Summoned Slaughterer - Book 2

by Ido Masayoshi

  “That gentleman is the hero of this country now. Receiving him coldly will provoke the masses into a revolt. Besides, while the trouble with Vichy is taking place, his strength will be essential in order to settle it.” (Imeria)

  “Something like the opinion of the masses, to say nothing about the fact that we are nobles, there is no need for Her Highness the Princess who is of royalty to do them any favors.” (Debordo)

  Is that guy really saying this? Imeria thought.

  Viscount Munzer is truly fortunate that Debordo isn’t the eldest son.

  The eldest son, who was a stepchild, was the type who handled everything flawlessly without standing out while doing so.

  Debordo’s tongue is often moving. (T/N: He talks/boasts about himself too much as proverb, I guess.)

  “Please leave the matter of Vichy to me, then such things like a war will be finished in no time for certain.” (Debordo)

  Debordo’s intentions are easy to understand. Imeria judged.

  Resolving the friction with Vichy, which was caused by Hifumi’s actions to begin with, he was intending to ask for Imeria’s hand in marriage as reward for such an achievement.

  His biggest rival, the eldest son of the Marquis Lagrain household, had died. Apparently he considered himself “on his own accord” to be the strongest candidate.

  “Well then, let’s leave this duty to him.” (-)

  It wasn’t Imeria who called out to Debordo.

  It was Hifumi, who came and entered the office performing an unnatural bow while smiling with a broad grin.

  “You bastard, who do you think you are! Currently I am about to be appointed to an important mission by Her Highness the Princess!” (Debordo)

  Debordo, who advanced matters arbitrarily, shouted, causing Imeria to sigh now.

  In spite of blaming Hifumi earlier, he didn’t even know the face of his opponent.

  “It is the Hifumi from the topic just now. Leaving that aside, Imeria.” (Hifumi)

  “What is it?” (Imeria)

  “I dare say that this guy’s suggestion is a rather nice idea, don’t you think?” (Hifumi)

  “B-Bastard! How dare you to speak like this to Her Highness the Princess!” (Debordo)

  Being disgraced for not having known Hifumi’s face, Debordo, who turned red from the neck upwards due to anger, raised his voice loudly and tried to thrust Hifumi away. But the power he used to push the shoulder was used upon himself in return and he ended up falling to the floor.

  “What a rude behaviour towards a marquis!” (Debordo)

  “What are you talking about when you fell on your own? Furthermore, since you aren’t the successor, you shouldn’t use the name of the Marquis household either.” (Hifumi)

  “Gu gu” (Debordo) (E: Nonsensical stuttering)

  Finally reaching the limit of her patience, Imeria interjected before Debordo, whose dark red blood rose to his head, was able to spat out his next words.

  “Munzer, right now Hifumi-sama and I are talking. Restrain yourself.” (Imeria)

  “B-Bu-But …” (Debordo)

  “I won’t repeat myself.” (Imeria)

  Having been told quite clearly, Debordo left the office while glaring at Hifumi as if he could kill him with no more than that.

  “So, what kind of business do you have with me, Hifumi-sama?” (Imeria)

  “I want to get your signature for this document.” (Hifumi)

  With these words, Hifumi took the document out of the dark magic storage and passed it to Imeria, who took it while frowning.

  “… Let me look at it.” (Imeria)

  As for the document, it was Orsongrande’s request for reconciliation with the demand to hand over the spy Beirevra as suspect of the incident. This action was required before any kind of negotiation could be considered to begin.

  “… Just this demand, this document substantially has no agreement at all.” (Imeria)

  “Although I thought about it for a while, I couldn’t come up with any idea how to have Vichy discover and arrest Beirevra. I think this document will corner Vichy to a certain degree by sending it to the fellows in the central government.” (Hifumi)

  “As soon as it is delivered it will give Vichy a reason to keep up appearance, right?” (Imeria)

  “If they comply, that is, but …” (Hifumi)

  Hifumi sat down in the reception prepared in the office and tossed one of the baked sweets, which were placed on the table, into his mouth.

