Chapter 1
一章 誕生
Part 1: Birth
プロローグ
Prologue
「――......が――......――とう......応答しろ!」
[--... ...ga--... ... --swer... ... Answer!]
某国,大陸の中心を担うと言われる,高層セントラルビル社長室.
A certain country, that is said to shoulder the center of the continent, In a president's room of a multistory central building.
普段なら大理石の床と高価な装飾で彩られた部屋だが,今は直視するのも憚る惨状と化していた.
A room that normally has marble floors and expensive ornaments, now looks like it's changed to a disaster scene.
爆弾や銃弾によって砕けた壁と床に,もはやガラクタとなった装飾品.
Floor and walls broken by a bomb and gunfire, ornaments that are only junk now.
そして無数に転がる――――死体.
And the countless scattered ---- dead bodies.
その全ての死体からは血が流れ,誰が見ても生存は絶望である.
Blood is flowing from all the bodies, no matter how anyone looks their survival is hopeless.
否,一つだけ動く姿があった.
No, there is only one moving figure.
全身を覆うタイツのような防護服を着込んだ一人の男である.
A man wearing a protection suit that looks like a full body tights.
男はうつ伏せから起き上がろうとするが,体を支えきれず何度も倒れる.
The man tries to rise from lying face down, but continues to fall down unable to support his body.
立ち上がるのを諦めた男は,這い蹲って進み,近くの壁に背中に預けて一息ついた.
Giving up standing, the man crawls forward, rests his back against a nearby wall and pauses for a breath.
そして耳に取り付けた,イヤホン型通信機のスイッチを入れた.
And in his ear, presses a switch on earphone type communication device.
「......はいよ,こちら......コード・アクセル」
[... ...Yeah, here... ... code axel.]
『無事か!? 状況を報告しろ!』
[Are you okay!? Report the situation!]
無数に転がる死体の中,一つだけ明らかに高級そうな服を着た死体がある.
In the midst of countless bodies, only one is wearing clearly higher class clothes.
額だけではなく身体中に無数の弾痕が付けられ,爆弾の余波によって原型も多少崩れているそれは,このビルのオーナーであり,また男の目標であった.
Not only in the forehead but the whole body is covered in bullet wounds, the shape somewhat destroyed by the bombs shockwave, this building's owner, the man's target.
「目標は......始末した.後は......ごほっ,後始末......かな?」
[The target is... ...taken care of. All that's left... ...cough, cleaning up... ...right?]
『待て! それは最後の手段だろう.早く脱出しろ!』
[Wait! That's the last measure. Hurry and escape!]
「は,はは......そりゃ無理だ」
[Ha, haha... ...that's impossible.]
男は自分の体を見る.
The man looks at his body.
腹部に数発の銃跡に,膝から下が失われた左足.
Multiple gunshots in abdomen, left leg missing from knee downwards.
左手の感覚もほぼ無く,言葉を発するのでさえ苦痛な体は,満身創痍を見事に体現していた.
No feeling in the left hand, a body that even speaking is painful with, utterly embodies the meaning of full body scar.
唯一動く右手で,ポケットから小さな端末機を取り出し,安全装置を解除する.
With only his right hand moving, he takes out a small terminal from his pocket, and releases it's safety device.
それは爆薬の起爆装置である.
It's a control device for explosives.
計算され,無数に仕掛けられた爆弾は,起動すれば確実にビルを倒壊させるだろう.
Calculated, countless set up explosives, will reliable collapse the building if activated.
ここで動けない男も巻き添えに.
Involving the unmoving man laying here.
『諦めるな! すぐに迎えを送る! おい,ヘリの用意は済んだか! 許可? 後にしろ!」
[Don't give up! Pick up will come soon! Oi, prepare the helicopter! Permission? Leave that later!]
無線の向こう側が騒がしくなる.
The other side of the transmission becomes noisy.
男の相棒が必死になって指示を飛ばしているようだが,時間はもう残されていない.
It looks like the man's partner is desperately giving orders but, there is no more time left.
止めさせようと口を開いた瞬間,無線の向こうで扉を抉じ開ける音が響いた.
As the man opens his mouth to tell him to stop, there is a sound of door opening from the transmission.
『『『先生――――っ!!』』』
[[[Teacher----!!]]]
聞こえたのは男の弟子達の声だ.
It was the man's apprentices voices.
慌しい物音の中,五人の男女がマイク前を陣取るような音が聞こえ,弟子達の叫びが聞こえてきた.
Between the hurried noises, he hears five boys and girls arrive at the microphone, he hear's the yells of the students.
