Day 311-320/Day 313

Day 313
The 3rd day of the festival. Today, I will pay attention to Minokichi-kun. The event Minokichi-kun supervises is “Tug of War”. I created a special rope made from the leather of a dragon, which is superior in toughness as materials for Minokichi-kun's opponents to pull. As long as everyone is in perfect sync, they can compete against Minokichi-kun.
However just to pull from both ends would be boring, so if they lose, they move to a one-to-many battle against Minokichi-kun. Minokichi-kun sealed his lightning flame ability, as well as removing the axe and shield to leave himself empty handed. In physical strength though, he is the greatest in Parabellum. The first time you experience it, you'll likely be defeated immediately.
----
Sergeant Half-Lord's POV
Trick. Do the trick again. Minokichi-ani pulls the rope as he wildly snorts. It really shows off that we left the preparations too late.
TL: ani = elder brother
While we're holding the rope, we can understand the difference instantly, it's hopeless. The gap in strength is tremendous, this is unreasonable.
“Sanrin-dono ... this... , is it really necessary to do this to play tug of war?”
As the cold sweat sinks slowly, the thunder dragonewt who was behind Saputo, the thunder half-dragonewt calls out to me, in agreement with the opinion.
“Necessary? It's not like it's a necessity, you know. But if we end up losing, the punishment will be frightening.”
Approximately 300 members vs. Minokichi-ani in a tug of war. Normally, there would be an overwhelming difference between war potential leaving no reason for defeat.
But it's useless. Minokichi-ani is like an immovable mountain and he hasn't even moved an inch. So far, until now, the performance of each of the above average members of each species was well trained by me but, nevertheless, it's hopeless.
There are dozens of large demons, like trolls and ogres, yet only one demon, Minokichi-ani, can win without effort. I'm sure the observers are having a good spectacle of our failure.
I don't like it. I really don't like it. Oh well, at the least I don't want to show an unsightly appearance.
“Well, The half-dragonewt Suputo has been a candidate from the beginning."
But as the Tug of War continues, we keep doing unexpected efforts. Strenuous efforts.
“Even if you vomit blood, keep up the power!"
“All together!. Heave-ho! Heave-ho! Heave-ho!”
"""""Heave-ho! Heave-ho! Heave-ho!"""""
Everyone is desperate, our bodies are leaning back as we pull the rope, almost falling down, we sure look comical.
However, before such an overwhelming force, our petty tricks are meaningless.
“Such a thing... Is impossible!”
Well, I ended up losing. Minokichi-ani existence itself is breaking the rules, is what I think.
What do you think? We're three hundred people pulling a rope, we are big and strong, our position is like a diagonal stick, yet we can't even move Minokichi-ani an inch, instead, we're being pulled and losing members.. But if the leader made this game, it means it can be done. Well, but still.
Even though I was prepared, we ended up losing at tug of war, well, it was expected so I don't mind.
How severe is the mock battles you ask?
Now we are fully armed having mock battles against Minokichi-ani, who isn't using his axe, shield, or his lightning flame, he is empty handed.
Minokichi-ani is so big that you have to look up, but with such heights, we'll get used to it in training.
Fomorians and the giant black skeleton are huge, and we have trained with tactics for such opponents.
But in front of Minokichi-ani, all that is meaningless. The centurion of [Anger], Torju the troll, I will step up to the challenge! A giant troll, who boasts a similarly large body, charges towards Minokichi-ani. They charge like two ramparts approaching at high speed by pushing a massive tower shield out forward. A destructive power enough to kill the enemy by running them over.
The speed, weight, and hardness with matching techniques. Normally, one can do nothing but evade. In response to the attack, Minokichi-ani threw a right straight. The ridiculous right-hand straight, which made a roaring and crackling atmosphere, bent the tower shield that hit it, creating a dent as large as a fist.
But still, its power is undiminished. It doesn't become weaker at all, even seeming to have lightened as Torju's momentum is reversed and disappears completely.
“Torju's important sacrifice is not to be wasted.”
Although trembling in fear seeing that, from behind Torju, we heavily charge in one after another.
“If you're going to die, at least land a single blow.”
“Uooooooooo. Damn it, damn it, damn it, I don't want to die in a place like this!”
The vanguard, plunging into the face of death, came like a swarm of ants as bait. Normally, it is possible to crush opponents with physical quantity. We usually overcome obstacles with our severe training produced by our own hands. Around here and there are people several levels stronger than me. However, when hit directly, the arms of dozens of people are blown aside like splinters of scrap wood in a single swing, only a single step on the earth causes small scale earthquakes. Overwhelming destruction is lavished from Minokichi-ani, surely it cannot be helped to appear similar to an avatar of natural destruction.
