Side Story - Eris' Goblin Suppression'

Note: Gunna do most of this chapter in past tense because

1) It works better in English
2) Unlike the other chapters, there are no internal monologues so there's no reason to force the usual past/present tense jumps


----------------------------------------------------------

　間話「エリスのゴブリン討伐」

Side Story - Eris' Goblin Suppression'

　唐突だが、クリフ・グリモルという少年の話をしよう。

It's sudden, but let's talk about Cliff Gurimol.

　クリフは現在１３歳。
　エリスとルーデウスの丁度中間の年齢である。

　彼は物心ついた時には孤児院にいた。
　ミリシオンの孤児院である。
　ミリス教団の威信や権威の象徴とも言える孤児院である。
　経営的なもので悩む事はなく、子供も何不自由なく成長し、里親へと引き取られていく。
　そんな孤児院である。

　クリフは五歳の時、現在の里親に引き取られた。
　ハリー・グリモルと言う名の老人である。
　彼はミリス教団内でも高い地位を持つ人物である。

　クリフはハリーに引き取られた先で、英才教育を受けた。
　彼は数年であっという間に治療・解毒・神撃を上級まで習得。
　攻撃魔術も、全ての属性で中級まで扱う事ができた。
　火魔術に至っては上級である。
　クリフは天才であった。
　周囲からは称賛の雨あられ。
　将来はきっと凄い人物になるに違いないとあらゆる人に期待された。

　ルーデウスとよく似た幼年期であると言えよう。
　が、転生前の記憶を持っていたルーデウスと違い、
　クリフは増長した。
　これ以上ないほど、テングになった。
　何せ、教師陣の中にも、クリフほど多彩に魔術を使いこなせる者はいないのだ。
　治癒魔術を聖級まで扱える者はいる。
　解毒魔術を聖級まで扱える者はいる。
　けれども、全てを上級となると、クリフのみであった。

　その多彩さがゆえ、賢者の卵などと言われるようになった。
　クリフはさらに増長した。
　教師の話を次第に聞かなくなった。

　クリフの将来は、養父の職業を継ぐことになる。
　クリフもそれは理解している。
　のだが、彼は現在、冒険者に憧れていた。


　なぜ冒険者か。
　それは、孤児院に暮らしていた時期の出来事が影響している。
　孤児院の出身者には冒険者が多い。
　孤児院の子供は、１０歳まで里親が見つからなければ、ミリス教団の経営する学校へと入れられる。
　そこで五年間、訓練を受ける。
　剣術や魔術といった、戦うための授業である。
　そうして、自分の才能にあった職業へと就いていく。
　勉学も剣術も魔術も優秀であれば騎士になる事もできるが、
　大抵の者は冒険者になった。
　ゆえに孤児院の出身者には冒険者が多い。

　彼らは時折孤児院に来る。
　かつての先生に挨拶すると同時に、
　孤児たちに楽しい冒険のみやげ話を持ってきてくれる。
　孤児たちはそれを聞き、冒険者に憧れるのだ。

　例に漏れず、クリフも冒険者に憧れていた。

　もちろん、クリフはその夢が叶うとは思っていない。
　憧れてはいるが、自分の現状もよく理解していた。
　孤児出身である以上、身勝手は許されない。
　我慢できていた。
　そう、最初の頃は。

　しかし、窮屈な生活はクリフの鬱憤を溜め、
　褒められ続ける毎日はクリフを増長させた。

　クリフはある日、家を脱走し、冒険者登録をすることを思いつく。
　ちょっとした力試しである。
　教師たちの中にも、昔は冒険者としてブイブイ言わせていた者もいるのだ。
　自分だって若い頃にそうした経験はつんでおきたい。
　と、自分を説得。
　準備を開始。

　１０歳の誕生日に養父より貰った杖を手に、
　神聖区から冒険者区へと入る。
　魔術師っぽいローブを途中で購入。色は青にした。
　冒険者ギルドへ。

　治癒術師として登録すれば、すぐに教団に見つかるだろう。
　だが、魔術師なら大丈夫。
　そんな浅はかな事を考えつつ、冒険者登録を済ませた。

　これで自分も一端の冒険者。
　まだ見ぬ世界への大冒険が控えている。
　と、ワクワクしながら周囲を見回す。
　誰もが屈強な男だ。

　戦士や剣士ばかりなのは見て取れた。
　クリフは孤児院の先輩から、
　パーティに優秀な魔術師が喉から手が出るほど欲しい。
　という話を聞いていた。
　なので、自分は魔術師だと名乗れば、すぐにパーティに入れるだろう、と考える。

　クリフは冒険者ランクの話を聞き流していた。
　彼はパーティというものは、ランクに関係なく組めるものだと考えていた。

　当然のように断られる。
　すげなく断られる。
　何度も断られる。
　四度目でクリフの我慢は限界に達した。

「なんでだよ！　なんで僕がパーティに入れないんだ！」
「だから、ランクが違うって言ってるだろ」
「ランクがなんだ！
　本当は僕はAランクぐらいの強さがあるんだ！
　けれど、しょうがないから君等で我慢してやろうって言ってるんだ！」
「なんだと……ガキ、あんまり調子にのるなよ！
　魔術師がこの距離で喧嘩売って勝てると思ってんのか……」
「剣しか振れない能なしどものくせに、調子に乗るんじゃない！」
「このクソガキ……」

　クリフは胸ぐらを捕まれ、
　しかしこいつをなんとか退けて見せれば、
　自分の力を示す事になるんじゃないか、と考えた。

「やめなさいよ。大人気ないわよ」

　そう言って割り込んできたのは、クリフと同じぐらいの年齢の赤毛の少女であった。




Cliff was now 13 years old; his age was right between those of Eris and Rudeus.

When he was old enough to understand what was going on, he was in an orphanage. It was an orphanage in Mirision. It was an orphanage that could be said to be the symbol of the prestige and authority of the Miris religious organisation. There were no problems with the management, and the children were able to grow without worries and were sent off to foster parents.

When Cliff was 5, he was adopted by his current foster parent. He was an old man named Harry Gurimol. He was a person who held a high position in the Miris religious organisation.

Before he had been adopted by Harry, Cliff had been receiving special education for gifted children. In just a few years he had reached advanced rank in healing, detoxification and summoning magic. In offensive magic as well, he had reached intermediate rank in all elements. He was even more proficient in fire magic, and had reached advanced rank. Cliff was a genius. Praise rained down on him from all around. Everyone had anticipated that he would surely become an amazing individual when he grew up.

It could be described as a childhood quite similar to Rudeus'. However, unlike Rudeus who had retained memories from his previous life, Cliff was becoming impudent. He had become conceited, as though he had no betters. At any rate, even amongst his peers in the classroom, there was noone who could use as many different magics as Cliff.

There were those who had reached saint rank in healing.

There were those who had reached saint magic in detoxification.

However, only Cliff had reached advanced level in all three.

Because of his diversity, there were those who began to call him a sage in the making. Cliff grew even more impudent. He gradually stopped listening to his teacher's words.


In the future, Cliff was to
succeed his foster father in his occupation. Cliff had understood this as well. But even so, Cliff longed to become an adventurer.

Why an adventurer?

That was due to the influence of his days at the orphanage. Many of those who had graduated from the orphanage became adventurers. If the children at the orphanage weren't adopted by the age of ten, they would enter into a school managed by the Miris religious organisation. There, they would train for five years. For example swordsmanship or magic; it was combat training. Like that, they would train for jobs that their talents suited. Those who excelled in not only studying, but also swordsmanship and magic could become knights. However, the majority became adventurers. As a result, there were many adventurers amongst the orphanage alumni.

These alumni would occasionally come to the orphanage. While greeting their former teachers, they'd also tell fun stories of their adventures to the orphans. Hearing these, the orphans would yearn to become adventurers.

Cliff was no exception.

Of course, Cliff didn't think his dream would come true. Though he longed for it, he also understood his own circumstances. As an orphan, selfishness wasn't permitted. He endured. Indeed, in the beginning.

However, this stiff lifestyle accumulated resentment inside Cliff, and as the praise continued to be showered onto him, Cliff grew more arrogant by the day.

On a certain day, Cliff ran away from home and thought to register as an adventurer. It was a bit of a test of his power. There were even those amongst the teachers who as former adventurers would speak about their past boastfully.

'When I was young, I wanted to pile up experiences like that.' they would say.

He got ready.

With the staff that he received from his foster father on his 10th birthday in hand, he left the Sacred District and entered the Adventurers District. On the way, he bought a robe like those magicians would wear. It was blue coloured. He headed to the Adventurers Guild.

If he registered as a healer, he'd probably be immediately found by the church.※

[※Note: I know that they don't actually say church. They say 'Miris Religious Organisation' ミリス教団(mirisu kyoudan), whereas stuff like Roman Catholic Church would use the term 教会 (kyoukai). Even so, it's a pain to write 'religious organisation' each time, so unless an actual 'kyoukai' pops up in this series, then I'll just keep using 'church' interchangably.]

However, if he registered as a magician then it would be fine. While believing foolish things like this, he finished the registration.

And like that, he was an adventurer just like everyone else.