『先生,諦めないでください!』
[Teacher, please don't give up!]
『俺達がすぐ迎えに行くから,待っててくれよ!』
[We'll come and get you, please wait!]
『私達まだ教わりたい事が沢山あるんだから!』
[There's still many things we want to be taught!]
『約束......したじゃないか』
[Promised... ... didn't you?]
『先生! 先生......お,おとぉ......さん! お父さーん!』
[Teacher! Teacher... ...fa, fa......ther! father!]
作戦前にこうなる可能性もあると納得させた筈なのだが,弟子達は耐え切れなかったようだ.
Even though he before the mission told there was a possibility this could happen, it looks like the students couldn't bear it.
まだまだ精神が未熟だと心配になってくるが,ぶつけてくる愛情に嬉しさも感じる.
Their spirit is still inexperienced worries him but, the affection makes him feel happy.
力を振り絞り,男は号令を放つ.
Mustering his strength, the man gives an order.
「整列っ!」
[Form a line!]
『『『っ!? はい!』』』
[[[!? Yes!]]]
教育の賜物か,取り乱していた弟子達は一糸乱れぬ返事をした.
Seed of the training, the flustered students answer without any disorder.
「俺が言いたい事は......わかってる......な?」
[What I want to say... ...you know... ...right?]
『『『歩みを止めるな,です!』』』
[[[Don't stop walking forward!]]]
「なら......いい.お前達なら......大丈夫だ.自信を持って......生きろ」
[That's... ...good. You guys... ...will be fine. Have confidence and... ...live]
『『『......はい!』』』
[[[... ...Yes!]]]
弟子達は必死に涙を堪えているようだが,聞こえてくるのはどう見ても涙声で,彼等は今頃滂沱の如く涙を流しているだろう.
It seems the students are desperately holding back tears, but their voices are tearful no matter how you listen, they are probably shedding a flood of tears by now.
「ふっ......すまんな,弟子達が」
[Fu... ... sorry, for my students.]
『いや......問題ない.彼等には当然の権利だ』
[No... ...no problem. It's their right.]
「そうか」
[Is that so.]
『もう......無理なのか?』
[Is it... ...already impossible?]
「こうなるって......わかってた......だろ?」
[That it would come to this... ...you knew... ...right?]
『......ああ』
[... ...yeah]
悩み,葛藤を必死に押し殺してようやく漏れた声だった.
Troubled, conflicted voice that finally leaked after being pushed down.
「俺が残した......ものは......ある.笑って......逝けるさ」
[I've.. ...left... ...something. I can go... ...with a smile]
『......後は全て任せておけ』
[... ...Leave the rest to me]
「頼んだ.お前と......一緒で......楽しかっ......た」
[I leave it to you. With you... ...being together... ...was... ...fun.]
『私の台詞だ』
[That's my line.]
男は血を失いすぎて,目も見えなくなって意識もぼんやりとしていた.
The man has lost too much blood, his eyes can't see and his mind is becoming faint.
結果はどうあれ,作戦は成功した.
Even with the result being this, the plan was a success.
託すものは全て託した.
I've entrusted everything I have.
だが最後の仕事が残っている.
Only the last job is left.
残された力で男はスイッチを入れた.
With the strength he had left the man pressed the switch.
微かに響く破砕音.
Countlessly resounding explosions.
それは徐々に大きくなり,遂に男の天井へと到達した.
They became gradually larger, and finally reached the man's floor.
崩れ落ちてくる瓦礫を,男は肌で感じつつ受け入れた.
The rubble falling down, the man accepted and felt with his body.
そして男は......
And then the man... ...
最速の教育方針
Fastest training plan.
自分で言うのもなんだが,俺の人生は波乱だったと思う.
Even if I say it myself, my life was full of ups and downs.
訓練という名の拷問,散歩に行く気分で紛争地帯に連れ回される.
The torture in the name of training, being taken to warzones with the feeling of going for a stroll.
怒涛な日々を過ごす内に俺は,日本連合第三十七特殊工作員......いわゆるエージェントになっていた.
During those stormy days I became, Japan alliance's 37th special worker... ...a so called agent.
そこで相棒と出会い,俺は相棒と共に戦い続けた.
There I met my partner, I continued to fight with him beside me.
戦いに明け暮れ,五十歳を過ぎた頃,俺は引退して後進の教育者となった.
Doing nothing but fighting, after I became 55 years old, I retired and started training the next generation.
教育とは難しいものであるが,夢中に過ごしていた日々は楽しかったと思う.
