39 - The Attack Incident
The slums were lined with shacks. When Ray had visited recently, he had seen adults sitting around with expressions that were the very picture of lethargy, while children ran energetically all around them in stark contrast. Today, however, neither were to be seen in great numbers.
Instead, the presence of knights standing as if to surround the area was far more prominent.
"It's quite a formidable presence, isn't it?"
Watching the scene, Ray questioned Princess Ekaterina.
"It is."
"Was this by your order, Princess?"
"No, I haven't said a word regarding this matter."
"Then, I assume they are guards for the Hero and his companions?"
He said it, but Ray thought it was strange to maintain such a strict security posture for the Hero. He felt that a Hero summoned to fight should not be protected by knights who were supposed to be weaker than him.
"I wonder if they're being overly cautious because I came along?"
"Perhaps."
The knights were distributed evenly around the perimeter. If it were for Princess Ekaterina, it wouldn't be strange for them to gather more closely around her. While he thought this internally, Ray did not voice it.
"Miria-sama, please stay a bit closer to the Princess. You aren't acting as a guard like that."
"A-Ah."
"Miria, what's wrong? You've been acting a bit strange lately."
"It's nothing."
"Do you have a fever? Your face is a bit red."
"N-No. I'm fine."
Ever since Ray had seen her naked, Miria had been like this. She avoided being near Ray, and if she did get close, her face would flush with embarrassment. It would have been one thing if this were the early days when they were trying to dispel the rumors. Now, it was a very unnatural attitude.
(I wonder if it would work now?)
If she had started to be conscious of Ray as a man, Charm might work. Ray considered this, but decided that doing so would serve no purpose other than teasing Miria, so he immediately pushed the thought from his mind.
"I wonder what they're trying to do?"
"...They're distributing food."
Seeing the knights working, Ray answered Princess Ekaterina's question.
"Distribution."
"The residents are people who lack even basic meals. I believe there is some meaning in that, at least."
"Oh, Kamui, you're being negative."
At least. Princess Ekaterina understood the exact meaning of Ray's words.
"I said there was meaning in it, did I not?"
"I've grown a bit accustomed to your way of speaking, Kamui. That just now was half sarcasm, wasn't it?"
"...Is that so."
It hadn't been a long period since he became a slave, but he had spent much of that time with her. Ray felt the reality of that.
"What is it about the distribution that you're dissatisfied with?"
"It's not a fundamental solution. Getting meals for free. Will that save them? If that continues, some people might instead lead an idle life."
"True. But we cannot improve their lives so easily."
If that were possible, the Kingdom would have done it long ago, Princess Ekaterina thought. In reality, while they were zealous about cracking down on crime, there were no civil officials who actually considered the relief of the slums.
"It's necessary to create jobs. Jobs they are capable of doing."
"For example?"
"I can't go that far. Is there nothing in the form of government work?"
In the first place, Ray didn't even know what kind of work the people of this world primarily did to earn a living.
"Government work? Kamui, that's simply impossible."
"I don't mean participating in national administration. Building bridges. Maintaining roads. Creating waterways. That kind of work the state performs."
"You mean paying them for that?"
"Do you not pay them?"
Ray was surprised by Princess Ekaterina's surprised reaction.
"Because those involved in such construction are either those forced to work for committing a crime, or those who wish to pay their taxes through labor."
"Is that how it is."
"Kamui, you have interesting ideas, don't you?"
"I am merely ignorant."
Public works projects, while they had an aspect of being a substitute for taxes, were mostly performed without pay. Ray learned this fact for the first time. Feeling that he had become a bit too relaxed, Ray tightened his resolve.
"Oh, they're coming out."
"They were likely lured by the smell of food. It's mostly children."
Several pots were lined up. Many ingredients were already simmering inside them. Unable to withstand the smell spreading with the rising steam, the children came outside. And following them, the adults did as well. It seemed their wariness had faded considerably toward the knights who had begun preparing the food. The children gathered around the pots, staring at them with curiosity. Toward those children, Hinata began to speak.
"Wait a little longer. It'll be ready soon."
"And when it's ready?"
"I'll let everyone eat."
"Really?"
"Really. So, look forward to it and wait."
"I ain't got no money."
"I don't need money. This is a present from me."
