Vermillion

The Morula River gently flowed north in a slow, meandering fashion.

その川べりに茂る、青々とした木々の間を抜けるようにして、焦げ茶色のレンガで舗装された道が真っ直ぐに伸びる。

The road hugging the waterway was well maintained and paved with brown earthen bricks, puncturing through the lush groves of trees that grew on either side of the banks.

”サン＝アンジェ街道”

“Saint Anne’s Route.”

城郭都市サティナから、”公都”こと要塞都市ウルヴァーンまで。リレイル地方の南北を結ぶ、陸上通運の大動脈だ。

Such was the name of the road that stretched from the fortress city Satyna to the outpost city Uruvan. It was a major artery of transportation and trade that connected the northern and southern halves of the Rieiru region.

「おりこうさんのマイケルは～、今日もげんきに馬車をひく～」

“Michael’s going to drive the carriage today.”

“Michael is a good kid~ he’s driving the carriage today~”

早朝にサティナを発ったケイたちであったが、日はすでに高く昇り、隊商はそろそろ次の村に到着しようとしている。ここまで特に変わったこともなく、欠伸が出るほどに平和で、のんびりとした旅路だった。

Kei’s party, having left Satyna early in the morning, were just about to arrive at the next village by the time the sun shone high overhead. There was nothing particular to note about their trip to the village thus far, and it was a peaceful and relaxing journey to the point of almost being boring.

「もうかたほうのダニエルは～、ふきげんそうに見えるけど～、ほんとはとってもやさしいのよ～」

“And that other guy, Daniel~ He looks grumpy, but is actually a good guy~”

隊商は二頭立ての馬車六台から成り、商人たちと、その家族や見習いが十数名、それにケイとアイリーンを含む護衛が合わせて八名の構成だった。動きは鈍いが、盗賊にせよ野獣にせよ、迂闊には襲い掛かれないような大所帯。

The caravan consisted of six carriages with a dozen or so merchants, their families, apprentices, and escorts, Kei and Aileen being part of the latter group. They moved slowly, but their size guaranteed that they would not be attacked by neither bandits nor beasts.

「おひさまぽかぽか～、風も気持ちいい～、でもわたしは～、とっても～とっても～、た・い・く・つぅ～う～」

“Mister sun is very warm~ the wind feels good~ but! I-am-so-bored~ ”

小鳥のさえずりに、がらがらと回る車輪の音。それらに混じって、幼い歌声が響く。サスケに跨り、馬車の速度に合わせてゆっくりと進むケイの横、荷台の幌の影からひょっこりと、浅黒い肌の少女が顔を出した。

The ambient sounds of the surrounding forest and the dull, rhythmic clattering of the wheels was interrupted by a young singing voice. A dark-skinned girl emerged from within the shadow of the wagon hood and edged near Kei, who was riding Sasuke at a leisurely pace to maintain speed with the caravan.

「ねえ。わたしのお歌、どう？」

“Hey, hey, how’s my song?”

「――良いんじゃないかな」

“―― I think it’s good.”

「上手だと思うぜ」

“You’re pretty talented, aren’t you?”

曖昧に頷くケイの隣で、草原の民の黒馬スズカに跨るアイリーンが、優しい微笑みとともに頷いた。

Seeing Kei’s stiff reply, Aileen complimented the girl and gave her a gentle smile while sitting atop Suzuka, the black horse they requisitioned from the Grassland Bandits.

「えへへー。そうでしょー」

“Ehehe… Of course I am!”

にぱっ、と顔を輝かせた少女は、そのまま御者台によじ登り、足をぶらぶらとさせながら「らんらら～おなかがすいた～」と歌い始める。韻もへったくれもないような即興の歌詞であったが、無邪気にメロディを口ずさむ姿には、それだけで見る者を和ませるような微笑ましさがあった。

With a beaming face, the girl climbed up to the coachman’s bench and continued: “Ra ra ra~ I’m really hungry… ” The lyrics were haphazardly made up on the spot, with no hint of rhyme or reason whatsoever that belied a coordinated thought process behind them. Nonetheless, a loli innocently singing with a smile would soften the judgement of any (ED Joke: “cultured”) audience.

「エッダは本当に、お歌が好きだな」

“Edda is awfully fond of singing.”

御者台で手綱を握る太っちょの男が、『エッダ』と呼ばれた少女の頭をわしゃわしゃと撫でつける。

A rather rotund man, who was holding the reins atop the wagon bench, gently caressed the head of the girl named Edda as he noted such.

「きっと、お父さんに似たのよ？」

“Father’s like that too you know?”

