見られたことと、失態を晒した羞恥心で、凪の身体を見た時以上に顔を真っ赤にしていた。 「え、えーと......俺目を閉じてるからさ、その内に出るといいよ」 「す、すいません......次はちゃんとお背中をお流しします......!」 凪の言葉で、セシルはいそいそと浴場から出て行った。 それを確認した凪は、大きなため息と共に少し赤くなった顔にパタパタと手で風を送る。流石に女性の裸をこんな形で見てしまったことと、服が透けて見えるという扇情的な見かただった故に、彼も釘づけになってしまったようだ。 「......結構、大きかったな......」 セシル・ディミエッタ。グランディール王国の巫女、その年齢は弱冠17歳。17歳の凪と同い年ではあったが、その巫女服の下に隠されていたのは、大きく実った母性の塊である。

The Difference Between Kitsune and Nagi "And then, what are you gonna do from now on?" After finishing our self-introduction, such topic come from Rishe-chan's words. Finia-chan is sitting at Lulu-chan's laps who's sitting on the bed, as for I and Rishe-chan are sitting on the chairs which had been provided by the inn. When I sit while leaning to back of the chair, with that question I straighten my back as if I'm going to do an interview. "Rishe-chan, do you know that the hero had been summoned?" "Umm, yea... that was famous even among knights, after all." "Hero! What's that, isn't that sounds very cool!" "Ah, Finia-chan and Lulu-chan haven't heard of it, right." Come to think of it, because when I heard it from Grim-san, at that time Firia-chan and Lulu-chan were diligently choosing our quest, after all, so they didn't about the hero. Well, since there would be nothing which would obstruct our conversation, so it should be good as long as I tell them about it bit by bit. "Seems like the demon lord had been resurrected, you know, and so they summoned a hero. Grandile kingdom, was it? And, since I'm quite curious about it so I'm thinking to go there or something." "Umm... Gradile kingdom, huh... going there is indeed isn't something difficult, but there is a survival of the fittest country, as an adventurer if you're not strong enough to live there, you would simply be crushed, you know?" "I'm fully aware of it. I only interested by the Hero who was summoned there, and I even have no intention to do any fight and the like, after all." To be frank such a thing are scary, after all. Just what's so fun to live at such kingdom which filled with battle junkies? At least, well, I thought about increasing our ability to collect raw materials there, moreover, to crush any weakling even though they were similarly human... that sounds just like a bullying. They hate the weakling, or so they must would say, even that would be troubling the hero to be summoned at such country. If it was me, without a doubt I would be angry, ah, wait, as I thought since I might be killed so I'll just keep quiet about it. "If that's the case then it's good, but...." "That's why for a while we're going to take some more quest so that we could save some money for it, and then I thought we would go to that country when we already have a certain extent ability to survive there." "Are we going to another country? My anticipation increased! No matter what kind of fellow they are, this Finia-chan will burn them into cinders!" "Yes, thank you. But please be careful with the time and situation, right?" Since burning someone randomly isn't something good, after all. To be honest, if it's Finia-chan, she might be really able to do it so it is scary. And without a doubt that would make us be labeled as enemies from our surroundings. At that time, someone might suddenly be stabbed from the back you know, that would be me. Even though he didn't do anything, he might be suddenly killed you know, and that would be me! "Well, anyhow, in the end it's still the usual thing... for now, how about we go to the adventurer guild to have Rishe-chan registers as an adventurer." Come to think of it, if I left this country, that means I would bid my farewell with Mia-chan and the other, huh, I had some people who understood me at my middle school era, and then we parted when we advanced to high school, but I never felt lonely about it. If I think about it, somehow this is a new feeling. "Then, let's go." At my word, we start moving. --at the other side, around the same time. At the country which summoned the hero, Grandile Kingdom. The summoned hero was, named as "Serisawa Nagi". His height was perhaps around 181 cm. He had a thin and slender appearance rather than a muscular one, but he had well-ordered firm muscles at his body, that was the physical trait which would called as the thin muscular. His limbs were also long, with a well ordered features, matching his title as a hero, you could say that he was a handsome guy. When he was summoned, that was at the time he was going home from school so he was wearing his blazer which was his school uniform, when he thought that he was wrapped by light, suddenly there was a girl stood before him, that's when he got his awareness back. And then, the appeared Miko girl who was named herself as Cecil, calmly ask him a request. He who had a strong sense of justice, after he heard it, at once he asked her for further explanation about it. "Haa!!" "Gua...!?" "Enough! The winner is, Nagi!" And then, two days after his summoning. The summoning purpose, they summoned a hero because they wished to defeat the demon lord, when Nagi heard that explanation, he could calmed himself down since that was a reasonable reason. And then, about when he was able to defeat the demon lord, he would be able to return to his former world, about the burden which was bore by the Miko before him, about his hidden power which might be able to solve all of it, if he had heard that much then that's enough. Since Nagi had a high sense of justice, he decided to accept the duty and responsibility as a hero. After that, Nagi participated at the practice at Grandile kingdom's knight practices. Originally, at his former world he had learnt kendo, aikido and many other martial arts, he was even a top ranker who had won numerous national competitions, for such him, after he participated at the training he quickly become far more stronger. He would absorb everything they taught him as if a sponge, and he would mastered it after he practiced for several times. Also, as a summoned hero, seems like his physical strength was became several times stronger than at the time he was at his former world, and he already strong enough to fight an average knight at this first practice. "Haa... haa... fu...." "Nagi-sama, if you deign." "Ah, yes... thank you Cecil-san." He also won the mock battle just now. Cecil who came after the battle ended was offering him a cloth to wipe his sweat off. And then, Nagi received it and thanking her while wiping his sweat off. Nagi had been told about the position of the girl named Cecil before him. The miko girl was, after summoning the hero, she must offer her whole body and soul to the summoned hero. He had no intention to do it, but if he asked it, whether it night attendance or sacrifice, she might did any of it, right. Since Nagi could saw that resolve dwelled at her eyes, so he could understood it just at a glance. "I don't mind if you just call me as Cecil." "If you say so then I also don't need the 'sama' suffix, though...." "Nagi-sama is a hero, so I couldn't give no respect to you." "Or so I thought...." As the matter of fact, he didn't thought that he was that close with Cecil. With just two days after their encounter, there were many things he didn't know about her, but as expected since she had the duty to devote her body and soul to the hero, he could felt a wall between them. "Nevertheless, you've been become greatly stronger, right. An average knight won't be able to become your opponent anymore." "No, I'm still a long way to go... letting aside my physical, my sword art is still bad, after all." "phy, physical?" "Ah, umm... it's about my physical ability." "I see... Nagi-sama has a great desire to improve yourself, right." To Cecil who was chuckling, even for Nagi who was looking at her was seeing her as a cute girl. Her black hair was matched with her miko cloth, she looked like an extremely pure girl. To the point if it was at his former world, he thought that without a doubt she would be very popular among the opposite sex. "Nevertheless, just how strong a demon lord is? Since I need to overcome it...." Here, Nagi changed the conversation. Since he just came to this different world, he hadn't know about this world. How much he should become stronger, how strong magical beasts and demons were, he who hadn't left the castle didn't know any of it. To that question, Cecil thought about it while hiding her smile. And then, she answered it with a bit hard expression. "Demon lord is... very strong. Perhaps, we won't be able to defeat it even if we fight it with all the knights from this country. The knight leader and magic knight, if we fight together with the strong adventurers perhaps we would be able to defeat its demon followers, but we won't be able to do anything about the demon lord." "It's, it's that strong, huh...." "Yes, that's why I hope Nagi would become much more stronger. Because hero is, the hope of this world, after all." Such words which were said by Cecil while smiling, it was filled with an earnest emotion. Nagi was, didn't know that he was at the position which was referred as the hope of the world, he was bewildered to be suddenly placed at such position. An existence which couldn't be defeated even by assembling every powerful person around the world, the demon lord. Being told to defeat such an existence, he honestly thought that it was impossible to the point the wanted to run away. However, "Well, let's do our best." Like that, even if he was a hero, rather than saving someone he didn't who they were, where they lived and the like who wished to be saved by him, Nagi thought that he felt a stronger urge to fulfill the wish of the girl before him. I need to become stronger, no... I have to become stronger. Even if he was told that he had the power to save the world, he didn't know whether he actually had it within his body or not himself. But, as long as there was still a possibility, if he could became any help, he thought he would to go through it with all his might. "This, thank you." Handing the cloth which had been used to wipe his sweat off to Cecil, he wield his mock sword again. He had enough fighting spirit, at the time he had right now, he would utilized every seconds of it to become stronger. Such spirit was surging to his expression, his figure which sharply swung his sword, surely a hero. The knight around him were, seeing that figure, they could feel that their ray of hope had become brighter. That was the hero. The one who would became the hope of humanity, the guider. The ray of hope who would slays all evils and saved the world. Demon lord's threat was, slowly approaching. Even right now, there were numerous people who were died by the hands of magical beasts and demons. While keeping that in mind, Nagi earnestly swung the sword. Implementing everything they taught him, and mastering all of it. When the practice that day ended, Nagi had did 100 mock battles with average knight, and won all of it. The miko Cecil Dimietta was, currently taking care of the hero. Lending her shoulder to Nagi who was exhausted after training, she brought him to the room which had been provided for him. After wiping the sweat off from the roughly breathing Nagi, she gave him some water to drink. Seems like he had overcome his limit by continuously swinging his sword. Even his hands were tattered, and his sweats were unusually flowing out. "Haa... haa... I'm tired." "Nagi-sama, please pay more attention to your own body." "Hahaha... haa... haa... I was too engrossed in it, after all... haa... haa... fuu..." While saying so to Cecil who advised him with worry expression, Nagi readjusted his breath little by little. And then, when his breath had completely steady, he felt disgusted by the sweat around his body. "This sweat, sure is disgusting, right...." "We've prepared the bathtub, but, would you use it?" "Thank you, then let's use it." Being led by Cecil, Nagi was brought to a large public bath. While thinking that the separation of men and women's bath was also similarly happened in the different world, he entered the men's bath. By the way, different from Kitsune, he was able to read the different world's letter, so he could properly read the men's bath sign. But, he had no skill to see status. Taking his clothes off, he entered the bath area and, seems like there was no one there. Since Nagi felt that he wanted to enter the bath at ease so it was a good thing if there was no one around, or so he thought when he took his clothes off. "Sho, to... hmm?" "...umm, why do you here? Cecil-san?" "I, I think to... wash your back, or something." Taking his upper clothes off, he realized that Cecil was there. He was surprised since he thought that she surely would entered the women's bath or perhaps returned to her room. Since Nagi was half naked before her eyes, her face was blushing and her eyes were suspiciously wandering here and there. Sometimes she would stealthily took a glimpse of Nagi's body, but that was very obvious. But, as a girl who would always express a calm manner ever since their first encounter, such appearance of Cecil was, somehow something new. "Ah... no, you don't need to do something that far...." "N, no... dat, that's... also part of my duty....!" "Your face is bright red, though... also, it's embarrassing, after all." With a pure outer appearance, seems like her inner was also similarly so, she seemed to be embarrassed by just seeing the naked upper half body of the opposite sex. Hanging her blushing face, he could feel shy and falter at her expression. However, even when she didn't seems like would pulling off here, he couldn't braced himself to chase her out. Embarrassed for still drenched by sweat, Nagi was the one who pulling down. "...I get it, then, could you please turn away?" After confirming that Cecil has turned away, Nagi quickly took her lower clothes off. And then he wore a cloth at his waist to hide his important part. "It's okay now." "Yes... niyu!" Shaking her head to calming down her dizzy field of vision, her gazes was quickly slanting downward. "Then I'm going to enter first... if it seems too hard for you then you don't need to force yourself to do it, or rather please do so." Nagi entered the bath area with a bitter smile. Cecil exhaled in relieve. Her face was still red, but she was at the state where she had a great curiosity after seeing a naked body of on opposite sex for the first time. Taking off her miko clothes, she become only wore the thin white cloth hadajuban which she used under her miko clothes. Rolling the cuff up, and then fastened it by string after it was rolled up till her upper half thigh. And then, after taking one deep breath, she entered the bath area where Nagi had entered it beforehand. Opening the door, when she was approaching the bathtub where Nagi was, she slipped. And because of that, she entered the bathtub head first, she made a great splash and then sinking inside the water. "Abubububu!?" "Cecil-san!?" Nagi flusteredly lift the drowning Cecil up. Cecil raised her face up, even if she was somewhat coughing violently, seems like she had no injury. Nagi was sighing in relieve when he saw it, and relieved. But, that thought was stopped there. "*cogh* *cough*... I, I'm sorry... thank you very much." Cecil who felt dubious to Nagi who didn't say anything, she traced the end of his gazes. And then, not just that gazes was directed to herself, when she looked downward, her white clothes was drenched. Cecil wore an underwear at lower part, but she didn't wear the upper part. Because her clothes was drenched, from her bulging chest till her red apex, everything were completely visible. "Kyaa!?" "Ah... so, sorry!" She immediately hide her chest with both of her hands. And when Nagi's awareness returned, he averted his eyes. Having her body being seen by Nagi, the shame for showing such disgrace, her face was become much more redder then at the time she saw Nagi's body. "Ah, umm... since I'll close my eyes, it's okay if you leave at that time." "I, I'm sorry... next time I'll properly wash your back...!" At Nagi's word, Cecil quickly left the bath area. After confirming that, simultaneously with sighing greatly, Nagi flapped her reddened face with his hands. As expected, for seeing a girl's naked body as it is, and seeing it from a transparent clothes sure had a different level of lasciviousness, seems like that was even made him unable to took his eyes from her. "...it was, quite a big pair, right...." Cecil Dimietta. The miko of Grandile Kingdom, her age was seventeen years old. She was similarly seventeen years old like Nagi, but the one hidden below that miko clothes was, lumps of a great ripen maternity.

生き延びた日 「とりあえず逃げるよフィニアちゃん!」 「え、逃げるの!?」 二体の怪物に挟まれた状況で、戦えるのはフィニアのみ。そんな状態で勝算を見出せるほど 「と、言い訳してみたりして......!」 「きつねさん足遅いね!」 「それ飛んでる君が言うの?」 桔音とフィニアは逃げる。無論、森の中で見つけた獲物を取り逃がす程弱肉強食の世界は甘くない。二体の怪物達は、我先にと桔音達を追い掛けて来る。背後から迫るプレッシャーは凄まじく、普段から足が遅いと自覚はしていたが、更に遅くなっている様な感覚に陥った。 故に、走りながら考える。あの二体の怪物を倒す......もしくは退ける方法を。 「はぁっ......はぁっ......! こんな時、物語なら凄く強い冒険者とか勇者とか来てくれるもんじゃないかな......!」 「絶望的な可能性に縋ってるね! まるで捨てられる前の女々しい男みたいだよ!」 「それ何処のゴールデ○ボン○ー?」 こんな会話をしてはいるが、状況は切迫している。桔音にとってはフィニアのこんな陽気さがありがたかった。 背後を一瞥して、二体の怪物の様子を窺う。見た所あの二体は人間である自分を狙っている所から肉食、なおかつ虫と狼ならば種族も大きく異なる筈だ。 「―――なら......イケる、かな?」 桔音は思考する。怪物とその周囲の状況、そして自分達の手札、諸々全ての情報を考慮して出来ることを考える。 「......フィニアちゃん」 「何かな、きつねさん!」 「―――少し、聞きたい事がある」 桔音は薄ら笑いを浮かべながら、そう言った。 ◇ ◇ ◇ ―――二体の怪物は、追っていた獲物を見失っていた。 この怪物たちは二体とも、桔音の予想した通り肉食の獣であり、この世界においてはそのどちらもが『魔獣』と呼ばれる生物だ。並の人間であれば遭遇した瞬間に死を覚悟しなければならない存在であり、魔獣は弱い部類でも一体いれば数十人の人間を食い殺す。そんな魔獣の中でも、この狼と蜘蛛は中堅クラスの存在だ。 』と呼ばれ、発見されているモノの中でも最大全長5mになる超巨大な魔獣だ。蜘蛛というだけあって、体内で生成した粘着性の糸で獲物を捉えることもあれば、自分自身で獲物を追走する場合もある。また咬まれた場合麻痺性の毒も持っているので、一度捕まったら逃げることは難しい。 勿論、この二体は仲間では無い。寧ろ同じ獲物を奪い合う敵同士だ。では何故この二体はお互いが近くにいるのに戦わないのか、それはお互いまずは獲物を確保しておくことを第一にしているからだ。 桔音という獲物を逃げられないよう確実に殺して、それから獲物を奪い合い、殺し合うのだ。 だが、今はその獲物を見失っている。その苛立ちは、目の前にいる敵に向かうのは仕方のないことだった。 「グルルルルル......!!」 「カロロロロロ......!!」 お互い、2mを超える巨体の持ち主同士が睨み合う。そして、地を蹴って衝突する――――瞬間だった。 「隙あり」 そんな声が聞こえた。魔獣達がその声の聞こえた方向へと振りむく前に、二体の魔獣は真横へとぶっとばされた。二体の魔獣が吹っ飛ばされながら自分達のいた場所を見る。そこには、切られた木の丸太が振り子のように揺れていた。あれが自分達の身体を真横から打ったのかと理解した。 二体とも空中で体勢を立て直し、着地する。 「隙だらけだよ!」 その方向には小さな声が待ち構えていた。思想種の妖精、フィニアである。彼女はその小さな両手を突き出し、この場所で溜めていた魔法を発動させた。今度は衝撃波の魔法といった下級魔法ではなく、高火力の高位魔法。無詠唱だが若干の溜めが必要な程の魔法だ。その魔法の名前は――― に向かって放った。この魔獣は、炎に対して随一の耐性を持っているというのに。 「ガアアアアアア!!」 だからこそ、溶焔狼はその炎を避けなかった。この魔法の怖い所は、凄まじい力を持っているのにもかかわらず、その脅威を悟らせない儚さにある。 「掛かったな頭の悪い犬め!!」 フィニアのそんな言葉と同時、体内から白い光と共に爆散した。白く燃えながら飛び散る血液と肉片が、べちゃべちゃと地面を赤く染め上げた。 「なんだ......この世界の生物も、血は赤いんだね」 そして、飛び散った血液を身体に浴びながら、桔音はそう呟いた。頭に掛けた狐のお面から赤い血液を滴らせ、薄ら笑いを浮かべる。その瞳は蜘蛛を見ていた。 「カ......ロロォ......!?」 その時初めて、蜘蛛は桔音に対して危険を感じた。プレッシャーは感じない、強者の匂いも感じない、桔音は弱者のままで危険の匂いだけを感じさせていた。無論、桔音に何か手がある訳ではない。桔音が何かをしている訳ではない。桔音はそこに立っていて、ただ返り血を浴びているだけだ。 だが、桔音には異世界に来る以前から一つの性質があった。 それは、『気味悪がられる性質』 同じ人間なのに、何故か排他された。だがそれは、理由があった訳じゃない。なんとなく、理由も無く、何故かそうなっていただけ。この世界ではそれが、魔獣にも適用されたのだ。 は、目の前の桔音を気味悪く思った。奇怪で正体の分からない気配。 「さて、次は君の番だ」 桔音がゆぅらり、と指を蜘蛛に向けた。蜘蛛はその行動だけで、一歩後ずさった。蜘蛛は思う、近づいて咬み付けば勝てる、確信があると。なのに近づけない、いや、近づきたくないとも思っていた。 先程までは違った、弱いだけの存在だと思っていた。だが、自分でも苦戦しそうな狼をこうも易々と殺してみせたではないか。それだけで十分脅威、下手すればここで死ぬ可能性も否定出来なかった。 故に蜘蛛は本能で判断する。蜘蛛は本来慎重な生き物だ、確実に勝てる状況でない限りは身を潜め、己が身を護る。桔音の正体が理解出来ない以上、蜘蛛は容易に接触しないことを選んだ。 「カロロロロロ......!」 撤退。蜘蛛はお尻から粘着性の糸を吐き出し、木々を渡って去って行った。桔音はそれを追わない。何故か分からないが、去ってくれたのなら深追いは不要だ。 「.........ふぅ、ありがとフィニアちゃん」 「いいよ! それにしても、あんな穴だらけの作戦で良く生き延びたね! 奇跡だよ!」 真っ赤に染まった桔音は寄ってきたフィニアの言葉に苦笑する。 桔音の作戦はこうだ。フィニアの魔法で切り倒した丸太をそこかしこにぶら下がっている蔓に括りつけ、追ってきた怪物達にぶつける。そして後はフィニア任せ。正直な所、桔音はフィニアがどういう魔法を使うのかも知らなかった。 とりあえず結果オーライに収まったから良いものの、丸太が当たらなかったら、フィニアが仕留められなかったら、蜘蛛が退かなかったら、ちょっとしたことで桔音達はこうしていられなかったかもしれない。 「だって僕孔明じゃないんだし、そんな聡明な頭を持ってる訳でもないし、その場凌ぎの作戦なんだから穴だらけに決まってるじゃないか」 「うわー、きつねさん何処までも駄目人間だね!」 「君の笑顔で毒を吐く性格は誰譲りなのか気になって来たよ」 「私は私だよっ! これが私オリジナリティーなんだよ!」 桔音は笑う。なんとなくこの妖精の性格が分かってきたようだ。 そして、自分の姿を見て溜め息を吐いた。血塗れだ、このままじゃ自慢の学ランも血でカッサカサになってしまいそうだ。 「とりあえず、さっき言ってた川を目指そうか」 「うん! えーと......あっちだね!」 フィニアがまた上空へと飛んで方角を示す。桔音がその方向へ進むだすと、フィニアもゆっくり降下して桔音の隣を浮遊して進む。にぱっと笑うフィニアはそこはかとなく雰囲気を明るくしてくれた。 「うーん......なんか生臭いなぁ......」 しばらく歩いて、川に辿り着いた桔音達は一休みしていた。案外、街は遠くとも川は近くにあったようで、直ぐに辿り着く事が出来た。今は学ランとズボンを川で洗って、干しているところだ。現在の桔音は中に来ていたTシャツとトランクスのみの状態で胡坐を掻いている。フィニアは疲れたのか桔音のお面の中に入って出てこない。 「......というか、お面の中入れるんだ......人間で言えば母親のおなかの中に入る様なもんだよね......そう考えるとやっぱファンタジー?」 誕生日で貰ったお面が、今自分の持っている最大のファンタジーだということを感慨深く思いながら、桔音は段々日が落ちていくのを感じる。それにつれて暗くなり始めた空を見上げた。 そして、今日一日で起こったことを振りかえる。 元の世界で死に、親友を泣かせた。 死んだと思ったら、異世界に来ていた。 大きな狼に襲われ、フィニアに出会った。 川まで辿り着き、こうしてなんとか生きている。 今日は何度も死に掛けた。死んだあとなのに、何度も死に掛けた。今日を生き延びたけれど、明日を生きられるかは分からない。それを考えればまだまだ気は抜けられなかった。 「......これは元の世界に帰る云々言ってる場合じゃないかもしれないなぁ」 桔音はそう呟いて、まだ若干湿っているが学ランとズボンを着た。そしてお面を付け直し、隠れられる場所を探す。水辺は生き物の休憩所、此処にずっといれば先程の蜘蛛やその他の魔獣に襲われて死ぬ可能性もある。身を隠せる場所でないと寝ている間にいつの間にか死んでしまうだろう。 「はぁ......暗くなってきた......僕は夜型だから良いけど、森の中なんて初めてだぜ」 ため息交じりに、桔音はそう呟いた。

Chapter 5: The Day They Survived "For now, let's run Finia-chan!" "Eh? We're running?" Sandwiched between two monsters, with Finia being the only one able to fight, Kitsune wasn't foolish enough to fail to see their chances of victory, and it's not like he was a natural born fighter or anything. The conclusion he came to was that the most favorable measure to take in the situation was 'Flight.' Both 'Fight' and 'Flight' differ by but a letter, and both are strategies to take pride in. "So, if you equate the positives of...!" "Kitsune-san, your legs are slow!" "Is that something you should say while flying?" Kitsune and Finia fled. Of course, the laws of the jungle weren't so kind as to let the prey the predators found in the barren forest escape. Both monsters scrambled to rush after the two. The pressure coming from behind was fearsome, and while Kitsune always had the awareness that his legs were on the slower side, he felt slower than ever before. As such, he was forced to ponder as he ran. How to defeat those two monsters... or to get them out of the way. "Hah... hah...! At a time like this, in stories, would this be the moment when a really strong adventurer or hero shows up...!?" "The probability of that is abysmal! You're acting like an effeminate man whose about to be dumped!" "What sort of 'Gold*n Bomb*r' do you think I am?" Despite their conversation, the situation was urgent. To Kitsune, Finia's cheerfulness was actually quite appreciated. He glanced behind him and snuck a peek at the two beasts. Based on what he had seen, since the two were aiming for a human like him, they were carnivorous. And as a bug and a wolf, their races should be quite different. "... Then... perhaps I can?" Kitsune thought about the monsters, their surroundings, what his team had on hand, and what he could do with all the information. "... Finia-chan." "What is it, Kitsune-san!?" "... There's something I'd like to ask." Kitsune said that as a faint smile arose on his face. * * * ... The two monsters lost sight of the prey they were chasing. Just as Kitsune anticipated, they were both carnivorous beasts, and in this world, they were both lifeforms classified as {Magic Beasts} . If a normal human were to run into them, then that person would be forced to resign himself to death, and even the weakest of Magic Beasts were able to devour dozens of humans individually. Among such monsters, the Wolf and Spider were around mid-tier. The spider was an {Arachne} , and based on the specimens that had been discovered thus far, it's max body-span was 5 meters. As a spider, it could use the adhesive threads produced within its body to capture targets or could personally run after them itself. Its bite held a paralyzing poison, so after being caught once, it would be difficult to escape. This goes without saying, but the two were not allies. They were mutual enemies gunning for the same food. Why is it that when in such close proximity the two have yet to start fighting, you ask? That is because both of them had securing food on their minds as their first priority. After killing the prey that was Kitsune to prevent him from running away, they would fight and kill one another over him. But now they had lost said food stock. It was inevitable that they would take out the irritation from that on the enemy before their eyes. "Grrrrrrr...!!" "Krrrrr...!!" The two monsters, each with frames surpassing two meters, glared at one another. They kicked the ground and collided... and it was at that moment. "An opening." They heard a voice. Before they could turn to the direction of its source, the Magic Beasts were sent flying horizontally. They looked at the location where they once were, and saw a cut tree swinging like a pendulum. They understood that was what had impacted them from the side. Body bodies corrected their postures in midair and landed. "You're full of openings!" A small fairy was waiting for them: The Ideological Fairy, Finia. She held up her small hands and activated the magic she had been saving up. This time, it wasn't a low grade shockwave magic, but a high class fire one. It didn't need a chant, but it needed a bit of charging to use. That magic's name was... And of all things, Finia sent the flame towards the Vargr Wolf. Even though this monster boasted the greatest of flame resistances. "GAAAAAAAAAH!!" And that's exactly why the Vargr chose not to dodge. This magic's scary aspect wasn't its output, but its fleeting appearance that contradicted that power. "You fell for it, stupid dog!!" As Finia voiced her opinion, the Vargr burst from the inside, along with a white light. It continued to burn white, as blood and cuts of flesh splattered around and stained the ground. "Well, then... so organisms from this world bleed red as well." While his body was bathed in the scattering blood, Kitsune muttered to himself. Red blood drips down the Kitsune Mask on his head, and a faint smile emerges on his face. His eyes were directed at the Spider. "Ka...rrrroo.....!?" That was the first moment the Spider sensed any danger from the boy. It didn't feel pressure, and it didn't smell that it was standing before someone stronger than itself. With Kitsune remaining the weak presence he always was, the spider continued to feel nothing but fear. Of course, it's not like Kitsune had any trump card. It's not like he was doing anything menacing. He was merely standing there, getting his body bathed in the blood spurted. But since before coming to this world, Kitsune had always possessed a certain nature. That was his {Repulsing Nature} . Even by humans of the same race, he was always excluded for some reason. But it's not like there was any particular reason. Without any reason, it just kinda turned out like that. In this world, that apparently applied to Magic Beasts as well. The Arachne was creeped out by the boy standing before its eyes. It felt a strange from this unfamiliar presence. "Now then, looks like it's your turn next." Kitsune's body swayed as he pointed his finger at the spider. And with just that action, the spider retreated a step. It thought, if it only got closer and bit him, it would win. It was confident in that. Even so, it couldn't approach. No, it didn't want to approach him. It hadn't been like this until now. Up until now, Kitsune was registered as nothing but weak prey. But the Wolf that could put up a close fight with the spider had been killed all to easily, had he not? That made him more than enough of a threat. It couldn't deny the possibility that it would die if it handled the situation poorly. As such, the spider made a decision by instinct. It was, by nature, a cautious animal that would hide itself as long as it wasn't certain it would win. It valued itself. As long as it couldn't understand Kitsune's existence, it chose not to approach him so easily. "Krrrrrrrrrr...!" Retreat. The spider expelled adhesive strings out of its rear as it crossed trees to retreat. Kitsune didn't give chase. He didn't really understand why, but if the spider was going to retreat, he had no need to chase it. "... Whew, thanks, Finia-chan." "It's fine! Even so, I'm surprised you were able to survive with that hole-ridden mess of a plan! It's a miracle!" The red-dyed Kitsune raised a bitter smile at the fairy's words. Kitsune's plan was as follows. Attach a log cut down with Finia's magic to one of the vines hanging over the place to send at the following monsters and halt their advance. Then leave the rest to Finia. Honestly, he didn't even know what magic she would use. For now, all's well that ends well, but if the log didn't hit, if Finia's magic failed to kill, if the Spider didn't step back, the slightest of mistakes would have made the situation take a turn for the worse. "Hey, I'm no Zhuge Liang. I don't have that sort of wisdom in my head, and it's something I came up with on the spot to overcome the situation, so of course it would be full of holes." "Uwah, just how useless of a human are you, Kitsune-san!" "I'm starting to wonder just where you picked up that personality to spew venom with a smile." "I'm me! This is my originality!" Kitsune smiled. It seems he'd begun to understand this fairy's personality. And looking at himself, he let out a sigh. He was covered in blood. At this rate, his prided uniform would be unusable. "For now, let's aim for that river you were talking about earlier." "Yeah! Umm... that way!" Finia floated high into the air again and pointed. Kitsune began walking in that direction, and Finia descended to his level to float by his side. Her bright smile sorta brightened up the atmosphere. "Yeah... This bloody smell is..." After walking a while and arriving at the river, they took a small break. Unexpectedly, while the city was still far, the river wasn't, so it didn't take long to reach. Kitsune had washed his blazer and pants in the river and was in the middle of drying them. He sat cross-legged in the trunks and T-shirt he wore under them. Perhaps she was tired, but Finia went back inside of Kitsune's mask and wouldn't come out. "... And wait, so she can go back into that... in human terms, it's like reentering a mother's stomach... if you think along those lines... I guess it's a Fantasy?" The fact that the Mask he received for his birthday had turned into the greatest of fantasy goods left him with some deep thoughts as he felt the day slowly coming to an end. He gazed up at the sky that had begun to turn dark. The events that had transpired played back to him. He died in his previous world and made his best friend cry. When he thought he was dead, he ended up in another world. He was attacked by a large wolf and met Finia. Having reached the river, he was still alive, one way or another. Today, he seemed to have been treading close to death the whole way. Even though he had already died, he was still so close to it. Even if he survived today, he had no idea what would become of the next day. And the more he thought about it, the more his motivation left him. "... This may not be the best time to be thinking about how to get back to my previous world." Kistune murmured as such. He slipped on his slightly damp uniform. After hanging the mask on his head again, he began looking for a place to hide. The waterside is the rest stop of life, and if he stayed there, there was a higher possibility of him being killed off by that spider, or some other Demon Beast. If he didn't find somewhere to conceal his body, then he'd likely die in his sleep. "Hah... It's getting dark... I'm more of a night person, so it's fine, but this is the first time I'm spending it in the middle of a forest." He let out one sigh after another.

初めて自分の力で稼いだ報酬を手に入れたことではしゃいでいたテンションも落ち付いて、桔音はこれからの行動を考える。報酬は手に入れた、これでリーシェから貰った金額も含めると銀貨3枚のお金を手に入れたことになる。果たしてこの金額で宿を取れるかどうかは分からないが、まだ時間はある、もう一つ依頼を受けるのも良し、安めの宿を探して休息を取るも良しだ。 とはいえ、宿を取るにしろ依頼を受けるにしろ、最優先で知らなければならないことがある。依頼に向かう途中でも考えた、通貨の価値についてだ。 宿に泊まるにはどの程度のお金が必要なのか、一般人の一日の生活費はどれほどの金額なのか、知らねばならない。元の世界でこそ、桔音の金銭感覚は十進法で分かりやすい。10円が10枚で、100円、100円が10枚で、1000円、といったものであり、簡単かつシンプルなものだった。 しかし、この世界においては銀貨以外の硬貨は知らず、お札があるのかも知らない。 「......これは仕方ない、まずは『常識を聞いても問題ない人』を探すとしようか」 「きつねさん、どうするの?」 「うん、とりあえず宿を取ろう。リーシェちゃんの泊まってる所がいいかな、勝手も分かってるし」 桔音の判断には基本的に肯定的なフィニア。既に彼女の定位置と化した桔音の右肩に座り、ご機嫌そうにニコニコと笑顔を浮かべている。 桔音はそんな彼女を微笑ましく思いながら、ミアの前に移動する。となりの受付嬢がなんだか残念そうな表情を浮かべたものの、とりあえず気にしないでおくことにする。 桔音が目の前にやってきたミアは、まだ仏頂面を浮かべていたが、座っている故に見上げる形で桔音に視線を送っている。話をするだけの意志はあるようだった。 「それじゃミアちゃん、また来るね。色々教えてくれてありがとう」 「............いえ、仕事ですから」 「うん、それでもだよ」 「......そうですか」 「またね! ミアちゃん! 私からもありがとう!」 桔音とフィニアはミアにお礼を言うと、振りかえってギルドの入り口へと歩きだす。ミアの表情は先程よりも心なしか和らいでいた。その視線は桔音の背中を射抜いており、今回の一件で完全に桔音へと興味を抱いた様子だ。 その証拠に、桔音がギルドの入り口から出て姿を消すと、ふぅ、と重い溜め息を吐いた。 「とりあえずさっきの宿に戻ろうか」 桔音とフィニアは、ギルドから出て、リーシェの泊まっている宿屋へ向かうことにした。道は覚えているのか、桔音とフィニアは迷いない足取りで歩いて行く。 お昼時を過ぎたことで、食事処の客入りもピークを過ぎている。賑やかだった町並みはどこか落ち着きを見せていた。行きかう人の中には、この国で普通に暮らす人もいれば、店を出して懸命に商売に明け暮れている人もいる。 中には冒険者然とした迫力あるオーラを纏った者もいれば、騎士然とした正義感溢れる者もいた。桔音も今はその内の一人なのかと考えると、少し気後れしてしまう。 と、そこで見慣れない人を見つけた。強面の男が台車を引いて歩いている。それだけなら桔音も特に気に掛けはしなかったのだが、その台車に乗っているものが問題だ。台車には檻のようなものが乗せられており、中には老若男女問わず、数名の人が入っていた。そして中の人々は総じて力の無い瞳をしており、似た様なボロ布の服を着せられていた。 しかも、明らかに人間でない者もいる。頭に動物の耳があり、尻尾を持つ者がいた。おそらく、獣人と呼ばれる種族の者だろう。 「......あれ、なんだろう」 「んー、さぁ? 知らなーい」 擦れ違い、後方へと過ぎ去っていく強面男。桔音が考え得る可能性として、あの檻に入っていたのは『奴隷』というところか、恐らく誰かに売られたか、奴隷にならねばならない理由があったかで、奴隷に落ちたのだろうが、桔音の気にしているのはそういう所じゃない。 元々、日本という国には奴隷制度はない。もとより人を虐げ、陥れる行為を嫌う平和の国だ、桔音からしても奴隷というのは少しばかり受け入れ難い現実だった。 「まぁ、確証もない......しかし奴隷がいるとなると......」 桔音は奴隷というものを受け入れ難く思っているが、同時にこれは丁度良いのではないかと考える。奴隷、となればその人権の全てが所有者にある存在だ。そして、桔音にとって都合が良いことにこの世界の奴隷は総じて、『この世界の住人』だ。 つまり、奴隷を購入してこの世界の常識を教われば何も問題はないのではないだろうかと考えたのだ。人権を握っている以上、秘密を漏らすことはないだろうし、異世界における行動のノウハウを知ることが出来る。今の桔音にとってとても都合が良い存在だ。 「奴隷、か」 「いや、なんでもない」 今は宿を取ることが最優先だ。奴隷云々の話は可能性として頭の隅っこらへんに追いやっておこう。 そう思いながら、しばらく歩き、リーシェの宿泊している宿屋に戻ってきた。フィニアに看板の文字を呼んで貰ったところ、『黄昏の宿屋』という名前らしい。 中に入ると、一度見たことのある食堂と受付カウンターが目に入る。おやつ時だからか食堂スペースには数名の宿泊客がおり、雑談を楽しんでいる。 「いらっしゃい、お客さんかい?」 すると、カウンターにいた気の良さそうな女性が話し掛けて来た。年齢は40代ほどで、話しかけやすい温和な雰囲気を纏っている。おそらく、彼女がこの宿の店主で、女将さんなのだろう。 桔音はカウンターの所まで歩み寄り、女将さんの前に立った。 「はい、とりあえず一泊いくらなのか聞きたいんですが」 「ああ、此処は一泊650ルピだよ」 「......」 ルピ? なんだそれ、さっぱりわっかんねぇ☆ 桔音は悟った様な表情で薄ら笑いを浮かべた。とりあえず、銀貨を一枚出してカウンターに置いてみる。 「これで、足ります?」 「ん、銀貨1枚ね......これで半月は泊まれるけど、どうする?」 「マジで? じゃあそれでお願いします」 「あいよ、それじゃお釣り250ルピね」 女将はカウンターの銀貨を持っていき、金を入れる場所にチャリンという音を立てて収納した。そして何やら石の様な材質で作られた硬貨を25枚程渡してきた。 空いている部屋の鍵を持ってきて、カウンターに置いた。 「はい、207号室。2階の奥の方の部屋だよ。この宿では食事を出しているけど、食事代は別料金なんだ。食料さえ自前なら無料で調理場を貸しているけど、食事を出して欲しいなら半月分、3000ルピ必要だよ」 「じゃこれで」 「銀貨1枚ね、じゃはいお釣りの7000ルピ」 今度は銅で出来た硬貨が7枚帰ってきた。ここまできて、ようやく桔音にもこの世界の金銭感覚が分かってきた。 銀貨という名前から、銅の硬貨は銅貨、石の硬貨はまぁ石貨とでも言おうか。日本円に直すと、銀貨は1万円、銅貨は1000円、石貨は10円と言ったところだろう。『ルピ』というのは桔音の感覚で、『円』に直すことが出来る。 3000ルピ、つまり3000円、つまり銅貨3枚だ。だから1万ルピである、1万円である、銀貨1枚を出して、7000ルピ、つまり7000円の銅貨7枚が帰ってきたという訳だ。食事代にしては安いかと思うが、追加料金的な意味であることと世界が違うことを考えればまぁ納得出来る。 650ルピで半月、つまり650円×15日で9750円、 銀貨以上の硬貨があるのかは分からないが、とりあえず今は日本円で3万円もくれたリーシェに感謝が止まらない。 「ありがとうございます」 「食事は朝は7時から9時の間、昼は12時から14時の間、夜は18時から20時の間じゃないと出ないから、気を付けるんだよ」 「はい」 桔音はお釣りと鍵を受け取って、お礼を言う。そしてそのまま自分の部屋へと向かって階段を上って行った。 部屋について、桔音は中に置いてあったベッドに座った。フィニアもふかふかのベッドに飛び込んでゴロゴロと堪能している。 「さて......一旦休憩」 桔音はそう呟きながら、思考する。お金については現時点で知り得る硬貨の価値を理解した、そして時間の概念は元の世界と変わらないことも分かった。先程、食事の時間帯を言う女将さんの言葉から、元の世界と全く同じであることを汲み取ったのだ。 一泊の宿泊代が650円、というのは些か安過ぎじゃね? と思う桔音ではあるが、まぁ部屋にはベッドやテーブルといった最低限の家具くらいしかなく、部屋としてはそれほど広くない。サービスではなく、本当の意味で宿泊する為だけの宿屋ということだろう。それならばかなり安価な値段だと思っても、この世界では常識なのだろう。 とはいえ、半月の宿を確保出来た訳で、なんとか一息付けそうだと思った。 「はぁ......フィニアちゃん」 「とりあえず、これからの方針を決めよう」 「まず、今日から半月の間は此処で暮らせるので、リーシェちゃんに返す分のお金を稼ぐまで依頼をこなしていこうと思う」 「うん、恩は返さないとね!」 「それ以降は働きたくない」 見事なまでに駄目人間っぷりを露わにする桔音。流石のフィニアも全力で罵倒してしまった。 「冗談だよ......とりあえず、元の世界に戻る方法を探す」 「その為には死なないことが最優先だ。別に戦いで勝つ事に意味はないからね、まずは戦いになってもけして死なないようになることが重要だよ」 「なるほど、ということは修行だね! 修行して無双するんだね!」 「いや違う。どうやら僕の能力値的に攻撃力にはあまり期待出来そうにないからね......かわりに防御力に関しては中々見所がありそうだから、防御力を上げまくる! それこそ、何をされてもノーダメージで済むくらい」 「戦う気ゼロだね! いっそ清々しいよ!」 桔音は密かに、これまで出会った人達のステータスを覗いていた。それ故に、自分のステータスとの比較をし、自分のステータスが一般と比べてどれほどのものなのかを調べていたのだ。例えば、一般人で子供であるミリアであれば、 名前:ミリア・アイリーン 性別:女 Lv8 筋力:30 体力:60 敏捷:20 魔力:30 スキルは省略するが、桔音の倍のレベルを持っていながらもそのステータスは桔音よりも大きく劣っていた。 そして、一般人で成人しているミアは、 名前:ミア・ティグリス 性別:女 Lv14 筋力:50 体力:80 敏捷:40 魔力:50 こうなっている。レベルはやはりミリアよりも高いが、そのステータスはやはりミリアと大差ない。桔音は此処まで見てみてある程度の予想を立てた。 おそらく、レベルというのは戦闘経験を積まなくとも上がる。知識や肉体の成長によって上がった能力値でも上がるのだろうと。だがその場合、戦闘経験で上がったレベルよりも能力値の伸びはごく僅かなものになるのだ。故に、Lv4の桔音でも戦闘経験によって上がった能力値はLvで大きく勝るミリアやミアを上回る事が出来たのだ。 そして、最後にミアに絡んでいたEランク冒険者ジェノだ。 名前:ジェノ・グレアス 性別:男性 Lv47 筋力:1160 体力:1080 耐性:100 敏捷:750 魔力:270 高い。スキルは省略したが、戦闘に役立つスキルを多く習得しているようだった。それに、レベルも桔音の10倍はある。各能力値もそのレベルに違わず高かった。 だが、魔力においては他と比べて低い。おそらく、筋力の高さからして力で圧倒するパワーファイター型なのだろう。魔力の高い者はおそらく魔法使いとして魔法を駆使して戦闘を行うのだろうと予想する。これは個々の才能に準ずるのだろう。 そして、桔音が最も着目したのは、『耐性』のステータス。桔音はLv1の時点で『耐性』が100あった。にも拘らず、ジェノはこと『耐性』においてのみ、Lv47にして桔音の初期値と同程度の能力値しかない。 これはおそらく、桔音の『耐性』における才覚は相当のものと見ていいという確信になった。 故に、桔音は考えた。自分の戦闘方針、それは、 ―――何者の攻撃をも防ぐ防御力を手に入れること そうすることで、『負けない』戦いに持ち込むのだ。そうすれば、桔音は相手の攻撃を対処しながら、逃げる事が出来る。逃げることが出来れば、生き延びることができる。そして生き延びることができれば、元の世界へ帰る可能性が繋がる。 「でも、逃げられない相手や圧倒的攻撃力を持つ相手もきっと出てくる。出来る限り戦いたくないけど、やっぱり戦う時には戦わないといけないからね......」 「だからその時の為に、フィニアちゃんには決定打になって欲しい」 「決定打? どういうこと? 凄くカッコイイ響きなんだけど」 「フィニアちゃんには攻撃力になって欲しいんだ、時に逃げる為の援助攻撃に、時に相手を倒す攻撃力に、なって欲しいんだ」 桔音が死なない為の防御力だとすれば、フィニアは相手を倒す攻撃力。元々、『耐性』のステータスは適性のあるもの以外は上がりにくい、ならば攻撃力において現時点でもかなりの高さを持つフィニアには、とことん相手の殲滅する能力に長けて貰った方がいいだろうと考えたのだ。 「うん......うん分かった! この美少女妖精フィニアちゃんが、振り掛かる火の粉を全て殲滅してみせるよ! きつねさんには酸素だって近づけさせない!」 「それ僕死ぬよね? 僕も殲滅しにかかってるよね?」 「......ははは、全く頼もしいね」 フィニアの向日葵のような笑顔にはいつも元気づけられる。そう思いながら、桔音は苦笑する。方針は決まった、それぞれの適性を最大限活用した戦闘方針。

As his tension in which he became too happy from obtaining the reward earned by his own power fell, Kitsune is now thinking about his next action. The reward was obtained, and if the money that has been received from Rishe will be added then the money he has right now would be 3 silver coins. Though he didn't understand if this amount is enough to get some lodging, there was still time, it was still fine to receive another request, and it was also fine to search for lodging in ease to get some rest. However, to find lodging or to receive another request, there was something that he knows that is top priority. He thought about that while on the way to receiving another request, to get to know the value of the currency. How much money is needed to stay at the inn, how much money is needed for a single person's everyday life needs, is what he needs to know. Only in former world, The sense of money values of Kitsune is comprehensible by the decimal system. 10 pieces of 10 yen is 100yen, 100 pieces of 10 yen is 1000 yen, and that was how it was easy and simple. However, he doesn't know any other coins of this world other than silver coins, and he's not sure if there are bills in this world. (TLN: paper money) [......this can't be helped, First of all let's find someone who {doesn't mind to explain some common sense} ] [Kitsune-san, what will you do now?] [Yes, Let's get some lodging at an inn for the time being. Is the place where Rishe-chan is staying alright, and she knows of my circumstances too] Finia approved of the standard-like decision of Kitsune. She has already sat on the right shoulder of Kitsune that has turned into her fixed position, while having a bright smile floating in her face. Kitsune who was thinking of how pleasing the sight of that girl was, moved in front of Mia. Though the girl in the information desk next to Mia had a disappointed expression in her face, he didn't mind that occurrence for the time being. Though Mia who Kitsune appeared in her presence still had a sour like expression in her face, she still sent a glance to him while looking up because she is sitting on a chair. She seemed to have a will for only talking. [That's about it Mia-chan, I'll be coming back alright. Thank you for teaching me various stuff] [............No, I'm just doing my job] [Yep, well even so] [......is that so] [See you again! Mia-chan! This is a thanks from me!] when Kitsune and Finia finished saying their thanks to Mia, they began to walk to the entrance of the guild. Mia's expression somehow softened because of that occurrence a little while ago. Her glance pierces the back of Kitsune, which she seems to be holding a little bit of interest now. And an evidence to that is when Kitsune goes out of the entrance of the guild and disappears , she would vomit a heavy sigh. [Let's return to the inn a while ago for the time being] Kitsune and Finia went out of the guild and is now facing the direction to the inn where Rishe is staying. Did they remember the way to that place but they still unhesitatingly continued to walk. Since daytime has already passed, the customers entering in the restaurant also has passed the peak.. The lively town was now somehow looking like it's settling down. In the people who comes and goes by, there are people just live their lives normally and there are people who opens up shops and devotes their time in businesses too. There are also people who wears an adventurer like aura and there were also knight-like people who were overflowing with a justice sensation . When thinking about Kitsune being surrounded by those kinds of people, he became a little timid. Then, a strange person has been found. A guy with a scary face was pulling a cart while walking. If it was only to such extent then Kitsune wouldn't mind it but the problem was what was on the cart. A cage is placed on the cart and inside were several men and women of all ages. Almost all the people inside had empty eyes, and they all wore the same worn out clothes. Moreover, there are also people in there who were obviously not human either. There were people who had animal ears on their head and also had tails. Perhaps, those might be from the race they call Beast people. [......that, what might that be?] [Hmm, Who knows? I don't know] Passing each other, the man with a scary face went to the direction on my back. As a possibility Kitsune thought of, the people inside that cave was most likely what they called {Slaves} , and perhaps they had been sold by someone, or maybe there was a reason for their enslavement, in which they have fallen into slavery but those weren't the ones that Kitsune minded about. Originally, there were no slavery system in the country called japan. Of course there was oppression, but it was a peaceful country who hated the act of entrapment, and so the reality of this slave system has not been easily accepted a bit by Kitsune. [Well, there's no positive proof......However if there are slaves then......] Though Kitsune hasn't easily accepted the matter of slavery in his mind, he also thought that this maybe exactly good at the same time. Slaves, an existence where all of their rights are given to the owner. And, this world's slavery is a very convenient matter for Kitsune or in general, for {the inhabitants of this world} . In short, he thought that did a problem exist wherein he would purchase a slave and learn from them of the common sense in this world . Since their rights will be taken, they're unlikely to reveal his secret, and he will learn the know-hows and behaviors in the different world. It truly is a very convenient existence for the Kitsune as of now. [A slave, huh] [No, it's notihing] The top priority right now is to get some lodgings. For now he just bundled up the thought about the slave and so on as an option and threw it away to the back of his mind. While thinking so, they walked for a while, until they reached the inn where Rishe was staying. If you'd accept the letters Finia has read on the signboard, {Inn of Dusk} would seem to be it's name. When they have entered inside, the dining room and the reception desk that has been seen once caught their eyes. Several inn guests went down to the dining room because it was the time for snacks and enjoyed their time with idle chats. [Welcome, are you a customer?] (TLN: Gochuumon wa usagi desu ka?) Thereupon, the woman who seems to have a good mood at the counter spoke out to me. Her seemed to be in her 40s, and she wore an atmosphere of being easy to talk to. Perhaps, she is the shopkeeper and the proprietress of this place. Kitsune stepped up to the counter and stood in front of the proprietress. [Yes, but first i want to hear on how much is a stay for 1 night though] [Oh, a one night stay here is 650 rupi] (TLN: Or is it Rupies? Meh who cares) [......] Rupi? What's that, I completely don't understand Kitsune neatly floated a faint smile that seems to understand-like expression. For the time being, he took out 1 silver coin and places it on the counter. [Will this, be sufficient?] [Hmm, 1 silver coin huh......with this you'll be able to stay for a half month, so what shall you do?] [Seriously? Then that please] [Alright, then your change will be 250 okay] The proprietress took the silver coin on the counter and put it away in the place where they put the coins which made a *Charin* sound effect. About 25 coins made from stone material were given to him. She also brought out a key to a vacant room and left it at the counter. [Okay, room 207. it's the room in the interior of the second floor. Even though this hotel serves meals too, the meal fee is a different fee. If you're good at cooking then we can lend the kitchen to you but if you want us to serve you a meal then for half a month it will be 3000 rupi] [Then with this] [1 silver coin huh, then here is your 7000 rupi change] Seven coins made from copper has been returned to me this time. Here at last, Kitsune has finally understood the values of money in this world. From the name of the Silver coin, the coin made of copper is a copper coin and the coin made from stone is a stone coin. When converted into the Japanese Yen, 1 silver coin is 10,000 yen, a copper coin is 1000 yen, and a stone coin is 10 yen is what it seems to be. {Rupi} is to the sense of Kitsune, can be changed to {yen} . 3000 rupi, in other words 3000 yen, in which would be 3 copper coins. Therefore with 10,000 rupi, which is 10,000 yen, which is 1 silver coin is used, then 7000 rupi which is 7000 yen came back to me in the form of 7 copper coins. Though he's thinking that the meal fee is cheap, well he gave his consent for the extra charge since it's a different world from his. 650 rupi for half a month, in other words 650 yen x 15 days is 9750 yen, and when I paid with 1 silver coin (10,000 yen), then 250 rupi got back to me. Though he was anxious if there were no 100 yen, well that might be common sense here. (TLN: I hate math. Next time I see math in any chapter, I'll just let Kuma Otou-san translate it) Though he doesn't know where there are other coins other than silver ones, first of all he should be thanking Rishe for receiving 30,000 yen in Japanese yen. [Thank you very much] [Breakfast is served at 7 to 9 o'clock, lunch is served at 12 to 14 o'clock, and because we don't serve food at 18 to 20 o'clock then you should be careful] [Okay] Kitsune received the change and key and said his thanks. He went upstairs to his room afterwards. In the bedroom, Kitsune sat on the bed which was inside the room. Finia leaped into the soft bed and started to rollover happily. [Now then......Time to rest for once] While Kitsune muttered so, he started to think. The matter about the money at the present time has been acquired and understood from it's values and he also understood that there is no difference with the concept of time from his former world. A little while ago, From the word of the proprietress who said the time for the meal, he took into consideration that it was quite the same as from his former world. The price of a single night stay is 650 yen, though isn't that too cheap? but in spite of Kitsune thinking of that, well there's a bed, a table and some furniture, but the room isn't quite too wide. It's not a service, since it's an in where the true purpose is lodging. Even if one thinks that it's foolish for the price to be so cheap but that might be common sense to this world. However, since lodgings are guaranteed now, he can manage to breathe in ease now. [Haa......Finia-chan] [For the time being, let's decide our policy from here onward] [First of all, since from today onward we'll be living here, I think that we should handle requests until we can earn money so we can return Rishe's money] [Yep, it would be bad to not return a debt owned!] [I don't want to work afterwards] A magnificent display of acting like a useless person by Kitsune. Even Finia had to make a come back with all her best. [Just kidding......for the time being, let's look for the method to return to my former world] [Therefore for the sake of that then our most extreme priority is for me to not die. It is not separately significant to the matter of winning in a fight, but it's important to survive even if a fight happens] [Indeed, which means that it's training right! Training until you become unparalleled!] [Nope that's not it. I can't seem to expect anything from the ability level of my offensive power......but because there seems to be potential for my defensive powers instead, then I'll just raise my defensive power! With that, it would be settled with me receiving no damage no matter what is done to me] [Your motivation to fight is zero huh! it's rather refreshing!] Kitsune has secretly peeped at the statuses of all the people that he has met up to now. Therefore, when comparing his own status to them, he examined whether his status is alike with normal people. For example, Miria who is a normal person and also a child, Name: Milia*Ailin Gender: Female Lv8 Strength: 30 Stamina: 60 Dexterity: 20 Magic: 30 Though her skills have been omitted, her status was greater than the inferior Kitsune who was higher in terms of level. And Mia who grew up as a normal person, Name: Mia*Tigurisu Gender: Female Lv14 Strength:50 Stamina:80 Dexterity:40 Magic:50 This is what it becomes to. Though her level is higher than Milia, there were no difference with Milia's. Kitsune set up the expectation of the extent seen to this conduct of himself. Perhaps, the level goes up even if battle experience is not piled up. Maybe one's ability level would go up when one's body and knowledge grows. However in that case, battle experience would make the expansion of the ability value from the level that goes up very little. Therefore, Lv4 Kitsune who has raised his Ability level with battle experience exceeds greatly than Milia and Mia. And now, lastly is the E rank adventurer Jeno who was involved with Mia. Name: Geno*Greas Gender:Male Lv47 Strength:1160 Stamina:1080 Resilience:100 Dexterity:750 Magic:270 It's high. Though the skill was omitted, he seemed to have acquired a lot of useful skills for combat. With that, his level was 10 times larger than Kitsune. Each ability value did not differ in the level but was also high. However In the case of magic, it was lower than the others. Perhaps, people who has a strong body would become a overwhelming power type fighter. People with high level magic would perhaps become wizards and make good use of their magic by performing it in battle is what his conjecture thought. This might apply to an individual's talent. Thus, Kitsune has his attention mostly on his {Resilience} of his status. Though Kitsune was level 1 but his {Resilience} was 100. In spite of that, the level 47 Jeno's {Resilience} was at the same value of the initial value of Kitsune's. This perhaps, Kitsune's {Resilience} maybe his talent is what he is convinced. Therefore, Kitsune thought about it. His own combat policy, which is, ------to obtain the Resilience that can prevent any attack In doing so, the {I won't lose} attitude could be brought in a battle. If he does so, while he is dealing with the other party's attack, he would be able to run away. If it is possible to run away, then it is possible for him to survive. And if it is possible to survive, then the possibility of returning to his former world would be tied to that too. [However, there would surely be opponents who would be impossible to escape to or have overwhelming strength. I don't want to fight as much as possible, but if it is needed to fight then not fighting would be bad......] [Therefore at that time, I want Finia-chan to deal with the decisive blow] [Decisive blow? what do you mean? though it sounds very awesome] [I want Finia-chan to be my Strength, especially when it's support attacks while I'm running away , and occasionally being the strength to defeat the other party at that time, natsuteYu shiinda] In the case of Kitsune having not to die with the use of his Resilience, Finia will be the Strength that shall defeat the other party. Originally, {Resilience} is not easy to raise if the person doesn't have an aptitude for it, then in that case, Finia-chan who had a considerably high strength, should be the one to excel in that ability to thoroughly annihilate the other party . [Okay......okay I understand! This beautiful fairy Finia-chan shall annihilate everything for you! I won't even let oxygen near you!] [Wouldn't I die with that? Won't I get annihilated with that?] [......Hahaha, You're really so reliable] Finia who can always have an energetic smile like a sunflower. While thinking so, Kitsune smiled wryly. The policy has been decided, a combat policy that uses the maximum power of each aptitude.

グランディール王国と桔音のやってきた街の間には、舗装された道が設置されているが、その周囲には当然の様に森があれば、岩山だって存在する。 無論、そういう場所には必ずと言って良いほど、魔獣が存在しているのだ。 ―――森から現れる影があった。 ソレはこの近辺を縄張りにしていて、同じ種の中でも一際大きく育った屈強な肉体は、幾多の生存競争にて勝利してきた証だった。ソレには自信があった、自分は強いという自負があった。 現に、この縄張りの中では負け無しで、強く、もっと強くと必死に戦ってきた過去の自分が、今の自分を支えている。 ソレの名前は、『 猿型の魔獣で、その体躯は通常の物でも地球のゴリラを大きく上回る。数体で群れを成して行動する習性を持った魔獣だが、ソレは突然変異だった。 生まれて、成長して、戦えるようになった時から一匹で戦ってきた。身体は一回りも二回りも、周囲とかけ離れて大きくなり、その力は本来格上であった筈の種族でも上回っていた。 所謂、亜種と呼ばれる存在であり、ソレは格上の魔獣を倒し、喰らうことで更に強くなった。本来はEランクの中堅クラスである魔獣ではあるが、突然変異のソレの実力は確実に、Dランクの中堅クラスにまでその手を届かせていた。 自分に勝てる者など、存在しないとばかりに、己の胸を叩く。ゴリラのドラミングと同じ行動で、その音は空気を振動させ、周囲にいた魔獣や動物達に恐怖心を植え付ける。 今、此処に居る自分こそが―――最強だと。 銅鐸を鳴らす様な音と、亜種に生まれて大きく成長したその身体から打ち出す様な咆哮、その二つが混ざり合って、凄まじい迫力と威圧感が周囲に振りまかれた。 「――――ッ!?」 だが、その次の瞬間だった。 「......何やら騒々しい奴がいるなぁと思ったら......君かな? さっきから近所迷惑......は違うか......僕に迷惑な騒音を立ててたのは」 目の前に、小柄な人間が現れた。黒い服を着て、両眼で色が違う少年だった。 猿も、魔獣である以上冒険者と戦ったことは幾度かある。そのどれもが自分のランクがEだと判断し、油断して死んでいった。猿は魔獣にしては頭が良い、冒険者が身に付けている鎧や小手が身を護るものだと理解していた。自分の厚く堅い毛皮と同じ様な鎧を身に付けているのだと、理解していた。 死なない様に防御力を上げるその知恵と、防具の利便性は認めていたというのに、目の前の少年はなんの防具も身に付けていない。一見すれば、自分の敵ではない相手だった。 だというのに――― 「大きいねぇ、何を食べたらそんなに成長するのか知りたいもんだよ」 ―――この少年が言葉を紡ぐ度に、猿の身体に走る悪寒が理解出来なかった。 猿に少年の言葉の意味は理解出来ていない。頭は良くともチンパンジーレベル、言葉を理解し、操ることは出来ない。故に、その言葉がどんなものなのかを理解出来ないまま、ただ目の前で言葉を紡ぐ少年に、『恐怖』を抱いていたのだ。 「さて......やるか」 少年の手に、黒い瘴気が集まってナイフになり、左の赤い瞳が翡翠色に輝くのが見えた。そして、少年から発せられる不気味な威圧感が増す。 猿はまず最初に、『逃走』の念が浮かぶ。だが、それは直ぐに振り払う。これまで戦ってきた自分の実力は強い、こんな小さな少年に対して逃走するなど、自分自身が許さなかった。 「グルルルルル......!」 唸り、猿は全身に力を込めて、臨戦態勢を整えた。少年も、薄ら笑いを浮かべながら猿を見据える。 そして少年の足下から砂をじゃりっと踏む音がした。瞬間、猿が地面を蹴り、猛スピードで少年に突撃した。 戦闘が、火蓋を切って開始する―――― レイラちゃん達と話して方向性を決めた後、僕は街を出て魔獣と戦ってレベルを上げることにした。 ミニエラに居た頃、人の住む場所に近い場所には雑魚魔獣がいたから、今回もそういった魔獣を相手にしようと思っていたのだけど、明らかに実力のおかしい奴が出てきた。 ステータスを覗いてみると、本当にヤバい。 ◇ステータス◇ 種族:猿型魔獣・亜種 Lv54 筋力:3230 体力:5400 耐性:890 敏捷:4900 魔力:100 でも、『不気味体質』を発動すれば逃げる素振りを見せた。精神的には、やっぱり僕の方が高いらしい。まぁ大した魔獣じゃないってことか。ステータスは幾らか僕よりも上だけどね。 向こうも僕と戦う気になったようで、全身に力を込めているのが分かる。でも、『先見の魔眼』を発動させると、猿がどう動いて来るのかが見えた。見えているのなら、幾ら速く動けるんだとしても、対応出来る。 地面を踏み鳴らすと、勢いよく飛び込んできた。 「―――見える」 でも僕は迫りくるラリアット気味の腕を事前にしゃがむことで躱す。僕の頭上を丸太よりも太い剛毛の腕が通り抜けていく。 なるほど、これは確かに凄い力だ。攻撃が分かれば事前に躱す事が出来る、躱す事が出来れば隙が出来た魔獣に攻撃出来る。常に後の先を取れる力、今の僕にとってとても有益な力だ。 「ふっ......!!」 「ガァァァッッ!?」 そして、通り過ぎて行く腕を追って、僕は黒いナイフを突き立てた。瘴気で作ったナイフの鋭さは凄まじく、猿の耐性値を超えて毛皮を貫き刺さった。でも、力の差が違う。腕の勢いのままにナイフは持っていかれてしまった。 でも、瘴気を解除して再度手元にナイフを形成する。後に残ったのは、猿の腕についたナイフの刀傷。 「最初の一手は僕の勝ち、ほらもう一回だ」 そう言って、くいっと手招きする。するとそれだけで、腕を傷付けられて少し頭に来ている様子の猿にとっては十分な挑発になったようで、再度全身に力を込めていた。 それから何度かの衝突を繰り返し、僕と猿の命の削り合いは30分程続いている。結論から言えば、勝負は僕の方が優勢だ。『先見の魔眼』を使って先を読むことで、僕の攻撃は当たるけれど、向こうの攻撃は当たらない。 故に、今なお僕の身体には掠り傷一つ存在しない。逆に、猿の身体には幾つもの刀傷があった。毛皮には溢れ出た血液が滲んで、毛が赤く染まっている。このまま行けば、出血多量で猿もいずれ力尽きる。僕は初めて、強敵に対して一人で勝てるかもしれない。 そう考えた時だった。 もう何度目になるかとばかりに、突撃の体勢を取る猿を見て、僕は『先見の魔眼』を発動させる―――いや、させようとして、発動しなかった。 「ッ!?」 発動しないことで、先は見えない。襲い掛かってくる猿の拳が、今度は未来を見る感覚ではなく、現実のものとして目の前に見えた。 「うがッ......ッ......ぁあ......!!」 完全に、完璧に、猿の大きな拳は僕の顔面を捉えた。ミシミシと、骨が軋む音がする。 上体が仰け反り、吹っ飛ばされるというよりは、地面に叩きつけられる様に僕の身体はその場で地面を跳ねた。 一瞬、意識が飛んだ気がする。 「ッはぁ......! やっば......鼻血出た......!」 痛みは無い、でもこの一撃で脳が揺れたらしい。身体が上手く動かせない。耐性値が高かったから死なずに済んだみたいだけど、一撃で形勢逆転だ。これは不味い......! さんざんやられた鬱憤が溜まっていたのか、一撃入れられたことが嬉しかったらしく、猿は雄叫びをあげて歓喜している。 猿がドラミングでドコドコと胸を叩いている内に、僕はこの状況を整理する。身体を起こして、立ち上がりながら『先見の魔眼』を発動させようとする。だけど、発動しなかった。 「ッ痛ぅ......!」 もっと言えば、左眼にズキッと痛みが走る。 「後は瘴気での勝負か......武器にする以外に何か使い道はないのかな......」 このままじゃちょっと死ぬかもしれない。元々雑魚探しに来たのに猿だもんなぁ......災難だ。まぁ近づいたの僕の方だけどさ。 な訳だけど、その正体は細胞レベルで極小な細菌だ。 そしてその特徴として、遺伝子を有してはいるものの細胞は持っていない故に、非生命体であると定義されている。ある意味、非科学的存在ともいえる。生命に喰らい付き、その命を削って生きる最強にして最悪の脅威。 そして、その性質は―――ッ! 少し考えて、そして思い付いた。 試してみる可能性は、十分ある......レイラちゃんの、というか『赤い夜』の特徴も そこはまぁ、レイラちゃんを信じよう。Sランクの、脅威の力を。 「......さぁ......もう一回だ、お山の大将」 此方を見ている猿に向けて、ふらつく身体を支えつつ瘴気を生み出した。 ナイフの形にはしない。たった一回、この瘴気をあの巨体にぶつけることが出来れば......それで勝負は付く! 一歩、一歩と、僕と猿は距離を取りながら、相手の出方を窺う。『先見の魔眼』が使えない今、まばたきの一瞬ですら見逃してはいけない。一挙手一投足、地面を蹴る瞬間を見逃してはいけない。 じりじりと構えて、睨み合う。 そして――――猿が地面を蹴った.........! トドメとばかりに、今まで以上の咆哮と共にその腕が迫る。躱せるような速度ではない、僕は地面を蹴ったと理解した瞬間に、『直感』で横に跳んだ。それでもしっかり―――腕から視線は離さない。 幸いなことに、猿の腕は僕の顔のすぐそばをすれすれで通り過ぎる。その瞬間に、僕は猿の腕に瘴気を全て纏わり付かせる。 そして猿は腕に黒い瘴気を付けたまま、僕の後方へと猛スピードで通り抜けて行き、地面を削る勢いで停止する。 追撃は無い。猿は自分の腕に付いた瘴気を振り払おうと腕をぶんぶんと振っていた。 でも、ここからは僕の反撃だ。 「―――あまり動くなよ......喰らうぞ?」 そう言って、僕は瘴気を操作する。『猿の身体の中へと侵入するイメージ』で、瘴気を猿の身体へと押し付ける。 すると、体毛の生えている毛穴から瘴気が侵入するのが分かった。空間把握の応用なのか、血管に入った瘴気が血の流れで動いて行くのが分かる。漠然とした感覚だけど、体内に浸食出来たことが重要だ。 瘴気とは、ウイルス。そして 「が、ぁ......ぁぁぁぁ......ぐっ......るぁ.........!!」 その証拠に、猿の3mもあろうかという程の巨体が壊れた人形の様に固まる。そして、その大きな口や耳、鼻から黒い瘴気が溢れ出てきた。その量は、僕が生み出せる瘴気の量を大きく越えている。 そう、猿の細胞を喰って瘴気が増殖しているのだ。 僕の予想が正しいのなら、僕が最初から生み出せた瘴気の量は、多分僕がこの世界に来て食べた肉の量に比例した量だ。レイラちゃんは幼い頃から毎晩毎晩人も魔獣も喰らって生きてきた故に、その食べてきた細胞の分だけ瘴気を生み出せるんだと思う。 だからあれだけ大量の―――それこそ、巨大なギロチンを生み出せるほどの瘴気を生み出せるんだろう。レイラちゃんはあくまで、摂取した細胞を瘴気へと変えることが出来、それを自在に操ることが出来る魔族なんだ。 つまり、そのレイラちゃんから生まれた瘴気にも、細胞を喰らって瘴気を増殖させる性質がある筈。 そしてその予想は当たっていた。体内に浸食させた瘴気は、見事に猿の細胞を恐るべき速度で喰らい尽くし、その細胞の分だけその量を増やした。 遂には猿の体中の毛穴から瘴気が溢れ出て、猿の姿が黒い瘴気で見えなくなった。 それからしばらく待つと、瘴気が全て僕の下へと戻って来る。その量は、3mの猿を瘴気で形作ることが出来る程の量。これならナイフを百本作ってもお釣りが出そうだ。 そして瘴気が離れて、猿の居た場所には―――何も残っていなかった。 肉も、皮も、骨も、内臓も、何もかもが全て瘴気に変換された。その結果、この縄張りに於いて最強を誇っていたあの巨大な猿は......その存在そのものが無かったかのように、姿を消したのだった。 「つくづく規格外だなぁ......レイラちゃんは......」 僕は周囲をふよふよと浮遊する瘴気を消して、苦笑気味にそう呟いた。

Between Grandile Kingdom and the town where Kitsune was, paved road had been established, however along with it forest that grew as if a matter of course, there was also rocky mountain around. Of course, there were demonic beasts; which were suitable to those places; living there. --a shadow appeared in the forest. Having the vicinity as its turf, even among its kind, it had a considerably large and robust body, that was the proof of how many victories it had accumulated during its struggle to survive up until now. Moreover it had a great self-confidence, and it had also high self-esteem as to how powerful it was. And now, the past it which desperately fought to become more and more powerful, so that it wouldn't lose to anything in its turf, had become the foundation of the current it. Its name was "Crazy Monkey". Monkey type demonic beast, they commonly had bodies that were bigger than usual earth's gorillas. They usually formed and lived in a group, however, this one was a mutated one. From born, then grew, and ever since it was capable of fighting, it was always fighting alone by itself. Its body was even almost twice as their usual size, it was greatly different from the other from its kind, and its power exceeded even those of higher rank demonic beasts. It was akin to a subspecies, and upon defeating and eating those of higher rank demonic beasts, it grew even stronger. Normally, they should be grouped as top of E class demonic beast, but upon mutation, its power was surely no less than those of top D class magical beasts. Since there was none that could defeat it, it held its chest high. Drumming it like how gorillas did, when its sounds reverberated in the air, all demonic beasts and animals around would cower in fear. Currently, of all existence there, it was surely... the strongest. With thunder like sounds, the roar from its huge body was filled with two components, terrific force and intimidating air to its surroundings. "--!?" However, the next instant.... "...just when I thought there was this seemingly noisy guy around here... was it you, I wonder? The one that kept making that annoying sounds, it was disturbing the neighbors... ah, I mean, it was disturbing me, you know?" Before it, a small human appeared. Donning black clothes, and his eyes were of different colors. The monkey, as a demonic beast, it had fought adventurers numerous times already. They all thought it was of E rank, dropped their guard down, and died in its hand. As a demonic beast, it could be considered as quite a clever one, it could learn and understand that it could protect itself by wearing an armor and gauntlets. It understood that it could wear an armor that was no less sturdy than its thick and robust skin. From that wisdom, it understand that by increasing its defense power it wouldn't as easily to die, and also how convenient to had one, however the youth before it didn't wear any protective gears whatsoever. Just with a glance, he was surely nothing before it. However-- "You sure are huge, I seriously want to know what you ate to grow up to be that huge." --even while speaking as such, there was no hint of fear toward its huge body. The monkey didn't understand what he said. It was surely a clever one, but only at chimpanzee level at most, it didn't understand human tongue, and it also could speak. Thus, still not understanding what his words meant, toward the youth that was speaking before it, it bore "fear". "Well then... let's do it." At the youth's hand, black miasma gathered and turned into a knife, and his left red eye shone jade green light. And then, from his tiny body, intimidating air was growing. The monkey, all of its senses urged it to "run". However, it immediate shook them off. After surviving battles after battle thus far, it was without a doubt powerful, to run away from such tiny human, its pride couldn't allow that to happen. "Gururururu....!" Growling, summoning forth its full strength, it was prepared to the battle. As for the youth, he was staring at the monkey with faint smile on his face. And then, with the sound of the youth's step on the ground, that very instant, the monkey kicked the ground, and charged toward the youth in terrific speed. The battle, had begun commencing-- After discussing together with Leila-chan and the other and deciding what to do, I decided to immediately leave the town to hunt some demonic beasts to raise my level. Back when I was at Miniera, there were many small fry demonic beasts around human's settlement, so I was intending to go leveling by hunting such demonic beasts, but I happened to meet this clearly abnormally powerful fellow. When I peek at its status, it's really dangerous. *Status* Race : Monkey type demonic beast - subspecies Lv.54 Strength : 3230 Stamina : 5400 Resistance : 890 Agility : 4900 Magic Power : 100 However, when I invoked{Eerie Constitution} , it showed a hint of intention of running away. Mental power-wise, as expected seems like I'm the superior one. Well, that only means this demonic beast isn't that of a great deal, huh. Its status is somewhat higher than mine, though. Seemingly intending to fight me, I can feel that it focusing its full power. However, when I activate {Demon Eye of Foresight} , I can see what moves it intends to make. As long as I can see it, no matter how fast it moves, I'll have a way to deal with it. When I stamp my leg on the ground, it vigorously rushes toward me. "--I can see it." However, having foreseen its upcoming lariat-like arm, I crouch down and evade it. A bristle arm that's thicker than even a log passes by just overhead my body. I see, this is surely an amazing ability. If I know what attack coming next, I'll be able to evade it, if I can evade it, I can use the opening to counterattack. The ability to foresee what happens next, for the current me this ability sure is very convenient. "Fu...!!" "Gaaaa!?" Then, pursuing the passing by arm, I stab my black knife on it. The sharpness of the knife made of miasma is simply amazing, it can easily pierce through its thick skin. However, our strength are world apart. With its arm powerful momentum, my knife is stuck and taken away. However, I then release the miasma and remake in on my hand. The one left on its arm is a knife cut. "The first move is my win, come on, once again." Saying so, I beckon it to come at me again. And then, just like that, after getting slightly irritated over the injury on its arm, seems like such words are enough to provoke it further, it puts its whole strength into its body again. After that, we repeated such collision numerous times, and thirty minutes has passed since the battle began. Thus, right now I still have no injury on my body. On the contrary, there are numerous injuries on its body. With blood flowing out from those injuries, its furs are dyed in red. As the stance goes, its power will surely deplete from the blood losing. Perhaps it's the very first time for me to be able to fight a powerful opponent by myself. Exactly when I think as such... For the xth-time, seeing that it takes the stance of charging in, I activate {Demon Eye of Foresight} -- no, I try to activate it, however it doesn't activate at all. "!?" Since I can't activate it, I can't see what happens next. The monkey's approaching punch, however this time it isn't the sensation of seeing it in the future, but seeing it approaching in the reality itself. "Uga... aa...!!" Perfectly and precisely, its huge punch lands exactly on my face. I can hear cracking sounds from my bones. My upper body is bent backward, rather than blown away, as if thrown to the ground, my body smashed down directly on the ground. I feel like I lose consciousness for an instant. "Haa...! It's... bad... I've... a nosebleed...!" I don't feel hurt, but seems like my mind is shaken by that single attack. I can't move my body properly. Seems like I'm still alive only thanks to my high resistance, but the table surely has been turned with that single attack. This is bad...! Perhaps having anger accumulated after being injured numerous times, seems like it's very happy that that attack connected perfectly on me, the monkey rises a delightful roar. When the monkey drumming its chest, I'm assessing our current situation. Moving my body, I try activating {Demon Eye of Foresight} again while standing up. However, it doesn't activate. "Ouch...!" Moreover, sharp pain runs through my left eye. Seems like my {Demon Eye of Foresight} isn't a convenient tool that can be continuously activated infinitely. Thirty minutes, perhaps it's because I've been activating it continuously, if I put some interval between activation then perhaps it can last longer, but be that as it may, most likely one hour is already pushing the limit. After using it for such duration, I have to rest my eye for a while, huh. "Next is battle using miasma, huh... is there any other use aside from turning it into weapon, I wonder...." At this rate perhaps I'd die for a bit. I originally came here for the small fries, but to meet this monkey... what a terrible luck. Well, I was the one who approached it first, though. Miasma-- that means virus, but in reality it's a miniscule cell-sized germ. As for its traits, it doesn't have cell that possess genes, so it's not a life-form. You can even refer it as an unscientific existence. Devouring the life, living without a life as the strongest and the worst threat. And then, that nature is....! Upon pondering about it a bit, I stumble upon a certain thought. The possibility of trying it out, it's plenty enough... it matches Leila-chan's, or rather "Red Night"'s traits and conditions. Should I be able to perform it well, it's depending on the miasma, but perhaps I can decide the victor by the next attack. For that sake, well, let's put our trust in Leila-chan a bit. In S rank's threatening power. "...well then... once again, king of the mountain." I face the monkey that's staring at me, and then I release miasma from my staggering body. I don't form it into a knife. Just once, should I be able to strike these miasma onto the monkey's large body, victory is practically mine! One step each, I and the monkey take some distances, and analyze what move the opposite side might make next. Now that I can't use{Demon Eye of Foresight} , I can't overlook even a single millisecond. I can't afford to overlook the very moment it moves and charges toward me. It slowly makes it stance, while glaring at me. And then... the monkey kicks the ground...! With intention of putting the finishing blow, it throws its large fist along with the fiercest roar I've ever heard. That isn't a speed I can evade, the moment I sense that, I kick the ground and my {Intuition} says to jump sideway. Nevertheless... I keep my eyes locked firmly on its arm. Fortunately, the punch passes by exactly next to my face. That very moment, I wrap all the miasma on that arm. And then, still with miasma on its arm, the monkey moves in a lightning speed to my rear, the ground is shaved where it stops. There's no pursuit. The monkey shakes its arm to shakes off the attaching miasma. However, now it's my turn to attack. "--I think you better stop doing that... it'll eat you, you know?" Saying so, I control the miasma. With "The thought of invading the monkey's body", the miasma are forcing their ways into the monkey's body. Then, I can sense that the miasma are entering through the hole where the furs grow. Perhaps thanks to its space sensing trait, I can even sense the monkey's blood pulse from the miasma that invade its vein. It's a very vague sensation, but the most important part is the ability to corrode its inner body. Miasma is virus. Then this virus has a certain nature from its structure and trait. "Ga, aaaa.... Gu.... Ruaa......!!" Evidently, the monkey's around three meters tall body is solidified as if a broken doll. And then, from its large mouth, ear, and nose, black miasma are overflowing. The number are way more abundant than the one I released before. That's right, the miasma are multiplying by eating the monkey's cells. If my conjecture is true, then perhaps the miasma I could release before was equivalent to the amount of meat I've eaten up until now in this world. I think the miasma Leila-chan can release is also equivalent to the amount of cells she's eaten every night ever since she was still a child. That's why she could release such massive amount of miasma, enough to make a large sized guillotine, right? Ultimately Leila-chan is a demon that can turn the meat she eats into miasma, and then control it at will. That means, these miasma that were born from her, they should have the nature of multiplying by devouring cells as well. And then, seems like my conjecture is spot on. The miasma that are corroding the monkey's inner body are admirably devouring the cells at an astonishing rate, and the amount are increasing in accordance to how much cells devoured. In the end the miasma are even overflowing from the monkey's pores all around the body, and its whole body is completely covered by the miasma. After waiting for a bit more, all of the miasma return and gather around me. The amount is, enough to imitate the three meters tall monkey's body. With this, seems like I can make a hundred of knifes with ease. After the miasma dispersing, at the location where the monkey was there... nothing's left there. Either it meat, pelt, bone, innards, everything has turned into miasma. As the result, that huge monkey that boasted as the strongest in this area... has disappeared, as if it never existed in the first place. "She's really out of ordinary, huh... Leila-chan, I mean...." Dispersing the floating miasma around me, I murmur so while floating a bitter smile.

魔族と妖精の対峙 護衛依頼初日、今日は前衛の男J君達も後衛の僕らも魔獣に遭遇する事は無かった。 グランディール王国に行く為の道は元々森を通らないらしく、荷馬車は森を迂回して進んだ。レイラちゃんが森に入ったのは多分彼女の持つ方向音痴属性が働いたんだと思う。またミニエラが近くにあるということもあり、魔獣がそう多く出てこなかった訳だ。 とはいえ、本格的にミニエラから離れた今、魔獣に襲われる危険は何時如何なる時も忘れてはいけない。警戒し続けるのは疲れるけれど、無警戒なのは駄目だからね。 というわけで今は夜だ。奴隷商の人達が荷馬車の中で眠っている間、僕達は寝ずの警戒をして彼らを護衛しなければならない。その為の僕達だからね。 現在、前衛の彼らは変わらず馬車を挟んだ前方を、僕達は馬車を挟んで後方を警戒している。また、今回の荷馬車の数は二つ。故に僕達と彼らの間にはおおよそ10m程の距離が空いている。 それだけの距離だから、横から攻められたらという考えも当然生まれる。故に女冒険者Aが進行方向右側を、リーシェちゃんが進行方向左側を警戒してくれることになった。 木々を集め、フィニアちゃんの魔法で火を付けて貰う。獣は火に怯える、っていうのは前の世界での知識だけど、こっちの世界でも火は上手く扱えば便利、でも扱いを間違えれば全ての物に牙を向く。 しかも夜であっても外にいるわけだから、焚き火があれば暖も取れる。そういった2つの意味もあって焚き火はこういった状況下でも最適な行動だろう。 まぁ、そのせいで魔獣達に場所がバレる危険性も孕んでいるが、それを含めてなお余りあるメリットがあるから良いと思う。 「......さて、遂にこの時がやってきてしまいました」 「きつねさん?」 「どうされたんですか?」 そんな中、焚き火の前で深刻なトーンで話す僕がいた。フィニアちゃんやルルちゃんが首を傾げて僕の方を見る。 僕が警戒しているのは、魔獣からの襲撃。それがこの仕事故に当然なのだが、それ以上に僕は別の存在に警戒していた。そう、『 赤い夜 僕が考えているのは、彼女が男冒険者J君と女冒険者Bを食べていないかということ。発情した彼女の目の前にいる人間は、例に漏れず彼女にとっては餌となる。そして僕は彼女にフィニアちゃん達を襲うことは禁止したが、彼らを殺すことを禁止した覚えはない。した所で命令を聞くような子ではないけど。 つまり、彼らは今この時もレイラちゃんに襲われている可能性がある。たった10m先の場所で、だ。 「レイラちゃんが襲い掛かってくる可能性がある」 でもまぁそんなことはどうでもいいのだ。彼らが喰われていようと僕にとっては何ら関係無い。 問題なのは、そうやって彼らを喰い終えた彼女が次に襲い掛かってくるのは誰なのかという話だ。そんなのは決まっている、僕しかいないじゃないか。僕を食べないように約束を取り付けてはいるけれど、彼女は僕を食べたくなくなったわけではない。寧ろ食べても良いと僕が言えば容赦なく、嬉々として食べてくるだろう。 想像して、どこからか叫び声が聞こえてきたような気がした。一回目玉を喰われたからだろうか、ぐちゃぐちゃと肉を食いちぎる音も幻聴で聞こえる。 まぁそれは気のせいとして、そんな彼女が今夜襲ってくる可能性がある。そうなれば最悪、僕は一晩中彼女の相手をしなくてはならないだろう。主に身体を舐めさせる点で。 あ、そういえば今日キスしてない、やっべ、それもやらないと駄目かなぁ......でも約束したしなぁ......いやだなぁ。 「というかきつねさん、あの子を放っておいていいの?」 「面倒だもん、近くに置いておかないと何時襲い掛かってくるか分からないからね......騎士に突き出したとしてもあの強さだ、取り押さえるなんて無理だろうし、それなら僕の近くに置いておいてしっかり見張っておいた方が断然良いんだよ」 「......素晴らしく最悪なものを呼び込んできたね! きつねさんって嫌なものに好かれる才能でもあるのかな?」 嫌な奴に好かれる体質ってこと? 『不気味体質』もあるし全然否定出来ないのが辛いな。 「あの......きつね様、レイラ様のこと......以前から知っていたような口ぶりですけど......?」 「ああ、ルルちゃんは知らなかったね......うーん、説明が難しいんだけど......まぁ簡単に言えば彼女は僕のことを食べたいんだって、物理的に」 「え?」 「つまり、彼女は人間じゃないってことだよ......そして、僕の命を狙ってる。今は約束して命を取らないようにしてるけど、その条件として彼女は僕の身体を好きな時に舐める権利を持っているんだ」 説明すると、ルルちゃんは凄く困惑した様子だったけど、彼女が人間じゃなく、僕の命を狙っていることを知って訝しげな顔を浮かべた。 「......あの人は敵なんですか?」 「敵だよ。アレは僕らの敵で、世界の敵だ」 ルルちゃんが珍しく真剣な表情で聞いてきたから、僕はそう返した。すると、ルルちゃんは僕のあげた小剣に触れて、少し思案する。何を考えているのか僕には分からないけれど、ルルちゃんの真剣な瞳を見れば邪魔してはいけないだろう。 だから僕は焚き火に視線を移し、 「ばぁ♡」 炎とは違う深紅の瞳と眼が合った。 「......レイラちゃん」 「あははっ♪ ひどいなぁきつね君......敵だなんて、興奮しちゃうじゃない......♡」 噂をすれば影とは良く言った物で、レイラちゃんがそこにいた。 白髪赤眼が焚き火の光で煌めいて、瞳の中にハートマークが浮かんでいるのが分かる。どういう構造なのかは分からないけどとにかく浮かんでいるのが分かる。昼間は隠していた瘴気も溢れ出て、彼女の周囲に黒いもやもやしたものが浮かんでいる。この状態の彼女は発情度最高潮だ。 昼間は最大でもここまでだけど、夜になると更に発情し、瘴気が溢れるようになる。その先があるのかは知らないけど、今のレイラちゃんは僕が知っている中で一番発情している状態だ。 「うふふ、うふふふふ............きつね君、約束したよね? したもんね? だからほら♡ ちゅー、して? 舐めさせて? いいよね? だって私は貴方が大好きだもん!」 見事に発情しているレイラちゃんの登場に、僕のテンションもだだ下がりだ。これ毎晩やるんだろうかと思うと、酷く頭が痛くなってくる。下手な虐めよりも効くぞこれ。 いつのまにか座っている僕の背後に回って抱きしめてくるレイラちゃん。所謂あすなろ抱きって奴だ。背中におっぱいの感触があるけれど、全然嬉しくない、なんでだろう? 逆に凄いよ、美少女でそんな風に思わせるって。 「きつねさん......ちゅーとか舐めるってどういうこと?」 「あ」 フィニアちゃん達はレイラちゃんの登場に身構えたけど、彼女の言うキスや舐めるという言葉に反応したようだ。少し悲しそうな表情で僕に聞いてくる。 そういえば条件付けで食べないようにして貰ったとは言ったけど詳しい内容は言って無かったっけ? フィニアちゃん達は家族だ。だから......説明は、しないとね。 「......僕を食べない代わりに、彼女は僕の身体を好きな時に舐めさせて欲しいって言って来たんだ」 「きつね様は......それに承諾したんですか?」 フィニアちゃんもルルちゃんも、僕の方を見て不安げな表情をしている。確かに此処まで聞けば僕がレイラちゃんを受け入れたようにも思えるね。 でも違う。僕は彼女を受け入れてはいない。だからそんな顔をしなくてもいいんだよ。 「いや、流石に好きな時にはいやだから僕が駄目だと言ったら素直に止めてくれる条件で承諾した......そうしないと僕は喰われるからね、この子に」 「......あはぁ......♪ 本当は食べたいよ? でも、きつね君が好きだから食べないんだよ? 本当は愛して愛して愛しまくって食べてあげたいけど、我慢してるんだよ? でも......んふふ......きつね君の匂い......やっぱり好きぃ......♡」 「でもその代わり、僕は一日1回......彼女にキスしてあげる条件を付けられた」 あの時は僕が生き延びるために最善にして唯一の策だったからね。仕方がなかったんだよ。 「............きつねさんは、それでいいの? ちゅーなんて、そんなに簡単にしていいものなの......?」 でも、フィニアちゃんは納得いかないという表情でそう言ってきた。 彼女は想いの妖精、しおりちゃんが僕に送る好意がそのまま形になった存在。キスや抱擁は、好意を示す最も分かりやすい行為だ。だからこそ、彼女にとってそういう行動は尊く、大切なものの筈なんだ。 今の僕はきっと、それを最も酷い形で裏切っている。 「......ごめんねフィニアちゃん。確かにキスはそうほいほいして良いようなものじゃないと思うよ......でも、僕は今生きることが一番大事なんだ」 でも、僕はそれを知った上で受け入れたんだ。ここで、言い訳するつもりは一切無い。でも、僕の考えは知っておいて欲しいな。 「この化け物から生き延びる方法がキスなんだとしたら、僕はそれを受け入れるよ。例えそれでフィニアちゃんに嫌われたとしても、僕は生きてあの子に会いに行く」 きっと、フィニアちゃんはしおりちゃんと一緒だから、しおりちゃんも僕のことを嫌いになるのかもしれない。それは凄く怖いことだけど、僕はそれでも彼女に会いに行く。会って約束を果たす。 その為だったら、この怪物に付き纏われるのだって厭わない。 「......今のきつね君......すっごくかっこいいよぉ......♡ ぞくぞくするぅ......うふ、うふふふ......好き好き愛してるぅ......♪」 レイラちゃんがぶるっと身体を震わせて抱きしめる力を強くした。そのせいで強く密着した身体の感触と、レイラちゃんの凄く速い心臓の鼓動が伝わってくる。身体も熱くなって、遂には首筋を舐め始めた。熱い吐息が首に掛かってくすぐったい。 すると、目の前のフィニアちゃんがふるふると肩を震わせて、僕を見た。 「きつねさんを嫌いになるなんて......絶対にないよ!」 そう言い放った。その表情は怒ってるようで、悲しんでいる様にも見えた。 「きつねさんが決めたんだったら、それでもいい......! でも私がきつねさんを嫌いになるなんて絶対にないんだから!」 「フィニアちゃん......」 「キスするならやれば良いよ! そんなことじゃ、私のきつねさんへの愛は止まらないんだから!!」 フィニアちゃんは胸を張ってそう言う。その視線はレイラちゃんに向かっており、その言葉には強い気持ちが籠っていた。 凄いな、フィニアちゃんは。自分の中の正しさを圧し折ってでも自分の気持ちを貫ける人が、一体どれだけいるだろうか。 「......うふっ......うふふふふあははははははは!! 面白い、面白いよ! 虫なんて言ったのは訂正するね......流石はきつね君の連れてる思想種......面白いなぁ......良いよ『フィニア』、私だって負けないよ? だって私はきつね君が大好きだもん!」 すると、レイラちゃんがさっきまでの発情した様子を引っ込めて笑う。赤い瞳を煌々と煌めかせて、とても楽しそうに笑う。 その眼はフィニアちゃんを見ていて、彼女はフィニアちゃんの名前を呼んだ。どうやらフィニアちゃんは、彼女の興味を惹いたようだ。思想種だからじゃない、その希少性ではなく、彼女はフィニアちゃんがフィニアちゃんだから興味を抱いたんだ。 「うふふっ......フィニアに免じて今日はこれだけで許してあげる♡」 そして、彼女はそう言うと僕の前に移動して顔を近づけてきた。頬を両手で押さえられて、動かせないようにされる。 「ん......」 軽く触れるだけのキス。予想通りの行動だけど、約束は約束だ。 それほどまでにフィニアちゃんを認めたってことなんだろう。 「それじゃあ私は前衛に戻るね♡ きつね君大好き♪」 彼女はそう言って前衛に戻って行った。黒い瘴気を引き連れて、機嫌良さげにるんるんと去っていく後ろ姿は、怪物怪物と言ってきた僕の眼にも、普通の女の子に見えた。 そして彼女の姿が消えてから数秒経って思い出した。 「............あの冒険者の人達......死んでないよね?」 僕のその言葉に答えてくれる人はいなかった。今凄まじい一声を放ったフィニアちゃんですら何とも言えない顔をしている。 「あの......きつね様」 「私も......きつね様のこと、好きですよ」 「......うん......ありがとう、ルルちゃん」 かろうじてルルちゃんが絞り出してくれた現実逃避気味の、でも心の籠ったその言葉が、少しだけ心に染み入った。

Confrontation Between Demon And Fairy At the first day our guarding request, there was no magical beast that appeared either at the front side nor rear side. Since the road that lead to Grandile kingdom was originally didn't past through the forest, the wagon took a detour around the forest. The reason why Leila-chan entered the forest was perhaps because of the poor sense of direction property she owned. Also, since it was quite close to Miniera, so there was not much magical beast that left the forest. Nonetheless, right now, since we're quite a distant from Miniera already, we shouldn't forget the possibility that we may get attacked by magical beasts anytime. Continuously vigilance sure is tiring, but we can't just put our guard down, after all. And so, night finally comes. While the slave merchant people are sleeping inside the wagon, we have to watch out for our surroundings and guarding them. That's the very reason we're here, after all. Right now, with the wagon interposed between us, the vanguard party are watching out the front side of the wagon, where we the rear guard party are watching out the rear side of the wagon. Also, there are two wagons. Therefore the distance between us and them is around ten meters. With such long distance, of course there's also the possibility that the attack might come from the flanks, so we have woman A to watch out the right flank, and Rishe-chan at the left flank. After collecting some branches, I ask Finia-chan to ignite fire with her magic. Beasts are scared of fire, that's the knowledge from my former world, though. At this world, if you can properly handle the fire, then it'd become a very useful thing, but if you handle it poorly, then it'd show its fang and burn everything. Moreover, since we're at the outside, bonfire could also be used to warm our bodies up. Even if it could be said as a two-edged sword, but using bonfire this way is the most optimum way, right? Well, because of it, there's also the possibility that our location may be noticed by magical beasts, but, even so, given the benefit from it, I think it's still a good choice. "...well then, this time finally come, huh." "Kitsune-san?" "Is there anything wrong-desu?" And there, I talk with a serious tone before the bonfire. Finia-chan and Lulu-chan are inclining their heads while looking at me. The one I watched out is, the attack from magical beasts. That's a matter of course since that's the core of our job at this request, but there's one other thing I need to watch out. Right, it's "Red Night (Leila-chan)". Since night has come, I'm sure she's currently in her lustful at the front side, right? The matter I'm currently thinking is whether man J-kun and woman B are have been eaten by Leila-chan or not. Before her lustful state, any human are nothing but prey without exception. Also, I've told her to don't attack Finia-chan and the other, but I have no memories having told her to don't eat those adventurers. As far as I know, she isn't the type who would follow any command, though. That means, there's a possibility that they may get attacked by Leila-chan. At a place ten meters distance from here. "There's a possibility that Leila-chan may come attacking." But, well, that isn't something significant. It isn't my concern even they got eaten by her. The problem is, after eating her, who will she attacks next. But that's already set in stone, that is, it would be none other than me. She has promised to not eat me, but it doesn't necessarily means she has lost her desire to eat me. Or rather, if I say 'you can eat me', I'm sure she'd immediately jump and eat me mercilessly. While thinking so, I feel like I can hear a scream from somewhere. Perhaps because I've got my eye eaten once, I feel like I can hear a hallucination sound of meats being bitten off. Well, leaving that hallucination aside, there's a possibility that that lustful girl would attack tonight. If that really happens, at the worst case, I have to look after her all night long, don't I? Mainly letting her lick my body. Ah, come to think of it, we haven't had a kiss today, this is bad, is it okay if we don't do it today, I wonder... but I've promised, after all... ah, I really don't like it. "Or rather, Kitsune-san, is it okay to just let her be?" "It's too troublesome, if I don't keep her in check, I don't know when she'd come attacking, after all... even if I hand her over to knights, with her strength, it's impossible to capture her, after all. That means, having her around me so that I can keep her in check is the best choice." "...you've brought along a splendidly the worst person, right! Do you have a talent to be liked by bad people, I wonder, Kitsune-san?" A constitution to be liked by bad people, huh. I have 'Eerie constitution' so it's frustrating that I can't deny it. "Umm... Kitsune-sama, about Leila-sama... it looks like Kitsune-sama have known her from a long time...." "Ah, Lulu-chan don't know about it, right... hmm, it's a bit complicated, but... well, to put it simply, she wants to eat me, physically and literally." "Eh?" "That means, she isn't human... and then, she's aiming for my life. Currently, she has promised that she won't eat me, but the conditions is I must let her to be always together with me." When I explain it, Lulu-chan floats a very bewildered expression, but she floats a dubious expression after knowing that Leila-chan isn't human and is also aiming for my life. "...is that person an enemy?" "Yes, she is. She is our enemy, world's enemy." Because Lulu-chan is unusually asking with a serious expression, I answer her so. In doing so, Lulu-chan touches the short sword that I gave her, and quietly thinking. I don't know what she's thinking about, but, looking at her serious expression, I shouldn't disturb her, right? That's why I alter my gaze to the bonfire, "Baa." and I see a deep crimson; different from fire; eyes. "...Leila-chan." "Ahaha, you're too mean, Kitsune-kun... for calling me as enemy, doesn't that makes me get excited...." The so called 'speaking of the devil', Leila-chan is there. Her white hair and red eyes are shining because of the bonfire light, and I also can see heart marks at her eyes. I don't know how it materialized, but I surely can see it at her eyes. The miasma that was hidden during day is overflowing and hazily floating around her. Her current state is the embodiment that her lust is at its peak. I don't know whether there's any further level or not, but, as far as I know, the current Leila-chan is at her most lustful state. "Ufufu, ufufufu... Kitsune-kun, you've promised, didn't you? You have, right? That's why, come on, kiss me. And let me lick you. It's fine, right? Because I love you so much, after all!" At the appearance of the splendidly lustful Leila-chan, my spirit is continuously dropping. Thinking that I must do it every night, just thinking about it makes my head hurts. It's way more frustrating than any of those poor bullying. Before I noticed it Leila-chan has come into my rear and hugs me from behind. The so called 'asunaro' (asunaro) hug. I can feel the sensation of her boobs at my back, but it doesn't make me happy at all, I wonder why? In a sense I sure am amazing, right? To think that way toward such a cutie. "Kitsune-san... what does she mean by kiss or lick?" "Ah." Finia-chan and Lulu-chan are on guard by the appearance of Leila-chan, but it seems like they're curious about the kiss and lick that are said by Leila-chan. They're waiting for my explanation with a very sad expression. Come to think of it, I've told them that she'd promised that she won't eat me with some conditions, but I haven't told them the details, didn't I? Finia-chan and Lulu-chan are my families. That's why... I have to tell them about it. "...in exchange for her to stop trying to eat me, she asked me to let her lick me anytime and as much as she pleased." "Kitsune-sama... did you consent with that?" Finia-chan and Lulu-chan are looking at me with an uneasy expression. Indeed, from what I've said, it might sound like I accepted Leila-chan. But that's not it. I never accepted her. That's why you don't have to make such expressions. "No, as expected anytime would be troublesome so we took a compromise that she would stop when I tell her to... otherwise, I might get eaten, after all, by her." "...Ahaha... I really want to eat you, you know? But, because I love you so I won't eat you, you know, Kitsune-kun? I really really want to eat you with full of love, but I endure it, you know? But... ufufu... Kitsune-kun's smell... as I thought, I love you...." "But in exchange, I got a condition that... I have to kiss her once a day." Because at that time this was the best mean for me to stay alive, after all. So it can't be helped. I can't do anything even if I want this monster; that is burying her face at my nape while sniffing my smell; to stop. "...Kitsune-san, are you okay with that? Even the kiss, is it something that could be done that easily?" But Finia-chan floats an expression that she can't accept it. She's fairy of feeling, the embodiment of Shiori-chan's good will toward me. Kiss and hug are the representation of good will that are the easiest to be understood. That's why, such actions are a very precious and cherished things for her. I'm sure, right now, I just betrayed her ideal in the worst way possible. "...I'm sorry, Finia-chan. Indeed, I also think that kiss isn't something that could be done that easily... but, right now, surviving is the most important thing for me." However, even when I was aware of that fact, I still accepted this condition. Here, I have no intention to make any excuse at all. But, I hope she'd understand it. "If kiss is the mean for me to survive from this monster, then I'll accept it. Even if that would makes you hate me, Finia-chan, I'll definitely keep on struggling to survive and then meet her again." I'm sure, since Finia-chan is resembling Shiori-chan, perhaps Shiori-chan might also hate me. That's very scary, but I'm definitely going to meet her again. I'll meet her and fulfill my promise. For that sake, I don't mind having this monster loitering around me. "...the Kitsune-kun just now... was very cool... it makes me very excited... ufufu, ufufufu... I love you...." Leila-chan shakes her quivering body and hugs me tighter. Because of that I can feel the sensation of her body and her fast heartbeat. Her body also becomes hot, and she finally starts licking my nape. Her hot breath is hitting my neck, it feels ticklish. And then, Finia-chan who is before me is looking at me with her shoulder trembling. "There's no way I... would hate you, Kitsune-san, definitely not!" And declares so. Her expression looks angry and sad in the same time. "Because you've decided to do it, so I'm fine with it, Kitsune-san! ... but, there's definitely no way I would ever hate you, Kitsune-san!" "Finia-chan...." "If you want a kiss then just do it as you pleased! Such a thing is, it won't stop my love for Kitsune-san, after all!" Finia-chan says so while puffing out her chest. Her gaze is aimed at Leila-chan, her words are filled with a strong emotion. Finia-chan sure is amazing. I wonder just how many people who are still able to maintain their feeling even when the person they cherished are the very one who shatter their ideal. "...ufu... ufufu, ahahahaha! Interesting, very interesting! Seems like I've done something bad for calling you bug... as expected from an idea type that is brought by Kitsune-kun... very interesting... bring it on, 'Finia', I won't lose either. Because I love Kitsune-kun so much, after all!" And then; the just a moment ago lustful; Leila-chan is taking a step back from me and smiling. Her red eyes are shining brightly, and she smiles with a very happy expression. Her eyes are aimed at Finia-chan, and she calls Finia-chan by her name. Seems like Finia-chan has taken her interest. It isn't because she's an idea type, nor because she's rare, it's because Finia-chan is Finia-chan, that's why she could take her interest. "Ufufu... in consideration to Finia, I'll leave it here for today." And then, saying so she moves to before me and brings her face near mine. She pins my cheeks with both of her hands, so that I won't move. "N...." A light and simply touching kiss. That's an unexpected action, but promise is still a promise. Perhaps that's just how much she recognizes Finia-chan, right? "Well then, I'm going to return to my post then. Kitsune-kun, I love you." Saying so, she returns to the front side. Taking along her black miasma, looking at her appearance that is skipping in good mood, at my eyes, rather than a monster, she looks more like nothing but a normal girl. And then, several seconds after she disappeared, I remembered something. "...those adventurers... they haven't died, right?" There's no one who answer my question. "Umm... Kitsune-sama." "I also... Love you, Kitsune-sama." "...yes... thank you, Lulu-chan." Lulu-chan is barely able to squeeze out the words, but her words that are filled with her feeling, it slightly permeated my heart.

死の選択肢 『赤い夜』に関わらず、魔族という存在は大概が魔獣とは一線を画した容姿をしている。その多くが人間と同じような姿で、しかしその構造は魔獣寄り、ステータスにおいて、どんなに才能があっても絶対に到達出来ない程の高い数値を獲得する事が出来る。 だが、その中でも更に特殊な魔族が存在する。それが、『赤い夜』を含んだ『魔貴族』達だ。文字としては魔の貴族となっているが、最初は『魔奇族』と呼ばれ、特殊な魔族を表す名前だった。 ここでは『赤い夜』を例に出してみる。 それが『赤い夜』の正体だ。 それに罹った人間は、精神を破壊され、肉体の構造を魔族のソレへと変化してしまう。そして、持ち得る欲求が爆発的に増大し、人間を襲う怪物となる。 レイラが良い例だが、『赤い夜』と化した人間は、人間を美味しいと感じるようになり、また生物を喰らうことで大きな快感を得られるのだ。もっと言えばその欲求は『毎晩』爆発的に高まる。故に俗世では夜行性の魔族として知られているのだ。 によって肉体が隠される故に誰も中身を見たことがない―――つまり、中身の肉体が変わっていても誰も気が付かない。 魔族の身体とはいえ元は人間、寿命は人間と同じ。人間の肉体が死ねば、ウイルスである『赤い夜』は外へと出て、また別の人間の肉体へと空気感染しに行くのだ。 だからこそ、この魔族は強い。それこそ魔王ですら殺し切れない程に強い。ウイルス医療に関して桔音の元の世界よりもレベルが低いこの世界では、『赤い夜』は無敵なのだ。 ―――ウイルスとバレていない上に、バレても対処出来る者がいないのだから。 だが、今回のレイラ・ヴァーミリオンは少し違う。 ウイルスは生物の中に入ると変質することがある。今までの『赤い夜』はその性質の強さ故に変質することはなかったのだが、レイラという少女の『赤い夜』に対する適性の高さ、そして桔音という爆発的に極大化した欲求を満たす存在の登場により、『赤い夜』は今までにない変化を遂げたのだ。 これにより、レイラの身体を基に『赤い夜』は完全な魔族と化した。 それもそうだ、ウイルスを操れる......つまり今までは1体しかいなかった『赤い夜』を、 世界感染 彼に夢中になっているからこそ、彼女はたった1体の化け物のままでいる。彼に恋焦がれているからこそ、彼女は自分の危険性を内包したままでいる。 ならばもしも桔音が彼女によって殺されたのならば、 ◇ ◇ ◇ ―――どうする、かなぁ......。 目の前で発情しているレイラちゃん、まだこの世界に来てから一週間と少ししか経っていないのに、なんでこの怪物は執拗に僕を狙ってくるんだよ。あぁ、本当に気に入らない。 「.........ス......テー...タ...ス」 僕の脳裏に目の前の怪物のステータスが浮かんだ。 名前:赤い夜 性別:女 Lv1 筋力:25200 体力:38400 耐性:850 敏捷:26560 魔力:19820 称号:『赤い夜』『瘴気の魔貴族』 スキル:『剣術Lv6』『身体強化Lv5』『暴喰』『瘴気操作Lv8』『魔力操作Lv3』『暴淫暴喰』『陶酔』『淫蕩精神』 固有スキル:『瘴気操作』『淫蕩精神』 マジで化け物だなこのステータス......あのオジサマのステータスを倍にしても太刀打ち出来ないじゃないか......おおよそオジサマの5倍位? 魔王もこの位だとしたら、あはは......確かに無理だ。倒せやしないよこんな奴。 それに、剣術を習得している所を見れば人間の持っている技術も取り入れているということか。随分とまぁ、怪物要素が見つかるなぁ......それにウイルスを操る魔族って......あの瘴気か。 てことは、『赤い夜』って病気なの? 感染すんの? 何それ、 「は、はは......!」 「ん、んんん? どうしたのきつね君? 諦めた? もう駄目!? 倒れちゃう!?」 嬉しそうにテンション上げるな化け物め。発情し過ぎて周りの瘴気が気持ち悪く動いてるよ、静まりなさい。それに、諦めた訳じゃない。 「いやいや......まだ諦められないよ......まだその顔、殴ってないからね」 「むぅ......だから殴っても良いよって言ってるじゃない、それにその腕じゃもう出来ないでしょ?」 核心衝いてくるなこの子。ホント僕のこと大好きだな、でも恋愛感情じゃないだろソレ、美味しい物にハマっちゃったとか、珍しい物に興味を惹かれたとか、新しい玩具を貰ったとか、そういう新鮮さに惹かれただけだろ。そんなのは、恋とか、愛とか、言わないんだよ。 「ねぇレイラちゃん......」 「んんんッ......あはぁ......名前呼んでくれたぁ......♡ なぁに? きつね君♪」 「僕と......お話、しようぜ」 「え? 今、なんて言ったの? お話? あはっ☆ 嬉しいな嬉しいなぁ! そうだよね、愛し合うにはお互いのことを知るのが大事だよね!」 狂ってるくせに純愛っぽいこと言うなよ、恋に恋しただけの でも、乗ってくれるなら好都合。そろそろ、立ってるのも限界だったからね。座ってお話ししようか。僕の予想が正しくなくとも、僕は戦闘じゃ君に適わない......だからこのお話で君に僕を......『見逃して』貰う。出来なきゃまぁ、その時はその時だ。 約束したからね、しおりちゃんと。約束したからね、フィニアちゃんと。 遊園地に行くって、生きて帰るって。 僕が尻もちを着くように座ると、彼女は僕の隣にひっついてくるようにして座った。くんくんと僕の匂いを嗅いでいる音が聞こえる。凄く苛々するけど、我慢しなければならない。 ―――此処が僕の正念場だ!! ......こら僕の腕を舐めるな レイラちゃんはお話をするという前提を作ってやったからか、僕の身体を食べようとはしない。というか舐めているだけでかなり恍惚とした表情を浮かべている。 正直凄くエロい顔をしているけど、今の僕にとっては素晴らしく腹立つ顔だ。しおりちゃんの顔に此処まで腹が立つとは思わなかったよ。つくづく癇に障るなこの子。死ねばいいのに。 「ねぇねぇきつね君、きつね君ってどんな女の子が好き? 私頑張るよ? きつね君が好きになってくれるように、いっぱい頑張るよ?」 「君じゃない子」 「............」 ああ......ついつい、言っちまったぜ。これ僕死ぬんじゃない? 一歩目で地雷を踏み抜いた気がする。かなーり歪んだ食事嗜好の子だけど、その気持ちは本物、一種のヤンデレみたいなものだ。 ただのヤンデレの子でさえ拒絶したら背中から刺してくるって話なのに、こんな完全に終わってる子を拒絶したら気が付いたら死んでるってことになりそうだよ。 おそるおそる、彼女の方に視線を向ける。すると、彼女は僕の学ランをぎゅぅっと握り締めて身体を震わせていた。顔は俯き、表情は見えない。怒ってる気がする。謝るべきだろうか。 「くっ......ふっ......っ......!」 「レイラちゃん......?」 「んんっ......! 駄目だよぉ......燃え上がっちゃうからぁ......♡」 何がだ、そのまま燃え尽きて消えてしまえ。 て、待てよ......確かさっき彼女のステータスに気になるスキルが有ったな。 ―――『淫蕩精神』 想像してみるに、この『陶酔』ってのは僕に対する異常なまでの執着心から生まれたんじゃないだろうか。僕に陶酔しちゃったってこと? うわ、凄い迷惑な話だな。 それに、『淫蕩精神』っていうのは多分僕に触れたり舐めたり名前を呼ばれたりすると快感を感じちゃうってことなんじゃないかな。精神的な喜びを肉体の快感に変換するスキル、みたいな? ハッキリ言おう――――ただの発情魔じゃないか! て事はこの子ヤンデレより性質が悪い。拒絶しても余計に僕のことを好きになるだけってことじゃないか。殴っても良いよって言ってたからきっと、叩いたり殴ったり蹴ったりしても余計に僕のことを好きになる。暴言吐いても余計に僕のことを好きになる。フィニアちゃんを例にすれば、他の子に近づけば顔を変えて来るし、嫌いになるって選択肢が彼女の中にはないのか。 まとめてみると、Sランクのステータスを持ってて、世界をバイオハザードに陥れることが出来て、人肉嗜食者で、僕が好き過ぎて発情して、僕が何をしようが嫌いになることがない、そして今の彼女は僕を愛しまくって食べたい、と。 「ああんッ......!」 「はぁはぁ......なぁに?」 「......僕のこと......食べないで、欲しいんだけど......」 感じ過ぎて幼児退行してんのかこの子。最初に会った頃のレイラちゃんの天真爛漫だけどちゃんと会話出来てた頃がもう随分と昔のことのように思えて来た。どうあっても僕を喰らう気か。さて......どうするかなぁ......身体、力入らないし。 この子を僕の下から引き剥がすのは多分もう無理だ。きっとこの子は地獄の果てまで付いてくるだろう。例え出来たとしても、そうなれば今度は世界中が『赤い夜』で埋め尽くされることになる。どっちにしても僕は死ぬ。 「......なんで......僕のことが好きなの?」 駄目だ、この子僕の何処が好きとかじゃない。僕そのものが好きなんだ。僕は生きているだけでこの子の好意を買うんだ。退路が......ない。 あとはもうフィニアちゃんが此処に来るのを待つ位しか手がないけど、ルルちゃんを放って此処に来る気がしない。少なくとも空が白んでくるまであと4時間位あるし、駄目だろうなぁ......それに血の流し過ぎか意識が霞んできたし。 「......あー......じゃあもういいや」 「え?」 「レイラちゃん......僕と一緒にいれば良いよ......好きなだけ舐めてればいいよ......もうどうでもいいや」 瞼が落ちていく、身体が揺れる。駄目だ、身体に力が入らない......倒れる。多分もう目を覚ますことはないだろう。きっと倒れたら僕の身体を彼女がぐちゃぐちゃと食べていくんだろう。痛みがないことは唯一の幸運だったかも。 あーあ、こんな化け物......どうしようもないよなぁ......。 でも、次の瞬間、僕の意識はスイッチを切るように、落ちて行った。

Choosing Death Including {Red Night} , an existence called demon was just slightly different from the general magical beasts. With a body similar like human, but it was composed by magical beast's flesh, and its status was sky high, at an extent that couldn't be attained no matter how great talent a human had. But, among them there was existed a more special demon. That was, "noble demon" that contained {Red Night} . It was read similarly as noble demon, but the first one was called as "unique demon", a title for a special demon. And here was where {Red Night} belong to. That was the true identity of {Red Night} . Any human that was infected by it, got their souls destroyed, and their body would be transformed into that of demon. And then, any desires they possessed would greatly increase, and they would became a monster that attacking human. Leila's case was a good example of it, any human that was infected by {Red Night} , once they tasted the tastiness of human flesh, they would attain a great pleasure whenever they ate raw meat. Furthermore, those desires greatly increased at night. That was why it was referred as nocturnal demon. Also, not just the virus was hidden inside its human flesh, no one ever saw what happened inside its flesh-- that meant, even if the inside of the flesh was transformed, no one would noticed it. Even if its body was one of demon, it was formerly human's flesh, so its life span would be similar as a human. When the human's body was dead, the {Red Night} virus would come out and infecting another human again. That was why, this demon was strong, so strong to the point even demon lord couldn't defeat it. As a virus, at a world where medical treatment was by far inferior compared to the world where Kitsune come from,{Red Night} was invincible. --not just it was unknown, even if there was someone that know about it, there was no one that could deal with it, after all. But, this time Leila Vermilion was slightly different. There was a transformation at the virus itself. Its nature and power weren't that different from the{Red Night} up until now, but with a high aptitude of the girl named Leila for{Red Night} virus, also the existence of Kitsune that could fulfill her great and overflowing desire, {Red Night} achieved a transformation it never had thus far. Because of that, with Leila's body as the base,{Red Night} transformed into a full fledged demon. That was a matter of course, manipulating virus.... That meant, {Red Night} that could only infected one body thus far, now it could mass produced itself and infecting anyone around the world, after all. You understand it, don't you? The extent of its danger. If it had the intention to infected anyone around the world, it would increase its kind, the existence that could dye the world in red, the existence that could transform anyone into an A rank demon, that was how dangerous it was. Since she was only focusing at him, she was still a monster with only one body. Because she was yearning for him, she still contained the danger inside her. Then, if by any chance Kitsune got killed by her, * * * --what should I do, I wonder.... The lustful Leila-chan before me, even though it's just around a week ever since I came to this world, why does this monster so persistent about aiming at me? Ah, it really sucks. I also haven't found any good plan to overcome it, after all, what should I do.... For now, let's check her status. "...sta...tus..." The status of the monster before me is floating inside my mind. Name : Red Night Gender : Female Lv. 1 Strength : 25200 Stamina : 38400 Resistance : 850 Agility : 26560 Magical energy : 19820 Title :{Red Night} {Noble Demon of Virus} Skill : {Sword Art Lv.6} {Body Strengthening Lv.5} Innate skill :{Miasma Manipulation} {Lewd Soul} That status sure is that of a monster.... Isn't it way higher than that uncle's... perhaps around five times of his? If demon lord is also at this level, ahaha... it's indeed impossible. There's no way I could defeat such fellow. Moreover, from the sword art skill she possessed, perhaps she adopted it from the technique that was used by human, didn't she? I can also see monster like component in that aspect... also, demon that manipulating virus... that miasma, huh. That means, is {Red Night} some kind of disease? An infecting one? The hell it that, is it aiming for pandemic or anything? Doesn't that mean it has the ability to multiple itself as much as it pleased? Such a thing... what should I do to defeat it? "Ha, hahaha....!" "N, nnn? What's the matter, Kitsune-kun? Already give up? Can't hold it anymore?! Going to collapse!?" Don't be at high spirited like that, you damn monster. Because your lust is too high, the miasma around you is swaying disgustingly, you know? Calm it down. Also, I'm not giving up. "No, no.... I'm not giving up, yet... that face of yours, I haven't hit it, after all." "Muu... that's why I told you that it's okay even if you want to hit me or anything, didn't I? Moreover, isn't it impossible with that arm?" I'm sure of it, already. She sure is fond of me, but that isn't love, it's just as if she found something tasty, as if she got captivated by something interesting, as if she obtained a new toy, as if she got attracted by something new, isn't it? Such a thing is, I couldn't call it as love. "Say, Leila-chan...." "Nnn... ahaa... you call my name... what's up? Kitsune-kun?" "Let's have... a little, chat." "Eh? Just now, what did you say? Chat? Ahaa, I'm really happy! That's right, to loving each other we must know each other first, right!" For a rotten one, don't say such pure love-like word, even though you're just a cannibal that only love at love. But, that's convenient for me since it might become my way to overcome this situation. Soon, I'm at my limit to just stand up, after all. Let's have a chat while sit. Even if it's out of my expectation, I can't win against you... that's why, with this chat... I'll have you to "spare" me. If that's impossible than, well, let's think about it when it really happens. I've promised, after all, to Shiori-chan. I've promised, after all, to Finia-chan. That we'll go to amusement park together, that I'll return safely. When I sit down, she comes sit next to me and then clings at me. I can hear the sound of her sniffing at me. That's really irritating, but I have to bear with it. --this is my critical moment!! ...hey, don't lick my arm. Perhaps because I made a prefix to have a chat with her, she doesn't eat my body. Or rather, with just licking it she already makes such ecstasy expression. To be honest she makes a very erotic face, but for the current me it's a wonderfully irritating face. I never thought I'll be this angry at Shiori-chan's face. This girl sure is irritating. I hope she'd die at this instant. "Say, what kind of girl you prefer, Kitsune-kun? I'll do my best. So that you'd fall in love with me, I'll try my hardest." "Any girl other than you." "......" Ah... unintentionally, I said it. Doesn't it mean I'm going to die? I feel like just treaded on a land mine. She has quiite a warped food preference, but her feeling is a real deal, something akin to yandere. If she's just a normal yandere, when I reject her then it would end with just I get a stab from my back, but for such screwed girl, if I reject her it's already a matter of course that I'll die. Timidly, I take a glance at her. In doing so, I can see that her body is quivering while tightly gripping my gakuran. She hung her head down so I can't see her face. I think she's angry. Perhaps I should apologize here. "Ku... fu...fu....!" "Leila-chan...?" "Hnn...! That's not good, you know... it makes me burning, after all...." What, then just go get burn out and disappear as it is. Seems like her lust is rampaging just by having me calling her name. Or rather, just how much you love me? It's too heavy that it might even crush me. Eh, wait... if I remember it correctly, when I checked her status just now, there was a skill that bothered me. --{Lewd Soul} . If my guess is right, perhaps this {Intoxication} skill manifested because of her great attachment toward me, didn't it? Does that mean she is intoxicated at me? Uwah, what a very troublesome thing. Also, perhaps {Lewd Soul} is the one that makes her in great pleasure whenever she touches or licks me, and whenever I call her name, right? A skill that transform mental pleasure into body pleasure, or something along that line? To put it bluntly-- isn't she nothing but a lustful demon! That means her nature is worse than a yandere. Even though I clearly rejected her, didn't it unnecessarily makes her fall in love deeper with me? Since she even said that it was okay for me to hit her, so I'm sure even if I hit or kick her, it would only unnecessarily make her love me more. Even if I spite an abusive remark at her, it would only unnecessarily makes her fall in love at me more. If it's Finia-chan, her face would immediately changed whenever I approached a girl, after all. Is there no hate option inside her mind? If I rethink about it properly, having an S rank statuses, being able to turn this world into biohazard, a cannibal, in such lustful state because of she loves me so much, no matter what I do it won't make her hates me, and currently she wants to eat me with full of love, huh. "Ahnnn....!" "Haahaa... whaat's it?" "...I... want you to, not eat me, though...." Having a too great pleasure, does she regress into that of an infant? When we first met, Leila-chan was indeed quite an innocent one but she was still able to hold a proper conversation, I feel like that scene happened a long time ago already. Perhaps it's already impossible for me to run away from this girl. I'm sure she would follow me even to the deepest hell. Even if I somehow manage to escape from her today, in the next instant the world would be filled by {Red Night} . Either way I'd die. "...why...do you like me?" Not good, this girl doesn't just like some parts of me. She likes me as a whole. Even just for being alive, it would increase her affection toward me. Path to escape is... none. The only possibility is to wait for Finia-chan to come here, but I can't imagine she would abandon Lulu-chan and comes here. There are still at least four hours till the sky brighten, how sucks.... Moreover, because I've lost too much blood, my mind is starting grow hazy. "...Ah~... then, whatever." "Eh?" "Leila-chan... it's okay if you stay together with me... it's okay if you lick me as much as you want... I don't care about it anymore." My eyelids are dropping, my body is swaying. Not good, I can't muster up any strength from my body.... I'm falling. Perhaps I won't open my eyes again, right? When I collapsed here, I'm sure she would mince and ate my whole body. The fact that I can't feel any pain is most likely the one and only good part here. Aah, such a monster... there's no way I'd be able to deal with it, don't I....? But, at the next instant, as if I got my switch turned off, I collapsed.

