Chapter 48 - 'Reconfirming Plans'

Warning: My naming sense is only going to get more extravagant from here.



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第四十八話「方針の再確認」
Chapter 48 - 'Reconfirming Plans'


　その日、丸一日パウロと話をした。

　大した事を話したわけではない。
　他愛ない話だ。

　まず、ブエナ村での出来事だ。
　俺が城塞都市ロアへと赴いてからの数年間。

　パウロは二人の奥さんに囲まれながら、
　しかし酒池肉林とは行かなかったらしい。
　ゼニスとリーリャの間では何度も話し合いが行われ、
　基本的にリーリャとの性的な接触は無し。
　ただしゼニスが三人目を妊娠して、
　どうしても我慢できなくなった場合は許可を求める事。
　という流れになったらしい。
　ゼニスにも葛藤があったようだが、
　パウロにとっては都合のいい結末である。
　羨ましいね。

That day, I talked to Paul throughout the whole day.


It's not like we were talking about anything important. They were just trifling conversations.


We started with what had been happening at Buena village during the few years since I had gone to Stronghold City Roa.


It seems that though he had two wives, there wasn't any debauchery. Zenis and Lilia had discussed things several times, and basically he would have no sexual relations with Lilia.

However, it seems that Lilia was asking for permission in the case that Zenis became pregnant a third time, and Paul couldn't endure no matter what... or so the discussions seemed to have gone.

Though it seems that Zenis had been conflicted about this, to Paul it was a convenient conclusion.

How envious, huh?

「それで、三人目の妹は生まれそうなんですか？」
「いや、それがなかなかな……。お前の時は一発だったんだが」
「一発でこんな優秀な息子が生まれるとは、父様も運がいい」
「言ってろよ」

　11歳の息子と父親の会話じゃないな。
　などと思いつつ、しかし心地良さを感じていた。

　ゼニスやリーリャの生死には触れない。
　意図的に触れない。
　お互いわかっているのだ。
　生死の話題をしても、決して楽しい事にはならず、
　やるせない気持ちだけが残るということが。

"And so, does it seem like I'll have another little sister?"

"Nah, it was fairly... Even though in your case it was just one shot..."

"To have given birth to such an excellent son in one shot, you were pretty lucky too, Tou-sama."

"Keep on saying that."

This isn't really the conversation a father and his 11 year old son would have, huh? Or so I was thinking, but the mood was quite comfortable.


We didn't touch on Zenis or Lilia's life and death.

We intentionally avoided it.

We both understand.

Even if we discussed that topic, nothing happy would ever come of it, and we'd just be left with miserable feelings.


「シルフィは元気でやっていたんですか？」
「ああ、あの子はすごい。
　お前の教師としての才能を感じたよ」

　シルフィは元気でやっていたらしい。
　午前は走りこみと魔力の鍛錬をして、
　午後はゼニスの所で治癒魔術を習う。
　アイシャがある程度大きくなってからは、
　リーリャに行儀作法などを習っていたそうだ。

"Was Sylphy doing well?"

"Yeah. That kid is amazing. I could feel your talent as a teacher."

It seems that Sylphy had been doing well.

In the mornings were jogging and mana training, and in the afternoons she'd learn healing magic with Zenis.

It seems that after Aisha had grown to a certain extent, she'd learn etiquette from Lilia.

「ひたむきって言うんだろうな。
　よくウチにきて、ルディの部屋で何かやってたよ」
「……シルフィは、そこで何かを見つけたりとかしていませんよね？」
「なんだ？　何か見られて困るもんでも隠してたのか？」
「いえ、まさか、そんなはずあるわけないじゃないですか」

　やだなもう。

"I guess you'd call her 'earnest', huh? She'd come over to our house a lot and would do something in your room, Rudy."

"...Did Sylphy ever find anything there or anything like that?"

"What? Did you hide something that would get you in trouble if seen?"

"No, of course not. There's no way that would be the case, right?"

Oh geez.

「ま、みんな消えちまったみたいだがな」

　パウロの話によると、フィットア領にあった物体は、
　そのほとんどが消滅してしまったらしい。
　羽ペンやインク壺といった小さなものから、
　家や橋といった建築物に至るまで、
　全てが消えてしまったらしい。
　唯一、身に着けていたものだけ、一緒に転移した、と。

"Well, it seems that everything disappeared, though."

According to what Paul said, it seems that most of the objects in the Fitois region disappeared.

It seems that from small things like quill pens and ink jars, to architectural structures like houses and bridges, everything had disappeared.

The only exception were things that had been in contact with the people who were teleported, he said.

「そうですか」

　それは残念だ。
　何が残念なのかさっぱり思い出せないが、
　心の中には言い得ぬ寂寥感がある。

"Is that so?"

That's a shame.

Though I couldn't recall at all what was supposed to be a shame, in the depths of my heart was a profound sense of loneliness.

「お前はどうしてたんだ？」
「ロアでの事ですか？」

　聞かれ、俺も答える。

　初日にエリスにぶん殴られて心が折れそうになった事、
　偶然(・・)人攫いに連れ去られて、なんとか脱出した事、
　そのことをキッカケに、エリスと少し仲良くなれた事、
　でも授業は聞いてくれなかった事、
　ギレーヌに泣きついた事、
　彼女のおかげでエリスが授業を聞いてくれるようになった事、
　そこから少しずつ仲良くなった事。
　一緒にダンスを習った事。
　そして、１０歳の誕生日の事。

"What were you doing at the time?"

"You mean in Roa?"

I was asked, and so I answer.

About how on the first day I had been beaten by Eris, and it felt like my heart was going to break.

About how by chance (・・) we had been kidnapped, and how we had escaped somehow.

About how using that, I became a little closer to Eris.

About how despite this, she'd never listen in my classes.

About how I had begged Girenu in tears.

About how thanks to her, Eris had begun to listen in class.

About how after this, we slowly became closer.

About how we learned to dance together.

And after that, about my 10th birthday.

「誕生日か、悪かったな……」
「何がですか？」
「顔も見せてやれなかった」

　アスラ王国民にとって、節目歳である１０歳は極めて重要な歳である。
　どうして重要なのかは未だわかっていないが、縁起物なのだろう。
　盛大にお祝いをするし、プレゼントも渡す。

"Your birthday, huh? Sorry about that..."

"What about it?"

"I didn't even show my face."

To the citizens of the Kingdom of Asla, being 10 years old was a critical point in their lives, and so turning 10 was a milestone of great importance. Though I still don't know why it's so important, it's probably something like a lucky charm. A great celebration would be held, and even presents would be given.

「それは構いません。エリスの家族にしっかりお祝いしてもらいましたから」
「そうか、何をもらったんだ？」
「高価な杖です。『傲慢なる水竜王(アクアハーティア)』なんていう、ちょっとこっ恥ずかしい名前なんですが」
「そうか？　カッコイイじゃないか」

　カッコイイ？
　なにを馬鹿な、背筋が痒くなるような名前じゃないか。
　でも、この世界では凄い性能のものにほど、大仰な名前をつけるのかもしれない。

"That doesn't matter. Eris' family had properly congratulated me, after all."

"I see. What did they give you?"

"An expensive staff. It's called the 『Aqua Heartia』※, though it's a bit of an embarassing name."

"Really? Isn't it cool?"

Cool?

What kind of stupid things are you saying? Isn't it a name that sends shivers of embarassment down your back?

Though in this world, it could be that the higher the performance of the item, the more extravagant the name it's given.※



[※Note: Kanji reads 'Arrogant Water Dragon King', so the implication is that it means 'arrogant water dragon king', but is read aloud as Aqua Heartia. Perhaps it's in a language of their world.]