「はっはっは、そうかいそうかい」

“Hahaha, is that so?”

歌うのをやめて首を傾げるエッダに、楽しそうに声を上げて笑う男。

The man let out a hearty laugh as Edda ended her song, opting instead to lean into the man’s embrace.

男の名を、『ホランド』という。

The name of that man is Holland.

コーンウェル商会に所属する商人の一人で、この隊商の責任者だ。ケイたちからすれば、今回の護衛しごとの直接の雇用主ともいえる。でっぷりとした太鼓腹、どう見ても悪人には見えない垂れ目、トレードマークはきれいに整えられたちょび髭だ。隊商の皆からは、『シェフ』と呼ばれて親しまれているらしい。

He was one of the head merchants from the Cornwell Corporation, and the person responsible from this caravan. That effectively made him Kei’s direct employer. His rather thick build and drooping eyes made his appearance reminiscent of that of a stereotypical villain. Apparently, everyone in the caravan referred to him as “chef.”

といっても、これは英語で言うところの『料理長』ではなく、彼の生まれの高原の民の言語オン・フランセで『長』という意味だ。扱っている商品のほとんどが食料品なのと、ホランド自身が美食家であることも、この呼び名と無関係ではないだろうが。

However, this is not the chef that one would be referring to in English. In the language of French native to the plateau region which he hails from, perhaps a more accurate term would be chief. Despite this, most of the products the Cornwell Corporation dealt with was in foodstuffs, and Holland himself was quite the connoisseur as well, so calling him “chef” would not be entirely inaccurate.

歳の頃は三十代前半といったところで、エッダのやりとりを見る限りでは、どうも彼女の父親にあたる人物のようだ。しかし、ホランド自身は肌が白く、顔立ちもエッダとは似ても似つかない。何か事情があるのだろうか、と勘繰るケイをよそに、ホランドはぽんぽんと腹を叩いて肩をすくめた。

Because Holland was in his early to mid-thirties, as far as Edda was concerned, he was her father. However, Holland has white skin, even if his face bore some resemblance to the girl’s, it wasn’t particularly notable either. While Kei was curious as to the circumstances, he refrained from asking out of politeness.

「そうだな、父さんもそろそろお腹が空いてきたぞ。だけど、もうすぐ次の村に着くから、エッダは中に戻っておきなさい。お兄さんたちの仕事を邪魔してはいけないよ」

“Yes, yes. Father is hungry too, but we’ll arrive at the next village soon. Edda should go back in. Don’t disturb big brother’s work.” (ED Note: Can’t remember if old translator used “onii-san” etc.)

「んん～」

“Okay~”

肯定とも否定ともとれぬ声。ホランドに優しく背中を叩かれながら、エッダは御者台に肘をついて、じっとケイたちを観察する。

Answered Edda in a monotone that failed to convey any intentions. While being gently patted by Holland, she propped herself up with her elbows and turned her attention towards Kei.

凛々しい褐色の毛並みの馬を駆る、黒髪の精悍な若者。エッダのそれよりもさらに深い黒色の瞳を持ち、筋肉質で引締った体格をしている。全身を精緻な装飾の革鎧で覆い、左手には朱色の弓、腰には長剣、馬の鞍にはいくつか大型の矢筒を括りつけていた。

The dark-haired young man rode a horse with a brilliant brown coat. He had unusually dark pupils that were a few shades darker than her own. Also, covering his entire body was a set of elaborately decorated leather armor, with nevertheless betrayed a toned and muscular physique beneath. Armed with a vermillion bow in his left hand and a longsword on his waist, complete with a quiver of arrows strapped to the saddle, Kei cut a rather dashing figure to the impressionable young Edda.

その頑強そうな肉体に比して、顔は不釣り合いなほどに童顔であったが、左頬に走る真新しい刀傷が、何とも言えない凄みを醸し出している。湖面のように静かな眼差し――どことなく、暗い雰囲気を漂わせているきらいはあるものの、エッダは不思議と「怖いひとだ」という印象は抱かなかった。

However, Kei’s well-built body juxtaposed with a disproportionately baby face. Still, a fresh cut running across his left cheek evoked a sense of coolness that was difficult to describe in Edda. Kei’s face too, seemed to have a serene sense of tranquility to it, and although there appeared to be a dark and mysterious atmosphere surrounding him, Edda never thought of Kei as a scary person.