第六章終了時点でのキャラ紹介 -主人公パーティ- 薙刀桔音 18歳 ♂ 六章終了時点で、Aランクの攻撃力に匹敵する耐性値を獲得。だが、レベルは何故かまた1へと戻ってしまった。筋力値の『STOP!』も外れている。おそらくは固有スキル『初心渡り』の影響であるだろうと本人も考えてはいるが、未だにそのスキルの詳細は把握出来ていない。 名前:薙刀桔音 性別:男 Lv1 体力:4210 耐性:8800 敏捷:4650 魔力:3420 トリシェ・ルミエイラ 17歳 ♀ 桔音のパーティの良心。暴走するレイラや、頭おかしい行動を取る桔音の持ってくる問題に、毎度毎度精神的に疲労している。 だが、桔音に付いて来た事で、凡人ながら自分が強くなっている事を自覚。その点で言えば、桔音の傍を離れるつもりはなし。六章終了時点で、話していて疲れないのはヒグルド元伯爵である。 また、彼女の戦闘スタイルの場合、ステータスの数字よりも上の実力を発揮出来る。可能性溢れる少女である。 レイラに関しては、桔音と一緒にいないとやばいので、出来るだけ彼女と2人きりにはして欲しくない。 名前:トリシェ・ルミエイラ 筋力:1670 体力:1890 敏捷:1780 魔力:500 レイラ・ヴァーミリオン 17歳 ♀ 六章時点ではそうそう活躍はしなかったが、ニコと出会うことで何やら母性に目覚めた模様。ニコをかなり気に入っているようで、抱き付いて来た時には優しく抱き返すなど、子供に対して愛着が生まれたらしい。 Sランク魔族として覚醒したばかりだからか、あまり脅威の様には思えないけれど、時間が経つにつれて瘴気操作や戦闘にも大分慣れてきたらしい。Aランクの実力を持つレイスに対しても、髪を数本斬られたものの、無傷で打倒するに至っている。 桔音に対する気持ちはとりあえず保留ということにしているらしい。桔音の傍に居て、触れ合えばもやもやしないという結論から、以前同様良く引っ付きに行く。 名前:レイラ・ヴァーミリオン 種族:瘴気ウイルスの魔貴族 筋力:35200 体力:43400 耐性:2400:STOP! 敏捷:30960 魔力:26820 ニコ・アークス 4歳 ♀ 父親と共に逃亡生活を送っている最中、桔音に預けられた幼女。嘘吐きの性格がある様で、取りとめもない嘘を吐く様だ。 とはいえ、まだ舌足らずな部分も多いらしく、人の名前に関しては上手く言葉に出来ないようだ。レイラに関しても、れぃらと呼んでいる。 桔音達の中ではレイラに一番懐いているようで、レイスとの勝負の後、心配してレイラに抱きつくなど、子供らしい一面も見せている。 父親のことは一応好きなようで、優しい父親と思っているようだ。ブロンド髪とぷにぷにの肌が愛らしい嘘吐きキュートな幼女である。 六章では、オルバ公爵に神官の素材として眼を付けられたが、才能があるかはまだ分からない。だが、4歳にして初期桔音と同等の筋力値である所を見ると、桔音の元の世界の人間は、異世界では赤子同然の存在になるらしい。勇者補正で強化された凪は、心底恵まれていたようだ。 名前:ニコ・アークス 筋力:10 体力:20 耐性:10 敏捷:10 魔力:10 ヒグルド・アークス 30歳 ♂ ニコの父親で、アークス家の元伯爵である。娘を大切に思っており、オルバ公爵が寄越したレイスによって、妻は殺されている。だが、妻の遺体は騎士達の証拠隠滅の為回収され、続々と襲い来る兵士達から逃げるため、娘を連れて逃亡。妻が死んだことを悲しむ暇も無かった。 だが、彼の妻の遺体はクレアが事前に回収し、形式に則って丁寧に埋葬され、クレアが自分で出したお金で綺麗な墓を立てられている。桔音達にそれが伝わるのは次回か、次々回辺り。 今はニコを救ってくれた桔音に感謝しており、命にも勝る恩を感じている。街を出る事もそれが要因で承諾している。 名前:ヒグルド・アークス 性別:男 Lv12 筋力:210 体力:350 耐性:30 敏捷:120 魔力:70 -六章登場キャラ- ジャック・イトナ 19歳 ♂ ゴブリンキングに対して、勇敢にも立ち向かった新人冒険者。実力はまだまだ新米であり、ゴブリンキングに立ち向かえば死は免れなかった筈だが、他の冒険者達の決死の覚悟と、偶然の喰らい手によって生き残った青年。 他の冒険者達が死んでしまった事を悔やんでいるが、桔音の適当な励ましで立ちなおる。今は桔音を尊敬の対象として見ており、なんとか彼の隣に立って戦えるようになりたいと決意。 心優しく、熱い心を持った冒険者である。 名前:ジャック・イトナ 体力:780 耐性:90 敏捷:540 魔力:460 クレア・ルマール 22歳 ♀ ミニエラにいる青髪の受付嬢の姉であり、オルバ公爵の秘書だった女性。今回、オルバ公爵を排除するべく桔音に頼み、彼を動かした。 どうやら彼女自身、オルバ公爵が悪政を強いていることに不満を持っているという事以外に、オルバ公爵を排除したいという理由があるようだが、それは別の話。次々回か次回あたりで公開。 桔音のことを化け物の様に思っている。人間かどうかを疑う精神のおかしさを見て、正直二度と関わりたくないと感想を抱いた。 名前:クレア・ルマール 筋力:130 体力:230 耐性:40 敏捷:180 魔力:60 レイス・ネス 26歳 ♂ 人を殺すことに快楽を感じるSランクの凶悪殺人鬼。殺し方は様々で、特にこれといった決まりは無いが、刃物で切り裂く事が多い様だ。 12歳の頃より人を殺してきたので、その数は記録に残っているだけでも1043人。記録に残っていない数を含めればその殺害数は2000人を大きく越える。 12歳当初から国から指名手配を受け、逃亡しながら、時に追手すら殺して逃げ回り、約10年間逃げ回った末に、国の依頼を受けたSランク冒険者によって捕らえられた。死ぬまで拘留される筈だった彼は、その5年後オルバ公爵によって釈放。 その後、オルバ公爵の用心棒となる。 だが、桔音がオルバ公爵を殺したことで、『隷属の首輪』が外れた。レイラによって死にかけたが、その後死に体の身体を引き摺って逃亡。おそらく何処かで生き延びているか、野垂れ死んでいるか、消息は不明である。 名前:レイス・ネス 性別:男 Lv82 筋力:8420 体力:9800 耐性:320:STOP! 敏捷:9720 魔力:2800 オルバ・フォンネス 享年42歳 ♂ 悪政強いてた、返り咲を狙う貴族。現在死去。 死んでいるのでステータス省略 ルル・ソレイユ 12歳 ♀ 勇者と共に行動をしている。犬の獣人。 現在は桔音に悲しげな表情をさせてしまった事を後悔、自分が弱かったからだと考え、今は無我夢中に力を渇望するようになった。共にいるフィニアからすれば、多少危うく見えるようだ。 勇者達には、生きて行く為に共に行動する上で多少協力することにしている。だが、心は開いていない模様。 名前:ルル・ソレイユ 性別:女 Lv47 筋力:6890 体力:10340 敏捷:7950 魔力:5670 フィニア 0歳 ♀ ルルと共に勇者と行動を共にしている思想種の妖精。巫女に己の存在の媒介であるお面を握られている故に、桔音の下を一時離れた。ルルと共に自身の強化を図っているが、最近ではルルの危うさに心配している。 桔音と離れたことと、ルルの危うさから、桔音と離れてからはずっと浮かない表情を浮かべ、以前の向日葵の様な笑顔を浮かべることは無くなった。 勇者達に対して心は開いていないが、生きて行く為に戦闘等、協力はする模様。 名前:フィニア 筋力:5640 体力:7890 耐性:300:STOP! 敏捷:8020 魔力:19800 芹沢凪 17歳 ♂ 勇者、とりあえず今は強くなりたい様子。その才能と勇者補正でぐんぐん成長している模様。ちょっとオーバーワーク気味のルルの事を気に掛けているようだ。 名前:芹沢凪 筋力:12030 体力:13400 耐性:310:STOP! 敏捷:13800 魔力:6780

Characters Introduction of 6th Arc *Protagonist Party* Naginata Kitsune - Male - 18 years old At the end of the sixth chapter, he obtained resistance stat comparable to an A-ranked attack power. However, his level had somehow reverted to 1 again. The "STOP!" had also disappeared from his strength stat. He had deduced that this was most likely due to his unique skill "Re:Origin", but as of right now he still didn't understand the details of that skill. And considering the fact that his stats grew faster when he reverted to level 1, he didn't see any demerit upon this phenomenon. Name : Naginata Kitsune Gender : Male Lv.1 Stamina : 4210 Resistance : 8800 Agility : 4650 Magic Power : 3420 Trishe Lumieira - Female - 17 years old The conscience of Kitsune's party. She got herself mentally exhausted everytime Leila went of control or when Kitsune caused problems by taking crazy actions. However, ever since she followed Kitsune, she noticed that even the mediocre herself had gotten stronger. In that regard, she had no intention of leaving Kitsune's side. As of the end of chapter six, the only conversation partner who didn't make her get exhausted was the former Count Higurd. Also, in the case of her combat style, she could demonstrate abilities above her stats numbers. She was a girl overflowing with potentials. Regarding Leila, it was dangerous to be with her without Kitsune around, so she wished to be alone with her as less as possible. Name : Trishe Lumieira Strength : 1670 Stamina : 1890 Agility : 1780 Magic Power : 500 Leila Vermilion - Female - 17 years old She didn't play an active role in Chapter 6, but meeting Nico seemed to have awakened her maternal instincts. She seemed to be quite fond of Nico, and when she hugs her, she hugs her back gently, and she seemed to have developed an affection to children. She had only recently awakened as S-ranked demon, so still didn't seem much of a threat, but as time goes by, she seemed to have more or less gotten used to controlling miasma as well as combat. Even against Reis who possessed A-rank prowess, aside from a few cut of her hair, it could be said that she defeated him unharmed. It seemed that she was putting her feeling for Kitsune on hold. She no longer felt hazy whenever she was near Kitsune and touched him, so she decided to stick closer to him than ever before. Name : Leila Vermilion Race : Noble Demon of Virus Strength : 35200 Stamina : 43400 Resistance : 2400:STOP! Agility : 30960 Magical energy : 26820 Nico Arcs - Female - 4 years old A young girl who was left in the care of Kitsune while she was on the run with her father. She possessed the nature of a liar, so she liked to utter lies. However, she seemed to be still lisping a lot, and she couldn't call people with their names properly either. Even when she called out to Leila (katakana), she called her Leila (hiragana). Among Kitsune's party, she was most attached to Leila, and after the fight against Reis, she showed a part of her childish side by hugging her in worry. She seemed to more or less love her father and considered him a kind father. She was an adorable liar of cute young girl with blonde hair and squishy skin. In Chapter 6, she was targeted by Duke Orba as a priest candidate, but it was still unknown whether she was actually talented or not. However, considering that at the age of four she possessed strength stat comparable to that of Kitsune's initial stat, it appeared that the people of Kitsune's former world were only at the level of babies of the other world. It seemed that Nagi, who was strengthened due to correction of being a Hero, was truly blessed. Name : Nico Arcs Strength : 10 Stamina : 20 Resistance : 10 Agility : 10 Magic Power : 10 Higurd Arcs - Male - 30 years old He was Nico's father, a former count of the Arcs House. He loved his daughter dearly, and his wife was killed by Reis who sent by the Duke Orba. However, his wife's remains was recovered by the knights to erase the evidence, and he ran away with his daughter to escape from the soldiers who came after them one after another. He didn't have time to grieve for his wife's death. However, his wife's body was retrieved beforehand by Claire and was then given proper burial. Claire also spent her own money to erect a pretty tomb for her. The time she'd tell Kitsune and the others about that was when they met next time or perhaps the one after that. Currently, not only did he feel gratitude to Kitsune for saving his daughter, he also felt that he owed him more that his life worth of favour. That was the main reason why he'd agreed to leave the town. Name : Higurd Arcs Gender : Male Lv. 12 Strength : 210 Stamina : 350 Resistance : 30 Agility : 120 Magic Power : 70 *Chapter 6 New Characters* Jack Itona - Male - 19 years old A newbie adventurer who bravely stood up to the Goblin King. His prowess was only at newbie level, so against the Goblin King it was supposed be impossible for him to escape death, however he survived thanks to the sacrifice of the other adventurers and the eater hand which happened to be there. He lamented for the dead adventurers, but he managed to get back on his feet thanks to Kitsune's noncommittal encouragement. He now looked up to Kitsune with respect, and made determination to someday be able to stand and fight shoulder to shoulder with him. He was a kind-hearted adventurer with a passionate heart. Name : Jack Itona Stamina : 780 Resistance : 90 Agility : 540 Magic Power : 460 Claire Lemar - Female - 22 years old She was the big sister of the blue-haired receptionist at Miniera as well as the former secretary of Duke Orba. This time, she asked Kitsune to get rid of the Duke Orba. Apparently, other than her dissatisfaction with his misgovernment, she had her own personal reasons for wanting to get rid of the Duke Orba, but that was another story. She'd revealed it next time or the one after that. He thought of Kitsune as a monster. After witnessing his crooked mindset which made her doubt whether he was truly human or not, she honestly didn't want to get involved with him ever again. Name : Claire Lemar Strength : 130 Stamina : 230 Resistance : 40 Agility : 180 Magic Power : 60 Reis Ness - Male - 26 years old An S-ranked vicious killer who took pleasure in killing people. He killed in various ways, there is no specific custom or anything, but most of time he killed people by slashing them with a blade. He had been killing people since he was 12 years old, and recorded victims alone numbered to 1043. If the unrecorded victims were also included, then the total would be well over 2,000. From the age of 12 he was wanted by the government, sometimes he even killing his pursuers while moving from one place to another, and after about 10 years of hide and seek, he was finally captured by an S-ranked adventurer who received the request from the government,. He was supposed to be confined until his death, but five years later he was released by Duke Orba. Afterwards, he became Duke Orba's bodyguard. However, when Kitsune killed Duke Orba, the slave collar was unlocked. Leila nearly killed him, but he later escaped by dragging his close to death body. Whether he somehow managed to survive or died somewhere in the wilderness, his whereabouts were unknown. Name : Reis Ness Gender : Male Lv. 82 Strength : 8420 Stamina : 9800 Resistance : 320:STOP! Agility : 9720 Magic Power : 2800 Orba Fonnes - Male - 42 years old An aristocrat who enforced misgovernment and was trying to get back to the capital. Now dead. Status omitted because he was dead. Lulu Soleil - Female - 12 years old In journey together with the Hero. She was a dog beastman. She was currently in regret over having made Kitsune had a sad expression, and thought it was because she was weak, so now she was single-mindedly craving for power. From the point of view of Finia, who was with her, she was in a very precarious state. Since she was together with the Hero party, she more or less cooperated with them in order to survive. However, she didn't seem to have opened up her heart to them at all. Name : Lulu Soleil Gender : Female Lv. 47 Strength : 6890 Stamina : 10340 Agility : 7950 Magic Power : 5670 Finia - Female - 0 years old An Idea type Fairy who was in journey together with the heroes along with Lulu. She had to leave Kitsune's side for the moment because the Miko was holding the mask which was the medium of her existence. She had been working together with Lulu to become stronger, but recently she had been concerned about Lulu's precarious state. The fact that she was separated from Kitsune combined with Lulu's precarious state, ever since she was separated from Kitsune she'd always had gloomy expression, she hadn't showed her sunflower-like smile even once. She hadn't opened up her heart to the Hero, but she still cooperated with them in battle to survive. Name : Finia Strength : 5640 Stamina : 7890 Resistance : 300:STOP! Agility : 8020 Magic Power : 19800 Serizawa Nagi - Male - 17 years old The Hero, currently he was striving to get stronger. Thanks to his talent and Hero correction, he was steadily getting stronger. He seemed to be concerned about Lulu who was overworking herself. After having practical combat training to accumulate experience against the swordsman Jik, he was now capable of cornering him. It surely wouldn't be long for him to obtain S-rank prowess. Name : Serizawa Nagi Strength : 12030 Stamina : 13400 Resistance : 310:STOP! Agility : 13800 Magic Power : 6780

手掛かりを掴むための一歩 「さて、それじゃ行こうか。グランディール王国」 僕達は依頼を受けた後、リーシェちゃんやレイラちゃんの知識を頼りに旅支度を整えた。サバイバルや野宿の知識は一通り本と実際の経験で大体分かるから良い、寧ろその日の内に国外の雑魚相手にルルちゃんと僕のレベルを上げたり、夜に発情して襲い掛かってきたレイラちゃんを宥めたりと、主に旅支度よりもそっち方面に体力を使った。 どうやら成長したルルちゃんは、見た目以上に精神的にも成長したらしく、幼女時期の頃はあまり磨いた小剣術を使えずにいたのだが、見違えるように戦えるようになっていた。まだ手元や足裁きを見れば戦いに不安感を抱いているのは分かるのだが、それでも戦えるようになっただけでも十分に収穫だった。 そんな僕達のステータスは今、こんな感じだ。 名前:薙刀桔音 性別:男 Lv16(↑6UP) 筋力:40 体力:380 耐性:550 敏捷:410 魔力:200 称号:『異世界人』『魔族を魅了した者』 スキル:『痛覚無効Lv2』『直感Lv2(NEW!)』『不気味体質』『異世界言語翻訳』『ステータス鑑定』『不屈』『威圧』『臨死体験』 固有スキル:??? PTメンバー:フィニア(妖精)、ルル(獣人)、トリシェ(人間)、レイラ(魔族) 名前:ルル・ソレイユ 性別:女 Lv13(↑5UP) 筋力:650 体力:500 耐性:100:STOP! 敏捷:510 魔力:230 称号:『奴隷』 スキル:『小剣術Lv3(↑2UP)』 PTメンバー:◎薙刀桔音、フィニア(妖精)、トリシェ(人間)、レイラ(魔族) 僕は相変わらず耐性が上がり、他は敏捷以外あまり伸びは良くない。極端な形といえばそれはそうだが、防御特化というのも悪くない。 大してルルちゃんは第二次性徴も迎えたことで随分と数値が伸びた。元々、身体が大きくなったことでレベルの変動はなくともステータスが大きく向上したルルちゃん、そこにレベルアップも加えれば中々に大きく数値が伸びていた。小剣術も使いこなせるようになったからか、レベル3へと上がっている。今までは身体を動かせなかっただけで、元々はそれ位の技術はあったということだろう。 また、新しい発見として他人のステータスの限界値が分かるらしい事が分かった。耐性値の横にSTOPと出ている故に、きっとルルちゃんの耐性は100で限界値なのだろう。此処は僕の勝ちだな、レイラちゃんが800ちょいだからもう少ししたら抜ける。1000越えたら耐性だけならトップクラスだろ、なんせSランクでも500前後が限界らしいしね。 そんな訳で、僕達はミニエラを出る為に商人達が用意した荷馬車の下へと集っていた。振り返れば、そこには今まで世話になったミニエラの光景がある。少しだけ物寂しい気もする。 すると、フィニアちゃんが僕の頬に手を当てて、向日葵のように笑いかけてきた。 「うん、分かってるよ」 大丈夫、生きていればいつだって戻って来れる。今はひたすらに、前を向いて進まないとね。そして荷馬車の中を覗けば、リーシェちゃんやルルちゃんが優しげな瞳で僕を見ていて、レイラちゃんがにへら、と気の抜けた笑みを浮かべながらハートマークの浮かんだ赤い瞳で僕を見ていた。発情してやがる。 「いこっ、きつねさん!」 「はいはい」 僕は荷馬車に乗る。そこには僕のパーティー以外にも3人の冒険者が乗っていた。どうやらその3人は一つのパーティーでまとまったチームらしい。女の子2人と男が1人、ぱっと見僕と同じか少し上といった年齢の男だけど、女の子2人がその男に惚れている、といった感じに見える。 女の子達が男の両腕にそれぞれ腕を組んで、視線でお互い牽制し合っているようだ。そして、男と僕の眼があった。 僕を値踏みする様な視線。少し不愉快ではあったけれど、特に気にする事も無く僕は視線を切った。レイラちゃんの方が正直不愉快だし、この程度の視線なら元の世界でもよく浴びてたよ。 僕はそう考えながら、ルルちゃんの隣に座った。 「挨拶もなしとは流石はHランクだなァオイ」 そしたら視線を切られたのが不満だったのか突っ掛かって来る冒険者の男、心なしか視線でいがみ合ってた女の子2人も僕を睨んでいる。あんな何処にでもいる様な女の子達でも、きっと冒険者としてはEランクを越える実力の持ち主なんだろう。怖い怖い。 「ごめんね、挨拶が必要な相手とは思わなかったよ」 でも僕にとっては関係無い。不愉快な視線に臆するほど臆病者になったつもりもなければ、この程度じゃ臆する程怖くもなんともない。 「ほぉ、口先だけは威勢が良いな、雑魚の癖に」 「あはは、強がるなよ、弱く見えるぜ?」 「チッ......折角俺様が先輩への礼儀を教えてやろうってのに、生意気じゃねぇか」 「本当に強い奴ってのは弱い奴に対して礼儀を教えるなんてしないぜ? 本当に強い奴は行動で格の差を分からせるさ」 そう、かつて僕の左目を奪ったレイラちゃんのように、かつて対峙しただけで実力差がはっきり分からされたあのオジサマのように、君みたいに自分の格下を見下して悦に浸ってる奴ほど、大したことはないんだよ。 つまり、 「格下の僕にそうやって絡んでくる時点で、そこが知れてるぜ?」 君達はその時点で大したことないって事だ。 「......何それ、バッカみたい。もう良いよジル、弱いのが吠えてるだけでしょ」 「そうそう、こんな奴に構うことねぇって」 すると、男の両隣に座る女の子二人がそう言った。彼女達の名前は分からないけれど、男の名前はジルというらしい。別に名前を知りたい訳でもないので、ステータスを見たりはしなかった。良いよ別に、男Jと女A、Bで。興味もないし。 ただ男の方はよっぽどの女好きなのか、二人も侍らせておいてレイラちゃんに興味があるようだ。白髪赤眼の美少女で丈の短い黒いワンピース、寝っ転がっている故に、裾から伸びる白く長い艶やかな脚はさぞかし眼を奪うことだろう。それに彼女はそれなりに胸も大きいしね。更に言えば、常時発情した様子なんだ、襲いたくなるのも分かるよ。 良いよ別に、襲っても。なんなら貰ってくれても良いしね。明日の朝、彼の姿があれば良いけど......。 「まぁ良い、どうせグランディール王国までは一緒なんだ......仲良くしようや」 「それは同感だね、表面上くらいは仲良くしようじゃないか」 彼はレイラちゃんの太ももを舐めるように見つつ、僕にそう言った。 食べる気満々だな。そんなことを考えながら、僕は薄ら笑いを浮かべてそう返した。さて、出発だ。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 今回僕達が受けた依頼の依頼主は、何の因果か『クロモリ商会』という商会に属しているらしい、あの奴隷商人だった。 あのってどれだ、と思うかもしれないので説明すると、ルルちゃんを商品として売っていて、僕にフィニアちゃんを売ってお金にしてみてはどうだと言ってきたあの奴隷商人だ。 彼は僕を見た瞬間に怯えた様な顔を浮かべたけれど、よろしくと挨拶したらよろしくお願いしますと慌ただしく返して来た。どうやらあの時の『不気味体質』が随分と精神にトラウマを残したようだ。 とはいえ、僕達を乗せた荷馬車はグランディール王国に向かうべく進む。 「とりあえず、護衛依頼は俺らの方がよく知ってる。此処では俺の指示に従って貰うぞ......お互い、死ぬのは嫌だろ?」 「そりゃそうだ。良いよ、護衛依頼には一日の長がある君に従うよ」 走る荷馬車の中で男は出発前の態度を一変させ、真剣な表情で自分に従うように言ってきた。やはり腐っても格上の冒険者、生死が関わって来るとしっかり切替えが出来るらしい。こういう所を見れば従っても良いと思えるね、経験者は語るって奴だ。 「経験は俺達の方が上、とはいえ人数はお前らの方が上だ。無論実力で負ける気はしねぇけど、人数は均等に分けた方がいいだろ」 「なるほど、つまり僕らから一人そっち側に行くって事だね」 「話が分かるな、とりあえず......リーダーであるお前は駄目だ、頭が抜ければチームがバラバラになる事もあるからな......かつ、即興でも俺らの実力に合わせられる奴が良い」 あ、駄目だコイツ。何が経験者は語る、だ。この口振りからして自分達の所にレイラちゃんを引きこもうとしているだけじゃないか。Cランクの冒険者で知られるレイラちゃんならその条件に合うからねぇ。 それに、よく見ればチラチラと未だ寝っ転がってるレイラちゃんに視線が行っている。その真剣な表情、きっとたくさん練習したんだろうなぁ。都合よく女の子を取り入れる為の、涙ぐましい努力だね。 「じゃレイラちゃん、行って」 「えー」 微かにガッツポーズをする男、見えてるから、それ見えてるから。 とはいえ、彼女が欲しければ幾らでも持ってって欲しい。出来れば惚れさせてやってよ、そしたら僕のストーカーから晴れて君のストーカーに転身だ、そうすればホラ、皆幸せ。 「やだよ、私きつね君と一緒がいい」 「僕は君と別が良い」 「ちょっと頭どうかしてるよね」 レイラちゃんは今日も絶好調らしい。どんだけ自分の都合良く考えればそういう発想に至れるのかちょっと良く分からないよね。 「いーからあっち行って! きつねさんには私が付いてるんだから!」 「あはっ♪ 虫が何を言っても聞こえないなぁ♡」 「レイラちゃん、虫って言うなって言ったでしょ?」 「でも虫って言ったらきつね君が殺しに来てくれるんでしょ? ......それって最高だよぉ......♡」 もうやだこの子......そう思ってリーシェちゃんに視線を送ると、溜め息を吐いて視線をレイラちゃんに送った。 「レイラ、私が言うのもなんだが......チームである以上は協調性を持った方が良いと思う。きつねの言葉に従ったらどうだ?」 「うふふうふふふ......貴女の言葉に従うつもりはないけど、良いよ♪ 向こうに行ってあげる♡ だって私はきつね君が大好きだもん!」 リーシェちゃんが言ったからというわけではないだろうけど、レイラちゃんは満足したとばかりにそれを承諾した。どうやら僕に構って貰いたかっただけらしい。傍迷惑な。 というか気に入ったのかな、『だって私はきつね君が大好きだもん』ってフレーズ。ここぞとばかりに出してきたし、多分気に入ったんだろうなぁ。 とはいえ、レイラちゃんが向こうに加わることになったことで、向こうの男の気分は良さそうだ。早速レイラちゃんによろしく頼む、って手を差し出したけど、レイラちゃんはよろしくねーっとだけ言ってその手を取ろうとはしなかった。 そんな反応に彼は少し引き攣った笑みを浮かべたけれど、どうにか取り繕って好感を持たれるように振る舞う。前途多難だな、この男。最悪差し出した手が喰われる可能性もあったよ。 「ん、んん ゙っ......まぁなんだ、これで人数分けはいいとして......俺達は馬車の前方を護衛する、お前らは後方を警戒してくれ。グランディールまでは3日程掛かるし、日替わりで交代しよう。そっちも経験を積んでおいて損はないだろう?」 「それじゃ、善は急げだ。それぞれ位置に付こう」 「一つだけ、言っておくよ」 方針が決まったことで、早々に武器を持ち、自分達の配置へと向かおうとする男、女2人もそれに従うように顔を引き締めて立ち上がった。 でも、僕はそんな男に対して一つだけ言っておくことがある。これは君達が護衛依頼において先輩であるように、僕もまた一つの先輩であるからこその忠告だ。 「レイラちゃんには気を付けてね、特に............『夜』は」 「あ? どういうことだよ......」 「まぁ、夜になったら赤色には気を付けてね。最悪、死ぬ可能性もあるから」 首を傾げる男を余所に、僕もまた配置へと移動するべく立ち上がる。リーシェちゃんやルルちゃんもそれに続き、移動を開始する。 全部言ってやる義務はない、そんな義理はないし、僕がそうしたいとも思ってないしね。 今のアドバイスはただ、経験者として護衛任務での指揮を取ってくれたことに対するお礼みたいなものだ。 出来れば死なず、レイラちゃんを持ってってくれ。ほんの少し可能性だけど、期待してるよ。頑張ってね。 そんなやりとりを終えて、僕達はグランディール王国に向けて歩を進め始める。 ―――だがこの時、僕は知る由もなかった、 グランディール王国へ行くというこの選択が、僕にとって『死よりも苦しい絶望』へと続いているということを。

First Step to Reach For A Clue "Well then, let's go, to Grandile Kingdom." After accepting the request, we arranged our preparation for this journey according to Rishe-chan and Leila-chan's knowledge. The general knowledge about survival and sleeping outdoor were could be learned by reading books or practical experience so I somewhat understood it, or rather, that day I and Lulu-chan raised our levels by fighting against small fries at the outside of the country, and after that I calmed down the lustful Leila-chan who assaulted me at night, that part took the most of my stamina today rather than the preparation itself. Seems like the just grown Lulu-chan has mentally grown more than her appearance, when she was still at her little girl state, she could already handle the short sword quite refinedly, but it has increased beyond recognition. I still can see her uneasiness at her movement, but with just having her able to fight is considerably as a good result already. And right now our statuses are something like these. Name : Naginata Kitsune Gender : Male Lv. 16 (| UP 6) Strength : 40 Stamina : 380 Resistance : 550 Agility : 410 Magic Power : 200 Title :{Other worlder} {The one who fascinates demon} Skill : {Pain Nullification Lv.2} {Intuition Lv.2(NEW)} {Eerie Constitution} {Other World Language} {Status Appraisal} {Persistence} {Overpower} {Other worlder} {Near Death Experience} Innate skill : ??? PT Member : Finia (Fairy), Lulu (Beas-kin), Trisha (Human), Leila (Demon) Name : Lulu Soleil Gender : Female Lv. 13 (| UP 5) Strength : 650 Stamina : 500 Resistance : 100:STOP! Agility : 510 Magic Power : 230 Title :{Slave} Skill :{Short Sword-Arts Lv.3 (| UP 2)} PT Member : Naginata Kitsune, Finia (Fairy), Trisha (Human), Leila (Demon) As usual, my resistance increased the most, and aside from my agility all my status didn't increased that much. It could be said as an extreme state, but specializing in defense isn't a bad thing. On the contrary, after experiencing her secondary growth, her statuses considerably increased. In the first place, since her body has grown, even without any change at her level, her statuses would still greatly increased, so combined with level up, it increased even further. Also, I got a new discovery that seems like I can see other people's status limit values. Since there's a 'STOP!' word beside Lulu-chan's resistance value, so I'm sure her resistance limit is 100, right? This part is my win, Leila-chan's is around 800 so I'd be able to surpass it soon enough. When it surpass 1000, my resistance would become top class, right? Even for S rank adventurers, their resistance limit are around 500, after all. Leaving that aside, we are currently gathering inside the merchant's wagon to leave Miniera. When I turn around, I can see Miniera that has been taking care of us thus far. I feel a bit lonely because of it. And then, Finia-chan puts her hand at my cheek, and float a sunflower-like smile. "Yes, I understand it." And then, when I peek to inside the wagon, Rishe-chan and Lulu-chan are looking at me with gentle eyes, and Leila-chan is smilling and looking at me with eyes that are floating heart marks. She's in heat. "Let's go, Kitsune-san." "Yes, yes." I get on the wagon. Other than my party members, there are also three other adventurers. Seems like they're in a same party. Two women and one man, at a glance, the man is bit older than me, where the women are fall in love with him, or so how I take it. The women are linking arm with him at his respective arms, where their gazes are seemingly keeping each other in check. And then, my and that man's gazes meet. A gaze that is appraising me. It's a bit annoying, but since it isn't something I need to concern myself with, so I cut my gaze away from him. Leila-chan's gaze is honestly more annoying, after all, I'm already get used to a gaze of such level at my former world. While thinking so, I sit next to Lulu-chan. "Not even a greeting, huh, as expected from an H rank, right? Oi." Then, perhaps he feels dissatisfied that I cut my gaze away, so the man is calling out to me, I feel like even the quarreling women are also glaring at me. Even if these women look like someone you could find anywhere, I'm sure as adventurers, their ability are at least E rank, right? How scary. "Ah, sorry, it's just I didn't think that you were someone I need to greet, so." But that has nothing to do with me. If you have no intention to become a coward who would cower before any annoying gaze, then there's no need to be scared of any gazes at this level. "Hoo, your lip-service sure is amazing, right? For a mere small fry." "Ahaha, please don't act strong like that, it only makes you look weak, you know?" "Tch... even though this great me has kindly taught you about mannerism toward your senior, you sure are cheeky, aren't you?" "A really strong person won't teach a mannerism toward a weakling, you know? A really strong person is, could be understood the difference in status just by their behavior, you know?" Right, like Liela-chan who once snatched away my left eye, like that uncle whom I could understand the difference between our strength just by facing against him, so a person like him who is rejoicing by looking down to any person with lower rank than him is, not something considerable. That means, "From the fact that you take a quarrel with me, I can see your base, you know?" This man isn't anything comparable to them. "...the hell is that, how foolish. Just stop it already, Jill, a weakling is could only bark but no bite, right?" "Yup, yup, there's no need to mind about such person." Thereupon, both women who sit next to the man say so. I don't know their names, but seems like the man's name is Jill. It isn't like I want to know their name of anything, so I don't peek their statuses. The man J and the women A, B, are good enough. I have no interest in them, after all. It's just, seems like the man is quite a womanizer, leaving the women next to him waiting, seems like he's more interested at Leila-chan. A white haired and red eyed cutie who wears a short black dress, and since she's laying down so I'm sure her white long and glamorous legs that stretched out from her cuff would surely entice any eyes, right? Her boobs are also considerably big, after all. Moreover, she's at such lustful state, so of course I understand why he wants to assault her. Next morning, it would be good if his body was still remained, though.... "Well, fine, we're going to be together till Grandile kingdom, after all... let's get along well." "I agree with that, at least on the surface, let's get along well." He says so while keep on looking at Leila-chan's thighs as if licking it. He's fully intending to eat her, huh. While thinking so, I answer so while floating my usual faint smile. * * * This time, our client is, I don't know what kind of fate it is, but seems like it's a company named "Dark forest company", that slave merchant. Which one do you mean by 'that'? Perhaps there'd be someone who think so, so let me explain it, it's the merchant who sold Lulu-chan and also asked me to sell Finia-chan. The moment he saw me, he floated a somewhat frightened face, but when I greeted him and said 'please take care of us', he hurriedly answered with 'please take care of us, too'. Seems like my "Eerie constitution" at that time had carved a bit trauma upon his soul. Nonetheless, the wagon that we ride is keep on advancing toward Grandile kingdom. "Well, we're more experienced at guarding request, so I'll have you abide my instruction... there's none of us who want to die, after all, right?" "Well, that sure is right. Fine, I'll abide you since you have a slight superiority at this field." Inside the advancing wagon, the man tells us to abide him with a serious expression, completely different from the first time we met. As expected, even if he's rotten, he's still an adventurer with higher rank than me, seems like he would completely changes when life is put on the line. Looking at that part of him, I feel like I don't mind on abiding him, the so called experienced person. "Experience-wise we're better, but number-wise you're better. Of course, ability-wise I don't feel like losing, but having an equal member would be better, right?" "I see, that means, we have to put one of our party member on your side, right?" "You sure understand it fast, but... since you're the leader so you're a no go, a team without its head tends to scatters away, after all... and, it would be better if it's someone with ability that could keep up with ours." Ah, he sure is hopeless. The hell with experienced person. With such long preface, all he wants is to pull Leila-chan into his side, right? Since the well known C rank adventurer, Leila-chan, would perfectly match that requirement, after all. Moreover, when I look more closely at him, he's taking a peek at the laying down Leila-chan from time to time. That serious expression, I'm sure he has practiced it for long, right? What a touching effort with the sole purpose to gather girls around him. "Then, Leila-chan, go there." "Eh~" The man quietly makes a triumphant pose, I see it, I see it, you know? Nonetheless, if you really like her that much then please take her away from me, already. If possible, please make her fall for you, if you're able to do it then she'll turn from my stalker into yours, if you do that, then, you know, everyone would be happy. "Don't want to, I want to be together with Kitsune-kun." "I want to stay away from you, though." "Your head has gone worse, isn't it?" Seems like Leila-chan is also at her best form today. Considering just how self-centered she is, I don't know why but somehow that's the conclusion I get. "Now just go there already! Since Kitsune-san has me with him already, after all." "Ahaha, no matter what a bug says, I don't hear anything." "Leila-chan, I told you to don't call her as bug, didn't I?" "But, if I call her bug then Kitsune-kun will come and tried to kill me, right?... that would be the best...." I'm enough with this girl already... thinking so, I send a glance at Rishe-chan, and then, letting out a sight, she sends a gaze toward Leila-chan. "Leila, I don't think I have the right to say it, but... since you're together with us, I think it would be better to be a bit more cooperative, you know? How about starts with abiding Kitsune's word?" "Ufufufu... I have no intention to abiding your word, but, fine, I'll go there. Because I love Kitsune-kun so much, after all!" I don't think it is because Rishe-chan is the one who said it, but Leila-chan somehow consent with it with a somewhat satisfied expression. Seems like she simply wants to get my attention, huh. What a nuisance. Or rather, does she take a liking into it, I wonder, the 'Because I love Kitsune-kun so much, after all' phrase. She always says it every crucial moments, so perhaps she really takes a liking into it, right? Nonetheless, since Leila-chan goes to his side, the man's mood is sky rocketed. He immediately says 'best regard' while pulling out his hand to her, but Leila-chan only says 'best regard~' without taking his hand. His smile is a bit cramped at her reaction, but seems like he's still able to properly maintain his good upfront. This man sure will has a hard time, right? There's also the worst possibility that she might eat your presented hand, you know? "Ah, umm... what's it, ah right, with this our number has been equaled... we'll guard the front, and you take a vigilance at the rear. We'd need around three days to reach Grandile kingdom, so we'll exchange our place at times. You haven't had such experience, right?" "Well then, let's move immediately. Go to your respective post." "Ah wait, let me give you an advice first." Since the plan has been decided, the man immediately takes his weapon and stands to go to his post with both of his women following in kind. However, there's one thing I need to tell him first. Similarly like how he acted as a senior at this guarding request, so I also have to give him an advice as a senior at this field. "Please be careful with Leila-chan, especially... at 'night'." "Ha? What do you mean?" "Well, anyway, at night be careful with anything red, kay? At the worst case, there's a possibility of dying, after all." Looking at the man who inclines his head, I also take my equipment and stand up. Rishe-chan and Lulu-chan are also following in kinds, and start moving. I have no reason to tell him everything, I have no obligation to do so, and I don't feel like I want to do it either. My advice just now was just something akin to a thanks since he properly did his duty as a senior at guarding request. If possible, please don't die, and take Leila-chan away from me. The chance is very slim, but I'm counting on you. Do your best. Finishing our conversation, we start progressing toward Grandile kingdom. --however, I never expected it. That my choice to go to Grandile kingdom is, for me, will give me "A painful despair worse than death itself".

彼女の第一歩 沈黙が続いていた。剣を収め、視線と視線が衝突する。 暗雲立ち込めるとばかりに雲に覆われた夜空の下、誰もいない真っ暗な空間の中で、私と父様は対峙していた。 勝負は着いた。 あとは、父様が私の実力を『騎士』の領域に達しているかどうかの話。私はそれを、父様が口を開くのを、待つだけのこと。 だが、父様は鋭い眼差し―――それこそ戦闘中と何ら変わりない程の眼光を持って、私を見ていた。その一本線の様に閉じられた口は、開く気配を見せない。 「っ......」 私は目を逸らさない。ここで逸らしたら、私は騎士になれないと思った。ここで臆すようであれば、騎士として戦う者には値しない。 「―――......コレは」 不意に、父様が言葉を発した。すると、同時に父様の瞳が翡翠色に煌めきを見せた。『先見の魔眼』が表面に浮き出て来ている証拠だ。私も表面に浮かびあがらせることは出来るけど、効果は発動しない。 私が、何が何でも見たかった景色が......父様の視界にある。少しだけ、羨ましくなった。 「この魔眼は、私達の家系に受け継がれてきた力。我々は常にこの魔眼と共にあったし、この魔眼と共に強くなってきた」 「......はい」 「だが、稀にいるのだ。お前のように魔眼が使えない者が......私は自分の娘がそうだと分かった時、酷く残念だった。しかし、それだけではない......騎士としての才能も無いなどと分かった時、私はこの騎士の血筋の終わりを見た気がした。それは......私にとって最も最悪な未来だった」 父様は、私に失望していたのと同時に、私達の血族の終わりを憂いていたのか。魔眼を使えなかったこと、騎士の才能が無いこと、この二つが父様を苦しめていた。 「だが......どうやら違ったようだ。お前には、ちゃんと戦える力があるのだな......今はそれが、一人の父親としてとても嬉しく思う」 「だが、結果は結果だ。見た所、お前はやはり騎士にはなれない」 「!?」 父様は、言った。私は騎士になれないと。 私は驚愕に目を見開き、何故なのかと父様を見た。すると、父様は魔眼を引っ込めて、言い辛そう......いや言いたくなさそうに言葉を紡ぎ始める。 「見た所、お前の剣は『剣武式』......だが、今の身体の柔軟さと剣を攻撃以外の回避に使う剣術は......『剣武式』というよりは『流鏡式』のそれだ。しかも、それを自覚出来ていないが故に、どちらの剣技にもなり得ていない全く別の剣術へと変化している。これは最早、格式高い騎士の剣技の範疇から大きく外れてしまっている」 「なっ......!」 「お前には、戦う力がある。だが、それは騎士のままではけして『伸びることはない』のだ」 それでは、それではどうすればいいというんだ。私は、生まれてからずっと、大きな騎士の背中を追い続けて来たというのに! たった一つのズレから全てが崩れ去っていたというのか! 私は、騎士には......なれないというのか......? 「だからトリシェ、お前は『冒険者』になれ」 父様の言葉が、私の心にすとんと収まった気がした。 「え......?」 「お前は冒険者になることでもっと伸びる......! だから、お前は冒険者となって強くなれ!」 「で、でも! 私は誰かを護る騎士の姿に憧れて......!」 「異な事を言うな......誰かを護るのに、騎士である必要はないだろう?」 確かに、そうだ。騎士でなくとも、人を護る力があるのならそれを振るってはいけないことにはならない。冒険者とて、人々の為に働く職業だ。そこは騎士とは変わらない。自由でいるか、誇りを貫くか、その違いでしかない。 「あの男、なんといったか」 「きつね......そう名乗っていました」 「きつね......あの男はきっとこの先ずっと高い領域へと昇り詰めるだろうな」 「え?」 「あの男、剣や拳といった武の力とは全く違う......何かを持っているように見えた......トリシェ、しばしあの男に付いていってみてはどうだ? きっと、騎士であれば見れない光景が......それこそ、この魔眼ですら見ることが適わない光景が見られるやもしれんぞ?」 父様は、そう言って笑った。きつねとはあんなに険悪な雰囲気を醸し出していたのに、何故そんなきつねを認めた様な言葉を言うのだろうか? 父様は、あの男に何を見たのだろう。 私は、それがとても気になった。父様がきつねの中に見たもの、そして、この先きつねが見せてくれるという魔眼でも見通せない光景が。 見てみたくなった。 「私は、その光景が見たくなりました」 「ハハハッ、そうかそうか......」 「私は冒険者になります。そしていつか―――」 言葉を切った私の方へ、父様は視線を向けた。怪訝な表情で綺麗なブルーの瞳が私を映す。 私は騎士団長の父様に向けて、ずっと追いかけて来た背中に向かって、憧れていた存在に向かって、 「―――必ず、その背中を越えて見せます」 そう言ってやった。 父様は、好戦的な表情で大胆不敵に笑って見せた。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 翌朝、僕の部屋にリーシェちゃんがやってきた。騎士然としていた防具は付けておらず、腰に下げた剣はそのままだったけどなんだか昨日とは顔付きが違う気がした。整形した? いやいや、そんな訳ないか。 フィニアちゃんもルルちゃんもまだ眠っていて、起こす前にドアがノックされたからこの部屋の中で目を覚ましているのは僕とリーシェちゃんのみだ。 なにやら話があるということで、昨日頑張ったからもしかして告白なんじゃないかとドキドキしながら、僕はリーシェちゃんを向かい合う。 「まずはきつね......ありがとう、私の為に色々と世話を掛けた」 「ああ、うん。まぁ多少疲れたけど命を救ってくれた恩もあったし、気にしなくて良いよ」 どうやら違ったらしい。やっぱり人間そう簡単にモテたりしないか。まぁ、良いけどね、リーシェちゃんは恋愛とかそういうのあまりイメージ浮かばないし。でもアレだよね、リーシェちゃんみたいな子は女の子扱いされると弱そうだよね。ちょっと人見知りな所ある訳だし。 「それで、だな......」 お? これは来たか? 目を逸らしながら、言いにくそうに挙動不審になっているリーシェちゃん、これはまさしく告白前の姿じゃないか? 期待しても良いかな? いいよね! さぁどんと来い! 「きつね、私を冒険者の仲間に入れてくれないか?」 「いいよ! .........ん?」 「そうか......良かった、それじゃあこれからよろしくな!」 告白じゃなかったみたいだ。思わず返事しちゃったけど、まぁいいかな。リーシェちゃんが騎士になれなかった場合は仲間に誘うつもりだったし、手間が省けて良いじゃないか。 「で、リーシェちゃん。ということは騎士になれなかったってこと?」 「ちょっと違うが......父様には認めて貰えた、その上で冒険者になると決めたんだ」 「ちょっと何言ってるか分かんないや」 分かんない、けど、リーシェちゃんがそれでいいなら僕は何も言うことはない。結局、全部丸く収まったって事で、めでたしめでたしだ。 さて、それじゃあまぁフィニアちゃんとルルちゃんを起こそうかな。 「起きて、フィニアちゃん」 「お前は......まさか、死んだ筈の兄さん......生きていたのか......! はっ、おはようきつねさん! リーシェちゃんもいるね! おはよっ!」 「ああ、おはよう」 今日はどうやら生き別れの兄さんが敵だった設定の夢を見ていたらしい。毎晩毎晩別の夢を見ているようだけど、よくもまぁこうもレパートリーが続くものだね、ある意味感心するよ。 次いでルルちゃんを揺すって起こす。彼女はフィニアちゃんと違って素直に起きてくれるから楽でいい。 「ルルちゃん」 「んぅ......おはようございます、きつね様」 眠気眼を擦りながら、しかし意識ははっきりしているようで、しっかり挨拶をするルルちゃん。まだそんなに時間は経っていないけど大分僕との生活に慣れたようだ。お互いが歩み寄った結果とも言えるけど、最低でも僕がルルちゃんを虐げないことは信頼してくれたようだ。良かった良かった。 すると、そんなルルちゃんを見ながらリーシェちゃんが話しかけて来た。 「昨日も気になっていたが......きつね、お前奴隷を買ったのか?」 奴隷が付けている『隷属の首輪』を見ての発言だろうし、彼女は僕とルルちゃんの間にあったことを知らないからそう言うのは仕方ない。 でも、仲間になるなら言っておかないとね。 「うん、でも今はもう僕の家族だ。奴隷と呼ぶことは、リーシェちゃんでも許さない」 「......そうか、悪かった。この国では隠れて奴隷を虐げる者もいるからな......家族として共にいるのなら良いんだ、私もそういうのは好まないからな」 「ルルちゃんは良い子だよ。仲良くしてくれると嬉しいな」 「勿論だ、元は騎士を目指していたんだ、子供を虐げるなんて塵も考えたことはない」 うん、リーシェちゃんとルルちゃんもこの分ならすぐに仲良くなれるだろう。それに、女の子同士だし通じる者もあるだろうし。あれ? フィニアちゃんは妖精だけど、このパーティって男僕だけじゃない? うわ、そう考えたら僕って結構勝ち組なんじゃないかと思えて来た! 「きつねさん! 今日は何をするの?」 フィニアちゃんがそう聞いてくる。うん、仲間も増えたし、元の世界に戻る為の手掛かりもある。今日からはその手掛かりを追う為の準備を始めようと思う。 勇者 得体の知れない、異世界の住人にして魔王を討伐しようと召喚された存在。そして、元の世界に帰る可能性を秘めた異世界人。調べる必要がある。 「その前に、リーシェちゃんが僕達の仲間になったから、紹介だけしておくよ」 「え! そうなの?」 「騎士様になれなかったんです、か?」 僕の言葉に、フィニアちゃん達が反応する。僕達の視線はリーシェちゃんに注がれ、リーシェちゃんはその視線を受けながらふと笑みを浮かべた。 「ああ、改めて自己紹介させてもらう。トリシェ・ルミエイラだ、好きに呼んでくれて構わない。よろしく頼む」 最初に会った時のような自己紹介をするリーシェちゃん。まるでこれが最初の自己紹介のようにも思える。 いや、実際これが最初なんだ。彼女は騎士を追い続けた自分を捨てて、新たな自分へと生まれ変わったんだ。だから、これが生まれ変わった彼女の最初の自己紹介。 「最強妖精フィニアちゃんだよ! よろしくね!」 「えと、ルル・ソレイユです。よろしくお願いします」 「僕はきつねだよ、歓迎するぜ、リーシェちゃん」 僕達はそれに笑みを浮かべながら返す。こうして、僕達に新たな仲間が出来た。

Her First Step The silence is continued. Sheating our swords, our gazes are overlapping. Under the night sky which covered by the dark cloud, inside a dark place without anyone other than us, I and my father are standing facing each other. The battle is over. The rest is, whether my father deem my power is suitable as a 'Knight' or not. I'm just, waiting for my father, to open his mouth about it. But, my father is gazing sharply, similarly like when he was fighting, at me. His mouth which closed and make a solid line, showing no sign of opening. "...." I don't avert my eyes. If I avert my eyes here, I think that I won't be able to become a knight. If I'm hesitated here, I won't worth to fight as a knight. "--...this is..." Suddenly, my father says a word. And then, simultaneously my father's eyes are glittering with green jade light. That is the proof that "Demon eye of foresight" is appeared to the surface. I'm also able to make it appears at my eyes, but I can't activate its effect. The scenery, which I wanted to see by all means... is existed at my father's field of vision. Just a bit, I'm envious at him. "This demon eye is, an ability which is inherited at our family lineage. We're always together with this demon eye, we become stronger together with it." "...yes." "However, there were a rare case. Someone who was unable to use this demon eye similarly like you.... When I realized that she is my own daughter, I was greatly disappointed. But, not just that... I felt that I could see this knight lineage was coming to its end. That was... the worst possible future for me." My father is, simultaneously when he says his disappointment about me, does he feel hard to sever our blood relation. About the fact that I can't use the demon eye, about the fact that I don't have any talent to become a knight, my father is tormented by both of it. "However... it seems like I was wrong. You, have a proper ability to fight... right now, I think that as a father that is a very rejoicing thing." "However, the outcome is still the outcome. From what I could see, as I thought you can't become a knight." "!?" My father is, said that. I can't become a knight. I open my eyes wide in shock, looking at my father as if asking why?. And then, my father canceling his demon eye, and seems difficult to say it... and then ha starts talking as if it is something he doesn't want to say. "From what I could see, your sword technique is {Sword art style} ... however, the technique you just used, aside from your body movement and attacking style is... rather than {Sword art style} it was closer to {Flowing mirror style} . Moreover, seems like you weren't aware of it, but that was a variation style which different from these three style. That was already, greatly strayed from any sword style category which used by any knight with high status." "Wha...!" "You're, have the ability to fight. But, it{won't grow} if you keep becoming a knight." Then, then what should I do. I, even though from the moment I was born, I was always chasing the back of a great knight! Is it all going to crumbled just because of a single deviation! Is that means, I won't be able... to become a knight...? "That's why, Trisha, you should become an{adventurer} ." I feel like, My father words are, reverberating inside my mind. "Eh...?" "Your sword style would grow if you become an adventurer... that's why, you should become a strong adventurer." "B, but! I'm longing for a figure of a knight who protecting someone...!" "Don't say something strange.... If you want to protect someone, that doesn't necessarily means you must become a knight, right?" That is indeed, right. Adventurer is, a job which work for people's sake. That isn't different from knight. Having much freedom, having less pride, these are the only difference. "That man, what is he called as?" "Kitsune... he is called as such." "Kitsune... than man surely would keep ascending to a more higher place." "Eh?" "That man, I could see that he has something... a completely different ability than sword or martial arts...Trisha, how about you try following that man for a while? I'm sure, you'll be able to see scenery which won't be able to seen as a knight... that is, perhaps a scenery which even demon eye is unable to see, you know?" My father is, says so while laughing. Even though Kitsune was always emitting such perilous aura, why does my father says something as if he is recognizing him? My father, what did he see at that man. I'm, very curious about it. The scenery which Kitsune currently see, and the scenery which he's going to see, my father said that it's a scenery which even would be impossible to be seen using demon eye. I want to see it. "I, want to see that scenery." "Hahaha, I see, I see...." "I'm going to become an adventurer. And then someday...." To me who is stopping my words, my father is looking at me. He is dubiously looking at me with his clear blue eyes. I'm facing my father who is a knight leader, facing the back which was always I chase, facing the one I admire, "--without fail, I will surpass that back of yours." And say so. My father is, dauntlessly smiling with belligerent expression. * * * The next morning, Rishe-chan come to my room. Without using her knight armor, her sword is still hung at her waist but I feel that her face is somehow different from yesterday. Did she take a surgery? No no, that's no way possible. Finia-chan and Lulu-chan are still sleeping, before I wake them up, ever since my room's door was knocked those who are awake inside my room are none other than me and Rishe-chan. Seems like she has something to say to me, since I had did my best yesterday could it be she is going to confessing or so I thought with my heart pounding hardly, and so I face Rishe-chan. "Firstly, Kitsune... thank you, you've did so many things for my sake." "Ah, yes. Well, it was somewhat tiring but I had a debt to you for saving my life after all, so you don't have to mind about it." Seems like isn't about it. As I thought human aren't that easily become popular, huh. Well, that's also fine though, since I also can't imagine such view that Rishe-chan fall in love at me after all. Nevertheless, a girl like Rishe-chan seems like weak to be treat as a girl, right. She also has a little shy part at her, after all. "And then, umm..." Oh? Is it finally it? Averting her eyes, Rishe-chan is acting suspiciously as if she want to say something embarrassing, isn't it without a doubt the appearance of someone who is going to confessing? Is it okay if I have a high expectation here? It's okay right! Come on, come and say it! "Kitsune, would you put me into your adventurer comrade?" "Okay! ....hmm?" "I see... thank you, then from now on, please take care of me!" Seems like it wasn't a confession. I spontaneously answer it, but well isn't that fine. I was also intending to take her as my comrade if she was unable to become a knight, after all, isn't it good that I don't need to ask her myself. Or rather, I'm curious about what happened with her trial's result. "Then, Rishe-chan. Does that means you were unable to become a knight?" "That isn't quite right... in order to make my father recognizes me, I decided to become an adventurer." "I'm not quite understand what you're saying." I don't understand, but, if Rishe-chan is good with it then I won't say anything either. In the end, since everything were settled peacefully, everyone lived happily ever after. Well then, I think for now I should wake Finia-chan and Lulu-chan up. "Wake up, Finia-chan." "You 're... could it be, my supposed to dead elder brother... so you're alive...! Ha, good morning Kitunse-san! Rishe-chan is also here, huh! Good morning!" "Ah, good morning." Seem like her dream setting today is her long separated bother appeared again and become her enemy. Each night she sees different dream, but well since she could keep up with that original repertoire, in some sense I admire her. And then I shake Lulu-chan to wake her up. She is easy since different from Finia-chan, she would properly wake up after all. "Lulu-chan." "Hmm... good morning, Kitsune-sama." She is sleepily rubbing her eyes, but seems like she has properly conscious, since she properly greet me. It hasn't that long since she lives together with me, but it seems like she is considerably got used to my livelihood already. You could say that it's the result of us compromising each other, but it seems like at least she has believed me that I won't oppress her. Thanks god, thank god. And then, while looking at such Lulu-chan, Rishe-chan come to talk at me. "I've been wondering since yesterday, but... Kitsune, did you buy a slave?" That is statement which come because she saw the "Slavery chocker" which usually attached to a slave, since she seems like doesn't know about my time with Lulu-chan so it can't be helped if she ask me about it. But, if we're going to be comrades then then I must tell her about it. "Yes, but now she's my family. Calling her a slave, I won't forgive it even if it's you." "...I see, that's good then. At this country there were many people who oppressed their hidden slaves after all... it's good if you're living together as a family, since I also prefer that way, after all." "Lulu-chan is a good child. I'll be glad if you're able to get along with her." "Of course, I was originally someone who intended to become a knight, so I have no even a micro scale of thought to oppress her." Yup, at this rate Rishe-chan and Lulu-chan would be able to get along, too. Moreover, since both of them are girls so they should be able to open up their heart easily. Hmm? Finia-chan is a fairy, but aren't I the only male at this party? Uwah, if I think about it, isn't it means I'm quite a winner here! "Kitsune-san! What are we going to do today?" Finial-chan ask me that. Yup, my comrade have increased, and I also had got a clue about a way to return to my former world. I think it would be better for me to start my preparation to follow that clue from now on. Hero. I don't know what kind of person he is, but he's an otherworlder who was summoned as the one who would subjugate the demon lord. And then, an otherworlder who has the possibility to return to his former world. There's a need to investigate him. "Before that, since Rishe-chan has become our comrade, how about we introduce ourselves first?" "Eh! Is that so?" "Did you perhaps failed to become a knight?" At my word, Finia-chan and Lulu-chan reacted. Our gazes are focused on Rishe-chan, Rishe-chan is smiling while receiving those gazes. "Ah, let me introduce myself once again. I'm Trisha Rumiela, you could call me whatever you like. From now on, please take care of me." Rishe-chan introduces herself similarly like when we first met. I feel as if this is our first self-introduction. No, practically this is indeed our first. Casting away her past self who always running to become a knight, and reborn as someone new. That's why, this is the first self-introduction of her new self. "I'm the strongest Fairy, Finia! Best regards!" "Umm, my name is Lulu Soleil-desu. I'm looking forward to work together with you-desu." "I'm Kitsune, I welcome you, Rishe-chan." We're replying so while smiling. And like that, we get a new comrade. Trisha Rumiela-- a girl who was unable to become a knight.

調べて見ると、まぁ叩けば出る埃の様に出るわ出るわ、この街の近況や人々の抱える問題について様々な問題が出てきた。 曰く、街の領主が街の住人の意見を取り入れようとしないだとか、曰く税金が例年高くなっているとか、曰く政治を取り仕切る貴族達の動きが最近怪しいだとか、そんな政治的な悪評が数多く出てくる。随分とこの街は腐った部分が多いみたいだ。それこそ、街の住人に隠し切れていない程には。 でもその中でも気になる噂を聞いた。 ―――とある貴族が領主の指示で没落させられ、逃亡している。 『とある貴族』、とあるけれど、政治関連を取り締まっているのもまた『貴族』だ。なのに、その貴族の中でも格差問題が出ているらしい。没落させられた、というからには領主よりも二つ三つ格下の貴族......言えば下級貴族の家だろう。 僕は貴族に詳しい訳ではないから、どんな貴族の家があって、どれほどの地位を得ているのかなんて知りもしない。 でももしも、もしもだ。今僕の隣に居るニコちゃんの家名―――『アークス家』という貴族が存在しているとしたら、その噂の没落貴族というのは、ニコちゃんの家のことなんじゃないだろうか? そして、当然のことながら貴族であっても税金を納めるのは当然の義務。没落すれば税金を納められないことは自明の理だ。 それなら騎士に追い回されるのも筋が通るし、家も差し押さえられているとすれば、帰る場所がないという事もなるだろうし、髭が伸びっぱなしだったのも容姿に気を回す余裕がなかったとなれば納得がいく。 問題は、何故ニコちゃんの家を没落させる必要があったのか、だ。 彼らの狙いが、あのニコちゃんのお父さんにあるんだとすれば、ニコちゃんをわざわざ探す必要はない。当然、あのザマじゃあのお父さんはとっくに捕まっているだろうし、それなら彼らの目的は『ニコ・アークス』にあるってことなんだろうけれど......ステータスを見る限りじゃ特別なスキルを持っているわけでもなければ、特殊な称号や、秀でたステータスもない。 というか没落させた時点でニコちゃんはもう『貴族』じゃないから、それにも意味が無くなって来るかも知れない。 「......ふーむ、推測でしかないけれど......向こうの目的が見えてこないなぁ」 さてさて、相手の全容も目的も分からないこの状況で、僕は相手に目を付けられちゃったわけだけど、どうしたものかなぁ。 とまぁそれはさておき、現在、僕とニコちゃんはとりあえず情報収集をしていてお腹が空いたから、昼食ということで宿へ戻って来ている。 食料や馬車の購入の時に僕は有り金を使い果たしちゃったからね、宿に戻って購入した食料を料理して食べることにしたんだ。 旅路用の食料を使うのは少し勿体ない気もするけれど、この際仕方ない。心苦しいけど、レイラちゃんの懐に頼ることにして、次の街で纏まったお金を稼ごう。 「おいしいかい?」 「んむッ......んく......うん」 「それは良かった」 年齢は聞いていないけれど、恐らくは四歳位だと予想しているので、パンを使ってフレンチトースト紛いの物を作ってあげた。噛みやすいし、飲み込みやすいから喉に詰まらせる危険性も少ない筈だ。 とはいえ初めて食べたのか、恐る恐る手を伸ばし、一口食べてからというもの、夢中で喰らい付くようになった。どうやら気に入ってくれたらしい。 まぁ家の家事は全て僕がやっていたから、嫌でも料理の腕は上がったよ。中々大変だったけどね、あの頃は。 「......」 「......ああ、おかわりね」 「♪」 ニコちゃんはどうやら良く良く図太い神経をしているらしい。僕達なんて良く知らない相手だろうし、自分がどういう状況に置かれているのかも分からないのに、ご飯には妥協しないんだね。はっきり言って逆に感心するよ。ある意味将来有望だ、大物になるよ、こういう子は。 それにしても、レイラちゃんとリーシェちゃんはどうしてるかな。騎士達の様子を上手く探れていれば良いんだけど、もしかしたら僕の事を見つけたあの男からの情報で、何か面倒事に巻き込まれている可能性もある。 レイラちゃんもいるからあまり心配はしていないけれど、リーシェちゃんと仲良くしている姿が想像出来ない。不安だなぁ......。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 桔音達が住民達から領主の情報を収集している最中で、レイラとリーシェの行動は難航していた。 というのも、真面目に情報収集をしようとするリーシェに対して、レイラのやる気が全力で急降下していたからだ。 桔音と離れているというのが大きな要因だが、元々一人で活動していた頃は、自由気侭に活動していた彼女だ、桔音という―――『目的』であり、一番にして唯一の『興味対象』が傍にいない今、彼女は何をしたいという訳でもないのだ。 無論、情報収集など面倒臭いのでやりたくはない。 「おいレイラ! 何処へ行くんだ!」 「えー、別に何処でも良いじゃない......私の勝手でしょ?」 「きつねに情報収集を頼まれただろう」 「めんどくさいんだもん......貴女がやってよ」 レイラは桔音と話している時とは打って変わって、とてもぶっきらぼうな態度だった。まるで母親に叱られてむくれる子供の様に、リーシェの言葉に頬を膨らませてぶーたれている。 赤い瞳を半眼にして、何処へ行く訳でもなくスタスタと歩いて行ってしまう。リーシェはそれを慌てて追いかけた。 「ま、待てレイラ!」 リーシェはそんな自分勝手で我儘に行動するレイラに内心焦る。実は桔音にも仲良くする様に言われている、だから最低でも日常会話を交わすことくらいは出来るようになりたいと思っているのだ。 だが、幾らリーシェが歩み寄ろうとレイラの方があちらこちらへと離れて行ってしまう故に、その距離は一向に縮まらない。どうしたものかと頭を抱えるばかりだ。 すると、リーシェはレイラの行動を思い返して、一つのアイデアを捻りだす。 騎士としての訓練で色っぽい話も無く、また恋愛的な話も苦手だった故に、レイラが桔音の事を好きだということは分かるのだが、それどうこうするなんてことは思い付かない。 だが、この時ばかりは、彼女の頭の中でこれこそ正解だろうという案が出たのだ。 「―――あ、あーあ、情報収集を真剣にやって役に立てばきつねにもいっぱい褒められるのになぁー!」 ぴたり、レイラの動きが止まった。 そして、くるっとリーシェの方に顔を向ける。その表情は何処か嬉しそうで、先程までの不機嫌そうな表情はどこへやら、転じて上機嫌な表情になっていた。 「ほんと? きつね君褒めてくれるかな?」 「あ、ああきっと褒めてくれると、思う」 「ほんとに? きつね君頭撫でてくれるかな? ぎゅーってしてくれるかな?」 「う......それは分からないが、きっときつねも喜ぶと思うぞ?」 「そっかぁ......うふふっ♪ じゃあ情報収集頑張ろうかなぁ♪」 レイラは何を想像したのか楽しげに笑うと、身体を揺らしながら上機嫌に歩いて行く。リーシェもそれを追うように歩きだす。 リーシェはレイラが情報収集をするという言葉を出したことで、一先ずほっと安堵の息を吐く。 だが、次の瞬間その表情は引き攣ることになる。何故なら、 ―――レイラがその身体から黒い瘴気を溢れさせ、辺り一面に拡散させたからだ。 その瞬間に思い出したのは、桔音から教えられたこと。レイラは瘴気を操る魔族であり、『赤い夜』である。そしてその瘴気には、人間を『赤い夜』へと変えることが出来る性質があると。 「レイラ! 何をっ!?」 「んー? じょーほーしゅーしゅーだよ♪」 だが、レイラは焦るリーシェとは対照的に、飄々とそう言った。 彼女がやっているのは、何も感染させて『赤い夜』を量産しようということではない。彼女の使う瘴気には、あらゆる使い方と言うモノがある。 例えば、瘴気を固めて物質化すること。 例えば、瘴気を拡散させて空間把握をすること。 例えば、瘴気で生物に干渉し、『赤い夜』へと変貌させること。 今回は二つ目の空間把握の応用の様な使い方だ。拡散させた瘴気は目に見えない程に細かく空気に溶け、広範囲に散り散りとなる。 レイラは今回それを空間把握ではなく、音の振動を感知して広範囲の音を集めることに使ったのだ。これにより、彼女は広範囲の会話や物音を集め、情報を集めたのだ。 「......周囲の人間に影響は無いのか?」 リーシェは、恋する乙女の様にとても可愛らしく笑ってそう言うレイラに対し、恐怖を抱いた。もしも、自分が桔音に恋をしたとしたら、おそらくレイラはどれほど自分と仲が良かったとしても自分を殺しただろう、そう確信出来た。 「......そうか、そう、だな」 「うふふうふふふ♪ それじゃあ頑張ろっか、情報収集♡ ね? リーシェ♪」 そう言ったレイラの言葉には、桔音に対する気持ちが籠っていた。なにもかも、桔音の為。 うふふと笑うレイラの赤い瞳の奥に、うっすらとハートマークを幻視したリーシェだった。 「......きつねの前とそうでない時では、別人の様だな......」 リーシェは、レイラに聞こえない様にそう呟き、せめてレイラの邪魔にならない様に大人しくしていることにした。 ◇ それからしばらくして、彼女達も昼食の為に宿へと戻る。 だが、桔音の考えていたように、レイラとリーシェの仲は良くならなかった。寧ろ、リーシェとレイラの間には、人間と魔族という種族の壁が立ち塞がってしまったのかもしれない。

After investigating for a bit, well perhaps it's just as we expected in one of the possible scenarios, I found out that there are various problems in this town, either it regarding the current states or about the citizens. Like, the feudal lord of this town who doesn't put the citizen's opinions into his eyes, the tax that is very high, and recently the nobles who govern this town have made some suspicious movements, such typical corrupt nobles' deeds. But there's a certain rumor that piques my interest. --a certain noble was ruined by the feudal lord's order, and then ran away. "A certain noble", it's 'a certain' but, people who govern this town are also "nobles". And yet, it seems like there are disparity problems even among those nobles themselves. Because they were "ruined", perhaps they were two or three ranks lower than the feudal lord... or you could say, lower level noble house. I'm not too well-informed about nobles, so I don't know either which noble house it was, or how great the influences they possessed. But if, strictly speaking of possibility, if by any chance the one who's walking next to me, Niko-chan, her family name of "Arcs" was actually a name of a noble house, then that rumor about the ruined noble, wasn't that about Niko-chan's house? Also, even if they're nobles, of course they're still obliged to pay tax. And now that they've been ruined, they can't affor to pay it. If that's really the case, it wouldn't be strange for them to be chased after by the knights, and if their house was seized as well, that means they had no home to return to, that also explains his unkempt and agitated state back then. The problem is, why did Niko-chan's house have to be ruined? If their aim was something Niko-chan's father possessed, then they wouldn't have any need to search for Niko-chan as well. Also, in that state it's obvious that most likely he'd been chaught already, so that means their aim has something to do with "Niko Arcs" or something, huh... when I peeked at her status, I didn't see either special looking skill, special title, or exceptional status on her, in other word she's just a normal child, and that also means that their aim should have something to do with her being "the child of a noble", huh... but I just can't think of what use of such a thing is. Or rather, given the fact that her house is already ruined, she isn't a "noble" any longer, so perhaps those things are also meaningless already. "...hmm, I've been doing some guesswork, but... I just can't think of what their aim is." Well then, at the state where I don't know what their aim is, they already put a mark on me so, what should I do, I wonder? But well, let's put that matter aside, currently, because we'd been going here and there to investigate, we'd grown hungry, so we decided to return to the inn to have some lunch. I'd spent most of my money to buy our supply and renting carriage, thus we decide to return to the inn and cook some of our purchased supply for lunch. I do think that it's kind of waste to use some of our journey supply here, but I also have no other choice here. I really don't want to do it but, for the time being let's rely on Leila-chan's pocket, and then earn our money when we've arrived at the next town. "Is it tasty?" "Nm... *gulp*... yes." "Glad to hear that." I hasn't asked how old she is, but she seems to be around four-year old, so I made her an imitation of French toast using a bread. It's easy to chew and swallow, so there should be slight chance for it choke her throat. Be that as it may, perhaps it's her first time eating something like this, at first she timidly reached out her hands to it, but after trying a mouthful of it, she's now engrossed nibbling on it. Seems like she takes quite a liking to it. Well, I did chores on my own, so I have no choice but to get used to cook. At that time, it was quite an ordeal, though. "...." "...ah, another one, right?" "" Seems like Niko-chan has a considerably bold nerve. She knows nothing about us, perhaps she also doesn't know the precidament she is currently in, and yet she doesn't yield in the slightless about food. Nevertheless, what's the situation on Leila-chan and Rishe-chan's side, I wonder? It'd be great if they could manage to investigate the circumstance around the knights, but there's also a possibility that they might be in some kind of trouble because of the information about me from that man. Leila-chan is also there so I'm not that worried about their well being, but I just can't imagine the scene where she acts friendly with Rishe-chan. That makes me worried instead.... * * * Around the same time when Kitune was gathering informations about the feudal lord from the citizens, on Leila and Rishe's side, things weren't going that smoothly. That was because, in contrast to Rishe who was seriously gathering informations, Leila's motivation was wholefully rock bottom. The main case was because she was separated from Kitsune, but ever since the time when she was living alone, she always acted on her own way, so right now, in the situation where her "target" and her sole "interest holder", Kitsune, wasn't there, she had no motivation to do anything at all. Of course, she also thought that information gathering was bothersome, so she didn't want to do it etiher. "Oi, Leila! Where are you going?" "Eh, it doesn't matter where I'm going to, does it?" "We were asked by Kitsune to look for information, weren't we?" "That's bothersome, after all... just do it on your own." Completely different from the time she was conversing with Kitsune, Leila was very blunt with her. As if a child who got angry because of being scolded by her mother, she bluntly rejected Rishe's words regardless. With her red eyes half-closed, she suddenly began briskly walking without any clear objective. Seeing that, Rishe flusteredly chased after her. "W, wait, Leila!" Rishe was flustered at such selfish and willful Leila. Actually, Kitsune once asked her to befriend Leila, so that was why she wanted to make it so that at the very least they could hold conversation normally. However, no matter however much Rishe reached out to her, if Leila herself had no thought about extending her hand to her as well, they wouldn't be able to close up that gap. 'What should I do, I wonder?', Rishe kept pondering as such. And then, recalling Leila's usual behavior, a certain idea flashed into her mind. There was no romantic story during the period she was practicing as a knight, and she was also bad at such topic, but she was well aware that Leila was in love with Kitsune, and yet she was unable to reason that fact. However, this very moment, "this is the right choice", such thought flashed into her mind. "...a, aah~, if we gather information properly, I think Kitsune will surely praise us~." Suddenly, Leila stopped her legs. And then, she turned around and face Rishe. There was a hint of joy in her face, her sullen expression up until now was nowhere to be seen, and happy expression took its place instead. "Really? Will I be praised by Kitsune-kun?" "Umm, yeah, I'm sure you will, I think." "Really really? Will I be patted on the head by Kitsune-kun, I wonder? Will I be hugged tightly, I wonder?" "Umm... I don't know about that, but I do think Kitsune will surely be happy, you know?" "I see... ufufufu, then I think I'll do my best to gather information." While smiling and imagining something in good mood, Leila walked forward happily even while swinging her body. Rishe walked as well as if to chase after her. Hearing that Leila would also do the information gathering, Rishe heaved out a sigh of relieve for once. However, the next instance, her expression stiffened. That was because... ...from Leila's body, dark miasma was overflowing and spreading all around. At that very moment, she recalled about what Kitsune once said to her, that Leila was demon who manipulated miasma, "Red Night". And also about those miasma, he said that it had property that could turn human into "Red Night" as well. "Leila! What are you doing?" "Hmm? It's In~for~ma~tion~ga~the~ring~, you know~?" However, in contrast to Rishe's flustered state, Leila herself was very flippant. What she was doing wasn't mass producing "Red Night" by infecting everyone there. There were several ways to manipulate miasma. Like, solidifying and materializing them. Like, scattering them to probe the surrounding area. Like, infecting living being and turn them into "Red Night". This time she was using the second way where she probed the surrounding using the miasma. The spreaing miasma was very small to the point almost invisible, and the sensor range was also vast. However, this time, she didn't use them to probe the surrounding itself, she used them to gather every sounds by probing its vibration. Herewith, by gathering every sounds of conversation around, she was gathering information. "...will that affect the people here?" If, if by any chance she fell in love with Kitune as well, no matter how close they were, Leila would surely come and kill her, or so she believed. "...I see, you are, right." "Ufufufu, then let's stop being so obstinate, and gather information, right, Rishe~?" Those words from Leila, they were filled with her feeling for Kitsune. Everything, was for Kitsune. While Leila was happily laughing, there were faint heart mark images on both of her eyes. "...when she isn't in front of Kitsune, she looks like a completely different person...." Rishe muttered so in a voice that couldn't be heard, and decided to stay put there so that she wouldn't disrupt Leila. * After a short while, both of them returned to the inn to have lunch as well. However, just as Kitsune thought, Leila and Rishe hadn't become closer at all. Or rather, it felt as though a race barrier, human and demon, had appeared between them.

子供の作り方とは さて、グランディール王国の領域から完全に出た僕達は、ヒグルドさんを御者に次の街へと進んでいた。 次の街はルークスハイド王国の庇護下の街だ。といっても、ルークスハイド王国が近いというわけではなく、それだけルークスハイド王国の領土が広いということだ。 ヒグルドさんに聞くところによると、ルークスハイド王国は各街にもちゃんとしたギルドを設置しているらしい。本国と変わらぬ設備と冒険者の質が、領土全域に散りばめられている故に、何処の街も本国と変わらぬ戦力を誇っているとのことだ。 冒険者の平均ランクは、EからD。Fランク冒険者は殆ど存在せず、その上Cランクの冒険者やそれ以上の冒険者も数えるほどだが存在しているらしい。なんだかHランクの冒険者の僕がいるのって気が引けない? 僕にルークスハイド王国勧めたの誰だよ......ああ、グランディールギルドの冒険者だっけ。 とはいえ、僕の耐性値はAランクの下位くらいはあるんだし、大丈夫かな。レイラちゃんもいるし、グランディール王国よりかはマシだろう。 「ねぇねぇきつね君」 そんなことを考えていると、レイラちゃんが不意に話し掛けてきた。ずっとぴったりくっついているからちょっと暑くなってきた。視線を向ければ、レイラちゃんにひっついていたニコちゃんは、レイラちゃんの膝枕でお昼寝中だった。世界広しと言えど、 僕には全く懐かないのに、子供に好かれるレイラちゃんには、ちょっと羨ましいなぁと思ってしまう。僕は元の世界でも子供に好かれなかったから、少しくらいは子供に好かれてみたい。 「何? おしっこでも漏れそうなの?」 「ううん、そうじゃなくて、暇なの♪ 何か話してようよー♪」 「話すって何をだよ......レイラちゃんが食べて来た人の話?」 「んー......それでも良いけど......きつね君の話♡」 僕の話? はは、僕の話なんてつまらないことこの上ないじゃないか。しかもレイラちゃんに遭ったのはこの世界にきて間もない頃だったし、それ以前の話となると、大狼に肩を叩かれた事くらいしかないよ? 「何が聞きたいの?」 「きつね君のちっちゃい頃の話、とか?」 「ちっちゃい頃の話、ねぇ......ちっちゃい頃はそうだなぁ......」 うーん、思い出してみると碌な事が無いなぁ。幼児虐待に校内虐め、その上同級生による集団リンチで死亡、話す内容が全くない。薄っぺらい思い出ばっかりだなぁ。 「特にこれといった思い出は無いね」 「えー、つまんないの」 ぶー、と頬を膨らませて不満顔のレイラちゃん。そう言われても僕は、何か話す様な思い出は無いんだよね。それに、レイラちゃんを楽しませる様な話が出来るわけでもない。僕は物書きじゃないからね。 ガタガタと馬車が揺れる音が響く中、僕はレイラちゃんに対して薄ら笑いを向けた。そこで一旦会話が途切れ、荷馬車の中に沈黙が訪れる。気まずいという訳ではないけれど、なんだか微妙な空気が流れていた。 僕は瘴気のお手玉をやってるから暇ではないけれど、リーシェちゃんは剣の手入れを終えて、さっきからイメージトレーニングをやってるみたいだし、レイラちゃんは暇なのか自分の膝を枕に寝ているニコちゃんのほっぺたを突いていた。ぷにぷにと彼女の指が、ニコちゃんの頬を弄り、その度にニコちゃんが唸っている。 そこで、ニコちゃんを見て笑っていたレイラちゃんが、ふと思い出した様に顔を上げた。 「ねぇきつね君♪」 「何?」 「この前ニコと話してて聞かれたことがあるの! でも私は分からなかったから、今度きつね君に聞こうと思ってたんだけど......聞いても良い?」 レイラちゃんが分からなかったこと? そんなの僕に分かるのかな? 子供の質問って結構エグイ所攻めてくるから怖いよねぇ......でもまぁ、聞くだけなら聞いてあげよう。僕はレイラちゃんの視線に、僕の視線を合わせて聞く姿勢を取る。 すると、レイラちゃんはとんでもない質問をぶち込んできた。 「―――赤ちゃんってどうやって作るの?」 「ぶふっ!?」 集中していたリーシェちゃんが噴き出す程だった。 リーシェちゃんに目を向けると、恥ずかしかったのか顔を赤くして咳払いをし始める。まぁ確かに平凡な家庭の子供の質問なら、答えにくい質問ナンバーワンに輝く質問だよね。ちなみに、母親か父親が離婚もしくは死去している家庭なら『僕の 僕はレイラちゃんの顔を見る。すると、リーシェちゃんが噴き出したのが不思議だったのか、きょとんとした表情で首を傾げていた。 これは多分、マジで分からないんだろうなぁ......子供の作り方。まぁ僕もレイラちゃんの過去というか、素性を知っている訳じゃないから何とも言えないけど、 うんと幼い頃に感染して、その後僕に会うまで暴走状態でいたっていうんなら、最低限の性教育を受けてなくても辻褄が合うし、知らなくても不思議じゃないよね。 「ねぇねぇ、きつね君? 知ってるの? 教えてよー」 僕の服を掴んで揺すって来るレイラちゃん。その瞳は、血の様に赤い色をしている癖に、子供の様に純粋に輝いていた。可愛い。 「子供の作り方かぁ......そうだね、ぶっちゃけ性行為をしたら出来るよ」 「きつねぇ! お前ちょっとぶっちぇけすぎだりょ!!」 「噛んでる、噛んでるよリーシェちゃん。慌て過ぎだ、なんだよ『ぶっちぇけ』って」 ラッパーかお前は。そう突っ込みたくなる様な噛み方で、僕達の会話に介入してくるリーシェちゃん。さてはお前、処女だな? ぶっチェケラ! YO! なんちゃって。 それはさておき、レイラちゃんはまた怪訝な表情を浮かべている。性行為が分かってない様子だ。こういう時、続けて『性行為って何?』という質問が出る。答え辛い質問に勇気を振り絞って答えたら、自分の首を絞めていたっていう典型パターンだ。 「性行為ってなぁに?」 「ハイ来ましたー」 予想通りだった。というかレイラちゃん、君あれだけ僕に対して発情しといて内面そんなピュアなの? その純粋な視線を送るの止めてくれないかな、なんだか居た堪れなくなるだろ。 それはリーシェちゃんも一緒なのか、レイラの視線に対して目を逸らして若干頬を紅潮させている。まぁ説明するのは難しいよね。でも、リーシェちゃん。ここで質問の返答を焦らすと子供は凄いこと言いだすんだよ? 例えば――― 「あ! じゃあきつね君やってみせて♪ その性行為って奴!」 ―――こんなこと。 純粋天然培養の肉食系ヤンデレ魔族がなにか言いだしたと思えば何だこの状況。僕は奥手で真面目なチェリーボーイなんだぞ、大事に護ってきた童貞を此処で捨てるなんて勿体ないだろう。一回捨てたら二度と手に入らないんだぞ! その辺分かってるのか! それに、相手がいないだろ相手が。 「レイラちゃん、性行為は男女の二人組でやることだから、僕一人じゃ出来ないよ」 無自覚で変なことばかり言うレイラちゃんの頭を一発引っ叩いておいた。レイラちゃんが叩かれた拍子に痛いと言ったが、実際はそうでもないだろう。だって僕の筋力値じゃレイラちゃんの耐性値越えられないし。寧ろ僕の叩いた手の方が痛い。まぁ僕の耐性値は高いから直ぐに治るけど。 「あのね、レイラちゃん。仕方ないから一から順を追って説明してあげるよ」 「え? うん♪ 教えて教えて♪」 「きつね、その......良いのか教えても?」 「だったらどう誤魔化せばいいの?」 「......地面から生えてくるとか......」 リーシェちゃんの頭も一回引っ叩いておいた。今度は耐性値超えたからそれなりに痛い筈だ。とりあえず、リーシェちゃんは無視してレイラちゃんに子供の作り方を順を追って説明しよう。 「レイラちゃん、まずは男の子と女の子の違いは分かる?」 「んー、男の子はちょっとお肉が固いかも......女の子は柔らかいから食べやすくて良いよね♪ 味はどっちも同じくらいだけど♡」 「肉の話はしてねぇよ」 男女の違いの説明でまさかの肉の話に移動するとは思わなかったよ。 「えーと、まず男女では身体の構造に違いがあるんだよ」 「男の人はおっぱいないもんね♪」 「そうそう、まず女性にはおっぱいがあって、男性にはないんだよ。それと、もう一つ違いがあるんだ」 「えー......髪の長さとか?」 「いや違う。生殖器が違うんだよ」 この辺説明するの面倒だなぁ、レイラちゃんなら説明途中で『分かんないから見せて』とか言ってきそう。好奇心の塊だからなぁ、こういう時の子供は。慎重に行かないと。 「生殖器?」 「生殖器っていうのは、赤ちゃんを作る為の器官だよ。男女共に股間に付いてるんだ。男性のは陰茎、女性のは膣っていうんだ」 「私やきつね君にも付いてるの?」 「付いてるよ。で、男性の陰茎を、女性の膣にぶち込めば子供が出来るんだ。終わり」 「大分端折ったな!?」 説明が面倒だから簡潔に説明した。というか、何故僕が子供の作り方を丁寧に教えないといけないんだ。リーシェちゃんだって恥ずかしがってるくせに興味津々だったし、子供の作り方なんて結局はそういうことじゃないか。 まぁ経験ないけどね、そんな相手いなかったけどね。悲しくなんて無いよ、だって僕はそんなの興味ないし。真面目だから、健全な青少年だから。 「何? レイラちゃん」 「きつね君のいんけい? 見せて♪」 案の定そう言ってきたレイラちゃんの頭を、もう一回引っ叩いておいた。リーシェちゃんにも同様のお願いをしていたけれど、結局見せてはくれなかったようだ。極めつけに、ニコちゃんの服を脱がそうとした時には、僕とリーシェちゃんが全力で止めた。 結局、この後もう少しだけ恥じらいとマナーとモラルについて、教育する破目になった。 それからしばらく走り続け、お昼頃になった時、馬の休憩を踏まえてお昼ご飯を取ることにした。幸いなことにリーシェちゃんは料理が得意と知っていたので、買っておいた食料と、簡易料理セットで何か簡単に作ってもらう。その間、僕達は周囲の警戒だ。魔獣とかが出て来てもおかしくないからね。 ちなみに、今いるのはちょっとした林の中だ。ミニエラの近くにあった森ほど、木々は多くないし、陽の光を塞ぐほどの木もない。馬車が通れるように道が出来ているし、昼間だからかそんなに危険を感じる事もない。 あと、ヒグルドさんにも『いんけい見せて♪』と言い寄っていたレイラちゃんには、一応それなりに詳細を叩き込んだ。そういうことを聞いたらいけないってことと、本当に好きな人以外には見せたりしてはいけないってことは、ちゃんと理解して貰えたようだ。 まぁその直後に『じゃあ私ときつね君は見せあっても平気だよね♪ だって私はきつね君が大好きだもん♡』と言われた時には、もう溜め息しか出なかった。とりあえず好きな相手でもほいほい見せてはいけないと教えた。でかい子供を持った気分だった。 そんなことを考えていると、僕を中心に半径200m位で展開していた瘴気の索敵範囲の中、人の気配があることに気が付いた。動きが無い所を見ると、どうも怪しい。こちらに気が付いている風でもないし、一体どういうことだろう? そう思って、ヒグルドさんに少し離れることを言ってから、その気配に近づいてみることにした。 木々の間を通り抜けて、その気配に近づいていく。人数は一人、立っているというよりは地面に寝転んでいるようだ。もしかして倒れてる? そして、その気配が肉眼で確認出来る所までやって来ると、そこには白髪の少女がいた。というか、木に凭れる体勢で倒れていた。白髪だからか使徒ちゃんかと警戒したけど、どうやら違うみたいだ。 近づいてみると、年齢は僕と同年代か、一個上位に見える。背は僕より高いみたいだけど、長い白髪の所為か若干大人びて見えた。 「ん? これはこの人の荷物かな?」 すると、そのすぐ傍に大きな荷物袋が置いてあった。多分、この人の荷物だろう。 それにしても、なんでこんなところに倒れているんだろう? 「......とりあえず連れていこうかな」 ただ、このまま放置するのはちょっと気が引けたから、瘴気でその人と大きな荷物を持って、皆の所に戻ることにした。

How to make a baby Now, having completely left the territory of Grandile kingdom, we are moving on to the next city with Higurd-san as our coachman. The next city is a city under the jurisdiction of the Rookshade Kingdom. However, it doesn't mean the city is close Rookshade kingdom, it means Rookshade Kingdom's territory is just that vast. According to Higurd-san, it seems that Rookshade Kingdom has a guild built in each city. They have the same facilities and quality of adventurers scatters throughout their territory, so every city boast power as strong as the home country. The average rank of the adventurers there is from E to D. There are hardly any F-ranked adventurers, as for C-ranked adventurers and above, although not innumerable, there are still plenty enough of them there. How should I put it, isn't it kida awkward for an H rank adventurer like me to head there? Who was it that recommend me to head to Rookshade Kingdom again? ... Ah, I think it's one of the advetuers in Grandile guild. Nevertheless, my resistance state is that of A rank, so I should be fine, perhaps. There's also Leila-chan with me anyway, so things should be better than we were at Grandile Kingdom. "Hey, hey, Kitsune-kun." While I'm thinking about such a thing, Leila-chan suddenly calls out to me. We've been seated while sticking close to together for so long, so it's getting a little hot. When I turn toward her, I see that Nico-chan, who had been sticking to Leila-chan, is taking a nap on her lap pillow. The world may be wide, but I think Nico-chan is the only person who can sleep on the lap pillow of a world-destroying (S-rank) demon. Doesn't she like Leila-chan too much? Did something happen between them? Even though Nico-chan doesn't seem to like me at all, I'm a little jealous of Leila-chan who's liked by her. I didn't get liked by children in my former world either, so I'd like to experience to be liked by them ever for only a little bit. "What is it? Do you think your pee is going to leak?" "Umm, no, that's not it, I'm bored . So let's have a chat ." "Chat about what? ... Do you want to talk about the people you've been eating, Leila-chan?" "Mmm .... I don't mind, but.... I want to talk about your, Kitsune-kun ." About me? Haha, there's nothing interesting about me, though! Moreover, I met Leila-chan wasn't long after I just came to this world, if we're talking about something before that, then that only left the time when I got my shoulder broken by that big wolf. "What do you want to hear?" "What about, when you were little, Kitsune-kun?" "When I was little, huh.... when I was little, let's see...." Hmm, as far as I can remember, there's nothing worth mentioning. Abused at home, bullied at school, and then died after getting ganged up on by classmates, there's nothing worth talking about. I only have such trivial memories, huh. "I don't think I have any memorable memories." "Eeh, that's boring." Leila-chan with makes a dissatisfied expression with her cheeks puffed out. Even if she says so, it's not that I have any memories worth talking about, after all. Moreover, it's not like I can create a story that would amuse Leila-chan either. I'm not a writer, after all. As the sound of the rattling carriage echoes, I give Leila a thin smile. Then the conversation is cut short and silence spreads in the wagon. It's not to the point of being awkward, but the mood is kinda delicate. I can play juggling with miasma ball so I don't particularly bored, and having have finished maintaining her sword, Rishe-chan seems to have been doing an image-training for a while now, so perhaps finding her bored with nothing better to do, Leila-chan is poking Nico-chan's cheeck, as she's asleep in her lap pillow. She keeps on poking Nico-chan's squishy cheeks with her finger, causing her to groan each time. And then, Leila-chan, who's staring Nico-chan while laughing, suddenly lifts her head, as if just recalling something. "Say, Kitsune-kun !" "What's it?" "While I was talking to Nico the other day, she asked me something! But I didn't know the answer myself, so I thought I'd ask you about it when I had the chance, Kitsune-kun, but... is it okay if I ask?" Something Leila doesn't know? Do I even know about it then? Children's questions are sometimes pretty critical, so it's kinda scary. ...... But, well, I'll at least hear it out. I take a listening stance where my gaze meets with Leila-chan's. Then, Leila throws me a very outrageous question. "... How do you make a child?" "Bufu?!" Rishe-chan, who is meditating, is even taken aback. When I turn to Rishe-chan, perhaps embarrassed, she begins coughing with her face flushed red. Well, among all of the questions of a child from a normal family, it's certainly the one that shines as the number one most difficult question to answer. By the way, in the family where the mother or father were divorced or even dead, the question of "Where is my mother (father)?" was also difficult to answer. I stare at Leila-chan's face. And then, perhaps in wonder why Rishe-chan is taken aback, Leila-chan is showing a bewildered expression. This matter, she probably seriously doesn't understand about it.... how to make a child. Well, it's not like I'm completely aware of Leila-chan's past, or rather her origin, so I can't really talk about her, but she's called the demon of miasma (virus), I think she's most likely formerly a human. I'm sure she'd only turned into a demon after getting infected by "Red Night". Not that I have any evidences about it, though. If she was infected at a very young age, and was in a state of rampage until she met me afterwards, so if she had't received even the bare minimum of sex education prior to that, it's no small wonder that she knows nothing about it. "Come on, Kitsune-kun? Do you know how? Tell me about it!" Leila-chan grabs my clothes and then pulls on them. Her eyes, though blood-like red, they sparkle purely like that of a child's. So cute. "How to make a child, huh.... let's see, frankly speaking, you can make them by having an intercourse." "Kitsune! You're a fit two prank!" "You're slurring, you're slurring, Rishe-chan. You're getting to worked up, what's with that 'fit two prank'?" Are you a rapper? Rishe-chan interjects in our conversation with a slur that makes me want to jab at her. So, you must be a virgin, right? Fit two prank! YO! Just kidding. Be that as it may, Leila-chan is still having a bewildered expression. She doesn't seem to understand inercourse is. At a time like this, she would next ask 'What is intercourse?' or something along those lines. I guess this is one of those you-dig-your-own-grave pattern, starting from the moment I summoned up courage to answer that difficult to answer question. "What is intercourse?" "Alright, saw that one coming." It's as expected. Rather, Leila-chan, after lusting over me that much, you're actually that pure inside? Can't you can stop sending me such a pure gaze, that only makes it harder for me to answer. Perhaps Rishe-chan also similarly think so, as she avert her eyes from Leila-chan, with her face slighlty blushing. But well, it's indeed quite hard to explain. But, you know what, Rishe-chan. If you don't quickly answer that question, the child will ask for something more outrageous, you know? For example... "Ah! Then, Kitsune-kun, show me... that intercourse thing!" ...This kind of thing. Considering that the one asking this is an innocent airhead carnivorous Yandere demon, what is this situation? I'm a late-bloomer and earnest cherry boy, you know? It'd be a waste to throw away the virginity I've been protecting for so long over something like this, you know? Once I get rid of it, I can't regain it again, you know?! Do you get that?! Besides, I don't even have a partner for it, you know, a partner. "Leila-chan, intercourse somethat that is done by two people, a man and a woman, so I can't do it alone." I smack on Leila-chan's head once, since she unconsciously keeps on asking such strange things. She says it hurts when I smack on her head, but in reality, I bet it doesn't. I mean, my strength stat is lower than Leila-chan's resistance stat, after all. Rather, it's my hand that hurts. Well, my resistance is pretty high, so it heals right away, though. "You see, Leila-chan. I have no other choice, so I'll explain it to you step by step from the beginning, alright." "Huh? Yeah Tell me, tell me " "Kitsune, umm... are you sure it's going to be alright even if you tell her about it?" "How should I fool her then?" ".... like, growing out of the ground or something...." I also smack Riese-chan's head once. This time, it sould be more or less hurt since my strength is higher than her resistance. For now, I'll just ignore Rishe-chan and focus on explaining to Leila-chan about how to make a child, step by step. "Leila-chan, first of all, do you know the difference between a boy and a girl?" "Yes, a boy has a slightly tough meat, while a girl has a tender and easy to eat meat. Their tastes are about the same, though." "I'm not talking about their meat." I didn't expect the explanation of the differences between men and women to lead on to the subject of meat. "Well, first of all, there is a difference in body structure between men and women." "Men don't have boobs, do they?" "That's right, first of all, women have boobs and men don't. And there's another difference." "Err.... their hair length or something?" "No, that's not it. The genitals are different." It's quite hard to explain this part, I feel like Leila would say, "I don't understand, let me see" in the middle of it. They're just a lump of curiosity, children in such a situation. I have to explain very carefully. "Genitals?" "Genitals are the organs for making babies. Both men and women have them between their legs. In men it's called a penis and in women it's called a vagina." "Do we also have them, Kitsune-kun?" "Yes, we do. So if you put a man's penis in a woman's vagina, you can make a child. The end." "Isn't that too concise?!" I explain it briefly because it's too much of a pain to explain. Rathe, why do I have to teach her how to make a child in detail? Even Rishe-chan is curious about it, even though she's acting all shy, in the end that's what child making is all about. Well, I have no experience about it, though. I've never had a partner to do it, though. I'm not sad, though, because I'm not interested in that, after all. I'm serious, I'm a healthy youth, after all. "What's it? Leila-chan." "Your penis? Let me see it!" When Leila-chan asks me that, just as I've expected, I smack her head once again. She seem to ask Rishe-chan the same thing, but she seems to refuse it in the end. To top it all off, when she tries to take off Nico-chan's clothes, Rishe-chan and I have to do our best to stop her. In the end, I decide to educate her a little more about shame, manners and morals afterwards. Then we ride on for a while, and when it is around noon, we decide to have lunch in light of the horse's break. Fortunately, I know that Rishe-chan is a good cook, so I ask her to cook something simple with the food we had bought and simple cooking set. In the meantime, we're on alert for our surroundings. In the meantime, we have to be vigilant about our surroundings, because it's not strange if a demonic beast or something comes out, after all. By the way, we're in a bit of a forest. There aren't as many trees as in the forest near Miniera, and there aren't enough trees to block the sunlight. There is a road where carriages can pass through, and perhaps because it's daytime, it doesn't feel so dangerous. Also, I've hammered some details into Leila-chan, who had also asked Higurd-san, 'Let me see your penis'. When I tell her that she shouldn't ask such questions, and that she shouldn't show it to anyone other than people she really like, she seems to properly understand it. Well, when she said "Then, it's not a problem for us to show ours to each other, right? Because I love you so much, Kitsune-kun" right after, I could only let out a sigh. And then, I decided to teach her that she shouldn't so it so easily even to someone she likes. I feel like I have a big child. While I'm thinking about that, the miasma, that I have spread to detect any enemies around 200M radius with me at the center, senses the presence of a human. When I notice that they aren't moving, I find that suspicious. It doesn't seem that they've noticed us, so what's going on? Thinking so, after telling Higurd-san to move away a bit, I decide to try checking out that presence. As I pass through the the trees, I come closer to that presence. The number is one person, and rather than standing, that person seems to be lying on the ground. Has that person perhaps fallen unconscious? When I come to the point where I can see that presence with my own two eyes, the one lying there is a white haired girl. Rather, she's fallen unconscious while leaning on a tree. She has white hair so I was a bit wary that might be apostle-chan for a moment, but she is apparently not her. As I get closer, she seems to be around the same age of me, or perhaps slightly older. She seems to be taller than me, but perhaps thanks to the long white hair of hers, she looks somehat more like a mature woman. "Hmm? Is that her luggage?" Then, I notice a large luggage bag next to her. That's probably hers. But still, why does she fall unconscious here? "... for now, I guess I'll take her to the other first." It's just, leaving her alone like this would be slightly awkward, so I decide to use my miasma to carry her, along with her large luggage, back to where the other are.

