第十一章：教皇暗殺編「１４７．邂逅」 (Pixiv Fanbox)

※The English version is also below. ※글자수 제한으로 한국어 번역은 별도 페이지입니다. 　準備は着々と進み、あっという間に教皇様が到着する日を迎えた。 　空は清々しく晴れ、太陽も柔らかな光を地上に注いでいる。 　クレア様を始めとする帝都での警備担当は、教皇様を迎えるために帝都西の門まで来ていた。 　リリィ様は別の仕事があるらしく、この場にはいない。 　他には出迎えの側のユー様やミシャ、リーシェ様の姿もある。 「遅いですわね……」 　クレア様がぼやくように、教皇様の到着はもう一時間近く遅れている。 　二十一世紀の日本のように、分刻みのスケジューリングではないとはいえ、そろそろ何かあったのではないかと心配になる遅れだ。 「心配ですか？」 「当たり前ですわよ。教皇様にはあんさ……こほん、例の噂があるでしょう？」 　暗殺という単語を言いかけたクレア様は、とっさにそれを誤魔化した。 　警備担当の間では既に共有されている事柄だが、人目のあるここでそれを口にするのはあまりよろしくない。 「案外、行きがけに寝坊したとかかもしれませんよ」 「レイじゃないのですから、教皇様がそんなドジをするわけありませんわよ」 　クレア様はまだカリカリしている様子だ。 「酷い。いつも早起きしてご飯の用意しているのに」 　私は顔を覆って泣く真似をした。 「ちょ、ちょっと。いえ、申し訳ありませんでしたわ、レイ。あなたにはいつも感謝しております。今のは失言でしたわ。撤回して謝罪致します。ですから、泣き止んで――」 「いいえ、傷つきました！　クレア様がキスしてくれるまで泣き止みません！」 　私はよよよと泣き真似を続ける。 「ば、バカを仰い。家の中ならともかく、人目のあるところでキスはしないとあれほど」 「いーやーでーすー！　ちゅうしてくれなきゃ許しませーん」 　ひたすら駄々をこねてみたのだが、 「……レイ。あなた本当は泣いてないでしょう」 　あ、クレア様の目が据わった。 「てへ」 「てへ、じゃありませんわよ。何をふざけていますの。今は大事な仕事中ですわよ」 「大事な仕事中だからこそ、です。クレア様」 　私はおどけるのをやめて言った。 「楽観的過ぎるのも考え物ですが、悲観的になり過ぎるのもいけません。昔、何かの本で読んだのですが、こういう時は最悪の事態を想定しつつ、楽観的に行動するのがコツだそうですよ」 「簡単そうで難しいことですわね……」 　クレア様は続ける。 「では、考えてみますわ。現状で言う最悪の事態というのは？」 「教皇様が既に亡き者にされている、でしょうか」 「その上で楽観的に行動すると？」 「誰かに様子を見に行かせるとか」 　などと私たちが話し合っていると、 「伝令！　教皇様ご一行が魔物の群れに襲われております！　至急援軍を！」 　私たちの間に緊張が走った。 「敵の規模は！？」 　クレア様が鋭く尋ねる。 「脅威度中程度の魔物が十ほどです！」 「警備部隊一番から三番までを援軍として派遣します。残りは門を守りなさい」 　クレア様の指示の下、援軍が編成されていく。 「あなたも行って下さる、レイ？」 「ご下命とあらば」 「お願いしますわ」 「はい」 　私は援軍に同行することになった。 　援軍の内訳は帝国内の教会が有する僧兵たち五十名ほどと、帝国兵百人ほど。 　バウアーからの留学生は、私を除き今回はお留守番である。 　風魔法の使い手が援軍全体に行軍速度上昇を掛け、凄まじいスピードで街道を駆けていく。 「見えたぞ！」 　先頭を行く誰かが声を上げた。 　教皇様の一行は魔物に包囲されていた。 　方陣を組んで、なんとか耐え忍んでいるような状況のようである。 「かかれ！」 　援軍の責任者が部隊に指示を飛ばす。 　魔法使いがほとんどの部隊だが、中には剣を使う者もいるようだった。 　白兵戦を挑む者たちを前衛に、後衛となる魔法使いたちから魔力弾が放たれる。 　目の前の敵に集中していたらしい魔物達は、背後からの強襲に反応が遅れた。 　全体の三割ほどが倒れる。 「畳みかけるぞ！」 　教皇様の護衛兵たちと一緒に挟撃する形になった。 　魔物はみるみる数を減らしていく。 「た、助かった……」 　最後の一匹を打ち倒したところで、護衛兵が安堵の声を漏らすのが聞こえた。 　しかし、 「まだです！」 　その後ろに忍び寄る黒い影に向かって、私は氷の矢を放った。 「けっ……、勘の良いヤツがいるな」 　空に飛び上がって私の攻撃をかわしたその黒い影には、背中に大きな翼があった。 「魔族だと！？」 「人間どもが俺様をどう呼ぼうが構わんが、俺様にはプラトーって名前があんだよ。覚えておきな」 「プラトー！？　三大魔公の一人じゃないか！」 　アリストとは違い服というよりは獣の皮を巻き付けただけの格好をしたその魔族は、どうやら件の三大魔公の一人らしい。 　口調といい雰囲気といい、アリストよりも随分と粗雑な感じだ。 　滅多に遭遇しないと聞いていたのに、連戦じゃないか。 「さあて、俺様の力を見ろ！　そして死ねぇ！」 　プラトーは棍棒のような得物を振りかぶると、それを地面に叩きつけた。 　地面が波打ち、人間側の全員が尻餅をつき、一瞬行動不能になる。 「くらいやがれぇ！」 　プラトーが手を上に上げると、地面から錐状の石が突き立った。 　地の中級魔法アーススパイクだが、数が異常である。 　プラトーが起呪したアーススパイクの数は、全部で百は下らない。 「マディーソイル！」 　石の錐が全員を貫くまでの僅かな時間を縫って、私はその土魔法を柔らかい泥へと変化させた。 　百を超えるアーススパイクを上書きするのは、いくら高い私の魔法適性でもしんどかったが、あのままでは全滅させられていた。 「やるじゃねぇか。そうか、てめぇがレイ＝テイラーだな？　アリストの野郎が討ち漏らしたヤツか」 　魔力の急激な消耗を感じていると、プラトーが私に目をつけたようだった。 　まずい。 「アリストの野郎はきっと余裕ぶっこいて下手を打ったんだろうが、俺様はそうはいかねぇぞ。きっちり殺してやるからな」 　プラトーは棍棒を構えると、それを振りかぶりながらこちらに突進してきた。 　早い！ 「させるか！」 　警備兵の内何人かがプラトーの進路上に立ちはだかって槍を構え、剣を振り、魔法を放った。 「しゃらくせぇ！」 　しかし、プラトーはその全てを受けきり、立ち塞がる兵士達をものともせず跳ね飛ばしていく。 「おら、殺（と）ったぁー！」 　目前へと迫ったプラトーは勝利を確信した笑みで、私に棍棒を振り下ろした。 「ジュデッカ！」 　プラトーが棍棒を振り下ろそうとしたその姿のまま氷漬けになった。 「アーススパイク！」 　そこにプラトー自身も使ったアーススパイクが突き上がり、プラトーを粉々にしようとする。 　私の十八番、連続魔法コキュートスである。 「っぶねぇ」 　しかし、アーススパイクが届く前に、プラトーは氷結状態から脱した。 　力業で氷を振り砕くと、羽根を使って空へと逃れる。 「俺様としたことが……油断はしねぇって言ったそばからこれかよ。人間ってヤツは怖ぇなあ、全く」 　プラトーはホバリングしたままこちらを睨みつけている。 「でもまあ、そろそろ限界じゃねぇの？　人間は魔族と違って魔力容量が小せぇからなあ。あんだけの魔法を連発すりゃあ、そろそろ魔力もすっからかんだろ？」 　悔しいが、プラトーの言うことは正しい。 　百を越える魔法の同時起動、敵対魔法の強制上書き、上級魔術の二連発と、私は立て続けに魔力を失っていた。 　