'A great adventure awaits me in a world I've never seen.'

He thought, and surveyed the surroundings in excitement. Everyone was a brawny man.

He realised that everyone was something like a warrior or a swordsman. Cliff had heard from his seniors※ at the orphanage that their parties had desperately needed a skilled magician. That's why he had thought that if he called himself a magician, he'd immediately be able to enter a party.

[※Note: "heard from his senpai at the orphanage"]

Cliff had ignored the talk about adventurer ranks. He had thought of parties as groups that didn't involve ranks.

Of course he had been rejected. Bluntly rejected. Over and over, rejected. By the fourth time, Cliff's patience had reached its limits.

"Why!? Why can't I enter the party!?"

"Like I said, your rank is different."

"So what about my rank!? I actually have the strength of an A ranker! I said that because it couldn't be helped, I'd bear with partying with you lot, didn't I!?"

"What was that...? Don't get too carried away, you brat! Do you think a magician like you can win after picking a fight at this distance...?"

"You're not good for anything but swinging a sword around. Don't get carried away!"

"You shitty brat..."

Cliff was grabbed by the collar, and was thinking that if he showed his true power, he could drive them away somehow.

"Stop that. You're being childish, you know."

The one who interrupted them was a red-haired girl of about Cliff's age.

---


　話は巻き戻る。

　エリス・ボレアス・グレイラットは、冒険者ギルドへと足を向けた。
　彼女は傍から見て微笑ましいぐらいニマニマしながら足早に大通りを歩いていく。

　服装はいつも通りの冒険者風の格好。
　厚手の服に、皮のプロテクター。
　皮のズボンに、靴底は薄いが丈夫な素材で出来たブーツ。
　腰には剣を差し、一目で誰もが剣士とわかる。

　いつものフードは付けていない。
　冒険者ギルドにあのフードをつけると魔術師と間違えられ、
　変な男子が寄ってくるのは、この一年で何度も経験した。

Going back in time a little...

Eris Boreas Greyrat turned her feet towards the Adventurers Guild. From an outsider's perspective, she was making a pleasant smile whilst quickly making her way down the main street.

She was dressed in her usual adventurers outfit. Over her thick clothing were guards made of fur. Over her fur pants were boots made of a thin but tough material. At her hip was a sword, and at a glance anyone could tell that she was a swordswoman.

She wasn't wearing her usual hood. If she wore the hood to the Adventurers Guild then she'd be mistaken for a magician, and strange men would approach her. It was something she'd experienced countless times this past year.

　エリスは冒険者ギルドの前にたどり着いた。
　ミリシオンの冒険者ギルドは、大通りの奥にある。
　本部というだけあって、冒険者区で最も大きな建物である。
　威風堂々たる巨大な門構えに気圧される事なく、エリスは中へと踏み込んだ。

　そして、その広大なロビーを見て、思わず腕を組みそうになった。
　なにせそこは、ロアにある館の大広間よりも広い。
　無論、今まで見たどの冒険者ギルドよりも広い。

　もし、初めて冒険者になるという少年少女であれば、
　そんな広さを目の当たりにし、二の足を踏んでしまうだろう。

　だが、そこはエリスである。
　彼女はAランク。一端の冒険者。
　すぐに目的の方向へと歩き出す。

　依頼の掲示板である。

Eris arrived in front of the Adventurers Guild. The Mirishion Adventurers Guild was at the end of the main road. As expected of the headquarters, it was the largest building in the Adventurers District. Without being overwhelmed by the awesome, and huge gate, Eris stepped inside.

Looking at the huge lobby, she unconsciously folded her arms. Anyhow, it was even larger than the banquet halls in Roa. It goes without saying that it was larger than all the Adventurers Guilds she had seen thus far.

If she were a young girl becoming an adventurer for the first time, in the face of such a spacious room, she might have shied away. However, this was Eris. She was an A ranker. A competent adventurer. She immediately began to walk towards her objective.

It was the request board.

　他よりもはるかに大きなその掲示板には、所狭しと依頼が貼り付けてある。
　エリスは腕を組んでそれを見る。

　普段見ているBランク依頼ではなく、今回はEランク付近。
　その中でも自由依頼(フリークエスト)に分類されるものを探す。
　自由依頼(フリークエスト)とは、国が定期的に発行している依頼である。
　報酬は低めだが、緊急度が高いため、
　どのランクの冒険者でも受ける事が出来る。
　魔大陸で見かけないのは、国が無いからだ。

　エリスはその中から、目当てのものを探しだした。

It was far larger than other requests boards, and was overflowing with attached requests. Eris looked at them, arms folded.

She wasn't looking at her usual B ranked requests, but was looking at the E ranked area. There, she was looking for requests that were classified as Free Quests. Free Quests were requests that were periodically issued by the nation. The pay was lower, but because of its urgency, adventurers of any rank could accept it. The reason Eris hadn't seen any on the Demon Continent was because there were no nations to speak of.

Amongst all the other requests, Eris had managed to single out the one she was looking for.

=========================
Free
・Job: Goblin suppression
・Reward: 10 Mirisian Copper Coins per ear
・Job details: Culling goblins
・Location: Eastern Mirishion
・Time limit: None in particular
・Deadline: None in particular
・Client name: Holy Knight Orders of Miris※
・Notes: Beginners be aware of the hobgoblins that occasionally appear. Additionally, please do not tear off this request, and simply bring the gathered items to the counter.
=========================
フリー
・仕事：ゴブリン討伐
・報酬：耳一つにつきミリス銅貨10枚
・仕事内容：ゴブリンの間引き
・場所：ミリシオン東
・期間：特になし
・期限：特になし
・依頼主の名前：ミリス神聖騎士団
・備考：新人は時折発生するホブゴブリンに注意。なお、この依頼は剥がさず、収集したものをカウンターにそのままお持ちください。
=========================
[※Note: Someone asked me why I didn't translate 'holy knight'(神聖騎士) as paladin. That's because I've reserved the term 'paladin' for 守護騎士 (shugokishi, guardian knights). This might be wrong in the context of this universe, but since I haven't seen the terms used very much yet, there's nothing for me to go on. Well, I don't think anyone would be confused as to what a 'Holy Knight' is, in the first place.]

　ゴブリンは森と平原の境界あたりに住む魔物だ。
　人の形をしており、簡素な武器を使うが、人語は解さない。
　数匹なら放っておいてもいいが、放っておくとどんどん増殖し、
　周辺の村々を襲い始める。
　いわゆる害獣である。

　とはいえ、森との境に生息するため、森に発生する魔物の防波堤となる。

　また、ゴブリンは弱く、ちょっと剣をかじった程度の少年でも十分に相手する事が出来る。
　冒険者ギルドはそれを利用し、新人にとって割りのいい報酬を用意し、
　討伐系依頼の入門としてゴブリン討伐を斡旋している。

　また、これはエリスの知らない事であるが、
　ゴブリンというのは、敵国のスパイへの拷問道具としても使える。

　これらの理由により、ミリスではゴブリンを絶滅させず、生かさず殺さず、適度に調整している。

Goblins were monsters that only appeared in the forests and plains. Though they were humanoids and could use simple weapons, they couldn't comprehend human speech. If there were just a few of them, it'd be fine to leave them alone, but if left to their own devices, they would steadily increase in population and start to attack the surrounding villages. They were vermin, so to speak.

Be that as it may, because they lived in the forest and its surroundings, they acted as a natural defence against outbreaks of monsters from the forest.

Additionally, goblings were weak and so a young boy who dabbled in the sword was more than a match for one. Making use of this fact, the Adventurers Guild prepared a reward suitable for beginners, and would prepare goblin suppression quests as a kind of introduction to suppression requests.

Also, though it was something Eris wasn't aware of, goblins were also used as a torture instrument for spies from enemy nations.

Due to the above reasons, the gobling population in Miris would be carefully maintained at a moderate level.

　さて、もはや実力的にはルイジェルドのお墨付き、そこらのCランク冒険者程度なら素手で制圧出来るAランク冒険者のエリスが、なぜ今更そんな依頼を受けるのか。
　理由は二つ。

　エリスは単純に、憧れていたのだ。
　かつて、ほんの短い時間だけ学校に通っていた頃。
　クラスメイトの男子が集まって、何やら話していた。
　その話題とは、自分が冒険者になったらどうするか、というものである。

　最初はゴブリン狩り、そこで力とお金を蓄えて、
　ゆくゆくは中央大陸の南部に進出し、高ランクの依頼や迷宮へと挑んでいく。
　そんな夢物語である。

Now then, why would an A ranked adventurer like Eris, who could defeat the average C ranked adventurer barehandedly, and whose strength had already been recognised by Ruijeld, be accepting such a request so late in her adventurer life?

There were two reasons.

First of all, it was simply one of Eris' dreams. In the past, Eris had attended school for just a very short while. Her male classmates had been huddled together, and talking about something. That topic was about what they would do if they became adventurers.

First they would hunt goblins, and with money saved up from doing so, and whilst travelling bit by bit towards the southern region of the Central Continent, they would challenge themselves with dungeons and high ranked requests. They spoke about that kind of dream.