Education is difficult but, I think the days I spend were fun.
そんな楽しい日々の中,裏ではとある闇組織が世界を転覆させる暗躍を進めていた.
During those happy days, a certain dark organization continued manoeuvres that would upset the world.
闇組織の規模の大きさに阻止する人選は慎重に慎重を重ねた.
The people obstructing the organization carefully selected personnel.
そして......俺が選ばれた.
And... ...I was chosen.
一時は世界に名を馳せる腕前を持っていたし,信頼と実績の結果ゆえだ.
For a time I had enough skill to make my name famous in the world, trust was earned with results.
実際は,引退したおっさんだから万が一死んでも被害は少ない......と,組織らしい損得勘定による結果論であるが.
In reality, even if an retired old man would die by chance the damage would be small... ...is, organization like risk calculation's result probably.
どう見ても陰謀だ......と,相棒は反対したが俺はそれを受けた.
No matter you look at it it's a conspiracy... ...Is, how partner objected to it but I accepted that.
ターゲットの始末に成功したら,相棒が組織のトップになると約束させたからだ.
If I succeed in eliminating the target, my partner was promised to become the organization's top.
血判状を作らせ,俺は準備を整え作戦に挑んだ.
Making a blood sealed letter, I made preparations and challenged the operation.
結果......俺は死んだ.
The result... ...I died.
長々と語ったが,俺はそこらの一般人とは遥かにかけ離れた人生を送ったと思ってほしい.年齢も重ねたし,並大抵の事では動揺しないアイアンハートを持っていると自負している.
Though I talked about it for some length, I want you to think that I spend a life far from that of a normal person. I even put on years, I won't lose my composure over ordinary and can brag that I have an iron heart.
が......俺はみっともなく混乱していた.
But... ...I was disgracefully confused.
「あう―,あうあうあ―!」
[Au--, auaua--!]
何で俺は赤ん坊になっているんだ!
Why have I become a baby!
そう叫びたくても,この体は声帯が発達していないのか,言葉もままならない.このびっくりするぐらい小さな手と足に,自分の体だというのに思い通りに動かない体.非常識な状況だというのに,俺は赤ん坊になったと何故かはっきり理解していた.
Even If I wanted to yell that, this body's vocal cords haven't developed, I can't form words. These surprisingly tiny hands and feet, even though it's my own body it won't move like I want to. Even though it's absurd situation, I somehow clearly understand that I've become a baby.
いくら前世で楽観的に生きてきた俺でも,この状況は許容不可能だ.
Even if it is me who lived with optimism in previous existence, this situation is impossible to pardon.
混乱している自分と冷静な自分が鬩ぎ合ってると,俺の顔に影がさした.
When I lose my composure in confusion, a shadow rises over my face.
「―――......――......―」
[---... ...--... ...-]
女性が俺を覗き込んで喋っている.
A woman is looking at me and talking.
だが,未発達な耳は言葉をうまく拾えず,何を言っているかさえわからない.
But, my undeveloped ears can't pick up words, I don't even know what she's saying.
落ち着け,少し状況を整理してみよう.切り替えは素早く,冷静で正確にだ.落ち着くために,記憶を振り返る.
Calm down, let's try putting the circumstances in order. The change is fast, to calm and accurate. To calm down, I look back at my memories.
最後になったであろう作戦にて,目標である男を始末したが俺自身も致命傷を受けていた.脱出が絶望となり,俺は証拠隠滅も含めて建物と共に消滅することを選んだ.落ちてくる瓦礫が直撃した感覚だって残っている.その後,視界がブラックアウト.
At my last mission, I dealt with the target but got a fatal wound myself. Escape was hopeless, I chose to destroy the building and myself to remove the evidence. I even remember the feeling of getting hit by the falling debris. After that, I blacked out.
目覚めたら赤ん坊でした.
When I woke up I was a baby.
......うむ,落ち着いたが結局意味がわからんな.俺は確かに死んだはずなのに,何故か赤ん坊になってる.『転生』したのが理に適うが,俺という自我と記憶があるのは何故だ?
... ...Um, I calmed down but still don't get it. I certainly died but, somehow became a baby. [Reincarnation] fits the logic but, why do I remember myself?
しかも自分が歩んできた人生は思い出せるというのに,かつての相棒や弟子達の名前が思い出せない.ピンポイントで穴の開いた記憶に,情報の得られない状況と体.現状,いくら考えても答えは出ないし,教えてくれる人もいない.