[※Note: Think he means that because this world actually has magic, the items can actually live up to the name, and so unlike our world, extravagant names inspire awe and admiration, rather than a feeling of embarassment for the person.

It's kind of like how naming your kid Black Moses might be acceptable if he actually had the ability to part seas and shit, I guess? Not sure if it came through in translation.]

「それと、アルフォンスから聞いたぜ、ルディ。
　もう一つ、いいものをもらったらしいじゃねえか」
「いいものですか？」

　はて、何をもらったのだろうか。
　知恵と勇気と無限のパワーだろうか。
　どれもまだまだ足りないと思うが。

"And Rudy. I've heard from Alphonse, you know? You received just one other nice present, didn't you?"

"A nice present?"

Let's see... What did I receive, anyway?

Was it wisdom, bravery and infinite power?

I don't think I have enough of any of them, though.

「ほら、フィリップん所のお嬢さんだよ。
　さっき初めて見たが、健気で可愛らしい子じゃないか。
　お前の事を必死に守ろうとしてよ……」

　……もらった。
　と、言われると少し違う気がする。
　いや、確かにフィリップから「よし」と許可されたが、
　「頂きます」には至っていない。

　彼女は大事にしたい。

　昨日の事もある。
　落ち込んでいる時に誰かに優しく抱きしめられ、
　眠るまで頭を撫でてもらったのは初めてだ。

　エリスの事は絶対に裏切れない。
　１５歳になったら、という約束もあるが、
　例え１５歳になったとしても、彼女が嫌がるうちは我慢できる。
　とはいえ、性欲に関してはやや暴走しがちな俺だ。
　４年後、恐らく今より強い性欲を保持した状態で耐え切れるかどうかわからないが。
　少なくとも、今はそう決意している。

"Come on, it's the ojou-sama from Phillip's place. I saw her just a while ago, but isn't she quite the gallant and loveable girl? She'd tried to desperately protect you, you know..."


...Received.

I feel that it's a little off to say that.

No, I mean, certainly Phillip had said "Alright" and approved, but it hadn't gotten to a stage where I could say "Itadakimasu".※


I want to cherish her.


There's the incident yesterday, too. It was the first time anyone had gently hugged me when I was down, and even stroked my head until I had fallen asleep.


I'll definitely never betray Eris.

There's also the promise about when I turn 15, but even if I turn 15 and she changes her mind, I can endure it. Though even saying that, I'll probably still run wild. In 4 years from now, when my sexual desires will probably be even stronger, I'm not really sure if I'll be able to hold it in though.

At the very least though, that's what I've decided for now.


[※Note: In Japanese, 'eating' is a euphemism for sex. Like, though we have this in English too, where from 'I'll eat you up' you can infer 'I'll fuck you', but in Japanese the connection/relationship is a lot stronger.]

「エリスは大切な存在だと思っています。
　が、しかし、もらった、なんてモノみたいな言い方は好きになれませんね」
「まあ入り婿だもんな。もらうってより、もらわれるって方が正しいか」
「はえ？」

　変な声が出た。
　婿？

"Eris is someone important to me. Though, still, to say that she was something I 'received' doesn't really sit well with me, you see."

"Well, you'd be marrying into her family after all. Rather than 'receiving', it's more like you'd be 'received', huh?"

"Heh?

I let out a strange sound.

Marry?※



[※Note: "marrying into her family" is literally "inserted husband", or like a husband who marries into the wife's family and takes her name. Basically he'd be marrying into the Boreas family. Anyway, what Rudy thinks here is actually "Husband?".]

「お前、フィリップに後ろ盾についてもらって貴族になるんだろ？」
「なんですかそれは、いつそういう話になったんですか？」
「いつも何も、転移の一年ぐらい前からだよ。
　お前とエリスがいい仲で、
　お前自身の気持ちも固まりつつあるから、
　婿に迎えたいって手紙がきてたぞ。
　オレはアスラ貴族なんて糞みたいなものだと思っているが、
　お前が決めた事なら好きにしろと返しておいたんだが……」

　なるほど。
　つまり、フィリップは１０歳の時には、すでにパウロへの根回しを終えていたのだ。
　もし、あそこで断ったとしても、それから数年の間に、
　あの手この手で俺とエリスをくっつけようとしたに違いない。
　何が酒の席での話だ。

　となれば、パウロが俺とエリスの仲を邪推したのも頷ける。
　結婚の約束をした二人、不安でたまらない二人。
　互いに好き同士となれば、旅の途中でイチャイチャしていたと思われても仕方がない。

"Well, with Phillip as a backer you're going to become a noble, right?"

"What kind of talk is that? When did you hear this?"

"When, you ask? Well, about a year before the teleportation, you know. That you and Eris were getting along, and that your feelings were firm, so a letter came about wanting to take you in as a husband, you know. Though I think that Aslan nobles are basically pieces of shit, since it was something you decided, I'd replied in a letter that I'd let you do as you like, but..."

I see.

In other words, when I was 10, Phillip had already finished all the arrangements with Paul.

Had we not parted soon after that, there's no mistaking that over the next few years using this or that method, he'd have tried to pair Eris and I together.

Just what about this is something you'd talk about in a bar?


In other words, I can understand how Paul had come up with the ideas about Eris and I.※

Two people who'd promised to get married. Two people who in their anxiety were unable to bear it.

Had we been lovers, then it couldn't be helped that it'd seem like we'd spent the journey flirting and making out.



[※Note: See the argument he had with Paul 2 chapters ago]

「その様子だと、フィリップにハメられたようだな」
「そのようですね」

　二人してため息をついた。
　今、俺とパウロの脳裏には、同じ男の顔が浮かんでいる事だろう。
　フィリップ。アスラ王国の上級貴族。
　ドロドロした社交界を乗りきれる力を持った男。

"Going by the sound of things, it seems that Phillip had pulled a blind one over us."

"That seems to be the case, huh?"

The two of us sigh together.

Right now the same man's face is probably floating through our minds.

Phillip. A high ranked noble of the Kingdom of Asla.

A man with enough power to survive in the sordid place that is high society.


「で、お嬢様とはそこそこの仲として、シルフィの事は……あ、いや、なんでもない。忘れてくれ」

　パウロは失言だったと言わんばかりに言葉を濁した。
　シルフィは、まだ見つかっていない。
　少なくとも、パウロの知る範囲では、だ。

　なんでもないと言われたが、考える。
　シルフィは好きだ。
　だが、エリスに感じている感情とは少し違う。
　シルフィはどちらかというと、妹や娘のような感覚が強い。
　イジメられて、可哀想で、俺が育ててやらなくちゃ、という感じだ。
　それ以上の感情になる手前で別れてしまったというのもある。

　エリスも似たような感じだが、彼女には助けられている部分も多い。
　どちらに軍配が上がるか、と言われればエリスに上がる。

　もっとも、それは二人を総合的に見て判断しているわけではない。
　年月の問題だ。
　やはり、長いこと一緒にいるというのは大きい。
　幼馴染という存在は様々な話に出てくるが、
　長い時間を一緒に過ごした、というのはそれだけ強力なのだ。
　シルフィよりも、エリスと２倍近く一緒に過ごしている。
　内容も濃い。

　とはいえ。
　それと行方不明のシルフィの心配をしないというのは、別の話だ。

"And so your relationship with the ojou-sama is pretty good. As for Sylphy... Ah, nah, it's nothing. Forget I said anything."

As if to say that his previous words were a slip of the tongue, Paul's wors became ambiguous.