Eris, who had been listening in from nearby, began to have delusions of one day doing so as well. Her delusions began to swell, and then she approached the happily talking boys and told them to let her join in as well, but for various reasons they fought, and then she beat the three of them up.

After that, she dropped out of school and met Ghislaine, and each time she spoke to Ghislaine her feelings about adventurers became stronger. After meeting Rudeus, she was filled with dreams of going on adventures with him. She would be a swordswoman, and he would be a magician. They would challenge dungeons, just the two of them.

However, after going on a journey for real, it was different from her dream. In particular, Rudeus was more cool-headed and pragmatic than she had imagined. Because of the danger, not once did they approach a dungeon.

If she proposed goblin hunting, he'd probably ask "What for?" with a stunned expression. Eris was a woman who had become an adventurer on the Demon Continent, after all. He wouldn't be able to understand what meaning there would be in hunting goblins now.

But putting that aside...

Gobling hunting was number one on Eris' list of 『Things I want to do when I become an adventurer』. Even if there wasn't any meaning in it, it was something she wanted to try.

That was the first reason.

As for the second reason... it's a secret.

　エリスはそれを傍で聞きながら、いずれは自分も、と妄想した。
　妄想は膨らみ、楽しそうに話をする男子に、
　自分も会話に混ぜなさいよと話しかけ、
　色々あって喧嘩して三人ともぶちのめした。

　それから学校を退学となり、ギレーヌと出会い、
　彼女から話を聞く度に、冒険者への思いを強くした。
　ルーデウスと出会ってからは、彼と一緒に冒険に出ることばかり夢見た。
　剣士の私と、魔術師のルーデウス。
　二人で迷宮に挑むのだ。

　しかし、実際に旅に出てみると、夢とは違った。
　特にルーデウスは想像以上に現実的で冷めていた。
　危険だからと迷宮には一切近寄らなかった。
　ゴブリン狩りなど提案すれば、「何のために？」と呆れ顔で聞いてくるだろう。
　エリスとて、魔大陸で冒険者としてやってきた女である。
　現状でゴブリンを狩る事の意味は見いだせない。

　が、意味はさておき。

　ゴブリン狩りは、
　エリスが『冒険者になってやりたいこと』の一番上にランクインしていた。
　例え意味がなくとも、やってみたい事なのだ。

　それが理由の一つ。
　もう一つ理由は……ナイショである。

「日が沈む前に戻ってこれるかしらね……？」

　エリスは依頼を見つつ、行き帰りの時間を考える。
　今回は徒歩である。
　時刻はまだ朝であるが、
　余裕を持って行動した方がいいだろう。

"I wonder if I'd be able to return before the sun goes down..."

While looking at the requests, Eris was thinking of the time it would take to go there and back. This time she would be travelling on foot. It was still morning at the moment, but it would be better to do things with time to spare.

「……ん？」

　ふとFランクの外、掲示板の欄外に、あるメモが貼り付けられていた。

"...Hm?"

Incidentally by the F ranked requests, a certain memo was attached near the edges of the request board.

『Refugees from the Fitois region, please contact the following address』

Without reading the rest, Eris moved her gaze away. She had seen this memo at Zantport as well.

Rudy hadn't spoken about the Fitois region issue. Eris had thought that Rudeus had been considerate of her, and had undoubtedly been trying to avoid worrying her. Today's independent action as well was probably so that he could work out what to do about this matter.

'I wouldn't understand difficult matters' Eris had been thinking.

'Even if I don't think deeply about it, Rudeus has probably thought of something, so Rudeus will properly discuss it when the time comes.'

So thought Eris.

Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that Rudeus hadn't even known about it.

『フィットア領出身の難民は下記まで連絡すること』

　と、そこまで読んでエリスは目線を外した。
　このメモはザントポートの冒険者ギルドでも見た。

　ルーデウスはフィットア領の事は口に出さない。
　きっと、自分を不安にさせないように、という配慮だとエリスは考えていた。
　本日別行動をしたのも、この一件で何かをしようと考えているのだろう。
　自分には難しい話は理解できないとエリスは考えている。
　深く考えずとも、ルーデウスがしっかり考えてくれているだろうし、
　時がくれば、ルーデウスもきちんと話してくれる。
　エリスはそう考えている。

　まさかルーデウスがこうしたメモの存在を知らないなどとは、夢にも思っていない。

「さてと！」

　依頼を確認した所で、エリスは意気揚々とギルドを出て行こうとする。
　後はただ東に行き、ゴブリンを狩るだけである。
　今のエリスのやる気なら、巣の一つや二つは壊滅するであろう。
　もはや彼女の足を止めるものは何もない。
　哀れなるゴブリンにレクイエムを。

"Now then!"

With the request confirmed, in high spirits Eris made to leave the guild. All there was left to do was walk east, and then hunt the goblins. Considering Eris' current enthusiasm, she would probably even destroy one or two nests. There wasn't anything left to stop her. It was time to sing a requiem for the pitiful goblins.

「なんでだよっ！」

　と、思われたが、ふと聞こえた叫び声に、エリスの足は止まった。
　少年の声である。
　ふと、そちらを見てみる。
　少年が自分の背丈の二倍はあろうかという男たちに囲まれていた。

"Why!?"

Or so it had seemed, but suddenly hearing a shout, Eris stopped her feet. It was the voice of a young boy. She casually looked towards the source. A youth was encircled by men twice his height.

「なんで僕がパーティに入れないんだよ！」

　叫んだ少年は、青色のローブを身に着けていた。
　背丈はルーデウスよりもやや小さく、髪の色はダークブラウン。
　長い前髪で目が隠れている。
　杖もルーデウスの『傲慢なる水竜王(アクアハーティア)』ほど立派なものではない。
　けれど、それなりに高い素材を使っている事は、魔石の大きさからも分かる。
　私の家の方が格上ね、とエリスは自然に思った。

"Why can't I enter the party!?"

The shouting youth was wearing a blue coloured robe. He was a bit shorter than Rudeus, and his hair was dark brown. His eyes were hidden by long forelocks. His staff wasn't as splendid as Rudeus' 『Aqua Heartia』※ either. However, from the size of the mana crystal, it could be seen that it was still a staff made of expensive materials.

'My family is higher ranked than his, huh?' Eris naturally thought.


[※Note: Arrogant Water Dragon]

「本当は僕はAランクぐらいの強さがあるんだ！
　けれど、しょうがないから君等で我慢してやろうって言ってるんだ！」

　そんな傲慢な物言いに、男たちも当然ながらカチンときている。
　エリスだって、あんなことを言われれば、無言でぶん殴るであろう。

"I actually have the strength of an A ranker! I said that because it couldn't be helped, I'd bear with partying with you lot, didn't I!?"

Because of that arrogant manner of speaking, the men naturally became annoyed. Even Eris would wallop him had those words been said to her.

「なんだと……ガキ、あんまり調子にのるなよ！
　魔術師がこの距離で喧嘩売って勝てると思ってんのか……」
「剣しか振れない能なしのくせに調子に乗るんじゃない！」
「んだとクソガキィ……」

　男に胸ぐらを捕まれ、少年はまだ余裕そうな面を見せている。
　だが、若干ながら足が震えているのを、エリスは見逃さなかった。
　エリスはふと歩き出し、二人の間に割って入った。

"What was that...? Don't get too carried away, you brat! Do you think a magician like you can win after picking a fight at this distance...?"

"You're not good for anything but swinging a sword around. Don't get carried away!"

"What was that, you shitty brat...?"

Even caught by the collar, the youth still gave off an expression of composure. However, Eris hadn't overlooked that his legs were shaking, if only a little. Eris casually walked towards them, and placed herself between the two of them.

「やめなさいよ。大人げないわよ」

　もしここにルーデウスがいたら瞠目したであろう。
　大人げない。
　普段のエリスからは想像もつかないセリフである。

　エリスは自分の行動に酔っていた。
　自分はAランクの冒険者であり、怒れる男たちよりも格上。
　男が新人にお痛する、それを諌める自分。カッコイイ。
　そんな行動である。
　普段ルイジェルドが自分に対してやっている事であるが、そんな事は棚の上にポイである。

"Stop that. You're being childish, you know."

Had Rudeus been there, he would have been staring in wonder.

'Childish.'

They were words that you couldn't even imagine being said by the usual Eris.

Eris had gotten carried away by the mood.

'I'm an A ranked adventurer so I'm higher ranked than the angry men. '

'A man who's hurting a newbie, and me who's objecting.'

'So cool.'

It was that kind of mood.

「……チッ、そうだな。確かに大人気ねえ」

　男はあっさりと少年から手を離した。
　エリスの中では、すでに男と戦闘に入ることを想定していたため、ちょっとだけ拍子抜け。

"...Tsk. You're right. We are being pretty childish."

The man easily removed his hands from the boy. Eris had already assumed that she'd get into a fight with the man, so she was a little disappointed.

「お前ら、行こうぜ」

　男たちが立ち去り、そこには少年だけが残った。
　エリスはすまし顔で、少年のお礼を待った。

　助けてくれてありがとう、あなたは？
　名乗るほどのものじゃないわ。
　せめてお名前だけでも。
　そうね、『デッドエンド』のルイジェルド、とでも名乗っておきましょうか。

　なんてやり取りを考えていた。
　ちなみに、ルーデウスがたまにやっている事である。

"Let's go, guys."