And even though I remember the life I walked, I can't remember the names of my partner or my disciplines. Memory with pinpoint precision holes in it, a situation and a body I can't get information with. Presently, no matter how much I think there is no answer, there's also no one to tell me.
これ以上は無意味と思考を打ち切り,とりあえず目の前の人を観察してみた.
I cut down further meaningless thoughts, and for the moment observed the person in front of my eyes.
銀髪を頭の後ろで束ねた女性で,目はスカイブルー.
A woman with blond hair tied behind her head, eyes are sky blue.
顔に少し皺があるので,適齢期を過ぎた年頃だろうが世辞抜きで十分に美人だ.赤ん坊じゃなきゃ,口説いてたかもしれん.
There are some wrinkles in her face so, she's probably passed the marrying age but even without complimenting is plenty beautiful. If I wasn't a baby, I might seduce her.
だけど,何故に彼女はメイド服を着ているのだろう? コスプレ? いや,彼女の見た目からしてここは外国なのか?ぼんやり考えている間に彼女は俺を優しく抱き上げ,子守唄らしきものを口ずさみはじめた.内容も言葉もわからない.けど,彼女が向ける慈愛に満ちた眼差しと,ゆっくりと刻まれるリズムに意識が遠くなる.
But, why is she wearing a maid uniform? Cosplay? No, looking at her appearance this might be a foreign country? While I was thinking idly she gently picked me up in her arms, and started humming something like a lullaby. I don't understand the content or the words. But, her gaze is filled with affection, the restful rhythm pushes my awareness away.
考えなければいけない事は山ほどあるが,心地よい感覚に抗えず俺は意識を手放した.
There are many things I have to think about but, unable to go against the pleasant sensation I let go of my consciousness.
目覚めてから一ヶ月が経った.
One month has passed since I woke up.
俺の知る世界はまだこの部屋だけだ.
The world I currently know is only this room.
おおよそ六畳半の広さで,俺が寝てる高さの低いベッドに机とクローゼットのみ.本すら無いこの部屋は,正に殺風景の一言に尽きる.布団の生地もちょっと肌触りが悪いし,何か色々と時代遅れ感があるな.
Approximately six tatami size, the low bed I am sleeping on and desk and closet only. This room without even books, really fits the word dreary. The bed's material is rough to touch, there's a behind the times impression to them.
さて,食っちゃ寝ばかりしてた一ヶ月であるが,俺の体は順調に成長していた.
Well then, it's been a month of only sleeping and eating but, my body is growing well.
壊れたスピーカーみたいに聞こえづらかった耳もはっきりしたし,歩くまではいかないが,体を多少は動かせるようになった.しかしそれに反比例して非常に燃費が悪くなった.つまり腹が減ったのだ.
My ears no longer hear sounds like broken speaker, it's not enough to walk, but I can move my body somewhat. However in response to that my fuel consumption has become unusually bad. In other words I'm hungry.
いつもなら,俺を監視してるんじゃないかっていうベストタイミングで食事が来るのだが,今日に限って遅い.これは何か策を考えなければならんか......と,対処法を考え始めた頃に扉が開いた.
Usually, the food comes with a best timing like I'm being monitored but, today it's late. I should think of a plan for this... ...when I was starting to think of ways to deal with it, the door opened.
俺を世話をしてくれる銀髪メイドさんのご入場である.というか,一ヶ月も経つのにこのメイドさん以外,人を見たことないんだよね.
The blonde maid taking care of me enters. As such, it's been a one month already and I haven't seen anyone else, except the maid.
「―――......――――――」
[---... ...------]
うむ,相変わらず何を言っているかわからん.耳は確かに聞こえるようになったのだが,言語がさっぱりなのである.前世は世界中を飛び回っていたから語学は堪能だったのだが,ここの言語は何一つ一致しないのだ.
Um, as usual I have no idea what she's saying. My ears indeed hear now but, I have absolutely no idea about the language. In my previous life I travelled all around the world so my study of languages is proficient but, the language here has nothing I've heard before.
だけど大した問題じゃない.聞いてればその内覚えるだろうし,今は食事を優先するとしよう.
But it's not a large problem. By continuing to listen you pick it up at some point, now I should give priority to eating.
「――? ――――――」
[--? ------]
おや,今日は銀髪メイドさんだけじゃなくてもう一人いるようだ.
どれどれ,一体どんな人が―............ナヌ?
Oh, today it's not only the blonde maid but there's another person too.
Let's see, what kind of a person-... ... ... ...what?
「――,―――,―――」
[--, ---, ---]
銀髪メイドさんはもう一人に指示して部屋を出て行った.