その弓使いの青年の隣にいるのは、黒馬に跨る金髪の少女だ。エッダとは対照的な真っ白な肌に、透き通るような青い瞳。金糸で編まれたような髪はリボンで後頭部にまとめられ、陽射しを浴びてきらきらと輝いていた。その身にまとうのは質の良い麻のチュニック、裾からは黒いズボンを履いた脚がすらりと伸びる。

Next to the archer rode a blonde girl straddling a black horse. Her pure white skin and clear blue eyes contrasted sharply with Edda’s own features. Her hair, loosely gathered at the back of her head with the assistance of a ribbon, danced about in the sunlight like fluttering gold threads. She wore a high quality hemp tunic and black trousers which extended down smoothly from the hem of her shirt.

あるいは、お忍びの貴族の令嬢が庶民の格好をしていると言われても、信じてしまいそうなほどに可憐な姿――しかし、背中に背負われたサーベルと木の盾が、手足の革の籠手と脛当てが、彼女もまた戦いに携わる者であることを如実に示している。エッダの視線に気づき、「うん？」と首を傾げて微笑む様子からは、彼女が戦士であることなど想像もつかないのだが。

It was said that even if a prince or nobleman were to dress as a commoner, they’d look so beautiful that it would be easily discernible from the common rabble. However, this was not the case for Aileen. Her saber and shield affirmed her occupation as a true warrior, along with gauntlets and pads to protect her limbs. Despite this, it was hard to imagine the girl as one from the smile she gave after noticing Edda’s line of sight.

「……ねえ、お姉ちゃん」

“ … Um, big sister.”

おもむろに口を開いたエッダは、

It was Edda who broke the silence.

「お姉ちゃんが、魔法使いって、本当？」

“Are you really a magician?”

興味津々なエッダを前に、アイリーンは「ふふん」と胸を張った。

Aileen was thrilled by Edda’s inquiry.

「ああ。そうだぜ、魔法使いだ！」

“Oh, yes. Big sister here is a bona fide magician!”

「へぇ、すごーい！　ねえねえ、魔法ってどんなの？　見せて見せて！」

“That’s awesome! Hey, hey, what does magic look like? Show me, show me!”

「ん、んー。それはだな……」

“U-um, no, that’s… ”

しかし、続いて投げかけられた無邪気な要望に一転、アイリーンは困り顔で、さんさんと輝く太陽を見上げる。

At Edda’s innocent request, Aileen made a complicated expression as she glanced at the midday sun beating down on them.

アイリーンが契約を結ぶ”黄昏の乙女”ケルスティンは、その名の通り、日が暮れてから本領を発揮する精霊だ。陽射しの届かない地下深くならともかく、昼間に野外で【顕現】することはできない。それでも一応、簡単な術の行使ならば昼間でも可能なのだが、普段のコスパの良さの反動のように触媒と魔力を馬鹿食いしてしまう。

As its name would suggest, the “Maiden of the Evening Twilight,” Kelstein, Irene’s contracted spirit, could only manifest herself after it was dark. Regardless of where the sun was in the sky, the spirit would not appear outdoors at all during the day. While it was possible to use simple spells. during that time, they were inefficient and required a catalyst to activate.

実質的に、アイリーンは昼間に魔術が使えないのだ。

Thus, Aileen effectively cannot use magic in the day.

そしてこれは、明確な弱点の一つであり、大きな声で喧伝するようなことでもない。

As this was a critical weakness, it was not something she would just lightly divulge either.

「む～……」

“Mu~… ”

「こらこらエッダ、お姉さんがもっと困っているだろう」

“Edda, you’re troubling big sister.”

どうしよっかな、と唸るアイリーンを見て、ホランドがすかさずフォローを入れた。

Fortunately, after seeing Aileen’s reaction, Holland quickly came to her rescue.

「そもそも魔法使いに魔術の秘奥をせがむのは、商人に仕入れ先を尋ねるようなものだ。あまり無理を言ってはいけないよ」

“Edda, spells to magicians are just like suppliers to merchants. It’s impolite to pry too deeply.”

「えー、だって、見てみたいもん」

“Eee, but I still want to see it.”

「うーむ、まあ父さんも気持ちは分かるけどな！　仕入れ先にせよ、魔術の秘奥にせよ」

“Think about your dad’s feelings too! Being a merchant is just as cool as a magician.”

“Well, dad know how you feel too! Whether it’s a merchant or magician, secrets are something we all just want to know, don’t we?”

ちら、とアイリーンに期待の眼差しを向けるホランド。これではどちらの味方なのか分からない。

Holland turned his eyes and looked at Aileen with childlike curiosity and apprehension. Now, she was no longer sure whose side he was on.