Hearing the conversation between Hinata and the children, Ray's eyebrow twitched. "From me"—he didn't like that phrase. Whether it was intentional or accidental, he found himself caring about such things.
"What's a presen?"
"Ah, it's a gift."
"Ohh! Yay!"
The children began to make a fuss, realizing they could get food for free. Hinata watched them happily. And Ray watched her in turn.
"Is this an attempt to gain popularity as Hinata-sama, rather than as the Hero?"
"It looks that way."
"Have you heard something?"
"Just a little."
"What is it?"
"It's not a story that has spread very far yet. Apparently, there are voices in some circles calling Hinata a Saint."
"A Saint... that's quite a grand title."
Being summoned to another world is a special thing. Ray understood that, but still, Hinata was an ordinary human. He felt nothing but a sense of incongruity at her being called a Saint.
"True."
(Though that sounds interesting in its own way.)
The basis of Ray's revenge was to lift someone up as high as possible and then drop them to the very bottom. "Saint" was exactly the kind of title that lifted someone up. If he could drop her from there, Ray's wish might be fulfilled.
"I will leave this area for a short while. Miria-sama, please do not let your guard down."
"A-Ah."
Leaving Princess Ekaterina's side, Ray headed toward the lining shacks. Sitting there inconspicuously was that man.
"Did something happen?"
The man spoke while looking in a completely wrong direction. This was to hide the fact that they were acquaintances.
"There are no abnormalities here."
"I don't see any movement on this end either."
"Can I ask a favor?"
"What is it?"
"Princess Ekaterina is here."
"I know that. It's her, right?"
"Don't look. You'll be found out."
"But man, she's a princess. She's a beauty. I can tell even from here. Hey, you think I could talk to her?"
"...You're no good. Find someone other than yourself who wants to meet the Princess and call them over. Tell them it's fine to come before her. An elderly person would be best if possible."
"W-What about me?"
"I said you're no good. If the arrangements go well, then maybe. Got it? I'm counting on you."
After telling the man this, Ray returned to Princess Ekaterina's side.
"Kamui?"
"I'm going to perform a bit of a production. Please bear with it."
"Bear with what?"
"The residents here do not live in clean conditions, to put it politely."
"Um, that is..."
"...They've arrived."
In Ray's line of sight, several elderly people appeared. The elderly approached Princess Ekaterina little by little, looking timid.
"Oh, ohhh."
Muttering words that made no sense, an old woman knelt before Princess Ekaterina. The others followed suit, lining up beside her.
"O-Oh, Princess!"
"How unworthy, how unworthy we are!"
The elderly people looked at Princess Ekaterina with their hands pressed together in front of their chests, as if praying. Princess Ekaterina clearly looked flustered by this, but then Ray's voice flew in.
"Princess, please give a few words to the elderly."
"Y-Yes. I am Ekaterina, daughter of the current King Richard. I am happy to be able to meet you all like this."
Princess Ekaterina greeted the elderly with a forced smile.
"O-Oh, Princess! Such gracious words!"
"W-We are the ones who are happy to be able to see the Princess with our own eyes!"
At the very brief words from Princess Ekaterina, the elderly were overjoyed, tears welling in their eyes. Seeing this, Ray was once again impressed by the existence of royalty in this country. And Princess Ekaterina, having been shown such goodwill, seemed to have made up her mind. Just as Ray said, they were far from clean. The foul odor emanating from their bodies was honestly unbearable, but she endured it and moved even closer to the elderly.
"Now, please stand. It must be painful to have your knees on the ground."
With those words, Princess Ekaterina reached out her hand to each of the elderly, helping them stand up.
"How unworthy, how unworthy."
The elderly seemed even more overwhelmed by Princess Ekaterina's actions. And the surrounding residents who were watching also turned toward the Princess one after another and bowed their heads.
"Now, elders. We have prepared meals. There should be plenty left even after the children eat, so why don't you all have some as well?"
There, Ray suggested the food to the elderly. He spoke as if they themselves had prepared it.
"O-Oh. We shall gratefully accept. Gratitude to the Princess."
"Gratitude to the Princess."
"""Gratitude to the Princess!"""
Triggered by one elderly person's words of gratitude to the Princess, the voices spread one after another.