The blonde maid gave an order to the other and left the room.
いやいやちょっと待って.満面の笑みで近づいてくるこの女性,一体誰なのさ?メイド服着てるから世話しにきたんだろうが,ちょっと突っ込みたい点があるぞ.
No no wait a moment. That woman closing in with her whole face smiling, who is that? She's wearing a maid uniform so she probably came to take care of me, but there's a point I want to retort to.
何故に『ネコ耳』付けてるんですか,この娘さんは.
Why does she have [cat ears], this girl.
活発そうで,年齢は少女から大人になる途中だろう.赤い髪をポニーテールにして,中々可愛い女の子だ.しかし,頭に付いてるネコ耳が気になる.別にネコ耳好きではないが,真っ先にコスプレ喫茶が浮かんだ.浮かんだが,どう見てもこの耳動いてます.そらもう,ピコピコと可愛らしく.
She seems lively, age is probably between a girl and a woman. Red hair in a ponytail, quite a cute girl. But, those cat ears on her head concern me. It's not like I love cat ears but, my foremost thought was a cosplay cafe. Is what I thought but, no matter how you look those ears are moving. And even cutely with pikopiko.
「――,―――?」
[--, ---?]
驚いてる俺を他所に,目の前の女の子は食事を載せたスプーンを差し出してきた.哺乳瓶とか無いからこうやってスプーンで食べさせてもらうわけだ.
Beside the surprised me, the girl holds out a spoon with food. There's no baby bottle so I'm being fed with a spoon like this.
疑問は残るが腹は減っているので食べることにする.ミルクみたいな物に何かが混ぜられた食事であまりおいしくないけどな.
The question remains but I'm hungry so I eat. The milk like meal with something mixed in it isn't that delicious though.
「――! ――――」
[--! ----]
俺が食べる度に嬉しそうに悶えている.
She fidget's happily when I eat.
ちょいと鬱陶しいが,しばらく黙々と食べることに専念した.
It's a bit irritating but, for a while I concentrate on eating.
食事は終ったのだが,ネコ耳さんはニコニコと飽きる事なくこちらを眺めていた.君はあれかね,可愛い物には目が無いってタイプなのかい?こちらとしては鏡が無いので自分の容姿が可愛いのかさえわからないんだけどな.俺の容姿は置いといて,腹も膨れたところで疑問を一つ解消しましょうかね.
The meal is over but, the cat ear girl is smiling and gazing at me without tiring. Are you that, the type that has no eyes for cute things? I don't have a mirror so I don't even know if my appearance is cute or not. Leaving aside my appearance, my stomach is full too so let's remove one question.
ずばり,そのネコ耳って本物ですか?
Precisely, are those cat ears real?
ネコ耳を指して触らせて欲しいとアピールする.いや,指をにぎにぎじゃなくて,耳だっつーの.ネコ耳さんはちょっと考えつつも,頭を寄せて耳を触らせてくれた.うん,暖かい.根元まで調べてみたが,頭からしっかり生えてます.本物だコレ.
I point at the cat ears and try to appeal to let me touch them. No, not grabbing my finger, those ears. After thinking for some time the cat eared girl lowered her head and let me touch them. Un, they're warm. I tried investigating until their root but, they're properly growing from her head. This is the real thing.
「――! ――,――――――,――......」
[--! --, ------, --... ...]
言葉にならない感動に浸っていると,ネコ耳さんは何か思いついた様に手を叩いた.目を閉じ,人差し指を立てるなり何かぶつぶつと呟いている.
Like being immersed in a feeling too strong for words, cat eared girl claps her hands like she's thought of something. Closing her eyes, rising her index finger she murmurs something.
「―――!」
[---!]
最後に気合と共に声を出した瞬間,突然指先に火が出現した.
At the last moment as she let out her voice with a spirit, suddenly fire appeared at the tip of her finger.
......え,火? ライターとか何も無いんですけど,一体どこから火が? ああそうか,手品とかそういうやつ? でも火って,あんな綺麗な球体になって宙に浮かぶものじゃないだろ.
... ...Eh, fire? There's no lighter or anything like that though, where's the fire coming from? Ah is that so, a sleight of hand trick? But fire's, not something that floats in midair in a sphere like that.
「―――♪」
[---~]
こちらが混乱してる前で,ネコ耳さんは楽しそうに指を回している.
While I'm being confused, the cat ear girl is happily rotating her finger.
それに合わせて火の玉がありえない動きをしながら,ネコ耳さんの周囲を飛び回っていた.タネらしき物は一切見当たらない.