Sylphy still hasn't been found yet.

At least, according to the extent of Paul's knowledge.


Though he said that it was nothing, I think about it.

I like Sylphy.

However, it's a feeling that's a little different than those I have for Eris.

If I had to say it, she feels a lot like a little sister, or a daughter.

'She's been bullied, and she's pitiful, so I'd better take care of her'

It's a feeling like that.

There's also the fact that I stop any further feelings from taking root.


Though there's a similar kind of feeling with Eris, I've also been saved by her a number of times.

If I were asked which of them would take the victory, I'd give the victory to Eris.


However, it's not like this is a conclusion I've come to by judging them both fairly.

There's the issue of the time we've spent together.

As expected, the effect of spending a long time together is big.

Though there are a lot of things you can bring up about your childhood friend, it's basically because of the long time you've spent together with them.

I've spent twice the amount of time with Eris than I have with Sylphy.

What we did during that time was deeper as well.


Nevertheless...

It's a different story if you're asking whether or not I'm worried that Sylphy is missing.


「シルフィ、生きているといいですが……」
「お前ほどじゃないが、あの子も頑張っていた。
　なに、無詠唱で治癒魔術まで使えるんだ。
　どこでだって生きていけるさ。
　治癒術師ってのは、ミリス大陸以外じゃ結構貴重なんだ」
「そうですか……」

　……ん？
　今ちょっと、聞き捨てならない話を聞いたような。

"It'd be good if Sylphy was alive..."

"Though it wasn't to your extent, that kid really her best. I mean, she can even use chantless healing magic. She's sure to be alive somewhere. Healing magicians are quite valuable outside of the Miris Continent."

"Is that so...?"

...Mn?

Just now I just heard something outrageous.※


[※Note: something that he 'can't let go without commenting on']

「ちょっと待ってください。シルフィは、無詠唱で治癒魔術を使えるんですか？」
「ん？　ああ、ゼニスが驚いていたな。
　でも、ルディだって使えるだろ？」
「治癒魔術は使えませんよ」

　俺は治癒魔術を詠唱無しでは使えない。
　原理を理解していないからだ。
　魔術で傷を治すメカニズムは、何度使っても解明できない。

"Please wait a moment. Sylphy can use chantless healing magic?"

"Mn? Yeah, Zenis was surprised. But, you can use it too, can't you Rudy?"

"I can't do it with healing magic, you know."

I can't use healing magic without chanting.

I can't understand the principal after all.

No matter how much I use it, I can't understand the mechanism behind healing a wound with mana.

「そうなのか？」
「ええ、詠唱すれば使えるんですが……」
「まあ、オレも魔術に関してはそう詳しくないが、
　魔術には相性があるっていうしな。
　シルフィにはそっちの才能があったんじゃないのか？」

　もしかすると、シルフィはしばらく見ない内に、
　俺なんかよりもずっと強くなっているのではないだろうか。
　会うのが少し怖いな。
　「ルディ、全然成長してないね」なんて言われたらどうしよう……。

　なんて話をしているうちに、俺とパウロの間にあった溝は完全に消えていた。

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. I can use it if I chant but..."

"Well, though I don't really know about magic in detail, they do say that there's such things as affinities after all. Perhaps Sylphy has talent in that area?"

Perhaps in the time that I haven't seen her, Sylphy has become much stronger than someone like me.

It'll be a bit scary to meet her again, huh?

If she says something like,

'Rudy, you haven't grown at all, huh?'

what should I do?


While we were talking about various things, the distance between Paul and I completely disappeared.

---


　夕方頃、パウロに迎えがきた。
　例のビキニアーマーのお姉さんと、治癒術師のお姉さんだ。
　今日はビキニお姉さんはビキニではなかった。
　地味な町娘のような格好をしていた。
　昨日のアレは何だったんだろうか。
　まあ、喧嘩の原因の一つでもあるから、自重してくれたのかもしれない。

Around evening, someone greeted Paul.

It was the onee-san in the bikini armour,※ and the healing magician onee-san. Today she wasn't wearing a bikini; she was dressed like a normal town girl. Just what was that, yesterday?

Well, it was also one of the causes of the argument, so she may have been showing prudence.

[※: 'the young woman in the bikini armour' - I think you should all realise by now, but Japanese use stuff like 'ojisan' 'obaasan' 'oniisan' etc. to describe people outside their family of certain ages. Would anyone prefer me using 'young woman', 'young man' etc.?]

「父様」
「なんだ？」
「もちろん僕は父様を信じているのですが、昨日の一件もあり、一応の事ながら改めて聞いておきます。浮気はしてないんですよね？」
「してねえよ」

　そうか。
　なら安心だ。
　俺とパウロの昨日の口論は、邪推と邪推のぶつかり合い。
　事実関係は無く、互いの女癖の悪さを指摘されただけの結果だ。
　っと、なかった事にしたんだったか、失敗失敗。

　まあ、パウロも女なんかに構っている暇はないという感じだ。
　家庭崩壊の引き金に指が掛かることもない。
　俺もそれを見習って、これからは少しエロを抑えていくとしよう。

　パウロは最後に、俺の意志を確かめるように聞いてきた。

"Tou-sama."

"What is it?"

"Of course I believe in you, Tou-sama, and there's also the matter from yesterday, so I'll just be asking to make sure. You haven't been cheating, right?"

"'Course I haven't."

I see.

Then I'm relieved.

The fight I had with Paul yesterday was one of clashing suspicions.※

It was the result of prodding at each other's weakness with women, without any facts.

Oop, bringing up something that 'never happened'. No good, no good.


Well, it feels that Paul hasn't had the free time to care about women.

The collapse of his family hasn't triggered anything either.

I should follow his example and hold back my perversion for a while.


At the end, to confirm my intentions, Paul asked,


[※Note: both had come up with the idea that the other was playing around with women]

「ルディ、お前はエリスを護衛して、フィットア領に行くんだったな？」
「はい」

　俺はその言葉に強く頷きつつ、聞き返す。

"Rudy. You said you were going to guard Eris, and escort her to the Fitois region, right?"

"Yes."

While nodding strongly at those words, I reply.

「それとも、僕も捜索団に参加したほうがいいですか？」
「いや、その必要はない。どの道、ボレアスの血縁はアスラ王国に送り届けなきゃいけないからな」
「……そう聞くと重要任務に聞こえますが、僕にまかせてもいいんですか？」
「お前以上の適任はいないだろう。信頼関係もあるしな」

　随分と信頼されているらしい。
　ふと思ったが、パウロは俺を過大評価しすぎではないだろうか。
　いや、どんな評価をされようと、期待には応えたい。

"Or would it be better if I participated in the search as well?"

"No, there's no need for that. Whatever road you take, it'd be better to escort a member of Boreas back to the Kingdom of Asla, you see."

"...It sounds like it's quite important. Is it really okay to leave it to me?"

"There shouldn't be anyone better suited for it than you. There's also the fact that she trusts you, right?"

It seems like he quite trusts me. I suddenly think this, but I wonder if Paul isn't overestimating me.

No, however he evaluates me, I want to live up to his expectations.

