“W-W-Wait a moment! If you say ruler, isn’t that the human country’s boss? It isn’t that simple for us beastmen to do that!” (Helen)
“H-Helen, what do we do…?” (Reni)
Ignoring the bewildered pair, Hifumi considered the movements from here on out.
“I want a little bit more numbers.” (Hifumi)
“If that’s the case, there’s a great place for that ~ssu.” (Gengu)
The dogman Gengu, who caught Hifumi’s murmur, got close to Hifumi while sliding.
“In the outskirts of this city there’s a place commonly referred to as slums ~ssu. There’s a rumour that there are quite a few beastmen, who were thrown away by the humans, there ~ssu.” (Gengu)
“Slums? I see.” (Hifumi)
“But, as it seems that many of them are injured as well, it’s uncertain whether they will be usable or not…” (Gengu)
“There’s no need to worry about that.” (Hifumi)
While looking at Gengu, Hifumi spinned around a suntetsu in his hand and thrust it in front of Gengu’s eyeball within an instant.
Gengu had confidence in his eyesight, but he was shocked due to his inability to follow that motion.
“If they have at least a single hand, they will also be able to kill a person depending on the way of doing it. Including you guys as well, the problem is that it’s “unknown” to you. After I teach you that, I will have you execute it for your dear life.” (Hifumi)
“I’m no match for you”, Gengu prostrated himself in front of Hifumi once again.
(Now then, with this I gathered the pieces, huh? The troublesome aspect of the jindori game is that I won’t be able to play it by myself.) (Hifumi)
It will be fine if the opponent will eagerly fight to the utmost, at least in the future, though, Hifumi bit off a clump of the meat left while having a faint anticipation in his chest.
☺☻☺
Salgu failed to convince the beastmen of the slum, but that didn’t mean that he had already given up.
As result of thinking won’t they also change their way of thinking if our companions increase and if they get to know that it’s possible to oppose the humans, Salgu entered the area inhibited by humans to show his own strength.
Aiming to act at night, he confirms the houses and stores of many humans.
He creeped into the places where the owners had fallen asleep, in particular those which are employing beastmen slaves, and took out the beastmen slaves.
With the first night not going well, on the second night it’s one, on the third it’s four and on the fourth night it is five beastmen. The numbers taken out are increasing well. Shattering the poor quality chains, he gives them their freedom.
He leads the released slaves to the slums in order to take them all to the wastelands in one go.
Even so, Salgu’s plan failed at an unexpected place.
“I don’t want to return to the wastelands.”
A single slave refused the escape and opted to remain in the slums.
“Why? Don’t you miss the freedom?” (Salgu)
“Did you know how difficult that freedom is? I felt angry in the beginning to have been bought by humans. But I don’t have to even worry about aiming for a life different from the wastelands in the city. It’s a life with no hardships and food being prepared for you, too.”
Salgu was shocked hearing this argument.
Afterwards, some people of those, he planned to free, returned to the human houses, they had originally been at, and the remaining ones stayed in the slums.
Not a single one of them told him that they wanted to return to the wastelands.
“What’s this about!? We survived by hunting in the wastelands! We freely lived in the wastelands, that are spreading in all directions!” (Salgu)
After getting impatient as it’s not going well, Salgu’s words are gradually becoming rude.
“Well, that’s for someone as strong as you are. Young tiger beastmen and cunning wildlife people might not have been scared. But, we were already fed up with surviving in fright at a place, which is dangerous to our lives.”
The dog beastman, who called out to him previously as well, looked at Salgu and laughed.
“Didn’t I tell you? He is a reckless guy. Without looking at reality, he forces his own egoistical justice onto others. It’s simply annoying.”
“Get out of the slums”, is what the cold-hearted dog beastmen told him and the other beastmen also nodded in order to agree with his opinion.
“Such a… damn!” (Salgu)
Once Salgu gives the beastmen of the slums a glance, he leaves the slums at a quick pace.
“Why did something like this happen…? It’s the humans, eh? The beastmen were corrupted by humans and lost their freedom…?” (Salgu)
In the eyes of Salgu, who has been clenching his fists to the degree of blood coming out, the colour of insanity definitely began to manifest itself.
Chapter 92: Night Of The Hunter
The characters, written on the lithograph handed over by Prime Minister Adol, although old, were something Imeraria, who received education as royalty, was able to read to some extent.