In answer to that the fire sphere is doing impossible movements, and flying about the girl. I can't see anything that's the cause.
これってもしかして『魔法』......なのか?
Is this [magic]... ...maybe?
「――!」
[--!]
「―!?」
[-!?]
俺の中でそう結論が出ると同時に銀髪メイドさんが戻ってきた.
At the same time as I concluded this the blonde maid came back.
それに気付いたネコ耳さんの動きが止まり,それと一緒に火の玉も消えた.銀髪メイドさんは無言でネコ耳さんを手招く.こっち来いと怖い笑顔で.そこへ向かうネコ耳さんの耳と尻尾がしょんぼりと垂れていて何か癒された.
Noticing this the cat eared girl's movements stopped, and the fire sphere disappeared with that. The blonde maid beckoned the cat eared girl with her hand without a word. A scary smile saying come here. Heading there the cat eared girl's ears and tail drooped down downheartedly giving a healing feeling.
普通の人間には存在しないネコ耳や尻尾に魔法が存在すること.
Cat ears and tail that normal people don't have and magic exists.
世界中が解明されていた前世では一切存在しなかったものだ.
In my previous life they existed nowhere in the whole world.
あえて思考から外していたが,そろそろ現実を素直に認めなきゃいけないようだ.
Thinking again, I should docilely admit reality.
ここ......地球じゃねーな.
This is... ...not Earth.
目覚めから三ヶ月.
It's been three months since I woke up.
首がすわり,ハイハイ移動が可能となった.
My neck is steady, it became possible to move by crawling around.
メイド二人の目を盗んではベッドの柵から抜け出し,周辺の情報を集めることに専念する毎日を送っている.
When the two maids aren't watching escaping from the bed's fence, I spent everyday concentrating on gathering information from the surroundings.
そうして色々見回って,改めて俺は現状への理解を深めていった.地球じゃないのは確定したし,魔法とかあるから『異世界』と呼ぶのがいいかもしれない.
Moving around like that, my understanding of the current situation deepened. I confirmed this is not Earth, because there's magic it would be good to call it [another world].
いやはや,オタクだった同僚が散々言ってた『異世界転生』に俺がなるとは.すでに一回終っているが,人生ってわからんものだ.
To think that, [another world reincarnation] that an otaku coworker of mine talked about would happen to me. It may have already ended once for me, but life's really mysterious.
ここの文明レベルは,地球で言えばヨーロッパの中世時代が最も近いだろうか.明かりは蝋燭とかがメインだし,電化製品なんか一切無いので不便そうだが,その代わりに魔法がある.
The culture level here, talking about Earth would be closest to medieval Europe. Light is mostly candles, there's absolutely no electricity so that seems inconvenient, but there is magic in it's place.
新たな発見を求めて移動するが,そろそろ食事の時間だ.
I'd like to move to new discoveries but, it's almost meal time.
メイドさんが来る前に部屋へ戻るとしよう.今日は多分ネコ耳さんが来る番だな.
Let's return to the room before maid comes. Today is probably the cat eared girl's turn.
「はーい,ご飯の時間ですよ.沢山食べさせてあげますからね.あーん♪」
[Here, it's time for a meal. I'll feed you a lot. Say aah-~]
そうそう,ようやく意味不明だった言語が理解できるようになった.赤ん坊の学習速度のせいもあるだろうが,一番はこのネコ耳さんのおかげだろう.この娘さんは非常にお節介かつ饒舌で鬱陶しいぐらい話しかけてくるのだ.母国語にまみれてたら習得も早いもんである.言語がわかれば当然俺の名前も判明した.
That's right, I finally understand the unknown language. It's probably also because of a baby's learning ability, but mostly because of the cat eared girl. This girl is oddly talkative and speaks even irritatingly much. Being in the middle of a country's language makes acquiring it fast. By understanding the language I also learned my name.
シリウス......それが俺の新たな名前.
Sirius... ...that is my new name.
真相は不明だが,こうして新たな生を得たんだ.
The situations is unknown but, this is how I got my new name.
前世の名前は消えてしまったが,俺という自我がある以上シリウスとしてしっかり生きていこうと思う.格好良い事を言っているが,現実の俺は食べさせてもらってる身なので締まらないけどな.
My previous name has disappeared but, as long as I have my self consciousness I'll properly live as Sirius. I might be saying a cool line, but I'm currently being fed so it doesn't fit.
「食事は終ったかしら?」
[Have you finished eating?]