「もっとも、別に、団員から何人か護衛を出して、
　お前はミリシオンに残ってもいいんだぞ？」

　パウロがニヤリと笑いつつ、何か甘いことを口走った。
　損得だけで考えるなら、それでもいい。
　もちろん、ミリシオンに残るのではなく、エリスと別れ、個別に捜索をする、という意味だ。
　今から魔大陸に戻って捜索するというのも、一つの手ではある。
　が、あくまでそれは損得だけで考えた場合だ。
　エリスを置き去りにして、自分を優先するわけにはいかない。
　俺は彼女を守らなければいけない。
　それに、何かを放置して他の何かに着手するという事に、あまりいい記憶はない。
　生前、全てを中途半端に終わらせてきた俺だ。
　両方が中途半端な結果に終わるに違いない。
　今回の場合なら、エリスはフィットア領に辿りつけず、俺は魔大陸で何の成果も上げられないまま終わる。
　なら、片方ずつだ。
　ルイジェルドの事もあるしな。
　あの堅物が、捜索団の団員と仲良く出来るとは思えないし、
　途中で抜けるなんて言ったら戦士としてあるまじき行いだと怒られそうだ。

"Even so, it's not like you'd remain in Mirishion no matter how many people guarded her instead, right?"

While grinning, Paul said something easy-going.※

Considering only loss and gain, that would be an acceptable option too.

Of course, I wouldn't be staying in Mirishion; I'd be parting with Eris and searching independently.

Returning to the Magic Continent and searching there from now on is also an option.

However, in the end this isn't something I can consider just as loss and gain.

There's no way I'd prioritise anything that involved leaving Eris behind.

I have to protect her.

Moreover, I don't have any good memories about leaving something halfway done to start on something else.

In my previous life, I had left everything half done.

There's no mistake that both would be left halfway half.

In this case, it'd be heading to the Magic Continent without escorting Eris to the end, and leaving things without having succeeded in anything.

In that case, I'll do them one at a time.

There's also Ruijeld's matter.

It doesn't seem that someone straight-laced like him would get along well with the search party, and he might have a falling out halfway, saying something about how these actions were not suitable for a warrior, and then getting mad.


[※Note: says 'amai', but not sure if it means easy-going or naive in this context.]

「いえ、やはり僕が送った方がいいでしょう」
「ま、うちの団にはお前より強い奴はいないし、お前としても任せられないだろうな」

　そう言いつつ、パウロは複雑そうな顔をしている。
　もしかすると、俺に喧嘩で負けた事を気にしているのかもしれない。
　酒を飲んでいたし、ノーカンだと思うが、ここで変に慰めても立場が無いだろう。
　ここは触れないで置いてやるのが吉だ。

"No, I think it'd be best after all if I escort her."

"Well, there's noone stronger than you in our group, and you wouldn't be able to leave things to someone else, either."

While saying that, Paul makes a complicated expression.

It might be that he minds about losing to me in a fight.

I had thought that it wasn't counted because he had been drinking though, and I'm not really in a position to console him.

I'll just leave this alone.

「ミリシオンからはどれぐらいで発つんだ？」
「そうですね、旅費を貯めたいので、一ヶ月ぐらいですかね」
「旅費なら出すぞ」

　パウロは女二人へと振り返り、
　ローブを着た治癒術師のお姉ちゃん。
　ソバカスの残るおとなしめな感じの子に、声を掛ける。

"How long until you depart from Mirishion?"

"Let's see. Since I want to save up travel expenses, it might be about a month."

"If it's travel expenses, then I have some."

Paul turns his head towards the of the two women. It's the robe wearing healing magician onee-chan. She's freckled, and seems like quite a meek girl. Paul calls out to her.

「あったよな？」
「ボレアス家の面々が見つかった時のためにと、
　アルフォンス様から預かった資金がございます」

　アルフォンスは、ミリスで誰かが見つかった時のため、
　何不自由なく移動できるだけの金を、パウロにもたせていたらしい。

"I did, right?"

"There's money entrusted from Alphonse-sama for the sake of searching for the Boreas family."

It seems that Alphonse had said that for when anyone was found in Miris, so that they could travel comfortably, he'd leave some money with Paul.

「というわけだ」
「なるほど、そんな金が酒代に消えなくてよかった」
「資金はシェラが管理してるからな」

　自慢げに言う我が父親の情けなさ。
　言うまい。

"And that's how it is."

"I see. It's great that the money didn't disappear as alcohol expenses."

"Shera's been looking after the funds, after all."

It's pathetic that my father is saying this boastfully.

I won't say it.

「それで、いくらぐらいになるんですか？」
「王札２０枚相当となります」

　シェラに聞くと、即答が帰ってきた。

　王札は、ミリスで一番高い貨幣だ。
　石銭＝１円として換算すると、一枚５万。
　それが二十枚。
　つまり、

"And so, how much is it?"

"It's the equivalent of 20 Royal Notes."

When I ask Shera, I receive an immediate reply.


Royal notes are Miris' largest currency denomination.

Using ￥1 = 1 stone coin as a reference, it'd be ￥50,000 per note.

There are 20 notes.

In other words...

「ひゃくまんえん！」
「……どういうリアクションだそりゃ」

　呆れ顔のパウロ。
　俺は金に目が眩んでいた。
　なにせ、この一年半。
　守銭奴のように金のことばかり考えてきた俺だ。
　そんな俺に、いきなり百万円である。

"ONE MILLION YEN!"

"...What kind of reaction is that?"

Paul looks confused.

I'm dizzy from the money.

Anyhow, this half year...

I, who have been thinking about nothing but money issues, like a miser.

Such a person has suddenly been given ￥1,000,000.

「そんな大金……一生遊んで暮らせるじゃないですか！」
「まあ、南部なら家ぐらいは建つと思うが、一生は遊んでは暮らせねえよ」

　えー、だって百万ですよ。ヒャックマンですよ。
　緑鉱銭にして１０００枚！
　スペルド族だって船に乗れちまう！

　と、喜んだ所で、
　もう一つの問題を思い出す。

"That much money... Isn't that enough to play around your whole life!?"

"Well, though I think it'd be enough to build a house in the south, it's not enough to play around for a lifetime, you know."

Ehhh, but it's ￥1,000,000, you know. ONE MILLION, YOU KNOW.

It'd be 1000 Green Mineral Coins!

It'd be enough for a Supeld to ride a ship!


Oh. While I'm being happy, one more question comes to mind.

「あ、もう一つ問題がありました」
「まだあるのか？」
「はい。ウェンポートではスペルド族が海を渡るのに、莫大な渡航費用が要求されました。ウェストポートではいくらかかるかわかりませんが、やはり大金を要求されそうです。王札２０枚で足りるかどうか……」
「そのことか……」

　パウロは腕を組んだ。
　まさか、ルイジェルドを置いていけ、なんて言うんじゃなかろうな。

"Ah, I had one more question."

"You still had more?"

"Yes. Though we had wanted to put a Supeld on a boat at Wenport, the voyage expense was huge. Though I don't know how much it'd be at Westport, it certainly seems like it'd be a lot. Would 20 Royal Notes be enough, or...?"

"So it's about that, huh...?"

Paul had crossed his arms over his chest.

He's not going to say something like 'Leave Ruijeld behind' is he?

「シェラ。スペルド族が海を渡るのに必要な金はいくらだ？」

　唐突にパウロは尋ねた。
　シェラは「はい」と頷き、

"Shera. How much money is needed for a Supeld to cross the sea?"

Paul had suddenl asked her. Shera nodded with in acknowledgement.※


[※Note: nodded while saying 'hai']

「王札１００枚です」

　と、答えた。
　全て暗記しているのだろうか。
　先ほどの事もそうだし、彼女は優秀そうだ。
　見た目からして秘書って感じだしな。

"It would take 100 Royal Notes." she replied.

Could it be that she's memorised it all?

It was like that before as well, so she seems quite exceptional.

From her appearance she seems quite like a secretary.