(...Did I go too far?)
Ray was slightly put off by the residents' extreme reaction, but as for the effect, it was a great success. The children, who didn't understand the situation, aside, the adults likely mistakenly perceived that this matter was due to Princess Ekaterina's discretion. There was no room for some unheard-of Saint to wedge herself in.
"Kamui, you really are something."
Princess Ekaterina looked at Kamui with a slightly exasperated expression.
"It was beyond my imagination. The feeling of respect the people of this country have for royalty is amazing."
"...They are people too, I suppose."
The reason Princess Ekaterina spoke that way was because she had the idea that those who fulfilled the obligation of taxes were the people. Ray did not have that idea. Ray's definition of a citizen was whether they cherished that country.
"Even living in such conditions, their loyalty to the Princess is beyond doubt. I believe they are undoubtedly citizens of this country. And as royalty, the Princess must exist for the sake of those citizens."
"For the sake of the citizens. I..."
"Was I wrong?"
"No, I believe it is as Kamui says."
Ray intended to say something obvious, but in the common sense of this world, the people exist for the sake of the nobility and royalty. The idea that royalty exists for the sake of the people was held only by a very limited number of individuals, even among kings hailed as great rulers. Ray, who was unconsciously teaching this to Princess Ekaterina, might still be wandering astray.
"Don't be fooled! Royalty are all liars!"
A voice suddenly rang out, throwing cold water on the residents' built-up feelings for Princess Ekaterina.
"It's because of the royalty that we live such miserable lives!"
"That's right! They're the only ones living in luxury!"
Several men were approaching while shouting in anger. The guarding knights moved all at once to suppress them. The men, unafraid of the knights, stood up and continued to shout in anger.
"H-Hey?"
Miria let out a shaken voice seeing this.
"Please do not move. Our role is strictly to guard the Princess."
"True. I understand."
"...Opposite side!"
"W-What!?"
Ray suddenly shouted loudly. He pointed in the opposite direction of the shouting men. Men who looked like filthy, typical residents of the slums were coming toward Ray and the others. Unlike the men on the other side, these ones were silent and carried weapons. Realizing they had been noticed by Ray's voice, the men all started running at once.
(There are quite a lot of them.)
Even for Ray, who grasped the secret plot, the number was unexpected. He had thought they would move secretly while taking advantage of the commotion, but this was a full-scale attack.
"Hey! Get guards for the Princess!"
Miria shouted loudly toward the rear, attempting to ask for support beyond the direct guards. After that, she didn't look back. She drew her sword and entered a defensive posture.
"Kamui, do not leave the Princess's side. If possible, find an opening to withdraw."
"Yeah, I got it. As expected of you."
Miria, having recovered from her agitation, gave instructions. Ray was slightly impressed by that.
"Is this the time to be joking! They're coming!"
"Princess, I'm stepping back a bit."
"Y-Yes."
While stepping back, what caught his eye were the Heroes, protected and surrounded by guards.
(Are those guys idiots? What's the point of a Hero being protected?)
While cursing like that, Ray also drew his sword with the Princess at his back.
"Kamui."
"It's fine. Miria-sama and the others, the Royal Guard are here. And so am I."
"I'm counting on you."
"Yes."
However, the situation exceeded Ray's expectations even further. The opponents Miria and the others were fighting were abnormally strong. Not only were there many of them, but their individual skill showed a level of power comparable to the Royal Guard knights. Miria and the others were being completely pushed back.
"Kamui?"
"They're too strong. Who the hell are these guys?"
"Everyone is..."
"...You can use barrier-type magic, right?"
"Yes."
"Please prepare that."
"I don't mind doing that, but..."
"I'll switch places with Miria-sama and the others. The moment I move away, please protect yourself with a wall."
"N-No, you can't."
"I cannot follow that order. I am the one who protects the Princess. I judge that it is best for me to step forward. Please trust me."
"...I understand. I trust Kamui. Then I shall chant the magic."
Hearing the Princess's chanting voice at his back, Ray timed his move. And just before the final word of the chant, Ray leaped forward all at once.
"Bright Wall!"
Almost simultaneously with Princess Ekaterina finishing her magic chant, Ray cut down the enemy who had slipped through Miria and the others. He continued to push forward. He kicked away an enemy clashing with Miria, forcibly separating them.