The men had left, and only the youth remained. with a composed expression, Eris awaited the youth's thanks.

'Thank you for saving me. Who are you?'

'I'm nobody famous.'

'At least give me your name.'

'Alright. Let's just go with Ruijeld of 『Dead End』.'

She had been thinking it'd go something like that. Incidentally, it was something that Rudeus did on occasion.

「誰が助けてくれなんて言ったんだよ！」

　少年がそんな言葉を吐いて、エリスの自慢気な顔が凍りついた。

"I never asked anyone for help, you know!"

The youth spat out these words, and Eris' proud expression froze.

「あのぐらい僕の魔法ならなんとかなったんだ！
　勝手に出てきて勝手に解決するなよ！　ブス！」

　彼は幸せだった。
　なにせ、一撃で気絶できたのだから。
　そして、先ほどの男が、まだ近くにいた。

　男が激昂したエリスを必死で止めていなければ、
　きっと少年は男として大切な二つの玉を失っていたであろう。

"With my magic I could have worked out something of that level! Don't just decide on your own to butt in and settle things, ugly!"※

The boy was lucky.

He had been knocked out in one hit, after all. Not only that, but the men from before were still nearby.

Had it not been for their efforts in desperately stopping the enraged Eris, there's no doubt that the boy would have lost the two orbs that were most important as a man.



[※Note: He just calls her an insult that flat-out means "really ugly girl" (busu).]
---


　エリスはやや不機嫌になりながらも、ミリシオンの入り口へと来ていた。
　切り替えの早い彼女であるが、まだ不機嫌である。

　なぜか。

Despite having become a little displeased, Eris had come to the gates of Mirishion. Though she was the type to change gears quickly, she was still unhappy.

As for why...

「まって！　まってください！」

　気絶から回復した少年が、走って追いついて来たからだ。

"Wait! Please wait!"

The youth who had been revived after fainting had come running after her.

「先ほどはすいませんでした。ちょっと気が動転していて……」

　少年はそう言って、礼儀正しく頭を下げた。
　そのおかげで、エリスの不機嫌は「やや」の範疇に収まった。
　少年は九死に一生を得たのである。
　もっとも、もし一撃で気絶していなければ、
　エリスを追いかけようなどという蛮行には及ばなかっただろうが。

"I'm sorry about before. I was a bit confused from the shock..."

The youth had said this and politely bowed his head. It was because of this that Eris' mood could still be called "a little" displeased. The boy had just barely managed to escape from death. However, had it not been for fainting after one hit, then he probably wouldn't have been capable of doing something as vigourous as running after Eris.※



[※Note: Doesn't actually say 'vigourous' but 'barbarous'. Originally I wrote barbarous, but changed my mind.]

「僕はクリフです。クリフ・グリモル！」
「…………エリスよ」

　エリスは『デッドエンド』の名前を出そうかと思い、やめた。
　我慢せずに殴ってしまった相手にルイジェルドの名前は出せない。

"I'm Cliff. Cliff Gurimol!"

"...I'm Eris."

Eris had decided to give up on giving the name 『Dead End』. She couldn't give Ruijeld's name to a person she had beaten up in impatience.

「エリスさん！　すごいいい名前です！
　その格好、剣士なんですよね！
　ぜひとも僕とパーティを組んでください！」

　往来のどまんなかでまくし立てるクリフ。
　エリスは反射的に殴り倒してしまおうかと考えた。
　が、とりあえず我慢する。

"Eris-san! That's a wonderful name! That outfit means you're a swordswoman, right!? By all means, please form a party with me!"

Dead centre in the middle of the road was Cliff, who was talking on and on. Eris had been thinking to just go with the flow and knock him out, but for now she was enduring.

「嫌よ」

　エリスはぷいっとそっぽを向いて、歩き出した。
　正直、こういう相手には慣れていない。
　殴ってもまだ近づいてくるなんて、ルーデウスぐらいなものである。

"Don't want to."

Eris turned away in a huff and walked away. Honestly speaking, she wasn't used to this kind of person. To continue to approach her even after being beaten up... Of the people she knew, there was basically only Rudeus.

「そうですか、ならせめて、後ろから援護させてください！
　僕も巷では賢者の卵と言われています、必ず役立ちます！」

　もしこの場にルーデウスがいれば、エリスに猛烈なアタックを掛ける彼に対し、
　何が賢者の卵だ、どうせ無精卵なんだろ童貞野郎！
　などと憎まれ口を叩いたであろう。心の中で。

　エリスはそんな下品な憎まれ口は叩かない。
　卵なら叩き割って目玉焼きにでもしてやろうか、と思っただけである。

"Is that so? Then please, at least let me cover you from behind! People have been saying that I'm a sage in the making. I'll definitely be useful!"

Had Rudeus been here...

'Just who exactly is a sage in the making(lit. sage's egg)? At best you're an unfertilised egg, you virgin asshole!'※

He probably would have spat out such insults towards the boy. In his mind, at least.

Eris didn't say such vulgar insults.

'If you're an egg, then how about I break you to pieces and fry you sunny side up?' was all she had been thinking.


[※Note: In Japanese, they sometimes say X's Egg, as an expression that means 'an X in the making'. Because of this, those two (crappy) jokes didn't come out very well.]

「エリスさんも、僕ほどの魔術師は見たことがないと思いますよ。
　なにせ、そんじょそこらのAランク魔術師よりも上ですからね」

　そんな事を言われて、エリスはカチンときた。
　彼女の中で最高の魔術師といえば、それはすなわちルーデウスの事である。
　ルーデウスはあのルイジェルドですら一目置くほどの魔術師である。
　たしかにAランクだが、そんじょそこらなんて一括りにされたくはない。

"I don't think even you've met a magician as strong as me, Eris-san. At any rate, I'm stronger than your average A ranked magician after all."

Being told this, Eris became annoyed. To her, the "strongest magician" was none other than Rudeus. Rudeus was such a skilled magician that even Ruijeld had acknowledged him. Though he was certainly A ranked, you couldn't lump him together with any run-of-the-mill A rankers.

「ぜひともその目で確かめてみてください！」

　じゃあ見てやろうじゃないの、とエリスは思ってしまった。

"By all means, please confirm this with your own eyes!"

'Then I will have a look!' Eris had ended up thinking.

「わかったわ。じゃあ付いてきなさい」
「はい！」

　こうして、エリスとクリフはゴブリン狩りへと出発した。

"I've got it. Come along, then."

"Yes!"

And like that, Eris and Cliff left to hunt goblins.


---


　七匹のゴブリンが一瞬で焼失した。

Seven goblins were burnt to cinders in an instant.

「どうですか！　凄いもんでしょう！
　そこらの魔術師ではこうはいきませんよ！」

　クリフはどうだと言わんばかりの顔で、全滅したゴブリンを見渡した。
　ゴブリン達は完全に炭化し、耳も取れない状態である。

"How was that!? It was amazing, right!? An average magician wouldn't have been able to do this, you know!"

Making a face as if to ask 'How was that!?', Cliff looked over the annihilated goblins. The goblins were completely carbonised, and were in a condition where you couldn't even collect their ears.

「そう？　全然凄くないわ」

　強がりではない。
　エリスは、心の底からそう思っていた。

　上級火炎魔術『獄炎火弾(エクゾダスフレイム)』。
　これはルーデウスが使う所を見たことがある。
　クリフのように長々と詠唱なんかしなかったし、威力もずっと上だった。
　けれど、ルーデウスなら、きっとゴブリン相手にそんな魔術は使わない。
　ルーデウスなら、きっと耳を取れなくするようなヘマはしない。

　また、一応クリフの力を見るという事で、
　詠唱が終わるまでエリスがゴブリンを引きつけていた。
　詠唱を終えた時にクリフが何も言わなかったため、危うく巻き込まれかけたのだ。
　ルーデウスなら、そんな危険な真似は絶対にしない。

"Is that so? It wasn't amazing at all."

It wasn't a bluff. Eris had meant it from the bottom of her heart.

Advanced Fire Magic 『Imprisoning Blaze Fire Bullet(Exodus Flame)』.※

Eris had seen Rudeus using this before. He hadn't spoken a long chant like Cliff had, and it's might was more powerful than Cliff's as well. However, Rudeus would never have used such a magic against opponents as weak as goblins. Had it been Rudeus, he would never have made the mistake of losing the goblin ears.

Also, until he had finished chanting, Eris had been pulling goblins. Because Cliff hadn't said anything to her when he had finished his chant, she had almost been caught up in his attack as well. Had it been Rudeus, there was absolutely no way he would have done something as dangerous as that.

[※Note: Read as 'exodus flame'. Means 'imprisoning blaze fire bullet'.]