街まで戻って来る途中、今度こそ雑魚魔獣である狼数体に遭遇した。とりあえず瘴気に変えておいた。瘴気の量が増えた。 どうやら瘴気の量が増えても操作出来ないわけではないらしい。まぁ量が多い故に、全てを操作するのは少し難しいけれど、慣れれば適切な量を正確に操作出来る様になる筈だ。 だから、帰り道はずっと瘴気でバスケットボールを作ってバウンドさせていた。弾性はないから地面に手で落として、あたかも跳ね返って来るように操作するという操作練習だ。 とりあえずバウンドした状態じゃないと前に進まない、と自分の中でルールを決めてみた。最初の方は地面に付く前に引き上げてしまったり、地面に付いて形が崩れてしまったり......結局、僕が歩き出せる様になったのはそれを始めてから二時間後だった。 街に入ってから今も、宿までバウンド練習を続けている。おかげか、少しコツが掴めてきたようにも思える。 「でもまぁ、この状況は予想してなかったよ」 バウンドは続けている。いるが、僕の足はその場に停止していた。 何故なら、僕の目の前には一人の男が立っていたからだ。立ち塞がっていたからだ。全身黒ずくめの衣装に身を包みながら、不敵に笑っている。背は高く、その手には抜き身の剣を持っていた。今までに何人も斬って来たようで、その剣は使い込まれた跡がある。 そしてなにより、その瞳には人殺しの狂気が浮かんでいた。 「お前は―――俺が殺しても良い人間なんだってなァ?」 彼は、そう言って僕にその剣先を向けた。冒険者でも、騎士でもない、ただの殺人者が目の前で口を開いている。 僕はそんな彼を前に、『不気味体質』を発動する。完全に、話し合いの通用する相手でないことは明らかだし、街に入ったというのに周囲に誰もいない所を見れば、これが誰かの差し金であることは一目瞭然。僕に対してそんなことをしてくる奴と言えば、今の所オルバ公爵しか思いつかないな。 この男がオルバ公爵ということはないだろうけれど、関係者であることは間違いない。それにしたって随分と厄介な人間を送りこんできたものだよ。 でも、焦ったり怯えたりすることはない。僕にとって人間ほど恐怖の対象になりえない存在は無いよ。 「だって僕も人間だからね」 「お? なんだなんだァ? フンイキが変わったな......おもしれぇじゃねぇか、殺し甲斐があって良いじゃねぇの」 クハハ、と笑う男に対して、僕もいつもの薄ら笑いを浮かべる。そして、真っ黒い瘴気のナイフを作って、切っ先を男に向けた。 筋力が上がった今、もっと大きな武器も使いこなせるんだろうけど、やっぱり僕みたいな人間にはこのくらいの武器が丁度良い。手軽で、扱いやすいしね。 「君は何処の誰なのかな? 正直、僕は初対面だと記憶してるんだけど?」 「オイオイこの状況で随分と冷静じゃねぇの、情報だと大したことねぇ小物だって聞いてたんだけどな......まァ斬れんなら誰でもイイんだけどな」 「まぁ君よりもヤバい子を見てるからね、なんて言うのかな? その子に比べたら大したことなさそうだなぁと思って」 「俺よりやべぇって相当だな! クハハッ、お前......俺といいそのやべぇ奴といい、キチガイに好かれるんじゃねぇの?」 まぁ、レイラちゃんもこの男も、気は違ってるけどね。キチガイって漢字だと それでも好かれたくはないけど、勇者気取り君や腹黒巫女もある意味頭おかしいし、否定出来ないのが悔しい所だね。 で、質問には答えてくれないのかな。 「俺の依頼主っつーの? そいつの話は出来ねぇけど......俺の名前は―――っと、これも駄目なんだったか......仕方ねぇな、偽名だけど俺の名前って事にしとけ」 「俺の名前は、ルディ......ってことにしとけや、取り敢えず今からお前を殺す奴だ」 ◇ステータス◇ 名前:レイス・ネス 性別:男 Lv78 筋力:7820 体力:9200 耐性:320:STOP! 敏捷:9500 魔力:2100 【称号】 【スキル】 【固有スキル】 ◇ 「うん分かった、よろしくねレイス君」 「さり気なく本名言ってんじゃねぇよ」 「君の顔に書いてある」 「お前も大概気が狂ってるみてぇだ」 ステータスを見ただけだけど、僕としては君達と同列に並べられるのはちょっと嫌だ。僕はまともで健全な青少年だよ、確信して言えるね。 「まぁ素性が割れてんなら割れてるで良いや、殺す事には変わりねぇしな」 男......レイスが頭を掻きながらそう言う。こんな会話をしながらも、一切剣先がブレないのだからやはり高い実力が窺える。ステータスでスキルが見えない所を見ると、その部分は隠蔽関係のスキルが働いているのだろう。使徒ちゃんもそうだったし。 でも、僕もそう簡単に殺されてあげるわけにはいかないんだよね。ということで、帰って来る途中で思い付いた僕の新たな戦い方の実験台になって貰おう。 「それじゃ、僕は君を殺さず素通りすることにするよ」 「何?」 訝しげに眼を細めるレイス、僕の実力で言えば、彼を素通りするなんて到底出来ないんだろう―――でも、僕にはSランクの怪物が扱う最強最悪な武器がある。 初見殺しも、いいとこだ。 そう言って、僕はぱちんと指を鳴らした。 ◇ ◇ ◇ レイス・ネスは、元々快楽殺人鬼として世間に名を轟かせた犯罪者だ。ちなみに、冒険者と同じく犯罪者にもその危険度でランクが付けられる。彼の場合、その危険度は最大のSランク。その理由としては、Aランクに値する実力と、無差別に人を殺す人格があげられる。 彼はその経歴上、記録に残っているだけでも1043人を殺害している凶悪殺人鬼だ。その出生や幼少期のことは謎に包まれているが、正確に分かっているだけでも、彼はおよそ12歳の頃から人を殺している。 おそらく、記録に残っていない数を含めればその殺害数は2000人を大きく越えるかもしれない。無差別に、毎日毎日、人を殺し続けた危険な男。 普通なら常軌を逸した精神なのだろうと思いきや、彼には存外正気だった。何人も殺している癖に、正常な精神を保って居られる強靭な精神力。 それは逆に危険な男として捉えられる要素になった。正常な精神のまま、人を殺すのだから。 彼は国から指名手配を受け、逃亡しながら、時に追手すら殺して逃げ回り、約10年間逃げ回った末に、国の依頼を受けたSランク冒険者によって捕らえられた。死ぬまで拘留される筈だった彼は、その5年後突如釈放された。 釈放を命じたのは、オルバ公爵。 彼は今でこそ黒ずくめの首まで隠した服装をしているが、その下には奴隷の証である『隷属の首輪』がある。契約上、命令違反を犯せば首を絞められ死んでしまうが、彼は用心棒として手元に置かれる為に釈放された。普通の奴隷とは違い、虐げられる様な扱いはされない。 オルバ公爵は強力な用心棒を得る、レイスも合法的に人を殺すことが出来る。利害が一致している故にレイスもオルバ公爵の傍にいるのだ。『隷属の首輪』は、凶悪犯罪者の彼に対する鎖というわけだ。 そして用心棒になってから、彼はオルバ公爵に反抗してきた人間を殺してきた。時には暗殺を企てていた者を事前に殺したこともある。 「お前に両眼の色が違い、黒い服を着た男を殺して貰いたい」 だから、今回も人を殺す命令を即断即決で受け入れた。殺せるのなら、誰でもいい。 人を殺すことで悦楽を得るのが彼なのだ。人を殺す理由だって、気持ちいいからとしか言い様がない。 「まぁ報告によれば実力は大したことがない男らしい、お前には簡単な仕事だ」 「ふーん、まぁ殺せるなら誰でも良い、後始末はいつも通りそっちでやってくれよ?」 「ああ、周辺の人払いもやっておく」 「いつもながらありがたいことで」 今回はあまり歯応えのある標的ではないと聞いていた。でも、それでも良いと思っていた。どんな人間であれ、人である限りは中に赤い血が詰まっていて、温かい鼓動を持っている。 自分は熱い返り血を浴びたい。その鼓動を自分の手で止めたい。段々と死に近づいて行く人間の表情を、見下ろしたいのだ。 実際に標的と対峙してみて、今までにないナニカを感じた。 目の前に佇む少年は、黒い服に、両眼で色の違う瞳を持っている。報告で聞いた通りの人物。戦えば簡単に殺せそうないつも通りの、ただの人間だった。 でも、その時思った。 ―――コイツ......本当に人間か? 一瞬、人間に見えなかった。人間の様な何かに見えた。人間は殺す為に存在すると思っていた最凶の快楽殺人鬼が、ただの少年に恐怖を抱いた。死神の様な死を感じさせる恐怖の威圧感を放っていた。 そして、何処に隠していたのか、いつのまにか真っ黒なナイフを構える少年。その武器も禍々しく、その黒さが絶対的な危険を感じさせる。 だが、それでも平常通りに振る舞い、殺す旨を告げると、彼は張りつけた様な薄ら笑いを浮かべながら、言う。 素通りすると言った。その言葉を証拠付けるように、恐怖を感じさせる威圧感を放っているのに、殺意がないことに気づく。 その言葉は、本気で言っていた。 何かある、と警戒心を高めながら、切っ先を少年に向けて視線を外さない。 そして彼の手がゆらり、と上げられ――――ぱちん、と気の抜ける様な音を鳴らす。 瞬間、少年の姿が消えた―――否、視界が真っ黒に塗りつぶされた。 あの黒いナイフと同じ、漆黒の、闇みたいな色が、視界を満たしている。光が全く存在しない世界に引き込まれた様だった。 驚愕したが、直ぐに我に返って少年の気配を探す。すると、少年の気配は自分の背後にあった。今も普通に歩く様なペースで、離れている。 「素通り............って訳か......!」 文字通り、言葉通り、素通りだった。少年は自分の横を歩いて、通り過ぎたのだ。 振り返ってもやはり視界は真っ黒で、少年の姿は見えない。無意識に、歯噛みした。実力に自信がないと言えば、嘘になる。でも、自分の実力にプライドがあったわけでもなかった。 だから、自分を素通りしたことに怒りを覚えたわけでない。ただただ、興味を抱いた。 故に、その狂気を前にして平然と薄ら笑いを浮かべる少年に、興味を抱いた。尚且つ素通りすると言った少年に、興味を抱いた。そして何より、その言葉を格上の自分相手に実現してみせた少年に、興味を抱いた。 「は、ハハ......クハハッ......! クハハハハッハハハハッハハハアハハハハ!!!」 笑いが溢れた。殺してみたい、殺してやりたい、殺したらどんな顔をするんだろう、あんな人間も、赤い血を出すのだろうか? そんな興味が溢れて仕方ない。 真っ黒な色が消え、元の街並みが戻ってきた。そして戻ってきた視界に映って来たのは――― 「......クハッ......随分とまぁ、えげつねぇことで」 ―――少年の姿はなかった。 代わりに、全方向から取り囲むように、大量の真っ黒なナイフが切っ先を向けて宙に浮いていた。

While I was heading back to the town, I encountered several small fry wolf-type demonic beasts. I decided to turn them into miasma, thus the amount of miasma I had increased. Apparently it didn't seem to be impossible to control even if the amount of miasma had increased. Well, because there was a lot more miasma, it became a bit difficult to control all of it, but once I became accustomed to it, I should be able to precisely control an appropriate amount of miasma. Thus, on the way back home I kept playing with a miasma made basket ball. Because it had no elasticity, this served as control practice to make it looked as if the ball bounced back at me the moment it hit the ground. In doing so, I decided to put a rule first, that was I wouldn't take a single step forward unless I could make it bounce. At first I pulled it up before even reaching the ground, or it hit the ground to much that it lost its shape... in the end, it was two hours from the beginning of the training that I started walking. Even after entering the city, I keep practicing bouncing it even while heading to the inn. "But well, I've never expected this situation." I'm still bouncing the ball, but my feet are stopped on the spot. That's because there's a man standing in front of me. He's standing on my way. Clad in a full-body black outfit, he's smiling daringly. He is tall, and he also has a brandished sword in his hand. Seemingly has killed numerous people with it, he looks already very accustomed to hold that sword. And above all, the madness of murderer is emerging from his eyes. "You are -- the target I must kill, aren't you?" Saying so, he turns toward me. Those words don't come from either an adventurer or a knight, but from a murderer that's standing in front of me. I activate "eerie constitution" right in front of him. It is obvious that he isn't the type that words could reach, and given the fact that there's no one around even though we're right in the middle of a town, it's obvious that this all is instigated by someone. As far as I can tell, right now someone who would do such a thing is none other than Duke Orba. This man is very unlikely Duke Orba himself, but without a doubt he is related to that guy. Moreover, sure is quite a troublesome person he has sent here. But I'm not particularly flustered or frightened. For me, there is no human being that can give me fear. "Because I am also human, after all." "Huh? What is this? The air around you changes... interesting, looks like you're also quite used to death battle, aren't you?" When the man starts laughing 'Kuhaha', I also put my usual faint smile. After that I make a jet-black miasma knife and point it to the man. Now that my muscle strength has gone up, I can use larger weapons, but for someone such as myself, this kind of weapon suits me best. It's simple and easy to handle, after all. "Who are you, and who did send you here? Honestly speaking, as far as I can remember this is our first meeting, though?" "Oy oy, in this kind of situation you're quite calm, aren't you? From the information, I heard that the target is a small fry, but... whatever, I'll kill everyone so such a thing doesn't matter, though." "Well, it's because I've seen someone more terrifying than you, I guess. How should I put it, compared to that girl, I think you're nothing." "To be more terrifying than me, quite something isn't she?! Kuhaha, you... first that terrifying girl and now me, you're quite loved by freaks, aren't you?" Well, both Leila and this guy, they do have some screws loose though. Not just freak, perhaps you can even call them madman, that word fits the crazy Leila and this guy to a tee. Also, I really do not want to be liked by them, but that fake-hero-kun and that wicked miko were also crazy in a sense. It is vexing that I can't deny his remark about this. But well, I wonder if he'll answer my question. "My client? I can't tell you his name, but ... but my name is -- oops, I also can't tell you that, huh.... It can't be helped then, it's a pseudonym but just take it as my name." "Let's just say my name is... Rudy. I'm here to kill you." * Status * Name : Reis Ness Gender : Male Lv 78 Strength : 7820 Stamina : 9200 Resistance : 320: STOP! Agility : 9500 Magical power : 2100 [(Title)] [(Skill)] [(Innate Skill)] * "I see, nice to meet you, Reis-kun." "Don't just casually saying my real name like that, mind you?" "It's written all over your face, though." "Looks like you're somewhat screwed yourself, huh." I only peek at his status for a bit, though. I really don't want to be lumped together with the likes of them. I am a decent and proper youth you know? I can even say that with confidence. "Well if you already know who I am then that's also fine, it doesn't change the fact that I'm going to kill you, after all." This man, Reis, says that while scratching his head. Even while doing such a conversation, from the fact that the point of his sword doesn't waver even a bit, I can tell that without a doubt he's skilled. Looking at the fact that I can't see his skill on his status, most likely he has some sort of concealment skill. That Apostle-chan was also like that, after all. However I also can't afford to get myself killed just like this. So, let's use this chance to test out the new way of fighting I came up on the way back before. "Well then, I've decided to pass through without killing you." "What?" Reis narrows his eyes doubtfully, speaking of my battle prowess, it's indeed impossible for me to pass through him... however I have the strongest and the worst weapon that's also used by an S-ranked monster. This is a good chance to test this out. Saying that, I snap my fingers. * * * Reis Ness was an infamous criminal who took pleasure in killing people. By the way, similarly like adventurers, criminals were also ranked based on their danger. In his cases, he was one of the most dangerous ones of S ranks. The reason for that was with the prowess deserving of A rank, he had the tendency to kill people indiscriminately. He was a heinous murderer whose recorded victims were no less than 1043 people. His birth and childhood were shrouded in mystery, but even if it was only from the known rumors, he had been killing people since he was about twelve years old. If you include the victims that weren't recorded, most likely the number would easily exceed 2,000 people. He was such a dangerous man who kept killing people indiscriminately everyday. Normally such a person would be a madman, but unexpectedly he was without a doubt sane. Despite having killed so many people, he had such strong mind that didn't break and was still sane. However, that showed just how dangerous this man was. Because he could kill people with clear mind. When he was put on wanted list by the country, while running away, he kept moving from place to place while killing the pursuers who occasionally came after him, and after running away for about 10 years he was captured by an S rank adventurers who took the request from the country. He who was supposed to be detained until his death, somehow was suddenly released during the fifth years. The one who ordered his release was Duke Orba. Currently he was donning a full-body black outfit which hid his neck, however beneath it there was a "Slave choker" which was the proof of a slave. In contract, should he violate the order, the choker would strangled him to death, however upon his release he was appointed as Duke Orba's bodyguard. Unlike ordinary slaves, he wasn't treated oppressively. Duke Orba got a powerful bodyguard, Reis could legally kill people. Since their interests met, Reis was also on good term with Duke Orba. The "Slave Choker" was used as a chain to rein the atrocious criminal he was. And since becoming his bodyguard, he had been killing people who were opposing Duke Orba. There were times when he killed people who were scheming to assassinate Duke Orba first. "I want you to kill a man who has different eye colors and wears black clothes." Therefore, this time he also readily accepted the order to kill someone. If he could kill then anyone was fine. He was the type of person who took pleasure in killing people. His reason for killing people was solely because it felt pleasant. "Well, according to the report, his ability isn't worth mentioning, so it should be an easy job for you." "Well, as long as I can kill then anyone is fine. Can I leave the cleaning up afterward to you as usual?" "Yeah, I'll also clear up the surrounding area." "Thanks as always." He heard that this time the target was an easy one. However, he thought that that was also fine. As long as the target was still human being, the body would be filled with red blood, and there'd also warm heartbeat. He wanted to be soaked in that hot spurt of blood. He wanted to stop that heartbeat with his own hand. He wanted to look down on the expression of the person who was slowly approaching death. Because murder was his hobby, murder was his speciality, murder was his entertainment, murder was his raison d'etre, and murder was he himself. Upon actually facing the target, he felt something he'd never felt before. The standing still youth in front of his eyes had different eye colors and also wore black clothes. The target was exactly as what he'd heard in the report. A mere human that was seemingly he could easily kill if he wanted to, just as usual. But then, he suddenly thought. -- this guy... is he really human? In an instant the youth did not look like a human. The youth looked like something in human form. The murderer who took pleasure from killing was afraid of a mere youth. He could feel death from the terrorizing intimidating air emitted by the youth that seemed just like death god. And then, he didn't know where it was hidden at, but without he noticed somehow the youth had already had a jet-black knife pointed at him. That weapon was also very ominous, he could sense absolute danger from its blackness. However, he still acted as usual, but when he said that he was going to kill the youth, the youth only floated a faint smile, and said... The youth said he'd pass through him. As if proofing those words, he noticed that despite the youth was emitting such fearsome intimidating air, there was no killing intent at all. That meant the youth said those words seriously. Something is coming, while raising his caution to the limit, he fixedly pointed both his sword and his eyes toward the youth. And then the youth slowly raised his hand... and with a snap, he could hear the sound of finger snapping. At that moment, the youth's figure disappeared... No, it was his field vision that turned pitch black. Just like that black knife, jet-black darkness-like color filled his sight. It seemed as though he was drawn into a world where no light existed at all. He was surprised, but he immediately calmed himself down and starting looking for the youth's presence. And then, he noticed that the youth presence was already behind him. The youth was slowly walking away in steady pace. "Exactly... passing through, huh!" Just as the youth said, literally, passing through. The youth simply walked and passed through him. Even when he turned around, his sight was still pitch-black so he couldn't see the youth's figure. Unconsciously, he grinded his teeth. If he said that he wasn't confident in his skills, then he'd be lying. However, he didn't particularly hold high pride in his ability. Therefore, he wasn't particularly angry that the youth passed through him just like that. He was simply interested. Therefore, he was interested in the youth who could calmly smile faintly even in front of such madness. He was also interested in the youth who said that he'd pass through him. And above all, he was interested in the youth who did exactly as he said even against someone as powerful as himself. "Haha ...... Kuhaha ... ...! Kuhahaha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !!!" I want to kill him, I want to fight him to death, what kind of face will he make when I kill him I wonder? Will such person also spurt red blood I wonder? He couldn't contain his curiosity. The pitch-black color disappeared and he returned to the townscape. And within his field of vision that had returned -- ".... Kuhaha ... quite a nasty one he was." -- The youth's figure was nowhere to be seen. Instead, as if surrounding him from all directions, numerous pitch-black black knives were floating in the air with the tips pointed at him.

は依頼を探すことにした。まだ時間はある、桔音はとりあえず、手伝い系の依頼をこなしてさっくり今日の宿代を稼げればいいなと考えていた。 依頼の受け方は一つ、依頼書の貼られた掲示板から自分の実力に合った依頼を選び、受付に持っていくだけ。そうすればミアを始めとする受付嬢達ギルド側が受注手続きをしてくれる。依頼毎に達成期限が付いているが、お手伝い系......所謂Hランクの依頼は基本的に数時間で達成出来ることから、期日は一日、多くても二日程である。 桔音はフィニアと共に掲示板の前に立った。 「まずはどんな依頼をやろうか?」 ◇Hランク依頼◇ 依頼主:ミリア・アイリーン 報酬:銀貨1枚 依頼内容:逃げ出したペット探し 期日:2日 ◇ 「読めません」 「あっは! そうだったね!」 「フィニアちゃんは読めるの?」 「読めるよ! きつねさんの国の言葉もこの世界の言葉も分かる! 言語マスターフィニアちゃんだよ!」 「で、何の依頼?」 フィニアから依頼内容を聞いて、桔音は悪くないと思った。ペット探しの手伝いならば命の危険はないし、また2日も時間をくれるというのならかなり良い仕事ではないだろうか。それに、銀貨1枚稼げば登録料が返って来る。 「ミアちゃーん! これ受けさせて!」 「なんで私の所に来るんでしょうか、お隣へどうぞ」 「受付の仕事しろよ」 「.........はぁ......承ります。依頼主のミリア・アイリーン様の自宅までの地図を書きますね」 「あ、うん、ありがとう」 ミアの下へと持って行くと、あからさまに嫌そうな顔を浮かべられ、別の窓口を勧められたが、桔音が正論を言うと渋々依頼書を受け取ってくれた。 ミアが依頼主の自宅までの簡単な地図を書いている間、桔音はそういえばとミアに話しかけた。 「ねぇミアちゃん、HランクからFランクに上がるにはどうすればいいの?」 「......っと、Fランクに昇格するのは比較的簡単です。ギルドには元冒険者であった役員がいますので、その方が定期的に行う訓練で実力を認められればFランクになれます。こちらが地図です」 桔音は説明を聞いてふむと頷きながら、ミアが差し出してくる地図を受け取った。 そして考える。訓練で認められればFランクに昇格出来る、ということは訓練さえ受けなければ永遠Hランクでいられるということだ。これは桔音にとって随分と都合のいいシステムだった。 「皆様早くFランクに上がりたいですからね、実力に自信のある方は登録後すぐに訓練を受けようとしますよ。過去には対峙した時の気迫だけでFランクに認められた方もいます」 「きつね様も次回の訓練をお受けしますか?」 「いや、受けない。僕は弱いからね」 桔音はミアのその言葉を聞いて踵を返す。地図を見ながら、ギルドの入口から外へと出て行った。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 桔音がギルドから出て行ったのを見送って、受付嬢のミア・ティグリスは溜め息を吐いた。 彼女は桔音が内心で評価した通り、かなり異性にモテる。一目で分かるサラサラの長い金髪や白い肌、そしてなにより異性の眼を惹く凹凸のあるスタイルに加えて、性格も基本的に優しく、人当たりも良い。モテない要素が無い位だった。 初対面の桔音の知る由もないが、彼女は冒険者の中でも人気がある女性だ。中には彼女のことを狙っている冒険者も多々存在しており、過去名のある貴族から求婚され、その場で振った伝説を持っていたりもする。 故に、彼女が異性から言いよられる事はそう珍しいことではない。 だから桔音が他の受付嬢を差し置いて自分の所に真っすぐやって来た時、彼が言いよって来る可能性を考えなかったわけではない。 実際、桔音が最初に放った言葉は、 『巨乳だ』 最悪だった。言いよって来る可能性を考えていたからこそ、桔音の事もそういう人だと判断し、若干苛立ちを覚えながら丁寧に帰れと言った。 だが、その後の桔音との会話の中で、言いよって来る異性と何か違うことに気が付いた。 確かに、桔音はミアの胸を見てセクハラ発言をするわ、巨乳さんと呼ぶわ、随分と失礼な男だったが、そこに邪まな感情が感じられなかったのだ。まるで、巨乳があったから巨乳だと言っただけで、それ以上の思惑はないかのように。 良くも悪くも、桔音にはミアに言い寄ろうとする意志も無く、ミアに好意的な感情も持っていなかったのだ。だから、ミアは桔音に奇妙な興味を持った。 思い返せば、桔音はかなり常識知らずだった。 魔獣や冒険者にランクがあることは常識と言っても良いにもかかわらず、ランクがあることを知らなかった様子だったし、Aランクの魔族が襲ってきたらどうするのか、なんて聞くまでも無い質問をしたことも変だ。普通Aランクの魔族の対応なんて考えるまでもない、災害レベルの敵なのだから相手にする事自体間違っているのだから。 「よぉミア、さっきの少年は新人かぁ?」 桔音のことを考えていると、ミアの下へ一人の冒険者がやってきた。受付のカウンターに肘を乗せ、ミアの胸を見ながら話し掛けてくる。 きつね様とは大違いね、と思いながら、受付として事務的な対応を返す。 「ほぉ......ミアはまた男を誑かしたのか、いやァ美人は得で良いねぇ」 「......別に、そういう訳ではないですよ。それで、用件はなんでしょうか?」 「つれねぇなァ......何、大したことじゃねぇよ......今日、終わったら飯でもどうだと思ってなぁ」 「遠慮させていただきます、仕事がありますので」 この男はジェノ・グレアスという男で、Eクラスの冒険者だ。女や酒に溺れる碌でもない男だが、腕は確かだ。このギルドでも魔獣討伐依頼をいくつもこなしており、なまじ実力がある故にかなり横暴な行動を取る事もしばしばだ。 最近ではミアのことを狙っているようで、毎日毎日彼女に言い寄っている。 「まぁそう言わずによ! いいじゃねぇか、ちょっとぐれぇ」 「お断りします、と申しましたが?」 「へへへ、悪い様にはしねぇよ、な? ちょっと飯食うだけだ」 事務的に対応するミアは、いつもよりもしつこいジェノに苛立ちを覚えながらも書類を整理する。ペンを動かし、ジェノに視線を向ける事はしない。 だが、そんなミアに苛立ちを覚えたのか、ジェノはその無骨な手を伸ばしてきた。 先程よりも低い声でそう言いながら、ジェノはミアの手を掴んだ。先程の桔音と同じ様に、だが桔音とは違い、けして放さないといわんばかりの力強さだった。 ミアはそんなジェノに思わず顔を上げる。すると、顔を上げたミアの視界に入って来たのは、ジェノの下卑た笑み。掴まれた手を引くが、力の差が違った。全く離れない。 行かない、という選択肢は許さないとばかりの声色だった。 ミアはそんなジェノの言葉に対して、歯噛みしながら俯いた。行くと言わなければジェノはこの手を放してはくれないだろう。 他の冒険者達も此方を見ているが、ジェノはEランクの冒険者、実力では敵わない故に手を出せないようだった。受付嬢達も心配げに見ているが、やはりジェノが怖いのか動けずにいる。どうしようもないと思った。 だから、ミアはこの場をどうにかする為の最善策として、食事の誘いを受けるしかないと思った。その後、ジェノが大人しく自分を帰してくれるか全然安心出来ないが、こうなればジェノは力づくでも行動に移すかもしれないと考えると、抵抗の余地はなかった。 だが、 「ミアちゃーん、この地図全然分かんないんだけどー?」 そこに、先程出て行った桔音が割りこんできた。それにより、ジェノによって作りあげられた緊迫した空気が崩壊する。 見れば、桔音は先程ミアが書いてやった地図を掲げていた。その地図は、地図というか抽象的な落書きに見えた。他の冒険者、受付嬢達は、ああ......またかと思った。 ミアは絵や地図を書くのが下手くそなのだ。新人はミアの容姿に惹かれ、依頼で彼女に書いて貰った地図を一回は渡される。そうして彼女が絵が苦手だということを知るのだ。このギルド内では最早恒例行事のようなものになっている。 だが、今の問題はそこじゃない。ジェノは桔音が空気を読まず入り込んできたことに苛立ちを覚えたのか、近づいてくる桔音を睨んだ。 「あれ? なにこの空気、超居辛いんだけど?」 「きつねさん、アレを見て! ナンパだよ! ミアちゃんナンパされてるよ!」 「え、あの男の人が? あの顔で?」 桔音の言葉に、数名の冒険者が噴き出した。良く見ると他の冒険者も肩をぷるぷると振るわせながら俯いている。笑いを堪えているのがバレバレだった。 ミアはそんな桔音に対して呆然とした表情を浮かべながら、目を丸くしている。 「しかもミアちゃん困ってる様子だよ? ここは助けに入って好感度アップだ!」 「え、やだよ、だってあの人凄い強そうじゃん、僕なんか一撃でやられちゃうよ」 「やられても大丈夫だよ、助けようとした事実が重要なんだよ!」 フィニアの言葉に桔音は乗り気ではないようだが、勿論フィニアの言葉は周囲の冒険者たちにも聞こえている。ミアにもだ。その時点でその思惑は失敗に終わると思うだが、桔音達は全く空気を読まない。 桔音が面倒臭そうにそっぽを向くと、ミアと目が合った。ミアは出来れば助けて欲しそうな表情を浮かべるが、桔音は遠慮なく眼を逸らした。 「うわっ、きつねさんなんで今目を逸らしたの! そこは頷く所でしょ!」 「なんか鼻水出て来た......紙持ってない?」 「そんなもんないよ!」 桔音はもうとことん空気を読まない。鼻水が出て来たので、きょろきょろと紙を探すが、見当たらず、丁度手に持っていたミアの落書きメモで鼻をかんだ。 「きつねさん最悪だよ!? 善意で書いてくれた地図を目の前で鼻水塗れにする? 普通?」 「じゃあそのお詫びにミアちゃんを助けるんだよ! さぁ行け、きつねさん!」 「それとこれとは話が別だと思うな」 「ミアちゃんに好かれたらおっぱい揉み放題じゃない?」 「よし行こうか、あの巨乳は僕のものだ」 「良い感じに最悪な手の平返しだね! 好感度なんかもう上がらないね!」 どうやら桔音とフィニアはミアを助ける方針で話を決めたらしい。 だが、ミアは無謀だと思った。桔音はたった今登録したばかりのHランク冒険者だ、Eランクの実力派冒険者であるジェノに適う筈が無い。 正直、桔音がジェノにやられるくらいなら、素直に自分が犠牲になるとすら思った。 あれほどセクハラ発言をされたが、それでも自分の為に他人を傷つけることを許せない位、ミアは優しかった。 「き、きつね様、良いですから......別に私困ってません」 「あ、そうなの? フィニアちゃん、ミアちゃん困ってないって」 「えー......じゃあ意味ないじゃん」 「え」 ミアは此方に近づいてくる桔音を助ける為にそう言ったが、思ったより簡単に桔音が踵を返したので、拍子抜けな声を上げた。 ―――そこはもう少し粘れよ! 周囲の冒険者たちの心が一つになった瞬間だった。 「あ、すいません、この依頼の依頼主の家の地図書いて貰って良いですか?」 「え、あ、はい......」 桔音はミアの隣の受付嬢にそう言って、地図を作製して貰い始めた。 なんだか分からない微妙な空気になり、ギルド内の冒険者たちは動くに動けないでいる。おそらく、桔音とフィニア以外の全員が思っていた。 ―――............なにこの状況 そして、桔音が地図を書いて貰い、またギルドから出ようと歩き始めた時、ジェノが大きな笑い声を上げた。 「ははははははっ! なんだアイツ、ただの腰抜けじゃねぇか! こりゃ冒険者としてやってけねぇんじゃねぇの? ぷっ、ははははは!!」 その汚い口から出て来たのは、桔音に対する罵倒。挑発とも取れる言葉だが、その笑い声を止めようとする冒険者はだれ一人いない。否、止められる冒険者はいないのだ。 「おいおい、腰抜けって僕のことかい?」 だから、桔音が薄ら笑いを浮かべながらジェノの言葉に振りむいた事には、全員が驚いた。 くるりと身体の向きを反転させ、桔音はゆらりと不気味な動きでジェノを指差した。薄ら笑いを浮かべた桔音の表情は、弱者であるのに弱者らしからぬ雰囲気を纏っていた。故に、ジェノはそんな桔音に眉を潜める。 「僕は今から逃げ出したペットを探しに行くんだ、先輩冒険者としてそこは応援しろよ」 だが、桔音が不気味な雰囲気を纏いながら言った言葉は、予想外に弱者思考だった。ペットを探しに行く、だから応援しろというのは、なんともまぁスケールが小さかった。応援するような事柄では無かった。 「というか、おじさん何歳だよ」 「は......あ、ああ? 32歳だよ、それがどうした」 「その年でナンパかよただの色ボケ親父じゃないか」 「というかまずつり合ってないよね、ミアちゃんと。自分の容姿とか年齢とか弁えた上で言い寄ってるのかな? そうだとしたら典型的に頭の中スカスカなんじゃないかなと僕は思う。正直、どれほど実力に自信があったとしても、あんな大人にだけはなりたくないなぁ......そもそもミアちゃんに言い寄ろうと思えたこと自体がもう奇跡だよね、成功するとでも思ってんのかな? ほんの少しでも可能性があると思ってたんだったらちょっと引くなぁ......」 言いたい放題言う桔音。ジェノは桔音の言葉に対して顔を真っ赤にして青筋を立てていた。キレそう、ではない、ぶちギレている。 周囲の冒険者たちはジェノの様子と未だぺらぺらと饒舌にコケにしまくっている桔音を見て、あわあわと内心穏やかでなかった。 「つまり何が言いたいかというと」 「まだ僕喋ってる」 「あぁ悪い―――いや違ぇよ!!」 桔音の言葉を遮ってジェノが大声を上げた。ジェノは掴んでいたミアの手を放し、桔音に向かい合った。血管が切れそうな程顔を真っ赤にして、今にも殴り掛かりそうなほど固く拳を握っている。 故に、桔音もようやくジェノが怒っていることに気が付いたようだ。気まずそうに頬を指で掻きながら、冷や汗を流す。 「えーあー......うん、あれだよ......良く見ればカッコイイと思うよ僕は、うん」 「―――ぐぶっ!?」 桔音の目の前に踏みこみ、その固く握りしめられた拳を桔音に放つジェノ。勿論、戦闘経験の差で格上の攻撃を桔音が躱せる筈が無い。鋭く放たれた拳は、見事に桔音の顔面を捉え、悠々と桔音の身体をぶっとばす。 吹き飛ばされた桔音の身体は周囲にあったテーブルや椅子を大きな音と共に巻き込みながら、ギルドの壁にぶつかって止まった。そして肝心の桔音は倒れたままピクリとも動かない。 「あ ゙ぁああ!! なんなんだあの野郎!! チッ......もういい、興醒めだ」 そして、桔音を殴って幾分気が晴れたのか、苛々しながらも頭をガシガシと掻いて若干冷静さを取り戻したジェノ。だがもうミアを誘う気は失せたのか、そのままギルドから出て行った。 そうして、ギルド内に安堵の息が漏れる。桔音は転がっているが、それでもジェノが去ったことでとりあえず安心したのだ。 「いやぁ......ちょっとフィニアちゃん、これで本当に好感度上がったの?」 すると、先程までピクリともして無かった桔音が何も無かったかのように立ち上がり、傍観していたフィニアにそう言っていた。自然と冒険者達の視線が集まる。 「大丈夫だよ! これであの巨乳揉みしだき放題だよ!」 「本当? ミアちゃん本当に揉ませてくれるかな?」 「多分!」 「じゃ頼んでみるよ、ミアちゃーん! 胸揉ませて!」 桔音は話をするには幾分遠くにいるミアに向かって、大声でそう言った。すると、今度はミアに視線が行く。 ミアは桔音の言葉にどうすればいいのだろうかと思っていた。結果的にとはいえ、桔音のおかげで自分はジェノから解放された、となればなにかしらのお礼は必要だろう。いや、だからといって胸を揉ませてあげるというのは正直嫌だ。そんな考えが頭の中でぐるぐる回っていた。 「ミアちゃん?」 「!? え、えーと......だ、駄目です......で、でも......一応お礼は言っておきます......ありがとうございます」 「駄目かぁ......仕方ない、フィニアちゃん依頼行こっか」 「私の胸なら揉んでも良いよ!」 「ごめん、僕フィニアちゃんの胸を揉みたいと思う程おっぱいに飢えてない」 とっさに駄目だと言ったミアの言葉に、桔音は心底残念そうな表情を浮かべながら踵を返した。フィニアが胸を張って桔音に近づいてきたが、桔音はそれに対して真顔で返す。 というか、フィニアの胸を揉んで満足感を得られるとは思えないし、例え得られたとしても、物凄く残念な奴に成り下がる気がした。 そんな風に、肩を落としながら再度ギルドを出て行く桔音達。ミアはその後ろ姿に手を伸ばし、引きとめようとして、声が出なかった。 何故引きとめようとしたのか自分でも分からなかったが......それでも、最初よりは桔音に対する興味が大きくなっているのを感じたミアだった。

For now, Kitsune that finished registering decided to find some jobs. there is still time for him, that's why for Kitsune right now, he just want to get some trivial jobs, something easy enough to do for him. to get some money enough to pay his rent today. There is only 1 procedure to accept a job, you just pick a suitable job posting on the wall and bring it to the receptionist. then the receptionists like Mia whom he met earlier will make the job acknowledgement procedure. the job then will be given completion time limit, and for jobs that are basically helping people or H rank jobs are basically jobs that can be finished within a couple of day, that's why these orders are given a 1 or 2 day time limit only. Kitsune and Finia stood in front of the jobs board. [so, what kind of job will we do for our first time?] <H Rank Job> Client : Miria Airin Payment : 1 Silver coin Job Detail : Finding missing pet Time limit : 2 day * [I can't read the language..] [Ah! i see!] [Finia can read this?] [I can! i understand Kitsune's language and this world language! i'm Finia the Language Master!] [Then, what kind of job is this?] Kitsune heard the details from Finia and felt it's not such a bad job. Looking for pets won't harm him and it only needs 2 day as well, so he thought it's good enough. and if he obtained the 1 silver coin reward, then he will obtain his registration money fee back. [Mia cha`n! i'll take this order!] [Why do you have to come to me? you should go over there, please go there!] [Please, do your job properly] [...sigh... ok... .... i'll draw the client location for you as well] [oh ok, ...yes, thank you] When Kitsune brought the job order to Mia, she shove him away with a sour face to other receptionist, but after Kitsune's word, she had no choice but to process his job. When Mia was handling Kitsune's job order and drawing the location of the client, Kitsune started idle chat with Mia "come think of it...". [by the way Mia chan, to be promoted from H to F, what must i do?] [for that....... to be promoted to F rank is relatively easy. in this Guild there is a [Guild Leader]. the Leader will periodically held trainings and you can be promoted to F rank if your Jitsuryoku is enough. OK here is your map] Kitsune listened to Mia and received the map while nodding Then he thought, if the recognition is during training, then without attending the training, he will forever be H rank. for Kitsune this is a good system for him. [Since everyone wants to get F ranked quickly, then for those confident with their Jitsuryoku, they will immediately register for the training. in the past, there is also those accepted into F rank just by having spirits of confrontation (T/N: it should mean that the guy basically bash into a 1 on 1 fight to get recognized).] [Kitsune-sama will also register for the training?] [Nope, i will not join... since i'm weak] Kitsune turns his back after hearing Mia's word. and while checking the map, he left through the Guild's door. * * * Mia Tigris, the receptionist looks at Kitsune figure leaving the guild while sighing. True to his heart judgement, Mia is a popular figure. with just a glance on her blond hair and white and smooth skin, and her charming attitude to the opposite sex, in essence, Mia has a nice personality, as a person she is also a nice character, there is no flaw basically. When Kitsune met Mia the first time, he obviously didn't realize that, Mia is a popular girl among the adventurers. there's many trying to date her. even in the past there's also many nobles proposing her, but she refused them all and it has since became a legend. and thus, male's opinion about her charm is not a strange thing anymore. that's why, His coming to her directly without caring about other receptionist made her thought that he is the same as other guys trying to get her. in opposite, the first word coming out from Kitsune was, [Big Oppai] He's the worst. Mia thought of the possibilities that Kitsune coming to her saying flattering words, making him the same with all other guys, but when she heard Kitsune's word she felt irritated and ask him to go home politely. but, her discussion with Kitsune afterwards made her felt that there is a difference in him, that he come with no concealed intention. True, that when Kitsune saw her breast and said the "sexual harassment" word by calling her big oppai, and she thought that he's a rude man, but she didn't felt any ill will from those words. it's like... Kitsune said those word because she is big breasted, and seems there is no other meaning behind those words. good or bad, for Kitsune, his spoken word contains no flattery, and not even a "like" feeling towards Mia. therefore, Mia felt a strange connection for Kitsune. If she remembers back, Kitsune is a true novice though. without saying that the magic beast and adventurer has ranking and it's a good thing, what if a rank A mazoku came attacking where adventurer don't know that magic beast has ranks. for Mia it's strange that Kitsune heard about it but didn't ask her about it. he don't seem to have any thoughts of facing rank A mazoku, since it's an opponent that wrecks havocs. [yo MIa, was that a new kid?] while thinking about Kitsune, suddenly an adventurer came to her. Putting his arm on the counter, and looking at her breast he started talking. she thought that this person is totally different from Kitsune, and started to serve him professionally as a receptionist. [oo... and again MIa drew in the attention of man huh.. huh... how lucky to be such a beautiful lady] [... not really ... it's not like that. then, is there anything i can help you with?] [hooo such coldness,,, what you can help me with?? it's not such an important help..., so hows today? can we get something to eat once your job is done?] [i apologize but i cannot... since there is some work to do after] this person is E ranked adventurer named Geo Grease. he is a trash with a sole passion for woman and sake, and of course, breast. he took many magic beast subjugation job in this guild, and are good at it though he always said his Jitsuryoku is not enough. He is often tyrannical and arrogant to people around him. Lately, he seems to chase Mia, he visits her everyday. [aaaa.... don't say it like that! it's alright.... just for a short while] [i must decline ... didn't i say so already?] [hehehe, don't think of this as something bad, ok?? ... just a short meal..] For Mia that always reply professionally, Geno is a person that is always persistent. While feeling annoyed, Mia organizes her documents. using a pen to write something, so that she doesn't have to look at Geno. But oblivious to Mia's obvious rejection, suddenly Geno stretched his rugged hand to reach her hand. with an even lower voice than before, Geno grab Mia's hand. it's the same as Kitsune earlier, but this time the difference is his using his power to hold her without any intention to let go. Mia unconsciously look at Geno because of it. when she raise her head, all she saw is Geno's vulgar smile. and even though she pulls her grabbed hand, there is a clear difference of strength between them. she can't let go at all. from his tone, no is not an answer. Mia lowers her vision while gritting her teeth listening Geno's word. to her, Geno will not let go of her hand unless she agrees to go with him. the other adventurer that saw this kept their silent since Geno is a rank E adventurer. the other receptionist is also looked afraid. they're not even trying to help. in this situation, Mia can only think to accept Geno's request. it's the best way for her. though whether Geno will follow his promise to just let go of her hand and let her go safely is highly doubtful, this is making Mia restless. Mia thought that if she somehow wriggles her hand she might break loose, but there's no distance covered at all. and then, [Mia chaaaann, i can't understand this map at all?!!] in front of her Kitsune who just left came back. aside from that there is a tense atmosphere building around Geno. he didn't seem to like this. when seen, Kitsune brought the paper with map that Mia just drew. on the paper it's not clear whether it's a map, or a child's doodle. The other adventurers and receptionist thought "ah .... again..." Mia is a very stupid person for drawing maps. all the new adventurer will be attracted by her looks, but will also return the maps she draws. and they know that Mia is really stupid when drawing something. to this Guild, it's a common thing. but the problem right now is not that. Geno that felt Kitsune are crossing the line by just barging in irritates him. He stares at the approaching Kitsune. [what...? whats with the atmosphere here... seems tense?] [Kitsune san, look at that! it's flirting! Mia is flirting! na] [what...? with that guy? with that kind of face?] some adventurers that heard Kitsune's word laughed very hard. if you look at it carefully, other adventurer is also shaking their shoulder holding it in. those caught laughing just lowered their heads. Mia's expression showed that she thought Kitsune's stupid and her eyes looks rolling around. [but even so, doesn't she look like she's in trouble na? then we should help her to increase our friendship points!] [huh? don't wanna... that guy seems very strong..? i'll lose with just 1 hit you know...] [But even if you lose it's ok right... the important thing is you helped her right?!] Kitsune seemed unenthusiastic with Finia's words, and of course Finia was heard by other surrounding adventurers. Even Mia heard that. For MIa it is same though, that Kitsune will end up with failure, and Kitsune can't read the atmosphere at all. Kitsune that felt all of this is a bother started to walk out and he locked eyes with her. Her face is saying to help her as much as possible, but he averted his eyes shamelessly. Aaaa..., Kitsune san! why did you do that!!! you were supposed to nod!!] [Seems i have a runny nose.... you got some paper?] [Not THATTTTT!!!] He really can't read the atmosphere. and since he really do have a runny nose he tried searching for tissue, but unconsciously used the paper on his hand which is Mia's drawn map. [Kitsunes san is the worst!! that map was drawn for you with effort became your tissue?? is that usual for you?] [Then as an apology, go and help Mia chan! come on!, shooo] [i think this and that is a different thing we're talking about] [If you helped Mia chan, then you can hold her breast as you like right?] [Yosh! ok.. that big oppai is mine] [Give him a hard slap na! grew the relationship please!] Seems Kitsune and Finia has decided to help Mia. But, Mia felt that their careless. Kitsune just a beginner that has just finished registering and only a H rank adventurer, it's impossible to fight Geno, a rank E adventurer with good Jitsuryoku. it's just plain impossible for him. Honestly, if possible she would like it to be finished by just Kitsune being toyed around by Geno, and only herself became the victim. Even though he said some sexual harassment to her, but Mia just can't forgive herself if somebody else is hurt only for helping her.. She is just a nice person. [Kit, Kitsune sama it's ok...... i'm fine really] [really? Finia chan... Mia said she's fine] [Hah? ..... then it's meaningless huh] [yup] MIa told that to Kitsune who's coming to help her. She felt disappointed by how easy he gave up. ----- WOULD YOU GET IT FOR ONCEE!!!!! the heart of the adventurers united for a moment. [Ah, sorry... can i ask the map for this job?] [eh... oh ok.... fine] Kitsune asked the next counter receptionist, and she started to draw it. Somehow the situation became complicated, the adventurer inside the guild is not even moving. seems this is on everyone's mind aside from Kitsune and Finia. -------....... whats with this condition.. Then after Kitsune received the map, he went to exit the guild... when suddenly Geno said loudly. [hahahahahaha! whats with this guy... ain't he's a coward! as an adventurer, won't you fight me? hahahahahaha!!!!] Words coming out of him was abuse to Kitsune. nobody else stopped that laugh and provocation. nope, none at all. [oioi, the coward... are you referring to me?] Everybody was surprised since Kitsune smiled and cut his word. Kitsune turns around and face him, with an eerie aura but by no means was weak looking. it's making Geno uncomfortable with Kitsune. [I'm looking for a runaway pet right now.... Senpai will help me as a senior adventurer ok] Even though his emitting an eerie aura, but the words coming out of him was out of expectation. it's a weak keywords. looking for pets, asking support. no matter what this kind of job doesn't need support. it puts Geno into confusion. [Then,,, oji-san... how old are you?] [ha?? 32 years old.. problem with that??] [with that age you're still flirting, aren't you just a hentai oji-san?] If you really are like that then maybe there's a hole in your head. honestly how big is your confidence? even if i have a huge jitsuryoku, i think, i don't want to be an adult like you... from the start, the thought that you can flirt with Mia is already a miracle right? what makes you think you have a chance?. even for just a little... if you think you can court her... you better cancel those thoughts...] Kitsune says things as he likes. you can see Geno's face getting redder by every words... he stand at the blue line. wanting to slash.... oh no... wanted to "strike". the adventurers around saw GEno's condition but Kitsune still looked talkative like he was mold covered buddha statue, very calm... not bubbling from his heart. [in other words.... what were you trying to say....] [still talking about me] [A--- sorry. didn't mean to!!] Geno screamed, cutting Kitsune's words. He let go of MIa's hand and walk towards him. His face are red, his artery seems to bulge on his face, well he seems to wanted to give Kitsune a "strike" (A/N this whole strike thing seems baseball reference... dunno never played baseball) Kitsune seems to have realized that Geno is losing it. Restlessly he touched his cheek with a cold sweat. [eh...ah... that... if you look at it closely... you're handsome you know... yes.... soo..] [---bugggggg!?] Geno walked towards Kitsune and launched a hard punch to him. of course with a different in experience, Kitsune that have almost zero experience can't dodge such hit. the punch landed squarely on his face and Kitsune was thrown back. at the same time with a scream, Kitsune's body was thrown to the table's and chairs behind him. he flew to the wall, and dropped there. [AAAAAAA!! what the hell with this shit! Cih.... enough.... i lost my appetite] Then, maybe because he punched Kitsune, his heart felt a bit better, though he's still upset but he looked calm again. But with that, seems he also lost the will to take Mia, and left the Guild just like that. Everyone in the guild felt relieved. the felt relieved since Kitsune was the victim, and Geno has left. [aaa Finia chan... with this, will my relationship with Mia really improve?] After that, Kitsune that earlier was down and couldn't even blink started to stand up and while looking for help he talked like that to Finia. of course everybody there looked at him. [it's ok!!! with this you can hold those big breast as much as you like right!!] [really? will Mia chan really allow me to do that?] [Maybe!] [Then why don't we try to ask then.... Mia chaa~nn~ please let me touch your oppai!] Kitsune talked loudly about touching her breast while walking towards her which is a distance away. while he did that, right now what's in face of him is Mia's cold stare. Mia chan thought of what to do with Kitsune's statement. even though she managed to be saved from Geno thanks to Kitsune, he still thought on how and what is needed to thank him. honestly, she doesn't want to allow Kitsune to touch her breast as thanks. lots of concern is stirring up her mind. [Mia chan??] [ee~to... actually you may not... bu..but... at the very least i would like to thank you] [cannot huh..... o well... Finia chan, do we beg?] [If it's just my breast, you can touch them!] [Sorry, i only want her breast.... touching yours is a bit too much] After hearing Mia's refusal, Kitsune puts a disappointed look while returning Mia's high heel. Finia got closer and stick her chest to Kitsune. seeing that, Kitsune look at Finia seriously. in other words he had no intention to touch hers and there is no satisfaction from it. even though he could do it, but then he would feel like he's a scum.(T/N well... you know... flat chested and fat oriented is an opposing religion i guess) after that, relaxing his shoulder, Kitsune and Finia left the guild again. Mia that saw Kitsune's back pulls him, but there's no sound coming out of her. as to why she's holding him... she herself doesn't understand... and also, her interest to Kitsune is getting bigger since the first time they met.

幕間 桔音に出会うまでと出会った後 時はしばらく前に巻き戻る。まだ、桔音達がグランディール王国へと辿り着いていなかった頃の話だ。 今までの話で分かったように、オルバ公爵という男は、自身の地位と名誉を取り戻し、グランディール王国へと返り咲く為に、アークス家に目を付けた。 アークス家は、けして裕福な貴族ではなかったが、貴族として最低限度の暮らしと地位を持っていた家だ。過去、魔法使いとして大成した者を輩出したこともあって、魔法使いの血筋としては中々に優秀。元々はその血筋の者がほとんど魔法を使える様な、大きな家だった。 だが、今のアークス家は魔法を使える者が減り、その地位も名誉も貴族としては下級。上級貴族のオルバ公爵が目を付ける意味は、全くなかった筈だった。 しかし、不幸なことにアークス家は魔法使いの血筋というだけで、オルバ公爵から利用するための駒として目を付けられてしまった。 そして、それをアークス家―――つまりは、ヒグルド元伯爵とその娘ニコが知るのは、公爵が行動を起こした、後のことだったのだ。 始まりは、唐突な出来事だった。 貴族としては裕福でなくとも、父と母、そして一人の娘の囲む食事の場で、幸せな一時を過ごしていた時のこと。突然、その団欒が壊されたのだ。 訪れたソレに、ヒグルド元伯爵とニコは、反応出来なかった。いきなり、唐突に、突然に、彼の妻―――名前はエリー・アークスが、首から大量の血を噴き出して倒れたのだ。まるで、首をすっぱり切られたかのような傷と、溢れ出る血液に、その場に居た誰もが動けなかった。 無論、ヒグルド元伯爵もだ。 そして、その硬直の一瞬の中で、使用人が次々と死んでいった。訳も分からない何者かが、高速で人を殺していた。伯爵は、無意識の内に娘を抱き抱えて逃げた。妻の死を理解出来ぬままに、使用人の死を理解出来ぬままに、視界一面を真っ赤に染め上げた血の色を刻み込まれた彼は、逃げたのだ。 ただ一心に、娘を護ろうという父親としての本能がそうさせた。その手の中の娘が目を見開いて震えているのにも気付かずに、ただひたすらに逃げた。逃げ続けた。 「―――チッ、逃げられちまったかぁ......キヒッ......キヒヒヒャヒャヒャッ! まぁ良いか、ガキは殺すなって言われてるし......追い詰めて追い詰めて......追い詰められた時の表情を拝むってのも、中々面白そうじゃねぇの......キヒャハハハハハ!!」 背後に姿を現した殺人鬼の、そんな笑い声は、伯爵の耳には届いていない。ただ、彼に抱きあげられていたニコだけが、その姿をはっきり見ていた。ニコに意識があったのは、此処までである。 ◇ そして、伯爵が気が付いた時、彼は汚い路地裏で意識のないニコを抱きしめながら倒れていた。意識を失う前の事を思い出し、初めて妻と共に過ごした使用人たちの死を理解する。涙が溢れそうになる。 だが、その腕の中に、確かに娘の命があった。温もりがあった。希望が、あった。 故に、彼は涙をぐっと堪えた。今、自分が悲しんでいる暇は無い。なによりも、今ここで娘を護れなければ、父親である自分を許せなくなると、そう思ったからだ。 それから彼は、血の付いた衣服を脱ぎ去り、近くの衣服屋で安い服を買った。貴族である事がバレないように、そして自分達の姿を隠す為に、出来るだけ目立たない質素な服だ。 元より、貴族としての自尊心など持ち合わせていない。質素な服を着た自分と、娘のニコ、それだけあれば何よりの宝だ。 そして、そこからの行動は、早かった。まず、自分達が置かれている状況を把握するために、情報収集を行った。野蛮な者の集まる居酒屋や、冒険者ギルド、街の住民への調査、ニコを連れていけない場合は、何処かへ隠して情報収集を行った。 元々は笑顔の多い子供だったニコは、目を覚ましてからずっと黙っていた。言葉を忘れてしまったかのように、何も言わなかった。それほどまでに、人が死ぬ光景が衝撃的だったのだろう。 「お前は......父さんが護ってやる......! 絶対にだ......!」 「............」 それでも、ヒグルド元伯爵に抱き締められている時は、抱きしめ返すといった反応を見せるので、完全に塞ぎこんでしまったという訳ではないのだろう。 そして、情報収集を行って二日。 遂に、オルバ公爵に辿り着いた。目的は見えて来なかったが、襲撃者のバックに居たのがオルバ公爵だということは分かった。 そして同時に、情報を集めていたことがオルバ公爵にバレた。街を警邏していた騎士達が自分達を捕らえようとしてきたからだ。変装をして、顔が見えないようにもしているというのに、それでも正確に自分達を追ってきた。完全に、自分達の特徴がバレている。 そこから一晩明けて、一日の殆どを逃亡に使っていた。ニコを抱き抱え、必死に逃げた。捕まれば、死ぬと思っていた。何故なら、妻達は話し合いの余地無く殺されたのだから。 だが、逃亡が出来たのはたった一日だけ。翌日からは、一時間だって逃げるのは困難だった。走った先には騎士がいる状況が何度もあった。おそらく、逃げ延びた一日で自分の行動範囲が絞られたからだろう。他に回っていた騎士達が集まっていた。 だが、彼は逃げた。逃げ続けた。娘だけは、娘だけはという一心で、逃げ続けた。 心臓が破裂しそうなほど鼓動し、足だって膝が外れそうな程に痛かった。それでも、走った。走り続けた。 しかし、それでも追手の数は多かった。追い付かれ、もう逃げ場がなかった。 そこで出会ったのが――――桔音だったのだ。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 時は戻って、現在。桔音達が街から出て行った後の話だ。 幸いにも、桔音達の借りた馬車は無事だった。どうやらゴブリンキングの襲来の時、街の住人達は皆家に籠り、冒険者達と騎士達を信じて逃げなかったらしい。というよりも、グランディール王国とその庇護下の住人は全員そうらしい。 ―――弱肉強食の国。 そう呼ばれるこの国では、強い者は信頼と名誉を与えられ、弱者を護る。弱い者は強者の庇護を得て、強者を信じ脅威から逃げない。強者と弱者は、信頼と絆で繋がっている。 桔音としては、弱者の方がなんだか得して無い? という感想しか抱かなかったものの、そういう訳で馬車は無事だった。 故に、そのまま馬車を馬屋から引き取り、街を出発したのだ。搭乗者は、桔音、リーシェ、レイラ、そしてニコ親子である。 桔音達は、馬車の扱いが出来ないことを思い出した。桔音も、リーシェも、レイラも、馬車を扱う技術を持っていなかったのだ。無論、子供であるニコも無理だ。 だが、どうやらヒグルド元伯爵は馬車を扱えるようで、ソレが分かった時は心底良かったと思ったという。 「良かった良かった、危うく馬車を引いて歩くところだったよ」 「馬車なのにな」 「あはは、今のちょっと面白かった」 桔音はステータスを見た所、ヒグルド元伯爵に『騎乗』や『御車』のスキルが無いことを確認した故に、スキルとその人の技術は別物なのかもしれないと考えた。もしくは、スキルを習得する条件というのが特別にあるのかもしれない。 だが、それはまぁ関係のないことだ。今は、生きれるだけの力があればそれで良い。 「それにしても......まさかニコちゃんのお母さんが殺されてるとはねぇ......十中八九レイスの仕業だろうけど」 「あぁ......あの妙に甲高い笑い声をあげる人? 私『会った』よ♪」 「うわー、レイラちゃんに『遭った』んだ......御愁傷さまだねぇ......」 「生きてるか死んでるかは分からないけど、あのままなら多分死んだんじゃないかな♪ 不味かったから食べなかったけど♡」 いやどっちにしたって食べられたくは無いだろう、桔音はそう思いながらレイラから若干距離を取った。直ぐに詰められた。 桔音達は荷馬車の部分に乗っている故に、御者台に乗っているヒグルド元伯爵以外は荷物を積んでいる部分に乗っている。にも拘らず、レイラはわざわざ広い荷馬車の中で、桔音の隣にぴったりと引っ付いていた。そしてそのレイラの隣に、ニコがぴったり引っ付いていた。妙な光景である。 リーシェは仲間外れという訳ではないが、少し距離の離れた所で自身の剣の手入れをしている。我関せず状態だ。 ちなみに、桔音はヒグルド元伯爵から事の顛末を聞いている。妻が殺されたことや、家が差し押さえられたこと、ニコを押し付けた事の謝罪も受けた。その際、桔音が笑って許すと、全ての問題が解決したからか、それとも安心したからか、その場でぽろぽろと泣き始めた。どうやら妻が死んだことの悲しみが後からやってきたらしく、涙が止まらなくなったらしい。 その際、桔音が思わず漏らした言葉は、『またかよ、泣く奴多すぎだろ』である。 「......でもまぁ、クレアちゃんのことだから、ニコちゃんのお母さん達の遺体は密かに回収してそう......予想でしかないけど」 「きつね君、クレアって誰? 女?」 「女だよ。青髪で美人だったなぁ」 桔音がクレアの話を出すと、反応したレイラの表情から感情が希薄になった。赤い瞳が細くなる。いつもニコニコと笑っている癖に、どうやら不機嫌になったらしく、眉を潜めて頬を膨らませている。 嫉妬だな、と桔音は察した。レイラが自分に恋愛的な好意を持っていることは知っている故に、直ぐに察する事が出来た。だが、嫉妬は嫉妬でもレイラの嫉妬は少し冗談にならない。桔音は薄ら笑いを浮かべてはいるが、その実冷や汗を掻いていた。 「うん、レイラちゃんの方が可愛かったかもしれなくもない気がしなくもない」 「うふふっ♪ そう? 私の方が好き? 好きだよね♪ だって私は貴方が大好きだもん♡」 「............うん、そうだね」 だから桔音は誤魔化した。直訳すると、レイラよりクレアの方が可愛かったということになるのだが、レイラは『レイラちゃんの方が可愛かった』の部分しか聞こえていない故に、ころっと機嫌が良くなった。 桔音はレイラの言葉に、無表情で頷くしかなかった。 「あーあ、しばらくは馬車生活だから窮屈だなぁ......まぁ瘴気でベッド作るから良いけど」 「おい待てきつね、そんなこと出来るのか? 私もベッドが良い」 「君も結構言う時は言ってくるよね」 そんな感じで、桔音達は新たな街へと、進んでいく。

Intermission - Before and after the encounter with Kitsune Time rewinded a bit. It was around the time when Kitsune and co. had yet arrived at Grandile Kingdom. As told in the story so far, the man called Duke Orba targeted the Arcs house to regain his status and honor, and return to Grandile Kingdom. The Arcs house was not a wealthy noble house, it was a house that had the minimum standard of living and status among nobles. In the past, they had produced brilliant magicians one after another, and as a lineage of magicians, they were considerably excellent. It was originally a great house, where most of the family members were capable of using magic. However, the current Arcs house had only a few people who could use magic, and their status and prestige as noble were low. Normally, a high class noble such as Duke Orba wouldn't even notice a house such as them. But, unfortunately, the Arcs family was targeted by Duke Orba to be used as a pawn exactly because of its magician bloodline. And it was only after the Duke took action that the Arcs house, in this case, former Count Higurd and his daughter Nico, were aware of it. Everything began so suddenly. Even though they weren't particularly affluent as a noble, father, mother and a daughter who sat between them, they were having a happy family dinner time in their dining room. It happened during such a happy moment. Suddenly, that happy moment was shattered. It was so fast that the former Count Higurd and Nico were unable to react to it. Suddenly, abruptly, unexpectedly, and out of the blue, his wife - whose name was Ellie Arcs - collapsed, spurting out a lot of blood from her neck. While a large amount of blood was gushing out her neck which seemed to have been slit open, no one in the room was capable of moving. Of course, the former Count Higurd could not move either. And in the short of moment while they were stunned, the servants died one after another. Something incomprehensible was swiftly killing them. The Count unconsciously fled, holding his daughter in his arms. Without understanding the death of his wife, without understanding the death of his servants, he ran away, with the color of blood carved into his vision, which was dyed bright red. The fatherly instinct to protect his daughter was the only thing that made him do so. He didn't even notice that the daughter in his hands was trembling with eyes wide open, he simply ran away. He kept on running. "... Tch, they got away, huh... kihi... kihihihiyahiyahiya! Well, whatever, I was told not to kill the kid, anyway... hunt I hunt... enjoying their expression as I hunt them down, that doesn't sound half bad... Khihiyahahahahaha!" Such a laugh of the murderer, who appeared behind him, did not reach the ears of the Count. He was solely focused on Nico who was in his arms. His consciousness lasted only until that moment. * And when the Count came to his senses, he found himself lying in a dirty alleyway, holding the unconscious Nico in his arms. He recalled what happened before he lost consciousness and understood for the first time of the deaths of his wife and his servants. Tears welled up in his eyes. However, in his arms, his daughter was definitely still alive. There was still warmth. There was still hope. Therefore, he tightly held his tears back. Currently, there was no time for him to grieve. If he couldn't even protect his daughter, he would never be able to forgive himself as her father, or so he thought. Then he took off his bloody clothes and bought some cheap clothes at a nearby clothing store. They were simple clothes that were as inconspicuous as they got so as not to be exposed that they were noble and to conceal themselves. He didn't have the pride of a noble to begin with. Simple clothes for him and for Nico to wear, as long as they got those, it was more than enough. And from there, his action was swift. First, he gathered information to get an understanding of the situation they were in. He headed to the taverns where the thugs gathered, to the adventurer's guild, asking the residents of the town, and if he were going to a place where he couldn't take Nico with him, he'd hide her somewhere. Nico was originally a child who smiled a lot, but she'd been quiet ever since she woke up. She said nothing, as though she had forgotten how to speak. That was just how devastated she was seeing the sight of people dying. "Dad will definitely... protect you...! Absolutely...!" "....." Still, when she was hugged by former Count Higurd, she still reacted by hugging back, so most likely she hadn't completely lost herself. And then, after two days of information gathering. Finally, he arrived at Duke Orba. He had no idea what his intention was, but he knew that it was the Duke of Orba who was behind that attack. At the same time, the fact that he was gathering information was also known by Duke Orba. The reason was that the knights who were patrolling the city were trying to capture them. Even though they had disguised themselves and also hid their faces, they were still precisely tracked by them. Their features were completely exposed. From then on, they spent most of the night on the run. He held Nico in his arms and desperately ran away. He knew if they were caught, they were going to die. It was because his wives and his servants were killed without discussion whatsoever. However, they were able to escape for only one day. The next day, it was difficult to escape, even for an hour. There were many situations where they met the knights whenever and wherever they ran. Most likely it was because they were able to limit his range of action after a day of running away. Not to mention the patrolling knights had increased in number. However, he ran. He kept running. He kept on running with a single-minded determination to save his daughter. His heart was beating so hard as though it was about to explode, and his feet hurt so much as though his knees were about to come off. However, he ran. He kept on running. However, the number of pursuers were too numerous. They were catching up to them, and there was nowhere to run anymore. At such a moment, the one they met was--- Kitsune. * * * The time had returned back to the present. It was after Kitsune and the other had left the town. Fortunately, the carriage Kitsune and other rented was safe. It seemed that when the Goblin King attacked, all the townsfolk holed up in their homes, trusting the adventurers and the knights and not running away. More accurately, everyone in Grandile Kingdom and any region under them was all like that. --Kingdom of survival of fitness. As a country with such a nickname, the strong obtained trust and prestige, as the protected the weak. The weak received protection from the strong, they trusted the strong and didn't run away under any threats. The strong and the weak were connected to each other by trust and bonds. As far as Kitsune was concerned, he thought that this system benefited the weak more. With such a thought in his mind, he got that the carriage was safe. Right after, they fetched the carriage out of the barn, and set out of town. The passengers were Kitsune, Rishe, Leila Nico and Higurd. Kitsune and co. recalled that they didn't know the way to handle a carriage. Kitsune, Rishe, and Leila didn't have the skills to handle the carriage. Of course, being a child, Nico couldn't either. However, it seemed that former Count Higurd knew how to handle a carriage, and when they found out about it, they were heartily relieved. "Thank goodness, thank goodness, I thought I was about to walk and pull the carriage there." "Even though it's a carriage, right?" "Ha-ha, now that was kinda funny." When Kitsune appraised him, he'd confirmed that former Count Higurd's possessed neither 'Horse ride' nor 'Ride' skill, so he thought that perhaps skills didn't necessarily reflect all of one's ability. Or maybe there was some sort of special condition to acquire the skill. However, right now he couldn't care less about such a thing. Currently, as long as he had the strength to live, that's all that matters. "But still.... I didn't expect that Nico-chan's mother was killed. It's most likely the work of Reis." "Oh.... that guy with the strange high-pitched laugh? I 'met' him, you know." "Wow, so he 'met' you, Leila... I'm kinda sorry to hear that." "I don't know if he's alive or dead, but if he stayed as he was, he's probably died... I didn't eat him because he tasted so disgusting, though." Most likely not a single person wanted to be eaten, Kitsune thought as he took some distance from Leila. He swiftly shut his mouth. Kitsune and the others rode on the carriage, so the luggage was loaded at every space other than the coachman seat where former Count Higurd was seated at. Nevertheless, inside the spacious carriage, Leila deliberately seated herself tightly next to Kitsune. And then, next to Leila, Niko was seated there close to her. It was quite a strange sight. It wasn't as though Rishe was left alone or anything, she was just taking a bit distant away from them to maintain her sword. Without minding about the others. Incidentally, Kitsune had asked the details about the accident to former Count Higurd. He told Kitsune about the fact that his wife was killed, how his house that had fallen, and also his apology for forcing Nico at him. When Kitsune laughed and forgave him next after, he began to weep on the spot, perhaps because all the problems had been resolved, or perhaps because he was relieved. Apparently, the sadness of his wife's death had finally caught up to him, and he couldn't stop crying. When that happened, Kitsune involuntarily murmured "Again? There are too many crying people lately." "...But well, since it's Claire-chan we're talking about, so most likely she'd secretly retrieved Nico-chan's mothers' remains.... just a guess, though." "Kitsune-kun, who is Claire? A woman?" "Yes, she is. A blue haired beauty." When Kitsune brought up the matter about Claire, it was hard to detect any emotion from Leila's expression as she responded. Her red eyes narrowed slightly. Even though she was someone who always carefreely smiled and laughed, she seemed to be in a bad mood, as she creased her eyebrows and puffed out her cheeks. It's jealousy, or so Kitsune guessed. He was well aware about Leila's feeling for him, so he could immediately guess it. However, it might be just a jealousy, but Leila's jealousy was nothing to take lightly. Kitsune showed a faint smile, but inside he was drenched in cold sweats. "Umm, indeed I can't help but doubt that you are cuter, Leila-chan." "Ufufu is that so? You like me better? Of course you do , I mean I love you, after all." ".... Yeah, that's right." Thus, Kitsune deceived her. To put it simply, he implied that Claire was prettier than Leila, however, as Leila only recorded the "you are cuter, Leila-chan" part, her mood swiftly improved. Kitsune simply expressionlessly nodded at Leila's further question. "Ah, we may be on the road for a while, so perhaps the carriage is too narrow for all of us... Well, I can create a bed from miasma, so I'm fine either way, though." "Hey, wait a minute, Kitsune, you can do something like that? I'd like to request a bed too, then." "You are also one to say what you want to say, huh." Just like that, Kitsune and the others were heading to a new town.

に付き添い病院へと運ばれた。桔音は救急車での応急処置を施されている間にも死にそうな状態で、治療を行っている救急隊員の表情も芳しくなかった。どう見ても、致命的な状態であることは明らかだった。 それでもしおりは桔音の手を両手で握り締め、必死に桔音の命が助かることを祈らずにはいられなかった。 数分後、一つの病院へ到着した。だが、その病院は桔音という患者を引き受けなかった。『運悪く』重傷患者が多く、手術の出来る医者が不足していたからだ。故に、桔音は別の病院へと運ばれる事になった。 しおりは焦る。このままでは桔音が死んでしまうと。だが、桔音の『不運』は続いた。次の病院も、その次の病院も、桔音を受け付けず、桔音は瀕死の状態のままたらい回しにされたのだ。 そして、四つ目の病院でようやく桔音は引き取られた。即刻手術室へと送られ、手術へと移行した――――ところで、急に停電が起こった。病院の電気機器がダウンし、照明や機材が使えなくなる。即座に予備電源に切り替わり、機材の方は使えるようになったが、照明は付かない。暗い手術室での執刀、成功確率は0に等しい。 そしてその手術は途中で桔音の心臓が停止し、死が確認されたことで中断。手術室から動かなくなった桔音がしおりの前に現れることとなってしまったのだった。 きつねさんが手術室から出て来た。青白い顔、ピクリとも動かない身体、触れてみれば恐ろしくなるほど―――冷たかった。搬送中にどんどん失われていた、けど微かに残っていた体温が全く感じられない。 ―――死んじゃった その事実を受け入れるだけの余裕が無かった、というよりも呆気ない感じだった。胸にぽっかり穴が空いちゃったような感覚、呆然として何も言えない。自分の身体が自分のものじゃないような感覚に陥った。 「......すいません、私共の力では......彼を、救えませんでした」 お医者さんの言葉も耳に入って来ない。私はただただぼーっと、冷たくなったきつねさんの安らかな死に顔を見つめていた。 走馬灯、というわけじゃないけれど、きつねさんと過ごした短い三ヵ月間の思い出が脳裏を過ぎる。本当に短い間の、本当に短い付き合いだったけど、その一つ一つが私の中で輝いていた。色褪せない、凄く大切な思い出......きつねさんとの、思い出。 「あの......どうぞ」 「!」 目の前にハンカチが差し出された。視線を向けると気の毒そうな表情で私を見るお医者さんがいて、そしてその瞳に私が映っていた。涙を流している、私が。 「......あれ?」 顔に手を添えると、どんどん溢れる涙が私の手を濡らした。気が付かない内に泣いていたみたい。お医者さんのハンカチを受け取って、涙を拭く。でも、全然止まってくれない。 「あ、あれ? あはっ......すいません......ひぐっ......なんで......ぐしゅ......っ...!」 自分の身体が自分のものじゃないみたいな感覚に陥ってたからかな、涙を意識したらゆっくりと身体がいつもの感覚に戻っていく。さっきまでは無かった嗚咽が出た。 「しおり!」 「しおりちゃん!」 そこへ、後ろから走ってくる足音と私を呼ぶ声が聞こえた。ゆっくりと振り返ると、そこには私のお父さんとお母さんがいた。緊迫した表情で、私の目の前まで駆けよってくる。 「はぁ......はぁ......しおり、大丈夫か? 学校から連絡が来て、心配したんだぞ......!」 お父さんとお母さんは私の心配をしてくれる。凄く嬉しい、でも......心配をかけまいと声を掛けることすら、私には出来なかった。でも代わりにお母さんに抱きしめられたことで、一気に私の中にあった何かが決壊した。 胸の中でじわじわと渦巻いていたどす黒い感情が、一気に溢れ出た。私の、泣き声と一緒に――― 「うぁっ......おかぁ......さ......うわああああああああああああああああ!!!」 表情がぐしゃぐしゃになった。涙が溢れて止まらない。きっと情けない泣き声を響かせてる。でも、そうせずには居られなかった。だって、きつねさんが―――死んじゃったんだから。死んじゃった、つまりもう二度と会えない。 朝の挨拶も、 お昼ご飯を一緒に食べることも、 授業中こっそり会話する事も、 放課後遊びに行く事も、 もう――――出来ない。 たった三ヵ月。いままで出会った友達に比べれば、一番短い付き合いだった。でも、きっと私の中では一番......大切な人だった。だからこんなにも悲しいんだ。だからこうして大泣きしちゃっているんだ。 「うぁ...あ......! きつねさん! 死なないでよっ......!! どうして......どうして貴方が死ななきゃいけないのっ......! 約束はどうするの......!? うああああっ!」 お母さんの胸の中で、ぐちゃぐちゃになった感情を吐き出す。文脈も、前後の繋がりも何も無い。ただ思ったことはそのまま吐きだした。情緒不安定なまま、止まらない涙を止めることなく、流し続けた。 「しおり......」 お母さんが、私の身体を強く抱きしめた。顔は見えないけど、お母さんの身体も震えていた。お母さんも、泣いていた。 「きつねさんが......私を救ってくれた......! 命を賭けて、私の為に戦ってくれた......! でもっ! 私っ......きつねさんが死んじゃうなら助けてなんて欲しくなかった!!」 「しおり!!」 お母さんの腕の中から、力強い腕が私を引っ張り寄せた。急なことに、驚きながら前を向いた。そこにはいつも優しい顔でいるお父さんが、真剣な表情で私を見ていた。 「しおり......それだけは言っちゃいけない! 彼は、お前の為に戦った......! そしてその戦いで彼はお前を救った! その彼の想いを、勇気を、救われたお前が否定するんじゃない!!」 「っ!!」 「お前は、彼の分まで生きて! 幸せになれ! それがお前の為に戦った......彼の最後の願いだ」 お父さんの言葉が、私に殴られたような衝撃を与えた。涙を流しながら、もう動かないきつねさんを見る。ゆっくりと歩み寄って、冷たい手を......握った。 「きつねさん.........きつねさん......! 私は、大丈夫だよ......きつねさんのおかげで、助かったよ......! ありがとう......ありがとうっ......!」 言葉を紡ぎながら、私は胸の中に空いた穴が少しだけ埋まった気がした。 だから、これが私の第一歩 「......! ......これ」 あ、そっか――― 「馬鹿だなぁ私......失くしてから気付くなんて......」 近くに居過ぎたのかな。きつねさんと過ごしている内に、きっときつねさんの隣が居心地良くなって、ずっと一緒にいたから気が付かなかった。 「さよならきつねさん―――大好きだったよ......!」 ―――好きになっていたんだ。 ◇ しばらくそうしていて、きつねさんは霊安室に運ばれて行った。遺族との連絡や、後々の様々な手続きの為に私達篠崎家の家族は病院に残った。お父さんとお母さんは、私のことを心配していたけど......大丈夫、いつまでも泣いていたらきつねさんに笑われちゃうもん。 お父さんとお母さんがお医者さんと話している間、私は待合室のソファに身を任せていた。外はもう暗い、あれからもうかなり時間が経っていたみたい。 「.........」 一人、天井を眺めながら息を吐く。大泣きしたら、結構すっきりしたみたい。まだきつねさんの死を全部受け入れきれたわけじゃないけど、日常生活を送れるくらいには余裕を取り戻せたと思う。 「......明日からどうしよう」 良く考えれば、一緒に登下校する人やお昼ご飯を一緒に食べる人や一緒に遊ぶ人は、皆きつねさんで、他の皆とは結構疎遠になっていたから......気まずいなぁ。 「えへへ......でも、きつねさんならきっとこう言うんだよね......」 ―――話し掛けづらいなら、話し掛けて貰えば良い。ほら、僕なんか毎日のように話しかけられるぜ? 結局話しかけられているというよりは悪口を言われていただけだったけど、ものは考えようだよね。明日、学校に行ったら誰かに話し掛けてみよう。男の子は......ちょっと止めておこうかな。あんなことがあった後だし。 「ふふふ、きつねさんは凄いなぁ......」 死んじゃっても、私の中のきつねさんが私を励ましてくれる。本当に、私はきつねさんにべったりだったんだなぁ。なんだかちょっと可笑しいや。 そうしてしばらく待っていると、ばたばたと慌てた様子でナースのお姉さんがお医者さんに向かって駆けて来た。どうしたんだろう? 「せ、先生! 薙刀桔音君が!」 「はぁ......はぁ......薙刀桔音君の遺体が―――消えました!」 え? 「何!? どういうことだ......!?」 「分かりません......少し目を離した内に、遺体が消えたんです!」 きつねさんが、消えた? 「っ......探せ、遺体が勝手に動き出す筈が無い......何処かにある筈だ、探せ!」 「は、はい!」 ナースのお姉さんとお医者さんが険しい表情で駆けていく。私はそれを呆然と見送った。 この時私の心の中で、何か奇妙な予感が生まれていた。何か、私達の理解の範疇を超えた何かが起こっている、と。きつねさんが消えた、これはきっと何かの始まりなのだと。 「きつねさん......何処へ行っちゃったの......?」 私は誰にも聞こえない様な音量で、小さく呟いた。 これが、桔音がこの世界から姿を消した瞬間。そして、彼が異世界へと渡り、第二の人生を始めることになる始まりの瞬間だった。 「ッハハハ! いいねぇ、良い感じに純粋な愛の形だよ! これだから人間は面白い!」 真っ白い壁、床、天井、窓も何も無いただ真っ白い部屋の中で、とある存在が楽しげに笑っていた。 人間、ではない。人間の形をとってはいるが、間違いなく人間では無い常識外の存在。 そんな存在が、白い部屋の中で一人爆笑している。 「うんうん、でもまぁこれだけ面白い感じに生きてきた彼を簡単に死なすのは勿体ないね。それに、今の私はハッピーエンドが好きなんだ。まぁ3秒後位にはバッドエンドが好きになってるかもしれないけど―――なわけで、もう少し頑張ってね......きつねちゃん?」 見た目は女。癖のある青黒い黒髪を肩甲骨のあたりまで伸ばし、悪戯好きな印象を与える蒼い瞳は何処か遠くの何かを見据えていた。 白く細い女性らしい指がふいっと空を横切る。すると、その指の先で何かが変わった。否、何かでは無い―――桔音の運命が変わった。 死は生へと反転し 「さぁ、君はその世界で何をどうするのかな?」 彼女、と言っていいのか分からないが.........その存在はゆらゆらと身体を揺らしながら、楽しそうに口端を吊り上げる。 そこへ、その存在以外の存在が姿を現した。現れたのは、一人の少女だった。キリッとした雰囲気を纏った、14歳程の少女。膝裏まで伸びた艶のある黒髪は、サラサラと揺れている。 「おーおー......えーと道子ちゃん、久しぶりだねぇ」 「そんな名前じゃねーです」 「だって咲子ちゃんが教えてくれないからじゃん」 「咲子じゃねーです。というか子を付ければ良いってもんじゃねーです」 「もしかしてカタカナだったりする?」 やってきた少女もまた、元々いた彼女と同じく人では無い。というより、元々いた彼女の様な存在の使い、というか部下の様な存在である。何か責任を取らねばならない事態になった時、『秘書がやったことです』と言われて責任転嫁される立ち位置の存在だ。 勝手なことをしたですね?」 「ああ、人間一人生き返らせて別世界に送ったよ」 「そんなこと許されると思ってるですか? 以前も人一人の人生を弄ったじゃないですか」 「誰が許さないんだよ、私一番強いし偉いんだぜ?」 女性が舌舐めずりして立ち上がる。少女はなにやら嫌な予感を感じて一歩、後ずさった。 だが、その後ずさった先に女性はいつのまにか立っていた。少女の小さな両肩をガシッと掴まれる。女性の瞳には爛々と怪しい光が宿っていた。その瞳は、まるで獲物を見つけた獣の眼。 「いやいや、幸子ちゃんに許しを頂こうと思って」 「幸子じゃねーです.........だからなにを......ひゃっ!?」 女性は、少女の耳をペロっと舐めた。少女はその耳に這いずる舌の感覚にビクッと身体を跳ねた。頬を紅潮させ、耳を抑えながら女性を見る。 「その身体に、せめてもの御奉仕をもって許しを乞おうじゃないか」 女性はそう言って少女に襲い掛かった。それからしばらく、真っ白い空間の中に少女の嬌声が響き続けた。 (さてさて......桔音ちゃん、私がここまでやるんだから―――楽しませてくれよ?) 女性は楽しそうな笑みを浮かべながら、そう考えていた。

Shinozaki Shiori accompanied Kitsune all the way to the hospital. Despite the emergency measures enacted on him in the ambulance, he was still in a state where he could die at any moment, so the expressions of those performing the measures were grim throughout the voyage. No matter how they looked at it, he had suffered fatal injuries. Even so, Shiori continued to grip the boy's hand with both of hers, as she desperately prayed for his life to be saved. A few minutes later, they arrived at a single hospital. But that hospital never took on the patient known as Naginata Kitsune. Due to bad luck, the hospital had many patients in serious condition, and there was a deficiency in the doctors available to perform a surgery. And so, it turned out that Kitsune was to be carried off to another hospital. Shiori was impatient. At this rate, he was going to die. But Kitsune's unlucky streak merely continued. The next one, and the next one found themselves unable to accept him, and the boy continued to be passed from one place to another in his near-death state. And finally, the forth hospital accepted him. He was immediately rushed to the emergency room, and they were prepared to perform it... but what came on was a sudden power outage. The hospital's electronic tools ceased their functionality. While they quickly switched to their own back-up power to keep the machines running, the lights remained off. The surgery was conducted with minimal light, and the chances of it succeeding were close to 0. In the middle of it, Kitsune's heart stopped, and it ended once they confirmed there was no way to bring him back. Unable to move from the operating room, Kitsune never appeared before Shiori again. Kitsune-san left the emergency room. His face was pale, and he wasn't moving at all. When I touched him, he was dreadfully... cold. As he was transported around, he kept on losing more and more of himself, but I can't even feel the faint heat he emitted at the very end. ... He's dead. He didn't have enough time to undertake the surgery, so it's more like it all ended too quickly. It feels like a hole's been opened in my chest, and my mouth won't move as I want it. It's like my own body no longer belongs to me anymore. "... I'm sorry, with our power... we were unable to save him." The doctor's words aren't entering my ears. I just blankly stared at the cold Kitsune-san's peaceful expression. It's not like my life is flashing before my eyes, but the memories of the brief three months I spent with Kitsune-san pass through my head. It really was a short time. It really was too short a time, but each and every one of those memories shine within me. They begin to lose their color, my precious memories... my memories with Kitsune-san. "Um... please take this." "!" A handkerchief was handed to me. When I shifted my gaze, I was the doctor looking at me with an expression full of pity, and my own eyes reflected in his. It looks like I'm... crying. "... What?" As I try rubbing my hands across my face, I find them soaked in my overflowing tears. It seems I had started crying without even noticing it. I take the doctor's handkerchief, and wipe my eyes. But it isn't stopping at all. "W-what? Ah... sorry... hic... why......!" Perhaps because it's like my own body isn't my own, when I begin to concentrate on my own tears, my body's senses slowly begin to return to normal. A sob that wasn't there before escaped my lips. "Shiori!" "Shiori-chan!" I heard running footsteps approaching me from behind, and voices calling my name. As I slowly turned around, I found my father and mother. With strained expressions, they ran all the way up to me. "Hah... hah... Shiori, are you alright? A call came from the school, and we were worried...!" Father and mother are worried about me. I'm happy about that, but... even raising a voice to calm their worries was... impossible for me. Instead, by embracing my mother, something inside of me finally snapped. The black and swirling dark emotions within my chest began flowing out all at once. Along with my crying voice... "UWAAA.... Mo...m... UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!" My expression is a mess. I can't stop my tears from flowing. I'm definitely letting out a deplorable scream. But I couldn't live without doing it. I mean, Kitsune-san has... died. He's dead, meaning we'll never meet again. Our morning greeting, eating lunch together, secretly talking to each other in class, playing together after school, it's all... over. Just three months. If you compare it to the friends I've had until now, it's my shortest relation. But within me, it's probably... the most important one. That must be why I'm so sad. That must be why I'm spilling out these tears. "Uwa...aa...! Kitsune-san! Don't die...!! Why... why do you have to die...! What about our promise...!? Uwaaaaah!" In my mother's chest, I let out my mixed up emotions. There was no order or start or end. I just spit out whatever was on my mind. With those unstable emotions, my unstopping tears just continued to flow out. "Shiori..." Mother strongly held my body close. I can't see her face, but her body is shaking. She's also crying. "Kitsune-san... he saved me...! He risked his life, and he fought for my sake...! But! I... if he was going to die, then I didn't want his help at all!!" "Shiori!!" From my mother's arms, another pair of strong hands pulled me out. It was quite sudden, so I frantically turned around. There, my father, who always made a kind face, stared at me with a serious expression. "Shiori... that's the only thing you shouldn't say! He fought for your sake...! And in that battle, he ended up saving you! His feelings, his bravery, they're not something that the one who he saved should be denying!!" "!!" "You have to live his share as well! You have to live happily! For the one who fought for you... that's his last wish." Father's words made me feel as if I had been smacked physically. With tears still streaming down my face, I looked at the unmoving Kitsune-san again. I slowly step towards him, and... clenched his cold hand. "Kitsune-san... Kitsune-san...I'm fine, you see... because of you, I was saved...! Thank you... thank you...!" I put together words, as I felt the hole in my chest get filled in ever-so-slightly. And so, this is my first step. "...! ... This is..." Ah, I see... "I sure am an idiot... to notice it only after he's gone..." Perhaps it was because he was so close. The time I spent with Kitsune-san, the time that I spent next to him was so comfortable. I was always by his side, so I never noticed it. "Goodbye Kitsune-san... I loved you...!" ... Had fallen in love with you. * After some time passed, Kitsune-san was taken to the morgue. For various things like calling his family, and various paperwork, the Shinozaki family stayed in the hospital. Father and mother still seem to be worried about me, but... It's fine. If I keep crying forever, Kitsune-san will laugh at me. While father and mother were talking to the doctor, I leaned back in the waiting room sofa. It's already dark outside, and it looks like quite a bit of time has passed since that happened. "..." Alone, I gazed at the ceiling as I took a deep breath. After crying for a bit, I feel quite relieved. It's not like I've completely accepted the fact of Kitsune-san's death, but I think I've recovered enough of myself to carry out my daily life. "... What should I do from tomorrow?" Now that I think about it, the people I went to school with, ate lunch with, and played with were all Kitsune-san, and I've been quite distanced from the others... this is awkward. "Ehehe... but Kitsune-san would definitely say something like..." .... If talking to them is hard, just have them talk to you. See, they talk to me every day, right? In the end, rather than talk, it was more like they were badmouthing you, dude, but I guess it all depends on how you look at it. Tomorrow, if I go to school, I'll try calling out to someone. Boys... yeah, I'll refrain from talking to boys for a while. I mean, something like that did happen... "Fufufu, Kitsune-san sure is amazing..." Even after he died, the Kitsune-san inside of me continues to cheer me up. I really was stuck to him. Thinking back, it's a bit funny. After a while of waiting, a flustered young nurse started running towards the doctor. I wonder what it is. "D-doctor! It's about Naginata Kitsune-kun!" "Hah... hah... Naginata Kitsune-kun's body... it vanished!" Eh? "What!? What is this about...!?" "I do not know... When I took my eyes off him for a second, his body disappeared without a trace!" Kitsune-san disappeared? "... Search for it. There's no way a corpse can move around on its own... it must be somewhere! Search!" "Y-yes!" The nurse and the doctor run off with grim expressions. I looked over them in a daze. At that time, within my heart, a strange premonition was born. Something beyond our comprehension is happening. Kitsune-san vanished, and this is definitely the start of something. "Kitsune-san... where did you run off to...?" At a volume low enough that no one could hear me, I whispered. That was the instant that Kitsune disappeared from the world. And it was the instant where he crossed over to another, and started his second life. "Hahaha! This is nice. It leaves a nice feeling of pure love! This is why you humans are so interesting!" White walls, floor and ceiling. No windows, or any furnishing. In a simple white room, a certain entity was happily smiling. It was likely not human. It was in a humanistic form, but it was definitely something else, something out of the realm of common sense. Perhaps a concept, perhaps a law. Perhaps a lifeform, perhaps a spontaneity. Perhaps a world, perhaps a god. A large unknown, certain omnipotent something. An existence like that was roaring with laughter in an empty white room. "Yeah, yeah, but I guess it's a pity to have such an interesting human die off so easily. And right now, I'm a bit into happy endings. But perhaps in the next three minutes, I'll develop a taste for bad endings too... and so, why don't you give it another go... Kitsune-san?" Her appearance was that of a woman. Her characteristic dark hair was tinted with a bit of blue, and it grew about to the end of her shoulder blades. Her blue eyes gave off a mischievous impression, as they seemed to stare off at a distant something. Her white and slender, feminine fingers suddenly pointed in front of her. And at the end of her finger, something changed. No, it wasn't a something... Kitsune's fate changed. Death flipped itself into life. "Now, in that world, what will you end up doing?" It's uncertain whether it was alright to call her a woman, but that woman... that entity happily swayed its body from side to side as it raised the edges of its mouth. And there, another existence was revealed. What appeared was a single girl. She carried a tidy atmosphere around herself, and her appearance seemed to be around 14. Her straight silky black hair extended to the back of her knees. "Oh my... um, Michiko-chan, it's been a while." "That isn't my name." "But Sakiko-chan, you never tell me what it is." "It ain't Sakiko either. And wait, you can just stick -ko onto anything and think it'll work." "Oh, could it be that your name is foreign?" The girl that appeared was, like the one who had been there from the start, no human. She was the messenger, or perhaps the underling of an existence like hers. If something ever went majorly wrong, she was the existence that the other one could place the blame on, saying, 'The secretary did it all.' That sort of position. "More importantly, you arbitrarily went and did something again, didn't you?" "Yeah, I revived a single human, and sent him to another world." "Do you think something like that would be permitted?" "Who's going to stop it? I'm the strongest, and I'm quite important, you know." The female licked her lips as she stood up. The girl sensed something bad, and retreated a step backwards. But for some reason, the female was already standing behind her. She grabbed the girl's slender shoulders strongly. The female's eyes let off a suspicious and dangerous light, as if she were a beast who had found its prey. "Nonono, I thought it was best if I applied for Sachiko-chan's permission." "I ain't Sachi-ko. ... and again, what are... hya!?" The female licked the girl's ear. The sensation caused her to leap forward with all her might. Her face was flushed, and she grasped her ear as she stared at the woman. "Now how about I ask your body directly for some permission?" The female said that as she rushed at the girl. And for a little while after that, the girl's screams echoed through the white space. (Now then... Kitsune-kun, I've done this much for you, so... won't you entertain me?) The female had an amused smile on her face as she thought to herself.

アラクネ退治 それからしばらく森の中を捜索していると、僕達はようやく目的の敵に遭遇した。そう、あの大蜘蛛だ。以前より一回り大きくなっただろうか、それとも別の個体か、まぁそれは分からないけど初対面の時とは違ってやっぱり怖くはない。あの時とは違って僕達は強くなったからね、僕以外だけど。それに頼もしい仲間もいるし、負ける気はしない。いざとなったら『不気味体質』で追い払うし。 『カロロロロロ......!』 聞き覚えのある鳴き声を発しながら、蜘蛛は此方を見た。その身体はおおよそ5mほどの大きさを持ち、横幅にして8mはありそうだ。 「きつね、どうするんだ?」 「フィニアちゃん中心に攻撃、僕達は援護だね」 「まっかせなさーい!」 「ルルちゃん、とりあえず小剣を構えといてくれる? 出来る限り護るけど、今回は相手がデカイからね、万が一がある」 蜘蛛が鳴いて、そのお尻から極太の糸を吐き出してきた。 「来たぞ!」 「避けるよ!」 リーシェちゃんの言葉に、僕達は動きだす。迫りくる糸を躱し、フィニアちゃんが先行して蜘蛛へと向かっていく。追随するようにリーシェちゃんが向かっていき、ルルちゃんと僕は蜘蛛の背後へと回りこむ。 蜘蛛はその巨体に反してかなりの敏捷性を持っている。背後に回り込もうとすれば、その複眼が絶対に見逃さない。 でも、僕達の方を向けないだろう? 本能が分かっている筈だ、この中で最も危険なのは、正面から迫るフィニアちゃんだ。 フィニアちゃんが魔法を発動させる、火魔法の中でも比較的弱い魔法だけれど、フィニアちゃんの魔力量なら数百単位で連射が可能な、炎の矢! 「ルルちゃん、行ける?」 「―――頑張ります......!」 蜘蛛の目が十数本の炎の矢を捉え、それに対応しようと身体を後ろへ跳躍させた。だが、後ろには僕達がいる。ルルちゃんは小剣を水平に構え、迫りくる蜘蛛の巨体に対して横薙ぎに振るう。 「っ......!」 「下がるよ、ルルちゃん」 切られたことで蜘蛛の意識が此方を向く、僕はルルちゃんを抱えて距離を取った。一撃離脱、これも立派な戦法だ。 だが、蜘蛛君、こっちを向いてたら危ないんじゃないかい? 『カッ......ロロォ!!』 リーシェちゃんがその剣で蜘蛛の八本ある足の内の一本を切り飛ばした。あの騎士団長のオジサマとの一件以来、彼女は周囲に人がいても大分剣が振るえるようになってきた。元々鍛えていたステータスと組み合わされば、彼女の強さは飛躍的に向上する。 「いっくよー! 皆離れて!」 そこへ、いつのまにか蜘蛛の真上、かなりの高さまで飛翔したフィニアちゃんが声を掛けた。 魔力が光を歪め、なんだか嫌な気配を感じさせる。言われずとも、僕達は蜘蛛から大きく距離を取り始めていた。あれは駄目だ、良く知らないけどあれはきっと僕達も問答無用で巻き込むタイプの奴だ。 フィニアちゃんがそう唱えると、彼女の周囲に爆発的に炎が広がり、一瞬空が炎の発する紅で染まった。 そして、それは螺旋状に収束され、フィニアちゃんを中心に大きな竜巻となった。更に、次の瞬間―――フィニアちゃんが炎の竜巻を『背負って』落ちてきた。 『ギッ......ジャアアアア ゙ア ゙ァ!!?』 ゴリゴリという抉るような音と、同時に肉を焼く様な音が同時に響く。蜘蛛の悲鳴が加わり、数秒の後蜘蛛の背中に突撃したフィニアちゃんは、蜘蛛の腹部から飛び出してきた。蜘蛛の身体に一直線の大きな風穴を開けて、その命を竜巻の勢いに任せて消し飛ばしたみたいだった。 炎の竜巻が消えて、中から出て来たフィニアちゃんは、にぱっと笑って僕達の方にピースサインを送ってきた。 いやいや、ぶいじゃないよ。下手したら全滅だよ。しかも森の中でそんな馬鹿げた炎の魔法使うなよ、木に燃え移って火事になったらどうするんだ。責任取らされるんだぞ、僕が! 燃やしたのフィニアちゃんなのに! 「......はぁ」 でもまぁ、勝ったから良いか。なんか蜘蛛が凄く可哀想な死体になっちゃってるけど、良いよね。 「凄まじいな......フィニアは」 「うん......僕達のエースだよ」 「凄いです」 「へっへーん! 最強美少女妖精フィニアちゃんは無敵だよ!」 胸を張るフィニアちゃんを見て、僕達は苦笑する。 でもそれ以上に、頑張った子は褒めないとね。 「ルルちゃん、良く頑張ったね」 「あ......はいっ」 今回、蜘蛛相手に浅くとも一撃入れたルルちゃん。まだまだ腰の引けた様子だったけど、リーシェちゃんの指導は中々実を作っているみたいだ。 それに、戦闘に少しでも関わればその人は経験値を貰える。ルルちゃんはレベル1だから、結構レベルが上がっている筈だ。 「ステータス」 ◇ステータス◇ 名前:ルル・ソレイユ 性別:女 Lv8(↑7UP) 筋力:350 体力:200 耐性:80 敏捷:280 魔力:140 称号:『奴隷』 スキル:『小剣術Lv1(NEW!)』 固有スキル:??? PTメンバー:◎薙刀桔音、フィニア(妖精)、トリシェ(人間) ◇ おお、あの蜘蛛だけでレベルが7つも上がっている。流石は大蜘蛛、Eランクの魔獣だ。多大な経験値を持っている。 ルルちゃんのステータスが一気に僕を置き去りにしてくれたぜ。悲しくなんてないよ、僕は別に耐性さえ上がれば別に良いし? まだレベルは僕の方が上だし? 悔しくなんてないし! 「良かったね、ルルちゃん。レベルが上がったよ」 「え、本当ですか? えへへ......嬉しいです」 だから、ルルちゃんの頭を撫でながらそんな心境を欠片も見せずに褒める。これ、大人の対応。嬉しそうに笑顔を浮かべるルルちゃんを見れば、仕方が無いと思えてくるから不思議だ。まぁ僕の耐性能力値がもっと上がったら率先して前に出てみせる! それまでは温存だね、僕は切り札的存在なんだよ。 「きつね、とりあえず蜘蛛の討伐証拠になる部位は切り取ったぞ」 「あ、ごめんありがとう」 そうしていると、リーシェちゃんが蜘蛛の牙を数本切り取って持ってきた。討伐依頼は、討伐対象の特定部位を剥ぎ取って来なければ討伐したことにならない。つまり報酬が貰えないのだ。だからこうして証拠を持って帰らなければならない訳だ。今回は大蜘蛛の牙。 「じゃ、帰ろうか。日の暮れない内に」 僕の呼び掛けで、全員が返事を返し、帰る準備をする。初日で狩れたのは僥倖だったね、討伐証拠も持ったし、未だ僕の依頼達成率100%は揺るがないね! 蜘蛛の死体をフィニアちゃんに燃やしてもらって、歩きだす。まだ明るいし、この分ならあの怪物にも会わずに済みそうだ。ああ、良かった。 「なぁきつね、少し気になったんだけど」 「お前は能力値を見られるのか?」 ああ、そういえばリーシェちゃんには僕のスキルに関して何も言っていなかったっけ? まぁ仲間になってまだ日も経ってないし、仕方が無いか。この際だから言っておこうかな。 「うん、僕は人の能力値を見ることが出来るよ」 「ということは、父様のも見たのか?」 「そうか............見て尚あんな啖呵を切ったのか」 ぼそぼそと何か言っているけど、聞こえなかった。ただリーシェちゃんのそっぽを向いた横顔に少しだけ赤みが差している気がする。あれ? どっかでフラグ建ったかな? そんな気配はなかったけど......あ、そういうことか。 「大丈夫大丈夫、体重とか身長とかまでは見えてないから」 「い、いやそういうことじゃ......ああ......いやそうか、良かった」 体重とかが見られて恥ずかしかったんじゃないのかな? まぁなんにせよ溜め息を吐くリーシェちゃんの様子から気にしなくても良さそうだけど、悩み事があるなら言ってくれても良いのに。気が向いたら相談に乗るよ? 僕。 そんな事を思いながら、僕達は森の中を進む。今回は森に入ったけどそんなに遠くまでは来ていないからすぐに森を抜けるだろう。風で木々が揺れて、温かい太陽の光が木々の隙間から地面を照らす。 この森は聞いた限りだと、魔獣の多く住まう森であるらしく、人による手が一切加わっていないらしい。まぁ、危険の伴う魔獣なんかは冒険者によって狩猟されているが、基本的に温厚な魔獣は森から出ない限り狩猟されない。喰らい手なんかの例外はあるけれど。 だからこの森の中では多くの魔獣が共生している。縄張り争いで魔獣同士で殺し合いをしたりもするが、基本的に魔獣達の実力が拮抗しているからか森全体を仕切る特別強い魔獣がいない故に、お互いのテリトリー内で上手く共生しているようだ。喰らい手なんかの例外はあるけれど。 とはいえ、この森には今『赤い夜』という怪物がいる。多少森の共生バランスが崩れる可能性も無きにしも非ずだね。喰らい手なんかの例外はあるけれど。 「ねぇリーシェちゃん」 「何だ?」 「『赤い夜』って知ってる?」 「ああ......有名だからな。確かSランクに最も近いAランク魔族で、その性質は魔族というよりは魔王に近いとされている怪物だな」 魔王に近いって、何それもう二人目の魔王じゃん。 「最も怖いのはその立ち位置だな」 「立ち位置?」 「ああ、『赤い夜』はどうやら魔王の配下ではないらしい。単体にして魔王と同等と言われるほどに強いからな、それに人間を滅ぼす様な明快な目的も無いとされている。まぁ魔王と敵対しているわけでもなく、人間を喰らうことから魔王の仲間と言ってもおかしくはないが......人間でいえば遊撃担当といったところか」 ってことは、魔王の命令は聞かない人間の敵? それ抑止力ないじゃん、魔王と違って配下に魔族や魔獣がいないことが人間にとっての幸運だけど、魔王と同格ってことは勇者しか倒せないんじゃないのソレ。 「まぁ奴が動くのは夜だし、一度の被害も魔王程大きくない。出会った人間だけを喰らっているようだからな。それに、時には弱い魔獣も喰らっているという話もある。意図して人間の敵に回っているという訳でもないんだと思う」 でもそうなると僕が生き延びた理由が分からないんだよなぁ......もしかしてあれは『赤い夜』では無かったか......それとも僕が異世界人だったから究極的に味が不味かったか。左眼を食ってみたけど不味かったから残した、的な? 何それ、凄く傷付く。 多少落ち込みながら、僕達は更に歩き森の出口が見えて来た。町も視界に捉え、やっと森から出られる、と安堵の息を漏らした時だった。 「......っと?」 真横から人影が現れた。僕は少し驚いて足を止めたけれど、それが幸いしたようで現れた人影とはぶつからずに済んだ。 現れたのは、僕と同じ位の身長の女の子だった。癖のある、でも艶の良い黒髪で、白い肌の、八重歯が特徴的な可愛らしい美少女だ。でも服装はギルドでも見かける冒険者達と同じ、防具を身に付けている。腰にはルルちゃんと同じ位の小剣を2本携えていた。 「君は......?」 「あっ、もしかして貴方はきつねさんだね! 初めまして!」 「あ、うん初めまして......で、君は?」 「いやぁ、森に入ってうろうろしてたら迷っちゃってね! 助かったよー」 「あ、そうなんだ......で、君は?」 「ミニエラが何処か分かる? 良ければ一緒に行っても良い?」 「ミニエラならすぐそこだし、別に一緒に行くのは良いけど......君は?」 「そう! ありがとっ!」 話を聞かない子だ。僕の苦手なタイプだね、話が通用しない相手は総じて厄介で面倒な子だって相場が決まってるんだ。それに、人懐っこいみたいだね、笑顔が多くて、スキンシップ過多、今だってお礼を言いながら僕に抱き着いて来ているし、ささやかだけど確かにある膨らみが僕の腕に当たってるんだよ、もっとひっつけ―――いやいや、そんな事は思っていない。 「あー......と、それで君の名前を知りたいんだけど?」 ちなみにこれ聞くの5回目。 「あ、そうだったそうだった、ごめんね! 私の名前はレイラ・ヴァーミリオン、えーと確かグ、ラン......ディール? 王国から来た、Cランクの冒険者だよ!」 彼女、レイラ・ヴァーミリオンは自信満々にそう言った。

The subjugation of The Arachne After we keep searching for it through the forest for a while, we finally encounter our target. Right, that giant spider. Whether it because there are more people than before, or perhaps because it's a different one from before, well I don't know it but as expected different from our first encounter, this time is I'm not scared at all. Because different from before, right now we've become stronger, after all, I can't think we'd lose. If something happen then I also could just drive it away with "Erie Constitution". Moreover, this giant spider isn't necessarily a weakling. So if we defeat it, I'm sure it will give us a load of experience points, there's no way we would lose. "Karorororo....!" While crying such voices which I'd heard it before, the spider is gazing at us. Having a 5 meters big body, its width perhaps not less than eight meters. "Kitsune, what should we do?" "Finia-chan should just focusing on attacking it, we'll back you up." "Leave it to me!" "Lulu-chan, for now could you please prepare your short sword? Of course I'll do my best to protect you, but since our enemy right now is quite big, so just in case." The spider cries, and spiting a very thick thread from its buttock. "It comes!" "Evade!" At Rishe-chan's word, we start moving. Evading the approaching thread, Finia-chan advancing toward the spider. Rishe-chan moves following Finia-chan, where I and Lulu-chan move to the rear side of that spider to surround it. Contrary to its big body, it has a considerable agility. When I think to move to its rear, its compound eyes are always keeping an eye on us. But, it can't turn toward us, isn't it? It should be understand it through its instinct, the most dangerous one here is, Finia-chan who comes upfront. Finia-chan invocates a magic, among Fire magic it is classified as a weak one but with Finia-chan's magical energy she should be able to fires several hundreds of it, those arrow of fire! "Lulu-chan, can you do it?" "--I'll do my best...!" The spider's eyes seize around ten-odd of those arrow of fire, moreover it jumps its body backward correspondently. But, on the rear of it, we're there. Lulu-chan swings her short sword horizontally toward the approaching spider. "....!" "We're retreating, Lulu-chan." Being slashed, the spider's consciousness is focused on us, I take some distance from it while holding Lulu-chan. Hit and run, this is also a splendid strategy. But, spider-kun, isn't it dangerous for you to facing here? "Ka...roroo!" Rishe-chan cuts one of its eight legs with her sword. After the case with that knight leader uncle, even while being seen by someone she's still able to splendidly swing her sword. Combining with her tempered status, her prowess is raising rapidly. "Here it go! Everyone, take some distance." There, before we noticed it, overhead the spider, Finia-chan who is flying at a considerable height calling at us. Her magical energy is shining, I have a somewhat bad feeling coming from it. As per she said, we start taking some huge distance from the spider. It's already hopeless, I'm not particularly know what would come, but I'm sure it's a type of attack which might unanimously swallow us up. When Finia-chan shouting so, tremendous fire is spreading around her, and the sky is immediately dyed in red from the spreading fire. And then, the fire moving circularly, and forming a great tornado with Finia-chan as its center. Moreover, at that instant-- Finia-chan says 'Get burnt' and dropping along with the tornado of fire. "Gi...jaaaaa!!?" Together with *gori* *gori* gouged sounds, simultaneously a sound of meat getting burnt could be heard. Along with the spider's shrieks, Finia-chan who attacked the spider's back several seconds ago is, flying out from its abdomen. Making a straight line of big hole at the spider's body, seems like its life was blown away by the force of the tornado. After the tornado of fire disappeared, Finia-chan who come out is, immediately smiling and give a 'peace' sign to us. No no no, don't give me that peace. If you were careless we might got annihilated, you know? Moreover, to use such absurd fire magic inside a forest, what should we do if the fire burnt some trees and spreading? Someone must take the responsibility, you know? And that would be me! Even though the one who burnt it was Finia-chan! "...haa." But, well, since we won so it's good. The spider is somehow ended with a very poor corpse, but, it's good, isn't it? "You sure are amazing... Finia-chan." "Yes... you're our Ace." "Amazing." "Hehe~n! The strongest and beautiful Fairy Finia-chan is invincible!" Looking at Finia-chan who is puffing her chest out, we make a strained laugh. But, above all, since she had tried her best so I should praise her, don't I? "Lulu-chan, you did well." "Ah...yes." This time, against that spider, Lulu-chan was able to make an attack even if it was a shallow one. She was just got Rishe-chan advising her stance, but seems like she could somewhat put Rishe-chan's guidance into practice. Moreover, even though she just took a slight part of the battle, but as long as she took a part of it she would still got some experience points. Since Lulu-chan was Lv.1 so her level should be raised considerably. "Status." *Status* Name : Lulu Soleil Gender : Female Lv. 8 (UP 7) Strength : 350 Stamina : 200 Resistance : 80 Agility : 280 Magic Power : 140 Title :{Slave} Skill :{Short Sword-Arts Lv.1 (NEW!)} Inherent skill : ??? PT Member : Naginata Kitsune, Finia (Fairy), Trisha (Human) * Ooh, her level raised by seven with just that spider. As expected from a giant spider, it was an E rank magical beast. It hold a considerable experience points. Lulu-chan's status is suddenly overtaking mine, you know? But I'm not sad at all, since as long as my resistance increased then I'm good with it, after all. Level-wise mine is still higher, after all. I'm not mortified at all! "Good for you, Lulu-chan. Your level has raised, you know?" "Eh, is that true? Ehehe... I'm so happy." That's why, I praise her while patting her head without showing my broken mental-state. This is, an adult's way of doing. As long as I could see Lulu-chan's happy smile, it's strange that I'll come to think that that's something can't be helped. Well, if my resistance increased further then I'll come and take the frontline! Before that come I must restrain myself, since I'm a trump card-like character, you know? "Kitsune, just in case I've take the subjugation proof of that spider." "Ah, sorry, thanks." When I say so, Rishe-chan comes and hand me several fangs of that spider. At a subjugation quest, if you don't bring back the subjugation proof than it would be counted as you haven't subjugated it. That means, we won't get the reward. That's why we must take the proof, like this. This time is the fang of this giant spider. "Then, let's go home. Before it getting dark." At my word, everyone is answering, and then we start preparing to return. Our first hunt sure is fruitful, since we got the subjugation proof, so my 100% request completion rate hasn't broken! Having the corpse of that spider burnt by Finia-chan, we start walking. The day is still bright, at this rate seems like we won't encounter that monster. Ah, thanks god. "Say, Kitsune, there's something I'm a bit curious about, though." "Can you see someone's status?" Ah, come to think of it I haven't told Rishe-chan anything about my skills, didn't I? Well, it's just several days after she became my comrade, after all, so it can't be helped. Since she just asked about it herself so let's just tell her about it. "Yes, I'm able to see someone's status." "That means, you'd saw my father's status?" "I see... you said something like that even after seeing it, huh." Seems like she's saying something in murmur, but I can't hear it. It's just I feel like I can see Rishe-chan's turned face is somewhat blushing. Hmm? Have I raised a flag somewhere? I have no such memory, though... ah, I see. "No problem, no problem, since I can't see your body weight nor height, after all." "N, no, that's not... ah... no, I see, it's good then." Was she embarrassed that I might be able to see her body weight, or the like? Well, anyhow looking at Rishe-chan's state who was just sighing, seems like I shouldn't take it in mind, but if she has some troubles then then I'll gladly hear it out, though. If you feel like it I might be even able to give you some advices, you know? While thinking such a thing, we walk through the forest. Today we went inside the forest but since we didn't go that far so we should be able to go out from the forest soon, don't we? From what we heard about this forest, seems like there were numerous magical beast lived inside this forest, and seems like human's influence hadn't reached here. Well, any dangerous magical beast would got hunted by adventurers, but any basically passive magical beast that didn't leave the forest won't be hunted by adventurers. But there are some exceptions such as eater hand, though. That's why there are many magical beast live here. There were some case where some magical beasts were fighting on turf war, but whether it because those magical beast were basically have an equal power, moreover without any special magical beast which ruled the whole forest, seems like they were able to live peacefully at their respective territories. But there are some exceptions such as eater hand, though. Nevertheless, right now inside this forest there's a monster called {Red Night} . So the possibility of the balance of this forest collapsing isn't nonexistent. But there are some exception such as eater hand, though. "Say, Rishe-chan." "What's up?" "Do you know about{Red Night} ?" "Yes... it's infamous, after all. If my memories serve me right, it was an A rank magical being which very close to S rank, and I heard that it was a monster with nature closer to an magical beast rather than a demon." Close to a demon lord is, the hell with that, isn't it could be called as the second demon lord? "The most dreadful part is its position." "Position?" "Yes, seems like {Red Night} isn't a part of demon lord's subordinates. Since individually, it was referred to be equaling demon lord, after all, moreover seems like it clearly has no intention such as annihilating humankind. Well by the fact it hasn't bore any hostility toward demon lord, but keep eating human so it won't be strange if it's actually demon lord's accomplice, though... if I should state it with human's status then, perhaps it's something akin to someone in charge of raiding." That means, the enemy of humanity that doesn't listen to demon lord's order, isn't it? Isn't that dangerous? Different from demon lord, since it has no demon nor magical beasts follower so that's a great luck for human, but, to be equaling demon lord, isn't that means it could only be defeated by the hero? "Well, since it only moves in night, so currently its victims aren't as great as demon lord do. Since it only attacks any humans it encounter, after all. Moreover, there was also someone who said that sometimes it would also eat some weak magical beasts. So I think it has no intention to waging war to humankind." But, isn't that means I still can't understand the reason why I was left alive, isn't it?... could it be that wasn't {Red Night} ? ... or perhaps because I was an otherworlder so I had an absolutely bad taste? Something like I was left behind because when it ate my left eye, it was very bad, or something along that line? What's that, that's really hurt my feelings. While somewhat feeling down, we keep walking for a while and finally able to see the exit. Capturing the view of the town, at least we're able to leave the forest, and it happened when I was sighing in relieve. "...wha?" A figure of someone appeared beside me. I slightly stop my leg in surprise, but seems like that's a lucky one since because of that I'm not bumping with the appeared person. The appeared person is, a girl with a similar height as mine. With a quirky but glossy black hair and white skin, she's a beautiful girl with high canine as her characteristic. But her attire is a similar clothes which is usually used by famed adventurers at the guild, she even use some protective armors. At her waist, there are two short swords- similarly like Lulu-chan's -being put there. "Who are you...?" "Ah, could it you're Kitsune-san! Nice to meet you!" "Ah, yes, nice to meet you, too... then, who are you?" "Well, I was lost when I loitering around the forest, you see! You sure saved me!" "Ah, I see... then, who are you?" "Do you know where Miniera is? If you're okay with it then is it okay if I tag along with you till there?" "Since Miniera is close by, so I won't mind even if you are together with us, though... then, who are you?" "I see! Thank you!" Someone who won't listen to other, huh. She's the hard to deal type for me, in society, someone who won't listen to other is generally stated as a nuisance and troublesome fellow, after all. Moreover, she seems very friendly, she's always smiling, excess skin-ship, even right now she is embracing me while saying her gratitude, it's modest but there are indeed some bulges pressing my arm, stick more closer-- no no, I have no such a thought. "Ah... umm, then I want to know your name, though?" By the way this is my fifth time asking this. "Ah, I see, I see, sorry! My name is Leila Vermillion, I come from, umm, if I'm not mistaken, gran... dile Kingdom, perhaps?, I'm an C rank adventurer!" She, Leila Vermillion confidently says so.