アイリーンは口を尖らせて、時間を稼いでいるつもりなのか、明後日の方向に目を泳がせている。

Aileen pouted and looked away as if she was stalling for time as her eyes darted about, as though focusing on any object too long would force her to give a reply.

「……今は移動中だし、夕方、野営の準備が終わった後とか、ゆっくり時間のあるときにでも見せてあげたらどうだ？」

“… We’re on the move right now, but why don’t you show it in the evening after we set up camp or whenever else you have time?”

ケイが横から提案すると、「それだ！」と言わんばかりにアイリーンがびしりとケイを指差した。

When Kei proposed this from the side, Aileen’s eyes lit up as if to say “that’s it!”

「そうだな。今は仕事中だからな。後でなら見せてやってもいいぜ？」

“That’s right. Since I’m working now, can I show you later?”

「えっ、ほんと！？」

“Eh, really!?”

「ああ。夕飯が終わったあと、ちょっとだけ、な」

“Yes, I’ll show you just a little bit after dinner.”

指先の隙間で「ちょっと」を強調しつつ、アイリーンは茶目っ気たっぷりにウインクして見せる。脳筋戦士のケイとは違い、アイリーンは魔力が強い。太陽さえ沈んでしまえば、子供騙しの簡単な術なら触媒なしでも行使できるのだ。

While emphasizing the “a little bit” part by making a small gap between her curled fingers, Aileen winked at Edda proudly. Unlike the Kei, who was basically a warrior with all brawn, Aileen had a strong affinity to magic. If the sun went down, she could use it even without a catalyst if it was for something as simple as impressing a child.

「わーい、やったー！　ありがとう！」

“Wa, I’ll get to see magic! Thank you big sis!”

「おおー、言ってみるもんだなぁ」

“Well, I’ll do my best to show you how cool magic is.”

エッダとホランドが、「いぇーい」と御者台でハイタッチする。夕飯の後の楽しみが増えたぞ、とはしゃぐ二人を見て、これでは魔術師というより手品師扱いだな、と思わずケイは笑う。しかし、アイリーンは得意満面の笑みを浮かべているし、当人が満足ならいいことだ。

Edda and Holland high fived each other with a “yayyy!”. Looking at the two who being excited because of their enjoyment to look forward to after dinner, “now this is, rather than towards sorcerer, she’s treated like a stage magician, huh” Kei thoughts and laughs unintentionally.

「さあさ、エッダ。わがままも聞いて貰えたことだし、中に戻っておきなさい。もうちょっとで次の村だからね」

“Now, now, Edda. That’s enough of your selfishness; go back inside the wagon. We’re almost at the next village.”

「はーい」

“Yes~”

今度は聞き分け良く、荷台の方へ戻っていくエッダ。ニコニコとそれを見届けたホランドは、その笑顔のままアイリーンに向き直った。

This time, Edda compiled and scampered back to the inside of the wagon. Seeing Edda disappear behind the tarp covering, Holland turned to Aileen with a smile.

「いやはや、ありがとう、ありがとう。行商の旅というのは、どうにも退屈なもんでね。遊び盛りのあの子は、随分と刺激に飢えているようだよ」

“Thank you so much for satisfying Edda’s request. Being a traveling merchant is really boring, and that lively child has been dying for some sort of stimulation.”

「分かるぜ。あんぐらいの子だったら、そりゃそうだろうな」

“It’s nothing really. It’d be the same case for me if I were in her place.”

「全く。しかし、本当に良かったのかね？　自分で言い出しておいて何だが、魔術師は滅多に自分の業を見せないと聞く」

“No, no, it’s really kind of you do this for her. From what I hear, magicians rarely show their work to others.”

「大丈夫。見せてもいいものしか見せないから」

“It’s okay. I’ll only show what I feel comfortable for others to see anyways.”

あっけらかんとしたアイリーンの言葉に、「こいつは一本取られた」とホランドは苦笑した。

At Aileen’s humble words, Holland thought “she got me” while letting out a wry laugh.

「なるほど、そこは商人と変わらない、か」

“I see, so it’s the same logic as a merchant.”

「今回はエッダの顔に免じて、特別に見物料は取らないでおくぜ」

“Indeed, except I won’t be charging any special fees because Edda’s smile is so charming.”

「はっは、これは敵わないな」

“Haha, I really can’t win against you.

ぱしっと額を叩いて、ホランドが笑いだすが、そこに背後から響く蹄の音が混じった。

Slapping his forehead, Holland chuckled to himself just as the sound of hooves could be heard crescendoing from behind.