“This is…” (Imeraria)
The details, which were written down there, evidently isn’t a spell formula for the sake of sending back. Having finished to read it, Imeraria wasn’t able to conceal her unrest due to the words mentioned at its end.
“Sealing spell formula…” (Imeraria)
If a magician with ability uses it, they will likely be able to seal even mighty monsters and powerful wizards, is what is written there. We pray that the day, where it will be necessary to use a spell to perform such a strong seal, won’t come, are the words finishing the record.
“Adol-san, what’s this about? This isn’t a return spell formula. You said, during the talk with Origa-san, that you have been searching for a return spell, haven’t you?” (Imeraria)
“Indeed. But I still haven’t found that spell yet.” (Adol)
“Then showing me this sealing magic lithograph… what the heck are you planning?” (Imeraria)
Once Imeraria looks at Adol as if examining him carefully, his lips stiffened into a thin line.
“… Everything is for the sake of this country, Orsongrande.” (Adol)
“For the time being I shall hear out your opinion.” (Imeraria)
“Thank you very much.” (Adol)
Bent on his knees, Adol talks with a stance of having his head lowered.
“At this moment our country’s situation is stable. I guess it’s in a state with no issues, you might even say it’s doing well. You, Your Majesty, were enthroned, the economy has stabilized and even the populace has calmed down, that’s what I’m observing. As long as you don’t think about the cause for this either, a large part of it will be on account of Earl Tohno.” (Adol)
Even Imeraria frankly consented to the story this far. As there was interference from Vichy regardless of Hifumi’s existence, it was an exceedingly great merit for the country that the conflicts with the other countries settled with Orsongrande’s complete predominance.
“However, for the future country Earl Tohno will change into a huge burden. He became a hero for this country, but if his territory continues to grow, the positions of the country and Fokalore will likely reverse in the near future. No, if you talk about the aspect of the trust by his people and the engineering, you could already say that Fokalore’s evaluation has surpassed the capital’s.” (Adol)
“While that may be true, as reason for rejecting Hifumi-sama…” (Imeraria)
“Your Majesty, the Queen.” (Adol)
With the knowledge of his impoliteness, Adol lifted his head and interrupted Imeraria.
“Everything is moving with Earl Tohno at the core. Although it’s an unbelievable story, I’m told that the basis of Fokalore’s commerce and industry has been handled with Earl Tohno’s views as foundation. His ability isn’t only that of doing battle.” (Adol)
/>
“… Please, let me think about it for a bit. I’m deeply aware that I’m bearing the responsibility for this country’s fate. But, as for immediately accepting your arguments, it’s not like I have been able put my feelings about what happened to Pajou’s body in order yet.” (Imeraria)
Imeraria, who had cast down her eyes, slowly sighed as if adjusting her breathing.
“That was completely my error. Underestimating Hifumi-sama’s combat prowess, I belittled his intelligence. The one who stole her life was no one else but me.” (Imeraria)
“Your Majesty. Including me, all of your retainers are serving to follow Your Majesty’s heart’s desires. Please, don’t use words of repentance towards Knight Pajou. She acted on behalf of Your Majesty.” (Adol)
Barely keeping back her tears, Imeraria decided to look after the sealing spell and closed the meeting with Adol.
On the verge of leaving the room, Adol said at the last moment 「This is something for the sake of having him leave as hero without needing to kill him. Please, think well about it」. Those words were burned into her mind.
☺☻☺
It was several days after he bought the beastmen slaves when Hifumi appeared at the slums. Without taking Reni and Helen along, he has only brought the dogman, Gengu, for guidance with him.
“If it’s at the location I was told about before, the place called slums should be ahead from here.” (Gengu)
The direction indicated by Gengu, was a path with a shabby atmosphere having accumulated remains of buildings and trash continuing into a narrow back alley.
“I previously came to a place with such feeling as well. Well then, let’s go.” (Hifumi)
“Please wait! If a human suddenly entered there, what kind of experience will they…” (Gengu)
Ignoring Gengu, who tries to stop him, Hifumi quickly enters the slums’ interior.
Giving up his persuasion, Gengo followed Hifumi’s back in a hurry, too.
Once they exit the narrow alley, they arrive at a residential area with buildings lining up, although the collapsed buildings are standing out. Sensing signs of someone living there from several buildings, Hifumi, who guessed that they were turning their sights this way, aimlessly walks around while tapping the hilt of the katana, worn at his waist, with his finger.