なんだこれは、私の目の前に居るこの生き物は、なんだ? そもそも、この生き物は本当に『人間』か? 私、クレア・ルマールの目の前に居る少年。Hランクの冒険者、きつねのことを、私は少なからず知っていた。ミニエラにいるギルドの受付嬢である妹からの手紙で、面白い冒険者が入ってきたという知らせから、彼の話題が私に伝わっている。 曰く、彼が来てから、殺伐とした雰囲気のギルドが少し明るくなった。 曰く、話しているとちょっと変だが、面白い人。 曰く、彼が来てから、普段淡々としている先輩が表情豊かになった。 曰く、いつも問題を持ってくる人。 曰く、いつも薄ら笑いを浮かべていて、ちょっと不気味。 聞く限りでは色々と変な少年だというのは分かっていたが、それでも優しく、面白い人間だと思っていた。 私よりもずっと年下に見える童顔の、言ってみれば可愛らしい顔立ちの少年ではあるが、今見ればその薄ら笑いが不気味でならない。 しかも、自分よりもずっと上の権力者であるオルバ公爵を、私の頼んだこととはいえ、まるで当然の様に、なんの悪びれもなく、薄ら笑いを浮かべながら、死体すら残さず殺害した。 そしてなにより、 「うん、これで良しっと......クレアちゃん終わったよ?」 そんな気軽さで、宿題が終わった様な感覚で、人殺しの達成を報告してきたのだ。人を殺すというのは、やはりそう簡単な事態ではない。どれほどの悪人だとしても、人を殺すということはそれなりに重い罪の筈。 ―――この子は、殺人の罪すら背負わないとでも言うの? 事実、オルバ公爵が傍に置いていた凶悪殺人鬼レイスですら、人殺しに関する善悪の観念位はあった。彼は殺人は悪だと知った上で、己の快楽の為に人を殺していた。 でもこの子には殺人の意識が全く無い。人を殺したという自覚すら感じられない。そんな人間が、果たして存在するの? いや、存在しても良いの? 「クレアちゃん? 顔が青褪めてるけど大丈夫? ほら、オルバ公爵は死んだんだ、悪は去ったぜ? もっと喜ぼうよ!」 「あ......ぁ............は、はい......」 「まぁ人が死んだのに喜べる筈もないか! あはは、ごめんね」 人が一人死んだ、という実感はあるみたいだけど、私を気遣う様な台詞も、何処か感情が籠っていない。棒読みというわけではないけれど、私を気遣っているという感じは全くない。 「うん、それじゃ後始末は任せたよ? 一つ言っておくけど、ニコちゃん達に被害が及ばない様にしてね? ああ、あと僕にも」 「は、はい」 言われなくとも、誰が貴方の様な存在に進んで関わろうというのか。少なくとも私はこの子に関わりたくないと思っている。被害が彼に及べば、間違いなく今後私は彼に関わることになる。そしてそれは、ニコ・アークスやその父親も同様。全身全霊を賭けて、彼らを被害の及ばぬ安全地帯に送り届けて見せる。 他でもない。私と、私の目的の為に。 「うんうん、僕が公爵を殺して、クレアちゃんが後始末。役割分担がハッキリしてて僕好みだよ! それじゃ、レイラちゃん達と合流しようか。行こうリーシェちゃん」 彼はそう言って、私の横を通り、部屋を出る。その時何故だか、ひんやりとした悪寒が私の身体を包み込む。彼に対して、私の心は確実に恐怖を抱いていた。 あの殺人鬼、レイスが言っていた......『死神』という過剰表現だと思っていた言葉が、今ではしっかと納得出来る。 「それじゃクレアちゃん......後始末、頼んだよ? この街を豊かで健やかな街に変えてね、応援してるよ!」 そして彼は振り返り、薄ら笑いを潜め、純真な少年の様な笑顔でそう言った。少し前までの私なら、可愛いと思ったかもしれない。 でも、今の私には―――その笑顔が不気味なモノに見えた。 「あ♪ きっつねくーん♡」 「レイラちゃん、ニコちゃんのお父さんは助けたの?」 「もっちろん! ほら、そこに転がしてあるよ?」 「転がしとくなよ。なんで拘束具付けたままなんだ」 クレアちゃんと別れて、都庁モドキを出ると、入り口の近くにレイラちゃん達がいた。ニコちゃんがレイラちゃんと手を繋いでいて、なんとなくレイラちゃんに懐いている様な雰囲気がある。ちょっと距離が近いね。 それにしても、レイラちゃんの横に拘束具を付けられたままのニコちゃんパパが転がっているのは、少し引いた。そのまま連れてきたのかよ。まぁ無事に助けられたんなら良いんだけどさ。 とりあえず、瘴気を拘束具の鍵穴に入れて、膨張させる。バギン、という音と共に拘束具が壊れた。うん、やっぱり便利だねこのスキル。 「なぁきつね、これからどうするんだ? ゴブリンキングの件もあるんだし......」 「そうだなぁ、馬車も預けたままだし、街に入られたら困るよね......一応様子を見に行こうか、いざとなればレイラちゃんの餌にしよう」 どうやらニコちゃんパパは気を失っている様だから、瘴気で持ち上げて運ぶことにする。どうやら瘴気で持ち上げられる重量は、使用者の筋力に準じるみたいだ。今の僕なら、大人一人くらいは持ち上げられる。 あっと、そういえばオルバ伯爵って実力のある魔法使いだったんだよね? それをぶっ殺した僕のレベルって上がったんじゃない? まぁ人間殺してレベル上がるかは知らないけど。 とりあえず、歩きながらだけど、ステータス確認っと。 ◇ステータス◇ 名前:薙刀桔音 性別:男 Lv34(↑33UP) 筋力:600:STOP! 体力:4210 耐性:8800 敏捷:4650 魔力:3420 【スキル】 『痛覚無効Lv5』 『直感Lv5』 『ステータス鑑定』 『不屈』 『威圧』 『臨死体験』 『先見の魔眼Lv6』 『瘴気耐性Lv6(↑1UP)』 『瘴気適性Lv6』 『瘴気操作Lv5』 『回避術Lv1』 『見切りLv1』 わーお、随分と上がったな。どうやらオルバ公爵のレベルは随分と高かったらしい。魔法使いとして実力があったみたいだけど、戦闘経験はそうなかったのかな? 元々軍事官職に就いていたらしいし、戦闘というよりは、指揮官的な役割だったんだろう。 それにしても、耐性の伸び率が尋常じゃないな。やっぱり、初期レベルからのレベルアップは、高いレベルからレベルアップした時よりもステータスの伸び率が高いらしい。耐性だけで言えばAランクの領域じゃないかコレ。出会った頃の勇者気取りの筋力が確か、『8740』。超えたねぇ、まぁ勇者気取りは僕よりも素晴らしい才能をお持ちの様だから、恐らくあの頃よりもずっと強くなっているんだろうけどね。 でも、今なら並の攻撃ならほとんどを耐えられる訳だ。レイスだって筋力が『7820』なんだしさ。 といっても攻撃力は筋力だけじゃないけどね。そこに敏捷やスキルの攻撃力向上効果も入るから、数値だけじゃ測れない。でも、それでも筋力分の攻撃力を耐えられる時点で、そこそこ強い筈だ。 「......なんか静かじゃない? それにゴブリンキングってでかいんでしょ? なのに戦闘の音というか、声も聞こえてこないなんて変だね」 「んー............ん? きつね君、前から人が来るよ」 入り口も見えた所で、音が何も聞こえない事を怪訝に思っていると、前からふらふらと幽鬼の様に、赤い髪の青年が歩いてくるのが見えた。折れた剣を持っていて、その表情は何処か虚ろだ。見た目で言えば、新人冒険者っぽい真新しい装備をしているけど......どうしたのかな? ゴブリンキングは? すると、青年も此方に気が付いたようで、順番に一人一人僕達を見始めた。 最初に、僕。 次に、瘴気で運ばれているニコちゃんパパ。 次に、リーシェちゃん。 そして最後に―――レイラちゃん。 順番に見終えた彼は、最後に視線を向けたレイラちゃんに目線を合わせたまま、その眼を見開いた。そして、初めて歩いた赤ん坊の様に、手を前に突き出しながら、ふらふらと近づいてくる。その足が向かう先には、レイラちゃんがいた。 段々と近づいてくる青年に、僕達は動かない。黙って彼を見ていた。 彼は、レイラちゃんの目の前までやって来ると、その胸ぐらを掴んだ。そして――― 「な、んで.........なんでアンタが街の中にいんだよ!!!」 ―――レイラちゃんに向かって、怒りの形相でそう叫んだ。 「んー、何を言ってるのか全然心当たりないんだけど、何処かで会った? 会ってたらごめんね! 覚えてないや♪」 「ふざけんな! アンタ......レイラ・ヴァーミリオンだろ......Cランク冒険者の!!」 「ん、そうだけど?」 「なんで......ゴブリンキングとの戦いに参加しなかった......アンタが居れば、ゴブリンキングだって倒せただろ!!」 どうやら彼は、レイラちゃんの事を知っているらしい。というのも、Cランク冒険者としてのレイラちゃんを、だけど。 彼の言葉からして、ゴブリンキングと戦って来たところらしい。そして、決して少なくない人数の冒険者が死んだって所か? なのにレイラちゃん程の実力者が街の中に居たことが許せないってことかな。 「はぁ......やれやれ、ちょっといいかな?」 話しかけると、レイラちゃんの胸ぐらを掴んだままではあるものの、僕の方を向いてくれた。どうやら話をするだけの理性は残っているらしい。完全に頭に血が上っているわけではなさそうだ。 とりあえず、自己紹介。 「僕はきつね、レイラちゃんのパーティのリーダー? ランクはHだけどね」 「......リーダーなら、なんで街の危機に戦おうとしなかったんだ......! お前らが来てたら......あの人達は......死ななかったかもしれないんだぞ!!」 「まず聞くけど、ゴブリンキングは?」 「分からない......ただ、目覚めた時には俺以外......皆死んでた。魔獣達も、冒険者達も......!」 てことは、彼はその生き残りって訳か。なんというか、可哀想な目に遭ったみたいだね。ドンマイとしか言いようがない。言ったら殴られそうだから止めておくけどね。まぁ殴られても効かないけど。 「アンタさえ来てくれれば......!!」 彼にとって、死んだ冒険者達は余程大切な仲間だったのか、それとも単に同業者が死ぬのが嫌だったのか。 まぁそれはどうでもいいにしろ、このたらればで話すのは気に入らないなぁ。だって仕方ないことじゃないか、僕達はこの街がどうなろうとどうでもよかったし、ニコちゃんを護る方が優先順位が高かったんだから。オルバ公爵相手にあれやこれややってたんだから許して欲しいな。 「そんなこと言われても困るんだよね、それで冒険者達が生き返る訳でもないんだし」 「っと......今度は僕に掴みかかるの? 確かに僕達が向かっていたら、ゴブリンキングを倒せていたんだろうとは思うよ? でもさ、それだって言い掛かりだ。戦おうという意思は自由意思だ、そして......戦わないという意思だって、人の自由じゃないか。逃げても責められることじゃないのは、君だって良く分かってるんだろう? なんてったって......君も、死んだ人達も、同じ冒険者なんだからさ」 レイラちゃんから手を離し、僕の胸ぐらを掴んで引き寄せる青年。どちらにせよ、僕には何の関係もないし、責められる謂われもない。自分の不幸を人の所為にするなよ、死ぬ覚悟もない奴が冒険者を名乗るとか、それこそ冒険者気取りだ。 魔獣との戦いは、『お遊び』じゃないんだよ。 「っ......!! ......でも!」 「君が生き残ったのは、きっと君を護ってくれる人がいたから、そして君の運が良かったからだ。他の冒険者が死んだのは、君が足を引っ張ったからで、彼らの運が悪かったからだ。そして、君が今怒り、苦しんでいるのは―――」 そう言って言葉を切り、僕は彼の胸の中央を指先で軽く突く。 「―――君が弱く、無謀だったからだ」 僕は彼の眼を見据えて、そう言った。

What is this? Is this creature really "human" in the first place? I'm Clair Lumarl. In front of me, stands the H rank adventurer that I know little to nothing about him, Kitsune-sama. It says "He brightened the guild atmosphere" It says "He's a bit weird but funny" It says "Since he came, a senior who is usually indifferent became expressive." It says "He brings all kinds of trouble" It says "His smile is a little bit scary" As far as I'm concerned, I knew he was a strange boy. He is a boy with a pretty face if you say so, but if you look at him now, his smile is not scary at all. And, of course, there was nothing wrong with that, even though I asked Kitsune-sama to take care of Duke Orba, who was much more powerful than me. But to kill without leaving a corpse while smiling is a little bit .... And most of all, [Yeah, this is good.. Clair-chan It already end] With such ease, I feel like I finished my homework. It's not that easy to kill people. No matter how bad he is, killing people is a serious crime. Does this child even feel burdened after the murder? In fact, even Reis the killer under Duke Orba still has some sense of good or evil. But this kid has no consciousness of a killer. I can't even begin to feel his guilt of killing someone. Is there such a human being? No, Is it even exist? [Clair-chan? Your face is a bit pale. Are you okay? Look, Duke Orba is dead. The bad guy is gone so be more cheerful !!] [Eh! Aa Y... Yes] [Well, I don't know if you can be happy that someone's dead. I'm sorry] It seems there is a feeling that one person has died [Yeah, well then, I'll leave the rest to you. I'll tell you one thing. Make sure that no harm can reach Nico-chan okay? Ahh, me too of course] [Y... Yes] Even if you don't say it, who is going to be involved with the existence like you. At least I don't want to get involved with this kid. If the damage is done to him, I will definitely be involved with him in the future. It's the same for Nico Arcos and her father. No matter what it takes, I'll make sure that no harm can reach them. Not for others but for myself [Yeah, I killed the Duke, and Clair-chan cleaned up.I like it because we divide the role clearly. Well, I'll go to where Leila-chan is now. Let's go Rishe-chan] He said so, and left the room, passing me by. And then, for some reason, the chills enveloped my body. Against him, my heart was surely terrified The killer Reis was called God of Death. I used to think that It's an overstatement, but now I take it back. [Then. I'll leave the clean-up to you okay? Clair-chan. I'm cheering for you to turn this city into a rich and healthy city.] He looked back and hid a laugh, then said so with a smile like a naive boy. I might have thought that he was cute a little while ago. But, to me now ... the smile seemed to be a bit creepy now. [Ah Kitsune-kuuuuun ] [Leila-chan, Did you help Nico-chan father?] [Of course! Look, He's rolling over there.] [What ! Why did you tie him up like that] Not too long after we separated, Leila-chan seems to get along with Nico-chan quite well. They're holding hands together with a nice atmosphere. But the scene of Nico-chan father rolling around like that is quite disturbing. Did you just bring him here like that? Well, It would be nice to release him soon. For now, I release the miasma to broke the restraint. Yup, This is quite a convenient skill. [Nee..Kitsune, What are you going to do now? There's also a goblin king ......] [Yeah, well Let's keep the carriage and go into the town. If it's troublesome then, let's just feed them all to Leila-chan.] Well, at least Nico-chan's papa is fine. I'll just carry him using miasma then. The weight that can be lifted by the miasma is corresponding to my strength. With my strength right now. I can lift an adult up just fine. I think that duke Orba was a powerful wizard. Killing him should give me some experience. right? Well, I don't know if killing a human gives me some experience or not. I walk away and check my status. Status Name: Naginata Kitsune Gender: male Lv34 (|33UP) Strength: 600 STOP Stamina: 4210 Resistance: 8800 Agility: 4650 Magic power: 3420 Skill: Pain Nullification LV5 Instinct LV5 Status Appraisal Persistence Intimidating Near-Death Experience Magic Eye of Foresight Lv6 Miasma Resistance Lv6(|1UP) Miasma Aptitude Lv6 Miasma Manipulation Lv5 Evasive Maneuvers Lv1 Bargain Lv1 It's been a long time. Apparently, duke Orba's level was quite high. It seems that he only has a strength as a wizard but nothing on battle experience. He can only commands the army, isn't it? But my resistance isn't grow at all. Maybe, It's harder to grow as my level increases. My resistance status is in the realm of A rank, isn't it? If I'm not wrong, the hero's strength is around 8740 right. Well, he's stronger than me at that time. Maybe, It because he's more talented than me. But now I can receive his attack freely. Reis has 7820 strength after all. Well, attack power doesn't only rely on strength. Agility and Skill also have an effect on attack power too. So we can't just measure it using number. Now, I can withstand almost everything with my resistance. [Isn't it quiet around here? We have a goblin king around here right? But it's strange that I can't hear the sound of battle at all.] [Unnn.... Unn? Kitsune-kun. There's human coming here.] I can see a young red-hair man coming here from the entrance. With his hollow expression and a broken sword. He looks like a new adventurer since almost all of his equipment is new. What's wrong with the Goblin King here? Then, the young man notice us, and began to look at each one of us in turn. Starting from me Next, Nico-chan and her papa Then, Rishi-chan The last one is Leila-chan As he sees Leila-chan, he freezes and coming this way wobbly. We're waiting for him in silence. He grabbed Leila's collar. And then... [W.. Why did you still here in the city WHY!!!!!!!!!!!] He shouted at Leila in rage. [Hmmmmm, I have no idea what you're talking about. Have we ever met? I'm sorry if I have ever met you! I don't remember you at all] [Don't mess with me! You Leila Vermillion, isn't it? the C rank adventurer!!] [Yup, then?] [Why didn't you join the fight against the Goblin King? If you were there, you could have killed the Goblin King easily!!!] Apparently, he knows about Leila. Only the C rank adventurer Leila It seems. From his words, look like he fought with the Goblin King. Then someone he know should have died in the raid huh? But he doesn't think it's acceptable for someone as powerful as Leila-chan to be in the city. [haaa yare yare I can I have a moment?] I spoke to him as he grabbed Leila collar, then he turns to me. Don't let the blood get all over your head, young boy. Let's start with an introduction then. [I'm Kitsune. Leila-chan party leader. Rank H adventurer are you clear?] [If you are leader, then why didn't you try to fight the city crisis ! If you were here, they might not have died!!] [I'll ask you first. Where's the Goblin King?] [I don't know but...When I woke up, everything but me were dead. Monsters and adventurers.] So that's why he survived. I mean, it looks like you go through a lot. I can only say that much. If I were to tell you something, I would get beaten. So I won't. Well, it doesn't work even if you hit me though. [If you guys were there ....!!] For him, the dead adventurers were his precious comrades. Or was it simply that he didn't want his colleagues to die? Well, I don't care about that, I don't like talking about this stuff. I mean, we didn't even care what this city was going to be like. Protecting Nico-chan was our priority. I want you to forgive me because I have to set things straight with duke Orba. [I don't want to be told that. It's not like they're coming back to life again anyway.] [If we were indeed on our way,I don't think we will be able to defeat the Goblin King right away. But that's what I'm saying. It's our freedom to choose whether we want to fight or not. You know? You can't blame me for running away.You know that well, right? Me and the dead adventurer are also the adventurer too.] A young man pulls his hand away from Leila and grabs my shirt. Either way, I don't have anything to do with it, and I don't deserve to be blamed. Fight with the demon beast is not a play you know? [uhhhgu!! But!!!] [You survived because you had someone to protect you, and you were lucky. The other adventurers died because you dragged them down, they have bad luck. You are now angry and suffering BECAUSE---] That's what I'm saying. I poke the middle of his chest lightly with my fingertips [----BECAUSE YOU ARE WEAK AND RECKLESS] I looked at him in the eye and said so

獣人の性質 「ふむふむ......なるほど、さっぱり分からない」 さてさて、『赤い夜』―――レイラちゃんとの一件もなんとか話を付けて、僕的にはそろそろ休めるかなぁって思った所に第二波が来た感じの展開に、全く付いていけないんだけど、順を追って整理してみようか。 まず、僕はレイラちゃんを連れて、っていうか付いてくるのを無視して部屋に戻ってきた。それで部屋に入った瞬間『臨死体験』が解除されたんだ。その結果、どっと戻ってきた疲労感に眠っちゃったんだよね。多分体力がもう限界だったんだろう。 で、朝目覚めたらフィニアちゃん達がおらず、隣でレイラちゃんが寝てた。はいおかしい。 「......いやおかしくはないのか......? この子僕の後ろから付いて来てたし、寝た後に潜り込んできた、とか......」 今も隣で気持ちよさそうに眠っているレイラちゃんだけど、考えてみれば付いて来ていた彼女が此処にいてもおかしくはない。 ただ、今夜は寝ないで欲しいと言っておいたフィニアちゃんが、レイラちゃんの入室を認める筈がない。彼女が『赤い夜』と知らない時でさえ険悪な表情をしていたし、ましてこの『赤い夜』モードの容姿のままレイラちゃんが入ってきたとしたら、戦闘になってもおかしくないんじゃないのかな? となると部屋にフィニアちゃん達がいないのが凄く不安になって来るんだけど。まさかまさか、食べたりしてないよね? 約束したよね? 食べられてたら本当に寝首掻くぞこいつ。 「うふ、うふふふ......きつねくーん......すぴー......♡」 寝ながら発情してやがるし。怖いよもう、なんでこんな子ばっかり集まって来るんだ。勇者と会ったら退治してもらおうかな......それか勇者に惚れる可能性を信じて押し付けようかな。絶対僕より強いだろうし、異世界人だからきっと向こうの方が美味しい筈だ。多分。 「あ、起きられましたか、きつね様」 とそこへ、なんだか長く明るい茶色の髪の少女が入ってきた。頭には犬耳、お尻には犬の尻尾が生えている。どことなくルルちゃんに似てるけど、ルルちゃんはもっと幼かった、大体小学三年生くらいだったかな。 目の前の少女は大体中学三年生くらいの容姿をしてるし、ルルちゃんよりもずっと背が高い。もしかしてルルちゃんのお姉さん的な存在だったりする? 「......誰?」 「ルルです」 素性を尋ねたら、その少女はルルと名乗った。ははは、同じ名前なんておかしな話だ。 「ルルちゃーん、きつねさん起きたー?」 「あ、フィニア様......はい、目覚められました......ただ、見知らぬ人が」 「ああー! この女、ちょっと目を離した隙に!!」 すると、彼女の後ろからフィニアちゃんがすいーっと飛んできた。そしてレイラちゃんを見た瞬間に速度をあげ、レイラちゃんの顔面に頭突きをかました。 「あたっ......うぅーん......いたた......あっ♪ おはよっ、きつね君!」 「抱きつくな」 ややこしくなってくるから。 取り敢えず僕はレイラちゃんからフィニアちゃんを引き剥がし、ベッドから降りた。枕元に置いてあった狐面を頭に掛けて、とりあえず身体を伸ばしたり曲げたりして解す。そして、大きく深呼吸して首をコキッと一つ鳴らした。 改めて周囲を見た。フィニアちゃんはいつも通り、そしてルルちゃんを名乗る中三位の少女がいて、白髪赤眼のレイラちゃんがベッドの上に座っている、と。 さしあたって確かめるべきなのは、ルルちゃんだろう。 「ルルちゃんってこんな感じだったっけ?」 「私もびっくりした! 昨日の夜突然だったから!」 どういうこと? そう聞いたら、フィニアちゃんは昨日の夜......僕が眠った後に起こったことを話し始めた。 「な、なに......!?」 私が眠ろうとした瞬間、隣から視界いっぱいに広がる光が現れた。びっくりして目を開けたら、そこには身体から光を放ってるルルちゃんがいる。 困惑しながらも私はルルちゃんに起こった変化を理解するべく、ルルちゃんの身体に触れた。光は熱く感じたけど、ルルちゃんの身体に何か害を与えるような感覚は無かった。 すると、ルルちゃんの身体が急激に『成長』し始めた! 見る見る内に彼女の顔から幼さが取れていき、身体も平坦なものから多少凹凸のある身体へと変化していくのが分かる。 そして光が少しずつ収まり、完全に消えた時、ルルちゃんの身体はきつねさんよりも頭一つ小さいくらいにまで成長していた。驚愕で目を丸くして、言葉も出なかったけど、ルルちゃんの身体が呼吸で動いているのを見て、生きていることが分かったから少し安心出来た。 「......んん......フィニア様......?」 「あ......る、ルルちゃん」 「おはようございます......」 すると、ルルちゃんが眼を覚ました。どきっとして言葉に詰まったけど、別に何も悪いことはしてないから萎縮する必要はない、と思い直す。そして挨拶をしてくるルルちゃんに、私はおはようと返した。 目を覚ましたルルちゃんは、自分の身体の変化に気が付いて、困惑しながら自分の身体をぺたぺたと触れまわってた。 「え......え......? これって......」 「えと、さっきぱぁって光ってルルちゃんの身体が成長したんだけど......」 「第二次性徴......?」 「第、二次性徴? なにそれ?」 どうやらルルちゃんは自分の身体に起こった変化について心当たりがあるようだった。ぽつりと彼女の口から出て来た言葉、『第二次性徴』というのはなんなんだろう? 私は首を傾げながらそれについて聞いてみる、するとルルちゃんは小難しそうな表情を浮かべながら説明し始めた。 「えと......私達獣人というのは、人間と違って少し特殊で......狩りを生業としている人と、普通に暮らしている人とでは成長に差が出るんです」 「なるほど」 「普通に暮らしている人は、人間と同じで時間と共に身体が成長していくんですけど......狩りを生業としている人はレベルが上がるとそれに応じて身体が急成長するです」 』退治でルルちゃんのレベルが上がったよね......だからそのレベルに応じて身体が成長したってこと? あはは、短い幼女期間だったね! とはいえ、ルルちゃん成長して随分と大人びた感じになったね。話すのも結構流暢になってきたし、というか声も少し子供っぽさが抜けた気がする。精神的にも成長したってことなのかな? 切った髪もかなり伸びたみたいだし。 「へぇ......あっ、ルルちゃんもう身体の痛みは大丈夫?」 「ああ、はい......え、と......大丈夫です」 「そっか! 良かった!」 まぁなんにせよ、大事にならなくて良かった。ルルちゃんにとっても良い変化だったみたいだし、身体の痛みも取れたみたいだし、良かった良かった。 すると、ルルちゃんがベッドから足を下ろして、立ち上がった。幼い時に貰った服がピチピチだ。膝丈まであったスカートの裾が、下着が見えないギリギリの所まで上がってる。それに胸元も成長して出て来た膨らみで突っ張っちゃってる。首輪は奴隷の成長に合わせてサイズが変わる様に作られてるみたいだから丁度良い大きさだけど、それ以外はなんだか色っぽくなっちゃってた。 「ちょっと......苦しいです」 「......エイラさんに服を貰い行こっか!」 それから私達はエイラさんの所へ行って、成長したルルちゃんを見たエイラさんによるファッションショーが朝まで続けられることになるのだった。 「で、今帰ってきた所ってことか......」 「うん、数着服を貰ったよ!」 「てことは......マジでルルちゃんなんだ」 「はい、すいません驚かせてしまい......」 フィニアちゃんの説明を受けて、僕はそんなに驚いていなかった。ファンタジーだからそういうこともあるだろうと思ってたしね。寧ろ、ルルちゃんの身体が成長するくらいなら時間と共に起こり得ることだった訳だし、それが遅いか速いかの違いだから別に構わない。 まぁ多少ステータスにも成長補正が入るだろうし、それはそれで僕達にとっては得になるから良いとしよう。 「まぁそれは良いよ。こっちはもっと大変だし......」 「ん? あはっ♪」 僕はちらっとレイラちゃんを見る。すると、彼女は僕の視線に気付いて可愛く笑った。どうやら今は発情してないみたいで、顔も赤くないし目にハートマーク浮かんでない。どうやら昼と夜じゃ発情度に違いがあるみたいだね。今本気で良かったと思った。 とはいえ、夜より話が通じるようになっただけで発情してない訳じゃないみたいだ。この分じゃ夜が怖いな。 「そう! なんでこの女が此処にいるの!? きつねさん!」 「あー......昨日呼び出されて会いに行ったんだけど......そしたらレイラちゃんがあの時の怪物だったって分かって、食べられそうになったから一緒にいていいとか色々条件付けて止めて貰ったんだよ」 「ぐぬぬぬぬ.........!」 「分かったかな? 私ときつね君は昨日結ばれたんだよ!」 「ちょっと黙ってくれる?」 放っておけば何言いだすか分からない。気が付いたら僕とレイラちゃんが付き合ってるとか噂が流れそうで怖い。こんな子と付き合う奴とか正気の沙汰じゃないよ、瘴気だけに。 とはいえ、昼間は夜に比べて比較的大人しいし、思ったより一日中くっつかれるような事にはならなそうだ。レイラちゃん以外だったら大歓迎だけどね、この子だけは無理。行き過ぎて食べられる可能性もあるし。 早々に耐性値上げてこの子が脅威にならないくらいまで成長しないと......いつか絶対左眼じゃ済まなくなる......というか左眼返せよ、どうせそのお腹の中に入ってるんだろうけどさ、ぐっちゃぐちゃになって。 「という訳で、まぁ彼女も僕らに付いてくることになったから、仲良くしてね」 「いや!」 「やー♡」 「ははっ、駄目だこりゃ」 とりあえず手を舐めるまでは許そう。一日1回キスしなくちゃいけないけど。 「さて......と、それじゃそろそろかな」 「何が、ですか?」 いがみ合ってる二人を置いて、僕は一つそう呟く。ルルちゃんが首を傾げた。 色々あったけど、取り敢えずは僕達の準備が整ったと言っても過言ではない。僕の耐性も森を抜ける位はイケる程に上昇したし、リーシェちゃんも戦えるようになったし、ルルちゃんも予想外だったけど成長したし、フィニアちゃんは言わずもがな、そこにSランク魔族のレイラちゃんが加わった。戦力的には最強のパーティと言える自信がある。 ならば、もうこの国に留まる理由はないだろう。そろそろ行こうか、グランディール王国。異世界からやってきた人間、『勇者』に会いに。 正直、この国にはミアちゃんとかエイラさんとかお世話になった人がいるし、『赤い夜』をのさばらせておくのは忍びない、危険だからね。 「うん、そろそろこの国を出ようか」 「!」 僕の言葉に、ルルちゃんが目を丸くした。驚いた様な表情を浮かべる彼女の頭を撫でてやる。すると、此処は変わってないのか相変わらず気持ちよさそうに頭を擦りつけてくる。思わず苦笑が漏れた。 フィニアちゃんの襟首を摘まんで肩に乗せ、レイラちゃんの額をこつんと叩く。にへらっと笑う赤い眼の彼女は、寝っ転がったまま瘴気に乗って空中に浮遊する。便利そうだな、あれ。 「とりあえず、今日グランディール王国に向かう準備を整えて、明日の朝に出発しようか」 「えー、あの国つまらないんだけどなぁー」 「今は勇者が召喚されたらしいから、少しは楽しめると思うよ」 なんだったら押し付けるしね。 僕がそう言うと、レイラちゃんは少しだけ楽しみといった笑みを浮かべた。というかこの子を連れて街に出ても良いのかな? 正直、見た目は完全に魔族なんだけど。 フィニアちゃんは正体に気が付いているだろうし、ルルちゃんは正直奴隷だったからか、彼女が魔族であること自体気が付いてないみたいだし良いけど、外に出たら絶対バレるよなぁ。 そう思い、少し考えてみた。 「仕方ない、ルルちゃん......とりあえずリーシェちゃん起こして来てくれる?」 でも、上手い案は浮かばない。レイラちゃんに元の黒髪黒目の人間モードになってもらえればいいんだけど、その代わりに何を要求されるか分からない。 仕方なく外に出るわけにもいかないので、僕は成長したルルちゃんにそう頼んだ。

Beast-kin's Trait "Hmm... I see, I don't understand it at all." Well then, after I somehow managed to settle down the case about {Red Night} - Leila Vermilion -, I felt like I wanted to immediately took a rest but, right now, I feel like the second wave of event have started, I don't understand it at all, but let's try to sort out what happened first. First, I took along Leila-chan, or rather I ignored Leila-chan who followed me, and then returned to my room. Then, the instant I entered my room, the {Near-death experience} skill was cancelled. And because of that, I immediately felt a great drowsiness. Perhaps, my stamina was already at its limit. And then, when I woke up this morning, without Finia-chan and Lulu-chan around, there was Leila-chan who was sleeping next to me. "...wait, but perhaps it isn't that strange, right...? This girl did following me here, after all, so perhaps when I was asleep, she slipped into the bed, or something along that line..." If I rethink about Leila-chan who is sleeping soundly next to me, it won't be strange for her to be here since she did following me here, after all. It's just, since I asked Finia-chan to don't sleep last night, there was no why she'd allow her to enter the room. Finia-chan'd always made such threatening expression at Leila-chan even when she didn't know that she was {Red Night} , after all, that's why when Leila-chan entered this room while still at her {Red Night} mode, then it shouldn't be strange for them to had a fight here, right? That means, I'm very uneasy at the fact that Finia-chan and Lulu-chan aren't in this room. Could it be, she didn't eat them, right? She had promised, after all, right? If she really ate them then I'd really kill her at her sleep. "Ufu, ufufu... Kitsune-kun... I luv..." She even still lustful when asleep. How scary, why? Why must such kind of girl that gathered around me? If I meet the hero, could I ask him to exterminate her, I wonder? ... Ah, that's it, I must believe at the possibility that she might fall for the hero instead, then I could simply pass her away at him. I'm sure he's definitely way stronger than me, after all, and since he's also an otherworlder so I'm sure he'd taste way better than me. Perhaps. Nonetheless, where are Finia-chan and Lulu-chan, I wonder? "Ah, you have awoken, Kitsune-sama." And, at that time, there's a girl with a long bright brown hair who enters the room. There's dog ears atop her head, and there's also a dog tail at her buttock. She looks somewhat similar like Lulu-chan, but Lulu-chan was a bit younger, she looked like a little girl of a third-year student of elementary school, after all. The girl before me has an appearance that of a girl at her third-year middle school, after all, she's way taller than Lulu-chan. Perhaps, is she Lulu-chan's older sister, or someone along that line? "...who are you?" "Lulu-desu." When I asked who the girl was, she named herself as Lulu. "Lulu-chan, have Kitsune-san awoken?" "Ah, Finia-sama... yes, he has awoken... it's just, there's an unknown person." "Aa!! That girl, when I took my eyes off even for just a bit!!" After that, Finia-chan comes flying from her rear. And then, the moment she notices Leila-chan, she speed up herself, and clashes herself at Leila-chan's face head first. "Ow... hnn... it hurts... Ah, morning, Kitsune-kun!" "Don't cling at him." Since it has become very complicated, First of all, I take Finia-chan away from Leila-chan, then I get off from the bed. Putting the lying on the bed fox mask at my head, I decide to stretch my body first. And then, taking a deep breath, I stretch my neck and make a cracking sound. After that, I look at my surrounding again. Finia-chan is still like usual, then there a girl with appearance akin to a girl around her third-year in middle school who named herself as Lulu-chan, and lastly there's Leila-chan with white hair and red eyes who is sitting atop the bed, huh. The one I need to ascertain first is, Lulu-chan, right? "Did Lulu-chan always looks like this, I wonder?" "I was also surprised! It happened suddenly last night, after all!" What do you mean? When I ask so, Finia-chan starts telling us... what happened last night, when I was asleep. "Wh, what is it...!?" The moment when I was almost got asleep, suddenly there was a dazzling light spreaded. My eyes were opened wide in surprise, the one there was Lulu-chan whose body was emitting that dazzling light. Even in my bewildered state, I still could grasp the transformation that occurred at Lulu-chan's body, then I touched Lulu-chan's body. The light felt a bit hot, but I didn't feel like it'd bring any harm to her body. And then, Lulu-chan's body suddenly started {growing} ! In an instant, the childish appearance at her face disappeared, even I can see that bulges were appeared at the flat part of her body. I didn't know what happened, but unlike Kitsune-san who was a human, Lulu-chan was a {Beast-kin} . Perhaps they had unique traits that were different from human. And, the light was diminishing little by little, and when it completely disappeared, Lulu-chan's body had grown into one head short than Kitsune-san's. My eyes were opened wide in surprise, she didn't say anything, but I could see that her body was still breathing, I felt a bit relieved the moment I noticed that she was still alive. "...nn... Finia-sama...?" "Ah...Lu, Lulu-chan." "Good morning...." And then, Lulu-chan was awoken. I was lost of words in surprise, but since it wasn't something bad, so there was no need to fret over it, or so I thought. Thus, to Lulu-chan who greeted me, I said 'good morning' in reply. The just awoken Lulu-chan noticed the transformation that occurred at her own body, and started patting her whole body in bewilderment. "Eh... eh...? This is...." "Umm, just now, your body was shining and suddenly grown, you see...." "Secondary trait...?" "Secondary, trait? What is that?" Seemed like Lulu-chan had an idea about what happened to her body. {Secondary trait} that she said in her murmur, just what was that? I inclined my neck and asked her for explanation about it, and then Lulu-chan started explaining it with a somewhat hard expression. "Umm... us, beast-kin, are a bit different from human... there's a difference of growth between people who live as a hunter and people who live like ordinary people-desu." "I see." "People who live ordinarily are, similarly like human, they grow along the time, but... people who live as hunter, their body would rapidly grow in accordance to the increase of their level-desu." Come to think of it, Lulu-chan's level was increased after we subjugated the "Arachne", right? ... Did that means, because her level increased, her body grown in accordance? Ahaha, she sure had a short childhood period! Nonetheless, after her growth, she felt like had become somewhat a bit more mature, right? Her speech had become more affluent, after all, or rather, I felt like her childish ambiance was a bit lessened from her voice. Did that means that she also grown mentally, I wonder? Even her just got cut hair was also considerably grown, after all. "Hee... ah, Lulu-chan, is your body still in pain?" "Ah... umm... I'm fine-desu." "I see! Thanks god!" Well, nonetheless, thanks god that it wasn't something bad. Even for Lulu-chan, it seemed like it was a good transformation, after all, and the pain of her body also had disappeared, thanks god. Thereupon, Lulu-chan put her legs down from the bed and stood up. The clothes that she got in her little girl time was bursting in tight. The cuff of her skirt that used to reach her knee, right now it was raised to the point just barely hid her underwear. Moreover, the bulges that grown at her chest were sticking out itself proudly. The slavery choker was transforming in accordance to its holder body so the size was just perfectly match her, but other than that were became somehow looked erotic. "It's a bit... tight-desu." "...Let's go and ask Ayla-san for some now clothes!" After that we went to meet Ayla-san, and after Ayla-san saw the just grown Lulu-chan, she performed a fashion show out of her till morning came. "Then, you just returned from there, huh...." "Yup, we got a lot of clothes, you know!" "That means... she really is Lulu-chan, huh." "Yes, sorry for surprising you...." I wasn't that surprised. Since here's a fantasy world so something like that might really happen, after all. Or rather, regarding Lulu-chan's growth, it'll eventually happen along the time, so it's just a matter of how fast or slow that growth pace, so I don't particularly mind it. Well, there's also status correction, after all, so as far as we concerned, since it's a good thing so let's just don't fret over it too much. "Well, that isn't particularly a problem. This one is way more troublesome, after all...." "Hmm? Ahaha." I take a glance at Leila-chan. And then, noticing my glance, she cutely laughs. Seems like right now she isn't in her lustful state, her face isn't flushed and there's also no heart marks at her eyes. Seems like there's a lust switch that would get switched along the alteration between day and night. I'm really grateful of it. Nonetheless, even when she could communicates better than at night, it doesn't necessarily means that she wouldn't be at her lustful state. In that case, night would become a dangerous period. "That's right! Why is this girl even here!? Kitsune-san!" "Ah... yesterday, I met her after got called, you see... and then, I noticed that Leila-chan was actually the monster back then, and since I was almost got eaten so I told her that she could live together with me along with many other conditions so that she'd stop at trying to eat me." "Gunununu....!" "Do you understand it now? I and Kitsune-kun are bound together ever since yesterday!" "Could you please be quiet for a bit?" It sure would be scary if suddenly there's a rumor that said that I and Leila-chan are dating. Dating this girl isn't a matter of sanity again, but the miasma. Nonetheless, compared to her at night, at day she is considerably more docile, seems like she won't cling at me the whole time like how I expected her to be. If it's not Leila-chan then I'll greatly welcome it, though, but this sole girl is impossible for me. There's a possibility she might overdo it and accidentally eat me, after all. I have to increase my resistance to the point that her attack won't become a threat for me as fast as possible... the next time, I feel like she won't be satisfied with just my right eye, after all... or rather, please return my left eye. After all, it's inside that stomach of yours, right? Just throw out up. "That's why, well, since she's going to be together with us, so please be nice to each other, right?" "No way!" "No~" "Hahaha, sound like hopeless." For now, let's permit her to just lick my arms. I still have to kiss her once a day though. "Well then... I think it's almost the time." "Time, for what?" Ignoring the two who are quarreling, I murmur so. And Lulu-chan inclines her head. Many things happened, but it won't be an exaggeration to say that our preparations are already quite in order. My resistance has reached the point where it would let me survive through that forest, Rishe-chan also has become able to fight, it's outside my expectation, but Lulu-chan also has grown, Finia-chan is goes without saying, I think, and then we also have Leila-chan, the S rank demon. War potentials-wise, I'm pretty confident to call ourselves as the strongest party. So, there's already no reason for us to stay at this country, right? I think it's almost the time we need to go there, to the Grandile Kingdom. To meet the person who was summoned from another world, the {Hero} . To be honest, at this country there are Mia-chan, Ayla-san and many other person who I'm indebted to, but I can't just let {Red Night} to do as it pleased, it's too dangerous, after all. "Yup, I think it's almost the time we need to leave this country." "!" At my word, Lulu-chan opens her eyes wide. I pat Lulu-chan's head whose face is filled by surprise. In doing so, perhaps this part is still the same as usual, she rubs her head with such happy expression as usual. Unintentionally, I let out a bitter smile. Then, I pinch Finia-chan at the nape of her neck and put her at my shoulder, and knock Leila-chan at her forehead. The red eyed girl is laughing while laying around atop her floating miasma. It seems very convenient, right? "Anyway, today we're going to make our preparation to take a journey toward Grandile Kingdom, and we're going to departure tomorrow morning." "Eh~, that country is boring, though." "Seems like not too long ago they had summoned a hero, so I think it has become a bit more interesting, you know?" And if he's into your liking then I'll push you away to him, after all. When I think so, Leila-chan floats a smile that contains a bit of anticipation. Is it okay to take along a girl with such appearance around the town? To be honest, her appearance is completely that one of a demon, though. Finia-chan's true nature has been exposed, Lulu-chan was actually indeed a slave, it's good since it seems like everyone hasn't noticed that Leila-chan is actually a demon, but if she goes outside as it is, I'm pretty sure she'd immediately get exposed, right? Considering that, I'm pondering about it a bit. "It can't be helped, Lulu-chan... for now, could you please wake Rishe-chan up?" However, I haven't got any decent plan. It would be good if Leila-chan would revert her appearance back into that one of a girl with black hair and black eyes, but, I don't know what she might demand from me in exchange. Since it's inevitably that we still need to go outside, so I ask the just grown Lulu-chan to do so.

桔音の才能 私は思想種、人の想いから生まれた特別な妖精だ。 私の生みの親が私を生み出す程の強い想いを向けた相手は、 だから私は見知らぬ私の生みの親である少女と同じで、きつねさんが大好きだ。厳密には、まだ会って一日も経っていないけれど、一目見た瞬間に私はきつねさんこそが少女の想い人だと確信していた。だって、きつねさんを見た瞬間に私もきつねさんが好きになったんだから、きっと『そう』に違いない。 きつねさんは弱い。強力な力を持っているからと言って、まだまだ生まれたてで本当に強い者を相手にすれば足元にも及ばない私よりも、ずっと弱い。私と戦えば魔法なんて使うまでも無く勝つ事が出来るだろう。 だから、私が護ってあげないと直ぐに死んでしまう。貧弱で、脆弱で、虚弱、吹けば簡単に消えてしまう小さな 森の中、きつねさんは生きようと必死だった。見た目や言動からは全く焦りや不安が汲み取れないけれど、きつねさんの瞳はいつだって逆境の中生き抜こうと必死だった。狼に襲われても諦めない、大蜘蛛と対峙しても恐れない、何に縋りついてでも生きようとする姿は、とても醜く、痛々しい。 そんなきつねさんの命を奪おうと、また魔獣が現れた。不意打ちにきつねさんを攻撃して、きつねさんは毒で動けなくなった。現れたのは蜂の集団。ブンブンと羽音が不快な音になって、近づいてくる。 ―――護らないと そんな考えが頭を埋め尽くした。きつねさんは死なせちゃいけない、だって、きつねさんは今......『独り』だもん。誰も見てない、誰も知らない、たった一人、孤独に死ぬなんて――――私が許さない。 を背に隠した。麻痺した身体を無理矢理動かして取った行動が、私を護ることだなんて、これ以上なく嬉しかった。私の中にあるきつねさんを想う感情が膨れ上がる。胸が張り裂けそうなほどだった。 ―――今ならば、なんだって出来る気がした。 気が付けば私は動きだしていた。自慢の羽をはためかせて、近づいて来ている蜂に突撃する。きつねさんは、死なせない。 普通なら溜めが必要な魔法だけど、今の私はこの魔法を即座に組み立て、発動出来た。想いの妖精は強い想いから生まれた妖精―――故に、その想いと同じ想いを妖精自身が抱いた時、更に強い力を発揮する事が出来る。 小さく、白い焔がまとめて数匹の蜂を消滅させる。塵も残さない勢い、空中で完全燃焼し、地面に落ちる前に燃え尽きた。 「不意打ち上等! 虫共掛かっておいで! この美少女妖精フィニアちゃんが一匹残らず相手してやんよっ!」 きつねさんを好きだと思う気持ち、それが私の原動力。この想いが私を強くする! フィニアが桔音の下を離れて、蜂達との戦闘を開始したことは、桔音にも理解出来た。炎の光と攻撃が当たった音が聞こえるからだ。森の中で火を使うのは山火事的な危険が伴うものの、そうしなければ死ぬのだからあまり禁止出来るものではない。 が、今この状態でフィニアと距離を離されるのは少し不安が募る。不幸なことに、桔音は今麻痺毒で指一本動けない状態なのだ、今別の蜂からもう一発喰らったりしようものなら、 今度は筋肉や神経系が麻痺して心臓麻痺や心肺停止を引き起こす可能性がある。 見た限りではあの蜂は十数匹いた。桔音の知識ならば、蜂は基本的に巣を中心に広い範囲で行動する。広範囲故に、一匹で活動している事もしばしば見かけることがある。 だが、あれだけの数が集団で行動しているということと、先程の白い花が群生していることを考慮すれば、この場所は桔音にとって非常に不味い場所である可能性が高い。 「......ぐっ......くそ、動かねー......」 何とか動いてみようとするが、やはり麻痺で身体は動いてくれない。筋肉を動かそうと脳が電気信号を送っても、痙攣した筋肉はそれを実行に移せない。 桔音は何かこの状況を打破する手段が無いか、破れかぶれに『ステータス鑑定』を発動させた。 ◇ステータス◇ 名前: 敏捷:10 魔力:20 だが、何か変化がある訳ではない。状態異常の表示なのか、麻痺の表示が出ているが、それ以外は前と同じだ。 「くっそ......!」 歯噛みする。なんの打開策も浮かばない。 そんな桔音の耳に、最悪の音が聞こえた。 ―――ブブブ...... 蜂の羽音。それも、大木を背にしている桔音の背後、ではない、正面からだ。フィニアが戦っている方向ではなく、目の前からだ。 視線を上に上げてみれば、そこには一匹の蜂が浮遊していた。お尻に付いた円錐型の毒針が、桔音にその先端を向けている。 桔音は苦し紛れに蜂のステータスを除く。 種族:昆虫型魔獣 Lv5 体力:50 耐性:15 スキル:『麻痺針』『群体行動』 この蜂は敏捷能力に関しては桔音よりも高い。おそらく、桔音が攻撃を当てようとしてもけして当たらない程の格差があるだろう。 「これはどういう......?」 桔音は此処までの道中、フィニアの知る能力値についての知識を収集していた。その結果、『耐性』という能力値を分かりやすく表現すると、その人の『防御力』ということだと分かった。 そして、フィニアの筋力が桔音の12倍であれだけの力を持っていることを踏まえると、桔音の耐性値はこの蜂の針を生身で受け止められる位の防御力である筈。 「まさか......ステータスの力を発揮出来てない......?」 桔音は考える。もしかしたら何か見落としている部分があるのかもしれないと。耐性100の力を発揮出来ていないのかもしれないと。 だが、考えている暇はなかった。 蜂は、思考する桔音を敵とみなした。その針が射出される。 桔音はその瞬間、世界がスローモーションに見えた。針の先端が少しづつ近づいて来ている。その向かう先は桔音の眉間、確実に死亡コースまっしぐらだ。 その時、桔音は思い出した。フィニアが魔法をどうやって使っているのかを。彼女は桔音が魔法を使う方法を聞いた時、生まれた時から知っていた、感覚で使えると分かっていたと答えた。 つまり、意識の部分で桔音は自分の出来ると思っている事と表示されるステータスが噛み合っていないのだ。 結果―――肉体が針を防げる筈がないと桔音が思っているから、針はステータスの差を越えて桔音の肉体を穿ったということだ。 (――――なら......) 桔音はスローモーションの視界の中で、生きる望みをまだ捨てない。耐性100のステータスを信じ、桔音は迫る針が自身の肉体を穿てる筈が無いと信じた。思い込み、その針を生身一つで対抗する。 (まだ、死ねないんだよ......!!) 針が桔音の眉間に触れた、そしてその勢いのままに桔音の肉を...... ―――穿てなかった 歯と歯をぶつけたような音が響き、蜂の毒針は桔音の肉体に弾かれ地面に落ちた。 「.........耐性100......やるじゃない、僕」 桔音はどっと吹き出る汗を感じながら、自分のステータスとその使い方を理解した。痛みはなく、傷も無い。これが桔音が唯一得た耐性の才能の力、桔音はそれを体感して薄ら笑いを浮かべた。 そして、毒などなかったかのように軽々と『立ち上がった』。 「耐性ってのは状態異常にも効くみたいだね」 本当は効いていなかった毒を効いていると思い込んでいたから麻痺で動けなかったのだ。効かないと分かれば本来は効いていなかった毒など屁でもない。桔音は針を失った蜂を素手で捕らえた。どうやら蜂の方は桔音に攻撃が通らなかったことで困惑していたらしく、逃げるのが遅れてしまったようだ。 「針の無くなった君なんて、全然怖くない。針があっても怖くないけどね」 その時、蜂は身体を硬直させる。桔音と対峙した蜘蛛が感じたように、危険な気配を感じ取ったからだ。蜂はジタバタともがく、なんでもいいからとにかく桔音から出来る限り距離を取りたかったのだ。 不気味で、気持ち悪い 桔音のスキルにもある『不気味体質』、これがこの危険な気配の正体だ。 ―――『不気味体質』:敵と対峙し、精神的優位に立った時相手を威圧し心を圧し折るスキル。 桔音が精神的に優位に立った時、レベル差に関係なく相手を威圧し精神的に圧倒する凶悪なスキルだ。桔音が敵と認識していないと発動しなかったり、精神的下位に立っている時は発動しなかったりと、発動には様々な条件があるが、決まれば確実に桔音の力になるスキルだ。 「ギ......ィ......!」 蜂は桔音の手で抑えつけられ、桔音の眼を直視させられる。眼を離したいのに、離せないこの状況が拷問の様に感じていた。 すると、桔音は口端を吊り上げながら蜂の羽を掴む。 「ありがとう蜂君、君のおかげでこれから少しはやっていけそうだ」 ぶちぶちと音を立てて蜂の身体から羽を全て引き千切る。蜂は悲鳴を上げようとするが、桔音はそれで他の蜂が寄せ集まって来る危険性を防ぐために、蜂の口に地面に落ちている毒針を捻じ込んだ。 すると、どうやら蜂の毒は蜂自身にも効くらしく、蜂はもがくのを止めて痙攣し始めた。 「あれ? てっきり自分の毒は効かないんだと思ってたよ。ごめんね」 桔音は蜂を地面に落として興味が失せたとばかりに視線を切る。殺す気はなかった、桔音なりにステータスの使い方を教えてくれた蜂には感謝しているのだ。とはいえ、羽を失った蜂はこのまま他の魔獣によって捕食されるのだろう。 だが蜂は安堵していた。桔音が目の前から姿を消してくれることがなにより安心出来た。例えこの後、自分が別の魔獣によって殺されるとしても、桔音が自分から離れてくれるのならそれでもいいと思う位だった。 「ああ、そうだよね、このまま放置すれば他の魔獣に食べられちゃうよね」 言葉は理解出来ない蜂だが、桔音が振りかえった瞬間に絶望を感じた。少しづつ、桔音が歩み寄ってくる。人間で例えるのなら、首吊りの十三階段を登らされている様な気分だった。 桔音が蜂を持ち上げる。 「だから、僕が殺してあげた方がいいよね?」 「ギ......!?」 薄ら笑いから、悪意を感じ取った。不気味な気配が更に危険度を増す、蜂は無意識に痙攣とは別で身体を振るわせた。魔獣の本能が恐怖を感じ、死が避けられないことを確信した。 「さっきまでは殺さないつもりだったけど、君のことを考えたら殺した方が良いもんね――――それじゃ、さようなら」 桔音は蜂を地面に落として、その上に自身の足を落とす。 メキャグチャ、とグロテスクな音が響いて、桔音の足の下―――蜂は潰れて死んだ。 蜂は自分に足が落ちてくる瞬間、精神が崩壊したのを感じていた。そして最後、桔音の足が自分の身体を踏みつぶして行く感覚を他人事のように感じながら、スイッチが切れるようにその命を失ったのだった。 「さて.........ん?」 桔音は蜂を殺して、自分の身体に違和感を感じた。すかさず『ステータス鑑定』で確認する。こういうとき便利だなぁと思いつつ、自分の状態を確認した。 スキル:『痛覚耐性Lv8』『不気味体質』『異世界言語翻訳』『ステータス鑑定』『不屈(NEW!)』『威圧(NEW!)』 どうやらレベルが上がったらしい。魔獣を一匹殺した経験値と能力値の低さが幸いしてかなりのレベルアップとなったようだ。だがそれでもレベル1のフィニアのステータスに及ばない所がやはり桔音の弱者である事実を再確認させる。 「うーん......でもまぁ耐性上がったから良いとしようかな」 「きつねさぁぁぁぁん!!」 「おっと......!」 そこへ蜂相手に無双してきたのか無傷のフィニアが返ってきた。フィニアが戦っていた場所を見ると、地面が焼け焦げている部分が所々あるが、蜂の死体や血は全く存在していなかった。全て焼却したようだ。 フィニアちゃんマジ容赦ねぇー、と思いながら、桔音はこの状況を切り抜けられたことを素直に喜んだのだった。

Chapter 7: Kitsune's Ability I'm an Ideological, a special sort of fairy born from Human Emotion. The feelings harbored by my parent, the emotions strong enough to create me were directed at Naginata Kitsune... Kitsune-san. Thus, I am a Fairy of Unrequited Love. Strong feelings for another, a fairy born of the highest, and most sacred of emotions. Those feelings reside within me as my core. That's why, like my parent, the girl that I've never met, I like Kitsune-san. To be more specific, only a day has passed since I first met him, but at a glance, I was certain that Kitsune-san was the beloved one of that girl. I mean, the moment I saw him, I started to like him, so I'm sure that's the case. Kitsune-san is weak. Even if I'm supposed to possess great power, I was just born, and I wouldn't even reach the ankles of those who are truly strong. Yet he remains much weaker than me. If we were to fight, I'll bet I wouldn't even have to use magic to win. That why if I'm not there to protect him, I'm sure he'll die instantly. He's frail, and fragile, and feeble, an existence like a faint candle that would go out if you only blew in its direction. In the forest, Kitsune-san was desperate to survive. From his appearance and behavior, you can't feel any impatience or anxiety, but his eyes were always filled with the desperation to overcome adversity. Assaulted by the wolf, he didn't give up hope. Confronted by the giant spider, he stood his ground. The form of him desperately grasping for something to cling to in order to survive was extremely unsightly, and pathetic. Trying to take that boy's life, yet another Magic Beast emerged. In a surprise attack, they attacked Kitsune-san, and he became unable to move from the poison. What appeared was a group of bees. Their wings buzzed in a discomforting frequency as they approached. ... I've got to protect him. My mind was buried in thoughts like that. I can't let Kitsune-san die. I mean, he's... alone. No one's watching. No one knows. No one cares. By himself, dying in solitude... I won't allow it. At that moment, Kitsune hid his mask (my life) behind his back. For the action he forced his paralyzed body to carry out to be protecting me, I can be nothing but happy. That thoughts within me directed at him begin to swell up. Enough that it felt as if my chest was going to burst. ... If it's now, I feel like I can do anything. I had moved before I noticed it. I flapped my prided wings, and assaulted the bees drawing close. I can't let Kitsune-san die. It's a magic that usually requires some charging, but the current me can deploy it instantly and activate it. Ideological Fairies are ones born of strong emotions... as such, when the fairy itself harbors those same feelings that made it, they can display even stronger powers. A small and white flame annihilates several bees altogether. Not even ash is left behind, as they completely burn up and scatter before touching the ground. "Surprise attack? Perfect! Now come at me bugs! I, Bishojo Fairy Finia-chan will take take on every single one of you!" The feelings of affection I have for Kitsune-san are my driving force. These feelings make me stronger! Even Kitsune could understand that Finia had left his side to commence combat with the bees. It was because he could see the flashes of the fire, and hear the sounds. Using fire in the middle of a forest had the risk of starting a bushfire, but if she didn't, they would probably die, so Smoky be damned. But in a situation like this, being separated by Finia invited a bit of anxiety. Unluckily, Kitsune had been inflicted with paralysis, and he couldn't move a single finger. If he were to take a similar sting from another bee... There was a possibility the paralysis would affect his muscles or nervous system, and induce cardiac arrest or a heart attack. From what he saw, there were a few dozen bees. Based on his knowledge, Kitsune knew that bees generally operated in a wide scope centered around their hive. As such, it isn't that rare to see them working individually. But with that many of them grouped together, it was quite possible that they were somewhere near their hive. If that were the case, the noises from Finia's battle might work to stimulate them, meaning it wasn't just the bees here now... in the worst case, there was the possibility that a large army may be dispatched directly from the hive. "... Guh... dammit, I can't move..." He tried struggling, but of course, the paralysis was still in effect. Even if his brain continued to send the signals for his muscles to move, his convulsing sinew was unable to put it into effect. Seeing if there was anything he had to break down the situation, Kitsune desperately brought up his status screen. *Status* Name: Finia Dexterity: 60 Magic: 0 But there had been no change to it. A paralysis icon appeared to indicate his status abnormality, but other than that, it was exactly the same as before. "Dammit...!" He gritted his teeth. No plans formed in his mind. And next to his ear, the worst possible sound came. ... Bzzzzz... The buzzing of wings. Kitsune had his back to a large tree, and it wasn't coming from behind. From right in front him. Not where Finia was fighting, but right before his eyes. He tried directing his eyes upwards, and there, he saw a lone bee floating around. The conical stinger attached into its abdomen had its tip pointed at him. Kitsune desperately took a glance at the Bee's Status. Race: Bug-Type Magic Beast Lv5 Stamina: 50 Resilience: 15 Skill:{Paralyzing Needle} {Colony Mobilization} This bee's Dexterity was higher than Kitsune's. It's likely that the disparity was one that even if Kitsune could attack, he wouldn't be able to hit it. "What does this..." Kitsune tried piecing together the information he had been given bby Finia's on ability points up until now. He was able to understand that {Resilience} was, simply put, one's {Defense} . And comparing the power Finia had displayed thus far with her Strength twelve times his, Kitsune's resilience should easily provide enough defense to take the bee's needle in the flesh. "Could it be... I'm not making use of the power from my Status...?" He thought. Perhaps he was overlooking something crucial. That he wasn't fully displaying his 100 Resilience. But there was no time left for idle ponderings. As he thought, the bee registered Kitsune as an enemy. It shot its needle towards him. And at that moment, Kitsune saw the world in slow motion. The point of the stinger was approaching him ever so slowly. Its destination was the middle of his forehead, and it was definitely on a course that would result in certain death. He remembered. When Finia gave an explanation ho how to use magic. When Kitsune had asked her about it, she had known how to from the moment she was born, and she had done it by intuition. To summarize, what Kitsune consciously thought he was able to do didn't correspond with what was displayed on his Status. As a result... since he had thought there was no way his body would be able to block the stinger, the needle was able to overcome the disparity in stats, and dig into his flesh. (... Then...) In his decelerated field of vision, he had yet to give up on his will to live. Believing in his own Resilience, Kitsune convinced himself there was no way the encroaching point would be able to pierce him. He forced the assumption onto himself that his body was more than enough to deal with it. (I'm not going to die yet...!!) The needle touched the spot between his eyes, and with that momentum... ... It failed to do anything. A sound like teeth clashing against one another rang out, and the bee's stinger snaps on his forehead before falling to the ground. "... 100 Resilience... way to go, me." HE felt the sweat erupting all over his body as he gained an understanding of how to use his Status. There was no pain, and no wound left behind. This was the lone ability that had been granted to the boy, and having experienced it, Kitsune let a faint smile surface on his face. And as if there had been no poison to begin with, he easily stood up. "It seems that Resilience works on Status Abnormalities as well." Because he had been caught up in the thought that the poison had worked, he had been unable to move. Once he understood it wouldn't do anything to him, the poison that shouldn't have worked on him in the first place lost its effect. Kitsune grasped the now-stingless bee in his bare hands. IT seems the bee was perplexed as to why its own attack hadn't worked, and thus, it was slow to escape. "When you don't have your stinger, you aren't scary at all. Well, it seems you aren't scary, even when you have it." At that moment, the bee's body stiffened. Just as the Spider he confronted before had sensed, it felt an aura of danger from him. It struggles and squirmed. It no longer cared about anything else, it just wanted to get as far away from Kitsune as possible. Creepy and revolting. Kitsune's skill, {Eerie Constitution} was the source of the aura. ... {Eerie Constitution} : When confronted with an enemy, when you have the psychological advantage over them, this skill allows you to overpower them by smashing their motivation. As long as he stood on a higher mental ground, it was a frightening skill that allowed him to emotionally overpower any enemy regardless of level difference. If Kitsune didn't recognize them as an enemy, or he stood on lower ground psychologically, it wouldn't activate. The skill had various conditions, but once they were settled, it was one that would definitely grant power to him. "Gi...I...!" The bee remains pinned down by his hands, staring directly into Kitsune's eyes. No matter how hard it tried to look away, it wasn't able to. The situation was like torture to it. Using one hand, Kitsune grasped an area close to its mouth, and used the other to grasp its wings. "Thank you, bee-kun. Thanks to you, I think I'll survive for just a little longer." With a snapping sound, the wings were fully plucked from the bee's body. It tried raising a scream, but as Kitsune was wary that it would attract other bees, he stuffed its mouth with the poisonous stinger that had fallen onto the ground. Apparently, the poison worked on the bee itself, and it stopped struggling, going into severe convulsion. "Oh? I was certain your own poison wouldn't work on you. Sorry." Kitsune discarded the bee on the ground, and as he had lost interest, he turned his attention elsewhere. He didn't feel like killing it. He was quite grateful to the bee who taught him how to use his Status. Even so, a bee without wings would probably soon become the prey of some other Magical Beast. However, the bee felt relief. The very fact that Kitsune had disappeared from its eyes was more reassuring than anything else. Even if, in the near future it was to die by some other Beast's hand, it thought it was fine as long as it was able to get away from Kitsune himself. "Ah, that's right, if I just abandon it like this, it'll be eaten up by some other monster, right?" Even though the bee couldn't understand words, it felt despair the moment Kitsune turned around. Slowly, Kitsune draws himself closer. To compare it to human standards, it felt as if it was walking the thirteen steps up the gallows. Kitsune hoisted its body up. "And so, it's better if I kill you, right?" "Gi...!?" From his faint smile, the bee felt malice. The danger it felt from the unnerving presence increased even further, and the bee subconsciously began quivering in a manner appart from the convulsions it was going through. Its Magical Beasts instincts were overcome with fear, and it was certain there was no way it could avoid death. "Until now, I didn't plan on killing you, but when I think of your sake, perhaps killing you would be better for you... well then, good bye." Kitsune dropped the bee on the ground again, this time, dropping his own foot on top of it. A grotesque crunching sound resounded, and below his foot... the bee had been crushed to death. As it saw the foot being lowered onto it, the bee felt the collapse of its own spirit. In the end, the sensation of it being tread on was nothing more than someone else's problem to it as its life went out with like the flip of a switch. "Now then... hmm?" After killing the bee, Kitsune felt a sense of discomfort across his body. Without delay, he confirmed it with his Status Discernment Skill. How convenient, he thought as he confirmed his own condition. Skill:{Pain Resistance Lv8} {Eerie Constitution} {World Language Translator} {Status Discernment} {Persistence(NEW!)} {Coercion(NEW!)} It seems his level had risen. The fact that he killed a single Magical Beast, and that his own level was so low, provided him with quite a large level up. But the fact that he still didn't compare to Finia's level 1 stats served as reaffirmation of the fact that he was indeed one of the weak. "Yeah... anyways, my Resilience rose, so I'll leave it at that." "Kitsune-saaaaaaaan!!" "Whoops...!" As the bees were no match for her, Finia rushed back unhurt. Looking at the area where she fought, there was scorched land here and there, but there were no bodies or blood. All the evidence had been incinerated. 'Finia-chan really shows no mercy' he thought, as he honestly felt joy having overcome the situation.

緊張問題 睨み合う僕とオジサマの間には、緊迫した空気がピリピリと火花を散らしていた。僕と彼の間にある実力差は圧倒的で、戦えば2秒で僕が負けることは僕を知っている誰もが知っている。 でも、僕としてはこのオジサマを見て見ぬふりするのは無理だ。 彼はリーシェちゃんの父親、でも彼はリーシェちゃんを勘当しようとしている。それは駄目だ、親は子を導く者、護る者、愛する者、けして子を捨てても良い筈が無い。間違った道を正せないのならば、出来ないことを強制するようならば、それは親心では無い、ただの虐待だ。 僕は、それを知っている。そうされる子供がどれほど辛いのか知っている。本で読んだからね。 「話が見えないけれど、僕の恩人であるリーシェちゃんを虐めるのは止めてくれないかな?」 「何?」 オジサマは青筋を立てて、僕を睨む。『不気味体質』が発動して、精神的に圧倒しているのは確かな筈だけど、『赤い夜』といいこのオジサマといい、強い者はやはり逃げたりしないみたいだ。心底面倒な相手だなぁ。 「コレは私の娘だ、家族の話に部外者が介入するな」 「娘をコレ呼ばわりで家族はないでしょ、親が娘を物扱いか。僕の知ってる家族と違うなぁ」 「貴様ッ......」 「それに、自分より弱い者に対して自慢の剣を抜こうとするのも笑えるね」 「なんだと? 私の剣術を侮辱するか......その首、この場で落としてやってもいいんだぞ」 「強がるなよ、弱く見えるぜ?」 「なっ......!?」 剣術は高い実力を持っているみたいだけど、内面はただの老害だね。若い世代を駄目にするタイプの人間だ。それに、かなりプライドが高いと見える。僕みたいな若い人間に挑発されると苛立ちを覚えるみたいだね。 僕の言葉に、リーシェちゃんが悲しそうな顔で固まった。 だが、僕が見たかったのはオジサマがこの言葉に何も言い返せない現実だ。言い返せない、つまりそれは自分でも分かっているということだ。 「分かってて―――その条件かい?」 「酷い親だね、過酷な現実を突き付けるなんて。可哀想可哀想、なんで親が子に鞭を打つの? 一週間という猶予なんて、執行猶予みたいなものだよ」 オジサマは何も言えない。正直な所、ここまではちょっと頭が回れば誰でも分かる。でも、此処から先は出来る人と、出来ない人が大きく別れる。正直な所、このオジサマ相手に何かを言える奴はそういないだろう。 でも、僕はこの世界の人間じゃないから、権力とか良く分からないし、少なくとも今の僕にとって目の前にいる怪物は―――ただの年老いたおじさんでしかない。 「だから、一週間とか要らないよ」 「何......?」 「きつね! おまえっ......!」 一週間なんて猶予が与えられるなんて、それこそトドメの一撃の様なものだ。時間はあればあるだけ無駄になる。特に、リーシェちゃんみたいな人間に対しては。 それに、リーシェちゃんを騎士に上げる方法なんて腐るほどある。僕の出来る限りでは、一つ二つくらい思い付くんだよ。 「一日で十分」 「............何?」 「明日の夜、また此処においでよオジサマ。リーシェちゃんといっしょに、楽しい楽しいティータイムをしよう」 紅茶を飲む様な素振りを見せながら、薄ら笑いを強くした。『不気味体質』は、僕の精神が相手よりも優位に立っていればいるほど効果を強くする。 それがどれだけ強い相手だろうが、どれだけ権力が上の相手だろうが、それは変わらない。平等に、全員僕の格下だ。 「......一日で、トリシェを騎士になれるレベルまで鍛えるというのか?」 「違うよ、一晩寝て起きたら―――勝手にリーシェちゃんが強くなるだけだ」 「馬鹿な......良いだろう、ならば一日だけ待つ。それでトリシェが騎士に上がれないようならば......」 その先は、言わなくても分かってる。 「うん、リーシェちゃんは僕が貰っていく」 オジサマの表情が唖然とした物になるのを見て、僕は面白そうにそう言った。 「どういうつもりだ!? お前っ、なんであんなことっ......!」 「落ちつけよリーシェちゃん」 あの後、オジサマは少し疑問を呈してきたけど、捨てるなら僕が貰っても良いだろう? と言ったら黙ったので、そのまま帰って貰った。明日の夜、リーシェちゃんを試験しに来るだろう。 それまでにリーシェちゃんを強くする方法。それは、恐怖の克服だ。 「......どうやって私を強くするつもりだ?」 「とどのつまり、リーシェちゃんの実力が発揮されないのは......人一倍戦いに恐怖を感じるから」 恐怖なら、僕の専売特許だ。 僕は『不気味体質』と『威圧』、二つの威圧系スキルを持っている。が、この二つは大きく性質を異ならせている。 『不気味体質』はプレッシャーを掛けて威圧するんじゃない。相手の心の内で僕に感じている印象を、恐怖に似た感情へと変質させるスキル。その効果は、僕が相手よりも優位の精神状態であり、かつ相手が僕のことを悪意で、もしくは弱者と見る程高まっていく。まぁ主なのは僕の精神状態の優劣だけど。 『威圧』はその逆、それこそプレッシャーを掛けて威圧する、純粋なまでの威圧系スキル。でも、これは僕の弱さから言って『不気味体質』と組み合わせないと単独ではあまり効果は発揮出来ない。 今回はこれを使う。リーシェちゃんが眠っている間、ずっとこの二つのスキルで精神的に攻撃し続ける。この二つのスキルが発動している間、特に『不気味体質』が発動している間、僕と同じ空間で眠ることはまず不可能だ。それは、強者であるほど絶対性を増す。自分が恐怖している存在の前で、睡眠という最大の隙を見せるのは、理性よりも本能が拒絶する。 でも、この条件下でリーシェちゃんが数秒でも眠れたのなら......それは怖がる身体を自分で支配出来たということ。つまり、戦闘時、恐怖で動かない身体を自分で支配出来るということに繋がる。 「リーシェちゃんはこの部屋で、ただ寝るだけで良い」 「......それで、強くなれるのか? 本当に......」 「寝られるものならね。後はリーシェちゃんが眠れるかどうか、それだけだ。あのオジサマに認められたいのなら、眠る努力をするんだね」 「頑張れリーシェちゃん! 私が子守唄でも歌ってあげるぞ!」 「が、頑張って......下さい」 フィニアちゃんもルルちゃんも、僕のやることにストップを掛けない。信頼されているからか、それとも家族ゆえか、それはまぁ分からないけど。 とはいえ、これでリーシェちゃんが出来ようが出来まいが、僕にとってはどっちも得になる。出来ればリーシェちゃんは騎士になれて、僕も晴れて恩返しが出来るというものだし、出来なければ上手いこと言いくるめてリーシェちゃんを仲間に出来る。 「う............分かった、それじゃあよろしく頼む」 後者であれば一緒にいる内に恩返しの機会は何回でも訪れるだろうし、グランディール王国への道案内も頼める。出来ればリーシェちゃんには失敗して欲しいけれど、ここは最大限、力を尽くそう。 「それじゃ......眠って貰おうか」 ベッドに寝そべって、渋々眼を閉じるリーシェちゃん。最早藁をも掴む気持ちでいっぱいだろうが、此処から先は君次第。 僕は椅子に座り、彼女に向かって二つのスキルを同時に発動させた。 「っ!?」 勢いよく起き上がり、立て掛けてある剣を手にしたリーシェちゃん。その表情は、何かに怯えるような表情で、剣を抜こうとする手も震えている。どうやらこの作戦は上手く嵌まった様だ。かなり強引な荒療治ではあるけれど、強弱関係無く圧倒するこのスキル......強者であれば立ち向かえる―――その領域に踏み込めるかな? 「眠る努力、頑張ってねリーシェちゃん」 僕はそう言って、薄ら笑いを向けた。 翌朝、空が段々と青白くなってきた頃。リーシェちゃんはまだ眠れずにいた。僕は夜型だから良いけれど、フィニアちゃんやルルちゃんには僕の部屋で眠るように言って寝かせている。 夜までに眠れればいいのだが、その眼元には隈が出来ており、眼を閉じれば眠れそうな程眠そうな雰囲気を醸し出している。とはいえ、やはり恐怖の中では眠れないのかスキルを発動する度に起き上がる。 レベルは相当高く、ステータスだって一般騎士に負けない能力値を誇っているというのに、何故こうも戦いに怯えるのか、それが良く分からない。 本人は緊張してしまうというが、緊張しても身体が全く動かなくなるというのはどうもおかしい。これは一回聞いてみる必要があるだろうか。 「ねぇリーシェちゃん」 「な、なんだ......」 「どうして君は騎士になりたいの? というより、何故あのオジサマの期待に応えようとするの?」 僕がそう言うと、ばつが悪そうな表情で眼を伏せた。 元々、彼女は騎士になりたいがために騎士見習いを2年続けていると聞いた。そう、2年もだ。おそらく同期の人間はとっくに騎士になっているだろうし、才能の無いと理解出来た人間は1年掛からず辞めていった筈だ。 「......私の、」 すると、リーシェちゃんは決まり悪そうにぽつりぽつりと話し始めた。自分のことを。 「私の父は......この国の騎士団長をやっている。そして、私の家系は代々『先見の魔眼』を受け継いでいるんだ」 「先見の、魔眼」 リーシェちゃんにも、そしてあのオジサマにもステータスにあった『先見の魔眼』。イメージ通りなら二人の眼には先を見る能力が備わっているんだと思う。 でも、リーシェちゃんはそれを使ってはいないようだけど......? 「私の家系は昔から騎士を輩出していてな......父を始めとして、祖父や先祖様まで、この国に名を残す程の実力ある騎士だったらしい。 また、『先見の魔眼』は私達の家系だけのものではない......が、その力は凄まじく、過去輩出された祖父達は一対一の戦いなら負けなしと言われるほど強く、そして誇り高い騎士と聞いている」 「ふーん」 「当然、私もその魔眼を持っている......だが、使えないんだ。なんでも、私には魔眼の適性が低いらしくて......魔眼を使おうにも先なんて全然見えない......それを知った父達は、私を酷く叱りつけた。一族の恥、なんて何度言われた事か......」 魔眼。保有していたとしても使えない代物。それを持って生まれても、必ずしも本人に恩恵を与える訳ではない、か。 「でも、両親は私を見捨てなかった。魔眼が使えないのならば、自分自身だけの力で騎士になってみせよ、と。過去、魔眼を持たずに大成した先祖様もいたからな」 「でも、それから1年、2年と経って......未だに騎士になれない自分がいる......教官にも才能が無いと言われ、私自身も成長していない。私は騎士団長の娘だから、周囲の期待も凄かったが、こうなっては陰口や陰湿な悪事にも晒される......流石に父も騎士になれない私の面倒を見切れなくなったんだろう」 だからこそ、今の状況になっているのか。多分リーシェちゃんの身体中にある包帯や手当の後はその陰湿な悪事によるものもあるだろう。父親も、一度は見捨てなかった。でも二度目はなかった。 正直、魔眼の適性が無いのは生まれのせいだ、仕方ない。でも、リーシェちゃんが戦闘時身体を動かせない理由にはならない。 何が彼女の動きを縛っているんだ? 恐怖、緊張、とはいいつつも、彼女は実際レベルを上げている。魔獣を倒したことが無いわけではない筈だ。であれば、その違いはなんだ? 「リーシェちゃん、君が魔獣を倒した時とこの前の僕達と一緒に行った時、何が違った?」 確実にある筈だ、何らかの違いが。 「......そうだな......きつね達がいたか、いなかったか......かな? 武器や体調は一緒だったし、それ位しか思い浮かばない。敵の強さもそう変わらなかった」 一人であれば魔獣を倒せるって事かな? 人が傍にいると緊張するってことか? でもリーシェちゃんは人見知りってわけじゃない、人が傍にいると緊張するのなら戦闘時以外も碌に人と話せない地味な子になる筈......なのに戦闘時だけだなんて。 そこで、ふと思い出す。先程リーシェちゃんが言っていたこと、過去彼女の先祖達は一対一の勝負では負けなしの実力を誇っていたと。 「リーシェちゃん、もしかして――――」 僕は一つ、思い付いたことを話してみた。すると、リーシェちゃんは少し考えた後、頷く。それで僕は確信した。リーシェちゃんが戦闘時に動けなくなる理由を。 「なら、それで行こう」 スキルを解いて、僕は薄ら笑いを浮かべる。リーシェちゃんには眠って貰い、体力を回復して貰う。 さて、それじゃ僕は夜まで色々駆け回るかな。

Nervous problem Between me and uncle who are glaring at each other, a strained atmosphere is tingling and sparking. His prowess is overwhelmingly stronger than me, if we fight against each other, I know, everyone know that I'd just need two seconds to lose to him. However, it's impossible for me to turn a blind eye at this uncle. He is Rishe-chan's father, but he's intending to disinherit Rishe-chan. That isn't allowed, parents should lead, protect, and love their kid, there's no way they would cast their kids away. If he doesn't correct their kid's wrong doing, if he forces something their kids are unable to, that aren't parental love, but mistreatment. I, fully know that. I know how painful the kid would suffer. Since I've experienced it myself after all. "I don't know what you're talking about, but could you please stop bullying Rishe-chan? She is my benefactor after all." "What?" Vein popped up at uncle's face, and he glares at me. I've activated {Eerie Constitution} , I'm sure that I should be overpowering him mentally, but whether at the time with the "Red Night", also this uncle, seems like strong people are as expected won't yield huh. They sure are troublesome opponent. "This is my daughter, an outsider shouldn't intervene at others' family affairs." "There's no family that would refer their child as this right? How could a parent treats his child like an object? That's quite different than family which I know." "You bastard...." "Moreover, it sure is laughable how you intend to draw your prided sword against someone weaker than you." "What? Are you insulting my sword art? That neck, I don't mind to chop it here you know?" "Don't bluffing, you sure are look weak you know?" "Wha...!?" He's indeed seems like he has a great ability at sword art, but inside he is just a gerontocratic person. He is the type of person who would corrupt the young generation. Moreover, he seems like has a great pride. Being provoked by a youngster like me, seems like he remembers how is irritated feels. He seems like an embodiment of a typical self-important person. So this is the knight leader huh, the future if this country sure is gloomy. At my word, Rishe-chan stiffened with sorrowful looking face. However, what I want to see is the fact that uncle doesn't even objecting my word. Doesn't objecting, so that means he is also aware of it. "Even when you aware of it... you still give her that condition?" "What a terrible parent, to thrust a cruel reality to their own child. How deplorable, why does a parent must hit his child with a whip? That one week extension time, that feels just like a sentence suspension you know." Uncle doesn't say anything. To be frank, up until now as long as they want to think about it, they would be able to understand it. But, from here on there would be a great difference between a capable and an incompetent person. To be honest, against this uncle, he isn't seems like opponent who would yield just by talking. As a knight leader, moreover an A rank monster, even though authority-wise he is a troublesome opponent already, moreover combined by his prowess, there should be rarely anyone who has the guts to talk against to such person at this world. Even normally he isn't someone I could talk to. But, I'm not a person from this world, I don't know about authority, at least the monster right before me is... none other than an old man. "That's why, we don't need that one week time limit." "What...?" "Kitsune! You...!" To give her that one week limit, that is none other than a finishing blow. No matter how much time she got that would be just a waste. Especially, for a person like Rishe-chan. Moreover, there are many ways for Rishe-chan to become a knight. With my ability, at least I'll be able to think one or two way. "One day is enough." "...what?" "Tomorrow evening, please come here again esteemed uncle. Together with Rishe-chan, let's have a very fun tea time." While showing an attitude as if drinking a black tea, I faintly smiling. The {Eerie Constitution} is, the stronger my mind compared to my opponent, the stronger the effect would become. No matter how powerful he is, no matter how great his sword art is, nothing that matter. Equally, everyone are lower than me. "...just one day, that means are you going to train Rishe to the level where she would be able to become a knight?" "You're wrong, when she woke up from her overnight sleep... Rishe-chan would just arbitrarily become stronger." "Impossible... okay, if that's the case then I would just wait for one day. And then if you're unable to make Rishe into a knight...." The continuation, I already know without he needs to say it. "Yup, I know, if that happens then I'll take Rishe-chan." Successfully see uncle's dumbfounded expression, I say that amusedly. "What were you doing!? You, why did you...!" "Calm down Rishe-chan." After that, uncle seemed like a bit doubtful to me, but when I said 'if you're intending to throw here away then there would be no problem if I pick her up right?', he didn't say anything and just go back like that. Tomorrow evening, he would come here to test Rishe-chan right? A way to make Rishe-chan stronger. That is, to overcome her fear. "...what are you intending to do to make me stronger?" "In the first place, the reason why you can't display your true ability is... because you're too scared when fighting." If it's about fear, then it's my speciality. I have {Eerie Constitution} and {Overpower} , two skills which designed to overpower the opponent. But, these two has a greatly different nature. {Eerie Constitution} isn't overpowering the opponent by using pressure. It's a skill which alter the impression about me inside their mind into something fearful. That effect is, giving me superiority mentally than my opponent, any living opponent would see me as a malice, or perhaps become more conceited as if seeing a weakling. Well, the most important part is my mental state though. {Overpower} is the opposite, it overpowers the opponent by using pressure, a genuine overpower skill. But, because of hoe weak I'm, if I don't combine it with {Eerie Constitution} I won't be able to pull its full effect out. Now I'm going to use both of it. When Rishe-chan is going to sleep, I'm going to keep intimidating her by using these skills. As long as both of these skills are activated, especially {Eerie Constitution} , it was impossible to sleep at the same space as me. That is, the stronger the existence the stronger the effect would be. Before the most fearful existence, to show her greatest weakness by sleeping, her instinct would against it stronger than Rishe-chan herself. But, if Rishe-chan is able to sleep even by just several seconds under that condition... that means she's able to control her scared body. So, it would also lead to her ability to control her stiffened body at the time she is scared when fighting. "Rishe-chan, you just need to sleep at this room." "...with just that, I'll become stronger? Really...?" "If you're able to. The rest it whether Rishe-chan would be able to sleep or not, just that. If you want to be recognized by that esteemed uncle, then you should try your best to be able to sleep." "Do your best, Rishe-chan! I even would gladly sing you a lullaby!" "Do, do your best... please." Finia-chan and Lulu-chan seem like don't have any intention to stop what I'm going to do. Is it because they're believe in me, or perhaps because we're family, I don't know. Nevertheless, whether Rishe-chan would be able to do it or not, either way it would be a good thing for me. If she's able to do it then she would be able to become a knight, and that would also means that I'm able to repay her favor, and if she's unable to do it then that's also good since I'll be able to get Rishe-chan as my comrade. "Yes... I got it, then I'll be in your care." If it comes the latter then I'll have many chance to repay her favor since we're going to be together, I even would be able to ask her to guide me to the Grandile Nation. If possible, I hope Rishe-chan would fail, but... let's exert my utmost ability here. "Then... please sleep." Lie down at the bed, Rishe-chan reluctantly closes her eyes. She must be have experienced so much hardship already, from here on it is depending on yourself. I sit at the chair, and activate both of these skills toward her. "!?" Vigorously woke up, Rishe-chan takes and draw her sword. That expression, is an expression as if scared of something, even her hand which draw the sword is shivering. Seems like this strategy is working properly. It's indeed seems like an extreme method, but this skill which is able to overpower anyone regardless of their statuses' values... if they're strong then they would be able to overcome it... will she able to reach that? "Do your best to sleep, Rishe-chan." I said that, while faintly smiling. The next morning, around the time when the sky is gradually brightening. Rishe-chan is still unable to sleep. I'm fine since I'm a nocturnal type, but since Finia-chan and Lulu-chan are seemed sleepy so I let them slept at my room. There won't be any problem if I let her sleep till evening, but you can see shadow at her eyes already, when she shut her eyes it seems like her drowsiness would take her to dreamland anytime. Her level is considerably high, even her statuses' values aren't inferior to the average knight, but why does she is scared to fight, I can't understand that. Perhaps she's just nervous, but to be unable to move her body even by just a bit because of nervous is also strange. Perhaps should I ask her about it? "Say Rishe-chan." "Wh, what's up...." "Why do you want to become a knight? Or rather, why are you trying to live up to esteemed uncle's expectation?" When I said that, she averts her eyes with an embarrassed expression. To begin with, I had heard that she kept continuing to become a knight apprentice for almost two years because she wanted to become a knight. Right, two years already. Perhaps her peers were already become knight a long time ago, and for people who understood that they didn't have talent there they would give up on it after a year. But even so, does Rishe-chan want to become a knight that badly? "...my...." And then, Rishe-chan embarrassedly begin to speak bit by bit, about her. "My father is... the knight leader of this country. And then, my family lineage are always inherit {Demon Eye of Foresight} for generation." "Demon eye of, foresight." {Demon Eye of Foresight} which is stated at Rishe-chan and uncle's statuses. If my presumption is right, I thought that both of their eyes are supposed to be endowed with an ability to see the future. But, I never saw Rishe-chan used it though.... "My family lineage were always become a knight from the olden generation.... Starting with my father, grandfather and also ancestors, seems like their prowess were even go down in this country's history. Also, {Demon Eye of Foresight} isn't limited to our family lineage... but, its ability is tremendous, each of my ancestors were strong enough to be invincible at one on one fight, and I also heard that they were a prideful knight." "Hmmm." "Of course, I also have that eye... but, I can't use it. I have been told many times already, that my aptitude with my demon eye is low... and I also haven't see any trace that I would be able to use it near future... and then when father and the other heard about it, he harshly scold me. The disgrace of the family, just how many times I've heard it...." Demon eye. Even of one possess it, that won't mean one would be able to use it for sure. Even if they possessed it since they were born, that wasn't necessarily mean that it would grant its power to its holder, huh. "But, my parent have abandoned me. If I can't use this demon eye, then I just need to become a knight with my own power, or so I thought. Since at the past, there was a great ancestor who didn't possess demon eye but was able to accomplish it after all." "But, after one year, two years passed... I'm still nothing than a knight apprentice... even my instructor said that I don't have any talent, and I haven't growth at all. Whether because I'm a daughter of the knight leader, there were a great expectation from my surrounding, but right now they are badmouthing and do some devious act at me ... and as expected even my father would give up to care about me who is unable to become a knight right." That's way, it come to the current state of affairs huh. Perhaps the bandage and scars around her body are because of that devious act right. Even her father, for now he haven't abandoned her. But there won't be any second chance. To be honest, the aptitude with demon eye were decided when they were born, so it can't be helped. But, that won't become the reason why Rishe-chan was unable to move her body when fighting. What was binding her movement? Fear, nervous, even with that, she's still able to raise her level properly. It doesn't seems impossible for her to defeat a magical beast. Then, what's the difference? "Rishe-chan, when you're able to defeat magical beasts and when you were together with us some times ago, is there anything different?" There must be is, then this difference. "...let's see... whether Kitsune and Finia were there, or not... perhaps? Since my weapon and physical were same after all. My enemy's power were also not much different." So that means if she was alone she would be able to defeat that magical beast, huh? Does that means she's nervous when there was someone around her? But Rishe-chan isn't a shy person, if she's nervous when there's someone around her then even other than when fighting time she should be also a timid girl who is unable to fluently speaking with other people... but to be only happen at fighting. And then, I suddenly remember. About what Rishe-chan just said, at the past her ancestors were boasted with prowess which were invincible at one on one fight. "Rishe-chan, could it be--" I try to tell her about the idea I just thought about. And then, after Rishe-chan thought about it a bit, she nods her head. And then I'm certain of it. The reason why Rishe-chan was unable to move her body when fighting. "Then, let's go with that." Canceling my skill, I float a faint smile. I let Rishe-chan to sleep and recover her strength. Well then, should I stroll somewhere till evening.

勝負 「よし、このまま帰ろう」 「うわー相変わらず卑怯だね! 感心するよきつねさん!」 レイラちゃんがギルドの裏にある訓練場へと姿を消したので、正直このまま素直に行かなくても良いんじゃないかと思い直して帰ろうと思った。レイラちゃんは美少女だし、可愛いし、おっぱいの感触を伝えてくれた子だけど、勝負したら僕がやられる事は確実なんだからいいんじゃないかな。戦って負けるのも、不戦敗で負けるのもどっちも一緒でしょ。 すると、リーシェちゃん達が凄くひんやりする視線を送って来るのに気が付いた。なんだよ、別に良いじゃないか逃げても。 「きつね、今の言葉はどういう意味だ?」 「私も気になりますね、きつね様?」 「わ、私も......教えて欲しいです......」 リーシェちゃん、ミアちゃん、そしてルルちゃんがそう言ってくる。 どういう意味だって言われても、そのままの意味だよ。帰るんだ、依頼は達成したしね、もう一回蜘蛛と戦ったから正直疲れた。なんでこの上蜘蛛より格上の相手と戦わなくちゃいけないんだ。 「そこじゃない、一つ前だ」 一つ前......ああ、付き合って下さいって奴か。話を逸らそうとしたわけだけど、レイラちゃんには通用しなかったな。僕の一世一代の告白を一刀両断してくれた訳だよね、話を聞かない子だってことを忘れてたよ。方向音痴な部分が強かったからなぁ。 「付き合ってくれっていうのは、話を逸らそうとしたんだよ。このままだと勝負になりそうだったから。無駄だったけどね」 「......なるほどな」 仏頂面なリーシェちゃん、営業スマイルなミアちゃん、そして心から安堵した様子のルルちゃん。一番素直なのは誰? と言われたらルルちゃんだね、猫可愛がりたくなる愛くるしさを持ってるよこの子。 とはいえ、三人とも僕の告白がそんなに気に触ったの? やっぱり僕って結構モテるんじゃない? 「だが、勝負にはいかないと駄目だぞきつね」 「父様との勝負を勝手に決めたのは誰だったか......本当なら一週間の猶予があった筈なんだがなー......」 「うわ、それ引っ張って来るの?」 リーシェちゃんは元々騎士だったから、勝負から逃げるというのはあまり好ましく思わないのかもしれない。かといってこの言い方はあんまりだと思うけどね。死ぬよ? 僕死んじゃうよ? ミアちゃんに助けを求める視線を送ってみたら、変わらない営業スマイルで返された。駄目だ、この人は助けてくれない。 最後の光としてルルちゃんを見たら、首を傾げられた。駄目だこの子、アイコンタクトが通用しない子だ。とりあえず頭を撫でておいた。 「♪」 とはいえ、この場から逃げられる方法が何処かにないものかな。フィニアちゃんは僕の肩でうつ伏せに寝っ転がって我関せずを貫いているし、他の冒険者達もミアちゃんの笑顔に顔を背けている。 僕に逃げ場はないらしい。 「......分かったよ、行けばいいんだろ」 溜め息を一つ入れて、そう言う。正直、噂は噂でしかなく、レイラちゃんの期待に添えることなんて一つも無い、なのにこんな目に遭うなんてなんたる理不尽。なんだか僕苛々してきちゃったよ。 苦労人って漫画とかで主人公が良く持っている属性だけどさ、僕は苦労したくないんだよ。面倒事をわざわざ持って来ないで欲しい。というか僕の話がグランディール王国まで届いているとか、どっから漏れたんだよ。 ぶつぶつと文句を垂れながら、僕は裏手にある訓練場へとやってきた。そこには待っていると言って去って行ったレイラちゃんがちゃんといた。迷ってあらぬ方向にダッシュしてればよかったのに。 「あ、やっと来たねきつね君!」 「うんまぁ、逃げられなかったからね」 「あははっ、逃げようとしてたの? 駄目だよ、女の子の誘いを無視しちゃ」 「痛い目を見るのが分かってて誘いに乗るのは一部の変態だけだよ。僕は真面目で健全な青少年だからね」 「そうは見えないけどなぁ」 レイラちゃんは快活に笑ってそう言う。元気で天真爛漫、そんな言葉が似合う様な彼女は、チャームポイントの八重歯を見せながらケラケラ笑う。 そして会話が一区切り付いたところで、腰に付いていた2本の小剣を抜いた。小剣というよりは大振りなナイフのようなサイズではあるが、軽いが故に両手で器用に振りまわすレイラちゃんの姿を見れば、余程愛用している武器なのだろうということはすぐに分かった。 「この武器はね、私の好きな人が使ってた武器を真似したんだ。最初は1本だったんだけど、私には2本の方が性に合ってるみたいでね」 「へぇ、至極どうでもいいね」 「きつね君の武器は?」 「僕は武器なんて持ってないよ。使えないからね」 そう言うと、目を丸くしたレイラちゃんがナイフを腰に戻した。少しつまらなそうな表情をしているが、それと同じ位興味の湧いたような眼をしている。 「武器、ないの?」 「森で一回使ったけど、折れて使い物にならないからね」 『赤い夜』に一撃喰らわせたぐらいしか有用に使えなかったあの折れたナイフだけど、今も一応部屋に置いてある。元の世界の品だし、お守り代わりに取ってあるんだよね。 それにしても、へぇ、なるほど、とかなんとか呟いているレイラちゃんを見ると、本当に嫌な予感しかしないから止めて欲しい。 少し思案していた彼女は、やけに嬉しそうな表情で顔をあげた。 「じゃあ私も武器は使わない! 素手でやり合おうよ!」 そう言って、彼女は拳を構えた。シャドーで数発拳を空に打ったけど、拳の速度が速すぎて見えない。しかも空気を切る鋭い音が聞こえてくる。何あの殺人パンチ。もしかしたら彼女はナイフよりも素手での戦闘の方が得意だったりするのかな? 「私はナイフよりも素手の方が得意なの!」 当たりみたい。Cランクといえば一線級の冒険者、武器が無いと戦えませんじゃ話にならないってことかな。僕も拳で戦えた方が良いのかな? この後レイラちゃんに弟子入りでもしようかな。訓練を装って色んなところに触れられるんじゃない? 見た目は良いしね、見た目は。 「ねぇレイラちゃん」 「何かなきつね君!」 「この勝負、僕に何の得も無いんだけど」 とはいえ、この勝負には僕に何の得も無い。下手すれば痛い目見るだけで、大きな損だ、勝負をする代わりに何か求めても罰は当たらないと思うんだよね。 すると、レイラちゃんは視線を動かしながら考え始め、やがて一つの結論を出した。 「じゃあこの勝負できつね君が勝ったら、何でも一ついうことを聞いてあげる!」 レイラちゃんの言葉が頭の中で何度も反響する。何でも、言うことを、聞いてくれる。この美少女が、何でも言うことを聞いてくれる? 青春真っ只中の青少年である僕だと知って、それを言っているのかな? やる気が出て来た。 僕は首を回し、腕を伸ばす。手首や足首をぷらぷらと揺らして慣らし、一つ深呼吸を入れた。そして、スキル『威圧』を発動する。単体ではそれほど僕を大きく見せてはくれないけれど、それでも奥の手は取っておかないとね『不気味体質』はあくまで敵と戦う時のスキルだから。 すると、レイラちゃんは僕の威圧を感じ取ったのか、口端を少し吊り上げた。拳と手の平を合わせて、パキパキと音を慣らす。その瞳は、好戦的というよりは獲物を見る獣の眼をしており、今にも僕の下へ踏み込んできそうなオーラがある。 「少しはやる気になってくれたみたいだね」 「まぁね、何でも言うことを聞いてくれるっていうのは魅力的だ」 「ちなみに私が勝ったらきつね君が何でも言うこと聞いてくれるの?」 「そんな訳ないじゃないか、僕は勝負をしてあげる、代わりに勝ったら何でも言うことを聞いて貰える、利害は一致してるじゃない」 えー、と頬を膨らませるレイラちゃん。不機嫌な顔も可愛いけど、此処は譲れない。大体、君みたいな天真爛漫な子に何でも言うこと聞くなんて言った日には何されるか分からない。結構残酷なことを笑顔でやって来る気がしてならないよ。 でも、勝負が成立したことは嬉しいのか、レイラちゃんは再度好戦的な表情に戻る。楽しそうな顔は、今の僕にとっては可愛いという印象より先に、警戒の感情を生じさせた。 「じゃ、行くよっ!」 その言葉と同時、レイラちゃんは僕の目の前に踏み込んでいた。 ーーー速すぎる!? 僕の顔を打ちあげるべく、下から抉るように迫る拳を、どうにか身体を後ろに逸らすことで躱す。 避けられるとは思ってなかったのか、レイラちゃんは驚いた表情を浮かべたけど、そのまま空中で身体を回転させ、横から回し蹴りを叩きこんできた。今度は躱せない......! 「―――ぅぐっ......!?」 その勢いは凄まじく、僕の身体は宙に浮いた。そして蹴り抜かれる足の向かう方向へと吹き飛ばされた。 倒れはしなかったけれど、その場から2mも強制的に移動させられた事実が、彼女を格上だと思い知らせてくれる。僕と同じ位の身長ではあるけれど、ステータスはきっと僕よりもずっと上だろう。 それに、まだまだ手加減している節がある。僕はもう全力なんだけどなぁ。 ステータスを見ると差が歴然になってしまうから見ない、けどこれだけで既にステータスに10倍は差があるんじゃないかと確信出来るね。 そんなことを考えていると、気づけば彼女の手が僕の顔を掴んでいた。全く動きが見えない。予備動作すら察知出来ない程の速度、 「う――――にゃあっ!!」 「あ......ぐぅ......!」 頭を後ろへと押され、バランスを取る為に下げようとした足を、レイラちゃんの足が蹴り払ってくる、完全に身体が空中に投げだされた僕の頭を、彼女は地面へと叩き付けた。ぐらっと揺らぐ意識、気絶せずに済んだのは痛みを無効にしてる『痛覚無効Lv2』のおかげだろう。 顔を掴む手が離れていく。レイラちゃんの僕を見下ろす顔が見えた。 「これでも気絶しないんだ、普通ならこれで終わりなんだけど、やっぱり面白いね、きつね君!」 「頑丈なのが僕の取り柄なんでね」 立ち上がる僕を、彼女は攻撃してこない。余裕の表れか、それとも何か手札があるのか、警戒は緩められない。 レイラちゃんが消える。いや、消えたように見える程速い。でも動かなければまたさっきの二の舞だ。 僕はその場からバックステップし、元居た場所から大きく距離を取った。すると、タイミング良くその場所にレイラちゃんが拳を振り抜いた状態で姿を現す。 本心から驚愕した様子で僕を見る彼女の顔は、少しだけやり返せたと思う。でも、ここから何か出来るかといえば別に何か出来るわけではない、が。 攻撃しないと何もならない、か。 「お?」 今度は僕から仕掛ける。その場から地面を蹴って、レイラちゃんの下へと突撃する。耐性に定評のある僕だけど、敏捷の能力値も耐性以外では大きく上がっている。筋力の低さからそこまで速度が出せるわけではないけど、それでも多少は動きやすい。 レイラちゃんは僕を迎え撃つつもりらしく、その場から逃げない。そして、すぐにお互いの拳が届く距離になり、その瞬間、 レイラちゃんの拳が僕の頬を捉えた。 鈍い音と一緒に、僕の頭が揺れる。 でも、痛みはないから耐えられる。 「っ!?」 「ぅぐっ――――あああ!!」 「なっ......!」 拳を受けて尚、僕の身体は前へと進む。痛みで身体を支える足が揺らぐことはない、痛みを感じないのだから、前へ進む足から力が抜けることはない。 そのまま前へ進みながら、僕はレイラちゃんの服を掴んだ。そして、そのまま彼女の拳の力を利用しながら、彼女の身体を引っ張り上げた。 どれだけステータスが上だろうが、体重や身長が変わる訳ではない、ならば女の子一人、持ち上げられない訳が無い! そのまま倒れる覚悟で彼女を投げる。所謂、一本背負い。 でも、彼女は投げられる直前、僕の背中の上で転がった。背負い投げの途中で投げる相手の重さが無くなる。それによって、僕は勢い余ってうつ伏せに地面に倒れてしまう。 けど、起き上がる前に彼女は僕のマウントを取ってきた。硬直した僕の顔の横に彼女の右手が置かれ、もう一方の手は僕の首を掴んだ。動作の一つ一つが速すぎる......! まるで僕が押し倒された様な体勢ではあるが、これは確実に僕の命が取られた状態。彼女がナイフを抜いていたら、僕の首は此処で身体とおさらばしていただろう。 「僕の負け......か」 体の力を抜き、そう呟いて勝負の終わりを認める僕。でも、そこで終わりでは無かった。 「はっ......はぁ......ん......」 僕の首を掴む彼女の顔が、僕の目の前まで降りてくる。その表情はなんだか高揚していて、瞳は先程とは違って理性が飛んでいるような野生的な感情を浮かべている。頬は赤く染まり、息遣いもなんだか色っぽい。 「え、と......レイラちゃん?」 「うふ......うふふふ.........」 ぺろりと舌舐めずりをする彼女、一体何が起こったというのか、困惑する僕をよそに彼女は僕の首から手を離し、その手を僕の頬を撫でるように移動させた。 瞬間、なんだか背筋に悪寒が走り、目を見開いたまま蛇に睨まれた蛙のように動けなくなった。 そして、彼女の赤く高揚した表情が更に近づいて、 「んむっ!?」 僕の唇を彼女の唇が塞いできた。

Duel "Okay, let's just go home." "Uwaah, cowardice as ever, aren't you?! I respect you, Kitsune-san!" Since Leila-chan has disappeared to the training ground underground the guild, I think it would be good if she just disappears as it is so I want to immediately return to the inn. Leila-chan is a beautiful girl, a cutie, she even let me feel the sensation of her boobs, but since it's already a stated matter that I would got beaten to pulp if I fight her so I think this is the wisest choice. Whether it lose after fighting, or lose by W.O, either way the result would be still the same, isn't it? There, I notice chilly gazes from Rishe-chan and the others. What's up with you all, isn't it good even if I run away here? "Kitsune, what did you mean just now?" "I'm also interested, Kitsune-sama?" "I, I also... want you to tell me...." Rishe-chan, Mia-chan, and also Lulu-chan say so. Even if you ask me what I meant, the meaning is exactly as it is, though. To go home, we just finished a quest after all, since we just fought against that spider once again so I honestly tired. Why do I have to fight again moreover against someone stronger than that spider? "Not that one, the one before it." The one before it... ah, the 'please go out with me' one, huh. I initially did that to change the subject, but it wasn't transmitted to Leila-chan. She completely ignored my once in my lifetime confession, didn't she? I completely forgot that she was a girl who won't listen to other. Perhaps that's because the way she has no sense of direction is already too acute, after all. "When I said please go out with me, I did that to change the subject, you know? Since at that rate I felt like it might led into a duel, after all. But it was all for naught, though." "...I see." Rishe-chan floats a sour looks, Mia-chan floats a business smile, and Lulu-chan floats an expression as if she is relieved from the bottom of her heart. Who is the most honest one? If I should say it then it's Lulu-chan, she sure has a cuteness which would makes someone wants to dote her. Nonetheless, are the three of them really that concerned about my confession? As I thought, aren't I actually quite popular? "But, you can't just run away from this duel, Kitsune." "Aah~,who was the man who arbitrarily decided my duel against my father, I wonder?... even though I originally should had one week extension time~...." "Uwah, you bring that out now?" Perhaps because Rishe-chan is formerly a knight so she doesn't particularly likes the way I run away from a duel. Even if that's indeed the case but I think the way she does it is way too much, though. Someone might die, you know? I might die, you know? When I give Mia-chan a gaze asking for help, she return it with her usual business smile. No good, I can't ask her for help. When I gaze at my last hope, Lulu-chan, she inclines her head. This girl is also no good, she doesn't understand eye contact. For now I decide to pat her head. "" Be that as it may, is there any way to run away from here? Finia-chan is just lying in my shoulder without having any concern about this matter, the other adventurers also turn their faces away from Mia-chan's smile. Seems like there's no way for me to run away, huh. "...got it, got it, I just need to go there, right?" Sighing once, I say so. To be honest, a rumor is nothing but a rumor, I have nothing to be expected by Leila-chan, but how absurd that I must suffer like this. Somehow it irritates me. Trouble was a sure to have attribute for a protagonist of a manga, but I don't need that trouble, you know? You don't need to force yourself bringing that trouble to me. Or rather, the rumor about me has already spread till Grandile Kingdom, huh, just who the hell spread it? While grumbling and complaining such a thing, I come to the training ground which is located underground the guild. Leila-chan who said would wait for me is properly there. Even though it would be good if she just got lost somewhere when she was rushing here. "Ah, you finally come, Kitsune-kun!" "Yeah, well, I was unable to run away, after all." "Ahaha, did you think to run away? That's no good you know? To ignore an invitation from a girl." "The one who would take such invitation even though he knows he would experience a pain is none other than a pervert. But here I'm a diligent and proper youth, after all." "But I can't see you as such, though." Leila-chan says so while cheerfully laughing. Innocent and lively, as if to matching such words, she is chuckling while showing her high canine which is her most attractive trait. And then, since the conversation seems like ended there, she draws both of short swords at her waist. Rather than a short sword it might slightly closer to a slightly bigger knife, but when I look at Leila-chan who skillfully handles both of it at both of her hands, I immediately understand that those swords are her usual weapon. "These weapon, I use it to imitate the person I like who was also using it, you see. At first I only used one, but seems like using two is more comfortable for me, you see." "Ooh, I completely don't care about it." "What about your weapon, Kitsune-kun?" "I don't have anything like weapon. Since I can't use it, after all." When I say so, Leila-chan stares me in wonder and puts back her swords at her waist. She looks a bit disappointed, but she gazes me with an equal interest with it. "You don't use, any weapon?" "I have used it inside the forest once, but it was broken and can't be used already, after all." That sword was broken by one attack from {Red Night} and can't be used again, but tentatively I left it inside my room right now. It's an article from my former world, after all, so you could say that it's akin to something like charm. Nonetheless, when I see Leila-chan grumbles 'ooh, I see', I want to stop it here since I feel a bad premonition from her. After pondering about it for a while, she raises her face with an extremely happy expression. "Then I also won't use any weapon! Let's just fight bare handed!" Saying so, she prepares her fists. She seems like fired her fists several times midair, but since it was too fast so I couldn't see it at all. Moreover I could heard a sharp voices where the air was severed. What's up with that killer punch? "Rather than using weapon, I'm more skilled at fighting bare handed, you see!" Seems like I was right. come to think of it, C rank adventurers are a forefront adventurer, so that means there's no way they are unable to fight without weapon, right? If I ask her to teach me, will she accept it? In the name of practice, would I be able to touch various places? Her appearance is good, after all, her appearance. "Say, Leila-chan." "What's the matter, Kitsune-kun!" "At this duel, I don't see any merit for me, though." Nonetheless, there's no merit for me at this duel. If I take it as it is, I would only suffer a great pain, what a great loss, so in exchange for me accepting this duel, I want something in return if I win but I won't get any punishment if I lose. When I say so, Leial-chan averts her sight while start thinking about it, before long she makes a decision. "Then, if you win this duel, I will grant one of anything you wish." Leila-chan's words are reverberating inside my head. Anything, such word, I clearly heard it. Such beauty is, would grant one of anything I wish? Are you really saying that to a youth like me who is currently at the middle of my puberty period? I'm burning with motivation. I stretch my head and legs. Shaking my wrists and ankles, I take a deep breath. And then, I activate my {Overpower} skill. Separately it won't have any great effect, but even so I'll keep my trump card in reserve, since to the bitter{Eerie Constitution} is could only be activated when I fight an enemy, after all. And then, whether Leila-chan feels my overpower, the tips of her mouth slightly inclined. Gripping her fist with her other palm, it makes a *pakipaki* sounds. Her eyes, rather than eyes of someone who is facing a fight, it's as if she is beast that is looking at its prey, and spreading an aura as if she may jump at me anytime soon. "You seem become slightly motivated, aren't you?" "Well, yeah, since you said you'll grant anything one of my wish, that's too attractive, after all." "By the way, if I win will Kitsune-kun also grant one of my wish?" "There's no way I'll do so, right? I'll accept this duel, in exchange if I win you'll grant anything one of my wish, with that we get an equal interest, don't we?" Leila-chan puffs her cheeks while saying eh~. Her pouting expression is also cute, but I won't yield here. In the first place, for an innocent girl like you, you won't know what might happens to you when you said you would grant anything of my wish. Thinking about a bit cruel thing, I can't feel that there's a smile floating at my face. But, whether she is happy because she would be able to have a duel against me, she returns to her warlike expression. She seems having fun, before thinking it as cute, I take a vigilance feeling from it instead. "Then, let's go!" Simultaneously with that word, Leila-chan arrives before me in the blink of eye. --too fast!? As if to hit my face, she swings her fist from below, but I evade it by somehow bent my body backward. Perhaps she didn't thought I'll be able to evade it, Leial-chan makes a surprised expression for an instant, but she rotates her body midair as it is and performs a roundhouse kick at me. This time I can't evade it...! "--ugu...!?" Its power is so terrific, my body is sent flying. And then I'm blown away to the same direction where her leg was swung to. I'm not fainted, but by facing the reality that I got blown away two meters from my initial place, that makes me realize that she's way stronger than me. She has an approximately same height with mine, but her status must be way higher than mine, isn't it? Moreover, I feel like she's still holding back. Even though I've put my all already here. I don't peek at her status because if I do that I feel like I would know just how distant apart our statuses are, but with this much I think her status perhaps is at least ten time than mine. When I think about such a thing, without I noticed it her fist is already gripping my face. I can't see her movement at all. A speed that I can't feel it to the point I can't take any reaction at all, "U--nyaa!!" "a...guu....!" Getting my head pressed backward, I try to move my leg backward to regain my balance, but Leila-chan uses her leg to kick it, when I completely thrown midair she smashes my head to the ground. Letting off her hand that grips my head, Leila-chan looks down at me. "Even with that you aren't fainted, huh. Normally the duel should be over with that, but as I thought you sure are interesting, Kitsune-kun!" "Sturdy is my one and only redeeming feature, after all." When I stand up, she doesn't attack me. Whether she thinks she has the advantage, or perhaps she has a certain plan, but I can't loose my vigilance down. Leila-chan disappears. No, she's just too fast which looks as if she disappears. But if I'm not moving from here then the same thing like before would happens again. I take some steps back from there, taking a big distance from my former place. And then, in the next instance Leila-chan appears there while swinging her fist. Looking at her surprised expression, I feel like have made a little payback at her. But, even you ask me whether I would be able to do something from here on, it isn't like I'll be able to do anything, though. If I don't attack then I won't get anything, huh. "Oh?" This time I'm the one attacking. Rushing from there, I charge toward Leila-chan's place. I'm indeed excel at my resistance, but aside than my resistance, my agility status also increased quite considerably. Since my strength is too scarce so I can't pull out all of my agility might, but at least my body becomes somewhat easier to move. Seemingly like she is intending to counter me, Leila-chan doesn't move from her location. And then, before long I reach a distance where our respective fist might reachs each other, in that instant, Leila-chan's fist arrives at my face. Together with a thick sound, my head is shaking. But, I'm able withstand it because I don't feel any pain at all. "!?" "Ugu--- aaa!!" "Wha....!" Even after receiving a punch, my body keep advancing. My legs which support my body aren't swaying at all, because I don't feel any pain, after all, so my advancing legs aren't slowing down at all. While keep advancing as it is, I grab Leila-chan's clothes. And then, by using the force of her punch, I pull her body up. No matter how high their statuses may be, it won't affect their weight nor height, that's why for a single girl, there's no way I'm unable to pull her up! I throw her with the resolution to also collapsed there. The so called, ipponzeoi (one-armed shoulder throw). But, just before I throw her, she rolls over above my back. The me who is throwing her with seionage (shoulder throw) lost my balance midair. Because of that, I terrifically collapsed to the ground facing-down. Hearing the sound of Leila-chan's body landing to the ground, I immediately roll my body and facing upward. But, before I can stand up, she immediately comes and mounting me. Putting her right hand at my stiffened face, she put her other hand at my neck. Each of her movements are too fast....! This stance may looks as if I get pushed down, but without a doubt she would be able to take my life at this stance. If she takes her knife here, my head would immediately say farewell to my body, isn't it. "It's my lose...huh." Withdrawing the strength of my body, I say so in admitting the end of the duel. But, it doesn't end there. "Ha.... Ha... n...." Still seizing my neck, her face comes down till before mine. Her expression looks somewhat elated, different from before, her eyes are as if she lost her reasoning and filled with a wild feeling. Her cheeks are dyed in red, her breathing is somewhat erotic. "Ah, umm... Leila-chan?" "Ufu... ufufufu....." She sticks out her tongue and licks her own lips, just what happens with her? Ignoring my bewilderment, she lift her hand from my neck, and use that hand to touch my cheek as if to caresses it. In that instant, I feel a chills run at my back, opening my eyes wide, I can't move as if a frog being glared by a snake. And then, her red and elated face come more closer, "Umu!?" And covers my lips with hers.

心臓が、大きく鼓動した。 血液の流れが加速し、命の鼓動が生まれて初めてかもしれない程に、猛々しく、そして生を感じさせる様に、ドクンと血液を生み出す。 苦しいと思った。胸が破裂しそうな痛みがあった。でも、それ以上に、全身を駆け巡る快感があった。 これは、成長する気持ち良さだ。 「ステータス」 猿を倒し、ふらふらする身体を地面に倒して、大の字に寝っ転がりながら、僕は僕のステータスを覗く。 ◇ステータス◇ 名前:薙刀桔音 性別:男 Lv20(↑19UP) 筋力:400:STOP! 体力:2500 耐性:3450 敏捷:2620 魔力:1220 強く、なれる。そう確信した。筋力が上がった。『STOP!』が付いたけれど、それでも上がった。僕がレベル1で、あの猿がレベル54だった故に、獲得出来た経験値はかなり大きかったんだと思う。19もの大幅なレベルアップは、僕のステータスを凡人の領域から突出させた。 耐性の値は3000を越えた。これならば、Eランクの魔獣の攻撃で死ぬことはまずないだろう。それほどまでに、堅くなったと言える。事実、そのステータスの効果がもう現れているのだ。 猿に殴られて揺れていた意識がもう回復している。自然治癒能力が大きく向上している証拠だ。 「よっと......んー............よし、大丈夫かな? 魔眼の方は......」 立ち上がり、身体を動かして行動に支障がないことを確認し、ついでに魔眼を発動させてみようとする。 「......無理か、耐性の治癒能力とは全く別の制限ってことかな」 おそらく、この力は固有スキルという強大な能力であるが故に、肉体の回復や疲労の回復といったことで発動が可能になる訳じゃない。限界まで発動した場合、それなりのインターバルが必要になるんだと思う。感覚的には、もうしばらくは発動出来そうにない。 でも、瘴気の新たな使い方―――というより、瘴気の増やし方を知れたことは大きな収穫だったね。ステータスの向上と同じくらいに重大な進歩だ。なにより、僕の攻撃手段が増えた訳だしね。筋力も上がったから、もう少し大きな武器を形成しても扱えると思うし。 「じゃ、帰ろうかな......猿一匹倒したし、もう動きたくない」 この場にフィニアちゃんがいれば、無邪気に悪意のない悪口を吐いたんだろうけど、一人でこんな独り言を言っていると、中々に物寂しいものがある。 なんて、少し感傷に浸ってみたりして。 「取り戻すさ、僕だけの無邪気な減らず口と、向日葵みたいな笑顔、それに......僕の家族も」 空に手を伸ばし、拳を握る。悲しくは無い、だってこの手の中に、大事なものは全部ある。何も失ってなんかいないんだから。 僕はそう言って、そのまま街へとその足を引き返した。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 一方その頃、勇者一行は桔音達とはまた別の街へと辿り着いていた。馬車を馬屋へと預けて、宿を取って休んでいる所だ。 部屋割としては、凪とセシルとジークが同じ部屋。そしてフィニアとルルとシルフィが同じ部屋だ。凪としては、男子と女子で別れるためにも、セシルにはフィニア達と同じ部屋に行って欲しいと進言したのだが、セシルは勇者と共にあるのが自分の仕事だということで、退かなかった。 ちなみにジークはそれに対して頭が固い女だと、人知れず呟いた。 現在、フィニアとルルはシルフィと同じ部屋で三人、ベッドで休息を取っていた。眠っている訳ではないが、横になっている。馬車の中では中々気を張り詰めていた故に、精神的疲労もかなり溜まっていたのだろう。 「大丈夫? ルルちゃん......」 「大丈夫です......少し疲れただけですから」 「......そっか、あまり根を詰めちゃだめだよ? 少し肩の力を抜いていこ? ね!」 「......はい、ありがとうございます」 未だ、精神的にはまだ十二歳程の年齢なのだ、如何に強くなろうと決意したとはいえ、肉体や精神はそれに付いてこれない。人間、そういきなりは変われないのだ。 とはいえ、例えそうだとしても、フィニアから見ればルルは少し生き急いでいるようにも見えた。 まるで、今すぐに強くなろうとしているような、そんな危うさを感じる。 だが、フィニアはそんなルルに対してそれくらいしか言えなかった。肩の力を抜いて、もう少しゆっくりと進むべきだと。急ぎ過ぎても良いことは何も無いのだから。 「それで? これから貴方達は何をするつもりなの?」 「......わた、私達は魔王討伐の為に作られた勇者のパーティ......だから、これから魔王討伐までの間は、経験を積んで、魔王を討伐出来るように最大限力を付ける......です」 魔法使いシルフィは、フィニアの問いにそう答えた。魔王を討伐しようにも、魔王討伐までには数々の魔獣や魔族を相手に戦い抜かねばならない。となれば、今のAランク程度の実力では話にならない。 まずは十分な力を付ける必要がある。その為、手っ取り早く分かりやすい力として、武器や防具を強い物にする。 その為、今勇者一行はルークスハイド王国とは逆方向へ進んだ先にある、『工業大国 ジグヴェリア』へと向かうことになっている。ちなみにこの指針はセシルの考えだ。 正式名称『ジグヴェリア共和国』という国は、グランディール王国やルークスハイド王国と違って、王ではなく、国民全員が国を所有している、王のいない民主主義の国だ。といっても、その土地は狭く、国というよりは街と言った方がしっくり来る大きさだ。 また、この国は工業都市でもあり、魔法具職人や武器職人といった職業の人間やドワーフといった種族が多く住んでいる。 そしてその物作りの技術の高さは、世界各国で、ここで作られる武器や魔法具が証明している。名声は轟き、『ジグヴェリアの技術は世界一』と各国が認めている。故に、此処で作られた武器は多くの冒険者や騎士達に愛用される。 過去この国の歴史上では、聖剣を作りあげた伝説の武器職人も存在し、今でも『 勇者の装備を整えるには、絶好の場所だろう。 「ふーん......そう、分かった」 フィニアはただ、そう頷いた。シルフィはそんなフィニアの態度に少し肩を落とす。最初にあった拒絶するような感覚は無くなったとはいえ、それでもフィニア達と勇者達の間には大きな溝が出来ているようだ。 ―――失敗した。 私はグランディール王国で生まれた巫女、勇者の為に働き、身も心も捧げる役目を担った存在。でも今は違う。私は私の意思で、ナギ様に付いていこう、尽くしていこうと決意しています。 彼は、召喚された時から勇者としての片鱗を見せていました。唐突な召喚、にも拘らず冷静に状況を理解しようと行動していました。 そしてそれから一週間程で勇者に違わぬ実力を身に付け、今もメキメキとその力を伸ばしています。その伸びしろは全く見えず、やはり天賦の才を持った御方だと改めて確信出来ました。 故に、私はナギ様を密かに好きになってしまったようです。そういった経験は皆無でしたので、少し戸惑ってはいますが、今は魔王討伐に動き、勇者と巫女という関係である身......恋愛に現を抜かすわけにはいかないのです。でも、魔王を倒したその時には.........。 とはいえ、私達は魔王を討伐するために行動している身。故に、私はあの不気味な少年を敵に回してしまったことを失敗したと思っています。 魔王は圧倒的な破壊の象徴―――その力とプライドの高い魔族達を平伏させる を奪ってしまった。あの死神の逆鱗に、触れてしまった。あの時、私は私に言葉を投げかけてくるあの少年の眼から視線を逸らせなかった。 枯れ草色の右の瞳と、赤黒く穴の空いた空虚な左眼、眼球は一つしかなかったのに、あの時私は全身を全方向から全て見透かされているような感覚に陥った。 ―――全力で逃げるんだね、僕はお前を追いかけて追いかけて追いかけて追いかけて、最後は僕にしたことを後悔する位に叩きのめしてあげる。その綺麗なお顔を涙と鼻水で歪ませて、足腰立たない位の恐怖を与えて、子供みたいに失禁させて、最後は地面に頭を擦りつけながら必死に僕に許しを請わせてやる。 あの言葉が、私の心に楔を打ち込んだ。一字一句、あの時の恐怖ですら、鮮明に思い出せる。 だから失敗した。あの少年に手を出すべきではなかった。ナギ様が殴った時、止めるべきだった。下手すれば、あの日あの時......ナギ様も心を折られていたかもしれないのだから。 「きつね......確かHランクの冒険者でしたか......どうすれば人間があの様に変われるのでしょうか......」 を取り出す。私の結界術で衝撃やダメージから護る様にしているので、魔王や魔族と対峙しない限りは壊れる可能性はないでしょう。 これはあの妖精にとって、そしてあの少年にとって、大事な想いの品なのでしょう......でも私にはこのお面が、あの少年と私を繋ぐ鎖に見える。今すぐにでも壊してしまいたいと考えてしまいます。 これが私の手にある内に壊れた場合、今度こそ私やナギ様はあの死神に心を折られてしまいます。いかにナギ様が勇者であっても、アレはそういった肩書を無視して『人間』としてのナギ様を壊すでしょう。 だから壊してはいけない。この鎖は絶対に壊してはいけない。 負けてはならない。私はまず、あの少年に立ち向かえる強さを手に入れなければならないのでしょう。勇者の巫女として、そしてナギ様のパートナーとして。 あの妖精も、獣人も、あらゆる全てを利用する。 それが、それだけが、勇者の為に、巫女である私が出来ること―――しなければならない役目なのだから。

My heart, is beating violently. It accelerates my blood flow, perhaps this is the most ferocious beating I've ever experienced in my life, and then as if probing my body, the blood flows with each beat. I do think it's painful. The pain is as if my heart is about to explode. However, more than that, there's a certain sensation enveloping my whole body. That's, the sensation of growth. "Status." After defeating the monkey, my staggering body falls to the ground, while lying down, I look at my own status. *Status* Name : Naginata Kitsune Gender : Male Lv. 20 (| UP19) Strength : 400:STOP! Stamina : 2500 Resistance : 3450 Agility : 2620 Magic Power : 1220 I was level 1, whereas the monkey was level 54, so I think the experience points I acquired was quite plenty. After leaping directly to level 20, my status is already beyond normal human realm. My resistance has finally surpassed 3000. With this at the very least I'm sure I won't die from E rank demonic beasts' attack. You can say that's just how though I've become. Actually, my status has already shown its effects. My shaken mind; from getting blown away by the monkey; is already recovered. And how my self-healing ability greatly increased is also one of the proof. "Ompf... hmm... okay, I think I'm fine already. As for my demon eye...." Standing up, I stretch my body and find that it's already fine, then I decide to try activating my demon eye again. "...not yet, huh. That means its recovery is on different domain than my self-recovery from resistance stat, huh." Perhaps, because this is a powerful ability and is classified as innate ability, it isn't necessarily possible to be activated just because my body has already recovered from the fatigue. Should I use it to its very limit, I think I need a certain interval before I can use it again. That means, I won't be able to use it again for the time being. However, a new way to use the miasma-- or rather, a way to increase my miasma, knowing it is already a big discovery in itself. As far as I'm concerned, this discovery is as important as my leveling up. After all, with this my means of attacking increased by one. And since my strength rose, I think I now should be able to wield larger weapons. "Well then, let's go home... I've defeated one monkey after all, and I also don't want to move my body again for the time being." If Finia-chan were here, I'm sure she'd innocently shower me with maliceless insults, but now that I'm monologuing by myself like this, I'm kind of lonely. Seems like I'm slightly too immersed with my sentiment. "Let's take them back, that ball of insult solely dedicated for me, that sunflower-like smile, also... my family." I stretch my hand to the sky, and clench it tight. I'm not sad, because all of my precious things are on my hand. I've lost nothing. Saying so to myself, I move my legs and head to the town. * * * Around the same time, at another location, the hero party had arrived at a certain town different from where Kitsune and the other were. After entrusting the carriage to the stable and reserving lodgings, it was around the time they took rest. For the room assignment, Nagi, Cecil, and Jik were together in one room, where Finia, Lulu, and Silphy were in another one. For Nagi, he preferred for males and females to have separate rooms and proposed that Cecil, Finia, and the others to be together, however Cecil said that being together with the hero was her duty, so he compromised. By the way, seeing that, Jik thought her as a very obstinate woman. Currently, Finia, Lulu, and Silphy were in their room and were resting on the bed. They weren't sleeping, they were only lying down. Inside the carriage, their minds were pretty strained, that was why mental-wise they were pretty worn out. "Are you okay, Lulu-chan?" "I'm fine... I'm just slightly tired." "...I see, you mustn't force yourself, okay? Want to relax a bit?" "...yes, thank you very much." Mental-wise, she was still a twelve-year old child, even if she had determination to get stronger, her body and mind wouldn't necessarily follow suit that easily. Human wouldn't change so abruptly. However, even if that was indeed the case, as far as Finia was concerned, Lulu was slightly forcing herself. Finia felt as though Lulu was hurrying to get stronger as fast as possible. However, toward such Lulu, Finia could only tell her such. Relax a bit, advance slightly more slowly. Because advancing recklessly never led to something good, after all. "By the way, what are you guys going to do from now on?" "...w, we are hero party that was formed to subjugate the demon lord. That's why, before subjugating the demon lord, we're going to accumulate experience and building up strength to the limit so that we can subjugate the demon lord...." To Finia's inquiry, Silphy the magician answered as such. To subjugate the demon lord they had to fight the demonic beasts and demons along the way as well. That means, at their current ability were around that of A ranks, they held no chance at all. First thing first, they had to build up suitable power. For that sake, the fastest and easiest way was to have powerful weapons and armors. Hence, the current destination of the hero party was "Industrial country Jigveria" which was on the opposite side of Rookshide kingdom. By the way, Cecil was the one who called it as such. Its official name was "Repulic Jigveria", different from Grandile kingdom and Rookshide kingdom, it was a democratic kingdom with no king, and the whole citizens were the state. However, the territory was quite small, with its size, rather than a country it was more close to a town. Thus, this country was also called industrial town, numerous human and dwarves with magic tool craftsman and weapon craftsman as profession resided there. Also, their abilities were second to none in the world, weapons and magic tools produced there were all certificated. Their fame resounded around the world, each nation recognized that "Jigveria's manufacture art was world best". Thus, weapons produced there were favorite for numerous adventurers as well as knights. In this country's past history, there once existed a legendary weapon craftsman who created a holy sword, even now there were "Brave series", "Phantom series", and many other weapon series created by famous weapon craftsman. To prepare for Hero's equipment, this was surely the best location. "Hmm... I see, got it." Finia only nodded and responded so. Seeing Finia's response, Silphy slightly dropped her shoulders. Even if she no longer completely rejected them as she did at first, seems like there was still a huge gap between Finia and co. and Hero and co. --what a blunder. I was a miko that was born at Grandile Kingdom, working for the hero was my duty, and offering him my body and soul was also part of it. However, this time was different, I was following Nagi on my own volition, and I was also determined to devote my all to him. Ever since the moment he was summoned here, he already showed signs befitting those of heroes. Even though he was abruptly summoned here, he was capable of calmly assessing the circumstance. Moreover, even after we explained to him how dangerous his duty to subjugate the demon lord was, he still accepted it with eyes full of confiction, even now I still remembered those eyes. At that moment, Nagi-sama's appearance was brimming with the dignity befitting those of heroes. And then, a week after the summoning ritual, he already acquired prowess befitting of a hero, and even now it was still rapidly rising. I couldn't see the limit of his growth, and that fact gave me conviction that he was indeed someone who was blessed with natural gift. Thus, I secretly came to liking Nagi-sama. I have no prior such experience, so I was slightly bewildered, but right now we were in the middle of demon lord subjugation journey, such relation between hero and miko, namely love, we couldn't afford to waste time with such matter. However, after we subjugated the demon lord.... However, we were currently in the middle of journey to subjugate the demon lord. Thus, I did think it was a blunder to turn that eerie youth into our enemy. Demon lord was the symbol of overwhelming destruction, it was an absolute ruler who possessed overwheling power as well as charm (charisma) that made those prideful demons to prostate themselves before it. Without knowing that, I snatched that idea-type fairy (Finia) away, and ultimately warranted that shinigami's wrath. At that time, I couldn't avert my eyes when he was saying talking to me. Hay-colored right eye, and dark red hollow left eye, even though he only had one eye left, at that time I felt as thought I was being stared from every direction. 'Just do your best to run away, since I'll keep on chase, chase, and chase after you, and finally, I'll beat you enough to make you regret what you've done. I'll definitely give you enough fear that will make that pretty face of yours covered by tears and snots, that will make your legs limp and unable to stand up, and finally, it will force you to rub that head of yours on the ground in desperate of asking for my forgiveness.' Those words pierced deep in my heart. Unbearable, the dread at that moment, I even could still vividly remember it. That was why, it was a blunder. I shouldn't have laid a hand on that youth. When Nagi-sama attacked him, I should've stopped him. If we were unlucky, at that day, at that moment, there was a possibility that Nagi-sama's mind might break, after all. "Kitsune... if my memory serves right, he was an H rank adventurer, wasn't he? ... How come someone turns into like that, I wonder...." Murmuring so, I took out the snatched mask (Finia's life) from my pocket. I'd put barriers that absorbed chock and damage on it, so as long as we weren't up against demon lord or demons, there should be no chance of it breaking. For that fairy, and also for that youth, it was something that was very important... however, as far as I was concerned, this mask was a chain that tied me to that youth. I honestly wanted to break it as soon as possible. Should this mask were to break while it was on me, I was sure the moment we meet that Shinigami again, not just Nagi-sama's, I was sure it'd break my mind as well. Even if Nagi-sama was a hero, it'd disregard such a thing and break the 'human' Nagi-sama. That was why I couldn't afford to break this mask. I absolutely mustn't break this chain. I couldn't afford to lose. For the first step, I believed I should obtain power enough to oppose that youth. As the hero's miko, as well as Nagi-sama's partner. That fairy, as well as that beastman, I'd have to utilize everything I had. That was, for the hero's sake, the extent of what I had to do as his miko, that was a duty I had to fulfill no matter what.