完全にゼロではないものの、ヤツにダメージを与えられそうな魔法となると、あと一発か二発撃てれば良い方だ。 　これはまずい。 　私が撤退を考え始めたその時、戦場に響く厳かな声があった。 「満ちよ」 　辺りが光に包まれた。 　その光はまるで質量があるかのようにふんわりと柔らかく、触れた場所から力がみなぎって来る。 　倒れていた兵士達が次々と起き上がった。 　私も、尽きかけていた魔力が全快していることに気づいた。 「教皇様の祝福である！　皆の者、我らに敗北はない！　魔族を討ち取れ！」 　教皇様の輿の近くにいた聖職者とおぼしき人が声を上げた。 　同時に、護衛や僧兵、兵士達が雄叫びを上げる。 　今のは……範囲回復？ 　それも魔力まで？ 「ちっ……、殺しきれなかったか。まあいい、今日は挨拶みてぇなもんだしな。あばよ」 　こちらが体勢を立て直したのを見るやいなや、プラトーはあっさりと踵を返した。 「逃げるの？」 「へっ、やっすい挑発だなあ、おい？　生意気な口は、俺様と互角に戦えるようになってから叩きやがれ」 　このまま倒してしまいたかったが、プラトーはどうやら挑発には応じてくれないらしい。 　嘲るように吐き捨てて、東の空へと帰って行く。 「今のは教皇様のお力か……？」 「奇跡だ……」 　兵士達が口々に教皇様を褒め称える。 　当然だろう。 　危うく全滅させられる所だったのだから。 　窮地を救った教皇様のあの魔法は、兵士達に絶大な影響を与えたようだ。 「レイ＝テイラー、こちらへ」 　先ほど兵士達を鼓舞する声を上げた聖職者の人が、私を手招きした。 　私はなんの用だろう、と首をひねったが、とりあえず招きに応じた。 「時間を稼いでくれて助かりました。教皇様のあの魔法は効果は大きいですが、発動までに時間がかかるのです」 　そう言って、聖職者さん――どこかで見覚えがある――は私の労を労ってくれた。 「いえ、こちらこそ助かりました。凄いですね、教皇様の魔法は」 「――そうでもありません」 　その声は、輿の中から聞こえた。 「きょ、教皇様！？」 「いいのです、ローナ司教。いずれにせよ、私は彼女と顔を合わさねばならないのですから」 　輿の御簾が上げられた。 　そこには、私にそっくりの、しかし雰囲気が決定的に違う少女がいた。 「初めまして、レイ＝テイラー。私が教皇です」 　表情をぴくりとも変えず驚くほど平坦な声で、その少女は自らがクラリス＝レペテ三世だと名乗ったのだった。 *Translation below was made possible with the help of Angela. Thanks, Angela. 147. A Chace Encounter Our preparations had been going smoothly, and in the blink of an eye, the day of the Pope’s arrival soon came. The air was refreshing, the sky was clear, and the sun was shining its bright and warm rays against the earth. The security officers, including Claire-sama, had gathered around the gate towards the west side of the Imperial City to welcome the Pope. Lily-sama seemed to be preoccupied with another task, so she was elsewhere. Yuu-sama and Misha were among the others that came to do the welcoming as well. “She’s running quite late……” Claire-sama murmured, as the Pope was close to being an hour late now. Just like in 21st century Japan, it wasn’t as if we had scheduled everything down to every minute, but with the amount of time that had already passed, it was getting to the point where we were concerned that something may have happened. “Are you worried?” “Of course I am. There are rumors of somebody wanting to assassi…… ahem, I mean, there are certain rumors regarding the Pope floating around, right?” Although Claire-sama had intended to say “assassinate”, she quickly corrected herself. Even though the other security officers were already aware of the circumstances, it still wasn’t a good idea to say something that would attract too much unwanted attention. “There’s a chance that she might’ve just slept in.” “She isn’t you, Rei. The Pope would never do something so clumsy.” Claire-sama still appeared to be in an irritable mood. “How cruel. Even though I always wake up so early in the mornings to prepare our meals.” I covered my face as I pretended to cry. “W-Wait, no, I’m sorry, Rei. I am always grateful for everything that you do. What I said just now was a slip of the tongue. I take back everything I said and I apologize. So please don’t cry anymore――” “No, that hurt my feelings! I won’t stop crying until Claire-sama gives me a kiss!” I continued to pretend that I was sobbing. “W-What are you saying? It’s one thing if we were at home, but I can’t just kiss you when we’re surrounded by so many people.” “Iーdon’tーcareー! Until you give me a kiss, I won’t forgive