Summoned Slaughterer - Book 2

by Ido Masayoshi

  “Bi-Bifron-san …” (Mob A)

  “You lot better obey him as well if you don’t want to die. This here are the slums. You will die if you insist.” (Bifron)

  Seeing him having his view facing towards Torkemada, the other men one by one told Bifron that they would obey.

  Apparently it was the simple logic of obeying Bifron who is stronger than them.

  “Ah, will we keep this a secret from the other groups so that we can comfortably get rid of the guys from the other groups?” (Mob B)

  As several others agreed to that sort of idea being proposed, Bifron told them to better stop it.

  “What do you think will that Lord-sama do at the time he learns that we hadn’t passed on the announcement to the other groups?” (Bifron)

  Standing up, Bifron looked at everybody.

  “Didn’t you listen? Anyone who becomes an obstacle will be killed by that guy.” (Bifron)

  As Bifron left the church ruins to go inform the other groups, the other guys also tagged along.

  ◆◇◆◇◆

  The expression ‘civil official slave’ is a word coined by Hifumi. With the exception of Fokalore it hadn’t circulated yet.

  Although their position as slaves, and their status as civil officials made the people confused in the beginning, but when they started actually working, they just said “ah, so that’s what the expression means”, and understood.

  With the administration service being completed, the war reserve funds could be definitely collected under the name of taxes. Other than Kasha’s principle of saying “something is wrong with these people”, only the 5 civil official slaves were put to work like slaves just as that title implied.

  The result of tallying the family register was the knowledge of there being close to 50.000 people in Fokalore even if the slums were excluded. Although there were dozens of staff members, only 5 people managing the government affairs by themselves doubtlessly was a matter of overwork.

  Attached under Alyssa, Miyukare took part in the office work on matters closely related to the territorial army. She considered that to be an especially comfortable situation for herself.

  In reality the management related to armament was easy too as the loss was originally small as well. Before Hifumi became aware of it, the method to learn how to use the tools and arms made by the dwarves became difficult as those were unfamiliar.

  For the women who served as civil officials in the capital this was a new workplace supported by a peaceful environment without having superiors that acted self-important or nobles making fun of them for being women of common birth.

  “A-Ano … Miyukare-san, I don’t understand this, but …” (Alyssa)

  Alyssa was scanning through the documents as if clinging to the massive desk in the office with its long fur carpet spread out. Someone who came approaching with a *tota tota* timidly held out the documents to Miyukare at her secretary desk.

  “Alyssa-sama. You asked for the subordinate standing in front of me, right? You have to be prepared to entrust substantial things to those below as one standing above others.” (Miyukare)

  “A-Ano … I am sorry …” (Alyssa)

  Alyssa got openly depressed as she was lectured while receiving the documents.

  You could see her already small body becoming even smaller.

  “Moreover, because the document is incorrect here regarding the count of people, it can’t be used as final count. Since there aren’t 200 people with even the recruited soldiers, you have to understand at least this much, please.” (Miyukare)

  “A..u …” (Alyssa)

  As it was something possessing comparatively strong backbone, Miyukare saw Alyssa ending up completely dispirited.

  She tightened her face, that almost began to grin, with will-power, placed a hand on Alyssa and changed to a soft voice.

  “Alyssa-sama, I am very sorry for saying such harsh things. But it is fine to leave such miscellaneous tasks to me.” (Miyukare)

  “But, if that’s the case, I think it will become difficult for Miyukare-san …” (Alyssa)

  What a lovely child. It took Miyukare all her effort to withhold the nosebleed due to Alyssa who wasn’t even ten years younger than her. Barely, without revealing her facial expression, she pretended to be calmly thanking her.

  “Such a lowly slave like me receiving such consideration, thank you very much. I was appointed as Alyssa-sama’s assistant. Since this is my duty, please rely on me without holding back.” (Miyukare)

  “Is that so? … Although I don’t quite understand, thanks Miyukare-san!” (Alyssa)

  As she endured with a mind of steel to not embrace the brightly smiling Alyssa closely, Hifumi entered the room without even knocking.

