第６１５堀：ハイデン建国記簡易版 お約束で章 (Part1)
Chapter 615: The Founding of Haiden – The "Standard Tropes" Chapter
Side: Yuki
Good grief.
It seems that most of the trouble in this world, Aulito, involves those pathetic beings who call themselves gods.
It’s not just me; even Sota Kamishiro—the man hailed as one of the legendary "Three Greats" of the New Continent 500 years ago—seems to have been dragged into battles against his will, if the stories are anything to go by.
And the way he was dragged in was, well, pretty terrible.
Or maybe it’s better that he was straightforward about it? At least he didn't try to hide anything.
*“Well, I had my doubts about the circumstances of our alliance, but I suppose it was better than being kept in the dark and manipulated. Though, I doubt someone like Hairen could have pulled off anything that complex.”*
Listening to the story, it sounds like Hairen—the woman in question—is a bit lacking in the brains department, or perhaps just strangely optimistic. It would be impossible for her to keep secrets.
I suppose that’s what you’d expect from a god... though it’s incredibly annoying.
Anyway, due to those forced circumstances, Sota-san ended up acting as a strategist for the anti-Demon King forces—or rather, a volunteer army.
If you show off your knowledge or abilities too carelessly, people start relying on you for everything, dumping unreasonable tasks on you. It’s like a form of "killing with kindness."
Hearing all this, I’ve decided that in another world, it’s best for a Japanese person to just play the fool.
Wait, no, that’s not it. The reason I’m listening to Sota-san’s story is to find out what actually happened 500 years ago.
"Let’s put the crappy goddess aside for now. So, Sota-san, you ended up acting as a strategist, right?"
*“Yes, that’s correct. She told me that if I didn't work, she wouldn't let me go home. But as for what happened back then...”*
"Since it’s a story about being summoned by a moronic goddess and getting dragged into trouble, the details of what happened 500 years ago are a separate matter. I’m interested in the cause of your summoning. That 'Demon King' person, right? Could you tell me more about that?"
*“Understood. The Demon King, then...”*
I was ready to hear the rest of Sota-san’s story, but...
"Wait a second. ...You're shaking so much, it's making me feel sick... Ugh..."
Luna suddenly had a massive case of reverse-digestion.
"Whoa!?"
"It can't be helped. You were drinking yesterday..."
The useless goddess continued to lose her lunch.
Don't drink. And for heaven's sake, don't get drunk.
Still, maybe it was because I was shaking her around...
I had no choice but to ask Rurua and the others to help Luna change her clothes, and we decided to continue the conversation once she returned.
***
Side: Sota Kamishiro, Second Son of the Kamishiro Shrine, University Student, Economics Major
Honestly, because of Hairen’s absurd proposal, I ended up acting as a tactical advisor and strategist to oppose the Demon King’s army, traveling alongside Fable and Enol.
I’m not actually that angry at Hairen herself. She claims she summoned me, but that seems suspicious. She can’t send me back, and she can’t summon anyone else.
I was summoned to an empty grassland, so it’s highly possible she just happened to notice my presence, and I might have ended up in that field due to an accident or something similar.
Besides, since I couldn't go back, I had to build a foundation for my life in this world or I’d starve to death. I was grateful to have a reason to travel with Fable and the others.
I felt bad about being a freeloader, but luckily, I was able to contribute during the defense of the village we encountered right after we met, so they trusted my intellect and let me tag along.
Anyway, we’ve already left the village leading our volunteer force, but...
"Calling it a 'volunteer army' is a stretch when there are barely ten of us."
Are we marching? Our ragtag group, with our mismatched equipment, probably just looks like a hiking party.
"What are you saying? 'Barely'? Ten young people from the village followed us! That’s amazing."
"I’m with Hairen on that one. I understand your point about the numbers, Sota, but ten young workers from a village of only a hundred people? You should be grateful."
"Yeah, you're right. I am grateful."
As Enol said, I really am grateful that ten young people from that village decided to follow us.
Actually, why did so many of them come along? As I was wondering that, Fable joined the conversation.
"Apparently, they were planning to join the volunteer army in the town anyway."
"Is that so?"
"They heard a merchant who came to the village talking about how the Demon King’s army was pushing hard and they were recruiting volunteers."
"Ah, so this was a convenient opportunity for them."
"They were arguing over who should be the leader, but after that raid, they all agreed that we should take the lead."
"By the way, why were you guys at that village in the first place?"
Come to think of it, Fable and the others weren't residents of that village; they were just there for work.
"We were guarding a merchant. We make our living as mercenaries. Though, we only met in town and formed a party about a month ago."
"So you three haven't known each other that long?"
"Well, yeah. I’m a rare beastman, Hairen is... well, Hairen, and Fable is still just a kid."
I see. Enol is what they call a beastman—she has cat ears—but apparently, their numbers are dwindling. It’s not due to persecution; their birth rate is just naturally declining. Many are born as ordinary humans, and people say that soon, there will only be humans left. Because of that, beastman slaves are rare and sell for a high price, so Enol had been working solo until now.
As for Hairen, she wasn't originally a mercenary; she was a mage who provided medical treatment in town. She’s been going around claiming to be the child of a goddess since back then. She was useful as a healer, but people kept their distance, only interacting with her when absolutely necessary.
I suppose Hairen’s safety until now is, in a way, the goddess’s will. *Keep saying things that make people recoil, and you shall live safely.* That’s one hell of a way to ensure safety.
And finally, the handsome Fable is a rookie mercenary. When he came to town, he didn't know about Enol or Hairen’s circumstances, invited them to join him, and started their mercenary work.
Since then, even after learning about their situations, he’s taken care of them because he was the one who invited them. He’s a caring guy; he probably has the qualities of a leader.
"But when the Demon King’s army appeared, the merchant ran back to town, left us a bit of goods, and told us to go to the village."
"Was there really a need to fulfill that obligation?"
"The merchant said he’d ask the local lord to send troops. We thought we were just going to pass on the message, but we ended up participating in the defense."
"That’s Fable’s soft side showing."
Enol pointed out Fable’s weakness without hesitation.
"Sorry, Enol."
"Well, I don't think we could have escaped on our own anyway, so it couldn't be helped. Besides, the reason we missed our chance to run was because of Hairen’s nonsense about summoning Sota."
"It wasn't nonsense!" Hairen puffed out her cheeks.
Still, if Hairen hadn't come to me, I might still be alone in that field or have been attacked by the Demon King’s army, so maybe I should be grateful?
No, more importantly, I need to gather information for the future.
"Hey, going to town is fine, but could you tell me about the Demon King and things like that before we get there? I’m completely clueless. And about other countries, too."
That’s right. I know absolutely nothing.