But there is no way I can just give up. Friends falling down in piles like putrid corpses--broken and with ruptured organs and visible fractures. No, I can't die just yet and leave things this way – – to overcome that, I and others are determined to continue charging repeatedly. Anyway, this is the plan for the time being. At first, I intended to lead the charge as the commander, but I couldn't. Minokichi-ani, like Ovarou-ani, can instantly crush a armies lead by incompetent commanders.
The commander is the central brain. If you smash it up, the organization's perfect functioning fails to work. The weakened doesn't escape any pursuing elite force.
If you rather choose to sacrifice physical ability, Ogres or Trolls become excellent meat shields. But there's only a limited amount of time to work with. That limited time is very precious.
Because of that, the time earned was put to use at the rear by casting powerful black magic, one of the [Magic] system of attacks zip faster than can be seen.
“Don't worry about allies. Fiiiiiiirrrrrreeeee!”
The shot lands safely, the colorful magics explode together with our allies. The artistry of destruction felt like it should be beautiful, but rather only our comrades were blown away, and the purpose was not achieved. As smoke is blown off in the roar, the body cowers. My legs are trembling, fear that you cannot resist gushes out.
We've won in fights against several dungeon bosses. Even such extremely powerful people get swarmed. Because of that, we seriously fear our relative, Minokichi-ani.
“It's all hopeless.”
“Hahaha....... Although I knew, this is too cruel”
Together we spill a dry smile. At any rate, while multiple spells were hitting directly, barely any damage has been given. The disparity could make you laugh, but we just try our best. With a thrust, I was hit hard on my right side, just after I landed a solid blow into his side with my beloved sword.
An unusual voice came out after I was hit that stirred my entire body. I was sent flying while spinning. It was incredibly painful and I lost consciousness while thinking that it would be enough to stay alive. When I wake up, someone from the medical troop <<Prière>> was treating me, I earnestly hoped to be on a soft bed, which would be just fine.
As I was thinking of such things, lukewarm water splashes on my face. “Buhaa! What the hell!?” “Losing consciousness to escape is sweet. Yes, sweeter than candy fruits!” Saying so while having jumped out of bed, that was murmured by the centurion of <<Prière>>, Seibo. A mild and gentle-looking woman, she's a woman in a plump chest armor who is delighted to see others suffer. She has a wooden bucket in her hands, but judging the white liquid that is the content of the bucket, she appear to have been bathing people with the lukewarm water that was taken from the hot springs that has healing and magic restoring properties.
Except for soiling and getting wet with lukewarm water, there seems to be no problems. In addition, the bones that were crushed which made me cry, as well as the torn muscles, are restored. “Since everyone was wiped out, please play Tug-of-War again.” “......Has it not ended?” “It doesn't end. Until the night comes, pull the rope and fight.” Siebo floats a devilish smile, and points at Minokichi-ani, who is motivated and preparing for the exercise. "You just ….. Are you serious.
I don't know anymore." Still, we fought while being convinced that we would end up tattered when this is over. In order to survive, we united ourselves even more than ever before. To hell with the world!
----
Rou's POV
Each time the team members got more and more times, the timing of the tug of war was getting better and better. Although Minokichi-kun was being pulled more often, he still won all the tug-of-war matches.
In the battle that began after the tug-of-war, Minokichi-kun blew up all the members of the group with one fist, and with a single kick, he sent them flying in waves of attacks. The reason why no one died instantly is because Minokichi-kun was able to move himself perfectly through his training, and he was able to handle himself exquisitely. If it was the Minokichi-kun before, there would have been an accident or two.
While I was impressed that he was getting tougher and tougher, I decided to reduce the workload of Seiji, who has been busy running around since the day the festival was held, by following him around with my mini clones. Minokichi's place is in trouble because many people are injured one after another.