"Kamui!"
"Step back! I'll take over here! Everyone else too!"
Shouting only that, Ray swung his sword and sliced off the head of the enemy in front of him.
"What!?"
Taking advantage of the moment the enemy flinched, the other Royal Guard knights also retreated to where Princess Ekaterina was. Ray cut down anyone who tried to obstruct them, stopping them in their tracks. Thus, Ray was left alone on the field.
"Honestly, my plan is completely ruined."
"What are you talking about?"
"Enough. I'll end this here."
"Don't talk so big when you're all alone."
"One is enough. Even for a short time, I am the disciple of 'Mad Sword Geel'."
"What!?"
The attackers were surprised to hear that Ray was Geel's disciple. It was exactly the reaction Ray wanted.
"Oh, that reaction. So you know my master's epithet. Which means, who the hell are you people?"
"...You have no need to know. Die."
"You're the one who'll die."
Meanwhile, Miria had retreated to Princess Ekaterina's side. By then, the other Royal Guard knights had also gathered.
"You're late!"
"Sorry! The Heroes were shaken. And we thought there might be new reinforcements."
"A few of you step forward. Support Kamui."
"Is that necessary?"
"What?"
Turning toward Ray at the knight's words, what was unfolding there was a one-sided slaughter. Ray swung his sword at a speed invisible to the eye. It wasn't just the sword. He moved between the enemies at incredible speed, slaughtering them one after another with single strikes without even clashing swords.
"...Was he that strong?"
"I guess being the disciple of Mad Sword Geel isn't just for show."
"Leave the front to Ray and keep watch on the surroundings."
"Yeah. Circle! Form a circle!"
With Princess Ekaterina at the center, the Royal Guard knights formed a circle. By that time, there was no one left standing around Ray. While remaining wary of further reinforcements, Ray slowly tried to return to Princess Ekaterina's side.
"Not yet! There are still more!"
"What!?"
Ray grew anxious at the man's voice. One of the things he had asked the man to do was to identify any newcomers who had appeared in the slums recently, and to check if any unfamiliar faces appeared on the day. This was because there was a possibility they were assassins targeting Princess Ekaterina's life.
"Where!?"
Ray's questioning voice was too late. He saw several arrows already flying toward the circle.
"...Arrows!? Are you okay?"
"I'm okay! ...Hey, are you okay!?"
"Which one is it!?"
Flustered by Miria's incomprehensible shouting, Ray dashed toward the circle. He saw several knights who formed the circle had fallen.
"Poison! Watch out for the poison on the arrows!"
"Poison!? Miria-san! Get the Princess away!"
"Impossible! She'll be targeted!"
"Damn it! The arrows? Where are they flying from!"
"On top of the building, over there!"
"...Found them!"
Stopping his reunion with Princess Ekaterina, Ray headed straight for the men aiming arrows on top of the building.
"Stop! Don't be reckless!"
Miria's voice trying to stop him reached Ray's ears, but ignoring it, Ray pushed forward. The men hurriedly fired arrows at the approaching Ray. While knocking them down with his sword, Ray closed the distance.
(Arrows with a sword. I'm actually pretty amazing.)
He thought such stupid things. However, as the distance closed, defending with a sword became difficult. Several arrows he couldn't dodge pierced Ray's body.
"KAMUIIIIII!"
The heartbroken scream belonged to Princess Ekaterina.
(This is bad. A sensation I haven't felt in a long time. My body still moves. The question is, how long can I last?)
On the other hand, Ray was still calm. Feeling a sense of nostalgia for the sensation of poison he hadn't tasted in a long time, he checked his body's movements and pressed forward. The men finally began to panic at Ray, who didn't stop even after receiving fast-acting poison. They threw away their bows and began to try and flee from the spot.
"Like I'll let you escape!"
Leaping onto the roof in a single bound, he swung his sword down on a man there. He then chased the men who tried to escape by jumping from roof to roof.
"Ah."
However, he couldn't kill all the enemies. The buildings were originally made by assembling scrap materials from around the area. The moment Ray jumped, they couldn't support his weight and collapsed. For a moment, he felt the sensation of floating in the air. That became Ray's final memory of the scene.