  Of course he had taken a hot bath and changed the dougi smelling like garbage.

  “Ah, Hifumi-san!” (Miyukare)

  “… Don’t leak such sickening mood.” (Hifumi)

  “Ara, you can say that it is an important element for smoothly handling the work that the subordinate and the superior get along with each other.” (Miyukare)

  Hifumi wasn’t good at talking with Miyukare.

  As she didn’t even care about speaking her mind without holding back even though being a slave, he felt some indescribably bad affinity with her.

  (I think I am to blame for not seeing through such a fellow, but …) (Hifumi)

  Her hobby doesn’t match her high-quality, Hifumi recognized about Miyukare.

  Standing out in calculation and practical work experience amongst the 5 people, she is the most “capable personnel” since she also possesses experience as civil official, he assessed.

  “How can I help you, Hifumi-san?” (Miyukare)

  “Since I will clean out the slums tomorrow, you have to assign a number of people to prepare dealing with the aftermath.” (Hifumi)

  Miyukare’s side reacted sensitively towards Hifumi’s words.

  “… Have you done something again?” (Miyukare)

  After the defense battle at Rhone, they had reorganized the territorial army, reviewed the weapons damage and ordered repairs and brand new ones.

  Furthermore while being rushed by Caim of the financial affair department, they calculated the final expenses. Miyukare recalled the situation of not even having time to sleep.

  “You just have to gather some manpower. Take someone being in charge of the family register including around 20 people and wait outside the slums to register those guys as residents tomorrow morning. Assign an appropriate workplace like a workshop or whatever.” (Hifumi)

  This will reduce the labor shortage, because of that Hifumi had a complacent mood. Miyukare was at her wits’ end.

  “Will it prove successful to use the guys from the slums?” (Miyukare)

  “This will depend on your guys’ education. I leave it to you, military director Alyssa” (Hifumi)

  “Ah, yes! Understood!” (Alyssa)

  After hitting Alyssa’s head with a *pon pon*, Hifumi immediately left.

  “Again a troublesome matter …” (Miyukare)

  Although her deployment was like playing house, given that for some reason the soldiers of the territorial army listened well to the things Alyssa said, there were only few troubles in relation to the soldiers of this territory.

  A large number of people grasped the situation of Alyssa, who was moving around her small body restlessly, having no dignity and yet she oddly excelled at something like issuing quick instructions.

  Even if it might be fine because of Hifumi’s discerning eye, Miyukare absolutely couldn’t accept it since it was somehow vexing.

  “Well then, we should prepare to meet the Lord-sama’s unreasonable demands.” (Miyukare)

  “Miyukare-san, you are not allowed to speak bad words about Hifumi-san in such way, okay?” (Alyssa)

  “… I am very sorry. My true opinion leaked out.” (Miyukare)

  How could such excellent child become emotionally attached to such bloodstained man?
Miyukare was boiling with jealousy.

  ◆◇◆◇◆

  It was the time to finally decide the details of the troops organisation fielded against Vichy when a letter from Horant to Imeraria arrived.

  Looking at the delivered documents which took a full 5 days to arrive from the city closest to Horant, Imeraria held the middle of her forehead feeling a headache.

  “Imeraria-sama?” (Pajou)

  Due to the anxious words, Imeraria raised her face and looked at Pajou.

  “Pajou, it is written here that Horant claims the massive killing of citizens in Rhone to be the responsibility of our country. However going by the details I read in your report the cause was apparently some magic tool from Horant.” (Imeraria)

  “I swear that there are no lies to be found in the contents of the report you have received from me … Will Horant cooperate with Vichy?” (Pajou)

  “It seems so. Although I think it won’t come as far as an invasion because they have to ascertain the validity of Vichy doing something like “Revenge” against our country going by the contents of the letter … I wonder whether I should gather some soldiers on the main road on Horant’s side just to be sure.” (Imeraria)

  In spite of being remembered of a certain person being first on the list of many hot-blooded people causing many to be troubled while Imeraria was worried, Pajou drew close all of a sudden.

