84-84 Sages Cup 2 (1/2)

「お久しぶりです、ロイ. 元気そうですね」

その女は何の前触れもなく、かつての仲間ロイの故郷に現れた.

その女の姿を目にしたロイは戸惑った.

それは死んだはずの仲間、アスティラだった.

もう会えないとばかり思っていた人物との再会.

だが、ロイはその人物の様子にどこか違和感を覚えた.

その女は以前と全く変わらぬ姿で現れた.

……あれから既に十数年の時が流れていたというのに.

「生きていたのか、アスティラ────だが、本当にお前か？」

「何を言っているのです、ロイ.

私に決まっているでしょう.

仲間の顔を、忘れてしまったのですか. 寂しいですね」

すぐには信じられなかった.

彼女がハーフエルフという長命の種族だったことを思い出し、一旦納得しかけたロイだったが、まだ違和感が残った.

確かにそれは彼の知る彼女(アスティラ)の顔だった.

でも、彼女の纏っていた雰囲気が以前とはまるで違っている.

だが、ロイの故郷の集落の場所を知る者は少ない.

ロイの故郷、『レピ族』の集落は、険しい山の奥深く、その存在を知らなければ誰も辿り着けない隠れ里のような場所にあった.

古くから人里から離れ隠れるように生きてきた『レピ族』は自分たちの集落の存在を知られることを極端に恐れ、特別な理由がない限り、決して他所者を近づけようとしなかったし、集落の外へと出ることも稀だった.

実際、その必要もなかった.

彼らは集落の中での生活で満ち足りていたからだ.

『レピ族』には生まれつき、鳥や動物など色々な生き物と意思疎通ができるという特殊な力が備わっていた.

彼らはその生まれ持った『力』を使って動物たちの力を借りることで、畑を耕し、森の中から獲物を見つけ、質素ではあっても大家族でも十分に生活をしていくだけの食料を容易に得ることができた.

反面、『レピ族』は集落を出れば様々なトラブルに見舞われた.

レピ族の『力』は、上手く使えば他人の気持ち程度なら読み取れた.

集落内であれば、お互いの心がよく解るから、争いごとは大抵始まる前に和解で終わったが、集落の外に出るとそれは一転、争いの種となった.

────自分の心を、相手に一方的に知られてしまうこと.

それは力を持たない者にとっては、恐怖でしかないらしかった.

自らの力を知られてしまうことは、『レピ族』への迫害に繋がった.

それだけでなく、彼らは邪(よこしま)な人間に目をつけられ、狙われる理由がいくつもあった.

かつて、彼らにはそういう手痛い目にあった歴史があった.

だから、彼らは誰も訪れないような僻地に隠れて棲むようになり、自分達の『力』のことは決して外部の者に言ってはならないと『掟』で定め、また最低限の生活に必要な交易を行う目的以外での外部との接触を固く禁じた.

だから一族の中でとりわけ好奇心が強かったロイが「外の世界を見てみたい」と言い出すまでは、集落の外へと出た者はここ数世代で、他に誰もいなかった.

レピ族の中ではロイもまた、『変わり者』だった.

外の世界への憧れを口にする度に、同年代の友人からは奇異な目で見られ、大人達からはそんな馬鹿なことはやめろと口々に言われた. 人間の中で『変人』呼ばわりされていたオーケンと妙に気が合ったのは、そんなロイの故郷での生い立ちのこともあったかもしれない.

そんな風に、レピ族の中では比較的開放的な考えを持っていたロイだったが、それでも『レピ族』の掟には従い、この自分の故郷の存在を本当に信用がおけると思った人間にしか教えたことはない.

それは長い間旅を共にしたオーケンと、アスティラの二人だけだった.

ロイ自身、二人に『心の中が解る』力のことを隠し続けた上で何度も自問し、鳥を使った伝書で長老を説得し「後々、集落の利益に適う」からということで、彼らの滞在許可をとったことがある.

The only reason was that he wanted them to see his hometown, which he considered as his family.

That's why they were the only ones who had visited the village and stayed for a few days.

So the fact that the woman was there was proof that it was her.

At least, that's what Roy thought at the time.

”Well, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I startled you. How did you know where I was?

Anyway, I'm glad you're okay. ...... What do you say we stop by my place?

I'd like to introduce you to my wife and kids.

”──── Yeah. I'll do that.

I'm a little tired from the long trip. Can I stay here today?

Yes, of course. You're welcome.

That day, Roy invited Astira to his house.

While they were having dinner, Roy again felt uncomfortable with the woman in front of him, and Roy's wife also had doubts.

──── I don't know what's going on in her (Astila's) mind.

I've never seen anything like this before.

In the past, when they traveled together as adventurers, Astila and Oaken did not tell him everything.

But Roy had always been able to hear their ”hearts” and understand who they were.

Although he felt bad that he couldn't tell them about his power according to the rules of his family, he always felt comfortable listening to their voices.