「エリスさんは魔術のことをよく知らないようですね。
　いいですか、魔術というのはそもそも……」

　クリフは長々と、魔術には初級から上級それ以上があり、
　今自分が使ったのは上級魔術で、そこらの大人でも使えない高度な魔術であると語った。

　もちろん、エリスは知っている。
　ルーデウスの授業で習った事があるからだ。
　そして、クリフの説明より、ルーデウスの授業の方が10倍はわかり易かった。

"Eris-san, you don't really know much about magic, huh? Listen, okay? In the first place, magic is something that..."

Cliff began a long and drawn out explanation of the tiers of magic from elementary to advanced, and how the one he was using was advanced, and was advanced enough that even the men from before couldn't use it.

Of course, this was something Eris knew. It was discussed in Rudeus' lessons, after all. Not only that, but Rudeus' lessons were 10 times easier to understand than Cliff's explanation.

「わかりましたか、僕がどれだけ凄いかって事が」

　殴ろうかな、とエリスは思った。
　せっかく憧れていたゴブリン狩りなのに、こいつのせいで台無しであると感じていた。
　ゆえにエリスは腕を組んだ仁王立ちのポーズのまま、クリフに冷酷に言った。

"Do you understand just how amazing I am now?"

'Should I hit him?' Eris had been thinking.

Even though it was the goblin hunting that she had been dreaming of for so long, because of this guy, things had been spoilt for her. Because of that, Eris took an imposing stance with her arms crossed and spoke ruthlessly.

「もう、いいわよ、役に立ちそうにないし、帰っても」

　もしルーデウスであれば、ここは一時的な撤退を選択するだろう。
　だがクリフは空気がまるで読めなかった。

"That's enough. You don't seem to be of use, so just go home."

Had it been Rudeus, he probably would have chosen to retreat temporarily. However, it seemed as though Cliff couldn't read the mood.

「何を言ってるんですか！
　ゴブリン数匹に苦戦するようなエリスさんを一人にはできませんよ！」

　気付けば拳は振りぬかれていた。
　クリフは鼻血をだらだらと流しながら、顔を抑えている。

　彼はすぐにヒーリングを詠唱し、鼻血を止めた。

"What on earth are you saying!? You've been struggling to fight just a few goblins. There's no way you'd be able to do it alone!"

Before she had noticed, her fist had already swung towards him. Cliff grasped his face, while his nose ran with blood.

He had immediately chanted Healing, and stopped his nosebleed.

「なにするんですか！」
「チッ」

　エリスは舌打ちした。
　平原で気絶させたまま見捨てていくわけにもいかないと手加減したが、
　調子に乗らせる結果になってしまったようである。

　仕方がないのでもう一発、と拳を握り締めたところで、
　クリフもようやく事態に気づいた。

"What are you doing!?"

"Tsk."

Eris had clicked her tongue. Because it wouldn't do to leave someone knocked out in the plains, she had gone easy on him, but the result was that he was able to get carried away like this.

「ええ、もちろんわかっていますよ！
　エリスさんが強いのはよーくわかっています。
　じゃあ、今度は森の方に行ってみましょう。
　ゴブリンでは僕の真価が発揮出来ませんからね」

　クリフの言葉に裏表はない。
　彼はエリスに凄い所を見せたいのである。
　しかし、それは決して、好きな女の子にカッコイイ所を見せよう、などというものではない。
　単純に強い自分に酔いしれたいだけなのだ。

"Yeah, of course I understand. That you're strong, Eris-san, is something I reaaally understand. In that case, let's head into the forest this time. I can't show you my true worth by fighting goblins after all."

There was no ulterior motives to his words. He wanted to show Eris how amazing he was. However, it was definitely not the case of a boy wanting to show the girl he loved his cool side. He had simply wanted Eris to be amazed at his powerful self.

「森はダメよ」

　エリスは短く言った。
　森はダメ。
　それはルーデウスが常々言っていることである。
　また、ルイジェルドもそれに同意している。
　なので、エリスは素直に従うだけだ。

"The forest is no good."

Eris spoke briefly. The forest is no good. It was something that Rudeus always said. Moreover, Ruijeld would agree with it. Thus, Eris obediently abided by it.

「エリスさんともあろうお方が、怖いんですか？」
「怖くないわ！」

　が、エリスもまた単純な娘である。
　こんな言い方をされてしまえば、簡単に釣れてしまう。
　ボレアス家は駆け出し冒険者如きになめられてはいけないのである。

"Though you'd be the last person I'd expect to say this, Eris-san, are you afraid?"

"I'm not afraid!"

However, Eris was still a simple girl. As long as you used such a line, she was easily swayed. It wasn't acceptable to allow someone to look down on the Boreas family like they were novice adventurers.

「森ね！　いいわよ、行きましょう！」

　こうして、二人は薄暗い森へと足を運んでいく。

"The forest, right!? Fine! Let's go!"

And so the two of them made their way towards the dim forest.

---


「森といっても、ミリスは大したことないわね」

　エリスはそう言いながら、ウータンと呼ばれる猿の魔物を切り捨てた。
　Dランクの魔物であるが、エリスの敵ではない。

"Even if we head into the forest, since it's Miris it's still no big deal, huh?"

While saying this, Eris was cutting down monkey monsters named Utans.※ They were D ranked monsters though, so they were no match for Eris.


[※Note: Think '(Orang)Utan']

「そうですね、僕の敵でもないです！」

　クリフもまた、中級の風魔術でウータンを倒しつつ、言う。
　そうして、森の中へずんずん入っていく。

"That's true. They aren't a match for me either."

Cliff spoke while again killing an Utan with intermediate wind magic. Like that, they rapidly headed into the depths of the forest.

「あっ」

　ふと、エリスが声を上げる。

"Ah-"

Suddenly, Eris raised her voice.

「どうしましたエリスさん！」

　クリフは嬉しそうにエリスに近づいてくる。
　エリスは露骨に嫌そうな顔をする。
　そして腕を組み、足を肩幅程度に開き、顎を上げてクリフを見下ろした。

"What's wrong, Eris-san!?"

With a happy expression, Cliff approached Eris. Eris was openly making an unhappy face. She then folded her arms, spread her legs shoulder-width apart, and overlooked Cliff with her chin raised.

「あなた、帰り道はちゃんと把握してる？」
「把握してないです」

　当然、クリフはそんなものを把握してなどいない。
　突発的な思いつきで行動したため、森に入る装備などというものは持ってきていないのだ。

"You. Do you know which way heads back to the city?"※

"I don't."

Naturally, there was no way Cliff could know such a thing. Because they had done this due to a sudden suggestion, they hadn't brought any equipment for entering forests.

「そう、じゃあ迷子ね」

　エリスは平然と言い放った。

　クリフは押し黙った。
　そして、その顔がみるみる青くなっていく。

"I see. Then we're lost, huh?"

Eris had calmly declared this.

Cliff had kept silent. And then, very quickly, his face became pale.

「ど、どうしましょう」

　エリスは平然としていた。
　ゆえにクリフは彼女に何か策があるのだと考えた。

　しかし、エリスもまた内心ではまずいと思っていた。
　森の中で迷子になったなんて知れたら、二人に呆れられる。
　ゴブリン狩りでどうして森に入ったのだと、呆れられる。

　もっとも、態度には決して出さない。
　グレイラット家の淑女は常に泰然としていなければならないのだ。

"W-, what should we do?"

Eris was calm. Thus, Cliff had thought that she had some kind of idea.

However, deep down Eris had also thought that the situation was bad. If those two found out that she had become lost in the forest, they'd be shocked. They'd wonder why she entered a forest while hunting for goblins, and be shocked.※

However, she would never show this in her attitude. A lady of the Greyrat family should always be composed.


[※Note: It's more like 'amazed that she had done something so retarded']

「クリフ、ちょっと空を飛んで上から町の方向を確かめなさい」
「そんな事、出来るわけないじゃないですか」
「ルーデウスなら出来るわ」
「ルーデウス？　誰ですかそれは」
「私の先生よ」
「ええっ！？」

　エリスは一息、息をつく。
　言い争いをしても意味がない。
　こんな時はどうするか。
　そして思いつく、
　ギレーヌに、迷子になった時の事を教えてもらった。

　確かそう、木の枝を集めて火をつけるのだ。
　煙が空に上り、遠くからでも発見できる。

　しかし、誰が。

　ルイジェルドは用事があると言っていた。
　ルーデウスもだ。
　誰も気付かない。

"Cliff, fly into the air for a bit and find out which way the city is in."

"There's no way I'd be able to do something like that, right?"

"Rudeus would be able to do it."

"Rudeus? Who's that?"

"My teacher."

"Ehh!?"

Eris let out a sigh. Even if they argued, there'd be no meaning in it.

'What should I do at a time like this?'

Then it came to her; it was something that Ghislaine had taught for times when she was lost.

If she remembered correctly, it was to collect tree branches and start a fire. The smoke would rise to the air, and could be seen from afar.

However, who would see it?

Ruijeld had said that he had things to do today.

Rudeus had said so as well.

Nobody would notice.

「…………」

　エリスは、知らず知らずのうちに腕を組み、口をへの字に曲げて仁王立ちしていた。
　そして、目を閉じて、よく考える。
　ギレーヌは言っていた。
　不安な時こそ、冷静になれ、と。

　だから彼女はどんな時でも慌てない。

"..."

