第５掘：世の中どこまでも人はこんなもん (Part1)
Excavation 5: People are like this no matter where you go
People are like this no matter where you go
side: Elju Lau Roschur
I was born into this world as the Third Princess of the Kingdom of Roschur, a nation vying for supremacy on this continent. This meant bearing the heavy responsibility of leading its people.
From the time I gained consciousness, I was taught that Roschur was the one and only nation upholding justice, capable of bringing peace to this continent. I was taught that only under Roschur's protection could the people live in peace.
And I never questioned it. Whenever I showed my face in the castle town, everyone would greet me with smiles, shouting, "Long live Princess Elju!!" That's why I began to feel I had to accomplish something for these people.
Royalty going to the front lines of battle, let alone a princess, was impossible. I tried telling my father and mother, but they wouldn't accept it, saying, "If we are harmed, the people will grieve."
Days were spent searching for what I could do. My older sisters, perhaps knowing what I was saying was impossible, would only say, "Elju, sometimes just your heart is enough to save," or "What are you talking about? There's nothing Elju can do."
One day, perhaps seeing my plight, my attendant Oriel spoke to me.
"If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion. What His Majesty says is true, so instead of standing on the front lines, would it not be acceptable to provide healing?"
Oriel's words made scales fall from my eyes.
"Yes... you're right. It seems my perspective was narrow. Standing on the front lines isn't the only way to be useful to the country, or to the people. Oriel, I thank you. And would you please find an instructor for healing magic? Normally, I should go myself and bow my head, but I am a princess; if I move carelessly, my father, mother, and the people will be disturbed."
"As Princess Elju wishes."
As I was learning healing magic in this way, a miracle occurred. It was when I was treating the injured with the healing magic I had learned with Oriel, as usual. Suddenly, a warm light enveloped me... and Lilishe, the Goddess of Compassion, one of the three goddesses of Arrowlith, descended.
"Elju Lau Roschur. I have been watching your deeds. You, who solely for your country and the peace of your people, sought out methods yourself and continue to strive even now."
I knelt on the spot.
"O-Oh, how presumptuous of me, for there are still countless lives that slip through my hands. I am not worthy of such words from Lilishe... please bestow your blessings not upon me, but upon those who are struggling to live now."
Even hearing my words, which could be taken as rude, Lilishe did not cease smiling.
"Hearing those words reassures me. To you, I can bestow my blessing without fear of you straying from the path, and you will be able to save lives that should not be lost. Now, receive it."
Light enveloped me, bestowing upon me the titles of "Saintess of Healing" and "Exceptional Magical Talent."
※Upon hearing this story, Yuki looked highly suspicious. He himself said, "It's too cliché, it's boring... and this pattern always fails, doesn't it? Well, there's already a princess who's failed, after all." He was absolutely right, and I am utterly ashamed.
Thus, by receiving the blessing in front of the people, I came to be called "Saintess!!" and strived even harder than before for the sake of the country and its people.
However, that did not last long. We had forgotten that nations were warring with each other.
I don't know the details, but I was asked to travel to a village in an enemy country.
"That village is oppressed and exploited by an incompetent king, and its people are only seeking salvation. We will go ahead to secure and liberate that village. Princess... no, Saintess, we would like you to come to the safe area and treat the villagers."
To repay Lilishe's benevolence, I proceeded to that village without any doubt, but what I found there was a village simply ravaged and burned to the ground, with not a single living person left.
"I-Is anyone there!! Answer me!! Anyone!!"
Oriel held me back as I tried to rush forward.
"Princess Elju, please calm down. Where is the vanguard unit!!"
Oriel said that and dispersed the unit, and after a while, someone who seemed to be the vanguard unit commander stepped forward before me and announced this:
"Hah, as per the Saintess's orders. The annihilation of the villagers who offered fierce resistance is complete. As planned, this can be used as a relay point. Truly, you inherit His Majesty's blood. What profound insight, I am humbled."
The voice reporting happily with a bowed head... to me, it was...
"W-What...? W-What does this mean... O-Oriel..."
This merciless sight, was it my order? I don't understand.
Oriel made a bitter face and led me to a tent to explain.
"Princess Elju, I apologize. It seems we were used as a banner to justify invading another country's village."
Oriel's words slowly seeped into my body after a while.
"I-If I hadn't come here. Th-This village... the people..."
A doll lying at my feet came into view.
It was stained crimson.
"Ah... ahhh... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
"Princess Elju, calm down!! Princess Elju!!"
And then, a month later, using that village as a base, they successfully invaded and captured an enemy town.
What "Exceptional Saintess"? All I've done is scatter blood.
side: Mauve
"No, help me!! Stop it!!"
Beneath me was a young girl, her body carved up with a knife and violated.
Of course, I was the one violating her... it wasn't fun at all.
My daughter was around this age too... Ah, gloomy thoughts mixed in.
"Agh!?"
I swung the knife down at the girl.
I stabbed her repeatedly.
"Ah, Fath... Moth..."
Her pupils dilated more and more, and eventually, she stopped moving.
"Yo, looks like you didn't have fun either."
Raiya stood beside me, covered in blood. At Raiya's feet, a girl lay dead, just like the one beneath me.
"How about you, Curse?"
"GYAAAAAAH!? STOP ITTTT!!"
Screams echoed around, but Curse, who was assaulting her, struck her face with a fireball without changing his expression.
"GAAAAAAAHHHH!!"
It no longer sounded like a human voice, let alone a woman's.
And within a few seconds, the screams ceased, and only the smell of burning human flesh filled the air.
"I feel absolutely nothing."
Curse said only that, then sat down on a nearby chair.
The three of us had just attacked and captured a town belonging to Roschur, and now we were having our 'fun' afterward. Though it wasn't fun at all.
"Heroes of a ruined town, huh? That's a skill we couldn't wish for more right now."
I muttered this while the three of us sat on chairs, eating casually.
"Yeah, thanks to that, we can rampage properly."
Raiya replied to my words.
"It doesn't matter if it exists or not. We'll torment the Saintess, torment her until she breaks and is destroyed, then expose her after denying everything, and tear her apart."
Curse, who no longer uttered simple words like 'I'll kill you.'
Why are we acting so broken, you ask?
It's simple.
We're just retaliating because it was done to us. Childish logic, you say? I know, but the regrets of my wife and daughter, my own unbearable feelings... it's all a complete mess.
Normally, I was an adventurer, blessed with good friends, a wife, and a daughter. One day, a horde of monsters attacked the town, and we were in a desperate situation.
Before I knew it, I had become the hero of that town. There, I met my wife and had a daughter. They were treasures. More irreplaceable than any jewel or precious metal.
When I told my partner Raiya that I hoped happiness would come to her too, she retorted, "Sorry, but I already have someone I've promised myself to." It's been a long acquaintance; it must be that girl from the village. There's an age difference, but if Raiya and her partner are happy, I don't mind at all.
"And you, you seem to have a hard time choosing a partner," I said to the magician I often teamed up with in this town. Hard time choosing a partner? It's easy. This guy, he's the lord's son of this town, though I don't know what he's thinking, being an adventurer.