銀髪メイドさん,改めエリナさんが様子を見にやってきた.本日も一切隙の無い身形で達人メイドの風格を魅せつけている.前世の俺より年下だろうが,プロ相手には敬意を持つのが俺流である.
The blonde maid, revised to Elina-san came to look at the situation.There's absolutely no break in her appearance today either so she gives a expert maid's appearance. She might be younger than I in my previous live, but it's my style to give respect against a pro.
「あ,はい.それにしてもシリウス様は綺麗に食べてくれますね.赤ちゃんの食事ってもっと苦戦するって聞きましたけど?」
[Ah, yes. At any rate Sirius-sama really eats tidily. I'd heard it was harder to feed a baby?]
「普通の子ならそうでしょうが,シリウス様は特別です.将来はきっと大物になるでしょう」
[It might be like that for a normal child, Sirius-sama is special. He will surely become a great person in future.
達人メイドだけど,若干親バカ入ってます.
She is a expert maid but, somewhat a doting parent.
てっきりエリナさんが俺の親かと思っていたのだが,会話を聞いてると違うっぽい.言動は目上に対してだし,メイドより侍女に近い気がする.だから親バカという表現もおかしいが,こちらに向ける目は完全に親の目だ.俺の年齢を考えると,主君バカより親バカって表現は間違ってないと思う.
I thought that Elina-san was certainly my parent but, listening to the conversation it seems wrong. Speech is like that towards a superior, rather an attendant than a maid. Because of that a doting parent might seem an odd expression but, the way she looks this way is completely like that of a parent. Thinking of my age, rather than doting servant a doting parent fits better.
「ですねー.まるで私の言葉わかってるみたいですし.ああ,それにしても本当に可愛いです」
[That's right. It almost like he understands my words. Ah, at any rate he really is cute.]
俺に夢中なネコ耳さんの名前はノエルさんだ.
The cat eared girl whose engrossed with me is named Noelle-san.
エリナさんの隣でメイド勉強中な彼女であるが,まだまだ年相応の子供っぽさが抜けてない.
She's studying being a maid beside Elina-san but, hasn't left childlikeness behind yet.
「お姉ちゃんっていつ呼んでくれるかな? いや,お姉様も捨てがたいなぁ」
[I wonder when he'll call me onee-chan? No, onee-sama is also hard to give up.]
うん,この娘は呼び捨てでいいや.
Yeah, this girl can be addressed without honorific.
「食事は済んだわね.次はお掃除をお願いするわ」
[The meal is over. Next I'll ask you to clean.]
「わっかりました!」
[Understood!]
元気よく応えるノエルを背に,エリナさんは俺を優しく抱き抱えて部屋から出た.そのまま玄関へ向かい,生まれて初めて外に出ることになった.
この世界に四季があるのかわからないが,外は快晴で暖かい.昼寝とかしたら気持ち良さそう.
Leaving behind Noelle-san who answered with energy, Elina-san left the room while carrying and holding me gently. Heading towards the entryway like that, it became the first time since I was born that I went outside.
「今日は暖かいですね.少し外を散歩しましょうか」
[Today is warm. Let's take a small stroll outside.]
「あいー」
[Yee-]
「はい,お任せください」
[Yes, leave it to me.]
エリナさんに連れられ,家の周囲をゆっくりと散策する.
Elina-san takes me, and slowly walks around the house's surroundings.
家の外見は立派な木造建築の二階建て.部屋は六部屋と,一般家庭より少し広い家だと思う.俺を『様』付け呼ばわりだから,上流貴族で豪邸に住んでいると思っていたよ.庭は結構広く,所々に植えられた菜園や樹木が綺麗に整えられていた.
The house is a fine two-story building made out of wood. There are six rooms, it's probably larger than average house. I'm being called with [-sama], so I thought I lived in some noble's mansion. The yard is quite large, the vegetable garden and shrubs are arranged neatly.
そして家を一周した所で気付く.この家,周りが森だらけで一切他の住宅が見当たらないんだけど? せいぜい正門らしき先に整備された道が続くだけで,あとは森しか見えない.田舎で片付けられない辺境っぷりっすね.
And I realize after walking around the house once. This house, it's completely surrounded by forest and there's no sign of other buildings? There's only a maintained road leading from a main entrance like place, everything else I see is only forest. A remote region style that can't even be called rural area.
時折茂みから飛び出してくる,角が生えた兎を見てここは異世界なんだなぁと思わせる.
Sometimes from the thicket, a rabbit with a horn appears making me think this is an another world.