  The sweetness gently spreads within my mouth, as one should expect of the purveyor of the princess, it is truly refined.

  “That’s what you are saying, but you still intend to look for Beirevra.” (Imeria)

  “I am a kind master, don’t you agree?” (Hifumi)

  Even though that was the cause, he laughed as he stated it.

  “Every person lives by killing, be it directly or indirectly, as they grow up. In their case, they were accidentally involved in the deceiving and cheating between human parties and thus they only decided to conclude this matter by killing the other party. Only in regards to the search, he is a troublesome opponent. Considering this, I only thought that it might be fine for it to become a popular odd job, if a useful reward was to be provided.” (Hifumi)

  Looking at Hifumi, who threw another of the baked sweets into his mouth, Imeria picked up the quill and signed the document.

  “In such a case I will gladly cooperate with you.” (Imeria)

  While gently blowing upon the document for the sake of drying the ink, she murmured in a voice where it was uncertain whether he had heard it or not.

  * * *

  And then 10 days passed and the the preparations were finished. Hifumi’s expeditionary force left the royal capital towards Vichy.

  Doing it the usual way, he would have left the city magnificently drawing the gazes of the public upon themselves. Since that wasn’t Hifumi’s intention, they split up in several teams and left the city inconspicuously advancing on the main road before the night was lifted by dawn.

  Such things like food and materials had been transported to the city Fokalore which was situated close to the national border. The luggage consisted of most of the soldier’s weapons and there were many wagons drawn by the Supply Corps sheltering a large amount of food.

  In the first carriage Hifumi and Origa’s group, the three captains, were situated alongside Pajou who acted as the Princess’ representative and witness.

  “… I am getting sleepy.” (Alyssa)

  “The sun hasn’t risen yet either …” (Kasha)

  Apparently Alyssa and Kasha weren’t yet fully awake.

  Given that they will set a bad example to others as captains, it was the right decision to toss them into the first carriage, Hifumi assessed.

  “Upon entering Fokalore, we will stop there for a night and then set out in the early morning again. Review the contents of the strategy properly.” (Hifumi)

  “Um … It is the first time for me hearing of something like “strategy” but …” (Pajou)

  For the knight Pajou Hifumi’s method of drafting seemed to feel awkward.

  “There is no particular reason for you to do anything. Besides, concerning the general populace I am not overly interested in becoming something like a statesman. Even if I provoked animosity from the beginning, I realized that there are no obstacles in my own way of life, only that we would be chased for our life in a blink of an eye like that.” (Hifumi)

  “But …” (Pajou)

  “Pajou~” (Hifumi)

  Stopping what she was about to say, Pajou looked into the eyes of Hifumi.

  There were no friendly feelings there.

  Just as he displayed on that night where they met for the first time, there was only deep dark and gloomy darkness as he killed people at that time.

  “I won’t tell you that I am fighting for the sake of improving this nation or for its people. Just that there is nothing better than an abundant territory to satisfy my desire to fi
ght. Although I don’t mind if you aim for such a country, but if you become a hindrance to me, I will kill you.” (Hifumi)

  It had been a while since she had to face Hifumi’s bloodlust. Pajou didn’t even manage to sweat.

  With a dry throat she was gasping to breathe painfully.

  Somehow she managed to utter a few words without averting her gaze.

  “… I, I will only witness this battle.” (Pajou)

  “That’s how it is and that’s how it should be.” (Hifumi)

  Finishing this talk, Hifumi jumped off the moving carriage and while running parallel to it, he skilfully climbed on his horse.

  After Hifumi was gone, the heavy air within the carriage become a little bit lighter.

  “Pajou-san” (Origa)

  Origa called out to her as she was drinking water from a leather flask.

  “… What’s up?” (Pajou)

  “Pajou-san, you never been hostile to Hifumi-sama, isn’t that right?” (Origa)

  The style of that question itself was a warning.