“Every last of them doesn’t come out and merely peeks this way from within the buildings.” (Hifumi)
“They are probably cautious. It’s likely not unusual for humans to come here to catch beastmen.” (Gengu)
“But, it’s just one human with only a single beastmen”, Hifumi says. Probably thinking that they would be easy opponents, it didn’t take much time for several beastmen to appear and surround Hifumi.
By the looks they have assembled a clique of various tribes such as leopards and bears. From Hifumi’s point of view, it’s pleasing with a zoo-like feel.
“I dun’ know why ya came here by yerself, human, but we ain’t do anythin’ bad ta ya, if ya leave yer cash and go.”
A leopard beastman, who lost one arm, brings its face close to Hifumi with a questionable attitude making it uncertain whether they are threatening or persuading him.
“Your breath stinks.” (Hifumi)
Hifumi sent the leopard beastman flying with a frontal kick.
The leopard beastman, who flew drawing a parabola without time to react, broke through a tattered house.
Did the wall act as cushion? Apparently avoiding to faint, the beastman unsteadily stood up and and grasped its belly.
“Bastard!”
“P-Please wait!” (Gengu)
Gengu rushed out in front of an enraged bear beastman.
“This person is someone, who will become a hope for us beastmen! Please listen to him even if it’s only for the story.” (Gengu)
“Hope, you say?”
“You will likely understand once you look at my clothes. Those, who became slaves of humans, won’t be able to wear such nice clothes, will they!?” (Gengu)
“Why are you doing something like being an ally of a human!?”
Disregarding the mutual dispute between Gengu and the slums’ beastmen, Hifumi approached the leopard beastmen, he sent flying.
“Do you still want to continue? If you do, I will kill you.” (Hifumi)
“… I give up. Life is precious.”
Leaving alone the leopard, who was hanging his head, Hifumi turned around.
“It looks like this guy has given up. Is there anyone else, who wants to pick a fight with me?” (Hifumi)
As it seemed that the leopard beastman was an existence similar to a powerful troubleshooter among the beastmen of the slums, there wasn’t anyone answering Hifumi’s call.
Sighing due to being very disappointed, Hifumi sat down on a fitting debris.
“Have the beastmen of this slum gather here.” (Hifumi)
“W-What the hell are you planning?”
Due to the leopard beastman’s question, Hifumi pointed his finger and answered,
“We will build your guys’ city in these slums.” (Hifumi)
The beastmen, who heard Hifumi’s words, opened their mouths dumbfoundedly.
Only Gengu surveyed the surroundings keeping up his smile.
“No matter how many times I hear it, it’s an interesting dream. I want to do it in one shot, too.” (Gengu)
☺☻☺
During the time Hifumi has gone out to the slums, Reni, Helen and the other beastmen, who were left behind, stayed at the inn.
Be that as it may, that doesn’t mean they spent their time care-freely.
“T-To suffer such a…” (Helen)
It is Helen prostrating herself at a table in corner of the dining room set as reserved.
In front of her is a book made out of fine quality paper. Next to it there is a messy handwriting lining up on a separate parchment.
Reni was earnestly grasping a pen and studying besides Helen.
“Reni, what are you doing as if your life depended on it? It’s not what that human told you. Even among humans there are plenty, who don’t study.” (Helen)
“But, Hifumi-san said that I won’t be able to start looking like a ruler, if I don’t study…” (Reni)
“… Has he really said that?” (Helen)
“Yeah.” (Reni)
Helen, who made an expression as if being astounded, stares directly at Reni.
“What to say… humans are still a bit scary, but doing various things such as tasks, writing and thinking, such things didn’t exist in the wastelands, right? You can even say that about this studying. Writing down many things I don’t know, it has reached the point that I’m steadily comprehending things I didn’t understand.” (Reni)
Reni put down the pen and grabbed Helen’s hands.
“Don’t you think it’s interesting? And, Hifumi-san said that he will build the first city of the beastmen race. It will be a city, won’t it? It will have various stores like the human city and beastmen of various tribes will work on things, they like and are strong at.” (Reni)
“Well that’s… if it’s going to be like that, it will be fun, I guess, but…” (Helen)
When Helen casts down her eyes at the textbook, there are the official characters and vocabulary lined up in a row. Although she somehow memorized the way of reading those, it was still far too difficult for her to write words.
Summoned Slaughterer - Book 5 Page 18