桔音の残したもの 真っ暗だ。 真っ暗で、何も感じない。目を閉じている様な感覚もないし、瞼の裏側を見ているっていう訳ではないんだろう。多分、僕は死んだんだと思う。死にたくないなぁ、とは思ったけれど、やっぱりあの状態あの怪我じゃ死んでしまうのが当然か。 約束、破っちゃったなぁ。遊園地、行きたかった。今思えばデートじゃん、しかも美少女とデートじゃん、僕の人生良い所でいつも駄目になるなぁ。 ―――泣かせちゃったなぁ...... 記憶に残っているのは、しおりちゃんの泣き顔。温かい涙がぽつぽつと僕の頬を伝っていく感覚が、今もしっかり覚えてる。 「きつねさん......なんでっ.........私を置いていかないで......!」 声が聞こえた、しおりちゃんの声だ。でも相変わらず真っ暗で、肉体の感覚もないから指一本動かすことは出来ない。 瞼を開けばしおりちゃんの顔が見えるのかもしれないけど、僕には開く瞼の感覚が無い。 手を伸ばせばしおりちゃんに触れられるのかもしれないけど、僕には伸ばせる手が無い。 口を開けばしおりちゃんにいつもの軽口が言えるのかもしれないけど、僕には言葉を発する口がない。 悔しいなぁ、悔しいなぁ、女の子一人笑顔に出来ないなんて......なんて無力なんだろうか。 「きつ......さん! き―――ん......!」 しおりちゃんの声が遠ざかっていく。ああ、これは本格的に死んじゃうみたいだ。深く、冷たい海に沈んでいく様な感覚、意識がゆっくりと薄らいでいく感覚。これが死ぬってことか......初体験だね、なんて軽口を叩くのも無理そうだ。 まぁ、僕の人生は全然良いものじゃなかったけど......最後の最後に友達を護れたんだから良いとしよう。まぁそれで友達を泣かせてちゃ意味ないけどね。自己満足で、自己犠牲で、他人を顧みない。 それくらいが、丁度良いかな。 僕の意識は、そこで完全に深い闇の底へと溶けて、消えた。 は、生まれつき人に好かれる人間では無かった。 生まれたその日から、母親に優しく抱きしめられたことは一度も無い。それというのも、彼は望まれて生まれた子供では無かったからだ。 そして桔音を生んだ彼の母親は、自分で産んだ子供なのに子育てを放棄した。彼を育てたのは、彼女の両親―――桔音の祖父母なのだ。 だが桔音が愛情を持って育てられたのは、彼が幼稚園に入るまでのことだった。 桔音は幼稚園に入ってから急に雰囲気が変わった。元々良く笑う子だったのに、一切笑わなくなったのだ。祖父母はおかしいと感じてどうしたのかと聞いたが、桔音は力なく笑うだけで何も言わなかった。 彼は虐めに遭っていたのだ。他の幼稚園児から何故か嫌われ、先生達からも何故か敬遠されていた。いつも一人、仲間外れにされ、手加減を知らない幼児達の暴力に晒され、それらから護ってくれる先生もいない。日に日に彼の身体には痣が増え、口数や笑顔も減って行った。 そんな日々を送り、彼が年長組になった頃―――祖父母が亡くなった。 死因は事故死、桔音が幼稚園に行っている間に仕事に出かけた祖父母が電車のホームに転落し、やってきた電車に轢かれた。即死だった。 祖父母が亡くなって、祖父母が入っていた保険の保険金が母親に入ったので、桔音は小学校へ通うことが出来た。母親が桔音を小学校へ通わせたのは、世間体を気にしたからだ。 だが、桔音は小学校に通うものの、その表情や精神は見るに堪えないほど憔悴していた。愛情を送ってくれる祖父母の死と、自分を捨てた母親と二人暮らしになるということが彼にとって、精神的にストレスとなる要因だったからだ。 『なんでアンタみたいな子を産んじまったんだろうねぇ』 母親は事あるごとにそう漏らした。 まともに家事をせず、家のことは全て桔音がやっていた。無論、最初の頃は失敗続きで母親の怒りを買う。不味い料理を出せば叩かれ、何かを壊せば殴られる。そんな日々だった。幼稚園時代のトラウマが蘇り、服で隠れる場所は青痣だらけだった。なんど涙を流したのか分からないほど、泣いていた。 そして小学校では暴力こそ振るわれなかったが、また何故か仲間外れや陰口などの虐めを受けていた。精神的ストレスから体調は悪くなりがちで、学校ではずっと一人だった。 だが、そんな彼を支えたのはその小学校の一人の男教師だった。彼は毎日のように桔音に声を掛け、励まし続けた。 『いいか? 人生辛いことばかりに目を向けず、楽しいことを探せばいいんだ』 『何? 陰口を叩かれる? 気にするな、全部気にせず受け流してしまえば些細な戯言だ』 『お前......この怪我はなんだ!? 誰にやられた!?』 桔音に何かあれば率先して行動してくれる、とても誠実で、とても熱血で、誰からも好かれる教師の鑑のような人だった。だから、桔音は彼の言う通り陰口は気にせず笑い飛ばすようになり、身体をある程度鍛えるようになった。少しだけ挑発的な言動をするようになったが、それも成長だろうと思っていた。 だが、ある時母親から言われた一言が桔音の心に突き刺さった。 『アンタの笑顔、気持ち悪いのよ』 何故かはわからない。だが、その言葉は桔音の心に深く突き刺さった。それから、桔音は笑うことに躊躇するようになった。気持ち悪い、という言葉が桔音を笑えなくした。 だが、笑っていないとまた先生に心配を掛けるだろう。という思いもあり、心に刺さった母親の言葉と、先生へ心配を掛けたくない思いが桔音を板挟みにし、それから桔音は笑っている様で笑っていない、そんな曖昧な薄ら笑いを浮かべるようになった。 そんな状態の桔音は余計に気味悪がられ、小学校ではずっと虐めの対象として扱われた。 そして、小学校を卒業して上がった中学校。そこが桔音の転機だった。 支えだった教師から離れ、彼を虐めていた者が広めた証拠も無い噂が、中学でも彼を苦しめた。彼は、誰にも邪魔されない空間を求めて学校が終われば直ぐに近くの図書館に籠る様になった。幾つも本を読んだ、小説、随筆、漫画、哲学、歴史、洋本、雑誌、写真集、何でも読んだ。 そうする中で、桔音は考えるようになった。何故虐められるのかと。そして一つの答えを出した。 『虐めに理由は無い、人は誰かを排他することで捻子曲がった友情を作りあげているのだ』 つまり、自分はその『捻子曲がった友情』を作る為に排他される対象になっただけのこと。だから桔音は諦めた。何を、と問われれば―――『虐めに向かい合うこと』を、だ。理由が無い、つまり原因が無いということ。 なんとなく気に入らないから虐める なんとなく弱そうだから虐める なんとなく、なんとなく、なんとなく、本当に理由などなく、薄ら笑いを浮かべる桔音がなんとなく気持ち悪かったから、虐める。どうしようもないと思った。 だから、 桔音は全て受け入れることにしたのだ。虐められるということを、日常の一つとして享受することにした。そうすることで、虐めが辛いと思う考え方そのものを消し去ることにしたのだ。 その日から、桔音の薄ら笑いが気味悪さを増し―――桔音は図書館に行かなくなった。 そしてその翌日からだ。桔音に行われる虐めの雰囲気が変わった。 桔音が、虐めを自分から受ける様な態度を取り始めたからだ。へらへらと薄ら笑いを浮かべ、陰口を笑いながら肯定する。気持ち悪いことこの上なかった。 だから、虐めは止まった。桔音が『捻子曲がった友情』の作る仲良しこよしの中に入った訳じゃない。排他しようという気持ち自体が消えたのだ。 そして代わりに生まれたのが、『桔音に関わり合いたくないという気持ち』だ。 桔音はそれからの中学生活をいつも楽しそうにへらへら薄ら笑いを浮かべながら過ごした。 そして、それは家でも同じ。桔音の母親も同様に桔音に関わらなくなった。桔音の作る料理すら、手を付けなくなった。会話もなく、逆に母親は桔音に怯えるようになった。桔音は、誰からも好かれない代わりに―――誰からも嫌われなくなったのだ。 誰もかれもが桔音に対して、無関心で居たいと思うようになったからだ。 ◇ そして高校時代。 一年、二年は中学時代と同じだ。寧ろ桔音の薄ら笑いから感じる気味悪さが、同級生、先輩、後輩、関係無く精神的ストレスを感じさせるほどになっていた。 そして桔音の高校生活最後の年―――桔音は陰口を叩かれるようになった。周囲に溜まった桔音へのストレスが溢れだしたのだ。無関心でいたいのに、陰口を叩くでもしなければパンクしてしまいそうなほど溜まったストレスが。そして、その陰口を桔音は薄ら笑いを浮かべて受け入れる。嬉々として、受け入れる。それがまた、彼らのストレスとなった。 そこへやってきたのが、篠崎しおり。 彼女は少しだけ変わっていた。彼女は人の感情の機微を感じ取る力に長けていた。 桔音に対して無関心でいたいのに、嫌うしかない周囲の状況の中で、ただ一人桔音に惹かれた。虐めに立ち向かわず、止めようともしない、なのに何故か弱者の立場にいない。そんな矛盾した存在である桔音に、歩み寄っていった。 彼女と関わって、桔音は少しだけ変わった。少なくとも、桔音を気味悪がっていた周囲の人々からすれば、大きな変化だった。 桔音はしおりと話している時だけ―――本当に楽しそうに笑っていたのだ。 付き合っているのではないかと思うくらい、仲の良い二人。だからだろう、周囲の目は少し前に戻った。そう、桔音を排他して『捻子曲がった友情』を作ろうとしていた、あの頃に。 桔音は誰からも嫌われずにはいられない存在で、 しおりは誰からも愛される優しい存在。 だから、周囲の人々は嫌わずにはいられない存在である桔音が、誰からも愛される優しいしおりと仲良くし、挙句周囲にストレスを与えながら幸せそうに笑っているのが――――許せなかったのだ。許せなかったから、その負の感情が爆発した。 その結果が、桔音を殺した。 文字どおりの意味で桔音という人間の命を、『捻子曲がった友情』の為に、ひいては自分達の欲望の為に、この世界から排他した。涙を流したのは、しおりだけ。その他の人々は、それを喜んだ。自分達が怯えていた存在が消えたことを、喜んだ。 ―――だが、桔音が死んだ後も彼らは桔音から解放された気にはなれなかった。 薙刀桔音という少年の一生。愛され育った最初の五年間、憎まれ排他された小中学校時代、怯えられ過ごした高校二年間、そして憎しみと羨望から殺された最後の三ヵ月。 だから、彼を殺した人々は無意識にそんな桔音に縛られている。 彼らはいじめをいじめと知っていた。そしていじめは虐められる方が悪いという理屈を捏ねて、自分を正当化していた。自分達は勝利者だと、格上の存在なのだと。だからこそ、だった。 桔音は最後まで笑っていた、満足気に死んでいった、彼らの虐めという排他行為は、桔音を確かに殺した。だが、彼らの理屈で言うのならばそれは負けだった。何故なら、桔音は最後まで虐めに屈しなかったからだ。桔音を本当の意味で排他出来なかった彼らからすれば、認めずともそれは敗北なのだ。 だから、彼らは桔音を殺して、自分達で作った理屈が生んだ敗北感と殺人という罪を背負わされた。これから先、彼らはずっと桔音という存在に縛られることになるだろう。 目を開いたら降り注ぐ光が視界を埋め尽くし、少しだけズキリと痛みが走った。そしてそれから次に感知出来たのは、耳を撫でる風の音と後頭部や背中に感じる草の感触。 次々と感覚が戻ってくる、植物の匂い、冷たく澄んだ空気、心臓の鼓動、温かい体温、生きている―――感覚。 「......ここは、どこかな?」 声を出してみると、慣れ親しんだ聞き覚えのある自分の声が聞こえた。死んだと思ったのに、生きている。そして周囲は草木に囲まれた森のようだ。更に仰向けに天然の芝生に倒れている自分、どう考えても普通ではないと思う。 「......ん......」 上体を起こし、固まった身体を解すように伸びをする。コキコキと小気味いい音が鳴り、少しだけ思考を切りかえることが出来た。色々確認してみようか。 服装は学ラン、と。ベルトに見たことがあるナイフが刺さっていた。そして、しおりちゃんに貰った狐のお面がポケットに入ってた。 「......しおりちゃん、泣いてたなぁ......」 思い出すのは、暗闇の中で聞こえた嗚咽交じりの声。泣かせちゃったから少しだけ罪悪感を感じなくもない。 でも、こうして生きているんだからまた会いに行けばいい。まぁ、まずはこの状況を誰かに説明してほしい所だけどさ。 「さて」 しおりちゃんから貰った狐のお面を頭の横に来るように掛けて、ナイフを弄びながら立ちあがる。とりあえずは移動しよう、図書館で色々本を読んでいたからこういった場合のサバイバル知識も無駄に覚えちゃってるし、まぁなんとかなるでしょ。 という訳で、僕は訳も分からない森の中を何処へ向かう訳でもなく歩き始めた。

Chapter 1: What Kitsune Left Behind It was pitch black. It's black, and I can't feel anything. It doesn't feel like my eyes are closed, and I'll bet what I'm seeing isn't the back of my eyelids. I think I'm probably dead. I do think that I don't want to go, but in the end, with that state and those wounds, I guess dying is only natural. I broke my promise. I kinda wanted to go to the amusement park. Now that I think about it, isn't that totally a date? What's more, a date with a bishojo. My life always does this to me whenever things are looking good. -- I made her cry... What's left of my memory, is the scene of Shiori's teary face. The feeling of her warm tears dripping onto my face one by one. That feeling is still firmly implanted in my memory. "Kitsune-san... why... don't leave me behind...?" I hear a voice. It's Shiori's. But it's still pitch black, and it doesn't even feel like I have a body, so I can't move a finger. If I were to open my eyes, then perhaps I could see Shiori-chan again, but I don't have the sensation of eyelids I can open. If I were to reach out my hand, then perhaps I could touch Shiori-chan, but I have no hand to extend. If I were to open my mouth, then perhaps I could make small-talk with her as always, but I have no mouth to mince words. Irritating, yeah, it's irritating. For me not to be able to make a single woman smile... how powerless am I? "Kitsu...san! Ki---n...!" Her voice is getting farther and farther away. Ah, it seems I really am dying here. It feels like I'm sinking into a deep, cold sea. So this is death... it's my first time, please be gentle. Oh wait, it's not as if I have a mouth to say it. Well, my life really wasn't a nice thing... but I guess that in the end of the end, I protected my friend so that's something. But since I made that friend cry, I guess there's no meaning in it. It was self-satisfaction and self-sacrifice. But that's just about enough. My conscious completely dissolves into the deep darkness and vanishes. From the moment he was born, Naginata Kitsune wasn't one well-liked by others. From the day he was born, he never once experienced his mother's warm embrace. And all of this was because he wasn't a child she wished to birth. And the mother that birthed him, despite him being born of her own womb, neglected in raising him. The ones who raised him were that girl's parents--Kitsune's grandparents. He was only raised surrounded with love until he entered kindergarten. After he entered, his atmosphere took a sudden change. He was always a child who would smile a lot, but he suddenly stopped smiling at all. His grandmother found it strange, and asked, but he merely gave a powerless laugh, and didn't say anything. He had been faced with bullying. For some reason, the other kids hated him, and even the teachers kept a distance from him. He was always alone, left out, and he even faced violence from the kids who didn't know to hold back. There wasn't even a teacher to protect him from them. Every day, the bruises on his body increased, and his words and smiles decreased. Those days continued, and by the time he had become one of the older kids, he had lost both of his grandparents. The cause was an accident. While they were on the way to work, and he was playing in kindergarten, a train derailed, and they were run over as they waited for it at the platform. For them, death came instantly. He had lost his grandparents, and the money from their insurance went to his mother, so Kitsune was able to attend elementary school. The reason his mother had allowed him to go was to keep up her image to the public. While he attended school, his expression and spirit just continued to get more and more enervated. The death of the grandparents who showered him with love, and the start of his life with the mother who abandoned him, were the main causes of his mental stress. {Why did I give birth to a child like you...} His mother would often let out those words. She was unable to do any housework properly, and Kitsune ended up taking care of everything in the house. Of course, at the start, he kept on failing and incurring his mother's wrath. If he put out bad food, he was struck, and if he broke something, smacked. It was in that cycle, that his kindergarten trauma revived itself, as the area under his clothes began to be covered with bruises once more. He couldn't even remember the amount of times he cried. In elementary school, they didn't use violence, but for some incomprehensible reason, he was always left out, and spoken ill of in the shadows. The mental stress took a toll on his body, and at school, he was always alone. The one who supported him was a single male teacher. That teacher would call out to him every day and encourage him. {Listen here, don't always look at the painful things in life. You just have to look for the fun things.} {What? People are talking behind your back? Don't mind it, if you just let it slide, then all that's left is some kids speaking trivial nonsense about something they know nothing about.} {You... those wounds!? Who did it!?} Whenever something happened to Kitsune, he would take the initiative and take action. He was sincere, hot-blooded, and a model teacher loved by all. So Kitsune followed his words, and paid no mind to the slander, looking over it and laughing at it. He even began to train his body to some extent. He learned to say some provocative things, but that was all part of growing up, he thought. But at a certain time, a sentence from his mother dug into his heart. {Your smile, it's disgusting.} He didn't know why. However, those simple words dug deep into his heart. After that, Kitsune began to hesitate to smile. The word disgusting prevented him. But if he wasn't smiling, he would start worrying his teacher. With emotions like that, his mother's words, and his desire not to make his teacher worry, the boy was put between a rock and a hard place, and after that, Kitsune began to smile while he wasn't smiling. A vague, thin smile would often float on his face. While he was like that, he gave off an unnecessarily unnerving feeling to others, and throughout elementary school, he was the target of bullying. And he graduated and moved up to middle school. That was the turning point of his life. He was distanced from the teacher that supported him, and baseless slander about him continued to spread and torment him. He simply wanted a space where he wasn't a bother to anyone, and whenever school ended, he would hole himself up in a nearby library. He read numerous books, novels, essays, manga, theses, history books, western novels, magazines, and albums; he would read anything. And by doing so, the boy called Kitsune began to think. Why was he bullied? And a single answer came up {There is no reason. It is through excluding and looking down on someone who humans can build their twisted friendship.} Meaning that he was merely a sacrifice for the twisted relations of others. That's why Kitsune gave up. If you ask what he gave up on: To confront the bullying. There was no reason. There was no cause. There was no point. They just kinda didn't like him, so they picked on him. He just looked kinda weak, so they picked on him. Kinda, Kinda, Kinda, there really was no reason, and since Kitsune, with his faint smile, was mildly disgusting, they bullied him. There was nothing he could do about it. And so... He decided to accept everything. The fact that he was bullied just became something he accepted as part of his everyday life. And by doing that, he erased the very notion that the harassment was painful from his mind. From that day, the creepiness of his faint smile increased... and Kitsune stopped going to the library all together. From the next day, the atmosphere surrounding the bullying changed. Kitsune started taking the harassment as something he had to accept himself. He continued to give an unsettling smile, he laughed at the meaningless slander as he confirmed his theory. There was nothing more disgusting. And so, the bullying stopped. It's not like Kitsune entered the circle of twisted friendship and camaraderie. The very reason that he was being excluded had changed. What was born in its place was the feeling that {I don't want to get involved with that guy} . Kitsune spent his middle school life with a faint smile constantly floating over his face. And it was the same at home. In a similar way, his mother no longer wanted to be involved with him. She even stopped touching the food he made for her. There were no conversations between them, and on the contrary, his mother began to grow afraid of him. In exchange for not being liked by anyone--he was no longer hated by anyone. Everyone just wanted to stay uninvolved and apathetic to his plight. * High school. One, two years went by in the same way as middle school. The disgusting feeling from Kitsune's faint smile affected his peers, upper-classmates, lower-classmates, and everyone, inflicting mental stress. And in the last year of Kitsune's high school life... they began slandering him again. The stress his surroundings had built up from putting up with him finally went out of control. Even if they wanted to remain apathetic, they would have gone into a panic if they didn't find an outlet for their stress. Kitsune put up with that slander with the same faint smile as ever. He happily accepted it as part of himself. That merely added more onto their built-up stress. The one who walked into the room was Shinozaki Shiori. She was a little bit of a strange person, and she excelled at picking up the signs to see what other people were feeling. In an environment that wanted to stay uninvolved with Kitsune, yet could do nothing but hate him, she was drawn to the boy. He didn't try to stand against the bullying, and he did absolutely nothing to stop it, but for some reason he didn't seem to be in a weak position. That contradictory existence made her step up to Kitsune. By involving himself with her, the boy gradually began to change. At the very least, from the perspective of the people who found him creepy, he had changed completely. Only when Kitsune was talking to Shiori... was when his smile truly seemed to contain any joy. They got along so well that many suspected they were dating. That's probably why the status quo crumbled, and the surroundings regressed. They tried to set up their twisted friendship once more. Naginata Kitsune was someone who always must be hated. Shinozaki Shiori was a nice girl who was always loved by others. Those around them saw their most hated one getting along with the nice girl they all cherished, and the stress built up as the two spent their days in happiness... it was unforgivable. They couldn't permit it, so their pent-up emotions exploded. As a result, Kitsune was murdered. The life of the boy known as Kitsune was literally removed, excluded from the world for the sake of their twisted friendship and lust. The only one to shed tears was Shiori. Everyone else rejoiced. They rejoiced at having the one who frightened them all disappear. -- But even after Kitsune died, they didn't feel that they had been freed from him. Naginata Kitsune's entire life. After the first five years where he was lovingly raised, after the years in middle and high school where he was hated and excluded, after the two years of high school where he was feared, and even after the last three months where he was loathed which eventually killed him, in the end, he was lovingly sent off by a close friend. Without any regrets, he died having protected her. He couldn't have hoped for a more heroic end. And so, the people who surrounded him continued to be subconsciously bound to the boy. They began to recognize their bullying for what it was. Using the excuse that he was at fault for not saying anything, they desperately justified their actions. They were the winners, and the better people, that's why. Kitsune smiled up to the end, dying satisfied with life. Their exclusion and isolation was definitely what killed him. But by their logic, it was simply that he had lost. The reason being that up 'til the end, Kitsune never broke under the harassment. Since they were never able to isolate him in the truest sense, they had to admit defeat to him. And that's why, by killing him, the sense of guilt birthed of their own twisted logic was something they were forced to shoulder. From there on, they were bound by the entity known as Naginata Kitsune for the rest of their lives. When I open my eyes, light rains down on me, clouding my vision, and when I try to relax, pain races around my body. And the next thing I perceive is the sound of the wind brushing against my ear, and the feeling of grass along my back and the back of my head. My senses begin returning one after the other. The scent of vegetation, the feeling of cold, clear air, the beating of my heart, the warmth of my own body, the feeling of... being alive. "... Where might this be?" When I try speaking, what I hear is the familiar voice I knew belonged to me. I thought I had died, but it seems I'm alive. My surroundings seem to be a forest of trees and plants. When I look up at the sky, I see that I had collapsed on the grass. This definitely isn't normal. "... Hmm..." I try raising my upper body, and in order to understand my state, I stretch my stiff body. A nice-sounding "crick" sounds out, and I am able to start processing my situation. I guess I should check a few things. I'm wearing my school uniform, and on my belt is a knife I'm definitely familiar with. And, the kitsune mask that Shiori gave me is inside of my pocket. "... Shiori-chan was crying, wasn't she..." What I can remember is her shaking voice calling to me as I fell into the darkness. Since I made her cry, I felt a bit guilty. But like this, since I'm alive, all I have to do is go find her again. Well, first, I'd appreciate it if someone were to explain this situation to me. "Well then." I hang Shiori's kitsune mask on the side of my head and fiddle with the knife as I get up. For now, I better move. I read quite a few books at the library, so I needlessly learned some survival information, and I guess it'll work out one way or another. Like that, in the forest I knew nothing about, I begin walking to who knows where.

オルバ公爵の住まう―――というより仕事場である所の、所謂都庁の様な大きな建物に忍び込むに当たって、僕達はまず二手に分かれることにした。 具体的な内訳は、僕とリーシェちゃんのペアと、レイラちゃんとニコちゃんのペア。 僕とリーシェちゃんがオルバ公爵の下へと向かうペア、その陽動役として、レイラちゃんとニコちゃんには見張りや兵士達の目を引いて貰うのが目的だ。ニコちゃんは向こうの目標でもあるけれど、レイラちゃんが付いていれば限りなく安全だと思う。僕達がオルバ公爵の下へ向かうのは、かなり容易になる筈だ。 そして、レイラちゃん達には陽動と同時に、ニコちゃんパパを連れ出して貰う。ニコちゃんパパの顔をはっきり分かってるのはニコちゃんだし、レイラちゃんも僕がニコちゃんを押し付けられた時、なんとなくニコちゃんパパを見かけた筈だ。それに、瘴気で建物の構造を把握出来る以上、彼女なら最短距離でニコちゃんパパの下まで辿り着ける。適任だろう。 更に言えば、そのレイラちゃん達の行動にオルバ公爵の目が行かない様囮になるのが、僕達だ。 言ってしまえば、兵士達程度ならレイラちゃんの足下にも及ばない。でもあのレイスとかいう殺人鬼がオルバ公爵と一緒に出張ってきたら、ニコちゃんを連れているレイラちゃんにとって多少梃子摺るかもしれない。 ステータス的にはレイラちゃんの方が圧倒的に格上ではあるけれど、レイスがニコちゃんを狙ってレイラちゃんの隙を作ろうとしたら、如何にレイラちゃんでも............あれ? なんだか全然心配にならないぞ? 普通に返り討ちに出来そうな気がする。 というか、レイラちゃんとレイスって名前似ててややこしいな。 まぁ、それはそうとして、現在僕達は仮称『都庁モドキ』へと侵入していた。 「おい、侵入者だ! なんでもブロンド髪の子供を連れた女らしい、行くぞ!」 「お、おう! ったく......ゴブリンキングといい、なんでこうも立て続けに......!」 大きな柱の後ろに隠れて、廊下を慌ただしく走っていく兵士達をやり過ごす。どうやらレイラちゃん達は上手くやっているらしい。 「......きつね、侵入したは良いが......オルバ公爵の場所は分かるのか?」 「さぁ......でも偉い人って大抵高い所に居るものだよ、上を目指そう」 「......きつねって結構考えているようで行き当たりばったりだよな」 何を今更。 リーシェちゃんの呆れた様な眼が痛いけれど、僕は兵士達の走り去って行った先とは逆方向へと進む。レイラちゃん達は地下を目指しているから、兵士達が走って行ったのも地下なんだろう。なら、逆へ進めば上に行ける階段があるかもしれないと考えた訳だ。 まぁ、地下へ降りる階段の所に上に上がる階段がある気もするけど。兵士の居る方向へ行く事もないだろう。 「行くよ」 「ああ」 僕とリーシェちゃんは頷きあってから廊下を走りだした。 一方、レイラはニコを肩車した状態で地下へと向かっていた。瘴気の空間把握と索敵能力を使って周囲に人間の気配がないことを確認し、余裕淡々と、なんの淀みもなく廊下を歩いている。 ニコはレイラのふわふわした白髪の上に小さな手を乗せて、見つかる事の不安と緊張からか、視線をキョロキョロと動かしていた。 対して、鼻歌交じりに悠々と歩くレイラの気分は何処か上機嫌だ。 それというのも、またも二手に分かれる提案をされて、その時は不機嫌になったのだが、桔音に頭を撫でられながらお願いされれば、レイラは素直にお願いを聞く気になるのである。 今流行りなのかは分からないが、チョロかった。チョロインだった。 また、レイラはニコのことが嫌いではなかった。というよりも、かなり気に入っていた。子供に対する母性が生まれたのか、それとも子供が好きなのかは分からないが、無条件で肩車をしたりする位には可愛がっているようだ。 「ねぇニコ、ニコはお父さん好き?」 「そっかぁ♪ お父さんってどんな感じなの? 私お父さんが居た時の記憶とかないから分かんないんだよねー」 レイラは先程から、頭上のニコに良く話し掛けていた。と言っても、周囲に兵士がいないことを確認している上に、近づいている兵士は瘴気を操作して殺しているのだから、この能天気さも分かる。 彼女が気になるのは、親という存在について。彼女は七歳の頃より『赤い夜』に感染し、人間だった頃の記憶を全て失っている。そしてその際『赤い夜』と化した彼女は、自分の両親や友達も全て欲望のままに殺し、喰らっているのだ。 両親の顔は勿論、七歳の頃までの人間の思い出すら、最早記憶の片隅にも残っていない。 故に、父親という存在がどういうモノなのか分からないのだ。気が付いたら血塗れで何処かも分からぬ土地に立っていて、自分の名前と、魔族であるということだけしか分からない状態だった。彼女の人生は、そこから始まっているのだ。記憶も、そこから始まっている。 「......パパは、優しい」 「優しい? ......ふーん、そうなんだ」 ニコの言葉に、レイラはやはり良く分からないという顔を浮かべた。何故かは分からないが、ニコはレイラに嘘を吐かない。否、言いたくないことは言わないのだろうが、通常の会話の中で要らぬ嘘を吐かないのだ。 彼女もまた、レイラのことを少しは好意的に思っているのかもしれない。 「......れーら」 「ん? うふふっ♪ レイラだよー♪」 「......れぃら?」 「うふふうふふふ♪ なぁに?」 初めて、ニコがレイラの名前を呼んだ。桔音の名前もリーシェの名前も呼ばなかったニコが、初めて誰かの名前を呼んだ。四歳故に、まだ言いにくいのか少し舌足らずだが。 レイラはそのことが少し嬉しかったのか、上機嫌でそう返す。 「パパ......会える?」 「うん♪ もうすぐ会えるよー♪」 レイラの即答気味の返答にニコは少し安心したのか、少し表情を柔らかくした。 「あたたた、痛いよニコ......髪掴まないで......」 「......ごめん」 父親に会うのが楽しみだったのか、それとも未だに緊張が解けないのか、レイラの白髪を握って頭皮を引っ張ってしまったニコ。レイラは少し苦い表情をしながらも、ニコが謝れば直ぐに苦笑して、また歩き始めた。 案外、この二人は良いコンビなのかもしれない。 その頃、オルバ公爵の方は慌ただしかった。 ゴブリンキングの襲撃もそうだが、魔獣が街に入って来た時、未だに捕らえられていないニコが、魔獣に殺されてしまった時のことを考えていた。彼も、領主である以上頭が悪い訳ではない。この街に現存する冒険者と騎士の戦力を鑑みても、約三百の魔獣の軍勢を撃退出来るかと言われれば否だ。 だからこそ、出撃している騎士達を除いた兵士達に、現在街中を捜索させている。桔音の泊まっている宿も特定済みであるし、直ぐに捕まえられると思っていた。 にも拘らず、今度は侵入者と来たものだ。 「なんだってんだクソッ! 此処に侵入するだと......何考えてんだ......!」 オルバ公爵は苛立っていた。これ以上なく苛立っていた。未だ侵入者の詳細は報告待ちだが、こうなれば侵入者の予想はなんとなく付いている。 どう考えても目標の 街中に兵士を出した瞬間にこれだ。今この都庁モドキの中には大した兵士も残っていない。完全に兵士を割いたことが裏目に出ている。故にオルバ公爵は焦っていた。レイスを退ける実力の持ち主が、すぐ近くまで来ている以上、焦らずにはいられなかった。 「クハッ......あいよ、こっちとしてもその命令は大歓迎だ」 残った一手は、侵入者を殺すこと。幸いなことに、こちらには凶悪殺人鬼であるレイスがいる。なんとか殺す事が出来れば、この状況は一気にひっくり返る。ニコを手に入れたあとは、ゴブリンキングもレイスが使えるようなら投入して撃破、そうすれば後はどうとでもなる。 「直ぐに私の前にガキを連れて来い」 「へいへい、全力を尽くしますよー」 そう言って、レイスは部屋を出て行く。残ったのは、オルバ公爵と、秘書の女性だけ。 苛立ちを隠せないオルバ公爵に、秘書の女性は何も言わない。ただ黙って、そこに立っていた。ピリピリとした緊張感が部屋を満たす。 だが、苛立ちを覚える人間は、すぐ傍のものに当たりたくなるもので、オルバ公爵は近くに立っていた秘書の女性を睨んだ。 「お前......本当に役に立たねぇクズだな......! つったってねぇでお前も侵入者の一人でも見つけて来い!!」 「......かしこまりました......」 テーブルの上の書類を叩いて撒き散らし、そう喚いたオルバ公爵に対して、秘書の女性は一つ頭を下げて部屋を出て行った。それを見送った彼は呼吸を荒げて、誰もいなくなった部屋の中で一人、肩を上下させる。 「クソが......後少しだったってのに......なんで此処に来てこんな面倒な奴が出てくんだよ......!」 オルバ公爵は、止まらない苛立ちに頭を掻いてそう漏らした。 レイラとニコは、順調に都庁モドキの中を進み、ニコの父親が幽閉されている部屋まで後少しという所まで来ていた。 未だに誰にも見つかっておらず、ニコにバレない様瘴気で密かに殺した兵士の数は五人。未だに肩車が解かれる様な事態にはなっていないのだった。 「れぃら」 「なぁに?」 「赤ちゃんはどうやって出来るの?」 「え? 赤ちゃん? んー......そういえばどうやって出来るんだろう......んと......」 未だに他愛のない会話をしている二人だが、ニコもレイラに話し掛けるようになっていた。 子供がどうやって出来るのか、それは幼い子供の定番の疑問だが、レイラはそれに対して答えることが出来なかった。答え辛いとか、教え辛いとか、そういうことではなく、本気で分からなかったからだ。 先程も言ったが、彼女は七歳で魔族と化して、それからたった一人欲望の赴くままにサバイバル生活で生きてきたのだ。まともな性教育など受けているわけでもなければ、そういう経験だってあるわけがない。 レイラは桔音に対してあれだけ発情しまくった上に、キスや身体を舐めるなどの行為に積極的だった割には、まだ未開通の処女であった。 子供の作り方も、性器の意味も分からない、というより人間の身体の構造や男女の身体の違いなども全く分からないのだ。 魔族となった七歳の少女の時まま成長した彼女からすれば、ニコの問いに、明確な答えを用意出来る筈もなかった。 「......分からないの?」 「うーん......私も知らない、後で一緒にきつね君に聞こ♪」 そして、そんな話をしていると、レイラはある扉の前に辿り着いた。瘴気での空間把握をした結果、この扉の先にニコの父親らしき人がいる。 鍵が掛かっているが、レイラにとってはそんなものあってない様なもの。ドアノブを掴み、力づくで抉じ開けた。金属が捻子切られる様な甲高い音が鳴り響き、扉が開く。 「―――ッ......!」 中には、鎖に繋がれた上半身裸の男がいた。身体には無数の鞭打ちの後や、打撲痕、拷問の痕が見られる。 だが、意識はあるようで、歯を食いしばって全身に力を込めているのが分かる。そして、ぐぐっと首を動かし、視線をレイラ達に向けてきた。瞬間、男の眼が見開かれる。唖然としているのか、口を大きく開けていた。 「......に、ニコ......!? なんで、此処に......!?」 「あはっ♪ ニコ、これがお父さん?」 「......うん、私のパパ」 「そっかぁ♪ じゃあ、感動の再会は後にして―――まずはそこに居る人間を殺してから外に出よっか♡」 ようやくニコの父親を見つけた、ところでレイラは扉に背を向ける。ニコを自分の後ろに下ろして、父親の傍へと行くよう後ろ手に背を押した。ニコは背中を押されたことで父親の傍へと駆けよる。 そして、扉の前に立っているレイラに不安げな視線を向けた。 「―――中々泣ける展開じゃねぇの、親子の対面☆ クハハハハハハッ!!」 レイラの前に現れたのは、桔音を殺し損ねたSランク犯罪者―――レイスだった。抜き身の剣を肩に担いで、凶悪な笑みを浮かべている。 「うふふうふふふ♪ 軽く殺そうとしたのに防がれちゃった♡ 少しは骨があるんだね♪ お肉が少なくて凄く不味そう☆」 対して、レイラは楽しそうに笑って、赤い瞳を輝かせる。使徒と戦った時以来の、骨のある敵が現れたことで、レイラもまた高揚していた。発情はしない。今のレイラにとって、桔音の味を知った以上他の肉では満足出来ないのだ。 だが、それでも多少は欲求不満を解消してくれるだろう。彼女は肉を噛み千切り、骨を噛み砕くその感触に、快感を感じる。味は人それぞれだが、それでも人間であり、実力の高い相手ならばそれなりに美味な筈だと思った。 「少し小腹が空いちゃった♪ 不味そうでもちょっとはお腹の足しになるよね? うふふうふふふ♡」 ――――赤い夜が凄惨に嗤った。

When we infiltrate into Duke Orba's house, or rather his workplace, the governmental office-like huge building, we decide to split into two groups. Specifically speaking, I go with Rishe-chan, while Leila-chan go with Nico-chan. Dividing the duties, while I and Rishe-chan head to find Duke Orba, Leila-chan and Nico-chan act as diversion group. Nico-chan is their target, but since she's together, she should be without a doubt safe, I think. And it should also be fairly easy for us to find Duke Orba. Also, aside from acting as diversion, Leila-chan's group is also in charge of rescuing Niko-chan's dad. Nico-chan should be perfectly familiar with her dad's face, and Leila-chan also ought to have more or less seen his face when he entrusted Nico-chan to me. Besides, since she can grasp the building structure using her miasma, she should be able to find him swiftly. Well, positively speaking. Furthermore, we, who are heading to Duke Orba's location, also similarly act as their diversion. Not to mention that merely soldier level people won't be able to keep up with Leila-chan's speed. However, if by chance they meet that murderer Reis-guy who's seemingly working for Duke Orba, that may pose slightly troublesome for Leila-chan who's taking along Nico-chan. Status-wise, Leila-chan is overwhelmingly stronger, but should Reis aim at Nico-chan to create an opening, even Leila-chan would be.... huh? Somehow I can't find that to be worrying at all. I feel like she would still easily overpower him either way. Or rather, Leila-chan and Reis, aren't their names kinda similar? Well, anyway, currently we're infiltrating the building which I tentatively named "Pseudo governmental office". "Hey, there are intruders! Moreover it seems to be a woman who's taking along a blonde-haired child, let's go!" "Oh, got it! Geez.... First that goblin king, why does something like this also have to happen?!" Hiding behind a huge pillar, I see some soldiers hurriedly running through the hallway. Seems like Leila-chan's side is doing well. "...Kitsune, infiltrating in itself is fine and all... but do you know where Duke Orba is?" "I wonder... but since big-wigs tend to like to be at high places, let's head for the top." "... your train of thought is kinda haphazard, isn't it, Kitsune?" What's she talking about at this late of the game? Being stared at with astounded eyes by Rishe-chan is kinda painful, but I still head to the opposite direction from where the soldiers are running to. Since Leila-chan's goal is underground, those soldiers should be heading there too. If so, I should be able to find stairs heading upward if I head to the opposite direction, I think. Well, there's also the chance that the stairs heading upward is located besides the one heading underground, though. But heading straight to where the soldiers are most likely gathered at is a no go, isn't it? "Let's go." "Yeah." Nodding to each other, I and Rishe-chan start to run through the hallway. On the other side, with Nico riding on her shoulder, Leila was heading toward underground. Using the miasma to detect the surroundings, after confirming that there was no presence of anyone around, she was easily walking through the hallway. Putting her little hands on Leila's silky white-haired head, perhaps uneasy about someone finding them out, Nico couldn't stop looking around. On the other hand, Leila who was easily walking while humming was seemingly in very good mood. As for the reason, she was initially discontent about the diving group plan, but when Kitsune asked her again while caressing her head, she obediently decided to accept his request. Perhaps that was a fad lately or something, but that was an easy (choro) one. She was a choroine. Also, Leila didn't dislike Nico. Or rather, she liked her quite a lot. Perhaps having her motherhood to look after children awakened, or perhaps she herself liked children, she unconditionally gave her shoulder ride happily. "Say Nico, do you like your father?" "I see How does it feel to have a father? I don't remember the time when I still had a father so I don't really know~." From a while ago, Leila had been chatting with Nico who was on her shoulder like that. Be that as it may, they could afford to do that only because there was no soldier around, and using miasma, Leila had killed every soldier that was coming after them. The thing she was interested in was the existence called parent. She had been infected by the "Red Night" since she was seven years old and had lost all of her memories when she was still human. Moreover, once she turned into "Red Night", she killed and devoured her parents and friends alike in her craving. Her parents' faces included, all of her memories until she was seven years old didn't even remain in the corner of memories any longer. Therefore, she didn't know what kind of existence a father was. When she came to, she was standing in an unknown land with blood all over her body, and all she remembered was her name and the fact that she was a demon. Her life began from there. And her memory also started from there. "... papa is, kind." "Kind? ...Hmm, I see." She didn't know why, but Nico didn't lie to Leila. No, she still didn't tell her what she didn't want to, but she didn't tell unnecessary lies during their casual conversation. Similarly, she might also unexpectedly be quite fond of Leila. "....Lila." "Huh? Ufufufu It's Leila " "...Leila?" "Ufufufufufu What's up~?" For the first time, Nico called Leila's name. Nico, who never called either Kitsune's or Trisha's name, called someone's name for the first time. Perhaps because she was still four years old, she was slightly lisping in doing so. Perhaps slightly happy because of that, Leila replied as such in good mood. "Can I... meet... papa?" "Of course You're meeting meet him very soon~!" Perhaps slightly relieved after hearing her immediate answer, Nico slightly softened her expression. "Ouch ouch, that hurts, Nico... Don't pull my hair...." "...I'm sorry." Perhaps looking forward to meeting her father, or she was simply unable to hold her nervousness, Nico's hands that were holding onto Leila's head ended up pulling her white hair. Leila had a slightly bitter look, but once Nico apologized, she immediately smiled and began walking again. These two might unexpectedly be a good pair. At that time, Duke Orba was busy. Other than about Goblin King's raid, he was also concerned about the possibility that Nico, whom he still couldn't capture, would be killed when those demonic beasts breached into the town. As a feudal lord himself, he was without a doubt not a stupid person. If he was asked whether the adventurers and knights of the town would be able to repel those hundreds of demonic beasts, his answer would be no. That's why, unlike the the knights who were fighting the demonic beasts, the soldiers were dispatched to sweep the whole town. They'd found out the lodging where Kitsune and co. stayed at, so he thought that it was only a matter of time before they were captured. However, there were unexpectedly intruders coming. "What the hell, damn it! There are intruders, you say?... what the hell are they thinking...?!" Duke Orba was very infuriated. He had never been this infuriated before. He was still waiting for the report about the intruders, but he could already more or less guess who they were. It was without a doubt the boy who was together with his target. Just when he dispatched his soldiers through the town, this happened. Currently there were only few soldiers left in the governmental office. Spreading his whole soldiers ended up backfiring him there. Therefore Duke Orba was flustered. Having someone whose prowess surpassed that of Reis intruding, he couldn't stay calm. "Kuhaha ... 'kay, I've been waiting for that very order." The only option left was to kill the intruders. Luckily, he had the wicked murderer Reis on his side. If he somehow managed to kill them, the situation would be overturned at once. Once he got his hand on Nico, he could similarly send Reis to deal with the goblin king, and after that everything would simply follow suit. "Take that brat to me at once." "Mkay 'kay, I'll do my best~" Having said that, Reis left the room. The ones left were Duke Orba and the secretary woman. Witnessing Duke Orba who didn't hide his rage, the secretary woman didn't utter a single word. She simply quietly stood there. Tingling tension filled the air. However, people who was drowned in rage tended to vent it to anything around them, and so Duke Orba glared at the secretary woman who was standing nearby. "You... what a useless bitch, you are! Be useful for once and go find the intruders even if just one!!" "...understood...." When Duke Orba shouted so while smashing the documents on the table and scattered them away, the secretary woman nodded her head once and left the room. Seeing her off, inside the room where there was none else around, his breath was rough and his shoulders were shaking. "God fvcking damn it...it was just a little more, but... why the hell such a troublesome guy has to appear?!" Unable to contain his rage, Duke Orba shouted so while scratching his head. Leila and Nico were proceeding smoothly on their way through the governmental office, they were only a bit away from the room where Nico's father was imprisoned. There had been no soldier that spotted them, the total of soldier secretly killed by Leila using her miasma unbeknownst to Nico was five. She didn't want Nico to dismount off her shoulder. "Leila." "What's up?" "How is baby made?" "Huh? Baby? Hmm... now that you mention it, how is it I wonder?... umm...." After having trivial conversations for a while, Nico also began asking questions to Leila. How baby was made, that was a classic question of young children, however Leila couldn't answer it. It was neither because she found it difficult to answer nor it was difficult to explain, she simply didn't know the answer herself. As told earlier, she turned into a demon when she was seven years old, and after that she had been living succumbing to her craving. Not only she hadn't received proper sexual education, she also had no such experience. Given how much she lusted after Kitsune, she was still an immature girl who knew nothing more that kissing and licking his body. She knew neither how to make a child nor the purpose of genitals, or rather she didn't even understand human body structure and the difference between men's and women's bodies. As someone who hadn't grown ever since she turned into demon when she was seven years old, there was no way she would be able to provide a proper answer to Nico's question. "...you don't know?" "Yes... I also don't know, let's ask Kitsune later together" While having such a conversation, Leila arrived in front of a certain door. After scanning the surrounding using her miasma, there was someone who was seemingly to be Nico's father on the other side of the door. It was locked, but for Leila such a thing was of no significant. Holding the doorknob, she wrenched it open with all of her might. Along with a shrill sound of metal being scrapped off, the door opened. "--...!" Inside, there was a shirtless man tied to a chain. There were countless beatings, lashings and torture marks on his whole body. However, he seemed to be conscious, and it was easy to tell that he was exerting his all to endure the pain. And then, when he moved his neck, his gazes landed upon Leila and Nico. In that very moment, the man's eyes were opened wide. Perhaps dumbfounded, his mouth was similarly agape. "... Ni, Nico ...!? Why, are you here...?!" "Aha Nico, is that your father?" "....Yes, he's my papa." "I see but let's hold the emotional reunion for later-- How about we kill those people there and leave this place first?" They had finally found Nico's father, and then Leila turned her back to the door. She dismounted Nico off and urged her to head to where her father was. Having her back pushed, Nico immediately rushed toward her father. Witnessing that, Leila closed the door with face full of smile. "--parent and child reunion, what a touching scene, kuhahaha!!" The one appeared before Leila was the S rank criminal sent to kill Kitsune, Reis. Resting his naked sword on his shoulder, he floated an evil smile. "Ufufufu, I intended to kill you quietly, but you survived it. You seem to have got some skill there. However, your meat seems to be very disgusting, though." Facing that, Leila happily laughed, her red eyes glittered. Ever since the fight against the apostle, this was her first noteworthy opponent so she was very happy. She wasn't turned on. For the current her, after knowing Kitsune's taste, all other meat could satisfy her no more. However, it could serve to more or less slightly lessen her craving. She loved the sensation of biting off flesh as well as crunching the bones. The flavor differed to each other, but as long as it was human, moreover a powerful one, it should also be equally quite the delicacy, or so she thought. "I just happen to be slightly hungry, you see. Even though it seems disgusting, it can still be used to fill my stomach, isn't it? Ufufufufu" --"Red Night" eerily laughed.

桔音達が勇者と遭遇し、そして戦い、敗北して、今までに築いてきた絆を引き裂かれてしまう二日前、別の場所で一つの変化が起こっていた。 ソレは己が身に秘めた強大な力を持って人間の住まう大陸へと足を踏み入れ、何人たりともその歩みを止めることは許さないとばかりに、威風堂々と、そして余裕綽々と歩を進めていた。 立ちはだかる魔獣や自然の脅威をものともせず、その身に秘めた力を振るって歩を阻もうとするものは全て薙ぎ払う。 輝く白い光は青白い彗星の様な軌跡を描き、その美しさに似付かぬ絶大な破壊の奔流を生じさせる。 それに飲み込まれた魔獣は死んだと認識する前に死に絶え、それの生み出す余波に触れたものは例え木々や岩石であろうが砕け、吹き飛んで行く。 一歩、また一歩、『白』は歩みを止めずに人の領域にその足を踏み出し進む。 やがてソレはその領域を統治する人間と出会う。そして、初めてソレは自身の意思で歩みを止めた。 人間はソレと会話し、何故此処に来たのか、何が目的なのかを問うたが、ソレはその問いに答える様子はなく、その人間を見極める様にじっと見据えた。数分の間ずっとソレは人間を見据えて動かず、そしてしばらくそのままでいた後、何かを理解したのかその力で人間を殺すことなく、ソレは人間の横を通り過ぎて行った。 ソレは更に歩を進めていく。向かう先の目的はない、ただただ真っすぐに歩いている様だった。 そして、ソレはしばらく歩き続き、森の中でまた別の人間に出会った。数人の男達だった。 彼らは所謂山賊を生業とする人間で、『白』が近づいて来た時、彼らはその輝かしさに魅せられた。自然と身体が動き、膝を地面に付いて祈る様に手を合わせた。勝手に溢れ出る涙と同時に、心が洗われる様な感覚に陥った。 だが、ソレはそんな彼らの様子を前に出会った人間と同じように、じっと見つめた。見定める様に、見極める様に、彼らの心の内を覗くようにじっと見つめ続けた。 結果、違ったのは跪いて祈る様にしていた男達の首から上が消滅したこと。 『白』の放った彗星の軌跡は、男達の命を容易に刈り取る。気がついた時には男達は死んでいた。まさしく光の瞬いた瞬間の出来事。まばたきをした瞬間、瞳を開けられずに死んでしまう程の速度。 頭を失った男達の身体は『白』の前に音を立てて倒れ落ちる。その姿はまるで、神に頭を垂れる罪人の様で、輝かしい『白』は懺悔を聞きいれる神の様な神々しさを持っていた。 だが、けしてソレは神などではない。 「―――浄化しました」 『白』は男達の屍に目もくれず、また歩を進め出す。呟いた言葉は誰の耳にも入らず、森の中に木霊して消えた。 そして、それから勇者と桔音が出会い、戦った二日後のその時まで、『白』は淀みなく歩を進めた。 ソレを見た人間は後のこう語る。 ―――あれは人の皮を被った化け物だった。白い彗星が空気を一閃した瞬間に、多くの人間が死んだ。 けしてこの化け物の歩みを阻害してはならない。この化け物に関わってはならない。運が良ければ生き延びるだろう、だが運が悪ければ死んだことも理解出来ぬままにその命は消え失せる。 命が惜しければ白い怪物には気をつけろ。 光の猛威はいつ襲ってくるか分からない――― そして『白』は一つの領地へと辿り着く。 その国は、名前を―――グランディール王国といった。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 「さて、と......取り敢えずは壊れたギルドの壁を直さないとね、勇者気取りは何処かへ行っちゃったし」 一時的にルルちゃんとフィニアちゃんを奪われ、打倒勇者気取り達を決めた僕達は、差し当たって殴り飛ばされて結果的に壊してしまったギルドの壁を修復することにした。勇者気取りがやったことだけど、当人が何処かへ行ったのだから当事者の僕達が責任を取らないといけないよね。 「えー、あれやったの私達じゃないよ? やらなくてもいいじゃん」 「まぁそうなんだけどね......これだけの騒動を起こしたんだ、誰かが責任を取らないといけないんだよ。今回はそれが、僕達だったって話だ」 ぶーたれるレイラちゃんにそう言いながら、僕はギルドへと戻る。壊れた壁に空いた大穴から中に入ると、そこには少し不満そうに表情を まぁギルドを破壊した上に負けた僕達を歓迎するかどうかで言えば、あまり歓迎したい存在ではないだろう。 少し申し訳ない気分になるけれど、何もかも勇者気取りと腹黒巫女が悪い。僕は一切悪くない。だから堂々としていればいいんだ。だって僕は悪くないんだから。 「ごめんね、不本意だけど壁は責任持って直すよ」 こう言ったけれど、元々はあの勇者気取りがやらかしたことだから僕を責めるのは止めて欲しいんだけどなぁ。 そう思いながら、僕は壊れた壁の破片を掻き集める。リーシェちゃんも手伝ってくれた。レイラちゃんはどうやら手伝ってはくれないらしい。まぁ彼女は掃除とか細かい作業は苦手っぽいし、何より我儘で自分勝手だから仕方ない。元々彼女は僕に勝手に付いてきただけだし、期待するのもなんだろう。 「......手伝うぜ、兄ちゃん」 「え?」 すると、ギルドの中にいた冒険者達が次々と歩み寄ってきて、一緒に壁の破片を広い集め始めた。どういうことなのかは分からない、けれど疑問の表情を浮かべた僕に対して、彼らは歯を見せて笑顔を見せた。 困惑する僕とリーシェちゃん、手が止まってしまっていると、後ろから肩を叩かれた。振り向くとそこには、ルーナちゃんが立っていた。 「ルーナちゃん......?」 「教えてあげる......この国は確かに弱肉強食の国と言われてる、でもね......彼らには彼らの誇りと戦いにおける礼儀があるの」 「......」 「さっきの戦いを見ていたこの場の冒険者達は、あの戦いに対して怒りを覚えてるのよ」 ルーナちゃんは言った。 この国に置いて、強さは力だけのことじゃない。冒険者になって強くなろうと日々切磋琢磨している彼らは、その自身の強さと、戦いに身を置いてきたこれまでの自分に絶対の自信と誇りを持っている。 だからこそ、彼らは戦いを神聖なものとして捉えている。 己の鍛え上げた全てを賭けて、 力と力が火花を散らし、 血湧き肉躍る戦いの中で、 また成長する自身に歓喜する。 また一つ、まだ先へ、可能性は己が瞳に見えている。そしてそれが開花した時、戦う者として最高の快感が待っている。 故に、彼らは自身の可能性を開花させてくれた最高の強敵に感謝を忘れない。限界を越えて衝突し、心身を削って勝ち取った勝利には、相手への賞賛があってこその価値があるんだ。 「だから、私達はさっきの戦いを認めない。あれはただの蹂躙で、略奪で、私達の夢と誇りを穢す戦いだから」 「......僕はあの戦いを承諾した覚えはないんだけどなぁ」 「分かってるわよ。だから余計にムカつくのよ、自分よりも弱い相手を一方的に痛めつけることは戦い以前の問題。だから一度やられても向かって行ったアンタは結構皆の心を動かしたってわけ」 なるほど、それはなんだか嬉しいことだね。巫女があんなんだからこの国の住人全員あんなんなのかと思ってたけど、どうやら違ったみたいだ。 流石は冒険者―――戦いに対する覚悟と意思が違う。どうやら国民までもが腐ってる訳じゃなさそうだね。 「おら、サボってねぇでお前も手伝えよ」 欠片を集める数人の冒険者の内の一人が僕を呼ぶ。ルーナちゃんの言葉を聞いていたのか、歯を見せて快活に笑っている。 「あはは、うんごめん」 僕はその笑みを見て、一つ謝りながらまた扉の修復に取りかかるべく学ランを脱ぎさった。 ......こらレイラちゃん、学ラン持ってくんじゃない。 数時間後、なんとかギルドの壁を修復し終えた時、僕らは冒険者達に大いに歓迎された。なんでも冒険者の中に『鑑定』のスキルを持った人物がいたらしく、勇者のステータスと僕のステータスをこっそり覗いていたらしい。 圧倒的格差があったにも拘らず、強者に喰らい付いて見せた僕の姿は、正直感動したと言われた。 「ッハハハ! お前きつねっていうのか! 変な名前だなァオイ!」 「まぁ一般的ではないけどね」 悪い気分ではない、でも乗れる気分じゃないなぁ。 ―――隣に、フィニアちゃんがいない。 壁の修理をしている間は作業に集中していたからまだ良かったけど、こうして何もしないで休める時間っていうのは、色々考えてしまう。 死ぬ前から持っていたしおりちゃんからのプレゼント―――僕の宝物であるお面も、ずっと隣にいて笑顔を浮かべていたフィニアちゃんも、今は僕の手からするりと抜け落ちてしまった様にその存在感を消失させてしまっている。 胸にぽっかり穴が開いた様な感覚。これが何かを失う感覚か、初めて思い知ったけど......好きになれそうもない感覚だね。 「で、お前さん......これからどうすんだ?」 今、僕の隣でそう話し掛けてくるのは、Dランクの中堅冒険者。名前はグルトさん、ステータス的には中々才能に恵まれた人だ。 薄ら笑いを浮かべてはいるものの、やっぱり何処か落ち込んだ雰囲気が伝わったのか、さっきから明るく話しかけてくれている。ありがたいけれど、やっぱりしばらくは気落ちしそうだ。 「そうだね......どっちにしろ、僕はこの国じゃちょっとレベルが合わないからね......とりあえず今よりも強くなれる国へ行こうと思う」 グランディール王国じゃレベルが高すぎて僕は付いていけないんだ。だから、もっと僕のレベルに合った国へと行って訓練する必要がある。レイラちゃんやフィニアちゃんみたいに叩けば叩くだけ伸びる様な成長力は持っていないし、剣を扱うだけの筋力もないんだから。 となれば、僕が取るべき戦闘方法は一つだけだ。 「なるほどな......じゃあ良い所があるぜ」 「良い所?」 すると、グルトさんが僕にそう言ってきた。 「ああ、ルークスハイド王国って国なんだが......全ての国を含めて、最も統制の取れた王政が敷かれた王国でな。軍事国家で有名なこのグランディール王国だが......過去歴史上でルークスハイド王国に侵略しようとした回数は12回、そしてその全てで失敗してるんだよ」 「へぇ......」 「別に向こうの戦力がこっちより大きい訳じゃない、寧ろ向こうの軍事レベルは低いと言える。でも、ルークスハイド王国でトップに君臨する王は偉い頭が良いんだよ。何度も何度もこっちの裏を掻いて何が何だか分からない内に負けに追い込まれる」 ルークスハイド王国というのは、どうやら数多く存在する国の中でも知略戦略に長けた国らしい。 それは軍事的な戦略についても同じようで、高い軍事レベルを誇るグランディール王国であっても落とせないとなれば、相当のカリスマ性を持った切れ者と、その切れ者を信じて動く優秀な兵士がいるみたいだね。 「正面から戦えって当時は憤慨してたんだけどなぁ......あんまりにも歯が立たな過ぎて逆に負けを認めるしかなくてよ。今は戦線協定を結んで友好関係を保ってる」 「ふーん......相当頭が良かったんだね、その王様」 「まぁな。今はどうやら娘の王女に王権を譲って引退したらしいんだが......その王女がな、その王様が認めた稀代の天才らしい。血は争えねぇな」 「それで? 僕に丁度良いって言うのは?」 「ああ、ルークスハイド王国は戦いに対してそこまで積極的ではないけど、あそこの冒険者ギルドはSランクを過去2人も輩出したからな、新人教育にも力を入れてるって聞いてるし、お前さんには丁度良いんじゃないか?」 なるほど、確かに丁度良さそうだ。まぁ強くなれるとしたら選んでいる暇はないけどね。 「きつね、レイラが変になったんだが」 「うふふうふふふふ......きつね君の匂いに包まれてるよぉ......♡ うふ、うふふふ......♪ あはぁ......頭とろけそぉ......きゅんきゅんするぅ......♡」 「ぶち壊しだよレイラちゃん」 ようやくこれからの方針が決まって決意を固くしたっていうのに、なんでこうも空気をぶち壊すかなぁこの子は。しかも、修理するために脱いだ学ラン着たまんまだし......修理している間ずっと学ラン着てたのかよ。丈の短いワンピースだから裸学ランに見えるのが少し憎たらしい。 「......はぁ、返しなさい」 「ああんっ......!」 腰砕けになって涎を垂らすレイラちゃんから学ランを剥ぎ取って着る。残念そうな声を上げるレイラちゃんだけど、修理中もずっと楽しんでいたんだからそろそろいい加減にしなさい。勝手に発情するんじゃないよ。 「全く......調子狂うなぁ」 溜め息を吐いて、そう呟いた。 瞬間のことだった―――― 『ッ!!?』 強大な威圧感に襲われた――――!!

Several days before Kitsune encountered, fought, and then lost against the hero, and got his built up bond teared apart, there was a certain thing that happened at a certain place. That was the appearance of an existence with mighty prowess at the continent where human resided in. With imposing air, it calmly walked without anyone capable of hindering it. On its path, it would mow down any appearing magical beasts with one swing of its hidden mighty prowess. That glittering white light would draw a line of trace as if a pale comet, and one swing of its beautiful light would produce a torrent of tremendous destructive power. Any magical beasts that was swallowed by it was dead before they even noticed of their own death, and anything around it, either it was trees or rocks, everything would be obliterated into nothingness by the shockwave. One step, and another step, 'white' kept stepping its legs forward toward human's territory without stopping. Before long it met the person that resided in that territory. And then, it finally decided to stop its legs with its own will. The person asked it some question, like, why did it come there, what was its objective, or so, but without answering any of those questions, it simple kept on staring at that person as if to see through that person. After staring at that person for quite a while without moving, then, as if it had understood something, without using its prowess to kill that person, it simply walked and passed through that person. Then it started walking again. Without any clear objective of where it would go next, it simply kept walking forward. And then, after walking for quite a while, it encountered another people inside the forest. It was several of men. They were people with occupation the so called bandit, and the moment 'white' approached them, they were enchanted by its beauty. They spontaneously moved their bodies, they kneeled on the ground and put their hands together as if praying. Along with tears that overflowed on its own accord, they felt as if their souls were being purified. However, similarly like the previous person it met, it simply was staring at them. As if ascertaining of something, as if seeing through something, it kept on staring at them as if to peek at their souls. The result, those several people who were kneeling on the ground, got their heads chopped off of their bodies. With one swing of its light, it easily mowed down all of their lifes. Without they even noticed it, they were already dead. It literaly happened at light speed. A speed that could kill the moment they blinked their eyes without letting it to open again. Their bodies that had lost its heads were collapsing on the ground before 'white'. That spectacle was as if, criminals that repented their sins before the god, and the shining 'white' was so divine as if a god that listened to their confession. However, in the end it wasn't a god. "--purified." Without bating an eye towara those corpses, 'white' started walking again. The murmured word wasn't heard by anyone, but it was echoing inside the forest. And then, in several days until the time Kitsune's encounter and fight againts the hero, 'white' kept on walking without stopping. Any people that saw it would say as such. --that was monster in human disguise. The moment it swing it prowess, numerous people died. In the end, no one dared to obstruct this monster's path. No one dared to associate with this monster. If they were lucky they would stay alive, if they were unlucky then they would die without they even noticed it. As long as they still valued their life, anyone would be careful with that monster. No one knew when that dangerous light might strike-- And then, 'white' finally arrived at a certain territory. It arrived at a territory where numerous people resided in, a territory that was also refered as a country. And that country's name was-- Grandile Kingdom. * * * "Well then... for now we have to do something with the broken wall huh, that fake hero has gone somewhere, after all." After letting Lulu-chan and Finia-chan to temporarily accompanying the fake hero's party, I decide to repair the broken wall which was destroyed when I was blown away before. That fake hero was the one that destroyed it, but since he has disappeared somewhere so we have no choice but to take the responsibility ourselves. "Eh~, we aren't the one that destroyed it, though? So we have no responsibility to do so, right?" "Well, that sure is so, but... we've caused that much of ruskuss, so someone must take the responsibility, you see. And this time, we're the one that should take it." Saying so to the reluctant Leila-chan, we return to the guild. When we re-enter the guild through the large hole on the broken wall, we can see that the adventurers have a displeasured expression and are knitting their brows. Runa-chan and the other receptionist are also similarly frowning while staring at us. Well, not just destroyed the wall, I even lost the duel, so it can't be helped that we aren't too welcomed here. I do feel sorry, but all of it was that fake hero and wicked miko's fault. I didn't do anything wrong. That's why I should just act boldly. I'm not at fault here, after all. "Somehow, sorry. Don't worry, I'm reuctant but I'll take the responsibility and repair the wall." So I say, since that hero was the one that perpetated everything in the first place, so I hope they would stop blaming me that much. Thinking so, I start gathering the fragments of the broken wall. Rishe-chan is helping me out. Seems like Leila-chan is unwilling to help me. Well, she do look unfit to do chores and such trivial stuff, after all, moreover with her over selfish self that only does anything as she pleased, so it really can't be helped. And she's also following me on her whim in the first place, after all, so there no point on expecting something from her. "...lemme help ya, lil bro." "Eh?" And then, the adventurers inside the guild are coming our way one after another, and start gathering the wall fragments together. I don't understand what happens here, when I look at them with question, they show me faint smile in return. When I and Rishe-chan are bewildered and stop our hands, my shoulder is patted from behind. When I turn my face that way, Runa-chan is standing there. "Runa-chan...?" "Let me tell you... this country sure is referred as country with the law of the jungle, however... they have their own pride and manner in duel." "...." "These adventurers who saw the duel just now are, filled with anger regarding it." Runa-chan says so. In this country, strengths wasn't necessarily meant prowess only. For adventurers who always tempered themselves in order to become stronger, they held pride and confidence in their own strength and satisfaction in dueling each other. That was why, the held duel as something sacred. Putting everything they've tempered, Clashing might with might, In duel where their blood and flesh pound, They felt joy in their futher growth. Once again, not yet. They could see their own further possibilities. And if they were able to achieve that possibility, a great feeling of joy was awaiting them in each duel. Moreover, they wouldn't ever forget each formidable opponents who unlocked their possibilities. Surpassing their own limits, sharpening their mind and body to gain victory, the admiration of the opponent, those were what make duel was worth doing. "That's why, we won't accept a duel such as just now. That was nothing but bullying, plundering. A disgrace of our prided and aspired duel." "... I have no recollection ever accepting that duel, though." "I know it. That's why it was very irritating, one-sidedly trampling down someone who was weaker than him, it couldn't be called as duel at all. That's why everone were quite impressed by you, even though you lost that badly, you still had the courage to face him head on." I see, I'm kinda happy to hear that. The miko was like that so I thought that everyone inside this country was also the same, but seems like I was mistaken. As expected of adventurers-- their resolution and purpose regarding duel sure are something. Seems like the rot hasn't spreaded to the whole citizen. "Hey, stop talking and move your hands again." One of several adventurers who are helping me collecting the wall fragment is calling out to me. Perhaps they heard what Runa-chan just said, they show a bright smile on their face. "Ahaha, sorry." Seeing that smile, I apologize once and take off my gakuran before starting to continue repairing the wall again. ... hey there, Leila-chan, don't take my gakuran. Several hours later, after we somehow finished repairing the wall, we're welcomed by numerous adventurers. It appears that someone among them has 'appraisal' skill, and seems like he once secretly peeked at my and the hero's statuses. The told me that they were impressed that in spite of the overwhelming disparity, I kept on standing up and fought back. "Hahaha! So your name is Kitsune? What a strange name!" "Well at least it sure isn't usual." It doesn't feel bad, but I feel like I'm not in the mood to get on board with them. --Finia-chan, isn't by my side. When I was reparing the wall I was focused on doing it, but at peaceful time like now when I don't have anything to do, I'll end up think about it. My treasure, the mask from Shiori-chan that was always with me even before I dead, Finia-chan who was always smiling beside me, their presence have disappeared as if they've slipped out of my hand. It feels as if there's a gaping hole on my chest. So this is the feeling of losing something, huh. It's my first time feeling such a thing, but, I don't think it's a feeling that I want to get used to. "Then...what are you going to do from now on?" Right now, the one who sits beside me and is calling out to me is a D rank adventurer. His name is Gurt-san, status-wise, he's quite a blessed person. I always put my usual faint smile on, but as expected it seems like perhaps some depressed air is still leaking out of me, he keeps on cheerfully calling out to me. I sure am grateful, but as expected, seems like this feeling won't disappear anytime soon. "Let's see... either way, my level is a bit too low to operate at this country, after all... so I think I'm going to go to a country that could make me stronger." The level at this county is too high so I can't keep up with them. That's why, I need to go to a country with more suitable level for me. Unlike Finia-chan and Leila-chan, my prowess isn't as high that would let me easely charge to any fight, after all, and I also have no enough strength to hold a weapon. That means, there's only one battle style I can tread on. "I see... then, I think I know quite a good place for you." "A good place?" Then, Gurt-san says so to me. "Yup, it's a country named Rukusuhaido kingdom... among all countries, it's the most well regulated country. Grandile kingdom is referred as war country, but... in history we had launched twelve invasion to Rukusuhaido kingdom, but we'd never succeded even once." "Oh...." "It wasn't like our country's war potential was weaker than theirs, it even could be said that theirs was actually the one that was weaker. However, the king of that country was just too intelligent. He outwited us over and over again that led to our lost." Among all countries, it seems like Rukusuhaido kingdom is quite excel at tactics and strategies. And it's including military tactics, to the point that even Grandile Kingdom that possess strong war potential to be unable to defeat them. That means that this intelligent person is quite a charismatic one, and the armies are also excellent and bear a deep trust in that person. "Back in those waring days, we resented them very much, you see... but since we were unable to even close up the disparity between our war capabilities to the bitter end, in the end we were the one that declared our defeat. In this day we've made a treaty pact and on friendly term with them." "Hmm... quite an intelegent one huh, that king." "Well, yeah. Seems like nowdays he has retired and passed the throne down to his daughter, the princess, but... that princess, you see, it appears that she's a peerless geniuss who is even recognized by that king. Bloodline sure is frightening, huh." "Then, what do you mean that this country is a good place for me?" "Ah, the adventurers there aren't too inclined to duel, but in the past there were two S rank adventurers who emerged from there, you see. I even have heard that they put quite an effort to nurture the newcomers, so isn't that very suitable for your need?" I see, it sure sounds pretty good. Well, since I want to become stronger as soon as possible then I have no time to be picky though. I have to take Finia-chan and Lulu-chan back as soon as possible after all, as long as I can become stronger then I won't say much about the way. Let's just check it out, this so called Rukusuhaido kingdom. "Kitsune, Leila has turned strange." "Ufufufufu... I'm wrapped by Kitsune's smell... ufufufu... ahaha... I feel like melting... my heart is pounding wildly...." "You'll tear it apart, Leila-chan." Even though I've finally made my decision about our future plan, just why must she's always so excel at ruining the mood. Moreover, she's still wearing my gakuran that I took off when I was repairing the wall... so you've been wearing it ever since I was repairing the wall, huh. She only wears a short dress inside so, the looks as if she's nude inside the gakuran is ironically alluring. "...haa, return it." "Ahn...!" I take the gakuran off of the collapsing and drolling Leila-chan, and then wear it. Leila-chan lets out a very disappointed voice, but she's enjoyed it ever since I was repairing the wall so it should be the time for her to gets over it. Hey, don't just arbitrarily get horny as you pleased. "Good grief... hold yourself a bit." Letting out a sigh, I say so. And exactly at that moment-- ""!!?"" Attacked by a great wave of intimidating aura--!!

は未だにダメージの抜けきらない身体を引き摺るように動かす。木に凭れるようにして立ち上がり、脇腹を押えながらナイフの亡骸を拾い上げる。この世界がどのようなものであろうが、折れたナイフでも刃物は刃物、この先使える時が来るかもしれないと思ったのだ。 そしてそんな桔音を空中から見下ろす妖精は、首を傾げながら近づいてきた。 「ねぇねぇきつねさん、怪我してるの?」 「うんまぁね......多分あばらが何本が折れたんじゃないかな......後は背中の強打ってところかも」 「ふーん......じゃあ私が治してあげるよ!」 「え?」 妖精の提案に桔音は視線を妖精に向けた。すると、妖精はくるくる回ってその小さな両手を桔音の身体に向けた。すると、先程妖精が現れた時の様な光が両手から発せられ、その光は桔音を包みこんだ。 桔音は得体の知れないものに若干の抵抗を覚えたが、ダメージが大きくて動けない。だが、変化は直ぐに訪れた。 「これは......傷が治ってる?」 桔音の身体にあった傷やダメージがじわじわと消えていくのだ。背中の打撲や折れたあばらも少しずつ元に戻っていき、痛みも少しずつ引いて行く。 桔音がこの光を『魔法』だと理解するにはそう時間が掛からなかった。流石は異世界、と思いながら光の中に身を任せる。 「――――うん、これで大丈夫!」 妖精が両手をぺちっと合わせてにぱっと笑いながらそう言う。同時に光も消えていき、桔音は無傷の状態に完治していた。試しに身体を捻ったり飛び跳ねたりと確認するが、行動に支障はないようだった。これならばこの場に残って通りすがった獣にやられるなんてことは起きないだろう。 「......それで、君は何処の誰なのかな?」 「私? うーん......わっかんなーい! あははっ」 桔音の問いに、妖精は空中でくるくる回りながらそう言った。 『分からない』、とはどういうことかと桔音は首を傾げる。妖精はそんな桔音を見ながら腕組みしながら口を開いた。 「うーんとね、私は今生まれたばかりなんだよ! その、お面から」 「お面......?」 妖精が指差したのは、桔音の頭に掛かっている狐のお面。桔音はお面を手に取って更に首を傾げた。 何故ならこのお面は元々いた世界から自分と共に飛ばされてきた、謂わば今いる世界から見て『異世界の品』だからだ。如何にこの世界がファンタジーで妖精や魔法が存在していようと、元いた世界はそんなものは存在しない徹底した科学の世界だ。そこから妖精というファンタジーの権化が生まれる筈が無い。 だが、この世界の妖精という存在の概念はそういった世界の違いが関係無い。 「えっとね、妖精って言うのにも種類があるの......大きく分けても二種類!」 妖精は小さな手をピースの形にして突き出す。桔音はなんだか長くなりそうな話だなぁと思いながらも、篠崎しおりの容姿をしているからか素直に話を聞くことにした。 「一番多いのが自然から生まれる妖精、自然種って呼ばれるみたい! この自然種の中にも色々種類があるみたいだけど、私は詳しく知らないよ!」 自信満々、胸を張って無知の告白をする妖精に突っ込むしかない桔音。だが、妖精は気にせず説明を続けた。自分が分類される、妖精のもう一つの種類について。 「私はもう一つの種類の妖精。人の想いから生まれる妖精だよ! 思想種って呼ばれる、この世界でもあんまり存在しない妖精です! 一生の内に見ることが出来たら超幸運だよ! だからきつねさんはラッキーボーイだよ! やったね!」 「うん......そうだね」 説明すると、この世界の妖精と言えば自然種の妖精が主だ。容姿は自然種、思想種問わず、人間同様各々違うが、基本的には小さい人間に羽を生やした様なもの。故に思想種と自然種の妖精は見た目では見分けがつかない。 この世界の妖精の中に思想種の妖精は数十程度の数しかいない。桔音の元いた世界で言うのなら絶滅危惧種と呼ばれる種類の妖精だ。彼女達は人の強い想いから、もっと言えば強い想いの籠った品から生まれる妖精で、思想種の妖精は総じて強力な力を保有している。 だが、思想種が生まれる為に必要な想いの量は凄まじく、命を掛ける位の強い想いでないと思想種は生まれない。それ故の数の少なさなのだ。 また別として、自然種と呼ばれる妖精は自然が存在すれば生まれる。というより、自然の数だけ自然種は存在する。だからこそ、数多く存在する事が出来る。代わりに、思想種とは違って自然種はそれほど大きな力は持っていない。思想種が『質』の妖精だとすれば、自然種は『量』の妖精といえよう。 自然種の妖精は寿命が無い。自然が無くなれば自然種の妖精も死んでしまうが、自然が少しでも残っていれば死ぬことはない。 だが思想種の妖精は違う。寿命はないが、自身が生まれた媒介である想いの品が壊れた場合、死んでしまう。故に、彼女達は媒介である想いの品から離れることはない。 「つまり私はそのお面が壊れちゃったら消えちゃうの、だから私はきつねさんに付いて行くよ!」 「ああ、そう」 説明を終えて、妖精がにぱっと笑いながらそう言うので、桔音は簡単に頷いた。 しかし、思想種の妖精という説明を聞く限り強力な力を持った存在が味方になったのは心強いのだが、現在いる場所が何処か分からない上に、異世界という全く未知の場所に放り出されたのだ。これからどうすればいいのかも分からない。 まずは話の出来る人間と出会いたいものだが、この世界に来て会った生き物と言えば白熊レベルの化け物と妖精だけ。不安なことこの上ない。 「......とりあえず歩こうか、えーと......名前なんて言うの?」 「ないよ!」 「......ないの?」 「私は生まれたばかりだよ? 謂わば赤ん坊だよ? 名前があるわけないよね!」 桔音は、なんでこの妖精はこんなに堂々と駄目なんだろう、と思いながら明後日の方向を見た。だが、妖精の言っていることは正論だ。生まれたばかりの赤ん坊に名前があるわけが無かった。 「必要ならきつねさんが名前を付けてくれても良いよ?」 「......まぁ名前が無いと不便だもんね、それじゃあ異世界っぽく......『フィニア』で」 「響きはいいね! 由来は?」 「うわー、私の名前はなんとなく付けられた名前かー......気に入った!」 妖精......いや、フィニアは、しゅんとした後にまたにぱっと笑ってそう言った。どうやらとても図太い性格の持ち主らしい。そういう所は篠崎しおりにちょっと似ていて、桔音は少し笑みを浮かべた。 桔音は気を取り直して、元々の目的である衣食住の確保に動き出すことにした。お面を付け直し、右肩の上に思想種の妖精フィニアを連れて、薄ら笑いを浮かべながら歩きだした。 「ところでフィニアちゃん、さっきの怪我を治してくれた奴は魔法?」 話し相手がいるのは良いな、と思いながら桔音は気になっていることを聞く。妖精、魔獣とファンタジー要素満載な目にあったばかりだ、とりあえず身を守る手段を一つは確保しておきたかった。 「そうだよ! 治癒魔法! 本当なら魔法を使うには呪文の詠唱が必要だけど、思想種の妖精は無詠唱で魔法が発動出来るんだよ! えへん!」 「へぇ......それって僕にも使えるのかな?」 「人によって効果の大小は変わるだろうけど、魔力があれば使えると思うよ?」 桔音はそう言われて、自分に魔力があるのかどうかを確かめる方法はないかと聞いてみたが、フィニアは知らないようだった。魔法を使う感覚は生まれた時から知っていたようで、どうやって魔法を使うのかと言われても分からないらしい。人が手を動かす、みたいな感覚のようだ。 「うーん......ねぇフィニアちゃん、ちょっと空から川とか村とかないか見てくれる?」 桔音は取り敢えず魔法を使えるようになるには一朝一夕では行かないようだと悟って、一旦置いておくことにした。 そして、フィニアが飛べることを最大限活用する。川があれば幸運、村があればもっと良い。 「どう!? あったー!?」 結構な高さにまで上って行ったフィニアに、声を大きくして問う桔音。獣に居場所がばれる危険性もあったが、とりあえず桔音は早く空から見た情報を知りたかった。 すると問い掛けられたフィニアがくるくる回りながら下りてくる。そして桔音の肩にぽすんと腰を下ろすと、にぱっと笑いながらある方向を指差した。 「結構遠くだけど、あっちに大きな街が見えたよ! 途中に川もある!」 「最高の知らせをありがとう、フィニアちゃん」 「うん!」 その知らせは、桔音にとって福音とも呼べるものだった。川があることは勿論そうだが、『大きな街』があるということが幸運だ。街と呼べる大きさなら、まず確実に人がいるだろうし、異世界の常識等々の情報が集められる筈なのだから。 桔音は幾分軽くなった足取りで、フィニアの指差した方向へと進む。先程の問いかけの声を聞きつけてくる獣がいるかもしれない、早々に場所を移動した方がいいだろう。 「それにしても......異世界で日本語って通用するのかな?」 「え、フィニアちゃんとは会話出来てるのに?」 「私はほら、媒介が異世界の品だしね! ある意味新種の妖精? みたいなっ?」 えー......とちょっと困った表情を浮かべる桔音。だがまぁこんないるだけでいつ死ぬかも分からない森の中よりは、人のいる街の方が安全だろうと開き直る。今はとにかく、進む事が大切だ。 「ところでフィニアちゃん、遠くってどれくらい?」 「きつねさんの世界観で言えば、30km位?」 「気の遠くなる距離だぜ......」 また明後日の方向を見る。休みなしで歩き続ければ今日明日中に辿り着けるだろうが、貧弱な男子高校生であるところの桔音にそんな体力はない。フィニアは飛べるだろうが、付き合って貰うことにしよう。 ◇ ◇ ◇ しばらく歩いた所で、桔音は先程とは違った獣を先に発見した。今度の獣は獣というより虫だった。見た目で言えば大きな蜘蛛、高さ2mにも及ぶ巨大さは正直敵対したくない。出来ればやり過ごしたい相手だ。 幸運だったのは蜘蛛には嗅覚で獲物を発見することがないこと。目は8つほどあるようだが、隠れていれば問題ない。 「うわー......気持ち悪いなぁ」 「きつねさんも気持ち悪がられてたよね! 仲間だ!」 「君は割と胸に来る言葉をサラっと言うね? というか、フィニアちゃん僕の世界の知識があるの?」 「きつねさんがそのお面を所持してからの記憶は持ってるよ! きつねさんが大事にずっと持ってたから色々覚えてるよ! 授業中にきつねさんのノートが炭になってたり、椅子が隠された上に破壊された状態で見つかったり、擦れ違いざまの肩パンが絶妙なタイミングだったりね!」 異世界のことに付いて説明しなくて済んだなぁと余計な手間が省けたことを喜ぶべきか、しおりそっくりの顔で虐めの内容を楽しそうに語られたことを複雑に思うべきか、微妙な気持ちになった。 「とりあえず......あの蜘蛛をやり過ごすよ」 「うん、かくれんぼみたいだね!」 茂みに隠れながら、蜘蛛が過ぎ去っていくのを待つ桔音とフィニア。じっと動きを見つめながら、音を立てないように集中して待つ。 すると、桔音の肩を叩く者がいた。 「シッ......静かに」 桔音は大蜘蛛から目を逸らさないようにして、背後の存在にそう言う。だが、その存在は気にせず桔音の肩を叩いた。 「なんだy.........えー......」 桔音が振り返った先、そこにはなんと先程の大きな狼がいた。前門の蜘蛛、後門の狼である。絶体絶命のピンチだった。というか背後から肩を叩かれる程度で済んでラッキーである。 「フィニアちゃん」 「何?」 「この狼さんを倒せる?」 「攻撃魔法なら多少嗜んでますねぇ」 「それなんのキャラ?」 フィニアがふざけるので、桔音は内心焦りながら突っ込んだ。すると、フィニアはにぱっと笑いながらその小さな手を狼に向けた。そして、次の瞬間――― 「ガアッ!?」 ―――狼が吹っ飛んだ。桔音視点で言えばフィニアの手が一瞬フラッシュして、そしたら狼が吹っ飛んだといった感じだ。何が起こったのかは全く分からなかった。 「ふっ......今何をしたのか知りたい?」 「知りたいね」 「光魔法で吹っ飛ばしたのだ!」 だが、これ以上なく頼もしかった。こんな人間の1/10サイズの小さな存在に頼ってしまうのは少し情けない気がするが、桔音としては何の力も無い自分を助けてくれるのならなりふり構ってられないのだ。 「ギシャアアアア!!」 だが、今の光で蜘蛛にも気が付かれた。狼もまだまだ動ける様で、正真正銘大ピンチだった。桔音は蜘蛛と狼を交互に見て、溜め息を吐く。一難去ってまた一難とはこのことか、とこんな状況で呑気に思っていた。 「全く、いやになるね。とりあえず掛かって来い! フィニアちゃんが相手になるぞ!」

For now, as they had exchanged greetings, Kitsune tried pulling up his body, which was still as damaged as ever. He leaned himself against a tree to stand up and held his side as he searched for the remnants of the knife. Regardless of the sort of world this was, even if a knife's broken, a blade's still a blade. He thought that a chance to use it may present itself sooner or later. The fairy looking down on him from the sky tilted her head to the side and approached him. "Hey, hey, Kitsune-san, are you hurt?" "Yeah, kinda... a few of my ribs have probably snapped... then there's the blow I took to the back, I guess." "Hmm... then I'll heal it!" "Eh?" On the fairy's proposal, Kitsune turned his eyes towards her. She began spinning in a circle around him while both of her arms remained pointed at his body; thereupon, the flash of light that had accompanied her when she first appeared burst out of her hands, enveloping him. Kitsune tried to put up some resistance to the unfamiliar phenomenon, but the damage inflicted on him was too great, so he couldn't move properly. But the effect came about soon enough. "This is... my wounds are healing?" The cuts and bruises plaguing his body were disappearing, bit by bit. The blow to his back, and the broken ribs, slowly reverted to normal along with the pain. It didn't take the boy very long to understand that the light was {Magic} . 'As expected of another world,' he thought as he entrusted his body to it. "...... Yep, that should do it!" The fairy clapped her hands together and formed a smile as she spoke. At the same time, the light faded, and Kitsune had experienced a full recovery. He tried twisting his body and jumping as a test, but he felt no difficulty in those actions. If it's like this, then he probably wouldn't be done in by that passing beast too quickly. "... So, who are you, and where are you from?" "Me? Let's see... no idea~! Ahaha." On Kitsune's question, the fairy spun and laughed. Unable to understand what, 'I don't know' was supposed to mean, Kitsune tilted his head. Seeing him like that, the fairy folded her arms and opened her mouth. "Well, you see, I was just born right now! From that mask." "Mask...?" What the Fairy pointed to was the fox mask on his head. Upon removing it, and looking it over, Kitsune only became even more confused. The reason being that that mask was something sent here alongside him from his own world. From the point of view of this world, it was a real {Otherworldly Item} . No matter how much of a fantasy world this was, with fairies and magic, and what not, his former world was a one of concrete science without such things. There's no way the very incarnation of fantasy, a fairy, could be born from it. But this world's concept of a fairy wasn't related to such differences in worlds. "Well, you see, with fairies, there are different types... if you do the most basic division, there are two large groups!" The fairy thrust out her small hand in a peace sign. As he grumbled to himself about how this sounded like it would take a while, he conceded to listen to the explanation of the fairy with the appearance of Shinozaki Shiori. "The larger one is the fairies born from nature, called the Natural Variety, apparently! There are many different categories in the Natural Variety, but I don't know the specifics!" At the fairy who stuck her chest out and overflowed with confidence as she confessed her own ignorance, Kitsune could do nothing but offer a Tsukkomi. But without minding that, she continued on with her exposition. About the one she was a part of, the second variant of fairy. "I'm part of the other type. A fairy born from human feelings! We're called the Ideological Variety, and we're not that common in this world! Just seeing one of us over your life is supposed to be super lucky! That's why Kitsune-san is a lucky boy! Good job!" "Yeah... right." According to her, the majority of this world's fairies were of the Natural Variety. Regardless of the variety, while there were individual differences, they generally looked like small humans with wings. As such, the two Varieties were difficult to tell apart by appearance alone. In this world, the number of Ideological Fairies numbered less than a few dozen. In Kitsune's former world, they would be something of an endangered species. These girls were born of a human's strong feelings, or more specifically, items that have received strong feelings, and therefore, they usually possess strong powers. However, the amount of emotion necessary for an Ideological to be born is absurd, and unless they're strong enough for one to bet their life on, nothing will be born. For that reason, their numbers are scarce. On the other hand, the Natural Variety can be born as long as nature exists. No, it's more that there are as many Natural Fairies as there are nature. As such, they can exist in large numbers. In exchange, unlike the other type, they generally don't have that much power. It can be said that the Ideological are the {Quality} , and the Natural are the {Quantity} . Natural Fairies have no lifespan. If nature were to die out, then they would die, but as long as even a little remained, there would be no death for them. But Ideological Fairies were different. They had no set lifespan, but if the intermediary through which they were born were to be destroyed, they would die. Therefore, it was rare for them to separate from that item. "To summarize, if that mask breaks, I'll disappear, so I'll follow Kitsune-san!" "Ah, I see." The explanation over, the fairy said that with a bright smile, and Kitsune nodded easily. Hearing the explanation on Ideological Fairies, he felt it reassuring that one who possessed great power was to be his ally, but as long as he didn't know where exactly he was, it didn't change the fact that he was abandoned in the middle of nowhere in an unfamiliar world. He didn't know what it was he should do. First, he wanted to meet a human he could talk with, but since coming to the world, the only things he'd met so far were a polar bear level monster, and a fairy. It left him quite uneasy. "... For now, I guess we'll keep moving forward. Um... what's your name?" "None!" "... None?" "I was just born, you know? I'm a baby, you know? There's no way I have a name!" Kitsune pondered to himself just how this fairy could be so blatantly hopeless, as he stared off into the distance towards another day. But her words were sound. There was no way a freshly born baby would have a name. "If it's necessary, then it's alright if Kitsune-san gives me a name." "... Well, it's inconvenient if you don't have one. Let's see, something a bit otherworldly... let's go with Finia." "Nice sound to it! What's it from?" "Wah, so my name was one you just kinda felt... I like it!" The fairy... no, Finia, broke into another smile after a short period of despondence. It seems she was the possessor of quite the brash personality. That part of her slightly resembled Shinozaki Shiori, causing Kitsune to give a slight smile. He got himself back together, and began to move towards his original goal, the acquisition of life's necessities, once more. With the mask on his head again, and the fairy Finia perched on his right shoulder, he walked forward with a faint smile on his face. "By the way, Finia-chan, was that thing you used to heal my injuries magic?" While thinking of how nice it was to have someone to talk to, he tried asking. He had just experienced Fairies, Beasts, and other fantasy-esque factors, so he wanted to secure a means to protect his own body. "That's right! Healing Magic! Usually you nead a spell incantation to use magic, but Ideological Fairies can use it without! Hehe!" "Hmm... can I do something like that too?" "The output likely changes based on the person, but as long as you have Mana, you can probably do it, you know?" Hearing that, Kitsune asked whether there was a means to check if he had Mana, but Finia didn't know. It seems she had the sense to use magic from the moment she was born, so she had no idea how to use magic in itself. It was like a human knowing how to move their hands. "Yeah... Hey, Finia-chan, could you go up into the sky to see if there's a river or village around?" Understanding that he wasn't going to become able to use magic anytime soon, he put the matter aside. So, he put Finia's wings to use. If there was a river, then he would be in luck. A village, even more so. "So!? Was there anything!?" Kitsune raised his voice to the fairy who had risen quite high. There was the chance the beast would find out his location, but he wanted to get the information from the sky quickly. Finia spun in the air as she descended. Lowering her back onto Kitsune's shoulder, she smiled as she pointed in a direction. "It was quite far, but I saw a large town! There's a river on the way too!" "Thanks for the good news, Finia-chan." "Yep!" That information was the best news to the boy. The fact that there was a river was one thing, but the large town was good luck. If it was that big, then there would definitely be people, and he would be able to gather some necessary otherworldly information. With somewhat lighter steps, he proceeded in the direction of Finia's finger. Some monster may have heard his voice, so it was best to change locations swiftly. "Even so... will Japanese work in another world?" "Eh? Even when I can talk with you just fine?" "I'm, you know, that. I was born from Japanese goods! In a sense, I'm a new breed of fairy, right? Something like that." Eh... a troubled expression came up. But, well, the fact that a human settlement was there was much more reassuring than being in a forest when he didn't know when he would die. Anyways, moving forward was important. "By the way, Finia-chan, about how far is far?" "Based on your world, about 30km, I guess?" "That's a distance to distance one's spirit..." He stared out towards a brighter future again. If he kept walking without rest, he would probably reach it in a day or two, but as a frail high school boy, Kitsune didn't have such stamina. Finia could probably fly there, but she decided to follow him. * * * After walking for a while, Kitsune found a different beast from before in front of him. Rather than a beast, this one looked like a bug. Its appearance was that of a spider, whose height exceeded 2m. Honestly, he didn't want to have to deal with it. If possible, he wanted to pass peacefully. Luckily, spiders didn't use their sense of smell to catch prey. While it had eight eyes, as long as he hid and stayed a distance, there wouldn't be a problem. "Uwah... It's creepy." "Kitsune-san's also creepy, right? You've finally found a comrade!" "You casually throw out some heart-stabbing words, don't you? And wait, Finia-chan, you have knowledge from my world?" "I have memory from when you first got that mask! You always held it close, so I remember quite a bit! Like how your notes were turned to charcoal during class, and how your chair went missing, only to be found destroyed, and how your shoulder was accidentally punched by a passerby with splendid timing!" He could have gotten off without an explanation of his own world, but should he feel happy that he didn't have to waste time explaining anything himself, or feel conflicted that someone with Shiori's face was happily divulging the contents of his bullying? It was a peculiar feeling. "For now... let's try sneaking past that spider." "Yay, it's like hide-and-seek!" They hid in the thickets as Kitsune waited for the spider to pass by. He gazed at its movements as he concentrated as not to make a sound. But there was one tapping his shoulder. "Shh... quiet." Kitsune turned his attention from the large spider, and spoke to the one behind him. But without minding his words, it kept tapping him. "What are y... eh~..." As he turned his head, he found the wolf from before behind him. In the front, the spider, and behind, the wolf. It truly was a desperate pinch. And wait, he was lucky to have gotten off with nothing but his shoulder tapped so far. "Finia-chan." "What?" "Can you defeat this wolf-san?" "I more or less specialize in offensive magic, dude." "You were that sort of character?" Finia was messing around, so Kitsune tsukkomied while his inner thoughts were in turmoil. She smiled as she raised her small hands at the wolf, and in the next instant... "Grah!?" ... The wolf was blown away. From Kitsune's point of view, it looked like Finia's hands let off a flash for a moment, and the wolf was sent flying by it. He had no idea of exactly what had happened. "Fufu... do you wanna know what I just did?" "Yes, I want to know." "I sent him off with light magic!" But she couldn't be any more reliable. He felt it a little shameful to depend on the small existence 1/10 his size, but if she was going to protect him when he didn't have any power of his own, he didn't have the time to mind his own appearance. "GISHAAAAAAAH!" The light didn't go unnoticed by the spider. The wolf still appeared to be able to move, so they were in quite a tight spot. Kitsune looked back and forth between the two monsters, and let out a sigh. So this is what it means to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. He offered a carefree thought, even in this situation. "Good grief, this is the worst. For now, come at me! Finia-chan'll take you guys on!"

「あー面倒臭い人だったなぁ」 僕はそう言って、視界に見えてきた宿へと足を進めていた。勿論、瘴気ボールをバウンドさせつつだ。 まぁ説明すると、あの殺人鬼のレイスに対して僕がやったことは案外簡単だ。瘴気を僕とレイスを包み込むように、ドーム状に展開して視界を奪った。光が入らないから眼が慣れるまでは向こうも僕の姿は見えなくなる。僕は瘴気で空間把握が出来るから、眼は見えなくても行動可能ということで、立っているレイスの隣を歩いて通り過ぎただけ。 ついでと言ってはなんだけど、追いかけて来ない様にスキルの効果範囲内を出るまで、彼の全方位全方向に瘴気のナイフを設置しておいた。まぁあの猿のおかげで瘴気の量も増えてたから出来たことだけどさ。 「さて、着いた―――ん? はぁ......」 宿に着いて、瘴気ボールを消し、それと同時にレイスの周囲に設置したナイフも霧散して消えるのを感覚として理解する。その際、レイスの気配がまだそこにあるのを霧散した瘴気が教えてくれた。 これで宿まで来られたらどうしよう。レイラちゃんにぶっ殺して貰おうかなぁ。 あ、でもそうしたらレイラちゃんのレベルが上がるんじゃないかな......面倒だなぁ。 「あ♪ きつね君、おかえりなさい♡」 「あれ? 部屋に居たんじゃないの?」 「うふふうふふふ、そろそろ帰って来る頃だと思ったから一緒に待ってたの♪」 宿に入ったら、入って最初に広がっているフロント的な空間に、なんとなく予想通りレイラちゃんとニコちゃんがいた。複数設置されたテーブルの一つに向かい合って座っていた。僕の姿が見えたからか、二人ともこっちに歩み寄って来る。 レイラちゃんは僕が帰って来る頃だと思ったって言ってるけど、どうせ瘴気を入り口に設置していたんだろう。瘴気ボールを消した時に少し瘴気の気配があったし、きっとそうだ。 「そう......ニコちゃん良い子にしてた?」 「してた」 「あはは何をしたんだい?」 ニコちゃんがまた嘘を吐く。一体何をしたんだこの子は......レイラちゃんも一緒に居た訳だし、なんか怖いよ。 「きつね君達が外に出てってから、お昼寝してたんだけどね?」 「うん」 俯いてもじもじしているニコちゃんに代わって、レイラちゃんが面白そうな表情で説明してくる。ニコちゃんの、レイラちゃんの黒いワンピースを掴む手に、力が籠ったのが分かった。恥ずかしいことなのか、それとも怒られるようなことなのか、それは分からない。 でも、お昼寝の時点でなんとなく察した。 「おねしょしちゃったみたい♪」 「ふーん......そっか......ニコちゃん」 「っ......ごめんなさい」 レイラちゃんが予想していた通りの説明をしてくれたので、僕は片膝を立ててニコちゃんの視線の高さに合わせる。ニコちゃんは怒られると思ったのか、俯いたまま小さく謝ってきた。 まぁ確かにおねしょは恥ずかしいし、怒られるかもしれない。でも、おねしょは子供の生理現象だし、ましてニコちゃんは僕の子供じゃないし、怒ることなんて何もない。 ニコちゃんのブロンドのサラサラ髪に手を乗せて撫でる。叩かれたと思ったのか、びくっと肩を震わせたけれど、撫でられているのが分かると、少し困惑した表情で顔を上げた。 「大丈夫だよ、怒ったりしないから。素直に謝ったのは偉いよ」 「............うん」 「レイラちゃん、そのベッドはどうしたの?」 「え? そのままだよ!」 「うん笑顔で言うことじゃないよね」 おねしょは許すけど、後始末しないのかよレイラちゃん。これこそ叱るべきことだと思うな僕。 「じゃあ放置したまま? 後始末しろよそこは」 「えーやだよ、私やり方分かんないし」 「本当少し前に逆戻りだな......」 自分勝手で我儘、その上やりたい事以外はとことんやらない。僕の居た世界じゃこういうのを社会のゴミとかクズとか呼んでたな。僕も変態とかカスとか言われてたけど、きっと勘違いだよ。僕は真面目で健全でとても優しい心を持った青少年だから。紳士だから。 でもまぁそれはさておき、ニコちゃんのおねしょの後始末をしないと。ベッドもシーツも宿の物だからね。駄目にしたらその分お金取られそうだ。あれ? でもレイラちゃんのお金なら別にいいんじゃないのかな? 「はぁ......仕方ないなぁ......」 それじゃ、猿相手に少し疲れてるけど、子供のお世話も仕事の内だよ。冒険者としてじゃなく、保護者としてのね。 ◇ その頃、桔音によって微動だに出来ない状態にされた凶悪殺人鬼レイスはというと、瘴気のナイフが霧散して消えたことで十数分程の硬直から解放されていた。 抜き身の剣を肩に担いで、緊張状態から解放されたことの安堵で溜め息を吐く。十数分程の間、いつ襲い掛かってくるかも分からない黒いナイフが、永遠自分に向かって切っ先を向けていたのだ。短い時間だったかもしれないが、レイスからすれば何十時間にも感じられる時間だった。 人を殺してきた凶悪殺人鬼が、初めて自分自身が殺されるかもしれない状況に陥ったのだ。その状況で実感したのは、『死』という存在が首に刃を添えている感覚。生殺与奪の権限を握られた感覚だった。 「これは......随分とヤバい 恐怖はない。元々、命の削り合いの中に身を置いて戦ってきたのだ。生殺与奪の権限を握られたことは生まれて初めてではあるが、それで何かを殺すことを止める筈がない。 寧ろ、ヤバい奴だからこそ殺したくなった。Hランク冒険者にして、Sランク犯罪者を追い詰めた人間。そして、人間とは違った死の気配を持った 「追い掛けても良いが......こりゃ一回ご主人サマに報告しとくべきかねぇ......あの化けモンのパーティメンバーが同じく化けモンである可能性もねぇわけじゃねぇだろうし......下手に命令違反すっと首輪締まっからなぁ......面倒くせぇ」 レイスはあまり考え事が得意ではない。戦いの中で馬鹿みたいに剣を振るうしか脳のない男だ。策を考えるのも苦手であるし、罠が張り巡らせられれば力で強硬突破するタイプの人間なのだ。 馬鹿正直、猪突猛進と言えば言い方は悪いだろうが、それでも剣一つだけで十余年の人生を戦いの中で生き抜いてきたのだから、凄いことには変わりない。 「じゃ、まずは一旦帰りますか――――次は殺してやろうじゃねぇの」 だが、今回は一旦退くことにしたレイス。雇用主のオルバ公爵の指示を仰ぐ必要があると判断したのだ。嘆息して、踵を返す。 「いやぁ、殺し甲斐がねぇとか言ってたけど......そんなことねぇじゃねぇの......極上の御馳走だぜありゃあ......クハハッ! クハハハハッ!」 不敵に笑いながら、狂気を秘めた瞳で歩き去っていく。 そして、彼の姿が消えたと同時、人払いが解除され、普段の人通りが少しづつ戻って行った。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 一方その頃、桔音とレイスが対峙していた時、リーシェもまた戦っていた。 街に設置された簡易ギルドにて依頼を受け、街の外へ出て魔獣を相手に剣を振るっていたのだ。 受けた依頼は、Eランク魔獣の討伐。未だ冒険者になってまもない彼女のランクは、Fランク。ギリギリ魔獣討伐依頼が受けられるランクだ。ちなみに、ランク以上になってさえいれば、魔獣討伐依頼であるFからDランクまでの依頼はどれでも受けることが出来る。Cランク以上は魔族が討伐対象に含まれる故に無理だが。 リーシェが受けたのは自分のランクの一つ上、Eランク依頼だ。 討伐対象は――――Eランク魔獣、 桔音が相手をしていたDランク相当の亜種とは違って、彼女が相手をしているのは通常種、Eランク相当の魔獣であり、その体躯も亜種より二回り程小さい。 代わりに三体で行動している様だが、亜種を相手にするよりも格段に楽な筈だ。 「はぁ......はぁ......はぁ......疲れるなぁ......」 故に、彼女も既に二体の猿を討伐し、残るは手負いの猿一体だけとなっている。両者とも疲弊してはいるものの、リーシェは疲労しているだけで大して負傷しておらず、猿の方は腕を一本切り落とされた上に、身体中にも数多く刀傷がある。どちらが優勢なのかは明白だった。 「グルルルルル......!!」 「でもまぁ......少し前の私なら戦うこと自体出来なかったんだし......これも成長の疲労とすれば心地良い」 剣を水平に構えて、猿に対して半身になるリーシェ。 彼女は特筆して特別なスキルや技を持っている訳ではない―――いや、持てなかった者だ。そして、それをただただ無我夢中に己の身を研鑽した結果、新たな可能性を見出した者。騎士になれなかった冒険者、その剣は彼女が無意識に偶然生み出した剣術であり、カウンターに特化した剣術。 「グルァ!!」 「来い......私はお前を斬って、もっと強くなる......!!」 地面を蹴り、飛び掛かって来る猿に対して、リーシェはその水平に構えた剣を動かさない。『先見の魔眼』がなくても、彼女はそれを補って余りある程自分よりも格上の動きを見てきた。経験を積んできた。己を研鑽してきた。 幾百、幾千と敗北し、辛酸を舐めさせられ、崖っぷちにまで追い詰められた彼女だからこそ、ここからたった一回の勝利を、何度も何度も詰んでいく。 「グルァァァアアア――――グハァッッ......!!」 「まずは――――......一勝!」 飛び掛かってきた猿の拳を紙一重で躱し、そして懐に潜り込む様に入り、水平に構えた刃を猿の首へと添える。猿の勢いと剣を振り抜く勢い、二つのぶつかり合う勢いが生み出す力によって、リーシェは猿の首を―――刎ねた。 「はぁ......はぁ......はぁ......」 潰れる様な音と共に、首の無くなった猿の身体が地面に落ちる。そして、リーシェは血の付いた刃を振るって血を落とし、鞘へと収める。乱れた呼吸を整えながら、自分一人で格上に初勝利した事実に大きくガッツポーズを入れた。 「大丈夫......まだ、もっともっと強くなれる......!」 一歩ずつだが、確実に強くなっている。リーシェは初めて感じた自身の可能性が開いて行く感覚に、歓喜する。 あのまま騎士見習いとして過ごしていれば見れなかった世界に、近づいて行く様にも思えた。そして、もっとと渇望する。強さを得て、更なる強さを求める。 目指すは父の背中を越えること。 更なる可能性を求めて、彼女はもっと強くなるだろう。

"Geez, what a troublesome person" I murmur so while walking toward the inn which I can already see. Of course, while still bouncing the ball. Well, if I have to explain what I did to that murderer, Reis, it's actually quite a simple trick. I only deployed the miasma to surround myself and Reis in dome-shape, thus blocked his view. Since light couldn't enter, until his eyes got used to it, he wouldn't be able to see my presence. Since I could sense the surrounding with ease using the miasma, I could still move properly even when I couldn't see, thus I simply passed by the standing still Reis. After that, to make sure that he wouldn't come after me, until they were out of my range of control, I left several dark knives in his surroundings. Well, thanks to that monkey the amount of my miasma had increased so I somehow managed to do that, though. "Well then, I'm-- hmm? ... huh?" Upon arriving at the inn, I disperse the ball, and at the same time I can feel that the knives I left around Reis have also dispersed and are returning to me. Simultaneously, the returning miasma are also telling me that Reis' presence is still in that place. What should I do if he decides to come to the inn later, I wonder? Should I ask Leila-chan to kill him? Ah, but that way LeiLa-chan's level will increase instead... that'd also be troublesome in its own way. "Ah Kitsune-kun, welcome back." "Huh? You aren't in the room?" "Uhhufufufufu, I thought it's about time you come back so we decided to wait here together." When I enter the inn, the first ones I see are unexpectedly Leila-chan and Niko-chan who are waiting at the entrance area. They're seated facing each other on one of the several installed tables. When they see my figure, they both came to me. Leila-chan said that she thought it's about time I come back, but most likely she sensed my presence through her miasma around the entrance. When I dispersed my miasma ball, I somehow sensed another miasma around after all, so most likely that's the case. "I see ... Niko-chan, did you become a good girl?" "I did." "Ahaha, what did you do?" Nico's telling yet another lie. Just what on earth did this girl do?... Leila-chan was also with her so it's kinda scary. "While you were away, we were only taking a nap, right?" "Yes." Instead of the fidgety and facing down Niko-chan, Leila-chan gives me an explanation while making a very amused expression. I can tell from how tight Niko-chan grabbing Leila-chan's black dress. It'll be either something embarrassing, or something that'll make her scolded, but I do not know which. But, I can tell that they really did have a nap. "It seems like she wet the bed" "Hmmm.... I see ... Niko-chan." "... I'm sorry." Since Leila-chan explains the situation just as I expected, I stand up on one knee to match the height of Niko-chan's sight. Perhaps thinking that she'll get scolded, Niko-chan keeps hanging her head downward while quietly apologizing. Well bed wetting is indeed embarrassing, and it may also get her scolded. However bed wetting is like a physiological phenomenon for children, and since Niko-chan isn't even my child, there's no reason to get angry at her. Putting my hand on Nicko-chan's silky blonde hair, I lightly stroke it. Perhaps thinking that I'll hit her, in surprise her shoulders shiver for a moment, but noticing that I'm just stroking her, she slightly raises her face with a slightly confused expression. "It's all right, because I'm not angry, okay? Or rather, it's great that you properly apologize." "...yes." "Leila, what happened to the bed?" "Huh? I left it as it was!" "Yeah, that's not something to say with a smile, alright?" I can forgive the bed-wetting case, but you didn't even clean it huh, Leila-chan? I think she's the one I should scold here. "Then it's still as it was? You should've at least cleaned it." "Eh, but I don't even know how to do it." "Really, please return back to the you a while ago..." Self-centered, egoist, moreover she won't do anything she doesn't want to. In my former world, such people were called something like social trash or scum. I was also called as a pervert or scum, but I am sure that was only a misunderstanding. Because I've been a diligent and proper young man with a very gentle heart, after all. Because I am a gentleman. But well, leaving that aside, I have to clean up Niko-chan's bed-wetting. Both the bed and the sheet are the inn's properties, after all. If they're already beyond help then I guess I have no choice but to reimburse them with money. Huh? But if it's Leila-chan's money then it should be fine, right? "Haa... It can't be helped..." Well then, I'm a bit tired after fighting the monkey, but taking care of the children is also part of my job. Not as an adventurer, but as a guardian. * At the same time, the heinous murderer who was left in a state where it was impossible to move with numerous black knives surrounding him, after about ten minutes passed the miasma knives finally dispersed. Resting his sword on his shoulder, he heaved out a sigh of relief for being released from that strenuous situation. For a dozen or so minutes, the black knives, which he didn't knows when they might rush toward him, were always turning their edges toward him. It might have been a short time, but for Reis it felt like tens of hours. The heinous murderer who had killed numerous people, for the first time fell into a situation where he might get himself killed. During those moments, he felt that "death" itself was putting a blade on his neck. It felt as though his life and death was based on its whim. "This is ... ... looks like we've laid our hands on quite a dangerous fellow, huh." There was no fear. It was because he was prepared to fight while putting his life on the line anytime. It was indeed the first time that his life was within other's grasp, but it still wouldn't stop his urge to kill. Rather, because the opponent was such a dangerous person, he wanted to kill him more. H rank adventurer who cornered S rank criminal. And a monster (weakling) who unlike humans possessed the presence of death. "I can chase after him, but... perhaps it'd be better to report it to master first... It's not impossible that that monster's party members are similarly monsters, after all ... if I by any chance violate the order then this choker will strangle me to death, after all ... what a hassle." Reis wasn't very good at guess-working. He was a man whose brain filled with nothing but how to swing his sword in battle like an idiot. He also wasn't good at planning, even if he knew that traps were awaiting him, he was the type of person who'd break through them with force. Calling him idiot or foolhardy might be a bit too much, but since he still had undoubtedly survived after fighting with his life on the line for more than ten years with only a single sword, it didn't change the fact that he was amazing. "Well, I guess I'll return first... let's just kill him next time." However, this time Reis decided to retreat. He judged that it was necessary to ask for Duke Orba's order as he was his master. Sighing, he turned around. "Well, I called it death battle, but... that's not it ... It'll be a superb feast... Kuhaha! Kuhahahaha!" Laughing fearlessly, he walked away with his eyes filled with madness. And then, at the same time he disappeared, the area clearance was released, and the usual lively street was returning little by little. * * * Meanwhile, when Kitsune and Reis were confronting each other, Trisha was also undergoing a fight. Receiving a request at a quasi-guild established in the city, she headed outside the town and was swinging her sword against demonic beasts. The requests she received was a subjugation of E rank monsters. She only became an adventurer recently so she was still of F rank. It was rank which was barely able to receive demonic beast subjugation requests. By the way, as far as rank went, magical beast subjugation request of F to D rank could be accepted just by anyone. However it was different for C rank request or above since among them there were also demon subjugation requests. What Trisha accepted was a request one rank higher than hers, an E rank request. The subjugation targets were-- three crazy monkeys which were E rank demonic beasts. Unlike the variant that equivalent to rank D, which Kitsune faced, the ones she was facing were the common types, demons equivalent to the rank E, their bodies were also smaller than the variant by two times . Instead, they were moving in a group of three, it should be much easier than facing the variant. "Haa... Haah... Haah ... I am tired...." Moreover, she had already killed two monkeys, and the remaining one was also already wounded. Although both were exhausted, Trisha was only exhausted and had not been injured so much, as for the monkey, not just one of its arms was cut off, numerous injuries were all over its body. It was obvious which one was superior. "Gurururururu ... ...!" "But well ... if it was the me from a while ago, I might be unable to even simply fight them ... if this is the fatigue of growth then it's actually pretty comfortable." Holding the sword horizontally, Trisha leaned her body toward the monkey. She possessed neither special skill nor technique-- No, it was more like she couldn't use it. But then, after solely and diligently training her sword path, she eventually discovered a new possibility. An adventurer who could not become a knight, that sword was a swords art which she created unintentionally by chance, a sword art specialized at counters. "Gurua!!" "Come... I will kill you and become stronger ... ...!" Looking at the monkey that kicked the ground and charger her way, Trisha didn't move her horizontally positioned sword at all. Even without 'Demon eye of Foresight', she had other things to compensate that so that even she could see those who were faster than her. Experiences she had accumulated. Her continuous diligent training. It was exactly because she had lost hundreds or even thousands times, danced with hardship, and was cornered to the edge, for the sake for a single victory, she'd keep on moving forward "Guruaaa --- Guughha ...!!" "First off --- ... one win!" Dodging the monkey's fist by paper-thin gap, she entered into its chest area, and finally thrust her horizontally positioned sword to its neck. With the monkey's momentum and the thrust sword's momentum, with the force that was created by the two colliding momentum, Trisha successfully had the monkey's neck -- severed. "Haa... Haa... Haa...." Along with a collapsing sound, the monkey's body that had lost its head fell to the ground. Then, Trisha swung her bloody sword to clear the blood, and then put it back in its sheath. While calming her chaotic breathing, she made a big gut pose on the fact that she had won her first victory on her own. "It's okay... I can still become even stronger...!" Although it was only one step at a time, without a doubt she was becoming stronger. Sensing for the first time the opening of a new possibility for herself, Trisha was very happy. The world which was impossible for her to see had she stayed as a knight apprentice, she felt that she was one step closer to it. And then she craved for more. By gaining a new power, she sought for another ones. Her aim was to surpass her father's back. Pursuing another possibilities, she'd surely become stronger.