At some point, Eris had unconsciously folded her arms, and in an imposing stance, and the corners of her mouth had curved downwards.※ She then closed her eyes and thought carefully. Ghislaine had said this. That it was the times when she was anxious that she especially need to compose herself. Because of that, no matter the situation, she would never panic.


[※Note: lit. curved into the へ character.]

「え、エリスさん、どうしましょう」
「この森には、別の冒険者がいるはずよ」
「な、なるほど、彼らを頼れば……探しましょう」

　クリフは慌てて走りだそうとする。
　だが、エリスは動かない。
　ルイジェルドに教わった。
　こういう時は、動いてはいけない。
　動かないで、気配を探るのだ、と。

　気配の探り方も教わった。
　第三眼がなくても、音と空気、そして魔力の流れは感じ取れる。
　エリスは未熟だが、毎日練習はしている。

"Eh, Eris-san. What should we do?"

"There should be other adventurers in this forest."

"I-, I see. If we depend on them... Let's look for them."

Cliff had started running flusteredly. However, Eris didn't move. Ruijeld had taught her this. That in times like this, she should stay still. That while staying still, she should search for the presence of others.

She had also been taught how to search for them. Even without a third eye, she could perceive sound, and the surroundings, as well as the flow of mana. Though Eris was still immature, she did practice everyday.


「エリスさん……？」
「黙って！」

　エリスは深呼吸をして、眼を閉じたまま、心を研ぎ澄ませる。
　森の音。
　葉のこすれあう音。
　獣が動く音。
　虫が飛ぶ音。
　そして、かすかに聞こえる剣戟の音。

"Eris-san...?"

"Quiet!"

Eris took a deep breath and then with her eyes still closed, she sharpened her mind.

The sound of the forest.

The sound of leaves rubbing against each other.

The sound of moving animals.

The sound of flying insects.

And then, the faintly audible sound of weapons.

「見つけたわ。こっちよ」

　即決即断。
　エリスは迷うことなく歩き出した。

"I've found them. This way."

Immediate decisions and immediate action.

Without hesitation, Eris began to walk.

「なんですか、何が見つかったんですか！」
「人よ、向こうにいるわ」
「どうやって！？」
「気配を探ったのよ」
「それも先生に習ったんですか！？」

　聞かれ、エリスは少しだけ考える。
　ルイジェルドは先生か。
　先生だろう。
　ギレーヌほどではないが、彼にも様々なことを教わっている。
　先生、いや、師匠と呼んでも差し支えない人物である。

"What is it? What did you find!?"

"People. They're that way."

"How!?"

"I searched for their presence."

"Did your teacher teach you this too!?"

Having been asked that, Eris thought for a little.

Is Ruijeld a teacher?

He's a teacher, right?

Though it's not as much as Ghislaine, I've been taught various things by him as well.

He's a teacher. No, he's someone you could even call a master.

「そうよ」
「凄いんですね、そのルーデウスって人は……」
「ん？　……そうね、ルーデウスは凄いわね」

　なぜ突然ルーデウスの名前が出てきたのかわからないまま、エリスは先を進む。

"That's right."

"He's pretty amazing huh, that Rudeus person..."

"Hm? ...Right. Rudeus is amazing."

Without understanding why Rudeus' name was suddenly brought up, Eris continued forward.


---


　森を抜けた。
　その瞬間、轍の真ん中で、馬車が横転しているのが見えた。

They had left the forest. The moment they did, they spotted a horse carriage being turned over.※


[※Note: the horse carriage is in the centre of a ditch thingy madeby wheels. Like, wheel-track thingies.]

「伏せて！」
「ぐえっ！」

　エリスはとっさにクリフの頭を掴み、地面にたたきつけた。
　そして自らもしゃがみ、状況を確認する。

"Get down!"

"Gueh!"

Eris had immediately gripped Cliff's head and thrown it to the ground. As for herself, she was crouching and confirming the situation.

「……」

　立っている人物は六人。
　一人は兜までつけた全身甲冑の騎士。
　騎士は木に背中を預けるように立ち、剣を構えている。
　その周囲には、黒ずくめの男たち。五人。
　黒ずくめは騎士を取り囲んでいる。

　周囲には、三つの死体がある。
　全員が甲冑をつけている。
　囲まれている騎士と同じ鎧である。

　黒ずくめはじりじりと騎士に対する包囲を縮めている。

　もはや戦力差は歴然としている。
　だというのに、なぜあの騎士は逃げないのか。

　よく見ると、騎士の背後にある木。
　その根本には、一人の少女がしゃがみ込んでいる。
　不安と絶望にまみれた顔で、顔は涙に濡れている。

"..."

There were 6 people standing there. One person was a knight in full body armour. The knight was standing with their back to a tree, and had their sword in a guard. In the area were men dressed from head to toe in black. There were 5 of them. The black coloured men were surrounding the knight.

In the area were three corpses. All of them were wearing armour. They were wearing the same armour as the surrounded knight.

The men slowly tightened their encirclement around the knight.

The difference in fighting ability was already clear. Though this was the case, why wasn't the knight escaping?

The knight had their back to a tree, and looking carefully, a girl could be seen crouching by the base of the tree. Her expression was brimming with anxiety and despair, and her face was wet with tears.

「エリスさん、あの鎧は神殿騎士団ですよ！」

　クリフが小声で告げてくる。

　エリスの心臓が高なった。
　神殿騎士団。
　聞いたことがある。
　ミリスにある三つの騎士団の一つ。

　ミリスの自国防衛を司るエリート集団、聖堂騎士団。
　世界中にミリスの教えを広め、その威光を知らしめんと傭兵紛いの働きをする、教導騎士団。
　そして、異端審問官を抱え、異教徒を断罪する恐怖の代名詞、神殿騎士団。

　それぞれ、
　聖堂騎士団は白鎧。
　教導騎士団は銀鎧。
　神殿騎士団は蒼鎧を身に着けている。

　遠方からでもそれとわかる蒼天色の鎧。
　間違いない。
　目下追い詰められているのは、神殿騎士である。

"Eris-san, that armour means that the knight belongs to the Order of the Temple!"

Cliff informed Eris in a whisper.

Eris' heart was beating fast. The Order of the Temple. She had heard of it. It was one of Miris' three knight orders.

The elite group in charge of defending the country, the Order of the Church.

Spreading Miris' teachings around the world, making known their power, and doing mercernary-like work, the Order of Instruction.

Finally, the branch in charge of heresy inquisitions, their name a synonym for passing judgement onto heretics, the Order of the Temple.

Respectively,

The Order of the Church wore white armour.

The Order of Instruction wore silver armour.

The Order of the Temple wore blue armour.

Though the knight was a long way away, their sky blue armour could be seen. There was no mistake. The one who was now cornered was a Knight of the Order of the Church.

「貴様ら！　この御方がどなたか、わかっているのだろうな！」

　声を上げて初めて分かる。
　追い詰められている騎士は女だった。
　黒ずくめの男たちは、互いに顔を見合わせ、フッと笑った。

"You bastards! You know who this lady is, don't you!?"

When they raised their voice, it could be understood in an instant. The cornered knight was a woman. The men looked at each other, and then abruptly broke into laughter.

「無論だ」
「ならばなぜ！」
「言うまでもなかろう」
「貴様ら！　教皇派か！」

　エリスには、彼らの話が飲み込めない。
　だが、黒ずくめの悪そうな奴らが、あの少女を殺そうとしているのはわかった。
　エリスは腰の剣に手をかけた。
　クリフがそれを見咎める。

"That's obvious."

"Then why!?"

"It goes without saying, right?"

"You bastards! Are you with the pope's faction!?"

Eris couldn't understand their conversation. However, she understood that the black-clothed men seemed to be bad guys, and wanted to kill that girl. Eris placed her hand to the sword at her waist. Cliff questioned it.

「な、なにをする気ですかエリスさん。
　どうみてもヤバイですよ。
　あの子は次期教皇候補と言われている神子です。
　てことは、あの黒ずくめはきっと、ミリス教皇お抱えの暗殺集団です。
　手練れ揃いです、いくら僕でも勝ち目はありません……」

　クリフがなぜそこまで詳しいのか、
　エリスは疑問にすら思わなかった。
　彼女が気にしていたのは、
　今自分が助けなければ、あの少女は殺されるという事だけである。

　そして、エリスは『デッドエンド』の一員だ。
　子供を見捨てたとあっては、ルイジェルドに申し訳が立たない。
　ルーデウスも常々そう言って、人助けをしている。

"W-, what are you planning to do, Eris-san? However you look at this, it's bad. That girl is the shrine maiden said to be one of the candidates for next Pope. In other words, those black-clothed men are definitely an assassination squad employed by the Pope of Miris. They're all skilled. Even if it's us, we don't have a chance of winning..."

Eris hadn't even a wonder of why Cliff knew so much about this. All Eris was focusing on was the fact that if Eris couldn't save the girl now, she'd be killed.

Also, Eris was a member of 『Dead End』. If she abandoned a child, she wouldn't be able to face Ruijeld. Rudeus would always say that as well, and would lend his hand to others.