  “However, regarding this matter, there is movement to dispatch troops in the direction of Horant in the name of Captain Stifels of the Second Knight Unit.” (Pajou)

  “What is he selfishly …” (Imeraria)

  “That is, it seems he spread a rumor of having somehow obtained the approval from Prince Ayperos (T/N: >> Aiperosu <<)” (Pajou)

  Imeraria learning that the name of her younger brother was used without the person himself even knowing about it had a hunch that he wouldn’t comprehend it even if she explained it to him.

  Although she was an amateur as well, this was even more so the case for the prince, who doesn’t know a thing about military affairs.

  Unrelated to the royal castle’s intentions, different to Imeraria who had been moving for the sake of the masses, it resulted in him almost never leaving the castle under the protection of his mother. Even Imeraria was surprised at the degree of him being raised ignorant of the ways of the world.

  For this reason, even if her younger brother inherited the crown, she considered to support him herself.

  “With all due respect, it appears the prince faction is opposed to the matters of the princess who is thought to be intimate with Hifumi-san …” (Pajou)

  “I have no intention to compete for the hegemony with my younger brother.” (Imeraria)

  “I-I am very sorry. I have said too much.” (Pajou)

  Being slapped with a warning, Pajou hurriedly shut up.

  “This before an important battle. I don’t want to cause unnecessary losses. I don’t want to expand the disputes within the king’s castle either. Let’s do it in the way I ratified this time. But, you should do your best to draw in the capable talented people amongst the soldiers into the Third Knight Unit.” (Imeraria)

  “I will obey respectfully.” (Pajou)

  “… Though there is something I am thinking about, in the end it has become nothing but completely brutal matters. Even though I wanted to take care of the life of the people becoming a lot calmer until just a little while ago.” (Imeraria)

  Now she was only thinking of wanting to start moving quickly against Vichy. Imeraria gently covered her eyes with her slender fingers.

  Chapter 38: Sunday Morning

  Wrapped in the refreshing morning sunlight, a huge group of slightly dirty people were restlessly gathered. They were those who listened to Bifron’s call and exited the slums.

  Listening to Bifron, whose strength was recognized within the slums, and seeing his proof in the form of Torkemada’s corpse, a little less than 150 people had gathered and followed the trash-filled street, and exited the slums. Although there were a lot of men as well, almost all the women and kids had come out. They didn’t have either the power or the intention to go against the lord.

  Bifron and his comrades who had been running around the slums for the whole night, were completely exhausted. But once they thought about what would happen from now on, their tension and sleepiness was blown away.

  “Good morning!” (Alyssa)

  Amidst the noisy conversations expressing their uneasiness, a loud cheerful greeting was heard.

  As he looked over, Bifron could see a young lady walking over, waving her hands. Behind her were many men and women looking like government officials, as well as several soldiers.

  “Old man, you and the rest of the people are those who exited the slums, right?” (Alyssa)

  “Ah, yes.” (Bifron)

  “I’m the military director in this city, Alyssa. Hifumi told me that I’ll be here to receive you. I want the men over there, the women over there, and the kids, along with their mothers, over there.” (Alyssa)

  As she was giving instructions to Caim, Origa, and the other responsible people in order to quickly move along, a man stepped out from behind Bifron.

  “If this is a joke, listening to a small kid like you, I’m not laughing! Don’t make fun of us just because we’re from the slums!”

  It was the same man who first raised his voice in rage when Hifumi killed Torkemada.

  “Eh… But…” (Alyssa)

  “Considering Bifron’s face, just obediently get out of here. We don’t have any reason to get along with some kid’s play.”

  Drawing closer, Alyssa hesitantly looked behind her, and saw Origa give her a nod, as she stood with her arms crossed, with a daunting pose.