困ったなぁ。 僕の膝の上ですやすやと眠るレイラちゃんを見て、僕は一人そう呟いた。 昼間から、変だ変だとは思っていたけれど、彼女に起こった変化は今思えば随分と人間らしい変化だった。 確信したのは今さっきのことだけど、どうやら僕はSランクの魔族である、 ドキドキして、もやもやして、僕に触れようとすると頭が真っ白になるなんて、彼女らしからぬ純粋な乙女心。正直驚きだった。 多分、彼女は今まで欲望のままに好き勝手な行動を取っていたから、こういった事態に免疫がない。 人を食べるのに許可なんて取らなかったし、好きなことを好きにやって来たからこそ、やりたかったことが出来ないという今の自分に困惑しているんだと思う。好きという感情を持て余しているんだと思う。 今までただ食べる対象でしかなかった人間の筈だった僕だけど、彼女にとっては大きな存在だったのかもしれない。そう思わせるだけのことを、僕は彼女にしてきたと思っている。 Aランクの欲望の塊でしかなかった時、僕は彼女を無自覚に魅了した。最高の 使徒に怯えた彼女を、僕は命を賭けて護ろうとした。 多分、それだけで彼女は僕が好きになった。 最初はただのお気に入りの食材で、段々とその好きから別の好きに変わって行って、使徒ちゃんとの一戦でその好きが全部―――恋愛感情に変わった。 ―――僕が、欲望の塊だった彼女の 「嬉しい、のかな? うん、多分嬉しいんだと思う。人に好かれるなんて、僕には程遠いことだったから」 だからだろうか、純粋に僕を慕ってくれるレイラちゃんの言葉は、素直に嬉しかった。 だって、それは僕が生まれてから決して手に入らなかったものだ。 元々僕は自分のことをお世辞にも良い人間だと思ってない。人に好かれる人間だとも思っていない。捻くれてるし、人の事を傷付けるし、気味が悪いし、人に優しくしようだなんて欠片程にも思えないのだから。寧ろ嫌われて然るべき人間だと思ってる。 なのに、しおりちゃんも、レイラちゃんも、フィニアちゃんも、皆そんな僕のことを好きだと言ってくれる。親にも捨てられて、友人はいない、味方も一人だっていなかった気味の悪い僕に、歩み寄ってくれた数少ない存在。 こんなに嬉しいことはないじゃないか。 「君も、いつの間にか仲間になってたんだね」 ストーカーだったけれど、嫌悪していたけれど、レイラちゃんがレイラちゃんであるなら、僕は彼女のことを少しは好きになれるかもしれない。勿論仲間や友人的な意味だけど。 今の所僕には彼女に対して恋愛感情はない。まぁ今までずっと食べられるかもしれないと思って嫌悪していた相手だから仕方ないと言えば仕方ないんだけどさ。 だから、この件は保留だ。 最低と言われても良い、先延ばしにするのが許せない人もいるだろう。それでも、僕は彼女の恋心を保留する。彼女自身、自分の気持ちが恋だと自覚していないみたいだしね。 でも、とりあえずこれから彼女との付き合い方には、考え直す必要があるだろう。きっと僕と彼女はより仲良くなれる、そう思った。 ―――前言撤回。 あの後、僕もレイラちゃんを膝に乗せたままベッドに上体を倒して眠ったのだけど、翌朝目覚めた時、レイラちゃんが眠っていた僕に抱き付いて頭をぐりぐりと擦りつけてきていた。にへら、とだらしない笑顔を浮かべながら、顔を真っ赤にして溜まった欲求不満を解消しようと、全力で発情していた。 朝から夜の発情タイムに突入とか止めて欲しい。折角昨日レイラちゃんへの評価が上がったのに、一気に暴落したんだけど。 「............はぁ、離れろ発情魔」 「ぁあんっ♪ きつね君のイジワルぅ......大好きぃ♡」 なんか前よりも積極的な気がするのは気のせいだろうか。いや、多分欲求が溜まってたから爆発しただけだろう。 心なしか抱き締める腕に力が籠っている気がするし、レイラちゃんの表情や言葉からも発情している以上の何かを感じるけれど、気のせいだ。 「はいはい、分かった分かった......ほら、レイラちゃんどいて」 「何?」 ベッドから立ちあがって、ぐいっと身体を伸ばすと、彼女はベッドの上に女の子座りをしながら呼び掛けてくる。 それに対して顔だけ振り返ると、彼女はだらしない笑顔はどこへやら―――とても可愛い笑顔を浮かべながら、顔を真っ赤にして言った。 「―――ありがとっ♪ 大好き♡」 そんな笑顔を向けられると、何も言えなくなるじゃないか。この天然乙女魔族め。発情した笑顔だったら一蹴してやったのに。仕方ないなぁ。 「はぁ......どう致しまして、レイラちゃん」 だから僕は、文句や不満よりも、そんな普通の言葉で返事を返した。 ◇ ◇ ◇ それから、壁に掛けておいた学ランを身に纏い、未だに引っ付いたままのレイラちゃんを連れてリーシェちゃん達の部屋へと向かう。あの子供、出会った頃のルルちゃんとは違って、ステータスに《衰弱》が付いてなかったし、怪我も無かったから、目を覚ましていると良いんだけど。 「ねぇきつね君きつね君、今日は何をするの? あの子、捨てちゃうの?」 「ううん、グランディール王国には良い思い出がないから、ちょっとくらい仕返ししてやろうと思って」 「うふふ♪ 面白い、面白いよきつね君♪ ぞくぞくするぅ♡」 見事に少し前のレイラちゃんに戻ったなぁ。積極的というかなんというか、この子も大概良い性格してるよ。 「あーあ、昨日の大人しいレイラちゃんに戻らないかなぁ......というかなんでこんなにべたべた引っ付いてくるんだ」 大人しいレイラちゃんは、今思い返してみれば気持ち悪かったけど良い子だったし。今のレイラちゃんよりは取っ付きやすい気がする。 「こうしてると胸のもやもやがなくなるのっ♪ いいでしょ? いいよね? だって私はきつね君が大好きだもん!」 あ、そうですか。久々に聞いたなそのフレーズ、レイラちゃんの決め台詞になりそうな勢いだ。笑い方も特徴的だしね。 そんなやりとりをしながら、僕達はリーシェちゃんの部屋に辿り着いた。ノックして、リーシェちゃんの返事が聞こえたから中に入る。 「おはよう、きつね、レイラ」 「おはようリーシェちゃん」 「おはよー......名前なんだっけ?」 「......トリシェだ、きつねも呼んでるし、リーシェで良いぞ。寧ろ最近私の名前はリーシェなんじゃないかと思い始めた所だし」 「じゃあおはよ、リーシェ」 レイラちゃん、フィニアちゃんと僕以外名前覚えてなかったもんね。僕何度もリーシェちゃんって呼んでたし、なんなら今も言ったし、なのに名前を覚えてないって相当興味なかったんだね。 「子供は?」 「ああ、まだ寝てる」 「まだ寝てんの? 昨日の夕方当たりに押しつけられてからずっと寝てるから......半日以上寝てんじゃないの? 実は起きてんじゃないの?」 「む......まぁ寝返りや寝言は良くあったが......」 そう言いながら、子供に近づいてみる。凄く安らかに眠っている様だ。 でも、僕は嘘が嫌いだからね! 分かるよ、この子寝たふりしてるな? 狙ってるな? 襲うぞ? 僕結構守備範囲広いぞ? 「起きた起きた」 「あはっ......ははっ......はぁ......」 子供、ステータスを見る限り名前はニコちゃん。くすぐってやったら起きたので、観念したのか上体を起こした。じとっとした目で僕を見てくる。警戒心が高いなぁこの子。というか幾つなんだろうか。見た目は4歳位なんだけど、4歳ってそこそこ喋れるよね。成長すると忘れる時期だけど、それでも一丁前に警戒している所を見ると、なんだか微笑ましい気もする。 「おはようお嬢ちゃん、名前を言って貰って良いかな?」 「......ドグリゲスミンミン」 「嘘吐くなニコちゃん」 「なんで名前知ってるの......」 この子可愛い顔してとんだ嘘吐きだ。警戒心も高いし、嘘吐きだし、この子絶対将来苦労すると思う。狼少年的な意味で。容姿に恵まれたことが唯一の幸せだったね。 ジト眼で見てくるかと思いきや、驚いた声音ではあるがジト眼のままである所を見ると、これがデフォルトらしい。 「唐突だけど、君に聞きたい事がある。答えてね」 「......いいよ」 「嘘吐くな」 「なんで分かるの......」 この子も表情一つ変えずに嘘吐くな。まぁ僕は嘘を吐くのも吐かれるのも嫌いだし、心理学関連の本も読んで色々特訓したから普通に見破れるんだけどね。『メンタリズムのkitune』と名乗ろうかな。 「僕は生まれてこの方嘘なんて吐いたことがないからね」 「きつね君それは私でも嘘だって分かるよ?」 「ああ、私も嘘だと思う」 「なんて奴らだ、仲間を嘘吐き呼ばわりなんて酷いと思う」 どうやら僕がこの子の嘘を見破れるように、この子も僕の嘘を見破れるらしい。 「まぁソレは置いておいて......君の名前は僕のスキルで知った、嘘は通用しないから正直に答えてね」 「よろしい......まず一つ、君を背負っていた髭のおじさんは君のお父さんかな?」 「......うん、私のパパ」 「それじゃあなんで君のお父さんが君を僕に預けたのか分かるかな?」 「......お金がないから?」 それはどういう意味だろうか。あんなに必死の表情で僕にニコちゃんを預けた所を見ると、養育費がないってわけではないだろうし、お金がないっていうのはまた別の意味なんだろうけど。 例えば、借金とか、家賃未払いとか、税金未納とか、まぁ色々ある。一番妥当なのは借金と税金未納とかかな、家賃未払いっていうなら子供を手放す意味は無いからね。 「......どう思う? リーシェちゃん」 「情報が少なすぎるから何とも言えないが......金絡みならば税金の未納が一番可能性が高いだろうな」 「その理由は?」 「税金未納はそこに住まう者の義務を果たせていないということで、国によって厳しい処罰が加えられるんだ。最初は厳重注意がされるが、長い間払えていない場合や、支払いのアテがない場合は処罰の対象になるんだ。厳しい所だと死刑もあり得るし、奴隷落ちすることも珍しくない」 となると、ニコちゃんのお父さんは未だ逃亡中か、捕まってグランディール王国の規則に則ってこの街でも処罰が加えられるんだろう。まぁまだ税金未納で確定した訳ではないけれど。 「この街ではどれくらいの税率なんだろう?」 「グランディールは軍事国家だから、徴税によって持っていかれる金額は他国よりも幾分高いと聞いている」 「ふーん......面倒臭いんだねぇ」 さて、どうしたものかな。ニコちゃんのお父さんが今もまだ生きているのか少し疑問だけど、生きているようならこの嘘吐き娘を押し付け返したいし、なにより親がいなくなるというのは中々経験させたくない。 というかニコちゃん随分落ち着いてるな。お父さんいないのに肝が座っているというか、淡泊というか。 「ニコちゃん、お父さんに会いたい?」 「会いたくない」 会いたいらしい。嘘吐きは分かりやすくて良い。 それじゃあまぁ、まずはこの子のお父さんの安否を確認する所から始めようかな。

It's kinda troubling. Looking at Leila-chan who's soundly sleeping on my lap, I mumble so. Since this noon, I've been thinking that she's acting strangely, but now that I think about it, this change actually had turned her into more human-like. The most definitive proof is what happened just now, seems like I've infected "Love" to her, the S rank demon, the virus demon "Red Night". Heart skipping a beat, hazy feeling, falling into panic when in touch with me, such maiden's feelings that are very unlike her. Honestly speaking, it kinda surprised me. Perhaps, since she'd been acting as she pleased simply following her own craving thus far, she isn't accustomed with such feelings. She never asked for permission to eat people after all, and exactly because she'd always been doing anything as she pleased, I think she ought to be bewildered by her current state where she couldn't do things she wants to. I think she doesn't know the emotion named love. I who once was supposed to be merely her prey for her, perhaps I've turned into a great existence to her. That's all I can think about from the time I spent with her. When she was just an A rank of lump of desire, I unconsciously fascinated her, us the greatest meal (prey). When she was frightened by the apostle, I put my life on the line to protect her. I think, that's when she fell in love with me. At first I was just a prey she's interested at, but gradually that interest turned into something else, and in the battle with apostle-chan, all of those interest... turned into love. ...I changed her whole (heart). "Am I happy, I wonder? Yeah, I think I am. To be loved by someone, that was something far off for me, after all." Perhaps that's why, her word about how she genuinely yearned for me, it made me happy. After all, that's something that has never happened ever since I was born. I'm fully aware that I'm not a good person from every perspective. And I've never thought the possibility of being liked by someone. That's because I'm crooked, I tend to hurt other, I'm creepy, and I have no a shred of thought about to be kind to other. Or rather, I think I'm wholefully a hateful person. And yet, be it Shiori-chan, Leila-chan, and Finia-chan, they said they like such me. I was abandoned by my own parent, I had no friend, I even also had no ally whatsoever, for such hateful me, they were the only few people who would accept me. That's why I can't help myself but to feel happy about it. "You, before I noticed it you've already become one of us, huh." She's a stalker and also hateful, but if she keeps being the way who she is, I think I might come to also like her a bit. As far as I'm concerned, currently I don't see her in such light. Well, perhaps that's only because I've been on guard on her for the possibility that she might eat me anytime, though. That's why, I should put this case on hold for now. Call me sucker or whatever, I'm sure there are people who hate delaying such a thing, after all. Nevertheless, I'm going to hold her love for the time being. Even she herself, seems like she doesn't aware that that feeling is love, after all. However, I think I need to reconsider my way of dealing with her from now on. I'm sure we could get along better that way, or so I thought. --I take it all back. However, when I wake up the next morning, I notice Leila-chan is hugging my body and rubbing her head against it. With drool and loose smile all over her bright red face, it seems like the accumulated desire she has finally explodes at once, Leila-chan is in full-blown lustful mode. I hope she won't be in this state all the way to the night's lustful period. Just when her impression had slightly increased yesterday, now it all falls rock bottom once again. "...*sigh*, go away, you damn lustful demon." "Ahn~, Kitsune-kun you meanie~... I love you~" Somehow, it feels as if she becomes more assertive but, is it just my imagination? Nah, perhaps that's only because the accumulated desire she has from these past few days. I can feel her arms, which are around me, are slightly tighter that usual after all. I can distinctly feel something aside from lust from her expression and words but, perhaps that's just my imagination. "Yeah yeah, I got it, I got it... come on, Leila-chan, move aside." "What is it?" When I get off the bed and stretch my body, she calls out to me while sitting in girlish sit way atop the bed. When I turn only my face toward her, I'm greeted not by her usual loose smile, but a very cute smile on her bright red face. "--thank you, I love you." Facing such smile, I'm rendered speechless. You damn airheaded demon girl. If you were showing your usual loose smile there, I would've definitely shot you down then and there already but... can't be helped then. She sure is childish, selfish, and also wilful, but as far as I'm concerned, limited only to her smile, I don't hate it. "Haa... you're welcome, Leila-chan." That's why, rather than complain or dissatisfaction, I answer her with such normal words. * * * After that, after putting my gakuran; that I hung on the wall; on, I leave the room and go to Rishe-chan's room, while still having Leila-chan clinging to me. "Say, Kitsune-kun, Kitsune-kun, what are we going to do? That child, are we going to leave her?" "Hmm, I have no good memory at all at Grandile Kingdom, so I'm just thinking about giving something back at them." "Ufufu, interesting, very interesting, Kitsune-kun, it's so thrilling." She's completely returned to the usual her, huh. With such assertive personality, in general she's a good girl for her own good. "Ah, will you return to the you of yesterday I wonder... or rather, why are you so clingy like this?" Now that I think about it, the meek Leila-chan sure was creepy but she was a good girl. I think she was more approachable that this kind of Leila-chan. "If I do this the haziness will disappear. It's fine, right? You don't mind, do you? Because I love you so much, after all." Oh, I see. It's been quite a while since the last time a heard this phrase, it feels as if it's become her catch phrase. Even the smile is so like her. When I knock the door, I hear Rishe-chan's answer from inside so we enter the room. "Morning, Kitsune, Leila." "Morning, Rishe-chan." "Morning... what's your name again?" "...it's Trisha, but like Kitsune, you can just call me Rishe. Or rather, recently I started to ponder that perhaps my real name was actually Rishe." "Then, good morning, Rishe." Leila-chan never remembers other's name aside from mine and Leila-chan's, after all. I've called Rishe-chan's name quite a time, or rather I even just called her name just now, and yet, to think that she still didn't remember her name, just how insignificant she was to her, I wonder. "How's the child?" "Ah, she's still asleep." "She's still asleep? Since she was asleep ever since she was pushed on us yesterday evening, so... it should've been half a day, right? Could it be she's actually awake?" "Hmm... well, there were times when she turned over and sleep-talking, but...." While chatting like that, I approach the child. She looks like sleeping very peacefully. However, I very hate liar! I can see it, this child is pretending to be asleep. Where should I aim at? What kind of attack should I use? I have quite an amount of repertoire on me, you know? "Oh, wake up, wake up." "Aha... haha... haa...." This child, when I peeked at her status, her name was Niko-chan. She's awake because of tickle, so perhaps to observe the surroundings, she straightens up. She fixatedly stares at me. Her guard sure is high. Or rather, how old is she? Appearance-wise, she looks like around four-year-old, but she is quite a chatter for a four-year-old girl. That's a period that's soon forgotten when one grow, but looking at her cautiousness despite being still such a child, somehow she's quite admirable. "Little miss, can you tell me what your name is?" "...dogriguez minmin." "Don't lie, Niko-chan." "How do you know my name?" She has cute face but she's a liar. Her wariness is high, and also a liar, I think she'll surely be in trouble in the future. For the guys who are led by nose by her, I mean. Born with such good appearance is her sole redeeming feature. Contrary to my expectation, looking at her gaze that isn't fazed despite being shocked herself, I think she isn't especially staring me but that's just her usual gaze. "It may be sudden, but there's something I want to ask you about. So please answer it." "...okay." "Don't ever try to lie." "How do you notice it?" This child could spout lies without even flinching, huh. Well, I hate to lie or being lied to after all, so once upon a time I did a special training by reading several psychology related books, and thanks to that I can pretty much tell between lie and truth with a glance. Should I call it "Kitsune the mentalism" I wonder? "That's because ever since I was born I've never told lie even once, after all." "Kitsune-kun, even I can tell that that's a lie, you know?" "Yeah, I also think that's a lie." "What a rude bunch, to call your own comrade a liar, don't you think that's cruel?" Similarly like how I can see through her lies, seems like she can see through mine as well. Howerver, be that as it may, for Rishe-chan and Leila-chan to call me liar, I think that's cruel. For better or worse, we're comrade after all, so I think they can put their trust on me a bit more. "Well, leaving that aside... I knew your name with my skill, also, lying is futile so please answer my question honestly." "Very well... first question, is that beardie uncle; who carried you back then; your father?" "...yes, he's my papa." "Then, do you know why did he leave you to me?" "...because, we didn't have money?" What does that mean? Looking at his desperate face when he left Niko-chan to me, he didn't look like someone would abandon his child simply because he had no money, could it be there's another meaning behind her words? Like, debt, rent overdue, tax overdue, well something like that. The most likely case is either debt or tax, I think, because there's no meaning in letting go his own child because of rent overdue, after all. "...what do you think?" "The information is so scarce so I'm not too sure myself, but... if it's money-related reason then, I think most likely it's either debt or tax." "The reason?" "Tax is imposed to everyone, so the more people who couldn't pay the tax, the harsher the punishment will be. At first perhaps it'll only be some warning, but if you couldn't pay the tax for a long period of time, if you don't have anything to pay the tax then you will receive punishment from the state. At worst case scenario, it's death penalty, or turning into slave also isn't that rare." That means Niko-chan's father is still a fugitive, huh. If he were caught then most like he'll be punished according to Grandile Kingdom's law. Well, it's still not settled yet that it really is tax overdue, though. "How much is the tax at this town?" "Grandile is military country, so I heard the tax here is considerably higher than at other countries." "Hmm... how troublesome." Well then, what should I do, I wonder? It's still uncertain whether her father is still alive or not, but if he's still alive then I want to return this liar girl; who he pushed onto me; to him, and more importantly, I don't want her to experience losing her parent. Or rather, Niko-chan sure is quite calm. Even though her father is missing, does she not feel anything at all? Or is she just indifferent? "Niko-chan, do you want to meet your father?" "I don't." Looks like she wants to meet him, huh. Liar sure is easy to understand. Well then, seems like we should start with ascertaining her father's safety first, huh.

さて、恐らく私の所属するパーティのリーダーであるところの、薄ら笑いに定評があるあのきつねという男が、宿へ帰りニコのおねしょの後始末をしていた頃の話。 私はEランク依頼である、『Eランク魔獣 そして戦闘で溜まった疲労が回復するのを待ってから、私は街へと帰ろうとした。ギルドへ報告して、報酬を貰おう。Eランク依頼だから多少報酬も高い。きつねも頑張っているのだから、頼まれた通り纏まったお金を稼がないとな。 「......ふぅ、レイラは大丈夫かな......ニコを食べてないと良いんだが」 彼女は魔族だ。きつねはどう考えているのか分からないが、ニコと一緒に居させるというのは些か危険ではないだろうか。その辺が少しばかり心配だ。 まぁきつねの頼みを断ったり、無為にする様な奴ではないとは思っているが、良くも悪くも欲望に忠実な奴だ、確実な確証は得られない。 「......帰ろう」 そう呟いて、私は踵を返す。そして、視界に見える街へと足を踏み出そうとした。した瞬間に、 ―――背筋に走る悪寒が足を止めた。 振り返ったばかりではあるものの、私の視線は勢いよくまた背後へと戻ってしまう。レイラに感じた恐怖と、似たような感覚だ。そう、これはきつね達と『 そう、一線を越えれば凄まじい脅威が降り注ぐ危機、そんな感覚だ。 そしてその感覚は正しかった。私の視界のずっと先、豆粒よりも小さくはあったが―――先程倒した猿が大量に、大群で、遠方から迫っているのが分かった。此処へ来るまでまだ時間は掛かるだろうが、それでもあと三十分もすれば、あの大群は一直線に街を襲う筈だ。 「これ、は......! 不味い......ッ!?」 私が眼を見開いてこの状況の危険を理解した瞬間、街の方から警鐘が鳴り響いた。どうやら街に配属されていた周辺監視の人間もまた、あの魔獣の大群に気が付いたらしい。恐らく、すぐにでもあの街の冒険者や、グランディール王国の冒険者から応援を呼ぶだろう。 そのことに少し気を落ち付かせることが出来た。そしてまた視線を魔獣の大群へと向ける。 「......猿だけじゃないな......狼に......ゴブリンにゴブリンナイト......ッ! な、あれは―――!?」 その中には、猿や狼といった獣系の魔獣達が『逃げるように』大群の戦闘を走り、その後ろを『追う様に』ゴブリンやゴブリンナイト達が走っている。 そして、その後ろに更に大きな影があった。 後々聞かされるが、きつねが戦ったという猿の亜種と同等かそれ以上の、巨大なゴブリン。 おおよそ5mは越えるであろうその巨大なゴブリンが、大きく距離が空いているにも拘らず、身の竦む様な圧倒的威圧感を放って此方に走って来ていた。 「ゴブリン......キング......!?」 推定Dランク上位の、全力を出せば魔族の領域に手を掛けることも出来る、巨大な醜鬼。 ともすれば、後に聞くことになるきつねの戦った剛拳猿の亜種以上の実力を持った魔獣だ。いや、もっと言えば、中途半端に知能を持った個体もいることから、半分魔族、半分魔獣と言った方が正しいのかもしれない。 だがどちらにせよ、Dランク以上の冒険者が数十名で掛からなければ勝てない怪物が、そこまで迫っていた。 「しかし何故だ......何故今......!」 私は歯噛みしつつそう吐き捨て、街に向かって駆けだした。まずはきつねと合流しなければならないだろう。最悪、レイラがいればなんとかなる。そう考えた。 その頃、オルバ公爵は帰ってきたレイスからあまり良い結果が聞けなかったことで、少しばかり苛立っていた。 報告ではさして大した実力もないと判断された少年であったにも拘らず、犯罪者ではあるが用心棒として実力は信用しているレイスを退けたというのだ。驚愕な事態以上に、不愉快な事態だった。 故に、その憂さ晴らしという訳ではないが、オルバ公爵は自ら、捕らえた男―――ニコを桔音に預けた男の下へとやって来ていた。 「はぁっ......はぁっ......はぁっ......!」 「フン、そこまで痛めつけられてもまだ吐かないのか」 「はぁ......はぁ......あの子は、渡さない......!」 男は尋問され、何も吐かなかった。 故に、彼は拷問に掛けられることになった。痛めつけられ、身体がボロボロになった所で治癒魔法を掛けられ、そしてまた痛めつけられる。その繰り返し。吐くまで行うつもりだった。 そして、既に拷問が始まって一日は経っている。それでも彼はニコの意場所や預けた桔音のことは何一つ吐かなかった。 「お前の大事なクソガキはとっくに居場所を特定してある。問題は......お前がガキを預けた人間だ」 「......何?」 だが、それは問題ではない。結局、桔音が状況を理解していない以上、ニコが見つかるのは時間の問題だったのだ。 問題だったのは、預けた男にとっても、オルバ公爵にとっても、桔音という人間が予測不能な人格者だったこと。 事実、ニコを預かってはくれたものの、桔音はこの街を出ようとはしなかった。Sランク犯罪者を差し向けたものの、桔音はそれをHランク冒険者の身でありながら退けた。 「あの男......何者だ?」 「......知らない、俺は逃げている最中で偶然出会っただけだからな」 「......だろうな、お前に接点のある人間は全員抑えてある。あのガキを預けていればこんなしみったれたくせぇ場所になんか来ねぇよ」 苛立ちのせいか、口調は乱暴になっているオルバ公爵だが、男は自分の大切な娘を預けた人物が、どういう人間なのか少しだけ、不安を抱いていた。 もしも、娘を痛めつける様な人間だったら。もしも、娘に欲情する様な変態だったら。 今更ながらにそんな考えが浮かんでくる。もしかしたら、自分はとんでもない人間に娘を預けてしまったのかもしれない。そう思った。 「だが、それでもこの街から出てねぇってことは......少なくともこの街に何か用があるって事だ。そんで、あのガキを匿ってることも考えれば......十中八九奴の目的はお前だと俺は睨んでる」 「ッ!?」 オルバ公爵は考えたのだ、あの人間―――桔音を打破する最大の手段を。 シンプルかつ単純に効果的な方法......『人質』だ。オルバ公爵が欲しいのは、父親では無くその娘、ニコの方なのだ。その為ならば、目の前で膝を付いている満身創痍の父親など、寧ろ殺してしまっても構わないくらいなのだから。 「だからさぁ、ちょーっとエサになってくんねぇ? まぁ拒否権はねぇけどな」 両手を合わせて、お願いとばかりに笑うオルバ公爵。年齢的にはもう三十路後半の彼だが、その言動や言葉遣いからはかなり若さが感じられる。同じくらい、子供の様な無邪気な狂気も感じられるが。 「ッ......くっ......!」 拒否権も、抵抗する力もない男は、悔しそうに項垂れる。それを見て、オルバ公爵は楽しそうに口端を吊り上げた。 と、そこに――― 「オルバ公爵様! ご報告があります!」 「あー? なんだー?」 「中央北側、約2km先に魔獣の大群が現れました! その数、およそ300体! しかもその中に......ゴブリンキングがいます!!」 「なっ......にぃ!!?」 ―――突然の危機が告げられた。 唐突に訪れた魔獣の大群の知らせを受け、冒険者や騎士達はすぐさま態勢を整え街の入り口へと出向き、その魔獣の大群を視界に入れていた。 集まった冒険者は、およそ二十人。その中で一番ランクが高い者でも、Dランクが一人、その他はEランクやFランクがほとんどだった。 ちなみに桔音達はその場にいない。宿でおねしょの始末をした後、普通に寛いでいた。 「......なんだか外が騒がしいね♪」 「そうだねぇ......魔族でも出たんじゃない?」 「私ならここにいるよ?」 「君じゃない魔族だよ......魔王とか?」 「きつね君目当ての可能性が高そうな予想だね♪」 「だとしたら最悪の事態だ、引き籠ってやり過ごす」 桔音達はある意味、迫りくる危機よりも到底あり得ない危機を想像していた。 レイラや勇者、使徒と、凄まじいチート連打が続いたせいで危機の感覚がかなり麻痺しているのだ。 恐らく、今の桔音にゴブリンキングが迫ってきたという事態を伝えたとしても――― 「きつねっ! 大変だ! 魔獣の大群が攻めてきた! しかもその中にはゴブリンキングがいる!!」 「へぇ、ゴブリンって美味しいのかな?」 「うーん、微妙かなぁ......でも量はあるから小腹が空いた時とかにいいかも♪」 ―――この程度の反応しか得られないのだ。部屋に飛び込んできたリーシェは、桔音の反応にきょとんと眼を丸くしている。 ニコだけは、ゴブリンキングの名前を聞いてなんか凄そう、と眼をキラキラと輝かせていたが、思っていた反応と違う。 「いや、あの......ゴブリンキングなんですけど」 「ねぇリーシェちゃん」 もっと驚いて欲しい、とリーシェは何故か敬語で再度ゴブリンキングだと言う。 だが、桔音は薄ら笑いを浮かべながらリーシェに視線を向ける。リーシェも桔音の視線を受けて少し身じろいだが、唇を尖らせて不満気に見返すした。 「......なんだ?」 「僕の目の前に居るのってなんだっけ?」 「ね?」 「ねじゃないが」 と言いつつも納得してしまったリーシェ。Sランク魔族が一緒に居るのに、Dランク上位のゴブリンキングなど、最早恐れるには少しインパクトに欠けるのだ。 いや確かに桔音よりも幾分ステータスも高く、Cランクの下級魔族であっても十分善戦出来る実力を持った半魔族半魔獣の怪物なのは間違いなのだが。 「......取り敢えず今、この街の冒険者と騎士が総出で迎え撃つ準備をしている。私達はどうする?」 リーシェが桔音に振ると、桔音はレイラに振る。桔音に振られたレイラは、そのまま笑顔でニコに流した。そして、最後の最後に回ってきたニコは、まさか来るとは思ってなかったのか硬直してしまった。 そして、その反応が予想通りだったのか桔音とレイラはクスクスと笑う。リーシェは子供をからかう二人に呆れた表情だ。 「あはは、そうだねぇ......どうしようかな―――あっ!」 「どうしたのきつね君?」 「オルバ公爵はゴブリンキングの対処の為に慌ててる可能性が高いから、今の内にニコちゃんのお父さん奪い返しちゃえばいいんじゃない?」 桔音は思い付く。どさくさ紛れにニコの父親を奪還する事を。今がその絶好の隙だということを。 「ついでだし、あそこにあるお金になる物とか貰って行こうぜ」 「それは盗賊という奴じゃないかと思うんだ私?」 桔音は薄ら笑いを浮かべて、オルバ公爵の居る場所へ乗り込む事を決めた。ゴブリンキングはとりあえず放置することにしたらしい。

Now then, this story was occurring probably around the time as my party leader whose faint smile was his trademark, Kitsune, just returned to the inn and was cleaning up Niko's bed-wetting aftermath. After finishing the E rank request, "Subjugating 3 E rank demonic beast - crazy monkey.", I stripped off parts of their bodies which were the subjugation proofs. The subjugation proofs were their fists which were their trademark. After cutting off the three pairs of both left and right fists with my sword, I tied them with up a string and then put them inside my waist bag. Then, after waiting for the accumulated fatigue from the battle to recover, I decided to head back to the town. After reporting to the guild, I'd receive my reward. Since it was an E rank request, the reward was pretty decent. Kitsune was also doing his best, so I had to properly earn money as he requested. "... Fuu, is Leila alright, I wonder?... I hope she didn't eat Niko." She was a demon. I didn't know Kitsune's thought about this matter, but since he let Niko to be with her, perhaps she wasn't that dangerous. That eased my worry, albeit only slightly. Well she didn't seem like someone who'd ignore Kitsune's order and did things on her own, but for better or worse, she was faithful to her desire, so I still couldn't rid of this worry. "... let's go back." Muttering so, I headed to the town. And then, the moment I was about to take a step forward toward the town. At that very moment, --I stopped from the chills running down my spine. Although I just turned around, I ended up turning my head to my rear again. This dreadful feeling was similar like the one I felt from Leila. Right, this feeling was similar to when I spotted "Eater hand" when I went to subjugate "Arachne" with Kitsune and co.. This was the type of threat that although in itself it wasn't that formidable, but once I made a move on it, I'd be done for. That's right, once you touched it, the dam would send tsunami your way, that's the kind of threat I was feeling at this moment. And my premonition was right. At the end of my sight, although the seemed smaller than a grain-- I could see a large number of monkeys, similarly like the ones I defeated before, were approaching from the distance. It would still take some time for them to reach here, but perhaps in about thirty minutes, that large group would definitely head directly to the city. "This is...! It's bad...!" The moment I opened my eyes in realization of how dangerous this situation was, alarm bell was ringing from the town. Seems like the assigned guards around the town also had noticed the demonic beast horde. Most likely, they'd soon call for support from adventurers within the town as well as adventurers from Grandile Kingdom. I felt a bit relieved thinking about that. And then I turned my sight toward the demonic beasts horde again. "...They aren't just monkeys... there are also wolfs.... goblin, goblin knight... wha, that's --!" Among them, monkey and wolf types demonic beasts were running as if 'running away' from the horde, while the goblins and goblin knights were running as if to 'chase after' them right behind them. And behind them all there was an even larger shadow. I only heard it on later dates, but it was a huge goblin that was the same if not larger than the variant monkey Kitsune fought before. The huge goblin, which seemingly exceeded 5 meters, although it was running quite a distant away behind the horde, it was heading this way while emitting overwhelming intimidating air that might even freeze the body of those who saw it. "Goblin... King...!?" Presumably it was top D ranker, that if it ran wild with its whole strength, power-wise it might even reach demon level, a huge ugly demon. Which meant, I only heard it on later date, but it was a monster that was stronger than the variant crazy monkey which Kitsune fought. No, specifically speaking, if we included the fact that it possessed low-level intelligent, it might be more accurate to call it half-demon, half-demonic beast. In any case, however, it was a monster who couldn't be defeated unless dozens of D rank adventurers were sent to subjugate it, that one was for sure. "But why... why now ...?!" I murmured so while grinding my teeth, and then I swiftly ran toward the town. First thing first was to meet up with Kitsune. When push came to shove, we could ask Leila to do something about it. Or so I thought. On the other side, Duke Orba was currently slightly irritated with the fact that Reis returned with not a good news. Although in the report the youth was supposed to be a small fry, he somehow managed to slip away from his bodyguard Reis who although he was a criminal, he possessed solid prowess. Beyond the astonishment, it irritated him more. Therefore, it wasn't exactly to vent his frustration, but Duke Orba decided to meet the captive man, the man who entrusted Niko to Kitsune, himself. "Ha... ha... ha...!" "Hmm, even after going through so much torture, you're still unwilling to talk, huh?" "Ha... Haa... I won't ever let you touch her...!" Although the man had been interrogated, he didn't tell them anything. Therefore, they decided to torture him. He was beaten up, healed with recovery magic, and then beaten up again. Over and over again. They intended to do that until the man decided to tell them what they wanted to know. And then, ten days had passed since they started torturing the man. Nevertheless he told them neither Niko's whereabouts nor who Kitsune, whom he entrusted her to, was. "We've long located your precious shitty brat's whereabouts... The problem is ... the person you left the brat with." "...what?" However, that wasn't a problem either. After all, as long as Kitsune didn't grasp their tail, it was only a matter of time before the Niko was found. The problem was, either it for the man who entrusted Niko to him or for Duke Orba, the person named Kitsune was simply unpredictable. In fact, although he was entrusted with Niko, Kitsune didn't decide to leave the town. Although S ranked criminal was sent to deal with him, Kitsune somehow managed to slip away despite being an H rank adventurer. "That man ... Who is he?" "... I don't know, I just came across him by chance while running away." "... guess so, I've thoroughly investigated everyone who has connection with you, after all. Had you obediently handed over that brat, you wouldn't have to suffer in a place like this you know?" Perhaps due to frustration, Duke Orba's words became slightly rougher, but on the other side, the man was starting to get anxious about what kind of person the person he'd entrusted his precious daughter to. What if he was someone who love to abuse his daughter. What if he was a pervert who'd lust after his daughter. It might be already too late, but such thoughts started swarming his mind. Perhaps, he might have left his daughter to a very outrageous person. Or so he thought. "However, given the fact that they still haven't left this town... that means at the very least they still have some business in this town. And then, given the fact that they are sheltering that brat.... I guess, most likely their objective is you." "!?" Duke Orba had thought about the best way to break that man, Kitsune. A simple yet effective method... "hostage". The one Duke Orba wanted wasn't the father, but the daughter, Niko. That was why he didn't care about the full of wounds man in front of him, even if the man died. "That's why, will you act as a bait for a while? Not that you have the right to refuse though." Joining his hands together, Duke Orba requested so in smile. Age-wise he was already in his latter half of the thirty, but his speech and conduct was like that of a youngster. Child-like innocent madness could be felt from it. "... kuh...!" The man who had neither the ability to refuse nor to resist could only hang his head in frustration. Seeing that, Duke Orba lifted the edge of his mouth as if finding it funny. And then, right at that moment-- "Lord Orba! Urgent report!" "Huh? What's it?" "About 2 kilometers in the north, a huge group of demonic beast have appeared! The number is approximately 300! And among them, there is a goblin king!" "What...the...!!" -- A sudden crisis appeared. After noticing the sudden appearance of the demonic beasts horde, adventurers and knights promptly headed to the town entrance to build up defense lines, their gazes are focused on the demonic beasts horde. There were about twenty adventurers gathered. The highest rank among them was D rank which there was only one person, the rests were mostly E rank and F rank. By the way, Kitsune wasn't among them. After cleaning up Niko's bed-wetting aftermath, he was casually relaxing in the inn. "... isn't it kinda noisy outside ?" "You're right ... has a demon appeared or something, I wonder?" "I'm right here, you know?" "I mean a demon that's not you... like the demon lord or something?" "Since it's you we're talking about, Kitsune-kun, I think the likelihood is pretty high " "If it is really the case, that's simply the worst, let's just holed up inside the room." In a sense, rather than the approaching danger, they were imagining about the danger that was way more impossible to actually occur instead. Leila, the hero, and then the apostle, perhaps because he'd been continuously faced with such barrage of bizzare cheaters, his sense of danger had gone fairly numb. Perhaps, even if the current Kitsune was informed that a Goblin King was currently approaching the town-- "Kitsune! Terrible news! A horde of demonic beasts is approaching the town! Moreover there's even a goblins king among them!" "Oh, are goblins delicious?" "Well, so-so I think ... But, they come with quantity, so they may be a good choice when you are very hungry or something " --he'd only give that kind of response. Trisha, who just barged into the room, had her eyes opened wide in bewilderment. As for Niko, perhaps finding Goblin King's name sounded amazing, her eyes were shining brightly, but that reaction was still different from the one Trisha expected. "Umm, you see .... It's a goblin king, you know?" "Say, Rishe-chan." She wanted them to be more surprised, Trisha even for some reason said the Goblin King for the second time in a polite manner. However, Kitsune turned his gaze toward Trisha while faintly smiling. Being stared at, Trisha was somewhat stirred, but even while pouting, she still answered back to him. "...what's it?" "Who's the one in front of me?" "See?" "Don't 'see' me." Even while saying so, Trisha was also somewhat convinced. Given the fact that they lived together with an S rank demon, the threat of a top D rank magical beast, goblin king, lost most of its impact to actually make them terrified. However, that didn't change the fact that this half-demon half-demonic beast had status that was somewhat higher than Kitsune's, and was unmistakenly capable of putting up a good fight against a lower rank C rank demon. "...anyway, currently adventurers and knights in this town are putting up defenses to hold the horde. What should we do?" When Trisha asked Kitsune, he passed the question to Leila. Receiving the question from Kitsune, Leila then passed it to Niko while in smile. And then, as the last one receiving the question, perhaps never expecting that one coming, Niko stiffened. And then, perhaps finding her reaction exactly as they expected, Kitsune and Leila started to giggle. Staring at the two making fun of a child, Trisha made an astounded expression. "Ahaha, let's see... I wonder what to do-- Ah!" "What's it, Kitsune-kun?" "There's a high possibility that Duke Orba is currently in frantic to deal with the Goblin King, right? So don't you think it's a good chance to take back Niko-chan's father?" Kitsune thought so. Taking advantage to the hectic situation, they'd take back Niko's father. Right now was the perfect chance to do that. "While we're at it, let's take something that can be turned to money from there." "I think that's what you usually call as robbery, you know?" While smiling faintly, Kitsune decided to raid Duke Orba's house. Looks like he decided to put the goblin king matter aside for the time being.

護衛依頼と受付嬢 さて、あの後リーシェちゃんも交えてミニエラを出る話をして、全員に承諾を貰った所で、僕達は行動を開始した。 レイラちゃんはどうやらグランディールまでの道案内には使えないようで、方向音痴なのは相変わらずらしい。故に役立たずの烙印を押させてもらった。付いてくるのに何の役にも立たないとは情けない。 リーシェちゃんは魔族を見たことがないのか、白髪赤眼はまだいいとしても瘴気を自身の回りに浮遊させているレイラちゃんを見ても、多少不思議に思う位で何も言ってこなかった。気が付いていないのか、それとも気付いたうえで僕を信じてくれているのかは分からない。 でもまぁ、それはどちらでもいいとして、レイラちゃんを外へ出すにはちょっと瘴気が邪魔臭いので、学ランを少し貸してあげる代わりに引っ込めて貰った。昼間はある程度理性的だし、そういうことも出来るみたいだ。 とはいえ、彼女は仲間というよりは傍に置いておく方が安全なストーカーみたいなものだから、フィニアちゃん達みたいな扱いはしないけど、便利な点は使わせてもらおう。なにせ彼女は魔族でありながら、一応Cランクの冒険者だ。そのネームバリューは利用しないと。 え? 酷い? こっちは命を常時狙われてる様なものなんだから良いじゃないか。いやいや、確かに好意を受けておきながら金を貢がせる奴みたいだけどさ、時と場合によるだろ? 僕の立場になったら分かるよ。 「すーはー......きつね君の匂い......♡ うふふ、うふふふ......最高......♪」 「......」 こんなのが隣に居るんだぜ? 下手したらこの先ずっと付き纏ってくるんだぜ? 好感度マイナス振り切ってる奴が、自分の匂い嗅いで発情顔で笑ってんだぜ? 想像してみて欲しい、同僚とかクラスメイトに一人はいそうな、煩い奴とかウザい奴で。 「きつねさん......本当にこの女連れてくの?」 「我慢だフィニアちゃん......僕も嫌だ」 リーシェちゃんやルルちゃんですら引いているんだ、あのCランク冒険者のレイラ・ヴァーミリオンを。強い奴って皆こんな感じなのかな......だとしたら勇者とかもあんまり良い性格してないんじゃないのかな。 例えば勇者の名前を利用してハーレム作ったり、強さを振りかざして暴君になったり、とか。うわ、途端に会いたくなくなってきた。 まぁそんなことを考えながら、僕達はギルドへ向かっているところだ。 グランディール王国へ行く為に、僕達が使う手段は『護衛依頼』を使うこと。Eランク以上の冒険者でないと受けられない依頼だから、フィニアちゃん達が適性ランクまで昇格するまで待とうと思っていたんだけど、都合よくCランク気取ったレイラちゃんがいるから受けられるようになった訳だ。 『護衛依頼』とは、国と国の間を移動する際に、主に商人、稀に一般人が依頼する物。冒険者にその道中の護衛を頼む代わりに、荷馬車に冒険者を乗せて移動するのだ。 まぁ報酬は別で現金を渡されるけど、移動の為の足と移動中の護衛という利害の一致が生み出した依頼だね。 「なぁきつね、本当にグランディールへ行くのか? 正直、もう少し強くなってからでも遅くはないと思うんだ......」 「まぁ戦闘大好きな奴らの国だし、心配するのも分かるけど......僕達は戦いに行くんじゃないよ。国である以上は戦わない人もいないとおかしいからね、僕達はそっち側なんだ」 リーシェちゃんが不安げにそう言ってきたけれど、日夜唐突な決闘が頻発している訳でもあるまいし、まして商人や一般人がいない訳でもないだろう。 であれば、冒険者だとしても戦いを避ければ平穏に過ごせる筈だ。まぁ勇者に関わる以上多少戦闘は避けられないかもしれないけどさ。 一応僕達にはフィニアちゃんもいるし、不本意だけどレイラちゃんもいる。早々死ぬことはないでしょ。僕も即死でない限り、『臨死体験』が発動すれば一応死なずには済むしね。 「む......なら良いんだけど......」 「心配しなくても大丈夫だよ、それに強くなるなら護衛中にだってなれるさ」 「......分かった」 ちょっと強引だけど、リーシェちゃんの不安も分かる。ちょっと急ぎ過ぎてる感もあるけど、僕としては勇者がグランディールを出ない内に会っておきたい。魔王退治に出られたら僕としては追い掛けようがないからね。 と、そんな会話をしている内にギルドへ辿り着く。扉を開けて中に入ると、冒険者達の視線が僕達に集中した。 そして僕を見て、全員が視線を切る。会話に戻る者もいれば、依頼書を見る者、食事をする者もいる。でも彼らは全員共通して、僕達の方を驚愕の表情で二度見してきた。 多分原因は白髪赤眼学ラン装備のレイラちゃんと、成長したルルちゃんだろう。一目で分かる変化だしね。 「白髪だが......あれ、レイラ・ヴァーミリオンか?」 「あの獣人の娘っ子、第二次性徴迎えたのか......めでてぇな!」 「ああ、別嬪さんになったなァ、わははっ!」 ざわざわとざわめく冒険者達。その反応はレイラちゃんとルルちゃんでかなり両極端だ。 レイラちゃんに対しては疑問や困惑が、ルルちゃんに対しては祝福や笑い声が起こる。やっぱり獣人の成長は常識的な事なのか、ルルちゃんの成長に冒険者達がめでたいめでたいと笑っている。 それを聞いて少し頬を紅潮させたルルちゃんだけど、頭をそれとなく撫でてあげたら、少し照れ臭そうにはにかんだ。うん、可愛い。 「きつねさん! これグランディール行きの護衛依頼だよ!」 「うん、ありがとフィニアちゃん」 そうしていると、フィニアちゃんが先に依頼書を取って来てくれた。読んでもらうと、それはグランディール王国へ行く商人からの依頼だった。 募集人数は8人、僕達を入れれば後3人だね。良い依頼だと思って、それをミアちゃんの所へと持って行く。 「ミアちゃん、これ受けさせて」 「はい......って、グランディール王国へ行かれるのですか?」 「うん」 「いや......でも......正気ですか? あそこは弱肉強食の国なんですよ?」 「それでも、行かなきゃならない理由が出来ちゃって」 ミアちゃんもリーシェちゃんの様に心配してくれているらしい。最初にあった頃は変態呼ばわりだったのに、随分と変わったもんだ。僕としてはその胸を揉む事を諦めた訳じゃない―――わけじゃないよ、うん。 「胸を見つめすぎです」 「胸を見てたんじゃないよ、おっぱい見てたんだ」 「一緒ですよ変態様」 おっと、どうやら見つめすぎたみたい。ミアちゃんがおっぱいを両手で隠してしまった。まぁそれはそれで胸の形が変わる様子が色っぽいんだけどね。 これ以上やるとフィニアちゃん以上にレイラちゃんが何をしでかすか分からないから控えておく。 笑い声が低いトーンになってるしね、相変わらず笑顔で匂いを嗅いでるけど。ミアちゃんも引いてるし、仲間だと思われたくないなぁ......他人のフリしたい。 「......なんでレイラ様の髪が白くなってるんですか?」 「一晩で老けたんだよ」 「なんで眼が赤いんですか?」 「寝不足で充血したんだよ」 「そろそろ僕も返して欲しいんだけどね」 ミアちゃんがなんだか呆れた様な眼でレイラちゃんを見ている。そして僕の方を見て、理由の説明には納得していないのか溜め息を吐いた。ミアちゃんは頭が良いからね、きっと僕が理由を説明しないことは分かるんだろう。 でも、こんな変態行為を続ける子でも一応Cランク、実力は折り紙付きだ。だからなのか、ミアちゃんは依頼書の受注手続きを手早く済ませて、サインを書いた依頼書を渡してきた。 「グランディール王国のギルドに渡して下さい、それで依頼達成となります。護衛対象である商人の方からのサインを忘れると報酬が貰えないので、気を付けてくださいね」 「うん、ありがとう」 「出発は明日の朝です。ミニエラの入り口に集合となってますので、早めに行って他の冒険者の方と交流を深めるのも手かと」 ああ、他に3人いるもんね。確かにそれはそうか。チームワークが大事だもんね。まぁプライド高い人とか居たら面倒だけど、いざとなったら『不気味体質』で脅そう。そういう人は一回痛い目見ないと分からないからね。 僕はミアちゃんにそう言って、薄ら笑いを浮かべる。 正直な所、彼女には結構お世話になったからね、ちゃんとお礼は言っておかないと。 すると、ミアちゃんは驚いた様な表情を浮かべて、少し間を空けて返事を返してきた。 「え? あっ............はい、こちらこそ楽しかったですよ、きつね様のいるギルドは。お気を付けて―――いってらっしゃいませ」 いつも通り送り出してくれるその言葉が、今日はなんだか深く染み入った気がした。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 今日は、少しだけ座ってみる光景が違っている様な気がした。 私はこのギルドの受付嬢として務めて、まだ数年だ。毎日毎日、依頼を受けにくる冒険者様達を笑顔で迎えるのも慣れて、受注手続きをして送り出す日々。私はそんな日常でもつまらないと思ったことはない。給料だってそれなりに良いし、同僚や後輩だって良い人ばかりだから。 でも、こんな日常の中でもやっぱり慣れないことが一つある。 冒険者というのは、命を掛けて魔獣や魔族と戦う仕事でもある故に、依頼を受注した冒険者が依頼中に殉職して、戻って来ない事も少なくない。 中でも、私が受付した冒険者が死んだと聞いた時は、やっぱり少し思うところがある。つい先日まで生きて、話をした相手が死ぬというのはやっぱり辛い。それを体感して辞めていく子もいるのだから。 だから、きつね様がこのギルドで仕事をし始めた時、これほど安心出来る冒険者はいないと思った。 Hランクだから、命を落とす仕事は出来ない。嫌でも命を落とすことはないだろうと思えた。昇格試験も受けるつもりがない所も、立ち場とは裏腹に安心した部分がある。 でも、いつしかきつね様が魔獣討伐の依頼を受けるようになった。フィニア様がFランクの冒険者になったからだ。受けるのは雑魚魔獣ばかりだったけれど、『赤い夜』の件もあったから今まで彼にだけは感じていなかった不安が、安心感を塗りつぶしていった。 私は受付嬢だから、彼に昇格試験を勧める事もしなくてはならない。Hランクでも実力が伴っていると判断した場合、昇格試験を勧める義務があるからだ。断って欲しいと思いながらも勧めてみれば、彼は普通に断ってくれた。 少し、安心感が戻った。 でも、雑魚を倒して一週間が経った頃、彼はEランク魔獣『 今まで話してきた冒険者達に、そんなことを思ったことはない。死んでしまうのは仕方がないと、半ば諦めた様な感覚で見送っていたから。 だからだろう、私にとってきつね様は少し特別な存在なのだと自覚出来た。 その日は、仕事も手に付かず、きつね様の無事だけを祈っていた。何処か上の空だったのか、冒険者の何人かが心配そうに声を掛けてくれたけれど、なんて返したのかは覚えていない。 そして、きつね様が無事に帰ってきて、いつもの薄ら笑いが私の視界に入った時、心の中では凄く安堵していた。レイラ・ヴァーミリオンというCランクの冒険者がいた事の驚愕もあって、なんとかバレないようにいつも通りを装えたけれど、きつね様が帰って来た事が嬉しかった。 そしてその日、私はきつね様が帰って行くのを見送りながら、理解する。多分、私にとって彼は弟みたいな存在なのだ。心配を掛ける弟のように思っていたのだ。 彼は他の冒険者に比べて小柄だし、童顔で、親近感の湧く様な子供っぽい性格をしているから、きっとそんな風に思ってしまうのだろう。少なくとも、恋愛感情では無いことは確かだ。 だから、翌日きつね様がこの国を出る護衛依頼を受けにきた際、少しその事実を受け入れられなかった。いや、気付かないふりをしていたというべきだろうか。 いつも通りの薄ら笑いを見て、私は普段の様な会話を交わす。レイラ様が白髪赤眼になっている事よりも、きつね様の学ランを着て嬉しそうにしているのが少しむっとした。懐いていた弟が突然彼女を連れて来たような気分だった。 そして、いつも通り受注処理をして送りだそうとしたところで、きつね様が言った。 その言葉で、ようやく気が付く。きつね様が、私の日常からいなくなる事実に。思わず茫然となり、少しの間頭の中が真っ白になった。 でも、 私は受付嬢、冒険者を送りだすのが私の役目。それが例え勝手に弟の様に思っているきつね様だとしても、同じ。行き先が弱肉強食のグランディール王国だとしても、私には止める事が出来ない。 それを考えて、少しだけ言葉を呑む。そして、どうにか声を絞り出した。 どうか、どうか死なないで欲しいと、生きて欲しいと、そう祈りながら、 「............はい、こちらこそ楽しかったですよ、きつね様のいるギルドは。お気を付けて―――いってらっしゃいませ」 いつも通りに送り出す。でも、今日のいってらっしゃいませには、今までにない感情が込められたと思う。 行ってらっしゃい、願わくば生きてもう一度此処に帰って来て欲しい。 その時は、きっと本当の笑顔でお帰りなさいと言える気がするから。

Guarding Request and Receptionist Well, after that, along with Rishe-chan, we discussed a bit more about our plan to leave Miniera, and after I got all of their consent about this matter, we finally started our action for today. Seems like we can't use Leila-chan as our guide to Grandile Kingdom since her sense of direction is still as amazing as usual. Therefore I hereby grant her the title of 'useless'. Even though she decide to follow us, but to be unable to over any aid, how pathetic of her. Perhaps Rishe-chan hasn't ever seen any demon, so even if seeing Leila-chan with white hair and red eyes is perhaps still acceptable, but she only looks somewhat curious without saying a word when she sees the dark miasma that is floating around Leila-chan's. Perhaps she doesn't notice it, or perhaps she notices it but she simply puts her trust at me. But, well, leaving that aside, since having Leila-chan goes outside along with that miasma would be troublesome, so I ask her to retract it back, and then I lend her my gakuran in exchange. At day she's still somewhat rational, and seems like she's capable to do it. Nonetheless, since she's way closer into that one of a stalker rather than a comrade, so I won't treat her similarly like how I treat Finia-chan and the other, but I'll simply take her as an useful person. After all, even if she's a demon, at least she's still a C rank adventurer. So I have to properly use her established reputation for my sake. Eh? Cruel? What's so bad about it knowing that she's someone who is after my life? No no, I might indeed look like someone who is manipulating her good favor and using her as my financial support, but that's conditional, you know? If you're at my position, I'm sure you'll understand it. "*sniff*... Kitsune-kun's smell... ufufu, ufufufu... it's the best...." "...." Someone like that is keep on following me, you know? If I do it carelessly, I might end up having her always following me from now on, you know? Someone without any good will, and would get excited and laughing just by sniffing my smell, you know? Just imagine it, that you have someone like her as your coworker or classmate, someone who is noisy and also annoying. "Kitsune-san... are you really going to take that girl along?" "Please bear with it, Finia-chan... trust me, I also don't like it." Even Rishe-chan and Lulu-chan are drawn aback from that C rank adventurer, Leila Vermilion. Are every strong person also like her, I wonder.... If that's really the case then perhaps even the hero also might has such screwed personality, right? Like, using his title as hero to makes a harem, or using his strength to do anything as he pleased. Uwah, just thinking about it makes me lost my motivation to meet him. Well, while thinking about such a thing, we walk toward the guild. To go to Grandile Kingdom, the only means we can take is to take a "guarding request". Since that request could only be taken by an E rank adventurer or above, I was intending to have Finia-chan and the other to raised their rank till the required rank, but since right now we accidentally have a C rank adventurer so we can immediately take the request. "Guarding request" was a request that was usually be issued when there was someone who was going to travel from a country into another one, usually been issued by a merchant, but sometime there was also the case when citizen issued such request, too. In exchange for guarding them along the way, they would let the adventurers to ride their cart during travelling. Well, the reward is vary, but, in exchange for us guarding them, we don't need to pay the transport fee, that was the source of the establishment of guarding request. "Say, Kitsune, are we really going to go to Grandile Kingdom? To be frank, I don't think it won't be take too long for us increase our strength a bit more before going there, you know?" "Well, I understand your worry knowing that that place is a country of battle junkies, but... we aren't going there to fight, you know? As a country, it would be strange if there's no proper person who dislike fight, after all, so we're aiming for those people." Rishe-chan makes a somewhat uneasy expression, but it isn't like fight would continuously happen day and night, right? Not to mention, I'm pretty sure that there are also merchant and normal citizen, after all. In any case, even if you're an adventurer, as long as you're able to properly avoid any fight then you should be able to live peacefully. Well, if you're unluckily got involved with the hero then perhaps it's bound to happen that you'd have to have a fight, though. Well, just in case, we have Finia-chan, after all, also, I don't like it but there's also Leila-chan. So we shouldn't be that easily die, right? Even I, as long as it isn't an instant death, by activating "Near-death experience" I won't easily die, after all. "Hmm... if that's the case then it's fine, though...." "You don't need to worry about it too much, also, we can still get stronger along the way there, you know?" "...got it." It might be a bit too forceful, but it isn't like I don't understand her worry. It might looks a bit too rushed, but as far as I'm concerned, I want to meet the hero while he's still at the Grandile Kingdom. If he has left on journey to defeat the demon lord, then I don't have any means to find him, after all. And, while having such conversation, we finally arrived at the guild. Opening the door, we enter the building, and the adventurer's gazes are gathered at us. And then, upon seeing my face, everyone averted their faces again. There are people who restart their conversation again, looking for a request, or continue their meal. But there's one common thing among them, they look at our direction again with a surprised expression. Perhaps, the reason is the white haired and red eyed Leila-chan who wears my gakuran, and the just grown Lulu-chan, right? Their transformation are too eye catching, after all. "Her hair is white, but... is that, Leila Vermilion?" "That beast-kin girl, did she has reached her secondary growth... how lovely!" "You're right, she becomes such a pretty girl, wahaha!" The adventurers become noisy. Their reaction for Leila-chan and Lulu-chan sure are quite extreme. They bear doubt and bewilderment toward Leila-chan, while they give blessing and laugh toward Lulu-chan. Even so, is beast-kin's growth a common sense here? Since these adventurers are laughing happily toward her growth, after all. Hearing that, Lulu-chan's face is a bit blushed, but when I gently pat her head, she bashfully act as if in shy. Yup, cute. "Kitsune-san! Here is a guarding request toward Grandile Kingdom!" "Yes, thank you, Finia-chan." And then, Finia-chan comes while bringing along a request she took beforehand. When I ask her to read it, it's a request from a merchant who is planning to go to Grandile Kingdom. The recruited adventurers are eight people, with us, then there would be three more persons, right? I think it's a good request so I take it to Mia-chan's place. "Mia-chan, please let us take it." "Yes... wait, you're going to go to Grandile kingdom?" "Yes." "Umm... but... are you sure? It is a country with the law of the jungle, you know?" "Even so, I have my own reason that makes me have to go there, after all." Seems like Mia-chan is also worried similarly like Rishe-chan. At our first meeting, she called me as a pervert, but she sure has considerably changed. As far as I'm concerned, it isn't like I've given up on groping that boobs of her-- yup, not in the slightest. "You're staring at my chest too much." "I'm not looking at your chest, but your boobs." "That's same, pervert-sama." Oops, seems like I stared at it too much. Mia-chan hides her boobs with both of her hands. Well, even so, the scene where her boobs changes its shape looks erotic, though. If I do anything further, I don't know what Finia-chan and Leila-chan might do so let's stop it here. She laughs with a low tone, after all, she's still smiling while sniffing my gakuran, though. Even Mia-chan is taken aback, I really don't want to be considered as her comrade... I want to act as if a stranger of her. "...why is Leila-sama's hair changed into white?" "She suddenly grown old overnight, you see." "Why are her eyes red?" "It's because of lack of sleep, you see." "Even I want her to return it soon, you know." Mia-chan is looking at Leila-chan with a somewhat astonished eyes. And then, looking at me, perhaps she doesn't consent with my explanation, she lets out a sigh. Mia-chan is intelligent, after all, I'm sure she understand the reason why I didn't want to explain it. But, even she acts like a pervert, she's still a C rank adventurer, her ability is not something to be laughed at. Perhaps that's why Mia-chan quickly finished the request procedure, and after put a sign at it, she hand over the request application to me. "Please give it to the guild at Grandile kingdom, with that you'll complete the request. Also, since you won't receive your reward if you forget to ask for the merchant-sama who issued this request to sign this request application, so please be careful." "Yes, thank you." "The departure is tomorrow morning. Since the gathering location is at Miniera's gate, I think would be better if you go there as early as possible and deepen your connection with the other adventurers first." Ah, there are also three other people, right? That's indeed right. Teamwork is important, after all. Well, it sure would be troublesome if they're people with utterly high pride, but when the time comes to it, I'd simply activate my "Eerie Constitution". Such people won't understand it unless they experience painful experience first, after all. I say so to Mia-chan, and float a faint smile. Honestly speaking, I'm pretty indebted toward her, after all, so I have to properly give her my gratitude. In doing so, Mia-chan floats a somewhat surprised expression, and blanking for a while before replying at me. "Eh? Ah... yes, for me, it was also a fun time, the guild when you were around. Please be-- have a nice trip." She says the usual word when she sends me out, but this time, I feel a somewhat deeper meaning in it. * * * Today, I felt like the sight was slightly different. It was only been several years ever since I started working as a receptionist in this guild. Day by day, I'd used to smile to every adventurers-sama whenever they took a request, processed the procedure and finally sent them off. I never thought such daily as a boring life. The salary was also considerably good, my coworkers and juniors were also all good people. However, even amidst such daily life, as expected there was something I couldn't get used to. Adventurer was, a job that put their lives on the line to fought against magical beast, therefore, the amount of adventurers who accepted a request but got killed in the process and didn't returned wasn't small. Among them, the time when the adventurers who accepted the request through me were dead, as expected it felt a bit hard for me. It was hard to accept the fact that the people who still alive and had a chat with me just a few days ago were suddenly died. There were also receptionists who resigned when they experienced such feeling, after all. That was why, the moment Kitsune-sama started to work as an adventurer at this guild, I thought that there was no adventurer who could put me at relief as he did. Because he was an H rank, he couldn't take any dangerous request. I thought that with that he wouldn't suddenly die. He even didn't have any intention to raise his rank, I had a great relive knowing that he didn't have any attachment toward status. However, someday, Kitsune-sama suddenly decided to take a subjugation request. Because Finia-sama had become an F rank adventurer. Their targets were nothing but small fries, but, since there was also the case about "Red Night", so the sense of anxiety that I never felt about him before was painting over my sense of security about him. Because I was a receptionist, I had to propose a rank up trial to him. Because I had an obligation to propose it to any adventurers who I deemed their ability were above their current rank, after all. And when I proposed it while hoping that he'd refuse it, he casually refused it. Just a bit, my sense of security was returned. However, around a week after he first defeated those small fries, he went on subjugating an E rank magical beast, "Arachne". At that time, from the bottom of my heart, I felt that I didn't want him to go. Or, he could go, but please don't die, or so I thought. I never thought such a thing even once to any adventurers who came and talked to me. If they died then I'd only think that it couldn't be helped, because I'd always sent them off with a half resignation, after all. Perhaps, that was why, I came to an awareness that Kitsune-sama was someone who was a bit special for me. That day, while doing my work, I kept on praying for Kitsune-sama's safety. Perhaps I looked absent-minded, so some adventurers came and calling out to me with a somewhat worried expression, but I didn't remember how I answered them in return. And then, the moment I saw Kitsune-sama returned safely while floating his usual faint smile, I felt a great relief at my heart. I was somewhat surprised that the C rank adventurer, Leila Vermilion, was together with him, so I tried to act as usual to hide my surprise, but I was really happy that Kitsune-sama returned safely. And then, that day, while sending off Kitsune-sama went home, I understood it. Perhaps, for me, he was someone akin to a little brother. I thought him as a little brother who tended to cause worry to me. Compared to any other adventurers, his body was small, baby-faced, and having such childish personality, perhaps that was why I thought him as such. At least, I was sure that it wasn't a romantic feeling. That was why, at the next day when Kitsune-sama accepted a guarding request to left this country, I couldn't completely accept that reality. No, perhaps pretending to didn't notice it would be more precise. Looking at his usual faint smile, I exchanged a conversation with him as I usually did. Rather than the fact that Leila-sama hair was changed into white and her eyes into red, I felt a bit more irritated upon looking her wearing Kitsune-sama's clothes delightfully. And then, when I finished the request acceptance procedure and sending him off, he said such. At that word, I finally realized it. The fact that Kitsune-sama would disappear from my daily life. I spontaneously got dumbfounded, for a moment my head went blank. However, I was a receptionist, sending off adventurer was my job. It was still the same even if it was Kitsune-sama whom I was arbitrarily thought as my little brother. Even if his destination was the survival of the fittest country, Grandile kingdom, I couldn't stop him. Thinking so, I swallowed that thought down again. And then, I was somehow able to squeeze out some words. Please, please don't die, please stay safe, while wishing so. "...yes, for me, it was also a fun time, the guild when you were around. Please be-- have a nice trip." The usual sending off word. But, I felt like today's 'have a nice trip' was filled with a feeling that it never had before. Have a nice trip, I prayed for his safety so that he could return here again. At that time, I felt like I sent him off while floating a genuine smile at my face.

「すいませーん」 「ああ、今出る―――て......ははは、一週間ぶりだな、きつね」 「うん、久しぶり。借りてたお金を返しにきたよ」 「リーシェちゃん久しぶり! 元気だった?」 扉を開けて出て来たリーシェは、桔音の顔を見るや否や笑みを浮かべた。そして久々に会えたことを喜び、フィニアが出してきた小さな手の平に自身の手の平を合わせ、ハイタッチを交わした。 「ああ、待ってたよ。立ち話もなんだ、入ってくれ」 「じゃあ遠慮なく」 リーシェが扉を全開にして、桔音達を迎え入れてくれる。桔音はフィニアを肩に乗せて部屋の中に踏み入った。 中は桔音の借りている部屋と同じ間取りで、以前起きた時にも見た光景があった。自分の部屋と同じなのに、どこか懐かしさを感じさせるのは、きっとリーシェがいるからだろう。 桔音はリーシェの差し出した椅子に座り、リーシェもベッドに腰掛けた。 「じゃあ、遅れたけど......改めて、助けてくれてありがとう」 「ああ、どういたしまして。元気そうで何よりだ」 桔音はポケットから用意していた銀貨を3枚取り出し、リーシェに手渡す。リーシェもそれを受け取り、懐に入れた。 一宿一飯の恩義、これだけで返せたとは思っていないが、借りたお金を返すことが出来たことで、桔音も幾分気楽になったみたいだ。フィニアもそんな二人を見て、にこにこと向日葵のように笑顔を浮かべていた。 「それで、今日はリーシェちゃんと遊ぼうと思って来たんだ」 「此処一週間ずっと依頼をこなしてたからね、今日くらいは息抜きをしようと思って。それならリーシェちゃんも誘おうって話になったんだよ」 「あ、ああ......そうか、しかし困ったな......私はこれから訓練に行こうと思ってたんだが......」 リーシェを誘った桔音だが、リーシェは都合が悪いようだった。見ればその姿は外出する格好をしている。その腰には最初に会った時に桔音の目を惹いた剣を提げて、肩には小さめの鞄を掛けている。おそらく救急箱の様に医療道具が入っているのだろう。 これでは遊びに行くのは無理そうだ。桔音はそう判断する。元々の予定を狂わせてまで、無理に遊びに連れ出そうとは思わない。 「じゃあきつねさんも訓練に連れて行って貰えば良いじゃん!」 だが、その時フィニアがそう提案した。 桔音もリーシェも目を丸くする。だが、フィニアはお構いなしとばかりに胸を張って名案とばかりに続けた。 「きつねさんも一週間ずっとお手伝いばっかりで全然強くなってないじゃん! この機会に少しは修行したほうがいいよ!」 フィニアの言っていることは尤もだ。桔音は森から逃げて来た時以降、全くレベルを上げていない。故にレベルはまだ4のままだ。防御力を死なないように上げる、と言ってはみたものの、その努力はしていなかった。 桔音はフィニアの言葉を聞いて、密かに自分に『ステータス鑑定』を発動させた。 名前:薙刀桔音 性別:男 Lv4 筋力:40 耐性:180 魔力:20 称号:『異世界人』 スキル:『痛覚無効Lv1』『不気味体質』『異世界言語翻訳』『ステータス鑑定』『不屈』『威圧』『臨死体験』 スキル『不屈』が発動すれば、全ステータスに補正が入るが、それが無い通常時は耐性のステータス以外冒険者として心許無い数値だ。そこで、フィニアのステータスも見てみた。 名前:フィニア 性別:女 Lv11(↑8UP) 筋力:310 体力:540 敏捷:430 称号:『片想いの妖精』 スキル:『光魔法Lv3』『魔力回復Lv4(↑2UP)』『治癒魔法Lv3』『火魔法Lv4(↑1UP)』『身体強化Lv1(NEW!)』 PTメンバー:◎薙刀桔音 フィニアのステータスは最後に見た時よりも向上していた。魔力の能力値など以前の倍以上にまで膨れ上がっている。しかも、『魔力回復Lv4』に『火魔法Lv4』とは、スキルのレベルまで向上しているではないか。更に新たなスキルを増やしている。 フィニアは基本的に桔音と行動を共にし、此処一週間離れることはなかった筈。なのに何故レベルも能力値も上がっているのだろうか? 桔音はフィニアの顔を驚いた表情で見る。すると、フィニアはそんな桔音に気が付いたのかドヤ顔を浮かべながら口を開いた。 「私は睡眠が必要ないからね! きつねさんが寝ている間、此処一週間はこっそり魔力を練ったり、外の狼達を相手に修行してたんだよ!」 「へぇ......フィニアちゃん、駄目じゃないかそんな危ないことしちゃ」 だが、桔音はそんなフィニアの行動に眉を潜めていた。別に強くなることが悪いわけではない。しかし、フィニアが自分の寝ている間に『魔獣と戦っていた』ということが許せないのだ。下手をすれば、命を落とすことだってあり得る。 「万が一あの怪物に遭ったらどうするの? もうそんな危ないことしないでね」 「う、うん......ごめんなさい」 だから桔音はフィニアを叱った。森の中で出会い、今日までずっと一緒にいたパートナーだ、死んだりされた日には立ち直れる気すらしない。だからこそ、自分の知らない所で危険なことはして欲しくなかったのだ。 「うん、でも凄いじゃないか! レベルも能力値も大幅に上がってる! 頼もしいね!」 「え......う、うん! 任せて! きつねさんは私が護るんだから!」 だが、桔音は素直に謝ったフィニアを許し、そのステータスを褒めた。反省すればそれでいい、自分の為に頑張ってステータスを上げたことは感謝しなければならないだろう。そう思ってのことだった。 「でもそうだね......このままじゃフィニアちゃんにも置いてかれちゃうし......」 桔音はフィニアからリーシェに視線を移動させた。リーシェは桔音の視線にきょとんと首を傾げる。 「うん、そうだね......リーシェちゃん、僕も訓練に連れて行ってくれないかな? 出来れば、でいいんだけど」 桔音はフィニアに置いて行かれないよう自身の強化を行うことにした。冒険者のランクを上げるつもりは当分ないが、自分の身を自分で護れるようになったほうが良い。この世界はただでさえ、人の命が簡単に失われるような世界なのだから。 すると、リーシェは顎に手をやり、少し思案した後結論を出した。 「ああ、分かった。今日は私個人の訓練だったし、良いよ」 「ありがとう、リーシェちゃん」 「場所は国の入り口から少し歩いた草原だ。昼間はあそこに、森に住めない野生の雑魚魔獣がうろついているんだ、そいつらを相手にしようと思ってる。先に行って入り口で待っているから、準備してくると良い」 「え、いやこのままで良いけど」 桔音はリーシェの言葉にそう言う。だが、リーシェはそんな桔音の言葉にすっと目を細めた。 「何を言っているんだ、きつね。雑魚とはいえ武器も無しに魔獣を倒せる筈がないだろう、ふざけてるのか?」 「あ、そういえばそうか」 桔音は元の世界では武器なんて持つ習慣も無かった故に、武器の存在をすっかり忘れていた。魔獣を倒すのは冒険者や騎士、だがその為には武器が必要なのだ。 だが桔音が持っている武器らしいものといえば、折れたナイフくらいだ。 「......分かった、それじゃあ用意していくよ」 桔音は少し考えて、そう言った。リーシェは頷く桔音を見て、立ち上がる。桔音も同様に立ち上がり、リーシェと共に部屋を出た。鍵を閉めるリーシェを見つつ、桔音は自分の部屋へと向かう。 「それじゃ、またあとでね」 リーシェは階段を下りて行き、桔音は自分の部屋へと入った。 ◇ ◇ ◇ さて、困った。 リーシェちゃんと訓練に行くことを決めたはいいけど、魔獣討伐の依頼を受ける予定はなかったから武器なんて買っていない。考えてみれば僕だけじゃないのかな、武器持ってない冒険者とか。 森ではフィニアちゃんが魔法ぶっ放してくれたから武器はいらなかったし、蜂は踏みつぶせば死んだし、狼は素直に撤退してくれたからなぁ......全く考えになかった。 そもそも、僕は武器を持ったことはない。定番なのはやっぱり剣だけど、普通いきなり剣を殺す為に使いこなせる奴なんていない。そんなのは小説のや漫画の中だけの話だよ。まして、僕は『ステータス鑑定』以外なにかしらのチートや特典的な力を獲得している訳じゃないんだから。 「どうするの? きつねさん」 フィニアちゃんがそう聞いてくるけど、訓練の為にはまぁ武器を手に入れないとリーシェちゃんが許してくれないだろう。 幸いなことに、武器屋は入口に向かう途中にあったし、何か手頃なのを買おうかな。 「うん、買おう。安くて僕でも使える奴」 「おお! やっときつねさんが武器を持つんだね! 冒険者らしくなってきたよ!」 「稼いだお金も大分溜まっているし、武器の一本くらいは買えるでしょ」 とりあえず今まで稼いだ金をポケットの中に詰め込んで、部屋を出る。階段を下りて行けばもう一週間世話になっている女将さんと目が合った。ちなみに女将さんの名前はエイラさんというらしい。 「お、また出るのかい?」 「うん、リーシェちゃんとちょっと訓練に」 「そうかい、気を付けるんだよ?」 此処一週間でエイラさんとも気の知れる間柄になった。今では挨拶混じりに雑談する程度には親しくなったと思う。元の世界では周囲の皆から嫌われていたから、こうやって親しくしてくれる人がいるのは少しくすぐったい気分になる。 「はい」 「いってきまーす!」 「はいはい、フィニアちゃんもいってらっしゃい」 横でぶんぶんと手を振るフィニアちゃんを連れて、宿を出る。相も変わらず賑やかな街並みだなぁ。 少し感傷的になった所で、リーシェちゃんをあまり待たせられない。早く武器屋に向かうことにしよう。 「ねぇフィニアちゃん」 「元の世界に帰るのってどうすればいいんだろうねぇ」 元の世界に帰る。それは文字にすれば簡単、言葉にするのも簡単、でも、実現するのは簡単じゃない。本来、歩いたり船に乗ったり飛行機に乗ったりして移動出来る場所でもないんだ。世界を越えて、別の世界に行くなんて、全く方法が思い付かない。 可能性があるとすれば、フィニアちゃんも使える『魔法』というファンタジーな代物。召喚魔法みたいなものがあるのなら、送還魔法だってある可能性はある。魔法には詳しくないけど、まずはそこから当たってみるかな。 「......あるよ! 探せばきっと!」 でも、もしもそんな方法が存在しなかったら? しおりちゃんに会う方法が無かったら? そう考えると、僕がこの世界に生きる理由が無くなってしまう。それは......大きな不安だ。 フィニアちゃんはそう言ってくれるけど、この不安は全く晴れない。あれだけの経験をしたから、怖いものなんて何もないと思ってたけど、こればっかりは無理そうだ。 「......そうだね」 今気にしても仕方が無い。考えないでおこう。 「あ、きつねさん! 武器屋だよ!」 武器屋に着いた。思考を切り変えて行こう。 「あいよー!」 店に入って声を掛けると、店の奥から野太い声が聞こえた。そして少し待つと、小さなおじさんが出て来た。僕の腰ほどの身長なのに、顔は僕よりも随分年上に見える。 多分、ドワーフって種族なんだろうね。物作りが得意で、武器屋にいるってのはまぁ印象通りかな。 「待たせたな、何の用だ?」 「武器を買いたいんだよ、安くても良いから僕でも振るえる剣やナイフが欲しい」 「ほぉ......そのナリで剣を振るおうってか、随分と身の程知らずなガキのようだな」 ドワーフは僕にそう言ってきた。確かに、武器を作る者からすればそれを振るう人間について、見ればそれなりに分かるのも頷ける。多分そういう意味で、ドワーフは僕を身の程知らずと評価した。 「お前さん、なんで武器が欲しいんだ? 遊びで持ちたいってんなら帰れ、コイツらは遊びで欲しがるような低俗な品じゃねぇんだ」 そういうドワーフは、僕のことを見極めようとしているような、探るような瞳をしていた。本気の意味で、武器を欲しているのか、確かめようとしているのが分かった。 でも、僕がこの世界でやることは全て同じ目的の下やっているんだ。これは、僕の行動理念であり、たった一つの だから、答えよう。僕が武器を持つ理由は、 それだけだ。 「............その眼、嘘じゃねぇみてぇだな」 「勿論、僕は死ぬわけにはいかない。生きないとならない理由がある」 「......そうかい、お前さんの眼をみりゃ本気なのは分かった。だが、お前みてぇなひょろっちぃ身体で振るえる剣っつったら、大したもんはねぇぞ?」 「それでもいいよ、今の僕には武器が必要だ」 そう言うと、ドワーフは思案顔で数秒考えた後、一本の剣を取り出してきた。それは剣というには短く、40cmくらいの小剣だった。 「こいつは比較的筋力で男に劣る一般の女でも振るえる。そこそこ頑丈に出来てっから身を護る程度のことは出来るだろうよ」 「じゃあそれが欲しいな」 「じゃあこれで」 銀貨10枚とは結構高くついたけど、払えない額じゃない。ポケットから銀貨を10枚取り出して、ドワーフに渡した。代わりに、小剣を受け取る。命を狩り取る為の武器だからか、本来の重みよりも少し重く感じた。 「手入れが必要なら持ってこい、手入れしてやる」 「うん、ところで貴方の名前は?」 「あん? 俺は見ての通りドワーフのグランだ」 「僕は冒険者のきつね、よろしくお願いします」 「ああ、お前さんが生きている内はな」 冒険者は自由の人、故にいつ死ぬかは分からない。だからこその言葉だろうが、僕は頷いた。死なない限りはよろしくしてくれるのなら良いことだ。僕は死ぬつもりなんてさらさらないからね。 さて、武器も手に入れたことだし、リーシェちゃんの所に行くとしよう。店を出て、小剣をベルトの付いた鞘に収めながら腰に提げた。 「それにしてもなんか静かだったね、フィニアちゃん」 「......なんか顔は渋いのに身体は小さいっていうちぐはぐな感じがちょっと怖かったの」 「あ......そう」 意外にもフィニアはドワーフが苦手のようだった。

[Excuse me~] [Aah, I'll come out now------eh......Hahaha, it's been a week now, Kitsune] [Yep, glad to see you again. We came here to return the money we borrowed] [I'm glad to see you again Rishe! Have you been alright?] Rishe who opened the door and came out made a smile as soon as the face of Kitsune was seen. And after they exchanged their words of greeting for a long time, Finia took out her small hand while matching it up with Rishe and thye both exchanged a High touch. (TLN: Original word is High touch so I'll leave it at that but it's high five.) [Yeah, I've been waiting for you. Talking while standing here is a little bit.., so let's go inside] [Then I shall excuse myself] Rishe opened the door wide and invited Kitsune inside. Kitsune placed Finia on his shoulder and stepped inside the room. The room had the same arrangement as the one Kitsune is also using, and there was the spectacle seen while he woke up from before. Though it was the same as their room, but there was this feeling of nostalgia, maybe because Rishe was there. Kitsune sat on the chair that Rishe presented while Rishe also sat on the bed. [Then, though it's already late......For the second time, thank you for saving us] [Ah, my pleasure. I'm glad that you two are energetic] Kitsune took out 3 silver coins that he prepared in his pocket and handed it over to Rishe. Rishe receives it and put it in her bosom Obligation incurred through accepting hospitality, though she didn't think that the money wouldn't be returned already, but since the money was able to be returned, Kitsune seems to have become eased somewhat too. Finia who sees those two like that made a smile like a sunflower. [And, though I thought I would come over to play with Rishe-chan] [We easily handled requests continuously for a week like this, so we thought that we would take a break for today. So it became a talk where we should ask Rishe-chan to join us] [A-, ahh......is that so, but this is troubling......I was thinking of training later though......] Though Rishe is being invited by Kitsune, Rishe seems to be busy. She's also wearing clothes like she's gonna go out for a while when looking at her. The eyes of Kitsune was attracted to those hips that had a sword attached to it the first time they met and a small bag is worn on her shoulder. It's most likely a first aid kit with medical treatment tools inside of it. It looks like it would be impossible for her to come and play. Kitsune judged so. To make her original schedule a mess, he thought that he should forcibly take her out to play. [Then you just have to take Kitsune with you in training!] However, Finia proposed it so like that at that time. Kitsune and Rishe were both astonished. However, Finia didn't care and continued to stick out he chest like she's implying that it's a good idea. [Kitsune-san hasn't tremendously strengthened at all from all the one whole week of helping!You should train a bit with this chance!] What Finia said is quite right. After Kitsune ran away from the forest last time, he didn't raise a single level at all. Therefore his level is still at 4. I should raise my defense power to the extent of me not dying, is what he said but he didn't even make any effort on doing it. Kitsune listened to the words of Finia and secretly invoked {Status Judgement} on himself. Name: Naginata Kitsune Gender: Male Lv4 Strength: 40 Resilience: 135 Magic: 5200 Title:{Other World Person} Skill:{Pain null Lv1} {Eerie Constitution} {Different global language translation} {Status Judgement} {Fortitude} {Overpowering} {Near death experience} When the skill {Fortitude} is invoked, though the coercion enters to all throughout the status, time is usually a numerical value that adventurers are anxious about excluding the status of the tolerance in which it is not. Name: Finia Gender: Female Lv11(|8UP) Strength: 310 Stamina: 540 Dexterity: 430 Title: {Fairy of Unrequited love} Skill:{Light Magic Lv3} {Magic recovery Lv4(|2UP)} {Healing magic Lv3} {Flame Magic Lv4(|1UP)} {Body StrengtheningLv1(NEW!)} PT Member: *Naginata Kitsune Finia's status has improved from the last time I saw it. The ability level of her Magic is now twice or more from the previous one. Moreover, her {Magic Recovery Lv4} and{Flame magic Lv4} skills have gone up a level. Furthermore, a new skill has been added to her. Finia basically participated with Kitsune's action, and she shouldn't have had any time to be apart from him in this whole week. Nevertheless why has her level and ability level gone up? Kitsune can be seen with a shocked expression while looking at Finia. Then, Finia has who noticed such a Kitsune made a confused face and opened her mouth. [It's because I don't need sleep! While Kitsune-san was asleep, I quietly polished up my magic and trained with the wolves as my opponent outside!] [I see......Finia-chan, you shouldn't do those kind of dangerous things] However, Kitsune hid his eyebrow from the action of Finia. It's not like getting stronger is wrong. However, Finia saying that {I fought against monsters} while he was sleeping is what he couldn't forgive. If she became careless, her life might be the price at that stake. [What would you do if by chance you encountered that monster? Don't do something reckless like that again] (TLN: Kitsune talking about Miasma monster....which is my love) [Ye-, yes......I'm sorry] That is why Kitsune scolded Finia. They met in the forest, has been partners for a long time till now, and if she's gone then it would become impossible for him to get back on his feet. For that reason, he didn't want her to go to a place he didn't know and do something dangerous. [Yes, however isn't that great! Your level and ability level has greatly grown! You sure are reliable!] [Eh......Y-, yes! Leave it to me! Because I'll protect Kitsune myself!] However, Kitsune forgave Finia who has obediently apologized and praised her status. It is alright if you will reflect on it, and he should be grateful for her hard work in raising her status for him. That is what he thought of. [However that is so......I'll be asking Finia's help forever if this continues......] Kitsune moved his glance from Finia to Rishe. Rishe inclined her neck in response to Kitsune's gaze with a sound of *Kyoton*. [Yeah, that is so......Rishe-chan, Is it possible for you to take me with you in your training? If it's possible, that is.] Kitsune decided to get stronger so he wouldn't rely on Finia too much. Though he didn't have the will to raise his adventurer ranking for now, but it would be better if becomes someone who can protect one's own body. This world isn't simple since this is a world where one can easily lose their life. Then, Rishe places her hand on her chin, and she gave her answer after thinking for a while. [Okay, I understand. Since today is just training by myself, then it's alright] [Thank you, Rishe-chan] [The place will be the meadows outside from the entrance of this country so it will be a bit of a walk. In the daytime, the small fry monsters loiter around the forest, so they shall be our opponents is what I've thought. I'll be going now so I'll meet you at the entrance I said a while ago so it's alright if you prepare first] [Eh, though I'm already alright as I am right now] Kitsune says those words to Rishe. However, Rishe abruptly narrowed her eyes on Kitsune who said such words. [What are you saying, Kitsune. Even if I say they're small fry but it's impossible to defeat them without a weapon, are you kidding me?] [Ah, Incidentally that is so] Since Kitsune's past world didn't have a custom of bringing a weapon with them, he completely forgot the existence of the thing called weapons. Knights and Adventurers are the ones who defeats monsters, but weapons are needed for that to happen. However if one says a weapon that Kitsune has then it was a broken knife. [......I understand, then I'll go prepare myself now] Kitsune thought for a second and said so. Rishe looked and nods in agreement to Kitsune then she stood up. Kitsune identically stood up, and went out of the room with Rishe. Seeing Rishe as she closed the door with a key, Kitsune headed over to his room. [Bye, I'll be seeing you later] Rishe went downstairs while Kitsune entered his room. * * * Well, this is a problem. Though deciding to go with Rishe's training is alright already, but he didn't buy any equipment since he thought that he would be getting monster subjugation requests. It's not only him if one thinks about it, an adventurer without weapons for example. Since Finia-chan used her magic in the forest then he didn't need a weapon, the bee died from being stepped and crushed , and the wolves obediently withdrew though......So he didn't think about it at all. To begin with, he didn't posses any weapon. Since staple wise would be a sword as he though so, but it's impossible to be a master the act of killing with a sword so suddenly. That's only a story that happens in novels and manga you know. Moreover, he didn't have or obtained any cheat or special power other than {Status Judgement} . [What should we do? Kitsune-san] Though he hears Finia saying so, well if he doesn't have any weapon then Rishe won't permit him to join her training. Fortunately, there was a weapon shop on the way to the entrance, so he thought of buying something handy. [Yep, Let's go and buy. Something than even a weak person like me can handle] [Ohh! Kitsune-san will finally posses a weapon! You'll become a true adventurer now!] [There's still some of our earned money, We should be able to purchase at least one weapon] He placed the money they earned in his pocket for the time being and they went out of the room. His eyes matched with the landlady who they were indebted to for a whole week now when they went downstairs. It seems like the landlady's name is Eira-san by the way. [Oh, Are you going out again?] [Yes, I'll be having a little training with Rishe-chan] [I see, You should be careful okay?] He got acquainted with Eira-san for a whole week in the conduct of oneself. He thought that they became intimate to the extent of having idle chats and giving greetings now. Since he was disliked by the people surrounding him, he felt a little bit embarrassed that there was a person he got intimate with. [Yes] [We'll be going now!] [Okay okay, goodbye to you too Finia-chan] I took Finia-chan who was waving her hand and went out of the inn. The street wasn't different at all and it was still lively. I was sentimentalizing in that place a bit, but I should make Rishe-chan wait too much. I should face the weapon shop early . [Hey Finia-chan] [What should I do to go back to my past world is what I thought about] To return to my past world. if it is made into a letter then it's easy, and it's also easy to make it to words, but, it wasn't easy to achieve. Originally, It's not a place that you can walk to, ride a ship to or ride a plane to reach. To cross from world to go to another world, I can't think of anything that I can do to do that. If there was a possibility, then that thing would be Finia's {Magic} which was like a fantasy thing. If there exist a thing such as summoning like magic, then a magic to send me back would exist. Though I'm not detailed in regards to magic, but should I focus on that first of all. [......It exists! We would surely find it if we search for it!] However, what if that way doesn't exist? What if the way to meet Shiori-chan doesn't exist? Though Finia-chan says so, this anxiety doesn't completely fade away. Because I have only exeperince that, though I didn't think that there was anything scary, but only this becomes impossible. [......It is so] There's no way even if I worry now. I'll just put this thinking away. [Ah, Kitsune-san! It's the weapon shop!] We arrived at the weapon store. Let's change the thing that I've been thinking. [Alright!] When we entered the shop and called for anyone with our voice, we heard a deep voice from the interior of the store. And after we've waited, a small old man came out. Though his height was the same as my waist, I can see that his face is more older than mine. Perhaps, he might be from the dwarf race. Since they're good at making things, then it's expected that he's in a weapon shop. [Kept you waiting, what is it that you need?] [I want to buy a weapon, I want a sword or a knife that can be swung even by a weak guy like me] [Hmmm......To want to swing a sword with such a weak body, you're a very arrogant kid huh] The dwarf said that unto me. Certainly, about the man who shall use the weapon made from the maker himself, I also nod since I understand when I see it. Perhaps that is what he meant when he said that I was arrogant in his evaluation. [You, why do you want a weapon? If you're gonna say that it's for playing then go home, these guys aren't vulgar things that can be played with as you wish] To such a dwarf, he tried to ascertain me, with his eyes that was like it was trying to look for my answer. In a serious meaning, do you really want a weapon, then I shall ascertain to that myself is what I understood. However, what I do in this world all falls under one purpose. This is the one and only guidepost of my action. That is why I answered. The reason for me to posses a weapon, That is all it is. [............Those eyes, you don't seem to be lying huh] [Of course, I cannot die here. There is a reason that won't happen if I don't live] [......I see, I have understood your seriousness from your eyes. However, to wield a sword with the looks of your weak body, I don't have anything great for you?] [It's fine, A weapon is necessary for me as of today] While saying so, after the dwarf had a thinking like look for a few seconds, he took out one sword. It was a short sword, A small sword of about 40cm. [This guy can be swung even by a comparatively inferior man or a normal female citizen. You'll be able to be a bit stronger and be able to defend your own body] [Then I want that] [Then with this] Even though 10 silver coins are expensive, it isn't an amount that I cannot pay. I took out 10 silver coins from my pocket, and handed it over to the dwarf. In exchange, I have received the small sword. Since it was a weapon for taking lives, it felt a little bit heavier than the original weight. [Come by again if it needs maintenance, then I'll repair it] [Alright, incidentally what is your name?] [Huh? I am dwarf Gran as you see] [I am Kitsune the adventurer, My best regards] [Yeah, Until your still alive though] An adventurer is a person of freedom, therefore the don't understand when they would die. That is why even if it were just words, I still nodded. It is good as long as he doesn't die. He doesn't have any thought at all to die after all. Well since he has obtained a weapon then he should be on his way to Rishe's place. He went outside of the store and placed the small sword he had inside the scabbard that was attached to his belt. [However you were quite quiet, Finia-chan] [......I was a bit scared of his mismatch feeling lke his face was mature but his body was small] [Ah......I see] Finia seems to be not good with dwarfs by the contrary.

白い姉御と白い使徒 それから、2日ほど馬車で走った。街まではかなり遠い事はちゃんと分かっていたから、それなりに時間が掛かるであろうことは理解していたんだけど、どうやらその道のりは随分暇になるらしい。ちなみに、街まではあと半日も走っていれば辿り着ける筈だ。 一応、ここまでで魔獣も出て来たけれど、それもリーシェちゃんが出ればどうにかなる程度の相手だ。彼女のレベルアップの為にも、雑魚魔獣は彼女にやって貰った。今の所、リーシェちゃんが一番ステータスが遅れてるからね。精神的な原因があったんだろうけど、やっぱりレベル1からやり直せないのは痛いんだろう。 というか、僕はレベル1に何度も戻ってる訳だけど、他人には出来ないのかな? もし出来るようなら、リーシェちゃんも本来のステータスを取り戻せると思うんだけどなぁ。 まぁ、僕の固有スキル『初心渡り』の詳細が分かれば、それも分かって来るだろう。多分このスキルが原因だからね、僕がレベル1に戻るの。 それで、姐さんだけど、彼女は旅の道中で色んな話をしてくれた。例えば、追い掛けてくるゴブリンから妹と二人で全力逃走を繰り広げたり、川で水浴びしていたらスライムに纏わり付かれたり、色々と大変な目に遭っているらしい。 ちなみに、この世界のスライムはエロい行動はしないらしい。普通にその身体から出ている酸で肉を溶かして養分にするとのこと。うーん、残念。 それで、あの後。レイラちゃん達が起きたから、姐さんを紹介した。 とっつきやすい姐さんの性格上、僕やリーシェちゃんとは結構距離が近い。だからだと思うけれど、それを見たレイラちゃんが、直ぐに僕と姐さんの間に割りこんで腰を下ろした。頬を膨らませながら僕の腕に自分の腕を組んで、責める様な視線で僕を見て来た。 いやそんな目で見られても困るよね。だって僕とレイラちゃんって恋人って訳じゃないし、嫉妬するのは勝手だけどね。 で、現在。それ以来レイラちゃんは、僕達と距離の近い姐さんに対する警戒心が強い。僕が取られると思っているのか、それとも単に距離が近いから嫉妬しているのか、まぁどっちもだろうけど。一応姐さんには、僕とレイラちゃんが恋人ではない事を言ってある。勘違いされたら困るからね。 「レイラちゃん、姐さんが来てからなんでそんな不機嫌なの?」 「分かんない、でもなんかもやもやするの!」 「へぇ、だからずっと引っ付いてるの?」 「駄目?」 「暇だから別に良いけどね」 レイラちゃんは姐さんが来てからずっと、僕の隣に引っ付いている。食事や休憩の時は流石に離れるけど、その間も僕と姐さんを見ている。なんとなく気持ちは分かるけど、随分と人間らしくなったなこの子。 まぁ、姐さんの方はそんなレイラちゃんを見て、なんとなく察したんだろう。苦笑しながら僕と少しだけ距離を置いてくれる。今は一緒に旅する仲間なんだし、無駄に事を荒立てるつもりはないってことなんだろう。一つしか違わないのに、随分と大人だ。流石姉御肌。 とはいえ、まだ僕への感情を上手く理解出来ていないレイラちゃんには、嫉妬という感情も良く分からないんだろう。説明するのはまぁ簡単なんだろうけど、なんか嫌な奴っぽいからしない。 だって、君は僕の事が好きだから、他の女の子と話してると嫉妬するんだろう? なんて言いだす男、どうなんだ? 凄い嫌な奴っぽいじゃないか。 レイラちゃんと恋話出来る友達が出来れば良いんだけどね。 「......はぁ」 まぁそれはただの願望でしかない訳だ。隣で頬を膨らませたままのレイラちゃんの機嫌が収まる訳でもない。フラストレーションを溜めると、この子の場合暴走する気がするから厄介だよなぁ全く。 「レイラちゃん、あと半日は暇なんだし......ほら、膝枕してあげるから機嫌直して?」 「......本当? ......うふふっ♪」 とりあえず、膝枕で機嫌取り。オルバ公爵の一件の時とか、ニコちゃんのお守とか任せたけど、結局あの後膝枕してあげてなかったし、これ位は良いだろう。元々、レイラちゃんは御褒美目的でお願いを聞いてくれたんだし。 レイラちゃんのふわふわの頭を撫でながら、片手で瘴気のお手玉をする。暇な時間は幾らでもあるんだ、ちょっとでも自分を磨かないとね。 「仲良いなぁお前ら」 「ん? ああ姐さん、まぁレイラちゃんは構ってあげないと後が怖いからね」 「ッハハ、親離れ出来ない子供みたいだな」 「まぁ、以前はもっとヤバかったけどね」 なんせ人を食べる為に地の果てまで追い掛ける勢いだったからね。危うく殺されるところだったし。 ていうか、僕がレイラちゃんから離れて他の女の子と付き合ったとして、その時レイラちゃんはどうするだろう? ちょっと考えてみたけど......うん、まず相手の女の子死ぬよね。その後僕も殺されるか殺されかけるかしそう......怖いなもう。 「もっとヤバかったって......ッハハハ! 随分な甘えん坊だったんだな」 「むぅ......私はそんなに子供じゃないよ? ね、きつね君?」 「あっ、ちょっ、分かった、分かったから! 叩くな! 君の攻撃力半端ないんだから!」 レイラちゃんの同意を求める声に、僕は眼を逸らしながら棒読みで白々しく答えた。すると、それが不満だったのか無言で叩いてくるレイラちゃん。軽く叩いているつもりだろうけど、君の攻撃力は僕の耐性値を大きく超えるんだから、結構痛いんだぞ。僕じゃなかったら死んでるぞ! とりあえず、僕の腿に頭を乗せながらも、むくれてそっぽを向いてしまったレイラちゃん。機嫌取りが逆に機嫌を損ねてしまった様だ。まぁ、頭を撫でていればレイラちゃんのことだ、ころっと機嫌が良くなるだろう。 「そういや、この子供は御者のおじさんの子供か? 母親は?」 すると姐さんが、自分の胡坐の上に座るニコちゃんを見て、そう聞いてくる。この2日で、どうやらニコちゃんはレイラちゃんだけではなく、姐さんにも懐いたらしい。まぁ、姐さんはかなり人柄の良い人だから、子供にも好かれやすいんだろう。 僕の方が付き合い長いのに、解せないな。僕もニコちゃんに膝の上に乗って欲しいなぁ。手を繋ぐことくらいしかしてないよ、僕。いやロリコンとかじゃないよ? 守備範囲広いだけで。 「ニコちゃんって言うんだ、確かにヒグルドさんの娘だよ。母親は亡くなってる」 「......そっか、まだちっさいのに災難だったなぁ。ニコ、か、笑顔みたいで良い名前だ」 「......ふぉりあ?」 「フロリアな、お前みたいな奴にも似合いそうだな、この名前」 ニコちゃんをぬいぐるみみたいに抱き締めながら、姐さんは快活に笑う。子供にも優しいのか、余計良い人だなぁ、まぁどうでも良いけれど。でもこうなると、妹さんは凄い我儘な子だったりするのかな? 姉が優しいと妹は我儘になるとかどっかで読んだことがある気がする。 妹さんと会いたい度がちょっと下がった。 「あ、ちなみにその子滅茶苦茶嘘吐きだから気を付けてね」 「お? ッハハ! お前嘘吐くのか? ちっさいのに賢いんだな!」 「......嘘なんて吐かない」 「それ嘘じゃん、絶対嘘じゃん。何、僕にだけなの? 嘘吐くの僕だけなの? 虐め?」 とまぁ、こんな会話をしながら、僕達は馬車に揺られていた。姐さんも、早々にこの空気に馴染んで、特にこれといった脅威もない平和な旅路だったね。レイラちゃんの性教育授業が一苦労と言えば一苦労だったけどさ。 それからしばらくして、僕達は次なる街―――『ラグーン』へと辿り着く。 ◇ ◇ ◇ 一方その頃―――勇者一行は、桔音達がラグーンへ辿り着く前日に次なる街へと辿り着いていた。街の名前は『フォランス』、工業都市である目的地の国が近いからか、やはりグランディール王国よりも多少武器の質が良い。 その日の内に、凪は一般的な普通の剣から多少質の良い剣へと乗り換えた。元々、酷使してきた故に使っていた剣はボロボロだったのだ。打ち合いの中で刃毀れしていたし、丁度乗り換え時期だった。 まぁ、聖剣や魔剣と呼ばれるクラスの代物よりは数段質が落ちるのだろうが、それでも下級の冒険者には手が出せないレベルの剣だ。金があるというのは、やはり得だ。 そして、その日は宿を取って移動時の疲れを癒した。特に行動するわけもなく、次の日以降の活動に支障が出ない程度には休むつもりだったらしい。 そして、現在。勇者達はその街の冒険者ギルドへ向かっていた。今の目的は、魔王を倒す前に勇者の力を付けること、ギルドでのランクを上げて、Aランクの魔族とまではいかなくとも、Aランクの魔獣程度は倒しておきたい。 ルルとフィニアも勇者のパーティとして依頼達成には協力するようだが、やはりどこか距離があるのは否めない。 「えーと、ルルちゃん、とフィニアさん?」 「何? 勇者さん」 「あ、と......まぁ今日はよろしく」 「うん。一応戦闘には協力するし、方針も無茶なものじゃないなら口出ししないよ」 そしてギルドへ向かう途中の道中で、凪はフィニア達に歩み寄ろうとしていた。というより、このままだとチームワーク的にも支障がでるだろうと思っての行動だ。 その言葉に対して、フィニアはそう答えた。拒絶している口調ではないが、一定以上の距離からは近づこうとはしない様子だ。 「よろしくおねがいします、勇者様」 「あ、ああ! よろしくな!」 ルルも、フィニアの言葉に異論は無いのか、素直に軽く頭を下げてそう言う。凪としては、それでも大きな進歩だったのか、拒絶的ではないことにほっと胸を撫で下ろし、今度は探り探りではなく普通によろしく、と口に出来た。 それを見ていた巫女、セシルは、最低でも背後から刺される様なことはなさそうだと考えつつ、ほっと息を吐いた。 「分かっちゃいたが、やっぱグランディールよか大分ちっせぇなぁ」 「まぁ比べる様なものでもないだろ、ジーク」 「まぁ手ごたえのある奴がいれば良いけどな」 そして、ギルドへ辿り着いた凪達。その外装に若干不満を隠せない様子のジーク。凪も、そんなジークに対して苦笑しつつ、ギルドの扉に手を掛ける。 そして、扉を開いた瞬間――― 「ッッ!?」 凪は扉から手を放し、それと同時にその場に居た全員が全身に走る悪寒を察知した。 瞬間、凪達は扉から大きく距離を取った。そしてそれと同時、扉が青白い光と共に爆散する。 ガラガラと音を立てて壊れたギルドの扉、その扉分の狭い隙間から見えるギルドの中には、丁度その隙間に収まる様にテーブルに付いた人影が一つ。 そして、その人影がゆっくりと立ち上がり、視線を凪達の方へと向けてきた。露草色のその瞳が、何もかもを見通すような視線で射抜いてくる。 「―――初めまして、異世界からの来訪者」 その人影は、ギルドの壊れた扉から外へ出て、その姿を陽の下へと現す。 凪達は誰に言われるまでもなく理解した。この人影―――否、少女は、自分達が束になっても敵わない相手だと。絶対的に、格上の相手だ。 そして、その少女は鈴の様な声音で更に告げる。 「貴方を――――浄化します」 白い髪と、白いドレスを揺らしながら、青白い稲妻の槍を顕現させた少女。神をも殺すその槍は、一度は同じ異世界人である桔音に刃を向けた、稲妻の猛威。 純白の使徒ステラが―――遂に勇者の前へと現れた。

White Big Sister and White Apostle Thereafter, we rode the carriage for two days. We knew that it was quite a long way to the town, thus we understood that it would take some time to get there, but apparently we hadn't properly calculated how free we would be along the way. Incidentally, it should take another half a day for us to reach the town. By the way, we encountered several demonic beasts along the way, but they were merely on the level that even Rishe-chan could handle. In order to level her up, I have had her take care of the small fry demonic beasts. At present, Rishe-chan is the most lagging behind status-wise, after all. I guess there is some psychological cause for it, but as expected being unable to start over from level 1 is a huge setback. Or rather, I've reverted back to level 1 over and over again, but I wonder if it's possible for the others as well? If it is possible, then, I think Rishe-chan would be able to regain her original status. Well, once I find out more about the details regarding my unique skill {Re: Origin} , I bet I'd find out about it as well. Most likely, this skill is the cause why I revert back to level 1, after all. And then, speaking of Big Sis, she told us many stories about her journey along the way. For example, about how she and her sister did their best to escape from the goblins that were chasing after them, or about how they had slimes coil around them when they were bathing in the river, it seems that they've gone through perilous experiences in a lot of ways. By the way, it seems that slimes in this world don't do erotic acts. They simply use the acid excreted from their bodies to dissolve flesh and turn it into nutrients. Yup, what a shame. And then, after that. Leila-chan and Nico-chan woke up, so I introduced them to Big Sis. As Big Sis has an easygoing personality, the distance between her and me and Rishe-chan was quite close. I think that was exactly why Leila-chan, who saw that, promptly squeezed herself between me and Big Sis and sat down. With her cheeks puffed out, she linked her arm with mine and stared at me with a reproachful gaze. Dear me, her looking at me with such eyes would be troubling, don't you think? I mean, it's not like Leila-chan and I are lovers or anything... Well, I can't stop her from being jealous, though. Which brings us to the present. Since then, Leila-chan has been very cautious of Big Sis who is close in distance with us. Perhaps thinking that I'm going to be taken away, or perhaps she's simply jealous because we're being close with each other, well, it may be both, though. Just in case, I've told Big Sis that I and Leila-chan aren't lovers. It'd be troubling if she misunderstands, after all. "Leila-chan, why have you been pouting like that ever since Big Sis came?" "I don't know, but somehow I've been having this hazy feeling!" "Oh, that's why you've been sticking to me all the time?" "I can't?" "Well, I have nothing to do, so I don't particularly mind, though." Leila-chan has been sticking close to me ever since Big Sis came. As expected, she separates herself from me when we have meals or take a break, but she'd be keeping an eye on me and Bis Sis all the while. I more or less understand her feeling, but this girl sure has become pretty human-like, hasn't she? Well, seeing such a Leila-chan, Big Sis must have more or less perceived it. With a wry smile on her face, she distances herself from me a little. Right now, we're comrades who are traveling together, so she must be trying not to rock the boat pointlessly. She is quite mature for someone who is only one year older than me. As expected of someone with a big-sisterly disposition. Nonetheless, Leila-chan, who doesn't yet understand the feelings she has for me, mustn't understand the emotion called jealousy either. I think it's easy to explain, but I won't because that would make me sound like a jerk. I mean, what do you think of a guy who goes and says things like: you get jealous when I talk to other girls because you like me, don't you?He sounds like a huge jerk, doesn't he? I wish Leila-chan could make friends with whom she could talk about love. "... Haa" Well, that's no more than wishful thinking. It doesn't help Leila-chan's mood, whose cheeks are still puffed out next to me. It sure is troubling because in this girl's case, I get the feeling that she'd go berserk if her frustration builds up, good graciousness. "Leila-chan, I've got nothing to do for another half day, so... Come on, I'll give you a lap pillow, so cheer up, okay?" "... Really? ... Ufufu" For the time being, I'm putting her in a good mood by giving her a lap pillow. Be it in the case with Duke Orba, or when I asked her with the protection of Nico-chan, in the end I didn't get to give her a lap pillow afterwards, so I guess indulging her this much should be fine. From the beginning, Leila-chan had accepted my requests because she was eyeing the rewards, after all. While petting Leila-chan's fluffy head, I do miasma juggling with one hand. I have plenty of free time, so I need to improve myself even a bit. "You guys sure are close, aren't you?" "Hmm? Oh, Big Sis, well, I'm afraid of the consequences if I don't pay attention to Leila-chan, after all." "Hahaha, she's like a child who can't leave her parents." "Well, it was even worse before, though, you see." After all, it was at the level where she would chase you to the ends of the world to eat you, after all. I was close to getting killed by her. I mean, if I were to leave Leila-chan and go out with another girl, I wonder what would she do then? I try to give it some thoughts, but... Yes, first of all, the girl would die, wouldn't she? Afterwards, I think I would either be killed or close to being killed... Which is scary. "Worse than that... Hahaha! She must have been quite the spoiled child." "Muu... I'm not that much of a kid, you know? Right, Kitsune-kun? "Ah, wai, I get it, I get it, okay! Don't hit me! Your attack power is no joke, after all!" As Leila-chan asks for my consent, I turn my gaze away and barefacedly answer her in a monotonous manner. And then, perhaps displeased with that, Leila-chan hits me in silence. I think she means to hit me lightly, but her attack power far exceeds my resistance value, so it hurts quite a bit, you know? If it were anyone but me, they'd be dead, you know?! At any rate, even as she rests her head on my thighs, Leila-chan pouts and turns her face away. It seems that the coaxing has conversely ended up putting her in a bad mood. Well, it's Leila-chan we're talking about here, I bet her mood will soon bright up as l pat her head. "Come to think of it, is this child the child of the coachman uncle? What about her mother?" Then, Big Sis, sitting cross-legged, looks at Niko-chan sitting on her lap and asks me as such. In these two days, it seems that Nico-chan has grown attached to Big Sis as well, not just to Leila-chan. Well, Big Sis is quite a good-natured person, so I guess it's easy for kids to like her, too. Even though I've known her longer, I just don't get it. I want to have Nico-chan sit on my lap, too. The only thing I do is hold hands with her, you know? No, I'm not a lolicon or anything, you know? It's simply that I have an extensive field of expertise. "Her name is Nico-chan, and she's indeed Higurd-san's daughter. Her mother has passed away." "... I see, how unfortunate, even though she's still so small. Nico, was it? It's a good name, like a smile." "... Foria?" "Floria, huh, I think it would suit a guy like you too, this name, I mean." Big Sis laughs cheerfully as she hugs Nico-chan like a stuffed animal. So Big Sis is kind to children too, huh, she sure is an overly good person, isn't she? Well, it doesn't matter, though. But given things, could the little sister be a very willful child? I feel like I've read somewhere that when the elder sister is kind, the younger sister becomes willful. My inclination to meet the little sister has dropped a bit. "Ah, by the way, that child is a big liar, so be careful." "Oh? Hahaha! You tell lies, huh? Even though you're so small, that's smart of you!" "... I don't tell lies." "That's a lie, definitely a lie. What, is it only to me? Am I the only one to whom you tell lies? Bullying?" Well, as we engage in such conversations, we rock in the carriage. With Big Sis quickly fitting into the vibes, it's a peaceful journey with no particular threats worth mentioning. Leila-chan's sex education lesson is quite challenging though, I'd say. A short time later, we arrived at the next town... {Lagoon} . * * * Meanwhile, the Hero party had arrived at the next town the day before Kitsune and his group arrived at the Lagoon. The name of the town was {Forance} , and perhaps because of its proximity to the destination country, which was an industrial city, as expected, the quality of the weapons was slightly better than that of the Grandile Kingdom. In the course of the day, Nagi switched from the common, ordinary sword to a somewhat better quality sword. To begin with, the sword he had been using was tattered due to heavy use. The blade had chipped in the exchange of blows, so it was a perfect time to switch. Well, the quality was probably several levels lower than the items on the class called holy swords or demonic swords, but it was still a sword on the level that low-ranked adventurers couldn't get their hands on. Having money was, as expected, a privilege. And then, that day, they made a reservation at an inn and relieved the fatigue from their journey. Without taking any action in particular, it seemed that they had planned to take enough rest to not interfere with their activities from the next day onwards. And then, at present. The Hero party was heading toward the adventurer's guild in that town. Their current objective was to build up the strength of the Hero, raise his rank in the guild and make him capable of at least defeating an A-ranked demonic beast, even if he couldn't an A-ranked demon, before going to subjugate the Demon Lord. Lulu and Finia would also cooperate in the completion of requests as members of the Hero party, but as expected there was no denying that there was some distance between them. "Err, Lulu-chan, and Finia-san?" "What is it? Hero-san." "Ah, err... Well, I'll be in your care today." "Yes. More or less, we'll cooperate with you in the battle and we won't meddle with your policy, as long as it's not a reckless one." And then, on the way to the guild, Nagi tried to approach Finia and Lulu. Rather, it was an action he took as he thought that it would cause an issue if things remained as they were, in terms of teamwork as well. Finia responded as such to those words of his. Her tone wasn't that of refusal, but it seemed that she had no interest in getting any closer to them than a certain distance. "I look forward to working with you, Hero-sama." "Y, yeah! Best regards!" Lulu, too, honestly bowed her head lightly and said so, perhaps having no objection to Finia's words. Even so, perhaps seeing it as a huge progress, Nagi felt relieved that they didn't show rejection toward him and normally put "best regards" into words this time, as opposed to just probing around. Miko Cecil, who was watching, let out a sigh of relief, thinking that at the very least they would not be stabbed from behind. "I expected as much, but sure enough it's a lot smaller than the one in Grandile, huh." "Well, the two are simply incomparable, no, Sieg?" "Well, it doesn't matter as long as there's some guy with backbone, though." And then, Nagi and co. arrived at the guild. Sieg couldn't seem to hide his slight dissatisfaction with the exterior of the guild. Nagi, too, smiled wryly at such a Sieg and put his hand on the door of the guild. And then, the moment he opened the door... "!?" Nagi let go of the door, and at the same time, everyone present sensed a chill running through their bodies. Instantly, Nagi and the others took a great distance from the door. And at the same time, the door exploded along with a bluish-white light. The broken guild's door made a rattling sound, and inside the guild seen through the doors worth narrow opening, there was a single figure attached to the table that just happened to fit into that opening. And then the figure slowly rose and turned their gaze toward Nagi and the others. The dayflower-colored eyes pierced them with a gaze that seemed to see through everything. "--Nice to meet you, visitor from another world." The figure stepped out of the guild's broken door and revealed themselves to the sun. Nagi and the others understood without needing anyone to tell them. That figure--no, the girl, was an opponent that they could not stand against even if they were to work together. She was an absolutely, higher-ranked opponent. And then the girl further added in a bell-like tone. "I will -- purify you." With her white hair and white dress fluttering in the air, the girl manifested a spear of pale lightning. That spear, which was capable of killing even gods, was a lightning fury that once pointed its blade at Kitsune, who was similarly an otherworldly person. The pure white apostle Stella-- finally appeared in front of the Hero.