----
RAWS
“三百十三日目”
祭り三日目。
今日はミノ吉くんのところに注目してみようと思う。
ミノ吉くんが監督する催しモノは“綱引き”である。
強度と靱性に優れた亜龍の革を材料にして造られた特別な亜龍綱を、ミノ吉くん相手に引っ張り合うのだ。
全員の息が完璧にあえば、例えミノ吉くんとでも戦う事はできるだろう。
ただし引っ張り合うだけではつまらないので、負ければ一定時間、ミノ吉くんと一対多の戦闘に移行する。
ミノ吉くんは雷炎能力を封印し、斧と盾を外した徒手空拳ではあるが、その身体能力はパラベラム随一だ。
舐めてかかっては、即座に打破されてしまうだろう。
■　―　■
【とある視点】
あかーん。もうあかーん。
フシュルルルルル、と鼻息荒いミノ吉兄と綱を引っ張り合うとか、既に準備の段階で結果が目に見えてんねんけど。
こっちが幾ら数が多いっつっても、綱握った瞬間に絶望的格差を理解できるとか、ほんまもう無理やて。
「サン凛殿……これ、綱引きする必要があるのでしょうか？」
冷や汗ダラダラ流してたら、すぐ後ろに居たのスプトはんがそう声をかけて来たんやけど、その意見には同意するで。
「意味、無いやろなぁ。だって結局負けて、ガチンコになるやろし」
約三百名対ミノ吉兄一鬼による、綱引き。
普通なら圧倒的戦力差で負けるわけない。
でもな、あかんて。ミノ吉兄、まるで不動の泰山みたいな存在感やもん。
一応、今までうちが鍛えに鍛えまくったからそれぞれの種族の平均よりもメンバーの性能はええんやけどな、それでもね、あかんて。
とかとか数十鬼居るけど、それでもたった一鬼のミノ吉兄に勝てる光景が想像できへんもんね。
嫌やわー。めっちゃ嫌やわー。
「まあ、せめて無様な姿を見せないようにしたいですね」
「せなやスプトはん。ほな、始まるで」
　でも始まった綱引きは、思いの外健闘したんよね。
「血反吐吐いても力は緩めるンやないでッ」
「タイミングを合わせろッ。オーエス！　オーエス！　オーエス！」
『『オーエス！　オーエス！　オーエス！』』
そりゃ皆必死よ。地面に倒れそうになるほど後ろに重心を傾けて、足や背中とか全身の力を使って引っ張んたんよ。
「フゥウウウウ……ブゥモオオオオオオオオオオオオオオッ！」
　でもな、圧倒的力の前には、小細工なんて無意味やったんや。
「うわなんッあああああああ……」
「こんなん、無理やって！」
まあ、結局負けたんやけど、ミノ吉兄は存在自体が反則やと思うわ。
なんやねん、三百名で引っ張っても、ほとんど動かんとか。そりゃデカイ身体してるし、めっちゃ重いんやろうけど、それでも限度っちゅうモンがあるやろと。
まあ、それでもええんよ。
覚悟してたし、綱引き負けたんはええねんけども。
その後に待っとった、模擬戦の酷さは何やろな。
斧と盾や雷炎は使わず、無手の状態で完全武装したうちらとの模擬戦。
見上げる程の巨躯をしたミノ吉兄やけど、そのくらいの大きさならうちらは訓練で慣れとるんよ。
フォモールとか、ブラックスケルトン・ジャイアントとか、デッカイしな。そういう種族相手の戦術とかも、既に経験済みよ。
でも、ミノ吉兄の前ではそんなん無意味やったんや。
「重武装部隊≪アンガー≫の百人長、のトロ重、行かせてイタだきマス！」
ミノ吉兄に勝るとも劣らない体躯を誇るトロ重の突貫。
「ブゥモオオオオオオッ！」
「グワアアアアアアアッ」
分厚いタワーシールドを前面に押し出す事でまるで城壁が高速で迫るような突貫は、前方に居る敵を問答無用で轢殺するだろう破壊力があったやろな。
速度と重量と硬度の合わせ技や。普通なら回避するしかないやろう。
やけどそれに対してミノ吉兄は右ストレートで迎え撃った。
轟、と大気が裂けるような音を発した馬鹿げた威力のある右ストレートは直撃したタワーシールドをへし曲げ、拳程の大きさの凹みを造ったんよ。
それでも威力はぜんぜん衰えんかったんやろうな、軽やかとすら思える程にトロ重は勢いが反転したみたいに吹き飛んで行ったんや。
「トロ重の犠牲を無駄にするなぁ！」
それを見て恐怖に震えながら、しかしうちらはブッ飛んだトロ重の後に続くように次々と突貫して行ったんや。
「どうせ死ぬなら一撃でも叩き込めッ」
「ウオオオオオオオッ。畜生畜生畜生、こんなところで死にたくねぇよおおおおおおおおおお！」
決死の覚悟で突っ込む前衛はまるで餌にたかる蟻のようやった。
普通なら物量で潰せるやろな。うちらかて普段から過酷な訓練を積んどるんや。そんじょそこらの輩よりも数段強いっちゅう自負がある。
「ブゥモオオオオオオッ！」
でもな、直撃せずとも腕のひと振りで数名から数十名が木っ端のように吹き飛ばされ、蹄のある脚部は大地を思い切り踏むだけで小規模の地震を引き起こす。