「……っ！」

　と、目が合うと、彼女は小さく悲鳴を上げてうつむいてしまった。
　元ビキニの人が、さりげない感じで俺の視線を遮るように立ち位置を変えた。
　ちょっとショック。

"...!"

Though when our eyes meet, she let's out a small scream and looks downward. The former-bikini person casually positioned herself between Shera and my line of sight. I'm a little shocked.

「ごめんなさい、この子、ちょっと視線が苦手なのよ。あまり見ないで上げて」
「はあ……」

　元ビキニの人にいわれ、俺は曖昧な言葉を返す。
　パウロとの仲は元通りになったけど、
　他の団員には嫌われたままだったか。
　まあ、それはいいや。

　しかし、王札１００枚か。
　約５００万円といった所だ。
　簡単に貯まる金額ではない。
　ため息が出る。

"Sorry. This girl is a bit bad with gazes. Please don't look at her too much."

"Right..."

The former-bikini person explains as such, and I have a vague response.

Though things are normal with Paul now, am I still hated by the other group members?

Well, it's fine.


Still, 100 Royal Notes.

That's about ￥5,000,000.

It's not an amount that you can easily save up.

I let out a sigh.

「なんでスペルド族だけ、そんなに高いんでしょうね」
「その法律が制定された頃は、
　スペルド族の迫害が最も苛烈な時期だったからです」

　と、元ビキニの後ろから、シェラが当然と言わんばかりに答えた。
　ウェンポートの関所の人でも知らない事を、あっさりと。
　おっぱいはちっぱいけど、脳みそはいっぱいか。

"Why is it only the Supeld clan that has such a high fee?"

"That's because the law was formed when the persecution of the Supeld clan was most severe."

From behind Former-Bikini, Shera replied naturally.

She replied readily, even without knowing about the person at the Wenport checking station.

Though her boobs are small, she's got quite the brain, huh?※


[※Note: 'oppai wa chippai kedo, noumiso wa ippai ka?']

「しかも、あそこの税関の貴族は、魔族嫌いで有名だ。
　金を積んでも、なんだかんだで通してくれないかもしれん」
「そうですか……ええっと、母様の実家の力でも、どうにかなりませんか？」
「すまんが、今回の事であの家もギリギリの橋を渡っている。
　これ以上は迷惑を掛けられん」

　となると、また密航か。
　密航には嫌な思い出があるからな。
　なるべくなら頼りたくない。
　大体、同じ大陸での出来事だ。
　密輸組織同士のつながりで、俺たちがブラックリストに乗っている可能性だってありうる。
　スペルド族と渡航費用、考えれば考えるほど頭が痛くなりそうだ。

"Moreover, the noble presiding over that customs house is famous for hating the Magic Race. Even if you save up a stack of money, you might be stopped through one way or another."

"Is that so... Um, could nothing be done with the power of Kaa-sama's family?"

"Sorry, but we're already treading a fine line with them.※ It wouldn't be good to trouble them any further than this."

In other words, smuggling again?

We have some bad memories with smuggling, so if possible I don't want to rely on it.

It's something that happened on the same continent.

It's possible that due to the links between the smugglers, we've already been blacklisted.

The more I think about the Supeld voyage fee, the bigger the headache I get.



[※Note: Sorry. Couldn't think of a more eloquent way to word this at all.]

「わかりました。渡航費用については、自分で対策を練ります」
「すまんな」

　そう言うと、パウロはニヤリと笑った。
　そして、背後に控える女二人に、ドヤ顔で振り返った。

"I understand. Regarding the voyage expense, I'll do something about it myself."

"Sorry."

Saying that, Paul had grinned widely.

He then turned his head with a proud look, towards the two women waiting behind him.

「どうよ、オレの息子は？
　頼もしいもんだろ？」
「はあ」
「えっと……」

　女二人は苦笑して顔を見合わせた。
　どうもこうも、その息子とみっともなく喧嘩してたのは誰だ。

"How about him? My little man. He's quite reliable, huh?"

"Hahhh"※

"Umm..."

The two women exchange a wry smile.

Even if you ask that, just who was it that had been in a disgraceful argument with that son?


[※Note: 'haa' is a non-committal sound made in Japanese. It was used before, but this time I can't find a word to express it. Maybe 'well...'?]

「父様。淑女に息子の具合を聞くなんて下品なことはやめてください。
　グレイラット家の品性が疑われます」
「お前の発言の方がよっぽど下品だよ」

　そう言って、俺たちは笑いあった。
　女二人はドン引きしていたが、構うことはない。

"Tou-sama. Please stop doing vulgar things like asking a lady about how your 'little man' is. People will suspect the Greyrat family of being vulgar."※

"The way you're saying things is even more vulgar, you know."

Saying that, the two of us laughed together.

Though the two women drew away from us, we didn't care.


[※Note: In JP, 'son' (息子, musuko) is a way of saying 'dick'.]

「さてと、ルディ、オレはそろそろ行くぜ」
「はい」

　パウロは立ち上がり、コキコキと肩を鳴らした。
　随分と長い時間、喋っていたようだ。
　カウンターを見ると、マスターの苦笑する顔が見えた。
　ランチタイムもずっと居座っていたからな。
　ちょっと多めに支払っておこう。

"Now then. Rudy, it's about time that I go."

"Yes."

Paul stands up and taps me on the shoulders.

It seems that we'd been talking for quite a while.

When I look towards the counter, I saw that the bar-owner was smiling wryly.

We'd stayed here through lunchtime as well, after all.

I'd better tip him a little.

「旅の予定が決まったら連絡をくれ。出発する前に、ノルンと一緒に飯でも食おう」
「ええ、分かりました」

　そう言って、俺はパウロを見送った。
　二人の女を引き連れて酒場を出て行こうとするパウロの背中を。
　こうして見ると、本当に女好きのダメ親父だな、
　なんて思いながら。

"When you've decided on the plan for your journey, get in touch with me. Let's eat together with Norun before you leave."

"Yeah, I understand."

Saying that, I saw Paul off.

I was looking at Paul's back as he left the bar with the two women.

seeing this I thought that he really was a womanising, useless father.


---


　パウロがいなくなってしばらくして、
　エリスとルイジェルドが戻ってきた。

　エリスは目の辺りに大きな痣を作り、
　ルイジェルドが難しそうな顔をしていた。

A while after Paul left, Eris and Ruijeld returned.

Eris had a large bruise near her eye, and Ruijeld was making a complicated face.

「どうしたんですか、二人共」
「なんでもないわ。それで、あの男とはどうなったの？」

　エリスがさも不機嫌ですと言わんばかりに、腕を組んでフンと鼻息。

"What happened, you two?"

"Nothing. So, what happened with that man?"

As if to say she was extremely displeased, Eris folded her arms and snorted.

「仲直りしました」

　すると、エリスの眦がみるみるうちにつり上がった。

"We made up."

When I said this, Eris' eyes immediately narrowed.※


[※Note: says that the corner of her eyes raised, but I don't think that's actually physically possible]

「なんでよ！」

　握りしめた拳を、ドンとテーブルに叩きつける。
　パガンとでかい音がしてテーブルが砕けた。
　んまあ、パワフルだこと……。

"Why!?"

She smacks her clenched fists on the table.

The table had broke with a huge noise.

Mn, well, it was quite powerful...

「そうか。仲直りできたか」

　対するルイジェルドが嬉しそうだ。

"I see. So you made up, huh?"

In response, Ruijeld looked glad.

「ルーデウス！」

　エリスは俺の両肩を掴んだ。
　ギリギリと締め付ける。
　凄まじい力である。

"Rudeus!"