youuu~” Just when I was starting to get invested in my little temper tantrum act, “...... Rei. You’re not actually crying, are you?” Ah, Claire-sama’s eyes were laser focused on me. “Tee-hee.” “Don’t just brush it off with a ‘tee-hee’. What are you even doing, fooling around like this? We’re in the middle of an important job right now.” “I’m doing it precisely because we’re in the middle of an important job, Claire-sama.” I said after dropping the act. “Maybe being too optimistic is a bit questionable, but at the very least, we can’t allow ourselves to be too pessimistic. This is something I read in a book once, but situations like this where you can’t help but assume the worst, the trick is to act positively anyway.” “That’s easier said than done, though……” Claire-sama continued. “Well then, let’s think about it for a bit. What would be considered the worst case scenario right now?” “Probably learning that the Pope has already passed away.” “On that note, what is the most optimistic course of action we can take?” “We could send somebody to check up on her.” Right as we were in the middle of our conversation, “This is urgent! The Pope and her party are currently being ambushed by a swarm of monsters! They require emergency reinforcements!” Suddenly, the atmosphere became strained. “How big are the enemy’s numbers!?” Claire-sama asked sharply. “There are around ten monsters at a medium threat level!” “Let’s send out units one through three from our security force as reinforcements. The rest shall stay here to guard the gate.” The reinforcements were organized at Claire-sama’s instructions. “Could you go with them as well, Rei?” “If those are your orders.” “Please do.” “Okay.” I went to go accompany the reinforcements. The group consisted of roughly around fifty monks that belonged to the Empire’s churches, and approximately a hundred Imperial soldiers. With the exception of myself, the rest of the exchange students from Bauer were left behind to keep watch. With the boost that our wind magic users applied to our entire group of reinforcements, we were able to rush through the roads at tremendously high speeds. “I see them!” Somebody from our group called out. The Pope’s party was surrounded by monsters. It seemed like they were struggling to endure their current situation in their phalanx formation. “Charge!” The officers of our reinforcement group sent out orders to each unit. Although magic users made up a majority of the units, it seemed that there were some people that could wield a sword. Those who were able to contest in melee combat were in the frontline, while the magic users fired magical bullets from the backline. The monsters appeared to be so focused on the enemies in front of them that they were too slow to react to the assault coming from behind them. Approximately thirty percent of the monsters were defeated. “Let’s follow up on that!” The escort guards that accompanied the Pope moved in to form a pincer attack. The monsters were being destroyed at a rapid rate. “W-We’re saved……” Once the last one was taken down, the escort guards were heard breathing sighs of relief. However, “Not yet!” Sensing that there was a dark shadow creeping up towards