圧倒的な破壊を振りまくミノ吉兄は、まさにどうしようもない自然現象の権化のようにしか見えへんわ。
でも、そこでただ呆然と諦める訳にはいかへんのよ。
バッタバッタと倒れていく仲間達の屍――骨折してたり内臓破裂してるけど、まあ死んどる奴は居らんな――を乗り越えて、うちらはひたすらに突貫を繰り返すんや。
一応、これも策ではあるんよ。
いやな、最初は統率した動きで相手しようと思ってたんやけど、うん、無理やわ。
ミノ吉兄、オバ朗兄から集団戦では敵軍の指揮官を真っ先に潰すように叩き込まれてるから、下手に統率しようとするとそいつが叩き潰されるんよ。
指揮官ちゅう頭脳から叩き潰されていけば、組織は十全に機能せえへん。どんな精鋭部隊でも弱体化は免れんのよ。
ならいっそ、て事で捨て駒として身体能力の優れたトロルとかオーガとかが肉壁になる。それでも僅かな時間しか稼げへんけど、その僅かな時間が凄く貴重やった。
そんで稼いだ時間を使って後方から強力な魔術やら妖術やら、【魔法】系の攻撃をブッパするんがうちらにとっての唯一の攻略法なんよ。
「味方に構うなッ、撃てぇえええええッ」
狙いは無事に成功し、仲間ごと色とりどりの魔法が炸裂する。
いっそ美しさすら感じられた破壊の芸術は、しかし仲間達を吹き飛ばすだけで、目的は達成できへんかった。
「ブゥウウウウウウ、ブゥモオオオオオオオオオオオオオオッ！！」
噴煙が吹き飛ぶほどの咆哮に、身体が竦んだ。
足はガクガクと震え、湧き出す恐怖心にどうしようも抗えへん。
うちらかて、何体かのダンジョンボスと戦ってきたんやで。そんなかには、ごっつ強い奴はわんさかおった。
それやのに、身内であるミノ吉兄に、うちらは本気で怖がっとる。
「こらあかんわ」
「ははは……知っていたつもりでしたけど、これは酷いですね」
スプトはんと共に、乾いた笑みをこぼす。
なんせ、複数の魔法が直撃しているのに、僅かなダメージしか与えられなかったんよ。
いっそ笑えてくる格差に、うちらはただただ最善を尽くし、そして突っ込んで、愛剣で脇腹に一撃入れた直後にぶん殴られた。
「ごぶばぁっ」
全身をかき混ぜられるような重撃に、思わず変な声が出てもうた。
クルクルと回転しながら飛んでいくうちは、めっちゃ痛いけど命あるだけ儲けもんやなぁ、と思いながら意識を失ったんや。
次目を覚ます時には、医療部隊≪プリエール≫の誰かが治療してくれた後であって欲しいと、切に願っとこう。柔いベッドの上ならなお良しやで。
なんて甘っちょろい事を思っとると、顔にぬるま湯を浴びせかけられた。
「ブハァッ！　な、なんや！」
「意識を失って逃げようなんて甘々ですよ－。ええ、砂糖漬けにした果実よりも甘いのです」
飛び起きたうちにそう言うのは、≪プリエール≫の百人長を務めるセイやった。
温和で優しげな見た目やけど、他人が苦しむ様を見て喜ぶ、豊満な胸部装甲が憎らしい魔性の女やで。
そんなセイ保は木の桶を持ってるんやけど、その中身の白く濁った液体から察するに、怪我を癒やし魔力を回復させる湯効のある温泉のぬるま湯を、治療と同時に浴びせられたみたいやな。
土で汚れ、ぬるま湯に濡れている以外、痛みも不具合もあらへんわ。
砕けた骨も断裂した筋肉もその他諸々も修復されとるわ。
「全滅したので、また綱引きして下さいなぁー」
「……まだ終わりやないん？」
「終わりじゃないですよー。夜まで綱を引っ張っては戦って下さいねぇ」
魔性の笑みを浮かべるセイ保は、やる気満々で準備運動を続けてるミノ吉兄を指差した。
「おうふ……。マジかいなぁ。まあ、やらなあかんよな、やらな」
終わった後はボロボロになってまうやろな、と確信しつつ、うちらはそれでも抗った。
生き残るために、今まで以上に団結したんや。
へへ、この世は地獄やでッ！
■　―　■
団員達は回数をこなす毎に、綱を引くタイミングが揃いだした。
ミノ吉くんが引っ張られる展開も増えたものの、やはりまだ完璧ではなく、ミノ吉くんが綱引きでは全勝してしまう。
そして綱引き後に始まる戦いでは、ミノ吉くんが拳一つで団員を纏めて吹き飛ばし、蹴り一発で波状攻撃を弾き飛ばした。
蹂躙というべき光景ながら、即死する者が出ないのはミノ吉くんが修行を経て自身を完璧に動かす事が可能になった事で、絶妙な手加減が出来るようになったからだろう。
以前のミノ吉くんなら事故の一つや二つあったに違いない。
また手ごわくなっているなと感心しつつ、祭り開催日からずっと忙しそうに走り回っているセイ治くんの仕事を少しでも減らそうと思い、分体でフォローする事にした。
ミノ吉くんのところは怪我人が続出するので大変だ。
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Category:Novel
Category:Re:Monster Volume 8