「ここは気付かれないように、やり過ごしましょう……」
「無駄よ。もう気付かれているわ」

　エリスはわかっている。
　あの黒ずくめの一人は、クリフを伏せさせた際に、こちらに気づいた。
　黒ずくめがなにを考えているのかわからない。
　だが、何を考えていようと、エリスは先手を取るつもりであった。

"Let's just stay unnoticed, and let them do it."

"It's too late. We've already been noticed."

Eris understood. One of the men had noticed them when she had pushed Cliff down. She didn't know what the man was thinking. However, whatever the case, Eris planned to take the initiative.

「クリフはそこで隠れているといいわ！」
「え、エリスさん！」

　エリスは抜刀しつつ、飛び出した。
　黒ずくめが一瞬で散開する。
　が……。

"You can just keep hiding here, Cliff!"

"E-, Eris-san!"

Eris drew her sword and at the same time leap towards them. In an instant, the black-clothed men had spread out.

Howver...

「遅い！」

　エリスの踏み込みは、黒ずくめの男の予想を軽く凌駕していた。
　剣神流上級技『無音の太刀』。
　光の太刀の下位に位置するこの技は、風切り音を一切残さない。
　エリスの剣術の腕は、ギレーヌとルイジェルドにより、相当に伸びている。

　剣は黒ずくめの一人の肩から入り、肋骨をたやすく両断し、袈裟懸けに真っ二つにした。

　エリスは初めて人を斬った感触に戸惑う事なく、次の相手に剣を向ける。
　黒ずくめはエリスを囲むように動く。
　だが、エリスの動きはそれ以上に速い。
　彼女はルイジェルドから、複数に囲まれたときの動き方をよくレクチャーされている。
　魔物には群れる奴も多い。
　囲まれる前に倒しきるのがセオリーである。

"You're slow!"

Eris' steps were more nimble than the men had anticipated.

Sword God Style Advanced Rank 『Soundless Longsword』.

As a technique below that of the longsword of light, it was a technique whose swing didn't leave a single sound.

Thanks to Ghislaine and Ruijeld, Eris' skill in swordsmanship was improving considerably.


The sword entered one of the men from the shoulder, easily bisected his ribs, and perfectly split him in a cut that ran diagonally from the shoulder.

Without being bewildered by the sensation of cutting someone for the first time, Eris turned her sword towards the next opponent.

The men moved to surround Eris.

However, Eris' movements had been even quicker.

She had been lectured quite a bit by Ruijeld on what to do when surrounded by multiple opponents.

Many types of monsters like to swarm their enemies.

It was a theory that involved killing them before you were surrounded.

「ハアァァァ！」

　一人の黒ずくめが、瞬く間に切り捨てられた。
　男たちの間に動揺が走る。
　エリスのリズムは変則的で、意識の外から予備動作無しの斬撃が飛んでくる。
　回避に専念してもなお避けにくいものを、
　別のことをしながらで回避できるわけもない。

　だが、黒ずくめもプロである。
　一人を犠牲にし、包囲が完成する。
　二人の黒ずくめが時間差でエリスに躍りかかる。
　速い。
　しかしルイジェルドほどではない。
　魔大陸のパクスコヨーテのように上下の連携があるわけでもない。

　温い。

"Haaaa!"

In the blink of an eye, one of the black-clothed men had been cut down.

A tremble ran through the men.

Eris' rhythm was irregular, and after preliminary movements that they couldn't grasp, her slashes came flying.

Because her attacks were difficult to deal with even when the men devoted themselves to evasion, they couldn't do anything else while defending.

However, the men were professionals.

Sacrificing one person, their encirclement was complete.

Two of the black-clothed men leaps in towards Eris at different times.

They were fast.

However, they weren't as fast as Ruijeld.

Their cooperation wasn't to the level of the Pax Coyotes on the Demon Continent either.


They were lukewarm.※



[※Note: Just in case anyone out there doesn't read a lot of action stories, "lukewarm" means that they're only so-so.]

「そいつらの短刀には毒が塗ってある！　気をつけろ！」

　背中に少女を隠していた騎士は、そう叫びつつ動いていた。
　包囲の外から、男の一人に斬りかかる。
　エリスは彼女の動きから、その後の黒ずくめたちの動きを正確に予測しつつ、包囲の綻びを見つける。
　勝てる、と確信した。

　それと同時に、一人を切り伏せた。
　残りは二人。

"Those guys have daggers soaked in poison! Be careful!"

The knight protecting the girl had shouted that, whilst moving as well.

A slash from outside the encirclement killed one of the men.

When the woman moved, whilst predicting the movements of the men, Eris found an opening in their encirclement.

'I can win.'

Eris had confidence.

Whilst thinking this, she cut down another man.

There were two left.

「くっ、引くぞ！」

　黒ずくめの一人がそう叫ぶと、
　二人は一瞬で踵を返し、逃走にかかる。
　しかし、エリスは詰めの甘い女ではなかった。
　またたく間に片方に追いつくと、その背中に鋭い斬撃を放つ。
　黒ずくめは上半身と下半身が離れ、臓物を撒き散らしながら倒れた。

　もう一人は背後を見ることなく、平原の彼方へと消えていった。

"Retreat!"

One of the men had yelled this, and in an instant the two had turned around and made to escape.

However, Eris wasn't a naive girl who would relax near the end.

In a flash she had caught up, and slashed into one of their backs.

His upper and lower halves separated, and he fell with his entrails scattering about.


The other man was nowhere to be seen, and had disappeared beyond the plains.

「フンッ！」

　エリスは鼻息を一つ。
　剣についた血糊を、一振りで飛ばす。
　外面はいつも通り。
　しかし、心臓はバクバクと動いていた。

　考えてみれば、人を相手にした実戦は初めてであり、
　人を殺したのも初めてである。
　しかも、相手は毒塗りの短刀を持っていた。
　一撃でも貰えば致命傷となる武器である。
　ルーデウスやルイジェルドといった、背中を守ってくれる人もいない。
　考えなしに飛び出したが、あの女騎士がいなければ、死んでいたかもしれない。

　が、エリスはそんなことをおくびにも出さない。
　剣を鞘へと納刀し、女騎士へと振り返る。

"Hmph!"

Eris snorted.

She sent the blood on her blade flying with a swing. Eris appeared as she usually did. However, her heart was beating loudly.

Thinking about it, it was the first time she had fought a human for real, and it was also the first time she had killed a person. Moreover, the enemy had daggers coated with poison. They were weapons that could cause a fatal wound with just one cut. There wasn't anyone like Rudeus or Ruijeld to protect her back either. Though she had jumped towards them without a thought, had it not been for that female knight, Eris might have died.

However, Eris didn't reveal any of those thoughts. She returned her sword to her scabbard, and turned towards the female knight.

「ごめんなさい。一人逃したわ」

　その言葉に、女騎士はやや呆気に取られた。
　まだ成人もしていないであろう少女が、
　決死の鉄火場を大立ち回りでくぐり抜け、あまりにも平然としていたからだ。

　女騎士はオウムのような兜を脱ぐことなく、腹の当たりに拳を当て、
　ミリス騎士の正式な礼をする。

"Sorry. One of them escaped."

The knight was a little taken aback by those words. After all, though she was a girl who hadn't yet reached adulthood, she had passed through a life or death battle and looked excessively calm.

Without taking off her parrot-like helmet, the knight raised a fist to her abdomen and expressed her thanks in the proper manner for a knight of Miris.

「ご助力を感謝致します」
「子供が無事ならいいわ」

　エリスは返礼せず、
　ルイジェルドの言い方を思い返しつつ、ぶっきらぼうに言った。

"I humbly thank you for your assistance."※

"As long as the child is safe, it's fine."

Without returning the courtesy, Eris remembered Eris' speaking style, and had spoken in a blunt manner.


[※Note: I have no idea how I'm supposed to translate sonkeigo and teneigo lol. How do knights in fantasy novels speak?]

「私は神殿騎士団のテレーズ・ラトレイアと申す者です。
　冒険者とお見受けしますが、名前を伺っても？」
「私はエ……」

　エリスは本名を名乗ろうとして、はたと止まった。
　そうじゃない。
　ルーデウスはそうしていない。

"I am Therese Latreia of the Order of the Temple. I assume you're an adventurer, but could I ask for your name?"

"I'm E-..."

Eris had thought to give her real name, but stopped. That's not it. Rudeus wouldn't have done things like that.

「『デッドエンドのルイジェルド』。こう見えてもスペルド族よ」

　スペルド族というと、テレーズは表情を険しくした。
　エリスは知らない事であるが、神殿騎士団は魔族の排斥を唱っている。
　無論、エリスにスペルド族の特徴はない。
　なので、テレーズも表情を緩めた。

　本名を名乗らず、神殿騎士が快く思わない種族を名乗るということは、
　自分達と、ひいてはこの一件に関して、深く関わりあいになりたくないのだと判断したのだ。
　要人を助けても礼を要求しない。
　その態度を、テレーズは好ましく思った。

"『Ruijeld of Dead End』. Though I look like this, I'm a Supeld."