the guard from behind, I shot an ice arrow in that direction. “Tch…… Looks like there’s someone that’s got good intuition here.” The dark shadow that dodged my attack was flying in the sky using the large wings on its back. “A demon!?” “I don’t care what you humans call me, but my name is Plato. Remember it.” “Plato!? Isn’t he one of the Three Great Archdukes!?” Unlike Arist, the demon appeared to be covered in beast hide instead of clothing, and it seemed that he was one of the Three Great Archdukes. Whether it was his tone or the air he gave off, he seemed to be much more crude than Arist. I’d heard that it was rare to encounter any demons, but wasn’t this already considered a string of battles by now? “Now then, witness my power! And then die!” Plato waved his club-like weapon around before slamming it against the ground. The earth undulated, causing all of us humans to fall on our bottoms, which rendered us useless for a moment. “Eat this!” As Plato raised his hand in the air, drill-shaped stones protruded from the ground. What he used was Earth Spike, a medium level earth magic spell; however, the number of spikes that were created was abnormally high. The number of Plato’s incredibly twisted Earth Spikes totalled to more than a hundred. “Muddy Soil!” In the short amount of time before the drill-shaped stones could pierce anybody, I quickly casted a spell that converted his earth magic into soft mud. No matter how high my magical aptitude was, having to convert over a hundred earth spikes was no easy feat, but I still managed to destroy all of them. “Well, aren’t you something else? I see, you must be Rei Taylor, right? You’re one of those kids that Arist allowed to escape.” As I suddenly felt the effects of using up all of my magic energy kicking in, Plato seemed to have his gaze fixed on me. This is bad. “That bastard Arist probably got caught off his guard or something and failed to finish the job, but I’m not gonna make the same mistake. I’ll be very sure to kill you properly.” Plato picked his club back up, and as he swung it, he suddenly rushed towards us. He’s fast! “We won’t let you!” There were a number of guards that stood tall in Plato’s way, bracing themselves with their spears, brandishing their swords and casting their magic. “How cheeky!” However, Plato plowed through everything, and before they could even react, he sent every single one of the soldiers that blocked his way flying. “I’ve got you now!” Plato, who was right before my very eyes, wore a confident smile on his face like he’d already won the battle, and swung his club at me. “Judecca!” I managed to freeze Plato while he was mid-swing with his club. “Earth Spike!” Like Plato did before, I casted my Earth Spikes, in hopes of being able to shatter him into pieces. I followed up with my favorite spell, Cocytus. “Damn, that’s dangerous.” However, before the Earth Spikes could land a hit on him, Plato managed to escape from the ice. After he brute forced his way out, he used his wings to fly into the sky. “Would you look at that…… Right after I pointed out that I wouldn’t let my guard down too. Humans are a pretty scary bunch after all, geez.” Plato shot a glare towards us while he was