  Without hesitation, Pajou replied.

  “Since I am a knight of Orsongrande, I have to follow my duty.” (Pajou)

  “Really? In case this duty causes you to become a hindrance to Hifumi-sama … please be aware of the fact that not only Hifumi-sama will become your enemy.” (Origa)

  Closed in among the sleeping Alyssa and Kasha, Pajou wanted to transfer to riding a horse too.

  Arc 04: What you need in war is money

  Chapter 27: This Is War

  Because Hifumi’s expeditionary force had to replenish their supplies at Fokalore, they used the time to spend a night there. Deep in the night a group of about 20 people secretly left the city.

  It was the third unit led by Alyssa.

  For the sake of an advance mission, they went ahead and moved towards the national border.

  “So, the reason is to kill the careless border company under cover of the night.” (Hifumi)

  For some reason the commander of the forces, Hifumi, was running as vanguard ahead of the third unit.

  “I think usually you would wait with starting until both sides gathered their troops, but …” (Alyssa)

  The one following right behind Hifumi was Alyssa.

  Moreover, three rows side-by-side consisting of the 21 troops of the third unit came after them.

  Including them, all of the expeditionary force were given orders by Hifumi to act in three-man-cells.

  “Discard the usual way of thinking. It’s not like we have to particularly watch out for some promise. No matter what you do while at war, the victorious side is justified. Don’t forget that the losing side has to yield everything to the winner.” (Hifumi)

  “I-I’m sorry …” (Alyssa)

  Aiming to suppress any sound, all of them were walking.

  Hifumi wore something similar to order-made zouri¹ produced in this world as footwear. For all of the others he came up with the ingenious idea to attach cotton to the shoe sole of their boots in order to restrain the sound of foot steps.

  Even so, although the foot steps of the troops were audible in their own way, Hifumi’s practically couldn’t be heard.

  “Everybody, listen.” (Hifumi)

  Inserting a break during the walking, they had only half of the way left before arriving at the national border as dawn was closing in.

  Everyone was breathing heavily. Only Hifumi was lightly breathing and remained calm.

  “After this we will extinguish Vichy’s war potential until dawn breaks. Before you are noticed by the enemy, kill them swiftly and in a reliable way. Everybody, take out your knives.” (Hifumi)

  Without hesitation all troops followed the order and pulled out their knives from their waist.

  The backhand grip of the knives was a custom made article and had a single edge which was new to this world.

  Of course, Alyssa took out the same as well.

  “Just as you were taught. Predict the visual field of your opponent. Only aim at the throat. Don’t make any sound. Don’t raise your voice.” (Hifumi)

  While speaking Hifumi raised for each point a finger. Everyone nodded in silence.

  “You were told the strategy before departure, there won’t be any changes. Go!” (Hifumi)

  Without using any light, they vanished in turn, 3 soldiers each, in the direction of the border.

  “I am off.” (Hifumi)

  After making sure everyone left, Hifumi took Alyssa and went towards the border.

  Different from the other troops, he boldly charged in from the front.

  At the border fortress, there was a pathway going through on the Orsongrande’s side. Two soldiers were standing guard. The shining of the flickering and swaying torchlight could be seen.

  Perhaps the rumors about going to war had already reached up to here. While paying undue amount of attention to the boundary to the Vichy side, they appeared to be quite tense.

  There was no particular movement on the other side. The previously passing troops obviously had crossed the border without being noticed.

  “Good work.” (Hifumi)

  When they were suddenly greeted, they couldn’t help it but turn around.

  In front of their eyes, Alyssa led by Hifumi appeared without holding any kind of light source.

  “In the dead of the night … ?” (Soldier A)

  “Maa, there are some circumstances.” (Hifumi)

  With these words, Hifumi took out the passport and showed it to them.

  It was a new document specifying him to be treated as viscount.