  “Uhh… There!” (Alyssa)

  Under the pressure of Origa’s gaze, Alyssa resolved herself and swung the tobiguchi she held in her hand.

  Swinging down, with her eyes relatively closed, the pointy end of the tobiguchi accurately pierced the middle of the head.

  “Like that.” (Alyssa)

  Standing aside Alyssa, Origa slowly talked to the frightened citizens.

  “The people going against our lord Hifumi’s intentions will be dealt with. As we aren’t planning on keeping unnecessary baggage, we need to deal with it. If you understand, then quickly move as we told you to.” (Origa)

  Within the ambiance not expressing either consent or refusal, even Bifron remained silent, while the men went towards their gathering place.

  “Alyssa, you did that well. There’s no need to listen to what guys like him are saying.” (Origa)

  “I wonder if that really was a good thing …” (Alyssa)

  Origa gave a kind smile to Alyssa, who still didn’t have any self-confidence.

  “Have some self-confidence. You just dealt with one of Hifumi’s enemies, after all.” (Origa)

  “T-that’s right!” (Alyssa)

  They brought about a peaceful atmosphere, but the people around them looked at them with fear in their gazes.

  At this point, Hifumi came walking completely relaxed.

  “Oh, you’ve already started talking?” (Hifumi)

  “You’re slow, Lord.” (Myukare)

  As Myukare, who came with Alyssa, said that, Hifumi let out a big yawn.

  “I was talking with Pruflas last night and we got a bit excited, so it ended up being quite late. Don’t glare at me just because I overslept a bit.” (Hifumi)

  ◆◇◆◇◆

  “Hifumi, leave this to us.” (Origa)

  “Yeah, I’ll leave it to you. Well then, I’ll be tidying up the rest. Alyssa, send some people to clean up around dusk.” (Hifumi)

  “Understood!” (Alyssa)

  So that’s the Lord? The residents from the slum were talking to each other. After Alyssa clapped her hands to get their attention and once again gave them directions, the remaining people quickly began to move.

  “Origa, as planned, the men will help Pruflas. The women will hel
p the staff members, and you’ll be educating the kids.” (Hifumi)

  “Understood. You take care as well.” (Origa)

  Lightly waving his hand towards towards Origa who was doing an elegant bow, Hifumi went towards the road to the slums.

  “Hifumi, what exactly did you talk to Pruflas about?” (Alyssa)

  “About new weapons and war devices.” (Hifumi)

  “Eh?” (Alyssa)

  Origa promptly replied to the question Alyssa muttered.

  “Weapons to use we have to make in a hurry and planning the work for the inhabitants of the slums. It was a talk about what has to be constructed in preparation for the war.” (Origa)

  We left together the first thing this morning, so why do you know this? Alyssa thought to herself. But except having a bad feeling about it, she didn’t ask anything more.

  ◆◇◆◇◆

  Just like what Origa for some reason knew, Hifumi had thrown a few new weapons into his dark magic storage.

  While walking down the trashy street, he withdrew one of them.

  It was three, 90 centimeter long iron rods, connected with chains. A so called three-section staff. Just like the chigiriki, it could be connected to become one long staff. But sadly, the mechanism in the chigiriki had quickly broken, so it was made simpler in this weapon. In order to raise the deadliness of the staff, the metal ends were sharpened.

  Breathing through his nose, and squinting his eyes because of the bright sun, Hifumi entered the slums, aimlessly wandering around its dirty streets, searching for any anyone’s presence.

  Suddenly, he stopped in front of an old house and kicked down the front door.

  Stepping inside, he found a bearded old man lying down in the dark. The smell of alcohol filled the air.

  “Ah, what’s this?”

  Whether he was drunk or just half-asleep, the old man’s eyes were flickering around before Hifumi thrust the pointy end of his staff into the old man’s throat.

  “Ghue.”

  The old man died without making any sound.

  Confirming that the staff’s pointy end didn’t break after hitting the neck bone, Hifumi was satisfied, as he went towards the next house.