And all the while, he thought.

They were trustworthy, he thought.

Even though ────.

There is no (・・・・・・) voice (・・・・) from her now (・・・・・・), no heart (・・・・・・).

He should have realized what it meant sooner.

The indelible memory that she had been a trusted and valued companion had clouded his judgment.

──── Something was wrong.

By the time he realized what was wrong the next morning, it was already too late.

By the time he realized something was wrong the next morning, it was too late. ...... What's going on?

The next morning, it was already too late when he noticed something was wrong. ”What's going on?” The next thing he knew, the Red Stone, the treasure of the Lepi people, had disappeared from the sanctuary of the village elder's house.

The whole village was in an uproar and Roy immediately looked for Astila, the stranger he had brought in.

And he soon found her.

What's wrong, sir? You're making a lot of noise.

Then Roy noticed what the woman had in her hand.

”What are you doing, Astira?　It's a treasure of the village. Give it to me!

”This? But you can't. I came here to get it. ...... I'm not giving it to anyone.

In the past, Roy had been blaming himself for abandoning Astila in the Labyrinth of Sorrow and running away with Oaken, but he interpreted the motive as a grudge against himself and stepped forward to Astila and kneeled down.

...... Astira, I know you resent me. But the rest of the village is none of your business. ......!　If you want revenge, leave me alone!

”Hmm, Roy. What are you talking about?　Revenge?　I'm not holding a grudge against anyone. In fact, I'm really grateful to you. You're the one who told me this existed.

”What ......?

Roy never mentioned the family secret of the Red Stone to Astila, either.

But when he went to the elders' house to greet them, there might have been a large red stone there.

At least, that's what it was supposed to be.

──── Could it be that she knew what it was at first sight?

”As I suspected, this is very good stuff. I didn't think there was anything like it on earth today (・・・・). We are very lucky. St. Mithra wants a lot of blood for the resurrection. I'm sure you'll be more than useful.

”What?　Astira, what are you talking about ────?

Roy asked back, unable to understand a word that the familiar woman in front of him had said.

But the woman quickly turned around and turned her back on Roy.

I'm done with my business and I'm leaving. I'm simply here to get this.

”...... No!　It's the very bloodline and history of the family that our ancestors turned themselves into. ──── We can't let a single thing leave this village. Please, just give it back to me. I really don't want you to take it. ......!

It was Roy's heartfelt plea.

It was Roy's heartfelt plea. He couldn't raise his hand to someone he felt so guilty about.

More than anything, he didn't want to hurt the people he once trusted more than anything.

All Roy wanted to do was plead.

Please, just give it back.

There was a feeling in Roy's heart that his former comrades would understand if he told them.

So he said it.

The Red Stone, a treasure passed down in Roy's village, was the end result of his ancestors themselves.

He confessed that at the end of their lives, by passing magic power through their bodies with strong emotions, they would be transformed into a special stone with unparalleled brilliance and immense magical power.

I'm not sure what the person in front of me is,────.

”...... I see. You think your blood is concentrated in this?　And not one?　Are you saying there is more? Well, that's ...... a very good thing to hear.

Then the being in front of Roy's eyes gave him a creepy smile that sent chills down his spine.

The expression on his face did not seem like the Astila Roy knew.

I'm not sure what you're thinking, ...... Astila, but if you're going to go after ...... me, leave me alone. That's the only thing I can't give you.

Just you?　You're the only one? Why would I do such a (・・・・・・) waste?

”...... what the hell is ......?

I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

I've changed my mind after listening to your ...... story. I will now give everything I have here to my master. Yes, that's right, it's for the best. Roy, you've taught me a really good lesson.

”──── Who are you? Are you really Astira?

Yes, I am, Roy. I'm Astira, your and Oaken's adventuring companion.

And now I am Astira, the faithful servant of Saint Mithra.

”...... servant?

Roy was at a loss for words when he heard the words that were so far removed from the woman he knew.

Then he finally realized.

This woman was completely different from the person he knew, except for her appearance.

But by the time I realized it, it was too late.

──── too, too late.

”Your clan will be used as food for the resurrection of Lady Mithra. The Red Stone. It's really quite something. So much magic coming to fruition inside. I never thought such a creature could be born outside. Does this mean that our 20,000 years of waiting were not in vain?

What are you talking about? ──── Stop. That is the history of our bloodline itself. Please stop .......

Astira smiled coldly and amusedly at Roy, who was still pleading.

”That history will not be wasted (・・・・・・・), you know.

You should be honored, because ──── is the best use of it.

But still. You guys have some strange powers, don't you?　You can read the minds of ...... beings you confront.

...... Astira, why do you do that?

I'm sure I've never said that to her or to Oaken.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

It was a smile of a kind Roy had never seen before.

──── Oh yeah, I've got an idea. You'll have to look forward to it.

Then she laughed eerily and disappeared.