Eris had grabbed me by the shoulders.

She's tightening her grip.

Her strength is absurd.

「なんでよっ！」
「なんでって、何がですか」

　若干戸惑いつつも、俺はそう聞く。

"Why!?"

"What do you mean by 'why'?"

I ask, a little confused.

「昨日、あんなに落ち込んでたじゃない！」
「ええ、昨日は助かりました。
　エリスが抱きしめてくれたおかげで、
　僕もかなり落ち着くことができました」

　今日、パウロの顔を見ることができたのは、
　紛れもなくエリスのおかげだ。
　もし、あの抱擁がなければ、
　俺はしばらく宿の一室に閉じこもっていたかもしれない。

"Yesterday, weren't you completely depressed!?"

"Yeah. You really helped me yesterday. Thanks to your hug, I managed to calm down quite a bit."

That I could look at Paul's face today was also unmistakably thanks to Eris.

Had it not been for that hug, I might have secluded myself in my room for a while.

「そうじゃない！
　あの男は、ルーデウスの１０歳の誕生日にも来なかったのよ！
　それで、魔大陸で、あんなに大変な旅をして！
　大森林では、牢屋になんか入って！
　それで、やっと、やっと会えたのに！
　あんな風になるようなことをしたのよ！
　突き放すような事を言ったのよ！？
　なんで許せるのよ！」

　一気にまくし立てるエリス。
　彼女の言い分もわかる。
　確かに。
　そう言われると、パウロは最低だ。
　俺の事を嫌っているのだと断言されても信じられる。

　俺が普通の子供であれば、
　パウロを決して許してはいけないだろう。

　が、パウロが俺に対して失敗するのは仕方がない事だ。
　俺は生前の記憶を引き継ぎ、うまいことやってきた。
　そんな歪な息子に対して、普通の対応をしろってのが無理というものだ。
　パウロは俺との距離を測りかねているし、
　俺の扱いについて迷ってもいる。
　それに、俺が言うのもなんだが、正しい父親っていうのがどういうものか、
　イマイチわかっていない部分もある。

　それが悪いこととは思わない。

　俺としては、息子という立場を持って、
　上から目線で見守ってやるだけだ。
　パウロは俺でいくらでも失敗すればいいのだ。
　俺の心はもう折れない。
　もっとも、すぐに別れる事となるわけだが。

"That's not it! That man didn't show up to your 10th birthday either, Rudeus! Not only that, the journey through the Magic Continent was really tough! You were even thrown into gaol in the Great Forest! And then, finally, even though you finally managed to meet him, he did something like that! You said that he rejected you, right!? Why are you forgiving him!?"

Eris had spoken in one breath.

I understand her point as well.

Certainly.

If you say it like that, Paul was the worst.

Had he declared that he hated me, I would have believed it.


Had I been a normal child, I'd probably have never forgiven Paul.


However, it can't be helped that Paul had failed in regards to me. I've inherited my memories from my previous life, and have always done things well. Towards such an irregular son, it'd be unreasonable to expect him to interact normally. Paul has trouble grasping the distance between us, and is troubled over how to treat me.

Moreover, despite the things I say, there are still various things I don't know about how a proper father should be.


I don't think that this is anything bad.


To me, from the standpoint of a son, a father is just someone who watches over and protects you from above.

To me, it doesn't matter how many times Paul fails.

My heart isn't broken anymore.

Though, there's still the fact that we parted ways immediately.

「エリス」
「なによ……」

　なんというべきか、迷った。
　エリスは俺のために怒っている。
　しかし、俺としては、もう解決した事なのだ。

"Eris."

"What...?"※

I'm troubled over what I should say.

Eris is angry for my sake.

However, it's something that is already settled to me.

[※Note: I think it's meant to sound sulkier than it turned out]

「父様も一人の人間です。失敗ぐらいしますよ」

　俺はそう言って、エリスの目の痣にヒーリングを施した。
　エリスはヒーリングを大人しく受け入れたが、
　その表情を見ると、納得していないことがありありとわかった。
　治療が終わると、むっとした顔のまま宿屋の自室へと戻っていった。
　それを目で追いつつ、俺はルイジェルドに問いかける。

"Tou-sama is just one person. He'll make mistakes too."

I said this, and then used Healing on the bruise near her eye.

Though Eris had obediently allowed me to heal her, looking at her expression, I understood that she hadn't accepted this.

When I had finished treating her, she sulkily returned to her room in the inn.

While watching her go, I asked Ruijeld a question.

「で、ルイジェルドさん」
「なんだ？」
「なんですか、あの痣は」

　エリスの目の痣。
　あんなものは、昨日はなかったはずだ。

"So, Ruijeld-san."

"What is it?"

"What's with that bruise?"

The bruise near Eris' eye.

She didn't have that yesterday.

「止めるのに苦労した」

　平然と言ってのけた。
　普段、子供を殴れば烈火のごとく怒る男だが、
　さて、どういう心境の変化か。

　どうしてもパウロを許せないという事でエリスが暴れたのだろうが、
　エリスとルイジェルドは師弟関係にある。
　その二人が訓練をしてエリスが怪我を負うのも初めてではない。

　いや、よく見ろ。
　ルイジェルドの顔。
　平然としてはいない。
　あまり表情豊かではないこの男だが、今はやや苦々しい。
　不本意そうだ。

　仕方ない、か。
　何があったのか、どんな会話があったのか。
　どういう経緯でこうなったのか。
　俺にはさっぱり分からない。
　ただ一つだけ言える事がある。
　ルイジェルドとエリスが争ったのは、俺のせいだ。
　俺はパウロと仲直りできた。
　なら、俺が言うのはお礼だけだ。

"I had difficulties in stopping her."

He spoke calmly.

Normally he'd fly into a rage about people hitting children, but it seems that his mind had changed.


Eris had probably been violently struggling because she couldn't forgive Paul no matter, but she and Ruijeld have a student and teacher relationship. Because of their training, this isn't the first time Eris has been injured.


No, look carefully.

Ruijeld's expression.

It's not actually calm.

He's not a man who makes a lot of facial expressions, but right now it's a little bitter.

It seems he was reluctant.


I guess there's no helping it, huh?

Whether it's what happened, or what kind of conversation they had, or what kind of circumstances there were, I don't know any of it.

However, there's only one thing I can say.

That Ruijeld and Eris were at odds with each other was my fault.

I was able to reconcile with Paul.

In that case, what I'll say is my thanks.


「ありがとうございました。おかげで父様と仲直りすることが出来ました」
「礼には及ばん」

　しかし、今のエリスはルイジェルドが殴らないと止められないのか。
　知らない間にどんどん強くなるな。


"Thank you very much. Thanks to you, I was able to reconcile with Tou-sama."

"No reason for thanks."

However, right now Ruijeld can't stop Eris without hitting her.

Without me knowing, she's gotten steadily stronger, huh?


---


　その後、しばらくしてから作戦会議。

A while after that, we had our strategy meeting.

「さて、ではミリシオンにおける、第二回の作戦会議を行います」

　場所は酒場。
　考えてみると、俺は本日、酒場から一歩も動いていない。
　ここの酒場は居心地がいい。客も少ないし。

"Well then, let's begin the second strategy meeting since arriving in Mirishion."

The location si the bar.

Thinking about it, today I haven't moved one step from the bar.

This bar is comfortable. There aren't many guests, as well.

「一昨日したばっかりじゃないの」

　エリスはもう怒っていない。
　拗ねて部屋に閉じこもるかと思ったが、十分ぐらいで戻ってきた。
　彼女の切り替えの速さは見習いたいものだ。

"Didn't we have one just the day before?"