  “This is … ! Excuse our impoliteness!” (Soldier A)

  Straightening up his back, the soldier apologized. Hifumi lightly waved his hands in response.

  “Don’t mind it. By the way, it looks like there is only two of you here, however, is it the same over there too?” (Hifumi)

  Hifumi rose his finger pointing at the side of Vichy’s on the other side of the passage through the fortress.

  “Huh? Yes, I heard that it is the custom for both countries to place a couple of guards at night-time.” (Soldier A, formal tone)

  Given that the border was basically closed during the night, apparently the number of soldiers stationed was at its minimum.

  “Is that so? Alyssa, I will take both of them down.” (Hifumi)

  “Understood” (Alyssa)

  Being doubtful of Hifumi’s and Alyssa’s conversation, the soldiers gave each other a sidelong glance. Steadily they were approaching Vichy’s side.

  Before anyone noticed, there was a katana hanging on Hifumi’s waist.

  “N? At such late time, who is it?” (Vichy Soldier A)

  When the Vichy soldier turned around, his head was separated from his torso.

  “If asked by anyone, currently I am an invader.” (Hifumi)

  Swinging the katana before the other soldier was able to detect the drawing, he was slain before he was able to show any kind of reaction.

  The soldiers, who Hifumi’s group conversed with in the back of the passage just now, watched with a shocked facial expression.

  Looking back, Hifumi stored the katana while laughing.

  “From this moment on the war has started. Convey this to everyone trying to cross the border. They should be aware that they will be dragged into it and die, too.” (Hifumi)

  While Hifumi was violating the national border at leisure, the soldiers in the barracks on Vichy’s side were killed silently.

  The three soldiers patrolling the surrounding of the buildings had their throats sliced open and were abandoned just like that. The remaining soldiers died never waking up from their slumber.

  At dawn, when the main part of the expeditionary force arrived at the border, everything was finished. Hifumi was leaning with his back on the border fortress and waited for them. (T/N: Orsongrande side)

  The other troops boldly took a nap in the border fortress on Vichy’s side.

  For the fist time experiencing a night
attack, they were uniformly excited about it. Thinking about the influence on the military maneuvers from now on, Hifumi ordered them to get some sleep for now.

  Seeing Hifumi’s figure, Origa descended from the carriage and came over in a rush.

  “Master! There are no particular problems with the main body of the expeditionary force to report!” (Origa)

  “Understood. Well then, prepare for the military maneuvers on the Vichy’s side of the border using the barracks as base. I will leave after eating lunch.” (Hifumi)

  “As you wish.” (Origa)

  Origa hurried back to her original position among the troops. Together with Kasha, they issued instructions to cross the border.

  “Now then … I should take a nap, too, huh?” (Hifumi)

  It wasn’t only the troops, Hifumi remembered his inner agitation as well.

  However, different from the soldiers, it wasn’t due to the murdering a while ago, but due to the part of the coming battles.

  He was preparing himself with the aim to act as violently as his heart desired.

  He made a simple plan.

  Even if his opponent didn’t move as he wanted, in that case he expected it to become interesting and thus came up with a plan that was as simple as possible.

  As he was thinking about such things, Pajou approached.

  “I wondered whether you couldn’t give me some information on the progress of the war.” (Pajou)

  “The soldiers of Vichy who were at the border, several tens of them, died. Our side incurred no damage.” (Hifumi)

  Hifumi answered her question smoothly as she was holding writing materials in her hands.

  “I heard they were assaulted at the place they slept, but …” (Pajou)

  “That’s the reason why I chose a night attack. Quite obviously.” (Hifumi)

  Hifumi told her over his shoulder, as a matter of course. Pajou wasn’t able to say anything else.

  Likely, in the future, I think there will be much more happening in this war that exceeds my own comprehension.

  Reacting each and every time will only tire me out. Rather it’s better if it’s only getting tired as a single mistake by myself can easily end up with me being “disposed.”

  “… I understand. I will also take a small break.” (Pajou)

  * * *