「シリウス様,あれは『ホラビィ』と言うんですよ.臆病な性格ですが,魔物なので近づいてはいけませんよ」
[Sirius-sama, that is called [horabi-]. It has a timid personality but, it's a monster so don't get close to it.]
//Shortened form of horned rabbit most likely
うーむ,魔法がある時点で予想はしていたんだが,やはり魔物有りな世界か.
Hm, I expected this from when I saw magic but, it seems there are monsters in this world.
ドラゴンとか前世では空想上だった生物とか普通にいそうだし,明日から体を鍛え始めた方が良さそうだ.少し赤ん坊のふりをやめて鍛え始めるべきか.しばらくしたらハイハイ出来るのを見せて成長の速さを知れば,その後の異常な成長への不信感も薄れるだろう.歩けるようになった一ヵ月後には,ジョギングしても笑って見守ってくれるくらいが理想だな.
It seems like dragons and other fantasy creatures would normally be here, it seems I should start training my body from tomorrow on. Should I partly stop acting like a baby and begin training. If after a while I can show what I can do and show the speed of my growth, it seems that any feelings of mistrust towards unusual growth would lessen as well. A one month after learning to walk, it would be ideal they'd just smile and watch even if I jogged.
「......エリナ様」
[Elina-sama]
「あら,剪定は終ったのかしら?」
[Ara, is pruning over?]
「はい」
[Yes.]
声に振り返ると,木々の間から作業着に剪定鋏を持ったお兄さんが現れた.
Turning towards the voice, a young man wearing work clothes and carrying pruning shears walks out from between the trees.
俺にとっては第三人間発見だ.
To me this is the third person I discover.
茶色の短髪に鋭い目付きをした青年で,身長も高くどこか近寄りがたい雰囲気を醸し出していた.初対面の人なら話しかけるのを躊躇しそうだ.
A young man with short light-brown hair and sharp eyes, tall too, somehow brings out an hard to approach atmosphere. Seems like someone meeting him for the first time would hesitate to start talking with him.
「アプが生っていました.本日の晩御飯に出しましょう」
[Apu has born fruit. Today I'll bring some out for evening meal.]
//A fruit named apu, probably apple like?
「そうですか.ノエルの好物ですし,飛び跳ねて喜ぶでしょう」
[Is that so. It's Noelle's favorite food, seems like she'd jump up and down from joy.
「はい」
[Yes]
会話するのが苦手なのか,言葉も少なく端的である.さっきから表情が一切変わらないし,前世だったら確実にコミュ症と認定だな.
[He might not be good at conversation, words are few and straightforward. Expression hasn't changed a bit from before, in my previous world it would definitely be communication sickness.
俺が観察しているのがわかったのか,エリナさんはディーを紹介してくれた.
Probably noticing I was watching him, Elina-san introduces Dee.
「シリウス様,こちらはディーマス.我が家の庭師と料理人ですよ」
[Sirius-sama, this is Dee. Our house's gardener and chef.]
「エリナ様,赤ん坊に理解は無理かと」
[Elina-sama, it's impossible for a baby to understand.]
「そうかもしれないけど,貴方をちゃんと紹介しておかないとね」
[That might be so but, I must properly introduce you.]
「......ですね.ディーとお呼びください,シリウス様」
[... ...That's right. Please call me Dee, Sirius-sama]
「あいー」
[Yee-]
「っ!?」
[!?]
返事をするとは思わなかったのだろう,ディーの表情が僅かであるが崩れた.
Probably didn't think I'd answer, Dee's expression slightly crumbled.
全く意味は無いが勝った気はする.
Feels like a completely useless win.
「......将来が楽しみですね」
[... ...I'm looking forward to the future.]
「ええ,本当に」
[Yes, really.]
二人の目が細められ,視線が集まる.
The two's eyes narrow, gaze gathers here.
将来......ね.現時点で言えるとしたら,トラブルに備えて体を鍛えます,くらいかな.それ以前に,俺の将来に一番絡んでくるであろう人が見当たらないぞ.
Future... ...hm. Saying at the current time, training my body for trouble, only that. Before that, the person most involved with my future can't be found.
一度も姿を見たこと無いし,写真なんて物も無いから顔すらわからん.
I haven't seen the figure even once, because there are no photos I don't even know the face.
意図的に避けるように話題に一切挙がらず,俺も気付かないふりをしていたが,いい加減おかしい.
Intentionally avoiding it and completely ignoring the topic, I also kept pretending not to notice but, it's already becoming quite strange.
俺の両親,どこにいるんだろう?
I wonder, where are my parents?