Eris isn't angry anymore.

I had thought that she'd be shut up in her room, sulking, but she came back after about 10 minutes.

The speed at which she's able to switch moods is something that I'd want to learn.

「状況が変わりました。
　具体的にいうと、金を稼ぐ必要がなくなりました。
　なので、近いうちにミリシオンを発とうと思います」

　王札20枚がもらえるということで、金を稼ぐ必要がなくなった。
　情報収集も、パウロから聞けることは聞いた。とりあえずは必要無い。
　スペルド族の名誉に関しては、とりあえず保留。
　となれば、この町でできることは少なくなった。

　という事を、かいつまんで話す。

　フィットア領の現状について、エリスに話すのは迷った。
　だが、あえて話す事にした。
　実際に現地に赴いて、絶望的な気分を味わうより、
　今から覚悟しておいた方がいい。

"The situation has changed. Specifically, we no longer need to earn money. As a result, I think we should leave Mirishion in the near future."

Receiving 20 Royal Notes means that we don't need to work for money anymore.

As for information gathering, I've heard what I needed to from Paul.

Regarding the Supeld clan's reputation, for the moment we'll be putting it on hold.

What this means is that the number of things that we can do in this town have decreased to almost monthing.


I summarise this to them.


Regarding the situation of the Fitois region, I had been hesitant in discussing it with Eris.

However, I braved it and told her.

Rather than getting to the scene of the incident, and then tasting despair, it'd be better to prepare ourselves, starting now.

「エリス、僕らの故郷は、もう存在して無いみたいです」
「そう」
「フィリップ様も、サウロス様も、まだ見つかっていないらしい」
「仕方ないわね」
「ギレーヌの居所もわからないというし、もしかすると……」
「あのね、ルーデウス」

　エリスは腕を組み、顎を上げて俺を見た。

"Eris, it seems that our home town doesn't exist anymore."

"Right."

"It seems that Phillip-sama and Sauros-sama still haven't been found either."

"It can't be helped, huh?"

"We basically don't know Girenu's whereabouts either, and it's possible that..."

"You know, Rudeus..."

Eris crossed her arms, raised her chin and looked at me.

「そのぐらい覚悟していたわ」

　エリスの目に迷いはなかった。
　いつも通り力強く、傲岸不遜で、自分の未来に一変の疑いも持たない目だった。
　忘れていたわけではなく、覚悟していた。
　そう言った。

"I've already prepared myself for that much."

There was no hesitation in Eris' eyes.

They were eyes that as usual, held great strength, arrogance, and not a single doubt about her future.

It's not that she had forgotten, but that she had prepared herself.

That's what she had said.

「ギレーヌはどこかで生きていると思うけど、お父様やお祖父様は死んでいてもおかしくないわね」

　フンと鼻息一つで、そう言った。
　つまり、自分が魔大陸に転移して大変だったから、
　他の人が死んでいるかもしれない、とすでに予想していた。
　そういう事だろうか。

　いや、強がっているだけかもしれない。
　エリスは強がっている時と、本当に自信がある時の見分けがつきにくい。

"Though I think Girenu is alive somewhere, it wouldn't be strange if Otou-sama and Ojii-sama are dead, huh?"

She said with a snort.

In other words, because it was tough for herself when she had been teleported to the Magic Continent, she had already anticipated that others might have died. The situation should be something like that, huh?


No, she might be putting on a tough front.

It's hard to tell apart the times when she's putting up a front, and the times when she really does have confidence.

「ルーデウスが隠していたって、ちゃんと知ってるんだから」

　何を知っているのかは知らないが、強がっている感じはしない。
　エリスはエリスなりに、色々と考えているようだ。
　つまり、当事者でフィットア領の事をスッポリと忘れていたのは、俺だけ。
　ちょっと恥ずかしいな。

"After all, even though you'd been hiding it from me, Rudeus, I already knew it all along."

I have no idea what she had supposedly known, but I don't feel like she's putting on a front at all.

Eris has been in her own way, considering various things.

In other words, the person who had completely forgotten about Fitois, was just me, myself.

It's kind of shameful, huh?

「そうですか。わかりました」

　エリスは流石だ。
　そう思う事にして話を続ける。

"Is that so? I understand."

As you'd expect of Eris.

While thinking this, I continue the conversation.

「とりあえず、一週間ほどでこの町を出ようと思いますが……」
「いいのか？」

　と、聞いたのはルイジェルド。

"At any rate, I was thinking that we'd leave town in about a week, but..."

"Are you fine with that?"

The one who asked that was Ruijeld.

「何がですか？」
「旅立てば、父親と二度と会えんかもしれんぞ」
「また随分と不吉な事を……」

　ルイジェルドが言うと、少々重みが違う。
　だが、今は戦争中というわけではない。
　むしろ、

"What's wrong?"

"Once we begin our journey, there's the possibility that you'll never see your father again."

"We've ended up talking about something pretty unlucky again..."

Because Ruijeld says it, the significance is a little different than usual.

Still, it's not like we're in a war at the moment.

On the contrary...

「今は探さなければ二度と会えない家族がいるかもしれないので、
　そちらを優先したいと思います」
「そうか、そうだな」

　ルイジェルドが納得した所で、本題に入る。

"Because there are family members who we might never see again if we don't search for them, I'd like to prioritise them instead."

"Is that so? That's right, huh?"

With Ruijeld assenting to this, we finally start on our main topic.

「これからの旅では、
　情報収集を中心に行なっていきましょう」

　一つの町に滞在する期間はやはり一週間前後。
　しかし、その間は金稼ぎではなく、情報収集を主に行う。
　探すのは、主に転移した人間だ。

　ミリスからアスラまでの道のり。
　それはこの世界で最も人通りが多く、
　最も多くの商人が生息するとされる、この世界のシルクロード。
　当然、捜索隊によって調べつくされているだろう。
　だが、もしかすると、先達が見つけられなかった何かを発見できるかもしれない。

　スペルド族の名誉回復は、その作業の中でもなんとかなる。
　もっとも、ミリスや中央大陸では『デッドエンド』の名前はあまり知られてない。
　どうやって名前を売るか、また考えなければいけないかもしれない。

"For the rest of our journey, let's focus our activities on information gathering."

As expected, I think the amount of time we should stay in each town is roughly a week.

However, during that time we won't be earning money, but instead focusing on gathering information.

What we'll be looking for is primarily the teleported people.


The journey between Miris and Asla.

In this world, this is the journey with the largest number of travellers, and the largest number of merchants; it's this world's Silk Road.

Naturally, there are probably members of the search party investigating along it.

However, there's the possibility that perhaps we might be able to find something that our predecessors hadn't.


Redeeming the Supeld name we can do someway or other, whilst carrying out this search operation.

However, the name 『Dead End』 isn't well known on the Miris and Central Continents.

We'd better have another think about just how we're going to sell the Supeld name.

「問題は渡航費用ですね」

　一番の問題だ。
　この世界においては、海を渡るというのは、
　それなりに特別な意味があるらしい。
　陸路で他国へと入る時はいくらでもごまかせるそうだが、
　海だけは簡単には渡れない。
　特に、スペルド族は。

"The problem is the voyage fee, huh?"

In this world, the act of crossing the seas itself has a special meaning.

Though there are countless ways of dealing with entry into another country when it's a land route, it's only the seas that are difficult to cross.

Especially for a Supeld.