武器を手に入れた桔音はその足で国の入口へと足を運んだ。門に寄り掛かって待っていたリーシェは桔音が来たことでその背中を門から離し、自身の足だけでしっかと地面を掴んだ。 「じゃあ、行こうか」 「ああ、だが雑魚とはいえ魔獣は魔獣。油断はするなよ?」 「分かってる」 「出発だよ!」 気を引き締めるようにお互いに注意を促し、フィニアの掛け声で門から外へと出た。外は一週間前に命からがら走り抜けた草原、遠くには桔音の命が何度も消えかけた森が広がっているのが見える。 桔音はその森を見て少しだけ瘴気の怪物のことを思い出し、ぞくっと背筋に走る悪寒を感じた。だが、今はその瘴気の怪物はいない、この悪寒は幻覚だ。 しばらく歩くと、門から300mほど離れた所で魔獣を見つけた。桔音が逃げて来た時に遭遇した狼達だ。おそらく目算で10体はいる。 あの時は『不気味体質』のおかげで退けることが出来たが、今回もそうなってくれるかは分からない。桔音は改めて気を引き締めた。 「ハウンドドッグだ、普通は5,6体で行動する雑魚魔獣だが、10体以上いるな......少し厄介だ」 「そうなの?」 「ああ、一体一体はそれほどでもないが、厄介なのはその連携だ。全体が見えていないと多少苦戦する」 「ふーん......」 剣を抜いて、狼達を見据えながらそう言うリーシェ。桔音はその情報に狼達を見た。リーシェはそう言うものの、桔音にはこの狼達がそれほど脅威には思えなかった。とりあえず、小剣を鞘から抜いてリーシェの構えを真似して構えてみるものの、ここからどうしたものかと考えていた。 「とりあえず、私が全て狩る。桔音は出来る範囲で狼の相手をしてくれ、出来るだけ援助しよう」 リーシェの指示に従い、桔音は初のまともな戦闘に少し緊張する。だが、怖くはないのでおそらく初めてやることに対する緊張感だろうと気分を落ち着かせた。 そして、ハウンドドッグ達―――敵を見据えて、集中を高めた。 すると ―――『不気味体質発動』 自動的に『不気味体質』が発動した。 「キャンッキャン!」 ハウンドドッグ達はそれを察知し、桔音に恐怖を抱く。動物的野生の本能に従って、彼らは退却していった。 呆然とするリーシェと、原因を察してやっちまったという表情の桔音、そして現状を言葉にしたフィニア。 桔音は思った、『不気味体質』がある限り自分は雑魚モンスターとは戦えないのではないだろうかと。これは手痛い事実だ、自分よりも圧倒的に強い魔獣や魔族でないとまず戦ってくれないというのだから。レベル上げも出来ないではないか。 少なくとも、森で出会ったあの大蜘蛛は『不気味体質』のプレッシャーで逃げて行った。つまり、あの大蜘蛛以上の魔獣ではない限りは戦ってくれないだろう。 「............きつね、何かしたのか?」 「ううん、なにもしてないよ」 「......そ、そうか、おかしいな......ハウンドドッグは強くはないが集団の数が多ければ多い程逃げることはない筈なんだが」 リーシェが疑問に首を傾げているが、きつねは誤魔化すことにした。今のはけして僕のせいじゃない、と言い張ることにした。 「きっとフィニアちゃんの強さに怯えて去って行ったんだよ! うん、きっとそうに違いない!」 「え? そうかなぁ? えへへへ......」 桔音は全力でフィニアのおかげだということにする。フィニアを褒め、フィニアの強さが分かって去って行ったのだろうと事実無根のでっち上げをした。 すると、リーシェはとりあえず理由は分からないが、ハウンドドッグ達の琴線に触れる何かがあったのだろうと結論を付けた。 「とりあえず、他の場所へ行こう。ハウンドドッグ以外にも下級魔獣は多いからな」 「う、うん......」 桔音はとりあえず『不気味体質』のせいで下級の魔獣が全部逃げて行くことが分かったので、彼女に付いて行くものの、戦う気は既に失せていた。 「......ん」 桔音はふと、リーシェのステータスを見てみることにした。彼女は2年間もこうして訓練をしていたという。ならばレベルもそれなりに高いのではないだろうか? という考えだ。 桔音は前を歩くリーシェを視界に捉えながら、『ステータス鑑定』を発動させた。 名前:トリシェ・ルミエイラ 性別:女 Lv23 筋力:420 体力:560 耐性:90 敏捷:550 魔力:120 称号:『騎士見習い』『魔眼保有者』 おや? と思った。桔音は以前Eランクの冒険者にして、巨乳の受付嬢ミアに言いよっていたジェノ・グレアスのステータスを覗いたことがある。その際、彼は現在のリーシェの倍のレベルであり、ステータスも高かった。 しかし、今のリーシェはジェノのステータスの半分にも満たしていない。『敏捷』の能力値はそれなりに高いが、それ以外のステータスは23というレベルにしてはいささか低いように思える。 ジェノが特別才能に秀でていたのか、それともリーシェに才能がないのか分からないが、ステータスの上昇率にも人それぞれなのかもしれない。桔音はそう思った。 とそこで、桔音は少し気になったことを聞いてみた。 「ねぇリーシェちゃん」 「なんだ?」 「リーシェちゃんは自分の能力値を見たことある?」 「ああ、騎士団の本拠や冒険者ギルドには自分の能力値を確認出来る魔法具があるからな」 魔法具、また知らない単語が出て来たが、桔音はあとでギルドで確認すれば良いと一旦置いておくことにした。 「それならさ、『耐性』の能力値について教えて欲しいんだよね」 そう、桔音が気になっていたのは『耐性』のステータスについてだ。桔音は自分のステータスの中で最も上昇率の大きいものが『耐性』であることを把握している。 なのに、今までで見た中では一番実力のあるジェノや、一般人のミリアにミア、そして目の前のリーシェですら、『耐性』の能力値は著しく低い。これはどういうことだろうか? 「『耐性』か......確かに『耐性』は他の能力値と比較して一線を画す。その特徴として、全能力値の中で最も上昇値が少ないんだ。適性のある者は上昇値も多少多くなるが、適性のある者もそういない。例えSランクやAランクの冒険者だとしても、良いとこ500前後が関の山だ」 「そうなんだ......」 桔音はそれを聞いて、それならば自分には『耐性』の適性がかなり優れているのではないだろうかと思った。 実際の所、『耐性』というステータスは人間や一部を除いた獣人達にあまり適性が無い。肉体の構造上、人間達はあまり防御力に長けていないからだ。時折、『耐性』に適性を持つ人間もいるが、その適性も他より多少良いくらいであまり大差はないのだ。 代わりに、魔獣や魔族といった生物は『耐性』に大きな適性を持っている。人間とは違って、鱗や厚い毛皮、鎧の様な装甲を持っているからだ。だからこそ、一般人では太刀打ち出来ない、その防御力故に、攻撃が全く通らないのだ。 「まぁあまり能力値に関わって来なかったのなら気になって当然か、大方きつねも他の能力値に対して『耐性』が低いのが気になったんだろう?」 思いがけず、自分の武器が予想以上に大きなものだと分かって少し余裕が出て来た桔音。ここからレベルが上がれば何処まで行けるのか試してみたくもなった。 だがしかし、リーシェはここで更に新たな事実を口にする。 「だが『耐性』以外の能力値も、適性があっても永遠上がるわけではないんだ」 「え?」 となると、桔音の考えた防御力という武器も限界値次第では武器足りえない可能性が出て来た。先程生まれた余裕が一瞬で消し飛んだ。 「大丈夫だよきつねさん! 例えきつねさんが弱いままでも私が護ってあげるから!」 「今の僕にはかなりグサッとくる言葉をありがとう、フィニアちゃん」 「! おしゃべりは此処までだ......いたぞ」 ステータスについての簡単な講義を受けながら歩いていると、リーシェが目の前に一体の魔獣を捉えた。群れではないが、その身体は随分と大きい。見た目は熊のようだが、その口からは隠れきれていない長い牙、地面を掴む手には鋭く長い爪が見える。 すかさず、桔音はステータスを覗きに掛かる。 山岳熊 筋力:1500 体力:350 耐性:240 敏捷:350 魔力:0 どうやらスキルは持っていないようだが、そのパワーは見た目通りの様だ。あの牙や爪がステータス通りのパワーで振るわれれば、桁違いの威力となるだろう。 「あれは......ヒルクライムベアー......なんでこんな所に」 「強いね、アレ」 「ああ、冒険者の基準で言うのなら......Eランクの魔獣だ」 「どうする?」 「私達では太刀打ち出来るような相手ではない......が、どうやら逃がしてはくれないらしい」 構えるリーシェ。見れば、熊は此方を見て威嚇していた。敵として認識されたらしい。桔音はフィニアもいるのでとりあえず敵として見ないように必死に精神を落ち付かせていた。『不気味体質』が発動して逃げられたら次はもう誤魔化せない気がする。 「来るぞ! 構え―――」 響く爆音 身体を吹き飛ばさんとばかりの爆風 真っ白に染まった視界、 遅れて肌を焼く熱 何が何だか分からないが、一気に何かが起こったことだけは理解出来た。 「な、なにが......!?」 そして、リーシェが視界を取り戻した時、 「!? こ、これは......!?」 目の前に熊はいなかった。代わりに、半径5m程にまでに及ぶ焼け焦げた地面がそこにあった。 そして、桔音の隣を浮遊するフィニアが両手を前に突き出している所を見ると、彼女が魔法で先程の熊を消し飛ばしたのだろうということが分かった。視線に気が付いたフィニアがなにやらドヤ顔を浮かべている。少しだけイラッとした。 「......きつね」 「何かなリーシェちゃん」 「............うん、ごめん」 桔音が敵と認識すれば逃げられるわ、ちょっと強そうな魔獣が出てくればフィニアが消し飛ばすわ、リーシェからすれば散々だ。抜いた剣の行き先をどうしてくれるのだ。まだ空気しか斬っていない。 「次はあれ、僕達何もしないから」 「何もしないなら帰った方が良いんじゃないかと思うんだが!?」 御尤もである。どうやら桔音達とリーシェとでは凄まじく相性が悪いらしい。両者ともそれをしっかと理解した。 「それじゃまぁ......二手に分かれようか」 「そうだな......そうしてくれると助かる」 桔音が弱いということは分かっているが、フィニアの実力を目の当たりにした今では自分のフォローは必要ないと思ったリーシェは、桔音の言葉を素直に受け入れた。その方が正直訓練になるだろう。 「それじゃ、私達はあっちにいくよ!」 「じゃあ私はあっちだな」 フィニアが先程やってきた方向を指差し、リーシェはその反対を指差した。そして桔音達はお互いの方針に従って二手に分かれる。 この時点で2戦2勝、だがレベルが上がった者はいないのだった。

Kitsune who obtained a weapon visited the entrance in the country on foot. Rishe who was leaning on the gate while waiting for Kitsune who just came a moment ago and she separated from the gate, while putting her own feet to the ground firmly. [Then, let's go] [Ah, even if they're called small fry but monsters are still monsters. Don't let you guard down?] [I understand] [Let's depart!] They braced their spirit as they both incited their caution, as they went out from the gate while Finia is cheering. Outside was the meadows where he ran for his life for about a single week last time, and the forest where Kitsune's life vanished for how many times can be seen spread ot from far away. Kitsune recalled the monster wrapped with miasma a little because of the sight of the forest, and a chill crawled across his back with a *Zo kutto* sound. However, the monster of miasma wasn't here right now, and this chill was only an illusion. (TLN: Translator-san's love is that Miasma thing though......The only reason why I'm even translating this novel xD) When walking for a while, monster can be found 300m from the gate. It was the wolves who Kitsune encountered while he was running away. There were perhaps 10 in his estimation. They were able to repel those wolves thanks to the assistance of {Eerie Constitution} last time, but he wasn't sure if it would become like that this time. Kitsune braced his spirit once again. [It's a Hound dog, usually they would act in groups of 5 or 6, but for there to be 10......this will become troublesome for a moment] [Is that right?] [Yeah, although it's not that much of a trouble, the troublesome part is their coordination. It would turn into a difficult battle if we can't see the whole pack] [ffuuu......] She took out her sword and said those words while watching the wolves. Kitsune also looked at them with that information. Though Rishe says those words, Kitsune couldn't think of these wolves as a threat so much. For the time being, he mimicked the stance of Rishe who took out a small word from its sheath and he started to think on what he would do next. [For now, I'll hunt all of them. Kitsune should take on the wolves within the range of what you can take and help as much as possible] In accordance with the instruction of Rishe, Kitsune is a little bit strained for his first straight forward combat. However, he felt settled down eve if there should be tension for one's frist combat perhaps because he wasn't scared of them. And thus, to the hound dogs------he stared at the enemy and boosted his concentration. Thereupon ------{Eerie Constitution Invoked} {Eerie Constitution} automatically invoked. [kyankkyan!] The Hound Dogs perceived it and held fear towards Kitsune. With the instinct of wild animals, they started to retreat. Rishe was dumbfounded, Kitsune is making an expression of guessing what is the cause of the happening, and Finia wasn't say anything. As Kitsune thought, {Eerie constitution} is limited to making small fry monsters to not want to fight with him. That was the severe truth, since he himself wouldn't fight overwhelmingly powerful monsters and demons. He also can't do level ups. A the very least, the large spider he met also ran away from the pressure it got from {Eerie Constitution} . In short, it is unlikely that he would fight any monster beyond the level of that large spider. [............Kitsune, did you do anything?] [Nope, I didn't do anything at all] [......I-, is that so, that's weird......though Hound dogs aren't strong but it wouldn't run if there were more in a pack] With Rishe who is doubting while inclining her neck, Kitsune decided to deceive her. The happening a while ago wasn't because of me, is what he decided to insist on. [I'm sure that they retreated because of Finia-chan's strength! Yep, that must be so!] [Eh? Is that so? Ehehehe......] Kitsune insists that it was all thanks to Finia with all his best. He praised Finia, and covered up his groundless story with the understanding truth of Finia's strength. Thereupon, even though Rishe didn't understand the reason for the time being, she concluded that there might have been something that touched the heartstrings of the Hound dogs. [For the time being, let's go to another place. Since there are a lot of lower class monsters other than the Hound dogs] [O-, okay......] For the time being, Kitsune understood that because of {Eerie Constitution} all low class monsters would run away, though he took sides with her, his will to fight has already disappeared. [......N] Kitsune unexpectedly looked at Rishe's status. It can be said that she's been practicing like this for 2 years now. Then wouldn't her level be also high? is what Kitsune thought. While Kitsune catches the sight of Rishe who was walking ahead, he invoked {Status judgement} . Name: Torishe*Rumieira Gender : Female Lv23 Strength: 420 (TLN: BLAZE IT) Stamina: 560 Resilience: 90 Dexterity: 550 Magic: 120 Title :{Apprentice Knight} {Demon Eye Holder} Oh? is what he thought. Compared to the E rank adventurer who Kitsune knew, He also peeped at the status of Jeno*Gureas who was courting the receptionist big boobed girl Mia. In that case, his level is twice higher than the present Rishe and his status was higher too. However, Rishe today can't even fill in half of the status of Jeno. Though {Dexterity} ability level is high, the other statuses was a bit low for the level of 23 is what he thought. Did Jeno have an outstanding special talent or does Rishe have no talent is what he didn't know, but maybe the increase rate of the status is different for each person. That is what Kitsune thought of. At that point, there was something Kitsune was a little bit anxious about and asked. [Hey Rishe-chan] [What ?] [Have you ever seen your own Ability level?] [Yeah I have, since there is a magic tool in the base of the Knight's mass and the adventurer's guild that can show a person's ability level] Magic tool, but though another word that he knows not about has appeared, he decided to put it on hold later by just confirming it when going to the guild. [In that case, I want you to teach me about {Resilience} in the ability level] Yes, Kitsune was anxious about the {Resilience} in his status. Kitsune understood that the largest increase rate in his status is {Resilience} . Nevertheless, the most strongest ability level from all that he has seen Jeno, Mia and Millia who were normal citizens, and Rshe who was in his presence, all had a remarkably low {Resilience} . What does this all mean? [{Resilience} huh......Certainly {Resilience} has a clear distinction with the others. With that trait, it is the least to greatly rise in all of the ability level. Though it would rise if one had an aptitude for it, there are no people who are like that either. For example Even for an S Rank and A rank adventurer, around 500 would be good as hard as possible] [Is that so......] Kitsune heard so, and he didn't think that he had a considerably excellent aptitude towards {Resilience} . In the place actually, he didn't see much people with aptitude towards {Resilience} from humans or beast men. With the structure of the body, the reason is that humans didn't excel much in defense power. Sometimes, though there would be people with an aptitude of {Resilience} too, it wasn't much different from the good amount too. Alternatively, the living things called monsters and demons have a great aptitude for {Resilience} . Different from humans, they had scales and thick fur armor like protection with them. For that reason, a normal citizen can't oppose against them, and with that defense power, normal attacks wouldn't pass through. [Well it's natural to be anxious since it won't affect the rest of the ability level, so did Kitsune become anxious because {Resilience} wasn't that much high like the other ones?] Unexpectedly, Kitsune understood that his weapon was greater than from his expectation and a small scope has appeared. He now wanted to test how far he can go when he levels up. But however, Rishe said another new truth right there. [However other ability level than {Tolerance} also, won't go up forever even if there is an aptitude with it] [Eh?] If it becomes so, the possibility of the the defense power which is the weapon of Kitsune would be insufficient depending on its limit. The small scope that was born awhile ago vanished at that moment. [It's alright Kitsune-san! Even if Kitsune-san stays as weak as like right now but I'll still protect you!] [Thanks for the words to someone like me who'd *Thunk* like right now, Finia-chan] (TLN: Thunk = sound of someone falling to the ground) [! Cease your chatting for now......there it is] While walking while attending an easy lecture of the status, Rishe caught the sight of a monster in their presence. Though it wasn't with a group, it's body was fairly big. Though it's appearance was that of a bear, it had long fangs which it couldn't hide from its mouth, and a sharp long finger nails could be seen from its paws which was gripping the ground. Promptly, Kitsune peeped at its status. Name: Mountain bear Strength: 1500 Stamina: 350 Resilience: 240 (TLN: Blaze it) Dexterity: 350 Magic: 0 Though it seems like it doesn't have any skill apparently, its power was the same as it's appearance. If those fangs and fingernails were swung with the power in its status, it would deal an incomparable might. [That is a......Mountain Bear......why is it in such a place like this] [Its strong huh, that thing] [Yeah, If it says by an adventurer's standards then......it's an E rank monster] [What should we do?] [Were not people who can cross swords with that......however, it doesn't look like it would let us flee] Rishe prepared herself. When one sees it, the bear looked at Kitsune and it was threatened. It seems to have recognized them as enemies. Since Kitsune has Finia, first of all he desperately calmed his spirit down for the enemy to not see him as an enemy. If by chance he used {Eerie Constitution} and the monster flees then the next time would be harder to deceive Rishe. [It's coming! Stance------] A resounding explosion. A blast the blew off it's body The field of vision is dyed of pure white, A delayed burning of the skin temperature. Though it was impossible to understand what is happening somehow, the only thing that could be understood is that something happened at a dash. [W-, what hap......!?] And, when Rishe regains her view, [!? Thi-, This is......!?] There was no bear in the presence. Instead, the ground was scorched with a 5 meter radius from there. And, when she saw Finia who was floating near Kitsune while both her hands were stretched out, she understood that it was her magic that erased the bear a while ago. Finia noticed her glance and scratched her face while making an expression like she's asking what's the matter. Rishe got a little bit annoyed [......Kitsune] [What may it be Rishe-chan] [............Yes, I'm sorry] It escapes when it recognizes that Kitsune is an enemy, and if a monster that seems to be strong for a moment shows up then Finia just makes it vanish , and if it was for Rishe then she would fight it. Where would be the destination of the unsheathed sword be. Only the air is slashed. [The following is, we won't be doing anything] [I thought that we won't do anything and just return home though!?] That is the right answer de aru. It seems that the compatibility of Kitsune and his friends with Rishe is bad. The pair tightly understood that. [Then well......Let's divide into two groups] [That's right......I'll be saved if that is so] Though Kitsune understood that he himself is weak, with Rishe who thinks that her follow up isn't needed with Finia's ability, they accepted Kitsune's words. It will become a true training with that. [In that case, we will be going that way!] [Then I'll be going over there] Finia pointed at the direction where she turned up a little while ago and Rishe pointed at the opposite direction. And Kitsune and his followers divided into 2 groups according to their mutual policy a while ago. At this point there were 2 battles and 2 victories, yet there were no one who raised a single level.

四十九話 「......それは、どういう」 「だってアレ、どこからどう見ても真面じゃないじゃない? しかも、私の記憶が正しければ、騎士団の中で魔法が扱える人間は二人のみ。騎士団長を務めるベルナデット。副団長を務めるゼノア・アルメリダ、この二人だけの筈なのよ」 だから、明らかに〝認識阻害〟の魔法を使っているであろう目の前の騎士の男の存在を、おかしいと、ソフィアの疑問に対して言い切ってみせる。 「つまり、アイツは騎士を騙るナニカ、って?」 そう言って俺は眼前で佇んだまま、一向に動こうとしない正体不明の騎士の男を見詰めながら言葉を発した。 「限りなく、その可能性が高いと思うわよ」 そして恐らく、目の前の男の正体は————件の〝魔法使い狩り〟である可能性が高い。 そんな事を考えていた折、何を思ってか、男は俺を指差し、続け様、ソフィアを指差した。 程なく、 「お前ら二人、悪い事は言わない。王都から出て行け」 今までに聞いた覚えのない無機質な声が俺達の鼓膜を揺らした。 どうやら、言葉を交わす余地はあるらしい。 いや、この状況を考えるに、コレは案外、言葉を交わす状況を作りたかったが故のものなのかもしれない。少なくとも、現段階では敵意は感じられなかった。 「何で?」 「おれに、お前ら二人を殺す理由がないからだ」 それはまるで、王都に留まる人間は殺すと言わんばかりの言い草で、思わず眉間に皺が寄る。 「故に、こうして機会を設けてやった」 「......へえ。ちなみにだけど、あんたが巷で噂の〝魔法使い狩り〟って認識で問題はない?」 ダメ元で尋ねてみる。 「お前の言う〝魔法使い狩り〟が誰を指す言葉なのかは知らないが、王都で魔法使いを殺してまわっている人間であれば、それはおれだな」 親切にもそう答えてくれた。 ならば、懸念はここで断ち切っておくべきだろう。即座にそう判断し、頭の中で「〝 〟」と、解号を唱えんと試みた直後、 「だが、お前がおれに刃を向ける理由はもう無いと思うが?」 その予期せぬ一言に、思考が停止する。 ......そうだ。俺が〝魔法使い狩り〟を打ち倒そうと考えていた理由は、己らに危険であるから。 しかし、目の前の〝魔法使い狩り〟と名乗る男は王都を後にすれば殺さないと言う。 それが嘘偽りのないものである確証はどこにも無いが、それがもし本当であるならば、男の言う通り、俺が刃を向けんとしていた当初の理由は消え失せる。 「王都から出て行けばおれはお前ら二人には害を与えないと言っている。であれば、お前がおれに敵意を向ける理由は何処にもないだろう?」 「......それを馬鹿正直に信じろって?」 俺が怪訝にそう尋ねると、男は面白い事を言うのだなと言わんばかりに身体を震わせる。 「なにやら勘違いをしているようだが、お前に用意された選択肢は二つだけ。王都に留まり、餌食になるか、後にするか。それだけだ。これ以上の妥協はない」 要するに、俺に許されているのはその二つの中から選ぶ行為だけであり、疑問を抱こうとも、それを目の前の男が解消してくれる事はない、と。 「......成る程? だけどさ、真正面から来るわけでもなく、こんな魔法を使って話す機会を設けるようなヤツをどう信じろっていうんだよ」 〝認識阻害〟の魔法を既に使用されている以上、ここは最早相手のテリトリー。 思い通りにいかなければ殺すと言わんばかりの状況下に置いておきながら、おれを信じろというのは些か無理があり過ぎるだろうが。 そんなヤツの言葉を馬鹿正直に信じられるほど、幸せな頭をしていない。故に。 「立ち向かうのは勝手だが、折角のおれの良心を無駄にするべきではないと思うがな」 「......良心?」 「そうだとも。これはおれの良心故の行為だ。まさかとは思うが、おれが魔法使いを殺している理由。それがただの快楽や一時的な感情から来るものであるとお前は思っているのか?」 その問いに対して、俺は返事出来なかった。 どうして〝魔法使い狩り〟が魔法使いを殺しているのか。その理由について、ロクに考えていなかったから。 「まぁ、お前やそこの娘であるならばその答えであっても、責めはしない。なにせお前らは そしてそれ故に、良心がこうして働いたのだがなと男は付け加える。 「おれは人殺しであるが、誰彼構わず殺す下衆ではない。おれはおれなりの正義に則って殺しを行なっているだけだ」 だから、邪魔をしてくれるなと。 男の身体から立ち上る圧が、口程にものを言っていた。 「......人を殺してまわる行為に、正義もクソもないと思うけどな」 殺してまわっている対象が、犯罪者等。 救えない類の人間であるならば、恐らくここまでの大事にはなってはいない。 それに、話す限り、殺しはまだまだ続く上、恐らくその殺す対象にリレアも含まれている。 「別に誰かにこの行為の善悪について理解されたいと思ってなどいない。これはただの自己満足だ。過去とケジメをつける為の、自己満足。故に、お前の意見は聞いていない。分かるか?」 その言葉の通り、目の前の男は投げ掛けられる言葉の一切を拒絶していた。己を除き、何一つとして信用はしていない、と。 しかしならば。 「なら、俺がこうしてあんたに剣を向けても、仕方ないってわけだ」 そう言って俺は、手にする得物の切っ先を男へ向ける。 至極当然の帰結であった。 なにせ、男は己が起こしている行為について、理解を望んでいないのだから。 だったら、目の前の殺人鬼に、理解出来ないからと剣を向けて否定するのは当たり前。そんな危険なヤツの言葉は信じられないし、何より放っておくわけにはいかない。 「よせよせ。お前ではおれには万が一にも勝ち目はないぞ」 そう口にする目の前の男からは、腰に下げた剣を抜く気配は一向に感じられない。 ......剣を抜かずとも、万が一にも負ける筈がないと確信しているが故の態度なのか。 ならば好都合。 その慢心を嬉々として突かせて貰うまで。 程なく俺は足に力を込め、肉薄するべく重心を移動させようとした刹那。 少し強めに、肩を掴まれる。 若干、爪が食い込むソレは、まるでやめろと言っているように思えて。 肩越しに振り返ると、そこには苦虫を噛み潰したような表情を浮かべるリレアがいた。 「......今は、手の内を見せびらかさない方がいいわ」 手の内を晒すなと言って、リレアは俺を引き止めた。 「〝認識阻害〟の魔法を使われている以上、そもそもこうして目に見えてる事が真実とは限らない。恐らくは、目の前に 「......声も前から聞こえてるのに?」 「......そういう魔法なのよ。それに少なくとも、本当にあの男が〝魔法使い狩り〟であるならば、きっと今は殺されない」 だから、無理に今挑む必要はないのだと彼女は言う。 何より、五日に一度の周期に則るならば殺しに対する猶予はあと二日もある。どうしてあえて規則性を作り、警戒されると分かっていながらそれを貫いているのか。その理由は知らない。 ただ、リレアのその考えは正しかったのか。 「その通り。おれにお前らを殺す気は、今日の時点ではない」 まるで今日でなければ殺していたかもしれないと言わんばかりの言い草。 「......あの、さ、一つ聞いていい?」 突き付けていた切っ先をゆっくりと下ろしながら、俺は目の前の男に対して問い掛ける。 けれども、それを踏まえてでも聞いておきたかったのだ。 「あんたはあんたなりの理由があり、魔法使いを殺してる。それは分かった。でも、その拘りに何の意味があるのかが分からない。特別に、俺に教えてはくれない?」 理由があり、殺しを行っている。 そしてそれは彼にとって、曰く正義。 けれど、ならば何故、愉快犯のように五日に一度、魔法使いを殺す。などというルールを作ったのか。それがどうしても分からなかった。 ......一体、何故だろうか。 「————簡単な話だ。恐怖のどん底に叩き落したいやつがいるからだ」 何の気紛れか。男が答えてくれる。 「五日が四日に。四日が三日に。三日が二日に。二日が、一日に。次第に狭まる間隔。次々に消えていく魔法使い。そうすれば、次は己かもしれないという恐怖を最大限味わわせる事が出来るだろう?」 「あんたの行為は正義じゃなかったのか?」 それではやっぱり、ただの愉快犯じゃないか。 「正義だ。正義だとも。正義であるからこそ故に、こうした手順を取っているに過ぎない。何故ならこの行為ですらもまた、正義であるのだから」 最早、理解をするだけ無駄かと悟る。 やはりどうやっても理解は出来ない。 「子供のお前にも分かるように端的に言ってやろうか————」 男は、俺が理解しようとする事を放棄したのを悟ってか。 「—————これはな、復讐なんだ。おれなりの、 「部外者であっても、おれの復讐の邪魔をするなら女子供だろうが構わず殺す。忠告は、したぞ」 眼前に映る光景の中に、〝魔法使い狩り〟の男は何処にも見当たらなかった。

Chapter 49 "...What do you mean by--" "This can only mean one thing, right? Moreover, the Knight Commander, Bernadette, and her Vice Commander, Zenoah Almerida, are supposedly the only ones who can wield magic in the order if I remember correctly." Hence why the presence of the knight in front of us who can use{Disorientation} magic was all the more strange. "So you're saying that... he's only pretending to be a knight?" I said so as I stared at the unidentified knight standing before our path, showing no signs of moving at all. "I'd say it's the most likely possibility." And perhaps, the man in front of us was the 'Magician Hunter' in question. As I was thinking so, the man then pointed his finger at me, and then at the girl beside me, Sofia. Shortly thereafter: "I mean no harm to the two of you. Get out of the capital." A cold, uncanny voice that I didn't remember ever hearing before stirred our eardrums. There was room to exchange words, apparently. No, considering the situation, this might be because he wanted to create an environment where we could exchange words. "Why?" "Because I have no reason to kill you two." It was as if he was saying he would kill everyone who resided in the capital-- my brows wrinkled in disbelief to his reply. "Hence, it's why I have given you this opportunity." "...Heh? By the way, can I assume that you're the 'Magician Hunter' that I've been hearing so much about?" I asked as if I had nothing to lose. "I don't know who you mean by 'Magician Hunter,' but if that's someone who's been going around the capital and killing magicians, then yes, it's me." He answered kindly. And if that was indeed the case, it was all the more reason to dismiss my concerns here. Immediately after making the decision came my attempt to chant the words I needed to activate my magic,{Sword: Creation} "I thought I already gave you a reason to not turn your sword against me, didn't I?" His unexpected words stopped me right in my tracks. ...Yes, the reason why I was thinking of defeating the Magician Hunter was that it served as a huge threat to me and other close magicians that I know, especially Sofia. But contrary to my doubts, the man in front of me who claimed to be the 'Magician Hunter' assured me otherwise if I left the capital. I had no proof that his words were true, but if that was really the case, then my whole reason for turning my sword against him was now gone. "I already told you that I have no plan of harming you two had you left the capital, but why do you still intend to go against me?" "...And I'm supposed to honestly believe that?" I asked suspiciously, but the man only shook his head in response. "I think you're mistaken, but you only have two choices. Stay here and become prey, or leave and be safe. That's it. There's no room for compromises." So basically, all I was allowed to do was to pick between the two, and the man in front of me wouldn't care no matter how much I doubted it. "...I see. But how can I trust someone who doesn't come straight to me and use such magic for an opportunity to speak instead?" Since we're already been under his{Disorientation} magic, we're also as good as being in his territory. It may be a bit too much to ask for trust and assurance when he already made a situation where he could easily kill us all if he really wanted to. But I wasn't such an easy guy to honestly believe the words of such a person, thus: "You can try and stand up against me all you want, but I don't think you should be wasting my conscience." "...Conscience?" "Yes, that's right. This is an act completely out of conscience. Do you think I'm just going around killing magicians for pleasure?" I couldn't answer his question. I really hadn't thought about why the 'Magician Hunter' kills magicians as he does. "I can't really blame you nor that little girl for not knowing why... You two have nothing to do with it, after all." And hence, my conscience, he added. "I may be a murderer, but I'm not a lowlife who kills just anyone. I murder in my own righteous way." So don't get in my way, he followed. The pressure didn't only come out of his words, but his body as well. "...I don't think there is any justice or bullshit in going around killing people." You're just a criminal. If they were irredeemable, they probably wouldn't have gotten into this mess. Besides, as we speak, the killing would still continue and most likely include Lilea. "I have no desire for anyone to understand the right or wrong of what I am doing. This is just self-satisfaction, a personal way for me to settle my affairs with the past. Therefore, I'm not asking for your opinion. Do you understand?" Right after my retort, the man in front of me immediately shut it down, rejecting it, saying he doesn't trust anything but himself. But-- "Then it's no wonder I'm pointing my sword at you like this." Saying so, I pointed the tip of the weapon in my hand at the man. It was a very natural conclusion. He doesn't want to come to terms and understand what he is doing. I didn't believe words coming from such a dangerous person, and most importantly, I couldn't leave him alone. "Don't even think of trying. You have no chance against me." The man in front of me, saying so, showed no sign of drawing the sword at his waist. ...Is it because he's convinced that he can't lose even if he doesn't draw his sword? If so, that's convenient. I would be more than happy to take advantage of that pride. I put strength into my legs and tried to shift my center of gravity to close in on him. But soon after, I was grabbed by something hard on my shoulder. The slight clawing of what I'd say are fingernails seemed to be telling me to knock it off. I looked back over my shoulder and saw Lilea with a rather bitter expression on her face. "...I'd prefer not to do that now." Lilea stopped me, telling me not to reveal my hand. "Since we are under a{Disorientation} magic, what we see may not even true in the first place. Perhaps that person... might only seem to be here when he's truly not." "...Even though we can hear his voice?" "...That's the kind of magic it is. And at least if that guy is the real 'Magician Hunter,' he probably won't try to kill us now." And thus, there was no need for me to force the challenge right now, she added. Besides, if we looked at his cycle, we would have two more days before he actually strikes again. Why dare to make and stick with rules only to easily break them one day? I couldn't think of any proper reason. But was Lilea right in her assumption? "It's just as she said. I have no intention of killing you today." It's as if to say that if it were any other day, he would've killed us. "...Um, can I ask you something?" As I slowly lowered the tip of the sword I was holding, I asked the man in front of me a question. He already told me he wouldn't entertain my questions, but I still wanted to ask him. "I understand that you kill magicians for your own reasons, but I'm having a hard time understanding the point of your obsession. Can you enlighten me on that one?" He kills for a reason. And if it's really as he says, it's for justice. But then why kill a magician once every five days like a criminal? ...Why? "--It's simple. And that's because there are those who want to strike fear into the hearts of the people." How whimsical of them, the man answers. "Five days becomes four. Four days becomes three. Three days to two. The interval gradually narrows, and the magicians are disappearing one after another. That way, you can maximize the fear that one might be next, right?" "Wasn't your reason for doing so for justice?" Then it's just another pleasure-seeking crime, isn't it? "Justice, it's sure justice. I wouldn't have made that rule if it weren't for the justice I seek." I realized that it was futile to try to understand. No matter how hard I tried, I wouldn't understand. "Let me put it simply so that even you, a child, can understand--" The man must have realized that I had given up trying to understand him. "--This is revenge. My own revenge against the magician scum of the capital, that is." "I don't care whether you're an outsider or not. If you get in the way of my revenge, I will kill you, even women and children alike. I gave you my advice." Except that the 'Magician Hunter' that was just in front of us was no longer anywhere to be seen.

三十話 ぴくり、と。 言葉が言い放たれるが早いか、事切れていた筈の 〟だよ? もしかして、人形と糸は切り離せない存在って知らなかった?」 ......聞くと実際に見るとでは天と地ほどの差があるとはよく言ったもので。 何も無いところから剣を創造する魔法も大概ではあったけれど、今、俺の目の前で行われている出来事に対する驚愕はその時の数段は上であった。 「じゃ、今からキミは〝ピィちゃん〟って事で」 「それじゃあえっと......」 「ユリウス」 「はい、じゃあユリウス君! 流石に魔物の大群を二人で相手するわけにもいかないし、此処から逃げるんだけど、その右手、 どうして、あえてそう尋ねてくるのかと疑問に思うも、それを捨て置いてぐー。ぱー。と手を動かす。 「お。割と元気そう。その様子だと、わたしの心配も杞憂だったみたいだねえ」 大丈夫だと俺が言う前に、その動作を見詰めていたフィオレが勝手に判断。 「ほら、時間ないから早く!」 言われるがまま、彼女に倣うように俺も飛び乗る。 の背には何重にも束ねられた糸で出来た手綱のようなものが存在しており、どうして手が使えるのか尋ねてきた理由が判明する。 要するにフィオレは手綱を掴めるかと確認したかったのだろう。 「ちゃんと掴んだ?」 「掴んだ。......あぁ、いや、掴みました」 最早今更でしかなかったけれど、彼女はフィオレ・アイルバークと名乗っていた。 つまり————貴族。 「別に敬語とかいいよ。〝 そもそもわたし、そういう堅っ苦しいの嫌いだからね。 と、口にしてから彼女は「飛んで」と一言。 「さ、しっかり握ってないと振り落とされても知らないよっ!!」 泣き言を溢す余裕すらもない。 「逃げるとは言ったけど、殺せる 十数秒に渡る垂直の上昇飛行。 風に負ける事なくフィオレの叫び声が聞こえてくるや否や、続け様「降下!!」と一言。 直後、ぐるりと上空にて、宙返り。 何処からともなくキィン、と聞き覚えのある独特の音が俺の鼓膜を揺らす。 それを耳にし、俺はまさかと思ってしまう。 地上には多くの魔物で既に埋め尽くされており、その数は増す一方。 蠢くその様子に、身の毛がよだつ。 「さ、〝ピィちゃん〟やっちゃって————」 言葉に従うようにパカリと開かれる 〟とは聞いていたけれど、そんな事までも出来るのかと。 驚愕に目を見開かざるを得なかった。 そしてやって来る———— 視界いっぱいに、ぶわりと一気に紅蓮が広がった。 程なく聞こえてくる悲鳴。 ......よく競り勝てたな俺。 眼前に広がる大火力を前に、思わず今更ながらな感想が胸中にて湧き上がった。 やがて数秒に渡り、燃やすだけ燃やし尽くしてから二度目の方向転換。 全てを狩り尽くせてはいなかったが、大部分を殺せたという事でどうやら満足らしい。 「ところで、ユリウス君はなんで〝ミナウラ〟に?」 背を向けたまま、フィオレが問い掛けてくる。 「強くなれると思ったから」 その問いに、俺は即答した。 「俺にとって、丁度いい壁になってくれると思ったから。俺を更に高次へと押し上げる為の糧が此処には溢れてると思ったから」 だから、〝ミナウラ〟にやって来たんだと俺は告げる。 こうして助けて貰ったのだから、そのくらいは言って然るべきだと思った。たとえそれで頭がおかしいなどと笑われる羽目になろうとも。 ......いや、それでなくとも、笑われて然るべきだろう。実際、たった一体の変異種相手にこのザマなのだから。フィオレがいなかったら今頃どうなってたか。 。面白いね」 腹を抱えて笑うどころか、まるで俺でない他の誰かも同じような事を言っていたかのようなフィオレの言い草に、少しだけ引っ掛かりを覚える。 「強さに貪欲なのは良いと思うよ。確かに、ユリウス君の言う通り、力を求めるなら〝 〝瘴気〟の濃度が特別濃いとされる〝ミナウラ〟の街の領主だからこそ、か。口にされるその言葉には確かな説得力が伴っていた。 「......実際に、ユリウス君と同類だろう人間がわたしにそう言ってくれたんだ。わたしの妹で、ビエラちゃんって言うんだけどね」 恐らくそれはビエラ・アイルバークの事だろう。あの冷ややかさを感じさせる態度の裏に、そんな熱を隠していたのかと少しだけ驚いた。 そんな折。 「ま、今はそれは置いておいて。そんな戦闘狂気質なユリウス君に一つ、提案があるんだけれど」 力が欲しいと願う。 星を斬りたいと、俺の記憶の中にのみ存在する技を、一人の男の生涯をカタチとして世に知らしめたい。俺としてはそう願っているだけなので、戦闘狂気質と呼ばれる事について少しだけ納得がいかない部分があった。 だから、眉根を微かに寄せる。 「わたし達と肩を並べて戦う気はない?」 そんな歪んだ俺の表情は、その言葉を耳にした瞬間に、一層険しいものへと変わった。 ......一体どういう事なんだろうかと。 「わたしがユリウス君を助けた理由は、キミには生かす価値があると思ったから。ここで生かしておけば、まだ魔物を殺してくれると思ったから。それは紛れもなく、わたし達の益となる」 〝ミナウラ〟の領主としては、そこら中に蔓延る魔物を排除するために戦ってくれる存在であれば、誰であれ歓迎であると彼女は言う。 の方がそそられるんじゃないかなあと思ってね。あの一撃————〝流れ星〟、だっけ。あれ程の威力を誇る技を持つキミなら、申し分ないしね」 何より、わたしも死にたくないし、ビエラちゃんを死なせたくはない。だから、戦力は可能な限り増やしておきたいのだと付け加えられる。 「————〝ジャバウォック〟」 名前が、一つ。 「それが今回、〝ミナウラ〟に出現した魔物の頭の名前なんだけどね、これがまた今までよりも厄介そうなヤツでさあ。ちょっと手こずりそうなんだよね」 生憎と、フィオレの表情は見えないが、今の彼女の表情ばかりは何となくだが予想はついた。 「だから————、〝ピィちゃん〟を単身で倒したその腕を見込んで頼みがあるんだ。わたし達に交ざって、〝ジャバウォック〟を倒す気はない? ユリウス君」

Chapter 30 Twitch-- As soon as the words were uttered, the corpse of the monster I had just slain, which was supposed to be dead, trembled ever slightly. "Why are you so surprised about my magic? Haven't you heard that puppets and strings are inseparable?" ...It's often said that there's a world of difference between hearing and actually seeing. The magic of creating a sword out of nothing alone was already quite impressive, but the astonishment at what was happening in front of my eyes right now surpassed my ability by miles. "Now then, you will be 'Pii-chan' from now on." "Let's see... you are, uh..." "Julius." "Yeah, Julius-kun then! We can't take on a horde of monsters by ourselves, so we have to get out of here. Can you use that right hand properly...?" I wondered why she asked such a question, but I cast it aside and tried to move my hand with a grunt. "Oh, don't you look relatively healthy? From the looks of it, it seems like I feared for nothing." Before I could say that my arm was fine, Fiole, who was observing my actions, made a judgment on her own. "Hey! We don't have time, so hurry up!" I did just as she told and jumped on board, following her lead. The bridle made of many layers of bundled threads on the monster's back explained why she asked me if I could use my hands. In essence, Fiole wanted to know if I could grab onto the reins. "Did you get a good grip?" "I sure did... Oh, I mean-- I managed to get a hold, ma'am." I was late to realize it, but she identified herself as Fiole Islebark. So in other words-- she's a noblewoman, an aristocrat. "I don't particularly care about honorifics. It's not like those will do you any good here in Minaura." She didn't like formalities to begin with, she said. Right after that note, as if to make a command, she uttered one word that the puppet monster obeyed: "Fly." "Hold on tight, now!! You could get shaken off for all I know!!" I didn't even have the time to whine. "I know I said we were going to run away, but my motto is to kill the monsters when I can, you know?" A complete vertical ascent for more than a dozen seconds. Fiole screamed in the air, not letting the wind get the better of her, and as soon as she did, another command followed suit: "Descent!!!" Shortly after, the monster somersaulted around in the sky, helping us fall to near the ground this time. From out of nowhere, a familiar, distinctive sound shook my eardrums. I guessed we were just in time, even though I couldn't believe it when I heard it. The ground was already filled with monsters, and their number was only increasing. The hairs on my body stand up on end at the sight of them churning. "Come on Pii-chan, do it--" The monster's maw soon opened with a snap, obeying her words. I had heard of such magic, but I didn't think her{Corpse Puppet: Marionette} could do such a thing. I couldn't help but just look in astonishment. And so it came-- A rush of crimson-red fire spread across my entire field of vision. Screams were soon heard, but they immediately faded away with the unpleasant smell of burning flesh. ...I was amazed that I was able to win against this thing. The great firepower spread out in front of me, triggering a feeling of deep, negative emotion in my heart. Before long, after burning as much as it could for a few seconds, we changed direction for the second time. Although she didn't hunt all of them down, she was seemingly satisfied that she had killed most of them without being bothered by the fact that some of them lived. "What brought you to Minaura by the way, Julius?" With her back turned, Fiole asked. "I thought I could be strong, so I came here." There was no reason for me to hesitate, so I answered the question immediately. "I thought that this place could serve as a good wall for me to overcome. I thought that there was plenty of food here to push me to a higher level." The sole reason why I came to Minaura, I told her. I thought that I should honestly answer at least that question since she saved my life, even with the possibility of her laughing at me as if I were crazy for doing so. ...No, even if that ended up not being the case, I should still be laughed at. "Hmm~? You said the same thing... How interesting." Instead of laughing at me hysterically, she replied in a sense as if someone else had said the same thing, making me feel a little caught off-guard by it. "I think it's good to be greedy for strength, Julius. You are also correct, if you are looking to be strong, Minaura is the perfect place for you. This town is filled with strong monsters, and you can fight them to the death as many times as you want. For beings like you, it's a heavenly place." The words she uttered had a certain persuasive power to them, justifying the reason why she was the lord of this town, Minaura. "...In fact, someone that is probably the same kind of person as you are, told me just that, Julius. Her name is Viera, my younger sister." I was a little surprised that she was hiding such heat behind that cold demeanor. At the same time-- "Well, let's put that aside for now. I have a proposal for a fighting maniac like you, Julius." I wished for power. I wanted to slay the stars, and I wanted to make the technique that only existed in my memory known to the world. That was all that I was hoping to achieve, so I felt a little bit of frustration being called a fighting maniac, and thus, I raised my eyebrows slightly. "Has this made you want to fight side by side with us?" My grim expression turned even more grim the moment I heard those words. ...I wondered what on earth she meant by those words. "I saved you because I thought you were worth keeping alive, Julius. I thought that if I let you survive here, you would still kill the monsters, which is, undeniably, to our benefit." As the lord of Minaura, she said, she welcomed anyone who was willing to fight to eradicate the monsters that were spreading all over the place. "I just thought that you might be more intriguing given that you and Viera-chan are the same kind of person... That technique of yours-- 'Shooting Star' was it? With an attack as powerful as that one, you'd be perfect." She doesn't want to die, and she doesn't want Viera to die either, she added. "--'Jabberwock'" She uttered a name. "That is the name of the head of the monsters that appeared in Minaura this time, and it seems to be more troublesome than ever. It's really going to be a bit tricky from here on out, you know?" Though I couldn't see her expression, I could somehow guess what she was thinking. "That's why I have a favor to ask you, in recognition of your skill in defeating Pii-chan by yourself. Julius-kun, would you join us and lend us your hand in defeating the Jabberwock?"

四話 「......ソフィアのやつ、一体何してるんだか」 胸の内に渦巻いた不安に似た感情を押し隠すように、俺はそんな事をひとりごちた。 時刻は、既に日が暮れて約30分ほど経過していたが、ソフィアの姿が見える気配は一向になかった。 夜闇が辺りを覆い、視界を照らす明かりは村長宅を照らす光と、天から降り注ぐ星の輝きのみ。 魔物は比較的、光に寄ってきやすい。だから、可能な限り寄せ付けないようにと今も尚、大人達が今後について話し合いをしているであろう村長宅以外の家宅に光はなかった。 「......はぁ」 今日はどうしてか、外は肌寒い。 吐いたため息も心なし白く見えたような、そんな気がした。 家の外———誰かを待つかのように扉の前で立ち尽くす俺であるが、家の外へ出たのはつい先程。 だから、村長宅でどんな話し合いをしているのかについて、俺は何も知り得てはいなかった。 家の中にいる母親には、ソフィアが帰ってくるのを待ちたいと言うと家の外で待つくらいならと許可をしてくれた。きっと、親父と同様、母親も俺とソフィアの仲を勘違いしているに違いない。けれど、今回ばかりは都合が良かったのであえて訂正はしなかった。 「......あっちは一体、なんの話をしてるのやら」 ガヤガヤとした喧騒が少し離れた場所からでも聞こえてしまう。とてもじゃないが友好的なものには思えない。 どんな話をしているのか。気になってしまった俺は、少しだけと己自身に言い聞かせ、村長宅へと足を進めた。 「だから!!! オレ達は明朝まで待てと言ってるんだ!!」 今まで一度も聞いたことの無い野太い声。 男性のものであろうその声音が、まず最初に俺の鼓膜を揺らした。 「子供が一人、村の外から戻ってきていないんです......ッ。明朝だなんて遅過ぎる......!!」 「魔物は夜目が利く上、夜中はあいつらの本領が何かと発揮されやすい!! 今駆けつけたところでオーガどころか、ゴブリンですら危険な存在と化して襲い掛かってくる!! あんた達はオレ達に死んでこいと言いてえのか!? そんな義理がどこにあるよ!?」 「......ッ」 威圧的な口調で言い放つ野太い声の男と会話を交わす男性。その人を俺は知っていた。 何故ならばそれは、この村の村長であり、俺の幼馴染であるソフィアの父——アレクさんのものであったから。 光が差し込む小窓からひょっこりと顔をのぞかせてみると、中では見たことの無い四人組の男性と、村長と親父含む村の人間5人ほどがいがみ合うかのように相対していた。本来、俺は世間知らずな12歳の村人である筈だった。けれど、あの日あの時見てしまったとある剣士の生涯が、俺と言う人間の人格などに強く作用した。そのせいもあって、魔物に対する理解も人一倍強い。 自分自身ですらも未だ理解が及んでいない行為に疑問符を浮かべ、俺は苦笑いをしながらそらを仰ぎ見る。 ずっと、ずっと遠くに輝く星が俺を見下ろしていた。 「勝てる自信がある? ......いいや、違う。今の俺に勝てるビジョンなんて浮かぶはずもない」 相手は、大の大人ですら身が竦んでしまう魔物———オーガである。たかが4年。親父の言う通りだ。どれだけ凄い 自信を構築する要素たる場数と経験の量。 それらが絶対的に足りていない俺が勝てる自信など抱けるはずもなかった。 もし仮に、オーガと俺が対峙することになればそれこそ、命を賭ける必要性が生まれるはずだ。そうでなければまともに抗う事も出来ずに命の火は絶えてしまうから。 ロクに自信もない俺が、ならばどうして。どうして。 「あーあ......ほんっと、なんでだろ」 村長宅に背を向けた俺の足は、家ではなく、つい数時間前まで素振りを行なっていた場所へ向かっていた。 そもそも、俺の成したいことは何か。 それは———『星斬り』だ。 その『星斬り』を成す為に俺は鍛錬を続けると他でもないソフィアに言ったばかりだ。己の技量が足りていない事なぞ、誰から指摘を受けるまでもなく自覚している。 「同情したから? ......いや、たぶんそれも違う」 冒険者であろう者の発言を聞く限り、ソフィアは半ば見捨てられている。だから、俺はそんな彼女に同情して——。 そんな考えも浮かんだが、俺は即座に切り捨てた。 俺は、正義感や情に溢れた人間ではないと己自身が誰よりも知っていたから。 「失いたく、ないから......か」 4年前のあの日。 俺の記憶の中へ鮮烈に刻み込まれた剣士の生涯。 それ以降、まるで人が変わったかのように剣士を志した俺であるが、勿論、それまでに村人らしい人生も確かに歩んでいた。 『前まで死んだ魚みたいな目をしてたのに今は普通の人間みたいな目をしてる』 俺と、ソフィアは幼馴染だ。 それも、生まれた時からの付き合いといってもいい。 『星斬り』を志す事にしてからは必要以上に絡んでくるようになったソフィアであるが、それ以前からもそれなりに友好的ではあった。 だからだろう。昔から俺を見ていた人だから、そんな言葉が出てきた。 「ああ、たぶんそれだ。きっと俺は、死なれるのは嫌だったんだ」 知り合いが。 自分の記憶に存在する知人がいなくなる事が嫌だった。 それは、失う事はイヤだから。というどこまでも子供らしい思考に基づいた行動。多少、あの剣士の生涯を追憶し、達観めいた性格になっていたとしても根っこの部分は変えられない。 自分は、まだ12歳の少年である事を自覚させられながら俺は、苦笑いを浮かべた。 「それに」 良い機会じゃないか。 「いつか、何かしらの壁は越えなきゃいけないと思ってた」 それが、今日だったというだけの話。 「オーガ程度に臆して何が『星斬り』だ」 臆す事は簡単だ。 見て見ぬ振りをするのも簡単だ。 簡単な事を成して、成して、成して。 果てに『星斬り』にたどり着けるだろうか? あの、全てを捨てて死に物狂いで剣を振り続けた剣の鬼ですら手の届かなかった極地にそんなヤツがたどり着けるだろうか? 答えは、否だ。 「......やる事は、決まった」 あの剣士ならば恐らく、オーガ程度、歯牙にもかけないであろう事は容易に想像がついた。何しろ、俺はあの剣士の生涯を見たのだ。あの、壮絶な剣技を。 だから、その剣士の記憶を正しくなぞれば、俺が負ける道理はないと言い切れた。 「これで懸念は、取り敢えず無くなった」 実力が、経験が、技量が。 一切合切、足りていないものだらけ。そんな俺が雑念を抱いたまま向かうなぞ、愚者にも程がある。 今の俺が許されている事はただひとつ。 無我夢中で、最善の結果を掴み取る。それだけだ。 俺自身の実力や経験を含め、今現在、足りていないものはあまりに多過ぎる。 だから余計な考えなぞ棄ててしまえ。 懸念など抱くな。渦巻く疑問は霧散させろ。 そう認識を改め、ふぅ、と息を吐く。 「やれるだけやろう」 ここで俺がソフィアを見殺しにしたとしよう。 きっとそれは、一生俺に付きまとう十字架となって背中にのしかかると断言が出来た。 俺が生涯をかけて成したい『星斬り』。 心の何処かに存在するソフィアが死んでしまう事を拒む己の存在を無視し、こじつけのような理由を並べ、そう自分に言い聞かせて、俺はまた一歩とその場から遠ざかった。 「あら?」 村の外に位置する川のほとりに続く道を突き進んでいた俺に、またしても聞き慣れない声がやってきた。 今度は、女性特有の少し高い声音。 身なりは先程、村長宅で言い合いをしていた男達のものにとてもよく似ている。きっと彼女も冒険者なのだろう。瞬時に俺はそう判断した。 「ねえ、キミ。何処に行くの?」 「家。向こうに家があるからそこに」 実際に、家自体は存在する。 村の外に続く道の傍に一軒だけぽつりと存在する家が。 「そう。危険だからくれぐれも村の外には出ないようにね」 「わかった。ありがとうお姉さん」 ただ、それがすでに使われていない廃墟で。 俺の家とは別で。向かう先でもないという嘘で塗り固められた発言という事に、偶然すれ違った初対面の女性が気づけるはずもなかった。

Chapter 4 "...Just what in the hell is that Sofia doing?" I thought to myself as I tried to hide the uneasy feeling that was swirling within my chest. It was already half an hour past the sunset, but there were still no signs of Sofia at all. Darkness enveloped the sky, and aside from the stars that shone down from the heavens, the only light that I could see was coming from the village chief's house. So, in order to keep them away as much as possible, having no lights in every house became the norm except for the village chief's house, where the adults were still discussing the matter at hand. "...Sigh..." For some reason, it was rather chilly outside. It felt as if the sigh I let out appeared whiter than it really was. I was standing in front of the door as if to wait for someone outside the house, but it was only a matter of time before I decided to come back inside. As such, I didn't know anything about what they were discussing at the village chief's house. When I told my mother that I wanted to wait for Sofia to come home, she gave me permission to wait outside the house. "...I wonder what they've been talking about in there..." The commotion could be easily heard from a short distance away. I was curious about what they were talking about, so I told myself to eavesdrop for a little while, and walked toward the village chief's house. "As I said, we'd have to wait until tomorrow morning!!!" A voice, more enraged than anything I'd ever heard before. The sound of the voice, which must have been a man's, vibrated through my eardrums... "A child had gone outside the village, and still hasn't come back yet... It's too late to take action tomorrow morning...!" "Monsters can see at night, and so they tend to show their true colors! I don't know what you want us to do... Are you implying that I should abandon my life?! Do I even have the obligation for that?!" "..." The man intimidated the room as he engaged in the conversation with his brash voice. Because it belonged to Alec, the chief of this village, and the father of my childhood friend, Sofia. I peeked out of the small window where the light was coming in and saw a group of four men I had never seen before. Another five people from my village, including the village chief and my father, were all squabbling with each other. I looked up at the sky with a wry smile, questioning an action that even I still didn't fully understand. The stars that were shining far away in the distance looked down on me. "Do I really think I could win? ...No. The me of this day couldn't even afford to have a vision of me winning." The opponent was a monster that could make a grown man cower in fear. The factors that build up confidence were the number of opportunities and the amount of experience accumulated. There was no way I could have had the confidence to win if I didn't have those things. Even if the Ogre and I were to face each other, it would be necessary for me to risk my life at all costs. So if I'm not confident enough, why was this bugging me? Why? "Good grief... I really wonder why." As I turned my back away from the village chief's house, I didn't find my feet going back to mine, but to the place where I had been pretend-swinging just a few hours ago. What was it that I wanted to accomplish in the first place? That is... to Slay the Stars. I had just told Sofia that I was going to continue training in order to become a "Star Slayer." "Is it because I feel sorry for her? ...No, it's not that either." From what I'd heard from the would-be adventurer, Sofia was going to be a half-abandoned soul, all alone in the capital. That very thought occurred to me, but I quickly dismissed it. I knew better than anyone else that I was not a person with a sense of justice or compassion. "I guess... I don't want to lose her, huh..." Four years ago, ever since that day. The life of a swordsman was vividly etched in my memory. Since then, I aspired to become a swordsman, as if I had instantly changed into a new person, but of course, I had lived a villager's life before that. "You used to have the eyes like those of a dead fish, but now your eyes look like they belong to a human." Sofia and I grew up together. We'd known each other since birth, you could say. She was already friendly to a certain extent, but after I decided to become a "Star Slayer," Sofia started to get involved with me more than necessary. She was someone who had been watching me for a long time, and that's why she said those words. "I'm certain that I don't want her to die. Yeah, that's probably why." An acquaintance. I didn't like the idea of losing someone I know who existed in my memory. Justifying all my concerns and worries. Even if I remembered the life of that swordsman, and became more or less an intellectual, I wouldn't be able to change the root of this problem. I smiled bitterly as I was made aware that I was still a 12-year-old boy. "Besides..." Wasn't this a good opportunity? "I knew that someday, I'd have to cross some kind of hurdle." It just happened to be today. "What's an Ogre to a dream of 'Slaying the Stars?'" It's easy to be intimidated. It's easy to turn a blind eye. It's easy to only do the things that are convenient for you. Would I be able to reach my dream of "Slaying the Stars" in the end? Could such a person reach the extreme where even the Sword Demon who abandoned everything and swung his sword in desperation could not reach? My answer was no. "...I know what I have to do." After all, I had seen the life of that swordsman, and how fierce his swordsmanship was. So I could say that if I traced the swordsman's memories correctly, there was absolutely no way I could lose. "Well, that should take my worries away for the time being." Competence, experience, and skill. It would be foolish for me to head out there with all of these thoughts in my head. There was only one thing that the weak me, the present me, was allowed to do. It was to be selfless and seize the best possible outcome. There were too many things that I was lacking at the moment, including my own abilities and experience. So I let go of any unnecessary thoughts. I couldn't have these worries get to me. I had to let the swirling doubts dissipate. Acknowledging my situation, I exhaled. "I'll only do what I can." Suppose I left Sofia to die here. I was certain that it would be a cross that would haunt me for the rest of my life. I had a dream of slaying the stars which I wanted to accomplish in my lifetime. I ignored the part of me that refused to let Sofia die, and gave myself a bunch of convoluted reasons to do so, taking another step away from the scene. "Oh?" I was heading down the path that led to the banks of the river outside the village when I heard another unfamiliar voice. This time, a slightly higher tone, distinctly a female. She looked very much with the likes of the men who had been arguing at the village chief's house earlier. "Hey, you. Where are you going?" "Home. My home is over there. That's where I'll be." In fact, the house itself existed. There was only one house that existed beside the road leading out of the village. "I see. It's dangerous, so don't go wandering outside the village." "Okay. Thank you very much, I'll keep that in mind." One thing was... that it was an already-abandoned place that wasn't being used. Apart from my house, there was no way that a woman I had never met before, passing by at random, could have known that my statement was a lie.

九話 薄明かりに照らされる一軒家。 暗闇に慣れてしまっていたからか、目に優しい暖色の光でも尚、思わず目を細めて顔を顰めてしまう。けれど、それに構わず走る。 彼女は走って、走って———駆け走って。 言われた通り、冒険者がもし本当にいるのならば。あの言葉がその場しのぎの嘘でないならば、きっと———。 ソフィアは、乱暴に扉を押し開けた。 「は、ぁ————」 中腰になりながら、膝に手を置き、切れた息をゆっくり空気を貪る事で整えつつソフィアは部屋の中を見回した。 中には、見慣れた人物が数人と見慣れない身格好をした者が5人程。 ———冒険者だ。 それをソフィアは相手側に確認するまでもなく、断定した。そして、ガバッと勢いよく頭を下げる。 「助けては、頂けませんかッ!!!」 夜中にもかかわらず、他の事など御構い無しに彼女はそう声を張り上げた。 「ソフィア、お前今の今までどこにいたんだ......人がどれだけ心配していたと思って」 鬼気迫る様子のソフィアに対し、いの一番に話しかけたのは彼女の父親であり、村長でもあるアレクだった。 けれど、そんな事は知らないと言わんばかりにソフィアが取り合う素振りを一切見せない。 「......嬢ちゃん。そりゃ、どういう意味だ?」 「時間が、ないんですッ。早くしないと、ユリウスが......」 ユリウス。 そのワードが出た途端、即座に扉の外へ出る者がいた。 言わずもがな、ユリウスの父である。 「あれ程忠告しただろうがあんの、バカ息子がッ」 そこにはユリウスの家が映されており、淀みない歩調で駆け足気味に彼は飛び出した。 「......どういう事か説明しなさいソフィア」 怒りを孕んだ口調で、静謐にアレクが言う。 唯一、ユリウスの父親だけが事態を大凡理解していたようだが、それ以外の者はアレクを含め、どういう事なのか。 その答えに至る事は叶っていなかった。 「ユリウスが、あたしを、庇って......」 これは己の考えなしの行動が招いた結果。 故に、ソフィアは自責に苛まれながら、言葉を一つ一つ紡いで行く。どうか、助けに向かってくれませんか。という想いを込めて、涙の如く感情のこもった言葉をこぼす。 「ユリウスが、あたしを助けにきてくれたの。でも、そのあと、大きな魔物が、きて......」 「......大きな魔物?」 怪訝に尋ねるのは冒険者の男。 「あたしやユリウスよりもずっと、ずっと大きくて......。ユリウスは、オーガって言ってた」 ソフィアはあの時は怯えていたが為にまともに視認出来ていなかった。だから、ユリウスが口にしていた言葉通りに彼女は伝える。 しかし、それを伝えた途端、目に見えて冒険者達の顔が厳しいものへと移り変わっていた。 「今、オーガと言ったか? 嬢ちゃん」 「い、言いました、けど......」 「なら、希望は捨てておけ」 そう言って、男は近くに設えられていた椅子にどかっと腰掛ける。それは、行かないと。 助けに向かわないと口にしていると同義の行動であった。 「この暗闇の中、オーガを相手取るなんざ、恐らくオレら5人でも間違いなく死傷者が出る上、勝てるかどうかすら分からねえ。ましてや村人1人。嬢ちゃんをこうして逃した時点でそいつは良くやったよ。上等過ぎる働きだ」 「一応言っておくが、たとえ状況が異なっていたとしても、オレらは魔物に有利に働くこの時間帯で動く気は無かった。ましてや、死人を迎えに行く事になんの意味があるよ。ねえだろ? つまり、そういう事だ」 「ユリウスを、助けてはくれないんですか」 「骨を拾う行為を助けるとは言わねえ」 恐らく、既に死んでいるか。 運良く生き延びていたとしても風前の灯火だろう。冒険者の男は、これまでの経験からそう確信していた。 「だから、諦めな嬢ちゃん。とはいえ、夜が明ければオレらも動く。それは約束しよう」 「......それじゃ、遅いんです」 「それは嬢ちゃんの事情だ。オレらが知った事じゃね——」 「待って」 各々が意見を固辞し、平行線に話が進まないと思われた最中。会話に割り込む声が一つ。 「ねえ、貴女。その助けてくれた人って......アッシュグレーの髪をした男の子かしら?」 声の主は、女性だった。 「あ、は、はい。ユリウスはアッシュグレーの髪ですけど......」 「あー、やっぱりあの子だったんだ」 「知り合いか?」 「いいえ? ちょっと前にすれ違った時、言葉を二、三交わしただけの仲。でも、そう。あの子が......」 そう言葉をもらしながら、冒険者の女性は足を動かす。向かう先は———外に続く扉。 威圧を込めてか、何処と無く先程までとは異なり、低い声で男は問う。 「だって、気分悪いじゃない? 私の役目は村の人間を外に出さないように警戒する事だった。でも、そんな私は自分ですら気付かぬうちに外へ送り出してしまっていた。それも、10歳かそこらの男の子を」 「自分の意思で勝手に出て行ったやつだ。お前が責任を感じる必要はないだろうが」 「ええ。そうね。でも、少し気になるの」 「気になるだぁ?」 どこか楽しそうに、女性はつい先程とも言える出来事を思い出しながら己が考えを言葉に変える。 言葉にし難い何か。 「それに、何かの拍子でオーガが弱ってくれれば回復される前に叩いた方が良いでしょう? 村の付近まで向かって待機しておくくらいなら建設的だと思うわよ?」 「お前は、そのガキがオーガを弱らせる程の実力者だと?」 「そんな事、知ってるわけがないでしょう? だけど、物事は何が起こるか分からない。そうでしょう?」 彼女は椅子に腰掛ける男性だけではなく、ずっと無言を貫いていた他のメンバーへ意見を尋ねるように視線を向けた。 否定の言葉どころか、声すら上がらない。 「決まり、ね」 「......だが、オレらは助けに向かうわけじゃねえぞ。それは、忘れるな」 「もちろん。でも、面白いことが起こってそう」 そう言って彼女は腰付近に手を当てた。

Chapter 9 There laid a lone house illuminated by the twilight from afar. Perhaps because she was used to the darkness, even such warm and gentle light made her squint, but she ran regardless of that. She ran, and ran-- and ran... It was as I said, that the adventurers were really out there, and my words weren't just makeshift lies... Then-- Sofia abruptly pushed open the door with great force. "Ha-aaaahhh--" Sofia looked around the room with her resting on her knees, slowly gulping down air to catch her breath. Inside the house, there were several familiar figures and about five unfamiliar-looking people. ...They were adventurers. Sofia affirmed it without even needing to confirm it, and with a gulp of her throat, she bowed her head down vigorously. "Would you please help me?!" She raised her voice in the middle of the night, without regard to anyone else. "Sofia! Where the hell have you been all this time...?! People have been worried sick about you!!" The first person to speak to her was her father, Alec, who was also the village head. But Sofia makes no pretense of taking up the conversation, as though she was unaware of such a thing, and just kept bowing her head to the said unfamiliar people. "...Just what do you mean by that, little girl?" "We are running out of time... If we don't hurry up, Julius will..." Julius. As soon as that certain word was uttered, someone immediately went out the door. Needless to say, it was Julius' father. "I even warned him about this, that stupid boy--" Looking ahead, he saw Julius' house, to which he rushes out with a steady gait. "What is this? Explain yourself, Sofia." Said Alec quietly in an angry tone of voice. Only Julius' father seemed to have a general understanding of what was going on, but everyone else, including Alec, had no clue of what was going on. Everyone else, including Alec, was unable to come up with an answer. "Julius... He protected me..." This was the result of her own reckless behavior. Tormented by remorse, she continuously pleaded with the people for their help, spilling out words filled with emotion with the hopes of them going off to her rescue. "Julius came to help me. But right after that... a huge monster came..." "...A huge monster?" The man who questioned it suspiciously was an adventurer, the man who was arguing with Alec when Julius was listening in. "It was a monster way bigger than Julius and I combined... He said it was an ogre." Sofia was too frightened to see properly at that time, so she told them exactly what Julius had said. But as soon as they heard that, the adventurers' faces visibly turned into stern expressions. "D-Did you just say it was an ogre, little girl?" "Y-Yes, but..." "Don't bother worrying then." With that, the man then slumped into a chair that has been placed nearby. It was the equivalent of him saying that he wouldn't go, and he wouldn't help. "In this darkness, even the five of us would probably suffer casualties. Hell, I don't even know if we could win. I'm just glad that the ogre let you go, and you did a good job running your way back here." "I'll say it now, but even if the situation had been different, we still have no intention of taking action at this time. Not only is it advantageous to the monsters, but what's the point in picking up the dead?" "You... won't help Julius?" "I wouldn't call the act of picking up his remains 'helping' him." Most likely, he was already dead. Convincing her with his experience, he stressed the fact that if he was lucky enough to survive, it wouldn't be long before the adventurers found him. "Give it up, little girl. Though, we'll start to move when this night is over. I could at least promise you that." " It would be too late by then." "That's your problem. It's none of our business." "Wait--" In the midst of what seemed to be a parallel conversation in which each side was adamant in their opinions, one voice interrupted the conversation. "Hey, does the guy who helped you.... perhaps, have ash gray hair?" It was a woman's voice. "Oh, y-yes. Julius has ash gray hair..." "Ahh-- So it was really him, huh?" "Do you know him?" "No, we had just passed each other earlier and exchanged a few words. But, I see... It was him, huh..." Following those words, the woman got to her feet... and walked straight to the door leading outside. The man asked in a low voice, somewhat different from before, with a hint of intimidation. "I feel terrible, but do you not? My role is to be on the lookout and keep the villagers from going out, but I've already allowed one without even realizing it. I was sending a boy of 10 or so years old out into the forest." "He left on his own volition. You don't need to feel responsible for that." "I guess so. But... I'm a little curious." "Curious?" Somewhat delighted, the woman recalled an event that occurred not too long ago, expressing her thoughts in words. Something that was difficult to put into words... was what I thought she was feeling. "Besides, if the ogre gets weakened in any way, we'd better strike it before it recovers, right? Isn't it better to at least go to the vicinity of the village and stand by?" "You think that brat is good enough to weaken the ogre?" "How could I possibly know that? Though, you can never know what could happen, can you?" She looked not only at the man sitting in the chair but also at the other members of the group who had remained silent for a long time, as if to solicit their opinions. Not a voice, let alone a word of denial-- just silence. "It's decided, then." "But we're still not going to help you, keep that in mind." "Of course. Though, I feel like something interesting would happen." She put her hand near her waist, then to the shaft of her lowered sword.

「————それで一体、どうするつもりなのかしら」 「どうするって?」 「......〝魔法使い狩り〟の事に決まってるでしょう」 あれから人気のスイーツ店〝プロッソル〟を後にした直後、隣を歩くリレアからそう問い掛けられていた。 「視認不可の魔法だなんて聞いた事がないけれど、もし仮に本当にそんな魔法を〝魔法使い狩り〟が使うとすれば......万が一も十二分にあり得るわよ」 「だろうね。でも、本当に相手がそんな魔法使うとして。なら、そこには何かしらの欠陥が付き纏っている筈だよね」 それは二年間の猶予の際。 彼女の妹であるビエラやシヴァの魔法については知らないが、恐らく何かしらの欠陥を抱えていた筈だ。 それが、魔法に付き纏う〝絶対〟であると他でもないリレアが教えてくれたから。 「......ええ、そうね。恐らく何かしらの欠陥はあるでしょう。でも、」 「————なら、きっと何とかなるって」 リレアの言葉を遮って、楽観的に俺が言う。 「それに、ずっと謎めいたままにしておく方がよっぽど怖いと思わない? 姿を隠せるなら、何処かに逃げ隠れても無意味。なら、その五日に一回の周期に則って魔法使いを殺してくれてる今のうちに、堂々と餌になっておいた方が良いと思うけどな」 「......キミにしては珍しく正論を言うのね」 「その認識は間違いなく正しくないから改めておいたほうがいいわよ」 「————にしても、予想外に予定が早く終わっちゃったわね」 リレアは空を仰ぐ。 まだ日は暮れてもおらず、時刻は昼を少し過ぎたあたり。 予定していた魔物の討伐と、アムセスとの話し合いも終了してしまい、当初の予定は全て終わってしまっている。後は、討伐の証明をギルドへ提出しに向かうくらい。 「何かしたい事はあるかしら?」 王都に来たばかりの俺を気遣ってか。 したい事はあるか、とリレアが俺に尋ねてくれる。けれど、ソフィアのように何処かのお店に興味がある等も特にないので一瞬考え込むも、やはり良さげな答えは浮かんでくれない。 口を真一文字に引き結び、んー、と考え込む俺を見兼ねてか。 「......あぁ、そういえば、ソフィアちゃんってばあれから随分と魔法が上達したのよ?」 突然の話題転換。 あたしは口出す気ないから、と言わんばかりに一向に話に交ざろうとしていなかったソフィアの名を突としてリレアが声に出していた。 「今なら、多少の傷程度ならすぐに治せるんじゃないかしら」 二年の猶予の間にも、己なりに試行錯誤していた姿は見ていたけれど、リレアの言葉を聞く限り王都に来てから更にソフィアも己の魔法を上手く扱えるようになっているらしい。 「だから、ソフィアちゃん次第ではあるけれど————」 そう言いながらリレアの視線がソフィアに移動。 「————やりたい事が見つからないっていうなら、相手をしてあげても良いわよ? 私も定期的に魔法を使っとかないと鈍っちゃうし」 リレアが終始腰に下げていた剣の柄を僅かに持ち上げた事で生まれた音であった。 そしてその提案は、これから無為に時間を潰すより余程、俺からすれば有益なものに思えた。 ただ、問題はリレアがソフィア次第であると条件をつけた部分にある。 俺とリレアの視線がソフィアに集まる。 当の本人はというと、何やら悩ましげな唸り声を漏らしていた。 「あたし的には別に良いんだけど、条件が一つだけ」 ここでもまた、条件。 「その手合わせで、もしユリウスがリレアさんに負けた場合は、〝魔法使い狩り〟の餌になるって言ってたやつ。あの言葉を訂正して貰うから。もちろん、二人とも魔法は禁止。ユリウスは〝流れ星〟も禁止」 ......とんでもない条件である。 「あ、それ良いわね。私に勝てないのに噂の〝魔法使い狩り〟に勝てるわけもないもの。その案、乗った」 良い事言うわねえ! と言わんばかりに、声を弾ませて楽しそうにリレアは同調。 「でも、キミも少しはソフィアちゃんの気持ちも分かってあげたらどうかしら? 冗談抜きで言うけれど、アムセスのあの言葉が本当なら、キミと〝魔法使い狩り〟の相性は最悪よ」 ソフィアはソフィアで、俺の身を案じてくれているのだとリレアが言う。 ......言われずともそんな事は分かっている。 自分勝手に〝ミナウラ〟に向かった事に対する制裁として、いい感じのグーパンチを貰った後に、ソフィアから怒鳴られていたから。 ————あたしにとって大事な人達を死なせたくないから、あたしはこうして治癒の魔法を学んでるのに、あたしの知らないところでそうやって無茶されたら、......もうどうしようもないじゃん。 無茶をする事を止められない事はもう分かってる。でもせめて、勝手に無茶を敢行する事だけはやめてくれ、と。 俺自身ですらも反論出来ず、リレアを始めとした面々からも袋叩きにあったのはまだ記憶に新しい。 お陰で先のスイーツの件も断り切れなかった。 「......そんな事は分かってる」 剣士とは己の を振るって対象を斬り裂く。ただそれだけの行為を自身の攻撃手段に据えている者達の総称である。 描く剣線は一本。 見当たらないからと闇雲に振るったところで偶然当たる確率なんてものは万が一にもないだろう。 アムセスも言っていた。 相性が最悪な相手に、俺から仕掛けるならまだいい。けれど、これまで殺されてきた魔法使い達のように相手のタイミングで仕掛けられては一溜りもないだろうから。 「......ま、それが正論でもあるわね」 こういう時に限って、キミってば人一倍合理的な考えが出来るのずるくない? と、忌々しげにじとっ、と見詰められる。 さぁ、どうする。 負けるかもしれないといって、尻尾巻いて逃げるのかしら? と、やって来る挑戦的な眼差し。 それらに対し、俺は口端を柔らかに曲げた。 「あぁ、そうだった。キミには愚問だったわね」 ————上等、である。 「んふふ、ロウやヨシュアは私の剣の相手は絶対にしてくれないし、キミは知らないだろうけどこのひと月、結構溜まってたのよねえ」 恐らくフラストレーションが、だろう。 二年前より、リレアが俺に対して積極的に世話を焼いてくれていた最たる理由のひとつに、剣を振るう事の出来る相手が欲しかった、というものがある。 とどのつまり、彼女が俺に世話を焼いていたのは俺の為でなく、己の為。 俺という存在が、己のいい鍛錬相手になりそうだから、というものであった。 そして事実、村にやって来るたびにお互いがお互いのためにお互いを利用して鍛錬に励んでいた。だからこその、一言。 今でこそ理性的に見えるが、リレアも煎じ詰めれば俺と同類といって相違ない人間。 所謂、戦闘馬鹿と言われる側の者であった。

"--So, what in the hell are you going to do?" "About what?" "...About the "Magician Hunter," of course." It was the first thing that Lilea asked right after we left the popular sweets store named "Prossol" as we walked. "I've never heard of invisibility magic, but if such magic is really possessed by someone, namely someone like the 'Magician Hunter,' it's definitely more than plausible." "I bet so, but let's assume that person really possesses such magic. In that case, there must be some kind of flaw accompanying that magic, right?" It was one of the pieces of knowledge about magic Lilea had taught me during my two-year grace period before going to the capital. I didn't know much about Viera nor Siva's, but they must have some kind of flaw too, one way or another. It's an "absolute" element that accompanies all magic, as per Lilea's teachings. "...You're right. There are probably a flaw or two, but--" "--We can make things work out then." I interrupted Lilea with my hopeful optimism. "Besides, don't you think it's much scarier if he remained anonymous all the time? If he can indeed hide in plain sight, it'd be pointless for magicians to run away and hide. Then I think it's better to be an imposing bait in his once every five days cycle." "...That's an unusually sound argument coming from an insane person like you." "If that's your definition of being sound and rational, then you better work on changing it." "--But with all that being said, our schedule ended unexpectedly early." Lilea looked up at the sky. The time was a little past noon, but the sun hadn't started to set just yet. The scheduled meeting with Amseth about teaming up had been dealt with, and so all our initial plans were over. "Is there anything in particular you want to do?" I guess she was concerned about the fact that I had just arrived in the capital. Lilea asked me if there was anything I wanted to do, but unlike Sofia, I didn't have any interest in certain places. Perhaps seeing my mouth tight as a knot, she immediately followed up. "...Oh, now that I remember it, Sofia-chan here has improved her magic a lot since then, you know?" A sudden change of topic. Lilea suddenly mentioned Sofia's name, the person who hadn't been trying to join in the conversation. "I'm sure she can heal a few wounds quickly now." I had seen Sofia try and experiment in her own way during my two-year grace period, but according to Lilea, it seems that she has become even better at using her magic since coming to the capital. "So depending on Sofia's response--" Lilea's gaze shifted to Sofia as she said this. "--I'll gladly help and tag along with you two if you want. I have to use my magic regularly too, or else my skills will get dull." She said with a clang, and the clang was from Lilea slightly lifting the hilt of her sword that she had been holding at her waist the whole time. I thought that proposal would be more beneficial to me than aimlessly wasting my time wandering in the capital on my own. The problem, however, was the part where Lilea surrendered all the authority to Sofia into making the decision. The two of us set our gazes on Sofia. And the person in question let out a troubled groan. "That's all fine with me, but I do have one condition." A condition, once again. "If you lose to Lilea-san in a duel, forget about being the bait for the 'Magician Hunter.' Of course, both of you aren't allowed to use magic, so no{Shooting Star} for you too, Julius." ...What a ridiculous condition. "Oh, that's some good condition you got there. If you can't beat me, how can you even stop the rumored 'Magician Hunter?' I'm on board, let's do it." Lilea happily concurred, her voice bubbling with joy. "But you should be a little more understanding of Sofia's feelings. Kidding aside, if what Amseth said was true, you and the "Magician Hunter" aren't a really good match." With Sofia being who she is, she can't help but be concerned about your well-being, Lilea added. ...I knew that without being told. She was furious, and she yelled and punched me hard in the gut for selfishly going to Minaura all on my own after all. --I'm learning healing magic because I don't want people who are important to me to die. But if they do something reckless like that without me knowing, there's really nothing I can do. I already know that I can't keep you from doing something reckless. But at the very least, don't be on your own, she said. Even I myself couldn't refute it, and it was still fresh in my mind that I was beaten by Lilea and others as well. Thanks to those memories, I couldn't turn down giving Amseth a chance to say what he must. "...I know that." Swordsmen are those who wield their swords to cut and slash in hopes of slaying their targets. It's a general term for those who do just so as their means of attack. They draw one straight line. And there was no such thing as hitting an invisible target in the dark by chance. Amseth also said that even the fiercest warriors become scarecrows before the 'Magician Hunter.' If I should be suddenly attacked like the magicians who had died in the past, I wouldn't stand a chance at all. "...Well, that's a good argument too." It's not fair that you can think more rationally than anyone else at a time like this, is it? What will you do? Are you going to run away with your tail between your legs, saying you might lose so you won't even bother to try? I curved the edge of my mouth ever so softly as my answer. "Oh, I forgot. That was a stupid question to ask you." --This is great. "Fufufu, both Lowe and Joshua just refuse to be my training mate. And you don't know this, but I've had a lot on my plate this past month." Frustration, perhaps. One of the main reasons Lilea had been actively looking after me for the past two years was that she wanted a partner with whom she could wield a sword. So basically, she wasn't taking care of me for my sake, but for herself. It was because I'd make a good training partner for her. In fact, I was the same with her as the two of us trained together every time they visited my village. Although she may appear a rational person, Lilea was just someone like me when you really looked at her core. She's a certain someone who's also called... a fighting maniac.

元々の自力の差は歴然。 見る見るうちに押し込まれてゆく。 しかしそれでも、やられてたまるか。とっととくたばれ。火炎だろうが、何だろうが、邪魔をするなら全部叩っ斬る。 それらの感情をまるで怒鳴りつけでもするかのように、俺は一層右の腕に力を込める。 次いで、悲鳴が聞こえた。 けれど。 それでも構わず俺は喉を震わせ、叫び散らす。 「ッ、あああぁあああぁぁッ!!!」 気勢を上げる俺の叫びに呼応するように、ぐぐぐと腕が前へと進み始める。先へ、先へと放たれる火炎を斬り裂きながら、均衡が崩壊の兆しを見せる。 そもそも、間違っていたのだ。 格上相手に、先の事を考えながら戦えるものか。後の事を考慮してる場合か。 「ぶっ、倒れろ............ッ!!!」 宙に描かれる幻想的光景。 炎の奔流を斬り裂き走る光の軌跡はまさしく————〝 崩れた体勢を上手く立て直すことが出来ず、そのまま地上へと落下を開始。 程なく、斬り裂いた 上手くクッションの役目を果たしてくれたものの、それなりの高さからの落下。 加えて左腕を負傷していた事もあり、その衝撃のせいで尋常でない痛みが全身を駆け巡る。 「ッ、......は、ぁ......はぁ、だぁー......死ぬかと思った」 軽く右の手を火傷していた事により、じんわりと滲んでくる痛み。じっとりと背中を濡らす冷や汗の感触を瞑目しながら味わう。 そして目蓋を開く。 たった一体の変異種を相手にこのザマである。 実際に戦闘を繰り広げていた時間は恐らく、十数分。だというのに数時間ぶっ続けで動いた時よりもずっと酷い疲労感が身体を支配していた。 亀裂の入った無骨な剣を手放し、右の手一本で大地に投げ出された身体を起き上がらせる。 先程、上空で確認したようにあの そんな、折。 ぱち、ぱち、ぱち。 と、手を打つ音が等間隔で聞こえてきた。先程までとは打って変わり静まり返った場にて、その音は目立って響き渡っていた。 「いやぁ、凄いねえ。あの魔物を一人で倒すなんて。 女性特有の高めの声。 表情を確認出来ていないが、鼓膜を揺らすその声音から、声の主が上機嫌である事は考えるまでもなく理解が出来た。 声の出処は何処か。 そんな事を思いながら後ろを振り向くと、散々に荒らされた木々の陰から一人の女性が俺を見詰めていた。 花咲いたような笑みを向けられる。 微風に靡く銀糸のような長めの髪。 それは、俺の村にやってきた〝戦姫〟と呼ばれる貴族————ビエラ・アイルバークと同様の家名であったから。 「本当は色々と貴方とお話ししたいところではあるんだけれど、残念ながら今はそうも言ってられないんだよねえ」 ま、言わずもがなその事情は貴方も理解してると思うけど。 逃げるならとっとと逃げなくては。 「そこでひとつ、提案なんだけれども。......そこの魔物、わたしにくれないかな?」 フィオレがそう言って指を指した先には、先程俺がズタズタの真っ二つに斬り裂いてやった だからこそ、言葉の意味が分からなかった俺は疑問符を頭上に浮かべる。 「魔物の死骸は金になる。変異種であれば、その希少性は計り知れない。うん、うん。二つ返事出来ない理由は十二分に分かりますとも。でもね、命あっての物種とは思わないかなあ?」 「......言葉の意味がイマイチ理解出来ないんだけど」 って言ってるの。貴方の戦闘力には十分過ぎる価値がある。これからの事を考えると見殺しにするには惜しいかなってね」 これって光栄な事なんだよ? ......とはいえ、助けてあげると言われても、既に事切れた死骸を所望するその意図が全く以て分からない。故に、即座に返事が出来ない。 別に構わないと思っているのに、死骸を欲しいと口にしたその異常性に引っ掛かってしまっていた。 「......貴方も魔法使いの癖に、変なところで引っ掛かるんだね」 「この世界では『魔法』と呼ばれる摩訶不思議な力が存在してる。それは基本的に、当人が強く望んだ力が『魔法』となって発現すると言われてる」 たとえば、剣を望んだ人間であれば剣を創り出す能力が。 それは、冒険者であるリレア達からも既に聞いた事柄でもあった。故に向けられた言葉に納得。 なら、ここまで言えば分かるよねと。 目で口程にものを言いながらフィオレは続け様、 「で。わたしに発現した魔法はちょっとアレでね。あんまり人様に言えるものじゃあないんだけど......能力は————〝 〟。多少の制限はあるんだけど、わたしの魔法は死んだ対象を無理矢理生き返らせて自由に操る事が出来る能力」 そう、口にした。 恐らく俺が死んだところで痛くも痒くもないだろうに、どうしてその能力を持っているにもかかわらず、俺を見殺しにするには惜しいと言ったのだろうか。 そんな疑問がふと浮かび上がった。 俺ですらも、操れば寧ろ都合が良いのでは、と。 「......だから制限があるって言ったでしょ。わたしの魔法————〝 「だから、出来る限り戦力になりそうな魔法使いは生かしておきたいの。これでお分かり?」 戦力とは恐らく、シヴァが言っていた〝ミナウラ〟に潜む魔物の頭を討伐する為のものなのだろう。 どの道、体力を回復させない事には絶体絶命の危機である事には変わりない。 肯定以外、返事はあり得ない。 「素直で宜しい。なら、後はお姉さんに任せておきなさいな」 の死骸へと歩み寄る。 どどど、と地響きが刻々と大きくなってゆく事を度外視。 あくまでも普段の調子を崩す気はないのだろう。ゆっくりと、静謐に、手のひらを

The difference in our raw strength was very clear. Before I knew it, I was being pushed back. With flame or no flame, if you get it in my way, I'll smash you to bits. As if to yell these feelings of mine, I put more strength into my right arm. And the next moment, I heard a scream and the sound of creaking bones. But... I didn't care, so I shook my head and let out a scream. "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!" As if responding to my spirited cry, my arm began to move forward. I was mistaken in the first place. How could I fight against a superior opponent while thinking about the consequences my body would take in the future? "Fall... down!!!" A dreamlike scene was drawn in the air. There laid a trajectory of light cutting through the torrent of flames, just like a "starburst." And unable to regain my position, I hit the ground. Soon after, my body was slammed into the corpse of the monster I had just slain. Although it served as a good cushion, I fell from a considerable height. In addition, due to the injury of my left arm, the impact caused an extraordinary amount of pain throughout my body. "...Ha-- Ah...hahaha... I thought I was going to die..." The pain from the light burn on my right hand gradually seeped into my body, followed by being soaked by the cold sweat that filled my back. I then opened my eyelids. Against just one mutant monster, this was what happened. The actual time the battle took was probably only a few minutes, but even so, I felt much more exhausted than if I had been working for several hours straight. I let go of the cracked, rugged sword and used my right hand to raise my body, which had been thrown to the ground. As I had just confirmed in the sky, other monsters were beginning to flock to this place because of that monster's call for help. And at the same moment... Clap, clap, clap. The sound was noticeably loud in the quieter distance, as it echoed throughout the place. "Defeating that monster all by yourself, you're pretty amazing. I thought I'd have to wait for Viera... No, Viera-chan to come back, but as it turned out, I've been blessed with an unexpected stroke of luck." A high-pitched voice, one that could only belong to a woman. Although I could not confirm her facial expression, I knew without thinking that the owner of that voice was in a good mood from the sound of her voice that shook my eardrums. I wondered where the voice came from. And as I turned around, I saw a woman staring at me from the shade of the trees, which now had been heavily torn. She said with a blossoming smile. Her long hair resembled silver threads, flowing in the breeze, with her delicate features elegantly composed. The same family name as the noblewoman-- Viera Islebark, the "Warrior Princess," who came to my village. "I would love to talk to you about all kinds of things, but unfortunately I'm afraid now is not the time to do so." Well, understanding the current situation, now was really not the time. If we're going to escape, we have to do it quickly. "Before we do anything, I have a suggestion... Can you give me that monster over there?" Fiole pointed her finger at the remains of the monster I had just torn to shreds. For that reason, a question mark appeared on my face, as I didn't understand the meaning behind her words. "I know that dead monster bodies are already worth money. If it's a mutant monster corpse, then, its rarity and price will be immeasurable. Oh, yeah... I would understand more than enough why you would be hesitant to give me an immediate answer, but you can't compare human life to a monster's can you?" "...I don't understand what you mean." "What I'm saying is, you give me that corpse, and I'll help you. Your fighting skills are more than worth it, and I'd regret leaving you to die here thinking of what you could do in the future." This is an honor, you know? Fiole then sniffed as she said this. ...However, even if she were to offer to help, I had no idea what her intentions were for wanting a corpse that had already died out. It wasn't a problem for me, but I was caught off guard by the insanity of her wanting a dead body. "...You're a magician yourself, too, but you get caught up with the weirdest things." "In this world, there exists a mysterious power called{ magic } , and basically, it is said that a person's strong desire becomes magic and manifests itself." For example, if one wanted to create a sword, they'd have the ability to create one. I had already heard this from Lilea and the other adventurers, so I was satisfied with their words. Then, she thought, if she informed me this much, I would understand. And so Fiole continued, using her eyes to say more than she could. "The magic that I have is a little strange. This is not something I can really tell people about, but... my ability is--{Corpse Puppet: Marionette} There are some restrictions and limitations, but my magic has the ability to force a dead target to come back to life and manipulate it at will." What she said. ...I pondered why she said that it was a waste to leave me here to die because of my ability, given that we had never met before. Such a question suddenly came to mind. I pondered if it would be even more convenient for her to manipulate my dead body. "...Like I told you, my magic has a limit. For some reason, I can't seem to manipulate magicians like you and me using my magic,{Marionette} " "I want to keep as many magicians who might be of use to Minaura alive. Do you understand now?" The reason was probably to have a better chance of defeating the head of the monsters lurking around this town, as Siva had said. In any case, we were still in a desperate crisis if I was unable to regain my strength. There could be no reply but an affirmative one. "I love honest people. Leave the rest to your sister, then." With that, she walked up to the corpse of the monster with a big smile on her face. She ignored the fact that the earth was shaking louder and louder by the minute. As if to not let the noise disrupt her normal routine, slowly and serenely, she turned her palm towards the monster-- and said a few words.

三十六話 脳裏に浮かんだのは————かつての情景。 『————お前のソレは、最早病気だ。来る日も来る日も〝星斬り〟、〝星斬り〟ってよ。白痴にでもなったか? あん?』 果てし無く広がる荒野。 数刻前まで轟音が忙しなく轟いていた戦場の空は、暗雲に閉ざされ、不気味な斜陽に染められていた。 すぐ側で、挑発でもするように言葉を突きつけられながらも、もう一人の剣士の男は『そうだな』と言って笑うだけであった。 『これは最早理屈じゃないんだ。......そして、この行為をどこまでも貫こうとする私の正気を証明する手段なんてものも何処にもありはしない』 別に理解なんてものを求めた覚えはなく。それはこれまでも。これからも一切変わらない不変であると剣士の男は言う。 『言ってしまえば、それこそ当人たる私にだってソレは分からん。お前の目に、狂気と映る程〝 ただ、やはり理屈ではないのだと。 他でもない己が正しいと判断している。ならば、その道に殉ずる理由はそれだけで十分。 共感はいらないし、理解もいらない。 同情も、ましてや協力も、全てを必要としていない。だから、私以外の人間にどう思われようが関係ないと剣士の男は締めくくった。 『......へっ、完全に手遅れだよお前は』 『そんなに、約束ってもんは大事かねえ?』 『無論』 刹那の逡巡すらなくそう言い切ってしまう。 他者の意見にこれっぽっちも耳を傾ける気がないと言わんばかりの頑迷具合に思わず、話し相手の男は空を仰いでいた。 『......幼少の、それこそ、物の道理すら十全に理解してるか怪しかった頃の大口だ。私も馬鹿げてるとは思うが、それでも果たす他ないだろうが? それが、既に死んだヤツとの唯一の約束とあっては、な』 『幾ら何でも律儀過ぎんだろ』 『お前もきっと、いつか分かる』 —————たとえこのまま死ぬとしても、あたしは怖くないよ。......だって、私には****がついてるから。だから、怖くない。怖くはないよ。たとえ死んだとしても、あたしは星になって、特等席で****の勇姿を見届けるだけだから。 『あんな真っ直ぐな目で、ああ言われては、私は断れんよ。無様は晒せんよ。だから、一生涯を懸けてでも、私は星を斬ろうと試みるのだ。......いいや、一生涯どころじゃない。この生がダメなら次の生。それでもダメならその次の生。当然のように間違いなく私であるならば、費やす』 幼少の頃の戯言だったというのに、彼女はそれを馬鹿正直に信じ切っていて。 に迫る中、そんな姿を見せられては、たとえそれが法螺話だろうが、真実にしなくちゃいけないだろうが。 それが、どこまでも理解されない剣士の男の根幹。戯言でしかない〝星斬り〟を成すと口にして止まない理由。 『......やっぱ、お前は正気じゃねえわ。んな真っ直ぐな目で、狂い切った言葉を当然のように宣える人間が正気であってたまるものか』 ————お前のソレは、病気を超えて最早呪いだ。 相手の男から見て、剣士の男の瞳はどこまでも真っ直ぐだった。瞳の奥に湛えられる決意と覚悟は紛れもなく本物だった。 けれど、そこに宿る煌めきはどうしようもなく危うく、とてもじゃないが正気であるとは口が裂けても言えなかったのだ。 『ま、ぁ、お前の言葉は分からないでもない。確かに、星を斬るなんて戯言をほざくには、正気じゃ到底無理な話だ』 しかし、既に成すと決めた。 何を犠牲にしようとも、星を斬り、証明すると決めた。 誓ったのだ。あの時、あの場所で。 剣士の男は肯定したのだ。 彼女の、あの言葉を。否定をして今まで通りの生活をするという選択肢もあった。平凡な剣士として、生き続けるという選択肢は確かにあったのだ。 平凡に、という選択肢を他でもない彼が握り潰したのだ。 だから、どうあっても背は向けられない。 『けれど、私は斬るしかない。それが全てだ』 『だから、己を追い込む為に吹聴してるってか? 馬鹿の一つ覚えのように、私は〝星斬り〟だから、〝星斬り〟だからってよ』 『......はっ、俺とお前。一体何年の付き合いだと思ってんだか』 彼らは親友だった。 幼馴染みとも呼べる間柄であった。 だから、大抵の事は言葉を尽くすまでもなくお互いがお互いに理解出来てしまう。 『〝星斬り〟と名乗れば必然、笑われる。夢見がちな男と大半の人間は嘲笑うだろうな。馬鹿にするだろうな。なにせ、それだけその行為は途方もない偉業なのだから。しかしだからこそ、私は〝星斬り〟と名乗らなくてはいけない』 笑われるという事はつまり、己の武が星を斬るまでもなく、未だ誰もが認める〝最強〟から程遠いという事実に他ならないのだから。 『結局、何が言いてえんだよ』 『......ったく。んなこと言われても違い分かんねえよ』 もっと分かりやすく簡潔に言いやがれと、投げやりに男はため息を吐いた。 何故なら、言葉を交わす剣士の男はそういうヤツなのだと彼は理解した上でこうして行動を共にしていたから。だから、お前らしいよと最終的にはいつも笑えてしまう。 男が、こうして己を〝星斬り〟と名乗り続ける阿呆と共に行動する理由はただひとつ。 その為に心血を注いで足掻く姿は何処までも滑稽で、醜くて、哀れで、華奢な腕よりもずっと儚くて————そして、それはどうしようもなく尊かったのだ。 『っ、と。そんなこんなと言ってる間にお迎えが来たみたいだなぁ?』 『どうやら奴等、俺らの事はよぉく知ってるらしい。やけに踏み込んでこねえと思ったら、後ろにヤバそうな魔法使いを潜ませてたとはなあ。近接じゃ勝負にならねえからってか?』 距離は目算数百メートル。 豆粒のようなシルエットと、やや大きめの魔法陣が虚空に描かれている事実を認識出来るくらい。 『どうするよ? なぁ————〝星斬り〟』 悩んでも構わねえが、あんまし時間は残ってねえぞと男は緊張感の感じられない笑みを浮かべながら口にする。 『時に、お前は〝星が降る夜〟を見た事はあるか』 『アレは理不尽の塊でな。星の速度なんてものは人間の足では到底追い付かないと知りながら奴等、唐突に降ってくるのだ』 私はどうにかして斬りたいというのに、あれでは斬るに斬れないと彼は言う。 『空に浮かぶ星を斬る肩慣らしに、降り注ぐ星でも斬ろうかと思ったのだが、これがまた難しくてな。降ってくる場所が分かっているならまだしも、分からないにもかかわらず空から降る星をまともに斬る事は不可能だと悟ったさ』 『ほぉ? お前にしちゃ随分とまともな意見じゃねえか』 『だから、対抗して私も星を降らせる事にした』 『......訂正だ。お前はやっぱりお前だったわ。ぶれる余地っつーもんが微塵も感じられねえ』 『剣が届かないのであれば、どうにかして剣ではない斬るという攻撃手段を届かせるまで』 『......何する気だ?』 「......星が降る、夜?」 「あれは綺麗なものでね。目にも留まらぬ速さで夜闇に紛れて無数の星が降り注ぐんだ」 この目で実際に見た事はないが、それでも記憶が覚えていた。星が降る夜の幻想的光景を。 「......それが一体どうしたってんだ」 「簡単な話だよ。接近出来ないのなら、接近せずに倒すまで。何も、近付かないと斬り裂けないだなんてルールは何処にも存在しないんだから」 故に————俺も星を降らす事で対象を斬り裂いてやる事にした。 「......成る程な。だが、じゃあなんで始めからそうしなかったよ?」 「痛いところを突くね」 「当然だ。オレがあんたの立場なら、一番初めに接近した際に違和感を感じ取った直後、それにシフトする。間違いなくな」 そして挟む一瞬の沈黙。 「本音を言うと、その技に対する自信ってものが絶望的なまでに無くてね」 本音を吐露する。 続け様、どうなるかは分からないけどと前置きをしてから 「まぁ、取り敢えずやってみるよ。なにせ、此処は親だろうが使えるものは何だろうと使う場所————〝ミナウラ〟の街。分不相応の記憶だろうが、そこに例外なんてものはないんだから」 どういう事だ? と、眉間に皺を寄せるシヴァ。しかし、それに対して馬鹿正直に説明する事なく、俺は彼の言葉を遮った。 「で、なんだけど、シヴァにひとつ謝らなくちゃいけない事があるんだ」 これは星が降る夜を模した技。 流れる無数の星を叩き落とし、それを斬り裂かんと願った一人の規格外が編み出した〝星斬り〟の技である。 「もし、万が一に上手くいったとして、シヴァにも少なからず被害が出ちゃうかもしれないから」 だから、ごめんねと予め謝っておく事にした。 「......なんだ、そんな事かよ。なら構わねえ。ちょっとやそっとでくたばる程オレはやわじゃねえよ」 シヴァの強さは既に俺の知るところ。 俺が繰り出す劣化模倣であれば、いらぬ心配であったかと、軽く笑う。 「じゃあ、お言葉に甘えて試してくるよ」 直後に思い浮かべるひとつの解号。

Chapter 36 It was a memory from the past, and so it flashed before my mind. "--You've already gone sick in the head, you know? Day after day, you always spout 'Star-Slaying' this, 'Star-Slaying' that. Have you become a complete idiot? Huh?" There laid an endless wilderness. Scarcely a few hours before, the sky above the battlefield, which had been roaring unceasingly, was now engulfed with darkness and tinted with the eerie sunset. The other swordsman right beside him could only let out a little laugh, saying so. "No matter how you look at it, nothing about your dream is within reason... There is just no way you could prove something that insane, let alone actually being able to achieve it." The swordsman never sought to be understood, which had never changed, nor would it ever be. "Even I myself wouldn't know that unless I try and do it. Whether or not I'm truly deranged for my dream, I'm just another obsessed person in your eyes." Though, he wouldn't deny that it was indeed still beyond reason. He made his own decision about what he thought was right, and so that was enough reason to devote himself to that path. He neither seeks sympathy, nor understanding. It didn't matter what anyone else thought of him, the swordsman concluded. "...Heh. It's completely late for you, you know?" "Are promises really that important to you?" "Of course they are." He said so without even a moment's hesitation. The man looked up at the sky, without the slightest intention of heeding the opinions of others, and then grumbled about how helpless he really was. "...Even at a young age when I couldn't even fully understand the reason for things, I sure had a really big mouth. When it's the only promise I can make to people who are already gone in this world, how can I not try and fulfill it?" "You're too disciplined for your own good." "You'll understand someday." --Even if I were to die like this, I wouldn't be afraid. And it's because... I have ####* with me. I'm not afraid, and I'm not going to be afraid. Even if I die, I'll become a star and watch #### afar, from a very special seat. "Having someone look me straight in the eye like that, I wouldn't be able to refuse. It's unsightly, and I cannot show such disgrace like that. So even if it takes me a lifetime, I will try to slay the stars... No. If this life didn't suffice, the next one would. And if that still didn't work, then I will make it so the next one definitely will." Even though it was a mere jest from childhood, he believed in it wholeheartedly. ...Even if it could cost it his life, be it a boastful, impossible feat, he had to make it come true. Hence the reason why he never ceased to declare his dream of slaying the stars, and the reason why it became the root of a swordsman who was never understood. "...You're a nutjob, after all. How could a sane person declare something like that with such honest, straightforward eyes?" --A curse rather than an illness, to be more exact. From the other man's perspective, the resolve and determination found in the swordsman's eyes were unmistakably genuine. But the gleam in his eyes was so dangerous that he could not be said to be in his right mind. "Well, it's not like I don't understand your point. Because indeed, it's more than crazy to even consider the idea of slaying the stars." But he had already decided to do it. No matter at what cost, he had already decided to prove that he could indeed slay the stars. He swore an oath. At that very time, in that very place. The swordsman himself affirmed it. As an ordinary swordsman who had the option to simply deny that dream and continue living as he had before, he chose to be pretentious and put on airs. He, of all people, had to crush the option of being just an ordinary person. So no matter what, he couldn't turn his back on that decision. "But I just have to slay the stars, and that's all there to it." "And so you're proclaiming the same, single crap to drive yourself like an idiot who only has one thing in his mind?" "...Hah. How long do you think we've known each other already?" They were very close friends. Childhood friends. Most things could be fully comprehended by one another without any need for words, and so, the swordsman came up with a notion. "I am laughed at, scoffed upon, and made fun of for attempting to achieve such a tremendous feat. But, that's precisely why I must take it upon myself and still call myself one." In other words, the fact that he was laughed at meant that he was far from the "strongest" that anyone could recognize, not to mention the fact that he was still far from slaying the stars. "What's your point?" "...Jeez. I still don't know the difference even if you tell me that." Explain it in simpler terms, or so the man demanded as he soon lost composure. He knew that the swordsman with whom he exchanged words was a difficult person to deal with, and so he decided to just give up and laugh at his friend's very trait. There was only one reason why the man chose to stick with the foolish swordsman, and it was simply because he couldn't leave him alone. The way he poured his heart and soul into his efforts to achieve his dream was ridiculous, unsightly, pathetic, far more fragile than his slim, delicate arms... and yet, inexplicably precious. "While we're busy chit-chattering like this, it seems like we had some visitors around." "They seem to have researched us very well. I was wondering why they didn't step in, then I realized that they had a magician lurking in the rear. They want to avoid close-quarter combat at all cost, huh?" The distance was several hundred meters. Just enough to barely recognize a pea-sized silhouette and a slightly large magic circle painted in the sky. "Say, what should we do-- 'Star Slayer?'" You can worry about it all you want, but we do not have the time nor the luxury to do so. The man said with a nervous smile. "Have you ever seen a night filled with shooting stars?" "Those things are absurd, you know? They know that human legs can't keep up with them, yet they just fall from the sky as fast as they like." Knowing that it couldn't be done, I wanted to slay them in one way or another somehow, he said. "I thought I would attempt to slay the falling stars in the sky, but it proved much more difficult than it seemed. Unless you know the exact location where they would fall, slaying them would be completely impossible." "Now, now, now. That's a pretty logical opinion coming from you." "That's why I decided to just make the stars fall myself in response." "...I take it back. I forgot we were talking about you here, I can't expect the slightest room of you wavering from your principles." "If my sword can't reach them, I have to somehow find a means of attacking that doesn't necessarily need one, let alone me directly slashing through it." "...What do you plan to do?" "...A night filled with shooting stars?" "It's something of a spectacle to see. Countless stars falling down in the darkness of the night at blinding speeds, which us humans can't even fathom to react to." I had never actually seen a sight of a night filled with shooting stars with my own eyes, but my memory had a recollection of it nonetheless. "...What the hell does that have to do with anything?" "If you can't get close to them, just beat them to the distance they're headed to. There's no rule that says a swordsman has to get close in order to slay their enemy." Therefore-- I, too, decided to slay through my target by raining stars. "...I see what you mean. But if that's the case, why didn't you do just that in the first place?" "You sure know how to hit a sore spot." "Of course. If I were in your shoes, I would've done it as soon as I sensed something wrong the first time I approached the Jabberwock." A moment of silence passed through. "To tell you the truth, I'm hopelessly lacking in confidence in that very technique." I exposed my genuine feelings. And after prefacing my response with how I didn't know what the end result would be... "Well, I'll give it a try anyway. At any rate, we're in a town where one must use whatever is available in order to survive-- Minaura. I know it's an inadequate memory to use right now, but there's no such thing as an exception anymore." Siva furrowed his brow, but I cut him off without giving the slightest bit of explanation. "Also, I have something to apologize about in advance." The technique that I was about to perform imitates a night filled with shooting stars. A 'Star Slaying' technique developed by a lone swordsman who once wished to slice through and slay the countless stars that endlessly flowed past the sky. "If by any chance that my technique worked out, you could also suffer a little bit of damage yourself." I decided to apologize in advance, being aware of what was going to happen. "...Oh, is that it? If that's the case, you don't need to worry about me. I'm not so weak to fall down after one attack." I already knew Siva's capabilities. And so I let out a light laugh, thinking that I was worrying for nothing, given that the technique I was about to do was no more than an inferior imitation of the original one. "I'll take your word for it and give it a try, then." One solution immediately came to mind.