still hovering in the air. “But, you know, aren’t you close to your limit now? Unlike demons, you humans have such a tiny magical capacity, after all. After using all of that magic in succession, you probably don’t have that much left in you, right?” Unfortunately, Plato was right. After casting over a hundred spells at once, being forced to dispel his attacks and using two advanced level magic, my magical energy had been exhausted. I wasn’t completely drained yet, but I could probably only fit in one or two attacks at most that would do any sort of damage to him. This is bad. Right when I started thinking of ways to withdraw, a majestic voice resounded in the battlefield. “Be filled with light.” The area was wrapped with light. As if it had mass, the light felt warm and soft to the touch, and like a surge of power had just run through. The fallen soldiers were rising one after the other. Even I could feel that my magical energy had completely recovered. “This is the Pope’s blessing! Everybody, we will not be defeated here! Let us take the victory from the demons!” Somebody who appeared to be a priest called out from right next to where the Pope’s portable shrine stood. At the same time, the escort guards, monks and soldiers all let out a war cry. Was this…… a ranged healing ability? Is this even magic? “Tch…… I wasn’t able to kill you off, huh. Well, whatever, I was only here to say hello anyway. Farewell.” After seeing us make a full recovery, Plato quickly turned his heel and escaped. “Are you running away?” “Heh, you tryna make a cheap provocation there? Instead of running your mouth, I’d like to hear you try and say that once you can actually fight me on equal footing.” I wanted to defeat him right now, but Plato didn’t fall for my provocation. After spitting out a scoff, he retreated and flew towards the east. “Was that the Pope’s power just now……?” “It’s a miracle……” The soldiers were overflowing with praise for the Pope. Well, that was to be expected. Especially since we were in a position where we were close to being completely annihilated. The Pope’s magic saved us from total defeat and left a tremendous impact on the soldiers. “Rei Taylor, please come over here.” The priest that filled the soldiers with encouragement called for me. I tilted my head in confusion, unsure of what they wanted from me, but for the time being, I did as I was told. “Thank you for buying us all of that time. The Pope’s magic can cover a large radius, but it takes quite a bit of time just to charge it up.” The priest―― who sort of looked familiar somehow―― praised me for my hard work. “No, if anything, we were the ones who were saved. The Pope’s magic is really amazing, isn’t it?” “―― That isn’t true.” The voice was heard from inside of the portable shrine. “Y-Your Holiness!?” “It’s fine, Bishop Lorna. I will have to show my face to her eventually either way.” The curtain from the portable shrine was raised. A girl whose face was exactly like mine, although the air she gave off was completely different, emerged. “Nice to meet you, Rei Taylor. I am the Pope.” With an unchanging expression and a surprisingly flat voice, the girl claimed to go by the name of Claris Répète III.