Hearing 'Supeld', Therese's expression had become stern. Though Eris didn't know it, the Order of the Temple was calling for the expulsion of the Magic Race. Naturally, Eris didn't exhibit the characteristics of a Supeld. That's why Therese's expression loosened.

Because Eris had not given her real name, but the name of a race that the Order of the Temple was not comfortable with, Therese had judged it to be implying that Eris hadn't wanted to become mixed up in this incident any further.

Though she had saved someone of importance, she didn't desire thanks.

Therese had thought well of this attitude.

「そうですか。わかりました……」

　テレーズは腕を組んで睨んで来るエリスの顔をまじまじと見て、覚えた。

　それから、口笛を吹く。
　すると、森の奥から馬が一匹、走ってきた。
　馬車を引き倒された時に逃げ出した馬が、訓練通りに戻ってきたのである。
　彼女は少女を馬に乗せると、自身も飛び乗る。

"Is that so? I understand..."

Therese had taken a long look at Eris, who was staring intensely with her arms crossed, and committed her face to memory.

After that, she whistled. When she did, a single horse came running from inside the forest. The horse which had escaped when the carriage was overturned had returned as practised. She placed the girl on the horse, and got on as well.

「何か困った事があれば、神殿騎士テレーズの名を！」

　テレーズはそう言い残し、馬に乗って走り去る。
　エリスはそれを黙って見送る。

　そして、物陰で腰を抜かしたままで立てない少年は、
　走りゆく馬上の騎士と、それを見送る恐れ知らずの赤毛の剣士を、
　まるでお伽話の一場面であるかのように、ただただ見ているだけだった。

"If you ever have any trouble, remember the name Therese of the Order of the Knights!"※

Therese had left those words, and rode away on the horse. Eris silently saw her off.

Like a scene from a fairy-tale, the mounted knight rode away and was seen off by a fearless, red-haired swordsman. The youth who had been hiding and unable to stand, did nothing except continue to watch them.









[※Note: It's cut off, and I don't read enough fantasy in Japanese to know what's supposed to follow for a knight.
All it says is "When you're troubled, [omitted verb] the name of Therese of the Order of the Temple."
Could be saying to use her name to get out of trouble. Could be asking to come find her. Could be anything. Could be shouting the name at the enemy, really.]

---


　ミリス教団のある司祭が、小人族の女性と恋に落ちた。
　二人の間に生まれた子供が成長し、一人の女性と結婚。
　そうして生まれたのがクリフである。

A certain priest of the Miris religious organisation had fallen in love with a hobbit woman. A child born from the two of them had grown up, and married a woman. And like that, Cliff was born.

　クリフが生まれた頃、その司祭は権力争いの真っ最中であった。
　クリフの両親はそれに巻き込まれ、死亡する。
　司祭は孫であるクリフを権力争いから遠ざけるため、一旦孤児院へと預けた。
　そして、司祭は権力争いに勝利して教皇となり、クリフを迎え入れた。

Around the time of Cliff's birth, that priest had been in the midst of a power struggle. Cliff's parents had been caught up in this and had died. For the sake of keeping his grandchild Cliff away from the power struggle, he was temporarily left in the care of an orphanage. The priest then triumphed in the power struggle and became pope, and welcomed in Cliff.

　つまり、クリフ・グリモルは教皇の孫である。
　もっとも、それを知る者は教団内でも、ごく僅かである。

In other words, Cliff Gurimol was the grandchild of the pope. However, even within the church there were few who knew this.

　そんなクリフは、今回襲撃を受けていたのが誰か、よくわかっている。
　現在進行形で祖父と争っている大司教派の切り札であり、奇跡の力を持つとされる神子だ。
　面識もある。
　そんな子がどうしてあんな所にいたのかは、クリフにもわからない。
　だが、あの黒ずくめの集団はよく知っている。
　クリフを教えていた教師たちだ。
　彼らがそういう仕事を担当しているということを、クリフは知っていた。

Because of that, Cliff knew quite well who the attacked girl was. She was the trumph card of the archbishop who was now competing against his grandfather for power, a shrine maiden who possessed wonderous power. He was even acquainted with her. Cliff didn't know why she was in such a place. However, he knew the black-clothed group quite well. They were the teachers that taught Cliff. Cliff knew that they were in charge of these kinds of jobs.

　そして、彼らの強さも知っていた。
　何度も稽古で相手をした事があるが、
　少なくとも、自分は一度も勝てなかった。

And he also knew of their strength. He had faced them many times in training, but hadn't won even once.

　そんな彼らを、エリスは物ともしなかった。
　実際はギリギリの勝利であったのだが、
　クリフの目には、自分が逆立ちしても勝てない相手を圧倒したと映った。

Those teachers hadn't been a problem for Eris. In reality, she had just barely won, but what was reflected in Cliff's eyes were foes that he couldn't defeat even with all his might being overwhelmed by her.

　気付けば、クリフはエリスを憧れの目で見ていた。

Before he had noticed, Cliff had been looking at Eris with eyes of yearning.

　町に向かって疲れた顔で歩く彼女。
　この人はきっと、すごい人になる。
　そう思うと、こんな言葉があふれていた。

The girl was walking towards town with a tired expression.

'This person will definitely become someone amazing.'

When he thought this, words spilled from his lips.

「エリスさん、結婚してください！」
「えっ、絶対に嫌よ！」

　エリスは即座に嫌そうな顔をつくり、即答した。
　クリフは、この才能あふれる自分の求婚を断るなんてありえないと思った。
　なぜだろうと、考える。
　彼女との本日の会話を鑑みる。

　そう、先生という存在だ。
　彼女は、先生が、先生がと言っていた。
　名前は確か、ル……ル……。

"Eris-san, please marry me!"

"Eh, absolutely not!"

Immediately making displeased expression, Eris rejected him.

Cliff had thought that it was impossible that a proposal from his talented self could be rejected.

'Why?' he wondered.

He considered the conversation he had with her today.

Right, there was the person she had called her teacher.

She had mentioned her teacher again and again.

If he remembered correctly, the name was Ru... Ru...

「ルーデウス」

　その単語を思い出し、口に出してみると、エリスが振り向いた。

"Rudeus."

When he recalled the name and he had tried saying it, Eris had turned to face him.

「ルーデウスというのは、どういう人なんですか？」

　クリフは数分後、質問をした自分を呪うこととなる。

　エリスは無口な子だと思っていたが、そんな事はなかった。
　ルーデウスという人物を語らせれば自分の右に出る者はいないとばかりに、自慢気に話しだした。
　平原から冒険者ギルドに戻るまで、ずっとである。
　しかもその表情はまさに恋する乙女のそれであり、内容は褒め倒しであった。
　クリフを嫉妬させるに十分なものであった。

"What kind of person is the Rudeus that you mentioned?"

A few minutes later, Cliff had begun to absolutely hate himself for having asked that question.

He had thought that Eris was a taciturn girl, but that wasn't the case. When telling stories about Rudeus, as though there were noone better, she continued to boast. From the plains to the Adventurers Guild, she continued to talk. Moreover, the expression she made was undeniably that of a maiden in love, and the contents of her talk were nothing but excessive praise. Cliff had been made more than jealous enough.

「……僕、そろそろ帰りますね」

　クリフは自分でも憮然とした顔をしているのを自覚しながら、エリスにそう言った。
　エリスはまだまだ語り足りないという感じだったが、
　クリフが帰るというと、「あっそ」という感じで手を振った。

"...It's about time I head home."

While aware that he was making a discouraged expression, he had said that to Eris. Though it seemed as though Eris felt that she hadn't talked nearly enough, when Cliff said he was going home she simply waved her hand without concern for him.

「じゃあね」

　そのそっけない態度は、先ほど熱烈に一人の人物を語っていたとは思えないものであった。
　クリフは、その背中が見えなくなるまで、無言で見送った。

　この強くて美しくて完璧なエリスをここまで骨抜きにさせたルーデウスという男。
　クリフはまだ見ぬルーデウスのことを思い浮かべながら教団へと戻り、探していた人々にお叱りを受ける。

　そして、今回の一件により教団内の権力闘争が激化、
　クリフがミリシオンにいることを危険と考えた教皇が孫を別の国へと移すのだが、それはエリスとはまったく関係のない話である。

"Bye then."

That curt attitude seemed like a completely different person from the one who had been passionately talking just a little earlier. Until he could no longer see her figure, Cliff wordlessly saw her off.

The man named Rudeus who had softened the strong, beautiful and perfect Eris to this extent...

Thoughts of the as of yet unseen Rudeus had come to Cliff's mind as he returned home to the church. After that, he was scolded by those who had been looking for him.

Because of the incident this time, the power struggles within the religious organisation intensified, and because the Pope had considered that Mirishion was too dangerous for cliff, he sent his grandchild to another country but... that was something completely unrelated to Eris.


---


　ちなみに、エリスはというと、
　宿に帰りついて落ち込んだルーデウスを見た瞬間、
　今回の事を記憶の片隅へとやって忘れてしまうのだが、
　それはまた、別の話である。

By the way, speaking of Eris...

When she had returned to the inn, the instant she saw the depressed Rudeus, the memories of this time's events were pushed into the recesses of her mind and she ended up completely forgetting. However, that's another story.