一話 その日、おれは不思議な夢を見た。 平凡な村人でしかなかったおれは、どうしてか、一人の剣士の生涯を夢の中で追憶していた。 「痛っ......」 ズキン、とした鈍痛がじんわりと滲み込み、脳に伝達される。 そして、彼はその憧れに手を伸ばし続け、その果てに己が真に最強であると、『星を斬る』行為を以てして世界中に知らしめようと試みた愚直過ぎる剣士であった。 闇に覆われた夜天。 疎らに散らばる皎皎たる星々は、思わず自分の宝箱にしまいたくなるまでに、綺麗に瞳に映される。けれど、誰もそれを手にする事が出来ない。否、手の届かない場所であると誰もが自覚しているが故に手にしたいという原初の欲求すらも湧き上がらなくなっていた。 だから、ある剣士は考えた。 『そんな星を斬れば』己の剣の強さを万人に証明出来るのではないのか、と。 そして、それが正しいと信じて疑わなかった剣士は、『星斬り』を己の指針とし、血を吐くように渇望した。どこまでも広がる澄んだ な空の下、ひたすらに剣を振るった。『星斬り』を成す為の糧となり得る好敵手を求め続けた。 「星、斬り......」 追憶した剣士の根幹とも言える行為であり、言葉。どうしてか、それが無意識のうちに口を衝いて出た。不思議とその言葉はストンと胸の奥にはまり込むような、そんな錯覚におれは陥った。 次いで、その『星斬り』という言葉に妙な親近感を覚え、そしておれは希望を抱いた。憧れて、しまった。 ただひたすら同じ毎日を過ごす日々。 どこにでもいる村人としての暮らしに、もしかするとおれが自覚していなかっただけで、辟易していたのかもしれない。それ程までに、おれの言葉には今までにない熱が帯びていた。 「すご、い」 喉を震わせ、掠れるような声で言葉を紡ぐ。 頭痛による違和感が付きまとっていたが、それがどうしたと言わんばかりに、『星斬り』という言葉に焦点を当てれば当てるほど、痛みの残滓は薄れ、際限なく湧き上がる憧憬。 「すごい凄いスゴイ!!!」 飛び起きるように上体を起こしたおれは、目を爛々と輝かせながら夢の中で剣を振るっていた剣士を賛美する。 終ぞ、『星斬り』を成し遂げる事なく生を終えてしまった剣士であったが、彼の人生は輝いていた。彼の世界は、おれの心を釘付けにしてしまうほど美しく、どこまでも 希望に、満ち溢れていた。 「かっこいい、な......」 あの剣士ですら手が届かなかった御業とも形容すべき『星斬り』に。それを目指し続けた生き方に、おれはこの日この瞬間、心の底から憧れてしまった。 怠惰に、いち村人として日々を過ごしていたおれにとって、あの剣士の生き方というものはあまりに眩しくて。それでいて、思わず手を伸ばしたくなるような。 そんな、宝石のようなものであった。 「けど、剣士、か......」 おれは、ただの村人。 そこら中に掃いて捨てるほどいるような平凡な村人だ。 そんなおれが剣士を夢見て? それは、どこまでも分不相応な願いであると、すぐに自覚してしまった。 「......ううん。だけど、だとしても」 けれどおれは、分不相応と知りながらも先程の考えを振り捨てようと小首を右左にぶんぶんと振る。 「おれは、やってみたい」 今のおれは星を斬るどころか、まともに剣すら振れるか怪しい。なにせおれは村人なのだ。平凡なただの村人。 「後悔だけは、したくないから」 自分には縁のない話であると、あの夢をおれは切り捨てられなかった。夢で見た色褪せない生の景色。 たった一度しかないおれの人生を、そこら中にありふれた一人の村人としての生として終わらせたくなかったのだ。 世界は輝き、命は燃える。 生き方次第であんなにも輝いた人生が送れると知ってしまったおれに、後戻りをするという選択肢は既に存在していなかった。 あるのは、ひたすら前に進む道のみ。 そしておれもまたあの剣士と同様、『星斬り』を夢見るのであれば、少なくともあの剣士と同等以上の技量を身につけない事には話は始まらない。 人外染みた剣の技量。それを支える体術、経験、長年にわたって培ったであろう、勘。 それら全てを身につけない事には、あの剣士が立っていた土俵にすら上がれない。 だからおれは、『星斬り』を成すにあたって何が必要であるのか。それを強く理解し、頭の中に深く刻み込む。 「毎日ずっと同じ事の繰り返しより、ぜったいこっちの方が楽しい」 寝て、食べて、畑を耕して。 それだけの生活を送るより、絶対に『星斬り』を夢みた剣士が送った生の方が楽しい。それは逡巡なく言い切れた。 「だから、おれはやるよ」 誰かに向けて宣誓でもするかのように。 おれは希望と期待に溢れた感情を言葉に乗せて、吐き出した。 「......やる、じゃない。おれが、やってみせる」 年相応に幼さの残る口を愉悦に歪めながら、おれは歓喜を湛えた表情で言葉を並べていく。 「いつかあのそらに浮かぶ星を、」 いくら手を伸ばしても、届く気がしない星に向かって、おれは傲慢に宣うのだ。 「おれが、斬ってみせる」 8歳の誕生日を迎えたその日の夜。

Chapter 1 I had a strange dream that day. I was nothing more than an unremarkable villager, but for some reason, I remembered the life of a swordsman in my dream. A life that was bound by edged steel, longing to "slay the stars" someday. "Ouch..." My head throbbed as a dull pain slowly seeped in, crawling its way to my brain. An intense headache followed by a sudden surge of memories roused me to consciousness. One who kept pursuing his longing, he was an overly simple-minded swordsman. And by the deed of "Slaying the Stars," he tried to show the world that he was indeed the strongest of them all. The night sky was shrouded in darkness. The sparsely scattered stars, which shone ever so brightly, reflected so beautifully in my eyes that it made me want to put them in my treasure chest. Thus, the swordsman had pondered. "If I slay such stars, won't I be able to prove the strength of my sword to everyone?" And so, the swordsman, who never doubted that it was the right thing to do, made "Star Slaying" his guiding principle and thirsted for it as if he were dying. He continued to look for worthy opponents that could be of nourishment to his journey. "Star Slaying..." Those words could be said to be the core of the swordsman's life that I had dreamt of. And not knowing why, it came out of my mouth unconsciously. Those two words gave me a strange, familiar feeling. A hope and longing I had never felt before. I spent my everyday life doing the exact same routine. Perhaps I was just fed up living the life of a common villager and hadn't been aware of it. So much so that my words were filled with passion that I had never felt before. "Wow..." My throat quivered as I tried to put together my words in a hoarse voice. There was a sense of discomfort due to the headache, but the more I focused on the words "Star Slaying", the less the pain I felt. And an endless yearning followed suit. "This is freaking amazing!!!" With a gleam in my eyes, I jumped to my feet, praising the swordsman who had wielded his sword in my dream. Even though he had ultimately failed to achieve his goal of slaying the stars, he still undoubtedly had lived a bright life. I was filled with hope. "That was awesome..." I, on this day, at this very moment, yearned from the bottom of my heart for a way of living that continued to strive for such a goal. For someone like me who had been idly living my life as a mere villager, the swordsman's way of living seemed like a star that was too dazzling for me. It was such a jewel of a thing. "But a swordsman, huh..." I'm just a mere villager. An unremarkable villager, just like any other. I soon realized that it was a desire that I was not worthy of. "...No, but even so I--" I shook my head left and right in an attempt to shake off my earlier thoughts, even though I knew they were unworthy. "I want to try." I wasn't sure if the present me could even swing a sword properly, let alone slay a star. "I just don't want to have any regrets." I couldn't dismiss the dream as something I had nothing to do with. I didn't want my one and only life to end as a common villager's life. When the world shines, life burns. When I became aware of the fact that I could lead a very bright life depending on how I chose to live, turning back was no longer an option to me. There was no other way but to move forward. And if I, like that swordsman, were to aspire to be a "Star Slayer", I would have to be at least as skilled or even better than him before I could even start to consider it. Followed by his expertise in hand-to-hand combat, he had built a strong sense of intuition that must have been developed over his years of experience. Without acquiring all those skills, I wouldn't be able to stand in the same pit that the swordsman was standing in. That's why I wanted to know what it would take to become a "Star Slayer." To understand it deeply and engrave it in my mind. "Rather than doing the same thing over and over every day, this would definitely be more fun." Eat, sleep, tend the field. The life led by the swordsman who had dreamt of being a "Star Slayer" was far more enjoyable than living a life like this. I could say that without any second thought. "That's why... I'm going to do it." It was as if I was swearing an oath to someone. After putting my emotions into words, filled with hopes and expectations, I let them out. "...I'll do it, no. I'm going to try and do it." My youthful mouth twitched in joy as I said the words with a delighted look on my face. "Someday, all the stars that float in the sky..." Toward the unattainable stars that seemed to be out of reach regardless of how hard I tried, I arrogantly proclaimed: "I'll slay them all." On the night of my eighth birthday, I found something worth living for.

「悲鳴ひとつあげませんか。その歳である程度の痛覚を無視出来るとは大した者です」 眼鏡をかけた痩躯の男は、嗜虐めいた笑みを浮かべながら俺の左腕に包帯を巻き付けながらそう宣う。 『わたし達に混ざる気はない?』というフィオレからの申し出に対して了承するという選択肢を選び取った俺は、フィオレが〝ピィちゃん〟と命名した そこは、大きな地下通路が広がる場所。 その内の一人————アバルドと名乗る治癒師に折れた腕を治してもらう事になったのだが、これがまた、最悪を極めていた。 「僕の魔法の能力は ......そうなのだ。 彼の魔法は、言ってしまえば元に戻す魔法。 骨が折れたのであれば、折れてない状態に。 怪我をしたならば、怪我をしてない状態に戻す。それが彼————フィオレの従者を名乗るアバルドの能力。 一見、使い勝手の良い便利な能力に思えるが、その実、かなり対象者に厳しい魔法であった。 「折れた骨を治すともなれば、想像を絶する痛みだったと思うんですがね。右腕は右腕で罅入ってましたし」 に戻す治癒系統魔法。骨が折れているのであれば、強引に接合し、元通りに戻すだけなのだが————その魔法を行使する場合、対象者に対して怪我の度合いに比例して凄絶な痛みが伴うという欠点付き。 その代わり、すぐに治るという利点も存在するのだが、下手すれば痛みでショック死するんじゃないかと疑うレベルで痛かった。 「ま、礼は不要です。寧ろ、お嬢の申し出を受けてくれた事に対し此方が礼を言わなければいけない立場ですので」 「......そうですか」 その理由は、魔法を行使する際に痛みに耐えようとする俺を見て、アバルドは何処か楽しんでいるような節があったから。 多分こいつ、ロクでもない性格をしてると確信めいたものを持っていたけれど、流石に治してもらった手前、無碍にはできない。 という様々な事情から、俺は不機嫌ながらも返事をするというカタチに落ち着いていたのだ。 「ええ。例年通りであれば問題はありませんが、今年は人手が幾らあっても足りないくらいですから」 それだけ厄介な相手、という事なのだろう。 「ですが、本当に良かったんですか?」 「というと」 「討伐ですよ討伐。〝ミナウラ〟の悪評は王国中に轟いているでしょうから言わずもがなでしょうが、多分、かなりの高確率で死んじゃいますよ?」 「......〝ミナウラ〟を訪れている時点でその質問は今更でしょう」 魔物が溢れ出す時期の〝ミナウラ〟に足を踏み入れる連中なんてものは、普通に考えて救えない戦闘馬鹿か、正義感に痴れたおかしなヤツか、命令を受けて仕方なくやってきた王国騎士くらいのものだろう。 俺はというと、騎士ではないし、正義感なんてものも雀の涙程度しか持ち合わせてない。 魔物に苦しむ人を救いたい。 とすれば、答えは自ずと決まってくる。 「死ぬかもしれないと言われてじゃあやめておきますと言うような人間はそもそも〝 「は、はははっ、確かにそれもそうですね。では、お言葉に甘えるとしましょう」 そう言って、アバルドは大仰に態とらしく手を広げた。 「此処は親だろうが使えるものは何だろうと使う場所————〝ミナウラ〟の街。僕らは君を歓迎します。改めて、僕はアバルド。宜しくお願いいたしますね」 直後、左の手を差し出される。 あえて治したばかりの左腕を選ぶとは、やはりアバルドは性格が悪い。 そんな事を思いながら俺は彼のお陰で完治した左手で力強く握り締めてやる。 「い ゙っ!?」 怪我を治してくれた恩人ではあるけれど、その腐った性根に対してこのくらいのやり返しはして然るべきだろう。 一応これでも剣を何年と振り続けた身。 「腕の調子はどうかな?」 「お陰様でこの通り」 ぐるん、ぐるんと左腕を回す。 ちくりとも痛まないし、これはもう完治したと判断して問題ないだろう。 「そっかそっか。ま、アバルドは性格が歪んでるけど魔法の腕だけは確かだからねえ」 ......人聞き悪い事言わないで下さいよお嬢。 と、背後からアバルドの声が聞こえて来ていたが、それに反応するより先に「はい」という掛け声と共にこちらに差し出される一枚の紙。 。誰が何の魔法を使えるか。どのタイプの人間か、把握してないとベストが尽くせないでしょ?」 そこには箇条書きで、今この場にいる者達————総勢十数名の情報が詳しく書き記されていた。 その中には唯一この場に居合わせていないビエラ・アイルバークの名も存在していた。 俺はその部分だけをまず、流し目で確認。 氷を自在に生み出し、操る能力。と、当然のように魔法使いとしての能力が書き記されていた。 そう言わんばかりに、フィオレは俺に背を向け、手をひらひらと振って見せる。 恐らく何らかの用事があるのだろう。 領主とも言っていたし、忙しい事にも頷ける。 渡された紙に視線を向けると、そこにはユリウスの文字が言われた通りちゃんと書き記されていた。 続くように、能力は剣を創り出す事。 タイプは一撃必殺型。などと俺についての詳細が書かれており、簡素ではあったが的確にそれは的を射ていた。 そうして他の人の情報にもザッと目を通す中、ふと疑問に思う。どうして、 「......ビエラ様が〝ミナウラ〟に帰ってくるのが明後日だからですよ」 俺の内心を見透かしでもしたのか。 ぷらぷらと俺が力強く握り締めた左の手を軽く振りながらアバルドが言う。 「一応、予定では明後日、ビエラ様と合流した後、頭である〝ジャバウォック〟の討伐を開始する運びとなっていますね。まぁ、僕は能力が能力ですので後方で待機するだけなんですがね」 「何か問題でも?」 頭に過るのは村の外でビエラ・アイルバークに言われたあの言葉。 ————満月までに。 明後日は、とてもじゃ無いが満月とは程遠い。 どういう事なのだろうかと疑問に思うも、それを解消してくれるであろう人物は生憎此処には今いない。 ......なら、今はその事は頭の隅に追いやっておくべきか。 「ああ、それと。言い忘れていましたが、基本的に外出についてはご自由にしていただいて構わないのですが、ここから北へは行けないようになっていますのでご注意下さい」 「......?」 北。というピンポイント過ぎる方角に、どうしてなのだろうかと疑問符が浮かぶ。 「簡単な話です。明後日までは、可能な限り〝ジャバウォック〟に刺激を与えたくはないんですよ。ああいう魔物は気配に敏感です。ビエラ様が不在の今、不用意に刺激するのは得策ではない」 恐らく、フィオレは〝ジャバウォック〟がいる場所へ人を寄せ付けないように見回りをしていたのではないだろうか。 特に、変異種の魔物と単身で戦いを繰り広げる命知らずである。放っておけば〝ジャバウォック〟に向かう可能性も無きにしもあらず。と思ったが為に、彼女は趨勢を見極めようと離れた場所で事の顛末をギリギリまで眺めていたのかもしれない。 そう考えると、色々と辻褄があった。 「分かりました」 その偶然が上手い事重なり、俺はこうして九死に一生を得た。恩を仇で返す趣味があるわけでなし。ここは素直に従っておこう。 「物分かりが良くて安心しました。それでは、明後日まであまり時間も残されてはいませんし、取り敢えず————」 と、アバルドが何かを言いかけた折。 「————た、っ、大変だッッ!!!!」 焦燥感に満ちた大声が唐突に轟いた。 その突然の出来事に、場にいた全員の視線が一斉に発声源へと向く。 地下通路を通って駆け込んできたのだろう。 出入り口付近で、肩で息をしながら見覚えのない男が叫び散らしていた。 「〝ジャバウォック〟のところに野良の魔法使いがオレが殺すと息巻いて、俺らの制止振り切って勝手に向かいやがった!!! 見張りしてた俺含めて三人がかりで止めようとしたんだが、あの野郎————」 止めようと試みた人間の一人がこの場にいる時点で、その結果は最早言わずもがな。 「————ね。そいつの特徴、教えてくれる?」 丁度、何処かへ立ち去ろうとしていたフィオレが足を止めて、慌てる男へ問い掛ける。 「......赤髪の男だ。赤髪の、魔法使い」 その言葉を耳にした俺の脳裏に、一人の男の姿が過ぎった。

"Not even a little scream from you, huh? It's quite the feat to be able to ignore that certain amount of pain at your age." A thin man wearing glasses and a sadistic smile declared just so as he wrapped a bandage around my left arm. I chose to accept Fiole's offer, and came to a certain place with Fiole riding the monster she named, Pii-chan. It was a place with a large underground passageway. One of them was the healer that tended my broken arm, which turned out to be a terrible experience-- Abald. "My magical ability is in the healing category, but it's more of a restoring magic than a curing one." ...What he said. His magic was, to say the least, the magic to undo things to restore. If a bone was broken, it will be unbroken. That was Abald's ability, the man who referred to himself as Fiole's follower. ...At first glance, it seemed to be a very convenient ability, but in actuality, his magic was quite harsh on the intended target. "The pain from healing your broken bone should've been unimaginable, was it? Your right arm was fractured, too, to say the least." If a bone was broken, he'd simply and forcefully put it back together-- however, the drawback of using such magic was that it causes tremendous pain in proportion to the severity of the injury to the person. On the opposite side, its advantage was that it heals very quickly, but it'd hurt to the point where I think that if performed poorly, the target may die of shock from the pain. "Well, there is no need to thank me. Rather, I should be the one thanking you for accepting Milady's request." "...I see." I replied to Abald's words in a rather displeased tone, the reason being that he seemed to be enjoying watching me trying to endure the pain under his healing magic. I was convinced that this guy probably had a rotten personality, but after having my injuries treated by him, I really couldn't be rude. So for a variety of reasons, I settled on a response, albeit grumpy. "Yes. If things were the same as the previous years, there wouldn't be any problem, but this year, there is just not enough manpower available." I guess that was how troublesome the head of the monsters they are dealing with was. "But are you sure about your decision?" "What do you mean?" "This subjugation thing. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that even Minaura's bad reputation is known throughout the kingdom, but there's a high chance that you'll die, you know?" "...I already arrived here, so that question is already too late." Those who set foot in Minaura when it's overflowed with monsters would normally be either irredeemable fighting idiots, crazy people with a demented sense of justice, or even knights of the kingdom who had no choice but to come under orders. As for me, I was no knight, let alone having the slightest sense of justice. I had never had such a noble idea in my mind, such as saving people who were suffering from the monsters. And in that case, my answer was obvious. "I'm pretty sure that no one came to Minaura, thought that they might die, and just returned home in the first place." "Hahahaha-- That's certainly true. I will take your word for it, then." Saying so, Abald spread his hands in an exaggerated manner. "This is the town of Minaura, a place that utilizes anyone that can be of help whatever their social status. We welcome you, once again. I am Abald, and I look forward to working with you." Immediately after, he held out his left hand, probably meaning that he wanted to shake hands. He even deliberately chose the hand that had just been healed, more proof of how evil his nature was. With that in mind, I gripped his left hand tightly with the hand he just healed. "OUCH--?!" Sure, I owed him the gratitude for healing me, but this much payback was only appropriate for his rotten personality. After all, I had been wielding the sword for years, and my body might be that of a child, but I took pride in my strong grip. "How is your arm?" "It's doing just fine, as you can see." I rotated my left arm in a circle. It didn't hurt even a little bit, so I guessed it was safe to assume that it was completely healed now. "I see, I see. Well, Abald is twisted to the core, but I can vouch for his magic skills." ...Don't sully my reputation like that, milady, Abald said. Upon hearing his voice from behind us, Fiole then yelped out in surprise and gave him an affirmative reply. "And also have a look at this. This has our information of who can use what kind of magic and such. We can't be effective if we don't know what kind of people we have, right?" There laid bullet points of detailed information on a total of more than a dozen people currently present in this place. Viera Islebark, the only one who wasn't here, was also listed. I only read through her particular part first. She has the magic to create and manipulate ice at will. As if to say that she already told me the things that she wanted to tell, Fiole turned her back on me and waved her hand in the air. Perhaps she had some business to attend to. She also mentioned that she was the lord of this town, so no wonder why she was busy. I looked at the paper that was handed to me and saw that my name was properly written there, just as I'd been told. As it was written, my ability was said to create swords, and that I was a one-hit-kill type person. The details about me were simple, but they were right on the mark. While I was reading through the other people's information, I suddenly wondered. "...Because Viera-sama will be back here in Minaura the day after tomorrow." Maybe he saw through my inner thoughts. Abald said, lightly waving his left hand, which I had clasped tightly with a powerful grip. "As for the schedule, we will be joined by Viera-sama and commence defeating the Jabberwock, the head of the monsters here in this town. And since my ability can only do so much, I'm just going to stay in the rear of the pack." "Is there a problem?" What came to my mind were the words that Viera Islebark said to me outside the village. --Before the full moon. The day after tomorrow was far from a full moon, though not by a long shot. I wondered what was going on, but unfortunately, there's no one here who could clear that up for me. ...I should put that thought in the back of my mind for now, then. "Oh. I forgot to mention that you are basically free to step outside, but please note to not go north from here." "...?" North. The direction was too pinpointed, and I wondered why. "Quite simply, we do not want to provoke the Jabberwock as much as possible until the day after tomorrow. Such monsters are very sensitive, so it would be unwise to anger them in the absence of Viera-sama." Perhaps Fiole was on patrol to keep people out of the Jabberwock's area, which was the reason why she happened to run into me. If left on my own, there was a possibility that I might really head for the Jabberwock, and that was maybe the reason why she watched my situation from a distance until the very last minute, trying to determine the course of events. When I thought about it that way, it made sense in many ways. "I understand." I had a good conscience, and nine lives in stock for me to live. "It's a relief that you are so understanding. Well then, we don't have much time left until the day after tomorrow, so let's wrap this up here--" Just when Abald was about to say something... "--T-Terrible news!!!" A loud voice filled with impatience suddenly roared through the air. The suddenness of the event caused all eyes in the place to turn to the source of the voice at once. They must have rushed in through the underground passage. Near the doorway, an unrecognizable man was breathing on his shoulders and shouted across the room. "A stray magician went to the Jabberwock, screaming that he was going to kill it, and then went off on his own against our orders!!! The three of us, including me, the one on the watch, tried to stop him... but that bastard..." When only one of the people who attempted to stop the offender was here, it went without saying. "--Hey, could you describe him?" Fiole, who was just about to leave somewhere, stopped and asked the panicked man a question. "...He's a magician with red hair..." When I heard those words, an image of a man flashed through my mind.

————その日は、天に数多の星が浮かぶ閑かな夜だった。 骨が軋む音すら聞こえる閑散とした王都の夜。 雲一つ存在しない夜天は、ひとりの人間の影を鮮明に照らし出していた。 「————くひひ」 その影の正体は笑う。 手からぽたりぽたりと垂れ落ちるは、どろりと粘つきを見せる液体。 独特な鉄錆の臭いを充満させるソレを流し目で見詰める男の瞳には、喜悦の感情が湛えられていた。 ......人知れず、狂気混ざる夜の街。 翌日。王都に位置する掃き溜めにて、とある〝魔法使い〟が死体で見つかった。 そしてその日を皮切りに、五日に一度のサイクルで〝魔法使い〟が王都で死体となって見つかる事件が続き、様々な噂が飛び交った。 やがて人は、それが〝魔法使い狩り〟の仕業であると次第に囃し立てるようになっていく————。 「————魔法使い狩り?」 時刻は日差しが真上からこれでもかと降り注ぐお昼時。王都に位置する食事処にて、俺は女剣士——リレアへそう尋ね返していた。 「そ。〝ミナウラ〟に一人で向かってたキミは知らないだろうけど、最近、王都じゃそんな物騒な噂があちこちで広がってるの」 〝魔法使い〟のみを標的とした意図的な殺人。 嫌味ったらしい物言いながらもリレアが詳しく語ってくれる。 〝ミナウラ〟を後にして早二週間。 そろそろほとぼりが冷めても良い頃だと思うのに、目の前のリレアと、隣に座りながら無言で昼食をフォークで突き刺しては口に放る行為を繰り返すソフィアからは未だに根に持たれていた。 結局、〝ミナウラ〟の一件についてはソフィアからは「有り得ない」という言葉と共にグーパンチを一発。 「殺されるのは決まって〝魔法使い〟のみ。それもご丁寧に、五日に一回〝魔法使い〟が殺される事件が起ってるのよ」 サイクル的には、次は明後日ね、とリレアは呆れ混じりに言葉を吐き捨てた。 「かれこれ五人も殺されてるっていうのに、騎士団が動く気配はなし。......一体、騎士団は何をしてるのかしらね」 「そういえば、ここ二日くらいロウとヨシュアの姿が見えないけどあの二人は?」 「あの二人なら、護衛の依頼をこなしてるわ。このご時世だから、〝魔法使い〟は寧ろ邪魔になるって事で私だけ仲間外れ」 だからキミ達と一緒にこうしてのんびりご飯食べてるのよと、不満をこぼす。 正体不明の〝魔法使い狩り〟はまず間違いなく、何らかの目的の為に〝魔法使い〟を殺さんと試みている。 今でこそ、五日に一回というサイクルに則って行為が行われているが、現状、それがいつ破られるか分からない状態である。 だから、そもそもの懸念材料である〝魔法使い〟を護衛依頼であるならば極力関わらせないようにする。先の話を聞くからに、その考えは至極真っ当なものに思えた。 「私とキミみたいな近接戦闘に向いた〝魔法使い〟ならまだ良いんだけど、ソフィアちゃんみたいな非戦闘系の〝魔法使い〟が狙われる可能性だって十二分にあり得る。だから、当分はこの三人で行動したいんだけど、大丈夫かしら?」 三人で固まってさえいれば、その正体不明の輩からも狙われにくいだろうとリレアは言う。 そして、ようやく理解する。 三人でご飯でもどうかと、リレアが俺とソフィアを誘った理由はその話をする為であったのか、と。 「そういう事情なら、俺はその提案に従うよ」 別に断る理由もなし。 それに、未だ機嫌を直してくれないソフィアに対して俺の場合は負い目がある。 どんな形であれ、ソフィアの為になるのであれば俺が断る理由はどこにもない。 「なら決まりね。ソフィアちゃんにはキミがいない間に話は通してあるから、後はキミの返事待ちだったのよ」 それは俺が〝ミナウラ〟でシヴァと共に剣を振っていた時に、なのか。はたまた、〝ミナウラ〟に向かってる最中に、なのか。 そこのところはよく分からなかったけれど、下手に何かを言うと藪蛇になる気しかしなかったので黙ってその場をやり過ごす。 「それじゃ、早速で悪いんだけど、この依頼に付き合って貰っても良いかしら」 そう言って、リレアが懐から取り出したのは一枚の紙。それは、討伐だなんだかんだと書き記されていた依頼書であった。 「折角、キミと一緒に行動するのに、その剣の腕を活かさないだなんて阿呆過ぎるでしょう?」 リレア達とは友人の関係であるが、俺とソフィアは冒険者ではない。 だから、冒険者に向けられた依頼をこなすのは拙いのではと言おうとして、 「言い忘れてたけど、小さい事をいちいち気にしてたらキリがないわよ」 「......まだ何も言ってないんだけど」 「キミってば、変なところで律儀な性格をしてるから、人よりもずっと分かりやすいのよ」 至極正しい考えである筈なのに、何故か内心を見透かされた挙句、呆れられた。 「で、なんだけれど、この依頼をこなした後——だから、数時間は後になると思うんだけれど、何か予定とかあったりする?」 「どうして」 「一人、キミに会って貰いたい人がいるのよ」 ただ、その人は夜しか都合がつかなかったのよねと苦笑い。 そしてこれからこなす依頼は会うまでの時間潰しも兼ねているのだと理解する。 「時にユリウスくんは————怪獣討伐に興味はお有りかしら?」 「......怪獣?」 そう言われて即座に脳裏に浮かんだイメージはあの規格外の魔物〝ジャバウォック〟。 しかし、流石にいくら何でもそれはあり得ないだろうと可能性の候補から外した。 「魔法使い狩りが始まってから、私のようにパーティーのメンバーからも距離を置かれる魔法使いが増えてるの。なにせ、噂の〝魔法使い殺し〟は既に名の通った武人も二人ほど殺してるから」 故に並の人間では太刀打ち出来ない相手であるという認識は既に広がってしまっている。 余程仲が良い相手で無い限り、今、魔法使いを快く迎え入れる人間はいないと彼女は言う。 そのせいで魔法使いという本来であれば貴重な存在が数多くあぶれてしまっているとも。 「だから、みんな当分は大人しくするみたいなムードが出来上がってたんだけどそんな中でひとり、声を上げた人がいたのよ」

--It was a quiet night filled with countless stars shining in the sky. A deserted night in the capital, so quiet that even the creaking of one's bones could be heard. The night sky, devoid of a single cloud, clearly illuminated the shadow of a single person. "--Kuhihi..." In the midst of the deserted city, the shadow laughed viciously, and his eyes narrowed with a smile that split his cheeks. Dripping from his hand was a sticky, viscous liquid. The man's eyes were filled with joy as he gazed down at his work, savoring the peculiar smell of rusted iron, befitting something as unique as blood. ...It was indeed a madness-filled city at night, unbeknownst to everyone. The next day, a certain magician was found dead in a cesspool within the capital. And from that very day, incidents of magicians being found dead in the capital continued to occur every five days, and various rumors began to circulate. People gradually started to believe that all of it was the work of a "Magician Hunter." "--Magician Hunter, you say?" It was noontime, and with the sun shining down on me from above, I asked Lilea, a female swordsman, as we dined in a restaurant in the capital. "Yes, a 'Magician Hunter.' You were traveling to Minaura alone at that time so you may not know this, but there have been some disturbing rumors spreading all over the capital recently." Deliberate murders targeting only magicians. Lilea filled me in on the details in a sarcastic tone. It had been two weeks since I left Minaura. Especially Sofia who was sitting next to me, only stabbing her lunch with a fork and throwing it into her mouth without saying even a single word. In the end, I only got a big "no" when I tried to get her forgiveness about the recklessness I did regarding the Minaura incident, with Lilea only disappointingly saying that I could've at least let her know, but I didn't. "The only ones getting killed are 'magicians,' and to be precise, one of those very 'magicians' is killed every five days." So in terms of the cycle, the next magician will get killed the day after tomorrow, Lilea spat out in disgust. "Five people have already been killed, but there's no sign of the knights making a move at all... I wonder what the hell they are up to..." "Now that I remember it, I haven't seen Lowe nor Joshua for a couple of days now." "If you're curious about what those two were up to, they went away for a request about escorting certain people. I got left out because, in this day and age, magicians are more of a nuisance than they are an asset." That's why I'm having a leisurely meal with you guys, she complained. The unidentified 'Magician Hunter' probably kills magicians for a specific reason. Although the cycle was now being carried out once every five days, there was no telling when this cycle will be broken. Therefore, if the request was to escort magicians, which was the cause for concern in the first place, we would have to do our best to keep them safe. "It would be less concerning had that hunter chose to hunt us two, given that we are well-versed at close combat, but there's also a good chance that he might choose to target a non-combat-oriented magician like Sofia. So for the time being, I'd like the three of us to stay together." Lilea said that as long as the three of us stick together, we will be less likely to be targeted by this unidentified person, or a group, had they been working with others. And finally, I realized. The reason why Lilea invited me and Sofia to have a meal together was to talk about this. "If that's the case, I'll go along with your proposal." There was no reason for me to refuse. Besides, I still owe Sofia an apology, who was still not in a good mood. And as long as it was for Sofia's benefit, I have no reason to refuse. "It's decided, then. I already talked with Sofia about this while you were gone, so I was just waiting for your response." Was it when I was fighting the Jabberwock with Siva in Minaura, or was it while I was still on my way there? I wasn't quite sure what was going on, but I knew that if I said anything, I would just end up in a heap of trouble, so I just kept my mouth shut and let it slide. "Well, then, I know this is sudden, but I wonder if I could ask you to help me out with this request." Saying so, Lilea took out a piece of paper from her chest pocket. "We're already working together now, so I'd be a fool not to put my swordsmanship to use with you, wouldn't I?" Although we were good friends with Lilea and her companions, Sofia and I weren't adventurers like them. And so I attempted to tell her that it might be a bad idea to accept a request given that the two of us aren't adventurers just yet, but: "I forgot to mention, but don't bother with the small details." "...I haven't said anything yet, though." "You're very disciplined in a weird way, so it's easy to read you like an open book." It was a perfectly valid thought, but for some reason, she saw right through me, hence why I was taken aback. "...It's still a lot of time before we accept this request, but do you have any plans later?" "Why?" "There's one person I'd like you to meet." But that person could only come at night, she said with a laugh. And given that it's still a lot of time before we could officially do the request, she told me that it'd be a good way to kill time. "Are you interested in defeating a certain monster, Julius?" "...A certain monster?" The image that immediately popped into my mind was that lump of insanity, the Jabberwock. However, I thought it was too unlikely, so I eliminated it from the list of possibilities. "Since the hunt for magicians started, more and more magicians like me are being shunned by party members. The rumored 'Magician Hunter' has already killed two-well known military figures, after all." Therefore, the perception that he was an opponent ordinary people couldn't compete with had already spread. Unless they were on good terms with each other, she said, no one welcomed magicians with open arms. She also said that because of this, many magicians, who would normally be valuable, have been left out of their respective parties. "As a result, the prevailing sentiment was for everyone to keep quiet for the time being, but then one person spoke up."

三話 「ユリウス」 すっかり日は傾き、斜陽さし込む黄昏時。 未だ鍬の残骸である棒切れ部分を手に、素振りを続ける俺の名を誰かが呼ぶ。 それは、聞き慣れた声音だった。 れた特徴的な親父の声。 「ソフィアちゃんを見なかったか」 続く言葉は、どこか逼迫しているかのような。 普段の親父らしくない感情が端々に込められた言葉であった。何かあったのか。 そんな事を思い、俺は表情を僅かに歪めながら「いいや」と言い、首を横に振った。 「ソフィアなら、昼に一度見たっきりだけど......何かあった?」 普段ならば、日が暮れても一向に自発的に素振りを止めようとしない俺を呆れ返った様子の親父が夕飯だからと連れ戻しにくるという最早、お決まりとなってしまっていたやり取りの繰り返しであったというのにどうしてか、今日だけいつもと異なっていた。 「向かった先に心当たりは」 即座に返ってくる言葉。 ただならぬ事情でもあるのか、俺の質問を度外視してまで立て続けに質問を投げかけるその様子は、焦燥感に駆られているようにしか見えなかった。 「......多分、いつも通り川のほとりだと思うけど」 「やはり外か......ッ」 苦虫を噛み潰したような表情に一変させ、親父は忌々しそうに声をもらす。 ソフィアが外に出かけるなんて常だろうに今日に限ってどうしてそんなに難しい顔をするのか。 その理由に心当たりがなかった俺は堪らず、脇目も振らず駆けていこうとする親父に向かって、待ったをかけた。 「......何があったんだよ」 親父に時間が無く、火急の用である事は一目瞭然だ。けれど、俺はそれでもと、もう一度尋ねた。否、尋ねずにはいられなかった。 今更じゃん。と、俺は言おうとした。 何故なら、ひと月ほど前から魔物の存在は確認されていたからだ。だから明日、討伐依頼を受けた冒険者がやって来るわけで、親父がそこまでして焦る必要のある案件とはとてもじゃないが思えない。 「ああ、そうだな。その魔物がゴブリンならこうも焦る必要は無かった」 俺は、言葉に詰まった。 親父のその言い方だと、まるで村の外で目にしたという魔物がゴブリンじゃない魔物としか受け取れないから。 ......いや、きっとそう言う意図を含めた物言いをあえてしたのだろう。 「は?」 反射的に上ずった声が出た。 あまりに現実離れした親父の発言に、俺の思考は一瞬だけ真っ白となる。 オーガ。 それは鬼のような姿の魔物であり、ゴブリンの討伐レベルがFである事に対し、オーガは数段上のBランク若しくはCランク。オーガは個体の大きさで討伐ランクが変動する魔物で、脅威の差でいえば赤子と大人レベルで異なっている。 ———いくらなんでも、見間違いじゃないのか。 そんな願望にも似た考えが脳裏に浮かぶも、俺はすぐさまその思考をかき消した。 そういった魔物を見かけたにもかかわらず、放置していれば最悪、村中がパニックに陥る可能性が生まれるからだ。だから、村の人間にはまず先に魔物の知識を教え込まれる。 だからこそ、見間違えだと安易に決めつける事は出来なかった。 「幸か不幸か、冒険者がやって来るのは明日......。本当にオーガであるならば、冒険者を待つ他ない」 幸い、まだ日は落ちきっていない。 まだ、ソフィアちゃんが帰ってくる可能性は十二分にあると親父は言葉を締めくくる。 それについては、俺も親父と同じ意見だった。 だけど。だけれど。 「......もし、日没までにソフィアが帰ってこなかった時はどうするんだよ親父」 俺のその問いに対して、親父はすぐに返答をしてくれなかった。 「......その時は、私達がなんとかする」 親父の言う私達が、恐らく俺のような子供ではなく大人という意味合いである事はすぐに分かった。 子供はお呼びではない。言外に言い含めたその考えは、驚く程容易に理解ができてしまった。 「ユリウスも今日は早く家に戻れ。母さんが心配してる」 もし、村の外に出たのがソフィアではなく俺だったならば親父の対応は今と異なっていたかもしれない。何故ならば、所詮ソフィアは親父にとって親しい近所の子にしか過ぎないからだ。 他人か、家族か。 この差はやはりこういう場面で浮き彫りとなってしまう。 「......分かった」 ソフィアが外に出る事はいつもの事だが、多少なりとも今回ばかりは俺も責任を感じてしまっていた。 仮に、俺が彼女からの申し出に対し、素直に頷いていれば。詮無きことではあるが、こんな事態に陥ってしまったからだろう。そんな「もし」の想像がやけに働いてしまっていた。 「私は、この事を知らせに長の下へ行ってくる」 察するに、親父はオーガの知らせを聞くや否や真っ先に俺のもとへ駆けつけて来てくれたのだろう。 「真っ直ぐ家へ帰る事。分かったか? ユリウス」 「分かってるって」 そんなに俺が信用ならないのか。 親父はこうして再三にわたって確認を取ってくる。 まだソフィアが帰ってこないと決まったわけじゃあるまいし、俺が何かしらのアクションを起こす筈もないだろうに。......というか。 「......なぁ、親父」 「なんだ?」 「もしかして親父って俺がソフィアが心配で堪らないと思ってるって考えてる?」 「そうだろう?」 何を今更と言わんばかりに親父は、どこか気の抜けた面持ちの俺とは異なり、真顔で見つめ返してくる。 「お前、ソフィアちゃんとだけは仲が良いじゃないか」 「......ぁあ、まあ、そうなんだけどさ」 仲が良いというのは少し誤謬がある。 仲が良いというより、『星斬り』なんて馬鹿げた事を夢見る俺に構おうとする人間がソフィアだけだったという話。逆に、ソフィアはそんな異端児といって差し支えない俺のような存在に構って退屈しのぎをしていただけだ。 前置きを1つ。 「何があっても、過信だけはするなユリウス」 俺の親父は、村人は村人でも、少しだけ弓の扱いに長けた狩人と呼ばれる村人だ。 鳥や、食用の魔物を時に狩ったりしている村人である。 村には親父のような狩人が他に3人ほどいるが、ゴブリンは集団行動をする悪食の魔物。念には念をという事で冒険者の手を借りる選択肢を選んだ親父達狩人はどこまでも慎重な性格をしている。 故の警告。 「棒切れを振るうのは構わない。それは体力錬成が村人として生きていく上で必要不可欠だからだ。たかが4年。棒切れを振っていた程度で己が強くなったとは思うな。それは、大きな勘違いだ」 きっと親父は懸念していたのだろう。 俺が、己が強くなっていると過信している事を。 「分かってる。そんな事は言われなくとも」 しかし、親父のその懸念は必要なかった。 何故ならば、俺は。ユリウスという少年は、世界中の誰よりも身の程を弁えた人間だからだ。 愚直に剣を振り続けた剣士の生涯を追憶した俺ほど、身の程を弁えた人間も世界に2人といまい。 だからもし仮に、無茶をする事があるならば、それはきっと、何かの為に脇目も振らず理性をかなぐり捨てている時。そうまでして、成したい何かに直面した時だ。 「......なら、良いが」 そう言って親父は、村長の下へ向かうべく俺に背を向け踵を返す。 見慣れた背中。 だというのに、どうしてか、親父の背中は普段よりもずっと小さく俺の瞳には映っていた。

Chapter 3 "Julius." The sun was starting to set, and a twilight stretching across the sky began to shine. Someone called out my name as I continued to swing the broken hoe in my hand. It was a voice that I knew all too well. A rather husky voice, one that belonged to my father. "Have you seen Sofia-chan?" The words that followed seemed to be somewhat urgent. Words that were filled with emotions and were not typical of my father. I wondered if something had happened. With that in mind, I answered with a slightly concerned expression and shook my head. "I've seen Sofia once, at lunch earlier... Did something happen?" Normally, my father would be already dragging me back to the house for supper after dark and would rebel in response by not stopping swinging, but for some reason, today was different. "As for her whereabouts..." The words came back to me immediately. Continuing to ask questions as he disregards mine, he seemed to be in a state of frustration. "She's probably by the same river she usually goes to." "So she's outside the village, huh..." The expression on my father's face changed to one of bitterness, him letting out a sound of annoyance followed suit. It wasn't unusual for Sofia to go out, so why did he have such a difficult look on his face today? So I called out to my father, who was already about to run without a second thought. "...What's going on?" It was obvious that my father had no time to waste, and that his business was urgent. ...Old. The thing that I was about to say. Because the presence of monsters had already been confirmed about a month ago. "Yeah, that's right. If the monsters had been goblins, we wouldn't have had to be in such a hurry." I was at a loss for words. The way my father said it, sounded as if the monsters he had seen outside the village were not goblins. ...No, I'm sure he dared to include that intention in his statement. "Huh?" His voice came out reflexively hoarse. My thoughts went blank for a moment, as I heard my father utter something so unrealistic. Ogres. Its defeat rank fluctuates depending on the size of the individual, and in terms of threat, goblins and ogres have a difference in level comparable to that of babies and full-grown adults. ...No matter how we looked at it, we could be just wrong. A thought similar to a wish came into my mind, but I quickly drowned out the thought. This was because if such monsters were seen but left unattended, there was a possibility that the whole village could be thrown into chaos. That's why I couldn't bring myself to simply assume that we were misjudging the situation. "Fortunately, or unfortunately, the adventurers are coming tomorrow... If those monsters are indeed ogres, we have no other choice but to wait for them." Fortunately, the sun hadn't set yet. My father concluded that there was still a good chance that Sofia would come back home. I agreed with my father regarding this issue. But, still... "What if Sofia's still not back by nightfall, father?" For some reason, my dad didn't give an immediate response to my question. "...We'll figure something out, then." I knew right away that my dad probably meant "we" as with other adults, not with a kid like me. The idea, which he included in his speech, was surprisingly easy to understand. "Hurry up and go home, Julius. Your mom is worried about you." If it had been me who got out of the village instead of Sofia, my father might have reacted differently. Was she of other people? Or was she like family? The difference often came to light in situations like this. "...Okay." Sofia's always been out there, but for once, I felt more or less responsible for her. If only I had nodded my head in response to her offer. "I'm going to the village chief, and let him know about this matter." My guess is that my father came running to me first upon hearing the news of Ogre sightings to let me know how dangerous it is out there. "Head back and go straight home. Do you understand, Julius?" "I heard you." Did he not trust me at all? My father would always keep asking me to confirm things. It wasn't as if Sofia's possibility of coming back was zero; I wouldn't dare to make any sudden actions. "...Hey, Dad?" "What is it?" "Are you by any chance thinking that I'm worried sick about Sofia?" "Isn't that the case?" He stared back at me with a straight face, as if to say that it was a given thing. "Isn't Sofia the only one here who you get along with?" "...Well, yeah. That's the case." It was a bit of a misconception to say that we get along well. Rather than getting along well, she was the only one who wanted to care about some dream as ridiculous as "Star Slaying." One quick preamble. "No matter what happens, just don't get too conceited about this situation." My dad was what they called a hunter, a villager who was a bit more skilled with a bow. They're villagers who sometimes hunted birds and monsters for food. There were about three other hunters like my father in the village. A sound reason. "Even though physical training is just an essential part of living as a villager, do not think that you've gotten stronger just because you've been swinging around a piece of stick for four years. You'd be making a grave mistake." My father must have been worried. That I was overconfident, thinking that I got stronger. "I understand what you're saying. You don't need to tell me such things." However, his concern wasn't even necessary. Because I knew that I, Julius, was the most self-reliant person in this world. I remembered the life of a swordsman who wielded his sword with the utmost honesty, and there were no other people in this world who knew their place as well as I did. Therefore, if there was ever a time to be reckless, it was probably when you were willing to throw all reason aside for the sake of something. "...It's all good, then." He said as he turned his back on me and proceeded to go to the village chief. I saw a familiar back. And yet, somehow, reflected in my eyes, my father's back appeared much smaller than it usually seemed.

四十六話 そこは、王都の離れに位置する開けた場所。 周囲にひと気はなく、耳を澄まさずとも葉擦れの音が 「どう? 良い場所でしょ?」 リレアが言う。 「ここはね、私のとっておきなの。私、あんまり人に鍛錬してる姿とか見られたくないから」 だから、この場所は時間を掛けて探したのよと彼女が言う。 「そういえば、キミは〝ミナウラ〟に行ってたんだっけ。すっかり聞き忘れてたけど、どうだった? 〝戦姫〟ビエラ・アイルバークは」 ここであえて尋ねるという事はつまり、ビエラの為人について聞きたいわけではないのだろう。 聞きたい事柄は、強さについて。 「あれ、もしかして会わなかったの?」 「話しはしたよ。だけど、俺と一緒に戦ったのはビエラ・アイルバークの姉のフィオレ・アイルバークと、シヴァって剣士とだけ」 「へええ。シヴァって剣士は知らないけれど、あの〝屍姫〟と、ねえ」 シヴァも言っていたが、フィオレは〝屍姫〟の名で通っているのだろう。 リレアの口から当然のように出てきたその発言からそう判断。 「得られたものはあった?」 「それはもう、沢山」 「己の未熟さに気付けた、とか?」 「それ、前も聞いたわよ」 「そうだっけ?」 「そ。前というより、何かを成すたびにいつも言ってるわね。得られたものは己の未熟さに気付けた事だってね」 でも、事実それが真実なのだから否定は出来ない。出来るのは、笑って誤魔化す事くらい。 機能性だけを重視した無骨な剣が創造され、俺の右手にそれは収まった。 今回の立ち合いにおいて、原則魔法は禁止。 ただ、俺の場合は得物を帯剣していない為、この一度限り、魔法は許される。 身体からこれでもかと立ち上らせる警戒心と圧を前にして、リレアはそれを待っていたと言わんばかりに、獰猛に笑む。 しかし、表情とは裏腹に纏う気配は抜き身の刃のように冷ややか。故に、彼女が熱に浮かされた様子は感じられなかった。 油断してると早合点をして挑めば、間違いなくその瞬間に全てが終わる。そんな予感が脳裏を過ぎる。 「さ、て。準備は良いかしら?」 丁寧にそう、訊いてくれる。 最早殺気でしかない闘気を容赦なく発している彼女の姿を前にして、何を今更。なんて言葉が浮かび上がったけれど、それをのみ込んで俺は少し離れた場所で待機するソフィアの姿を横目で確認した後、小さく首肯した。 「そ。なら————始めるわね」 直後、死神もかくやという殺気が俺という人間全てを刺し貫いた。 しかし、それに構う事なく、躊躇う事なく、俺は力強く踏み込んで行く。それが始動の合図。 直後、ぶわりと吹き荒んだ風が俺を覆い尽くした。 視覚が捉えていたリレアの姿は、その現象と連動して忽然と掻き消える。残ったのは踏み足の接地による擦り音。 ————神経を研ぎ澄ませろ。 肌で感じる風は何処から生まれている。聴覚は、戦闘勘は。それらをコンマ以下の時間で踏まえ、答えを出す。 恐らくは、背後————ッ!! 「あ、は、ッ」 躊躇なく振り抜いたソレは、今にも俺を斬り裂かんと振るわれていた凶刃を薙ぎ払う。 しかし、合わさった硬質な一撃に目もくれず、お互いの剣がどちらともなく弾かれるや否や、負けじとお互いに迫らせる剣。 それは怒涛の連撃となって放たれ、篠突く雨の如く降り注ぐ。最小限の身動きで身を翻し、躱そうと試みるも避け切れず、赤い線が幾つか頰に生まれ走る。 ぷくりと赤い液体が浮かび上がった。 更に踏み込んで距離を作らせまいと肉薄するリレアの行為を先読みし、既に手にする剣は上段に掲げてある。 ————圧し潰せ。 防がれる予感を度外視し、そのまま剣を振るって直線的過ぎる一撃を放つ。 やがて剣越しに伝わる硬質な感触。 カタカタカタカタ、と刃同士が合わさり、震える音が一際大きく響き渡った。 しかし、その均衡は長くは続かない。 「ふっ、とべ————ッ!!!」 勝負を急いだなリレアと胸中にて嘲りながら気合一閃。 ミシリ、と悲鳴の音を立ててしまう程に力強く剣の柄を握り締め、身体ごと押し潰さんと力を前へと撃ち放つ。 だが、 しかし、関係がない。気にするな。虚勢だ。 そう言い聞かせるも、突として剣から伝わる抵抗感がふっ、と消え失せる。 剣はお互いに合わさったまま。なのに、どうしてと疑問符を浮かべるも刹那。答えにたどり着く。 グダグダと悩んでいる暇は何処にもないのだと判断をして。 「ほ、ら——!! 次行くわよッ!!!」 そのまま「攻撃するぞ」と丁寧に宣言されながら放たれる攻撃が俺に向かって獰猛に牙を剥く。 だから、避けろ。避けろ。避けろ。 ひっきりなしに己へ言い聞かせ、横へと強引に身体を投げ出す。程なくすぐ側を通過する銀色に煌く刃。 ————ギリギリ、過ぎる......!! 鋭い呼気を吐き出しながら、リレアを見遣る。 すると暇など与えないとばかりに、再び銀の軌跡を俺の眼前で描き、一瞬遅れて風を斬り裂く音が届く。今度は、リレアが上段。 そしてどこまでも傲岸に放たれるは————先程の俺と全く同じ挙動で繰り出す一撃。 受け流せるものなら受け流してみろ。 真似出来るものなら真似をしてみろ。 悪鬼を想起させる鈍い光纏う瞳で好戦的に俺を射抜きながら、勢いよく上段から頭蓋目掛けて渾身の一撃が放たれる。 「こ、の......」 純粋な剣の技量のみでいえばリレアは俺の数段上の境地に位置している。 故に恐らく、先程の真似をしようとしたところで彼女は彼女なりに対策をしているだろうし、そもそも、同じ芸当が出来るとは思わない。 耳を劈く金属音は辺りにびりびりと木霊した。 「あ、ハ、はははっ」 戦闘音に混ざる哄笑。 お互いを襲う衝撃に、お互いが僅かに身体をもっていかれてしまい、後退。 なれど、開いた距離はすぐさま俺とリレアが大きく踏み込んだ事でゼロへと移り変わる。 そして何度目か分からない繰り出される一撃に対し、視認に先んじて身を捻り——回避。 しかし、いくら待てどやって来ない斬り裂いたという感触。眼前に散ったのは鮮紅色の液体ではなく、見飽きた赤い閃光——火花である。 そう判断したのは俺だけではなかったのか、どちらともなく仕切り直しと言わんばかりに飛び退いた。 気付けば、まだ数合だというのにひゅーひゅーと喘鳴のような音が口から漏れ出ていた。 「......流石に一筋縄じゃいかない、ね」 苦笑い。 額にぽつぽつと脂汗を浮かべながら俺は言葉を並べ立てる。 「そりゃそうでしょう? 私が一体、何年剣を振るってきたと思ってるのよ。......だけど、やっぱりキミの成長速度は異常過ぎるわね」 「......ま、嫉妬してもこればっかりは仕方がないし、良い剣の相手が出来たと思って思い切り楽しませて貰うだけだけど」 そう言って、きひ、と女性らしくない笑みを浮かべ、リレアは腰に下げていた ————双剣使い。 リレアが扱う剣は俺が扱っている剣より刃先が短く、リーチの長さよりも扱いやすさを重視した造りとなっている。 右と左。 リレアの両の手に剣が収まる。 その泰然とした立ち姿に隙なんてものはある筈もなく、彼女の身体から発せられる威圧感は数段上昇。 からあまり双剣で戦う事を好まないリレアであるのに、あえてソレを選んだという事は本当に手加減をする気はないらしい。 「さ————、溜まってた分、いつもの倍楽しませて貰うわよ? ......ふ、ふふふ、あはははは」 右、左に奇妙なステップを踏みながら大きく轟き始める笑い声。まさしくそれは狂笑。 楽しくて仕方がないとばかりに喉を震わせ、身体を揺らし、大気に声を響かせる。 やがて、笑い声がピタリと止み————それと同時、土塊が二方向から宙に舞う。 それが再開の合図。

Chapter 46 It was an open space located in a remote part of the capital. There wasn't a single soul around, yet the sound of leaves rustling in the wind alone was enough to fill the place with deafening noise. "It's a nice place, isn't it?" Said Lilea as she led us into this place after we stopped by the guild and submitted our completion of the request. "This place, you see, it's my own secret place. I don't really want people to see me training or anything." That's why she spent so much time looking for a place just like this, she added. "Now that I remember it, you went to the infamous Minaura, didn't you? How was it? How was the 'Warrior Princess,' Viera Islebark?" The fact that you asked about Viera right here and now suggests that you really don't want to hear anything about her personality. What you want to hear about is her strength. "Oh, you didn't meet her?" "We talked. But the only people I fought with were her older sister, Fiole Islebark, and a swordsman named Siva." "Hmm~ I haven't heard of a swordsman named Siva, but the 'Corpse Princess,' huh?" As Siva also said, Fiole is known as the 'Corpse Princess.' To which that very name came out of Lilea's mouth as if it were a matter of fact. "Were you able to learn anything from that place?" "A lot." "Like realizing my own inexperience, or something?" "I've already heard that before." "Is that so?" "Yeah. Every time you accomplish something, it's you gaining the realization of how inexperienced you still are that I always hear." I couldn't deny it because it was really the truth. A sword then rested in my right hand. According to Sofia's rules, we both can't use magic in this duel. However, since my weapon requires my own magic itself, this would be the only exception throughout our match. In the presence of the alertness and pressure rising from her body, Lilea smiled ferociously, as if she had been waiting for it. But despite her expression, the air that surrounded her was as cold as ice, making the heat of the moment dissipate in the air. Such a premonition came to my mind that if I got even a little bit careless and charged at her head-on too soon, I'll lose at that very moment. "Now, then. Are you ready?" She asked me courteously. I just swallowed the words that came to mind and looked at Sofia with a glance, who was waiting a short distance away, and gave her a small nod. "--Let's begin, then." Not long after, a bloodlust, befitting of a reaper, pierced through my entirety. But without hesitation and care in the world, I forcefully stepped in, as it was the cue to start. And as soon as I did, a gust of wind swept over me. Lilea's image, locked in my eyes, suddenly vanished. --Sharpen your senses. Where does the skin that I feel on my skin come from? The attack will probably come from-- behind!!! "Aha--!" I swung as I turned around without hesitation and intercepted a deadly blade that was about to slice me open. Neither of our swords was dazzled by the hard exchange of blows. It was released in a series of raging blows, pouring down like a torrent of rain. Red lines appearing on my cheeks started to drip. My sword was already up above, anticipating Lilea's downward swing, who was trying to close in to prevent me from creating distance. --Crush her. Disregarding the prospect of being blocked, she committed to swinging her sword in my direction. Soon, a hard feeling struck my sword. Our swords long collided against each other, and the vibration from the clash echoed throughout the place. Neither of us wanted to be overpowered, however, the standstill didn't last long. "Fly-- away--!!!" Lilea sneered to me, telling me to pick up the pace, and then proceeded to flash her spirit by retaliating. She gripped the hilt of her sword with such force so much so that it screeched, and came to me by launching her body forward in hopes of winning the exchange by force. But-- But it doesn't matter, it's a complete bluff, so don't let it get to you. I told myself as the resistance from the sword suddenly disappeared. But before I pondered about the mystery behind what happened, I found out the answer myself. But I decided at this moment that this was no time to fret. "Come on--!!! Here I come!!!" And right after she parried my previous blow, she immediately swung her sword in a backhanded manner. So dodge. Dodge it. Dodge it. Dodge it. I told myself over and over again, and even forcefully, I was able to throw myself sideways to the ground. --What a close call...!!! I look at Lilea with a sharp gasp. With no time to spare, a silver trail was drawn in front of my eyes once again, and after a moment's delay, the sound of the wind cutting through the air reached me. Exact same blow, behavior, hell, even the arrogance that I showed earlier. If you can parry it just like I did, be my guest. If you can imitate it just like I did, don't hold back. Her eyes, filled with a dull glow reminiscent of a monster's, belligerently shot at me. "You..." In terms of pure swordsmanship alone, Lilea was indefinitely a few steps ahead of me. So even if I tried to imitate one of the things she did earlier, she would probably have her own countermeasures in place. An enormous impact came soon after, and an ear-splitting metallic sound resonated throughout the place. "Aha-- Hahaha..." Amidst the battle noises, a burst of rather loud laughter rang out. The impact caused both of us to fall back, slightly dragging our bodies along the way. However, the distance that had already opened up was soon reduced to none as Lilea and I took a giant leap forward. For what seemed to be the thousandth time, Lilea skillfully twisted and turned to avoid my attacks before she could even see them. What scattered in front of my eyes wasn't a crimson-colored liquid, but a red flash of sparks, all the result of the clashing of both our swords. And apparently, I wasn't the only one who felt this way, with a mirror spawning in front of me as the two of us jumped back to retreat at the same time. The next thing I realized was the wheezing sound escaping from my mouth. "...This really won't end that easily, is it?" I forced a smile. With a bead of sweat on my forehead, I put together a string of words. "Of course not. For how many years do you think I've been wielding a sword? ...But, you've been really improving at an abnormal pace, if I say so myself." "...I can't help but be jealous, but I'm just going to enjoy this to the fullest, thinking that I've found a good training partner." Saying so with an unladylike smile, Lilea then drew the other sword from her waist and proceeded to drop its sheath to the ground again. --She's a dual wielder. The sword that Lilea wields has a shorter edge than my sword, and it was built for ease of use rather than length of reach. One to the right and another one to the left. Both her swords settled in her hands. There wasn't any room for her calm and composed demeanor like the one she wore earlier, but what I felt was an extreme sense of intimidation emanating from her body that was heightened by several more notches. Although Lilea doesn't like to fight with both her swords, given how she gets intoxicated in many ways, the fact that she dared to do so suggested that she really didn't intend to go easy on her opponent. "Given that I'm always obliged to hold back, I'm going to have twice as much fun as usual now-- okay? ...Fu-- Fufufu... AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" Loud laughter began to roar as she took strange steps from her right to left. Her throat trembled and her body shook with joy, her voice now reverberating in the atmosphere. Eventually, the laughter died with a snap-- and at the same time, clods of earth flew into the air from two different directions. That was the cue to resume the fight.

そんな彼女の助言を耳にすると同時、ぽつり、と水滴のようなものが突如として俺の頬を撫でる。ふと、空を見上げると暗澹と蠢く鈍色の雲が彼方此方に散見され、空模様は怪しいものへと移り変わっていた。 「......雨」 ひとりごちるように俺が呟く。 「タイミングが良かった、と捉えるべきかしらね」 僅かに顔を綻ばせながらそう口にするリレアの言う通りであった。 もし仮に熱に浮かされた状態であったならば、雨など度外視して手合わせに興じていただろうから。そして気づいた時には土砂降り、という事も今となっては十二分にあり得た話である。 「二人とも、本降りになる前に、宿へ戻ろう?」 そして、ソフィアが言う。 俺やソフィアはリレア達が住居としている宿にて個々で部屋を借りており、二年前に俺が打ち倒したオーガの討伐報奨金をそのまま俺達の生活費に彼女らがあててくれている。 その為、俺達の帰る場所は全員同じ。 「そうね。......にしても、この様子だと明日まで長引くかしら」 俺には全く違いは分からないけど、リレアや彼女の連れであるロウなどは空模様を目にしただけで、明日も雨が降りそうだとかそう言った事を当たり前のように予想し、当ててみせる。 コツを聞いても勘としか答えてくれない為、もう「どうして」と聞く事こそしないけれど、彼女のその言葉にはそれなりの信を置いていた。 「明後日は、足場が不自由になるかもしれないわね」 「でもそれは、みんな同じ」 「ただの独り言よ。邪推はやめて貰える?」 その返しに、俺は喉の奥でくつくつと笑い、破顔してみせる。 〝魔法使い狩り〟が行動を起こすのは恐らく明後日。故にあえて明後日と言い表したのかと思ったんだけれど、どうにもそれは邪推だったらしい。 「ま、ぁ、本音を言うとやっぱりまだ、不安が残ってる。だけれど、私が攻めきれなかった上、キミは色々とまだ、余力も残してた。キミって多分、窮地に陥って漸く真価を発揮出来るタイプだと思うの。だからただの勘でしかないけれど、どうしてか大丈夫な気がするのよね」 とどのつまり、彼女が言いたい事は————俺という人間の実力が未知数。そこに帰結する。 未知数故に、可能性があると言い、どうにかなるのではと収束が出来てしまっていたのだろう。 やや遠回りではあったが、その賛辞を受け入れる。 「......話すのも良いけど、早くしないと雨に濡れるよ」 すっかり蚊帳の外になっていたソフィアが呆れ混じりにそう口にする。 剣が関わると何をするにせよ冗長になってしまうのが俺とリレアの悪い癖。 あたしは先に行くからねと若干不機嫌に、宿へと向かってソフィアは先を歩き始めていた。 此処は王都の離れに位置する開けた場所。 そんな事を考えながら、ソフィアの背を俺とリレアは追いかける————。 そのまま、どれほど歩いただろうか。 十分。十五分。 不幸中の幸いにも、雨の勢いは終始変わらず、であったけれど、その確固たる違和感を言葉に変えて指摘したのはリレアであった。 「————一体、誰の仕業かしらね」 歩いても歩いても、視界に映る景色はひたすらに緑一色。木々ばかり。 リレアとの手合わせの余波により、大気と共にズタズタに斬り裂いてしまっていた木々の残骸が残る場所に一定時間歩くと何故か戻ってきてしまうのがその証左。 初めは何の冗談かと思っていたが、やがて胸に嵌まり込む違和感と不審の念。 覚えはないのだけれど、もしかしてユリウス君、キミ誰かから恨みでも買ってたかしら?」 「......なんで俺なの。それに、喧嘩を売られる?」 「......どこからどう見ても私とキミとソフィアちゃんの三人とも〝認識阻害〟の魔法掛けられてるじゃない。これを喧嘩を売られてると言わずして何と言い表せと?」 ぐるぐるぐるぐる——繰り返し。 リレアと剣を交わした場所を起点として、後にしたかと思えば帰ってきて。後ろに見えてるはずなのに、どうしてか前にもずっと進んだ先にも同じ光景が待っている。 攪拌 されてしまう現象。それはどうやら、リレア曰く————魔法の仕業であるらしい。 「......ここに来る道中に、私達の後を追う気配はこれっぽっちも感じられなかった。だとすれば、仕掛けられたのは剣を交わしていた最中......?」 ぶつくさとひとりごちるリレアは、いや、それだけはあり得ないと浮かぶ考えを否定するべくかぶりを振る。 剣を手にしているという事は、目の前に映る対象以外の気配を感じ取る余裕というものを例外なく捨て去っている状態。 確かに、人の気配に対して疎くはなるものの、だがその分、外からの害意に対しては恐ろしいまでに敏感になっている。 故に、〝認識阻害〟なんて魔法を掛けられていた場合は、間違いなく気付く。 だったら、どうして、こんな状況に陥ってしまっている......? 分からない。 あまりに謎が多すぎる。 焦燥感を感じさせるリレアの表情が、全てを物語っていた。 「......要するに、その〝認識阻害〟って魔法が原因なんでしょ? 使い手についてとか、リレアは知らないの?」 つまり、そいつが犯人だと俺が言葉で断定しようとして。 「————でもその魔法使いはね、キミが〝ミナウラ〟に向かってる最中に既に殺されてるのよ」 だから、リレアの知る〝認識阻害〟を扱う魔法使いはもう存在しない筈なのだ。と、彼女は言う。 魔法とは、一人につきひとつだけ許された——いわば、御業である。 ソフィアのように〝治癒〟の魔法であれば使い手がかぶる事もあるだろう。 特に、魔法使いは希少な存在だ。 誰しも平等に可能性は与えられているが、使える人間は本当にひと握り。 都合よく〝認識阻害〟などという珍しい魔法の使い手が二人も三人も出てくるわけがないとリレアは決め付けている。 だからこそ、足を止めて考え込む。 「......殺されたって言うと」 「キミが頭に浮かべて想像してる通りだと思うわ。その魔法使いは〝魔法使い狩り〟に殺されてる」 「でも、現実俺達は〝認識阻害〟の魔法を使われてる」 幾ら進めど、同じ場所に戻ってきてしまうこの状況の原因の心当たりは他にない。 「......もしかして、死者が生き返った、とか?」 ふと、ソフィアがそんな恐ろしい事を口にする。だが、魔物を目の前で生き返らせていた 「......それは、誰かしらが〝死者蘇生〟なんて馬鹿げた魔法を所持していて、死んだ筈の魔法使いを私達に嗾しかけた、って事かしら」 「......あくまで、あたしの予想だけど」 「可能性としてはなくは無いと思うけど、もしそんな事が出来るとすれば、私なら〝認識阻害〟なんてチンケな魔法使いじゃなくて、それこそとんでもない過去の偉人を蘇生するわね」 きっとそれは、魔法特有の欠陥故に。 「ま、それも全て、死者蘇生なんてとんでもない魔法を使える人間が本当にいるなら、の話だけれど」 死者蘇生でなくとも、まだ様々な可能性が残っている。早合点をして視野を狭める事が得策でない事は明らか。だから一旦、その可能性は彼方に追いやる。 蘇生し、操る。 見た魔法を模倣。 相手の魔法を奪う。 または、恐ろしく低い可能性ではあるが、偶々同じ魔法を使う人間がいた、等。 すぐに思いつくだけでも、これだけの選択肢があるのだから。 そんな折、がさりと不自然な音がした。 本来であれば極々自然な葉擦れの音のように思えた筈なのに、今だけはそれがあまりに不自然過ぎた。 雨に濡れるからと場を後にしようと試みてから今の今まで一切耳にすることの無かった音。 故に、俺とリレア、そしてソフィアの三人ともが一斉に後ろを振り向いた。 そこには、見覚えのない男が立っていた。 騎士服のような衣服を身に纏った男性。 「なる、程ねえ......? なーんか、色々と事態が飲み込めてきた気がするわ」 特に、どうして、王都の治安を守る為に存在している騎士団が動こうとしていないのか。 そこにいる筈なのに、まるでそこにはいないような。そんな不思議な印象を受ける視線の先に存在する男へ焦点を引き結んだまま、俺はリレアの独り言を聞き流した。

What I found looking above was dull clouds squirming around the dark sky that was shadowing over me, seemingly turning it into something ominous. "...It's starting to rain." I muttered to myself. "I guess we should take this good timing to get moving." Lilea affirmed, saying so with a slight smile on her face. If I submitted myself to the feverish excitement earlier, I probably would have been indulging myself in testing my skills against Lilea, completely disregarding this rain. "Let's head back to the inn before it starts pouring down, you two." Said Sofia. Sofia and I were renting rooms at the same inn where Lilea and her family currently resided, using the bounty from the ogre I defeated two years ago to pay for our living expenses. Which meant we all went back to the same place. "I suppose so... but I wonder if this rain will last until tomorrow." I couldn't tell the difference at all, but Lilea and her adventurer companion, Lowe, could predict whether it will rain tomorrow or not just by looking at the sky as if it were a matter of fact. I ceased to ask further, but I had a certain amount of faith in her guesses. "There really might be another incident the day after tomorrow, huh?" "Yeah, but that applies to all of us, too." "I'm just talking to myself. Can you not butt in?" I chuckled and made a face in response. The day after tomorrow is probably the day the 'Magician Hunter' resumes his routine once again. "I'm still not sure about this, to be honest. I didn't go all the way, and you still had a lot left in your tank, so this match could've easily gone either way. But despite that, I think you're the type of person who only shows your true potential when you're in a dire situation. It may only be my hunch, but I somehow get the feeling that you're going to be alright." What she was getting at was-- My ability as a swordsman is still yet to be seen, nothing more. And given how I'm an unknown anomaly, it was likely that things would somehow work out for me. I accepted the compliment, albeit somewhat roundabout. "...Talk all you want, but hurry up or you'll get drenched in the rain." Sofia, who had been completely out of the loop, said with a mixture of exasperation and amusement. Lilea and I had a bad habit of being in our own worlds when swords are involved. And by the time I realized, Sofia had already started walking ahead of me to the direction where our inn is, grumbling all the while. This was an open place located in a rather remote part of the capital, so it would probably take some time to head back. Thinking so, Lilea and I followed Sofia's back-- For how long had we been walking again? Ten minutes? Fifteen? Probably more. To our great dismay, the intensity of the rain remained relatively unwavering throughout the day, though it was Lilea who pointed out the firm sense of discomfort by turning it into words. "--I wonder who in the world is behind this." No matter how far we walked, all we saw was green. The aftermath of my match with Lilea, namely the cuts and shreds to the trees near where we fought, still remained after a certain amount of time walking around the area. I thought it was just some kind of joke at first, but a sense of discomfort and a crippling suspicion started to bug me as time passed. "I don't remember getting into a fight with someone... but do you know anyone who's holding a grudge against you, Julius?" "...Why me? Also, getting into a fight with someone?" "...No matter how you look at it, you, me, and Sofia are all under a 'Disorientation' magic. How else can we describe this otherwise?" Round and round-- over and over again. Starting from what I thought was the place where I crossed swords with Lilea, to looking at the same scene as I continued walking far ahead. It was a phenomenon that stirs the inside of your head, making it a jumbled mess. And the one and only source of that is --according to what Lilea had said-- magic. "...There weren't any signs of someone following us on our way here. So if we have company right now, that person set this trap as we were exchanging swords with each other." Lilea grumbled to herself and shook her head to deny the thought that came to mind, saying it was impossible for that to happen. When you are holding a sword in your hand, you are without exception in a state where you have abandoned any sense of composure other than that of the target you see in front of you. Certainly, people are less conscious of the presence of others, but on the other hand, they are frightfully sensitive to external harm. Therefore, if a 'Disorientation' magic was cast over them, they would definitely notice. And if so, how did we end up in this situation...? I didn't know. There were too many mysteries. The frustrated look on Lilea's face explained it all. "Anyhow, this is all part of a magical ability, right...? Don't you know anything about the potential user we are talking about?" It all boils down to that person being the culprit. "--But that very magician was already murdered while you were on your way to Minaura." Therefore, there should be no more magician who has that magic, she confusingly said. Magic is a divine skill, so to speak, so only one person can use a certain magic at a time. If it's a healing magic like Sofia's, there would still be times when the user's magic is unique from other magicians' healing magic. Magicians are rare entities. Everyone is given equal potential, but there are really only a handful of people who can use it. Lilea was more than convinced that there couldn't be two or three people using the same magic as the magician she knew. All the more reason for her to stop and deeply think about it. "...Murdered, you say?" "I think it's exactly what you're imagining in your head. That magician was killed by the 'Magician Hunter.'" "Except, in reality, we're under a{Disorientation} magic." We had no other idea of the cause of this situation, which kept us coming back to the same place no matter how much we progress. "...Could it be that the magician you knew came back to life?" Sofia suddenly mentioned such a frightening possibility. "...Does that mean that someone has some stupid 'Resurrection Magic' and turned a supposedly dead magician against us?" "It's the only guess I can make..." "I suppose it's possible. But if it really is the case, I wouldn't be using such magic to bring back some magician who does disorientation magic. What I would do is resurrect some great and renowned warrior from the past." The reason being... surely, the inherent flaw of his magic. "Well, that's all there is to it if a magician really can use such extraordinary magic to resurrect the dead." Even if resurrecting the dead isn't his magical ability, there are still many possibilities. Reviving and manipulating. Imitating one's magic. Taking away one's magic. Or, in a terribly unlikely scenario, someone else really happened to wield the same magic. These are just a few of the options that come to mind. But then, there rang an unnatural sound. It should've seemed like the sounds of leaves rustling, but it sounded too unnatural for us to leave it alone. It was a sound that I had never heard from the moment we first attempted to head back home, not wanting to get drenched from the rain, until this very moment. So, all three of us, Lilea, Sofia, and I, turned around all at once. There stood a man I didn't recognize. Dressed in a knight's uniform. "I... see. I feel like I'm starting to understand a lot of what's going on..." Particular reasons as to why a knight of the capital, which exists to protect the city, in this kind of place, was unwilling to move away from our path? I listened to Lilea's monologue, keeping my focus on the man who existed at the other end of her gaze, giving me a strange impression.

三十八話 ————どうか上手くいってくれよ。 内心で密かにそんな事を考えながらも走らせる白刃。円弧を描く剣線。 そして、ソレは完成する。 皎皎たる望月より尚、眩い輝きを放つ————それこそ、星のような輝きを伴った軌跡が十数と虚空に奔った。 「—————」 生まれる一瞬の空白。 鼓膜を殴り付ける大声量。 痛苦に塗れた醜い絶叫が辺りに響き渡る。 迫り、降り注ぐ星光。 「......はは......ははははははは......!!!」 身体を支配するは筆舌に尽くし難い高揚感。 ここぞとばかりに俺は笑う。縦横無尽に逃さんとばかりに剣を振るい、軌跡を描く。 描いて、描いて、斬り裂いて。 抑え付けていた感情の箍に罅を入れながら、馬鹿みたいに笑って、無心で剣を振るう事で漸く————痛みを限定的に無視する事が出来た。 自身の状態を確認。しかし関係ない。 何かが軋む音。 何処からともなく垂れ流れる鮮血。 全身を奔り抜ける突き刺すような痛み。 しかし、関係がなかった。 「—————!!!」 転瞬、憎悪のような憤怒のような。 どす黒い感情を湛える〝ジャバウォック〟の瞳の色が変わるのが分かった。 直後、星光に所々貫かれながらも、〝ジャバウォック〟は己の翼を広げ、はためかせる。 〟を調整する事は不可能。 がむしゃらに撃ち放つだけの俺に、翼を狙うなんて行為は出来る筈がなかった。 「————っ、たく、これはオレの奢りだッ!! 受け取りやがれ————っ!!! 〝刺し貫く それは、シヴァの叫び声であった。 言うが早いか、大地と天から黒い刃が突として出現。そしてそれは〝ジャバウォック〟の翼へと一直線に向かって行き。 「く、は、見事に釣られやがったよ!! なぁっ、あんた今、オレを警戒したな?」 〝ジャバウォック〟へ向けて明らかにそれと分かる嘲弄を顔に貼り付けて、シヴァはここぞとばかりに盛大にせせら笑う。 最後の逃げるタイミングを自分で潰しやがったよと、その嘲りはどこまでも轟いた。 「ここで逃げるなんて野暮な真似はよせよ、なぁ————〝 シヴァの本当の狙いはその一撃。 翼を狙った一撃に〝ジャバウォック〟が躊躇いを見せ、迎撃の構えを取ったその一瞬を狙って展開されるは————四方覆う黒剣の大群。 まるで取り囲みでもするように〝ジャバウォック〟の頭上、そしてその左右を俺とフィオレ、そしてシヴァすらも巻き込んで囲い尽くす。 「っ、て、何してんの!? キミッ!?」 「覚悟決めろ〝屍姫〟!!! ここまでダメージを与えちまったんなら時間稼ぎはまず無理だ!!! 倒し切るしかねえよ! いいから手ぇ貸せ〝屍姫〟!!」 「〝屍姫〟、〝屍姫〟ってああああああもう!!! そう呼ぶなって言ったでしょうが、うるさいんだよ!!! それに、そんな事わたしも分かってる!!」 ————本音を言うと一人で倒してやりたかった。 けれど、既に感覚のない右腕。 怒りに心なし全身を赤く紅潮させ、憤怒に身を震わせる〝ジャバウォック〟。 流石に、無理があるかもしれないと思わざるを得なくもあった。 だから、今は受け入れる事にした。 何より、それら全てに対していらぬ世話と言えるだけの技量は今の俺に備わっていない。 そして気づけば、 己の右腕は力なく剣を取りこぼし、だらりと垂れていた。右腕の至る場所から悲鳴が上がっており、何らかの治療を施さない限り、こちらの腕は最早使い物にならないと断定出来た。 そして、息が詰まる。 右腕から伝う激痛のせいで全身が痺れ、硬直。 激烈な痛みは脳を焼き、ほんの一瞬だけ、思い通りに身体が動いてくれなかった。 〝ジャバウォック〟の憎悪の矛先は俺一人。 散々に貫き穿たれ、痛々しい断面覗かせる巌の如き巨大な図体。抵抗の姿勢は一切揺らがず、明らかに重傷を負っている筈であるのに、闘志の炎は未だ衰えず。 程なく俺へと襲い来るは、複数の鋼鉄の尾による突き。迫るその速度はここにきて最速。 右の腕は役立たず。 ......後先考え無さすぎた。 そう後悔しながら重力に逆らわず、下降する俺は目蓋を閉じる。 無防備の死に体。 だけど、予感があった。 何とかなる気がするという、勘としか言い表しようのない予感が。 そして、なされるがままに身体を宙に放り出した俺を————鋼鉄の尾が刺し貫く瞬間はいつまで経ってもやっては来ず、 「......無茶し過ぎだから」 代わりに、呆れの声が鼓膜を揺らすと共に、背中に若干の衝撃が伝わる。 気付いた時にはフィオレが使役する魔物の背に乗せられており、どうやら俺は間一髪のところで彼女が助けてくれたのだと理解をして、口角を曲げた。 「さあっ!! 今度はオレの番だ!!! ユリウスばっかり追いかけてんじゃねえ!!! オレにも付き合えよ!! なぁ、なぁ、なぁ......なぁぁああぁぁあ!!!!」 咆哮。 それは〝ジャバウォック〟に勝るとも劣らない叫び声であった。 加えて、シヴァの周囲を埋め尽くす程の漆黒が浮かんでおり、その規格外ぶりに思わず人間技じゃないとドン引きしてしまう。——ただ。 むくりと上体を起こし、俺はフィオレへと焦点を合わせた。 「分かってるとは思うけど、その腕、間違いなく折れてると思うよ。まだ戦い足りないのかも知れないけど、流石に剣が握れないんじゃどうしようもないでしょ」 一部とはいえ外殻を破壊し、相当なダメージを与えた。十分、キミは良くやった。 だから、後はわたしとあの赤髪男に任せてと俺の内心を見透かしてか、フィオレが言う。 けれども、俺はその言葉に返事する事なく、己の身体に無言で視線を落とした。 「ん」 痺れは薄れている。 やはり、あの硬直は一時的なものであったかと思いながらも、ひっきりなしにやって来る痛みに表情をあからさまに歪めた。 いくら鍛錬などで腕をボキボキと折ってきたとはいえ、痛いものは痛い。 痛みに鈍くなるだなんて特技は勿論、持っていないので堪え忍ぶ事くらいしか出来ないのだ。 ただそれでも、それら全てに対して強引にでも背を向けられてしまう理由があった。 故に。 「あの。俺、あんまり人には言ってない特技があるんですけどね」 面白おかしそうに笑いながら、俺は言う。 特技というには些かおかしく感じる部分もあったけれど、俺にとってはそのお陰でこの状態でも尚、 「実は、両利きなんです」 「......それが何?」 「いや、だから、右が折れても左で振るえるって話なんですけど」 チャンスは一度きりだった。 右腕でケリをつけるチャンスは、確かに一度きりだった。 やがて俺は無手となっていた左手に意識を向け、胸中にて〝 そんな俺に対し、返ってきたのは無言の呆れ顔。正気か、こいつ。みたいな。 真底理解出来ないと言わんばかりの表情であった。 俺は、記憶の中に存在するあの男と比べるとやはり凡人でしかないから、多少の痛みくらいは当然として受け入れなければまともに前にすら進める筈がないのだ。 そして、強敵を己の手で打ち倒すたび、己が憧れに近付きつつあるのだと確かな達成感を抱くことが出来る。それが、堪らなく嬉しいのだ。 抱いた目的の前では多少の痛みなど、比べ物にすらなりはしない。 〟は俺の獲物ですから」 シヴァであろうと譲る気はこれっぽっちもない。俺の手で息の根を止めて、糧とする。 「だからそろそろ、あの喧しい口を閉じさせないとね」 宣言と共に身体を再度、宙に投げ出した。 あー、もう好きにしろよと、耳朶を掠めるフィオレの投げやりな言葉に苦笑いを向けながら、もう一度だけ駆け上がる。 「おい!!! あんたはもう戦えねえだろうが!! オレに任せてすっこんでろユリウス!!!」 「えぇ、シヴァはなぁに言ってんだか」 頬が痙攣する。その発言が面白おかし過ぎて、笑む事をやめられない。 「片腕が折れたくらいで何言ってるの? まだ後左手が残ってる」 戦えないって言うのは、両腕が折れて、出血多量で立てなくなって、這いつくばるしかなくなって漸く、戦えないと言えるというのに。 たとえ胸を大剣で抉られようとも、立てるのなら、それはまだ戦える範疇。 出血多量で視界が歪んでいても、剣を握る事が出来るのならば、それはまだ戦える範疇なのだ。 「早い者勝ちの獲物争奪戦は、まだ終わってないんだけど?」 「っ、く、はっ、ははははっ!! はははははははははは!!!! いいぜ、いいぜ。そう言う事なら止めねえ!! 好き勝手やれよ!! だが、オレも好きにさせて貰うがな!!!」 弾けたような笑い声を轟かせながら、シヴァは左の手を掲げた。連動するように、俺達を囲っていた漆黒の剣全てが〝ジャバウォック〟に切っ先を向けた。 既に〝ジャバウォック〟を覆う外殻の大半は傷付きひしゃげてしまい、無防備な断面を晒してしまっている。 そんな中、これだけの剣が殺到した暁には、最早考えるまでもなかった。 続くように、俺も剣を掲げる。 放つのはこれで二度目。 時間はもう、掛けてはいられない。 「撃ち墜とせ————」 言葉が重なる。 そして、僅かに先んじて迎撃を試みる〝ジャバウォック〟の顎門が俺へと向けられた。 それは何かを撃ち放つ際に幾度となく耳にしてきた音であった。 ......迎撃のつもりなのだろう。 しかしならば、それすら斬り裂くまで。 軌道に変更はなく、持ち得る全てを手にする剣に注ぎ込む。

Chapter 38 ...Please work out. I envisioned a canvas of a sky, drawing an arc on it with the swing of a sword as I ran. And it came to life. Their trails were even more dazzling than the bright moon-- and they flashed across the sky like a star. "----" A fleeting moment of blankness was born, and a momentary silence followed suit. A loud voice pierced my eardrums. It was an ugly and painful scream that resounded throughout the vicinity. Starlights soon descended rapidly from the sky, so fast that it didn't give enough time to even blink. "...Haha... HAHAHAHAHAHA...!!!" What took over my body was an indescribable feeling of elation. I swung my sword in all directions, drawing trails of stars wherever I ended up swinging to. I drew, drew, and swung my sword in hopes of tearing through my enemy. Swinging my sword mindlessly while smiling like an idiot, I was finally able to ignore the pain to a limited extent while cracking the emotional restraints I had been suppressing. I checked my own status. But it didn't matter. The sound of something creaking. The fresh blood dripping from nowhere. And the stabbing pain rushing through my entire body. It didn't matter one bit. "----!!!" A groan enveloped by hatred and rage soon shook the place. The Jabberwock's eyes, which were now filled with dark emotions, changed colors. Immediately after, the Jabberwock spread its wings and began to flap them while being pierced by the starlights in several places. Even if I thought so, it was impossible to adjust the trajectory of{ Naglufar } . I just desperately unleashed it, and I couldn't possibly hope to hit his wings by will. "--Hey, this one's on me! Make sure to take it--!!!{ Gladiator } !!!" It was Siva's scream. And as soon as he said so, black blades suddenly appeared from the earth and the sky, headed straight for the wings of the Jabberwock. "Heh-- you're hooked here pretty well if I say so myself! Did you really try to escape just now? Huh?!" Siva took advantage of this opportunity to let out a chuckle in a grand manner, plastering a clearly recognizable taunt to the Jabberwock's face. You ruined your last chance to escape, or so his taunting face said. "Don't you dare run away from me now!{ Gladiator } !!!" Siva's ultimate goal was that blow. The Jabberwock displayed hesitation at the blow aimed at its wing, and at the moment it took a stance to intercept, a swarm of black swords was unleashed, surrounding him in all directions. It was as if the Jabberwock was trapped between me, Fiole, and even Siva, no matter which direction it decided to look. "Hey-- what are you doing?!" "Brace yourself, Corpse Princess! You can't expect to stall for time if you've delivered this much damage! We've got to finish off this big fella, so just help me already, Corpse Princess!!!" "DON'T YOU 'CORPSE PRINCESS' ME, I TOLD YOU TO NOT CALL ME THAT, DIDN'T I?! BESIDES, I KNOW THAT TOO!!!" --To be brutally honest, I wanted to beat the Jabberwock by myself. But I already felt nothing in my right arm. The Jabberwock's whole body was flushed red with anger while trembling with utter rage towards me. I hated to admit it, but this might be just impossible for me alone. Thus, I decided to accept it for now. I didn't have the skills to affirm that I didn't need their help after all. And then I realized... Screams were coming from all over my right arm, and it clicked to me immediately that this very arm would be rendered useless on the spot unless some kind of treatment was given. And then, I choked. My entire body went numb and rigid from the intense pain radiating from my right arm. The intense pain burned my brain, and for a brief moment, my body didn't move the way I wanted it to. I alone bore the brunt of the Jabberwock's hatred. And although the humongous monster in front of me was evidently seriously wounded, the flames of its fighting spirit had yet to diminish. Immediately after, multiple steel tails were thrusting toward me at an incredibly unbelievable speed. My right arm was useless, and my body was no longer functioning properly. ...I was too careless. With such regret, I closed my eyelids as I fell to the ground, no longer resisting gravity. I was going to die a defenseless death. However, I had a premonition. I had a hunch that something was going to happen. And the moment where I should've been already pierced by the Jabberwock's steel tail: "...You're too reckless." Instead, a voice of dismay shook my eardrums as I felt a slight shock in my back. The next thing I knew, I was being carried on the back of the monster under Fiole's magic, and the corner of my mouth curved up into a smile realizing that she saved my life just in the nick of time. "Hey, it's my turn now! Don't just go after Julius!!! I'm here too!!! Hey... Hey, HEYYY!!!" A roar. It was a cry that was no other than that of a guy named Siva, who, perhaps thinking that he wouldn't get close to the Jabberwock anyway, spreads his hands out in an exaggerated manner and shrilled his voice like an idiot to get his attention. What surfaced was that there were a lot of jet-black swords floating around Siva, and given that it was such an out-of-the-ordinary technique, I couldn't help but think that it, too, wasn't a human technique. So instead, I just jerked my upper body up and focused on the woman in front of me, Fiole. "I know you're already aware, but I think your arm is undeniably destroyed. That fight probably still may not be enough for you, but if you can't even hold a sword, you can't really do much about it." Albeit partially, you managed to destroy his outer shell and did a considerable amount of damage. You've done enough, so leave the rest to me and that red-headed guy, Fiole said, seeing right through my inner thoughts. But I didn't respond to her words and silently looked down at my own body. "Hm." The numbness was fading. Although I thought that the stiffness was only temporary, the pain that kept coming up made my face twist into a distorted expression. No matter how many times I broke my arms in training, what once hurt would still hurt. Of course, I didn't have any special skill that made me insensitive to pain, so all I could do was endure it. Despite this, however, there was a reason why I could turn my back on such things, even if forcefully. And so-- "Um... You see, I have a skill I haven't told many people about." I said, laughing in a funny way. It's a little strange to call it a special skill, but for me, it's definitely one, since it allows me to wield a sword even in this kind of state. "I'm actually an ambidextrous person." "...What of it?" "Well, I was just saying that even if my right arm breaks, I can still wield my sword using my left." I only had one chance. I only had one chance to settle this with my right arm, surely. So I turned my attention to my empty left hand, and chanted my magic{ Sword: Creation } deep in my heart, clutched the sword that surfaced in my hand, and laughed... What I got in return was a combination of dismay and exasperation. She silently looked at me as if she couldn't understand what I was thinking at all. Compared to the man in my memory, I was still an ordinary person, and if I didn't accept a little pain as a matter of course, there was no way I'd be able to move forward properly. And every time I defeated a strong enemy with my own hands, I felt a certain sense of fulfillment that I was getting closer to what I longed for. And that made me unbearably happy. This pain was nothing compared to the purpose I had in mind. "In any case, that monster is my prey." I had no intention of giving it up, even to Siva. "It's about time to shut that big clamoring mouth of his." Declaring just so, I threw my body into the air once again. Telling me to just do whatever I wanted with a wry smile on her face, Fiole closed her own distance once again as well. "Hey!!! You can't fight anymore, can you?! Just leave this to me and stay out of this, Julius!!!" "Hm~? What are you talking about, Siva~?" That very remark was so hilarious that I couldn't stop myself from laughing. "To hell with my broken arm. I still have my left arm functioning just fine." You can only say that you can't fight when both your arms are broken, unable to stand up due to excessive blood loss, and all you can do is crawl to the ground. Even if your chest is slashed open by a large sword, if you can stand up, you can still fight. If you only have distorted vision and can still hold your sword, you can still fight. "The battle for the one who can take him down first isn't over yet though, is it?" "Ku-- Ha-- HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Okay, then. I ain't gonna stop you if that's what you want. Do what you want, but I'll do what I want, too!!!" With a roar of laughter, Siva raised his left hand, and as if in tandem with his movements, all of the jet-black swords surrounding us pointed their blades at the Jabberwock. Most of the outer shell shielding the Jabberwock was already damaged and crumbled, so there was an exposed unprotected section of his flesh. In such a situation when so many swords are ready to come flooding in, I didn't need to think about what to do anymore. I followed suit and raised my sword. And this would be the second time that I was going to unleash this technique, and so I felt that I would be able to do it at least a little better than before. Time was already running out, I couldn't afford to stay put. "SHOOT HIM DOWN--" Our words overlapped. The Jabberwock's jaw was now pointed at me, and a familiar high-pitched sound soon shook my eardrums. It was the sound I heard many times when shooting something off. ...It just might be his attempt to intercept. But even so, I would tear through and slay him at all costs. I then poured everything I had into my sword, following an attack that had no change in trajectory:

二十六話 『〝ミナウラ〟での魔物の掃討ってのは、何も全部の魔物を倒す必要はこれっぽっちもねえんだ』 シヴァは言っていた。 『そもそも、〝ミナウラ〟に蔓延する通常よりもずっと濃い〝瘴気〟を払う事なんて土台無理な話だからな』 全てが払えない時点で魔物を根絶するという行為は不可能であると彼は指摘する。 とすれば、〝ミナウラ〟で行われている魔物の掃討。それはどうすれば終わるのだろうか。 『だからオレ達は〝ミナウラ〟のどこかに潜んでやがる魔物の頭を殺す必要があるんだ。早い話、そいつさえ殺せば、取り敢えずまた一年程度の平穏がやってくる。定期的に生まれやがるとんでもねえ魔物を倒し、新たにそれが生まれ、また倒し、新たに生まれ。言っちまえば、その繰り返しなのさ。簡単だろ?』 魔物を殺しても意味がないとは言わない。 〝ミナウラ〟とは他から言われているようにまごう事なき————〝呪われた街〟である。 他よりずっと空気中に存在する〝瘴気〟の密度が高いせいで定期的にこうして掃討の段取りを組まなければ、隔離する為に存在しているであろう傷跡だらけの壁すら食い破って魔物が他の村や街へと襲いに向かうからだ。 ただ、それに関する対処の仕方は既に確立されており、シヴァ曰く、魔物共の頭を殺せば何とかなるらしい。 そして。 「————酷いねこれは」 〝ミナウラ〟の街並みを見回しながら、俺はひとりごちる。 焼き焦げたような廃墟がそこら中に立ち並んでおり、所々血のような跡が散見。 心なし、空気もずしりと重くなったような気にすら陥る〝ミナウラ〟の街。 ただ、いくら高く聳え立つ壁に外から隔離されているとはいえ、入り口付近はまだぽつぽつと人の姿が見受けられた。 「街というより、これはもう戦場かな」 びゅぅ、と吹き散らされる灰のような、砂礫のような何か。続くように、焼け焦げた独特の臭いが俺の鼻腔をくすぐった。......あまり、好きにはなれない臭いである。 「............冒険者か。一人で来るとは命知らずな」 足を止め、〝ミナウラ〟の景色を確認する俺を見て、どこからか侮蔑の声が上がる。 恐らく、俺の幼い容姿がその感情を助長してるのだろう。「たまにいるんだよ、お前みたいな勇敢と蛮勇の言葉の意味を履き違えた馬鹿が」なんて言葉が幻聴されたが、きっとそれは俺の勘違いではないと思った。 声の発声源は何処だろうかと見回し——発見。 少し離れた場所で、壁に凭れ掛かり、包帯に巻かれ手当てをされていた足を伸ばす中年程度の男性が俺の視界に映り込んだ。 親父よりも少しだけ歳上だろうか。 忌々しそうに俺を見詰めるその男は、痛みに蝕まれているのか、苦悶の表情を浮かべながらもひたすら俺に呆れの感情を向けてくる。 男の身なりから俺は男の正体を端的に断定。 きっと、俺よりもずっと戦闘経験のある人間からの有難い忠告である。だから胸に留めておくくらいの価値はあると思った。 ただ、俺に話しかけた人物がたとえ誰であれ、これからの予定に一切の変更はない。 嘗て、ある埒外の『星斬り』の修羅は語った。 ————ひたすらに、強く在りたいと。強くなるのだと渇望し、手を伸ばし続ければ、いつか到る事が出来ると思った。 そんなとんでも過ぎる理屈を当然のように語っていた。そして、そんな人間に憧れを抱いてしまったのが俺という 強くなるにはこうするしかないのだという極端に偏った知識しか無いが為に、そもそも信じて疑っていない。 掲げた目標に到る為にはこうするしか手段は無いのだから仕方がないじゃんとどうやっても帰結してしまうのである。 故に、言葉を投げかけてきた男から視線を外し、再び足を進めようとした。 「......どういう経緯で〝 負傷した騎士の男は更に言葉を付け足そうとして。けれど、どうしてか、言い終わるより先に口を閉ざしてしまう。 どうしたのだろうかと感想を抱いた直後。 濃く深い〝黒〟が俺に被さった。 それは、影だった。 大きな、大きな影であった。 「チ、ィ......————ッ!! あのクソ野郎が反応したって事はお前、 言うなれば、それは〝呪われた街〟と呼ばれた〝ミナウラ〟からの俺への洗礼だったのかもしれない。 俺を覆った影は、二年前に相対したオーガですら優に上回る程の大きさであった。 そして気付けば、半ば反射的に飛び退かんと俺の足が動いていた。 程なく、俺のいた場所が鋭利な何かで貫き穿たれる。それは————何かの爪であった。 いきなりの戦闘開始。 そのあまりの容赦のなさに苦笑いをもらさずにはいられない。 はっ、と顔を上げると、そこには背中から翼を生やした巨大な化け物がいた。 前の脚による一撃は、容易く地面を砕き割っている。もし、反射的に動けていなかったら、俺がどうなっていたかなぞ、想像に難く無い。 体格差は歴然。 普通にやっては勝てないだろう。さあどうするか、と一瞬のうちに次に起こすべき行動を考える。そんな折、 「何してんだお前ッ!! ここからさっさと離れろクソ餓鬼!!! その魔物を〝ミナウラ〟の外に出す気かお前はッ!?」 悲鳴のような怒号が再び俺の鼓膜を揺らした。 は魔法使いに反応する変異種だ!!! いいからとっとと奥へ走れッ!!!」 魔法使いに反応する変異種。 そんな話は冒険者であるリレア達からも一度として聞いたことはない。 けれど、ふと、常識は捨てておけと忠告してくれたシヴァの言葉が脳裏を過った。 ......成る程、そう言う事なのかと今更ながらに言葉の意味をきちんと理解する。 こんな俺の十数倍はあろう 騎士の男の言葉に従う選択肢を掴み取る。 現に、大声を叫び散らし、足を負傷して身動きが取れない騎士の男には目の前の化け物は全く反応を見せていない。 ぎゅうぅ、と絞られた猫のような双眸はじっ、と俺だけに焦点をあてている。 だから、向けられた言葉は真実であると判断。 「だけ、どっ! 自分で望んだ事とはいえ、初めからでかい壁過ぎないかなあっ!?」 泣き言のような言葉を洩らしながらも、腰に下げる剣すら手にしていない無手となっている両手を開き———— 短剣が形取られ、程なく手の中に収まる一対の短剣。 焦燥感に駆られる中で、最適解と思える行動を正しく認識。あの図体だ。 斬る事は骨が折れるだろうが、しかし刺し貫くだけであれば。 「これ、でもッ!! 食らっとけ————っ!!!」 駆け、逃げ出そうとする挙動をほんの一瞬だけ見せてから————俺はぐるりと身体を再度反転。その動作の勢いすら利用し、手に握る短剣を右、左の順に投擲。 の双眸へと向かい——けれど、ガキン、とやがて聞こえてきた硬質な音によってそれは阻まれてしまったのだと理解。 だけれど、眼球を刺し貫く手前で何か、見えない障壁のようなものに投擲した短剣は弾かれていた。 「......そう都合よく事は運ばない、って?」 仕掛けた事により、一層強く向けられるようになる殺意。敵は翼もある上、そもそもどんな能力で、何の魔物なのかすら分からない現状。 これは流石に拙いかと。

Chapter 26 "Clearing out the monsters in Minaura doesn't necessarily mean that you have to defeat all of them." Siva said. "It's impossible to get rid of the thick miasma surrounding Minaura in the first place." He pointed out that eradicating monsters was impossible when all factors couldn't be taken into account. If that was the case, then how could we finish clearing out the monsters residing in Minaura? "That's why we need to kill the head of the monsters that's lurking somewhere around Minaura. In a nutshell, as long as we kill the boss, it will guarantee this town another year of peace or so. When we defeat the strongest monster that periodically arises, another one is born, and we just have to defeat it again, and so on. In other words, it's just like a continuous cycle. Simple, isn't it?" I wouldn't say that killing monsters was meaningless, but Siva was telling me that unless I killed the head of the monsters that was lurking somewhere in this town, there would be no end to this process. Minaura was, as the legend said, a "cursed town" without a doubt. The density of miasma in the air that surrounded this town was much higher than in other places, and if one didn't make regular preparations like this, the monsters would surely attack other villages and towns, eating through the scarred walls that were supposed to isolate them. However, the way to deal with this had already been established, and according to Siva, killing their leader seemed to do the job. And then... "--This place is terrible..." Looking around at the streets of Minaura, I chuckled to myself. Ruins that looked as if they'd been burnt to a crisp stood in rows all over the place, and in some places, there were even traces of blood. And without a care in the world, the atmosphere gradually felt heavier as I walked around the town. However, even though it was isolated from the outside by a high wall, the entrance area was still densely populated with people. "It's more like a battlefield than a town." What seemed to be ashes and gravel were being blown around, and as if to follow, a peculiar smell that I didn't like very much-- the smell of burnt flesh --tickled my nostrils. "...An adventurer, huh? How reckless of you to come alone." I stopped to examine the surroundings of Minaura, and a voice of contempt emerged from somewhere. Perhaps it's due to my young appearance that contributes to this feeling, but I heard a voice say, "Sometimes there are idiots like you who come here confusing the meaning of the words brave and courageous," and I was sure I wasn't mistaken. I looked around to see where the voice was coming from-- and found it. A middle-aged man, leaning against a wall a short distance away, stretching out his leg, which was wrapped in bandages and being patched up, appeared in my field of vision. He was probably a little older than my father. The man stared at me in spite and, perhaps consumed by the pain, he looked at me with an expression of anguish on his face, yet directing his feelings of disbelief at me. From the man's appearance, I determined his identity straightforwardly. Surely, it was helpful advice from someone with much more combat experience than me, so I thought it was worth keeping in mind. But no matter who talked to me, I didn't plan on changing what I intended to be in the future. A certain "Star Slayer" once told himself-- As long as he kept on longing for it, he would be able to reach it one day. He was talking about such a ridiculous theory as if it were a matter of fact. I had no doubt in my mind that this was the only way to become strong because I only had an extremely biased understanding of what it meant to be one. I had no choice but to do this in order to reach the goal I had set for myself, so I concluded that it was inevitable. Therefore, I took my eyes off the man who had spoken to me and tried to move forward again. "...I don't know what brought you to this place, but..." The wounded knight tried to add a few more words, but for some reason, he shut his mouth before he could finish. Just immediately after I wondered what was wrong... A deep, dark, black being covered me. It was a shadow. A big, big shadow. "Tch...! If that son of a bitch reacted, then that means you're a magician...!!! H-Hey! Get the hell out of here, reckless kid!!!" If I had to say, this might've been my baptism from the cursed town called Minaura. The shadow that covered me was even bigger than the ogre I faced two years ago. I realized that my legs were moving to jump back half-reflexively. Soon after I did, the place where I just was, was pierced by something sharp-- A massive claw. And suddenly, the battle began. I couldn't help but laugh at the sheer relentlessness of it all. I looked up and saw a huge monster with wings sprouting from its back. The blow from its front leg easily shattered the ground. The difference in size was clearly evident. I wouldn't win against it in normal circumstances, so in a split second, I thought of what to do next. And then... "What the hell are you doing?! Get out of here, you fucking brat!! Are you trying to get that monster out of Minaura?!" The screaming rage shook my eardrums again. "That monster son of a bitch is a mutant that reacts to magicians!!! Just run to the rear quickly!!!" A mutant species that reacts to magic users. I'd never heard such a thing from Lilea and her fellow adventurers. But I suddenly remembered Siva's words, who told me to throw away my common sense. ...I now understood exactly what he meant. If such a monster-- a monster more than ten times my size --were to head for my village... I seized the opportunity to follow the knight's words. As a matter of fact, the monster in front of me showed no reaction at all to the knight, who was screaming his lungs out, wounded in the leg and unable to move. It was focused only on me, with its cat-like eyes squeezed tightly together. And so I assumed his words were true. "But... isn't this wall too massive to begin with?!" While letting out whiny words, I opened my hands, both of which were unarmed, not even holding the sword that I carried at my waist-- A pair of daggers formed, finally resting in my hands. In the midst of the frustration, I had to be a level-headed person who would correctly recognize the most optimal course of action. Slaying him would be painstaking. However, if only to pierce through his defenses... "Make sure to-- eat this!!!" I ran, and after showing the behavior of trying to escape for just a moment-- I turned my body around and flipped in the air over again. And so the daggers flung in the air, aiming not too far from the eyes of the monster, but the hard sound of a clank made me realize that I had been blocked. But just before piercing its eyeballs, the dagger was repelled by some kind of invisible barrier. "...Things don't always work out your way, do they?" The enemy had wings, and I didn't even know what kind of ability it had, let alone what kind of monster it was to begin with. As one would expect, this was definitely not a good situation, and I needed to retreat.

五十二話 「......あー、色々と聞き忘れてた」 逃げるように部屋を後にしたのち、詰所からも離れて数分後。宿に向かって歩きながら俺は、そういえばゼノアが〝魔法使い狩り〟の正体やら動機やらも教えてくれると言っていた事を思い出す。 折角なら聞いておくのも有りだったかなあと若干、後悔の念を抱きながらも別にその部分は無くても困らないかと割り切る。 「ただ、まぁ......聴覚か」 情報を教えて貰うだけ教えて貰っておきながらああして不義をしてしまった事に対し、ゼノアには罪悪感があるものの、存外あまり強くは感じていなかった。 理由はきっと、あの瞳が原因。 全てを見透かしたかのような瞳をじっ、と見詰めていたからか、どうしてか思ってしまうのだ。 ......確たる理由はないけれど、ゼノアは俺が彼女の申し出に対して首を縦に振らない事を予め知悉していたのではないのか、と。その上であえて言葉を尽くしていたのではないのかと、どうしてか無性にそう思ってしまう。 「確かに、対策は単純明快だけど、安易にそれは実行出来ないよなぁ」 聴覚を無くす方法は簡単だ。 鼓膜を潰せばいい。 ただ、それをするとゼノアが言っていた通り、とてつもないハンディキャップを背負う羽目になる。 「でも、姿が見えないんじゃ、ただ一方的に俺が斬られるだけになる」 聴覚が大事であるからと考え過ぎては一撃も与える事なく死ぬ、という可能性も十二分に有り得る。 「せめて、目の前にいるって状況を作り出せれば何とかなるんだけど」 「......ま、そこはリレア達と相談になるのかな」 そんなこんなで、ぶつくさとひとりごちながら歩く事十数分。 黄昏色の空に夜闇が混じり始めた頃、漸くたどり着いた宿の前で佇む二人の影。 どうも、ソフィアとリレアは俺よりも先に戻って来ていたらしい。 「そっちはどうだった?」 「ダメね。元々、〝認識阻害〟を扱ってた魔法使いの交友関係が狭過ぎるからか、知己すら探すのに一苦労。欠陥なんてもっての他だったわ」 「あたしは教会の人達に聞こうとしたんだけど、そんな物騒な話に首を突っ込むもんじゃないって怒られただけ」 二人ともが疲労感を表情に貼り付けながら、肺に溜まっていた息を吐き出す。 教会とは、ソフィアに〝治癒〟の魔法を教えてくれているシスターがいる場所。 〝ミナウラ〟で出会ったアバルドのように治癒系統の魔法であれば他者からの師事は不可能に近いが、世間でよく知られる怪我を癒すだけの一般的な〝治癒〟の魔法であれば、使い手も多く、師事する事で己のステップアップをはかる事が出来る。 故に、ソフィアは度々、教会に顔を出しては〝治癒〟の魔法をあるシスターから習っていたらしく、その伝手を頼ろうと試みたがどうにも撃沈してしまっていたらしい。 「で、キミの方は?」 「聞けたよ。本当かどうかは分からないけど、〝ミナウラ〟で俺の命を助けてくれた人が頼れって言ってた人だし、まぁ、信じていいと思う」 「で、聞いた話によると、〝認識阻害〟の欠陥は自分の聴覚を封じてしまえば、〝認識阻害〟の影響を受けないで済むって一点だけ」 「ふぅん、なら————」 聴覚捨てちゃえば良いって話ね、と早合点しようとしたであろうリレアの発言を遮って、俺は言葉を続けた。 「————ただ、あの〝魔法使い狩り〟の能力が〝 蒐集家 「要するに、色んな魔法を扱える魔法使いって事。だから、聴覚を捨てたところであんまり意味がないって言われた」 「あー......そういう事。だとすれば......あー、色々と面倒になってくるわね」 リレアがくもった表情のまま、前髪を掻き上げる。そして、掻き混ぜる。 「......面倒な事実?」 眉を潜める。 ダメだったとは言っていたが、どうにも何か目新しい事実を掴んでいたのかもしれない。 怪訝に俺が首を傾げると、今度はリレアではなく、ソフィアが口を開いて教えてくれる。 「うん。あたしが〝魔法使い狩り〟について尋ねようとして、首を突っ込むなって教えてくれたシスターから言われた言葉なんだけど、 話の脈絡から察するに、ここでのソフィアの言うあたし達とは俺達ではなく、教会の人間という括りを指しているのだろう。 だが、不思議に思う。 〝治癒〟の魔法を使えるシスターを始めとして幾らか魔法使いがいるだろうに、どうして〝魔法使い狩り〟からの被害がないと言えてしまうのか。 ぐるぐると渦巻く疑問。 地頭の出来が決して良いワケではないからか、それが指すワケというものが一向に見えてこない。 そんな折。 「そこで私、ちょーっと考えてみたのよね。あの〝魔法使い狩り〟の男、あの時、〝復讐〟って言ってたでしょう? だから、王都の魔法使いに恨みを持っていて、尚且つ、教会には恩、若しくは手出し出来ない理由があって、それでいて、騎士団が不用意に動けない————騎士団の長がいないこのタイミングを狙えば 丁寧に条件を一つ一つ組み合わせていくと、ピッタリとそれに当て嵌まる人物が偶然にもいたのよねえとリレアが言う。 「時に、ユリウスくんは王都の治安を守る役目を負ってる騎士団に、どうして魔法使いが二人しかいないのか。その理由について知ってるかしら?」 「実は、五年くらい前までは騎士団って結構な人数の魔法使いが属してたのよ。私達を苦しめてくれてる〝認識阻害〟。その本来の使い手であった魔法使いも、その一人だったわ」 へぇ、と思うが、抱いた感想は本当にそれだけ。その事実が一体、彼女のいう面倒な事実とどう関係しているのか、さっぱり分からなかった。 カザレアの悲劇? と、聞き慣れない言葉に対して聞き返すと、リレアは「ええ」と言ってそれについて語り始めてくれた。 「事の発端は、とある盗賊集団にある貴族家の令嬢が拉致された事がきっかけだった筈なんだけれど......彼女の救出にあたって、どうしてか中々腰を上げようとしない当時の騎士団長に痺れを切らして先走って助けに向かった人がいたの。名は確か————バミューダ。でも結局、何かを予見してたからなのか、堅実の姿勢を崩さなかった当時の騎士団長の選択が正しかったの。結果、先走ったバミューダのせいで捕らえられていた令嬢は死に、数十の民間人も犠牲になった」 そんな慢心が生んだ悲劇ねと彼女は言う。 騎士団のトップである当時騎士団長の意見を支持していたならば、恐らくは犠牲が生まれようとも、もっと少なかった筈であると。 「ただ、令嬢を助けようと試みていたバミューダは九死に一生を得たんだけれど、その責を押し付けられて処刑され、当時の騎士団長も責任を取って騎士団を去り、今の騎士団が出来上がった感じねえ。副団長にあのゼノア・アルメリダが据えられた理由は五年前の悲劇を起こさない為だと誰もが言ってるわ。今の騎士団に殆ど魔法使いがいないのも、十中八九、統率を図る為でしょうね」 そもそも、そのカザレアの悲劇が今の〝魔法使い狩り〟とどう関係しているのだろうか。 「その話にはまだ続きがあって、バミューダの処刑に対して、助命を嘆願していた人達がいたのよ。バミューダはただ助けようとしただけなのに、責任を取って処刑はあんまりではないか、とね。そんな訴えをしていたのが当時の教会の人間達と————バミューダの弟であるオリヴァー。私は、オリヴァーが〝魔法使い狩り〟なんじゃないかって睨んでる。何が面倒な事実かって言うと、要するに、件の〝魔法使い狩り〟は、もし私の予想が正しかった場合、教会に匿われてる可能性が限りなく高いのよ」

Chapter 52 "...Ah-- I forgot to ask her a bunch of stuff." As I made my way back to the inn, the thought of Zenoah possibly telling me about the 'Magician Hunter's' identity and motive flashed through my head. I felt a little bit of regret not asking, but I decided to only dismiss that part of the story. "But... one's sense of hearing, huh?" Albeit not too strongly, I still felt guilty towards the unjust I did to Zenoah despite receiving all the information I needed. Her eyes must've been the reason. I was ignorant to the reason why staring at her eyes seemed that she could see right through my entirety. ...I don't have a clear conclusion, but I wonder if Zenoah already knew prior to my decision that I wouldn't accept her request, just like how I'm also wondering to myself if I said too much. "Indeed, the countermeasure is plain and simple, but it's not something that can easily be done, is it?" The way to rid my sense of hearing is... Namely, by crushing my own eardrums. But as Zenoah had said, doing that will put me in a tremendous disadvantage. "But if I can't see him, I'll just get killed one way or another." If I focus myself on the importance of hearing, it's more than possible that I'll die without even being able to deliver a single blow. "If I could at least create a situation where he'd be right in front of me, I could do something." "...I guess I'll have to discuss that with Lilea and Sofia." I walked for more than ten minutes, only muttering to myself. As tinges of darkness began to mix with the twilight sky, I finally arrived at the inn only to find the two shadows of two people standing in front of it. Apparently, Sofia and Lilea had returned before me. "How did it go?" "No good. It was hard to even find acquaintances, since the magician who originally used{Disorientation} magic only had a very small friend group. Finding flaws in his magic was completely out of the question." "I tried asking the church people about it, but they just told me not to get involved in such a dangerous matter." Both of them sigh, their faces plastered with exhaustion. The church is where the nuns who teach Sofia healing magic are located. Although it's almost impossible to learn distinct healing magic from others, such as the person I met in Minaura, Abald, one can learn general healing magic that only heals injuries from the vast amount of users that it has. And so, Sofia had been visiting the church frequently in order to learn healing magic from a certain nun, but it seems that her attempts had been unsuccessful. "So, how's your side?" "I was able to ask a certain person. I don't know whether the information I received is true or not, but the person who saved my life in Minaura told me to rely on that certain person. And well... I think I can trust her." "And from what I've heard, the only flaw in the{Disorientation} magic is that you can't be affected by it if you suppress your own sense of hearing." "If that's the case--" I interrupted Lilea, who was probably trying to make a hasty conclusion that we should just throw away our auditory sense, and continued to speak. "--But it seems that the "Magician Hunter's" true magical ability is called{Collector.} " "{Collector?} " "In essence, he's a magician who can use various kinds of magic. So I was told that it wouldn't make much of a difference even if I gave up my hearing." "Ah-- That sure makes a lot of sense... It's going to be a lot more trouble if that's the case." Lilea ruffled her bangs with a clouded look on her face, and proceeded to churn from where she stood. "...Troubling discovery?" I furrowed my brow. Being concerned as she was, I thought she may have been onto something new, a fact that I've only yet to know. When I tilted my head in doubt, this time Sofia, not Lilea, opened her mouth and filled me in on the details. "Yeah. When I tried to ask about the 'Magician Hunter,' the same sister who told me to not get involved said that if we don't do anything, we wouldn't be harmed." From the context of the conversation, I guessed Sofia was not referring to us three, but to the people of the church. But I wondered-- Given that there may be some magicians in the church, including sisters who only can use healing magic, how can she be sure that they will be safe from the Magician Hunter? Questions started to swirl around my head. Perhaps it is because I didn't have a good head on my shoulders, but I couldn't see any reason why this was the case. Then... "So I thought about it for a minute. The 'Magician Hunter' said he's doing this for revenge, right? Therefore, he held a grudge against the magicians of the capital, but he also owed the church a favor, enough for him to have a reason not to touch it. Nevertheless, he's doing all the killing now because he knows that the Knights can't move carelessly. That brings me to a certain answer." When you carefully put the pieces together one by one, it just so happens that there is a certain character who fits the picture perfectly, Lilea said. "The capital is the most important part of this country. But do you know why there are only two magicians in the Order of the Knights responsible for protecting the security of this place, Julius?" "Until about five years ago, there were quite a number of magicians in the Order of the Knights. The magician who originally possessed{Disorientation} magic, he was one of them." I guessed that was an amazing feat, but that's really the only impression I had. Upon hearing my concern about such an unfamiliar matter, she reaffirmed herself, and began to talk about it. "It all started with the kidnapping of a noblewoman by a group of thieves. During her rescue, there was a person who got fed up with the then Knight Commander, who for some reason was reluctant to get up from his chair, rushed ahead to help her himself. His name is-- Bermuda. But as it turned out, the choice of the then-Knight Commander who remained adamant on his stance, perhaps foreseeing what was to come, was the right one. As a result of Bermuda's preemptive action, the kidnapped woman, alongside dozens of civilians, died." Such pride, Lilea said, became a tragedy. Had he supported the opinion of the Commander of the Order, there probably would have been fewer, if any, sacrifices made. "Bermuda, who merely attempted to save the noblewoman's life which nearly cost him his, was still executed to atone for his actions. At the same time, the then Knight Commander took responsibility and left the Knight Order, thus founding the current one. Everyone says that Zenoah Almerida was appointed deputy commander so that the tragedy of five years ago wouldn't happen again. The reason why there are almost no magicians in the current Order is, in all probability, for the sake of control." What does the Tragedy of Cazalea have to do with the current magician killings? "There was more to the story. There were people pleading against Bermuda's execution in exchange for theirs, saying that he merely wanted to help, and taking the blame for the casualties was just not fair. And the people making the appeal in question at the time, were the church people, and Bermuda's younger brother-- Oliver. I have a strong suspicion that Oliver is indeed the 'Magician Hunter.' The troubling fact is that the same 'Magician Hunter,' if I am correct, is most likely being sheltered in the church."