「その事だが、ルーデウス、これを見てくれ」

　と、ルイジェルドが取り出したのは、一枚の紙片。
　昨日、俺に見せようとしてやめた、あの封筒だ。

　受け取ってみる。

　表には『バクシール公爵へ』と殴り書きされた文字。
　裏は赤い蝋で封印がなされている。
　模様は家紋だろうか。
　実に無骨な感じだ。

"Regarding that, Rudeus, have a look at this."

What Ruijeld produced was a single piece of paper.

It was the envelope from yesterday, that I had given up on trying to see.


I take it and have a look.


The words 『To Duke Baqciel』 are scrawled across the front.

On the back is a seal of red wax.

The design on it might be a family crest.

It give a truly unrefined feeling.


「これは？」
「昨日、知り合いに書いてもらったものだ」

　知り合い。
　そういえば、ルイジェルドは知り合いに会ってくると言ったのだ。

"This is?"

"It's something that an acquaintance of mine wrote for me, yesterday."

An aquaintance.

Now that it's mentioned, Ruijeld did say that he'd be going to meet with an acquaintance.

「知り合いというのは、どういう人なんですか？」
「ガッシュ・ブラッシュという男だ」
「ご職業は？」
「知らん。偉そうにはしていたぞ」

　なんでも、ガッシュとは４０年前に出会ったらしい。
　魔大陸での事だ。
　ルイジェルドは魔物に襲われて全滅しかけている一団を助け、
　その中にガッシュがいたそうだ。

　当時のガッシュはまだ子供であり、
　ルイジェルドを見て恐怖と敵愾心のこもった目をしていたが、
　別れ際にはわりとフレンドリーな感じになっていたそうだ。
　町に送り届けた時、
　もしミリシオンに来ることがあったら訪ねてくれと言われ、
　機会が無いまま忘れていたが、
　冒険者区の入り口にはいるべく外周を回っている時、
　ふと『眼』に映り、思い出したそうだ。

　なので、一応は訪ねてみる気になったものの、
　もしかすると相手も忘れているかもしれない。
　そんな不安を胸にルイジェルドが向かうと、
　向こうは当然のように覚えていて、大層な歓迎を受けたらしい。
　最初は挨拶程度で済ませるつもりだったが、意気投合。
　ここまでの旅を話すと、ならウェストポートを渡る時にはこれを見せろ、と一筆書いてくれたそうだ。

　ルイジェルドと意気投合。
　獣族のギュスターヴみたいな感じの人なのだろうか。
　即座に一筆書くあたり、かなり偉い立場にありそうな感じだが……。
　ふむ、中身を覗いて見てみたいが、
　確かこういうのは封印を破ったら中身は無効になるんだったか。

"What kind of person is your acquaintance?"

"A man named Gouache Brush."※

"What's his occupation?"

"I don't know. He seems pretty important."

I'm told that he met Gouache over 40 years ago.

It was on the Magic Continent.

Ruijeld had saved a group that was being attacked by monsters, and Gouache was amongst them.


At the time, Gouache was still a child and so looked on Ruijeld with fear and hostility, but it seems that by the time they had parted, they'd become relatively friendlier.

When he had finished escorting them to town, he was told that if he ever came to Mirishion, he should visit, but because there was never the chance to, he had forgotten. However, it seems when we were circling the town to get to the Adventurers District's Entrance, he had suddenly seen with his 『eye』 and had remembered.★

As a result, he had felt that he may as well visit, but there was the chance that perhaps Gouache had forgotten. It seems that while carrying that anxiety in his chest, Ruijeld had approached him, but upon doing so, Gouache had remembered him as if a matter of course, and had greatly welcomed him.

Though he had planned to leave things with just a greeting, the two of them hit it off.

After talking about the journey up until now, it seems that he had said,

'Well then, when you get to Westport, show them this.'


Hitting it off with Ruijeld.

I wonder if he's someone a bit like Gustav?

Someone who'll immediately write a letter, and seems to be of important standing...

Hm, I want to try sneaking a peek inside, but it does certainly seem that breaking this seal will invalidate the contents of the letter, huh?


[※Note: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gouache]

「そのガッシュという人、貴族なんでしょうかね」
「配下はたくさんいたな」

　配下。
　ルイジェルドらしい言い方だ。
　召使いか何かだろう。
　たくさんという言い方も曖昧。
　とはいえ、なにせ、ルイジェルドの知り合いだ。
　優しい王様を目指している魔王候補の一人だったとしてもおかしくない。

"This Gouache person is probably a noble, right?"

"He did have a lot of subordinates."

Subordinates.

It's quite a Ruijeld-ish way of putting things.

They're probably servants or something.

'A lot' is also quite vague.

Be that as it may, at any rate, he's Ruijeld's acquaintance.

It wouldn't be strange even if he turned out to be a Devil King candidate, aiming at the king.

「家まで行ったんですか？」
「ああ」
「大きかったんですか？」
「大きかったな」
「どれぐらいですか？」
「キシリス城ほどではないな」

　キシリス城。
　それより小さいというと、湖の中心にあるホワイトパレスではないな。
　さすがに王族ではないらしい。
　だが、それを比較対象に出すような大きさの建物か。
　うーむ。

　ルイジェルドの知り合いだ。
　悪い奴ではないと思うが……。
　パウロいわく、税関の責任者である貴族は魔族嫌いだそうだ。
　生半可な人物であれば、手紙を渡して問題が起きる可能性もありうる。
　ガッシュとやらがどういう人物なのか、
　調べたほうがいいだろうか。

　いや、手紙を取り出した時のルイジェルドの嬉しそうな顔。
　変に邪推して、また信用云々の話になったら嫌だな。

　まあ、いい。
　何にせよ、他に方法も思いつかないのだ。
　ここはルイジェルドの顔を立てよう。
　そして、ガッシュという名前について、後でこっそりパウロあたりに聞いておこう。

"Did you go to his house?"

"Yeah."

"Was it big?"

"Pretty big, I guess."

"How big was it?"

"Not as big as the Kishirisu castle, I guess."

Kishirisu Castle.

For it to be smaller than this means that it isn't the White Palace in the middle of the lake.

It seems that as expected, they aren't royalty.

But it's something whose size is comparable, huh?

Hmmmm.


It's Ruijeld's acquaintance.

I don't think he'd be a bad person, but...

According to Paul, the noble in charge of the customs house hates the Magic Race.

If this acquaintance's standing is something half-assed, then there's the possibility that handing over the letter will cause problems.

It might be better to find out who this Gouache person is.


No, but there's the happy expression that Ruijeld made when he produced the letter.

I'd hate for us to end up discussing trust again, after having come up with stupid ideas about Gouache.


Well, whatever.

At any rate, I can't think of any other way of doing things.

I'll just let Ruijeld save face here.

Then I'll secretly ask Paul about the name Gouache later.

「わかりました、では、この手紙に頼ってみましょう」

　俺の言葉に、ルイジェルドは頷いた。
　出発は一週間後。
　それまでに、ここでできることを済ませておこう。

"I understand. Then let's rely on this letter."

Ruijeld had nodded at my words.

We'll be departing in a week from now.

Until then, I'll finish off the things I can do here.

「私は別に明日出発でもいいけどね！」

　エリスの言葉に苦笑しつつ、作戦会議は終わった。

"I wouldn't mind even if we left tomorrow though, you know!"

I smiled wryly at Eris' comment, and ended the strategy meeting.




------------------------------------------------
END OF CHAPTER
------------------------------------------------



















So yeah

魔族 = demon, magic person, magic being, magic race, magic races

All of those are now interchangable for me. They are in Japanese, so I'll bloody make it so in English.

Also, lol. Rudy immediately considering whether or not the guy is royalty. Dude sure thinks big.